Just when it looked like the Yankees and Red Sox were drifting into cozy familiarity, along came Jonathan Papelbon, poking a sharp stick into the cage of somnolent Yankee fans.
Jorge Posada is not ready to give up the rest of the season for a necessary shoulder surgery, even if it means that his recovery will cost him part of 2009.
Mike Mussina baffled Minnesota for eight innings and Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run double as the Yankees beat the Twins Wednesday for their 10th straight home win.
When the Phillies beat the Mets eight straight times to close last season - and again in the home opener this year - players frequently answered questions about the Phillies' potential psychological edge. The Phillies' stunning win Tuesday opened the door for those questions, fairly or not, to be asked yet again had the Mets [...]
If I had to make a list of the best players to interview, Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies would definitely be near the top. Rollins is candid, he is engaging, he is smart and, this part helps a lot, he loves to talk.
Sometimes, when I interview a player, I get the sense that he is [...]
The Yankees had little to offer Tuesday about the tenuous status of catcher Jorge Posada, who could miss the rest of the season if he needs surgery immediately on his right shoulder.
Robinson Canó has had at least two hits in every game since the All-Star break, and the streaking Yankees moved to within three and a half games of the Rays with a win Tuesday.
Rookie Justin Christian started in left field Wednesday and in his first at-bats since July 10, the rookie went 2-for-3 with a two-run double in the Yanks' 5-1 win over Minnesota that ran their winning streak to six games.
What would be an asset for the Yankees would be to have Jorge Posada behind the plate for the start of next season. The doctors have told Posada that the recovery process for the surgery takes six months.
Joe Girardi sat Melky Cabrera down for a chat before Wednesday's game because the center fielder bungled a ground-ball single by Minnesota's Denard Span Tuesday night, allowing the Twin to grab an extra base.
Even with Hall of Famer, World Series champion and 13-time All-Star forever attached to his name, George Brett will never be able to live down one memorable blowup he had at Yankee Stadium 25 years ago Thursday.
Mike Mussina threw eight shutout innings Wednesday and Alex Rodriguez and spot starter Justin Christian each had two-run doubles in a 5-1 victory over Minnesota that stretched the Yankee winning streak to six games and pushed them a season-high 11 games over .500.
Country singer Mindy McCready - whose 15-year, on-again, off-again romance with pitcher Roger Clemens has made her a player in the Rocket's federal perjury investigation - suffered a nervous breakdown last week, and is seeking treatment, according to sources.
Mike Mussina baffled Minnesota for eight innings, Alex Rodriguez hit a two-run double and the Yankees beat the Twins 5-1 Wednesday for their 10th straight home win.
Jorge Posada cannot catch the rest of the season, but he's still hoping to help the Yankees as a designated hitter so he'll rest and rehab his injured right shoulder for two weeks and see if he can return to the lineup.
It won't go down in the record books as a no-hitter, but Kyle Farnsworth doesn't care. Heck, he didn't even know that he has thrown nine consecutive hitless innings after pitching a scoreless eighth Tuesday night against the Twins.
Darrell Rasner is pitching like he doesn't want to lose his spot in the rotation. Rasner threw 5-2/3 innings, giving up two runs and four hits in the Yankees' 8-2 victory over the Twins Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.
When Yankees brass huddles today in Tampa awkwardness might fill the room. And it would have nothing to do with the wide range of personalities at the table. The sit-down was planned to find ways to improve the club before next Thursday's trade...
Though Richie Sexson didn't have a hit yesterday, Joe Girardi used the word "awesome" to describe Sexson's contributions in the Yankees' 5-1 victory over the Twins at the Stadium. The Yanks' new part-time first baseman made two big defensive...
TWENTY-five years later George Brett admits the "Pine Tar Game" is one of the best things that ever happened to him. It sure beats being the butt of all those hemorrhoid jokes he heard up until that game. When it happened in the top of the ninth...
WHEN he was 3-3 at the end of April, with an ERA hinting at 5, it was easy enough to wonder how the Yankees would handle the inevitable day this summer when they would have to have a serious sit-down with Mike Mussina, discuss everyone's options...
