...and whoever's playing the Yankees - 2008 Game Thread

[26 to 6]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk Bill

Individuals who use the phrase "the fact of the matter" when describing their opinions, not facts, diminish their credibility. Do yourself a favor: don't do it, and watch who does.

Appreciate the advice. However, it isn't a fact that the Yankees are chock-full of talented and experienced players? Those combined with the mental aspect (attitude) is what typically determines the outcome.

Let's watch what happens, as you request. I predict trades for veterans and a Yankees team that earns about 90 wins in the highly competitive AL East--I do not predict a static team that suddenly becomes competitive. I may be mistaken, and, of course, YMMV.

I'm not dumb, I know the Yankees are gonna go out and get a veteran or two, as will probably the Red Sox, and a dozen other teams. I still think that we have a good team out there now that can only get better with such an addition.

Originally Posted by Gom

If anything has taught ALL of us since 2003......

It's a long, long way 'till September.

THANK YOU

Originally Posted by das11209

Rasner reminds me so much of Kennedy and the success he had last year.

Rasner reminds you of Kennedy? Another stellar outing by Rasner tonight should tell you that he and Kennedy; as we know him NOW, are polar opposites. Rasner is a real talented pitcher who has been overlooked for so long. Washington overlooked him and in what was even at the time a puzzling move let him hit the waiver wire, and the Yankees got a steal. I'm not saying he's Don Drysdale, but with a little experience and seasoning he could turn out to be quite a good starting pitcher in the Major Leagues for a few years to come. After all, he is what, like 27 now? Some players develop at a different rate than others, and Rasner has shown in each year he has seen time with the Yanks (3 seasons, like 8 different uniform numbers lol. Anyone remember what he wore in Spring Training, because I can't remember it for the life of me. Been trying to figure it out for weeks. It may have been, but I dont believe it was his current 43) that he has something. It's just a matter of polishing it and channeling it with some consistency, which he looks to be in the process of doing. I'm sure he'll get roughed up a few times this year, but so far, SOOOO good. I expect it will be that way more times than not.

The bridge to Mo looks very fragile now.

Sure does. Very disappointing. Just like a week ago when asked about it Joe said in a fit that there were no plans etched in stone, and they would proceed with him as they felt best fit their needs. And it's no question that he fits best in the bullpen right now. That's where we need him.

[Gom]

Originally Posted by das11209

Are you not the guy who generally give up on your team by summer?

The Red Sox didn't concern me. I had zero doubt that they'd be in the playoffs. What makes me feel better is that the Yankees strong point going into the season, their hitting, has been what has let them down. I have little doubt their hitting will come around.

The other thing is that the other teams that were supposed to be competing with the Yankees for the wild card [along with the Red Sox] were the Tigers and Indians. They are not doing well either. Do I think the Yankees will have a better record than one of those two teams come October.

Yes.

Last year, I wasn't so sure.

[CrespoBlows]

JHB can probably confirm it, but weren't the Yankees way off of their projected record in May, last year?

[Jayhawk Bill]

Originally Posted by CrespoBlows

JHB can probably confirm it, but weren't the Yankees way off of their projected record in May, last year?

I can even give you the link for finding this sort of stuff:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/te...07_sched.shtml

The Yankees were 22-29 at the end of May last year.

The key reasons for their recovery included a strong summer by Melky Cabrera, a strong second half by Robinson Cano, two of the best seasons in the history of MLB for players at their positions by A-Rod and Posada, and strong starting pitching (29-11) in August and September.

But...

1) Robinson Cano has never looked this bad;
2) A-Rod and Posada won't be repeating their 2007 magic; and
3) Pitch f/x showed some interesting things regarding ball-strike calls by umpires late last summer. Now MLB knows that every game is being watched by folks who know how to access the Pitch f/x files--I don't expect Ian Kennedy, for instance, to post an annual ERA of 1.89 ever again in his MLB career.

***

As constructed, the 2008 Yankees are roughly a .500 team. I expect trades, and I expect improvement to follow.

