"The Yankees Most Valuable Player"

Came across a complimentary article about Brian Cashman in New York magazine. The article is titled: "The Yankees Most Valuable Player." Here's an excerpt:

"Cashman recognizes the trends conspiring against the Yankees and sees the need to alter the team’s big-bucks way of doing business. Meanwhile, he hears the clock ticking on the club’s homegrown core of Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, and Bernie Williams. All season, Cashman has preached pitching and patience, insisting that the Yankees made the proper moves over the winter and simply need to get all their players healthy again to have a legitimate shot at a 2004 ticker-tape parade—while at the same time stockpiling ammunition to reload the 2005 Bombers."

The cruel joke is that the article was written 3 years ago. How's the "stockpiling" going? Well Will Nieves is ready to take over for Posada. An army of one-dimensional mediocrities have attempted to take Tino's place. Kyle Farnsworth is the heir apparent to the Great Rivera. He passed on Beltran and subsequently gave Damon 4 years. The farm system is overflowing--in the spring we were told the Triple-A rotation was the future-- than it turns out that Brian took 2 damaged-good pitchers for Sheffield. So now, it's the Double-A rotation that is the light at the end of the tunnel. Just in case the kids aren't quite ready, the Yanks can always rely on Igawa or Clemens.

Here's what Cashman told Peter Abraham, yesterday: "I can't be foolish..." "This season has made no sense." Well that should make the Bomber faithful feel warm and fuzzy.

Hillenbrand to the rescue?

It is being widely reported that the Yankees will pick up Shea Hillenbrand from the Angels, who are designating him for assignment on Friday. Be still my heart. Can Shea be the straw that stirs the drink? Will he be challenged to a fist fight by the manager again?(not likely). This might be Cashman's biggest deal since Igawa.
Here's what MLB Trade Rumors thinks:
"I imagine there's a slight chance of pawning him off on the Yankees, who seem to have an odd infatuation with Hillenbrand. Once they experience him firsthand, that'll change. How about Hillenbrand and salary relief for Kyle Farnsworth? Not that the Angels need him, but the Yankees sure don't want him. "

The lucky team that lands Hillenbrand will be his 6TH stop in 6 illustrious seasons. He brings with him a season to date OBP of .275 and 22 RBI to go along with a reputation of attitude issues. For some reason, the Yankee GM finds it impossible to find a capable first baseman. This promises to be yet another failed attempt to fill Tino's shoes. I know these things take time.

Motivating the Bombers

When mellow Joe Torre hangs up his spikes, the Yanks might consider this guy:

Is Bonds underrated?

I posted the You Tube video below to give a perspective on Barry Bonds we don't hear much about. The hype and focus is on home runs and steroids. We forget the 8 gold-gloves, the 500+ stolen bases etc. Those are impressive statistics but the accomplishment that stands out to me is the 7 Most Valuable Player awards. Peter Gammons has been quoted as saying it would have been more if the writers didn't hate him so much. One of the constants in Bonds' career is lack of protection in the lineup. From the infamous Bobby Bonilla to Bengie Molina, Barry has never had anyone hitting behind him. The fact that he garnered 4 MVP s more than anyone in history sets him apart from anyone.

Game of Shadows clearly documents that Bonds cheated and why--when Sosa and Big Mac were treated as heroes he got jealous. The irony is that by joining the cheating fraternity it diminished the focus on his all around game. His legacy would have received more respect if he had done things the old fashion way--just earn it.

Is Bonds underrated?

Yanks fall apart

The truth hurts--this years Yankee squad is a poorly constructed, underachieving, mess. The recent hot-streak was a mirage. It's not a coincidence that 73 games into the season they are below .500.

