Draft notes from Oppenheimer
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jun 09, 2011 
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On a Thursday morning conference call, Yankees amateur scouting director Damon Oppenheimer said he’s cautious about drafting the sons and brothers of Major League players, so the decision to take Dante Bichette Jr. with this year’s top pick wasn’t taken lightly.
“It’s case-by-case,” Oppenheimer said. “We’ve seen some who have been sons of or brothers of who have been overly pampered, overly sheltered. They don’t need it enough because there’s enough money. Then we’ve seen kids like Dante. This kid works. He is a worker. His regimen, his schedule, his routine, from the way he eats to the yoga to spending time at the gym to hitting. It’s second to none. There haven’t been many like this in terms of what he does makeup-wise. Parents have installed in him what it takes to be a professional baseball player, on the field to off the field. That’s a big obstacle that he’s already working through.”
Although Bichette is committed to the University of Georgia, Oppenheimer said he’s not worried about signability.
“You get guys sometimes in drafting where, their goals are to be drafted or their goals are to be drafted high or their goals are to get X amount of dollars from the draft,” Oppenheimer said. “In this situation, his goal has nothing to do with where he’s drafted, his goal has to do with what kind of Major League Baseball player he’s going to be. And that’s a different mindset that some guys have to learn later, and he doesn’t have to learn that. He knows what he wants. It’s a big deal.”
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• Bichette staying at third could have as much to do with opportunity as ability. “It’s probably going to be more of where we’re at at the time he’s ready to crack the big leagues,” Oppenheimer said. “Are we going to be in a situation where third base is an option or are we going to be in a situation where it could be corner outfield?”
• The Yankees class is high-school heavy, but Oppenheimer said their top college pick — lefty Sam Stafford out of Texas — could move quickly. “He’s starting to come on,” he said. “He’s starting to make a lot of progress. He strikes guys out, he misses bats. Walk numbers are a little high than what you’d love to have, but if they weren’t, he would have gone earlier than this.”
• Starting with Bichette, the Yankees took a series of corner guys who have power potential. “I think we know that we needed to infuse some power into the system, and it seemed like it was what was available this year to us,” Oppenheimer said. “Last year it seemed like it was middle of the field. This year it seemed like there were more corner, power guys.” The power bats Oppenheimer specifically mentioned were Bichette, fourth-rounder Matt Duran, fifth-rounder Greg Bird and seventh-rounder Austin Jones.
• Duran is a local guy from New Rochelle, but Oppenheimer said “the New York factor really wasn’t a factor.” Instead, the Yankees scouts saw Duran a lot and saw considerable progress. Oppenheimer himself saw Duran face pitchers from the Newark Bears — pro guys throwing in the 90s with legitimate breaking balls — and Duran had a line drive to right-center and a home run to left. “He can hit,” Oppenheimer said. “He has power. He has a simple swing. He’s just slowly but surely, this guy’s getting better.”
• Sounds like the Yankees are also high on Bird, who’s going to stay at catcher for now but could have enough bat to move around. “Greg wants to catch, and he’s going to work at it to do that,” Oppenheimer said. “If his bat can play to the level that we think it’s going to play (with) the power and if he’s a catcher, it gives us a real strong value. If he goes to first base or something like that, he still has at-bat power that we really like that, it would still be very, very valuable.”
• Oppenheimer singled out three power arms, two out of high school and one out of junior college: Philip Wetherall, Zachary Arneson and Jonathan Gray. Those are the 8th, 9th and 10th rounders.
• Asked about truly high-ceiling players, Oppenheimer mentioned Bird and sixth-rounder Jake Cave. From a little lower in the draft, Oppenheimer said 14th rounder William Davis and 18th rounder Hayden Sharp are high-ceiling type guys. Both are right-handed pitchers out of high school.
• Guys in the very late rounds might not sign right away: “We’re going to follow these guys and see what we’ve got through the summer,” Oppenheimer said.
• The Yankees third-round pick is a 6-foot-5 high school kid named Jordan Cote out of New Hampshire. The Yankees had a cross-checker watching him as recently as Saturday. “You have to approach the Northeast differently,” Oppenheimer said. “You have to approach it like the season almost starts in April, and a lot of times guys have shut their minds off on guys at that point. Scouts have gone in, scouting directors are trying to make their decisions on what their board is going to look like before those guys really get thawed out to play. We’re trying to keep those guys alive and we think that they keep getting better.”
• Check here for a list of the Yankees full draft class.
Repost: It’s a humorous insight into the American-psyche to read all of these comments saying how the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry needs to be fueled by hatred. I didn’t know good rivalries had to involve animosity. I must be mistaken.
REPOST:
blake June 9th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Cervelli is a pretty good contact hitter…..he just can’t catch and I think his act annoys pitchers and makes them throw worse. AJ had to call HIM out to the mound last night to settle him down. See what Montero has got…..its time.
——-
I would laugh, but it’s sad.
Say what you want about AJ not pitching to his ability last night, but he kept his composure & yes, calmed down cervelli. The job of the pitcher is NOT to calm down the catcher. Garcia had that same issue a month ago, where he had to calm down Cervelli.
I posted something last night about how IMO the 1st errant throw by Cervelli changed things for AJ.
Unlike when throwing to Martin, AJ did not throw his “swing & miss” pitches in the dirt. Not sure if it was about trust or protecting the catcher. But we really needed the nasty stuff last night & AJ didn’t throw it.
Sounds good ! . . hopefully these kids have an impact someday
Following up on the previous thread comments, I think it would take Montero to get Liriano because the Yanks don’t really have a good match-up in the minors for Liriano short of Montero. The Twins won’t trade Liriano for Romine, and I don’t see them getting to excited about any of the Yanks’ other high minors hitters other than Montero. Pitching wise, I don’t think Mitchell/Phelps etc. would do it for the Twins either. Maybe Banuelos, but I don’t see the Yanks doing that.
Liriano is worth the risk if we give up guys not named Betances, Banuelos, Montero, Sanchez, Heathcott.
—————
Heathcott for Liriano?
Yeah, I would do that in a heartbeat.
Wave,
You either think the twins GM is really stupid or you are overestimating his value. Liriano has fallen out with the coaches and GM in Minnesota and is currently not playing well and is a FA in 1 year. That doesn’t command Montero/Banuelos.
Phelps/Noesi/Mitchell are the types of pitchers that the Twins love to put in their system and their current catcher’s OPS is under .430
Wave,
If the Twins want that kind of talent and wont come off it…..then they wont be able to trade him. Make up questions, injury risk, near the end of his contract, and inconsistent performance……teams aren’t giving up a lot for him.
Trading any A level prospects for Liriano really is not worth it. Keep them for something better than a reclamation project.
Heathcott would plunk Ortiz!!
Liriano isn’t commanding a top 50 prospect let alone a top 5
Montero has not been in the line up for several games. Does anyone know how he is doing?
Offer Romine and Phelps for Liriano (or something equivalent ) and say take it or leave it…..I don’t know if anyone would top.
Heathcott for Liriano?
Yeah, I would do that in a heartbeat.
///
Heathcott’s the CF of the future. How about Gardner and some B level guys?
I thought during the off season the asking price for Liriano started with banuelos & Betances. I would never make that deal
TO Howard
J. Alfred Prufrock June 9th, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Beckett pulling a back muscle (he’s 31 btw, not 40), or Ellsbury getting hurt, or Ped missing time is all just excuses for them if we come back to win by 5 games.
///
Who needs Ellsbury to get hurt? He just needs to get back to his customary mediocrity . Beckett ALWAYS gets hurt and he has sucked since 2007. A regression is likely in his future. Pedroia being out is a problem for Boston.
I actually don’t see the point of trading for Liriano unless he can pitch better than Garcia/Hughes/Nova/Noesi. Right now, that’s questionable. I suppose it’s up to what the Yankees scouts see in Liriano.
Heathcott’s the CF of the future. How about Gardner and some B level guys?
———————–
Heathcott is all the way down in Charleston.
Way too far away to be thinking about him as some kind of future fixture on the Yanks.
The only prospects I’m interested in right now is our prospects of beating the Red Sox tonight.
TO Howard
J. Alfred Prufrock June 9th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
I actually think losing Pedroia for a month will hurt us. Boston knows how good they are, or at least the potential they have right now. Losing the elf will force them to move Scutaro to second and maybe go get the rental SS, and if it’s Reyes, that’s a sickening blow.
///
Howard, who do you think they’re trading for Reyes?
The Twins were rumored to want Banuelos in the off season…..that ain’t happening and Liriano’s stock has fallen since then as well. I think they have to deal him this summer because they are out of it and because his value could fall even farther if they wait. They’ll trade him before ST next year….probably this summer.
To HOWARD
J. Alfred Prufrock June 9th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Howard June 9th, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Who do the Red Sox have to trade for Reyes?
They don’t have to at all. My guess is that they call up iglesias, and move Scutaro to second base.
The Mets are certainly not going to sign Reyes, and they’re going to move him somewhere. Boston doesn’t have the uper level talent like us, but their lower levels are stacked with high draft picks and talented guys, which makes sense for they players that are currently on the roster.
///
Wow, you are just a Pollyanna for Boston, aren’t you? Iglesias? LOL. He covers ground but he can’t hit a lick. They’re lower levels are stacked? Teams don’t trade ML stars for single A players who are 17 years old, regardless of upside. Stop inhaling Peter Gammons’ spin.
Trade for Pavano
i am enjoying the news of Bob Geren losing his job as the A’s manager this morning.
“I actually don’t see the point of trading for Liriano unless he can pitch better than Garcia/Hughes/ Nova/Noesi. ”
Its about potential for a playoff series and that he’s left handed. We don’t know what Hughes is going to be when he comes back and Nova and Noesi are rookies. Garcia is a good regular season 5th starter but his stuff doesn’t correlate with post season success…..too many smoke and mirrors.
I’d rather not trade DJ Mitchell. Nice sinker and he throws hard with life. Matter of fact, I’d love to see DJ get a callup.
I think you guys are being too optimistic about Liriano, but I hope you are right. Although, right now, I’m not too excited about him.
There’s no one on the market worth a salt. The teams that are falling out of it are selling because their teams are half injured or they have no pitching – which is what this team needs. A solid reliable innings eater. Off the top of my head, the only pitchers I’d want on this team would cost an arm and a leg (preferably Cervelli’s) or are on teams that are still in it.
Aren’t you worried about Mitchell’s lack of a true out pitch? Honestly Mitchell & Phelps are the kind of guys the yankees should be trading, they have value for clubs like the Twins/Pirates
For them to have their best chance at a WS….the Yanks need 2 quality LH pitchers….one for the rotation and one for the pen. They currently have one on their entire staff (Sabathia).
When right, Liriano destroys LHB. That’s what the Yankees need.
Danks is a nice pitcher but even if the WS would trade him he has a reverse split.
Wave,
Liriano may come over and stink or get hurt…..but if they make a move then I hope it at least has the upside of making a difference…..and I think Liriano COULD.
LGY,
Liriano’s best is better than Danks’s best…..Id rather him Danks because he’s less of a risk…..but he probably wont be available and if he were he’d probably cost more. Liriano might be the only guy with the combo of price and upside that makes sense for the Yanks at the deadline……that’s of course dependent on the Twins being realistic and willing to.fairly deal.
For them to have their best chance at a WS….the Yanks need 2 quality LH pitchers….one for the rotation and one for the pen. They currently have one on their entire staff (Sabathia).
___
Johan Santana
Offer taking his salary off the Mets books, and throw in a couple pitching prospects not named Banuelos/Betances/Noesi.
They want to shed money, and I still believe that when Santana gets back he can be a force.
Liriano and Pavano, same old never story just a different day.
So much for talking about the guys the Yankees drafted this week.
G. Love was ridiculously spot on with his takes the previous thread. Anyone thinking that this embarrassing performance all year long against the Sux is actually bothering more than 2 or 3 players on this Yankees team is fooling themselves.
Unfortunately it is a case where they feel if they win great if not tip the cap. The Sux know that this team is so so soft and they are really enjoying playing us way to much.
Jerkface June 9th, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Aren’t you worried about Mitchell’s lack of a true out pitch? Honestly Mitchell & Phelps are the kind of guys the yankees should be trading, they have value for clubs like the Twins/Pirates
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Mitchell much nastier than Phelps & he’s got 3 pitches. Didn’t say I wouldn’t deal him, said I’d prefer not to.
///
Anybody else going tonight? C loves the heat. Hope Jorge’s in tonight. Check back later for lineups.
another home field sweep by Sux is on the table.
I have no confidence at all when this team is against Sux, ace or not.
Mitchell much nastier than Phelps & he’s got 3 pitches.
–
He can throw 3 pitches, doesn’t mean he has an out pitch.
So much for talking about the guys the Yankees drafted this week.
—–
Get the convo going
They need to pay overslot on steroids to make up for the lack of picks.
Liriano v. Boston
BA: .297
OBP: .352
SLG: .438
OPS: .790
Lirano v. Tampa
BA: .290
OBP: .372
SLG: .390
OPS: .761
Lirano v. Toronto
BA: .304
OBP: .400
SLG: .594
OPS: .994
Lirano v. Baltimore
BA: .282
OBP: .349
SLG: .462
OPS: .810
Lirano v. Angels
BA: .343
OBP: .439
SLG: .486
OPS: .925
Seems like a great pickup to me.
Mike Francessa . . a little heated right now !
Speaking of steroids:
http://content.usatoday.com/co.....erprises/1
Mike killing AJ and Gardner
not a big Mike F. fan . .but he’s 100 percent correct . . Burnett is heartless .. Gardner is a HORRIBLE baserunner . . .and Cervelli SUCKS
finally Mike F gets his angst out
Lirano v. Yankees
BA: .250
OBP: .333
SLG: .407
OPS: .740
It’s the AJ Burnett line of thinking. He does well against us, so it must be a good pickup, but in all honesty, you can look up his stats versus ANY playoff team not named the Yankees and his numbers aren’t that great at all. He’s a mediocre guy that is just another move that doesn’t need to be made.
Francessa is a riot when he’s all jacked up like this.
Mike F. is hiliarious
It’s true . . .For all the Speed Gardner has.. . he’s a Horrible base runner !
It’s the AJ Burnett line of thinking. He does well against us, so it must be a good pickup, but in all honesty, you can look up his stats versus ANY playoff team not named the Yankees and his numbers aren’t that great at all. He’s a mediocre guy that is just another move that doesn’t need to be made
——
Liriano was one of the best pitchers in baseball last year.
Nothing like Burnett.
Mike is spot on.
2010 Liriano vs Red Sox: .205 .286 .432 .718
2010 Liriano vs Rays: .167 .200 .167 .367
2010 Liriano vs Rangers: .200 .222 .200 .422
He has had up and down years, some where he was injured and not very good. In his good years he handled those teams, in his down years he didn’t. They would be trading for him with expectation that he will perform. He has a 2 ERA since may 1st
KenDavidoff The #RedSox haven’t swept the #Yankees in two series in NY since 1913, the year before Babe Ruth made his #MLB debut.
NotHankStein Wish Hal would let me sell the team. I’d take my share of the money & bring Solid Gold back to TV & buy a nice low mileage used sedan.
How can Gardner not run home Varitek is 100 years old!!! lol
Why this team doesn’t plunk Ortiz at least once is so beyond me. Nobody is saying to hit him in the head. Plunk that pig in the butt and be done with it. Just once.
Howard,
Is that this year?…..because the fact that he’s sucked this year but is underperforming for his talent is the whole reason you try to buy low on him.
A guy that is talented and pitching well either won’t be available or will cost too much.
The guy the Yanks may keep an eye on is Bedard….( can’t believe I’m saying this! )
He’s throwing it really well right now, FA after this season and has had success in the past pitching in the AL East.
The risk of injury is there with him just like Liri and he’s not necessarily the best guy in a clubhouse but…
The problem may be lingering bad blood between Cash and Jack Z from last years failed trade for Lee. I could see the ” new B Cash ” losing it the minute he thinks Jack Z is asking too much from him in return compared to what he may want from other clubs.
Laird and Phelps may get u Bedard though as the M’s have nobody @ 3B and no one in their system close and Phelps pitching in their park and in the AL West could be #3 type pitcher eventually.
It’s all about the fire…these athletes are prima donnas who get paid very very well and at the end of the day , win or lose, still live well.
That picture of Tebow is rediculous. Someone has spent his time in the gym during all this, but honestly, I’d be equally floored to learn Jeter was on the juice as I would Tebow. He’s too much of a squeaky clean guy.
How can Gardner not run home Varitek is 100 years old!!! lol
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lol lol …….He doesn’t run PERIOD ! ….. . For all the speed he has . . he always overthinks the situation at first base . . ……..Never just goes …….. . Horrible jumps ..
For a moment . . I truly though Brett would take a nice step foward this year .. .
“Liriano was one of the best pitchers in baseball last year.
Nothing like Burnett.”
*****************************************************
AJ won 18 games led the AL in strikeouts and dominated both us and the RedSux the year before we signed him. I think his era in Fenway that year was like a .50 or something ridiculous.
very much like Liri
If they could have signed AJ for just 2009 then it would have been a good deal.
Just curious if Oppenheimer (or any of these guys) was going to do an interview where they didn’t talk about the great potential of the players they just drafted.
Not to say Damon is blowing smoke – but I mean obviously he would have liked these guys or else why draft them.
For my money I hope Stafford does move quickly through the system – Yankees could use some lefty arms in the org.
I also have high hopes for Cote and James.
No one thinks that the catcher is actually going to catch but keeping him there for now obviously makes sense.
I love Heyman quoting one scout saying that the Yankees are going to have lots of problems with Gary Sanchez’s attitude. The kid is what 18? Made a mistake, he’ll learn from it and move on.
Blake, yes career for all numbers I’m guessing because some of the guys have well over 15ab, which couldn’t have happened already this year.
AJ will be bought out or in the pen at some point during this contractual term.
Trading for Liriano for a B level package is much less risk than signing AJ to a 5 year contract. If it would take top prospects then you pass…..nobody is pushing trading Montero or Banuelos for Liriano…..I only want him at a good price.
Cervelli does stink, Brett has zero instincts as a baserunner…wouldn’t call AJ gutless though – at least not to his face.
What happened to Granderson? And Cano? And A-Rod? And Martin?
Do they play Mike in the Yankee clubhouse?
Blake -
How about this:
Twins get:
Gardner
Romine
Phelps
Corban Joseph
Yankees get:
Liriano
Delmon Young
Do they play Mike in the Yankee clubhouse?
+1
What happened to Granderson? And Cano? And A-Rod? And Martin?
Cano is my only real question. Granderson has been a serial underperformer on and off in his careeer. Martin was a huge question mark to begin with and anything he gave you was a bonus, and ARod, we knew, was not going to be the same guy.
Cano is the one I feel disappointed in right now.
I’d give AJ points for calling out Cervelli and taking the both of them to task. More than Joe Girardi would have done.
Gardner is overrated, he doesn’t have the instincts that the great base runners and stealers had. Maybe he will grow into it, let hope! but he isn’t exactly new to baseball.
AJ won 18 games led the AL in strikeouts and dominated both us and the RedSux the year before we signed him. I think his era in Fenway that year was like a .50 or something ridiculous.
very much like Liri
——————
AJ Burnett 2008: 207 IP, 4.07 ERA, 104 ERA+, 3.45 FIP, 3.51 xFIP, 31 years old at the time.
Liriano 2010: 191.2 IP, 3.62 ERA, 117 ERA+, 2.66 FIP, 2.95 xFIP, 26 years old at the time.
AJ as Nuke LaLoosh—perfect!
They got him to beat the RS, who he owned, as well as us.
Only thing—those games meant nothing when he was a Blue Jay.
you had to know Granderson wouldnt be able to carry our team all year.
At some point he was going to slump and no one has picked him up…..
you had to know Granderson wouldnt be able to carry our team all year.
At some point he was going to slump and no one has picked him up….
======================
Yeah but he’s cheap.
Good draft review at RAB
http://www.riveravenueblues.com
Stafford is an interesting pick….he could fill a big need if he pans out whether its in the pen or rotation.
sorry , i thought you said Gardner
Big Papi against the Yanks- 0 HBP in 696 plate appearances.
I still say at the end of the year, make the hard decision and release Burnett, or trade him and pay as much of his salary as the other team wants.
If we are going to watch pitchers do the same thing over and over, might as well be the prospects and let them develop and learn in the majors.
They really need to stop running that commercial about Jeter having and edge, because neither he nor his teammates have one.
Chip,
Eh…..I don’t know about Young.
Where have all the, “Granderson is in contention for the AL MVP” supporters gone?
AJ is a loser, period.
He gets amnesty because he won a WS game.
Great stuff, 2 cent head.
AJ would be a good #5 starter…..he makes his starts and pitches good sometimes and bad sometimes. The problem with the rotation is that he’s not in that role.
“Where have all the, “Granderson is in contention for the AL MVP” supporters gone?”
Why is sample size such a difficult concept for you to grasp?
They really need to stop running that commercial about Jeter having and edge, because neither he nor his teammates have one.
=====================
Jeter lost his edge when he started making all those commercials.
Where have all the, “Granderson is in contention for the AL MVP” supporters gone?
—————-
LOL.
Not everyone is as reactionary as you. It’s a little slump.
Where have all the, “Granderson is in contention for the AL MVP” supporters gone?
–
Granderson is still in contention for the MVP.
Where have all the, ?Granderson is in contention for the AL MVP? supporters gone?
What have you done for me lately mentality around here sometimes.
Jeter lost his edge when he started making all those commercials.
–
Hollywood Jeter, he jumped the shark when he was in Anger Management
In his last ten games, Granderson has struck out 33% of the time.
Switch Grandy and Cano in the order.
Granderson is still in contention for the MVP.
As are 1000 other players. Until they announce it, it’s up for grabs by everyone!
I’m not reactionary. Granderson is in a horrible slump, not a little slump. At a time when his team needs him.
Jeter never has played with an edge…..he’s classy and well mannered. That’s fine but you need guys on your team that aren’t like that…..you need a nice mixture of even keeled guys and guys that will get in your face.
As are 1000 other players. Until they announce it, it’s up for grabs by everyone!
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This is silly, Granderson is one of the few baseball players actually in contention to win it.
Switch Grandy and Cano in the order.
No way. Grandy won’t see a pitch for a month, and he’s better than Swisher in every single aspect of the game.
Jeter never has played with an edge?..he?s classy and well mannered. That?s fine but you need guys on your team that aren?t like that?..you need a nice mixture of even keeled guys and guys that will get in your face.
———-
Thurman Munson
you need a nice mixture of even keeled guys and guys that will get in your face.
===============================================
like pedroia, youkilis, varitech?
I’m not reactionary. Granderson is in a horrible slump, not a little slump. At a time when his team needs him.
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??? They just crushed a road trip. You’re being incredibly reactionary. OPS still .900, still playing centerfield, still top 3 in HRs in the AL, still with a wOBA near .400 and once he hits again that number will rise.
I’m not reactionary. Granderson is in a horrible slump, not a little slump. At a time when his team needs him.
—————-
Have you ever watched a baseball season before?
On May 31st Granderson was hitting .284/.355/.627
It is 6 games. 4% of the season. 27 PAs.
Sign, and get to work, guys.
Words can’t describe how much I hate Ortiz and his filthy mouth. When he’s not swearing like a sailor, he acts like he’s the Dominican godfather or the commissioner of baseball. We need to shut him up by beating them.
This did make me smile, though: Red Sox manager Terry Francona thought it all much ado about nothing. Asked if he’d ever been rankled by the actions of an opposing hitter the way Girardi had been rankled by Ortiz, Francona said: “What’s rankled? My pants are rankled.”
Sample size? Oh, 60 games is not an adequate sample size? He’s hitting .263 with a .337 OBP.
In his last ten games, Granderson has struck out 33% of the time.
–
Welp there goes his MVP chances, 10 games!
put grandy in a power slot for gods sake.
let cano see some pitches up 2nd.
get creative Joe.
blake
It was a joke, built on the frustration that this passive team engenders, but on reflection, I disagree. Jumping into the stands and messing up his face showed an edge.
Spin it anyway you want LGY. The facts are that Granderson and Cano are not helping the team right now. Excuses are fine for others – it’s step up time not step down time.
Granderson has slumped for 6 games. 6.
God forbid the guy who has carried the team all season has one bad week.
Yeah Jeter showed no edge when he led us to 5 rings.
Part of the reason Cano’s not hitting is (I think) because there’s no one behind him in the order hitting.
They’re not throwing Robbie anything in the strike zone because if they walk him they go after Swisher or Posada or Martin. So he’s getting impatient and swinging at bad pitches.
I’m not reactionary. Granderson is in a horrible slump, not a little slump. At a time when his team needs him.
==================================================
Alex is paid to carry this team, not Granderson. And this team also needs help from Cano, Swisher and a lot of others.
The problem with this offense is that it plays the “Let’s go with the hot hand of the day game”.
With no consistent .300 players, they count on 1 or 2 players to find it on any given night. Granderson has carried us for like 2-3 weeks. Now he’s in a slump & they’re searching.
Jeter should be one of our consistent batters, unfortunately that’s only when bases are empty
Spin it anyway you want LGY. The facts are that Granderson and Cano are not helping the team right now. Excuses are fine for others – it’s step up time not step down time.
=================================================
A switch in the order might help both.
Part of the reason Cano’s not hitting is (I think) because there’s no one behind him in the order hitting.
They’re not throwing Robbie anything in the strike zone because if they walk him they go after Swisher or Posada or Martin. So he’s getting impatient and swinging at bad pitches.
—————–
Lame excuse.
43% of the pitches he saw last year were in the zone. 42.8% this season.
I wonder where AJ learned that when you have a 3-1 or 3-2 you have to throw a meatball right down the middle??? He does it every single time. How about actually pitching to try and get the batter out of if you walk him then try to get the next batter. It is a joke already how many meatballs right down broadway he throws on 3-2 because he doesn’t want to walk the batter. It’s really pathetic how he wets his pants against them every single time.
This is silly, Granderson is one of the few baseball players actually in contention to win it
Id say maybe ten or twelve. Not a few but you’re correct. His batting average has to come back around because the HR pace won’t keep up. Right now, the leaders probably look something like this
Bautista
Gonzolez
Cabrerra
Ortiz
Konerko
Tex
Quintin
Granderson
Joyce
Peralta
Part of the reason Cano’s not hitting is (I think) because there’s no one behind him in the order hitting.
They’re not throwing Robbie anything in the strike zone because if they walk him they go after Swisher or Posada or Martin. So he’s getting impatient and swinging at bad pitches.
–
They are throwing him about the same amount of pitches in the zone as last year, he is just swinging at more pitches out of the zone than usual. And swinging more in general. This has been going on all year. Its not a healthy approach so its no surprise he has been prone to slumps. On a more disappointing note, he has been hitting .280 since last May, when he should be competing for batting titles. A bad plate approach is holding him back.
Part of the reason Cano’s not hitting is (I think) because there’s no one behind him in the order hitting.
=============================================
Really? Maybe batting him 2nd would change that.
He thinks he’s a power hitter.
That will kill him and has.
He is a hitter. His hr’s will come .
Drop him tonight Joe.
His batting average has to come back around because the HR pace won’t keep up.
–
His HR pace has been this way since he fixed his swing, I think its real. He has a quick stroke.
Spin it anyway you want LGY. The facts are that Granderson and Cano are not helping the team right now. Excuses are fine for others – it’s step up time not step down time.
———————
This is baseball. It is a 162 game season.
It is inevitable that players will slump at some point. Try to have some perspective.
They went 6-3 on the WC road trip which was awesome.
They’ve followed that up with 0-2 at home.
They lose tonight and the impact of the road trip is gone as they’ll be .500 over the last 12. The team that played on that WC trip certainly didn’t appear to be scuffling .500 team but that’s why they are looking like.
Let’s stop patting them on the back for winning on the road when they come home like this and play like a bunch of stiffs.
Win tonight and win the series against Cleveland and the past 2 games start to be minimized.
They are throwing him about the same amount of pitches in the zone as last year, he is just swinging at more pitches out of the zone than usual. And swinging more in general. This has been going on all year. Its not a healthy approach so its no surprise he has been prone to slumps. On a more disappointing note, he has been hitting .280 since last May, when he should be competing for batting titles. A bad plate approach is holding him back.
=====================================
Finally you have come around.
Look, Cervelli stinks; Martin is hurt/overworked…call up Montero and let the kid play. Same thing with calling up Vazquez to DH over Posada. If it doesn’t work out – send them back down. No harm, no foul…but right now the Yankees have four guys at the bottom of the order who do not hit.
Mike thinks Montero would be exposed defensively if called out.
Back to talking out of his butt again.
Rich,
He’s plays hard and he plays the game the right way…..but he doesn’t play with an edge. By edge….I mean taking out a guy at 2nd or knocking the ball loose at home. He’s a clean player …..that’s what I meant. He plays the game as cleanly as anybody you’ll ever see…..hard and clean.
If Francesa posted regularly on this blog he’d be slaughtered! There’s no gray area, only black and white. He’s a typical Yankee fan…passionate but irrational at times.
Finally you have come around.
–
Different reasons though, I don’t think he is trying to hit HRs. I think he is just trying to hit everything that comes to the plate.
Montero can’t be any worse than Cervelli ! .
Calling up Montero now is a panic move and would put undue pressure on the kid.
Rich in NJ June 9th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Mike thinks Montero would be exposed defensively if called out.
Back to talking out of his butt again.
—————
Can’t be worse than Cervelli.
Then again Mike might be the only person who has seen fewer of Montero’s games than I have.
How is it a panic move to call up your best prospect who plays a position of need?
Didn’t see the game. How did the hobbit get injured?
Perspective? My perspective is that being humiliated by the Sux at home is not an acceptable outcome. How’s that for perspective.
mick June 9th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
Calling up Montero now is a panic move and would put undue pressure on the kid.
—————
No worse than when the Yankees pressed the button and called up Cano, Wang and Melky
If Francesa posted regularly on this blog he’d be slaughtered! There’s no gray area, only black and white. He’s a typical Yankee fan…passionate but irrational at times.
==========================================
are you serious? who on this blog doesn’t think they are the last word on the Yankees?
No worse than when the Yankees pressed the button and called up Cano, Wang and Melky
=======================
none of them have the expectations jesus has.
If the Yankees are waiting for a perfect time to bring up Montero….it may never come. Actually now.might be as close as ever with a banged up Martin and a can’t play Cervelli.
How is it a panic move to call up your best prospect who plays a position of need?
===================
can we wait a few days on martin?
Perspective? My perspective is that being humiliated by the Sux at home is not an acceptable outcome. How’s that for perspective.
–
You’re swerving, the yankees were humiliated at home by the nationals in 09 and at times by the red sox. It doesn’t matter. Try to have some rational perspective.
Guys who are 30, been in the ML for seven years don’t just adjust and become different hitters. He had a huge year for Detroit as well, where they said he made adjustments to his swing, then the next he was off. He’s up and down. When he puts together a baseball season, I’ll buy into him being an MVP candidate. Until then, he’s just a guy that goes on really hot streaks where he pounds the ball. MVP candidates do it all at the plate.
2 0 0 9
Defense is high on my list of priorities. Especially at the offensively-challenged catcher position.
If Cervelli is that awful defensively, he needs to go.
All in favor of replacing Jones and Cervelli, say ‘aye’.
none of them have the expectations jesus has.
–
Then they can NEVER call him up, because there isn’t going to be a time where they will just call him up for poops and giggles. If the team is cruising they won’t call him up, if they are scuffling they can’t call him up, if they are inbetween they cant call him up.
He is like any other prospect, you just call them up and they play. He isn’t a pitcher making his debut against a hard team. He is a position player he gets a couple of ABs thats it.
Yanks need a pickup tonight.
Has Jeter grounded into his 3000th double play yet?
“can we wait a few days on martin?”
Martin is irrelevant except that he needs more rest. It’s about Cervelli and the need for a RH DH.
Part of the reason Cano’s not hitting is (I think) because there’s no one behind him in the order hitting
——————–
Cano isn’t hitting because he goes up to the plate blindfolded and then swings at anything that his bat can reach. He has absolutely zero plate discipline. I don’t know what happened to him this year and why he has forgotten everything that he learned last year but he has been awful. I would love to know how often Long works with him on his strike zone because he has been lost all year long so far.
There is such a thing called timing.
Maybe after the ASB.
Jerkface you don’t have a feel for the game. If you think it doesn’t matter that the Red Sux have whipped our butts this year to date in our park, you are just a joke. They have embarrassed us.
Martin is irrelevant except that he needs more rest. It’s about Cervelli and the need for a RH DH.
=========================================
Reports are Montero is not a great defensive catcher either.
“m June 9th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Didn’t see the game. How did the hobbit get injured?”
Stabbed by a Ring Wraith on his way to Mordor.
Jerkface you don’t have a feel for the game
–
You lack self-awareness and an understanding of the nuances of a 162 game season, sorry. It sucks the Yankees lost to the red sox, but if the season ended today the Yankees are in the playoffs. And even more, they have 103 more games left. I honestly cannot believe you are over 50 and don’t understand the baseball season and how things can change week to week.
