Comments on: The Yankees now will not be the Yankees later

By: Steve B.

Steve B. — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:05:27 +0000

I agree with you Joe-Paw !!…Just finish that last piece regarding the LF situation, then we are set. (sign Damon or Reed Johnson)

By: JAG

JAG — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:41:33 +0000

Ben Sheets is just as liable to be injured, if not more so, than Burnett or Pettitte. It’s not like we can just automatically count on him to pick up the slack if one of them goes down. Sure, he MIGHT be the excellent pitcher he was in Milwaukee. But, he could also be the frequently injured pitcher he…also was in Milwaukee. I see nothing that gives me any faith that he can be relied upon. He would just make our other pitching depth options like Hughes and possibly McCallister or others more important.

-JM

By: Warren

Warren — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:38:42 +0000

Would be nice seeing Jamie Hoffman in Left Field

By: JAG

JAG — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:35:42 +0000

The Rays did lose Kazmir, which probably affects some of that runs-allowed stat, and replaced him with Wade Davis, who, while possibly comparable in skill, may have some growing to do in the majors. So, while they did add Rafael Soriano to secure the back end of the bullpen, I agree that they haven’t done enough to keep up with the Yankees (who not only upgraded with Vazquez but also jettisoned Brian Bruney, who was mediocre last year).

-JM

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:31:30 +0000

I was speaking to Dave Cone at a charity event & he said that he was impressed with the moves the Yankees were making.

By: mustang

mustang — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:43:21 +0000

“ESPN’s Keith Law when he says, “I’m not a Gardner guy, never have been, but their offense is fine even if they put a pointed stick in left field (if the ball hits the stick, the batter is out).” He also notes that the Yankees will find alternatives, if need be, as the season moves along. But, if the No. 9 hitter who plays good defense is the only worry for this team, they have to be in a good spot.”

That about nails it I hate when Keith Law reads my mind.

By: Steve H

Steve H — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:10:35 +0000

Yes, Hairston and Molina were key contributors to that title. Gardner replaces Melky, Granderson replaces Damon, Johnson replaces Matsui. A tree stump replaces Molina. And Hairston left, on his own accord, as he was allowed to do, though he will be replaced.

By: Mo

Mo — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:07:36 +0000

Game 2 2009 WS is on MLBN right now. Damon, Melky, Hairston, Molina, Matsui all starting! Wow! 5 of 9 all gone!

By: scott

scott — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:01:45 +0000

good points (pun intended)

By: pete

pete — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:45:48 +0000

the yankees mishandled their priorities with joba. The public love affair with him following 2007 forced them to keep him in the Majors, which forced them to use unconventional methods of starter development like beginning the year in the bullpen. Then in 2009, as the year wound down, the lack of a quality 4th starter forced them to try to keep the option of chamberlain open for the playoffs. Had Wang been Wang, Joba simply would have pitched to his limit, then been shut down. The problem was of course that Joba completely fell apart at the end of the season and so was unavailable in the playoffs because he simply wasn’t good enough at that point, making the whole process seem pointless, when in fact it wasn’t. It didn’t work out, but it was a creative approach to a problem. I’d rather that be our front office’s meme than “just let the kid pitch 200 innings, what could possibly go wrong?”