Nunez feeling confident despite latest errors
Posted by: Brian Heyman - Posted in Misc on Sep 08, 2011 
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Eduardo Nunez seemed to be making progress in the field, committing just two errors in a 30-game stretch before Wednesday. But in the series finale against the Orioles, it was the bad old days all over again.
The utilityman is most comfortable at short, but he made two fielding errors in place of Derek Jeter, one on a tough short hop in the 11th that led to the game-winning run.
“I just had a bad game today,” Nunez said. “I’m not making an excuse. I’ve got to keep working hard. … I feel bad for my teammates.”
Nunez and Alex Rodriguez also couldn’t catch a wind-blown pop at the back of the mound in the third. The runner ended up scoring on a two-run homer.
But between the wind, the rain, the mist and the mud, A-Rod was willing to exonerate Nunez for this one.
“I don’t care if it was Ozzie Smith in his prime,” Rodriguez said. “Today he didn’t have a chance.”
Still, Nunez now owns a team-high 18 errors. First, he was having trouble throwing accurately with his strong arm. Then he was having trouble fielding. Ground balls can’t be an adventure. But Nunez is confident right now.
“When the season started,” he said, “I felt so bad about my defense. My confidence, too. But right now, I feel fine. I feel good.”
Associated Press photo
18 errors
Felix Doub(ron)t
It sounds like growing pains to me. He had a bunch of errors when he first came up to the bigs, showed significant improvement, and took a step or two backwards. It’s a little disappointing, but it happens. Improving at any endeavor is rarely a straight line upward progression.
7-3 jays
Can the Jays get 3 outs before giving up 4 runs?
just a random thought: what if the blue jays gathered up some serious money and signed prince fielder/albert pujols.
that kind of bat with their pitching. maybe a huge boost to their yankees/red sox chase
The idle Rays stand to pick up a half-game heading into a HUGE 4-game weekend series with the Bosox. With the Rays 7.5 games behind the Sox in the standings, the Sox are one little sweep away from being in a major dogfight for the wildcard berth.
Petey the midget up as the tying run…
Oh boy, Red Suck with another come from behind win.
Just checked gameday.
Who on earth is Nate Spears?
Michael Kay sounds like he’s sure Yanks would win the division the other datwhen Yanks led 2 games. Mind you, they have to play each other 3 times.
This guy is pathetic.
Cap Tek with another home run !
K Bye, Pedey!
Mighty petey has struck out…..Jays win 3 of 4 from the greates team on the planet.
Ha Ha
Thanks Jays
Cap Tek has 11 homers now.
Someone please seek him out and break his legs.
That time the Little Engine couldn’t.
And Dust Mite strikes out for the third time, 0-5. He was the tying run with 2 outs.
Yanks drop two in a row, and the Sox can’t make up any ground. It sure takes the sting out of those last two losses for the Yanks.
The Jays could.sign one of those guys of they wanted……they have plenty of cash……and that’s what makes them dangerous in the future if they continue to be well ran.
Wish the Yanks could have won at least one of the last two given that Boston lost as well…..but at least they maintained…..the next two series are big…..Tampa will be playing for their playoff lives this weekend
Ghost, it might sting them a lot harder knowing that the Yanks had alreadt lost going into those two games. Texas is also in a dogfight with the angels and hanging on for dear life.
the sox have to be kicking them selves now. our lead is not insignificant
The Boston-Rays series this weekend should be fun.
Does anyone know if any of those games are going to be nationally televised?
The Rays are done. Why bother.
The Rays don’t have to make the playoffs to hurt the Sox.
Just gotta get it close enough to put the heat on them down the stretch.
LGY, none are being televised.
An interesting/ morbid? article about what MLB would do if they ever encountered a team tragedy like the Russian Hockey Team did this week.
They admit to having a contingency plan in place and some are reporting the details they believe would be used to “re-populate” a team that suffered greater than a 6 player tragedy.