Jorge Posada and the Yankees confirmed what was reported in Wednesday's Post: The All-Star catcher needs right shoulder surgery that will require six months to recover from. But Posada wants to see if two weeks of rest will allow him to help as a...
Jorge Posada and the Yankees confirmed what was reported in today's Post: The All Star catcher needs right shoulder surgery that will require six months to recover from but wants to see if two weeks of rest will allow him to help as a DH/first...
Hal and Hank Steinbrenner will welcome GM Brian Cashman, president Randy Levine and a bevy of scouts to George M. Steinbrenner III Field tomorrow in Tampa, Fla., to talk about improving the Yankees, but the team has never looked better. Though...
Invisible as gravity in April and May, Robinson Cano's profile in late July couldn't be higher. When April washed into May and May drifted into June, Cano was an expensive pair of cement shoes dragging the Yankees to the bottom of the Harlem...
Jorge Posada was told yesterday he needs surgery to repair a damaged right rotator cuff, but the battler hopes he can avoid the knife and contribute to the Yankees this season, The Post has learned. After being examined by Dr. David Altchek and...
David Robertson entered in the sixth inning, Yanks down one run, runners at the corners. He threw one pitch, retired Delmon Young on a fielder's choice and took the rest of the night off. And got a win in the process. "One pitch, one out, one...
TAMPA, Fla.—Barry Bonds in pinstripes? If nothing else, the New York Yankees plan to talk about it.
Yankees officials gathered for high-level meetings at their spring training complex Thursday, a day off for the team before it begins an important three-game series at Boston.
Kevin Cullen crafted the journalistic sentence of the day in his column, "Enough already," that appears on Boston.com. In the column, Cullen implores Red Sox fans to stop uttering, "Yankees suck!" at Fenway Park and venues everywhere.
"Shouting 'Yankees suck' at Fenway Park today is like yelling 'No taxation without representation!' at Faneuil Hall," Cullen writes. If you know basic American history, you likely laughed when you read that line. For those of you who did not pay attention in history class, let me explain. "No taxation without representation" was uttered by American colonists long before the Revolutionary War.
British Parliament taxed imports and exports to the colonies, which had no say in the matter. Americans were agitated by the Stamp Act of 1765 (which required
them to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used) and the Townshend Acts in 1767 (which included special taxes on lead, paint, paper, glass and tea imported by colonists). In fact, the colonies rejected taxes levied by the Townshend Acts, insisting they had no obligation to pay anything imposed by a British Parliament in which they had
no representation. The British responded by retracting all taxes with the exception
of a duty on tea.
According to EyewitnessToHistory.com, "In May of 1773, Parliament concocted a clever plan. They gave the struggling
East India Company a monopoly on the importation of tea to America. Additionally,
Parliament reduced the duty the colonies would have to pay for the imported tea.
The Americans would now get their tea at a cheaper price than ever before. However,
if the colonies paid the duty tax on the imported tea they would be acknowledging
Parliament's right to tax them. Tea was a staple of colonial life - it was assumed
that the colonists would rather pay the tax than deny themselves the pleasure
of a cup of tea."
The British were wrong. Oh, were they ever wrong, as they were shown at the Boston Tea Party.
EyewitnessToHistory.com says, "In Boston, the arrival of three tea ships ignited a furious reaction.
The crisis came to a head on December 16, 1773 when as many as 7,000
agitated locals milled about the wharf where the ships were docked. A
mass meeting at the Old South Meeting House that morning resolved that
the tea ships should leave the harbor without payment of any duty. A
committee was selected to take this message to the Customs House to
force release of the ships out of the harbor. The Collector of Customs
refused to allow the ships to leave without payment of the duty.
Stalemate. The committee reported back to the mass meeting and a howl
erupted from the meeting hall. It was now early evening and a group of
about 200 men disguised as Indians assembled on a nearby hill.
Whopping war chants, the crowd marched two-by-two to the wharf,
descended upon the three ships and dumped their offending cargos of tea
into the harbor waters.
"Most colonists applauded the action while the reaction in
London was swift and vehement. In March 1774, Parliament passed the
Intolerable Acts, which among other measures closed the Port of Boston.
