New York Yankees News Roundup: Liriano, Posada, Jeter and Hughes

by Travis G on May 4, 2011 6:00 AM EDT in New York Yankees News

Having a terrible year before last night, Francisco Liriano tossed the first no-hitter of 2011. In Minnesota's 1-0 win over Chicago, Liriano walked six and struck out only two. But please, no Jesus-for-Liriano trade demands today.

Jorge Posada trying to steal secondbase in the sixth inning last night was perhaps the biggest blunder of the contest. Even the usually protective Joe Girardi criticized the play -

Jorgie's play? It just can't happen. It just can't happen. How does it affect the game? None of us will really know. But you hate to make foolish outs.

Check out Ed Valentine's take on Jeter's slow start/season. But Jeter still insists he feels comfortable at the plate -

I feel good. I can't change anything that happened in the first month of the season. Yeah, I didn't swing the bat well.

The next move to determine the future of Phil Hughes will see him visit Yankee team physician Chris Ahmad. Since he doesn't have thoracic outlet syndrome, another course of action must be taken to aid his "dead arm."

Check out Mike Ashmore's interview with Yankee Pitching Coordinator Nardi Contreras, who has details on many of the top prospects in the system.

Rafael Soriano has surely had a rocky start to his pinstriped career. Another high profile reliever who started similarly was... Goose Gossage.

George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa got less than stellar reviews from StadiumJourney.com. If you're thinking of attending a game there, check out the article.

And finally, I want to congratulate the Angels of Anaheim for their heroic efforts against the Red Sox. After last night's 7-3 loss, they have failed to win a game against Boston in six contests. Well done!

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I will never understand how that no-hitter happened. Oh, baseball… Posada’s baserunning makes me vom sometimes too.

Also if Jeter doesn’t rebound this month, they need to at least start hitting Gardner leadoff if not pushing Jeter down to the bottom third. Sadly, it will likely not come to fruition. Hopefully he can make this all moot by at least hitting a few more line drives.

Unless you're a pitcher or Gustavo Molina, kindly SWING THE BAT and ignore the Binder's bunt signal.

by Andrew GM on May 4, 2011 6:16 AM EDT reply actions

Derek-Fucking-Jeter Clause

by jetanumba2 on May 4, 2011 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions

The NY Times has a Jeter is not hitting article today- it's one of the 10 most read.

I have nothing to add to anything already said on that point.

The Nardi Contreras interview comes off as a nice look at how the 2013 rotation may shake out, but I have always viewed Contreras with deep suspicion. The reason is that the Yankees made a lot of piss-poor pitching decisions when he had the Boss’s ear, and Contreras was responsible. I believe he’s been part of the ‘Tampa Mafia’ that’s been holding the organization back for the last ten years. (Am I wrong about this?).

The Yankees have had the luxury of being able to sign veterans like Colon, Garcia, Prior, and Millwood and have two of the signings pay off. Most other clubs would have brought up Phelps and one of the B’s and had them learn on the job. The short term result would likely have been Ivan Nova- like growing pains, but the long term result would probably be competent major league starters in their early twenties.

And yes, it’s too soon to burn Soriano in effigy.

by designatedquitter on May 4, 2011 10:04 AM EDT reply actions

I would have liked to see Phelps and Betances and Banuelos get some starts and earn a spot in the rotation rather than signing Colon and Garcia. Nothing against them, they’re doing well, but like you said, despite the growing pains a long term result of competent MLB starters is priceless. The Yankees’ win now or else ways will NEVER allow them to do this, something just about every other team does.

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on May 4, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't really have a problem with them going out and getting help

I don’t think Dellin or ManBan were quite ready to compete at the MLB level, and none of the guys at AAA were surefire things either. In the spring you had CC, Hughes, and then lots of question marks. So, in this case, the veterans are insurance. Don’t forget, both Dellin and Banuelos have had blister problems this year, so even if one or both had made the team, you’d still have a gap you’d have to fill from somewhere. If Phelps or Warren or whoever get their first MLB start in July instead of April, I don’t think it’s a huge loss.

"Game's the same, just got more fierce." ~ Slim Charles

by Captain_Mick on May 4, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

The Yankees can afford to carry a youngster as their #5 to learn in the bigs

Which is exactly what they tried to do with Nova. You can’t do it with 3 youngsters at once, of course. And as others have said already, the others were not ready yet. Why bring them up too soon and ruin their confidence?

by waw on May 4, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't argue this point, but unless the Yankees are out of the race, or Garcia and Colon implode, the rookies won't get a sniff of MLB time.

One luxury you have being 12 games out on Labor day is that you can bring up minor leaguers for four or five starts. That’s unlikely to be the case here.

Another way they get a chance is if a veteran gets hurt, but the Yankees are loathe to bring up people when they can trade or sign a FA.

The fact is, they don’t like to bring up rookies unless they are likely to have instant impact like young Dwight Gooden or Barry Zito. There aren’t many like that around.

And I still have a deep- seated distrust of Contreras.

by designatedquitter on May 4, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

First time I read anyone say Betances’ change was better than Banuelos’.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.

I believe in the Church of Baseball.
- Annie Savoy

You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.
- Donald Fehr

by Frank Campagnola on May 4, 2011 10:45 AM EDT reply actions

Boston owns Anaheim

They’ve won like 16 of their last 17 games. Doesn’t make sense, it’s not like the Angels suck.

I bet it's good to be playing again, huh?

by david d on May 4, 2011 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

They'll always have the 2009 ALDS

"Game's the same, just got more fierce." ~ Slim Charles

by Captain_Mick on May 4, 2011 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

And the Yanks will have the ALCS! Plenty of irony there.

"Nature never intended for you to survive here. But this fall, nature isn't the only thing to fear." September 10, 2011. Alabama vs. Penn State. White House.

by Chris McKeown on May 4, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Also it’s not like the angels pitching just blew it…haren and weaver pitched very very good, the offense just choked and the pen imploded.

by lololol on May 4, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Different circumstances entirely, but if there was one management decision that makes resigning Jeter to a giant contract look palatable, it’s the Vernon Wells trade.

by cajuncook on May 4, 2011 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Anybody else see the irony in Liriano's no-no?

Liriano may have gotten the benefit of a bad call at first base (could have also been an error depending on how it was scored), and last year a pitcher lost a perfect game on a blown call the other way at first base. Kind of a nit-picky point, but still.

Regardless, it is what it is, and Liriano got his no-hitter. Congrats!

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on May 4, 2011 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

The blown call at first

was on a double play and would have been a fielder’s choice and not a base hit. That is if the play you are referring to was the one where Morneau did the swipe tag and missed the runner but got the out call. The only other close call was the bounced throw that Morneau caught awkwardly but did beat the runner.

by BBL on May 4, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions