The Sunday Links
-
- April
- 20
Ian Kennedy was roughed up last night and Joe Girardi didn’t much feel like explaining his theories as to what he needs to do to correct that.
Joba Chamberlain returned. This notebook also has news on Jorge Posada, Jose Molina and another lineup shift.
Kyle Farnsworth is appealing his suspension. No, I have not volunteered as a character witness.
The Sunday Baseball Beat takes a look at some free-agent stars. Also check out what Bobby Abreu is up to with his cleats.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, April 20th, 2008 at 10:01 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
This is going to be a long season…
Keeping Moeller as a “just in case” serves no purpose. Wastings Shelley’s bat also serves no purpose. Moeller is a 2 hours ride away if necessary.
Some changes are supposedly due next week. Let’s hope Brett Gardner and Darrell Rasner are affected in the changes. Sit Damon and have Rasner take Mussina’s next start.
Nick: Changes? Says who? They’re not sitting down Damon and Giambi in April.
I heard that audio of Girardi.
What do you really want him to say?
He stated again and again that IPk has to throw strikes.
Is it that difficult to understand for these dump media gfolks? He was pestered again and again with the same non-sense quesiton.
Is it physical, mental that is bunch of BS. Girardi clearly stated he was nibbling.
It is time for you guys to get off your horses and do a better job of reaporting, stop being so dumb and keep pestering him.
I wish there is way to take the media guys to task for their stupidity.
Pete,
Probably not in April. But, its something they may have to do in May.
It seems to be going in that direction unless both guys really do a 180.
As I said in the other thread, I have zero patience with veteran players who believe they have a long leash for contractual reasons. That not only sets a bad example for younger players, it creates team disharmony.
I can understand waiting it out for them a little longer. But, not as long as they did last year.
Honestly, I don’t think their problems are insurmountable. Mainly because, aside from having to go outside the organization to find a real first baseman (Minky) to share time with Duncan, all of their solutions can be found from within.
Its just a question of how long they are going to wait to begin addressing the issues. I have a feeling (and I could be wrong) they won’t wait as long as they did last year.
Girardi in the first few weeks has looked like the President does in his last week in office. Aged. I like that he has a fiery side to his demeanor but he needs to focus it where it will do him the most good. Practice on a few players before trying it out on the media.
Kyle could call Manny as a witness. He doesn’t think he did anything wrong and it was his body the ball was hurled at. I’m sure the Red Sox were thrilled Manny chose this situation to start speaking to the media again.
Pass on the free agent stars available. Thanks for the info on Bobby’s cleats. Been wondering about the saddle shoe type look he has been wearing.
Fun interview with Wang in todays Post. If he couldn’t be a baseball player, he’d want to be a gangster?
I don’t have a problem with the questioning last night. I also don’t have a problem with his responses.
That said, he has to be mad for the right reasons.
Yes, Kennedy was horrible last night.
But, if he was brilliant last night, and only gave up one run (on a hit by an .071 hitter by the catcher who was playing first base. A play a first baseman makes easily), they still lose the game 1-0.
He has veterans who are playing like dogs and rookies playing like rookies.
Can’t kill the rookies and suck up to the vets.
If you are going to get on Kennedy for not throwing strikes, which he should do, he should have a heart to heart with Johhny Damon about his performance last night.
His performance was every bit as awful as Ian’s.
I believe that after the rest day, they will send Moeller down and bring Shelly up. Molina caught yesterday and they want to make sure there are no setbacks before sending Moeller down. If they send him down now and if there is set back to Molina, they can not get Moeler back for two weeks (or 10 days?).
People, we need a real first basemen. I say get Minky back and fast. Trade Betemit. He’s dead weight. Sit Damon and Giambi until they get their act together. Damon is adding absolutely nothing to this team right now. Giambi has become an automatic out unless he’s facing Mike Timlin. If IPK doesn’t pitch better his next start, send him down to AAA and bring up Rasner. I’d leave Hughes in the rotation because I think he’s got more to offer.
Tough times call for tough choices. I hope Joe G is frustrated enough to start making some hard and unpopular choices. Fix the problems now so that we don’t have to do it later.
Joba has a really tough week with his ailing Father, but is able to come back and pitch as though he had spent the week in the Bahamas? What’s wrong with the rest of the guys??? Joba’s got his priorities right as does Jeter, but who else can you really count on, on this team? ARod isn’t hitting, Damon seems lost, and Giambi seems to be in a drug haze. Joe Girardi has every right to be cranky.
BBFan
The question is can Moeller be sent down or does he have to be released?
Can’t trade Betemit because he is on the DL and, of more importance, can’t see right now! lol
Seriously, they do need a first baseman.
If you can trade Jeff Kennard for Jose Molina, it shouldn’t be hard to make a deal with the Pirates for Minky.
Can’t have catchers, DH’s, 3B and OF’s playing first base. Its nuts.
You have to DFA Moeller when he gets sent down.
If he clears waivers, he goes back to Scranton.
With the way he is playing, there is a real possibility he gets picked up off the waiver wire.
Its why Posada needs to be on the DL until he can throw again. His presence on the roster is another reason why the roster is in a state of flux.
“If you are going to get on Kennedy for not throwing strikes, which he should do, he should have a heart to heart with Johhny Damon about his performance last night.”
For all we do not know he might have done that or will do. Even in the case of IPK, he had no choice to answer the media questions, which is how it works. In fact, if Girardi does any thing with Giambi or Damon, the same stupid/dumb midia guys will report that he has no patience and Torre would have done differently, yada, yada,...
The thing that irritated me was they ask the same stupid question again and again and again and report he was testy. What a bull. How many times Pete gets testy here when some blogger challenges his opinion. After all, Girardi is human too.
“The question is can Moeller be sent down or does he have to be released?”
Very good question. I do not know the answer. My hope is he would agree to go down as he may not get opportunity with another team right away.
The organization stuck with the kids, and this is what happens. It’s what’s to be expected with young pitchers. Regardless, this is a transition year. There are young players still developing like Hughes and Kennedy, and older players in decline like Damon, Mussina & Giambi. Then there’s the dead weight like Farnsworth hanging around. Joba is the exception to the rule though. It would have been nice if Hughes was striking guys out left and right, and Kennedy was fooling hitters at the plate, but they obviously still have their training wheels on. Mussina is the one who’s killing us now. Pettitte and Wang are solid, despite Wang’s outing against Boston. You can contend with three solid starters, but not two. Moose has to go.
“I hope Joe G is frustrated enough to start making some hard and unpopular choices.”
Though Girardi will have input, in terms of getting different people on the 24 man roster, it will be Cashman’s call. After his experience in Miami I doubt that Girardi will be very forceful with Cashman until he stablishes himself.
“Though Girardi will have input, in terms of getting different people on the 24 man roster, it will be Cashman’s call. After his experience in Miami I doubt that Girardi will be very forceful with Cashman until he stablishes himself.”
The hard choices I was talking about was sitting Damon and/or Giambi. He should be able to do that w/o Cashman’s say.
In spite of all the issues with the team, it is too early to give up.
I sincerely believe that Hughes will turn it around. In fact he showed promise in the last start. We saw what he can do in the playoffs with the Indians. As the weather is getting better, he will be OK.
IPK should get another chance. Hopefully, he will pitch like he did end of last year. Girardi had lit the fire in his rear e*nd and hopefully he got the message. I agree with Girardi, getting hit and bombed is one thing and nibbling and walking people all the time another thing that is unacceptable.
Regarding Damon and Giambi, they will turn it around, if not, by mid-may they will be ridinjg the bench and Shelly and Brett will be the regulars.
Last year, the situation was worse. Many people here gave up on the team too ealry. Around June, I asked every one on the blog to state clearly what they believed the channces of the team making to the post season. Surprizingly, inspite of all the negativism, 80% said the team would make it to the playoffs, some headging a little bit. And the team did make the playoffs.
I beleve this team is too good and there is too much time left. There will be changes along the way. I believe that we not only make the playoffs, we will win the division. This is my prediction, let us see what happens.
The key is there will be changes along the way, mostly internal options, to make the team better.
SJ and Laura: “Sit Damon and Giambi until they get their act together.”————————————————————————————-
How can 2 guys who have been everyday players get their acts together sitting on the bench?
And if you sit them, show me who plays instead, and how the team is improved over what JD and Giambi SHOULD produce once they shap out of their funk.
Brett had an OPS at AAA last year of .674 He is faster then JD and probably better on D. Is he truly an upgrade? If we keep JD in the lineup, but NOT at leadoff unless he grealy improves, would you expect a .750 OPS from him.
In the last 3 years, which include 2 horrible years of steroid withdrawal, intestinal parasites, a tumor, bone spur and God knows what else, here is Giambi’s line against RH pitching: .264 .428 .542 .970
In 2006, Giambi against RH pitching: .270 .434 .592 1.026
Shelly, in a 7 yr MiLB career has posted an OPS of .822.
Last year, when he FAR exceeded expectations, against RH pitching he posted an OPS of .802.
Somebody needs to show me why they believe Shelly is a better option then Jason AGAINST RH pitching!
“The hard choices I was talking about was sitting Damon and/or Giambi. He should be able to do that w/o Cashman’s say.”
