Yankees' move to improve

The Yankees lost to "Oliver (bleeping) Koufax" Sunday, concluding the sweet spot of the schedule. Where do they stand?:
"This morning’s AL East standings report that the Yankees are closer to last place than they are to first place with 82 games down and 80 to go. A large percentage of their fan base is working on the assumption that Tampa Bay will fold, and that the Yankees will seize the wild card on muscle memory.
But these aren’t Joe Torre’s Yanks who have made a dozen consecutive trips to the postseason. These are Joe Girardi’s Yanks who are giving the ball to people named Darrell Rasner and Sidney Ponson and David Robertson and Dan Giese.
So with the fog of Mets’ turmoil lifting just a bit, it seemed like the right time to ask the Yankees if they were starting to sweat the big stuff - like the real possibility that this could be the year they finally miss the playoffs.
"Where are we? I don’t even know," Derek Jeter said as he walked out of his Shea clubhouse and toward the bus."--Boston Herald. Next question.

Is there help on the way? "I'll stay engaged on the trade market, but you can't count on anything from that side."--Brian Cashman, (NY Times.) File this under keeping the expectations on the GM as low as possible, contrast this with the hype cast on the neophyte players.

Is that all there is? No, the rebuilt farm offers fortification:

• David Robertson replaced Kei Igawa (who says the news is all bad?) Who is this guy? "Robertson debuted for the New York Yankees today in a 3-1 loss to the New York Mets in the final game of this weekend's Subway Series.
  A Tuscaloosa native drafted away from Alabama in June 2006, Robertson got the call up Saturday and immediately had the distinction of announcing the Yankees' lineup on the Fox national broadcast, joking that "I just got here, so I don't really know anyone here."
  Robertson opened the season at Double-A Trenton, but was promoted to Triple A Scranton-Wilkes Barre on May 2. He went 3-0 with a 1.64 ERA in 33 innings before joining the sport's most storied ballclub.
  "I figured sooner or later I'd get a shot," Robertson said, "but I got the call sooner than I expected."--AL.com. The future is now.
• LoHud reports that the Yanks are about to promote Brett Gardner: "This is a very interesting move on several fronts. Gardner is the kind of outfielder the Yankees usually don’t have in that his best weapon is his speed and ability to make contract.
  Gardner is a scrappy type of player, the kind of guy who purposely slaps it on the ground, beats the throw to first, steals second and scores on a single. Gardner is charitably listed at 5-10, 180 and was a walk-on as a freshman at the College of Charleston. By his senior year he hit .447 and led his team to 48 wins and into the NCAA tournament.
  I watched him play a lot in spring training and at Scranton a few weeks ago. There’s a chance he’ll get overmatched. But there’s also a chance he’ll add a burst of energy into the offense. I would imagine he’s coming up to play, otherwise they’re stunting his development." Here's a scouting report from Baseball Prospectus: "Gardner has some things going for him--excellent speed, good range, some patience and the ability to hit for for a respectable average. The thing that will keep him on a major league bench..is a complete, total, absolute lack of power." I agree that this is an "interesting move." It seems logical that the Yanks will trade Melky sooner rather than later. Girardi said yesterday that Betemit is the DH, so Damon stays in left. You can't routinely sit young players, "otherwise they're stunting (their) development." Brian Cashman was asked in the spring to name one prospect that could impact the Yanks this season, his answer--"Brett Gardner."
• Need more pitching?: "One intriguing internal option, the fast-rising Alfredo Aceves, was placed on the seven-day disabled list for Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a groin problem. But Cashman called the injury “very minor” and said Aceves would return to the Scranton rotation in a week.
  Ian Kennedy is healthy again after missing time with a strained lat muscle, but he is working his way back to form after struggling in April and May. Kennedy tossed five shutout innings for Class A Tampa on Saturday but does not seem close to returning.
  “He’s not on the D.L. now,” Girardi said. “This is earning his way back, just like the other 175 players or so in the minors.”--NY Times. Kennedy's dose of MLB reality has tempered the hype.
• The next Joba will have to wait: “We’re going to be very cautious with Mark,” Cashman said. “I’m not saying he’s not (going to be in the majors) but I wouldn’t have him on your fast track, either. We just want to make sure we’re doing right by the player.”
  Need often trumps desire when it comes to the Yankees. The Yankees said last season that Phil Hughes would spend a significant part of the season in Triple-A and he was called up in April.
  I get the feeling the Yankees regret rushing Hughes."

Say what you will about the state of the New York Yankees; the one description you won't find is boring.

Yanks' Farnsworth almost inspires confidence

The Yankees' new, old, eight inning guy got the job done Saturday against the Mets. Apparently, a couple of distinguised members of the Bombers' bloggers aren't convinced it's the bridge to the future:



"I have to be honest, I was sweating the bottom of the 8th inning. Yanks up by just one, the Mets 2-3-4 hitters coming to the plate, and Kyle Farnsworth pitching. Man, General Joe has the guts of a burglar…either that, or, he really does think that Farnsworth is a capable pitcher…"--Was Watching.

"How many of you died with Kyle Farnsworth pitching the eighth in a one-run game? That the Mets had up their middle-of-the-lineup guys just made it worse. While Farnsworth came through in a very high leverage situation, if ever there is a time to go to your best reliever for a two-inning save, that was it."--River Ave Blues

Ye of little faith.

Yankees' --"anti-Joba"

" The legend of Joba grows..."--Singleton, YES. Apparently, the growth has reached the West Coast:

"He gets more hype than Tim Lincecum even though he was a lower draft pick and his numbers are inferior.
Why?
Pinstripes, baby.
Anything that happens with a New York team, it's reality if you divide by 10. Depending on who you believe, Chamberlain, a setup man turned starter, is anywhere between the Yankees' future ace and the greatest living pitcher, a Hall of Famer in the making... put him on the Brewers or Pirates, and suddenly he's not the second coming of Whitey Ford."--SF Chronicle.

The article also reports on a Yankee toiling in anonymity, Justin Christian:
"Christian is the anti-Joba, undrafted and unheralded, someone who admits he wasn't always the best player on the roster, a guy desperate for a break who worked his way to the majors competing against high draft picks who were given every possible break.
Christian was not drafted out of Aragon High School in San Mateo, where he graduated in 1998. Nor Skyline Junior College in San Bruno, where he played one season. Nor Auburn. Nor Southeast Missouri State, where he won third-team All-America honors.
In fact, his first baseball gig out of college was with the River City (Mo.) Rascals of the independent Frontier League, a frantic attempt for two seasons (2003, '04) to get noticed and keep his career alive.
Four years later, he proved that scouts can make serious mistakes. Tuesday, he made his big-league debut with the Yankees."

Unheralded, against all odd prospects--Christian, Giese, Small--are fun to root for while we pin the hopes of the future on "the legend of Joba."

Yankees flash potential

Some wins are more significant than others. The Yankees 3-2 victory over the Mets Saturday was an important one. Beating an elite pitcher, on his home turf, in front of a big crowd is what successful postseason teams do. The Yanks rode quality pitching in a taught game and came out on top. It was all good.

Pettitte provided six strong innings--2 runs, another timely pickoff-- and handed a one run lead to the rebuilt bullpen bridge. Veras and Farnsworth did the job and passed a test, two scoreless innings got the ball to Rivera who did what he does--game over. The Yankees showed what is possible, now if they can find a way to add consistency to the mix, it will be time for the pennant race.

Notes:

• Jose Veras has emerged from a long, long list of bullpen hopefuls: "Veras gradually has gained -- and inspired -- confidence as his role has increased. He's pretty much taken care of business when his name's been called, as evidenced by his 2-0 record and 0.73 ERA in his last 11 outings. Veras, who pitched the seventh, allowed a two-out single to pinch hitter Marlon Anderson, but that was it. "Veras has really stepped up for us," manager Joe Girardi said. "He's given us some big, big outs."--Newsday.
• Don't like the latest roster move? Wait a day something will change:"The Yankees called up righthander Dave Robertson, 23, from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Robertson had a combined 1.39 ERA in 29 games for Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. He allowed 26 hits and 22 walks in 51 2/3 innings, striking out 74.Robertson said the call-up came "a whole lot quicker than I thought. I wasn't really expecting it. I'm just glad to be here."The Yankees optioned lefthander Kei Igawa to Scranton to make room for Robertson. They also removed righthander Oneli Perez from the 40-man roster to clear a spot."--Newsday. I'll take a fresh face looking to prove himself over a retread any time.
  

Yankees' bullpen management

The Yankees' bullpen is a topic that never fades. Last season's beleaguered crew was rescued by a Double-A kid. Joba Chamberlain had bigger and better things to do so the traditionally wobbly relief corps would have to stand on it's own, sooner or later. Fox Sports sees improvement:

"Joe Torre's biggest weakness as Yankees manager was that he overused his most trusted relievers. Bullpen management, by contrast, could prove to be one of Joe Girardi's biggest strengths.
Girardi is spreading the workload among his relievers more evenly than Torre did — and the Yankees' bullpen, even after losing Joba Chamberlain to the rotation, continues to perform well.
Since May 29, the day after Chamberlain's last relief appearance, Yankees relievers are 6-3 with a 3.25 ERA, nine saves in 10 opportunities and a .236 opponents' batting average, according to STATS Inc. In 74 2/3 innings, they have struck out 76 and walked 29... part of the credit goes to Girardi, who makes use of all 12 of his pitchers — as opposed to Torre, who rarely trusted more than eight." Ken Rosenthal also presents a chart in the piece that he acknowledges is "skewed." (NOTE: the stats quoted contain the work of Rivera who has been dominant since day one.)

I checked the other options that Torre was reluctant to use: Henn (ERA 7.12) Karstens (11.12) Ramirez (8.14) Veras (5.79) Brower (13.50) Bean (12.10) Britton (3.44.) if these guys were worthy of being trusted why haven't they reemerged? Ramirez and Veras have shown improvement, but young pitchers take time and are inconsistent, they got their feet wet last season and improvement should happen. Britton did reemerge after a massive off season weight loss, Torre had to deal with the out of shape version. Clearly, Torre had overuse issues that hurt Proctor and Villone but keep in mind the expectations to win were much higher during his reign. Girardi has leaned on Rivera more at this juncture than Torre did (see chart) the new Joe is trying to establish a winning record and is going with old reliable. Sounds familiar.

