Hinske or Guzman?
by Travis G on Oct 27, 2009 6:00 AM EDT
in Analysis
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No word yet on who will get the last spot on the team, but I'd have to think it'll go to Eric Hinske. Freddy Guzman was barely used in the ALCS, and now with the pitcher hitting in at least two games, a good pinch-hitter is more valuable than a pinch-runner.
Or maybe Joe throws a curve and drops Frankie Cervelli in favor of Guzman and Hinske, but I doubt it. With Molina catching Burnett, the Yanks need a third catcher in case Posada (who will replace Molina mid-game) gets hurt, plus Cervelli is fast enough (not just for a catcher) that he could pinch-run if needed.
Guzman only got into two games in the LCS, didn't steal a base and got one PA (he struck out). In the regular season, he only got seven PA, but was successful four times in five attempted steals. Hinske hit .226/.316/.512 (in 98 PA) after coming to the Yankees in a mid-season trade with Pittsburgh. The answer seems pretty obvious (but watch: because I wrote that, the Yanks will desperately need a pinch-runner multiple times in the Series).
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I'd like to think BOTH
Cervelli and Guzman get left off (Cervelli needs time to be GOD again…)
Cervelli should be left off cuz the whole Molina starting with AJ NEEDS to be trashed. Jorge starts all these game, period.
Guzman is a waste. They’re not starting Gardner, for good reason, so there’s your speed guy on the bench. There is no need for Guzman over a Bruney, cuz Hairston is fast too.
We could use Hinske and we could also use Bruney with the way the bullpen has pitched (and been managed).
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 27, 2009 6:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i agree about posada starting every game..
I have a question though.. I found out that there aren’t any days off between games 4 and 5 like there was in the AlCs.. any news on how Joe G plans on setting up the rotation?.. just wondering because that means if we use CC trice.. he would be pitching twice on 3 days rest… which I’m not really worried about.. but if we stick to our three guys from the Alcs that means games 4&5 would be pitched by CC and Aj both on 3 days rest.. idk how I feel about Aj on 3 days 6&7 would be pitched by Andy and CC both again on 3 days rest.. I don’t like the idea of Anyd on 3 days rest….. idk what do you guys think? Maybe throw in Chad?
by Yankz09 on Oct 27, 2009 7:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
We may need Gaudin for a start.
I have no problem with CC doing it…but AJ or even Andy? I don’t think so.
Of course, gonna have to see how everything plays out. Bottom line is we know our games 1-3 starters. Go from there I guess.
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 27, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IMHO this 3 days rest thing is overblown.
Remember, until relatively recently teams used 4-man rotations all season long, which meant every one of those pitchers was getting 3 days rest between starts, for the entire season. Ron Guidry went 25-3 in 1978 in 3-days rest, and there are many more examples. CC is very strong and still young enough to bounce back quickly between starts… I think he’ll be fine. As for AJand Andy, tough to say exactly, but we do have Gaudin as insurance… suppose one of those guys started and was having trouble early… then we could bring in Gaudin early, say the 3rd or 4th inning, and he would essentially become the co-starter for that game. I don’t think it’s all that bad a scenario, actually.
by pinstriper on Oct 27, 2009 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
HINSKE
what advantage dose freddy give us when he cant hit, we dont have a pinch hitter and we already have garnder for speed.
"Yes we lost and yes we are upset. But like all Champs we will bounce back."
Osi umenyiora
by donnybaseball23 on Oct 27, 2009 7:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you need to look at the big picture
Hopefully the notion that Burnett pitches “better” with Molina behind the plate is dead and buried for good. AJ’s been living on the edge this postseason, mixing two good starts with one mediocre/poor start (and you can lay some of the blame on Girardi for leaving him in to pitch the 7th inning in Game 5 vs. LAA). Yet even with Molina behind the plate for all but one or two innings, he’s given up 10 walks, 4 HBPs, and 2 WPs in 18 1/3 innings. That’s just ugly. I think it’s kind of silly to talk about ERAs for pitcher’s who’ve thrown under 20 innings, but suffice to say that Molina isn’t making a difference. Go with Posada behind the plate, and use the roster spot that’s been wasted on a third catcher for another hitter.
Girardi has been leveraging the additional off-days to his advantage, getting the most out of his best relief pitcher. But with fewer days off during the World Series, it could make sense to have an additional reliever as backup, somebody like Bruney. While Girardi has been criticized for using too many relievers, it does keep them all fresh and available to pitch the next day. However, guys like Aceves and Robertson should be in the mix for 6th-7th inning work.
by 3460kuri on Oct 27, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
by jscape2000 on Oct 27, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Seems to me the 25 man roster just does not have space for unproductive players. Molina has not been productive with the bat, nor has he convinced me that AJ is that much better when he catches. Not that Posada has overwhelmed me with his defense or timely hitting, but he at least is not an instant out at the plate. And, after all these years he is a proven winner in the playoffs. Give him the start and let AJ deal.
