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New York Yankees: Reintroducing Girardi’s binder

Posted by on 12 May 2012, 4:03 am

Joe Girardi, the current Yankees' manager

Joe Girardi, the current Yankees' manager (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With the devastating loss of Mariano Rivera now sinking in, which not only physically handicaps the Yankees but also mentally, skipper Joe Girardi’s job just got much harder.

The good ‘old comfort of the ninth inning now feels more like a Sergio Mitre start, and no one knows this better than pitcher David Robertson.

In time, everyone figured Robertson to be Mo’s successor, but not now and not like this.

When you consider all the Yankees recent history of screwing up young pitchers by pushing them too hard into uncomfortable roles, it makes you stop and think again.

Why the hell would the Yankees put all the weight on Robertson to fill Mo’s shoes when the timing isn’t right?

Robertson was invaluable to the Yankees last, and he got an All-Star nod to prove it. Also his 1.08 ERA, one homer, and eight earned runs in over 66 innings pitched made Robertson the best reliever in the Bigs.

Just think about it…. Robertson earned the nickname Houdini because he is an escape artist. He thrives when runners are already on bases, as that is where he always got the big strikeouts.

So, could this be the reason that Robertson blew his second save vs. the Rays? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Reintroducing Girardi’s binder’ »

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Yankees Universe trumps Red Sox Nation

Posted by on 22 April 2012, 6:33 am

DON’T MESS WITH TEX…

Don't mess with TEX....just ask any Red Sox fan.

What started out as a Yankees blowout in Fenway Park, ended in New York win.

Starting pitcher Freddy Garcia was worse than horrible, as he even made Phil Hughes look good.

The Red Sox feasted on Garcia’s inability to pitch. Boston had a 9-0 lead come the 5th inning and things were not looking good for the Yankees.

Than Mark Teixeira hit a homer in the 6th inning, score was 9-1.

Next came Nick Swisher who hit a grand slam in the 7th inning, score was 9-5.

Same inning still and Tex wasn’t down yet as he hit another bomb, with two men on base, score was now 9-8.

By the bottom of the 8th inning, the Yankees had a comfortable 15-9 lead.

Rafael Soriano took over the mound for Boone Logan in the middle of the inning, finished out the game, and got the W.

Overall, it was a great day in Yankee Universe.

SO…. WHO IS TO BLAME IN RED SOX NATION? Continue reading ‘Yankees Universe trumps Red Sox Nation’ »

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New York Yankees: Bullpen might be without Boone

Posted by on 4 April 2012, 1:04 pm
Boone Logan

Just as Spring Training is about to close, Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News tweeted that New York Yankees lefty specialist Boone

Logan showed up at the ballpark today with back problems and was heading to the doctor.

Shortly after, Mark Craig at the Star Ledger confirmed that Logan was sent to get an MRI exam.

Well, this is not great news as Logan was the Yankees best and most experienced option out of the bullpen against left-handed bats.

In his two seasons in pinstripes, the 27-year old Logan has pitched 81 innings, posting a 3.20 ERA, giving up seven homers, while striking out 84 hitters.

The Yankees had one bullpen spot to fill with a righty arm long-man but if Logan’s back is an issue they will need a lefty too and both have to be decided by 5pm today. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Bullpen might be without Boone’ »

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MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Bullpen Could Use Some Chicago Heat

Posted by on 15 July 2011, 5:57 pm
Kerry Wood

Image via Wikipedia

Over the last five years, New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman took the team’s farm system and built something out of nothing.

The Yankees haven’t had this much talent in the minors ever, and everyone has taken notice. Still, the Yankees are all about the now, not the next or five years from now but today.

The Yankees have a phenomenal team this season, old but wise and not quite worn out yet. This doesn’t mean the Bombers are perfect, as no MLB team is but the Yankees do have needs or holes to fill like everybody else.

One popular grab prior to the July 31st trade deadline is that of relief pitchers. You’d be hard pressed to find a team who couldn’t use a solid arm to come in the middle innings in late August.

Regarding the Yankees, getting a lefty specialist is a top priority because Boone Logan isn’t going to cut it much longer. Feliciano and Marte, who were hired for that role, are both still on the DL and there is no timetable when they might return to the Bronx.

It is no secret that the Bombers are window-shopping. For the remaining 29 teams, who are not in contention this could work in their favor. If they put a solid lefty on the table, it would be almost impossible for the Yankees to refuse.

Then reality hits because in 2011 more teams are in contention at the break than ever; which in turn shrinks the already scarce market for lefty specialists.

So, what does Cashman have to do?

Go out and dangle the goods in front of teams that aren’t playoff worthy that have a reliever that can get out lefties and who can handle playing in New York.

Specifically after enduring an embarrassing, first game to start the second-half up in Toronto.

