Nick Swisher prediction

Every year there are a ton players who don't perform up to their hype, sometimes this is for physical reasons other times mental issues due to problems on and off the field. Here is my Prediction for Nick Swisher, the definition of a player who did not perform up to his potential this past year.

Last year he saw roughly a 50 point drop in his batting average and over a 30 point drop in his ops+ although he did have 2 more homeruns the previous year. I believe this drop can be attributed to a lack of as consistent playing time (he did still have about 500 AB's but that is still 40 less than normal), a misuse of his skills Nick Swisher is not a leadoff hitter, and a bad change of scenery, with Ozzie Guillen at one point coming out to the media and saying how he was disappointed in how Nick had playing.

If he gets a fulltime job in the outfield, which assumes Nady is traded, he will, in my opinion put up the best numbers of his career. I predict a line of 260/390/520 with almost 40 homeruns next season. Now I know you might think I am crazy, but keep in mind a few things just 3 years ago in 2006 he hit 35 homeruns for Oakland. I can tell you it is a hell of a lot easier to hit a homerun in Yankee Stadium than it is in Oakland. Also keep in mind that Oakland's offense was pretty mediocre back then short of Frank Thomas and Nick himself, he will definitely have more opportunities as a Yankee.

Regardless of how Nick Swisher performs the 2009 season looks bright with the Yankees having one of their best rotations and lineups in a very long time.

I had a dream...

So i have crazy dreams about the Yankees... alot... especially durring the offseason when my mind needs baseball. Most of the time they aren't that farfetched, most of the time they are realistic and believable... last night, i had a very interesting dream... regarding... Kei Igawa...

It started out as the Yankees reportedly inviting Kei Igawa to spring training... Kei took this as his chance to shine... he worked on a few things in the offseason... curve ball... changeup... whatever shit pitches he throws....

So apparently my dream was all about Kei Igawa succeeding... i don't know if i can handle a Kei Igawa comeback.

Anyway... spring training roles around... and the Yankees play their first game against the Blue Jays.... at... the new Yankee Stadium? O.k... my dream land is starting to take over now...

Kei Igawa starts this game and there is a lot of media hype surrounding it, because Kei claimed he will prove to be the ace of the Yankees staff (what was i smoking last night?).

This is when my dream threw me for a loop... Roy Halladay... Yankee killa... came in to lead off for the blue jays... struck out on three pitches... big suprise... (it didn't hit me that Roy Halladay was leading off until i actually woke up...)

Next batter... Matt Stairs... (apparently my dream land still has Matt Stairs on the Blue Jays)... he strikes out on 3 pitches.... what the?... Kei Igawa is goood? nooo, can't be!

David Wright batted 3rd for the Blue Jays? (again, it didn't hit me as wierd until i woke up)... Kei Igawa picked an oppurtune time to throw his first fastball of the game... and....

David Wright hits it for a homerun.... guess my dream wasn't so farfetched afterall...

I don't think the dream continued after that, my mind gave up on Kei Igawa.

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It's always sunny in Philadelphia is a great show, if you don't watch it and love to laugh your ass off... check it out here.

Random thoughts

Not much really going on in baseball right now as most teams appear to be done spending including the Yankees... lets take a look at the rumor mill anyway

Ben why do all the teams think my arm is going to fall off Sheets is still looking for a 2 year deal which I doubt he gets. I'm going to hazard a guess that something in his medical report has scared the hell out of every major league team.

Jason Varitek may sign for around 5 million dollars on a one year deal. Man I wish I could get paid millions of dollars to be bad. He can't really hit anymore and his defense is rapidly declining he was just a bit over league average this past year. But if they don't resign him there pitching staff may suddenly fall apart, seeing as how Jason is one of the best game callers ever whos skills can be matched by no one! And the Florida Marlins are going to try and sign Manny Ramirez.. Okay, back to reality.

Spekaing of Manny Ramirez, he is still trying to get the Dodgers to bid against themselves in their pursuit of him. Normally, I'd say not even Scott Boras could make this happen, but Ned Colleti is the GM who gave Andruw Jones 36 million dollars.

Oliver Perez is still looking for a 4 year 40 million dollar contract and it looks like the Mets are going to give him something close to that. Highest walk rate in the national league + ERA over 4 = roughly 10 million dollars a year apparently... quick someone tell Jon Garland. And the biggest news of the day the Pirates may have just made their biggest offseason signing in Eric Hinske... I feel for all the Pirates fans out there.

So ya baseball is pretty boring right now, but to help you get through the times here is a hilarious video



lets get physical!

Andy Pettite signs...

We've all had our doubts and concerns regarding Andy Pettite this offseason, but honestly... you've gotta honor the deal that Andy accepted.

Andy turned down a deal that would have guarenteed him 10 MM, Yankee fans including myself were skeptic and the word 'selfish' was even thrown around a few times. But not long ago, as most of you reading knows... Andy accepted a deal with just 5.5 million guarenteed (6.5 can be added to that in incentives).

Shows how classy Andy Pettite is, and apparently... how confident. The right deal was sitting right under the Yankees noses the entire time, Andy wanted the Yankees to figure that out themselves. You have to have some real confidence and determination on your side to turn down a deal that guarenteed 10 MM and accept one for 5.5 with only 2 MM more after incentives.

