AJ pitching like Burnett when Jose is catching...
by yankslocktowin on Sep 24, 2009 5:52 AM EDT
33 comments
i know Jorge Posada doesn't want to hear this one but, it's a FACT and that is when Jose is catching, AJ Burnett becomes untouchable.
Last four times when Jose catched, a true no. 2 stats except for vs. BAL. (He doesn't like pitching in Camden Yards & who cares if we lost vs. BAL)
Jorge Posada can get 2 Runs with 1 swing AB but I would take 6 or 7 1ER games over hitting HRs and then hand it to Hughes and MO. That would be Game Over.
IP H R ER HR BB Ks #Pitches
| 09/23 | @LAA | W 3-2 | 5.2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 3 |
27 | 101 | W(12-9) | -- | |
| 09/18 | @SEA | L 2-3 | 7.0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 10 |
30 | 104 | -- | -- | |
| 09/12 | BAL | L 3-7 | 7.0 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 16 |
29 | 108 | L(11-9) | -- | |
| 09/07 | TB | W 11-1 | 6.0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
25 | 99 | W(11-8) |
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Jose Molina is not going to start in the playoffs.
He has no business being in a playoff lineup.
I know Jorge’s hurt right now and getting rest, but for every last one of AJ’s reg. season outings, they need to be with Jorge.
Im gonna throw my TV out the window if I see Molina starting a playoff game.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 24, 2009 7:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Girardi used to start playoff games...
…even when Posada was a MUCH better hitter. Seemed to work out okay.
by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 24, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't start this nonsense again
Just because one thing coincides with another does not mean there is correlation or causation.
The Cardinals won the World Series in 2006 with two starting pitchers with ERAs over 5.00.
The White Sox won the World Series in 2005 with 6 regular players with sub-.340 OBPs and 4 with sub-.315 OBPs.
The Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001 and every single player in their starting lineup was over 30, with an average age of nearly 34.
Despite these championships, you don’t hear many GMs going into the offseason saying “I want to stock up on old players who don’t get on base and pitch poorly”.
Posada has been the 4th most valuable catcher in MLB this year based on VORP, while Jose Molina is 87th. VORP doesn’t consider defense, game-calling skills, or intangables, but considering how wide that gap is, those things are virtually irrelevant in this conversation.
If you want to have a conversation about how important a catcher’s defensive skills are, I’m all ears, but you’d better pick a better poster child for your argument.
by 3460kuri on Sep 24, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well jeez, when you put it like that..
…I guess I’ll just have to go cry myself to sleep tonight.
Enjoy watching Burnett and Posada have 14 mound visits in 3 innings because Posada is a stubborn ass who can’t accept being shaken off.
All I said was that it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing to start Molina. If you were playing Strat-o-Matic, it would be.
by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 24, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How else can you put it?
Andy why doesn’t anybody talk about the games where Molina starts, hits poorly, and the Yankees lose a close game?
Apr 27 vs. Detroit – Yankees lose 4-2, Molina goes 1-3 on 9 pitches
May 4 vs. Boston – Yankees lose 6-4, Molina goes 1-4 on 12 pitches, 0-3 with RISP.
May 6 vs. Tampa – Yankees lose 4-3, Molina goes 1-4 on 10 pitches, 0-1 with RISP.
Jul 30 vs. Chcago – Yankees lose 3-2, Molina goes 1-2 on 6 pitches, 0-1 with RISP.
Aug 10 vs. Toronto – Yankees lose 5-4, Molina goes 0-3 on 12 pitches, 0-1 with RISP.
Sep 18 vs. Seattle – Yankees lose 3-2. Molina goes 0-3 on 8 pitches, including 0-1 with RISP. AJ Burnett allows one run in 7 innings.
I realize I am cherry-picking games, but so are you. Here are 6 games that the Yankees lost by two runs or less, and Molina contributed a 4-19 effort at the plate including 0-7 with RISP. You could argue that without Molina behind the plate the games may not have been as close, but you could also argue that with a better hitting catcher we may have won a few of them.
by 3460kuri on Sep 24, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In other words...
…there is a case to be made for either catcher.
As you said, there’s no way of knowing how the Yankees pitcher would have fared with Posada behind the plate.
