Double-A Trenton has a really good pitching staff
By · CommentsAs you probably already know, the Double-A Trenton pitching staff is having a ridiculous year. Currently manned by Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain, Brett Smith, Jeff Marquez and Alan Horne, the team has also seen the likes of Chase Wright, Jason Jones, Mike Gardner, Scott Patterson, Tim Lavigne and some guy named Clemens take at least 1 turn through the rotation. The bullpen’s also undergone a facelift, as Zach Kroenke (promoted from Tampa), Justin Pope (demoted from Scranton) and Lavigne have replaced Kevin Whelan, Gerardo Casadiego (both now with Tampa) and the great Edwar Ramirez (now in Scranton).
To give you an idea about just how dominant this pitching staff has been, here’s some numbers:
Red Sox rough up get shut down by Jeff Weaver
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I ended up turning off the Red Sox/Mariners game in the third last night, with the Red Sox having taken a 2-1 lead. With Jeff Weaver on the mound, it was only a matter of time before the Red Sox lengthened the lead, right?
Much to my surprise, though, that was all the Red Sox would get from him. Now I wish I had kept it on the rest of the way, or at least through the fifth, when the Mariners roughed up Julian Tavarez and Kyle Snyder (who walked in two runs) for five runs. Watching the seventh would have been more fun, as the M’s hit up Mike Timlin for three runs — two homers.
(Aside: If the Sox release Timlin this year like they did Alan Embree in 2005, do you think Cashman picks him up? Not “do you think Cash should pick him up (because the answer is a vehement “no”), but will he do it? I think he will. And I will be pissed.)
Keep it tuned to Lookout Landing for updates on the series. I don’t know why, but I just see the Sox leaving Seattle without a win.
By the way, best image ever on LL:
Guy in the rally cap: “With guns like these, I should be playing for the Sawks.”
Meanwhile, we’ve got our work cut out for us, as we face Jeremy Guthrie. He’s rollin’ this year. Thankfully, the Yanks have seen him, but certainly not everyone has. He pitched two innings, facing seven hitters, in 2004. Fifty bucks says Cairo gets the start tonight because of that.
Would the real Mike Mussina please stand up?
By · CommentsWhile researching this comment, I came across some interesting information that makes me believe the Yanks were duped into giving Mike Mussina a contract longer and for more money than he deserved. Now, I don’t think Mike Mussina himself was responsible for that duping. Rather, the Yankees were simply blind to Mussina’s performance.
One year ago today, Mike Mussina was 9-3 with a 3.28 ERA. He had an 8.0 K/9 IP ratio and was averaging 6.2 innings per start. Since then, Mussina has gone 9-9 with a 4.32 ERA. His K/9 IP is down to 6.8 and he now averages fewer than 5.2 innings per start. That is an across-the-board decline that shows no indication of letting up. Moose is, obviously, one year older today than he was a year ago, and old pitchers don’t get better.
The Yankees paid for the Mike Mussina that pitched for them from April through June of 2006. They are stuck with a declining Mike Mussina for this year and beyond. For those of you expecting Mike Mussina to be Mike Mussina of old, you should probably just expect an old Mike Mussina instead.
Down on the Farm
By · CommentsJoba Chamberlain didn’t make BA’s Prospect Hot Sheet for the second time in 3 weeks, but do not fret, the Yanks were well represented as Ian Patrick Kennedy made the list at #11. Another well deserving Yankee farmhand made the cut, check out who’s at #17.Â
Triple-A Scranton (4-0 win over Syracuse)
Justin Christian: 0 for 2, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB
Shelley Duncan: 3 for 4, 1 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 SBÂ - in other news, Andy Phillips is still on the 25 man roster
Bronson Sardinha, Angel Chavez & Eric Duncan: all 1 for 4 – Sardinha drove in a run, Duncan K’ed
Juan Francia: 1 for 3, 1 R, 1 2B – 13 hits in his last 24 AB
Steven White: 7.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 HBP – plunked Super Mario twice
Jimmy Brower: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 4-0 GB/FB – first hits allowed since June 11th
Should they stay or should they go?
By · CommentsEarlier today, Joe wrote an excellent post summarizing what we think the Yanks should do in the short-term to shore up this bumbling team. I wanted to take a look at a more drastic question: Who on the Yankees should the team consider trading?
So here is my version of “Should I stay or should I go?” for the 2007 Yankees roster. Now, keep in mind, I’m not advocating outright dumping any of these guys; the list under the headings They Could Go are people I would consider trading if the price is right.
A call to action: make these moves now
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When someone — a blogger, a mainstream pundit, a random schmuck in a forum — suggests immediate moves for a team following a harsh string of losses, it seems like a knee jerk reaction. This is especially true in New York, where panic sets in at the first sign of trouble. Those among the outraged may embrace these change-driven thoughts. Those who consider themselves “level-headed” and “reasonable” might write off these ideas as unreasonable reactions from emotionally-driven people.
To the latter group, I say: what about this Yankees season has gone well? Very little (I answer my own rhetorical). So what makes you think that just standing still will magically make things better?
Ben touched on these problems earlier. I’m going to expand upon them. With the day off today, I have to think that Cashman is going to do something. Then again, I thought he’d do something weeks ago.
Problem: The outfield
Coming into the year, we thought we had a solid tandem. While not the most powerful outfield in the world, we expected plenty of production from Matsui, Damon, and Abreu. There was little reason, other than their age, not to.
ByExcerpts from my Google Reader folder of Yankee blogs: Well, that was some road trip. Where do the Yankees go from here? · (4) ·
ByFrom The Post:
The White Sox have had a scout looking at Yankees’ Double-A pitchers Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain. Chicago general manager Kenny Williams has vowed to make changes, and if he wants to deal Mark Buehrle or Jermaine Dye, expect the Yankees to be interested. Williams talks regularly with Brian Cashman. Dye has been out since Friday with a quad injury.
Brian Cashman should give full authority to his secretary to tell Williams “Get bent” if he calls with a Buehrle-for-IPK/Joba proposal. Don’t get me wrong, Buerhle’s a very nice, very consistent pitcher (save the second half of last year), but young controllable starters do not get dealt for pitchers with impending free agency. Can’t blame Kenny for tryin’ though. And for those of you that still worry that Cash may jump at such a deal, do not fret: players can not be traded until the 1 year anniversary of when they signed, which is something in mid-to-late August for Kennedy and mid-September for Joba. All that “they can be PTBNL” garbage is just that; garbage. A guy can’t be the PTBN for a deal that is retroactive to their 1-yr anniversary. Williams will get a better offer for Buehrle before those dates. Rest easy. · (3) ·
Down on the Farm
By · CommentsJust to keep you updated on an old friend: CJ Henry is hitting .182-.243-.379 with 80 K in 57 games for Low-A Lakewood. Â
Triple-A Scranton (8-0 win over Syracuse)
Justin Christian: 1 for 4, 1 R
Kevin Reese: 2 for 2, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB
Shelley Duncan: 2 for 3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K – in other news, Andy Phillips struck out agai…no wait, he actually got a hit today…
Bronson Sardinha: 1 for 4, 1 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 K
Eric Duncan: 1 for 3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB – second straight day with a double
Juan Francia: 2 for 3, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
Chase Wright: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 8-12 GB/FB – 5th time in 15 starts this year he’s had more walks than strikeouts…in case you’re baseball illiterate, that’s WAY too many…
Edwar: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K – in other news, Kyle Farnsworth allowed 3 runs in 0.1 innings today…
