Aug
28

Game 133: Making some changes

By Joseph Pawlikowski

Jason Giambi sits today. It’s a lefty. We’re used to this. Thing is, this time it’s a deserved benching. He’s hitting .208/.306/.458 in August. Basically, his greatest trait, the ability to not make an out, isn’t working right now. He’s got some pop, but that’s just not enough.

Chad Jennings gives us a juicy scoop: Al Aceves has been called up. No word yet on the move to get him on the 40-man. I’m guessing they’ll option Robertson. The presumption is that he’ll take Rasner’s start on Saturday. Ras would then move to the bullpen. Hopefully, this is a precursor to Hughes taking Ponson’s start on Monday in Detroit.

The Yanks have placed Carl Pavano on waivers. No doubt he’ll clear. That would give Cash and Co. just a few days to find a trading partner. They’ll get nothing for him at the end of the year, so you might as well get something, anything for him while you can.

The lineup, trying to avoid a sweep:

1. Johnny Damon, CF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Xavier Nady, LF
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Hideki Matsui, DH
8. Cody Ransom, 1B
9. Jose Molina, C

And on the mound, number thirty-five, Mike Mussina.

Posted on Thursday, August 28th, 2008 at 12:00 pm in Game Threads.

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423 Comments »

Josh K says:

Dear God, Please help the Yankees win….please!

 
pat says:

my prediction is that cody ransom continues his shelly duncan/kevin mass-ian production.

parms says:

dont forget shane spencer

 
 
bill says:

Too little too late with getting Giambi out of there. My heart sank after I saw the lineup and realized a lefty’s on the mound. He’s probably gonna put Giambi back in the 5 spot versus a righty

Patrick T says:

I think your heart sinking over a batting order is a wee bit overdramatic, no?

steve (different one) says:

please, go to LoHud every single day when the lineup is posted.

people honestly believe that flipping Giambi and Nady is a 10 win improvement.

Patrick T says:

PA has good info, but he’s a blowhard and I only had to read the comments once to never check them again. I forever (foolishly) hope for more reason here.

 
 
bill says:

I definately do not think its a 10 win improvement, but an improvement nonetheless. Its hard to win games with your 4 and 5 hitters batting .248 and .209 respectively with RISP.

steve (different one) says:

no one disagrees that it’s hard to win game when those guys aren’t hitting.

what i fail to see is what Girardi can do about that.

what are you going to do, bat A-Rod 8th? oh wait.

the only thing he can do is drop Giambi to 6th, and i am saying it’s barely going to make a difference.

he was playing best 9 hitters on the team. i really don’t care what order you put them in.

bill says:

You cant have the meat of the order hitting like that. Youre not moving A-Rod out of the 4 hole, it would have him pressing all year to prove Girardi wrong. Weve already waited the whole season for Giambi to hit in the clutch, and he doesnt do it, he’s the only one of the two black holes you can move.

 
 
 
 
bill says:

Yeah but its insane to do the same stupid thing and expect good/different results. I doubt Girardi is insane, but it would be something if the Yankees overcame this defacit with an insane manager at the helm.

steve (different one) says:

right, except it’s not necessarily “stupid” just because you say so.

there is some logic behind not putting 3 LHers in a row after Nady.

bill says:

Part of that is frustration. You cant have your 5 hitter batting .209 with RISP. I dont care if he’s lefty or righty. The 4 and 5 hitters have been black holes, killing rallys all year. When you can predict that youre team wont score with the bases loaded, no outs, and your 4 and 5 hitters coming up, there is a BIG problem.

steve (different one) says:

again, i agree it’s a problem.

but the only solution i see is for A-Rod and Giambi to HIT BETTER.

nothing Girardi can do can make that happen.

Ivan says:

The only solution is to put Matsui in the 5 hole. I don’t really like Nady at all as the #5 hitter. That said, the best solution is for Giambi to hit better.

Nevertheless you can’t have a #5 hitter hitting less than .210 in RISP.

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steve (different one) says:

sure, i could get on board with this.

but Matsui has only been back for about a week and no one knew how he’d do out of the gate.

before Matsui came back, there weren’t really any changes to make except hope for these guys who have hit for the last 10 years with RISP to start hitting.

 
Ivan says:

I agreed what ya saying. I like Matsui as the #5 hitter cuz he’s more consistent than Giambi who’s streaky.

That said, Matsui just came back and it would be unfair to start hitting right away.

Like ya said, guys like Giambi need to step they game up.

 
 
bill says:

They have to hit better, but if they dont, you have to make some changes

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E-ROC says:

Mussina throws a gem.

Yanks will score a ton of runs and win.

Cashman will pull a coup with the trade of Pavano.

My prediction on the offers we get for Pavano: Nothing. Not even the fee for the gaming license.

JohnnyC says:

He’ll clear waivers and someone in the NL will trade some minor piece for him. I’d prefer it to be the Phillies.

Seattle for Washburn. Straight up, Paula Abdul-style.

 
 
 
 
bill says:

That stat is a disgrace. 18-18 at the Stadium versus the Sox since they broke the curse. No championship pedigree, this group

steve (different one) says:

.500 ball against the other “powerhouse” is pretty good.

going .500 against very good teams and beating up the weaker teams is how you get to 95-100 wins.

daneptizl says:

Except you don’t go .500 at home.

steve (different one) says:

and what is their record at Fenway over the same stretch?

19-16.

there is nothing “disgraceful” about any of this.

it’s just 2 strong teams playing each other head to head and coming out almost evenly.

Yankees played better in Fenway for some reason, who knows, it’s a small sample.

Damn you with all your stupid rationality and historical perspective!

A POX ON YOU!

