Comments on: It’s bad and it could get worse http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/ A Yankees Blog by Journal News beat writer Peter Abraham Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:06:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Eric http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505626 Eric Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:52:13 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505626 Anybody could see before the season that there were major question marks with this team. Personally, I would've tried to trade Matsui before the season. I also hated the Posada resigning. In general, our offense is way too old. There's no speed, no sparkplug. So what do we do? 1. Need to sign Sabathia and Moose. Pettite? I guess we resign him for a year if he wants to come back, but I believe he'll retire. That gives us a C.C., Wang, Moose, Joba and hopefully Hughes rotation, with alot of good arms in the minors. 2. Plan as if Posada will not be catching most of the games. Try to get a young catcher that bunts and can possibly hit for avg. Plan on Posada, Matsui and Damon splitting all their time at DH and 1B, with games in the OF and C sprinkled in. No need to sign a 1B this year when we have 3 terrible fielders under contract for next year. Do not resign Giambi(duh). 3. Leave Cano alone for another year, see if he bounces back. Still young, it's not like he's Rickie Weeks. Leave Jeter and Arod where they are, but make sure to have a young utility IF who can friggin run and field dependably! At some point in the next couple of years, Jeter will need to be moved to 2B, OF or 1B(more likely OF), so plan on looking for a long-term solution at SS. 4. Sign a young veteran OF(or trade for one with minor leaguers) who can start in either RF or LF, leaving Nady with the other spot. Platoon Gardner and Cabrera, but give Gardner a chance to win the job in CF. Do not sign Abreau. Let's hope Austin Jackson can play at some point in 2009. 5. I kind of like the way the bullpen is shaping up with some of their young pitchers, but jeez don't leave your best arms in the minors even if they are starters. Use them as relievers in the big-time. Karstens should've been a long-reliever all year, if you ask me(and if you asked me in May, I said this). 6. Mo is fine. 7. Cashman knows his talent, resign. Girardi will need a veteran coach with him next year though. In closing, this team, I think, is still a year away from contending again, but there are little things that can be done in the meantime. After 2009, you adjust some more with Damon and Matsui not taking up space. Then you sign a good 1B. If you can't get good bats, by all means, at least look at the defense and running ability of your team. Anybody could see before the season that there were major question marks with this team. Personally, I would’ve tried to trade Matsui before the season. I also hated the Posada resigning. In general, our offense is way too old. There’s no speed, no sparkplug. So what do we do?

1. Need to sign Sabathia and Moose. Pettite? I guess we resign him for a year if he wants to come back, but I believe he’ll retire. That gives us a C.C., Wang, Moose, Joba and hopefully Hughes rotation, with alot of good arms in the minors.

2. Plan as if Posada will not be catching most of the games. Try to get a young catcher that bunts and can possibly hit for avg. Plan on Posada, Matsui and Damon splitting all their time at DH and 1B, with games in the OF and C sprinkled in. No need to sign a 1B this year when we have 3 terrible fielders under contract for next year. Do not resign Giambi(duh).

3. Leave Cano alone for another year, see if he bounces back. Still young, it’s not like he’s Rickie Weeks. Leave Jeter and Arod where they are, but make sure to have a young utility IF who can friggin run and field dependably! At some point in the next couple of years, Jeter will need to be moved to 2B, OF or 1B(more likely OF), so plan on looking for a long-term solution at SS.

4. Sign a young veteran OF(or trade for one with minor leaguers) who can start in either RF or LF, leaving Nady with the other spot. Platoon Gardner and Cabrera, but give Gardner a chance to win the job in CF. Do not sign Abreau. Let’s hope Austin Jackson can play at some point in 2009.

5. I kind of like the way the bullpen is shaping up with some of their young pitchers, but jeez don’t leave your best arms in the minors even if they are starters. Use them as relievers in the big-time. Karstens should’ve been a long-reliever all year, if you ask me(and if you asked me in May, I said this).

6. Mo is fine.

7. Cashman knows his talent, resign. Girardi will need a veteran coach with him next year though.

In closing, this team, I think, is still a year away from contending again, but there are little things that can be done in the meantime. After 2009, you adjust some more with Damon and Matsui not taking up space. Then you sign a good 1B. If you can’t get good bats, by all means, at least look at the defense and running ability of your team.

]]> By: Lauren http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505516 Lauren Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:27:04 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505516 the constant posts and reminders of how badly the yankees are doing right now is starting to become excessive Pete. we all have eyes to watch the games with, we see what's happening ourselves. i don't need you reminding me everyday, several times a day that they stink. i just don't know why you feel the need to constantly focus on how bad things are, (although i have a very good theory.) p.s. for the record, i love your blog, have been reading it for quite a while and I will continue to read it. don't be so quick to shoo me away just because I, (god forbid) disagree with you. the constant posts and reminders of how badly the yankees are doing right now is starting to become excessive Pete. we all have eyes to watch the games with, we see what’s happening ourselves. i don’t need you reminding me everyday, several times a day that they stink. i just don’t know why you feel the need to constantly focus on how bad things are, (although i have a very good theory.)

p.s. for the record, i love your blog, have been reading it for quite a while and I will continue to read it. don’t be so quick to shoo me away just because I, (god forbid) disagree with you.

]]> By: meacham is faster than berra http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505418 meacham is faster than berra Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:21:57 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505418 don't blame it on girardi, no matter what order he puts these guys in they still can't hit especially when on of their teamates is laying down on one of these white infield pillows. don’t blame it on girardi, no matter what order he puts these guys in they still can’t hit especially when on of their teamates is laying down on one of these white infield pillows.

]]> By: RockTheNight http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505126 RockTheNight Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:15:10 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505126 Wang, the hat comment was just a joke...perhaps it didn't translate well through the PC...I was trying to illustrate that the lineup has not produced and i personally don't feel its entirely Joe G's fault.I do agree that players are creatures of habit, but for 200 million, someone needs to get it done 30% of the time, seriously. I do agree that sometimes it did appear the Hat reared its ugly head in the dugout... Wang, the hat comment was just a joke…perhaps it didn’t translate well through the PC…I was trying to illustrate that the lineup has not produced and i personally don’t feel its entirely Joe G’s fault.I do agree that players are creatures of habit, but for 200 million, someone needs to get it done 30% of the time, seriously.

I do agree that sometimes it did appear the Hat reared its ugly head in the dugout…

]]> By: johnblacksox http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505123 johnblacksox Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:14:36 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505123 James August 20th, 2008 at 2:34 am 2.Does having Alex Rodriguez on this Yankee team make us better? ========================= We never would have made the playoffs this year without him. What? Oops. James
August 20th, 2008 at 2:34 am

2.Does having Alex Rodriguez on this Yankee team make us better?
=====================
We never would have made the playoffs this year without him.

What? Oops.

]]> By: Wang IS Taiwan http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505115 Wang IS Taiwan Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:03:53 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505115 Baseball players are strange creatures, so "pulling the lineup order out of a hat" would be more than slightly disruptive to their routines. It's not that surprising that Girardi's constant line up changes were on par with the hat method, BTW. Baseball players are strange creatures, so “pulling the lineup order out of a hat” would be more than slightly disruptive to their routines.

It’s not that surprising that Girardi’s constant line up changes were on par with the hat method, BTW.

]]> By: JobaRules... http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505094 JobaRules... Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:46:04 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505094 I agree that Girardi needs to make examples out of his players who dont hustle, even the veterans. In Tampa, Joe Maddon sat BJ Upton for not running out a ball. There are a lot of instances on this team where players should be sat as punishment. It may hurt for one game, but will help in the long run. As hard as some of these guys work (a-rod), they look lousy on the field. I agree that Girardi needs to make examples out of his players who dont hustle, even the veterans. In Tampa, Joe Maddon sat BJ Upton for not running out a ball. There are a lot of instances on this team where players should be sat as punishment. It may hurt for one game, but will help in the long run. As hard as some of these guys work (a-rod), they look lousy on the field.

]]> By: george http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505075 george Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:23:37 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505075 having the 21st century version of Dave Kingman batting 5th hasn't helped. having the 21st century version of Dave Kingman batting 5th hasn’t helped.

]]> By: RockTheNight http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505071 RockTheNight Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:17:09 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505071 I don't agree with everything that Joe G has done this season, but I surely don't blame him for all of our issues. He should have been able to pull the lineup out of a hat before the game everyday and we should have scored more runs. Clearly, something else is going on Hopefully this years offensive collapse is just an anomaly that will right itself next year. I don’t agree with everything that Joe G has done this season, but I surely don’t blame him for all of our issues. He should have been able to pull the lineup out of a hat before the game everyday and we should have scored more runs. Clearly, something else is going on Hopefully this years offensive collapse is just an anomaly that will right itself next year.

]]> By: Sar 515 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505066 Sar 515 Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:06:26 +0000 http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/08/20/its-bad-and-it-could-get-worse/#comment-505066 Interesting to note...Yanks are 5th in OBS....10th in runs. Needless to say...we need clutch RBI guys. Whose out there (Free agents) that could fill that role? Interesting to note…Yanks are 5th in OBS….10th in runs.

Needless to say…we need clutch RBI guys.

Whose out there (Free agents) that could fill that role?

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