Questions? Yankees hope they have answers.
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- November
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So here we are, back at Yankee Stadium on the eve of Game 6. The Yankees will workout at 4 and the Phillies will take the day off. Joe Girardi and Andy Pettitte will speak shortly. Charlie Manuel and Pedro will talk in the 5 o’clock hour.
Among the questions to be answered:
- How will Pettitte pitch on short rest?
- How long can Rivera go?
- Can Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira find it?
- Who will start in right?
We will have more on this and more shortly.
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on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 at 3:32 pm by Josh Thomson.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
FIRST!
Who will start in right?
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Am I missing something? Why wouldn’t Swisher start in right?
The first three questions can’t be answered til Thursday. The 4th one can’t be a real question at this point…can it? Unless you want to try Hinske in RF and Swisher in CF. I don’t.
Swisher starts in RF. No doubt.
Who cares if Cano and Tex find it as long as we win one game?
Rivera can go 2 innings.
Pettitte only needs to pitch adequately for 5 innings. That’ll be enough.
Pettitte is 3-1 with a 2.80 ERA in five career postseason starts on short rest. You know what game is included in that? The one everyone knows as the greatest of his career: Game 5 of the 1996 World Series (8 1/3 shutout innings against Atlanta). Game 2 of the ‘03 World Series is in there, too (8 2/3, one unearned run vs. Florida).
The “other two” games must have been clunkers for his ERA to be 2.8 over that stretch. Anyone have those stats?
I think because Hairston started vs Pedro last time.
Did something happen to Swisher?
Oh, thats right… Pedro is Game 6. Hairston vs. Swisher…
easy to answer:
- How will Pettitte pitch on short rest?
Okay, not great.
- How long can Rivera go?
2 innings
- Can Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira find it?
Yes.
- Who will start in right?
Swish, who else?
Anyone know who will be tomorrow night’s Home Plate umpire? I hope it’s someone who doesn’t care for Pedro and gives him a tight strike zone to pitch against
Francesca just said “Stats are useless…” after caller pointed out Petitte’s good record on 3 days rest…
Earlier in the afternoon Francesca was quoting the stat of records of pitchers on 3 day rest that they showed on Fox last night…
Jack November 3rd, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I think because Hairston started vs Pedro last time.
==================
Man, who cares what Hairston did 5 years ago. Swisher has been having better ABs, let him start.
Sorry for the repost..didnt see the new thread.
It’s the manager’s job to put players in a position to succeed and avoid purposely putting them in position where they are likely to fail. AJ was far more effective any way you want to cut it at Yankee Stadium this year than he was on the road. When you add in pitching Burnett on 3 days rest for the first time all year, it was less than surprising that he failed. Still, AJ has to do better than give up 6 runs and 4 walks regardless.
Pettitte’s past performance on 3 days rest is irrelevant here in 2009. It’s bogus to draw a line from 1996 to 2009. Our biggest concern should Andy’s multiple references about his legs being “gassed” during his last start. There’s no questioning his mental stamina. Let’s hope hope he’s mentally tough enough to give us 6 ininngs with the lead.We’ll be celebrating in the streets soon after.
On the WFAN, Girardi was very noncommittal as to who would start in RF tomorrow. Sounds like Swisher, Hairston, and Hinske are all in the mix.
So, if he answered, “I don’t know, I’m just not seeing the ball well right now,” you’d be happier with that answer?
————————-
Well that would be the right answer. Obviously when they do interviews things don’t always come out right. You could see in his face he was very uptight because he isn’t hitting and he knew the questions were coming. Hopefully he can have a big game tomorrow. His swings have been better from the left side.
Francesa has completelygone off the deep end.
Start Myers in game 7? Myers?
Jack
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I think because Hairston started vs Pedro last time.
****************
I forgot all about that. Thanks.
You guys forget Swish got a day off and JHair has great #s against Pedro.
“Swisher has been having better ABs, let him start.”
I agree and I hope Joe G. notices this and doesn’t give in to the stupid small sample size numbers of Hairston career vs. Pedro. This is not Enrique Wilson-status dominance by Hairston. Swish’s adjustment to his stance has kept him on the ball better, making better contact. Yes his production has been slacking in the playoffs bigtime but I still take my chance with him in RF in the off chance he gets a hold of one. He also is probably a better defensive right fielder than Hairston, just because Hairston has not played there very much in his career.
Guesses here:
- How will Pettitte pitch on short rest?
6.2 6 3 2 5 2.
- How long can Rivera go?
As long as they need him.
- Can Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira find it?
No and yes. Canó is close, but not quite there.
- Who will start in right?
Swisher?! Who else?
PRPaulyMike
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Anyone know who will be tomorrow night’s Home Plate umpire? I hope it’s someone who doesn’t care for Pedro and gives him a tight strike zone to pitch against
————-
Two seasoned veterans on the mound, the strike zone will not be tight. Gotta work the count.
CR, I wasn’t disparaging Lackey and I do not want to trade Phil or Joba for Halladay. If he goes to the Sox, so be it (though that’s not how I felt during the trade deadline). I just don’t want another long term contract on our hands – I don’t want Bay or Holliday either (I don’t think they are worth the years or the $$$ they will get).
Doreen, that’s me as well. I did listen to Joe and Evan this morning, but they were rational. I knew Kay and Francesca wouldn’t be and I haven’t listened to word one…….and, I might add, I’m all the happier for it.
The question of who will start in RF is because Swish’s swing has been very bad lefty. He will chase any off speed pitch and Girardi didn’t think Pedro’s changeup is a good match up for him. I would play Hairston again.
“Girardi was very noncommittal as to who would start in RF tomorrow. Sounds like Swisher, Hairston, and Hinske are all in the mix.”
Unbelievable. The guy has been on base 5 times in the last 3 games and Girardi is considering benching him again?
Pettitte’s stats on 3 days rest aren’t irrelevant, but they’re not recent. That ‘96 start was 13 years ago. I recall him having a real bad start against Oakland on 3 days rest one year in the playoffs. I’m still confident he can give us 5 or 6 solid innings though. The bullpen will have to perform.
PRPaulyMike
–
It is CCT (Country Cow Turd) Joe West. Joe West will be calling pitches 1 foot outside in favor Peter Martinez and will likely not give the same strike calls to Andy.
Girardi is not considering benching Swish, HE IS NON COMMITAL, that means he knows Swish is starting yet will not speak about it.
My mistake, Betsy. I glanced and saw what I thought was someone saying they did not want Lackey. Oops.
Would prefer not to see Damon-Gardner-Hairston out there.
Don’t waste your time, Josh. Here are the answers:
- How will Pettitte pitch on short rest?
Good enough to win. 6 IP, 3 ER
- How long can Rivera go?
2 IP 0 ER (of course)
- Can Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira find it?
Tex will get a couple of big hits. Cano will continue to hit balls at guys.
- Who will start in right?
Nick Swisher.
The team will be better next year without Wang on it.
Gotta have that starter that gets lit up and burns out the pen, right? They really missed him this year, didn’t they.
Pettite needs to go only 5. May be even 4. If he goes 4, we go to bull pen for Robertson (1), Hughes(1), Chamberlain(1) and Marte (1) with Mo closing. Or any combination of those 4 for innings 5, 6 and 7 with Mo going 2.
So I would want 4 from Pettite and anything more is bonus.
Swisher should start in RF but they should consider Hairston in CF. He can play that position even if it mean some sacrifice in defense.
vin: no Accuscore cheating!
miggs – GTLU Reigning Champion November 3rd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
The team will be better next year without Wang on it.
Gotta have that starter that gets lit up and burns out the pen, right? They really missed him this year, didn’t they.
He was injured. He didn’t even work out his legs in the off season.
If NYY signs Chapman this fall, I’d be more inclined to include Chamberlain in a trade and less so, hughes.
Unless Paul O’Neil or Reggie Jackson are coming out of retirement, the question of who plays right field is far less important than the question of throwing all of our pitchers on 3 days rest. The margin for error shrinks each game.
Now for the bright news.. the Phillies just won the most uncomfortable 8-6 game in their history. After having an 8 -2 lead in the 8th, the game ended with A Rod in the on deck circle as the winning run. The fear in the ballpark was palpable. The Phillies are coming into our house knowing they were lucky to win 1 game at home. They know the Yankees are relentless and they know their war will be waged without the benefit of a closer that we can’t crush.
I’d much rather be in our position than theirs.
Yeah ok.
We’ll see if Cashman brings him back.
NO CHANCE.
Stop living in the past. Wang’s career as a Yankee is over.
Nick in SF in Vallejo
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:50 pm
vin: no Accuscore cheating!
*****
Speak for yourself Mr. Nick in SF!
Vin-
I enjoy the accuscore cheating
. Nick, cover your eyes
Andy will do just fine. Look for a “Quality Start” 6 innings 3 runs.
Mo will pitch 2 inning if the Yankkes are up.
Robbie and Tex need to swing at strikes, if they do, they will get hits.
Swish gets the start.
The Yankees need to get to Pedro early. Look for Jetes and Johnnie to be hacking in the first inning. They will set the tone…
November 5th is my b-day lets hope the yanks give me a nice b-day present by winning game 6 or else on my b-day i will be a very nervous and tense with the looming game 7.
CR, no that was me…..but I wasn’t saying he was a bad pitcher. I just don’t want another big contract…..
Players on different teams in 2010:
Matsui
Nady
Bruney
Wang
Mitre
Molina
Players on the 2010 roster:
Cervelli
Robertson
Melancon
Damon
Pettitte
Gaudin
I dont want to see either Chamberlain or Hughes traded. I do think Chamberlain will become the better pitcher once he puts everything together. I hope they are the number 4 and 5 starters next year.
I would like the yankees to add a setup man with closer experience to the bullpen to help Mo out next year and not keep putting Hughes or Chamberlain back in the bullpen. Someone like a Heath Bell or Huston Street.
I have more trust in Tex finding it than I do Cano. Cano has terrible body language up at the plate. He takes a lazy swing at anything in sight and it’s always a ground ball to 2nd base and like usual he at best jogs to 1st base. He needs to calm down and concentrate on what he is swinging at.
Migg With Pettite questionable for next year and Huges and Joba a biq question mark, there is no way Cashman doesn’t bring back Wang. He doesn’t cost much. With the Yank’s infield defence much better compare to past, and stadium being a homer heaven, a groundball sinkerballer is an ideal pitcher for them. They will keep Wang. If he regains his form, he will be the #2 guys in the rotation, close behind CC and no body else.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
# Andrew November 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
“I don’t even think they need another ace-type pitcher. They need a solid # 3. Someone who won’t ….you know melt down.”
I think the problem is that AJ is their #3 pitcher and they will still be looking for a #2, or if not, fooling themselves into believing that AJ is a #2 caliber guy. And before I get attacked for being too negative towards the precocious pie-man, yes he contributed wonderfully this year at times and won important games so far in October.
But, he is so brutally inconsistent. Maybe Pettitte comes back but either way, age is not on his side. Hughes could develop rapidly as a starter next year, or Chamberlain could progress, but that’s a lot of question marks. I think they need another veteran presence in the rotation come this offseason, which will hopefully begin tomorrow night.
————————————————————
Andrew,
I’m sorry but your comments are far too lucid and congenial for this blog. And frankly, I’m having trouble computing them because of it.
Please come back when you’re either helplessly inebriated or have suffered a serious head injury and we’ll pick it up from there.
Or in other words, I couldn’t agree with you more.
How about who’s throwing out the first pitch tomorrow? I say they give it to Paul O’Neill, the Warrior.
I don’t know what the Yankees will ultimately do about Wang, but miggs, why do you sound so bitter?
Borat
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
How about who’s throwing out the first pitch tomorrow? I say they give it to Paul O’Neill, the Warrior.
*******************
He threw out the first pitch in Game 2.
Michael Kay is a moron. ALmost as bad as Fatcessa.
He’s criticizing all his callers who have the “nerve” to defend starting AJ last night.
He’s only looking at one side of the issue.
He keeps saying who gives you a better chance to win Game 6: AJ on regular rest or Pettitte on short rest? I don’t think there’s such an easy answer to that question. Kay admits he was willing to sacrifice Game 5 to have the chance to win in Game 6. I don’t agree. I think the odds were better at winning 1 out of 3 instead of 1 out of 2 games. I thought Girardi was right to go for the kill. If AJ had even pitched a halfway decent game the Yankees wouldn’t won it last night.
To be fair if you want to be mad at anyone; be mad at Cashman for loving the prospects too much that he refused to even look at getting Lee or Halladay. Hell, Cashman was too afraid of upsetting the fans that he wouldn’t even do the low risk/high reward move of picking up Pavano.
When is Wang going to be ready? I thought he wouldn’t be ready to pitch until sometime in july/august of next season.
Girardi said on francesa he’ll sleep on the lineup. Swish not a slam dunk to start. I’d be inclined to start hairston in cf if he had some experience there
Pettitte had a clunker in Game 5 of the 2000 ALDS on 3 days rest, a game the Yankees obviously won.
10 hits in 3.2 innngs. Ouch.
That game’s a little more recent than the ‘96 game, but more distant than his stellar 2003 start.
I think it’s a toss-up, but he’s got to be able to get in on those lefties. Something he couldn’t do in Game 3.
How about starting hairston at second base and letting cano watch game 6 as a spectator.
gb7,
But when’s the earliest chap would grace us with his presence in the bronx. he’s not exactly turnkey right now.
What will they do with Brackman and his major league contract? Should they try to make him a reliever? (I know-that WHIP).
“Please come back when you’re either helplessly inebriated or have suffered a serious head injury and we’ll pick it up from there.”
Bronx Jeers thanks for the compliments, and fortunately this will probably be an accurate way to describe my physical and mental state during the game tomorrow (the drinking = a serious head injury, for the sake of semantics and science), so I guess I will have to start posting again around the 4th inning of Game 6.
Damon-Hairston-Hinske??
“How about who’s throwing out the first pitch tomorrow? I say they give it to Paul O’Neill, the Warrior.”
O’Neill threw out the first pitch in Game 2.
Cashman was not going to get Lee or Halliday for any kind of a fair deal. Neither of those teams were going to want to help the Yankees, unless it really, really hurt the Yankees, not only prospect wise, but major-league-ready players wise.
And at this point if time, I hope Cashman does NOT try to work a trade for Halliday. I’m hopeful that by the end of 2010, they won’t even be tempted to try to get him as a free agent.
NYS
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Pettite needs to go only 5. May be even 4. If he goes 4, we go to bull pen for Robertson (1), Hughes(1), Chamberlain(1) and Marte (1) with Mo closing. Or any combination of those 4 for innings 5, 6 and 7 with Mo going 2.
So I would want 4 from Pettite and anything more is bonus.
Well said. Joba even be able to go for 2 innings. As long as Big Game Andy can preserve a lead after 4 innings, I like our chances.
Also, just like Lee last night, I don’t see Pedro pitching nearly as well in his first start in this series.
RE:Wang
If he gets non-tenedered, can he sign anywhere?
If so, what kind of money does he expect to get anywhere else?
We should do the same thing we did with Lieber and Dotel. Sign them to 2 year deals with the reward for the NYY coming when they are healthy in the 2nd year. Obviously, there never was a reward with Dotel, but that is besides the point.
gardner will be in cf but for the love of god, bunt on pedro….
Country Joe West is behind the plate tomorrow. Not good times.
Paulie threw out the first pitch in Game 2.
It would make absolutely no sense to not resign Wang. The Yanks have wasted money left and right and he is one guy that you give another chance to. Sign him for 2 years for a couple million and hope that he is back close to what he was. The Yanks have the money to see what he has after the surgery.
I wouldn’t start Hairston in center. There is a very big difference in the range of Gardner and Hairston in center. Andy is a contact pitcher he needs the best defense out there. Gardner is hitting 9th he can bunt guys over hopefully slap a hit and do some things with his speed. There is not much of an offensive upgrade from Gardner to Hairston but there is a big defensive difference in the two in center.
How do you know Doreen?
The impression I got is that Cash never seriously considered going after a top pitcher.
I would’ve been happy trading Ajax/Montero for Lee.
Who knows if the core of the team is still intact by the time Jesus makes it up here (if he does in fact reach his full potential).
NYS what are you basing those predictions on?
His 2008 season ending foot injury?
His 2009 season ending shoulder injury?
The fact that he hasn’t pitched well in 2 years and was statistically the WORST starter in the majors this year?
Cashman’s inclination to sink lost money (5 million) into a pitcher who may not be ready until August?
You can talk all you want about the fact that Wang never had a chance to work out his legs. You can talk about his past successes. You can try and rationalize it any way you want.
The fact remains that even before 2008 management was hesitant to sign him long term because of his injury risk an because if his sinker doesn’t sink he’s toast. Now that he’s over 30 years old somehow those risks go away?
Everything has to be perfect for Wang to succeed. His 2008 foot injury occured in July. If he wasn’t ready by April what does that tell you? Then they tried to straighten him out and he got bombed for 2 months. Then he blew out his shoulder.
His confidence is shot. You can blame the Yankees trainers, blame management for “mistreating” him.
Bottom line…. he’s a huge injury risk and the upside and small chance that he somehow regains pre-2008 injury form is too slim to entice Cash to bring him back.
If Pettitte retires they’ll sign someone else. There are lots of better options than Wang.
I remember when that ingrage Dotel said because the Yankees signed him to that 2 year deal and they treated him so well, he owed us and wanted to stay in NY to repay them. The moment free agency hit, he was gone.
ingrate**
when the yankees win game 6 tomorrow (and they will in a laugher, my prediction 10 – 4) does anyone have any qualms giving the MVP award to Chase “Slick” Utley? I wouldn’t…
Bat Hairston 7th behind Matsui, Cano 8th, Gardner 9th.
Erin
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Borat
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
How about who’s throwing out the first pitch tomorrow? I say they give it to Paul O’Neill, the Warrior.
*******************
He threw out the first pitch in Game 2.
____________________________________________________________
Perhaps if fox showed these things we’d remember them!
NYY626
–
FOX care about some guy who helped us win multiple World Series, played shortly after a family member passed away in an attempt to win us another World Series. We are lucky that FOX doesn’t brandish Paul Oneill a satan worshipper.
“Players on different teams in 2010:
Matsui
Nady
Bruney
Wang
Mitre
Molina”
Are they going to dump Mitre? He’s under contract (right?), so how is he off the team? Wang I would imagine will sign a minor league deal after being non-tendered. Nady is definitely gone and I imagine Matsui is as well.
JeterHughesJoba -
Same way you know he could’ve made a deal.
You have no idea what Cashman did or did not dicuss with anyone about any possible trades at the deadline.
What we do “know” is what was reportedly the asking price for Halliday. May you would be fine with trading the two top prospects (and I think they would have also wanted a major-league ready pitcher – Joba or Hughes as well) for a one and a third year rental of Halliday.
7789 November 3rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I dont want to see either Chamberlain or Hughes traded. I do think Chamberlain will become the better pitcher once he puts everything together. I hope they are the number 4 and 5 starters next year.
I would like the yankees to add a setup man with closer experience to the bullpen to help Mo out next year and not keep putting Hughes or Chamberlain back in the bullpen. Someone like a Heath Bell or Huston Street.
_________________________________________________________
I think they may use Robertson as a setup man next season, but if this postseason has taught us anything it’s that you can never have enough reliable arms in the bullpen.
They could definitely use another veteran arm in the ‘pen, though. Asides from Marte and Mo, the rest of the relievers are relatively young, and some seem a bit bewildered in the playoffs. Cashman should definitely make the bullpen a priority in the offseason, because the bridge to Mo seems like the most glaring weakness on this team.
“does anyone have any qualms giving the MVP award to Chase “Slick” Utley? I wouldn’t…”
Nor would I, although as a requirement for sharing the spotlight with the newly-crowned-champion Yankees he should be required to immediately stop using as much Dapper Dan in his hair as he currently uses in a day. It’s got to be a full tin for every game.
Doreen I just don’t understand what the fascination is regarding bringing Wang back.
I’d rather have Joba, Hughes, and Gaudin in the rotation than deal with another year of Wang rehabbing, getting bombed, and killing the pen.
There are just a lot better options out there. By the time he rehabs it will be over 24 months since he has pitched well. Let him go somewhere else. Its time to turn the page.
Why is Joe West even in a World Series game. The guy is one of the worst umps in the game.
First pitch: Aroldis Chapman.
With Melky already out of the lineup, you need some pop at the bottom of the lineup. Swisher has to stay in.
My heart and memory are telling me Pettitte goes 7IP, 1ER, 5-6H, 2 BB. My head is telling me more along the lines of 4.2-5IP, with the rest being the same.
Teix is much closer than Cano is to coming out of his slump. He had a big double last night in the middle of our rally in the 8th. Cano looks lost, almost uninterested.
Mo will be Mo. 6,7,8 outs? It’s all gravy.
NYY626
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Erin
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Borat
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
How about who’s throwing out the first pitch tomorrow? I say they give it to Paul O’Neill, the Warrior.
*******************
He threw out the first pitch in Game 2.
____________________________________________________________
Perhaps if fox showed these things we’d remember them!
*******************
I’m shocked! You would rather see Paul than listen to Buck and McCarver rave about the Phillies?
Andrew
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
“does anyone have any qualms giving the MVP award to Chase “Slick” Utley? I wouldn’t…”
Nor would I, although as a requirement for sharing the spotlight with the newly-crowned-champion Yankees he should be required to immediately stop using as much Dapper Dan in his hair as he currently uses in a day. It’s got to be a full tin for every game.
==========================================================
he’ll also be required to use at least 2 profanities when describing the World Series Champion Yankees…
Miggs,
Man, you really hate Wang for some reason. Blaming his bad stats while ignoring that he was injured is kind of ridiculous.
“He got shelled!!! Get rid of him!!!”
Give me a break. He wasn’t getting knocked around when he was healthy.
A healthy Wang this year would have made the Yanks that much better.
Or did you forget he had the most wins for a pitchers in a 2 and a half year span?
Yeah, get rid of him.
Smart.
Jeremy
–
Because CCT Joe West is the prime example of what an umpire should be. Cheat the pitchers of the NYY and favor the opposing pitchers. We’ll see if Joe West can put his bias aside, albeit considering it is a World Series game, and be fair… Is that too much to ask?
m
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:04 pm
gb7,
But when’s the earliest chap would grace us with his presence in the bronx. he’s not exactly turnkey right now.
What will they do with Brackman and his major league contract? Should they try to make him a reliever? (I know-that WHIP).
————————————————————
With Chapman signing somewhere, I don’t see any rush in him signing anywhere. He’ll probably run the string out until January sometime….just my guess. Where is really anybody’s guess, but, the Angels, Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs or White sox would be my guess.
Brackman was actually pretty good in relief. As far as that ML contract is killing both him and the Yanks. I think both will regret it in the end. Not the size but, it being an MLB contract.
miggs,
The fascination is that he’s a great pitcher. He’s had two serious injuries but that doesn’t mean his career is over. If the Yanks non-tender him and can get him back at a reasonable price it would foolish not to. Wang is an ace when healthy, you can’t just give up on him.
Keeping him is basically a no-risk move as long as they aren’t paying him arbitration money. If Pettitte re-signs the 5 man rotation is full and Wang could provide depth in the second half.
It’s shocking to me how fast some fans can turn on players.
O’Neill threw out the first pitch in game two, and the Stadium more or less exploded.
I vote Tino, Brosius or Whitey for Game six.
The Yanks don’t need a dominant sinker ball pitcher in their new ballpark!
No way!
Give that job to Gaudin!!
Tomorrows clinching lineup
Jeter ss
Damon lf
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Metsui DH
Posada C
Hinskey Rf
Hairston 2B
Gardner Cf
This will do it
GO YANKS!!!
Not surprising, Andy feels good and he’ll take the ball tomorrow.
I really don’t see the sense of giving an mvp trophy to a player on the losing team. They didn’t help win anything. And it’s not a best player award.
In virtually every volleyball tournament I’ve see at the college level, whether it’s an invitational, conference, men or women, they have an all-tournament team with the best players from the whole field. Does any other sport do that?
We should nominate an all-WS team, maybe 2 starters, 1 reliever, and and 5 hitters.
Of course, after all the games have been played.
Jay,
No.
so not that it was really a question, but I’m guessing this means Pettitte is definitely pitching tomorrow night? I thought that would be determined after his workout?
“I think they may use Robertson as a setup man next season, but if this postseason has taught us anything it’s that you can never have enough reliable arms in the bullpen”
If the postseason has taught us anything it’s that starting pitching wins. We’re going back to the formula that won us 4 WS rings and Joba & Hughes being good starters will only solidify that.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Montero Fanaticus Primus
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:20 pm
O’Neill threw out the first pitch in game two, and the Stadium more or less exploded.
I vote Tino, Brosius or Whitey for Game six.
=========================================================
I say make a huge splash and have Kate Hudson throw out the first pitch…it’ll motivate AROD to hit a few HR’s and she has been a big Good Luck Charm this year..plus she pretty much has been at every game the last 4 months – you have to reward that type of dedication…
“Jeter ss
Damon lf
Tex 1B
Arod 3B
Metsui DH
Posada C
Hinskey Rf
Hairston 2B
Gardner Cf”
Is this a joke, or did you think fielding the worst team we can is a good strategy?
lol Metsui
People want Wang back because he had a good track record until he got injured.
Now, you may believe he’ll never get back to being that pitcher, but stranger things have happened.
My lineup:
Jeter
Damon
Tex
ARod
Matsui
Posada
Cano
Swisher
Hairston CF
That is the best possible lineup against Pedro. You have to keep Swisher in there with the way he is hitting right now. Hairston is simply not as good as Gardner in center, but he brings more at bat and hopefully Hairston does a decent job in center. I think this would win the game.
Let Swisher throw out the first pitch and let Paulie Walnuts suit it up one more time for old time’s sake.
miggs -
Perhaps. I just think Wang has always been underappreciated because he is not a strikeout pitcher. I understand the hesitation due to previous shoulder injury.
I have no idea what the Yankees will do, and I can see rationale on either side.
Just, for me, it seems if they were willing to give Dotel a chance, since they had a hand in the way the rehab went awry, they should be willing to give Wang a chance. At the very least, if all goes well, it would be like getting a fresh arm at the trade deadline.
Adam November 3rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
“I think they may use Robertson as a setup man next season, but if this postseason has taught us anything it’s that you can never have enough reliable arms in the bullpen”
If the postseason has taught us anything it’s that starting pitching wins. We’re going back to the formula that won us 4 WS rings and Joba & Hughes being good starters will only solidify that
___________________________________________________________
The formula that helped us win 4 WS rings also had Jeff Nelson, Mike Stanton, and Ramiro Mendoza. The Yankees don’t have any relievers like that right now.
Starting pitching wins championships but there’s no denying that a good bullpen is important as well.
If the yankees win it the mvp for the world series should be Mariano.
He fell apart in 2 first innings in clinching games.
——————————————————
This is SJ44 speaking of Aj…..also the reason Girardi threw him yesterday and not game 6.
He prefers Andy on 3 days over AJ on 5 in game 6.
Plus if AJ went in 6 that takes Andy out of the picture for game 7 with CC on short rest.
He didn’t want that decision.
He gave AJ his chance and he blew it.
was listening to michael kay…and he made a point of how people are still defending girardi’s move and he is impressed by people sticking to their guns, but then added…maybe it is because they just didn’t wanna see their favorite yankee andy pettitte get passed over and not pitch another game in the world series.
there is no possible way you can really successfully defend girardi’s move…many of us complained about it before the bad start by aj…including kay and francesa…im just not sure why you would rather have andy on short rest for game 6, than have aj on full rest, with having andy on full rest (or cc on short rest) for game 7…so many more options for game 7…start andy for 6 innings, pitch cc for 7 and 8…or have cc start then use andy in a relief spot…i mean…this move just made zero sense.
the yanks are still favored to win, and i hope they do, but the window is open just a little more now for the phillies.
Stultus Magnus-
I’ve been a huge Wang supporter in the past, including 3 years ago when the “Wang is not an ace” argument was raging on this very blog.
I think sometimes you just have to move on. He had 10 months to recover from his foot injury to be ready for this year. The excuse for his awful performance was that his legs were weak. Are you kidding me? If he wasn’t healthy after 10 months when Bruney had basically the same injury and came back to pitch the same year…what does that tell you?
Now he’s trying to come back from major shoulder surgery… the kind of surgery deemed WAY more risky than TJ surgery for a pitcher. What do all GMs say…. you can repair an elbow but a shoulder is a whole different level of risk.
Wang couldn’t recover in a year from a foot injury. Now he’s coming back from major shoulder surgery. How long do you think that’s gonna take?
I think a bigger question is ‘Will he ever make it back?’ not ‘How will he pitch when he comes back?’
Some guys just aren’t built for the long term. Some players just get more injury prone as they age. That is what I believe is the deal with Wang.
I could be wrong but I doubt it.
If you really want the stadium to go nuts, have Bernie throw out the first pitch.
Zimmer should throw out first pitch tomorrow.
miggs
–
excellent points. I agree to some extent. But then, the Yankees have wasted 50 million on Kei Igawa. Why not give Wang 5 or 6 million for 2 years and hope for the best?
I think Bernie already threw out a first pitch? But, I think they should get Bernie to play the Star Spangled Banner (or Take Me Out to the Ballgame – or both!)
First pitch? Hmmm.
Yogi comes to mind.
“If the postseason has taught us anything it’s that starting pitching wins.”
Not sure which post season you’ve been watching but in the one I’ve been watching every single game has been decided in the bullpen. Every single one.
Early in the year we argued over whether Hughes or Chamberlin should be in the pen. Who would have ever thought they’d both be there and we’d still be short?
you can work out a deal with wang and hope he comes back at some point…not sure why that would be so heavily debated…
im more confused of how people expected so much from AJ in a game 5 verse cliff lee in phili on short rest…
he wasn’t put in the best spot to be his best…without his performance in game 2, the series will probably be over anyway…i didn’t even wanna sign AJ (looking at it from a GM perspective) to that 5 year deal, and now im defending him…go figure.
Scared of the Wall
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
7789 November 3rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I dont want to see either Chamberlain or Hughes traded. I do think Chamberlain will become the better pitcher once he puts everything together. I hope they are the number 4 and 5 starters next year.
I would like the yankees to add a setup man with closer experience to the bullpen to help Mo out next year and not keep putting Hughes or Chamberlain back in the bullpen. Someone like a Heath Bell or Huston Street.
_________________________________________________________
I think they may use Robertson as a setup man next season, but if this postseason has taught us anything it’s that you can never have enough reliable arms in the bullpen.
They could definitely use another veteran arm in the ‘pen, though. Asides from Marte and Mo, the rest of the relievers are relatively young, and some seem a bit bewildered in the playoffs. Cashman should definitely make the bullpen a priority in the offseason, because the bridge to Mo seems like the most glaring weakness on this team.
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I am a big David Robertson fan I think he is the future 8th inning guy. He deserves to have a bigger role in late innnings next year but I still would bring in another reliever than can pitch the 8th. Robertson is very young and inexperienced. Marte is a good reliever when healthy but based off his year and half with the yankees you cant really rely on him for a full season. Coke,Aceves and Gaudin are all good middle relievers. They will be taking Hughes out of the pen next year. I feel they need to get one more quality arm in the offseason to have a great bullpen.
mick,
SJ also said it was always the plan to go with 3 pitchers, so AJ would line up in game 5 anyway.
He also tried to compare how many postseason wins between Andy and AJ.
Can we talk about something else?
Cliff Lee would not have cost the Yankees Ajax and Montero. I’m sure Mark Shapiro wanted him out of thw AL, and Cashman probably offered him a better deal. Ajax and Montero would be part of a package for the likes of “King” Felix Hernandez.
Wang will become a free agent first and then the Yankees can rethink signing him.
If Pettitte retires after winning tomorrow night, then the Yankees need another lefty starter.
Was at the 1996 WS game at Fulton Co. stadium with Pettitte facing Smoltz for a 1-0 win. Wetteland almost blew it in the ninth. Of course Pettitte was facing a lesser lineup than this Phillies team with 6 mph more velocity on his fastball.
Lackey will be looking for Burnett type money as the #1 FA starter available on the market.
Damon will want and deserves a two year contract.
Matsui will not be resigned.
These are just my opinions, but the most important thing is to focus on winning tomorrow night and not getting into a game seven.
I second the vote for either Tino or Kate
randyhater
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
“If the postseason has taught us anything it’s that starting pitching wins.”
Not sure which post season you’ve been watching but in the one I’ve been watching every single game has been decided in the bullpen. Every single one.
====================================================
umm….. cliff lee says hello…..
“The formula that helped us win 4 WS rings also had Jeff Nelson, Mike Stanton, and Ramiro Mendoza. The Yankees don’t have any relievers like that right now.
Starting pitching wins championships but there’s no denying that a good bullpen is important as well.”
Go back and look at the games. 1996 is the only exception with only Andy’s Game 5 start being over 6 innings. The rest were all because of great starting pitching. A bullpen can get by with just a few quality guys.
1998:
- Wells goes 7 in Game 1
- El Duque goes 7 in Game 2
- Cone goes 6 solid in Game 3
- Andy goes 7+ in Game 4
1999:
- El Duque goes 7 in Game 1
- Cone goes 7 in Game 2
- Andy gets bailed out in Game 3
- Clemens goes 7+ in Game 4
2000:
- Andy goes 6+ in Game 1
- Clemens goes 8 in Game 2
- El Duque goes 7+ in Game 3
- Neagle struggles in Game 4
- Andy goes 7 in Game 5
SJ44
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
If you really want the stadium to go nuts, have Bernie throw out the first pitch.
*******************
OK, now you’ve got my hopes up it will be Bernie!
27 hours and 25 minutes until Game 6!!!!!!!!
“If you really want the stadium to go nuts, have Bernie throw out the first pitch.”
If you really want the stadium to go nuts, beat the Phillies.
eric in queens
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Pettitte had a clunker in Game 5 of the 2000 ALDS on 3 days rest, a game the Yankees obviously won.
10 hits in 3.2 innngs. Ouch
……………………
That was then. Now is now.
Miggs
prior to injury Wang was the winningest pitcher in the majors from the time he came up till his injury. You don’t just give up on that.
He came into the season as the Yanks #2 starter behind CC and if he stayed healthy then our postseason rotation plans were 1-CC,2-Wang,3-AJ and 4-Pett so this whole argumaent we’ve been having is moot and the series is already over.
Also with the new stadium playing so small a healthy Wang is perfect for this team as he is an extreme groundball pitcher and we have on improved defense behind him.
so Cash and the Yanks will non-tender Wang and then sign him to an incentive laden deal 1 or 2 years and rehabilitate him.
Joba and Hughes will be in the rotation next year and Pettite will be back although i think the negotiations with Andy will be tough because he will have to accept less $ to stay with us.
Doreen-
2 major differences between Wang’s situation and 2 other pitchers that the Yankees signed who were injured and they knew weren’t going to pitch right away for them:
1) Dotel and Lieber were both pitching well before their injuries that sidelined them before the Yankees signed them. Wang was NOT. You can say all you want about his legs being weak this year. I just don’t buy that for a second. His foot was fine and he got bombed for 2 months straight.
2) Dotel and Lieber were recovering from TJ surgery. Again, elbows are different from shoulders. Wang’s injury is potentially career threatening. Even if he makes it all the way back which is no given, how good is he going to be? Now he has to recover from his shoulder injury as well as figure out what the heck went wrong this year. Maybe he needs to do more squats or leg extensions? LOL. If it was that easy don’t you think the Yankees would have fixed it already?
miggs -
I may not agree with you, but you really shouldn’t have short-cut your feelings about Wang. You’ve obviously thought about it and have reason to think as you do. But your first post was so – harsh. It sets up for people to get all defensive, when, really, a rational discussion can be had about this issue, which for some is an emotional decision as much as a practical one.
Cash is gonna be a lot busier than I though he’d need to be this winter.
Bernie already threw out the 1st pitch for game 2 he isn’t doing it again.
Tomorrow night all depends on Pedro. If the Yanks hit him like I think they should, they’ll be fine.
I don’t expect Andy to be great, but even when he’s off, he can usually keep this offense in the game.
Miggs
There was some discussion at the time about Wang’s legs and what happened, and, as I recall, it was the Yankees who told him to go easy and not work his legs.
They also started encouraging him to throw his slider again, a pitch that gave him arm trouble when he was in the minors.
It’s not a surprise that he got a shoulder injury.
There’s no reason to just jettison him. Let him heal and see what he has left.
I predict we’ll beat up on Pedro pretty fast tomorrow – the bats are a lot hotter than they were last time we faced him in the series.
miggs -
That’s why I think they’ll non-tender him, but offer him a lesser contract.
How come when the Red Sox sign a formerly great pitcher coming off an injury ridden and statistically bad year(s), they are praised as risk takers who know how to spot bargain contracts???
Yet anyone who thinks the Yanks should consider signing CMW is an idiot??
“Damon will want and deserves a two year contract.”
hopefully he gets it from somebody else…i don’t want to see Damon on this team next year and most definitely not for 2 years
The secret is out….
I am throwing the first pitch tomorrow night
new thread
yankees will win 10-4 tomorrow and everyone will sleep peacefully, until december when the blog will heat up again with the “would you rather have chapman or lackey for 80 million for 5 years” debate..
Is it too early to head down to the Manhattan bar where I caught Games 3 and 4?
# Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Montero Fanaticus Primus November 3rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Is it too early to head down to the Manhattan bar where I caught Games 3 and 4?
———————————————————–
Who pitched?
You can study Pettitte’s situational stats this year and back to 2004. I’ll be happy if Andy gets thru his two toughest innings-first and fifth and gives us five solid innings with a commanding lead!
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/p...../2009/7976
Wang’s foot injury was more involved and more serious than Bruney’s. They were only the same injury in that the location was the same. The severity was not the same.
“On June 15, Wang was taken out of an interleague game versus the Houston Astros due to a right foot injury he sustained while running the bases, something he was not used to doing as pitchers do not bat in the American League. Wang was diagnosed with a torn Lisfranc ligament of the right foot and a partial tear of the peroneus longus of the right foot. Despite not requiring surgery, he was on crutches and wearing a protective boot. The cast was removed on July 29, but the extensive rehabilitation process prevented Wang from pitching for the remainder of the season.”
“Bruney reported to Spring Training 2008 having lost 20 pounds in the offseason, in addition to gaining speed on his fastball. On April 25, 2008, it was learned that Bruney would likely miss the remainder of the season due to a fracture in his foot (Lisfranc) but he chose to forgo foot surgery in order to rehab the injury. After spending time rehabbing in the minors, he returned to the Yankees on August 1 following the trade of Kyle Farnsworth. He is slated to be Mariano Rivera’s primary setup man going into the 2009 season.”
Again, guys, this is my point.
To those that want to sign Wang to a 2 year deal…..
Wang is a FA after 2010. This is essentially the biggest issue with bringing him back. He may not even pitch at all in 2010. You want to pay him to rehab and then lose him to free agency?
Also, no way Cash gives him a 2 year deal. They didn’t want to sign him long term BEFORE his first of 2 season ending injuries. Lol.
They’re going to give him 2 years now? They went to arbitration with him over 500K! You have to look at the history here. I believe they never had faith in Wang as a long term option. They certainly don’t now.
“Um… Cliff Lee says hello.”
Cliff Lee would have been crying in his cheese steak last night if Coke would have held the line and/or if Madson hadn’t had just enough to close it out.
Likwise, if our pen had held in Game 1 it might have been Lidge on the mound to “finish” instead of Lee at 120 some odd.
Adam November 3rd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
“The formula that helped us win 4 WS rings also had Jeff Nelson, Mike Stanton, and Ramiro Mendoza. The Yankees don’t have any relievers like that right now.
Starting pitching wins championships but there’s no denying that a good bullpen is important as well.”
Go back and look at the games. 1996 is the only exception with only Andy’s Game 5 start being over 6 innings. The rest were all because of great starting pitching. A bullpen can get by with just a few quality guys.
1998:
- Wells goes 7 in Game 1
- El Duque goes 7 in Game 2
- Cone goes 6 solid in Game 3
- Andy goes 7+ in Game 4
1999:
- El Duque goes 7 in Game 1
- Cone goes 7 in Game 2
- Andy gets bailed out in Game 3
- Clemens goes 7+ in Game 4
2000:
- Andy goes 6+ in Game 1
- Clemens goes 8 in Game 2
- El Duque goes 7+ in Game 3
- Neagle struggles in Game 4
- Andy goes 7 in Game 5
__________________________________________________________
In the majority of these starts, a reliever is needed to pitch the 8th inning.
I agree that a bullpen needs a few quality relievers, but other than Marte and Mo, who has been reliable? Hughes and Joba have both squandered leads in the 8th. The bullpen played a part in last night’s loss and both losses in the ALCS.
The fact that Mo pitched 2 innings in Game 2 and that Girardi is even entertaining the notion of bringing him in for 3 innings tomorrow night indicates that he does not have much confidence in our bullpen right now.
Let’s see examples of GMs who stuck with there guys through injury and were rewarded for it….hmmm….ahhhh
Chris Carpenter! he had rotater cuff surgery and then elbow surgery and missed the better part of the last two years….how’d he do this year?
the Yanks who know Wang’s injury history as well as his recuperative prospects better than any of us will not let a talent like Wang just go and will be able to sign him to a very reasonable contract as there won’t be huge market for him while he rehabilitates.
As far as not commiting long term to Wang in the past that’s just been Yankee policy as they also want arb and free agent with Jeter,Pettite,Mariano,Bernie and every other great Yank…it is a business too ya know!
Sorry folks, didn’t realize Paulie threw out the pitch in game 2 because I was stuck listening to Ozzie Guillen speak Spanglish. I do know that Bernie threw out ALCS game 6, bc I was there, might be a good idea considering the outcome in that game…and yes, the place erupted!
If the Yankees choke this W.S. away, they need to trade for Roy Halladay.
Clearly, the Yankees’ pitching is what has forced them to go to a game 6. If Burnett was able to gut out even a decent start in game 5, they would win.
But no. He is a headcase and can’t pitch in clinching games.
They need a 4th starter. Halladay should be their guy, because we all know the Sox will try to get him.
@Miggs
According to your logic, Toronto should have dumped Halladay when he was struggling..
Yanks spent so much on Pavano, Igawa et. al and for what results? Compare to that Wang’s price is peanuts. Yes, they went to arbitration for 500K and I consider that an extremely lousy behaviour by the mgmt.
Anyway, I think we just have to agree to disagree and leave it at that. It may be irrational but I certainly can not forget what he has done for us when he was healthy and I believe he is entitled to a proper contract and a fair chance to regain his winning form.
Brian – wouldn’t you agree that Burnett’s game 2 start carried more pressure than game 5? Or did you forget that he won perhaps the most important game of the postseason for the Yanks? And who would you offer for Halladay?