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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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New York Yankees: Andy Pettitte you missed us too much

Posted by on 16 March 2012, 2:42 pm

As I was sitting down to watch the Yankees host the Washington Nationals today, the YES networkboys dropped a bomb.

English: Andy Pettitte

Image via Wikipedia

That pitcher Andy Pettitte has un-retired and had signed a minor league, 1-year, 2.5 million deal with a plan to return to the Bronx again.

It was said that Pettitte is allowed to take all the time he needs to get ready and that a rotation spot will be ready for the 39-year old southpaw.

The last time Pettitte was on the mound was back in 2010, making 21 starts and finishing 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA. Pettitte was having a career year but he missed 4-5 weeks with a groin injury and Yankee fans were forced to stomach Sergio Mitre during that time.

Pettitte’s return was a total shock, as I knew he was invited to camp to be a guest instructor but the NY Post writer George E. King declared that, ….the legendary lefty won’t be attempting a comeback if he accepts.

Shows how much King knows, as GM Brian Cashman said this has brewed since late December.

Around Christmas time, Pettitte had heard the GM on the Michael Kay Show talking about how much the Yankees would still want him if he ever wanted to return, and that got his juices flowing.

That sparked a whirlwind of back and forth between the two, which at first didn’t pan out because of the Yankees overflow and money but Pettitte did not stop throwing the entire time. And after more back and forth, followed by throwing a good secret bullpen for Cashman, Girardi and Rothschild a few days ago all led to Pettitte now being officially back in the pinstripes. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Andy Pettitte you missed us too much’ »

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New York Yankees: 3 pre-season reasons to be very afraid of this team

Posted by on 13 February 2012, 5:20 am
English: CC Sabathia (left) and Mark Teixeira

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The 2012 New York Yankees have a team that is built to win the World Series, and offer plenty of everything for opposing teams to be very afraid about.

And here are the three reasons why:

1) MOTIVATION.

From CC Sabathia to Mark Teixeira to Alex Rodriguez, if the Yankees have made one thing very clear this offseason it is how unhappy they were with their 2011 ALDS early exit. I saw first hand back in December how hard Sabathia was training by his evident weight loss.

Tex is throwing out the BSOHL card, Best-Shape-Of-His-Life. He recently tweeted about his 14-pound off-season weight loss, and told the NY Post that he plans to be laying down some bunts this season, which would be a first for the switch hitter. With the way defenses shift over when Tex bats lefty, it could really be a difference maker even if he only bunts 10 times all season. The first basemen also tweeted “One of the greatest thrills of my life…the victory parade down the “Canyon of Heroes”, while watching the New York football Giants parade on February 7th. It is safe to say that Tex wants to stroll down the parade route in NYC once again.

A-rod went as far as Germany; on the advice of NBA star Kobe Bryant to have experimental procedures on his knee and shoulder. A-rod is doing everything possible to make sure he stays healthy this season, and regardless what some critics say, the Yankees are better all around with A-rod active.

And the NY Post confirmed that Spring Training has already started for the Captain, who has been hard at work at Steinbrenner Field for well over two weeks already. This is standard for Derek Jeter, who is always the first to arrive at camp, and is happy to help 19-year old shortstop Cito Culver who is taking full advantage by shadowing the Captain. Jeter is already in the batting cage, as he wants to start 2012 the way he ended 2011.

2) FLAWLESS. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: 3 pre-season reasons to be very afraid of this team’ »

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New York Yankees: Non-Trade Moves To Make

Posted by on 28 July 2011, 6:12 pm

Following a 9-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners, which also helped them break a 17-game losing streak, you can bet the New York Yankees front office, is conceivably in a tizzy.

This is not because the Bombers line-up fell flat at the hands of the 2010 CY Young winner King Felix, as many teams do.

The alarm went off as Phil Hughes turned in another lackluster performance and against one of the most offensively anemic teams in all of baseball.

Fact is against almost any other team than the Mariners, and Hughes’ liabilities would have been exposed. The Yankees cannot afford to lose more games because they are hanging onto the 18 games he won last season, when out 14 of the 18 wins were when the bats scored 5 or more runs.

So, my advice is the Yankees needs to forget that MLB’s trade deadline is this Sunday, July 31st and instead explore internal changes that could really help over the next two months.

First priority would be moving Phil Hughes back to the bullpen.

Hughes thrived in the middle innings and if that move hadn’t been made the 2009 Yankees might still be searching for #27. Hughes offers added insurance, by pitching multiple innings; which allows the Yankees bats to go to work and give the team a better chance to win.

Hughes has a proven record in the reliever role, and he certainly displayed the most talent of his short career.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman can put rookie Ivan Nova back in the starting rotation, and just demote Sergio Mitre once he is off the DL because he is wasting a roster spot anytime.

The bottom line is…. the Yankees aren’t helping Hughes or the team by giving him any more chances.

Maybe a little fine-tuning could help the Yankees avoid trading away their farm system. It would be an anxious move to nab Rockies Ubaldo Jimenez considering the price tag.

I sincerely believe the Yankees can improve with a little rearranging and tweaking, and that starts with the above.

The Yankees have no choice but to look at whom they have, instead of worrying about who they don’t.

This is one of the weakest and slowest trade markets that I can remember and it doesn’t seem as if the Yankees are going to be buyer in it.

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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

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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 Yankees: Mitre, Hughes and Why Joe Girardi Is Not Doing His Job

Posted by on 7 July 2011, 4:49 am
Derek Jeter bats against the Orioles on 4-19-08.

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What happened to the New York Yankees, Wednesday night in Cleveland, other than Captain Derek Jeter now having just three hits remaining before getting a membership in the 3000 club?

Well, the Yankees lost the rubber game 5-3 to the Indians. It was the Bombers first series loss since being swept by the Boston Red Sox back on June 9th. With the Red Sox winning again, they are now just a half game behind the Yankees in the AL East Standings.

Returning to the Bronx to host the Tampa Bay Rays for a four game set does not allow for much breathing room. Losing three of their last four is discouraging because the Yankees were so close to breaking away in the division, but now heading into the All-Star break in second place could be their reality.

Leading into Wednesday’s game, everyone was well aware that pitcher Phil Hughes was on the hill for the first time after spending three months on the DL with a dead arm.

After throwing 32 pitches and allowing two runs to score in the first inning, Hughes settled down and kept the Yankees in the game by holding the Tribe scoreless for the next four innings.

It was far from pretty, as Hughes loaded the bases in the fifth but finished the inning without a run scoring after throwing a total of 87 pitches. He exited with a score of 0-2 on the board.

To be fair, Hughes got zero help from the Yankee bats, but that was not shocking with the way Tribe starter Justin Masterson was pitching.

Masterson pitched eight scoreless innings and everyone watching was drooling over this kid, except Red Sox’s GM Theo Epstein. Epstein had to be crying, as Masterson was part of the Victor Martinez trade that is looking less and less as good an idea.

Overall, Hughes didn’t tank but he needs to be better in his next start. Hughes needs to stop looking at the radar gun and worry about locating his fastball and not how fast he is throwing it. I did like that he threw his slider and change-up because it makes him more effective in getting batters out.

Nevertheless, the Yankee bats went to work in the ninth putting three runs on the board.

Regrettably, that just wasn’t enough for pitcher Sergio Mitre who was in his usual form. It was Mitre’s second appearance since the Yankees picked him up, again.

Mitre took the ball with two outs in the seventh inning and came back out in the eighth to once again dig the team into a bigger hole.

After loading the bases with one out, Mitre walked Carlos Santana making it 4-0 and followed that by giving up a sack fly to allow the Tribe to score again.

It was déjà vu all over again, as Mitre once again could not hold the opponent scoreless.

Before the season started, Yankee fans were ecstatic when Mitre got traded to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Just the thought of never having to see him pitch in pinstripes again was such a sigh of relief even if GM Brain Cashman had to pay another team to make sure Mitre was out of the Bronx for good.

It wasn’t long before the Brewers gave Mitre his walking papers, but can you blame them? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Mitre, Hughes and Why Joe Girardi Is Not Doing His Job’ »

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