Let’s get right to it …
- Joel Sherman expresses some concern over Chien-Ming Wang:
Still, the Yanks had envisioned Wang returning from his 2008 foot injury to be what he was the previous two seasons, which was a 19-win innings eater. Instead, he has logged just a total of 4 2-3 innings in two starts and his 28.93 ERA is the worst in the majors for anyone who has made a start in 2009 not named (sorry Yankee fans) Carl Pavano.
Wang . . . is essentially weapon-less when he does not have the sink on his fastball. You could find plenty of statistical analysts who had projected long-term problems for Wang because righties who strike out as few batters as Wang do not typically have extended success.
Right now, the Yanks are saying that Wang’s delivery is messed up and that is preventing him from driving his sinker down in the strike zone. And when that sinker is up in the zone, Wang simply becomes glorified batting practice. But one apprehension with Wang has always been what happens as AL hitters become more familiar with Wang and don’t chase that sinker early in the count and simply wait and wait until Wang comes up in the zone.
[My take: Is that one of the reasons why the Yanks have not offered Wang a long-term deal?]
- Yanks pitching coach Dave Eiland speaks about Wang:
Up until Chien-Ming Wang’s first batter on Monday, the pitching coach Dave Eiland expected a good game. In two bullpen sessions, one last weekend and one before the game, Wang had corrected a flaw in his mechanics.
“Starting in Baltimore, his arm was late, he wasn’t on time, he wasn’t getting on top of the ball to throw the ball downhill and get his signature sink,” Eiland said. “He made the adjustment in his side work, he warmed up tremendously, and then in the game, he was back to where he was in Baltimore. He just didn’t take it out there with him.”
- PeteAbe didn’t have a problem with Nick Swisher enjoying himself on the mound Monday night:
. . . It was 15-5 and they asked a guy to pitch who hadn’t pitched since his freshman year of high school. . . . These things happen sometimes.
The best part was when he shook Jose Molina off, even through there were no signs. When he struck Gabe Kapler out, Swish rolled the ball into the dugout for a souvenir. Hilarious.
His best line was that this game is like an Etch-A-Sketch, you need to shake it and start over again.
- Pete also isn’t getting too worried about Wang:
Wang seemed stunned. He said the issue was where he released the ball, which was off to the side instead of over the top. A sinkerball pitcher wants to stand tall on the mound and throw the ball on a downward plane. Otherwise the ball floats over the strike zone and you see what happens.
Try and remember, Wang was 46-15, 3.74 from 2006-08. There are only a handful of starters who have been better. He’s also coming off a ninth-long stretch when he didn’t pitch in a regular-season game.
Have a little faith that the guy didn’t suddenly lose his ability. This stuff happens sometimes.
- Tyler Kepner offers A-Rod some hope for a good recovery, via golfer Greg Norman:
But Dr. Marc Philippon, the Vail, Colo., surgeon who operated on Rodriguez and has supervised his rehabilitation, drew a more encouraging comparison: the golfer Greg Norman, his former patient.
“I have had a lot of patients who are nine years out and still performing as well, if not better, than nine years ago,” Philippon said Tuesday in a telephone interview. “Greg Norman had surgery in June 2000 and finished third at the British Open last year. Obviously, baseball isn’t the same as golf, but both sports involve a lot of hip rotation. I don’t see that there are any obstacles to him completing the length of his contract.”
Philippon confirmed what Rodriguez told reporters Monday, that Rodriguez has a chance to avoid another operation this off-season.
- MLB.com has an article on the new giant videoboard in center field:
By the books, it is 59 feet by 101 feet, a 16-mm true high-definition video board. And hard as it is to believe, it seems even larger than that.
During the course of any given game, the main video board will display the line score in a strip across the bottom, player information with an enormous picture in the middle, and another strip at the top with a K counter, a radar gun reading and a pitch count for whoever is on the mound. Between innings, it displays many of the same entertainment features that the scoreboard at the old Yankee Stadium did, only on a larger scale, in a more vibrant style.
- MLB.com also has an article on the new Stadium’s accessibility:
The new digs feature nearly 1,500 wheelchair-accessible seats, including 530 companion seats that allow non-disabled guests to sit alongside the designated wheelchair spaces. Aisle transfer seats have removable armrests so that people can easily transition into them from a wheelchair, and are dispersed equally across all price points.
In addition, the stadium is the only one in the Major Leagues that has implemented wheelchair lifts in both dugouts, allowing wheelchair users direct access to both the players’ bench and the field.
“People who are in wheelchairs should have the same ability to go into the dugout on the [stadium] tour as people who don’t need wheelchairs,” Levine said. “For example, Joba Chamberlain’s dad is in a wheelchair. . . .
The old Yankee Stadium struggled to meet ADA standards, and both groups entered into an agreement to settle litigation on previous compliance issues in 1999.
[My take: Now the only issue is the economic accessibility . . .]
- Baseball America has all the Yankees’ minor league transactions for the past week.
- Who knew that A-Rod also played competitive Scrabble?
- On this date in 1976, the Yankees defeat the Twins, 11 – 4, in the first game at the newly renovated Yankee Stadium. Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and the widows of Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth take part in pre-game ceremonies at the Stadium, which had been closed for the 1974 and ’75 seasons.
- On this date in 1998, the first-ever AL-NL doubleheader ends up a good day for New York. The Yankees are forced to come to Shea Stadium after a beam falls into the stands at Yankee Stadium on April 13. The Yankees earn their first victory in Queens in 22 years as they defeat the Angels 6 – 3. Former Mets star Darryl Strawberry, the all-time home run leader at Shea, adds to his total with a shot into the left field bleachers. In the regularly-scheduled night game, the Mets beat the Cubs 2 – 1. The Yankees, who played at Shea in 1974-75 while Yankee Stadium was renovated, drew a crowd of 40,743, a dramatic contrast to the gathering of 16,012 who showed up for the Mets game at night.
Transcription: "Between innings, it displays many of the same entertainment features that the scoreboard at the old Yankee Stadium did, only on a larger scale, in a more vibrant style."
Translation: Really, really BIG and LOUD Cotton Eye Joe and YMCA.
Interpretation: Egads.
He's flawed, and not just in the mechanical sense. He's Charles Barkley going to the golf course in "big games". All interdivision games are by definition "big games," especially ones against division rivals. They comprise the bulk of the season and are most important, regardless of when during the schedule they occur. I would argue that he has not received the help he's needed since his last postseason effort, when he spit the bit in a similar fashion. If he's that scared in big games, such that he cannot make adjustments, there is a much larger problem that deserves other than "Relax, it's early!"...
I tried unsuccessfully to point out the seriousness of that yesterday, but was made fun of and chastised because "it's still early"...
Ask the Red Sox if "It's still early!" Tampa sure isn't playing games like "It's still early!"
It's never too early where the psyche of your former "Ace" is concerned. That's what I meant by "See a Different Game"...
I'm sorry you guys didn't pick up on that.
[2] What you talking about, Willis? Are you suggesting that the Red Sox are buried and Wang isn't able to pitch in "big games"?
By the way, yes, it is early...I think being 8 games into a 162 game season is a pretty good sign of that.
[2] Huh? so it's not still early? what?
Goodness, day games as far as the eye can see (thru Sunday per the handy sidebar), I'm not going to get any work done all week! cripes!
[4]
Hey dc .... since you appear to be a suffering Nats fan, how about giving us some perspective.
Do you like the Milledge demotion ... is Dukes the better candidate for CF?
Will they be able to sign Zimmerman long-term?
I think they should turn around and deal Dunn by the ASB (when they'll undoubtedly be out of it). The Mets could use Dunn, and probably could send the Nats an arm or two in return.
[5] I've tried not to get too involved, the decision making is just so bad. Though anything that gets Dukes into the lineup everyday has to be good, and Milledge has rarely performed up to expectations based on "his talent". I wouldn't have guessed Dukes can stick in CF, but worth a shot - and if that opens RF to showcase someone for a trade, that's nice. Not that I believe any trades will be made (Soriano, Belliard, Young... on and on). Zimmerman is the face of the franchise, has been for years, they ought to sign him. It's just a franchise utterly without direction or judgment. It's embarrassing that the Orioles are the class of the region now. At least there's a Bens Chili Bowl at the stadium (three now, actually).
