Game 158: Yankees at Blue Jays
-
- September
- 24
YANKEES (86-71)
Gardner CF
Cano 2B
Abreu RF
Nady LF
Giambi DH
Betemit 3B
Ransom SS
Miranda 1B
Moeller C
Hughes RHP
BLUE JAYS (83-74)
Inglett 2B
Scutaro SS
Rios RF
Wells CF
Lind DH
Overbay 1B
Rolen 3B
Snider LF
Zaun C
Burnett RHP
Phil Hughes (0-4, 7.96) vs. the Toronto hitters.
A.J. Burnett (18-10, 4.18) vs. the New York hitters.
Notes: That’s a lineup you usually see in Dunedin around March 15. … The too-little, too-late Yankees have won six straight and nine of their last 10. They are now 8-8 against the Jays with two games left. … The Yankees have scored two or fewer runs 49 times and three or fewer runs 68 times. With five games to play, they have scored 753 runs. They scored 968 last season.
DOA AGAINST AJ: A.J.Burnett is 3-1, 1.78 against the Yankees this season (30.1 innings, 23 hits, 6 earned runs, 4 walks, 32 strikeouts).
But before you get all “they need to sign him!” consider that Burnett is 15-9, 4.57 against everybody else. In 183 innings against other teams teams, he has allowed 181 hits and walked 80. That’s still pretty good. But three years and $55 million or whatever? Not so much.
TIME FLIES: Phil Hughes last won a major league game on Sept. 27, 2007.
OBLIGATORY PHIL COKE NOTE: Lefties are 3 for 22 against Coke, fanning eight times. But he has been death on right-handed hitters, too. They are 1 for 16. Small sample sizes, obviously. But it suggests they should still develop him as a starter.
I DON’T WANNA FADE AWAY: The numbers for Alex Rodriguez over the last 16 games ain’t that pretty at all. He is 10 for 56 (.179) with 7 runs scored, 4 extra-base hits, 10 RBI and 15 strikeouts. His numbers have gone from ..315/.404/.602 to .300/.391/.575.
DON’T YOU KNOW: Robinson Cano is 9 for 20 with four RBI in the last six games. He actually had a hustle double last night. Next time he needs that kick in the pants in May.
HERE’S THE PITCH: The Yankees have allowed only nine runs in the last six games.
Since I’m out of notes …
LAST FIVE SONGS ON THE iPOD: A-Punk (Vampire Weekend), Highway Patrolman (Springsteen), Roadhouse Blues (Doors), New Year’s Day (U2), Hate and War (The Clash).
Wait, one more. It’s Long Black Veil by the great Johnny Cash. If you don’t have the Cash American sessions, you don’t know what you’re missing.
OK, back later with updates.
UPDATE, 4:14 p.m.: Mike Mussina said his right elbow felt better as he was on his way to get treatment. He’s going to try to play catch today and he intends to start on Sunday. … Andy Pettitte is likely to be scratched for Saturday with Sidney Ponson starting instead.
UPDATE, 5:47 p.m.: Andy Pettitte has been shut down for the rest of the season. So the rotation the rest of the way is Pavano, Aceves, Ponson and Mussina. … Girardi expects Jeter to play again this season but he did not take BP today.
Here is Girardi’s pre-game interview session:
UPDATE, 7:02 p.m.: Here is what Joe Torre told reporters about the demise of the Yankees:
Torre said he took no satisfaction in seeing his former team miss the playoffs.
“The satisfaction I have, going someplace after 12 years, and you leave wondering if managing can be fun again, because the last few years back there weren’t fun,” he said. “I don’t take satisfaction in the Yankees being eliminated. But it’s satisfying that we win three games here and we’re in, especially with all the ups and downs we’ve had.”
Don Mattingly’s take was very candid:
“I’m sure it’s tough for the Yankees—something different, for sure. Jeter, Pettitte, Mariano. They haven’t missed in a long time. It’s one of those years in a tough division to play catch-up. But this year is a transition year for them without Joe. I interviewed for the manager’s job and I knew going in that it was sort of a no-win situation. You listen to them talk, and I don’t think they realized what Joe did for them for so long, how special he is at what he does.
“I think they sort of took him for granted, didn’t realize all the things he brings to the table as a manager. You’ve seen it here with the Dodgers this year. How he keeps the ship going the right way, keeps things on track when it looks like things are getting ugly.”
UPDATE, 8:08 p.m.: That’s the first big-league hit for Juan Miranda. He would have had an RBI except Wilson Betemit stood like a statue watching the line drive sail over his head then ran to third like Orson Welles.
UPDATE, 8:26 p.m.: See, Phil Hughes can pitch. Do not give up on this guy. He has a chance to be a top-tier starter in the AL once he stays healthy all year. He has command and poise and he’s 22.
UPDATE, 9:07 p.m.: Hughes made a mistake there with the pitch to Rolen and it could cost him a victory. But you would take 7 5 2 2 0 5 all the time. He really had command of his secondary pitches.
UPDATE, 9:13 p.m.: No matter what happens, I’m all for Hughes staying in the game. He needs innings and innings in tight spots. This is good for him. He’s at 92 pitches.
UPDATE, 9:20 p.m.: Excellent work by Hughes. Meanwhile Burnett just left the game to an ovation and took a curtain call. He is hugging all his teammates. Think maybe he’s going to opt out of his contract? Yeah, just maybe.
UPDATE, 9:27 p.m.: Well, a heck of a job by The Franchise, as he went pitch for pitch with Burnett. He’ll take a tough no-decision.
Now we need somebody to score to avoid the horror of extra innings of meaningless baseball. Jose Veras on to pitch. This might be over soon.
UPDATE, 9:52 p.m.: God Bless the great Bobby Abreu, who now has 99 RBI and has saved us from the calamity of an 11th inning. This will be seven straight and 10 of 11 for the Yankees. Maybe Bud Selig will take Hank’s advice and just put them in the playoffs.
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If we miss out CC we probably have no choice but to sign Sabathia or trade for somebody.
I don’t want Sheets or Perez.
the entire ‘vampire weekend’ album is perfect.
Thanks, Pete. Good stuff, especially the Doors, U2, and the Clash.
Phil needs 2 wins to even his career record. Go, Phil! Stay healthy, A.J.!
Before Coke was converted into a reliever, he had 3 double digit strikeout games in Trenton.
They need to atleast give him an opportunity to start. Not sure what to do with Sanchez though.
I am more interested in watching Burnett tonight than I am Hughes.
I want to see what our consolation prize for CC looks like.
Awesome that A. Punk was in your last 5…
best song ever kid rock all summer long
Considering…
i like coke as a reliever for now
maybe in the future he can be a starter but right now our bullpen is death, and i love it
Cash and Springsteen?
Interesting taste.
Pete, all good choices. I’ve only heard the one song from Vampire weekend (A-Punk), which is pretty good. I have to check out their album. A must have Johnny Cash album is “Live from Folsom Prison”, I have a few Cash albums, with some American session songs. His latest stuff was very sad, because of his declining health, and I personally have a tough time listening to.
That Todd Jones is pretty funny. Leaking his retirement in his column:
“So this is it,” Jones wrote in this week’s magazine. “If you’re a Tigers fan, I’ll never stress you out again. If you’re not a Tigers fan, you’ll never have me as your ace in the hole, convinced I’ll blow a lead against your team.”
vampire weekend album seems catchy, for the most part. still haven’t listened to the whole thing (just whatever random songs my ipod plays for me)
Pettitte to be shut down?
Ponson is scheduled to pitch Saturday and will throw an inning tonight.
per Ed Price.
NO!!!! I like Sidney, but not @ Fenway. NOOOOO!!!!!!
It would not surprise me in the least that Pettitte has been pitching hurt until the Yanks were officially eliminated.
Hughes better pitch well tonight or
i will boo him louder than I booed Arod when he grounded into that DP against delcarmen!!!
You’re right Pete concerning Burnett. It’s typical fan reaction to player who dominates their team and then starts clamoring for the same player to be on their team.
As dominated as Burnett has been against the Yankees he has not been as dominate against everyone else.
I like his stuff but this has the makings of another Pavano contract if he is indeed signed by the Yankees.
I’ll put my eggs in another basket thank you very much.
“Ponson is scheduled to pitch Saturday and will throw an inning tonight.”
FOX will be even more thrilled they decided to telecast the Saturday Red Sox/Yankees game.
i thought Todd Jones was pretty funny dressing up as Ordonez during that one rain delay.
Any word on how Mussina is? Is his elbow okay?
Yankees complete 6-year agreement with Trenton.
http://www.trentonthunder.com/release/zRelease.asp?pYYYYMMDD=20080924
Once again: Cano’s good stretch lately has nothing to do with him sitting. It has to do with the way he and Long altered his swing so that he’s not out in front of pitches like he previously was. He’s said this himself, too.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella is only one victory shy of his 1,700th career triumph as manager, but he seems to be weary of the long grind that accompanies the season. “It has been a tough year,” Piniella told the New York Daily News. “And sometimes it can really take a toll on you. I don’t know how much longer I want to do this.” Piniella is signed through 2009 with an option for 2010, though some believe he will retire if the Cubs win it all this year. New York Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner reportedly is ready to offer Piniella a job as a consultant as soon as he retires from managing.
Chicago Tribune
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/70670
If the Yanks sign Burnett they will regret it..
No to Burnett or Sheets, soft losers, then again they have many guys like that on the yanks already.
Go Moose!!!
Rebecca,
There’s no doubt Johnny Cash influenced Springsteen. Neither one will ever have been accused of not taking chances or standing up for what they believed in.
I’m old enough to remember the Johnny Cash Show on tv in the late 60’s. He had guests like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Derek & the Dominoes and a whole lot of other artists that were far from the mainstream country charts.
no excuses for hughes tonight. he cannot use the ‘amped up’ excuse, he is on the road so he won’t get booed, and he is facing a pretty weak toronto lineup. want to see good fastball command, no nibbling, and the curve.
time to see if he is an ace or a #3 like most expect
come to think of it the only reason burneet is near 20 is bc of us
if we beat him 3 out of the 4 times would we be begging to have him now?
im all for getting a pitcher, in fact we desperatly need one but finding who is the best fit is a job im glad i dont have lol
Is Girardi an idiot? Ponson? Why cant we see one of the young guns. How about Aceves? Did they forget about him? I’d rather see a guy with a future, than a guy at the end, now that we are out, and even if we werent, i trust Aceves more than Ponson.
I think Pete’s jumping the gun on Phil Coke as a starter. He’s barely had a cup of coffee and now he’s all the rage? I’ve read that he wasn’t even that good as a starter anyway. Let’s see how people react when he starts to get hit hard, as happens to everyone.
I’m bringing this over from the previous thread:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/sports/baseball/24pins.html?_r=2&ref=baseball&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
I love this cutter for Phil……..and of course, I love his attitude. As disappointed as I am for the team that he wasn’t able to contribute, I’m equally as disappointed for Phil. He’s a hard worker and a very good kid – and as we saw in the ALDS against the Indians, he’s got the right stuff to succeed big time in NY, which not everyone has.
I agree with you completely, Mel. The Yankees love Phil and that’s why they are sending him to the AFL and that’s why they aren’t guaranteeing him anything. They know he will earn his pinstripes one day, but he’s got things to work on that he should have been doing last year in AAA. He was a victim of the horrendous injuries to the Yankees’ starting rotation last year. SJ, I don’t know if Phil needs the whole year in AAA, but you’re right – he’s not a finished product, and how could he be? Phil dominated every single level he was ever at – he never even faced a bases loaded situation in the minors. LOL that’s unbelievable. He’s 22 – he’s 22 – he’s 22. I have to keep repeating that for people want think he’s a has-been/never was. Seriously, if this is how Yankee fans treat their young guys, booing them off the field and trashing them for being imperfect…..it’s scary.
I don’t know Stuart, I don’t think Burnett is soft.
He’s not the brightest bulb in the lamp store but, he’s not soft.
He’s pitched hurt. He’s thrown big pitch count games when needed (Not just this year. He did it in Florida), and he brings a nastiness to the mound. Something that, aside from Joba, is SORELY missing on this team.
Sheets? I agree. I wouldn’t touch Sheets. That’s Pavano wanting to happen more than Burnett, IMO.
Burnett is interesting. Especially with a good bullpen behind him to keep his pitch counts more manageable.
Would I sign him? As they say, the devil is in the details. I wouldn’t give him a 6 year deal but, I’d think seriously about signing him if I could fill other needs on the team prior to doing it.
I actually like the Lineup.
We have seen what our stars do against AJ, so why not try the rookies and see if they can do any better, cause they cant really do worse.
Nice lineup by Joe… finally playing the kids.
Sadly, Burnett is going to have a field day with that lineup all night. Hughes will most certainly get the loss to make his record 0-5 as well.
If Cashman comes back I think there is ZERO chance Teixiera is in pinstripes next year. Zero.
10 years/200 million for THAT guy? He’s good not great. He’s certainly not the answer. And if he’s not the answer now, what is he going to look like in 2016, when he has 3 years left on his deal?
Ughh.
So many things wrong with that idea.
I thought Scranton’s season ended last week
One more thing to the Yankees. There are still 5 games and we can still put up a fight. It would be nice not to phone in the season and not end in 4th place behind Toronto.
