Wrapping it up from the Metrodome
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 31, 2008 
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Bobby Abreu’s steal of second in the first inning was the 300th of his career. He became the 12th player since 1950 to have 400 doubles, 200 home runs and 300 stolen bases in his career. That group includes Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Rickey Henderson.
Mike Mussina is 7-1 with a 3.51 ERA over his last eight starts. Raise your hand if you thought he would be tied for the AL lead in wins after two months. Wins don’t really indicate much. But, still, nobody figured this.
Shelley Duncan has played 18 games at first base and committed three errors. He’s also hitting .161 with a .250 OBP. Something has to give there.
Kyle Farnsworth has allowed eight home runs in 24.1 innings. Said Joe Girardi, ever loyal to his guy: “He was facing the monster part of their lineup. It’s not so easy to always whiz through it.”
The Yankees have won seven of their last nine.
Thanks for checking in today. The Wanger vs. Boof Bonser tomorrow night.
Could be the end of days for Shelley…
Ensburg too…
After Ben Broussard gets a few more at bats, he’ll probably find his way up to the Majors…
I also think Bret Gardner should be taking Ensburgs spot on the bench. He can provide speed off the bench and his hitting can’t be any worse that Ensburgs’.
Gardner should be playing every day, keep him in AAA. Chad Jennings said Bernie Castro could be an option for speed off the bench he feels his speed is right there with Christian and Gardner.
Wow. All the good stuff happens when I miss the game…
For those interested, Clayton Kershaw was so-so, but Heilman was much, much worse.
NBA Finals prediction, Pete?
“Chad Jennings said Bernie Castro could be an option for speed off the bench”
Brian Cashman said the same thing to ESPN last week.
Hope my Celtics can pull it out. Would be nice to see all those ringless vets finally get one.
I have a picture of Bernie Castro smiling at me!
leave it to Elijah Dukes
Gotta agree with you Real World. It would be nice to see these Celtics win. They’re a class act, unlike some other Boston teams.
Yes. Real classy. Celtic stars leading the “Beat LA” chants during the trophy presentation. Wonder if the Celtic fans will adopt and adapt the “Yankees suck” chant from the Red Sox.
Wow! I know Jeter’s struggling, but I didn’t think they would do anything this drastic. They’re drafting a SS who’s 102 years old.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....8;c_id=nyy
Mel, this Celtics team has a sense of history, which is another plus in my book.
Duncan should be forearm smashing Igawa in AAA.
P. Martino,
This Celtics team? What about the Celtics teams from the last 20 years? You don’t think they sensed the history hanging from the rafters even when they were hanging their heads losing season after losing season?
I don’t really get your point. Most of the greats in today’s game are students of the game, graduate students in NBA history, and disciples of the living legends. They may be spoiled millionaires playing a silly game with a round orange ball, but they know who paved the road for them.
Kyle doesn’t have to WHIZ through it. He just has to NOT give up runs.
i think veras has the stuff to be an 8th inning guy
I kinda miss Bruney. If he were here, it’d be his spot to lose.
mel-
Bruney would probably lose it, though he was pitching well enough to earn a shot at it.
Buddy,
LOL. I warned Pat not to fall in love with Bruney cuz he’ll break your heart. And he did…by injuring himself.
Watching the Spelling Bee. All the boys are drooling over Erin Andrews and all the girls are giving her stink eye.
I watched the spelling bee too, have you seen the “numbnuts” part yet?
I like the one 12 year old that had a full mustache, I didn’t start shaving until I was 20. Haven’t his parents heard of Gillette?
Ensberg needs to be DFA’d. Duncan needs at bats and he needs reps at 1b. Scranton style it seems.
And Cashman needs a lefty and a reliable set up man for the pen.
Get on it, Cash.
saw the highlight and loled cuz when i turned on the tv to watch the bee, he was on that word.
my daughter asked,”how old is that guy?”
Even though Moose leads in Wins, we all know that Wang is the best starting pitcher on the team. Although Moose has certainly been a pleasant surprise.
Duncan needs to get sent down to AAA. He is much worse than Giambi defensively at 1B, and he has had numerous chances to hit lefites yet he almost always comes up empty. Only one of him and Ensberg need to be on the roster, and I say stick with Morgan.
YoDawg,
Technically, the RazzShizzle is our best pitcher, but I know what you mean. I’d rather Andy get wins when he pitches well, than Moose get wins when he stinks. Andy’s had little run support the last two seasons.
“i think veras has the stuff to be an 8th inning guy”
Maybe…Let’s put it this way: Right now I’d give him a shot over Farnsworth, but not before Ramirez…
ensberg stinks and has no energy.
the yanks need cox and melancon, kyle will fail..
hopefully the young studs will get called up soon.
I like Shelly, but enough is enough. I have but two words for him ~ Scranton-Wilksbarre
I’m driving up from VA for the game on Thursday afternoon against the Jays. Are there any locals out there that can give some parking advice based on the new stadium construction?
Thanks,
KMT
Suggest parking in Parking Lot#3 located on E162 St and River Ave. Fee is $17.00. Its an multi-story indoor garage located two blocks North from the Stadium and somewhat distant enough to be away from all the traffic surrounding the perimeter of the Stadium. If you arrive around two hours before game time you will have no problem. Lot opens approximately 3 hours before gane time.
Nice interview of Melancon on the “thunder thoughts” blog
http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/
He describes his arsenal and his motion. Recovery from TJ. And comparisons to JOBA
Thursday is gonna be quite a day. Will be listening to the game, and keeping an eye on the draft, while trying to get work done as well..
“Wins don’t really indicate much.”
Josh Beckett
John Lackey
Chien-Ming Wang
Fausto Carmona
C.C. Sabathia
Justin Verlander
Kelvim Escobar
Tim Wakefield
Miguel Batista
Roy Halladay
Dan Haren
yup, the above pitchers, sorted by wins in the american league in 2007, was just a lucky sample. in no way would wins give a clue who the best pitchers are.
…RBIs don’t matter either.
…and there is no such thing as clutch play.
but you’re right about mussina. who would have thought it that he would be leading the team in wins. it’s a nice surprise.
if mussina would have pitched up and in earlier in his yankee career to set up his outside stuff and not been so stubborn about staying away from hitters, with his talent he’d be walking into the hall of fame. better late than never.
The National Football League wanted parity and they got it.
Major League Baseball is in the early stages of parity now.
Look at the standing in all divisions and the way teams have been doing business for the last 2 years and it becomes evident that the wild spending days are a thing of the past.
The Players Association can’t cry collusion but Santana’s contract may be the last huge multi-year contract seen for a pitcher. Fiscal restraint.
Sabathia and Teixeira will not command the contracts they thought they might see.
The game has become quietly smarter… fiscally.
Could Joba be on the all star team?
Really like Duncan, was hoping he would show enough to stick, I almost think it would be unrealistic to believe any amount of playing + AB’s +Major league coaching could ever make him a realistic bench player. Love his energy and personality, but they only go so far. I was hoping maybe to something from 240 – 270 out of him, Dont think that is likely. Shame.
Duncan seems like he might be one of those AAAA players.
Congratulations to Abreu!
There will be roster moves made before the Yankees leave Minnesota.
Shelley Duncan and Morgan Ensberg will be gone.
Jason Lane and either Gonzo or Bernie Castro will join the team.
Shelley is what is known as a 4-A player. Better than Tripl-A and not good enough for the bigs. I guess giving him 1B at Scranton full-time might help, but other than brute strength he lacks any major league level tools. Ensberg is done, Lane is not the answer, either.
Cash has to go outside the organization and find a RH hitting 1B/DH/OF….. think Jeff Conine at his best. I still think Xavier Nady is the best and most affordable option there… but I’m open to other suggestions.
Gardner and Broussard will not address the Yankees shortcomings because both are LH hitters. Randy Wynn? Marcus Thames? Anyone else?
ironic that IPK is considered another moose and yet IPK seems to be the anti moose right now…?
mel
LOL. I missed Bruney a little last night as the Farnsy HR was leaving the bubble but I caught myself.
Ya gotta admit that he would have been a great candidate for a pornstache though.
What I don’t understand at this point is the Yankees fascination with Farnsworth. I don’t even think he’s a terrible pitcher. He’s simply not a very good one, hasn’t been for the length of his contract, and shows no signs he’s going to improve. Why they continue to stick him out there in the eighth is beyond me. If they want to use him as a perfectly serviceable guy in the sixth or seventh in a game they’re behind, or well ahead, that’s fine. But why you wouldn’t rather try Ramirez in the eighth when you’re trying to protect a lead, or Veras, or Cox, or Patterson, all of whom might be okay, instead of a guy you know is not going to be, is beyond me.
Yeah, Joe, he missed with one pitch. He always misses with one pitch. The other team always hits it out. They’re slugging over .600 against him. Enough already.
Farnsworth is just a hair under average (probably due to last night’s HR).
Frankly, he’s neither the problem nor the solution with the Yankee pen (arguably, Hawkins is a bigger problem). He’s just one cog, which the Yankees should use judiciously, and he’s surely gone after this year…..
As much as I like Ensberg,and was glad he made the team out of ST…..he isnt getting any playing time against all theese lefties lately,so he really doesnt serve any purpose any more.
Gonzalez should be brought up to take his spot.
As for Shelly….its time for Jason Lane to get a shot.
As some mentioned before…Broussard is a lefty,Lane is a righty.Yankees have 48 hrs from today to decide on what they will do with Jason Lane at Scranton.
I forget what the waiting period is for recalling a player form the minors (unless there is an injury to a player).
Gonzalez was sent down on 5/26 for Wilson Betemit.
Anyone know off hand???
As for adding Lane to the 40 Man Roster…..Yankees could drop Chris Stewart(Catcher)or finally put Cervelli on 60 Day DL.
If they add Lane they will release Ensberg so that takes care of the spot on the 40-man roster.
I think the return time is two weeks unless someone goes on the DL. I guess they could place Hawkins or Farnswurst on the DL with a hyperextended contract.
“Look at the standing in all divisions and the way teams have been doing business for the last 2 years and it becomes evident that the wild spending days are a thing of the past.”
miguel cabrera 7/$152M
holliday aparently turned down $18M/yr from the rockies.
santana, zito.
teams are buying out players arbitration and early fa years, but after that, its buisness as usual.
86w183
Thanks for pointing that out about DFA Ensberg.
Totally forgot about that…I guess its because my cellar is getting water proofing done,and that jack hammer is ringing in my head!
Its time for Duncan, Ensberg, and Betemit to hit the road. Broussard can’t hit, and he’s another left handed hitter, but he’s got the glove. Get Giambi and his thong back to DH. He doesn’t belong in the field, EVER.
Pete/Anyone
Since Cox has thrown about 8.1 innings of scoreless baseball in AAA, anyone have any idea how long before he is up here? Its clear Farnsworth cant be trusted in a tie/1-2 run game. I have to imagine he cant be more then a couple weeks away, or a couple blown 8th inning games away.
Duncan’s had around 60 plate appearances. very small sample. and if you watch the games, he usually has good ABs, and has hit the ball hard – lots of fouls, and it seems like a fair amount of line drives at someone.
so i don’t think dwelling on his stats – which amount to about a 1/2 month’s worth of games – means anything. if he were hitting popups, swinging at first pitches, and never walking, then it would be a different matter.
i think the errors are something you’d have to live with early on, he’s learning the position. to me, if you’re developing a guy, the thing to look at is whether the errors decrease over the season. that being said, if there’s an argument for demotion, it’s more that they’ll send him down for a bit of defensive seasoning, not because of 60 PAs.
every time they play duncan, either damon, matsui or giambi sits. this team is struggling and they need the offense. they cant just keep throwing shelley out there becasuse its helping his development. if he was a good 1Bman, that would be one thing but with betamit up, he becomes #3 on the 1st base depth chart.
this is the major leagues, if he cant hit, he sits and the reason he’s not getting his at-bats is that he’s not doing anything with the ones hes getting.
everybody loves shelley, but that doesnt get you playing time in the bigs.
Has anybody checked Melancon’s numbers? They are ridiculous! J.B. Cox doing well, also, as is David Robertson. Fear not, replacements for Farsny and Hawkins are looming. I also think the bench will look a lot different within two weeks, with Lane, Broussard and possibly Castro/Gardner replacing Ensberg, Shelly and Betemit.
Also, Chris Duncan got sent down, could Shelly be far behind.
The Yankees have won seven of their last nine games.
Listening to you guys whine, you’d think they’d LOST seven of their last nine games.
If you’re whining about the Yankees’ -bench- guys, things must be going pretty damn well.
You can say you don’t like Duncan/Ensberg/Betemit, but I can pretty much guarantee you won’t like Lane or Broussard after a month either. :shrug:
v always hating on anyone who posts
why dont u take it up with pete, since he’s the one who brought it up?
V—-
Critical analysis is not whining. Voicing concerns about the team’s weaknesses and proposing/investigating solutions is what being a fan is all about. Yes, 7 of 9 is a good ten day run, but not many on this board think the Yanks will be a playoff team as presently contructed.
That said you make a valid point aobut Duncan’s limited opportunities and the challenge of playing a new position and I admit I may be a bit too hard on him. Maybe with Jorge back and Duncan in the # 8 spot he’ll be under less pressure and might start to hit again… in FAIR territory.
Ensberg must be placed with a RH bat that can function and Hawkins must be rpelaced by a LH arm… then I think a playoff team this’ll be. (sounds like Yoda wrote that sentence!)
Well, all you Joba as a starter fans, episode one of what we will see all year.
One homerun every 3 inning “FARNEY” coming in to stress us all out, afraid to breath. A nice comeback victory almost escaped our grasp. Straightest fastball in the Major Leagues. Unless Melancon or Cox come up & save the day, we’re screwed.
Only HUGE issue, the bullpen, the Yankees had to address this off season & they waste a FORTUNE on Hawkins. What a waste. They could have got someone to be aws bad as him for a tenth the cost.
Love Shelly, but strict pull hitter with a huge whole in his swing who can’t hit the ball hard in play. Will never make it unless they get him to hit up the middle. Even Jason has been great recently because he started going opposite field more.
Saw in today’s paper that Girardi wants to carry 3 catchers for a while when Posada comes back. That could mean they send Duncan down, DFA Ensberg, or maybe Chris Britton goes again.
Can we do something about these All-Star starters? Can we start a movement to get everyone who in 2nd place now to start over the Red Sox? I do not want to see all these Red Sox losers in Yankee Stadium.
1/3 down. 2/3 to go.
Besides Melancon and JB I’m very excited about David Robertson… He’s dominated every leval of the minors so far and recently has been great at AAA. He’s part of that 06 class and is under the radar. I recently read an article in pinestripes plus mag saying that he’s picked up a couple ticks on his fastball from last year. He’s a high strikeout guy that hides the ball well because of his delivery coming over the top. He has a plus hammer curve that comes from the same are slot as the fastball so it’s very dificult hitters to pick up. From what i read the fastball has movement and late life. The fastball is now sitting 91-93 which is great because the curve is in the low 70′s. Also working on his change. I think he along with Melan and Cox will be up sometime in late June. I think the penn will eventually look like this..
Farns
Rameriez
Veras
Cox
Robertson
Melancon
Mo
The problem with Robertson is 11 walks in 13 2/3 innings. He’s made nine appearances for Scranton and walked at least one hitter in eight of them. Relievers must be strike throwers.
Still trying to figure out why 80 percent of the pitchers in the system are RH. Only lefty in Triple-A other than Igawa is Heath Phillips who, like Robertson is adverse to throwing strikes. Zac Kroenke is doing okay out of the pen in Tenton so maybe he’s got a chance.
Robertson isn’t going to get a look until he starts throwing more strikes.
I think the Yanks have enough guys who have trouble attacking the zone already.
Discussion not whining.
There No whining in Baseball.
It sounds like for the past few years, the high ceiling pitchers that were available to be drafted by the Yankees are for the most part righties
3.5 mil is kinda cheap in pro sports these days (with respect to pro sports); things don’t really sound expensive till the total price tag climbs into the double digits (or when the per year rate climbs into double digits…).
Well there is whining in baseball… listen, it’s coming from the far side of the Triboro.
Robertson does throw a ton of strikes otherwise he wouldn’t have so many K’s.. I admit he’s struggled a little with his command in AAA but he’s only pitched 13 innings. Even thoug he’s struggled with command a little in AAA he’s still limiting damage and getting guys to miss. I like the fact that if he walks a couple guys he has the ability to get out of it via the strikeout. His command was fine in AA just off a little in AAA.
I think if he cuts down the walks he along with Cox will get a call up soon.
its amazing how many excuses a 95 mph fastball buys you, even if that fastball is straight as an arrow and painfully hittable.
It’s one thing to walk a lot of hitters and get away with it against Triple-A hitters, but major league hitters will murder him if he can’t keep his walks down.
Pitchers can’t get away with that in the majors with regularity.
I still believe in Shelley, but he has to get sent down just so he can get playing time and not waste away on the bench. You can’t judge a player when they only play once a week. He does much better in a consistent role and he hasn’t gotten the opportunity to do so. There’s just no place to put him. This is another example of Cashman’s roster mismanagement. Personally, I think there should be a Scranton shuttle rotation between Gardner, Lane, Duncan & Betemit. Every 2-3 weeks, two go down and two come up. That way skills and confidence isn’t diminished.
“Saw in today’s paper that Girardi wants to carry 3 catchers for a while when Posada comes back.”
It’ll be a little crowded at the position, but Moeller is a better catcher than I thought. Ensberg is the odd man out – although Shelley hasn’t done well, he’s more valuable and there’s still an upside. And Betemit can hit – hopefully he remembers to put on his glasses.
BTW Pete, no mention of Jeter’s slump?? 3 for 34 since being HBP on his hand.
“Bobby Abreu’s steal of second in the first inning was the 300th of his career. He became the 12th player since 1950 to have 400 doubles, 200 home runs and 300 stolen bases in his career. That group includes Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Rickey Henderson.”
i heard kay mention something about this, and i couldn’t help think what a ridiculous stat. why should before or after 1950 matter? and who picked these numbers to be milestones? why not add 100 triples? just seems weird… what next, congratulating for hits on Sundays?