I DEMAND 36-0!!!

bill says:

Damn you. We’re getting owned by the Sox and you dont seem to care. 18-18 is not acceptable, but I never demanded 36-0. And youre saying my rationality is stupid, at least I’m rationalizing. All you offer to this site are stupid comments and corny jokes

Actually, bill, I was “damning” steve for his rationality (and my tongue was quite firmly in my cheek).

It would have been impossible to damn you for your rationality, as it’s nonexistent on this matter. You’re frustrated with the lack of dominance; we all are. Steve and I are just saying it’s harsh to call it “disgraceful” to break even with what is clearly one of the best teams in baseball.

Passion and rationality don’t often go hand in hand. That’s why they’re antonyms.

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bill says:

Not at your home park against a team the Yankees have traditionally owned. The Sox have always put good teams on the field, and you notice coming into the series the Yankees were 200 games over .500 against the Sox at Yankee Stadium. I’ll tell you, the championship teams wouldnt be 18-18 against the Sox on their home field. That’s why its a disgrace. There used to be constants in life: People die, and the Yankees beat the Red Sox. People still die, but the Yankees dont beat the Red Sox. Not like they used to, before the curse was broken. Disgraceful stuff

pat says:

dude probably 150 of those wins came from 1900- 2002

jsbrendog says:
 
bill says:

Yeah, and those were the glory days. Championship teams that beat up on the Sox. Thats what a Yankee team should be. I hope the Yanks are ashamed theyre letting the Sox turn the tables. It makes my blood boil watching those douchebags celebrating on our field

Nady Nation says:

“Thats what a Yankee team should be.”

These are human beings, they can’t be programmed to beat up on the Red Sox every year just for your enjoyment. This isn’t a video game, you have to actually go out there and play the games against the opposition, who happens to be one of the best teams in baseball over the past 5 years.

up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-b-a-start, baby.

TIME FOR AN AMAZING YANKEE PLAYOFF PUSH!!!

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Joe says:

select start if you want two players.

 
 
bill says:

I know but its frustrating to not win in 7 years, have the curse broken in an unbelievable choke, and have a midget put the nail in your coffin. Everything has taken a turn for the worse. I’m venting right now

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JohnnyC says:

Buck up, it won’t last. The Red Sox will discover that it ain’t that easy to produce a dynasty, even a mini one like ours from 1996-2000. We’ve got a truckload of young talent on the way (even if it seems like they’re all catchers and right-handed pitchers), we’ve got the most financial resources on the planet, and John Henry’s hedge fund is bleeding hundreds of millions as we speak. Also, when Pedroia starts getting some respect from opposing pitchers, he’ll come down to earth.

 
 
 
 
 
steve (different one) says:

oh yes, i forgot about the curse.

carry on.

bill says:

It was a proud part of our franchise and their fans. All you had to say was “1918″ and the Sux fans would shut up. It was a strectch of dominance by us and bad luck for the Red sox

steve (different one) says:

i understand.

but the economics of the game have changed to the point where it was going to be IMPOSSIBLE for that dominance to continue.

the Yankees have the most money. but the Sox have the second most.

eventually they were going to win. they have the money to get good players.

the Yankees can’t stop that from happening.

bill says:

Yeah I guess, but it seems we’re the ones getting dominated and we’re the cursed ones lately

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cult of basebaal says:

they weren’t cursed then, we’re not cursed now …

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
steve (different one) says:

optioning Robertson doesn’t clear a spot on the 40 man, right?

the logical move is just putting Posada on the 60 day DL, i think.

this is good news though.

it seems like they are going to use the rest of the season to evaluate players. why not?

Ponson will probably be released.

Patrick T says:

Now that would be Christmas in August.

 
 
Ivan says:

Look, All I want for the yanks to do is finish on high note.

Whether they make the postseason or not, just finish the season strong with some optimism. I just want them finish well at the end of the season and who knows, they might get in.

 
TurnTwo says:

well thats kind of cool, if Aceves gets the start Saturday. ive got tickets, and i wasnt all to keen about having to watch Rasner pitch.

bill says:

He’s available in the bullpen, which means he probably wouldnt start on Saturday if he pitches today. I want to see him replace Rasner. Get that bum outta here

pat says:

lets hope moose goes 7 strong and aceves he doesnt get a chance to come in.

bill says:

They did the right thing by bringing him up, but theyre using him wrong. Let Coke or Melancon pitch in the bullpen

cult of basebaal says:

christ, they haven’t even used him yet. it’s clear they’re going to start him by the end of the year, it isn’t the end of the world to give him an appearance or two out of the bully to get his feet wet … further, how soon he starts may just be a matter of getting rid of hot carl pavano

 
 
 
 
Aaron says:

You have tickets to the game. Therefore, you don’t have the right to complain about who’s pitching.

Most of us won’t get to Yankee Stadium before the season ends. I haven’t been able to be there all year.

 
 
Ivan says:

David Robertosn was option to AAA.

pat says:

i hope he comes back strong next year.. i like robertson

Ivan says:

yea me too. I really like what I saw.

JohnnyC says:

Ditto. But, Robertson’s curveball flattened out too many times and his fastball command was spotty. Don’t know if it was nerves or the scouting report catching up to him but, yeah, he looks like he’s the goods. Probably the first time in his brief pro career where he couldn’t throw strikes consistently.

 
 
 
Joe says:

I may have missed it, but how does Aceves, get on the 40 man roster? Who’s moving off?

 
 
Nady Nation says:

steve (different one): I notice most of your posts and views I agree with, so I wanted to get your opinion…what moves would you make next year? Who would you let walk and who would you try to sign, etc.

steve (different one) says:

Sabathia (obviously)

i would look into bringing back one of Pettitte or Moose, not both.

i would let Abreu and Giambi go. possibly look to trade Damon.

sign Burrell or Dunn. make Matsui the fulltime DH.

sign some sort of stopgap CFer or try to make a trade for a veteran CFer. i wish i knew who will be available in CF, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find someone who is an upgrade on Melky.

i’d love to have Teixeira, but i don’t think they’d sign both Sabathia and Teixiera.

i would be very happy with Sabathia, Wang, Moose/Pettitte, Joba, Hughes

Damon, Jeter, A-Rod, Burrell/Dunn, Matsui, Nady, Posada, Cano, CFer

so that’s my “plan”: 1 starter, 1 “bat”, and a CFer.

Ivan says:

I too would let Abreu and Giambi go. I like Abreu alot offensively but I think it’s time to cut the ties.

I wouldn’t trade Damon unless it’s very good. I like Damon alot and I think next season he can still be huge.

I don’t like dunn, so I wouldn’t sign him at all. Burrell is interesting though.

I would really like to have CC because then adding him then puts less pressure on Joba, Hughes and Ian. Wouldn’t be surprise if you see a rotation of CC, Wang, Joba, hughes and IPK.

How do you like Burrell but not Dunn? Dunn is younger, a lefty, and a much better hitter.

After Texy, Dunn should be target #2.

JohnnyC says:

Agreed on Dunn. He could really blossom with the Yankees. I’m not that concerned with the K’s. He’s a younger Giambi with perhaps even more power.

 
Ivan says:

Burrell might be more cheaper.

Plus, Dunn is a very streaky hitter and would be a hefty price tag and wouldn’t age well. Never was a Dunn Fan. Plus, isn’t he like a career .230 n RISP.

Neither one of them will be cheap. If we’re talking about the difference between, say, 17M per and 19M per, why not get the better and younger player?

And Dunn’s lefty bat will be more valuable than Burrell’s righty one. Remember, Cano and Gardner are the only lefties who figure to be here beyond 2009.

Dunn’s RISP tripleslash: .227/.416/.482 - solid, not amazing, but remember he’s never had any good hitters behind him. He’s still a three true outcomes guy.

Burrell: .265/.388/.470
Texy: 325/.445/.625

Ivan says:

Well Burrell might be cheaper cuz of years though. Dunn is probably looking for a 7 year deal or at least 6. Burrell is probably 4.

I know Tex is the best hitter in the market but boy the yanks are gonna spend big money on Tex and CC? I just don’t see it. Between the two, I will pick CC. Lefthanded with not lost in stuff and young. Tex just reminds me of Beltran. A terrific player but not great, getting superstar money.

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Agreed on CC over Tex. But I’d still like to go hard for both. Tex is much better than the other two.

And I just can’t see Burrell only asking for 4 years. If he does, sign me up, but I’m not holding my breath for that. Aaron Rowand asked for more than 4…

 
 
 
 
 
steve (different one) says:

i don’t think they’ll start the season with IPK in the rotation. he’ll be penciled in as the 6th starter. first option when someone gets hurt.

if Moose and Pettitte both leave, maybe they spend that cash on AJ Burnett.

Burnett scares me. Even with all those K’s, he’s never been good at keeping runs off the board.

Pass.

 
Ivan says:

If both leave (which I doubt) I don’t think they sign Burnett who would be very expensive and lets face it, is a underachiever really. Sure he was alot of wins and he has a great arm but his ERA is quite high.

 
 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

Has anybody saw what NoMass did to diss Pete Abe. Pretty hilarious.

 
pat says:

i posted this a few games ago in the game thread but it got lost in the shuffle so im droppin it again before the game. These are fake instructional videos a la tom emmansky that feature real MLBers. They’re hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDZPN0mjaAA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJD8k2hgRmU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH4KP6uqtMg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGI8swltOAM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyyE2DLztA8

 
bill says:

03 and 04 between the Yanks and Sox were the best years of any sports rivalry. Both teams experienced the best highs and the worst lows. Great games, blowouts, curses, and broken curses.

 

Alright, boys. Like Hank, Joe, and Barack said, it’s time for change. Change we can believe in. WE are the ones we’ve been waiting for, WE are the change we seek!

YES WE CAN!

pat says:

MUSSINA PERFECT THROUGH 2/3

 
 
 
A.D. says:

I like X in the 5 hole protecting A-Rod. Depending what happens this offseason, I’d like to see A-Rod in the 3 spot next season, with perhaps Tex in the 4, and else Matsui or X

Ivan says:

I don’t like X as a 5 hitter. To much of a free swinger and if he comes back to earth he’s a really a good 6 hitter.

A.D. says:

compared to Giambi, sure Big G isn’t a free swinger, he also isn’t hitting

Ivan says:

true. To me, the best option is matsui but he just came off the DL and obviously he’s rusty and need to be given time. Time the yanks don’t have.

 
 
 
 
pat says:

anybody know if u can listen to the game on the internet?

Joe says:

yup, but not for free. mlb.com

 
 
E-ROC says:

If Hughes, IPK, and Aceves start in the rotation in Sep., would u want Molina or Rodriguez catching them? Or does it even matter?

steve (different one) says:

Or does it even matter?

nope.

 

Why not P.J.? He’s on the 40-man and healthy, no? Get him a September taste?

A.D. says:

PJ isnt on the 40 man, Cervelli is

Sorry, that’s what I meant. Cervelli, my bad. I know one of em was on the 40.

Switch the names and repeat the question.

 
 
JohnnyC says:

Put IRod on waivers and see if what you can get is better than the draft picks if you offer arbitration. Maybe the Marlins or Phillies will bite.

