Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Having just taken five of seven from two of the three best teams in the American League other than themselves, including the league's most surprising and best team, the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees now have seven games against the league's two biggest disappointments, the Oakland A's and Cleveland Indians, two preseason playoff favorites whose records currently sit just below .500. Exactly what's gone wrong in Cleveland (it certainly hasn't been Casey Blake and Ben Broussard, who appear to have been traded to an alternate universe for their more talented evil twins) we'll examine on Monday. As for the A's, the answer is rather simple: injuries and a nearly complete offensive breakdown.
On offense Eric Chavez is putting together his best season and Nick Swisher has broken out to make Chavez's production seem tame. Frank Thomas has stayed relatively healthy and, despite a .234 average, has put up on-base and slugging numbers befitting his Hall of Fame talents. But everyone else has been a tremendous disappointment.
Consider these stats:
Bobby Crosby: .291 OBP
Dan Johnson: .335 SLG
Jason Kendall: .327 SLG
Mark Ellis: .302 OBP
A knee injury put Milton Bradley on the DL for more than a month, creating playing time for this:
Jay Payton: .266 OBP
Bobby Kielty: .320 SLG
And now Mark Ellis is on the DL, putting this in the line-up:
Marco Scutaro: .191/.290/.255
That doesn't even bring into account futility infielder Antonio Perez, who's single against the Yankees in mid-May remains his only hit of the year in 35 plate appearances, 16 of which have resulted in a strikeout.
If not for Swisher, Chavez and Thomas, the A's would be the worst offensive team in baseball. As it is, they're the third worst in the AL, with only the lowly Devil Rays and Royals below them
Then there's the pitching. Their young ace, Rich Harden, has made just six starts, the same number as replacements Kirk Saarloos and Brad Halsey. Harden is currently on the DL for the second time this year, this time with elbow problems that some believe could end in Tommy John surgery, which would be a huge blow to the franchise. The two A's relievers with the best ERAs, Justin Duchscherer and Joe Kennedy, are also on the DL having thrown just 28 2/3 innings between them (by comparison, Scott Proctor has thrown 40 1/3).
Among the healthy, Joe Blanton has disappointed, posting a 5.60 ERA thus far. Meanwhile scheduled fifth starter Esteban Loaiza, one of four ex-Yankees on the A's staff, has been both hurt and terrible, posting a 6.39 ERA in just five starts.
Tonight the Yankees face one of the few A's to keep his head above water, 25-year-old Dan Haren. Haren has essentially repeated his 2005 season exactly save for a nicely improved walk rate. Indeed, in the last meeting between these two teams, Haren pitched a one-run, six-hit, no-walk complete game gem to beat . . . well look at that, tonight's starter, Randy Johnson.
For all of his struggles, the Yankees have won Johnson's last three starts and the Unit himself appears to be coming around some, having struck out eight in two of those three games and pitched six scoreless innings in the other. Here's hoping he can take advantage of the week underbelly of the A's lineup and doesn't give Thomas anything to hit.
Derek Jeter will sit out yet again, but is expected to start tomorrow. Curiously, Torre has swapped Cairo and Cabrera in the order. Otherwise, with Jorge back behind the plate to catch the Unit, Andy Phillips is back at first base, and Bernie remains in right.
2006 Record: 29-31 (.483)
2006 Pythagorean Record: 29-31 (.491)
Manager: Ken Macha
General Manager: Billy Beane
Home Ballpark (2005 Park Factors): Oakland-Alameda Coliseum (103/103)
Who's Replaced Whom?
Current Roster:
1B – Dan Johnson (L)
2B – Marco Scutaro (R)
SS – Bobby Crosby (R)
3B – Eric Chavez (L)
C – Jason Kendall (R)
RF – Milton Bradley (S)
CF – Mark Kotsay (L)
LF – Nick Swisher (S)
DH – Frank Thomas (R)
Bench:
R - Jay Payton (OF)
S – Bobby Kielty (OF)
R – Antonio Perez (IF)
S – Adam Melhuse (C)
Rotation:
L – Barry Zito
R – Joe Blanton
R – Esteban Loaiza
R – Dan Haren
R – Kirk Saarloos
Bullpen:
R – Huston Street
R – Kiko Calero
R – Jay Witasick
L – Brad Halsey
L – Randy Keisler
R – Chad Gaudin
R – Steve Karsay
DL: R – Mark Ellis (2B), R – Rich Harden, R – Justin Duchscherer, L – Joe Kennedy
Typical Lineup:
L – Mark Kotsay (CF)
S – Nick Swisher (LF)
L – Eric Chavez (3B)
R – Frank Thomas (DH)
R – Bobby Crosby (SS)
S – Milton Bradley (RF)
L – Dan Johnson (1B)
R – Jason Kendall (C)
R – Marco Scutaro(2B)
Johnny Damon CF
Derek Jeter DH
Jason Giambi 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Bernie Williams RF
Miguel Cairo SS
Melky Cabrera LF
Andy's riding pine. :-(
Johnny Damon CF
Derek Jeter DH
Jason Giambi 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Bernie Williams RF
Miguel Cairo SS
Melky Cabrera LF
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20060609/1017547.asp
A Red Sox fan confesses that he's starting to like the Yankees.
=====
They're not bludgeoning people with their $200 million payroll, either. They're winning with defense and solid, situational hitting. The Yankees are 10th in the AL in home runs, but first in on-base percentage and runs scored. They're reminiscent of the great 1998 team, which won with class and a relentless, fundamental charm.
Amazingly, they're doing it with home-grown players. The Yankee farm system is supposedly bereft of talent. Tell that to Robinson Cano, their young second baseman. Andy Phillips has established himself at first base in recent weeks, allowing Joe Torre to use Jason Giambi at DH.
Melky Cabrera, who came up from the farm when Sheffield and Matsui were hurt, is making a case for himself as the left fielder of the future. Cabrera scored from first base on a wild pitch in the opener of this week's series against the Red Sox. The next night, he made an astonishing catch to rob Manny Ramirez of a homer.
How do you hate a guy named Melky? He's only 21 years old. He called his mother and grandmother back in the Dominican Republic after making his big catch against Boston. How do you summon up a healthy loathing for Bubba Crosby, or Chien-Ming Wang, or Scott Proctor?
=====
And what's Thompson gotta do to get a start? Do the Yanks even pay attention to fielding? Oh right, Bernie hit a homer, he may start a classic Bernie hot streak....
Now that Bernie's hit, not one, but two homers, I expect to see a lot more of him.
Don't get me wrong, I love Bernie, but it seems that things tend to run smoother with guys that can field-and maybe even hit a little bit if given the chance.
http://tinyurl.com/ks3te
He seems to be much happier this year than last. Last year, he played much less than he expected, and felt a bit dissed. This year, he's playing much more than he expected.
What happened? Is the A's 2B alright?
He's the 4th-string 2B. Ellis is on the DL, Scutaro is covering for Crosby, who bruised his hand yesterday, and Perez is covering for Chavez, who has been having back trouble lately.
I'm just kidding, I don't mind him, but who can't forget those comments from Torre.
Maybe Stuart "I grew up affluent in the Suburbs, but I'm Mr. Hip Hop" Scott and ESPN are too busy figuring out how many more plugs of sponsors and ESPN Mobile they can fit into their broadcasts, and how many more reactionary analists they can hire, to care about proper statistics.
Now they can tell their grandchildren.
"I once hit a home run of Randy Johnson."
"Wow! When Grand-pappa?"
"It was the summer of aught-six..."
"Oh."
Is Scott Proctor warming up yet?
Randy truly belongs in the bullpen. I have an idea: Everey 5th day you start Wright with plans of bringing in RJ in the 6th. A no bullpen day? It could work.
Joe, Michael, Bobby, you are seeing the real Randy Johnson.
We need Sheffield, Matsui, Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle, Arod, DiMaggio, Mattingly, Jackson, and Jeter to overcome a Randy Johnson start.
Pepper Leach: [Vaughn has just given up a grand slam after walking three straight batters] You want me to go get him?
Lou Brown: No, keep him in. Let's see how he reacts.
Lou Brown: [Vaughn hits the next batter] Interesting.
/runs for cover
Sigh. RJ is becoming an anchor around the neck of the team. Forget the outfield. They're going to be going after pitching. Either an ace to replace RJ, or relievers to prop him up.
Jaret Weaver hasn't been "ruined."
Exactly. I'd rather see Small out there every 5th day than Johnson. Send Erickson packing and put RJ in the bullpen for mop up work.
At this point, wouldn't "decent" be acceptable in RJ's slot?
So get serious, he wouldn't even be a lateral move at this point.
As opposed to RJ?
I don't think it matters who gets the start if it's his turn in the rotation. He's below replacement level at this point.
But even if you're right to suggest that at this point they're equivalent, where's the sense in replacing one 6 ERA pitcher with another? Is it supposed to be some kind of punishment?
It does matter who you substitute a pitcher below replcement level with. You should start with your options at replacement level.
It has to be something, right? If it's not physical, and it's not simply that he is one of those guys who cannot perform in NY, I hate to speculate, but maybe he was juiced prior to last year and hasn't figured out how HGH might help him. He went from directly from Cy Young caliber to mop up caliber during the 2004 off-season. From perfect game to praying for one perfect inning.
He's pretty good.
I sure hope so. RJ will get a few more starts, we need someone to mop up.
Part of me is being facetious, but a not insignificant part is like, what the hell... throw him out there.
Hughes's ERA in AA belies his good numbers, e.g., the 3+K to BB ratio ... but he'd get smoked by ML hitters.
In any event, planning on getting league average out of RJ at this point is a bad idea.
Small is just a ticking timebomb. He's bombed time and time again this year, but this "HE FINALLY TURNED THE CORNER!" BS has kept him on the team.
Javier Vazquez (2006: 71 IP 7-3 4.14 ERA, 53K/17BB 5 HR)
Brad Halsey (2006: 50 IP 3-2 3.93 ERA, 24K/22BB 7 HR)
Dionneer Navarro (Heir apparent to Posada)
for Randy Johnson (2006: 76 IP 7-4 5.33 ERA 61K/26BB 12 HR)
is the worst trade in the history of the Yankees. No other trade sacrificed more young talent for more aging talent. At least David Justice saved a poor hitting team and won a World Series. I am thoroughly disgusted that I was right...
But yech, it's pouring.
mortality is a bitch.
Not to mention Contreras.
mortality is a bitch.
We fans really have been spoiled in the last year.
The Yanks dip into the minor leagues, toss out some prospect. What the hell, right? Wang, Cano, Cabrera. Ta-da!
Well, even those guys still have to prove themselves. Wang has to show he can strike people out from time to time and pitch from the stretch. Robbie still has to deliver even on the modest promise of power he's shown in his career. And don't look now, but Melky has cooled off at the plate in the last week. Was it all a wonderful dream?
So why should they be so cavalier about cutting Hughes' minor league development short? They have other options if they need to do damage control with RJ.
"Cabrera, the feel-good-story of the season, went 0-for-3 in last night's 9-3 loss and is in a 5-for-28 (.179) slide. . . ."
And over at the YES boards, some of the people who were proclaiming him a superstar are now calling him a "two week wonder."
(Personally, I suspect it's just the other teams adjusting to him. They've got scouting and tape now. Cano went through something similar last year.)
It says more about RJ than it does about Snall. That's how bad RJ is.
On the dark side, 6 - 1. Gak.
109 Buhner for Phelps? Pretty bad No? Frank Costanza hated it anyway.
We should start calling ourselves the Cliche Three.
they don't always fall in ...
I am getting really sick of this rain. :-P
Farns is an idiot and sometime savant.
Villone, he of the sub 2 ERA, is never used.
Smith is the lefty hidden behind Villone.
Myers does his LOOGY role.
Small is one of those bad pitchers you read about in the thread.
Then there's, ahem, Scott Erickson, whom we all hate.
There's potential there, but the good pitchers are poorly used and the bad pitchers just won't go away.
OK, I'll grow up now.
"Maria Rivera, 'Mo(ld), Badvera... dammit. I'll get you, yankz."
I don't mind Aaron Small. I think he needs frequent work to keep his edge. He might thrive in the Tanyon Sturtze role. Get rid of Erickson, and use Small as the overused disposable pitcher.
I agree with the previous posters that moving A-Rod to short would just be jerking him around if Jeter's not out for an extended period of time.
Street, who was unhittable last year, has regressed to throwing at least two hanging sliders per appearance. He comes in in the eighth with the tying run at the plate, throws a hanging slider...boom, tie ballgame.
Calero is a ROOGY who has been forced to face all batters because everybody else in the pen is worse than him. Save your lefty pinch hitters for when Calero comes in the game, and they'll get on base.
Halsey has actually been pretty good, but he should be in the rotation instead of Saarloos. But now he's going to be wasted as a LOOGY.
Gaudin has good stuff, but walks too many people.
Karsay is almost as done as Scott Erickson.
Jay Witasick...well, y'all know about him. Plus he's been hurt, so even more so.
Get the starter through six and pray for a rainout...that's actually a pretty good strategy for the A's.
My brother just came back, saw the score and went, "oh, so if the game doesn't come back, they lose, well, at least they didn't have the shutout."
Me, "......"
I love Andy, but there's a reason he ended up at 1B. He couldn't handle 3B or 2B in the minors. I don't think it would be wise or fair to stick him at SS. Cairo is okay at SS.
115, 144, 145, 146, 159, 161 Look at all the classy Yankee fans.
I'm in the "don't move A-Rod" camp. He's been struggling anyway. 3B is his spot, he should stay there. Cairo is okay at SS.
And you can tell that one goodbye!
Giambino!!!!
This is similar to Sheff's (first) injury and Posada's injury, where the team does not DL the injured player, but instead trots out some horrible replacement. It also betrays a Yankee tendency the last few years, which is to build the roster with inflexible players (or perhaps more accurately, inflexible use of the manpower available).
Green, I think, is a "break glass in case of emergency" player.
And yay, Robbie! The power is coming, I tell ya!
Ah, but that's the problem. Why even have such a player on the roster? If he is so bad that you can't PH for Cairo with the bases juiced, then replace the PH with Green on D, then you might as well only carry 24 players.
Hell, it's like the Yankees are only carrying 23 players, because apparently Green and Thompson will never be used unless there is a nuclear holocaust.
I suspect Green won't be around for long. Jeter, A-Rod, and Giambi were all down for various reasons. Hopefully that won't be a recurring situation.
Let's go, Yanks!
mortality is a bitch.
And not nearly as annoying as, say, Josh Beckett hitting a homerun. ;-)
Joe Torre was very pleased with Aaron Small's performance. Like it or not, I think we're keeping him.
Randy Johnson has that lost little boy look again.
Tampa beat Dunedin, 2-1. Bubba Crosby went 1 for 3 and got hit by a pitch. (He seems to get hit by pitches an awful lot.)
(speaking of which, Coco Crisp's face when he is in a box is probably the most hilarious ever)
Arragh, if it weren't Moose's revival this year we'd be in huge trouble by now :/ come on Randy get yourself back together dang it
So I bet he'll improve as the weather warms. But it will be cooling off again by the postseason.
(1) He just tries to throw harder and harder
(2) He becomes afraid to come near the strikezone and walks people
Neither of these are effective and he continues to refuse to adapt in any significant way. Even Clemens changed his repetroire, approach and strikeout pitch as he aged. Maybe I'm wrong, and I hope I am, but he just looks old and dare I say finished. We will occasionally see glimpses of the old RJ, as we did with the near no hitter, but that will not be his consistent self. Verducci I think, had an article about this a few weeks back.
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.