The first of two will be played in the Bronx. Then, a trek cross town for the night game at Shea. I'm hoping the Yanks come away with a split this weekend.
3 Clever, but I will have none of it. Next season I shall go root on the boys in pinstripes in the New Yankee Stadium. I suspect that I shall find the confines more majestic than the Citi Field.
I'm not saying Brett Gardner is a savior, in fact I think he's likely to tank, but isn't he worth a look at this point? Melky is OPSing sub .700 and that includes his hot April. He's kind of below replacement now, isn't he?
22 I think Melky from 2006 was a fluke. As someone here pointed out, he was notable for his patience in 2006. Got a lot of walks. But he never showed that kind of patience in the minors, so you kinda knew his OBP would fall back to earth.
24 I see. So is the goal to pick it up mid flight? That's kind of weird. I guess a 96mph fastball could actually be a 98 or a 94 depending on where it's picked up.
35 Me, I like his OBP and the corresponding ability to walk. If he can carry that through to the majors (and I see no reason why he couldn't) then even his slumps would be more valuable than Melky's. Also, Brett would be unlikely to slide headfirst into first base. That alone is a reason to give him a look.
31 I wouldn't mind giving Gardner a shot. He's a lefty, and we're kind of lefty-heavy as it is. But Melky's been pretty awful hitting from the righty side of the plate, so I don't think we'd lose anything there.
38 I don't think its the goal, but you can't measure it right out of the pitcher's hand because then you are just as likely to get his hand I'd think. I'm guessing here, but they are educated guesses.
Radar guns in general aren't all that reliable in a small mph range. Small variations like the type of gun, or say, where the operator is positioned can have big effects on the final reading. Guns give you a ballpark, so you know Joba throws harder than Andy and Moose, but after that its hard to tell if his 98 is faster than his 97.
53 He made a nice sliding grab to his left, but couldn't quite get the ball out of his glove. Then proceeded to throw to first when he should have just held onto it, allowing the runner to advance to third.
53 He actually made a great diving stop, but then he unwisely tried to throw to first. Since the runner was going, he made it to third easily. Had A-Rod eaten the ball, it would be 1st and 2nd.
50 The point is what are you measuring? The ball starts deccelarating the second it leaves the pitcher's hand. Do you want the average speed? The top speed? The speed as it crosses the plate? These are all different things.
59 I think Ponson is going to bomb miserably, and the Yankees lineup, which will feature four automatic outs (Cabrera, Molina, Christian, and Ponson) won't be able to compensate.
60 A radar gun measures the fastest speed recognized by the instrument. Considering the speeds involved and the short distance, I don't think it matters much.
64 if it's any consolation supposedly damon is going to play tonight
i also think ponson is going to bomb - i witnessed it live the last time he was with the yanks - which was truly miserable - but as the mets announcers have pointed out they have 4 or 5 automatic outs too, so hopefully the damage is someone limited to wright and beltran
64 I am assuming Damon will play tonight. I hope so at least. Tonights game seems like a lock loss anyway. The Yankees better win this game, otherwise they are looking a disaster of a weekend.
71 Pete Abe has made two separate but related posts on his game thread;
UPDATE, 2:22 p.m.: Does anybody else find Melky Cabrera (.317 OBP) a curious choice to hit leadoff? I realize Damon can't play both games on a sore foot. But Jeter? I'd even put Abreu there.
Derek Jeter has played in all 62 games. He has hit .386 against the Mets with a .437 OBP and 26 RBI.
79 i'm pretty sure i heard the mets announcers say that moose would not pitch all weekend and they might move him up to monday, which would be joba's day. who knows if they know what the hell they are talking about. maybe it makes sense to give joba an extra day of rest after throwing a lot of pitches the last start or so.
i know a lot of people like the mets booth but i am finding keith hernadez annoying.
