Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Let's get right into it. The Yankees just made three roster moves. The first was obvious: Dan Giese, who left Wednesday's game with shoulder tendonitis, has been placed on the DL and replaced with Chris Britton, who will reprise his role as roster filler until the Yankees are forced to call up a fifth starter, likely Phil Hughes, next weekend.
The second was somewhat overdue. Melky Cabrera, who has hit .226/.274/.293 since May 1, was optioned to triple-A and replaced by Brett Gardner. In fairness to the Yankees, they tried to motivate this exchange in early July by calling up Gardner and giving him 16 starts in an 18-game stretch (enabled by Johnny Damon's shoulder injury), but Gardner made Melky look like Mickey Mantle by hitting .153/.227/.169. As I reported in my Farm Report this morning, Gardner got back in the grove after his late-July demotion, hitting .339/.429/.390* in his return engagement in Scranton. He also returns to the Bronx coming off a 3 for 4 day (with a triple) and on a seven-game hitting streak. After his July performance, it's difficult to say Gardner couldn't be worse than Melky, and there's legitimate concern that his total lack of power will allow major league pitchers to challenge him and thus negate his ability to draw walks, which is a huge part of his game, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and this doesn't even qualify as the latter.
Gardner will start in center tonight and bat eighth ahead of Andy Pettitte's new personal catcher, Jose Molina. It remains to be seen if Joe Girardi will platoon the lefty-hitting Gardner with the right-handed Justin Christian, though one suspects he will. The way I see it, if they're going to give Gardner a second chance, they might as well let him play full time, though certainly Gardner's performance will play a large part in determining how much playing time he loses to Christian. As for Melky, he'll be back when rosters expand in two weeks.
The third and final transaction saw the Yankees call up Cody Ransom, whom I also discussed in my Farm Report, and release Richie Sexson. I have to say, I'm confused about this one. Sexson was hitting .250/.371/.393 as a Yankee, which isn't season-changing, but if nothing else, gave the Yankees a solid on-base performance from a bench player. Against lefties, Sexson hit .273/.393/.455 as a Yankee, which meant he was doing what the Yankees picked him up to do. Ransom, as I said in my Farm Report, is essentially a right-handed Wilson Betemit, but five years older and with a fraction of the big league experience. Originally a shortstop, Ransom can play all four infield positions and spot in the outfield. He transitioned to third base in 2006, but in the wake of the Alberto Gonzalez trade was moved back to short in Scranton a couple of weeks ago. He's got some pop in his bat (22 homers in 116 games for Scranton this year, 49 in 257 games over his last two minor league seasons), but his plate discipline is ordinary at best and he strikes out a lot and hits for a low average.
Other than position flexibility, I'm not sure what Ransom offers that would be enough for the Yankees to pass on having Sexson on the bench earning the major league minimum. Derek Jeter's in the lineup tonight at shortstop, so it doesn't seem as though his bruised instep is enough of a problem to motivate a roster move that costs the team a productive player. The only thing I can think of is that having the extra infielder on hand will allow Joe Girardi to apply some pressure to Robinson Cano, whose play over the past two weeks has become downright problematic as he's made numerous mental mistakes on the bases and in the field, enough so that his effort and concentration have been called into question (Cano's also hitting .210/.279/.323 since the end of the Yankees' eight-game winning streak coming out of the All-Star break). Still, I'm not sure it was necessary to release Sexson in order to give either Betemit or Ransom some starts at second base. Besides which, Cano's in the lineup tonight in his usual spot.
Still, it seems to me that these last two moves are designed primarily to make the C + C Music Factory sweat, while giving Girardi some viable alternatives in the meantime. Sexson's departure doesn't represent a huge loss, particularly with Jason Giambi having heated back up (.288/.447/.515 since the day before the All-Star break, .364/.533/.773 on the just-completed road trip), but Cody Ransom, a career .236/.331/.364 hitter in 140 major league bats at age 31, is still a downgrade, no matter what positions he can play.
*the stats in my Farm Report don't include Thursday's games; these do
With all of that said, looking at the standings, the Yankees are 6.5 games behind the Red Sox in the Wild Card race. They have six games remaining against the Sox. What that extra .5 means is that, even if the Yankees were to sweep the Sox in those six games (an extremely unlikely scenario), they still wouldn't pass Boston to earn the Wild Card unless they also out-played the Sox against third-party opponents. With just 41 games left, 15 of which are against the Sox, Rays, and Angels, things look as bleak for the Yankees right now as they've looked at any point since 1993, Cody Ransom or no Cody Ransom.
The good news is that the Yankees just had an off day yesterday, have another on Monday, and will send their top three pitchers against the Royals this weekend. If that can't get them up off the mat, then things are even worse than they seem. Then again, one of those top three pitchers is Sidney Ponson and the Yanks are 3-4 against the Royals on the season, including a four-game split at the Stadium in early June.
In the Yankees' defense, June was a good month for Kansas City, as the Royals went 16-11 (.593). The rest of the year, the Royals have played down to their Pythagorean record (see below) with a .404 winning percentage. Gil Meche, who starts tonight, broke a streak of four straight wins (1.71 ERA) with a no-decision against the Twins his last time out (6 IP, 4 R). Of note, Meche has walked 12 men in his last 12 1/3 innings, but in his last 32 2/3 he's struck out 33 and not allowed a single home run.
As I mentioned above, Andy Pettitte starts for the Yanks tonight. Pettitte rebounded from a pair of ugly outings (0-2, 12.19 ERA) with seven strong innings against the Angels in his last start, but failed to get a win as Damaso Marte and Mariano Rivera blew the game in the ninth.
Kansas City Royals
2008 Record: 54-67 (.446)
2008 Pythagorean Record: 50-71 (.410)
Manager: Trey Hillman
General Manager: Dayton Moore
Home Ballpark (multi-year Park Factors): Kauffman Stadium (103/104)
Who's Replacing Whom:
Billy Butler (minors) replaces Joey Gathright (DL)
Jason Smith (minors) replaces Mark Grudzielanek (DL)
Mitch Maier (minors) replaces Alberto Callaspo (DL)
Leo Nuñez (DL) replaces Yasuhiko Yabuta (minors)
Josh Newman (minors) replaces Jimmy Gobble (minors)
Robinson Tejada replaces Brett Tomko
25-man Roster:
1B - Ross Gload (L)
2B - Esteban German (R)
SS - Mike Aviles (R)
3B - Alex Gordon (L)
C - John Buck (R)
RF - Jose Guillen (R)
CF - David DeJesus (L)
LF - Mark Teahen (L)
DH - Billy Butler (R)
Bench:
L - Jason Smith (IF)
R - Tony Peña Jr. (IF)
L - Mitch Maier (OF)
R - Miguel Olivo (C)*
Rotation:
R - Gil Meche
R - Brian Bannister
R - Luke Hochevar
R - Kyle Davies
R - Zack Greinke
Bullpen:
R - Joakim Soria
R - Ramon Ramirez
L - Ron Mahay
R - Leo Nuñez
L - Josh Newman
R - Joel Peralta
R - Robinson Tejeda
15-day DL: R - Mark Grudzielanek (2B), L - Joey Gathright (OF), S - Alberto Callaspo (IF)
60-day DL: R - Luke Hudson, L - John Bale, R - Ryan Braun
Lineup:
R - Mike Aviles (SS)
L - Mark Teahen (LF)
L - David DeJesus (CF)
R - Jose Guillen (RF)
R - Billy Butler (DH)
L - Alex Gordon (3B)
L - Ross Gload (1B)
R - John Buck (C)
R - Esteban German (2B)
*serving the final three games of a four-game suspension; Maier is the emergency backup catcher
wow ... gardner's so fast he can start the same game twice and still be in bed before the light goes out ...
(The old one I left behind when I was twelve. Luckily Public Enemy is still with me. I was a confused child.)
I tend to think this is what needed to happen (something certainly did), but now that it has, I have to admit it makes me a little sad.
I can only imagine how Melky must be feeling. After all this time, after all this opportunity, to go from starting centerfielder of the New York Yankees back to AAA at this point of his career has got to be a shock.
I sure hope the coaching staff knows what it's doing and can help him do whatever he needs to do.
Fare thee well, Melky.
A-Jax is spending the whole year in AA.
Melky never spent one year at the same level, until he reached the majors.
Otherwise, is there anything you can put your finger on that you think he needs to hone?
For my part, I guess the most glaring thing is that over his term here he seems to have lost all conception of the strike zone. Also, he can't hit breaking pitches or recognize them in time to lay off.
And he just never seems to hit the ball squarely.
Man, I'd like to have cause for optimism (I really like the guy) but it sure looks bleak for the Melkman.
-Beavis
I also think it may be a wakeup call to Robbie as well. I hate to put Melky in this light, but this is an 'addition by subtraction' move. The dynamic these 2 bring to the ballpark is now a bad one. It needed to be broken.
Should Brett be batting 9th (2nd lead off)?
Is JD hurting? If not, how about Nady in RF and Booby as DH?
I know zero about his work ethic, so I won't say he needs to work harder, but it's clear he's not tapping his full potential and it's becoming painful to watch.