The fuse that led directly to the explosion of American independence
was lit."
Even those who are mostly history illiterate know the rest of the story. The American Revolution ensued, the United States of America was born, the British were sent home humbled and defeated, and our country earned its independence.
Those of you who are intrigued by history and are still reading this post understand Cullen's comment that how "Yankees suck" and "No taxation without representation" are no longer relevant. Just as America does not play second fiddle to jolly ole' England anymore, the Red Sox are no longer below the Yankees. As Cullen points out, that ended in 2004, when Boston executed the greatest comeback in the history of sports by erasing a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS, defeating the Yankees and then winning the team's first World Series title since 1918.
In a way, England of the 18th century and the New York Yankees of the modern era are similar. The British were arrogant, egotistical elitists who felt a sense of entitlement. Ditto for the Yankees. The British Army was dominant and feared, just like the Yankees. Essentially, England ruled the world, just as the Yankees did in Major League Baseball. The British had their multiple victories in battle around the globe, and their array of taxes against the American colonists. The Yankees had their World Series titles, and their jabs to keep the Red Sox down (such as Bucky Dent's home run in 1978 and Aaron Boone's dinger in 2003).
Then, like the mighty and scrappy American Army spearheaded by George Washington, the Terry Francona-led Red Sox had enough. Just as the Americans were bolstered by a resounding tactical and moral victory on Christmas night in 1776, when Washington guided them across the Delaware and they defeated the Hessians and the British in the Battle of Trenton, the Red Sox were charged by a Dave Roberts stolen base, a game-tying base hit by Bill Mueller and a walk-off home run from David Ortiz in Game Four of the 2004 ALCS.
The Americans were on the verge of losing the Revolutionary War against the world's strongest military until the Battle of Trenton. The Red Sox were three outs from being swept by Mariano Rivera and the Yankees until their ninth inning comeback in Game Four. Like the Americans rebounded and won their revolution, the Red Sox were ignited by the Game Four victory and demoralized the Yankees by winning the ALCS.
Though the Yankees will never by an ally of the Red Sox, I agree with Cullen that Boston fans should forego taunting their rival with the "Yankees suck" chant.
First, with the exception of that stretch between 1982 and 1994 - when they had some decent seasons but never reached the playoffs - the Yankees have rarely "sucked" in the modern era, which I consider 1968 to the present day. Why 1968? Because I was born that year, and I am not ready to admit that 1968 is not part of the modern era.
Only a moron would chant "Yankees suck" - at home or in public. I despise the Yankees. I don't like what George Steinbrenner did to baseball, ruining the salary structure (and, no, he does not deserve induction into the Hall of Fame). I don't like Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Jason Giambi and, of course, Johnny Damon. And I don't care for that noise pollution they play throughout the game at Yankee Stadium.
Simply put, I can't stand the Yankees, but I respect their place in baseball history, and their involvement in this rivalry. It wouldn't be a Red Sox-Yankees rivalry without the Red Sox or the Yankees. I don't like the Yankees, but even this season, when they are a very flawed team, the Yankees don't "suck."
Perhaps a better chant would be, "the Yankees and most of their fans are arrogant, egotistical bastards who still feel a sense of entitlement." However, not only is that chant too long to memorize, it is not appropriate anymore. What have the Yankees done since winning the World Series in 2000? Sure, they have won the American League East every season except 2007, but they have fallen in the post-season, which is inexcusable for a team with their unlimited financial resources. They are no longer feared, nor should they be. They now have to deal with the Red Sox and Angels, which are both perennial contenders who are as good as if not better than the Yankees each season. There is also the Rays, which should be competitive for the long term. The Yankees are no longer the king of baseball. The American League is more competitive than ever, and other teams are willing to spend big dollars on free agents and trade acquisitions.
The Yankees are making a run at the playoffs, mostly because an awful bullpen has prevented the Red Sox from leaving Tampa Bay and New York in the rear-view mirror, and also because the Rays are mostly young and inexperienced, and are showing signs of wilting in the pennant race heat. So it's alright to root against them. After all, this weekend's series at Fenway Park is relevant - because it's the Red Sox and Yankees, and since the Red Sox are a half-game out of first and three games ahead of the Yankees.
Regardless of the standings, I have never uttered, "Yankees suck." Why? Because though I am far from perfect, I do have class. I'm not a drunken moron. I do feel emotionally spent after every inning of a Red Sox-Yankees game. I feel a greater high when the Red Sox beat the Yankees than I do when the Red Sox defeat any other team. I love watching the Yankees lose, regardless of who they are playing. And I am grateful to be alive in an era when the Red Sox, and not the Yankees, are THE team to beat.
But, just as I'm sure most Americans no longer resented the British for taxes once the United States gained its independence, I feel no need to utter, "Yankees suck." I am embarrassed that the phrase exists. Other Red Sox fans should take the same approach. Make it a distant memory of yesteryear. Yankees fans are stuck in yesteryear, touting their World Series titles as if they happened yesterday. Let them remain in yesteryear, which is exactly where the "Yankees suck" chant belongs.
...the pitching has been positively lights out since the boys got back from their extended All-Star break vacation.Peter Abraham broke down the pertinent numbers for us. Behold:57 innings49 hits12 earned runs12 walks61 strikeouts 1.89 ERALook at that walk-to-strikeout ratio! And the ERA, my goodness!And this has all been accomplished with a pitching roster than includes the likes of Sidney Ponson and LaTroy Hawkins.Can they keep it up down the stretch? It's unlikely, to be honest. Sir Sidney will implode - hopefully just in time for Hughsie or IPK to make a triumphant return (wishful thinking?) - and Jose Veras will come back to earth. Jobamania will have a bad outing (unless he really IS superhuman). Moose will remember he's an old man. Mariano will remember he's not a machine. But what the staff has done of late is a terrific start to what we hope will be another league-leading, playoff-worthy second half.Smarter.com: Yankees Jackets Yankees Hats Yankees Jerseys MLB Jerseys Baseball Gloves
In the last post, yup asked:
SG, how about a projection of some of the pitchers on the rumor mill?
say, Washburn, Arroyo, Lowe, Burnett vs. Ponson/Rasner?
how many wins would replacing Ponson vs. Washburn get you?
just an idea. thanks!
I like requests because then i don&os;t have to think about what to write myself, so here we go.
Pitcher
IP IP/GS
H ER
HR BB
SO ERA
FIP RSAA
RSAR FRAA
FRAR
Lowe,Derek 74 6.2
77 32 7 19 44 3.90
4.01 1.6 8.4 0.7 7.4
Burnett,A.J. 81 6.7
77 37 8 31 68 4.13
3.96 -0.2 7.1 1.3 8.7
Arroyo,Bronson 74
6.2 82 38 10 23 48
4.62 4.59 -4.3 2.5 -4.0
2.7
Washburn,Jarrod 69
5.8 78 36 9 21 36
4.70 4.77 -4.6 1.7 -5.1
1.2
Rasner,Darrell 66
5.5 78 36 8 17 35
4.91 4.49 -5.9 0.1 -2.8
3.2
Ponson,Sidney 65
5.4 78 39 11 26 41
5.44 5.36 -9.6 -3.7 -9.0
-3.1
FIP: Fielding independent pitching ERA (13 x HR + 3 x (BB + HBP) - 2 x SO) / IP + 3.2. This regresses BABIP to league average for everyone by focusing on the things a pitcher has direct control over.
RSAA: Runs saved above average. Park-adjusted league average relief RA (R/IP*9) - Individual relief RA divided by 9 times IP. Includes all runs, not just earned runs.
RSAR: Runs saved above replacement. I just multiply park-adjusted league average relief RA by 1.2, since AAA is about 80% of the quality of the AL.
FRAA: RSAA using FIP instead of RA.
FRAR: RSAR using FIP instead of RA.
I assumed 12 starts for everyone here, and used their average innings pitched per games started to project their playing time.
I&os;m not a big Derek Lowe fan, but at least statistically, he&os;d be a good pickup. A.J. Burnett would also be a good pickup, but odds are getting him from a divisional rival will not be easy, and he is a very good risk to get hurt. Getting Brandon Arroyo or Jarrod Washburn would only be an upgrade of a run or two on Darrell Rasner. Any of the trade targets would be a significant upgrade on Snacks Pontoon&os;s projection, but then again, moving Johnny Damon to the mound might be as well.
