Today’s news is powered by some cute stop-motion animation from “Sesame Street”:
- And on the seventh day, A-Rod will rest:
Alex Rodriguez, who did not start on Friday and Saturday due to fatigue six weeks after returning from surgery on his right hip, will get one day of rest each week through next month’s All-Star break.
The Yankees will follow a plan created by Dr. Marc Philippon, the surgeon who operated on A-Rod’s hip in March.
“That sounds like a good plan,” Rodriguez said on Sunday. “From what I understand, that comes from Vail (Colo.) and Dr. Philippon. We’ll follow his instructions and regroup in a month. The idea is that I’ll get stronger each month.”
Rodriguez started 38 consecutive games after returning to action on May 8. He is batting .153 (9-for-59) with two homers and 11 RBIs in June. He singled in the third inning of Sunday’s 6-5 loss to the Marlins to end a 0-for-16 slide. Overall, he is batting .213 with nine homers and 28 RBIs in 40 games.
Manager Joe Girardi said he plans to schedule A-Rod’s off days. He’ll get two days off in weeks when the Yankees have an off day.
[My take: Ummm . . . wasn’t the plan coming out of surgery to only play him five or six days a week anyway? Where did THAT plan go in the last five weeks?]
- The folks at Baseball Prospectus analyze the troubles of Rodriguez since his return:
His .250 Isolated Power (or ISO, slugging percentage minus batting average) is 22 points below his career mark, but about the same distance above two of his five full seasons in pinstripes. It surpasses all but 24 batting-title qualifiers, not that A-Rod himself has enough plate appearances to qualify.
He’s homered in 5.4 percent of his PA, which would rank ninth among qualifiers, though it would be the fifth-lowest mark of his career. The 33-year-old superstar’s real problem is that the hits aren’t falling in for him.
Prior to his benching, Rodriguez’s batting average on balls in play was .192, 128 points below his career mark, and 10 points below the next-lowest qualifier, Jay Bruce. Upon closer inspection, he’s hit line drives—which result in hits far more frequently than any other type—on just 14.8 percent of his balls in play, well below last year’s 18.1 percent. Meanwhile, his ground-ball rate has risen significantly.
A-Rod is one of several star players to recently have a procedure known as femoral-acetabular impingement labroplasty. . . . The problem is that while many skiers have recovered successfully from this operation, there’s almost nothing beyond these very few names to go on as to how this will affect a baseball player.
While the Yankees were ultra-conservative with Rodriguez during rehab, they suddenly forgot the schedule of offdays that Rodriguez’s doctors had set up. Sources tell me that Rodriguez’s hip still shows a small strength and range deficit, one that’s become worse with fatigue. A more regular schedule of rest would appear to be necessary, and it should help get Rodriguez back on track physically.
- ESPN Insider has some telling stats on the state of A-Rod’s offense:
Alex Rodriguez was out of the Yankees starting lineup on Friday and Saturday to rest, and is under doctor’s orders to take one day off each week until the All-Star break. He’s 1-for-18 in his last six games and is batting .153 in June. After an off day, New York returns to action against Atlanta on Tuesday.
Whether showing fatigue from starting 38 straight games or effects from hip surgery, A-Rod has had difficulty catching up to pitches up and inside, an indication that his swing has slowed:
Rodriguez batting average trend
Up Inside June .000 .105 May .444 .200 2008 .307 .248 Last month Rodriguez swung and missed on just 9 percent of inside pitches, hitting only three home runs. Pitchers have found success recently by working inside, where he’s missed on 23 percent of swings during June, going 2-for-19. A-Rod has hit 33 percent of balls to his opposite field this month, compared to 18 percent in May, another sign that his swing is tardy.
Rodriguez’s performance against Braves starter Tommy Hanson on Tuesday might reveal something about the condition of his swing. Opponents have hit Hanson hard up in the zone and inside this season:
Well-hit average (2009)
Rodriguez vs. league League vs. Hanson League avg. Up .267 .286 .232 Inside .184 .273 .176
- Congrats to the 2009 U.S. Open golf champ Lucas Glover, who apparently is a Yankees fan.
- Xavier Nady is making slow and steady progress with his elbow.
- Over at LoHud, PeteAbe has some ideas on how to right the Yankee ship. Here is the short and sweet of it:
- The Hughes (In)corporation (into the bullpen) has not rocked the boat:
More Brett Gardner
More Dave Robertson
Release Angel Berroa
Call up Shelley Duncan or John Rodriguez
Release Brett Tomko/Call up somebody else
Move Swisher up
More Phil Hughes
. . . For the Yankees, perhaps the brightest spot in this weekend’s series loss to the Marlins was Hughes, who so impressed his manager with a perfect inning of relief Saturday that Girardi was prepared to use Hughes out of the ‘pen again the following day — but only if the Yankees had a lead to protect.
Hughes, it seems, has become the eighth-inning setup man of choice for the Yankees, thanks to his success out of the bullpen in recent games. He has graduated to the point where Girardi is not afraid to use him in back-to-back games, and is not afraid to use him against the league’s best hitters.
“He’s adapted so well,” Girardi said. “We’ve been really pleased with what he’s done down there. It’s a pat on the back to him, because it’s not easy doing what you’re not used to doing.”
[My take: Seems like Phil and Joba have swapped the roles suggested by some at the start of the season.]
- Hensley Meulens turns 42 today. “Bam-Bam” was a highly-touted (at least internally) 3B prospect for the Yanks in the late-80s, but never matched his initial press. He played seven seasons in the major leagues and was the first MLB player from Curaçao.
- On this date in 1915, Philadelphia Athletics lefty Bruno Haas makes his debut against New York a memorable one as he walks a record 16 batters, and throws three wild pitches. He goes all the way in a 15 – 7 loss, his only ML decision. Haas will pitch in just five more games before ending up in the NFL as a halfback for Akron.
- On this date in 1917, in the first of two games at Boston, Babe Ruth starts for the Red Sox and walks the leadoff man, griping to plate umpire Brick Owens after each pitch. On ball 4, Ruth plants a right to the umpire’s jaw and is ejected. Ernie Shore hastily relieves. The runner Ray Morgan is then caught stealing, and Shore retires all 26 men he faces in a 4 – 0 win, getting credit in the books for a perfect game. Ruth was fined $100 and drew a 10-day suspension.
- On this date in 1927, at Boston, Lou Gehrig leads New York to an 11 – 4 victory by hitting three home runs, a first at Fenway Park.
- On this date in 1932, Gehrig plays his 1,103rd successive game in a New York uniform, equaling Joe Sewell’s record with one team.
- On this date in 1950, 11 home runs – a ML record – drive in all the runs scored in a 10 – 9 Tiger win over the Yankees before 51,000 Detroit fans. Detroit has four home runs in the 4th inning as pitcher Dizzy Trout, Jerry Priddy, Vic Wertz and Hoot Evers connect. Trout’s home run, off Tommy Byrne, is his 2nd lifetime grand slam. Hoot Evers hits another home run, an inside-the-park 2-run game winner in the 9th off Joe Page to win it. For New York, Hank Bauer connects for two homers, including one in the 4th inning. Joe DiMaggio, Jerry Coleman, Yogi Berra and pinch hitter Tommy Henrich also belt round trippers. It is the first time that nine different players connect for homers in a game.
- On this date in 1988, George Steinbrenner fires Billy Martin for the 5th time, replacing him with Lou Piniella. New York’s 40-28 record is the 4th best in the big leagues, but the Yankees had just completed a 2-7 road trip.
- On this date in 1997, in Detroit, David Cone strikes out 16, his highest total in six years, and Cecil Fielder hits a three-run homer as New York wins, 5 – 2. Cone, who had shoulder surgery to repair an aneurysm on May 10, 1996, allows four hits, including homers by Bob Hamelin and Damion Easley, in eight innings.
Poll Time!
[poll id=”33″]
The more I think about it, the more my mind is blown by the latest A Rod shenanigans. I am amazed that the team let the guy play for over a month straight after surgery, ignoring advice from Mr. Genius Doctor Philippon ... That's more on the Yanks than A Rod, but he quickly did his part in his inimitable style by going clubbing with Kate Hudson as soon as he was given time off ... for fatigue. It's just like - here we go again!
[0] Last night I tried (unsuccessfully) to stir up some conversation by citing Pete Abe's surprisingly lucid suggestions, which you mentioned briefly here. So, I'll repost my comment and try to get the ball rolling again:
OK, here’s my late night attempt to stir up some baseball chatter. My mind is officially blown–one of Pete Abe’s latest post is a series of suggestions for the Yankees to improve their line-up/roster without making a trade, and I basically agree with the entire thing.
MInd boggling, really.
Anyway, here it is–what d’yall think?
Sure, most of them are obvious. More Gardner is probably the most debate-worthy. What would you do (and “fire Girardi” is not an allowed answer in tonight’s game; let’s stick to player personnel).
======
[0] Regarding Hughes, he is being totally friggin' wasted as THE EIGHTH INNING GUY, especially when the team has Bruney, Robertson, and other live arms in MiL, and Sunday's loss (using Tomko as the long man and [possibly?] saving Hughes for THE EIGHTH INNING) only highlights that.
[2] I like all those ideas just fine.
All of Abe's suggestions are totally legit. Personally I like the role Gardner has now, I really think the more he starts the more you reach a point of diminishing returns with him. He has the potential to be a great role player, his potential as a starter kinda tops out at mediocrity.
Also I'd rather see Rodriguez up over Shelley, thats just me though. I am not a Shelley fan at all, I mean I guess I was for those 3 weeks in 2007 where everyone loved him and Bald Vinny was selling "Duncan Done It!" shirts outside the stadium, but I can only watch him flail at a 60 mph slider in the dirt so many times before I pull my hair out.
[2] Tomko should be jettisoned ASAP, and Hughes (and Aceves) both used in much longer (ie, 3 IP+) doses. Let Bruney, Robertson, and Coke handle 7th/8th inning duties, and whoever gets called up in Tomko's place (Melancon?) can be worked in gradually, starting in low-leverage situations.
It really irritates me that Girardi is NOT doing this already.
monkeypants, speaking of starting discussions, I saw your comment at the end of the Fehr post last night, and I agree - "winning" needs to be clearly defined when talking about Bud and Fehr. But its time to dispense with the "commissioner as impartial moderator" fib that has pervaded coverage of the game since Landis. The commish works for the owners - period. The fiction that he somehow represents "the fans" or "the game" is bullshit, used by the various commissioners as a convenient cover when needed. The commish's job is to get the owners profits. The MLBPA's job is to get the players profits. That those interests sometimes overlap with what's best for "the game" or "the fans" is but circumstance, and only because its the fans who pay a chunk of the profits - and with the huge fees coming in from broadcasting partners, that chunk may be shrinking.
[5] But its time to dispense with the “commissioner as impartial moderator” fib that has pervaded coverage of the game since Landis. The commish works for the owners - period. The fiction that he somehow represents “the fans” or “the game” is bullshit, used by the various commissioners as a convenient cover when needed. The commish’s job is to get the owners profits.
I agree entirely! And I would argue that Bud has been an enormous winner on these grounds, arguably a bigger winner than Fehr!
[4] Also I’d rather see Rodriguez up over Shelley, thats just me though.
I don't really care one way or the other. The problem is that the Yankees don't seem to have anyone who can play the IF (even poorly) and hit a little. All of the bench options appear to be OFs. I would normally advocate going with only BU IF--after all, how many games off do Jeter, Cano and A-Rod usually get. However, injurygate means that A-Rod has to sit once a week or so, and Jeter really *should* be getting the odd day off. I suspect that this (especially A-Rod) will freak them out into carrying two BU IF (you know, just in case the back-up gets hurt, or something).
I don't follow the organization as closely as I should--is there any MLB castoff floating around in AAA who can play the IF and hit? Where have you gone, Cody Ransom?
Just imagine if the Banter had been around for that 1950 Tigers-Yankees game.
He gave up a home run to the pitcher? Unacceptable! Release him!! This team is going nowhere.
I have wondered about using Hughes as Mo's replacement. Certainly pitching 200 innings as a starter is more valuable than 80 as a closer, but maybe Phil would do better just letting it all hang out for an inning or two and keep him healthy.
Oh, and yes on Peter's suggestions.
Shelley said he's never felt better as a hitter and last year was an exercise in futility as his shoulder was really bothering him. He's a fine back-up OFer.
Gardner does top out at mediocrity, but he's a better option than Melky. I'm done with Melky's Hot start and precipitous fall to a .600 OPS. Melky has more power, but not much more and Gardner does everything else better. I was never a Gardner bandwagon guy, but if he keeps rapping doubles and triples every now and again and manages a .400 SLG with his .350 OBP, 90% steal rate, and GG defense, he's solid regular. He won't be Bernie, or Torii Hunter, but he's the best CFer the Yankees have. Using wOBA, he's better than Melky, Cano, and only .002 behind Matsui. That's good production from a true CFer. Would he produce as well as a full-time hitter? I don't know, but he's certainly earned the opportunity.
All of the bench options appear to be OFs.
Which is a concern, since Matsui can only DH, A-Rod needs two days off a week (and a game or two at DH probably wouldn't hurt), and Nady is playing the OF gingerly and as of two weeks ago hadn't been throwing more than 100 feet. Plus, Damon will need a few days off every now and again.
Now, we'll have the Hughes bullpen debate. Sigh.
I'd try to move Wang, Matsui, and Melky as soon as possible for something. It doesn't necessarily even have to be good, IMO. The roster spots are more valuable, I think. Release Berroa, bring Ransom up (he's rehabbing and should be ready to return soon), move Hughes to the rotation, run with Damon/Gardner/Swisher, Nady as a DH/5th OF with Duncan up on the bench. Ramiro Pena and Ransom can split BUIF duties to give guys a rest.
That won't happen of course. Wang is going to get every opportunity to improve (possibly to the team's detriment), and Matsui will be on the team until after the World Series.
OK .... this has NOTHING to do with the NOTD .... but I know a good many of you are audiophiles, so here goes.
I need recommendations on a decent pair of in-ear (ear bud) headphones for use with my iPhone, preferably with a mic and volume control. I don't need absurdly perfect sound and noise reduction, but my music tastes run the gamut from classical to rock to jazz, so some versatility would be nice. I also want something that is durable, cause my phone gets stuffed in pockets/bags/pouches/etc. I'm not interested in the "over the ear" loop phones.
I'm looking to spend roughly $70 tops.
Thanks!
OK, now if you want to blame something on Girardi, this ARod thing is it. The surgeon expressly stated that he should be rested regularly as part of the recovery. WTF? How can you just forget the physical condition of your best offensive player (apologies to Tex)? That's a pretty eggregious dereliction of the managerial duty, IMHO.
Cody Ransom can't hit any better than Pena from what I recall. Backup infielders who can hit are hard to come by : see Ensberg and Betemit. But for god sakes get rid of Berroa it's hard to imagine anyone worse than him.
[12] I would take Betemit over Berroa, since the former at least showed real flashes of power and had a track record of a decent platoon split.
He was brutal in the field, of course. But I'm not sold on Berroa's D.
[12] I guess what I'm looking for is someone who could play more of an emergency IF role. That way Pena becomes the BU IF, but should anything happen to him, they have a security blanket in the second BU IF (who is really there more for his bat). The ideal wold be a corner OF-3B hybrid, but I don't think that Chipper Jones is looking for BU IF work. ; )
Where have you gone, Cody Ransom?
Ransom's DL stint is up as of today or tomorrow, so I assume, ML stint then bye-bye-Berroa.
[14] bruce did a post on mark derosa a few weeks ago who would fit that role well (now cost is of course another matter).
but if arod needs consistent time off, damon and jeter have occasional leg type injuries that cause them to miss a day or two , swisher get in a swunk - the need for this player to be productive increases.
[16] but ... but ... but ... 60 INCH VERTICAL LEAP!!!!!!
=)
[10] If you expand to $100 you'll have a lot better options I think. Actually I don't know what I'm taking about because I had to get certain headphones with the first iPhone and that's not the case with the new ones.
At least I responded. ; )
I think to ask what role Joba should have misses the point. The first question that needs to ne answered is why is his FB velo often up to 5 mph slower (both average and max) than it was, for example, when he faced the Sox as a starter on July 25, 2008.
As Michael Kay rightly observed (really) during Joba's last start, he does not have the same electric stuff that he had since he walked off the mound with a shoulder injury against Texas last year.
Until that issue is resolved, whether he is a starter or a reliever is a secondary consideration.
Assuming Pete Abe is right, and many seem to agree with his suggestions, then doesn't it speak volumes that the Yankees can improve themselves simply by managing the current roster better? In other words, doesn't that imply that Girardi has mismanaged it for the first three months? I honestly think that the best way to improve this team would be to fire Girardi and bring in a manager who knows how to run a game (Showalter is the most obvious choice, but there may be others like Bobby V.).
After watching Game 6 of the 1996 WS on Yankee Classics last night, it kind of makes me feel bad to be such a frequent Girardi critic. I'd much rather remember him for that triple than all the games he has bungled this season. I really wish he had worked out as a manager, but at some point the Yankees have to cut their losses. Otherwise, all the moves in the world aren't going to make much difference.
y'know, i shouldn't, but what the hey, as Bugs would say,"ain't I a stinker?"
George King of the Post talked to Sabathia yesterday and asked him what he thought caused the pain. Was it throwing 253 innings in the 2008 regular season and making his last four starts on three days’ rest?
“No, that’s not it,” Sabathia said. “It could be the 120 pitches this year.”
Pete Abe! Let Pete Abe manage!
Actually, william's onto the key question ... if this is a showdown of sorts as to roster management between a beat journalist (plus some banterers) and the Yankees' manager (and brain trust) and people here think Pete & Banter know better ... then yeah, you pretty much have to say fire Girardi. Not sure how it can be seen otherwise. That's a longish checklist of to-dos Pete threw out.
I will say all of them are on the margins (shift balance between Chauncey and Leche, give Hughes another inning or two, call up Duncan to bat 5 times a week) but obviously margins accumulate so those who agree with Pete ... are you also calling for Joe G's head?
Me, I'm 50-50 on most of these. X-Man is back in a few days, Bruney is back and we need to see if he's solid again in the 8th.
I'm intrigued by Hughes' power in relief, it reminds me of, er, Joba's power in relief. I do wonder if Joba has actually lost 3-5 mph (Hughes did too after injury, didn't he?) or is working hard to pace himself.
Gloomy about tonight. Wang? Oi. Oy, even.
[21] Pete Abe referenced this quote as well, and also showed that the Yankees might actually be working Sabathia even harder this year than last.
Another point that Pete Abe mentioned is that Girardi is managing for his job, which could explain excessive use of Arod and CC. The only reason I have always been comfortable with Cashman is because I firmly believe he wouldn't allow his own situation to come before the team. I wish I had the same confidence in Girardi.
[23] I didn't mean "only" reason above, but maybe that's a Freudian slip?
In other news, Robinson Cano has lost the patience he had found earlier in the season. He is now fourth in the league in fewest pitches per At Bat. He is projected to collect 33 walks for the whole year.
He may be turning out to be another Soriano with less power and better defense.
Fortunately, Swisher and Damon are in the top 10. So somebody is still tiring out the opponent pitchers.
Well, 120 isn't a brutal load, leaving aside all the 'let 'em pitch like the old timers!' rants. BUT if it represents a real break from Sabathia's historic season rhythm, it can, indeed, be a problem.
I wonder, though ... since CC is always so bad in spring, is it possible he just tended not to pitch well enough to go deep till later in the year?
I think A Rod starting every single damned day after they all got medical instruction is the smoking gun in Girardi's hand. Or in his face. I don't think the doctor who did the surgery is responsible for checking Yankee box scores and saying 'Where's my patient's day off?'
Managing for his job? Maybe, but you don't do that successfully if you get nailed for hurting your two biggest stars. ESPECIALLY when, with A Rod, you are covered by medical orders!
I would certainly pay at least $100 to see a pitcher slug some schlub of a home plate umpire over botched balls and strikes! Undoubtedly there would be a ton of DL'd umpires were that to happen today...
And LOL @ a 10 day suspension for that! Clearly the extra five days is worth it when compared to getting five games for not plunking a batter!
: )
[22] It's true they are on the margins, but you'd like that to be the case with a $200 million payroll, ya know?
Any improvement ought to be on the margins.
I think everyone has a bad feeling about Wang tonight. Maybe it's just the weather befouling the mood but it seems like this could be Wang's Last Stand.
[25] It's sad.
With the Yankees facing Atlanta and the Sox getting the Nationals (something tells me Boston wont have trouble sweeping), the Yankees are on the verge of falling a pretty substantial number of games behind Boston. Instead of making hay against the NL Least, the Yankees have gone into a tailspin. I wonder if there is a threshhold that management wont accept, or if they are simply resigned to allowing Girardi to finish the season.
[28] I hope it's not Wang's last stand. He has been jerked around by this organization and mishandled by Girardi that it would be a shame for Wang to be the victim of his handlers. The only reason this game feels like an important one to win is because Girardi has bungled 3-4 games over the last week. I would hate for the urgency of the moment to claim Wang as a victim when others are more deserving of that fate.
[30] I feel the same way; maybe I just have "pulling for Wang" fatigue. It takes a lot of mental energy to keep rooting for him lately.
I'm sorry but Wang isn't a victim of anyone but himself. I'm not going to say he was "rushed" back from his rehab because I'm honestly not convinced he was injured in the first place. To blame Girardi and/or Cashman for Wang's utter lack of anything resembling effectiveness is pushing it.
[32] You don't think Wang was injured? Did you watch that game in Houston?
[32] How about ignoring the information given by the team and making up conspiracy theories is pushing it?
[33] No...I was living under a rock as a matter of fact.
Coming into April there was no indication, at least none that was publicly disclosed, that Wang may have been suffering any lingering effects of the injury. They let him start the season...he took the ball...he got rocked on multiple occasions. I'm convinced he was DLed for ineffectiveness, that isn't on Girardi. At some point the responsibility lies with Wang to give the Yankees something resembling major league pitching.
The issue isn't whether or not Wang is a victim. It's that the Yankees had him start the season in the rotation even though his velo was way down, his sinker didn't sink, and his command was off, and then kept him in the rotation for two more starts despite his inability to be a ML caliber starter.
Then they truncated his rehab assignment prematurely because they panicked when Joba got hit on the knee with a line drive.
Taken together, this is just one of several examples that support the proposition that this is not a well run team.
[34] How is it a conspiracy theory to think that teams use the DL as a repository for ineffective players? It isn't anything new, hell half the league has suddenly come down with "social anxiety disorder" out of nowhere...something ain't right there.
[35] The Yankees didn't disclose information about an injury? Then it must not have existed. Far be it from the Yankees under Girardi to keep information held tightly to the vest. Considering the nature of his original injury, his lack of velocity in his return and real live doctors saying his hip had weakened as a result of being inactive for so long, I think I'll give Wang the benefit of the doubt.
[37] Maybe but when there is a known injury, you just go with the simpler answer which is that he had lingering issues. It makes the most sense.
Heres my thing:
No one force fed Wang the ball, if he felt weak then he has to say something. If he's going to say he's healthy enough to take the ball in April then he has to be more effective than he was.
If you know that you don't have enough strength to help the team win then you need to make that known.
If he was indeed told over the winter "don't work out your legs" by the organization, then that is an issue that runs much deeper than Joe Girardi. Thats on everyone from Girardi to Cashman to the team doctors to the strength and conditioning staff. But even if thats the case, if he doesn't feel right in Spring Training as a result of that inactivity, he's gotta speak up.
[40] Your "thing" overlooks the manifest fact that observation should trump self-reports and that there was more than ample evidence that could be gleaned through observation that demonstrated that there was a problem with Wang.
Players are conditioned to want to play. Players that have shown a reluctance to play as a result of an injury have often been demeaned in all sports for decades. It's the same reason why the Yankees failed A-Rod and themselves by not forcing him to observe Phillipon's rest schedule.
RT, re your thing:
I really do agree in principle that grown men can and should be accountable if they keep quiet about being 'off' or 'not ready'. But in the real pro sports world, these are hugely competitive men (I am talking A Rod, Wang, Jeter never admitting injury and that is just 3 Yankees, it goes way beyond THIS team). They have all succeeded in sport all their lives, they believe they can win, contribute, get it done even if 'not quite 100%' and often, in fact, they DO. By summer people are playing hurt all the time. Steal a base in August, that HURTS a guy who has been doing it all season.
