Where is the 2016 Yankees are Assholes Thread?

[Centerfield]

All of this is so strange. At the end of the day, Alex Rodriguez ends his Yankee career with 351 HR's and a .901 OPS. He is one of the best players they've had all time. (St. Jeter, by comparison, was 260 and .817). And he was critical in the 2009 championship team.

And sure, he's had his steroids scandals, but this is a fan base that supports Dickhead Clemens and ********** Giambi.

I guess he is so unlikeable that this is his fate, but it's just strange to see a Hall of Famer (by stats anyway) see his career end in such a shitty way.

[Edgy MD]

Steroids aside, he was more than a Hall of Famer. He was a top-five all-time talent if the Yankees and Jeter hadn't moved him off shortstop. He's a top twenty anyhow.

But, then, that's pretending that cloud isn't hanging over him. Multiple clouds.

[Centerfield]

Definitely that cloud is there, it's just that you see the MFY fans bend over backwards to justify assholes like Clemens. Who clearly only used roids during his time in Boston and Houston. Andy Pettite only used PEDs because he was a good teammate and wanted to get back on the field as fast as possible. Jason Giambi used steroids in Oakland, but ditched them, just like his beard, as soon as he came to NY.

It's just strange to see the MFY (and their fans) hang ARod out to dry like that.

Anyway, it's been entertaining. I'm sorry to see the AROd chapter close.

[Frayed Knot]

All of this is so strange ... I guess he is so unlikeable that this is his fate, but it's just strange to see a Hall of Famer (by stats anyway) see his career end in such a shitty way.

Unlikeable ain't got nuthin' to do with it. If he were hitting he'd be playing and he'd be returning in 2017.

Hell, he got 600+ PAs in 2015 -- even though that was coming right out of the year-plus long suspension and all the behind the scenes wars and threats of lawsuits, etc. -- because he was essentially the best offensive player on the team, at least he was for the first four months of the season.
But while the team could put up with a non-fielding, non-running, and 'WTF is he saying now?' version of him, they understandably don't have a lot of leeway for the non-hitting variety (see the August thru August stats above). A Designated Hitter who can't hit is pretty useless don't you think?

Do you think they'll play him this week, and give him a chance to go for the milestone?

They said they'd play him this week as much as he wants: three games in Fenway (think the Boston fans are going to have some fun with THAT!) and then the swan song vs Tampa in da Bronx.
Of course the odds of him hitting 4 HRs in that time are pretty small.

[Edgy MD]

Frayed Knot wrote: Centerfield wrote: All of this is so strange ... I guess he is so unlikeable that this is his fate, but it's just strange to see a Hall of Famer (by stats anyway) see his career end in such a shitty way. Unlikeable ain't got nuthin' to do with it. If he were hitting he'd be playing and he'd be returning in 2017.

Yeah, but, Teixeira isn't hitting a bit and he's getting regular playing time, while A-Rod, as you note, can't even get off the bench for a tailor-made pinch-hitting opportunity.

[Ceetar]

Yankees didn't deserve a great player like that. Beltran either for that matter. Abusing them.

Anyway, I doubt we really end up knowing the truth of the dealings behind this 'transfer' to the front office. I mean, A-Rod's an intelligent guy and a great baseball mind and if that means he wants to stay in the game, great, but is this the best avenue for him to do that? Or was there an unspoken agreement that he's the next manager, here hang out here and 'advise' while it opens up. (I'd reach out right now and offer him Terry's job, and i don't particularly dislike Terry)

From a baseball standpoint the front office job doesn't really matter right? He's released, and any contract he signs with another team is basically minimum with him getting the regular pay from the Yankees? It's not like they bribed him off the team by giving him his money and letting him pretend he can sign a 2/30 contract elsewhere next year right?

[HahnSolo]

Ceetar wrote: Or was there an unspoken agreement that he's the next manager, here hang out here and 'advise' while it opens up.

Oh, God, please let this be true. The MFY fan base would absolutely lose their freaking minds, and I for one would love to see that happen.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Only True Yankees get to be manager, and ARod was never bestowed that title.


Speaking of True Yankees, did Roger Clemens get a plaque or anything in their monument area?

[Guest themetfairy]

Here's my take on the timing of A-Rod's retirement. He'll be done with all baseball activities in time for this season of Dancing with the Stars.

You read it here first!

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Centerfield wrote: All of this is so strange ... I guess he is so unlikeable that this is his fate, but it's just strange to see a Hall of Famer (by stats anyway) see his career end in such a shitty way. Unlikeable ain't got nuthin' to do with it. If he were hitting he'd be playing and he'd be returning in 2017. Yeah, but, Teixeira isn't hitting a bit and he's getting regular playing time, while A-Rod, as you note, can't even get off the bench for a tailor-made pinch-hitting opportunity.

But the fact that Teixeira can play a position and has just eight weeks left on his contract makes him easier to deal with than the diva who can't with eight baseball months of payments still to go.
Next they just have to figure out a way to ease Brian McCann into a warm bath, although now that they brought up Gary Sanchez (the guy who was DH'ing instead of ARod) you may see McCann at 1B more often.
Ellsbury they seem to be stuck with but at least he's occasionally good.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

So after the big Sunday presser, you'd have thought that the classy Yankees would at least give the 2009 MVP a chance to get some at-bats on the way out, considering that he's done at the end of the week.

And last night, in a meaningless game, with fans chanting for an Arod appearance, Girardi keeps him on the bench. Not even a pinch-hitting opportunity.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, I have no doubt that Rodriguez can play a position—at least well enough to fake it through eight innings for a few days on a team that has already dealt themselves out. I mean, it's not like it bothered them that Derek Jeter couldn't play a position the last two years of his career.

[Frayed Knot]

After Girardi got all caught up in the emotion of the teary press conference and said he'd play AR as often as he wanted over these last four games, he then apparently sobered up and/or changed his mind.
The plan now seems to be that he'll play Thursday in Fenway then in his finale on Friday in NY.


btw, with the Sox up by 3 in the 9th last night, freaking Kimbrel comes in for the save but [u:1sdzjm66]four walks[/u:1sdzjm66] and a passed ball later (plus a K and a line-out) the are bases loaded and it's a two run game with tying and go-ahead runners on. Fortunately John Farrell had the good sense to yank him at that point and replacement Matt Barnes got the final out.

[Guest cooby]

themetfairy wrote: Here's my take on the timing of A-Rod's retirement. He'll be done with all baseball activities in time for this season of Dancing with the Stars. You read it here first!

Hahahahah

[MFS62]

One of the YLDBs in my office has tickets for this Saturday's game at YS III. They will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1996 WS winning team. I asked if the giveaways will be team autographed hypodermic needles.
My comment was met with a pained glare.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

MFS62 wrote: ... this Saturday's game at YS III. They will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1996 WS winning team.

No wonder they wanted ARod outta town by Friday.

[MFS62]

Frayed Knot wrote: MFS62 wrote: ... this Saturday's game at YS III. They will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1996 WS winning team. No wonder they wanted ARod outta town by Friday.

They'll need some sort of gate attraction. Once A-Rod leaves, none of the remaining players could draw a crowd if he were to be hit by a taxi in Times Square at high noon.

Later

[Frayed Knot]

Rodriguez: DH'ing and batting 3rd, 1 for 2 w/an RBI 2B

[metirish]

Fittingly dirty #Arod takes MFY3 mound dirt .

[Frayed Knot]

metirish wrote: Fittingly dirty #Arod takes MFY3 mound dirt .

I wonder if he actually saved it or if that was just something that he felt like he was supposed to do (or maybe even ordered to do) when leaving the revered YSIII?
I'd put the odds at him dumping that stuff out of his back pocket onto the clubhouse floor the moment he was out of camera range at at least 50/50




Meanwhile, Yanqui hurler Nathan Eovaldi, who was pulled out of a game last week with elbow soreness, will require Two elbow surgeries -- traditional UCL replacement (TJ surgery) and also a flexor tendon repaired -- to repair his arm and will miss all of the 2017 season rehabbing.
Kind of an odd case Eovaldi; seems like he's been around a while but still just 26 y/o, scouts rave about his 'Stuff' but that stuff hasn't always matched the results as he's still a below .500 pitcher with ERAs in the mid-4.00s most seasons. Even the Yanx, desperate for pitching most of this year, had him in and out of the rotation.
I believe he'll achieve FA-status during the 2017-18 off-season so it'll be interesting how much attention he draws that winter seeing as how it'll be some 20 months between games for him by the time the '18 season starts up again.

[metirish]

Good point , as I watched A-Rod drop down to the mound the thought in my head was he's doing it because he thinks this is the thing to do , like "hey guys look at me, I know what to do". Of course because if who he is it is always with a cynical eye he is viewed.

[Frayed Knot]

Yanx had a 6-0 lead tonight thru 5
Then they pulled starter Michael Pineda (no idea why ... only 68 pitches)
Then a succession of relievers allowed 4 runs to the Jays in the 6th and then [u:10ldr6mv]8 more in the 8th[/u:10ldr6mv]!

12-6 Toronto is your final.

[Edgy MD]

Pineda was pulled after a 44-minute rain delay.

[Frayed Knot]

Ahhhh, that makes more sense.

They had an even longer delay out in Denver last night too causing both starting pitchers, Chad Bettis & Gio Gonzalez, to be pulled in a 2-2 tie after 3.
Rox wound up getting the better bullpen work (6 IP, 4 hits) resulting in a 6-2 Colorado win and (though it means less now than a month or so ago) ... a Triple Happiness Day !!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Edgy MD wrote: Pineda was pulled after a 44-minute rain delay.

Man didn't rain at all in Brooklyn

[Frayed Knot]

Jacoby Ellsbury reached 1st last night on catcher's interference for the 11th time this season!!.

a) yes, that not only leads the league but is an extension of his own ML record. Hell, that might even be more than every other hitter in the league combined this season although I have no idea how to find such minutia
there has to be some sort of intent to this on his part (gotta earn that $21 mil somehow and hitting .260 w/5 HRs ain't cutting it); shit like that can't just be happening by accident
c) you'd think catchers would adjust by now and move back a few inches
d) you'd think pitchers would get pissed off and start drilling him. 'Oh, so you want to get on 1st base that badly do ya? ... Here ya go, wear this one!'


oe: a bit of quick research via the interwebs finds:
- the all-time leader in reaching via CI is Pete Rose with 29 (in 14,053 ABs - or once per 484 ABs, aka: about one and change per season)
- Ellsubry, whose previous season high was 4, is now second with 23 (in 4,383 ABs, once per 190 ABs, around 3 per full season)
- no one else has more than 18 for his career
- previous season high was Roberto Kelly with the 1992 Yanx, 8

[MFS62]

And, in last night's MFY loss, the winning pitcher for KC was our old pal Dillon Gee.
Later

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, I wasn't too encouraged when I first saw the Gee vs Pineda matchup but the good thing about Pineda is that he frequently tosses in a turkey of an inning in an otherwise good outing and he did that last night by coughing up 3 runs in the 1st before retiring 16 straight after that. But by then Gee was out of the game with a 3-1 lead and KC bats then went to work of the Yanx rebuilt (read: gutted) bullpen.
KC's usually good bullpen tried blowing a 8-1 lead by allowing 5 in the Yanqui 8th (an inning started by Ellsbury's leadoff Catcher's Interference call) and then allowing the tying run to get to the plate in the 9th, but ultimately survived.