Burnett: “It’s a big confidence boost”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc, Podcast on Sep 15, 2011 
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How much do you believe in three innings? Enough to believe that, just maybe, A.J. Burnett actually has found something this time?
Completely overshadowed by Mariano Rivera’s 600th save, Burnett showed something more than effectiveness on Tuesday night. He was legitimately dominant for three innings, striking out seven of the last 11 batters he faced and showing the kind of aggressiveness that he so often talks about.
“The first three innings he struggled,” Joe Girardi said. “The last three innings, he was as good as he’s been. And he made a little adjustment out there where, he just kind of went after it. He kept his hands in the same place that Larry had talked about, but he gave a little bit more more of a turn. It just really seemed to help him.”
A little more than two weeks ago, Larry Rothschild worked to simplify Burnett’s mechanics. The hands were held closer to the body, and Burnett’s turn was less extreme. The result was arguably Burnett’s best start of the second half, a two-run outing in Boston.
On Tuesday, after struggling to get lose and comfortable, Burnett created a kind of hybrid delivery. He went back to his old turn, and without meaning to, still managed to keep his hands close.
“We talked in between innings and it’s a happy medium between what we worked on and how I used to throw,” he said. “It just didn’t feel like it was coming out right. It didn’t feel normal. I eventually said, ‘That’s enough.’ The changes that we made allowed me to stay calm with the hands, the way I used to throw. Everything stayed the same as if I was there. I started different and had my turn, but my hands weren’t going everywhere. They were in a position where I could repeat my pitches.”
As the Yankees figure out what to do with their pitching staff in the postseason, it’s easy to consider Burnett to be the most obvious odd man out (one solid start in Boston and three terrific innings in Seattle don’t carry a ton of weight). But if he does this twice more in the next two weeks — against significantly better lineups — would that be enough to convince Girardi and the Yankees that Burnett’s become the hot hand, one they should ride into October?
“It’s a big confidence boost,” Burnett said. “It’s big. The bottom line is I was able to make that adjustment and keep my team in the game. I had some runners on and never brought down, never broke confidence, and I was making pitches when I needed to.”
Here’s Burnett speaking after Tuesday’s start.
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Associated Press photo
I don’t know where I read or heard it recently but it’s been sticking with me – in the playoffs you need pitchers who can get strikeouts.
Andy Pettitte was primarily a contact pitcher.
He wasn’t known to be a guy who missed a lot of bats and he seemed to do okay for himself in big games.
Cashman tells ESPN, pain in Alex’s thumb will not go away this season so they are trying to buy and get it as healthy as possible but then he will just try to play through it when it is crunch time.
I have no faith in AJ at all. I hope we don’t see him any where near a mound come October.
don’t be ridiculous – at best he’ll be a little more than serviceable for the rest of his career.
As for A-Rod – within 2 days after the season ends, we’ll hear the news that he needs surgery to repair ligament damage in his thumb
5 years/82.5 million for this guy.
The Angels just gave one of the five best pitchers in the league 5/85.
alexspeier Alex Speier
When playoff rotation was mentioned to Francona, response was immediate: ‘Playoffs?!’ with a Mora-esque lilt. ‘I’ve always wanted to do that
alexspeier Alex Speier
Francona said w/bigger lead, Ortiz and Gonzalez would likely rest. ‘These are important games,’ he noted.
alexspeier Alex Speier
Sox won’t change Bard’s usage. ‘I don’t think wecan win without Bard being Bard.’
JT,
Don’t have the stats at hand, but wasn’t AJ one of the five best obtainable pitchers at a time of supposed need?
Wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve read a story about “AJ turning it around”. Can he throw a really good game once in a while? Sure, but that’s after suffering through weeks of struggles. He’s 34 years old. He’s not turning anything around. He’s a.500 pitcher, always has been, always will be. He’s been a .500 pitcher the 3 years he’s been on the NYY, a team that must be about 90 games over .500 during that time. That’s pretty hard to do.
I’d like to see Colon and Garcia get a little extra rest these last couple of weeks. And if Hughes is going to the pen for the postseason, maybe they should start that transition. What this means for AJ is that he should probably start 3 or 4 of the last 14 games.
Maybe he can get a couple wins that way?
And if there’s any opportunity for him to come into a tie game and vulture a win, he should get that too.
Win, AJ, win!
No.
