Picking up the pieces of a bad loss
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Podcast on Jun 24, 2007 
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I’m right on deadline now so this will be quick.
Johnny Damon told me he thinks he will be back in the lineup as the DH on Tuesday as he is feeling much better. Joe Torre claimed using Roger Clemens in relief was not a panic move but it certainly seemed like he was hoping using the Rocket would fire up the troops. So much for that.
The Giants stole five bases today, which smacks of indifference on the part of Mike Mussina. The Yankees also committed three errors.
Here is some audio from Joe Torre:
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A bad loss after a bad loss saturday. Now they got to put it behind them and get three in Baltimore. Not like thats impossible.
They need Damon healthy and hitting. And they need Abreu being Abreu. A good start Tuesday is the cure for these last 6 games. Good to get out of the NL parks too.
Cashman will get a 1b ASAP. He has to recognize that he needs another bat in this lineup while Damon is banged up and Giambi is apparently done for the yr.
Sad Sad Day, 7 pitchers in 8 innings not good at all. They keep on hoping that one of the $$$ is going to come through. It’s the end of June and nothing is changing. They brought Henn back up (used him only once). He’s the only one with an option left for AAA, so they flip him up and down like a yo-yo. Give him more than once chance and use him as a regular and they might get a bargain for their money
Peter,
I was just curious if you or any of your colleagues caught the replays on YES of Kyle Farnsworth after Melky lost that ball in the sun. He certainly didn’t seem pleased with Cabrera’s effort and appeared to shout a four letter word while shaking his head in Melky’s direction. Naturally, YES quickly cut away from that replay and didn’t show it again in an attempt to keep the Yankees from looking bad. Personally, I think Farnsworth is the last guy on the team that should be complaining and carrying on about another teammate’s play because his performance in pinstripes has been one to forget. I haven’t liked this guy from the start and seeing him act that way on the field showing up another player is just inexcusable. Toss in the fact that Melky plays as hard as anyone and I can’t understand how a guy like Farnsworth could possibly have anything to say…what a losing attitude!
Seriously, Farnsworth is the last guy to start complaining about a teamates play in the field. With the amount of money he makes, and his inablility to have a 1-2-3 inning or pitch on back to back days, he needs to shut it. I guess he forgot about last year against the Sawx when he threw a meatball that Manny crushed and Melky stole.
Farnsworth needs to go
Clemens now has a 5.09 ERA. And this was the guy who was supposed to be the spark that turned this team around? With all due respect to Roger (you can’t question he WAS one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game), he is definitely showing his age right now. All the money the Yanks threw at him is appearing to be a poor investment at this juncture. I certainly hope he gets better, mind you, but, regardless, there is still no way he is going to be the one that sets this team going back in the right direction.
Another thought…I don’t care what else the Yanks do by the trade deadline, as long as they find a way to rid themselves of Farnsworth. What an obnoxious, dim-witted and utterly useless pitcher he is! Yes, I know there are others in the bullpen that are equally deserving of banishment, but, for some reason, Farnsworth bugs me (by far) the most. Anyone else agree?
Was at the game…what a poor performance by Mussina! Not throwing first pitch strikes…constantly throwing from behind. Then he couldn’t hold a runner on 1st to save his life. Runner is 2/3 to 2B by the time Mussina lets the ball go. Mussina also abuses the words “works deliberately”. His fielders gotta be falling asleep while he farts around. If I was an infielder, I’d go to the mound and slap Moose in the head with my glove and tell him to speed it up…what a joke! Bruney can’t throw strikes either. Vizcaino looked good again. Roger had nothing!
Yankees are starting to make every pitcher on every opposing team look like Cy Young.
On the positive side, a couple of nice scoops by Cairo on throws in the dirt. We don’t need a firstbaseman, we need pitchers than can throw strikes and keep their defense in the game.
Wonder which Yankee team will show up in Baltimore?
I guess I should be happy I was sunning myself by the pool instead of watching this game?
Maybe this Nieves/ Mussina experiment will be over?
Uck, my next tickets are Friday night with Moose pitching. Hopefully we will be better than today.
Brian –
I am betting that the team that shows up in Baltimore will be the same team that has shown up for all but ten games this season, the one that is playing under .500. But I guess that orioles are playing even more under .500 so they could be fine for the next few days.
Does Mussiana have a no trade clause
Quoth Parcells: you are your record. But, let’s not forget who was wearing pinstripes today on the field. Look at this:
Cairo at 1st, Melky in CF, Nieves catching, Mike “I threw 105 pitches in 5 innings against a terrible hitting team” Mussina pitching, Kevin Thompson in RF, and the honorable Kyle Farnsworthless appearing out of the bullpen to put the match to this pile of kindling. Honorable mention goes to Chris Basak for not knowing that in The Show you are out when the ball is caught on the fly. The Giants stole 5 freakin’ bases and the Yanks committed 3 errors.
Turn the page and hope. But it’s definitely getting late early out there…
Yes, we all pretty much agree Farnsworth should go. He is a waste of talent and has done nothing to help the team. If he had a good attitude it would be one thing but he does not. To show up a player like Melky (who unlike most of his teamates plays hard and serious every game) is uncalled for.
Anyone see Farnsworth break the bat in the dugout? I was thinking to myself “That bat was probably more important to the team than he is”
It was obvious that the sun was tough late in the game. Even Randy Winn missed an easier play
What about Damon not scoring on the ground ball to 1st in the 7th? At the time the score was 3-1.
Farnsworth complaining about someone else is classic. he got the 1st guy out that inning so I was thinking there was a 30% chance to go 1 2 3 but then the walk.. Jeters error hurt alot but that happens.. Melky plays hard screw Farnsworth everyone hates him because he is such a moron….
either Damon can play or not I am tired of this nonsense.. either he can play or end this crap…………….
clemens was not a panic move it is his throw day he threw 1 inning no big deal……….
Jeters errors this yr. have really hurt!!!!!!
arod is the whole FFFFFF team…..
Mussina is a 10/5 player so yeah he has a No-Trade.
Murphydog…..
they had 6 regulars in the game who didn’t do squat!
Rodriguez, Jeter, Cano, Matsui, Melky and Cairo who have been our regulars the last few weeks…no excuse just because Nieves and Thompson started in this game…every Yankee except Melky and Cairo looked like they were “mailing it in”.
I could see Farnsworth pitching better, if he has a better pitching coach..maybe Dave Duncan on St Louis. He has talent, but just can’t harnace it. I would pretty much give this moron away…maybe get some low-level prospect if anyone will give that up.
Chris and others,
I didn’t notice it as I was listening on radio at the time in my car, but Farnsworth has NO business complaining about Melky. Anyone remember who the pitcher was last year when Manny Ramirez hit that homerun that Melky stole and caught? Yup, that would be Kyle Farnsworth. Melky saved him from being a huge goat. It was a bad play by Melky who struggled defensively this game but Farns has no room to speak.
Mussina has “no-trade Protection”, not a full no-trade clause. I believe this means he has a list of teams for which he’ll accept a trade. Hopefully, one of these teams will accept HIM in a trade and we can rid ourselves of this prima donna!
I just watched the Kyle Fransworth inning, if it was any other pitcher you would say you couldn’t blame him for being ticked off. The defense behind him was horrible. But given the fact that it was Kyle who hasn’t done a thing for this team all year he needs to keep his mouth shut.
GO NYR I just watched the tape of the inning, I didn’t see Kyle break a bat.
Did anyone who saw what our line up was really think we’d win the game?
And does Jorge ever get a full day off? He caught 13 innings the day before! He is going to fall apart by July! It is not fair to him to have a catcher that is hitting .100! Can we get Flash out of retirement, I bet he could still hit better than Wil.
I know that what I am wishing for is probably not going to happen,but I figure if I wish for more than one thing,then maybe one or two will happen.
I would like to see the Yankees dump Kyle Farnsworth to some NL team…(Reds,Phillies,Astros,Dodgers)
I would like to see Mike Mussina traded…I have had enough of his excuses,inability to pitch on short rest,or longer rest.Or pitch in Japan!!Has never won 20 games,and never will.
6 Inning pitcher at best.
I would like to see Chris Basak given a day at 2B,then a day at 3B(while A-rod DHs)and maybe a day at SS (Jeter DHs).
You have to give the guy credit for running hard today,even if he was out,he apparently couldnt tell with the sun glare.Theres a guy that is starving for a chance!!
And Finally I would love to see Joe Girardi as the Manager next season.Thank You Joe T…you did well,its time for a change…time to get back to 1996 Yankees Baseball (NL style)
We should of kept Fassano. I’ve been saying it all year, the stache brings good karma!
The Yanks are now 36-37 meaning the will have to go 59-30 to win 95 games. That is .667 baseball. I don’t see it happening at the moment.
Yeah I like Sal who was better at passballs than Posada. Wish they had kept him.
Gee I wonder if Adam Melhuse or Kelly Stinnett was available to Cash Money…They both were traded recently to other teams.
I wanted Lieberthal this past winter,but he signed with LA Dodgers.Then when Pratt was signed and invited to ST,I thought OK..A little older,but a viable backup.
Melky would have had that ball, you could see he was blinded, he looked away at the last momment.
I think Sal was released. We can get him for NOTHING!! Cash get on the PHONE!
RIP ROD BECK
Yeah, Farnsworth is a disappointment and hasn’t earned the right to criticize anyone. But he’s not one of our biggest problems right now.
Mussina, Igawa, the lack of offense at first, Damon’s health, and horrendous managing that has helped make us 4-12 in 1-run games are all bigger problems.
I’ve joined the pessimist club. To win the WC, we need everything to break right for us. That’s not happening this year. I still have faith in Cashman to find a first baseman (who, I can’t guess) and fill some other holes, but the team has too many flaws to recover from playing .500 ball for so long.
I’m still confident the Yankees will finish the season with a respectable record, like 85-90 wins. But the Sox and the WC winner will end up with more.
If The Yankees did get the WC..figure they would play either the Tigers or Angels in the first round.
Tigers are better and Angels have their number..plus flying to West Coast di=oesnt help matters….
Brian – So Cal Yankee Fan:
It was a really ugly game but c’mon be fair.
I know there were some regulars in the game. But with the replacement players sprinkled throughout the lineup, it’s tough to get a rally going. Your hitting lineup included Kevin Thompson, “Iron Mike” Mussina and Will Nieves. Nieves isn’t even replacement level, forget about being close to Posada defensively and offensively. Cairo is not a regular and is just replacement level. He’s a bench player forced into regular duty – he’s not as good as Minky with the glove and nowhere near a healthy Giambi with a bat.
A-Rod is on fire this year and hit a huge HR last night that was wasted. Jeter is hitting .346 and has an insane batting average with RISP. Coming into the game Matsui also had some crazy batting average with runners in scoring position. Cano went 2-for-6 with one RBI and hit his 22nd double last night. Cano has two hits in his last three games and at least one hit in four straight games. He is 7-for-17 (.412) during that stretch. Melky went 3-for-7 with one run, two singles and one triple last night and is 9-for-24 (.375) with three RBI in his last six games not counting today.
Be fair. The regulars didn’t do it today but they can’t be expected to do it every day. They were killed by the subs in the lineup today after playing a long long long game last night.
Don’t know why we didn’t take a shot at Michael Barrett. He and Posada could have split catcher/dh duties and I’ll bet a change of scenery will do him good. We could use a guy with a few screws loose at this point, and the off chance that he’d kick Mussina’s crying ass would’ve made it all worthwhile.
To me the biggest problem with our lineup is Abreu. Is there another team in the sport that would even dream of bunting with their 3 hitter in a big spot? The guy’s fat, lazy, has no power, and strikes out a ton. Worst of all the way he tiptoes around the outfield and the basepaths, you know he’ll never get injured.
If I was Cash, I’d hang the same “For Sale- Will Take Best Offer” sign around his neck that Philly did this time last year. Of course he’ll want his option picked up to waive his no trade, and we’ll probably have to chip in on that, but anything is better than watching him take cookies in the middle of the plate with the game on the line.
I agree..Michael Barrett would have been a good option.Maybe he and Krazy Kyle could have tangled together.
Just saw that SAL FASANO was designated for assignment by Toronto on 6-13-07
Also another former Yankee catcher is available….Alberto Castillo was released by Baltimore to make room for Ramon Hernandez.
Heck I would take Javy Lopez at this point.
murphydog,
Thanks for your perspective.
We were out most of the day, so missed most of the game. Last I saw was bases loaded, 1 out, one run scores and it’s 3-1. (We were in a restaurant that had the game on.) It was still early, so I always figure, “you never know.”
Got home and checked in here. I guess I missed most of the really bad stuff that went on today at the game. But I don’t remember ever reading through so many negative comments aimed towards each other. Almost more depressing than the results of the game itself.
SJ44 –
I have to say, I was able to see the first 2 runs score versus Mussina, and I had the same reaction. This team was facing a lefty pitcher and their record is not so good this year under that circumstance. He was already throwing too many pitches and, for crying out loud, Bonds stole a base off him. So, I’d have to say, I was not going to be surprised if they lost.
But, I do have to say that Mussina only gave up, what, the 3 runs? That’s not what they Yankees needed today, but it should be sufficient. No pitcher should have the pressure of feeling they need to pitch shut-out ball. Now, I also think any pitcher worth their salt should absolutely go out there wanting to do so; but the difference lies in the want versus need scenario.
I’ll not give up on the wild card, because I think there’s enough that can happen. Baseball is a very strange game. And if they turn it around, it can be a very forgiving one, as well. But, as my husband pointed out, as well as some of you here, there are an awful lot more good teams this year than there have been in the past; more competition. I’m also trusting that something will be done to fortify the troops, but I don’t expect anything spectacular. I would heartily disagree with anyone who wants to sell off the future to “maybe” secure a place in playoffs this year.
Also, there is no crime committed if the Yankees don’t make the playoffs. An off year is to be expected. It doesn’t make me happy to say that, and I sure hope I’m wrong, but, it’s not the worst that can happen. The worst that can happen is they mortgage the future to try and salvage the present. I say, let one go, if it’s going to turn out that way. For the Yankees, the future is not far away.
murphydog
Be fair. The regulars didn’t do it today but they can’t be expected to do it every day. They were killed by the subs in the lineup today after playing a long long long game last night.
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Yes man but the Giants were also playing a long long long game last night and they scored 7 runs. The long game didn’t affect them too much. These are the Yankees a team filled with very very experienced players. I would rather not think a long long game would be the excuse for the way they played today.
Can’t use that excuse when a team that doesn’t have nearly the talent the Yanks have played the same game and came out scoring 7 runs to win.
I don’t even think the Yankee players would want anyone to think this was the reason they didn’t play well.
Phelps was 2-5 today
Anyone who is still positive on this season, go back snce 2000 and see how many teams that were at or below .500 on June 24th made the playoffs.
I’ll give you the answer. One. Houston in 2005.
Still like the Yanks chances of making it?
Time to break this team down and sell whatever parts you can. It’s over.
Five weeks from this Tuesday we will know if this team is going to have a YARD SALE.
I say if it aint nailed down i.e. (Jeter,Mo,Posada,Matsui,Wang,Hughes,Pettitte)Then MAKE AN OFFER!!
Hell, I say trade Mo and Posada. they’re the best chips you have. They’ll be free agents anyway after the season and can be brought back. Might as well get a few prospects for them.
Plus those 2 deserve a break from the cesspool that this team is becoming.
Joeysdadjoe Phelps is garbage.
Is Butch Wynegar available?
Nieves isn’t the problem. The backup catcher is the least of any issue with the club.
A 500 team is now a cesspool? Trade Mo and Posada?
I hate some fans out there. Makes me ashamed to call myself a Yankee fan if people like Erik and Bob wear Yankee hats.
Farnsworth is crazy and his little tirade with the bat after the game just confirms he needs to go.
Yes, Jeter ruined the inning as that should have been a inning ending double play, but things like that happen and Farnsworth isn’t capable enough to handle it and get outs.
He would do much better down in the NL. There are teams that would love to get him so he is a good trading chip.
Yankees can do 59 – 30. That’s winning 2 games for each one lost. It isn’t impossible to do. A good team could do it.
Are the Yankees a good team?
No, they aren’t. They are a team that has too many holes that are effecting the players that can do it. Good hitting and bad hitting are contagious. The holes in the lineup and lack of any real consistency in the lineup are hurting them.
Damon needs to get right. That would have a good effect. Cairo is fine, but we need someone a little better at 1st.
Wil Nieves isn’t an issue as he barely plays and Posada as DH is fine when he isn’t catching. Backup catchers always suck.
Melky in center is fine. Abreu and Matsui are fine. A-Rod, Jeter, Cano are great.