86 And of course I misread his post--that's all 62 Mets-Yankees games.
But the point still stands: Posada will only play one game today (he could have DH in game 1 and C in game 2). Giambi will only play one game in the field. Damon will only play 1 game.
I'm glad Jeter will play in both games given that every one else seems to be getting a rest. Still, it would be nice if got a day off, or even a couple of days at DH (especially with Matsui headed to the DL).
I have to hit the road. I'll enjoy the game on the radio in the car (as much as one can enjoy Sterling/Waldman), but sadly no more banter today. Ta-ta.
I saw him pitch a game for Scranton back in April. I thought I was getting Alan Horne, but Horne pitched only two innings, then went on the DL. Giese had an ERA of about 1.5 at the time.
144 I think the Yankees game plan is to replace him with IPK and Hughes when they are healthy again. As for what they could be doing, well how would you replace Wang this early on? What trade would you make?
144 With Kennedy back probably right after the break and Hughes in August, I don't think the summer will be as long as you think. Sure, they haven't been great so far, but at least they have the potential to be better than Giese and Rasner. Most teams have to turn to 7 or 8 different starter in a year, this is that period for the Yanks.
hmmm ... is edwar the right choice here? i think i might go with veras ... though it's a tough situation for everyone ... i can just here peteyabe warming up his stubby fingers to write snarky shit about edwar if he fails in the slightest.
146 Hughes is months away and IPK was struggling before his injury. That might not be a good game plan either.
I don't think there is a way to replace Wang (which is why you don't send him on that play, but I digress). Unless the Yankees get incredibly lucky as they did with Chacon and Small, things don't look very good.
Also, as bad as Geise was, he might have pitched better than Pelfrey. The difference is the Mets have done more with their chances. The Yankees offense has to be more efficient, but it really hasn't been all season.
155 Also, no Edwar didn't get the job done per se, but he's given up one whole hit so far. Its not like he immolated on the mound. Coming in with no outs and the bases loaded is pretty damn tough.
164 The Yankees need to start winning games now...I also wouldn't count my chickens just yet either. That's a lesson we all should have learned this year. Also, who is asking for 5 lightout relievers? How about 2 or 3 pretty good (and consistent) ones?
167 Please define consistency in terms of games pitched and expected results. Then tell me five middle relievers which fit your definition. Thanks in advance.
170 Consistentcy is kind of self evident. It means you don't throw 10 shutout innings and follow it up by giving up 10 runs in the next 10. Off the top of my head...Scott Shields, Scott Linebrink; Jason Frasor; Health Bell and Jonathan Broxton.
171 And doesn't lower when preventing them. Edwar has been good this year, not amazing, but good. He was lights out early, then hit a rough stretch. That's basically every relief pitcher around (even Mo sometimes). Could he have done better in that situation just now? sure. But the kid got 3 outs and gave up a single hit. Its hard to demand better than that.
174 He has been pretty good on the whole, but his recent strecth has been bad, and his season last year was as well. I don't think you can confidently project him to be a key contributor.
173 Well, Shields had a week in May when he gave up 5 runs in 5 innings (Including coming into a tie game in the 8th, loading the bases, and giving up a grand slam). Heath Bell gave up 3 runs in 6 innings last week.
And most appropriately to your definition: Broxton had a 10 game stretch this year when he gave up 9 runs.
Am I cherry picking stats? Absolutely. But so are you when you say that Edwar is "inconsistent." To me, there are only good pitchers and bad pitchers. Edwar is in the former group this season.
181 All of those names have had consistent bodies of work...in other words, 10 innings out of many ins't conclusive. Edwar has 40 innings. He also has an ERA of 5.48 with 60+ baserunners and 9 HRs. I think we might have a different definition of good.
