With the New York Yankees coming off their biggest win of the season—a two-comeback, 14-9 victory over the Los Angeles Angels—I figured it was time to break out the first Yankees Roundtable Discussion of the year.
Allow me to introduce you to my fellow Yankee writers who will be participating in this premier edition of Bombers Banter: Ethan Gooderum, Mackenzie Kraemer, A.J. Martelli and Patrick Read.
This discussion will center on the Yanks' recent deadline deals and their chances of making the playoffs as we enter August.
Enjoy and feel free to comment.
The Yankees recently acquired Xavier Nady and Ivan Rodriguez to bolster their offense and Damaso Marte to help their bullpen, but they weren't able to trade for a starting pitcher to improve the back-end of their rotation. Has the team done enough to put themselves in a position to compete for a 27th World Series title?
Ethan Gooderum: The two trades that the Yankees made fixed gaping holes that the Yankees needed to fill. All three guys (Marte, Pudge, and Nady) are very good players that will bolster the Yankees' lineup and bullpen.
With that said, I think the Yankees desperately needed to get a starter, although there is a lurking possibility of Jarrod Washburn getting claimed off waivers. So, because I think it’s virtually impossible to fill every hole with excellence, I think the Yankees were big winners at the deadline.
15 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mackenzie Kraemer 11 months ago
Great article, haha. It all comes down to pitching. Can Joba, Moose, and Pettitte beat Beckett, Matsuzaka, and Lester? What about Lackey, Santana, and Saunders? In the end, they will have to.
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Patrick SJ Read 11 months ago
Faced the Halos pretty well after a rough loss Fri. I cant belive Ponson did that well, only to lose it in the 9th with Mo. Unreal. Matsuzaka is slumping since his return - one start but I would say Moose could square off against him pretty well. AP is one of the most successful post-season guys in the league, bar none - he has 4 rings and NY has none without him. Ponson is not as bad as you think man, a 4.2 ERA as a 5th is actually a good thing. Washburn is a 4.7. Hughes and Kennedy will be back soon enough, and Rasner will be bumped to the pen along with one oif the others. I would bet Kennedy becuase - well, Hughes had a busted rib, whats kennedy's excuse?
Dont forget Albaladejoooo either. He'll be back too, though he shouldnt pitch more than one inng at a time...yikes, shoulder.
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A.J. Martelli 11 months ago
Good article, Jordan. This was a great idea! What'd you think of Ras' today? I heard Livan Hernandez was released by the Twins to make room for Liriano. Maybe the Yankees should pick him up?
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Mackenzie Kraemer 11 months ago
Say no to Livan. Bad pitchers are bad pitchers, whether they are Ponson, Livan, or Rasner. Give Kennedy the start over Rasner in LA, and then give Alfredo Aceves a shot or wait for Hughes or (gulp) Pavano.
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Jersey 11 months ago
I don't think the Yanks should go after Livan, but I do realistically see them signing him as insurance.
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A.J. Martelli 11 months ago
Yeah, you might be right, Mackenzie. Now just thinking about it, it might not be a good idea. They need some help, because it seems Rasner just can't get anyone out lately. He hasn't won a game in awhile (I think they said June 18th--I was at that game, actually!) In any event, he needs to make something happen, because the back end of the rotation needs to be a little more solid. Ponson earned himself another start with that great performance on Friday, but Rasner better be careful, otherwise he'll be outed-- If I were Girardi, I'd be hesitant to start again this weekend vs. LAA.
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Vinny Gazzara 11 months ago
Giardi said Wang is gone untill the post season, if the Yankees make it. Joba outduelled Beckett in a 1-0 win against the Sox. Im thinking a Rotation of Mussina, Joba, Pettitte, Hughes, and Pavano be mid semptember. Ill take Pavano and Hughes over Ponson and Rasner anyday.
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Patrick SJ Read 11 months ago
Carl Pavano over Ponson? Sid is at least a 4.23 in 89 innings; averages 1.5 runs every three innings which means that every 6 innings he pitches we should give up 3 runs. In his debut May 21st he gave up 1 run in a complete game win over Minn. He followed it with 2 runs against the Tribe (no decision) and 0 runs against the Mets in 6. He had a bad start in TX with 7 runs (no decision), but followed it with a 1 run game over 6 inngs against the first place Rays (no decision). He then had a bad start against BOS with 7 runs in 4 inngs but followed it with 0 runs in 7 inngs against LAA (no decision again). Pavano cant do that, even when healthy.
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Vinny Gazzara 11 months ago
Hey, the Yankees must have seen something in him to give him that contract..
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Patrick SJ Read 11 months ago
Yeah Jordan, that was a pretty neat piece. Looking forward to the next - had to rush it this time, been very busy lately man.
R
PR
-to the co-authors, all great stuff!
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Jersey 11 months ago
Nicely done. I'd love to be a part of a roundtable some other time, if you're looking for writers.
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Ethan Gooderum 11 months ago
From what I know, to be a part of the roundtable, you first need to establish yourself as one of the Yankee community's top writers.
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Micheal Robinson 11 months ago
Sorry I missed out on this one. Life has been rough lately, a lot going on. I'll be sure to get in on the next one. I saw your e-mail just yesterday.
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Jordan Schwartz 11 months ago
No problem, Michael. I'll e-mail you again for the next roundtable.
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Matthew Goodman 11 months ago
If you need other writers, I'd be game as well.
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