Around the Yankee Universe: Getting back in the saddle

by Ed Valentine on Aug 27, 2009 7:34 AM EDT in New York Yankees News

Hey, look -- it's a New York Yankee notebook! I have been busy most of the past month covering New York Giants' training camp for Big Blue View. Now that the Giants have broken camp and gone back to New Jersey, though, I will be here more often. So, let's get started with a look around the Yankee Universe.

Jorge Posada left Wednesday night's game with a finger injury, and says it isn't likely to heal any time soon.

"It’s not going to go away," Posada said. "It’s going to stay there until I get some rest. ... I don’t think it’s going to heal until the season is over. The joint is bruised. There’s not much I can do."

All we can do is hope Posada gets enough rest that thru September that he can be a factor with the bat in October. On the good side, maybe that means we will see more of Francisco Cervelli as the season winds down.

Speaking of Posada, A.J. Burnett absolved the catcher of any blame for the issues the two had the other day in Boston.

"I had a bad start because my mind wasn’t right," Burnett said. "I didn’t make good decisions." ... "I wasn’t myself out there. I wasn’t ready. That’s on me."

Andy Pettitte was terrific Wednesday night. In case you haven't noticed he has been that way for a while. Mark Feinsand points out that Pettitte is 3-1 with a 2.79 ERA in eight starts since the All-Star break. If Pettitte can pitch like this in October, that will be a huge boost for the Yankees' chances.
I'm not the only one who has done little blogging about the Yankees recently. Kim Jones has been on hiatus, too. She is back, though, and her newest entry includes this little tidbit on Phil Hughes.

Before the last road trip, he cut his locks. But you already knew that. When we asked him about it, he said, "My hair was taking up too much of my day." Yeah, we know the feeling. He's a funny guy.

Stuff like that is why Kim is a must read.

In the wake of Joba Chamberlain's poor start the other night, NY Baseball Digest reminds us that Joba is still a young pitcher learning his craft. Oh, and there are some interesting comparisons to Josh Beckett, Pedro Martinez and Sandy Koufax.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been watching their National League West lead evaporate slowly in recent weeks. And you would never believe what they are complaining about in LA. Joe Torre's bullpen management. Some things never change.

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Put Joba in the pen for the playoffs

Shut him down for the rest of the year and throw Mitre and Gaudin into the meat grinder. We aren’t going to lose this lead, and Joba’s not helping us win where he is right now.

CC, AJ and Andy are our playoff starters. Joba and Hughes sharing the 7th/8th duties with Mo in the 9th = ring.

by PortlandYankee on Aug 27, 2009 9:55 AM EDT reply actions

This is assuming...

That we’ll only need 3 starters. That will probably not be the case.

"We're only going to score 17 points?" ~ Tom Brady

by mwilli on Aug 27, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

playoff rotation

ALDS:
if the Yanks get the best record, they can choose the longer series, which would allow them to use only 3 starters if they wanted.

ALCS:
they need 4 starters unless they wanna start CC on short rest in games 1 (unless they sweep the LDS) & 4. if they do, he could start games 1, 4 and (on normal rest) game 7.

WS (God willing):
same thing, except ALL 3 games (1, 4, 7) would be on short rest for CC. (unless we wrap up the LCS in less than 7 games, in which case he can start game 1 on normal rest.)

i think we still need Joba to start in the playoffs. though his impact can be lessened if the Yanks play/win short series.

by Travis G on Aug 27, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

You have to remember that all these guys will be well over 200+ innings at that point.

Id rather them merely throw Joba in there even for a few innings in a game 4 situation; we have guys like Aceves and Hughes in there and if the Yanks are leading and its a sweep situation (…….***jumps for JOY!..realizes I just made it up…dammit.), there’s no need to push CC or AJ to the brink.

If its the WS and Joba has started already in the playoffs (and sucked….), then OK. We can go for broke in the WS Id think.

All prediction that hopefully jinxes nothing, but overall going with a 3-man rotation throughout the playoffs is unnecessary.

Joba is very unpredictable so while I wouldn’t feel confident with him on the hill, Id go with him on the hill regardless….

GODZZIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Aug 27, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah that's not going to work...

…at all.

This is coming from someone who thinks Joba’s future is as a reliever. They need him as the 4th starter for the rest of this season.

by New York Sports Jerk on Aug 27, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Ed,

if your theme music is Back in the Saddle Again. do you want the Aerosmith version or the Gene Autry version played on the PA when you come in from the bullpen?

"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 27, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

I'm old

But forget that Gene Autry stuff. LOL!!

by Ed Valentine on Aug 27, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Cervelli is coming!!

I’m going to go save my spot along the Canyon of Heroes tomorrow after work.

by New York Sports Jerk on Aug 27, 2009 11:58 AM EDT reply actions

Jorge

Injuries are never good news, but if it was going to happen, better that it happens now. Cervelli undoubtedly comes up on September 1, which will allow Posada to DH and/or rest and let the finger heal before the postseason.

by django48 on Aug 27, 2009 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Joba

Portland Yankee is right on. Joba is completely unreliable. I never liked him as a starter. He was awesome, throwing 99mph coming on in relief as a rookie and scared the shit out of everyone coming to bat. Who’s afraid of him now? No one except Yankee fans! Another bullshit move by Cashman and Girardi, converting him into a starter. I don’t think he has the endurance or talent to consistently go 6 or 7 innings like Sabbathia, Burnett or Pettite, but he sure can light it up for an inning or two. And recently, he can’t get the 3rd out. The Yankee offense can make up for some weak pitching but in post season it is going to be tougher. They are going to be seeing consistently better pitching and they won’t be scoring 9-10 runs every game. If the Dodgers get knocked out earlier, maybe could bring back Torre and the boys for the post season!

by rocket109 on Aug 27, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

"Another bullshit move by Cashman and Girardi, converting him into a starter."

they’re NOT converting him! how many times have i written this: he was a starter his entire college and minor league career until the end of ’07, and ONLY converted to a reliever bc of an innings cap.

by Travis G on Aug 28, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions