Game 94: Yankees at Blue Jays
-
- July
- 12
YANKEES (49-44)
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada DH
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Moeller C
Gardner LF
Rasner RHP
BLUE JAYS (46-47)
Inglett RF
Scutaro 2B
Overbay 1B
Stairs DH
Wilkerson CF
Rolen 3B
Lind LF
Zaun C
McDonald SS
Litsch RHP
Darrell Rasner (4-7, 4.94) vs. the Toronto hitters.
Jesse Litsch (8-5, 4.01) vs. the New York hitters.
Notes: The Yankees are 0-2 on their road trip, having scored two runs in the two games. … When in doubt try another lineup. Turns out they still have Chad Moeller. Who knew? … Steve Lombardi of Was Watching has some interesting stats that reveal the tendencies of A-Rod and Jason Giambi.
FINAL GAME ON ESPN: The last regular-season game at Yankee Stadium will be on ESPN. That’s Sept. 21 against Baltimore. So instead of 1:05 p.m. and sun, it’ll be 8:05 p.m. and Joe Morgan.
Back later with some updates.
UPDATE, 11:58 p.m.: For some unknown reason, Girardi won’t reveal the rotation for after the All-Star break. Wild guess: Petttitte, Mussina, Joba, Ponson and either Rasner or somebody else.
NAME THAT BAND: There’s a computer full of music in the visting team clubhouse here and the players get their iPods filled up. There was an 80s playlist playing this morning and it was quite impressive how many songs Joba Chamberlain knew considering he was born in 1985.
(Yes, 1985. How old do you feel now?)
Anyway, here are the songs that were playing that Joba knew the band:
“Dust in the Wind” (Kansas)
“Don’t Talk to Strangers” (Rick Springfield)
“Africa” (Toto)
He missed on “Down Under.” That, of course, is by Men at Work.
Joba is an interesting kid. He plopped down in the locker next to Derek Jeter today and held a long conversation with the captain and Bobby Abreu. Unlike most players his age, Joba is very comfortable with the older guys. He knows how good he is and he’s a little cocky about it. But more in a confident way, not like he’s being a jerk.
UPDATE, 12:12 p.m.: This will be the 71st lineup in 94 games for the Yankees.
UPDATE, 12:39 p.m.: I thought for a second when a reader sent this photo that Sal Fasano had another kid. But it’s 3-month-old Milo showing his support for The Big G.
UPDATE, 2:04 p.m.: Jason Giambi is now 1 of his last 20 with one run scored and two RBI. … Rasner has put six guys on base in two innings but leads 5-4.
UPDATE, 2:39 p.m.: The wireless access here at the Rogers Centre is brutal and when I went to edit this post, half of it disappeared. I have no idea why. If anybody knows how to find what was up here before and wants to e-mail it to me, that would be great. Nice job by Ashton, finding the lost posts.
The Blue Jays are owned by Rogers, a giant communications company. How can they have wireless access that sucks? I’m on my air card now.
At any rate, Yankees led 9-4 and Rasner has settled down.
UPDATE, 2:46 p.m.: They’re closing the roof at the Wireless Sucks Centre. I guess there is rain on the way.
UPDATE, 3:12 p.m.: Raise your hands if you thought Darrell Rasner was going to get through five innings today. But a win is a win if the Yankees hold on.
That said, Rasner has allowed 33 ER in his last 48 innings. It’ll be interesting to see whether he remains in the rotation after the break.
UPDATE, 3:28 p.m.: Here’s the AP report from Tampa on the assorted rehab guys:
Yankees DH Hideki Matsui resumed on-field batting practice Saturday, taking 55 swings as he continues to rehab a sore left knee.
Matsui, who went on the 15-day disabled list June 27, also hit off a tee and took part in a soft-toss session for the fourth consecutive day. He is scheduled to take BP again Sunday.
Left fielder Johnny Damon underwent treatment for his injured left shoulder and still plans to hit off a tee Monday. Damon said his shoulder is feeling “a lot better.”
Also, right-hander Phil Hughes, placed on the disabled list April 30 with a broken rib, threw 25 pitches in his first mound session. The Yankees hope he will return in September.
Free agent pitcher Victor Zambrano worked out for the second straight day at the Yankees’ minor league complex. The right-hander threw a 35-pitch bullpen session.
Humberto Sanchez, coming back from elbow ligament replacement surgery, struck out two during a perfect inning in a Gulf Coast League game. The Yankees are among the teams thought to be interested in trying to obtain Colorado reliever Brian Fuentes. A Rockies’ scout was at Saturday’s game and watched Sanchez pitch.
Victor Zambrano? Has it really come to that?
UPDATE, 3:52 p.m.: The gritty, gutty Brett Gardner is 2 for 2 with two walks, two runs scored and three RBI. He and David Eckstein are going to have a cage match after the game to determine who is the scrappiest player in the game. My money is on Brett.
UPDATE, 4:16 p.m.: Great job by the bullpen so far (3 0 0 0 1 2). Now LaTroy Hawkins gets a chance.
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on Saturday, July 12th, 2008 at 9:43 am by Peter Abraham.
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I’m not going to lie, i have 0 confidence in this team. We just suck.
Does the other Cano take pitches???
good robbie
bad robbie
good idea
missed yesterday - is molina hurt or a day off…sorry lefty typing…surgery on the right shoulder
Robbie has a twin? Who knew?
Rishi,
Posada was supposed to have today off. I think Girardi is using Moeller for Rasner because Moeller and Rasner were together in SWB. When Rasner first came up Moeller caught him and that’s when Rasner won his games.
Hope your shoulder feels better.
Rishi
Moeller caught Rasner in AAA so maybe it’s just a day off for Molina. Hope your surgery went well.
Yay, we get 2 robbie canos! lol…John, if they suck, they wouldnt be in the majors. I have a lot of confidence in this team. We need to take pitches, and wait for a pitch to hit. These guys are swinging away at every pitch.
I was seriously considering blowing off today’s game to do some yard work. Not because the Yankees aren’t still my team and I’m with them to the end. Like all of us frustrated or not we feel the same way. They’re still our team. I just find them boring right about now. Then I saw that Moeller was going to catch the game.
How can I not watch.
How much you want to bet that Moeller can’t even figure out which end of the bat to hold, yet will get more hits than the top of the lineup?
I am so tired of Girardi’s line up changes. While some is due to injuries, it still doesn’t explain this many changes. It hasn’t worked so far, but Girardi will keep doing it expecting different results.
I hope Rasner can hold down the runs this game, though with his few outings it doesn’t seem like he belongs in the rotation.
thanks guys…a win would really help with the recovery
Looks like Girardi is trying to give this team every opportunity to win. I count 11 players. Go Yankees!
Goat my only worry about Moeller is that he has been gathering rust for a long time. He caught Rasner’s first 4 games when Rasner was looking like Cy Young.
What don’t you like about those odds?
ESPN? 8 pm start?! Terrible. No way in hell the final home game should be an 8pm start - I’m sure there’s going to be ceremonies after the game, too, so it’s going to end even later! Grrr.
Mark, that was why I made the comment about not knowing which end of the bat to hold. He hasn’t been in a game in a long time. I am not so sure that it was the catcher making Rasner do so well, as much as it is that Rasner has returned to normal. I guess we’ll see.
ESPN has re-discovered that the Yankees and Red Sox are their main draws to have people watch the games. Between Kay and the ESPN idiots, I have to watch too many games with the sound off.
At least we get to see Howdy Doody pitching today for the Blue Jays.
ESPN should move that starting time to 600PM.
Clay
Is right there will probably be ceremonies afterwards.
Hey Pete I know its too late now….But whatever happened to the Yanks playing the REDSUX the final games of the season at Yankee Stadium???Instead they play in BAASTIN 9-26 to 9-28.
I thought Selig was gonna change that???
Rasner said he fixed his mechanics by himself. I sure hope so.
Jeter 3 for 11 with 3 SO’s against Litsch
Abreu 1 for 9. That means less likely to have RISP for A-Rod and Giambi.
How do we analyze players from opposing teams? Does the manager and coaches look at tapes or do they get real time statistics fed to them to prepare the matchups for their games?
Just saw that the Yanks worked Victor Zambrano out at Minor League complex….
the “Was Watching” stats are interesting, and the blog post too. thanks for posting it.
however, i think it’s more of a symptom than a cause of the Yankees’ offensive malaise. if they were hitting better overall, they’d be in less high-leverage situations to begin with.
so i’m still at the basics: Jeter, Cano, Abreu, and to a lesser degree Melky have all hit well below expectations. Molina’s an out machine and has gotten a lot of ABs. Molina seems like he’ll play alot, and that’s how he hits. the other 4 have to improve.
meanwhile Giami and A-Rod have been the 2 most productive hitters….
Somehow, even with two Canos in the lineup Girardi still can’t figure out to put him third with ARod protection.
“Posada’s contract is a reward for what he’s done, not what he’s going to do.”
Hello, Posada was paid more than $50 mil during his last contract which was more than market value for the catchters during that period. Yanks do not owe him any thing for the past service.
If the players are kept for what they did in the past, not what they can do now, Yanks will never win again.
With his recent behavior, Posada showed that he is no diferent from other over the age selfish players who only cares about himslef, not the team. If he is producing as a catcher, I can understand. He right now stinks behind the plate and he should know that before making those stupid comments.
I liked David Cones’ statement on Thursday during the game about Posada playing 1stBase….”Your a Baseball Player,players use to play other positions yrs ago”
George- That post suggested that Giambi and A-Rod in “big spot” situations were more like “punch and Judy hitters.” Posada, Matsui, Abreu, Damon,Jeter and even Moeller were ranked higher!!
Giambi and A-Rod might have the most RBI’s but the article suggests, when it counts they are not productive.
Hopefully the Yankees can get something started today. I’ll be in attendance at the SkyDome today, so I’m hoping they don’t throw another lifeless effort out there again today.
With Rios and Wells out of the lineup for the Jays and Litsch on the mound there is no reason the Yankees shouldn’t blow them out of the water.
The Big G seems like a great guy and all the ’stache stuff was fun this week but Giambi is 1 for his last 18. It might be time to test the power of the thong again.
Hope you are right Josh - enjoy the game!
This is good news for Brett Gardner fans.
From Ken Rosenthal:
Yankees’ Gardner: A rare breed
Ask Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner to name his favorite player growing up, and he gives an unusual response:
Pete Rose.
Not that Rose isn’t worthy of emulation, but his final season was 1986 — the year that Gardner turned 3.
Gardner, though, says he admired Rose’s passion, and tries to play with the same verve.
“It doesn’t matter if I hit a groundball to the pitcher, I’m going to run 3.9 or 4 flat to first,” he says.
Yankees officials say that Gardner and Class AA reliever Mark Melancon possess “Derek Jeter makeup” — the ultimate compliment within the organization.
Obviously, if the Yanks like Gardner enough to give him this ultimate compliment - it would certainly suggest that they are going to give Gardner every opportunity to win a job with this team.
He’s not one of those kids who will be sent down to the minors if he continues to struggle, never to be recalled again.
And it also suggests the likelihood that Melancon is traded in a Fuentes or Marte deal is ZERO.
I’ll ask why is it only the ‘last’ run that matters? Let’s say its 0-0 in the 3rd inning and ARod or Giambi get an RBI to make the game 1-0. In the 5th inning the other team ties the score 1-1 then in the ninth inning Jeter or Abreu gets the walk off RBI 2-1 final score. The finale RBI is the most exciting…but ultimately both runs are equally important to the win.
the only stat you have to know about a rod & the stache is they play better in contract years. can posada stop whining, he can’t throw my grandmother out i don’t blame girardi for starting molina
I truly hope the Yankees aren’t actually considering signing Richie Sexson. Please someone tell me they wouldn’t dare sign him?!
Did someone actually suggest Melancon was on the table? Ridiculous. The Yankees are nigh obssessed with him, and they are correct. He’s the real deal.
Last night,while they faced an uphill battle against Halliday, any chance of coming back wasdashed when yet another AAA weak reliever let the game get out of hand. Would have liked their chances down only 3
Posada is a dope, he can`t throw and he isnt exactly tearing the cover off the ball, he is lucky he is even playing
I think it only fitting that the last game at Yankee Stadium — what’s postseason? — will have its description buffeted by a keen intellect such as Joe Morgan’s. Really.
He’s a Hall of Famer, you know.
No, I’ve got to listen to John and Suzyn. I wonder just what Suzyn will do, especially if Babe Ruth’s ghost shows up:
“I don’t believe it! It’s the undead spirit of the Bambino! He’s back! Ladies and gentlemen, Babe Ruth’s disembodied essence is back! I don’t believe it!”
The guys who should be doing the broadcast should be somebody like Costas and Kay and maybe O`neil
Remember when Chad Moeller used to catch Rasner?
I do!
Playing the last at 8pm is a sham. Kids can’t watch it and I was planing on taking my 3 year old. He will now sleep through it. Thanks Yankees, MLB and ESPN.
Chet
“Yankees officials say that Gardner and Class AA reliever Mark Melancon possess “Derek Jeter makeup” — the ultimate compliment within the organization.”
Too bad Gardner possesses “Joey Gathright talent”.
Dude - in the time it took you to post your complaint you could have found the game time on the internet, and thanked Al Gore for inventing it.
It will also be hard to control that crowd at night, that is going to be insane especially if the Yanks do not make the playoffs, then it will be a free for all
“Too bad Gardner possesses “Joey Gathright talent”.”
That’s actually generous Fredo.
So the Yankees are contemplating signing a player who was not even good enough to play for the worst team in baseball?? What a proud moment in Yankee history.
Espn has denied my 9-year-old a chance to see the closing ceremonies of Yankee Stadium live. Now, who is the
evil Empire?
I know it is old hat and a meaningless position but when the hell are the steinbrenners going to sack that buffoon Kevin Long. Ever since Donnie stopped being the hitting coach we’ve had this unclutchness with r.i.s.p. get Tino in there for the rest of the year
” am so tired of Girardi’s line up changes. While some is due to injuries, it still doesn’t explain this many changes. It hasn’t worked so far, but Girardi will keep doing it expecting different results.”
This year the Yankees have used 62 different lineups. The Boston Red Sox on the other hand have used 57 different lineups.
Not much difference is there?
“Somehow, even with two Canos in the lineup Girardi still can’t figure out to put him third with ARod protection.”
Why on earth would Cano need to bat third when his OBP is under .300 and in his career he hasn’t proven he can hit at the top of the lineup?
um guys, Its mlb’s fault. I think the yanks wanted the day game or have YES but Mlb wanted everyone to see the final game so they gave it to ESPN for 8. I hate MLB.
Raymgnetic, so the Yankees are supposed to emulate the Red Sox? Besides, what works for one team doesn’t work for another. Different make up, different players, different managers, one that actually seems to know what he is doing, the other?
Another different lineup.
Yet Melky “Automatic Out” Cabrera is still in it.
“Ever since Donnie stopped being the hitting coach we’ve had this unclutchness with r.i.s.p. get Tino in there for the rest of the year”
I guess last year the team was still feeling the after effects of having Donnie be the hitting coach previously.
If the theory is to use Sexson against lefties it makes no sense. Giambi hits lefties just fine
“I think the yanks wanted the day game or have YES but Mlb wanted everyone to see the final game so they gave it to ESPN for 8. I hate MLB.”
Everyone??? Sadly whatever football game is on that night will be seen by a lot more people than the last game at Yankee Stadium.
“Raymgnetic, so the Yankees are supposed to emulate the Red Sox? Besides, what works for one team doesn’t work for another. Different make up, different players, different managers, one that actually seems to know what he is doing, the other?”
No they aren’t supposed to emulate the Red Sox. My point is that every team shuffles the lineup and Pete is making a big deal over nothing.
Especially when you consider all the injuries, of course they have a bunch of different lineups.
Pete basically doesn’t like Girardi so he’ll try to criticize everything when he’s really making a mountain out of a molehill.
“If the theory is to use Sexson against lefties it makes no sense. Giambi hits lefties just fine”
Giambi can play DH with Sexson playing first base and Posada catching. It’s really not that difficult.
Is Rudy Jaramillo coaching anywhere right now?
“Raymgnetic, so the Yankees are supposed to emulate the Red Sox?”
These days, you could do worse.
Most of the lineup issues are tied to injuries. Whether it’s guys who are out or issues around Posada’s ability to catch, Girardi is basically forced to be flexable with his lineups.
Raymagnetic
my point is that Cano is heating up and his biggest problem is that he is a free-swinger. If he bats in front of ARod he will see more strikes. I HATE Abreu batting before ARod. He doesn’t slug as well anymore. That being said, he sees more strikes batting in front of ARod and thereby walks less.
I’d like to see Abreu batting 2nd or 6th.
Ray,
Posada shouldnt be catching.
I think its bull that the MLB will allow Red Sox fans, aka ESPN, to broadcast the final game at Yankee Stadium. The correct way to close out the stadium is a YES broadcast with John Sterling, Michael Kay, Ken Singleton, Jim Kaat(I want to see him back in the booth one final time at this stadium) and Bernie Williams. HE NEEDS TO GET BACK TO YANKEE STADIUM! NOW! But we have to deal with the 2 worst announcers of all time, let alone being Sux fans, Jon Miller and Joe Morgan! UGH!
“Paging Bud Selig, uhh there is someone claming that Babe Ruth told him that ESPN should not be announcing the last game at Yankee Stadium, he kind of looks like the Babe too”-what Bud Seligs secratary will say when Babe Ruth gets wind of this
“Is Rudy Jaramillo coaching anywhere right now?”
The hitting coach has very little to do with how a player swings the bat. Do you think Rudy Jaramillo is suddenly going to make Melky into Griffey Jr., Gardner into Bonds, Cano into Joe Morgan, and Jeter into A-Rod?
I don’t.
Virgin Islands
“So the Yankees are contemplating signing a player who was not even good enough to play for the worst team in baseball?? What a proud moment in Yankee history.”
Wow, that says it all!
It isn’t Sexson vs. Giambi. It is a decision of Wilson Betemit vs. Sexson - our bench is awful.
“Raymagnetic
my point is that Cano is heating up and his biggest problem is that he is a free-swinger. If he bats in front of ARod he will see more strikes. I HATE Abreu batting before ARod. He doesn’t slug as well anymore. That being said, he sees more strikes batting in front of ARod and thereby walks less.
I’d like to see Abreu batting 2nd or 6th.”
Abreu is having a better season than Cano. He has a higher OBP than Cano. Cano batting in front of A-Rod isn’t going to help him because he’ll still be swinging at first pitches all day.
Jaramillo is with Texas..
Cano heating up!!!When you swing at everything and almost never draw a walk heating up is a relative term.. This lineup should still be able to score runs… No one is doing there job.. No one.. Damon was the only player offensively meeting or exceeding expectations.. That is sad..
Say all you want of arod and jeter they are not getting it done, arod in the clutch jeter everywhere.. Jeter has 5 SB’ and 4 HR’s the guys slugging percentage is Cesar Itzuris like/……….
NO ONE ON THIS TEAM OFFENSIVELY IS GETTING IT DONE….Do we need to se 50 posts on the stupid Gardner Melky comparison??????????
I cant believe what Im seeing. Are my eyes decieving me? People want Richie Sexson to take over for Giambi against lefties? Please, please tell me my eyes are wacked out. Talk about ruining this team, damn, signing Sexson would be a killer to this team, and would hurt us, and I mean badly. The guy cant hit a ball! He is a bum!
“my point is that Cano is heating up”
Cano is 5 for his last 24.
“I cant believe what Im seeing. Are my eyes decieving me? People want Richie Sexson to take over for Giambi against lefties?”
No. People want him to take over for Betemit against lefties.
Raymagnetic,
I do think that fresh eyes can sometimes help. I would be happy if Melky could hit like Melky of 2006, Cano could hit like Cano of 2006.
without damon and matsui this lineup looks terribly rough from #6 on.
what’s to lose in getting sexson? it would at least ‘look’ a little more intimidating than what has been put out there in recent days.
the lack of offense is what really differentiates this team from those that started slow in the past. the offense would hit and at times bail out the pitching whereas right now, we are wasting way too many good starts from our pitchers. it is too much mentally on a pitcher to feel the tension of only being allowed to give up a run or two at most. i would think the pitchers feel this tension and therefore won’t trust their stuff (the ones that actually have ’stuff’) and begin to just aim.
“It isn’t Sexson vs. Giambi. It is a decision of Wilson Betemit vs. Sexson - our bench is awful.”
Isn’t Betemit the only guy on the bench who can play something close to MLB caliber 2b, 3b and SS??? Might make more sense if it’s Sexson for Moeller.
can you imagine if…Arod had gone somewhere else and Abreu’s option wasn’t picked up? Ouch…it would be real ugly! and had posada signed elsewhere.
“Cano is 5 for his last 24.”
.341 in the last 28 days.
Sexon off the bench = sexy time
My two cents on Posada: This is why Derek Jeter never says anything. Can you blame him? And don’t expect Posada to say anything anymore, either.
We did not hear the inflection of his voice. Did he sound petulant? Frustrated? Resigned? Angry? That’s number one. Number two, in my mind is, he started his “complaint” by saying he was happy to be in the lineup. He did not say he would not DH, nor did he saw he would not play 1B.
Point number 3: Is he not allowed to be upset, frustrated, annoyed, whatever? Did anyone ever thing he may be just as angry, frustrated, whatever at either himself or at the injury that made this season what it’s become for him?
Until 2 days ago, Jorge Posada was among the most respected of the Yankees. He has been called by many here, and elsewhere, the “real” captain of the Yankees.
Could it also be that the way the entire season for the entire team has gone is getting to him? Jorge does not like to lose.
Give a guy a break - especially a guy who’s given well over 100% for his entire tenure here.
My two cents about Girardi’s lineups: First, they wre never going to be the same day in and day out because of the rotation of Matsui, Damon, and whoever else. But in a perfect world without injuries, I believe there would have been more of a rhythm to the lineups - one where the players involved would more or less know when and where they were going to play/bat. I think it would have worked out fine. But I don’t there have been more than a handful of games this season where Joe Girardi had his full complement of players in reasonably good health.
And all that being said, Let’s Go Yankees!
sexon is worthless
“If the theory is to use Sexson against lefties it makes no sense. Giambi hits lefties just fine”
I do not think it is about Giambi. It more about Betemit or whoever has to be in the 1B/GH spot, Giambi is not playing when a left hander pitches.
Our offense sucks against LH pitchers. Sexson will certainly help against those left handers.
im with you doreen, a career of being the rock of gibraltar on this team isnt affected at all by one comment made out of frustration.
Jorge is still the man!
Let’s Go Yankees!!!!!
Betemit is a better hitter than Sexson, Sexson had 252 at bats 11 homers 30 rbis with a batting average of 218
Betemit has 103 at bats four homers 14 rbis hitting 243 and can play more positions-
hes weak too but Sexson is worse
sexon will help how, by striking out 3 times per game? the guy is worthless. why would a team release a guy with almost $7M left on his contract if he had ANYTHING left?
just what we dont need is another guy making unproductive outs with RISP.
leave that junk alone!
Based on the way Joba plays and how those scrubs have been playing, they should be nervous talking to HIM.
Sexson is not worthless.
He’s by no means an everyday starter, but he could have value for this weak hitting Yankee team as a right handed bat off the bench. His defense at first would be much better than skillet glove Betemit too.
They can carry Moeller who plays once a month, but they can’t carry Sexson? Gimme a break.
Sexson has a gargantuan 1.045 OPS against lefties
Wilson is .669
And Sexson is super cheap. I did hear that his head is up his butt according to Heyman - but there is practically no downside.
“And Sexson is super cheap. I did hear that his head is up his butt according to Heyman - but there is practically no downside.”
At least he’s flexible.
“Point number 3: Is he not allowed to be upset, frustrated, annoyed, whatever? Did anyone ever thing he may be just as angry, frustrated, whatever at either himself or at the injury that made this season what it’s become for him?”
Yes, it is OK if he is upset at himself for his performance. Also, the tone does matter but what is said or not said is important too.
Girardi said he already talked to Posada and every thing is OK. When Posada talks to Media, he says he is not happy he is not acting and never acknowledged that he and Girardi talked even when the media mentioned it. That is selfishness.
The right thing for Posada to say would have been that he is not happy he is not catching and that he is frustrated that he was not as effective as required due ot injuries and is working on improviing. They way he said it, it came across like there is friciton between him Girardi. As a veteran he has the responsibility to avoid that.
sexson .344 vs lefties with good defense and cheap. It’s a no brainer. The Yankees stink against lefties.
no downside, are you high? there is a downside every time he goes up to the plate.
if you take moeller off the roster, posada cant dh or pinch hit.
“no downside, are you high? there is a downside every time he goes up to the plate.”
Easy Mon -
If he takes an AB away from the legendary Wilson Betemit I am not that concerned - you shouldn’t be either imho
“Betemit is a better hitter than Sexson, Sexson had 252 at bats 11 homers 30 rbis with a batting average of 218
Betemit has 103 at bats four homers 14 rbis hitting 243 and can play more positions-
hes weak too but Sexson is worse”
As already noted by many, Sexson will not be an every day player. He would only play against LH pitches and he delviers against them with an OPS of 1045.
if you take moeller off the roster, posada cant dh or pinch hit.
So?
You don’t carry 3 catchers. It’s a waste of a roster spot.
Adding Sexson gives them more lineup flexibility than they have now.
Unless of course you think this offense is just running fine. In which case you need to wake up.
Am I the only person who thinks that it is ultimately very fitting that the final regular season game in Yankee Stadium is against the Orioles? Obviously it would be an epic amount of hype if it were against the Red Sox or at least a play-off contending team, but the amount of history intertwined between Baltimore and New York makes it very fitting, in my opinion:
Ken Singleton was an Oriole great
Babe Ruth was a Baltimorean, and in fact pitched for the minor league Orioles
The original Orioles moved to New York and became the Yankees.
There’s lot of stuff like that, I think it’s kinda cool is all.
Raymagnetic, I did admit in my last post, so I’m with you to a point that the hitting coach is meaningless and yes the offense was good last year but Donnie was still there as the bench coach, I mean Long still calls him for advice for christsakes. How good was David Ortiz before Ron Jackson got to him in Boston? Not very. A hitting coach does have the ability to take guys to the next level.(Papa Jack is wasting away in Round Rock in the Houston Organization by the way)Maybe a good hitting coach could teach Gardner or Melky to be serviceable major leaguers at the plate, and help Cano learn the G/Damn strikezone and situational hitting. I just think nothing else has worked
“Am I the only person who thinks that it is ultimately very fitting that the final regular season game in Yankee Stadium is against the Orioles? Obviously it would be an epic amount of hype if it were against the Red Sox or at least a play-off contending team, but the amount of history intertwined between Baltimore and New York makes it very fitting, in my opinion:
Ken Singleton was an Oriole great
Babe Ruth was a Baltimorean, and in fact pitched for the minor league Orioles
The original Orioles moved to New York and became the Yankees.
There’s lot of stuff like that, I think it’s kinda cool is all.”
Excellent observations
Joba is the most influential homegrown player and talent to arrive on the Yankees scene since Jeter in 1996.
Their respective impact suggests multiple parallels.
— sexson .344 vs lefties ”
This season or career wise?
If sexson is signed, the move would be to DFA Hawkins or send traber down. We can not continue to carry so many BP arms for ever weakening the bench.
“I mean Long still calls him for advice for christsakes.”
I think this should be encouraging rather than seen as a negative. Donnie is still in the family even if he does wear that unsightly light blue from time to time.
bob,
when you say “you dont carry 3 catchers” i assume you meant teams dont generally carry 3 catchers although many do. however this is a special circumstance where one of our most important hitters is a catcher who isnt healthy enough to catch everyday, so you carry a 3rd to allow you to use jorge’s bat every day or as the primary bat off the bench.
if you have moeller on the roster, then posada basically takes the at bats that sexon would be getting b/c you cant dh or pinch hit posada. basically you’re giving posada’s at-bats to sexon that way.
i dont like sexon at all but if you want him on the bench, you have to find a different guy to get rid of, not moeller, he has to stay.
Joba is making friends in the right places. He is also very respectful of his position and doesn’t make many mistakes. Plus, He Can Pitch.
“i dont like sexon at all but if you want him on the bench, you have to find a different guy to get rid of, not moeller, he has to stay.”
I agree - Justin Christian’s cup of coffee is getting cold.
Whatever’s wrong with Posada, I hope it’s cleared up in 2009. Having him clogging up the DH spot, playing the occasional butcher at first, and not being behind the plate is a potential big problem for the next three seasons.
if you really want to upgrade the moeller spot on the roster, get bengie molina.
A bench is made up of guys who have put up good numbers who no longer are everyday players because of age or younger ones who don’t have enough upside that sitting them for a few weeks wouldn’t stunt their development. They should be low cost alternatives that can play situationally in the field, on the bases or as PH help.
Sounds like Sexson to me.
Well said Doreen. Spot on.
I still cannot believe some of the things said about Posada in last nights game thread. Frustration, I understand - turning on players who have never shown anything but a desire to play their best and who always give 100% is another thing altogether.
Joe S.
July 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
— sexson .344 vs lefties ”
This season or career wise?
———————–
career wise.
This season he’s only 0.127 vs lefties.
“———————–
career wise.
This season he’s only 0.127 vs lefties.”
Wrong - .344 this year vs. LHP
.265 career.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1=sexsori01&year=c
Yankee Lover
July 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am
It will also be hard to control that crowd at night, that is going to be insane especially if the Yanks do not make the playoffs, then it will be a free for all
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
There’s only been one real free-for-all in baseball ….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Cent_Beer_Night
FYI,
This year he is .344
“— sexson .344 vs lefties ”
This season or career wise?
———————–
career wise.
This season he’s only 0.127 vs lefties.”
You are wrong.
It is this year in 61 at bats against lefties.
Last year he had .333 BA against lefties.
He is consistently very good against lefties.
Sorry. I mis-remembered.
I never have or ever will understand why Cashman was so enamored with Betemit. He couldn’t be a difference maker if there was no difference to make whatsoever.
Sexson’s 2008 against lefties: .344/.422/.623
Giambi 2008 against lefties: /232/.388/.524
I’m not saying all the time, but Sexson could play 1B or DH against lefties. Having him on the bench would be far more valuable than Christian, Moeller or Betemit. He also would cost them $161,000. There is no downside. If he’s awful, you can release him in 3 weeks.
They could also give Sexson Randy Johnson’s old uniform pants. I think they should make Gardner wear them for rookie hazing.
I don’t like Rasner. He needs to go. Listen to me Cashman: GET ME A PITCHER!!!
I’m no huge Sexson fan, but we need a bat, and need one badly.
What we need on the bench is a guy that I believe should have been re-signed in the off season, he goes by the name of Doug Mientkiewicz. AKA Menky. He can play the out field, 1b, and maybe even some other positions in the infield. Or we can always try to get Miguel Cairo back. We need some utility guys on the bench. When we get a utility guy, we keep Moeller on the team and send down Betemit.
Jerome: I don’t like #5 starters who pitch like #5 starters either. How dare they.
When Jason Giambi is your best defensive first baseman, you probably need some help at the position. I still think Sexson’s a no-brainer.
Rubin: I would LOVE to Mientkiewicz back, even more than I’d like to sign Sexson. The fact that the man wants to be in pinstripes makes it even better.
Well…this game’s started a bit differently. GO YANKS!!!!
That was unexpected.
YAY! Congratulations Derek on career #200!
EL CAPITAN!
Jeter!!!
Signing Sexson is an admission of the dismal failure of the
Yankee hitters.
The pitching has been heroic in the face of injuries,
the hitting has been shameful.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3483646
Stark likes Rivera for Cy Young
200?
“Signing Sexson is an admission of the dismal failure of the
Yankee hitters”
maybe. it also could be seen a simple bench acquisition which the team makes every year.
Jerome July 12th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I don’t like Rasner. He needs to go. Listen to me Cashman: GET ME A PITCHER!!!
You must be the Jerome that calls into WFAN..
NOw that Yanks got all the runs they can score for 9 Innings we can win this if Rasner pitches a 9 Inning Shutout.
“You must be the Jerome that calls into WFAN..”
I would guess not - the point was borderline coherent
LOL TKinDC. That’s true!
If we had to give up money for Sexson, I would say don’t do it. Since he is essentially free (based on our 205mil payroll), I say get him and dump him if it doesn’t work out. What could it hurt? Maybe a change of scenery will do him good.
Wow, Rasner, that was totally NOT what you were supposed to do.
“Steve Lombardi of Was Watching has some interesting stats that reveal the tendencies of A-Rod and Jason Giambi.”
But…don’t people here complain that ARod always swings for the fences when it matters? These numbers seem to indicate that he instead hits singles…which is exactly what people here clamor for him to do.
nice tweak of the mechanics there rasner. is the tweak intended to give up hits and runs sooner than usual?
oh geez
Catch that
Rasner stinks. We need to get rid of him.
Anyone have a promo code for the free MLB.TV for a week thing? They sent me an email to try their service since I voted and their promo code said it was already used :/
It seemed to me that Abreu should have caught that one.
there you go folks! the worst right fielder in the american league!
thanks abreu….thanks for nothin….
the promo did the same to me
that first hit was a deep fly ball….abreu has had trouble with walls his entire career…..such a catchable ball….no reason to jump down rasner’s throat on that play.
Rasner’s Yankee swan song????
there you go folks! the worst right fielder in the american league!
thanks Abreu! thanks for nothin!
Now would be a good time for one of those sinking fastballs he’s been working on.
i guess abreu should have caught the one up the middle also.
Well, this is not the best start.
Rasner is terrible.
woo hoo one out!
Finally an out!
how about a freaking OUT
Bye Bye Rasner.
• First prize: From Jay Leno, on A-Rod’s alleged new favorite girl, Madonna: “How old is Madonna? Instead of A-Rod, maybe they should call him AARP-Rod.”
Loved that line also from starks column…
Can Sexson pitch?
In today’s St. Pete Times, Scott Kazmir spoke out against teammates that are too concerned with what the Yankees and Socks are doing.
He said that too many are watching the scoreboard from the 5th inning on and they’re losing focus on the game they’re playing.
This comes with the lack of experience the Rays have for the pressures of a pennant chase. They will now find out what they’re made of after the All Star break.
Contenders or pretenders ?
Well, according to these announcers, Bobby’s fielding is better than last year. He has 7 assists. I’ve seen him blow some throws so actually, he should have closer to 12.
Well, we are going to need to score 7 runs today.
We can’t take score in 7 games.
how much longer to we have to watch this late 20`s AAAA I never did crap in the ML`s pitch?
seriously…this is the first inning??? how many pitches so far?
This half of the inning is taking an hour.
Laura - Praying for a better second half!
July 12th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Well, according to these announcers, Bobby’s fielding is better than last year. He has 7 assists. I’ve seen him blow some throws so actually, he should have closer to 12.
according to this chart….
http://www.replacementlevel.com/index.php/RLYW/direct/al_rf_sorted_by_total_offensive_and_defensive_runs_above_average_july_8_200
he is the WORST outfielder in the american league.
He’s already at 31 pitches and rising.
Alan
The Rays are getting a lot of encouragement from watching the Yankee scores.
Have we seen enough of Darly Rasner yet?
4-1. I do not think we will see Rasner after the All-Star break.
well this game is over.
hey ….nice job, abreu, letting the ball roll ALL the way to the wall.
oh yeah…and rasner belongs in AAA.
Happy Trails Rasner. Lets try another Cashman retread.
How many bad starts by Rasner will it take to get him out of the rotation?
Is this team trying to lose as many games as possible?
Yeah, I’m that frustrated.
Abreu should have stopped that one. No excuses. Rasner is DONE.
Horrible
Just horrible
Rasner is doing a great job. Just great! How can the Yankees keep going with him?
2 miscues on bobby a boo hoo
37 pitches in the first inning…
you guys hear that?! it sounds like…..
IGAWA on the next bus to yankee stadium!
Rasner strikes out the side….not in order
This sort of opens up the old schedule for the afternoon!
ugh
So I guess we will be seeing Giese today..
rebecca, that will be enough…we need your optimism….
Don’t worry, though, Cashman will make a trade and get some over 7 ERA pitcher to patch up this hole in the rotation while patting himself on the back for holding on to all his prospects.
You suck Rasner. Enjoy the rest of your career in the minors.
“Rasner strikes out the side….not in order”
He was ahead in the count on almost all of the hitters before they got hits.
prediction: Yank’s win 8-6
ok, how much clearer does this need to be now.. no way both Rasner and Ponson can stay in the rotation, not if we want to win. This offense is nowhere NEAR good enough to support two below avg pitchers.
Now Litsch will shut down the Yankees. At least Moeller is catching for Rasner, that is what he really needed to turn things around.
If only Phil was here or IPK. Then we would win.
A couple of things to learn from this inning:
1. Rasner is not good regardless of what mechanics he has
2. That is what a hit with RISP looks like.
3. That is what a hit with 2 outs looks like.
4. Rasner sucks (but where is the other option)
5. Girardi still wont acknowledge numbers 1-4 because…the guys gave a great effort and Rasner is leaving it all out on the line.
Congratulations Sir Sidney - you are now our #4 starter - please keep your blood alcohol level below 50% until further notice.
is that the FIRST walk in the series by a yankee?!?!
This has 3 game sweep written all over it.
When did Robbie start wearing his pants high?
Congrats to Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy for their Cy Yuk awards on ESPN.com
new mechanics, same results
Darrell Rasner the AAAA wonder
I thought maybe Rasner would have more success with Moeller catching, but it has been just as bad, in fact worse with Moeller costing him an out and at least 1 run. Guess he is understandably rusty though seeing as how he hasn’t played in what, a month?
no cano walked yesterday
I think after this game, at the very least, we should switch Giese and Rasner’s roles.
Cano walked yesterday
Would be nice to see some signs of life from the Yankees offense. Let’s see is they do the usual, or actually fight back in this game
Phil was too injured to attend and IPK lost his nerve and did not show
Cone pointing out how that is a pitch RObi should take
Rasner will be okay here. He is a solid major leaguer.
Cano…try one pant leg up and one down next time
good god! how could i forget that cano got a walk yesterday! that’s like a solar eclipse. or hailey’s comet!
I’m smelling a couple runs this inning….It’s aint over yet
Dear Brett Gardner,
I know power at this moment is not your thing but a line drive to the gap would work wonders.
Thanks and good luck,
Brandon
Yanks need to get some runs here and get right back into the game
woohoo!! go gardner!!
let’s see if our boys learned anything from the jays in the first inning as to what to do with the bases loaded.
brett singles!
Big hit from Brett
So does Gardner lead the team in batting with RISP now? Or is it Christian?
lol @ brandon -
If had signed off w/ “hugs and kisses” he would have hit a gapper.
pitcher’s rattled
The reason Girardi won’t reveal the rotation is at any moment someone will be brought up or we we get another pitcher.Ponson and Rasner will not be here soon.
Remember when some people thought Rasner rigured out how to pitch in the majors?Good times.
If Jeter hits into a DP, I’m going to scream.
hey hey hey!!!
Dear Brett,
Thanks for your speed.
Sincerely,
Brandon
Hey, I’ll take my Yankee runs any way I can get them.
Thank you Scutero for that error
You cannot win anything with Ponson and Rasner pitching.
You just can’t.
Why didn’t they juggle the rotation and pitch Joba today and punt last nights game with Rasner starting?
No RBI for my fantasy team, but I’ll take it!
“If Jeter hits into a DP, I’m going to scream.”
I think you should still scream - that was room service.
Did Brett’s speed help cause him fumble that grounder?
that’s a nice break right there…the kind of stuff needed to break out
Igawa, Rasner, Ponson
Thanks Hughes and Kennedy!
Wow, Bobby, that was crazy unclutch.
Well, now that we’ve seen the last of Cy Rasner and we know Sir Sidney isn’t going to stick through the whole second half, looks like the Yankees have to add two pitchers. Should be interesting to see who those two arms are.
Jeter nearly killed the rally with a DP, but in the Captain’s defense, he has looked like he’s making a concerted effort to drive the ball more often over the last few games.
Dear Alex,
For some reason you hit it hard but at someone, lets try to find a gap somewhere in this AB.
Goodluck,
Brandon
Why are Abreu and his “great eye” so easy to strike out with men on?
Just face it, with the way they’re playing, there’s a 99% chance the Yanks could get swept in every series.
Apparently our neighbors to the north are not big fans of Madonna - it must be a Celine Dione thing
Yeah Alex!
;
Clutch hit by ARod - that will shut those fans up
Ha!!!
that gardner is might speedy. i like
Dear Alex,
you see what happens when you adjust your swing to offspeed pitches
Thanks,
Brandon
that HA thing is old. get over it…
wow…nice Alex.
We have the lead..for now
come on Big G
Nice one, A-Rod!
And notice A-Rod does that on Shabbos! Kabballah all the way, baby!
Let’s just hope Ras can hold them down in the bottom of the inning…
All right Rasner. How about this time we *hold* the lead?
In the name of Kabbalah, hold this lead Rasner.
Rasner needs to shut them down this next half inning. Too many times our pitchers go out there and give back the runs we just got.
hmmm Sj44 where you at?
I could see the Ponson dislike more if the Yankees lost the games he pitched. But they have won the 3 games that he’s pitched for them so far, even the really bad one (ah, glimpses of a functional offense, if only it was more commonplace). Besides, the two not-bad ones were really not-bad.
i’m coming up for the orioles series later this month. anyone know the best route for tickets? i usually get them off ebay but i don’t see many on there now.
Fran,
Clutch hit by ARod - that will shut those fans up
No.. thats what A-rod is supposed to do.. A clutch hit would be a single in the 9th to win the game. A-rod is supposed to drive runs in, and thats he does that by getting those singles in the 2 inning but when its the 9th inning he has come up short all of his years here except for last year.. He has to get those clutch hits time and time again like ortiz to make this offense go. He needs to carry this offense casue he is in his prime and no one else..
Hey Brandon,
Why are you still blogging…after all - according to you the game is over….
Sincerely,
The New York Yankees
BBB
July 12th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Why are Abreu and his “great eye” so easy to strike out with men on?
cause abreu got socked in the “great eye” when he hit that twins pitcher in the noggin. incidentally, his heart went on the DL during that same incident, while that same twins pitcher went on to make his next couple of starts. go figure.
John McDonald out.
HA!
5 runs?
Wow, that’s a weeks worth already.
Better hold then from here Rasner, they won’t score again until after the ASB.
hmmm Sj44 where you at?
My guess is kidnapping McCutchen from Scranton to bring him to NY
I am feeling a lot better about this game now, but the lineup has GOT to keep fighting and plugging away each time they come out, because Ras is probably gonna give up a few more runs. Hopefully he can at least hold them here though, let us enjoy a whole inning of this lead!
But I expect to see Giese in long relief at some point either way, hopefully Girardi does not wait too long this time.
I have no confidence Rasner can hold this lead.
auuurgh, cmon man, dont give away precious Rasner outs!
Uh oh. Let’s hope Melky didn’t see that…
To The New York Yankees,
It’s Saturday my television is on, I’m curious to see if you can score. Meanwhile 5 runs must have shocked Joe.
Thanks for your concern it’d be nice if you can score,
Brandon
Is that guy related to Melky?
I have no confidence Rasner can hold this lead.
I have no confidence Rasner could hold a 10 run lead.
Melky will run into the dugout and say…see…sliding into first really works
Paul,
Keep up your positive thoughts! You are the only one who believes in this team. Thanks!
Here we go..
Brandon, my wild guess would be in NYC for the futures game
YankeeNate:
I just purchased tickets on stubhub for the 7/30 game. There seemed to be a fairly large number of seats available for the bleachers and tiers.
cabrera will never be the same since scuturo dove in 1st and was safe
WTG - I never liked Stairs much (btw - Canadian)
Here is my beef with Girardi. Why is he leaving Rasner in long enough to give Toronto the lead back?