 
 
 
giselle says:

too bad this game isn’t on espn… i heard jon lester had cancer and i wanted to know more details from that story all throughout the game.

A.D. says:
 
 
 
pat says:

dammit i found the game online but its waaay delayed
because everybody cares abt my search

 
Patrick says:

I know we’ve been talking about this for a while, but what do we do with Bobby Abreu in 2009?

pat says:

offer arbitration hope he doesnt take it but if he does worse things could happen

 
JohnnyC says:

Offer him arbitration, hope he declines, and get draft picks.

JohnnyC says:

He won’t accept because I am sure the Mets for one would offer him a multi-year deal.

pat says:

Thats what we hope but just to prepare for worst case scenario it wouldnt be bad to have him 1 yr deal. (because this year has pretty much been worst case scenario)

 
 
 
zzzzz says:

the dude is sick with RISP, try to re-sign him for 2 years.

JohnnyC says:

RISP varies randomly from season to season. It’s not a repeatable skill. On the other hand, Abreu is currently the worst fielding rightfielder in baseball…and that’s even counting the assists he can get with his plus arm. He has the range of a postage stamp.

zzzzz says:

yeah, very true about the defensive stuff. not to mention his allergy to walls. i still feel like he still slots in very nicely as a #3 hitter though. its up to cashman. should be an interesting off-season to say the least.

 
 
 
 
zzzzz says:

watch a-rod, hes changed his batting stance a bit. he is waggling the bat faster.

 
Josh K says:

Sweet….a-rod picked up where he left off…

 
Pops says:

Trade Arod to Cincy for Bruce Volquez Encarnacion and Cueto

 

I’ve got a question, Samson… is that cocaine, or is that heroin?

 
 
Joe says:

Why would they want to do that?

A.D. says:

They pick up two good looking young arms, the #1 prospect in the game, and a decent 3rd baseman, help set the team up for the long term

Joe says:
Patrick T says:

Well, y’know they’re one piece away, especially after they trade all of their valuable assets not named Joey Votto. I’m sure A-Rod’s salary would be the only stumbling block.

Pops says:

id do it for Volquez Cueto Bruce or Votto and Philips.. And id send them IPK and 25 mill maybe one other prospect if they want.. put philips at 3rd bruce in center votto at 1st obviously.. than we can package cueto or hughes in a deal for holliday so we have bruce nady holliday.. than a roatiton of Joba Volquez Wang CC Hughes/Cueto which one u dont deal

Joe says:

No, see what you don’t seem to understand is that there is not way in hell that the Reds would make a deal like that. Why would they want to wrap up that much salary in one player. That much young talent at the cost is worth ten times as much as Alex Rodriguez. Is this a real discusion?

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pat says:

somewhere somebody missed the tongue in cheek

 
Pops says:

buddy im not being serious its a joke.. i know they would never do that but if we had to deal him wed need so many good pieces

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pops says:

i got here late but umm i think we should get burnett if we can.. sign 2 of those 3 big pitchers and wed have the best in baseball.. u put burnett on yanks his era is under 4 becuz he “loves to pitch where its baseball 24/7″ not in hockey filled toronto.. Imagine Burnett and CC we would strikeout more than anybody with Joba too… With CC Wang Joba Burnett Hughes/Pettite/Moose/ thats like 75 80 wins from the SPs alone hopefully.. and if we sign TEx thats such a boost compared to Giambi.. Idc what you say Tex is a huge upgrade over Giambino

Patrick T says:

So he’s going to lose a run off his ERA “becuz he “loves to pitch where its baseball 24/7??”

That makes the comment about resigning Abreu because of his batting average with runners in scoring position look like groundbreaking analysis.

The most likely thing to happen if the Yanks were to sign Burnett is he’d win the Carl Pavano award for worst IP to salary ratio.

No, he was saying that his ERA will be lower because of the exchange rate.

His Blue Jays ERA is calculated in Canadian dollars.

Patrick T says:
 
pat says:

i beleive you mean looneys

 
 
Pops says:

Burnett would be a great signing.. The due has better stuff than anybody we got besides Joba.. He would help our rotation so nicely… Burnett can be like our Beckett

“Burnett can be like our Beckett”

Darek Braunecker, is that you?

 
 
Pops says:

but anyway patrick ? do you think if a player enjoys where he is playing makes him try harder ??? He knows Jays arent gonna be in the mix every year but will pitching for the yanks rejuvenate him to wkr harder and all that ?? I beleive if an athlte enjoys his enviroment more he will play better in his sport.. Look at Arod when he was in Texas great years every year becuz there was no pressure cuz they were 10 games out of first all the time.. What about Randy coming to new york and he struggled?? Im just saying I think if a player enjoys his enviroment more and is in the heat of a playoff race it can go either way.. He could struggle or he could do great things for his team

Patrick T says:

If that gigantic paycheck can’t get him to try then coming to NY where the first time he gets smoked the media all compares him to Ed Whitson is going to motivate him. I think he’s already trying as hard as he can and at his age, he is the pitcher he is.

Pops says:

I will defend to the death your right to say what you said but i will have to disagree with you.. Burnett is a better pitcher than his numbers indicate

 
 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

I will say this about this team, you don’t have to make drastic changes to this team. This team with a healthy Posada, comeback years of Cano and Jeter, with Damon and A-Rod, with Nady, the O just need to add a good bat. Doesn’t have to be Texiera.

As for the pitching, you got Wang and Joba and Hughes healthy. You add another pitcher like CC, your rotation is in good shape.

Just a couple tweaks that’s all.

pat says:

Definately, people are talking about how bad we’re going to be next year too. But then again they’re mostly assholes

Ivan says:

Plus, with the draft picks the yanks will recieve, the yanks are in good shape.

pat says:

i agree man, we have a bunch of chicken littles everywhere. Ill take the 3 picks for pudge and bobby and we only have to give up our first rounder if we sign tex then a 2nd round for cc and so on.

 
 
 
 

I’m so disappointed that Handsome Cody Ransom got plunked. Now, he can only go 4 for 4 with 4 HR’s. That beaning cost him the ML single-game record.

 
Pops says:

or deal Arod for lincecum and buster posey lol

 
Pops says:

does anyone remember when beckett was almost dealt for blalock ??? who nixed that deal the rangers or the marlins ?

 

btw, “watching” the game on ESPN GameCast… this Kevin Youkillis bearded headshot looks like a white Dmitri Young.

 
Axl says:

Rangers didn’t want Lowell I think it was…didn’t want his money.

 
pat says:

mooose cruisin baby

 
Pops says:
 
 
cult of basebaal says:

hmmm … 2 at bats for nady in the 4 spot … 0-1 w/RiSP

obviously, it’s not the player … somehow our cleanup “spot” became cursed …

 
Axl says:

Why is rod making 30 million a year again?

And why did WE sign him?!?

We have the worst luck with signing people…worst luck ever

Doesn’t make sense how EVERYONE we sign can under perform and never meet expectations

pat says:

becasue your expectations are rediculously high

Axl says:

Hitting over .204 with RISP when making 30 million a year is too high?!? Jeeze…love to know what your standards are…LOL

Patrick T says:

For the love of god, Batting Average with runners in scoring position is not an effective way of judging a player’s value.

For the love of god, Batting Average with runners in scoring position is not an effective is not the only relevant way of judging a player’s value.

—————————

BA with RISP si not the end-all-be-all, but it’s damn important, and people need to stop pretending like it’s not.

 
 
pat says:

YOURE LOOKING AT ONE CHERRY PICKED STAT.

THAT HAPPENS TO BE A SUPER-IMPORTANT ONE.

 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

Yea cuz A-Rod is absolute bust. Best player my ass.

Pops says:

Game Season Playoffs W.S. ————All over =[….. Break the bank !

 
 
 
Axl says:

Nady isn’t in the 4 spot is he? All the gamedays and online things says he’s 5

cult of basebaal says:

i say 4, you say “toe-mah-toe” … obviously, they’re *both* cursed!

cursed, i tells ya!!!

 
 
Pops says:

Yanks lose more games in the stupidest way.. Rip to the season… say hello to the offseason.. Break the Bank !

cult of basebaal says:

what happened there? somebody screw the pooch on the pivot? gameday offers no answers, only questions …

Clayton says:

The ball was just a bit too slow. Cano ran in and got it at the edge of the infield grass and flipped to Jeter. Got to first a second too slow.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

It’s pretty quiet here.

Manimal says:

school started. I just got back.

 
 
Pops says:

he was out i agree

 
Axl says:

Cano made another costly play to cost us the game huh? Why can’t we ever catch a break with anything?!? Our young stars are all busts…our players we buy all stink. its aggrivating. Meanwhile everything works out for the Red Sox

Manimal says:
 
pat says:

are you fuckin serious man?

Manimal says:

Red sox have had one failure(Buccholz) while the yankees have had one success(Joba)

 
 
Clayton says:

Cano did nothing wrong on the play

Manimal says:

That part I agree with but our homegrown players vs theirs is laughable.

 
 
 

Fuck.

Ellsbury’s gamerness + Varitek’s grit + Alex Cora knowing how to win games = no way can crawl out of this 2-0 hole.

 
Axl says:

This team is absolute trash. Are you watching this?!? It’s almost embarrassing and comical. They should be ashamed of themselves

Patrick T says:

They’re down to 2-0 to a good lefty in a pitcher’s duel. I’d hardly call that embarrassing.

 
Nady Nation says:

I’m sorry, but you sound like a complete idiot. If you’re so embarrassed, go root for another team. Poor baby might not get to see his team in the playoffs ONE year. Take your whiny, spoiled attitude elsewhere.

bklynJT says:

Hey that’s what fans do. It’s a very emotional with all the ups and downs of this long season. You can’t fault a fan for being upset with the players performance.

Chill out, there is no need to call someone spoiled just because they thinks their team is playing like shit…which they are if you haven’t been paying attention.

There is no right or wrong way to be a fan. People invest alot of time and money and they should be able to root how they choose.

 
 
 
IvanS says:

We had Lester against the ropes in the first inning. He was throwing meatballs and Jeter and Abreu got on base for the 4 and 5 hitters. What more can you ask for? When they didn’t come through I knew this game was over right then and there. That was the last oppourtunity they were going to have.

Axl says:

The Yankees are TRASH that’s why. They are overpaid fossils now who don’t care about anything but money. If I were getting 30 million a year, I would have a smile on my face when I lost too I guess.

pat says:

then fucking leave man why sit here and talk on a message board about a team thats trash turn off the tv and go outside

 
 
 
Yankee1010 says:

I guess they should have sacrificed the live chicken. Either that or hats for bats.

You have no marbles.

Yankee1010 says:

Unforunately, it looks like the 2008 Yanks don’t. If they do, they’re in short supply.

 
 
 
Pops says:

Cano is a success man

 
Pops says:

That explain yanks season right there

Clayton says:

it is a pretty good way of summing it up on several levels

 
 
Bill N says:

How the fuck do the umps not get together and make that call. That is horrible. Fuck you blue fuck you

Nady Nation says:

Wow, a vast difference from the standard “You’re my boy Blue! You’re my boy!”

 
 
Pops says:

If we got Johan would things be that much diffferent?

