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Yankees welcome Raul Ibanez spark Nick Johnson nightmares

Posted by on 21 February 2012, 3:32 am

I don’t think anyone was surprised when ESPN’s Buster Onley reported that the New York Yankees signed Raul Ibanezto a one year, $1.1 million deal with incentives, which could earn him up to $4 million. But does signing a DH even make sense?

New York Yankees DH Nick Johnson (Sipkin/News)

Well it is familiar song, as the Yankees have a habit of signing guys like Ibanez; remember how well the switch-hitting Lance Berkman and lefty Nick Johnson worked out in New York.

Here is why Ibanez won’t work out either:

  • INJURY HISTORY.

The Yankees were aware of the injury histories that came with both Berkman and Johnson, and the same goes for Ibanez.

Ibanez has suffered from a persistent bad left groin injury for years. The injury still bothered him throughout 2011, and eventually it sidelined Ibanez at the end of the season.

Back in 2007, Ibanez missed multiple games claiming he injured himself when sleeping and could not move according to article by Larry Brown on Larry Brown Sports.

  • PRODUCTION.

Many people will defend Ibanez’s production because he hit 20 home-runs in 2011, but he also posted a .245 batting average, with a .289 slugging percentage, 106 strikeouts and drew 33 walks. The reason behind his crappy BA has to do with his declining walk numbers, as in 2010 he walked 68 times, which is more than double but Ibanez did consistently post 100+ strikeouts in both of the two last seasons.

The 20 home-runs are deceiving because I can personally attest that Citizens Bank Park literally makes Yankees Stadium feel like as enormous as Citi Field. To put it lightly, CBP is a hitter’s dream and a pitcher’s nightmare.

If you really want to get technical, 15 of Ibanez’s 20 homers and 61 of his 84 RBIs from last season were done in Philly. This explains is why he had a batting average of .286 at home and a pathetic .211 BA everywhere else. His batting average vs. righties was .246, a measly six points higher than the .240 he posted vs. lefties. Continue reading ‘Yankees welcome Raul Ibanez spark Nick Johnson nightmares’ »

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MLB: Interleague Play Debate Continues

Posted by on 20 June 2011, 1:07 am

There has been a continuing debate between media, fans, players etc. whether MLB should change the rules that apply during Interleague Play about the Designated Hitter and strength of schedule.

Just in case let’s look at the factors:

What is interleague play?

Interleague play is a Major League Baseball term that indicates when regular season games are played between teams that live in different leagues, so American League Teams play National League Teams.

  • Started in 1997 but was limited to divisions playing their counterparts in the opposite league only. (i.e. AL West vs. NL West; flip-flopping home field site)
  • Five seasons later, in 2002 the rules expanded which allowed for the divisions to rotate playing each other. This meant that one year the NL West would play the AL Central teams, the next year the AL East and then the AL West.
  • All interleague games are played in June, but the scattered series between cities with more than one team. (i.e. Chicago, New York, Los Angeles etc.).
  • The rules used during Interleague regular season games are the same as the World Series and the All-Star game that is, the home team’s league rules apply. So, when an AL team visits an NL Stadium, there is no designated hitter and the pitcher bats, as National League rules dictate.
  • The scheduling for Interleague Series is very unbalanced due to the unbalanced in the two leagues, with 14 in the AL and 16 in the NL; and the inter-city rivalries each are featured to play six games (or two series) against each other.

What is the Interleague Play debates or biggest complaints?

There are two issues that are complained about year after year, but both are relevant and have legit reasoning on either end:

1) The scheduling is very unfair, as it is lopsided. ESPN reporter Jayson Stark sums up the scheduling issues, which are quite complicated in an article written called Interleague play’s greatest problem. It has to do with the AL West having just four teams and the NL Central having six ball-clubs; as well as making sure city’s with two teams, in opposite leagues play each other six times for fans, which makes sense.

2) The rule that AL teams cannot a DH in NL stadiums, which in turn means the pitcher has to bat. It makes injuries are a major concern because AL pitchers do not take BP (batting practice) and are not used to running the bases, something NL pitchers are accustomed too. The All-Star Game and the World Series play by the rules of the hosting team, so why should Interleague Play be any different?

What is your opinion on Interleague Play?

Do you think it should stay as is, or that changes need to be made?

Should the DH be implemented in National League Parks during Interleague games? Basically, should AL rules be used across the board?

Should MLB Commissioner move one of the NL Central teams into the AL West? Or what is the alternative to keeping it unbalanced?

Opinions From Around The League:

Mark Gonzales of Chicago Tribune reported that White Sox slugger Adam Dunn had this to say about Interleague Play:

“It does suck, yes. But that’s another reason why I’m anti-interleague. It’s not fun … The interleague thing is just awful. It just ruins everything. Especially if you look at Boston. People like Ortiz. He’s having a great year, but now he’s going to have to sit a couple of games and screw up the mojo.”

Detroit Tigers skipper Jim Leyland made his opinion clear to Tom Gage of the Detroit Free Press:

“It has run its course. I just don’t like it. First of all, at some point we have to get baseball back to the same set of rules. I don’t know why more people don’t talk about it. No other sport plays different rules (regarding the DH). I don’t care what they do. Whatever way they go is fine with me, but the rules should be the same.”

 

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New York Yankees Breaking News: Is Jorge Posada Calling It Quits? Or Throwing A Fit?

Posted by on 14 May 2011, 8:28 pm
Photograph taken by Googie Man 05:48, 21 March...

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New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman held an impromptu announcement during the second inning of the Boston Red Sox game talking to FOX’s Ken Rosenthal.

What everyone thought was skipper Joe Girardi scratching DH Jorge Posada out of the line-up was not the case, as Cashman said that Posada pulled himself out of the line-up prior to the game.

Cashman went on the say that Posada will be addressing the media after the game, at his own request.

When Rosenthal asked Cashman what Posada’s actions meant for Posada’s future, he declined comment. Said he did not want to speak for Posada.

Cashman look grim and while the twittering universe is going nuts; some tweets are speculating that Posada might ask for a trade.

I disagree and think it sounds more like a retirement announcement. Since Posada has moved from being the Yankees starting catcher to full-time DH things haven’t fared so well for the 39-year-old Posada.

Either way it will be a very sad state of affairs for the Yankees and their fans, as Posada is one of the core four and he was on five World Championship teams for the pinstripes.

Guess all anyone can do is just hold out breath till the game ends.

Here are some interesting tweets to consider:

@JackCurryYES Jack Curry

If Posada retired, it would be strange, sad way for to go. I’ve asked multiple team officials what they expect. None could speak w certainty

@JackCurryYES Jack Curry

According to person briefed on Posada’s exchange with Girardi, Posada told mgr he was “insulted” about hitting 9th and “threw a hissy fit.”

@PeteAbe Pete Abraham

Complicating the issue: Jeter and Posada are best of friends. If Girardi loses Jeter, it’ll get even more ugly

 

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New York Yankees: We Will Rock You Cause We Have Too

Posted by on 14 May 2010, 6:15 am

Not the best road trip for the New York Yankees.

The Tiger won three of four, but discharged Yankee hitters with complete two shut-outs.

Of course Hughes, Javy and Joba all individually look dynamite, but makes no difference if the team is losing.

WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN?

A lot or else Bombers will get swiped by the Twins, Red Sox, Rays and Mets in the next week.

Here are seven suggestions: Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: We Will Rock You Cause We Have Too’ »

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New Name But Same Place For The Yankees

Posted by on 24 April 2010, 3:05 am

Matsui-land sure did not look any different for the New York Yankees tonight, as the Angels of Anaheim are clearly back from their questionably shaky start to the season.The teams are back at each others throats again, literally.

In the third inning ex-Angel Mark Teixiera rounded third base like he was charging a running back in the NFL. The victim was Angels catcher Brian Wilson and tonight marked this youngster’s debut to the majors. Wilson had to be carried off the field, going straight to the hospital and his injury status is still pending. Welcome to the Majors Brian Wilson, and let’s hope nothing is to serious.

Both Ervin Santana and AJ Burnett started the night sloppy.

Burnett, as usual, glued himself back together and not allowing another hit after the fourth inning. Burnettleft  the game in the eighth just shy of 100 pitches total. He walked just two batters, striking-out only two which is not Burnett’s normal stat. The Angels finished with nine hits that scored six runs, but Burnett is not to blame for the two that counted. Continue reading ‘New Name But Same Place For The Yankees’ »

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Grading The Champs

Posted by on 17 March 2010, 9:24 am

As baseball season begins, all eyes are on the Yankees attempting to answer the ageless question.

Are the defending champs strong enough to repeat?

Let’s take a look:

Line-up:

The Yankees lead the league in both home-runs, with 244 and runs scored with 900 in 2009. Even with Matsui and Damon’s bats gone, the Yanks bats are still the best.

Reasons being that Granderson will smash it at home at least facing righties; Arod is available all season; Cano will hit behind the Captain in the two spot; Johnson will fare well enough as a regular DH; and the mainstays are back again. This is still just as frightening a line-up to face.

Winn and Granderson love to steal bases, an improvement in overall speed

Defense:

Granderson is a real upgrade in the outfield. He is young, and his spirit will display right when mixed with the older guys. Gardner is better defensively than Damon, and he is fast as they come. Gardner will have to be accomplished all the time as Randy Winn, Jamie Hoffman and a recently signed Marcus Thames will be glad to take the responsibility for their own if Gardner slips. This kind-of competition, that keeps players fresh through the long-term. It made Gardner better last season.

The Yankee infield is Jeter, Arod, Tex, Cano and Posada/Cervelli. Need I say more?

GRADE: A

Pitching:

CC, AJ and Andy are not the question, as the three can stand their own. The point is Javier Vazquez, who in 2009 dominated playing on a struggling Braves team, otherwise might have been the NL Cy Young winner. Vazquez’s last stint in pinstripes, in 2004 is one Yankee fans do not want to be reminded off. He will be third or fourth in the rotation, so less weight on his shoulders, to aide for a successful round two.

Rivera is the best closer still, and either Hughes or Joba will be celebrated in the eighth.

GRADE: A

Bench:

The Yanks can lack here, and they do. The depth off the counter is not impressive but if the starters are healthy, each will play 150+ games. This is not a perfect world, so banking on no injuries is uncertain.

Pena is not as reliable as Harriston Jr. in the utility role. Pena is young, and spring training is the time to iron out his kinks.

GRADE: B-

Coaches:

Girardi and company, stay the same staff as 2009, which seems to work. Girardi has gradually relaxed, a crash that should stay. If only Joe could not refer to his trusty binder in the dugout and leave it in the locker room, he might prevent any over managing. Middle-inning, musical chairs in the post-season are particularly unsettling to witness.

Hopefully, these rumored ‘Hughes Rules’ are untrue, as let the boys pitch.

GRADE: B


 

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There Will Be No Thrill-as….. Without Godzilla

Posted by on 11 November 2009, 6:47 am

The 2009 Worlds Series had a few firsts’ happen.

A full-time designated hitter won the MVP award for the first time. A 1960 record for most RBI’s r, with the nickname Godzilla, won his first World Series ring.

Hideki Matsui, also known as Godzilla won the MVP of the this years World Series. Matsui, who is a baseball icon in his homeland of Japan signed with the Yankees in December 2002. This was a huge accomplishment for anyone on earth but in Japan, Matsui became a hero.

On opening day in 2003 at the stadium, Matsui hit a grand slam. Another first for any Yankee to have accomplished. In 2007 he achieved his 2000th hit joined between his time in Japan and in MLB. Two months later he recorded his 100th home-run as a Yankee but in total he has 470 in his professional career total.

With his quiet, humble and professional attitude is admired, not only in Japan but by a vast amount of Americans too. There is never enough about what he has done as a player. This gets masked because Matsui does not bring any drama.

The above is just naming a few of Matsui’s accomplishments since coming to play in the USA. Baseball is a business. The Yankees are the biggest and remind us this each season. Regarding Hideki Matsui, he should stay in the Bronx. Here is some reasons why:

  • Matsui is a lethal clutch hitter. More importantly, as shown this season as a full-time DH, Matsui is consistent.

If you have ever watched this guy at bat, his focus is almost
surreal.

It is known that a DH is so important in the American League.
The Red Sox would not have won two rings without Big Poppi as
their DH.

The spot or need for the DH gets belittled but ignorant baseball
fans, who are blind to its vital importance. The DH makes the job
of the pitcher harder, the game more suspenseful and can be the
difference maker.

Matsui displayed this all season as the DH for the Bombers.
Godzilla makes the position more important and makes the Yankees
much more of a threat. There is no player on the free-agent
market, the Yankee farm system or really in MLB that has the
talent that Matsui carries with him. The Yankees are an AL team
and the DH counts big time in that league.

  • THE 3 MMM’S….

In Yankee language, Media = Money = Matsui.

The worldwide attention Matsui will carry with him wherever he
goes, so if he leaves the Bronx, so will the Japanese press and
fans. The Japanese fans are so dedicated and proud that time
difference is irrelevant   when Godzilla is playing.

  • There would be no World Series win without Matsui this year.

Some might disagree but I truly believe the Yankees would have not been the 2009 Champs without his bat. Matsui tied the
World Series record of scoring six RBI’s off his bat.

Ironically, it was in game six and the night that made the Yanks the winners and crowned champions.

All that is currently known is that Matsui did file for free agency earlier this week. He has made it clear that he is comfortable in New York. He wants to continue playing for the Yanks.

Most recently, it was announced that Matsui will continue playing in the USA and not returning home to Japan.

Hideki Matsui brings a sense of respect and professionalism that is not seen in pro-sports across the board anymore in the USA. He is a warrior and plays by the rules.

Brian Cashman is smart and he will sign Matsui to a one year deal.Cashman can count that the Seattle Mariners will be calling on Hideki. Matsui’s old Japanese teammate and recent Gold-Glove winner Ichiero Suzuki would love to have him on his team.

I can’t really think of any AL team who’s in need of a DH that would not be gunning to grab Matsui.

The thrill-as hit by Godzilla should remain in the Bronx or else the Yankees will kick themselves when they face Matsui next season.

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