[TheKilo]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk Bill

I can even give you the link for finding this sort of stuff:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/te...07_sched.shtml

The Yankees were 22-29 at the end of May last year.

The key reasons for their recovery included a strong summer by Melky Cabrera, a strong second half by Robinson Cano, two of the best seasons in the history of MLB for players at their positions by A-Rod and Posada, and strong starting pitching (29-11) in August and September.

But...

1) Robinson Cano has never looked this bad;
2) A-Rod and Posada won't be repeating their 2007 magic; and
3) Pitch f/x showed some interesting things regarding ball-strike calls by umpires late last summer. Now MLB knows that every game is being watched by folks who know how to access the Pitch f/x files--I don't expect Ian Kennedy, for instance, to post an annual ERA of 1.89 ever again in his MLB career.

***

As constructed, the 2008 Yankees are roughly a .500 team. I expect trades, and I expect improvement to follow.

The Yankees were 4-17 in games decided by two runs or less during that run. That's a lot of bad luck they endured last year.

This year, they are right in line where they are supposed to be.

[TheKilo]

Originally Posted by Gom

The Red Sox didn't concern me. I had zero doubt that they'd be in the playoffs. What makes me feel better is that the Yankees strong point going into the season, their hitting, has been what has let them down. I have little doubt their hitting will come around.

The other thing is that the other teams that were supposed to be competing with the Yankees for the wild card [along with the Red Sox] were the Tigers and Indians. They are not doing well either. Do I think the Yankees will have a better record than one of those two teams come October.

Yes.

Last year, I wasn't so sure.

Can you not say their pitching will regress then (especially Rasner, and the loss of Joba from the pen?)

[Mr Crunchy]

this chamberlain move reeks of panic and is influenced by the steinbergs embarrasment.
the idea of moving him into the starters role is solid in theory but in practice it shouldve been done in march not may.
hopefully he doesnt hurt himself when he attacks farsnworth after ole kyle fucks up a few of his starts...why is this guy still counted on anyways?
he's been a blister on every team he's pitched for and inspite of decent #s the yankees are the only place he's been able to hang his hat for a few years.
this move should help ny long term but in the now it reeks of desperation.

[jacksonianmarch]

Originally Posted by Mr Crunchy

this chamberlain move reeks of panic and is influenced by the steinbergs embarrasment.
the idea of moving him into the starters role is solid in theory but in practice it shouldve been done in march not may.
hopefully he doesnt hurt himself when he attacks farsnworth after ole kyle fucks up a few of his starts...why is this guy still counted on anyways?
he's been a blister on every team he's pitched for and inspite of decent #s the yankees are the only place he's been able to hang his hat for a few years.
this move should help ny long term but in the now it reeks of desperation.

Not really. I think the point was to have him starting come the end of the yr rather than converting him back to relief when he nears his pitch limit. If their intent was that the playoffs would be in sight, then it is a sound plan. With the yankees playing so poorly, it may not end up mattering at all. It all depends on how they decide to use Joba. If he goes 2 innings every 4 days then up to 3 every then to 4 every 5 or so then it will work. Kinda like how the dodgers did it with Billingsley. Get high end innings out of a great arm at the MLB level. If this were a club hell bent on rebuilding, then this would be done at the AAA level. Since the yankees seem to have a few people tugging in different directions, then I think this needs to be done in the bigs. Regardless, I love the fact that Joba is being transitioned. We'll see how much I love it when they put it into practice. If done right, this would be awesome for our future. But there are plenty of areas to fuck up.

[jacksonianmarch]

Originally Posted by TheKilo

Can you not say their pitching will regress then (especially Rasner, and the loss of Joba from the pen?)

our pen has been damn good thus far and Joba is certainly part of the reason. At the same time, our rotation has had its good days and its bad day. And this has resulted in our pen being needed to hold a deficit rather than protect a lead. Add to that the fact that the offense is hitting like a 90 yr old granny, and you have your reasons why this needs to be done. We have the arms out there. Plenty of high end arms with Mo closing the fort. Not a bad way to go. Also, we are seeing this move coincide with the promotions of Robertson and Cox to AAA and Melancon to AA. Those three will see big league time this yr, you can count on that.

