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New York Yankees: 2 Ways To Start Off-Season Drama Free

Posted by on 10 October 2011, 12:27 am
CC Sabathia

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With the 2011 New York Yankees exiting the postseason earlier than planned, the looming questions surrounding this off-season are no longer avoidable.

Key players contracts are up, team/player options will be decided and the consequences will dictate next season’s outlook.

So, here are 2 situations that fans need to keep a close eye on:

1. Will CC Sabathia opt out of this contract? Or Will The Yankees Not Let Him?

It is almost guaranteed that CC Sabathia will opt out of his current contract because anyone with half a brain would do the same. Sabathia is the nucleus of the Yankees starting rotation and everybody knows that the team cannot afford to let him walk.

So far, Sabathia is posting a 59-23 record, with a 3.18 ERA and has pitched over 705 innings. When Sabathia starts the Yankees winning percentage is .720, which has to do with his 624 accumulated strikeouts and the slight number of home-runs he has given up, 55 in total. He has been named twice (2010 & 2011) to the All-Star team, and finished fourth (2009) and third (2010) in the CY Young voting.

There is no denying that Sabathia seemed uncomfortable on the hill and for the first time looked vulnerable over his last 10 starts this past season. It is hard to really measure much against this decline, as it simultaneous happened when skipper Joe Girardi switch to a six-man rotation. It has been proven that Sabathia thrives on a regular schedule.

The Yankee brass should be smart and ante-up before Sabathia gets a chance to hit the free agent market. Currently Sabathia has four years left on his $161 million-7 year deal, with a fourth year player opt-out clause.

Sabathia is a true ace and would be coveted by lots of teams if they get the chance to talk to him. Yankees need to tack on two more years at $23-$25 million each and call it a day, and a good one at that.

2. Will Nick Swisher’s $10.5 million team option and Robinson Cano’s $14 million option be picked up for 2012? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 2 Ways To Start Off-Season Drama Free’ »

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New York Yankees Get To The King

Posted by on 13 September 2011, 5:38 pm
Safeco Field in Seattle.

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September baseball is tough for everyone, from players to fans to owners and it is grueling.

So imagine how good it felt for the Yankees to finally stick it to last year’s CY Young Winner, King Felix out in Safeco Field on Monday night.

Felix Hernandez has owned the Yankees, literally. Maybe that is why Yankees GM Brian Cashman has droold over the 26 year-old since he stepped on the bump, but the Mariners are not willing to part with their King.

With the Yankees coming off a rough couple of games, where their bats went dead this 9-3 win came in perfect time.

Look, it is no secret that the New York Yankees are old, so relaying on natural adrenaline high is harder to fuel.

It was the perfect excuse to have even lower expectations on a night when the King was on the hill.

And don’t forget that the Tampa Bay Rays, who also won Monday night and are moving in on the Wild Card.

With the Rays are breathing down the Boston Red Sox’s backs to a tune of three games, the Yankees need to put as much distance between the rest of the AL East division as possible.

What I like most about this 2011 Yankee team is that they fight, and it reminds me a lot like the 2009 team.

Still, with 16 games left to play including seven vs. Tampa Bay and three against Boston, the Yankees have their work cut out for them.

The Yankees always like to win in October, and haven’t forgotten the embarrassment felt from last season.

The Yankees tossed in the towel against the inferior Texas Rangers in the ALCS and that just will not cut it two years in a row.

Yankees Nick Swisher said it best after dethroning King Felix:

“You’ve got to give credit where credit’s due and our guys did a great job tonight.”

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New York Yankees: Thank You Red Sox

Posted by on 10 September 2011, 7:53 pm

A big thank you to the Boston Red Sox is in order.

Upon arriving in Los Angeles, after losing two in a row to the bottom feeding Baltimore Orioles, the Yankees got stumped once again. This time it was to the Halos of Anaheim with a final score of 2-1.

Certainly not an idyllic way to begin a West Coast visit, as the Bronx Bombers bats have lost some life recently and couldn’t muster up more than a run on the scoreboard behind a solid seven inning outing by Bartolo Colon. The one run was off the bat of Yankees rookie phenom Jesus Montero, who hit it out of the park off CY Young candidate Jared Weaver.

Now in an official slump, the Yankees need to wake-up. Not to mention the pending elbow injury to outfielder Nick Swisher, who was not in the line-up vs. Anaheim because he was waiting to see the Angels team doctor instead.

The NY Post’s George E. King III reported that Swisher said this of the injury:

“It’s a sharp pain, scary. I’m not a guy who likes to take too many days off.”

Yikes! That is not what Yankee fans want to hear about their All-Star right fielder. I can promise you that the Yankee brass knows more than they are sharing.

Even with so little of the season remaining, things don’t get any easier for the Yankees.
There is no excuse more pathetic and whiney than blaming a hectic schedule for lack of effort. Especially envisioning the chic way in which the Yankees travel, which is about ten times nicer than what you imagine it to be.

Regardless it is September baseball and the Yankees have luckily not been the only team limping now. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Thank You Red Sox’ »

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New York Yankees: No A-rod, No Problem?

Posted by on 11 July 2011, 12:13 pm

After such a historic weekend at Yankee Stadium, with Captain Derek Jeter now officially in the 3000 hit club and ace CC Sabathia blanking the Tampa Bay Rays in a four-hit, complete game shutout, it was easy to overlook the bad news.

After the win on Sunday, the Yankees reported that third baseman Alex Rodriguez would have surgery to repair a slight meniscus tear in his right knee and would miss four to six weeks.

Peter Botte of the New York Daily News reported that Yankees skipper Joe Girardi is well aware that in A-rod’s absence some people are going to have to step up to keep the Yankees in the AL East division race.

A-rod’s injury comes as no surprise to Yankee fans, as the slugger has been obviously hurting for weeks now and finally admitted that the injury dates back to a June 19th game against the Chicago Cubs. The blow came with news of the surgery because as proven in the past the Yankees line-up sans A-rod is not as effective.

Even though A-rod has not gone deep since June 11th, he still produced plenty offensively and his defense never faltered.

What A-rod lacked in home-runs, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson made up  with a joint 50 heading into the break. The Yankees have 123 homers, most in baseball and shockingly A-rod has only had 13, which is a career low.

If history dictates A-rod’s absence would cripple the Bombers right out of the playoffs, but this time it doesn’t seem as dire.

Would the Yankees rather have A-rod active?

Without a doubt, but unlike the past the Yankees offense is better. Whether the line-up can withstand four to six weeks without their clean hitter will be up to guys like Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira.

Was surgery the right decision or should A-rod have played through it?

The alternative of A-rod playing through the injury was never an idea I supported. Suppose if A-rod opted not to have surgery, then fast-forward six weeks.

The baby steps on his decline in production would eventually catch up and A-rod could wind up on the DL anyway… at a more critical time, for a longer period.

So, the decision to bite the bullet from the get-go is without question the smarter option. Just think about how lethal a fully healthy A-rod is in comparison to the alternative. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: No A-rod, No Problem?’ »

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2011 New York Yankees: One-Third Season Team Report Card

Posted by on 31 May 2011, 1:00 am

The New York Yankees have officially played 52 games and post a 29-23 record respectively, which makes them now tied for first place with the Boston Red Sox, who are 30-24.

So, how has the 2011 Yankees preformed with 108 games (+two make-up games) remaining on the regular season’s schedule?

PITCHING:

The starting rotation has been surprisingly better than everyone predicted and the main reasons are solid outings by veterans Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia, who both have 3.26 ERAs.

CC Sabathia is the obvious ace and continues to eat innings, posting a 6-3 record, with a 2.98 ERA over 85 innings pitched. The Yankee brass would be smart to not let Sabathia hit the free agent market when he opts out at the end of the season and give him two more years on his current contract.

Also, AJ Burnett has been a different pitcher, as mentally he is in much more control than in the past. Burnett has earned the fans and his teammates trust again, as he hasn’t allowed himself to collapse on the mound like we were so used to seeing every fourth or fifth start.

The bullpen has been pretty good considering they have one lefty, Boone Logan. Led by the chief Mariano Rivera, Joba Chamberlain and David Robertson have been solid.

GRADE: B

HITTING:

The Yankees line-up is top to bottom stacked, but they have been weaker than anticipated even with the most home-runs in all of baseball, a whooping 80 on the season so far.

The bats also have the most RBIs with 262 and the highest slugging percentage with .447. Still, leaving runners stranded on base is becoming an all to common issue that has to improve as the team heads into the summer months.

Another issue is the lack of small ball which has killed the team, but that seems to be improving.

The players are well aware of these issues and are the first to admit that they need to fine-tune this, which is half the battle right there.

Fact is this line-up has the ability to hit better and the team should not be losing as many games because of the bats.

GRADE: B-/C+

SURPRISES:

Catcher Russell Martin has fit in like a glove in New York.

ESPN’s Amy K. Nelson recently interviewed Martin and when asked what is most important he said:

“The relationship I have with my pitchers. I want them to have to trust me with their lives.”

Not only has he earned the trust of the pitchers, his bat has come up big more than a few times already this season. Martin is posting nine home-runs, six doubles, 26 RBIs, 22 walks and has stolen five bases since donning the pinstripes.

Martin’s talent was never in question but whether he still had a wish to play after countless injuries was what no one knew for sure, but now we do and Yankee fans couldn’t be happier.

GRADE: A

 

HONORABLE MENTION: Relief Pitcher David Robertson who has dominated under pressure and come up big when the team needed some help. Robertson has a 1.27 ERA, 35 strikeouts, allowed zero home-runs, in over 21 innings of work.

CLASS CLOWNS:

Rafael Soriano, as the $13 million set-up man has only brought negative energy and now he is on the DL with an inflamed elbow for the next two months. Continue reading ‘2011 New York Yankees: One-Third Season Team Report Card’ »

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New York Yankees: Updates On Some Minor Tweaking Since Yesterday

Posted by on 17 May 2011, 8:35 pm

The New York Yankees are hoping to break their six-game losing streak in Tropicana Field, the dome that the first-place Tampa Bay Rays call home.

Currently the Yankees are tied for second place with the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, but with another loss they could drop to fourth in the AL East standings.

The Yankees did some minor tweaking in the last 24 hours; nothing mountainous but worth noting:

MLB Trade Rumors reports that Flores just opted out of his minor league deal with the San Diego Padres this past Sunday and that four teams displayed interest in the 35-year-old. Cashman inked him to a minor-league deal with an opt-out prior to the All-Star break.

Boone Logan being the sole lefty in the bullpen with Pedro Feliciano and Damaso Marte on the DL does leave a hole whether Flores can actually help is doubtful. To be honest I forgot about Feliciano, who’s arm would have been a great addition, but Yankees might not even have in till 2012.

This deal doesn’t enthrall me what so ever and River Ave Blues posted A Quick Look At Randy Flores, which will give you a good idea why.

I don’t understand why we can’t dip into our farm system, bring up Manny Banuelos, who is a lefty, and throw him in the bullpen for a game or two. Why the heck not?

Other teams do this all the time and I have no idea what the Yankees plan on doing with all these prospects, as we hear about them enough. Cashman needs to take a chance, as odds are most washed up, older arms will not produce like a Bartolo Colon.

Not really sure why Soriano is moving to the DL, as his MRI came back clear according to ESPN New York’s Wallace Matthews.

Soriano has complained of elbow soreness, but if the MRI showed nothing you have to wonder about a player with a reputation of having a poor attitude, like Soriano. This guy seems to do what he wants, when he wants and the Yankees have enough to deal with already.

Soriano can opt-out at the end of the season and so far there is no reason for him not too. Could things change? Yes, but the is up to Soriano and whether he wants to part of this team or not.

  • Yankees recall Chris Dickerson from AAA Scranton.

Dickerson came to the Yankees via trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for Sergio Mitre this past March.

Skipper Joe Girardi said the 28-year-old Dickerson would start in rightfield and bat ninth, in place of an ill Nick Swisher.

Swisher has been in a funk since the playoffs last season, but Yankee fans are hoping he gets out of it soon. Everyone wants Swisher’s in pinstripes in 2012, but his contract is up this season unless the Yankees sign the one-year extension. Swisher is making him a very hard sell right now.

 

 

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New York Yankees: Hughes Improves And Joba Rules In Walk-off Win

Posted by on 15 April 2011, 4:52 am

Arriving in first place, only to leave in second is just what the New York Yankees hoped to do to Buck Showalter’s Baltimore Orioles. Winning Wednesday tied the teams atop the AL East; but beating the O’s for a second night in a row put the Yankees back on top.

The Orioles came in to the Bronx playing good baseball. It was the first time in nano-years where the O’s only chance to win wasn’t completely dependent on the Yankees beating themselves. Truth is that Buck’s Birds were now deemed good enough to beat the Evil Empire on their own merit.

Or at least that is what Showalter’s presence made you believe; unfortunately his Birds came in with their wings between their legs.

Following AJ Burnett posting his third win on the season, which puts him one ahead of the Red Sox, the shaky Phil Hughes was slated to take the bump. This time the Yankees were ready after Hughes’ implosion in Fenway last weekend.

Regarding Hughes, he got away with one tonight, but let’s not forget that baseball is a team sport and picking up the slack is a satisfying example of just that.

This does not at all mean that Hughes can take his darn old time or that the team will be able to do this every fifth day. All it did was earn Hughes another start; at least that is what I would presume.

The bullpen performances’ of Bartolo Colon and Joba Chamberlain were as close to perfect as anyone could ask for.

Joba looked dynamite, like 2007 bug-game style, retiring all five batters he faced; and tagging out a runner from scoring at home. Joba had that fierce look in his eyes, taking complete control of what happened and it was nice to finally see that fire again.

Colon and Joba’s determination went viral in the Yankees dugout, as the bats responded immediately with Posada going yard to tie the game at 5-5 and the great one, Mariano Rivera holding the O’s at bay to give the Yankee bats a chance to win in extra innings.

It didn’t take long, as in the 10th inning; Yankees Universe got to see the first 2011 (of hopefully many) Burnett walk-off pies slam into the game’s hero Nick Swisher. The Yankees will take it as who doesn’t’ love the walk-off win?

Hughes’ outing was a tad better, not like that was very hard. The 24-year-old is barely keeping his head above water but is still treading. Many will say that Hughes’ performance is getting masked because he got so much help, but the team won and once that is final, the how doesn’t really matter much.

This is the perfect way for the Yankees to head into an 2010 ALCS re-match with the Texas Ranger this weekend, especially for the team that is looking to taste some sweet revenge.

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