MLB Playoffs

[MizzouRah]

I HATE THAT F'ING STADIUM, if Minute Maid can be called a baseball stadium.

You could hit a whiffle ball out of that stadium, sheeesh. I know both teams have to play there, but still that damn HR by Ausmus was weak as well as the winner by whatever his name is. Dammit!!

Should be another good series vs the Stros though. I'm glad Beltran moved on..

Weak HR from Ausmus? what game were you watching? And I guess the monster shot to CF by Ensberg was a whiffle ball shot, huh? That's out in almost any other park.

Well, should be a good series with the Cards.

Ensberg nailed it, no doubt about it. I'm bitter about the Ausmus HR though..

Should be a good series is right though. Last year's was unreal, I was at Game 7.

[ScoopBrady]

I like the White Sox chances beating New York rather than the Angels. Go Yankees! (I can't believe I just typed that)

[catskinsox]

I like the White Sox chances beating New York rather than the Angels. Go Yankees! (I can't believe I just typed that)

Get some Lava and wash your mouth out.

or fingers...

[catskinsox]

Ensberg nailed it, no doubt about it. I'm bitter about the Ausmus HR though..

Should be a good series is right though. Last year's was unreal, I was at Game 7.

Edmonds catch on Ausmus' wiffle shot last year won that one. I hate that guy. Astro killer!

Kent's bomb was fun in Game 5. right up there with Hatcher's Game 6 shot in '86, and now the Berkman, Ausmus, and Burke shots in Game 4.

[wco81]

Yankees lose ... TTHHHHHE YAN-KEES LOSE!

[dbdynsty25]

Yankees lose ... TTHHHHHE YAN-KEES LOSE!

Now I can watch the rest of the playoffs...if the Braves aren't gonna win it, at least the Yanks or the Red Sox will be sitting at home as well. That Angel bullpen is unreal.

[Zlax45]

Yankees lose ... TTHHHHHE YAN-KEES LOSE!

Now I can watch the rest of the playoffs...if the Braves aren't gonna win it, at least the Yanks or the Red Sox will be sitting at home as well. That Angel bullpen is unreal.

Now I will not watch any of the playoffs now. I have no interest in watching the Astros/Cards or White Sox/Angels. At least when the Yankees were playing I could root against them.

[dbdynsty25]

We know Parker.

[Zlax45]

We know Parker.

You know I am not Parker so knock it off.

[tsunami]

Another disappointing loss for the Yankees in the postseason. Actually, I'm not all that bothered by it since I had limited expectations for them even making the playoffs.

And, like the regular season, they were exposed with spotty pitching, bad defense, and a lack of clutch hitting. Is anyone less clutch when it matters than A-Rod?!?!?

However, the Angels are in pretty bad shape. Their pitching staff is in disarray and they will be playing a well rested White Sox team that has better pitching than they do, a solid defense, and the ability to mash it up when they get chances. I like the White Sox in 5...possibly 6 games.

And I like the Astros over the Cards in another 7 game series.

[jLp vAkEr0]

Another disappointing loss for the Yankees in the postseason. Actually, I'm not all that bothered by it since I had limited expectations for them even making the playoffs.

200 million+ team, and you didn't expect them to make the playoffs?

[dbdynsty25]

Another disappointing loss for the Yankees in the postseason. Actually, I'm not all that bothered by it since I had limited expectations for them even making the playoffs.

200 million+ team, and you didn't expect them to make the playoffs?

I think George is disappointed.

[wco81]

Red Sox have the second-highest payroll right?

Angels have to be up there too, as do probably the Cards and the Astros, since they all have big names.

White Sox seem to have the most unsung players so they're likely to have the lowest payroll of the remaining teams.

[Zlax45]

Red Sox have the second-highest payroll right?

Angels have to be up there too, as do probably the Cards and the Astros, since they all have big names.

White Sox seem to have the most unsung players so they're likely to have the lowest payroll of the remaining teams.

