Don't the Yankees already have about four first basemen already?

and, no, apparently Matsui can't/won't play first

[that ought to circumvent the next 20 posts]

If you are a guy trying to prove that you still have stuff to make it in the majors, wouldn't the Yankees be your last choice? I know that they'll probably outbid for your services (maybe) but playing time is the option, and the Yankees won't accept a slow start unless you are a veteran Yankee.

Excellent signing -- only because it's a minor league deal.

If they're not going to make a move for a known commodity at first, then the best bet is to get a whole bunch of guys, and maybe catch lightning in a bottle. There's a small chance that Ensberg can have a good season, and if he doesn't, nothing lost.

I'm not sure Ensberg had a lot of suitors going after him. I think the Giants would have been wise to give him a shot, but apparently they'd rather trade a pitcher to get a broke-back Crede.

Is Morgan as rancid as his 2004 and 2007 seasons, or does he have the potential of being as good as his 2003, 2005 and 2006 seasons?

Has he been having recurring injuries?

Or does he just have a hard time holding on to his steroid supplier?

Enquiring minds want to know.

[that ought to circumvent the next 20 posts]

This is all so stupid, they ought to just...nevermind.

Ensberg kills lefties. Betemit hits righties pretty well. Mienk... doesn't hit anyone well. Could Ensberg cut it in a corner OF spot? RF is pretty easy in Yankee Stadium.

Mienk... doesn't hit anyone well.

He's a free agent and Cashman has said he's not coming back.

broke-back Crede

Joe is gay?

not bad...Ensburg's known for his trustworthiness, and they already signed Mienk to enable 24-hr monitoring

must know that one thing the Red Sox can't stand is cannon fodder that can't supply their own equipment.

good job

Has he been having recurring injuries?

Ensberg had a shoulder problem sap his power midway through 2006 and never really recovered. If healthy, he could easily be the best first baseman the Yankees have.

Ensberg kills lefties. Betemit hits righties pretty well. Mienk... doesn't hit anyone well. Could Ensberg cut it in a corner OF spot? RF is pretty easy in Yankee Stadium.

Ensberg will compete with Shelley Duncan as the right-handed side of the platoon with Betemit. RF is pretty well occupied (Bobby Abreu). LF is also hoppin' (Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui). DH gets stuck with Jason Giambi and LF's leftovers.

So they have players named both "Shelley" and "Morgan" now?

"Joba" sounds disturbingly feminine too.

"Joba" sounds disturbingly feminine too.

It does? What kind of girls do you hang out with?

Well, it's a seemingly made-up name that ends with an A. If it wasn't already familiar from the extremely masculine Star Wars character, I'd definitely assume someone named "Joba" was a girl if I knew nothing else about the person.

This ignores the fact that his real name isn't Joba anyway.

RF is pretty well occupied (Bobby Abreu).

But Abreu can't hit lefties and Ensberg owns them.

If the Yankees are going to fill first base with an Ensberg/Betemit platoon, what happens in the outfield? I assume Abreu is in right, so it seems like 3 into 2 places in left and center?

I assume Abreu is in right, so it seems like 3 into 2 places in left and center?

I think it's more like 4 between Center, DH, and left. With Damon and Giambi's health issues, it's good to have an extra player for those starting roles.

This ignores the fact that his real name isn't Joba anyway.

Isn't the story that he had his name legally changed from Justin to Joba? That would make Joba his 'real' name I would think.

But Abreu can't hit lefties

I count two bad years against lefties since 2002 (as far as ESPN goes on splits). One of them is 2007.

There's a few nifty performances against the southpaws thrown in that mix....

broke-back Crede


Joe is gay?

No, he just has a thing for Mary Kate Olsen

Srul:

Playing hurt caused Morgan to focus on ONY swinging when he thought he had THE pitch because it clearly was painful to swing.

Over time he became paralyzed at the plate incapable of attacking a pitch. Morgan was then a whipping boy of then manager Phil Garner and soon after the fans turned on him and Ensberg lost all confidence.

Health and a hot streak. Give him that and he's back.

Between this and nabbing Betemit, the Yanks look to have a really outstanding bench. But does anyone else find it strange that they've really had a hard time nailing down an everyday first baseman? Not that their offense needs another bat, but with their resources, you'd think they'd just say screw it and snag a salary dump. I was gonna say like Sexson, but I didn't realize how terrible he was in '07. WTF happened?

Well Al now they are all up set because a fellow named Morgan is playing for NY and so are guys named Shelley and Jabba and we had more manly names on the Drill Team at St Jude the Obscure High School back in Terre Haute. Well what these geniuses do not under stand is that the girlier your name the butcher you are have they not heard of a Boy Named Sue Al. I am about to change my name to Jacquie and Mark Burly is changing his name to Marcia and Bobby Jinks is changing his name to Bobbie and Nikki Swisher well no comment Al. It is a sine of the times and Ozzie Guillen says if he could win another World Serious he would change his name to Lynne Fontanne.

Thanks, Harveys.

Here's hoping he finds new life in the Bronx.

Oh, and that was a GREAT Jack Keefe. Kudos.

Damn. If Joe Torre was still around one of "his" guys would be brought in, not somebody with any potential to be productive. Damn.

I was gonna say like Sexson, but I didn't realize how terrible he was in '07. WTF happened?

He really one had one horrible year. He was pretty good (117 OPS+) in 2006, and everyone knows about his production before that. At age 32, though, it might be that Sexson's best days are already in the rearview mirror.

as usual, harvey is dead right.

mo had a bad elbow that screwed up his swing the first half of 04. he was hitting great in 06 until he fell and badly injured his shoulder, but being all stupid macho and shtt, refused to tell anyone how bad it was or sit out and let it heal and sp phil and the fans lost all confidence in him, brought in that worthless aubrey huff, and mo lost confidence in himself.

he most positively did NOT have his swing back last year and the fans wanted him gone, phil wanted him gone, and he ended up being benched for the great ty wigginton.

IF his shoulder has healed AND he has got his swing back, then the yanks got themselves quite a deal. mo is a VERY good fielder too and he should do just fine at first - better than fine. forget the outfield - he can't run fast.

- and yeh, the giants were really stupid to not even give him a minor league contract - it's not like they've got anyone worth a bucket of warm spit to play there

As an Astros' fan, I would like to see Ensberg succeed in NY. He is intelligent and articulate, with a good sense of humor...the type of guy it is easy to root for. Although I've been a fan of Ensberg's ability, I have to admit that I can see the possibility that he could be entering a Bellhorn-type decline. However, I still feel that there is a good chance that he can generate decent production with a .800 or so OPS. Ensberg felt that he hit into a lot of bad luck last year, and I saw some signs of that happening. That surmise is supported by the combination of a decent line drive rate and an abnormally low BABIP last season. Contrary to what some may think, Ensberg continues to show the ability to hit home runs; however, his K rate and low batting average kept him out of the lineup a lot last year. Even though he only had limited time as a bench player, he led the Astros in pinch hit HRs (3)in 35 pinch at bats. I would think that is an indication that he is capable of at least providing some OBP and occasional power off the bench. I tend to agree with #22...that he needs health and a hot streak to get back on track.

"Joba" sounds disturbingly feminine too.



It does? What kind of girls do you hang out with?

the Joba sisters -- Hand and Blow.

I can't believe nobody beat me to that. Not that I'm proud of it.

whoo! mr. davis, I applaud you for that one.

Terms (cross-posted from dugout): $1.75M if he makes the opening day roster, additional $2.25M in PT incentives available.

the Joba sisters -- Hand and Blow.

Are they cousins of Mystique and Aura?