07/04: Bret Boone
Posted by: Patrick
Via Pro Sports Daily, I noticed a number of pieces speculating on the Yankees interest in Bret Boone.
These articles include quotes like "A few teams, such as the ... Yankees, have the need and the wherewithal to acquire Boone to be their second baseman."
Do we have a need? The best I can figure is that Cano has looked a little iffy on defense at times. Boone looks like he is a very good defender - having won 4 Gold Gloves and 3 in a row (2002 through 2004) at second base. He's also a career .288 postseason hitter in 31 games. He's having a rough year at the plate and last year wasn't a particularly great year for him, either, although he still drove in 83 and hit 24 homers. Could Cano be a temporary solution in center with Boone temporary playing 2B (this year)? Is that a way that we can improve the CF situation (with a couple of side effects, such as improving our infield defense and our lineup as Boone and Cano in the lineup means that Womack won't have to be in it) and not trade any prospects? Then, possibly we can afford to acquire one big fish?
Hmm.
These articles include quotes like "A few teams, such as the ... Yankees, have the need and the wherewithal to acquire Boone to be their second baseman."
Do we have a need? The best I can figure is that Cano has looked a little iffy on defense at times. Boone looks like he is a very good defender - having won 4 Gold Gloves and 3 in a row (2002 through 2004) at second base. He's also a career .288 postseason hitter in 31 games. He's having a rough year at the plate and last year wasn't a particularly great year for him, either, although he still drove in 83 and hit 24 homers. Could Cano be a temporary solution in center with Boone temporary playing 2B (this year)? Is that a way that we can improve the CF situation (with a couple of side effects, such as improving our infield defense and our lineup as Boone and Cano in the lineup means that Womack won't have to be in it) and not trade any prospects? Then, possibly we can afford to acquire one big fish?
Hmm.
07/04: Happy 75th Mr. Steinbrenner
Posted by: Patrick
George Steinbrenner turns 75 today.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Steinbrenner.
Bud Selig, Howard Rubenstein, Donnie Baseball, D. Jeter, Buck Showalter and Tino share some thoughts on the Boss.
Happy 4th of July, as well, to those who celebrate. :)
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Steinbrenner.
Bud Selig, Howard Rubenstein, Donnie Baseball, D. Jeter, Buck Showalter and Tino share some thoughts on the Boss.
Happy 4th of July, as well, to those who celebrate. :)
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Posted by: Patrick
The AL All Stars have been announced. The Yankees who made the team were A-Rod, Mo and Sheff. A-Rod will start at 3B.
Matsui and Jeter are nominated, along with Carl Crawford, Scott Podsednik and Torii Hunter, for the final man vote on MLB.com. Go over and vote. Having two Yankees on the ballot has terrible political ramifications... the Yankee vote is split!
Anyway, I really think one of them should have made it. For instance. You don't need 3 first basemen on the team. Sweeney is the only Royal, so he has to be there. But, Konerko, I don't think so. In the outfield, while Ichiro Suzuki has to be on the team as a Mariner - Garret Anderson doesn't. As for the DH reserve, must you pick a reserve DH? I mean, really? If so, I don't agree with it, but anyway... Shea Hillenbrand's numbers just aren't there. Also, keep in mind that the team has 1 backup C, 2 backup 1B, 2 backup middle infielders, 1 backup 3B and 3 backup OF. You have 1 backup for every position except for 1B. It's not like it was a strong 1B year, either. Tino was leading most of the time. I really think they should have gone with 1 less 1B and 1 more middle infielder (Jeter), at least.
Let's take a look at the numbers.
47 R, 19 HRs, 53 RBI, .244 BA .347 OBP, .481 SLG (1B Konerko)
43 R, 10 HRs, 60 RBI, .309 BA .331 OBP, .472 SLG (OF Anderson)
52 R, 8 HRs, 37 RBI, .304 BA .364 OBP, .447 SLG (DH Hillenbrand)
61 R, 10 HRs, 35 RBI, .302 BA .392 OBP, .447 SLG (SS Jeter)
50 R, 11 HRs, 60 RBI, .307 BA .374 OBP, .500 SLG (OF Matsui)
I think Matsui should have made it instead of Anderson and Jeter should have made it instead of Konerko (assuming there has to be a "DH reserve"). For all the chatter that goes around about the fans not being able to pick a good team, it looks like the fans picked the most deserving players at each position (or close). Meanwhile, the players noticably botched a couple in my eyes. One of Matsui or Jeter should have made the team. At least.
Matsui and Jeter are nominated, along with Carl Crawford, Scott Podsednik and Torii Hunter, for the final man vote on MLB.com. Go over and vote. Having two Yankees on the ballot has terrible political ramifications... the Yankee vote is split!
Anyway, I really think one of them should have made it. For instance. You don't need 3 first basemen on the team. Sweeney is the only Royal, so he has to be there. But, Konerko, I don't think so. In the outfield, while Ichiro Suzuki has to be on the team as a Mariner - Garret Anderson doesn't. As for the DH reserve, must you pick a reserve DH? I mean, really? If so, I don't agree with it, but anyway... Shea Hillenbrand's numbers just aren't there. Also, keep in mind that the team has 1 backup C, 2 backup 1B, 2 backup middle infielders, 1 backup 3B and 3 backup OF. You have 1 backup for every position except for 1B. It's not like it was a strong 1B year, either. Tino was leading most of the time. I really think they should have gone with 1 less 1B and 1 more middle infielder (Jeter), at least.
Let's take a look at the numbers.
47 R, 19 HRs, 53 RBI, .244 BA .347 OBP, .481 SLG (1B Konerko)
43 R, 10 HRs, 60 RBI, .309 BA .331 OBP, .472 SLG (OF Anderson)
52 R, 8 HRs, 37 RBI, .304 BA .364 OBP, .447 SLG (DH Hillenbrand)
61 R, 10 HRs, 35 RBI, .302 BA .392 OBP, .447 SLG (SS Jeter)
50 R, 11 HRs, 60 RBI, .307 BA .374 OBP, .500 SLG (OF Matsui)
I think Matsui should have made it instead of Anderson and Jeter should have made it instead of Konerko (assuming there has to be a "DH reserve"). For all the chatter that goes around about the fans not being able to pick a good team, it looks like the fans picked the most deserving players at each position (or close). Meanwhile, the players noticably botched a couple in my eyes. One of Matsui or Jeter should have made the team. At least.
Posted by: Michael
The Yankees stayed the course and took the series against the Tigers with a 1-0 victory in front of 40,056 in Detroit.
Chien-Ming Wang dominated the day pitching shutout ball through 7 innings. Tom "Flash" Gordon and Mo finished off the game through a solid 8th and 9th. I will have to admit that I got a bit anxious in the 9th after Rivera gave up a double from Ivan Rodriguez on a long fly ball into left field. Matusi was able to track it down and keep Pudge at second. Mo then got Dmitri Young to ground out, Chris Shelton to strike out, and Craig Monroe to ground out to A-Rod to end the game.
Obi-Wang was a little chaotic on the mound, hitting 3 batters during the course of the day. He plunked Polanco twice and then hit Pudge. Chaotic, but effective, as it was clearly not intentional seeing that the game was hanging in the balance of just one run.
The Yankees scored that only run in the 4th when Gary Sheffield singled in Robinson Cano. Other than that the bats were silenced against some great pitching from Nate Robertson. It's unbelievable this guy is 3-7 with an ERA of 3.35.
Tomorrow, the Yanks continue to fight it out against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Bruce Chen (6-5) 3.54 ERA takes on Yanks reliever Tanyon Sturtze (2-1) 3.43, making his first start of the year. Game time on Independence Day is 1:05pm. And yes, it's on ESPN.
Chien-Ming Wang dominated the day pitching shutout ball through 7 innings. Tom "Flash" Gordon and Mo finished off the game through a solid 8th and 9th. I will have to admit that I got a bit anxious in the 9th after Rivera gave up a double from Ivan Rodriguez on a long fly ball into left field. Matusi was able to track it down and keep Pudge at second. Mo then got Dmitri Young to ground out, Chris Shelton to strike out, and Craig Monroe to ground out to A-Rod to end the game.
Obi-Wang was a little chaotic on the mound, hitting 3 batters during the course of the day. He plunked Polanco twice and then hit Pudge. Chaotic, but effective, as it was clearly not intentional seeing that the game was hanging in the balance of just one run.
The Yankees scored that only run in the 4th when Gary Sheffield singled in Robinson Cano. Other than that the bats were silenced against some great pitching from Nate Robertson. It's unbelievable this guy is 3-7 with an ERA of 3.35.
Tomorrow, the Yanks continue to fight it out against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Bruce Chen (6-5) 3.54 ERA takes on Yanks reliever Tanyon Sturtze (2-1) 3.43, making his first start of the year. Game time on Independence Day is 1:05pm. And yes, it's on ESPN.
Posted by: Patrick
A couple of stories caught my eye this morning.
Melky Cabrera:
I hadn't thought of that. Could Cabrera give us a spark?
Eric Milton:
What?! I have one word for that. No. If necccessary, I have two more words for that. Please no. I have been joking around with Seamus about Milton/how we almost signed him/the Reds signing him quite a few times... is this God getting back at me? Unless they want to give him away for free and pay 70% of his contract, perhaps...
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Melky Cabrera:
As the deadline nears, there will be other starting pitchers available but they will be the back-of-the-rotation guys for whom the Yankees would be foolish to sacrifice a top prospect such as switch-hitting Melky Cabrera. The 20-year Cabrera, who has made the fast track through the Yankee minor-league system and is off to a hot start at Triple-A Columbus, is by far their most enticing prospect now that they've made it clear Robinson Cano and Wang are absolutely unavailable. Cabrera will take walks and as one Yankee operative put it to me: "Why would we trade this guy when maybe he might turn out to be the guy we're looking for in center field — this year and beyond?" ...
Otherwise, Cincinnati would love to unload Griffey's contract on the Yankees, just as Colorado would be thrilled to get rid of Wilson's. Ain't happening. "We're out of that business," the Yankee operative said, adding that the avowed refusal to mortgage any more of the team's future for older, more expensive players may limit their trading activity to nothing more than a further fine-tuning of the bullpen.
Otherwise, Cincinnati would love to unload Griffey's contract on the Yankees, just as Colorado would be thrilled to get rid of Wilson's. Ain't happening. "We're out of that business," the Yankee operative said, adding that the avowed refusal to mortgage any more of the team's future for older, more expensive players may limit their trading activity to nothing more than a further fine-tuning of the bullpen.
I hadn't thought of that. Could Cabrera give us a spark?
Eric Milton:
The Red Sox have no interest in ERIC MILTON and shouldn't, because he'd get killed in their park. But Milton will draw interest from National League teams and possibly (if they ever jump into the pitching market) from the Yankees, who tried to sign him last winter and couldn't. The sides differed by $1 million per year on a three-year deal and neither budged, so the Yankees instead signed JARET WRIGHT, who clearly hasn't worked out.
What?! I have one word for that. No. If necccessary, I have two more words for that. Please no. I have been joking around with Seamus about Milton/how we almost signed him/the Reds signing him quite a few times... is this God getting back at me? Unless they want to give him away for free and pay 70% of his contract, perhaps...
Via Pro Sports Daily.
Posted by: Patrick
The game was scoreless through 3, but in the 4th 5 runs were scored. Unfortunately, only 1 of these was by the Yankees (a fielder's choice ground out by Jorge resulting in A-Rod scoring). And so, they went down 4-1 early. But, that would be all the Tigers would get as Mussina (2 IP after the 4th), Gordon (2 IP) and Mo (1 IP) combined to prevent the Tigers offense from scoring a run in the final 5 innings.
The Yankees would pick up 2 in the 6th (2 out, 2 RBI single by Bernie) and 1 in the 7th (Sheffield doubled in Jeter) to tie the game up and that is how it would remain heading to the 9th.
Troy Percival relieved Kyle Farnsworth and retired Sheff on a deep fly to left. A-Rod doubled. Matsui popped out to shortstop. 2 outs, man on a second for Tony Womack. The count quickly goes 0-2. Then Tony Womack puts a single into center field - Yankees lead 5-4. But, it wasn't over. With Womack at first and Posada at third, Bernie Williams smacked a 1-0 pitch over the right field fence. I just watched the replay over at MLB.com and he got into it. Thing of beauty. After a 1-2-3 9th from Mo, the Yankees had an 8-4 victory.
All told, the pitching wasn't that bad. 4 runs isn't ideal, but they only allowed 7 hits (with Gordon and Mo failing to allow a hit) while walking 1. Gordon got the win, taking him up to 2-3 on the year.
The Yankees offense was solid, scoring 8 runs over 13 hits and 5 walks. Bernie Williams led the offense with a 4 for 5, 5 RBI night. This takes his batting average up to .261 and his OBA up to .350. He's pretty close to his numbers of the last two seasons in those two categories. It is worth noting that all 5 of his RBIs came with 2 outs.
Cano and Matsui each added 2 hits of their own (Cano had his 2nd triple of the year, but didn't reach home while Matsui scored once). A-Rod was 1 for 4 but scored 3 runs on the day. The only lineup spot to come away hitless was Posada in the 6th spot, but he scored once and came up with 1 RBI. Sheffield and A-Rod hit their 18th and 17th doubles of the season, respectively.
