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Sunday, October 04, 2015

Yanks Lose Eppler to Angels

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have just named Yankee Assistant GM Billy Eppler as their new GM.   For one thing, this will mean that the Angels will join the Braves in waiver claiming and otherwise grabbing all of our former minor leaguers.   What's more Eppler will have to be replaced, and there are a number of up an comers in the organization who might step into slot.   And that would then mean replacing that person, and hoping Eppler doesn't poach any of our executive talent.  I said I wasn't going to get too into the offseason till it starts, but we've just added something to the to do list.

90 Comments:

At 5:45 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

iirc, He was a force behind Joba being a reliever instead of a starter. I never thought much of him since then.

 
At 5:48 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Also, Dipoto had his hands tied by Scioscia. Eppler could face similar interference

 
At 5:24 AM, Anonymous Stottlemyre68 said...

I agree with Mike K that this year's team overachieved. Of course I'm rooting for more, but at the start of the season I didn't expect it to be in the postseason at all.

The things I'm happiest about looking forward (in no particular order) are that Gregorius showed he's a ML SS, Eovaldi and Pineda did well (albeit with flashes of inconsistency), and that Severino, Bird, and Murphy established themselves as regulars and Refs looks as if he will as well and maybe Heathcott/Williams will do so too. What I worry most about is whether Betances and Shreeve can recover from overuse. I'll be very interested in Phil's thoughts about how the farm system is working.

 
At 6:34 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Weird article in the NYP about how they miss Drew because Ackey had two defensive misplays yesterday. No really.

I am not as high on Pineda as some and think he will ultimately be a reliever because of his fragility. He definitely needs another out pitch because of the inconsistent command of his slider.

In terms of starters, don't sleep on Warren. He can be a solid and consistent #3.

 
At 7:22 AM, Anonymous Stottlemyre68 said...

I like Warren too, but didn't list him because he was already established before the start of this season -- ditto Betances. On the other hand, one underappreciated role is that of long man. I don't understand why in extra inning situations teams empty out their pens rather than developing and using one pitcher who can go for 5 innings or so.

 
At 7:24 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Established as a reliever, Stot. This season has shown his value as a starter.

 
At 8:43 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Matt Williams fired and he didn't even burn out Betances and Shreve and ignore his best option for 2B.

 
At 10:18 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

CC entering alcohol rehab immediately.

Even Mike F., Joey's butt boy is criticizing him.

 
At 10:18 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

For Crapu

 
At 10:40 AM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Good luck to CC. Hope he can put whatever issue's he's having behind him.

 
At 10:43 AM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Wow. Very surprising about CC, but I wish him the best.

 
At 11:26 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Yes, I definitely wish him the best. I suspect he will do well given his support system, but the timing suggests a current crisis.

 
At 11:36 AM, Anonymous Stottlemyre68 said...

I wish CC the best as well. I wonder if he was using it alcohol as a painkiller.

 
At 11:49 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

I really like the way Cashman is handling the CC thing with the media.

(Remember that the next time I diss him for baseball reasons.)

 
At 4:31 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

http://nypost.com/2015/10/05/brian-cashman-wants-new-no-2-to-come-from-inside-yankees/

“I will look outside, too,” Cashman said. “But you always want to promote from within if you can. I believe in our system and depth of our personnel.”
Former Yankees outfielder Kevin Reese took over the personnel department last year. His main assistant is Steve Martone. It is possible one of them could be promoted to assistant GM.
Former Cubs GM Jim Hendry is one of Cashman’s top advisors and could be asked to fill the role. The Yankees have high regard, as well, for a few of their scouts, such as former Red Sox infielder Tim Naehring.

 
At 6:11 PM, Anonymous Bob said...

Shocking news about CC. Hope he has a full recovery from this.


Someone had posted that Eckersely went through this back in 1986 at the age of 32 and had a remarkable career afterwards so I hope the same over the next 2 years

 
At 6:19 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

There are probably a lot of guys that we don't know of that I've had similar treatment and have been successful afterwards.

CC's problem will be what's left his arm, nothing else

 
At 6:44 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Uh...and knee

 
At 7:17 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

This is my Yankee lineup no matter who they face because I don't have to worry about covering my ass for recommending a terrible contract:

Ellsbury CF
Refsnyder 2B
Beltran RF
A-Rod DH
Murphy C
Bird 1B
Ackley LF
Gregorius SS
Pirela 3B

 
At 4:53 AM, Blogger Billy Martin said...