It is too early for that. It will happen if they continue to be like this for another couple of weeks. Veterans always get the benefit of doubt given their track records and I am Ok with it. Remember the year when Jeter started so bad, he could not get a hit. Then he turned it around and had a very fine overall season.
Sitting Giambi is easy, there are optins on the current 24 roster like Ensberg. Shelly should be back soon too. For sitting Damon, we need to get someone from the minors like Brett and that is Cahmans’s call.
“Somebody needs to show me why they believe Shelly is a better option then Jason AGAINST RH pitching!”
It is simple. Shelly is young and improving. Giambi is old and digressing. That is normal!
I’m not giving up at all.
Unlike last year, most of their issues can be solved from within.
If by the end of next month the following happens, I’m a happy camper:
1. Joba to the rotation. Putting off the inevitable accomplishes nothing.
2. I think Kennedy may have to go to AAA. If that’s the case, you bring up Rasner and make him the long man (they need one) when you put Joba in the rotation.
3. Brett Gardner is put in LF. If it lights a fire under Johnny Damon’s butt and gets him to play better, great. If it doesn’t? Then Damon is your 4th OF and Gardner is the everyday LF.
3. Need a first baseman. Shelley? He should definitely be back. Need another one though. Can’t continue to play baseball without a first baseman.
4. Move Ohlendorf back to the end of the bullpen. He’s not a long man and his stuff translates to later inning work
5. If he doesn’t start hitting, I just waive Giambi. Take the financial hit and move to improve your team. The Blue Jays did it today with Frank Thomas. If you can eat 40 million dollars on Carl Pavano, you can eat the remaining 4 months on Jason Giambi’s contract.
Do those things and its a fun summer with this team, IMO.
SJ44,
If Posada is going to catch Tuesday or Wednesday as indicated in various media sources then it’s too late for the DL for him.
SJ44,
I like your suggestions, but I don’t see the Yankees doing so until June. Furthermore, I don’t see them trading for a first baseman until they resolve the Giambi situation.
True. If he catches. He was supposed to catch today and he isn’t.
JMO but, its kind of hard to catch with a torn muscle in your shoulder.
I admire Jorge’s toughness but, if he can’t catch, and can’t catch effectively, you have to put him on the DL.
Hopefully, he is ok next week and he is back behind the plate.
Until I see it though, I never believe Yankee injury reports because rarely are truthful when telling the entire story re: injuries.
I agree about the Yankees injury report. Anyhow, we’ll see what transpires later this week with Posada.
Ensberg against RH pitching:
2007: .215 .305 .356 .661
3yrs: .249 .362 .471 .833
He has never played 1B, so is he a better DEFENSIVE alternative to Giambi? However, while I believe Giambi is still a better option, I would play Ensberg against LH pitching and see where Giambi sits in a month.
“It is simple. Shelly is young and improving. Giambi is old and digressing. That is normal!”
Wow…. it’s that simple we don’t even need to look at stats!
Is Mo ‘old and digressing’?. Iggy’s pretty young. Maybe Iggy should close.
Is Po ‘old and digressing’?. Moellers younger. Maybe he should be our starting C.
By your reasoning, is every kid on the farm better then a 37 yr old player? Would you like a list of 37 year old players who are still pretty good?————————————————————————————-
“The 39-year-old Thomas signed a two-year, $18-million contract with Toronto in November 2006. The deal includes a $10 million option for 2009, but only if Thomas makes 376 plate appearances this season.
Thomas, who is batting .167 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 60 at-bats, said the Blue Jays are cutting his playing time to prevent the option from kicking in.”
Thomas is benched, not released. However, there are some politics at work here in this specific situation.
Thomas has been replaced at DH with Matt Stairs, who in 2007 posted: .289 .368 .549 .917
I understand the “kid” concept with Hughes and Kennedy. But what I don’t understand is why everyone thinks they are that good. Neither throws consistently hard enough to dominate. I recall Hughes was advertised as a 95-96mph fastball. I see him 91-92mph (reminds me of the Irabu hype). Kennedy is a poor mans young Mussina, without the repitoire of pitches. Neither one of the them will be a 1 or 2 starter. Hughes a 4 or 5, Kennedy, a journeyman hanging on. Yanks need pitching.
John Sterling actually made a good point today (when he wasn’t calling every fly ball a home run) as to Steve Traschel being a finesse guy who isn’t afraid to throw strikers. I do hope Ian was watching.
SJ is right. The rookies are pitching like rookies, but our hitters are the real problem here. Again, they don’t show up in April, and the strain it puts on these young pitchers, forcing to do one of the most difficult things in pitching from behing, is ridiculous.