The Yankees last stand
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Oct 03, 2010 
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Everyone is slowly trickling back into Fenway Park. We left this place less than eight hours ago, and now we’re back for the Yankees last attempt to win the American League East.
Dustin Moseley will make his ninth start of the season. He began the year as an afterthought in spring training. Then he pitched well in Triple-A, won a call-up, pitched his way into a temporary rotation spot and now he’ll start the final game of the regular season with the division on the line.
Out in Kansas City, the Rays are facing the notorious Sean O’Sullivan, who’s faced the Yankees three times with two different teams this season. The first time the Yankees saw him, O’Sullivan allowed two runs through six innings for a win in the Bronx. This is the first time the Rays have seen him this season.
Tampa Bay counters with Wade Davis, who’s strong second half might have moved him into the top three-to-five in Rookie of the Year voting.
Both games — the one in Boston and the one in Kansas City — carry equal weight for the Yankees. Everything has to go right or they’re heading for the wild card. I’ll have the lineup as soon as it’s posted, but I don’t think the first players bus has even left the hotel at this point.
So no batting practice day, I take it?
Bummed I won’t see the game in a few hours.
Go Yankees!
If the Yanks end up with the wild card, the season was a total failure. Will anyone…Girardi?…Cashman?…be held accountable?
I have to admit it was highly amusing to read how proud Burnett was of himself for “battling” against that AAA lineup that Francona generously threw out against the Yanks.
In case you are wondering, it will be sunny and in the seventies everyday next week in the tropical city of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
I think Vmart would be expensive and somewhat redundant as he’s not much better (if at all) defensively than what they currently have. I think with Montero coming they would be hesitant to clog up the C/DH spot especially with what Martinez will cost.
A plus defensive backup catcher is what they need….
I have to admit it was highly amusing to read how proud Burnett was of himself for “battling” against that AAA lineup that Francona generously threw out against the Yanks.
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Me, too.
The Red sox don’t have to worry about the weather next week unless it will affect their tee times.
repost
blake
AJ’s on post-season roster. It’s up to Joe and Cash to figure out a way to help make him successful.
IMO that is coming out of the pen and throwing the ball as hard as he can. All of this “I have become more of a pitcher, and not a thrower” with AJ has not worked.
Limit his game time exposure, let him air out his FB for a batter or maybe an inning.
As for HFA. It would be nice, but honestly the Twins don’t scare me one bit. I also think the Yankees feel they match up better against the Twins. Which is why you have seen some questionable moves, that on the face don’t add up. I am not saying they are not trying to win HFA, maybe just not trying real hard.
Beat Pavano, Hughes win game 3 at home and have CC close it out. Sounds better to me than facing Lee twice.
I can’t believe we are at the last regular game of the season
Heading out soon- but Happy Game #162 to Everyone
(Especially you Chad!!!!)
Tar,
Not a bad idea but I still wouldn’t want him in any kind of high leverage situation out of the pen.
Re: HFA. I think it would make a difference and I hope the Yanks get it..but I do think they can win without it as well. I would throw Hughes in game 2 if they are the WC team….I think you want to be able to throw Andy at YS and then have CC face their #4 in a potential game 4….but then I would trust Hughes in a game 5….I know some folks would be hesitant about that and that’s understandable.
If the Yankees inconsistency on offense and failure to hit with RISP continues next week as it has for much of the season, it will make little difference who they are playing. Their time in the playoffs will be short.
Considering how bad Javy and AJ have been, and all of the starters who are having below average offensive years, it’s really rather amazing that they are in contention to win the division on the last day.
repost;
Twins are playing better than TEX over the last 4-6 weeks, they also have a better BP and IMO a better manager. They are also ?due? to beat NY. I am not comfortable playing this team in the least, especially on the road. Morneau, if he comes back, rakes against NY also.
I?d rather NY open up at home against TEX, even if it means facing Lee twice.
Bottom line; If the Yankees hit they can beat anybody’s best starter including Lee. If they don’t hit, they are toast against the other team’s #5, #6. The Yankees have proven all year they hit better at home, why would this all change in the playoffs.
“I probably should have called time, but I didn’t think about it,” Burnett said.
That quote doesn’t really need a comment does it?
Mourneau isn’t playing in the ALDS but I still think the Twins are a better team than Texas….especially if Hamilton isn’t 100%.
If the Yankees end up as WC, I throw CC in game 1 and Hughes in game 2. With Pettitte at YS for game 3. Game 4 is TBD.
If the Yankees win the division, I flip Pettitte and Hughes.
Very frustrating game last night. They literally gave that game away (yet again).
Poor pitching, lack of hitting with RISP, bad managerial decisions, and sloppy play.
It’s funny, early in the season I thought this may be the best Yankee team I’ve ever seen.
Right now, I’m not sure I have ever seen a Yankee team this bad. There have certainly been teams with less talent, but this team has been routinely embarrassing.
Minn bullpen does not scare me at all. Feliz has been way tougher to hit then anyone the Twins are going to throw out. With Hamilton Texas has a better offense. Plus they run way more the the Twins. Most important the Twins doing have anyone like Cliff Lee on their team. Liriano has been garbage garbage the last few weeks. The one thing I give the Twins over Texas is their manager but that is it.
Yesterday’s win was as ugly as yesterdays loss except for the result but when a team is going to play 3+ games in 24 hours at the end of a 162 game schedule and planning ahead for games still to come there likely will be a whole lot of ugly.
161 games into the season and the Yankees are still playing to have the best record in the AL so no matter how ugly they have played lately they must have done something right this year.
the Twins have had an easier schedule lately…they didn’t fare so well against Toronto.
I take the Yankees top 3 SP and BP over the Twins.
How do the Yankees rate w/ RISP? I can’t find that stat. I am thinking most teams struggle at one time or another.
Texas has a more potent lineup but Minnesota isn’t going to best themselves…they play a very good and solid brand of baseball and have made Target Field a very tough place to go and get a win. Either way it won’t be easy but if the Yankees play to their potential then they are better than either team…
The Yankees have yet to peak this season…they have either underachieved or been banged all season. Hopefully they are saving their best play for this month….they do that and nobody will beat them…..but then that’s pretty much always the case in the playoffs.
“IMO it never should have come down to this last weekend for the Yankees to win the division.
The Yankees had many winable games in September including the ones where Mariano blew the save. I don’t blame Mariano, but those are games where Girardi “managed it right” and the Yankees still lost.
As for the opponent in the ALDS, I have learned be careful what you wish for. And the Yanks will have to play good baseball no matter who they face. But the possiblity of facing Cliff Lee twice in 5 games does scare me.”
Fran, spot-on post. Nothing to add to that really.
Doreen, I promise not to mention you anymore in terms of optimist vs. whatever.
I agree that it sucks to have to wait until the last day of the season to have the placement determined when it feels it could have been tied up earlier, but it is what it is.
I never use the word blame especially when it comes to players. They are doing the best they can. People make mistakes. I will say that I did not understand removing Mitre from the game. I will also say that last night’s game felt eminently winnable so it was pretty disappointing not to have won it.
I feel baseball punch-drunk at this point. It would be nice if the Yanks won today and the Rays lost but I don’t seem to be able to summon up the energy to get worked up about it one way or the other. Frankly if the Yankees win the division it will turn out to be nothing more than a nice accident. Again I am not blaming the team. It is what it is. But whatever the final result is at the end of the day also is what it is.
Yeah, postseason starts out 0-0. But why do I already feel the exhaustion of having lived through the postseason when it hasn’t even begun?
RSM good take. That’s what’s so frustrating about this year and this team. It has given new meaning to the phrase “winning ugly”. It just has not been enjoyable to watch them play.
There have been bright spots for sure, Sabathia, Hughes, Cano, A-Rod and Gardner. But so many frustrating ones as well. Jeter’s poor year, Teixeira and Granderson’s beyond miserable start, Randy Winn, Chan Ho Park, Nick Johnson and Joe Girardi’s mediocre at best managerial effort.
I’m glad they are in the post-season and will cheer hard for them. The clock starts at zero Wednesday no matter who they play and on paper anyway, if our talent plays up to their potential, we can win it all.
If AJ takes the mound as a starter in the PS, whether in the ALDS and if they make the ALCS then Joe G and Cash and company need to be raked over the coals and held accountable with their respective jobs if AJ continues his BS performances.
It is clear Joe G does not hold stars accountable for their performance. He sidesteps it and dismisses the impact. But if some no name pitched like AJ he would have been long gone (ex; Igawa in AAA the last 3 years).
There is no logical way that AJ has earned the right to take the mound in the PS other than as an emergency RP in extra innings. He has been a major liability. He cannot start for this team until March.
Bring on the Twinkies… better than facing Lee twice in the series.. Now that Hamiltons back and hitting a HR last night, i’d rather face the Twins personally. Whoever the Yanks face, they gotta play alot better than the 4-37 with RISP last night.. that was atrocious!
“I will say that I did not understand removing Mitre from the game”
Trisha
There was 2 outs in the bottom of the seventh, Yankees had the lead, JD Drew hits .209 against LH pitchers. It was the right move.
There is no question the Yanks are the most talented team in the AL. They have not been able to put it together all season, mostly due to some nagging injuries. If they manage to play up to their potential starting Wednesday I think they make the World Series. But it would be foolish to underestimate the Twins. They have the best home record in the AL, right?
Why would you want AJ pitching out of the pen? So he can walk batters, hit batters, throw wild pitches, not hold runners on?
He should not be on the post season roster, but I think Girardi will put him on it. His head isn’t even in the game (see last night.) He has won 10 games this year, unbelievable on a 1st place team. Couldn’t even win a big game last night against a AAA team. And he thought he pitched okay. Please.
JetergroundsintoanotherDP October 3rd, 2010 at 10:34 am
If the Yanks end up with the wild card, the season was a total failure. Will anyone…Girardi?…Cashman?…be held accountable?
I have to admit it was highly amusing to read how proud Burnett was of himself for “battling” against that AAA lineup that Francona generously threw out against the Yanks.
I’m sorry, but could you please explain what your logic is that the entire season is a failure if we win the wild card? The entire season is a failure if we don’t win the World Series, and the wild card can get you there. It’s not like the Yankees were lucky to be in the wild card. If the wild card didn’t exist, our whole approach in September would have been different.
I’m not sure if there’s any team in baseball whose fans complain more even when their team makes the playoffs. It’s mind numbing.
I don’t take any team in the play offs lightly. In regards to the Twins, they play in the AL central, they should have a good home record.
Just b/c Girardi doesn’t throw his players under the bus publicly, doesn’t mean he doesn’t hold them accountable.
I feel baseball punch-drunk at this point. It would be nice if the Yanks won today and the Rays lost but I don’t seem to be able to summon up the energy to get worked up about it one way or the other
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Trisha,
I’m with you. Whatever happens….
I have faith in the Yankees and know that they’ll be ready to go Wednesday whether they are in Minnesota or here facing the Rangers.
Bottom line is that they can’t go 1-16 regardless of who they play and expect to win. They aren’t going to really get a chance to face bad pitching in the postseason unless someone is having a bad outing. I think they can do it but they have just got to get better with getting hits with RISP.
“Why would you want AJ pitching out of the pen? So he can walk batters, hit batters, throw wild pitches, not hold runners on?”
RMS
Would you prefer he do that as a starter, or a reliever where he can pulled after one batter?
AJ is going to be on the post-season roster.
“I will say that I did not understand removing Mitre from the game.”
Not many did. Mitre is a long man, got the 1st 2 outs and Girardi, overmanaging, pulls him.
RMS; I wouldn’t put any stock in what AJ or any other player see in a PG interview… I put a lot of stock in what they do.
And AJ does not do.
Case closed. If I am the manager and GM AJ does not make the PS roster, it is too late for any BS personal feelings, if he doesn’t like it let him go home and pout.
Tar,
Tell you why it was the wrong move.
They needed someone, preferably a veteran, to cover innings for a short bullpen.
They had a 2 run lead. If you take the worst case scenario (Drew hits a HR), off Mitre, they still have a one run lead. It wasn’t the situation to put a situational lefty. Covering the inning(s) was more important.
Especially since, if necessary or desired, they could have used Ring to pitch to lefties in the 8th or 9th inning.
Was not the right move taking Mitre out in that situation and it hurt them last night.
I sort of wish now that Phil hadn’t pitched yesterday, but the Yankees needed that game, so it’s no big deal. Moseley’s fine for a #5 or #6, but having him on the mound to try and win the division is not ideal. Well, we don’t even have destiny in our hands because if the Rays win, they’re champs. So be it – I’ll just be glad when this is all over and we can get down to business (even though I hate being the 2nd best team in the division).
Last night’s loss didn’t bother me so much as Joe’s managing did. If he’s playing to win, then you can’t be auditioning Ring; Mitre was pitching well – leave him in. That said, I can not blame him for the loss – the offense is abysmal.
However, trying to think positive, some good things came out of yesterday: Andy had good stuff and is feeling fine. I still think he’s rusty and he’s not going to be the same Andy in the playoffs, but he’ll give it his best. Phil looked great, albeit in relief. Cano is swinging the bat better.
There are no great teams in baseball. IN the AL, all of the playoff teams are struggling. The Rays, Twins, Rangers and Yankees are good teams – but they all have flaws and none of them are unbeatable. I still think if we lose that the offense, not the SP, will be the culprit (at least in the ALDS).
“I never use the word blame especially when it comes to players. They are doing the best they can.”
Trisha,
Your stalwart defense over the course of the season is admirable, but there are instances where this is simply not the case. Austin Kearns is a case in point. He is coming to the plate without a plan and an understanding of what he must do with his very limited skill set to best help the Team.
If striking out twice with bases loaded is not something to be held accountable for, then what is? The equipment manager should ask for his uniform back and Girardi should be held accountable for putting that liability in the line up.
RadioKev
JetergroundsintoanotherDP is not a Yankee fan, its a person like Ruby Tuesday and all those other people that come on here and post negative comments when the team is losing. Yes a lot of people come on here and complain but those people should just be ignored because they only come on here to start stuff.
“The entire season is a failure if we don?t win the World Series”
That may be George’s contribution to the team that I like the least.
If the Yankees don’t win the WS their goal isn’t met but the season isn’t a failure if players like Cano and Hughes for example take steps forward to being difference making players that can help the team in the future.
“Would you prefer he do that as a starter, or a reliever where he can pulled after one batter?
AJ is going to be on the post-season roster.”
What I would prefer is he not be on the roster.
Since he will be, he cannot pitch out of the pen unless it is a blowout. He is a starter and I don’t think he can adjust to the pen.
I know I’m biased (just look at my sign on name) but 100% fault lies on cashman’s back for allowing a AAA pitcher to have to pitch 3 innings last night in an important game with him obviously not having anything, and once again relying on another AAA pitcher today to go out and absolutely have to win a game today – regardless of what tampa does ….
this is why with cashman at the helm the yankees have won the WS just once in 10 years..
oh and the ONE time they did win he had to spend half a billion dollars that offseason to assure the yankees were relevant again…
It’s inexcusable to me that the last two games of the season came down to Burnett and Moseley. Hughes and Nova could have pitched these games, but even forgetting about that, we never, ever should have been in the position of these being meaningful contests.
Yes, fans can lay the blame at the players feet, RISP, Mo’s blown saves, etc. But to me, that is part of the game. Players do not perform at their very best all the time. But the managerial decisions are inexcusable. IMO, Joe Girard gave away at least six games this year due to his poor decision making.
Where are the WAR stats on managers?
Sox line-up
Patterson 2B, Lowrie SS, Drew RF, Ortiz DH, Hall 3B, Kalish CF, Varitek C, Nava LF, Anderson 1B, Lackey.
The sad part about AJ’s comments about his start yesterday is imaging how bad he would have been if BOS had actually fielded a major league ready lineup.
Girardi lost that game yesterday by pulling Mitre for no reason. His managing this season has been mind boggling. He doesn’t take AJ out when he should and takes Mitre out before he should.
I hate to be negative, but I think that this is going to be one short postseason.
Austin Kearns sucks.
He is the suck.
SJ
I see your point.
But, three LH batters in a row coming up. Audtion time for Ring. He didn’t get the job done. Lesson learned (I hope)
I do not think any team is a bad matchup for the Yankees because if they play well, they can beat anyone. If they play badly, they can beat anyone.
I absolutely do not think that the Yankees have been playing like this just so they can face the Twins. Maybe they haven’t gone all out to win the division, but there’s no way I think that Joe and Cash have sat there rooting for them to face the Twins. SJ, if you think that’s the case, then I assume you think Cashman should be fired as well.
I don’t trust Joe at all – he scares me in the playoffs and that’s a damning thing to say. That said, Hal and Cash love him – for whatever reason – so if I criticize Joe, I have to critize them.
Next year? I go all out for Lee unless he wants 6 years – not doing that under ANY circumstances. If Andy returns, we’ve got our staff – but they really need to hope that Phil improves and doesn’t struggle due to this years workload because AJ is AJ and Andy is older and not quite as reliable due to threat of injury.
Now comes an entire post season of Ruby Tuesday’s dire predictions that, of course, turn out the complete opposite.
I can see it culminating in something like:
“Yanks have their parade on Tuesday. Too bad it’s going to rain all day.”
(Turns out to be a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky.)
I don’t think if the NY Yankees don’t win the WS the whole season is a failure. But the Yankees leadership beats that drum so that is the charge, like it or not, so it is not beyond reason that some fans get that message….
If I’m the owner though and I’m shelling out +30% more in payroll than the 2nd highest salary team (BOS), I do expect to win the division and rewarded with more home games in the PS.
Failing to win the division does not mean it was a bad season, but it does hurt the revenue stream and as an owner I would be a little agitated over that, I would also know that my team plays a whole lot better as most teams do at home vs. the road so better chance for a deeper run in the PS.
Especially when I took on add’l salary at the AS break to beef up the team for the stretch run.
Sorry, to this point in 2010, Joe G or his team has not delivered the goods. I hope it changes and the talent level can make it change. The team needs to shut up and perform because in general this team has stunk over the last 6 weeks (excepting a 8 game WS).
It should be an interesting day in FENWAY!
.
AJ looks like his poo poo self last night.
Kearns has struck out roughly 35 percent of his ABs with the Yanks.
#pat October 3rd, 2010 at 11:12 am
?The entire season is a failure if we don?t win the World Series?
That may be George?s contribution to the team that I like the least.
If the Yankees don?t win the WS their goal isn?t met but the season isn?t a failure if players like Cano and Hughes for example take steps forward to being difference making players that can help the team in the future.
_____________________
Agree with this 100 percent.
I was at a dinner last night so I admit I only caught snippets of both games and could be off base.
However the story of the second game was not the offense of bullpen or Joe. It was AJ Burnett getting a 4 to 1 lead with a very short bullpen against a AAA lineup and not holding the lead while only going 6 innings.
“I hate to be negative, but I think that this is going to be one short postseason.”
Yankees will have to overcome their opponents and Girardi’s managing.
Hopefully they can.
The Yankees are not going to lowball Wood, Wang, but you can not force him to sign. They will make him a fair offer -but if he gets closer $$ elsewhere, he’ll probably leave (even though I can’t see why he’d want to close for a mediocre team).
The Yankees offense is a concern for me next year – they’ve crapped out for most of 2 months now. Next year, the Sox will be back in form, the Rays and watch out for the Jays (the O’s will be better too). We can’t do much about it because most of the lineup is set in stone, but I don’t get it, I really don’t. We have very good or great hitters and they all just suck as a group with RISP. Tex is a problem, I think, as well – because he disappears for months at a time. It annoys me that he takes absolutely no grief when Alex got crucified.
Man, you guys are really down Joe Girardi. I understand he could have left Mitre or bring in Nova in a fresh eighth, but those moves are debatable. If we are talking about last night game.
Joe G is not focus there
#$#$#ing Burnett is and more RISP shames.
Not only was pulling Mitre a mistake last night, and not lifting Kearns earlier, but the entire Royce Ring decision is mind boggling. He walks Lowrie and then gives up another hit letting the Sox set the table to score two runs and tie the game. Why was this untested AAA pitcher in there?
Kate
Yankees are 7th in the AL and league average with RISP (.257 BA)- 6 better than them and 8 worse than them.
Girardi won’t be a deciding factor in the postseason.
People are putting way too much emphasis on his impact on games especially those where he doesn’t have all his top guns available. That won’t be the case next week.
The players will decide the games.
The entire season is a failure if we don’t win the WS? Ouch……….I would not say that. I would really only say that if we don’t advance to the ALCS.
I understand pitching Phil in game 2, but it is still hard to leave a clinching game in his hands. At some point, he’s going to have to deal with YS – and maybe now that he’s mixing his pitches better, he’ll be ok in terms of HRs. However, he does have issues with lefties and the Twins have a lot of lefties, correct? Not a great matchup for him.
“Why was this untested AAA pitcher in there?”
I don’t know, maybe to test him?
I think the fan base cares a whole lot more about HFA than the Yankees do.
LGY
I agree, starting Wednesday it’s all about the players and getting the job done.
Bestsy you make some great points. How many games did Tex cost us earlier this year? Or Girardi’s unwillingness to adjust the lineup to accommodate huge, long lasting slumps like Jeter’s and Teixeira’s? Of course now he does it with Granderson and Swisher. That’s an example of the inconsistency and schizophrenia that is Joe Girardi’s managing style.
Let’s get one thing straight – not winning the division is not a sign of failure. We are going to the postseason, which should be the goal of every team. Even if we don’t win it all, this season isn’t a failure. It will be disappointing, but not a failure. The Mets are a failure. PIT, HOU, BOS, BAL – those teams failed. We did not. Not yet.
LGY, I don’t agree. I think he’s just brutal and I don’t trust him.
The bottom line is that A.J. shouldn’t being pitching period !
If Girardi pitches him in any situation during the postseason then he should be fired.
LGY says:
October 3, 2010 at 11:21 am
I was at a dinner last night so I admit I only caught snippets of both games and could be off base.
However the story of the second game was not the offense of bullpen or Joe. It was AJ Burnett getting a 4 to 1 lead with a very short bullpen against a AAA lineup and not holding the lead while only going 6 innings
——–
Did anyone really expect AJ to win the game/hold the lead? Really? You can throw out the faith in the team stuff but there comes a point when it becomes stupid to expect him to win. He may win but it would be a fluke because of how awful he is.
WC, I’m not criticizing Joe for not dropping Jeter or Tex – I’m not even knocking Jeter. I do think it’s awfully unfair for Alex to have been crucified for EVERY little mistake or struggle while Tex gets a free pass. His D is great, but no way does it make up for it when he disappears.
Sergio Mitre or Royce Ring?
They both stink. Who cares? At least Ring had the LH thing going for him.
Really don’t get how the focus today is on a choice between two pitchers who stink.
Tar
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:29 am
“Why was this untested AAA pitcher in there?” I don’t know, maybe to test him? I think the fan base cares a whole lot more about HFA than the Yankees do.
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I agree with you Tar. I wish they would have been honest and say that instead of giving hollow lip service to wanting to win the division.
thanks Pat
Laura
I totally agree.
Joe G was a deciding factor in the PS last year (remember against LAA flipping Aceves in for Robertson) that worked out real well…
Joe G finds a way to inject himself into the action,, we’ve seen that for the last 3 years…good or bad, to say he won’t be an impact isn’t a fact.
At the same time, Joe G does not inject himself into the action when TEX didn’t hit for two months in the 3 slot and Jeter hit like a pitcher for the better part of half the season leading off…
How many of those games in April, May when basically TEX was garbage could we wish that we could take back and maybe put him batting 6th? Or when Jeter grounded into yet another DP, might he have been better served or more importantly the team have been better served shuffling Jeter down lower in the line-up until he figured things out?
The Yankees have had a difficult season and have been tough to watch (for me at least) for most of the past month. But they are going to the playoffs.
Big market teams like the Cubs, Dodgers, Mets and Red Sox will be making tee times. That’s what I’d define as a failure, not the Yankees.
Pettitte is more to blame than Joe.
He had to be taken out so early so all their top guns had to be used inn game 1
West Coast Yankee Fan:
One of ‘several’ posters that “get it” ….thank you for honest, common-sense analysis/opinions that are most always ‘on the mark’….
================
All those “pom-pomers’ from earlier this season that ripped those of us that had/have legitimate concerns …..”We told you so”
Wins in May are just as important as wins in Sept/Oct. They use math to figure out the playoff teams. Wins are NOT weighted when all is added up.
We should be up by 4 games – if we didn’t ‘pissaway’ so many games earlier in the season.
The Chickens are home to roost.
Yes, we all understand – we’ve got the WC. Boston doesn’t, the Mets don’t either, etc….and we’re all obviously happy about that…
Now we rely on Dustin Mosley & Sean O’Sullivan…..
Let’s hope they both are sharp today – so the Monday morning headlines are ‘good headlines’ !!!
A sacrifice fly here and there may be useful , too !
And Girardi is a liability. The Yankees were able to overcome it last year. He cost the Yankees 2 games in the ALCS with his overmanaging. Taking out Robertson in Game 3 in a tie game and bringing in Aceves because of a small sample size, throwing off Posada and Andy’s by going out to the moung resulting in Vlad hitting the homerun, and in Game 5 after the Yankees took the lead he allowed Burnett to pitch again and he caved like he always does.
Girardi is a fool who thinks he is so smart.
Betsy
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 am
WC, I’m not criticizing Joe for not dropping Jeter or Tex – I’m not even knocking Jeter. I do think it’s awfully unfair for Alex to have been crucified for EVERY little mistake or struggle while Tex gets a free pass. His D is great, but no way does it make up for it when he disappears.
************************
I understand, the batting order comment was mine. I completely agree with you on Tex. His abysmal play cost this team dearly earlier in the year. One of the most annoying comments from a player I heard all year was Teixeira’s annoying “look at the back of my baseball card”. He seemed oblivious to the fact that the games his ineptitude cost us early couldn’t be made up.
Not only did Tex hit .136 in March and April – he has hit .229 in September as well.
Some thoughts:
- The Yanks really have mailed it in a bit over the past month.
- The Yanks just might be able to turn it back on for the playoffs… like the Spurs used to do in the NBA. Heck, the Celtics and Lakers often mailed it in at the end of the season
- AJ Burnett is delusional. He used to admit he was awful. Now he thinks he did ok. He has no place on the post season roster.
- Girardi is not the manager I hoped he’d be when they signed him. I’m disappointed, but he bought himself some slack with #27
- The Yankees need Andy Pettitte now more than ever. I thought he came up big by clinching the division, ALDS, ALCS, and World Series (wow!) but they may actually need him more this time.
- The Yanks may actually be better off against the Twins than the Rangers. No Morneau. Mauer has been hurt. They don’t have Cliff Lee. The Yanks have had their # in the past. It’s Matt Capps and not Joe Nathan this time. That’s not to say that the Twins aren’t at least 50/50 on paper against NY if they meet. They are a well-rounded, solid club.
At the end of the day, this Yankees team is still capable of post-season success and there isn’t a powerhouse AL team that the Yankees cannot beat. I just hope Philly slips because they look awful good right now.
Wah wah wah. My team is going to the playoffs. Waaaaaaah. Boo hoo.
Some embarrassing posts on here by some spoiled Yankee fans. Get over yourselves.
The dang playoffs start in 3 days and we’re in.
LGY,
That was exactly the story of the second game…despite everything else AJ couldn’t hold down a AAA lineup and essentially gave the Sox an extra run by zoning out and argueing with the umpire…
Also I didn’t expect that clown Burnett to hold the lead. He never does.
And that’s why I call him a loser because he is the definition of a loser. A guy with all that talent who can’t utilize it with a 10 cent head is a waste of space.
He should do everyone a favor including himself and quit baseball and actually perform a job he can do.
yankee21
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 am
Joe G was a deciding factor in the PS last year (remember against LAA flipping Aceves in for Robertson) that worked out real well. Joe G finds a way to inject himself into the action,, we’ve seen that for the last 3 years…good or bad, to say he won’t be an impact isn’t a fact. At the same time, Joe G does not inject himself into the action when TEX didn’t hit for two months in the 3 slot and Jeter hit like a pitcher for the better part of half the season leading off. How many of those games in April, May when basically TEX was garbage could we wish that we could take back and maybe put him batting 6th? Or when Jeter grounded into yet another DP, might he have been better served or more importantly the team have been better served shuffling Jeter down lower in the line-up until he figured things out?
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An outstanding post, well articulated. Just spot on.
Yeah, I wish Girardi would stop with all the moves.
It’s like he’s always anticipating a potential disaster where there is sign of one.
He should leave well enough alone. If someone is pitching fine, there is no need to play matchups.
He is such a slave to those left-right/right-left pitcher-batter matchups to a fault.
UpState
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:37 am
West Coast Yankee Fan:
One of ’several’ posters that “get it” ….thank you for honest, common-sense analysis/opinions that are most always ‘on the mark’….
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Thank you very much Upstate.
I think if the Yankees get by the ALDS, they will be fine -that is, they would play better in the ALCS. If they get to the WS, by that time they’ve probably straightened out their kinks. The ALDS is the series that really worries me. Get by it, we’ll be ok – but the ? is can we play well enough to even win that series?
Sorry, meant to say above “It’s like he’s always anticipating a potential disaster where there is no sign of one.”
I was for hiring Joe G big time. I was quite pleased it was him over Mattingly or Pena.
This was because his style as a player and as a MGR with FL was aggressive, it was in the game and looked like Joe G was passionate and appreciated what it would take to succeed.
His style with NYY has been much more corporate, much more book, much more touchy-feely, maybe that is the reality any NYY mgr has to contend with, but doesn’t mean I like it.
Sorry, I’m handed a team with these horses I have to do a better job. I do not like the job he has done in September when the chips have been on the table, and I do not like his passive approach with TEX, Jeter and AJ this year,, all three guys have really hurt NY this year and Joe G was staunch in not changing anything.
I can’t blame Andy at all – he’s rusty. His injury was just awful luck. IMO, he’s no sure thing in the playoffs because of this rust.
After Game 2 of the ALDS, the regular season, with its ‘ifs’ and ‘if nots’, will be but a blur.
I’m not worried about Philly. IF we get there, it means we’ve played well – and then I would have confidence. That’s for another time.
BD, I won’t say they mailed it in because that would mean they’ve not tried or have been unprofessional and I simply won’t ever say that about a team I root for unless it’s blatantly obvious. I can not be convinced that a team with Jeter, Alex, Po, etc… have mailed it in; they simply have not executed – HUGE difference
If the Yankees play well, they are probably better than any of these teams. I don’t think they need to fear anyone – what they need to do is pick up their game. I don’t think it will be that easy though. I don’t expect them to play sloppy ball like yesterday – both teams were tired – but to ask them to all of a sudden do well with RISP? That’s asking a lot.
Back to the Twins, they aren’t always so sound – they played badly last year.
I wish Joe would go as well, but Hal and Cash love him.
I would feel much better about the ALDS if were 7 games….the best team doesn’t always win in a 5 game series…..it usually does in a 7.
I think the Yankees will have to face Cliff Lee at some point to get to the WS…whether it be next week or the ALCS.
AJ is going to be the #4 starter if/when needed. Girardi is far too conservative to ever use someone as “inexperienced” as Nova to start a postseason game.
I don’t think he would go with Vazquez, Mitre, Mosely or Gaudin either.
Well, with Gaudin you never know…
blake and LGY – that’s exactly the story of the second game – AJ not being to hold a three-run lead against Pawtucket, and Austin Kearns going 0-4 with 3 Ks (at least by the time I went to bed, mid-7th inning), leaving 9 men on base. If Kearns delivers in any one of those spots (twice up in first three innings with bases loaded!), it’s a very different ballgame.
I know Kearns is a veteran, and he has a track record of production, but the past month or so he’s looked totally lost at the plate. Not even good ABs. If he had gotten even one hit in the clutch last night, I would have been ok with him on the ALDS roster. Now, I’m not so sure.
I don’t even know what to say about AJ anymore.
I take Boston’s F. Lopez , Bill Hall and Lowrie over R. Pena any day. It’s amazing Cashman could not find us a backup infielder who is better than a replacement level player.
Cashman gets a C for his off season from me.
Blake, I think the ALDS should be #7 games……………..you play 162 games to leave a playoff series up to chance?
I also think WC teams should be punished for not winning the division. Big deal – they have 1 less home game.
Joe,
Yea for whatever reason Kearns just isn’t making enough contact to have much value right now. Maybe he needs more PT to stay sharp…I don’t know but it would be hard to justify a playoff spot for him right now.
This will probably won’t be agreed with by many….but had Jeter played in that 2nd game last night I think the Yankees win.
To be fair, again – the Yankees should never have been in the position to lose the game. It’s on AJ and the offense mostly. I pray that Joe just gets out of the players way in the ALDS. If they lose because they aren’t good enough, so be it……………..
Cashmoney,
I can’t dog Cashman for this. It is not easy finding a creditable back-up IF who wants to play in NY but knows full well the number of reps he’ll get will be miniscule with Cano, Arod and Jeter hanging around.
I think Cash made good AS break moves with Berkman, Wood and Kearns. Even though Kearns has been a hacker the past month, and Berkman has been hot/cold, I still think they were good pick-ups.
His 2009 PS moves were debated months ago,, forget that topic..
Kearns has looked very bad since he was injured. Before then he had some decent, productive at-bats, unless I am hallucinating.
The Yankees have until 10:00 AM on Wednesday to set their roster.
Salary should not be a consideration in keeping Burnett or Vazquez on the roster. It’s the same as saying they’re content with playing with a 23-man roster. Neither has shown any signs of being a contributor. Kearns is much the same.
When Andy went 4 innings in the first game… they were pretty much screwed for the 2nd.
Joe couldn’t “save” anyone for the 2nd game because he had to try to win the game that he had a lead in. And unfortunately, it went to extras. If it didn’t, we could have seen Hughes for a few innings. Just bad luck in that regard yesterday.
As others have said, the blame rightfully falls on Burnett for blowing a 3 run lead against a team of bench/AAA players and the offense going 4-34 against mostly scrub pitchers.
In the playoffs, Girardi is going to Wood-Robertson-Logan-MO. When he uses his “A” guys, he has shown he knows what he is doing in the bullpen. Don’t judge him by how he uses his C guys in the 2nd game of a DH.
Betsy – they don’t love him because of his looks or personality. They very clearly like the job he’s done. Doesn’t mean Cash (I really don’t think anyone in the Steinbrenner family gets involved in in-game moves) may not have some issues, but, overall, he clearly wants him as manager.
Other managers have had their moments, as well. Joe Maddon – forgot which pitcher he was bringing into a game and cost his team a win against the Yanks when Granderson homered off a righty. You want overmanaging? Last night, Maddon used 8 pitchers to close out the mighty Kansas City Royals. Francona, using Bard to the brink of exhaustion several times during the season. Charlie Manuel using Pedro Martinez in an elimination game last year. Ron Gardenhire’s “fundamentally sound” Twins team acting like a sandlot pickup team in the playoffs last year. St. Joe competely lost his clubhouse this year.
The list is endless. NO manager is without faults along the long season.
If you don’t like Joe Girardi, that’s fine. I happen to think that overrall he’s done a good job, but you are absolutely entitled to your opinion, and I respect that. Who would you have replace him?
This place has really become pathetic lately now with posters celebrating being “right” for having dire concens about a team who starts the post season in less than a week.
You really can’t make this stuff up.
Cashmoney
October 3rd, 2010 at 11:57 am
I take Boston’s F. Lopez , Bill Hall and Lowrie over R. Pena any day. It’s amazing Cashman could not find us a backup infielder who is better than a replacement level player. Cashman gets a C for his off season from me.
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Another excellent post. It’s really the farm and development system lately. We did not have one outfielder or infielder in the minor leagues this year that could hit at all and be brought up to help this club. Not one.
Joe,
Falling on deaf years, my man. The grass is always greener when it comes to managers. Yet most people in here don’t even know what other managers do… they base their opinions on what the media tells them.
The same media, by the way, that had Don Wakamatsu as a top 5 manager based off ONE year. And he got fired in the middle of the season.
Cash/Hal don’t judge managers based off how they manage their 2nd rate relievers in a late September DH.
D-man, I agree on all points except one,, Mitre is not a C guy, I’d classify him as a “B” guy and he should have been in for the long haul last night,,, not two batters and 7 pitches.
Bad move by Joe G and might have cost them the game along with the pathetic offensive showing with RISP and AJ’s typical antics…
blake October 3rd, 2010 at 11:59 am
Joe,
Yea for whatever reason Kearns just isn’t making enough contact to have much value right now. Maybe he needs more PT to stay sharp…I don’t know but it would be hard to justify a playoff spot for him right now.
This will probably won’t be agreed with by many….but had Jeter played in that 2nd game last night I think the Yankees win.
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Probably 4 groundouts (maybe one would’ve snuck thru like Game #1) – but certainly better in the field than the young Mr. Nunez.
I don’t know what will happen in the playoffs because any team can get hot. Who knows the Yankees might go all the way. But I just know that Girardi wil be a liability and Burnett will hurt there chances anytime he goes out there.
Also some veterans on this team are looking really old. If they don’t win it all this year then it’s not the end of the world.
Joe
It is just a complete lack of perspective. That is the definition of this board this season.
From the players to the manager to the GM just absolutely not perspective outside of the New York Yankees.
Joe from LI,
the question wasn’t directed at me but the toughest thing about losing Joe G as manager isn’t the loss of his in game managerial decision-making, it is finding a replacement to do better….
I’d vote Jim Leyland or hate to say this on this forum for fear of rocks (Joe Maddon) but I think both of these guys have pretty good gigs already.. with Leyland he may be on his last legs….
Joe, I don’t care about Girardi’s looks or personality, but he’s driving me crazy this last month or so. I’m trying to be fair – I can’t blame him for his team being abysmally inconsistent offensively nor can I blame him for bad SP – but he makes moves that are just so frustrating. I’m not sure he can handle being in a pennant race – his moves indicate that – and considering that most teams will be in pennant races and not blow their division out, that’s disturbing. Joe has many good qualities – he’s a good guy and he’s allowed families back into the clubhouse. I think he has his players’ backs – that’s huge. I want to emphasize that…………..
Maybe I’m just frustrated. Up until the last few weeks, could I say he’d done a good job? Absolutely?
I don’t have another replacement in mind………I don’t know if I really want Joe gone or if I’m just annoyed.
I can’t dog Cashman for this. It is not easy finding a creditable back-up IF who wants to play in NY but knows full well the number of reps he’ll get will be miniscule with Cano, Arod and Jeter hanging around.
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Nah, It’s a crime to have the offensive woeful R.Pena to accrue 151 ABs in the absence of Arod or others. A guy like F. Lopez who accrued 3.9 WAR signed for a measly 1 million with ST Louis this season in which Cashman could have swooped in and made a better offer if he is wasn’t so enamor with losers like Wynn, hoho park! The narratives of he could not lured a better bench to NY is false and laughable consider the money at his disposal.
The he made some good deadline moves , but as you have heard from Theo , it’s because Cash and NY were willing to absorb more money as oppose to correct ID of talents.
For all the Girardi haters out there – who exactly is going to replace him? I can think of Tony Pena and that is about it. And please don’t suggest the vastly overrated manager – Lou Pinella
Yeah, let’s continue to trash Cashman and Girardi all day.
That horse hasn’t been beaten to death the last two months or anything.
There’s no such thing as a prefect team.
Yanks need to hope yesterday was just an aberration for Kerry – not ideal to see coming into the playoffs
kearns strikes out over 25% of the time… that is bad…
aj burnett 2nd on the team with innings pitched. imagine all those bad innings. the walks, hbp, wild pitches, assorted junk. aj led all yankee pitchers with 4 errors also. he just sucks under any measurement……..
38HotDogs – It’s not about “hating” Joe Girardi. It’s about having legitimate criticisms and observations that some fans and media believe to be true. It’s as appropriate a position as any other.
I think the Yankees win today and send Lackey to the offseason with that weird look on his face….it’ll all come down to what happens in KC.
One way or another the games that really count start on Wednesday…and I like our starter that day.
I honestly still can’t get over all the hand wringing regarding taking the Serg out. Are we talking about the same guy here?
Blake, I can’t wait already – it seems like we’ve been marking time. I’m going to try and think positive and remember that the post-season is a chance for an new beginning.
Josh Hamilton went 2-4 with a home run and 3 RBI’s yesterday.
All the talk of Tex or Minn does not matter… All 8 teams in the postseason will be there because they deserve it and will be capable of winning 11 more games.
As Jeter has always said it comes down to who gets HOT at the right time. I hope it is the Yanks but we will see.
I will be glad next year at this time when we will have CC and Lee in a short series.
The big question this off season
what do you do with 50 million pitcher who has refused to adapt and look as if he doesn’t have the ability or pitching IQ to do so.
If Joe goes , Joe goes. His biggest strength has been managing the a healthy and productive BP which I really think is no 1 tangible thing a manager can do to effect a team. But there others, I take Bobby V or Larussa or Leyland or Pena. With this payroll and talent, anyone can win.
Come Wednesday I will be the eternal optimist and back Girardi 100%. It’s a clean slate. If this team hits and pitches, on paper, we are better than anyone out there.
LGY,
I didn’t like the move mainly because it was still relatively early in the game, they had a 2 run lead, and the fact that Mitre appeared to have a really good sinker last night. That said…that decision shouldn’t have cost them the game. Any decision between mediocre pitchers in the 6th inning means that the starter didn’t do their job…which was the case here as well. However you slice it it was primarily AJs loss.
Blake
I agree it was a questionable move. I just can’t believe how many posts on here have been devoted to it and how much hand wringing has gone on from it.
I think you summed up the counter point nicely but what else beyond that needs to be said?
LGY
The reason why everyone was for Mitre staying in the game is because he was throwing the ball really well. Pounding the zone with strikes and his sinker was on the mark.
With a short bullpen and Mitre pitching really well you don’t overmanage in that position.
I’m sorry but Girardi is not that smart. He acts like he knows it all.
The Yankees are in the playoffs.
Repeat. The Yankees are IN the playoffs.
They are playing for home field today. This has been the case for several games now.
For some of you to go back to Tex’s April BA or Granderson’s poor start or even, good God, Randy Winn as reasons why they didn’t run away with it … well you either root for the Phillies or Red Sox or Rays, or else you are just a mindless moron.
The Yankees are playing for home field right now for one reason and one reason only … the TAMPA BAY RAYS HAVE BEEN UP TO THE TASK!!! They matched the Yankees record … yet not one of you acknowledges that as the reason!!!
West Coast Yankee Fan is nothing more than a disaffected METS fan who criticizes the Yankees at every turn. On another blog (TDN), he pronounced the Yankees’ season over in July … 2009!!!!! Yes, 2009 … their World Championship season!!! He pronounced the Yankees done and the Red Sox clearly their superior.
Among other of his gems, he’s also pronounced Mariano’s career finished because of a 2.1 IP stretch back in May, he once proposed trading Teixeira for Cody Ransom, he insisted that Billy Martin is in the HOF, and he insists that his Mets’ 70-92 record in ’09 was ELEVEN games under .500, not 22 (that’s not a joke!). There are more, but you get the point. His typical posts says nothing more than “The Yankees suck … go Yankees!”
Forget him (keeping it clean there!) and forget all the rest of the chicken little hand-wringers on this blog! Just a bunch of front-runners, that’s all!
Yes, AJ has had a horrible season. No, I don’t agree with every one of Girardi’s moves. Yes, the Yankees’ hitting with RISP has been abysmal for much of the season. Yet, here they are, playing for first place on the last day of the season, with a chance to win it all! **** the woulda, coulda, shouldas.
I have only one thing to say about all that right now … GO YANKEES!!!
Also this isn’t the first time Girardi has made these kind of moves. And he never learns from it. He did this back in the ALCS when he blew Game 3 with two bad moves and when the media questioned him he acted arrogant even though the moves he made made no sense.
“Yanks need to hope yesterday was just an aberration for Kerry – not ideal to see coming into the playoffs”
That’s what happens when a pitcher like Wood is not use in six days.
The run wasn’t his fault though, it was Posada’s.
Kerry always walks guys, that is nothing unusual
BTW, anyone who refers to the Yankees as “we” needs a checkup from the neck up.
Craw, was it that long? Ok, that’s totally understandable………
Kerry has been big all year, don’t expect anything different in the post-season. I mentioned it because last night was particularly rough – not that he’s not allowed a bad game.
Jeremy
You mean you think or in your opinion.
This may be a news flash to some on here but your not always right regardless of the outcome.
aldo is a troll and a stalker who has frequented blog and actually made fun of bloggers deceased mothers and bragged about having sex with them. That is a fact. If need be I will send Chad copies of his posts and let him decide if he wants him here.
I welcome rebuttal from anyone out there, except West Coast Yankee Fan/redfish.
I’ve already run him off one blog. Been there, done that, ya know?
At this point I just want the postseason to start. No longer care who they play or where.
“I think the fan base cares a whole lot more about HFA than the Yankees do.”
Like I said, I’m happy we’re in there. No big deal to me how.
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Girardi’s playing for the division. Girardi isn’t playing for the division. And then there’s my favorite – “I just wish he’d be honest about it,” wah wah wah.
Like you really have a clue about what Girardi’s thinking.
Since there are people who have questioned the people who have questioned Girardi’s managing, what we are really left with is a divergence of opinion.
It’s all opinion. We all have them. And since there are pretty savvy posters (leaving myself out, not a problem) on both sides of the aisle, I am happy to say – WHATEVER.
Carry on!
And oh yeah, GO YANKS!
” With this payroll and talent, anyone can win.”
How many WS did we win in the last decade?
Is it easider said than done.
This whole argument of highest payroll, so we must/will win irrespective of the manager is misguided.
Jeter makes 22 mil, is he the best short stop? You porobably can save 12 mil by getting someone give the same production. It is not a knock on Jeter. That is how the sytem works. When you have to retain your best players you have to pay. See what is going to happen to rays next year.
This year the talent on both teams is near equal but thier payroll is low as thier players were not in the league as long as Yankee players have been. We are able to keep our players, they are not able to. That does not mean our players have suddenly become better. Some other rising team will take Ray’s spot.
Go for it, pudgy!
I forgot to tell you all … he’s 5 foot 3, and weighs about 240. I know this only because he posted personal info on the other blog (TDN).
In fact, he posted there just yesterday and had every one of his posts deleted by the blog administrator.
LGY
I don’t think that I’m always right. But Girardi has made plenty mistakes and calling him out on it doesn’t mean that I think I’m always right. The fact is that he continues to overmanage and make the same mistakes again and again and he refuses to learn from it.
” With this payroll and talent, anyone can win.”
How many WS did we win in the last decade?
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Meh, I don’t consider WS as a divine rights for the Yankees.
But , I do the consider with this payroll and talent , anyone can win to be factual.
Bring it on aldo – your lies and tactic of personal attacks and ridiculing and laughing at the parents of bloggers who passed away are on the record.
West Coast / redfish, you know and I know that your mother’s not deceased. She’s just hiding from you.
You played the ‘deceased parent’ crybaby card over and over at Feinsand’s blog and it didn’t work there. What makes you think it will work here?
Aldo you are on permanent ignore from this point forward. I do not respond to trolls. I will let your stalking and obsession speak for itself and we will see if Chad will tolerate it. The reality is that you wrote more than twenty posts on another blog bragging about having sex with a bloggers mother who passed away after a long and painful bout with cancer.
We are done here.
You can produce no such thing because it never happened. On the other hand, I can produce at least a dozen posters from Feinsand’s Blogging the Bombers who are happy that you no longer post there regularly and will attest to your being the true troll.
That is why those same posters started their own alternative blog, to get away from the likes of you. And it’s the same thing that honest-to-goodness Yankees’ fans here are contemplating doing right now.
I expect you will keep your word for a change. It’s not the first time you’ve made that promise, as you’re well aware.
The last word. I have the posts with your name on it and the source code corroborating it was your screen name. You just lied.
LMAO!!! ‘The last word’ … how many times have I heard that? LMAO!!!
West Coast Yankee Fan October 3rd, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Aldo you are on permanent ignore from this point forward.
1:04 pm
The last word.
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Two and counting …