Burnett will cost a boatload to sign, and I’m worried about his durability. I’d like to see the Yanks go in another direction.
Isn’t Aceves pitching Friday night in Boston?
if we could actually win with that lineup, I would be surpised.
Anyone else hear that Derek Jeter took/got the Joe DiMaggio sign from the clubhouse walkway. Totally appropriate. Also question about Mussina wanting the flagpole does that come with the Lou Gehrig bat n top or is that a seperate purchase lol.
oh yeah, why Cervelli isn’t in the lineup? He has caught Hughes before in the minors.
LOL. Girardi’s really trying to make A.J. look good.
Let’s see if Gaston returns the favor.
The only pinstriped Sheets you’ll see are in the bedroom.
Burnett will cost you about half of what CC will.
Miggs,
If he doesn’t get a 10 year deal from the Angels, I don’t see who will give it to him.
I know that’s what Scott is floating. However, floating it and doing the deal are two different things.
Perhaps he is. In which case, Ponson still isn’t the answer. Put Sanchez in, even pitch Kennedy. Something!!!
How is Burnett soft? If we don’t get CC, where would you like to turn for pitching?
what kind of a deal would it take to bring in AJ? i didn’t think it would approach $18+ M/Yr (as Pete’s 3yr/55M suggestion indicates). But if that’s where the market currently is, do you do it?
I don’t think so. I think it may be closer to 3/45-50 tops… and i’m not sure I go beyond 3 years either.
Pettitte’s been pitching hurt since August I think.
“Is Girardi an idiot? Ponson? Why cant we see one of the young guns. How about Aceves? Did they forget about him? I’d rather see a guy with a future, than a guy at the end, now that we are out, and even if we werent, i trust Aceves more than Ponson.”
Aceves is starting Friday night. Calm down.
Just like A-Rod was going to get 12 years/$450 and ownership of the team?
Tex will be had for 8 years.
Wow that’s a terrible lineup. Like a split squad B team. So AJ, have you looked at houses in New York yet?
As my buddy the godfather says, “you have to make him an offer he can’t refuse”. (For CC Sabathia).
Man Kennedy has really fallen off the deep end in the organization. He hasn’t even been called up as a reward like Clippard/Wright were last year.
I think it’s almost a lock he gets traded. Not like he’ll bring back much anyway.
If it is official that Andy will be scratched, it means a mark he held with Babe Ruth is now by the boards. Going into this year, Pettitte and Ruth were the only pitchers to pitch in ten or more seasons and have a winning record in EVERY season that they pitched in. The only ones. At 14-14, Andy would lose that special distinction he shared with the Babe.
Burnett might strike out 20 tonight. I’ll tune in to see how Hughes pitches, outside of that not looking forward to Burnett against the Spring Training lineup.
I want to see tons of strikeouts and missed bats from Hughes tonight. If he is ever going to be the #2-3 starter he is expected to be, he has to be able to put hitters away. Middle rotation starters have value in the fact that they pitch 200 innings and go 7-8 each start. Hughes has to show he can do that.
Strikeouts and no 10 pitch ABs tonight
I want to see Phil get back to being the groundball pitcher he was since…forever.
Cobra, they taught him the cutter so he would NOT be the strikeout pitcher he was in Trenton, they taught it to him so he could be more economical. That was his problem at the ML level, and thats why Chavez worked with him to get him to get quick outs.
Hughes’ ace potential came from the fact he was a groundball AND strikeout machine. Now, he is neither. Since they changed his mechanics, he has no longer gotten the GB tendencies he had in 2006.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ti-dailyheat092408&prov=yhoo&type=lgns check out what they’re saying about us!
I agree with SJ and others – I’d go for AJ and see what it would take. CC, AJ, and Wang in a series – that would be something. Not to mention any combo of them and Moose and Joba (assuming Joba starts, but that’s another discussion).
I’d like Tex, but not for 7-10 years. We made that longterm, inflexible mistake with Jason. I think Tex will get that kind of offer from Angelos in Baltimore, and maybe from the Angels (they didn’t trade Kotchman for a two month rental).
If they don’t sign Tex, then look for a FA OF. The only way Abreu comes back is if they like a deal involving Matsui, and Bobby then DHs; at least, that’s my thought.
wait, the cutter was supposed to make him more economical?
the chi sox hitters kept fouling it off, pitch after pitch, thats why he was gone after 4. that isn’t going to make him more economical.
thats what happened to rasner too earlier. chavez taught him the cutter as well.
If Andy was pitching hurt he shouldn’t have been. He ended up hurting the team, not to mention the fact that he took away opportunities from a lot of the kids. I call it selfish, not being a gamer. It isn’t like we were 10 games up in the division and his weak pitching wasn’t making a difference! If he wasn’t pitching hurt then I still don’t want him back.
In any event, I will be extremely disappointed if he ends up coming back and taking up a spot in the rotation. Enough is enough. As far as I’m concerned, his pitching days for the Yankees should be in the past.
Poor Melky. With that line-up, he still can’t get a start? Talk about a stock dropping.
AJ has pitched to a 2.6 ERA vs. Boston and a 3.15 ERA vs. Tampa this season. The O’s, however, seem to have his number.
Now watch our b line up beat up AJ.
I absoutely still think that Hughes is the real deal. I look forward to having him worked into the rotation. I just feel that he is going to end up being a solid #2 starter, if not a #1.
Tonights start has nothing to do with charting Hughes’ future.
I think some folks almost enjoy setting themselves up to blast a player by placing ridiculous expectations on him.
Its just another start for him with a AAA (for the most part) lineup tonight in a meaningless game.
Don’t make more out of it than it is.
If he pitches great, awful or in between, it tells us nothing about next year or his future.
Miggs,
I hope if Cash isnt the gm its still a no to tex for that ridiculous amount. OVER-HYPED. As iv said before. Use our strengths to fix our weeknesses. Our minor league pitchers can get us a young stud at first and a center fielder. We paid Giambi coming off of mvp like years a boat load. What did that get us? NO NEED FOR AN ALL STAR AT EVERY POSITION TO WIN!! Time to mix youth and experience to = hunger. Its worked for us before.
Why bother having Giambi in?
Move Abreu to DH, Gardner to RF and Melky to CF.
We’ve had all we can stomach of Giambi.
Words cannot describe how overbearing, classless and obnoxious Red Sox fans are today in Massachusetts. I pray to God these dolts get swept in the playoffs.
I have one guy who seriously argues about how much better Jed Lowrie is than Derek Jeter, which leads to the standard Jeter sucks rant from 2 other. For the next week I’m trading in my pinstripes for a pair of thundersticks!
Exactly SJ…
We tend to overreact to numbers being floated out there as if they are absolute minimums. Teixiera once said he wanted to go somewhere he could be happy for the next ten years and it was taken that he would insist on a ten year contract.
I think you get Tex for numbers slightly higher than Giambi’s 7 year, $ 119 M deal… and he’s a much better buy than Giambi was back then because he’s younger, a switch hitter and a terrific defensive player.
Burnett has had injury issues, but in the last four years he’s made 112 starts counting tonight. I wouldn’t go beyond three years for him, but I’d give CC whatever it takes.
Here’s an AJ stat breakdown. He’s had five poor starts where he gave up 6 or more runs, plus one relief outing where he got hit. In this six outings his record is 1-and-4 with a 12.33 ERA.
In his other 28 starts he’s 17-and-6 with a 2.99 ERA. He’s certainly high rish/high reward is he’s out there on the FA market.
Hughes is probably looking at the lineup behind him going, “Huh? I thought I was pitching in the big leagues.” Toronto’s hitting is awful so even if he beats them it’s not that meaningful. Kennedy beat Toronto and Kansas City, two anemic offenses, last September and that proved completely meaningless.
Drive 4-5 it is like when they argue (and some yankee fans argue too) that Cashman should watch Epstein to see how to put a team together. Last time i checked, Cashman has more championships than Epstein. And shockingly enough, The Sox missed the playoffs in 2006. So i dont see where they are so much better.
Regardless of how Hughes pitches tonight or in the AFL, he needs to spend next year in the minors.
If Cashman doesn’t get CC/Burnett etc. then he still has to kind some kind of backup plan that doesn’t include Hughes.
Trisha,
The kids aren’t any good. Andy pitched because that’s what veteran players do. They play hurt.
Derek Jeter played for 2 monhths with a broken hand.
They didn’t have anybody better to replace Jeter or Pettitte in the lineup. At times, it happens and you just have to play the hand you are dealt.
Its not only not selfish, its selfless. There were games he gutted out innings because the team needed him to do so. They didn’t have any “kids” or anybody else, to use in these situations.
Its not like they wanted to continue to use Ponson and Rasner. They had no choice.
It took a lot of guts for him to grind it out. Sometimes, it doesn’t work out. However, its pretty tough to rip Pettitte for grinding it out when other guys would just put themselves on the DL, collect the check, and called it a year.
We can’t have it both ways. We can’t bang on guys for grinding it out just because the results weren’t favorable.
Trish,
I partially agree. If Moose comes back. We dont need a 16 mil 4.5 era pitcher. But if he doesnt. We need to bring him back to fill out the backend of the rotation. I do think we need to stop milking these cows for every last drop and move on to some cows with fresh milk and plenty to spare. Aging isnt making any of these guys better.
I have to work tonight so I’m gonna miss Phil’s start
sw,
exactly. today’s game is meaningless. yet most fans will go ga ga when he strikes out jason inglett and greg zaun on 89 MPH fastballs and loopy curves.
this is a meaningless game for everyone involved.
“For the next week I’m trading in my pinstripes for a pair of thundersticks!”
Dont forget your monkey.
Drive, you have my sympathies. I am home from work today but other than a little friendly jabbing, I can’t imagine my coworkers being overbearing. On the other hand, a Yankee fan living in Massachusetts has to be pure hell today. It’s okay, we will just keep channeling losses to them and soon enough you will be able to get the pests off your case. I an always equipped with some quick quips – this year it will be “whoopeedoo, when your team goes to the postseason 13 straight years, maybe we’ll talk. In the meantime enjoy the wild card.” And if I get back the expected “yeah but at least we got the wild card, your team didn’t get anything” all I will do is rewind the tape to – when your team goes to the postseason…
That usually does the trick. But while I am within the perimiter of RSN, I am not in the heart of it like you are.
Condolences.
Save Us,
The Red Sox are better because the Oracle has proclaimed it so.
Miranda but where the hell is Cisco ?
Anyway I agree Coke needs to be given a chance but remember most of his effectiveness has to do w. the league not knowing him, same thing happened w/ Kennedy last yr. I think Coke can be a SP but they need to develope a good change up for him and I’d pair him w/ Edwar to try to teach him his change up.
“Regardless of how Hughes pitches tonight or in the AFL, he needs to spend next year in the minors.
If Cashman doesn’t get CC/Burnett etc. then he still has to kind some kind of backup plan that doesn’t include Hughes.”
Yeah lets stall his development another year or 2. This kid isn’t Ian Kennedy he can pitch and should pitch at some point next season.
Trisha—there were no young pitchers worth replacing Pettite with an he knew it. That’s why he toughed it out. when you already have Ponson and Rasner in the rotation, Andy staying did not hurt the team.
Mike S.—- That Babe/Pettite stats is just silly. Babe pitched in five games in his last four seasons. Yes, he was 1-0, 2-0, 1-0, 1-0 in those seasons, but that’s pretty goofy to compare it to what Pettite has done.
I do believe Andy Pettite is the first pitcher in baseball history to pitch more than a dozen seasons without having a losing record. To me, that means something.
Oh for an OT talk next week on 90210 Micheal Lee guest stars
Just because Hughes isin’t going to be the ace-phenom he was in Trenton, doesn’t mean he can’t be a good MLB pitcher. The guy in Trenton was looking like he could be a Mark Prior pitcher with an unlimited ceiling.
He is not the same guy he was in Trenton… 2 years, 2 injuries, new mechanics, new pitches etc. he is a different pitcher. But thats ok. A #2-3 starter is very valuable in this league. Nobody should give up on him just because he isn’t going to be the Mark Prior-ace he looked like he was turning into.
NITRO,
“Man Kennedy has really fallen off the deep end in the organization.”
Melky too. They wont even give the kid an at bat.
Like Kennedy, it’s not Melky’s fault that they placed too much trust in him. Kennedy and Melky are auxillary players misguidedly placed in key roles. One can argue that both are the victims of an organization that forgot how to develop players.
Both Kennedy and Melky came up on Brian Cashman’s watch. Unlike the earlier thread that blamed George Steinbrenner, these 2 are on Cashman.
Vampire Weekend is the shiznit !!
“The Red Sox are better because the Oracle has proclaimed it so.”
2006 was just part of the plan. wink…wink.
SJ you and I will just agree to disagree on this one because there is no way I can get to the selfless perspective. To me Chuck Knoblauch was one of the greatest Yankee heroes because he actually went up to Torre and asked out of a game because he knew his throwing yips were getting worse and worse. His statement to Torre: take me out because I’m hurting the team.
A team is there to win, not to field heroes. It’s one thing when one out of nine grits it out and plays hurt – not that you want to see anyone playi hurt. It’s quite another when it’s the starting pitcher and the quality of his outing is going to dictate whether you win or lose games – and very precious games I might add since the Yankees were chasing someone the entire season. Did they others they could have started? Absolutely they would have found someone. If someone went down, they would have had to find someone. I would anyday take chances on a minor league revolving door than trot out a veteran who is losing you game after game after game – and not just any veteran, one of your prime horses. He didn’t do us any favors SJ.
If the Red Sox fans are annoying you, just mention that the Dolphins beat the Patriots.
It worked for me.
Trisha,
Thanks for the condolences and tips.
But like my wife says,when it’s 15 of them against 1 of me, it’s a fair fight. I can hold my own with the best of them
Q: Why bother having Giambi in?
A: Because he has 95 RBI. That’s basically it, to try and get him 5 more.
They look at the numbers now. 100 RBI, .300 batting average, etc. Which is one reason Abreu (.299, 95 RBI) is in.
Andy will have a bounce back year next year. I would certainly brig him back. We are in it to win it next year, Pettitte gives us a much better chance than any kid.
Truthfully, he should have been shut down weeks ago but we needed him. That is more an indictment on the kids than it is on Pettitte being “selfish”.
The last 5 songs on my iPod:
This Is Not America – David Bowie
Here I Am (Come & Take Me) – Al Green
The Way Young Lovers Do – Van Morrison
On Hit (To The Body) – The Rolling Stones
Queen Of Hearts – Dave Edmunds
Yeah – I know – they’re all old dudes.
Why not Phil Coke for Saturday’s start? That would make the game interesting at least. Ponson, not so much.
By the way, Ponson and Rasner were not gotten to be Andy Pettittelike. They were obtained for a song. Andy was paid a handsome salary.
Hey all season long all I kept hearing was bring up this one, bring up that one, why not Chase Wright, we want to see Aceves. Now those were all said in respect to Ponson and Rasner. Well Andy wasn’t getting the job done either. Were posters reticent to make those same suggestions because it was Andy Pettitte?
Mike S.— That Babe/Pettite stats is just silly. Babe pitched in five games in his last four seasons. Yes, he was 1-0, 2-0, 1-0, 1-0 in those seasons, but that’s pretty goofy to compare it to what Pettite has done.
It may be silly, but it’s a stat. And what if Babe would have lost? Granted he only pitched in one game, but he WON it. And it’s exactly why Pedro, (0-1, 2.25 in 1992) is NOT listed.
I don’t make the stats. I just report on them.
The stat is the truth. Period.
Brandon
At the risk of showing my age, who is Micheal Lee?
“But like my wife says,when it’s 15 of them against 1 of me, it’s a fair fight. I can hold my own with the best of them”
Drive, that’s what I like to hear! You must admit, we do have a lot of good material to throw out there as response.
Keep Coke where he is, we have more than enough guys battling for spots next year in the rotation. It’s not like Coke has ace potential anyway, he’d be a nice middle guy.
I suppose you can see what he is as a starter in ST, but his future is still probably in the pen.
Sanchez is an interesting case as well… should he stay in the pen or get a chance at starting? A lot depends on what we do this off-season. Ideally, you would like to keep both Coke and Sanchez to make our bullpen that much better and shut down and have the rotation with proven workhorses who can pitch deep into games, with the exception of Joba.
“If he (Hughes)pitches great, awful or in between, it tells us nothing about next year or his future.”
Especially if he’s pitching against Toronto’s own version of a “B” lineup – they’re both out now so Toronto will also be giving their youngsters a chance.
#9, you should get Al Green’s new album
Andy Pettitte was still more reliable than Ponson and Rasner. He would go 6 innings. He had a few bad starts, but nothing like Sid’s last 2 months. The difference is when Andy came out, the Yankees still believed they could win, and when Sid was out, everyone cringed.
90210 alum sighting on L&O. Luke Perry was a very bad guy.
“You must admit, we do have a lot of good material to throw out there as response.”
meanwhile, most of what i get in return is explanations of when a century actually starts
A-Rod 09 MVP. You heard it here first.
Brandon
At the risk of showing my age, who is Micheal Lee?
You ever saw Tristan Wilds as Micheal Lee on “The Wire” ?
Rivera
Marte
Melancon
Sanchez
Bruney
Coke
Edwar/Veras/Robertson/Aceves
Lock Down.
“The difference is when Andy came out, the Yankees still believed they could win, and when Sid was out, everyone cringed.”
I think that might be a bit of a stretch. It’s really tough to attribute thoughts to “the Yankees” and “everyone”. I was at the game Sunday and I can tell you that I was far from “the only one” who felt nervous with Pettitte on the mound. And he didn’t disappoint…
”#9, you should get Al Green’s new album”
Already have Rev. Al’s “Lay It Down” on the ol’ ipoddy, saucY
It’s a good one!
Keep Coke where he is, we have more than enough guys battling for spots next year in the rotation. It’s not like Coke has ace potential anyway, he’d be a nice middle guy.
I suppose you can see what he is as a starter in ST, but his future is still probably in the pen.
They have Micheal Dunn who will also be a fast mover based on his stuff alone.
Andy Pettitte, even hurt, is better than Ponson, Rasner and anybody else they could have put out there.
Its not about wanting to “see the young guys”. Its about trying to win games.
Even when he was hurting, he was giving them a chance to win games. If they hit a little more, especially earlier in a couple of those starts, he could have won those games.
The Knoblauch and Pettitte situations are apples and oranges. The Yankees had a replacement for Chuck.
They had nobody to replace Pettitte this year in the rotation, given Wang and Joba’s injuries, and the ineffectiveness of the rest of the starters.
At some point, you run out of bodies.
I have no problems with Andy trying to gut it out. That’s what being a gamer is about.
Just because the results didn’t pan out, doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right thing to do.
If he is to come back, he knows its not going to be for 16 million dollars. At this point, its more about him deciding whether or not he wants to play rather than taking the last buck on the table.
At this time last year, EVERYBODY wrote Mike Mussina’s career obituary. Now, everybody wants him back.
If all Andy has is a sore shoulder, there is no reason why he can’t get healthy in the off-season and be effective.
If folks recall, he was having an excellent first half of the season before the shoulder gave out.
Is it healthy to drink as many Diet Cokes as Francessa does in a day?
well i know we arent in it any more but this lineup against burnett?
im just a tad bit scared to watch lol
...And Dunn’s slider is more filthy than Coke’s and he can dial it 95 + for lefty.
Some new pics of the new stadium – - – http://tinyurl.com/4w63k8
“meanwhile, most of what i get in return is explanations of when a century actually starts”
I’ve gotten that one too! You just have to be able to talk faster and louder and manage to get in that 2 rings in the first 7 years is hardly enough to wash away the 13 year postseaon dynasty (and 4 rings) that began a scant 10 years ago or wash away the century previous to 2000 that saw 26 rings to their 4!
I am furiously fast on my feet when it comes to responding to Sux silliness and I think it is just a product of my extreme disdain for their organization!
To me, I see Coke more as another lefty in the ‘pen than a starter.
He now has a plus fastball and a plus slider. His curve and change aren’t very good.
There is no crime about having two lefties in the ‘pen.
I think if you have Marte and Coke in the ‘pen next year, it gives Girardi a lot of flexibility in how he uses certain guys.
You can go easy on the innings with the starters if you have guys like Coke and Melancon for example, able to pitch the middle innings. Both guys have shown the ability to go multiple innings without too much of a problem.
In the AL, that’s a weapon.
You would have Joba (at least at the start of the season), Marte, Bruney and Mo at the back end of the ‘pen.
That’s a helluva bullpen. Could be a real weapon for the Yankees in ‘09.
Mike S—-
You’re right. A fact is a fact is a fact.
As a Yankee Babe was 5-0 with a 5.52 ERA. Yes, he had a winning record all four seasons. However, drawing the parallel to that and what a full-time starter accomplished is, and I quote myself “silly”.
As for Coke, it would be foolish to start him now.. his last 20 or so outings have been out of the pen with none of them lasting more than two innings.
Great pics thanks Greg.
SJ—- Don’t you think a bulplen like that is a pretty good welling point for CC, AJ or any other starter?
SELLING point… damn I need typing lessons!
LOL what’s Joe’s obsession with Giambi batting 5th?
Man, I hope this is Jason’s last year. I hope Joe doesn’t influence a decision to bring him back.
“Is it healthy to drink as many Diet Cokes as Francessa does in a day?”
A Doctor told me that whatever crap they use in Diet Coke makes you insides glow.
And Benzene can’t be the healthiest thing to ingest.
Good article here:
http://www.theecologist.org/pages/archive_detail.asp?content_id=636
Greg, you’ve done a great job keeping up with those photos.
The amount of foul territory is less than I imagined. I think baserunners will need to think twice about running on past balls…
One last point on the bullpen for next year.
One of the selling points the Yankees can give guys like CC, Lowe, Burnett, etc, is the quality and depth of the bullpen.
Veterans already love the fact they have Mo to close out games.
However, when you can roll out the quality arms out of the ‘pen the Yankees can possibly roll out next year, that takes a lot of heat off the starters. They won’t get abused and overused, which keeps them fresh throughout the season.
It also lengthens their careers, which starting pitchers look at when examining free agent destinations.
That’s why I see a guy like Coke having a more crucial role on the Yankees in the ‘pen rather than trying him again in the rotation.
SJ44,
I agree with your sentiments about Burnett. I think he’s a risk, but certainly not as large of one as some are making him out to be. He makes a very nice-backup plan if the team fails to land C.C. I think Lowe would be another nice option. Burnett’s stuff is nasty, with so much movement, that the only downside is sometimes an overabundance of walks.
Pete, agree with the Johnny Cash comments. I am a big fan of Rick Rubin’s work with him.
Rubin also did a great job producing the new Metallica album, which is great. Yes, I still listen to Metallica and love ‘em.
I read that only the foul territory behind home plate will be changed. Same down the lines, right?
Also heard that there’s an order for down-filled padding for RF on hold.
If Saturday’s game means ensuring Boston wins the Wild Card and not the Division title, I say tell Roger Clemens it was a big mistake that he wasnt mentioned Sunday night and bring him back to pitch the one game.
I know Ponson has pitched well at times,but let’s not mess around here!
“LOL what’s Joe’s obsession with Giambi batting 5th?”
I don’t but that experiment is on it’s last legs.
Patiently counting the days until Giambi career in pinstripes are over…
I didn’t pitch for the Babe, nor should I have to apologize for the ERA. I know what his stats were. Not that impressive, but still the 5-0.
But it’s a stat, and the point really is that anytime there is a stat where, in all of baseball history, it’s just you (Pettitte) and the Babe, no matter how obscure that stat, (and it’s a positive stat) it’s saying something. Enough said.
CC will only come to the Yanks if he is not afraid of the AL. Chances are he’ll stay where he can dominate with ease and there is no division weaker than the NL West.
CC’s destination has nothing to do with fear.
Its all about the Benjamins.
Speaking of CC, he’s going on short rest for the second start in a row.
SJ44,
You beat me to the punch. I think $20mil a year will buy a whole lotta shots of courage.
Gammons on 1050 now going on and on about how great Mariano is.
I have a bunch of Mariano stories I will share in the off-season.
Of all the guys I have been around in sports, he is one of the three best players and people I have ever met or had the pleasure of being around.
He’s truly one of a kind.
Cobra, maybe you expect Phil to be a #2 or #3 based on the very few times we have seen him over the past year (and based especially on April’s performance), but the Yankees think of him very much as a front-end starter.
IMO, Phil’s real problem is Joba being on the team. Phil can K people for sure, but he is not a flame-thrower like Joba is. Now, it appears that he can only satisfy fans by striking out people left and right. Anything less than that is a complete failure by an overhyped mediocrity. This really shows me that Yankee fans (I’m not directing this to anyone in particular) don’t know more about baseball than anyone else and they aren’t particularly knowledgable period.
it is just me or does the field in the new stadium looks way smaller than present stadium
maybe i cant really picture it yet until its grass
“CC’s destination has nothing to do with fear.
Its all about the Benjamins.”
Ok. Then I think his choice should be clear
Andy has gone down with injuries more than Carter has pills. He missed a hell of a lot of time with Houston because of his elbow problems. Mussina has been relatively much more durable. Andy is a walking problem.
You’re not a gamer when you hurt your team.
Actually I don’t care whether people see Andy as a hero or as a goat. It doesn’t matter to my life. I just don’t want to see him back at Yankee Stadium.
http://www2.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Andy_Pettitte/
http://www2.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/players/Mike_Mussina/
(And I don’t count Mussina’s hamstring downtime in 2007 since everyone came down with hamstring injuries due to the outstanding coaching job by the guy no longer there!)
Greg,
Looks great!! I really appreciate the monthly pictures that youv been showing us. From a guy in Cali. Thank you and once again great stuff.
Wow –
It is hard to determine which team is trying to panic their way out of the playoffs more – the Mets or the Brew Crew.
Leave a little of CC left for us Milwaukee – we’ll take good care of him
When is this “great” curveball from Hughes going to show up? That’s the real concern here. Right now, he has a 91 mph fastball and a hanging breaking ball – this isn’t #1 or #2 starter stuff to whomever mentioned he was going to be ealier in the post.
Mel,
That (CC working on short rest again) speaks to two things:
1. His competitiveness. Which is a good thing.
2. The lack of power his agents have, which is a bad thing.
If I was his agent, I would be going crazy right now.
Its one thing to be competitive. Its another to risk 150+ million dollars.
One thing I will say about CC, is that if he comes it’ll really loosen up the clubhouse.
Don’t know much about him personally, but he seems to be of the “hip-hop” generation?
And imagine how stylish that Yankees cap would look with all his outfits, on and off the field.
SJ44,
Where do you think Humberto Sanchez fits into their plans? For some reason I was thinking about him today and I can see the Yanks using him as part of a trade. I’ve never seen him pitch in person, but I liked what I saw the inning he threw last week. He’ll need to build his arm back up, but will he ever start again?
“Its all about the Benjamins.”
Translation: Its all about the Big Mamoo.
Bill,
Did you see his last start? He showed off the 12 to 6 curveball. He actually threw several great ones against the White Sox.
He’s 22 years old and has been hurt all year. Its way too early to decide what he isn’t.
Drive,
If he stays with the Yankees, I think Humberto’s future is in the bullpen.
I love his arm. I think its better suited for work in the bullpen.
If he’s not traded, which I don’t believe he will be, he will be in the mix for a spot in the bullpen next year.
SJ44,
Must have missed it. Will be watching closely tonight though.
Greg, great site! Love the links to MLB trades and MLB rumors.
SJ, care to summarize what Pete said? Mo is my favorite Yankee and I can never hear enough about him. I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that many pitchers in the majors are in awe of him and probably the younger guys idolize him. It’s been a real pleasure getting to watch him do his thing for so long – it’s incomprehensible to me that he’s 38/39 and he’s getting guys out with the same pitch as when he was 28/29. Remember when Tom Kelly said that (in 1996) Mo was in a different league then everyone else? IMO, that still holds true – as a pitcher and a person. Might he be unanimously elected to the HOF?
Weather Man, I think it’s still way too early to conclude that Phil isn’t going to be an ace-type pitcher. What are you judging him on? The few April starts? Phil pitched great in the post-season last year- I don’t care if it was out of the pen. 21 year old rookies don’t just walk into a packed Yankee Stadium and completely shut down a very good lineup. We really need to withhold labeling Phil as anything right now. Let him pitch consistently first and just stay healthy.
Also, it doesn’t matter to me that this game is meaningless. I’m still very interested to see how Phil does tonight and how he looks.
“Bill,
Did you see his last start? He showed off the 12 to 6 curveball. He actually threw several great ones against the White Sox.
He’s 22 years old and has been hurt all year. Its way too early to decide what he isn’t.”
If Phil could stay healthy for more than a 2 months he would eventually get comfortable and start to dominate.
Interesting read:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=3606171
I don’t think Hughes’ curveball is going to be a concern. I’m far more concerned with how flat his fastball seems to be. He’s never going to be Nolan Ryan, but I’d take a Mike Mussina.
New Yankee stadium looks amazing. I am so there for the opener.
Andy Pettitte is likely to be scratched for Saturday with Sidney Ponson starting instead.
so going to get bombed with Ponson on the mound on Saturday. seriously, no more September call ups?
SJ,
Can’t wait for the Mariano stories. He’s always so predictable with what he says to the media, it’ll be interesting to see another side of him. Much like Derek Jeter, he seems to have a premeditated answer to most questions. Did the Yankees have a media guru in the mid-90’s? We need that guy to talk to ARod
Sj,
Burnett is a huge risk.. He is over 30, and been injured numerous times.
he is almost a 500 career pitcher having his best year ever by far in his walk year.
I get CC and leave it at that. Also for the Johan groupies, CC costs them draft picks not players… CC is younger and sturdier also…
I mentioned this earlier when I had seen the new photos last week it looks like the foul zones on both the 1st and 3rd base side are smaller than at the current stadium. Already know that there is 20 feet less fould space behind home plate but had not seen anyone say anything aboutthe 1st and 3rd base lines
Thnaks for the link to the new pics of the Stadium.
One thing I’m wondering about with the new ballpark. It looks like the roof and friese covers a lot of the upper deck. I hope it doesnt block the view of balls in the air the way the Loge seats did in the real Stadium.
I would love for Sanchez to find success in the Bronx. Besides the obvious hometown connection, I’d like to see something come out of the Shef transaction besides a salary dump.
Shef’s a horse’s behind, but you can’t question his heart. I think it’s great that he has his uncle staying with him since his release from prison. He also wants Doc to see #500 live.
Betsy,
I have to run but, I will give you what he said and one Mo story from my experience with him.
Gammons was talking about how Mo decided he was the one who was going to escort Cora Rizzuto out to SS Sunday night and was going to stay with her throughout the ceremony.
He told Gammons that it was going to be a long ceremony and that he “wanted to be there for her” if things got emotional. He stayed with her the entire ceremony (almost an hour and a half).
My experience with Mo. Game 7 of the ‘03 ALCS. Yankees win and things are crazy.
A good friend of mine is a reporter for an out of state television network. He tried to get Mo (Mo said he would do a one on one with him) but, he had no shot. The networks basically shoved him aside and in the locker room, it was a madhouse.
I’m with him and he is getting ready to give up and call it a night. Mo (whom I’ve met a few times prior to this evening but, I certainly don’t know him well) gets my attention and motions me to tap my friend (who was still trying to get him) on the shoulder.
Mo, WALKS AWAY FROM ESPN, goes up to my friend and says, “give me 15 minutes and I’m all yours.
Sure enough, 15 minutes later out walks Mariano Rivera, the hero (along with Aaron Boone) of the night, takes my friend, a television reporter from a small NE station, to the dugout (he says, “so nobody will bother us”), and gives him a one on one interview.
Are you kidding me? Guys of Mo’s stature just don’t do that. Certainly not for small town reporters.
He did it for one reason. Because he told my friend he would do it and didn’t want to renege on a promise.
The guy is just an amazing person and VERY rare among today’s athletes.
gayle,
I thought the same thing about the foul ball area. If true, it could make it more of a hitter’s park than Yankee Stadium was.
I too don’t understand why Ponson is being given a start this weekend. Is there no one the team wants to look at? Seems like a waste of an opportunity. Much as pitching Pavano again will be.
I too don’t understand why Ponson is being giving the start. I would think a gamer would insist on taking the ball at fenway. After all we’re playing for pride aren’t we?
Ponson can insist all he wants. It’s not his call to make. The team should give the start to someone who might play a role next year.
trisha,
I think you and I understand the severity of the situation more than most. Play your best and play your hardest to beat those damn Red Sux!!
great article mel!
what do you think, should moose and and come back?
and andy*
“I think you and I understand the severity of the situation more than most. Play your best and play your hardest to beat those damn Red Sux!!”