LINJ, Billy Eppler was not a "force" behind Joba being a reliever. Newman built the Joba Rules.

Eppler was Cashman's right hand man for a long time and this is well overdue. Very happy for him.

Onto bigger things, exciting game tonight -- I think big game Tanaka shows up and is lights out.

 
At 5:21 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

It wasn't the rules part, which I liked because it protected Joba from overuse by Torre, it was the decision to leave him in the pen.

(They now need rules to protect relievers from Gir.)

I'm not worried about Tanaka, but I am worried about the offense, as I have been all season absent the temporary surge from A-Rod and Teix.

I would like few things more than A-Rod having a monster game (and playoffs) resulting in victory.

 
At 7:17 AM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Lawyer, Pirela is supposedly a complete butcher at third, so not sure you want him there no matter how brutal Headley has been.

 
At 7:34 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Mike

I want a hope of some hits. Headley's back is bothering him again. It's been a problem off and on in recent years, and makes that contract all the more ridiculous.

And if I can get some reverse mojo with my proposed lineup, that would be a side benefit.

 
At 7:45 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Interesting roster, including Sanchez and Heathcott:

https://twitter.com/AndrewMarchand/status/651407062996492288/photo/1

 
At 10:17 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Jennings:

Who’s at second? I assume it’s Refsnyder, but it could be Ryan and it could be Ackley. Refsnyder has been the regular against lefties the past two weeks, but would Girardi be tempted to go defensive in this game?
_

Ackley's defense is worse than Refs and Ryan isn't really a ML.

 
At 10:47 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

My guess at the lineup:

Ellsbury
Refs
Beltran
Young
A-Rod
McCann
Headley
Bird (not very confident here, it could be Murphy)
Gregorius

 
At 10:47 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 1:17 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Ells sits:

https://twitter.com/YankeesWFAN/status/651489814227873794/photo/1

 
At 1:30 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

There's a lot of suck here. I guess it's reasonable to start either, but jeez, Ellbury's contract is historically bad at this point.

Ells

Last 7 days: .118 .211 .235 .446
Last 14 days: 214 .313 .333 .646
Last 28 days: .206 .260 .258 .517
2nd Half:.220 .266 .326 .593
vs. Keuchel: .286 .375 .286 .661 (7AB)
vs. LHP: 253 .327 .325 .652


Gard

Last 7 days: .238 .238 .238 .476
Last 14 days: .220 .289 .220 .508
Last 28 days: .212 .292 .318 .609
2nd Half: .206 .300 .292 .592
vs. Keuchel: .000 .000 .000 .00 (4 AB)
vs. LHP: .276 .361 .400 .761

 
At 2:38 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Wish they could pay some of it and send him somewhere else, but he's got a NTC, and even paying for it, I'm not sure it'd be enough to get someone to accept.

 
At 3:07 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

He would probably waive it if you told him he wasn't going to start, but you're probably looking at near a 50% subsidy

 
At 5:32 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Tanaka with another goddamn gopher ball.

 
At 5:37 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Tanaka making a meal out of the second inning.

 
At 5:49 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Glad he pitched out of it. Lawyer, to your point, I agree, but first the likes of Heathcott and Williams would need to establish themselves as big-league hitters. (I think they're both certainly capable.)

 
At 5:59 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Tanaka's in trouble again.

 
At 6:15 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

The offense sucks. That is the story.

 
At 6:19 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

And Tanaka isn't sharp because Gomez sucks as bad as these announcers

 
At 6:27 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Time to get something going. Great DP to end the fourth.

 
At 6:28 PM, Anonymous Bob said...

Keuchel is sharp. Gotta give him credit on 3 days rest

 
At 6:32 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

McCann eats shit

 
At 6:32 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Nope, no fucking credit

 
At 6:34 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

And how can you tell he is sharp against a terrible offense?

 
At 6:37 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Girardi dismissed long ABs in the 4th. What an idiot

 
At 6:46 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Refs just missed one. We're getting one-hit.

 
At 6:47 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Refs and Bird have had the best AB because they are the only hitters who aren't over the hill

 
At 6:53 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Wilson is wild.

 
At 6:54 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Refsnyder just turned a DP, so there's that.

 
At 6:56 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Phew. Didi's playing great D.

 
At 6:56 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Fat fuck Kruk had Wilson out of the game a minute ago. These announcers suck.

 
At 6:56 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Refs has been turning them.

 
At 7:02 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Gardy is useless, now.

 
At 7:02 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Gardner isn't a ML right now.

 
At 7:02 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Gardner is useless after the ASB.

 
At 7:04 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Great take out by Didi

 
At 7:07 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

ARod fucks up.

 
At 7:07 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Mofo

 
At 7:09 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Just not enough guys who can do damage

 
At 7:10 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

He's worn down.

 
At 7:11 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

As is McCann and Gardy and Ells..

 
At 7:20 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Now pitching, the corpse of Dellin Betances.

 
At 7:24 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Anyone who thinks Gir hasn't killed Betances is lost

 
At 7:24 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

They must fire this loser

 
At 7:30 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Bring back mystic and aura

 
At 7:35 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Ugh, this umpire. Called ball four strike one. Of course, it doesn't help that McCann swung at balls five and six.

 
At 7:50 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Cashman is right, pitching does win, but the offense had to be as bad as the one he built

 
At 8:02 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

I'm having to explain Jacoby Ellsbury's contract to my Astros fan coworker.

 
At 8:08 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Cano left. Had to do something. Ellsbury wins lottery.

 
At 8:15 PM, Blogger Kalel9 said...

Okay, I'll begin the offseason stuff tomorrow.

 
At 8:18 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

This team overachieved, so not too upset, but man, this wrong-headed approach to building a team that ignores offense just showed itself to be fundamentally flawed on national TV.

 
At 8:41 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

They overachieved because of two players who arent here now in any meaningful sense. But it is baseball, not real life so whatever. I hope they finally wake up and understand what it takes to win. The pitching bullshit isn't it.

 
At 8:46 PM, Blogger TB said...

I'll take the positives, the young guys played well and got some playoff experience. Bird and Refs. We need to get younger, besides Beltran who missed a lot of games early, this team looked old and tired in September.

I like our pitching staff, hopefully we add to it next year.

 
At 8:54 PM, Blogger TB said...

oh...and I will not "Judge" this team but expect them to be "Judge(d)" next year, bring on our RH power hitter .... :-)

 
At 9:24 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

No doubt this team has a very bright future ***IF*** it abandons this pitching-and-defense-at-the-expense-of-offense philosophy and ***IF*** everyone — particularly the manager — is on the same page about the need to get younger.

 
At 9:26 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

They have to move contracts for Judge to have a chance. Cashman has said Bird will be in the minors. So that's another position where contracts have the be moved. The same is true behind the plate.

Eating/moving contracrs is the key to everything.

Will they do it? Who knows?

 
At 9:35 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

There are some great (and I mean that) business writers who I can't follow on Twitter because they are asshole Red Sod fans with small penises, apparently, based on their need to celebrate a Yankee loss even though they have won more WS in the last 10 years. Get over it, fucktards.

 
At 9:36 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

@LoHudYankees
Brian Cashman said he turned down an offer of Adam Warren and Rob Refsnyder for Ben Zobrist at the deadline

Good non-move, but OTOH, when you sent Warren to the pen and refused to play Refsnyder for the majority of the year, it kind of puts a damper on this being some sort of bragging right.

 
At 9:36 PM, Blogger TB said...

I say let AROD play 3B, sit Headly for late inning D. Move Beltran to DH, he'll likely be injured next year anyway. . Judge to RF. Trade Teixiera and Gardner for a top hitting LF(Kemp/Upton). Bird to 1B. Refs/Ackley on 2B.

 
At 4:07 AM, Anonymous Bob said...

Upton as in Justin Upton? He is a free agent this season.

Don't have much roster flexibility in 2016 as we still have some contracts locked in as in Texeira and Beltran but both expire at the end of next year.

Let Refsnyder compete for the 2B job in ST and hoping he wins it.

One of the few chips to trade would be Gardner and Nova.

 
At 5:51 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

They need to stop spending except to get rid of contracts. Building around kids including Sanchez is the only path to enduring success.

 
At 7:06 AM, Anonymous Stottlemyre68 said...

