SB Nation - Shelley Duncan

Farm system recap: Scranton Yankees, aka A Farewell to A-Jax

Travis G — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:00:18 -0000

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

With all the recent events between the Yankees and their division rivals, this had to be delayed.

The Triple-A Yankees finished first in the International League's Northern Division with an 81-60 record. They were swept, however, in the IL finals by the Durham Bulls, three games to none.

The offensive star was once again Shelley Duncan, who won the MVP after hitting .277/.370/.546 and leading the league in homers and RBI. He'll be 30 next year and declined to return to the Scranton Yankees, making himself a free agent. It's too bad that he happened to be in the organization of a team with such talent at the big league level. I believe he could've been (and still might be) a productive ML hitter.

Cuban defector Juan Miranda was the left-handed MVP, batting .290/.369/.498. He's been called the current DH for the big league Yankees, but we all should remember Brian Cashman's statement that Bubba Crosby was the starting centerfielder right before they signed Johnny Damon. However, having Miranda as the platoon DH/1B wouldn't be so bad. He murders right-handed pitchers (.893 OPS vs. RHP, .712 vs. LHP). But having a DH that only plays two-thirds of the games makes for problems by itself. He's a solid insurance policy in case (Mo forbid) Teixeira goes down.

The best prospect on Scranton was Austin Jackson (.300/.354/.405), who led the team in plate appearances because he hit lead-off much of the year. He's what's called a 'toolsy' prospect, basically meaning he hasn't shown much in terms of production but has the raw tools to be a very good player. His best stint to date was a half-season with the Tampa Yankees (.345/.398/.566 in 67 games). However, he has never come close to that incredible slugging average since 2007 (.419 and .405 the two years since). What's also concerning (for Detroit) is his strikeout rate: 522 in 565 career games. Generally a player that K's that much also hits for power - not so with Ajax, who has 30 career homers. The Tigers are hoping that his raw physical ability eventually translates into power (he'll only be 23 next year). He hits for a decent average (.288) and OBP (.356), steals bases (123 SB, 34 CS) and plays above-average defense (by most accounts). He'll never be a superstar, but could be a good centerfielder for many years (which is extremely valuable).

There wasn't anyone too exciting on the pitching side. Romulo Sanchez (65 ip, 4.04 ERA, 64 K, 34 BB, 1.55 WHIP) was acquired from the Pirates in May. The Yankees like his high-90's velocity, but what's perplexing is his relative lack of K's (until this year). He K'ed 5.9/9 before this season. That rate jumped to 9.2/9 this year. Being just 25, he still has a chance at a long ML career. He'll never have a rotation spot, but his heat could make him an intriguing bullpen option in 2010.

Another relief option is Mark Melancon (53 ip, 2.89 ERA, 54 K, 11 BB, .91 WHIP), the former closer for the U. of Arizona. His career minor league stats are sick: 156 ip, 2.54 ERA, 151 K, 35 BB, .96 WHIP. His problem at the major league level, in a brief 13-game stint, was control: he walked 10 in 16 innings. That can be attributed mostly to nerves. His MiL walk rate is very low (2/9), so once he gets comfortable in the majors, we should see the dominant Mark Melancon.

I guess I need to mention He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, who now holds Scranton's career mark for wins, with 29. He led the team in innings (145), wins (10), K's (105), walks (40) and homers allowed (21). Two years to go...

Braves Re-sign Mariano Gomez, Add Six Other Minor League Free Agents

cbwilk — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:45:49 -0000

If Brent Clevlen can put all 5 of his tools together at once he could make himself a valuable part of Atlanta's team.

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Gondeee got an early scoop on the Braves inking some Minor League free agents this week, but it was unconfirmed. Well, it's now official and Gondeee did indeed have himself a scoop. The Braves have brought back LHP Mariano Gomez and have added 1B Gerardo Avila, 1B Mauro Gomez, 2B Luis Bolivar, 2B Juan Gonzalez, 3B Eric Duncan, and OF Brent Clevlen.

Gomez spent all of 2009 with Gwinnett and had the best season of his career, posting a 8-4 record, 8 saves, 1.99 ERA, and 1.10 WHIP in 72.1 innings covering 47 appearances. He is tall (6'6") and lanky, creating some unusual angles and difficulties for hitters. He'll be 27 during the 2010 season and will likely be invited to Major League Spring Training with the Braves and be given a chance to fight for one of the last spots in the bullpen.