The impact of mid-season trades is generally over-stated. No matter how good a player is, it&os;s hard to have a huge impact over a couple of months. That being said, even though I&os;m not a huge Lowe fan, if he could be acquired relatively cheaply, I&os;d consider it. He&os;s a free agent after this season and should be a Type-A, so the cost is not Lowe - who you trade for him, it&os;s Lowe -who you trade for him plus Dodger first round pick plus supplemental pick. Burnett, eh. Always had a great arm but if he hasn&os;t put it together yet, when is he going to? J.P. Ricciardi is a horse&os;s ass who shifted his rotation to make sure Roy Halladay pitched against the Yankees. He&os;d probably ask for the Yankees&os; top five prospects for Burnett. Arroyo stinks. Washburn is mediocre AND is expensive. If he was only signed through year-end he might be worth a flier, but he&os;s signed for 2009 at around $10 million. The only way picking him up makes sense to me is if Igawa goes in the deal. Then you&os;re at least converting a sunk cost to a cost that could pay dividends.
Seriously, I think this teams needs a bat more than a pitcher. Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui are likely out for the year, and they&os;ve been replaced by Richie Sexson.
The Daily News is reporting that Hideki Matsui has opted to rehab his chronically ailing knee rather than have season-ending surgery. Read more
The report says he's had the knee drained 4 times since the start of the season. I've talked with an orthopedic surgeon buddy of mine who believes because the decision to rehab the knee will not be successful. He pointed to the constant draining of fluid as a red-flag.
I'm not a surgeon, but this tells me the Yankees MUST make a move to land a comparable bat as Matsui's. The name Barry Bonds is out there, and would come on the cheap. His age/knees/attitude are all suspect, so perhaps Jason Bay, Raul Ibanez might be better choices?
I've heard all kinds of talk about adding an innings eater to the rotation, bolstering the bullpen, or grabbing a catcher, but if we are really serious about making a run we need to move to grab a quality bat first and foremost. Is it time to package Tabata?
At least for this season, the Seattle Mariners will not be confused with the Los Angeles Angels, or any contender. Still, Boston's three-game sweep at Safeco Field was a respectable feat, especially for a Red Sox team that entered the series with a five-game road losing streak and a 21-32 record away from Fenway Park.
The Red Sox completed the sweep in Seattle with a nailbiting 6-3 victory in 12 innings yesterday afternoon.
Though he wasn't as effective as Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka, who both delivered quality starts in the first two games of the series, Clay Buchholz pitched well enough to remain in the rotation, and most importantly put the Red Sox in position to win yesterday afternoon. Over 5.1 innings, the rookie right-hander allowed three runs and seven hits - including a solo home run by Raul Ibanez in the fourth and a two-run shot from Jose Vidro in the sixth - to accompany seven strikeouts and two walks.
The two highlights of yesterday's win were the bullpen and Mike Lowell.
After Buchholz departed with two on and one out in the sixth, Justin Masterson was summoned for his Major League debut as a reliever. He responded by striking out Kenji Johjima and Bryan Lahair to squash the rally, and added two scoreless frames. In 2.2 innings, Masterson struck out three and did not allow a hit or a walk.
In the ninth, with the score tied at 3-3, Hideki Okajima entered and retired the first two batters before walking Miguel Cairo. Terry Francona called upon Manny Delcarmen to face Willie Bloomquist, who grounded out to end the inning.
Delcarmen retired the side in order in the 10th, and it was Jonathan Papelbon who created the bullpen-induced drama the Red Sox have been accustomed to this year. In the 11th, Papelbon was unable to cleanly field a spinning, soft grounder down the first base line, allowing Vidro to reach on a leadoff single. After striking out Adrian Beltre, Papelbon served up a line drive base hit to Yuniesky Betancourt, placing the winning run on third base. Moments later, Johjima bounced into a 5-4-3 double play.
At the plate, Boston once again stranded a double-digit number of baserunners. A two-run single by Kevin Youkilis in the third and a bases loaded walk to Coco Crisp in the sixth was all the Red Sox could muster off Seattle starter Felix Hernandez. The Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth before Jed Lowrie and Jason Varitek struck out. If not for a bout of wildness from Hernandez, chances are Boston would not have scored that inning.
Overall, the Red Sox stranded 11 runners yesterday, but they finally got a clutch hit in the 12th inning against Sean Green. Jacoby Ellsbury, who has struggled since May, started the rally with a leadoff single. He advanced to second on Dustin Pedroia's ground out. Green intentionally walked J.D. Drew, and then Kevin Youkilis hit a deep drive that Bloomquist appeared to track down in center field, but the ball glanced off his glove to load the bases. Lowell followed with a two-run single to give Boston a 5-3 lead. Sean Casey added an RBI singleoff Cesar Jimenez to give the Red Sox an insurance run.
With Boston's bullpen, even a three-run lead against the Mariners is not comfortable, as was proven again yesterday. In the bottom of the 12, Craig Hansen retired Miguel Cairo on a ground out, but he was unable to cleanly field Bloomquist's high bouncer, allowing Bloomquist to reach on an infield single. That's when the tension mounted. Jose Lopez followed with a base hit and Ibanez walked. Hansen fell behind Vidro 3-0 before throwing a strike and then inducing a game-ending ground out.
Hansen was credited with his second save, but once again he showed that he lacks the poise to be a reliable Major League reliever. If Hansen becomes unnerved in a key situation against Seattle, do you honestly believe he can be counted upon in the heat of a pennant race against teams like the Yankees, Rays, White Sox and Angels? I don't. Hansen has All-Star caliber ability, but he clearly doesn't have the focus that a Major League reliever needs.
Regardless of the tension generated by Hansen's frightening 12th inning performance, the Red Sox ended their road trip with a 3-3 record and returned to Boston at 60-43, a half-game back of Tampa Bay and three games ahead of the third place Yankees. This weekend's Red Sox-Yankees three-game set will be more relevant than the four-game series around the Fourth of July. When the last Red Sox-Yankees series started on July 3, the Red Sox were three games out and the Yankees were eight games behind. When the four-game set was over, Boston trailed the Rays by five games and the Yankees found themselves nine games out.
While the Red Sox and Yankees tangle this weekend, Tampa Bay travels to Kansas City for a four-game set that begins today. The Sox could return to first place, but most importantly they need to win at least two games against the Yankees to cool down their heated rivals.
Notes and observations
Jed Lowrie has a five-game hitting streak and has given the Red Sox defensive stability at the shortstop position since Julio Lugo was placed on the disabled list with a quadriceps injury. Though Lowrie does not have tremendous range, he has an accurate arm and a reliable glove, which is what Lugo lacks. True, Lowrie is a mostly untested rookie, but he is a better option than Lugo or Alex Cora. The more I see of Lowrie, the more I hope to makes the team next season as the starting shortstop, or a utility guy who can play second, shortstop and third.
While we're on the subject of Boston Red Sox shortstops, did you see the CBS Sportsline report that the Red Sox and White Sox are discussing a trade that would send Cora to Chicago for Juan Uribe? It is difficult to determine if this rumor is credible. After all, the non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, and we will be hearing a multitude of rumors in the next week. This report is surprising. Cora is a popular player in the Red Sox clubhouse, and he is an adequate backup shortstop. Uribe rarely walks, has a low on-base percentage and OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) and does not hit for average. He does have a strong glove and can play second, shortstop and third. Uribe makes $4.5 million and is signed through 2009. The Red Sox already have Lugo, who receives $9 million a season and is signed through 2010. Acquiring Uribe makes no sense. I truly hope this is indeed just a rumor.
Manny Ramirez gets a tongue-lashing from a Seattle police officer about jaywalking and then he shows up yesterday with a "sore knee." Never a shortage of news in Boston with Manny in a Red Sox uniform. Regarding the jaywalking situation, apparently the Seattle police department and Seattle residents are adamant about only crossing the street along designated crosswalks. All I know is that - if I was stopped by the police every time I jaywalked or exceeded the speed limit - I would be a career criminal. Regarding the so-called sore knee, I don't think that his knee is aching. I believe he wanted a day off from Felix Hernandez, and two days off before he returns to left field for the remainder of the season (since David Ortiz is back as the DH).
Media reports indicate that Theo Epstein sniffed around about Washington reliever Jon Rauch, but found the smell pungent when the Nationals mentioned Michael Bowden and Jed Lowrie in return. One suggestion to Major League general managers. If Jim Bowden calls, don't answer. The former Cincinnati Reds general manager and current Nationals GM is known for his ridiculous trade demands and proposals.
Apparently, Colorado GM Dan O'Dowd is mimicking Bowden. The Denver Post reported that the Rockies would gladly ship Brian Fuentes to Boston for Clay Buchholz. Thanks, but no, thanks. True, Buchholz has been up and down this season, but he is a future top of the rotation starter. Epstein is wise to keep Buchholz, Justin Masterson and Michael Bowden, just as he was smart to not deal Jon Lester last off-season.
Fortunately for Ron Gardenhire, his Twins will never have to step foot in this Yankee Stadium ever again. It must be something in the air here. Whatever it is, the Twins stumbled their way into another loss at the Stadium, as Mike Mussina made it ...
I don't know how many people are prospect watchers like me but I just wanted to point out that two of the hottest hitters in the minors right now play for the AA Trenton Thunder. Going into the ninth of tonight's Trenton/New Hampshire game with a ...
something that I thought was interesting from the AP writeup of the Yankees 5-1 win over Minnesota on Wednesday:
"Justin Christian drove in two runs with a double, and Richie Sexson had a sacrifice fly and 13 putouts and three assists at first base as the Yankees completed a 6-0, post-break homestand with sweeps of Oakland and the Twins.
Up next is a trip to Boston, with the Yankees taking their mediocre 23-23 road record into Fenway Park for three games starting Friday."
Mediocre? Here are the road records by some of the contenders this year:
Tampa (19-25)
Boston (23-32)
White Sox (22-27)
Minnesota (21-27)
Cubs (21-30)
Record-wise, those are 5 of the top 9 teams in baseball. The Angels (31-18), Phillies (27-23), and Cardinals (27-22) are the only teams in the bigs that have winning road records. Percentage-wise the Yankees have the 2nd best road record in the American League, and tied for 4th best record away from home (with 26-26 Milwaukee) in baseball.
Mediocre? I'm sure there are a lot of teams that would've liked to have that "mediocre" .500 record away from home this season. Maybe the AP should check the standings a little more closely.
With road series at Texas, Minnesota, Anaheim, Baltimore, and Toronto next month, hopefully the Yankees can keep this mediocrity up and stay right in the thick of the Wild Card and AL East races.
Keep it going boys.
#1 Austin Jackson—Preseason Rank: 2
(AA) 88G .274, 23(2B), 5(3B), 8HR, 52RBI, 45BB, 70K, 14SB
#2 Jesus Montero—Preseason Rank: 9
(Short-A) 85G .301, 23(2B), 9HR, 52RBI, 23BB, 51K, 1SB
#3 Jose Tabata—Preseason Rank: 3
(AA) 79G .248, 9(2B), 3HR, 36RBI, 26BB, 49K, 10SB
...
For the first time in years, the Yankees' top prospects may not be pitchers.
According to the Yankees' official website, Jorge Posada is mulling a possible move to first base or DH as opposed to having season-ending surgery if he feels his shoulder still allows him to contribute with his bat. Posada told MLB.com's Bryan Ho...
MINNESOTA TWINS
Denard Span, RF Alexi Casilla, 2B Mike Redmond, C Justin Morneau, DH Delmon Young, LF Mike Young, 1B Brendan Harris, 3B Nick Punto, SS Carlos Gomez, CF
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
Glen Perkins
7-2
14
14
0
0
0
0
84.1
98
38
36
11
22
44
3.84
1.42
NEW YORK YANKEES
Johnny Damon, DH Derek Jeter, SS Bobby Abreu, RF Álex Rodríguez, 3B Richie Sexson, 1B Robinson Cano, 2B Melky Cabrera, CF Jose Molina, C Justin Christian, LF
W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
Mike Mussina
12-6
20
20
0
0
0
0
113.1
125
53
44
12
16
74
3.49
1.24
PREGAME NOTES:
Bad news regarding Posada: Pete Abe reports that the MRI on Posada's shoulder revealed capsule damage and it is in worse shape than earlier in the season. Surgery is imminent and will require a 6-month rehab. Unfortunately, the Yanks have decided to let Posada rehab the injury for two weeks and make a decision on his season - clearly risking his health for 2009.
Robinson Cano is 12-for-23 (.522) since the All-Star Break.
Yanks have won 9 straight games at home and 10 of 13 overall.
Glen Perkins is a lifetime 0-1, 11.25 ERA, 3.00 WHIP in one start against the Yanks. He is 3-0, 3.52 ERA, 1.37 WHIP in 5 starts on the road this season.
Mike Mussina is a lifetime 21-6, 3.18 ERA, 1.18 WHIP in 31 starts against the Twins. He is 11-3, 3.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP over his last 16 starts dating back to April 23.
Twins' career numbers vs. Moose can be viewed here. Yanks' career numbers vs. Perkins can be viewed here.
Dan Graziano and Ed Price of The Star Ledger are reporting that the Yankees and Mariners are talking about Jarrod Washburn. Ken Rosenthal discusses the complications of such a deal, namely tied to financials: he has whatever is left on this year's...
Player
G IP
H R
ER HR
BB K
ERA RA
FIP HR9
BB9 K9
RSAA RSAR
FRAA FRAR
Daniel Giese 8
13.6 8 1 1 0 3
9 0.66 0.66 2.54 0.0
2.0 5.9 5.4 6.9 2.5
4.1
Mariano Rivera 19
21.3 15 5 5 2 3
32 2.11 2.11 2.12 0.8
1.3 13.5 4.9 7.4 4.9
7.4
Jose Veras 23 23.3
18 6 6 2 12 23
2.31 2.31 4.01 0.8 4.6
8.9 4.9 7.6 0.5 3.2
Kyle Farnsworth 21
19.7 12 5 5 3 8
21 2.29 2.29 4.42 1.4
3.7 9.6 4.2 6.5 -0.5
1.8
David Robertson 10
11.3 7 2 2 0 4
14 1.59 1.59 1.78 0.0
3.2 11.2 3.3 4.6 3.0
4.3
LaTroy Hawkins 12
16.3 14 7 7 1 6
7 3.86 3.86 4.24 0.6
3.3 3.9 0.6 2.5 -0.1
1.8
Edwar Ramirez 20
22.3 11 10 10 3 8
28 4.03 4.03 3.78 1.2
3.2 11.3 0.4 3.0 1.0
3.6
Total 113 127.9
85 36 36 11 44 134
2.53 2.53 3.40 0.8 3.1
9.4 23.6 38.5 11.4 26.3
FIP: Fielding independent pitching ERA (13 x HR + 3 x (BB + HBP) - 2 x SO) / IP + 3.2. This regresses BABIP to league average for everyone by focusing on the things a pitcher has direct control over.
RSAA: Runs saved above average. Park-adjusted league average relief RA (R/IP*9) - Individual relief RA divided by 9 times IP. Includes all runs, not just earned runs.
RSAR: Runs saved above replacement. I just multiply park-adjusted league average relief RA by 1.2, since AAA is about 80% of the quality of the AL.
FRAA: RSAA using FIP instead of RA.
FRAR: RSAR using FIP instead of RA.
Why May 29th? Because that&os;s the day after Joba officially left the pen. FIP says that they may be pitching a little over their heads, but even with a correction the key relievers in the pen have been very good. Even the Hawk has been serviceable.
Is it possible that this is all because of the personnel on hand, or is it because Joe Girardi is a better bullpen manager than Joe Torre? My guess is the truth lies somewhere in the middle. It&os;s really fun to watch the pen now though, isn&os;t it?
NY Times and Blog
What Ever Happened to Brett's Pine-Tar Bat?