Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Carlos Silva entered yesterday's game with a 9.62 career ERA against the Yankees. After two innings, he and the Mariners were trailing 4-0, thanks in large part to a three-run home run Silva gave up to Jason Giambi. Mike Mussina gave those four runs back in the top of the third on a three-run Jose Vidro homer and a solo Adrian Beltre shot, but Silva held up his end of the bargain by giving the Yanks an extra run in the bottom of the frame and coughing up a two-run Bobby Abreu home in the sixth to give the Yanks a 7-4 lead.
Arthur Rhodes came on in relief of Silva in the bottom of the seventh with a 7.13 career ERA against the Yankees. He left three batters later having surrendered a run without getting an out. Brandon Morrow relieved Rhodes with a 15.00 career ERA against the Yankees and let in three more runs. Ryan Rowland-Smith relieved Morrow with a 19.29 career ERA against the Yankees and allowed one last Bomber tally before getting the final out.
Joba Chamberlain took over for Mussina in the sixth inning. He made a nice leaping stab of a bounding comebacker for the first out of the sixth and then struck out the next two batters. In the seventh, he gave up a lead-off single to Yuniesky Betancourt and walked Jose Vidro on five pitches with two outs, but stranded both men. He was effective, but inefficient, using up 40 of his allotted 45 pitches in those two frames, only 55 percent of which were strikes. Given the length of the bottom of the seventh, and the fact that Chamberlain was only five pitches under his target, the Yankees opted to end his day there.
Kyle Farnsworth entered the eighth inning having allowed 2.57 home runs per nine innings. With one out, Jeremy Reed won a 13-pitch battle against Farnsworth with a single. Three pitches later, Richie Sexson homered to the retired numbers. That set the final score at 12-6 Yankees.
Jose Veras pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, but it wasn't without incident. With two outs and the count 1-1 on Beltre, Veras poured in a strike and home plate umpire Larry Vanover gave his strikeout call, prompting Jose Molina to pop out from behind the plate to shake Veras's hand and the stadium P.A. to start blasting out "New York, New York." Thing is, the count was only 1-2. Beltre pointed this out to Vanover, the song was cutoff, all of the players were sent back to their positions, and the at-bat continued for five more pitches before Beltre grounded out to officially end the game. Curiously, two of those pitches were right at Beltre's head, but Beltre laughed both off (in the YES booth David Cone described them as curves that didn't curve). Still, it seemed suspicious to me, and it was even stranger when Beltre, apparently because he was looking the other way, ran right into Veras on his way back to the dugout. Still, none of it appeared to mean anything. That was just about the only surprising thing about Saturday's game.
The Yankees have scored 25 runs in the first two games of this series, have averaged 8.8 runs per game in their five games against the Mariners this year, and in going for the sweep this afternoon will face a pitcher with a 6.99 ERA on the season and a 12.23 ERA over his last four starts in Jarrod Washburn. Washburn, however, has a 2.52 career ERA against the Yankees. Here's hoping Chien-Ming Wang's calf is okay and that he can rebound from allowing seven runs to the Mets in his last outing. If the Yanks sweep, it'll be just their second three-game sweep of the season, both of them having come against the Mariners.
But, in a similar vein, is there any way to force the Sox to always play on the road? Talk about an offense built specifically for their home park!
Is there a way to figure out who has done the best against the Yankees over the last say ten years?
I'd prefer the Yanks make a play for Freddy Garcia, Millwood, Gil Meche, Bronson Arroyo or someone who won't destroy the bank. I also wonder if it's too early (it probably is) to make a big deal for Jake Peavey and his fat contract. I could see offering IPK, Horne, Ajax and Tabata for him.
What the Yanks ought to do though is just be patient and go get Yu Darvish and CC Sabathia next season to go with Wang and the kids.
1. Frank Lary (the Yankee killer) (26-12, 3.44 ERA))
2. Frank Tanana (20-19, 3.70 ERA
3. Chuck Finley (17-10, 3.82 ERA)
NOTE: I typed in the above-names from memory, and THEN went and looked them up on baseball reference.
Other than Frank Lary's record and ERA (particularly considering the Yankee teams he was pitching against in the 50's) I'm not all that impressed with Tanana's and Finley's numbers. They're good but I honestly was expecting ERA's in the low 2's.
Since the Padres are in the toilet, the might consider moving him for the right price, but he's only make $6.5 million in 2008 which is stupidly low. (NOTE: I don't know what he's making in the rest of the deal).
Why didn't that dumbass wait for free agency and get paid $20 million per season? What an idiot.
