Yankees pregame
Posted by: Brian Heyman - Posted in Misc on Sep 22, 2010 
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Greetings, Brian Heyman here for Chad again today.
The magic number for the Yankees to clinch a postseason berth is three. But will the players have their champagne bash after they do or wait to see if they can wrap up the division?
“Our goal is to win the division,” Joe Girardi said, “but I’ll leave that up to them.” …
Lance Berkman seems to be heating up at the right time. He’s batting .360 since coming off the DL Sept. 1, including his two-run double off James Shields in the five-run first on Tuesday night. I spoke to him a little while ago and he said that his work with Kevin Long has really helped since his acquisition from the Astros on July 31.
“When I first came over here, my swing was pretty flawed mechanically,” Berkman said. “I’d gotten into some real bad habits. Just working and trying to correct some of that with Kevin, I just feel more comfortable. I think my swing is working better.”
Berkman also looked at that hit off Shields as a confidence booster. He had failed in a big spot against him with the bases loaded last Wednesday at Tropicana Field.
“It’s always good when you’ve had success recently,” Berkman said. “This is a game of failure. Ultimately being consistent is about trying to put those failures behind you and move on. Baseball is a sport that can snowball one way or another. You have a couple of bad at-bats, you’ve got to stop that. The way to do that is to come through like last night. Now the next time I get up there in a big situation, I’ll have a positive experience that I’m working on instead of a failure. So I think it’s important from a psychological standpoint to get a hit like that.” …
Mark Teixeira has been trying to play through the bone bruise to his right thumb and the broken little toe on his right foot since late August. He’s batting .185 with no homers in September. Before Girardi’s pregame media gathering, Teixeira told him he was feeling pretty good. But Girardi hasn’t ruled out resting him for three or four days once the Yankees clinch a postseason berth.
“I don’t think it’s the best he’s felt ever in his career, but he’s played beat up before,” Girardi said. “He played beat up last year. It can become frustrating, but I think he’s handled it extremely well. But it’s that time of year. You watch him play defense and he’s diving all over the place. He runs the bases hard. That’s part of the reason he gets beat up. …
“I think the one thing that we learned to do here is you don’t panic if Mark Teixeira doesn’t hit for a couple of weeks, because it just means that he’s probably going to start hitting a lot.” …
Girardi plans to go with a four-man rotation in the division series. But it doesn’t sound like Ivan Nova will be in that starting mix. Girardi said the promising rookie “has the least amount of experience, and I’ll leave it at that.” …
Prospects Dellin Betances and Jesus Montero haven’t arrived to work out with the team and get a taste of the big-league existence. Girardi now expects them tomorrow. …
The Rays’ pitching has really taken a turn south in this stretch drive. Over the last 16 games, the team is 6-10 with a 5.87 ERA, and the starters have a 6.80 ERA. But tonight’s starter, rookie righty Wade Davis, is on a Rays-rookie-record seven-game winning streak.
Here’s Tampa Bay’s lineup:
1. John Jaso DH
2. Ben Zobrist CF
3. Carl Crawford LF
4. Evan Longoria 3B
5. Dan Johnson 1B
6. Matt Joyce RF
7. Jason Bartlett SS
8. Reid Brignac 2B
9. Dioner Navarro C
Wade Davis P
It’s obvious that Cervelli is going to catch AJ in the post-season; it’s incomprehensible to me how Joe’s mind works
Nick in SF-
Most important question of the day:
Did you get a double double????
They win 2 games in a row here and the division is theirs.
More trade Phil talk?
It’s not happening – the Yankees love Phil. The other kids are still prospects – no matter how talented. For all his ups and downs, Phil is still just 24 and he’s not that far from being a really good pitcher. Trade him for an OF they don’t need when they are perfectly fine now? Even if they needed an OF, they can just go get one.
It would one thing if Black Eye pitched well with Cervy behind the plate, but He can stink regardless of who is catching.
I’ll put $100 on the Yanks waiting until they’ve clinched the division before they pop the corks.
Is Brackman with the Yankees?
I have not had my Phil Highes win #17 celebration yet, but rest assured, I will.
Big Al, I am on the way out the door, so take your time to consider my fair offer!
Time to open up another can of whoopa*s tonite.
This one’s for Wade Davis.
Let’s give AJ a big cushion to work with.
m -
From prior thread.
I know. I hate to even criticize Gardner. He’s had an impressive year and made me a convert, for sure. The two things I’d love to see him improve both have to do with being able to be more aggressive – his approach to stealing bases and his approach to bunting. He’s tentative with both. And I do understand that he’s not fully formed yet.
hardwired7 September 22nd, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I?ll put $100 on the Yanks waiting until they?ve clinched the division before they pop the corks.
********
I agree with this
4 man rotation in the division series? Say it ain’t so, Joe. Stupid, stupid, stupid,Stupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupidStupid, stupid, stupid
I believe that Hughes may have turned the corner last night by throwing 10 change-ups and 6 for strikes. He didn’t get burned on any of them. That has to be a big boost in his confidence. Just showing it once in a while would have been big, but throwing it for strikes will be enormous.
Phil will be young for a few more years, but he won’t be cheap as he’s coming into his arbitration years. That’s no big deal – the Yanks will work something out with him and maybe after next year they will lock him up.
GB, just reading his quotes, he seems more confident in the change. Sherman wrote a good piece on Phil today, with some good quotes from Eiland. I like the part where he said he wasn’t going to pat him on his back TOO hard.
GB-
Agree 100 %. great to see YMH goin’ to the CU.
He’s putting it all together.
“4 man rotation in the division series? Say it ain’t so, Joe. Stupid, stupid, stupid”
If they go down 2-1, that will quickly change. They are going to leave their season in the hands of Burnett?
Rest isn’t going to help Tex, unfortunately..
Jerkface-
I agree with you. 3 Man for the ALDS.
Jerkface-
So ummmmm… what are you saying?
So ummmmm… what are you saying?
–
I’m saying Joe is stupid. If he really does go with a 4 man the only way he redeems himself is if he throws CC in a potential Game 4.
Throwing CC in Game 5 means the rotation is out of whack for the ALCS and you’d have to sweep to get it back on track. You’re throwing 4 guys in the ALDS and if it goes 5 you’re basically saying ‘we don’t want to throw CC 3 times in the ALCS’.
Its a recipe for disaster. that means you’re throwing AJ burnett and Hughes more times overall. And omg its just the worst strategic plan ever.
We’ll see if Joe can save it tactically.
Regarding Brackman.
http://twitter.com/BryanHoch/status/25244182404
Doreen,
I didn’t think you were criticizing at all! It just boggles the mind that some expect him to be veteran like at this point. But that’s Yankee fans. He gives you good, you want great.
Seriously, sounds like the organization likes him, and you know they did because they let another one they liked go to Atlanta.
As for Hughes? I understand the logic of some wanting to get a big prize back for Hughes. But he’s a keeper as long as Cashman is around. Hughes has had many obstacles and I’m pulling for him big time.
“Girardi plans to go with a four-man rotation in the division series.”
———————————-
I really hope this is a Girardi plan and not yet a Yankee plan yet.
This is far worse news than Cervelli probably starting in the playoffs. Ugh.
Well Minnesota sure acted like a bunch of idiots last night after they clinched. But living here I know first hand that the fans and sports teams here have very low expectations. For some reason they continually think that winning the Central Division every year is some sort of accomplishment. You would think that one of these years they wouldn’t be satisfied with that alone. Last night acting like they did sure did not portray so. Hopefully the Yankees don’t act like that because that is obviously not the goal for this season. World Series or bust.
4-man in the LDS is a recipe for disaster if the series goes 5.
CC is a horse, they should have no problem throwing him in game 4 on short rest.
Girardi plans to go with a four-man rotation in the division series. But it doesn’t sound like Ivan Nova will be in that starting mix. Girardi said the promising rookie “has the least amount of experience, and I’ll leave it at that.”
I had a feeling those saying CC would go the entire postseason pitching on 3 days rest were going to be disappointed.
But if they are down 2-1, do they still go with AJ (assuming he will be the #4)?
And by Girardi’s comment it looks like Nova has zero chance of starting a postseason game even if he greatly outpitches AJ the rest of the season. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but not surprised.
MTU September 22nd, 2010 at 5:43 pm
GB-
Agree 100 %. great to see YMH goin’ to the CU.
He’s putting it all together.
———————————————————————————————————————-
Hopefully, Burnett took notice of how confused it made some of the big thumpers and he’ll give it a crack tonight. He has a good change-up but, like hughes, seems to be concerned about getting burned by it. With that big fastball and nasty curve, if he throws the change-up they’ll break their backs trying to double clutch and reach it.
Nick in SF -
As I asked prior – Do you believe the Yankees will sign, or trade, for an OFF this winter, and if so, who?
Let me know, then we’ll talk.
CC’s ability on 3 days rest is one of the biggest if not the biggest advantage the Yankees have in the postseason. He is the X factor.
Maybe Girardi just doesn’t want to show his cards. I don’t know.
I can’t rationalize how it makes sense to use a 4 man rotation in the ALDS, so once again will just have to hope stupidity does not prevail.
GB-
Thankfully Hughes isn’t nearly as stubborn as AJ.
You are dead on about the effect though, and the quality of the pitch.
stuckey99-
I guess I would like to see another high average, power hitter added to the Yank lineup. I feel it would increase the consistency of the offensive production and perhaps help us on the road.
I can see where you might not agree. I personally think folks are projecting what they think Granderson and Hughes will do in the future, then leaping to the conclusion that they are in fact going to achieve those projections. I’d like to reduce the risk for trading for someone whose upside is not quite so variable.
Anyway, I don’t want to get rid of Jeter. I do want him to hit better next year, though!
MTU -
No way the Yankees go to a 3 man rotation, that I’ll take money on. The first round, maybe they could, but not after that.
Perhaps waiting to see what happens in the first three games of the ALDS would be prudent before deciding if Girardi is stupid or not. It’s not like he can’t change his mind over the next 2 weeks.
11 earned run in his last five starts, Wade Davis has done well.
The way their pitching, go with Hughes for 4, Nova for 4, and Mo in the 9th.
Al-
I was referring to the first round.
Olney wrote an article today on the Twins, “Beyond the Dollars”. I couldn’t bring myself to click on the link.
cashmoney-
People get on me for suggesting I’d trade Hughes for Justin Upton. They’d run me out of LoHud on a rail if I suggested Hughes for Sizemore.
I’ll let YOU run with that ball!
Why for once can’t we just do what makes sense. Go CC, Pettitte, Hughes. CC goes game 4 and Pettitte game 5 on full rest. CC goes short rest no big deal. Obviously this won’t happen, it would make too much sense to use your best starters in the playoffs. Geez
“People get on me for suggesting I’d trade Hughes for Justin Upton.”
I’d love to… ARZ wouldn’t though. Upton is a rare talent.
Betances Brackman and Montero are just here to work out and see what it’s like right? They can’t play. Right??
Yanks78-
I agree with you. But a lot of people here seem to think AZ would.
I am not trading Hughes. But I can get Sizemore on the relative cheap, I jump on it in a heartbeat.
He is better player than Upton, Kemp, Ethier , Crawford and Werth IMO. Though Rasmus will give him a run for his money base on this year.
MTU -
OK, that makes sense. CC on short rest. Let’s think positive, we win the first 3 and wait for round 2.
Let CC skip his next 2 starts if they want to, but when you have a guy like that who can go on short-rest, it is foolish not to use it.
CC on short rest >>>>>>>>> AJ Burnett or Hughes.
I would not trade Phil Hughes. Period.
$$ absolutely is an issue as far as getting and keeping talent.
But how would the Twins, as currently constructed fair in the AL East?
The fact is that there is a lot of talent in that pool.
First of all, we don’t even know that AJ would be the #4 starter in the ALDS; the Yankees have faith in him, based mostly on last year – and I think they think he has the potential to dominate.
I thought the whole point of the new scheduling was to avoid teams being able to get by with 3 pitchers for practically the whole run of the playoffs.
Why get upset about something that may not even happen? For all we know, Joe could change his mind – it’s not as if that sounds as if a 4 man rotation is set in stone.
Al-
Adjustments are going to be made along the way.
And by the way, I don’t bet. Talk to Nick on that one.;)
The only way to get CC 3 times in the ALCS and WS is to pitch him in game 1 of both series. Else wise you are devoting 5 starts to 3 lesser pitchers.
MTU -
What do you think of my crazy idea? Hughes for 4 (before teams get to him) and Nova for 4 (before teams get to him), then Mo to close it out.
MTU, he won’t be.
MTU-
Would you trade him for Josh Hamilton or Joey Votto? (I’m not suggesting the Rangers or Reds would do it, I just want to find out if “Period” means “End of Sentence”.
I thought the whole point of the new scheduling was to avoid teams being able to get by with 3 pitchers for practically the whole run of the playoffs.
–
It stops them from using 3 pitchers in the ALCS and WS unless they threw Pettitte twice on short rest and Hughes once on short rest (in the WS).
It doesn’t stop the Yankees from pitching CC twice in the ALDS, and 3 times in the ALCS and WS.
Why would you even plan now to have Phil go 4? He got stronger as the game went on last night. He very well may get beat up in his start, but to plan on going only 4 with Phil? That’s not going to happen.
fare…
Just reading about K-rod violating a restraining order by texting his GF.
Someone asked the mets if they knew of his prior abuse in Venezuela before they signed him.
“No comment on a pending case.”
Just like the kid that Seattle got heat for in the Cliff Lee trade, they know exactly who they’re getting and what’s in their past.
Betsy, I get MTU’s position and I get mine, but I don’t get yours. You say, on one hand, Phil’s future is “unknown” (I think I’m quoting you correctly), and on the other hand, Phil is untouchable.
Isn’t that internally inconsistent?
The Yanks aren’t going to skip Burnett in the post-season rotation. It isn’t going to happen.
Ok Jerkface, thanks. Well there’s plenty of time to decide on that……….
Erica in NY—— I just had a double double animal style (fried onions & raw onions). The best!!!!!!!
My son just sent me a link to a great article on Kerry Wood which shows, with numbers, how dominant he has been:
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsi.....od-bullpen
The Yanks aren’t going to skip Burnett in the post-season rotation. It isn’t going to happen.
–
We’re doomed. They’re not gonna skip a guy who has been horrible all year and blew up twice LAST YEAR for 6 runs a pop in the ALDS? Where they can potentially throw all their best pitchers and keep them on turn?
Wave, I never said his future is unknown – but you can make that statement about any young player. I have generally agreed with you about Phil this year, but I still wouldn’t trade him because the capabilities are there for him to be a top notch starter for a long time. The other kids are a lot further away and they are more of an unknown. I worry about Phil because I worry about everything in life – that’s just how I am. I still down deep have faith in him. I know we’re not going to agree on this..and also, practically speaking, the Yankees are not going to trade him.
Later folks – Let’s Go Yankees!
Oh heavenly Father, please let it be the Good AJ tonight – Thank you.
Game thread complaints will start in 56 minutes, just after Burnett throws his first pitch
WHY , if you want to trade Hughes for Upton , then You shouldn’t hesitant to trade him for Grady Sizemore. He a better player.
“We’re doomed. They’re not gonna skip a guy who has been horrible all year and blew up twice LAST YEAR for 6 runs a pop in the ALDS? Where they can potentially throw all their best pitchers and keep them on turn?”
jerkface, I just report the news. If you don’t like it, ya gotta take it up with the boss.
Gotta go, I hope AJ throws a shutout.
Wave,
The problem is that, Hughes alone probably won’t get you talent like what you are suggesting. As Yankee fans, we always overrate our own talent. As good a prospect as Hughes is, look at the names being thrown around:
Gonzalez is a 24 yr old, 5-tool, triple crown candidate.
Upton has some of the rarest tools of any prospect to come into this game. Drool-worthy bat speed.
Braun has been in the all-star team each of his first 4 years in the league, .917 OPS for his short career so far. Terrific all-round hitter.
From the perspective of those teams, those are not the kind of bats you trade for a guy like Hughes. Look at the Garza-Young trade.
Not sure Girardi is looking to get Hughes and Burnett thinking about a rotation spot with 11 games to play.
He says 3-man now, or Sabathia on short rest in the ALDS, and Burnett and Hughes can do the math.
I suspect he just wants them focusing on what they need to focus on for their remaining 2-3 starts.
Girardi really gains NOTHING by announcing one of them will be skipped now.
Al-
it’s not a crazy idea. Just AN idea.
In the playoffs I have no problem having a short leash on anyone who has proved to be inconsistent in the past. Actually, it should be mandatory IMO.
That would definitely mean AJ, and depending on your POV Phil.
Nova has really impressed me but I doubt that he is going to be given a primary role in the playoffs because I think the Brass value playoff experience above other things (just a hunch).
The other thing is that Nova has thrown quite a few innings and I’m not sure how much further they are prepared to go with him.
I do think he would make an excellent middle guy the way he has thrown the ball, and I trust him way more than Mitre or Gaudin at this point.
The final thing is that I think Phil won’t need it. And that is optimism.
betsy-
I’m glad to hear that.
To stick in my 2 cents…I wouldn’t trade Hughes. I even like Nova, but for the right player I might trade him.
Interesting stuff:
http://riveraveblues.com/2010/.....ova-35707/
Big Al, I’m sneaking a reply on my handhelp, shhhh. I think they’re going with Gardner, Granderson, and Swisher again next season.
But if they opt to splurge, Crawford’s the guy they love. So no Werth.
WYH-
We have other pieces to trade and if someone demanded Hughes my answer would be no.
“It doesn’t stop the Yankees from pitching CC twice in the ALDS, and 3 times in the ALCS and WS.”
What does a rotation like that look like exactly? And if he pitches a 3rd time in the ALCS, doesn’t that pretty much preclude him from pitching a Game 1 in the WS?
You can start CC on short rest in the LCS/WS, but Burnett is still going to have to pitch – except it will be in Game 5 instead of game 4.
Game 1 – CC
Game 2 – Andy
offday
Game 3 – Hughes
Game 4 – CC
Game 5 – Burnett
off-day
Game 6 – Andy
Game 7 – CC
stuckey,
I think the rotation will somewhat depend on road/home.
I think AJ is better at home, Phil on the road.
But, home or road, CC starts game 1, no doubt. Andy game 2.
Handhelp? Haha. Clever. They are quite useful.
MTU, I don’t have a pipeline to the Yankees, but I really can’t see it. They love Phil. Obviously he has talent, but he also has a great attitude, so I think he’s a guy they want to build a rotation around (well obviously CC and Lee, but they wouldn’t be here forever). Obviously he has some improving to do, but this was his first full year starting and it seems they are very happy – certainly Eiland sounds that way. It really sucks that he missed most of 2 full years………..I try not to think about that, but it really hurt his development.
Hughes and Jesus have already passed through “waivers”. Other gm’s were stupid enough to waver.
Hughes and his future battery mate are here for the immediatish future.
Betsy-
Hughes is about as close to untouchable as it gets in Yankeeland.
For Christ sakes he has won 17 games in his first full season, and he hasn’t even begun to peak yet.
Just wait till he puts it all together.
You don’t trade that IMO.
The Yankees were not only lucky with the scheduling last year, but also that they completed each series in the appropriate number of games, that enabled them to execute their plan.
They swept the ALDS… which allowed them to start CC in game 1 of the LCS. They finished the LCS in 6, which enabled them to start CC in game 1 of the WS.
m-
Immediatish must mean a long time.
“And if he pitches a 3rd time in the ALCS, doesn’t that pretty much preclude him from pitching a Game 1 in the WS?”
Answered my own question – does not. So:
ALCS Game One Friday, October 15: Sabathia
ALCS Game Two Saturday, October 16: Pettitte
ALCS Game Three Monday, October 18: Hughes or Burnett
ALCS Game Four Tuesday, October 19: Sabathia
ALCS Game Five* Wednesday, October 20: Hughes or Burnett
ALCS Game Six* Friday, October 22: Pettitte
ALCS Game Seven* Saturday, October 23: Sabathia
Then rinse and repeat in the WS?
Is that what you’re proposing?
8 potential starts, ALL on 3 days rest for Sabathia?
i hate to break this to some of you, but if cc pitches game 4 instead of 5 in the ALDS, he still wont be starting Game 1 in the ALCS…..
He will probably pitch game 4 if the yankees go down 2-1, but then they would still have to get through game 5.
MTU, if the Yankees traded Phil say after this year (they won’t, but say they did), then what does it say for their level of patience with other young pitchers? It’s one thing for me to be concerned about Phil at times as I’m just a fan, but the Yankees can’t afford to be so myopic. If they traded him after 1 full year of starting, after having been injured and in the pen, then what would they do if other youngsters struggled?
Wave-
“I guess I would like to see another high average, power hitter added to the Yank lineup. I feel it would increase the consistency of the offensive production and perhaps help us on the road.”
*******************************************************************
That hitter’s name is Jesus Montero….he’ll be here soon enough.
Of the OF’ers you’ve mentioned on here today every GM in the game that doesn’t have them on their current roster would love to have them and that is why not any of them will be available this coming offseason most likely.
Kemp is the lone exception and with the $ the dodgers have coming off the books with Manny and Padilla and some of the other expiring contracts it’s still a longshot that he’s move as they won’t need to from a financial standpoint.
Oh and btw Hughsie ain’t going anywhere this offseason.
If they didn’t trade Phil Hughes for Johan Santana 3 years ago they aren’t trading him for anyone now, period.
And you can’t pitch CC 8 consecutive times on 3 days rest, that just doesn’t work in the modern baseball era. The other teams have the same (or worse) issues with their starters, it’s no big deal. I’d probably pitch CC on short rest a couple of times if needed but that’s it.
Here is the rotation potentials I crafted
Game 4 of the ALDS is on a Sunday, thats 4 days rest for the friday ALCS GM 1
ALDS GM1 Wed DR0 CC
ALDS GM2 Thur DR1 ANDY
ALDS GM3 Sat DR3 HUGHES
ALDS GM4 Sun DR4 CC short rest
ALDS GM5 Tue DR6 ANDY normal rest
ALCS GM1 FRI DR0 CC Full Rest
ALCS GM2 SAT DR1 ANDY / ANDY short rest / HUGHES
ALCS GM3 MON DR3 HUGHES / ANDY
ALCS GM4 TUE DR4 CC SHORT REST
ALCS GM5 WED DR5 AJ/JAVY
ALCS GM6 FRI DR7 ANDY / HUGHES
ALCS GM7 SAT DR8 CC
WS GM1 WED DR0 CC Short Rest
WS GM2 THUR DR1 ANDY
WS GM3 SAT DR3 HUGHES
WS GM4 SUN DR4 CC SHORT REST / AJ / JAVY
WS GM5 MON DR5 AJ / JAVY / CC FULL REST / ANDY SHORT REST
WS GM6 WED DR7 HUGHES SHORT REST / ANDY / AJ / JAVY
WS GM7 THUR DR8 CC SHORT REST
Isn’t the whole point of pitching CC on short rest to REPLACE Burnett? In the scenarios posted, all it does is push AJ back one game in order to face the other team’s ace.
So CC will be facing the Wade Davis/Colby Lewis/Joe Blanton
While AJ will be facing the Price/Lee/Halladays of the world.
You can throw CC on full rest in WS GM2, short rest in GM5, then have him out of the pen in GM7 of the WS.
Betsy-
Hughes is not an ordinary young pitcher.
He is a potential front of the rotation starter who has already proven he can win 17 games at the ML level.
And he is still just learning on the job.
He is only going to get better.
If the Yankees would trade that for anything but a desparate need they would really have have to have their collective heads examined IMO.
As far as the other guys, potential or not, they are just prospects until they begin to prove themselves. Some have more potential than others.
Phil is no longer unproven. He’s out of that category by a substantial margin.
He’s a keeper. They’re lucky to have him.
Isn’t the whole point of pitching CC on short rest to REPLACE Burnett?
–
You pitch him on short rest to get as many starts out of him as possible. He pitches twice on full rest and 6 times on short rest
And of course, winning series early gives him more full rest
No short rest for Andy. He is doing too well on regular rest. We need him to pitch winning games. The Yankees can fashion games for AJ by putting him on a short leash and carrying Nova or other long man with him in mind.
I don’t know if this was mentioned. Gardenhire named Liriano as his game one starter.
I also wouldn’t push CC on 3 days rest at every opportunity……..I know he’s a horse, but he’s still human. Also, he’s signed for a long time ( I do not believe he’ll opt out), so if we still want to have a viable ace on our hands down the road, we can’t just keep doing what the Brewers did to him. The Yankees need to have 4 pitchers – they all don’t have to be aces, but if they can’t find 4 pitchers good enough to make it through to the WS, then they don’t deserve to be there.
MTU, agreed.
Apparently in the conference he said 4 man for the WS, not the division series. Maybe Brian misquoted him.
Dear LoHud Blog,
Thank you for your input about the Yankees postseason rotation. We have forwarded your comments to Mr. Hank Steinbrenner, he will be in touch with you shortly.
Regards,
The New York Yankees
Even if they are up 2-1 in the LDS, they need to throw CC.
Otherwise if AJ loses, then we need to burn CC in game 5 and then take him out of the equation for 3x in the LCS/WS.
Also gives you the option to use CC on short rest in game 7s instead of Hughes on regular rest.
I also wouldn’t push CC on 3 days rest at every opportunity
–
To win a ring I’d push him on 2 days rest. He has all offseason to recover. And throwing him early and often can shorten series and let him pitch on full rest. By not pitching him to his maximum to lose those potential benefits by just taking the minimum of what is offered
SAS-
And speaking of short leashes and doggie collars I hope they keep AJ on one tonite.
Can’t afford one of his famous implosions against the Rays.
That said, I hope he just shuts them down and has the kind of game he is capable of.
I do not see the Yankees trading Hughes at all. My goodness, they spent all this time developing him, he’s having a very good season, he’s looking like it’s only going to get better going forward, and their prospects are at least a season away.
Plus, I think they really LIKE him.
And right now anyway, he’s relatively cheap.
You don’t trade guy like Hughes unless you have a huge hole to fill and someone to take his spot who is at least as good. Neither of those situations exist. The Yankees are not desperate.
Doreen, well said. There is as much chance of Hughes being traded as Jeter being inducted into the Hall of Fame without a Yankees uniform.
I cant wait to find out what the umpiring crew for our ALDS will be.
If we can avoid Hernandez, Davidson, West, McClelland, Iassogna, and a few others, we should be okay.
Best case scenario is us getting CB Bucknor – that guy has no problem screwing any team. He’s an equal opportunity cheater!
“8 potential starts, ALL on 3 days rest for Sabathia?”
Have to do what is necessary to win.
Also, it would be 7 potential starts on 3 days rest. And it is assuming we play the max number of games in each series… which rarely happens.
Remember, CC was due to pitch in game 7s on short rest twice last year, but we clinched in 6 both times. If we can win it without burning CC in a game 7, then it makes it much more manageable, but not impossible even if we need him to go in both game 7s.
Our best bet for the postseason is to pray for enough rainouts that CC ends up pitching both ends of multiple doubleheaders.
Yikes! Why are they talking WS? Defer, defer, defer!
Jerkface September 22nd, 2010 at 6:10 pm
The Yanks aren’t going to skip Burnett in the post-season rotation. It isn’t going to happen.
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We’re doomed. They’re not gonna skip a guy who has been horrible all year and blew up twice LAST YEAR for 6 runs a pop in the ALDS? Where they can potentially throw all their best pitchers and keep them on turn?
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You’re correct except for game #2 of the ALDS when he left with a 1-1 after 6 innings, and in game #2 of the ALCS he left after 6 innings in a 2-2 tie.
He was down 4-0 in the game #5 of the ALC when he left after 6 innings. he gave up 1 run in 6 innings of game #2 of the WS and won the game. Only in game #5 did he allow 6 runs, taking the loss. Other than that, your numbers and memory is perfect.
ET September 22nd, 2010 at 6:42 pm
“8 potential starts, ALL on 3 days rest for Sabathia?”
Have to do what is necessary to win.
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that is a recipe for disaster when CC loses his effectiveness for the rest of the playoffs after about the 3rd time in a row on 3 days rest.
Doreen-
I could even go a bit further.
I hope the Yankees aren’t too quick to deal Nova. He seems to have a lot going for him.
It would be wise to know what you have before he gets shipped off.
It seems to me someone underestimated him.
He was left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft and returned.
Was that good judgement, or were we just lucky ?
I don’t see the Yankees trading Nova if they think he can pitch effectively in the rotation, which he shows every indication of doing. They will need younger starters within the next couple of years as AJ nears the end of his contract and Andy packs it in, why get rid of a guy who shows real signs of major league ability?
You’re correct except for game #2 of the ALDS when he left with a 1-1 after 6 innings, and in game #2 of the ALCS he left after 6 innings in a 2-2 tie.
He was down 4-0 in the game #5 of the ALC when he left after 6 innings. he gave up 1 run in 6 innings of game #2 of the WS and won the game. Only in game #5 did he allow 6 runs, taking the loss. Other than that, your numbers and memory is perfect.
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It was a bad english sentence, I said he blew up twice last in the playoffs (when he was ‘good’) for 6 runs. So why pitch him in the ALDS?
Also I love when you try to snap me and lose
Burnett WS: 2 IP 6 ER
Burnett ALCS: 6 IP 6 ER , they were his runners on that scored
The Yankees’ pitchers’ effectiveness are probably around 50-60% dependent on the HP umpire. Get a fair HP umpire and our pitchers are more than likely to succeed – unless AJ or another pitcher just throws up a stinker!
I bet the Phillies are going to try 3-man as well, especially in the WS.
They have a guy in Halladay who is capable of pulling it off.
MG-
As you can see from my post above I am hardly advocating it at this point.
This year AJ burnett has given up more hits and struck out less with slightly diminished stuff. More liable to blow up at any moment. If the good AJ we were all counting on in 09 was able to get thumped twice in the postseason, I wouldn’t trust 2010 AJ to come out unscathed. Ergo, I pitch him as little as possible.
Lean on CC and Pettitte, let Hughes make a start per series, and hope AJ doesn’t give up a more than 4.
MTU September 22nd, 2010 at 6:48 pm
MG-
As you can see from my post above I am hardly advocating it at this point.
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MTU, I know, it was some of the other posts. We are on the same page about the rotation as well as Phil Hughes’ very bright, untouchable future.
I would much rather play Texas than Minnesota, even with that guy named Lee. Minnesota will probably have the best record in baseball and home field advantage, they are deadly at home, have a good rotation, excellent bullpen, superb hitting, they are battle tested in Yankee Stadium, will have both their big bats in there and – Gardenhire is much more capable then the guy we have named Joe. IMO.
MTU -
In the case of Nova, I think there are some players who are good, maybe even very good, but who don’t really stand out for one reason or another, but once they get a shot at the majors, something clicks for them. Or something is seen in them that isn’t necessarily apparent at lower levels. With Nova, it’s his composure. Even though he’s had “melt down” innings in his starts, he has shown enough consistency and ability to throw strikes against good teams in a very pressure-filled situation to raise many eyebrows.
I think they should let him keep starting to complete the season. And I think he should get strong consideration for the #5 spot next season if Pettitte doesn’t return. Otherwise, he should be the #1 call up.
So, maybe luck with respect to the Rule 5?
I see the Yankees postseason rotation as being very simple-the top 3, based on performance, are CC/Andy/Phil. Pitch them in turn in the ALDS and use Burnett in game 4 of the ALCS and game 4 of the WS. You can’t pitch Andy and Phil on short rest unless it’s the last possible game of the WS, just like last year, so Burnett is going to have to pitch somewhere in the ALCS and WS, period unless the Yankees end it early.
OK, so he had 2 bad games and 3 very good games.
On my handhel so brief.
The point of choosing Hughes to trade is precisely because he is good and has had success.
The reason you folk love him is why other GMs willl too.
I don’t say trade him for anyone. I am looking for a great young position player. One we couldn’t get for Nova. And one that it will take more than Phil to get.
The Yanks have Nova. Noesi, betances and Brackman and more knocking on the door.
MG-
That’s great. Sorry if I misunderstood you.
Our Minors are so loaded with potential pitching talent it’s downright scary. For everybody else that is.
Heck. I wasn’t even in favor of giving up so quickly on Z-Mac who we traded for Kearns.
The Killer B’s alone have enormous potential. To that we can add names like Phelps, Warren, and others.
We can’t keep ‘em all so we have to trust that our internal scouting is excellent and that the returns are worthwhile. That is my hope.
WYH
But the Yankees have, next season, CC (yay!) AJ (????) and then question marks. Pettitte may or may not return. Lee may or may not sign. If you trade Hughes, you’re looking for 3 pitchers. What good will position players do you if you don’t have any pitching?
The Twins are so battle tested at Yankee Stadium that they managed to win one game there this season. Took a minor miracle just to win the one.
The Metrodome was a tough venue as well but the Yanks just have their number anyways.
Doreen-
maybe so. Better to be lucky than good, right ?
Catch you later after the game.
Enjoy.
Thank God fans/posters aren’t allowed to make trades. This team would be in the toilet.
I just heard from someone that Felix Hernandez has started NO games against the Rays and only 1 against the Red Sox.
Boy oh Boy. Talk about proof! The proof is in da puddin’
Scumpile Fe-licks and the Boston Mariners.
I wouldnt want Fe-licks on this team, he’d be nothing but a waste of Hideki-Irabu-like space!
Fe-licks Hernandez is what Mr. Steinbrenner once called Hideki Irabu! And that’s being kind. I apologize to all fat ….. toads for the insult of being compared to Fe-licks!
Doreen-
I’m not totally nuts.
Before I’d trade Phil, I’d have to sign Lee and get Andy back.
if not, Phil stays.
MTU -
Sometimes.
“See” you in the morning.
Enjoy the game, all.
WYH -
Well, that’s different.
AJ looks bruise free tonight. Lets Go Yankees
Baseball !…possible meltdowns !…definite hand-wringing ! … Next On YES!
my favorite pitcher…AJ…. (that is sarcasm btw), he did pitch okay last week against the Rays though
go yankees…
Go get ‘em AJ. Get the most out of your talent.
0-2 base hit, then 0-2 to a walk.
He just walked a guy on 4 pitches when ahead in the count 0-2, with no cheap calls from the HP scump. UGH!
great Cervelli….AJ gets a freaking out and he gives it away. Great way to start the game off
0-2 then a single. 0-2 then a walk.
0-2, 0-2, two men on base. As John Sterling said, that’s not bad, that’s terrible.
And blake beat me to it
I have this sinking feeling that the Rays will depart town in the same place they came in which is a half game behind. I have all the confidence in CC tomorrow but the way this season has gone with the Rays, it makes me think its a possibility. I hope I’m wrong though.
Great start, AJ.
Sigh. It’s just so damn painful to watch AJ. Not enjoyable at all.
I don’t understand how they didn’t throw a single breaking ball to Jaso after the count got to 0-2, it makes no sense whatsoever.
They must have brain damage if they’re actually pitching to Longoria here
da Bust in mid-season form
must be an ESPN game and AJ has put the team in a hole already!
Great job by AJ to minimize the damage! Excellent!
Damn Rays look like us on our road trip.
burnett always struggles in the first inning….
he will get it together.
the Yankees seem to have figured out that Johnson can’t hit pitches middle-out with any authority.
Sutcliffe actually said something intelligent….nobody gives away more bases than AJ….hit batters, wild pitches, walks, stolen bases etc…..
Kay was right in summing up 1/2 inning of AJ – “all things considered, not terrible”. How sad is that.
Pretty good to escape there with 1 run. Jump on Davis here and get it back.
it’s almost amazing how much different Jeter is hitting the ball now compared to his struggles earlier in the season. He’s elevating pitches regularly now and even when they get him out he’s getting a good swing.
looks like the Yanks are going to take the day off with the hitting
I tried watching Swisher’s fiancee’s new show on ABC. 10 minutes of my life I will never have back unfortunately.
For the record, that was only because of the rain delay.