1. Struck out with the bases loaded in the first. (3 LOB)
2. Popped out to second with two on in the second. (2 LOB)
3. Grounded out with two on in the fourth. (2 LOB)
4. Flied out with a man on first in the sixth (1 LOB)
5. Reached on an error with a man on second in the seventh.
6. Singled with a man on first in the ninth.
A nice note from PeteAbe:
A New York City park will now be known as the Phil Rizzuto Park, in honor of the Yankees shortstop who died last year. Smokey Oval Park in Richmond Hill, Queens, was official renamed after Rizzuto on Friday. Park officials say "The Scooter" grew up in nearby Glendale, Queens, and played high school baseball in Richmond Hill. He died last August at the age of 89.
With the way that Rasner and Geise have pitched, it's starting to look as if the course of the Yankees season was set when Wang rounded third base in Houston.
194 Or you know, you can look and ask whether the Rays can keep this pace up. The Sox can survive with no Schilling and Dice-K being awful in his return, not to mention Ortiz out. Then see that the Yanks have some damn good players at AAA right now, IPK healthy again and Hughes starting a throwing program.
194 They shouldn't forfeit; they'd probably have to give back all that money.
I am sorry I can't be more of an optimist, but the handwriting of this debacle was on the wall from early on. Pretty soon, the main topic of discussion very well might be what veterans to trade.
190 Ten innings? By my count, Ramirez has allowed more than one baserunner in 12 of his 22 appearances. He's only allowed runners to score in four appearances. Edwar Ramirez should not be the target of your disdain.
How do middle relievers get to have a large body of work, anyway? By being crucified as soon as they have a couple bad outings?
196 This is one game. One game, where we knew we were in trouble with Giese starting. Know what, we'll likely lose tonight as well with Sir Sidney on the mound. I don't think that's a reason to throw in the towel.
195 So the Yankees get credit for Hughes returning in Aaugust, but the Sox don't get any credit for Dice working his way back into shape and Ortiz returning to a lineup that has been ok without him? If every assumption is in favor of the Yankees, regardless of the painfully evident reality, then yes, there is nothing to worry about.
jesus ... what a shitty game this turned into ... ollie's got a great arm, shitty command ... it's long past time to stop screwing around with him ... bring up robertson, bring up strickland, it's time to find somebody other than Mo who's worth a damn in this bullpen ... this is pathetic
201 It's one game...but the Yankees are in trouble with Ponson going tonight, Rasner on Sunday and possibly every time those two take the mound for the next month. Then, when you consider that the bullpen outside of Mo has been pretty bad and the offense continues to struggle with men in scoring position, the outlook seems bleak. Things aren't going to get better just because they are the Yankees.
201 I think the Mets have the advantage all four games. Which is why it would have been great to play and win last night (nothing the team can do about that), to take some of the sting out of a 1-3 or 0-4 weekend.
217 This was supposed to be the stretch when the Yankees made up a lot of ground. I am sorry, but 22-12 against the competition over this stretch is a let down, especially if they make it 23-15 after this weekend.
212 Do I think the Yankees will make the playoffs this year? No, I don't. They play in the toughest division in baseball and they are in transition. Throw in some key injuries and they are struggling.
Now, do I think they are so bad they have no shot at all? Of course not. A lot of things can happen. IPK and Hughes could come back strong. Bruney could return and shore up the pen. Robertson could come up and dominate. The Sox could lose Dice-K for a longer period, Ortiz could not make it back, etc. This is just one game, tonight is two. If they lose it sucks but I'm not ready to throw the season away and start declaring the writing was on the wall the moment Wang got hurt. They won in '96 without Cone for most of the year.
224 I may be the only one who doesn't think Brian Bruney will shore up anything. He got off to a nice start last year and then was Farnsworthian for the last three months.
224 I am not suggesting that they have no shot at all, but simply having a shot isn't what I think we all envisioned in March. This team has major flaws and losing Wang very well could be the tipping point that will spell their demise. I am just pointing out what appear to me as very ominous signs. If a run of incredible luck is just around the corner, great, but I can't factor that into the equation.
231 It was what I envisioned at least. To think that the Sox would not be the best team in the AL was a mistake I think. I've said all along I'm happy with them missing the postseason if it means all the kids develop.
235 Are you happy with the development of IPK, Hughes, Melky and even Cano? What kids are being developed? I guess you could say the realization of Joba as a dominant starter would make everythign worthwhile, but I was hoping for a little bit more than that.
237 That figure is also a bit of slight of hand. Before the 22-12 stretch, the Yankees had lost 4 in a row. If you add those games plus this loss into the mix, the Yankees are 23-17 against relatively weaker competition. That's just isn't good enough.
Alex's dinger was some shot as well. The Yanks had that sombitch on the ropes early, but more of the same, couldn't kill him. Not that it would have mattered the way Giese and company pitched.
241 Normally I would agree but this time the cutoff is significant. May 20 was the day the best hitter in baseball returned to the lineup.
249 Last year, Ross Ohlendorf was a pitcher with good stuff who had success when he was converted from being a mediocre starter. He was a better option than going after another veteran BellyFullofGuts guy, something you are consistently against. He's cheap, and easily replaced with someone who can step in and show a better job.
Now is that time. Ohlendorf, unlike Ramirez, has shown no stretches of brilliance. I expect to see Robertson within the next few weeks.
Okay, so if you were to rank the pitchers on the staff from most to least effective... the three on the bottom of the list all pitched in today's game. You can't expect many wins when that's the case.
I would have gladly signed up for a split beforehand, so maybe the Yankees get lucky tonight. I am more worried about the season long implications than being embarassed by the Mets this weekend.
I guess the Nomaas boys get a new candidate for worst game of the year, huh? This is far worse than the Pirates debacle on Tuesday.
What bugs me about this game is that, from a historical perspective, I just wanted to win the last ever game against the Muts at the old stadium. I realize we have them in world series titles, pennants, the 2000 series and head-to-head regular season games, but I just hate having them come to our park and crush us.
I think it would be nice if Girardi made the equipment guys take the "Final Season" patches off the team's uniforms. Frankly, with this kind of effort, they don't deserve to wear them.
On another note, I'd pitch Latroy the rest of this game and then DFA him and call up Robertson.
La la la la la. That always makes me feel better when I want to scream. I know I haven't participated as much this year as I have in the past due to work, but given the Yankees' play, perhaps it is for the best.
The way I see it, we don't have a $200,000,000 team. If you take Giambi, who would be lucky to be making $5,000,000 on the open market, Abreu at $10,000, Jeter at $12,000,000, Pettitte who we overpaid to keep, Rivera who we overpaid to keep, Posada who we overpaid to keep, and Damon at $8,000,000, subtract $10,000,000 for Pavano, we basicailly have a $120,000,000 payroll with no pitching. Granted we should be able to win with that, the Angels do not seem to have a problem, even considering the joke division they play in.
We did come into this season with huge question marks on four of our five starters. Even so, taking talent only and ignoring payroll, the Yankees are right about where they should be this season, unless they start running the bases better, play better defense, and pitch at league average or better, they are in trouble.
In other words, our talent doesn't dicate that we be in first or second place in this division.
265 I knew that would get someone. I do not think he is overpaid, only that he would get less than that on the open market. That being said, I was one who advocated giving him a ten year contract if that was what he wanted. I am with you, the discussion last year about how long and for how much Rivera should be kept was disturbing. Anyone who didn't advocate for giving him whatever the hell he wanted, or worse yet, let him go or sign him for one season, should be banned from this and all other blogs and message boards.
I have to say...I didn't expect the Yankees to do well this season. Even in spring training, I had serious doubts about this team. Old and injury-prone veterans, young and untried kids, and most of all, suspect pitching. Just looking at our pitching, and looking at Boston's pitching...I didn't like our chances.
So I'm not terribly disappointed this season. I really wasn't expecting much.
271 hmmm ... well, there's a need for someone to be available in long relief to "shadow" ponson or rasner if one of them goes boom in the next 2 days ... iggy's on the 40 man, so it's a easy swap
well, look on the bright side, if igawa gets to pitch this weekend, it will be because things will have gone so terribly wrong that you'll be nauseous long before he hits the mound!
You know, the scary thing is...I don't have a problem with Igawa getting another shot. The problem with Igawa is consistency. Sometimes he's good, sometimes he's awful. But at this point, I'll take a chance at not sucking too much, versus guaranteed suckitude.
While the 'Yankees Suck Crowd' likes to throw our patroll in our face, there are circumstances that pushed us beyond 'Bang for the Buck' management.
ARod - We certainly needed him, but $27m for 10 years was nuts. He may be, however, the next Babe Ruth. Babe is still reveered 70 years after he played, and I don't hear much talk about how much he was paid. We are rich and paid a premium, simple because... he's ARod.
Jeter - Jeter's contract year was the same as ARod's. I believe the Yanks offered $11.5 but Jeter was holding out for $13ish. Then Hicks signed ARod signed for $25m. History was made and so was Derek. Jeter got $18.9m.... which is about 76% of an ARod.
Giambi - Jason wanted to be a Yankee his whole life, but The Boss really didn't care and threw him 110%+ what was needed. However, at $17m/yr, looking at ARod, Jeter and Manny, it's not as nuts as it might seem.
Mo and Po, 'True Yankees'. To me, this is what Yankee money is about. Not to waste, or to try to win with $$$ instead of IQ, but to keep iconic Yankees in the fold. Maybe bad for business, but great for us fans. Boston is happy to dump Nomar, Pedro, Carlton and JD if it's a good business decision. Chicago was happy to part with the Big Hurt (13th in career OPS+ ahead of Mantle, Joe D and ARod). I'm glad we don't have to opperate that way.
Andy - see 'True Yankees' above, plus a topping of desperation with a hint of 'He's Andy'.
Pavano - Almost signed for MORE money offered by the Sox but wanted to be a Yankee. Some bad Karma coming to us there.
JD - At $13m, he certainly earned his money his 1st year and is doing so this year. We all knew this would be somewhat costly but it's better then 'Bernie or Bubba'.
Bobby - Remember, this deal WAS a salary dump. I don't think in 2006 Cashman asked 'Is he really worth $16m?' but rather 'Might he help save this season?'. And with a .926 OPS in 2006 as a Yankee, he did, and was a good deal to boot. Not so much in 2007 and 2008, but hell, Nancy cost the Sox $14m last year for a .796 OPS. This is the cost of trying to Win above all else.
Iggy - As I've stated before, because of the tax savings, Iggy cost the same as giving a MLB someone $7.6m. If he had simply been a decent #5, we would all have been happy with this deal. RCNB. What can I say.
So for the Yankees to be the Yankees, they pay a heavy premium. Lots of teams have spent big bucks and been disappointed. Sexson. Beltre. Zito. (Maybe) Nancy. Sori in a few years? And there are more. Again, this is the price of trying to Win.
So on a Bang for the Buck level, we can be very critical. But as fans, we are blessed. Know anyone who saw Ruth play? Mantle? Well, we have ARod. Will any of us be at the Stadium when his breaks Bond's record? Jeter and his posse of phat actresses? We wouldn't want to have missed him. Mo and Po in a different uniform? Andy opening up the new Stadium?
And Jason. GOTTA LUV THE BIG LUG. For all the shit he has taken, he is the only active player to man-up about his steroid use. The only one NOT to lie to Congress. To be creamed with a smorgasbord of injuries in 2004, including an intestinal parasite and a tumor... on TOP of steroid withdrawal, only to make Comeback Player of the Year in 2005 with a .971 OPS. He's a great story and a great guy. He's a character and good for this team. He is.... The Stache!
So let others make fun of us and our bloated payroll, but we, the fans, should be very greatful, that for the Yankees, baseball is not JUST a business.
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.
Mets
Reyes, SS
Castillo, 2B
Wright, 3B
Beltran, CF
Delgado, DH
Nixon, RF
Anderson, LF
Tatis, 1B
Schneider, C
Yankees
Cabrera, CF
Jeter, SS
Abreu, RF
Rodriguez, 3B
Giambi, DH
Posada, C
Cano, 2B
Betemit, 1B
Christian, LF
No Matsui or Damon, even with a righty starter. Posada starting at C (not DH), which means he won't start tonight.
Barry Bonds.
14 Yeah, I don't know what's up with that...
At least Pelfrey threw 29 pitches.
pelfrey actually looks somewhat decent today.
For years and years he strikes out on that pitch and suddenly he's able to fight it off and dunk it into left field?
Why has it taken so long?
I love it.
We shoulda traded Melky while he was hot.
Radar guns in general aren't all that reliable in a small mph range. Small variations like the type of gun, or say, where the operator is positioned can have big effects on the final reading. Guns give you a ballpark, so you know Joba throws harder than Andy and Moose, but after that its hard to tell if his 98 is faster than his 97.
But, Giese gets out of it. Nice.
That action down and away is perfectly suited to Robby's strength.
i also think ponson is going to bomb - i witnessed it live the last time he was with the yanks - which was truly miserable - but as the mets announcers have pointed out they have 4 or 5 automatic outs too, so hopefully the damage is someone limited to wright and beltran
UPDATE, 2:22 p.m.: Does anybody else find Melky Cabrera (.317 OBP) a curious choice to hit leadoff? I realize Damon can't play both games on a sore foot. But Jeter? I'd even put Abreu there.
Derek Jeter has played in all 62 games. He has hit .386 against the Mets with a .437 OBP and 26 RBI.
Does Jeter ever get a day off?
i know a lot of people like the mets booth but i am finding keith hernadez annoying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcaq4ElAJrE
Jeter proves my point 88 right on cue.
But the point still stands: Posada will only play one game today (he could have DH in game 1 and C in game 2). Giambi will only play one game in the field. Damon will only play 1 game.
I'm glad Jeter will play in both games given that every one else seems to be getting a rest. Still, it would be nice if got a day off, or even a couple of days at DH (especially with Matsui headed to the DL).
90 ah but elaine and jerry soured on him too.
Great hitting by Robby, great fielding by Reyes.
Wow.
This is some ballgame.
i even had a new nickname ready for robbie, "The Ripper", because when he gets hot, he's always slashing the ball somewhere!
bah!
103 Well, three runs scored, all on walks, bloops, infield hits and ground outs. Not a home run to be seen. You must be ecstatic!
This is baseball!
And nice, nice baserunning by Derek to tag on Abreu's ball.
This is one sweet baseball game.
OK, now I really am leaving.
I saw him pitch a game for Scranton back in April. I thought I was getting Alan Horne, but Horne pitched only two innings, then went on the DL. Giese had an ERA of about 1.5 at the time.
[/sarcasm]
If he is bunting for a hit, fine, but I don't think he was there. Especially now that his bat is heating up.
So I think that 4 for 14 is a perfectly reasonable number to expect from this lineup.
I have no complaints about the team's performance with the sticks today.
Pelfry's pitching a good game and the Yanks are scratching and clawing.
They've taken a winning approach at the plate.
c'mon edwar, prove that fat bastard wrong!
I don't think there is a way to replace Wang (which is why you don't send him on that play, but I digress). Unless the Yankees get incredibly lucky as they did with Chacon and Small, things don't look very good.
There's no team in the league with 5 lights out relievers in their pen.
Wagner.
Feliciano.
That's it. Bring on Aaron Heilman, please. And Duaner Sanchez.
http://tinyurl.com/6e8aqs
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS195609210.shtml
And most appropriately to your definition: Broxton had a 10 game stretch this year when he gave up 9 runs.
Am I cherry picking stats? Absolutely. But so are you when you say that Edwar is "inconsistent." To me, there are only good pitchers and bad pitchers. Edwar is in the former group this season.
1. Struck out with the bases loaded in the first. (3 LOB)
2. Popped out to second with two on in the second. (2 LOB)
3. Grounded out with two on in the fourth. (2 LOB)
4. Flied out with a man on first in the sixth (1 LOB)
5. Reached on an error with a man on second in the seventh.
6. Singled with a man on first in the ninth.
A New York City park will now be known as the Phil Rizzuto Park, in honor of the Yankees shortstop who died last year. Smokey Oval Park in Richmond Hill, Queens, was official renamed after Rizzuto on Friday. Park officials say "The Scooter" grew up in nearby Glendale, Queens, and played high school baseball in Richmond Hill. He died last August at the age of 89.
Rivera: 16%
Veras: 27%
Ramirez: 29%
Joba (Reliever): 31%
Farnsworth: 35%
Hawkins: 36%
Ohlendorf: 36%
Ross Ohlendorf, on the other hand, is a Bad Reliever.
I am sorry I can't be more of an optimist, but the handwriting of this debacle was on the wall from early on. Pretty soon, the main topic of discussion very well might be what veterans to trade.
How do middle relievers get to have a large body of work, anyway? By being crucified as soon as they have a couple bad outings?
Including the rest of the game after Wang got injured, the Yankees team ERA: 2.81.
Hey, there's no guarantees that Pedro is going to be Pedro Martinez™ tonight either.
Now, do I think they are so bad they have no shot at all? Of course not. A lot of things can happen. IPK and Hughes could come back strong. Bruney could return and shore up the pen. Robertson could come up and dominate. The Sox could lose Dice-K for a longer period, Ortiz could not make it back, etc. This is just one game, tonight is two. If they lose it sucks but I'm not ready to throw the season away and start declaring the writing was on the wall the moment Wang got hurt. They won in '96 without Cone for most of the year.
Man, this could be a misbegotten weekend.
Alex's dinger was some shot as well. The Yanks had that sombitch on the ropes early, but more of the same, couldn't kill him. Not that it would have mattered the way Giese and company pitched.
What the hell do people see in Ross Ohlendorf?
249 Last year, Ross Ohlendorf was a pitcher with good stuff who had success when he was converted from being a mediocre starter. He was a better option than going after another veteran BellyFullofGuts guy, something you are consistently against. He's cheap, and easily replaced with someone who can step in and show a better job.
Now is that time. Ohlendorf, unlike Ramirez, has shown no stretches of brilliance. I expect to see Robertson within the next few weeks.
Before everyone pronounces the return of Delgado, they need to realize who has been pitching in this game.
Why is Mo warming up?
What bugs me about this game is that, from a historical perspective, I just wanted to win the last ever game against the Muts at the old stadium. I realize we have them in world series titles, pennants, the 2000 series and head-to-head regular season games, but I just hate having them come to our park and crush us.
I think it would be nice if Girardi made the equipment guys take the "Final Season" patches off the team's uniforms. Frankly, with this kind of effort, they don't deserve to wear them.
On another note, I'd pitch Latroy the rest of this game and then DFA him and call up Robertson.
The way I see it, we don't have a $200,000,000 team. If you take Giambi, who would be lucky to be making $5,000,000 on the open market, Abreu at $10,000, Jeter at $12,000,000, Pettitte who we overpaid to keep, Rivera who we overpaid to keep, Posada who we overpaid to keep, and Damon at $8,000,000, subtract $10,000,000 for Pavano, we basicailly have a $120,000,000 payroll with no pitching. Granted we should be able to win with that, the Angels do not seem to have a problem, even considering the joke division they play in.
We did come into this season with huge question marks on four of our five starters. Even so, taking talent only and ignoring payroll, the Yankees are right about where they should be this season, unless they start running the bases better, play better defense, and pitch at league average or better, they are in trouble.
In other words, our talent doesn't dicate that we be in first or second place in this division.
So I'm not terribly disappointed this season. I really wasn't expecting much.
I will say that if the Yankees fall out of it, I will be leading the Ray bandwagon for the playoffs.
Is that the going rate for a guy who is 4th in OPS and 2nd in HRs, and 11th in VORP in the AL?
ARod - We certainly needed him, but $27m for 10 years was nuts. He may be, however, the next Babe Ruth. Babe is still reveered 70 years after he played, and I don't hear much talk about how much he was paid. We are rich and paid a premium, simple because... he's ARod.
Jeter - Jeter's contract year was the same as ARod's. I believe the Yanks offered $11.5 but Jeter was holding out for $13ish. Then Hicks signed ARod signed for $25m. History was made and so was Derek. Jeter got $18.9m.... which is about 76% of an ARod.
Giambi - Jason wanted to be a Yankee his whole life, but The Boss really didn't care and threw him 110%+ what was needed. However, at $17m/yr, looking at ARod, Jeter and Manny, it's not as nuts as it might seem.
Mo and Po, 'True Yankees'. To me, this is what Yankee money is about. Not to waste, or to try to win with $$$ instead of IQ, but to keep iconic Yankees in the fold. Maybe bad for business, but great for us fans. Boston is happy to dump Nomar, Pedro, Carlton and JD if it's a good business decision. Chicago was happy to part with the Big Hurt (13th in career OPS+ ahead of Mantle, Joe D and ARod). I'm glad we don't have to opperate that way.
Andy - see 'True Yankees' above, plus a topping of desperation with a hint of 'He's Andy'.
Pavano - Almost signed for MORE money offered by the Sox but wanted to be a Yankee. Some bad Karma coming to us there.
JD - At $13m, he certainly earned his money his 1st year and is doing so this year. We all knew this would be somewhat costly but it's better then 'Bernie or Bubba'.
Bobby - Remember, this deal WAS a salary dump. I don't think in 2006 Cashman asked 'Is he really worth $16m?' but rather 'Might he help save this season?'. And with a .926 OPS in 2006 as a Yankee, he did, and was a good deal to boot. Not so much in 2007 and 2008, but hell, Nancy cost the Sox $14m last year for a .796 OPS. This is the cost of trying to Win above all else.
Iggy - As I've stated before, because of the tax savings, Iggy cost the same as giving a MLB someone $7.6m. If he had simply been a decent #5, we would all have been happy with this deal. RCNB. What can I say.
So for the Yankees to be the Yankees, they pay a heavy premium. Lots of teams have spent big bucks and been disappointed. Sexson. Beltre. Zito. (Maybe) Nancy. Sori in a few years? And there are more. Again, this is the price of trying to Win.
So on a Bang for the Buck level, we can be very critical. But as fans, we are blessed. Know anyone who saw Ruth play? Mantle? Well, we have ARod. Will any of us be at the Stadium when his breaks Bond's record? Jeter and his posse of phat actresses? We wouldn't want to have missed him. Mo and Po in a different uniform? Andy opening up the new Stadium?
And Jason. GOTTA LUV THE BIG LUG. For all the shit he has taken, he is the only active player to man-up about his steroid use. The only one NOT to lie to Congress. To be creamed with a smorgasbord of injuries in 2004, including an intestinal parasite and a tumor... on TOP of steroid withdrawal, only to make Comeback Player of the Year in 2005 with a .971 OPS. He's a great story and a great guy. He's a character and good for this team. He is.... The Stache!
So let others make fun of us and our bloated payroll, but we, the fans, should be very greatful, that for the Yankees, baseball is not JUST a business.
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