Random observations after a big win

by anaconda on Aug 4, 2008 3:21 AM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

HUGE COMEBACK: Okay, I'll be the first to admit that I didn't expect the Yanks to pull this one out after Darrell Rasner put his offense into a 5-0 hole - especially against a guy like John Lackey - and again when Edwar Ramirez (circa 2007) took the mound in the 8th inning and relinquished a 3-run lead with one swing of the bat by new Angel Mark Teixeira.

Anyone who has watched this team all season recognizes that there is quite a bit of truth to the "glass jaw" theory that Michael Kay often references during the broadcast because this team tends to lay down when the opposition manages to score a few runs early in the game.

But not today.

Perhaps this was one of those games you point to at the end of the season that really changed the tide for this club. I certainly hope so. But we've seen a few big wins this season only to have this team revert back to its unenergetic and lackluster ways soon after.

Either way, it's not going to be an easy 10 game road trip through Texas, Anaheim, and Minnesota.

MEET YOUR NEW #5 HITTER - XAVIER NADY: Not only has Jason Giambi's porn ‘stache vanished, but so has his productivity. Since July 3, Giambi is hitting just .182 / .325 / .280 in 66 at-bats and has been a huge liability in the #5 slot protecting the game's best player in Alex Rodriguez.

After going hitless in this first seven at-bats as a Yankee, Nady is now 10-for-26 (.385 / .467 / .846) with three homers, three doubles, 10 RBI, and 8 runs scored since coming over from the Pirates and is really in a groove. I realize this is a small sample, but Giambi's play the last month is a much larger sample and it's quite clear that he is really hurting this team right now. A lineup change is needed. Badly.

I know Girardi likes to alternate his righty and lefty bats to balance the lineup, but that strategy doesn't work too well when you have a black hole of productivity behind your best hitter and continues to fail in big spots.

Here's some comparative numbers w/ RISP:

Jason Giambi: .202 / .341 / .303 in 99 AB

Hideki Matsui: .338 / .449 / .462 in 65 AB

Xavier Nady: .316 / .382 / .442 in 95 AB

As you can see, losing Matsui has really hurt this ball club a lot more than people realize. The guy is certainly not flashy, but he's one of the most clutch hitters on the team and he was having a fantastic season driving in big runs hitting behind A-Rod.

But Nady is having an outstanding season as well. And you can see his numbers w/ RISP have also been excellent.

Make the change, Joe. Put Nady in the #5 slot and move Giambi out of there. Now.

NOTE TO YANKEE PITCHERS: Please stop issuing free passes to the #9 hitter with the .185 BA on the season. Makes it much tougher to keep the other team off the scoreboard, especially when the leadoff hitter has been a big thorn in the Yanks' side since his rookie season of 2002.

RASNER NEEDS TO GO: Well, Sidney Ponson does too - but let's axe one AAAA pitcher at a time and worry about the other one in a few days.

Darrell Rasner is now a horrific 2-7, 6.71 ERA, 1.87 WHIP over his last 11 starts since June 1. Needless to say, that ain't gonna cut it if the team wants to make the postseason.

KENNEDY DEALING: As others have already stated, it is time to give Ian Kennedy another shot with the big club. After another excellent performance today for Scranton, Kennedy has been lights out over his last 4 starts (27.0 IP, 14 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 20 K -- 1.33 ERA, 0.70 WHIP).

Obviously, Kennedy is going to be the first one called up whenever the Yankee brass decides it's had enough of Darrell Rasner or Sidney Ponson - whomever comes first. The only question is whether his return will be this Friday against the Angels in Anaheim or the following week in MIN or at the Stadium against KC.

I could see this one go down either way. Kennedy really had some significant mental-confidence-attitude issues early in the season and got rattled fairly easily. They may decide to hold off one more start and put him in a better position to win his first game back not having to face the best team in baseball in their own backyard.

However, after watching Rasner's dismal performance on Sunday - there's simply no reason to believe that he'll be able to get these same Angels' hitters out on Friday. So Cashman may decide to finally put the dying dog down and give Kennedy the opportunity to re-establish himself in front of his hometown folks and alma mater.

We'll find out the answer within the next couple of days.

Feel free to add any of your own observations or tell me if you think I'm full of BS.

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Xavier Nady...

has really been impressing me lately, both in terms of his hitting and his ability to spark this offense. And he’s a new father!

by dzawaki on Aug 4, 2008 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

Time to move

Xavier to the 5th hole and Giambi somewhere else…

by Dave Hunt on Aug 4, 2008 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

Rasner

Even when Rasner has been marginally effective he has had too many runners on base, Case in point the game vs Baltimore on 7/29, Rasner left after 6+innings with only two runs scored at that time ( the two runners he had on 1st and 2nd scored so he was charged with 4 runs) but in almost every inning the Orioles had runners in scoring position. No pitcher can keep getting himself into jams like that without it eventually hurting him. Rasner does not have the kind of stuff to keep living on the edge like that.

"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 4, 2008 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

Random thoughts to your Random Observations ...

First, Rasner. In my opinion, he’s a AAAA pitcher, and the experiment needs to end. It’s time for IPK 3.0. I heard Singleton on YES mentioning that the Yankees are only a couple of weeks away from adding Hughes or Pavano… Please not Pavano.

Second, Nady. I love this guy’s approach. He’s a great fit and I hope we keep him in the fold.

Finally, Melky. His defense has improved over last season, but his bat has gone south. Given the Yankees lineup of late, we can ill-afford to have a guy scuffling at .247 with little pop. Something needs to be done—if not right away, certainly this off-season. I’m not sure who’s available, or what we have down below, but he’s showing me that he isn’t the answer.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Aug 4, 2008 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

The Yankee brass is getting tired of Melky too

Because Melky’s name has been mentioned in most trade discussions Cashman has had with other teams. The problem for the Yanks and Cashman is that nobody else wanted him. And for good reason.

I said back in May that Rasner was not the long term answer for the rotation. But injuries to Hughes, Kennedy, and especially Wang really screwed this team and they had to make due with mediocrity and patch work to the rotation.

by anaconda on Aug 4, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

This might be a crazy idea, but what about Gary Matthews Jr? He’s not nearly as good as his 2006 numbers, but he’s an offensive upgrade over Melky. He’s got a good defensive reputation, though I don’t know exactly what the numbers say. I’m sure we can get him for next to nothing. Plus, I think he’s signed for only for 2009 and 2010, so we might get contract-year production in 2010. I don’t really see a ton of other centerfield options, and we clearly need to upgrade at that position. Just a thought.

by long time listener on Aug 4, 2008 12:23 PM EDT reply actions