Hughes running out of chances
Posted by: vmercogliano - Posted in Misc on Apr 19, 2012 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Phil Hughes will be taking the ball for the Yankees tonight in their series finale against the Minnesota Twins. They’ve already lost two of three to the Twins and will be trying to avoid dropping below .500. Hughes will be opposed by RHP Anthny Swarzak. Here is my story on Hughes that ran in today’s copy of The Journal News:
By Vincent Z. Mercogliano
vmercoglia@lohud.com
NEW YORK — With Andy Pettitte looking sharp through two minor league starts as he works his way back to the majors and Michael Pineda throwing his first bullpen session on Monday since going on the disabled list, it’s no secret that the Phil Hughes – and others – are currently auditioning to keep their jobs.
“I think they’re probably all going to think about it, but they all thought about it in spring training, and it worked out pretty well,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Maybe it’s a good thing that people are getting closer and coming back. But I don’t want to make too much of two starts, or one start. The one thing that they need to understand – and I think they do – is that you just have to take care of your own business.”
After putting up better numbers than any other Yankees starter in spring training, the right-hander has an ERA of 9.00 with two losses in two starts. He’ll take the ball again today in the final game of a four-game set with the Minnesota Twins.
“It’s tough,” Hughes said. “I felt good with my stuff when we broke camp, but things haven’t gone the way I would have liked.”
Hughes failed to make it out of the fifth inning in his first start against the Tampa Bay Rays, and then couldn’t get through the fourth on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels. He’s averaging more than a strikeout per inning, but has struggled with high pitch counts.
“He’s gotten into some longer counts, No. 1, and hasn’t been able to put hitters away,” Girardi said. “No. 2, he’s made some mistakes up. He’s gotten plenty of strikeouts up, but he’s also made plenty of mistakes up. There’s a fine line when you pitch up there. If you don’t get it high enough, a lot of the time it’s going to be hit hard. When he chooses to go up in the zone for strikeouts, he’s got to make sure he gets it there.”
At 25 years old, Hughes is still a young man, but this will already be his sixth season in the majors. The Yankees selected him in the first round of the 2004 draft, and he was quickly touted as the top pitching prospect in the organization. Entering spring training in 2007, Hughes had amassed a minor league record of 21-7 with a 2.13 ERA in 237 1/3 innings, averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
After being called up in late April of 2007, Hughes’ career has been a roller coaster ride filled with glimpses of his potential and unusual setbacks.
“Just about as well as I could, I think,” Hughes said when asked about how he’s handled the ups and downs. “Try to keep a good attitude and keep working hard, and I know that things will hopefully turn around.”
After injury-filled seasons in 2007 and 2008, Hughes became a dominant force in the Yankees bullpen in 2009 and was a key component on the team’s championship run. He was converted back to a starter in 2010 and won 18 games, but 2011 was marred with velocity and arm fatigue issues.
He seems to have regained some of that velocity in 2012, but the results have not been favorable. With Yankees rotation soon-to-be overcrowded, Hughes’ chances to get his once promising career back on track are running out.
“I just have to make better pitches,” he said. “I get around that high pitch count by executing good pitches in the right situations.”
Associated Press photo
I had a different take on the game than most. Usually when a pitcher gets hit, comments like he didn’t have this or that come into play, but if a pitcher was successful he was able to mix and match etc…Sometimes good pitches fall in and every mistake gets crushed; that is usually good hitting not poor pitching. Outside of his sinker not being sharp, Kuroda was not bad. I thought the Yankees offense was much worse because I think Marquis left about as many hittable pitches as I have seen in a start
http://stevewigdor.blogspot.com/
Maybe a good time to give Nunez some reps in the OF with Gardner on the 15 day DL and Eppley replacing him on the roster.
The Chavez AB was huge… coulda knocked Marquis out right away.
Hughes really needs a solid performance today and the Yanks need one from him too.
I agree with seeing some Nunez in LF. If they are going to do that they need to toss Eppley and call up Pena or Russo… or Dwayne wise up and leave Nunez in IF
Bring up Wise. He’s Gardner light. Don’t want to start fooling around on defense with the Green Monster this weekend.
And love Hughes, but he really needs to keep attacking the zone and he has definitely gone away from using the curveball which seems odd. His 3 pitches look legit, but it seems with 2 strikes hitters expect him to try and nick corners or make them chase. He needs to keep attacking them relentlessly. That’s what he did when he was in the pen, more the throw and see if you can hit it. This year too much being aggressive and then trying to paint or chase and before you know it 2-2 or 3-2 and throwing stuff down the pipe running up the pitch count.
Anyone see Colon last night 38 consecutive strikes. That is pretty crazy. As was Cliff Lee 102 pitches in 10 full innings. Still didn’t win.
Several people here would like them to try Nunez in LF while Gardner is on the DL. He can’t be worse than Jones/Ibanez, and has a lot more upside (fielding).
I bet Joe doesn’t do that though, at least not full time.
I would venture to guess that Eppley is already on his way and will be here for tonight’s game. Looks like Grandy, Swisher, Ibanez, Jones and Nunez to man the OF till Gardner comes back.
Nunez can at least give you some speed in the OF compared to Ibanez and Jones.
“unfortunately beltran got a huge 2 year deal and we were not giving out anything more than 1 season for a stop gap…”
Not really….2/24 is rather cheap for his production and in the scenario I was talking about you’re only talking about 2 million more than they are paying Kuroda this year……of course they would have had to pay Andy more probably if they had known he was coming back sooner
Repost:
Shame Spencer April 19th, 2012 at 10:55 am
dj – Beltran’s deal wasn’t ‘huge’ though. It was very reasonable for what he could give you.
Randy – Couldnt agree more on Pettite. The whole Lee thing sort of centered around him leaving, too. The stem cell stuff was why I was okay with seeing what Colon had for another season. Especially since he, unlike Garcia, didn’t seem as adverse to coming out of the pen. I think if he was pitching better, he would have made a great Aceves like reliever out of the pen… which I still think we could use.
Eppley may be back down by tomorrow. The taxed pen. You worry about Hughes giving you length again. Want the bullpen rested for the weekend series. If Hughes can get them to the 7th then I think you will see Wise or someone up. You can’t throw Nunez in the OF to start a game as they have no backup middle infielders there. So you would have to bring up Pena or someone.
Ohhhh boy… I cant wait for this place to be flooded with commentary on this fair-weathered fan base giving up on a young 25 year old pitcher.
I like Hughes and want him to do well… but we’ve talked about this being a big year for him. I hope he pulls it together quickly before any doubts creep in mentally.
jacksquat……
Joe is not one for thinking much outside the box……….
GM,
I kinda agree……I think Kuroda wasn’t at his best but I also thought the Twins just hit the ball……I posted during the game that I thought if Kuroda coukd keep them at 6 or under runs then the Yanks should win……because they should have hammered Marquis…..but for the 2nd game in thea series they fizzled offensively and wasted numerous opportunities after the 1st inning…..its easy to look at the box score and say….they scored 5 runs …..they should have won……they should have scored 8 or 9 runs….and sometimes you have to outscore teams to win games……they didn’t do it. I still think Kuroda sill be good this year….
Phranchise April 19th, 2012 at 10:56 am
You can’t throw Nunez in the OF to start a game as they have no backup middle infielders there. So you would have to bring up Pena or someone.
—
Why not? You can just move him from LF to wherever needed if necessary, then stick Jones or Ibanez in LF.
I actually think Hughes will pitch well tonight. At this point, Garcia hasn’t looked very good and Hughes can hold onto his spot over him when Andy returns if he just buckles down. Garcia’s a stopgap. They still control Hughes another year so I think the organization will go with him over Garcia if they are both mediocre.
Besides, he’s due for a good one, right?
Just don’t give Morneau any waist high meatballs and he should be fine. It’d be nice to see him pitch into the 6th.
How Phil does is going to largely depend on his command.
S.F. Giants on their way to NYC to play the Mutts. I wonder if Melky will pay a visit to the stadium tonight to hook up with his old buddy Cano before / after the game before they head out for Beantown ?
Nunez in LF intrigues me. I am down on him as an IF defensively. With his speed, going to the OF might be the way for him to carve out his spot as a regular in the future. I like that he can barrel up the ball.
Considering the options to replace Gardner in the minors, I’d give Nunez the shot and bring up that Bernier guy to back up Jeet at SS while Gardy is out.
It’s too early to get a good OF via trade.
Freddy will be the first out when Pettite is ready I agree….unless Hughes is just awful…..but beyond that he’s going to really have to show something I think when Pineda is ready.
Yankee starting pitchers have the worst OPS against in MLB with a baffling .909.
The second worst team, Colorado has an .872 OPS against. And the closest team in the AL, Minnesota, has an .834 OPS against.
Let me repeat that. Yankee starting pitchers are allowing batters to hit to a .909 OPS.
If Hughes bombs in this start, does that open the door for David Phelps? I want these wins.
LGY – Wow.. that is scary.
too bad we let him go:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......ast-night/
Solution for the homer happy offense:
Sign Ichiro over Ibanez
Sign Melky over Swisher
Sign M. Montero over Martin
Work in Nunez as much as possible
Whoever thinks that this is a good Twins team get back to me in September when they will be approaching 100 losses. They Stink.
Losing 3 out of 4 at home to this gut less team is an embarassment. Sorry but that is reality.
Forget about it being a “must win” game. How about showing some pride in your profession and act like you want to be playing in the Majors tonight and get a win.
I think Hughes can bounce back today. He’s done well against The Twins in the past. That said, I’m not starting him on my fantasy team.
This Twins team isn’t good, but a healthy Mauer and Morneau makes a difference.
” I still think Kuroda sill be good this year….”
i had no opinion before on kuroda.
now i’m on board with that. there’s no reason why he doesn’t have a good year. even in a really bad outing for him he hangs in there. he doesn’t implode.
“Let me repeat that. Yankee starting pitchers are allowing batters to hit to a .909 OPS.”
the good news is they have no where to go but down.
its early
I think Kuroda will be fine as well. he doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he normally has good control and he understands how to pitch. On a team like ours he should win a lot of games.
I don’t see a “gassed” bullpen. Mariano hasn’t pitched in four days. Phelps has had plenty of rest (4 days) since his last outing. Soriano one inning last night, two previous days off. Robertson 2/3 of an inning Tuesday, had Monday and Wednesday off.
They should have called up Wise or an infielder.
“The 2012 Yanks have scored 5 or more runs in 9 of the first dozen games, but are only 6-6. THEY’RE NOT PITCHING.”
I thought this was worth repeating. I really don’t want to hear any more whining about the offense. Take your blinders off. If you can’t win scoring 5 or more runs, your pitching is not effective. I repeat, if you can’t win scoring 5 or more runs, your pitching is not effective.