Timing? The ASB will be a good time for Cano to get together with his father.
Jerkface – tell me one skill the Yankees have excelled at the last two games?
Defense? Starting Pitching? Relief Pitching? Clutch Hitting? Base Running?
Reports are Montero is not a great defensive catcher either.
–
He has upside, cervelli doesn’t.
Jerkface – tell me one skill the Yankees have excelled at the last two games?
–
Clutch hitting isn’t a skill and what does 2 games matter? The only time any 7 game stretch matters is in the playoffs, and even then the best team doesn’t always win.
what is your problem with geezers over 50?
in 35 years you might make it there too.
Jerkface I have not said how the season will turn out. Why do you distort what people say? I am talking about NOW.
Can we please end the Andruw Jones experiment already?!
Let Nunez split time with Posada and DH Jeter and Arod when Nunez plays. It seems like Nunez hits in every game that he plays in, just let him play. They should be taking advantage of his hits instead of Jones swinging out of his shoes in every game. It’s amazing that Cashman and Girardi haven’t made any changes yet.
Cano’s issue is not even just on offense.
His defense as been horrible this season. Cervelli’s throws were terrible, but Cano did an awful job at not stopping the ball from going into center. The 2nd throw was tougher, but he absolutely has to catch the first inning one.
A lot of players when called up from the minors talk about how much faster the game is at the major league level. That is what Cano looks like this season.
A rookie who is in over his head trying to get a feel for the game at a faster pace.
Timing? The ASB will be a good time for Cano to get together with his father.
=================================================
Huh?
“It’s amazing that Cashman and Girardi haven’t made any changes yet.”
They have been underwhelming.
Jerkface I have not said how the season will turn out. Why do you distort what people say? I am talking about NOW.
–
I am not distorting anything, you simply don’t understand a 162 game season. What does yesterday matter? What do 2 games matter? They don’t in the grand scheme of things. Over the long haul the better teams win.
Starting pitching was the main culprit the last two games. Decent starting pitching would have given them a better than decent chance to win those two games.
Hate that we couldn’t get to Lester. And then we got shut out by their stupid pen.
The thing that got me last night, was being down by 5 or 6 runs and there’s our Captain joking around with Youkliss at 3rd base with a big smile on my face. Can’t imagine Tino or Paul doing that – I guess I’m just old now and the game has changed
Now excuse me while I go yell at some kids who look like they are going to step on my lawn
Cano had one great year.
He now thinks he’s a superstar.
Many guys have had one good year.
A superstar does it over a career.
He looks slow and old and lazy.
Immaturity.
what is your problem with geezers over 50?
–
I don’t have any problem with people over 50, only when their supposed aged wisdom is lacking. Like someone who should have the experience to know better clearly doesn’t.
The best fix for Cano is a tutoring session with his dad. imo.
Now excuse me while I go yell at some kids who look like they are going to step on my lawn
==================
The Red Sox are stepping on our lawn.
Check out the last thread.
call up montero.
he could DH and catch and be a welcomed “shot in the arm”
Cano had one great year.
He now thinks he’s a superstar.
Many guys have had one good year.
A superstar does it over a career.
He looks slow and old and lazy.
Immaturity.
——————
The Yankees don’t even need 2010 Cano.
2009 Cano would be amazing right now.
I understand perfectly well that the season is 162 games. I also understand that any true Yankee fan hates with a passion losing to the Red Sux and being embarrassed in the process.
You just don’t get that.
I don’t have any problem with people over 50, only when their supposed aged wisdom is lacking. Like someone who should have the experience to know better clearly doesn’t.
====================================================
Hey some people just don’t know baseball, why should age matter?
Basically it is baffling that someone can claim to have been a baseball fan for more than 1 season and then constantly whine about small samples or a single game or a single series.
Everyone wants to find a trend from the present, so if the yankees lose it feels like they are going to lose forever, but we should know that is not the case.
i did enjoy watching Cervelli slid hard into peddie last night?
any news about whether or not peddie is playing tonight?
Well there ya go the A’s players accomplished what they set out for..getting geren fired. Good thing we caught them during their careless streak
38 HotDogs,
I’m with you 100%. When I put my money down to see the team play the last thing I want to see are my players joking around with the opposition on the field while they are battling for 1st place.
I find it insulting. I know it’s an emotional response, but I’m insulted nonetheless seeing the team treat these games like a burden they’d rather not be involved in so they can get back to beating up on the weaklings in the rest of the league.
I said it before, we’re the suckers for caring more than these guys do. The one thing ownership and the front office have to watch out for is if the fans realize this more and more, the amount of people willing to spend big on this team will decrease.
The passion isn’t there right now. They are a professional patient bunch of guys who take slumps as they come and just are willing to wait for hot streaks against lesser pitching/opponents to pad their stats.
There’s a don’t sweat it vibe to this team. The manager, who I think feels the opposite on the inside, projects that attitude in public.
They need to make a player acquisition that brings someone firey who wants a championship more than anything into that clubhouse.
Well there ya go the A’s players accomplished what they set out for..getting geren fired. Good thing we caught them during their careless streak
==================================
Never a bad time to catch the A’s. They can’t hit…….at all.
trends are important in baseball…it’s why GM’s make moves…what else do you have to go by?
you can’t wait till a team loses 9 of 10 sometimes to see there is a problem
Get off my lawn!!!!
You just don’t get that.
–
I get it, you’re annoyed the red sox won, so what? I don’t like when the yankees lose to the red sox or lose in general, I avoid the media (outside of blogs) on those days because I know the media is going to be soaking up every yankee loss. Doesn’t make the yankees any worse than they were before they lost. Unless you think these 2 losses are somehow putting the yankees out of the postseason or that they won’t make it from the start, I fail to see the point in gnashing teeth about it.
There’s a don’t sweat it vibe to this team. The manager, who I think feels the opposite on the inside, projects that attitude in public.
=========================
Hate to say it but the Capt is the leader in this regard.
trends are important in baseball…it’s why GM’s make moves
–
You aren’t going to find a trend in a single series. Thats why you evaluate the team over the first 2 months then look at whats available the next 2 months, then actually acquire it and roll the last 2 months.
I love Cano but this year he is very lazy and he has a real lack of focus. On defense I would love to see him dive and go all out like he must get that ball instead of making it seem like it’s not a big deal.
Jerkface you just lie continually, no one said anything about the Yankees losing forever. But you do not understand or accept the systemic weaknesses this team has. There are consistent patterns of under-performing and mediocrity here – but all you see are numbers and stats and all you can do is compare this year to 2009 when there is nothing relevant at in that comparison You are intellectually dishonest and you have no feel for the game.
There are consistent patterns of under-performing and mediocrity here
–
Is this what has caused the yankees to have one of the best records in the AL? the consistent under performing and mediocrity?
Seems like most of MLB is consistently underperforming and mediocre
Captain Clutch June 9th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
I love Cano but this year he is very lazy and he has a real lack of focus.
Completely agree. Do we need to bring Larry Bowa back to stick a rocket up his ass? This guy should be having multi-hit games night after night. It’s a joke that a player of his sheer talent is batting just .277. It’s about time someone took a few of these players out of their comfort zone. I’d like to think Girardi was the man to do it but does he have the balls?
Jerkface you just lie continually, no one said anything about the Yankees losing forever.
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Tell that to everyone who posts that the yankees will miss the playoffs during a losing game. Do you think the yankees will make the playoffs? Do you think they won’t? Or are you going to fence sit.
Cervelli is horrible and needs to be replaced.
Jerkface – sometimes a poor man can have one really nice suit. There are serious underlying problems with this team; most fans see it, you don’t.
No one says that moves won’t be made, or that players who are mired in slumps won’t bust out of it, or that we won’t win it all.
But, what I see now is far from encouraging.
Dlauraposada We r home where Jorge Jr. will continue his recovery. He is doing better & is thankful for d great friends & family who support him.
Jerkface June 9th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Tell that to everyone who posts that the yankees will miss the playoffs during a losing game. Do you think the yankees will make the playoffs? Do you think they won’t? Or are you going to fence sit.
*******
I do not make predictions. I have no idea what will happen, what injuries will or won’t occur. I observe and comment on what I see and try, I repeat try, not to make predictions. I am not a seer.
That having been said, I think the Yankees “MIGHT” make the playoffs. I am not at all certain that they will. It depends.
That having been said, I think the Yankees “MIGHT” make the playoffs. I am not at all certain that they will. It depends.
————–
Thats just a convenient way to celebrate when the yankees win (you believed in them all along!) and trash them when they lose (you know they didn’t have what it took all along!)
Pick a side. Get some balls.
People are actually killing Granderson for being human?
As to the rivalry, I have never cared whether the players hated each other- the fact that they don’t means absolutely nothing to me. I don’t know that the Yankees didn’t get up for this series, I just don’t think they are that great of a team. They’re good, but not much more than that, and so they will do what they always do………look great at times and then look awful.
I don’t have much interest in Liriano given his health problems and if the Twins trade him, what does that tell you? Why would I want to take on a pitcher that they don’t even want to keep – when he’s their only power pitcher ?
Is this what has caused the yankees to have one of the best records in the AL? the consistent under performing and mediocrity?
======================
League wide mediocrity has helped quite a bit as well.
Jerkface June 9th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Seems like most of MLB is consistently underperforming and mediocre
***************
Right now, 11 teams in baseball have win totals that are equal to or better than the Yankees. If that is the standard that you aspire to – that’s your choice.
I don’t have much interest in Liriano given his health problems and if the Twins trade him, what does that tell you? Why would I want to take on a pitcher that they don’t even want to keep – when he’s their only power pitcher ?
——————–
He is close to FA and the Twins have less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs.
Out of contention teams trade players close to FA every year.
LOL at what the caller regarding Jeter giving Gardner a look when he didn’t run & talking about how he should be upset about the double plays.
Do you think Jeter realizes he hasn’t been clutch?
Right now, 11 teams in baseball have win totals that are equal to or better than the Yankees. If that is the standard that you aspire to – that’s your choice.
–
Its June 9th. Really have you watched baseball before?
Jerkface June 9th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Thats just a convenient way to celebrate when the yankees win (you believed in them all along!) and trash them when they lose (you know they didn’t have what it took all along!)
Pick a side. Get some balls.
************
I picked a side a long time ago. No one wants the Yankees to dominate and win more than I. I have not missed a game in years. I live and breath the Yankees.I am not blind to what I see.
LGY, he’s still an injury risk and I wouldn’t touch him.
Every fan wants their team to win, thats not an answer.
LGY, he’s still an injury risk and I wouldn’t touch him.
————
Yeah, Liriano is a huge risk. But it is a huge reward as well.
That’s the catch and why he shouldn’t command a prospect like Montero or Manny.
Sometimes you have to take risks.
This blog sometimes really comes off it’s rocker.
Are we killing the same Robbie Cano who was the Al player of the month in April?
He is in an extended slump because he is expanding his strike zone and trying to do too much because the 4 guys behind him have combined to hit about .150….true! My suggestion is that Gen. Joe switches Cano and ARod in the lineup for the remainder of the homestand.
As for his 1 good year he’s actually had 1 BAD year! Again in his 1st full season he hit .342 and finished 2nd in the batting title race with 19Hrs and 97rbis in about 130 games batting 7th.
Jerkface June 9th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Right now, 11 teams in baseball have win totals that are equal to or better than the Yankees. If that is the standard that you aspire to – that’s your choice.
–
Its June 9th. Really have you watched baseball before?
***********
You can add a lack of reading comprehension to your rapidly diminishing skills. That is June 9th has nothing to do with anything. The Sux started out 2-10 and they have beaten us 8 out of 9 times in our home park. They are our main competitors – they are the team we need to beat. Right now they are a better team.
That does not mean that it will remain that way, but that’s how I see it now. And I think that sucks.
Clarification – not 8-9 this year.
Without Granderson this team might be in last place right now. He’s hit a tough patch but so does every hitter. The guy has played gold glove d and been dynamite with the bat. The guys who need to get it going are A-rod and Cano. Those are two guys that need to carry this team. Arod has been a huge disappointment this year in my mind. He started out on fire and since then has been very average for a 4th hitter.
They are our main competitors – they are the team we need to beat.
–
Not really, the yankees just need to win more of their 162 games than the Red Sox. How that lines up in the season series doesn’t matter.
That is June 9th has nothing to do with anything.
–
It does, if you look back year by year, around this team many teams have similar records, and even in the END most records are similar. whats the difference between 95 and 87 wins, 8 games over the course of the year. What the hell, guy?
It’s insulting that every time Cano struggles Yankee fans try to blame other people.
Melky is holding him back, Bowa is gone now, he has no protection in the lineup, etc.
He is 28 years old. He is a big boy. It’s well past the time he took the blame for his own performance.
To you it doesn’t matter.
2 of Cano’s best years came without Bowa.
My Fathers Day or sooner wish list.
1. Cut Cervelli
2. Bench Gardner(over rated. never was a great hitter in the minors and if he cant steal bases, hes useless. Speed only kills if you know how to use it.)
3. Bring up Montero or Romine.
4. Bring up Whelan and do away with the jokers we have in the pen that wouldnt even be pitching for the Royals. Trade all of them to the Pirates for one of those weiner runners.
5. Get Jeter out of the lead off position. Bat him 9th and see if he throws a fit.
6. Get Long to do his job and have him straighten out Cano and Alex. Cant go far without them.
7. Look to trade for Kerry Wood(someone mentioned it on the telecast last night.)
8. Find Girardi balls and give it back to him. He looks like hes morphing into Torre.
9. Get rid of Logan and find a lefty or righty in the minors that can throw strikes to lefties and get outs.
10. Start a fight with the sox to rekindle the fire this team seems to be missing.
Is this too much to ask for? Whos with me!!
Jerkface June 9th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
That is June 9th has nothing to do with anything.
–
It does, if you look back year by year….
***************
Past years mean nothing.
To you it doesn’t matter.
–
Yup because I want the team to make the playoffs, not beat the red sox. Those goals are not mutually exclusive, and beating them is preferred, but not necessary.
LGY, I can’t think of many risks the Yanks have taken that have panned out…………..
His jumping off point was Robinson Cano suggesting that Wakefield belongs in the Hall of Fame.
“Tell Wakefield he’s got my vote,” Cano told Rosenthal.
Nice to see the love fest continuing. Cano is to busy trying to figure out who should go to teh HOF to worry about multi-hit games.
champ809 June 9th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
This blog sometimes really comes off it’s rocker.
Are we killing the same Robbie Cano who was the Al player of the month in April?
We’re not “killing” Cano. When he’s playing well, he looks a million dollars – both at the plate and in the field. But when things aren’t going so well, his body language implies that he just can’t be bothered. He’s a good player who could be a truly great player. All we want as fans is for him to play to his FULL potential.
Past years mean nothing.
–
This just shows that you learn nothing from watching the game. Past years mean SOMETHING, since you constantly harp about pitching winning championships. So clearly something in the past influences you to give your opinion in the present. Baseball is 162 games, most teams hang around each other and the good ones will slowly and surely pull away. Maybe a team here or there gets off to a good start, but those teams NEVER sustain that pace (unless they are the 98 yankees or 01 mariners).
They are our main competitors – they are the team we need to beat
=========================
They represent about 10% of the schedule. The Yankees can do plenty of damage without beating the Red Sox on a regular basis. That’s one reason the players and coaches don’t get nearly a nuts about these games as the fan bases do. In the end, they’re all 1 of 162, with every win or loss carrying equal value.
THE PAST MEANS NOTHING RAWR>
I think that Joe G. spends too much time trying to manage the way that Joe T. did. Being calm and cool is great, but sometimes you need to show a little fire to get the troops going. I don’t care how good he is; I would bench Cano for failing to back up second on attempted stolen bases twice last night. Sure, Cervelli’s throws were bad, but Cano was way out of position both times.
If I were Joe G. I would instruct CC to hit Ellsbury with the first pitch of the game. Why? F-them. That’s why. Second batter? Plunk him too. Enough is enough. I don’t care if the Yankees lose the game. This is about winning the war, not the battle, and the war is partly psychological. Someone on the Yankees has to step up and say “enough is enough” to the Sox. It is not just about losing to the Sox. It is about the way that they have been losing.
Varitek takes a lot of crap for picking a fight with A-Rod in 2004 and keeping his mask on, and that probably was a punk move, but that’s not the point. The point is that they Yankees had their way with the Sox for a long time and he decided to stand up for his team.
