The Sunday Links
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- April
- 6
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It’s early, but the signs were bad as the Yankees fell again to the Rays yesterday.
Rick Carpiniello writes that this was only the beginning for Andy Pettitte.
In the Sunday baseball notes, Phil Hughes can relate to what Pedro Martinez is going through. Also read about Dave Eiland’s changes, Larry Bowa’s foolishness and other news from around the game.
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The Masters is this week and award-winning golf writer Sam Weinman has a preview of what awaits Tiger Woods.
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I’m off today, so no live blogging. But hopefully we’ll get a lineup posted at some point.
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on Sunday, April 6th, 2008 at 3:10 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
Don’t know why your awake at this hour, as I’m on my way in from a long saturday night out.
But Thanks Pete your the hardest worker in Yankees land(and probably the MLB.
Get some rest though dude, you earned it like 6 times over.
And as for the Yankees, lets do it tomorrow,I’m already sick of the April excuses..
“Right-hander Edwin Jackson, 5-15 last season, allowed one run over six innings.”
“We wanted to get a few runs there but sometimes the pitcher is just better than you are,” Jeter said.
Really….?
Still think Memphis is a fraud?
Greetings to Pete and the blog –
It’s 11 AM here in Florence – slightly cool and rainy – and I’m catching up on my favorite hobby. Is this a great world or what?
Disappointing to read about the game yesterday (thanks Pete for the coverage and your notebook today). But, it is only five games. As others have pointed out, many teams and all-star caliber players are starting off slowly. I don’t think Mark Texeira (sp?) is going to hit .100 all year. Neither David Ortiz. Performances tend to rise to their appropriate levels over the course of the marathon season.
My latest candidate for courageous performance by a player – Doug Davis. We should all root for him to recover. We should all have a bit of his courage.
Wow. Thanks, Pete, for all the info-packed articles. I don’t know what’s more interesting, the fact that Phil will hydrate before starts for the rest of his career or that Julio Iglesias is still alive.
Joe,
Were you the one asking for advice on how to follow the Yankees in Europe without angering your wife?
Good to see you check in. Enjoy Fiorenza.
Mel – Yes, I was. Lord bless her, I’m using her laptop that she brought along (she’s checking her business email, so she can’t complain).
We’re off to explore. I’ll check in later, so let’s have some good comments here. And Let’s win one today.
Joe from Long Island (now from Italy):
You’re the man. Florence. Wow.
Forget about the Yanks until you get back. Looks like they’ll need some time to get it together – maybe by the time you return. Meantime, enjoy the sights and the food and the alone time with the wife.
April excuses are about as meaningful as the first few April games. Win a few in April and it doesn’t mean you’re going all the way, lose a few and you’re not that bad. But it’s human nature to try to gain insight by reading tea leaves. So here’s what I came up with: they are all trying too hard with the possible exception of Mo and A-Rod, who are just so good.
Grandpa Joe’s not there to take all the heat. Torre always said it was his job to shield the players and let them do their jobs. Now that the protective layer is gone the players are feeling real accountability – - does Girardi have the same pull with management that Torre did? No. Does Girardi want them to feel that their jobs and positions in the lineup or rotation are safe no matter what kind of slump they are in? No way. The ‘08 season might be called “Welcome to the Real World,” or “The Honeymoon’s Over.”
They want to win for their new manager, because they believe in him and because it would be letting Torre down if what are essentially still “Torre’s Yankees” don’t play hard and win for Girardi too.
They have a new stadium on the rise across the street. They want to win because history’s judgment will be harsh if they don’t send the old lady out with champagne.
The Boss is sick and they really want to win one more for him before it’s too late; they also want Hank and Hal’s first full year to be a memorable one.
Cano looks too busy at the plate. He is trying too hard to justify his new contract in every at bat. Hopefully Posada won’t succumb to a similar fate.
Jeter is trying to prove that his new training regimen has restored some range and that this will quiet the guys at Fielding Bible.
Giambi is trying to prove he can stay healthy and play aggressively in the field almost every day. (Hopefully that fantasy is now officially dead).
Pettitte’s trying to forget the off season from Hell and did not have a full ST. He knows that he and Moose have to really eat innings.
Declining the deal for Santana, the Yankees put a lot of weight on Hughes, Kennedy and Chamberlain. And Kennedy and Hughes are currently getting about 100 chances per game to succeed or fail.
Matsui is in the last year of his contract, and is reduced to batting 8th as the DH. And he hears the trade talk. Abreu wants to come out strong after a lousy first half last year that was, by his own admission, nobody’s fault but his. Ditto for Damon. Melky is under the gun from Cashman to keep Gardner, Jackson or Tabata from taking over his job.
Give the rotation one more turn all the way through before writing anybody off. Personally, I’m going with the idea that in a few more games this will all come together. They will come to grips with the issues and be able to use it as motivation. Or not. But I remember last year so I’m waiting until at least June before I panic.
Question: can you help me with the rules for HBP when a player crowds the plate?
The first pitch that hit Pena looked about 4 inches inside. Does the pitcher get any inside leeway? What if the batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone?
back bench, I think by “sometimes” Damon meant “on any given day.” Sometimes, on any given day, a usually-lousy pitcher can be better than an all time great hitter.
New on Luis Vicaino from Yahoo! Sports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
Surprise, surprise.
Did anyone read Klapish’s article. He is trying to get Yankee fans to push the panic button regarding Andy. He mentions casually that Andy missed time in st. Brings up the messed up off season, age etc.
Lets see a few starts out of Andy before we go screaming for the hills. He hasn’t been in any sort of routine. Many pitchers had bad first starts not just Andy.
You think this game will be played today? I have to leave in about an hour.
Murphydog – A good, logical explaination/insights into some of the ‘darker’ issues that could derail this team… but without being pessimistic or baiting.
I personally believe those issues will fade as time and routine take over, and players simply ‘be’ their natural selves, and let their natural ability take over. As we know from ARod’s experience, THINKING when you have a bat in your hand is never a good approach. We simply want reaction.
Their are obviously some (already much discussed) concerns about the SR and BP, but these will resolve themselves as we weed/replace failing players with kids on the farm. There is nothing to do but wait and see… and if there are real problems with the SR, Cashman WILL get someone mid-season.
My only fears that MAY be real are:
1) I think Matsui is no longer useful to this team. He is a below average fielder, below average runner, and I don’t know if he’s an .850+ OPS guys anymore. I hope he proves me wrong. again, it’s wait and see.
2) I have the same concerns with JD, but to a lesser extend as, at least he still runs well above average and is a SLIGHTY above average LFer (mostly due to his speed and OF experience). However, if he is now ONLY a .750 OPS guy, he will not help the team much. I wonder if this is the case, if Joe has the balls to bat Jetes leadoff, Cano 2nd, and JD 9th (making him the ‘leadoff before the leadoff’ batter.
And while many here will detest the idea, and it pains me to give credit to anything McFleas says, if we trade Matsui (at whatever cost or return value) and gets Bonds as a 1 yr DH, we will be not a little improved, but vastly improved. Having Bonds hit behind ARod will allow ARod to see many better pitches, which will result in him doing better, in additonal to Bonds still very strong impact bat.
If Giambi is healthy, he is an .880+ OPs guy.
I do NOT believe at this point, Gardner can be more productive then JD. A .750 OPS would be bad for JD and possibly the best we might get from Gardner. But this needs to be re-examined at the ASB, and re-assessed.
“”We wanted to get a few runs there but sometimes the pitcher is just better than you are,” Jeter said.
It has been that way all season.”
To be fair, by “all season” Pete you’re only talking about 5 games, or 3% of the total season sample.
But I too would like the guys to stop talking about facing good pitching as an excuse. First, Jackson doesn’t qualify as a good pitcher in MLB. Second, to win the WS they’ll have to eventually face great pitching. I know it’s still early in the season and the bats haven’t found their rhythm, but it’s not too early to establish the right mindset. To win, the captain and all the players should mentally prepare themselves to hit at every pitcher and not self-handicap.
I love the quote in the sunday notes.(team ranks)
Sox Prez Larry Lucchino refers to the Bosocks as a “little engine that could.”
Dee -
Exactly.
Regardless of the ‘early’ rationale, the game against TB with Jackson pitching is in my mind a “GTSW” (Game team should win). Looking back on the pressure cooker August/September 07 effort that probably drained some of the energy we needed to move beyond the ALDS, those lost ‘GTSWs’ hurt.
That is Joe T’s influence for you. You can’t ever diss the opposing pitcher/team. Why not say we had our chances and didn’t take advantage. That excuse was okay when they were facing the Jays because they really are good pitchers, although I think they had Mcgowan on the ropes and didn’t take advantage.
And Jose said it right, that team (the rays) has holes in their line up. When questioned if he is ’scared’ of them.
“win the WS they’ll have to eventually face great pitching.”
Critical point, Dee. That’s why the Toronto series was so nice to see out of the gate. Let’s hope we resume that pitching and the bats start waking up too.
I love how after 5 games everyone who is not hitting is somehow trying too hard all of a sudden. If this were a five game stretch in July NOBODY would be talking about it.
Let’s see a year ago everybody KNEW Bob Abreu was finished.
A year ago everybody KNEW Cano should be sent back to triple A.
A year ago everybody KNEW Johny Damon was washed up.
A year ago the Yankees had AAAA pitchers starting for them in the rotation (Chase Wright anyone?)
Before we start writing peoples obits and psycho analyzing the team shouldn’t we wait until, I don’t know they’ve actually played a large enough sample of games to get a real feel about who still can play and who’s finished?
Sheesh, you would think the Yankees were 1-19 and 16 games out of first.
No Giambi in todays line-up
http://weblogs.newsday.com/spo.....kees/blog/
Hey, Everyone should read Joel Sherman’s article on the precedent for transforming Joba mid-season into a starter.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04.....105253.htm
let’s look at this team around Memorial Day, i think last proved that out.
“I love how after 5 games everyone who is not hitting is somehow trying too hard all of a sudden. If this were a five game stretch in July NOBODY would be talking about it.”
I think I was pretty clear that I was just voicing an opinion and that I thought it was too soon to panic. But…
It’s not a five game stretch in July, with half the season behind them and half in front, where you have played enough games to know for sure where the team is going.
Everyone from the front office on down is trying to get a read on this team with all the changes they went through in the off season and all the questions in the air. Last year’s start was abysmal, so it’s only natural to get a little jittery when the offense shows signs of sputtering right out of the gate. Cano was on fire in ST and now looks like he’s doing the potty dance when he’s in the batter’s box. Maybe it’s not his contract, but something’s eating him.
And by the way, with all due respect, if this team played like this in a 5 game stretch in July EVERYBODY would be talking about it.
everyone will be fine soon enough, you win some and you lose some
Not a great start to the season, but my only true concern is the same as it was last year, getting the ball to Joba & Mo, & so far doesn’t look like that problem has been rectified. The only significant addition, Hawkins, does not look like he will do the job. Seems like the only reason they got him was because he didn’t require an over-priced multi-year deal like the other mediocre options did.
I think Wang, Andy, Hughes & Ian will be fine. I think Mussina can only be effective if all the planets align for him & he has a Great, sharp breaking curve working, & a generous strike zone ump that day.
The offense will be fine, but the bullpen is still the concern. I have a feeling some young minor league arms will sooner or later will have to be tried to get the job done.
I’m looking forward to eventually getting the chance to see Melancon, Cox, etc….
Not surprised that Giambi is not in the line-up. The Yanks are always extra cautious with those kinds of aches and pains. Guess Ensberg is the 1st base backup today with Duncan starting his suspension.
Morning everyone. Hope everyone had a better night of sleep than I did.
I once rolled a 300 game bowling, sactioned. My life average is 184, so on anygiven day mediocre can be really good, just like jackson. The man got this far,somewhere, he must have some talent. yesterday, he put it all together. maybe?
pete,
i think you’re way off about bowa. remember when he would stand well outside the box when gary sheffield came to the plate? he did that to protect himself from ripped foul balls. now, he’s forced to stand closer to the third base line, putting him back in danger. you think that helmet is going help if he gets struck in the chest with a line drive?
For all of you waiting for the debut of “The Joe Girardi Show” today, the debut has been postponed because of Joe’s illness this week. I guess Michael Kay will now have another week to do all of his plugs!
if this team were 2-3 in a five game stretch in July, everyone would be talking about it? really?!
new season. same fans. you’d think this was the first time anyone had ever watched baseball before.
NoMaas put it perfectly with the awesome picture of a bag of bats sitting on a baggage carousel. the offense has yet to show up. why this happens every damn year, i’ll never know. what i do know is that they always do wind up showing up.
Ian is going to take his lumps. sorry to tell you this, but so is Phil. if you can’t handle that, maybe you should find a new team to root for.
Andy will come around. We were duly warned as to his getting a late start on things.
the bullpen’s been encouraging, to say the least. Ohlendorf, Traber, mini-Bruney and, while he was here, Albaladejo look like quality relievers who bring youth and can hold down the fort when needed.
If anything, this team should be showing you all that they are better built, and will be better able to take the season on, than last year’s team. And they’re much more fun to watch, win or lose.
All I have to say is thank god Melky is back I dont think I could watch another game with Damon and Matsui out there.
the non-Hawkins members of the bullpen have looked good. it’s only a couple of games, but Bruney’s got my hopes up. when he came back from 3-0 and got the first hitter out yesterday, that showed some improvement. and his body language – he just stands like a confident, professional pitcher.
ast year he probably would’ve walked the guy, gave up a run or 2, and then consoled himself with a doughnut afterwards
“Matsui is in the last year of his contract, and is reduced to batting 8th as the DH. And he hears the trade talk. Abreu wants to come out strong after a lousy first half last year that was, by his own admission, nobody’s fault but his. Ditto for Damon. Melky is under the gun from Cashman to keep Gardner, Jackson or Tabata from taking over his job.”
Murph– I believe Damon and Matsui are both signed through next year as well. Both signed before the start of the 06 season for 4 x $52. After next season, they will be free agents.
But I agree with you. Five games in is waaaaaaaaaaay too early to write off the season.
For example, look at 2005. The NYY started 11-19, and won the East.
Only ‘heart attack fans’ like ANTI Mussina push the panic button five games in. Heck, even Pete Abe last year was for trading Cano in June and blowing up the team….
Look – here is a big reason for us to be optimistic today (like Rebecca!) – Shields, the starting pitcher today has never defeated the Yankees in five career starts, faring 0-4 with an 8.58 ERA. He is 0-2 with a 10.57 ERA in three career starts at Yankee Stadium.
Floating Head Doctor –
SHeffield doesnt play for the Dodgers so he has nothing to worry about on that count. The issue is this is now a rule he was warned 3 times according to the ump.
FYI HBO Real SPorts is going to so a piece this week on Mike Coobaugh (sp?)
Has this been a good 5 game stretch? No.
Has it been disastrous. No.
It’s been mixed. They were fortunate to take 2 of 3 with the way the Jays pitched.
To put that series in some context – the yankees faced the Jays best 3 starters, got shut down and still took 2 of 3.
The Sox have faced the Jays #4 and #5 starters (Marcum and Litsch) and got shut down (outscored in the first two games 16 to 5).
The sox are trying to stave off a sweep today and have Beckett making his season debut. You have to think they’d feel good about taking today’s game. Unfortunately for them the Jays are throwing Roy Halladay.
To me the biggest story in all of baseball over this initial first five games is the blue jays pitching staff and the improvements McGowan and Marcum appear to have made.
If BJ Ryan can come back and just be decent and they can move Accardo to the set up role this is going to be the most brutal season in the AL east in memory.
The only really disappointing game the yankees played to me was yesterday’s game. Jackson has a great arm but is still a thrower not a pitcher and they should have scored some runs. The game before with Tampa is going to happen with young pitchers – Kennedy was just lost. You move on.
This offense will click – Just as it did last year. It’s very difficult to make anything in baseball from any 5 game stretch.
Unfortunately the two times of the year where 5 game stretches come under the microscope are the postseason and the start of the season.
The most encouraging thing so far has been the performance of the bull pen (excluding Hawkins and Farnsy…) Ohlendorf has thrown the ball very well. Bruney has as well (though he threw well last april as well so I’m still reserving judgement…)
Let’s give Hawkins some time. These calls for the team to cut him are completely premature. He’s not the fulcrum of the bull pen – he’s a complementary guy.
And if people want to keep criticizing the move – it was either him or the Viz. And Hawkins was the only one willing to take a one year deal.
And the Viz just went on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. And remember they got the 45th pick in the draft for letting the Viz go.
http://riveraveblues.com/2008/.....yank-2498/
Well looks like Giambi is out of todays lineup, as expected.
In Sheilds career vs. the Yankees:
8.58 ERA 1.69 WHIP .336 BAA
UGLY. Maybe this is the one that wakes the bats up for good. I don’t believe it will though. Depressing.
I swear some fans just need to calm down. We’re 5 games into the season. For the mathematically impaired, that means there are still 157 games left. We have pretty much the whole season left to play. Its too early to determine where this team is going (or not going for that matter).
You know certain guys are gonna come around so I you should wait a while before getting on their case.
Its not panic time…..yet, so don’t.
2-3….
157 left….
plenty of time ’till October….
The only thing I disagree with in your post, CB, is that the Yankees were fortunate to take 2/3 from the Jays. They earned those 2 victories and pitched just as well in those games as the Jays did. None of those wins were lucky – they won because they were a bit better than the Jays for those games. Bad luck for the Jays that they ran into very good pitching to match their own.
Unfortunately, the Yankees lineup is aging and so I think that’s why they tend to be slow starters. You’re right – they should have done much more against a mediocre Jackson (and even against Sonnenstein), but to be fair – if they’re just not seeing the ball, then they’re not seeing the ball (regardless of who they’re facing). I don’t expect them to break out and do particularly well in the next few games because when they slump, they slump badly. Unfortunately, I suspect it will take a week or so (hopefully, that’s all) for them to come out of their funk. They really need good pitching or else they are going to put themselves behind the 8 ball again…..in a very tough division.
I’m thrilled with the performance of the bullpen (mostly); what’s nice is that Bruney and Ohlendorf (and Alby, who will be back up at some point) are young. We may be able to count on them for years.
Wang and Andy will be themselves and I think Hughes can be relied on for the most part. I think he’ll have some bumps, but mostly I think he’s going to be very good. I LOVE this kid – as good as his stuff is (and what a sick curve – a good curve is my favorite pitch), his demeanor and poise are what impress me the most. He’s 21 and he looks like he belongs out there – he’s not intimidated and just overall pitches like a veteran.
I love your posts, CB, so keep him coming!
Great post, thanks for the info