Postgame notes: Who’s pitching the eighth?
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Jul 26, 2010 
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Joe Girardi doesn’t seem to be a guy who likes controversy, and he seemed to sense one brewing tonight. “I don’t want to start a thing of, who’s our eighth-inning guy,” he said. Thing is, he didn’t start the question. But he’s the only one who can answer it.
Tonight, he played matchups. With switch-hitter Asdrubal Cabrera at the plate, Girardi went to Dave Robertson, who got a double play before Boone Logan came in to strikeout the tough lefty Shin-Soo Choo. Mariano Rivera — of course — handled the ninth.
“I knew I was going to go to Logan for Choo,” Girardi said. “Cabrera has had some success off of Javy, even though he did a good job against him tonight, I thought I’d go to Robby for just one hitter and then go to Boone and it worked out.”
Girardi said it would be a “misinterpretation of today’s events” to say he’s lost faith in Joba Chamberlain. He said there will be times when he turns to Chamberlain for a full eighth, and times he plays matchups. He said the matchup is why he chose Robertson over Chamberlain for the Cabrera at-bat.
“Sometimes the seventh inning is just as important,” Robertson said. “So I don’t really see the difference. I’ll throw whenever he wants me to.”
I had some issues with my recorder tonight, but here’s most of Girardi’s postgame interview.
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• Both Girardi and Alex Rodriguez said they could tell by Trevor Crowe’s reaction — firing to second instead of showing the catch — that he had not caught Rodriguez’s looping line drive in the fourth inning. Replays showed it was a trap. “That’s being generous,” Rodriguez said. “That’s a short hop, not a trap. I think Tex did a great job reading that ball.”
• Curtis Granderson hit his third home run in the past two games, and nearly hit his fourth when he drove a ball off the wall in right field. “The feel came come and go in the matter of a pitch, a swing, a game, a series or a couple of games,” he said. “=For two swings today, I had it, and hopefully I’ll continue to have it as we move on.”
• Girardi said Mariano Rivera was available for four outs tonight. “He hadn’t pitched in a while and I thought he could do it,” Girardi said. The plan was for Logan to face Choo and Carlos Santana, but Rivera was coming into the eighth if necessary.
• Rodriguez said his hand gave him no problems.
• Granderson was thrown out trying to stretch that ball off the wall into a single. “I didn’t have a problem with it,” Girardi said. “He’s got outstanding speed and a perfect throw. Bang-bang play.” Truth is, Granderson was probably safe.
• I’ve joked with Robertson before about it being weird to see him get ground balls. He always laughs at it too. It’s not necessarily his game, but he’ll take it. “I don’t get too many double plays,” he said. “I was pretty excited about that one. I’ll take that. It’s much easier.”
• Rodriguez said he doesn’t think he’s getting more or less pitches to hit now that he’s sitting at 599 home runs. “I’m not really concerned about it,” he said. “It’s going to come whether it’s this week or next week or next month. At some point it will come… I’d rather not hit a home run and win than hit a home run and lose.”
• Until that eighth inning, Javier Vazquez was in line for a loss. It would have been the fourth time this season that he went seven innings, allowed two runs or less and didn’t get a win. Then Granderson picked him up with that home run. “After the first month, I just tried to forget about it and help the team from then on,” Vazquez said. “I think I’m doing that.”
• With his home run, Nick Swisher scored the 500th run of his career.
• Teixeira was hitless, but he drew a walk to extend his on-base streak to 42 games.
Associated Press photos of the infielders on the mound, the argument after the play in left and Vazquez with Cervelli
That “controversy” is of Girardi’s own making by stubbornly sticking exclusively with Joba past the point of all reason.
Girardi said it would be a “misinterpretation of today’s events” to say he’s lost faith in Joba Chamberlain. He said there will be times when he turns to Chamberlain for a full eighth, and times he plays matchups. He said the matchup is why he chose Robertson over Chamberlain for the Cabrera at-bat.
Hopefully, the only matchups in Joba’s favor are the one when Yankees have a lead greater than 8.
Rich
It’s not entirely unreasonable. Relievers are notoriously variable. If Joba could “get his act together” or what have you and begin pitching in the range of good to dominant, he could be a valuable addition to this team. You can’t just throw the guy away.
Chamberlain has blown 3 leads this season.
Which of the three was “reason” exactly?
Also, whether anyone wants to believe it or not, Joba has pitched into some extremely bad luck this year. Perhaps some of the bad luck while on the mound affects him. It’s not impossible.
Chamberlain should not even be in the majors. The guy will not be a future closer because he can’t even handle the 8th inning spot and he can’t start anymore. So what purpose does he serve on this team ?
if Joba gets dealt, I could see him eventually being turned into a solid starter w/ an organization that actually has patience and won’t move him back and forth
Vazquez has basically been our second best pitcher for the last 2 months, glad he got the W tonight.
CR9
Why can’t Joba get his act together by pitching in the 7th? It’s precisely because of the variability of most relievers not named Mo that they shouldn’t not be pigeon-holed as 8th inning relievers when they repeatedly stink.
I think the best way to throw Joba away is to continue to do what Girardi has been doing.
Girardi seems to be trying the Farnsworth approach with Joba, but he hasn’t been getting the results that he hopes to get.
I agree with Rich.
I’m content to let this thing evolve. As long as the bullpen gets guys out.
But I think DRob has Joe’s trust. So, I trust Joe to make the right moves when the situation calls for Robertson over Joba.
None of what is happening should be seen as punishment. These things happen all the time. And with the exception of the closer, meritocracy should rule. The more reliable and better you are, the later you pitch.
And for heaven’s sake, Joe. Shorten that leash on Joba.
Sorry CR9 but I can’t agree with you here. Joba has been a mess since the injury in Texas in 2008. He is not getting better he is getting worse. And I don’t need the stats to prove the point. Look at his performances every single time he goes out there he looks like he is going to get lit up.
“Which of the three was “reason” exactly?”
If you think it’s reasonable to use a reliever whose ERA is 5.95 and whose WHIP is 1.61 in the 8th inning role, fine. I don’t.
Rich
I agree. It shouldn’t matter what inning Joba pitches for him to “get his act together.”
However, I know this cannot be quantified into wins and losses, but what I loved about Joe G last year is how he brought the team together as a family, a family that had each other’s backs. Joe is able to do that with loyalty. The same loyalty he shows towards Joba.
It’s not the 1 run performances we object to. It’s the multiple run outings we don’t like. But some of that is on Girardi for leaving Joba in to clean up his own mess.
I’m not CR9 (insert your own joke here), but the “8th inning” designation is irrelevant.
It’s about situation and Chamberlain hasn’t been in a truly high leverage situation for weeks.
Robertson has been doing that heavy lifting and getting the key outs, just in various innings.
2 run lead in the 6th, 4 run lead in the 8th.
I can only hope Girardi is smart enough not to be slave to the inning but instead respond to the situation.
m
I agree. Joba really has not done much in the majors anyway so he should earn his spot based on performance not hype by the media. There is a reason why Joba was voted the most overrated player in SI.
Hughes will be fine. His last start against KC really wasn’t that bad. He made 2 mistakes, 1 to Podsednik and 1 to Ankiel (which I would actually put partially on Posada because I have no idea why you would even throw Ankiel a fastball. The guy can crush a fastball but can’t hit a breaking ball no matter how bad for his life). Before the rain he was on his way to 6 innings 3 ER. That line should win 85% of the time with this lineup. He doesn’t have to put up Josh Johnson numbers. If he wins that shows me enough. And he’s 12-3.
Before the season many predicted borderline 13-14 wins with a 4 ERA. Well, he’s surpassed that. The Yanks have a future stud 24 year old pitcher on their hands. Enjoy it rather than picking it apart…
Jeremy
I know your dislike for Joba, so I knew you wouldn’t agree. But I refuse to give up on Joba as long as he has the Yankee pinstripes on.
I was ok with Joba’s performance at the beginning of the year. Yes he had some terrible outings (Boston and Cleveland come to mind) but he always followed those up with 4 or 5 really good outings that he seemed dominant. There was a bright spot there and it just seemed like he had to iron out some mechanical issues and consistancy problems; however, now he isn’t even putting up any hopeful performances. He’s just getting flat out crushed every outing allowing 2 runs an outing. Nothing even positive has come out of his past 2 weeks performances. I think Girardi has it right in playing the matchups and the hot hand in the 8th inning for now. I just wonder if Joba will eventually be sent down but as SJ said earlier, there doesn’t seem to be much of a replacement down at SWB. Melancon isn’t pitching well and Alby could be called up but wouldn’t likely be an 8th inning option yet…
Derek Jeter was been voted the most overrated player in MLB a few times.
The top guys in that poll are usually Yankees because they are the most hated.
This is the part of the game that the Sox have had the most trouble with. I’m assuming Bard will come in for the 8th even though he pitched yesterday. They can’t use Okajima again and really have no other options. Then Papelbon will go the 9th but even he’s been an adventure. Really a team that could use Soria would be the Sox.
“If you think it’s reasonable to use a reliever whose ERA is 5.95 and whose WHIP is 1.61 in the 8th inning role, fine. I don’t.”
He’s given up runs in each of what, his last 4 outings, but the Yankees have won all of them, yes?
That SHOULD tell you something about the situations he’s been put in.
Isn’t 4 and 5 run leads EXACTLY the situations you want to right himself in?
All it means that it’s the 8th is the other team has less outs and you got the world’s greatest safety net directly behind him.
But yeah, let’s given Chamberlain a 4 run lead in the 6th with more game to play and Rivera still 6 or more outs away.
Giuseppe Franco July 27th, 2010 at 12:18 am
Derek Jeter was been voted the most overrated player in MLB a few times.
The top guys in that poll are usually Yankees because they are the most hated.
————————–
Those polls are usually filled with jealousy. Alot of guy would love to be Yanks or are a little bit envious of certain guys. Thus, they get votes. I think we all know that Jeter obviously gets a popularity boost from playing in New York. He’s a fantastic player and one of the best clean players of this era but if he played in Milwaukee would he get this type of pubilicity? Who knows but I also know it’s not easy to play in New York. Not many could handle the media and spotlight like Jeter. So people who say he’s a product of New York also have to look at that side of the issue. Evan Longoria has gone on record and said he doesn’t know if he would be able to handle the media in New York and the everyday hassle and play like Jeet.
CR9
I think if they really wanted to be loyal to Joba, (and serve his best interests) they would send him down to the mL.
I don’t view the inning that he pitches to implicate the loyalty issue.
CR9
I never wanted the Yankees to trade Joba but his performances of late and his inability to improve makes the situation worse.
Happy Birthday Alex
Rich
I agree. I think Joba needs to be sent down to fix or restructure his mechanics. However, I’m not sure that this is the proper time to do so. Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn’t. I’m not guaranteeing that the inning that he pitches implicates loyalty, but I would think that Joba doesn’t want to be riding the buses in the minors again.
“He’s given up runs in each of what, his last 4 outings, but the Yankees have won all of them, yes?
That SHOULD tell you something about the situations he’s been put in.
Isn’t 4 and 5 run leads EXACTLY the situations you want to right himself in?
All it means that it’s the 8th is the other team has less outs and you got the world’s greatest safety net directly behind him.
But yeah, let’s given Chamberlain a 4 run lead in the 6th with more game to play and Rivera still 6 or more outs away.”
I really think a more reductionist view is in order:
Who has been the regular 8th inning reliever this season?
Joba.
Is this season the worst of his ML career?
Yes.
As such, it makes no sense for him to be used virtually exclusively in the 8th inning role.
If Moseley pitches poorly, I wonder if the Yanks would give Tim Redding a chance. Tonight against AAA Rochester his line was: 8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K.
Joba needs to be sent down. Right now he serves no purpose on this team. The bat boy right now is more useful than Joba at the moment.
Being sent down would be good for him and the team.
Joba has dodged being sent down for this long. Don’t know if it will happen.
lol, igotid88.
I can picture taking a thick red sharpie and marking each day off the calendar. And then he sends out his tweet of the day.
Seriously, though. He’s not twittering anymore?
I don’t think they send him down. Anyone think they send him to winter ball to work on his mechanics in the winter?
“As such, it makes no sense for him to be used virtually exclusively in the 8th inning role.”
I agree, if we just want to use some thumbnail definition of the 8th inning.
When we actually want to talk about the specific fact Girardi hasn’t used Chamberlain in a high-leverage situation since Seattle, we can do that too if you like.
Joba is not going to pitch winter ball. He’ll go back to Nebraska and drink beer, eat pork ribs and put on another 15 pounds. He’s gotten way too comfortable. They need to do to him what the Yanks did to Cano a couple of years back – send his butt to AAA.
“I agree, if we just want to use some thumbnail definition of the 8th inning.
When we actually want to talk about the specific fact Girardi hasn’t used Chamberlain in a high-leverage situation since Seattle, we can do that too if you like.”
What difference does that small sample size really make?
His May ERA was 7.94, yet Girardi still stuck with him.
He’s the one who has continually maintained that Joba was his 8th inning guy despite the meltdowns.
In the meantime, Joba has continued to regress. So even granting your point for the sake of argument, it doesn’t undo the damage that has already been done to him.
Matsui!!
There is a ‘nickinsf’ on twitter and his first and only tweet is “just joined. will update later” and it’s dated May 2007.
Matsui is still clutch.
Teixeira’s face in that first picture is pretty funny
Hideki with a 2 run shot. Francona protesting. Angels still down 4-3.
“Joba is not going to pitch winter ball. He’ll go back to Nebraska and drink beer, eat pork ribs and put on another 15 pounds. ”
Joba Chamberlain is arbitration eligible. His performance is costing him significant money, and i if doesn’t straighten out, perhaps 10 of millions of dollars over the next several years.
But yeah, let’s all pretend we’re the ones who’ve been aggrieved by his struggles.
This is just out and our stupidity, plain and simple.
WMD
LOL ! Drinking beer and eating ribs. Well Joba does look out of shape. The guy looks like he is going to have a heart attack when leaving the mound after a tough inning.
Joba may be costing himself money, therefore fans’ reactions to his struggles in Yankee games should be…. what?
They need to do to him what the Yanks did to Cano a couple of years back – send his butt to AAA.
———-
Cano wasn’t sent down to Scranton a couple of years back. He was benched a game or two late in the year.
“Joba may be costing himself money, therefore fans’ reactions to his struggles in Yankee games should be…. what?”
1.) Somewhat tempered, considering he really hasn’t cost them any more leads that a lot of TOP relievers in baseball.
2.) Reserved, considering at this point, you should really be prepared for it by now, no?
True, Joba probably cost himself a couple of bucks by sucking so much. But the bar in the arbitration process is set pretty low. One routinely sees players with crappy season winning their arbitration. And we all know the arbitration numbers submitted by their agents are very aggressive. So go right ahead and feel sorry for him!
Giuseppe Franco
You’re right. My bad.
But what does Joba’s short-term earning potential have to do with how I, as a fan, am supposed (or should be expected to) react to his performance on the field?
Has Ortiz ever gotten back to the media, as he promised he would, to provide the further details that he said he would seek on his positive drug test?
Next time Joba blows a lead, I’m going to blow out the solitary candle I light as he enters from the bullpen each game.
Rich
No. Ortiz never has, and never will.
Rich in NJ
Ortiz will never get back to the media. And since he is such a “nice guy” the media doesn’t care.
I think the Big Sloppy said the female hormones he took was for reducing the amount of facial hair. Oh wait … that was Manny’s excuse.
“So go right ahead and feel sorry for him!”
I don’t feel sorry for him in the least.
But even someone of limited intellect be able to distinguish the fact that he has every motivation to want to perform well, in pragmatic ways that makes your “fan” concerns infinitely irrelevant.
He’s not performing well so the only thing you have to contribute is a fat joke?
There comes a point where someone needs to tell you you’re making an ass of yourself, because obviously you’re not able to discern it for yourself
“But what does Joba’s short-term earning potential have to do with how I, as a fan, am supposed (or should be expected to) react to his performance on the field?”
I’m arguing one should consider Chamberlain’s own motivation to perform well before theorizing in a public forum why he isn’t.
Jeremy
lol, it’s ain’t because he’s a “nice guy.” it’s because he was a red sox hero. The red sox media wont bash a hero of theirs. did anyone know that teddy williams was a cheater. all players throughout history have taken things to better their performance. teddy was no different.
stuckey99
You’re right. I’m making an ass of myself. Thanks for pointing that out to me.
Btw, that wasn’t a fat joke. Check out 2009 Joba versus 2010 Joba. Pictures don’t lie.
lol, drew was safe. umpires are absolutely horrible; of course, remy and orsillo are whining and saying ‘ya hope it doesn’t cost the red sox’
Ah, thank you, I think I get your point now.
“Grrrrr, Joba is stinking it up! Oh wait, he is costing himself money with his poor performance. His enlightened self-interest dictates that he must have done everything in his power to succeed, yet he didn’t. How can I be mad at him? Come here, ya’ big lug!”
Joba would just spend his raise on firewater anyways. Its for the best that he fails.
“Btw, that wasn’t a fat joke. Check out 2009 Joba versus 2010 Joba. Pictures don’t lie.”
So your theory is, Chamberlain is letting down himself, his family, his manager, his organization, his teammates, and costing himself money because he overeats?
Really?
yeah I agree CR9. The media think he is a nice guy and not one person wants to question him because he was a postseason hero. Now If a-rod made to same kind of excuse that Ortiz made then the media would be all over him.
And by the way I’m still waiting for that suspension. Ortiz said last year that any player found guilty of PED’s should be suspended. Ortiz is such a phony !
stuckey99
Uncle, you win! Mom just called down the basement – I must go to bed now.
Night folks!
“Grrrrr, Joba is stinking it up! Oh wait, he is costing himself money with his poor performance. His enlightened self-interest dictates that he must have done everything in his power to succeed, yet he didn’t. How can I be mad at him? Come here, ya’ big lug!”
That isn’t so silly as you’re trying to characterize it.
There comes a point (when ridiculing players becomes accepted) that fan “anger” is nothing but naked self-importance.
So your theory is, Plaxico is letting down himself, his family, his coach, his organization, his teammates, and costing himself money because he likes to carry unlicensed firearms in his sweatpants when he goes to nightclubs?
Really?
“Uncle, you win! Mom just called down the basement – I must go to bed now.”
No she didn’t….
.. cause he’s with me!!
[Oh yes I did]
I’m saying Burress went to jail an cost himself a career.
Can a fan say anything to better qualtify how badly he f-ed himself over?
Isn’t anything a fan can say about that utterly superfluous?
Wait. Your mom’s a…he?
Jeremy
That’s why Boston has yet one more advantage over NY. Boston media actually care about their teams succeeding and the way others view them. For example, if Pete Abe absolutely tears Okajima a new hole, it’s because he has a problem with the way Okajima performs. NY media just want controversy and don’t care one bit about the results of our teams.
I can blame Boston for a lot, but I cant blame Ortiz for saying that, and then not following through with it. Why should he.
The effect of the player’s poor performance and/or behavior on the team might be of primary importance to some fans, not how it’s hurting his own earning potential, waistband, or freedom from incarceration.
A fan’s suffering from the team’s diminished potential to win is inconsequential compared to a player going to jail or making less money, sure,
…but the fan became a fan of the particular player in the first place because of his capacity to help the fan’s favorite team win.
Waistband. ahahaha. If Burress had a waistband, he probably would still be in baseball.
Good one, Nick.
err..football
“A fan’s suffering from the team’s diminished potential to win is inconsequential compared to a player going to jail or making less money, sure,”
I have a hard time taking a “fan’s suffering” seriously. I mean kept in perspective and used relatively, it’s fine, But the problem I find is, there are some fans who really believe they “suffer”, without any perspective, and that’s pure self-indulgence.
i don’t think whatever “suffering” a fan is subject to justifies throwing pure, common courtesy out the window (which is what I’m been arguing all day).
Criticize? Fine.
Ridicule? Get over yourself.
And these self-indulgent ‘suffering’ fans make it harder for you to enjoy watching sports and reading comments on boards like this so you criticize but don’t ridicule them in hopes that their future behave will conform more to your standards?
Hulk smash?
So. We have the two worst relievers ERA wise in the AL. I mean it doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. All I can read into it is A) we’re still winning at a great clip B)other teams usually phase these kind of guys out.
Okay, I made that second one up…
Joba is arb eligible next year? Hmmmm. Maybe they do unload him at the deadline. I think I’d wait until the winter, Girardi can deak with him until then, and you just never know…
I tried to compare Joba in 2008 before the injury to 2010 Joba. Now I’m a novice at this stuff obviously.
http://img198.imageshack.us/im.....ewjoba.jpg
Here’s a picture side by side. The frames are not exact but you can see 2008 Joba on the left is compact with his head down driving the ball down hill. 2010 Joba on the right stands a little taller, doesn’t get as compact, and can’t drive the ball down hill.
On the left Joba throws a 98 mph fastball to Luke Scott at the Knees away. On the Right it’s a 92 mph fastball belt high away to Chris Getz.
Does anyone know why? Is he too big and he can’t get on top of the ball like that anymore?
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play......id=3225055
This is video of 2008 Joba.
2010 Joba also tends to have a little pause when he takes the ball out of his glove.
Can anyone else speak on this?
http://www.baseball-intellect......anics.html
Here’s and old article on his mechanics back in 2008 after he was placed on the dl. Would be nice if we could get an updated version with his mechanics now.
http://www.baseball-intellect......amberlain/
2008 compared to 2009.
Hmmmm, this is interesting…Javier Vazquez, who got off to a terrible start and gets very little run support has more wins (9) than AJ Burnett (8). Who’da thunk it!
with a bit more run support Javy would easily have a few more wins…and it was great to see Granderson get that HR for him.
I watched the end of the TB/Detroit game this am…nice for TB to be on the right side of a no hitter. Time for the Padres and Mets to step up, according to espn they are the only teams never to have had a no hitter.
Before I leave for my appointment and attempts to hide from the Terror Of Tampa, here’s a link with some videos from last night’s Trenton game with andrew brackman and George kontos. Some good reading included.
http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/
Thanks GB7 and hope everythings goes well today for you.
upstate kate -
I saw some post-game interview with Garza – he was really thrilled. It’s nice to see. I read this morning that he the only blot on a perfect game was a 2nd inning walk, which was erased with a DP. He only faced 27 batters. (He looks much better without his hat on, doesn’t he?)
It’s interesting about the Mets. Tom Seaver had that almost perfect game in ’69 and they have had lots of one-hitters in their history. They had a left-handed pitcher years ago by the name of Jon Matlack; it seemed every time he pitched, he threw a 1- or 2- or 3-hitter. It’s really surprising that they’ve had no no-hitters. They really have had many excellent pitchers through the years.
Eventually, these players will learn to stop the idiocy with the celibrations. Maybe when another team blows a chance at the post season, it will stop.
Chris Coghlin of the Marlins is out about 8 weeks (rest of the season) for getting hurt trying to pie wes Helms after a walkoff single.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb
my pleasure, doreen. Enjoy the vids and your day. Thanks for the words of encouragement. It’s a scary time being near The Beast.
GB–Good luck today GB. I hope all goes very smoothly. I can’t wait to hear about your romance blooming with Nurse Ratchet.
Now, hurry up and get your visit over with so you can keep us updated on the minors.
Garza could look a lot better in Yankee pinstripes.
You’re so cruel, Mac.
good luck GB…maybe you should wear garlic around your neck
kate, she’d eat the garlic and part of my neck.
I have to admit I was flipping back and forth between our game and the Rays/Tigers game which at one point had 2 pitchers going for no-hitters.
oh GB never mind that idea then, maybe just carry a big stick
One more read from Trentonian writer Josh Norris. Question and answers with slade Heathcott and JR Murphy as well as short notes on those he considers untouchables on the farm.
http://minormatterstrenton.blogspot.com/
Gotta run. Cab is here.
Joba doesn’t deserve the EIG role – he should have to earn it like everyone else. Just because some of us think he should find himself outside of the 8th doesn’t mean we’re giving up on him; winning is more important than Joba’s confidence – and I agree with Rich. Joe is being unreasonably stubborn. Unlike M, I don’t think he trusts Robertson…………
Girardi can be loyal to a fault. Since replacing Torre as the manager, he’s watched the regression of Joba Chamberlain.
It seems like the front office wants every chance exhausted before sending him elsewhere which is getting closer.
The difference with Hughes and Chamberlain is maturity and willingness to learn, develop, and listen to advise when warranted. Hughes takes offseason conditioning seriously. Chamberlain hasn’t and it’s affected his pitching approach.
it wouldn’t hurt to send him to AAA for a week and get his head straight…
BTW …is it me or do these umps —-
It sure isn’t going to be Chan Ho Park:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....-park.html
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 26 at 7:20pm CST]
The Yankees are trying to trade Chan Ho Park, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark (via Twitter). The market for relievers is thin, but adding Park to it doesn’t change much for teams in search of relief help. The 37-year-old has allowed seven homers and 30 other hits in 32.1 innings for a 5.57 ERA. Park’s strikeout (7.2 K/9) and walk (2.5 BB/9) numbers have been above-average, but he has been hittable in 2010.
Park earns $1.2MM this season before hitting free agency. He missed time with a hamstring injury earlier in the year and his place in the Yankees ‘pen has been less than secure since May. Presumably, the Yankees would part with Park for salary relief or a fringe prospect.
“Chamberlain has blown 3 leads this season.”
————————————–
stuckey,
That is not true.
He has 3 “blown saves” this season. But that does not mean those were the only leads he has blown.
He has blown 6 leads.
So you lied to us when you said you knew the answer to that question yesterday
trade Park ??????? I think they could release him and nobody would care
probably, but if you can get a fringe prospect, why not give it a try. If nothing happens by 1 Aug, then you release him.
GB,
If you are still here, good luck today.
Happy Birthday to Alex. Hope he gets #600 tonight as his birthday present.
Hi GB!! Hope everything goes well for you today.
And a very happy birthday to Alex!!
They are probably trying to get someone else to pay Park rather than just releasing him and paying him to play elsewhere.
They might accept even eating some of his salary over just a straight out DFA. There might be someone out there who would pick him up.
If this were at home, Alex could get a Happy Birthday pie in the face, but since it’s not, Happy Birthday anyway!
Good luck, GB.
My guess is they’re looking to replace Park with Albie – er, Dejo. Don’t think they’ll get back anyone of consequence for Park, not after his performance this season. I’m not saying he’s not capable of a rebound, just that he’s been underwhelming, to say the least.
hope Alex gets a good birthday present from Tomlin. Poor kid has to face the Yankees and the added pressure of Alex’s HR chase in his mlb debut.
Happy Birthday Alex, how about renegotiating your contract down a bit?
I’m really impressed with Boone Logan lately. If he can keep it up there’s no reason to make a move for Scott Downs. He has a tremendous arm.
It will be hard to fin a taken for Park even with just $ 500K or so left on his deal. I’m sure Cash would take anything for him and then bring up Albaladejo at the end of next week.
Blown saves and holds are two largely useless stats if you don’t study the context.
If you come into the game in the 7th inning with a one run lead, bases loaded and no one out and get a 6-4-3 DP followed by a K it’s a blown save. If you enter a game with a seven run lead and give up six runs it’s a hold.
By the way, Chad -
That is a great picture underneath the title of the thread!
http://www.realgmbaseball.com/.....ott_downs/
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DOWNS takes over for Joba !!!
Who cares ? last year Phil was lights out during the season and he was no were to be found in the playoffs. We have all season to find a 8 inning guy. So over rated you go with who ever is feeling it at the time. That why Joe G is so much better a manger than Joe T he has a feel for the bullpen
It’s pretty tough to spin that Joba has been “unlucky” or “not bad”. That’s just more excuses for his performance this year.
For relief pitchers with 40 or more appearances this year, he has the worst ERA and WHIP in the league.
In other words, Joba has been the worst relief pitcher in the AL.
That’s not bad luck. That’s bad pitching.
Girardi is doing the right thing by finally easing him out of role. At least exclusively.
They have a WS to try and win. At this point, that takes priority over “fixing” Joba.
If he’s still on the team, fixing him will have to wait until the off-season.
In the meantime, try to use him in situations where his play doesn’t cost you games.
“If you enter a game with a seven run lead and give up six runs it’s a hold”
No, it isn’t. One must come into the game in a save situation for an opportunity to be credited with a hold.
“That is a great picture underneath the title of the thread!”
It is. But they all look like they just found out they lost a bet.
GB-
I spoke to the higher authorities on your behalf last night.
Please check in later and give us good news.
Hey Chad did anyone talk to Robertson or Cervelli about the silent conversation they were having regarding the pitch leading up to the double play? I thought that was the biggest moment in the game and it seemed that Robertson was trying to signal Cervelli that he didn’t want to do something but it ended up with Cervelli getting the call from the dugout anyway. After the play Cervelli came up and put his arm around Robertson laughing and I was curious as to what transpired between them. Can you ask either of them?
We can certainly all agree that Joba has not pitched well at all this season. But to say that Girardi cares more about getting Joba right than winning is ludicrous.
They HAVE been winning. Best record in MLB for almost two months now. Unless this is the ’98 Yankees reincarnated, it would be hard to do much better than that.
Bill D July 27th, 2010 at 8:59 am
?That is a great picture underneath the title of the thread!?
It is. But they all look like they just found out they lost a bet.
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FWIW, according to Davidoff, the Yanks NEVER offered Montero in a deal for Soria.
These guys are all over the map. Nobody can really decipher who knows what they’re talking about and who doesn’t.
Joke of the day.
In spite of the fact that Garza threw a no no for the Rays.
They didn’t gain an inch.
Now, to me, that’s just hysterical.
New Post: Hall of Fame announces election changes
Bill D — I should have specified entering the game in the sixth or seventh inning with a seven run lead which IS a save situation. It’s still an inane stat in that all it measures is not blowing a lead.
again Joba needs to spend some time in the minors..this kid has been spoon fed
no doubt about it Montero will hit in the majors, but will he ever be good enough to catch in the majors at a decent level…still reading from scouts ( online) that he’s not making much progress….just asking
Through 98 games last year, Joba was 6-2 with a 3.86 ERA. Not too shabby.
Who wouldn’t want that pitcher in the starting rotation?