Comments on: Yankees have a decision to make http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/ A New York Yankees blog by Chad Jennings and the staff of The Journal News Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:56:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: The Monk http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-2/#comment-169197 The Monk Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:01:05 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169197 Kennedy. If the kid is healthy enough to pitch, I don't know why this is even a question. Pete: you are too enamorous of Edwar's inordinately high K totals against crappy teams. Get away from that and realize that Kennedy is by far the best pitcher of the bunch, has the mental makeup to handle the postseason pressure (unlike Ramirez or Britton) and Villone's not a lefty specialist so that matchup helps very little (and only encourages Torre to use a useless reliever in pressure situations). Use the replacement today. The way I read the description of the rule, it means Clemens cannot pitch in the ALCS if the Yanks make it but Kennedy can. If the Yanks get a large lead (hoping. . .), put the kid in for an inning so he gets his bearings again. I doubt Clemens has to leave the bench, after all the AG is on the pine even though he's not on the postseason roster. Kennedy.

If the kid is healthy enough to pitch, I don’t know why this is even a question.

Pete: you are too enamorous of Edwar’s inordinately high K totals against crappy teams. Get away from that and realize that Kennedy is by far the best pitcher of the bunch, has the mental makeup to handle the postseason pressure (unlike Ramirez or Britton) and Villone’s not a lefty specialist so that matchup helps very little (and only encourages Torre to use a useless reliever in pressure situations).

Use the replacement today. The way I read the description of the rule, it means Clemens cannot pitch in the ALCS if the Yanks make it but Kennedy can. If the Yanks get a large lead (hoping. . .), put the kid in for an inning so he gets his bearings again.

I doubt Clemens has to leave the bench, after all the AG is on the pine even though he’s not on the postseason roster.

]]> By: Ian http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-2/#comment-169178 Ian Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:44:48 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169178 This may be an odd question, but here goes: If the Yankees decide to replace Clemens, does this mean that he cannot be on the bench for the remainder of this, or possibly the next, series? My point is of course that I would hate to lose the presence of Clemens on the bench. I think he adds something in the way of intensity, confidence, excitement, and undoubtedly bits of wisdom to an already intense, confident, excited, and wise ball club. I am not saying that the aforementioned qualities are more valuable then a healthy player (though it's possible they are); I am simply curious about the rule, as I would hate to lose one of the greatest pitchers of all time - no matter his role. This may be an odd question, but here goes:

If the Yankees decide to replace Clemens, does this mean that he cannot be on the bench for the remainder of this, or possibly the next, series?

My point is of course that I would hate to lose the presence of Clemens on the bench. I think he adds something in the way of intensity, confidence, excitement, and undoubtedly bits of wisdom to an already intense, confident, excited, and wise ball club. I am not saying that the aforementioned qualities are more valuable then a healthy player (though it’s possible they are); I am simply curious about the rule, as I would hate to lose one of the greatest pitchers of all time – no matter his role.

]]> By: DesignatedBlogger http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-2/#comment-169163 DesignatedBlogger Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:27:01 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169163 My vote is for Kennedy. My vote is for Kennedy.

]]> By: wallypip http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-2/#comment-169160 wallypip Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:23:32 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169160 I would make absolutely certain that Clemens is done for a week or more. Then I would go with Villone. He has been decent vs. lefties throughout his career. His numbers this season reflect a lot of mopup duty and the fact that Myers got most of the matchup opportunities. Hafner hits lefties pretty well, but Cleveland has other guys like Nixon and Lofton who are neutralized by anyone throwing with their left hand. I would make absolutely certain that Clemens is done for a week or more. Then I would go with Villone. He has been decent vs. lefties throughout his career. His numbers this season reflect a lot of mopup duty and the fact that Myers got most of the matchup opportunities.

Hafner hits lefties pretty well, but Cleveland has other guys like Nixon and Lofton who are neutralized by anyone throwing with their left hand.

]]> By: Tommy http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-2/#comment-169157 Tommy Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:20:24 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169157 As much as I like him, leave IPK off the roster. Bring in someone uwho familiar with relieving. Unless of courese you would be willing to start IPK in the ALCS, if we make it. Looking ahead, the Yanks would have to start Hughes or Moose in game 1 of ALCS. Followed by Wang, Petite and ? Torre muat manage like there is no tomorrow, without worrying about the ALCS. But if we get there, the reality is no CMW or AP for game 1. As much as I like him, leave IPK off the roster. Bring in someone uwho familiar with relieving. Unless of courese you would be willing to start IPK in the ALCS, if we make it.
Looking ahead, the Yanks would have to start Hughes or Moose in game 1 of ALCS. Followed by Wang, Petite and ?
Torre muat manage like there is no tomorrow, without worrying about the ALCS. But if we get there, the reality is no CMW or AP for game 1.

]]> By: TGFizeek http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-2/#comment-169140 TGFizeek Mon, 08 Oct 2007 19:02:16 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169140 Ridiculous, IPK. With Wang and Petite coming on short rest and Hughes being spent for the series I would like to have someone who could eat a few innings (please don't suggest Moose). The problem with the pen is all these situational guys trying to go multiple innings just doesn't work. Ridiculous, IPK. With Wang and Petite coming on short rest and Hughes being spent for the series I would like to have someone who could eat a few innings (please don’t suggest Moose). The problem with the pen is all these situational guys trying to go multiple innings just doesn’t work.

]]> By: Master Shake http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-2/#comment-169107 Master Shake Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:20:49 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169107 Kennedy is a no brainer provided that he is healthy. I have a feeling Joe will go with Villone just to give him the security blanket of having a lefty in the bullpen, even if that lefty is not very good. Kennedy is a no brainer provided that he is healthy. I have a feeling Joe will go with Villone just to give him the security blanket of having a lefty in the bullpen, even if that lefty is not very good.

]]> By: Count Zero http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-2/#comment-169100 Count Zero Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:15:58 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169100 Steve Lombardi wrote: “It could be a break to add an arm like Villone who may be able to LOOGY Pronk Hafner in a big spot during Game Four (or Five). Lefty batters had a BABIP of .230 against Villone in 2007 – and it was .231 in 2006.� To which Jon wrote: "You realize that this is evidence that Villone is even worse against lefties than he appears to be, right?" No, Jon...he doesn't. Which is why it's pretty funny. Steve Lombardi wrote: “It could be a break to add an arm like Villone who may be able to LOOGY Pronk Hafner in a big spot during Game Four (or Five). Lefty batters had a BABIP of .230 against Villone in 2007 – and it was .231 in 2006.�

To which Jon wrote: “You realize that this is evidence that Villone is even worse against lefties than he appears to be, right?”

No, Jon…he doesn’t. Which is why it’s pretty funny.

]]> By: Bob Michaels http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-2/#comment-169097 Bob Michaels Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:12:44 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169097 My call Villone. My call Villone.

]]> By: Jay http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/comment-page-1/#comment-169057 Jay Mon, 08 Oct 2007 16:58:51 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2007/10/08/yankees-have-a-decision-to-make/#comment-169057 The last time Edwar Ramirez had an extended period of inactivity, he came into a game and couldn't throw a strike (he walked the bases loaded and then game up a grand slam). No to Edwar after this long break. Ian Kennedy was hurt and now also hasn't pitched in a while. He's been working out, but it's not the same. People keep saying he has the best "raw stuff," which isn't true. Edwar, with his filthy change, has the best "stuff," but Kennedy is the consistent pitcher -- he throws strikes. It's kind of hard to ask him to take so much time off and then come into a playoff game. If he doesn't have a feel for his pitches he could be very ineffective. People seem to be thinking of him as a starter in the next round (if the next round happens). Who would he replace right now? Moose? Hughes? Asking Kennedy to pitch in relief, which he did once in the minors this year and couldn't throw a strike, seems a little dangerous. I'd probably go with Villone too and use him strictly as a LOOGY. The last time Edwar Ramirez had an extended period of inactivity, he came into a game and couldn’t throw a strike (he walked the bases loaded and then game up a grand slam). No to Edwar after this long break.

Ian Kennedy was hurt and now also hasn’t pitched in a while. He’s been working out, but it’s not the same. People keep saying he has the best “raw stuff,” which isn’t true. Edwar, with his filthy change, has the best “stuff,” but Kennedy is the consistent pitcher — he throws strikes. It’s kind of hard to ask him to take so much time off and then come into a playoff game. If he doesn’t have a feel for his pitches he could be very ineffective.

People seem to be thinking of him as a starter in the next round (if the next round happens). Who would he replace right now? Moose? Hughes?

Asking Kennedy to pitch in relief, which he did once in the minors this year and couldn’t throw a strike, seems a little dangerous.

I’d probably go with Villone too and use him strictly as a LOOGY.

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