Getting out of Boston
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Aug 08, 2011 
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The Yankees just won five games of a seven-game road trip. They’ve won eight games in nine days and they’re a game out of first place on August 8. Things could be much worse for this team.
Of course, they also just lost a game that was in their hands. They lost it at Fenway, with first place on the line, and the Red Sox have now won 10 of 12 against the Yankees this season.
“Coming in, that’s all we heard about,” Phil Hughes said. “To be so close to taking two out of three, it’s kind of a hit, but we have an off day and can refresh and get back to playing at home and hopefully have a good home stand.”
A few quick thoughts before I get on a plane back to New York…
• One thing that makes these back-to-back loses especially tough to swallow for the Yankees: They lost when they had CC Sabathia on the mound, and they lost when they had Mariano Rivera on the mound. When those two are involved, the Yankees expect to win.
• One thing that makes this series especially tough to swallow: The loses were more memorable than the win. Friday was a nice, gritty victory for the Yankees, but Saturday was a blowout and Sunday was a win that got away. The Red Sox score more runs on Saturday than the Yankees scored all weekend.
• Brett Gardner’s finally got this base-stealing thing figured out, doesn’t he? It was strange to see him get off to that terrible start this season, because he’d never been a guy to get thrown out a whole lot.
• Rivera’s Sunday and Hector Noesi’s Saturday aside, the bullpen was terrific this series (and this trip, really). With Rafael Soriano back in the mix, that group looks pretty good again.
• Two key’s to the bullpen: Dave Robertson stepping up to replace — and surpass — the injured setup relievers, and Cory Wade stepping up to replace Robertson.
• Josh Beckett is crushing the Yankees this season.
• If Eric Chavez hadn’t been injured, how much sooner would the Yankees have benched Jorge Posada? His career earned him some slack, and Posada bought some time with that terrific month of June, but eventually the Yankees had to move on.
• I just looked at the numbers again: Posada hit .382/.419/.588. It’s amazing that he could be that good through 22 games, and so bad the rest of the season.
• My complete guess for the Yankees upcoming rotation: Ivan Nova on Tuesday, A.J. Burnett on Wednesday, Phil Hughes on Thursday, CC Sabathia on Friday and Freddy Garcia on Saturday. I think this is a chance to skip Bartolo Colon. As Brian Cashman has said, the Yankees are in uncharted waters with him. There’s no way of knowing how he’ll handle this workload, and giving him a little break right now might be a good thing.
• Just when I was beginning to believe the Yankees were ready to call-up Jesus Montero, Girardi’s comments have me thinking otherwise. If the Girardi doesn’t trust Montero to handle the pitching staff, then I’m not sure they can carry him. Unless it’s September, it’s hard to have Cervelli, Posada and Montero taking up three spots on the bench.
Associated Press photo
Betsy,
Hughes is the empty cereal box that you bang upside down in search of the 2 cent toy (Made in China) that they forgot to put in the package.
Don’t you feel cheated?
Care to comment on this Betsy?
Would rather have Nova against Haren in the first game than AJ….
A day off after two loses to the Red Sox… by tomorrow morning this place is gonna be a mess.
Girardi and the Yankees are sorely overrating defense at the expense of offense, and ignoring the righty bat that could make us exceptional. This offense needs an infusion of Jesus. He plus the return of Alex will make our offense lethal, but let’s just still to that NL, defense first mentality and try to scrape out a few runs here and there. Yeah, that’ll work.
Waking up to a sick feeling in my stomach from the end of last nights game. For Mo to say “this is baseball, it happens!” Where’s accountability?? You want to get to the WS again then you have to beat the Sox (that’s if they can get past Texas/Angels) Just an ugly, ugly loss last night. Glad they have the day off so I can rid my system of baseball for a day!!
let’s just *stick*
How do other teams score runs against and beat beckett and lackey?
YF-
I’m with you but it looks like it’s only gonna be a cup of coffee for Jesus this year.
As if Mo’s accountabliity is in question…
To be fair, winning one is a whole lot better than getting swept, and the game we did win we really had to fight for. It’s a shame we couldn’t hold on yesterday, but worse things could have happened in Fenway.
Girardi and the Yankees are sorely overrating defense at the expense of offense
===========================
In fairness, he did have Nunez out there.
MTU, doesn’t make sense at all. We subtract Posada’s bat, need a righty bat with power (especially at Fenway), but our answer is Chavez? While every other team adds a minor leaguer who couldn’t carry Jesus’s jock strap offensively? Does this make sense? To anyone?
