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New York Yankees Hot Stove: Missing Eric Chavez

Posted by on 3 February 2012, 3:24 am

What happened to re-signing six-time Gold Glove winner Eric Chavez?

Eric Chavez

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Somewhere between the Pineda-Montero trade, Kuroda signing and the never-ending fifth starter debate, Chavez’s status got pushed aside.

Also, baseball in general has taken a back seat to Super Bowl XLVI but especially in New York with the football Giants playing in it.

Chavez had been an Oakland Athletic lifer until he signed with the Yankees last season to serve as A-rod’s backup at third base. A role he filled effortlessly when A-rod was sidelined.

Chavez’s natural talent has never been in question, but his lengthy and torrid injury history is what limited him to just a backup role. This bad luck continues to haunt him still, as Chavez spent most of May on the DL in 2011.

In his 160 at-bats, Chavez batted .263 for the Yanks last season, with 42 hits, seven doubles, one triple, two homers and 26 RBIs. Out of the 58 games Chavez appeared in, the Yankees as a team won 34.

Another interesting stat to note is that Chavez posted a .415 RISP (Runners In Scoring Position) in 42 at-bats. RISP measures a player’s batting average with runners on second or third base. The higher the number, the more ‘clutch’ a hitter is considered because fewer runners are left on base. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Hot Stove: Missing Eric Chavez’ »

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New York Yankees Hot Stove: Billy Beane Are You Kidding Me

Posted by on 18 December 2011, 11:22 pm
Gio Gonzalez

A's Gio Gonzalez - Image via Wikipedia

Rumors about Oakland A’s pitcher Gio Gonzalez being on the market have swirled since the start of the off-season.

Moneyball and A’s GM Billy Beane is asking for the riches of Solomon for Gonzalez, which is not surprising coming from Beane but reality is you are banking on potential talent.

Gonzalez is 26-years old, and doesn’t hit free agency until after 2016. That is appealing, as it makes him cheap moneywise but according to ESPN New York Andrew Marchand, in exchange the A’s want Yankee prospects Jesus Montero, Mason Williams and either Manny Banuelos or Dellin Betances.

Beane is obviously reaching for the stars here, as no one in his or her right mind would make that trade. Bob Klapisch of the Boston Globe reported that GM Brian Cashman didn’t know whether to be offended or amused after he heard Beane’s trade demands.

Gonzalez is a good pitcher, clocking over 200 innings in his last two seasons with an ERA under 3.25.

There is no denying that the potential is there but that depends heavily on getting the 183 walks Gonzalez totaled in his first two full season way down, as he led the league with 91 in 2011.

Also, the 175 hits allowed last season is alarmingly high, which explains why his hits/per-nine-innings average is around eight and a WHIP of 1.317.

If Gonzalez did not fan 197 batters in 2011 to offset the walks, we would not even be talking about him. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Hot Stove: Billy Beane Are You Kidding Me’ »

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New York Yankees: Hurricane Irene Got Nothing On The Bronx Bombers

Posted by on 26 August 2011, 11:17 pm

Up in the Bronx on Thursday afternoon, the New York Yankees started a hurricane with their bats.

Not only did their bats beat the Oakland Athletics 22-9, they also made baseball history along the way. As Robinson Cano, Russell Martin and Curtis Granderson all hit grand slams during the game, which is the first time that has ever happened in the history of the baseball.

The Yankees are in Baltimore to play five games in four days against the bottom feeding Orioles. Problem is that Hurricane Irene didn’t come soon enough to save pitcher AJ Burnett.

The right-hander had another night to forget to add to an ever-growing list, as he gave up six runs in the second inning. Unfortunately, for Burnett, the bats didn’t have a repeat performance in the 12-5 loss.

Regarding Burnett, I am one of the few not worried so much about him righting himself. Burnett’s determination to fix himself is genuine, and he is working hard to make sure that happens. I believe the encouragement from both his teammates, as well as the coaching staff and GM will boost Burnett back to a respectable level again very soon.

**Hurricane Irene is heading up the coast so it is doubtful the weekend games will be played, which includes the double-header scheduled for Saturday that has already been postponed. The latest news on MLB.com is the Yankees/Orioles will play two on Sunday pending on the weather. The Yankees were hoping to get two games in on Friday or one very early Saturday morning but the Orioles wouldn’t do it. Go figure….

On – Off-The-Field Gossip:

Even though I discourage turning athletes personal lives into Hollywood gossip, exceptions are made when it affects a player’s performance on the field.

So, the recent gossip conveyed on JustJared.com that Derek Jeter dumped Minka Kelly is applicable because the Captain’s boosted level of play since the All-Star break has been remarkable; and getting out of a stressful relationship has to play a part. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Hurricane Irene Got Nothing On The Bronx Bombers’ »

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New York Yankees: Terrible Tuesday

Posted by on 25 August 2011, 11:01 am

It is crunch time in MLB, as teams will battle for a coveted spot in October till the bitter end.

The New York Yankees are right in the mix, but until any team clinches my advice is not to presume anything; as presumption is the mother of all… get it?

So one would think as a Yankee fan all things are good, but unfortunately that is not the case. Specifically, it is three things that have agitated me over the last four days, so thought I would share them:

1) Why I actually wanted the Red Sox to win their last two games?

After watching another discouraging finish in the Bronx last night, I realized that the New York Yankees did not only loss a game to the Oakland Athletics for the second night in a row 6-4. They also lost the series and the lead in the AL East.

While the Yankees were embarrassing themselves again on Tuesday night, the Red Sox taught the Texas Rangers a lesson in Arlington for the second night in a row. In turn, Boston flip-flopped spots with New York but just a game separates the two rivals.

Taking a back seat in the AL East, even by as little as a game normally would bother me but not when beating the Texas Rangers is the alternative. For some reason the Rangers make me cringe, even more than the Red Sox. This has nothing to do with the 2010 ALCS because I have had these uncontrollable feelings of disgust about Texas for about five years now.

It is not as if I was cheering for the Red Sox agreeably, but the Rangers need a good kick in the you know what, mainly because the media is constantly throwing Texas a bone and it drives me crazy.

2) Not A-rod Again?

On Tuesday night, A-rod was not in the Yankees line-up, leaving the Yankees once again without their cleanup hitter. A-rod just made his return a day earlier after spending seven weeks on the DL and supposedly was healed, healthy and ready to help out his team.

Surely all Yankee fans must have been dumbfounded when the TV cameras flashed to A-rod, only to see his left hand thoroughly taped up.

Supposedly this bandage was to protect A-rod’s “thumb jam” that he suffered during his first outing. I have jammed my thumb and all in needed was a good, hard pull and presto…. thumb jam was over.

Whatever actually happened or how hurt A-rod really is will remain a mystery until the Yankees realize that everyone knows they are lying, and covering up the severity of the injury at hand. This is nothing new, as this is the typical approach of the Yankees front office, but that doesn’t mean I ever have to get used to it.

Maybe A-rod is trying to play the sympathy card heading into Friday’s meeting with the Commissioner Bud Selig to reflect more off-the-field antics; this time A-rod better know when to fold’em. Oh wait he can’t because of his newly injured thumb.

Who knows if this is something to worry about, but until A-rod is on the field don’t think all is well. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Terrible Tuesday’ »

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MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Newest Bargain Athletics Rich Harden

Posted by on 25 July 2011, 2:06 am

On Saturday afternoon in the heat of the Bronx, the Yankees lost to the Oakland A’s 4-3, after slaughtering them the night before 17-7 and closing out the series winning the rubber game on Sunday 7-5.

At the start of the series, YES’s Michal Kay called the Athletics “offensively anemic,” which was the most accurate description for Oakland’s season thus far.

Up until Saturday, the A’s were on an 11-game losing streak to the Yankees but the performance by starting pitcher Rich Harden gave them enough to hold the Bombers in the Bronx to end it.

Still even with the win the A’s are an October long shot, sitting 13 games behind the AL West leading Texas Rangers.

So, Harden’s start was also an impressive semi-secret-audition for Yankees GM Brain Cashman. Especially after Hall-of-Fame writer and Red Sox’s loyalist Peter Gammons tweeted that Boston had already been on the phone about the 29-year-old righty.

Knowing that A’s GM Billy Beane is fielding phone calls comes as no surprise with Harden’s pending free agency post 2011. Beane will attempt to get the most out of Harden prior to the July 31st trade deadline.

Harden’s abilities are easy to sell, but his injury history is not. When healthy, Harden has ace potential but injuries have consumed him. Beane knows that Harden has just come off the 60-day DL and that teams are well aware that he has only pitched 23.1 innings in 2011.

Watching Harden vs. the Yankees definitely opened some eyes. He flaunted a mid-90’s fastball, while integrating a change-up. This allowed just two Yankee runs to score, as Harden fanned six, walked four over 5.1 innings pitched.

Bottom line is the Yankees don’t want to “overpay” with prospects, or at least Cashman doesn’t, so acquiring Harden fits the bill.

The A’s only spent $1.5 million on Harden, which is even a bargain for them. Beane has to be realistic in what player(s) he will get in return, along with dumping the remaining $500k left on Harden’s contract. This is pocket change that the A’s want back and this certainly goes along with Cashman’s bargain-basement strategy.

Harden’s health concerns are slashed in half with two months of the season to go. His latest win in New York was only Harden’s fourth starting of 2011 anyway, so he has not thrown that much.

The two years earlier he made 18 (2010) and 26 (2009) starts . Over his nine-year career, Harden has a 3.66 ERA, pitching 192 innings a season, with 195 strikeouts and 88 walks.

So, if Cashman stays on par with his cheap tricks my guess is Harden possibilities of donning Yankee pinstripes is not unrealistic. Looking at the Yankees rotation, having insurance is a must and obtaining Harden would not command the farm system, like getting Rockies Ubaldo Jimenez.

Trust me, I would love for Cashman to bring up one of the prize prospects but the Yankees haven’t finished screwing them up yet for that.

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New York Yankees: Bombers Vs. Bottom Feeders

Posted by on 22 July 2011, 1:44 am

The New York Yankees are back in the Bronx after splitting series against their AL East foes, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays.

After losing the first two games vs. the Blue Jays coming home 4-4 is a miracle, not ideal but keeps the Bombers just two games behind the Boston Red Sox.

Next up, the Yankees will host a 10-game homestand against the three bottom feeders in the American League, the Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles.

The A’s and Mariners have same 43-55 records, the second worst in the AL but still a lot better than the Orioles.

Once again the O’s are posting a 39-56 record (=19.5 games back in AL East), making the Birds not only the worst team in the AL, but in all of baseball. Well you can’t call Baltimore inconsistent, as the O’s continually find a way back down to the basement, season after season.

Still, don’t get any ideas that this homestand will be a breeze because it actually is the opposite.

HUH? WHY VS. THREE-BOTTOM-FEEDERS?

The reason is not one of these teams has anything left to play for this season; and that can be lethal. This theory applies even more so for the Yankees for three reasons:

1)   The line-up is still sans Alex Rodriguez, which is once again sending Mark Teixeira into a slump.

2)   Swisher and Posada are not hitting, again.

3)   The starting rotation is inconsistent, minus Sabathia who finished the road trip with a 1-2 loss to the Rays Thursday night; which was also his 31st birthday.

HOMESTAND SERIES PREDICTIONS:

Vs. Athletics 07-22/07-24:

First up is the A’s who come to town beat-up like you read about, and the Yankees should sweep them right back to Oakland. Yankees win series 3-0.

Vs. Mariners 07-25/07-27:

Next series is against Seattle. Everyone knows the strength of the Mariners is pitching, and it gives them a legit chance to win each night. So, the Yankees bats needs to wake-up ASAP. Even though the Mariners have lost their last 12 games in a row, the tides are bound to turn. ESPN reported that manager Eric Wedge held a closed-door team meeting following #12 with hopes to motivate his players, at least initially by lighting the first match. Yankees win series 2-1.

Vs. Orioles 07-29/07-31:

And lastly, Buck Showalter’s Orioles, who scare me the most. Hard to believe when Baltimore is awful more often than not. Problem is when it is the later; the O’s can beat anyone. Yankees win series 2-1.

WHY THIS HOMESTAND IS SO IMPORTANT:

Fact is the Yankees need to pounce because the schedule gets a heck of a lot harder. In August the Yankees will play 29 games, with 21 on the road. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Bombers Vs. Bottom Feeders’ »

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New York Yankees: West Coast Road Trip Schedule

Posted by on 26 May 2011, 1:21 am

Following winning the rubber game 7-3 to take the series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees are on their way out West for the first time in 2011.

Here is the schedule for the next three series on the other coast:

DATE VS. TIME (EST) PROBABLE PITCHERS
Friday, May 27th @ Seattle Mariners 10:10pm Burnett (5-3) Pineda (6-2)
Saturday, May 28th @ Seattle Mariners 10:10pm Nova (4-3) Hernandez (5-4)
Sunday, May 29th @ Seattle Mariners 4:10pm Sabathia (5-3) TBA
Monday, May 30th @ Oakland Athletics 4:05pm Colon (2-3) TBA
Tuesday, May 31st @ Oakland Athletics 10:05pm TBA
Wednesday June 1st @ Oakland Athletics 3:35pm TBA
Friday, June 3rd @ Los Angeles Angels 10:05pm TBA
Saturday, June 4th @ Los Angeles Angels 9:05pm TBA
Sunday, June 5th @ Los Angeles Angels 3:35pm TBA

The Mariners and A’s both have young and talented pitching staffs, so the Yankee bats will play a big role in these two series. Finishing off the trip in Los Angeles against the Angels who are never an easy win, especially for the Yankees

Where will the Yankees be when they return back home?

Honestly, this road trip will be a true test for the Bombers, who leave atop the AL East (27-21) by just a half a game above the Boston Red Sox (27-22). The Tampa Bay Rays (26-23), Toronto Blue Jays (24-25) and Baltimore Orioles (23-24) are all very much in the hunt, as the AL East is as tight as can be.

The one thing that is for sure is that the Yankees return to the Bronx to play host to the Red Sox, Indians and Rangers so there is really no room for error.

On one hand, Yankee fans will get to know what this 2011 team can handle; and so will GM Brian Cashman who will probably use these next few weeks to establish whether a trade is absolutely necessary or not.

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