From Pete Abe at Lohud.com

Nady Story

Really hurts to have this happen after a terrific bounce back win against the Rays.

Already the panic stricken are making ridiculous calls. While losing Nady will shorten the bench depth, it isn't as if the team doesn't have options. Nevertheless, Nady scheduled for an MRI tomorrow -- so stay tuned and hope for the best.

Short term the question is do the Yanks bring someone up from Scranton and if so, who?

Looks like Swisher has himself a home in right field.

Bye bye Bobby.

And good riddance, frankly.

Story HERE

That's an encouraging sign, imo. The only issue it brings up is Girardi's relationship with Cashman -- is it perhaps a bit tenuous? Girardi was quite adamant at the end of the season that he saw no reason to make changes to the coaching staff -- and lo and behold we have one.

I don't see the Bowa or Randolph moves happening either, as PeteA points out. Anyone got thoughts on whether Pena's a legit candidate?

frontpaged by jscape

 

 

 

"I'm not writing off this season," the team's co-chairman said Tuesday. "They're trying hard to win. There's only so much you can do. They're not supermen."

..."I think it's very simple, we've been devastated by injuries. No team I've ever seen in baseball has been decimated like this. It would kill any team," Steinbrenner said."

Read it here

Last year we lost 3/5ths of the opening day starting rotation. Made the playoffs.

This year we lost 3/5ths of the opening day starting rotation. Probably not going to make the playoffs.

Strange to hear a Steinbrenner make such statements, though, isn't it? Felt like the twilight zone when I read it.

""You grab hold of Richie to play first base a little bit and I know he was struggling, but it puts a right-handed bat in our lineup against a left-handed pitcher," Mussina said. "Just that small tweak in the lineup is a big deal. He plays a great first base. Obviously when you're 6-foot-12, you can catch a lot of baseballs."

 

"Obviously when you're 6-foot-12,...." (way to go Mikey)

 

source:  Lohud

1. Wang has been undergoing a fairly dramatic change in his pitching this year. Some days he has it, some days he doesn't. It happens. Live with it. Die with it.

2. Andy always sucks in the middle of the season, but when he 'needs' a good game, somehow he manages to pull one out. But if you had to start ONE guy from this staff in a pressure game...would you still choose AP? (I would take my chances with him)

3. Rasner (I think this is correct) has been victimized more by the offense failing him and not his pitching failing him (uh, Oakland start notwithstanding, but even that was a clinic in hitting to the op field and THAT was the catcher's fault moreso than the pitcher's fault)

4. Mike Mussina is currently the "ace" of the staff...isn't that a laugh (was it jscape or anaconda who called Moose's return to form? I forget, but one of them called it last year).

5. Joba is doing just fine as a starter, and, all things considered, the bullpen has held up just fine since his transition.

6. We've got exciting young kids who can come up later in the season and make a difference both in the lineup and in the pen.

7. We have tradeable assets for midseason moves should they be absolutely necessary.

We STILL do not have our healthy stable starting rotation. We STILL do not have a healthy productive offense.

and yet, we're only 6 games back.

In the last week, we've had more come from behind wins than we had in all of April and May.

The funniest, strangest statistic I'm seeing --

Take a look around the AL, specifically, look at home/away records -- do you see that only ONE team has a winning record on the road (LA) and, who's that tied for second best road record? NY (and here's a laugh -- they have second best road win percentage in the  AL at .486)

Things aren't YET the disaster so many are making them out to be.

They are on a 7/10 run. They are only 6 games back. Boston is not unbeatable (unless they're home). Tampa is playing above their heads (but they are a good club, better than the press gave them credit for).

We're still in that stretch of more home games than away games up until the AS break.

Given that Boston is running at .600 for the season so far, here are win totals and win percentage projections for the remainder of the season that the Yanks need to achieve to compete for the AL East or the Wild Card:

90 (.585)
92 (.606)
95 (.638)
97 (.660)

Of those numbers, 90 and 92 wins is not unrealistic -- this team CAN play .600 ball the rest of the season -- the question is, Will they or won't they.

The scary part is that, if they can maintain some stability in the rotation and bullpen, .660 the rest of the way is not impossible (not unlike last season).

I think they make their move now, with a good swing versus the NL, do the NY grudge match smackdown, hit Boston up for a 3 spot on 4th of July weeknd and they're atop the division two days later beating Tampa at home on July the 8th.

(So, IF it actually happens that way...now there's a record of it and if it doesn't I can simply point to the smoking mushrooms next to my computer and blame them).

 

is to start giving up on this team.

Let's be fair: Three of the guys who got big raises aren't performing (Arod, Cano, Posada (even when he was healthy)).

But it's also still April. And April has rarely ever been a Yankee month (why, I don't know, but it hasn't).

Let's also be patient with Hughes and Kennedy -- I did think Ian would be more consistent than this, but he hasn't yet. Both are suffering from trusting their stuff I would guess. Either way, they aren't getting any help from the offense either -- and when your team scores runs, that takes pressure of the SP. But in close games, or games where they're trailing (which seems to be everyday now), that's added pressure these two don't need.

If you thought the season would be a cakewalk, you were misinformed. Joe G has some decisions to make though - specifically with certain 1b players who simply aren't producing. What bothers me most, is the number of bases loaded opportunities (and subsequent failures) they've had -- though I would hope that the law of averages would even that out.

On a sidenote, those 'frothing' at the mouth should consider the record of Justin Verlander here in Detroit -- an Ace, #1 starter, top gun -- whatever you want to call him, he's currently sporting a nifty 7.03 ERA and an 0-3 record -- and CC Sabathia, 0-3 and a sparkling 13+ ERA.

 

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/03/19/breaking-news-joba-to-the-bullpen/

We all expected this to be the likely move, so it isn't much of a surprise. My only question is with Joba having worked all spring on his full bag of pitches, will this move affect him in the latter half of the season should he move to the rotation?

Any experts on the subject?

Confirmed committee: Mo, Farns, Joba, Hawk

That leaves 3 spots to fill.

Traber, imo, has earned a shot at the pen. Igawa has earned a shot at the drive-thru of dunkin donuts.

Albadelejo, Patterson, Ramirez, Veras, Ohlendorf, Bruney, Phillips, Karstens, Rasner...

Of those, I'd really like to see if Alba, Traber and either Edwar or Veras can solidify the pen.

Ohlendorf should go to AAA to continue working on his pitches imo. Having him make the team then sit frequently does him no good. He's a longer term project I think.

Bruney has not shown consistency of command this spring.  Not sure that Britton has really impressed anyone and Ramirez and Veras are a toss-up I think.

Anyone had any read on Patterson (who has had a good spring training)? Or is he on the outside looking in?

Also brings the questions: Rasner, imo, has had a horrid spring and should go AAA'ing (or become trade bait).  Karstens has been inconsistent -- but he can be valuable, especially early season as a long man.

Girardi has some difficult decisions to make.

From your last post to the Time to cut Bait discussion on Kei Igawa...you said:

"For what it's worth, I'd think Zito's outting for the Giants is even more embrassing. when's the last time you saw a SP not being able to finish even 1 IP in ST?"

well, (chuckle), CMW yesterday!

(thought you'd get a kick out of that)

Continue reading this post »

Yankees 9 Phillies 3

Continue reading this post »

frontpaged by jscape

Is there any way for the Yanks to part ways with Kei Igawa? Can we get someone from Japan to kidnap him back?

The Pitching Line Score from today's USF game:

 J Chamberlain 2 IP, 0 ER
 I Kennedy 2 IP, 0 ER
 P Hughes 1 IP, 0 ER
 K Igawa 1 IP, 4 ER <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
 J Marquez 1 IP, 0 ER
 A Horne 1 IP, 0 ER
 C Wright 1 IP, 0 ER

Only one guy gives up runs to the college team -- isn't this telling the Yankees what they already know? Igawa is, at best, a dishwasher at Denny's? Or is that Lenny's? I forget...

I can understand first time out against live hitters, but to be THAT bad?

It's seriously time to cut bait, isn't it?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2920107

Focus on the last sentence: ""At the same time, [Steinbrenner] doesn't want to give up those young guys either," Cashman said. "But that could always change, too.""

And it wouldn't surprise me one bit if it did change.

Whether Torre's or Cashman's jobs are in jeopardy or not doesn't matter in my mind.

I can only hope they don't get stupid and deal out what few future prospects they do have to be competitive this year with a team that should have been (but isn't) competitive.

NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/08/sports/baseball/08chass.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin

Tidbits:

1.) "They have read with interest Boras's view that there is no rule barring the Lions from sharing part of the posting fee with the player, thus making it easier for the Red Sox to sign him for less of their own money."

--according to MLB, the Sox and Lions can't do this.

2.) Did the Sox tip their offer to Boras for JD Drew?

""I don't think he's the kind of player who would walk away from $33 million without some idea of what was out there," a baseball official said."

Be interesting to watch this line of news, especially as the clock is ticking on DMat

From Texas papers

Rangers may win bidding for Matsuzaka

...recent weeks, the Rangers have been depicted in national and international reports as major players in the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes -- and they are exactly that.

A baseball official with knowledge of the process said Thursday that the Rangers have made a major bid for the 26-year-old Japanese right-handed pitcher, perhaps close to $30 million...

Last I'd heard the numbers were falling to the 20mil range.

Granted this is just a conjecture story, but if the yanks really want him, I do hope they bid enough.

That brings up a question, tho, it was highest bid wins rights, wasn't it?

Phil Taylor, apparently confused about what the concept of MVP stands for, takes Jeter to task over the ARod situation.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/phil_taylor/11/01/arod.jeter/index.html

"Jeter is the Yankees' Teflon shortstop, the golden boy to whom no criticism ever sticks. He is a clutch player, to be sure, and he is one of the few Yankees who earned his paycheck on the field in the Yankees' ALDS flop against the Detroit Tigers. But in the most crucial area, the A-Rod area, he was a crashing failure."

So, it seems MVP is not about producing, it's about saving other players on your team? By that measure then, who did Ortiz save? Or Morneau? Or any of the MVP candidates?

What silliness. Only Arod can save Arod, in my mind.

Bob Klapisch

"At least that's the consensus among major league executives, many of whom are under the impression that Alex Rodriguez will be traded this winter."

"The latest clue was his absence from the Cory Lidle memorial service held in Covina, California, last week."

"But one scout had a theory: "The difference between now and a few years ago is that [Rodriguez] doesn't hit great pitching anymore. And that's pretty much all you see in the playoffs.""

And the "He won't be traded" clues, er, clue

"So my point is, even if I was going to trade Alex, I'd have a hard time getting equal value," Cashman said. "So why would I do it?" "

and the beat goes on...

I mean that in a nice way...consider this

No one seems to have figured this out yet. Set aside the trade-rod, dump-torre talk for a moment, step back a take a real look at what just happened in the ALDS.

You just saw the reincarnation of the 1996 Yankees kick the ever-lovin s*** out of the AllStar 2006 Yankees. Think not?

'96 Yanks roster was made up of mostly homegrown players, sprinkled with veterans at catcher, pitcher and a couple of other positions, had a new manager and won it all.

'06 Tigers roster was made up of mostly homegrown players, sprinkled with veterans at catcher, pitcher (et al.), had a new manager and Might win it all.

'96 Yanks had a hard throwing bridge to a veteran closer.

'06 Tigers - same thing.

'96 Yanks won 92 regular season games.
'06 Tigers won 95.

Look at the homegrown pitching staff of Detroit: Verlander, Robertson, Bonderman, Zumaya.

Yanks homegrown staff included Pettite, Rivera, Mendoza

etc.

Surely we can recognize the formula that built the late-90s success?

It was simply repeated by Dave Dombroski of the Tigers. (and they, unlike the Yankees, have continued to build up their farm system; the yanks are rebuilding their farm system).

So perhaps, Mr. Steinbrenner, the person you ought to fire is yourself, for failing to continue the model of success that Michel/Watson et al established in the early to mid 90s and for repeating your own mistakes of the 1980s (free agents, declining production players, players OTH).

Perhaps now you will stop salivating at 40 yr old pitchers and start drafting 20 year old pitchers that can be developed into dominant starters/relievers.

Perhaps now you will stop trying to get the next big foreign name, and draft some talent for over the next 5 years you will need a first baseman, a third baseman, a shortstop, a centerfielder, a catcher and a rightfielder and a closer.

Perhaps now you will stop whining in the NY media about winning today when you have little prospect for winning tomorrow without being forced to shell out another billion dollars on the FA market.

The Tigers were no accident - they followed the model NY Yankees of the mid-90s. And they beat this collection of high-priced all stars...pretty soundly.

Some whiners seem to forget too, the Tigers beat Minnesota, beat Chicago, owned their division, owned the NL in interleague play and took 5-9 from Oakland. They did belong in the postseason.

Given Randy Johnson's struggles all season, does he become the #3 or, if Lidle continues to impress, the #4 starter now if (when) NY makes the playoffs?

Rotation
Mussina
Wang
Johnson
Lidle

Bullpen
Wright/Ponson (long)
Proctor/Villone/Farnsworth/Dotel (maybe) (short)
Myers (specialty)
and Rivera to close (obviously)

That's 12, can Torre carry a 13th guy? A 14th?
In the divisional series, Johnson could very well be the weak link if he continues to pitch poorly. Lidle in the playoffs is an unknown to me...so can Mussina and Wang carry it?

Or does Cashman need ANOTHER starting pitcher?

For the season - RJ vs.

Boston (1-1)
Oakland (1-2)
LAA (0-1)
Seattle (0-1)
Det (1-0)
Min (NR)
Chi (ND) (but NY won the game, so count it 1-0)

that's a 4-5 record against likely playoff teams. and, he'll probably face Boston, Seattle, Chicago, Det and Min over the next 4 weeks. And unless he wins 3-4 of those starts, he could carry a losing record against playoff teams.

Creative solution that won't happen: Johnson can pitch 3 innings, Wright pitch 5 (since it's all he's good for) and MO for 1 -- that would solve it!

Any thoughts?

So who has it tougher?

Beginning August 8, NY has 21 games in 20 days, and through early Sept play against 6 teams contending (Seattle, LA, Boston, Chicago, Min, Det)

NY schedule after Baltimore/travel day on Monday

ChiSox (3) away

LAA (4) -- this is the tough series

Bal (3)

Bos (5) away

Sea (3) away

LAA (3) away

-off-

Det (3)

Min (3)

KC (3) away

That's 21 games in 20 days; no off day for travel west (so coming off an emotional series against Boston, they get a 3k mile trek west to Seattle, hooray). I never like seeing the Angels in August but they gotta beat 'em.

Boston has

KC (3 free games) away

Bal (3)

Det (3)

-off-

NY (5)

LAA (3) away

Sea (3) away

Oak (3) away

Tor (3)

Chi (3)

Credit the schedule makers with some fairness -- both teams go west at the same time. Boston has the front end easier, back end tougher (extra 3 games with Oakland) and an off day before the Yanks come to town. But 9/7 is their next off day, so, could this be Boston's big fade?

So who has the tougher ugly stretch?