Only suggestions I would give to Girardi to do different...

by Wraithpk on Oct 13, 2009 12:22 PM EDT

Hey all. So, I know a lot of people have criticized Girardi all year, but I've always thought he was a great manager, and he's got this team playing great baseball right now.

That said, some things I would like to see done differently against the Angels:

1. I think it's time to start Gardner. I understand that his pinch running ability in late innings makes him such a valuable bench player, but Melky isn't hitting right now, and Gardner's speed might help us counter the Angel's speed.

2. For late game defensive replacements, I want to see Hairston in LF instead of Damon. Hairston is faster than Damon, and is a better fielder. An OF of Hairston, Gardner, and Melky is a great defensive OF.

That's pretty much it, I've liked everything else Girardi has done. And I loved his call to start Molina with Burnett, we need Burnett to be comfortable and pitch well, and with the way the game turned out, Molina only ended up getting one AB, so it really didn't cost us anything offensively. Brilliant move.

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I'm with ya'.

I agree with all your points. Especially the Molina thing. I also loved the three catchers thing.

by dorsal on Oct 13, 2009 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

Agree also

I think how Girardi manages the bullpen is crucial.

------It's October,winning is what the Yankees do........let's just do it already

by ReggieARodJeter on Oct 13, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

Add one - the bullpen

Just because you have a good group of reliable relievers doesn’t mean you have to use every single one of them before the 9th inning (see Games 2 and 3 in the ALDS). In the event we have to…..gasp….play an 11th inning at some point….I’d rather not have Damaso Marte as our go-to guy.

by 3460kuri on Oct 13, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

Yessir!

Gardner has to start this series! But more importantly, he has to get on base. It’s also important for our speed guys to run well, hard, and often. I remember the series we won at Anaheim, the way we beat them was at their own game. We ran on them and they were the ones who had trouble on defense. With that said, C.C. has to do a good job limiting the walks and baserunners, and for that matter keeping an eye on first. AJ justs needs to stay away from the big plays and the big innings. With Molina catching him, they should be fine on defense since Molina does a good job holding runners and throwing them out. And I won’t even have talk about Pettitte. But the Angels are good guess runners, so he does have to be a bit wiery. All in all, with good discipline on the plates we should be fine.

by Jipeon on Oct 13, 2009 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

I guess it would be a nice time for Gardner to start...

tho Melky’s basically doing what Gardner would at the plate, that is nothing with the occasionaly infield hit to SS.

Still don’t see what you gain with starting Gardner, and in the event we actually need it this season, Gardner on the bench is more valuable than starting.

..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...

...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.

---Carl

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 13, 2009 6:52 PM EDT reply actions

what you gain...

a CF that covers more ground, and any BB or 1B that he gets is almost automatically a 2B. Bat him ninth, if he gets on base, have him steal second, and you now have a man in scoring position for Jeter. We could score a lot of runs that way.

Keep in mind we also have Hairston on the bench for pinch running. He’s not Gardner fast, but he’s plenty fast enough to steal bases.

by Wraithpk on Oct 13, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

That is maybe why Guzman will be on the roster this round.

To possibly start Gardner a couple games,and let Hairston and Guzman pinch run. Just a thought.

------It's October,winning is what the Yankees do........let's just do it already

by ReggieARodJeter on Oct 13, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Given Girardi's

insistence on using everyone out of the pen in each game, I’d rather leave Guzman off for Bruney.

He can throw 2 or 3 innings and do well (he did it before…), while I don’t know what to think of Guzman.

And you said it right with that big IF. IF Gardy can get on base.

And its not the idea that they have JHJ on the bench. Melky is pretty much as fast as Jerry, so he could be a decent pinch runner too.

Its the idea that Gardy is such a weapon, that if you PR him for Posada, Matsui or if miraculously Molina is on base, PR for him and then you get one of the better base stealers in the game out there…vs. a Melky or a Hairston.

..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...

...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.

---Carl

by FreeBradshaw on Oct 14, 2009 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions