Good morning Fackers. Well, at least as good of a morning as you can have after losing to Brett Tomko. Hey Joe: see if you can't wake the bats up for tonight's game.
Forty years ago, on the morning of August 18, 1969, the Woodstock Music & Art Fair finally came to an end. Traffic and weather delays had caused the festival to run long over schedule. The sun had already come up on Monday morning when Jimi Hendrix, who had wanted to be the event's final act, finally took the stage with his newly formed and short-lived Gypsy Sun and Rainbows.
The crowd had dwindled to less than half of its peak size, but those who remained were treated to one of the most historic performances in rock and roll history. Hendrix launched one of the longest sets of his career. The band was somewhat unpolished due to their short time together, forcing Hendrix to play the virtuoso moreso than usual. He didn't disapoint, drawing an appropriately impressive and memorable conclusion to the historic event.
Twice previously we've featured Hendrix performances from Woodstock, including once already this weekend. But as we conclude Woodstock Weekend at Fack Youk, it's only appropriate that we do so with the artist and the performance that closed the festival. Enjoy. We'll be back with far less pleasant music news shortly.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Quick But Not Painless
[Photos]
After Sunday afternoon's game, Matt chose to eat a little crow for what he wrote in the preview, and tonight it's my turn. I spent my post making fun of Brett Tomko for whining about he lack of opportunities with the Yankees this season and for tonight at least, he had the last laugh.
Tomko threw just 78 pitches in his start because he wasn't fully stretched out, but used them efficiently and pitched to contact over his 5 innings of work. He struck out one and walked one, getting the other 13 outs with the help of his defense; five on the ground and nine in the air.
The most influential play, by more than 10% in WPA, came in the third inning when Tomko faced his only real jam of the game. Ramiro Pena and Derek Jeter led of the inning with back to back singles, Johnny Damon flew out to right and Mark Teixeira loaded the bases with a walk. With only one out, A-Rod came to the plate in an extremely favorable RBI situation but instead grounded into an inning-end 1-2-3 double play. A-Rod let Tomko off the hook and the Yankees never got another man to third base.
The most influential play, by more than 10% in WPA, came in the third inning when Tomko faced his only real jam of the game. Ramiro Pena and Derek Jeter led of the inning with back to back singles, Johnny Damon flew out to right and Mark Teixeira loaded the bases with a walk. With only one out, A-Rod came to the plate in an extremely favorable RBI situation but instead grounded into an inning-end 1-2-3 double play. A-Rod let Tomko off the hook and the Yankees never got another man to third base.A.J. Burnett took a complete game loss, his first CG of the year and the Yankees' second after CC Sabathia's outing in Detroit back in April. All of the damage the A's did came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Rajai Davis doubled, stole third and was singled home by Kurt Suzuki to break the scoreless tie. Jerry Hairston, Jr.'s brother Scott followed that with another single and those two were moved over by a groundout courtesy of Mike Sweeney. With two outs, Burnett started his delivery home but stopped in the middle of his delivery and held onto the ball. The runners advanced and Mark Ellis doubled into the gap to make it 3-0 A's.
Aside from the 4th inning, Burnett was one of he lone bright spots in a frustrating game for the Yanks. Over his 8 innings, he gave up six hits and two walks while striking out 5. It only took him 99 pitches and combined with the Yanks absence at the plate allowed the game to wrap up in a tidy 2:15. Jeter went 3-4 and Posada picked up a hit on his birthday.
There isn't a whole lot more to say about this one. A solid pitching performance was wasted by a non-existent offense one. The Yanks have been rolling along so well that it's easy to forget that a lot of the time, things don't go according to plan. The Yanks were supposed to beat up on Brett Tomko, but instead he made people momentarily forget that he's 36 years old and has had one year since 1997 in which he was above league average. Congrats, buddy. Go paint a fucking picture about it.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Game 119: Tears Of Rage
The Yankees' West Coast road trip continues tonight, with the first of three 10PM starts. Three of the games in the last series in Seattle had late starts as well, which kind of sucks for us back here on the East Coast, but apparently not for the team, as those were the three games the Yankees won against the Mariners.
The Yankees have a chance to prove Tomko is not deserving of a starting pitching gig in the Major Leagues when they face him tonight. Hopefully they give him something to really cry about.
After dropping Sunday's matinee with Joba Chamberlain on the hill, the Yanks look to reload with A.J. Burnett taking the ball this evening. Burnett's last start against the Blue Jays, which Matt and I witnessed from the upper deck, was technically a quality start, but only by the slimmest of margins. He went six innings and allowed three runs, but was lucky to do so as the Jays tallied up 10 hits and two walks while Burnett was charged with three (albeit questionable) wild pitches. He ultimately coughed up the lead in his last inning and received a no-decision.
Opposing the Yankees will be an artist with a vendetta. When the Yankees DFA'd Brett Tomko earlier this year, he voiced his displeasure with not being given enough opportunities to succeed with the Big League club:
I don't think I got a fair shot. I pitched great in spring training and didn't make the team. I pitched great in the minors, got called up and didn't get much of a chance. I understand other guys are pitching great. But it could have been different. I can't see the point in coming back.This is amusing because Tomko had a 5.23 ERA in 20 2/3 MLB innings this year, tallied a K/BB ratio of less than 2:1 and gave up 5 HRs. Sure, his numbers in 14 innings at AAA were very good, but that should be expected from a 36 year old journeyman who has years if not a decade of experience on his competition at that level. The A's picked him up off the scrapheap for whatever reason and are trotting him out tonight even after his three appearances in Sacramento for them consisted of 5 2/3 IP, 9 hits and 5 earned runs.
The Yankees have a chance to prove Tomko is not deserving of a starting pitching gig in the Major Leagues when they face him tonight. Hopefully they give him something to really cry about.
We pointed you the way to go,
And scratched your name in sand,
Though you just thought it was nothing more,
Than a place for you to stand.
I want you to know that while we watched,
You discovered no one would be true,
And I myself was among,
The ones who thought,
It was just a childish thing to do.
Feliz Cumpleaños, Jorge
Jorge Posada turns 38 today. Having watched Jorge throughout his entire career might prevent that number from resonating the way it should. We saw him come up through the system and insert himself first as a back up in 1997 and then as the primary catcher during the Championship seasons of 1998 and 1999 with Joe Girardi making 50-60 starts behind him. He shouldn't be that old yet, though, should he?Perhaps it makes us feel old as Yankee fans to think about the fact that Jorge is damn near 40, but it should make you appreciate what he is doing at his age when you take a look at the rest of the league.
There are only three other active catchers in the Majors right now older than Jorge: Brad Ausmus, Mike Redmond and Gregg Zaun. Of those three, Redmond has the fewest innings behind the plate with 5,146 mostly because he's never played 88 or more games in a single season. He's got a .347 career OBP but only a 89 OPS+, dragged down by a .362 slugging percentage.
Ausmus was actually drafted by the Yankees in the 48th round of the 1987 draft but didn't make his debut until six years later, after being picked up by the Rockies in the expansion draft and and traded to San Diego shortly thereafter. He hasn't been an above average hitter, even for a catcher, over the course of a season since 1995. He's logged 15,606 innings behind the plate in his 17 years in the Majors, the only player other than Pudge Rodriguez with more than the 11,993 that Jorge has compiled.
Ausmus was actually drafted by the Yankees in the 48th round of the 1987 draft but didn't make his debut until six years later, after being picked up by the Rockies in the expansion draft and and traded to San Diego shortly thereafter. He hasn't been an above average hitter, even for a catcher, over the course of a season since 1995. He's logged 15,606 innings behind the plate in his 17 years in the Majors, the only player other than Pudge Rodriguez with more than the 11,993 that Jorge has compiled.
The illustrious Zaun is now playing for his third team in two years and ninth in his career.
He's played more than 110 games in exactly one season, 2005, and has only been league average while making more than 300 plate appearances twice (1996 & 97).
Amazingly, Jorge has only been below average at the plate in one year of his career, in stark contrast to the three above whose very best season between three of them is still well short of Jorge's career averages.
Historically, there have only been 43 seasons with more than 200 plate appearances in the history of baseball turned in by catchers over the age of 38. Seven of those were played by Carlton Fisk with the White Sox and twenty others took place before 1947. The only Yankees to appear on the list are Elston Howard for a season he split with the Red Sox in 1967 and Deacon McGuire in 1904 & 05.
Of the 43 seasons, only 12 included above average offensive production, with Fisk accounting for one-third of those.
Although this year won't qualify as his age 38 season, Posada is hitting .273/.346./.495 with 15 home runs, good for a 118 OPS+. When the Yanks signed Jorge to his 4 year $52M extension they likely knew that they weren't going to get anything close to the .338/.426/.543 line he was coming off, and understood the uncertainly involved with signing a 36 year old catcher to a deal that long. But if they didn't give him that fourth year, someone else (the Mets) was certainly going to. Before that deal, he hadn't spent a day on the disabled list in his career. Since then, he missed more than two thirds of the '08 season and spend time on the DL earlier this year, but has still been able to produce at the plate and defend competently behind it when healthy.
The last time a catcher finished a season with an OPS+ over 100 at the age of 38 was when Fisk did it in 1990. He did it in 1989, '88 & '87 as well, and the last guy to do it before that was Ernie Lombardi in 1946.
The last time a catcher finished a season with an OPS+ over 100 at the age of 38 was when Fisk did it in 1990. He did it in 1989, '88 & '87 as well, and the last guy to do it before that was Ernie Lombardi in 1946.
Will Jorge be able to accomplish this rare feat in the next two years? Is he a physical freak like Pudge who can continue to simultaneously squat and rake well into his 40's? It's commonly stated that Jorge has less wear and tear on his body because he was signed as a second baseman, but he's been a catcher almost exclusively since he was 20 years old. 18 years behind the plate has to take its toll.
As much as we love Jose Molina's skills behind the plate and Frankie Cervelli's youthful spunk, Posada brings a combination of skills to the table surpassed perhaps only by Joe Mauer at the current moment. As evidenced by last year, the Yanks need Posada badly.
Happy birthday, Jorgie. Keep it rolling.
As much as we love Jose Molina's skills behind the plate and Frankie Cervelli's youthful spunk, Posada brings a combination of skills to the table surpassed perhaps only by Joe Mauer at the current moment. As evidenced by last year, the Yanks need Posada badly.
Happy birthday, Jorgie. Keep it rolling.
Draft Signings Update
Today is the last day that teams have to come to an agreement with the players they selected in the Amateur Draft back on June 10th & 11th. After signing their fifth round pick, Caleb Cotham, a right handed pitcher from Vanderbuilt for $675,000, nearly 4 times above slot, the only Yankees top 8 picks left unsigned were their first and second rounders.
Slade Heathcott, the lefty-hitting outfielder who we've talked about around here pretty extensively has now finalized his deal with the Yanks. His bonus is reported to be $2.2M, which is roughly double the $1.1M that recommended for the 29th overall pick. After losing Geritt Cole, their first round choice last year, the Yankees were obviously reluctant to see the same thing happen again lest they not be compensated with an additional pick next year, and saddled up with some serious loot for the young man from Texarkana.
Their second round pick, number 76 overall, was J.R. Murphy, a high school catcher from Bradenton, Florida. Keith Law and Lane Meyer (via RAB) have both confirmed the signing but no dollar amount has been announced. $478,000 is the recommended bonus for that slot, but Mike from RAB guesstimates that he'll receive upwards of twice that much.
Given that the Yanks have signed their 14 highest draft picks, with the exception of 9th rounder Tyler Lyons, this draft can be a successful one as of now. We won't know for quite some time how good it really was, though.
Oops Upside Your Head
Saturday saw two very scary incidents take place on the diamond. In the afternoon, a 93 MPH fastball from Matt Cain drilled David Wright in the ear, knocking him senseless. He left the park on a stretcher and was taken to the Hospital for Special Surgery for overnight observation. The Mets placed him on the DL Sunday, and Jerry Manuel conceeded it's possible that Wright could be done for the year. The Mets now have their four best offensive players on the disabled list. They may want to consider encasing Johan Santana in bubble wrap.
On Saturday night and even scarier incident took place in Phoenix. In the bottom of the sixth Rusty Ryal smashed a line drive up the middle that smacked Hiroki Kuroda square in the temple. The ball rebounded off his dome and landed on the warning track by the third base on deck circle on the fly, before one hopping into the stands for a ground rule double. Despite writhing in pain on the ground, reportedly the first think Kuroda asked was "Did anyone catch the ricochet?", which he off course prononuced "lick-o-shay". Kuroda was released from the hospital Sunday and flew home with the Dodgers (so it's clearly appropriate for me to make an insensitive joke at this point).
These two incidents happened just one day short of the 89th anniversary of the most notorious beaning in baseball history. On August 16, 1920, the Cleveland Indians faced the Yankees at the Polo Grounds. It reportedly was an overcast day. In the fifth inning, Yankee pitcher Carl Mays, a submariner, unleashed a fastball that plunked Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman in the temple. He was knocked unconcious and taken to a hospital, where he died the next day. Mays had a reputation as a head hunter, but until his death in 1971 he claimed the beaning was not intentional. Mays purported that the ball was wet and scuffed - not uncommon in those days - causing it to sail high and tight. Given Mays' arm angle, the likely condition of the ball, and the overcast day, it's probable that Chapman never even saw it coming. It remains the only on-field fatality in Major League history.As scary as things were for Wright and Kuroda on Saturday, they are both far luckier than poor Ray Chapman.
