Yankees Issues

The Yankees '09 season is only a few weeks old but the issues just keep on coming. Let's touch base with a few New York Yankees related links:

• Intangibles: "His ability to pair joy with competitive dignity..."--(Detroit News)
• Rust never sleeps: "The Yankees built much of their team around older players, and before the end of the first month of the season, nagging injuries have caused several to miss time."--(NY Times)
• Greed isn't always good: "prices were too steep even by Yankees standards, the 26-time world champions announced a plan to fill thousands of empty high-priced seats by reducing prices and giving away much of the unsold inventory--(Wall Street Journal)
• Sidney Ponson toils in KC but the Yanks never ending search for the Next Big Thing could find a familiar face: "The fat, puss-y toad is back. Sort of...We hope he comes in and lights it up."--(NY Daily News)

PHOTO/NY DAILY NEWS

Hughes Bounces Back

Phil Hughes provided a credibility enhancing performance Tuesday in Detroit. Six shutout innings against a potent Tiger's lineup is a big step in the right direction. The focus shifts from the DL and AZ Fall League to MLB results. The Yanks' Next Big Thing kept it real with 92 MPH four-seamed heat, a confident cutter and a waffling knuckle curve. Hughes provided a breath of fresh air to a reeling rotation.

The Yankees turned a taught pitching duel into a losing streak-busting 11-0 blowout. A resurgent group of role players buttressed the Bombers. Jose Molina started behind the plate for the third time in five games and whacked four hits. Melky Cabrera may be a fourth outfielder but his productive play has pushed Gardner's paltry production to the bench. Cabrera's two hits pushed his BA to .325 while adding an uncharacteristic two walks. Matsui added two more hits from the clean-up spot while Cano continued to rake.

It was a strong night for the Bombers who climbed back to the .500 mark. A string of stinging losses was snapped by a rejuvenating win. What a relief.

PHOTO GALLERY/NEWSDAY

Yankees Go Back to the Future

A pair of Aces took the hill in Motown Monday night. CC Sabathia gave a glimpse of what the fuss is about, blending high-octane gas with quality breaking stuff, producing a complete game while holding the potent Tiger offense to four runs. Sabathia's opponent Justin Verlander was better. Detroit's erratic phenom balanced 98 MPH heat with a breaking ball that fell off the table.

Verlander's electric stuff and erratic results (11-17-- 2008) are reminders to Yankee fans that the road to the top of the rotation is replete with potholes. Tonight, Phil Hughes makes an illustrious return to the Bombers' rotation. When Hughes takes the mound, Yankee fans will have visions of Verlander dancing in their heads. Two years ago, in Texas,the Yankees' next big thing featured similar, head-shaking stuff. It's been all down hill since.

Here's a scouting report on Phil Hughes from Baseball Prospectus: "There was a lot of pressure on Hughes after the Yankees chose to retain him rather than package him in a deal for Johann Santana...After consecutive years with long DL stays there's some concern that Hughes has trouble staying healthy, but he's still young enough and his arm is special enough that he deserves another trial or three before hope is allowed to yield to doubt."--(BP 2009 Guide)

The pressure on Hughes hasn't waned as Santana rules and the Yanks are in their annual looking for a miracle mode. Hope is alive but doubt is always warming up.

PHOTO/NY DAILY NEWS

Red Sox Run Past Yankees

The rolling Red Sox ran past the reeling Yankees Sunday in Boston. Old reliable Andy Pettitte took the hill in Fenway Park looking to stave off a sweep. Jacoby Ellsbury provided a speed induced exclamation to Boston's 4-1 victory by stealing home.

The Yankees have played 18 games of the '09 season. The best pitching money could buy has the worst ERA in the league. Familiar issues come into focus: "The Yankees are going to have to do something. They're going to have to make some moves. They are going to have to add some more players. Where do you get those players? They don't have them in the minor leagues."--(Morgan/ESPN)

Rumor has it that the Yanks will get an early start sifting through other team's rejects. FOX suggested Saturday that recently released former Yankee Luis Viscaino could help. "It would be the height of desperation to pick up released players in April."--( McCarver/paraphrased)

Speaking of desperation, let's check in with the man responsible for yet another boondoggle: "I'll have to pull a rabbit out of my hat."--(Brian Cashman) The more things change; the more they stay the same.

PHOTO GALLERY/NEWSDAY

Yankees Familiar Story

The Yankees staked hired gun A.J. Burnett to a 6-0 lead in Fenway Saturday. It wasn't enough. The Bombers' bats whacked 15 hits and produced 11 runs. It wasn't enough. Boston bludgeoned New York 16-11.

The game followed a familiar script. New York's starting pitcher, featuring nasty stuff, couldn't get past five innings. The beleaguered bullpen, featuring a revolving list of castoffs, gets an early wake-up call. Let the carnage commence: Veras (ERA 6.30), Coke (4.70), Albadejo (5.23), Ramirez (7.36), Marte( 15.19) and Robertson (3.86) assumed the position while tales of the legendary Bruney injury filled the airwaves.The Yanks had nine pitchers in the bullpen Saturday. It wasn't enough.

Somewhere, Joe Torre is shaking his head. Torre was held accountable for the never ending list of front office failures that lead to the demise of a dynasty. Allegedly incapable of managing an evolving pitching staff, old Joe hit the bricks and a new model was built. Girardi and Eiland would optimize the vast potential of talent afforded them by a shrewd team architect. The more things change; the more they stay the same. There is no relief in sight. Where do they go from here?

Let's check in with the original survivor, Yankees GM Brian Cashman: "I'll have to pull a rabbit out of my hat." Encouraging words from the master mangler. Those of us who have endured Brian's meteoric rise from tyrant appeaser to youth movement pioneer to bloated big-ticket buyer know there is always more self-serving rhetoric ready to spew."We're in that laboratory mode. Anybody can have an opinion." Cash is pontificating about Wang's mystery ailment. A week earlier, Brian's hand-picked pitching guru Dave Eiland said Wang was "rusty." More from Cash: "I have a personal opinion, in my mind, that there is a relationship from his Lisfranc fracture to what he is now, and it's somehow connected. The fact is that the architecture of that foot is changed, and if you believe in that kinetic chain--I believe in that stuff--then because of the changes there, it could rear its ugly head somewhere else in the body. What's causing the difference? I don't know." --(NY Times)

Cashman has been down this road before. Last season, when Hughes and Kennedy were rushed to the show and failure followed the facts were diverted with opaque injuries followed by extended rehab and breathless press reports of reinvention. Accountability didn't make an appearance. Ownership brought Brian back for another act. Cash vowed, "to change the story." The story changes but the song remains the same. It isn't enough.

Yankees and Red Sox Resume Rivalry

Round one of the annual Yankees/Red Sox brawl was played in a packed, old-school stadium. The game managed to match the never-ending hype as the rivalry resumed. Joba Chamberlain took the hill in Fenway and wobbled. Nine hits, four walks and two poor defensive plays in five innings only generated two runs scored thanks to four double plays. The Yankee Golden Child has transitioned from dominant bullpen stalwart to mediocre work in progress. 17 starts have garnered three wins, "We will have to get used to it, he's not the same pitcher he was two years ago."--(Cone/YES)

The Yankees' offense used an array of shattered bats, bunts and well placed bloops to build a 4-2 lead. Coke and Albaladejo did the job and got the ball to the Great Rivera. The Yankees were on the brink of a heist but Bay's blast with two outs in the ninth burst their bubble. A momentum building win morphs to a confidence shaking loss as Youkilis walks off in the 11Th. The best rivalry in sports has another chapter. The Yankees could use a happy ending.

PHOTO GALLERY/NEWSDAY

Boston Set to Welcome Yankees

The intensity level of the Yankees '09 season cranks up a notch tonight in Fenway Park. The Red Sox and their raucous mob of a crowd will be amped up to welcome the player that spurned their ardent affection, Mark Teixeira and the new Yankee crew.

The decibel level of the catcalls, boos, jeers and epithets figures to peak when Joba Chamberlain takes the hill. The erratic heat of the Yankees 5TH starter is clearly on Boston's mind, "None of that, man -- just play the game the way it's supposed to be, and that's about it," Ortiz said. "This is a guy, as good as he is, the next step for him will be to earn respect from everybody in the league." (Big Papi wasn't quite as outspoken a sportsman when the infamous Pedro routinely plucked the pinstripes.)

Brush aside the hysterical hype and here's what the Red Sox are up against,"The 24-year-old flamethrowing Nebraskan now has 14 big-league starts under his belt, and thanks to a combination of limited pitch counts, poor run support, shaky bullpen work and uneven performances, he's won just three of them."--(SI)

Joba's heralded transition to the top of the rotation takes another step tonight in Boston. The rivalry is rekindled. "Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends."--(ELP)

PHOTO/ART.COM

Giambi Returns

Yankees exile Jason Giambi returned to the Bronx Tuesday night. A chorus of modest applause seasoned with a smattering of boos provided the soundtrack. Two years ago, I wondered "Why is Giambi Popular?"
Jason's enigmatic ride through his Yankee years was accompanied by frustration and distraction.

Ken Davidoff of Newsday, chronicles "The roller-coaster ride that was Jason Giambi's time in the Bronx" The article concludes with an answer to my question:" bottom line is that Giambi, like A-Rod, like all of us, is human. As much as we want to make the "good guy/bad guy" argument, it just never works."

PHOTO

Yankees Beat Oakland

The Yankees kept their opponent in the new yard Tuesday night, flashed some leather and earned a 5-3 victory over the Oakland A's. Brett Gardner set the tone with a lunging snare of a Giambi first inning drive, converting a potential extra base hit into an out.

Andy Pettitte produced another professional outing throwing seven effective innings. It is ironic that the best starting rotation money can buy is being led by an incentive-laden after thought.Pettitte reluctantly took a pay cut and has responded with excellence--2-0, 2.53 ERA.

The Yankees conclude their inagural homestand today as CC Sabathia matches up with A's rookie Brett Anderson. Here's a scouting report from Baseball Prospectus: "Unlike most pitchers his age, Anderson has advanced some secondary offerings and excellent feel for his craft. He's moving up rapidly...and has All-Star potential." The lefty is 0-2 this season with a 4.85 ERA.

A win today would put the Yanks at a respectable 9-6 and set the stage for Friday's trip to Fenway. Considering all the issues the Bombers have had to cope with, things are looking up.

Photo/Daylife

New York Yankees Links & Notes

Rain pelts the new pleasure palace in the Bronx. Let's hit the links for some relief:

• Help on the way?:"Ranked as the top prospect in the Yankees organization by Baseball America, Jackson’s transition from Double-A to Triple-A has been — so far — nearly flawless. Through seven games, the 22-year-old is hitting .480 with a triple, six RBIs, three stolen bases and a .563 on-base percentage."--(Chad Jennings)
• Rust never sleeps: Pitching coach Dave Eiland is on record that Chien-Ming Wang's eye-popping problem is due to being "rusty." The player says, "I certainly do not want to skip a start. This is my job, I want to do my job," The New York Daily News reports that "The move had been debated in meetings between Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman." The verdict is Wang sits out his fourth start of the year and the vaunted rotation gets juggled the third week of the season. Anticipate someone saying everyone is on the same page.
• Justice makes an appearance:"The reality is startling. Television viewers now see what happens when high ticket prices collide with a toxic economy. The pictures are not pretty."--(Bob Raisman)
• Critics corner:"wonder if the Yankees might have crossed a hazardous line or two, for both the fans and the players."
• Money for nothing?:"Yankees commissioned engineering studies to gauge the possible effect of wind on batted balls"--(Tyler Kepner)
• Nit picking:"the new Yankee Stadium is not only a monument to a legendary sports franchise but also a monument to bad taste.
• Now he tells us:"Now that Xavier Nady is hurt and Damaso Marte is a ticking time bomb, how is that trade looking? Ross Ohlendorf threw seven shutout innings against the Marlins tonight, allowing two hits. You watch, he’s going to be a player they regret losing."--(Peter Abraham) I've gone thirteen games without shining the light on Cashman's dubious track record (an all-time record) but this is hard to skip. Let's add to the pile the fact that Cash gave Marte a three year deal in the off season despite injury, age and performance issues. Don't forget that the Yanks included Tabata and Karstens in the deal and it looks like Brian has added another brick to the wall.

PHOTO/NY DAILY NEWS

Yankees Make News

Jorge Posada came off the bench for the Yankees Sunday and lofted a 2-run, controversial bomb, into the friendly confines of right field. The decisive hit spared the Yankees the potential embarrassment of losing to reviled refugee Carl Pavano. The "Raja of Rehab" threw six innings, allowed one run and lowered his ERA to 9.69.

The come from behind victory earned the Yanks a reprieve from the oppressive headlines surrounding the opening of their glamorous new stadium. For a sampling of Gotham's glare, let's peruse the NY Times' Sunday sports page: "Hard To Hit, Hard To Watch" "Santana is brilliant, and the Mets need him to be." In the Bronx, the mention of Santana's name induces head shaking and shoulder shrugging. The silver lining is that the Yanks infamous youth movement is still allegedly alive. Alongside the salt rubbing reference, we read "Yankees absorb record pummeling against Indians." Enough said.

The Sunday NY Daily News goes for the jugular. A stark photo of a forlorn Chien-Ming Wang sitting alone in a trash strewn dugout accompanies the headline: "Wang is garbage once again as Tribe trashes Yanks, 22-4...YOU STINK!" The Big Apple tabloids are in mid-season form.

Wang is hung in effigy for producing three atrocious starts after two plus seasons of consistent excellence. New York is not noted for its patience. The papers reflect the populace. Sinatra once sang, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." Enough said.

PHOTO GALLERY/NEWSDAY

Yankees Notes & Quotes

The dust settles on the new Yankee stadium while the new season kicks off this year's roller coaster ride. Let's go around the horn for some Yankee related notes and quotes:

• Was Watching asks Hit Tracker to confirm that the long ball is back in the Bronx.
• The Bats Blog clarifies the Wang options: ". The most logical route is to skip Wang on Friday and let him pitch on April 28 at Detroit. That gives him nine days off to work on mechanics and re-build his confidence.
  The pitching coach Dave Eiland said Wang’s problem is simply that he is rusty." Eiland has morphed from pitching guru to pretzel logic czar.
• Perhaps Gordon Gecko was wrong and "Greed isn't good":"But a closer look at the makeup of the stands was intriguing. All of the lower-priced sections seemed to be packed, but there were dozens of empty seats in the premium levels. Seemingly all of the seats in sections 11 and 29 — eight rows apiece, at the left- and right-field ends of the Legends Suite area — were unoccupied."--(NY Times)
• This didn't take long: "Emotional aspects aside, doesn't pulling Posada for Molina make sense late in tight games, where simply advancing baserunners could mean the difference between winning and losing?--(NJ.com) Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Molina gets hurt and who catches?
• Rose colored glasses: " Joba Chamberlain threw 93 pitches and didn’t come away limping or clutching anything.
  The primary goal for young Mr. Chamberlain this season should be to throw at least 160 innings and not spend one day on the disabled list."--(LoHud) Shining a positive light on a poor performance is a warm-up for an optimism stretching projection that Joba will "throw at least 160 innings." Good luck with that.

Yankees Long List of Questions

The 2009 New York Yankees started this historic season with a long list of questions: 1) Could CC fill the top of the rotation Big Apple void? 2) How long until A.J.'s stellar stuff sits on the DL? 3) Can Gardner hit his paltry weight? 4) Could the bullpen bridge hold up in prime time? 5) Can Posada trick Father time? 6) Is Joba a dominating starter waiting to happen?

Chien-Ming Wang's name wasn't on the list. Credibility enhancing campaigns in 2006, 2007 and an injury shortened 2008 provided confidence that Wang was a reliable cornerstone in a rebuilt pitching foundation.

Nothing is ever easy for the New York Yankees. Wang produced his third consecutive disastrous performance Saturday allowing eight runs in one and a third innings, leaving his ERA at 34.50 and vaunting him to the top of Yankee questions.

The Bombers suffered their third embarrassing blow-out loss in twelve games. The bullpen is abysmal. Yesterday's sacrificial lamb from Scranton was Anthony Claggett who arrived with a clank: 1 2/3 IP/9 Hits/ 8 Runs. The shell shocked rookie was followed by the usual suspects, Ramirez ERA 8.44, Veras ERA 8.53, Marte ERA 21.00. The song remains the same.

The standings say the Yanks have played twelve games and stand at a mediocre 6-6. The standings don't tell the story. Questions mushroom while the traditional search for answers continues. Deja Vu all over again.

PHOTO GALLERY/ NEWSDAY

Yankees Search for Consistency

The Yankees' bats produced power that would make Murder's Row proud, swatting five bombs on the way to a 6-5 victory over Cleveland, Saturday in the Bronx. Damon, Teixeira, Cabrera, Cano and Jeter went deep and overcame the lackluster pitching of Joba Chamberlain. The beleaguered bullpen provided an ironic twist by bailing out the struggling starter with 4 1/3 innings of scoreless work. The Great Rivera glided in from the 'pen in the ninth and nailed down the first Yankee save in the new yard.

The 2009 New York Yankees continue to search for consistency. An injury ravaged lineup will need over-the-top support from the revamped pitching staff until healing happens to A-Rod and Teixeira. Hope is fading fast for Matsui and Nady.

Five inning starts won't cut it. A big piece of the puzzle starts today when Chien-Ming Wang takes the hill and his 28.93 ERA is displayed in Hi-Def on the mammoth board. "Every picture tells a story, don't it." Seven effective innings would go a long way in alleviating the angst and keeping the soft underbelly of the bullpen of the field.

The 2009 New York Yankees are a work in progress. Eleven games have produced more questions than answers. The search for consistency continues.

PHOTO GALLERY/NEWSDAY

Yankees Make New Memories

Pomp and circumstance lead off for the New York Yankees as they officially opened their new home. Pageantry in pinstripes was on parade as a long list of luminaries brought up the curtain in the Bronx.

Muffled millionaires assumed the position in the front row while the infamous bleacher creatures called role from the peanut gallery. The sun was shining in the Bronx while the Yankee Ace took the hill.

New memories were made as Johnny Damon slapped the first hit and Jorge Posada blasted the first bomb. Yankee baseball has a new home.

The game was tied after six and a storybook ending was in sight. "Once you get in the bullpen it's a different ballgame."--(Eric Wedge/Cleveland manager) Don't remind us. CC retired after 122 pitches and the Bombers' beleaguered bullpen held the historic game in their hands. Memories morphed to nightmares as Jose Veras and Damaso Marte allowed nine runs in the seventh. The curtain fell with a thud.

"What made Yankee Stadium so special was memories of winning."--(Buck Showalter) The New York Yankees have a shiny new stadium, memories of winning will have to wait another day.

PHOTO GALLERY/NEWSDAY

Yankees Stats & Scouting

Here's an assortment of Yankees notes, stats and scouting reports:

• The next big thing?
• Deep digits.
• Can we get some relief? The annual Scranton search gets off to an early start: " so the guys not on the 40-man are probably out. That means no Mark Melancon, no J.B. Cox, no Zach Kroenke and no Brett Tomko.
  David Robertson pitched three innings Monday, so he's probably out.
  That leaves either Anthony Claggett (right) or Steven Jackson, each of whom can go multiple innings if necessary--(Chad Jennings)
• How about that? Baseball Prospectus, beats a dead horse: "Jeter's controversial weakness is always his defense." This is the Stat Wizards cause celeb. Yeah, we get it the captain isn't perfect. Go figure.
  

Yankees Rebound

The Yankees responded to the Rays Tuesday in Tampa. A.J. Burnett took the mound with a clear cut assignment--shutdown the opposition and give the beleaguered Bombers' bullpen a breather. A.J. produced a dominant array of hooks and heat. Bottom line: 8 IP/ 3 Hits/ 9 K's/ 2 Runs--mission accomplished.

Girardi responded to the Rays relentless running, Monday, by putting all arm and no bat Jose Molina behind the plate. A Bombers' lineup featuring Pena, Molina and a gimpy Teixeira somehow scored seven. The Swisher comeback tour continued. Nick hit cleanup, whacked his fourth bomb and ran his team-leading RBI count to eleven. Swisher's prodigious production has help mask the void left when A-Rod sits. Alex may lead the league in distracting baggage but his bat is missed big time.

The Yankees have an opportunity to finish their nine game road trip with a flourish. Andy Pettite matches up with Andy Sonnanstine, here's a scouting report on the Ray's lefty from Baseball Prospectus:

He mixes four pitches, changes speeds, adds sink or cut when he can and absolutely pounds the strike zone with all of them. The basic theory is trust your defense...to embrace it and find success in it...that requires a very unique and underrated mind-set."--(BP/ 2009 Essential Guide)

Sounds like a credo Ian Kennedy would be wise to emulate.

PHOTO/NY DAILY NEWS

Yankees Jolted by Reality

The feel good ride of the New York Yankees' off season is over. A kings ransom was paid to bloated free agents. Headlines were snatched. Hype went into overdrive. An exorbitant pleasure palace awaits the Bronx Bombers highly anticipated return to glory. Not so fast.

Last night in Tampa, the Rays reminded us that last season wasn't a fluke, aberration or bad dream. Before the game the American League Champions hoisted banners while the pinstripes watched. The Yanks took the field with the opportunity to crash the upstarts party and put the kids in their rightful place. Good luck with that.

A young, aggressive, confident Rays team dismantled their elders. The scoreboard read 15-5, it wasn't that close. The lopsided loss is only one game in the standings but the impact of this ugly crash will reverberate. "It would really be a blow to the Yankees psyche...As bad of body language as you'll see from a pitcher.--(Cone/YES/paraphrased) Coney is describing Chien-Ming Wang who gave up eight runs in one inning. Is there any relief? The bullpen allowed seven runs in seven innings and failed for the third time in seven games. Nick Swisher pitched a scoreless eight and proved to be the most effective pitcher of the evening. (Note: someone needs to clue Swisher in to the fact that there is nothing funny about an embarrassing loss. The perpetual grin is getting old fast.)

There is more to this abysmal story than poor pitching. The adroitly managed Rays exploited another flaw in the Yanks armor. Aggressive base runners ran with abandon, swiping six bases early and rattling a reeling Wang. Posada threw well for a 37 year old catcher, coming off major shoulder surgery, with a slow moving hurler on the mound. Get used to it, as the Rays and Red Sox will be running all summer.

The Yankees were jolted by grim reality last night in Tampa. The game is still played on the field. The pennant can't be bought it must be earned by the best team. Gulp.

PHOTO GALLERY/NEWSDAY

Yankees Work in Progress

Joba Chamberlain held up the bottom of the Yankees rotation Sunday in Kansas City. A solid six inning stretch marked the '09 debut for the next big thing. Joe Girardi scratched out a lineup that required a sense of humor to appreciate. Injuries to A-Rod and Teixeira combined with respites for Posada and Damon left a cast of unusual suspects. Small ball doesn't begin to describe it as Gardner, Cabrera, Ransom and Molina offered their dubious support.

The motley crew went 2 for 12 and somehow the Yanks held a 4-3 lead in the seventh. A win would drive the Bombers' win skein to four and build momentum going into Tampa. Not so fast.

Brian Bruney entered the seventh and did the job with a scoreless frame. Hold number two for the Diamondback castoff whose early ERA plummeted to 5.40. Lefty specialist Damaso Marte was set to settle the eight. The Great Rivera owns the ninth. Two outs, no one on base and a pesky pinch hitter at the plate. Jose Veras enters with the kiss of death--a free pass to the tying run. Girardi pulls a short leash and Phil Coke enters the fray. Three hits and two runs later a momentum building win is replaced by a mediocrity snatching loss. The schedule makers soft six game gift is squandered at 3-3.

Frustration is expected. Surprise shouldn't show up. This season's bridge to the Great Rivera is a work in progress. Girardi deftly mixed and matched the evolving repertoires of Veras, Ramirez, Coke and Bruney through the middle innings of '08. That was then, this is now. Joba's cape is in mothballs. Someone needs to step up and fill superman's shoes.

PHOTO/NJ.COM

Yankees' Star Shines

The Yankees' ace took the hill in Kansas City and demonstrated what all the fuss was about. CC Sabathia seamlessly blended 94 MPH darts with an array of 84 MPH off-speed-stuff to dominate the overmatched Royals. The big man's impressive performance allows a throng of angst-ridden Bombers' fans to exhale.

Sabathia's wasn't the only star of the show. Nick Swisher continues to make an eye-opening splash. Filling in for a gimpy Teixeira, Swisher produced: a two run bomb, a triple, three RBIs, three runs scored and two BB. Swisher's early, over-the-top success along with the triumphant return of Posada's bat and Cano's reemergence as an elite hitter has carried a disproportionate load as Matsui (.111) Ransom (.056) and Gardner (.235) are MIA.

The jury is out on the 2009 New York Yankees. It is a good sign that injury mangled, uneven performance has produced a .600 win percentage and a one game lead over division rivals Boston and Tampa. It is way too early to draw conclusions, but this season's story is off to an intriguing start.

Photo/MSNBC

Yankees Answer Questions

The New York Yankees followed an 11-2 Baltimore blowout with an impressive momentum building 4-1 win in Kansas City. Andy Pettitte's professional outing: 7 IP/ 1 Run/ 3 Hits/ 1 BB showcased the quality pitching depth that most teams can't fathom. Case in point, Sidney Ponson started for the anemic Royals, enough said.

The Yankees started the '09 season with a list of pertinent Questions: A) Is Cano the next Carew or a flash in the pan? Robbie is ready with answers, "It just seems like everytime I come to the plate, Cano is standing at first or second base."--(Nick Swisher/AP) B) Who will step forward and take the ball in the eight? A deep bullpen needs someone to get the lead to the Great Rivera. Brian Bruney did the job Friday and looked ready for prime time. C) Is Swisher a spare part or a spark? Early returns suggest Nick can provide quality depth and instant production. The search for the missing bench may have ended.

The Yankees '09 season will feature relentless questions. Friday, the Bombers had all the right answers.

Photo/NY Daily News

Yankees New Rules

The shell of the old Yankee Stadium stands in the shadow of the Bombers'regal new digs. Tradition fades, the future is now. The new place comes with an exhausting list of rules and regulations that make an old-school fan shutter. Fans' access to the field and batting practice is blocked by a financial wall.

The New Stadium Insider reports: "The security guards employed at the new stadium are intent on taking all of the fun out of the entire experience. We are aware that these security guards are probably paid little above minimum wage, and are probably poorly trained. However, from the moment we walked into the stadium and rode the elevator upstairs, we were told by a deceivingly friendly security guard that we were not allowed to take video in the stadium - yea right. From there, we experienced a rigid security guard standing post at each and every entrance to the seats in the entire stadium. If you don't have a ticket for a section, don't even think about trying to sit there. As for viewing batting practice and player warm ups from close to the field, forget about that as well. The Yankees are apparently following the rules set forth in the A-Z Guide, contrary to our reports this week, and are not letting people anywhere close to the field before the game. They were also very confrontational, looking for an argument, and possibly an opportunity to utilize their power to eject. Do not try to question them on why they do things, because they will jump down your throat. The Yankees BADLY need to train these guards in how to communicate with other human beings before things get ugly."

The new rules and tactics hit a strident chord with me. I grew up buying nose-bleeds and working my way down to "the front row" while the game progressed. Part of the fun was outmaneuvering ushers while taking in the game from a variety of vantage points. Batting practice provided another opportunity to take in the breath of the park with each crack of the bat.

The Yankees' profit obsessed, corporate creep is systematically curtailing kids of modest means from the traditional ballpark experience. Now, access will be determined by financial clout. "Isn't it a pity, isn't it a shame."--(George Harrison)

Yankees Notes

The forgotten man, Chien-Ming Wang, takes the hill in Camden Yards hoping to help the Bombers rebound against the Birds. While CC and A.J. get all the pub, Wang's hard sinker provides a valuable chip in the Yanks' rebuilt rotation. Let's go around the horn for some Yankee related notes:

• Chad Jennings reports on some interesting Scranton decisions:" Tomko is going to pitch in the closer role right now, and we’ll go from there," pitching coach Scott Aldred said. "We’ll see how it works. I think it will be fine. A lot of experience. Give him some intense work instead of being a long guy and pitching in some games that don’t mean much, I think we’ll get the best out of Brett Tomko by pitching him at the end of the game.” In the meantime the Yankees latest pitching prodigy Mark Melancon pitches middle inning relief. It's interesting, that getting "the best of Tomko" is an issue while the man who could allegedly replace The Great Rivera watches.
• More minor league rumblings: "manager Dave Miley and hitting coach Butch Wynegar each said they expected Jackson to bat sixth.
  “First time at Triple-A, that’s probably a good stepping stone," Miley said. "I’m sure we’ll have a veteran guy hitting behind him and who knows, in three weeks to a month, if things are going well, he could easily move up. Right now, just let him get his feet wet a little bit.”--(Chad Jennings/Times-Tribune) Sounds like patience is back in the mix.
• When it comes to Brett Gardner, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The New York Daily News glows: - Brett Gardner's successful debut as the Yankees' new center fielder was lost in their abysmal loss to the Orioles on Opening Day.
• While Jim Green glowers: "I have no idea how long the Yankees will be able to continue looking at Ransom and Gardner at the bottom of their lineup while Swisher rots on the bench, but I hope it’s not that long. I mean, seriously, Swisher could have failed to catch Brian Roberts’ ground-rule double to center, too." I think it's fair to say that Gardner's intriguing speed earns him a prolonged shot. Somehow, Swisher has morphed from '08 CF failure, who is owed $24 million, to a secret weapon.
• YES is a tad ticked: "I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the select few Orioles' fans disgusting and despicable treatment of Mark Teixeira." Yeah, it's not like that sort of thing would ever happen to visiting players in the Bronx. Yankees' players better get used to it because derisive reactions will be routine this season.

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Yankees Flop

The eagerly anticipated debut of the '09 New York Yankees resulted in an embarrassing pratfall. It is time to put up or shut up, mum is the word. The lackluster Birds of Baltimore mauled the headline snatching Bombers 10-5.

The imported "Ace" CC Sabathia took the hill at Camden Yards. The vaunted heat, never made an appearance. Erratic control was the order of the day. A Rasner-esque line resulted: 4 1/3 IP/ 8 Hits/ 6 Runs/ 5 BB/ 0 KO/ 2 WP. History teaches us that the big man hasn't been this bad since, well, last April. Gulp.

Maryland's native son, Mark Teixeira spurned home cooking for pinstripes and a cool $180 million. The homeboy was pelted with an array of catcalls, jeers and boos that would make A-Rod wince. Tex whiffed on the day, stranding 5 runners.

Is there any relief? Good question. Four Yankee relievers produced flashbacks to bullpens past, producing: 3 2/3 IP/ 6 Hits/ 3 BB/ 4 Runs, while squelching a comeback effort by the Bombers' bats.

Enough already, file this turkey under aberration and move on. The alternative is too painful to ponder.

PHOTO GALLERY/ NEWSWEEK

Yankees Fun Starts

Yankees Opening Day arrives and perpetual smiling is in the mix. The Bombers take the train to Camden Yards and square off against the once proud Orioles of Baltimore. The Yanks will strut their new stuff as the big man takes the hill while Maryland's native son wears pinstripes at first base. How spoiled are Yankees fans? Here's a scouting report, from Baseball Prospectus, on the beleaguered Birds:

"...five times in the last seven years, they've played respectably for over half a season...only to tank it the rest of the way...Defensive inefficiency represented a major problem for a pitching staff that was dead last in the league in both strikeouts and walks...the bullpen wasn't much better. The Orioles aren't likely to be competitive in 2009." Now, let's check out today's starter Jeremy Guthrie: " 'Ace' is stretching it, but as the owner of the only credible performance in the Orioles' big league rotation, it's tough to escape hanging the handle on him." Guthrie's '08 stats: 10-12/190 IP/1.23 WHIP/ 3.63 ERA.

Somewhere, Earl Weaver is rolling his eyes. The Yanks start the '09 campaign in search of a strong start. Playing the awful Orioles, in Camden Yards, with its customary migration of Bombers' fans stuffing the seats, sets the stage for a fun Opening Day. Now that's something to smile about.

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Yankees Magic Number

It's Opening Day eve for Yankees fans. A new chapter in Bronx Bomber history springs to life as the disappointment of '08 fades to black. A fresh cast featuring: Sabathia, Burnett, Gardner, Swisher, Coke and Pena look to make their mark at the debut of the plush Bronx stage. The promise of a vintage pennant race is ripe as Boston and Tampa are set to reprise their formidable roles. It's all good.

How will the rebuilt Yankees do? Quantifying a future filled with unknown variables is a slippery slope but history does provide some solid footing.

"For all the planning and scheming it takes to build a roster, a team's season generally comes down to whether its rotation stays healthy or not...Torre won his four world championships only in years when at least four starters took their regular turns."--(Verducci/The Yankee Years) The author provides a chart that documents that in 1996, 1998, and 2000 the Yanks had three starters make 25+ starts, in 1999 they had five hurlers make the mark.

This trend bodes well for the '09 Yankees. The Bombers' bucks have transformed the rotation to a notable strength The front office couldn't build it, so they bought it. As they say in the Bronx, "Whatever works."

Staying healthy will require some luck which, allegedly, is the residue of design. It's been a long time since the Yanks were lucky and good. 2009 would be an opportune time to reverse that dubious trend.

Photo/The Gothamist

Reactions to New Yankee Stadium

The curtain lifts on the Yankees' new stage, reactions roll in:

• Leading off, Sweet Lou: ". I was hoping coming in here you would recognize the old Yankee Stadium and you do, you really do. There's a good flavor to it."
• Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, delivers some quality writing: "a giddy shriek went up from the few fans sitting in the stands. Most of the crowd was exploring and spending, taking in the grandeur of their team’s new palace, away from the early-evening mist. And then the clouds cleared. The lights glowed and the whole place was soggy, but gray turned to blue overhead, the ponchos came off and the umbrellas closed. It was, improbably, a beautiful night for baseball, in a self-consciously beautiful setting.
• The Gothamist, tells a story with a photo gallery.
• Ken Davidoff, balances the commentary: "- the aim for perfection, and the consequences that come with such aspirations - will live on through this building."
• "You feel spoiled,” pitcher Andy Pettitte told reporters.
• Don't forget the "Bleacher Creatures": " right field was blocked off by the concrete wall of the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar, perched above Monument Park beyond center field. On the bar’s other flank, left field was a mystery for the denizens of Section 201.
  Together the two sections account for 1,048 bleacher seats where the view is obstructed."

Personally, I continue to have mixed feelings. The conflict between the beauty of the game played on a new deluxe diamond and the over-the-top spoils of a skewed system will not be go away.

Yankees Next Chapter

New York Yankees' history sprung into the future Friday with the unveiling of their opulent new home. Ruth didn't build this place, a lavish legacy did. A vast array of eye-popping, plush perks permeate the ambiance. "It's got every imaginable amenity that you would want. In fact, you wonder if the players will be ready to play ball."--(Lou Piniella)

" I'm anxious to see a game actually played here."--(Cone/YES)

• First inning, Gardner flashes a Cabrera-esque gun by firing a strike to Posada in a bang-bang play. Baseball is back.
• "Kevin Long speaks of a new maturity of Cano, he came into camp in extraordinary shape."--(Paraphrased) Michael Kay's penchant for hyperbole is in mid-season form. On cue, Robbie blasts a bomb and lights up the high-def scoreboard with his trademark smile.
• They actually have quantified defense, there are statistics attached to it now." (Paraphrased) Kay goes on to detail the right side of the Yanks infield while some how forgetting to mention the Captain's well documented flaw.
• Matsui and Ransom bounce dingers off the new foul poles, putting crooked numbers on the board for the Bombers.

The Yankees win a fun house-warming exhibition. The new place is championship caliber and the transition to the future gets off to a stylish start.

ILLUSTRATION/THE ONION

Yankees Pitching Secrets

The New York Times, in an article titled, "Free-Spending Yankees Use Discount Parts in the Bullpen" previews the 2009 New York Yankees' relief corps: "The Yankees, who once spent wildly on middle relievers, have built a bridge to Mariano Rivera from other teams’ castoffs." In the article, long-time GM Brian Cashman shares a shrewd secret: "Sometimes players need more time,” Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said. “You just sift through the nuggets, and you keep sifting.”

The pearls of wisdom just keep on coming. Give Cash credit, when it comes to searching through never ending lists of dubious suspects, Brian is relentless. The ability to communicate tid-bits of self-serving rhetoric with an authoritative, straight face earns an "A" for audacious.

Let's stagger down memory lane for a partial list of Cash's discoveries, since 2006: Rasner, Ponson, Farnsworth, Hawkins, Giese, Ohlendorf, Robertson, Britton, Traber, Sanchez, Patterson, Igawa, Clippard, DeSalvo, Vizcaino, Myers, Henn, Karstens, Brower, Bean, Chacon, Villone, Beam, Dotel, Wilson, Aceves, Tomko--(Baseball Reference)

The 2008 New York Yankees made refreshing progress at developing an effective bullpen. Stats anchored by The Great Rivera and a part-time Joba ranked 7TH in the AL with a 3.79 ERA. Years of shuffling suspects produced a glimmer of light. Who knew this was part of a shrewdly conceived methodology? Cynics would suggest it is simply throwing shaky stuff at a wall until it sticks. Go figure.

PHOTO/NY TIMES

Yankees Sobering Analysis

Baseball America, provides some sobering analysis for giddy Yankees fans. Leading off, the farm report:

• #15 New York Yankees: "So while the system has some talent and depth, is it relevant anymore?" (In the context of binge spending.) "They don't have nearly the talent and depth their system had three to four years ago,particularly at the upper levels."(Editors note: The bold print is my doing, perhaps caused by striking the key board in an aggravated fashion.)

Huh? What happened to the Cashman plan of buttressing the player development system with reams of cash thus rendering the opposition's long-term chances futile. Ownership's complete support of Brian's shrewd dream had visions of prodigious pinstriped prodigies dancing in our heads. Instead, mediocrity rules. How is it possible to whiff in a game where the rules are fixed in your favor? Tough questions. Someone said, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going," Time to change course.

Let's whip out Dad's playbook--if you can't build it, buy it. Baseball America, continues to rain on the Bombers' parade:

"One team tried to solve its problems with $423 million worth of free agents...But as we sit here with Opening Day approaching we're not sure the American League East looks the way many people think it looks. Is the team that spent those Steinbrenner family dollars really the team to beat? For that matter, did the team that spent all those dollars even have the better winter" (Than the budget conscious competition.) "For $ 423 million, the Yankees obviously got some nice pieces," one scout said. "But in terms of filling needs, I think Boston did just as well, if not better."--(Jayson Stark)

Enough of the sobering analysis, I need a drink of Opening Day optimism.

ILLUSTRATION