Comments on: Relivers boost Yankees to 7-6 win

By: bodhisattva

bodhisattva — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:30:42 +0000

Some of these comments make me wonder if some of these people find any joy at all in rooting for a team or in watching baseball.

As for Karstens, he’s a control guy and when he’s got it he keeps the ball on the ground. He has to have his changeup and curve working to keep batters off balance, then his fastball can work for him, even though he doesn’t have great speed.

He does have some deception, though, esp when other stuff is working; if not, he’s very vulnerable. But pitching is all relative to the pitch you threw before this one. We’ve seen what happens when his control is off – he gets into trouble. But as somebody on here pointed out, we’re not relying on him to be a top five starter, and if he doesn’t get it done, he doesn’t pitch.

We have way more options than we’ve had in years when it comes to pitching, so it’s not like we’re just stuck if someone doesn’t get it done.

And sorry, I just have to ask RAYMAGNETIC: are you as much of a cancer in your everyday life as you are on this forum? Because I suspect your rather blind negativity comes from somewhere else, not from rooting for the Yankees, who are, incidentally, the most successful sports franchise ever.

You sound like a Red Sox fan, fearfully and tragically predicting doom and gloom, even in a positive era. Seriously, who could NOT be stoked about this Yankee year coming up? With all this youth and arm depth? New, bright manager? Giambi giving up the liquid breakfasts and hitting the ball the other way? Melancon and McCutchen looking set for a late-summer entrance? Even if we win the WS, people like you will find a way to be unhappy, that’s what I think. NEWSFLASH: A little hope and optimism doesn’t ALWAYS crush you; try it.

By: JohnC

JohnC — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:22:36 +0000

Joe,

Don’t you know by now that that is the “Yankee fan way”, or alot of them at least, to panic right away and want a guy traded or released as soon as a guy has a bad outing, especially on March 3? Thought you’d know by now that those types of Yankee fans are born GMs, or so they think.

By: joe

joe — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 04:30:04 +0000

Everyone needs to stop being so critical. You should be rooting for Karstens to do well as Yankee fans. It’s only March 3rd and people are already freaking out. Lets see what happens once March 31st comes around. I’m sure the best one will head North and if Karstens does not perform, there are plenty of other options. Lets just wait and see.

By: nyyfaninlaaland

nyyfaninlaaland — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 03:15:12 +0000

I’m actually of the thought that Rasner might be the better choice in the short run for the long relief role. He has done it more, but more importantly, if Joba starts the season in the pen, which I see as likely if everyone comes out of spring training healthy, there’s going to need to be a 6th starter stretched out and ready to fill in in case of injury. And if injury or ineffectiveness means Joba’s starting, the same need is there.

If last season teaches us anything, it that s*** happpens. I think Karstens is the #1 spot starter. Rasner might be #2. And Joba gets stretched out in AAA quick to fill in as well. After watching the majors debuts of Wright, Clippard, and DeSalvo last season in an emergency, I’m not sure pitchers who haven’t thrown above AA are the guys I want to count on in an early pinch. Frankly, their numbers were somewhat comparable to the current kids. Give these guys time to develop.

By: Big V

Big V — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:52:21 +0000

If Karstens was 29 years old I could see all the bashing. But at his age and the fact that he was pitched better than most under NY pressure – leads me to say lets see what he does this year.

If his control is good- to very good then he will just be fine as a long reliever. To do this he needs to have confidence in himself. Last year he didn’t because of injuries and the arse whooping he took.

He is more confident right now and I really see him doing just fine. He is only 25 give him a chance he is no Sean Henn.

I think he has learned a lot from last year and the momentum
he has built up is a good early sign.

By: Boston Dave

Boston Dave — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:48:04 +0000

Nettles,

I think he is capable of that. What would you put Karstens’ over/under at for ERA? 4.15?

By: DLev

DLev — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:40:18 +0000

The J Train March 3rd, 2008 at 6:00 pm
“Im rooting for the guy to do well and help the team as a Yankee fan, but as a guy who played professional ball, I just dont see it.”

Just curious why you think your experience in pro ball makes you qualified to see what Giardi, Eiland, et al don’t. Pretty sure they have pro experience too. If Karstens is worse than the other options, he won’t make the team. I doubt they’ll keep him around just to piss off the anti-Karstens crowd.

By: Nettles vs. Lee

Nettles vs. Lee — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:23:51 +0000

Boston Dave:

Absolutely. If he can put those numbers up, he stays in the big leagues all season and becomes an important part of the bullpen.

By: Bronxbyte

Bronxbyte — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:22:39 +0000

There is still plenty of time for Darrell Rasner to compete with Jeff Karsens for a long relief – spot starter role but in either case, Joe Girardi has made it plain that he wants that role to take shape in spring training as one of his priorities. Unlike Joe Torre, he is not interested in using a series of short relievers on a regualr basis and see bullpen burnout as a consequence.

By: Ranting Guy

Ranting Guy — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:17:48 +0000

Seriously, some of y’all do go way the heck overboard with tearing a new one in a player when he has a bad day. Sure, some guys aren’t going to be good enough to make it this year, some guys ever, some guys anymore. Some guys with potential are going to be sent down to get more playing time in. Some other guys will fill the void until they do. It’s spring freakin’ training, ya know? Girardi’s looking at guys to see what they’ve got and how they’re progressing. Relax & let it all shake out.

I thought Moose was done last August too, but I’m willing to give him some time and see how he does this season. Good or bad won’t erase how he did in the past, so you’ll never hear me compare him to Pavano or Brown. He doesn’t need to be the ace, if he fills a different role well enough.

Same goes for Karstens. He may well have a talent ceiling of “AAAA starter” but if he’s adequate out of the pen (even if for only half the season) that’s an important piece of the puzzle.