Comments on: USA 6, Yankees 5

By: Mattpat11

Mattpat11 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:35:10 +0000

As long as Angel Berroa continues to play poorly in spring training, I’m fine with him being here. Its when if he starts to play well and somehow wins a roster spot that thinks go south.

By: rbj

rbj — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:24:29 +0000

I loved Melky when he first came up, but now I only want the guy who will help the club more. If it’s Melky, fine. If it’s Brett, fine.

Though I do like hearing about the CF battle more than certain other stories.

By: williamnyy23

williamnyy23 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:36:40 +0000

I am not a big Gardner fan, and probably the biggest Melky supporter here, so I feel it is my duty to point out that Gardner also had a very good spring training last season. He hit .395 with a .535 SLG% and 6 SBs, yet still seemed over matched in prime time.

I like what he is doing and agree that he has the potential to bring a valuable element to the team, but I wouldn’t get too excited just yet.

By: The Hawk

The Hawk — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:01:49 +0000

I love “Brett Banter” – it’s a great blog … Haha just kidding. But there is a lot of Gardner love here usually. So much so I just wanted to agree with the rare Melky booster here. But if he doesn’t earn it, he doesn’t earn it.

By: williamnyy23

williamnyy23 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:19:02 +0000

[1] I wouldn’t exactly call it an experiment. I think the Yankees realized they were going to need a lot of infielders to make up for the loss of Arod/Jeter/Cano and simply signed Berroa for that purpose. As Cliff mentioned, Pena may have been involved, but I don’t think the Yankees have actually made plans around him.

[7] Unfortunately for Duncan, he probably doesn’t have much trade value. I believe he already cleared waivers (which allowed the Yankees to drop him from the 40-man), so if no one had interest then, they aren’t likely to have any now.

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:53:59 +0000

[7] Surely a team like the Padres or Royals could use Duncan..

interesting bit on the buddy-buddy relationship between Big Papi and A-Rod..never knew about that. http://tinyurl.com/bqptpe
Papi does seem like a really warm and genuine guy..

By: Chyll Will

Chyll Will — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:15:49 +0000

[7] By decent return, I mean he’ll have trade value, yes? Or does he have to be on the 40-man to be traded for value?

By: Chyll Will

Chyll Will — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:13:55 +0000

[5] Yeah, he did. He’s putting the bat on the ball, but he doesn’t make the team if he has no full-time role. If he keeps hitting though, he should get a decent return, right?

Tony Pena suggested Berroa? Must have been a favor then. He had to have noticed the disintegration of skills from then til now. Unless he plans on making him a pet project of his or just wants to get him a break somewhere else, but how long can this last?

By: Mr. Max

Mr. Max — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:06:26 +0000

I think Shelley D flew out to end it, not Rodriguez. Nitpicking.

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:56:32 +0000

Gardner is really making his move..this one is going to get interesting for sure. I’m still pulling for Melky but..
no Shelly Duncan info?

By: Cliff Corcoran

Cliff Corcoran — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:49:13 +0000

Berroa seems to have been Tony Pena’s suggestion. Pena managed Berroa with the Royals when he won the Rookie of the Year.

By: Chyll Will

Chyll Will — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:46:47 +0000

Yeah, were it not for Hacker, we would have flattened Team USA. Hope Jeter makes it back in one piece and keeps up that pace against the rest of the league. And yeah, Berroa may make the issue of taking up a roster spot a moot point soon enough. I just hope that Cashman’s keeping detailed notes on who’s offering him bad advice like that.

By: Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO

Mr. OK Jazz TOKYO — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:29:39 +0000

The Angel Berroa experiment is already headed downhill..

let’s hear it for Phil Coke though! I wish you could get spring training footage up on the Banter somehow..