I guess maybe it's what people felt about Strawberry, why they felt so let down by a player who had seemingly limitless potential but (and this, obviously, is the killer 'but') for the demons in his head.
Poor Straw.
I really hope Robby can figure it out and achieve the consistent greatness he's capable of. Anything less is just sad.
Meanwhile, Girardi sure is treating Damon like he's hurting, otherwise Bobby as DH makes a lot of sense at this point.
9 I'd say just his overall approach at the plate. And yes, 8 , I would say he was clearly rushed, but he was the team's best option at the time as they were still propping up Bernie in center. Heck, they tried to rush him even faster, but he played his way back to double-A in a heartbeat in 2005.
It just started here (in New Haven), but it's just a steady medium-grade sprinkle.
Man, how frustrating, to be reduced to waiting to see a truly exasperating team play baseball. I guess, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde, only one thing in the world worse than watching a wretched team play baseball, and that's not watching that team play baseball.
My guess is they swapped Sexson for Ransom because Jeter's foot injury drove home how thin they are at SS. They could use A-Rod or Betemit in an emergency, but with the Attorney General gone, there's really no one you can start at SS if you want to DH Jeter, or give him a day off.
I've been wondering what they were going to do about SS depth ever since Gonzalez was traded. I thought it might be Nick Green again...
Maybe I'll get to see Melky next week...
It's just so much more laid back. They're happy to see a paying customer. At Scranton, they don't even search your bags. People bring in coolers full of food. Dunno if they're supposed to or not, but nobody gives them a hard time. I bring in a camera with a monopod and a huge lens, and no one minds. After the fifth inning or so, you can usually move down to the front row if you want.
Mudhens/Fifth-Third Field is one thing Toledo has done right.
Pawtucket has berm seating. They usually allow you to bring in food if you're sitting on the berm.
I drove past the exit to Fifth Third Field last May. If I'd been alone, I'd have stopped and taken in a game, but my friend had to get home.
33 I usually just show up and buy my ticket then. But then, I always do that. I'm kind of a last-minute type when it comes to baseball games.
I usually go when I'm not expecting it to be crowded (weekdays), and the stands are usually pretty empty. Might be different on weekends.
That's just not good.
I've had that happen to me before (I suppose we all have) in personal or professional relationships.
That's a horrid feeling.
Textbook.
GOOD.
pull. the. fucking. ball.
Btw, anyone hear any news on how Jorgie and Pudge are getting on?
I mean, for the love of all things holy, is it that hard to score one motherfucking run?
www.immaculateinning.com
Love the aggressive baserunning.
Ok, let's charge, sticks!
They also said Jorgie comforted Melky after he got the bad news.
He has been consistent, so that's something.
He must have got just under it.
Damn it.
...sorry I am addicted to pitch f/x data. Maybe I need help...
Is it that hard to make contact with the baseball?
Jesus, chill the fuck out, bats!
With an eye like his, he could be batting .330.
Anyway, strike three, surprise, surprise.
Tough to score runs that way.
And Derek, you know, he steals second base and then is stranded there by two Ks.
That's unacceptable.
Everyone has to do their part.
this team is stunningly creative in their ability to find new ways to impress with their sucking
Or should I say....SHELLY LONG!
The one coach whom I think has done at least a decent job is Eiland. Other than he and Pena, the Yankee coaching staff should look a lot different next year.
When Jeter GIDP or someone triples with nobody out and we don't get a run in, Long is in the dugout, out of sight out of mind.
And, I think we've lost more games this year because of hitting with RISP than Meacham. Again, I want Meacham gone too. I just want Long gone first. Hell, they should hire him again so they can immediately fire him again. They could have a "fire Long" contest.
I agree with you about Eiland and Pena.
The announcer mentioned the other day when Bobby swung at a first pitch, that it was only his 3rd time ALL SEASON swinging at a first pitch. His 3rd time ALL SEASON. These guys know about approach. Every commenter on every blog can see them flailing away. But they continue to do it.
I don't think it's on Long.
If it's me, I start fining guys who don't listen to the team's philosophy.
These guys need a shovel to the head.
90 Nady must have stayed away from Long so far.
Disgraceful.
Good God, that's extraordinary.
Inconceivable, even.
He's just what the doctor ordered.
if for example, the question was "how can we make william's season a never-ending torment of irritation?" ... i'd say 40 games of brett gardner is a pretty good answer ...
105 That makes sense then. Gardner inspires all those Tony Womack feelings I thought I had been rid of.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/2006.shtml
We are desparate for a Win...
We at at Home...
After a day off...
Against the 2nd worst team in the AL...
How we doin'?
Good God, how we needed that.
Whew.
Ahhh.
Now, maybe we can score half a run here?
Could have been worse.
I had visions of 6-0 flash through my head.
RichieSexson 4.74
Bobby Abreu 4.28
Jason Giambi 4.25
BrettGardner 4.21
John Damon 4.09
.
.
.
Derek- Jeter 3.74
MelkyCabrera 3.67
RobinsonCano 3.37
top 15 picks cannot be lost in free agent compensation.
also, picks received as compensation cannot be lost as compensation ...
it's why we could be looking very good in next year's draft, even if we were to sign several type A free agents ...
How are we gonna fuck up this one?
[Jeb raising hand quickly]
That's why he does it.
It's not always prudent, but it's really his style.
Next time.
At least we got the one.
And nice play, Alex.
i guess torre wanted a chance to finish the job ...
Improvement by Jason, too.
Improvement by Cano.
You're right. At this rate we may win a game before September.
(but I do appreciate the positive attitude).
Even when Robby was great he struggled with RISP, didn't he?
It's just so tragic, seeing as how otherwise, when he's on, he's the perfect number three hitter.
God, is there any chance we can actually win this game?
Please?
He hasn't killed anybody yet.
If YOU were managing this team, could YOU say the same?
Really. Think about it.
Coed or male?
I used to play slow pitch (and would love to again if I can find a team), but never saw a fast-pitch league.
God, I'd love to try it someday.
Point taken.
All right, Team, here we go again...
WE ACTUALLY SCORED SOME RUNS?
That's a boy!
Thanks for stepping up for Andy.
I mean, there's adrenaline in slow pitch too, of course, but without fear of getting hurt, it's tempered.
Maybe I'll look around the area for a league. Is yours a national league? Does it have a name?
Eddie Feigner traveled more than 100 countries and entertained over 20,000,000 fans as the King and His Court. Best known as the King of Softball, Eddie has showcased his pitching skills by striking out Major League Baseball stars Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew and Roberto Clemente in succession.
During his playing career, Eddie Feigner:
* Logged over 3.5 million miles
* Recorded more than 141,000 strikeouts
* Pitched in 10,000+ games
* Pitched 238 perfect games
* Pitched 1,916 shutouts
* Pitched 930 no-hitters
* And recorded a total of 8,270 victories.
http://www.kingandhiscourt.com/index.htm
If Gerrit Cole follows through and goes to UCLA as he has said, then Stanford lefthander Jeremy Bleich will be the Yankees' top signee from the 2008 draft. The Yankees signed Bleich Friday night, though terms of the deal have not been reported. A supplemental first-rounder, Bleich reportedly did not exceed MLB's bonus recommendation for his No. 44 slot, believed to be $863,000.
And he had heart!
I guess A-Rod has plenty of room these days...
Really, he's good in AAA?
Maybe somehow his slap approach works against lower-velocity pitching?
I have no idea.
Did you hear what the deal was? Did he get the major league contract he wanted?
I'm speechless.
A wp.
Of all possible things.
A wp from Mariano.
Just...dumbfounded.
I can't believe this is how we're going to lose this game.
It's just so fucking poetic, so grotesque, so ironic.
A wild pitch from Mariano who never ever throws wild pitches and always, always pisses away a non-save situation.
You can't make this stuff up.
Hey... maybe it will come down to ARod again!
That worked so well with Wily Mo Pena...
now.
Just when I was starting to feel a whiff of excitement.
Year/OPS in Tie games
2002/.424
2003/.494
2004/.653
2005/.603
2006/1.019
2007/.772
2008/.926
When you play like crap and fill out your roster with minor league filler, you lose games. We really shouldn't be shocked, nor should Girardi.
Good lord.
Nice hit, Derek.
First pitch... fastball up and in.
Whoosh!!!
Nady, you can do it man, I'm feeling confident!!
It's Jason.
Come on, you big lug!
October
And the trees are stripped bare
Of all they wear
What do I care
October
And kingdoms rise
And kingdoms fall
But you go on...and on...
The Royals...?!
We're talking about PRACTICE...
What's he going to hit, if not that?
You can't miss that pitch when you're the man on the fucking ball club.
The thing was served up on a tee.
;)
Still, I'll be back a watching em tomorrow...
Maybe they'll go on a Rockiesesque winning streak, but I doubt it. This isn't a good team, its not a bad team, its just a mediocre one and in the AL East mediocre gets you third (or gasp, even fourth) place.
The same goes for designated hitter Hideki Matsui, who homered in Class A Tampa's doubleheader Friday.
Joe? Joe??? THE FUCKING SEASON IS OVER!!!!!!
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