Yankee manager Joe Girardi won't be fired

by Ed Valentine on Jun 12, 2009 8:09 AM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

This week's Fenway Fiasco has the 'Joe Girardi should be fired' crowd screaming from the mountaintops this morning.

Stop it already! It's foolish, knee-jerk reaction panic and it's not even close to being justified.

Despite losing three in a row to Boston, and eight straight overall to the Red Sox, the Yankees wake up this morning just two games out in the American League East -- with 102 games left to play. Yep, the season is lost.

Oh, and they do have the second-best record in the AL, which would put them in the playoffs. Yep, Girardi has blown the season.

Whether you like Girardi or not -- and I know I am sometimes critical of some of his in-game decisions -- he will be the Yankee manager for the rest of 2009. So, you might as well relax and stop calling for his head. It's not happening.

If the Yankees make the playoffs he will likely be their manager for a long time. If they don't, he's gone.

You can argue that Girardi mishandled last night's disastrous eighth inning. He had two ways to play it, and no one of those did not include asking Mariano Rivera to try and get six outs. He told reporters there was "no chance" of that happening, and I agree with him. This is not the in his prime Rivera of several years ago. There are simply sme things you should not ask him to do at 39 coming off shoulder surgery.

Girardi chose last night to leave an obviously tiring CC Sabathia in the game to face left-handed hitting J.D. Drew, then to bring in Alfredo Aceves. He saved Phil Coke for David Ortiz. Obviously, we know it did not work out. But, I can't argue with the manager too much on this one. Sabathia is the Yanks' No. 1 guy, and even tired he is a better pitcher than Coke.

The other choice Girardi had would have been to use Coke against Drew, then depending on what happened bring in Aceves or Mo. In this scenario, Mo would have been in the game no later than when Ortiz came to the plate.

But, slice and dice Girardi's decisions any way you want. The Yanks went 3-for-26 with runners in scoring position Wednesday and Thursday. Last night they had a number of chances to score and could not get it done. Can't blame the manager for that. Blame Nick Swisher for being a total bonehead on the bases.

It doesn't feel good to be a Yankee fan this morning, but there is a lot of baseball to be played. When it is all said and done, then Girardi's fate will be decided. Not today.

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Comments

In Game Decisions

I agree. Don’t fire him mid-season. I think there has been a lot of positives from having Girardi on the bench. I also don’t know why the player voted as the clutch hitter for the month of May (Melkey Cabrera) is bunting. I understand, play small-ball, move the runners over, but isn’t this guy coming off the most clutch months of his career? Let him swing the bat. Girardi’s plan worked on Wednesday, after a few pathetic looking bunt attempts… it didn’t work Thursday with runners on 1st & 2nd, nobody out, as Cabrera bunts two foul only to eventually strike out on a 2-2 pitch and then we hit into a DP to end the inning… This is the 2nd time this year I’ve been upset with

by E-Z-E on Jun 12, 2009 8:43 AM EDT reply actions

Girardi

I think if one (correctly) criticises Girardi for messing up the 8th, he should be credited with the hit and run decision that plated the Yankees first run in the 7th. Lowell was playing really shallow expecting a bunt. It is not what I would have called, but it was gutsy and the result was a net positive.

On the otherhand, I do not understand the argument that he could not bring in Mariano, who was warming at the time. Who says he had to pitch the 9th? The game was going to be won or lost there in the 8th, so bring in your best pitcher. IAceves can pitch the 9th with no one on base facing the lower part of the Sox order. don’t think this type of reasoning is specific to just Girardi, but managers in general are far too attached to the idea that the “closer” should record the final out. In the playoffs, when your team is facing elimination, suddenly managers will use their closer in the 5th, 6th…(Francona used Papelbon in the 5th against the Rays in game 5 last year as the game looked to be slipping away). If the logic works there, why not in the regular season?

by Buzzy on Jun 12, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Because

there are still 102 games left.

by Ed Valentine on Jun 12, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

That

makes no sense. Put the fire out in the 8th inning. pitch 3 outs. Use your best pitcher with 2 on and no out and the heart of the order (Drew, Youkilis and Bay who are difficult and take a ton of pitches). You don’t need to have him pitch any more than he would in the 9th against a lower portion of the lineup. If you don’t think Aceves can handle Lowell, Ortiz and Veratek with no runners on base, why can he handle Dre, Youkilis and Bay with 2 on?? The whole closer thing is probably the stupidest notion invented by sports writers, bought by managers and pushed by agents in all of sports. Look at how successfully Cleveland used their excellent pen in 07-Betancourt, Perez and Lewis were used to get the high leverage outs. Borowski got the “saves.” That team was one game from going to the series…

by Buzzy on Jun 12, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

“…The game was going to be won or lost there in the 8th, so bring in your best pitcher….” AMEN Brother!
That’s the best comment I’ve seen in a week.

by Yankees#7 on Jun 12, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

But you would probably be the first one

to complain if Rivera matched all his other 8th inning perfofmances this season wouldn’t you?

Girardi made the right move, but it turned out bad.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 12, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Bingo.

Sometimes the most important outs are in the 8th inning, not the 9th.

And Girardi WILL be fired, just not today.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 12, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

You're right

102 game is one thing, leading by 2 runs is another. There’s no reason Mo couldn’t go 2 innings last night.

Its not like there’s a critical series agains the Rays or whoever coming up. You can pitch Mo for 2 innings and live to tell about it.

100% agree.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 12, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree regarding the overreaction to Girardi,

but I also agree that Mariano should have been brought in to face the heart of the order. You react to the main threat. “Who Dares, Wins”

by FrankDiscussion on Jun 12, 2009 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

I understand that argument

I can just hear the screaming if Girardi had done what ‘Buzzy’ suggested. Use Mo in the 8th, then pull him for the 9th. Good Lord, Girardi would never be able to come out of his house again if he did that and the Yankees blew up in the 9th inning.
I think Girardi wanted to use Mo in the 8th, just for 4-5 outs, not six.

by Ed Valentine on Jun 12, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

You are

probably right, but it would be unjustified. Mo is 39, and as you said there are 102 games left. Put the fire out and save the arm at the same time. If it fails in the 9th, you play tomorrow. You can’t cover a big wound with a small bandaid, but at least you can stop the bleeding. Aceves has been good, so you show some trust and take your chances.

by Buzzy on Jun 12, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

If he's scared of the reaction...

…he shouldn’t be managing in New York.

by New York Sports Jerk on Jun 12, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Joba

Joba would’ve looked pretty good for the 8th inning……..

by pedro316 on Jun 12, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

sure

and you lose several wins where Joba has pitched well in the rotation for the chance to once and a while
have Joba pitch the 8th and maybe win there. Sounds smart.

by Buzzy on Jun 12, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I knew

I would hear that at least once today. Bruney would have looked good, too.

by Ed Valentine on Jun 12, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

So would have AJ Burnett.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 12, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

and who pitches tonight?

by Travis G on Jun 12, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions

?

Edwar?

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 12, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Girardi

I’m no apologist- but where were all the “fire joe g” rants the past few weeks when the Yanks were playing the best baseball in the majors? it’s all heightened because it’s the sox, and add to that it’s 0-8 against them this year.

Bottom line- as Ed pointed out- the Yanks are still in good shape over all. All I hope for in the season series against Boston is that they finish strong. They’ve lost the first eight games- it’s over, can’t get those back. Go 6-4 or even 7-3 over the final ten games of the series and use that momentum in the postseason.

Either way- there is still a lot of baseball to be played. Believe me, I was as upset about last night and the rest of this series as anyone- but today it’s time to move on. I could give two shits about inter-league play, but god almighty I hope the Yanks get their stuff together and take at least two from the Mets- just so I don’t have to hear it from Mets fans. More importantly, it would be good to hop right back on the series winning train and start getting back to basics.

by NumberSeven on Jun 12, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

Yep

There are good times, and bad times, during a loooooong season. The last three days were a very bad time. But, all you can do is put it in the rearview mirror, move ahead, and realize every team in the AL except Boston would probably trade places with us today.

by Ed Valentine on Jun 12, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Don't forget

How nice it will be when the Yankees take the AL East and make it all the more DRAMATIC. Good Act 1, we are down and out against our hated rivals. Me thinks an Act 3 redemption will be even more sweet.

by HappyLuckyGoldenDragonNumber1! on Jun 12, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

exaclty.

Wouldn’t it be so sweet that if the unthinkable happened and the yanks go 0-19 to these a-holes, then make the playoffs and sweep them right back? I personally would have NO problem with that at all.

I want to beat the SUx as much as anyone. But you have to put things in perspective. The whole season should not be judged on what you do against one team.

Now if the season is lost on this series, by all means bash away at Girardi/Cashman A-Rod whoever makes ya feel happy. But what sense does it make now?

For all anyone knows, but the end of June the Yanks could be running away with first place…….

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 12, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions

well i know that you all disagree

but i would fire Girardi

by Brian5517209 on Jun 12, 2009 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

why?

who replaces him? Tony Pena? Tino Martinez?

I agree 10000% with anyone who says Girardi WILL be fired at the end of the season if the Yanks miss the playoffs.

But why? They’re in second place. They are 0-8 to ONE team. The season is judged on how you do in the playoffs. If you don’t get there, fine fire him,

If you loose 8 in a row to your archrival in June, you get pissed, you question your team, you wonder why, but why the hell would you fire him? If you come up with a rational argument , then what the hell is the backup plan?

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 12, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

My take.... said I'd be posting... the second time.

I’m very upset about the loss last night. Here is my take. Why did he leave Sabathia in as long as he did? I have no problem with him starting the 8th, or with leaving Mo for the late 8th/9th. My HUGE issue is why you would let him give up THREE HITS to the vegetables of a meat and potatoes lineup so that you force a young Aceves to get out the three best hitters on the Boston lineup with 0 out. That’s a huge pressure situation to put anyone in (even Mo) when you have to get a strikeout just to keep the game tied. I would’ve had C.C. on a short leash; man gets to first pull him for Aceves. The he’s facing Pedroia and Drew as opposed to Youkalis and Bay… and there’s only a runner on first. I’m sorry I’m a bit ranty today and just upset…. but some of Girardi’s decisions this year have really been head scratchers. I love him, but where is his Marlin’s magic?

by bdman318 on Jun 12, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

+10

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 12, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

he will be fired if they don't make the postseason.

considering how his predecessor got the shaft even though he made the playoffs every season of his tenure, you can’t think management will have any more patience for girardi if they don’t make the playoffs again this year.

by LongB on Jun 13, 2009 12:16 AM EDT reply actions