Severity? Are you kidding?? It’s evaluation time. Besides, Ponson is arguably not even the best option to start.
There is nobody else left. Everybody else went home.
They aren’t going to call a guy back to the Yankees who hasn’t pitched in two weeks to pitch.
Humberto Sanchez is not stretched out to start. Ponson is the last guy standing for that start.
Drive you and I understand it, it seems, better than more of the distance challenged posters here
but geeze you know the Yankee organization should understand it! I’m not so much down on Ponson as I am aware that his record against the Sux is abysmal!
And I’m just stunned that Andy the gamer isn’t insisting on taking the ball. What, no glory left in it for him? He was okay to play all of the last games but not this one?
Okay.
ZMAN,
Its not evaluation time. Nobody with any baseball chops evaluates players in September. That’s when you get false reads on players.
You are just playing out the string. That’s all it is.
Nobody is taking September performances and overdoing it on the evaluation side of things.
Can’t Giese throw 4 or 5 innings?
SJ—I’ll agree with you on games that have no meaning. However, if a guy is playing against a team that is still fighting for a playoff spot, his performance has meaning.
trisha,
maybe andy doesnt want to do more damage to his body that has been done, he even said his body is tired
why kill himself for a game that means practically nothing, dont worry hes resting and getting himself back together for next season
that is if he comes back of course lol
but i agree that just because andy isn’t going to start doesn’t mean you throw ponson into the wolves
trisha,
As much as I want to win every game this weekend,I don’t hold it against Andy for not starting. He’s obviously pitched in a lot more pain than he’s let on. He’s a better pitcher than he showed in the 2nd half this year.
As far as pitching last Sunday, he and Derek were both hurting. But nothing was going to stop them from playing in the last game at Yankee Stadium. I give them credit for that.
My concern would be that it’s to nobody’s benefit if either of them worsened their injury by playing from here on out. We at least owe them them the benefit of the doubt.They’ve earned it.
The new stadium field does look smaller then the current one. but they did say the dimensions are same. There will be less foul territory behind home plate.
”...going to get bombed with Ponson…”
Hey dude! Which bars you guys hitting – maybe I’ll meet up with yous!
SJ, wow – those are tremendous stories.
Mo is a rare individual indeed and I suspect that when he retires, we are going to hear everyone in every aspect of the game (players, coaches, GMs, etc..) sing his praises. It seems that at every All-Star Game, pitchers want to soak up his knowledge and he’s all to willing to pass that on. I think he was showing Roy Halladay the grip on his cutter at this past game….as if Roy needs any more help, lol. Seriously, though, Mo is going to leave quite a legacy that it will be impossible to top.
I imagine that the old-time Yankees would have been thrilled to have a guy like Mo on their teams – not just for his greatness on the mound, but because he represents the Yankees so well and honors them every day just by his proud, quiet nature. I’m sure Cora Rizzuto appreciated his support on Sunday and, as to your friend, that’s really fantastic. Mo kept his word and I’m sure your friend will never forget it. I could go on and on about Mo.
200-run drop-off from 2008:
Injury to Posada (and Molina’s regression) accounts for 75.
Cano’s regression accounts for 35. Melky’s regression is another 20. A-Rod’s regression is another 32 (that’s how good he was last year), and Jeter’s is 14. That’s 176 runs (derived from VORP differentials). The futility of the bench (at least Shelly Duncan was producing last year) contributes a few more, though improvements by Giambi, Damon and Abreu provide an offset. It would seem then that a drop-off of about 30 runs is just due to a lack of “clutchness.”
trevor
thats what got me confused, how can the field look smaller if the dimensions are the same
i blame it on the concrete looking stuff instead of grass
in the end im sure its going to be a beauty
The Rays finish out their series with the Tigers and the Angels finish out with the Rangers. I somehow don’t see either team losing all their remaining games. That’s what it would take for the Angels to lose HFA, and the Sux would have to win all the rest of theirs. At this point the Rays are 3 games ahead of the Sux in the loss column. So the Rays would have to lose at least three of their remaining games and the Sux would have to win the same three for there to be a tie. I also don’t see the Rays losing three games to the Tigers.
But the Yankees still have a responsibility to try to win its remaining games so as to finish no lower than third place and also to help take away any potential HFA for the Sux.
That said, whyever pitch Sidney against the Sux? Girardi may be feeling that it would be a slap in the face not to do it, but hopefully he will be willing to have a fast hook and will be willing to cobble together innings out of people like Giese and Robertson.
What a disappointment that Pettitte isn’t willing to be enough of a gamer to take the ball for the start in Boston.
the yankees in the 90’s were always good with a bunch of 4.00 era pitchers,maybe 1 or 2 under that.
they do not need sabathia.they should develope coke as a starter.aceves,coke get a shot.if they stink scrap them.
sign mussina for one year,sign dempster,take a look at perez,trade cano and prospect(s) to the dodgers for billingsley,trade hughes for mclouth or votto.the rest is easy.
they might not get votto,billingsley or mclouth but should target similar young players in a certain order from a specific wan’t list.
rumors say that we can get mclouth for hughes,maybe a tad more.
if we can get billingsley or someone similar it will allow us to use hughes to get a center fielder or first baseman without being hurt whatsoever and probably come out much better.billingsley replaces hughes.
the reason cano should be traded is because it will take a potential star to bring in a great young pitcher that is more established and less of a risk than hughes.
it might be tough to trade hughes for billingsley because they will be compared pitcher to pitcher,with cano it is a little harder comparing a second baseman to a pitcher.that is why cano should be used to get a pitcher and hughes to get a center fielder or first baseman.
if abraeu is kept he should dh.he is a hard bat to replace.if abraeu leaves dh matsui.
cc and tex should absolutely be considered but if they wan’t anything over 5 years i would pass.they could end up being terrible contracts.5 years or bye bye.
imo the yankees should pass alltogether because of all the huge contracts they already have.
they can build a very nice team but a strong young pitching staff is the key.with aceves,coke pitching well they have plenty of prospects to get it done.ajax,montero,betances also should be in play as long as the right young players are brought in.
SJ44 – Great story to hear about Mo, and I don’t think anybody is surprised by his actions.
Mo is the greatest and I hope he pitches for 10 more years! (ha!)
MichiganYankee,
I like your analysis but I think maybe some other runs could just come from morale. Think about it, the whole season was just a bunch of downhill, bad thing after bad thing happening. That has to account for the pressure adn other things on the team. For example, if Hughes and Kennedy started off decently, the offense wouldn’t be pressured and the Yankees would have been winning more games which would make the players just play better.
Why is A-Rod sitting? He can win the home run title. Is Girardi try