Game 26: Yankees at Indians
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- April
- 27
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YANKEES
Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Duncan 1B
Ensberg DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Chien-Ming Wang vs. the Cleveland hitters.
C.C. Sabathia vs. the New York hitters.
Notes: Another day, another lineup. Hideki Matsui is out for the second straight day. He said he is healthy. He also is riding a seven-game hit streak. … The Yankees have lost three straight and are 3-5 on the road trip. … Johnny Damon’s last six games: 12 of 28, 8 runs, 7 RBI, 7 extra-base hits. … The Yankees are 1-12 when trailing after six innings and 3-11 when the opponent scores first. … Robbie Cano is 2 for 22 and 4 for 38 since that home run against Tampa Bay. … Ross Ohlendorf has appeared in nine games. The Yankees have lost eight of them.
UPDATE, 12:18 p.m.: The Indians sent LHP Jeremy Sowers back to AAA Buffalo and called up OF Brad Snyder.
UPDATE, 1:02 p.m.: Posada was just scratched. No reason was given. I’m sure we’ll get the full information after the game.
New lineup:
Damon 7
Jeter 6
Abreu 9
Rodriguez 5
Duncan 3
Ensberg DH
Cano 4
Cabrera 8
Molina 2
Just me, or does it seem weird to use Duncan at 1B and Ensberg as the DH? Isn’t Ensberg a better glove?
UPDATE, 1:26 p.m.: Media relations director Jason Zillo just said the Yankees won’t be giving any information about why Jorge Posada is scratched until after the game. This is the first time I can ever remember any team scratching a player two minutes before first pitch then refusing to say why.
UPDATE, 2:23 p.m.: CMW whiffs the side and now has five on the game. He’s pitching another gem, as is Sabathia.
UPDATE, 2:28 p.m.: The New York Times is reporting that Jorge Posada has a muscle tear in his shoulder and will be headed to the disabled list. You can’t hide the truth for long.
That does explain why Posada arrived early for treatment today.
UPDATE, 2:32 p.m.: Bad baseball there by Cano, who finally gets a hit then gets picked off before Melky homers.
UPDATE, 3:01 p.m.: What a great game. Wang and Sabathia going pitch for pitch with the difference being a home run by Melky.
The Yankees are 0 for 5 with RISP today and 2 for 20 in the series.
UPDATE, 3:30 p.m.: The “Wang isn’t an ace” crowd will hide out today. 7 4 0 0 2 9. He’s thrown 39 innings this season and allowed 35 hits with 11 walks and 26 Ks. If the Yankees finish this off, he’ll be 5-0, 3.23 despite having faced Boston twice, Toronto, Chicago and Cleveland. There are a few starters better than he is but it’s a short list.
UPDATE, 3:46 p.m.: Joba hit 98 in that inning. It would appear that he is OK.
If the Yankees win, Wang will be 43-13 since the start of the 2006 season. That’s three more victories than any other pitcher in baseball. Brandon Webb has 39.
UPDATE, 4:00 p.m.: Mariano Rivera might do his job better than any other athlete in history of team sports.
Tremendously pitched game on both sides.
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on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 11:03 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
Ohlennnnnndooooooooooooooorf!!!!
In the last thread Kill-Schill highly recommended Joel Sherman’s column today about Joba.
I have to completely agree with and reiterate Kill-Schill’s recommendation.
Joel Sherman’s column on Joba today is an absolute must read. Sherman talked to several scouts and what they had to say about Joba being a starter vs. reliever was eye-opening.
A couple of quotes:
“The times I saw him, he was an easy-identification No. 1 starter. He was powerful and resilient. He went deep into games and used all four of his pitches. That is what impressed me most about him. He would strike out 2-3 guys in a row with a fastball, then go 2-2 and throw a plus-potential change. Not only did he have a good arm, but he also showed real pitchability.â€
“I will tell you what I think on this kid. You put him in a playoff game, and when he leaves it is going to be 1-0 or 2-1. The score is going to be low for the other side. He was a dominant No. 1 guy in the minors. I left the stadium and said, “What else do you want in a starting pitcher?—
The scouts are filled with raves about Joba being a future #1 starter.
And in particular, one of the most common themes across the scouts is how Joba is able to hold his velocity – how he was able to throw 97-98 DEEP into games.
“I was very impressed. The first couple of innings he was 94-96 (mph). By the fifth inning, he was 97-99.â€
One scout who saw him said that Joba was much better than Papelbon was as a starter because Papelbon was throwing 92-94 as a starter and Joba has very good secondary pitches while Papelbon’s secondary offerings were average.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04.....htm?page=3
“You don’t pay guys $20 million a year to bunt.†from last thread.
Pete, I hate to say this, but this comment tells how ignorant you are of baseball. Sorry, I had to write this, after reading how you are belittling some bloggers with such comments for expressing their views.
You play the game to win and if the player is capable of bunting (not all are) and the situation dictates, you bunt. It does not matter how much he makes.
As much as you want to say no, your writings here reflect that Jeter and Torre can do nothing wrong and A-Rod and Girardi get criticised constantly. You take the same approach with Hank and Cash and the other day you changed course in a New York minute to retract and write exactly the opposite, after Cash probably gave you an earful (you stated you talked to cash).
I love Jeter, but he gets more credit than he deserves. During the dynasty years, I believe that Bernie and Paul contributed more than Jeter, but Jeter gets all the credit. Since 2001 we did not win WS, Jeter is the captain and why he is not responsible at least partly for the lack of success? It is because of the kind of applogies you and your peers make for him. Last year playoffs, Jeter was the most responsible for our failures with so many DPs and killing the rallies. I understand it is your right to have your opinion, but respect the opinion of the others who disagree with you. Also, I udnerstand you are a New Englander, but do not write the rubbish that Yankees fans do not know any thing. Every team will have knuckle head fans, that does not mean majority of the fans are like that.
Morning all. I think my friend and I are going to try to catch the make up of the Scranton-Syracuse game this afternoon. So much baseball this weekend, so little time…
Let’s be fair to Ollie, Pete…they’ve been bringing him in when the starter got knocked out in the 3rd inning. And the offense has been anemic.
I think the kid has potential, but I think they’re doing a lot to abuse both his arm and confidence.
How bout giving the kid a rest for a while and sending him down for Jose Veras? He can throw fire and has been pitching very well according to Chad Jennings.
CB – thanks for recommending that link.
Pete – have you heard anything about his hammy?
Anyone else think it is clear that Pete is not too enamored with Joe Girardi. He second guesses him before the game with the snarky line-up comments and he hasn’t ceased to complain about Girardi not being straightforward about things like injuries. The media on the whole have killed him for being “testy”. It is such a joke.
Hey Pete do you have the same complaints about your man Belichek when he doesn’t give the truth about injuries…or is that just part of his genius.
The Yankees currently have 39 players on their 40-man roster, since Moeller was DFAed. Will they save that spot for Rasner if (when)they bring him up , either as a long man or to replace Kennedy, if he goes down to learn how to throw strikes again?
SoCalYankeeFan
Good article. CB, thanks.
Is that a picture of Joba? He looks a lot smaller to me in that photo.
-dennis
Everyone needs to relax with the knee jerking reaction and Girardi bashing. Yes he has made some questionable calls and moves, but its early in the season and he is still figuring out the lineup. The yankees have a brutal opening schedule and before the season Pete, and every other intelligent blogger said if they can get through this stretch around 500 we should be fine. Lets look to some positives, Kennedy finally pitched decent, albeit for 5 innings. Pettite does not look like any of the offseason stuff distracted him. Wang looks like last year postseason didnt happen. And if hughes can put a nice start together this team will be fine. We knew what we were getting in Mussina when we resigned him you got to take your lumps with him. Yes the bullpen is shaky, especially with Bruney out, but again this was a concern before the season. The all star break will be a time to evaluate this team properly, Not before the quarter mark of the season.
Brian: Rasner was supposed to pitch yesterday for Scranton; the game got rained out so I imagine he’s pitching today.
Dennis,
Joba’s lost quite a bit of weight (even from last season) but not that much. For some reason they have the wrong picture there – that’s John Maine.
Great point DC76. If belicheck hides something it’s just part of his genious, but if Girardi hides something he’s being unduly secretive.
Pete, why do you have a problem with Girardi changing the lineup? Don’t most teams usually use about 120 different lineups a year?
Matsui is out? Seriously – I want to know what Joe is smoking. Unless Matsui is hurt, there is NO reason for him not to be playing.
I read Jim Palmer’s comments about the kids – good reading. I’m extremely anxious to see how Phil does against the Tigers on Tuesday, though with more bad weather coming up, who knows if they’ll get the game in. I really think that Phil has turned a corner and we’re going to see good things from him from now on. Of course, he’ll still have his ups and downs, but I think by the end of the year, he’s going to be very good. He’s throwing very well, his curve appears to be getting better and basically his natural talent is coming out. I just can’t say enough about his makeup – he’s quieter than Joba (which I prefer) but equally as tough. Both know, innately, that they belong in the bigs.
Kennedy is made, I think of different stuff; of course, he’s not going to be as confident when he’s struggling because he doesn’t have the stuff that Joba and Phil do. I’m disturbed by his comments to Ken Rosenthal yesterday, but I give him a ton of credit for bouncing back and making a terrible start into a decent one. I’m not sure if he should be given another start or not before being sent down; I’m very concerned about his wildness. If he does’t have command, he’s not going to get anyone out, not with his stuff.
Wang “pumping”…Go Wanger!
http://udn.com/NEWS/SPORTS/SPO5/4317194.shtml
Matsui is 0-9 lifetime against CC. Probably why he is sitting today.
OK. That makes more sense. Looked nothing like Joba.
Thanks for responding.
No joy in mudville for either of us right now.
Have good day today. -dennis
I’m pretty sure Torre has used over 20 different lineups with LA. Shut up Pete.
Another day, another loss. Watch out, Tigers are catching up!
While I don’t think that Pete has an agenda I agree with the comments about bunting. It should not even be a thought in anyone’s head that because someone gets paid big money he should never be given the bunt sign. In fact, I can make the opposite argument, that because he gets paid so much money he should be the best at both the small ball and home-run ball aspects of the game. He should also not b**ch and moan about being given the bunt in a situation where you play for a run so you can get your freaking closer in the game and win for once. It drives me crazy to see guys waving and missing, taking humongous hacks to try and drive in 8 runs on one swing because they “get paid to hit home-runs.” Any fan who watches most of the game will agree with me that because baseball is a game of failure, they will not hit that home run more often than they will. Moneyball does not say, never bunt or steal no matter the situation. Moneyball says don’t give away outs needlessly because they are precious. You probably don’t want to play for one run early in the game and give away the outs. To be fair to Jeter, him putting down the squeeze bunt would not have been the best move in that situation. If Damon is out at home, it looks like a dumb decision. If Damon scores, it looks like genius and probably would have been one of the most exciting things the Yankees have done in recent memory. Unfortunately those kind of gambles don’t happen in the American League, one of the many reasons why I watch National League games as well. Sometimes you need your small-ball fix.
Pete, I kind of see no opportunity to ding Girardi by you left unturned. Matsui in 10 at bats against Sabathia has no hits, and one walk.
Your constant sniping at Girardi will not bring back Joe Torre.
A suggestion which may help the daily lineup bashing we have in here.
Pete added a very useful tool with his lineup threads this year. The splits of each pitcher against the team they are facing.
If you want to figure out the logic behind the lineups, just look at the splits.
For example, Matsui is 0-9 lifetime against Sabathia. Logic would tell you that ain’t good.
Perhaps, they want to keep him in a good groove and you don’t do that if he is facing a guy who has bageled him.
Managers don’t pull lineups out of a hat. There is some method to the madness.
One can criticize Joe G for certain moves, but got to look at his options at the time and the factors at play.
Yesterday, the only one I had a bit of an issue with the decision to PH Cano, who is an awful slump, instead of going with Matsui, who is hitting well.
Other than that I believe Joe G’s hands to possible moves have been tied. I think his decisions have been sound.
Bottom line to alot of these losses is the offense, they just continue to flounder as a whole, especially with runners on, and the SP, who continue to burden the BP by not lasting.
I don’t think any manager has a magic bullet to cure these kinds of ills.
I don’t get why Esnberg is in here every day.
Joe Girardi is the manager now, not Torre. Girardi is a different personality. He hates to loose and wears his heart on his sleeve. People complained that Torre was too laid back and now are complaining that Girardi is too animated. We need to give Girardi a chance. This first month has been bad to the Yankees schedule-wise, weather- wise and injury-wise.
I am sure that the line-up will settle in and the Yankees will start hitting. Then Girardi will look like a genius for his line-up.
And as for Girardi being secretive, I am with all of you who say why give the competition any edge. They don’t need to know who is available and for how long.
SJ44, thanks for the info and for pointing out that feature. Apologies to Joe for my premature rant.
Girardi PH Cano instead of Matsui for Ensberg yesterday because Matsui can’t play 2b or 3b. It’s not just about the bat, but also the fielding the PH needs to fill in for after.
Ensberg is a RH hitter and CC is a lefthanded pitcher.
Its not hard to figure out. They want more righties in the lineup against CC and Matsui is 0-9 lifetime against CC.
As far as Girardi, he ain’t gettin’ fired after 25 games, as some foolishly called for in here yesterday.
He’s the manager and he isn’t going anywhere. Second guessing moves? That’s part of baseball and that’s fun to discuss.
Second guessing EVERY move? That’s just whining and you would like to think we can rise above that in here.
SJ, Pete should start using his own link feature LOL. He’s usually the one who starts questioning the lineup as he did today about sitting Matsui:-)
Ollie has appeared in nine games and the Yankees have lost 8 of them.
The long man on any team is brought in when the starter falters…and they are usually behind when this happens.
Why isn’t Girardi sitting Cano? The guy is stinking up the place big time. Maybe he needs to ride the pine for a few days to get his mind straight.
That stat you gave about Ohlendorf is more a product of when/how the Yankees used him than how he has pitched. Sure, he has stunk the last two games, but he has pretty much been the mop up guy this season. I don’t think he deserves that, he has pitched well enough to earn a promotion to the set up role rather than taking the bullet day after day, pitching for 3-4 innings. That should be Rasner or Karstens. IMO, Ohlendorf would be better than Farnsworth and Hawkins in the set up role.
Although I’m a frequent reader, I rarely post anymore as there is entirely too much negativism and calling for heads recently, it is tough to get a word of sanity in.
I look at it a couple of ways, one, the Yankees are just a team built for the long term and it takes them a while to warm up, they are a 2H team. Second, they are going in the right direction with the ground-swell of talent they are developing in the MiL, and third, even though I follow the game closely, I venture to say Joe G and Cash know a h*ll of a lot more than I do about what’s going on, so I don’t get hung up over something like a lineup decision.
Pete didn’t question the line-up…he just pointed out Matsui wasn’t hurt but was sitting on a hit streak. Nowhere up there did Pete say Matsui should be playing in place of someone else. No need to read into things or make things out of nothing.
SJ – this board would complain out the width of the pinstripes on the uniforms, if the Yanks released that information.
4 game win streak starts right now ! 16-13 entering May is not Super…but we’ll take it….right ?
.
the ACE, Wanger, MOWS ‘em DOWN today !
The Yanks haven’t released this yet…but the reason Matsui is sitting, in addition to being 0 for today’s starter, is that he needs rest because his new bride kept him up late last night….
….nagging him about getting rid of his porn collection she found in a storage box in the closet behind some old game bats.
I would like to have Ganzalez in 2B rather than Robbie Cano. That means one more right hand hitter.
Hawkins should be the mop up guy. He’s a veteran, doesn’t over power anyone, and when he throws strikes can get some ground-balls. Ohlendorf’s pitches have flattened out, usually that happens when you’re arm drops down and you don’t get on top of the ball. This is ALWAYS a product of being over-tired. I don’t think they stretched Ohlendorf enough in the spring to be the long-man, and stretching him out on the job is a terrible idea, we’re all seeing the results.
MANNINGHAM DROPS TO MY GIANTS !!! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS !
LOL, Pete, you lose. Your Ohlendorf comment fails. Nice attempt to stir up discussion on your blog though.
I assume the desired response would have been “OMG OHLENDORF IS TEH WORST GET HIM OUT OF THERE!!!!!!!11″
Nope. Not so much.
“Pete should start using his own link feature LOL. He’s usually the one who starts questioning the lineup as he did today about sitting Matsui:-)”
Absolutely, Pete just can not hide his hatred for Girardi and love for Torre. Unlike the bloggers, a journalist has to rise above such non-sense.
On the other hand I also understand this blog is run for profit (see all those advertisements) and controversial posts/topics result in many more hits and posts, bringing more money to Journal News and possibly more bonus to Pete.
For those interested, Dodgers are doing just as good as (or slightly worse) than yanks though they did not face the same issues (weather,…) as Yanks. That does not mean that Torre is a bad manager. It is too early in the season.
Hey all. Well we take our happiness where we can get it. I only wish I hadn’t left my house when the Sux were in the top of the 8th and could have seen their dugout when Bucholz gave up the dinger that won the game for the Rays. Or watched Troy Percival get the last three outs and “Tek” strike out swinging. Oh well.
In my ideal world, when you have runners on the corners and one out, and you’re playing for a potential winning run, you fly that sucker to the outfield and score the winning run. Let the ball be caught, just score the run.
Okay, where is the fallacy in my scenario if there is one. And is it apparently easier said than done? That always seems like a no brainer to me. What is wrong with my logic.
That’s ridiculous…Pete doesn’t hate Girardi.
“this board would complain out the width of the pinstripes on the uniforms, if the Yanks released that information.”
Honestly I usually see one post complaining about the lineup, and then multiple posters jumping in to complain about how negative the board has become.
In this case Betsey asked about Matsui but then she quickly thanked SJ for pointing out the link feature and very nicely apologized for her complaint. I don’t really see negativity.
Westerner99,
Good points!! Well played!! lol
They sat Cano yesterday. You can’t sit him everyday.
As bad as he is going, you also can’t show you don’t have any confidence in him. You do that, and a bad stretch becomes a much longer funk for a player.
Of all the guys struggling, he’s the one guy you have above and beyond to keep in there and show you believe in him.
Why? Two reasons. First, he’s young and young guys can really go deep into a funk if they sense the manager has lost faith in him.
Two, when right, he is the best pure hitter on the team.
Sometimes, a guy like Cano gets right against a good, lefty pitcher like CC. He will tend to stay back more and shoot the ball the other way. His best stroke when he is on.
A lot of lefty hitters believe they have a better chance of breaking out of slumps for that reason.
We also have our own Big Hurt. Losing Bruney. Not every arm is automatically replaceable on its own level.
Losing Bruney REALLY sucked, and at least in the short run I think we’re going to see just how much. We already are.
What is the rule with Rasner….he isn’t on the 40 man roster so we can’t call him up?
Although I give Cano every chance to right himself and build up his confidence,, in a key situation, with the bases loaded and needing a hit to bust the game open, I have to go with Matsui.
Dee – check any game thread…if you only see one post complaining about the line-up…I’ll buy you a car of your choosing.
However, if you find more than one post complaining about the line-up, you owe me a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com.
Deal?
If you call up Rasner, you have to put him on the 40-man roster.
You talk about a guy who needs a day off- talk Melky. He looked completely lost yesterday especially at the plate. I wonder if he’s fighting the flu..
(sniff-sniff-sniff) I smell a breakout game by Alex.
interesting lineup. Weird seeing Ensberg at DH though. I understand you want to sit some lefties because a left is pitching, and even though Hideki is hot, Damon is hotter…but why not DH Shelley and play Ensberg at first? Ensberg seems better defensively while Shelley seems to be a better DH type. Oh well, guess they just want shelley to get work in at 1st base.
i haven’t been reading the comments so i don’t know how much this was talked about, but i was watching the video of umpire Kerwin Danley getting knocked out by a Brad Penny fastball. Crazy stuff, hopefully he’ll be all right. what blows my mind though is the Dodger’s broadcaster during that game goes “that ball was in the dirt and bounced up and hit him”….the ball was way high and pretty much went straight for Danley. it didn’ come withing 4 feet of the dirt…lol. good eye dude.
There’s negativity everywhere. I post on NYYFans.com and there is a thread asking if the Yankees have forgotten how to compete? Well, I understand the venting part – it’s incredibly frustrating to see a team this talented offensively go into a collective slump yet again. However, to question a team’s (or an individual athlete’s) competitiveness is the worst kind of an insult to that team or athlete because it casts doubts as to whether that team/player is putting up the effort. I will never accuse the Yankees of not trying – maybe in my immediate frustration I will because that’s just how passionate I get about baseball, but never in my calm, rational moments. The team may be playing lousy and really dumb, but they care a lot… I’m sure they are a thousand times more frustrated than we are even if they don’t go ballistic in the clubhouse (which is ok by me – I don’t need to see temper tantrums to believe they care).
“What is the rule with Rasner….he isn’t on the 40 man roster so we can’t call him up?”
Yes.
However, when they decide to bring him up, they can move Bruney to 60 day list.
You know what the great thing is in my opinion. After today we have basically survived with minimal damage the hardest part of our schedule. Being on the road for 18 of the last 20, the worst weather period of the year.
Starting tomorrow we are back home, the team is in their own beds no need to go from plane to plane, hotel to hotel etc.
IN addition I think this month has shown the organization a lot about the players on the roster, what we have, what we need.
I have said this before I think one of the more interesting things going forward is what happens to Betemit. I know he is a Cashman fav but if Alberto GOnzalez can play all the infield positions which he has shown thus far (not first of course but we have plenty of those) not quite sure what having Wilson here does other than being a lefty with some pop off the bench (we all know he cant hit from the right side).
If there are no other options regarding 40-man roster moves, and the need for Rasner to get on one, then the guy that may get pushed is Scott Patterson, too many other short relievers ahead of him right now in the pecking order.
I’d bring him up and send O down and also tell O that this is not a reflection of how well he has pitched but what they need right now.
21,
I think the play with using Cano in that situation was positional. If you use Matsui to PH for Gonzalez, you have to put Cano into the game anyway for Gonzalez the next inning.
That would have caused them to use 2 players to make one move.
By using Cano, you only use 1 player to make the move, while still having Matsui available on the bench.
JMO but, I don’t think you want to play shorthanded the rest of the way, in case the game went into extra innings.
That’s the thing about in game moves. That manager has to anticipate certain scenarios even if they don’t come into play.
Westerner99
April 27th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
If you call up Rasner, you have to put him on the 40-man roster.
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
DFA Sean Henn or put Brian Bruney on the 60-day DL.
BBFan – they don’t have to make any moves to add someone to the 40, they are at 39 and have an open slot.
Westerner99,
No one’s ever offered to buy me a car before!
Thanks but no deal. I’m not here to pick fights and I often enjoy your posts. I just wanted to put a positive spin on things because sometimes all the talk about the negativity on the board could become self-fulfilling prophecy.
All I know is we’re gonna win a game today. Go Yanks!
Pete you don’t want to blame Jetes but you falsely blame Ohlendorf ?
April 2nd vs Tor, Mussina loss that game and Ohlendorf didn’t allow a run
April 4th Kennedy 2 1/3-inning and Ohlendorf pitched 1 inning of that game scoreless
April 5th Andy sucked 2IP 1 ER from Ross
April 8th Hughes sucked went 3 IP and everyone was squeezed
April 13th Hughes in Boston this time and Ohlendorf kept us in that game
April 16th we won 15-9 and Wang imploded in that game
April 19th Kennedy gets bat shy again and Ross’s poor arm is getting abused
April 24th rain delay, rain delay and Ross is spent from the innings he has thrown prior
April 26th SPENT, DRAINED ! and if Jetes gets a single or a FO to RF we win this game w/ Mo closing it out.
yeh it was Ross’s fault
“BBFan – they don’t have to make any moves to add someone to the 40, they are at 39 and have an open slot.”
You are right. I forgot Moeller’s DFA.
Dee – I know you weren’t picking a fight. I was trying to make a light-hearted attempt to point out that I agree with you that the board is negative and it would be more pleasant without the daily “Girardi doesn’t know what he is doing with the line-up” posts that we see.
SJ, I thought this point before I posted (2 players, 1 move), I still would have inserted Matsui, got to get a hit in that situation, no time to wait on Cano, game changing moment,, if it goes to extra innings, I still have Abreu as a reserve OF
I believe there is a spot open cause Chad Moller was dfa.
Anyone notice late in the game yesterday the FOX replay of Posada’s reaction after trying to throw out a runner? Posada clearly grimaced and muttered “OUCH”.
Keep an eye on this today – Indians should be running on Wang any chance they get.
Also i don’t really see the relevance of your last comment about Ohlendorf Pete, about the Yankees lost 8 of the 9 games he pitched in. yeah, no kidding. that’s what happens when you’re used as a mop up guy when your starter absolutley bombs. now out of those 9 games in which he appeared, find out how many of them he came into while the Yankees were in the lead. that was a silly, misleading comment.
I’m not a fan of Girardi’s line ups thus far. Hideki needs to be the DH today and Bobby should have been in it yesterday.
Brandon – Pete never said it was Ollie’s fault. All he said was that Ollie was in a lot of games where the Yankees lost. How do you know he wasn’t trying to point out that Ollie is used in the wrong type of situations? By saying he appears in a lot of losses, Pete could be implying that Ollie could be better utilized.
Folks are projecting feelings into Pete’s posts both with Matsui and Ollie. Maybe Pete meant it what you are inferring or maybe not.
“Ross Ohlendorf has appeared in nine games. The Yankees have lost eight of them.”
In how many of those games Yankees were leading or tied when he came in. This is another example of misrepresenting stats – whether intentionally or not.
edit…meant what you…
Regarding the Sherman article:
That was a very good article…….but like what happened when Phil struggled, you just know that the mediots are going to blast the Yankees when Joba struggles. Oh well – that’s their problem. I’m fairly certain scouts know more about baseball than they do.
Fortunately for the Yankees, they have Joba AND Phil in their rotation. If they both develop like we hope, it will be very interesting to watch them pitch back to back for years; they have such different styles and I imagine it will be tough for teams to have to face them. At least, that’s how it plays out in my dreams.
the eason is over the yanks are 2.5 out and have played more road games then anyone else.
fire girardi and trade everyone.. That is the logic on this site..I am not a big fan of Ensberg, slow, big K guy, etc. but Girardi is smarter then me so I will take his decision.
Yeah the Orioles are going to win the division, sure…..
Jeter did not bunt(suicide) because they need an out to score… A suicide queeze would have been a stupid decision..People on this site really are clueless….
Ohlmendorf’s ineffectiveness is traced to two things; work and overwork. His overwork is traced to two things; inability of SP to go beyond 5+ and a tactical decision by Cash and Joe to hold off on long-relief guy (like a Rasner or Igawa) for the time being- hence it fell into O’s lap, and he bit the bullet for the team.
Only a moron would consider Ohlmendorf as largely ineffective. If he is used for 1 inning or so, he is lights out, anything more, he struggles. Girardi has been stuck between a rock/hard place, so has had to use him.
O will be ok and the Yankees will right this ship, it just may take longer that we want.
Hey brandon manningham is kind of short isn’t he? I know Steve Smith was real good for a while there but get me some 6′5″ guys with that 4.6 speed and im happier than a guy who is 5′11″ and can run 4.5.
The Rasner situation brings up interesting issues if you are the Yankees.
Kennedy did right himself a bit yesterday. But, he is still very tentative out there and that’s a problem. Mainly because they aren’t hitting and unfortunately that means the younger guys have to be able to go deeper into games and keep them close early. A lot of pressure to put on young pitchers.
I don’t know, I go back and forth on the issue. For right now, do you call up Rasner and put him in the rotation for Kennedy or keep running Kennedy out there?
A veteran pitcher finds ways of going deeper into games. A younger guy? He’s still feeling his way around.
Its a tough question made tougher by the fact the team isn’t hitting. I don’t know what the correct move should be in this case.
Betsy, I have to be honest. When I read people write posts that start with, “Have the Yankees forgotten how to compete”, I just laugh.
That’s the stuff 12 year olds or drunks write. Not people with any idea of how professional athletes are wired.
Having been around professional athletes for most of my career, I can tell you VERY, VERY few mail it in. These guys ALL compete. They may not get the results fans or themselves desire at a given time, but “forgetting how to compete” is not the issue.
Take Jason Giambi for instance. He’s not had a good start to the season. That said, do you think its because he’s “forgotten how to compete”, or is not competing at all? Of course not. He’s busting his butt. He’s just not getting results.
If one looks this season objectively so far, I don’t think the Yankees are “forgetting” how to compete.
They aren’t hitting. That’s not a “forgetting how to compete”. That’s not executing. A big difference.
When folks write that stuff, which they are certainly entitled to write, it tells me they have neither ever played the game or have ever been around players, except for autograph seeking purposes.
If anything, these guys are competing too hard and trying to do too much to right the ship. That sometimes leads to deeper slumps.
There are no instant answers to a lot of things that happen with a team. If there were, they would be fixed at the snap of a finger. You just have to hope they have a few breakout games offensively soon.
That tends to relax everybody and their natural talents tend to take over after that.
Some of you guys are really amazing for bashing Berek Jeter becuase he banged into a DP. Gee, if he only hit a “topper” down third base or popped up or struck out it would have been much, much better, huh? Derek Jeter is one of the better clutch hitters with runners in scoring position. That said, a great clutch hitter gets a hit every 3 or 4 times out of ten. A batter goes up to the plate with the mindset of (a) getting a good pitch to hit and (b) hitting the ball squarely and hard. Sometimes its not wise to try and elevate a pitch, depending on its location in the strike zone. Jeter did what he was supposed to do – hit the ball squarely and hard. The difference between a hard ground ball or line drive base hit and an out is a matter of inches sometimes. That’s baseball. All you can do as a batter is make good contact, which Jeter does better than most others.
Another hitter who annually leads or is close to the top in most DPs hit into is…. Manny Ramirez. I guess he’s “overrated” too!
Jeter overrated? Some of you should be ashamed to call yourselves Yankee Fans.
Check out our pitching at AAA.
http://scrantonwilkesbarre.yan.....p;sid=t531
Now discuss who should come up and who shouldn’t.
Wow. Got so excited I typed Derek’s Surname wrong.
My apologies!
I would love to have Bonds on the team if we didn’t have giambi… and matsui…. and damon… There’s just no room for him here.
Trisha – the only problem with the minor league stats are that the relievers haven’t thrown that many innings and the sample size is very small.
I’d go more on who is used in what situations and how they are throwing versus the stats, at this point.
Interesting move by Cleveland, to send down Sowers – after the game that he pitched yesterday, and he did a good job – to bring up an outfielder. Makes me wonder if Sizemore hurt his ankle on that play at second late yesterday. Does anyone know if Sizemore is in the lineup today?
There is one thing you can definitively say about Giambi…he works hard at his craft. That guy spends as much time in the cage and in the gym as A-Rod. Regardless of his past steroids use, he is a work horse.
Rob NY, Manningham is the 2nd best athlete at WR in this draft, he fell to the Giants because he lied about drug use in his past. I compare his athletic ability and early route running to Santana Moss he has the knack for the big play. I wanted either him or Jerome Simpson , I’m love that we got him would have gone ecstatic if Jerome Simpson would have fallen to us. Oh well that and I’m sorry about my rant Pete I’m more pissed that your Pats took the LB I wanted in Shawn Crable
I enjoy it greatly when I post statistics, just black and white statistics, and people decide I have an agenda.
The simple fact is that (counting today), the Yankees have used 23 lineups in 26 games. Half the time has beeen because of injuries or whatever, the other of the time is because Girardi is tinkering. Whether that is good or bad, we’ll find out. It’s fair to say it’s a topic of conversation, no? It certainly is in the clubhouse among the players.
Ross Ohlendorf is not to blame for anything. I’m just pointing out the role he is in.
People need to calm down. I’m just posting a few statistics.
I think Kennedy bought himself another start. He showed me something regaining composure, something he had no semblance of in the 2nd inning.
Sooner or later, the guys with talent, look at themselves in the mirror and remind themselves of how they got there and stop looking at every ML hitter as Arod or Manny. Hopefully, Kennedy has done this, hopefully he has kicked himself in the butt and told himself he can do it… If he has, I do not send him down, I give him another game or so to show me thats the case.
“Check out our pitching at AAA.
http://scrantonwilkesbarre.yan.....p;sid=t531
Now discuss who should come up and who shouldn’t.”
Scott Patterson does not look like the to be called up!!!!!!
Western99,
Thanks:-)
But seriously, I’m still really excited about Girardi and I hope most fans are too. I’d like to see him more relaxed and patient when he answers tough questions after losses, but in terms of the lineup changes, I think April is the time to get creative with the lineup to see what works. Who knows, maybe pushing Matsui down to bat 8th early in the season was what lit a fire under Godzilla. Maybe batting Cano today against CC after benching him yesterday is what it’s gonna take to dig him out of his slump.
I trust Girardi with his judgment especially after seeing the way he handled Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez in Florida and watching him in the booth last year. He is very strategic about working with each player’s unique style and temperament. I think there are behind-the-scene insight he has about the players that we don’t know.
Wang really really has to step up today. i mean, he has to be ace-like in every sense of the word. the way he was in that first start against Boston. Andy really let us down the other day and the offense yesterday, with leaving so many guys on base yet again.
I just hope today isn’t like friday, where the New York state of mind is get an early 3-0 lead and then lose. (friggin Rangers went up 3-0 on the Pens and eventually lost 5-4.) Yanks and Rangers both play again today, and there’s nothing worse than when not only do the Yankees lose but another one of your favorite teams loses too…those are crappy days.)
Let’s go Tampa Bay Rays!
SJ44, you are so right. This is what I wrote in my response:
What you’re describing is a lack of execution; that is a completely different thing than not competing. I don’t think the Yankees are guilty at all of not caring; maybe they aren’t smart on the basepaths all the time or possibly aggressive enough and maybe they have bad at bats, but this team is trying. It’s always going to look bad when your offense is slumbering, but as frustrated as I am, I will never, ever accuse my team of not caring.
The original poster than claimed the Yankees are the team that most often does not execute – my response also follows:
Still, IMO, when someone uses the term “not competing” in relation to an athlete, it means that they aren’t caring enough or putting in the effort. If you (meaning anyone in general) wants to say they aren’t executing, then say they aren’t executing. Maybe it’s semantics, but “not competing” just means something different to me. As to your comment about the Yankees not executing more than most other teams, I can’t agree with that. There were 8 teams that made the playoffs last year, including the Yankees. Therefore, every other team executed poorly more often than the Yankees did. There are teams with worse records than the Yanks have now, so they are not executing as well as the Yankees. The Sox are only two games ahead in the loss column and they apparently blew a late inning lead tonight. That’s not executing and they have lost 4 in a row. In the end, I completely understand your frustration. I am dealing with it by trying not to take every loss so personally – and trying to put some emotional distance between the myself and the game. It’s better than giving myself ulcers (end)
**I’m torn on Kennedy, too. I do give him credit for righting the ship yesterday, but if he’s really still pitching scared, then he doesn’t belong up here yet. Ian’s claim to fame, his ticket to the majors, is supposed to be his uncanny control. He’s not showing that thus far – in fact, his control has been just terrible. 105 pitches in 5 innings isn’t going to get it done. Even though he settled down, I still think it might be the right move to option him to Scranton. Ian is a ML pitche – he can get guys out – but he needs to get back to what makes him special. His stuff otherwise isn’t enough to make him successful.
On the pre-game:
Joba is available. Yesterday was a second planned day off.
He did feel his hamstring grab but he is ok to pitch today..
Can’t say I know anything about the guy other than the free write up from ESPN so i’ll take your word for it. Just know that I for one am a fan of the taller WR who can get some separation get up and just reach over guys. But then again Sinorice Moss is shorter than manningham and he is dam good so maybe im just biased because I played with taller WRs. lol
Joe – Sizemore is out. He hurt his ankle yesterday.
Westerner, I understand what you’re saying about AAA. Maybe sometimes you just go with the hot hand? That said, I am probably the only one who still supports Kei Igawa. I looked at the stats for his last several games, and is was pretty disheartening.
RobNY – when people refer to cancers in a clubhouse I can’t think of a bigger one than Bonds. There is nothing that recommends him to me as any part of a team.
I’m not sure that I’m a fan of Joe constantly tinkering with the lineup – he may be too smart for his own good. I can see how it would appear that he’s panicking off of each and every game, which is maybe why it’s a topic of conversation in the clubhouse?
That’s one thing that is worrying me about Joe – if he’s getting testy with the media and can’t handle losing a few games (which even the best teams in history will), that doesn’t look good to the players. Maybe they’re thinking that their manager is panicking……..and then a sense of panic sets in amongst themselves. Every manager hates to lose, but Joe needs to deal with it better
Just a feeling but I think we will get to Sabbathia today.
GO YANKEES!
“we will get to Sabbathia today”
It’s past mid-day, but keep dreaming.
Trisha – I think the Yanks will win today as well. By the way you must be upset that Ortiz is out of the line-up for Boston again today!!!
Well, one way or another, I will probably see Rasner pitch today, so I’ll figure out a way (probably through a text message chain) to let you all know how Rasner does.
Trish – I’d love to know the thought process behind the call-ups the Yanks make. Maybe SJ or Chad Jennings knows. My guess is Cashman gets advice from Miley and Chaves, talks about needs with Girardi, then Cashman makes the call.
This team needs to start to step it up. We can’t have so much pressure on the starting pitching. On the road we need our pitchers to come to the mound with a lead.
Betsy – listen to the audio…I heard Girardi question the question….but he didn’t raise his voice nor did his voice go up an octave (which it does when he is angry). I don’t know where they are suggesting he got testy…must have happened when the recorder was off.
Bonds is an OBP machine, he and A-Rod are friends, our offense is in the toilet at the moment, and it could use some help. Everyone doesn’t like his personality which is fine but he is a baseball legend, and could help the offense better than any other player available. I know he isnt the answer because of how this roster is constructed but if I could somehow exchange Bonds for Giambi by asking the baseball gods to have mercy I would do it in a heartbeat.
Despite him being a ‘cancer’. I’ve been in a lot of locker rooms as an athlete and I understand that one guy can kill an entire team’s attitude but I also believe if the team as a whole has its own personality it can bring a bad attitude guy around. I guess the question is do you think that the veterans on this team would let Barry come in and set the tone, or would they make him a part of whatever theyre doing.
Quite a bit of line up tinkering was caused by the injuries to Jeter, Arod, Posada, Molina,…. and giving days off to the guys given there were no off days in the early going. I do not find it abnormal given the circumstances. Now that every one seems healthy and tough part of the schedule coming to an end, I expect fewer line up changes going forward.
I think Joe is giving Morgan a shot to do something positive ASAP b/c he’s close to getting cut. Alberto passed him on the depth chart at 3rd and Shelly passed him at 1st. Once Wilson B comes off the DL they will have to choose between the two. I say cut Enseberg who’s still living off his Juiced stats.
Rob Ny
WR Mario Manningham – Mich
Rob – read the recent Bonds’ books that have come out. This guy has been a clubhouse cancer from day 1. Read about how his college team voted to get rid of him. Read about his legion teams couldn’t stand him. There is a long, long history with this guy.
Bonds is not going to change.
Bonds is obviously being black balled or he’d be signed already.
Rob: Thing is, Bonds would be such a media distraction it wouldn’t be worth it. If you think the attention on A-Rod is bad, multiply by about 100 and it won’t come close to what Bonds ill get.
It’s money we really don’t need to throw down the toilet. Especially not in April. Let’s at least get to Memorial Day before we consider such a panic move.
Thanks for the video brandon, he looks good. It’s weird when you start to see guys who are younger than you getting drafted into the pros. I’m 22 and it blows my mind lol Yeah if manningham is a deep ball guy he should have a field day playing with Eli since throwing the ball deep is one of the better things he does.
“Alberto passed him on the depth chart at 3rd and Shelly passed him at 1st.”
Not sure this statement is true.
Gonzalez is a glove guy. Ensberg is a RH bat off of the bench. Different types. A-Rod is not going to sit that often. The question is really who do you want at 1B or as a RH pinch hitter off of the bench: Ensberg or Duncan? Both are similar except that Ensberg can back up third while Duncan can play the OF corners. Spelling Abreu or Matsui or Damon would appear to be more valuable, all things being equal.
Ok here is my problem re Matsui sitting, does Girardi look ahead for upcoming pitchers stats vs. the Yankees? If he did he would have known that he would be sitting Matsui today, therefore he should have played him yesterday and sat Giambi. And yes I realize Giambi was coming off a two HR game. So now the hottest hitter on the team gets two days off in a row.
I like the lineup today, and not to single out one player but Cano needs to pick it up big time, just get two meaningful hits today.
“Go to a Giants blog to discuss your football krap”
mind your own business
Bonds has not played in a competitive game since last September.
If any team signed him now, its 4-6 weeks before he is ready and that’s an aggressive schedule.
He can’t just show up tomorrow and hit.
Where does he play with the Yankees? At this point in his career, with his bad knees, he’s strictly a DH. The Yankees already have enough DH’s on the team.
There also is this little matter of a contract. Bonds isn’t looking to take a pay cut to play MLB. He has said as much himself in his MLB.com interviews.
He’s not a fit here. In essence, you are paying a guy, and a controversial one at that, 15-18 million dollars to be ready to play on June 10. And that is if he is indeed ready at that time.
You then have to sit the guy who right now (Matsui) is the best hitter on the team.
It makes no sense for the Yankees to sign Bonds which is why they won’t.
And before somebody comes back with the Clemens argument from last year, how well did that work out?
You don’t make the same mistakes twice just to show you can.
“Trisha – I think the Yanks will win today as well. By the way you must be upset that Ortiz is out of the line-up for Boston again today!!!”
RobNY, another reason I don’t want Bonds anywhere near us is because he is a fraud and a liar. I believe in baseball karma and think we’ve been getting a little of it due to the steroid people who were with us in out better times. Don’t need any more bad luck.
I really want an even playing field for all of baseball and am dead set against users of banned substances. At least our current “past users” admitted to their use and have hopefully sincerely repented their past use. In Bonds you have a liar who continues to lie.
Not Yankee material in my eyes.
With the double play in yesterday’s game, Alberto proved to be FAR more valuable at 3rd the Morgan. Morgan has been awful fielding and throwing. Since he’s not training with Rog and Mac any more his bat has slowed down drastically.
Manningham got a 6 on the Wonderlic test right? And the pot issues? Well, we will see. Maybe Amani can provide some guidance to this kid.
Go Wang! Let’s get a win today. Enough with all of this losing business
Webmaster must be a Patriots Fan!
CGAR – comparing Ensberg to Gonzalez is comparing apples and oranges. As I said above, a more apt comparison is Ensberg to Duncan.
Ensberg and Gonzalez are not in competition for a roster spot…they are two different types of player. One a defensive IF and the other a corner bat.
Wilson isn’t coming off the dl any time soon.
ugh. TBS. they were HORRIBLE in the playoffs last year, and i think they have something like a 7 year deal to show postseason games too…they better show big improvement, they were awful last year..
Has anyone entertained the idea that it may be Cashman behind the injury secrecy? If I recall correctly, he seemed extremely irritated that Torre shared the “Joba Rules” last year.
Shifting gears, it has been painful to watch this team lately. There are, however, many positives. I have complete faith in Girardi & Cash, who seem to work as a team much more than when Torre was manager. We have a much better bench than this time last year. Ensberg, Shelly, Gonzales, and Molina are all guys you can root for. While our bullpen is overworked, it looks better than April 2007 and Mo is pitching like he did 5 years ago. Wang and Pettite are as dependable as ever. And lastly, I am still confidant that Hughes will be great and IPK will be very good.
Let’s go Yanks!
I hope we see a playoff style game today and a low scoring affair. The exact opposite of what these two aces gave us in Game 1.
Bryan Kehl yes that ’s my sleeper pick !!!
Posada just scratched….WTF
So this is how the Indians are screwing us up!!
Yankees’ Bruney May Miss the Season
By TYLER KEPNER
April 26, 2008
Good morning, everyone.
Looking forward to a good outing by Wang and a great game by the Yankees.
Game on TBS, right?
You guys are talking about Bonds? He’s not being blackballed. He’s not signed because he’s got legal problems.
Nice of Chip Caray to acknowledge the road schedule.
He’ll never be a Yankee. Every homerun that he hits puts the record further away for Alex. All parties involved have a lot running on the HR record chase.
Still, dude can hit. Gotta respect that.
oh hooray more injuries. right after we DFA moeller too.
Gonzalez and Ensberg are both options at 3rd so therefore can be compared. Duncan and Ensberg are both options at 1st and can be compared. I’m just saying with the addition of Gonzalez and Shelley there will be no need for Ensberg once Wilson comes off the DL.
Posada was scratched. No word yet as to why. Shoulder?
Why was Posada scratched? Anyone know?
Pete, I thought the same thing about the placement of Shelley and Ensberg. I guess Girardi wants to see what Shelley can do at 1B, incase Giambi continues to perform so poorly they might want to think about making Shelley a regular 1Bmen.
Pete -any update on why Posada was scratched?
I wonder what is wrong with Posada.
Hope nobody claims Moeller. Can the Yanks bring him back if no one claims him?
Brian,
You may be right. While Ensberg will remain a backup, Shelly may start to regularly platoon with Giambi at 1st.
because he is old and hurt his shoulder throwing out sizemore yesterday. There was a twinge after the throw… watched his face on the replay.
atta boy Johnny. he’s scorching hot lately….now we just need the rest of the lineup to drive him in already.
I knew you’d like that Sherman article, CB. What bothers me about it is that Sherman didn’t reveal that he has advocated retaining Joba in the bullpen. It’s was intellectually disingenuous of Sherman not to let the reader know.
Doing so would have dispelled the reader’s potential suspicion that Sherman, like everyone else who has opined on the issue, was either trying to subtantiate a preexisting opinion or to advance his agenda.
No Matsui 2 days in a row is unacceptable. Stats or no stats. lefty. righty. whatever.
The guy hits in the middle of our lineup. He drives in runs. He’s one of our top hitters. You just don’t sit a guy like this 2 days in a row.
Its absurd.
Matt Morris was released….Yankees take a chance with him?
They are making such a big deal about CC’s last start, but it was against KC. They are low grade.
Too bad about DFAing Moeller.
Jeter sees Sabathia’s ball really well. I’m impressed.
Is there something wrong with my TV or does the TBS audio sound weird to anyone else? It sounds…echoey. like they’re broadcasting in a big metal box.
Anyone else hearing strange audio from TBS? It’s very echoey.
Great, now with posada out we have another day of 3 regular productive players riding the pine.
Since our offense is such a machine these days that seems like a great idea.
Joe Girardi for president !!!
God, I hate Buck Martinez.
i guess we answered eachother, Laura.
They’re playing Duncan at first so he’ll congratulate any Indian hitter that gets on base (and probably end up sending them to the DL)
Good thing we DFA’d Moeller!
See my earlier post about FOX’s close-up of Posada’s throw to second late in the game yesterday – it definitely hurt Jorge – he clearly said “OUCH” and grimaced after the throw.
Posada was scratched? Wonderful. Most grist for the conspiracy mill.
Yesterday Mike and the Moron reported that “people” believe that Posada suffered a major injury to his shoulder, requiring surgery, but wants to play through the season with it, so that Yankees are concealing the severity of the injury.
Jennifer, I’m not a big bible freak but when I read your post about nothing going right, some bible passage immediately came to mind and so I googled it to get it right.
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
With all of the talent on our Yankees, I really do believe our weeping will be very temporary.
GO YANKEES!
Yes, Brian. I see that. Hopefully, TBS will fix the problem.
Who are these people?
A-Rod is so due.
“He’ll never be a Yankee. Every homerun that he hits puts the record further away for Alex. All parties involved have a lot running on the HR record chase.”
Bonds could play for another 5 years and A Rod will still catch him.
Like I said yesterday, if Damon or Matsui goes down for the year, Bonds should be the first guy they call. Forget character issues. Forget the “clubhouse probelsm”. Veteran team. Motivated player chasing records humbled by not having a single team want him. He’ll take less that 15MM. Thinking he will demand that kind of money is absurd. Even Bonds understands he’s not worth that anymore. I’d offer him a 5MM deal…. bet he’d take it.
trisha -
I hope so.
This is why it’s so hard to get excited about the season – the injuries are just putting a real damper on it for me. Jorge’s problem sounds like it’s a real issue and probably will linger all season. Sigh.
Kill Schill,
I’ve heard that rumor about Posada. I think Olney was speculating that Posada might not catch for the rest of the year a few weeks ago.
I hated designating Moeller, though the Yanks really were in a bind. The only alternative to get the pitchers up here would have been sending AG down, but then they’d be left without an adequate 2B back-up.
Trisha stop quoting from the bible. this isn’t church.
Leave that crap for some other forum.
Shelley looks like he is swinging for the fences.
miggs grow up.
Well, at least we got him to throw a lot of pitches.
I was wondering how much IPK and Phil Hughes were impacted by run support last year.
Last year, Ian got little run support in 2 of his 3 excellent starts.
But in Hughes’ 5 wins, the Yanks run totals were: 10, 6, 9, 8 and 3. He was 1-3 when the Yanks scored less than 5 runs.
Bottom line: it’ll be nice when we can get them some runs and a little slack
so bad at bat by shelley… should have taken the first pitch and would have had runners at 2nd and 3rd.. Sabbathia was too slow to the plate…
then watching 3rd strike….
Everyday with this offense… when does it all change?
Hey Pete
Ensberg has played 1 game at 1B (prior to this seaon) in the last 4 years so maybe that’s why Duncan is at first.
I guess the facts don’t when you’re looking to dump on the manager.
ugh, offense is sickening right now. shell had a year to hit that ball
brian cashman is an organizational genius the way he puts a team together , especially the ways he designs it to hit the ground running each opening day.
sorry folks… i couldn’t resist.
Just a thought, didn’t someone mention that the flu bug has bitten the Yankees. Fingers crossed that the bug bit Jorge and he felt too ill to play.
That’s why you don’t hit Duncan after Arod. Why should they pitch to Arod when there is a AAA hitter on deck ?
And the Yankees futility on offense continues. Too bad Shelley the savior couldn’t drive a run.
So much for Shelley being a savior………
Jennifer don’t tell me how to act.
This isn’t a “Followers of Christ” blog.
Its a Yankees blog.
You want to quote the scriptures, go to church.
Does anybody know – if Posada is hurt again and can’t catch, who do the Yankees have to bring in to back-up Molina?
Wang can’t pitch up in the zone like that
And here we go with Wang and his sinker up.
miggs, man. you post a lot of great things and have a lot to offer to the blog. just ignore trish if you can’t stand what she posts so much. i bet you wouldn’t have said that thing about not posting the bible stuff if anyone but trish said it. let it go.
Brian understood…..
But wouldn’t you agree…. wrong place wrong time?
I think Girardi and the Yankees are just seeing what they have in the RH bats and by the beginning of May will be able to determine what needs to be done.
miggs, i’m indifferent about it. i don’t really like relating things like religion and politics to things like sports but i’m not gonna get indignant if someone else does. i just won’t comment on it.
Wang wang wang…. this is not what we want to see.
How much do you have to pay someone to throw strikes? The Yankees seem to have some kind of strike-throwing psychosis, they just don’t want to do it. I don’t understand, don’t you want the inning over as quickly as possible? Stop trying to get guys to chase and challenge them in the freking strike zone, this Al Leiter crap is making my blood boil!
I know it’s been said before, but I’ll say it again:
You do not sit Matsui 2 days in a row…2 days in a row?
If you don’t like him against CC fine, play him yesterday at least…Are you saying that yesterday’s lefty is as good as CC?
does Cone understand Ohlendorf isn’t and hasn’t been preped as a long reliever, I mean jeez he’s giving some pot shots.
Apparently (per Ed Price’s blog), the Yankees are not going to say anything about the reason for Jorge’s scratch until after the game; sounds ominous to me.
Nice slider that AB. First pitch and 3rd strike both looked very nice.
Come on Wang, let’s get out of this jam.
Responding to an earlier post, I agree it would be great news if Posada simply had the flu.
If there is any truth to the severity of Posada’s shoulder injury needing surgery, well that’s not good. I’m thinking if the Yankees were concerned with that they would have kept Moeller. Hopefully.
But with this team you never know. Its all smoke and mirrors. Hopefully more info comes as the game progresses, but I won’t hold my breath.
Whats the difference between preparing someone as a long reliever and a starter? And we really can expect a major league analyst to really know much about the minor league system.
22 pitches for the Wanger there.
If Jorge had the flu, he wouldn’t have been in the lineup and the Yanks would have no problem announcing that as a reason for his scratch. No, I suspect it’s much more serious.
Nice K there to get out of the jam.
I guess we will see. On newsdays blog it said he was out there doing his normal routine.
it is not the flu bug that has bitten the Yankees, it is Old Age and futility
Cano. Ugly.
pepper I guess old has hit every team. Every single team has injuries.
I wasn’t worried about Jorge earlier. But now having Jason Zillo come out to comment about not commenting is actually making it a bigger deal. I hope it’s much ado about nothing.
score some runs boys
wow that pitch was high.
Yankees will not explain why till after the game?
A statement like that makes your mind run wild.
That pitch was way high. Sometimes I wonder if some umps just call it a strike to punish batters for not waiting for the call.
Not announcing the reason for Posada’s scratch until after the game can not be good news. As I asked before, with Moeller DFA’d, who would be the Yankees back-up catcher to Molina?
Ensberg is the back-up to Molina.
http://www.minorleagueball.com.....hil-hughes
From John Sickles – my favorite paragraph is :
So what is wrong with Hughes? I get panicked email from Yankees fans, asking if he was overhyped. No, he wasn’t overhyped. Yes, there is a problem with Hughes right now. He’s 21, practically skipped Triple-A, and is pitching for the New York Freaking Yankees. Cut the kid some slack. Indications are that his mechanics are a bit off right now , hampering his fastball command and probably the velocity too. As long as he remains healthy, I think there is a really good chance that Hughes will be just fine. Maybe he just needs some additional Triple-A time to regain his mechanical footing.
However, I don’t understand why Sickles keeps predicting that Phil will go down with a shoulder injury. Is there something about Phil’s delivery that screams “potential danger”? I don’t get it; I’ve always read that Phil has a perfect delivery – it’s repeatable, especially. I guess his mechanics are still up for debate, but I’ve never read that Phil was a major injury risk.
That sounds ominous about Posada. If its not, then the Yankees are being a bit too paranoid.
When you scratch your starting catcher two minutes before the start of a game, that’s news.
Its not out of line for the media to ask why.
If the Yankees aren’t more specific after the game, then IMO, the media has a beef with the ballclub.
They can give a generic answer. Such as, “shoulder soreness”, “upper body injury”, etc.
But, you have to say something. Not saying anything? Not professional, IMO.
you are correct. But those teams seem to be able to function.
Here is a question, why is it that injuries affect the Yankees more than any other team? Angels in 2002 had answers… Red Sox have answers…. Indians have answers… etc…
Every other team seems to get “picked up” by role players except the Yankees.
Just don’t understand.
Or perhaps being the Media Relations Director he may just read this blog. If thats the case and is aware of the cynicism due to the posted frustration with the lack of the Yankees being forthcoming with the exact nature/seriousness of player injuries? Just a thought.
The yankess are clever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They see some of these moroninc media guys blaming Girardi for not sharing the info about Posada’s injury and they put out a PR note telling them to take a hike. That is what happens when they overplay their hand.
Another reason could be not to publicise the injury, so that may be Moeller will slip through waivers.
sj maybe it is something personal? As in family?
Is Posada on the bench? Seems to me that this a family issue, and the team wanted him to get out of the stadium without being bothered. Similar to Joba.
“So much for Shelley being a savior…”
Amazing conclusion after one at-bat.
SJ or Westerner- I realize that Ensberg is the back-up. However, if it is a long term thing with Posada, who do the Yanks have to bring in having DFA’d Moeller?
It’s not out of line for the media to ask why, but I think this must a serious matter and the Yanks want to be sure they have all their ducks in a line before making a public statement. Now, if it ends up that Jorge was held out because of the flu or something relatively minor, then yes, the Yankees are being paranoid. More likely, this is a serious issue.
I think Pete was right a few days ago, they’re being paid by the pitch this year
What a catch by Duncan. What’s wang’s pitch count at?
Thank You Shelley!
Was Duncan’s foot on the bag?
The only thing that makes me think Posada’s injury is not something serious was what they did with Moeller. If his shoulder was worse than they said, Moeller would still be here. Of course, he could have aggravated the injury right before the game. Who knows?
You just signed your 36 year old catcher to a 4 year deal and his shoulder could be shot. That hurts. Posada may be at first base for the next 4 years. I’m sure that’s not what the Yankees anticipated when they gave him 52MM.
Giambi would never have made that play…he’s too short.
Nice job, Shelley!
No way Giambi makes that play.
How about THAT glove Peter Abraham?
uhhggghh what a horrible throw 2 straight days by Jetes
great play Shelley !
That a way Shelley!!
Giambi’s dive would have created a turf tsunami that would’ve caused riptide and engulfed Abreu!
Fran – if Cashman can’t get someone off of the scrap heap in a quick trade…my guess would be Stewart from Scranton. He’s not on the 40-man roster so he would have to be added.
I’m not sure what is going on with Moeller, however.
score some runs boys. c’mon
hitters need to start working the count a little bit more and get CC’s pitch count up
Ominous is the right word alright. Can someone explain how the waiver process works re Moeller? Does he have to wait 10 days until every team decides not to claim him? How much time does each team have to claim him? Can a team not claim him initially and then change it’s mind?
Wow. Well, any way you can get on base.
If Jorge has a serious shoulder injury, why would the Yankees DFA Moeller? Even the possibility of Jorge needing surgery would be reason to hold on to him, I’d think. John and Suzyn were wondering if it could be the flu that everyone seems to be getting, and Joe just trying to get a competitive advantage over Wedge. As Pete has observed, Joe does seem to be almost NFL-like with injury updates.
errors can be fun too
Then, its simple. Say its a personal issue and a statement would be forthcoming after the game.
The beat guys are all pros. They aren’t going to break confidences on stuff like that.
JMO but, its all about minimizing distractions with the Yankees. There is enough stuff that goes with the team on a daily basis. They shouldn’t get caught up on the small stuff.
Playing possum with injuries as a means to not give opponents an advantage is one thing. When the starting catcher is scratched two minutes before the game, that’s a big deal.
You can handle in so many ways. “Posada has (give a generic injury description), his availabilty in the game is questionable”.
Westerner -Thanks.
The waiver period lasts 72 hours…after that, the player is either a free agent or can accept a demotion, if offered. If Moeller passes through, he can be recalled in th event of an injury.
That was fast.
how long before Joe throws the water cooler I’m taking bets on this any takers ?
its official… Yankees can only score with a Home Run, bases loaded walk(not likely) or a double with a runner at 1st.
Any runners that qualify for RISP, should just get called out or make an out so they don’t have to stand there all inning.
Joe, what makes me very concerned now is that previously, Po had not complained of any pain – he just had kind of a dead arm. They DFA’d Chad because they assumed Jorge was going to be fine (no pain) and they really had no other options. Now, with his apparent grimace from yesterday, Po is feeling pain and it turns out that DFAing Chad was unfortunately premature.
This whole season has been a nightmare in every way possible.
that went by too quickly
brandon… I say 4 days.
Boy…Abreu is too tentative in the field.
why are the yankees hitters swinging at everything??
make CC work!!
we have gotta do what the Indian hitters are doing against Wang
Why is every team getting breaks? A pop up to short right field. and they get a double.
great and now the defense
go shelley.
he’s been playing at first everyday in scranton. i don’t know why pete abe anoints ensberg a 1st baseman when he’s played less than 5 games at that position
Ok someone said earlier that it isn’t that the Yankees are not competing but are just getting bad breaks…
What was that play? Lack of effort, bad break, bad positioning (assigned from the dugout)… or a combination.
I understand it was a bloop but c’mon… this team is functioning like 9 individuals right now.
Girardi says “we have to make an evaluation (on Jorge) and he’s day to day.”
c’mon Wang
Sweet play, Jeter.
There’s a break for us!
nice play by that “overrated” “given too much credit” shortstop.
Must have gotten lucky.
Giambi may have muffed that one, too.
Nice job Wang. Way to work out of that!
A bad break on a ball has nothing to do with not competing. Abreu got a bad break on the ball. It happens.
Their problem has nothing to do with not competing. Its that they aren’t playing well right now.
If they weren’t competing, they would be getting blown out every game.
We aren’t seeing that, are we?
Well Girardi’s comments take out the possibility of the flu or a personal issue.
An evaluation sounds like a trip to the DL.
Has moeller made it through waivers yet? Does anybody know?
How can Joe comment on it, if the game is in progress?
Michael Kay is a moron. He thinks every ball hit to the outfield is a home run.
if there is something wrong with Jorge when can re recall Chad?
Jennifer im watching the TBS feed and he spoke to the guys in the booth. That’s how I heard his comment.
Ah okay.
That last at bat from Ensberg was one of the worst displays of hitting I have ever seen.
Interesting that Joe made the comment after the Yankees press guy (is that who Zillo is) said nothing would be forthcoming until after the game. Po needs to go on the DL and sooner rather than later. I hope Moeller doesn’t get picked up……
Just 51 pitches for CC.
when oh when will we score a run..
when oh when will it beeeeeee..
Alright-back to work Wang
Neil – clearly you’ve never seen interleague play when AL pitchers have ABs.
Will somebody let Michael Kay know what “Dandy” Don Meredith used to say about “if’s” and “but’s”.
NOT good news as I suspected
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04.....ref=slogin
CLEVELAND — The Yankees’ injury troubles took another discouraging turn Sunday when Jorge Posada was a late scratch from the lineup with a recurrence of the shoulder problem that bothered him early this month. This time, the injury seems serious.
The Yankees said there would be no announcement until after the game, but Posada, who has a tear in his subscapularis muscle, is expected to visit Dr. James Andrews and will most likely be placed on the disabled list.
slider looks great today
CY Wang
Is Carlos Delgado Bronx bound? maybe a good backup 1st?
As long as Molina has a healthy hammy, the catching position will be fine if Posada goes on the DL. The Yankees will be losing some with the bat, but gaining some on the defensive side.
What is up with that loud music? Don’t they hear that?
Wow we are royally ** If we lose Jorge for any length of time
is anyone else hearign that music? what the hell is this
Thee straight strikeouts by Wang?!? Must be the music.
lol yeah Laura you hear that muzac?
Five K’s for the Wanger today, usually he strikes more people out in his bad outings but he is looking alright so far.
Carlos Delgado???
What are you on???
He’s basically the same guy as Giambi.
TBS is the absolutely worst for sports broadcasts. Their work is amateur and their announcers are annoying, especially Martinez.
lol. We’re all waiting for the double play ball, and we get 2 K’s instead.
Nice job by Wang & the gang to not allow the leadoff runners to score.
Here’s more from the Times:
Posada has already shared his magnetic resonance imaging results with Andrews, and Posada has said that surgery would not be necessary. But the problem has not improved as Posada hoped, again raising the specter of an operation
*** Either way, Po is going to be out for very likely a significant amount of time. Molina is a very good backup, but he’s not a starter and he sure isn’t Posada. Normally it’s good that baseball is a marathon, but not this time. I’m trying to hang onto something positive, but it’s getting harder and harder all the time.
Posada injured his shoulder throwing out Sizemore. There was a twinge after the throw.
So he is done for a while… except for DH….Now the Yankees have Giambi, Matsui, Posada as DH’s… that is not good.
Ok, the weird “Oye Como Va” type music wasn’t only on my TV… that was odd.
Go Wang!
He’s at 68 pitches right now.
runs people
Actually, I’d rate Giambi over Delgado. The Mets people say that he has lost some bat speed. I don’t think Giambi has lost any bad speed; his approach is the problem.
Molina is really good catching for Wang =D
dammit ! …:x so Posada can’t catch when he returns, we have to keep 1B open
Hey so what would it take to dislodge Laird or Salty from Texas?
Teddy
Im on nothing… right now lol
ehh maybe i’ll take that back but a good 1 million for the rest of the season is pretty good if he becomes a free agent.
YEYYYYYY ROBBY!!
Wow, Cano got on and took FIVE WHOLE pitches!
Texas has a lot of holes…however no one is sure how much Nolan Ryan will be influencing the personnel decisions, at this point.
i guess he forgot how to run the bases
OMFG
Oh, good grief.
good for Cano… really knocked the hell out of that ball but will take it.
And than another astute baseball move by a Yankee..
Defensively and working with pitchers, Molina is a better catcher. Obviously, he’s not as good a hitter and we don’t know if he can hold up over a long period playing everyday.
If its bad news with Posada, they just have to deal with it.
They aren’t cancelling the season.
Just as they didn’t two years ago when both Matsui and Sheffield went down for long periods.
It makes signing Molina to a 2 year deal in the off-season look very smart right now.
About swinging at the first pitch. I heard a stat earlier that said that hitters who swung at CC’s first pitch were 9 for 10 – or something like that. So maybe that’s why the Yanks aren’t working the count more.
I thought Robby might break out today but if CC is really dominant this might not be the day.
(A point of interest, to those who are interested…The bible quote earlier was from Psalms. Psalms are from the Old Testament. The Old Testament was written before the time of Christ. Therefore someon quoting from Psalms couldn’t really be accused of being a “follower of Christ.”)
Melkyyyyyyyyy
Where did Melky get this power from? He’s got more Jacks than A-Rod.
You guys heard Sade, too? I thought it was my cable provider.
This team’s not too bad. Better than Chicago. Better than Seattle. Better than Morgan/Miller. These guys haven’t said anything negative or wrong about the Yankees. There more positive than Kay. lol.
Robi just cost us a run!
Way to go Melky!
Ouch! It could’ve been 2 runs!
It’s a solo shot but a HR nonetheless.
Molina will be a fine fill-in should Posada have to go on the 15 day DL…no reason to jump off any ledges. He is a solid defensive catcher with a better than average bat for a back-up catcher. In fact, he will be an improvement over Posada on the defensive side. No worries in the short term.
Melky’s channeling A-Rod of last year!
MELKY!!!!!
DA MELK!!!
Hey maybe I was right about Robby. Because he got picked off doesn’t negate his hit!
GO YANKEES!!!
Melky on pace for 30+ dingers.
Molina is a good catcher defensively. He can hold his own offensively and if the rest of the guys hit we can carry his bat. But the Yanks would need a serviceable back-up. Molina can not catch 7 days a week. He will need a breather.
For all the people on this blog who rip on Melky, the fact is, he has been their best all around player since the season started.
He keeps getting better and better.
Wil Nieves hit another home run today. Good for him.
1B Posada/Giambi
C Molina
DH Giambi/Matsui/Posada
Rays leading 1-0. Not sure if it was a dinger.
what was cano thinking?
Glad we didn’t trade Melky in a Santana deal. He’s our best all around player right now.
Nieves looks good in the Nationals uniform
good for him
hello larry-
could you please give robbie a wake up call?
LAura it shows that the NL really sucks
Rays scored 1 on a single followed by 2 errors
SJ you’re exactly right. Molina starting everyday is not a bad thing. He’s not going to hit like Posada or anywhere near that, but his defense, arm and handling of the staff will be rock solid and very valuable.
Damnit Cano! What were you thinking there??? Nice swing Melk-man…
with posada going on the DL, hoepfully chad moeller will clear waivers…
4th outfielder who?
Kay is something. “He wanted to get picked off?”
Bartlett scored for the Rays on Beckett’s throwing error.
What about piking up Mirabelli asa back up for Molina?? That is i DChad Moller doesnt clear waivers? I know he cant hit but he can catch and are there any other catchers siting at home. Unless of course we can trade Wilson for some backup catcher which I dont think makes sense as he cant see.
Jorge has to go on the DL even if he can hit cannot waste the roster spot at this point
Cano looked like he was tearing up in the dugout
c’mon Cano get your head together
Molina might surprise some people offensively…wasn’t it a couple of weeks ago that he hit a bunch of doubles if I remember correctly…
Sure, he’s not Jorge, but if he can provide some good D and the occasional clutch hit, Ynks will be fine…
Thanks blargh.
Frank, Cone and Kay were just saying that it might have been a call from the bench, re: Cano, that sometimes with a lefty there is an automatic run on first pitch play on.
Hope Wang can hold it. One of my biggest peeves (ahem, Moose) is giving the runs back after a hard fought inning.
Wonder if keeping Posada off the DL and batting occasionally made Jorge’s injury worse.
Well Sabathia appears to be his old self after struggling at the beginning of the season nice pitching. How bout Melky? WOW could he really hit 20-25 HRs this year? That would be amazing.
The problem is how long is Posada likely to miss? Surgery could sideline him for the season. That would be devastating. Rest and rehabilitation, on the other, hand could enable the muscle to heal and to strengthen it. Something Posada hasn’t had occasion to do yet.
Keep your fingers crossed that’s it’s just an aggravation of the same problem rather than something new and more serious.
Alot of injuries in the early season
was it the hard drill Spring Training that got these Yankees soft?
From what I’ve heard, Doug Mirabelli is a whole lot of trouble in clubhouse.
This is no knock to Posada who, in many ways is the leader of the team.
But, defensively, gamecalling, framing pitches, and throwing, Molina is a better catcher. I also think he is better to work with the younger pitchers because he’s a little more patient with them than Jorge.
Jorge is a much better hitter and can play everyday. No small feat. We don’t know if Molina can hold up everyday.
That said, if Jorge needs surgery, get it now because a catcher worried about his arm gets into very bad habits throwing the ball.
Hopefully, Moeller passes through waivers and becomes the backup. If not, Chris Stewart, come on down! You are the next backup catcher of the NY Yankees!
CC’s curve is so tough on lefties. Saw how Damon’s knees buckled on that called 2nd strike?
that’s how to defend the bunt !
Molina
NICE Molina!!!!!
Beautiful beautiful beautiful.
The play the announcers were talking about is called “first move.” It is a play you put on that tells the runner to break the second the LHP picks up his front foot. The thinking behind the move is that even if the pitcher is not throwing home…he has to throw to first and then the 1B has to make a good throw to second by stepping out in front of the bag and out of the runner’s lane to get the ball to second in time to make an out.
Hmm, Smoltz lasted only 4 innings/83 pitches; gave up 4 runs against the Mets
Good throw Jose! If he can hit anything close to before he got hurt, the team can survive a long injury to Jorge.
TB – 1
Bawstin – 0
nasty swing by Michaels
MOLINA! Best backup catcher the yankees have had since SAL FASANO!!!
That’s what Molina will do for you. He looks great behind the plate. And Cano is great on those tags at second.
Nice CS, nice K
thing that tears me up is the huge contract they gave Jorge.
the offensive monster that is jose molina died after being benched for a few games with his injury. he was just riding a hot streak. this muscle tear news isn’t new actually, i believe tyler kepner reported it a week or so ago. i questioned it actually, however, nothing was really made of it.
WHo is Chrs Stewart seriously. If he is the Scranton catcher will the Yankees seriously use him and not go after someone via free agency?? Lets hope Moeller clears waivers
wang set up that strikeout on michaels with that up and in pitch on the bunt. totally old school. the stuff you don’t learn from baseball prospectus.
Boston just claimed up Moeller.
Thanks Westerner.
SJ44, abut Jorge’s offense. For the longest period of time when anyone would ask what Yankee I would want at bat with the game on the line, my automatic response would be Jeter. I have to tell you if it isn’t a tie for first with Jorge right there, Jorge may have even inched ahead of Jeter a little in my mind.
Here, the Yanks knew he had a muscle tear on April 16th.
http://thebronxzoo.wordpress.c.....er-injury/
Mirabelli is not only a jerk, he isn’t a good catcher. He only stayed around because he could catch a knuckleball. Both Moeller and Chris Stewart are better defensive catcher than Mirabelli.
You aren’t going to find a bat for the position. Just means other guys have to pick up the slack offensively.
“Boston just claimed up Moeller.”
Damn. Moeller had said that he wanted to stay with the Yanks if possible. That makes me absolutely sick.
just started watching the game. posada is really hurt…how bad is a muscle tear?
Wang’s pitches have incredible movement tonight. He is throwing 93mph fastballs with 10″ of break.
If Posada is lost for a long time due to injury, Yanks will trade for anohter solid catcher like Molina. As good as Moeller was in the short stint, remember he was released by Notionals and he is nowhere close to what he did with Yankees in that short stay.
Wang doing what an ace does…. No one should be surprised by this outing. He’s a model of consistency, quality starts, and the anchor of the staff.
Aces stop losing streaks. Aces give the bullpen a break. Aces always give you a chance to win. If this doesn’t describe Wang, I don’t know what does.
Upsetting news about Posada
Joking about the sox claiming Moeller.
C’mon offense. Wang does not deserve a loss today.
Gee, who said CMW can’t pitch strikeouts?
Thank god we have molina. He’s a very capable catcher.
Wow, 7 strikeouts for the Wang. He has come a long way with that slider. Can he really be a strikeout pitcher or are these types of games an anomaly?
Let’s go. Push across 5-6 runs for a change.
Different Wang tonight, WOW!! 7K now, the record for him is 11K against Mets, isn’t it??
OT: Pitt just got the steal of the draft – Dennis Dixon, QB from Oregon
Holy smokes – seven Ks in five innings???
Cy Wang.
Back to work bats
If some team claims Moeller, is that team required to keep him on thier 40?
About saying or not saying anything about Jorge. Yanks were probably between a rock and a hard place. They probably didn’t want to give up any information because of Moeller? Maybe they don’t know enough about it, if it is an injury, to say anything. If they minimized it and it is something serious, they’d be accused of lying. If they made it seem dramatic, it would give the Sux more incentive to move on Moeller.
Just some guesses.
Where was it posted that Boston got Moeller?
Rob NY,
With the velocity with which Wang throws, I see no reason why he can’t strike out a fair number of people. As far as I can tell he has been throwing the four-seamer today, which would help with the Yanks.
I wouldn’t put it past Boston to get Moeller just to annoy the Yankees.
“For the longest period of time when anyone would ask what Yankee I would want at bat with the game on the line, my automatic response would be Jeter. I have to tell you if it isn’t a tie for first with Jorge right there, Jorge may have even inched ahead of Jeter a little in my mind.”
Why?
Any reason the reigning AL MVP and future all time homerun hitter isn’t your first choice? Why Posada? Any logical reason?
sorry, should read “which will help with the k’s”
Aw man, where were the Jets on Dennis Dixon? W
Hey Bad Scooter! You earned you name there!!!
I would love Moeller to stick around.
Chip Caray: Clearly new to athlete-speak.
As much as I would love for CC Sabathia to head the Yankees pitching staff he should stay in Cleveland. He talks about how much he loves it and all that for him to go to the highest bidder would make him a bit of a liar imo.
That said, I would LOVE him to be the Yankees #1.
nice double by Jeter!
“Why Posada? Any logical reason?”
Because he’s clutch.
nice AB Jetes
can we get another “overrated” SS… He can’t bunt, he can’t hit, can’t field… Jeter just sucks…
HA!
Dixon not necessarily a steal just had major knee surgery not good for a running QB
hey, whos that in the bullpen? HIDEKI IRABU?? LOL
Rob NY… Wang has been throwing more sliders and less sinkers this year. It had resulted in more flyouts and strikeouts and less groundouts.
He’s adapting and making adjustments. Some people were alarmed with the number of flyouts, saying he was leaving his pitches up. Its nonsense. He’s pitching differently and its working well.
It’s obvious Peter Abraham is biased against Girardi. He is just another beat writer that Torre had in his pocket. It’s obvious from his writing that he has never actually played the game himself, or understands what it means to be an athlete.
better AB by Bobby
Love Abreu. Imagine we could still have Sheff instead of Abreu.
Thank you Brian Cashman!!!
“If Posada is lost for a long time due to injury, Yanks will trade for anohter solid catcher like Molina”
hahahahahahhaahahahahahhahhahahahhahha.
sorry no disrespect meant, but how long did it take to replace nieves and find molina last year?
good back up catchers are at a premium. if the yankees can get a good defensive back up they will be doing well.
on a plus note, the yankees can win with molina back there as long as they give him breathers every now and then. molina really does handle the pitching staff well. he controls the running game. he’s a good catcher.
Gayle – ACL reconstruction is not what it used to be…. my roommate had his ACL replaced 4 months ago and goes wakeboarding a couple times a week. I mean obviously that’s not always the case, but if he comes back to what he was pre-injury, that’s a 5th round steal
back to baseball lol – lets go A-Rod
horrible AB by Alex 1 – 2 protect the inner half , just horrible
$28m can’t buy you a sac fly ONCE again….As Arod swings at 2 pitches he can’t hit. All the pitching coach had to say is throw him crap and he will chase it. Manny would of been walked in that situation but Arod doesn’t have to be
why does arod swing harder when there is a runner on third?
its arod of 2006 again. cant hit with men on and down year.
oh well, maybe in 9 yrs when his contract is up again, he will have a monster year again.
Wang deserved this run… Q_Q
horrible hitting team… just horrible…
this is not even acceptable at single A ball
Sabathia is an absolute beast
That’s it Alex, just keep swinging for the fences. Don’t just dump a hit over the infield. It doesn’t look pretty.
shelley, get jeter home. please.
Kevin Long needs to work with Shelley. He’s trying to hit the ball out with every swing.
And once again the Yanks leave a runner in scoring position.
C.C. Sabathia, you’ve got the juice now.
Pepper not making excuses but CC isn’t necessarily pitching poorly! It’s like Tribe fans bitching about the Tribe not getting hits against Wang.
“hahahahahahhaahahahahahhahhahahahhahha.
sorry no disrespect meant, but how long did it take to replace nieves and find molina last year?”
If you are ready to give up quality, you get quality back. In the past, even now I guess, Cash is reluctant to give up quality. But, with Posada out, he will not have a choice. In the past, as Posada was healthy they were riding on him with a weak back up.
Is anyone old enough to remember Steve Balboni?
Shelley Duncan is Balboni reincarnate…a AAA slugger who has HUGE holes MLB pitchers exploit endlessly.
captains corner – not if the moose is on the mound lol
so do we bring abreu back next year or put duncan in right? :O
BEAUTIFUL job By Shields to get out of a small jam in Tampa. Still 1-0 Rays.
The sad sick feeling of consistent failure
CC can’t act like that after a big K. He’s the reigning Cy Young winner. Talk radio is going to be all over that just like Joba, right? I don’t think so. That whole Joba thing was much ado about nada.
IS A-ROD WORTH THE MVP?
anyone else still waiting for our guys to wake up? at least we have a run on the board, would’ve been nice to have 2.
This team deserves last place. What does it take to get a freakin run in…. lead off double, good AB by Abreu and then two hacks trying to launch the ball.
Someone said “can’t we get a SF”. apparently that is NOT something that Kevin Long teaches or Joe G preaches.
They look like a bunch of softball league hitters.
Jeez. That sucked doodoo
Who here honestly acually thought Arod wouldnt strike out there?
When will this leaving men in scoring position end? It really is getting ridiculous. Even with a lead off double they can’t get anything done. This team is way too good to be hitting this terribly, especially with men in scoring position.
“That’s it Alex, just keep swinging for the fences. Don’t just dump a hit over the infield. It doesn’t look pretty.”
I pointed to this as a big reason I had concerns w/ Alex, he almost looks like not almost he plainly looks like he’s sacrificing AVG for HR, put the ball in play that’s all he needs to do instead he swinging for the first batter to hit the Q arena
Not sure why everyone wanted Shelley back up here. He is hit or miss. He keeps trying to hit the ball out each time up. How about just a single up the middle? Geez!
This is exactly why Duncan was in the minors for so long. He takes a grand slam swing at every pitch in sight. Just a little pathetic that CC couldn’t get anyone out this season and the Yanks can’t touch him. The Yanks never hit lefties but now they aren’t hitting anyone. There at bats have been getting worse every year for the last couple of years. Just easy outs and can NEVER get a runner in from 3rd.
Yeah, what was that all about with CC?
C.C. is in the zone today. We’re lucky to have one run against him.
Nick I agree with you there regarding Arod. It still drives me crazy that with a runner on 3rd and less than 2 out we still can’t just deliver one to the outfield and get the run in, even if the sucker is caught. No need to swing for the fences.
SJ,
I agree totally about Molina being better for the kid pitchers (and defensively) than Posada.
It’s just a shame that this had to happen after the Yanks DFA’d Moeller. I’d have felt okay going forward with a Molina/Moeller combination. I doubt Moeller clears waivers, but I’m hopeful he will.
did anyone just see what happened at the red sox game? pretty funny if you ask me!
Good point Michael Kay. Someone please call Mike Francessa tomorrow and let him know that the reigning Cy Young Award winner is more demonstrative on the mound than Joba.
To be fair CC, CC started to turn it around in his last start.
wow that boston play was awful
Not sure why they are praising TB and BALT. Come August, both will be where they belong – at the bottom of the AL East.
Come on Jeff, I made that point well before Kay. ha
trisha… no he is not pitching poorly, but our hitters are not doing their job. Even with Sabbathia pitching well, you don’t make him better by trying to launch everything. Look how simple Abreu’s AB was and how successful. Did exactly what he was suppose to do.
That is not what is consistently happening. We made Paul Byrd look like Sabbathia Friday night, Sowers look like Cy Young yesterday.
Posada has a tear…great
So there you have it wiht Jorge.
How do we get Moeller back?
I don’t think Peter is biased against Girardi. I think Girardi has done nothing but questionable moves this year, including putting Duncan at 1B and Ensberg as the DH. I understand Sabathia is a lefty, but is Ensberg really a better choice over Matsui at DH? Isn’t Ensberg on the team for his glove?
A-Rod striking out on 4 pitches, 2 missed swings, really really sucks. He’s at least gotta make contact there to give Jeter some sort of chance to get home. Sabathia wasn’t even throwing gas – 90mph – and A-Rod swung thru twice.
Hopefully CMW keeps at it.
That BOS play was awful AND embarrasing. Glad it happened to that putz Pukelis.
yeah CC pitched great last time out and with this start I think he’ll be himself for the rest of the year
Can’t unless he clears waivers
I think that A-Rod is pressing. I am really looking forward to April being over because I have high hopes that May will be a better month for the hitters.
Somebody explain the stupid Boston play, I’m too busy watching the Yanks.
Kay actually just brought up a good point (cant believe I wrote that) maybe the reason why the Yankees didnt want to say anything until af5ter the game is if something happened to Molina and Jorge had to come in maybe they didnt want the Indians to know he has a tear??
“That BOS play was awful AND embarrasing. Glad it happened to that putz Pukelis.”
Someone may haved already explained this, but if a team claims Moeller do they have to put him on their 40-man? Something makes me think they don’t. Let me say this, if I were any other team and heard the news about Jorge, I’d claim Moeller in a NYC heartbeat.
What was the Boston play? I’m a little lost here
CMW is at 100 pitches. I wonder if he let’s him come out for the 7th.
Jonathon Goff goes to the Giants in rd. 5
It’s amazing that the rain delay on Thursday could hurt us so badly. Because of all the pitchers used, the Yanks needed reinforcements and were rushed to DFA Moeller. Maybe they would have DFA’d him yesterday anyway for Shelley, who knows? But maybe they would have felt ok with 11 pitchers if the pen wasn’t overused so. Either way, I can’t believe that on April 27, my biggest concern is if Chad Moeller clears waivers.
If wang doesnt come out in the 6th are they gunna push Joba for 2? If not who do you send out? Albie or Britton? Hawk and Farns pitched yesterday so I wouldnt go there.
Beckett threw a pickoff ball to Pukelis at 1B that went into right field. When the RF guy got it, Pukelis was essentially standing in front of him and he ended up throwing it into the dirt. The guy scored all the way from 1B.
err 7th
I guess this is it for Wang-102 pitches
Wang pitched great today. In a one-run game I don’t want to push our luck. He’s at 100 pitches. Anyone know his high for the season?
Is Joba available today? Then they just have to get threw the 7th inning with 1 of the psychos..Farns or Hawkins then to Joba. If Wang is finished for today…
girardi is making some different moves, but i wouldnt say they are necessarily bads.
The big thing is the offense has been absolutely horrible. if we could hit with RISP even alittle, everyone would feel better and nobody would even care about these small things girardi is doing. But when you struggle, everything is going to get dissected.
Wang has pitched a great game, no doubt, but his pitch counts are still way too high. “Ace” pitchers should consistently get you through the 7th inning. This is the second straight start where Wang will be exiting the game without going seven.
It’s kind of ironic in that origninally Cashman said they would keep Moeller at least through the weekend to make sure Posada was ok. But then with the overuse of the bullpen, the Yanks needed roster space for pitchers and DFA’d Moeller on Friday.
If Posada is going to Dr. Andrews that is probably an indication of surgery.
OK I think Girardi needs to let Wang pitch the 7th. I know he’s at 102 pitches but I would not want this game in anyone’s hands but Joba, and with the hammy I hope Girardi isn’t planning on using him for 2 innings.
Wang gets better usually as the game goes on, if he tires a little his sinker and slider will move more. He just has to make sure he finishes his delivery and doesn’t hang anything. I hope Girardi leaves him in.
You do understand that Duncan made 3 plays today at first that Giambi and Ensberg don’t make? Especially the stretch on the throw because he’s 6-5.
Second guessing everything is a little old, isn’t it? Especially when you are second guessing things that are working.
The fact is, the ENTIRE team isn’t hitting with RISP. To single out Duncan for not getting a hit against the Cy Young Winner when the MVP in the league didn’t do it in the same inning is a little foolish.
I think that’s it for Wang tonight. Here comes the bullpen to protect the 1 run lead *shudder*
I think Wang will pitch the 7th. They need all they can get out of him.
If I’m Girardi, I don’t send Wang out there for the 7th.
Thanks Laura for explaining.
TB Sweep that will be nice!
Our bullpen really hasn’t been that bad EY. I do miss Bruney already though.
I think thy should let wang go batter to batter
The Yankees certainly are snakebit this year in terms of injuries. If Jorge ends up needing surgery, I bet there’s a pretty good chance he’ll be out for the majority of the season (if not the whole season). Damn!
One thing I did like that Torre did was let pitchers come out in later innings but did it on a batter by batter basis. He would always have someone warming to come in.
I think you really need to be doing that in close games in you want your starter to come back out and he has a relatively high pitch count.
Wang should go into the 7th because he pitched a great game and i wouldnt want it blown up by the middle relief
How many pitches is CC at?
Ok going with the theory that Thursday’s rain delays screwed us, ironically it would have been better if they started the bullpen and then brought back Hughes after the rain delay. Granted this is 20/20 hindsight, but I wonder if Girardi was gunshy to do that again and have it backfire like with IPK that time. For the most part, the decisions Girardi has made have hit less than 50%. No wonder Joe is testy.
Josh – great minds…
Also, it hasn’tr been 102 “stressful” pitches. There haven’t been a ton of guys on base. And most importantly, he’s pitched very well the last few innings. Ride it out for one more than go to Joba in the 8th. It wouldn’t be something to worry about if the guy throws 115-120 pitches. Anything over that and I think you have to take him out.
Jessica Alba has pitched good almost every time they have sent him out there. Eventually I would like to see how he would be in the later innings..But I don’t think a 1-0 game is the spot for him. I am tired of only seeing him pitch when the kiddies or grandpa only last 2 innings. This is the type of game that good teams with good bullpens win..lets see if the Yanks can do it.
Despite his injury, I still think that the Yankees did the right thing by signing Posada.
I don’t know if we’re going to see it but I’d like an insurance run or two…
Laura, he’s at 95.
Melky is making him work.
You don’t pull him if he gives up a single on the first pitch. He’s one pitch away from a DP. You have someone warmed up and play it by ear.
chicago dave.. i dont know a single “ace” pitcher that consistently gets you into the 7th. CMW had one bad outing and now people think he doesnt get you in the 7th!! obviously you havent been watching him pitch the last 2 yrs.
can we get off this whole CMW is not an Ace.
Really cute commercial. Jeter actually looks good in glasses!
Wang is the staff workhorse. He can throw 140 for all I care. Sometimes you have to throw away the pitch counts, especially with a guy mid career like Chien.
Melky has a little Ronny Billiard in him. A bit of little little Manny in him. I like what I’m seeing.
and I agree w/ this move throw the clicker away today, let ‘em pitch.
Wang deserved this win today &_&
I go batter to batter with Wang in the 7th. No way I don’t put him out there for the 7th.
Arod is double-digit behind his HR count from last April. Cano came into the season saying he wants to make the All-Star Game and doesn’t want to start off the season slow like he did last year. I wonder if both of these guys who we know for a fact can hit are having major mental blocks right now.
Kay is full of bad information re the Cy Young award. Many pitchers got more votes than Chien. Beckett had 20.
Me not like sending Wang out for another but hopefully he can go 7 and then Joba? then Mo.
Hey I won’t second guess Wang coming back out no matter how the inning goes.
Kay is thinking of 2006, I believe Wang came in 2nd that year.
I feel like this is a game where you let Wang pitch the 7th and leave him in there to win it or lose it. They really have no one to bring in that you would trust if he gets the ball up.
Kay is full of bad information PERIOD!!
WOW, CMW is impressing me today. What a warrior!!
glad they kept wang in!
Oh My God! 8K! Amazing!
YankeeVIP – You must be kidding, right? “Ace” pitchers don’t get to be aces by throwing 6 innings every time out. By the way, I have been watching Wang for the past two years, thank you very much. As a matter of fact, I saw him get destroyed in two straight playoff starts against the Indians last fall. Did you see those? Wang is an excellent pitcher, but I still think people are very quick to put him on par with the likes of Johan Santana and Josh Beckett, and he’s really not there yet.
Well, at least Wang’s been getting ahead in counts so far this inning.
Let Wang pitch. His arm is rubber. I don’t take him out until two guys get on.
Wang mowing them down. His ball is darting all over the place.
He’s getting stronger and stronger. I send him out there for the 8th. Its his game right now.
I will write this now but wait til the inning is over to post it not to curse things!
The way Wang is pitching is actually bringing tears to my eyes. Bottom of the 7th and he is making it look so effortless. That makes me so happy for him – and for us.
Joe let him pitch sit Joba down …
CMW didn’t get through the 7th in his last outing, but he threw a complete game the game before, against Boston no less. Fair is fair, he is the best pitcher on this team right now and having another great showing today. The “he’s not true ace” argument is becoming pointless.
WOW!!! Vintage Wang!!!
OK, I’ll eat crow this time…Looks like Wang will actually get them through the seventh with the lead.
Talking about our homegrown talent of Melky, Cano, and the trio, it’s funny how they don’t mention Wang. Didn’t we sign him out of Taiwan? He grew up in our farm system…. homegrown?
Wang in the 8th!!?
In my mind, Wang is every bit you can ask from an ACE… especially a very cheap one
So leaving Wang in turned out to be a good decision.
7IP 9K 2BB 0ER
That’s the line of an ace.
Wang really looked good that inning. His secondary pitches are really coming along and it was necessary that he started using them. He really deserves to win this game…if only his team good hit or hit fly balls with a runner on 3rd.
Ok Wanger got through the 7th no problem. Happy now?
Indians just got ace’d.
If Wang is not an ACE, he will do until one gets here.
“YankeeVIP – You must be kidding, right? “Ace†pitchers don’t get to be aces by throwing 6 innings every time out. By the way, I have been watching Wang for the past two years, thank you very much. As a matter of fact, I saw him get destroyed in two straight playoff starts against the Indians last fall.”
Chicago Dave, you are the perfect example of an uninformed fan. Its just not even worth trying to knock some sense into people like you.
That said, I definitely go Joba and then Mo. I don’t know what Joe will do. I’d hate one bad pitch to spoil such a beautiful outing.
If we can manage a run in the top of the 8th, then I go back to Wang.
We ought to institute a fine system on the blog.
The next time people write Wang is “not an ace”, they should be fined.
Sort of like the blogs version of a Kangaroo Court.
This kid has been GREAT this year. One bad outing and that’s it.
He showed his mental toughness by coming back to the “scene of the crime” from the ALDS and has been brilliant today.
That’s “ace” pitching no matter which way you slice it.
Now, it would be nice for them to win the damn game for him. He deserves it.
I would’ve loved this performance from Wang last October vs the Indians.
Come on, Molina… You can hit the ball…
Question is…who the heck pitches the 8th? If Joba is really available I guess it will be him, but otherwise…who?
This is why pitch counts are stupid…Sometimes pitchers don’t have it after 60 pitches…Wang could throw 200 pitches today if he had to…
Cone has said the same thing many times on YES. He says that pitch counts would not have prolonged his career, and if anything, they make your arm less strong because you aren’t conditioned to throw as many pitches.
Trisha, his pitch count is at 113. Seems safer to sit him.
Insurance runs, PLEASE.
Wang deserves to win this one.
I don’t know how Wang won 19 games each of the last two seasons with one pitch, but he is a different pitcher now with multiple pitches. I think it’s safe to say he has grown into a true ace right now. Of course down the road, he’ll be pitching game 2’s of the playoffs after Joba.
I would really doubt that Wang is going out for another inning. They are not going to let him throw 120 pitches.
Let’s rally here off a tired Sabathia
Wang=stud
Throwing more than 100 pitches won’t kill the arm. Overthrowing and poor mechanics do.
Big blow about Posada, here is a link to the Dr that will be helping Posada: http://www.asmoc.com/getpage.php?name=andrews
I think what some people don’t realize about Chien-Ming Wang is that he’s learning how to pitch at the major league level. He came up as a thrower, all he had was a power sinker and that’s all he had to have. Last year he began to realize that he needed to change his philosophy and we all saw flashes of future greatness when he K’d 10 mets during inter-league play. He worked diligently on his off speed pitches and is just starting to command them at a plus level. I believe his experimentation has caused his fly ball out percentage to increase. When it all clicks for him and he gets ground balls and K’s like he will soon be able to, he’ll be the Yankees Brandon Webb. I don’t think anyone could argue that B-Webb is an ace, nor will they be able to argue that Chien-Ming Wang has always been and will continue to be an ace.
SJ44 – Aren’t you getting a little full of yourself these days? So, it’s a kangaroo court now? And who’s the judge…you?! You must be joking! Tell you what…I’ll say whatever the heck I like, and then you can just try to come collect your silly “fines” from me, OK? Can’t wait…
FWIW, I go with Joba in the 8th.
Wang did his job. Now, its up to Joba and Mo.
I’m not confident the offense is scoring anymore so its going to have to be up to the pen to win this game.
wang owned michaels after the pitch up and in from the past at bat. one nasty up and in and then two swinging strike outs. that’s pitching.
Shields is also pithcing a beauty in Tampa. Going to the bottom of the 7th, still 1-0. Won’t it be great if Beckett lost his own game with the error?
Joba was already up in the 7th so I would assume that he is pitching the 8th..
Here’s a question for all you experts on the nuances of MLB rules.
Let’s say Chad Moeller decides he wants to return to the Yankees. If another team claims him from waivers during the next 10-days, can he decline to report, wait until the team releases him, and then re-sign with the Yankees?
Maybe our captain will show his leaddership by hitting a bomb right now!!!
Ok Wang got through the 7th with only 11 pitches. Its not going out on a limb to say he can do the same in the 8th.
Are you guys watching the way his ball is skipping and diving all over the place. His movement and and control today have been awesome.
Is Joba available today? Maybe when he comes in, Cleveland will try to unleash those midges again.
Tseng, I agree. No need to tempt fate. We need Wang for the entire season on top of it. That’s why we have Joba and Mo.
trolls that keep bringing up the ace issue should just be ignored.
they are the ones that will only focus on the negatives and ignore the positives of Wang.
They take Wang’s good outings for granted, and jump all over Wang’s bad outings.
Just watch, if this was a Pettitte-pitched game, they would be all over it arguing how Pettitte is the real ace, stopper, blah blah blah, and how Wang is overrated and not the ace.
Instead, all we get from those trolls from this game is how this is Wang’s supposed to pitch.
unbelieveable he has an innings CAP !!! Wang is throwing lights out why are we pulling him for !
This is Joba and Mo’s game to win because the bats have already gone home for the day.
well…
EVAN LONGORIA!!!!!
Nice job Beckett.
2-0 Rays.
It’s Joba time.
Longoria’s homer aside, Beckett’s been brilliant today. He’s won me over: his 2007 was for real, unfortunately.
Trisha any idea on Beckett’s pitch count?
Easy Dave, its a joke. Hence the term “Kangaroo Court”.
A little sensitive aren’t we?
Wang did exactly what he needed to do and develop past his sinker. When he first came up, he was all about the sinker, and it was then dependent on the defense to get all those ground balls. I remember on Tampa Bay game in particular where he gave up 4 runs on nothing but dribblers.
He’s developed other pitches for strikeout potential, and it’s really made him a different, and better pitcher. It’s fantastic to see, when he’s on and not overthrowing, how dominant he can be.
Those saying Wang isn’t an ace had arguments in past years because he was a contact pitcher. Now he can go for the strikeout.
There has definitely been growth in CMW over the winter.
This might be the year Tampa becomes a force. We hear it every year but they are finally looking like a big league team.
Yanks will score in the 9th inning! Nothing wrong about being optimistic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
go Joba!
Just as I don’t second guess Wang in the 7th nor do I secong guess any of the other moves.
The moves are all the right ones. The players have to execute.
Wang pitched a beauty. He can’t lose. He can only win.
How did I know they would show that bug footage?
Smart move putting Joba in. Take no chances and win this game, no point in over extending Wang.
Alright, Joba time. Wang-Joba-Mo-Win.
Taking Wang out right now, regardless of the outcome, is the smart move. Leaving him in there for another 20-30 pitches would have been foolhardy. Yes, he’s young, but that doesn’t mean he’s the Bionic Man. Just look at what happened to David Cone after that epic final game in the ‘95 Divisional Series. He pitched close to 150 pitches and he was never the same after that game.
Ron,
The question with Beckett is can he hold up season after season health-wise. There’s no doubt that when he’s right, he’s great. But before last year, he was never able to perform at this level and stay healthy for a full season.
chicago dave-
kangaroo courts are fun.
you’re missing the spirit of them. don’t worry. no one including sj would be immune from a kangaroo court on this blog. i don’t know if peter a. could figure out how to do one, but if he were the judge, it would probably be pretty funny.
Miggs, Beckett looked to be at 100 going into the bottom of the 7th. Shields is at 84.
WARNING.WARNING.WARNING.TROLLS ARE IN SIGHT…
Joba was not needed today, Wang could have saved his own game today, this is the new MLB strategy nowadays freak out when the SP hits 100 on his pitch count, it’s 1 – 0 he could have gone CG w/o BP help.
JOBA!!!!!!!!!!!
SJ44 – OK, fine, joke. However, I’ve seen you threaten certain people (Red Sox fans) with physical violence on this same blog, so please don’t give me this “sensitive” nonsense, OK? It’s hippocritical.
oh St. Joba, I worship you
Joba looked great in that inning. Blew away the 1st, 2 batters.
““Ace†pitchers don’t get to be aces by throwing 6 innings every time out.”
“but I still think people are very quick to put him on par with the likes of Johan Santana and Josh Beckett”
Santana? Sure. Beckett actually averages less IP a start than Wang.
Prior to last year, Beckett averaged a bit under 6 and 1/3 innings per start. Last year Beckett averaged about 6 and 2/3 IP a start. Is Beckett an ace? Was Beckett an ace before last year?
2 and 3 years ago, Wang averaged a bit under 6 and 2/3 IP per start (closer to 6 and 2/3 than 6 and 1/3). Last year, he averaged pretty close to 6 and 2/3 IP a start.
Aside: Santana’s in the between 6 and 2/3 and 7 IP a start category (though in 2005, he did hit 7 IP a start)
Alright!!! The 10-pitch Joba!!!
LOVE that Joba walked off without even looking at the ump.
Whether he should be in the rotation or the bullpen, there’s nothing like automatic in the 8th and 9th in these kinds of games!
I agree “100″ is an arbitrary number but Joba needed to get out there, especially after picking up his first loss.
Rays tack on another run ….. up 2-0
The blog is hampered by Pete’s decision to not turn on registration. Until then, nothing can really be done.
Wang-Joba-Mo is the winning formula for Yankees this season thus far =D
Jobaaaaaaaa
Mo-Win
Wang 5-0
For some reason many people assumed that Wang was a finished product, that he wasn’t going to get better.
Sure he’s 28 now but he’s only been in majors for 2 1/2 seasons.
He only started throwing his power sinker 4 seasons ago.
So far this season what we’ve seen is the evolution of Wang as a pitcher, one who is taking his game to that next level.
He took that playoff performance to heart – and he became better after it.
… with 2 Ks!!!
Joba! Joba! Joba! Joba!
Sorry, Brandon. I disagree. I’m all for pitchers going more than 100 pitches, but not too much more. CMW was at 113. That was enough.
Let’s enjoy it while it lasts. We need to see what the rest of the pen has to offer when it comes time for Chamberlain to be moved.
Kennedy might be the one to go. It’s looking like the Yankees may have been too aggressive with him.
Here’s a question for all you amateur GMs?
Let’s say Chad Moeller decides he wants to return to the Yankees. If another team claims him from waivers during the next 10-days, can he decline to report, wait until the team releases him, and then re-sign with the Yankees?
SJ44? CB? Turntwo? Murph? Bueller?
Ahhh…It eases the soul to see Joba healthy and out there doing his thing! And there I was afraid he was injured still…
Beckett 13Ks and losing 2-0.
I love it.
KS,
No. Once a player is DFA’ed, he is no longer employed by the team that releases him. He doesn’t have any say in where he goes as long as he is exposed to waivers. If he gets claimed, he has to report. He has no choice.
If he doesn’t get claimed, he can be re-acquired by the Yankees. If, for whatever reason, he turned that down, then he would be a free agent, able to negotiate with any team.
Brandon I agree but it worked out ok.
Shields is pitching a gem I guess, huh? Is Big Papi still out of the lineup? I knew the Sox couldn’t keep up their hot hitting. At one point last week, they had 5-6 regulars hitting over .350!!! You knew it couldn’t last. Its nice to see them go through some offensive struggles.
Now how about another run here huh? This Kobayashi guy looks pretty good. He still works for Kaiser Sose(sp) by the way.
this is late, but Joba is a beast!
I don’t think it’s right to bash people who prior to this season said that Wang wasn’t an ace. However to say it now would be foolish, he is a better pitcher than ever.
Thank you Taiwan for letting us borrow him.
Brandon -
Nobody could second guess the manager for taking Wang out with 113 pitches after 7, and going to his automatic 8th and 9th. But they sure could second guess leaving Wang in with 113 if he somehow got touched up and the Yanks lost the game, when he had a rested Joba and Mo ready to go.
Right move in my opinion.
The reality is that we were damned lucky to get a 7-20 effort from Moeller. That’s hugely above his career averages. His production, in terms of what we’re likely to get, is easily replaceable by just about any third catcher.
sj-
on a humorous note last night, i went to the link that the guy gave on the blog to back up why he thought joba is an injury risk. it turns out the pitching ” expert” is a 23 year old kid who was being taught the gyro ball from will carroll at baseball prospectus.
you can’t make up stuff like that if you try.
joba is the man!
It’s funny watching Joba throw the kind the curve ball he did to strike out Cabrera and think about how people keep insisting he doesn’t throw more than two pitches.
His secondary stuff is terrific. His curveball is a fantastic pitch.
well at least we have Joba and Mo…. the offense could find its way home if it were standing at its own front door.
Here’s the thing…I’ve got tremendous appreciation for our boy Wang, OK? So stop thinking I don’t like him or don’t think he’s a great pitcher…because I certainly do! It’s just this…He is still developing as a pitcher, and he has not hit his peak yet. People do tend to treat him like he’s a finished product or an absolutely polished major league pitcher, and he’s not. Watching him grow into his potential has been (and will continue to be) a real revelation. Still, I hate to see him saddled with the expectations that go along with the “ace” label right now. It’s just not fair to the kid.
cb-
“He only started throwing his power sinker 4 seasons ago.”
… and guess who he still has on his speed dial when he needs help.
Miggs, I think Crappy has a knee bruise or something. He wasn’t in the lineup today.
Do you know that Shields has 2-hit them through 8 and is only at 92 pitches. Just incredible.
Shelley Duncan swings from his heels more than any guy I’ve ever seen. If it didn’t hurt his offense it might actually be funny.
Alright Mo has to get Martinez out, and then 2 easier outs.
Some in the media made big deal about what Girardi said about Joba’s injury – day to day. They villified Girardi for it saying he was not truthful. After Joba’s outing today, I wonder where will they hide thier heads.
Thanks, SJ44, although that wasn’t the answer I hoped to hear.
But something tells me the reason why the Yankees may not DL Posada immmediately or confirm/deny the Times report is to deter other teams from claiming Moeller out of malice.
If they need or want Moeller, I suspect nothing will deter them. But if you’re the Yankees why encourage them.
This is one of the few occasions in which the Yankees secrecy makes sense to me.
The Posada news is turning my stomach.
CMW = (C)hamberlain + (M)o + (W)ang = Win
Wow, a 1-2-3 inning for Kabayashi…
Tampa Bay’s young starters are really turning into something! Man, the East is becoming even more difficult!!
Mo’s turn!
Just gotta say, watching this on TBS isn’t bad. I know it’s not much saying it’s better than FOX but it should be known.
Randy,
Really? That was the “pitching expert”?
That’s too funny.
Hell, for an “injury risk”, I’ll take him.
He can pitch a little! lol
“I don’t think it’s right to bash people who prior to this season said that Wang wasn’t an ace. ”
Many, many people insisted that Wang could NEVER be an ace.
Over and over we heard that Wang doesn’t strike anyone out and doesn’t miss bats. In turn he’s completely dependent on his fielders to catch the ball.
In essence much of Wang’s success was explained away by “luck” (he’s completely dependent on low BABIP).
People treated him as if he had been in the league for 6-7 years instead of 3. They didn’t think he was “projectable” anymore, that he was a finished product.
Come on, Mo. We need you!
Steve – Good one!
Geeze this is going to be a nice night for BB Tonight. It is also going to be a nice postgame.
“The ‘Wang isn’t an ace’ crowd will hide out today…There are a few starters better than he is but it’s a short list.”
Wang is really really good and is surely the Yankee ace. But there are more than just “a few” starters who are better than him.
For starters: Santana, Webb, Peavy, Beckett, Sabathia, Hamels, Smoltz, Harang, Verlander, Bedard, Kazmir, Lackey, Haren, Hernandez, Zambrano, Halladay, and Oswalt. And by then end of the season you might need to consider adding Lincecum and Gallardo to the list.
Wang is awesome, but there are more than just “a few” pitchers better than him. He probably falls in the range of 15th to 20th best pitcher in baseball, which is still darn impressive.
Did you hear Kay almost call that one out?
Andrew I agree, the TBS guys are pretty fair.
And they know what they’re talking about.
I’ve probably said this 3 times, but no one on the planet is worse than Joe Morgan.
one down, two to go!
One pitch, one out! Beautiful economy!! More please!!!
I agree the Yankees wanting to keep the injury and protect Moeller from getting picked up makes sense, however, they should have just said, he is sore and day to day. That would have been it.
anyone know where the yankees misplaced their offense?
randy,
all of NY should be thanking Neil Allen. It’s a nasty pitch. Put it together with that slider it’s even better.
And you know what – I don’t think Wang is just going to stop with the slider. He’s going to work on his change up as well.
A funny picture of Wang mimicing Joba:
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/photostory/wang0427.html
Just to share with you all =)
Isn’t Garko the idiot that made that champagne comment?
3-0 Rays
Four pitches, two outs! The man is a natural wonder!!
we’re gonna hear more b….in about keeping you know who in the BP this week. That is the second reason I wanted Wang to finish this game. 1 – 0 into the 8th was superb by Wang he didn’t need the help today.
Jeff NJ
you are welcome
he is our pride
Mo – tears to my eyes.
I was one of the people who said that I didn’t consider Wang an ace. I also said my jury was out. Well someone said that the jury foreperson just gave a note to the judge saying they had reached a verdict…
The TBS guys are better than FOX, but I still can’t stand Buck Martinez. There’s something about his voice that irks me.
Miggs.. Tim McCarver is waaaaaaaaaaaay worse than Morgan.
Wang mimicing Joba after strikeout: =D
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/photostory/wang0427.html
KS,
I was very hopeful that Moeller would clear waivers.
I still think he will but we’ll see.
Posada is mostly likely going to be out at least a month I’d guess. If 2 weeks of not throwing didn’t help they are going to need to be very conservative with bringing him back.
Just got home in time to flip on last inning. Mo is god. Then I read about Posada. Is it not possible for the Yanks to win a game without some bad news to go along? UGH.
But Mo is god.
Yankees have played less home games than any team in the league. Thanks Pope Benedict.
Laura, yeah Garko is the loser who made that comment.
I think it is a great win.
Starter went distance without giving a run.
Bullpen held one run lead.
Defense was not bad.
Offense could have done better.
Let us keep the positive spirit up.
We will be alright and win the division in the end.
Peralta is a pain in the butt…
The amazing Mariano. Save No. 450.
What a super job by Wang, Joba (much better vs. Cleveland without the bugs!) and Mo. The Yanks needed this one.
Trisha – we were right about the Yanks winning. They didn’t do much to Sabathia, but a win is a win!
way to go MO!!
This is how you win games, 7 innings pitched by our starter, Joba, Mariano. Simple
YESSSSS!!!!
Love it! Best game of the year so far!!
THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.
Thanks everyone for the GREAT company!
This game actually made me cry tears of joy.
You can’t get much better than we got today.
I nominated Mo Rivera for President.
This is a good win for us. The offense is a concern, but these 1-0 games build confidence.
Go long the Taiwan stock market tomorrow!
Now, that was a fun game! I love pitching duels.
Sometimes, games like this are what a team needs to get going.
Just a very, very nice win!
Now, its time to sit back and enjoy my Charleston game of the weekend.
Have we ever seen Mariano throw better? He’s been unbelievable. No one has come even close to hitting anything hard off of him.
P.S. There is something special about a game like this — just like opening day — when it’s Wang to Joba to Mo, three homegrown Yankees. Add in the fourth, Melky, and it’s all the better.
That was classic Mo pitching. The batters look away so he comes inside. Great pitching by Wang, Joba and Mo. It is a good game when we don’t have to see Hawkins and Farns.
yankees bad bat.
Great game by Wang.
But people, come on… a good game in April does not an “Ace” make. Get real.
When most people, myself included, say that the Yankees need an Ace they are talking about someone who can put the team on their shoulders through the post season and in big games. Ala Beckett last year.
I won’t say Wang can never be that pitcher for us, but he hasn’t been yet. In situations where we have needed a staff ace to step it up… he hasn’t. I hope that changes this year, but regardless, this game means nothing either way in this discussion.
Great game. Go Yankees
Please more drum.
THE AMAZING MO RIVERA!
see what I mean
Yankees win!!!!!!!
Fran – well I guess it’s how we define it right? We did get to CC!!!!! We’re a good team.
And now I get to watch Shields pitch the bottom of the 9th.
Oh happy day.
Whew! Awesome pitching, just the team drew it up.
No matter how much Caray/Martinez tried to jinx us, it didn’t work lol.
Buck lost me when he was trying to make his case for Joba by failing to disclose that Joba actually has more than 2 plus pitches and implying that Joba doesn’t know how to go more than 2 innings at a time.
But overall a great bounceback for Wang against a team that’s tortured him in the past.
And it looks like we’re going to pick up a game on the Sox. What a great day.
“a good game in April does not an “Ace†make.”
So what does a bad or losing game in April make of an “ace”?
Jeff NJ – Yeah, but just think of it this way…We’re getting a bunch of road games out of the way now, so we’ll be sitting pretty at home when our rivals are dragging their butts all around the country later this year!
Let’s see – CMW is 5-0 and people are saying he’s not our Ace? Mind boggling.
Even better the Yanks win and that Shields is 1 out away….
It’s refreshing to see one of these type games. They don’t happen much anymore.
double bonus: Sox lose!
(for the record, I’ve stopped believing in ‘aces’ after Cleveland’s two ‘aces’ couldn’t get them the WS last year)
And more tears yet. To see a kid from the Rays go 9 innings to beat Beckett and the Rays, well it just overjoys me.
RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s very clear that this is the only formula that will work all year…Joba in the 8th-sometimes in the 7th as warranted, and Mo to close it out…
Face it, that formula works…the evidence is irrefutable…you’d have to be dreaming if you think Joba is going to be in the starting rotation soon…
Wang mimicing Joba after a strikeout: =D
http: //tw.news.yahoo.com/photostory/wang0427.html
Wang is better than Hamels, Hernandez, Smoltz (at this stage in his career), Haren, and Harang.
I’d say the best pitchers are:
1. Santana
2. Peavy
3. Webb
4. Oswalt
5. Beckett
6. Sabathia
7. Halladay
8. Wang
9. Kazmir
10. Verlander
11. Bedard
I think this has to be classified as a “feel good” win. Hopefully its the start of something good. The offense is still not firing on all cylinders, but I think we’ll be ok. I just hope Girardi doesn’t sit Matsui or Abreu for at least another week. We need those guys in the game.
The number one question of the day is how long? How long is Posada going to be out? We probably won’t know until tomorrow. I’m not as concerned about Moeller not making it through waivers. Obviously it wouldbe great if they could get him back. But this is the Yankees. They will find someone.
you Hawaii fans Colt Brennan went to Washington in RD.6
“Let’s see – CMW is 5-0 and people are saying he’s not our Ace? Mind boggling.”
And he just finished pitching 7 shut out innings with his team scoring one run for him in order to end a three game losing streak.
And Mussina pitching tomorrow.
Dude how can CC be on espn.com top performers section and wang isn’t. That makes no sense
Mo’s cutter is nastier than its been this early in the season in years.
He used to struggle in April. Now, guys are even getting good swings on it.
That late movement seems to be back and he is just dominating.
Its why its so important not to overuse him, tempting as it may be.
He’s too valuable.
Wow, so TB swept Boston, interesting.
Trisha – and we go for two in a row tomorrow.
Anybody just see Derek with Kim. He said Posada will hopefully just need rest.
Tough loss for Sabathia, by the way…
Still, as tough as the East is I’m glad we’re not in the Central. I wouldn’t want to face the likes of Sabathia and Carmona (nevermind the Detroit staff, once it gets going) for more than a handful of games over the course of a season.
Brandon,
sj-
“Carroll recently taught the pitch(gyroball) to 23-year-old financial consultant and amateur league player Kyle Boddy.” pbs
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/ex.....12-20.html
kyle boddy is the pitching”expert who has the pitching website.
the thing is there is some interesting stuff on boddy’s site, but it illustrates the problem when someone who’s not very experienced in baseball, but who is very good with web technology puts himself out as an expert .
thought you would get a charge out of it because i could tell your red flags were going off as mine were the more comments the guy made.
Also, Shields going complete game shutout on the Red Sox makes me feel a bit better about him going 5 IP/2 ER against the Yankees
For you JB Cox fans, he pitched his first game of the season for Trenton (AA) today. Two scoreless innings to get the hold.
Wang is not better than Hamels or Smoltz or Harang. Not sure about King Felix or Haren, but I’d probably say they are better than Wang as well.
Amen to that, Dynasty – no way we can change this.
Fran, when I talked about us being a good team, I meant the me and you!
Here’s another bonus still. I get to watch the NESN postgame where you see them facing the press. Tito and Beckett. Tito always sounds so depressed. I’ll have to see what hayseed has to say.
This sure was SA-WEET!
“It’s very clear that this is the only formula that will work all year…Joba in the 8th-sometimes in the 7th as warranted, and Mo to close it out…
Face it, that formula works…the evidence is irrefutable…you’d have to be dreaming if you think Joba is going to be in the starting rotation soon…”
Classic example of drawing the wrong conclusion from the evidence in front of you. Dynasty, did you notice that there were 7 innings pitched in the just-concluded game before Joba got onto the mound? Were those 7 shutout innings somehow not important to the outcome? Is the 8th inning still as important if the score is 5-1 Indians instead of 1-0 Yankees?
7 shutout innings from the starter are more important in that “formula” than the 8th inning. Joba will go into the rotation later this season, as planned. So it is written, so it shall be done.
ofcourse I’m happy mel we won, but I’m tired of this notion that we can’t win w/o Joba in the Pen , today’s game was a perfect example of that. Dammit just let your SP finish what he started what’s the point in wasting an arm when he’s not needed, I mean one day Wang will need relief but today wasn’t the day.
Just wanted to show some appreciation to Melky.
He’s such a great kid to root for. So far he’s hit HRs off
Halladay, Papelbon & CC. (I forget the other 2) Not bad.
Go Melky!
Holdstrong, come on now. This game means a lot to the Yankees but it means even more to Chien-Ming Wang. Psychologically, this was a HUGE win for him after last year’s bad performance against Cleveland in the playoffs. If you don’t understand that, and if you don’t understand that Wang has just thrown a 8-K game against a team that has only struck out 8 times before in 19 innings against Wang (while hitting .315), then you really don’t know what you’re talking about. This game is a huge part of the discussion and to write it off and say that you’re waiting for the playoffs for Wang to prove his ace status, then that’s simply a cop out. I mean, before last year, he had 13.1 innings pitched in the postseason and had only given up 4 runs during that time. It seems like the “an ace carries us in the postseason” is an opportunistic sort of arguement. One bad year in the postseason doesn’t nullify what has come before that.
Yes, as much as I like Joba shutting teams down out of the bullpen, we desperately need him as a starter.
What an amazing job of pitching by Wang. It appears he’s really refined the slider and a split to go with that sinker. Should be a couple of great weapons for him on days where his sinker isn’t working, and if today is any indication, his K total may be going up after all.
Scorpio, I second that vote of confidence for the Melk! I will state again that my major reason for not wanting to go near Santana was the thought of giving up Melky.
““Let’s see – CMW is 5-0 and people are saying he’s not our Ace? Mind boggling.â€
And he just finished pitching 7 shut out innings with his team scoring one run for him in order to end a three game losing streak.
And Mussina pitching tomorrow.”
Some people just have a different perspective on the word “ACE”. Personally I’m of the thinking that an ACE is somebody who has pitched multiple Phenomenal seasons, winning a Cy Young or two, and/or has a great history in the playoffs.
Josh Beckett is an ACE. Johan Santana is an ACE. Jake Peavy very good pitcher, but folds like a lawn chair in the playoffs and plays in a pitchers paradise.
Wang is a GREAT pitcher, our best, I’m just not ready to anoint him an ace especially with his Home/Away splits(which in a funny way flipped so far in 08) and last years postseason performance.
Your going to have to deal with others peoples opinion on here Abraham!
Nick in SF,
With all due respect, let’s assume that Joba had been the starter…the score is 1-0 and then you turn it over to the bullpen…
How confident are you now that we would win this game in that scenario?…
CMW might’ve just made someone in Taiwan very happy… for getting a new car! The channel here will give away a New Outlander 2.4 with every 5 wins from Wang.
About Joba – I have no horse in the pen vs. rotation race.
That said, while we have him in the pen, the formula was the perfect one. Why have Wang waste bullets? This was a thing of beauty.
we do not care who better than Wang
We just want to see him pitch and win for Yankees
Who is Ace we do not mind
Time will tell
thanks SJ
JB Cox
2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
GO/AO 3-2
meanwhile FatA.. tomorrow will go WFAN and whine w/ his legion of idiots why you know who needs to stay in the pen.
Martinez was right about one thing, Joba has the potential to be as good or better than Mariano. If you extroplate his small sample size, wow. (how’s that winning after the 9th inning stat 1000+ wins, 30-something losses?)
BUT, Joba deserves the chance to see if he can be as good or better than the great power pitchers of the game.
Interesting development in the Scranton game. Besides another fine outing from Rasner (1 run over 6 innings), Scranton put Jose Veras in for Traber, who recorded an out to the only guy he faced.
Why is that important? Its a 2-1 Scranton lead and Veras has been the closer all year. Seems to me they are trying him out in the 7th inning to see if he can handle the role.
This smacks of an audition for the Yankees to me.
There is no way Scranton puts their closer in a 2-1 game in the 7th inning unless the Yankees tell them they want to see Veras in that role. Probably to see how he holds up in a setup role. Its a different mindset than being a closer.
He did the job. Gave up a single but, retired the next two hitters and preserved the 2-1 lead.
Wang is a different pitcher than last year. He is developing into a very good pitcher and could be an ace. He has a strikeout pitch now and than is helping him. The Yankees just need one of the young kids, Hughes or Kennedy, to step forward and they will be fine.
I agree, Trisha…I didn’t want Melky to go. This year Melky seems more driven than ever, maybe that contract that Robbie Cano got has him inspired!
“Jake Peavy very good pitcher, but folds like a lawn chair in the playoffs and plays in a pitchers paradise.”
If you don’t think Peavy is an ace, then your baseball opinions have no validity whatsoever.
Taiwaness -
I’m with you. The debate about ace or not really has no great relevance. Wanger has been phenomenal. We love him!
“That said, while we have him in the pen, the formula was the perfect one. Why have Wang waste bullets? This was a thing of beauty.”
Trish simple because one of these days Wang won’t have these bullets and we’ll look back to days like today pulling a SP when the SP can relieve your BP instead of the other way around. The BP is there to relief a SP in distress this was not one of those days to relieve a SP.
“If you don’t think Peavy is an ace, then your baseball opinions have no validity whatsoever.”
Please explain to me your opinion with nice commentary and stats to back it up.
Otherwise your talking about your behind, but maybe that was your intent.
Apologies if so.
Um, Dynasty, you’re asking the wrong questions. How confident are you right now that anyone not named Wang or Pettite can deliver a 1-0 game to the 8th inning? And forget 1-0, just deliver a game with a lead?
Do you honestly believe that it will be easier for the Yanks to plug in another starting pitcher who can do that than it will be to plug more parts into the bullpen until they can find a person or persons to fill that 8th inning role?
Is the winning formula really keeping Joba in the pen for the few random starts per time around the rotation that the Yanks have a small lead in the 8th?
The premise of your entire argument remains the same: a setup man is more important than a quality starting pitcher. No sale.
Darrell Rasner 4-0. With 6IP, 6Ks and 1BB. His ERA rose to 0.84. Veras locked down the win with his 8th save.
Melky has more HRs so far than Alex. That’s just crazy!
I know Alex will come around. But I’m so excited for Melky, who Cano said was very stressed out during the off season by all the Santana trade talk.
I’ve said this before, but at $400k a year, Melky has already earned his pay check and is playing for the Yankees for free for the rest of the season.
Joba will be in the starting role this year. It’s not a matter of if but a matter of when.
They need to increase his innings load from last year, not decrease it.
That’s right. My apologies. They played a 7 inning game in Syracuse because its the first game of a DH.
So, no audition after all for Veras. Just pitched in his usual role and did the job again.
Girardi just pretty much said that Jorge will go on the DL.
Beckett’s only had like 1 and 2/3 ‘phenomenal’ seasons and no Cy Young awards, but has a great record so far in the postseason
Peavy has about 2 and 2/3 ‘phenomenal’ seasons and 1 Cy Young award (post-season record so far…ain’t so hot at the present time)
Both have had a couple of meh, below average years.
Shouldn’t Peavy be at least in the same class as Beckett?
Girardi truly doesn’t seem overly concerned about Jorge long term. Seems to be looking at a 15-day DL. Said they will have to get a catcher, naturally.
SJ,
Its a seven inning game in AAA today because its the first game of a double header. Still, Veras came in the middle of an inning which may indicate they are looking him a different way. Rasner was pretty dominant again.
Let’s get Mike Stanley out of retirement (to catch for us)! HA!!
*By below average, I mean a ERA+ of under 100, so below average with respect to the league
Joe just called CMW’s good performance today unbelievable.
Joe is denying the Jorge’s “tear” report, saying “I don’t know how they will know that when he hasn’t done an MRI. Somebody is just throwing something out there.”
Je is definitely downplaying it.
Peavy’s ERA+, WHIPs the last 4 seasons:
2004: 171, 1.196
2005: 134, 1.044
2006: 99, 1.231
2007: 159, 1.061
Beckett’s ERA+, WHIps the last 4 seasons:
2004: 108, 1.219
2005: 118, 1.181
2006: 95, 1.295
2007: 145, 1.141
ERA+ takes ballpark into account. Peavy’s WHIP and ERA+ have all been better than Beckett’s for 4 consecutive seasons.
Peavy is an ace.
wow never heard of that 7 inning game thing in the minors. Too bad we can’t do that here, then we could use Joba in the 5th. That would be nice.
Wonder if they’re just downplaying it in order keep someone like the Red Sox from claiming Moeller off waivers just to hurt the Yanks?
From day 1 Melky has made it known that he wants to be a Yankee, every trade rumor seemed to have his name on it, that’s the perfect incentive for a young driven player. I’m hoping he’ll become like Bernie or better.
Why is there always a Wang is an ace/no he’s not debate when Wang pitches well?
Mel, I love Joba, but he will never be as good or better than Mo as a closer. That’s just impossible – and closing is still different than being a set up guy. Mo has the most unique mentality I’ve ever seen in an athlete; he’s the calmest, coolest cat out there and simply nothing bothers him. The most important quality he’s got going for him, mentally, is his ability to forget his bad moments and just move on to the next big moment. Mo also has the greatest one pitch repertoire ever – the kind of pitch that made Chipper Jones laugh as his team was about to be swept in the WS. This is no knock on Joba – Mo is just unique in every way.
I’ve been going back and forth on this.
But, IMO, Rasner needs to replace Kennedy in the rotation.
My reasoning is, they need another veteran who can negotiate through innings and give them some length.
Especially now, with all the injuries.
Rasner has been lights out ever since Rafael Chaves refined his cutter. Its made him a much more economical pitcher.
That’s what is needed in the #5 starters role.
I think Kennedy will eventually be a fine ML pitcher. However, he is still too tentative and the bullpen is too gassed to have many more 3-5 inning, 85-105 pitch outings from him.
They have one spot open on the 40 man roster. They will DL Jorge, which frees up the spot to get a catcher.
IMO, they need to add Rasner.
Its a tough call but they are better off going with a veteran in that spot right now. Especially one throwing as well as he is at the present time.
Nick in SF,
No that’s not the premise of my argument…I believe they are all important parts…clearly we can’t have poor starting pitching, but I have faith that either Kennedy or Hughes will turn it around…then having three good starters backed up by Joba and Mo is in my humble opinion a better formula than 4 quality starters with no bridge to Mo…
We can debate this ad naseum, but do you really think that if this formula keeps working and the Yankees find themselves in first place or close to it, they will change things up? That just makes no sense if you want to win this season…
In the future, who knows…it would be great to see what Joba can do as a starter…how can it be done this season?
Joe also said regarding Jorge that “my concern is short term”, but he did say he’ll go on the DL.
Yearn – How DARE YOU bring statistics into the argument!
“all of NY should be thanking Neil Allen. It’s a nasty pitch. Put it together with that slider it’s even better.”
cb-
you’re one of the few who know about allen’s influence on wang. i was very down last summer when guidry ( who ironically is a good friend of allen) was trying to get wang to throw more breaking balls because i thought it could cause wang to lose his sinker. in spring training when coaches in minor league camp are very accessible, i asked allen about it.
he said there is no problem throwing other pitchers because they can be thrown from the same arm slot. the only thing that changes is the grip. he did say wang needs to be reminded constantly to keep his stride short for his sinker to sink and to go up and in to keep hitters from cheating up on the sinker.
allen asked me how i liked the kid pitching right before i had asked him about wang. it was david price from vanderbilt. i’m so stupid,i didn’t even pay attention to what i was watching. allen expects to have him at double a soon.
With Bruney out for the season, I don’t know how quickly I move Joba anywhere. Until we feel we have someone unequivocally groomed for the 8th – and I’m not saying it won’t happen – Joba will likely be in the pen.
Even though you may not be overjoyed with the production of the rotation to this point, I have confidence in Wang, Moose and Pettitte. If we get Hughes and Kennedy where we need them, and slowly but surely it’s happening, why would you want to push Joba to the rotation, when you know you have the time to do it somewhere down the line?
With a sluggish offense and short innings from our kids, and the ridiculous road schedule to date, we’re still playing 500 ball. Meanwhile, Sux have lost their last 5!
” I believe that Bernie and Paul contributed more than Jeter, but Jeter gets all the credit.”
In 1999 Derek was the best player in the AL. He should have won the MVP that year. Look at his production he put up from the SS position.
Neil Allen is overrated, I got a hit off him at fantasy camp. It went right over 2nd. Bobby Meachem picked it up quickly and threw a fastball to 1st. I almost strained both quads beating the throw. That sadly, is the highlight of my baseball career.
I don’t think they should replace Kennedy in the rotation yet.
Kennedy had a mixed game yesterday. He almost imploded.
But the important thing was that he regrouped and threw much better after that one terrible inning.
That’s how young pitchers get better – they face adversity and overcome it.
Yesterday was a step in the right direction for Kennedy. He still looks tentative and isn’t being aggressive enough but yesterday’s game is one he can build on.
They do need to bring up Rasner – he should fill the role of the long man.
If Girardi doesn’t trust Britton at all he’s useless on the roster.
They should call up Rasner and have him be the long man.
I think they should stick with Kennedy and see if he can build on the start from yesterday.
Jeter probably deserved it over Morneau back in 2006 as well. These baseball writers screw up lots of the awards. Bartolo Colon won the Cy Young in 2005, and that was a complete joke. Mariano or Johan Santana deserved it much more. There are a plethora of other examples.
Bob – I agree that they may be downplaying the injury to either get Moeller back or give Brian a chance to make a trade that doesn’t smack of desperation.
Joba will be in the pen all season this year.And more so now that Bruney(not Ohlendorff) was our best reliever outside of Mo and Joba.He’s more imporatant there.
SJ44, I agree with you about Kennedy; I would send him down as well until he can find his control and regain his confidence. Halladay once was sent down so Ian should not look at it as a forever move.
Not only can it be done this season, it will be done this season. I’m not sure how you consider .500 baseball to be such a slam-dunk winning formula.
The plan that is in place and has been in place is to start off Joba in the pen and then move him into the rotation later in the season so as not to overshoot his innings cap. This will still be done. It’s not a question of how can it be done this season, it’s a question of how couldn’t it be done this season — they want Joba to be a starting pitcher and they want to get him close to his innings cap. So of course it will be done this season.
trisha,
Agree…it’s not that Joba wouldn’t be a good starter-he might very well be a great one…the problem is we kind of found out accidentally how remarkable he is in the role as setup man-…some of his appearances have been high pressure and he has handled them better than most people could have imagined…
How do you mess with that?
“allen expects to have him at double a soon.”
Unfortunately I think Price has a strain in his arm and is out right now.
Price has got very good stuff. He’s going to be very, very good if he stays healthy.
I’m going to respost this again as it may have gotten lost in the fast-moving game blog:
http://www.minorleagueball.com.....hil-hughes
From John Sickles – my favorite paragraph is :
So what is wrong with Hughes? I get panicked email from Yankees fans, asking if he was overhyped. No, he wasn’t overhyped. Yes, there is a problem with Hughes right now. He’s 21, practically skipped Triple-A, and is pitching for the New York Freaking Yankees. Cut the kid some slack. Indications are that his mechanics are a bit off right now , hampering his fastball command and probably the velocity too. As long as he remains healthy, I think there is a really good chance that Hughes will be just fine. Maybe he just needs some additional Triple-A time to regain his mechanical footing.
However, I don’t understand why Sickles keeps predicting that Phil will go down with a shoulder injury. Is there something about Phil’s delivery that screams “potential dangerâ€? I don’t get it; I’ve always read that Phil has a perfect delivery – it’s repeatable, especially. I guess his mechanics are still up for debate, but I’ve never read that Phil was a major injury risk.
**Guys, is there any reason to consider Phil more of an injury risk than anyone else? It’s not like he’s got a herky-jerky motion……….
“Its a tough call but they are better off going with a veteran in that spot right now. Especially one throwing as well as he is at the present time.”
i agree for a little different reason. i think girardi needs to have some pitchers he can beat up on a bit. that’s a bad choice of words, but you get the idea. it’s got to be hard trying to win everyday and still protecting delicate arms. hughes and joba are enough i feel for now.
kennedy will be back if he goes down. he then becomes insurance for the yankees for later in the season when they will surely need some.
CB, I agree with you. I give IPK a few more starts to really get it together. He seems to be improving, physically and mentally. Rasner would make a great long man.
Peter, wnat to make a poll on that?
I don’t understand how this Joba plan can work without any good set-up man.And also can we ever find anybody as good in all of baseball (not including closers) that can pitch like Joba in the 7th and 8th.
Peavy also won the triple crown last year, which is such an impressive feat.
The only pitching triple crown winners since 1946 include: Randy Johnson, Dwight Gooden, Steve Carlton, Sandy Koufax, Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, and Jake Peavy.
Girardi was trying to downplay Jorge’s condition.
But Jorge is calling it “the biggest disappointment of my career what I’m going through”
Jorge said basically right before the game he couldn’t throw and it was painful. And until now all three doctors he’s seen said it’s a strain and nothing more, but now he wants to go back to have them check again.
MoBoy, you can just stop your post after the “I don’t understand” part.
gotta love posada “want to apologize to the yankees, just signing a good contract and this” he seemed real upset in that postgame interview, hopefully its no more than a 15 day stay on the dl
cb-
i should have said allen said he hoped and looked forward to have him at double a at some time in the season. who wouldn’t if they were a pitching coach ?
i guess price didn’t pitch much last year and the rays are having to bring him along carefully.
“**Guys, is there any reason to consider Phil more of an injury risk than anyone else? It’s not like he’s got a herky-jerky motion……….”
Betsy,
There’s no concern about phil hurting his shoulder. All of that nonsense is derived from this ridiculous video “scouting” report some guy did on the internet.
He looked at a video of phil throwing 11 pitches when he was in the minors and compared it to the first start he made in the majors.
Based on that he said that he spotted a “change” in phil’s mechanics and predicted that he’s injure his shoulder.
He’s not a doctor and was not basing his assessment from seeing him in person. Just 11 pitches on a video.
After that the story spread like wild fire across the internet.
For some reason people with blog believe that random people on the internet know more about pitching mechanics than guys like Nardi Contreras and Dave Eiland – the pitching coaches who have worked with Phil since he was drafted.
Rafael Chaves is jewel SJ, remember he’s the one that actually made King Felix into a dominant SP, when he left the Mariners it took Felix awhile to regain his confidence on the mound.
Ian has to stay SJ he looks like he is finally figuring it out.
Nick in SF-
I would love for once for you to give me a answer of “Who will Set-Up” for this year.Not 5 years from now but this year.I want Joba as a stater.But there’s a bigger need in the Set-Up position.Who do you put out there.
My take after listening to both Girardi and Posada is that they truly do not know exactly what it is but they agree it needs to be taken care of. Don’t forget that he had an MRI that showed nothing, and three doctors concurred. I don’t think it has the appearance of long term but Jorge knows that he needs to be on the DL just so he can finally get it taken care of.
How great is Cashman’s signing of Molina right now?
Scott Patterson, Jose Veras, David Robertson, JB Cox…we have options to pitch the 8th.
Here’s a summary of Jorge’s comments from the post-game show: I’m borrowing this from some posters because I missed the interview:
****Jorge says three doctors have sad the same thing – a strained muscle. But he feels it’s more than that and wants to find out what is causing his pain. Says he’ll go on the DL, it’s painful and he can’t play.
He is so upset and said that this is the greatest disappointment of his career. So sad… He looks like he is going to cry. He’s apologizing because the Yanks signed him to such a good contract.***
Wow, I’m glad I missed that because I would have probably teared up at seeing Jorge; I can’t imagine how painful, physically and emotionally, this must be for him. I’m hoping that Dr. Andrews will have better news for Jorge and that if there is nothing substantially wrong, it will ease Jorge’s mind even if he still has some pain (due to the Dr. telling him that he’s going to be fine long-term and that the pain is temporary). Poor Po.
Thought it interesting that Andrews was one of the drs that looked at the original MRI and he also said no tear so unless he re-injured it yesterday and a new MRI is done not sure what else is there.
He had surgery on his shoulder before does anyone know if is the same one thatis bothering him now and what type of injury he had befopre that caused the surgey?
In the post-game Joba said he feels great and his mechanics today feels the best since coming back.
I agree with giving IPK at least one more start. He really toughed it out yesterday in the last 3 innings and seemed to have matured right before our eyes. I wouldn’t want them to take him out just as he’s starting to become more aggressive with the batters and becoming more mentally tough.
“Neil Allen is overrated, I got a hit off him at fantasy camp.”
jeff nj
that’s funny, but you got him after he snapped his ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow. he used to be 95mph with one of the best 12/6 cuvves in baseball.
… but they probably fixed it though by the time you faced him. good job.
Thanks, CB! I really didn’t believe there was any cause for concern – but it did raise a bit of a red flag when Sickles was predicting injury. On the other hand, you can predict injury for any pitcher since throwing a baseball is totally unnatural.
In the 8th inning today Joba pitched to three hitters.
David Delluci is hitting .275. Astrubal Cabrera is hitting .219. Travis Hafner is hitting .226.
How hard is it to get those three guys out right now?
Just because Kyle Farnsworth is incapable of pitching the 8th doesn’t mean that pitching the 8th is necessarily an inordinantly hard thing to do.
By far the key part of this game was not Joba pitching the 8th or Mo pitching the 9th.
It was wang dominating the first seven innings.
I’m sure Jorge just wants another opinion again for peace of mind. When the pain isn’t being explained away (as in – Dr. Andrews had indicated previously there being no structural damage), it’s got to wreak havoc with your emotions because you have no idea WHY you are feeling pain. For Jorge’s sake, I hope it’s something that can be taken care of with a stint on the DL – I feel terribly for him.
“Thought it interesting that Andrews was one of the drs that looked at the original MRI and he also said no tear so unless he re-injured it yesterday and a new MRI is done not sure what else is there.”
If Dr. Andrews looked at the MRI and said it was just a strain than that’s all it is.
Posada has never been on the DL and has almost never had any significant health problems. When a player has his first injury it can be very difficult. It’s an entirely new experience.
As long as Posada doesn’t need surgery than he’ll be fine. If three doctors have said the MRI shows a strain that doesn’t require surgery that’s a very good sign. Generally tears that require surgery are large tears that are seen on the MRI.
He may be out for a while just to rest – muscle strains can take a long time to heal. But that doesn’t mean he’s going to need surgery.
The White Sox announcers are the biggest homers in history.They make me laugh. ‘Going to the ninth,we lead by 5!!’
MoBoy, read above, your question has been answered. Perhaps you might ask yourself this one:
What was more impressive today, what Wang did in innings 1-7 or what Joba did in inning 8?
Brandon-
Why not Edwar Ramirez he has better numbers in the minors too bad he will still have a 6.00Era in the majors because hes stuff still isn’t major league ready.THese kids got good numbers but there’s a reason there in the majors.
CB -
Yes Wang was great pitching today seven innings.But if Hughes pitches a great game in 6 innings tomorrow and we need someone to hold the game in the 7thn 8th and close it in the 9th can Wang help us.No but Joba and Mo who are major reasons why we are over .500 stop the game after the 7 inning.Something we can’t replace this year.
Brandon-
Why not Edwar Ramirez he has better numbers in the minors,too bad he will still have a 6.00Era in the majors because hes stuff still isn’t major league ready.THese kids got good numbers but there’s a reason there in the minors.
I hope Posada trying to play through this thing hasn’t aggravated a strain into something bigger. Go on the DL and get it better.
“Wang is not an Ace” = “Wang makes me feel insecure”
MoBoy I didn’t say he couldn’t, I would guess he is an obvious option. He has improved now w/ his cutter and slider and he’s throwing a slider for strikes now.
It boggles the mind, but you can pretty much set your clock on two things:
1) If Wang pitches a great game, someone will post that he still isn’t an “Ace”.
2) If Joba pitches a great (or even good) inning, someone will treat that as evidence that he can’t be anything more than a setup man this year.
exactly
“He’s not a doctor and was not basing his assessment from seeing him in person. Just 11 pitches on a video.
After that the story spread like wild fire across the internet.”
cb-
don’t know if you noticed,but i mentioned earlier that i googled the guy who was saying the same kind of stuff about joba.
it turned out the “expert” was a 23 year old kid being taught the gyro ball from will carroll at baseball prospectus. it might be the same guy saying stuff about hughes.
baseball prospectus is great at adding another way to look at the game, but people have to look at the credentials of the source when decide on the credibility of a report.
some sabermetrically fluent pitching “experts” with no coaching experience are trying to make a cottage industry of pitching advice. and i’ll bet at some point they’ll come up with something useful for the very reason they are outside the system, but you have take what they say with a grain of salt.
a this point it’s like voodoo economics. it sounds good ,but there’s no knowledge base behind it.
You guys don’t understand why kind of bullpen you have for the 7 to 9th inning.You might have the best 1-2 punch in the bullpen in the history of baseball.How can you beat Joba who can throw 100 mph and the greatest closer of all time.
I like Wang but remember this guy had a high 3 Era and 199 hits in 199 innings with 104 strikouts last year.Yes he nearly goes 200 innings but he does get hit hard and isn’t a Ace and I can pick 5 staters over him.JOba and MO are playing better then anybody in ther game right now.
Pete, we need an FAQ-type section so people can go there and debate the constant Joba – starter vs. reliever debate…or the constant move Jeter from SS…or the constant DFA everyone.
“it turned out the “expert†was a 23 year old kid being taught the gyro ball from will carroll at baseball prospectus. it might be the same guy saying stuff about hughes.”
randy,
that article about Joba’s mechancis is utter garbage. This “video analysis” that’s spreading across the internet is nonsense.
It’s only hapenning now because it’s so easy to get video off of youtube. And anyone can just sit back, set up a web iste and claim to be an expert.
The guy talking about phil was different than the guy from the joba analysis.
The idea that some random 23 year old with no background in the game knows more about mechanics than Nardi Contreras who added 5-7 mph on Joba’s fastball is just laughable.
But people put stuff up on the internet and other bloggers link to their stuff and treat them like experts.
Nick in SF,
The argument is not that Joba can’t be a starter…it’s that he can’t be a starter this year…not under present conditions…
It’s really quite simple…just watch the games…
“How can you beat Joba who can throw 100 mph and the greatest closer of all time.”
That’s really easy. Have your starting pitcher throw lousy innings.
Look at the yankees in the playoffs the last two seasons.
Take the games against boston this season. For a minute assume joba had been available for all the games.
In those 5 games against the sox Joba would have thrown 1 inning.
How is that a “weapon?” Using the best arm on your team for 1 inning over the course of 5 games against your chief rival is an absolute waste.
Again, yankee fans for some reason have concluded that just because Kyle Farnsworth or LaTroy Hawkins can’t pitch in the 8th inning no one else can.
How did Albaladejo look the other day when they let him pitch the 8th and 9th? He shut down the other team and kept the yanks in the game.
Take Wang out of the rotation. Joba would be the best at holding all the 4 run deficits for the Yankees in the 8th. We’ll send in the Big J and other teams will know, they’ll say to themselves, “Joba’s in, we’re only winnin by 4 today.”
Who was more valuable in this game? Wang pitching 7 innings of shutout ball, or Joba throwing 1 inning of shutout ball?
If Wang allows 2 runs over 7 innings (a damn good performance), we lose, and Joba has a day off in the bullpen.
SP > RP.
CB,
Yes, you make an interesting point about Albaladejo, I took like what I saw from him the other day…it’s just so hard because Joba has set the bar so high…
I meant, I too liked what I saw from him the other day…
Let’s be thankful that the NFL draft took place for 2 days. It allows Russo and Francesca little time to criticize the Yankees on Monday.
Regarding the opinion that you don’t have Cano bat w/bases loaded, in favor of Matsui.
Cano is in a dreadful slump, and he does not have good numbers with the bases loaded.
Having said that, if you paid attention to his at bat, you might have noticed that it was looking very promising, as he hit two balls to the opposite field that were fouls but that he hit well, and that showed this was a connected at bat. I was thinking he was going to do some damage, and he might have, had ONE OF THE WORST CALLS EVER not been made; when he was “caught looking” at a BALL below the knees.
Sorry, folks, but that was good judgement on Cano’s part to take that pitch, and it was just a LOUSY call by the home plate umpire. You can NOT take the bat out of someone’s hands by signalling a call strike when it’s nowhere near being slighly borderline, even.
Also, Girardi knows it’s more important to eschew statistics, there (Cano’s troubles hitting in bases loaded situations) and build up the confidence of a guy who will routinely hit around .330 every year. Girardi consults statistics, he isn’t enslaved by them.
What’s wrong with this picture?
“SJ44
April 27th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
We ought to institute a fine system on the blog.
The next time people write Wang is “not an aceâ€, they should be fined.
”
“SJ44
October 5th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I don’t think there is any debate on Joba any longer. The Yankees don’t have an ace. Joba is an ace.
Unless they trade for Johan Santana in the off-season, they need an ace. Wang is not one, nor will he ever be. Joba is.”