The Giants are a bad team, losing to them again was not easy. Here's a blueprint:

• Mussina takes the mound with his bulging 5.10 ERA. Apparently, Joe Torre believes it is mandatory to have Will Nieves behind the plate, regardless of the circumstances. Nieves starts the game with these #s--.114/.156/.116 they are consistent with his lifetime production--.144/.183/.184. I am not a stat. guy but it's safe to assume the Giants will get 2 free outs every time through the order. But wait, let's not forget, the defensive ramifications: 12 stolen base attempts, 11 successful.
• The Bomber's brutal bench is exposed--again. First pinch-hitter, Chris Basak makes his first career plate appearance. Basak a 28 yr. old career minor-leaguer hits a routine line drive out to Bonds in left. Running hard he stands at 2ND believing he doubled. Sympathy, is a nice emotion but Bronx Bombers aren't supposed to have people feel sorry for them.
• Later, Torre summons Damon to the plate(rumors of his death are slightly exaggerated.) Johnny,battling injuries to the calves, achilles, back, rib-cage, and tooth(seriously) manages to make it to the batters box. Stirring memories of Kirk Gibson, Johnny lines a single to right. He promptly steals 2ND and advances to third on an error. The Giants concede the run by playing the infield back. Posada grounds out to Klesko and Damon never bothers to score. He does manage a befuddled look to perplexed 3rd base coach Larry Bowa.
• The bullpen, worn out from the previous day's debacle, calls on Roger Clemens to make his 2ND career relief appearance. A memorable match-up with Bonds turns mundane as the Rocket walks him on 5 pitches. Roger hits 91 on the radar gun, just another reminder that rust never sleeps.
• A 4-1 deficit, in the 8Th, balloons as Jeter boots a double-play ball and Cabrera makes 2 gaffes in center. Farnsworth, on the mound, glares out to center and shakes his head--now he knows how his teammates feel every time he takes the mound.

Brian Cashman and Joe Torre have received many accolades over the years, many of them well-earned. It's time for them to be held responsible for this debacle.

Torre's dubious decisions

Can high altitude effect decision making? Joe Torre had a rough series. Here's a few of his decisions:

• Game 1: Playing without the DH, Joe puts Will Nieves in the starting lineup. The .116 hitting Nieves is Mussina's personal catcher, after all. A rested Posada, having an MVP caliber year, is moved to first base for the first time in years. He is given virtually no preparation. Miguel Cairo is benched despite performing at a high level and providing a spark to the team during the recent hot streak. Mussina, a veteran pitcher, with an ERA of 5.10, doesn't like his routine altered. Torre decides to stick to Moose's schedule regardless of the circumstances.
• Game 2: Johnny Damon cuts short BP because of pain in the rib-cage. It was obvious from Damon's demeanor, on the bench, that he was in pain--his normal affable presence replaced by dour countenance. Joe has the injured player pinch-hit.
• Game 3: The starting lineup, for this important contest, has the injured Damon in center. Melky Cabrera watches from the bench. This hurts the team offensively and defensively.
• 7Th inning Yanks losing 4-2, Cano leads off with a double. Cairo lays down a sacrifice bunt--Why? The Rockies have a strong bullpen, time is running out, why give away an out? Torre uses Cabrera as a pinch-hitter. He drives in the run. Yank's still behind. The inning concludes, Johnny Damon takes over at first(huh?). Andy Phillips recently called up because of his defensive prowess watches from the bench as Johnny promptly makes an error.

It's a manager's responsibility, to put his team in a position to maximize their potential. In other words, give them the best chance possible to win. Joe Torre didn't do that in Colorado.

Rocket crashes in Rockies

Yanks played an important matinee today--this team can't afford losing streaks. With Kei Igawa pitching tomorrow, it was time for Roger Clemens to pay his first big dividend. It didn't happen.

Matsui gave the Bombers an early 2-0 lead by going deep. Roger gave it right back by giving up two long homers. In his first plate appearance, Clemens hit a slow roller to 3RD. Rather than resulting in a close play, it was an easy out. Replays showed Roger waddling towards first in a half-hearted jog. YES broadcaster Michael Kay noted the lack of hustle and explained it saying: "The last thing Roger needs to do is pull a leg or groin muscle running to first." Later in the telecast Kay referenced the Rocket's: "legendary workouts."

Clemens lasted 41/3 innings, giving up 3 runs. Analyst Ken Singleton summed up the disappointing performance by saying: "I have to believe the altitude effected Roger today, in what would have been his 6TH spring training game, remarkably he struck out 6 batters." Objective analysis at it's finest.

Yanks' first base "mish-mosh"

Mark Healey, at Gotham Baseball, provides an interesting rundown of various Bomber trade scenarios that would, hypothetically, plug the hole at first:
"Instead, the resurgent Carlos Pena of the Devil Rays has started to become a player that the Yankees are looking at. Always a fine fielder, the journeyman Pena -- who has had stints with Texas, Detroit, Oakland and Boston -- has finally started to hit like the once-vaunted prospect (.317, 16 HRs, 42 RBIs) he once was considered. The ability to play 1B at a high level, which would allow the Yankees to abandon the current mish-mosh of Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada and Josh "hands of Stone" Phelps, would be attractive in more ways than not. "There are some questions as to what the Devil Rays would want," one AL scout told Gotham Baseball. "But, while they're not getting (Tyler) Clippard in return, the Rays do like Sean Henn. "

I've been a consistent critic of Brian Cashman. The most recent (I like Mark's term),"mish-mosh", is another reason for me to question Brian's judgement.

Let's see if I have this right. The Yank's started the 2006 season with Jason Giambi as the every day first baseman. The fans were told that Jason was a much better offensive player when he played the field(the stats backed them up). A month into the season, Giambi's defense was so inadequate that a casting call began. Andy Phillips couldn't cut it with the bat. Carlos Pena (mentioned prominently in Mark's article) was signed and sent to Columbus. The off season remedy was the platoon of Doug Mienthiewicz(his 4TH team in 5 years) and Josh Phelps(who had no recent production at the major league level)--he beat out Phillips in spring training. This all leads, to the emergence of Miguel Cairo, a solid utility man, but not exactly the prototypical corner infielder, and rumors of Damon(ugh!) and Posada--in the future fine, but interupting his MVP caliber season, with this distraction so that Moose doesn't have his routine altered is ridiculous.

After all this, comes news the Yank's are about to recall Phillips and are considering a myriad of options that range from redundant(Pena) to outrageously expensive(Helton). Is it really this difficult to find a solid first baseman?

Yank's ace arrives

Every championship caliber team needs an ace, someone who will take the ball and consistently deliver quality innings and produce wins. The team can be confident that if they produce a lead the #1 guy will preserve it. The manager can be confident that he won't have to overuse the bullpen.

The ace of the Bomber's staff arrived in the Bronx last night. Chien-Ming Wang removed any doubt that he has the temperament, focus and arsenal of pitches to be the man. We all knew about the high-octane sinker which fueled him to 19 wins last season. Heard rumors about an evolving slider. Last night, the finished product was on display--the slider was real, a change up that screwed the red-hot Reyes into the ground in the 8Th, 95 mile an hour high-heat to change the hitters eye level. The Mets were over matched.

Participating in a pennant race and making the playoffs isn't good enough for Yankee zealots. A successful season is producing a team that has a legit chance to win a ring. The Yankee's new ace gives them a chance to achieve their goal.

El Duque

Tonight's subway series finale features one of my favorite baseball players, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez. Orlando is a winner. He started winning a long time ago. Following his destiny, to pitch for the Bombers, he escaped Cuba. According to some reports, he had to navigate shark invested waters while surviving on bread and water, to make it to the promised land. Even if these stories have has much veracity as his reported age (the world's oldest 38 year-old), they make for a great anecdote.

He found the pinstripes a perfect fit. El Duque went on to become one of the most accomplished pitchers in post-season history. He plays the game with a distinctive style that sets him apart from the pack.

For reasons I've never understood, the Yankee front office decided they were better off without Hernandez on the staff. Omar Moreno, made a shrewd move signing Orlando to a 2-year deal in the off season. He enters tonight's game with a sparkling 2.78 ERA and a history of winning big games. Come to think of it, what could the Yanks possibly do with a pitcher of his caliber?

Yankee trade speculation

Now that the pennant race is real, its time to play GM. and ponder some ways to shore up the roster. Here's an interesting one from Sox and Pinstripes:
"If Igawa struggles in round two, I seriously consider trading Kyle Farnsworth for Jon Lieber if that deal even exists anymore. Farnsworth(less) has three 1-2-3 innings in 29 chances this season. Three. However, teams like the Phillies could use a shutdown pitcher out of the 'pen and may believe Farnsy can be more effective in the NL. If that deal happened, Lieber would be the five starter, Igawa would be the long reliever, I would cut Ron Villone and promote Edwar Ramirez, who is just having fun at this point in Scranton. Igawa and Lieber's roles could be reversed depending on performance. "
I am all for trading Farnsworth. Bruney and Proctor are more reliable. After Tyler got torched again today, it's apparent that the kids aren't ready, let the Vets. finish the season. Next up on the agenda should be a first baseman. Cairo deserves kudos, but is not an every day player. Was concerned we would miss the day to day joy of the pennant race but the Bombers are back.

The kids are allright

Every picture tells a story, don't it--Rod Stewart
I get a kick out of watching Cano and Cabrera play. Anyone who has ever played the game, can relate to the joy they exhibit on a consistent basis. With all the negative media hyperbole and incessant preoccupation with money, it's fun watching the kids enjoy themselves playing a game.

Selig's witch hunt

The USA Today is reporting that commissioner Bud Selig will suspend Jason Giambi if he doesn't cooperate with baseball's ongoing investigation. River Ave. Blues writes:

"Selig is trying to use Giambi’s comments to give some weight to what everyone already thinks is a spineless investigation. The Mitchell Investigation has floundered. It has no subpoena power and is instead relying on players to volunteer information. Well, the players have just learned a lesson: If you volunteer information to someone other than Mitchell, be prepared to face the consequences.
The Players Association will file a grievance in this case, and they would probably win such a case. Selig is about to start down a dangerous path that could threaten nearly a decade of labor peace in baseball. Let’s hope this doesn’t come to pass."

I think Selig knows this will fail. This is about face-saving. He started a 30-million dollar investigation that has produced nothing. When the union fights this and wins he can say he tried but the union stopped me. Just another boondoggle to add to Bud's legacy.

Earth to Yankee fans

"I've been down so long it looks like up to me"-- The Doors

Yes, indeed,back to .500 how sweet it is. You can actually see a pennant--wild card race on the horizon. Best case scenario, the Tigers take the Central. The Yanks butt heads with the Indians, A's, Twins, Mariners and whoever else is breathing, if they can't overtake this bunch, they don't deserve the postseason.

Ultimate leap of faith--the Bombers get in and get hot at the right time(IE. 2006 Cardinals.) First things first--let's get to 1 game over .500.

Defending the Designated Hitter

As an opinionated non-conformist, I am not shy about expressing myself. Normally, it's enjoyable to go against the grain and express ideas that prompt others to shake their heads. There is one topic, however, that I had gotten weary of debating. You see, I like the designated hitter rule,was convinced that I was the only person in the baseball universe that got it until I read the following at Thurman Munson belongs in the Hall of Fame:

Al Leiter said:
"National League baseball is much more strategic (than American League baseball). There's no question."
"Yeah.. right..
Let's see... replacing a crappy hitter with another cold, crappy hitter off of the bench is SOOOO more strategic and interesting than having to pitch to a hitter who could potentially win the game with a big hit.
Watching a pitcher hit or bunt a runner to 2nd with 0-1 outs is SOOOO much more strategic and interesting than trying to pitch to a hitter who could potentially win the game with a big hit."

My personal favorite scenario is bases-loaded 3rd inning, starting pitcher on the ropes, two outs opposing pitcher waddles to the plate to donate free out. I like competition this doesn't qualify. A few years ago,on a Braves broadcast Don Sutton acknowledged that it's common practice for pitchers to make out on purpose, to save energy, late in games. His comments confirmed what my eyes had witnessed. I don't want to see Managers think; I want to see players compete.

Yanks back to the future

I have been advocating a long-term rebuilding approach for the current Yankee roster. This is heresy in Yankee-land where the win now or else mantra is a way of life. Selena Roberts, of the New York Times, makes the point for me, in an article titled, "A Debut, but Hardly A Fresh Start:



"But the past wasn’t supposed to be the Yankees’ future. The pinstriped pipers had spent the past seven years flogging teams like the Pirates with a band of mercenaries, only to end up humiliated in the playoffs by the Angels or the Tigers. The Yankees had spent an entire off-season purging their aging ghosts and expensive albatrosses in an attempt to move in a younger direction for a brighter future.
The old star system wasn’t working, as Brian Cashman declared on several occasions. With his request for autonomy, Cashman drew up a more sophisticated blueprint, which, as it turned out, had all the shelf life of goat’s milk.
If anything, Clemens is the platinum memento of Cashman’s panic. By signing Clemens to a deal that will cost the Yankees $24.4 million counting the luxury tax, Cashman lost patience with his own ambition to be the next Billy Beane. "



It is what it is. The kids Cashman traded for were either damaged goods or not ready. After watching yet another prospect(Clippard) get rocked today. I have come to realize that they are better off letting the veterans have a last hurrah than throwing the rookies to the wolves.

Clemens Mania

Roger did his job today. Six solid innings, nothing fell off, Yanks get a win, which is the bottom line. Couldn't help myself, had to turn on the radio, John Sterling and Susan Waldman where hyperventilating with enthusiasm. I miss the Scooter.

Selig's target

Steve Lombardi, from Was Watching, writes a column titled, "Bud goes after Giambi." He comments about Bud Selig asking Jason Giambi to cooperate with MLB's ongoing investigation. Here's an excerpt:

'Discipline for wrongdoing is important, but it is also important to create an environment so players can feel free to honestly and completely cooperate with this important investigation.'
"If I'm Giambi, it's time to play the deny, deny, deny, card."

(The first quote is from Bud Selig.)

When it comes to lame, hypocrisy Selig rules. What Bud may have meant was: I spent 30 million on this toothless investigation, in order to look good for the Feds. Hopefully, we can all pretend that my administration was tough on steroids.

His concept of discipline is to coerce Giambi into testifying, freely and honestly. After all, it's not as if testimony gets leaked to the press or anything. When Jason's team of attorneys get done with him, I'm sure he will give insightful input. Perhaps, he can borrow from his fellow bash-brother: "I'm not here to talk about the past..."

Sheffield's race card

Filip Bondy, of the New York Daily News, documents Gary Sheffield's latest inane ramblings:



'Where I'm from, you can't control us,' Sheffield said. '... These are the things my race demands. So, if you're equally good as this Latin player, guess who's going to get sent home? I know a lot of players that are home now can outplay a lot of these guys.'
"This is utter nonsense, a sweeping generalization of the sloppiest sort, and it feeds dangerously into the whole immigrant worker paranoia that permeates our country", Bondy writes.



I have always admired the fact that baseball is such an integral part of life in Latin America. The idea of using baseball as a springboard, to improve their lives, is an admiral one. Sheffield's demeaning Latin players, as a group, is either ignorant or racist--either way he needs to shut-up.

Turnaround game?

The Yank's dramatic win over the Sox, in Fenway, brought back warm memories. A-Rod's clutch bomb puts the team up one. Enter Sandman, to battle the omnipresent Ortiz, with Manny in the wings. Vintage Rivera was enough to notch a victory.

It was sweet, but does it mean anything? Replacement Level Yankees, doesn't think so:

"There’s no such thing as a turnaround game, which is what many people will probably try to call this. A team either plays well, or it doesn’t. If they start to play better from here on out, it’s not because of this game. "

A glance at the Yankee projected pitching rotation this week supports this position: tonight DeSalvo, followed by Clippard, perhaps, a gimpy Rocket on Saturday. Pettitte left last nights game with back spasm's. The grim reality is it will be very difficult for the Yank's to play great the rest of the way regardless of how good last night's win felt.

Moose meat

Thurman Munson Should be in the Hall of Fame, makes the following observation about Mike Mussina:

"Mike Mussina REALLY needs to either retire or be given his walking papers. He can't get anyone out consistently, and his stuff is absolutely crappy. Just when the Yankees get the lead AND the momentum, Moose hands the game back to the Bosox on a platter. I'd rather see one of our young guys getting the chance, than some over-the-hill softball pitcher. It's about time that everybody stops making excuses for him. He's just terrible"

Mussina is another player that has shown clear signs of decline for a couple of years, rather than acknowledge it and find other options, Cashman gives him a two-year deal. His previous Yankee contract was so bad--huge last year salary or hefty buy-out that Mike had them in a corner. Mussina is a Stanford graduate, with a degree in economics, Brian Cashman isn't.

Now the Yanks are in the position that if they trade Moose they will have to pay virtually all of the money due. I have no problem with this if: A) they have a good young pitcher to take his place or B) they can acquire a quality prospect. Given the front office's recent track record neither option looks viable.

Torre comes alive

Joe Torre's track record speaks for itself. It's hard, but not impossible, to second guess the leader of a dynasty.

When the winning stops and losing becomes routine, the focus invariably ends up on what's wrong. Torre has always used a highly professional, let's compete as gentleman, approach. For years, Yankee hitters have been hit by pitches and gently moved to first. Retaliation is not in the game plan--since 2003 Yankee hitters have been hit 63 times by Red Sox pitchers, while only 43 of their guys have been plunked.

Umpire makes a bad call, attitude is oh well we all make mistakes, don't want to show the guy up (somewhere Billy Martin is rolling in his grave).

Curt Schilling pitches big game with bad ankle and bloody sock. Do the Yanks repeatedly bunt and force him to field position and accentuate their advantage? No way, in Joe's words, "We don't play like that."

Losing leads to frustration which can force people to change their routine. Last night Joe Torre, vehemently argued with an umpire and let some emotion out. Later in the game, a Yankee pitcher, Scott Proctor, actually protected his hitters by going up and in. The Bombers showed signs of life (desperation?) and by sheer coincidence, won the game.

A-Rod's future in pinstripes

Pro-Sports Daily, links to an article, by Bob Klapisch, in the Bergen Record that casts doubt about A-Rod's future with the Yanks:
"All along, the Yankees were doubtful A-Rod would remain in pinstripes beyond 2007, but the latest tabloid scandal has turned everyone fatalistic. "In my mind it's over," one team official said of Rodriguez's tenure in New York. "It's not just him leaving; now you have to wonder how many free agents are going to have second thoughts about coming here. After this, who knows."

The tabloid, media frenzy makes New York a very tough place to play. The press in the N.Y.C. area thrive on negativity. There is no joy in Mudville.

A-Rod came to New York to win a ring. It's becoming obvious that the Yanks aren't serious championship contenders without some significant re-tooling.

California is a nice mellow place. The Angels have the money. He can tip his cap to his agent Scott Boras (who has an executive box at the home of the Halos), for negotiating the opt-out clause, that can help him escape from New York.