Never even considered the possibility of something like this being necessary.
http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/9.....aster-plan
Rays are 6 behind Boston in the LC…..this weekend is their best chance to jump into the race……they sweep and they cut it to 3 and with their pitching they’d have a shot. Until Boston gets Beckett back they are throwing medicority or worse out there 4 out of 5 games
I read something today where Pujols reportedly turned down a 195 million dollar offer from the Cards…..anybody else hear/read that?
Blake-
I just hope the Yankees take care of business against the Angels who are 2 down in the loss column to the Rangers and throwing Weaver, Haren and Santana against Colon, CC and Garcia this weekend.
The Yankees offense stalled out twice-scored early and never again in these extra inning games. In fact I hope they sent Colon and CC out to LA yesterday to rest up.
Sunday night ESPN is showing the Mets and the Cubs rather than Shields vs. Lester. Go figure. Why couldn’t the latter be an ESPN night game rather than a day game?
Pujols turned that down before the season started,I believe. I’ll check.
Fem
Thanks. Maybe I’ll order mlb.tv for the rest of the season. It’s gotta be cheap at this point right?
Trader,
Yea I agree…..Id take a 3-3 trip and would be really happy with 4-2…..anything better is gravy. I hope they play Montero some though……facing a bunch of righties
fem,
It is basically a 9/11 tribute. Even the promos for the game are shown with somber music and they showed images from Piazza’s HR and stuff from the 9/11 game.
Jets/Cowboys is across the river at the same time too.
The Cardinals’ contract proposal offer finally did arrive last winter: a nine-year deal for about $195 million, according to two officials with knowledge of the offer but not authorized to publicly discuss it.
But it wasn’t enough to sway Pujols. He wanted a 10-year contract, paying at least the $23 million annual salary of Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer, guaranteeing a minimum of $230 million.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports.....50288344/1
Blake-
prosportsdaily.com is a good source for all daily sports news articles, not just baseball
Yankeefem,
Probably cause of 9/11…..they likely wanted a NY team.
“Andre Ethier’s electrifying season likely ended Thursday when the Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder was shut down because of lingering pain in his right knee.”
Trader,
Oh…..I thought maybe they had opened talks back up.. I mentioned this earlier today but I wonder if St. Louis will pick up Carpenter’s option…….may depend on what they decide on Albert. Id like to have Carp on a stop gap deal for a year or two.
Blake-
I saw where you mentioned Carpenter, who at one time was on a par with his former teammate-Halladay. He’s 37, had some injuries, but with a little stem cell and plasma rich platelets in the offseason he should be good for another 2-3 year contract!!
Actually I think he’d be a good pickup if the Cards don’t pick up that ??15M option.
LGY, you can buy it for 19.99 for rest of year or 24.99 if you want to be able to choose home-away broadcasts, DVR and multiple screens.
danacavalea
Yankee Coach to Open New Athletic Training Facility in White Plains – White Plains, http://patch.com/A-lc2l
I didn’t get to witness the game today. Why did Proctor go two innings and what happened to Soriano-3hits!! What was he throwing?
Trader,
I’d much rather do that than Wilson or Darvish….especially if they could unload AJ.
Soriano was throwing flat meatballs for the most part
Comment From Brian
What is Jesus Montero’s ceiling?
1:08
Frankie Piliere:
The reason scouts said he was a 30 home run bat in the minors is that oppo power. And that’s what he’s got the ability to do. I also think covering both sides of the plate the way he can it makes him a .300 type hitter.
Comment From Peter
Jesus Montero comp?
1:10
Frankie Piliere:
The Miguel Cabrera comps aren’t terribly off given his size and right center approach. There’s no perfect match though.
ET, I’ll be at Jets game. Jets just sent us our gameday info and we’ll similarly have 9/11 tributes, etc. But it is a national tragedy, and I don’t see why the Mets game has to be shown. They can always show pregame ceremonies and then switch to a more relevant game, couldn’t they?
Comment From Damon
I know it’s early, but which MLB player can we possibly compare Mason Williams to?
1:17
Frankie Piliere:
I scouted him thoroughly and did a report and I don’t really have one. What i did do is compare his feel at the plate to guys like Ichiro. Now, he’s not Ichiro but I’m illustrating his feel for the bat head that’s going to make him an exceptiional average hitter.
Comment From adam
Does Montero have the kind of bat that the Yankees could build a lineup around in years to come? Could you see him projecting to a 3 or 4 hole hitter? The ball seems to jump off of his bat. Thanks!
1:25
Frankie Piliere:
It might take years before they’d do that but yes. Now people see what scouts have been raving about. You don’t see that type of jump off the bat to the opposite field.
Comment From Damon
Can Manny Banuelos be a #1 starter in the majors?
1:34
Frankie Piliere:
I’m always hesitant to call guys #1s but he’s close. He has frontline potential. What he shows in the bigs will determine if he’s a true #1. All we can do now is determine yes he has the ability to be that.
1:34
Comment From Chris
Where do you see Manny Banuelos in the future? Do you believe he is legit, or is he being overhyped? Who could you compare him to?
1:35
Frankie Piliere:
Might as well lump the two Banuelos questions. He’s definitely legit in my eyes.
I hope AJ waives his partial no trade and requests a trade in the offseason, but I wouldn’t give him away. A few weeks ago I looked at what the Yankees could do with the Mets by taking on one of their bad contracts, realizing it’d be a pipe dream as the Mets have financial difficulties.
However Jason Bay and Burnett are close on what remains of their contracts. Could Bay revive his career in the AL East? Eh!!! probably no! Bad idea!
So who would Piliere compare Banuelos to- Ron Guidry?? GB or yankeefem any input on this?
Montero-possible career like Mike Piazza?
Justin (San Diego)
Has your opinion of Casey Kelly changed at all this year? The stuff just never seems to add up to production.
Klaw
(2:07 PM)
Yes, opinion is dropping quickly.
—-
Lol…..what happened to his projection and pitchability Keith?
Add Rizzo to the over-hyped Gammon players traded to the Padres.
“ET, I’ll be at Jets game. ”
Lucky you! That should be a really fun, emotional game… plus the ceremonies and all.
Fem
Thanks for the info.
YT, I think more like Johan than Guidry b/c of the change. Guidry was FB, slider but didn’t throw a change. I don’t know what Guidry’s velocity was but I do know he threw hard. Guidry had great command too, and barely walked anyone. But I will let others weigh in on the comps beyond that.
LGY, well worth the investment.
Can’t wait for Soriano to blow a playoff game. That should be fun. You can be sure it will happen if he pitches a meaningful 7th or 8th for us in the playoffs. This guy just can’t be counted on. I think disco stu sort of nailed in one of the previous threads. Everyone is regretting that signing, Soriano included, even with all his $. He can’t get jacked up being a 7th inning guy. He is a shell of what he was as a closer.
Guidry in his first 5 years was 96-97 MPH most days. The innings in those years really took a toll on him though. He pitched the last 3 years with a bad elbow.
ET, yes, JET-Dallas game should be a very emotional and intense atmosphere.
I wonder if Soriano isn’t having arm issues. His slider is down about 3 mph from his last year’s average and his location isn’t as good. Yet he is throwing 10% more sliders and 10% less FB’s than last year. He’s been particularly bad vs. lefties. He was a different pitcher last year.
Kennedy has been sensational tonight. 6 innings, 0 runs, 0 walks, 10 strikeouts on 78 pitches, 55 strikes. nasty change-up, nastier curve and 91-93 on the fastball even in the 6th inning.
Trader, just my opinion, but, if he’s as good defensively as Piazza and close to that bat…look out. Piazza was a good catcher, blocking pitches and the plate, game calling was supposedly very good. The only thing he couldn’t do was throw and and throw accurately.
Despite losing 2 games in a row in extra innings to the pathetic O’s, Yankees are 3 games up still in the loss column to the BoSux, with a Magic Number now at 18, and the Rays are only 6 games back of Boston for the Wild Card with 7 games to play head-to-head against them, and Joshy Beckjerk is likely done for the regular season. Things could be worse, even I admit!
Ian kennedy wins his 19th game tonight. He faltered in the 8th when he gave up 3 singles and a run. Overall, 7.2 innings, 7 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, 11 strikeouts, 1 hit batter, 101 pitches, 77 strikes, 5 groundouts, 3 flyouts. 19-4 record, 178 strikeouts, 51 walks, 2.90 ERA, 202 innings. All career bests
If Kennedy could have shown the same stuff when he was with the Yanks, he might still be with the Yanks. How many pitchers have been unsuccessful (or not very successful) with the Yanks but have gone on to really pitch well elsewhere? Or were very successful elsewhere but couldn’t get the job done in NY? Many.
I’m happy for Ian that he was able to get it together in Arizona. Maybe the entire atmosphere is better suited to his needs.
@PeterBotte Peter Botte
Cervelli says he was “a little dizzy” after collision but “that’s my house, man.” #ThatsCervelli
(via RAB)
At least he didn’t go 3rd person.
One of the most unproductive exercises (not saying that GB is doing it; talk of Kennedy reminds me of it in a general sense) is to look at what a player is doing elsewhere and think you can transfer it to the Bronx, because there are too many other factors at play when a player goes to another team. That’s why smart money has people looking forward and not backward. There’s no percentage in doing that. I see that on this forum from time to time, where people talk of trades and then decide that if player X does/does not achieve with team Y, then the trade will have proven to be good/bad. People talk of the Santana trade and some will point to his injuries and say it’s good the Yankees did not trade for him, while others have looked at his record when he is pitching well and say the Yankees should have gotten him.
The short answer is that there is no way to know in either event. Nothing says he would have been injured if he came to the Yankees, just as nothing is to say that he would have pitched well if he came to the Yankees. You just can’t do that stuff with any sense of accuracy. That’s why it’s best to just mop up your bad feelings (if you have any) and move on.
Continuing in my philosophical mode -
I was thinking about this while I was on my way to the movies tonight. (The Help is excellent.) I believe that fan frustration, when it is continual, comes from unrealistic expectation.
Unrealistic expectation = guaranteed disappointment.
I think it is safe to say that the following are givens in a baseball season, and definitely in the Yankee season.
1. There will be losses.
2. Some of the losses will be at the hands of teams that certain posters feel should not beat the Yankees.
3. The Yankees will have losing streaks of more than one loss.
4. The Yankees will lose games that should have/could have been won.
5. The Yankees will win games that they should have lost.
6. The Yankees will win more games than they will lose.
7. At the end of the season, more-often-than-not, the Yankees will be in the postseason, despite losing games, losing games to teams that certain posters feel the Yankees should always beat, and losing games that they should have/couldhave won.
With those points as givens, it is pointless to waste good energy on getting twisted every time there is one of the above kinds of losses. It is going to happen. It doesn’t matter whether you like it or don’t or want it to or don’t. It will happen. And so will the Yankees prevailing in the long run.
If you set your expectations in a realistic way, when losses hapen – no matter how they happen – you’ll accept it and get over it much more quickly. And you will also not succumb to the temptation of thinking that all is lost each and every time it happens, nor will you look at each individual loss and turn it into some immutable bad theme.
Something to think about.
I may post parts of this before each remaining game, just as a reminder.
Kennedy never had much of a chance to pitch for NY with the injuries in 2008 and 2009.
Having Granderson takes any sting out of the success that Alfred E. Neumann is having now.
I’m happy for Ian, and was surprised at the time that he wasn’t able to contribute more to the Yankees big league club. I knew he had a good college pedigree and thought it would transfer to professional ball.
I hope he gets some Cy Young love. Writers might hesitate to put his name above Doc or Lee on their ballots. Not looking at any one else’s season, Ian certainly has the numbers. IIRC that Dodger pitcher had a better ERA, but not as many wins.
Ian deserves it for helping Arizona build up such a huge cushion in the NL West.
Absolutely, GB. That Ian recovered from the aneurysm and to have a season like he’s having is remarkable.
I don’t believe Ian was injured when he was called up to pitch for the Yankees and totally bombed each time out. He also didn’t help his case by saying he felt he had pitched okay and didn’t see any need to change anything.
In any event, he’ doing well in Arizona, and that’s good for him and the Dbacks.
m, I just like keeping track of some of the kids from the system after they leave. He’s having a really good season, regardless of the league, but, just a guess, but, that season would probably be about what Hughes put up last year….15-17 wins and about a 4.00-4.10 ERA and around 150 strikeouts. What it does prove is that the Yankees can develop pitchers and if given a chance to be healthy, can produce. As it turns out, he was a major reason that Granderson is in CF for the Yanks.
In 2008, he pulled at lat muscle and had bursitis in his shoulder.. Not likely that he had surgery to repair an aneurism for kicks in 2009. He came up in 2007 and pitched in 3 games, including a 7 inning 5 hit 1 earned run win against Tampa and a 7 inning, 1 hit, 1 run no decision against Toronto. The other hame was a 5 inning 2 run game against KC.
Soriano 2010: 1.73 ERA
Soriano 2011: 4.45 ERA
Yeah, the fact that he was a different pitcher last year wasn’t obvious at all.
I don’t think I indicated he had surgery for kicks, just that the aneurism came later.
I also pointed out that I was using Kennedy as a jumping off point on players going to other teams and that I was not accusing you of looking backward.
There is no way to know how Kennedy or any other traded player would have fared with the Yankees and so to speculate by looking at what they are doing with another team is an exercise in futility. That was my only point.
@KMart_LI Kimberley A. Martin
Cervelli said he’s a lil dizzy, but didn’t receive a concussion test. Said he’s ready to pitch tomorrow. #nyy
———
This must be a wanting to say catch instead of pitch right.
I believe I was thinking about him pitching with the Yankees in 2008, also, not 2007. That was the year that he and Hughes started the season together.
I think Hughes and Ian both earned their places in the rotations that year based on what they did the previous season.
Anyway, both have shown what they can do when they are healthy.
Hughes would be very good in the NL.
They earned a call up apparently but did not earn the right to remain in the Yankee rotation. Both were dismal failures at that point in time. We will never know how Ian would have performed as a permanent fixture with the Yankees unless someday he comes back. All we can know for sure is that he can perform well with Arizona.
I wish him well, and I’m pleased that we have Granderson.
That’s a win win as far as I’m concerned.
mel, what I actually do remember from that year was Hughes talking about where he needed improvement whenever he went out to pitch and Kennedy saying he thought he had done okay and didn’t see the need to change anything. I remember thinking that was so absolutely whacked and not believing that he was that out of touch with reality to be saying those things. Whether or not he meant it, he certainly didn’t help his popularity with Yankee fans (or the organization it seems!)
Anyway, lights out time on the east coast.
Hasta manana, your time – since it’s already manana my time!
Kennedy would still be really good in the AL…..his stuff is good enough and his command/control is excellent…….can throw any pitch for a strike in any count. Many of us were saying that he was the guy that hurt to lose in the Granderson trade…….Id still make that trade but obviously in hindsight would have liked to include someone else……..you never know if develops into this guy in NY though……the whole Micheal Kay fallacy blah blah blah.
It has always bothered me that IPK was absolutely crucified from some ill chosen words in a post game interview. Yes, I do remember that interview, and yes, his statements did make me cringe. I find it hard to believe that he really thought he had nothing to work on. IMO, he was just trying to take something positive out of a bad outing.
I am happy to see IPK doing so well. It doesn’t mean I regret him being traded. There are other former Yankees, and other mlb players that I like to follow as well.
blake -
I agree about Kennedy. I do think, however, that while some numbers might be different, he would have done fine with NY. It’s a shame some people can’t seem to forgive a kid for not saying the “right thing” after one game.
I think you are spot-on talking about his command and ability to throw strikes. Even in the AL West, you don’t get a 19-4 record with an ERA in the mid-to-upper 2′s range if you’re not a special pitcher.
God help the next wave of rookie pitchers if they aren’t politic in their post-game interviews while getting off to a slow start.
Yea if you watch Kennedy pitch the process is legit……he’s a good pitcher.
Thanks to Toronto, the magic number is reduced to 18. Looking for the Rays to help out over the weekend while the Yankees take care of business in L.A.
Playing on dry fields with no threats of rain should help.
108 stitches -
Absolutely.
While it definitely would have been better to win one of the last two games, at least we can (almost) pretend they didn’t happen, because they didn’t lose ground to the Red Sox.
I don’t expect a good game tonight, though – jet lag and all – but I’ve never minded being wrong.
Fantastic season by Kennedy.
Not much else to say about it.
Would I love to have him back ?
Sure.
Am I glad we have Curtis ?
You betcha.
We’ve got more on the way hopefully.
A lot to look forward to in Yankeeland.
I’m happy.
The Yankees have one of the best farm systems in baseball.
That should scare the livin’ daylights out of our competitors.
MTU
apparently the bread crumb trail worked and you made it back from another hike
“If Kennedy could have shown the same stuff when he was with the Yanks, he might still be with the Yanks. How many pitchers have been unsuccessful (or not very successful) with the Yanks but have gone on to really pitch well elsewhere? Or were very successful elsewhere but couldn’t get the job done in NY? Many.”
This is silly. Kennedy made 13 starts with the Yankees. Talk about small sample sizes.
Kate-
Logged another 8.5 yesterday.
Can I be paid by the mile ?
what? you get paid for hiking MTU? I want in on that!
Kate-
I just thought it might be a really good get rich quick scheme.
Did you get to Taylor Creek ? I forgot. I don’t think so.
Anyway, these photos are what it’s like (free of charge for you) :
https://picasaweb.google.com/109721757058432487394/TaylorCreek?authkey=Gv1sRgCP2-o76wwJapQA#
Enjoy.
a treat as always, thanks for sharing
Mr. Towers. I believe you owe Brian Cashman.
Therefore I am requesting that you send us back Ian Kennedy, and as a penalty for stealing him from us we want Justin Upton thrown into the deal.
It’s the least you can do.
P.S. We’ll reluctantly include Kei Igawa in any deal. And if you really twist our arm we’ll throw in AJ and Soriano.
Kate-
My pleasure. You’re most welcome.
Both the Yankees and the Sux face some seriously good pitching over the next few days.
Go Tampa !
(You won’t hear me sayin’ that very often).
MTU- love the pictures
Erin-
Isn’t our Red Rock country magnificent ?
It’s a privledge for me to share it. As many times as I’ve seen it. It’s still humbling.
yankee farm hands are doing a good job elsewhere (ipk, melky, clippard)
but when you have a $200 mil payroll, are in the pressure cooker of ny, and have such a demanding fan base, it’s very tough to try and cultivate multiple young players at the same time. the 08 season was the first time we tried with both hughes + ipk + joba in the rotation. and ultimately, it was our only missed playoff appearance in 15 years.
cashman has the toughest job in sports.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_.....mvp-debate
Grandy is a great guy.
What’s happened ?
Did someone turn off the microphone ?
Or did the sheer beauty of Utah cause stunned silence among our audience ?
Heck. It’s almost as good as having legends seats behind home plate forever.
(Not quite that good of course)
Heir apparent
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....SVkKlTTPbK
MTU September 9th, 2011 at 8:32 am
Erin-
Isn?t our Red Rock country magnificent ?
*********************
beautiful
Erin-
I’ve got a box seat and a free tour of our “stadium” anytime you want to come. It’s reserved in your name for eternity.
Our season runs all year long, every year. Forever.
thanks Sunny. 2 of my favorite Yankees.
“We’ll reluctantly include Kei Igawa in any deal.”
Alas, the Kei Igawa era likely came to a close last week with no fanfare at all.
5 years went by so fast it felt like he wasn’t even here.
Pat-
He’ll be missed.
New thread ==>
I don’t regret not having ilk because I would rather have brandy, but geez he is good. He is the best of that first troika no doubt. No one that good is just an NL pitcher…even though his numbers would be somewhat more inflated in the AL
LOL Betsy, your autocorrect is acting up
I would rather have brandy than ilk too