Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Generosity

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Generosity

2007-06-27 12:11

by Cliff Corcoran

The Yankees are such a giving ballclub. The Giants had lost seven in a row entering last weekend's series with the Yankees. "Don't be glum, chums," said the benevolent Yanks, "have two of three from us, please." The Giants gladly accepted.

The Orioles had won three of five prior to last night, but had been in a freefall before that, going 2-14 with their big, mean owner firing their poor, defenseless manager. "Do not dispair, friends," said the compassionate Yankees, "if you're not ahead come your final at bat, we'll find a way to get you a walkoff win that will lift your spirits." The Orioles soon found that the Yankees were men of their word.

Tonight the Yankees look to continue their philanthropic tour of the gloomy gusses of baseball. Roger Clemens will make his fourth start of the season coming off an inefficient dud of an outing in Colorado (4 1/3 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 HR, 90 pitches) and a dispiriting relief outing in San Francisco (allowing an seventh-inning insurance run in what had been a 3-1 game).

There's reason for hope, however. Clemens has thus far posted a career-best strikeout rate (11.21 K/9) and near-best K/BB ratio (4.40), but has been undone by a staggering .370 opponents' batting average on balls in play. His distribution of singles and extra base hits has actually been very good (15 of his 20 hits allowed have been singles, that's 75 percent compared to roughly 72 percent for both Andy Pettitte and Chien-Ming Wang, the team's two best starters, who also happen to be groundballers). That means Clemens is not getting hit hard, he's just been unlucky. His luck should even out as his performance is buoyed further by the fact that he's still rounding into midseason form. The only real concern is that Roger has been remarkably inefficient, throwing a career-high 4.19 pitches per plate appearance, which means he's pitching like a man facing an endless string of Jason Giambis and Bobby Abreus, just without all those pesky walks. Something has to give here somewhere.

Complicating matters is Clemens' opponent tonight, 28-year-old lefty Erik Bedard. Bedard, the Oriole ace, hasn't allowed more than three runs in a game since April, has failed to go six full innings just once since April 23, and hasn't been knocked out before the fifth yet this year. In May and June combined, Bedard has a 2.32 ERA and has struck out 79 in 66 innings and has struck out seven or more men in eight of his last ten games. That strikeout rate, which he's extended over the full season, marks a significant improvement in Bedard's game. He's always been a solid strikeout pitcher, K-ing about 7.9 men per nine innings in each of the last three seasons, but his rate is a staggering 10.89 K/9 this year, while his walk rate continues to decrease. More bad news: Bedard beat the Yanks in April, holding them to three runs on five hits and no walks over seven innings. Last year he posted a 2.25 ERA against the Bombers, striking out 14 of them in 12 innings while allowing just nine hits. None of this is encouraging for a team that has scored three or fewer runs in five of it's last seven games.

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Comments (204)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2007-06-27 15:23:26

1. Zack

If it weren't for Bedard being on my fantasy team, I would say tonight looks to be a total loss...again...

Cliff, your lead sure is a downer, and yet, pretty much taps right into the mood du jour

2007-06-27 15:42:47

2. cult of basebaal

Lineups

YANKEES
Damon DH
Jeter SS
Matsui LF
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Abreu RF
Cabrera CF
Cano 2B
Cairo 1B

2007-06-27 15:47:50

3. cult of basebaal

jesus, i'm starting to feel like Cato ... like every post is going to have to end with the declaration, "CAIRO MUST BE DESTROYED!!!"

anyway, a new, ongoing service, daily updates on our favorite little firstbase gnome

Lil Miggy has come to the plate 43 times with runners on, with a total of 63 runners on base. 29 of those runners were on 1st, 23 on 2nd and 11 on 3rd.

He's driven in 5 of those runners. 5! 3 from 2nd and 2 from 3rd.

That's 7.9%.

That's currently the worst on the Yankees.

No one else is below 10%.

That's right, Miguel Cairo is worse than Wil Nieves, who's driven in 11.8%.

Josh Phelps was at 14.9%

Of the 172 players in the AL with at least 75 PA, Lil Miggy ranked 165th out of 172 in OBI%, ahead of only Nick Punto, Marco Scutaro, Paul Bako, Luis Rodriguez, Dioner Navarro and Pablo Ozuna.

He's 344 out of 361 amongst all ML'ers with at least 75 PA.

I sure wish I had him on my Hacking Mass team ...

CAIRO MUST BE DESTROYED!

2007-06-27 15:50:07

4. Zack

CAIRO DELENDA EST!

Does that make me sound a but too much like Bush and Baghdad? Sorry, had to say it...

2007-06-27 15:51:58

5. cult of basebaal

4 lil miggy even has a name that fits so well, WOMACK DELENDA EST didn't work nearly as nicely ...

2007-06-27 15:52:32

6. monkeypants

3 4 That should probably be:

Cairo delendo est.

(Latin is an inflected and gendered language.)

2007-06-27 15:54:22

7. cult of basebaal

4 i doubt the shrub could tell you who cato was, where or what carthage was, or why you couldn't order a burrito using "latin" ...

2007-06-27 15:55:36

8. cult of basebaal

6 well, cairo hits like a girl ...

2007-06-27 15:55:42

9. Zack

6 Thats true, I suppose as is it REALLY sounds like I am a war hawk...

2007-06-27 15:56:59

10. Zack

8 I would venture a guess there are many girls that would find their hitting skills being compared to Cairo's quite insulting...

2007-06-27 15:59:03

11. monkeypants

3 I don't know why you're upset. Haven't you learned:

1. Miggy got a couple of hits last night, so he deserves to start today.
2. When he doesn't get a hit, it doesn't matter because we don't expect much from him.
3. It's not his fault; it's really everyone else in lineup for not 'carrying' him like they are supposed to.
4. It's not Torre's fault for starting him, because he has won 11 straight penants.
5. You can't possibly think that Torre has made a mistake, because he has won 11 straight penants.
6. You can't complain about Miggy in the lineup, because that means you are giving everyone else on the team a free pass.

2007-06-27 16:03:49

12. Zack

11 I'll take issue with #6 there, b/c I take issue with EVERYONE on the lineup, and really, it is their fault in the end. I know this is rehashing the argument from last post or so, but as far as major league managers/coaches, theur role in actually getting performance out of a player is minimal. Joe has screwed up the tactical stuff, and maybe isn't so good at sheidling his players anymore (although you notice that its still a pretty tight ship), but he really has nothing to do with the player hitting performance. I guess blame that on the hitting coach if you must, but among Joe's many faults (for which he deserves to go as wrong manager for wrong team), he simply has no control over the ability of player's to play. Its not football where its all about the right guy in the right position etc and the coach is the "master tactician"...

2007-06-27 16:15:30

13. Jim Dean

I have to say it's nice listening to Thorn and Palmer on MASN. Beter than anything the Yankees offer.

Anyway - stat of the night: Yanks are 8-16 against the AL EAST.

It will be interesting to see who's head explodes first from lack of run support - Pettitte or Clemens.

2007-06-27 16:16:16

14. monkeypants

12 I'm just repeating the arguments I read--Miggy is not 'the problem,' everyone else is. So, to complain about Miggy is implicitly to let all the 'real' culprits off the hook. I'm a true believer now.

2007-06-27 16:17:18

15. Jim Dean

YES.com had Dave Roberts leading off.

When things are going bad, even the typos fuck with us.

2007-06-27 16:18:52

16. Jim Dean

Chris Gomez was a free agent in the off-season. But since Cairo was available...

2007-06-27 16:23:28

17. vockins

Holy empty seats, Batman...

I guess if there's an upside to this descent, it's that we all get to buy tickets at the box office on the day of the game again.

2007-06-27 16:24:26

18. Jim Dean

Wow, maybe Bedard will strike out 27 tonight. That would be fun to watch.

2007-06-27 16:25:45

19. Marcus

Time for a bunt....

2007-06-27 16:28:04

20. Jim Dean

17 It's alot of no-shows - Yankee fans probably. I tried seeing what Ticketmaster had, and the seats availabe were pretty crappy.

Still, I'm think of heading to the Yard tomorrow. Buying the cheapest seat then sneaking behind homeplate. I just want to start the:

Fi-re Tor-re. (clap clap clap-clap-clap)
Fi-re Tor-re. (clap clap clap-clap-clap)
Fi-re Tor-re. (clap clap clap-clap-clap)
Fi-re Tor-re. (clap clap clap-clap-clap)

Boy, that would be cathartic, especially if I was close enough so he could hear me.

2007-06-27 16:30:36

21. cult of basebaal

20 if he's still around in mid-august, i'll going out the games in ANA, bringing a collection of appropriate signs and paying for close seats opposite the yankees dugout

of course, you're far more likely to make yourself heard with all the no shows in camden yards

2007-06-27 16:37:49

22. cult of basebaal

so, if Cairo has to play tonite, WTF isn't he playing 2nd to give Cano a rest against a tough lefty???

2007-06-27 16:40:16

23. cult of basebaal

CAIRO DELENDA EST!

2007-06-27 16:42:52

24. Marcus

20 Wasn't it you who had some similar taunts for Bernie at Camden Yard? Maybe you'll run into Torre on the street after the game and you can run through some suggestions for him.

2007-06-27 16:43:36

25. Marcus

24 I guess I shouldn't say "similar taunts". I think it was that you suggested Bernie should bat only right handed?

2007-06-27 16:50:46

26. iicollies

Clemens 29 pitches

Bedard 47 pitches

after 3 innings

2007-06-27 16:55:04

27. Yankee Fan in Chicago

Richie Sexson sux so much he should play for us -- pops out on the 1st pitch from Pamplemousse w/ runner on 3rd 1 out, b9th.

Meanwhile -- how could Ichiro not score from 2nd on a single?

2007-06-27 16:55:34

28. OldYanksFan

RISP OPS:
Matsui: .783
Damon: .756
Aberu: .667
Cairo: .556
Cano_: .532
Melky: .496

3 When did RBIs become a valid stat?

So... is Miggy THE problem, or the smallest of MANY problems?

Miggy is a no-impact benchplayer who was hired to fill in when someone is injured or needs a late innings rest.

Matsui, Damon, Aberu, Cano and Melky are 5 starters, 55% of our offensive output.

Who should WE EXPECT more from?

How many ABs does Miggy have this year?
How many ABs do the 5 guys above total.
Divide Miggys ABs by total Yankee ABs. What the %age?
Now divide the 5 guys ABs by total Yankee ABs. What the %age?

So you want Phillips at first? OK. Take his numbers divided by Miggys numbers.. that the %age improvement. How many games more will we win?

Is this the answer? Fire Joe and put Phillips, or S. Duncan at first? This is why we are under .500?

2007-06-27 16:56:17

29. monkeypants

22 That's crazy! Why would you play your starting firstbaseman at second?

2007-06-27 17:00:40

30. monkeypants

28 By this logic, the 'real' problem(s) are players underperforming, which can't really be changed. The unimportant problems--and really, are they problems?--are those things that can easily be changed. But since they are the 'smallest' problem(s), they shyouldn't be changed. So the solution: do nothing.

I'm convinced!

2007-06-27 17:02:51

31. atc

27 Any chance Joe was taking notes on how Francona just managed his bullpen?

2007-06-27 17:04:05

32. Jim Dean

24 Good memory. It was and I did. Had a nice discussion about the splits :) then I told him I love him. I felt like a kid - albeit a smart-alecky one.

I would absolutely love to grill Torre on the Jeff Weaver Syndrome (I'd even call it that) and his need to start Cairo. Then I'd tell him he needs to retire even as he's still a HOFer.

BTW: If you're ever at a Camden game, I'm told it's pretty easy to meet the players. Most of them walk back to the team hotel. You just have to be willing to wait around after the game. Players entrance is right around the corner from the box office. Bernie, being the fastest to dress, proved the point!

2007-06-27 17:05:06

33. monkeypants

Did the Orioles announcer just say something like: "these days, in the American League, I don't think you bunt because you don't want to give up an out to the opposing pitcher?"

That's crazy talk!

2007-06-27 17:05:48

34. Jim Dean

30 I admire your effort. But OYF reasoned in Jan they could "afford" to carry Mfhdfjx. If nothing else, he's consistent.

2007-06-27 17:07:33

35. cult of basebaal

28 ummm, look again, i'm not using RBI's, i'm presenting miggy's futility by opportunity, or OBI, which IS a telling stat, since it's rate based, not counting

Is Cairo THE REASON for this season?

Obviously, not.

But when your big guys are struggling, every little bit helps. And Torre's continued insistence on wasting at-bats on Cairo speak volumes ...

Torre hasn't given Phillips a chance. Isn't going to give Phillips a chance, because everything he does says he thinks Cairo is good enough, that the fact that he likes "Cairo's approach" means he doesn't consider Cairo a problem needing solving, which is just wrong.

A team that starts miguel cairo at 1st base deserves every loss it has coming ...

2007-06-27 17:10:32

36. Jim Dean

35 I loved 3. It's a very telling stat, but I suspect too sophisticated for some.

2007-06-27 17:14:04

37. Jim Dean

24 Best part of that memory (I have to keep reminding myself cause I'll forget the detail): When it came time to go our separate ways (me on my bike), Bernie reached out his hand to shake mine.

Sad that Bernie could have started tonight and eould have batted sixth. Probably would have started in CF too.

2007-06-27 17:16:28

38. OldYanksFan

30 What would you suggest? I personally don't like seeing Miggy play first.

34 Believe it or not Jim, there are 1 or 2 players who start for a team because they offer above average D even though they offer avg. to below avg offense. Coco Crisp? But I guess his below average offense has de-railed his team.

However, had I known that Matsui, Damon, Abreu, Cano and Melky would average between the 5 of them, a RISP OPS of .647 (Crisp is .644), I would have gotten Dunn or someone of that ilk.

I was not happy about the DougOut signing. I did and do like good D at first. I loved watching Mattingly in the field. It's nice to see a few errors )more then a few actually, over a season) turned into outs. I simply felt the negative impact of DougOut compared to who else seemed available would not cost us that much.

2007-06-27 17:23:05

39. Jim Dean

Last time Mfghjgsdk was an above average glove at 1B?

2002 (109 RATE).

Since?

2003 - 101
2004 - 100 (MIN)
2004 - 96 (BOS)
2005 - 94
2006 - 93
2007 - 95

2007-06-27 17:24:39

40. Jim Dean

Good eye Robbie!

2007-06-27 17:25:28

41. vockins

Holy crap, that walk was as good as a HR to me. Sweet.

2007-06-27 17:26:11

42. Jim Dean

Okay - Thorne being dumb:

"Joe Torre's really had to manage."

2007-06-27 17:26:46

43. Zack

Wait, theres a game on? Shucks, coulda fooled me...

2007-06-27 17:26:56

44. monkeypants

38 Sorry, Coco Crisp was signed as a FA OPS+ seasons of 106 and 119, going into his year 26 season. All indications were that he was developing into a slugging CF who already could play great D. Now they are stuck with him, though the D is a nice consolation.

Re: 30 I told you, I wouldn't change anything, because it's not worth fixing the 'little problems.' I've come around.

2007-06-27 17:29:04

45. cult of basebaal

44 well, given Miggy's stature, he certainly is our "little problem" ...

2007-06-27 17:29:21

46. monkeypants

]36] Sorry, I'm not buying it anymore. Batting with RISP counts more. Like that last ground out by Cairo--that doesn't count because it wasn't with RISP.

2007-06-27 17:29:34

47. OldYanksFan

35 I agree. Miggy should not be playing first. Phillips should. It would be a small improvement. Torre's bad. But a small improvement simply makes us a .520 team.

Cano leads the Yankees in RBI opportunities. His RISP BA is .207 and OPS is .532. Melky's RISP OPS is UNDER .500.

Where's the hate? The snide comments? Gee, can't you guys 'rank' on Cano/Melky?

My reaction is to the amount of hate Cairo gets. He has at least been a positive on D and on the bases. Joe shouldn't be starting him at first. He's a low paid, low production BUIF.

But this 'Hate Fest' is WAY over the top.
Inappropriate. Fast approaching infantile. How about some critical thinking about the OTHER 24 guys.

Has this site been reduced to making fun of Miguel Cairo?

2007-06-27 17:29:47

48. Zack

Well at least the Sox just got swept by the mariners...too bad we couldn't gain a single game!!!

2007-06-27 17:30:07

49. ChrisS

"However, had I known that Matsui, Damon, Abreu, Cano and Melky would average between the 5 of them, a RISP OPS of .647"

The thing is that all of those players have, and can again, hit well. I never expected much from Damon, that was a poor signing. But Cairo has shown no past ability to be anything better than a replacement level player.

I fully expect Cano to rebound, Melky is having a fine June since getting consistent starts in CF, and Abreu is recovering from a god awful May.

Can I reasonably expect Cairo to perform at a level consistent with league average first basemen? No.

2007-06-27 17:36:48

50. Jim Dean

47 You don't seem to realize that Cano and Melky are very capable of doing better.

Cairo isn't.

Cano and Melky offer well above average defense at their positions.

Cairo doesn't.

Cano and Melky, even with their struggles, are probably right around league average in hitting for their positions.

Cairo is the worst 1B, by far, in the league.

Cano and Melky can't be easily replaced, through trades or through the farm.

The Yanks have had at least four guys (Pena, Phillips, Phelps, S.Duncan) in their system in the last year that would contribute more than Cairo.

Cairo is a HUGE problem becuase of how horrible he is relative to all other 1B's and how easily he could be replaced. I don't understand why this is so difficult to understand.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2007-06-27 17:38:11

51. ChrisS

addiitonally, the easiest solution on this team is to bench Cairo.

Getting a replacement for Cano, Melky, or Abreu is lot more tricky than penciling in Andy Phillips name for a couple of weeks and giving him a better opportunity than 3 ABs and a seat on the bench (same for Phelps).

2007-06-27 17:38:52

52. cult of basebaal

47 hate? what hate? just because i proposed that he be razed to the ground and his fields furrowed with salt lest he rise again, doesn't mean i hate him.

2007-06-27 17:39:14

53. monkeypants

47 You misinterpret, I think, the 'hate fest': it's not against Cairo the person, but his inexcusable use as the starting 1B. You are right, he's a low paid BUIF of whom we have low expectation. So WHY is he starting every day at one of the most important slugging positions in the game? That is what starts the hate fest. Torre's predictability it putting him out there contributes to it. Silly attempts by fans to justify the move puts the fest over the top.

But I'm not speaking for myself--I'm convinced now.

2007-06-27 17:39:49

54. Hocakes

It's hard to believe that Clemens is making over a million dollars for this start(not that it's a bad start, but ANY one start for a million bucks is incredible), that's Benny Hinn territory.

2007-06-27 17:41:02

55. monkeypants

52 There is something sexual in there, I'm sure.

2007-06-27 17:41:05

56. Zack

54 Even more so b/c its utterly meaningless b/c this team is DITW...

2007-06-27 17:42:14

57. Jim Dean

54 Even harder to believe that at the end of the season, it won't have meant a damn thing.

Good thing Cashman saved so much money this off-season!

70 million between Igawa and Clemens alone.

2007-06-27 17:42:38

58. Max

Too bad this has become "miggy sucks" banter, because this is actually a pretty good game -- both pitchers doing a great job through five.

2007-06-27 17:42:52

59. Jim Dean

56 Great minds...

2007-06-27 17:43:23

60. Jim Dean

58 It is a great game. Too bad it's meaningless.

2007-06-27 17:43:24

61. ChrisS

54 It's hard to believe he hasn't struck anyone out tonight.

I thought the signing was pointless, but I was hoping he might be able to help out Phil with vet-to-rookie advice.

2007-06-27 17:44:21

62. cult of basebaal

remember that brief shining moment when it appeared that going to the chiropractor had miraculously fixed all that ailed johnny damon???

2007-06-27 17:45:26

63. Zack

Too bad Bedard is wasted on the O's...can we trade all of our aging, soon to be DH/1B types for him? I propose Damon, Matsui, Giambi, and Abreu for Bedard and Markakis! Do it!

2007-06-27 17:46:24

64. monkeypants

56 I don't feel 'bad' for Clemens, but part of me was hoping that if hung around pitching until this season, he might challenge Spahn for the most wins in the 'real' modern era (comparisons to earlier pitchers, even early 20th century, are pretty tough). Then again, after I bitched about Bonds and steroids, maybe I shouldn't be so concerned about Clemens.

2007-06-27 17:46:26

65. ChrisS

Bedard has serious skills.

2007-06-27 17:47:22

66. monkeypants

62 I don't know, I was always skeptical, an d I was certainly unhappy with that bad approach he took. He should be trying to make solid contact, not going for HRs.

2007-06-27 17:51:54

67. cult of basebaal

injury delay??? did the rocket go boom?

2007-06-27 17:53:15

68. Jim Dean

If you're going to be the trainer of a MLB team, shouldn't you at least try to stay in okay shape?

Mean Gene looks like he hasn't seen his toes since '85.

2007-06-27 17:53:38

69. randym77

The trainer went out to the mound, but Clemens stayed in. Dunno what the problem was.

2007-06-27 17:53:54

70. Jim Dean

67 He's complaining about the mound and the landing spot.

2007-06-27 17:59:55

71. Max

Oh well, it was looking like a good game.

2007-06-27 17:59:59

72. cult of basebaal

well ... that sure turned to shit fast, didn't it ...

2007-06-27 18:00:06

73. Paul in Boston

1) Jeter has no range up the middle. Fact.
2) No Ks for Clemens = eventual big inning.

2007-06-27 18:00:11

74. Jim Dean

Aubrey Huff = Free Agent = Dec 2006

2007-06-27 18:00:30

75. randym77

Ugh.

2007-06-27 18:01:06

76. monkeypants

Aubrey Huff HR = not winning baseball.

2007-06-27 18:01:33

77. randym77

The Orioles signed Huff instead of Craig Wilson.

I guess they made the right choice...

2007-06-27 18:02:15

78. Max

73 not really fair to Jeter, that was a pretty well hit ball. Not that it matters at this point.

2007-06-27 18:02:48

79.