So where I differ from you, and lay a lot of this on Girardi and Co (especially Rodriguez) is that it is the job of management and med staff to DISCOUNT the athlete's 'I'm good to go, coach!' and make savvy judgments in this regard. Consider it a large-scale version of what happens whenever a manager comes out to talk to a gamer vet on the mound, in trouble in the 7th. There are guys who want the ball, and sometimes the manager has to say 'Nope.' He's making the big bucks to sometimes say 'Nope.'
I share the view that wang has been badly, badly handled and treated by the Yankees ... and I'd say it has a lot to do with his being on a 1 year contract with Hughes/Joba expected to both be full time starters for next year. If Wang was on a 3-4 year deal right now, they'd have been a LOT more careful and solicitous.
I also agree that his start tonight is more critical because we've been scuffling and Boston's been winning (and Tampa).
Someone asked a couple of days ago: do we really think we are better than Tampa, implying doom was waiting. My own answer is the same as it was in March: I think the division was, and is, a savage fight. I think Tampa has weaknesses, Boston does, we do. (Jays are actually amazing, to be in there still.) Depending how some breaks fall (A Rod healthy, our bullpen, Ortiz rallying, Beckett lights out or fading back, Kazmir, Upton, TB closer...) 2nd half could go any which way.
[40] Maybe he did? Keep in mind that there is not only a language barrier, but also a cultural barrier. In Taiwan, Wang is a national hero. Perhaps he felt an obligation to both the team and his country to take the ball. Regardless, Girardi and Eiland are on the front lines and had to see that something was amiss. The organization as a whole may have played a role in the fiasco, but only two men have daily contact with Wang.
The same can be said for Arod. Do you really think Arod is going to ask of the lineup. With the way he is treated, there would be headlines about Arod not being able to withstand the pressure, or something stupid like that. Again, Girardi is on the front lines. He has to make the hard decisions.
[41] Rich ... "Rich concise, Hoss wordy."
[23] ...showed that the Yankees might actually be working Sabathia even harder this year than last.
This might just be silly.
Last year CC averaged 108.9 pitches/game in 35 starts.
This year he is averaging 109.0 pitches/game in in 13 starts (not including his 28 pitch start last time, which skews his average lower)
Last year he had 6 starts (17%) of 119 or more pitches, 10 starts (29%) of 115 or more, and 16 starts (46%) of 110 or more pitches. His high was 130. His second high was 124. His third high was 123. His fourth and fifth higher were 122.
This year he has 2 starts (15%) of 119+, the same 2 starts of 115+ (15%), and 7 starts of 110+ (54%). His high this year is 122.
Last year CC averaged 7.23 INN/start
This year he is averaging 7.71 INN/start (13 starts)
Last year he had 10 complete games (35 starts).
This year he has 2 (13 starts).
In other words, he is being used almost EXACTLY the same this year as last. The only difference seems to be that the he is more consistently throwing about 110 pitches and going 7 innings this year, where last year he was more likely to complete games and throw in excess of 120 pitches.
If 120 pitches hurt him this year, then surely 130, 124, 123, 122 and 122 had a similar impact last year?
===
I know that you are currently in "blame the incompetent management" mode. But surely there must be an evaluation of the organization that exists between fan boy rah-rah and seeing conspiracy, incompetence, and error in every act and statement?
[42] All very legit points. I don't bring up the A-Rod situation because I do agree that he was completely mishandled, Philippon for all intents and purposes gave him back to the Yankees with an instruction manual...they (mostly Girardi I'm assuming) decided to throw to instructions away. If Girardi does end up getting canned, I think the Rodriguez situation will have had a lot to do with it.
I understand a ballplayer not wanting to be looked at as "jaking it", believe me I get that. But coming off of season-ending surgery I really don't think anyone would've begrudged Wang a few extra weeks of Spring Training.
Is there blame to go around on Wang? Sure, there usually is with these things. But I still think Wang has an obligation to be honest the team if he knows he isn't right physically.
Via Ham:
[45] That wasn't my opinion...it was PeteAbe's. Also, you are comparing last year's season averages to this year, when PeteAbe was considering YTD totals.
As for your second comment, I have no idea what the organization sees in Girardi, but there is now such an abundance of questions around Girardi that they may actually have to confront them. Middle grounds always sound like a nice play to be, but often times they are just the middle of nowhere. The Yankees need a manager who is an asset, not one who only hurts them as much as most others.
[46] But I still think Wang has an obligation to be honest the team if he knows he isn’t right physically.
If the issue is pain, then I agree that the player is in the best position to assess whether or not there is a problem, but if the issue is ineffectiveness, then the player may often be the last to realize that there is a problem.
As far as what has been reported, the issue with Wang was never one of pain, so he may have been in denial about his ability to get ML hitters out. The Yankee "braintrust" has no such excuse available.
Actually, what may be embedded in this CC overuse story THIS week (with the A Rod overuse story) is a not-very-subtle attack on the manager.
Why Sabathia would do that, I don't know, but unless he's very stupid (possible) he has to know how that comment ('it could be the 120 pitches this year') will be taken. To say 'I might be hurting because I'm throwing too many pitches?' How ELSE is it to be understood?
[50] You're right, it's passive-aggression directed at the manager.
Players aren't idiots; they know that he is misusing the team's personnel.
[51] Rich, good phrase for what I'm getting at. But wait, wait ... didn't Swish say this is the best manager he's ever played for?
Does anyone else find it verrrrrrrry interesting that Sabathia is kind of pointing the finger at Girardi? Maybe that's not the right term, you can't "kind of" point the finger but there is an inference to be made there, at least that Sabathia has taken note of some high pitch counts for him early in the season.
Could there be more to this team vs Girardi meme than was thought?
[53] I was typing this while [50] and subsequent posts were popping up, I guess.
[52] Swish is kind of full of s&%t, don't you think?
[48] That wasn’t my opinion…it was PeteAbe’s.
Yes, but you endorsed the opinion when you wrote:
Pete Abe referenced this quote as well, and also showed that the Yankees might actually be working Sabathia even harder this year than last.
Perhaps that was just a slip on your part. As a neutral observer you obviously wanted to say something like "and also argued that...."
Middle grounds always sound like a nice play to be, but often times they are just the middle of nowhere.
That sounds clever, but I'm not exactly sure what it means...if anything at all. To complain about every single action, decision, strategy and tactic--both explicitly and implicitly--regardless of actual evidence, reduces one's credibility. Then again, you have admitted on multiple occasions that your biased when it comes to Girardi.
[55] Rich, made me laugh. But wait, maybe there's a Swish PLAN here ... I mean, we've just agreed that athletes are smart, right? Swish knows X-man's a-comin' back. Swish has figured out that Joe G (for now) decides who gets to play ...
see where I'm goin' wid dis?
As to CC, this is (I admit it) overanalyzing, but I remember a start 3 back, 4 back? when Sabathia pitched a gorgeous 7 innings, was left in for the 8th, and put men on who came in and hung him a loss. I wonder if CC felt he'd done his job through 7 and in was Pen Time. In which case he could easily be blaming his manager. (At the time I remember wincing, but Sabathia had been so good his pitch count entering the 8th was low ... anyone have a better recollection?)
[56] I wasn't endorsing PeteAbe's opinion, but presenting it because his thoughts were the topic of the day. Having said that, I still don't think you refuted his point because your rebuttal did not address his use if YTD stats. I am not sure how credible the argument is, but as many have pointed out, it is interesting that C.C. himself kind of pointed a finger.
Also, while I definitely have a bias against Girardi, it isn't one formed because of personal dislike (i.e., I wanted Mattingly to get the job or I don't like Girardi's politics). Rather, Girardi has worn me down from being a supporter to being indifferent to now believing he is not the right person to manage this team. If I was slamming everything he did, as you seem to suggest, I'd agree that my credibility would be in question, but instead I think I have focused on some very specific in-game decisions as well as some other issues that are now becoming more public and prominent. Unfortunately, the case against Girardi is quite strong...one doesn't need to trump up the charges.
Finally, to further explain my pearl, sometimes there is a right and wrong with nothing in between. Splitting the baby might seem fair and impartial, but ultimately it does no one any good.