[3] I'm suggesting Wang spits the bit in big games yes, and until he can bring "his productive bullpen sessions" into those big games, the Yankees will continue to get more of the same, even up to the point that he could hurt himself with sloppy mechanics that he cannot correct on the fly. What he does against other divisions' teams doesn't enter into it, because they don't face him enough to matter. The AL East however, sees him all of the time, placing more inherent value on the ability to adjust in these big games...
I thought you folks here knew things like that!
As far as the Red Sox being buried, they can have such a bad April, that they cannot catch up (see the '08 Yankees). Ask RSN if "It's still early," for them. With three teams in the mix instead of just Yankees/Baltimore in the late 90's, or Yankees/Red Sox until recently, every bad week does indeed help bury a team, even if it's during the first couple of weeks...
[4] No, this series against Tampa has playoff intensity, which will be more common than not, whether folks like you say "It's early!" or not. If you cannot tell the difference with the way the Yankees went about Wang's game versus Burnett's, from the manager down to the trainer, as well as most all of the players, well I'm wasting my time with you folks on this topic...
Watch tonight's game and tell me whether or not the players on both teams are all "relaxed because it's early". I have found more relaxed folks in a dentist's office than were on the field last night...
Pfft!
Time to golf!
I dunno, PJ, I have no way of knowing what someone else sees when they claim a different team is 'hungrier' or 'readier'. Wasn't Jorge hungry or mad? People seemed to like Swisher goofing and diss Jorge for being 'too grim' in a laugher.
Nor do I quite get a line like: 'I thought you folks here knew things like that.' You saying that the folks here are dumber than you expected? Dumber about baseball than ... one PJ? A very confident tone to take, and not suggesting a lot of openness to polite disagreement. One of the things that makes the Banter 'work' is just that: polite disagreement and a measure of respect for the existence of differing views. Sports fans in the era of talk radio can get loud and lewd, it has been nice to find an online baseball talk-space that generally dodges that. I'd say, with respect, that out of courtesy to Alec and Cliff and Diane and Emma and Will et al, if not the rest of us, you at least consider how that line I quoted sounds.
Wang won 19 games twice. Not all of those games were some sort of mythic 'non-pressure' game. If you want to make a case, in 6 months, that he might not be one of the best 3 playoff starters we have (assuming we make it, assuming he levels out to a decent season) you'll get people listening, I suspect.
Of course it is possible to dig too deep a hole in April, and of course there are 3 teams now (and Toronto and Baltimore will not roll over until, maybe, the trading deadline). But, wow, we have played EIGHT ballgames. I like relaxed in a 162 game season.
In NY it is even more important, and harder to come by. It was a Torre strength.
Playoff intensity? Now? Holy cow. Gotta go get my face paint!
[7] I disagree that this TB series has playoff intensity. It's not even as intense as a Red Sox regular season series, and even those aren't quite playoff intensity. Not to mention: Yes, it's early. There is not much intensity inherent in any April game. Unless you're like the Sox and are having a real rough start.
That's not to say it doesn't have more intensity than, say, vs the Royals, but that's natural with a division rival, which is what the Rays legitimately are.
Like Real Estate, the issue is: Location, location and location. Yeah, Wang had no sink. But almost everything he threw was waste high and caught the heart of the plate. Great stuff gives you an advantage, but location separates the great ones from the rest of the pack.
[10] "Waste high" - I like it. You probably didn't mean to spell it like that but it works!
Its been said over again all over the place: Wang getting knocked around doesn't have anything to do with the league "adjusting" or any of the other lines that have been thrown around for the past few years.
Belt high sinkers that don't sink get hit hard. Always. Period. Its a batting practice pitch.
Wang wasn't successful throwing what he is throwing now, he was successful throwing a really really good heavy sinker, which is pretty much the opposite of what he is throwing now...
I bet that when A-Rod plays Scrabble, he's one of those players that feels the indentations in the tiles in order to pick the best letters.