Truthfully, I don’t even care if Posada starts when Burnett does. Just don’t act like it would be a guaranteed loss if Molina got the nod.
by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 24, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
From Keith Law's chat on ESPN today...
Thomas (Naptown)
Why is there so much emphasis on a catchers ability to call games? I mean, shouldn’t a pitcher know how to do that, anyway? And if a catcher is bad at it, can’t the pitcher, you know, just not throw that pitch?
Keith Law (2:07 PM)
I couldn’t agree more. I think in reality, it’s one of those immeasurable skills that some baseball people like to use to defend otherwise irrational decisions.
by 3460kuri on Sep 24, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keith Law, obviously the authority figure on catching...
…based on all his experience behind the plate.
And maybe Burnett has a problem with Posada BECAUSE he shakes him off and Posada can’t handle it.
It’s not like we haven’t seen that a million times before. Burnett wants to call his own game, and Posada is out there every damn time he gets shaken off.
(See also: El Duque, Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina, Joba Chamberlain)
If Posada lets Burnett call his own game, there wouldn’t be a problem.
by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 24, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right
“it’s one of those immeasurable skills that some baseball people like to use to defend otherwise irrational decisions.”
Decisions like, if you haven’t played baseball before, you’re in no position to evaluate it.
by 3460kuri on Sep 24, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Law can evaluate it...
…it doesn’t make his opinion gospel, or even evidence to support your opinion.
You two happen to share the same opinion, that doesn’t make it correct.
by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 24, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What evidence to you have to support your opinion?
Catcher’s ERA? I don’t buy it.
We are in complete agreement that defense, game-calling, and intangibles do matter. But all I can take from your comments is that you think Burnett is truly a 5.50 ERA pitcher when Posada catches, BECAUSE POSADA IS CATCHING.
Just to recap, amongst the 72 catchers with 50 or more plate appearances this year, Molina has the 49th best OBP, and the 68th best SLG. Nothing else that Molina brings to the table – not defense, not game-calling, not leadership – can make up for sub-replacement level hitting. Nothing. And that, my friend, is a fact.
by 3460kuri on Sep 24, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, it's still an opinion
You should read Webster’s more often.
by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 24, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but...
Girardi wasn’t an auto-out like Molina is and Posada in 1998-99 wasn’t anything close to the hitter he is today. In 2005, Torre caved to Randy Johnson’s whims and started John Flaherty in the playoffs. Randy was still awful. A.J. needs to find a way to pitch well with Posada behind the plate and since he’s not a professional excuse maker like Randy Johnson, I’m sure he realizes that.
by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Sep 24, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A comparison...
1999 Girardi – 60 OPS+
2009 Molina – 51 OPS+
At best, Girardi was only slightly better offensively, and Molina’s OBP is actually 23 points higher.
For the record, Girardi started 8 playoff games that year, and the Yanks were 7-1 in those games.
I’m not suggesting Molina should start that many games, I’m saying it wouldn’t be a terrible decision to start him once or twice.
by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 24, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and NYSJ, Girardi was a vet
and Posada was a young Rook.
Doesn’t matter that Posada was a better hitter, Girardi was the veteran and Torre was not going to make the young guy catch in the playoffs no matter how much better a hitter he is.
If we were talking about Molina vs. a young guy who was that much better hitter, I think Molina would be the easy choice.
AJ has done just fine with Posada on numerous occasions this season. He needs to figure out what the hell is wrong.
It not anyone’s fault other than Posada’s old and banged up, but they need to be a battery on the rest of their starts.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 24, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ugh...
…my point, as it has been the entirety of this conversation, is that starting Molina once wouldn’t necessarily be a bad move, and wouldn’t necessarily hurt the Yankees offensively.
The past WS teams had a deep enough lineup that they could survive an “automatic out” and so does this one.
But I’m sure Posada’s .236 career postseason average and 31 RBI in 96 career playoff games are too good to pass up.
by New York Sports Jerk on Sep 24, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got to disagree with you..
Molina HAS to start with AJ pitching. If AJ pitches the way he should and the way stats indicate he will with Molina behind the plate, we will have a better chance of winning. 1) Our offense is potent enough without Posada. 2) Posada can be very useful as a mid to late inning switch hitting pinch hitter. Even if Posada pinch hits for Molina in the 5th or 6th inning, we’ve only missed 2 to 3 at bats. 3) Not that I am happy with Molina at the plate, but I wouldn’t call him an automatic out (in the way I would describe the late Cody Ransom). He works the count pretty well, has gotten his share of walks and a few big hots for us, although .220 avg is nothing to love. Bottom line, if AJ gives us 6 to 7 innings of 1 or 2 runs given up…our chances are pretty good of scoring more than that without Posada with our outstanding lineup. Will be interesting what Girardi decides….
by The Yankee's Voice of Reason on Sep 24, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As a hitter....
Molina = Cody Ransom.
and the bottom line is this is probably moot. I really doubt that Girardi goes to Molina in a playoff game with AJ starting.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 24, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Molina starts
I hope he does catch AJ in the playoffs, would ensure a good start by Burnett and if need be we can replace him with Jorge in a key moment after the bullpen comes in. Jorge can start with CC, Pettite and Joba half a day off wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
by DustinPedroia aka Keebler Elf on Sep 24, 2009 8:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just so I have this correct...
You’re going to put the an .889 OPS catcher on the bench in what would likely be a KEY game in either the ALDS or the ALCS for a .565 OPS catcher (read: automatic out) in your lineup?
I don’t think so…
by detroit yankee on Sep 24, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
AJ Burnett pitches poorly in Saturday road games vs. AL opponents. Look at these lines:
Saturday Aug 22 @ Bos – 5 IP, 9 ER
Saturday Aug 1 @ Chi – 4.2 IP, 7 ER
Saturday Apr 25 @ Bos – 5 IP, 8 ER
Now look at him when he faces an NL team on the road on Saturday:
Saturday Jun 27 @ NYM – 7 IP, 0 ER
Can you imagine if Jose Molina catches him on a Saturday road game during the World Series?
by 3460kuri on Sep 24, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
oh, and P.S. -
AJ Burnett lives in Baltimore, or his wife is from Baltimore, something like that. Why would he not like pitching htere?
by 3460kuri on Sep 24, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If His Wife used to live there........................
then that’s a good reason to pitch poorly. One word: IN-LAWS!!!
"Don't let your fears of striking out keep you from playing the game."
by Lizza on Sep 24, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If AJ can’t buck up and pitch well in the playoffs to Jorge then it is his fault not Posadas.Give me a break how many times has Molina navigated a staff through the playoffs compared to Jorge.This guy is here 1 yr and he is already being treated like Brown-Johnson=baby.Im keeping the bat and the proven playoff leader.Guy needs to get over it and pitch well whoever is catching.Im not an AJ hater either,I love his stuff just think his head is off sometimes.What ever will he do when Molina is left for Cervelli.
by cashman bashman on Sep 24, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."
by jscape2000 on Sep 24, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thank you.
This has nothing to do with Jorge Posada.
It has everything to do with AJ Burnett.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 24, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only time
Molina will be playing in the postseason is if the Yankees are facing the Angels, and they run all over Posada in a game, and it costs us. Molina will pitch to slow down the running game. Thats it. There will be no other time Molina catches in the playoffs (unless Posada gets hurt).
Burnett and Posada need to learn to work together better. Yankees fans won’t be happy if Burnett sucks in the playoffs because he and Posada couldn’t get along.
by nyyrocks29 on Sep 24, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Molina catching makes the lineup worse.
You might as well let Burnett hit and let Matsui DH for Molina, at least Burnett could bunt and make himself useful.
This is all on Burnett. He needs to go out there and throw the damn ball.
What the f$%k is the internet?
by FreeBradshaw on Sep 24, 2009 5:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You Really Need To Get A Life
if you can take that much time out of your day to actually find all that information. That takes time. As for Molina and Jorge. I think they should let CERVELLI catch. That solves everything.
"Don't let your fears of striking out keep you from playing the game."
by Lizza on Sep 24, 2009 6:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You’re a great Cervelli fan!!!!!!!!
by nyyrocks29 on Sep 24, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're might be starting to get in over your head.
Starting Cervelli solves nothing, except benching the 2nd best catcher in the AL. The infatuation with Frankie is cute and all but time to get real.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on Sep 25, 2009 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
let's see one more start from Burnett which will be next week...
I bet Jose will be catching him and throw shut out 7 IP
by yankslocktowin on Sep 27, 2009 12:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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