Hitting the road on a high note
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Sep 09, 2010 
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I saw about 15 minutes of yesterday’s game. I watched two or three minutes of the early innings, then I got home from Barnes and Noble — had to finally buy the new Ra Ra Riot album — just in time for the ninth inning, the walk-off homer and the whipped cream pie that seemed to get more of Kim Jones than Nick Swisher. Sorry Kim, but I laughed quite a bit.
This off day would feel a lot different if not for that moment.
I believe it was actually Kim who I was talking to before the first game of the home stand. I said at the time the Yankees needed to win seven of 10, and that’s exactly what they did. It left the Yankees with a 2.5-game lead in the division, a little bit of breathing room before they begin a tough last three weeks of the season.
Joe Girardi called that a home run “a big swing,” and it certainly was.
Now the Yankees can head to Texas with reason to be upbeat. Four days ago they had won eight straight, but when they hit a three-game slide, it nearly disrupted everything. Even CC Sabathia no longer looked unbeatable. Yesterday’s first eight innings must have been brutal — one inning away from being swept by the Orioles at home? really? – but the Yankees ultimately walked off with a win and a pie.
The season is going to be decided in these final weeks, something we probably could have predicted in April. Much better to start this stretch on a high note rather than a deafening thud.
Associated Press photo
Great picture.
In my mind the way Super Nova’s pitched he’s easily the 4th starter right now for the playoffs. I don’t care how young he his, sometimes that actually helps, he’s too young to know any better.
Fran
Open carefully, eat the candy and save the bag. That way you get chocolate and a souvenir!
great pix guys
We went to the HOF this summer. It was great. There were a couple of special exhibits related to the Yankees, the WS artifacts and a photo collection titled pinstripes in print (or something like that) We went early in the day, and it wasn’t too crowded. Also loved the Rizzuto tribute, a statue of a Holy Cow.
that is a great solution Pat
are the M&Ms pinstriped?
Mike_Boston
I agree totally, my rotation would be CC, Hughes, Andy, Nova.
Pat,
I think I will take your suggestion. I’ll eat most of the M&Ms, and then save the package and a few of the M&Ms to have the different logos as a souvenir.
Mike_Boston September 9th, 2010 at 9:00 am
In my mind the way Super Nova?s pitched he?s easily the 4th starter right now for the playoffs. I don?t care how young he his, sometimes that actually helps, he?s too young to know any better.
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I couldn’t agree more. I think Pettitte Pitching tonight will be huge but even if he’s back, I don’t know about you but I’d rather have Nova and not Burnett. I know the experience is great and all that and but as any baseball player would tell you, in October it’s all about who gets hoat the right time and Nova has given me many reasons to believe he’s a better option than Burnett right now.
I guess Nova has a few more starts before a decision needs to be made. He definitely inspires more confidence than AJ/Javy at this point.
nice to see you benfica
Now I can’t wait for my M&Ms to come. Chocolate is the perfect prize.
are the M&Ms pinstriped?
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Kate,
There are 2 different colors- Yankees blue and white. Some have the Yankees top hat and bat logo on them, some have the interlocking NY and some say Yankees in script. And some have pinstripes on them.
Mike,
There also is the factor that teams are unfamiliar with him. For the same reasons the Yankees struggle with pitchers they have never faced..other teams often do the same with pitchers they haven’t seen often. Not saying they should start Nova in a playoff game but if AJ or Vasquez doesn’t step up and take that last spot then I don’t think its something they should just discount and not consider.
Erin,
I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to ruin your surprise. Maybe you got something else.
nice to see you too kate, its been a while since i’ve been on. And I gotta go to my college class soon so I only will be on later
Erin, Upstate…. glad you enjoyed the pics. Sorry I don’t have any pics of Robbie for you Erin.
Fran the original September 9th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Erin,
I?m sorry. Didn?t mean to ruin your surprise. Maybe you got something else.
***************************
Fran-not a problem. I’ve been dying of curiosity. And like I said, chocolate is the best possible prize.
The off day is huge before this stretch of playing 2 playoff teams on the road for 6 games straight. Let’s just hope the Yankees rise to the challenge as not only will it bolster their chances for winning the AL East and capturing HFA, but it will give them some needed confidence, especially after Swish rescued them from a complete disaster “series” at home against the flippin’ O’s !
I think Andy’s return to the Yankees is the key to the post season. IMO for the Yankees to have success in the post season they are going to need a healthy Andy along with CC and Hughes as the top 3.
JCPD September 9th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Erin, Upstate?. glad you enjoyed the pics. Sorry I don?t have any pics of Robbie for you Erin
*****************************
Sigh. I guess I’ll forgive you.
Erin,
Doreen packed it so well and she sent them in a huge box. I could not imagine what was in there. It was a nice surprise and very sweet of her
If the Yanks come out of this road trip still in first place then I like their chances at the division. The remaining games against Tampa would be at the stadium from there.
Fran,
Good morning and congrats on the M&M’s. I would enjoy the candy and preserve the bag…maybe put in a small frame. The candy will go bad, but the bag will stay forever.
MTU and JCPD,
Thanks for your surprises too. They are wonderful. Nice way to start an off day in Yankee land.
Good morning and congrats on the M&M’s. I would enjoy the candy and preserve the bag…
maybe put in a small frame.
**********
Hi SAS,
That’s a great idea. I have some small lucite picture frames in the house. Thanks for the suggestion.
How bad did the Rays look last night?
I felt dirty rooting for the Sox like that. Glad that’s over.
SAS, always my pleasure to share.
SAS-
My pleasure.
Swish surely did deliver a “Big Swing”!
The good news on Posada is also key.
I believe the Yankees can go 12-10 in their remaining games and win the East.
KLong needs to work some magic with Jeter these last few weeks and have him ready for the play-offs.
Trump Tower penthouse for sale ……………………
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_.....rket_.html
Jeers,
Last night was a night of prayer for me so I haven’t the remotest idea about the Rays, other than the fact they lost. Boston isn’t done being a troublemaker.
108 Stitches,
Are the other Penthouse apartments for sale? I will buy them all.,,,lol
Just a thought:
If Nova continues to pitch the way he has, I could see a scenario of starting AJ for game 4 with a VERY short leash & Nova being the “long man” or 3rd inning starter if AJ melts.
I don’t know the logistics of that move and how it relates to the postseason roster, but, if it’s possible to carry Nova for that purpose, I’d be on board.
Nova + a long man (Javy, Gaudin, Mitre?)
That’s a more realistic scenario than Nova getting a Game 4 start outright. Barring injuries, it’s unlikely he’s starting in the post-season.
Right now though, let’s hope he can give them something to think about.
If he can continue to pitch well everytime he is given the ball, that’s all you can ask for right now.
SJ-
What are your thoughts on Nova as a 5th starter next year?
I like his demeanor, and the fact that he’s a GB pitcher.
Hard to exaggerate the importance of that win yesterday. I was at the game and the crowd was pretty much in a coma after the O’s took the lead. Then we went crazy when Swish walked off.
The bullpen was stellar again. Joba looked great. Really will be a big advantage for this team in the playoffs if they maintain this consistency.
If Andy retires I think it’s almost a guarantee that Nova will be the fifth starter. Or at the very least a competition between Nova and some of the other young guys.
A 2011 rotation of CC, Hughes, Lee, AJ and Nova would be fine with me and the bullpen will remain loaded.
I think CC, Andy and Phil are set for post-season starts unless Andy can’t come back. Either AJ unless he completely melts down or Javy gets to be # 4, but I’d keep Nova on the post-season roster.
I think its too early to say re: Nova.
There are things to like about him. Lack of stamina though, is an issue.
He’s a big, strong guy and seems to fade by the 5th inning. Unusual to see.
As far as next year……..
It depends on so many things…..
If they sign Lee and Andy retires, the odds are quite strong they will go for a cheap ($$$-wise) guy as the 5th starter.
Unless of course a team gave the Yankees an early Christmas present and took AJ off their hands. That’s very unlikely.
As it stands today, it looks like Nova, Phelps, DJ Mitchell and Noesi could be next years fifth starter battle unless a trade opportunity presents itself.
Brackman could even get in that mix considering he’s on the 40 man roster. Provided of course, he has a very good Spring.
Joba isn’t going to be in that mix. I believe the Yankees see him strictly as a bullpen guy now. As does everyone else in MLB.
Good reading on last night’s Trenton game including Betances’ inning by inning breakdown. The reading also includes remarks by adam Warren who will probably replace Pettitte once he gets his innings in tonight.
http://thunderbaseball.wordpress.com/
So if you are thinking about using Nova, either as starter or reliever, in the play offs, do you have him pitch against Texas/Tampa to see how he does against them, or do you hold him back as a secret weapon? I am thinking of how effective Price was against the sox in the 08 play offs.
Great read on Betances and the other goings on in Trenton. Thanks, GB
SJ44,
Notice I didn’t even mention Joba… tired of opening that can of worms. However I do think he’ll be in the conversation. At the very least, Girardi will mention his name as being in the competition for the fifth starter. Whether he’s being honest or not is up for question. I mean, Joe did say that Mitre and Gaudin were in the competition this year when it was basically impossible for them to win the job. Same thing could happen next year.
I’m not too worried about Nova’s stamina, it’s the end of a long season for him. I think that’s something he can improve on.
Personally I really doubt Brackman gets in the conversation for the fifth starter but it’s possible. If I were the Yankees I’d keep Brackman/Betances/Banuelos at AA to start next season and move them all up to Scranton mid-year.
Any time, JM. It should be even better tonight getting an update on how Pettitte looks.
Gotta run. See you guys in 4-5 days.
My crystal ball:
Andy won’t retire. At the end of the day he’ll decide to play, the Yanks will give him $12MM, the Yanks will sign Lee, use Hughes as the fifth starter and trade from minor league pitching, maybe Granderson etc, for a young cheap OF, and a DH.
Four friends of mine have tickets to tonight’s Trenton game. Unfortunately they did not invite me.
Will post later if they send me any info (of course, knowing them, they will be too busy eating hot dogs and drinking beer, LOL).
Or, put Hughes into a deal to get an even bigger return, and use one of the kids as starter #5.
Wave Your Hat September 9th, 2010 at 10:29 am
My crystal ball:
and trade from minor league pitching, maybe Granderson etc, for a young cheap OF, and a DH.
***************
interesting – if you’re the GM whom do you have in mind for cheap OF and DH? And what are you willing to give up for it?
“interesting – if you’re the GM whom do you have in mind for cheap OF and DH? And what are you willing to give up for it?”
If I gave that info away Cashman’s job would be too easy…
as you can see from my name – he needs all the help he can get…;-)
WYH,
Love that plan, I hope it happens that way!
Except I would never trade Hughes!
JM September 9th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Four friends of mine have tickets to tonight?s Trenton game. Unfortunately they did not invite me.
****************************
If I were you, I would no longer consider those people friends.
Patrick-
You would for the right guy. I like Hughes, but if Andy is back and the Yanks sign Lee, I think Hughes is expendable, given his contract status and all. But you’d want something real good back obviously.
SJ-
If that strategy is the plan of action in October re: Nova & AJ, we may need Cashman to make the call to pull AJ.
Joe will leave him in for 6, giving up 5 ER
Wave,
Honestly I don’t think I could trade him, even for the “right guy”. He’s one of my favorite Yankees, I’ve been following his career since he was drafted. It’d be really really tough to trade him if I were the GM.
Why can’t tonights Thunder game be on YES?
Patrick-
Loyalty is a virtue, although not necessarily a result-maximizing one.
They aren’t trading Hughes. They have too much invested in him and he’s more of a known commodity (to them) than the other young guys that would be in the mix (Phelps, Nova, etc) next year.
His future is a front of the rotation guy. The Yankees only have 3 other guys in their system with that ceiling and they all are in AA.
Given that backdrop, Hughes is as close to an untouchable as anyone they have on the 25 man roster at the present time.
Re: Ivan Nova
Unless Vazquez and Mosely having good outings the rest of the regular season scedule, Nova could be on the postseason rosters unless he implodes. Not so sure about the status of Mitre either.
Phil Hughes will be a Yankee through his arbitration years, you can count on that .
I think it’s better than 50/50 that Andy retires.
If Andy retires, you can count on the Yankees signing Cliff Lee. If Andy comes back, I’m not so sure about the Yanks paying 100mil for Lee.
It make sence to have a young guy in the 5th slot.
Patrick-
Loyalty is a virtue, although not necessarily a result-maximizing one.
—
I don’t care, and that’s why I’m a fan and not the GM
SJ44-
They probably wouldn’t trade Hughes.
However, if they had CC and Lee on long term deals, AJ for another three high salary years, and Pettitte, Hughes isn’t necessary considering the amount of pitching talent stockpiled in the minors.
If Hughes were introduced into a deal, then all of a sudden it isn’t impossible to consider guys like Carlos Gonzalez, Shin-Soo Choo, Nelson Cruz, Hunter Pence, Colby Rasmus, Ryan Braun, and a number of other good young outfielders.
That would be a temptation, and I don’t think the Yanks would be dogmatic about it.
Given the wealth of pitching talent in the Yankee system, and the multiple high minor catching prospects, the Yanks have real opportunities to get a really good player.
I don’t know if they will, obviously, but it is silly to dismiss the possibilities out of hand.
The Yankees will have the same starting outfield in 2011 as they do this year.
Where will a team get a replacement for a 24-25 year old pitcher with the kind of talent and success that Hughes has had? You seriously want to trade a potential top of the line starting pitcher and a power hitting center fielder with speed for a DH and a center fielder? NYYs need a starter with such talent, they have a center fielder with such talent and they also have plenty of DH possibilities on the team. Where would the advantages be in trading for some other pitcher or center fielder that may not be as good?
That’s why fans are given jobs as GMs.
They aren’t trading Phil Hughes for Rasmus, Choo or Pence.
AJ’s contract as no affect on what they do with Hughes.
They have a young arm that they control his movement for another 3+ years, who projects to be a top of the rotation starter.
Those guys have more value go teams these days than OF’s. Especially since, the Yankees don’t have a need for one.
If they did, they could just sign Crawford of Werth and not have to part with anybody, let alone Hughes, to acquire an OF.
“That’s why fans are given jobs as GMs.”
They are? Where can I apply?
Seriously, fans (aren’t you a fan, too? I don’t get this disparagement of “fans” around here) overvalue the assets your team has, and undervalue assets your team doesn’t have. This is a common psychological issue, and it doesn’t apply just to sports.
I would trade a potential top of the line pitcher, who has only 3 cost controlled years, 2 of which will be expensive, for a top of the line cost controlled starting outfielder, especially if I was a team that had both CC and Lee on long term contracts, and a lot of good minor league pitching.
You have to take into consideration context.
I just read Keith Law’s article and he thinks Drabek’s kid has major league stardom in his future while Betances doesn’t have front of the rotation stuff. Not surprising considering the source.
Trade Hughes? Seriously?
I guess NYers really don’t have the patience to develop a young arm. This from the same folks that complain when we sign FA pitchers like AJ at prices above what they’re worth.
Honestly, young pitching is the most valuable asset in baseball (in my opinion). I would really really struggle to trade Hughes no matter what the return is.
SJ44-
You are wrong, especially injecting Crawford/Werth into the conversation. They are in a completely different budget ballpark.
Again, I like Hughes. I like him a lot. But over the last 20 starts he has a 5+ ERA. It is possible, just possible, that you are wrong (horrors!) and Hughes is not a lock to be a stop of the line starter anytime soon. I suspect the Yanks have considered the possibility.
I believe Cliff Lee will be a Yankee next year unless his back is really injured. A staff of CC, CL, PH, AJ & AP with arms in the wings would be awesome. Hopefully, KW comes back too. Nova & Noesi (or Phelps, DJ Mitchell and the 3 B’s) provide ample support for an injury or two. Somehow, I haven’t quite given up on a return to SP from Joba yet either. If AP retires he may get one last shot at it with the Yanks.
Wave….what did you put on your cheerios this morning
Why would you trade Hughes? For all his recent performance, he’s still got 16 wins this season. And he’s only 24. Once he develops more, I expect big things from him.
yanks learned especially from the pavano heist/fraud/scam that they need to develop young arms & the minor league system is showing that.
Hughes is great cost control. I very much doubt they trade him unless there is a sudden unexpected need or someone offers them something irresistable.
JS-
Your comment doesn’t make sense.
Besides, when the Yanks traded for AJ it was guys like SJ44, GB7 and CB saying what a wonderful starter he was a lock to be. I think if you looked it up, you’ll find I thought the signing was more of a mistake than not.
Pat M-
Just trying to think outside the box, shake things up around here. Too much conformity makes LoHud dull…
Burnett didn’t turn out to be Curt Schilling 2.0
Shake things up. Please, stop with the so-called self importance.
NYYs aren’t about to trade Hughes and Granderson for one outfielder. Right now, there is no pressing needs for an outfielder, forget Shoo in any case. He’s not even a guarantee to be playing in the States next year. He still has a military committment to fight this year. Colorado isn’t giving up a Triple Crown winning outfielder that makes no money and is 25 years old.
Trading a 15+ game winning, 1st year arbitration eligible pitcher who has shown to be able to handle NY? Huh?
Sorry, but I tend to agree that this season made Hughes all but untouchable. Now he has a track record instead of unrealized potential and promise. It’s his first full season starting, he’s made rookie mistakes, yes, but he’s also made some great adjustments and generally pitched so much better than anybody has reason to expect from a No. 5 starter who was in the bullpen last year. There’s only so much he’s going to learn and perfect in one season. He has to learn to consistently put people away, keep the pitch count down and work on his changeup and curve. AJ’s been pitching 11 years and still hasn’t done all that.
“Colorado isn’t giving up a Triple Crown winning outfielder that makes no money and is 25 years old.:
Sure they might for the right deal. A top of the line cost-controlled starting pitcher, an All-Star center fielder who isn’t that expensive, what’s not to like?
But seriously, in adding Granderson to the equation I was just thinking it expanded the possibilities of what could be done, I wasn’t necessarily proposing a 2 for 1 deal.
Wave Your Hat September 9th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Hello Wave! Have you gotten off the ledge yet? I am still walking it in regards to BSU! LOL!
Hughes is a very valuable comodity who is still learning. He has done great this year even though I am sure he like most youngsters has hit a wall with his growth. (Most likely fatigued!) He is doing great w/o his changeup which will put him over the top IMO!
Everytime I think of a star SP vs a star OF, I think of Milt Pappas vs Frank Robinson! One could argue that there was only one star there & it was FR and he was thought to be too old by the Reds. All trades are an inexact science! LOL!
All said, I’d keep Hughes!
crawdaddy-
What does being controversial have to do with self-importance?
Hi RayVT, how’s it going today?
I was just speculating but it seems to have gotten a lot of folks riled up. I sure wouldn’t want to trade Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas!
New Post: The curious case of Derek Jeter
I loved watching Frank Robinson play, but, Milt Pappas was only 26 years old and was a Hell of a fine pitcher. Baltimore worked him like a dog his his first few years. He was 19 years old and pitched a 135 innings, one year out of high school. He pitched 20 innings in the majors and minors just after graduating from high school. Baltimore pitched a lot of fine pitchers into early baseball graves, like Wally Bunker. Pappas wasn’t a HOFer, but, won over 200 games with some bad teams.
I’m with SJ44 no way do you trade a potential top of the rotation starter like Hughes. Hughes is one pitch and some experience away from being another number one. Imagine CC, Hughes, Lee, Petite and AJ or Nova. or for that mater Joba. If you must have another outfielder with power then sign Jason Werth. In a year or two you’ve got Montero coming along to fill the catcher’s role which gives us a huge advantage there. If he can’t catch then it’s DH. Either a huge bat that allows us to compensate somewhere else. I think if time proves Granderson and Gardner are not the answers in OF then we can look for one 2012 not next year and pitching crop should be yielding some prime trading chips by then as well as Romaine or Sanchez at catcher.
I’d like to see Jeter given a few days or even week off to make sure it’s not injuries that are affecting him. Cano needs some time as well although that is more problematical as he is still hitting and fielding his position. The rest of the guys need to prove they can hold it together.
The only offseason given is that Cliff Lee will be sought after and pending his physicals, he’s a member of the starting staff in 2011.
What occurs during 3 tiers of playoffs will set the stage for much of the rest of the roster with Andy’s return a factor.
No wave, you are wrong on this one.
You are fixated on OF’s. The Yankees are fixated on pitchers.
You were in a panic last year when the Red Sox got Jeremy Hermida.
No matter how many times I told you he wasn’t any good, you insisted I was “wrong”. Guess what? I wasn’t.
They aren’t trading Phil Hughes.
While you may not think he projects to a front of the rotation starter, the Yankees don’t share your view.
“You were in a panic last year when the Red Sox got Jeremy Hermida. ”
No I wasn’t. You’re just miffed.