As for Hinske vs. Guzman, I vote Hinske, even though his batting average leaves a lot to be desired. Charlie Manuel has to respect his power, whereas Guzman will get no respect. Last series was maybe about speed and manufacturing runs (on paper, if not in reality). This next series will be about power pitchers and power hitters, in very hitter-friendly ballparks.
by waw on Oct 27, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Burnett
I honestly believe Girardi will leave Molina to catch for Burnett because he is a borderline head case. I really worry about Burnett and wonder if his 80M price tag is worth it. At this point in the season, you can’t worry about it BUT why do we always have to wonder when this guy is going to implode by throwing wild pitches or losing command of his pitches? He will do it then he settles down and is OK but the Yankees can not continue. especially in a World Series, to deal with his dysfunctional ways..but then again..who else can they put out there?
by Mondoas on Oct 27, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Burnett is a strikeout pitcher
Those are good to have in the WS. Joe has shown willingness to bring him out of the pen, if needed. I see Burnett making a big contribution in this WS, as he has in three games (well, most of three games) so far. I just am not convinced he needs Molina to do that. In fact, if he learns to trust Posada, he could be just what we need.
by waw on Oct 27, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Gardner is relegated to bench duty, then there’s no reason to carry Guzman. I had hoped we’d have seen Gardner make a start or two in center, but I’ve given that up now.
Could they leave Aces behind and carry Guzman?
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
by jscape2000 on Oct 27, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think you can do that...
I can see a lot of extra inning games and with Joe’s BP management ‘style’, we’re gonna need ACE.
Gonna need all the pitchers they can get actually. Especially if there’s a possibility of Gaudin starting?
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 27, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bye Freddy...
Hinske gets the nod in my book… another solid bat off the bench will be very important, especially for the games in Philly. And as far as the whole AJ-Molina-Posada thing goes— I have resigned myself to the fact that AJ will be pitching to Molina, so I’m gonna stop beating my head against the wall on that one. In which case, Cervelli needs to be on the roster as insurance. If wonders do cease, however, and Posada does catch AJ- then I guess Guzman should get the nod over Frankie… but I just said I’d given up that that scenario, so why did I even bring it up?
And I say no Bruney. As troubled as the bullpen has been, I still have more faith in those guys out there than I do in Bruney.
by NumberSeven on Oct 27, 2009 10:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cervelli can be a pinch runner.
Remember, Cervelli is actually pretty fast… not Gardner fast, but still plenty fast to serve as a pinch runner for, among others, Molina! And that solves the replacement catcher issue in such a circumstance, a nice bonus.
by pinstriper on Oct 27, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hinske
and it’s not even close. The only time Gardner and Guzman were both on the bases was maybe Joe’s biggest blunder in the series (replacing A-Rod for Freddy Guzman? Really?).
Hinske gives us something we lack for the AL games…power off the bench (remember that we have Matsui as a PH in Philly).
by PortlandYankee on Oct 27, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hinske overwhelmingly...
I actually wanted hinske in the playoffs in the first place but did nt have to much evidence to base that decision on. Still hinske has power…just wonder how he performs on THEEE stage.
by NYYWinsRings26 on Oct 27, 2009 10:48 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Hinske stays
Seriously, i don’t remember a Yankee bench as weak as the one in the last two serieses in any Yankee playoff season. They have NO ONE on the bench who you can reasonably hope might hit one out. Hinske must be kept.
by providence on Oct 27, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
Some people are like Slinkies. They're good for nothing, but they bring a smile to your face every time you push them down the stairs.
by TheMelkman on Oct 27, 2009 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cervelli should be left behind.
Don’t ask me why the hell I say that, because in truth, I have no idea. That’s what my gut tells me to think, so that’s what I think. I’m not being a Cervelli hater, believe me I love him, we just don’t need him right now. As it is Molina barely plays, so then what are we gonna do with Cervelli? Okay, I just said I don’t know why I said that and then I went and told you why. Just forget it.
Some people are like Slinkies. They're good for nothing, but they bring a smile to your face every time you push them down the stairs.
by TheMelkman on Oct 27, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Jorge should catcher every inning, and Cervelli should be replaced.
I also think Joe G. is going to keep putting Molina behind the dish for Burnett.
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
by jscape2000 on Oct 27, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we're "going with what's worked"
Why would we change this up, but not Swisher/Gardner?
AJ is a headcase, but he’s been effective this post-season (2 QS in 3 outings)…who wants to risk the downside if Jorge is out there?
by PortlandYankee on Oct 27, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not me
Some people are like Slinkies. They're good for nothing, but they bring a smile to your face every time you push them down the stairs.
by TheMelkman on Oct 27, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interseting
Don’t forget the “DH” spot as well.
Posada should catch AJ – PERIOD! We can not afford to lose yet another hitting spot because of the “thoughts” behind Molina catching him is better.
by LookingFor27 on Oct 28, 2009 12:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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