Relievers.. we need competant relievers.
One you get that 1st baseman and a replacement reliever and a healthy Damon, the Yanks can become a superstar team and win 2 games for every 1 lost. Until that happens, expect more of this.
Most of all, don’t blame Cashman. He has turned the farm system around and it will show it’s benefits in the years to come. This is all the fallout of Steinbrenner having too much say in trades. Cashman had to start at rock bottom. It takes a few years before you see the benefits as well as a few years until you see the fallout of Steinbrenner General Managing skills, which we are now seeing.
BUT, if this continues, expect to see Steinbrenner making serious changes and Cashman getting fired and really horrible trades being made.
someone wrote Farnsworth is not one of our biggest problems!!!!!!!!!!!!You are a moron. the good news is you can join 1/2 the posters on this site who are morons also.
when your 8th inning reliever sucks that is a really BIG problem morons.. Yea the Yanks do need a 1st baseman but a small fact they are 2nd in the league in runs scored…
again for all you mental midgets they are 2nd in baseball in runs scored but they are 1 game below 500%, brain surgeons why do you think they have that record???????????
Maybe they give up to many runs!!!!What do you think morons… Yea, Cairo is a backup who can field 1st base well all true, and yes a decent real 1st baseman would be better but is that more important then the 8th inning releiever>>>ANyone who says 1B is more important please leave this site forever…….
Marius I agree we would rue the day the yfired cashman and let the steinbrenner minions making player personel moves.. it would make the dark days seem like summertime….
steinny and randy levine making player moves would be a friggin disaster almost as bad as allowing many of the posters here to make the moves..
Sheffield will be a FA at the end of the year.
Why not sign him and bring him back for 2008.
Abreu will be gone. Giambi will probably need offseason foot surgery. Arod will soaking up rays at Wallyworld.
Shef would be a good stop gap measure at DH and RF, with Ichiro at center.
Stu, I thing the “2nd in league in run scored” is over done. It’s one thing if they were consistent, but they’re either feast (right handers) or famine (oliver perez and most left handers).
Hey Top Cat, I guess you missed that Detroit signed Sheff to an extension when they traded for him.
Like that would be the answer anyway.
And Edward, You’re ashamed because I mention the idea of trading Mo and Posada who are both free agents at the end of the season and can be resigned in the off season? That’s never been done before? Give me a break. so they go to another team for a few months and the Yanks get a few prospects out of the deal. That’s a horrible thing? Please.
Bob, Steinbrenner & Co. would never let that happen. It’s a horrible idea actually. Wil Nieves gonna take over for Posada?
Farnsworth gonna be promoted to closer?
No one is going to trade for them just for 1/2 a season, especially for prospects. I’ve heard lots of dumb on here, but that is one of the dumbest.
Mariano will never get traded or let go. He started a Yankee and will finish a Yankee. Mariano will go the HOF as a Yankee. Yankees make a lot of money off of Mariano and it would be a hit to their bottom line if they let him go.
So Jeezus, nostalgia is more important than winning to you I guess?
Above all else, the Yankees must get someone in their organization that knows pitching.I propose we sign ‘Rockin’ Leo,and make him our organizational pitching guru.That will be a step in the right direction.
not that i’m defending farns, but maybe he was shaking his head at the sun and the bad luck of the situation. you never know.
i was kind of upset fasano was not resigned during the offseason. musina has been doing well with nieves until yesterday, so maybe now something will be done. like someone else said though, it’s definatly not the teams biggest problem. 1b and pullpen help are first. but if fasano could be obtained for nothing NOW, i think it’s a no brainer.
Not that EDWARD will probably read this…..But I actually dont wear a Yankee Hat,I wear a Tampa Yankees’ Hat.
Or a Trenton Thunder Hat sometimes.And soon Ill have my Scranton Yankees Hat in my possesion.
You people who like to blast other peolple posts,need to really seriously read them again before you ASSume something.
Like one person wrote earlier about resigning Sheffield after this season,someone corrected that poster without blasting them!!
Yes the backup catcher ISNT the reason why the Yankees are losing,You would be foolish to think thats the only reason.Theres a bunch of them!
You take a .350 out of the lineup for a .110 hitter just to make PrimaDonna happy????ANd yes I understand Posada needs a day off here and there,