Yankee1010 says:

He can’t hit, can he? When the obituary is written for the 2008 Yanks, the cause of death will be listed as “Anemic Offense” with a “Heart Failure” contributing.

 

Yes. Johan would be publicly bitching out his teammates for constantly failing to score more than 3 runs a game.

 
 
NYFan50 says:

This team needs to score some #$(&% runs for Moose and get him to 20 wins.

 
Ben C says:

1st and 2nd no out 3 4 5 hitters up
………………………………….

 
Dimaggio5 says:

Um, just curious how many “Save the Big 3″ t-shirts are selling these days? Can you change the t-shirt slogan to “Take IPK, please!” This season is a disaster and these guys have NO heart. It turns my stomach seeing Red Sox fans gloat.

If Joe Dimaggio were alive, he’d be pissed at you for dishonoring his name by associating it with such reactionary, shortsighted hatred towards a Yankee player.

Dimaggio5 says:

IPK can’t cut it.

IPK doesn’t turn 24 until the end of the year.

In Joe Dimaggio’s first 6 seasons, his Yankees won 5 world titles. The ace of those title teams was Red Ruffing.

Ruffing was a righty who was of average size and didn’t have overpowering stuff, relying on control and deception. He started with the Red Sox before being traded to the Yankees for Cedric Durst. Since the Sox sucked pretty hardcore during the second half of the 1920’s, they brought Ruffing up as a 19 year old kid and let him take his lumps at the ML level.

Red Ruffing’s ML stats in the six years up to his 24th birthday:
0-0, 6.65 ERA, 1.652 WHIP
9-18, 5.01 ERA, 1.509 WHIP
6-15, 4.39 ERA, 1.428 WHIP
5-13, 4.66 ERA, 1.560 WHIP
10-25, 3.89 ERA, 1.370 WHIP
9-22, 4.86 ERA, 1.629 WHIP

That man, Joe DiMaggio’s teammate, went on to 6 All Star games, 6 World Series Rings, 273 major league victories and a plaque in Cooperstown.

“IPK can’t cut it.”… we have no way in hell of knowing that yet.

Dimaggio5 says:

I hope you are right but I’m not holding my breath that he turns into anything of any worth.

 
 
 
 
 
IvanS says:

If the sox are smart, they’ll walk abreu to get to rodriguez…

 

Okay, here comes a redeeming ARod lead-changing HR.

YES WE CAN!

Ben C says:
 
 
CJ says:

We really can’t. We really didn’t.

 
 
Bill N says:

Is it me or does Damon look like he is the only one that gives a crap ?

 
Ivan says:

when ya struggling everything looks worse than it really does.

 
 
JohnnyC says:

Great arm on Chief Noodlebat.

 

I mean what the fuck is going on??

 
Yankee1010 says:

Care to save the season, A-Rod?

Yankee1010 says:

Guess not. Can’t even get the runner in from 3rd. Hey, at least it wasn’t a DP.

 
 
JohnnyC says:
 
pat says:

hahaha arod please one day make us look good for defending you

 
Stephen says:

At least it wasn’t a double play.

Sadly, this is what it’s come to.

 
 
IvanS says:

That was absolutely scripted to perfection…

 
JohnnyC says:

He would have driven those runners in…if it were 2009.

 
CJ says:

So freaking pathetic it’s unreal.

 
JohnnyC says:

September 1st can’t come soon enough. I’d rather watch suspects from the minors lose than this.

 
Bill N says:

Holy hell. It is laughable.
Nice Arod that was the lamest “flip out” ever, what a priss.

 
Patrick says:

Ugh!

And the quote from Papel-Nuts just pours salt in the wounds…

“That’s the nail in the coffin.” — 08.27.08, Jonathan Papelbon, after Dustin Pedroia’s seventh-inning grand slam

 
Yankee1010 says:

Man, they sure do look pretty in big spots.

 
Axl says:

Hahahahaha! These guys AREN’T trash?!? Look at them!! They sent 3 batters up with 2 men on and NO OUITS and got NOTHING!!! They are a DISGRACE!!! They should all be FIRED!!! EVERYONE!!!

Ben C says:

yea! cut ARod’s head off!

 
pat says:

ill say it again GO THE FUCK AWAY IF YOU HATE IT SO MUCH

 
Nady Nation says:
 
 
Jamal G. says:

This comment from SoSH is priceless:

Maybe Lester could put the secrets to his intestinal fortitude in a file on his laptop and, you know, just sort of leave it out in the open in the Portland clubhouse.

Hybrid Moments says:

Say what you want about Lester but I would rather have him than Hughes or Kennedy at this point. He’s shown more ability at the ML level than either of them.

JohnnyC says:
Hybrid Moments says:

When do the excuses end for Hughes? Wasn’t his maturity supposed to be one of his strong points? How about his inability to stay healthy or his recent struggles in AAA? Is this alright to cite or will the Hughes Brigade get offended that Hughes might be a #4 or #5 starter.

 
 
Jamal G. says:

??? Jesus, this one went right over the head of you guys, huh? The joke was that Lester should create a file on his laptop of how much guts he has on the mound and leave the laptop in Portland’s clubhouse unattended so Clay Buchholz can steal it.

Hybrid Moments says:

No, I got the joke. I just decided to talk about Lester instead of Laptops.

 
 
 
JohnnyC says:

Eh, Bucholz would just steal the laptop.

Jamal G. says:

…That was the joke.

 
Reggie C. says:

thank you for the laugh.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

If the yanks don’t make the playoffs, it’s going to be because of this inconsistent offense and the poor hitting in RISP.

RISP yes is a stat that yes relies on some luck, but still don’t dismiss it as with pitchers with the win-lost stat. I love A-Rod but that’s pretty inexcusable that he hits less that .250 in that department.

I will say this, just watch the yanks in 09 hit like .300 in RISP and A-Rod’s hitting like .340. I garantee it.

Jamal G. says:

And the Twins wont even rank in the top five in the stat after be #1 this year. The stat is so unpredictable and fluky it its ludicrous to think that fans actually base a player’s worth on it.

Axl says:

So under .230 with RISP but over .300 with out is just coincidence?!?!?

So we’re cursed then is what you’re saying?

Jamal G. says:

No, what I’m saying is that we are having an unlucky year w/RISP. There is no real explanation on why a guy can hit over .310 with no RISP, but hit under .250 w/RISP. Just like how the Twins don’t have the talented offense the Yankees do, but somehow they lead the league in BA w/RISP.

Ivan says:

Hey Jamal was is the twins BABIP as a team compare to the yanks?

 
 
 
Ivan says:

A-Rod this year is 1 for 10 in bases loaded situations. Yes it’s fair to blame A-rod for that lack of production cuz he’s too good for that., at the same time, what are the chances that A-Rod goes 1 for 10 in those situations? It’s very very small and unlikely, so yes luck does play a factor.

 
Yankee1010 says:

I agree that it’s somewhat fluky, but nobody can watch A-Rod and not think that he’s pressing with runners on.

 
 
 
Reggie C. says:

A-Bombination needs to be sent to LA for Billingsley and Andre Ethier. Sign Tex and trade for Garrett Atkins.

JohnnyC says:

Torre would bat him 9th.

 

“A-Bombination needs to be sent to LA for Billingsley and Andre Ethier.”

Stop smoking.

 
 
JohnnyC says:

Jason Kidd at the stadium.

 
Greg C says:

Moose going out here and throwing 113 pitches and not really making any mistakes and no one bothering to hit again really pisses me off.

 
JohnnyC says:

You’re pissed? What about Moose?

Greg C says:

Well by 2000 he got used to it with the Orioles and 2001 I’m sure he realized the Yankees were no cure for the disorder.

 
 
JohnnyC says:

Cano doesn’t even take a pitch well. Just stands there with his bat on his shoulder instead of getting into his stance in order to set a strike zone for the umpire.

 
Hybrid Moments says:
 
Axl says:

If I were the Moose I would NOT sign another contract with the Yankees…they’re cursed and it’s a waste of time apparently

JohnnyC says:

If the Yankees aren’t going to offer him a multi-year deal this offseason, they ought to try to trade him to Philly now.

Greg C says:

I would like to see him go there so he can learn how to pitch like jamie Moyer..

 
 
 
JohnnyC says:
Hybrid Moments says:

I am pretty sure there is someone out there that is qualified for the GM position. The change this team needs extends from the field. It goes to the front office.

JohnnyC says:

Oppenheimer? (NOTE: I support Cashman staying with the Yanks)

JohnnyC says:

Oppenheimer’s a good judge of talent but can he build a major league roster? Better than Cash? I’m not doubting him just looking for evidence that he could.

 
 
Hybrid Moments says:

You realize you’re advocating keeping someone whose not very good at their job because there doesn’t *appear* to be any immediate replacement?

 
 
pat says:

If you think cashman is to blame then frankly youre an asshole and dont know anything about baseball.

Hybrid Moments says:

Yeah I am an asshole for thinking a guy who put all his eggs in the prospect basket with only shit for back up plans should be fired. Nevermind that Cashman has never shown the ability to put together a competent pitching staff and that he passed on Santana so he could hope that Sabathia decides to sign here.

pat says:

he passed on santana because they were asking for a rediculous package of prospects, overplayed their hand, and had to settle for a lesser one from the mets. And just wait until that contract is looked at as one of the worst in baseball in a few yrs.

Hybrid Moments says:

Hughes, Melky, Marquez, and Hilligoss is ridiculous? Give me a break.

pat says:

that was definately not one of the options either hughes+ipk melk and another or wang +melk and 2 lesser

(Comments wont nest below this level)
Hybrid Moments says:

You’re definitely wrong.

Link

 
pat says:

According to sources familiar with the entire negotiations, after the Red Sox removed Lester, the Twins called the Yankees back and proposed a scenario in which Hughes would not have to be part of the deal. Instead, they asked for Chien-Ming Wang and Ian Kennedy. The Yankees flatly rejected that, leaving the Mets as the Twins’ only alternative.
i was wrong abt cmw and melk it was cmw and ipk
jan 30 2008
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....tml?page=1

 
Hybrid Moments says:

Yeah, that was the deal if Hughes wasn’t involved. Not if Hughes was involved.

 
 
 
 
Ivan says:

Dude this team is not winning cuz of the offense.

Just watch, Hughes will breakout in 09.

 
 
bklynJT says:

The best thing a GM can do is put the best team out there on paper. Albeit there were alot of question marks going into the season, but the reason the team is so bad is because the player who EVERYONE thought would be producing, aren’t. Not Cashman’s fault.

Maybe for just giving starting spots to Hughes and Kennedy, but we aren’t out of it because of our bad pitching, but our worse hitting.

Hybrid Moments says:

Yeah its really hard to see guys in their mid to late 30s declining and being injured.

 
 
 
 
 
Smitt Dog says:

Amidst all the negativity, its always exciting to hear the good Dr. Ronan Tynan’s rendition of God Bless America, while trying to disregard the fact that he played the part of Sloth in the Goonies

 
Axl says:

FIRE EVERYBODY! THEY’RE ALL WORTHLESS! I HATE THEM ALL! WE’RE A 200+ MILLION DOLLAR WORST TEAM IN BASEBALL. IT’S EMBARRASSING AND IT’S MIND BOGGLING!

Nady Nation says:

And we all hate you. YOU are the reason why all Yankee fans get a bad name.

bklynJT says:

I support fans right to voice their opinion… but NN has a point.

It was ok in the beginning, but now its just getting tiresome and repetitive. Someone replace the broken record.

 
 
 
Ivan says:

Not to take any credit from the sox pitching but yankee offense has been just below average right now and to be honest it’s really more yankee Offense than sox pitching.

 
Bill N says:

The look on their faces say it all……. way to battle fellas way to show some heart.

 
Pops says:

would u rather have just CC or would yoiu rather have Tex/Burnett or Tex/Ben

Yankee1010 says:

I’d take CC, just because Burneet and Sheets will be hurt a lot. Tex would be nice, but having a lot of money tied up in Sheets or Burnett would not be prudent.

Pops says:

we need a 1b so bad thoo.. it has to be stressed so bad.. if you think hank is gonna go into 09 with a platoon of miranda and giambi i dont think you will be right .. and tex would be a hell of alot more than nice look what he has done for the angels

 
 
 
Bo says:

This team has no startin pitching besides Moose. And who thought Moose would have an ERa under 4?

They quit the day Joba left the mound in texas.

 
 
Pops says:

Rejuvenate the season lol !!!!!

 
 
Greg C says:

OK , 1 more run idiots.

 
Bill N says:

I have put mt foot in my mouth thank you Big G, jack daniels all around…..

 
Pops says:

i feel like the superfan from major league …. Dont worry they’ll blow it in the 9th

Jamal G. says:

I feel like the two fans sitting next to you who wants the kick your ass. ;)

 

I’m trying to figure out whether the pitch Giambi hit was the Humiliator or the Eliminator.

Whitey14 says:

Clearly, it was the Masturbator!

 
 
 
Pops says:

Ill still take Mark over Gman

Yankee1010 says:

I think anybody whose last name isn’t Giambi would agree with you.

Pops says:
Jamal G. says:

Just because I wasn’t declaring a guy with a career 146-OPS+ and .200-IsoP dead at the start of the year does not mean I would advocate having him over Mark Teixiera. I don’t want Tex because of the contract he will demand.

Ivan says:

Agreed. Would you pay big money to a player who at his position, there are 4 or 5 players having better years.

 

But Jamal, think about this: What if we let all the expiring money (except Marte) walk? I mean Moose, Pettitte, Pavano, Pudge, Giambi, Abreu. That’s, what, 85M, give or take? (80M minus Giambi’s buyout)?

Even if Tex and CC get, say, 22M and 25M per, that’s still a net savings of 33M in payroll to swap the declining production of those 6 for the stable, younger, healthier production of those two, and we don’t really have that many holes to fill.

2-Posada
3-Tex
4-Cano
5-ARod
6-Jeter
7-Damon
8-????? (Gardner, Melky, or some other upgrade)
9-Nady
DH-Matsui

CC, Wang, Joba, Hughes, Kennedy

Pops says:

Tex is worth a 7 or 8 yr deal if he has 5 or 6 prime years ahead of him… Gimme a break who cares bout the extra 2 years we did it with giambi and he worked out okay for us but he was 30 when we signed him right ??? ill give tex a 7 or 8 yr deal

 
 
Hybrid Moments says:

Tex is an young, an elite defender, and can switch hit. Giambi’s contract worked out good for the Yankees (in my opinion) and Tex is a way better athlete then Giambi ever was.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

These are the moments Marte gets $6M for.

 
Ivan says:

Cano showing he’s better than Pedrioa. Or at least more talented. The guy has a SS arm.

 
Jamal G. says:

Why the fuck is Tito sticking with Okajima?

 
Ivan says:

Ellsbury range is pretty overrated.

 
Ivan says:

Im calling it. A-Rod GW Homerun.

 
Bill N says:

Does that flammer really have to dive or slide for everyball ?

Ivan says:

the more you dive/slide for plays indicate the lack of range.

pat says:

i dunno abt that man u could run 50 yds and have to slide to make the catch or u could run 5 yds and slide to make the catch

Ivan says:

Siezmore would of caught that ball Ellsbury slide for without sliding.

JohnnyC says:

Ellsbury dives as often as Lenny Dykstra did. And Dykstra had no range.

 
 
 
 
 
Yankee1010 says:

It would be great if A-Rod could come up big here. Who knows, maybe it could start a miraculous run.

 
 
JohnnyC says:

ARod gets another chance here.

 
Ben C says:

WOW .206 in 7th or later since june 6th…. wow

 
Pops says:
 
Yankee1010 says:

That seemed about right.

 
Bill N says:

Shocking……. No defending that.

Boooooooo

CJ says:

That was the most unshocking at-bat in the last month.

 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

But is the booing going to make him play any better?

GET ME AROD AND CANO’S NON-UNION MEXICAN EQUIVALENTS!!!

 
 
The Fallen Phoenix says:

What is this, the 100th time Cano smoked a ball right to a defender this season?

 
 
JohnnyC says:

What was the name of that sports psychologist the Mets used and can someone give his number to Girardi now?

 
Ivan says:

Rough day for A-Rod.

CJ says:

Let’s go with month.

 
 
Yankee1010 says:

In the biggest series of the year, A-Rod is 2-13, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 5 K, 2 GIDP, 1 error. Fun.

CJ says:
Yankee1010 says:

I’m not an A-Rod hater, but I do think he presses way too much in big spots.

When A-Rod said that the Yanks had to treat the last month and half like the playoffs, I didn’t know he meant it this literally. The man needs to settle down and let the game come to him.