Return to form, or a bump in the road?
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Podcast on May 17, 2011 
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An inning got out of control. A.J. Burnett had been pitching so well, and the Yankees had given him a lead, and suddenly Burnett’s outing imploded. It felt like last year.
“Last year’s gone, man,” Burnett said. “We need to turn a page about talking about last year. This is this year. If ya’ll can’t tell that I’m better this year already, then I don’t know what else you want me to do.”
One night doesn’t define a season, and one inning certainly doesn’t define a pitcher. Burnett was right. He has proven himself to be a better pitcher this season, and one night doesn’t change that.
But this is Burnett we’re talking about, and last night was a winable game until he blew it. It’s hard not to think about last year, even if Burnett’s right to call it a thing of the past.
“Everyone is going to have a tough start,” Joe Girardi said. “You see guys take a lot of steps forward, you see them continue to get better, and sometimes they’re going to take a step back. The thing is, you have to take a couple steps forward the next time, and you’ve got to get yourself back on that track.”
Maybe it was just Burnett’s turn. In this on-going Yankees debacle, everyone but Curtis Granderson seems to have taken a turn as the player — or one of the players — responsible for a loss. Last night, Burnett took the blame.
“It’s not positive, I’ll say that,” Burnett said. “But it will be. I think I’ve come too far to let one inning pop in my head, so we go back to work. These guys came out and gave me a chance and I let it go.”
Here’s Burnett speaking after last night’s game.
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Associated Press photo
Bump in the road. He’s been so good lately he was kind of due for a bad game.
Heyman tweet – “Girardi loves burnett, doesn’t love posada. Got to question binder joe’s taste there.”
Ouch! lol
Triple Short of a Cycle May 17th, 2011 at 8:56 am
I keep on hearing how this is an old team yet
Gardner,Swisher,Martin,Tex,Cano,Granderson are all in thier primes. That is 2/3 of their lineup and once Montero comes up that will be 7 out of 9 hitters that are young
“Yes, that’s what I’ve been saying. No sacred cows, so Jeter has to be moved as well.”
rich in nj-
i would move anyone and everyone if necessary.
at the same time, i wouldn’t move jeter to the ninth spot forever either.
he could get moved back to lead off or second when he starts hitting.
but i guess we agree that with this team more flexibility is needed.
teixeira just killed the yankees last year and just leaving him in the third spot when he was clearly
in a deep slump hurt the yankees.
yup, get them all used to having to check the line up each day.
randy
I agree, it would all be performance based, and it should start to happen today.
Arod could be hitting below 100 and Girardi would still leave him in as cleanup. And we saw from last year, that Tex has his spot in cement, according to Girardi.
Just ludicrous.
We have Granderson and Mariano. THAT’S IT. Every other pretender on this team is nothing but a big joke. I’m sick of the underachieving. Hillbilly Hank needs to rip into this team.
Mell May 17th, 2011 at 8:12 am
they do , but they’re not getting killed by other teams
======================
Do losses come with style points now? It’s been about bad play, not bad luck. Who cares if the games are close. They blew 3+ run leads the past two games. That’s not luck. Starters ERA the last time thru the rotation was 7.52. They walked 11 Royals in one game. They’ve allowed 7 unearned runs during this losing streak. There have been errors, passed balls, failure to turn double plays, minimal timely hitting, etc. Nothing unlucky about this 6 game losing streak. They’ve earned every bit of it.
_________________________________________________________________________
I think this earlier post summed it up pretty well. Yanks are in a rough spot right now, they just can’t afford to be giving freebies away like they have. Giving a team at this level and extra out or two is death. Last night other than Granderson (and the three runs off a HR has been typical this year) it was more of the same. I thought the Gardener PH was laughable. Jones was hitting over .300 against the pitcher and he brings in Gardener for the K. Hope tonight is a well pitched game with no errors, at least turn that part around and let the chips fall where they do on the hitting. Tex and A Rod have to start getting the hits, you can’t have the middle of your lineup 0 for the game.
I think someone on this board called this last night. I’m curious if Girardi really thinks anyone buys his lame post-game comments…
JoelSherman1
Can’t wait to hear Girardi say Burnett had 1 bad IP. File that with if u only can erase 5 bad apps by Joba as his most ridiculous excuse
I have had my issues with Cashman and management – but I cannot believe they are not disturbed and are doing nothing. I think Cashman is considering all trade options and who could help from the minor leagues. I can’t believe they will allow this free fall to go on forever.
Here’s a disturbing stat:
JoelSherman1
Burnett truly began falling apart in 9th GS last yr (6 Rs vs. #Rays). Tonight 9th start, 6 Rs vs. Rays. So he is right on sked #Yankees
12 hours ago via TweetDeck
This team needs help. The starting pitching is beginning to look as expected. The offense has been awful, but occasionally the starters and pen must win low scoring games. That is not happening. The vaunted bullpen is not getting it done. Their is no one reliable except Mo. Joba gives up homers, Robertson gives up too many walks and Soriano just gives up.
I would like to see Soriano put on the DL and Montero brought up. They need an infusion of enthusiasm that results from a rookie getting a chance. Right now they are sleep walking.
I believe the Posada situation is going to worsen in the days and weeks ahead. If he doesn’t hit, and I have my grave doubts, it will get ugly as he is benched or released. One or the other will have to be done unless they are willing to toss the season for old times sake.
I am one who lived through 1965 and beyond. They must act to bring in youth to avoid a similar result.
WCYF,
You’d think, but who knows? The whole organization is looking very disfunctional right now — from the players on up.
Randy,
I agree that 2007 alex for a full season is probably not.coming back. However I think he can be that guy in stretches and be a productive power bat the rest of the time.
Teixera isn’t that type hitter either so its up to Cano to be that every day force in the lineup…..the guy teams worry and game plan around.
Girardi only had the balls to drop Posada to 9th. Let me see him shake up this line-up like some of you are suggesting. I’ll have to see it to believe it.
——————-
Enough with bashing Jeter and Posada. Everyone sucks except Granderson.
—————————-
Loss is on AJ. He is weak. Could not come up big when his team needed it the most. A #2 who couldn’t hold a 5-1 lead.
—————————–
Give Cashman credit, he wanted no part of Soriano.
Jon Heyman
With jorge flap, unnoticed is #yankees real issue. A-rod stinks. Avg down to .242 from .412. brass worried. scout: he looks 40
=======
.180 average with a .533 OPS since returning from his injury in April. Still a little hurt perhaps?
Austin-
I’m on board for some change. Have been for a while.
Im not jumping to conclusions with AJ….he’s been pretty darn good this year considering what he did a year ago.
Hah! Lackey was put on the disabled list. Can we put our lineup on the DL (minus Grandy)?
Im shocked at how bad Alex has looked. He looked 5 years younger in ST to start the season not 5 older……he was starting to break out of it a little last week and then ran into a string of good pitchers and now has relapsed. I still think he turns it back on soon.
There’s been so many comments expressing how someone needs to start screaming or breaking things. Others want the the majority of the lineup replaced.
Personally I’d opt for an animal sacrifice or perhaps a moratorium on sex while forcing them to wear a ladies garter belt under their uniforms. At least those methods have worked in the movies.
Cashman’s plan is patience……………patience my friends.
Lots of things weighing on Posada right now:
Meanwhile, as it turned out, Posada – who said a lot of regrettable things in the heat of the moment to Girardi and Cashman; things like he wanted out of here, in and around a few F-bombs – has had a lot weighing on his mind these days, above and beyond that .165 batting average. On June 8, his son Jorge Luis is scheduled to undergo his eighth and (they hope) last surgery to correct his craniosynostosis condition, for which Posada told Yankee officials he will need a day or so away from the team.
http://tiny.cc/j86cs
I just keeping thinking…geez, how long do we have Arod? Fingers and toes crossed he chooses to get on with his next life no later than 38. I think he’s hankering to break the HR record, though.
I would have thought Jeter had too much pride to really play for four more years, but now, I’m not so sure.
Blake-
Do you think A-Rod is injured ?
Wang IS Taiwan May 17th, 2011 at 9:17 am
Nothing that a few timely hits and a couple of wins won’t fix.. It is surprising to me that we are on a losing streak now and we weren’t able to have any type of sustained winning streak before this.
blake May 17th, 2011 at 9:21 am
Im shocked at how bad Alex has looked. He looked 5 years younger in ST to start the season not 5 older……he was starting to break out of it a little last week and then ran into a string of good pitchers and now has relapsed. I still think he turns it back on soon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many keep saying that he’ll turn it around soon, but last night someone posted that in his last 84 ABs, he’s hit .174 or sthg close to that. Ugh.
Good morning Erin, how are you doing today ?
too early for a trade, so they have to go to the minors.
enough with worrying about feelings….
what about our feelings?
What CAN happen
___
Swish should be benched
Montero up, Cervelli down – BUC and DH vs. lefties
Soriano to DL, Vazquez up (until Chavez is back) – play 3rd/1st while alex and tex get it together.
Jones gone, Laird/Dickerson/Maxwell/someone up.
Vineyard –
Well, we’ve been saying that for a while now. I’m losing hope.
And hey — what happens when injuries start impacting the team? Now there’s a thought. Right now, they’re relatively healthy and are looking like crap.
Morning Vineyard Yankee! I’m good thanks, how about you?
What CAN happen
___
Swish should be benched
Montero up, Cervelli down – BUC and DH vs. lefties
Soriano to DL, Vazquez up (until Chavez is back) – play 3rd/1st while alex and tex get it together.
Jones gone, Laird/Dickerson/Maxwell/someone up.
___
What will happen?
Nothing.
Maybe they will bring up Pena when Soriano goes to the DL.
Bronx Jeers,
Oh my…how do you respond to that?
ac1 – I like your plan!!
Also, just catching up on the papers this morning.. Soriano just rubbing me the wrong way.
Alright.
Fess up.
Which one of you is a closet Sox fan and put this hex on the Yankees ?
Speaking of the Sox, I couldn’t believe they pulled off a win yesterday. When I left the house this morning, they were behind 5 to 0.
Come backs used to the Yanks’ trademark. I miss those exciting games. (Though playing behind is always stressful — at least to me as a fan.)
Also, just catching up on the papers this morning.. Soriano just rubbing me the wrong way.
____
He was a big mistake. Cashman knew it.
Blaming the hitters is fine, unless you’re ERA is over 6 or 7, and you’ve had one clean inning all year, and have been injured twice already.
AJ had one bad inning. The Yankees lineup could not score once they lost the lead thru the last 3 innings. There seems to be no “comeback” in this team in the late innings. Does anyone know how many runs the Yankees have scored per each inning?
Tex still cannot hit to the opposite field when batting against the shift from the left side. Surprisingly he leads the regulars on OBP. Maybe he should lay down a bunt once in a while against the shift!
Yeah, I’m starting to see why Cashman wanted no part of Soriano.
Im not jumping to conclusions with AJ….he’s been pretty darn good this year considering what he did a year ago.
=======================
His numbers thru 9 starts are eerily similar to his numbers thru 9 starts last year, but he has pitched better this year.
I think AJ will be ok, though Joe HAS TO notice the signs of AJ falling apart.
2 HRs and 2 WPs….
I dont care if he is at 60 pitches, red flags….
Wang-
The Red Sox won because their leadoff hitter Ellsbury gets a hit, Pedroia works a walk and A-Gone hits a double high off the leftfield green monster bringing home the winning runs.
With all the extra batting practice Teixeira took to try and hit the opposite way, it’s not paying off lately.
Here is the problem with patience. You can’t get the games back you lose. Is the name of the game winning as a team? Or trying to get the back of your baseball card looking respectable by October?
I thought Cash didn’t want any part of him because of the money and maybe the years as well
Yankee Trader,
Don’t forget Ellsbury stealing second, something Gardner seems incapable of doing this season
Triple –
Cashman actually talked about his poor clubhouse reputation (one of his “too frank” comments) after the signing. That’s how I first learned he was a problem child in Tampa Bay. I then went on to read more about the specifics after I heard Cashman talk about this point.
Last Nights loss was totally depressing. I dislike the Rays a lot and losing the way we did when I was at the game and hoping to get a win on my birthday was hard. They were sooo close too.
And to all those anti-home runs people, we got sunk on home runs so they must not be all that bad if they can win games.
YTrader,
Thanks. I just read that AGon has 37 RBI — the most in the majors. Not bad.
This whole team with a few exceptions has not just fallen into a pothole.
It’s more like a sinkhole.
A very large one.
It’s hard to believe that no significant actions have been taken to try to alter the current dynamic.
This poor play has generally been going on since Detroit.
Please don’t tell me that there was nothing they could do.
They certainly could have, and should have.
Examples have been cited previously.
ty-happy belated birthday
Sorry you didn’t get to see a win.
put granderson, the best hitter on the team this year in the three spot, and move cano into the clean up spot. and then have teixeira and alex follow.
granderson, cano, teixeira, alex in a row makes sense to me.
i suppose this could be 2,3,4 ,5 also.
they have to get a core in the line up clicking.
My question is how can the Yankees claim to be short in the bullpen when they carry 13 pitchers? If you don’t trust Noesi, Sanit, Ayala, or Logan to hold a lead, why are they on the team. Girardi’s dogmatic approach to bullpen roles is, well, dumb.
Wang:
C’mon now, don’t give up the ship. You’re right we are healthy, except for ‘Sorry Soriano’ apparently. We need to right the ship and go on a streak of our own,
Now hear this: Tex, ARod, Jeter front and center !
Fortunately we have baltimore and the mets on the horizon. We r competitive with those two teams
Tom in N.J. May 17th, 2011 at 9:45 am
My question is how can the Yankees claim to be short in the bullpen when they carry 13 pitchers? If you don’t trust Noesi, Sanit, Ayala, or Logan to hold a lead, why are they on the team. Girardi’s dogmatic approach to bullpen roles is, well, dumb.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My thought exactly when I read he said we were short in the bullpen. But then again, none of those names have been assigned an inning like Joba, Soriano and Mo.
Randy-
That would be a start.
How about sending Cervelli down and seeing if Montero’s bat plays in the majors ?
How about giving Nunez more playing time. His fielding needs work but he loooks like he has a live bat.
Etc.
Wang IS Taiwan,
Thanks. I wasn’t aware of that
Noesi, Sanit, Ayala and Logan = a collection of junk. Let’s be honest.
any”dogmatic approach” isn’t going to work on this yankee team.
we need a yankee guerilla strategy with this team.
i’m not sure joe has it in him to be fluid and flexible.
i’m sure he doesn’t either.
it will probably take personel changes to get him to change the lineup significantly.
that might mean montero.
Vineyard —
it’s getting harder and harder to cheer for a team that doesn’t seem to have any life. The defensive mistakes really are tough to stomach. So you’re not hitting? Well, at least make the plays in the field that you can.
Randy,
Remember drill sargeant Girardi is first year? Yeah, well that’s the real Girardi.
I’m all for your guerilla strategy.
I’m starting to jump on the bring Montero up wagon. They need to get something going and what they’ve got now is just not clicking.
Erin:
Glad you’re well. Things are OK out here, 3 days of rain now in the middle of May which is a bit strange. My animals have had enough of the wet and like to be outdoors in the sun instead of being mud hens.
Haven’t seen Kate around lately, everything OK with her ? Are you in the same fantasy league with her ?
JackCurryYES When Rays were 1-8, owner Stuart Sternberg said they were realists and expected things would get better.” Y? “They couldn’t be much worse.”
Erin,
Maybe 8 losses in a row will be the Yanks lucky, too.
*lucky number
VY-no, I’m not in the fantasy league. I’m not sure where Kate’s been.
Stuart Sternberg and the Ray’s front office must like the Beatles
“How about sending Cervelli down and seeing if Montero’s bat plays in the majors ?”
mtu-
yes, that may be what’s needed.
i think posada may be suffering from PCS and isn’t going to be able to play full time. just a hunch.
i know this seems like a sudden change on my part, but i think maybe posada should consider retiring after the next hot streak he gets into . go out knowing he can still play, but leave before his condition deteriorates further.
its probably going to.
its not posada’s fault by the way that he’s likely got PCS.
it’s an occupational hazard.
Wang IS Taiwan May 17th, 2011 at 9:55 am
Erin,
Maybe 8 losses in a row will be the Yanks lucky, too.
****************
LOL I’m kind of hoping 6 losses in a row will do it.
Well, good morning all – Wasn’t that a fun time last night?
Betsy – I agree, I think Soriano is just clueless. I don’t he said anything we already don’t know – the hitters are in a slump. It’s just saying it publicly. How much the hitters are offended will depend on how honest they are, and how fragile their egos are.
randy – I agree with you, also. I’d be fine with Joe changing the lineup around, either in a planned way as you suggest, or pick the names out of the hat. Or no batting practice for a game. Something to shake things up. Night out on the town. Whatever. All done with the caveat that no change is necessarily permanent.
It’s still a long season. Nothing is impossible, for better or worse. The thing is, as we’ve discussed, the time for patience is winding down, and you’re soon reaching the point where it’s legit to conclude that guys are what they are.
We don’t have any insight into what moves Cash is contemplating, either AAA or trades. This run of bad baseball obviously raises the asking price for any team that he’s negotiating with. A couple of wins would be appreciated on many fronts.
Later.
Triple:
I believe that Cashman’s main reason for not wanting any part of signing ‘Surly Sorry Soriano’ is because he didn’t want to give up the draft choice involved in signing him.
Dude this entire team stinks. The writers should stop talking about individual players because right now a lot of players on this team stink right now. A bunch of overpaid and some over the hill veterans on this team.
And I’m not shocked that Burnett fell apart because this is his career in a nutshell And average at best pitcher who is mentally weak. The only one worse than him is Joba with his drinking issues, running to Hometown Country Buffet, and lackluster stuff.
Soriano another waste of money. Right now this team is a mess and there will be no immediate help in sight. What the Yankees need to start doing is cutting the dead weight and making smart decisions.
Randy-
I’m not blaming Posada. In fact, I’ve tried to be supportive.
It can’t be easy coming to terms with the possibility that you just don’t have it anymore, or may not have it anymore.
What Posada did was wrong. He just lost it. But as you say, there are mitigating factors. He’s earned some slack for all he has done, and he was man enough to apologize.
That said, this team needs to try whatever things might help to get them going.
Try a few things.
Lineup changes. Montero. etc.
It can’t be any worse.
Sitting on ones hands after all this just doesn’t work for me.
I really don’t understand the level of inaction.
West Coast Yankee Fan says:
May 17, 2011 at 9:50 am
Noesi, Sanit, Ayala and Logan = a collection of junk. Let’s be honest.
—–
I wouldn’t call them junk. I think 2 of them are mop-up men(sanit and noesi, maybe ayala). They need to snag the closer from AAA and see if he can handle an inning. When Noesi got sent back down they said it took 3 starts to get back into form. He needs to be starting games not sitting on the bench. I don’t know why they would call up a long reliever when a 1 inning guy was hurt.
Tom in N.J. May 17th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Stuart Sternberg and the Ray?s front office must like the Beatles
******************
Tom, that was the first thing I thought of too.
Wang:
Yes they are a bit difficult to watch right now. All in all pretty close to a complate all around melt down. Joba is tough for me to watch as well, you never know which Joba you will see from game to game. I try to have a martini in hand to ease the pain when the games start lately.
I believe that Cashman’s main reason for not wanting any part of signing ‘Surly Sorry Soriano’ is because he didn’t want to give up the draft choice involved in signing him
======================
Seem to remember him not having a problem with having Soriano, but having problems with the terms of the deal they gave him.
Thanks Erin. Just wondered about Kate, last time she was here we were taking about FBB then poof ! Off she went.
MTU
I think management needs to explain itself. I think many agree that things need to shake up but right now the fans are not getting that indication from the top. I hope they do something though because this is just pathetic. It might not be enough like I said earlier but anything is better than nothing.
Burnett is what he is an over-paid 3rd or 4th starter that is a head case. He was bearly a .500 pitcher when the Yanks offered him more than anyone else, they knew his background, the same as they knew Soriano’s and signed him anyway. Team, with the exception of Granderson is in a free fall, poor over all hitting, below average starting pitching, lously relief(except Mo), lously managing and coaching and extremely poor defense not to mention lously base running. The only good news is it can’t go on forever.
“I really don’t understand the level of inaction.”
mtu-
girardi isn’t exactly billy martin in creativity.
his strength is personal discipline and also his weakness.
he doesn’t seem to adapt quickly when conditions change.
if this goes too deep and girardi can’t get things going, maybe tony pena might be an option to shake things up .
Before things are getting better there going to have solve the problem of fixing a hole.
Mell May 17th, 2011 at 10:09 am
I believe so, but if memory serves me correctly giving up that 1st round draft choice was the main issue he had.
“they’re going to have to”
The bullpen did a good job keeping us in the game last night. Can’t blame them. Boone Logan even got his lefties out.
Ill always support the Yankees, its normal to get frustrated when they are losing like this but I don’t think its that they aren’t trying, they’re just stuck in a groove and having trouble getting out.
And when is Joba finally going to get his walking papers from Cashman ?
You would think that everybody would finally be done with his tired act. The fact that his stuff has been on a decline since his injury in Texas a few years ago, his laziness, his drinking issues, his eating (overweight) issues, and bad attitude towards his performance. (I just have to tip my cap to them) after every bad performance there is some excuse.
Bronx Jeers May 17th, 2011 at 10:15 am
Before things are getting better there going to have solve the problem of fixing a hole.
****************
Very nice, sir
MTU,
If so then I think its minor. The Yanks have been pretty cautious with him and injuries so if it were anything significant I don’t think he’d be playing. I just think he’s messed up mechanically and with his timing…..hopefully it’ll end soon.
I do think Montero should
We’re Mariano’s Lonely Hearts Club Band …
Interupted myself…..I do think Montero should be on this team if they aren’t going to DH Jorge against lefties.
The biggest problem with this ball club right now is that we’re making too many mental mistakes. The hitting hasn’t been there, but the poor play defensively has been totally inexcusable. Normally, even when these guys slump at the plate they still play well on the other side of the ball but lately that just hasn’t been happening.
Mell,
True but the process to getting to those numbers has been much better this year IMO.
Randy-
I have no problem with Girardi’s demeanor. He’s a good man.
What I do have a problem with is not acting to try to improve things and making pollyana type statements to the press.
It’s not throwing your team under a bus to say that we are playing poorly and we need to play better. That the players need to step up.
He is not alone in the inaction.
Where is Cashman in all of this ?
