MLB Playoffs 2009

[Missy_Mouses_Dad]

Resigning Damon over Matsui would be a mistake. He is a liability in the field and is well past his prime. The Yankee management never surprises me, though.

[DAKustodial]

Congrats to the Yankees fans, it was a good series. I'll never forget going to my first World Series game or watching Utley's awesome performance...too bad for us he couldn't carry them on his back one more time.

After the game apparently Jayson Werth, over one last beer with the rest of the team, said, "Only 97 more days until Spring Training!"

[Ian]

A question for everyone ... was anyone besides me surprised that Jeter didn't seem to get any mention for MVP?

I mean the guy hit .407 for the series, he scored a bunch of runs, and basically did exactly what your leadoff guy is supposed to do. Not to mention he was great in the field.

Matsui's numbers were better for sure, but Jeter is an icon on that team. Not to mention he's getting up there and there's a chance he might not win another one (unlikely, but you never know). I kinda thought they might give the love to a lifelong Yankee who really did have a great series.

[Melanie]

Great discussion on Mike & Mike this morning regarding the whole 'buying' the championship.

[Ian]

Great discussion on Mike & Mike this morning regarding the whole 'buying' the championship.

Yeah, I heard Joe Buck mention it last night, as well.

There is one important thing to note, though. In addition to spending a whole ton of money, the Yankees did at least pick the right guys to spend it on.

They didn't sign a 41 year old Randy Johnson this time around. They targeted all the right guys ... younger guys ... that they can really build a team around.

You have to get the talent evaluation part right, too. I've seen plenty of teams (the Yankees among them) go out and try and "buy" championships only to fall flat on their faces because they spent on the wrong guys.

[Missy_Mouses_Dad]

Very good and important points! You can spend all of the money in the world, but if the players don't get along and play well together a team may never get the brass ring on the merry go round..or win the World Series as the case may be.

My choice would have been Jeter for MVP. He is the catalyst and always seemed to be in the middle of rally's and the action.

Is it me, or does it seem like Jeter has been playing shortstop for the Yankees for 20 years?

[Ian]

Is it me, or does it seem like Jeter has been playing shortstop for the Yankees for 20 years?

Hey it isn't that far off, really. He's been there 14 years.

[Pagan]

While Jeter always plays above and beyond, you can't fault giving the award to Matsui.

He batted .615 to Jeter's .407, scored 3 runs to Jeter's 5, drive in 8 runs to Jeter's 1, and hit 3 homers to none for Jeter.

He pretty much single-handedly won last night's game.

Him AND Jeter...two of the classiest players in baseball. Both deserved it, but since Jeter's been there before, let Godzilla enjoy his moment in the sun.

[PirateLover]

Though I am disappointed, getting game 6 in your 2nd consecutive World Series is nothing to sneeze at, so I'm proud of our boys. If we had a Cole Hamels who performed up to his capabilities we could've been in an epic game 7 today I'm sure, but even with that I'm not sure we would've won. We left so many men on base and didn't capitalize on opportunities, whereas the Yankees did. They were the better club this year. I fully believe that we'll be competitive for a while. If Reuben Amaro can make some off season moves to help our bull pen and bench, we have just as good of a shot to make it back next year, and I'd love a rematch with the Yankees! Let the countdown to pitchers and catchers begin.

[gueli]

A question for everyone ... was anyone besides me surprised that Jeter didn't seem to get any mention for MVP?

While Jeter always plays above and beyond, you can't fault giving the award to Matsui.

He batted .615 to Jeter's .407...He pretty much single-handedly won last night's game.

Matsui deserved this. I can not say that Jeter didn't have a mention, but I honestly have to agree with, er am I actually saying this...ahem, agree with Pagan
In the scope of things- he deserved it, not because he is a better player than Jeter, because he played so well when he was called upon.
Hats off to him,
hats off to the phillies
hats off to NYC
and to Dear , dear George...

[Hammer]

Great discussion on Mike & Mike this morning regarding the whole 'buying' the championship.

Yeah, I heard Joe Buck mention it last night, as well.

There is one important thing to note, though. In addition to spending a whole ton of money, the Yankees did at least pick the right guys to spend it on.

They didn't sign a 41 year old Randy Johnson this time around. They targeted all the right guys ... younger guys ... that they can really build a team around.

You have to get the talent evaluation part right, too. I've seen plenty of teams (the Yankees among them) go out and try and "buy" championships only to fall flat on their faces because they spent on the wrong guys.

I totally missed it this morning. I was busy getting ready for work today (have a bunch of meetings today with upper management and wanted to spend a little more time getting ready) and I mute the sound during the game and listen to our announcers. But it is true that many teams try to buy championships and most times do not pick the right guys. That's where you need to have a good talent and people evaluators to make sure you pick guys that will work with the current team. Not sold on Burnett on being a good investment for the Yankees. He has great stuff, but is not consistant, certainly not enough to pay $82.5 million dollars on him.

The Phillies are not going away (sorry all you Philadelphia haters). Most of the core will be back. I do think Lidge will be better next year. Will he be perfect? No, but that is not a realistic expectation. He'll blow a few saves, but not 11 like this year. Since Myers will be gone (good riddance), that frees up $12 million dollars and $6 million as Jenkins is off the books. Maryanne, help me out, but I don't think any of the key players are free agents. If they can work out a good trade for Cole, it may solidify us. I really think he needs to go. Spoke to my co-workers who are Yankee fans and they say he wouldn't be able to handle either NY team either. Send him to a place where their isn't the intense passion for the team like on the East Coast.