[Mr Crunchy]

theyre in the botton 1/2 of the a/l in pitching stats,not that i put a lot of credence in these#s.
the yanks are 5-4 in 1 run games,11-12 against the al east,7-11 against the floundering al central and 3-0 against the west.
its fairly consistant anyway you word it.
what this move does in my opinion is open up trade talks for the untouchable phil hughes and the underachieving ian kennedy...it also lets these kids know that in ny you're only as good as your last start and the concept of working out the kinks and taking the lumps with the youngsters is fantasy.
i wonder how much this move was influenced by lester and lowries efforts or the sox starting pitching in general?
i will again say that the ny yankees are rudderless,theyre being run by reactionary douchebags who could fuck up a wetdream and i have 35 years of watching the steinbrenners do just that...
they need to keep the fredo brothers out of the mix and give brian cashman a chance to do what he planned on doing...they didnt get santana because they wanted to build for the future,making joba chamberlain a starter on may 22nd isnt a sound baseball decision and it goes against everything cashman has said in the press up till last weekend.
this is an order from steinbrenner after watching the sox kids shine this week and nothing will convince me otherwise.

[Paradisecity]

Originally Posted by Mr Crunchy

they need to keep the fredo brothers out of the mix and give brian cashman a chance to do what he planned on doing...they didnt get santana because they wanted to build for the future,making joba chamberlain a starter on may 22nd isnt a sound baseball decision and it goes against everything cashman has said in the press up till last weekend.
this is an order from steinbrenner after watching the sox kids shine this week and nothing will convince me otherwise.

enough said right there buddy.

[rician blast]

What I find interesting, yet sad in in light of its predictability, is that once the Sox "young guns" threw some quality innings --coupled with the struggles of the Yankees future aces --
I remember my buddy and I both commenting that this would ripple through the Yankees organization.

The Yanks FO just can't get the Sox outta their heads....and you know what? "It's beautiful man, beautiful"

[26 to 6]

Originally Posted by rician blast

What I find interesting, yet sad in in light of its predictability, is that once the Sox "young guns" threw some quality innings --coupled with the struggles of the Yankees future aces --
I remember my buddy and I both commenting that this would ripple through the Yankees organization.

The Yanks FO just can't get the Sox outta their heads....and you know what? "It's beautiful man, beautiful"

That isn't true. Maybe to an extent, but forever it's been the other way around. Sox fans, players, broadcasters and brass are infatuated with the Yankees. They make every move aronud what the Yankees do and what they anticipate the reaction. NESN postgame analysis used to revolve around the Yankees (idk if it still does because I stopped watching it because Tom Carron makes me want to pull my fucking hair out).

[26 to 6]

Here's to hoping that Kennedy can at least give us somewhat of decent outing tonight....

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Originally Posted by 26 to 6

That isn't true. Maybe to an extent, but forever it's been the other way around. Sox fans, players, broadcasters and brass are infatuated with the Yankees. They make every move aronud what the Yankees do and what they anticipate the reaction. NESN postgame analysis used to revolve around the Yankees (idk if it still does because I stopped watching it because Tom Carron makes me want to pull my fucking hair out).

That was once the case but hasn't been since I would say...2005. The Red Sox focus heavily on scouting and drafting. While the Yankees wanted to sign Johnny Damon, the Red Sox wanted the draft pick. Since that draft the Yankees have changed focus to younger home grown players as opposed to going after the Santana's of the world. They are now playing catch up to the Red Sox who are superior in the minor leagues and young prospects at the major league level.

Members of the Yankee organization talk up Joba, Kennedy, Hughes, Cano, Cabrera as if they are the games next great players.....Robinson Cano will win a batting title? Melky Cabrera was mentioned in the same breathe with Carlos Gomez and Jacoby Ellsbury in the Santana deals? Kennedy is the next Mike Mussina? Phil Hughes is the future ace of the Yankees? Joba will be a Yankee ace once in the rotation? High hopes but it's more talk than anything. I've seen little to make me believe they will achieve the ceiling the Yankee officials have put ahead of them.