I’ve been a Hughes lover, a Hughes supporter, and a Hughes believer. But at this point I want to win. If we had a solid 1-4 and Hughes was the one weak link, then maybe you’d want to let him take the time to work things out. Alas, we do not appear to have a solid 1-4 at this point.
I’m not worried about Nova or CC. That about does it. I’m willing to give Freddy a little more of a bye just because he’s a proven commodity to us. Kuroda scares me to death, but I was already steeled up for that.
I cannot wait until Pineda and Andy join the forces. I don’t particularly care what happens to their replacements IF their replacements continue to weigh the team down like anchors. And if Freddy comes around and Kuroda is stinking up the joint, then Kuroda better be the one to shuffle off to the pen.
I was at the game Saturday and couldn’t see every pitch location, obviously, but I thought Phelps did a good job despite the HR.
I think if we see a third poor start from one of Hughes/Garcia, Phelps might get a turn.
the 2nd year $12 mil for beltran, imho, made it huge b/c yanks have to pay up for cano and granderson. they may even let swish walk b/c of it also.
Barring injury im still not really worried about the rotation…..they just have too many good options to not figure out 5 that work……Im a bit more concerned about the offense in the long term.
hughes, as i’ve been saying for the past 2 years, is the heir apparent to mariano. when he comes out of the pen, he is a different pitcher. he just goes after hitters with his fastball – no playing around. his demeanor is calm on the mound like mo and just goes about his business. unfortunately, as a starter, his secondary pitches are just not good enough to last 6 innings.
“the 2nd year $12 mil for beltran, imho, made it huge b/c yanks have to pay up for cano and granderson. they may even let swish walk b/c of it also.”
Next year is 2013…..they new soft cap doesn’t go into effect until 2014 and they don’t have to decide on Granderson or Cano until 2014 either….Beltran would have allowed them to let Swisher walk and would have given them an additional year to find a long term replacement…..
Hughes was good as a reliever…..he wasn’t as good as Robertson has been and he’s not under control as long as Robertson is either…..if anyone is the heir to Mo right now its Robertson.
Phragile Phil would be a DISASTER as a closer… Use him as a setup man, and you’ll probably be just fine. But as a CLOSER??? No thanks.
I can’t remember a guy who has needed more propping up than Phil Hughes… Finding new excuses for his consistent failures has become a fulltime job for both Hughes and the organization. In the past, the changeup and the cutter were the SOLUTION… Now, according to Hughes, they’re the PROBLEM… The overhand curve went from “plus pitch” to “problem” (enter knuckle curve) to solution all over again. It’s never-ending with this guy.
if any team would take a flyer on soriano, it would pave hughes trip to the pen.
freddy and someone are going.
Unknown – the Twins have a good offense. The iffy part of their team has always been starting pitching. I’m not suprised the Twins beat us, only because our starting pitching let them walk right in. Apparently the Idle turned it around in time to shut down our offense. And last night it was a battle of the pitchers to see which team’s pitcher would give up the most runs.
As soon as our starting pitching gets it right, the Yankees will win.
You cannot afford to overburden any one part of your team because another part isn’t getting the job done because it catches up with you in the end. We’ve seen this before. If you spend your bullpen, they eventually run out of bullets. If you’re not giving your starters any runs, they have to work that much harder – and they eventually run out of bullets. And if you are burdening your offense and making them come from behind all the time, eventually you wear them down.
Right now the Yankees have great balance between the offense and bullpen. But if the starting pitching doesn’t turn into credible starting pitching, one or the other of those other two components is going to suffer – if not both.
The Nationals swept the Yankees several seasons ago – and at the Stadium. “Bad” teams also win games. I don’t see any team going 0-162. Never underestimate a major league baseball team, especially one with something to prove. Gardenhire has wanted a piece of the Yankees for a long time now. And you also know that other teams get fired up when they face the Yanks.
Use him as a setup man,
=================
7th inning for Phil.
blake, I believe the starting pitching will come around, especially, as you said, since we have two others who will be joining the rotation at some point.
I’m not worried about the offense. But if the starting pitching doesn’t get its act together in the very near future, I will worry about the offense, only because deficit spending catches up with you.
At some point we’re going to have to wake up and realize that Phil Hughes is one of those guys who has to have EVERYTHING (emotional state, A+ stuff, A+ command, etc…) going his was just to COMPETE… If ANY of those or lagging, he offers a team no realistic chance to win consistently (unless we think the 8 runs per start the Yankees scored for him in 2010 is “realistic”).
It’s rare that any major league starter goes out there and has EVERYTHING working well… Most of the time they have to find a way to get buy without great command or without this pitch or that pitch. And if you’re one of those guys who CANNOT do that??? Well, the gutters of MLB are littered with guys like that.
The pitching has been really disappointing so far but its only 12 gms. I believe last year during the first 12 gms the pitching had a worse ERA ( I saw somebody post this somewhere just dont remember where). I expect them to turn it around soon.
I’m sure JF can look it up but the Yanks just don’t hit good pitching.
Pavano stood us on our heads and he isn’t even that good.
When Jason Marquis shuts us down, something is wrong.
Come to think of it , they have a problem with newer pitchers…and off speed pitchers for that matter.
So who are we feasting on? We threw up some good numbers against a Liriano type the other night.
The lineup is not as deep as in the past.
Funny how Stewart and Gardner won that game for us.
That’s Girardi Ball.
Right now Colon is a better pitcher than Hughes.
If we are into stockpiling pitchers, why did we give up on him?
BY THE WAY, for those inclined to harp on grammatical errors and typos as some sort of counter point to an otherwise perfectly rational argument, save your fingers from the typing… I already saw them and am well aware of what they are.
right now I would put Kuroda in the mix with hughes and garcia. I don’t trust any pitcher that comes over from the national league. There will be 3 more starts before a decision needs to be made, so if one of these three pulls out better pitching in that time, then get rid of the worse one and then see what we have. Pineda may end up in the minors most of the year in order to have him under team control for an additional year.
mick April 19th, 2012 at 11:37 am
“Right now Colon is a better pitcher than Hughes.”
============================
You’ll have a much easier time listing the guys who are NOT “better pitchers” than Phil Hughes is.
Trisha, I don’t really agree as a general statement if you score 5 runs you should win. One must look at everything…I mean what if the ump has a tiny strike zone and the wind is blowing out hard? Now, I clearly agree that our pitchers (starters specifically) are pitching poorly. But, when it comes to winning the game, the offense takes some of the blame and yesterday in particular the offense should have won that game…
Too often people look at the result and say “Kuroda lost this game”, but in reality yesterday was a poor job of scoring runs because Marquis was a college pitcher yesterday
I am interested to see what pitches Hughes is asked to throw. He’s obviously not calling his own pitches and I thought Martin/Girardi called too many cutters last start. That pitch is the one Hughes got burned on against the Angels. Also hopefully Hughes has a better feel for the changeup this game; he said it wasn’t working as well for him last outing. Curve got better as the game went on. Minny lefties and short porch in NYS should be a good test.
In general, it is too early to worry about the pitching, which will rise above the small sample size. I am more concerned about our hitting.
Any updates on when/where Pettitte/Pineda pitch next?
It is quite absurd to be depending on a 40 year old Andy to come in on a white horse to save our staff.
To be honest, when we get to the playoffs, there will be many other teams with as godd as if not better staffs than us.
This has been our problem recently and it’s not about our lack of hitting moreso it’s the opposing teams pitching . You have to give them credit.
If Alex and Tex shut down, forget Swisher and Martin, we are doomed.
It’s just not a circular lineup anymore.
I would love to see the unsung Phelps snatch a rotation spot from the clutches of the eternally enabled Phil Hughes.
Hughes will cough up 4 runs in 6 and we’ll all be patting him on the back.
Why are we so sure that Michael Pineda is “coming soon” and/or that he will be some sort of boost???
The guy has a SHOULDER problem… The same EXACT shoulder problem, by the way, the Yankees said Joba Chamberlain suffered in Texas a few years back, and even Cashman himself now admits Chamberlain has (and I quote) “never been the same since that injury.”
If you check the PitchFX velocity chart on Pineda last season, his velocity was incredibly consistent in every start all season long until his last one, when his MPH’s dropped off a cliff. Suddenly and dramatically.
Then a guy who was completely untouchable previously is suddenly made available. And Brian Cashman gives up our #1 prospect for him, despite all the red flags, and the guy has not seen his fastball since.
Good to see you fem….
I don’t wanna go there right now exactly but I did want to get your take on the playoffs so far. I have to say, this is probably the most physical showing I’ve seen from all 8 teams in the East. From game 1 of each of those series its been very, very chippy. Some of the ref work has also been predictably awful. I haven’t gotten to watch as many of the West’s games but it looks like its across the board with the zebras, as usual.
Andy for Freddy, Freddy the long man.
Phelps for Hughes, Hughes to the pen or traded.
fem – I meant, “I don’t wanna go there right now regarding either of our series specifically” lol…talking in generalities is a lot easier right now!
CashmanSUX,
If another GM made a better offer than Pineda, don’t you think the Yankees would have pounced on it? Don’t you think they shopped around Montero only to discover that Pineda was the top offer? Why would they not do their homework?
Gardner saved the game with that catch .
Now that we don’t have him to “platoon” we’ll see how many games are lost without that glove in Left.
Funny how injuries take precedent over Girardi’s obsession to rest everybody.
For some reason Montero was a dead man walking.
He was being traded for somebody.
They tried Lee and Felix, good luck with that.
They settled for Pineda.
Girardi’s obsession for “rest” is the excuse he is using to justify the trade.
What other Mgr does this?
Shame, the hit on Hossa says it all. The refs are not controlling the game well enough. Our series has been chippiness personified. Too much is being let go and then the repercussions are predictably bad.
CashmanSUX,
Not all injuries are the same. It seems Pineda injury was minor as he was throwing approx. 2 weeks from the day he was diagnosed. I believe Joba was much more than that.
Also the last game you mentioned regarding Pineda V-lo, he hadnt pitched in 10 days and and never before did he have the workload he had.
It is concerning that he had a shoulder injury but hopefully hes over it and soon he will be throwing bullets
Martin is doing a nice job behind the plate….but man he has to start giving them something offensively …..the catcher position has been a black hole at the plate this year aside from Stewart’s good game.
Mick,
If Hank didn’t give Arod that stupid 10 year contract do you really think Montero would be a Mariner? It has nothing to do with Girardi’s obsession for “rest”. The guy who needs the rest is Arod.
“So who are we feasting on? We threw up some good numbers against a Liriano type the other night.”
Mick, a no control lefty vs. a control pitching righty?
And the feared batting splits: .293/.370/.400 vs. LHP compared to .253/.342/.451 vs. RHP… (but with a distinct lack of pop vs. LHP in a sss…)
With RISP: .246/.345/.410 so far…
How were Alex’s AB’s last night? I missed some of game because switching back and forth, watching hockey playoffs.
“then Kuroda better be the one to shuffle off to the pen.”
not happening.
I can’t remember a guy who has needed more propping up than Phil Hughes… Finding new excuses for his consistent failures has become a fulltime job for both Hughes and the organization.
—————–
You’re not wrong about that there always seems to be something else when it comes to Hughes. It’s rarely he just didn’t have it.
So, what would everyone be saying if we turned down the trade on Montero and were starting him (with his minor league defense 3 SB’s and yet to throw anyone out and poor blocking/receiving skills) had an OPS of only .640?
Just thought I would light the fire as I walk away
yankeefeminista April 19th, 2012 at 11:57 am
Shame, the hit on Hossa says it all. The refs are not controlling the game well enough. Our series has been chippiness personified. Too much is being let go and then the repercussions are predictably bad.
——————————-
I forget the Panthers player that did it but in the last game one of their guys fell on Volchenkov’s head with his forearm like one of those old WWF moves Hulk Hogan would pull. Volchenkov’s head slammed into the ice (obviously).. he was only safe because he happens to wear a visor which seemed to take the brunt of the impact.
Hughes is an anomoly. The guy seems to have enough talent to be a productive starter, but so far the stuff has not translating well.
Could be he is not in the best of shape? Perhaps his arm/elbow is bothering him?
Maybe his destiny is to pitch in relief?
Since Andy and Pineda are scheduled to be on the team sometime in May, room has to be made and let’s be honest, Nova is far ahead of Hughes at this point.
I get calling up Eppley for the short term, but you can’t go with a 3 man bench for more than a couple of days. The only other OFs on the 40 are Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte – neither are really candidates for a callup. With Dickerson on the AAA DL they can put Cabral on the 60 DL and call up Wise or Curtis. If they don’t want to toy with the 40 then they can call up Laird or Pena (though neither are hitting at all) and play Nunez in the OF.
blake April 19th, 2012 at 11:58 am
Martin is doing a nice job behind the plate….but man he has to start giving them something offensively …..the catcher position has been a black hole at the plate this year aside from Stewart’s good game.
———————————-
Thank god Stewart’s one of the top 60 catchers in the game …sorta makes one wonder where Martin ranks
Montero is just a rookie and he’s very young. I think he will eventually hit and hit for more power. But right now he is going to have to adjust to this league and learn-on-the-job. The Mariners have the roster space to allow him to mature at this level. They are nowhere near competing so they have to accept horrible production from Smoak and Montero and hope that those two mature and develop. Not many teams can afford to have those two in the middle of their lineup. Most teams would hide them at the bottom of their lineup or stash them away in AAA.
The DH spot on the Yankees is clogged primarily by Arod. It represents both a short and ong-term insurance policy for Arod.
“It’s just not a circular lineup anymore.”
Yeah, well, we knew that would be the case. If it is not by design, the Yanks are certainly complicit in this development. They either don’t want to shell out for circularity, so far have wrongly projected certain players’ projected offensive production and/or overrate run prevention.
Montero had a bases loaded walk RBI last night and had the baseball IQ not to swing outside the zone in order to force something to happen. Would that some of our batters would take some pitches, level out their swings and be better situationally…
How were ARod’s AB’s last night?
Chip April 19th, 2012 at 12:11 pm
I get calling up Eppley for the short term, but you can’t go with a 3 man bench for more than a couple of days. The only other OFs on the 40 are Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte – neither are really candidates for a callup. With Dickerson on the AAA DL they can put Cabral on the 60 DL and call up Wise or Curtis. If they don’t want to toy with the 40 then they can call up Laird or Pena (though neither are hitting at all) and play Nunez in the OF.
***************************************************
Eppley will do the team well with the red sox series coming up this weekend.
I think the call up is very, very short term. Most likely for the next 4 games only.
If Hughes can go deep into the game tonight, that will save the pen and have them as prepared as possible for Boston.
If someone can write when Dickerson is eligible to come off the DL, that would keep fans like me from guessing when another OF will be called up.
Kuroda is not going to the pen unless he stinks through the All Star break and I would be shocked if it happened (barring injury). His stuff is good enough, he has good control and he knows how to pitch. Garcia is the most at risk with Hughes next. I am hopeful that everyone pitches well so we can trade for something. I am even more hopeful about Soriano because if he pitches well I could see a trade to SF for a bat (not sure who though as Melky was only good last year and the start of this year)
Shame, if we get to a game 6, it might be realistic to fear for my life going to Philly. That is always the case down there; but this series has been vicious and that viciousness filters out into the stands. I am surprised that we haven’t suffered concussions with all the scrums going on and players being knocked to the ice, helmetless.
“Just thought I would light the fire as I walk away”
genius maker-
you call that lighting a fire.
too obvious. you have to target the right buttons to really get the right explosive effect.
Bret,
If Hughes go 6 innings and gives up 4 runs tonight and everyone trips over themselves to pat him on the back, it’s a joke. You’re absolutely right.
How about 2 runs in 6 innings? Or 3 in 7 innings? That’s a good start.
Giving Phil a cookie for pitching to a 5 something era in a start needs to stop. If he can’t pitch below a 5 ERA then it’s time to give someone else the rotation spot i.e. Phelps.
I don’t think they’ll give Phelps a shot unless somebody gets hurt….they just don’t operate that way….
yankeefeminista April 19th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Shame, if we get to a game 6, it might be realistic to fear for my life going to Philly. That is always the case down there; but this series has been vicious and that viciousness filters out into the stands. I am surprised that we haven’t suffered concussions with all the scrums going on and players being knocked to the ice, helmetless.
—————————————–
Yeah I completely agree with you. Game 6 is still a real possibility, too, because I have quite frankly never seen worse goal-tending in my life. I think we had discussed this with JAP a bit before the series began… I expected to see a much better showing from both goalies. The D has been awful too, no doubt, but I’m still really shocked to see teams hitting double digits.
They just very recently rewarded Nova with a rotation spot because he was throwing the ball like Phelps. Nova did his time and the Yankees found a spot for him. It seems the spot for Phelps is wide open.
Furthermore, the Yankees almost have to be open to Phelp’s starting games in 2012 because they may actually need him in the rotation in 2013 even if Pettitte returns. They have to get a good look at him at this level as a starter.
2013
CC
Pineda
Nova
Pettitte
Phelps/Banuelos/Betances
The Yanks are in a bind because they had to have a second lefty – Rapada – and it forced them to give away Maxwell, who was basically the only useful outfielder in the high minors.
It was the wrong move and it’s going to bite them.
“Thank god Stewart’s one of the top 60 catchers in the game ”
i like stewart way better that overrated hot dog cervelli who i never liked being on the yankees.
he at least acts like a yankee.
( genius maker, that’s how you do it )
randy l. April 19th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
“Just thought I would light the fire as I walk away”
genius maker-
you call that lighting a fire.
too obvious. you have to target the right buttons to really get the right explosive effect.
————————————-
Randy –
Did you ever knowwwwwww that you’re my heeeeeeeeerooooo? And everythinnngggggg I woulddd like to beeeeeeeeee??
blake,
I do think Phelps gets a shot if Phil poops himself on the mound the next 2 times out and can’t pitch below a 5 ERA. There’s enough data at this point that says Hughes has been pitching above a 5 ERA for quite some time and it’s not trending downward.
Besides, Cashman knows he has to replace Kuroda, Garcia and possibly Pettitte next season. If the organization loses faith in Hughes, they still need a young pitcher to step up and Phelps is ML ready right now.
I don’t think they’re going to sleep on him if Hughes doesn’t produce. Same with Garcia. They are thinking both short term (2012) and long term about the rotation constantly.
randy l. April 19th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
“Thank god Stewart’s one of the top 60 catchers in the game ”
i like stewart way better that overrated hot dog cervelli who i never liked being on the yankees.
he at least acts like a yankee.
( genius maker, that’s how you do it )
————————————————–
I can flyyyyyy hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiighher than an eagleeeeeeeee….
Genius – I don’t agree about the offense. You cannot put them in a hole and expect them to climb out time and again. When your offense is down 4 runs in the first inning, they have to press to climb out of the hole. It’s the same thing with a pitcher whose team has given him a comfortable lead (especially a good pitcher). He doesn’t have to be so fine with his pitches and he’s able to start pitching his own game. Pitchers don’t have that luxury when it’s a 1-0 game or when they’re down by a lot of runs.
We saw the result of the offense pressing last season. Every person in the lineup was trying to be the one to smack the tar out of the ball. When you do that, you don’t get the hits.
Our starting pitching is going to have to give the offense some breathing room.
When you talk about constant football scores in games, the whole thing becomes a sham.
“They just very recently rewarded Nova with a rotation spot because he was throwing the ball like Phelps”
Nah….he got a spot last year because they had no other option and he had to scratch and claw to keep it despite pitching well.
” I do think Phelps gets a shot if Phil poops himself on the mound the next 2 times out and can’t pitch below a 5 ERA. ”
Yea but by then Andy will be close to ready….id love to see Phelps given a shot if Hughes or whoever doesn’t produce….but Im just not sure they will.
I don’t think adding Rapada was the problem, I think it was that Maxwell should have stayed instead of Ibanez. yes, I know Ibanez has been OK so far, but I thought that was a poor move by the Yanks.
G. Love April 19th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Besides, Cashman knows he has to replace Kuroda, Garcia and possibly Pettitte next season. If the organization loses faith in Hughes, they still need a young pitcher to step up and Phelps is ML ready right now…They are thinking both short term (2012) and long term about the rotation constantly.
**********
Exactly. The Yankees have a vested interest in Phelps long term as he is a potential cheap bottom-rotation starter that helps them compete with a 189 payroll in 2014. They absolutely have to get a good look at him as a starter at this level in 2012 or he becomes a bigger risk in 2013. Even if Pettitte returns on a year-to-year basis, the Yankees will need to promote AAA guys to rotation spots to make this budget thing work. Fans always have to say the pitching needs to pan out in order to get under 189. Phelps is a key figure in that strategy – he has to be.
G. Love, I agree with you. If the Yankees win game after game in spite of the starting pitching, it will eventually come back to bite. Trust that in the playoffs the opposing pitching will generally be good enough to stop a good offense or certainly to limit their scoring. If our pitchers aren’t doing the same in return, the Yankees will be quickly ushered out. I really believe we need to get rid of the Murderer’s Row mentality and expecting the Yankee offense to score endlessly. They’re being pushed to the limit already.
Actually Im not totally sure Nova wouldn’t have been sent to AAA this year if Pineda hadn’t gotten hurt….because of his “ST command problems”……you just get this sense that they don’t totally trust Nova because he wasn’t ever supposed to be this good….
Shame, our D–meaning both D-men and especially forwards not coming back has been a bigger issue than our goaltending. I had seen bad signs in regular season vs. Flyers, and even vs. Islanders. I mentioned this here before the playoffs started: opposing forwards were getting behind our D and in the defensive zone we too often all follow/collapse to the puck carrier. As for Fleury, too many Flyer passes to the weak side slot with no one covering have hung Fleury out to dry. The one bad thing he has reverted to in the playoffs has been kicking his rebounds straight out in front. He’s actually been far better than Bryzgalov and mostly strong except for a weak goal or two out of multitudes. But we just have to take it one game at a time.
I haven’t seen a minute of your series. How are you looking?
“I can flyyyyyy hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiighher than an eagleeeeeeeee….”
careful, we don’t want you to get fired
Looking beyond tonight……if the Yanks coukd go into Fenway this weekend and take 2 of 3 or sweep then it would just further the hysteria in beantown….that’d be awesome.
trisha,
I think the Murderer’s Row offense is gone. We have a light hitting catcher. Arod still remains to be seen. We have problems against RHP. There are now soft spots in the offense that weren’t there before and we don’t have a dedicate masher DH like Matsui and Sheff were in their days.
This team has to win on pitching and timely hitting. I don’t think it’s an offensive juggernaut as it stands. They’ll score and hit HR’s, but not consistently.
Thing will Nova is he still has the arsenal and a big fastball. If command pitchers aren’t locating, they are in trouble. Nova has both the fastball and the secondary pitches. That has to elevate him in their eyes over anyone else except C. I see Nova as our number 2 when he is locating decently.
Not too worried about Kuroda when his sinker isn’t sinking and he isn’t locating any of his secondary pitches. If that becomes a trend, then that is a different story. Such as last Sept. when he was battling a stiff neck (I believe). If he is healthy, he should do fine.
Situational hitting is what we need, and not necessarily a Murderer’s Row. Good hitting means good AB’s. With long swings the only murdering we are doing is murdering our ability to score and not facilitating it.
“you just get this sense that they don’t totally trust Nova because he wasn’t ever supposed to be this good….”
blake-
precisely what happened with wang.
they never trusted how wang got guys out.
they don’t trust nova any more than they did wang , but luckily for nova, cashman rushed pineda while he was frothing over him in eagerness to get that new soon-to-be- learned change up in 6 weeks into the rotation as the number three.
nova’s fate to stay in the rotation actually relies on cashman’s incompetence.
he keeps getting in by default after all cashman’s experiments in “PITCHING WINS” go awry.
( genius maker are you paying attention? )
*with Nova
They trust Nova’s stuff so little they made him Game 2 starter just last year.
Mike Axisa ? @mikeaxisa
Details RT @Larry_Koestler Through 12 games, NYY SP have a 5.77 ERA in 68.2 IP. During same period last year NYY SP pitched to a 5.90 ERA over 61 IP
——–
Really surprises me. I thought last year was much better.
” I really believe we need to get rid of the Murderer’s Row mentality”
good idea . all that ruth, gehrig, dimaggio,berra, mantle , maris, reggie, jeter, posada, williams, hitting crap has to go. it’ll never work.
fem – You’re right about the D and the forwards coming back. I didn’t particularly love your D before the end of the season even though they have a lot of talent on the blue line, if that makes sense. Basically, I watched Martin play for years and despite his incredible amount of talent I always found the guy to plays as soft as Charmin. I know Letang is also ridiculously talented, but I always thought the pairing of those two was a mistake. You’re right about the Fleury too, though I was talking about some of the fat rebounds he has given up more so than the goals… there have actually been a few good chances Philly has missed.
Our series has been tough.. I knew the Panthers were going to be a tough opponent for us because they had a couple come-back wins against us in the regular season. Its been very up and down. We went up 3-0 and the game ended 3-2, in game 2 they went up 3-0 and it ended 3-2 (4-2 with an empty netter), then last game we were up again 3-0 and we lost 4-3. Totally unacceptable, but I saw it coming in the first period. What scares me most about my team is I don’t know that they can harness their emotions to get back in this. Some guys are able to push it deep down and keep calm and collected. Other guys, in these instances, get caught up trying to do way too much and it ends up hurting you. I think we have too many players that tend to do the latter. My only hope is that the comfort of a 3-0 lead will never exist for this team and it will force them to play every minute/shift harder than the last to lock things down. Too many mental lapses right now… we need to get things even tonight and start fresh.
I knew Ottawa would be tough on the Rags too, but didn’t think they’d pull out that win last night.
Nova was the Game 2 starter by default because the alternatives were Burnett, Colon, Garcia and Hughes.
Garcia had a good second half but Burnett, Colon, and Hughes were dismal.
They trust Nova’s stuff so little they made him Game 2 starter just last year.”
They didn’t have a whole lot of choice…..but Im more talking about what he had to do to stay in the rotation…..how.many times he had to prove himself before they got to that point…..
As I said aid like to see Phelps given a shot….but they are usually pretty slow to make moves like that….it almost has to be made no brainer obviosuky before they’ll step out on a limb to do something unscripted.
The Yankees seem to write a script for the season and stick to it until they just have no choice to make a change.
Mike Axisa ? @mikeaxisa
Details RT @Larry_Koestler Through 12 games, NYY SP have a 5.77 ERA in 68.2 IP. During same period last year NYY SP pitched to a 5.90 ERA over 61 IP
Only shows that 12 games is not a long enough sample size to prove anything.
The script changes both because of short term necessity and long-term strategy. Phelps has a lot going for him in both respects considering 1) Hughes performance and the necessity to win now 2) 189 in 2014 and the need for multiple AAA pitchers to pan out as starters at this level.
randy l. April 19th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
” I really believe we need to get rid of the Murderer’s Row mentality”
good idea . all that ruth, gehrig, dimaggio,berra, mantle , maris, reggie, jeter, posada, williams, hitting crap has to go. it’ll never work.
____
Good idea if they don’t trade the Murderer’s Row bats away… Then you have to hope the hitters that you still have left who aren’t capable of the above type of production play within themselves and don’t swing out of their shoes as they are unfortunately wont to do, especially in the playoffs.
G. Love – the Yankees are hitting. You don’t score 5 or more runs in 9 out of 12 games without hitting.
Murderer’s Row and Cano were unceremoniously ushered out of the playoffs in the first round.
This team will hit well enough to win games, as long as the starting pitching isn’t constantly putting them behind the 8 ball. If the starting pitching doesn’t manage to look like good starting pitching, well then the season is over anyway. Because there are other teams who do have really good starting pitching. And that starting pitching will stymie a good offense more often than not.
It begins and ends with pitching, like it or not.
BRET: “If another GM made a better offer than Pineda, don’t you think the Yankees would have pounced on it? Don’t you think they shopped around Montero only to discover that Pineda was the top offer? Why would they not do their homework?”
===============================
According to Cashman, the Yankees weren’t “shopping” Jesus Montero at all… He said he’d only consider trading him if he got a proven ace in return.
Whether you believe that or not, you are suggesting the Yankees HAD to trade Montero… WHY???!!! If the best Cashman could do for his top prospect was somebody else’s damaged goods, WHY TRADE HIM??? Are we not allowed to just KEEP the kid???
When randy gives trolling lessons, pay attention.
Ken_Rosenthal
Major-league leaders in runs per game: #Indians 6.20, #STLCards 5.83, #Rangers 5.75, #Braves 5.42, #Yankees 5.17.
Sure it wasn’t Nova’s stellar 2011 second half with a 3.18 ERA, increased K rates and a 1.154 WHIP that didn’t earn him the #2 spot in the playoffs?
“Whether you believe that or not, you are suggesting the Yankees HAD to trade Montero… WHY???!!!”
Here are some guesses, based on what we’ve heard and what we know.
1. They had no position for him.
2. They didn’t think he was a good-enough defensive catcher.
3. They weren’t going to tie up the DH position since they use that for their “aging veterans”.
Why would you keep someone with his talent if you weren’t going to use him on a regular basis?
People might not like the reasons or agree with them, but they’re all legitimate reasons for trading away a player. It isn’t like Montero’s defensive catching was thought to be the best of the available (think Romine and Sanchez) and they got rid of him because they didn’t like him. He was just the odd man out.
Nick in SF April 19th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
When randy gives trolling lessons, pay attention.
—————–
Exactly!
jr1212: “Also the last game you mentioned regarding Pineda V-lo, he hadnt pitched in 10 days and and never before did he have the workload he had”
==============================
He pitched with extra time between starts early in the season and lost nothing on his fastball… If anything, I would expect a starter working on extra rest to be STRONGER… That Pineda was WEAKER is one more in the endless line of red flags.
And judging by his velocity issues, the extra time between starts immediately preceeding his loss of velocity is another.
I would like to see Phelps get Freddy’s start in Boston on Sat.
Eppley/Garcia for long man.
Can you say knife accident?
“Ken_Rosenthal
Major-league leaders in runs per game: #Indians 6.20, #STLCards 5.83, #Rangers 5.75, #Braves 5.42, #Yankees 5.17.”
That’s because the Yankees have a weak offense that can’t hit…
CashmanSUX April 19th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Whether you believe that or not, you are suggesting the Yankees HAD to trade Montero… WHY???!!!
***************
Well first off they needed a pitcher and whenever you trade a player you showcase him in both public and more subtle ways. Montero was shopped – maybe not with whistles and bright lights but management has to explore all avenues before players are moved.
So the main reason was based on the rotation needing to long-term makeover more than a short-term fix. Pineda is part of that. Nova. Banuelos. Maybe Phelps…
The other reason was Arod.
If Hank didn’t give Arod that stupid 10 year contract do you really think Montero would be a Mariner? I don’t buy the conspiracy theories about Girardi wanting Montero out or Cashman and yankee scouts fumbling and overlooking his talent. The need to keep DH open has nothing to do with Girardi’s “obsession for rest” as theorized by some here. The guy who needs that rest the most is Arod. The DH spot on the Yankees is clogged primarily by Arod. It represents both a short and long-term insurance policy for Arod.
Despite the Yankees needs for pitching, there’s a good chance Montero is still wearing pinstripes if Arod wasn’t given nearly 300 million for 10 years.
I agree with CashmanSux. Cashman said they weren’t shopping Montero and that this was a unique opportunity. I don’t think he really polled the league to see what he was worth to every team. I think he wanted to keep it quiet so no one else upped the ante on Pineda since he decided he was worth Montero.
blake April 19th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
The Yankees seem to write a script for the season and stick to it until they just have no choice to make a change.
_____
So true.
Let’s just hope the script that says Alex produces enough to have burned a big bat plays in this narrative. How’d he look last night?
Randy
he keeps getting in by default after all cashman?s experiments in ?PITCHING WINS? go awry.
( genius maker are you paying attention? )
*******
Don’t know what you mean or are referring too. I beleive that run prevention is no more important than scoring runs? Also, if you had read my blogs I was the one who went crazy when Nova was sent down last year, I was the only one who felt this kid can pitch in the majors and pitch well…I still feel that way. He has good stuff! Now all of a sudden everyone is making a big deal about how he hasn’t lost in x amount of starts. Some of that is luck, but Nova is better than people have given him credit for.
jr1212: “Not all injuries are the same. It seems Pineda injury was minor as he was throwing approx. 2 weeks from the day he was diagnosed. I believe Joba was much more than that.”
===================================
I believe you are mistaken… And by “throwing,” I assume you mean soft toss with the pitching coach??? Pineda threw his first “bullpen” the other day… He was also ruled out for ALL of April before the season even began… That sounds pretty serious to me, especially given that the guy hasn’t been able to throw a fastball in seven months and counting and was shut down ALL WINTER.
More importantly, the fact that Brian Cashman traded our #1 prospect for a guy with THIS many question marks is BEYOND absurd.
CashmanSUX,
Do you think the Yankees scouts merely fixate on the question marks and ignore all the other factors that form a comprehensive talent evaluation of a given player?
“Whether you believe that or not, you are suggesting the Yankees HAD to trade Montero… WHY???!!!”
***************
“Well first off they needed a pitcher…”
=======================
No doubt. The problem is, they didn’t get one! They got somebody else’s broken down pile of crap.
You’re acting as if the Yankees HAD to trade Montero, which is really a non-issue… The real problem is that the Yankees GM was acting the same way.
Comment From Matt S Matt S: ]
What are your thoughts on Tyler Austin as a prospect and what do you see as his ceiling?
1:12 Frankie Piliere: I’ll admit this – I feel like I totally missed the boat on talking about him last year. I was incredibly impressed when I saw him this spring. He may have the best bat speed in that farm system and that’s saying a lot. What he’s doing so far is no fluke. He’s a left fielder but he could hit 25 homers in the big leagues and hit for some average I think.
G. Love April 19th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
trisha,
I think the Murderer’s Row offense is gone.
===========================
Correct. We have imposters like Alex, Tex, and Swisher who don’t measure up to Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, Joe D and Yogi…can’t hold their jocks.
In fact, The best hitter we have is Jeter who is gunning for an MVP.
Murderer’s Row and All or Nothing are 2 totally different animals.
“No doubt. The problem is, they didn’t get one! They got somebody else’s broken down pile of crap.”
If that turns out to be the case, then mostly everyone would have gotten it wrong since the sentiment in the baseball world was that the Yankees really scored when they got Pineda.
I’m thinking they got it right. Time will tell.
“I think the Murderer’s Row offense is gone.”
2009 was their swan song… it’s been getting worse since then
Which makes trading Montero all the more perplexing. How does he expect to fix this offense?
Don’t think teams are knocking down our door to trade a top young bat for 5 walks a game Betances.
Comment From Andrew Brotherton Andrew Brotherton: ]
Yankees prospect that no-one talks about now but will open a lot of eyes in the next few years? Biggest surprise in the farm system?
1:17 Frankie Piliere: The Yankee system is talked about so much it’s really hard for anyone to fly under the radar. So I’ll give you Andury Acevedo, the converted SS who was up to 98 mph in spring training.
mick, if they remain at 3rd in the AL in runs (or better) I don’t care what you call them. They’re hitting the ball.
Knife Block and Cutlery Set
==================
Give to Freddy as a gift before his Sat. start in Boston.
Bret,
I don’t really disagree with what you’re saying…..I like Phelps a lot ….I’ve been talking about hin for two years on this site…..I just don’t think the Yanks will probably handle it the way you’re suggesting because they don’t have a history of doing so.
Comment From Casey Casey: ]
What are your impressions of Mason Williams so far?
1:10 Frankie Piliere: No surprises. This guy continues to be far more steady and consistent than you’d expect out of a Low-A bat. He’s really going to hit as a big leaguer and he’s showing 70 speed.
Wave Your Hat April 19th, 2012 at 12:26 pm
The Yanks are in a bind because they had to have a second lefty – Rapada – and it forced them to give away Maxwell, who was basically the only useful outfielder in the high minors.
It was the wrong move and it’s going to bite them.
——————
If it hadn’t been Rapada it would have been a different pitcher. 2 LHP or 1 the Yankees were always going to break camp with 12 pitchers and a 4 man bench.
Comment From Jim Jim: ]
Thoughts on Gary Sanchez staying behind the plate?
1:04 Frankie Piliere: He’s staying there. I had some minor questions but he is a different guy back there now. He’s quite good back there now and the arm looks superb. This guy is not Montero. He’s a catcher.
Shame, Martin can be pushed around. However, Tanger is hard as nails and plays excellent D, but it would help if he were paired with a solid rugged D-man instead of having to be the go-to guy on both sides of the puck. Sometimes he plays too physical (wearing himself down) and is too reactionary for his own good: He often is right in the middle of scrums. Our skill players have tended not to turn the other cheek if they are on the receiving end of chippy play. Tanger and Malkin are always reactionary, but Sid too has been giving it back in this series. Thus, we’ve given the Flyers far too many PP opportunities and their PP has been lethal. But none of this would be an issue if we just had some reasonable structure in the D zone.
When is your next game? Have you been attending games at the Rock?
mick, if they remain at 3rd in the AL in runs (or better) I don’t care what you call them. They’re hitting the ball.
===============
trish, they are 1 dimensional…they suffer from the new YS syndrome, it’s all or nothing…swish may have a big year 100 rbi, but come playoffs he will wilt…they don’t string hits together…scoring runs in bunches might put you 3rd in the AL in runs scored but doesn’t translate into wins
“Don’t know what you mean or are referring too. ”
genius maker-
i’m poking fun at other people not you.
I see Melky got another GW hit yesterday
Guy has really turned into a player – he’d be our 3rd or 4th best hitter right now. I’d rather re-sign him than give Swisher $60 million or Granderson $120 million
RIP Dick Clark.
Genius ? I don?t agree about the offense. You cannot put them in a hole and expect them to climb out time and again. When your offense is down 4 runs in the first inning, they have to press to climb out of the hole. It?s the same thing with a pitcher whose team has given him a comfortable lead (especially a good pitcher). He doesn?t have to be so fine with his pitches and he?s able to start pitching his own game. Pitchers don?t have that luxury when it?s a 1-0 game or when they?re down by a lot of runs.
We saw the result of the offense pressing last season. Every person in the lineup was trying to be the one to smack the tar out of the ball. When you do that, you don?t get the hits.
Our starting pitching is going to have to give the offense some breathing room.
********
I am not a big beleiver in the pressure to climb out scenario. The Yanks get 27 outs and they are all precious and shouldn’t give up any of them. they were under so much pressure they scored 3 in the first, but then when not under pressure they couldn’t score again until they were under more pressure down by 2.
Your example of last year pressing doesn’t make sense either as the Yanks under all that pressure scored the 2nd most runs?
I think we can agree that if the starters continue to stink like this the Yanks will not win the division, but I don’t think that will last.
flash17yes
Rothschild told me that Phil Hughes “stuff” is good but he is not pitching real smart!! Opportunity to clean that up to …
“Also, if you had read my blogs I was the one who went crazy when Nova was sent down last year,”
genius maker-
yeah, i checked out your blog. pretty good. nice baseball background too. one piece of advice. take your personal info off your blog. it led me right to your linkedin acct and facebook page. too many kooks on here.
Got it Randi…
“When is your next game? Have you been attending games at the Rock?”
————
Tonight. I’ve been on pins and needles for hours. Just 5.5 hours…
I went on Tuesday and it was a disaster.
mick – they scored 5 or more runs in 9 out of 12 games. If that’s not enough to win you games, your pitching needs to be scrutinized.
The Yankees are hitting. Typically no hitter is on every day of every game. Bats do go cold. But if the others are there to pick up the cold bats when it happens, then all should be fine.
I’m not getting the complaints about the Yankee offense. There may come a time in the season when the complaints are legitimate, but this certainly isn’t the time.
Look at the ERA of the Yankees starters. Then you’ll see the real issue, at this point in time.
It’s not the hitting.
My father always said don’t look for trouble where there isn’t any.
Thoughts on Gary Sanchez staying behind the plate?
1:04 Frankie Piliere: He’s staying there. I had some minor questions but he is a different guy back there now. He’s quite good back there now and the arm looks superb. This guy is not Montero. He’s a catcher.
===============
Perhaps just what the Yanks were thinking when they traded Montero.
ET April 19th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
I see Melky got another GW hit yesterday
Guy has really turned into a player – he’d be our 3rd or 4th best hitter right now. I’d rather re-sign him than give Swisher $60 million or Granderson $120 million
******
Melky looks more and more like a .300 hitter every day. Considering the Yankees have 2 players out of 9 who will hit .280 or above and 7 out of 9 who will hit below that mark, I think the Yankees would be lucky to add Melky Cabrera. And he seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder – something to prove to himself and the rest of baseball. He knows the drill in NY and he knows the Yankees aren’t playing around. If he wants to be a Yankee, he can’t squander the opportunity. If given a second chance I think he’d seize it.
As for Granderson…if he gets too expensive, I have no problem signing Adam Jones for CF in his place after 2013. Jones is younger and a better contact hitter. I love Granderson but if Jones makes other additions possible because he’s cheaper then I’d be ok with him in CF.
I’d love to add a whole new swath of contact hitters to balance out this inconsistent lineup:
Melky over Swisher
Ichiro over Ibanez
M. Montero over Martin
Perhaps Adam Jones over Granderson
Work in Eduardo Nunez as much as possible.
“they are 1 dimensional…they suffer from the new YS syndrome, it’s all or nothing”
Actually they are hitting doubles at a better pace than they did last year.
In my opinion they have not been as active on the basepaths, although I have no data to back that up.
It’s a sss, but we are batting .246/.345/.410 with RISP.
“This guy is not Montero. He’s a catcher.”
I have never been more curious to see how a players career develops than I am about Montero’s….
CashmamSUX,
How can any of us know the extent of Pineda’s injury? How do you know it is the same exact injury as Joba??
If it were as serious as you say do you think the Yankees would let him even “soft toss”? They are known to be extremely cautious with injuries.
Regarding him being shut down the whole winter, the Mariners did that due to his workload. It wasnt because he was hurt and if he were dont u think he would have failed his physical?
So what was the rationale for playing a night home game tonight when we have an afternoon (3 PM) game at Fenway tomorrow?
mick April 19th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Thoughts on Gary Sanchez staying behind the plate?
1:04 Frankie Piliere: He’s staying there. I had some minor questions but he is a different guy back there now. He’s quite good back there now and the arm looks superb. This guy is not Montero. He’s a catcher.
===============
Perhaps just what the Yanks were thinking when they traded Montero
—————————
Problem is Sanchez is at least 3 yrs away.
Genius – we will agree to disagree. I have no problems with the way the Yankee offense has been going. I don’t think that flogging them because they can’t keep up with what starting pitching gives away is an intelligent way to perceive the game.
Just listening to Francesa, who says he refuses to replay John Sterling’s “blown call” from last night. Did he think Tex’s game-ending pop up was a homer?
“1:04 Frankie Piliere: He’s staying there. I had some minor questions but he is a different guy back there now. He’s quite good back there now and the arm looks superb. This guy is not Montero. He’s a catcher.”
news flash to pilliere.
i said he’s a catcher, so he’s a catcher
Pining for Melky Cabrera….
trish…it’s their approach at the plate that bothers me…you know they don’t hit in a timely fashion…they leave an inordinate amount of RISP…this was exactly the problem vs Det in the ALDS…so many of them have become sluggers not hitters…they amass runs but winning a 12-5 game isn’t the same as a 2-1 game, the winner of that game might score less over a season but win the whole thing…look at St Lou over Texas.
Yank 97 April 19th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
flash17yes
Rothschild told me that Phil Hughes “stuff” is good but he is not pitching real smart!! Opportunity to clean that up to …
——-
So is it going to come down to calling pitches for Hughes from the dugout. I mean this guy is on his absolute last chance right now.
“So what was the rationale for playing a night home game tonight when we have an afternoon (3 PM) game at Fenway tomorrow?”
Ask the schedule maker.
[Comment From Jose Campos Jose Campos: ]
How am I doing? Do you think I’ll be in the majors within 3 years?
1:31 Frankie Piliere: Outside shot, but given how the Yankees advance pitchers it’s hard to say. All reports have been fantastic though. I saw him 91-94 in ST with quality secondaries but apparently he’s looked better. Thursday April 19, 2012 1:31 Frankie Piliere
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1:31 [Comment From Jim Jim: ]
Can someone tell Phil Hughes his cutter is a minus pitch. He is really a bullpen guy.
1:32 Frankie Piliere: Couldn’t agree more about the cutter. I think I’ve seen him burned more on the cutter than anyone other pitch by far. Thursday April 19, 2012 1:32 Frankie Piliere
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1:32 [Comment From Chris Chris: ]
Do you think Dante Bichette Jr. is going to be a legitimate middle of the order bat for the Yankees? And do you see him moving through the system faster than usual?
1:33 Frankie Piliere: I hesitate to say that given the way the Yankee lineup is usually constructed but I think Bichette could be a .300 big league hitter. I really believe he’s one of those guys with a knack and does it a little unorthodox. Thursday April 19, 2012 1:33 Frankie Piliere
“Tonight. I’ve been on pins and needles for hours. Just 5.5 hours…
I went on Tuesday and it was a disaster.”
Poor you. At least you are in your home rink. I can well imagine what kind of adrenaline you have going on. Good luck tonight!
Well how many .300 hitters are available in baseball? Melky is one of the few.
Is it me or does Frankie Piliere really like all of the Yankees prospects? Hopefully he is right on them all
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1:31 [Comment From Jim Jim: ]
Can someone tell Phil Hughes his cutter is a minus pitch. He is really a bullpen guy.
1:32 Frankie Piliere: Couldn’t agree more about the cutter. I think I’ve seen him burned more on the cutter than anyone other pitch by far. Thursday April 19, 2012 1:32 Frankie Piliere
_____
Yep, then why do they keep calling it? He got burned numerous times on it vs. the Angels.
GB, thanks for the posts. Happily, after a whole lot of impatient waiting, we can actually watch Charleston’s games @ Lex next week on milb-tv.
Its actually a pretty huge development that Gary Sanchez has progressed defensively this year….that’s really awesome to hear…..
I hope that core of players is performing the same way at Tampa or Trenton this time next year…..
Fem – Thanks!!
GB – Thanks for the updates, good stuff.
bruceb April 19th, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Just listening to Francesa, who says he refuses to replay John Sterling’s “blown call” from last night. Did he think Tex’s game-ending pop up was a homer?
———————————–
Which is weird because he always plays his calls and even played a few from ST.
Bichette reminds me of Billy Butler – big strong kid
Gary Sanchez won’t be Johnny Bench behind the plate, but I think he can be better than Posada. He also has the tools for a Ryan Braun type offensive ceiling.
Campos is a stud – reminds me of Johnny Cueto or a RH Johan Santana. He will be here in less than 3 years. Better than Pineda and Noesi.
Tyler Austin is also a real up and coming ballplayer. Reminds me of a Hunter Pence
Gardner’s batting .321 now…
1:45 Frankie Piliere: Not only would Hassey be a valuable starter on the 2012 Yankees, but he is clearly the most on-target blogger on the LoHud site. He really knows his stuff and bleeds Yankee wisdom 24/7. Thursday April 19, 2012 1:45 Frankie Piliere
“Yep, then why do they keep calling it? He got burned numerous times on it vs. the Angels.”
Martin/Rothschild get credit for positive developments, and rightly so. Or or both need to take a hit for this.
WFAN (particularly Carton) love nothing more than taking the michael out of John and Susan. Very unprofessional…but funny (sometimes).
Or = one
montero is catching at age 22 in the major leagues.
what was Frankie Piliere doing at age 22 ?
maybe he’ll get an mlb job someday . maybe jesus can show him around when he gets there.
YankeeFem,
I see that a few think Piliere is a Yankee prospect lover. Odd thinking since he was a ranger scout. He’s pretty picky about things. He still thinks Montero will hit, but, seems to be unsure of his defense because of how long it’s taking him to make that big move forward.
It’s really early to think about it now, but, Williams, Bichettte and austin are the most likely candidates to be in arizona this fall. Would like to see sanchez play about 3-4 weeks of winter ball in the Dominican.
Swisher is not.
They might not miss Gardner when he rests against the occasional lefty but they will miss his D over the next 2 weeks. Jones won’t be able to handle it.
I expect a trade or callup .
“Well how many .300 hitters are available in baseball? Melky is one of the few.”
IMO, that is the big problem with this offense. Too many streaky, mid .200 hitters.
It is no surprise that our offensive declines started from 2010:
Jeter stopped being a .300 hitter then. A-Rod went from a guy locked to hit at least .285 to a .270 hitter the last 2 years. Tex went from a guy who was a lock for .285 and is now hitting .240.
We replaced good average/contact guys like Matsui and Damon with a .240 hitter like Granderson.
Gardner replaced Melky, which was a downgrade in the contact hitting department
The DH carrousel of Nick Johnson/Thames/Berkman/Posada/Jones etc. is nowhere near as good as what Matsui did in 2009.
Posada’s averaged fluctuated a lot but it never got below .260 before 2010/2011 which is much better than Martin.
Speaking of Posada, he had among the lowest average of the team hitting .270ish while he was here – now, the only guys who will hit higher than .270 are Cano and Jeter.
They need to get back to guys who are contact hitters. Compare the averages of 07 and 09 to today and it’s not even close.
Funny with all their sluggers , Gardner is one of the most valuable players on the team.
Matsui, Damon…add them to the list of role players who were invaluable.
Who do we have now?
Comment From Adam Adam: ]
What do you think of Melky Mesa? He’s been swinging the bat well lately… seems he has the tools just hasn’t put it all together yet…
1:46 Frankie Piliere: He’s a difficult guy to trust but if he hits in Trenton it will say a lot. I’ll credit him for one thing – he answers doubters and makes improvements. I’m still a skeptic but he’s opened my eyes early here.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It seems that like Zorro Almonte, it takes him about a year and a half at each level to figure things out, but, man, do they have some kind of talent. They both started so young.
It must be the budget…
Thank the Good Lord for making me a Yankee, and for adding the extra wild card slot just for me
Nice post ET,
Thankfully the Yankees can sign a crop of contact hitters for roughly the same price as the free-swingers.
Melky Cabrera-rf
Miguel Montero-c
Adam Jones-cf
Ichiro Suzuki-dh/of
Plus Eduardo Nunez
vs.
Nick Swisher-rf
Russell Martin-c
Curtis Granderson-cf
Raul Ibanez-dh/of
Any news on Gardner’s elbow?
m April 19th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Any news on Gardner’s elbow?
————————————————————————————————————————-
Yes, like every other player, he has two.
Slight strain and a bone bruise on the sliding catch.
Girardi said they hope to get Gardner back in 15 days. It didn’t sound definite.
How long will he be out, Mr. Smarty Pants?
LoHud is robust with 20/20 hindsight today.
Damon and Matsui were both 36/37 yrs old when the Yanks decided against resigning them and neither were reliable to play in the outfield regularly (or at all in Matsui’s case). Matsui’s knees were a constant issue his last two seasons in pinstripes.
Melky Cabrera just wasn’t anything special when they traded him (and quite frankly still isn’t), and had a horrific 2010 with the Braves.
Granderson was one of the Yanks’ best run producers last season. He and Cano carried the offense the entire 2011 season.
Adam Jones is not a contact hitter.
Wow. 15 days? Crap. Adventureland in LF.
Anyone have any idea what is our magic number right now?
Its not that’s Hughes’s cutter is a terrible pitch all the time….its just when he throws a bad one it really really gets hit…..and I also wonder what throwing it has done to the rest of his pitches…..seems the amount of damage done against it outweighs any benefit.
My first question for Joe Girardi tonight would be – who do you plan on starting in the one game WC playoff?
Genius ? we will agree to disagree. I have no problems with the way the Yankee offense has been going. I don?t think that flogging them because they can?t keep up with what starting pitching gives away is an intelligent way to perceive the game.
************
I am referring to last nights game. Kuroda had less total bad pitches in his entire game than Marquis had in the 1st inning. That was a very poor hitting job; you need to look at the pitches, not just the results. if the yanks were facing Halladay and he was pitching normal than I surely would not blame the game on the bats, but Marquis should have been out by the 2nd inning the way he was throwing; that is on the offense.
GB, sounds about right. I can’t wait until the whole crew is in Trenton.
If I don’t have a hockey game to attend, I am hoping to finally see Marshall pitch and to check up on Zoilo and Melky M. this weekend.
ET, I’ll take a .273/.374/.474 triple slash from the catching position any day of the week and on Sunday.
Rich, yep, you have got to wonder why they keep calling that pitch ad nauseum. And last game it was @86mph.
m April 19th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
How long will he be out, Mr. Smarty Pants?
————————————————————————————————————————-
It would depend on how deep the bone bruise is, but, I’d guess the standard 2 weeks. Luckily it wasn’t the wrist. I’ve always hated those sliding catches. Most of them could be made just as easily standing up.
GF, I disagree about Melky. He was rushed up to the majors and was making adjustments, learning on the job, especially difficult as a switchy. Melky is for real. And like I said, he could always hit breaking balls. I wish Melky Mesa could…
NYYs record is one game worse than last year and the hitting is about 10 points higher. Pitching is a half a run better this year, and like last year, it’s more because of the bullpen than the rotation. Runs scored are pretty close, too. As for stealing bases? They lead the league.
blake, most of the cutters vs. the Angels were flat out bad though.
LOL….
Since when is Adam Jones a contact hitter? His stats tell a different story (113 Ks in 2011 and 119 Ks in 2010).
By comparison:
Mark Teixeira (110 Ks in 2011 and 122 Ks in 2010).
Nick Swisher (125 Ks in 2011 and 139 Ks in 2010).
Not really all that much different from Jones, especially over the course of 162 games.
“Damon and Matsui were both 36/37 yrs old when the Yanks decided against resigning them and neither were reliable to play in the outfield regularly”
They offered Damon a two year contract at around $14m. They wanted him. He made a mistake by not taking it.
TRISHA: “Why would you keep someone with his talent if you weren’t going to use him on a regular basis?”
======================
I don’t believe the kid was out of options… I don’t think Montero is going to be a good (or even decent) defensive catcher, either. Just like Mike Piazza was never a decent defensive catcher.
But the bottom line is this: I am not trading somebody who is as highly ranked by everybody as Jesus Montero was for crap. If you don’t have a spot for him and can’t get anything more than damaged goods for him, send him back to AAA.
Damon and Matsui were both 36/37 yrs old when the Yanks decided against resigning them
==========================================
The point was that they are the type of hitters that we are missing.
TRISHA: “If that turns out to be the case, then mostly everyone would have gotten it wrong since the sentiment in the baseball world was that the Yankees really scored when they got Pineda.”
===========================
By the “baseball world,” I assume you mean the media and their handful of fringe sources???
How many of those in the baseball world you are discussing were aware that Michael Pineda had been completely shut down by the Mariners to the point that he was prevented from throwin a single pitch all winter long?
The type of hitters that are missing right now are Cano, Rodriguez, Martin and Granderson.
Rich in NJ April 19th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
“Damon and Matsui were both 36/37 yrs old when the Yanks decided against resigning them and neither were reliable to play in the outfield regularly”
They offered Damon a two year contract at around $14m. They wanted him. He made a mistake by not taking it.
———–
That post-2009 offseason was a bit of a blur for me because I was laid up for months in the hospital and didn’t have access to much Yankee news.
But. be that as it may, I don’t recall that offer to Damon. I do know that they didn’t want him playing the field regularly.
Hell, whether he was a good defender or not, I was hoping they’d sign him this offseason over Ibanez. He’s certainly no GG outfielder but he’s not a butcher out there like Thames or Ibanez.
Martin is a non entity as a hitter. Cano will be Cano as will Grandy.
Matsui and Damon are 2 irreplaceable hitters.
Alex is an enigma.
mick April 19th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Damon and Matsui were both 36/37 yrs old when the Yanks decided against resigning them
==========================================
The point was that they are the type of hitters that we are missing.
———-
I get that, but find hitters like that who are in their 20s and you’ll quickly realize they aren’t readily available.
Teams find ways to sign those guys long term.
“If it hadn’t been Rapada it would have been a different pitcher. 2 LHP or 1 the Yankees were always going to break camp with 12 pitchers and a 4 man bench.”
Chip, I was saying I thought that was a mistake.
The type of hitters that are missing right now are Cano, Rodriguez, Martin and Granderson.
=====================
We had them last season. We will always make the playoffs, it’s what we do when there that counts. Damon and Matsui won it for us in 09, that wasn’t a coincidence.
GF
“Damon said in a text message Friday that the Yankees had offered two years and $14 million, while he had offered to return for two years and $20 million. That was true, a Yankees official confirmed, but by then, the Yankees and Johnson had nearly finished their deal and it was too late to turn back.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12.....nkees.html
I get that, but find hitters like that who are in their 20s and you’ll quickly realize they aren’t readily available.
================
Thet weren’t in their 20′s when we got them.
Cashman even said on MLB XM radio that he suspended his offer to Nick Johnson and gave Damon a ‘take it or leave it’ ultimatum with the 2/14. When Damon turned it down/countered, Cashman inked Nick.
mick April 19th, 2012 at 2:34 pm
The type of hitters that are missing right now are Cano, Rodriguez, Martin and Granderson.
=====================
We had them last season. We will always make the playoffs, it’s what we do when there that counts. Damon and Matsui won it for us in 09, that wasn’t a coincidence.
————————————–
A-rod won it for us as well in 09.
The only teasm that blows more scoring chances than the NY Yankees is the NY Rangers
“Damon said in a text message Friday that the Yankees had offered two years and $14 million,
================
I get the feeling the new Hal era was already in effect.
More behind the scenes than now but tighter pursestrings nonetheless.
actually, I think I won it for us in 2009 by sitting in the same spot on my couch for all 4 wins..all you juju nuts know what I’m riffing about
A-rod won it for us as well in 09.
======================
Exactly.
But that seems to have been his peak.
It was a fair offer to Damon and given that YS inflated his SLG, he should have taken it.
mick April 19th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
A-rod won it for us as well in 09.
======================
Exactly.
But that seems to have been his peak.
——————————————
Might have been his peak as a hitter. The injuries have caught up to him.
whether or not its damons fault is not the issue.
they have never replaced his or matsui’s bats is.
Mick – Is that The Queen’s English, or is that Queens English?
nice pickup hassey….i used to lik you as yankee catcher.
not as good as mark salas or matt nokes but ok.
like not lik
There are a lot of oddities with the standings and records of teams this year and some bizarre numbers by star players likr Lincecum with an 11 ERA and Tulowitzki with 6 RBI and 6 errors. I’m not in the least concerned about NYYs and Rodriguez, Cano, Martin and sabathia, or the others. They’ll be where they usually are.
Rich in NJ April 19th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
GF
“Damon said in a text message Friday that the Yankees had offered two years and $14 million, while he had offered to return for two years and $20 million. That was true, a Yankees official confirmed, but by then, the Yankees and Johnson had nearly finished their deal and it was too late to turn back.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12…..nkees.html
———–
Thanks. Now I do seem to recall some of that context.
Damn, Cashman chose two clearly inferior players over Damon now two seasons in a row – Johnson and Ibanez.
Johnson was easy to forget because he only played a handful of games early last season.
Damn, Cashman chose two clearly inferior players over Damon now two seasons in a row – Johnson
–
How did Cashman chose Johnson over Damon? He gave Damon an offer while he was in the middle of signing Johnson. Had Damon taken it, they would not have signed Johnson.
matsui is still out there and damon might be by the deadline.
they are few and far between.
johnson was a lame attempt at it and was as close to professional hitter as them but has a glass jaw.
they are a dying breed.
winners.
mick April 19th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
I get that, but find hitters like that who are in their 20s and you’ll quickly realize they aren’t readily available.
================
Thet weren’t in their 20?s when we got them.
——–
Matsui was 29. Damon was 32. Not exactly old men.
Besides, this is a different era. Teams throughout MLB have money to spend and they have been spending it signing their guys to long term deals.
And the Yanks now have a budget. They really didn’t in the early to mid 2000s.
Somehow the Damon + Matsui magic combo didn’t win it for us in 2006 or 2007 or 2008.
Maybe shallow analysis about Damon and Matsui isn’t the answer on April 19.
Field of Dreams was on last night.
Archibald “Moonlight” Graham really did exist.
In his 1 AB, a guy gets caught stealing to end the inning and game, I believe, and his AB doesn’t count.
He’s in Baseball Reference and became a Dr., so all was not lost.
Imagine if he went on to a baseball career?
We might have lost a great Physician.
And the Yanks now have a budget. They really didn’t in the early to mid 2000s.
===========================
Exactly. But why should we suffer.
Maybe shallow analysis about Damon and Matsui isn’t the answer on April 19.
==============================
Sorry if I’m not deep enough for ya champ.
jr1212: “How can any of us know the extent of Pineda’s injury?”
========================
Four things:
1) He was shut down all winter. Didn’t throw a single pitch.
2) The Yankees ruled him out for ALL of April before the season even began.
3) Go ask ANY talent evaluator which scares them more, elbow or shoulder injuries on a pitcher.
4) We just traded the #1 prospect in our entire system for a guy about whom we are now saying, “Hey, we don’t know how bad his injury is.”
Either the pitchers they have pitch as one of the top three or so staffs in MLB
or
A-Rod, Tex, Cano join Jeter in being impact hitters.
Both would be nice, but so would a pony.
The potential problem is that they have plenty of pitching options. They don’t have reinforcements if the hitters that are supposed to him, don’t.
What’s funny to me is that we didn’t have the “superstars” like Arod, Tex, Cano back in 96-2000 yet we won 4 titles.
We had a lot of guys like O’Neill, Sojo, Brosius and lots of guys who came off the bench like Straw, Fielder, Curtis, Raines.
More balance, better manager?
mick April 19th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
And the Yanks now have a budget. They really didn’t in the early to mid 2000s.
===========================
Exactly. But why should we suffer.
———
How are we suffering? Is Hal taking food off our collective tables?
Despite their early struggles, they are still one of the best teams in MLB and still the best team in the toughest division.
And they still have the highest payroll in MLB. They haven’t gone the way of the post-1997 Marlins and blown up the team.
Rich in NJ – Is that your name, or are you typing on a keyboard made of gold?
How come our pitching is always such a mess?
I hope Hughes finds some success tonight, but if he doesn’t, its time to send him packing to another team or to long relief.
Give one of the young, hungry guys the opportunity…Phelps or Betances.
Hughes has had his chance and he’s sucked for the past 18+ months on an epic scale.
Cut your losses.
“More balance, better manager?”
More pitching, more contact hitters…Jeter, Bernie, Posada in their prime…..and maybe most importantly ….worse competition
“What’s funny to me is that we didn’t have the “superstars” like Arod, Tex, Cano back in 96-2000 yet we won 4 titles.”
Jeter and Bernie were superstars,
But it’s not about that. It’s about how the CBAs in existence back that were a force against parity. So the Yankees enjoyed an advantage relative to other teams that they have lose.
Eppley seems like a short term call up, that is if the Yankees can get a few games where the pitchers go deep into the game. After him, I expect to see Wise. They signed him as a potential back-up, and he has hit and hit well ever since. He can, I believe play a pretty good outfield.
I agree about Hughes cutter. If it catches the plate, the catcher doesn’t catch it. Usually a guy in the bleachers does. Fastball, curve and change. Does he have a two seamer? If not , why not? A few ground balls would help with the pitch count.
Hassey
If my keyboard had any power I would be a better stock picker!!!
Rich – Why would you want to pick stocks anyway?
No need to apologize if you try to learn from your errors.
How are we suffering? Is Hal taking food off our collective tables?
======================================
In that vein, sure, we are used to the winning over the long haul of the season, which is no small feat but something we take for granted.
It’s all there for our collective entertainment.
The team is just not as good as those teams as evidenced by 1 title since.
The payroll will diminish and perhaps won’t be the highest at some point.
If this coincides with losing years attendance will drop and they could sell the team.
We’ve been through this before.
Then the people on this blog should hope for dropping attendance, so we can put our pennies together and look to purchase .00001% of the team.
Martinez was coming off of a home run title, Pettitte was a 21 game winner and O’Neill was a 100 RBI, .300 hitter during his Yankees seasons, wells was winning 19 games and Cone was among the best pitchers in baseball up to his perfect game. Hardly what I’d call average ball players.
austinmac,
Hughes overuses his cutter for sure. His long counts need to end and end fast, meaning the first inning of tonight’s game.
Maybe part of that falls on Martin calling a better game behind the plate…but its more-so Hughes needing to execute his pitches. If he keeps leaving them over the plate, ML hitters will send them to the creatures every time.
Hughes better produce tonight or I hope they kick his you know what to the curb.
Jeter and Bernie were superstars,
========================
But they weren’t 1 dimensional like arod and tex.
They were clutch performers , like arod was in 09, who put us over the top along with their role playing sidekicks who knew how to win , above all else.
No need to apologize if you try to learn from your errors.
==============================
That’s the best ya got?
It took you 12 minutes to come up with that?
I thought you were more clever than that Father Nick.
mick, be less of a hump, please. Try it for an hour, for a start.
mick
A-Rod has been as multi-dimensional as any player who has ever played the game with the possible exception of Rickey Henderson.
Tex is experiencing what I perceive as an unforseeable, early decline from the left side due to some combination of a an uppercut swing, stupid approach, age, etc.
why do i get the impression that mick and Nick aren’t pals?
Martinez was coming off of a home run title, Pettitte was a 21 game winner and O’Neill was a 100 RBI, .300 hitter during his Yankees seasons, wells was winning 19 games and Cone was among the best pitchers in baseball up to his perfect game. Hardly what I’d call average ball players.
================================
All of those guys rose to the occasion.
Andy and Wells and ElDuque were WINNERS under pressure.
“Despite their early struggles, they are still one of the best teams in MLB and still the best team in the toughest division.”
Maybe.
mick, be less of a hump, please. Try it for an hour, for a start.
======================================
you started it nick, just responding to your wisecarck.
does this not make you a hump?
It’s because I offered him my extra Jerry Garcia Giants bobblehead and he wouldn’t even pay the shipping on it.
Not even the frickin’ shipping.
“Despite their early struggles, they are still one of the best teams in MLB and still the best team in the toughest division.”
Maybe”
Agreed. In this division, we better get our stuff together quickly. I’m not worrying about the offense…that will work out fine. I’m worried about starting pitching.
Tonight’s game is SO big in that capacity.
Nick,
I detest the Giants, but even I’d pay shipping for a Jerry Garcia bobblehead!
It’s because I offered him my extra Jerry Garcia Giants bobblehead and he wouldn’t even pay the shipping on it.
=================
link?
Oh, that Lenny Dyskstra. He’s such a character.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_.....nduct-case
A-Rod has been as multi-dimensional as any player who has ever played the game with the possible exception of Rickey Henderson.
======================
rich
by 1 dimensional I mean not just only about the talent he obviously possesses.
some of these guys who are so talented who fold under pressure are what i’m talking about.
lesser talents who come up big, if you know what i mean.
I don’t think Teixeira’s declining. He’s done what most left handed power hitters have done when they come to NY and play for the Yankees. He came seduced by the close target in left. “O’Neill didn’t because he wasn’t a traditional pull hitting power hitter.
He ***became*** seduced by the close target in ***right***.
mick
In 299 postseason PA, A-Rod:
.277 .386 .498 .884
That’s very good.
Nick,
I would gladly pay for shipping for your Jerry Garcia Bobblehead. You may even be able to talk me into swapping it for my original Jimmy Superfly Snuka or Ricky The Dragon Steamboat WWF dolls. They’re not in boxes though because I played with them…a lot.
Now I feel shame.
CashmanSUX,
1) Again, he was told not to do anything over the winter due to his workload the previous year
2) The Yankees are always cautios with injuries
3) The MRI showed no structural damage
4) what does the player he was traded for have to do with the extent of the injury?
“I don’t think Teixeira’s declining.”
Whatever he is doing, he needs to stop because they didn’t pay for a one-dimensional hitter from the left side.
“I don’t think Teixeira’s declining. He’s done what most left handed power hitters have done when they come to NY and play for the Yankees.”
Whatever you want to call it and whatever the cause….he’s not performing as well as he did two years ago when hitting left handed……I think his swing and approach have been a little better this year so im hoping it’ll start to show in the results soon
Alex doesn’t fold under pressure; the media just ran with the small sample size way back when and repeated it ad nauseum. And then they had to eat their words and abandon their narrative in 2009. For Alex, it is all about his health, and not his mental fortitude. If he is losing bat speed, that is a separate issue…
Mad Prince,
I agree Hughes can only be given so much rope. Phelps would be fine with me. Checkout Betances last couple of starts. Not good. Very wild again. Others blamed last years wildness on the weather or some outside issue. I say he need to work out his mechanics in a big way.
Betances is 3 games into his season, and pitched very well in his first outing in spite of the cold. Last game he went up to 96 pitches, so likely tired in the 5th but pitched OK. I expect him to get better as his arm gets stronger and the season progresses. CB looked very good. FB command not there yet.
Both he and Banuelos were bothered by the cold early. Interesting to see too how playing all the home games away from SWB factors in. The players have said it feels like a grind already, and they still need to adjust.
The Mad Prince in Pinstripes April 19th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
“Despite their early struggles, they are still one of the best teams in MLB and still the best team in the toughest division.”
Maybe”
Agreed. In this division, we better get our stuff together quickly. I’m not worrying about the offense…that will work out fine. I’m worried about starting pitching.
Tonight’s game is SO big in that capacity.
———–
This team has fewer question marks up and down the roster than TB, TOR, or BOS.
Not sure how anyone can see otherwise.
From john sickels
“**New York Yankees outfield prospect Mason Williams made a lot of noise last summer by hitting .349/.395/.468 for the Staten Island Yankees in the New York-Penn League, hitting excellently while also showing a superior center field glove. He entered 2012 with lofty expectations, and so far he is off to another fine start, hitting .315/.339/.463 through 12 games for Low-A Charleston in the South Atlantic League. He’s stolen six bases in seven attempts, and he’s only struck out twice in 54 at-bats. On the other hand, he’s only drawn one walk, but at this point of his career the extremely low strikeout ratio stands out as a huge positive. Williams has made good progress learning to use his speed on the bases, and it looks like he has a shot at living up to the pre-season hype.”
Hello everyone,
Very interesting posts all around.
Genious Maker, you are spot on about last night’s game. We should have pounded Marquis.
Blake,
As usual very assertive.
Yankeefem!!!! So good to see you around. Very good posts.
GB7,
Never thanked you for your updates last night. Thank you. About Tex, i understand that he was seduced by the short porch. But why hasn’t been able to correct it?, i know it’s not easy, but he has had two years to correct it. I do think it is because he hasn’t been able. But last night he had a couple of encouraging at bats.
MTU,
Read your last night post, i stand corrected. Good post.
JS,
I haven’t mentioned you know who, because after the game thread of two days ago, i decided not to do it. But if you want me i’ll give hourly reports. It will be my pleasure.
About the offense, i am more worried about it because of the approach of most of the hitters ( all or nothing). The team needs better situational hitting. The pitching will be fine in time.
Yankeefem,
Thanks for the report on Betances. You didn’t mentioned the CU, How was it?
today’s line-up. Take the complaints That way<—————————
YankeesPR Yankees 4/19 lineup vs. MIN:Jeter SS, Granderson CF, Rodriguez 3B, Cano DH, Teixeira 1B, Swisher RF, Ibanez LF, Martin C, Nunez 2B, Hughes
jr1212,
1) Sure he was. Don’t even pick up a baseball all winter long… That the second version of the story… The first was he was just lazy and didn’t do any offseason work. Anybody who knows how baseball offseasons work knows why Pineda didn’t throw a pitch all winter.
2) The cautious Yankees let this kid make… what??? FOUR spring starts??? FIVE??? when he was CLEARLY not right (no fastball, dropped his arm slot) from the word go.
3) Joba’s MRI also showed “no structural damage.”
4) It’s OBSCENE that we traded our #1 prospect for a guy with this many question marks hanging over his head.
No problem, Luis. Happy to help.
Teixeira couldn’t fix his problem any more that Giambi could. Seems that the hitters who have those issues most ae the ones that get traded to NY and not the ones from the organization.
Ibanez in LF? Yikes!!
Ibanez in the OF, freakin’ A.
austinmac,
Perhaps Bettances needs some more fine-tuning, hadn’t followed his past couple starts.
Phelps is first in line in my mind. Gotta give the kid a chance. He’s got four pitches and seems to locate all of them. He should teach Hughes a thing or two.
I hate to get down on Hughes, but with all the hype, I’m just ready for him to put up or pack up.
Gb7,
What baffles me is that it is hurting their careers. I mean, Tex had a very good chance to become a HOF first baseman. I don’t think he has a shot now, unless he starts correcting it and begin to go the other way with authority.
http://riveraveblues.com/2012/.....lem-67196/
—-
As explained. Hughes has a good fastball, but when he throws it so much hitters just continue to foul it off. His curve needs to be better, but as many on here have pointed out it just doesn’t have much bite to it. Once in awhile he will drop in a lollipop hook for a strike, but unless he finds some sort of breaking pitch he will never be an effective starter.
Hi luis!!! Muchas gracias. Que tal?
The game kept freezing because I was watching at a cafe with slow internet. I saw only a couple of changeups, one wasn’t very good, but I need to re-watch the game b/c I missed the last two innings due to the internet problem. But I am not too worried about his change. It’s generally a very good pitch for him. He was removed at 96 pitches, but Delcarmen came in and promptly gave up two inherited runs. I would like to have seen Betances be given a chance to get the last out; he got out of a jam in the 4th and he usually does a nice job of wiggling out of trouble. I am hoping to see him pitch 6 innings in his game that I plan to attend next week in LHV. Manny was supposed to miss only one start, so hopefully, he also pitches when I am there.
” I mean, Tex had a very good chance to become a HOF first baseman.”
luis
yeah, that ship has kind of sailed at this point.
but he’s totally set for life.
i don’t think he”s real worried bout it.
one thing i’ll say for him is that he keeps in good shape.
yankeefeminista April 19th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Alex doesn?t fold under pressure; the media just ran with the small sample size way back when and repeated it ad nauseum. And then they had to eat their words and abandon their narrative in 2009. For Alex, it is all about his health, and not his mental fortitude. If he is losing bat speed, that is a separate issue?
*******
Thank you; I am glad someone else understands sample size. The same people talk about how clutch Jeter is yet ARod has outperformed him in the postseason. I cringe when people talk about someone being clutch as the ABILITY to be a clutch performer has been proven to be a fallacy.
Bret The Hitman April 19th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Hughes will cough up 4 runs in 6 and we’ll all be patting him on the back.
——————————-
Like we did with Nova?