6 Are you kidding? It seems to me between our pitching rich farm, the POTENTIAL of the 'Trip Aces', and all kinds of money for FAs, that pitching is not our problem over then next 5 years. Positional players at 1B, the OF and C are what we need. Maybe even a good young SS. AJax, Montero and Tabata seems to be the most likely kids to be impact players. I can't see trading any of them except for a young positional player.
Lackey is 4-7 with a 4.81 ERA against the Yankees
Memory is never as good as actual numbers.
Then go look up our runs scored from 2004-2007 and compare it to 1996-2003
What you're going to discover is that our ERA+ was awesome from 1996-2003 and it was below 100 from 2004-2007. You'll also find we've scored more runs per season from 2004-2007 than we did from 1996-2003.
Notwithstanding this season's hitting problems in a somewhat small sample size, pitching has been and will be our real problem.
We've got 3 years of Jorge left and have some catchers in the system now who might be about ready to hit the Bronx in a few years. We do need a first basemen, but can sign Texeira next season.
AND we don't have Trip Aces, my friend. There's no way that Hughes, IPK AND Joba will all make it. Someone will get hurt and someone just won't pan out.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/mdnp
Here's a list of multiple (3 or greater) appearances on the list:
Kevin Appier- 3
Eric Bedard- 3
Frank Castillo- 3
Kelvim Escobar- 3
Freddy Garcia- 3
Roy Halladay- 6
Tim Hudson- 4
Jason Johnson- 3
Scott Kazmir- 3
Cory Lidle- 4
Rodrigo Lopez- 4
Pedro Martinez- 13
Jamie Moyer- 3
Mark Mulder- 3
Ramon Ortiz- 4
Curt Schilling- 5
Tim Wakefield- 3
David Wells- 5
Washburn has never had a GameScore above 65 against the Yankees since 2000. Lackey has done it twice.
It should be noted that the #2 GameScore against the Yankees since 2000 was handed in by David Bush...
109 Starts, 704 IP, 50-34, 3.84 ERA, 430K/212BB, 112 ERA+
If you take out his sub-par 2006, his stats are pretty great:
2005: 120 ERA+
2006: 91
2007: 128
2008: 135
He would have been the Yankees' best starter every year except 2006...
Pitching is prime to winning it all, but it takes a balanced team. We have $$$ for FA pitchers. CC is ours if we want him. There will be others over the next 2-3 years. Out of the Trip Aces, we should hope to get a #2 and a #4. We got Wang, Horne, Melancon and many other good prospects.
Except ARod, all of our older position players are in decline. We might have another year or 2 of excellent O, we might not. By 2010, Giambi, Abreu, Matsui and JD are gone. Jeter could be a .700 OPS guy by then. Posada could be a .750 OPS guy.
Considering SP, RP, O and D, I'd like a B average. Last year we were C,C, A+ and C-. I think with one FA SP, we have a B rotation and BP with what we have. In 2010, I'm not sure about our O and D.
Jeez... poor kid. He's got a lot to deal with.
19 no offense, but many of your points aren't really backed up factually. We won those titles with pitching more than defense and those teams had their share of older players in decline (raines, straw, boggs, fielder, the 2000-01 versions of tino, brosius and O'Neill) but the starting pitching was great.
This particular team, meanwhile, has a bunch of aging hitters. Much of the reason for this has been the ill-advised signing of FA hitters at or past their primes. The Yankees would be wise to spend the bulk of their money having the best minor league organization in baseball.
13 UUUGGGHH, Frank Fing Castillo. God I used to hate how he would totally shut down the Yankees despite throwing such junk.
For all the good pitchers on that list, there are a lot of really mediocre guys...
What exactly does a game score of 65 mean though? Besides being good...
I'm not that worried about our aging hitters. We can replace them through trades or free agency or from within. Pitching is at a much much higher premium.
Next year giambi and abreu come off the book, and Damon comes in two years. To a large degree the "aging player" problem will take care of itself. Find jeter a new position and DH matsui and we're fine.
Just about every Yankee WS winner had some past their prime veteran hitters and we'll be no different.
Bottom line, compare the ERA+ and runs scored for the teams from 1996-2003 and 2004-2007 and you'll see the difference.
And this team will score runs.
Game Score: Start with 50 points. Add 1 point for each out recorded, (or 3 points per inning). Add 2 points for each inning completed after the 4th. Add 1 point for each strikeout. Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed. Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed. Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed. Subtract 1 point for each walk.
Interestingly, there have already been over 200 game scores above 65 in the major leagues this season. But in 7.25 years, less than 200 have occurred against the Yankees.
Where's Giambi?!
In 1996, we had an OPS+ of 100 and an ERA+ of 108 (Don't know how we won).
In 1998-2000, our OPS+ and ERA+ were within a few points of each other, with the OPS+ being higher then our ERA+ 2 of the 3 years.
With Scotty, Tino, Knobby, and young Bernie and young Jeter, our D was much better then our teams of late (Giambi, Matsui, Sheff, GOB)
Then there are many years where teams like Minn and Oakland didn't win with far better ERA+'s then the Yankees 1998-2000. However, they did not have the offense.
Furthermore, as you pointed out, by 2010, Mats, JD, Abreu and Giambi are gone, and Jeter and Posada are 2 years older. You ASSUME we can easily get impact position players. But teams are now locking up their young talent. JD Drew, Soriano, Tex and many others are/will get long and expensive contracts (sort of like Giambi's).
The Yankees built a dynasty by KEEPING Bernie, Jeter, Posada, Sori and Mo when they were young, and NOT trading them for the Big Name, and then augmenting the team with selected FAs.. Now you want to trade 2 of our best position youngsters for a big name?
As the Mets will prove with Santana, one stud pitcher is not enough. It is about a balanced team. Looking at our farm, we are pitching heavy. Over the next 2 years we are losing offense but gaining pitching.
And again, we will have a HUGE amount of money for FA's. Why do TRADES (like Santana) where we also have to lose young talent when we can get FAs (like CC) for money only?
But suggesting that Jason Lane is the answer is missing the question...
If only Wilson Betemit wasn't a terrible right-handed hitter, he might be a good solution. But in games like today, where Girardi likes to give one or more lefties a rest against a left-handed pitcher, Betemit is not a solution.
Duncan sucks. We could easily find someone who can hit better than .200.
And again, Mr. GM, I refer you to the fact that None of those guys in the minors show any indication that they can hit better than .200 at all, and Miranda is hurt, if you would do your research.
Duncan has shown to be able to hit better given at bats. Blindly calling for a player to be DFA'd and claiming there are easy replacements when there aren't isn't productive...
Let's see if Captain Jetes can get another 2-out RBI...
I suggested alternatives to him. Miranda can't be worse than sandy? I'd rather at least find out.
How about this:
1. Call up Gardner and put him in left and put Damon at first? 2. How about trading for a first baseman? 3. Put Alberto Gonzalez at first (he hits better than sandy after all)
4. Sign bonds and put him at first
5. Let giambi play first and DH matsui and get an all glove guy for first (because sandy can't play defense either).
I've given you 5 alternatives that are better than keeping garbage sandy Duncan on the team. Happy?
12 ground outs, 4 fly outs, 2 strike outs for Wang.
But if you start with "your point is dumb or your opinion is dumb and oh by the way, I'd like to debate you now" then I'm going to respond in kind.
2. Trading for whom exactly? And at what cost?
3. We don't, in fact, know that Gonzalez is a better hitter. He wasn't in the minors.
4. If the Yanks were going to sign Bonds, they probably would have done so already.
5. Putting Giambi in the field everyday virtually guarantees he'll get hurt.
I'm not saying that none of these moves could work, but there doesn't seem to be an obvious solution there.
2) For this game?
3) Why do that? Let AGon pitch.
4) For this game?
5) A realistic posibility. (1 for 5). However, based on 85 and maybe resting Mat's knees, while I would prefer Mats, Joe G. has some reason to play Shelly.
However, I think 82 makes the most sense.
I think it's very doable.
And no, I never said you were dumb. i said its a dumb nickname. That doesn't imply at all that YOU are dumb, but if you think it does, fine. I'll agree with the others and stop trying to reason and simply ignore you. It worked with William for awhile!
I don't like him either, but....
If you call a point I make "dumb" you're calling me dumb.
I will be happy to ignore you too.
But, the point remains, you have to score more than two runs of Washburn.
Jose Molina's hitting .208. I guess the Yankees should just dump him, no questions asked! As you said, there is no persuasive argument for keeping such a hitter. The fact he's a catcher and that the Yankees have nothing better at any level need not apply.
And your claim that Juan Miranda should be called up to the majors has been shot down, since he's injured. The point about playing Alberto Gonzalez (clearly a worse hitter than Duncan, based on career stats) at a position he's never played is also illogical.
And the point that the Yankees should trade two of their best young players for Jake Peavy was from the realm of fantasy.
With three innings left, there is still time, but I think this is a very important game. The Mariners are so bad that you have to sweep them. Simply taking 2 of 3 from both Baltimore and Seattle at home doesn't indicate a turnaround to me. Why the Yankees didn't hit Washburn is beyond me. Losing this game would leave a bad taste in my mouth and extinguish some of the good feelings from the last four games.
I didn't realize Miranda had a career ending injury and will never return. I feel so "shot down".
OLF I am most disappointed in you though
I am very confident with the credibility my opinions have in this forum, so I never feel the need to denigrate others or their opinions. That seems to be a pattern with you. You need to read up on the parable of the stone throwing and glass houses.
And I guess there is a persuasive argument for keeping a hitter who is hitting .200 or less, because you just made them for Giambi and Cano. Perhaps... just perhaps, Shelley Duncan has some use against left-handed hitters on this team? Only one of the options you gave (signing Bonds) would make the Yankees a better team by any measure!
I'd like the Bonds option, myself: nobody likes the Yanks anyway, why not embrace the villain role? but he's not a first baseman.
And Jeb, seriously, stop with the pathetic jabs, they aren't working.
Seriously do you need a hug?
((((zack)))
134 nick I stand corrected he is still going
Ok. Just a walk or a hit don't get greedy.
Let's see if Jason can take advantage of no shift here.
Matsui on deck...
Strikeouts, though... he does that a lot.
BULLSHIT call there.
Matsui with the clutch forced error!
Let's go Yankees! Tie this mother up!
Jeb... this caught my attention because as a parent, I think you miss a very important distinction.
He thought ONE point you made on 1 day, out of thousands of points you might make, was dumb. He was critcizing one small, specific point. That is VERY different that saying YOU are dumb.
It's OK to say to a child: I think that piece of behavior was really bad.
It is NOT OK to say: I think YOU are really bad.
It's OK to say to a child: I think what you said was really bad.
It is NOT OK to say: I think YOU are really bad.
This is a HUGE difference between these statements. If you are a parent. I hope you understand that. And it ain't bad to understand even when talking to other adults.
CHRIST! THAT PITCH WAS IN THE OPPOSITE BATTERS BOX!!! KILL THE UMP!!!
TO
GET
THIS
RUN
HOME!
Nice base running Mats. And Molina!!!
YANKEES COME ALL THE WAY BACK!!!
Go back and read what comment 82 said. Do you really think I'd care what you think after you agreed with THAT comment?
I hate to go back to an old cause celeb, but that Yankees are having more patient ABs and that's why they are hitting better. Is it coincidence that this all started with Arod's return?
Edwar has done a nice job this year...man, would I love to have he and Britton forming a nice late-inning RH tag team.
Cleveland behind by 1 in the bottom of the 10th. Carmona also out for 4 weeks. Cleveland is hurting.
Detroit loses 6-1, after scoring 19 last night.
And Papi hits a solo HR.
Incidentally its wonderful that Seattle will be pissed off tomorrow when they get home and king Felix and bedard will face the sawx.
------------------------------------------
No offense, but I agree with that statement.
And you don't have to 'care' what I think.
Read 159 . What do YOU think?
179 And Jim is 100% correct, so I'm done.
Now go outside for gods' sake!
YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES!
(I'll take it!)
The bullpen has been stellar, the rotation has stabilized. A lot to like. We're back at .500 and it's time to get to five over, keep winning boys!
If the lineup stays patient and Posada remains on schedule, then we can focus on things like IPK, Joba, Moose and the rehab of Hughes.
In what has been perhaps his finest first two months of any season, Mo had his best stuff of the year.
When you fall 5 games under, it gets discouraging when you think the team needs to rip of 10-5 to just get back even. When you can even things up in only 5 games, it feels good. Now, the Yankees need to make sure they don't fall back under.
big big win
Oakland ties the Sox in the first 1-1.
A VERY good weekend so far.
Am I nuts to still think Cleveland and Detroit are our competition for the WC (if necessary)?
Are the hitters starting to go the other way more? I see a very small sample size, usually just the highlights, but they do seem to be going the other way more.
Great, great weekend.
D'Rays won again too, which means we stay behind in the WC.
I don't think anyone is competition to the Yankees for the wild card...except themselves that is. Either the team will fire and at least win the WC easily, or they wont, and not be much of a factor. After the last week, I am leaning toward the former, but a cooler head wants to see more than manhandling Seattle.
Thanks for serving the country!
Boy, how huge was it for Matsui to move up to second? If he stayed at first I would guess the M's would have stayed in their doubles defense and Ichiro would have made an easy catch of Molina fly ball double. Funny how things work out.
As for the Tigers, they haven't shown any inkling of the kind of life the Yankees have shown the past week. They're now 21-29.
We have got to steal 2 of 3 in B'more.
And Banterers gettin' a little scratchy but apparently feeling better by the end of the game.
Our Wang wasn't good, but their Putz was worse. (Somebody had to say it.)
Oh, and, Thanks be to Mo, Amen. (It's so easy to start taking him for granted.)
Hm, maybe you guys are watching the Dodgers...
(Jack Cust takes Lopez's first pitch deep to give the A's a 6-3 lead.)
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