Here is your answer

Click here

[spooky157]

Another disappointing loss for the Yankees in the postseason. Actually, I'm not all that bothered by it since I had limited expectations for them even making the playoffs.

200 million+ team, and you didn't expect them to make the playoffs?

I have to agree with tsunami on this one. I completely gave up on them back in July. Even heading into September I never thought they would make the playoffs. I was ready for a complete rebuilding.

I've never seen a baseball player look as uptight as Arod was this series. I couldn't tell what pitch he was looking for. He'd take pitches right down the middle and swing at ones over his shoulders. Don't even get me started on his fielding gaffes. It's pretty hard to believe because he really did have such a great year. Jeter is the most "heads-up" player on the Yanks but I thought Arod was that type of guy all year long too. Then October rolls around and he's totally lost in the field and at the plate. He was just brain locking all over the place. He couldn't even thro runners out on routine groundballs! Just a total disaster for him.

I'm really sad to see that, in all likelihood, Bernie Williams' days are over with the Yanks. Too bad he missed that hit and run sign in the second inning but I can't get too upset with Bernie. He was a great Yankee and will be missed.

[icvu42]

Interesting stat on the Yanks... ever since they pushed their payroll over $100 million, they haven't won the World Series. All the success they had in the late 90's was built around a core of young guys (Jeter, Williams, Rivera, Pettitte, Posada, Mendoza) that they developed instead of buying. Hopefully the success of Cano and Wang will make George and co. bring them back to those days... but I doubt it.

Rick

[webdanzer]

Interesting stat on the Yanks... ever since they pushed their payroll over $100 million, they haven't won the World Series. All the success they had in the late 90's was built around a core of young guys (Jeter, Williams, Rivera, Pettitte, Posada, Mendoza) that they developed instead of buying. Hopefully the success of Cano and Wang will make George and co. bring them back to those days... but I doubt it.

Rick

We are seeing a return to the 80's, where hired guns were Steinbrenner's favorite guys. The championship team was built when Steinbrenner was out of baseball, by Stick Michael and Buck Showalter, and then Steinbrenner's cash came back in to give them some expensive depth. Since then, they've gone back to throwing money around instead of building from within, and are getting 80's style results. They stopped being a team a few years ago...now they are that 'collection of talent' that they are often derided as being.

[wco81]

Part of the reason the Yankees payroll shot up is that they paid big money to keep those young stars who commanded superstar contracts because of their past success.

That is why they didn't keep Pettite right?

[tsunami]

Another disappointing loss for the Yankees in the postseason. Actually, I'm not all that bothered by it since I had limited expectations for them even making the playoffs.

200 million+ team, and you didn't expect them to make the playoffs?

I'm basing that on their production and play on the field throughout the season...not how much they cost. Last I checked, dollars bills don't suit up and play baseball. Expectations because of payroll only take you to opening day...after that players have to play and perform. And there are a ton of examples of high priced teams that don't succeed in every sport.

The fact that they got into contention to make the playoffs and actually won the division is practically a miracle, based on how far back they were and how inconsistent they were for 3/4 of the season.

[Dave]

Interesting stat on the Yanks... ever since they pushed their payroll over $100 million, they haven't won the World Series. All the success they had in the late 90's was built around a core of young guys (Jeter, Williams, Rivera, Pettitte, Posada, Mendoza) that they developed instead of buying. Hopefully the success of Cano and Wang will make George and co. bring them back to those days... but I doubt it.

Here is the problem--they've traded away the majority of prospects over the past few years. Cano and Wang somehow made it through, but after them, there isn't much there, from what I've read. It has been one of the roadblocks to them picking up more players through trades, no one wants anyone from their system.

They need to avoid the farm system-killer trades, but doing that requires patience...not exactly a strength of Steinbrenner.

And yes, the payroll had to increase as the young core got older, but how much of their current $200MM+ is from those original guys?

That has always been one of my pet peeves about the Yankees in the media. People act like they've developed all of these great players. Sure, they've developed great players, but most importantly, they've been able to keep nearly all of them throughout their careers.

Can you imagine the A's if they could do that?

[tsunami]

Part of the reason the Yankees payroll shot up is that they paid big money to keep those young stars who commanded superstar contracts because of their past success.

That is why they didn't keep Pettite right?

Good point. This homegrown "core" that every refers to didn't come cheap. Bernie, Rivera, Posada, and especially Jeter all make in excess of $10+ million each and cost almost $54 million between them. So, it's funny that everyone brings them up and says they shouldn't "buy" other high priced players.

One of the reasons they didn't keep Pettite was his elbow and arm troubles, which were evident both this year and especially last year. He pitched well in the second half this year, but I don't think it was a terrible move to let him go given his age and perceived arm trouble.

[tsunami]

Here is the problem--they've traded away the majority of prospects over the past few years. Cano and Wang somehow made it through, but after them, there isn't much there, from what I've read. It has been one of the roadblocks to them picking up more players through trades, no one wants anyone from their system.

They need to avoid the farm system-killer trades, but doing that requires patience...not exactly a strength of Steinbrenner.

I couldn't agree more...and anyone who follows them would say the same thing. However, it's much easier said than done with Steinbrenner. I'm not wishing ill will on Steinbrenner, but his health may prevent him from being as active as in the past and that will allow the Yankees to make smart moves instead of rash ones. Unfortunately, I don't think Cashman will be back, so I'm not sure who will be calling the shots. Hopefully, it will be Gene Michaels. And, they need to consolidate the brain trust in either Tampa or NY and stop fighting eachother over personnel moves. There needs to be some continuity.

And yes, the payroll had to increase as the young core got older, but how much of their current $200MM+ is from those original guys?

That has always been one of my pet peeves about the Yankees in the media. People act like they've developed all of these great players. Sure, they've developed great players, but most importantly, they've been able to keep nearly all of them throughout their careers.

Can you imagine the A's if they could do that?

Well, as I stated below, the "core" cost about $54 million between them. More than some teams in total. But, I agree with your statement that they are able to keep their great players as well as add others. But, it's not their fault. They do what is in the best interest of their team with the resources they have and alsways strive to put a winner out there. It doesn't always work, but you can't blame them for lack of trying, unlike alot of owners.

And what about the Expos? You could build an all-star team with all the great players that have come through that system in the past.

[tsunami]

Interesting stat on the Yanks... ever since they pushed their payroll over $100 million, they haven't won the World Series.

That's really a meaningless stat. They were in two WS in the last 5 years, so they obviously had the chance to do so.

You could argue that the White Sox or Cubs haven't won a World Series since their payroll exceeded $75K (or whatever it was at the time they won their last one).

[Dave]

Well, as I stated below, the "core" cost about $54 million between them. More than some teams in total. But, I agree with your statement that they are able to keep their great players as well as add others. But, it's not their fault. They do what is in the best interest of their team with the resources they have and alsways strive to put a winner out there. It doesn't always work, but you can't blame them for lack of trying, unlike alot of owners.

And what about the Expos? You could build an all-star team with all the great players that have come through that system in the past.

The system is what it is, so I can't blame the Yankees for using anything and everything to their advantage. But, at the same time, I don't give them much credit for assembling a winning squad. At $200MM, there is no way to exceed expectations--you should win the World Series every year with their payroll advantage.

Damn frustrating to see that when the team you cheer for had to cut David Ortiz because he was going to make $2 MILLION dollars.

[tsunami]

Red Sox have the second-highest payroll right?

Angels have to be up there too, as do probably the Cards and the Astros, since they all have big names.

White Sox seem to have the most unsung players so they're likely to have the lowest payroll of the remaining teams.

Yes the Red Sox had the second highest, with the Mets third.

According to ESPN:

5. LA Angels $95,017,822
6. St. Louis $92,919,842
12. Houston $76,779,022
13. Chicago Sox $75,228,000