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0 Subject: 2008 Yankees

Posted by: Mattinglyinthehall
- Dude [01629107] Wed, Apr 23, 2008, 09:05

Standing at 11-10. A little disappointing but I think another slow start was easy to predict with Mussina and two rookies in the rotation. Wang, Pettitte, Rivera and the young arms in the bulpen are holding the pitching staff together right now.

I type that the morning after watching Joba Chamberlain enter in the 7th with a 1-out and bases loaded jam courtesy of Traber and Bruney, and promptly get the Yankees out of it with only 1 run allowed. He then pitched a scoreless 8th. It was the result I expected when joba came in. And if Joba hadn't been available (like for example if he were in the rotation) I wouldn't have been nearly as optimistic if it were Hawkins or Farnsworth. After Damon's 3-run shot in the top of 9th broke it open, Farnsworth came in to get the last 3 outs and allowed a run.

I do think it's in the Yankees best interest, both this season and in the long term, to move Joba to the rotation this year. But its not going to be easy to lose a near-automatic shutdown in the 8th inning.
Only the 50 most recent replies are currently shown. Click on this text to display hidden posts as well.
35BigBobE
      ID: 531131214
      Tue, Jun 03, 2008, 15:29
Joba get's Farnsworthed. Yankees come back and tie 6-6. Farnsworth goes Joba. Yankees win...
36Great One
      ID: 56438112
      Tue, Jun 03, 2008, 16:23
Clean sweep being negative on the Joba move for WFAN. Carton/Boomer both think it'll be a bad move... then Harold Reynolds comes on this morning and agrees that its a shortsighted move and the wrong thing to do at this time.

Mike&MadDog both hate the move and indicate anonymous players on the Yankees don't like it... now John Heyman is on saying he thinks is a bad move and that "the general consensus of people around baseball" is that its the wrong move to make.
37JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Tue, Jun 03, 2008, 16:39
I'm a little annoyed at all the negativity about the Joba transition. Let's see how it plays out, and lets not knee-jerk tomorrow off of tonight's outing, good or bad.

I am not minimizing the importance of having a solid set up guy, but If being the 8th inning guy is so crucial, why don't the other teams that need one move one of their potentially good starters there. How about the Mariners put Felix Hernandez there, or the Tigers move D-Train, or the Reds with Cueto (please this is just for the sake of a hypothetical, lets not address each of these teams).

BTW I hear rumors about the Yanks dealing with Colorado for Fuentes.
38barilko6
      ID: 114431512
      Tue, Jun 03, 2008, 16:55
JeffG, I was following your point there until you started using good starter and D-Train in the same sentence.
39Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Tue, Jun 03, 2008, 17:01
Under the assumption that Joba can be a solid #2 (or better) starter (using something in the 3.50 or better American League ERA as a measuring stick), anyone who would claim that Chamberlain is more valuable pitching 70 innings in relief than he is 180+ innings as a starter is off their rocker.

Nobody likes 8th inning blown leads but a starter who can go 7 innings giving up 3 runs or (mostly) less is quite a bit more valuable than a dominant setup guy. It's just that those 8th inning blown leads are great Sportscenter fodder because you "had the game won" almost. A lame starter that blows the game before you have a chnace is even worse.

Go Joba!

PS - I agree Joba is unlikely to win tonight vs. Halladay, but it won't be his fault.

Prediction: 5 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 2 ER, 6K
40Perm Dude
      ID: 420241913
      Tue, Jun 03, 2008, 21:48
Well, he sucked worse than all predictions.
41Da Bomb
      Donor
      ID: 487112814
      Wed, Jun 04, 2008, 01:34
I was at the game tonight and Joba surely didn't fare so well, but there are silver linings. He only gave up 1 hit and struck out 3 in his 2 and 1/3 innings. The thing that did him in was the 4 walks, however, with that not being a problem of his in the past, I will chalk it up to the nerves of his first career start. Once he gets his stamina up and limits his walks, all signs point to him being dominant in the new role.

On a related note, I really hope Girardi is done trying Hawkins and Farnsworth as the #2 guy in the pen. Would like to see Ramirez or perhaps Britton get a shot there.
42Great One
      ID: 56438112
      Wed, Jun 04, 2008, 10:39
re:Fuentes
See that could change my point of view on this. If the Yanks can go out and pick up a solid setup guy like a Fuentes to fill that spot in, then I think that changes this situation. I could see this working out. But based on the current situation (the image of Eckstein's bases clearing 2B vs. Hawkins last night will stick in my head) they are in trouble.

