Pathetic

by John Amato on Jun 24, 2007 9:09 PM EDT in New York Yankees News

Watching the Yanks blow and lose games to inferior teams is becoming the norm. Error after error, lost balls in the sun, no hitting, no pitching in the clutch...This might be all this team is really capable of...Lowry is another 83-89 MPH nibbler that the Yanks failed to capitalize on.

Barry Bonds and the Giants ended any serious talk (if there ever was any) that Nieves is a good defensive catcher. There are no catchers available (too bad Barrett went to SD) so the Yanks are stuck with him. Mussina usually holds runners on pretty well, but when Bonds uses his....speed...to score the first run...yea...it's pathetic...

Did anyone think the Yanks would win yesterday because ARod hit another dramatic ninth inning HR? Maybe I was just pissed, but I knew that one was going to be wasted. When you look at the seventh inning and see how many walks the nicely rested bullpen gave up...Meyers...Bruney...well...I could barely watch the extra innings...Bruney is blowing his big shot at being "that" guy in the late innings for this team with his control problems and I love his arm and his make up.

Choke after choke...Cano's double play ball was just plain awful in the fifth that I thought was the turning point of the game because it kept the lead to only three, but Matsui striking out against a hack pitcher like Steve Kline was just too much in the eleventh. And again Cano had a shot to bail out Godzilla, but grounded to 1B to end the threat. For all his talent, he still can't hit with runners in scoring position when the game matters...Boston is in first place because the role players are succeeding...The Yanks are buried deep down in the bowels of the playoff hunt because the Yankee role players are not...

End of rant...for now...

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Comments

Nieves

There is no question he sucks. In fact, he's taking suck to new levels. But blaming those stolen bases on him is unfair. The Giants were getting running starts on Moose - it was either he didn't give a shit someone was on base, or the Giants saw something that gave away when he was going to throw over there and when he wasn't. Right now I'm leaning towards the former. His sourpuss and sore-loser attitude are wearing thin.

Boston is in first place because of their pitching staff. Period.

by matthaggs on Jun 24, 2007 9:26 PM EDT reply actions

Start the ReBuilding NOW!

How about sending the old boys (over 35) to the bullpen (Musina can give us a good 2 innings of mid relief), bring up a whole bunch of young pitchers, standardize a line up with Cano, Melkey, and Philips in it, Damen as DH. Such a team certainly can't do worse than the present Maybe-ers Row. That starts a rebuilding effort and gives a new mgr something to work on. With all that continual playing time the kids (position players and pitchers) will cohese for next year when ARod won't have to waste HRs. Oh, I forgot, ARod won't be a Yankee next year! Joe's already in the Hall of Fame, so get him outta there now, followed by Nieves. See you next years guys. This old man is starting his winter vacation early. I stuck with 'em in the 50s, 70s, 80s, and early 90s; No more this year. I'm too old to cry!

New Hampshire Bob

by NH Bob on Jun 24, 2007 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

Well...

I tend to disagree with almost everything you said.

It doesn't make much sense to advocate putting Moose in the bullpen because there is nobody to replace him in the rotation.

There are no kids worthy of taking that spot -- Chase Wright, Matt DeSalvo, Tyler Clippard. These guys have been given the opportunity to stay in the rotation and they simply couldn't do the job.

I'm not big on either Wright or DeSalvo, but I do think Clippard can help this team down the road. He's just not ready yet and proved it in his last 3-4 starts.

I've said it a thousand times, but firing Torre right now isn't an option. Steinbrenner has already said he's not firing Torre so we should save this conversation for the off-season when Mattingly takes over the reigns.

Regardless of what the fans think of this team, they aren't going to quit and they aren't going to have a fire sale in June or July.

by anaconda on Jun 24, 2007 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

well...

we already have standarized a line-up with melky and cano... and if you think andy phillips can play in the major leagues you've got serious talent evaluating issues. Every opportunity he has been given he has stunk up the joint. If you think our triple A team could do as well as our major league team, you must be crazy. Do you want pettitte and roger in the bullpen as well? Make matsui a pinch-hitter in favor of thompson? Is posada to old as well?

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on Jun 24, 2007 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions

funny

i thought that the yanks would actually pick up a couple games this week:

BOS: @ATL, @SD --> 4-2
NYY: @COL, @SF --> 1-5

whats wrong with that picture?

by Clutch like Leyritz on Jun 25, 2007 6:31 AM EDT reply actions

In other news

there seem to be a lot of scouts following around our AA team. Dear God I hope they are looking at Kennedy because if Cashman trades Joba to try and save this train wreck, I may climb a bell tower and start plucking off pedestrians.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 25, 2007 7:03 AM EDT reply actions

Rest Easy

http://www.riveraveblues.com/
Mike A. points out that you can't trade a player until a full year after you sign him (even as a player to be named later if the trade was before the 1 year anni). That means both Joba and Kennedy are safe.
And Cashman has worked too hard to build this farm system, I don't think he'd tear it down even if he thought he was on his way out (which he's not).

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Jun 25, 2007 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep

I agree.

Cashman has made some god awful moves, but since he has gained full control he has made building the farm system his #1 priority - kind of at the expense of the big club at times. It's like he's trying to rebuild and compete at the same time, which is always tough to do.

My fear is that Big Stein will clean house - Cashman, Torre, etc... and bring in some yahoo who will do something stupid to try to win next year - like the Texeira trade.

If you like the kids, then you should hope Cashman stays.

by matthaggs on Jun 25, 2007 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

You're right

He's not the only guy in the world, but Stein has had some grade A morons working for him in the past, and if some of them get close enough to whisper a few things in his ear you never know what can happen. The old man may have one last crazy ass move up his sleeve.

In his mind giving Cashman the reins hasn't worked out at all, so the guy taking over is going to get more control? I don't think so.

Somebody said it here best: stick with the devil you know. The young guns are safest on Cashman's watch.

by matthaggs on Jun 25, 2007 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Well

The best record in baseball ('06 season) is a funny looking turd.

If you want to see how staying with the current manager and gm after a lousy season - which by the way can still be easily turned around - can pay off, all you have to do is look to the team currently sitting in first place in the AL East. Prime example of how quickly things can turn around.

by matthaggs on Jun 25, 2007 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Division

is gone now, though I think they'll put one more scare into Boston before it's over.

But the Wild Card is a very real possibility.

Cleveland and Oakland are very passable, Seattle is toast, and Minnesota has too many games left against Detroit and Cleveland.

Get to the ALDS, throw Wang, Pettitte, and Clemens in a five gamer, get ARod hot and it's hello ALCS.

Yes, this seems unrealistic based on the the crap we've seen so far for the most part this year, but it's certainly not anything close to impossible.

Bears repeating: Boston, 3rd place, 11 games out last year. Same GM, same manager, completely different season just one year later.

by matthaggs on Jun 25, 2007 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Moose is cooked

I've said this before. Moose cannot survive on an 85mph fastball. Hell, I threw on Sunday and registered 81 ...

I don't think there is much we can do in 07. We certainly aren't going to trade him, or demote him to the pen. He's just gonna' have to figure it out. I'm guessing he'll go 9-13 with a 4.9 something era.

After witnessing our meltdown in Colorado and SF, I've become a realist. We really aren't going to win this thing, so let's start angling for a rebuild and return to prominance in 08.

Would you place a call for Beurhle?

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jun 25, 2007 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Phew

I don't care about Kennedy as much, but the thought of trading Joba just to get closer to not missing the playoffs enraged me.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 25, 2007 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

hahaha

pfisty always looking on the bright side.a

by Clutch like Leyritz on Jun 25, 2007 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Need lots of changes

My take is that our starters aren't bad and you are right about the kids cannot do better, but they may succeed in relief roles. JOe has favorites in the pen and he apparently has no faith in some in the pen. I say, bring some kids up and give them a chance in relief. That mentally takes the pressure off starting for the Yankees and shrinks their window to one or two innings of "give it all ya got" ball. We loved Gator and Donnie Baseball as players, but they cannot be the future coaches/managers. Girardi has seen pitchers all his career and will get in someones face. We need that kind of change. And thats just the start.

by mickey07 on Jun 25, 2007 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

Lots of problems

There are lots of problems on this Yankee team, and one win streak won't fix them all. Nor do I think Cashman can fix them all this season, nor should he try.
It's not a given that you win every year. The best thing the Yanks could do right now is hang on to their young players, try to move useless parts like Farnsworth, Myers, Villone, Nieves and maybe even Damon (who will never again be the same player he was in Boston).
Give some of the younger relievers like Britton, Henn and Ramirez a chance.
If they are going to make one big move, I think it should be Teixeira. He's young and could be there a long time. Why waste time with Hillenbrand, Helton or Mike Sweeney?
http://valentinesviews.blogspot.com/2007/06/yankees-going-wrong-way-again.html

by ETVal @ Pinstripe Alley on Jun 25, 2007 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

You are your record

By this point in the season statements like, "we know we're better than this" which come out of almost every Yankees mouth is BS.

This is an average team with a lot of talented players.

by collink on Jun 25, 2007 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Cano

Here's a question. Was last year a fluke? I watch the guy and wonder why everybody's so in love with him. He can turn it on now and then, but he sucks with men in scoring position, is barely there in day games and can't run for shit.

And nobody's mentioning Jeter. Sure, he's a god. No question there. But what's up with the errors and the baserunning blunders?

by Yankee Fanne on Jun 25, 2007 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

Meh

Jeter is one of the few guys who has consistently contributed on the offensive side. Given the current condition of that unit, he gets a pass.

Re: Cano. I'm not sure what to think. It's a combination of being unlucky (he still hits the ball damn hard), and developing a better approach (he's seen more pitches, particularly the first pitch of an at bat, than at any point in his career).

The problem with him is that he's striking out more: 16% of his ABs, as compared to 11 to 13%, even in the minor leagues, since 2002. That, combined with him seeing more pitches, makes me think that he's adjusting to a more disciplined style. He's used to being a hacker, so he gets extra anxious with two strikes and whiffs more.

That's just a theory, though.

River Ave. Blues
Yanks and prospects

by PinstripePowerhouse on Jun 25, 2007 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Another theory

I think the Yanks' unbalanced lineup and his success last year hurts him too.

Last year they would have left a righty in to face him. This year, off last year's success and the fact that he's behind Matsui most of the time, he has to face more lefties out of the pen.

I don't know of a way to fix that other than to slot him between Jeter and ARod, which would improve anyone's average.

by matthaggs on Jun 25, 2007 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Cano

is an awesome hitter and not that bad in the field...He's not a fluke, but he's young and impatient at the plate. It hurts him in big spots.

Jeter is incredible...Yea, he made some mistakes, but that's from pressing...

by John Amato on Jun 25, 2007 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

Better approach

Can't really argue about his stats last season. He was amazing in the second half. This year? Not so much. He doesn't seem to work into hitter's counts. He's too impatient, and is lunging at the ball.

This year's version of Cano is a far cry from last year's version.

I think he's extremely talented, and will eventually figure it out, but with guys like Pena, Mattingly, Torre, Jeter, O'Neill, Bowa around (all notable hitters), you would think someone, somewhere would sit him down and give him a clue.

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Jun 25, 2007 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

i think

that cano could benefit from hitting in front of hitters other than Douggie Do-nothing, Cairo, and sometimes melky when damon plays. He is the worst person to put in front of shitty players. Pitchers know that they can throw anything to cano and he'll swing at it without having to worry about who is batting behind him.

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on Jun 25, 2007 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I know we are all depressed

but when you get really down, just sit back and remind yourself that cbeck thinks picking up Senor Hustle's option is a no-brainer. That should make you smile.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 25, 2007 9:00 PM EDT reply actions

How appropriate

That the title of this diary is "Pathetic".

That's the perfect word to describe the above post by you know who, and a perfect description of the person who posted it.

by matthaggs on Jun 25, 2007 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Right back at you

Check some of your past comments dude.

by matthaggs on Jun 25, 2007 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh lighten up

In the midst of this debacle of a season, we might as well poke fun at each other to pass the time. We have all said some crazy shit in the past. Hell, I thought it was a good idea to go after Zito and I am sure that, as President of the Jason Kendall Fan Club, you of all people should understand.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 26, 2007 6:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I have

admittedly made many off the wall comments, but for the record none of them pertained to Jason Kendall.

When someone asks you to stop, and you continue to take little shots, that's no longer "poking fun", that's taunting, and, for lack of a better word, being a dick. The guy has said he's not interested in playing the game, and you keep going after him. I don't know why it bothers me, but it does.

"Poke fun" at people like me who are totally willing to send one back over the net. I enjoy it, but clearly, others don't.

by matthaggs on Jun 26, 2007 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Was it Econolodge then?

Was it him who made the Kendall comments? I tend to get you guys confused, perhaps because you both need to post more. For the record, I could care less if cbeck thinks I am being a dick. My original comment about the no-brainer was just to give us all a chuckle, not to take a shot at him.

Fear the Evil Empire

by pfistyunc on Jun 26, 2007 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions