Two big outs
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Apr 05, 2011 
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Ivan Nova made a point of saying he “wasn’t thinking about last year” as he worked through the Twins lineup for a second and third time last night, but that doesn’t mean everyone else wasn’t. Even Russell Martin, who wasn’t even on the Yankees in 2010, was aware of Nova’s penchant for unraveling later in games.
So yes, Martin knew that Joe Girardi had Boone Logan and Dave Robertson warming up in the bullpen in the sixth inning, and yes, he knew that facing Jim Thome – who had ripped a double in his last at-bat – was exactly the kind of moment that might have undone Nova a year ago.
He still wanted Nova to stay in the game.
“I was happy (Girardi) left him in there,” Martin said afterward. “Right now, I think he’s just focusing on competing and not letting his foot off the pedal.”
Nova didn’t. In the at-bat where Thome doubled, Nova had tried to get a 3-2 change-up past the lefty DH, a pitch that took guts from a 24-year-old rookie and one that impressed Alex Rodriguez over at third base. “I didn’t think that was a bad pitch,” A-Rod said.
Facing Thome again, Nova wanted to stay aggressive and this time he went with his fastball, getting Thome to swing through the ball for the final out of the righty’s night. “When I faced him, I said, ‘I got to take him out right now’ and I did,” Nova said.
As impressive as that was, the at-bat that was even more memorable was how Nova handled Joe Mauer an inning earlier. With three runs on the board for the Twins and the tying run at second base, Nova could have seen his start turn ugly if the 3-time AL batting champion connected. Instead, Nova went with his curveball and got Mauer to roll over a grounder to second, impressing everyone – particularly his catcher and his manager.
“When he keeps the ball down, he’s got a lot of action,” Martin said.
“Those are things he needs to be able to do,” Girardi said. “That’s what we want to see.”
Ivan Nova = pre-Lis Franc CMW with guts and a gameplan
Let’s hope the progress continues all season long.
“i dont know how they feel about using martin but my guess would be that they would use him 4 days in a row before giving him a day off, which means he’s go tonight with molina tomorrow. if they dont go past 3 in a row with martin, then they will need molina alot more games than i think they want to.
on the other hand, it is easier to cover molina’s bat with cc on the mound. we’ll see.”
———————–
The problem is that Thursday is a day game.
Girardi has to decide if he is (1) willing to push Martin 5 days in a row, (2) willing to play Martin day game after a night game or (3) is ok playing Molina two times in three days.
Ok, I need fantasy advice people.
I was offered a trade over the weekend:
Robinson Cano
for
Ryan Zimmerman 3B
Ben Zobrist 2B
Andrew McCutchen OF
That’s a pretty nice group of players for Cano. Zimmerman isn’t quite as good, and he’s a 3B. I’ve got Martin Prado (2B, 3B) as my third basemen now, so it would be an upgrade. Prado would also be better than Zobrist at 2B, but having Zobrist and McCutchen as OF options would be handy. I’ve all ready got Jose Tabata as an OF, but McCutchen would be an upgrade for that spot too.
What do you think? Cano is my second best hitter behind Miguel Cabrera, and I don’t have much fire power behind them.
Nevermind I am really stupid
He can just give Martin the night off Wednesday. Problem solved.
Imposter Molina makes his debut Wednesday night!
I thought Nova did really well last night.
I had to laugh at Kay using JoSoMo and Flash saying “there’s no way that catches on”
Erin April 5th, 2011 at 9:23 am
I thought Nova did really well last night.
I had to laugh at Kay using JoSoMo and Flash saying “there’s no way that catches on”
————-
Yeah I heard that too. Kay is a total cornball.
I was at the game yesterday and too be honest I was expecting Nova to unravel, but I was really impressed with his stuff and his make up. Really great game from pitching, defense and offense. I have a really good feeling about this year’s team. Very impressive.
LGY April 5th, 2011 at 9:22 am
Imposter Molina makes his debut Wednesday night!
*************************
I have a feeling Imposter Molina will make his first appearance tonight. We shall see.
It’s early in the season and Martin’s legs look very fresh. I know we don’t want to tire him out too early but I hope he rests Thursday so he plays all 3 against the Sox. Then we have some days off built into the schedule and Molina would have only have to catch once out of 6 games with Baltimore and Texas.
Imposter Molina will play Wednesday night and Saturday the 16th.
The big issue comes starting April 22nd when they play 17 straight games.
Erin,
I won’t let it happen. I have some pull.
“there’s no way that catches on”
Flash is wrong. It is catching on. From this A.M.’s HardballTalk:
“I’m going to preempt all of the cheeseball broadcasters and columnists who like to apply nicknames to would-be teams of destiny or, at the very least, their component parts: the back end of the Yankees bullpen is JoSoMo.”
Not only is he, Craig Calcaterra, going with the nickname, he’s claiming it as his own!
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......lights-32/
Anybody else think there is an off chance that Arod may manage one day….I know he has oodles of money and he could spend his days doing a number of other things after retirement….. but when you hear him talk and how he just notices and remembers every detail, he seems like that borderline obsessive love for the game that will be hard to let go of…..and that tends to make good.managers. just a thought.
1st conspiracy theory of the new season!
ajcbraves A bullpen catcher of a team (not #Braves) says baseballs are harder this year, believes they’ve been juiced to aid attendance in bad economy
LGY-I didn’t know you were that powerful!
Erin-
He’s not.
Suffers from delusions of grandeur and mathematical hallucinations.
He has escaped to LoHud.
upstate kate April 5th, 2011 at 7:57 am
yeah, I know Doreen, I don’t think she will forgive me…oh and my big gun has been Bronson Arroyo
***************
I’ll forgive you pretendboyfriendstealer……. eventually
Let me know if you want to discuss a trade when my head settles a bit
Kev,
That sounds like a lot of lineup flexibility and diversification in return for just one guy. All of those guys will likely give you production in multiple categories if you can play all or two of them at the same time. If realistically you will only be playing one of those guys on a given day, then obviously it’s not worth it. If it improves your lineup in three positions, I’d do it. Also three guys gives you diversification (is that a word) if Cano were to go in a slump or (god forbid) get injured.
MTU- LOL
Alex, like Jeter is far more interested in getting involved in the ownership aspect(s) of the game and could well “buy in” somewhere. Could see Alex being the Managing General Partner of the Florida Marlins in 10-15 years.
Nova was excellent last night. The Yanks will take that all season long no questions asked.
pitchfx saying Nova used only FB, CB, CH last night. I thought I saw a few sliders?
A bullpen catcher of a team (not #Braves) says baseballs are harder this year, believes they’ve been juiced to aid attendance in bad economy
————————————————————
Another conspiracy theory from Randy l i suspect
HipHipHorHay April 5th, 2011 at 9:39 am
Kev,
That sounds like a lot of lineup flexibility and diversification in return for just one guy. All of those guys will likely give you production in multiple categories if you can play all or two of them at the same time. If realistically you will only be playing one of those guys on a given day, then obviously it’s not worth it. If it improves your lineup in three positions, I’d do it. Also three guys gives you diversification (is that a word) if Cano were to go in a slump or (god forbid) get injured.
——–
That’s kind of how I’m feeling. I’m going to take a look at my OF as I’m loaded with folks there, and see if Zobrist/McCutchen fit better than the rest of them.
McCutchen is a nice player with alot of upside imo.
RadioKev April 5th, 2011 at 9:48 am
I’d keep Cano!
As far as JoSoMo goes: He probably saw it in here.
Why not go all the way? Include the ENTIRE bullpen:
Mo
So
Jo
RO (bertson)
LO (gan)
(felicia)NO
CO(lon)
SO…that’s MoSoJoRoLoNoCo.
When Kim or Michael reads it here PLEASE make sure I get the credit…Thanks in Advance…mick
“Another conspiracy theory from Randy l i suspect”
Anonymous bullpen catcher mystery solved!
Good morning, morning people. I am not one of you but I am typhoid trisha, well actually I’m thinking bronchitis trisha, so sleep isn’t really an option.
But going on and on when overtired is, so here goes!
I like getting carried away. (In response to the “don’t get carried away, it’s only X games.”) I’ve never been one to apply extreme caution to situations so I won’t start now. I’m loving what I’m seeing from the Yanks, expect it to carry through the season, and am loving watching the Sux self destruct. May it continue.
About the Sux, and pay attention to this. I was listening to EEI yesterday and Lou Merloni, who is now one of the radio hosts, said a mouthful with respect to the Sux. While this isn’t rocket science, I think there are still a lot of baseball fans who are “distracted” by team offense. What Merloni said, and I agree ten million percent, is that what happens to the Sux is going to be entirely dependent on their pitching. With that in mind, so far so good!