MTU,
No, to whom?
“would that be enough to convince Girardi and the Yankees that Burnett’s become the hot hand, one they should ride into October?”
To that Tom.
Sorry for the confusion.
Nick, how do you get Colon & Garcia extra rest when you’re sending Hughes to the bullpen. With the no days off after today AND a DH against the Rays, I think don’t think that’s possible.
wow, typos
…bullpen? With * no * days off…
Thanks, MTU. There are so many things to say “No” to around here, I just wanted to be sure.
You do it by having AJ start a lot of the remaining games. Let him go on 3 days rest. Let him start both games of that DH. Whatever. Just do what it takes to get AJ 2 more wins.
(Disclosure: I have a monetary interest in AJ getting over 11.5 wins this season. He’s at 10 wins now.)
Burnett might get 2 more starts before the ALDS. Let’s see if he’s for real or just blowing smoke.
Don’t have the stats at hand, but wasn’t AJ one of the five best obtainable pitchers at a time of supposed need?
———————–
Tom-
Sabathia-Burnett-Lowe-Dempster
List of available FA starting pitchers for 2008:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/freeage.....osition/sp
Nick,
Understood. Let him get his wins in his next two starts, then, and after that, sit down.
MTU-
Sorry, but I say go with the hot hand. If that’s AJ, please have the bullpen up and ready from the getgo!!
Sure thing Tom.
Ahhh, so it’s a completely selfless plan – just so the Yanks can get AJ right… I see.
Looks like we might get to see two of the Yankee’s biggest money busts pitch against each other in the Monday makeup game with the Twins!!
if u dont trust aj in the playoffs, u should trust hughes ether, hughes has yet to silence a good team,
i trust cc and colon, mostly trust nova, then it gets dicey with garcia aj and hughes
Don’t have the stats at hand, but wasn’t AJ one of the five best obtainable pitchers at a time of supposed need?
————
Maybe one of the five best “obtainable,” but not one of the five best in the league.
YT,
Thanks, that’s how I hazily recalled the situation.
My problem is that if AJ has the hot hand the rest of the way, we’ve all seen the reversion to disaster almost instantly. My problem is, while I think he could pull it off, I have absolutely no faith that he will. I’d love to see me disproved, NEXT season.
YT-
Repost:
“After AJ’s career season with the Jays he seemed like the best alternative to fill out our rotation.
In 09 he had a decent season.
Since that time he has put together 2 of the ugliest seasons you could ever imagine for a supposed #2 starter.
Repeated attempts to fix him have resulted in failure. And he has proved to be a good teammate but extremely high maintenance is part of his pitching.
His velocity is down and he is in his mid thirties.
We have young guys waiting in the wings who can offer as much if not more than AJ can at a fraction of the cost IMO.
I’ll drink a beer with AJ anytime but I hope he isn’t around next season.
Prove me wrong AJ. I dare ya’.”
How many false dawns does it take before people are finally convinced that AJ is really what he is ?
Mediocrity personified.
I know I’m in the minority, but I’m rooting for AJ to finish the season out strong & help the team win games.
A lot of players reach a point in their careers (due to age or health) where they have to re-evaluate & make changes. Since his work with Larry, prior to redsox game, his pitches look sharper & have better depth. He’s clearly in an adjustment period but didn’t implode in his last game & found a happy medium mid batter.
And I’m not lowering expectations, what I’m seeing in september is a definite change in his pitch movements, which are creating more strikes and swing & misses. His CU, which was once a ground ball pich, is now a legitimate swing & miss.
I’d like to see him have a lot of success with what he’s doing. Because it will only help us next year. I don’t see him starting a game in the post no matter what he does from here on. But I could see him in the bullpen & possibly contribute in preparation for next year.
dont matter how bad aj is,
he helped us win number 27.
so i appreciate that more than the kevin browns and carl pavanos and jared wrights the yankees have signed in the past
Oh boy.
Red Sucks back to full strength again. All those “injuries” are minor.
You can expect them to roll over the Rays: at 3 wins in the series.
Weiland will probably pitch a shutout tonight.
Such a lucky team on all fronts.
Kidding aside, AJ is getting another two starts for sure, the first coming this Sunday, I think.
Then he would be lined up to start one of the first two games vs. Boston. He could conceivably also start the final game of the seaon vs. the Rays.
Obviously they’re going to use all six starters with the Twins makeup game on Monday and then the Rays DH on Wednesday, but soon after something has to give to get CC on turn for the Sept. 30 ALDS Game One and then have things lined up for the rest of the ALDS rotation.
Doc-
You’re entitled to you take.
We obviously disagree on Burnett’s value and his role in the future.
To me he’s the nowhere Man. Plain and simple.
He’s a tease. A heartbreaker. Nothin more.
MTU fair enuff
Yankees New York Yankees
Yankees to hold pregame ceremony on Sept. 23 to honor 50th anniversary of Roger Maris setting a then-MLB record with 61 home runs in 1961.
Oops, I messed up. Unless thing really get shifted around, AJ is more likely to start the Monday game vs. the Twins or the first game vs. the Rays. Probably only two more starts for AJ.
Nonetheless, I’m highly confident he’ll win both of those games.
Question Look at the ALDS dates and the AL
ALDS Game One Friday, September 30 —-CC pitches
ALDS Game One Friday, September 30
ALDS Game Two Saturday, October 1
ALDS Game Two Saturday, October 1
ALDS Game Three Monday, October 3
ALDS Game Three Monday, October 3
ALDS Game Four* Tuesday, October 4 —If needed CC pitches on 3 days rest
ALDS Game Four* Tuesday, October 4
ALDS Game Five* Thursday, October 6 —If needed CC pitches on 4 days rest
ALDS Game Five* Thursday, October 6
ALCS Game One Saturday, October 8
ALCS Game Two Sunday, October 9
ALCS Game Three Tuesday, October 11
ALCS Game Four Wednesday, October 12
ALCS Game Five* Thursday, October 13
ALCS Game Six* Saturday, October 15
ALCS Game Seven* Sunday, October 16
Does the team that wraps up the ALDS 1st get the 10/8 game? Can’t remember?
If both ALDS series go 5 games one team will be pitching their #2 possibly and another their #3????
I couldn’t stay up to watch, but weren’t AJ’s lat three innings what we thought we were paying for? I, personally, would love to see him do that, over and over, for for the Yankees, and if he went to the Nats or Pirates, I’d still be glad to see it. I root for him, but don’t have an iota of trust in him.
Nick-
It might be Monday -Burnett vs Pavano!! $$$$ vs $$$
MTU, how do you feel Hughes and Burnett pitched this week? How about Nova?.
“Does the team that wraps up the ALDS 1st get the 10/8 game?”
I don’t understand the question.
The team with HFA hosts the first ALCS game, and that might not be known until both series are over.
Tom,
I think he pitched well those 3 innings……but a lot of it was a terrible lineup chasing curveballs out of the zone.
Why do Hughes and burnett’s efforts get discredited because they faced lousy teams and Nova was sensational for facing the very same hitters?
blake,
Agreed, but might the quality of the curve have some influence on the outcome? Best curve he’s had in a long time, I hear.
GB-
I like what I saw from both Hughes and Nova more than what I saw from Burnett.
Tom
Yes those last 3 innings were what the Yankees thought they were paying for!!
Temper it by the fact that it was the Mariners, who with the Indians are the leaders in the AL in batters striking out.
So let’s see. Take 3 innings/200 innings= .015×16,500,000=$247,500/3innings=$82,500 per good innings(3)
GB,
They don’t…..Nova pitched better than both though.
Tom,
I think it was both …..he looked good but Seattle was chasing a lot of stuff better lineups wouldn’t…..very interested to see his next start.
GB7,
What’s the phrase? Something like (to not arouse sensibilities) “Win ‘em all, let (Giradi/Cashman) sort it out.”
if yanks go 7-7 ( worst case in my mind) we will finish with 97 wins. The sox would have to go 11-3 to just tie us in the division. So, If tampa and boston split this 4 games series… the East is all but over for boston.
Here are his 11Ks. Not all were out of the strike zone. And the one’s being chased were very sharp. Quality pitches IMO
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play......d=19195689
The team with HFA hosts the first ALCS game, and that might not be known until both series are over.
——————————-
Thanks you answered my question.
So if it takes the Yankees 5 games to wrap up the ALDS, and they have HFA, they get one day off instead of two days for the start of their ALCS.
