Archive for April, 2010
Thunder adds Van Benchoten
Posted by: | CommentsWith Chris Garcia on the shelf for what will likely be the rest of the season, Double-A Trenton has added former Pirates’ first rounder John Van Benschoten to the bullpen. Lance Pendleton moves from the ‘pen to the rotation to take Garcia’s spot. Those moves by themselves aren’t interesting, but they confirms that Manny Banuelos wasn’t scratched from yesterday’s start because he had been called up. It was a long shot to begin with. Rumors circulate that he’s out with an appendectomy, but those are unconfirmed.
How long will the Gardner-Thames platoon last?
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s tough to find controversy when a team goes 4-2 in its first two series, defeating both of its toughest division rivals. It becomes even tougher when the team scores 36 runs in those six games and has won convincingly in the two latest contests. Still, there is one issue that seems to have some Yanks fans wondering. It’s a minor issue, but an issue nonetheless. It appears, at least for the time being, that Joe Girardi will platoon Brett Gardner and Marcus Thames.
When we heard about the possibility earlier this month I didn’t think much of it. Why, I wondered, would the Yankees sacrifice so much on defense just to get Thames’s bat into the lineup? Yet when they faced their first lefty of the season, Jon Lester on Tuesday evening, Thames’s name was on the lineup card. It appeared again on Friday night when David Price took the mound for the Rays. The decision came back to bite them that evening, as Thames couldn’t run down a Jason Bartlett liner to center, which allowed two more Rays to score in an abhorrent fourth inning.
So will the Yankees continue to employ this platoon?
For now, I imagine the team wants to see if they can get anything out of Thames. The only way to do that, so they think, is to play up Thames’s skills. Well, we can really make that singular, since Thames has one skill, power, and he flashes it most proficiently against left-handed pitching. If Thames, then, is going to be of any use to this team, he’s going to have to hit against lefties. Hence the early season trial. I suspect, however, that it won’t last too long.
I don’t love the math in Greg Fertel’s analysis. It uses MLE stats, which don’t necessarily correlate to major league numbers, and it uses defensive projections. While these are better methods than pulling numbers out of thin air, they also leave plenty of room for error. Those issues aside, I think Greg has a good overall point, and one that I tried to make in Friday’s recap. Thames would have to hit a ton off lefties in order to justify his playing time.
Gardner saves runs with his glove, many more than Thames. He will also produce a non-zero average against lefties. Thames will allow many more balls to drop, balls which Gardner would catch. At the plate he might produce better, but in order to determine his value we have to look at his production over Gardner’s, and then look at his production under Gardner’s in the field. Without running through projection numbers, I’m fairly certain that the runs Gardner saves will be worth more than the runs Thames creates, even if Thames actually starts hitting lefties.
Still, Thames figures to get a few more shots against lefties. It’s tough to just on just a few plate appearances, especially early in the year. I understand where the Yankees are coming from in wanting to see if Thames can provide value to the team. The ultimate answer, I believe, will involve Thames being reduced to a pinch-hitting role — and an eventual ouster from the team once they can find a more productive player for his roster spot.
Link Dump: Joba, Sabathia & Crawford, Chan Ho
Posted by: | CommentsA few links on a gorgeous Monday afternoon…
Joba’s one of the 25 best players under 25
A pair of ESPN scribes are running a series of posts at the TMI Blog naming the 25 best players in the game under the age of 25. Joba Chamberlain checks in at number 20, but with the caveat that he is considered a reliever and not a starter. I know, I know. I don’t like that their list is based on a standard 25-man roster, with bench players and what not, but it’s still pretty entertaining. I’d rather just see a list of players that young, like Baseball America used to do. I don’t remember seeing them put one together in the last few season, but I remember. Miguel Cabrera dominated the top spot until he turned 26.
Via sucka got no juice, apparently CC Sabathia has been leaning on his good buddy Carl Crawford about joining the Yankees as a free agent next year. “I joke around with him all the time about that — all the time,” said Sabathia. “I told him I’ve got an extra room in the house, whatever he needs.” Let’s not forget that CC is close to Cliff Lee after all the time they were teammates in Cleveland.
Chan Ho Park had diarrhea
Last, but certainly not least. I’m sure you’ve seen this already, but in case you haven’t…
Yanks play long and win in season’s first week
Posted by: | CommentsI hold a very definite view of umpires. If I know your name, that’s probably a bad sign. In an ideal world, an umpire would act like the shadow that his black uniform suggests. Instead we have a world where some umpires get off on ostentatiously punching out hitters, and where veteran umpires like Joe West think it is in good taste to express his criticisms of two teams he is supposed to be officiating objectively. There have been enough pixels dedicated to West’s comments, including this amusing anecdote from Matt at Fack Youk, but I’d like to take a look at the long-game effect from Week 1.
The Yankees played six games in the season’s opening week and just one of them finished in under three hours. That, of course, was Friday’s 9-3 affair, in which David Price dominated the Yankees for most of his appearance. The Yankees saw just 132 pitches that night, 111 from Price. Yet not even that tells the whole story. Through the first six innings Price had breezed through the Yankees’ lineup, running into trouble just once and working out of that relatively quickly. He had tossed just 66 pitches, including single-digits in the first and fifth and 10 in the sixth. That makes for a fast paced game, but it did not work in the Yankees’ favor.
What made the game go even quicker was Price’s efficiency. Of those first 66 pitches, 40 were strikes. He even administered the lone walk efficiently, sending Nick Swisher to first base on four pitches. Of the 22 hitters he faced through the sixth, nine of them saw one- or two-pitch at-bats. Only two of them resulted in hits, and both were on the first pitch of an inning. Price’s dominance is what kept that game short. Had Javy Vazquez continued the proficiency he had showed in the first three innings, it might have been even shorter.
In the five three-plus-hour affairs the Yankees scored 33 runs, or more than six per game. Starting pitchers lasted just 27 innings, or just over 5.1 per outing. They threw 496 total pitches, so 18.4 per inning and 99.2 per start. This meant that the bullpen had to pitch the remaining 18 innings, or just under 3.2 innings per game. That’s 3.2 innings per game in which the Yankees get to beat up on lesser pitchers. The Yankees saw 357 pitches over those 18 relief innings, or nearly 20 pitches per inning. Best of all, they scored 18 runs off relievers, one per inning. It’s no wonder the front office has assembled a team that is willing to take pitches.
MLB has expressed its desire to hasten the pace of games, specifically ones involving the Yankees and Red Sox. As JoePos wrote, those two teams do indeed play the longest games. In fact, the entire AL East plays longer than the other two AL divisions. Yet the AL East contains the best two, and perhaps the best three, teams in baseball. This doesn’t mean that there is a direct correlation to playing long and winning. But it doesn’t seem to hurt.
West’s criticism, it seems, centers on the constant stepping out of the box, visits to the mound, and pitching changes. All of that comes along with the strategy of driving up pitch counts. When a pitcher throws more pitches in an inning he might need a breather or a refresher on strategy, hence the mound visits. He also might need calming down, hence the pitching coach trips. This is in an effort to keep the pitcher in the game, so that there doesn’t need to be a time-consuming mid-inning pitching change. Yet those inevitably happen. So the game goes on. I’m not quite sure batters asking for time significantly increases game time, but if it does that’s still on the pitcher. I don’t see many batters aimlessly calling for time. It’s mostly because the pitcher is taking too long in reading the signs.
For his statements, West received a firm admonishment from MLB. Again, since I’m of the mind that umpires should not at all be known, I disagree with the severity. West should have known to keep his mouth shut. Then again, since MLB itself has been vocal about the issue, it was doubtful from the start that he’d receive any kind of meaningful punishment. That’s kind of sad. We shouldn’t hear this kind of commentary from the arbiters of balls and strikes, safes and outs. They should be in the background, doing what they do diligently, respectfully, and quietly.
Fan Confidence Poll: April 12th, 2010
Posted by: | CommentsRecord Last Week: 4-1 (29 RS, 19 RA)
Season Record: 4-2 (36 RS, 26 RA), 1.0 game back
Opponents This Week: Monday OFF, vs. Angels (three games, Tues. to Thurs.), vs. Rangers (three games, Fri. to Sun.)
Top stories from last week:
- Following their opening night loss, the Yankees rebounded to beat Boston on Tuesday thanks to Nick Johnson‘s bases loaded walk. Curtis Granderson decided Wednesday’s rubber game with an extra innings homer off Jonathan Papelbon. An umpire had some harsh words for both teams after the series.
- The Yankees enjoyed a day off before heading to Tampa, though Javy Vazquez‘s return to pinstripes was rather ugly and the team took their second loss on Friday. CC Sabathia flirted with a no-hitter the next day, then A.J. Burnett and Jorge Posada teamed up to bring down the Rays on Sunday.
- Phil Hughes was strong in a simulated game as he awaits his first start of the season.
- The Yanks claimed outfielder Chad Huffman off waivers from the Padres.
- Chris Garcia suffered an injury in his first outing the year, and likely needs his second Tommy John surgery.
- The feds are digging into Alex Rodriguez’s finances regarding his relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea.
- Forbes says the Yankees are worth $1.6B, and they also have themselves a fancy new sponsorship as well.
- Part of Gate 2 was saved.
Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.
A.J., Jorge pace Yanks to series win in Tampa
Posted by: | CommentsOver the last year, we’ve often talked about Jorge Posada and A.J. Burnett as though they were the Yankees’ version of Felix Unger and Oscar Madison. Yesterday in Tampa, though, the two silenced the battery doubters as Burnett escaped a shaky first inning to shut down the Rays, and Jorge Posada’s two-run home run gave the Yanks a lead they would never surrender. When the dust settled, the Yanks walked away with a 7-3 victory over Tampa, their second straight series win to open the season and a nifty 4-2 road trip to begin their World Championship defense.
Good A.J. arrives
A.J. delivers. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
One day after CC Sabathia flirted with a no-hitter, Jason Bartlett made sure that the Yanks and A.J. Burnett wouldn’t worry about baseball history and pitch counts. He singled to start the game, stole second and then scored on a Carl Crawford hit. The Rays were set up, and Burnett’s pitches seemed flat. Shades of Bad A.J. started to creep into the game.
But then, Ben Zobrist game the Yankees a gift. With the Rays’ win probability pushing 70 percent after a Crawford stolen base, one of the game’s better and more versatile hitters, laid down a sacrifice bunt. Burnett fielded the ball and fired to Mark Teixeira for the first out of the inning. Although a second run would score on a Carlos Peña ground-out, Zobrist’s decision to bunt cost the Rays a chance at that crooked number, and it gave Burnett a badly-needed out.
After that first inning, he and Jorge went to work. Although the strike-out pitch wasn’t working, Burnett kept the Rays off base and off balance. Overall, he went seven innings for his first W of the season and allowed just six hits and two earned runs. He walked three and strike out only one but stayed effectively wild. For a start, at least, Burnett and Posada were able to overcome their philosophical life differences and work together for a Yankee win.
Hip Hip Jorge! (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Biggest Hit: Jorge Posada’s Home Run
As the sixth inning rolled around, the Yanks found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 game. James Shields had pitched well to that point, but as they do so well, the Yanks had worn him down. After an A-Rod fly ball and a Robinson Cano double, Shields was at 103 pitches, and Joe Maddon went to his bullpen. Strangely enough, with Jorge Posada up, Maddon went to Randy Choate, a lefty, and Posada was able to bat from his strong side.
Posada didn’t disappoint. He took a 1-1, 86-mph fastball over the fence in left-center field, and the Yanks had their 3-2 lead. After the A-Rod out to start the inning, the Rays’ win probability was at 69.1 percent. When Jorge’s blast settled into the seats, Tampa’s win expectancy was down to 37.3 percent. The home run was good for .254 WPA points, and the Yanks never looked back. Curtis Granderson scored on a wild pitch a few batters later, and the Yanks’ bats went to work.
Joe Girardi and Wally Bell admire the ceiling at the Trop. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Almost the Biggest Non-Out
With the Yanks clinging to a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth, the Rays, aided by their stadium, mounted a threat, and it appeared as though A.J. Burnett would give back the lead the Yanks had just secured. After two quick outs in the inning, Zobrist singled, and Evan Longoria hit a towering pop up that seemed to go foul. As the Yanks settled under the ball, it struck a speaker high up in the catwalk in the Trop and landed in fair territory. No one knew what to do.
The umpires conferred and made the wrong call. As both the Yanks’ and Rays’ TV announcers eventually explained, the ball struck a speaker in foul territory and should have been ruled a foul ball. Either the umpires didn’t know the rules or didn’t see the play. All of a sudden, Tampa had the tying run on first, and their big bats up.
Meanwhile, Burnett on the mound had to throw more pitchers to dangerous hitters. He avoided home plate against Carlos Peña as though it were infected and had to stare down B.J. Upton with two outs and the bases loaded. Upton swung at the first pitch and lifted a lazy pop-up to Mark Teixeira. Threat over. Tampa’s hopes over.
Things That Made Me Smile
This week made me smile. This is my first chance to tackle the game story this season, and I’m very pleased with what I’ve seen from the Yanks so far. They score runs in bunches and have a solid lineup from top to bottom. The outfield, in particular, has been a source of production. Curtis Granderson has played stellar center field defense. Today, he started a good old 8-3 double play, stole a base and scored on a wild pitch. He’s hitting .348/.423/.652 and will get a huge ovation on Tuesday afternoon.
And then we have Nick Swisher. After three bad at-bats, he felt his lumber was too light and switched to a heavy bat to slow down his swing. The result? A home run. He’s off to a great start with a triple-slash line of .333/.450/.571 and gives the Yanks great depth at the bottom of the order.
WPA Graph
Up Next
The Yanks have a day off tonight as they head back to the Bronx. Instead, they’ll host the annual Welcome Home dinner and gear up for a 1:05 Tuesday afternoon special against their ALCS opponent Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The team will get its World Series rings during the home opener, and Hideki Matsui will make his triumphant return to the Bronx.
Phelps dazzles in Double-A debut
Posted by: | CommentsIn case you missed it, Manny Banuelos missed his scheduled start today.
Triple-A Scranton (4-1 loss to Buffalo)
Kevin Russo, 3B & Juan Miranda, 1B: both 0 for 3 – Russo was hit by a pitch … Miranda drew a walk & K’ed
Eduardo Nunez, SS, Jon Weber, LF & Jesus Montero, DH: all 1 for 4, 1 K – Nunez doubled
David Winfree, RF: 3 for 4, 1 R, 2 2B, 1 K – went from hitting .250 to .375 just like that
Colin Curtis, CF, Chad Moeller, C & Reegie Corona, SS: all 0 for 4 – Curtis drove in a run with a ground ball … Moeller & Corona K’ed
Jason Hirsh: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 5-6 GB/FB – 47 of 74 pitches were strikes (63.5%) … gave up all three runs in the first … allowed just two singles & a walk the rest of the way
Royce Ring: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 5-0 GB/FB – 15 of 26 pitches were strikes (57.7%)
Amaury Sanit: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 3-3 GB/FB – 16 of 20 pitches were strikes (80%)
Open Thread: Time to come home
Posted by: | Comments
Photo Credit: Bill Kostroun, AP
Four wins after three games in Boston and another three in Tampa? I’ll take it every time. Now it’s time for the boys to take a day to relax, then come back to the Bronx to get their World Series rings. I can’t wait.
Here’s your open thread for the night. The NHL season is over, save for a few miscellaneous games still going on, but the Knicks are still playing out their schedule and are in action as we speak. You know the drill, so have at it.
Banuelos scratched from first start
Posted by: | CommentsVia Josh Norris, Yankees’ top pitching prospect Manny Banuelos was scratched from today’s start for High-A Tampa for an unknown reason. I suspect it’s injury-related, but that doesn’t mean it’s something serious. He could have the flu or something. A promotion to Double-A to take Chris Garcia’s rotation spot would be a) absurdly aggressive, and b) completely unnecessary since Trenton has Lance Pendleton (second in the system last year with 26 starts and 149 IP) in the bullpen. Hopefully it’s nothing major and he’ll be able to make his next start.
Game 6: Two series, two rubber games
Posted by: | CommentsThe Yankees will try to get back to a .667 win percentage today in their second consecutive rubber series. The first one, on Wednesday evening against the Red Sox, was quite the contest. I wouldn’t mind seeing the two pitchers, A.J. Burnett and James Shields, exchange scoreless innings for a while.
Sheilds got his third consecutive Opening Day nod this past Monday, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks against the Orioles. Yet the only runs came from solo home runs. The Rays came back and won the game with a bottom of the ninth rally off new Orioles closer Mike Gonzalez.
During his career Shields has gotten hit hard by the Yankees, allowing 37 runs, 36 earned, over 54 innings. A lot of that comes from 2006 adn 2007, when he allowed 27 earned runs over 28.1 innings. He recovered to pitch very well against the Yanks in 2008, though that was the year their offense kinda tanked. Shields made only one start against the Yanks last year, lasting 5.1 innings and allowing five runs on nine hits, including two home runs.
Last year A.J. Burnett made his second start of the season against the Rays, and it looked a bit like Sabathia’s start yesterday. He took a no-hitter into the seventh, but lost it immediately on a Carl Crawford leadoff single. After not managing a hit for six innings the Rays started the frame with three straight. Burnett recovered, though, getting the next two before Jose Molina picked off Carlos Pena at first. Burnett finished the gem by retiring the side in order in the eighth.
During his career Burnett has faced the Rays 21 times, posting a 2.77 ERA over 149.2 innings. The majority of those innings, of course, came when the Rays were perpetually in the AL East cellar. Last year, though, he pitched 32 innings against them, allowing nine runs, seven earned, on 22 hits and nine walks. Even better, the Rays managed just one home run in that span. It’s a Burnett rarity, but his WHIP was actually below 1.00 against them. Imagine that.
With Posada back in the lineup the Yanks are at full strength. It would be nice to pick up a rubber game W before heading back for the home opener on Tuesday.
Lineup:
1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Nick Johnson, DH
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Curtis Granderson, CF
8. Nick Swisher, RF
9. Brett Gardner, LF
And on the mound, number thirty-four, A.J. Burnett
Just 21 days 'til pitchers and catchers report.
