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I don't really know much about Castaspella, but even if I did, I'd still probably vote for:
* Pick a winner based on who you feel is more powerful, who you like better, or who has the best fashion sense. There is no wrong reason for why you picked who you picked.
* The Rumble will end after a week's time. The winner will be safe until their next Rumble. If there is a tie, I will call for a tie breaker. Once I do, the first character voted for in this thread is the winner.
* Each Round consists of 2 characters from an era/spinoff of this franchise(MOTU, POP, NA, 2002, MOTUC).
* Once the Round is over, I will post a Wildcard Match where each of the Rumble losers will be placed against each other. The winner will get a second chance & be safe until their next Rumble.
Last edited by Mr. Shokoti; April 10, 2012 at 11:55am.
I don't really know much about Castaspella, but even if I did, I'd still probably vote for:
As big a Filmation fan as I am, I don't love Shadow Weaver as much as most people seem to. I don't hate her, but I like Castaspella just a little more. Between that and my liking of the idea of good triumphing over evil, I have to go with Castaspella.
Shadow Weaver gets my vote.
Castaspella is one of my favorites, but Shadow Weaver is too awesome to vote against.
"Oh Lord, Bless this M&M... and the mighty cockroach I slain in battle to get it." - Al Bundy
I don't even remember Castaspella.
shadow weaver is the most powerful.
Skeleton-Warriors, Ra-Jar, Spinwit, Rock Golem, Evil Seed, Lord Masque, Prahvus, General Tartaran, Hawke, Slob-Boar, King Agho, Hunga the Harpy, Sh'gora, Masks of Power Demons, Nocturna, Lizzor, Horde Wraiths, Sagitar, Crimson Fury, Lodar, Vizar, Angast, Negator, Melaktha, ABC Giants, Stridor
While Shadow Weaver is by far my favorite of the two I have to route for the Rebellion over the Horde. They always seem to win out.
I think that Castaspella is the superior magician, but that the Horde's "better-ification" of Shadow Weaver, and with her evil, ect, if pushed to the wall, I think Shadow Weaver could take Castaspella, even though perhaps Casta would win most often if only due to Shadow Weaver's innate cowardace.
Being that beautiful is dangerous. More so than any magik...
Castaspella wins.
Most Wanted MOTU Classics:
*MotU ~ Multi-Bot/Tung Lashor *PoP ~ Angella/Mermista *200X ~ Roboto/Calix *Filmation ~ Teela Na/Lord Masque
*Play-Sets ~ Snake Mountain/Fright Zone *Vehicles ~ Roton/Land Shark *Beasts ~ Night Stalker/Stridor
Castaspella, because she's pretty.
Ask not for whom MOTUC is made, it's made for thee.
If you have to disclaimer your like, then you don't really like it.
I think Casta would take her at the end of a hard fought magical battle. Let's not forget that Shadow Weaver left ther magical training before she had graduated and cheated her way to power with the help of Hordak. Casta on the other hand stuck with Norwyn and I have no doubt her gave her all the knowledge she would need to one day stop Shadow Weaver with her magical power boost. I'm backing Castaspella on this one.
Couldn't help but facepalm during the duel between Castaspella and Shadow Weaver in "The Eldritch Mist" as Casta countered Weaver's spells in a very fluffy manner. Shadow Weaver's dark magic should only be second to Hordak's.
I voted for Casta. In a fair fight, I think she'd win, but why would Weaver fight fairly?
Not to sound like a creepy cheerleader for Uki, but it's nice to know there is at least one person on this forum who is extremely positive & friendly all the time. I don't think I could be that nice even if you paid me. If we ever give out awards for "forum member of the month", Uki gets my vote. -Mr. Shokoti
Went for Castapsella, as she is one of the good guys, has good looks and a foxy voice, helps the people of Eternia in their hour of need and wouldn't turn you into a frog or similar if you said the slightest thing to upset her. She's also the greater magician, as she has defeated Shadow Weaver in fair combat (e.g. "The Eldritch Mist") and keeps the Kingdom of Mysticor free from the Horde while under her rule.
You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete
Buckminster Fuller
Shadow Weaver for the win!
I like Castaspella a lot but the villains are always more fun. I think SW is stronger than Casta dark magic usually is but it's the heroism and bravery that usually wins out in the end.
"Don't crowd me boys!"

subset: commoncrawl


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Now it is the FBI that is forging websites to catch high school criminals
The FBI in Seattle created a fake news story on a bogus Seattle Times web page to plant software in the computer of a suspect in a series of bomb threats to Lacey's Timberline High School in 2007, according to documents obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) in San Francisco.
The deception was publicized Monday when Christopher Soghoian, the principal technologist for the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, D.C., revealed it on Twitter.
In an interview, Soghoian called the incident "outrageous" and said the practice could result in "significant collateral damage to the public trust" if law enforcement begins co-opting the media for its purposes.
The EFF documents reveal that the FBI dummied up a story with an Associated Press byline about the Thurston County bomb threats with an email link "in the style of The Seattle Times," including details about subscriber and advertiser information.
The link was sent to the suspect's MySpace account. When the suspect clicked on the link, the hidden FBI software sent his location and Internet Protocol information to the agents. A juvenile suspect was identified and arrested June 14.
The revelation brought a sharp response from the newspaper.
"We are outraged that the FBI, with the apparent assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office, misappropriated the name of The Seattle Times to secretly install spyware on the computer of a crime suspect," said Seattle Times Editor Kathy Best.
"Not only does that cross a line, it erases it," she said.
"Our reputation and our ability to do our job as a government watchdog are based on trust. Nothing is more fundamental to that trust than our independence — from law enforcement, from government, from corporations and from all other special interests," Best said. "The FBI's actions, taken without our knowledge, traded on our reputation and put it at peril."
An AP spokesman also criticized the tactic.
"We are extremely concerned and find it unacceptable that the FBI misappropriated the name of The Associated Press and published a false story attributed to AP," Paul Colford, director of AP media relations. "This ploy violated AP's name and undermined AP's credibility."
Before we jump all over the FBI, it happens more than you think and has similar things happened recently in Saskatoon with false news stories planted in the media. That and the Seattle Times got it's outrage wrong. You don't need spyware to get an I.P. address.


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I have this dining room set...(I will attempt to post a link...).
http://www.justforfurniture.com/Pedestal-Dining-Table-with-Empire-Design-Oak-Finish_i161238 I hate it, but it is in good shape. It's obviously very country and doesn't really match my other tradtional/transition things. I'm considering painting it black. It has ALOT of grooves and details and I'm wondering if the chairs would look ridiculous painted black. I'm afraid they will look to "bulky"? I know the table would look fine painted. I just don't know if it's even worth it to tackle painting something with so much detail. |
Follow-Up Postings:
I wouldn't. Painting it will not change the style of the set, and I don't think it will make you like it any better. If I were you, I'd sell this set and shop for one I liked better. I've seen some really nice dining sets from all eras in consignment shops locally at excellent prices. |
- Posted by storybookgirl (My Page) on Tue, Oct 30, 12 at 13:21
paint the table and buy new chairs |
- Posted by forboystoo (My Page) on Tue, Oct 30, 12 at 13:23
Did you see tinker-2006 table ? I love the look..How about the look of the room you're putting it in? |
Here is a link that might be useful: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/decor/msg1015410017381.html?26
Ha superchick! I just emailed a friend this morning with my hesitant cheap plan to paint a similar table and country-style chairs. I was going to do a black or ivory base and try the Rustoleum Countertop Transformations on the top since my top is laminate. But like suzannes mentioned it's still the same style and that's what I'm trying to get away from. Also I'm tired of dusting all the little nooks and crannies. I've found a new clean-lined style from both Dinec and Canadel that I really like but would have to special order and it would set me back about $7000 for table, chairs and credenza. I've searched for several years and just need to bite the bullet and buy it. |
Just get a new (or new-used) set. |
- Posted by superchick (My Page) on Tue, Oct 30, 12 at 13:31
I just looked at Tinkers room. BEAUTIFUL! I really had my heart set on something black. But the more I think about it, I agree-It would just be the same style, different color and I probably wouldn't be happy with it. Not to mention all the work it would be to get those crannies painted. :( I don't currently have the funds for a whole new table set, and there aren't many consignment stores where I live. But I'll keep my eye out and maybe I'll come across a treasure...haha! Of course, leave it up to me to start a project 3 weeks before the holidays...UGH! |
- Posted by forboystoo (My Page) on Tue, Oct 30, 12 at 13:33
How about this look ? |
Here is a link that might be useful: http://serendipityfurnishings.com/?p=2852
I think the table would be fine, but you need new chairs. You might be able to find some inexpensively on CL. |
If you hate dusting now, it will be worse painted black. I wouldn't paint it black. |
- Posted by tinker_2006 (My Page) on Wed, Oct 31, 12 at 11:59
Still trying to decide about mine.. I don't think I'd paint the top, but the base yes... the chairs are very country, but you can easily buy new chairs - used or new! |
- Posted by nosoccermom (My Page) on Wed, Oct 31, 12 at 12:22
If you have the time, I'd say, go for it, including painting the chairs. I think they look great in that serendipityfurnishings link. Maybe in chalk paint in a color you like. It shouldn't be too much work because you'd go for the slightly shabby look. |
Here is a link that might be useful: chalk paint images
- Posted by superchick (My Page) on Wed, Oct 31, 12 at 12:48
I think I have decided to forget it. The table would look good painted, but I'd still hate the chairs. So the hunt continues! I'm going to the big city tomorrow to see if I can find a bargain treasure! Thanks for the imput. |
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Select () or exclude () categories to narrow your recipe search.
As you select categories, the number of matching recipes will update.
Find exactly what you're looking for with the web's most powerful recipe filtering tool.
Like to cook, LOVE to bake, Hate to clean. Unfortunately, I am one of those people that just has to say I'm going to bake and I put on 5 pounds - usually around the waist. So, I don't do it as often as I would like.
I am also a quilter and there never is enough time to do all the projects I would like to try. I am a new grandmother to a beautiful baby girl - can't wait to teach her all my favourite recipes and have her stand on a chair beside me at the kitchen counter stiring something in a bowl just like I did with my grandmother.
Anything sweet; Mom's meat pie; Chicken Pot Pie; Lasagna and the list goes on....
Not too much I don't like.


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Rasberry Thanksgiving Flashback [AUDIO]
In this Flashback, it's Thanksgiving dinner at the Rasberry House!
In this Flashback, it's Thanksgiving dinner at the Rasberry House!
In today's Flashback, Psycho Shanon shares with us her Tin Can Turkey Shan theme song and we take a look back at the original Big Al as Tin Can Turkey Man.
The crew just got back from another amazing Kidd's Kids trip and if you missed out on any of the fun don't worry, you can catch up on what happened right here.
Thanksgiving is almost here and if you're still looking for that perfect way to cook your turkey, then look no further.
It was their first day in Orlando on the Kidd's Kids trip and Big Al was already mad at Jenna because she set him up to ride the Tea Cup!
J-Si tests Big Al on the meaning of 10 words that sound bad and you probably shouldn't say in public.
J-Si shares with listeners the two sides of Kellie Rasberry this morning.
Psycho Shanon is now feeling well enough to sit down for her very first interview since her brain surgery. Click through to watch.
Little Curtis, my new Golden Doodle puppy has been peeing and pooping outside for the most part. I'm still not confident enough to let him just roam free throughout the house but he is turning out to be a pretty smart and fairly quick learner
More tough news for the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show came this morning (10/28) when producer and co-host Psycho Shanon made a shocking announcement that she has a brain tumor.
It's been a tough year for a lot of people, but just imagine how much harder it would be if your child was dealing with cancer, cystic fibrosis, heart problems, sickle cell or any type of terminal or chronic illness/disease
Congratulations are in order for Kidd Kraddick in the morning co-host J-si and his wife Kinsey. The couple have welcomed their new baby girl, Chloe, into the world!


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Having trained in Fashion Design (BA Hons) London College of Fashion Carolline then was a Fashion Model for many years working internationally. Caroline qualified in Advanced Massage in 1990 and became an IFPA registered Aromatherapist and Rejuvanessence® practitioner in 1991. She is trained in Reiki 1 and 2, Cranio-Sacral Therapy 1 and 2 with The Upledger Institute, and is a qualified Reflexologist with the AOR and specialises in pregnancy treatments often combining Aromatherapy, massage and Reflexology. Caroline's treatments often draw on a mélange of all these techniques.
Facial Energy Release
A totally unique facial rejuvenation with more....
A fingertip holistic facial massage that works on the connective tissue and muscles of the face, neck and skull and shoulders.
Thus releasing tension and strain ,instilling a blissful quiet in the face and whole body .
Each session working on a different area. It is totally blissful and often send the client into an alpha like state akin to meditation.-
"Sheer bliss" Woman and Home magazine
She now lives in Bath with her daughter and works from here and London. Caroline runs Rejuvanessence® Training Courses also in London and Bath


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19.4.07 - By Per Ake Persson: Danish paper Berlingske writes that Mogens Palle has offered Frank Warren no less than five million USD for WBO supermiddle champ Joe Calazaghe to face WBA/WBC counterpart Mikkel Kessler in Copenhagen in September or later. Warren has previously went public with an offer for three million USD for Kessler to face Calzaghe in July in the UK but Palle tells Berlingske the proposed contract didn´t arrive until yesterday and that he wasn´t impressed with what he read. The full reply from Palle to Warren is now public can be found at teampalle.dk. I´m sure there´s more to come... Francisco Nohales and Sergio Palomo clash in what for now is an eliminator for the Spanish 130 lb title May 8 in Barcelona. The fight could be upgraded to championship level soon as the champ, Oscar Sanchez Sandoval, is injured. In supporting bouts Danish supermiddle Mads Larsen, now with Sauerland Event, returns to action and jr welter prospect Ali Chebah takes on localite David Racaj. The show is promoted by R2 Image and Events along with Tundra vs Barcelo.. Norwegian jr welter Geir Inge Jorgensen face Frenchman Fabrice Colombel for the inuagural WBC Mediterranean title June 15 in Torrevieja, Spain. The show is promoted by the Torrevieja Boxing Club headed by John Ruud. Heavyweight Leif Dolonen Larsen returns after a lengthy layoff on the undercard. Cuban heavy Odlanier Solis has been sparring with US veteran Vaughn Bean at the Arena Box Promotion Gym in Hamburg. Solis makes his prodebut April 27 at the very same place. Spotlight Boxing and Pro Sieben join forces again for the third "Fight Night" May 25 in Cologne. Headlining the bill are WBA female flyweight champ Susianna Kentikian and WBO I/C titleholder at middleweight Sebastian Zbik. Jr light Vitali Tajbert get a good test from Peter Petrov, a Russian fighting out of Spain, in the chief support. EBU superbantam champ Bernard Dunne will make a voluntary defence of the title June 23 in Dublin. The EBU homepage reports that Norwegian Reidar Walstad is the opponent - Reidar´s father Robert confirms that there have been talks but no agreement have been reached. EE-EU jr middle titleholder Ivan Gontsa from Moldova take on Roman Dzuman in Lvov, Ukraine, June 5.
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Use BoMC to update firmware for QLogic 8200 Dual-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ VFA with VMware - IBM System xSourceRETAIN tip: H207897 SymptomIf firmware for the QLogic 8200 Dual-Port 10 GbE SFP+ VFA or IBM System x, option 90Y4600 (QLE3262), is updated outside of a supported method (IBM Update package or IBM Bootable Media Creator (BoMC)) the Network Interface Controller (NIC) Partitioning (NPAR) functions cannot be configured and the adapter will be limited to the current configuration of two (2) physical NIC ports. At this time, updating the firmware from the VMware host is not supported. Affected configurationsThe system is configured with at least one of the following:
The system is configured with one or more of the following IBM options:
This tip is not system specific. The 1.12.21 multiboot firmware for the QLE3262 is affected. Note: This does not imply that the network operating system will work under all combinations of hardware and software. Please see the compatibility page for more information: http://www.ibm.com/systems/info/x86servers/serverproven/compat/us/SolutionThis behavior will be corrected in a future release of QLE3262 firmware. The target date for this release is scheduled for second quarter 2013. The file is or will be available by selecting the appropriate Product Group, type of System, Product name, Product machine type, and Operating system on IBM Support's Fix Central web page, at the following URL:
WorkaroundUse the BoMC to update the QLE3262 firmware. The BoMC can be found at the following URL:
Applicable countries and regions
Document id: MIGR-5092825
To access your authorized content and to customize your pages.


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use the following search parameters to narrow your results:
e.g. subreddit:aww site:imgur.com dog
subreddit:aww site:imgur.com dog
see the search faq for details.
advanced search: by author, subreddit...
~3 users here now
For discussion related to Deimorz's stattit.com site.
Feature Request: clickable links for your neighboring subreddits (self.stattit)
submitted 2 years ago by breakneckridge
On the old redditlist site one of the big features that I liked is that I could click on the other "competitor" subreddits that were listed as being in my weight class.
For example, sometimes on the subscribers stat graph for my subreddit r/BestOfStreamingVideo I'll see some other subreddit shoot up at 10 times faster growth than every other subreddit on the graph, and I'll be like "WTF? What the heck is r/BigBobsBalls about and why did it gain 1500 subscribers this week?" So right on that same redditlist page I could simply click a link to see the stats page for r/BigBobsBalls or click on another link on the page to take me to the actual reddit page of r/BigBobsBalls. That way I could easily check out my neighbors.
With statit currently I have to do copy and paste moves to achieve the same result, which isn't awful, but I find myself rarely actually doing it. Whereas when it was simply a click I used to do it all the time.
Thanks for the great tool!
[–]Deimorz 1 point2 points3 points 2 years ago (1 child)
That's a good idea, I'll try to add some links below the chart or something.
[–]graeme_b 0 points1 point2 points 2 years ago (0 children)
I second this.
π Rendered by PID 12524 on app-63 at 2015-01-27 05:47:54.217960+00:00 running e16fd9f country code: US.


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Europe Airpost Makes Return Trip to Halifax
Summer Schedule Includes Servcie to Dublin and Paris
Halifax, N.S. – For the second year Europe Airpost will operate the route from Halifax to Paris. The scheduled flights will be operated between Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Dublin and Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle during the 2015 summer season.
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Note: The 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 publications have not been audited.
Jump to: Publications | Grants and Consultancies | HDR completions
Ian McAllister may be from another institution or only recently joined Deakin University.
2007 External
McAllister, Ian* and Clark, Juilette (2007) Trends in Australian political opinion: Results from the Australian election study, 1987 - 2004, Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T. [A5.1]
DRO entry for this publication
No grants and/or consultancies found or audited – the 2014 HERDC financial return has not been completed or loaded as yet.
No completions found or audited.
DRO to publications collection last synchronised: Sunday 1st February 2015 10:04pm


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Select () or exclude () categories to narrow your recipe search.
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"This was yummy! Though I did use half & half instead of 1%. I also added some shredded carrots with the broccoli while it boiled for add texture and flavor. I also spiced mine up by adding a sprinkle or two of red hot pepper flakes while sauteeing the onion--oh yeah I used butter not cooking spray :)! The last addition was a 1/2 a tsp of dried mus..."


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category: Boise Wedding Photographer
Mr. & Mrs. Powers|Boise Wedding Photographer
This is the last wedding you'll see from me this year! What a great way to end wedding season. The ceremony was held at the gorgeous Plantation Country Club. Such a beautiful day for two families to come together. I'm sooooo in love with every inch of the reception! Lot's of beautiful things, beautiful people and tons of dancing! I got to work along side some amazing vendors… Soiree did a great job organizing and coordinating the entire day. We had the amazing Lindsey with Behrens Artistry doing makeup for the bride. Delicious food and cake from Kanak Attack and Sugar Rush Cupcakery. Floral arrangements by Boise at it's Best and last but certainly not least Sound Wave to keep everyone on their feet! It was also the first home game of the year so I had to throw in a shot of BSU stadium all lit up as I was leaving. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Powers, I hope you had a blast on your honey moon!
Mr. & Mrs. Brown|Boise Wedding Photographer
Shooting this wedding was a dream. You couldn't find a sweeter, more beautiful couple! We had the most perfect weather, ending the night with a nice Summer storm. The day went so perfectly, almost too perfect really. I fell in love with their friends and family! The bride decided to do a first look with her father which is something that's become a favorite of mine to shoot. You'll see the sweet moment below. This wedding was so much fun to be a part of and made me realize Summer is over!! I have one more wedding left this year… where did the Summer go?! Thank you Tyler and Krista for having me play a part in your special day! I loooooooved it!
Mr. & Mrs. Kober|Boise Wedding Photographer
I love shooting at The Bishops' House! It's one of my favorite wedding venues here in Boise. I had so much fun working with these two on their wedding day and had forgotten how adorable they are together!! Such a fun, special day. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Kober! Here are some of my favorite memories from your beautiful day!
Mr. & Mrs. Calixtro
Last weekend I shot another wonderful wedding!! It was my first time shooting out in Wilder at Wild Heart Springs and I fell in love! Such a beautiful venue, with the nicest owners.
I loved soooo many moments from this wedding! A few that top my list… the fact that we had perfect weather (pretty much always my favorite thing), Delila was there with me getting the girls all gussied up. I just love watching her do her magic! The bride and grooms adorable little girl wanted NOTHING to do with photos… except for taking her own with her pink camera. During the ceremony there was a hilarious moment when a ring was lost in the grass (pictures below crack me up). The bride and her father surprised everyone with a crazy fun dance mash up that included booty shaking, kung foo fighting, and tons o' laughs. There was also a surprise Hawaiian dance performance. The reception had a total Dirty Dancing feel too it which I must say I LOVED. I don't think it was intentional, but I had so much fun pretending it was.
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Calixtro!!! Enjoy reliving your special day!
Mr. & Mrs. Johnson|Boise Wedding Photographer
This wedding was so sweet!! We had an absolutely beautiful day, perfect weather with a slight breeze. There were soooo many beautiful flowers and details. The entire venue smelled of roses and peonies. It was heavily! Everyone was so great to work with and took such good care of me all day. The vendors are some of my favorite people to work with (see list below). I got to bring home a beautiful floral arrangement that's still sweet as ever on my table as I type. Gorgeous venue, delicious food, lovely family, stunning decor, fun music, and the love was present. Just Perfect. Thank you Jessi, Daniel, and family for having me! I enjoyed every second. Congratulations!!
Florist- Matt Johnson at Edwards Greenhouse
Venue- Barber Park
Caterer- Big Sky Events & Catering
Photo Booth- Funbox
Decor & Styling- Ira & Lucy
Cake- Greg Marsh Designer Cakes
DJ- Tyrell at Sound Wave Musc & Lighting Design
Rustic Love Wedding Decor|Boise Wedding Photographer
Any brides out there looking for rustic decor should check out Rustic Love! Gena makes such cute pieces that you can buy or rent for your wedding. Most pieces you could even keep and use as home decor. I shot two weddings last year with her pieces that were to. die. for. You can see them HERE and HERE. We recently set up a little back yard wedding to showcase a few of her new and favorite pieces. To find out more details and see more of her pieces check out her Facebook page Rustic Love Wedding Decor.


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Reviewed Chewy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sep 27, 2012 in on Food.com
"I accidentally made these cookies with 3/4 cup of butter instead of 1 1/4 cups!! I'd like to say this was a rookie mistake, but I'm a seasoned baker and bake at least once a week. It was a rushed mistake I guess. Anyhow, I've tasted these cookies warm and cooled and they taste very good. I'm curious to know though, how they would taste had I used..."
Reviewed Snap Pea and Cucumber Salad
Apr 30, 2012 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"I made this recipe exactly as written and we found it to be very light and tasty. I can see how some reviewers found it bland and like they were eating raw vegetables (mainly because you are), but for anyone who likes something light and lemony, I would suggest this. A great summertime recipe, for sure. Next time I make it, I may choose to make it""
Reviewed Coconut Whoopie Pies
Jan 28, 2012 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"Just made these after seeing on tv this morning! Very tasty and delicious! I used a regular ice cream scoop to make the mounds. Next time I will make them a little smaller and not so "mound-ish". They really didn't flatten out at all and they are a little high once all put together. I baked them probably 14 minutes and as soon as I saw them "crac..."
Reviewed Snickerdoodle Cookies
Jul 25, 2011 in on Food.com
"Was looking for a soft Snickerdoodle cookie, but these turned out crunchy. I followed ingredients exactly, but changed temp to 375 degrees on the advice from other reviewers. And I baked most of them for approx. 12 mins. I baked the last 1/4 of the batch around 11 mins hoping they wouldn't turn out crunchy, but no luck. They taste very good, j..."
Reviewed Key Lime Pie
Jun 20, 2011 in on Food.com
"I made this for my husband for Father's Day and he loved it! I thought it was a little mild as far as the lime flavor and I even added lime zest. I will try more lime juice next time. For someone who doesn't like a tart flavor, but would still like the lime flavor this would be a good recipe.""
Reviewed Summer Tortellini Salad
May 28, 2011 in on Food.com
"I just made this salad for a family picnic today and it was a big hit! My brother-in-law said it is his "new favorite salad". I doubled tortellini using (1) 9oz pkg regular and (1) 9oz pkg of spinach and I used a pint of grape tomatoes cut in half. I used just one can of blk olives, 1/2 of the seedlesss cucumber, 3/4 cup of Greek dressing (which..."
Reviewed Red Snapper with Mustard Sauce
Apr 4, 2011 in on Food.com
"My husband and I loved this recipe! Very tasty! I used Grey Poupon Country Dijon mustard and added probably a ...""
Reviewed Frozen Key Lime Pie
Feb 28, 2011 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"I made this today for my husband's birthday. The taste is good, but his piece is still sitting on the plate "thawing". He will not eat it because it's too cold! Ha! Unfortunately, I will not be making this again. Sorry!""
Reviewed Chocolate Heart Cookies
Feb 13, 2011 in on Food.com
"I reviewed this cookie on Feb 7th and I would like to have deleted that review but cannot figure out how to. ...""
Reviewed Chocolate and Coconut Lace Cookies
Feb 11, 2011 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"This is a really rich, chewy cookie. One commenter said it just tasted like butter and brown sugar and she's not that far off. It is a lot of butter and they are very greasy AND they stick to my teeth while eating them. Ended up only baking most of them for 7 minutes..any longer than that and they got crunchy, which I didn't like. I was making them..."
Reviewed Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies
Feb 11, 2011 in on Food.com
"These cookies are awesome! They are very soft, just the way I like them. The pudding really adds something, in...""
Reviewed Chocolate Heart Cookies
Feb 7, 2011 in on Food.com
"I made these cookies tonight, will freeze plain and ice a little closer to Valentine's Day. The dough was very...""
Reviewed Tomato-Basil Mahi Mahi
Feb 7, 2011 in on Food.com
"I used canned Italian style diced tomatoes and only two diced garlic cloves. I also omitted the basil leaf bec...""
Reviewed Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Lemon, Basil, and Salmon
Feb 6, 2011 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"This is the second time I've made this recipe and my husband and I love it! You essentially have three different things here: the spinach, the pasta dish and the salmon. They all meld so nicely and are so tasty together. Just for something different, I might try arugula next time. One commenter said she used scallops and, honestly, had I read that..."
Reviewed Kittencal's Buttery Cut-Out Sugar Cookies W/ Icing That Hardens
Jan 29, 2011 in on Food.com
"I am in the middle of baking these cookies...I will be the first to admit I am a non-lover of making cut-out c...""
Reviewed Cutout Sugar Cookies With Butter Icing
Jan 29, 2011 in on Food.com
"I am not a fan of shortening in icing, but this icing is excellent! I did not use this cookie recipe as I have...""
Reviewed Sugar Cookie Icing
Jan 27, 2011 in on Food.com
"I first used this icing recipe for cut out cookies at Halloween (different dough than this recipe) and I LOVED...""
Reviewed Steak With Blue Cheese Sauce
Jan 12, 2011 in on Food.com
"Oh my, sooo good! My husband said that he would've been very pleased if he'd have ordered this in a restaurant...""
Reviewed Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Jan 11, 2011 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"I am updating my recent review... I just threw some mini chips into the batter for the last dozen of the cookies. BIG difference. It seems to take away the the boxed cake taste and adds some texture. You could add anything: nuts, white chips, maybe even some dried cranberries?...Just needs jazzed up a bit."
Reviewed Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Jan 11, 2011 in Food Network Community Toolbox on FoodNetwork.com
"I wanted to make these cookies for Christmas, but time got away from me. I made them today to take to a friend's house. They are good, though not gooey, which is fine. I do, though, wish I would have read the last comment saying she added mini chips to hers. That really would have added something. The taste is good, but it does seem like there's just..."
Reviewed Turkey Meatloaf
Jan 8, 2011 in on Food.com
"Was looking for a different version of turkey meatloaf and decided to make this because of the ingredients and...""
Reviewed Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments
Dec 27, 2010 in on Food.com
"Just made these ornaments with my little boy for Christmas gifts for family and they turned out so nicely! The...""
Reviewed Spinach-Feta Rice Pilaf, Sliced Steak with Oregano Sauce, and Broiled Tomatoes with Parsley
Nov 29, 2010 in Food Network Community Toolbox on Food Network
"I made the rice pilaf tonight (paired w/ a chicken dish). Excellent! I will definitely be making this again. I tried this out before adding the feta cheese and it would be good that way as well. "
Reviewed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Nov 4, 2010 in on Food.com
"I just baked these and followed the directions exactly. I had to leave them in the oven for almost 40 mins (I...""
Reviewed Kittencal's Buttery Cut-Out Sugar Cookies W/ Icing That Hardens
Oct 19, 2010 in on Food.com
"I am in the middle of baking these cookies...I will be the first to admit I am a non-lover of making cut-out c...""
Reviewed Best Zucchini Brownies Ever
Sep 4, 2010 in on Food.com
"Excellent brownies! Everyone who ate them loved them and couldn't believe there was zucchini in them. Making ...""
Reviewed Summer Tortellini Salad
Jul 25, 2010 in on Food.com
"I just made this salad for a family picnic today and it was a big hit! My brother-in-law said it is his "new ...""
Reviewed Rhubarb-Strawberry Cobbler
Jun 24, 2010 in on Recipezaar
"Made this tonight for dessert. Didn't have enough rhubarb, so I added some cherries and fresh peaches, like on...""


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Results tagged ' Phil Hughes '
Sometimes Money Does Matter…
The Hunger Games…
When the Yankees said they were going to be big spenders during the opening signing period for international prospects, I still didn't imagine how aggressive they would be. Based on MLB.com's list of top international prospects, the Yankees have apparently signed five of the top ten players:
• Dermis Garcia, SS, Dominican Republic, #1
• Nelson Gomes, 3B, Dominican Republic, #2
• Juan De Leon, OF, Dominican Republic, #5
• Jonathan Amundaray, OF, Venezuela, #7
• Antonio Arias, OF, Venezuela, #9
In the second ten (11-20), they grabbed three shortstops:
• Hyo-Jun Park, SS, Korea, #13
• Wilkerman Garcia, SS, Venezuela, #14
• Diego Castilla, SS, Venezuela, #16
They also signed the #25 player in catcher Miguel Flames, Venezuela.
At first pass, it seems like a number of shortstops but I've read that Dermis Garcia will eventually be a corner infielder and Wilkerman Garcia may be switched to second base.
Dermis Garcia, the prized signing, represents the most the Yankees have spent on the international market since they signed top catching prospect Gary Sanchez in 2009. Garcia received $3.2 million, while Sanchez received $3.0 million.
It's interesting that Garcia was born in 1998, perhaps the greatest year of the modern Yankees era.
I can still remember when the Yankees selected an 18-year-old Derek Jeter out of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Hopefully, the 16 year-old Garcia will be a presence in pinstripes for more than 20 years too.
Of course, while the Yankees were focused on position players, the Boston Red Sox quietly signed the top two pitchers in Christopher Acosta, Dominican Republic, and Anderson Espinoza, Venezuela.
I thought it was a telling choice in the selection of the catcher (Flames). The Yankees seems overloaded with catching prospects and the Flames arrival is probably the prelude to the inclusion of another catching prospect such as Sanchez or John Ryan Murphy in a potential trade this month. I would not want to lose Sanchez for a middle-of-the-road starting pitcher but if the return were say someone like David Price, then I am all in.
With the international signings at approximately $14 million, the cost could be as much as $30 million with penalties plus the Yankees will be non-players in the next two signing periods as they'll be restricted to no more than $300,000 per player. But with their aggressive approach this year, the Yankees have infused significant future talent into the lower levels of the farm system.
The future is now…
I saw a reference that Park would be the first Korean-born Yankee but that's unfair to AAA second baseman Rob Refsnyder. Although raised in CA since he was 3 months, he was born in Seoul, South Korea to Korean parents. So I'd say Refsnyder will be the first Korean Yankee. Speaking of Refsnyder, I seriously hope that his Bronx arrival is sooner rather than later. The Yankees need to upgrade second base. Brian Roberts was once a great player but he'll never be that guy again. Why not go with a younger player who has upside potential? The sooner we can put Robinson Cano in the rear view mirror, the better.
What have you done for me lately?…
So much for the rags to riches story for career minor leaguer Yangervis Solarte. After a terrific start to the season, he has been non-existent for the past month and it earned him a free ride to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. His replacement is actually an older career minor leaguer, Zelous Wheeler, so we'll see how this goes. If it were me, I would have brought up Refsnyder. But there's a reason that Brian Cashman is GM and I am not, so I'll just have to have faith in the decision.
Too little, too late?…
Honestly, I am not sure there is anything the Yankees can do to save this season. They are a game under .500 entering play tonight and have played with virtually no offense. They only win if they can hold the opponent to a couple of runs or less. Robinson Cano is one player that could ignite the offense but obviously there's no way the Seattle Mariners are going to give him up. In retrospect, the Yankees should have overpaid to keep Cano. Alfonso Soriano was that kind of player at times last year but he's been in a season long slump that almost certainly means this is his final year in pinstripes. I thought that Brian McCann would be hitting by now but he is showing that he's one of those guys who needs a long acclimation process to the Bronx. Carlos Beltran is merely showing that he is a 36-year-old outfielder. The other off-season right field option, Shin Choo-Soo, has fared no better in Texas.
At this moment, the Detroit Tigers stand as the team to beat in the American League. For the past couple of weeks, they've been invincible and easily handled the second best Oakland A's this week. Joba Chamberlain is probably loving life at the top.
While I recognize the Yankees will make a move this month, I hope that they do not trade any top prospects unless the return is top shelf (i.e., David Price). I'd hate to lose Gary Sanchez and still finish 3rd or 4th in the AL East.
Oh well, tonight the Yankees play Phil Hughes in Minneapolis. Let's hope the results are better than the last time they saw Hughes in the Bronx when he and the Minnesota Twins dominated the Yanks.
The Carlos has landed…
Welcome to the Bronx!…
With one swing of the bat, Carlos Beltran has arrived as a Yankee. On Friday night, with the Yankees down by one run and two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning, Beltran crushed his most important hit to date into the left center stands with two on to give the Yankees a 5-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles.
Mark Bonifacio/New York Daily News
For many new Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka excluded, it takes a while to get acclimated to pinstripes. I remember that it took Jason Giambi a season or so to really feel comfortable. Brian McCann started his Bronx career a little on the slow side, and in many Fantasy Baseball rankings, his replacement in Atlanta and former backup, Evan Gattis was rated higher among catchers. He delivered a key hit this past week to win a game and perhaps that was his "moment". He is starting to hit so there's no reason not to believe that he'll be an offensive force for the remainder of the season. But Beltran came with high expectations even at his age. Not to say that McCann didn't, but perhaps the bar is a little higher for Beltran given his history in the City with the Mets.
Steve Mitchell/USA Today Sports
Ironically, Beltran may never have gotten his "moment" if not for a clutch RBI single by McCann in the prior at-bat. The game had many heroes. A diving stop by Jacoby Ellsbury that could have easily bounced past him to allow more Oriole runners to score in the late innings, David Huff limiting the O's to one run in the top of the 9th after an error by Yangervis Solarte, and the very strong performance by Hiroki Kuroda. Conversely, Solarte could have been the goat with the error, in combination with his inning ending at-bat with two on in the bottom of the 8th. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, the Gatorade was dunked on Beltran and all was good in the Bronx.
If second basemen were as plentiful as catchers…
I like Francisco Cervelli as backup catcher given his versatility. But it was still sad to see John Ryan Murphy sent down to AAA. I know, he'll get the chance to start every day, but I thought he did a great job backing up McCann. I know that when the Yankees make a deadline move in July, it will almost certainly include one of the young catchers (Murphy or top prospect Gary Sanchez). If the Yankees somehow swing a deal for David Price (unlikely in my opinion), Sanchez would have to be one of the pieces headed to Tampa. But in other deals, it's more likely that Murphy will go unless the Yankees move Cervelli. Austin Romine seems to have become an afterthought.
Have bat, will travel…
I am glad to see that prospect Peter O'Brien is thriving. Another catcher, he has been performing well at first base and is perhaps an option to replace Mark Teixeira at some future point if he doesn't get moved in July. Conversely, it is sad to see that talented prospect but oft-injured Slade Heathcott is dealing with, surprise, injuries…
Mark LoMoglio/Yankees, via MLB.com
Sabathia, Nova and Pineda who?…
Hats off to the young Yankee pitchers. Entering the season, the bullpen was perceived as a weakness but young arms Dellin Betances and Adam Warren have become go-to guys, and represent superior upgrades to guys like Joba Chamberlain and other former relievers. But the biggest surprise is how well the replacement pitchers, Chase Whitley and David Phelps in particular, have performed. Vidal Nuno has done a decent job but he is the top candidate to go to the pen or to AAA when CC Sabathia returns after the All-Star break. It's almost a given that the Yankees will pursue another starting pitcher in July but the reason the Yankees are buyers and not sellers is directly attributable to the support that Whitley and Phelps have provided for ace Masahiro Tanaka and Hiroki Kuroda.
The bearded brigade…
I am glad to see that Phil Hughes has found a home in Minneapolis but I am among those who believe his strong performance would not have happened in the Bronx. I wish that he could have worked out for him, but he did need the change of scenery. It wasn't that long ago that Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain were cited as the next great Yankee pitching hopefuls, and now they play in Minnesota, San Diego and Detroit, respectively. The only one that the Yankees received a return for was Kennedy and in retrospect it was not for market value. Kennedy went to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Phil Coke and Austin Jackson to the Detroit Tigers when the Yankees acquired Curtis Granderson. Given that Granderson left as a free agent, the Yankees essentially have nothing left to show for the losses of the three former top prospects.
What's with the former Yankees who feel the need to grow a beard when they leave New York?…
I know the Yankees have history and tradition with their no facial hair policy, but I feel that it is something that the new Steinbrenner regime should consider relaxing. Some guys just need a beard. Sorry McCann…
No reminder needed, thank you…
I have to admit that I had almost forgotten about Alex Rodriguez (it was nice) until I heard his name yesterday after it was announced that he had dropped his lawsuit against the team's doctor. I don't know what A-Rod has left in his bat but honestly I do not care. I am not looking forward to his return next year and remain hopeful that the Yankees will find a way to sever ties. But I know that's wishful thinking on my part. For now, I just have to enjoy that the team is doing fine without A-Rod and know that he is not missed.
It is high, it is far, it is caught…
A penny for your hits…
What does it take to buy a hit? Apparently not the $45 million the Yankees paid to Carlos Beltran or the $85 mil to Brian McCann or $175 million for former Sox centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. This season has been a struggle for wins despite the team's winning record. It was finally starting to feel a little better at 29-25 but then the Yankees promptly lost 4 in a row.
Playing a good team like the Oakland A's, the Yankees bullpen failed miserably until the final game of the series when David Robertson locked away a win for ace Masahiro Tanaka. That bleeding started in the series with the Minnesota Twins and was inevitable with the short innings being provided by the replacement starters (i.e., David Phelps, Vidal Nuno and Chase Whitley). When the Yankees are only scoring 1 or 2 runs a game, the starters need to throw a gem almost every outing which obviously is not realistic given the current state of arms.
I thought the Yankees should have aggressively tried to sign Stephen Drew before the Boston Red Sox re-signed him, and now I feel the same way about slugger Kendrys Morales. Now that there is no longer draft pick compensation tied to him since the MLB started yesterday, I felt the Yankees should go after him. Maybe they are, but there's competition. Based on yesterday's first draft pick for the Yankees in the second, had they signed Morales earlier, the cost would have been lefty reliever Jacob Lindgren who is already projected to make an appearance in the Yankees bullpen this year. But now it's an open field for Morales and the Yankees have reluctance, wanting to see how Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran perform. In my opinion, the odds of one or both going back to the DL at some point is very high, and the designated hitter, Alfonso Soriano, is not hitting, so I would aggressively pursue Morales to cover 1B/DH. Ironically, Morales is the guy the Los Angeles Angels turned to when Mark Teixeira left as a free agent. It worked out well for the Angels and I think it can work out well for the Yankees. No ifs, ands, or buts, the Yankees need a proven consistent run producer in the middle of the order. I agree with those who say the Yankees sorely miss Robinson Cano's bat. Ironically, the Yankees were also unable to re-sign another slugger having a good year in Milwaukee this year (Mark Reynolds) despite the usual anemic batting average. Those home runs would look pretty good about now in Yankee Stadium.
Courtesy: hailstate.com
On nights the Yankees are scoring only a run or getting shut out, I even see guys like Milwaukee's Lyle Overbay, another 2013 Yankee, driving in a couple of runs for his new team. And of course, who delivered the key hit in the Yankees last game with the Twins when the Yankees bullpen collapsed in the late innings? None other than former backup shortstop Eduardo Nunez.
At this point, the Toronto Blue Jays are starting to run away with the division. They are clearly playing like the class of the division and they just came off a very successful series against perennial AL contender Detroit. If I had to pick two teams playing in the ALCS right now, I'd pick the Blue Jays and the Oakland A's. If the Yankees do not figure out how to fix the current offensive drought, they really will be offensive and done for the season in September.
Not everybody was meant to be Mariano Rivera…
Nothing against David Robertson but I am still not sold on him as the team's closer. Sure, replacing Mariano Rivera is big shoes to fill. However, I still think that Robertson's stuff plays best in a Set Up role. I have been intrigued with the possibility of trying Dellin Betances in the role, but he needs more major league experience so maybe next year. The reliever the Yankees picked yesterday (Jacob Lindgren) is also a future possibility. If Robertson blows a few more games like he did against Minnesota, I'd really consider using Andrew Bailey in the role when he gets healthy…for now.
I love you, I love you not…
Speaking of former Yankees thriving outside of New York, both Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain seem to be doing fine. Hughes even captured a victory in the Bronx with the aforementioned bullpen collapse, a place that he couldn't buy a win last year. Chamberlain has a couple of saves and a decent ERA. I can't say that I've watched him too closely but his stats seem to say that all is good. Why couldn't have these guys performed like this last year? Rhetorical question and of course, there is something to be said about the pressure of playing in New York. It's not for everyone.
Farewell to a champion…
It was sound to hear about the passing of former Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer this week. The image of Zim sitting next to Joe Torre on the Yankees bench is forever burned into my memory. He was such a part of those late 90's championships and he helped mold Torre into a Hall of Fame manager and one who will soon have his number retired in Memorial Park. I realize that sooner or later, all of us must depart. But still, it is sad to see Zim go now. I understand he had been in poor health since April and hopefully he is now at peace. He will be missed as he was truly one of Major League Baseball's landmarks.
Courtesy: Keith Torrie/New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Baseball and bad decisions…
A swing and a miss, another miss, yet another miss…
This morning, I saw a post on the MLB Trade Rumors website (http://www.MLBTradeRumors.com) that asked the poll question of which MLB team had the best draft in 2002? Of all the examples shown, no Yankees were anywhere to be found. For a draft that started with Bryan Bullington and B.J. Upton, there was some great talent uncovered in the 2002 draft. Jon Lester, Zack Greinke, Matt Cain, Prince Fielder, Cole Hamels, Joey Votto and a guy who would eventually find his way to the Bronx, Brian McCann, were among the great choices by their respective teams. But sadly, not a single Yankee selection stuck that year.
Number 26 selection Phil Coke is a major leaguer but with the Detroit Tigers. He had his moments in the Bronx but was never anything special and was sent to the Tigers as part of the Curtis Granderson-Austin Jackson trade.
But removing Coke, there are 50 rounds of names that Yankee Stadium never heard from. I really do not recognize any of the names outside of the first round selection and that's only because he was later the starting quarterback of the Cleveland Browns (Brandon Weeden).
I know that there are many sad tales among the 2002 draft picks, like 2nd round pick Alan Bomer, a pitcher, who reinjured his shoulder after a previous injury several years earlier, bringing an end to his major league hopes.
But it's also a testament to the drafting ability of major league teams and 2002 was clearly not a good vintage for the Yankees. I know the team's re-focus on the minor league system didn't occur until a few years later but hopefully barren draft years like 2002 are a thing of the past. But looking ahead a few years, it's not too pretty.
2003 really wasn't much better with top pick third baseman Eric Duncan long gone from baseball. The only name that stands out to me from that draft is Washington Nationals reliever Tyler Clippard.
2004 was the year the Yankees selected pitcher Phil Hughes and can only wonder what could have been. Time will tell if he can fulfill his promise in the Twin Cities or if he was simply one of the most overhyped young players of our time.
For the Yankees, solid draft picks do not appear until 2005 which Brett Gardner and Austin Jackson were chosen. Interestingly enough, the Yankees also chose pitcher Doug Fister that year but he opted to return to college for his final year, and was taken by the Seattle Mariners the next year. Granted, Fister is currently on the Nationals' DL, but he'd certainly look good in the Yankees rotation about now.
In 2006, the Yankees made some good choices, but it's rather humorous that the first round pick went to Joba Chamberlain, a journeyman reliever for the Detroit Tigers, while current Yankees closer, David Robertson was selected in the 17th round. Ian Kennedy and Zach McAllister were both chosen after Chamberlain, and they are solid starting pitchers for the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians, respectively. Dellin Betances was also taken that year and after years of hype, he's finally contributing as a force in the Yankees bullpen. Mark Melancon, currently the closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates due to Jason Grilli's injury, was also a draft selection.
Of the decisions the Yankees made regarding trades, the one I didn't like was dumping McAllister. He went to Cleveland in 2010 for Austin Kearns who only stayed in the Bronx for the remainder of the season. That trade felt like the foolish ones that we had grown accustomed to in the 1970's and 80's. McAllister is having a very solid year for the Indians and is another guy who would have looked great in the Yankees rotation.
I will never find fault with the decision to trade Ian Kennedy even though he almost won the Cy Young after leaving the Yankees. I just never found him to be a good fit in New York.
2007 was another disappointing draft year as the Yankees really only have catcher Austin Romine, currently at AAA Scranton/Wilkes Barre, to show for it. Top pick Andrew Brackman was coming off a major injury at the time of the selection and was never able to find his way back.
As I advance to 2008, it's disappointing to see how poor, outside of 2006, the draft has been for the Yankees. Atop the list in '08 is a pitcher the Yankees were unable to sign and who is now entrenched in the starting rotation for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Gerrit Cole. Talk about another guy who would have been a brilliant option for the Yankees rotation. What could have been…
This really shows how incredibly difficult it is to determine those who will be able to achieve results and success at the Major League level. It also shows how many people fail to find their way for whatever reasons.
It's a small wonder that the Yankees have had to spend so much in the free agent market to ensure the team remains competitive. In a statement of the obvious, the Yankees would be smart to improve the quality of their scouting and development to ensure that the older players are replaced by younger, cheaper talent with high ceilings.
The Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals are solid teams because of their drafting ability. For the Yankees, they are successful despite it. I get why owner Hal Steinbrenner believes in the power of the farm system. This is not rocket science. Sustainability will only be maintained through youth and controlling costs.
Stupid is as stupid does…
The fans of the Boston Red Sox took great delight when Michael Pineda was tossed from a Yankees-Red Sox game last week due to the blatant smear of pine tar on his neck. After the fiasco caused during his previous start against the Red Sox in Yankee Stadium ("brown dirt"), he had to have known he would be under the magnifying glass. Yet, he risked detection by continuing the use of pine tar and ended up applying a more generous amount than he had intended to. So, Boston manager John Farrell had absolutely no choice but to call out Pineda. This is one instance where I felt the Red Sox were 100% correct in a controversial decision involving the Yankees. Pineda's 10-game suspension hurts the Yankees, at a time when they've already lost starter Ivan Nova for the season due to an elbow injury that requires Tommy John surgery.
For a rotation that looked so strong and full of promise for a few starts, the Yankees now have to replace both Nova and Pineda, plus the top of the rotation has been questionable at times with CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda. The only source of consistency has been Masahiro Tanaka, who faces an incredibly difficult challenge today against the Los Angeles Angels and the likes of Albert Pujols and Mike Trout.
Baseball is a team-first sport and Pineda made a "me-first" decision. I hope that he learns a valuable lesson during his suspension and comes back with choices that are for the good of the team.
For the record, I do believe that Major League Baseball should allow pine tar to some degree for gripping purposes only in colder temps. But until the rules are changed, it's a violation and should be handled accordingly. Baseball has been tolerant of discreet behavior regarding its use, but to blatantly violate the policy warrants the appropriate punishment until such a time the rules are changed.
We asked and he delivered…
Budget, Smudget…
What more could we have asked of the Steinbrenner family? Seriously, the Steinbrenners opened their purse strings this off-season even if the infield is in a state of flux. Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran, Kelly Johnson, Brian Roberts, Matt Thornton, Andrew Bailey, and last but not least Masahiro Tanaka. For a team that stood pat the previous off-season, the Yankees over-compensated this year.
It would have been nice to Robinson Cano's bat mixed in with the new offense, but if he had stayed, it's likely that Tanaka would be in Chicago or Los Angeles, and Beltran would be with the Red Sox or another team that expressed interest. Time will tell if it was the right move, but I think the Yanks were wise not to throw a quarter of a billion dollars at Cano.
When Brett Gardner re-signed with the Yankees this week, he mentioned that it didn't matter if he got what he did or twice as much, it wasn't going to change his lifestyle and he wanted to be a Yankee. It's the last part of the previous sentence that Cano didn't feel. That only reinforces the Yankees decision to move on. I do not realistically expect Brian Roberts to recapture his glory days. I would have preferred Kelly Johnson at second with the Yankees bringing in another third base solution, but when you spend as much as the Yankees did in the last few months, something has to give. With the Yankees, you know that a spring trade or a July deadline deal is not out of the question.
Sure, the team is banking on another stellar managerial performance by Joe Girardi, but I feel much better going into this season than I did last year. Last year, it literally felt like a team that wouldn't make it the distance. This year, I feel the team has a legitimate shot. A few guys need to step it up a level but that's within the realm of possibility. It's not exactly like we are asking Brendan Ryan to be the second coming of Derek Jeter.
The wild card is obviously Michael Pineda. If he continues to pitch like he is capable of, he will bring so much to the end of the rotation. A healthy and productive Pineda is far superior to the inconsistency that Phil Hughes provided. With Jesus Montero 40 lbs overweight in Seattle, this could be the year that Pineda makes "the trade" pro-New York.
Masahiro Tanaka may be billed as Andy Pettitte's replacement but next year, he'll most likely be current teammate Hiroki Kuroda's replacement. But for now, I am very glad that Kuroda is there to serve as mentor for his countryman. I've wondered if Kuroda's presence, along with the Yankees money, brought Tanaka to New York. If I was coming to a foreign country, the idea of another American would be very appealing to me.
With the Yankees extending Brett Gardner, and the Cincinnati Reds doing the same with Homer Bailey, there should be no more Gardner for Bailey rumors. As a hopeful optimist for Michael Pineda and his spot in the rotation, this is a best case scenario. I am a bit concerned with two speed-first guys in the outfield (why do I keep thinking about Dave Collins?) but Alfonso Soriano brings the bat along with Carlos Beltran. I am anxious to see how Jacoby Ellsbury's bat plays in Yankee Stadium for 81 games rather than just the usual 9 or 10.
Andrew Bailey. I am not quite sure why the Yankees signed Bailey but he's a hedge against a David Robertson meltdown. Of course, Bailey won't be available until late season so if Robertson fails miserably, they'll need another solution. While Robertson has proven to be a great set up guy, the 9th inning is a different story. He failed in his brief audition before getting hurt the year Mariano Rivera was lost for the season with the knee injury suffered in Kansas City. Rafael Soriano stepped in and provided super relief following Robertson's unsuccessful stint. With Soriano now entrenched as the closer for the Washington Nationals, there's no safety net. Bailey offers the only proven closing experience yet he's not going to be an option until July or later. My hope is that Robertson seizes the role. I was skeptical when Mariano Rivera replaced John Wetteland and that one turned out okay. Alright, a little better than okay…
Sorry that my posts have been infrequent but I've been in the midst of a move from the West to East Coast. I am not in a major league city but I can get to New York for a weekend so that's all that matters. This should be a good year for making home games at Yankee Stadium after a few years of only away games while living in the Golden State.
I am so ready for the regular season to begin and yet the spring games are still a day or two away. Oh well, that's more time for the Yankees to strengthen the infield…
With a New Year, brings New Hope!…
Happy New Year to all Baseball Fans!…
January 1, 2014. Time to replace the calendars. With the arrival of the New Year, it brings optimism for baseball fans everywhere as they anticipate whether or not their team has done enough to ensure October success. Boston fans dream of a back-to-back championship, while others hope they can be the ones to de-throne the defending champs. In January, anything is possible, although arguably some teams have a much better chance than others.
As a Yankees fan, it has been a bittersweet off-season. The team finally made some bold moves after a couple of years of inactivity in signing Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Carlos Beltran, but the loss of Robinson Cano will hurt. The team still has not done enough to improve the starting rotation nor has it repaired the losses in the pen.
I thought the Washington Nationals did a good job in bringing in Doug Fister for its starting rotation. He was a solid performer for the Detroit Tigers and he should help provide back-end stability for the frontline starters.
The Boston Red Sox did well in re-signing Mike Napoli. He is a great role performer and he seems to thrive in the Fenway environment, however, I am not sure that A.J. Pierzynski makes up for the loss of Jarrod Saltalamacchia. I think they'll be okay losing Jacoby Ellsbury if Jackie Bradley, Jr is able to take the next step up in his promising career. While it remains questionable whether Stephen Drew will be back or will be playing in Citi Field, any team would love to have Xander Bogaerts standing ready to take over the shortstop position. Regardless of what happens, I think the Red Sox will be a force in 2014 and won't relinquish their crown easily.
The Minnesota Twins showed an unusual side in signing free agent pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes, and bringing back Mike Pelfrey. They missed out on A.J. Pierzynski, but the signing of Kurt Suzuki will allow them to bring their young catcher, Josmil Pinto, along slowly in the major leagues as they replace Joe Mauer who has moved to first.
Among others, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Oakland A's, and the San Francisco Giants (in bringing Tim Hudson back to the Bay Area) have had productive off-seasons.
There are countless other major moves that have been made and other teams that have significantly enhanced their chances for winning, but the point is that January is a time of optimism. Spring Training looms on the horizon as this is the last full month before pitchers and catchers begin to report. Players, if they took time off for the holidays, are aggressively starting or continuing their off-season workout regimens. This is the time that will set in motion the attitudes and the chemistry that makes up each team. Baseball is not about having the most physically gifted team, it's about the team that can do the most to maximize the synergy of the team and create a culture that is unwilling to accept losing.
It should be a fun season. It's too early to form an opinion of the teams that stand the best chance as there are still some roster-changing moves that will be made before spring training breaks, but in the AL, you know that the Red Sox, Rays, Tigers, Rangers, A's, and Angels will have a say in who wins and who loses.
I hope it's a very happy and enjoyable New Year for everyone! Time to make new friends, create fantastic new opportunities, experiences, and memories. Time to get excited about the arrival of the upcoming Major League Baseball season. May the 2014 season bring you great satisfaction and enjoyment!
The Masahiro Tanaka Sweepstakes…
It's been written that the New York Yankees are the favorites to sign prized Japanese free agent pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, but it's really anybody's guess where he will sign. Personally, I could see the Los Angeles Dodgers blowing away the competition, and they would certainly provide a main stage for Tanaka to perform. No offense to the Minnesota Twins, but I couldn't really see a player with Tanaka's potential playing in a small market. I would love to see Tanaka sign with the Yankees and I think Hiroki Kuroda would be the perfect mentor to help Tanaka's transition to the United States. But the Dodgers have a strong history with Japanese players. The Texas Rangers may be players and you certainly cannot underestimate the Seattle Mariners or the Los Angeles Angels. The Tanaka decision will be made within the next three weeks as it has to be completed by January 24th, so it should be interesting to watch Tanaka's tour and to see how much teams are willing to pay for his potential. Guys like Clayton Kershaw, with free agency looming in the not-so-distant future, have to love this, and it will help enhance the monetary packages it will take to sign or retain them with proven superior performance in the MLB.
If the Yankees lose out on Tanaka, I am not sure what a good Plan B will be. I've heard Ubaldo Jimenez' name mentioned, but it's not a guarantee that 2013 was a return to the promise he once held or if it was just an aberration and he'll continue his prior downward slide. Bronson Arroyo, Ervin Santana. None of these names excite me. I am more hopeful that guys like Michael Pineda and Manny Banuelos can come into training camp and make statements for why they should be the guys.
Roster moves await…
With the 40-man roster filled, and the signings of second baseman Brian Roberts or reliever Matt Thornton to be made official, it's clear the Yankees will need to open roster space. Given the excess at catcher with the signing of Brian McCann, it's fairly clear that either Austin Romine or J.R. Murphy could be moved. I think we'll see the departure of Vernon Wells despite his salary friendly status thanks to the Angels. Even something free is not worth keeping if it has no value. As speculated, I could still see a trade of Ichiro Suzuki to a team like the San Francisco Giants. I have no problem with Zoilo Almonte taking the fifth outfielder role, particularly in light of his strong winter play.
I don't think the Yankees have done enough yet, but I also do not think they are finished. I am confident that by the time training camp opens, the Yankees will have the collection of players capable of restoring the team's 90+ win ability. Time will tell if they've caught up with their prime AL East competitors but at least with the Yankees, you know it won't be for the lack of trying.
The words of Randy Levine…
Admittedly, I do not know much about Yankees president Randy Levine, but I am not impressed with the man. I wasn't before the text messages between Levine and Alex Rodriguez were released and I am even less so now. Some of his comments come off as very unprofessional. I remember how vilified Red Sox president Larry Lucchino was by Yankees fans when he made his 'Evil Empire' remark and how hated he is, but I really do not see Levine as any better and very likely, much worse. At least Lucchino has overseen three world championships since 2004. The Yankees' 2009 World Championship was more Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman, among others.
Perhaps Levine is a great leader and effective in his role within the Yankees organization, but it is not apparent from the outside looking in. I can only shake my head when I see his text message comments. Aside from any of his words or how I may feel about the man, I strikes me as very odd that the president of the team would go direct to a player, bypassing the manager and the GM. Maybe it would help if more stories about Levine's positives were written, but then again, they wouldn't be interesting and wouldn't sell papers. So, maybe we'll never know the good the man potentially does. But as it stands, he just seems like a buffoon to me.
Happy Holidays…
I hope the holiday season has been a very happy time for you and your families. Enjoy the New Year, and may good health, success, happiness, and prosperity be yours!
An Interesting Day…
Where do we go from here?…
December 6th. For years, this has been the anniversary of my graduation from Air Force Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. But on December 6, 2013, it may have been the most tumultuous day in Yankees history in terms of arrivals and departures…or at least in recent memory.
The day started with news that talks had broken down between Robinson Cano and the Seattle Mariners. It stirred renewed hope that Cano would find his way back to the Bronx, but as quickly as the reports had come about the Mariners' CEO blowing a gasket at salary demands from the Cano Camp and ending talks, the reports came that Cano had accepted a ten year deal from the Mariners for $240 million. Cano never called the Yankees before taking the offer, but it was a given they would not match.
It's hard to watch your team's best player walk away for nothing. But in this situation, I think the Yankees made the right call. After the fiasco of the Alex Rodriguez contract and what an albatross it has become, it is clear that extended contracts are not good for baseball. I saw one writer yesterday who wrote that the only player worth a ten year deal, right now, would be 22-year-old Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout. I think that's a fairly accurate statement.
When the Yankees signed CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira to long-term deals in 2009, both of those players were significantly better players than they are today. They can continue to perform at a high level but at this point, it is equally possible for them to continue performance regression.
I can remember how painful Jason Giambi's had become by the end. Even David Winfield's ten year contract, regardless of how great the player was, had been a mistake as the player and the owner were bitter enemies by the time the contract expired.
I thought the Yankees' offer of 7 years for $175 million was fair. If the Cano Camp (Team Jay Z or rather, CAA) had been more sensible in their meetings with the Yankees, I am sure that Cano probably could have squeezed out an additional year. However, Cano was dead set on getting a ten year contract, so that clearly nailed the coffin on his Yankees career. Of the two organizations, the Yankees and the Mariners, I feel strongly that the former would be more willing to take care of Cano at the end of the contract. In other words, at the end of 7 years, if the player was continuing to play at a high level, the Yankees would pay a new contract commensurate to performance with a premium paid for past accomplishments such as they've done with Derek Jeter. I know the Jeter negotiations were very tense a couple of years ago but this off-season's re-signing was at a higher dollar amount than any other team would have paid. As for the Mariners, I highly doubt that Cano will be in Seattle at the end of the ten years. When he begins the eventual downward trend as he ages, Seattle will be looking to move the contract, even if they have to pay cash, to cut their losses. The odds that Cano would have been in New York at the end of 7 years would have been substantially greater.
I am not sure that Cano has fully comprehended how he has trashed his Yankee legacy. I personally have no desire to ever see the player honored in Memorial Park and have absolutely no qualms with the team re-issuing #24 to another player. Maybe time will heal the feelings, but Cano showed no loyalty or respect for the fans of New York and simply took the money and ran. He was a good Yankee, but he was not a great one. For a player who enjoyed being a star in New York City, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to being out of the spotlight. The crowds attending Seattle away games will be smaller and will have far fewer "home team" fans in attendance. With the Yankees, it's like being a rock star as Jason Giambi once said. Nothing against Seattle, it is a beautiful city and a great ballpark, but it is a team that is, and will continue to be, inferior to the much stronger Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, and Oakland A's. They do not have a history and tradition of winning and I do not expect that to change. Cano has his money. Good for him. But his days of playing for an organization that wants to win every year and considers missing the play-offs to be a disaster are over.
With Friday's flurry of activity, it was almost an afterthought that the Yankees also lost outfielder Curtis Granderson. Grandy has a good player for most of his Yankees career, but of course, he missed the majority of the 2013 season due to injuries. He leaves the Yankees for a tougher park to hit with the New York Mets. Maybe his game will play well for the Mets, or maybe he becomes the next Jason Bay. The Yankees did not show a strong desire for Grandy's return after he rejected the team's qualifying offer and had more preference for guys like Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran, Shin-Soo Choo, or even the Dodgers' Matt Kemp. At the moment, with the signings of Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, there wouldn't have been any room in the crowded outfield for Granderson. While the Yankees have stated they intend to keep Brett Gardner and move him to left field (pushing Alfonso Soriano to DH), I still suspect that Gardner will be expendable in the team's pursuit of quality starting pitching. I see the DH role being better utilized for guys like Derek Jeter and Brian McCann as ways to rest them than moving the admittedly defensively challenged Soriano there on a full-time basis. My feelings about Granderson's departure are significantly different than those of Cano. I felt that Granderson made the best decision for him both personally and professionally. I am thankful he was a Yankee and I wish him well with his new team. I am sure that he has a few more productive years ahead of him.
Friday also saw the return of starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda and the addition of outfielder Carlos Beltran. It's apparent that Beltran's arrival is tied to Cano's departure since the team finally acquiesced to Beltran's desire for a third year, but both signings are essential for the 2014 Yankees. With only CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova holding down spots in the starting rotation, Kuroda is a key anchor for the rotation. He may be no more than a #3 starter next year, but he is a strong stabilizing force. The Yankees still need more starting pitching besides the hope that Michael Pineda and/or some of the Triple A arms will be able to take spots.
I really was unsure if Kuroda would return. It has been said that he wants to play a final year in Japan before he retires, and there was talk that he might be interested in returning to Southern California since his family still lives there. But Kuroda is an honorable man, and it was so telling in his final year with the Los Angeles Dodgers when he didn't want to be traded because the Dodgers were the team he started the season with and he didn't want to go elsewhere. I did wonder if the pull off the Dodgers, assuming they were interested, would have been too much. But I think Kuroda has enjoyed playing for the Yankees and his sense of loyalty led him back to the team for one more year. It's a pleasure to have him back in the fold.
Welcome to the Bronx, Carlos Beltran! Granted, the Yankees have more to do if they want to return to October baseball, but Beltran is one of the post-season greats. Some guys thrive when the pressure is on (unlike Alex Rodriguez) and Beltran is a leader in that category. It has always been said that he wanted to play in the Bronx and had been willing to sign for a discount when he ultimately signed with the Mets. He finally gets the chance at the latter stages of his career. He is an offensive upgrade over Ichiro Suzuki and Vernon Wells, and helps to offset the loss of Cano's production.
It is interesting that the 2014 Yankee outfield will be comprised of two guys who played for the opposing teams in the 2013 World Series. One with a ring and one without. At the moment, they'll be joined in the outfield by Brett Gardner and Alfonso Soriano although, as previously stated above, I think Gardner will be moved for pitching help.
December 6th will long be remembered as the day the Yankees lost Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson, but brought in Hiroki Kuroda and Carlos Beltran. There is much work yet to do with Cano's loss, but the arrivals of Beltran, Brian McCann, and Jacoby Ellsbury bring guys with something to prove. Kelly Johnson is also a Yankee and the starting second baseman at the moment, although I do think he'll be the super-sub by the time the team breaks camp next spring. I do not know who will be the second baseman in 2014 but the Yankees will figure it out. As David Robertson said, they always do.
From Beantown to the Bronx…
I have heard many Yankee fans voice frustration about Jacoby Ellsbury's contract (primarily the length, not the dollars). I know that he has had his health challenges, but I like the move. I respected Ellsbury during his days in Boston and I like the elements of his game. It can be argued that he is Brett Gardner, but he is a better version. As a player who once said that he'd never play for the Yankees, it is nice to see that the history and tradition of the organization were overriding factors, in addition to the monetary reasons. The Red Sox weren't going to extend the years to Ellsbury so it was inevitable that he'd leave. There is a sting with the Red Sox Nation that he went with the Yankees, and there are probably parallels to the Cano situation (dollars over loyalty), but at the end of the day, I am glad that Ells is a Yank.
And then there's next week…
As the baseball winter meetings loom on the immediate horizon, there should be more activity for Yankees fans. This winter is so dramatically different than last year's status quo approach. After missing the play-offs and the retirement of a few players, there were more holes to fill. Brian McCann solidifies the catching position, and Francisco Cervelli will return, after now that he's completed his 50-game suspension and is healthy, to be McCann's caddy. McCann gives the Yankees a better catcher than they had in 2012 starter, Russell Martin, and the strongest offensive threat at the position since the retired Jorge Posada.
Jacoby Ellsbury gives the Yankees options. He strengthens the team up the middle, and like McCann, has a swing that tailored for Yankee Stadium. He may not hit a lot of home runs, but he'll be a terror on the bases. His presence, despite what the team says publicly, makes Brett Gardner expendable. For a team with weak prospects at the upper levels, it will take a Brett Gardner to bring a quality return. The Yankees need better starting pitching, a second baseman, and some help in the bullpen. They also need to cover for the expected absence of the Loser, Alex Rodriguez. So, if there are any certainties, it is that the Yankees will be active next week. I am sure that the website, MLB Trade Rumors, will be busier than Grand Central Station over the holidays.
Ala The Walking Dead, let's say goodbye to those that we've lost…
- Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
- Curtis Granderson, New York Mets
- Phil Hughes, Minnesota Twins
- Chris Stewart, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Mike Harkey, bullpen coach, now pitching coach, Arizona Diamondbacks
Thanks for the memories, but rest assured, we'll be okay.
Go Yankees!
To the Victor goes the spoils…
Congratulations to the Boston Red Sox…
I know, I never expected to see the words appear on my blog. But you have to give credit where credit is due and the 2013 Boston Red Sox proved that they were the best team in baseball. This is a team that hit the bottom with the 2011 collapse in September that cost beloved manager Terry Francona his job, followed up by a year of Bobby Valentine that ranks as one of the worst teams in recent memory.
Proving that he is nobody's fool, GM Ben Cherington deserves much of the credit. I am not sure how much the decisions can be attributed to Cherington or to Larry Lucchino, but the deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year to unload salary-draining dead wood was genius. The malcontents were shipped to the West Coast, while the recaptured dollars were re-invested to good clubhouse types like Mike Napoli, Jonny Gomes, Shane Victorino and Koji Uehara among others. The pieces made for good chemistry and the team, beards and all, became a very cohesive unit.
This may have been the first time that I ever pulled for the Red Sox in the post-season but they gained my respect and I thought they were the team to beat.
Naturally, I hope this is the end of the Sox championship run that started in 2004, but for this off-season, they are the champions of Baseball. Again, congratulations to the Red Sox, the city of Boston, and the Red Sox Nation.
Turns up like a bad penny…
I am so tired of Alex Rodriguez and anything A-Rod. His battle against the MLB is extending the inevitable suspension and is likely throwing a monkey wrench into the Yankees off-season plans. For a team that appears bent on getting under the $189 million salary cap, A-Rod's salary is substantial. Will they be freed of it, for a season, or will they be responsible for some portion thereof, or does A-Rod win to bring his salary back in full? I think the latter is very remote if impossible. I, for one, would accept a year of no A-Rod even if it means the entire salary counts against the cap. The guy is poison and I don't think the team will win again with him on the roster. Yes, they won in 2009, but teams generally do not win with such narcissistic players.
Rest assured that no decision Alex Rodriguez makes will be in the best interests of the Yankees and Major League Baseball. MLB needs the authority to end this foolish A-Rod farce and banish him for his sustained PEDS use and lies. I'd love a lifetime ban but I doubt that happens so I want nothing less than the original 214 game suspension.
Introducing the 2014 Yankees…
Check back with me in a few months.
There will be changes, but I am not sure that they will be the moves necessary to return the Yankees to AL East and American League prominence. I saw one New York paper running an article this morning that indicated the Yankees may go after the Detroit Tigers' Omar Infante should free agent Robinson Cano. No offense to Infante, but what a drop off. I don't think it is smart to pay Cano $300 million, but hopefully the Yankees and Cano can find common ground that is mutually rewarding for both.
I have seen the Yankees linked to free agents Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, Ervin Santana, and A.J. Pierzynski. Yes, Beltran is a good post-season performer but you need to get there first. As a McCann fantasy owner this past season, I was frustrated with how much time he spent on the DL. I've always thought Santana was a decent pitcher, but he's not a frontliner. Then again, when you've lost Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes and possibly Hiroki Kuroda, you just need arms. The Yankees will most likely lose Curtis Granderson so the Yankees will spend most of the winter just trying to fill holes rather than being able to focus on adding significant upgrades.
It would be nice if some members of the farm system were ready to take the major league stage but that does not appear to be the case. We may see Dellin Betances in the bullpen as the Yankees look to find a quality setup specialist for new closer David Robertson.
I do not want to lose Robinson Cano but then again, I do not want the Yankees to give him an A-Rod like contract that will become a financial albatross in future years. I may be the only one who feels this way, but I am not excited about a 40 year old Derek Jeter at shortstop with bad ankles. The Yankees really need to find a younger shortstop who can spell Jeter and perhaps push #2 to DH more times than not.
Mark Teixeira, cold starts and a bad wrist. Second base…currently there are nothing but crickets. Shortstop…see aforementioned comment about DJ. Third base is really anybody's guess. Catcher needs more than a backup catcher who can't hit and a proven PEDS user. Right field is even older than shortstop. Left field, at the moment, only shows the largely unreliable Vernon Wells. Centerfield is truly the only position that I feel comfortable with, and even that carries some injury risk. On the pitching staff, CC Sabathia is starting to show that he's on the downward slide, and Hiroki Kuroda could very well be pitching in Japan next season. The enigma, more commonly referred to as Ivan Nova, will be in the rotation but who really knows what we'll get. Adam Warren, David Phelps, Manny Banuelos (if he can make it back), Michael Pineda and others form the pool that Joe Girardi will be picking from.
In the bullpen, it is no sure thing that David Robertson will succeed as a closer. In 2011, when the great Mariano Rivera went down for the season, Robertson had first crack at the job and failed. He gave way to Rafael Soriano who proved very capable in the role. Going into 2014, at the moment, there is no safety net for Robertson. This is truly an off-season of uncertainty and it doesn't help that A-Rod is doing his part to ensure greater uncertainty.
The Red Sox, the Rays, the Jays, and the O's must be loving this. I can only hope that GM Brian Cashman and the Steinbrenner Boys prove that they can check Ben Cherington's move and bring championship baseball back to the Bronx where it belongs.
I so want to be wrong!…
The right to be pessimistic…
Anybody who has read my blog knows that I have been very pessimistic about the 2013 Yankees. I didn't feel right about the team coming out of training camp as the Yankees did nothing to upgrade the talent on the team and then when the season started, it became a comedy watching all of the regulars, well, for the most part, end with significant time on the disabled list.
A slight bit of optimism started to slip into my thinking last week when the Yankees started inching closer to the second wild card slot. But that was quickly dashed by the weekend sweep at the hands of the AL East leading Boston Red Sox. The Yankees weren't just defeated in the series, they felt like a minor league team against giants. It "felt" as though it was impossible for the Yankees to take charge of a game and even when they did hold a lead, it seemed very fragile and in retrospect, it was.
I was reading Joel Sherman's recent column about the bleak prospect for 2014 and I have to agree. CC Sabathia has shown nothing to lead one to believe that he'll restore his status as the team's ace. It is very possible that we are watching the final pinstripe days for Hiroki Kuroda who has been the team's best pitcher. Ivan Nova, after a brief successful run, has shown he is nothing more than a roller-coaster. Phil Hughes is auditioning for his job elsewhere next season and not doing a very good job. I do not see any scenario that brings Andy Pettitte back for another season. I am sure that this one has been a grind and at his age, that's enough to pack his bags and head back home to the Lone Star State for the final time. He'll be a spring training regular as an instructor, I am sure, but as for Yankee Stadium starts, the end is near. I honestly have no clue what season's rotation will look like other than CC anchoring the bottom end.
As much as I want to see the return of Robinson Cano, I don't want the Yankees to break the bank. It's that type of mentality that led them to their current predicament. But I recognize when Hal and Hank Steinbrenner make comments that there's a limit to what they'll spend (even if it is the right thing to do), it will psychologically send a message to Cano that maybe they don't want him as bad as the crosstown Mets or the 'spend-foolishly' Los Angeles Angels. The outfield is a disaster with the cast of characters that can call themselves the "Forty-Something" Club. Granted, Brett Gardner isn't 40, but he's also proven that he is DL-prone. That's not an affliction that gets better with age. We'll most likely see the return of Vernon Wells for no other reason than he won't cost the Yankees anything toward the salary cap. Derek Jeter is a Hall of Famer, but as a 40-year-old shortstop playing on a bad ankle, he's not a guy that you want to see on the field for 140 or 150 games. Mark Teixeira is on the express train to insignificance. Chris Stewart has done a decent job as the replacement for Russell Martin, but he's a backup on almost any other club.
A look at the Yankees' farm system does not show anyone that is ready to be handed a first class ticket to the Bronx. This is definitely an organization in a state of flux, and I am not convinced that it is one that GM Brian Cashman can survive. I think the Yankees will bring back Joe Girardi (there's not really anyone else that stands out as a surefire upgrade) and someone has to pay the price for Hal Steinbrenner's frugalness. Cashman's mantra was building the farm system, but as it stands today, it is a system filled with overhyped prospects with the best talent years from maturing.
How do the Yankees overhaul their aging, overpaid and underperforming roster? Boston's GM Ben Cherington gets great credit for his salary purge last year that led to his team being on the fast track to the World Series. Unfortunately, I do not see any other team willing to accept the Yankees' excess baggage. Are we facing a 1980's drought? I hope not, but then again, I am not seeing anything that would instill confidence. I hope the team's off-season meetings are about how to improve the team and not to avoid exceeding the 2014 salary cap. Another 2013-like year, and this is going to be a very difficult hole to dig out of. I would not expect the Yankees to compete again until after the contracts of Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, CC Sabathia, and the other older vets are distant memories.
Meanwhile, my favorite NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings, is 0-2. 2013 is not playing out to be a very good sports year for me. I need help. Hey, San Jose Sharks, can you do something to lift my spirits?…
The end is near for the Yankees but sadly that also means….
The end of the legendary career of my personal favorite Yankee, Mariano Rivera. He's been my favorite since he was zooming fastballs in the 8th inning prior to the entrance of closer John Wetteland. Mo has been the epitome of the ideal baseball player. When I think of all the Yankee greats, there is some sadness that I never got to see them play, like the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig. But in Mariano Rivera, I saw a pitcher that my grandchildren will be talking about. I've been very proud of his career and accomplishments and even in those moments of failure, there was never sadness because you knew that Mo gave it his all. It's been a pleasure to be a fan during his reign and his career will always be one that I'll be so thankful and happy for. I thought his words in the Fenway Park dugout were sincere, simple and so-Mo. He is and has been the best…