ALDS Game Five* Thursday, October 6
ALDS Game Five* Thursday, October 6
ALCS Game One Saturday, October 8
ALCS Game Two Sunday, October 9
MTU,
Burnett started off pretty well. A little out of control in the 2nd and 3rd. Innings, 4-5-6, he allowed one walk. 3 strikeouts on 3 pitches each, 6 in 3 innings and only one 3 ball count.
Give him a bit of credit for not mailing it in and just collecting a check. Seems to me that at least he’s trying to find answers. whether this is it or not, we’ll find out. He also had 3 groundouts in those innings. Nothing hit out of the infield.
Burnett, as with Hughes, nothing is ever good enough.
Burnett’s 3rd inning against the Mariners:
A.J. Burnett pitching:
Kyle Seager : Ball, Ball, Ball, Strike looking, Seager doubled to right.
Dustin Ackley : Ball, Ball, Foul, Ball, Ackley walked.
Mike Carp : Ball, Foul, Carp grounded out to first, Seager to third, Ackley to second.
Justin Smoak : Smoak hit by pitch.
Miguel Olivo : Ball, Foul, Strike (foul tip), Ball, Ball, Olivo hit sacrifice fly to left, Seager scored.
Adam Kennedy : Strike swinging, Ball, Ackley to third, Smoak to second on passed ball, Ball, Strike swinging, Ball, Kennedy struck out swinging.
“Burnett, as with Hughes, nothing is ever good enough.”
Regarding AJ……just maybe having a winning record one year would be nice…..or an ERA under 5….he’s not been very good and its hard to spin it otherwise……I do agree that he’s trying to fix it and he’s accountable…..and I give him props for that….he’s never just coasted by and mailed it in.
Burnett excelled in the 4th thru the 6th. Many 1st pitch strikes and very efficient.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/g.....13_NYY@SEA
GB-
Never said I thought he was a slacker or anything like that.
The one thing he has managed to do is stay healthy.
I’m not saying he isn’t capable at times. And I’m not saying he’s a bad guy.
I’d love to go drink a brewski with him. I bet he’s a hoot. I’ve said that before.
I’ll wish him well if the Yankees send him out there but I’ve just lost my faith in him I guess.
He drives me into near cardiac arrest when he takes the mound is all.
I hope they trade him in the OS but I doubt they’ll find a taker.
If by some miracle he finally figures it out I’ll be happy.
MTU-
My one word for Burnett-”Frustrating”
GreenBeret7 September 15th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Burnett, as with Hughes, nothing is ever good enough.
——
True.
Hughes is still recovering from an injury. He’s a different case than AJ.
AJ is a .500 pitcher, even with a powerful hitting team like the Yankees behind him. Expect him to be more than that, you will be disappointed.
burnett has had recorded 1 quality start in the last 6 weeks… and a couple of other decent games where he couldn’t even go 6 innings…. give him a gold medal….
If the Rays win tonight……the headlines tomorrow morning will be very interesting. Tampa has to get this first one……
Yes, Hughes is coming from an injury, But AJ is coming out of diminished velocity due to age. I see him as in a transitional phase & Larry may have been the one to help him evolve. Look at Garcia. His past couple of years haven’t been great, with having a year over 5ERA. But he’s seemed to have figured it out & is having an amazing year!
I’m actually interested to see his next start. His last 2 were quite bad. Would like to see him bounce back. Toronto will be a tough assignment for him, as he hasn’t fared well in his last meeting with them. But would love to see him shut down Bautista
blake September 15th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
“Burnett, as with Hughes, nothing is ever good enough.”
Regarding AJ……just maybe having a winning record one year would be nice…..or an ERA under 5….he’s not been very good and its hard to spin it otherwise……I do agree that he’s trying to fix it and he’s accountable…..and I give him props for that….he’s never just coasted by and mailed it in.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Burnett takes a lot of heat because of his pitching, but he at least deserves credit for the good ones. Hughes, since returning from the DL has 11 starts, 7 with at least 6 innings and 2 runs or less, and 1 of 5 innings with 2 runs (his first start back). He’s had 3 bad starts. Hughes has lost 1 of those 8 starts and a ND in one. Yet, he gets trashed here on a nightly basis whether he’s pitching or not. That’s 8 wins he shouuld have had.
As far as Burnett, look at the games that he was tagged with losses and ND where he allowed 2 runs or less. Yes, he’s stunk it up, but, not for lack of effort.
off day trivia.
according to verducci’s si article on Mo, Rivera has thrown to 22 catchers in his Yankees career. Who’s got all 22?
im just starting my list, right off the bat I can probably come up with half.