*********
How about them O’s????? And a major league hardee har har har har har to the yappers on this forum who tapped danced all over my head last season – and even this one – when I suggested that Buck Showalter had worked some kind of magic since he took over the team and that it would continue. Geeze Louise, he’s been good for them.
I pointed out the same thing about Toronto last season (not that Showalter had taken over of course) and go tap danced on by many of the same people.
Perspicacity 2 – Doubters 0.
Now can it all go away in a blink? Sure. But as I said, I like getting carried away with things!
(I will say that in more extended discussions jerkface did concede that both the Jays and O’s could likely be contenders in another division. So it could have been that his definition of “good” was division dependent. But calling teams “terrible” (as at least one poster when they were actually doing quite well but maybe having trouble with one facet of their game – say the bullpen giving up the lead – shows a total unawareness of what the team was really about.
Okay I guess I’ve rambled long enough.
SUX SUCK! And if you get WEEI, it is so worth the listen.
“He’s not.
Suffers from delusions of grandeur and mathematical hallucinations.”
Aha!
Pete Abe is referencing one of baseball’s greatest teams to console bridge-jumping Sox fans. I’m not sure they’re ready for the comparison.
http://johnsterling.blogspot.c.....-with.html
Note to anyone in the media who might actually read here:
JoSoMo both looks and sounds stupid.
So does ManBan.
Dorks.
I certainly don’t miss Pete Abe.
Trisha-
Of course I do too.
I keep hearing a dog in my head telling me that the Yankees did it. They will win # 28.
blake – I agree, Alex is a baseball genius. The guy knows so much, and remembers so much, going back years. Even Pete, who had his issues with Alex, acknowledged this.
In the past, Alex said he would have nothing to do with baseball once he retired. However, that was asked of him when he was a different person, before he cleaned up his life a bit. Now? It would be interesting if he was asked again.
I imagine if the Yanks sweep in Beantown the noise you would here is the implosion of a 2011 dynasty with all the rats jumping ship!
Why doo we have to tell Joba he’s the 7th inning guy? Why do we make this mistake every year lol..
Here = Hear LOL!
Why doo we have to tell Joba he’s the 7th inning guy? Why
===============
He is the JO in MOJO….
Shame Spencer April 5th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Baby steps Shame! Next year he will be the 8th Inning SU guy. The next year he will be the 9th inning CL guy.
I think I prefer Josovera.
Pronounced Jah-So-Vera.
Giuseppe Franco April 5th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Nor do I! I appreciate what he did, but I don’t miss him!
I imagine if the Yanks sweep in Beantown the noise you would here is the implosion of a 2011 dynasty with all the rats jumping ship!
———————-
They will be up for us in Little Engine That Could mode…rah rah red sox, the mighty underdog again!!!
Shame Spencer April 5th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Why doo we have to tell Joba he?s the 7th inning guy? Why do we make this mistake every year lol..
***************************
are you thinking it may end up being RoSoMo???
I always thought Alex was underrated as a baseball player.
JARAMA
Our pen has SO much MOJO.
I am impressed with Nova! And to think he is probably the 5th or 6th best SP prospect in Yanks MiLB makes me very happy with the future pitching in Yankeeland!
Nova throws a heavy ball. He has an efficient motion and a natural drop/sinker to his pitches. Even his change-up sinks! I remember batting against guys like him & just when you think you got your pitch to hit you got on top of it and hit a squibler to 2nd base or SS.
Shame Spencer April 5th, 2011 at 10:05 am
Why doo we have to tell Joba he’s the 7th inning guy? Why do we make this mistake every year lol.
————————————–
Doing the same thing but expecting different results. It’s the Yankee way
Sung to the tune of the Beach Boys Kokomo.
In the Yank-ees pen,
there’s these guys called JoSoMo
They’re who Joe wants to go
to put an end to it all
Right arms without compare
They’re so good it isn’t fair
You’ll be falling in love
to the sounds of “En-ter Sandman”
Give it to SoJoMo
[Chorus:]
A fastball, a curveball, ooh they’re gonna take ya
The cutter, a slider, come on pretty mama
A strikeout, a groundout
Joe, why don’t you go
Ooh I want the game to go to SoJoMo
It’ll be over so fast
Because they keep it low
That’s where we wanna go
Give it to JoSoMo.
Outside of the cool(?) nickname.. I dont see any harm in letting Joba prove himself through a couple more series before declaring him anything. We did this last year with the 8th inning role within the first week or two of the season as well and it turned out terribly.
JoSoMo – I like that
Nova pitches to contact. He is wise beyond his years. If he can give us 6 each time out he can win 20.
Joe’s BoRoJoSoMo! LOL!
Alex has said he would be interested in owning a team when he stops playing but Warren Buffett, one of his financial mentors, believes owning a minor league team is a better investment than a major league team so perhaps he goes that route.
Do the Yankees own 2 of their minor league teams now? Perhaps one for Derek and one for Alex someday with a buy in for a fractional share of the big club?
Alex’s great play on the line with 2 down saved Young Ivan’s bacon…..He did pitch a fine game indeed…..If he gets 28-30 starts, he’ll be in the ROY conversation
Joe’s BoRoJoSoMo! LOL!
====================
Who is this Bo you speak of?
MTU –
You are definitely one of the forward-thinking posters here. I also like that you counsel patience and recognize the potential flaw in the Sux. I would say that makes you a five-tool poster!
Ray, they are apoplectic at this point. But seriously, what the flip was all the hype about. Seriously. I am sure there were fans here who started to worry immediately. If you take the time to look at the whole thing pragmatically, it would have to appear that the overstimulation was predicated upon their getting Crawford and Agon. I’m sure they factored into it the job the Sux did without having the services of the elf, pukey, and Ellsbury. (For my money the only one who really hurt them by being out was Ellsbury.) But they also had Martinez and Beltre. And they do not have the bit players anymore that were part of their offense – McDonald, for one.) But what was so overlooked in the process of stupidly annointing them was the huge question marks in their pitching! They don’t have a bullpen worth spit. And there were questions accompanying Lackey, Dice-K and Beckett. And now we can at least take a look at Lester and the Chucky doll.
It doesn’t hurt at all to have them losing games because of course those are games they will have to make up at some point in order to, say, go ahead of Baltimore.
I am applying that delicious combination of immediacy and long-term. When I look into my crystal ball, I see the Suxers coming apart at the seems and the Yankees on an even keel. So I’m good to go for the long haul. But I am enjoying the hell out of the moment too. (Pretty nice gig if you can get it, the ability to “know” that your team is going to be fine even when things may appear bleak, but also to know that the despised competition is going to fail, even if things appear rosy!)
Stuckey-
Nice tune.
mick April 5th, 2011 at 10:16 am
That is so true Mick! He also has a 4-seamer that can get him a K as well. I am impressed. I hear Noesi is a similar version to Nova. Add the Killer Bs, DJM & more and it must scare other teams!
Trisha-
At my age I’m a five-drool player.
Nova might have a maturity/concentration problem for 1 inning a game, between the 4th and 6th, Joe letting him pitch through it was key.
Bo = Boone Logan
“Bo = Boone Logan”
Then you want to go with “Lo”..
Bo or Lo will Do.
DOH!!!
Yea I agree…ownership probably would make.more sense for Alex but Im always amazed at how much he remembers and notices during the game. Seems it would be hard for him to quit the game entirely when he’s finished playing ….
Why does Alex have such a problem with popups?
Blake-
Alex always has monster seasons when he dates Hollywood starlets.
Since he is dating Cameron he will have another one.
All that “dirty dancing” is also good therapy for his hips.
mick, it could legitimately be an inner ear thing.
I thought this for years.
No popup blocker ?
mel, whenever you are around, I want you to know how much I identify with your thinking on things. I do not think that Soriano is going anywhere but to the closer role for the Yankees. Time will tell of course.
I am wondering how any posters who were so against the Soriano deal are feeling now.
I am giddy over getting Soriano. When I look into my crystal ball I see Soriano transitioning as Yankee closer. It may be that I just want that to be the case so badly, who knows. Not that I want Mo to go anywhere. Cripes he just seems to get better with age.
I still say that the best acquisition of the off season was Soriano. The guy is HUGE for us.
I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Joba, Soriano, Mo. Anyone think of a better 7-9 in the majors? I sure can’t.
********
My maxim is that you never count out players who have shown you great stuff (unless of course they suffer some kind of injuries where you just can’t count on them, like poor CMW.
)
Always remember, good waiters get good tips. A marathon, not a sprint.
Feel free to add your own sayings, even if they have nothing to do with the above!
A stitch in time saves nine
A rolling stone gathers no moss
“Why does Alex have such a problem with popups?”
Everyone has their kryptonite.
trisha – true pinstriped blue April 5th, 2011 at 10:19 am
I don’t think the RSox will crash & burn as they are a good team. But it may feel like it to them if they get swept this weekend or even if they lose the Cleve series. A lot of pressure & Beantown media is a chicken little at best.
I think Lester & Laptop will do well. They don’t seem to have a slot for Crawford. Ellsbury is the key to that offense as he gets on & the others get more fastballs to hit for fear of Ellsbury stealing another base including home! LOL!
Beckett is the key for them & he looked good against a weak Houston team his last time out. Lester & Lackey got bombed, but I don’t expect Lester to be bad (actually he will be great) once the weather warms up. But if Beckett/Lackey/Dice-K fold over, then Laptop may put too much pressure on himself & pitch poorly trying to be an ace for them.
“Alex always has monster seasons when he dates Hollywood starlets.
Since he is dating Cameron he will have another one.”
Actually seems to be something to that – until they try to tie him down! I’m thinking that since they both have Hispanic backgrounds, he and Cameron really have a good thing going on. I remember reading that his ex-wife tried to break him of a lot of habits, one being eating things like rice and beans. Not cultured enough I guess.
(Meanwhile, and this is just my opinion, I always thought she looked and dressed like trailerpark trash.)
FWIW, their is an article in the Post about Hughes noticing a change in his delivery and working to correct it.
Bottom line is unless he is hurt, his diminished velocity must be mechanical or his arm is not yet in shape. I would bet mechanical since he has had about 2 months to get his arm ready.
Why do we have to have a nickname for the back of the pen? Is it really necessary?
I could only hope the stupid name Kay came up with doesn’t catch on.
I’d like to punch the dude who came up with “Killer B’s.” As if “Generation Trey” wasn’t bad enough.
austinmac April 5th, 2011 at 10:33 am
Thanks for the update!!
?Alex always has monster seasons when he dates Hollywood starlets.”
****************************
although he was with Cameron last season and didn’t have a monster year.
Ray, while I expect the Suxers to right the ship at some point to the extent that they are not going to go 0-162, I do think there are enough cracks there that there is no way they are going to be the team the “experts” predicted them to be. I expect Lackey to spit the bit, Dice-K to do the same thing, and Beckett to be erratic at best. I am not convinced about Lester or Chucky. I look at the Suxer’s ten straight losses in ST as being indicative of a greater mailaise.
Only time will tell whether my ambitious predictions hold water!
Giuseppe Franco April 5th, 2011 at 10:34 am
I understand! It is harder to type out their names so Killer B’s is used.
“although he was with Cameron last season and didn’t have a monster year.”
Erin, they were on and off last year. Seems they have solidified the unioin.
Time to switch computers and go to my borrowed, slow-as-molasses laptop. It’s in a more comfortable location in my house. The good news for everyone here is that it will slow down my posting.
trisha – true pinstriped blue April 5th, 2011 at 10:37 am
The RSox do have hitters, especially in that place where they play home games. It is like a fake stadium where bad hitters can be good.
I expect the RSox to get another SP as well around AS break. If the O’s are for real, then it could be a long season for RSox.
Watching the game last night reminded me of what a great player Jim Thome has been. I remember when he first came up, I couldn’t get over how much he looked like Craig Nettles. I was hoping the Yankees could get him from INdians to play 3B from just that September call-up.
And now, many, manyyears later, he is still a credit to the game with the way he plays. A sure HOFer–perhaps first ballot.
I still say that the best acquisition of the off season was Soriano.
_____________
I loved it too, but I think the biggest was Larry R.
Kay is looking for ONE thing to stick, just one.
He brought up Quangormo last night, the audacity.
Why not dredge up the Martini Glass Defense?
Or start describing the back and front of the uniform again.
Or the fact he has never had a condiment.
The truth of the matter is that he is better than that.
His strength lies in his interview skills, bringing others out like Flaherty and O’Neill.
Now on to Segment 2, another Kay creation.
Shameless.
GF-
I thought we were friends ?
Didn’t know you wanted to punch my lights out.
Applying the Killer B’s moniker to our B’s was one of my ideas.
Sorry GF.
I enjoyed Flaherty’s work again last night. He seems like he is getting more comfortable…and he is one of the most knowledgeable baseball commentators around IMO.
Trisha-
A good portion of the World lives off of rice and beans.
What a snobette.
The Red Sox have glaring weaknesses at Catcher, Closer & last 2 or 3 SP. Add in a no hit Cameron & a fragile Drew it could get ugly. Scutaroo is hurt now, ask me how I know, & they have no other options at SS really. Ortiz could fade away very quickly too & that could get ugly.
Strengths are 1B Agone, 2B Peds & 3B Youk, OF Ellsbury (should be in LF), Crawford (should be in CF) & Lester/Bucky & Bard.
A couple of key injuries could cause the dam to break!
Maybe the Yanks can trade of Okajima and re-acquire Mitre and Chan Ho Park
Okajima, Soriano, Logan, Mitre, Park
O-So-Lo-Mi-Ho
Time to walk the Pupperattzi.
BIAW
I still like BoRoJoSoMo or maybe just Mo’s Gang!
How is Youklis swinging the bat after his hand injury late last year? Is he driving the ball, or is he tentative? I usually do not like to pick players coming back from hand or wrist injuries for a year until they fully recover, and am hoping Youk under-performs this year.
It’s amazing how the mood about the Sux has changed after three games. They are going to be very good people! I hope, hope, hope that this is a precursor of the wheels falling off a bit, but I’m not counting on it.
Going to be a dogfight, in my opinion, and will very much depend on what team stays healthy and who is actually on the roster in August.
O-So-Lo-Mi-Ho
============
Now that is good.
Calling Michael Kay
RayVT April 5th, 2011 at 10:47 am
The Red Sox have glaring weaknesses at Catcher, Closer & last 2 or 3 SP.
**************
To say these are glaring weaknesses is overstating it (except MAYBE the catcher part).
O-So-Lo-Mi-Ho
===========
But can you have a nickname for a lousy pen?
Ppl are running wild with the name for the bullpen
So its pouring rain here in FL. Bryan Mitchell is none too pleased:
Bryanmitchell22: Oh cool. It would be raining on our day off.#expletive
mick April 5th, 2011 at 10:55 am
O-So-Lo-Mi-Ho
===========
But can you have a nickname for a lousy pen?
_______________
Boston does…”c r a p”
RiverAveBlues Derek Jeter is renting a $15K/month apt. at Trump World Tower to get more sleep http://nyp.st/fMKXxo
Got into a discussion with Red Sawx fans last night…. pointed out that Beckett was worse than AJ last year and they got a bit cranky.
So much has been made of the two terrific additions — Gonzales and Crawford while conveniently ignoring the losses of Beltre and V-Mart
So much has been made of the two terrific additions — Gonzales and Crawford while conveniently ignoring the losses of Beltre and V-Mart
==========================
If crawford doesn’t deliver he will hear it at fenway….it’s not a given that this tradeoff is equivalent, in fact they lose a lot of power….youk looks out of shape, more so than in the past. the bottom 3rd of their order is pathetic.
Good column by Sherman about the reality of the Jeter situation….
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....uQekMZXMRK
Alex has always hated pop ups. He’s better now than he used to be.
trisha – true pinstriped blue April 5th, 2011 at 10:38 am
?although he was with Cameron last season and didn’t have a monster year.?
Erin, they were on and off last year. Seems they have solidified the unioin.
****************************
trisha-that’s true.
I still just go with the every other year theory with Alex (not to discount Kate or Cameron’s influence)
I’ll say it again.
Gonzalez and Craword are the shiny new toys, but the underlying premise of Boston’s strength is the assumed relative full-season health of Pedroia (75 games played), Youkilis (102) and Ellsbury (18).
Even Martinez (if counted as a subtraction) has to be accounted for as he only played in 127 games.
Despite this, the Red Sox still scored the second most runs in baseball.
They have pitching issues for sure, and their offense if probably being somewhat overrated.
But if those guys stay healthy and perform close to their career norms, they are going to score runs.
Nobody in their line-up has to have career years in order for them to be a top offensive team.
“I think it would be wrong to go game by game, day by day, analyzing this.” – K. Long
Obviously not a poster on LoHud!
86w183,
Very stuff on the bullpen name. Clearly, you have too much time on your hands.
“Very funny stuff.”
The Sox are a good baseball team. But they just never scare me. How can you be afraid of a team that ugly? I have never seen such a large collection of ugly men in my entire life.
Joe from Long Island April 5th, 2011 at 11:14 am
In all fairness a pop-up at SS is much easier to handle than one at 3B, especially on a windy day.
RayVT – I have no idea. You’ve heard of the expression “good field, no hit”? In my youth, I was described as “no field, no hit”.
Shame Spencer April 5th, 2011 at 11:27 am
The Sox are a good baseball team. But they just never scare me. How can you be afraid of a team that ugly? I have never seen such a large collection of ugly men in my entire life.
************************
agree 100%!
It looks even worse when you compare our players position by position…its one of my favorite games to play actually, especially when I get to the second basemen..
russell_martin Rain Needs To Stop. I want 2 Play.
Joe from Long Island April 5th, 2011 at 11:33 am
LOL! They finally put me at catcher so they could use my bat! LOL!
There is dancing in the streets and a celebratory feel is in the air as Girardi names Joba “my 7th inning guy”.
From heralded starter – to the heir to Mo – to the 8th inning guy – to the 7th inning guy. My, how the mighty have fallen.
Good morning Toby and Maya.
Just the right amount of time on my hands Austin!
# West Coast Yankee Fan April 5th, 2011 at 11:40 am
There is dancing in the streets and a celebratory feel is in the air as Girardi names Joba “my 7th inning guy”.
From heralded starter – to the heir to Mo – to the 8th inning guy – to the 7th inning guy. My, how the mighty have fallen.
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it’s been a crazy journey that’s for sure
Shame Spencer April 5th, 2011 at 11:37 am
It looks even worse when you compare our players position by position?its one of my favorite games to play actually, especially when I get to the second basemen..
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Shame, I have a friend who’s a Red Sox fan and I actually got her to (very grudgingly) admit that the Yankees are much better looking than the Red Sox. lol
Good morning to Gio and the chickens!
WCYF:
Where have you heard the exact opposite of the following and by whom, should be an easy one. LOL !
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‘I think a win in April is as important as one later in the year’…………………………
I was very happy with Nova’s start. He seemed so mature on the mound that it was hard to recall that this is only his 2nd big league win. Nova for ROY!
“From heralded starter – to the heir to Mo – to the 8th inning guy – to the 7th inning guy. My, how the mighty have fallen.”
Sometimes the ‘Mighty” fall to the operating room, the back end of bullpens on bad teams, and the minor leagues.
Look at Kerry Wood before the Yankees gave him new life. Or Mark Prior now. If he is pitching quality, high leverage innings that matter, that is a success.
And he’s young enough that his future is still an open book.
Some fans try waay too hard to find the warts in an unprecedented era of success.
russell_martin Rain Needs To Stop. I want 2 Play..
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Russell Martin is a p cool dude
Lucky for him (and us) the rain should be gone very soon. It’s going to be nice out this afternoon, although a bit chilly this evening.
The chickens are Jo, Mo, Po, Tex, Rex and Lex. The three of each are different by the color of their heads. Sometimes I get them mixed up.
Vineyard Yankee is a huge animal lover. He has a goat, five chickens, five dogs and a cat. Farmer Bobby! Yankee fans come in all shapes and sizes. Farm on McDuff!
Oops! Six chickens. Sounds like a pen to me.
Stuckey – regarding Joba – those are just the facts. Interesting journey so far.
Bottom line with Joba is, if he pitches well, he plays himself into a future closers role.
Soriano most likely won’t be here for the length of his contract and Mo is 41.
Why not appreciate that he is throwing the ball better than he has in two years instead of taking continuous cheap shots at the guy?
We have enough morons on here posting gibberish on a daily basis. Let’s not add to it.
Sorry SJ44, Mariano will never leave us
Erin, the rain will be out of the area by 4:30 PM. Game on.
Would like to hear from somewhere that Cervelli is making progress. Not feeling good about the BUC situation. Cervelli’s return of mid-May seems like eternity.
I think his future is set in stone
Yoba needs to keep focused and consistent to get the job done. Then maybe he will restore some of that lost faith that many fans used to have in him .
GB-
“Who will stop the rain ?”
Nice song.
Always liked CCR.
WCYF
“My, how the mighty have fallen” is not a “fact”.
Exactly what is the payoff you get from being derogatory towards contributing players?
MTU – you’re showing your age
I always liked that song, also. CCR was a good band.
Got to run to a meeting. Later.
GreenBeret7 April 5th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Erin, the rain will be out of the area by 4:30 PM. Game on.
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GB, that’s good. Martin will be very pleased.
Killer Bs is a co-opt from Houston’s Bagwell/Biggio/Bell (Berkman) to reference our three Alliterative Arms. The nickname is not all that creative,& certainly not original, but it suggests itself & what’s more, it’s accurate.
What’s important is, all three ARE killers whose last names begin with “B’.
.
The nickname I hate is Monty. But I probably won’t lose sleep over it…
Hard to ignore Chamberlain hitting 96 and 97 MPH with movement last night. No slop, no tricks, just stuff.
SJ44 April 5th, 2011 at 11:50 am
Bottom line with Joba is, if he pitches well, he plays himself into a future closers role.
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They will probably trade for and sign a closer when Mo hangs it up
WCYF:
Yes, thanks. It is now 6 chickens and 3 cats. Sylvester, Tigger and Kloe.
Erin April 5th, 2011 at 11:39 am
russell_martin Rain Needs To Stop. I want 2 Play.
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I heart Russell Martin
Joba is doing great. He has that swagger on the mound again and the fastball, while not 98, looks overpowering. What we’re seeing right now in this bullpen is special. If Feliciano can come back healthy and shut down lefties, we’re going to turn the game into a 5 inning game. Being able to use our lefties early in matchup spots and having Robertsen to pitch the 6th is a luxury no other team in this league has.
The bar is low for our starters. If they can just average 6 innings of 3 run ball, this team will win over 100 games with this pen and offense.
Granted I want the starters to go deeper and give the pen a rest some nights.
As for Soriano, I don’t think he will be here next year. I think all the teams that passed on him this off season are going to bid high on him next off season. The guy is a closer. You see it. The stuff is spotless.
I said last night the Rangers must be kicking themselves having passed up on him. If they signed him to close and put Feliz in the rotation they’d be the best team in baseball hands down. What a weapon he’s going to be.
And I want to know what’s the guess for the first question to Theo about why he didn’t sign Russell Martin. I love his game. Just stay healthy. And find a decent backup who isn’t an offensive void. I wish Montero was up here in that role.
Not if Joba keeps pitching like this.
There would be no need to trade or sign a closer if Joba continues to throw this well.
It’s the benefit of having pitching depth throughout the organization.
Joe-
It hard to hide your age when you been around a 1000 years like me.
Don’t wanna count chickens too soon but Martin is looking like a tide swinging type move….not only because the Yanks got him but because Boston didn’t (double whammy). Its only 4 games of course but its tough to overlook the impact he’s had on those 4 games…..
As I said, Mo will never leave us and Joba will be a starter one day!
Yea but this is the Yankees we’re talking about. I understand they want to get the payroll in order but you mean to tell if if Soria is available they’ll pass on him for Chamberlain?
Erin – I LOVE IT!! Thats one thing they can’t really deny.. we have swagger.
blake – I was thinking the same thing about Martin yesterday. With him, though, I’m just afraid of getting my cart before the horse or some such cliche. I’m just concerned he won’t stay healthy. If he does, he could make a real impact. I love that he’s got some speed. Batting at the bottom of the order surrounded by Granderson and Gardner makes me really like how our line-up looks.
New Post: Minor league rosters coming together
# Patrick April 5th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
As I said, Mo will never leave us and Joba will be a starter one day!
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The save record will reach the high 1,000s if that’s the case
If Feliciano comes back, and they can coax a few more 7 inning + starts from the Non-CC pitchers in the rotation, this team can be very dangerous.
With a bullpen this good, you will see opposing hitters pressing in the first six innings of games if they are behind because they are fearful of a shutdown bullpen. That worked well in ’96.
It will also help the starters to some degree because they will be able to take advantage of over aggressive hitters.
What I wrote was a factual assessment of Joba’s journey. I hope he does well for the sake of the team but like most fans, I have my favorite players and my not so favorite players.
Morning, Yankee fans! Here’s a crazy question, my bad if it’s already been discussed. Nova did throw Thome a good pitch last night. But (I was watching on ESPN) the announcers said Thome loves the ball in that location (I forget the exact location it was). To those who know about catching and signals – is it possible that that pitch being thrown in a location Thome is so comfy with is simply a byproduct of Martin not knowing AL batters real well yet? Or was it a matter of Nova not putting the pitch where he wanted to? It doesn’t really matter either way, but this stuff fascinates me. To those in the know – can you tell the difference between a catcher calling a bad pitch and a pitcher not locating it as he planned? How?
With the kids that KC has coming fast, the one thing they don’t have after Soria is a closer. Why would KC trade him now. Unless he becomes ineffective or hurt, he’s not going anywhere. If KC starts winning, they’ll draw. If Pujols leaves, KC will retake Missouri
KC won’t be winning anytime soon