Clevlen is the best of these signings; he is an top notch defensive outfielder, capable of playing all three outfield positions along with possessing a strong, accurate arm. The 26 year old has played in 55 Major League games with the Tigers, hitting just .233 in 80 plate appearances from 2006 to 2008, shining in 06 with when he hit .282 with a 958 OPS in 42 plate appearances, hitting 3 home runs. He's spent most of the last three years with AAA Toledo and hit .261 with a .768 OPS, 26 doubles, 16 homers, 64 RBIS, and 10 stolent bases there this season. Aside from his defense, his biggest upside may be as a right handed hitter able to mash lefties, as he hit .331 with a 1.002 OPS and 8 home runs against lefties this season in just 151 at bats.

The 23 year old Avlies comes to the Braves from the Mariners' system where he spent last year playing for their short season Everett affiliate (basically the same level as Danville), hitting .333 with a .950 OPS, 13 home runs, and 54 RBI in just 231 plate appearances. In a five year caree he has only played 211 games and has yet to make it out of A ball. While he played some outfield early in his career, he's now limited to first base and isn't the best defender. His numbers and age don't suggest much future success so a Braves scout must have seen something he like and convinced the organization to sign him for lower level depth.

The other M. Gomez is a 25 year old first baseman who has spent the last two years playing for High A Bakersfield in the Rangers' organization. He had a monster season, hitting .285 with a .868 OPS to go with 35 doubles, 38 home runs and 94 RBIs. He also managed to strike out a whopping 141 times, good for 26% of his plate appearances. He's played a little bit of third base in his career but doesn't seem to be very good there; conversely, he appears to be a solid, if unimpressive first baseman.

Bolivar, who will be 29 at the start of the 2010 season, could be a candidate to sever as a utility player on Atlanta's bench. Primarily and middle infielder, he's played every position except catcher during his 8 year career in the Reds' system. He's best suited for second base where his skill set fits the needs of the position, but he has a strong enough arm and is athletic enough to be more than adequate around the field. His versatility is key since his bat isn't strong; he hit just .232 with a .620 OPS in 380 plate appearances for AAA Louisville this season. And, he strikes out a lot for a player without power, wiffing 70 times this year. He did steal 28 bases, his highest total in 5 season. At worst, he'll provide versatile depth for Gwinnett.

Atlanta will be the 6th organization for Gonzalez, who will be 28 at the start of the 2010 season. Mostly a shortstop early in his career, he's played more second and third base in recent years. Like Bolivar, he's athletic enough and has a strong enough arm to play around the infield and, also like Bolivar, his skill set makes him most suited for second base. The similarities don't stop there as his bat is also weak; splitting his season between AA Chattanooga and AAA Albuquerque he hit just .229 with a .637 OPS in 288 plate appearances. Unfortunately though, he doesn't have much speed anymore. He probably won't get much of a shot to make an impact on the Major League team an actually seems destined to provide depth for AA Mississippi.

Duncan, who has played a fair amount of first base in his career, and a little bit of outfield, in addition to his natural third base, isn't related to Shelley Duncan, though the two have been teammates for several years. This Duncan was actually the 27th overall pick by the Yankees in the 2003 draft, though he's never lived up to expectations, failing to ever make it to the Majors with New York. Through the 2006 season he seemed to be progressing well, even if he wasn't living up to his lofty draft status expectations, but since then he has stalled out in AAA for three seasons, with his percentage stats falling each year until this season when he managed to hit just .242 with a .527 OPS in 345 plate appearances for Scranton-Wilkes Barre. A change of scenery may be what he needs to turn things around, as it was no secret that he became disenfranchised with the Yankees' organization, seeing little chance of moving up given their preference to trade for veterans and sign free agents instead of promoting from within.

It was reported that the Braves had also signed 1B-OF Mitch Jones but that has yet to be confirmed. If true it would be a great signing as the 32 year old is coming off an oustanding 2009 season that saw him make his Major League debut with the Dodgers and hit .297 with a 1.015 OPS, 26 doubles, 35 homers, and 103 RBIS in 434 plate appearances for AAA Albuquerque.

The Braves also lost one of their own Minor League free agents as 2B Chris Burke signed with the Reds. Burke played well for Gwinnett, hitting .285 with a .752 OPS in 309 plate appearances. One of Burke's Gwinnett teammates, LHP John Halama wasn't technically a Braves' free agent, since he was released just after the season to allow him to pitch in the playoffs for the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the same team the Braves signed him from during the year, was signed by Milwaukee. Halama was also decent for the G-Braves, collecting a 4-7 record, 4.48 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 90.1 innings covering 16 appearances (13 starts).

There will surely be more Minor Leaguers joining and leaving the Braves and, as always, we'll keep you up to date here at Talking Chop.

CB Wilkins is the author of the baseball novel Four-A. The story follows a relief pitcher over the course of a year as he bounces between AAA and the Majors, attempting to balance his dreams and his reality. It can be purchased here: https://www.createspace.com/3407939

Another Look at the Bargain Bin...or patching holes with duck tape

clack — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:39:51 -0000

Bargain shopping seems like the topic of the day for a Black Friday. Except this blog is about the Astros, and bargain shopping means something more like Goodwill, rather than Sak's or Macy's. The Astros say they are trying to improve the team and cutting the payroll at the same, all of which seems paradoxical when you realize that they have to work around the edges of a ton of sunk costs. In order to do that, the team probably has to patch some holes with duck tape in order to save money to add or keep a player with more impact.

Recently I mentioned an article at Fangraphs by Dave Cameron which referenced a few notable minor league free agents. Minor league free agents are the ultimate bargain bin; some older minor league players out there can be productive big league players; however, it's largely a gamble, since we don't know for sure who will succeed. OremLK has been looking at Rule 5 draft candidates, which is interesting and helpful. However, minor league free agents hold one advantage over Rule 5 picks, in that they do not have to be kept on the roster for a full season, and can be sent to AAA, if they are agreeable to doing so. The disadvantage is that many of the minor league free agents are older than Rule 5 picks---sometimes a lot older. However, it is a fairly low risk investment to sign several minor league free agents and allow them to compete for a big league job in spring training.

I took another look at the players on Baseball America's minor league free agent list. I'll talk about some interesting players on that list after the jump.

Shelley Duncan, OF, 1B.

He isn't even on the list, because he wasn't made available until last Friday as the Yankees finaiized their 40 man roster, by outrighting Duncan to the Yankees' AAA club. Duncan has rejected his assignment, and plans to look for a major league job. At the age of 29, Duncan is more likely to get offers for pinch hit / reserve outfielder jobs. I've previously mentioned his name in my comments at TCB, because I think he would be a good candidate for a reserve outfielder position with the Astros, with the ability to provide inexpensive power off the bench. Duncan has consistently exhibited offense and power in AAA, and was named MVP of the International League this year. I wouldn't be suprised if the Cardinals invite him to spring training, since his father is pitching coach Dave Duncan. Duncan is well liked by Yankees fans for his aggressiveness and enthusiasm, earning him the nickname "Slam" for his celebrations and high fives on the bench. A number of New York blog and media pieces have recently wished him the best in finding a major league job. LoHud reporter Craig Jennings says:

I keep thinking of Garrett Jones, who I watched rake in the International League for years without getting a shot with the Twins. Then the Pirates picked him up and he became a Rookie of the Year candidate. I have no idea whether Duncan can do something similar, but I know he put up Triple-A numbers as good as or better than Jones. He just wasn’t a match for the Yankees organization.

Ready Made Third Base Platoon?

Okay, I'm joking--a little bit anyway--when I suggest that two minor league free agents could form an effective third base platoon. But my point is that both of these 3d basemen in AAA were very productive, and you would think that one of them might turn out to form one end of a platoon for the Astros; and at the least could be more productive than Chris Johnson.

I previously discussed Reuben Gotay, who was highlighted in Dave Cameron's article. The 26 year old former second baseman posted a .877 OPS for the D-Backs' AAA team, with superb plate discipline that led to .427 OBP. Hector Luna, a 29 year old former major league utility infielder, posted huge numbers at 3d base for the Dodgers' AAA affiliate last year. Here is his triple slash:.351, .415, .610, 1.025. Yes, that's an OPS over a 1.0. And, yes, Albuquerque is an offensive oriented ballpark---but even neutralizing his stats puts his OPS well over .900. Late last season, the SBN blog True Blue LA pleaded with the Dodgers to call up Luna:

For those who want to just attribute what Luna is doing to the PCL fine, but they were saying the same thing about Jake Fox back in June. The difference is that Fox is a lousy catcher trying to play 3rd base, while Luna is an ex major league middle infielder playing 3rd base. When we tried to find a RHH who could punish LHP we found very few major league bench players who fit the bill. Luna is crushing LHP with an OPS against them sitting at 1.399. He's also produced an OPS over 1.000 at both home and away. I recently read a comment attributing his excellent season to playing at home for the Isotopes but the splits would seem to negate that argument. The man is simply hitting wherever he plays against both Left and Right handed pitchers...I'm saying that Hector Luna deserves a shot to strengthen our bench. Just because a man is 29 years old does not mean he can't resume his major league career. It doesn't happen often but history is peppered with players like Olmedo Saenz and Geronimo Berroa who got late starts and became excellent part time players into their 30's.

Why did I start off calling these two guys a ready made platoon? The switch hitter Gotay has .304 batting average and .904 OPS versus RHP. Hector Luna hit .398 with a 1.248 OPS versus LHP. Both guys show some power, and lots of on base ability...at least against AAA pitchers.

Pitchers

Fernando Hernandez is a 25 year old righthanded relief pitcher in the White Sox organization. He was previously picked up by Oakland in the Rule 5 draft several years ago, made the A's opening day roster, but was returned to the White Sox after pitching only a few innings at the major league level. Hernandez started the year in AA, and then moved up to AAA, where he was equally effective. His combined 2009 stats: 2.91 FIP, 1.71 ERA in AA and 1.59 ERA in AAA, 0.99 WHIP, 8.79 K/9, 3.18 BB/9.. He strikes out 1 in 4 batters he faces, and walks only about 1 in 10 batters. He generates a good groundball rate, reaching 60% in AAA. The diminutive (5-11) reliever has been effective against both RHB and LHB, with a .190 batting average by lefties and a .179 batting average by righties. Based on his stats, there is little not to like about this relief pitcher.

Erick Threets is a 29 year old lefthanded relief pitcher in the Dodgers' organization. The Astros probably will be in the market for another LH relief pitcher, particularly if Wesley Wright is converted to a starting pitcher. Threets previously pitched in the Giants system, including a brief but successful major league stint with the Giants in 2008. His 3.81 FIP and 1.52 ERA in AAA was particularly impressive when you take into account that he pitched at an offense-friendly ballpark in Albuquerque. His 63% groundball rate is very good, and somewhat unusual for a lefthander. He strikes out 17% of the batters he faces and walks only 9%.

Hyang-Nam Choi is another relief pitcher for the Dodgers' AAA affiliate last year. Normally I wouldn't mention a 38 year old minor leaguer, but Choi is an unusual case, since he has experience pitching professionally in both Korea and Japan. His stats at Albuquerque are quite impressive. In 61 innings, he had a 3.25 FIP, a 2.34 ERA, a 2.81 RA/9, with a 12 K/9 rate and a 3.06 BB rate, which looks even better when we consider that he pitched in Albuquerque. He struck out 32% of the batters he faced and walked only 8%. He is more effective against RHB. The Cardinals invited him to spring training last year, but he didn't make the big league team, and then was signed by the Dodgers for pitching depth.

Wednesday's Late and Brief Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:15:03 -0000

More photos » by Eric Risberg - AP

Justin Duchscherer is a potential 2010 Brewer. That means I probably need to learn to spell his name...or assign him a clever nickname that catches on. Suggestions?

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Some things to read while finding eternal life.

Thanks for bearing with me this week. The Mug will return to its normal format and schedule on Friday. In the meantime, here's the crash-course version of today's notes:

