Bullpen Mistakes By Girardi? Not Last Night

by Ed Valentine on Sep 23, 2010 2:32 PM EDT in New York Yankees Analysis

Jonathan Albaladejo of the New York Yankees walks back to the dug out during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 22 2010 at Yankee Stadium.

Our man 'kuri' seems a little annoyed by Joe Girardi's choice of pitchers following Wednesday night's rain delay.

Sure, Royce Ring, Dustin Moseley, Chad Gaudin and Jonathan Albaladejo is not Girardi's 'A' bullpen. What, however, was he supposed to do?

Javier Vazquez had pitched the night before and David Robertson was unavailable. You certainly are not bringing in Kerry Wood, Joba Chamberlain or even Boone Logan in the fourth inning.

So, what was he left with? You have to find out about Ring (who looked good) and Moseley has done a good job this season, you can't really complain about him coming into a game at that point. Guadin? Eh, what's the choice? Sergio Mitre? No thanks to that, either.

It's really about October at this point, not about one game in September. Girardi took the long view last night, and he made the right call.

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Gaudin just worries me everytime he pitches

It shouldn’t be like that. I have NEVER felt comfortable with him. Last year or this year. Why he’s still in pinstripes is beyond me, but he has yet to show me his worth. I can’t defend that guy. Sorry…

Bringing Absurdity to New Heights!

by jigglytuffy on Sep 23, 2010 2:38 PM EDT reply actions

I had no problem with Ring or Moseley

What irked me was bringing in Gaudin. That was late enough in the game that it made sense to bring it Joba and Wood and Logan…you know…the good relievers. I am baffled as to why Gaudin still regularly pitches for this team. he should be at the very most a mop-up guy and never see action in a game that is closer than 5 runs.

by GMan83201 on Sep 23, 2010 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn't say Kuri is suggesting there was much else to do

But I understand the frustration. Last night was, essentially, a game to help push Tampa Bay out of the picture. When there’s a rain delay that long, it’s just unfortunate to see such garbage pitchers decide the game. With that being said… Never, EVER, put Gaudin in during a close game. Ever. I’d rather have Nick Swisher pitching. / Not sarcastic at all.

"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III

by Chris McKeown on Sep 23, 2010 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

I think the annoyance comes from the lack of consistency. Either we’re punting games to rest or we aren’t because we want the division.

If we aren’t going to bother attempting to win the game because we’re resting guys for October, then what is the point in trotting out a clearly banged up Teixeira every game? What is the point in using Mo in a bunch of games? Why is A-Rod playing?

I get the idea that once a game gets out of reach, you can pull guys, but it was a 1-0 game in the 3rd, and Girardi half-punted. And if you’re going to use guys like Albaladejo, how about giving him some work in any of the times in which The Chad was sent in to mop up? Albie had a great year in AAA, and could at least potentially contribute, which is far more than I can say about Chad.

So why does Chad get 4 times as many appearances so Albie is clearly thrown off? I just don’t understand the point in trotting out banged up hitters if you’re clearly demonstrating through your selection of relief pitchers that winning the game is of no consequence.

Is resting for October more important than one game against the Rays? Yes. But please, Joe, show me some consistency in your strategy.

Questions or thoughts? Email me at duggan2423(at)gmail(dot)com

by Lord Duggan on Sep 23, 2010 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

I’ve been wondering the whole month why girardi has barely used abaladejo, he pitched great this year in AAA and this is a chance to boost his confidence for next year. Instead Girardi keeps sending Gaudin out pretty much every other day. Gaudin shouldn’t be on the post season roster and shouldn’t be on the team next year, so why is Girardi using him so much? I expect to see abaaldejo, ring and romulo sanchez used a lot more once the wild card is clinched.

by Jon8010 on Sep 23, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I was there last night

After an hour and a half rain delay I was fully expecting to see all the starters off the field. Mostly Tex with all his injuries. Girardi basically firebombed this game. Ring comes in, he strikes out the 1st 2 leftys he faces and gets the 3rd out. I was kinda shocked when he came back out and then gets 2 more quick outs. He walks a guy, Girardi takes him out…Dustin Moseley comes in, pitching out of the stretch with guys on base and he looks like hes throwing batting practice to the Rays. If it wasn’t for Texiera that inning is very ugly. The 7th inning he brings in Chad f’n Gaudin. He gets 2 quick outs and you start thinkin aright maybe he can hold these guys down for an inning or 2 and before that thought is even over he gives up back to back bombs. The game was 3-2 if Girardi WANTED to win this game, he would of put in Joba for the 7th. Then out comes Gaudin again and the game was just over once Albie comes in. Girardi just didn’t care.

What I don’t get though is why is Tex, Swish, Jeter, A-Rod all these guys still playing? Your not trying to win thats obvious. So rest them. Your trying to win with your lineup but not with your pitching?? That makes 0 sense and annoyed me immensley especially after waiting through an hour and a half rain delay.

by Smallz LOS on Sep 23, 2010 3:04 PM EDT reply actions

Joe G takes a ton of critics

I think he does a good job with the pen. He likes to go with the percentages and our strong point is our pen. Otherwise we might not be where we are today.

"Individuals don't win Championships, Teams do."

by Jeterian 2 on Sep 23, 2010 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

He does

And all I am sayin is it was very obvious he didn’t care about winning this game. Bringing Moseley in, in the middle of an inning when all Ring did was walk one guy was just dumb. Girardi overmanaged this game completley.

by Smallz LOS on Sep 23, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions

And I usually do like how Girardi manages the pen. Last night was an obvious, eh who cares. Just hope guys who normally suck, don’t. With 4,000 ppl left there after the delay they might as well of just gave some fans jerseys and let them pitch so they didn’t tax the pen.

by Smallz LOS on Sep 23, 2010 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep

I’m with you 100% Eddie V.

"‘cause he’s worried about everything, and he tries to win all the time."
-- Francisco Cervelli on Alex Rodriguez

by dorsal on Sep 23, 2010 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

Bottom line-

If the offense had showed up last night, this wouldn’t even be a conversation. The Rays dealt with the same delay the Yanks did, they just brought their bats with the to the park. The Yanks win 9-7, all the talk would be about how they gutted it out… but they couldn’t string together anything even against the belly of the Rays’ pen.

Win tonight, stay in control of their own destiny- that’s what need to happen. With the schedule the Rays have over the last week and change of the season, the Yanks don’t need to be looking up in the standings even the slightest bit.

by NumberSeven on Sep 23, 2010 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

Don't you think the offense is affected by the choice of pitchers?

I know these guys are professionals. But, when the manager’s choice of pitchers indicates that this game just isn’t that important, don’t you think that attitude will affect the hitters as well? Maybe they figure, what the hell? I’ll just swing for the fences and pad my stats, instead of being patient and trying to start a rally.

by waw on Sep 23, 2010 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions

= O

You didn’t seriously just say the Yankees lost that game because of run support did you? You couldn’t of. The Rays score 7 RUNs and its the offense’s fault. Superb logic.

by Smallz LOS on Sep 24, 2010 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions