Baseball Toaster: Bronx Banter : Offensive

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D. Mientkiewicz BR BP BC E MLB PIT
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J. Phelps BR BP BC E MLB STL
M. Cairo BR BP BC E MLB SEA
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Offensive

2007-06-28 12:50

by Cliff Corcoran

The Yankees have scored in just one of 18 innings in Baltimore. Chein-Ming Wang faces off against Daniel Cabrera as the Yanks try to save face (too late), but Wang won't matter tonight (like Clemens didn't matter yesterday) if the Yanks can't make hay against Cabrera, who has turned in a quality start in just five of his last 14 appearances, has a 5.93 ERA over his last seven, and has allowed six home runs in his last three.

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Comments (372)

Show/Hide Comments 1-50

2007-06-28 13:41:55

1. Vandelay Industries

I hate to say I finally agree that the Yankees are toast, but could you please pass the Jam?

I thought maybe they could turn it around, and maybe they still can. However, it just seems unlikely.

Johnny Damon is making noises about returning to Center, notwithstanding the fact that he is a liability offensively, and a serious downgrade defensively. Sit the fuck down Johnny and do what you're told. Folks still think Beltran was too expensive? Beltran is having a down year, but he's still a whole lot better than Damon, in the field, on the bases, and at the plate.

The offensive woes certanly shine a light on Cashman's incompetence. It was nice to see El Duque come out of the pen last night, and thank God we have Tony Clark to pinch hit with some pop. They both would have been so expensive to keep. Those prospects many applauded Cashman for keeping have turned out to be a pile of garbage. The Padres make a trade for Michael Barrett, opening up a real possibillity of a deal to bring Josh Bard to NY and move Jorge to First for the time being, solving our First Base woes. But alas, Cashman cant see the forest for the trees. Then again, who would want any of the life long minor league junk we have in our system?

That being said, we cannot hit, cannot protect our pitchers defensively, and cannot provide the fans with any hope that the 2007 Yankees are anything more than a laughing stock.

2007-06-28 14:26:19

2. Jim Dean

Courtesy of YES:

1. Johnny Damon DH
2. Derek Jeter SS
3. Hideki Matsui LF
4. Alex Rodriguez 3B
5. Jorge Posada C
6. Bobby Abreu RF
7. Melky Cabrera CF
8. Robinson Cano 2B
9. Andy Phillips 1B

1. Dave Roberts 2B
2. Brandon Fahey SS
3. Nick Markakis RF
4. Kevin Millar 1B
5. Aubrey Huff DH
6. Melvin Mora 3B
7. Jay Gibbons LF
8. Paul Bako C
9. Jay Payton CF

2007-06-28 14:41:11

3. Ron Burgundy

1 "Those Prospects" are all in the minors right now and Hughes is on the DL. Wang has been the ace for two years now, and Cano has shown he can hit (though he is killing me right now). "Those prospects" are the best group of pitching prospects in baseball. Who was the big bust? DeSalvo, the guy who isn't even considered a prospects? Wright was brought up from AA to face the Sawx, in Fenway Dump. Clippard so far has been the only real disappointment from the minors. Melky is a serviceable back-up outfielder (NOT starter). Chamberlain, Kennedy, Horne, and Betances are all good young pitchers. Hughes has filthy stuff. But Cash has made some mistakes, the biggest probably defending Joe from Big Stein after last year instead of letting him go and bringing in Girardi.

2007-06-28 14:47:02

4. Ron Burgundy

3 And Edwar Ramirez is still in AAA, as is [not really a prospect] Britton. Also, Darrel Rasner had a 4.01 ERA before going on the DL.

2007-06-28 14:47:16

5. JohnnyC

And he did that because he feared Piniella (George's preference) more than he objected to Torre. Hope Brian learns a big life lesson from this. The devil you know is not always better than the devil you don't. Ironically, it's been reported that George and his sons now believe Girardi's a better choice than Mattingly.

2007-06-28 14:55:32

6. weeping for brunnhilde

1 Ha ha aha haha!!!

Indeed, Vandelay.

What's old Johnny saying, exactly? I've not heard...

Oh, and I heard Joe on WFAN. Asked about why he didn't bring Mo into the tie game the other night said, "I don't really have a good reason except that I didn't want to use him for two innings."

He said something about needing to rely on someone other than Mo to get three outs in that spot anyway.

He sounded pretty lost, the poor guy.

2007-06-28 15:50:47

7. williamnyy23

4 By not getting a 1B (or useful bench player), promoting superior bullpen options, replacing a manager past his prime, etc., the Yankees organization has done very little to support the team. For that reason, I think Cashman's job has to be on the line too. Winning isn't an entitlement, but I think the entire organization (Fans, players, executives, etc.) is entitled to a full effort. That simply hasn't been the case this season.

2007-06-28 16:00:14

8. yankz

Tony Clark had an OPS+ of 59 last year, which is exactly what Miguel Cairo had. This place would've had Cash's head if he had signed Clark in the offseason.

2007-06-28 16:01:29

9. yankz

2 Damn, I knew he was fast, but running from SF to Baltimore that quickly is just nuts.

Also, Bard is now the SD BUC, IIRC. As we all know, even halfway decent BUC are rare, so I don't see why SD would want to get rid of him.

2007-06-28 16:07:55

10. williamnyy23

Great effort boys. Way to be patient against the walk machine.

2007-06-28 16:08:45

11. Ron Burgundy

Is it wrong that I'd rather watch a Spanish league soccer game on WorldSport HD than the Yankees game?

2007-06-28 16:13:36

12. williamnyy23

11 If you are a Yankee fan...yes. Well, at least it would be wrong if you do watch the soccer game (as opposed to rather).

2007-06-28 16:17:12

13. monkeypants

Didn't Singleton say something at the beginning of the game about "making Cabrera work"?

2007-06-28 16:23:06

14. cult of basebaal

13 why? cano's the lazy looking one, not melky ...

2007-06-28 16:23:44

15. Mattpat11

This "swing at everything Cabrera throws" plan is right up there with the "Wait Boomer Wells out" plan that leads to 8 Ks over 8 innings against him.

2007-06-28 16:31:24

16. williamnyy23

First pitch swing at a ball clearly off the plate...looks like the Yankees have another effective game plan working.

2007-06-28 16:31:30

17. Vandelay Industries

Cano and Cabrera were alreay with the big club, not prospects. Less Hughes, there isn'ta decent pitcher down there that was there when Cashman was being praised for not trading them.

I don't mean to be contrary, its just difficult to watch Cashman make mistake after mistake, whils hearing Joe say "I don't really have a good reason except that I didn't want to use him for two innings."

Right, he has no clue why he does anything that he does. The guys blow right now and that is not his fault, but for Christ's sake, don't make it worse.

As for Bard, because it makes no sense for SD to carry both Barrett and Bard, if they are really looking to make a push for the playoffs. Bard is young, and would solve our 1B problems tomorrow, if Posada moved to First. Its worth a shot is all I am saying. Doesn't Cashman owe the fans something for thinking Damon over Beltran was a good idea?

2007-06-28 16:34:06

18. Vandelay Industries

Then again, why is this a surprise? The O's are only 2 games in back of us in the loss column. They are in essence, our equal.

2007-06-28 16:34:41

19. williamnyy23

I wonder is there's anyway Girardi didn't take the O's job because he was told to sit tight by someone in the organization. I also wonder how badly the Mattingly/Yankee relationship will be hurt if he is passed over?

2007-06-28 16:34:54

20. Zack

Nothing to see here folks, keep it moving, no game on tonight...

Oh, wait, there is? Sigh

2007-06-28 16:36:30

21. williamnyy23

3-1 count...weak hack by Robbie...first two pitches...Phillips is hacking. Does Torre take any blame for this awful approach? I could just see the pre-game speech: "Let's force the attaction and be aggresive. We can't look for a walk. We need to create our own breaks and play with fire".

2007-06-28 16:37:27

22. cult of basebaal

17 doubtful. they gave up their previous buc in the barrett deal, barrett's a FA at the end of the year and they don't have anybody knocking on the door from their system, bard's started 2 of the 7 games since the trade, fwiw ...

2007-06-28 16:38:15

23. monkeypants

Hmmmm. Does that earn him a three day pass to the Belly Full of Guts Club?

2007-06-28 16:38:35

24. cult of basebaal

FUCK YOU JOE, THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T PLAY CAIRO.

FUCK. YOU.

2007-06-28 16:38:58

25. randym77

Yay, Andy. Who says he can't hit breaking stuff?

We don't need no stinkin' Hillenbrand.

2007-06-28 16:39:05

26. Zack

Does that mean Joe HAS to play Andy now, or are we a sure bet to see Cairo playing again tomorrow?

2007-06-28 16:40:21

27. cult of basebaal

well, i suppose he'll have to play him for a couple of games at least, but he won't like it ... so andy'd better hit the ground running

2007-06-28 16:43:05

28. Jim Dean

23 I would guess so.

24 My sentiments exactly.

Anyone see this playing out like the beginning of last year? Cairo gets the starts cause Torre doesn't trust Phillips. Cairo stinks up the joint. Phillips starts for a month and puts up his Hillenbrand line. Then Cashman makes a move for Dmitri Young.

2007-06-28 16:44:26

29. randym77

And Andy earns his keep on defense, too...

2007-06-28 16:44:58

30. williamnyy23

24 Take it easy...you are right though. Letting Cairo swing with 1st and 3rd in the 7th on Tuesday was awful...bunting with Cano when it was clear to see that would likely put Cairo in the role of having to get the big hit was just as bad. Of course, Phillips isn't exactly a great option himself. His two feeble outs to end two games in Colorado should serve as a reminder. The real travesty is that the Yankees released Josh Phelps. Even if they just kept him as a pinch hitter, he would have givent the team a much better chance to win at least one of those games.

2007-06-28 16:45:18

31. williamnyy23

Story of the Yankees season...score 1 run...give up 2.

2007-06-28 16:45:26

32. monkeypants

That was a short lived lead. Hoo-boy.

2007-06-28 16:45:59

33. Jim Dean

McPhail on MASN is referencing his time in Chicago as a way of how to do things.

Meanwhile - things aren't going well when Wang gives up a HR to Dave Roberts.

2007-06-28 16:46:17

34. OldYanksFan

That pitch was fatter then Schilling.

2007-06-28 16:46:49

35. cult of basebaal

and it doesn't really matter anyway ... poor andy could hit 4 800 foot homeruns tonite, but we're still trading for shea fucking hillenbrand who'll get to start, even though he's a douche and a lousy player at this point and andy get's another one way ticket back to riding pine without actually getting a shot ...

2007-06-28 16:47:15

36. monkeypants

30 Andy Phillips should be the BUIF; he should have been the BUIF last year.

2007-06-28 16:48:11

37. williamnyy23

If the Yankees lose this game, they need to do one of two things:

(1) Fire Joe in an attempt to shake things up.

(2) Let Joe have his farewell tour and start fielding offers for whatever they can unload.

2007-06-28 16:48:28

38. Jim Dean

36 He can't play SS. :)

35 I'm not convinced.

2007-06-28 16:49:36

39. williamnyy23

He got lucky, but Jeter swinging at the 1st pitch is further evidence of how disfunctional this team has become. If the captain does it, why wouldn't Cabrera and Cano?

2007-06-28 16:50:03

40. cult of basebaal

convinced of what?

2007-06-28 16:51:36

41. Jim Dean

35 They'd get Hillenbrand. It's not like he's a Terrence Long.

2007-06-28 16:51:39

42. randym77

Let's go, Yankees!

2007-06-28 16:52:18

43. monkeypants

Winning baseball!

2007-06-28 16:54:07

44. Jim Dean

Thorne: A-Rod is the first to average an RBI a game since Joe D in 1948. (152 RBI in 151 G)

2007-06-28 16:56:10

45. williamnyy23

44 Besides Manny's 165 RBIs in 147 games in 1999?

2007-06-28 16:57:17

46. Vandelay Industries

That's what I was thinking.

2007-06-28 16:57:37

47. Jim Dean

45 For the yankees.

2007-06-28 16:58:15

48. williamnyy23

44 And Juan Gonzalez' 157 RBIs in 154 games in 1998?

2007-06-28 16:58:47

49. williamnyy23

47 Ah...gotcha.

2007-06-28 17:00:33

50. monkeypants

That'll keep Cano from swinging.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100

2007-06-28 17:00:33

51. 51cq24

i'm surprised he didnt swing at that

2007-06-28 17:00:40

52. Jim Dean

97 mph in the ass.

2007-06-28 17:01:09

53. Vandelay Industries

Now! Are the Yankee pitchers going to do anything about Cabrera plunking our guys this time? Or will we wait until 2010, after he hits 20 or 30 of us?

2007-06-28 17:01:12

54. cult of basebaal

41 i think they're going to get somebody, hillenbrand is gonna get DFA'd, so he's avilable first and he's not going to cost alot

well, except for the fact he hasn't actually demonstrated he's any good in the last year's worth of playing time, he's got an over inflated sense of his own worth, and he's a clubhouse cancer

2007-06-28 17:01:29

55. williamnyy23

First pitch out of the zone...Cano hacks. I know I am belaboring a point, but the Yankees success has always been about drawing walks and not giving up any. This year, that has not been the formula.

2007-06-28 17:02:01

56. randym77

And Robby gets nailed right in the butt.

But I doubt it was intentional. At this point, I don't think Cabrera could hit the broad side of a barn intentionally.

2007-06-28 17:02:34

57. Jim Dean

Think a GS could get Andy starts thorugh the All-Star break?

2007-06-28 17:03:09

58. monkeypants

Back to the bench with you!

2007-06-28 17:03:58

59. Zack

Yup, that AB will probably override the HR is Joe's mind and we will see Cairo come in half way through this game...

2007-06-28 17:04:59

60. cult of basebaal

58 doesn't he get points for making cabrera work??? cairo would ...

2007-06-28 17:06:35

61. cult of basebaal

over in AZ, the big ugly is getting punted ... down 6-0

2007-06-28 17:07:01

62. monkeypants

55 They are sixth in MLB in walks.

2007-06-28 17:07:26

63. monkeypants

55 They are sixth in MLB in walks.

2007-06-28 17:07:34

64. williamnyy23

61 But how is Sheffield doing?

2007-06-28 17:09:26

65. monkeypants

60 The problem is that he wasswinging too hard, not trying be pesky and make contact. Joe won't stand a player taking the wrong approach.

2007-06-28 17:09:35

66. randym77

What was Millar thinking?

2007-06-28 17:09:45

67. Jim Dean

61 He's still better than Moose and Igawa. Roger, I'll hold final judgement.

Meanwhile - Joba has 10 K (4 BB 2 ER) through 5 IP.

2007-06-28 17:09:58

68. monkeypants

64 Not playing 1B, which is where he would have started this year.

2007-06-28 17:12:28

69. cult of basebaal

64 i'm sorry, i believe you've mistunderstood my motivation ... this wasn't an attempt to revive the beating of the dead horses of anybody's opinion of the sheffield and johnson trades ... this was merely a effort to revel in a moment of pure, unadulterated schadenfreude

2007-06-28 17:13:12

70. williamnyy23

62 In the past, the Yankees would always be top-3 in issuing walks and top-3 in drawing walks. This year, they are fourth in the AL in drawing walks (not so bad) after taking a big step back last season. Where they have really deviated is in issuing walks. At an astounding 3.7 BB/G, the team is only better than Texas and Baltimore. If you need a reason why the Yankees have been so awful this year, I think that's the best place to start.

2007-06-28 17:14:07

71. monkeypants

Damon looks much , much better on these pop ups--that chiropractor is really a miracle worker.

2007-06-28 17:14:35

72. cult of basebaal

nice jetes, hack at the first pitch ... it's not like cabrera walked half the team last inning or anything ...

2007-06-28 17:15:13

73. OldYanksFan

Is Jeter running full speed on that? Did he think it was through?

2007-06-28 17:16:10

74. williamnyy23

68 The Yankees could have made room for Sheffield, as the season has made evident. I supported the deal, but that doesn't mean it didn't turn out to be a pretty bad one. Sheffield is exactly what the Yankees need. His 57 Runs Created and 143 OPS+ would have made a huge difference.

2007-06-28 17:17:40

75. williamnyy23

72 Second time he has done it, which makes it very hard to hold the others accountable.

2007-06-28 17:17:49

76. monkeypants

72 True about issuing walks. During the dynasty and just post-dynasty years, they had a staff that was usually very good at not issuing BB, with pretty high K rates. That hid a lot of pretty uninspiring defense.

2007-06-28 17:20:27

77. monkeypants

74 Where? The only way there was room for Sheff was if Giambi started at 1B.

I agree that things have turned out badly, but I can't get worked up over the highly unexpected result of what (I thought) was clearly the correct move.

2007-06-28 17:21:57

78. cult of basebaal

i just blame nick johnson for this whole mess ...

2007-06-28 17:22:58

79. iicollies

3 DPs so far

2007-06-28 17:23:22

80. monkeypants

Melky with the circuitous route to that liner. Wang is getting hit pretty hard tonight, but the DP is a very good friend indeed.

2007-06-28 17:27:32

81. williamnyy23

76 According to the Beane Count (cumulative ranking of getting and allowing HRs and BBs), the Yankees have dropped all the way to 6th in the AL (30 score). Boston is first at 14. Since 2002, the Yankees scores have been 7.0, 7.0, 12.3, 17.5 and 17.7. It's no surprise that with the jump to 30, the team's record has plummeted.

2007-06-28 17:28:23

82. monkeypants

Posada is pretty comical running the bases.

2007-06-28 17:29:51

83. williamnyy23

77 You could have rotated Sheffield, Matsui, Damon and Giambi using the two OF spots, 1B, DH and days of rest. Considering the age and frailty of the names involved, it wouldn't have been a stretch to envision a plan that would get each player 130+ games.

2007-06-28 17:30:20

84. monkeypants

Meanwhile Mr Cabrera is trying to kill Mr Cabrera.

2007-06-28 17:30:44

85. randym77

Cabrera's trying to kill his long-lost brother here.

2007-06-28 17:32:00

86. williamnyy23

Another swing at a clear Ball 4...I think we all like Cabrera's and Cano's energy, but it's becoming clear that their approach is deviating from what has been a very successful forumla.