Asteroid on triple word for 80 points!
[13] Does that really work? Sick. Scrabble is the shark tank.
[13], [14]
Tournament Scrabblers play with different tiles
http://www.protiles.net/story.php
Both RLYW and RAB have pulled the pitch f/x data from Wang's starts and compared them to his starts (both successful and not) from last year.
Simply put, Wang's sinker has been "sinking" fine, but the horizontal movement of the pitch has been greatly reduced.
velocity is also somewhat down.
of course, supplying that bit of actual information would require that Sherman open a spreadsheet, presumably while in his mother's basement, so I guess positing irrelevant musings about how familiarity with Wang's sinker is bound to lead to ineffectiveness is the next best thing.
[7] Are you kidding around or being serious?
Somehow, Wang has managed to have a winning record against every other AL East opponent, so he must have done well in some "big games". Also, Wang gave up 1 ER in 6 2/3 innings in the 2005 ALDS and then won the only game the Yankees beat the Tigers in the 2006 ALDS. Were those not big games, or did you not bother to look them up?
Finally, how RSN feels about anything doesn't have a bearing on the fact that it is early. Similarly, just because it is early doesn't mean that teams don't play with intensity. I think that should be kind of obvious.
[12] 100% correct. Wang was throwing well up until the time he was injured. Are we to believe that AL teams somehow adjusted to Wang during a period in which he didn't throw a single pitch? How exactly did they accomplish that...osmosis? Instead of looking for the obvious answer (Wangs mechanics and velocity are off has he takes the first step in returning from an injury), it seems like the Sherman's of the world would prefer to jump off the deep end. Could it be that irrational positions make more provocative articles?
[16] By sinking fine, I assume you mean that it is in fact sinking, but its starting off higher, because almost all of his pitches were belt high, meaning they either weren't sinking (not the case I guess) or they started off high
[16] I have a hard time believing Wang's sinker is sinking the same when it seems so visually apparent that it's up in the zone. I remember what it looks like when it sinks, I think - it really dives down. What we saw the last couple games - certainly on Monday - looked flat as a pancake.
[15] The tournament word list is different too. You have to pay to get it, but I'd rather play by that list. I approximate it by using as many curse words as possible though.
[20] see [19]
which is why i used "sinking", referring simply to the vertical movement of the pitch over distance.
the analysis can be found here and here
is clickable text disable in wordpress?
other HTML tags seem to work.
Longoria out of today's game .... family matter.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/15/rays-longoria-out-because-family-matter/
uh oh ... this from Petey:
BREAKING NEWS UPDATE, 12:55 p.m.: Nothing official yet, but the word is that Xavier Nady will need surgery.
aaaaah, quote tags don't work either?!?!?
Will Carroll has some news I hadn't read regarding Swisher's pitching appearance:
Xavier Nady had a sharp pain in his elbow. I can't think of a position player that has needed a Tommy John re-do, but that's one possibility here. He's headed for tests, and this could open up more time for Nick Swisher, who pitched Monday in mop-up. Good idea? He twittered that his arm was killing him afterward. .
[24] You know, it's weird cause I was a Nady booster, but I don't care that he'll be out. I suppose it's because Swisher has been a lot of fun and very effective. I'm on the bandwagon. Oh and I like the Melk man too. So it's cool. Sorry Nady's hurt for his sake but for the team, we're okay.
I betcha Cashman is sighing a bit of relief over not dealing Swisher
As far as the Red Sox being buried, they can have such a bad April, that they cannot catch up (see the ‘08 Yankees)
I would hope that you can realize that it's a bit more complicated than that.
Oh and I like the Melk man too. So it’s cool. Sorry Nady’s hurt for his sake but for the team, we’re okay.
except that Nady as 4th OF is >>>>>> Melky as 4th OF, at least based on last year's performance.
In any case, this is Melky's last stand, he ought to get enough ab's as our 4th to make the case for his worth, one way or another.
Looks like Nady is out for the year. It isn't a big blow, but it does make the Yankees worse off. Too bad for Nady...he had finally established himself as an everyday-type player and then he blow out the elbow. I don't want to say I feel bad for a man making $5mn, it really is a shame for him.
Cripes, losing nady sucks - probably no type A status for him now. At least him going on the 60 day will open u a spot for John rodriguez. Time to trade melky for Cameron!
[32] John Rodriquez was playing fast pitch softball in Brooklyn this past fall...now, he might wind up on the Yankees 25-man roster.
[10] Ouch! I started with waist, but then 'corrected' myself.
Oh well, just another of PJ's baseball idiots am I.
[17] "Similarly, just because it is early doesn’t mean that teams don’t play with intensity."
While I 'get ya', the truth is cold weather is not kind to older players who may not be totally stretched out. I don't want Jeter doing acrobatics to save ONE out at the cost of a hammy. Ask Hoss. It's a marathon. Many winners don't come out of the gate at full speed.
Any team can go 6-2 or 2-6 over an 8 game stretch. This should apply to the first 8 games. I'll bet that Papi and Dustpan end up hitting over .200. Yeah, of course, I'd rather start 8-0, but really.... it IS early. With ARod out, Tex missing some games, and minor dings to JD and XMan, I'm quite happy to be tied with TB and 2 games ahead of Boston.
.500 ain't beautiful, but all in all, we're doing OK.
[20] ALL of Wangs pitches lacked location, both vertically and horizontally. His sinker wasn't at it's best, no doubt, but he was just off on all accounts.
Anyone know what percentage of his pitches last game were sinkers?
If Nady is out for an extented period of time, I think Cashman has to go out and get someone. JD is somewhat fragile these days. A 4 man OF of Swish, JD, Melkdud and Brett is not so hot. And we can't say for sure yet that Matsui will be an effective DH. It's too early for the A's to deal Holliday.
Methinks Cashman is on the phone.
Sayeth PeteAbe:
UPDATE, 1:47 p.m.: We just spoke to Nady. He didn’t want to say too much until he sees the team doctor in NYC tomorrow. But he indicated that the MRI showed a tear and surgery will be needed.
I wouldn't be shocked to see AJax promoted soon, especially if the Yankees were able to trade away Melky (perhaps to Chicago, which lost their CF'er for several months).
[36] I'd say about 0%, if you mean "pitches that actually sink" when you say "sinker".
I'm thinking a little worse of this Nady thing. I think it might be trouble. Definitely a chink in the Yanks' armor.
Dice-K goes to DL with "arm fatigue"
JD might sign for a single year because of a bad FA economy, but I'm guessing he's gone after this year. Nady is a nice player, but an OF of Swish, Nady and Gardner with Melkdud as a 4th is pretty weak for a PS team. Matsui is also gone after this year.
Even with AJax in the wings, IF he turns into an above average MLB player, this team needs one, if not 2 OFers, for 2010 and beyond. Maybe we can get Holliday, but if he has a good year, he will be one of the few FA's to do well (financially).
There is no reason for Cashman NOT to get a quality player or prospect. It's an investment in the future. Our INF is already signed for 2010, and probably 2011. The OF and DH is the place to upgrade, especially our offense.
We will be paying Jeter and Po for 2010 (and maybe 2011), but who knows what we will get offensively. Simply put, we need a big bat, or 2, at DH and OF. With Nady out for the year, Cashman should (and I believe will) look for a quality OFer. We may have to give away some young pitching talent, but that's how it goes.
PeteAbe says:
"Girardi feels they have enough coverage in the infield (oops) with Melky Cabrera around. I asked him about Austin Jackson, who is off to a hot start at Scranton. But as I expected, Girardi said they felt it more important that Jackson play every day in AAA than ride the bench in New York."
Yup, just like we were OK with Bubba in CF. We ain't going anywhere with both Brett and Melkdud starting regularly in the OF.
This could happen if Mats is done and JD needs to DH.
It is kind of fascinating, in a weird, Twilight Zone way, that 200 million of team payroll leaves you with that outfield. Swish (who WILL cool down, and have to rely in part on making people grin), Melky, Gardner will patrol on days JD needs to rest (30 games or so?) Matsui swapping with JD is kind of a wash (we hope?). Jorge DH vs lefties is a gain (though Hideki hits southpaws fine normally) and it is at least possible that Girardi will want Alex DHing a game or so a week out the chute next month.
I was horrified by the Swisher tweet about his arm killing him after the inning. It is PAST moronic to have a non-pitcher pitch these days, I don't care how amusing it can be. The inning saved to a bullpen dude (especially when you have guys who can be run up to the club for a week) is trivial compared to the almost-certainty of at least minor stiffness, and the possibility of more in a position player on the mound.
If Swisher really is hurt, even if for a few days, I'll lose a ton of respect for the coaching staff.
So the truth is out: 4 out of 5 dentists surveyed found that the old Yankee Stadium was unsuitable as a sports venue or any other type of venue, perhaps because of the infestation of Cavity Creeps. The fifth was found to have actually been a member of the British Dental Association...
Lemming, Lemming, Lemming of the B.D.A... Lemming, Lemming, Lemming of the B.D.- Lemming of the B.D.- Lemming of the B.D.A-a-A! >;)
[44] You're starting to sound like Florida Marlins mgmt...
[8] et al "‘I thought you folks here knew things like that.’ You saying that the folks here are dumber than you expected?"
Of course not! I am merely stating that you all should know the indispensable value of the ability to make adjustments on demand during the course of a game against the best players in the world. Hitters do this constantly, even from pitch to pitch. Pitchers do it more often than we can tell, unless you are a pitching coach, or a gifted opposing hitter. It's fundamental to the game, especially at this level. Take that ability away, for whatever reason, and you've got a mentally naked player with no confidence, who cannot make corrections when mistakes are made. If the player is so multifaceted that he has other weapons at his disposal, he can overcome such a situation. However, when it's his primary asset causing problems, and his other attributes either don't exist, or are merely supplements, then that is the cause for alarm, whether it's April, July, or October. Wang did not win 38 games in consecutive seasons pitching like this! Nor was he 8-2 last year ahead of his injury from not having his productive bullpen sessions translate into game situations effectively. Clearly that is a problem, for anyone, at any time, in any league.
Obviously, many of you have never forgotten how you do what it is you do...
I can certainly appreciate opposing opinions that they are only into the second week of the season and it's no big whoop, as well as any others made here. I've been through all of the "meaningless game theory" in which I care to delve, to be honest. I would contend however, that we should probably ask Swisher and Longoria or Burnett and Garza, if their game didn't have "playoff intensity," were the two starters’ caution of avoiding a mistake was palpable and the other two got "coconut balls." Girardi also exhibited more of a sense of urgency with his many lineup changes, as well as including both of his catchers, which is something I hope he doesn't do too often.
And if you don't get emotional when they look like crap, like they did Monday, perhaps if you dropped $5K (or even $800) for you and your significant other to attend a game at YS2.0 and they looked like that, you might. In fact, you may even have trouble keeping your $250 steak down!
If you are insulted by any of my posts, I meant no offense.
[47] perhaps if you dropped $5K (or even $800) for you and your significant other to attend a game at YS2.0 and they looked like that, you might.
Well, OYF covered that with his 'Hey, I was watching!' irony to your post yesterday.
Really, do you actually believe they don't care? That these people aren't twice as competitive as the worst/best of the people we all know? (Leaving Carl Pavano out of it for now.)
I believe you didn't mean to offend, but your tone suggests, certainly, that those who disagree are clueless. Even as to adjustments: there's a WIDE continuum on that, too. The batter (remember Rod Carew, OYF?) who never took the same stance twice, who was up/back, deeper, closer, grip shifting, depending on the pitcher, the count, the situation. And the ones who go up hacking and 'look for their pitch'. Same with pitchers, until we get that magic moment late in career when some announcer proclaims, 'He's become a pitcher not a thrower!' and confetti rains down.
Wang has a sinker. Only. It needs to be right. He can't go to other pitches, and he was messed up. He'll straighten, or not, but it is ... wait for it ... early. Again, look at Cliff Lee, and Sabathia's 6.75 April ERA last 3 years. It happens.