Surprise good or bad (MLB)

June 21st, 2006, 10:06 PM

Actually if you follow the Yankees you would realize that the losses of Sheffield, Chacon, and matsui have been HUGE. Pitching wins titles, but an explosive offense does not hurt either. Posada hasnt been healthy all year either, I challange most teams to lose a starting pitcher, a 2 starting outfielders, have their catcher not a full strength and not to mention both Jeter and Damon have suffered injuries. And spending 200 million on young pitching would be a waste, the players and the ball club is built to win now, not in 3-5 years. The spent money on pitching it just seems to be theose pitchers are in the winter of their carrers or have had to battle injury.

**89bluedevil** · June 21st, 2006, 10:21 PM

I don't think you spend 200 mil on all young pitching, but on Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano? I agree that the loss of Sheffield and Matsui has had to have hurt, but it seems that a lot of the recent losses have come by blowing big leads.

June 21st, 2006, 10:59 PM

When they got Pavano he was a solid ML starter, Wright had begun to show flashes of his brilliance as when we was with the Indians, I feel what your sayin, instead of Johnson (which looked great on paper) more money should have been thrown at younger talent thats had some ML sucess.

**R0cketer** · June 22nd, 2006, 09:00 AM

Pavano has one good year (there was a lot of question on his ability in a big market, one reason Boston backed off).

Wright had looked good, but he had always been an injury prone.

Johnson, well that was a shot.

I don't fault the Yankees for that. Pitching is where its at, and you have to sometimes take a chance on a guy who shows ability and hope.

I mean Sox did it with Matt Clement (who was looking decent till the line drive in the head last year, not got back). Wells had been able to give innings and quality innings (now he can't stay on the field). Shoot picked a guy up of waivers from Kansas City and another starter from Cleveland in the last week. Injuries can kill a team even with a high payroll

**imported_MoonlightGraham** · June 22nd, 2006, 10:00 AM

Well atleast you didnt spend 3 million dollars on a closer 1st basemen with JT Snow.

And by closer 1st basemen I mean a guy who might get 3 starts a month but is bascially used as a defensive substitute a la Doug Miencavitz in 04.

**imported_Coach** · June 22nd, 2006, 10:03 AM

that could be why they released JT Snow yesterday. as for Carl Pavano, if this guy will ever stay healthy, he could be a dominant starting pitcher. lifer, the cardinals are in a similar situation as the yankees. pujols has been out for a couple of weeks, edmunds got hurt last night and they are short a couple of outfielders with the loss of walker and reggie sanders.

**R0cketer** · June 22nd, 2006, 10:41 AM

Snow was picked up mainly because there was no sureness of how Yukullis (spelling) would play every day at first base. He had moved there in the not so distant past, was a third baseman if I remember correctly. It was thought he would be ok but still with a young player, never can be sure.

Pavano could be a good pitcher if healthy but he doesn't appear to be a big market type of guy. He could be the modern day version of Ed Whitson [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

**jake_norris** · June 23rd, 2006, 10:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
if this guy will ever stay healthy

[/ QUOTE ]

If, if, if... staying healthy is a huge part of being a successful MLB player. If Wood, Prior, and Lee could get off the DL the Cubs wouldn't suck as bad. If so-and-so is not in the lineup, he can't help his club.