Open Thread: Escape from LA Anaheim

by 221 Comments

Garcia undergoes second Tommy John surgery
Nunez & Romine keep on raking
Photo Credit: Chris Carlson, AP

Well I’m glad that’s over with. The Yankees don’t have to go back to Anaheim again this season, unless they happen to meet the Angels in the playoffs yet again. I’m not going to complain about a 3-3 west coast road trip, but I’m sure plenty of people will. Next up is a stop at the White House and a date with the 3-16 Orioles. I can’t wait.

Here’s your open thread for the evening. The Mets and Braves are your late ESPN Sunday night game (Pelfrey vs. Hanson), and you’ve also got NBA and NHL playoff action on as well. Talk about whatever your heart desires, just be nice to each other — and Javier Vazquez too.

Garcia undergoes second Tommy John surgery
Nunez & Romine keep on raking
  • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

    We didn’t get swept in Anaheim. I consider that progress.

    • Andy Summers

      It’s not the record that worries most people, it’s Vazquez. He looks awful plain and simple. Before some one says that “4TH STARTA WASN’T A STRENGTH LAST YEAR!@!!!!11!!!” yes, but it wasn’t a liability, until August – September with Chamberlain, but by then the offense was hitting so well it didn’t matter. Vazquez has pitched 20 inning and allowed eleven walks and five home runs. Furthermore he looks awful, now he’s always been longball prone and anyone with a brain knew he wasn’t matching those CAIRO projections…but no one expected this. He’s struggled in the AL in the past, in four seasons pitching in the AL he’s posted ERAs of: 4.91, 4.84, 3.74, and 4.67. Not the best, but from a 4th starter not necessarily terrible either. They may as well just send him to the DL so he can figure out where the three ticks on his fastball went and not cost the Yankees games. I know people will want Chamberlain to replace him, but it’s not like he’s set the world on fire in the bullpen either.

      • http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

        Vazquez has pitched 20 inning and allowed eleven walks and five home runs.

        I guarantee you I can find you 20 innings were CC, AJ or Pettitte last year similar to those 20 innings.

        Relax.

        • 28 this year

          the only thing about these 20 innings is Vazquez is nowhere near where he should be. Velocity is down, command is lacking, and he just seems really off to the point where he can’t even battle through it. I know it is a small sample and I don’t mind sticking him out there but I get a little nervous cause Javier hid an injury in 2004 and i hope he isn’t doing it again. He just doesn’t seem right out there.

          • Andy Summers

            Yeah I want him DLed so he can figure it out in Scranton and not cost the Yankees games, and of course so I can pick up another starter for a few weeks on my fantasy team. Nip this shit in the bud before it becomes a problem…he’s not right out there.

        • Andy Summers

          AJ I’m sure, but AJ has those periods. 20 consecutive innings for CC…I dunno. To say that you’re not worried about his high 80s fastball and his known struggles with runners on base (before you point out the Tim McCarver stupid concerns about ERA, maybe it was Kay, or that all pitchers have higher triple slash lines with runners on base…Javy’s struggles are MUCH worse than the average) in the AL East is absurd. It’s clearly physical with him, with AJ that’s just how he is…occasionally he’ll suck for a few starts, whether he has his stuff or not.

          • http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

            20 consecutive innings for CC…I dunno.

            2009 CC Sabathia (April 22-May 2) 20.1 IP, 20 H, 14 ER, 5 BB, 14 K

            So no I’m really not worried until we have a bigger sample size. Frankly I find the DL notion ridiculous as well as AAA.

            It’s not 2009 CMW out there.

            • Andy Summers

              How many HRs?

              • Dirty Pena

                2008 CC Sabathia (March 31-April 16th):

                18 IP, 32 H, 27 ER, 14 BB, 14 K, 5 HR

                • Andy Summers

                  Still showing plus stuff, and a sustained track record of excellence. There’s a bit of a difference here. My concerns with Vazquez, and to a greater extent Chamberlain, are not only with in the context if of a few bad starts, but in the context of how they are looking on the mound. There is a difference between getting worried about a small sample and worrying over the way a pitcher looks over a sample and the issues he has struggled with in the past being amplified in a small sample combined with poor showings stuff wise. Look if he were still hitting 91-93 I’d be fine with it…but he’s not. Likewise, if Chamberlain were still sitting around 93-95 last season, and flashing his plus plus stuff that he showed in 2008, I’d be outraged that he isn’t the fifth starter…but neither of those two events are the case. Hence a reasonable cause for concern.

            • http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

              And Javy’s been pitching with top tie offense right? Twice with the Angels and once with the Rays?

              I mean let’s give him a little bit more time. If that 88 MPH fastball sustains for a few more starts then maybe something is up.

              And if he’s indeed injured I’m going to love seeing Mitre as the newest starter.

            • Andy Summers

              Nice intellectual dishonesty there, CC allowed fewer earned runs, featured a dramatically better walk rate, and during that three start stretch allowed two home runs…compared to Vazquez’s five. He also still flashed his plus stuff, if you read SG’s RLYW piece today you’d realize that the drop in Vazquez’s velocity is quite unusual for him. So either he’s a.) getting old and losing it or b.) something’s wrong. If something is wrong with him health wise or mechanically, should the Yankees really be letting him work through it at the major league level? I’m not saying they should do this in a reaction to four bad starts, I’m saying that they should look at this objectively and realize that he’s not right out there and this is unusual. If he had a couple of bad starts mixed with a decent one or two I’d be fine with it…however 5.1 IP 2HRA against the As to be good. Something’s wrong it needs to be fixed, fix it early so he can improve throughout the rest of the year.

  • bexarama

    I just had a freaking delicious burger. It immediately made me happy. I dunno, I just can’t get that irritated. Maybe it’s because I know the team is really good and this is a way better start than I expected against mostly quite good teams.

    And like I/this post said, no more Anaheim.

    • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

      Was it a Double Down?

      • Igawafarts

        Double Down is overpriced

      • bexarama

        no, it was a homemade one. I got some kind of mix-in onion sauce and put some marinated onions and mushrooms on it and it was sooooo gooooood.

        • larryf

          mix-in onion sauce? watch out for Igawafarts later tonight

          • bexarama

            ewwwwwww

            • larryf

              I knew u could handle that well…

              • bexarama

                except haha I didn’t realize that was a user who posted like right above me. In that case, well done, actually.

    • AndrewYF

      Zen Baseball, my friend. I’ve been enjoying it since the beginning of last season. Just enjoy the ride and go where it takes you.

      • bexarama

        this. I think winning the WS really helped, too. I get frustrated over regular season losses, sure, but I don’t get that frustrated this early on when we’re in a place where the Yankees lose at an annoying rate, where they will not return to this year.

  • Jon

    Good thing we traded our best pitching prospect and put joba in the bullpen for javy

    • MikeD

      No love for Melky?

      It’s early, although I am concerned in the loss in velocity on Javy’s fastball.

      • http://www.secondavenuesagas.com Benjamin Kabak

        Melky’s hitting .143/.250/.179 and is awfully close to losing his starting job. Fourth outfielder.

        • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

          Melky’s OPS is lower than his OBP? That can’t possibly be possible

          • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

            BA/OBP/SLG

            Add his OBP and SLG to get his OPS, so he’s at .429, which is beyond putrid. MLB average is around .700-.750.

            • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

              Right, right. Stupid error on my part. It’s just, you usually don’t see slugging lower than OBP!

              • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

                Brett Gardner says hello. :wink:

                • http://www.soxandpinstripes.net JGS

                  Luis Castillo says hello for his entire career

        • Ivan

          YIKES!!!!!!

    • Accent Shallow

      It’s tough for me to get too worked up about a kid who didn’t even pitch in Charleston last year.

      And Joba hasn’t looked particularly stellar thus far.

    • Salty Buggah

      I was probably one of the biggest fans of Arodys but he was NOT our best pitching prospects at the time.

  • http://and-that-happened.blogspot.com Evan

    I start working tomorrow. It’s only a temporary thing but I am glad to have something coming in at last.

    • http://janeheller.mlblogs.com/yank_c.jpg T-Dubs

      Congrats dude. It’s brutal out there.

    • bexarama

      Congrats :) I’ve been tutoring here and there, so I’m getting money too. It’s not much and it’s not gonna get me anywhere, but it’s something.

  • http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew

    It was painful listening to Curry today. YES couldn’t tell him to take a day off? Good one.

    • bexarama

      Seriously, the guy sounded really sick.

  • ecology

    uh oh, a mets win tonight and they r nipping at the necks of first place in the NL east.
    amazing.

    not to mention inching closer to the yankees record, which is absurb seeing as how the mets/yankees started off.

    sugh.

    • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

      AL East >>>>>>>>>> NL East.

      Also, the Mets just played the Braves and Cubs. Not the best teams in the league.

      • ecology

        true, but met fans that hang out with me, just compare records.
        i am getting sick of comparing championships
        :)

    • bexarama

      It’s less than 20 games in. I believe the Padres are in first in the NL West and tied for the best record in the NL. The Red Sox are a sub-.500 team. Andy Pettitte leads the AL in pitcher WAR (I HAVE A LADYBONER). Etc.

      not to mention inching closer to the yankees record, which is absurb seeing as how the mets/yankees started off.
      Uh… that’s completely irrelevant considering they play in completely different leagues. I know people don’t like the Mets, but we have enough to worry about in the AL East.

      • Tom Zig

        You crack me up.

        • bexarama

          I hope that’s in a good way?

  • David in Cal

    So, what should Girardi do about Vazquez? Should he be demoted to the pen and his next start given to Aceves or Mitre? Do we just keep sending him out there to get shelled? I assume that if there was some technical improvement needed, the coaches would have already figured that out.

    • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

      Check out the post I just wrote.

      Javy’s been bad, but not too terribly different than CC started last season…and certainly not Wangnerian.

      It just looks so much more awful than it is (though it isn’t good) because everyone else is pitching so well.

      He’ll make his next start, barring injury.

      • Chris

        My only concern about Javy is that his stuff seems to be down. His velocity is off and he not getting many swing and misses. Unless he can recover his stuff, then he’s not the same pitcher that he was last year. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s on the DL by the time his spot comes around next time.

      • Andy Summers

        CC had his velocity and the bear always takes a while to get out of hibernation, Javy just looks lost.

    • http://richardiurilli.wordpress.com/ Richard Iurilli
    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      He’s going to make his next start, and if he does poorly, they’ll skip his next turn since it falls on an off day (and allows him to miss the Boston series). Then they’ll start him again and see where he’s at.

      They showed much more patience with Wang last year, they’re not pulling the plug after four starts.

      • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

        Actually, they DL’d Wang after three starts last season, but I assume that’s besides your point

      • Andy Summers

        Ehh…I just don’t want to see him get bombed at the stadium and them get murdered by the boo birds…not to go all MSM on you, but I don’t want a mental thing to develop on top of a physical thing. Before you bash Yankee fans for booing him, he’s allowed a home run every four innings, that’s boo worthy.

        • Dirty Pena

          he’s allowed a home run every four innings, that’s boo worthy.

          In 20 IP, no it’s not.

    • Yankeescribe

      It’s waaaaay too soon to contemplate kicking Javy out of the rotation

      • ecology

        agreed, but its already half past 6 on contemplating booing the hell outta him when he returns to NY.

        poor guy lol
        no lie, he is going to get lambasted.

        ok, opinion.
        if he gets shelled at home in his next start.
        who would u rather have as a yankee starter? him or Kei.

        • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

          He coulda thrown seven shutout inning in each start this road trip and he’d still get booed at home whenever he had the audacity to allow someone to reach base.

          • mike c

            completely untrue, although people should rightfully demand more out of this guy if a “good” start for him is going to be 5.1 IP 3 ER

        • bexarama

          wow, between you and Dante, this series loss brought out a whole bunch of really special people

        • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

          Is that a serious question?

          • ecology

            what do you think?
            :)

            its the night of a yankee loss.
            its time for lighthearted convo and fun.
            of course its not serious.

            besides, when was the last time u heard kei igawas name?

            • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

              Ah, gotcha. It’s hard to separate light-hearted banter from troll-fu after a crappy loss.

              • Andy Summers

                Is mentioning the idea that the Yankees might be relying on someone who sucks trolling? I mean, ***CARLOS ZAMBRANO*** was moved to the pen…he was the opening day starter, to think that he should be moved to the pen isn’t necessarily trolling given the baseball climate we live in. Oh so sensitive here.

                • bexarama

                  Zambrano moving to the pen was a really bad move though. We should not copy the bad moves of other organizations.

                  And saying “him or Kei” is basically trolling (or doing it for the lulz).

                • Andy Summers

                  I’m not suggesting that it was a good or reasonable suggestion just that it isn’t trolling.

            • Igawafarts

              Kei

  • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

    Girardi cleared up a bit of the ugliness from the 4th inning. He said that he DID call for an intentional walk, and then changed his mind. So Cervelli and/or Marte didn’t screw up, Joe took full responsibility.

  • http://twitter.com/j_sprouse2213 James

    i like to be the guy who doesn’t panic…i like to be logical with my thinking…and i like to be optimistic.

    but this Javy Vazquez stuff is bothering me.

    We’re getting to the point were having some concerns is more then fair, is it not?

    He only lasted 3.2 innings today…he admit that he doesn’t know where the ball is going and that he doesn’t know why he is pitching poorly right now.

    The way it sounds and looks is that he is a guy with little to no confidence in his self (both mentally and physically). and to be honest…i’m concerned that it will get worse at home.

    • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

      No, it’s fair to be concerned at this point. He obviously doesn’t trust his fastball (only throwing it about 1/3) and he needs to use it to set up his offspeed stuff. Right now, everything is off speed.

      I would also end the Thames experiment when Javy is pitching. He can’t afford to give away outs at this point, and Thames would have to hit like Pujols to make his horrendous defense acceptable.

      • larryf

        This is the problem. He can’t come inside with his fastball to keep hitters honest. After a while the slow stuff-no matter how good-will get hit. I like that he will throw slow stuff for strikes when the count is 2-0 with men on but the inside fastball is needed.

        • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

          If he wants to just throw junk, he’ll have to pull off an 08 Mike Mussina type transformation. He has the stuff to do that, but at his age he shouldn’t have to resort to completely reinventing himself. He just needs to gain confidence in the fastball, and the velocity will follow. It’s the exact same thing we saw with Phil Hughes. Even when he was totally healthy, he just didn’t trust his stuff.

          • Hey ZZ

            He has good reason not to trust his fastball right now. He just does not have it. He has thrown very few good fastballs a game so far.

            If he throws that fastball more he is going to get crushed because he is not repeating his delivery at all on his fastball and it is either very flat or leaking over the middle of the plate.

            • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

              Just like Hughes.

              • Hey ZZ

                To my knowledge Hughes has never had mechanical issues like Javy does now. Hughes has great mechanics which is one of the reasons he was such a highly touted prospect.

                • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

                  No, what I was referring to is Phil’s velocity was down in 07/08 to 89-90 MPH, even when he was fully healthy and everyone wondered where it went. Then he went to the bullpen, regained his confidence and it’s been back ever since.

                • Chris

                  Hughes wasn’t fully healthy in 07/08.

                • Hey ZZ

                  That seems like a very suspect correlation between confidence and velocity.

                  Vazquez is a veteran pitcher that has been having issues with his fastball going back to his first start in spring training. When he is over the top the fastball looks good. When he throws under the ball like Girardi mentioned in his press conference his fastball is slow and flat.

                • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

                  Late in the year he was, which is what I was referring to.

                  So then explain why he was throwing 89-92 as a starter in April and May of 09?

                • Hey ZZ

                  I am not sure I understand the question.

      • Chris

        About Thames. He went 1-1 with a BB and a 2B. That would be a line of 1.000/1.000/2.000 for an OPS of 3.000. You really can’t expect any more out of anyone at the plate – even Pujols. In a larger sample size, he has a .500 average and 1.430 OPS on the season. Sure he’s not very helpful in the field, but so far he’s made up for it at the plate.

    • bexarama

      Nah, having concerns is fair (as long as you’re not freaking out about CAN’T HANDLE THE AL!!!! or whatever). I agree – he just doesn’t look that right out there right now. It seems like he can’t put away hitters (and so far, in a very small sample size, he’s getting hit hard on “after 0-2 counts” to the tune of a 1.206 OPS) and his fastball velocity isn’t there. He got some poor defense today, but putting all/most of the blame on Thames isn’t right either.

      That said, it is very early.

    • mbonzo

      This is the guys 13th year in the majors. He needs time to figure out whats wrong. I see that you’re concerned for 1 starter but not Johnson and Teixeira who are abysmal as well. Some guys just get slow starts and we are lucky that we have 4 starters running on all cylinders so soon in the year. Most teams having 4 starts pitch great like they are and 1 work things out is called carrying your teammates, i guess theres no such thing in NY, everyone has to be perfect.

    • Hey ZZ

      It is definitely fair to be concerned. This is not just an issue of being off to a slow start.

      His mechanics have been terrible in every start this year and he is not really making any progress on that front. The problem may be easily correctable but he is not bringing out to the field. He tried to downplay the mechanical issue in his postgame, probably because he did not want to sound like he was making excuses but Girardi basically outed him saying there is still a mechanical issue.

      His arm strength is also not where it should be. His fastball velocity is not only below his career norms but his April norms.

      It is fairly obvious he does not trust his fastball right now. He is pitching backwards. You cannot pitch backwards against ML hitters especially, AL hitters. It is only a matter of time before he gets hit pitching that way which is why he has been decent for the first couple innings of games.

      He could be injured. IDK. I think he will turn it around if he is healthy but this is not the Javy that pitched brilliantly for the Braves last year. And I am not even talking about results.

      • mike c

        we’ll know soon enough… he hid an injury in 2004, although we have the luxury of yanking him out of the rotation early if he doesn’t pick up the pace

  • ecology

    side note:
    anyone notice curtis is like 1-19?

    didnt he hit only 250 last year anyways?
    we really cant afford another slumper in the lineup.
    tho baltimore might be the medicine grandy needs.

    • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

      I guarantee you, Jeter, A-Rod Teixeira, Cano, etc will all have 1-19 slumps at some point in the season. I wouldn’t get too worried yet.

      • ecology

        understood.
        just trying to get some stuff off my chest thats on my mind [and chest]
        your one the best at good yankee insight and ledge talking-off.

        i noticed u didnt mention BG as going 1-19
        because he wont!
        :)
        he is going nuts in my MLB: The Show season.
        4 games in [3 played] only 3 outs and 3 three steals

        i am as good at taking people off the ledge as Larry Milers character in Best In Show

    • bexarama

      PANIC PANIC PANIC!!!!!!!!

      • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

        President Madagascar?

        • radnom

          A man in Brazil is coughing.

          .
          .
          .
          .
          .
          .

          SHUT.

          DOWN.

          EVERYTHINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

      • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

        HELP! HEEEEEELLLLLPPP!!!

        AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

        • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

          ummm…what are we panicking about again? I forgot already.

          • ecology

            everyone is up in arms over Javier, i guess.

            nothing big, its gonna be fun watching him this year try to climb back into yankee fans arms.
            hes got a big mountain there.

            he now has no leeway with them.
            i can see them getting on him for 6 innings 3 runs now! lo

  • Tom Zig

    My fantasy team says thank you to Mark Reynolds and Adam Dunn for having monster weeks.

    • Jim S

      My fantasy team is amazed that it can lose both avg and obp when they’re .330 and .405 respectively.

      • http://richardiurilli.wordpress.com/ Richard Iurilli

        Man, that’s tough. I beat my opponent soundly with a .300/.388 line.

        • Spaceman.Spiff

          My fantasy team is about to be 32-1-3.

          /Gonna Brag Till The Luck Runs Out’d

  • bexarama

    Paul Konerko has like 8 HR. That’s… quiet.

  • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

    Apparently, Bryce Harper is a complete douchebag.

    http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/bryce-harpers-makeup/

    Does it matter? I think it does some, especially when dealing with a prospect coachability is a concern. But if I was a team like the Nats, I wouldn’t let it stop me from drafting him.

    • http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew

      You got complete douchebag out of that? He may be arrogant, he may have a sense of entitlement, he may even taunt opponents, I don’t get douchebag from that though. He’s a freak of a young ball player, he should have the entitlement and arrogance, imo.

    • http://www.progressamericana.com/ Pablo Zevallos

      It does matter when it comes to dealing with adversity. We’re sometimes too immersed into talent and numbers to forget the mental side of the game. How will he react to the near-certain forthcoming failures (however brief) that prospects face at one point? We’ll see. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s certainly important.

  • http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

    Finally the Yanks get to play a team that will likely end their season below .500

    • http://www.secondavenuesagas.com Benjamin Kabak

      For the Orioles to avoid ending the season below .500, they’d have to go at least 78-65. Unlikely.

  • Joebrah

    Anybody here play MLB 10 The Show? I’ve been going back and forth between franchise mode and RTTS, and playing franchise as the Yankees, and some things just aren’t very accurate.

    Brett Gardner has about a 10% success rate at stealing second. I’m no noob when it comes to playing this game, so I know how to make good jumps and what not. Varitek threw him out one game on a 60 mph Wakefield knuckler in the dirt.

    And Mariano still sucks in this game. 3 years I’ve been buying this game and every year it’s a struggle to get him saves.

    Oh, and back in reality, Vazquez sucks.

    • http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew

      10%? Me thinks you’re doing something wrong.

    • bexarama

      I don’t but I’ve heard Mariano is terrrrible in MLB 10 The Show.

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      It’s not Mo, it’s every closer. I’ve used the Padres for the last few years, and both Hoffman and Bell were awful as well.

      The catch-up code in that game is awful.

      • Cecala

        It’s pretty funny because I was using Jose Contrares and he has been raking.

      • Tom Zig

        The catch-up code in that game is awful.

        Sounds a lot like Blitz: The League. It was just unreal sometimes how the AI would come from behind.

    • poster

      No, Vasquez doesn’t suck, he’s had a slow start. He was never going to be an Ace, he was going to be a fourth starter, and if he picks it up, which he has plenty of time to do, he’ll have a fine season. Stop overreacting, people, you make yourselves look bad.

  • bexarama

    There is freaking no one at this Mets game. Probably the weather, though.

    • bexarama

      holy crap the weather is awful. I guess this means I’ll be getting it here in a few minutes or so >:( They shouldn’t be playing in this weather, though.

  • http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew

    Miller: Those stats show that it was the worst season of his career.

    Morgan: And those numbers show that he had the worst season of his career.

  • thurdonpaul

    who knows what …mets….stands for ?

    • bexarama

      m anuel
      e xit
      t he
      s tadium
      (please)

      that’s the favorite one I’ve seen recently.

      • thurdonpaul

        thats a good one :)
        mine is: my entire team sucks

    • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

      M ercifully
      E nd
      T he
      S eason

      • bexarama

        this is awesome. I’ve seen My Entire Team Sucks for years.

    • Joe D.

      “who knows what …mets….stands for ?”

      Well, I know in 2000 it was “Mariano Ends The Season.”

      But long-term, it’s gotta be My Entire Team Sucks.

  • Mike Nitabach

    HAHAH! Yeah, bring on the Os!

  • bexarama

    Wright’s batting fifth now? Ouchies

  • Spaceman.Spiff

    I’m on the verge of improving to 32-1-3 in an RAB fantasy league. (.931 winning percentage)

    /Yes I Am Bragging Three Weeks Into the Fantasy Season’d

  • bexarama

    The Braves look like the Mets in this series

  • http://richardiurilli.wordpress.com/ Richard Iurilli

    Just saw a new commercial for Pepto-Bismol. They should sign Chan Ho Park as a spokesman.

    • Jack

      What? Is funny?

  • http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew

    Henry Blanco looks like he’s about 57.

  • bexarama

    Good God. And you think we’re bad at Anaheim? The Pirates haven’t beaten the Brewers in Milwaukee in twenty-one straight games. And they’ve got a series there coming up this week…

    • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

      The Pirates haven’t beaten the Brewers in Milwaukee in twenty-one straight games. And they’ve got a series there coming up this week… are still the Pirates.

      FTFY.

  • Hey ZZ

    JMK,

    You either have someone using your name on LOHUD or it is you.

    If it is, you stop trolling man. Get a life.

    And more important, stop making racist comments. That is a disgrace.

    • Jim S

      None of that sounds like JMK.

      • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

        # JMK aka The Overshare April 25th, 2010 at 8:49 pm

        Typical blowhard SJ. Can’t take the heat. When u have blowhard opinions u really should be able to. Especially when u r always wrong

        That looks like it was written by a 9 year old.

        • poster

          You’re right, but that isn’t necessarily untrue. It’s just stated in a totally immature and stupid way.

    • poster

      That almost certainly is somebody pretending to be JMK.

    • bexarama

      I just checked. Wow, whoever that is, that’s fucked up because it’s almost certainly not the actual JMK.

      • Jose

        People plan on trolling M&A because they think it is JMK. That is ridiculous.

        • Jim S

          He should close comments until that’s cleared up. That could get ugly.

    • Jose

      “Want vazquez to fail? He’s already a failure. He’s a gutless coward who has no fastball.”

      haha.

      • bexarama

        the commenting is unbearably bad there. Like, every time I go there, I am just shocked at how bad it is. I didn’t like Pete Abe a whole lot, but at least he would be snarky in the comments (well… if anyone said anything good about A-Rod) and keep them under control. Are the current guys even aware of what’s going on there?

        • Hey ZZ

          The commenting has actually gotten a lot better there. A lot less trolls and mainly regulars. When the trolls do take over like today though it is unbelievably bad.

          There are some really good regulars that post often now. CB is one of them. Probably the best poster of any Yankee blog and his posts are a must read.

          • bexarama

            I’m sure most of the people who comment are fine. Looking through that thread – yeah, CB does seem quality. I don’t go there enough to know who’s who, though. But overall, it is SO hostile there, and there are SO MANY trolls at any given moment… it’s just… wow.

            • Hey ZZ

              Yeah, Chad has done a really poor job of containing the trolls especially during game threads. After the game it gets much better. Last night there was a really interesting discussion about Mantle. I am much too young to ever see him play so some of the stuff was really cool.

            • poster

              I used to post there. Most posters SEEM fine. They’re not.

              My least favorite regualrs are a three way tie between Tricia, Betsy, and SJ44.

              Tricia is optimistic to the point where she refuses to believe anything bad ever written about the Yankees. I remember reading a hilarious dialogue that somebody posted this site from several months ago about how tricia believed the Yankees never made ANY mistakes. Ever. It was hysterical and sad at the same time. I don’t remember who posted the comment though.

              Betsy is the opposite. No matter what happens, she has to be negative about it. It’s ridiculous. You’d think she hated the Yankees.

              SJ44 is an arrogant asshole who thinks he knows so much better than everybody else because he has “unnamed contacts” and “scouts”. Then if stats contradict his views he snaps, and for some reason all the lohuders take his side.

              CB is an excellent blogger. He should really come here, though I suppose doctors should be treating the sick, right?

              Anyway, I stopped commenting there by the end of last season and stopped reading the comments sometime in the middle of this offseason, and now I’m happier for it.

              • bexarama

                Betsy is the one person from there I really remember, other than the blatant trolls whatever and pistol pete. She doesn’t seem negative, really (those are the people that are like JAVY SUCKS A-ROD IS AN ATTENTION WHORE BOOOOO), but she seems like a ridiculous worrier.

                There were a lot of arrogant people and a lot of trolls.

                Also, if anyone ever sees anyone posting under “bexarama” there, it’s not me.

                • Jose

                  So you’ve never had a little to drink and posted there?

                • bexarama

                  I’ve posted there. But not to troll, and not under the “bexarama” name.

              • Hey ZZ

                IIRC RAB come up over there the other day and CB said he does not post here anymore because he is not a fan of the comments.

                The perception between the regular posters here and Lohud and vice versa is pretty interesting. It is very contentious.

                • Jose

                  I’ll respect them when the mere mention of UZR or wOBA doesn’t make them quiver.

                • Hey ZZ

                  Advanced statistics are great, but only when used properly. One of the problems with these statistics being so available to the public.

                • poster

                  The reason that several lohud commenters gave about why they didn’t like RAB commenters? Because we’re stat-head nerds who play games on spreadheets.

                  More than one poster has told me this in the past.

                  That is all.

        • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

          Yeah, I thought the comments were a reflection of Pete, who was a bit knee-jerk himself from time to time.

          But now, with the 3 writers they have now the articles are totally different (much more bland, frankly) and yet the comments are no better. Maybe some of the same old dopes never left, or maybe the writers have little to do with the quality of comments.

          • poster

            Pete was a real jerk-ass though. If anybody dared to siggest that he had an anti-A-Rod bias, he’d just get totally pissy, plus he was anti-stat and generally a jerk to all who disagreed with him.

            Chad and the other two writers are at least nicer.

            • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

              I never understood why he would post on other sites (Interested Reader) or jump into the pig pen that was his comments section. He can’t win those battles, and he just made himself look bad for even trying.

              In Pete’s defense, he was great with answering e-mails and/or giving you tidbits that he couldn’t publish publicly. So I always liked the guy. Much of his dopiest stuff was meant to be light-hearted, which people went overboard in reacting to. LoHud isn’t nearly the same since he’s gone.

              • poster

                I never e-mailed him, so I wouldn’t know.

    • Hey ZZ

      I do not read the comments here enough to know if that sounds like him. It is a pretty unusual handle, so if it is not him he should probably found out why someone is posting in his name and put a stop to it.

      Sorry about bringing it to this blog, but it got really bad with the racist stuff so I felt I had to say something and knew he was a regular here.

      • bexarama

        I’m pretty sure that’s not the real JMK unless JMK is secretly a goddamn crazy person in his spare time.

      • Jim S

        JMK is one of the many here who call out people who use racist/homophobic slurs/jokes. I’d be shocked if he did anything like that anywhere else.

    • Jose

      I posted saying it had to be a fake JMK. Just to quell anything before it starts.

    • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

      Hey guys,

      As some of you have deduced (I’m disappointed in you, ZZ; I thought you knew me better than that), that’s obviously not me. I don’t quite know why someone would have done that, but hey, I suppose this kind of thing will happen on the internet.

      I sent Chad an e-mail, so hopefully this will be resolved quickly.

      Thanks to all of you who noticed and brought it to my attention.

      -JMK

      • poster

        Will the real JMK please stand up?

        • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

          Yeah, I tried to write a response out in the latest LoHud thread but it’s still “awaiting moderation.”

          • poster

            The lohud comments are so bad.

      • Hey ZZ

        I apologize for accusing and offending you. I do not read the comments regularly and when I do I usually skim through and post without really noticing people’s handle.

        The racist stuff had me in a very irrational and angry state of mind, so I was far from thinking clearly. Again, I am sorry.

        Why someone would take your handle and post there is beyond me. People do really strange things.

        • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

          No worries, ZZ. I wasn’t actually upset. I was joshing when I singled you out.

          It’s all gravy.

          • Hey ZZ

            Thanks man.

            Just feel like an asshole for not asking if it was you first thinking about it now.

  • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

    OMG Javy is teh suck!11!

    Did I do that right?

    • http://and-that-happened.blogspot.com Evan

      One more “1” and you nailed it.

      • http://theyankeeu.com Matt Imbrogno

        Damn, I was so close.

        • bexarama

          you also forgot the “eleventy”

  • YankeesJunkie

    Well if Javy can’t cut it after four starts, might as well cut him.

  • Alex S

    fantasy question. which pitcher do I start this week?

    Ok, Galllardo and JJ are both guaranteed starts because they both have a 2 start week. I’m giving Lester a start because he rebounded well (not that well) in his last start but his upside is too good to sit. Now I’m left with 3 starters for 2 spots.

    -Jonathan Sanchez is making 2 starts, 1 againts Philly and the other against the Natinals (UCWIDT?)
    -Matt Cain is making 1 start against The Rockies
    -Jorge De La Rosa making 1 start against The Giants.

    Ok so I’m not sure who to start, Jonathan Sanchez is an enigma. He could strike out 10 (like he has in his last 2 starts) or he can walk 10. He’s facing 2 tough lineups but he is making 2 starts. so there is great potential there, but also great risk. Matt Cain has started the season off pretty bad. He’s facing a pretty good lineup against the Rockies. The complete opposite with Jorge De La Rosa, He had a pretty good start today. He’s facing a poor lineup. But the question is has he peaked and is ready to slump a little?

    BTW my other starters who I’m not considering to start this week are John Lackey and Gavin Floyd.

    • Jason

      Thats a pretty good set of starters you got!

  • Andrew

    pretty please girardi do not start Thames in LF again.

    • Hangoverologist

      I think Thames should start as DH whenever there is a lefty around and Gardner should continue to man left field.

      • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

        Thames > Nick Johnson?

        Johnson’s career OBP vs Lefties is something like .424.

        • Hangoverologist

          It is a bit tough to figure how to start Thames against a tough lefty without sacrificing Johnson’s OBP. I think that Gardner should be given a chance to at least try against LHP. That’s why Thames was brought on board right?

  • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

    NEWS ITEM: Mets losing hope with Carlos Beltran.

    The news last week from Colorado wasn’t good, where Beltran went for a checkup on his surgically repaired right knee. Dr. Richard Steadman, who performed the arthroscopic procedure three months ago, said Beltran is still suffering from deep bone bruises and won’t be able to run for the foreseeable future.

    The Mets had initially hoped Beltran would return 12 weeks after the date of his surgery, Jan. 13. They’re now talking about a June homecoming, although that’s just guesswork. There’s a growing possibility that Beltran is done for the year.

    Doctors may, in fact, have to resort to microfracture surgery to save Beltran’s long-term future. The procedure is a gamble, since it requires breaking the bones of the knee microscopically to induce healing.

    It’s a last resort, without any guarantee that Beltran will regain the speed and flexibility that’s made him so great throughout his career.

    http://www.northjersey.com/sports/pro_sports/baseball/yankees/042510_Klapisch_A-Rod_smug_but_scorn_is_just_crazy.html

    Can’t make it up.

    • Jose

      Typically microfracture surgery results in a return to most activities in about 4 months. High intensity competition prognosis is not so good. There is a chance he may never play again.

      • http://www.theyankeeu.com/ Nostra-Artist

        Right, which is why he was so upset with them last year. He felt they rushed him back.

        But then he came back and played last year, and now that looks like a mistake. Both sides seem to be at fault here.

        • Jose

          Yup. He should have never come back. You always want to avoid microfracture surgery. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that for him.

    • poster

      But…but the Mets are going on a run! I thought they were actually competitors!

      • bexarama

        it’s the Ike Davis magic or something

    • http://twitter.com/j_sprouse2213 James

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

      ::takes breath::

      HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHA

      but for real…”microfracture surgery to save Beltran’s long term future”

      Long Term Future? You mean his future to…i don’t know…WALK and RUN? lol

      • pat

        I say screw the Metsies as much as the next guy, but imo it’s not very funny his career could end because of this.

    • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime (Optimovelist Primus)

      I’m no Mets fan, but that’s awful. Always liked Beltran as a player.

      • poster

        In all seriousness, you’re right. I hope he gets better, I really do.

      • Reggie C.

        http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/klapisch-even-winning-mets-have-issues-042310

        Looks like the potential micro-fracture surgery news is making the rounds. If Beltran indeed does have the surgery, the Mets simply stand no chance to muster enough offense to mount a run at the WC. I really wanted a playoff atmosphere in the city to play out this summer for both Yankees and Mets fan bases. Doesn’t look possible if Beltran misses the year.

        More disastrous, I think a Beltran surgery scenario gives Minaya enough ammo to convince the owners to keep him around.

    • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

      That’s sweet for my fantasy team…

  • Hangoverologist

    Lol ESPN announcers are dumbasses. I just tuned into the Braves-Mets game and I heard this:

    “Bay drove in a lot of runs for the Boston Red Sox last year.”

    “He led the American League with 131.”

    Facts: Mark Teixeira led the AL with 122 RBIs. Jason Bay only had 119.

    • bexarama

      they commented earlier that Chipper Jones was a bad teammate because he struck out and Bobby Jones would have to have a closed-door meeting because of it.

      • bexarama

        wtf? Bobby COX, not Bobby Jones*

  • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

    Zambrano is looking at this as temporary until the Cubs can trade for an eighth-inning guy. Good luck with that. Unless they take one of Kansas City’s struggling relievers or make a bid for Manny Delcarmen, there isn’t much out there.

    Sincerely,

    Not Peter Gammons!

    • http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

      Who is this? Heyman?

      • bexarama

        Cafardo.

        The Cubs really do need bullpen help. Putting Zambrano there is NOOOOOOT the way to do it.

        • http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

          Oh. Pshh. Figures. What else is new with him? Does he have a Van Evry grit article page written yet?

    • pat

      Hahahah, what horse shittery. Of all the names to pull out of think air, of course it’s a Red Sock. Their bullpen is all hands on deck as it is. I fucking hate these writers soooooooo much.

    • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

      No way. I mean…just…what?

      I really wonder how some of these people get paid to write about baseball for a living.

  • Dela G

    good god all of these trolls are pathetic

    • Beef Hammerdong

      ?

      • Dela G

        i am saying we lose a game, and everyone who isnt here when the yanks are winning sets the bandwagon on fire and it’s effing april 25. good lord, the yanks will win the division, make the playoffs, and beat the AL central team… again

        • bexarama

          I don’t think a lot of these people are trolling so much as they’re venting frustration. That said, people who are completely absent when the Yankees are doing well and who come around to whine and bitch about how Nick Johnson/Javy Vazquez/Alex Rodriguez/whoever sucks only when they’re losing really, really annoy me. It’s not as bad here but there are people at other places who are like… damn, do you even like the Yankees?

          I’m not saying you can’t criticize these players. I’m just saying criticizing Nick Johnson with stuff like “but Matsui was a true warrior” and criticizing Javy with “he’s just a choker and a loser” isn’t very good criticism.

    • pat

      I find the JMK thing to be ludicrously funny. Like wtf? To pull someone’s handle from a different site and then use it to troll is just so utterly bizarre it’s incomprehensible. People are so fuckin weird.

      • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

        Yeah, I don’t quite understand it. I must have really, really upset someone.

        • bexarama

          I think it’s a pretty shitty thing to do to imitate someone while apparently spewing racist crap.

          • pat

            I’d like to crack open the skull of that person (literally AND figuratively) and try and figure out what exactly they were thinking. To me the psychology of the troll mindset is one of the most interesting byproducts of the whole internet explosion of the past 10 or 15 years. What makes these people tick? Do they have mental problems in real life? Are they all just 12 year olds with shitty parents who pay no attention to them? Are they all garden apartment dwellers who eat cheetos and hot pockets?

            They need to be studied like wild animals so we can know their thought patterns and such.

            • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

              It is a fascinating mindset, one I can’t claim to really have pored over. However, there actually are studies on the behavior of trolls, some of which probably answers some of your questions above.

              I saw this nifty little piece: http://meatballwiki.org/wiki/WhatIsaTroll

              I don’t really wish any violence on the person. I don’t really care that much. It’s just a bummer my semi-good name has been sullied!

              If people are dumb enough to believe that sort of junk on face value, I don’t care much about their opinion anyway.

              • pat

                Damn, great article. Thanks.

            • http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/mlb.alex.rodriguez.through.the.years/images/1993.alex-rodriguez.jpg Drew

              Some trolls are intelligent people that are just fucking with us. Like ag. Other trolls are just sick people that have nothing better to do.

  • http://www.thechuckknoblog.com/ JobaWockeeZ

    So how long is Pelfrey lasting as a legit starter? This year’s Greinke or fluke?

    • bexarama

      he got VERY lucky tonight. I think there were 11 men on base through 5 innings, and he threw over 100 pitches. That said, he has definitely looked better in his past two starts.

      • Dirty Pena

        He is HORRIBLE. But aside from that, he’s great!

        • bexarama

          haha I don’t think he’s been HORRIBLE. HORRIBLE is like… John Maine. In his past starts, Pelfrey has looked much better than he did tonight. Tonight, he got bailed out by Braves offense being incompetent.

          That said, he ain’t Greinke.

          • Dirty Pena

            Wordington.

    • http://mystiqueandaura.com/ JMK the Overshare’s Mystique and Aura

      Fluke.

    • poster

      Greinke has more talent in his pinky than Pelfrey has in his entire body.

  • http://www.mystiqueandaura.com Steve H

    Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Indians — The 27-year-old lefthanded-hitting South Korean has become the universal answer among scouts when you ask what player has wowed them this season. “There were certainly some of us who thought last year might have been an aberration because he played so well [.300, 20 HRs, 86 RBIs],’’ said an NL scout.

    This is why the NL sucks, if this is how their scouts think. Heading into last year Choo had a career .291/.377/.493 129 OPS+ line from ages 22-25. In the minors he had a .299/.387/.455 line. Then, last year he goes .300/.394./489 as a 26 year old, and this moron thinks it’s a fluke?!?!?!

    • pat

      Hahaha.

    • bexarama

      I think I’ve heard a scout say something intelligent like… three times.

    • Joe D.

      In a span of a month, the Mariners traded Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo to the Indians for Ben Broussard and Eduardo Perez.

      “Oops!”

  • Manimal

    Facebook + RAB= <3

  • Dirty Pena

    After a glorious 7-4-1 week against “El Stos,” who clearly doesn’t check his team, I am now 13-19-4 in RAB Premier League. Should be good enough to clear the demotion level!