Where are the reinforcements ? Where’s the help ?
There have to be some. We all know there are.
Stop evaluating and start doing.
What I do have a problem with is not acting to try to improve things and making pollyana type statements to the press.
**********************
just because he’s giving “pollyanna” answers to the press doesn’t mean the team is hearing the same things behind closed doors.
MTU,
I think they will start doing soon…..the trade market hasn’t started forming just yet but will soon.
First move is to get Montero on this team…..Im tired of the reasoning against it, the team is struggling offensively, he’s the best hitter in the minors…..get his butt up to NY and see if he can help. There is never going to be a perfect time to bring him up…..rip the bandaid off already and do it.
Something needs to be done soon to kick this team in gear. Sometimes that can be a simple as a young player getting a shot to play in the bigs, bringing their fire and enthusiasm to the club.
I do think the Posada problems are also a clubhouse distraction, otherwise it wouldn’t have gone to the depths that it did with him “opting out” of the game.
I think Randy might be correct with his thinking regarding Posada and PCS. Posada had a number of head scratching moves last year that just didn’t seem like something a veteran would do. With his tests not doing well, it could be that we are seeing some sad signs of deterioration that are affecting his being able to play.
Erin-
I suppose that’s possible but I see no problem with him expressing his displeasure publicly either.
The most important thing is to actually take action to try to correct the problem.
In that regard I believe he and others have been remiss.
This has been allowed to fester and has gone on too long IMO.
Way past the point of just patience.
I don’t think that Girardi is really manager material. He might be a better fit as bench coach, where you would want a steadier hand, and a drill sgt. type.
For a manager, you want someone who can be a little less by the book and a little more adaptable to game situations and clubhouse issues.
Blake-
That would be one thing to try.
There are others.
What are the realistic changes the Yankees can make?
The only obvious one is calling up Jesus Montero.
Mell,
True but the process to getting to those numbers has been much better this year IMO
==============================
Wouldn’t go so far as much better, but it’s better. OPS against is pretty close (.757 last year, .733 this year). Walks and K’s are about the same. Big difference is he’s allowing fewer hits, but is also allowing more homeruns.
Tom-
Montero is one.
How about shaking up the lineup ?
How about solidifying the pen with some of the young arms in the minors ?
How about giving Parraz, dickerson or Maxwell a shot ?
Sometimes small things add up to big changes.
The point is to not sit idly by w/o trying whatever might be available.
Its been frustrating, as is clear from most posters.
But let’s be real. Not apologists, but real. It’s early still.
We all lauded how Girardi is great with his pens vs Torre. And for the most part he is.
But Logan has stunk, forcing him to use his righties to get out lefties which taxes them more.
Soriano is Soriano. No Heart. Saw it in Atlanta, so I’m not surprised.
Garcia and Colon have come back down to earth, and Hughes is out.
CC hasn’t been the CC we’ve come to know, but I’m sure he’ll improve as he’s a 2nd half pitcher.
AJ has actually held this team together, so he was due for a Bad AJ day. Lets see how resilient he is next start.
Nova has a lot of pressure on his shoulders tonight, and I’m not sure he can carry it.
Jeter should be the #9 hitter.
Gardner, as someone else posted, is arguably the fastest in the game, but seems more hesitant this year for whatever reason. Is Rickey Henderson available as a coach?
ARod is still hurt, IMO.
The real key is Tex. I don’t understand it, but he’s lost it for now.
Nunez has a great arm and good bat, but his fielding is inconsistent – and no, they will not sit Jeter to let him play.
Last night I posted a plan:
1. Bring up Pena for defensive purposes, send Nunez down for a time to work on defense.
2. Bring up Phelps to take the place of Garcia/Colon/Nova when the time warrants, or even Whelan for the bullpen to replace Soriano while on the DL.
3. Place Soriano on the DL.
4. Bring up Montero, send down Cervelli.
2 or 3 kids on this team could infuse new life and stabilize the defense and pitching until the trading deadline, then Cashman can wheel and deal.
You would have to think that the outburst on Saturday night was the culmination of what has been building up for some time which leads me to believe that he’s not a happy camper and to take it a step further verbally sharing his unhappiness with his teammates.
He’s done a lot for the Yankees but if he can’t accept the roll he has been given like a team player or the leader he professes to be then he should just retire.
He’s the one who demanded this the 4th year of his contract for 13.1 million. If things are not as rosey as he thought they would be 4 years ago when he signed the contract he can look into the mirror for who is responsible, it’s not Cashman who didn’t want to give this malcontent a 4 year deal.
MTU May 17th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Erin-
I suppose that?s possible but I see no problem with him expressing his displeasure publicly either.
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MTU, but that’s just not Girardi’s style. He doesn’t seem to like airing all of that stuff out in front of the media. You know he’s not happy with how they’ve been playing. I guess I just don’t see the point in him going all Ozzie Guillen.
wow…just saw that the Red Sox came back and won last night’s game. Now I’m really peeved. Could there be any more frustrating 4 days of baseball? Swept by the Sox and then to give up a four run lead in a loss and to see them come back from 6 down.
Not ready to say the season is a washout. We all knew the Sox would play better. All this ‘no team in history has made the playoffs after such and such start’ crap never took into consideration how good those teams that lost early were.
This is why Pettite retiring and missing out on Lee was so huge. Three, at most 4 players on this 25 man roster are playing at or above their capability (Granderson, Martin, Colon, Rivera). That my friends is the making of a long unproductive season for a team and a frustratingly painful one for us fans who keep tabs, or watch every game.
Vs RHP
Gardner
Jeter
Cano
Arod
Granderson
Teixera
Martin
Swisher
Posada
LHP
Jeter
Granderson
Teixera
Arod
Cano
Martin
Swisher
Montero
Gardner
“I have no problem with Girardi’s demeanor. He’s a good man.”
mtu-
i like him too, but he’s not a very creative guy.
this blog sometimes gets divided up between old school and new school, but that isn’t what i’m really talking about.
you can be creative within any system. girardi is a very anal guy. he doesn’t handle change well. this may be a case where cashman has to deal him a new hand with personnel.
bring up montero but don’t stop there, because this isn’t just the dh spot. this team needs rethinking.
Erin-
Not Ozzie Guillen.
Heaven forbid.
Just more vocal. More demanding. More insistent on better play.
Not a wildman. That’s not what I’m saying.
JackCurryYES Yanks took 4-1 lead vs Lester Sun and lost and 5-1 vs Price Mon and lost. When u conquer elite starters and still lose, that’s disheartening
Staying the course when everyone around you is calling for change is difficult.
The Yanks need to basically stay the course with a few minor tweaks IMO.
Posada was coming out of his slump hitting over .300 in his last 4 games when he was moved to 9th. That didn’t make sense. If you are depending on certain players to perform to be successful then you need to depend on them.
ARod needs some real rest as I think he is playing injured. Swisher needs some rest too. If they would bring up Montero for Cervelli & Laird for the 13th pitcher until Chavez is ready again then I believe they would have the tweaks needed.
Nunez & Laird can play 3B and OF too. Laird can play 1B as well & Nunez can BU SS & 2B. Montero can play 2 or 3 games a week at C to spell Martin who IMO needs some R&R & Cervelli is just too weak to be a BU C now.
Give Martin, Jeter, ARod, Tex, Swish & Cano time off. Let Granderson & Gardner play almost every day in OF. Use Nunez, Laird & Montero to help give them time off. Use Jones as a RF some to spell Swish. Posada needs to be used as DH some as well. Also, no to adding Pena.
A team is never as good as they seem when they are winning & never as bad as they seem when they are losing.
Cliff Lee is 2-4 with an Era near 4. He walked 6 guys yesterday. Im not sure he’s performing all that much better than what the Yanks have or if they’d be playing any better if they had him. He can’t hit or play defense.
Randy-
I’d like to see that.
Whatever might help. Doing nothing won’t.
When Posada said Girardi has taken all the joys out of playing the past 3 years what does that mean exactly. Other then benching him in the world series games in Philly what did he do to Posada that has been so bad?
“it’s not Cashman who didn’t want to give this malcontent a 4 year deal.”
cut the crap with the name calling of a yankee great player.
all it does is lower the quality of the blog.
posada is also not the one who put this rotation together.
cashman knew two years ago the yankees in 2011 would need another top starter.
he got nada.
cashman needs to turn the page and act right now.
time to turn the page for everyone.
finger pointing can come after the year.
put the fire out because the building is burning.
I love Joe Girardi, but, if he’s not willing to give this team the kick in the ass they need, and make big chages to wake them up, then he’s as much a part of the problem as his players.
At this time every aspect of this teams game is in a downward spiral, offense, defense and poor base running.
If Joe is not willing to make the changes required, then Cashman or ownership has to step in. Every player has to look at themselves and be responsible for what they bring to the field each day.
I don’t think A-Rod is hurt, but it appears he’s gotten into a bad hitting pattern since the injury, and is afraid to go back to his normal hitting stance and swing. K-Long, time to get your pupil back on track, even if it means 3-4 days of not playing.
MTU May 17th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Just more vocal. More demanding. More insistent on better play.
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but do you honestly think he’s not communicating those things to the team?
Teams and players can have bad offensive and defensive stretches, they all do. What concerns me is that the problems this team has are potentially so numerous as to suggest a short term fix may not be realistic. I hope that’s not true and that the vets will step up and Cashman will promote and make deals that help. But we do have issues.
It has to be clear at this point that Posada and Jeter are on a downward spiral in their careers, the bat speed is just not there. And A-Rod with his slow recovery time from even small injuries is getting there. This is not going to get better. I do not think A-Rod will break the home run record, that was thought to be a given a year ago. Does anyone thing that is the last we have seen of A-Rod’s hip and oblique injuries? Or that his recovery time will be any better next time? Does it matter that he hit well from April 1st to 10th and has plummeted since then?
Our best hitter Cano is hitting .286 and Swisher and Teixeira are at .218 and .252 respectively. Gardner, A-Rod and Martin are hitting .248, .242 and .252. Granderson has great power numbers and has saved us numerous times this season but who else is contributing on a regular basis?
The defense has been abysmal and this team does not seem prepared. That I lay squarely at the meet of Girardi. It’s his job to make sure the team comes to play and that they are held accountable for their performance. When was the last time Girardi benched someone? Defense wins games. Every single first place team is at the top or near the top of the defensive rankings in terms of fewst errors allowed. We are near the bottom. Coincedence? Not a chance.
The bullpen aside from Mo is no sure thing, and that’s a shocker. It was supposed to compensate for our issues in the rotation. Soriano is injured and disliked, Joba is a hit or miss proposition, there is nothing consistent about him, Robertson walks too many hitters and Logan our lefty specialist can’t get lefties out. The rest of the pen is a weak at best.
Girardi is not a great manager. His binder mentality, questionable moves and unwillingness to shake things up and coddle icons is a detriment to the team. Moving Posada to the nine spot is not shaking things up, all that means is he may get one fewer at bat. He can just as easily go 0-4 there as in the seven spot. I don’t see any fire in his belly, where is the outrage at the defensive play and the poor performances. Can you imagine what Lou would be saying and doing right about now? Motivation, inspiration and the unwillingness to accept failure is I believe the hallmark of a great manager. I don’t see that in Girardi.
Our rotation was predicted to be a mess and it has over-performed, thankfully. But do we really think that Colon and Garcia are the long term answers this year? I have to believe an injury is on the way or a breakdown in performance as the starts add up. It defies credulity that the lightning is going to stay in the bottle for long. Hughes is a total unknown at this point, who knows if he will contribute at all this year and Burnett is Burnett as last night’s implosion showed. When your team really needs you – good pitchers don’t do what AJ did last night. Is he better than last year? Yes, so far. But will that continue? Crap shoot at best.
And then there is Sabathia. Is he our best pitcher? Absolutely. Has he had some bad luck this season and lack of support? Sure. But he is not pitching like an ace. He is no Halladay, Felix, Johnson, Lincecum, or Lester.
Chavez going down hurts and Nunez is a good role player but Jones and Cervelli are no help at all. Who is pinch hitting at a crucial spot late in the game?
At this point it is absolutely nuts given Posada and Cervelli’s performance to have Montero in AAA. And even though their peripherals may cause some uncertainty, shake things up and give Vazquez and Maxwell a shot. Dump the no-helpers from the 40 man roster, bring them up, and send the message to the vets on this team that the job has to be earned every day and that there are young players who want your job.
As far as management is concerned, they got their wish and cut payroll this year and their diarrhea of the mouth is inspiring all who play for them. George would be aghast.
Ray VT,
I agree with brining up Montero, as I suggested.
Disagree with Laird. Would rather have the defense of Pena, though I’m ok with keeping Nunez, just really concerned about him giving up runs due to errors. It’s not like we’re scoring enough on our own.
I’d go further actually, and let Posada catch a game. May do wonders for his psyche. He could always be replaced in the late innings by Montero or Cervelli. However, if Posada is still at the Mendoza line come ASG, I’d ask him to drop his no trade clause and if not, release him.
blake
people are still trying to say that we should have signed Lee last year. It makes no sense at all why in retrospect. He lost his 2 starts in the WS(but clearly could have won for us….not) and he has not been that good so far for Philly. But people are still wishing we gave up Nova and Montero(or Nunez) I am glad we kept all three.
Granderson is the only prime age player on the team performing……that’s really the problem.
I agree – something needs to be done.
And that something is that the players who are already there need to start playing like they’re capable of. Not overachieving, just like they’re capable of.
As for bringing up AAA players, whether Montero, Warren, Phelps, Maxwell, whomever – just remember, there’s no guarantee that they’ll automatically play better than who they’re replacing.
The talent is there to roll off a 10-game winning streak. If they do that, all will be right in the universe.
If they don’t, and continue this level of play – not just the W-L, but level of play – then there will be some change. Some of that change may happen quickly – calling up a player, for instance. Some may take time – sitting down Posada and telling him he’s got until X to hit, or it’s the bench.
Kenny Singleton said something interesting on YES last night. He said that team’s bond when on the road, and that all the home games they’ve played so far may have inhibited that.
It’s a long season. Things will not remain static. There’s too much at stake.
Tyanks,
To me what’s happening is even more evidence that its a blessing Lee didn’t sign with the Yankees……they need to get younger not older, and more payroll flexible not less so. Lee wouldn’t have prevented this slump because the root of it hasn’t been starting pitching …..its been the offensive and crummy defense.
A-Rod is not healthy. It is obvious. This is not a matter of getting old quickly. He was crushing the ball in ST and early in the season. He got hurt, took time off and came back too quickly. What is the word on Chavez? They could really use him right now to give A-Rod some time off.
Tex seems to have changed his approach at the plate, as he appears to be swinging early in the count much more often than he did in the past. His overall plate discipline is awful.
Girardi needs to shake up the lineup. I know that Gardner has been weak in the lineup spot, but he has been hot lately, so he should leadoff. Jeter should bat 6th or 7th against Shields. Granderson should bat 3rd and Cano 4th. If you had Gardner, Nunez, Granderson and Cano in the 1-4 spots, you would have a nice combination of speed and power at the top of the lineup, and you would have Tex, A-Rod and Jeter giving the lineup a lot of depth when they start hitting again.
Francona moved Ortiz and Youk down in the order for the Sox, and the results have been very positive.
Girardi needs to think out of the box for a change
Erin-
I sure hope so but public pressure of the type I mentioned might also be useful as well as acceptable in the current circumstances.
In the meantime he needs to make some lineup changes.
Many good suggestions have been posted here.
He is responsible for that portion.
Maybe it helps maybe it doesn’t. Can’t hurt to try IMO.
Girardi has never liked Jorge. Girardi has not treated Jorge particularly well, including allowing pitchers to opt for other catchers as their “personal” catcher. Who runs the team, prima donna pitchers or the manager? In addition, Girardi’s effusive public praise about the various backup catchers the Yankees have had (including Molina I and Cervelli), without any similar regard for Jorge. And yes, benching him in the WS was inexcusable, all becuase prima donna AJ couldn’t pitch to Jorge. 2010 demonstrated beyond a doubt that AJ can’t pitch to anyone else either.
I assume Girardi’s dislike stems from the fact that Jorge replaced Girardi as the starting catcher back in 1998. (I guess Girardi thought that, after two years of mediocre play, he was entitled to be the Yankee catcher for the rest of his career.)
I’m glad that what Jorge said about Girardi has become public. I can’t imagine that it would be fun, or rewarding, to play for Girardi. Girardi seems to be a miserable human being, and his personality appears to be rubbing off on the entire team.
randy i
This a forum for discussing the Yankee issues of the day, if you would like to sweep Posada’s behavior under the rug by all means do so, but please don’t tell any other poster here what to not post because it disagrees with what you believe.
RayVT – nice analysis.
If Cano had to have been taken out of the game last night, who do they have on the bench to replace him? Wouldnt they have had to bring in Alex from DH to play 3rd and move Nunez over to 2nd? Im not good with replacements, where would the pitcher have had to hit if that had happened?
randy i
FYI
Malcontent | Define Malcontent at Dictionary.com not satisfied or content with currently prevailing conditions or circumstances. 2. dissatisfied with the existing government, administration, system, etc. …
WCYF -
We don’t always agree, but your last post is right on target, to the point, and as correct as it can be stated.
Stating facts, as hard as they may be to accept, is not negative, just being honest.
According to the Daily News, Jorge threw F Bombs at Cashman and asked off the team entirely. It was confirmed the the famous “unnamed friend”. If this story is true, I don’t see how anybody can defend Jorge here. There is a big difference between having a bad day and being insubordinate to your boss. The Yankees should have given him som sort of formal reprimand, at the very least.
Tyanks,
I believe you lose the DH and the pitcher would bat in Cano’s spot.
The starting pitching has for the most part held up their end but you almost get the feeling it’s like the little boy with his finger in the dyke.
They’ll need more and we can just hope that Hughes can be that guy.
Many want to see Montero but I’m just not sure what his role would be. Posada is still going to be the DH 60-70% of the time. Jones and Arod/Jeter/Tex will DH against lefties.
I guess he can take Cervelli’s spot but that’s like 10 ABs a week.
There is a big difference between having a bad day and being insubordinate to your boss
=================================
In a world where the employee often makes anywhere from 2 to 10 times the money that the boss does, I wonder whether it’s all that common.
Doesn’t excuse it though.
blake -
That’s correct.
Whether this is a transition year or not, things are clearer now than ever:
1. ARod may not be as productive as expected over the next 6 remaining years of his contract. Is he still a 30/100 player? Sure, but don’t expect more. The days of 40 or 50 HR may be gone.
2. Jeter has declined. Not is in decline – has declined. IMO, he retires after this season should his career average dip to near .300.
3. Posada is going to get traded or released mid-season. If not, and he rebounds to respectability, it would behoove him to retire after this season.
4. We’re one injury away from a disaster of a bullpen. Should anything happen to Mo, there is no reliable arm currently there to take the load, and that has to be addressed. I felt that Mo was overused anyway thus far, but with Soriano out, I’d put Hughes in the pen upon his return.
5. The rotation needs another infusion of youth. They’re in the system (read AA), but we need someone. Now. My call is for Phelps. After this season, we can retool by solidifying the #3, #4, and #5 spots from within the system. CC and AJ are not going anywhere, and Hughes may not be the answer.
New Post: Run all over Yankee Stadium for a good cause
Thanks Al.
The problem with Girardi is that he goes by the book all of the time. Has there been one moment during his tenure that he has made a decision that was not based on his book of stats ?
Because I can’t remember. And I agree that the decision to take Posada out in favor of Cervelli and average hitter at best wa a joke. Burnett is a headcase with a million dollar arm but 10 cent brain who was in his first year with the Yankees. How could you pick Burnett over Posada. So I’m not surprised that Posada is still upset about that and feels that Girardi has been unfair to him in some instances. But I still think that there are better ways of handling those issues.
Niblick,
“Girardi has never liked Jorge. Girardi has not treated Jorge particularly well, including allowing pitchers to opt for other catchers as their ?personal? catcher. Who runs the team, prima donna pitchers or the manager?”
John Flaherty was the personal catcher for Randy Johnson under Joe Torre
Cashman deserves every f bomb thrown at him, by Jorge or anyone else. Cashman’s behavior this year, from the climbing tall buildings, to bartending in funky wigs, to seeking every possible opportunity to promote himself at the expense of team unity, has been bizarre, to say the least.
DaSaint007 – agree 1-3. Who’d trade for Posada, otherwise agreed. 4,5 – I see your point, but I think they’re going to need a SP, hence Hughes to start, maybe replace Garcia if he loses it. I’d defer to GB’s judgment on which ml SP is most ready to call up, though I’d start with them in the pen. JMO.
You can’t just change everything as in doing that it becomes the focus. These are top notch players we are talking about who are slumping. They need to relax and know that their Coach has their back. Unfortunately not only does the Coach not have their backs, but Cashmoney doesn’t either.
When you look at options for this team there are not many that make sense. The movement of Posada to 9th was plain & simple dumb! If that was Joe G’s idea, then he should have talked to Posada in private 1st but to wait until the rosters are posted it makes zero sense. Also, Posada had hits in 3 of the last 4 games (> .300) he played & IMO was starting to look better.
A lineup of the following needs to be the core lineup everyday:
Jeter – Grandy – ARod – Cano – Tex – Montero/Martin – Martin/Posada – Swisher – Gardner
Of course Nunez/Laird/Jones need to be used to fill in for rest intervals.
Martin is catching too much & ARod is not resting enough. Jeter needs some rest as well & Nunez could lead off when he spells Jeter. The best 3 hitters on the team are ARod, Grandy & Cano. They need to be 2, 3 & 4. Tex provides protection for Cano & Montero & a rested Martin would provide protection for Tex. Moving Swish to 8th would allow him to hit 2nd cleanup & take some pressure off of him.
You can’t rest core guys with bats of Pena & Cervelli. When Chavez comes back, then decide if you need to let Jones or Laird go.
I thought I read that Cash did all that as part of fundraising for local charities.
I really don’t see any of that as a problem. If the team was 30-5, Cash could dress in drag for all I’d care.
TSOC: Not quite. In 2005, the only year that both Johnson and Flaherty were with the Yankees, Flaherty caught Johnson for 135 2/3 innings; Jorge 90. That 60% did not make Flaherty Johnson’s personal catcher.
Let’s Go Mets!!!
I kid, I kid
Sadly this season is starting to get the feeling of 1965, after winning 99 games and losing the WS in 7 games they won 77 and finished 6th as we watched an old team crumble.