An Idea: Chamberlain for Soria

In an effort to generate discussion, I'm going to attempt to keep this entry fairly short. I've done a fair deal of tinkering with the numbers and players involved, but I'm very curious to see how the SIH Community reacts to this, with the hope that I'll garner a fair amount of input. That being said - why not offer Chamberlain and some extras to the Royals for Joakim Soria?

There are countless positives to be had here, in my mind. Soria provides the Yankees with the best set-up man in the business at a relatively low cost, while also waiting in the wings for the inevitable day that Rivera rides off into the sunset. It also keeps Robertson in the seventh and Park out of high-leverage situations, while generating more set roles for the bullpen in general. I suppose there could be issues with Soria changing his role, but I'm sure that that could be balanced out nicely with a transition to a winning team.

The main caveat with this potential return lay in Soria's relatively cheap contract (he's owed $4 M in 2011 and $22.75 M in club options from 2012 throught 2014) and the relative volatility of relievers. The Royals may be loath to deal one of their most recognizable players at such a value, but they do appear to be a team with a steady eye on the future. As for volatility, I trust Soria going forward - he has four solid pitches and a fairly clean injury history, which is more than one could say about most other options.

In terms of Chamberlain, the Yankees would be selling low ... he didn't perform too well as a starter in 2009 and his "baseball card" stats aren't good this season, either. His peripherals point to better days, but I'm not sure that many front offices would buy that argument. I, for one, am fairly certain that Chamberlain could flourish elsewhere - but I do believe that that change of scenery may be necessary. Moving to a small market team a stone's throw from his home may be the jolt that Chamberlain needs to succeed.

Overall, I don't see this as a pipe dream, either. Chamberlain makes sense for the Royals - he's team controlled for four more years (and his arbitration reward isn't likely to top $1.5 M this offseason) and has the stuff to be a dominant closer or solid starter. While Chamberlain alone isn't likely enough for Soria, the Royals have several needs - David Adams, Melky Mesa, Zach McAllister, and Ivan Nova could sweeten the pot a fair bit. Should the Royals have so

Posted byDomenic L.

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4-0 despite a big loss

Yes, I moved to 4-0 this year at Yankee Stadium…but at what cost?

The Yanks slugged their way to a 9-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, but that wasn’t the big news. Neither was their opening of a three-game lead in the division. Nor the Sox losing and falling 6 1/2 back. It wasn’t even A-Rod blasting his 598th career dingy. No. The big news Sunday was Andy Pettitte, he of the 11-2 record and 2.88 ERA, going down with a Grade I strain of his left groin. Although Grade I strains are the best-case scenario, Erik Boland is reporting that Cashman said Pettitte will miss 4 to 5 weeks and will be replaced in the rotation by Sergio Mitre.

Pettitte just had to steal the thunder on Ramiro Pena’s 25th birthday, didn’t he.

I felt like I landed a little awkward and I felt a little burning sensation in there. As I stood there I felt something aching me and I tried to throw the warm-up pitch; but as I tried to bring my left leg over it didn’t feel good at all…I was hurt, I was hurt pretty bad. I hope that I feel great tomorrow. I’m being pretty realistic when I say they’re pretty cautious here. We’ll just have to see what happens, hopefully in the next two days it gets a lot better.

Because I am too drunk to write a coherent post, here are some facts. Some fun, some not so fun:

Pettitte in his last three starts against the Rays: 0-2, 11 2/3 IP, 15 R (12 ER), 21 H, 9 BB, 7 K. Let’s hope he doesn’t face those clowns in the postseason.The Yanks hit their 22nd triple (Cano) of the year, they had 21 all of last year and 20 in 2008. They haven’t had 40 three-baggers in a season since 1983.It was Girardi’s 250th win as manager of the Yanks.The Yanks are 13-2 this season when A-Rod hits a home run, and 15-3 when Pettitte starts.Every Yankee who played reached base at least once.AJ apologized to his teammates for Saturday’s what-have-you and is optimistic that his Kevin Brown episode won’t keep him from making his next start on Friday against the Royals.The Yanks got three innings of one-hit relief, and three strikeouts, from D-Rob and CHoP. Boom Boom Boone and Joba both threw  1 2/3 innings and gave up five total hits (with five Ks) and a run each. Share this post:RSS FeedTweet ThisShare on FaceBookDigg ItStumble Upon ThisReddit ShareYahoo! Share

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Yankees' Starting Pitching Notes: Pettitte, Mitre, Joba

"NEW YORK - JULY 18: Andy Pettitte #46 of the New York Yankees delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning on July 18, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)" class

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Game #89: Rays at Yankees

HomeZell’s Pinstripe ForumSponsorLinksAboutContact UsZell's Pinstripe BlogA blog about the best franchise in all of sportsFeeds:PostsCommentsGame #89: Rays at YankeesJuly 16, 2010 by Kevin Rozell

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A look back at the Yankees Golden Age with Joe Digangi

HomeZell’s Pinstripe ForumSponsorLinksAboutContact UsZell's Pinstripe BlogA blog about the best franchise in all of sportsFeeds:PostsCommentsA look back at the Yankees Golden Age with Joe DigangiJuly 17, 2010 by Kevin Rozell

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Yankees Old-Timers Day 2010

HomeZell’s Pinstripe ForumSponsorLinksAboutContact UsZell's Pinstripe BlogA blog about the best franchise in all of sportsFeeds:PostsCommentsYankees Old-Timers Day 2010July 17, 2010 by rrothfeldt

Today is Old-Timer’s Day, a Yankees tradition in which our heroes from years past return to the Stadium. This year is a little different than most, since we’ll also remember a special Yankee who never took the field but was as much a part of the Yankee experience as anyone who did: Bob Sheppard. The “Voice of God” was the public address announcer for more than 50 years and anyone who ever watched a game at Yankee Stadium was greeted with his melodic baritone intoning, “Good Afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen and Welcome to Yankee Stadium.” He became the standard by which all PA announcers are measured. It’s only fitting that today’s festivities are dedicated to him.

Here is a brief rundown of the Old-Timer’s Schedule:

12:30 pm: Gates open to ticket-holding fans

12:30

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Game #90: Rays at Yankees

HomeZell’s Pinstripe ForumSponsorLinksAboutContact UsZell's Pinstripe BlogA blog about the best franchise in all of sportsFeeds:PostsCommentsGame #90: Rays at YankeesJuly 17, 2010 by rrothfeldt

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