Jeter is great and classy and everything, but how great would it be for him to drop his bat or take off his helmet if (or when) he gets buzzed by Beckett? It would be a totally out of character move for Jeter, but it would be a signal to the rest of the team to step it up.
The Yankees need that kind of leadership right now and the only guy who can deliver is Posada, and he is now a bench player. Jorge was terrible behind the plate last year, but I would love to see him start behind the plate tonight if Martin cannot play. Let Posada pick a fight with Youk or one of those clowns with a B on his shirt.
I am not a hockey fan, but watching hockey has been more enjoyable than watching baseball lately.
e is 28 years old. He is a big boy.
======================
Most boys are immature.
Actually every game vs the Sux counts as two games. For instance their either tied a top the division with a win tonight or behind 2 games with a loss tonight. 2 game swing.
So to say that every game in the schedule of 162 counts the same is not in theory actually correct.
Past years mean nothing. The only thing that matters is what this team does now.
Jerkface,
They might be in the playoffs right now but they are only 4 games away from last. A team with as big a payroll as they have shouldn’t be struggling to make the playoffs. They should be much better then 95 percent of the teams all the time. Give another team with a great front office 200 plus million and see what they do with it.
You think another team gives Arod more money after he opts out or Jeter a 4 year contract when he is in his twilights years? Or Posada’s extra year? Or a set up guy with injury issues a 3 year deal for closer type money?
Most top international free agents should be on the Yankees with the money they piss away. They should also be paying over slot for every player they draft.
Past years mean nothing. The only thing that matters is what this team does now.
——————
The past should really give you some perspective on the present and future.
You think another team gives Arod more money after he opts out or Jeter a 4 year contract when he is in his twilights years? Or Posada’s extra year? Or a set up guy with injury issues a 3 year deal for closer type money?
——————-
That is primarily on ownership, not the front office baseball people.
Actually every game vs the Sux counts as two games
==============================
By extension, does this mean all games against the Rays, Jays and O’s count as two games too? In fact, with the wild card being a factor, any game against an AL team counts as two, right?
It’s 162 games. They all count once. They all count the same.
The Yankees are not struggling to make the playoffs, they are playing like crap (not really but thats your falsified projection of their performance) and STILL OUTPERFORMING EVERYONE.
What about that do people not understand?
WCYF – Ignore the past and you are doomed to repeat its mistakes.
They might be in the playoffs right now but they are only 4 games away from last. A team with as big a payroll as they have shouldn’t be struggling to make the playoffs. They should be much better then 95 percent of the teams all the time. Give another team with a great front office 200 plus million and see what they do with it.
–
Payroll doesn’t guarantee anything, unless you believe its unlimited and the team can absorb mistakes/downyears like a fetus absorbing its dead twin. The yankees ARE better than 95% of the teams ALL the time, they make the playoffs like CRAZY. Its unrealistic to expect the yankees to win from game 1 to game 162. They can’t go undefeated and 100 wins every year is unrealistic, so when it comes down to it they are going to lose 60ish games. What do you think another team is going to do with 200 mil? Probably sign the same damn players to the same long contracts.
LGY June 9th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Past years mean nothing. The only thing that matters is what this team does now.
??????
The past should really give you some perspective on the present and future.
*********************
You sound like my high school history teacher.
The Yankees have by far the best run differential in MLB.
However, for whatever reason they just can’t seem to get their offense, pitching, and defense in sync at the same time.
West Coast Yankee Fan says:
June 9, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Past years mean nothing. The only thing that matters is what this team does now.
=====================
How do you prove that pitching wins championships without using past championships as a starting point?
Mell right they all count as one, but in a small sample size such as the game tonight its a two game swing.
Kind’ve just seems like they all count the same is somewhat of a way to make it seem like its not a serious problem that your rival is beating your brains in. When in reality its not the end of the world but its certainly not ideal.
Now that teams are moving to pitching/defense, having a superior offense might win championships.
Irreverent Discourse June 9th, 2011 at 2:46 pm
The Yankees are not struggling to make the playoffs, they are playing like crap (not really but thats your falsified projection of their performance) and STILL OUTPERFORMING EVERYONE.
What about that do people not understand?
***************
11 teams in MLB have the same number or more wins than the Yankees. Since wins are ultimately all that matters, not team stats, how do you interpret that as outperforming EVERYONE?
My Fathers Day or sooner wish list.
1. Cut Cervelli
2. Bench Gardner(over rated. never was a great hitter in the minors and if he cant steal bases, hes useless. Speed only kills if you know how to use it.)
3. Bring up Montero or Romine.
4. Bring up Whelan and do away with the jokers we have in the pen that wouldnt even be pitching for the Royals. Trade all of them to the Pirates for one of those weiner runners.
5. Get Jeter out of the lead off position. Bat him 9th and see if he throws a fit.
6. Get Long to do his job and have him straighten out Cano and Alex. Cant go far without them.
7. Look to trade for Kerry Wood(someone mentioned it on the telecast last night.)
8. Find Girardi balls and give it back to him. He looks like hes morphing into Torre.
9. Get rid of Logan and find a lefty or righty in the minors that can throw strikes to lefties and get outs.
10. Start a fight with the sox to rekindle the fire this team seems to be missing.
Is this too much to ask for? Whos with me!
=============================================
I am in (for the most part).
On point #6, why do they keep calling Long a genius? because he fixed 1 hitter? Is Dirk Nowitzki’s shooting coach a genius because he knows how to coach 1 guy?
WE HAVE NO HITTERS batting above .300
Pretty pathetic as a hitting coach.
Tell Torre-Lite (Girardi) and KLong to drive off a cliff. This team needs new blood and someone to stop this pretty boy BS they call baseball.
Rob_NY June 9th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
West Coast Yankee Fan says:
June 9, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Past years mean nothing. The only thing that matters is what this team does now.
=====================
How do you prove that pitching wins championships without using past championships as a starting point?
************
The context was that just because the Yankees did X in 2009 – that it has nothing to do with what they do in 2011. That if something happened in the past – it means that is going to happen now.
sp – it doesn’t mean that it is going to happen now.
Kind’ve just seems like they all count the same is somewhat of a way to make it seem like its not a serious problem that your rival is beating your brains in
================================
It’s not a serious problem. I’m not somewhat saying that. I’m saying it outright.
Jerkface,
Having a huge payroll gives you a huge advantage to make the playoffs. What happens in the playoffs is a different story. Boston operates with a pretty high payroll as well yet you see them letting Pedro go, letting Bay go, Letting Martinez go, letting Beltre go, trading Nomar. You think the Yankees would ever do any of those things?
Now granted Dice K did not live up to expectations but what was Cash’s solution? Sign Igawa. Also what other team makes moves based on how a guy performs against them. Pavano,Burnett, they also wanted Juan Pierre.
Boston operates with a pretty high payroll as well yet you see them letting Pedro go, letting Bay go, Letting Martinez go, letting Beltre go, trading Nomar. You think the Yankees would ever do any of those things?
–
They also signed Lackey, JD Drew, a cadre of bad short stops, no catcher, trade for eric gagne, etc.
They have no better record in the playoffs than the Yankees do.
Mell,
Alright I can respect that opinion. That’s not necessarily my opinion but thats alright. I mean these games are definitely blown all way out of proportion to an extent, but losing them all to Boston really makes it tough because it forces you to have a much better record vs common opponents to win the division.
LGY June 9th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
The Yankees have by far the best run differential in MLB.
However, for whatever reason they just can’t seem to get their offense, pitching, and defense in sync at the same time.
===============================
Thats because they whoop up on bad pitching.
When’s the last time this team stepped up and won a series against a good or half-good team?
Since May 1st
Boston? 0-5
Detroit? 1-3
Seattle? 1-2
KC? 1-2
TB? 1-1
We only beat Texas (w/o Hamilton or Nelson Cruz)
2-1
Thats because they whoop up on bad pitching
———————
Am I dreaming or the did the Yankees just complete a 6-3 road trip where they faced a collection of the best pitchers in baseball?
I thought the meme was that the Yankees can’t hit pitchers they have never seen before and junkballers?
WCYF – 6 teams have a better winning percentage than the Yankees. Not 11. 2 days ago it was 3. This is why you don’t look at the season in single game increments.
Better plan on sweeping those double dips with the birds this year. Going to need to turn those games ahead in the lose column into wins. Sorry Buck but its going to have to come at your expense ya jerk.
BrianLopez,
Agreed. I do think Long is a bit over rated. My point was that he needs to do his job and fix all the leaks. I asked a couple days ago if anyone can remember the last time the Yankees had not even one hitter batting .300? Pretty scary.
Off topic. Just got myself 3 chili dogs. How come they insist in putting them in a paper wrapper? By the time you pull it out of the wrap the chili is all but gone. Now I have a hot dog with nothing on it. Damn! I should have got katsup for my fries and used it for the dogs. Time to invent better dog wrappers. No one get any ideas.
Hope I’m not being redundant by mentioning this, because I haven’t read every comment today, but good stuff from RAB. Just a little bit more to be angry about, really.
http://riveraveblues.com/2011/.....ake-49951/
Jerkface,
You didn’t address my main point. The Yankees would never do any of those type of moves that the Red Sox do. They are too concerned with their image and the media instead of smart baseball moves.
Thoughts on going after Kerry Wood? Low salary, proved he can pitch here. What would you give up for him?
You didn’t address my main point. The Yankees would never do any of those type of moves that the Red Sox do. They are too concerned with their image and the media instead of smart baseball moves.
–
The Red Sox are more callous but it doesn’t mean they are better, or would be better with a higher payroll. They exist as they do because of a perpetual underdog meme.
That RAB article about Aceves is completely stupid.
The author assumes that since he beat the estimates on his return that he’ll just keep pitching well all year and not have any back problems again.
RAB has to be one of those most negative Yankee blogs on the web.
Thoughts on going after Kerry Wood? Low salary, proved he can pitch here. What would you give up for him?
–
I wouldn’t be opposed.
The author assumes that since he beat the estimates on his return that he’ll just keep pitching well all year and not have any back problems again
=================
Actually, the author assumes no such thing.
I wouldn’t give the cubs much for him, he is on a 1 year deal and is old.
Dear Damon:
I’m hoping the “instilled” something in him, ’cause if they really installed something in him, they just might be breaking a rule.
ID will never knock a Yankee decision ever. Surprised he doesn’t work for YES
The Yankee pen should be good once it gets healthy……they shouldn’t waste resources there except for adding a Lefty if possible.
“you see them letting Pedro go, letting Bay go, Letting Martinez go, letting Beltre go, trading Nomar. You think the Yankees would ever do any of those things?”
The Yankees let Matsui (WS MVP) and Damon go.
They let fan fave Giambi (vote Stache!) And wall-avoider Abreu go the year before.
Thoughts on going after Kerry Wood? Low salary, proved he can pitch here. What would you give up for him?
====================
I’d talk with the Cubs about it, sure. Wonder a little about Wood’s motivation to leave. Cubs were never going to compete this year and he seemed to go out of his way to go there for short money. Maybe Chicago is where he wants to stay.
Mell – It’s the entire premise of the article… How does Aceves pitching in June make it a mistake for the Yankees to let him go? He was not resigned because he was injured and he has constant back problems. He was able to recover from the injury faster than anticipated, but this doesn’t mean his back problems go away. The article assumes too much.
Jerkface,
You say callous but others would call it smart. Players treat the game as a business so should the Yankees
NSF,
Dont forget not offering Bernie a contract and told him he had to earn his way back at spring training.
“We’re trying to keep those guys alive and we think that they keep getting better.”
_________
I’m so glad to hear a premium will be spent on keeping these guys alive…others like Lance Parrish Jr (a former #1 child of a pro) apparently didn’t have such care and we must presume he is deceased. Actually, seems like DO was talking specifically about Parrish with his comments.
SoS June 9th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Thoughts on going after Kerry Wood? Low salary, proved he can pitch here. What would you give up for him?
************************
That would be awesome, but I doubt it’ll happen. It seemed like he was determined to go back to the Cubs over the winter.
Nick in SF,
Are you really comparing those examples to Bostons? They let guys in their prime or slightly past their prime go compared to our guys who were in their twilight years
Look at the bright side people. If we had signed Aceves, we might not have went after Colon.
Colon > Aceves
Triple – That not true at all. Hindsight and results should not have any influence in a decision being a good or bad idea at the time it was made.
If they signed him and he went on the DL on July 1 with back issues you would be killing the Yankees for signing him in the first place. You can’t have it both ways.
SoS,
Bernie couldn’t hit anymore and was done. This is a prime example of why the Yankees refuse to operate like other teams
Anyone else felt like throwing up listening to Ramon spelled backwards last night? I had to put the tv on mute.
From the article, ID
“Even if he blows his back out tomorrow, the evaluation of his condition was obviously wrong and a potentially valuable piece was let go for nothing.”
This pretty refutes your suggestion that “The author assumes that since he beat the estimates on his return that he’ll just keep pitching well all year and not have any back problems again”
The actual premise of the article was that in keeping him for short money, they assume minimal risk with potentially solid reward.
ID, I would be killing them for signing a guy for half a million bucks? Low risk high reward?
I killed the Yankees at the time last year for not getting Haren and this year for signing Soriano.
Triple,
Who was at their prime that the Sox let go of? I know they seem to not care about their image. Your right about that. But besides maybe Damon, who actually was the right call being that he was no longer a centerfielder. Pedro? past his prime? Millar?
I do wish the Yankees would care less about the media and fans. For example on the Jeter contract(had no takers and still got his) or Posadas(pay him more for the 3 years and not extend an extra year).
“let go for nothing” is a funny way of describing the roster spot that allowed the Yankees to carry both Garcia and Colon.
The guy is constantly injured, and is a middle reliever… how is that high reward?
Not really sure what your point is, then, Triple. You’re sad the Yanks didn’t let Arod go after he opted out? Sad they didn’t let AJ go…somewhere else?
“let go for nothing” is a funny way of describing the roster spot that allowed the Yankees to carry both Garcia and Colon.
—————-
Look at their 40 man roster.
There is more than enough space for Garcia, Colon, and Aceves.
That would be awesome, but I doubt it’ll happen. It seemed like he was determined to go back to the Cubs over the winter.
========
Erin,
Yeah. But now that the Cubs are out of it. Why wouldnt he want to comeback and get the opportunity to play in October. Im sure comfort level means alot to him after deciding to go back to the Cubs for less. Hopefully it wasnt becuase he couldnt stand being but faced.
The article makes good points about Aceves. I disagreed with non tendering him and hoped they re-signed him, given the 40 man-options-etc available, it didn’t make sense to non-tender him, but as Pete Abe alluded to there may have been ego/personality issues with the yankees re: aceves
New Post w/lineup
SoS,
Pedro was 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA in 2004. he followed that up with an ERA in the 2′s. Hardly past his prime. Martinez is in his prime, Bay was in his prime.
the Red Sox traded Nomar mid season. The guy was an icon there. Girardi bats Posada 9th and all hell breaks loose
Here’s my issue with Aceves not being resigned. He would have cost nothing to keep and if all we got out of him was the 50 or so innings the Red Sox have gotten out of him so far, he would have been worth the small financial commitment and team control he would have cost.
Let’s not forget the Yankees signed Colon and Garcia expecting them both to implode in a couple of months, but they were fine spending the coin on those guys who they didn’t believe could give them a full season worth of work.
If Ace only threw 1/2 a season his back went out again, you’d at least have gotten some good pitching for that 1/2 season which would have given you more time to let arms develop in the minors.
Cashman screwed up on Ace. He made it personal. They got frustrated w/him and kind of treated him a bit like Pavano.
The Yankees should have kept him. For all we know he could be in our rotation right now or setting up for Mo. His stuff last night was filthy.
It’s not going to cost us the season, but it’s definitely a mistake in judgment made by our front office. On the flip side, they were right about Martin, Colon and Garcia so they don’t need to be killed too hard on this.
The problem with this team isn’t the lack of Aceves. The problem with this team is with the players who play everyday and who are being paid the most to play outside of Mo.
LGY – And they wouldn’t spend $500k on that. Can’t imagine why. Couldn’t be the fact that he’s hurt all the time. Apparently that low of a risk still wasn’t worth the trouble.
They didn’t want to sign a middle reliever that can only be expected to play half a season. That’s a pretty smart move if you ask me. The fact that he’s pitching (well) for Boston right now only makes it look bad. When he gets hurt you won’t hear the people championing for this anymore, even though the situation 5 months ago will not have been altered at all.
The red sox signed a 31 year old Lackey
SoS June 9th, 2011 at 3:29 pm
Triple,
Who was at their prime that the Sox let go of?
____
Roger Clemens? Fred Lynn? Carlton Fisk? Johnny Damon? Beltre?