http://www.replacementlevel.com/index.php/RLYW/comments/why_the_yankees_are_losing

While preseason projections are clearly not an exact science, the conclusion I have to make is that some serious adjustment is due at some point in the season for all these hitters. This happened last year as well, and the entire team played about as amazing baseball as one can expect from July 15-August 31 last year.

The other cause for optimism is noticing the discrepancy between the calculated Batting Runs (which come from the Yankees' offensive numbers) and Actual Runs. Just like last year, the Yanks are not scoring the number of runs they should from the raw stats. While someone who believes in clutch (I don't) may come to a different conclusion, I have to think that an adjustment will come.

Also, yeah, A-Rod playing like himself gives the Yankees an extra win per week.

$%@#$#@$

translation:

They're shitty!

We're only two games out of 4th.

Best I could do.

Oliver Perez - 2008:
vs. RHB: .295 .403 .411
vs. LHB: .103 .280 .179

So he leaves the only two RH bats on the bench? Who replaced Girardi with a Torre clone?

Maybe the Reds would be willing to part with Andy Phillips. He's been en fuego in Louisville. One of the hottest hitters in the IL. Had a 17-game hitting streak that just ended a couple of days ago.

Seriously, is there any doubt at this point that Ensberg gets DFA'd with A-Rod's return? If not, he damn well should be. Really, what's the point with him?

As for Duncan, I suppose Gardner or Miranda work. I think the former is much more helpful, especially since it seems Girardi is going to give Giambi 500 ABs this year regardless of whether he deserves them. With that, I can't see where Miranda fits in.

As for Phillips, I can't see that happening. And it would be a bit depressing to think he's a solution. Though with Cashman, nothing stupid surprises me.

(sigh)

Signed,

Depressed Yankee Fan

I was also thinking about Cliff's long post where he concluded that OBP was the key, tracking various numbers ... but really, Cliff, doesn't that just amount to saying that missing Rodriguez and Posada have killed the offense? Both were on base all the time last year. Jorge would not do .426 again (sheesh!) but he is lifetime .380. I wonder what happens if we just plug those obp numbers in, instead of Molina and the revolving door at 3rd. Bet we get something close to pleasant ... and pick up 4-5 games over the month they are missing.

In other words, we are 'down' the reigning MVP and the guy who probably deserved to come 4th or 5th last year (at least) and that WILL hammer a team. Blaming injuries can feel lame, teams get them (though it is often the lucky team that escapes them that wins a Series) but it is also wrong to savage a roster (or even a Manager and GM) when superstars (and right handed bats) are gone.

I'm not grasping for a silver lining, the team had a depressingly bad week after sweeping the Tigers, but neither have I scrapped the season. Having said that, I still hold the view that it was at least possible we might have to, from the time we refused the Santana deal and went with developing kids and holding fire till free agents arrived next year.