I also think there is a question mark about how Joba can do as a starter that nobody has really addressed... I'm not sure how his intensity is suited for 6 innings straight of starting. Just like I don't think Papelbon is as valuable as a starter. He'd be a good starter - but he can be a dominant reliever.

Species - a team like Seattle doesn't seem to have trouble finding setup guys, they've produced Putz, Sherrill and even guys like Morrow as setup guys who have proven they can get the job done. NY only has relievers that have proven they CAN'T get he job done as a bridge from the starters to Mariano (namely Hawkins, Farnsworth). I also think this could adversely affect Rivera... they are gonna start bringing him in for some 2 inning saves here and there and I fear that could burn him out too. There is a domino effect here that blowing up that bridge will cause. Plus its one more starter that will never get past the 6th inning... so now you are exposing your (inadequate) bullpen even more.

I really think they would have been better off trading for a solid innings-eater type SP -- ala Bronson Arroyo, Blanton, Lilly etc. Someone that can go at least 7 IP, 3-4 runs and then its game over. Joba starting 15 games the rest of the way is less beneficial than him locking down 25-30 wins handing it over to Mariano. If they go 10-5 in games he starts, thats great... but if they only go 18-12 in games in which he would have logically been in for a Hold... then I think he's making less of an impact. He's impacting less games in a positive way. Cause with those two at the end - they probably convert more like 28 out of 30 chances. And insertRandomstartertype i.e. Rasner could still go 8-7 in those same 15 starts. So you gained 2 games from having a better starter, and gave away 10 because your bridge is blown up.
43Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Wed, Jun 04, 2008, 11:11
GO - The Yankees have been stupid in regards to set up relief for 5 years. They keep trying to buy guys like Gordon, Karsay and Farnsworth instead of developing their own. They need to let some of these new young arms develop into their roles. I've bitched about this with Yankee buddies forever.

Joba was certainly a bit too pumped up for his first start. No biggie, he'll be fine. He is more valuable as a starter than a shutdown 8th inning guy, period.

Getting Joba built as a starter is all about 2009 and beyond. 2008 is SHOT for the Yankees, and they ought to know it. Let the Mussina, Giambi, Pavano (insert a couple other big red herring contracts here) contracts expire, maybe bring in 1 of Teixeira or Sabathia and let Hughes get healthy and maybe even have Horne or Marquez or the other dude coming up (forget his name, but coming on very strong in AA) stabilize the pen. This team as constructed will NOT compete for a World Series, let alone the division or even a playoff spot. Accept it. The fans will come to the new stadium.....it will be okay, Hank.
44Khahan
      ID: 46121614
      Wed, Jun 04, 2008, 12:26
Species,
I am not ready to write off the yankees as a threat for the WC or possibly even the AL East. They did this last year and then pulled it together and made a real run.

This year A-rod will pick it up. Jeter is Jeter. Giambi is apparently off the roids and has found a fountain of youth (obp around .400, BA of about .315 for the past month). Melky and Cano are still developing. Yes, they are definitely looking like they are in rebuild mode and they defnitely still have a few holes in their rebuildig process. But until they are under .500 and at the end of July, I consider them a threat. They have a lot of good, competitive talent.
45Great One
      ID: 56438112
      Thu, Jun 05, 2008, 10:47
I'm a little surprised Cano isn't getting booed more than he is... he's played like garbage. And he looks lazy and listless out there.

Johnny Damon
Asked point blank if he would send Chamberlain back to the bullpen, he said "You know what? It's not up to me. But I like winning ballgames," according to the Daily News.
46Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Thu, Jun 05, 2008, 17:02
Yesssssss! HS starter Gerrit Cole falls to the Yankees at pick 28. While not as good as Rick Porcello, Cole has the same kind of #1/#2 starter potential.

Don't whine, GO....Boston got HS SS/RHP Casey Kelly - another signability pick that dropped from the first half of round one.
47angryCHAIR
      ID: 561401810
      Fri, Jun 06, 2008, 09:54
Did everyone hear that loud CHINK in the BoSox armor last night? Evil Empire part 2 is human afterall-----the biggest concerns: Big Papi (duh!), Manny and Youk's impressions of Barrett and Zambrano 2007, and Manny's "possible" injury to his knee-----

I hate the Red Sox!

48JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Mon, Jun 09, 2008, 16:37
Talk about staying around .500. With today's loss, the Yankees are now 32-32. They've been .500 22 different times this season. They've played all but 5 games while they were within 2 games of .500.

Their W/L record
5 games under 1-0
4 games under 1-1
3 games under 1-1
2 games under 5-1
1 game under 12-5
when even 10-12
1 game over 2-10
2 games over 0-2

I do not know what it means, but interesting none the less. I guess when the entire division is at .500 or better right now being .500 is not good.

With the next run of 15 games, 3 each @Oak, @Hou, SD, CIN, @Pit, the time has come to get a bunch of games above .500.

Then 3 at the Mets and after that series ends (June 29th), 23 of the next 29 games (including the yet to be announced make up home game with the Mets) are at home, taking them to August 4.

It is a good stretch, and with 'Opening Day' lineup now finally all healthy, it is time to see what kind of run they can put together.
49Da Bomb
      Donor
      ID: 487112814
      Sun, Jun 15, 2008, 00:17
Article about the Yanks' new switch pitcher.
50JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Mon, Jun 16, 2008, 16:08
Wang to miss up to 6 weeks after injuring his foot running the bases yesterday in Houston. Funny, I've always been an AL fan but would have loved to get rid of the DH. I was pretty indifferent about the leagues having different rules and thought it was not ideal but ok as is. But after yesterday, I'm rethinking my stance. After Wang's injury yesterday because the AL pitchers really don't focus at all on hitting and baserunning except for a few weeks in June when they do interleague, maybe it is not a great idea to have different rules. Of course, this is a knee-jerk reaction to yesterday's fluke injury.

So Six weeks takes us to August. With Hughes and Kennedy still out, who will be the 5th starter (they'll need a 6th next week because of the double header). Perhaps Geise gets the first chance, or maybe Ohlendorf. Igawa again? Marquez?
51Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Mon, Jun 16, 2008, 16:15
Three words.

Punt

the

season
52Seattle Zen
      ID: 49112418
      Mon, Jun 16, 2008, 16:54
who will be the 5th starter

Sabathia. If not now, when?
53Perm Dude
      ID: 205111615
      Mon, Jun 16, 2008, 17:03
Who would the Indians get in return? He's at a classic "buy low" moment, but the Yankees don't appear to have anyone the Indians might want. Maybe Cano plus another player? Even with Asdrubal Cabrera at AAA, I don't think Cano would be any real upgrade, though.
54Da Bomb
      Donor
      ID: 487112814
      Wed, Jun 25, 2008, 22:01
I think it is becoming quite clear where Joba belongs.

Species - The season is far from over
55Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Wed, Jun 25, 2008, 22:19
........as if there was any doubt of that, Bomb.

I know the season isn't over.

I firmly believe the Yankees can make the playoffs.

I hold little belief the Yankees are a World Series caliber team.
56Great One
      ID: 2241519
      Wed, Jun 25, 2008, 23:44
You sound like you are trying to convince yourself Stuart Smalley. Are you looking in a mirror repeating it over and over Species?

Exactly what combo of Sidney Ponson, Brian Griese, Kei Igawa, Kennedy, Rasner and the soon to return Carl Pavano is going to lead you there?
57Da Bomb
      Donor
      ID: 487112814
      Thu, Jun 26, 2008, 00:22
You make it out like that's their whole rotation. Since Wang went down, they have 2 spots to fill after Pettite, Moose, and Joba. Giese has surrendered 1 ER in 14 innings (after having an ERA under 2 before being called up) and then they just need one more of those guys to rack up innings and not completely stink. A trade is also possible.

Yanks have been in worse positions in recent years.
58Great One
      ID: 56438112
      Thu, Jun 26, 2008, 08:54
Joba and Pettite should be solid, I concur... but do you think Moose is gonna win 10 games in the second half too? He's been a pleasant surprise, but you can't reasonably expect him to keep it up, can you? And Wang isn't coming back this season, not early enough to make an impact I don't think, and at that point they will probably just shut him down.

Though Moose should rack up another win against the lowly Pirates today.
59jseth333
      Leader
      ID: 24100310
      Mon, Jun 30, 2008, 20:21
Coming from Texas to take the kids to a yankee stadium for a game - choices are thursday july 31 - Sunday august 3

Should I pick a day game or a night game?

