The Jaffe piece on Montero is discouraging. We knew his defense was a concern, but if you believe recent accounts, the kid is like magnetically-opposed to balls thrown at his mitt. Be nice to have his bat around at this point though.
[1] This is not a fair comparison (but KLaw compared Montero to Frank Thomas, so why not) - but I wonder how bad Mike Piazza's defensive numbers were in the high minors.
I mean, Piazza was (by CS% and IIRC, passed balls) a horrible catcher - but he still caught for years and years. If he could do it, why couldn't Montero?
A lot of this will come down to how the NYY, TBR, and BOS fare against common opponents down the stretch, and a little bit will come down to how much of a wrench a few uncommon opponents will either put or will not put into the plans of these three teams.
Of particular worry? Everyone has the exact same slate left against the Orioles - will Showalter want to win a little more against the Yankees?
Here's what's left:
NEW YORK YANKEES: 24 Home Games, 21 Road Games
Combined opponent winning percentage, using home/away records: .493
TAMPA BAY RAYS: 21 Home Games, 24 Road Games
Combined opponent winning percentage, using home/away records: .502
BOSTON RED SOX: 24 Home Games, 19 Road Games
Combined opponent winning percentage, using home/away records: .506
I had five different things I wanted to say tonight, but erased all of them because I'm still baffled and annoyed by the offensive ineptitude from last night.
Ok, here are the common/uncommon opponents for the three teams -
NEW YORK YANKEES
NYY No games
TBR 3 at home, 4 on the road
BOS 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOSTON RED SOX
NYY 3 at home, 3 on the road
TBR 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOS No games
TAMPA BAY RAYS
NYY 4 at home, 3 on the road
TBR No games
BOS 3 at home, 3 on the road
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
NYY 3 at home, 6 on the road
TBR 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOS 6 at home, 0 on the road
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
NYY 3 at home, 3 on the road
TBR 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOS 3 at home, 3 on the road
DETROIT TIGERS
NYY 4 at home
TBR No games
BOS No games
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
NYY 3 on the road
TBR No games
BOS 3 at home, 4 on the road
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
NYY No games
TBR 4 on the road
BOS No games
LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF SCHMEGAGY-VILLE
NYY No games
TBR 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOS 3 at home
TEXAS RANGERS
NYY 3 on the road
TBR 3 at home
BOS No games
SEATTLE MARINERS
NYY 3 at home
TBR 3 at home
BOS 3 at home, 3 on the road
OAKLAND A's
NYY 4 at home
TBR 4 on the road
BOS 3 on the road
That's what's left. You can look at this and check games off, as the three teams go.
Obviously, head to head is pivotal here.
Some ugly things for the Yanks, sprinkled throughout - the Angels travel to Fenway for their annual rectal exam, while the Yanks have to go back to Texas.
Yanks have a scary slate left with the Blue Jays - I feel like I say this every year, but if they don't figure out a way to beat the Homering Jays, the Yanks may be done for. It's scary that we've got 6 left at the Rodgers' Center, while the Red Sox have only six Fenway games left against the Jays.
There are certainly other interesting angles to note from the list above.
[1],[2] Can't help but think the Yanks painted themselves into a corner with the buildup for Montero over the years and concurrently failing to develop other hitters in the minors whose positions weren't so critical. Being that they have more defensively reliable catchers who can handle a stick competently, I wonder why they have been reticent on moving Montero off the plate and into another position. If he can't play outfield, the best they can expect is to DH/platoon him at first, right? Are they really committed to him as a catcher and being patient or are they fooling themselves and being stubborn?
[6] Well, if he's a catcher, he's as valuable as Posada. If he's a DH, he's as valuable as, I dunno, Nick Johnson. Well, okay, that's unfair, but you see what I mean.
[6] To answer my own question, I guess he's the only one whose close to major-league ready in the event that Jorge goes down for the count or calls it a career, given that Cervelli has been an EPIC FAIL and Romine/Sanchez are at least a couple of years away; not to mention that trading for a starter-quality backstop will either seriously hurt the farm or be a lateral move in terms of offense. So there ):P
I may skip this one. Fuck Javy. I'm back to being disgusted they signed this guy and back to despising this dipshit.
Between the Yankees looking like they'll be no-chance ville against Scherzer and Javy looking like a wittle wittle lamb and mlb.tv hitting me with the insanely annoying Gillette ProGlide ad and stupid promos for "The Thread" - fuck this, perhaps.
This stretch in the schedule really is unending, and the Yanks look like dogshit. Javy, in particular. It's so unpleasant watching Javy pitch when he's like this.
Evening folks ... I want Javy to have an MRI, or that "dye" they inject that shows it traveling through the veins ... cause I thing he's got a muscular problem (no pain, but loss of velocity)
0) et al. I was not discouraged one bit by the write-up on Montero's defense. As far as I could tell, everything shows him to be below average, which we knew already, but with scouts comparing him to Frank Thomas or the like. So, a catcher who is defensively as bad or maybe a bit better than Piazza, and offensively as good or better than Piazza.
[26] Couldn't agree more. I don't see the point in coming to conclusions about a 20-year olds catching ability based on one half of a minor league season. Besides, I doubt Montero could be as bad as Cervelli and Posada have been this season.
6, 9) I don't think that the Yankees painted themselves into a corner. All along they have said that he could hit but needed improvement at C, and (obviously) they recognize that his highest vakue would be at a premium position. He's only twenty for cripes sake, so it makes sense that they are giving him as much chance as possible to develop behind the plate. Isn't the old saw that catchers tend to develop slowly?
Rather, what has painted the Yankees into a corner, if anything, is that Montero's bat has developed so fast that his offense is rapidly outpacing his defense. In other words, if Montero had struggled more at AAA or AA, we wouldn't be wringing our hands over his defense because he would still be two years away from the bigs,
So in the end, the Yankes have the problem of a prospect who is too good. Againwhat's the problem??
[34] Oh, okay. I dunno if that's a matter of confidence. He's trying to throw them over the outside edge, which is where fastballs belong, and he's missing.
[36] Besides his reticence to throw the ball over the plate, Javy as pretty much come out and said he has no confidence in his fastball on a couple of occassions since his last outing.
If you were a Tigers fan, would you be screaming right now? Maybe at the ump, but maybe at your batters' inability to capitalize on a fiasco of a pitching performance.
Javy's night should now be done. No reason to tempt fate further.
If Javy continues to pitch poorly, I wonder if it jeopardizes his type-A status and/or discourages potential off season suitors? The Yankees could have a risky decision when it comes time to deciding whether to offer him arbitration. If the Yankees don't get the picks for Javy it would make the deal for him even worse.
What's the weather forecast for the NY area? Just steady light rain or is there going to be a downpour? I'd hate to start Mitre for the fourth only to lose him after an inning or two.
Since 1920, only 6 Yankees starters have thrown 93 or more pitches in a start of three innings or less. If he comes out of the game, Vazquez would join that list.
57) i think so. In any caae and more seriously, the question is not whether Mitre is better than Javy. If he comes in for the fourth and is 'lost' after an inning or two, the issue is it's whether the pitcher that would come in is better than Mitre. Gaudin? Probably not. Everyone else in the BP, yes, I think so.
If you like great double plays you should check this one out from the Tigers game earlier this week. It's a doozy. And I want what Paulie's having if he thinks Javy's got a chance at a w tonight. Nice one, Jeter. FUCK!
61) complaining about the BUC is somewhat spoiled. Unfortunately, looking at the number of games started and total plate appearances, it's not at all clear that Cervelli should not be considered the starter.
[65] You're right. If Arodys didn't get injured, it would look like a bad deal, but all things considered, not so bad. Now, if the Yankees come away with 2 draft picks, then it swings well into their favor.
He's developed into a semi-permanent black hole in the lineup.
Teeth gnashing and sack cloth wearing in May is hysterical and pathetic - the kind of thing like conceding the division in May, because you spend your entire life sitting on a panic button.
Pointing out things that are of deep concern in mid-August? That seems pretty appropriate.
[85] There should have been...but off the Tigers' bats.
Ironically, for the second straight game, we've spent all our time worrying about an erratic Yankees starters, while the team's inability to hit has slipped under the radar.
Does anyone find [5] useful, at all, or was I just wasting my time?
I understand that it's sort of like, the team that plays the best wins the race, but for my part, I think I'm going to print out that post and check games off as things go.
Over the weekend, the Royals defense gave the Yankees so many opportunities that they couldn't cash in. Looks like more of the same tonight. The month of August has been very demoralizing.
Hm. I feel that both A-Rod and Rob could have taken walks. I'm sure the psychology there is to be aggressive, with the RISP, but it didn't work out well.
I think we've now gotten to the point where he needs to be placed firmly back in the "bad off season move" column. He's been dreadful in the second half
ah, fuck. Eli knocked out of the game with a bloody gash on his forehead. He just walked off the field looking a little dazed. Had his helmet knocked off. Not good.
Why the hell is Cervelli swinging!!! Honestly, Girardi and Cashman both deserve to be destroyed for the role he has played on this team. Both have had awful seasons/off seasons.
I know that's his first caught stealing of the year, but Granderson has looked surprisingly slow as hell to me all season. I've been very underwhelmed by his closing speed in center.
I can only hope it's the groin, because otherwise, he seems like a guy who doesn't have the extra gear.
I really like getting thrown out to end the inning when the only thing the team had going for them was that Scherzer's pitch count was being pushed close to 100.
[129] I hate to keep beating this drum (no I don't) but it all goes back to the absolutely moronic, cut off my nose to spite my face signing of Nick Johnson. I'll never believe that signing was any more than a big "fuck you" to Johnny Damon, and when Johnson inevitably got hurt and the Yankees had nothing close to a plan B, Cervelli and other fringe bench players became near regulars so Joe could do the rotating DH.
I have to say, as much as I was pre-disposed to dislike the very presence of Meat Tray before the season, he's actually had a decent year (when he's been able to pitch), which is far, far more than I can say about Cervelli and Pena.
Why is he lifting Mitre, who is finally pitching well? If the Yankees have any chance of winning this game, they very well may need extra innings. Why burn a pitcher with two outs and no one on?
163) he has been surprisingly good as a reliever, absolutely clobbered...er, unlucky...as a starter. Also, he has been very good when throwing fewer than 50 pitchers but gets smacked around when he throws more.
Who knows, maybe his role really is as a long man.
166) see 167). I would have let Mitre go after the last batter, but I too would hesitate to let him throw more than fifty pitches. So, I can't kill Girardi for pulling him maybe one out too soon.
Interesting that folks here are actually angry at the scrubs, and especially at Brains. As we are playing now, we will not win the WS and may not even make it that far.
The reasons for this are not Cashman, Brains, Mitre or Pena. They are, in order:
#1) My favorite player, ARod:
down 140 OPS pts, lost a step on D and on the base paths, from 20 SBs/yr to maybe 6.
#2) Just a speck behind ARod is Derek Jeter:
down 120 OPS pts, lost a step on D and on the base paths, King of the DP (with the bat, not a starlett).
#3) Grandy Curtisson:
down 90 OPS pts, less SBs, not as good in CF as I had hoped.
#4) Just a speck behind Grandy is Jorge 'Flash' Posada:
down 40 OPS pts, injuries, terrible D, unspeakable baserunning, and an assortment of various mind-numbing plays.
#5) AJ 'schizoid' Burnett. Currently enjoying his worst year, with an 86 ERA+.
Our big Guns are shotting blanks.
Blaming the scrubs is like shooting the messenger.
With Cervelli coming up, maybe they should have sent Posada and hope the throw slipped out of the hand of the relay man. I honestly think there was a better chance of that happening than Cervelli getting a hit.
[181] That would require the manager to be creative and putting Posada in @ C... Which is why it isn't going to happen. I think Thames is the only guy available.
175) Posada's OPS+ is 122, almost exaxtly his career average of 124. You can't ignore that this season is a lower run scoring context.
So, in fact, Posada is NOT part of the problem at all. What IS a problem is a manager who insists on benching Po forty percent of the games to give us maximum Cervelli exposure. You call Cervelli a scrub. In fact, he's been the starting fucking catcher this season.
[175] Management has put the scrubs in a position for people to get angry at them. I don't know how or why Joe Girardi has decided that Cervelli is the type of player that needs to play three times a week, but this is just horrendous player elvaluation.
And Brian Cashman's failure or refusal to sign a legitimate DH has created a problem where all the scrubs play more than they should.
If the Yankees are going to insist on carrying Cervelli, they need to have a third catcher on the roster so you can pinch hit in that situation. If they are going to further insist on only using two catchers (so Gaudin can collect dust in the bullpen), Girardi needs to try something like a two out bunt (it worked for Texas against Boston yesterday).
Cervelli is awful, but Cashman and Girardi deserve unlimited blame for every out he makes.
Watching Pena on defense makes me wonder how "The Scooter" used to look at short. Pena is listed at 5'11'' while Rizzuto was 5'6''. This fascinates me for some reason.
[195] Ironically enough, the thing that pushed me over the edge with Betemit was when they started using him as a first baseman. Despite the fact that he didn't hit and was bad at every position they tried him at. When Jason Giambi is a marked improvement over you, there's a problem.
As is pointed out in the "Pinstriped Bible", Brains is actually one of our better BUCs over the last decade.
Is he playing too much? Sure. Is the reason because Joe likes him? NO!
Girardi was a Catcher. He sees Po everyday.
My guess is he knows better how much Posada can play... then all the cuch managers do.
MP - You are correct about Po's OPS+. However, his OPS in April/May was over 1.000, but has been around .700 since. Whether it be injury, age or just a slump, Posada hasn't been helping much over the last 2.5 months.
[216] Even if true, that's damning with faint praise. Besides, the problem is he has also been one of the most used BUC in recent history.
This is no longer a Cervelli vs. Posada issue. With guys like Montero and Romine in the system, it's time to remove Cervelli from the equation altogether. Also, Posada and Girardi seem to disagree on how much he can play.
[216] I don't think being better than Sal Fasano is all that impressive.
And if Joe Girardi has determined that Jorge Posada is so frail that he can only catch every once in a while, its up to the general manager to find a legitimate starting catcher.
212) I think that pinstriped bible piece was more an indictment of how shitty the BUCs have been over the last decade or so.
But again, Cervelli is the starting catcher this season, not the BUC. just look at the games started and PAs as a catcher. So let's drop the comparisons to John Flaherty or whatever.
Lastly, if you if you discount Po's early season success and focus on his .700 OPS since then, you should also discount Cwrvelli's early season success and focus on his, what, .500 OPS since May. He's atrocious.
212) i'm also not convinced that a former no-hit catcher, Girardi doesn't maybe possibly overvalue the (alleged) defensive wizardry, pitch draming and game calling of Cervelli.
I know it won't matter in the end, but when the Yankees go into the ninth down 2-0, please tell me that Girardi will PH for Peña. Who plays in the field in extra innings secondary to actually trying to get men on base and scoring and getting the game to extra innings.
[221] I don't think people should expect that much from a BUC. Cervelli would be fine if he were a BUC, it's just that playing so much exposes his flaws.
P.S. Brains has a career OPS+ of 73. This year, so far, it's 74. So he has been playing as advertised. His D however, has been uncharacteristically bad, as has been his CS%.
"New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb while allegedly striking the grandfather of his children last week at Citi Field, a team official said, and he is done for the season."
This is the same injury as Youk? I thought this was pretty rare. Was Youk actually beating up his father-in-law?
Has Lee even been that good for Texas? It seems like he's given up quite a few runs in most of his starts down there, though I haven't been following that closely.
Ha! Cervelli @ 3b, Posada catching... Kinda makes you wonder why Girardi didn't go with this alignment earlier, PH'ing for Cervelli and putting Posada in @ C.
1. When am I allowed to complain about the genius of Kevin Long? Yeah he's just super duper but we're about to be shut out twice in a row and the team is lifeless.
2. Alex - Allen Barra says hey. I saw him read from his Rickwood book tonight and he'll be at the Birmingham public library tomorrow. Allan says that Piper Davis should be in the HOF and needs an author. Whaddaya say, Al?
I also think Joe takes it for granted that we're going to make the playoffs. If I hear "so and so just needs a little rest" one more time I'm going to scream. Hopefully we're resting them all for something
I am rapidly lose faith in this teams ability to make the postseason. I think the Yankees are going down the tubes. The schedule turns vicious pretty soon.
[275] It was a good pitch, I agree, but hitters of Cabrera's ability are able to hit good pitches out of the ballpark. That's why you don't let them beat you when possible. It doesn't really matter because the Yankees have quit on this game already.
[274] I'm confident that Girardi will make a decent postseason analyst/guest on TBS. I'm not kidding. The Yankees will miss the postseason this year. I'm so pissed off.
[253] Are you trying to say Brains has no bat?
Is this news to anyone?
Do you think I believe Brains in better then Po?
My point is Po (and ARod and Jeter) are CORE players, and guys we DEPEND ON. Brains is a BUC. If Posada is injured and Brains plays 162 games, he is STILL a BUC.
Should Cashman have gotten another Catcher? With Jesus and Romine in the Pipeline, and not a lot of decent Catchers who want to backup Po, maybe this wasn't doable.
If Brains is playing too much, it's because Po CAN'T PLAY MORE. BEFORE the year started, BEFORE Po broke his foot, BEFORE Po's cyst became a problem, both Po and Joe said Po would catch 100-110 games (60-65%). So what should we expect now?
Should Girardi push Po (while we are currently in the PS), and increase the odds of him being tired/hurt for October? This is what you would do?
Pena and Brains both suck with the bat. Whether they play 1 game or 162 games, they are borderline BUs at best. If they play too much, it's not their fault... and we can't expect them to produce more then we know they are capable of.
285) If Brains is playing too much, it’s because Po CAN’T PLAY MORE.
I don't share this assumption at all. I think that girardi is committed to his rotation regardless of how much Po can actually catch, the same way he was committed to starting Molina in the playoffs last year.
Of course I can't prove this, but then neither can you prove your aasumption. Butu I know that if I managed this team I would try to get as much as possible out of Po, rather than reat him for the playoffs that my team might not make.
[285] I don't believe that Posada is so fragile that this is all he can catch. I didn't believe that the entire team was so fragile that Ramiro Pena and Kevin Russo and Colin Curtis needed to play as much as they have and did. I think Girardi is way, way overdoing it with the rest, and I hope it doesn't bite us in the ass.
I just lost my mind over here. Letter to management must be coming right up. Can't there be an exemption for a lunatic outburst when something that messed up happens?
I kind of defy you to be a baseball fan and not lose your shit over that.
[343] Yeah, and after a couple of calls earlier in the game, even if they weren't I can understand why he would swing at them... Would've seen a nice punch the other way or a 'K' rather than a double play
The Yankees may not only be a team poised for a late season collapse, but the future doesn't look too bright unless so big changes are made during the off season.
348) maybe he should have taken strike two (2-1) to see if the ump would give the call to the wild pitcher, but aftfer that he sorta kinda had to protect the plate. But yeah, I wish he would have just missed the ball instead of the seemingly inevitable DP.
But please, don't anyone complain about sacred/cow GENIUS Kevin Long who took these rag-tag hitters who were NOTHING before he met them and turned them into the fine players you see today
356) I guess. But on the ladder of problems this evening, he on a pretty low rung. In the end he was inefficient but his performance was not devastating.
The worst part about Derek Jeter's sudden decline is you just know he is going to be the last person to acknowledge it. In that spot, he needed to be like Cervelli or Gardner and make Valverde get two strikes on his own, but I am sure Jeter still thinks he is the hitter he once was. That form of denial could make for an ugly end of his career.
I don't think I've ever seen a horror movie that disturbed me more than watching that ball in "ohmyfuckinglordthisisnothappening" motion off of Jeter's bat.
Maybe Rosemary's Baby. But that was some profoundly creepy shit.
363) Swinging at a clear strike on 2-1 is not really the issue...I think you're focusing on the wrong thing, because you want to make this a failure of approach as opposed to simply a failure of execution. OK, so maybe he should have taken and it still would have been 2-2, and then he still would have been forced to protect the plate. I would have preferred that he take, but I am not going to get too worked up about it.
The far bigger issue is Jeter's extreme groundball to flyball ratio. He hit into a DP not because he is in denial or shortsighted or selfish or morally flawed or whatever and did not take a strike on 2-1, he hit into a DP because he is hitting weak grounballs to the shortstop at a disturbing rate.
And of course, the bigger issue than that is the team as a whole is simply not hitting. Add in a few a blackholes getting too much PT and, well, we see the results.
[369] i don't think jeter should have swung at 2-1, and i think it was definitely going to be called a ball (even though it was a strike) because the catcher was moving clear across the plate to catch it. but jeter couldn't have known that he was missing the spot by so much, so i guess you're right.
363) In that spot, he needed to be like Cervelli or Gardner and make Valverde get two strikes on his own...
And this is a bir misleading. Cervelli and Gardner never saw strike two, so we don't know if they would have been taking or not. The 2-1 pitch to Jeter was, however, a strike, so he was faced with a different scenario than the previous two batters.
[369] It wasn't a clear strike. It was borderline at best, and the umpire was probably not going to give Valverde the benefit of the doubt. One way to avoid failing to produce to allow your opponent that honor. If it was Tex, or Cano or even Arod, I'd have no problem with trying to seize the moment, but Jeter is now in a position where he needs to take a backseat.
You are correct in what Jeter's biggest problems are, but those are the reasons he needed to not swing the bat (because it increases the chances of all the negative things that keep happening when he puts the ball in play).
[371] I wasn't assuming they were taking, but suggesting those types of hiiters (Gardner a singles hitter and Cervelli an awful one) need make Valverde hang himself. Jeter has become such a hitter.
[374] It may have been, but PitchFX has three pitches that were called a ball as being with in the strike zone. In fact, one of the balls to Jeter was in the zone (same horizontal location but higher). Valverde was not going to be given a close call. It was Jeter's job to test that theory.
The Jaffe piece on Montero is discouraging. We knew his defense was a concern, but if you believe recent accounts, the kid is like magnetically-opposed to balls thrown at his mitt. Be nice to have his bat around at this point though.
[1] This is not a fair comparison (but KLaw compared Montero to Frank Thomas, so why not) - but I wonder how bad Mike Piazza's defensive numbers were in the high minors.
I mean, Piazza was (by CS% and IIRC, passed balls) a horrible catcher - but he still caught for years and years. If he could do it, why couldn't Montero?
[0] Meow!
Hold onto your hats, because the end is near...
A lot of this will come down to how the NYY, TBR, and BOS fare against common opponents down the stretch, and a little bit will come down to how much of a wrench a few uncommon opponents will either put or will not put into the plans of these three teams.
Of particular worry? Everyone has the exact same slate left against the Orioles - will Showalter want to win a little more against the Yankees?
Here's what's left:
NEW YORK YANKEES: 24 Home Games, 21 Road Games
Combined opponent winning percentage, using home/away records: .493
TAMPA BAY RAYS: 21 Home Games, 24 Road Games
Combined opponent winning percentage, using home/away records: .502
BOSTON RED SOX: 24 Home Games, 19 Road Games
Combined opponent winning percentage, using home/away records: .506
Next Post shows the common opponents, etc.
I had five different things I wanted to say tonight, but erased all of them because I'm still baffled and annoyed by the offensive ineptitude from last night.
Ok, here are the common/uncommon opponents for the three teams -
NEW YORK YANKEES
NYY No games
TBR 3 at home, 4 on the road
BOS 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOSTON RED SOX
NYY 3 at home, 3 on the road
TBR 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOS No games
TAMPA BAY RAYS
NYY 4 at home, 3 on the road
TBR No games
BOS 3 at home, 3 on the road
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
NYY 3 at home, 6 on the road
TBR 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOS 6 at home, 0 on the road
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
NYY 3 at home, 3 on the road
TBR 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOS 3 at home, 3 on the road
DETROIT TIGERS
NYY 4 at home
TBR No games
BOS No games
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
NYY 3 on the road
TBR No games
BOS 3 at home, 4 on the road
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
NYY No games
TBR 4 on the road
BOS No games
LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF SCHMEGAGY-VILLE
NYY No games
TBR 3 at home, 3 on the road
BOS 3 at home
TEXAS RANGERS
NYY 3 on the road
TBR 3 at home
BOS No games
SEATTLE MARINERS
NYY 3 at home
TBR 3 at home
BOS 3 at home, 3 on the road
OAKLAND A's
NYY 4 at home
TBR 4 on the road
BOS 3 on the road
That's what's left. You can look at this and check games off, as the three teams go.
Obviously, head to head is pivotal here.
Some ugly things for the Yanks, sprinkled throughout - the Angels travel to Fenway for their annual rectal exam, while the Yanks have to go back to Texas.
Yanks have a scary slate left with the Blue Jays - I feel like I say this every year, but if they don't figure out a way to beat the Homering Jays, the Yanks may be done for. It's scary that we've got 6 left at the Rodgers' Center, while the Red Sox have only six Fenway games left against the Jays.
There are certainly other interesting angles to note from the list above.
Yanks also gotta make these home games count.
[1],[2] Can't help but think the Yanks painted themselves into a corner with the buildup for Montero over the years and concurrently failing to develop other hitters in the minors whose positions weren't so critical. Being that they have more defensively reliable catchers who can handle a stick competently, I wonder why they have been reticent on moving Montero off the plate and into another position. If he can't play outfield, the best they can expect is to DH/platoon him at first, right? Are they really committed to him as a catcher and being patient or are they fooling themselves and being stubborn?
[6] Well, if he's a catcher, he's as valuable as Posada. If he's a DH, he's as valuable as, I dunno, Nick Johnson. Well, okay, that's unfair, but you see what I mean.
The ump is 1 for 2. This dude is freaking slinging some nastiness.
[6] To answer my own question, I guess he's the only one whose close to major-league ready in the event that Jorge goes down for the count or calls it a career, given that Cervelli has been an EPIC FAIL and Romine/Sanchez are at least a couple of years away; not to mention that trading for a starter-quality backstop will either seriously hurt the farm or be a lateral move in terms of offense. So there ):P
Homer Javy back on the hill.
"2 homer minimum Javy"
I get the feeling if a scout showed up at a high school game to watch Javy pitch he wouldn't stay long.
Ooooooookay.
I may skip this one. Fuck Javy. I'm back to being disgusted they signed this guy and back to despising this dipshit.
Between the Yankees looking like they'll be no-chance ville against Scherzer and Javy looking like a wittle wittle lamb and mlb.tv hitting me with the insanely annoying Gillette ProGlide ad and stupid promos for "The Thread" - fuck this, perhaps.
This stretch in the schedule really is unending, and the Yanks look like dogshit. Javy, in particular. It's so unpleasant watching Javy pitch when he's like this.
A 3 run job by JD here would not be a shocker.
Mitre stirring already?
If I had planned it better (and I hadn't messed up my back) I'd have taken in the Toledo-SWB game tonight. Sigh.
Javy serving meat-pies today.
Gosh this is fun.
I wouldn't mind Javy going offspeed, problem with that is that his offspeed stuff is hanging.
Gotta love Frankie getting 4 ab's tonight, as well.
Can anyone remember the last time Cervelli actually hit a ball hard? I honestly can't remember.
Great work, JV. Maybe you'll finish the 3rd. Dickhead.
HA! I got you, mlb.tv! So sorry I hit MUTE right before you ran that fucking Pro Glide assault on my ears for the second time in ten minutes.
I think I'm finally going to write a letter to mlb.tv telling them what an utter, utter horseshit job they've done this year.
Evening folks ... I want Javy to have an MRI, or that "dye" they inject that shows it traveling through the veins ... cause I thing he's got a muscular problem (no pain, but loss of velocity)
Oh, and speaking of injuries
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/sports/baseball/17mets.html?_r=1&emc=na
[23] I see you studiously avoided saying "Good evening."
Yeah, K-Rod. Shame.
[23] I'm just glad it's not the index finger he uses to point to the sky.
Here late, Yanks already losing I see.
0) et al. I was not discouraged one bit by the write-up on Montero's defense. As far as I could tell, everything shows him to be below average, which we knew already, but with scouts comparing him to Frank Thomas or the like. So, a catcher who is defensively as bad or maybe a bit better than Piazza, and offensively as good or better than Piazza.
Sign me up.
Girardi should seriously consider taking Javy out now. It looks as if he has absolutely no confidence in his fastball, probably for good reason.
[27] What do you mean -- he's only throwing fastballs.
[26] Couldn't agree more. I don't see the point in coming to conclusions about a 20-year olds catching ability based on one half of a minor league season. Besides, I doubt Montero could be as bad as Cervelli and Posada have been this season.
6, 9) I don't think that the Yankees painted themselves into a corner. All along they have said that he could hit but needed improvement at C, and (obviously) they recognize that his highest vakue would be at a premium position. He's only twenty for cripes sake, so it makes sense that they are giving him as much chance as possible to develop behind the plate. Isn't the old saw that catchers tend to develop slowly?
Rather, what has painted the Yankees into a corner, if anything, is that Montero's bat has developed so fast that his offense is rapidly outpacing his defense. In other words, if Montero had struggled more at AAA or AA, we wouldn't be wringing our hands over his defense because he would still be two years away from the bigs,
So in the end, the Yankes have the problem of a prospect who is too good. Againwhat's the problem??
I was wishing it was IHOPE week ..... Pancakes for all!
Dead. Arm.
Does Kim like being called Kimberly? ... (not that I would ever need to really know)
[28] Yes...he is throwing them everywhere but over the plate (again, with good reason).
I have the same thought as [27]. It really may be time to yank this dipshit. 70 pitches, he's got jack shit, and he's getting killed.
[34] Oh, okay. I dunno if that's a matter of confidence. He's trying to throw them over the outside edge, which is where fastballs belong, and he's missing.
The story certainly puts things in perspective, but jeez, this game looks horrible.
Mlb.tv hits me with THREE pro glide ads in twenty minutes.
I'm guessing that my letter to mlb.tv just won't get taken seriously if it includes the phrase "fuck you."
[36] Besides his reticence to throw the ball over the plate, Javy as pretty much come out and said he has no confidence in his fastball on a couple of occassions since his last outing.
Fucking Bollocks, Robbie.
A rare bad job from Cano...Vazquez desparately needed that double play. Yanks were lucky to get one because he never had control.
If he walks this batter, do you yank him?
The only one worse than Javy tonight is the Ump.
Can't predict baseball.
Oh, Lord. That ump sucks, but that was hilarious.
If you were a Tigers fan, would you be screaming right now? Maybe at the ump, but maybe at your batters' inability to capitalize on a fiasco of a pitching performance.
Javy's night should now be done. No reason to tempt fate further.
If Javy continues to pitch poorly, I wonder if it jeopardizes his type-A status and/or discourages potential off season suitors? The Yankees could have a risky decision when it comes time to deciding whether to offer him arbitration. If the Yankees don't get the picks for Javy it would make the deal for him even worse.
What's the weather forecast for the NY area? Just steady light rain or is there going to be a downpour? I'd hate to start Mitre for the fourth only to lose him after an inning or two.
42) i thought the last one looked like a strike, but I didn't check on gameday. That said, i'm not a fan of the dramatic delayed call by the ump.
Bunt!
[47] Scattered showers...no chance of being saved by the bell tonight.
I would give Cervelli a perpetual take sign.
[48] I looked on Gameday, but it's not reliable on whether a pitch is high or not. (It was borderline.)
47) I’d hate to start Mitre for the fourth only to lose him after an inning or two.
I never thought that I would read a post expressing concern over losing Mitre!
; )
[50] Dang. Thanks. I think I'll go to couch and remember my wisdom teeth being pulled. Less painful.
Safe...barely...despite Cervelli's best efforts.
Great bunt, Frankie!
[53] Yeah. But is he worse than Javy?
Since 1920, only 6 Yankees starters have thrown 93 or more pitches in a start of three innings or less. If he comes out of the game, Vazquez would join that list.
[51] Whereas Brett thinks he has the perpetual take sign.
Whereas RIYank thinks he has the perpetual italics sign.
The Yankees tolerance of Cervelli is really inexusable, but I guess most people think complaining about the BUC is evidence of being spoiled.
Brett is just sitting Gyro Ball. And one of these days...
57) i think so. In any caae and more seriously, the question is not whether Mitre is better than Javy. If he comes in for the fourth and is 'lost' after an inning or two, the issue is it's whether the pitcher that would come in is better than Mitre. Gaudin? Probably not. Everyone else in the BP, yes, I think so.
If you like great double plays you should check this one out from the Tigers game earlier this week. It's a doozy. And I want what Paulie's having if he thinks Javy's got a chance at a w tonight. Nice one, Jeter. FUCK!
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=10969959&topic_id=8879976&c_id=mlb
[46] The trade hasn't been that bad; a 4th OF and a prospect for a 4th starter and a LOOGY.
Jeez, Jetes...
Again, it wont be done (and I wouldn't do it myself), but the Yankees need to move Jeter down in the order.
61) complaining about the BUC is somewhat spoiled. Unfortunately, looking at the number of games started and total plate appearances, it's not at all clear that Cervelli should not be considered the starter.
Holy shit, is that depressing.
You're sitting there saying, "if he grounds into a double play, so help me..."
But you just know he's going to do it, and there's nothing you're going to do about it.
Captain GIDP strikes again.
[64] Yeah, that would be a lot cooler if the color guy didn't say "Oh no he didn't!"
Girardi tempting fate?
[65] You're right. If Arodys didn't get injured, it would look like a bad deal, but all things considered, not so bad. Now, if the Yankees come away with 2 draft picks, then it swings well into their favor.
[71] I don't think they're going to offer JV arbitration. I think they should, but I don't think they will.
Jeter's ground ball rate has been astounding. A double steal with Grandy and Gardy seemed as if it would have made sense, but alas.
Yep, [67], he's not a BUC, at all.
He's developed into a semi-permanent black hole in the lineup.
Teeth gnashing and sack cloth wearing in May is hysterical and pathetic - the kind of thing like conceding the division in May, because you spend your entire life sitting on a panic button.
Pointing out things that are of deep concern in mid-August? That seems pretty appropriate.
Javy is ruining his chance to make history. Maybe Johnny can help him out with a long at bat.
What, is the guy in the YES truck serving hemlock refreshments while he's at it?
What could possibly possess them to show that highlight?
You got your answer, dianagram.
Whatever the outcome here, I don't think Girardi sends Javy out for the fifth.
[75] Your wish is JD's command.
Javy is now the 12 Yankees starter since 1920 to throw 100 pitches in four or fewer innings.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how frustrating did you find Jeter's GIDP?
I'll go with a 7.
It would be an 8, but with Javy on the mound, I was feeling sort of hopeless already.
JEBUS CHRISTOS.
100+ pitches in 3 2/3rd innings???
Yuck.
[77]
Yeah ... I noticed ... cool.
Hit the showers, Jv. Thanks for the shit show.
[80] Shouldn't there be fireworks or something?
Javy has the record!!! Sole possession of most pitches in an outing of four innings or fewer. Congrats Javy, you are now officially a Yankee.
[85] There should have been...but off the Tigers' bats.
Ironically, for the second straight game, we've spent all our time worrying about an erratic Yankees starters, while the team's inability to hit has slipped under the radar.
Does anyone find [5] useful, at all, or was I just wasting my time?
I understand that it's sort of like, the team that plays the best wins the race, but for my part, I think I'm going to print out that post and check games off as things go.
[86]
100+ pitches in 4 or fewer innings, 2 runs or less allowed:
http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/cREbp
Yes, Joba is on this list
Nice Play Index work William!
[89] Nothing like beating a record previously co-held by Rich Dotson.
That Tex hustles makes me happy.
A booming double...
The ol' husband and wife play.
92) or E6
Come on Arod...need to stay under control here.
C'mon Alex, just a damn *hit* here.
Stopping swinging for a moon shot.
Guess they're talking about coming inside this pitch?
Over the weekend, the Royals defense gave the Yankees so many opportunities that they couldn't cash in. Looks like more of the same tonight. The month of August has been very demoralizing.
That's not a fucking strike blue.
[99] Not close.
At every point in the season, the Yankees could count on at least one and often two hot hitters. Over the last week-plus, they have not had one.
Hm. I feel that both A-Rod and Rob could have taken walks. I'm sure the psychology there is to be aggressive, with the RISP, but it didn't work out well.
We're getting dangerously close to "flip over the buffet table" time with this team
Well, maybe with luck they can drive the starter from the game after five or six and take some cracks at the bull pen. Not that it will matter.
just turning on the game now.
[2] yeah, Shaun, if Montero's upside is Piazza I'll sign up for that now.
What the hell is wrong with A-Rod now?
[104] Right, I don't think there's any particular reason to think that the bullpen will be worse than Max Somebody.
[102] Not with some of those strike calls; can't take any chances...
Oh great. What, did ARod hurt himself slaming the bat. The good news is more Peña.
Oh for FUCK'S sake.
Great, just great.
Oh great...this season takes an even sharper turn for the worse. How does not acquiring a useful backup infielder look now?
Fuck.
Wonderful. Alex is out. Pena's the new clean up hitter. Cack.
per ESPN:
Javier Vazquez:106 pitches thru 4 IP. There have been 34 CG of 9+ inning this season that were 106 pitches or fewer
One hit..is Billington Coat Factory still pitching??
How in Zeus's name did Vazquez throw 100+ pitches in FOUR innings???
I'm going to back to sleep..
Good d, Captain. This is FUCKING HORRIBLE.
Mattpat has Wilson Betemit, and in the past I had Miguel Cairo. But this season I have Cervelli, Mitre and Peña on whom to focus irrational dislike.
Come the fuck on, Jeter. Is anyone on this team trying? Are they trying too hard? What the hell.
Damn, Mitre really is unlucky. He happens to be the one pitcher against whom Cabrera runs hard down the first base line.
Vazquez is out of the game now?
I think we've now gotten to the point where he needs to be placed firmly back in the "bad off season move" column. He's been dreadful in the second half
[118] Thanks for the laugh
[111] No fear, Thames can play 3b!
ah, fuck. Eli knocked out of the game with a bloody gash on his forehead. He just walked off the field looking a little dazed. Had his helmet knocked off. Not good.
The only thing that could make this game worse if it ends with Jose Valverde dancing on the mound.
[123]
Perhaps we can hope Valverde's father-in-law is along for the road trip?
Cervelli should take the 3-1 and 3-2.
So, we've had the 2004 ALCS referenced and Brien Taylor referenced. Any other lowlights in Yankees history going to be referenced?
3 and 1. Curtis best be running.
I'm really beginning to hate Francisco Cervelli.
Why the hell is Cervelli swinging!!! Honestly, Girardi and Cashman both deserve to be destroyed for the role he has played on this team. Both have had awful seasons/off seasons.
Jesus Christ this team.
Jeter's off year and DPs have been frustrating, but I now have zero tolerance for Cervelli.
[129] By destroyed, I mean harshly criticized for Cervelli being on the team, not put down like a rabid animal.
I know that's his first caught stealing of the year, but Granderson has looked surprisingly slow as hell to me all season. I've been very underwhelmed by his closing speed in center.
I can only hope it's the groin, because otherwise, he seems like a guy who doesn't have the extra gear.
I really like getting thrown out to end the inning when the only thing the team had going for them was that Scherzer's pitch count was being pushed close to 100.
[129] I hate to keep beating this drum (no I don't) but it all goes back to the absolutely moronic, cut off my nose to spite my face signing of Nick Johnson. I'll never believe that signing was any more than a big "fuck you" to Johnny Damon, and when Johnson inevitably got hurt and the Yankees had nothing close to a plan B, Cervelli and other fringe bench players became near regulars so Joe could do the rotating DH.
[134] You're preaching to the choir.
and yet .... the team is still in 1st ..
Cervelli is an awful catcher. What the $%^& does he do that impresses Girardi so much?
That would have been a great throw by Cervelli if this were, say, kickball.
Its gotten to the point where I expected Cervelli to throw that ball away
"fairly deep center"
Jackson looks like an excellent defensive center fielder.
Calm down Michael Kay, that was a pop up to CF and nothing more.
Well, at least Jeter can't hit into a DP now.
[137] Fist pump?
Hey hey Cap'n!
So, is Swisher hurt, or is this a chess gambit?
Nice, Swisher is hurt too. Great to have all this wonderful depth now.
Well, *that* was representative of the way this team has been playing recently ...
Scherzer has averaged 3.7 BB per 9 this year .... none tonight.
Time for a HR Tex...this team needs one desparately.
[149]
nevermind ... misread the stat line ....
Another great effort from the major league's best team.
When's the last time the Yanks were shut out 2x in a row?
[141] Jackson can play defense, the concern was with his offense.
[153] May 12-13, 1999 vs. Anaheim.
[155] Finley and Olivares
[155] Wow. 11 years ago. Thanks. i tried searching myself but failed. : )
Phil Coke is coming back to Yankee Stadium. If he doesn't come in and immediately give up a homer to a lefty I'm going to be very annoyed.
The Yankees have played the Tigers at their two lowest points of the season. As the old adage goes, it's not who you play, but when you play them.
[157] They can go for the record tomorrow. Never happened more than three times (on four occassions).
Oh Christ. I've finally warmed up to Logan. I can't handle Marte coming back and returning to the days of two lefties.
Swisher left game with injured right forearm, according to Jack Curry.
I have to say, as much as I was pre-disposed to dislike the very presence of Meat Tray before the season, he's actually had a decent year (when he's been able to pitch), which is far, far more than I can say about Cervelli and Pena.
Let the chess begin in earnest.
Lucky for us Sergio gave 2 and 2/3 good innings. ; )
Why is he lifting Mitre, who is finally pitching well? If the Yankees have any chance of winning this game, they very well may need extra innings. Why burn a pitcher with two outs and no one on?
163) he has been surprisingly good as a reliever, absolutely clobbered...er, unlucky...as a starter. Also, he has been very good when throwing fewer than 50 pitchers but gets smacked around when he throws more.
Who knows, maybe his role really is as a long man.
Maybe.
[166] Joe Girardi has always managed like extra innings are completely impossible.
166) see 167). I would have let Mitre go after the last batter, but I too would hesitate to let him throw more than fifty pitches. So, I can't kill Girardi for pulling him maybe one out too soon.
Well, at least Tampa's losing
I think the Tigers are trying to embarrass Cashman tonight (if he isn't already).
Cabrera hustling and playing defense in the same game. Great.
Oh good, now we've entered the "we're old guys, what's this facebook twitter thing that the kids are talking about" part of the game.
Can't wait to see more of Cervelli and Pena over the next few days.
Interesting that folks here are actually angry at the scrubs, and especially at Brains. As we are playing now, we will not win the WS and may not even make it that far.
The reasons for this are not Cashman, Brains, Mitre or Pena. They are, in order:
#1) My favorite player, ARod:
down 140 OPS pts, lost a step on D and on the base paths, from 20 SBs/yr to maybe 6.
#2) Just a speck behind ARod is Derek Jeter:
down 120 OPS pts, lost a step on D and on the base paths, King of the DP (with the bat, not a starlett).
#3) Grandy Curtisson:
down 90 OPS pts, less SBs, not as good in CF as I had hoped.
#4) Just a speck behind Grandy is Jorge 'Flash' Posada:
down 40 OPS pts, injuries, terrible D, unspeakable baserunning, and an assortment of various mind-numbing plays.
#5) AJ 'schizoid' Burnett. Currently enjoying his worst year, with an 86 ERA+.
Our big Guns are shotting blanks.
Blaming the scrubs is like shooting the messenger.
[175] I don't think we are angry at the scrubs, but at the general manager and manager who dumped them in our lap.
I was still expecting Inge to pick that up and throw out Jorge.
New Swing!
Of all runners to have on base there, it had to be Posada. Anyone else scores.
Jeez, anybody else scores on that. Had to be Posada on the bases...
Simply amazing. Every one of those things had to happen for Jorge to reach.
Now, you have to PH for Cerv.
Playing the percentages against Cervelli? Really?
All that time Long spent with Curtis really fucked up the other hittters.
I think Pena is this year's "Cairo" for me.
Good God, but he's fucking useless at the plate.
And it's not like the Yankees haven't had the option of bringing up Nunez and giving him a shot, all-goddamn-year-long.
Ha! Detroit announcer saying "Posada lumbering around 2nd base..." and "the slow footed Posada is held at 3rd..."
Every single person here felt pain knowing who was on the bases, particularly when the guy bobbled it. Agony.
With Cervelli coming up, maybe they should have sent Posada and hope the throw slipped out of the hand of the relay man. I honestly think there was a better chance of that happening than Cervelli getting a hit.
[181] That would require the manager to be creative and putting Posada in @ C... Which is why it isn't going to happen. I think Thames is the only guy available.
175) Posada's OPS+ is 122, almost exaxtly his career average of 124. You can't ignore that this season is a lower run scoring context.
So, in fact, Posada is NOT part of the problem at all. What IS a problem is a manager who insists on benching Po forty percent of the games to give us maximum Cervelli exposure. You call Cervelli a scrub. In fact, he's been the starting fucking catcher this season.
[175] Management has put the scrubs in a position for people to get angry at them. I don't know how or why Joe Girardi has decided that Cervelli is the type of player that needs to play three times a week, but this is just horrendous player elvaluation.
And Brian Cashman's failure or refusal to sign a legitimate DH has created a problem where all the scrubs play more than they should.
And he swings @ the 1st pitch....
Le sigh.
I can't believe it.
This guy can't be on this team anymore. It's over. He's killing them.
184) he can never be Cairo to me until he starts at 1B.
Sweet fucking Jesus, why not PH for useless Cervelli? So you lose the DH...will Cervelli's spot come up again tonight?
If the Yankees are going to insist on carrying Cervelli, they need to have a third catcher on the roster so you can pinch hit in that situation. If they are going to further insist on only using two catchers (so Gaudin can collect dust in the bullpen), Girardi needs to try something like a two out bunt (it worked for Texas against Boston yesterday).
Cervelli is awful, but Cashman and Girardi deserve unlimited blame for every out he makes.
Cranky Banter this evening..is it really over for Frankie & Ramiro, our very own Nick Punto boys?
Tampa 5 Texas 4...good bye first place.
[188] I would have done it. I think you had to. That was too good an opportunity to waste on a no-hoper like Cervelli.
196) wait, you mean carry only eleven pitchers? Now that's just kooky talk.
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. I knew that Tampa would take the damn lead and that William would be the one to tell me about it. Kill me.
Maybe it's because of the total incompetence across the river, but Girardi and Cashman wear teflon in this town.
[176] Well, to be honest, most of my irritation comes from the fact that they both keep getting playing time.
When shit isn't working, admit it and FIX THE FUCKING PROBLEM.
The frustration comes when it seems clear that neither Cashman nor Girardi seem even cognizant that there even IS a problem ...
202) well that and winning the big chalupa last season.
Watching Pena on defense makes me wonder how "The Scooter" used to look at short. Pena is listed at 5'11'' while Rizzuto was 5'6''. This fascinates me for some reason.
And Tampa takes the lead.
Every time I think of Buck as an Oriole it makes me sad. He should be the manager of the Yankees.
[195] Not Cairo ... "Cairo" ... it's more of a ontological descriptor ...
[204] That.
[204] Cashman winning on try 10 or whatever the hell it was after countless stupid moves shouldn't absolve him of anything.
[195] Ironically enough, the thing that pushed me over the edge with Betemit was when they started using him as a first baseman. Despite the fact that he didn't hit and was bad at every position they tried him at. When Jason Giambi is a marked improvement over you, there's a problem.
[210] Thing is, he has had just as many good moves.
[207] I can't possibly regret a stretch that has seen us win 5 World Series.
Is the Yankees plan to push Wood over 30 pitches in every outing?
[212] Don't bother ...
As is pointed out in the "Pinstriped Bible", Brains is actually one of our better BUCs over the last decade.
Is he playing too much? Sure. Is the reason because Joe likes him? NO!
Girardi was a Catcher. He sees Po everyday.
My guess is he knows better how much Posada can play... then all the cuch managers do.
MP - You are correct about Po's OPS+. However, his OPS in April/May was over 1.000, but has been around .700 since. Whether it be injury, age or just a slump, Posada hasn't been helping much over the last 2.5 months.
[216] Even if true, that's damning with faint praise. Besides, the problem is he has also been one of the most used BUC in recent history.
This is no longer a Cervelli vs. Posada issue. With guys like Montero and Romine in the system, it's time to remove Cervelli from the equation altogether. Also, Posada and Girardi seem to disagree on how much he can play.
[216] If that's the case, then Girardi needs to push for a 3rd catcher. Cervelli is starting way too many games.
[216] I don't think being better than Sal Fasano is all that impressive.
And if Joe Girardi has determined that Jorge Posada is so frail that he can only catch every once in a while, its up to the general manager to find a legitimate starting catcher.
[218] Exactly...or, he should do things like bunt with him much more frequently. Instead, he lets him make out after out.
212) I think that pinstriped bible piece was more an indictment of how shitty the BUCs have been over the last decade or so.
But again, Cervelli is the starting catcher this season, not the BUC. just look at the games started and PAs as a catcher. So let's drop the comparisons to John Flaherty or whatever.
Lastly, if you if you discount Po's early season success and focus on his .700 OPS since then, you should also discount Cwrvelli's early season success and focus on his, what, .500 OPS since May. He's atrocious.
Both Alex and Stick are day-to-day.
At least 2 things went right tonite ...
Words can't describe how bad the offense has been...not just over the last two games but every since the trade deadline.
212) i'm also not convinced that a former no-hit catcher, Girardi doesn't maybe possibly overvalue the (alleged) defensive wizardry, pitch draming and game calling of Cervelli.
Great AB by the Captain....hack away and hit another groundball. Just go home if that's the approach.
[224] That's exactly the problem.
I know it won't matter in the end, but when the Yankees go into the ninth down 2-0, please tell me that Girardi will PH for Peña. Who plays in the field in extra innings secondary to actually trying to get men on base and scoring and getting the game to extra innings.
[221] I don't think people should expect that much from a BUC. Cervelli would be fine if he were a BUC, it's just that playing so much exposes his flaws.
[224] And there's the rub, isn't it? If Cervelli was actually having even a *decent* season defensively, I'd cut him, Girardi and Cashman more slack.
But the truth is, he's been just as big a mess behind the plate as he's been beside it.
See what happens when you work the count, Jetes?
Man, I hope Teix is swinging from his heels here.
Want to shake up this team? Move Jeter down to sixth in the lineup.
[224] Yeah, I think that's a big part of it.
Please, please, please Tex, take this asshole deep.
I wonder if people think Girardi would have pinch hit for Cervelli if Berkman was available. I kind of think he would have.
I still say he had to PH for him, no matter what, in that spot.
229) Yep!
Not sure why Vaverde is pitching to Teix with Pena on deck
Kay, "Remember, on deck is Ramiro Pena."
And with that, I just threw up in my mouth a little ...
P.S. Brains has a career OPS+ of 73. This year, so far, it's 74. So he has been playing as advertised. His D however, has been uncharacteristically bad, as has been his CS%.
[238] That's what I don't get. I thought he had a good glove back there, but he's been as bad as Posada.
Joe's awake.
Thames @ 3b?
238) again, take out his super-hot April and May, and he has been far, far worse than advertised if last year was the advertisement.
[241] You could put Teix at 3rd and Thames at 1st since both have played in those spots, but I might be a little ahead of myself here.... :)
241) presumably, unless Kearns caplay the corner...or Thames at 1B and Teix at 3B, maybe?
[238] Well, the overwhelming reason for that is because *this* year constitutes 2/3rds of his career at bats.
He has yet to see a FB
Swung at ball four.
Lame.
Thames actually has 38 career starts at first.
Ugh. Keep playing Cervelli, that's the way to get the offense going.
[247] He was looking fastball, got the split
Yanks have been rather depressing this month.
238) Cervelli's OPS by month:
.848, .768, .521, .505, .267
Yes, .267.
"New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb while allegedly striking the grandfather of his children last week at Citi Field, a team official said, and he is done for the season."
This is the same injury as Youk? I thought this was pretty rare. Was Youk actually beating up his father-in-law?
Heh ... in looking up Cervelli's at bat totals, I noticed this from the people who sponsor his BBRef space:
Frankie, you are a beast. Keep playing like a champion.
Good job keeping Cervelli's bat in the lineup. Absurd. Please take the Cubs job, Joe....please.
Wow, Girardi has found a way to feature Cervelli even more!!
Has Lee even been that good for Texas? It seems like he's given up quite a few runs in most of his starts down there, though I haven't been following that closely.
Ha! Cervelli @ 3b, Posada catching... Kinda makes you wonder why Girardi didn't go with this alignment earlier, PH'ing for Cervelli and putting Posada in @ C.
254) "This is the same injury as Youk?"
Youk was smacking one of his elderly relatives upside the head, too?
[258] He was excellent until his last start against the Yankees. Has blown two leads since.
Gameday still has Pena in the game.
Two things.
1. When am I allowed to complain about the genius of Kevin Long? Yeah he's just super duper but we're about to be shut out twice in a row and the team is lifeless.
2. Alex - Allen Barra says hey. I saw him read from his Rickwood book tonight and he'll be at the Birmingham public library tomorrow. Allan says that Piper Davis should be in the HOF and needs an author. Whaddaya say, Al?
That's the perfect night cap.
I also think Joe takes it for granted that we're going to make the playoffs. If I hear "so and so just needs a little rest" one more time I'm going to scream. Hopefully we're resting them all for something
What can you do on that.
[265] I hear in Chicago, they afford players plenty of rest! It really is a wonderful town in which to manage.
[264] It was a good pitch, a ball low and away. Credit to Cabrera.
268) yep.
[268] Joe Maddon refused to pitch to him with a base open, but I digress.
[263] Yesterday and tonite is on KEVIN LONG???
Jesus, people ...
Death, taxes and Joba sucking.
I am rapidly lose faith in this teams ability to make the postseason. I think the Yankees are going down the tubes. The schedule turns vicious pretty soon.
Miguel Cabrera..he's close to Pujols now as best hitter in the game. Love watching him swing the lumber!
This game already forgotten, Yanks will roll through the playoffs..I am confident!
[270] Regardless, it was a pitch low and away and out the zone.
[271] Kevin Long is one of the few hitting coaches that I think is actually valuable.
274) the good news is that they will be especially well rested.
[275] It was a good pitch, I agree, but hitters of Cabrera's ability are able to hit good pitches out of the ballpark. That's why you don't let them beat you when possible. It doesn't really matter because the Yankees have quit on this game already.
[274] I'm confident that Girardi will make a decent postseason analyst/guest on TBS. I'm not kidding. The Yankees will miss the postseason this year. I'm so pissed off.
I think Joey Votto might be better than Pujols even, at least this year. He's been a beast.
[279] You know Cal, if I was managing this team, I'd rest Howard in game two. I like what I see in Ross Gload.
[271] please tell me when I am allowed to bitch about Kevin long? I would like to know the rule on that.
Good start. Make him throw some pitches here.
[278] So, you never throw Cabrera a pitch? He was already 0-3 on the day.
[253] Are you trying to say Brains has no bat?
Is this news to anyone?
Do you think I believe Brains in better then Po?
My point is Po (and ARod and Jeter) are CORE players, and guys we DEPEND ON. Brains is a BUC. If Posada is injured and Brains plays 162 games, he is STILL a BUC.
Should Cashman have gotten another Catcher? With Jesus and Romine in the Pipeline, and not a lot of decent Catchers who want to backup Po, maybe this wasn't doable.
If Brains is playing too much, it's because Po CAN'T PLAY MORE. BEFORE the year started, BEFORE Po broke his foot, BEFORE Po's cyst became a problem, both Po and Joe said Po would catch 100-110 games (60-65%). So what should we expect now?
Should Girardi push Po (while we are currently in the PS), and increase the odds of him being tired/hurt for October? This is what you would do?
Pena and Brains both suck with the bat. Whether they play 1 game or 162 games, they are borderline BUs at best. If they play too much, it's not their fault... and we can't expect them to produce more then we know they are capable of.
There's always Chad the Mole. You prefer that?
Or, instead, swing away.
[283] So much for that...
Hopefully CC will pinch hit for Cervelli.
[288] That would be awesome, actually
Grandy offers a slight glimmer of light for the rest of the season.
MVP: Kevin Long!
take 3 strikes, do not swing.
285) If Brains is playing too much, it’s because Po CAN’T PLAY MORE.
I don't share this assumption at all. I think that girardi is committed to his rotation regardless of how much Po can actually catch, the same way he was committed to starting Molina in the playoffs last year.
Of course I can't prove this, but then neither can you prove your aasumption. Butu I know that if I managed this team I would try to get as much as possible out of Po, rather than reat him for the playoffs that my team might not make.
just go up there and take the bat away
292)...rather than rest him...
Joe Maddon would undoubtedly ibb Gardner to induce a Jeter double play.
Posada grounds out.
Cervelli walks.
Cervelli is a better player then Posada.
That's right!
CERVELLI IS BETTER THEN POSADA!!!??!!?!111!!
[285] I don't believe that Posada is so fragile that this is all he can catch. I didn't believe that the entire team was so fragile that Ramiro Pena and Kevin Russo and Colin Curtis needed to play as much as they have and did. I think Girardi is way, way overdoing it with the rest, and I hope it doesn't bite us in the ass.
many thanks, franshitsco
Clutch HBP for Frankie!
[299] It didn't hit him
Taketaketaketaketaketaketake
[282] Well, given the level of insight presented in your original assertion, I'd go with "never", just to be on the safe side ...
Smoke 'em if ya' got 'em, Leyland.
Aaaaaaaaaaaagh.
Only with Po on 3rd ... only with Po ...
[300] Oh, I thought it did.
Man, Valverde can't hit the broad side of a barn.
Nice of Leyland to sneak in an extra visit there
If the pitcher throws a WP into the stands, will Po be able to score?
GRITTY AB THERE!
If Jeter swings at the 1st pitch the Banter will explode.
Captain GIDP up at bat...
307) tough call on that, I admit. i mean, I was not entirely sure he would score on this bases loaded walk!
Can't believe he's leaving Valverde in there.
Jeter? Oy...
Please no DP...
SWING AT STRIKE.
301. monkeypants
August 16th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
Taketaketaketaketaketaketake
[314] This.
Jeter swings @ the next pitch?
Sigh.
[318] Yep. Ball 3
Dear Derek,
If you get a hit here, you can sleep over my house tonight.
Lovingly,
ARod
316) yep, one of the rare times when I would have had the take no matter what sign on.
Grrrrrr.
LET THAT HIT YOU.
Send the Runners! : )
TOFTT, Jetes...
TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!
[312] Fernando Rodney isn't surprised.
Unfuckingbelievable.
Fucking GIDP. Fuck.
Was that Ball 4????
Jesus Christ
Thanks, Cap'n, thanks ...
Just fucking awful.
I hate Derek Jeter right now. You cannot be serious.
This series is going to turn ugly on that one.
Coulda blown out Guillen's knee there
Derek Jeter ladies and gentleman. The Yankees are a sinking ship and Derek Jeter is their Captain. That was an awful at bat.
This team is in a lot of trouble.
boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
If I see Francisco Cervelli in the game tomorrow I'm going to lose my fucking mind. Joe has to start managing like the games matter.
Ack.
That looked painful at 2nd.
Fuck.
To riff on what the the Joker said in "Batman" ... "This team needs an enema."
Sigh. Sure seems like Jete is hitting a lot of GIDPs these days.
Yanks just lost to a 19-36 team, while the Rays were beating a 28-26 team to tie for first place.
Disastrous.
I am in awe of Captain GIDP right now.
He is the destroyer of worlds
330) according to gameday, every ball that Jeter swung at was in the zone.
Jetes, I was kinda joking in [310]
Bottom Line:
If Jeter and ARod don't pick it up for the next 6 weeks, we will be lucky to win the WC.
I just lost my mind over here. Letter to management must be coming right up. Can't there be an exemption for a lunatic outburst when something that messed up happens?
I kind of defy you to be a baseball fan and not lose your shit over that.
[344] Don't worry, Raf; it's obvious the team is not taking anything we say to heart...
[343] Yeah, and after a couple of calls earlier in the game, even if they weren't I can understand why he would swing at them... Would've seen a nice punch the other way or a 'K' rather than a double play
It was thrown right at the damn padding... why didn't you take one for the team
<Nancy Kerrigan howl Waaaaahhhhhhhhhyyyyyyyy? Waaaaahhhhhhhhhhyyyyyy?
[346] I didn't lose my shit, just shook my head.
The Yankees may not only be a team poised for a late season collapse, but the future doesn't look too bright unless so big changes are made during the off season.
dammit, computer just ate my
dammit to hell
Hmmm - that's interesting - I guess a "" doesn't show up.
348) maybe he should have taken strike two (2-1) to see if the ump would give the call to the wild pitcher, but aftfer that he sorta kinda had to protect the plate. But yeah, I wish he would have just missed the ball instead of the seemingly inevitable DP.
Ok, now HTML is just taunting me.
I'm trying to make the close bold/italics/etc. thing, but it ain't happening.
I think we also need to talk about what a wreck Javier Vazquez has become again.
[354] He absolutely has to take the 2-1 pitch for the very reason you mentioned. Swinging at the pitch was just awful.
But please, don't anyone complain about sacred/cow GENIUS Kevin Long who took these rag-tag hitters who were NOTHING before he met them and turned them into the fine players you see today
356) I guess. But on the ladder of problems this evening, he on a pretty low rung. In the end he was inefficient but his performance was not devastating.
I am still in awe of Derek Jeter's ability to hit into the soul-crushing double play.
That was like the Michelangelo of hitting into double plays.
oh good, Tampa won...well that's just fucking perfect
[354] I kinda figured that he would be swinging @ the 2-1 pitch, and I thought it was ball 3.
The worst part about Derek Jeter's sudden decline is you just know he is going to be the last person to acknowledge it. In that spot, he needed to be like Cervelli or Gardner and make Valverde get two strikes on his own, but I am sure Jeter still thinks he is the hitter he once was. That form of denial could make for an ugly end of his career.
[359] I'm surprised he had 6 k's in 4 innings
jjmerlock eats his fist
film at 11
I don't think I've ever seen a horror movie that disturbed me more than watching that ball in "ohmyfuckinglordthisisnothappening" motion off of Jeter's bat.
Maybe Rosemary's Baby. But that was some profoundly creepy shit.
third time in a row i've had to recap a soul-crusher, spew where ever you prefer, NPUT.
[366] Ah, so it's YOUR fault... JINX!
[367] that has definitely occurred to me, i need a trip to scranton, or at least the pine.
363) Swinging at a clear strike on 2-1 is not really the issue...I think you're focusing on the wrong thing, because you want to make this a failure of approach as opposed to simply a failure of execution. OK, so maybe he should have taken and it still would have been 2-2, and then he still would have been forced to protect the plate. I would have preferred that he take, but I am not going to get too worked up about it.
The far bigger issue is Jeter's extreme groundball to flyball ratio. He hit into a DP not because he is in denial or shortsighted or selfish or morally flawed or whatever and did not take a strike on 2-1, he hit into a DP because he is hitting weak grounballs to the shortstop at a disturbing rate.
And of course, the bigger issue than that is the team as a whole is simply not hitting. Add in a few a blackholes getting too much PT and, well, we see the results.
[369] i don't think jeter should have swung at 2-1, and i think it was definitely going to be called a ball (even though it was a strike) because the catcher was moving clear across the plate to catch it. but jeter couldn't have known that he was missing the spot by so much, so i guess you're right.
363) In that spot, he needed to be like Cervelli or Gardner and make Valverde get two strikes on his own...
And this is a bir misleading. Cervelli and Gardner never saw strike two, so we don't know if they would have been taking or not. The 2-1 pitch to Jeter was, however, a strike, so he was faced with a different scenario than the previous two batters.
[369] It wasn't a clear strike. It was borderline at best, and the umpire was probably not going to give Valverde the benefit of the doubt. One way to avoid failing to produce to allow your opponent that honor. If it was Tex, or Cano or even Arod, I'd have no problem with trying to seize the moment, but Jeter is now in a position where he needs to take a backseat.
You are correct in what Jeter's biggest problems are, but those are the reasons he needed to not swing the bat (because it increases the chances of all the negative things that keep happening when he puts the ball in play).
[371] I wasn't assuming they were taking, but suggesting those types of hiiters (Gardner a singles hitter and Cervelli an awful one) need make Valverde hang himself. Jeter has become such a hitter.
372) whatever...it looked on gameday to be a clear strike, easily within the one inch or so tolerance that gameday claims.
[374] It may have been, but PitchFX has three pitches that were called a ball as being with in the strike zone. In fact, one of the balls to Jeter was in the zone (same horizontal location but higher). Valverde was not going to be given a close call. It was Jeter's job to test that theory.
Walk off hit for Melky in Atlanta...remember when he used to do that in the Bronx?
New thread up.