Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On As Yanks Look to Improve.
Washington DC - July 23, 2008
IN breaking news the AP reported that Hank Steinbrenner is to gather brother Hal, special adviser Gene Michaels, President Randy Levine and GM Brian Cashman in a high-level meeting in Tampa Bay “leaving no stone unturned” as put by Hank.
Steinbrenner said that he “would mention Bonds, and they’d cover everything,” and also indicated that what needs to be fixed, will get fixed, "We're playing great. That's the key thing," Steinbrenner said. "Considering we're not 100 percent because of the injuries, it's pretty impressive. Where we can add, we'll look into it."
This latest report may contradict what Hal Steinbrenner said just days go of "no prospects being traded" in order to fix this team, but unless Yankee ownership is not all-in to win, then they will have to look at free agents, or those approaching free agency as the deadline draws near.
The Front-runners to fix what’s broken are Matt Holiday, Houston Streets, Mark Teixeira, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Regarding the latter 2, the Players Union is reported to be in the process of filing a grievance against the MLB Owners over allegations of collusion in keeping them out of the game and unemployed.
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4 months ago
Patrick, how can you say the "regular bridge to Mariano Rivera is on a rollercoaster game-costing ride?" The Yankee bullpen ranks fourth in the league in ERA and second in batting average against. Neither Farnsworth nor Ramirez has given up a hit or a run in the month of July, and Veras has been nearly as good surrendering just 4 runs in his last 21.1 innings pitched.
Check out these other statistics compiled by Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant: "Now, as the season grinds toward August, Yankees relievers appear to be getting stronger, with a 1.71 ERA since June 27. The numbers are better if one concentrates on clutch situations; the Yankees are 44-1 when leading after six innings, and that one loss was incurred by Chamberlain in May. They are 19-11 in one-run games, 4-2 in extra-inning games and 46-20 when they score at least three runs."
The Yankees bullpen is a strength, not an area they need to improve.
from 4 months ago
Sorry Jordan. Losses that should have been wins has happened to Rasner in Cle, and KC to name just 2. Its happened to Moose, Joba and Pettitte as well-Andy even got in their faces in Toronto. Wang lost 2 games in 2 months while giving up only 3 runs with 7 inngs each game.
A set up guy should never have a win or a loss, much less a closer. In the beginning (1st 2 months) our middle relief and late innnin relief both were real bad.
Farns has been great this past month, like I said - but he only pitched in 9 inngs too - so you can not be sure what youre going to get while he is a 3.35 in the set up role. Veras has given up 3 runs in 8 innings work, regardless of how he was before that, becuase it was then that Farns stunk.
It is substanitial for a reliever to have that kind of ERA, not so much for a starter. Edwar and Robertson have both been awesome - IF they are no changes in the pen then I would hope those 2 get some late inng looks-because to be honest, if it isnt Veras then its Farnsworth giving runs up.
I saw the 4th place Bullpen ranking too, it was only for the AL , its not even MLB wide and when you have this much cash, man you have got to be better. LAA, White, and Red Sox and Tor all are ranked higher and we want to be contenders.
The fact that Mo is 6th in saves just in the AL should tell you about our relievers. He doesnt get save opps and we've lost too many leads - partly the offenses fault too, but a lot of it is the pen. Mussina has 13 wins, Pettitte is right on his heals, Ponson has 6 wins and has been a Yank for about a month, Joba...pen gets him every time, same as Rasner who has only had a few bad games.
The reason NY is 4th is because of this past month - and guess who's thrown the most innings in that month...Edwar Ramirez, and Dave Robertson....not Farns nor Veras.
Hey-I want the offense too, and you know I have been pulling for Bonds, regardless of the scandals. THe fact the MLB changed the ball, the mounds, and moved the fences in by about 75 feet decades ago was the real performace enhancer. I like Teixeira too, and have emailed the Yanks with my support of him as well. We need 1 or 2 bats (unless Melky starts to hit again), but with Bonds asking league minimum, how can we not take-especially as the Players Union is threatening collusion-which usually does not end up well for anybody.
Garcia Steet or Clemens would all be improvements - and Georges philosphy used to be you cant have too much good pitching.
We all have our own opinions, most differ from each other and everyone sees different things in the same game - as Yogi said "You see a lot by observing"
As of July 1st most had written this team off, and the saving grace was a power offense not yet realized. edwar, robertson and robbies bat (and christian to a lesser degree) turned that around in 3 weeks time. along with some losing streaks happening while NY is on a winning wave
I check the game by game under shcedule at mlb.com along with yesnetwork.com which has a ton of info too.
sorry for the book.
4 months ago
i also agree that the yankees bullpen has been criticized despite being very good for a long time. I think that barry bonds would be a great fit for the yankees if the yankees could platoon him and sexson, especially if matsui does not come back. Jorge posada also should get the surgery because he is not having a great year from the plate and i dont think that he would help their lineup that much.
from 4 months ago
Posada's not having a great year by his standards, but I think he could still help the team as a 1B/DH this year. The offense finally showed some signs of coming back to life during this past series against the Twins, but the Yanks still rank just seventh in the league in runs scored. Posada has the sixth best average on the team and I think his bat can really help them during the second half. He should wait until the offseason to have surgery.
from 4 months ago
It's always good to have hitters, even if the sit and come in when trailing after 6, or in a pinch. You know who I think gets no repsect, and he is a leader in run production-without him we would be way back in the standings
4 months ago
Farnsworth was sloppy tonight. It's a struggle watching this guy. Big, powerful, strong arm, and without fail, gets hit all over the park. He's pitching better this year but tonight was typical. The play at first could happen to anyone but, when they put him in I said, "Holy Cow, HERE WE GO AGAIN."
from 4 months ago
I know the exact feeling. Fans get their hopes up about him, and bam-there goes another one. I think Girardi stuck with him too long. Its east to say how good he has been, but has only pitched in 9 inngs.
I am siked that NY got Marte and X-Nad from Pitt. Just kind of wondering why the outfielder? It broke on 880 that Roy Halladay is indeed being shopped around - just wondering if we got Nady to replace "a starting outfielder" that could be traded along with others for Halladay, or will Nady play left or right-with not trade for Burnette or Halladay? the starters are doing real good, but then again - Ponson and Rasner werent supposed to be in this - and Halladay is filthy nasty trouble for anyone facing him - with no elbow issues.. But its looking really, really good with the latest acquisition though. Hopefully BOS doesnt move on Doc or AJ.
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