Obi Wang (4-3, 4.26) goes against Nate Robertson (3-6, 3.58) at 1 PM eastern this afternoon.
The Yankees would pick up 2 in the 6th (2 out, 2 RBI single by Bernie) and 1 in the 7th (Sheffield doubled in Jeter) to tie the game up and that is how it would remain heading to the 9th.
Troy Percival relieved Kyle Farnsworth and retired Sheff on a deep fly to left. A-Rod doubled. Matsui popped out to shortstop. 2 outs, man on a second for Tony Womack. The count quickly goes 0-2. Then Tony Womack puts a single into center field - Yankees lead 5-4. But, it wasn't over. With Womack at first and Posada at third, Bernie Williams smacked a 1-0 pitch over the right field fence. I just watched the replay over at MLB.com and he got into it. Thing of beauty. After a 1-2-3 9th from Mo, the Yankees had an 8-4 victory.
All told, the pitching wasn't that bad. 4 runs isn't ideal, but they only allowed 7 hits (with Gordon and Mo failing to allow a hit) while walking 1. Gordon got the win, taking him up to 2-3 on the year.
The Yankees offense was solid, scoring 8 runs over 13 hits and 5 walks. Bernie Williams led the offense with a 4 for 5, 5 RBI night. This takes his batting average up to .261 and his OBA up to .350. He's pretty close to his numbers of the last two seasons in those two categories. It is worth noting that all 5 of his RBIs came with 2 outs.
Cano and Matsui each added 2 hits of their own (Cano had his 2nd triple of the year, but didn't reach home while Matsui scored once). A-Rod was 1 for 4 but scored 3 runs on the day. The only lineup spot to come away hitless was Posada in the 6th spot, but he scored once and came up with 1 RBI. Sheffield and A-Rod hit their 18th and 17th doubles of the season, respectively.
Obi Wang (4-3, 4.26) goes against Nate Robertson (3-6, 3.58) at 1 PM eastern this afternoon.
Posted by: Patrick
San Diego area papers are reporting that the Yankees have dealt Paul Quantrill to the Padres for Darrell May and Tim Redding. Seems like a trash for trash deal, so to speak. But, who knows. Maybe one of them will do something useful with a change of scenary/coaching. Or not. Not like we're loaded with options, right?
It'd be great if we could deal Stanton for Encarnacion, though. (Would the Marlins really do that?) I read they had interest in Quantrill and Stanton and could deal Encarnacion. They can have both.
It'd be great if we could deal Stanton for Encarnacion, though. (Would the Marlins really do that?) I read they had interest in Quantrill and Stanton and could deal Encarnacion. They can have both.
07/02: Unit Shelled
Posted by: Patrick
Randy Johnson again allowed 7 ER (this time over 5 IP and not 3) as the Yankees lost 10-2.
The Unit was pulled for Scott Proctor who gave up 3 more in just an inning of work. Jason Anderson got his first work as a Yankee, pitching 2 scoreless innings to finish up the game. The Yankees were held to 2 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks by Jeremy Bonderman, who pitched a complete game.
Robinson Cano was the only Yankee with 2 hits. Godzilla hit his 11th homer of the year as he notched RBI number 60 (Sheffield drove in the other run).
We now find ourselves back at an even .500., tied for the 16th best record in baseball. We are still only 6 games back in the division and 4.5 games back in the wild card standings. Today Carl Pavano (4-6, 4.77) takes the hill against Sean Douglass (1-0, 1.50).
Edit: "Rocket Shelled" as the title originally. I had Clemens on the brain when I wrote this entry. Not sure why. I tend to think of Clemens when I write about the Unit.
The Unit was pulled for Scott Proctor who gave up 3 more in just an inning of work. Jason Anderson got his first work as a Yankee, pitching 2 scoreless innings to finish up the game. The Yankees were held to 2 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks by Jeremy Bonderman, who pitched a complete game.
Robinson Cano was the only Yankee with 2 hits. Godzilla hit his 11th homer of the year as he notched RBI number 60 (Sheffield drove in the other run).
We now find ourselves back at an even .500., tied for the 16th best record in baseball. We are still only 6 games back in the division and 4.5 games back in the wild card standings. Today Carl Pavano (4-6, 4.77) takes the hill against Sean Douglass (1-0, 1.50).
Edit: "Rocket Shelled" as the title originally. I had Clemens on the brain when I wrote this entry. Not sure why. I tend to think of Clemens when I write about the Unit.
06/30: Juan Pierre
Posted by: Patrick
Ok. I want him. I want us to keep Sheff - and I want him. Can we pull it off? I don't know. Have I watched him closely? Not really. Will the Marlins deal him? Who knows. But, if they do - I want him. I want him over Griffey, Kotsay, Cameron and Encarnacion.
Out of those 5 players - he is the youngest at 27. He's a full year and 5 months younger than the next youngest, which is Encarnacion. I'd like us to deal for him and then lock him up.
I look at his numbers and the numbers of the other players. The most hits Griffey has ever had in a season is 185. That was an MVP season where he hit 56 home runs and drove in 147. The most hits Kotsay has in a season is 190 last year. 162 in 2003 for Encarnacion. 145 in 2000 for Cameron. Pierre? 221 last year. That's not all, though. He's reached 200 hits 3 out of his first 4 full seasons. If you look at his 4 seasons before this one, you see 2 very good years, a good year and a decent year. This year is shaping up to be a poor year. But, I'm not reading much into this season because bad hitters don't have 200 hits a year for 3 out of their first 4 seasons. Pierre is a good hitter. He's got fabulous speed. He seems to get caught stealing a bit, so that has to be worked on, but look at this lineup.
Out of those 5 players - he is the youngest at 27. He's a full year and 5 months younger than the next youngest, which is Encarnacion. I'd like us to deal for him and then lock him up.
I look at his numbers and the numbers of the other players. The most hits Griffey has ever had in a season is 185. That was an MVP season where he hit 56 home runs and drove in 147. The most hits Kotsay has in a season is 190 last year. 162 in 2003 for Encarnacion. 145 in 2000 for Cameron. Pierre? 221 last year. That's not all, though. He's reached 200 hits 3 out of his first 4 full seasons. If you look at his 4 seasons before this one, you see 2 very good years, a good year and a decent year. This year is shaping up to be a poor year. But, I'm not reading much into this season because bad hitters don't have 200 hits a year for 3 out of their first 4 seasons. Pierre is a good hitter. He's got fabulous speed. He seems to get caught stealing a bit, so that has to be worked on, but look at this lineup.
Posted by: Seamus
Wednesday night's game between the Yankees and the Orioles was postponed due to rain. No makeup date has been announced, but the likely date seems to be on September 26 before a scheduled three game series is set to open up in Baltimore a day later. Mike Mussina missed a start and will pitch Saturday. Carl Pavano, who was originally scheduled to pitch Saturday, will pitch Sunday.
In other news, the NY Times is reporting that Paul Quantrill and Mike Stanton will likely be let go by the Yankees on Thursday, or perhaps traded. Quantrill is 1-0 this season with a 6.75 E.R.A. in 22 games. He has allowed 48 hits in only 32 innings. Stanton was a rock for the Yankees in the glory days of the late 90's, but he has struggled this season with a 7.07 E.R.A. in 28 appearances.
It's a tough move to make because Gordon and Sturtze can't do all of the work all the time, but Quantrill and Stanton have not really contributed very much this season. Quantrill has been a bit of a disappointment overall in his stint as a Yankee. Stanton was once one of our key guys, but he is now on the downside of his career and the Yankees haven't had much use for him this season. For a guy like Mike Stanton to have pitched only 14 innings in 77 team games is a bit of a waste of roster space.
The Yankees are expected to call up Felix Escalona after the move takes place along with another player, perhaps reliever Colter Bean.
In other news, the NY Times is reporting that Paul Quantrill and Mike Stanton will likely be let go by the Yankees on Thursday, or perhaps traded. Quantrill is 1-0 this season with a 6.75 E.R.A. in 22 games. He has allowed 48 hits in only 32 innings. Stanton was a rock for the Yankees in the glory days of the late 90's, but he has struggled this season with a 7.07 E.R.A. in 28 appearances.
It's a tough move to make because Gordon and Sturtze can't do all of the work all the time, but Quantrill and Stanton have not really contributed very much this season. Quantrill has been a bit of a disappointment overall in his stint as a Yankee. Stanton was once one of our key guys, but he is now on the downside of his career and the Yankees haven't had much use for him this season. For a guy like Mike Stanton to have pitched only 14 innings in 77 team games is a bit of a waste of roster space.
The Yankees are expected to call up Felix Escalona after the move takes place along with another player, perhaps reliever Colter Bean.