I agree with the premise that "bullpen management could be one of Girardi's strenghts." The new Joe had an excellent reputation for handling pitchers during his playing career and those skills should serve him well. But the jury's still out. Running up stats in lopsided games against a weak schedule doesn't prove anything. Time will tell how trustworthy this year's crew will be. In the meantime, the implication that it was all Torre's fault needs to fade away.

Yanks escape subway crash

The Yankees' subway series doubleheader Friday, started bad --a 15-6, "embarrassment"--and figured to get worse. When the Bombers got off the bus from the Bronx, the marquee in Queens read Pedro vs. Ponson. Adding to the angst, was the pre-game transaction that returned Kei Igawa to the scene of the crime. Fans battling traffic and paying premium prices had to be wondering, "Why?"

David Cone provided the headline for the nightcap, "Opportunity central for another Yankees' pitcher." Not exactly, " the pride and the pinstripes," but it is what it is.

Ponson waddled to the mound and borrowed a page from Ali's rope a dope strategy. Eight base runners reached in three innings, but no one scored--go figure. Igawa warming up, ("If the thunder don't get you the lightning will."--Grateful Dead.) signaled the brink of disaster. The Bombers' bats saved the day, putting nine runs on the board. Sir Sidney Ponson pitched six shutout innings, Kei Igawa pitched a scoreless ninth, lowering his ERA to 13.50. Against all odds, the Yankees salvaged a split. Go figure.

Yankees' trade rumors

The C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes is imminent. According to John Heyman at S.I. the Yankees are on a long list of teams interested:

"The AL East-contending Yankees, Rays and Red Sox all are expected to be in the mix, though the Yankees' need is clearly much greater than that of the other two teams (for instance, Dan Giese and Sidney Ponson are starting the Subway Series-opening double header for them today). And despite injuries to Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, the Yankees' system is better than most believe; they would have the pieces to pull it off. One pitching prospect who's emerged is right-hander Alfredo Aceves, a $400,000 pickup from the Mexican League who is wowing them at Double-A Trenton with pinpoint control and a 1.80 ERA. The Yankees, though, say they won't consider trading second baseman Robinson Cano, one young player who'd surely interest the Indians."

The fact that the "Yankees' need is clearly much greater" was demonstrated today as the Mets exploited poor Yankees' pitching to pound the Bombers 15-6. Giese, Ramirez, Ohlendorf and mop up man extraordinaire Hawkins produced, "An embarrassing performance by Yankees' pitching."--Kay/YES. The fact is that as inconsistent as the Yanks have been, mediocre competition or as Baseball Prospectus, refers to it, "the NFL-ization of MLB" makes contention viable. A three month rental of the reigning AL CY Young winner would convert the Bombers from pretenders to contenders. It appears the big lefty has no long term interest in the Big Apple, "One person who knows Sabathia said ultimately he didn't see the pitcher chasing every last dollar as a free agent and suggested he couldn't envision the Bay Area native signing long-term in New York." That's fine, present a long list of hyped potential to the Indians and pull the trigger. The nucleus of the Bombers is old, make a deal and give them a chance at one more ring.

Yankees' comic relief

" And now for something completely different."--Monty Python
It is High, It is far, It is caught presents a few Yankees' updates you won't find in the mainstream media including, Ponson's preparation for the Mets, the Yankee employee of the month and a behind the scenes glimpse of the Bombers' brain trust: "What do you mean we've traded Matt DeSalvo? I needed him for the Mets series."

Sports Hernia presents Giambi's game face. (Warning not for the faint of heart.)

Yankees' Cash is King

The traditional Subway series makes stops in the Bronx and Queens today, as the Yankees and Mets square off. Newsday, provides a headline: "Congratulations, New York! You are the proud supporters of two non-putrid major-league teams." Mired in mediocrity translates to in the mix. Start spreading the news. The present may not light up the scoreboard but what about the future?

Ken Davidoff details how the Yanks are winning the war on the farm: "We've been very aggressive in the amateur market, as we said we would be."--Brian Cashman. Aggressive means the Yankees are ignoring commissioner Bud Selig's collusionesque bonus slots, "$7,432,500 spent in 2007 in the first 10 rounds."--Baseball America. If you can't outsmart the competition, flaunt your financial clout.

"Over in the Bronx, meanwhile, the Yankees drafted "sign-ability" guys in the first eight years of Cashman's tenure as GM -- seven flops and Phil Hughes in 2004.This marked one area in which the Yankees could exhibit good citizenship to Selig while they overpaid for Jason Giambi, Randy Johnson and so many others.When Cashman was set to bolt the Yankees after the 2005 season, he put forth, in writing, his recommendations for the organization. Part of that recommended business model was to ignore Selig's mandate and go after the best amateur talent available." This is called changing the culture, it's what bright corporate managers do when their track record is replete with errors.

Cashman's philosophy has another dimension, he believes in acquiring high-ceiling prospects with injury issues. Joba Chamberlain is an example of what can happen when you hit pay dirt. Gambling with the organization's money is a free roll, one hit will overshadow years of misses. While the Yanks pitch Rasner, Giese and Ponson in a pennant race, Hughes, Sanchez, Brackman and a few others rehabilitate. It's all part of the plan. Cash is king.

Photo/MLB

Yankees' trade rumors

The current Yankees' starting rotation includes: 1) Darrell Rasner--released last winter. 2) Dan Giese--a 31 year old rookie who was out of baseball two years ago. 3) Sir Sidney Ponson--journeyman malcontent. Something has to give in the trade market. Here's a couple of suggestions:

Dugout Central: "the irony is that while Zito could never be a winning pitcher with this anemic Giants club, there is reason to believe that he very well could be a winner in the Bronx right now, especially if the Yankees are coming out of their hitting doldrums, as it appears they are.
In 2007 and 2008, during Zito’s tenure in SF, the Giants have scored about 4.2 runs per game. A look at Barry Zito’s ERA stats, 4.53 in 2007 (11-13 W/L) and 6.32 thus far in 2008, tells us what we need to know about his lack of success in the NL.
The Yankees scored about six runs a game in 2007. I’m guessing that Zito, who, again, won 11 games for a team that scored nearly two runs a game less than the Bombers, would have won 15-17 games if he signed that more modest Yankee contract ($75M-$80M) back in the winter of 2006 and had been in pinstripes last summer.
There may be a solution, then, to the Giants’ quandary. Make a deal. Split the remainder of the $126M obligation with the Yankees. Go out and use that money to buy some infield prospects to go with Lincecum and Cain.
Fans may forget that Zito is only 30 years old. He is a hard worker and a student of pitching. I think with Zito’s durability (He went more than six seasons without missing a start), the pitcher-friendly dimensions for southpaws in Yankee Stadium, and the confidence of having Yankee hitters who can rake behind him, Zito can return to being a productive major league hurler."

The New York Times has another option: "The Yankees have shown they will give second chances to players who had discipline problems with their former team. If they didn’t, Sidney Ponson would not be starting at Shea Stadium Friday night.
Assuming Chacon has thrown his last pitch for the Astros (and I’m guessing that’s a safe bet), would you want the Yankees to sign him if they think he can still pitch? They do know him personally, and he did pitch well here for a while. Is performance on the field all that matters?" (Note, as I write this Chacon was just placed on waivers.)

The quandary the Yanks are in points to the dearth of quality pitching. 60 million for a failed Zito? Chacon and more baggage? Is there anyone out there not rooting profusely for Dan Giese? Unfortunately, the bottom line is talent. I believed the price tag for Johan Santana was too high, in retrospect it was a bargain. Oh well, maybe the Mets will be sellers.

Yankees take care of business

The Yanks' 10-1 win over the Pirates Wednesday fulfilled expectations. Good teams take advantage of bad teams. Joba Chamberlain did what stoppers do; he shutdown the opposition. A Jeter sparked offense did their job and put a big number on the board. The team took a cue from Girardi's "We stunk," statement and played to their potential.

Notes:

• The long-term plan was to have Joba standing at the top of a young, rebuilt starting staff that would form the next illustrious chapter in Yankees' history. The short-term reality is he's there already. The prodigy is still learning his craft but the wobbly rotation can't wait. "We are going to give Joba the time he needs."--(Cashman)
• Hype never sleeps: "As the Joba legend grows.."--(Singleton, YES.) Is it possible we can wait for the chosen one to win his 3RD game before we promote him to legend status?
• Rebuilding with rejects: Dan Giese is someone we can all root for. Two years removed from being out of baseball, the 31 year-old rookie is fulfilling the fantasy of being a Yankees' starter. Sir Sidney Ponson is someone we can all root against, his dubious skills and infamous rap sheet take the hill Friday in Shea. "We know Sidney."--(Cashman.) So do we, his 10+ ERA in Pinstripes is a distinct memory.
• Trade target?: The Yankees continue to scan the globe in an effort to fortify the rotation. No rock has been left unturned. Well, here's another candidate that fits the job description--Shawn Chacon. Another blast from the past, Chacon has been busy: here's Shawn's version of a misunderstanding with GM Ed Wade: "So at that point I lost my cool and I grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground. I jumped on top of him. Words were exchanged."--(Asbury Park Press.) (It's not easy typing and laughing at the same time.) Houston's GM responds: "He is suspended pending final resolution of whatever move we end up making with him." Here's another ripe opportunity for the Yanks' team architect, all the criteria are in place: A) cheap B) familiar C) the only way to go is up--a reinvented success story waiting to happen. D) journeyman reject. Cash brought this guy in once before, could it be deja vu all over again?

Photo/Newsday

Yankees' song remains the same

Blogging the Bombers is a long strange trip. Here's an example, I'm sitting at the computer sifting through stories while a replay of the Yanks' 12-5 loss to the Pirates drones on in the background. LaTroy Hawkins inspires the following exchange in the YES booth: "This is the most pitches (45 and counting) that Hawkins has thrown since '2000. He's been a short reliever."--Kay "It's like Joba they're stretching him out."--Singleton. "That's a good stretch this is a bad stretch."--Kay. While listening, I read this:
"Talked to Brian Cashman about 5 p.m. yesterday and, though he is never giddy, he was upbeat about the way his pitching has gone. Good starts by all last week, especially Dan Giese, buys him time to look for mid-season help. He doesn't have to do a panic deal. My story is at http://www.courant.com/.

Pitching gets thin over a season. Even the Red Sox have to start worrying.

The Yankees figure to get some fresh arms, if Wang can come back by September and Phil Hughes, who starts throwing this week, can get back in August, Yes, Carl Pavano is throwing off a mound, 12 1/2 months after his TJ surgery and could be an option in August."

How many times have we heard this tired refrain from the front office? Just once, I'd like to hear someone ask, "Are you serious?"

Yanks earn loss to Pirates

It wasn't easy losing to the Pittsburg Pirates 12-5, but the Yankees did it the old fashioned way--they earned it. The Pirates began Tuesday night's game with the worst record in interleague history (60-100.) The 2008 season has them last in the NL in pitching and leading the league in walks (54.) Starter Tom Gorzelanny lived up to expectations, walking 5 hitters, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs in 6 innings; the erratic lefty left with an ERA of 6.43.

The Yanks managed to overcome the odds by combining untimely hitting (2 for 11 with runners in scoring position,) mental mistakes (Jeter bailing out the wild lefty by swinging and hitting into a double play,) poor starting pitching (Rasner's bubble has burst--44 hits and 9 walks, in his last 33 innings-next) and comic relief (LaTroy Hawkins' progression in pinstripes: shrewd acquisition, bullpen bridge, trade bait, mop-up man and long-man preserves the infamous tradition of dubious pitching acquisitions.)

The memory of the standings-inflating seven game winning streak fades as the reality of losing three of four to NL also-rans registers. The roster's wrinkles become more pronounced with time. The vaunted transition from old and in the way to up and coming takes a detour to pick up the usual suspects. "Our only consistency is inconsistency."--Jeter (paraphrased.) He said it.

Photo/Newsday

Yankees' notes & quotes

Here's a few notes of interest:

• Speed is a dimension the Yanks lack, it may not take long for that void to be filled: "After a three-hit game Saturday, and a four-walk game Sunday, Brett Gardner pulled something new out of his bag of tricks on Monday.
  He scored from second base on a routine groundout.Flashing the speed that makes him one of the more exciting and intriguing young players in the New York Yankees organization, Gardner once again served as a catalyst for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s resurgent offense.He had a triple, a single, a walk and he threw a runner out at the plate in a 6-0 Yankees win against the Columbus Clippers at PNC Field.In the fifth inning — when the score was still tight at 2-0 — the Yankees had runners at first and second with one out when Shelley Duncan hit a slow roller to the shortstop. Gardner had been running on the pitch and he trotted into third base as the shortstop fielded the ball. When the shortstop threw to first, Gardner turned on the speed and scored without a play."--Chad Jennings.
• Baseball Musings, reports on Nick Johnson's season ending injury and echoes my sentiments: "I like Nick. I like his selectivity at the plate, his smooth fielding, and the fact he looks like Babe Ruth. Given his injury history, however, I'm not sure I'd want him on my team at this point. Easily injured and slow to heal is just not a good combination."
• The plan has a new twist: "Dan Giese changed the organization's outlook." "It gives me a few days, where I'm not under pressure in the market place."--Brian Cashman. "In 2005, Cashman was in a similar position, with the pitching staff decimated in early July and the Rockies asking too much for Shawn Chacon. A couple of quality outings by Al Leiter, picked up from the Marlins for cash, and minor league journeyman Aaron Small bought Cashman time, and he was able to get Chacon later for his price."(Courant.com) The difference is Cash has been king since then, with complete control over the operation. Years into the vaunted youth movement and with more assets than anyone the Bronx Bombers will start Dan Giese and Sidney Ponson on Friday. The more things change; the more they stay the same.

Yankees return to Pittsburg

The soft underbelly of the Yank's 2008 schedule continues in Pittsburg tonight. The once proud Pirates will be rekindling the joy of the 1960 World Series when Pittsburg stunned the baseball world with it's victory over the Bronx Bombers. Memory lane is nice but that was then this is now: "The Pittsburg Pirates haven't been a losing team forever. It just seems that way. The Pirates have had 15 consecutive losing seasons and are on the brink of making some ignominious history. With another sub-.500 season, they will tie the major league record for the most consecutive losing seasons."--Baseball Prospectus 2008 Guide. Records are made to be broken.

Tonight's mound match up features Darrell Rasner vs. lefty Tom Gorzelanny. Who is this guy? "Amidst the disappointment of another awful Pirates season was the emergence of Gorzelanny in 2007 as one of baseball's best young pitchers. A rare power left-hander, Gorzo has a live fastball, an outstanding slider and he's gaining a feel for setting up hitters and pitching to their weakness. Add in outstanding mound presence and a killer instinct, and all the pieces are there for him to continue to develop as a top-of -the-rotation starter."--BP. Here's another perspective from SI.: "Only 25 staff ace Tom Gorzelanny took a major leap last season, winning 14 games and pitching into the sixth inning in 25 of 32 starts. But his increased workload (40 more innings than '06) may have lead to fatigue in September when the 6'2'', 220-pound lefthander had a 5.77 ERA. The Pirates prodigy enters tonight's game with an ERA of 6.59--a cautionary tale for those who believe Joba's talent will be a joy ride to the top of the rotation.

The 2008 New York Yankees have been the beneficiaries of the schedule maker's generosity. While the Red Sox compete with the NL's contenders, the Bomber's fatten up on cupcakes. (Upon further review, I wrote something similar prior to the Red's series.) While Pittsburg relives a glorious past,the Bronx Bombers look to exploit the present.

Yankees revisit Ponson

The return of the infamous Sir Sidney Ponson says a lot about the Bomber's brass. Dugout Central, tells it like it is:



"Brian Cashman made a statement for the future when did not trade Phil Hughes, Jeffrey Marquez, Dan McCutchen and Melky Cabrera for Johan Santana. It was the right way to go then, and after Chien-Ming Wang’s injury, it’s the right way to go now.
Then why sign Sidney Ponson to a minor league deal? It appears he improved his pitching to where he was 4-1, 3.88 ERA in Texas before he was released due to “disrespectful and adverse reactions to situations unbecoming of teammates.” Is that the type of attitude you want to show your young pitchers at Triple A? If the job is to build from within, then you need the young players to be given the opportunity to pitch. The young players are the Yankees’ future – not a 31-year-old Sidney Ponson.
It appears the Yankees are telling McCutchen, Marquez and Alan Horne – we do not think you are good enough, so we will sign a two-time DUI guy who has a history of putting himself over his team. As it is now, the Yanks don’t have enough innings for all their pitching prospects in Double and Triple A, because the Kei Igawa overreaction mistake is still pitching.
Instead of letting the future determine the Yankee season, Cashman is using another retread in the vein of coming up with “the next Aaron Small.”
Aaron Small is out of baseball now and Sidney Ponson should be, too."

Yankees ease Pittsburg's pain

The Yankees' trip to Pittsburg may induce a yawn in the Big Apple, but it's a big deal in the Steel City. Memories of the 1960 World Series help divert attention from the field:

"Even as he approaches the age of 72, Bill Mazeroski can still see the ball flying over Yogi Berra's head toward the left-field fence. He can still hear the crowd at Forbes Field roaring as he rounded first. And he can still feel like he was floating around the bases with hat in hand over the excitement of beating the New York Yankees.
Never did the man known as "Maz" imagine that his leadoff home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 leading the Pirates to the 1960 World Series championship -- at 3:36 p.m. on Oct. 13, to be precise -- would last a lifetime.
"Here we are, 48 years later, still talking about it," Mazeroski said. "Gee whiz. I never dreamed anything like that would last this long."
Or that it would be revived with such frequency this past week, as the Yankees return here for the first time since that dramatic defeat for a three-game series against the Pirates starting Tuesday at PNC Park."

Yanks go back to the future

The Yankees' 2008 season was supposed to be a year of change. A reseeded farm, allegedly produced a bumper crop of high-ceiling talent that would be meshed with a veteran laden roster and morph to the next dynasty. Youth would be served.

A funny thing happened on the way to the pennant race. The over-the-hill gang has carried the load while the next generation is M.I.A. Here's a mid-season scorecard:

• Starting Rotation: Mussina and Pettitte-18 wins, Generation Trey-uno.
• Bullpen: The legend of the Great Rivera grows as he anchors the traditional dubious pen. Young guns Veras and Ramirez have helped,but aren't battle tested. When the going gets tough (IE. the powder-puff schedule ends) it'll be the new old guy, forming the bridge. The Farns isn't going anywhere--"We may hate Farnsworth for the heart attacks; we may hate him because he hates us. But he's not totally useless. Yet." (River Ave Blues.) Bottom line--if 38 year old Mariano wilts, there is no relief in sight.
• Offense: Damon, Giambi and Matsui have rekindled their primes to carry the load. The farm system specializes in pitching, there are no impact position players on the radar.

"It's time for the minor leagues to show what they can do."--Cone,YES. Be careful what you wish for: "We'll look at all the guys and decide," Girardi said. "Part of it is who lines up the best too." "Jeff Karstens, Alan Horne, Kei Igawa, were rated as options but Ponson is the likely one."--Newsday. "It seems pretty evident that Ponson will pitch one of the games against the Mets on Friday. Assuming he doesn't get arrested first."--LoHud. The future looks an awful lot like the past.

Photo/Newsday

Former Yankees update

Here's a few notes regarding former Yankees:

• Willie Randolph's demise in Queens has been well documented. The consensus is that Randolph didn't win enough to keep his job. Turns out, there's more to the story. (Hat tip Baseball Musings.) That was then, this is now, Lo Hud provides a glimpse of Willie's future:"It will be interesting to see whether the Yankees bring Randolph back in some capacity. He was a player or coach in the organization for 25 years. Brian Cashman has only one assistant GM in Jean Afterman. Randolph might be somebody he considers.
  Keep in mind that before Randolph joined Buck Showalter's staff as a coach in 1994, Randolph spent one season as an assistant under then-GM Gene Michael.
  Given his shabby treatment at the hands of the Mets, Randolph would enjoy trying to help the Yankees to another championship." Randolph will have quality options. The Dodgers would also be a comfortable fit.
• The Cincinnati Enquirer brings news of David Weathers and Andy Phillips: David Weathers started off the mound after striking out Derek Jeter in the seventh inning, but there was one problem - it was only the second out.
  "First time ever. At least I didn't do it at a place where there were a lot of people," he joked.
  Yeah, only 54,509 showed up for Saturday's game.
  The performance was one of Weathers' better ones. He came in with runners at first and second and got Jeter and Bobby Abreu.
  Weathers has stranded all seven inherited runners this season. He has allowed only one hit over his last four outings."
• Andy Phillips has a new hat: "Andy Phillips is the emergency shortstop. He's never played the position in the big leagues." Whatever works.

Yanks squander gift

Saturday at the Stadium was Chien-Ming Wang's normal day to pitch. A debilitating injury scuttled those plans. The search for a replacement spanned the globe. "Maybe he's not ready, but we need him here."--(Waldman.) Was the comment directed to the Yankees' latest bonus baby, fresh off TJ surgery, looking to follow Joba in the infamous youth movement? No. Actually, the words referenced Red's rookie Daryl Thompson. For the second straight day, Cincinnati showed New York what young quality arms can do. Thompson shutout Murder's row. Youth was served.

The Yankees countered Thompson with 31 year old, journeyman minor-leaguer and recovering car salesman Dan Giese. Against all odds, Giese was great. A gift of 6 2/3rd scoreless innings was wasted. The offense didn't show up, stretching their slump to three days and the bullpen provided no relief.

On days the offense can't carry the load, the relief corps' job is to keep games close. Despite evidence to the contrary, the Great Rivera can't pitch every day. Saturday Giese was followed by Veras (ERA 3.38,) Traber (5.59,) Ohlendorf (5.54) and mop-up man extraordinaire Hawkins (5.46.) Veras has flashed potential, setting him apart from the usual suspects. The more things change; the more they stay the same.

Photo/Newsday

Yankees' links

The Yankees' seven game winning streak was snapped by the stellar pitching of Red's rookie Edison Volquez. Cincinnati's dominant righty came from the Texas Rangers (of all places.) Here's a scouting report that should give Yankees' followers hope: "After struggling tremendously in auditions the last two years, Volquez was sent all the way back down to High-A to regain his confidence. It was a big risk, but it worked. By the time Volquez was back in Triple-A, he was absolutely dominant."--Baseball Prospectus 2008 Guide. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy take note.

Here are a few links of interest:

• "I don't know if I'm a guy who is just short term, until they get someone else."--Car salesman turned Yankees' starter Dan Giese. (NY Post.) To paraphrase Jack Nicholson in The Departed, "We're all short term, act accordingly."


• LoHud gives some encouraging numbers on Joba's earth shaking transition and provides an answer to Giese: "The stat that matters most: He’s 22. He’s still learning. If you’re a Yankees fan, be thankful this switch was made when it was. Otherwise your rotation would be Andy and Moose and reach for the Grey Goose.
  Two questions for the staff:
  1. Who will Brian Cashman find to plug into the rotation? It’s not going to be C.C. Sabathia, but there is somebody out there. It’s probably not Sidney Ponson." If it's not Ponson why sign the toxic retread and have him contaminate the farm? What happened to all the great arms, waiting in the wings? Is Humberto Sanchez throwing YET?


• For those of you interested in the next wave of minor league prodigies: " I’m going to give you the most thorough list you’ll get anywhere on the internet of the Yankees’ signability cases in the 2008 draft."


• "And now for something completely different."--Monty Python. Does Cashman get credit for signing two great prospects?

Photo/NY Post

Yankees' pitching plans

The Yankees are exploring every option in an effort to fortify their work in progress pitching staff. Yankees Chick proposes shuffling the coaching staff to add, "... a very cerebral dude (who) doesn't give up on any pitcher, regardless of how poorly they've been pitching." Here's a potential test for the esteemed Rick Peterson, "“We would like him to help our big-league club right now and we think he’s making progress,” the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pitching coach Rafael Chaves said. “But it’s not as fast as we would have hoped.”
Igawa, a left-handed pitcher, will turn 29 next month, and there are no signs he will be a contributor to the Yankees any time soon. He was not even seriously considered as a replacement for starter Chien-Ming Wang... In no uncertain terms, the signing of Igawa has been viewed as a major catastrophe by outsiders."

Rick Peterson, eternal optimist, could fill the bill of Director of Pitching Enhancement. His client list would include Igawa, Hawkins, Kennedy, Hughes, Ponson. It would make the Met's job look like a day in the park.

Yankees' trade rumor

Here's an amusing rumor from the Astros Locker:
"If the Yankees were to give up righty pitchers Alan Horne, Ross Ohlendorf, catcher Jesus Montero and outfielder Jose Tabata the Astros would have to consider trading them Roy Oswalt and Darin Erstad. Oswalt would fill a huge hole in the Yankees’ rotation and Darin Erstad would give them some value off the bench in the outfield."

Four prime prospects for Roy Oswalt: NL ERA 5.04 (converts to about 6.00 when adjusting to AL lineups, WHIP 1.447.) and creaky Darin Erstad. Who could pass that up? Besides, now that the Yank's have acquired Ponson the "huge hole" will be filled (just don't ask with what.)

Yankees run past Padres

The Yankees squeaked past San Diego 2-1 Thursday, to run their win streak to seven games. The Bombers shifted from power to speed as four stolen bases highlighted a display of small ball that put two runs on the board. Power pitching made it hold up as Chamberlain, Veras, Farnsworth and (of course) Rivera over matched the inept Padres.

The National League has transformed the Yankees from injury riddled work in progress to juggernaut. The Bombers have feasted with six consecutive wins against anemic opponents. Next on the menu, the little red machine: "the Reds have more often than not found themselves among the small cadre of teams that are on the outside looking in. For a team of modest means, this is a dangerous place to be. A team such as the Reds, with more hope than none, but less hope than most, is constantly faced with the desperate decision of whether to play for big stakes by risking all of it's resources on one throw of the dice, or embark on a rebuilding program that may never end."--Baseball Prospectus, 2008 Guide

Interleague play offers a buffet of easy pickings. Houston and San Diego hit the spot. Cincinnati, Pittsburg and the toxic Mets are next. The Yanks get fat in the standings by mauling mediocrity--it's all good.

Photo/Newsday

Yanks stockpile pitching

The Yankees' theme the last few years has been the rebuilding of the farm system under the shrewd stewardship of GM Brian Cashman. Millions of dollars have been poured into hyped prospects as the Bombers use their financial clout to buy up premium talent. The injury to Chien-Ming Wang and the failures and subsequent injuries to Hughes and Kennedy have the organization looking for fortification.

"It's time to find out what the Yankees have in the minors."--(David Cone, YES.) Apparently, not much. Rather than revisit the Igawa experience, the Yanks have signed two more dubious suspects:

• "The Yankees claimed RHP claimed right-handed pitcher Oneli Perez off waivers from the Cleveland Indians and optioned him to Double-A Trenton. Perez, 24, has appeared in 21 games combined this season at Triple-A Charlotte (White Sox) and Triple-A Buffalo (Indians) to go 0-1 with two saves and an 8.49 ERA (29.2IP, 48H, 28ER, 17BB, 34K) in his first action at the Triple-A level."--LoHud
• " Cast off Monday by the pitching-starved Rangers for being a disruptive influence, right-hander Sidney Ponson was signed Wednesday by the Yankees to a minor-league contract.
  Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Ponson, who pitched for New York in 2006, would "try to pitch his way into the big leagues." He was 4-1 with a 3.88 ERA when released by Texas.
  Ponson reacted angrily when he was removed from a June 4 start on three days' rest, a first for him, after allowing six runs in four innings - the fact only two were earned because of three errors fueled the anger. Then, when told he would sit for six days before his next start, he voiced his displeasure to manager Ron Washington.
  One report said Ponson, who pitched for the Giants in 2003 and had two DUI arrests from 2004 through '05, had been put on notice by Texas officials after creating a disturbance at a hotel bar in Florida during a road trip. He had been informed that no other problems would be tolerated."--SF Chronicle

Here's the man with the never ending plan, "If I can continue to build some inventory on an incremental basis, that's what I should do, I think."--Cashman (USA Today.) "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends."--ELP

Yanks get fat on National League

The Yankees beat the San Diego Padres last night at the Stadium, extending their winning streak to six. Interleague play has been very, very good for the Bombers, their record now stands at 118-81. The inept Padres, who seem to specialize in turning double play balls into rallies for the opposition are the perfect foil for a recovering Yankees team.

The Bombers' offense carried the load as the MVP provided the power. A-Rod homered for the fourth consecutive game and eight runs was enough. The pitching was shaky as Rasner, Ramirez and Farnsworth brought back memories of Ali's rope a dope strategy. The Great Rivera's security blanket made another appearance in the ninth. The Padres continue their vacation in the Bronx today and then the little red machine comes to town--National League fever, Catch It!

Notes:

• In the wake of Chien-Ming Wang's injury, it didn't take long for the Bombers' brass to spring into action. Key off season acquisition LaTroy Hawkins, fresh off the discount rack, is the new long-man replacing car salesman turned Yankees' starter Dan Giese. Not satisfied with the potential of a rebuilt farm system to provide relief, team architect Brian Cashman added another brick to the wall. He's back and he's bad let's welcome back Sidney Ponson. For those who choose not to remember, here's a section of Sidney's resume: "Ponson has been with six organizations since 2003. He was 0-1 with a 10.47 ERA in five games for the Yankees in 2006." Ponson was recently released by the pitching starved Texas Rangers for disciplinary reasons and has a history of alcoholism. "I think it's just an obvious move."--Cashman (Asbury Park Press) It's amazing what happens when the hype subsides and reality rears its ugly head.
• The American League is 23 games over .500 against the National League, so much for baseball's parity.
  

Yankees' GM--it could be worse

I read this at Was Watching:
"Anyone who has been reading this blog on a regular basis for a while now knows that I do not believe that Brian Cashman is an astute G.M. - in terms of his ability to scout and acquire talent. Nonetheless, in terms of representing his organization, as a public figure, in a polished and professional manner, Brian Cashman runs rings around Omar Minaya."

The first sentence perfectly states my position. I concur with the second sentence, but wouldn't a job title of public relations director be more appropriate?

Yankees' play to potential

The Yankees' 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres Tuesday was a demonstration of how good N.Y. can play. Andy Pettitte took the mound with that, "Locked in look." (YES.) A sure sign it would be a good night in the Bronx. Giambi and A-Rod supplied the power, blasting 3 bombs that put a crooked number on the board. For good measure, Melky Cabrera and A-Rod flashed the leather with highlight reel defense.

The Yanks' 5TH win in a row, is the high water mark of a wave of winning--10 of the last 13,back to back shutouts,outscored opponents 35-6 in 5 games-- that has carried the Bombers into the pennant race.

Someone said, "If it doesn't kill you it'll make you stronger." Perhaps losing ace Chien-Ming Wang will sharpen the team's focus. There are no miracles around the corner, but the talent is there to compete in baseball's parity mired mix. Last night's stellar performance shows what's possible.

Yankees' trade rumors

The search for Chien-Ming Wang's substitute starts Saturday with journeyman minor leaguer Dan Giese.The usual suspects are waiting in the wings. It would be nice if the void could be filled in house, but it's never that simple.

LoHud quotes GM Brian Cashman: “There is no trade market at the moment,” he said. “I’m not optimistic that something can get done on that front. We have to try and plug this gap internally and that’s not going to be easy.”

Speculation is the Yanks will pass on the big ticket and keep an eye out for "B-listers."Here's a couple of names making the rounds:

• Paul Byrd--Cleveland is set to go in sell mode and the price should be reasonable. Baseball Prospectus, gives us a scouting report: "It's a pretty simple formula for Byrd: don't walk anybody and get some help from the defense.That gets him a little success here and there and nothing more is really expected of him." This season Byrd has produced: 73 IP, ERA 4.89, WHIP 1.23.
• Randy Wolf--San Diego's lefty would have something in common with a list of Yankees' prospects--he's had TJ surgery. This season he's produced: 84 IP, ERA 3.83. WHIP 1.22.

If those names don't do the trick, Dugout Central has an idea: " How can the Yankees “rent” a pitcher who can, hopefully get them successfully through the season? That led to think that perhaps the solution is “Rent-a-Wells,” bringing back David Wells to see if he has anything left."

Dan Giese get's his shot in the Bronx on Saturday. Giese's rise from used car salesman to Yankees' starting pitcher sounds like a Hollywood script. If the unlikely epic doesn't work out, there will be no shortage of warm bodies to take his place.

Reactions to Wang's injury

Yankees' ace Chien-Ming Wang falls to injury and reactions come pouring in:

• "Absolutely devastating."--Buster Olney, ESPN
• "The Yankees have to replace 19 wins in a rotation that wasn't that good to begin with."--Chicago Tribune.
• "There is no good time to lose a pitcher of Wang's ability but the timing of this injury is especially disheartening."--NY Sun
• "The National League needs to join the 21st century."--Hank (the calm voice of reason) Steinbrenner. (Upon further review, maybe Hank consulted with his dad before issuing a comment so wacky it brings back memories of fights in elevators to defend Yankees' pride.)

It is what it is. Where do we go from here? Lets hear from team architect Brian Cashman, "“It’s no different than when Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui went down,” Cashman said, making the 2006 parallel. “We look from within first. There will be no quick fix. Hopefully, we’ll have something that makes sense internally. But if we don’t, we’ll have to step outside and take a look at what’s available.”--NY Times.

Here's whats available internally, " the Yankees do have plenty of alternatives and all the time in the world to try them. The journeyman Dan Giese may fit the bill. Ian Kennedy, soon to begin his rehab work, was a very promising prospect before his struggles earlier this season and deserves another chance. They can try to get spot starts from scary fly-ball guy Jeff Karstens or perennial disappointment Kei Igawa and try to batter their way to victory. They could even pull up the veteran Mexican League starter Alfredo Aceves from Double-A Trenton. One of these five, mostly likely Kennedy, may surprise. At worst, they would serve to buy time for an Alan Horne or Dan McCutchen to be ready to come off the farm, or even for the eventual recovery of Phil Hughes."--NY Sun. It's sadly amusing that after all the hype and money poured into the farm, the number one candidate was selling cars a couple of years ago and it goes down from there. I'm rooting for Giese, but is this all there is?

Let's "step outside": " Brian Cashman has dramatically changed the Yankees' culture. No longer do they trade multiple prospects for 21/2 months of Denny Neagle, or commit four years to Carl Pavano.In honor of Pavano, the Yankees won't go near a long-term deal for Sabathia, who will be thinking of the six-year, $137.5-million deal Johan Santana received from the Twins. In honor of Neagle, Cashman won't give up a lot for a little, even if it's a little of a very good pitcher." --Newsday. Funny how in the modern day parlance of corporations the culture changes whenever debacles of the past rear their ugly heads.

"We've got to make difficult decisions, hopefully the right ones."--Cashman. (Uh Oh.) "Cash has been very conservative the last few years."--(MLB official.) How's that working out?

Photo/Baseball Almanac

Yanks get bad news on Wang

It's official, Yankees' ace Chien-Ming Wang will be out for an extended period. LoHud delivers the dreary news:
"That’s Aug. 25 at the earliest.
UPDATE, 2:52 p.m.: This pretty much worst-case scenario for the Yankees. If Wang is not out for the season, he is out until at least September. Their options are to try and make up 18 or so starts internally or make a trade."

Now we find out how much quality depth there is in the organization and how the Bombers' brass reacts to dire circumstances. It's also a time to test the resolve of management's philosophy. Do they trade for a big ticket in an effort to keep hope alive in 2008? Or is the season filed under wait till next year? It's never boring in the Bronx.

Wang's replacement

While Yankees' followers hold their collective breaths waiting for a diagnosis of Chien-Ming Wang's injury, there is a difference of opinion regarding his value. "It's not easy replacing 19 wins."--Girardi.(NY Times.) David Pinto of Baseball Musings has a different perspective:
"I disagree with the idea that Wang is difficult to replace. For one thing, Chien-Ming holds a 4.07 ERA in 2008. That ranks 48th in the majors among pitchers with at least 70 innings pitched, between Hiroki Kuroda and Odalis Perez. Those two have a combined 5-11 record, reflecting the poor offense that play behind them.

Longer term, of course, Wang is a very good pitcher. Since the start of 2005, his rookie season, Wang ranks 18th in ERA among pitchers with 500 innings. Once again, his record is out of whack with the surrounding ERAs. Wang is 54-20, a .730 winning percentage. Hudson and Harang, 17th and 19th respectively, are 50-35 (.588) and 46-39 (.541). On a team that wasn't an offensive power house, Wang would more likely be 41-33 over that time. So really, the Yankees should be thinking about replacing a fourteen game, not a nineteen game winner.
This is very important. New York could replace Wang with Harang, for example, for a lower cost than Sabathia. Harang holds a cheap contract that goes through 2010 with an option for 2011, and he's not a Cy Young award winner."

This perspective also supports the notion that while Wang is a good pitcher, he isn't a top of the rotation starter.

Yankees' sobering win

The scoreboard read: Yankees 13 Astros 0. It didn't tell the story. The Yanks' four game winning streak is an after thought given the news of Chien-Ming Wang's foot injury. The team left Houston on a four game winning streak. The Yankees' ace left on crutches. The road to contention veered to perdition.

" That's a manager's worst nightmare, pitchers on the base paths."--Girardi. "Wang was on base for only the second time in his career. The run was the first he scored since high school."--LoHud. The Yanks' most important pitcher was hurt on the grass rounding third, hobbled to the plate and was carried to the dugout by teammates. Speculation suggests it could be season ending.

The Yankees don't have the luxury of feeling sorry for themselves or obsessing about the future. The organization has to fill the void. Peter Abraham lists the options. If a "manager's worst nightmare is pitchers on base." A fans worst nightmare is: "Kei Igawa: He has a 3.73 ERA at Scranton, giving up only 67 hits in 79.2 innings while striking out 69. Are they just supposed to give up on him? Clearly Igawa should never have been signed in the first place. But he was and he’s available." "Are they supposed to give up on him?" Yes. Give Giese a chance to help until a more viable option can be found. Finding a new face to take Wang's place may be a wishful illusion, recycling failure is the impossible dream.

Photo/New York Daily News

Baseball's road warriors

Major league baseball demands extensive travel in order to optimize revenue. Here are a couple of postcards from the road:

• Former Yankees' stalwart, currently beleaguered Mets' manager Willie Randolph," Willie Randolph has changed his thoughts on the Mets’ brutal spate of four trips out west in seven weeks. It finally ends with a swing through Anaheim, Calif., and Denver, starting Monday. Randolph said he used to think that it was better to knock out the long flights early in the season so that the team was fresher late. Not anymore.
  “This is my first time ever experiencing this, and I don’t think it matters,” said Randolph, whose team goes no farther than Houston and St. Louis after their trip west. “It doesn’t matter if it’s early in the season when you’re fresh, or later in the season when you’re tired. I think it’s just a tough, tough haul when you have to change time zones.” --NY Times.
• " Jorge Posada is like a lot of Yankees when it comes to arriving in Houston at 6 o'clock in the morning (for the opener of a three-game series) after a night game on the West Coast. 'These are things they can control,' Posada said. 'There shouldn't be any team getting anywhere after 3 a.m. How about taking care of the players? You don't sleep on the plane, you rest. It's happening more and more because they want (to sell tickets.)'--NY Post

It's hard to feel empathy for wealthy athletes. MLB chose the route of revenue at any cost, the players share the spoils--deal with it.

Yankees' big money future

The new Yankee stadium is on the horizon, anticipation is being replaced by trepidation. Here's another unsightly glimpse:

"Outside, another 49,000 people settled into the old stadium, with its tight seats and glaring lack of class distinction between sections. In today's baseball a facility such as this won't suffice, which is why Trost was proudly displaying his new stadium seat. When installed in the new Yankee Stadium's front row it will cost its occupant $2,500 a game, a figure so astounding it makes the seats radiating down the foul lines seem like a relative steal at $850 and $650 each.
Not that the purchasers will even need to sit in them. This is because the Yankees are also offering a package of amenities that include a martini bar, a museum, Internet protocol televisions, party suites, conference rooms and a concierge to secure dinner reservations or find theater tickets. All this and an art gallery, too.
"Are we going to charge 5,000 people a lot to go to the game?" Trost asked. "Yeah, but we will deliver."
As big money changes baseball, pushing salaries ever higher, the fan baseball is trying to attract is changing, too. A generation of new stadiums with the latest in innovations has allowed teams to transform the old box seat into an entertainment palace, essentially moving the luxury suite to the field level, bumping families for corporations."--Washington Post

Remember this the next time someone suggests the Yanks should save money rather than investing in proven players. " We will deliver." You better.

Yanks' unexpected detour

The Yankees' transition year has reached an exhilarating peak. A three game winning streak has hoisted the Bombers to three games over .500. Last place is a memory; the march to credibility is underway. Where the Yanks are--wild-card contender, trailing the Red Sox by five in the loss column--isn't surprising, how they got here is a shock.

The organization had a well charted route planned. Talented, young players would replace old and in the way veterans and segue into a new chapter in Bombers' history. Youth would be served. Not so fast.

A list of Yankees' producers doesn't include: Hughes, Kennedy,Ohlendorf or Cano, while Joba steals the spotlight, the team is being carried by Mussina, Rivera, Damon and Giambi. It wasn't supposed to be like this, no one planned this route.

The Moose has morphed from faded to fluke to formidable while earning 10 wins. The Great Rivera is peaking at 38. Giambi has regained feared form, while just saying no. Damon lights the fire from the top of the order.

The long and winding road of the 2008 season has taken many unexpected twists. The destination is adequate, for now. It will take more than four to arrive at championship contention. Time to map a new route.

Photo/Newsday

Yankees' trade rumors

The half way point of the 2008 baseball season is around the corner. The Yankees' vaunted youth movement collided with reality and mediocrity ensued. "It's never over till it's over." Trade winds are blowing and there is opportunity for the Bombers to step up and regain championship viability.

The biggest player (literally) is Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia an inning eating, top of the rotation, stud. He would bolster the Yankees' chances and give Joba a chance to develop his craft without the incessant attention. MLB Trade Rumors, sizes up what the Yanks have to offer: "According to Baseball America, the Yankees have three Top 100 prospects aside from Joba Chamberlain: Jose Tabata (#37), Austin Jackson (#41), and Ian Kennedy (#45). Others on the fringe of the Top 100 when BA compiled the rankings in March: Alan Horne, Jeff Marquez, and Jesus Montero. Some of these players have seen their stock drop, however."

Yankees' followers have learned a few lessons this season: 1) When it comes to young, developing players don't believe self-serving hype. No matter how talented, most will fail. 2) The organization has money to burn. 3) There is nothing rewarding about last place. 4) An old roster of fading stars wants a chance to win now, they don't have the luxury of waiting a few years. 5) Young players aren't helped by incessant attention and distorted expectations.

Past seasons have taught another lesson, big ticket acquisitions are prone to falling on their faces in Gotham. The Yankees' should offer a package of non-vital prospects to Cleveland. Bring in the big lefty and let him work, without a new contract. If Sabathia can dominate in the Big Apple, pay the man his money. If not, let him walk. Think of him as a very large bridge to the future.

Yankees' encouraging win

Joba Chamberlain's heralded transition to the starting rotation is over. He pitched 6 innings last night against a strong Astros' lineup, on the road and gave up one run. The anticipation is over, there is no looking back; the future is now. Joba wasn't alone in taking a big step forward. The bullpen has been clinging to the Great Rivera for credibility. Last night, they didn't have that luxury.

Joe Girardi demonstrated his confidence in the relief corps by using the 38 year old Rivera five times in six days against inferior opposition.(Scott Proctor flashback.) He was forced to give the legend a day off. The late innings of a tie game were in the hands of Farnsworth and company. Veras took over for Chamberlain in the 7Th and pitched two shutout innings, striking out three of the six hitters he faced. The Yankees' unhyped rookie has done the job on the field. Jeter's homer gave the Bombers' a one run lead to preserve. Kyle Farnsworth emerged from the bullpen, in a save situation. (Gulp.) Ye of little faith, the Farns stepped up, shut the door, and delivered his first save since Sept. 2006. Was there ever any doubt? (Don't answer that.)

It was a night of pleasant surprises in Houston. Time for some over-the-top optimism, the Yanks' victory left them 5 games behind the Sox in the loss column. It's all down hill from here.

Photo/Newsday

Yankees' prospects

The Yanks' focus on the farm is on the mound. Quality pitching depth breeds success. In an article titled, "The Yankees' Next Big Thing" we get a glimpse of a promising position player. Austin Jackson of the Trenton Thunder is profiled:
"Jackson responded to the higher competition by mauling it. He put up a .345/.398/.566 line in Tampa, despite the fact that both the park and the league are pitcher-friendly. Jackson shot up the prospect lists, and at age 21, is playing AA baseball, with a chance to help the Yankees in the near future."

Yankees' notes

The Yankees beat the Oakland A's 4-1 last night as Hideki Matsui celebrated his 34TH birthday with a bomb. Japan's legend is the Yank's low profile, consistent producer. Matsui's grand slam gave Andy Pettitte all the run support he needed to tie legendary-lefty Ron "Gator" Guidry at 170 wins, 4TH in Yankees' history.

Notes:

• Rivera pitched for the fifth time in six days. Girardi was criticized in Florida for burning out pitchers. If the Yanks can't trust Farnsworth and company against KC and Oakland, what happens when the competition gets tough? Somewhere, Joe Torre has a bemused look on his face and Scott Proctor is wincing.
• The upcoming soft-spot in the schedule has frustrated Bombers' followers drooling at the prospect of finally putting .500 in the rear view mirror. Quality play and championship aspirations have been replaced by looking for the lame. Here's an angle that suggests it may not be as easy as it looks: "If Joe Girardi had his way, AL clubs wouldn’t have to play more than three straight games at NL parks, where the designated hitter rule is suspended during interleague play. “Because your (AL) team is not built in the long haul for that play,” said Girardi, whose club will play six straight at NL parks starting June 24, at Pittsburgh and Shea Stadium.
  This weekend, Girardi might be forced to sit one of his three hottest hitters - Jason Giambi, Hideki Matsui or Johnny Damon - for at least one game this weekend at Houston.
  To create more roster flexibility, the Yankees might promote infielder Alberto Gonzalez from Class AAA Scranton. The forgotten Shelley Duncan is at risk to be optioned. However, Girardi said he anticipated keeping three catchers through the weekend - so Chad Moeller’s roster spot is temporarily safe."--NJ.Com. In other words, our 200+ million dollar roster doesn't include a bench so we're at a disadvantage; it would be better if they changed the schedule--sometimes life isn't fair.

Photo/Newsday

Yanks follow the money

The Yankees' dynasty has dwindled, but when it comes to the never ending pursuit of money they are perpetual champs. The Village Voice reports that the organization has it's hand out again. River Ave Blues, recently reported on some deceptive dealings. I previewed the new stadium in April: The new Yankee Stadium is on the horizon. Previews suggest that it will be an incredible edifice, built along the lines of a 5-star hotel. A place designed for royalty, with a touch of rabble thrown in for appearance sake. (We will be found in the bleachers.) Want to go to a game? It will only cost $29 to park your car. Need a ticket? Seats behind home plate will cost $2500. Concerned about security? Giuliani and associates were awarded the contract. You remember the good Mayor and those mug shots, in those free seats--a perk for the Bombers' landlord. Recently, YES broadcast a game from 10 years ago, Mayor Rudy in the booth, "The Yankees need a new stadium...we are negotiating right now." The Yanks needed a new stadium because there's even more money to be made.



Remember this the next time some big ticket free agent becomes available. The Santana sweepstakes would have been a mere bag of shells for the brothers Steinbrenner.

Yankees' "Hint of Genius"

The Yankees lost 8-4 to the Oakland A's last night, dropping them back to .500, 66 games into the 2008 season. The San Francisco Chronicle gives us an interesting perspective on the Bombers' plight: "There's something odd about the New York Yankees this year: They don't quite know who they are." For a concise rebuttal, we go to the Yankees' captain, "We've been consistently inconsistent." That settles it.

The Chronicle seems bemused by the Yankees' new plan, "The kick will be discovering if this new philosophy carries the hint of genius. At the moment, it seems a bit lame, rejected to various degrees in both the clubhouse and the media."

Genius? Here's a hint from the New York Times: "The Yankees are said to be “aggressively shopping” Hawkins, according to a report Wednesday on the Fox Sports’ Web site. If they make a trade, they would be selling low: Hawkins’ 1-2-3 sixth inning lowered his E.R.A. to 5.86." Brian Cashman's monster off season acquisition is on the block, shortly after Morgan Ensberg hit the bricks. Give Cash credit he's learning. He's never heard the end of the Igawa debacle because the albatross still lingers in the organization. By "aggressively shopping" (read dumping) another mistake he can pick up some marginal prospect and pretend he's building for the future. Come to think of it, the fact that Cashman is allegedly on the verge of signing a contract extension, as opposed to joining Morgan Ensberg, suggests that he may indeed posses a "Hint of genius."

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Yanks' draft analysis

SNY sat down with an anonymous NL scout to dissect the Yankees 2008 draft.Each pick is analyzed, in an article titled, "Yanks have hit and miss draft--Deep pockets help land talent; questionable picks made" . The title sounds like the modus operandi used at the major league level to acquire a list of dubious talent.

The unnamed expert also gives a rosy projection of the future: "What about the Yankees prospects in 2007?
"The Yankees are in serious trouble this year and in the foreseeable future. I assume the Red Sox are going to do what's necessary to remain competitive at a very high level. Then you have the Rays, who are set up for greatness like no other team in the game. First of all, they're good right now. In thinking about how they're going to develop premium prospects like Jake McGee and David Price, I'm looking ahead to August and trying to get a sense for whether they're going to be in contention. I can't imagine they won't be because who is going to step up and get really hot and knock them out of the Wild Card race? The Tigers? The Yankees? Don't see that. Both teams are too old."

Is there any wonder why Brian Cashman decided now was the time for that contract extension and became Hank's soul mate?

Hat tip/ Baseball Think Factory

Yankees' trade bait

The 2008 New York Yankees are reaching a critical juncture in their season and their future. A glance at the standings suggests contention is imminent. The parity (mediocrity) of the competition has kept the break-even Bombers in the mix. Entry to the wild card race is open to any team with a pulse. Is that good enough?

The Yanks have the opportunity to take the next step in their transition from faded glory to promising future. The old roster, laden with marquee names provides them with headline splashing trade fodder. The Bombers' brass made a bold move when they passed on Santana and allowed hope to take his place. The path has been chosen, time to move on down the road.

Where do they go from here? Bait the hook with Damon, Giambi, Mussina and Kennedy. The veteran troika have stats that suggest their primes. The time to shop is now before the bubble bursts. All three put on pinstripes to garner rings, they should be open to moving to a contender where their services could be welcome and their contracts swallowed. Kennedy provides an option of dealing with small markets that deal in cheap promising players.

There are holes to fill: 1) Left-handed reliever capable of giving Rivera a day off. (note, in last nights 3-1 victory over Oakland, the Great Rivera pitched in his fourth consecutive game. How long will that last?) 2) Young position players capable of being ready sooner than rather than later. 3) A bench that offers the option of speed.

Here's what could happen: 1) Promote speedy center-fielder Brett Gardner to take Damon's place. Melky moves to left, the team improves defensively and gets younger.(Austin Jackson, moves up a notch.) 2) Posada plays first, his bat is in the lineup every day. 3) Fuentes of Colorado could provide relief for Rivera. 4) The farm would get some position players to join the army of arms.

Former Atlanta Braves GM John Schuerholz, had a method of operation that fits the Yankees situation, "If you know what you're doing it's ok to be bold." The Yankees have the opportunity to improve. Time will tell if they, "know what they're doing."

Yankees' memory lane

Was Watching did an interview with former Yankees public relations director, Marty Appel. Mr. Appel's favorite moments provide a nice trip down memory lane: "Appel: I started going as a fan in 1956, so here you go…My own personal favorites:
1. Chris Chambliss HR to win ‘76 pennant.2. David Cone perfect game (first no-hitter I ever saw in person).3. Opening Day, new stadium, 1976.4. Mickey Mantle Day, 1969 (including Mel Allen’s first return).5. Old Timers Day 1970 - Casey Stengel ends decade long exile.6. Sparky Lyle’s 1973 season (Pomp and Circumstance).7. Winning 1996 World Championship - Joe Torre’s tears.8. Reggie Jackson’s 3-homer game to win ‘77 World Series.9. Don Mattingly’s streak of 8 HR games in a row (some on the road of course).10. Murcer heroics in game after Thurman Munson’s funeral.

Yankees' notes and quotes

The Yankees' home stand ended with a thud Monday. Mike Mussina pitched 8 stellar innings. A-Rod went deep with a 2-run bomb. The Great Rivera was on the mound in the ninth. It wasn't enough. The march to mediocrity continues.

Notes and Quotes:

• "The bottom line is I didn't do my job." Mariano Rivera after giving up the game-winning home run . The question is why is a 38 year old, irreplaceable cog, on the mound for the 3rd consecutive day in sweltering heat? Girardi doesn't trust the rested Farnsworth against the reeling Royals? Actions speak louder than words, enough said.
• "You see the Yanks' 12-10 score, they say it's a great win--it's a scary win.."--Don Mattingly, from the golf course. Torre and Mattingly wouldn't be human if they didn't derive some solace from the situation unraveling in the Bronx.
• "We had a shot to have another walk-off-win."--Girardi. The O'Neill era dynasty would have swept aside this inept Royals team in a prompt, professional manner. The Cashman era model perpetually clings to manufactured silver linings.
• Mike Mussina keeps it real, responding to the notion that a winning streak has to happen, "We've been saying that for a month and we're still a roughly .500 team, 'It's inevitable, it's inevitable,' it better start soon.

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Yanks' new long-man delivers

Joba Chamberlain's modest performance--4 1/3 IP, 3 runs (2 earned,) 5 hits, 1 walk, 1 bounced change up-- against K.C. was hyped to headlines. The Golden Child got the attention, Dan Giese got the win. The Scranton shuttle delivered a minor league journeyman in hopes he could provide quality length out of the bullpen. Mission accomplished.

Who is this guy? The San Francisco Chronicle provides some background:


"The Giants added a former car salesman to their pitching staff, and Dan Giese swears the only dealing he wants to do these days is on the mound.
"I was selling cars for Honda, and that was the worst job," said Giese, who was called up from Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday along with three other players, none of whom had a story quite like Giese's. "I'm not going to knock anyone selling cars, but for me personally ... that was tough.
"I sold five or six cars in two months, so I was going to get fired anyway. I was telling people, 'This isn't a good deal at all.' I couldn't rip them off. I guess I'm just not a salesman."
Giese's time at a car dealership in Carlsbad (San Diego County) came in the summer of 2005 - after he retired from baseball. He was 28, having toiled in pro ball for six years without a call to the majors. After leaving the dealership, he took a job at an indoor pitching facility, got the itch again and returned to the Phillies' system - with his wife eight months pregnant.
Giese signed with the Giants (his fourth organization) in November and was invited to spring training as a nonroster player. At Fresno, he went 3-1 with a 2.52 ERA in 47 relief appearances, compiling 76 strikeouts to just 10 walks.
Now at age 30, in his ninth pro season, he's a big-leaguer for the first time."

It's ironic that while the organization was touting their high-profile blue-chip prospects to the press, the low profile guys--Giese, Rasner-- produced on the field. Could it be that the prospects--Kennedy, Hughes, Chamberlain (the work in progress starter) and the next big thing--would be better off if the organization took the low key approach? Good luck with that. This spring we read that a member of the front office referred to Melancon as the next Joba. Draft guru Damon Oppenheimer compared his latest #1 pick to Chamberlain. No pressure kids.

Not every player has to be a star. Low profile productive role players play a vital role to a team's success. Maybe the next time a Yankees' official is asked to project someone's future they could say something like, "We don't think he'll have to sell cars for a living." It would make for a great headline and let the prospect develop his game without the media baggage. Don't hold your breath.

Photo/Lowell Spinner Blog

Yankee Stadium All-Star Tribute

The 2008 All-Star game will be held at Yankee Stadium. During today's YES broadcast of the Yanks/Royals game, David Cone reminisced about the 1999 game when Ted Williams was the guest of honor. It was a memorable occasion that showed the sport at it's best. There is another legend who will be on hand at this year's game and richly deserves tribute. Yogi Berra has exemplified what is best about the pinstripes and deserves to be honored.

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Yankees' perplexing win

The Yankees scored 12 runs, banged out 19 hits and won a squeaker at the Stadium Saturday. The reeling Royals gave the Bombers all they could handle. Let the good times roll. For the second time in three days, a raucous celebration followed a walk-off win that covered up poor play. The win vaulted the last place squad to .500, again.

The 2008 New York Yankees are a perplexing riddle that pose more questions than answers:

• Is Andy Pettitte a viable top of the rotation starter? Pettitte allowed 10 earned runs Saturday, ballooning his ERA to 4.99.
• Is Wang an ace or a wild card?
• Is the roster too old?
• Is the future down the road or around the corner?
• Is Joba the next Clemens or the next Bonderman?
• Is the farm stockpiled with quality talent or injury-riddled hype?
• Generation Trey or Generation Uno?

High scoring, come-from-behind victories were fun, when they meant something. Pennant aspirations used to be based on quality play, not the mediocrity of the competition. The Yankees' performance needs to start answering some questions, on a consistent basis, for the joy to return. "Hopefully, this gets us going in the right direction."--Damon. "Something has to."--Jones/YES

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Yankees mired in mediocrity

There were no dramatic miracles in the Bronx last night. The Yanks lost 2-1 to the Kansas City Royals, who have beaten the Bombers three times in four games. Who are these guys? "Kansas City comes in having lost 15 of its last 17 and 11 in a row on the road following Thursday's 6-2 setback in Chicago. The Royals have also fared very poorly at Yankee Stadium over the years, having amassed a 2-22 record as the visitor in this series since 2001."(Kansas City Star.) The 2008 New York Yankees are stuck in a quagmire of mediocrity and not even Darrell Rasner could save them from slipping below .5oo, again. Rasner's consistency continued in eight stellar innings; he couldn't do it alone.

Baseball momentum is fickle, scoring one run in nine innings is no way to maintain it. After Thursdays reinvigorating reversal against Toronto, the Yanks may have been licking their chops at the prospect of playing the reeling Royals for four games, at the Stadium. "The fallacy of the predetermined outcome."--(Kay/YES.) Good point. The 2008 season has been fraught with fallacies. The reality is the Yankees are in last place, again.

Note: The Yankees have been hit by another devastating injury. Chris Britton was placed on the DL with a rib cage issue. ( Britton spends more time commuting from Scranton than on the mound hopefully, he didn't hurt himself lifting a suit case.) The Yanks replaced Britton with Joba's caddie Dan Giese. Chamberlain starts Sunday and Giese will be at the Stadium in plenty of time to provide long relief. The timing of the injury was fortuitous, just lucky I guess.

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Yankees' injured prospects

The song remained the same in yesterday's draft as the Yankees' pattern of acquiring talented prospects with injury issues continued. New York Times Bats Blog, provides some detail:"The Yankees took a pitcher who had an elbow injury this season – the Stanford lefty Jeremy Bleich. The Yankees have been undeterred in taking such risks, selecting Mark Melancon, Alan Horne and Andrew Brackman in recent years despite elbow issues with all three."

The philosophy of rolling the dice on high-ceiling prospects has paid one notable dividend--Joba Chamberlain. The rehab list is extensive but the Yanks have the resources to gamble that today's risk is tomorrow's jackpot.

Giambi's resurgence

Jason Giambi's dramatic walk off 3-run bomb, at the Stadium yesterday, bailed out his lackluster teammates. A 9-8 win despite a myriad of mistakes has to feel good. The resuscitated "Giambino" was the good humor man.

"That's the thing about this game. You get to go from zero to hero real quick."--Giambi. Jason has experienced debilitating lows and the exhilarating highs many times. His Bronx tenure has been marked by: prolonged slumps, power surges, incessant injuries, popularity with teammates, drug issues, sympathy inducing apologies. The one thing not found on the list is consistency. (Yes, I know he gets his walks.)

The 2007 season seemed to provide a glimpse at the beginning of the end, "From May 1 until the end of the season, Giambi batted .192/.333/.389. For this performance, Giambi earned a cool $21 million, the same amount the Yankees will pay him in 2008 before the inevitable buyout...it remains to be seen if he can get if he can get all his parts moving in the same direction again."--Baseball Prospectus 2008 Guide. Spring training 2008 witnessed a lean, clean Giambi primed for another comeback. The regular season starts with an abysmal April that had critics (I'm a card carrying member.) calling for his head. May starts a resurrection that once again proves, "It's not over till it's over." Yesterday's sensational game winner, provides an exclamation point on the latest trip from, "zero to hero." How long will it last this time? Who knows, just enjoy the ride.

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Igawa's Alibi

Recent Yankees' seasons have produced a long list of failed pitching prospects. It has become fashionable to blame coaches and managers when players don't produce. Venerable sports reporter, Peter Gammons, is quoted by It's About the Money, Stupid (from an ESPN radio broadcast.): "Ron Guidry was the Yankees pitching coach and he took Kei Igawa and changed his delivery and he’s never been the same." I'd love to know the source of Gammons' information. Lame doesn't begin to describe it.

The sad part is this tripe isn't new. Torre took the fall last year because the tremendous talent the front office provided him fell on it's face(with the notable exception of Joba.) Ron Guidry, a Yankees' legend was swept aside so Dave Eiland could dazzle with his developmental skills. How's that working out?

It's not about coaches it's about players.

Hat tip/ Baseball Think Factory

Yanks' Mussina works his magic

Mike Mussina's Magical Mystery Tour marched on in the Bronx last night. Moose dazzled the opposition with an array of "Knee-buckling knuckle curves," 68 MPH Uncle Charlies, and pinpoint control of luke-warm heat. "He's really painting."--Kay/YES. Mussina notched his ninth victory and befuddled critics.

Baseball is a logic defying sport. "Anyone who thinks they can make sense of this game is crazy."--Reggie Jackson (several decades ago.) We live in an era where statistical measurement is king. If it can't be measured, it doesn't exist. Numbers are extrapolated to predict the future. Mussina's 2007 production: ERA-5.15, WHIP-1.47 led Baseball Prospectus to this conclusion, "Joe Girardi is obligated to give him a chance to turn back the clock, but success seems unlikely." Mussina has more wins than: Wang, Chamberlain, Hughes and Kennedy combined. Go figure.

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Yankees' draft

The Yankees look to keep hope alive in tomorrow's draft. Peter Abraham, of LoHud notes some of the highlights of the Cashman era. He speculates about the next big thing, "So what happens tomorrow? Just a hunch but the Yankees could take Fresno State RHP Tanner Scheppers if he falls to them. He was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his shoulder and doesn’t have eye-popping college stats. But he has a 99-mph fastball and is still learning how to pitch."



Sounds familiar.

Yankees' pitching

Dugout Central, published an interesting article about the art of pitching to contact and its implications on the Yankees' staff. Here's an excerpt: "So what does the Yankee report card look like after the first two months of the 2008 season? Among starters, Mussina and Pettitte get passing grades, Wang is a concern, Rasner is a question mark, and Kennedy and Hughes are failures." The subsequent discussion is worth reading and notes, "The Yankees are 24 Th in Defensive Efficiency." Getting the impression that last place isn't a fluke?

Hat tip/ Baseball Think Factory

Chamberlain's sobering start

The Yankees sent the crown jewel of their vaunted youth movement to the mound in the Bronx last night. The hype bubble surrounding a dominant reliever ("A headliner on the world's biggest stage...The future starts tonight.--Kay/YES) burst. Reality took over, "He's not human if he's not nervous."--Leiter/YES

Joba Chamberlain is human. The adrenaline that served him so well as a late-inning stopper proved to be an obstacle in his new job. "There's a big difference in mindset."--Leiter. The four plus-pitch repertoire that dazzled minor leaguers in 2007 never made it to the mound. "It'll be the same old Joba."--Chamberlain promising to bring heat early and often. He backed up his words with scoreboard-tilting hard stuff (101 registered on the board.) Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Erratic control brought the curtain down on a disappointing opening night. Joba's line: 2 1/3 IP, 2 runs, 4 walks, 1 balk, 0 change ups. The bottom line--he has moved from proven commodity to work in progress. He has plenty of company.

The Bombers' brass has plotted Chamberlain's franchise changing transformation for months. Relief support is a prerequisite to success. There has been a job opening--long man--all season. Dan Giese was promoted from Triple-A to fill a gaping hole. Giese's resume reads--31 year old, career minor leaguer, but he did the job--3 1/3 IP, 1 run. The new guy kept the Yanks in the game until Veras and Ramirez blew it up, allowing 6 runs in 1/3 IP. There is no relief in sight as key off season acquisition Latroy Hawkins mopped up another mess.

Joba Chamberlain's dominant 2007 season brought joy and hope to the Bronx. The 2008 season has brought sobering lessons and last place. Reality bites.

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Joba Chamberlain's quiet transition

The Yankees' vaunted, "Generation Trey has been reduced to Generation Uno."(David Cone.) Joba Chamberlain's, performance matched his hype and tonight, in the Bronx, he takes the hill with the whole world watching. ESPN notes the modest occasion, "As I assume you know -- being the good American you are -- Joba Chamberlain's first major league start is tonight. (OMG!!!)
This is obviously one of the biggest events in world history. I mean, he's a legitimate prospect … and he plays in New York … for the YANKEES! (OMG again!!!)
But is tonight's start the single most important event in the history of the universe? Undoubtedly." (Hat tip, Baseball Think Factory.)



Was Watching, puts it into Yankees' historical context, "If Joba does well, and remains a starter, and does it in New York, he'll be in pretty select company."

Yankees start new chapter

Andy Pettitte couldn't preserve three leads in Minnesota last night. Kyle Farnsworth couldn't fill Joba's oversized shoes. The game was lost in the 8TH inning. The Yankees return home one game under .500, tied in the loss column for the cellar. That was then, this is now.

A new chapter begins in the Bronx tonight as Joba Chamberlain makes his heralded debut in the starting rotation. A fresh start couldn't come fast enough. Joba saved the Yanks last season as he carried the beleaguered bullpen to the playoffs. Expecting him to rescue this crew isn't fair. He needs help. The reinforcements from Scranton--Patterson and Giese--won't keep mediocrity at bay.

Joe Girardi assumed the helm with a symbolic gesture signifying confidence and optimism. The number 27 on Joe's uniform represents his preseason goal of garnering the next championship for the storied franchise. One third of the 2008 season is in the dust. The new skipper has modified his expectations, "I'd like to get way over it."--Girardi commenting on .500 ball. Reality has set the bar a tad lower.

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Cashman's biggest blunder?

I read this at Bugs & Cranks, "From ESPN’s Jayson Stark comes word that Igawa, the incredibly overmatched left-hander, asked to be allowed to return to Japan over the winter.
From Stark.
We’ve heard from two different baseball men recently that Igawa asked the Yankees over the winter if there was any way he could return to Japan. The Yankees quietly explored their options, got nowhere and gave up. They’re still on the hook for nearly $11 million to Igawa through the 2010 season.
Now, failing to put Igawa on the first plane back to Japan — with a one-way ticket — that’s the biggest blunder of the Cashman era.
C’mon, Cash. You don’t want him. He doesn’t want to be here. Find a way to make it happen."



It reminded me of this, "He can easily identify, admit and go about rectifying past mistakes because they weren't his. Similarly, he can operate without the ego-driven attachment to players he signed himself, a phenomenon that frequently develops in front offices in the major leagues."--Baseball Prospectus 2008 Guide (in reference to Baltimore's Andy MacPhail.)

Yankees' rumor

Scott "The Stranger" Patterson joined the Yankees' big league roster yesterday. SWB Yankees blog is reporting that Dan Giese's promotion is imminent, leaving the Triple-A cupboard bare. Hype told us "the rejuvenated farm is bursting at the seams with potential reinforcements." Reality tells us, "The team (Scranton) badly needs a reliever and it could use two or three. The bullpen is completely taxed."--SWB.



It is what it is. Time to throw out a trade rumor, "Keep an eye on the Yankees' interest in Brian Fuentes, whom they have liked for years. New York needs a reliable late-inning setup man to replace Joba Chamberlain, who joins the rotation Tuesday."--Denver Post (Hat tip MLB Trade Rumors.) Fuentes is left-handed, in an 8 year career, he has compiled an ERA of 3.49 and a WHIP of 1.25. Historically, the Bombers have fortified the roster with trades as the season progressed. There are holes to fill, time to revert to a noble tradition.

Yankees' revolving roster

As the Yankees transition from veteran laden to youth dependent, quality reserves grow in importance. Joe Girardi announced in the spring that he would employ the entire roster. Regularly resting veterans while nurturing novices is a tough chore; support is a prerequisite to success.

Yesterday's game with the Twins provides an example of the challenge. The pre-game radio show set an ominous tone, "Rivera, Farnsworth, Ramirez and Ohlendorf are unavailable."--(Waldman.) After two days of mixing and matching, the relief corps was worn out. A roster move would provide relief. Morgan Ensberg was designated for assignment (1.7 million for two months of sitting--another brick in the wall.) and replaced by reliever Scott Patterson. Here's a scouting report on Patterson, "his stuff is purely average, as he gets by on the deception and angles on his low-90s fastball, which is unlikely to work in the bigs."--(Baseball Prospectus 2008 Guide.) Patterson's name was added to the available list: Hawkins, Britton and Veras, good luck with that.

The starting lineup featured Wilson Betemit at first while the resurgent Giambi sat. Chad Moeller was behind the plate, after clearing waivers, he is an important cog. The remaining reserves were: Duncan and Molina. "The worst Yankees' bench ever."--(Anonymous scout.)

Joe Torre was criticized for relying on a crew of familiar faces to get the job done. Joe Girardi has a new philosophy, everyone gets the opportunity to contribute. The Yankees' have a 200+ million dollar payroll and a thin, unbalanced roster. The more things change; the more they stay the same.

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Yankees' bullpen adjustment

The Yankees will add a long-man to the bullpen mix in time for Joba Chamberlain's debut. Chad Jennings of SWB Yankees Blog provides a list of candidates. Here's an excerpt of interest: "Dan Giese: Certainly been the best of the bunch this season and if he were on the 40-man, he would be a no-brainer. If the Yankees are looking at this as a one-night only, just in case call-up, then there's no sense adding Giese to the roster for the one night. If, however, they are planning to finally carry a long man for the long haul, Giese might be a very real option. Wonder if they could 60-day either Phil Hughes or Jonathan Albaladejo.
Kei Igawa: As I wrote the other day, I wouldn't be shocked if it's Igawa. The coaching staff was talking yesterday about Igawa's most recent start, calling it his best of the season."

Giese has pitched 58 innings with an ERA of 2.02 and a WHIP of 1.09. A fresh face in the mix is the way to go. I can't imagine the Bombers' brain trust bringing Igawa back to the scene of the crime.

Yanks' recipe for success

The Yankees' 7-6 victory over the Twins last night provided a familiar formula that gave a glimpse of the future. Aggressive offense put seven runs on the board, highlighted by Abreu's game winner in the 12TH. The starting pitcher lasted 5 1/3 innings. (Lost in the incessant Joba hype is the fact that Chien-Ming Wang is the Yankees' most important pitcher. He must soak up innings to provide relief for a busy bullpen. The Yankees' ace has given up 17 runs in 19 innings, an ominous sign.) The game was in the hands of the relief corps.

The bullpen provided quality relief--6 2/3 rd innings 1 run. Girardi mixing and matching: Ramirez, Veras, Farnsworth, Ohlendorf was reminiscent of his mentor successfully shuffling: Lloyd, Nelson, Stanton and Mendoza. We will see the pen early and often as a rotation featuring Chamberlain and Mussina back to back will need support. The Yankees are one game over .500 with two-thirds of a season to go. Last night's rewarding recipe suggests that a pennant race is in their future.

Note: "The Yanks will carry three catchers when Posada returns."-- (YES) Morgan Ensberg and Shelley Duncan should have squirmed at that news.

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