Today in The Journal News
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- June
- 4
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Chien-Ming Wang returns to the rotation today and Phil Hughes switches to the bullpen.
The Yankees lost to Texas as Andy Pettitte was rocked.
Sam Borden writes that the amount of home runs hit at the new Stadium is not a big deal.
————
Meanwhile, Mike Ashmore has audio, video and plenty of copy about Jesus Montero’s first day in Double-A. Go check it out.
Chad Jennings has an informative interview with Mark Newman on his blog.
Back later with the lineups and news of the day as the Yankees face the Rangers at 1:05 p.m.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
Hope CMW has the goods today!!
brent- I hope so too. Because it will be a disastrous if he doesn’t. What would the Yankees do than?
Go Chien-Ming Wang !
You can do it !
nice to see Zach McAllister doing great in trenton at 21 yrs old.
I think it is little overboard to say that Pettitte was rocked. If that ball gets past him in the first, Cano turns a double play, only 1 run scores. After that, Andy was not too bad, certainly not rocked. However, he seems to be throwing a lot more balls this year than normal. It is not a case of nibbling, either, he seems to be missing the zone by a lot at times.
The Yankees lost last night because they did not hit. Andy kept them in the game and Tomko pitched the best he has in a Yankee uniform.
Andy said he’s OK but if he has another outing of 5 inning or less because of his back, he may need to miss a start.
Having Phil Hughes around still is a vary smart move.
He is one of the better pitchers the Yankees have and Wang will need a couple of starts to regain his form.
Between Andy’s back, Wang on a short pitch count, and no Bruney. Phil will be around a while for sure.
I think the Yankees have done a great job building a pitching staff this year; of course they spent a lot of $$ to do it…
“I’m just trying to keep the ball down with movement, that’s basically what I’m doing. It’s working,” Texeira said.
“My sinker’s kind of been the big deal for me right now. It looks middle of the plate and they’re swinging, and all of a sudden it jumps in it at them and they start jumping away and swinging. I’m getting a lot of ground balls, and I think that’s what they got me for. To get ground balls instead of fly balls. In Yankee Stadium, fly balls have been flying out now. Keep the ball down low, that’s basically all that I’m trying to do right now.”
http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/
My guess is Wang gets at least three starts to get back on track. Hughes is probably yhe “long guy” today if Wang can’t go deep in the game… which is highly likely considering his 80 pitch target.
The most important thing today is grounders… I don’t care if he gives up ten hits in four innings if they’re all grounders.
I agree with Sam completely about the homers with one exception. It will take two seasons to really evaluate the place because tearing down the old Stadium will affect wind currents in the new one.
Cheap homers have always been a part of Yankee Stadium going back to the original 296 ft RF, 301 ft LF and short fences to go with them. There are balls that hit the fences today that were homers in the Stadium prior to the renovations of the mid-70s.
Cano and Cabrera certainly have regressed lately getting into the old, bad habits of hacking at the first thing close to a strike they see. Damon and Matsui had some awful at bats too and Alex’s refusal to hit the other way has him in a funk as well.
But that can all change in four hours!
cash & girardi said that hughes is coming in after approx 80 pitches if i remember correctly.
I agree with the comment about Melky and Robbie. They’re showing shades of 3008. Ugghhh.
But I predict great things from Wang today. He’s too good to be so bad. (I know that sounds weird.)
Go Yanks!!
I meant 2008, not 3008!!!
Dave Man June 4th, 2009 at 9:13 am
I agree with the comment about Melky and Robbie. They’re showing shades of 3008. Ugghhh.
****
3008 Did you go to the future?
“He’s a starter,” general manager Brian Cashman said of Wang. “He’s someone who’s had a huge history of nothing but success. Now he’s healthy, he looks right and he feels right. It was one of those, ‘What are you waiting for now?’ It was time to find the time to slot him in. … He’s going back where he belongs.”
– - – - -
Nice comments from Cashman.
Scorpio
Especially after he killed him in the media a few days ago. He is playing good cop bad cop.
CHIEN MENG WANG IS A STARTAHHH!!! HES A STARTING PITCHAHHH!!!
Melky needs a few games to get back into his groove, he did miss a week with that shoulder. He will be fine, and Cano will always have those head scratcher at bats, that is just the way he is. Both are hitting over .300 you can’t complain about that. (I do think Posada needs to be hitting fifth however..)
jennifer
June 4th, 2009 at 8:54 am
brent- I hope so too. Because it will be a disastrous if he doesn’t. What would the Yankees do than
====================================================
Sell the organization.
Jennifer, why does the glass have to be half empty when it pertains to the yankees. Wang will lose starts. He will not be perfect. If we can tolerate AJ, Pettite , and Phils inconsistencies. We can certainly tolerate wang until he gets back to old form. I dont understand some of these comments regarding wang.
I think we will be seeing a pretty decent outing from the Wang today. Gosh, I’m so nervous for him!
Youuuuse isn’t available to pitch until tomorrow, so I guess Aceves will be on stand-by in case things don’t go so well for Wang?
Hopefully the yankees won’t strand everyone and their mother on base again today. We really had so many opportunities yesterday. Oh well.
Sam b. totally misses the point its not the amount of homers its the type of homers! When a little pop fly that the pitcher made a great pitch on goes out or when a broken bat bloop goes out thats when a stadium becomes a joke.
Hughes won’t be the “long man” today. It’s going to be Aceves coming in after Wang. Tomko looked sharp last night too.
Cano seems a little anxious with men on base, particularly with bases loaded, and his numbers reflect it. He is more apt to swing early in the count, and at bad pitches. I think teams will realize this and not be afraid to pitch around Tex and Arod to put men on for Robbie as long as he is hitting 5th. They are already doing it to some extent, but as Cano sees this more and more, he should get better in those situations and turn that weakness into a strength. When he does that, this offense will really take off, hopefully it is sooner rather than later.
Benny — None of those guys ever racked up a 34.50 ERA over three starts, that’s why.
Bleedyank — Those things haven’t happened. I agree there have been some “cheapies” like Jorge’s, but the ball still went 350 feet which is a lot more than a “little pop fly”.
Again the point is not that a lot of cheap homers is awonderful thing, the point is it’s way too early to draw too many conclusions after fewer than 30 games.
Hopefully the yankees (arod) won’t strand everyone and their mother on base again today. We really had so many opportunities yesterday. Oh well.
lol…
I’m going to the game today, should be comfortable weather. I’m rooting for Wang, but I am not sure that this configuration is best right now. If Hughes is being converted to a reliever, why is it so inconceivable that Wang couldn’t be converted to a good reliever? That’s what he looked like to me recently.
Some of you people need serious help….
June 4th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Benny—- None of those guys ever racked up a 34.50 ERA over three starts, that’s why.
===========================================================
I understand that but, even if he stayed in swb and pitched 25 scoreless innings, that wouldnt satisfy someone of you bc, its AAA hitters. As of today, wang’s era 16.07. He’s on his way back. Gee whiz…
Hughes isn’t really being converted to a reliever. This is only a temporary(2 weekish) thing.
Cano and Melky need more discipline at he plate.
*Hope Tex is back* ,because waiting on glimmers of greatness from Arod is disconcerting and overrated.
Why can’t the *Yankees bring home the guy on third* ,
especially *with one or no outs* ,it’s pathetic to watch,the batter just strike out,even when bases are loaded.
Jeff NJ – Everyday Aceves
June 4th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I’m going to the game today, should be comfortable weather. I’m rooting for Wang, but I am not sure that this configuration is best right now. If Hughes is being converted to a reliever, why is it so inconceivable that Wang couldn’t be converted to a good reliever? That’s what he looked like to me recently.
=================================================================
Seriously, what part of two -time 19 game winner dont you understand.
“Cano and Cabrera certainly have regressed lately getting into the old, bad habits of hacking at the first thing close to a strike they see”
I don’t think too many believe Melky is going to be a .300 hitter with power all year. He is what he is. Offensively, he’s 4th OF material. Tremendous throw last night from RF though.
Cano’s always been streaky. He’ll have stretches where nobody can get him out and stretches where everyone, including himself, gets him out.
“This is only a temporary(2 weekish) thing.”
Think that depends on how it goes with Wang. If he finds his groove, Hughes may be working out of the pen for awhile.
Don’t lump me into the “some of you” category. I’m perfectly fine with Wang back in the rotation and think he should get at least three starts before any re-evaluation takes place. I was very encouraged by his last outing and was actually at the Stadium when he struggled at first but finished well against the Phillies.
It’s true Alex had three wretched at bats last night, but he is also the only Yankee who got a hit with RISP last night. Damon, Cabrera, Cano, Matsui were all more responsible for the loss that the guy who drove in one of the two runs.
thing.
brent
June 4th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Cano and Melky need more discipline at he plate.
Hope Tex is back ,because waiting on glimmers of greatness from Arod is disconcerting and overrated.
Why can’t the Yankees bring home the guy on third ,
especially with one or no outs ,it’s pathetic to watch,the batter just strike out,even when bases are loaded
=====================================================
Brent, I agree but you cant have it both ways. if you can not tolerate arod in these situations then put berroa, pena or **gulp* ransom there. Arod had a bad night. Even he said that it was unacceptable. What more do you want from him. He if singles with bases loaded, you all would trash him bc he didnt hit a grand-slam. Honestly, I dont understand what some of you want from this team.
Swish and Georgie seemed to be the only guys having good at bats last night. There guy pitched well…
Robbie and Melky need to bat down in the order, they never seem to hit as well up in the order. They do come through in the clutch, when the game is on the line, so it does seem strange.
Swish and Georgie seemed to be the only guys having good at bats last night. There guy pitched well…
Robbie and Melky need to bat down in the order, they never seem to hit as well up in the order. They do come through in the clutch, when the game is on the line, so it does seem strange.
the yankees are willing to lose a battle to win the war. wang is not better than sabathia for today’s game, but a pitcher can’t get ready to start games if he doesn’t start games.
the goal is to have 6 strong starters ready to go at all times. wang needs to pitch to get strong. he may not be good for three or four starts. he’s behind everyone else who’s been starting on a regular basis.
cashman made a mistake bringing him up too soon to rot on the vine, but he made a good decision in being decisive and getting wang back in the rotation and not compounding his bad decision by leaving him sitting and losing what starting conditioning he had.
what i’m hoping to see with wang is a lot of sinkers with good velocity that he throws for strikes. one silver lining in the balck cloud of wang’s implosion is that the yankees seem to have gotten back to basics with him and are having him throw a high percentage of sinkers.
i’ve always maintained that wang doesn’t adapt to throwing a lot of secondary pitches without it impacting his sinker so having him throw a lot of sinkers is a good thing.
today may have some discomfort to it, but it’s a necessary step to take.
for those of you who don’t like wang,i’m not convinced that cashman has wang in the yankees future plans, but he can’t get much for him if wang doesn’t start and at least comes back to close to his former level.
i think because of the way the yankees have messed with wang and constantly encouraged more secondary pitches he’s become a high maintenance pitcher from their point of view. i would have him pound the zone with nasty sinkers and be extremely low maintenance, but that’s just me.
it’s going to be interesting today. cross our fingers.
they won’t leave hughes in the pen for long.
they need him stretched out.
wang gets a few starts.once cash & girardi feel ok with wang hughes should go down.
the problem will be if hughes is pitching well out of the pen & is one of only a few options to go to it is going to be difficult to remove him from the bullpen.
hughes has done well from the pen & i believe he will continue to do so.
question is if wang does well in the starting rotation & hughes in the pen what do you do?
Cashman already said that Hughes will probably go down to AAA when Bruney comes off the DL in 2 weeks.
Last night was a bad game; it happens. That’s sports.
The Yankees are, what, playing .800 ball since Alex has returned?
Also, why does every win get brushed aside as “well they should win these games”, while, every loss is emblematic of what the Yankees “really are”?
86w183
“It’s true Alex had three wretched at bats last night, but he is also the only Yankee who got a hit with RISP last night. Damon, Cabrera, Cano, Matsui were all more responsible for the loss that the guy who drove in one of the two runs.”
Vary true and I don’t understand why Alex got Boo’d…
I think people just love to Boo the guy. So strange to Boo him at this point.
Steve B (Wouldn’t it be cool if AJ’s ERA was 3.14) June 4th, 2009 at 9:42 am
“This is only a temporary(2 weekish) thing.”
Think that depends on how it goes with Wang. If he finds his groove, Hughes may be working out of the pen for awhile.
=======================================
Maybe, or maybe not. I really do hope it is not for a long time of him being in the pen. The boy needs to pitch every five days
it might be tough to send hughes down if bruney isn’t back & hughes calms the pen down.
any chance he stays in the pen & switches with joba when joba is ready for the pen?
hahaha, check this link out. Hilarious. I pray to god the Yankees marketing folks never do this.
http://shop.mlb.com/product/in.....45.1452682.
I realize its a kids hat, but cmon, scratch and sniff watermelons surrounding the B? Please.
I think it’s funny how much crap the Yankees get regarding the their ticket prices. Some of it is justified, but I also find it funny that while the Sox didn’t raise ticket prices, they just happened to come out with a new, alternate hat and jersey to make up for it with new merchandise sales.
Too bad they didn’t sell these hats last year. The extra revenue might have allowed them to pay the extra 10-12 million to get Teixeria. Suckers.
No bru there is no chance of that. Why would Joba need to go in the pen at any point this year? He will need to start for the entire season to reach his innings limit.
Cashman said yesterday that in 2 weeks they will have to make another decision with regards to Hughes. They want to make sure he stays stretched out and ready to start. He can’t do that if he stays in the pen. In 2 weeks or less we will see Hughes back in a starting rotation. Whether that’s in Scranton or New York depends on injuries.
Actually, these are Robbie Cano’s stats batting 5th:
.322 BA, with 4 HR and 18 RBI, 6 doubles and 1 triple.
Batting 7th: .267 BA with 4 RBI
Batting 6th: .292 BA with 7 RBI
Look it up.
Those Cano stats are for this season, btw.
Jeff NY – Hughes isn’t ‘being converted to a reliever’. He’s just going to the bullpen for the time being.
While we wait a few games to see if Pettite’s back is really OK and if Wang’s actually back on track, it’s good to have a guy available who could be brought in in the 2nd inning and get through the 7th.
After 2 or 3 times through the rotation I think Hughes will be sent back to Scranton as a starter, or back in the rotation in the Bronx should Pettitte, Wang or someone else struggle or get hurt.
Either way, once rosters expand in September, I would think Hughes is in the Bronx to stay. Should Pettitte retire next year as has been speculated, Hughes (obviously) takes his spot.
I’ve said before that I think switching young starters to relievers & back is NOT a good way to limit their innings. The unpredictability of the workloads, rest and warmups has a lot to do with why starters can log 200+ innings a season for several years running, while relievers going about 70 innings a season are toast in a few years.
I hope they’re treating Hughes like an alternate starter (in terms of preparation, use and rest) who comes in for a few innings during a brief period in the bullpen. I would not be surprised if his bullpen use has a negative effect on Joba as a starter. With an injury like his shoulder last year, you have to question it. It’d be a shame if Hughes was exposed to that kind of risk too.
Wang’s score card today, I hope:
-80 pitches in 6 innings, 1 walk
-GO/FO: 12-3, SO: 3
-6 hits (all ground singles)
-2 ERA
This is assume he can keep the ball down with 92-93 mph velocity, and sinks. Good luck to him for his first start out of DL.
Yankees win 6-2. Wang(1-6)-Aceves(7,8)-Mo(9), winning formula.
Benny Blanco,Arod is never a clutch hitter.Last night the bases were loaded,he could’ve brought in *a* run or two,they got nothing.Pitchers are loading the bases to pitch to him or Cano. Angel should retire!! Maybe his hip isn’t ready.
Check out his batting average with the bases loaded and then go away!
ANSKY— Well stated
Come on -
Are you talking to me?
I see Montero was up in time to play for the Thunder last night. Good hustle kid.
1-4 with single, walk and strikeout. Drove in a run too. Nice start.
Couple guys did sucessfully steal on him and WDR (who pitched exceptionally BTW)though.
Patrick
June 4th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Cashman already said that Hughes will probably go down to AAA when Bruney comes off the DL in 2 weeks.
———————————————————
He did say that but I’d rather see him stay the the big club.
Why do the relievers have to have such defined roals?
Why don’t pitches guys more than 1 inning.
Someone wrote yesterday, have guys like Ace and Phil pitch the 7th and the 8th or the 6th 7th and 8th. Tomko did it last night in a close game. If the guy is on a roll let him go…
Evan Roberts….THANK YOU!!!!!
Patrick
June 4th, 2009 at 9:54 am
No bru there is no chance of that. Why would Joba need to go in the pen at any point this year? He will need to start for the entire season to reach his innings limit.
Cashman said yesterday that in 2 weeks they will have to make another decision with regards to Hughes. They want to make sure he stays stretched out and ready to start. He can’t do that if he stays in the pen. In 2 weeks or less we will see Hughes back in a starting rotation. Whether that’s in Scranton or New York depends on injuries.
———————————————————–
i guess it can be done.
joba has pitched 53 innings with 1/3 of the season gone so that’s an average of 159 innings pitched.
depending on his innings limit they have to be very careful because if it is around 150 it will be tight but can be done.
i wonder if the playoffs count in his innings?
imo 150 might be a little to much.he pitched only 100 innings last year i think.
a 50 innings increase not including the playoffs?
There is no split for batting order and avg with particular bases occupied.
People say Cano can’t bat fifth. I don’t think that’s necessrily the case.
And I’m NOT going away. I’ve been here for a really long time.
Doreen, DON”T YOU KNOW THAT CANO”S ENTIRE SEASON IS TO BE JUDGED ON HOW HE HAS DONE IN HIS 8 AT BATS WITH THE BASES LOADED!
Some more on Robbie:
2 outs and RISP, only batting .250, but with 2 HR and 14 RBI.
Late & close: .382 BA, with 2 HR and 4 RBI
His BA gets higher deeper into games.
He’s got his weaknesses, but he’s no bust.
Alex gets booed because people know he paid the most money in all players,and want what the hype that made the Yankees buy into him.
I READ AN ARTICLE A FEW YRS BACKS,a Ind can’t retrieve it
(because my computer crashed and lost the file.)
The article said how much better teams do when he’s gone,and that no team will ever when a WS,as long as he’s apart of the roster.
I reread this article a lot after the 2004 ALCS lost to RS.
The Yankees are stuck with him now,but he needs to stop making it easy for pitchers *they fear Pujols,not AROD* !!
Tom in NJ -
Oh, I forgot that rule.
i would cut joba off at 140 innings by skipping starts & and pulling him early.
it depends on how many innings the yankees wan’t him to pitch.
140 innings not including the playoffs,130,160,170,180??
a lot of so called experts say anything over 30-40 increase of innings from the previous year is risky.
i am not sure where the yankees stand on this issue but i find it very hard to believe they wan’t him to pitch over 180 innings total & i think that is way to high.
Hey Brent,
What was the Yankees record without Arod….
How bout with him…
Thanks
leems1104
June 4th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Wang’s score card today, I hope:
-80 pitches in 6 innings, 1 walk
-GO/FO: 12-3, SO: 3
-6 hits (all ground singles)
-2 ERA
This is assume he can keep the ball down with 92-93 mph velocity, and sinks. Good luck to him for his first start out of DL.
Yankees win 6-2. Wang(1-6)-Aceves(7,8)-Mo(9), winning formula.
That would be some first game back for sure.
6 innings and 2 runs is a good start for anyone on this staff not nammed CC.
I think the Yankees will need to put their hitting shoes on today and score 6+ runs to win.
I’d say Wang probably goes 4 to 5 and give up 3 runs…
it is crazy to think the yankees can’t win without arod.
if you put the right players around him & especially the pitching any team can win with him.
the yankees pitching coincidentally starting coming around when arod came back.
the thing with arod is that he consumes 30 million a year that might be better used elsewhere especially with smaller market teams.
are we better off with arod at 3rd or a 3rd baseman who will give you 20 hr & 90 rbi & a few great bullpen guys in addition to a more productive cf,rf,etc…
Ok, keep defending Alex,and waiting for a miracle PEACE OUT!
The player that’s living up to His REPUTATION is TEX,the real deal.
Doreen
June 4th, 2009 at 10:07 am
There is no split for batting order and avg with particular bases occupied.
People say Cano can’t bat fifth. I don’t think that’s necessrily the case.
And I’m NOT going away. I’ve been here for a really long time.
===========================================================
Doreen, you made a really good case.
Who would you rather have up with a runner in scoring position and 2 outs?
Sui
Goergie
Cano
By the way Doreen, I take Georgie this year, Sui in the past, and Cano in the future.
Is the Future Now? Not for me…
Doreen,
I was referring to Cano w/bases loaded, and for his career. Whenever they show the numbers when he is batting in those situations, they are OK, but not what you expect from a player of his caliber w/BL. The point I was making was that I expect him to eventually be a monster in those situations as he sees them more, and then he will be the ideal no. 5 hitter in this lineup.
bru
June 4th, 2009 at 10:22 am
it is crazy to think the yankees can’t win without arod.
if you put the right players around him & especially the pitching any team can win with him.
the yankees pitching coincidentally starting coming around when arod came back.
the thing with arod is that he consumes 30 million a year that might be better used elsewhere especially with smaller market teams.
are we better off with arod at 3rd or a 3rd baseman who will give you 20 hr & 90 rbi & a few great bullpen guys in addition to a more productive cf,rf,etc…
==========================================================
I’m with you; I would not have resigned him to a 10 year 300mil contract.
But let’s remember that attendance is way up since A-Rod came to the team.
This is a business too…
A-rod isn’t going anywhere. He is the best 3B in the league.
Hughes in the bullpen is a terrible idea for any long period of time. He needs to stay on a regular schedule of starting ballgames and he needs to throw 150 innings at least. I’m fine with him in the BP for 2 weeks but anything beyond that is an awful awful idea.
Joba will throw at least 150 innings. The Yankees said they were going to get a bit more aggressive with him. If he hits 140 innings in early September they aren’t going to just cut him off and throw him in the pen. Especially if they are in the middle of a pennant race.
There is no point in worrying about postseason innings until we actually MAKE IT TO the postseason. If we get there and Joba has already thrown 150 innings then we’ll talk about it.
The team he left is doing fine and held us to 2 runs in a game the Yankees could’ve won,because Arod struck out with bases loaded no outs!!
30 MIL don’t buy what it use to,that’s what I’m saying.
Patrick from CT,
I think your prediction is more realistic, 3 runs in 4-5 innings, still a good start for a rehab pitcher. OK, Yankees win 6-3.
Is there anyone left on the Texas team that played with Alex in 2003? Young? Blaylock isn’t playing.
This is such a tired and silly argument. The 2004 Yanks lost to the Sawx because of Torre’s mismanagement of the bullpen in games four and five, at which point Alex was ripping the cover off the ball.
“The team he left is doing fine and held us to 2 runs in a game the Yankees could’ve won,because Arod struck out with bases loaded no outs!!”
He left that team 6 years ago!! They are doing fine? How many times have they made the playoffs since Arod left? And, the Yankees have won at least 3 games directly because of Arod in May, and no telling how many because of his presence in the lineup.
Frankie Cervelli should catch Wang today.
From Bryan Hoch, MLB.com/Yankee page: . . First-round buzz
The Yankees could highlight an athletic outfield prospect like California’s Brett Jackson on their Draft board, and there has been talk about Southern California shortstop Grant Green and Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez. One wonders how flexible the idea of a Draft budget is for the Yankees, who shelled out $423.5 million to lock up Sabathia, Teixeira and Burnett without much of a second thought.
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