Great signing for the Yankees... i'd all but given up on Pettite, but i was worried, and was considering pitchers like Randy Wolf, Ben Sheets and Freddy Garcia. But all of us Yankee fans wanted Andy back, he's the guy i would give the ball to, if my life depended on it.

This sure gives the Yankees one helluva rotation, with Andy Pettite as your number 4 starter? Yea you better feel threatened Red Sox "nation"... now, let's look at the Yankees 2009 rotation as of today:

CC Sabathia
Chien Ming Wang
AJ Burnett
Andy Pettite
Joba Chamberlain

This signing also gives the Yankees the oppurtunity to keep Phil Hughes in the minors to tweak the things that need adjusting. So when the time comes that Joba has to move to the bullpen, Phil Hughes can come up and replace him.

Sure looks like a solid team to me... i can't wait for opening day.

Just a few thoughts...

My internet is still off and on, so i'm taking a gamble here with making a post, but i will take the risk.

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Apparently Joe Torre has a book coming out...

i cut ties with Joe Torre once he left the Yankees last year, so i am not heartbroken over any of what he said like some fans are.

i have not given any time into reading any of what Joe Torre is saying, but from other people, this is the gist i am getting...

-A-Rod wants to have butt sex with Derek Jeter
-A-Rod's new nickname is... A-Fraud... clever
-Somewhere in the book the Steinbrenner's and Brian Cashman are bashed...

Some of you Yankee fans can sit and be disgusted, or you can be like me... and just take what Joe Torre gave us the last 12 or so years, say thanks... and move on.

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Rinku and Dinesh have a great blog that they update every so often... more than Phil Hughes who posts once a month.

In a recent post they explain how they got an autographed picture of 'The Rock'.. who is their favorite actor... they also seem to be fascinated with his muscle...

"We thanking mark Sir, and hope someday meeting Rock. If I meeting Rock i asking how he getting the muscules in biggest"

Little warning to you both, don't take any advice from the Rock regarding getting your muscles bigger.

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If you're like me, and love laughing your ass off... enjoy this man's humiliation.

Internet issues part II

Sorry again, my internet has been off and on the last few weeks so it's been hard to get a post in... as of right now, Ace will be taking over the posting for the next few days until i can get my internet situation handled...

But! i still have a video for you before i go...

Japan Game Show Funny Baseball - Funny bloopers are a click away
Why do i love Japanse shows like this? because you aren't wondering if someone gets hurt, it's just a matter of when it happens (i.e the girl who went 3rd in this video).

I love how the girl is clearly concussed and in agony while they are all standing there laughing at her...

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By the way... the fantasy league has spots, come on! it will be fun, email us.

Looking ahead...

Now that this offseason is all but over for the Yankees I feel it is a good time to address the Yankees farm system and what they have to do to get it back to where it was last year. The Yankees farm system dropped all the way from #5 to #15 this past year (Boston also had a huge drop) due to a variety of reasons. Graduations to the big leagues by Joba and Ian Kennedy, a multitude of injuries in the minors, players traded away in the nady/marte deal, and a failure to sign first and second round draft picks all combined to lead to this large drop in the rankings. This past year also exposed an extreme lack of organizational depth in the minors as when injuries began to plague the rotation our best replacement was Darrel freaking Rasner. Going forward this year I'd like to see the Yankees do two major things to really improve the farm system.

1. Don't draft the high potential toolsy players that the Yankees traditionally draft. Sure this has worked out great before (i.e. Joba), but often times will fail. What the Yankees system needs most out of the draft right now are polished college players who may not have the most upside but are more a sure thing. There are other ways to obtain high end talent aside from the draft.

2. Make a splash in the international market. I realize the international market has been pretty hit or miss for the Yankees the past 10 years. We've had our highs in Hideki Matsui and our lows in Hideki Irabu and then we've had our kei igawas... but in all seriousness the Yankees made a splash in 2006 signing Jesús Montero which has worked out well so far, but since then have only had a moderate presence. In my opinion this is where the Yankees should be looking for their higher end talent this coming year, this is where they should be looking to take some risks (should have tried harder to sign Inoa this past year). Also make a play at Yadel Marti and Yasser Gomez (the two guys who just defected from Cuba) these guys are said to be near major league ready players with a lot of talent and have interest in playing for the Yankees. It would be disappointing to see the Yankees let this opportunity escape them.

Anyway lets take a quick look at the positives. Right now with 3 Yankees ranking in the top 100 Austin Jackson (46), Jesus Montero (83) and Andrew Brackman (95). Austin Jackson projects to be an above average everyday centerfielder. Jesus Montero has an above average bat and will end up a catcher unless he outgrows the position and is forced to become a first baseman. Andrew Brackman by far has the most potential out of any recent yankees prospects short of Joba. He is 6'10 with a fastball that sits in the mid 90's and a devestating knuckle curve. He played well in the Hawaii league coming off of Tommy John surgery. If he lives up to his full potential he will be a true #1 starter. This coming year will be interesting as we follow those 3 and get to see which high end players will emerge from low and high A ball.