Adam McCalvy has two more names for you to consider as the Brewers head into hot stove season: Justin Duchscherer and Kevin Correia. Meanwhile, ESPN has a story about clinical depression that Duchscherer has battled in the past. I don't think the depression has anything to do with the fact that his name is impossible to spell.
Caitlin Moyer has a look at the offseason work of Brewer Grounds Crew leader Gary Vanden Berg, who recently finished putting Miller Park's field to bed for 2009.
Mike Cameron might be one of the best free agent position players on the market this offseason, but Bleed Cubbie Blue is comparing him to Marlon Byrd.
In the minors, Baseball America used Pitch F/x to gather average and max fastball speeds for pitchers that appeared in the Arizona Fall League. Zach Braddock, Mark Rogers, Josh Butler and Omar Aguilar all check in somewhere in the low-mid 90's.
In transactions: the Padres claimed starting pitcher Radhames Liz off waivers from the Orioles.
The White Sox signed Andruw Jones to a one year deal.
Shelley Duncan elected for free agency after the Yankees outrighted him off their 40-man roster.
I'm still hoping the Brewers will sign Yorvit Torrealba, but the Blue Jays are also rumored to have interest.
Today's Faces feature over at Lookout Landing features another former Brewer: Ben Ford.
Yesterday I mentioned a few of them, but Royals Review has a look at the five dumbest NL MVP votes.
Speaking of awards: on this day in 1969, Lou Piniella won the AL Rookie of the Year. Piniella started the season as a Seattle Pilot, but was traded on April 1 for pitcher John Gelnar and OF Steve Whitaker. Gelnar posted a 3.78 ERA over three seasons as a Pilot and Brewer. Whitaker spent one season with the Piolts and was done in the majors by 1971.
On this day in 1981, Rollie Fingers became the first relief pitcher ever to win the AL MVP. Fingers picked up 15 of the 28 first place votes and edged out Rickey Henderson by 11 points.
I wasn't able to find a Brewer birthday today, so we'll have to settle for wishing a happy birthday to Tony Brewer, who turns 52.
Oh, and if you're looking for something to do tonight, Keith Law has updated his list of the top ten board games.

Drink up.

Yankees notes: See ya, Shelley!

Ed Valentine — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:41:00 -0000

Let's take a look Around the Yankee Universe this morning. Not a lot of news on the last Saturday before Thanksgiving, but always some interesting stories around our New York Yankees.

GOOD LUCK, SHELLEY: The Yankees have dropped Shelley Duncan from the 40-man roster, again, and it appears Duncan's Yankee career is over. Personally, I wish Duncan well. He can be a productive big-league hitter if he can find a team willing to give him 300-400 at-bats.
BREAKING DOWN AROLDIS CHAPMAN: The 21-year-old Cuban left-hander is one of the more intriguing players to follow this off-season. He is also one of the riskiest big-money investments, according to Baseball Intellect.

Chapman is going to be a risk for whatever team signs him. His upside is tremendous, but he’s raw in every sense of the word. Does he have the mental capacity to turn himself into a pitcher and not be just a thrower? Does a team’s development staff have a good track record in developing a talent like Chapman? Does Chapman have what it takes to put it all together and develop into a legitimate number one starter? We’ll eventually get our answers, but some team will have to shell out millions of dollars before getting them.

Baseball Intellect's breakdown discusses Chapman's mechanics, his maturity and projects his future. They seem to lean toward the opinion that his production won't end up justifying the huge investment a team will have to make to sign him.
MATSUI IN DEMAND: Hideki Matsui's services as a hitter might not be in huge demand around baseball right now. Matsui is, however, in huge demand as an advertising spokesman in Japan. The World Series MVP continues to be a huge hero in his native country.
WANG WOULD LIKE TO STAY: Chien-Ming Wang told reporters in his native Taiwan that he would love to stay with the Yankees. If that doesn't work out? Wang said pitching for Joe Torre and the Dodgers wouldn't be so bad, either.
SPEAKING OF FREE AGENTS: WFAN's Sweeny Murti says sentimentality and what players like Matsui, Wang and Johnny Damon have done for the Yankees in the past will play no part in GM Brian Cashman's decisions about 2010.

Emotion is for the fans, not the people who run the teams. And while Brian Cashman has as special a place as you do for the players who just brought home #27, he’s not going to let his heart keep him from moving the 2010 Yankees forward. So if it’s not in the team’s best interests to keep Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui in a Yankee uniform, it won’t happen simply as a reward for 2009.

Cashman is no sentimental fool. If you need proof, ask Bernie Williams. Cashman could offer the dynasty icon no more than a spring training invitation before the 2007 season. All the chants of "Ber-nie Will-iams" you could ask for from the bleachers weren’t going to be enough to change his mind. Cashman had decided that it was time to get younger and it was time to cut ties with Bernie.

Scranton done, Miranda up

Travis G — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:54:52 -0000

Guess who's elbow that is...

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The Scranton Yankees were swept by the Durham Bulls in the IL finals, dropping the last game, 3-2. Considering they didn't have league MVP Shelley Duncan and starter Josh Towers in the playoffs, their run to the finals was very impressive.

After the game, lefty 1B/DH Juan Miranda was promoted to New York. The Cuban is (supposedly) 26-years-old and has a career minor league line of .280/.366/.474 (.290/.369/.498 this year), including extreme platoon splits (.704 OPS vs. LHP, .900 vs. RHP).

No word yet on any other Scrantonians.

The Juggernaut Double Digest Edition: Yanks sweep Labor Day, 4-1 and 11-1

CrazyYankeeChick — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:59:53 -0000

Nom nom nom.

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Were the New York Yankees, in fact, laboring on this holiday twin bill? Because from where I was sitting, it looked more like they were slicing through the Rays like a hot knife in butter.

With their double-win over Tampa Bay, the Yanks looked like the juggernauts they are, increasing their lead in the AL East to 9 and all but securing their spot in history as one of the best teams the franchise has put on the field. Yeah, I said it. They are. Don't believe me? Let's review what happened at 161st street today:

GAME 1, 1:05: 4-1 W

Brett Gardner rejoins our lives again, and I don't think anyone celebrated his value more than John Sterling today, after our speedy OF made a catch that was almost cartoonish in its unbelievablility. I thought my sparks were going to start flying out my radio from Sterling's explosive reaction to this: "And I'll just say it, Suzyn. In all my years of watching the Yankees, I have never seen an outfield as good as this."

CC Sabathia's very CC like performance was troubling for me to watch. His 7IP of 10K ball would have been a phenomenal way for my fantasy team to start Week 1 of the playoffs...if I had remembered to set my roster for today. Instead, my bench line score for the day is beautifully immaterial.

Which wasn't the only way my fantasy team took a hit. With 3 Rays on my lineup, I'm avoiding checking StatTracker to see the O-fers diluting my BA. Carlos Pena's HBP in Game 1 really encapsulated the day for the Rays' offense: 2 broken fingers after getting hit with a pitch in the 1st. But to make matters worse, he swung so he didn't even get to take a base. "You don't take a 95 mph fastball on the finger and live to tell about it -- or the finger live to tell about it."

Evan Longoria might have the only production for my team actually, with his solo blast in the 2nd. Carl Crawford, my all-time favorite fantasy mainstay, went 0 for 3, with 2 strikeouts, and even got caught stealing 2nd in the 8th, on a brilliant pitchout from Jorge Posada. You're useless, Crawford.

Derek Jeter was hitless for the day, but still met another landmark by tying Yogi Berra in the 3rd place spot for most games played. Meh. I don't get any real charge out of this stat. But being the Yankee with the most hits EVER? Unassailably, indisputably awe-inspiring. And we get to be around to witness it. This team never fails to give me goosebumps.

The game broke open from the 1-1 tie on account of a 3-run 8th. If I were Tampa Bay, I'd petition to have the games they play against the Yankees end squarely in the 7th. Or at least get some kind of hired gun for the 8th innings against NY.

Elias Sports Bureau tells us that New York is 15-0 when tied after seven innings -- the longest such streak at the start of a season in major league history. That's amazing, and I can't decide whether this is on account of our bullpen, or our offense's refusal to go down without a fight. Either way.

Speaking of bullpen, concerns over Mariano RIvera's sore groin were significantly alleviated today after he followed up Phil Hughes' scoreless 8th with a perfect inning of his own, striking out 2 to end the 3-hit game and hand the W over to Hughes (who's getting himself a nice potpouri of pitching accolades. For a set-up man, he's got a pretty decent assortment of Ws and Saves.) Douglas Adams pretty much nailed it when he avered the ultimate answer to life and the universe.
12 straight bullpen wins. Franchise record. When was the last time we were proud of our bullpen? I love this team.

Was this the same defense that the Rays trotted out last year in the World Series? They were abyssmal. What is Joe Maddon putting in his coffee these days that he's let the talent on the team fester away this season to this degree? It's like watching the beginning of Mighty Ducks 2, when Coach Bombay is all resting on his laurels after last year's championship, and he doesn't take the time to address the team's needs. Bad Maddon. Baddon.

Game 2, 7:05: 11-1 W

Jeter goes hitless again. 0-8 with a walk on a day. Three hits to tie Lou Gehrig. 4 to become leader. He's soooo overrated.

24 hits in 2 games, outscored the Rays 15-2. This team used to have our number, remember? It's nice how things have changed. Which is another reason why I think we shouldn't worry about the Angels. Very little about this Yankees team is typical this year. All bets are off, we're playing with a new deck.

Speaking of Angels, the Yanks moved 6 and a half up on them for best record in the AL. This may be the first year I've really assigned any level of import to homefield advantage. While I usually subscribe to the I-guess-it-helps-but-a-good-team's-a-good-team mentality, Greatness's New Home is kind to our team. I want to see as much of that offensive brothel as possible.

Other concerns milling about the Yankee fanbase have been around AJ Burnett and his softening domination. Today he pitched a 1-run game in 6IP: 4 hits, 3 BBS, 8Ks. "Any time you get to pitch behind that big man, you know, you want to put up his numbers. You just get inspired." Once again, default to the advice from "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."

While Andy Sonnanstine didn't exactly give the performance of his career (8 runs, 8 hits, 3 hits in 2 and two-thirds innings, which inflated his ERA to 7.23), I think he may need to put things in perspective just a little: "Definitely today was probably one of the worst days of my life."

Teixeira has three multihomer games this season, 24 overall. His swing is climbing the charts for one of the most aesthetically pleasing and effective in all of major league baseball.

Jose Molina(three hits, two walks in Game 2) reached base five times in a game for the first time in his career.

9-19 with RISP. I'll take it.

There were so many substitutions toward the end of Game 2 that I was getting flashbacks of CYO basketball. In addition to the starting 9, the Yankees gave some playing time to Ramiro Pena, Eric Hinske, SHELLEY DUNCAN, and Francisco Cervelli. Remember when Cody Ransom would have been among those names? Despite the fact Pena was the only one to actually get on base of those 4, I love the fact that those are the B-listers on this team, because it says something about how otherwordly our A-listers are.

And A-listers they are. After a brain fart of a game last night, the Yankees bounced back to take both games from the Rays. They're playing like they should be. Like they're not only focused on winning each individual game, but like they realize that a W means nothing if it doesn't support our momentum. That's what they've been doing for the last 2 months: crafting new and incisive ways to buoy their lead and nourish their adrenaline.

Keep your eyes on the prize, Yanks. Eye on the prize.

-CYC

September call-ups begin

Ed Valentine — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:35:34 -0000

From a pair of entries on New York Daily News Yankee writer Mark Feinsand's 'Twitter' page.

Yankees have called up INF Ramiro Pena, C Francisco Cervelli, RHP Edwar Ramirez, LHP Mike Dunn and RHP Mark Melancon... Shelley Duncan and Austin Jackson will likely be called up when Scranton's season is over. The Yankees have no real need for them right now.

Fire Joe Girardi*

jscape2000 — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 11:00:22 -0000

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

How many ways can you say "Bad at baseball"?

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*Ok, I don't really mean that, but this post is dedicated to Joe's stupidest move in a while.

It's funny how the complete collapse of the starting pitching can cause us to overlook serious problems in the field (ok, maybe it's just me). I forgot to lambast Joe Girardi for starting Eric Hinske in left field yesterday, after that worked so well on Friday.

Fire Joe Girardi.

Why wasn't Hinske out there taking extra balls off the wall before Saturday's game started?

Fire the entire coaching staff.

If Jerry Hairston couldn't play left, Brian Cashman should have brought up Shelley Duncan or John Rodriguez to take a few ABs.

Fire Brian Cashman.

/end sarcasm

We're 6 games up on the loss side, and we still have the best record in baseball. I'm not really worried, but it's important to keep track of stupid. And starting Eric Hinske in left field is stupid. I can't believe I thought for a moment that he could have played third base.

News roundup: a sad anniversary

Travis G — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:35:02 -0000

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George Steinbrenner's thoughts on Thurman Munson, 30 years after his death.

Munson's replacement, Jerry Narron, shares his thoughts.
Shelley Duncan spent just one day in the majors (and didn't play) and was recalled to Scranton.
The Yankees altered their rotation to move Joba back to Thursday, ensuring Sergio Mitre does not make a start against Boston.
Two Red Sox employees were fired last year in the midst of a steroids investigation. How did it take this long for the story to come out? And how did George Mitchell miss it? (h/t BBTF)