The Blue Jays smoked the Yankees, 7-16; but after being 8-0 heading into the second the Bombers bats came back to life. With a score of 7-9 heading into the sixth inning, the Yankees were in a place to win. That is until LHP Boone Logan came in and gave up three runs; Sergio Mitre who continues to be totally useless followed Logan and gave up another couple runs.

This is where the Chicago Cubs come in, as they have a reliever named Kerry Wood who Yankee fans got to know very well last season. Wood should have been kept after a dynamite job in relief, but cheap skate Cashman didn’t agree. Continue reading ‘MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees Bullpen Could Use Some Chicago Heat’ »

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New York Yankees: What Needs To Happen On The Road To October?

Posted by on 14 July 2011, 12:31 am

With 88 games down and 74 left to play, the New York Yankees head into the second-half of the season in a tight pennant race with both the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays.

At best only two of the three teams, presuming the Wild Card comes out of the AL East, will be playing in October; and the Yankees are looking to be one of them.

The Bombers got to the All-Star Break with a 53-35 record and in second place, a game behind the Red Sox and five in front of the Rays.

What needs to happen for the Yankees in order to not be the third man out at the end of September?

Well, making a list of possibilities, scenarios or musts for any team could go on forever and bearing in mind the length of the MLB season makes it nearly illogical to do anyway.

Still, there are various concerns to keep your eye on about New York heading into the second-half and here are seven that came to mind:

  1. The Yankees continue to battle injuries, with the latest being the biggest when slugger Alex Rodriguez’s injured body could take no more. Earlier this week, A-rod underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. In the past A-rod’s absence has miffed the rest of the Yankee line-up, as he hits cleanup and is a right-handed bat that the Yankees now are in need of . In the past the team was able to recover from an A-rod DL stint but time was on their side. Unfortunately, that luxury is no longer as there is no time to waste or else the Yankees could dig too big a hole before he returns. This is the perfect time for the début of top prospect Jesus Montero to come help out. Montero hits right, is all power and now GM Brain Cashman really has no excuse not too.
  2. Skipper Joe Girardi needs to fall out of love with relief pitcher Sergio Mitre. Mitre is a waste of a roster spot that could be used by someone who can actually be effective. Since Girardi and Mitre’s bromance started again, he has only used Mitre when the Yankees have a significant lead in a game. Mitre might not have blown either game but he certainly allowed runs to score, which is just adding avoidable stress for the players. It is inevitable that Mitre will lose leads in the future as he has done over and over in the past. Mitre needs to go to the minors now. Hey at least he would still technically be a Yankee so then everybody (really just Girardi) wins. According to many Yankee fans this one is now on Girardi, like over at Pinstripe Alley who says there are better options in Scranton. I completely agree.
  3. This is something I have avoided tackling, but now that Derek Jeter is over the 3000 hit hump it is time to start critiquing the Captain. If Jeter continues to slack in the leadoff spot, he has to be moved down the line-up. At least until A-rod returns, the line-up has to be set in an order that is most productive and reality is when Jeter was on the DL, the Yankees didn’t miss his bat at all. Well, you have to be worried with all the mental exhaustion that Jeter is suffering from lately as well. Hopefully skipping the All-Star Game to prepare for the second-half down in Miami will pay off and then this can be voided
  4. Another Yankee on probation is pitcher Phil Hughes. Hughes is just off a three-month DL stint, as he suffered from a supposed ‘dead arm’ but no one really knows. Regardless of the diagnosis, Hughes was totally inefficient. Hughes has made one start in the Bronx and though improved, I don’t think it is enough for him to stay in the rotation but it certainly could work in the bullpen. Hughes pitched in long relief in 2009 and he changed the team’s season around post-All Star Break. Why Hughes got an automatic spot, as a starter in the first place makes no sense to me. Rookie Ivan Nova was finally coming into his own, and displayed more talent than Hughes ever has and the 18 wins last season were very circumstantial. The NY Post reports that Hughes will be debuting a new pitch as early as this weekend in Toronto. I guess more accurately described as a reformed curveball, as Hughes has changed the way he grips the ball to add more slice. He has also been working closely with pitching coach Larry Rothschild to change his over mechanics and pitching delivery. Let’s see if it works, but whither way Hughes can help out somewhere that is for sure. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: What Needs To Happen On The Road To October?’ »

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New York Yankee Rumors: Righty Prospect Who Can Fan Lefties

Posted by on 24 June 2011, 4:28 am

The New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman has some work to do, but not as much as initially thought but he might not have to go to far to do it.

Other than skipping Brian Gordon’s next start, the need for a starting pitcher will be filled when Bartolo Colon and Phil Hughes return; and if all goes well that will be before the All-Star Break.

So, looking at the team the obvious problem is the lefty reliever Boone Logan can’t get batters out. Logan is currently the only left-arm in the bullpen, but what good is having a specialist who lacks a forte?

Lefty-arms are coveted in the world of pitching for obvious reasons; they are are less of them in existence.

Like any MLB skipper, Joe Girardi yearns for a reliable lefty specialist. The guy that can get one or two outs in the eighth inning and preserve a one-run game before handing the ball the great Mariano Rivera in the ninth.

Right now this is a luxury that Girardi doesn’t have, but certainly one he will need with more than half the season to still play.

You might be wondering how this relates to prospect Dellin Betances, who currently takes the bump in Double-A for the Trenton Thunder and throws right?

My answer is because Betances could be that guy for Girardi to call on, and the proof is in his numbers.

WHY BETANCES?

Betances might not throw with his left arm, but when facing them he has an ERA of 1.09 this season.

In just shy of 25 innings pitched, Betances has held left-handed batters to .191 average, giving up two home-runs, three earned-run, while striking out 28.

To make it easier, below are Betances split stats from MILB.com from this season:

Betances stats against lefties are solid, and even though the information is limited it is still accurate.

One thing I noticed was Betances’ 2.91 GO/AO vs. lefties, as it is almost double in comparison to vs. righties.

What is GO/AO?

GO/AO stands for Ground Ball/Fly Ball Ratio (also denoted by G/F) represents how often a pitcher gets batters out on ground balls versus fly balls; formula: (ground outs) / (fly outs).

To put it in perspective, Rivera currently has a 2.33 GO/AO; David Robertson posts a 2.09 and Joba Chamberlain’s GO/AO before he got sidelined was a 3.64.

Another asset of Betances is his mound presence, and particularly smooth delivery for someone who stands at 6’8.

Without question his best pitch is a fastball that averages 95mph, but he easily knocks it up to 96-98 mph. Betances throws his fastball with complete confidence, and has no problem using it as his out pitch.

Betances, also has a wicked mid-80’s curve-ball, which dips late and gets a batter to swing…that is when he is focused. He has been known to get lazy when delivering and you have to finish strong in order for a curve to be effective.

The last in Betances arsenal is a change-up that clocks around the low 80’s, but as time goes on it is getting closer to becoming a plus pitch.

Pitchers who have Betances height have to work harder than the average because they can get Gumby-like and their mechanics look unnatural, hindering their delivery. Continue reading ‘New York Yankee Rumors: Righty Prospect Who Can Fan Lefties’ »

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MLB Trade Rumors: Adios Boone Logan Hello Hughes, K-Rod Or Lil Manny

Posted by on 22 June 2011, 3:41 am

MLB’s trade deadline is creeping up fast and the New York Yankees, like most teams need to remedy a few ills before the clock runs out on July 31st.

The Yankees are not in dire need for a starter much to the dismay of the sports media/Yankee-Haters. Even though the Bombers are riddled with injuries they continue to win and hopefully this will avoid any desperate move to deal one of out talented prospects, but don’t hold me to that.

Shockingly the Yankees biggest problem started out as the team’s biggest strength and vice versa. As the bullpen fell apart, while the starting rotation has been unbelievable.

The bullpen still has the greatest closer in MLB history, Mariano Rivera who already has 18 saves and is defying all odds at 41 years old.

Setting up for Mo is David Robertson, who has literally been a savior especially after Joba Chamberlain went down. Robertson is posting 47 strikeouts, with a 1.23 ERA and has isolated 19 of 25 collected base runners, in just shy 30 innings pitched.

These two are obviously not the problem, but lefty Boone Logan is a big one.

Bottom line is Logan not getting the job done as the sole LOOGY (Left Only One Out Guy) in the Yankees bullpen.

Logan is not on the roster by choice, but by chance and he is only getting worse. Logan’s 3.94 ERA is masking how bad he has been this season. He has allowed 16 hits, seven earned runs, one home-run, eight walks, pitching 16 innings and facing 25 batters in total.

In his latest outing, Logan threw just one pitch that plunked Reds Joey Votto in the back, leaving skipper Joe Girardi little choice but remove him.

The last thing any team can afford is a relief pitcher that jeopardizes winning games and that is Logan in a nutshell. He has to go, where doesn’t matter as much as when. As the last thing the Yankees need is Kyle Farnsworth part two.

THE POSSIBILITIES:

Well, the overall trade market looks limited this season, as there are a lot more teams still in playoff contention. Even the long shots that are flirting with collapse are not throwing in the towel just yet.

The go-to teams of the last two seasons, like the Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals are all still in contention in the race for October.

The New York Mets are listening to offers, as they have the talent and need to slice some money off their high payroll but my guess is that they would rather pay-up than help the Yankees get better.

Mets fans have redefined being out through the ringer, and I trust the new Mets brass is well aware of this. So, don’t totally get your hopes up for K-rod, but removing the $18 million he is owed in 2010 is going to make it tempting for GM Sandy Alderson to move him. Continue reading ‘MLB Trade Rumors: Adios Boone Logan Hello Hughes, K-Rod Or Lil Manny’ »

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