Mell, I love Nunez, but he should be complementing the Jesus’s bat, not replacing it. I am talking about a *hitter* who was born to hit for both average and hit bombs. When they bring him up, he will have had no time to adjust at all. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot…
The Yankees were 3 outs from beating both Lester and Beckett at Fenway…..they are a game out and still on a near 100 win pace.
Triple,
Of course this isn’t 2009…..but that team started out 0-8 against a Red Sox team that was nowhere close to as good as the current one…..its just a point that the regular season record against a team is almost meaningless. They are going to make the playoffs……and both the Yankees and Sox are going to have to win another series before meeting in the ALCS anyway…..long ways to go yet.
How do other teams score runs against and beat beckett and lackey?
=========================
Don’t think too many have against Beckett this year. Lackey? Dude puts a lot of guys on base, and he did again against the Yankees. Couple of bases drunk opportunites early in the game went by the boards with a Cano GDIP and Granderson, Teixeira and Cano going down in order after the Yankees loaded ‘em up with none out.
Posada gets bashed…. but Martin gets a pass? Batting .204 since April 18th…..
And I have never criticized Cano before and I don’t generally criticize players period, because I always expect they will rise to the occasion and I understand the inherent ebbs and flows of hitting, but Cano was brutal in this series. B-r-u-t-a-l!
YF:
Just using Nunez as an example of one time where Girardi isn’t putting a premium on defense over offense.
blake, I agree that we are still in great shape, but… I still don’t understand the lack of vision in terms of putting the best team out there. I truly don’t. I am not even looking for Jesus to be a savior (don’t think we need that), but why not get him acclimated a month ago, and see what he can do?
it is so simple for me. Montero should be on this team. Let the kid katch a non pressure game and see what you have. He should be DHing against ALL lefties. I do not understand their logic
And I have never criticized Cano before and I don’t generally criticize players period, because I always expect they will rise to the occasion and I understand the inherent ebbs and flows of hitting, but Cano was brutal in this series. B-r-u-t-a-l!
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He usually fares pretty well in Boston too.
Mell, I get you but Girardi has done it at the catching position all year. And to make a blanket statement about Montero’s defense says it all. Girardi overrates defense, let’s face it.
…I think I’m still mad we walked Crawford lol.
YF-
Cano has been great Fenway many times.
Law of averages just took over is all.
I’d like to see how things go with 2 more big sticks plugged in.
A-rod and Montero.
I will say I was disappointed in Chavez. I expected him to do better.
Maybe next time.
edit: great at. sorry. It’s early.
Mell, he looks lost. Just hacking away. I wonder about his overswinging because Alex is out of the lineup and in the 4-hole he feels like he has to make things happen, but that order of Teix, Cano, Swish when they are all swinging long just eats at me. Good AB’s, short to the ball is all I ask.
Free Jesus! I agree; it seems silly not to at least give the kid a shot. The offense is inconsistent. He might be able to help.
Mell, I get you but Girardi has done it at the catching position all year. And to make a blanket statement about Montero’s defense says it all. Girardi overrates defense, let’s face it.
====================================
I agree with you there. It’s especially troubling given that the catching defense hasn’t been anything special anyway.
JM, thing is he hits for average also and he will need to make adjustments if he is at all going to contribute. However, they have altered the Jesus coming up is “imminent” spin to they now apparently don’t see Jesus as having a role this year. Why the hell not? Every other team has added their “light” hitters from the minors and they are not half the hitter Jesus is.
Yankeefem,
Yea im not sure either why Montero isn’t up…..I think they wanted him to improve against breaking stuff and get hot and he’s done that to some degree…….
Getting Alex back 100% is the key really……Montero coukd help but they need their cleanup hitter back.
The good news is I believe we do not have to face either Weaver or Santana in the upcoming Angels series.
Mell, he looks lost. Just hacking away
=========================
It was tough weekend for sure. Oddly enough, he headed into the series on something of a roll, having gone 19 for 54 (.352), with a .954 OPS and 13 rbi over the previous 14 games.
I’ve watched Montero a good bit this year…..he’s not a great defender and you probably don’t want him catching AJ…..but I have really never seen the slug that analysts talk about. If his bat can help then I think his defense is acceptable.
Blake-
I have to think having A-Rod around might have tipped the balance in our favor.
At any rate, it will be good have him back.
MTU, I would say law of averages if they were good AB’s. With the exception of one AB last night, I just don’t like watching the kind of AB’s Cano gave us. I can say the same for Tex and Swish when they are not short to the ball. Those playoff kind of swings that drive me nuts in October. I would say this even if we had won. And I know Swish has been phenomenal lately and Teix generally has had much better swings from the left side. However, I just want to see good AB’s and I will roll the dice from there, and agree law of averages is what baseball is about. Mo, too. Law of averages in a god-awful constructed ballpark.
Blake-
CC and Colon could throw to someone’s Granny.
Isn’t Jesus better than that at least ?
YF-
Time to move on IMO.
We’ve got work to do.
“If his bat can help then I think his defense is acceptable.”
The argument all along has been that he can’t be any worse than Cervelli.. I think that argument is still valid. He can’t be much worse than Cervelli defensively and I’m also pretty sure he can’t be much worse than Posada has been offensively lately.
This is probably why its even more frustrating for us to see Montero still in the minors. Its not as if this is a square peg situation… He fits. Almost perfectly.
MTU, let’s just hope not having to face Ervin and Weaver and facing their replacements is a good thing. We often hit the better pitchers well and don’t hit the lesser lights. But Angels series will be big, and Red Sox have a habit of dropping games after beating us, so I am expecting some of that. Not too concerned about dropping two in Boston, as much as would have liked to have finished off last night because we were in a position to win.
You know, Montero might not be the be-all-end-all” everyone wants when he does come up. Who will the fans be yelling for then?
Thing with Jesus is, what are they afraid of? Just get his feet wet while there is still significant time for him to adjust. You can always not use him if he doesn’t “succeed” but give him a shot. Unless you don’t believe in him and are still trading to somehow protect his trade value. I just don’t get it.
they can not have montero, cervilli and posada all at the same time, this is the reason why montero is still in the minors. His catching ability is not what is being advertise in the media by the yankees. This is also the reason why it is beneficial for posada to be DL. If the story is true that the yankees refuse to trade cervelli for brad lincoln, it tells you he is not going down too.
Of course I wouldn’t expect Jesus to “save” the offense. But what would it hurt to give him a shot? He can always be sent back down if he performs horribly (after all, Mickey Mantle was) but what could it hurt to give him a chance?
Wang-
I don’t think most of us are expecting miracles just some improvement over Cervelli.
That wouldn’t be all that difficult IMO.
yankeefeminista August 8th, 2011 at 9:06 am
Girardi and the Yankees are sorely overrating defense at the expense of offense, and ignoring the righty bat that could make us exceptional. This offense needs an infusion of Jesus. He plus the return of Alex will make our offense lethal, but let’s just still to that NL, defense first mentality and try to scrape out a few runs here and there. Yeah, that’ll work.
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Yankee fem, it’s a little scary how the Yankees seem to misunderstand their own needs, & that their biggest is squatting in Scranton.
Their failure to extend their half of innings in Fenway is the reason they couldn’t win two here or even sweep here. It was nice to see Gardner knock one out & Nuney hit one over the Monster, but that’s not going to be something reliable & we have a power shortage the likes of which we haven’t had in years, especially, as you say, from the right side.
The Red Sox have added a mega left-handed power bat, plus that kid Reddick has some lefty power, & Crawford is quite capable of hitting line drive home runs in our park. But we have no answer in Fenway, a park we have crushed in over the years nearly as much as the home team.
Again, the focus on Rivera here, or the fact that we only needed one win, is to me, topical irrelevance when you look at the bigger issues. If we are looking at an ALCS against Boston, then “run prevention” is a nice little sidebar benefit, but it gets soundly trumped by AN ABILITY TO EXTEND INNINGS offensively. You cannot do that up there without a couple of scary RHB to keep a RHP honest, especially, in regard to that wall. Alex and Jesus Montero are BOTH needed for the Yankees to reclaim a sufficient measure of punch to bring into relief the other aspects of our game, like speed (Gardner, Nunez) as well as good left-handed hitting.
I agree that Cano didn’t have a great series, and we got little left-handed power from anyone (missing Matsui’s shots into the bullpen, even Alex going opposite as a righty), but I really think the total lack of RH power threat makes it easier to ge through our lineup & just focus on keeping the lefties from getting out in that park (much easier than holding down right-handed hitters).
The posters here who over rate Boston’s offense against ours are right in one respect: without Alex and the upgrade of Montero, we cannot compete with that team in Fenway Park offensively. The Red Sox’s advantage up there has really only been having last ups. Now, they have a much greater offensive strategic advantage with this “run prevention” team Cashman and Girardi have put mistaken trust into.
It may be the trend in baseball, but until they dismantle Fenway Park, the Yankees are stuck getting through Boston at a sore disadvantage in terms of lineup in that place, which has never been the case. Here’s are the choices: revive the circular lineup or accept that you’re going to get beat up there unless your starter and BP are nearly perfect, as they were on Friday. That’s unlikely: Fenway is a park that allows offenses to redeem pitching mistakes. Do the Yankees really need me to tell them this??
What’s ultra frustrating is they HAVE to goods: they don’t have to go out and give up talent or even mega dollars to get it. BUT IT SITS IN SCRANTON IDLING while we watch Josh Reddick, not even in Montero’s ballpark, pick up walkoff hits to edge us out.
FOR THE LOVE OF JESUS, BRING UP YOUR TRUMP CARD YANKEES OR SETTLE FOR BEING CHUMPS against Boston.
Wang, it is not about him being the end all-be all. It is about getting a prospective superior righty bat that hits for average and power in the lineup and see what that bat can do. Especially considering how many other minor league bats who don’t deserve to be in the same sentence as Jesus are doing well in the majors. It really isn’t about some exaggerated conception of Montero, it is about finding out if he can contribute. Why would you deny yourself that? Don’t we want to see him hitting the ball to the Green Monster at the end of August? Why not try give him the chance he deserves?
Just to be clear, I mention keeping a RHP honest (like Beckett) because he faces Tex & Swisher batting left-handed in Fenway…doesn’t have to worry about their RH power getting the better of the monster, as ARod has for years (and when we had ARod and Sheffield as a double-whammy, for instance).
Just one point about Girardi’s comment about Montero handling the pitching staff down the stretch.
Recall that he also said he would hesitate even to bring in a new veteran to learn a pitching staff at this time of the season.
I believe that that feeling is influenced by what happened when they brought Ivan Rodriguez in in 2008. It was not a good time. In fact, it was a disaster. I understood the move at the time, it was necessary since both Jorge and Molina were out. But IRod was never really comfortable, and I don’t think ANYONE expected that.
Factor in that Montero is a prospect still, I can understand why they’d be hesitant to bring him up to catch.
As for DH, well, there is an issue with the roster spot. Also, the timing. It cannot read that Posada was benched for an unknown ML commodity in Montero. It just cannot.
It’s useless to wish they had brought him up sooner; they didn’t, and that’s that. Now it really is a matter of timing and roster decisions going forward.
Also, Montero is an UNKNOWN at this level. So, tempered expectations should rule the day. I would love for the Yankees to give this kid a shot, but I understand they have some limitations. And, face, it, as “bad” as the Yankees are, they are 26 games over .500 one game out of first place, and 7.5 ahead of the next team in contention for the WC. They can afford to take their time.
But it’s baby steps. And the first “baby” step was actually quite a big one for them – putting Jorge on the bench.
fantasy, why would anyone let Cervelli block Montero, and Posada has been downgraded to bench, so how is Montero not viable?
But Angels series will be big, and Red Sox have a habit of dropping games after beating us, so I am expecting some of that
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Boston followed last two Yankees series by winning 4 straight and 10 of 12 in May and 3 straight and 8 of 10 in June. They did lose 3 straight following the Yankees series in April.
MTU,
Alex is a difference maker……both in performance and how he affects the hitters around him.
Of Course Montero isn’t a savior for the season……but this team doesn’t need a savior….it needs to improve in any area it can to try and win a title. Incremental improvements can make a difference…..especially if they can be made in house.
Ghostwriter August 8th, 2011 at 7:12 am
Gary August 8th, 2011 at 6:57 am
RSM August 8th, 2011 at 6:11 am
The focus will be on Rivera and Hughes, but I blame this loss more on the offense. The middle of the order failed miserably, and the complete lack of situational hitting is inexplicable.
The line up badly needs Alex back. It’s also time for the Montero era to begin.
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I would have liked to have had more offense, but the bottom line is we had enough. I think the only thing you can say is we let this one get away in the late innings. I’m happy we came back Friday against Lester, else it would have been another sweep. Getting out of there losing just one game in the standings was a victory of sorts at this point in the season.
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I disagree. They had plenty of scoring opportunities (over the entire weekend), and failed to capitalize. The Yanks can’t keep leaving their pitching little or no margin for error, and expect to have good results, especially against the Red Sox. I think getting Alex back will help a lot.
Despite last night’s loss, it was still a very successful road trip. The Yanks made up ground in the AL East, and demonstrated that they can beat the Sox and Lester in Fenway.
__________________________________________________________________________
No disagreement on your point, the Sox showed how to effieciently execute and get both the tie and winning run across. Yanks were limited to unlikely long ball from Nunez and Gardner. I agree they need to do better.
Back to my point though if the thought process is that your closer needs 2 or three runs to protect the lead, it’s a bad thing. Mo can work with one run cushions, just didn’t happen last night. If it wasn’t a Extra Base hit he probably would have gotten out of it.
I happy to see Joe finally had the conversation with Jorge, it was hurting the ballclub.
MTU — I’m not a big Cervelli fan, but it sounds like Jesus isn’t exactly a superstar behind the plate. We don’t need our pitchers uncomfortable with someone so inexperienced. Who even knows if he’ll hit big league pitching? It’s a whole new world for him…
Truthfully, the Yankees probably should have given Jesus a shot weeks ago to see what they had there…
I’m not hoping for a miracle at this point. I don’t see this team going very far in the playoffs.
As I’ve said before…..I don’t think the upcoming homestand is the best place to introduce Montero. Posada was just benched and the media would go nuts with it and put a lot of pressure on the kid. Next week on the road in KC and Minnesota would be perfect…….let the Posada stuff die down……let them get through this week at home and then take him to KC next week and ease him in there.
Prufrock, I couldn’t agree more about the righty bats and Fenway. My thoughts exactly. Absolutely nailed it.
Villa, good points, but Posada has already been benched; the SWB season is a month until over. Get the bat up here and see what it can do. This is not some knee-jerk reaction to a lost game in Boston. I have been saying this all along. Why wouldn’t you try to make your team better? We are sorely overrating our offense and I think that is part of the problem. Add back Alex and another righty bat and watch out. NO ONE is asking Montero to be a savior; just to get his feet wet and see what he can do. We no longer have the circular lineup that made us exceptional. Why not try to improve your righty hitting?
YankFem,
I don’t have a problem bringing Montero up — they should have done it weeks ago. I’m just hoping for a complete team turnaround with his bat in the lineup. That’s all. So many posters were yelling for him to Save The Day…that’s not fair to ask of a rook.
I’m just NOT hoping…little typo ther.
Wang-
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
CC and Colon could throw to your Granny.
I highly doubt Jesus could mess them up.
Doesn’t seem to matter at this point because it looks like Jesus is only set up for a cup of Java.
I’m all for taking a shot with Montero. I’m just not betting the farm on him making the Yankees significantly better.
Have a good one everyone.
Blake, I don’t disagree about waiting until we are on the road if they want to ease Montero in away from the glare of NY. But if they delay until Sept. then they are overrating this offense. Also, in waiting you have two deficiencies b/c you are still lacking Alex’s bat.
Also there is nothing gratuitous about having more offense. Could we and should we have won last night, protecting a one run lead. Sure. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t improve our offense. Bring up Montero and let him contribute, especially now that you are subtracting Posada. We are offensively anemic from the catching position. That is not the Yankee way.
Wang, the longer they delay bringing Jesus up, the less time he has to adjust though, and therefore the more you put him in a position of failure amid high expectations Have a good day!
Montero makes the lineup significantly better when paired with Alex. This is especially crucial in Fenway Park.
There is virtually no fear of consequences for a Josh Beckett to have a right-handed hitter in our lineup turn on a pitch and hit it over that Monster consistently.
People have to understand that a ballpark’s construction has EVERYTHING to do with how successful you are over the course of nine or more innings. We could not put them away yesterday because we don’t have that that element any more in our lineup to punish their pitchers with their own park’s dimensions.
Scutaro used the wall against Rivera to “create” a double. If we had some righthanded power to throw up there, we might not have been clinging to a one-run lead that a phony XBH off the Monster could help erase. Rivera being the focus is just so far off the scent of what ailed this team all weekend in Fenway Park. Look at the Yankees’ recent history up there; that’ll tell you all you need to know.
Soriano looked good last night.
I’m happy about that.
Yankeefem,
I think the fact that they have such a big cushion on a playoff spot is kinda affecting the urgency of making these decisions…….to me, its more about getting Montero up soon so that he can acclimate to the big leagues. I think it’ll be soon……
A manager who as a player counted on his defensive skills as a catcher not clamoring to call up a rookie catcher whose strength is his offensive skills is not shocking to me.
I think Girardi has amazing patience when it comes to young players but that patience would be tested if he had a sub-par defensive catcher to work with in the midst of a playoff push just because of his bat when they already have too many options (granted some sub par ones)at DH to choose from.
yankeefeminista and Prufrock -
I do not disagree with either of your points.
And G. Love did post lengthily about the lack of offense and for the most part, I agree with his sentiments that the big bats at times just disappear and seem to be trying to do too much. It’s difficult to disagree with that sentiment entirely.
The Yankees are a conservative bunch – maybe sometimes too conservative for their own good. And if the team was not performing this well, and if they were farther off the pace, I’d be more in a hurry for them to try something new.
I didn’t personally like the idea of Baptism by Fenway for Montero. But if they can figure something out roster-wise, I think anytime within the next 10 days or say would be good for him to make his debut. My mindset had always been that a September call-up was what they were going to do, and I didn’t really think any further about it.
I think after the LAA series, which I know seems counterintuitive, they will bring Jesus up. I seriously don’t think the Yankees want to risk making it look like Jorge was benched for Montero, or that his call up was a direct result of losing 2 of 3 to Boston. Maybe it doesn’t make much sense – you do what you need to do when you need to do it – but, the Yankees, as I said, are a conservative bunch. And usually, those prospects come up early when there is a clear need. it could be the Yankees don’t see the clear need just yet, or just that this is new ground for them, bringing someone up during the season simply because he’s good.
The Red Sox gave Reddick an opportunity and its paying off……Montero would have maybe the best bat speed on the team if they called him up……
J. Alfred Prufrock August 8th, 2011 at 9:55 am
Montero makes the lineup significantly better when paired with Alex. This is especially crucial in Fenway Park.
There is virtually no fear of consequences for a Josh Beckett to have a right-handed hitter in our lineup turn on a pitch and hit it over that Monster consistently.
People have to understand that a ballpark’s construction has EVERYTHING to do with how successful you are over the course of nine or more innings. We could not put them away yesterday because we don’t have that that element any more in our lineup to punish their pitchers with their own park’s dimensions.
Scutaro used the wall against Rivera to “create” a double. If we had some righthanded power to throw up there, we might not have been clinging to a one-run lead that a phony XBH off the Monster could help erase. Rivera being the focus is just so far off the scent of what ailed this team all weekend in Fenway Park. Look at the Yankees’ recent history up there; that’ll tell you all you need to know.
_________
Prufrock, exactly! Brilliantly stated. It is all about righty bats at Fenway, and why Alex’s triple slash line is sorely missed. (.290/.372/.512) If the Yankees don’t get this they are scarily clueless.
What’s so great about Cervelli’s defense ?
Isn’t he the guy who thinks 2nd base is somewhere in the OF ?
How is he any great shakes ?
You pair Montero with guys who have excellent control like CC and Colon.
That further reduces the risk.
blake August 8th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Yankeefem,
I think the fact that they have such a big cushion on a playoff spot is kinda affecting the urgency of making these decisions…….to me, its more about getting Montero up soon so that he can acclimate to the big leagues. I think it’ll be soon……
_______
Blake, but it is urgent if you want to win playoff games. They have to have a more substantive vision then just making the playoffs. They should be evaluating what makes them the best team in order to win the WS. They can’t be complacent with the team they are putting out there because it is not the best team they can field. I would say this even if we had swept Boston. I am always looking at the bigger picture.
And yes, if Soriano pitches like last year, he will be a force along with DRob to set up Mo. Have to also like how Wade wiggled out of trouble last night.
The over protection of Montero is senseless. Defensively he may not be Johnny Bench but he has improved working under Butch Wynegar in Scranton. Like any pitcher / catcher, they go over signs and strategies before the game just like in the minor leagues.
Montero could easily go on a batting tear for a few weeks. Opposing pitchers don’t know him either. Fear of failure ? Not an option.
MTU, actually that Soriano comment above was addressed to you. Saw almost all his appearances last season with TB, and he was absolutely filthy.
it doesn’t matter this team will win the next 10 games, the bottom line is they cannot beat Sux, which will be there waiting for them in postseason.
Mo also troubles me, clearly he didn’t have his best last night. Just admit it and move on, don’t say crap like ‘this is baseball, things happen’, this can be excuse for every failure.
yankeefeminista… cervelli and posada together are blocking montero. If you have to pick who deserve to give way, I think it is posada. As I wrote, montero is not an option to be even a backup catcher right now or as many scouts believe, he is not going to be a reliable catcher period. For backup catcher, cervelli offense is not bad but the only concerns is his throwing to second base but if he is catching cc, it will limit the stolen base chance.
blake, and why then are we delaying bringing up that bat speed? SMH.
The Yankees are a conservative bunch – maybe sometimes too conservative for their own good. And if the team was not performing this well, and if they were farther off the pace, I’d be more in a hurry for them to try something new.
I didn’t personally like the idea of Baptism by Fenway for Montero. But if they can figure something out roster-wise, I think anytime within the next 10 days or say would be good for him to make his debut. My mindset had always been that a September call-up was what they were going to do, and I didn’t really think any further about it.
I think after the LAA series, which I know seems counterintuitive, they will bring Jesus up. I seriously don’t think the Yankees want to risk making it look like Jorge was benched for Montero, or that his call up was a direct result of losing 2 of 3 to Boston. Maybe it doesn’t make much sense – you do what you need to do when you need to do it – but, the Yankees, as I said, are a conservative bunch. And usually, those prospects come up early when there is a clear need. it could be the Yankees don’t see the clear need just yet, or just that this is new ground for them, bringing someone up during the season simply because he’s good.
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I really do not get how Montero being inserted as DH is some explicit dis to Posada.
If I’m Jorge Posada, knowing the professional hitter he has been his whole career, I’d be much more apt to understand I’m being embarrassed AGAIN smack in the middle of a Red Sox series (rather than, you know, a more low-profile one against the White Sox, for instance) in order to bring in a guy who, by all accounts, appears destined to keep pitchers up nights worrying about how to get him out.
And in general, I can’t even grasp how people are worrying about Montero making adjustments. Of course he has to make them, GET HIM HERE SO HE CAN GET STARTED. Josh Reddick isn’t still in the minors because they need his bat to be “perfect” against offspeed pitches. Montero’s had his adjustment period, now there’s nothing else for his bat to do but rot in Triple A.
I agree they’re conservative, and TO A FAULT, but they don’t have the luxury of being so with this particular prospect, because unlike other years this guy fills a NEED they have. September means no Montero bat in the playoffs. That’s really, really not smart. Montero can hit, & he will hit here if they bring him here. The idea that he’s a green rookie just isn’t credible. The concern about his catching is also another black mark against Girardi’s anality. Use him as a DH, now that you’ve basically sat down Posada for the balance of his Yankee career, & let him catch the more low leverage games.
It’s just simple. Why can’t they see it.
I apologize. I completely forgot about what a great freakin’ job Cory Wade has done for the Yankees.
He was outstanding again last night.
What a great pickup.
Thank you Cory.
When the former-catcher laced coaching staff says they don’t want a rookie catcher to disrupt the pitching staff… why is your first reaction “I know better than them, he won’t cause problems”. What planet are you from?
108 stitches August 8th, 2011 at 10:04 am
The over protection of Montero is senseless. Defensively he may not be Johnny Bench but he has improved working under Butch Wynegar in Scranton. Like any pitcher / catcher, they go over signs and strategies before the game just like in the minor leagues.
Montero could easily go on a batting tear for a few weeks. Opposing pitchers don’t know him either. Fear of failure ? Not an option.
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Fear of failure is the most clueless reason not to bring up a player noted – no, CELEBRATED – for his offensive potential. Anyone who thinks he needs “more seasoning” as a hitter is intellectually challenged to a frightening degree. As a catcher, he will be no worse than Saltamacchia, who the Red Sox signed for his bat, which is a long swing, strike-out prone one with the occasional long ball potential in it. It does not even COMPARE to a guy with the batspeed, ability to hit for average, and devastating power potential of Montero.
I’m inclined to agree with YF that these threats to bring up Montero are a ruse. They’re saving him as trade bait. If so, it’s a colossal misread of their own material and their own needs.
They need his bat far more than they need some competent little defensive catcher.
Anyone who thinks he needs “more seasoning” as a hitter is intellectually challenged to a frightening degree.
Or that person is actually paying attention, since Montero has not adjusted at all to the new way he is being pitched.
Have to head to work, but ID, you mean like Carlos Santana disrupted the pitching staff of the Indians? Please. Montero wouldn’t be “disrupting” the pitching staff if they had had the foresight to get him acclimated early enough…
ID, actually he *has* adjusted, but as I have to leave, I will defer to others who have been watching him to weigh in on that front. Have a good day!
You know, J Alfred, I didn’t even make the connection that the last time Jorge was “demoted” was during a Red Sox series. Hmmm….
Anyway, I don’t know that it’s all that easy to make the space. It’s easy for us. We are not directly involved in all this. We don’t get the reports, we don’t have to deal with the personnel, we don’t have the responsibilities inherent in being the decision-makers.
It’s easy to sit here and say, well, just DL Posada (or somebody) to clear the spot; just carry one fewer pitcher; DFA Jones; etc. Fact is once Alex is up they have to get someone out of there. Montero up means someone else gone.
I think it’s not that easy, and when you’re winning, the urgency is simply not there.
I hope they get Montero up before September, or I hope if they bring him up Sept. 1 that they find that loophole that would allow them to carry him in the playoffs if he does well. But seriously, unless he is on fire, how many at-bats are they Yankees going to give him anyway? As long as Chavez is healthy and hitting, Montero will sit more than play.
Bottom line, all I’m suggesting is that there is another point of view, and that while the Yankees may be at a disadvantage at Fenway Park, they’re doing awfully good everywhere else so they can afford to take a conservative view. Who knows what the pow-wow will be after last night’s game? I’m sure they’ll be meeting and discussing today.
The Red Sox are not doing as well against everyone else. I know this is a radical idea, but the Red Sox could get knocked out in the first round (as can the Yankees, I’m not wearing pinstripe coated glasses here). You just never know. I always go back to the Tigers defeating murderer’s row and then Cano, ya know?
Not to mention the *?!* midges!
ID,
His numbers recently would beg to differ
yankeefemenista – Santana is and was a better catcher than Montero will ever be. I don’t see what that proves. Same for Posey. Some guys are just good enough to handle it. They don’t think Montero is, I’ll take their opinion on the matter.
Triple – 4 hot games does not change a season-long trend.
How ridiculous that some blame Fenway. How is that any more of a factor than 296 was for so many years? Our right handed hitters can’t hit it? We lost two out of three because they beat us; the ballpark didn’t.
WC, Got to go, but it is not about “blaming” the ballpark; it is about putting yourself in position to utilize what you can to succeed in a given environment. Baseball teams have made sure to take advantage of the “built environment” of a given Stadium from time immemorial. Big difference.
ID,
Its been a lot more then 4 games. If you bring him up and he is overmatched you can always demote him. What is there to lose?
New Thread (arrow thing)
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Prufrock, exactly! Brilliantly stated. It is all about righty bats at Fenway, and why Alex’s triple slash line is sorely missed. (.290/.372/.512) If the Yankees don’t get this they are scarily clueless.
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Yankeefem, very, very scary that they have this either not in their mindset at all or very low on their priority list.
To boot, we don’t even know what Alex we’re getting. Hopefully, a refreshed one who’s going to turn the clock back and start mashing again. Even if we get Optimal Alex, the double power threat with Montero, & still speaking specifically about being better than Boston, is the ticket to success.
It’s funny. I just got an email from a good friend who’s at work. He wrote one line: “Not enough right-handed power this weekend.”
yankeefeminista August 8th, 2011 at 10:32 am
WC, Got to go, but it is not about “blaming” the ballpark; it is about putting yourself in position to utilize what you can to succeed in a given environment. Baseball teams have made sure to take advantage of the “built environment” of a given Stadium from time immemorial. Big difference.
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LMAO. He needs a primer on ballpark factor. Right, the park is an “excuse” being “blamed.” That’s why all those statistics “blame” the park by including park adjustments.
Piece of work.
my solution for the posada problem.and it will be a MAJOR problem unless the yankees sit down posada and say your back hurts and we are going to put you on the dl until saptember 1st.this way they can bring up montero and save some sort of face with posada and the public.drop Ayala when arod is ready to come back and dl hughes and bring in a infielder or outfielder.
Bret The Hitman August 8th, 2011 at 9:04 am
“Betsy,
Hughes is the empty cereal box that you bang upside down in search of the 2 cent toy (Made in China) that they forgot to put in the package.
Don’t you feel cheated?
Care to comment on this Betsy?”
Question for you Bret: Were you a Yankee “fan” in 2009 and2010?
I’m sure no one wants to hear this, but the spelling and grammar mistakes that show up fairly frequently in these posts do detract from my enjoyment of this blog. I realize this is not a newspaper, there is no editor, and many posts are composed “on the fly” with speed as the highest priority, but…
*losses, not loses
See
http://www.happyplace.com/3645.....n-facebook
The biggest concern has to be CC’s performance against Boston and Texas this year. The offense is good enough but will be better w/o Posada at DH.
Maybe if A-Rod comes back strong the playoff outlook might be a bit more optimistic. Of course, crazy things can happen in the playoffs in shorter series.
“I just looked at the numbers again: Posada hit .382/.419/.588. It’s amazing that he could be that good through 22 games, and so bad the rest of the season.”
June is the interleague month. He also had a platoon advantage since thats the month he stopped batting against LHP’ers.
Since July 1 he has went .205/.259/.244. Chavez should be DH against RHP’ers and Nunez at 3B until A-Rod comes back. Chavez is an injury waiting to happen at 3B.