Told You So

by jscape2000 on Aug 13, 2008 8:07 AM EDT in Game Recap

So this Arod fellow, he's pretty good at baseball.

And the Yankees, while they didn't make up any ground on the Red Sox, they did pick up a game on the Rays. I've got my eyes on the prize until someone else clinches.

And Jose Veras remains the (pleasant) surprise of the season. The 27 year-old has allowed 33 hits in 40 IP. His 16 walks are high, but his 42 Ks cover that up. Hitters are slugging only .373 against him this season.

How's this for a weird line? .167/.444/.667, 12 ABs, 5 BB, 2 HBP, 2 singles, 2 HR. That's Jason Giambi's week.

I think Mussina wants to come back to the Yanks, and I think the Yanks have to bring him back. This isn't luck- he's changed his approach, has both curveballs working for him, and is inducing a ton of groundballs. While he didn't get the win last night he brought his season to 147.1 IP, 3.30 ERA, 1.21 WHIP. Can you believe he has a 5:1 K:BB ratio? 101K against 21BB.

And one last Derek Jeter thought. I know he's the most macho man in any room, despite the perfume. I know that if he played for the A's or the Twins he'd be lauded in the press as "gritty" and "old-school." But the last time he got hurt by a pitch (wrist) it put him in a month long slump. He was limping last night and had to come out of the game; don't you think it'd be a good idea to take the day or two to be sure everything is ok before lacing 'em up again?

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I agree Moose should be resigned

And he should pitch for the Yankees until someone beats him out, or he wants to retire.

He’s earned it.

We need him. We need him as a pitcher and a mentor.

Do not be too quick to hope they let other big cogs walk. Giambi, Abreu, Pettitte, Molina, Pudge. Let go only what you can upgrade.

Jeter really needs to come out if he cannot do the job, or if playing will make the injury worse. If his abilities diminish because of an injury, is he less capable than his reserve. His 2 out RBI single wasn’t much to look at, but it was huge.

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)

by Cbeck3 on Aug 13, 2008 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

I am starting to think that the whole "he's earned it" mentality maybe what has brought the Yankees down in the past 8 years or so...

Or at least that seems to be why nobody has fired Cashman yet :)

Don't question my choice of teams, or I will have to go all troll on you.

by bdalebs on Aug 13, 2008 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

The key

is to avoid long contracts for aging superstars, not to avoid aging superstars altogether.

Would I give Moose a five-year deal at the end of this season? No way.

But if I were Cashman, I’d happily offer Moose a one-year deal and make clear that I will continue to renew it every year as long as Moose remains effective.

by DocBrown82 on Aug 13, 2008 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't care what happens this season

Abreu and Giambi have to go. And I think if they find a way to land Sabathia, I’d let Moose walk too despite his great season.

This team CANNOT go into next season and have 6-7 players in the starting lineup in their mid-30s and up. They just can’t. If they do, Yankee fans will be wondering again why this team is so inconsistent offensively and lacks energy and punch everyday.

This team has to get younger next season. There’s no other way around it. That can’t happen if they keep bringing back aging players, which would be absolutely moronic.

by anaconda on Aug 13, 2008 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Totally in agreement

about Abreu and Giambi, and I’m even on the fence about Pettitte at this point. But after this phenomenal season, I don’t think you can let Moose walk even if you land Sabathia. Sabathia, Wang, Moose, Joba, Phil is a much stronger lineup than Sabathia, Wang, Joba, Phil, IPK/Rasner/Giese/whoever.

by DocBrown82 on Aug 13, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

by lineup

I of course mean rotation.

by DocBrown82 on Aug 13, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd keep Pettitte and let Moose walk

Pettitte being younger, a lefty, and more likely to pitch to his career norms is why I’d give him the edge over Moose.

I give Moose all the credit in the world for pitching the way he has this season. But he clearly has overachieved this season and I believe his numbers will be much closer to his 2007 numbers than his 2008 numbers if he returned next year.

by anaconda on Aug 13, 2008 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

This season

is much closer to his career norms than last season was. And his newfound effectiveness is due to a conscious change in his approach. I think he’s got two or three, maybe even four more good years in him.

Pettitte, on the other hand, is showing all the signs this season of being right at the beginning of a long, steady decline.

If I could only choose one of the two to offer a one-year deal for 2009, I’d pick Moose.

by DocBrown82 on Aug 13, 2008 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I was making a joke about why Cashman hasn't been fired: because he has "earned it"

Don't question my choice of teams, or I will have to go all troll on you.

by bdalebs on Aug 13, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes and Yes

Moose has been amazing this year! His approach towards batters has changed completely and its working! He’s throwing differently to every batter every time they come to bat. I really hope he wins 20 games this season, he deserves it.

Jeter needs to sit and take a break for at least a game. The Yankees cannot afford another injury this late in the season, especially if its Derek.

by Fluke on Aug 13, 2008 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Just Another

meaningless home run by A-Rod. If y’all can’t tell, that was sarcasm—just another one of the many services I offer

"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel

by tnredneckyankeesfan on Aug 13, 2008 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

I would take Moose back

but only at the right price. I feel like someone out there is going to give him way more money and years than he should get. If the Yanks can sign him for one or two years at his current rate, maybe.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants

by NumberSeven on Aug 13, 2008 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

Any GM stupid enough

to offer a long-term contract to a 40-year-old pitcher can have him. I don’t think it’s going to happen, nor do I think Moose wants to play for anyone else.

by DocBrown82 on Aug 13, 2008 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions

A lot depends on

Hughes & Kennedy. With the season basically over, I find a way to get them both in the rotation for September. Eventually we’re going to need to move on from these guys. I’d let Moose go – he’s 40, and there is going to be a 2 or 3 year contract out there for him somewhere.

Pettitte is just as good as he’s always been, if not slightly better. This year, he’s given up a few more runs, but his K/9 inning rate is higher than last year (6.9 to 5.9) his K/BB ratio is better (2.9:1 vs 2:1), his BB/9 ratio is better (2.3 per 9 vs. 2.9 per 9) and his GB/FB ratio is better (1.8:1 to 1.5:1). He’s given up slightly more home runs (1 per 9 innings vs .7 per 9 innings last year).

I’d be comfortable giving Andy a 2 year deal and I think he’d sign it in a heartbeat. He isn’t going anywhere else. Next, we go out of our way to sign Sabatthia. That gives us an opening day rotation of

1 – CC Sabatthia
2 – Chien Ming Wang
3 – Andy Pettitte
4 – Joba Chamberlain
5 – ??

Imagine getting 800 innings next year out of those front 4!?!?

Then a bullpen fronted by

Rivera
Veras
Ramirez
Melancon

If everyone is healthy and effective (healthy is the bigger if) we can get 3/4 of our innings from this group if the starters all average 200 innings each and the bullpen guys throw 70 each.

Hello World Series 2009…..

by 3460kuri on Aug 14, 2008 9:21 AM EDT reply actions