Conventional site seems to be sold out of reasonably prices tickets for 4 - can I get them on the street on game day or should I go through stub-hub etc.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
60JeffG
      ID: 47112621
      Mon, Jun 30, 2008, 22:12
jseth333 - Considering you can't get tickets via yankees.com, there seems to be fairly reasonable tickets on stub hub for both dates. You can get cheap bleacher seats, but the LF bleachers are pretty far, I see tier reserve, regularly $23 for about $40-$50. The box seats start to get pricey on that site. If you do tier reserve, I prefer something with a lower letter numbered row even if it is further from home plate and still in the infield (secs 1-18 are in the infield). I know there are scalpers around, but I do not have much experience to provide advice. Good luck.
61JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Wed, Jul 09, 2008, 13:55
Let me just say, I miss Wong! :( Ponson is filling in decently, Rasner needs to be more consistent, and Pettitte Joba and Moose are pulling their weight, but what a huge difference not having a guy like Wong who gives the pen rest and puts up many quality starts.

With the OF/DH injuries to Matsui and Damon, and Girardi's sudden urge to keep Posada in the lineup as something other than a C, it is quite painful to see the lineup turn with the currently light hitting tandom of Melky, Molina, and Garnder in the 8-9-1 spots. Granted they are all helping out on defense (last night being a prime example), but the runs just are not coming. They may have won a bunch of 2-1 and 3-2 games in this latest stretch, but this is not a team designed to go places on their pitching and fielding.
62clv
      ID: 39429310
      Fri, Jul 11, 2008, 09:33
Prepare to "pony up" yet again...

• The ex in Tex: Teams that have checked in with Atlanta about the availability of Mark Teixeira have been told the Braves aren't hanging any "For Sale" signs until at least the end of next week. If they can hang close in the East through the first series after the All-Star break, then Teixeira stays and they're likely to resume their efforts to add a bat (with Xavier Nady now clearly at the top of their wish list). But if the Braves slide any further, they'll almost certainly conclude they're too banged up to make a run, and the Teixeira auction will begin. The Braves would be likely to start that bidding by asking for a young first baseman who could replace him. The sad part is Teixeira is a guy they'd love to keep, and Teixeira never acts like a player who wants to leave. But Scott Boras has already sent signals that the free-agent asking price on Teixeira this winter will start at $23 million a year (theoretically for eight to 10 years). So the Braves know the one thing certain about Teixeira's trip through free agency is that it won't end with a return to Atlanta. Which will only make them more prone to hit the "ejector" button in this month if they think they can't win.

63JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 14:47
Yankees sign Richie Sexon

Don't know what to make of this. Certainly they need an extra righty bat (preferably an OF) but Sexon looked all but washed up in Seattle. He caused a stir by sitting in the bullpen during a game after learning he was benched, and he was boo'd pretty regularly by an otherwise forgiving fan base. Can he handle NY?

On the bright side, he does have good numbers against lefties this season in 61 AB - .344/.423/.623.

I guess Sexon would see playing time at 1B only against lefties, knocking some PT from Wilson Betemit.
64blue hen
      ID: 30311814
      Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 15:13
I'm pretty sure he spells it "Sexson".
65JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 15:23
Thanks for the insight.
66blue hen
      ID: 30311814
      Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 17:28
Sure thing jef.

By the way, if I'm the Yankees, I want no part of Sexson. He's just going to take at bats away from Giambi.
67Da Bomb
      Donor
      ID: 487112814
      Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 17:32
No he's won't. Giambi will remain the everyday 1B and will DH when the Yanks face a lefty with Sexson at 1B.
68Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Thu, Jul 17, 2008, 17:54
Low risk.

Likely low reward.

No big deal.
69JeffG
      ID: 47112621
      Fri, Jul 25, 2008, 21:52
Yankees trade for Nady and Marte

Pending physicals, they give up a minor league outfielder and 3 minor league pitchers including Ross Ohlendorf for a much needed lefty reliever and a right handed hitting LF.
70blue hen
      ID: 86502521
      Fri, Jul 25, 2008, 22:50
Jose Tabata is the outfielder. He's been a prospect since a very young age, although he'd been only "very good" of late. He's 20 and in Double-A so that's impressive. He'll probably hit Triple-A for Pittsburgh.
71wiggs
      ID: 356191618
      Fri, Jul 25, 2008, 23:32
i really do not like this trade for the yanks- am i alone here not liking them sending Tabata
72Da Bomb
      Donor
      ID: 487112814
      Sat, Jul 26, 2008, 00:54
I love it. Nady is good hitter and will fit in nicely in the lineup as it appears Matsui and Posada are probably not returning this season. I feel much more comfortable having Nady play everyday than the rookies Gardner and Christian once the stretch run comes and then hopefully the playoffs.

I like the acquisition of Marte even more. Always a plus to add a good, reliable arm to the bullpen and he's a lefty to boot. Farnsworth has pitched very well since Joba has moved to the rotation and the Yanks seems to have put together a reliable bridge to Rivera.

As for what the Yanks are giving up, none of the 3 pitchers have high ceilings. The "prize" here is Tabata, who may or may not be a good major leaguer. It's the type of deal a contending team must make to increase their chances of winning the World Series.

Right now I think the x-factor the rest of the way is Wang. If he comes back strong at the end of the season I'm liking the chances of going all the way.
73Great One
      ID: 10658208
      Sat, Jul 26, 2008, 08:35
Very good trade for the Yanks, filled multiple holes... good RH bat, corner OF, setup guy and top lefty.
74Great One
      ID: 10658208
      Sat, Jul 26, 2008, 08:35
and Nady can even play some 1B, another bonus...
75angryCHAIR
      ID: 561401810
      Sat, Jul 26, 2008, 13:56
I, too, like the trade a lot. Will ease the stress of the Posada/Matsui loses!

I am digging the AL EAST race right now---will bea fun stretch to watch! The Rays seem to be real---BoSox have had issues.......

Also, every other race (besides the AL WEST) is shaping up to be fun as well. Hopefully. the NL WEST top finishers will be above 500! :)
76Perm Dude
      ID: 126252614
      Sat, Jul 26, 2008, 18:57
Decent trade--Marte fills the most pressing need. Nady (a Boras client) is a free agent at the end of the season, so I think Pittsburgh probably got the better of this deal with the prospects they picked up.

Good to see management trying to make this all happen. I suspect, however, that they are working this hard because they see Tampa Bay at the top of the standings. I suspect if Boston was up there management wouldn't be trading away prospects for half-season players, even ones as good as Nady.
77Great One
      ID: 10658208
      Sun, Jul 27, 2008, 15:19
Yanks have 10 games on the horizon with LAA which should be really interesting. Yanks seem to have a lot of trouble with them for whatever reason.
78blue hen
      Leader
      ID: 710321114
      Sun, Jul 27, 2008, 17:50
Rumor has Jarrod Washburn headed to the Yankees. He pitched today, so it definitely hasn't happened yet. That would actually be a pretty good move - he has a similar skill set to Joe Blanton but they won't have to give up as much.
79JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Thu, Jul 31, 2008, 09:12
One of the good things about the Yankees is they will not hesitate to pull the trigger to fill in slots to better the team for a stretch run.

Nice out of the blue Pudge rental/pickup yesterday to get needed offense in the C position and not lose anything defensively. Just when Yankee fans started to finally warm up to Farnsy too - it took 3 years, he'll now be in the closer mix for the Tigers.

I guess there will be no true 8th inning guy now, but the Yankees have a pen where everyone has really stepped it up. Getting back to the earlier Joba discussion, because of Farnsworth's effectiveness of late, they really did not lose too much 8th inning effectiveness when Joba moved to the rotation. Now lets see how it plays out.
80JeffG
      Leader
      ID: 01584348
      Mon, Sep 08, 2008, 09:45
Reluctantly.....

81blue hen
      ID: 30311814
      Mon, Sep 08, 2008, 13:53
Yeah, it looks like it. I think that will be good for baseball, and good for the Yankees.
82Species
      Dude
      ID: 07724916
      Thu, Sep 11, 2008, 11:48
Reluctantly? Sorry bro, but you've been deluding yourself. This was not, and never was going to be, a World Series contending team.

I'm excited by the prospects this offseason. I still believe in Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain. We get Wang back. I love what E. Ramirez, Veras and Bruney bring to the bullpen, and we have other promising arms (Robertson, despite his rookie struggles) waiting as well.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not overspend on resigning much of the old guard!!! IF you insist on bringing the Mussinas and Pettittes of the world back, PLEASE do it on 1-year deals! PLEASE do not sign Ben Sheets - he won't cut it. PLEASE feel free to sign Mark Teixeira though! lol
83Perm Dude
      ID: 3825168
      Wed, Sep 17, 2008, 01:27
90-year-old remembering the first game at Yankee Stadium.

Glad he'll be there for the last one.
84Electroman
      ID: 418231318
      Thu, Sep 18, 2008, 16:49
New Yankee stadium comes under fire.

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