When we consider "overachieving" we should also include Gregorius, Eovaldi, and Murphy, who at least "achieved", and Severino, Bird, and Shreeve, who established themselves in the majors. Plus, as LINJ points out, Warren showed he can start. Refs didn't get as much of a chance as he should have but he's at least got a good shot to make the team out of spring training in '16 and Cashman can more than pass the red-face test saying that he's got Refs pencilled in as next year's regular 2B.

I agree with everyone who says we need to shed contracts before we take on new ones, and the key here is to build a strong core that can be augmented with a strategically sound signing or two that can turn a contender into a champion.

Looking forward to Phil's critique of the farm system and its performance this year. One of the few sports analyses where you don't ask "where's the beef?" and one of the few sports blogs where the commentators have something worth saying. It's good to enjoy the season with you guys.

 
At 7:35 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

This team needs to take a page from the Red Sox book and be run like a business.

That starts with finding a way to get McCann, and two of Teix, A-Rod, Gardner and Beltran off the team.

Some of them can still hit, very well at times, but they are blocking younger, potentially better players, and that is what matters right now.

Of those, it would seem that Gardner has the most trade value.

They need to send Ellsbury to the top training/medical people in the country to see if there is a regimen that can keep him on the field.

I may not be high on Cashman, but I acknowledge that the minor league system is better.

The manager, however, is awful, and his reluctance to rely on some young players until perhaps Drew got a concussion, was nearly as bad as his reckless overuse of Betances and Shreve. He has to go. He is a stubborn egotistical fool. You can see that in his postgame pressers.

We can only hope that there is no lasting damage.

There is hope and the possibility of a very bright future, but that starts by risking taking a step back short-term.

They don't really do that, so I won't believe they will until they do.

 
At 11:19 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Supposedly (like double hearsay) Jack Curry said Bird could be tried at 3B. I don't know if he was making shit up or had a source.

Mikey F. said he "knows" Girardi is coming back, and he should because he would have another jawb in a second.

 
At 11:39 AM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Cashman on Ellsbury/Gardner: "We might have to find out a way to spell them little bit more" 3-4 more yrs of Gardner & 5-6 more for Ellsbury

Hope that means more Heathcott and Williams.

 
At 11:40 AM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

Brian Cashman: "If Tex and A-Rod are here and healthy, Bird has a ticket to Scranton." Yankees baseball.

But given the fragility of both players, doubtful he spends all of 2016 in the minors.

 
At 11:57 AM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

I have heard a little of it, and Mike F. asked some of the right questions.

Cashman's most troubling response, when asked why aging veterans like Gardner, Ellsbury, McCann, and Headley would be better, was to cite Teix's resurgence.

Think about that. Teix has his best season by far since...wait for it...2009, and that is somehow a guide for others.

That's freakin' scary and frankly, clueless.

He also called Refs/Ackley the flloor at 2B, not ruling out an upgrade.

And he definitely has a hard on for Zobrist, who is 34 and will be 35 next season.

That so messed up!

 
At 12:03 PM, Blogger Mike in Mississippi said...

I don't think it's farfetched to think any of them could have "bounce back" years. Teixeira and Beltran certainly did. The problem, though, is relying on it to happen instead of going with a more sure bet, or going with a younger player that has upside.

 
At 12:19 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Beltran had a debilitating injury for which he should have had surgery when he sustained it.

I don't see the parallel to any the others.

Ells and Garnder never stay healthy all season. Why should that change?

McCann has been in decline for years, and catchers in their 30s historically decline. Posada was a huge outlier.

So yes, anything could happen, but is it likely? No.

 
At 2:02 PM, Blogger Michael said...

Don't worry Cashman will sign Price, Heyward or Smardijza. Heyman is purporting the idea that the answer is one of the bug aces along with the continued youth movement.

 
At 2:40 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

If they remain committed to the duplicitous game of trying to fool the fans into thinking this will be a championship caliber team, then they should sign Price, but there is a ton of risk because virtually every long-term contract they signed in the last five or six years has been terrible on the back end and they are paying for that now.

That is a really dumb way to run a club that is only relevant because patience was forced on George.

Of course, Stick and Buck for essentially fired for their great work because up is down with the NYY.

 
At 2:58 PM, Blogger Lawyer in NJ said...

Levine's take is not nonsensical until his assertion in the last paragraph:

http://nypost.com/2015/10/07/yankees-prez-holds-his-fire-praises-2015-youth-movement/

 

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