Pitching matchups for the Braves series
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 23, 2009 
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Take 2 of 3 here and make hay against the Mets.
I’d be happy to take one of these games. Hopefully Joba is on his game tomorrow night or we’re gonna get swept.
The Braves offense can be shut down by even a decent pitching performance. If our offense could step up a little bit we could pull a sweep off.
Finally the Yanks are in Atlanta. I am going to all three games. It is going to be weird seeing Turner Field full for once.
Gardner should see some playing time in these games with Damon banged up.
Like to see Brett have a good series here. This team needs a spark.
I have a chance to have dinner with Fay Vincent this week.
Anyone have any suggestions on questions I should ask him?
“DeRosa would upgrade our bench significantly, he can play every position on the field except 1 and 2.”
If they Yanks are getting somebody who can play multiple positions, they should get somebody who can play 2nd as well. Sometimes when Cano gets into a funk, I think a day off helps him if he can get it.
The Yanks shouldn’t need somebody who can play outfield if they have Damon, Melky, Gardner, Swisher, and then Nady.
5 outfielders is enough.
Get an infield player who could spell Cano and A-Rod.
*Movin this here*
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:26 am
“If we got DeRosa he would play a lot more than once a week.”
You can’t guarantee that. The infield players other than Al will get 1 day off per week and then it moves up to once every 10 days. Other than RF which if healthy Nady takes over, I don’t see a spot for DeRosa. There is no need to morgage anything in the farm for this player. I’d be ROYALLY pissed if Z-Mac or Austin Romine become FT players in the ML level. This is not a need.
An ageing team doesn’t need to age anymore. We actually need to find a way to unload a Matsui or Nady for BP help or young talent. Other wise this team will continue getting old infront of our very own eyes.
I think how and if Nady comes back will dictate how Cashman approaches acquiring a bat. He would probably look to be more stingy with prospects if X can actually play the field efficiently and regains his swing relatively quickly. However, if he’s in pain and has a sub-Damon throwing arm in right, Cash has to be aggressive in looking for another corner OFer.
“Get an infield player who could spell Cano and A-Rod.”
It depends on what you are looking for. DeRosa can’t play SS or 2B at the Pena level defensively, but he can play those positions (he has played 30+ games at each position in 2008 and 2007). Given the offensive upgrade we’d get, and the fact that we don’t take out Jeter or Cano for defense anyway, I think DeRosa could be the back-up infielder, but with the flexibility to play in the OF. It’s quite possible Nady will be primarily a DH/PH anyway.
We need at least 2 out of 3….and at least 4-2 in the next 6. The only team im worried about is Tampa Bay. I know its early but really is it?….We need to get a on a roll. By the way… more Gardner please….He starts slow at every level then levels off around .270-280 BA and a .340-.350 OBP….If he does that with stealing bases he should be fine
“Get an infield player who could spell Cano and A-Rod”
What’s wrong with Pena? And the Yankees like that kid Russo in Scranton too. That’s 2 in house candidates.
If your looking for UTY infielder aim a bit smaller
Felipe Lopez (would be my first choice)
Christian Guzman
Omar Infante
Freddy Sanchez (this would be PT player)
Tonight the Wanger gets his first win! You heard it here first!
6+ IP, 1-2 ER, 6 or less hits, and a sigh of relief from the fans…
Rebecca the eternal optimist would be proud
“What’s wrong with Pena?”
Pena has an OPS of .591. To the extent he actually has to bat more than once in a blue moon, IMO that’s what’s wrong with him.
“What’s wrong with Pena? And the Yankees like that kid Russo in Scranton too. That’s 2 in house candidates.”
According to SJ Kevin Russo can’t field and is just a singles hitter, take it for what it’s worth IDK if that’s true or not, someone said El Nino can’t field and so far I’ve seen him hold up SS and 2B and even 3B when he gets PT. This is why getting DeRosa would not only be a bad idea, it’s a mindless reactionary move. This is not a need.
Stultus Magnus June 23rd, 2009 at 10:32 am
“DeRosa would upgrade our bench significantly, he can play every position on the field except 1 and 2.”
If they Yanks are getting somebody who can play multiple positions, they should get somebody who can play 2nd as well. Sometimes when Cano gets into a funk, I think a day off helps him if he can get it.
The Yanks shouldn’t need somebody who can play outfield if they have Damon, Melky, Gardner, Swisher, and then Nady.
5 outfielders is enough.
Get an infield player who could spell Cano and A-Rod.
—————————
Stultus,
1 and 2 meaning pitcher and catcher. As they appear on a scorecard. DeRosa has spent a lot of time at 2nd.
“Pena has an OPS of .591. To the extent he actually has to bat more than once in a blue moon, IMO that’s what’s wrong with him.”
If your playing ever 15 days you have to expect that. One thing we know about the kid he’s a pretty decent clutch hitter and has XBH pop, but to write him off right now would be too reactionary.
Brandon, Pena can’t hit. It’s OK if he just plays a couple times a month or subs in defensively in the late innings, but not if he has to play more than that.
“Brandon, Pena can’t hit. It’s OK if he just plays a couple times a month or subs in defensively in the late innings, but not if he has to play more than that.”
The kid has shown pop when given time, it amazes me how we look at other teams w/ thier subs, you talk to other GMs about Ramiro, they like his tools very much, give him a shot. Atleast a fair one.
“Omar Infante”
He still on the Braves?? With Prado seemingly handling the job of multi-purpose guy, perhaps he could be had cheaply. Can play a few positions and can hit a little.
your not going to find a utility guy getting delt that is enough of an upgrade to warrant dishing young talent IMO and no team is going to take the crap that most of you would have us give away. There’s a reason guys become utility guys and a reason those guys get traded away…
that said, anything is an upgrade over Berroa
Not saying DeRosa is a sub but come on one yr. and gone. That’s what he’d be.
Your Shapiro first name on the list is Melancon ok not Melancon, Dunn/Z-Mac and throw in Romine… DeRosa is not worth that, go get a cheaper option or how about this concept let El Nino get some PT. The only reason he rides the bench at times is b/c he also plays the PR role, which is b/c this LINEUP has been an AGEING lineup.
Coach,
Oh right, ok. That makes more sense. I thought DeRosa could play 2nd.
Regarding Pena, I’d rather get somebody who can hit a bit better. Plus, I don’t see him filling in for Cano and A-Rod on a semi-regular basis. Now, nobody is saying that Cano is gonna get days off. It would just be my preference that he gets a game off here and there.
Yes, first win for the Wanger tonight!
If Nady comes back and plays effectively, the Yankees aren’t trading good prospects for a 2-3 month rental of DeRosa.
“So the player says he’s ready, the trainer says he’s ready, Giardi puts him in the lineup and it’s Cashman’s fault? Your logic is somewhat astounding.”
68w183-
the doctor never said he was ready for two months of play without a game off. he had said one game a week. cahman apologists refuse to see the obvious.
if a leader doesn’t make the hard decisions , what exactly is his or her purpose?
are you saying cashman isn’t a leader of the team?
would you also say epstein leads in the same fashion and delegates to everyone else making the decision as you say cashman does?
final decisions are cashman’s job.
“He still on the Braves?? With Prado seemingly handling the job of multi-purpose guy, perhaps he could be had cheaply. Can play a few positions and can hit a little.”
Prado would be my first choice on that team but ATL won’t deal him cheap.
“If your playing ever 15 days you have to expect that.”
That’s right. If he’s playing everyday, like he did in the minors, then his OPS goes all the way up to…. .635.
Pop, you say? He slugged .319 in the minors Brandon. He’s not a major league hitter. If the Yankees thought he had a chance to be an everyday regular, he’d be in the minors now playing every day. He’s well suited to the role he’s playing now, IMO.
Russo isn’t terrible in the field. His minor league Fld% is .972. Not a HR player but can get some double. And has decent speed.
Now I don’t watch him every day but we’re talking about a backup here. They’re not going to have all star talent/numbers.
“That’s right. If he’s playing everyday, like he did in the minors, then his OPS goes all the way up to…. .635.”
This the same crap ppl said about Cisco but he holds his own as a back up too.
“Pop, you say? He slugged .319 in the minors Brandon. He’s not a major league hitter. If the Yankees thought he had a chance to be an everyday regular, he’d be in the minors now playing every day. He’s well suited to the role he’s playing now, IMO.”
He deserves a shot, he’s actually been pretty decent in his role. The Yankees have him up here b/c they know this lineup is getting old and non-flexible. You keep trotting out 30 yr. olds every day thier going to be spent, Ramiro’s defense has been decent, his bat has been decent, he deserves a shot.
Srsly I look at a player like El Nino and I never pictured him on this team, he seems to me more of a Mike Scoisca (don’t ask me to spell his name) LA Angel type of player.
I wasn’t aware Cashman fills out the lineup card, makes out rehab schedules and performs surgery.
I’m not a “Cashman apologist”. I’m just not willing to blame him for medical and lineup decisions that I refuse to believe he makes or should be making. If you want to blame him for Wang’s rehab because he supported the advice he received I have no problem with that, but blaming him for Alex not getting days off is, in a word foolish.
I guess you must be a “Girardi apologist” based on your own analyses and observations.
We need a sweep. The Braves are bums.
Trevor
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
Russo isn’t terrible in the field. His minor league Fld% is .972. Not a HR player but can get some double. And has decent speed.
Now I don’t watch him every day but we’re talking about a backup here. They’re not going to have all star talent/numbers.
————————————————————
Russo has 11 games as an outfielder. He’s a decent to good 2nd baseman, has never played shortstop and should never be allowed near third base unless he’s rounding it to score. Exactly where would he play?
“This the same crap ppl said about Cisco but he holds his own as a back up too.”
No, he can’t hit either. .622 OPS. .300 OBP. 1 walk in 60 AB’s. 17 hits, 15 of which are singles. Unlike Pena, he has hit some in the minors, though it was largely at the lower levels.
“He deserves a shot, he’s actually been pretty decent in his role.”
Exactly my point. He’s home in MLB as a backup.
How are the Braves bums? They have a good rotation and an okay lineup with some hitters capable of hurting you. It’s not a “must sweep” scenario, Yankees just have to get back to playing good baseball. Working the count, having better at bats with men on base, and playing smart on the bases and defensively. You know, all the things they were doing during their winning streak and hot stretch prior to getting creamed by Boston.
“Exactly where would he play?”
Beats me, people want a backup for second when Cano needs a day off.
“We need a sweep. The Braves are bums.”
The Braves are bums ? are you serious ?
Sensing a Braves sweep
Wang shelled again
I wasn’t aware Cashman fills out the lineup card, makes out rehab schedules and performs surgery.
I’m not a “Cashman apologist”. I’m just not willing to blame him for medical and lineup decisions that I refuse to believe he makes or should be making. If you want to blame him for Wang’s rehab because he supported the advice he received I have no problem with that, but blaming him for Alex not getting days off is, in a word foolish.
I guess you must be a “Girardi apologist” based on your own analyses and observations.
_____________________________
I don’t think its foolish at all. He may not be the sole reason but he gets some hits as well.
Its not like Philippon only told A-Rod and A-Rod only told Joe that he was supposed to rest. Cashman knew too and he never stepped in until Miami.
You trusted Philippon to perform surgery on your “asset” but you don’t make sure the team abides by his suggestions/ orders regarding the player’s rehab? That makes no sense.
“I’m not a “Cashman apologist”. I’m just not willing to blame him for medical and lineup decisions that I refuse to believe he makes or should be making. If you want to blame him for Wang’s rehab because he supported the advice he received I have no problem with that, but blaming him for Alex not getting days off is, in a word foolish.”
86:
Don’t you think that it is on Cashman to ensure that the medical staff/advisors and Girardi are communicating?
“Exactly my point. He’s home in MLB as a backup.”
Dude I’m just trying to stop these ridiculous we need Mark DeRosa posts, IMO we don’t need him.
“Sensing a Braves sweep
Wang shelled again”
If this happens the heat will be on Friday night and CC vs the Mets
Boston is bottom 5 in wOBA , and the yankees are 50 points higher than them in that category. That really doesn’t mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of a 3 game series, but we should have a definite edge.
Pettitte vs a team that can’t hit
Wang vs a team that makes a lot of bad contact
These pitchers should be able to get away with some mistakes. All they have to do is stay away from Jones and McCann.
It’s Girardi’s fault that A-rod didn’t get more days off. The doctors told the team how much rest he needed and the team simply ignored their expert advice. Of course A-rod is not going to want to sit once a week. It’s Girardi’s job to toughen up and do what’s best for the team.
Cashman has almost nothing to do with it.
Braves pitching and the front 4 in their lineup are quite good. Even Kotchmann can be a tough out at times. Based on what we’ve seen this year, it could pretty reasonably be argued that the Braves have a starting pitching edge in 2 of the 3 games. Yankees will need to come to play to succeed in this series.
Trevor
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:09 am
“Exactly where would he play?”
Beats me, people want a backup for second when Cano needs a day off.
————————————————————
You’re not suggesting giving a spot on the 25 man roster to a guy that would get 5 games a year at second base, are you? That makes a world of sense. Utility players do not play only one position?
“Dude I’m just trying to stop these ridiculous we need Mark DeRosa posts, IMO we don’t need him.”
I’m with you on this.
Well if Cashman has almost nothing to do with it why was he calling down to Miami?
If he finally felt the need to step in during the Marlins series then he could have stepped in earlier.
Girardi isn’t blameless. He had a chance to manage A-Rod’s injury and he screwed up. I don’t blame upper management for stepping in.
But they could have done it sooner.
Cashman finally stepped in last week. Was he wrong to wait that long? Yes. We can agree on that part of it.
We gotta keep worrying about sweeping and/or not getting swept. This blog needs guest posts from Mariano Duncan.
To paraphrase: Yankees play today, they win today, Dassitt!
We don’t NEED Mark DeRosa but he would improve the team. He is a better option off the bench than Pena. It would also help Pena’s development to go down to AAA and get more playtime. He currently is not a major league quality hitter. His fielding and baserunning is there but his bat isn’t.
I don’t want to get rid of Pena, he’s a good player, but DeRosa is better.
Honestly though, I wouldn’t give up much at all for DeRosa. He would play a very minor role on the team, I’d give up a minor prospect for him and that’s it.
“Cashman has almost nothing to do with it.”
And he I was thinking he was in charge of baseball operations.
Need a relief from reality? Need to hear the most over-reactionary of Yankee fans play off one another? Need to lose some brain cells? Come to the LoHud comments section!
Example: Hey Brandon….who’s suggesting Shelley Duncan even is the answer to anything but a trivia question 10 years from now?
Example: Post the upcoming pitching matchups and five guys are bound to make some sort of prediction as to how many games we’ll win or lose.
Why SJ even bothers on here is beyond me.
“Cashman finally stepped in last week. Was he wrong to wait that long? Yes. We can agree on that part of it.”
We definitely agree then because that’s all I’m saying.
I don’t want to roast the guy like some do.
I never said we needed Mark DeRosa. However Mark DeRosa improves a bench that needs improving. Mark DeRosa would be a better fit on this bench than anything in Scranton. Pena is a young young player, who has a chance to develop. Is he developing on our bench? Would he be better suited to play daily in AAA. We don’t need DeRosa, but if you can get him for cheap, he fills multiple needs.
“Well if Cashman has almost nothing to do with it why was he calling down to Miami?”
Cashman was forced to make the call. Girardi should have handled it correctly from the start and given A-rod a day off a week. Unfortunately he capitulated to a player’s demands and Cash had to step in.
It was Girardi’s job to manage A-rod’s playing time but he failed to do it properly.
We got Nady and Marte for Ohlendorf, Karstens, Tabata and McCutcheon. Nady had 2 years on his deal, Marte 1. That ought to about establish the parameters for DeRosa. Whatever public position Cleveland may have, I don’t see the Yanks havin g to give up Melancon and Romine (or equivalent value) for him.
And I agree with Patrick, we don’t NEED DeRosa, but he would HELP. And we won’t use all of these minor leaguers anyway.
“Example: Hey Brandon….who’s suggesting Shelley Duncan even is the answer to anything but a trivia question 10 years from now?”
Oh you should have been here yesterday, there were actually ppl trying to tell me he can field better than Snr. Citizen (who I’m not fond of either). Overrating his bat.
” but blaming him for Alex not getting days off is, in a word foolish.”
86w183rd-
so you think cashman could not have said alex is getting a day off a week and that that.
of course he could.
as a matter of fact that’s exactly what he should have done since it was the advice from the doctor.
girardi can’t over rule cashman on an issue like this. use your head. if cashman told girardi that arod had to be rested once a week and girardi refused to rest him, he’d be fired.
this is a very cut and dry issue and really illustrates the incompetence of cashman on conditioning issues.
cashman’s decision on arod or even worse his non decision on arod is costing the yankees games.
you appear to be arguing that it was not cashman’s decision on whteher to go by the doctors advice or not . that begs the question who’s decision you think it is.
From Pete’s article
“Rodriguez is hitting a higher ratio of groundballs to line drives than at any time previously in his career.”
This reminded me of a question I had that I had forgotten about. Alex mentioned a few weeks ago in an interview that Kevin Long and him were pleased because he was hitting more ground balls.
I thought at the time, does that mean he’d been getting under pitches so Long sees a groundball as a positive?
Anyone know why him hitting ground balls would be a good sign to Long and as referenced by Pete above a bad thing?
Duncan or JRod would have helped us more than Berroa. I can’t even see the other side of that argument.
Wave Your Hat June 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 am
Duncan or JRod would have helped us more than Berroa. I can’t even see the other side of that argument.
—————————-
A bag of chips and a mediocre slice of pizza would help us more than Berroa…
“Anyone know why him hitting ground balls would be a good sign to Long and as referenced by Pete above a bad thing?”
There was a good article in BP about this. They point out that ARod’s BaBip is much, much lower than expected, and conclude you can’t rule out just a spell of bad luck.
randy,
In this case you are dead wrong. Your dislike of Cashman is clouding your judgement.
It isn’t the GM’s job to manage a player’s playtime. It’s the manager’s job. Girardi knew the medical recommendation and it was his job to give A-rod a day off. It’s also his job to ignore A-rod when Alex insists he can play.
Do you really think Cashman told Girardi “When A-rod gets back I want you to ignore the doctors and play him every day no matter what.”
I highly doubt that.
Is there such a thing as a mediocre slice of pizza? Doesn’t pizza start at good and work up from there? I have however had a mediocre tuna sandwich.
-dennis
“It isn’t the GM’s job to manage a player’s playtime. It’s the manager’s job. Girardi knew the medical recommendation and it was his job to give A-rod a day off. It’s also his job to ignore A-rod when Alex insists he can play.”
Patrick, if the front office could set rules for using Joba or Hughes, it seems to me they could establish ARod rules.
I haven’t drunk the Randy kool-aid on Cashman, but I can see his argument here.
“And he I was thinking he was in charge of baseball operations.”
steve b-
i was under the same impression.
the odd thing is i was giving cashman reluctant props a few weeks ago for assembling a team that was actually working well and if wang came back could be a powerhouse.
now all of a sudden the team has lost 5 games to the red sox in 12 games and is in danger of it’s supposed best player not being right.
this really is a minor crisis with losing so many games in the standings in 12 games. it may not get better with wang pitching tonight either. if ever he’s going to have a letdown, tonight would be the night as he passed the girardi and cashman ultimatum test and his wife had the baby .
i hope that isn’t true, but often there’s a letdown after a peak contest or event.
I’m sure I’ve been seen as an “apologist” (whatever the heck that means) for both Girardi and Cashman in the past. I prefer to think of myself giving the benefit of the doubt to the people who are intimately involved with details of any particular situation with the Yankees.
However, on two things here I think Cashman dropped, or at least bobbled, the ball.
The one is calling Wang back from going to SWB, cutting his rehab short and making him, basically, rehab at the major league level which puts the team in a bad spot, not to mention Wang. I do not blame him for the off-season handling of Wang’s injury, since it was not a typical baseball injury and I believe he was following the advice he got. Not speaking to whether or not that was sound advice or whether or not he got second or third opinions, because I have no idea.
The second thing is the handling of Alex Rodriguez’ return to the Yankees. They went out and go the absolute best doctor to perform this surgery. They agonized over which direction to go with the surgery. They chose the option that would get ARod back quickest. The doctor, the one they chose because he was the best, recommended a course of rehab and a course of re-entry into playing. I think it was incumbent upon Cashman, Girardi, a trainer or trainers and ARod to sit down and talk about that, and to come up with a non-negotiable rest schedule. It begins with Cashman because he is the GENERAL manager. Yes, the field manager sets the lineup and has day-to-day decisions to make with the team he fields. But the handling of ARod is a long-term issue, not a day-to-day issue. As such, Cashman should have taken the lead.
What we do not know is whether Cashman and Girardi spoke about this or if they did how often. I imagine they did. I imagine Girardi told Cash ARod felt fine; I imagine they both decided an occasion DH day was equivalent to a day off. And I imagine that Cash was okay with this.
I think it was the wrong way to go about it, but only within the confines of what I know, as a fan, which isn’t all that much.
Bottom line – this was an extraordinary circumstance and needed to be dealt with in an extraordinary manner – a directive scheduling rest days for Alex, written in stone.
“Do you really think Cashman told Girardi “When A-rod gets back I want you to ignore the doctors and play him every day no matter what.””
Yeah, but he also took no steps to ensure the doctors recommendations were followed.
Even if there was a secret set of “A-rod rules” that we know nothing about, why would they be to ignore the doctors’ advice? The doctors said he would need time off every week. I still haven’t seen a convincing argument (either proven or theoretical) that Cashman would simply ignore the doctors.
Exactly my point Dennis…even a mediocre slice is far > than Berroa
dennis-Costanza
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:31 am
Is there such a thing as a mediocre slice of pizza? Doesn’t pizza start at good and work up from there? I have however had a mediocre tuna sandwich.
-dennis
————————————————————
A slow day, huh?
Morning, Dennis. Hope all is well with you and Amy. Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos of Amy’s. She has an amazing camera eye.
“The doctors said he would need time off every week. I still haven’t seen a convincing argument (either proven or theoretical) that Cashman would simply ignore the doctors.”
The argument is that ARod played, therefore…
“Yeah, but he also took no steps to ensure the doctors recommendations were followed.”
It’s not his job to do that. The entire organization was aware of what the doctors recommended. It’s Girardi’s task to manage his players and get the most out of them, not Cashman’s. BC provides the pieces, Joe G has to make them work.
Gardner is producing in the 7/8 spot but it’s not like we need a pitcher to bunt him over. I’d like to see him leading off if Damon takes a rest. Put Swisher down to 8.
“The argument is that ARod played, therefore…”
Yes but isn’t the more logical scenario that A-rod convinced Girardi that he was healthy enough to play?
Wake up and smell the coffee, Cashman is always the one to blame.
The consensus seems to be that
1. Girardi needed babysitting, and
2. Cashman didn’t provide it.
“Put Swisher down to 8.”
Actually Swisher should probably be batting 2nd or 3rd. His OBP is too valuable down in the bottom third of the lineup. If A-rod continues slumping I’d move Swish to hitting 3rd, Tex bats cleanup and drop A-rod to 5th or 6th.
“It’s Girardi’s task to manage his players and get the most out of them, not Cashman’s.”
Who exactly does Girardi work for???
Swisher is our second best hitter
“The consensus seems to be that
1. Girardi needed babysitting, and
2. Cashman didn’t provide it. ”
Girardi shouldn’t need babysitting. Cashman shouldn’t have to look over his shoulder and question his every move. In fact, I don’t want the GM making the decisions a manager should have to make. Girardi simply has to do a better job.
Waiting for the ferry. Having lunch with my Dad today. During the weeks I do not travel we have lunch every Tuesday to catch up. It is my favorite part of the week.
Thanks re: Amy’s website. Her business is doing well. Her work is displayed in Savannah as well at the Staybridge Suites on Bay Street and the Wright Square Cafe.
I married way over my head.
Hope your day is going well.
-dennis
Patrick, I could see Swish leading off or batting 2nd, but he KO’s too often and isn’t as aggresive with RISP as he should be for a #3 hitter.
With RISP, Swisher has an OBP over .400, but SLG UNDER .400. He’s moving the lineup along, which is good, but he’s not driving in the runners, which is bad, especially for a #3 hitter.
“Who exactly does Girardi work for???”
Lets say you work at McDonalds and your job is to put the fries in the frier and take them out on time. It’s not your manager’s job to tell you to take them out on time. It’s your job. HOWEVER if you fail to take the fries out on time it’s your manager’s job to know about it and tell you to do your job properly.
This is how I see the whole issue. It’s Girardi’s job to manage his players properly but when he doesn’t Cashman is forced to step in and tell him what to do. Which is exactly what happened.
Well I guess its no one’s fault the doctor’s orders weren’t followed. We can chalk it up to ish happens or it just fell through the cracks.
“Swisher is our second best hitter”
I like Nick but no, he’s not.
WYH,
I suggested the 3 spot because it seems like the Yankees love putting their #1 OBP guy in the 3 hole (ie – Abreu, Tex). Also if you put Swish at #2 where does Damon/Jeter hit? You know they will never drop either of those guys in the order.
How about, A-rod starts hitting like A-rod and everyone stays where they are
Pete’s article on Arod falls just shy of Al Gore’s ” An Inconvient Truth” on the scare-o-meter Yankee-wise.
And while A-Rod’s ice caps definitely seem to be melting you have to believe the situation will improve. This can’t be it.
On the other hand I do believe 2007 will serve as the apex of his career.
According to wOBA he is >:)
2nd best “hitter” I’d say the following players are better hitters than Nick – Jeter, Damon, Teixeira, Rodriguez, Matsui, Cano, Posada.
Nick might be producing a lot of walks and HR’s right now but he’s certainly not the 2nd best hitter.
I blame Arod!
Tex jumps ahead of Youk in All Star Balloting
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
After losing 2 out of 3 to the NL East cellar: Twice (2-4 total). I laugh at all of you who are calling for a Yankee sweep in Atlanta.
Nick Green has Atlanta steaming! You best pray for not getting swept up yourselves!
How come the Yankees can’t get players like that?
From Heyman-
“Yankees higher-ups Brian Cashman and Randy Levine engaged A-Rod and Yankees medical staff on a conference call (Girardi wasn’t available at that moment), and Rodriguez finally admitted he was tiring to the point where he wasn’t himself. Rodriguez’s refusal to give Girardi the straight dope isn’t a reflection on Girardi but the natural course for players who don’t like to sit. So the decision was made on the conference call.”
Which is more alarming to you:
a. Alex wasn’t honest with Girardi about how he felt
b. Girardi wasn’t on the conference call
c. Randy Levine was on the conference call
C for me.
“Do you really think Cashman told Girardi “When A-rod gets back I want you to ignore the doctors and play him every day no matter what.””
patrick-
here’s what i say to girardi if i’m the gm:
“we need alex for the whole season. his doctor says he needs a day off once a week for the first few months. so you make sure he gets it.”
that’s really all that cashman had to do.
if girardi played him everyday after being told not too, at some point( like the end first week with no day off), cashman should have reminded him.
if giradi continued disobeying the instructions he should be fired.
i was in a triple a manager’s office after a game where the manager pulled the organization’s stud pitcher after 76 pitches one recent spring. i asked the manager why he did that , and he said if the pitcher would have hit 80 pitches he would have been fired because that was the outer limit his gm had given him.
that’s how the relationship between the gm and the manager is supposed to work.
it’s really very cut and dry on some issues.
Not arguing with any of you regarding Swisher, but Gardner’s been a sparkplug and I’d like to see him given a chance to manufacture something in the top of the first inning. Jeter I can’t see anywhere but #2. Leaving Swisher anywhere from 5-8. He’s been productive just about everywhere in the order.
The point of baseball as a batter is to not make outs, in so far as that goes Nick Swisher is 2nd best on the team to Mark Teixeira.
dennis-Costanza
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Waiting for the ferry. Having lunch with my Dad today. During the weeks I do not travel we have lunch every Tuesday to catch up. It is my favorite part of the week.
Thanks re: Amy’s website. Her business is doing well. Her work is displayed in Savannah as well at the Staybridge Suites on Bay Street and the Wright Square Cafe.
I married way over my head.
Hope your day is going well.
-dennis
————————————————————
Enjoy lunch with Pop.
I spend a lot of time photographing Savannah and Charleston, but, for some reason, they never turn out like that. I’d better better of using a crayon and paper. I do like the sunrises over Tybee, though.
So, you’re saying that Amy has a fondness for finding and keeping stray puppies, huh? That’s great for you, but, those flea dips must get tiresome.
Lineup
Jeter
Swisher
Teixeira
A-rod
Damon
Posada
Cano
Gardner
That maximizes OBP and Speed, gives a legit ‘clutch’ power threat behind A-rod.
The truth is probably they had every intention of giving Alex days off and then got caught up in winning.
When he said he was good to go, they acted with their hearts instead of their heads.
I’d ***be better off*** using a crayon and paper. I do like the sunrises over Tybee, though.
Looks like they’ve eliminated the ability to hi-lite certain words.
pat -
I bet you’re right.
GB7.
Huge laugh. I have no come back. That is hysterical.
You slept good last night.
Please pick out a Savannah or Tybee photo and Amy will mat and frame it. Hit her site and email which photo you would like. I know you do not want anything for free but we would like to do it for you.
-dennis
Jeter
Swisher
Teixeira
A-rod
Damon
Posada
Cano
Gardner
Sweet lineup….Damon in front of Posada smart move to avoid DP…Sad this will never happen
pat
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:52 am
The truth is probably they had every intention of giving Alex days off and then got caught up in winning.
When he said he was good to go, they acted with their hearts instead of their heads.
————————————————————
I’m sure it would have been easier to rest Rodriguez if the nagging injuries to Swisher, Jeter, Cabrera and Damon, not to mention Posada DL time, hadn’t continued popping up.
Yes, maybe Girardi “shouldn’t” need babysitting, but the fact is that he does. We can hold Girardi accountable for his own screw-ups without absolving Cashman of all responsibility. Cashman signed up to babysit when he pushed for the hiring of a very inexperienced manager. A steep learning curve was only to be expected. I’m sure I’m not the only person on here who has had to make the decision between hiring a young, enthusiastic guy with a lot to learn but high potential, and an old hand who knows the ropes but who ‘is what he is’ and might not develop a lot further.
Jerkface June 23rd, 2009 at 11:49 am
“The point of baseball as a batter is to not make outs, in so far as that goes Nick Swisher is 2nd best on the team to Mark Teixeira.”
There’s a few more important things for a hitter like scoring and moving over runners, and getting yourself into scoring position. Swisher’s done well but not #2.
“Lineup
Jeter
Swisher
Teixeira
A-rod
Damon
Posada
Cano
Gardner
That maximizes OBP and Speed, gives a legit ‘clutch’ power threat behind A-rod.”
In an NL park you have our fastest player (and one of our hottest) hitting in front of a pitcher. Which means with 2 outs BG won’t see the best pitches to hit, and with his speed there’s no need to bunt him over.
As they say in Chicago, vote early and vote often….
“Youkilis led Teixeira by a miniscule 1,315 votes a week ago. Now, in the latest ballot update announced Monday, Teixeira has jumped ahead by 35,632 votes — with a total of 1,561,292 — as both bid for their second All-Star Game start at first base.”
Alex missed 6 weeks, is batting .213 and some here think he’s toast but is still in 2nd place in AS votes at 3B behind Longoria. Go figure.
I see there is still a love affair with Swish for Brains. He is an all or nothing hitter. He leads the team in Strike Outs as well as Walks. Matter of fact he has struck out more than he has walked 58 : 47. He has failed in more RBI situations than I can count and his base running is abysmal. Not to mention, it’s an adventure with him in right field.
The put the guy to pitch and he can barely reach the cut off guy on deep fly balls. He should be our fourth out-fielder.
dennis-Costanza
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:57 am
GB7.
Huge laugh. I have no come back. That is hysterical.
You slept good last night.
Please pick out a Savannah or Tybee photo and Amy will mat and frame it. Hit her site and email which photo you would like. I know you do not want anything for free but we would like to do it for you.
-dennis
————————————————————
Dennis, that’s extremely generous of you and Amy, but, that’s a lot of expense and work. I assume that she makes her own frames, also. What I’d really like is to look at her works and just admire artistry. Perhaps when ya’ll return, we can have lunch and I can have a personal tour of her work.
Which is more alarming to you:
a. Alex wasn’t honest with Girardi about how he felt
b. Girardi wasn’t on the conference call
c. Randy Levine was on the conference call
=====================================
Put me down for C also.
I do not like that man
Doreen
Thank you. As a mom, wife and employee, I don’t hear those 4 words often enough.
GB
Agreed. He wasn’t an immediate issue until he became one.
There’s a few more important things for a hitter like scoring and moving over runners, and getting yourself into scoring position. Swisher’s done well but not #2.
—
50% of Swishers hits go for extra bases ( scoring position ), and moving over runners implies you want him to pull the ball to the opposite side? That costs outs.
I’d rather Swisher not make outs. And do it where his high OBP can be put to good use (getting scored).
Though his base running leaves something to be desired.
Damon is a good 5 hole guy because he doesnt get on base as well as swisher but can still hit for average and power.
Swisher in the 2 spot limits the damage from his low average (not a lot of runners on, if jeter is in scoring position he can work a walk to put 2 on for Tex).
“I’m sure it would have been easier to rest Rodriguez if the nagging injuries to Swisher, Jeter, Cabrera and Damon, not to mention Posada DL time, hadn’t continued popping up.”
gb7-
isn’t that what in the military they call the haze of war when plans go out the window as conditions change ?
the question here is if the person in charge, namely cashman, was making good decisions when conditions changed.
i don’t think at any point the doctor told cashman to give alex a rest once a week unless other players get injured.
somehow , i think his instructions were no matter what happens, alex should rest once a week.
pat
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Doreen
Thank you. As a mom, wife and employee, I don’t hear those 4 words often enough.
————————————————————
I would have thought that those words would have been, “Can I help, Mom/Honey?”
Jerkface, he is not an RBI guy and his base running stinks for him to be in the 2 hole. He is a 7th place hitter. Any further up in the line up and his glaring weaknesses are exposed. Not enough contact, inconsistent driving in runs, and terrible base running.
Is it possible for Wang’s ERA to go below 10 with a good start tonight?
“The point of baseball as a batter is to not make outs”
in that case some yankee hitters should walk as slow to the plate as possible.
The 2 spot isn’t even an RBI spot! But you need players on base for your 3 and 4 hitters and Swisher will be on base 3-5% more than Damon on average. In 600 PA’s thats around 20 more opportunities for Teixeira to hit with a runner on.
randy l.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 pm
“I’m sure it would have been easier to rest Rodriguez if the nagging injuries to Swisher, Jeter, Cabrera and Damon, not to mention Posada DL time, hadn’t continued popping up.”
gb7-
isn’t that what in the military they call the haze of war when plans go out the window as conditions change ?
the question here is if the person in charge, namely cashman, was making good decisions when conditions changed.
i don’t think at any point the doctor told cashman to give alex a rest once a week unless other players get injured.
somehow , i think his instructions were no matter what happens, alex should rest once a week.
————————————————————
That’s about it. The Marines call it “Adapt and overcome.” The Army gives you a set of orders and mission task. They tell you what has to be done and they best way to accomplish the mission. They they add, Prepare to change on the fly, but, accomplish the mission.” It all means the same thing. Adapt and overcome.
“Moving over runners implies you want him to pull the ball to the opposite side? That costs outs.”
Sometimes all it takes is putting the ball in play. This team can use some productive outs lately. I can’t count how many times we have a runner on 3rd and 0/1 out and it doesn’t happen. I can’t even count how many times that’s happened in the last week. Granted a double will do the trick too but the high K total won’t.
“That’s about it. The Marines call it “Adapt and overcome.” The Army gives you a set of orders and mission task. They tell you what has to be done and they best way to accomplish the mission. They they add, Prepare to change on the fly, but, accomplish the mission.” It all means the same thing. Adapt and overcome.”
Too bad most of these “Professional Athletes” today, are a bunch of pamperered, spoiled, cry-babies. I think some of their agents have “Coddling” written into the contracts.
The problem with Swisher in the 2 hole is his base running. It’s obviously not an RBI spot but guess who has more RBI’s than Swisher….our current #2 Damon. There is no reason for that. Swisher is a 4th out fielder and #7 hitter. Actually, I’d rather have him in the DH spot instead of Matsui. I don’t know Swishers splits but a platoon might be better.
In an NL park I think Swisher should bat in front of our pitcher – perfect bunt situation, get him in scoring position for Gardner/Jeter at the top of the order.
Sometimes all it takes is putting the ball in play. This team can use some productive outs lately. I can’t count how many times we have a runner on 3rd and 0/1 out and it doesn’t happen. I can’t even count how many times that’s happened in the last week. Granted a double will do the trick too but the high K total won’t.
——
This is just selective memory. You remember all the times we fail and forget when we succeed. The yankees as a team get the runner in from 3rd 80% of the time which is MLB average.
The rays and red sox are both worse at doing that.
In an NL park I think Swisher should bat in front of our pitcher – perfect bunt situation, get him in scoring position for Gardner/Jeter at the top of the order.
—-
Why the hell would you put our 2nd highest on base threat infront of the pitch for him to be bunted to 2nd so he can be in scoring position when you’ve already complained about his base running?
Doesnt it make more sense to put Gardner there, so he can walk/hit/bunt, then steal 2nd, then get bunted to third?
“The yankees as a team get the runner in from 3rd 80% of the time which is MLB average.”
that sounds like an any time stat.
how about when it’s a close game and late?
My question is, why are you all angsting about the lineup especially as it pertains to playing in the NL? Only a few more games in NL parks. Also it really doesn’t matter where a batter hits in the lineup. Lineup order makes almost no difference in offensive production.
Basically you want your best hitters to get the most at-bats, that’s it.
Cashman ruined Wang, Bruney, and A-Rod. He’s probably ruined Joba too.
Wake up and smell the Coffey!
Fan Interference
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
“That’s about it. The Marines call it “Adapt and overcome.” The Army gives you a set of orders and mission task. They tell you what has to be done and they best way to accomplish the mission. They they add, Prepare to change on the fly, but, accomplish the mission.” It all means the same thing. Adapt and overcome.”
Too bad most of these “Professional Athletes” today, are a bunch of pamperered, spoiled, cry-babies. I think some of their agents have “Coddling” written into the contracts.
————————————————————
They’re no different than 90% of the rest of this country.
Coffey? Is he playing baseball now?
We need to sweep the braves bec the sox will sweep the nats
Patrick
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:28 pm
My question is, why are you all angsting about the lineup especially as it pertains to playing in the NL? Only a few more games in NL parks. Also it really doesn’t matter where a batter hits in the lineup. Lineup order makes almost no difference in offensive production.
Basically you want your best hitters to get the most at-bats, that’s it.
__—-___—-___
Well, that’s the whole point of the debate. Swisher is not one of our best hitters.
Agree.
Not to mention the Phillies are throwing Blanton, Moyer, and Bastardo in Tampa this week.
If we don’t sweep Atlanta, we’re going to find ourselves in an uncomfortable position.
Besides Patrick, your last statment completely contradicts your point that it doesn’t matter. If it didnt matter where they hit why would it matter to get your best hitters the most at bats?
You ignored my whole post and read just the last line!
It makes very little difference what the batting order is.
Sorry for the combative argumentive nature today people. I get ornery when the Yanks stink.
DB no it doesn’t contradict my point.
You want your best hitters to get the most at-bats. It doesn’t matter how you shuffle them up. This guy hitting behind this guy to give him protection, guys with speed at the top, etc.
The Red Sox are definitely going to sweep the Nats? I will believe it when I see it. They are capable of losing to a team like the Nats, just as the Yankees were capable. And I am not sold that Tampa is going to steamroll the Phillies, the Phillies are due to score some runs after their poor showing against Baltimore this weekend.
There’s a hundred years of statistics to prove that it does matter where you bat in the lineup.. Just check RBI’s and runs scored to batting order. I didnt just read the last line, you contradicted what you said.
Sorry for the combative argumentive nature today people. I get ornery when the Yanks stink.”
db-
make that two of us
“If we don’t sweep Atlanta, we’re going to find ourselves in an uncomfortable position.”
Puh-leeze!!!! Uncomfortable position??? Marcellus Wallace in Zed’s basement is an uncomfortable position. Being tied or within a game of the Wild Card with 90 games left? That’s not one.
You folks need to stop calling for sweeps. Not needed. Win series’.
DB,
RBI’s and runs scored are a function of where a player bats. They are counting stats based on outside factors. If you bat Johnny Damon 4th he would drive in 100 runs every year.
Here’s one study
http://www.retrosheet.org/Rese.....up_art.htm
He concludes, *”If anything, my approach shows that batting orders matter even less than people have believed….. Simply put, it’s not worth all the fuss you’d cause trying to be clever with lineups.”*
This is one study of dozens that conclude batting order does not matter.
Speaking of the Rays, Kazmir threw six innings in AAA last night. 1 run and 5 K’s. He only required 78 pitches to do it which suggests he’s throwing strikes. If he comes back and is close to what he’s capable of being, that’s a huge shot in the arm for them.
Patrick, I know what you mean by protection. That IMO is over-rated. (unless you talk to Tex, I guess). There’s a pyschological effect the spot has on a player too. But, it would make more sense, the first time through a lineup when a pitcher is cold, to have your better base runners and high OBP guys on for your guys who drive in runs. Swisher is a high OBP guy, but he clogs up the bases and is not a good RBI guy due to his contact numbers.
When is the last time Boston lost 8 of 12 games?
Great teams shouldn’t go through slumps like we’re going through.
that sounds like an any time stat.
how about when it’s a close game and late?
—-
As far as I know baseball reference doesn’t do double split stats
DB, Swish IS our 4th or 5th outfielder…aside from his walks, which as you pointed out, aren’t that great compared to his K’s, I’m not sure why he’s gotten so much time in RF lately when it would seem Gardner in center and Melky in right is a much better defensive team with little drop off, if any, offensively (especially when you consider baserunning)
Thanks Patrick, I’ll give it a read.
What has this team shown you in the last 2 weeks to believe they can sweep any team, let alone a pretty good one like the Braves throwing out 2 rookies and their ace?
I’d take 1 game and get out. Can’t get greedy when the team is reeling.
Deciding on a player’s worth based on RBI’s is a mistake.
Walks clog the bases? Does DB stand for Dusty Baker? Come on dude that’s just nonsense.
I wouldn’t be surprised at any outcome this series be it sweep, get swept, win one, or lose one. I’m calling this series a total crap shoot.
Swisher’s best role is off the bench.
He is a hideous fielder and strikes out too much.
He is not a fundamentals player at all. He’s basically a worse version of Giambi. We were all thrilled when we got rid of Giambi and his “base-clogging”, well we found his replacement.
Will you guys stop citing strike outs as if they are some kind of terrible thing, especially when you say that because Swish strikes out more than he walks(when he walks the most out of anyone) its some great detriment?
Tex: 37 BB, 43 K
Posada: 20 BB, 30 K
Cano: 14 BB, 22 K
Jeter: 28 BB, 34 K
Damon: 29 BB, 46 K <– WHAT THE HELL PEOPLE
Melky: 18 BB, 30 K
“Base clogging?” No such thing. Getting walks is a good thing. Swisher often sparks many of our late game rallies w/walks.
Swisher is a player who should be platooned w/Nady depending on who’s hotter. He’s an excellent option off the bench.
“As far as I know baseball reference doesn’t do double split stats”
anecdotally,it feels like the yankees get the runner in from third close and late less than half the time , and if they have a runners on first and third they are totally screwed as a double play will likely happen.
Swisher is a great player and has a great personality and a cool haircut. Why are people picking on him?
Rodriguez: 30 walks, 26 strikeouts.
Strikeouts beat double plays.
I’d rather our team strikes out for most of it’s outs rather than ground into double plays, which we do quite often.
the point Jerkface, is that Swisher’s best attribute is walking…he strikes out enough for that attribute to be tarnished IMO and when he does walk, his baserunning is bad enough to tarnish that value even further…add to that his defense and where’s the value now? I love Swish and he can help the team, but his spot is not as the every-day #3 outfielder…it should be as a bench player, which was the intention going into the season. Gardner has played well enough lately, that if you’re going to play Melky at all, it should be in Swish’s spot.
Play Nady against lefties, Swisher against righties
Or if one them gets hot, play them everyday until they cool off.
Neither are ideal everyday players. Both are extremely streaky and tend to get exposed when they play everyday. Platoon them and there will be no problems.
Strikeout, then groundout. Same result as DP, but I guess it makes the pitcher face one more batter.
“Will you guys stop citing strike outs as if they are some kind of terrible thing”
You’re right. Strikeouts, for lack of a better word, are good. Strikouts are right, strikeouts work. Strikeouts clarify, cut through, and capture the essence of the baseball spirit. Strikeouts, in all of their forms; strikeouts looking, swinging, with men on, or bases empty have marked the upward surge of the game. And striekouts, you mark my words, will not only save Nick Swisher, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the New York Yankees.
Right now, and right now only, I’d take Swishy over Melky. A bit earlier ad I’d be changing my tune.
Damon plays worse defense, with a worse arm, strikes out almost as much while walking half as much, hits more but gets on base less.
His only value is speed and its tarnished by his injury pronism.
Doreen-But what if the next guy gets a hit?
Steve B-The point is it’s nothing special, just another way to make an out.
The only reason strike outs suck is that they don’t give the defense a chance to mess up, but maintaining a high OBP while hitting for great power more than balances out striking out.
Unless you are Albert Pujols, you generally are not going to be a beastly hitter without striking out some. Its the nature of the game.
Damon and Swisher, especially Damon, do have the ability to go through hot streaks where they carry the team, a very valuable asset.
Wait till they come to OUR house AGAIN
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Strikeouts beat double plays.
I’d rather our team strikes out for most of it’s outs rather than ground into double plays, which we do quite often.
————————————————————
And, yet, they’re only the 10th most in MLB and 6th in the AL. Boston, (you know, that super team) has more.
Tex has taken over the lead again to play 1B in the All-Star game.
Let’s all keep voting for him, as I do not want to see the freak show Youkilis starting at first over Tex.
Agree
That’s why, in a big spot I would rather have Swisher up than Jeter, Matsui, or Posada.
Swisher is likely to strikeout or walk. The other 2 are likely to hit into a DP and kill the rally.
You think Swisher swings at the first pitch against Lindstrom? No. He makes him work, realizing how wild Lindstrom is, and probably works a walk. Then a tired Lindstrom gets to face Teixeria with the bases loaded and a high pitch count.
GreenBeret7-That I did not know. But how about those DP stats for lately, during this cold stretch?
Yankees – Mets matchup:
Friday: Sabathia – Pelfrey.
Sat: Burnett – Tim Redding.
Sunday: Wang – Livan Hernandez.
Boston K’s more than us, hits for less power, and grounds into more double plays, so its a real quandry as to why they are so superior.
Jerkface-PITCHING, especially bullpen.
Yankees lead the league in RKGDPLIG
Rally killing ground into double plays late in games
I am fired up for this series. I’m driving my son down to the ATL (2 hrs) this afternoon for tonights game and then going again tomorrow for Joba. First time seeing them in person this year, and I’m hoping Wang can hang for at least 5-6 before letting the pen do their thing. Just need 2 out of 3 in this one. Braves are playing decently, and can knock the Yanks out if they fall asleep.
I’m excited to see Wang. It will be interesting to find out how he progresses. Let’s go Yanks! Hot and sunny down south, should be a good one.
Jerkface-I’m not sure if you’re serious or not.
Nick Swisher is not a Yankee-type player at all. Such a bad fundamental player. Makes mistakes daily, can’t field, strikeouts, hits .230 etc.
Why can’t this team find role players that are good like O’Neil, Tino, Brosius, Justice, Knoblauch, etc?
WS series rematch…should be fun.
Take word series out.
In the last 30 days we have grounded into:
26 double plays, which is about half as much as we have ground into all season, thus implying a far greater rate of grounding into double plays than earlier in the season
Jerkface-Thought so. Thanks.
I knew we were grounding into more DP’s.
Doesn’t matter when or what time of the season they’ve hit into DPs. It’s a fallacy that the Yanks either hit into DPs or strike out. Only 4 teams in the MLB have more strikeouts and only 2 in the AL. They are 7th in MLB in most walks and 4th in the AL.
The point is that our offensive struggles have a lot to do w/us grounding into more DP’s lately.
Strikeouts are just another way to make an out, same as a popup or groundout.
Apart from doing actual work
I skimmed through that article Patrick. The problem I have with it is that, correct me oif I’m wrong, it is taking statistics amassed by players batting in a certain spot in the order and calculating what their production would be in any spot. That would be flawed in my eyes unless the player has actual data batting in that spot in the order. The only true test would be to take ARod and bat him 1st and see what his numbers are at the end of the year. That article, while very impressive in its math, didn’t make sense. Perhaps I was missing something?
As far as this comment:
Patrick
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Deciding on a player’s worth based on RBI’s is a mistake.
Walks clog the bases? Does DB stand for Dusty Baker? Come on dude that’s just nonsense.
____ _____ _____
While I don’t recall attacking you personally, the point was missed on your part.
Swisher clogs the bases because he doesn’t know what to do when he gets on base besides brain fart.
“Strikeouts are just another way to make an out, same as a popup or groundout”
Man on 3rd with less than 2 outs has a tough time scoring on a strikeout.
Yea we need more guys like Scott Brosius who hit like .254 .316 .411 over 3 seasons after his one good one in 1998!
Good morning. Hope it ends up being a good day for Yankee baseball.
Didn’t read the article, but thanks to the person who put up the Posada quote. Looks like I underestimated the amount of time it takes for a pitcher and catcher to get on the same page. I think what happened was the AJ and Posada decided to meet halfway, with Posada making a good effort to make AJ feel comfortable. That chest tap that AJ gave Posada when he left the mound went a really long way, I feel, in cementing the relationship.
Is DeRosa a part time player? Reading your comments over night some of you certainly made him sound like that. I know the Cubs are suffering without his bat. I know he’s in the middle of everything the Indians’ offense does. What I don’t know is if he’s a starter or bench player for them. I also don’t know that he’s worth the prospects it’s likely going to take if he’s not going to have an everday role.
It’s Girardi’s fault, and he’s admitted as such. As long as there’s no long-term damage to Alex, it’s no big deal. I do think that Alex didn’t try to dissuade Girardi from penciling his name everyday. Not a single bit. As long as Alex gets his day a week off, this should remain a non-story.
Also, local radio guy talking about how CC has Donald Fehr to thank for his $160M contract. Said if CC never pitched another game in his life, he’ll still collect every penny. Is that correct? If CC had a career ending injury and had to retire he’d still get paid? What if CC just decided he wanted to go play football or something? Then they wouldn’t have to pay, right?
Man on 3rd with less than 2 outs has a tough time scoring on a strikeout.
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Unless you strike out on a wild pitch
Steve B-True. But would you have rather have the batter strike out w/men on first and third or pull a Cano and ground into a DP?
Not to mention sac flys don’t count as at bats.
They’re only hitting into slightly more now than the first half of the games played. Like anything else, you tend to focus on the most recent.
balk or wild pitch or passed ball all work, too.
Mike sez: Great teams shouldn’t go through slumps like we’re going through.
Great team? Have you seen one around here?
Good, yes. Great? To paraphrase a famous put-down, I’ve known great teams, and 2009 Yankees you’re no ‘great team’.
GreenBeret7-Recently they’ve been doing bad, no?
That’s part of it.
And slightly more is a big deal.
Boston just knows how to win games. If they give up 3 runs, Boston scores 4. If they give up 6, Boston scores 7.
They may GIDP early, but if they need a big hit, they get hit. They did nothing against CC all game but in that 8th inning, they needed to score 3 runs, and they got it.
They are like the 90s Yankees… the stats may be similar to other teams, but you can’t quantify teams like that in stats. Like I said, they give up 3 runs, they score 4.
We beat them in most stats, yet they are 8-0 against us, 4 games ahead of us.
This team goesthrough slumps, but when they’re hot they’re red smoking hot.
Arnold-Then why are they not undefeated?
M, baseball contracts are guaranteed unless the player volunrarily retires. If he’s hurt and can’t play, he gets paid. If he quits in the middle of a contract, he’d better make sure his bank balance is correct.
Wait till they come to OUR house AGAIN
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Doreen-But what if the next guy gets a hit?
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I’m just being difficult.
New thread.
BOSTON JUST KNOWS HOW TO WIN (4 more) GAMES (THAN THE YANKEES)
Boston once went 1-4 in a stretch, great teams don’t play .200 ball for 5 games
Mel:
If Sabathia were to suffer some terrible career ending injury that occured while doing something not in violation of his contract (recall Aaron Boone), he would be paid every dime of his contract. The Yankees likely have some insurance for a significant portion of it though. If he were to merely retire to become a shepherd, coach, whatever, he would not be paid.
voluntarily
GB7,
Ah, thanks.
Guys who drive in runs are pros at it. Take Matsui, he’ll hit it to the right side when a man on third and less then two outs to drive the run in or at the very least drive one to the outfield. (At least in his hayday, he is a shell of himself now)
Swish is not a pro at it. He will K in that spot or get a walk most of the time. Which of course sets up the DP.
Sish working walks in big situations is a big part of all our late inning comebacks.
There’s nothing wrong with walking.
but dude then it clogs first base and where will Teix go if Swisher is already on first base, is there some rule in baseball where if another guy does something the guy on 1st can go to a new base?
I hope so
Ha ha, I saw Wang’s 12:30 era and thought that was today’s game’s start time! Then I realized the game is at 7. Oh, man, at least his era is dropping.
it does not feel that the yankees are at the end of a slump , but rather more in the middle of one.
if that’s the case, then it’s important to stay close while they get the team in sync. if they fall further than five games behind the pressure on everyone is going to be magnified.
i do not like the feeling i have about this team right now.
“Doesnt it make more sense to put Gardner there, so he can walk/hit/bunt, then steal 2nd, then get bunted to third?”
BG can steal 3rd if we need it. Otherwise we have plenty of bats that can get him in from 2nd. Swisher gets on first and you need successful at-bats to move him over. Just hope it’s on the ground so he’s not doubled off.