Rays have to win both of the pitching mismatches (tonight and Sunday) and then beat one of Lester/Beckett.
A.J. can be so frustrating.
The 3 innings where he was so effective should be credited to his curve-
That pitch was thrown for a strike. The plain was almost the same as the fastball.
When he throws that ridiculous curve 5 feet in front of the plate, there is nothing to gain
from that pitch.
Instead, throw the curve for a strike, on the corner and let the hitter know he can no longer
“spit” on the breaking ball.
Sorry, no, it was just 3 innings. IMO, there are just no legitimate reasons to remove Colon or Garcia from the rotation.
RMS-
If I’m the owner you bet I’m dissapointed.
ERA up
Hit batters trebled the last 2 years
Wild pitches more than doubled
ERA+ 104–>84
Strikeouts down
Walks and homers allowed up
Really rooting for Tampa tonight as I have Hellickson on my FBB team. It would be a double win for me
Betsy-
Right now I have the least amount of faith in A.J.
That being said, he still has just enough time to turn things around
and make me a believer.
I’m telling you, the curve is the key.
Not to compare A.J. to Verlander, but the other night V would throw two fastballs for strikes.
On the 0-2 pitch, he threw his curve on the corner, for a called 3rd.
No waste pitch
No pitch in the dirt, forcing his catcher to work extra hard.
Just a simple bender on the corner=batter has no chance!!
In no way comparing Burnett with Ryan and Randy Johnson, but, they were in the 30s before figuring out command and control. Whether this will be the new Burnett or not, I haven’t a clue. The Yanks have him for 2 more years. Hughes will be in the rotation for years, as much as it might distress Betsy and the others.
GB,
Fair enough.
GreenBeret7 September 15th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
In no way comparing Burnett with Ryan and Randy Johnson, but, they were in the 30s before figuring out command and control. Whether this will be the new Burnett or not, I haven’t a clue. The Yanks have him for 2 more years. Hughes will be in the rotation for years, as much as it might distress Betsy and the others.
****************************************************************
If we don’t have a trade, the starters in the next two years could be:
C.C.(assuming he stays)
A.J.
Hughes
Nova
???
Colon and Garcia more than likely will be somewhere else or retired
WTC, I don’t have faith in any starters other than the top 4………and it doesn’t matter how these guys finish. If we’re just talking AJ, he’s going to have to do a lot more to make me a believer – and that’s fine if we’re talking 2012. However, for the rest of 2011, no thanks.
WT, I think the Yankees will try and convince Garcia to stay……….I hope he does, though for some reason he’s constantly having to prove himself.
Warning Track Power September 15th, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Betsy-
Right now I have the least amount of faith in A.J.
That being said, he still has just enough time to turn things around
and make me a believer.
I’m telling you, the curve is the key.
Not to compare A.J. to Verlander, but the other night V would throw two fastballs for strikes.
On the 0-2 pitch, he threw his curve on the corner, for a called 3rd.
No waste pitch
No pitch in the dirt, forcing his catcher to work extra hard.
Just a simple bender on the corner=batter has no chance!!
——
Funny you should bring up Verlander, I was watching ESPN and they were going over AJ’s curves in the game & Verlander’s back to back. The inside ones to the lefties were very comparable. And NO, I’m not comparing them as pitchers either.
Would love to have Verlander… actually, make that Kershaw, he’s hotter
Gene Michael traded Danny Tartabull to the A’s (I think).
Anthopoulous traded Vernon Wells to the Angels.
Nobody is un-tradeable. It just depends on what you get back.
Noesi will get the shot at the rotation next year. At least one of Mitchell, Phelps or Warren will get moved next year and one of them will go into the Yankee bullpen to replace Noesi.
As good as Freddy has been this year…..and he’s been very good overall……I don’t think they’ll give him a start in the playoffs unless he’s a lot sharper in his next couple of starts. He just doesn’t have much margin for error and good playoff lineups will pound him if he’s not on that night.
Funny you should bring up Verlander, I was watching ESPN and they were going over AJ’s curves in the game & Verlander’s back to back. The inside ones to the lefties were very comparable. And NO, I’m not comparing them as pitchers either.
Would love to have Verlander… actually, make that Kershaw, he’s hotter
**********************************************************************
Thanks for backing me up and not making me sounds like a bunch of hot air, LOL!!!
When I saw A.J. throwing that curve for strikes, getting the batter to swing and miss, I thought I was dreaming.
Then I thought, why can’t this guy do this consistently?
I would like to see what Hughes can do in 2012 when I hope he will be back to 100%.
Joe-
Is that a promise ? That anyone can be traded.
Blake, there is no way you can justify taking Garcia out of the rotation in favor of AJ or Hughes.
PeteAbe: Rays considering starting Price and Shields on 3 days rest the remainder of the season.
Burnett has been so inconsistent and bad overall for the past two years that people need to see more than a few good innings or a couple starts before they will believe anything.
# Betsy September 15th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
WT, I think the Yankees will try and convince Garcia to stay……….I hope he does, though for some reason he’s constantly having to prove himself.
———–
You keep arguing that theory but there’s no evidence whatsoever which suggests that to be the case. None.
The last time you argued that was when Girardi was undecided on whether he would let Sabathia pitch on 4 days rest or 5. Naturally, you thought it was because he had no confidence in Garcia when the indecision had nothing to do with him.
Red Robin,
Just like all pitchers used to do?
Betsy,
I don’t think any of them will pitch in the first round…..nit saying its what I would do……just my feeling on what they will.do of AJ pitches fairly well down the stretch…….the Yanks are creatures of habit
Jack-
That’s how I feel. I’m not so sure that’s the Yankees position though.
GF, yeah whatever – did I say he had to prove himself to the Yankees? No I didn’t….. Since you can’t be civil, I’ll just say have a nice day.
PeteAbe: Rays considering starting Price and Shields on 3 days rest the remainder of the season.
———————————————
That would really burden their marginal bullpen, with more reliance on AAA callups.
Blake, if they do that, they’re just……well never mind because I don’t think they can possibly justify Hughes or AJ starting in place of Garcia.
Chad, seriously? That shipped sailed a while ago…
MTU –
1. I’d like to see Hughes next year, also. As we’ve discussed previously, he may well be suffering from the “year-after syndrome”, similar to what Cole Hamels most recently went through. He really needs to consolidate his tools, and make his step-up to being a consistently high-end starting pitcher next year.
2. That’s what Gene Michaels says. That, anyone can be traded; it just depends on what you’re willing to take back.
Look at history. Danny Tartabull was the Vernon Wells of his era. Yet, Gene Michael did what was thought impossible. He traded him, to the A’s, for a washed up Reuben Sierra. (Yes, Sierra played a role on a few WS winners, but his career was clearly on the downside.)
So, if one is willing to take a not-so-great package, and are willing to accept that Burnett may well have a nice season (NL?), he can be moved. The question then becomes, who replaces him in the rotation, and is that an upgrade.
JMO but I think the Yankees are constantly seduced by AJ’s potential.
Updated: November 19, 2008, 5:33 PM ETAgent: Red Sox reach out to agent for right-hander Burnett
MTU- Would Burnett have been a bust in Fenway? Of course at the time the RS interest was in Teixeira, and showed interest in AJ to drive the price up.
They have been, MTU, but it would be so unfair to take a guy who’s been absolutely fantastic this year and replace him with either Hughes or a guy who’s been dreadful………. In addition, if they do that, If I’m Freddy, I leave this place after the year and don’t even think about returning.
Warning Track Power September 15th, 2011 at 5:56 pm
Funny you should bring up Verlander, I was watching ESPN and they were going over AJ’s curves in the game & Verlander’s back to back. The inside ones to the lefties were very comparable. And NO, I’m not comparing them as pitchers either.
Would love to have Verlander… actually, make that Kershaw, he’s hotter
**********************************************************************
Thanks for backing me up and not making me sounds like a bunch of hot air, LOL!!!
When I saw A.J. throwing that curve for strikes, getting the batter to swing and miss, I thought I was dreaming.
Then I thought, why can’t this guy do this consistently?
—–
If I hadn’t seen it on ESPN I wouldn’t believe it either.
Just guessing here, but the sharp curve came at the redsox game. So could this be due to a change in release point?
But starting the hook high, with a hard fast drop, makes it look like a fb coming at you and it’s difficult to lay off. I think it’s about the changes in height. His curves do not all start at the knee. Also the CU also starts at varying heights & moves sharp & soft. If he continues to throw those secondary pitches like that, he’ll be hard to hit. Also, he’s using his sinker more and a few cutters here & there.
Bingo, MTU.
Fool me once…bla. I’m not going back down that road again.
Joe-
Thanks.
“The question then becomes, who replaces him in the rotation, and is that an upgrade.”
Noesi, Warren, Phelps, or Mitchell.
I am fairly confident that Noesi is an upgrade. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the others were too.
Not gonna lie, I’m more excited to watch the Rays/Red Sox game.
Hoping Rays win at least 3 out of 4.
Freddy Garcia has been very good for the Yankees – giving much more than could have ever been expected. But fantastic? No.
# Betsy September 15th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
GF, yeah whatever – did I say he had to prove himself to the Yankees? No I didn’t….. Since you can’t be civil, I’ll just say have a nice day.
———–
What? Challenging you on your continuing theory translates to me demonstrating a lack of civility?
Give me a break.
The people who are making the decisions regarding Garcia don’t comment in this forum so why would he have to continue to prove himself to fans that don’t have any input on his fate?
That doesn’t make any sense.
Hoping Rays win at least 3 out of 4.
——————————
And I’ll be rooting for the Orioles to take 5 out of 7 against the RS.
I would say a 3.5 something ERA, which was much lower prior to his last start or two, qualifies as fantastic.
MTU – personally, I think that’s what the Yankees are thinking, also. Just a guess, but the facts – Burnett’s inconsistency, his contract, the availability of younger, good arms with much lower payroll cost – seem to point that way.
AJ’s talent is seductive. That’s why I think teams will be interested, pending the money part of the equation. But, he’s getting older (as we all are), and his once spectacular stuff is getting less spectacular, with the risk that he gets away with mistakes less often. Another reason why, if I’m the GM (the Yankees are fortunate that I am not
) I look to move AJ this off-season.
Betsy September 15th, 2011 at 6:05 pm
Blake, if they do that, they’re just……well never mind because I don’t think they can possibly justify Hughes or AJ starting in place of Garcia.
—–
I don’t see this happening. BUT it can be justified. Garcia’s last 2 starts were bad. And he admitted that it wasn’t his pitching, but that they figured him out & hit everything he threw. If he bombs in toronto & struggles again Rays/Redsox, due to being “figured out”, then I could see him being replaced. Especially if Hughes/AJ/whomever beat the redsox.
So it’s not impossible. I just don’t see it happening.
YT-
I think he would have been even worse in Fenway.
Betsy-
Here’s what I think. I stated the position earlier in the day.
Girardi and co. will watch the next several starts, and then sit down with his coaches, etc. and come to a conclusion about who is most likely to help out in what role.
Remember that when it comes to the playoffs the bias is towards guys with swing and miss stuff.
I like Freddy. He’s crafty, and he’s a competitor. He’s also been there done that with respect to the post season.
A lot will depend on how Hughes, Garcia, and Burnett look here at the end.
Hughes could fill a valuable role out of the pen.
The Yankees face lefty Brett Cecil, righty rookie Henderson Alvarez (1-2), righty Dustin McGowan a recent callup who fared poorly against the RS and Orioles then Carl Pavano on the Monday makeup game.
A 4 game sweep is doable before playing the Rays!!
Go Yankees.
Good night all.
Lock Down, anyone is entitled to a few bad starts……. I don’t think that he deserves to lose his post-season starts to pitchers who have not been all that great to say the least………Is Granderson going to be benched for the playoffs because he’s in a bit of a slump? Obviously not, so why should Garcia have to worry?
I have thought Garcia was one of the best 4 all season, but his last couple of starts have been bad and now I’d like to see his next couple of starts to see if that was just a blip. He has had a very good season regardless, but you can’t go into a playoff start with the wheels falling off.
I’m not sure what to think of Hughes, Garcia and AJ at this point.
MTU, IMO, Hughes and AJ have earned their spots in the pen – and they will be basically the long-men. If they aren’t, I’d be shocked.
If Garcia leaves the yankees at the end of the year, NYYs get a free draft pick. One of garcia or Colon will be gone.
I think the AJ Burnett ship has sailed.. You can put whatever positive spin on it you want for a story but we’ve been seeing this for the past 3 seasons now.. He’s #4/#5 guy with the potential to be #1/#2… in the NL. I’m worried that Girardi won’t have the cajones to not put him in the rotation come postseason. I worry because he caved on the Posada situation earlier in the year.. AJ is a veteran too and I’m sure won’t be happy either.
GB-
All things being equal who would you prefer to retain Colon or Garcia ?
Betsy,
You’re missing my point. It’s not about a couple of bad starts, it’s about having teams “figure you out”. There’s a difference here. Even Freddy said it. He didn’t say that he pitched badly, like in a couple of games he had here & there. This was different. The strategy was to lay off the splitter. Orioles spoke on how they studied the spliiter & prepared his team.
MTU, Colon could fill a bullpen slot. They’ll both go where ever they can start.
Lockdown, IMO, even if that’s true……he’s still a far better option than Hughes or AJ. I still think Freddy will be fine.
Burnett can prove something in his next two games. If he pitches very well, he likely would at least be the number four starter. I just don’t expect he will. He is consistently inconsistent.
GB-
It’s a bit of a tricky question for a # of reasons.
1 We don’t know what sort of contract either would be willing to accept.
2 We have to take health considerations into account, i.e. who would be
more likely to stay healthy ?
Guess we’re gonna find out at some point.
Betsy-
I really have no idea what will happen. Only guesses and hunches.
The situation is fluid I believe.
We’ll see.
MTU, I’d guess maybe $3.0 – 3.5 mil with incentives and a second year team option.
really betsy chic a better option than the hughes kid. let me guess it’s your gut feeling which is not any different that what your baseball knowledge feeling is. you know ziltch betsy chic. same crap all the time .
MTU,
I will give my shot at your question to GB. I like how Colon throws the ball. Garcia scares me to death. I do think if teams lay off the splitter, he is in giant trouble. Yes, Zito type trouble.
I would opt for Colon in the playoffs and for next year.
I confidently say I have a 50 percent chance of being right.
Where’s SJ44? Where’s Pete Abe? Who’s the jerk West Coast Yankee Fan? Is it some kid? This sure isn’t the same place I left a few years ago.
GB-
I wonder if Bartolo would go for that ? It sounds pretty reasonable.
I like the idea of obtaining the extra draft pick for Garcia.
I wonder if Bartolo is planning on another visit to Dr. P this OS ?
Mac-
Works for me. I have no clue how that will go down. That’s why I was asking.
Just about time for the Rays-Sux game.
I’ll catch you all later.
MTU, Colon will be about 39 years old next year. Spot starts and long relief could be ideal, thiugh, I’d like to see him in the 6th-7th inning spots, providing they can move Soriano.
***though***
Hi everyone,
Very interesting post, especially lockdown and WTP about the curveball of AJ and Verlander…the problem with AJ is consistency, he simply can’t repeat his mechanics, that’s why i tend to agree with MTU that he will always be a 500 pitcher. He is simply frustrating and i have run out of valium and peptobismol….i hope he gets traded in the off season, but i do root for him, because i think he is a good person.
betsy,
with all due respect, no doubt that Garcia has been one of our top 4 pitchers in the regular season…..but his stuff doesn’t play well against good a patient line ups, and if lockdown is right that teams are conciously laying off the splitter, he is doomed, so i would pause before giving him a start in the PS ( in fact if i was the GM i wouldn’t), but you are right that merit wise he definitly deserves one.
How about Miggs or Murphydog or Doreen? Pollyanna Porkchop Pough? Bodishattva? Any of them still around?
GB-
That’s an interesting concept with Bartolo. His stuff does play up in either role. We’ll also have Joba back next season.
Moving Soriano. I’d favor that.
This place is like a ghost town. I can hear my own echo. What happened to all the old gang that posted here before? All gone? Guess I have too find new digs. I don’t recognize this place.
sherlock,
Why did you leave?
Not sure when Chamberlain returns, but, possibly not back to full affectiveness before July.
sherlock – nope. they all got fed up with the increasing nonsense over the years. many of us remaining are coming here and posting a lot less frequently, for the same reason.
good luck to you.
sherlockbones – judging from your lack of judgment, glad you left.
I moved across the country to a new job. Took up a lot of my time. Can’t believe how different the place is. No more Pete either. Who’s the jerk from the West Coast playing king of the mountain?
YUR mama bonehead