The 2012 New York Yankees batting order is not so hard to project, which is a Godsend for skipper Joe Girardi who will already have his hands full weeding though an abundance of starting pitchers.
The only real lineup issue the Yankees have is a lack of a fulltime DH, which is not an imminent need but certainly a luxury that GM Brian Cashman would like to secure.
Here is the presumed 2012 batting order: Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 2012 Projected Batting Order’ »
Image via Wikipedia
The latest question swirling around Yankee Universe is who will fill the void at DH?
Rumors are that the Bombers are interested in Johnny Damon and Carlos Pena, but have actually reached out to Hideki Matsui according to a tweet from Jon Heyman at CBS.
Matsui was the 2009 World Series MVP and was let go after single-handily leading the Yankees to their 27th Championship, and fans were not happy at all.
So, when I told my dad that the Yankees were thinking of bringing back Hideki Matsui in 2012 his hopeful excitement made me reconsider if I should have said anything.
Matsui has been my father’s favorite player from the day he came to the US from Japan, and he still rants about the reason behind letting Godzilla leave in the first place.
My thought is would Matsui want to come back after being treated so poorly?
One aspect of Japanese culture that I am in utter awe of is the sense respect, tradition and commitment that each possesses in all aspects of life. Matsui was so level-headed, and like my father his work ethic and sportsmanship was almost surreal.
So, this makes me wonder whether Matsui would even listen to the suggestion of playing in the Bronx again because it is a sign of disrespect? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Hot Stove: Matsui Rumors Are Not Funny For My Dad’ »
The Oakland Athletics (A’s) biggest headline last season was when New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez took a jog over the pitching mound at The Coliseum on his way back to the visitor’s dugout, and SP Dallas Braden 
through a temper tantrum.
The A’s finished up the 2010 season at 81-81, a vast improvement from seasons prior but finishing second in the AL West was not as much earned, as it was lost when the Angels got injured.
So, where does that leave the A’s heading into 2011, let’s take a look.
The Positives:
Pitching, pitching and more pitching as the A’s have possibly the most talented group of youngsters across baseball. Finishing with a 3.56 ERA, an AL best and making 103 Quality Starts, which was the most in baseball in 2010.
This season the A’s are banking on the continued maturity of the righty Trevor Cahill, who is now 23-years old and in 2010 was one of the best pitchers in the AL. Cahill won 18 games, posting a 2.97 ERA over 30 starts. The rotation will be led by Cahill, who went 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA and was named to the All-Star Team in 2010.
Then there is 25-year-old, lefty Gio Gonzalez also made strides in 2010, posting a 15-9 record, with a 3.23 ERA but the 92 walks needs to improve. Gonzalez needs to learn when to throw what pitch, as well as get better control to lower the amount of walks.
The A’s most promising rookie is 22-year-old, lefty Brett Anderson, who has a 95+ fastball and has command well beyond his years. Anderson pounds the plate and throws for strikes, featuring a slider, change-up and curveball. In 2010 Anderson was sidelined twice with elbow soreness, which limited him to 19 starts. This kid has the biggest future, if he keeps maturing like this.
The third lefty, Braden, the newly acquired Brandon McCarthy and Rich Harden will fill the back-end spots. Harden is not unfamiliar with the A’s, as his last stint with Oakland dates back to 2008, where he made 13 starts, posting a 2.34 ERA, with a record of 5-1,
This is a very talented and young rotation, which is clearly the strength of this A’s ball-club.
There are not many teams featuring three lefty arms on the brink of becoming top of the rotation pitchers. I still think the A’s staff is working out their kinks and figuring out how to be the most effective on the mound.
This is not a “will it happen” situation, but a “when it happens.”
The Negatives:
The great pitching happens to be paired with one of the worst line-ups in baseball.
The A’s management seems so occupied with getting a new stadium built that they made no significant moves in the off-season that will bring a consistent pop to the batting order.
They traded away the speed of Rajai Davis to the Blue Jays for two prospect relievers. Davis stole 41+ bases in each of the last two seasons.
They picked up injured Nationals Josh Willington for two young prospects. In 2010 Willington played in 114 games, posting a .268 batting average, hitting 16 home runs, 56 RBI’s, and had eight stolen bases. He missed the last six weeks with a knee injury, but has played without any problems this spring and is hoping to put up some numbers in Oakland. Just have to wait and see.
Another pick-up the injured outfielder David DeJesus who only contributed in 91 games last year with the Royals. They also snagged the aging great Hideki Matsui as the team’s DH, which is worrisome considering Matsui’s age, injury history and the expectations the A’s are hoping Matsui can bring. Continue reading ‘2011 MLB Team Preview: Oakland Athletics’ »
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’ »
The Yankees opened up the stadium with a ring and a win.
The Angels lost 7-5, but bringing Hideki Matsui was all the fans cared about.
Saving the best for last, Matsui was the last player to get his ring. Appropriately so, out of respect for what he brought to the Yankees during his seven seasons and his MVP performance in the World Series.
It was hard to believe #55 in another uniform, but it allowed the fans to demonstrate their gratitude and respect. Continue reading ‘Hideki Matsui: Save The Best For Last’ »
New York Yankees DH Nick Johnson went 0-3 on Sunday, walked twice and stuck out. Up goes his OBP, and didn’t help the Yankees who lost 9-7 in Fenway Park.
A day later, on the West Coast, the World Series MVP Hideki Matsui went 2-3, driving in two runs in the fifth and a solo blast in the eighth leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 6-3 win against the Minnesota Twins.
Matsui once again showed his clutch DH bat was the difference maker.
Looking back to the Yankees loss on Sunday, makes me miss our MVP and wonder how Godzilla ever was allowed to move to Matsiland.
Matsui replacement, Nick Johnson raised his On Base Percentage with two walks but explain how that’s going to help win games. Johnson can not steal, and his 8 home-runs and 62 RBIs from 2009 are subpar stats for the second slot behind in the batting order. Continue reading ‘Letting Godzilla Move To Matsui-land’ »
Sitting In The Upper Deki, With A Case Of The Melky Blues.
Got Melk, because fans are still thirsty?
Thrilla for Godzilla, isn’t that monster a native New Yorker in the first place?
- The Yankee Blues
April 13th 2010, is the home opener for the Bombers. Keeping with tradition the Champs will be presented with the World Series rings, the last celebration on victory lane.
Players, who are no longer in pinstripes might be playing elsewhere and will be missed by the team. Is it just luck that fans and teammates will have the opportunity to share this with Hideki Matsui?
It is more of a blessing. This is definitely proves there is a first time for everything, as Yankee players and fans will welcome the Angels into the stadium that day with open arms.
Hideki Matsui and Melky Cabrera were fan favorites and this departure hurts in places that Yankee fans have not dealt with in a while. Wearing another teams colors is not the same as retiring to be with family.
It is riddled with jealousy because Yankee fans know how good it can get and the 2009 New York Yankees played with more heart and dignity. Makes it very hard not to miss, and our M & M boys were part of that family.
For our M&M boys, New York is always here for you. Wishing you success is pointless because it is inevitable wherever you go. The Braves and the Angels might sign your paychecks, but Yankees fans gave you our hearts and that will never change.
It was an honor for the pinstripes to be worn by two such talented athletes, but also both extraordinary men. Thank you.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_b.png?x-id=cc50bf78-df8d-441e-8539-2c029ab38e8b)
Get ahead of the game with the Yankee Stadium E-Guide!