Congrats to the Yankees fans, it was a good series. I'll never forget going to my first World Series game or watching Utley's awesome performance...too bad for us he couldn't carry them on his back one more time.

After the game apparently Jayson Werth, over one last beer with the rest of the team, said, "Only 97 more days until Spring Training!"

Just waiting for the Spring Training schedule to be published to book my flight!

[Melanie]

Just waiting for the Spring Training schedule to be published to book my flight!

Some are already out!!! I CANNOT WAIT for our first spring training season. Man, I love living here.

[Hammer]

Some are already out!!! I CANNOT WAIT for our first spring training season. Man, I love living here.

So, what teams are you going to go see? Maybe try and get back control of your son's brain and get him liking the Braves ? Within driving distance (less than 2 hours) for you are the Yankees (but hard to get Spring Training tickets), Phillies (also not really easy to get), Blue Jays (Dunedin), Tigers (Lakeland), Braves (Disney), Houston (Kissimmee, though I hear the stadium isn't that great), Pirates and Rays (Red Sox would take about 2 1/2-3 hours).

[Melanie]

Unfortunately my little guy has a very strong-willed mind of his own. lol!

We'll try and get some Yankees tickets, but we'll see. Of course we'll see the Braves and Houston (my hubby is a Texan and a fan), and probably the Tigers as well, being that it's so close.

We've seen the facilities in Clearwater (which I told you Christine, we liked very much), so we'll probably just wait on seeing them for now. Otherwise, I might have to throw some beer on Heidi Hamels!

[Ian]

I highly doubt they're going to trade Hamels. The Sabremetrics guys told us at the beginning of the season that Cole was going to have a down year since he upped his innings pitched by over 30% between 2007 and 2008 but we didn't listen.

I honestly believe he'll be back and better than ever next year. I think Lidge will be, too. He's always had that "every other year" issue.

We do, though, have a couple of free agents to deal with. Pedro Feliz, for one. I love the guy's defense at 3rd so I really hope they re-sign him (we have a club option). I know his bat isn't the best, but I think his d more than makes up for it.

Also free agents are Miguel Cairo (who cares), Paul Bako (who cares), Matt Stairs (I love the guy but he's done), Chan Ho Park (not sure about him), Cliff Lee (although I'm certain they're going to exercise his option), and Scott Eyre (buh-bye).

You figure if you lose Eyre and Park you've got to add some significant arms to your bullpen. I personally also think they need to add another solid arm in the starting rotation. I'd like to see the starters be Lee, Hamels, a free agent, Happ, and Blanton.

[spoonful of sugar]

so does this mean the yankees are going to disney world? or is that not done anymore. my husband and i will be in wdw 11/8-11/14 and he was hoping they would be there, LOL.

[Hammer]

I highly doubt they're going to trade Hamels. The Sabremetrics guys told us at the beginning of the season that Cole was going to have a down year since he upped his innings pitched by over 30% between 2007 and 2008 but we didn't listen.

I honestly believe he'll be back and better than ever next year. I think Lidge will be, too. He's always had that "every other year" issue.

We do, though, have a couple of free agents to deal with. Pedro Feliz, for one. I love the guy's defense at 3rd so I really hope they re-sign him (we have a club option). I know his bat isn't the best, but I think his d more than makes up for it.

Also free agents are Miguel Cairo (who cares), Paul Bako (who cares), Matt Stairs (I love the guy but he's done), Chan Ho Park (not sure about him), Cliff Lee (although I'm certain they're going to exercise his option), and Scott Eyre (buh-bye).

You figure if you lose Eyre and Park you've got to add some significant arms to your bullpen. I personally also think they need to add another solid arm in the starting rotation. I'd like to see the starters be Lee, Hamels, a free agent, Happ, and Blanton.

Don't be so quick to get rid of Bako. He is a quality backup catcher and he can handle Lidge's slider almost as well as Ruiz (not always easy to find). Eyre has said he was going to retire (no need to be nasty about either of them). I think they may try to resign Park. So they need to add another lefty in the pen, a starter to replace the scumbag Myers, and refortify their bench. Nothing really glaring.

Unfortunately my little guy has a very strong-willed mind of his own. lol!

We'll try and get some Yankees tickets, but we'll see. Of course we'll see the Braves and Houston (my hubby is a Texan and a fan), and probably the Tigers as well, being that it's so close.

We've seen the facilities in Clearwater (which I told you Christine, we liked very much), so we'll probably just wait on seeing them for now. Otherwise, I might have to throw some beer on Heidi Hamels!

Don't think Heidi shows her face in Clearwater, so you should be fine to go to a Spring Training game at Bright House Field. If it works out, we should meet for a game there.

[Melanie]

If it works out, we should meet for a game there.

We'll definitely talk about it as the time approaches.

[Pagan]

Cliff Lee (although I'm certain they're going to exercise his option)

Nah....the Evil Yankees will throw tons of money at him and buy themselves another championship.

[Ian]

Nah....the Evil Yankees will throw tons of money at him and buy themselves another championship.

You jest ... I'm quite certain they would but with a club option the Phillies have first rights to him.