Matsui Has Knee Drained
When Hideki Matsui was out of the line up on Saturday, I assumed he was just being given a night off against a lefty even though he's destroying southpaws this year. When he was out of the line up again on Sunday, I figured something was up - and there was. Just before game time it cmae out that Matsui was day-to-day with fluid on his left knee.After the game came the news that Matsui had his knee drained during the game, and that it will keep him out of the line up tonight as well. Matsui had a similar procedure performed on the same knee in mid-April, but this is the first attention it's required since then. It's the same knee that was operated on last September. He had surgery on his right knee in 2007.
Matsui's knees have limited him to DH duty for the entirety of this season. He looks like an old man as he hobbles around the bases. Yet he's been a very valuable bat all year, hitting .266/.361/.509 (126 OPS+). The Yankee line up is much stronger with him than without him. Matsui claims that he isn't concerned about this latest situation given his recovery from the draining in April. I hope he's right; the Yanks will need him down the stretch.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Seattle Salvages Series Finale
Me and my big mouth... again. After I opened today's preview talking about how well things have gone for the Yankees of late, they went out and turned in a clunker of a game in which seemingly every break went against them.
The afternoon didn't start off that poorly. The Yanks took an early 1-0 lead in the second on a Ramiro Pena bunt single and double by Derek Jeter, giving him the all-time record for hits by a shortstop. On the other side of the ball, Joba Chamberlain needed just 26 pitches to retire the first seven batters he faced.
From there, things started to head south. Chamberlain loaded the bases on two walks and a single, then Jose Lopez ripped a two out double down the left field line, giving Seattle a 2-1 lead. The Yankees retook the lead in the top of the fourth, when Nick Swisher crushed a two run homer to dead center, but that would be the last good news for the Yankees on the day.
In the fifth, Seattle plated two more two out runs, ending Chamberlain's day. He went five innings, gave up seven hits, four earned runs, three walks, and struck out only two. He threw just 57.8% of his pitches for strikes and recorded first pitch strikes to just 13 of 25 batters faced. He'll have a lot of time to think about this performance, as he's not due to take the mound again until August 25th.
Alfredo Aceves followed Chamberlain. Alf worked around a single and double to work a scoreless sixth, but the wheels came off for him and the Yanks in the seventh. He allowed a single and a double to start the inning. After recording a ground out, he hit a batter, then got a K. With the bases loaded and two outs, Alf plunked another one, making it 5-3 and ending his day.
Chad Gaudin, in need of work before his start Wednesday, relieved Alf, but didn't offer much relief. He allowed two singles and a double to the first three batters he faced, ruining Alf's line and letting the game to get to an out-of-hand 9-3. Gaudin would give up a two out homer in the eighth just for good measure. At the very least, Gaudin shouldn't be quite so rusty when he starts Wednesday night.
It's hard to complain about losing this one. The Yanks have still took 3 of 4 in the series, still have won 12 of 14, and still have a 7.5 game lead in the AL East. Things had gone so well for so long, it's almost as if the Yanks were due to miss a few breaks: things like giving up all ten runs with two outs, or Johnny Damon getting thrown out by a hair to end the seventh when an infield single would have tied the game, or Damon just missing a flyball in the seventh that could have prevented a five run inning. Hopefully they got all the bad breaks out of their system today and will start fresh in Oakland tomorrow. We'll see you then.
The afternoon didn't start off that poorly. The Yanks took an early 1-0 lead in the second on a Ramiro Pena bunt single and double by Derek Jeter, giving him the all-time record for hits by a shortstop. On the other side of the ball, Joba Chamberlain needed just 26 pitches to retire the first seven batters he faced.
From there, things started to head south. Chamberlain loaded the bases on two walks and a single, then Jose Lopez ripped a two out double down the left field line, giving Seattle a 2-1 lead. The Yankees retook the lead in the top of the fourth, when Nick Swisher crushed a two run homer to dead center, but that would be the last good news for the Yankees on the day.
In the fifth, Seattle plated two more two out runs, ending Chamberlain's day. He went five innings, gave up seven hits, four earned runs, three walks, and struck out only two. He threw just 57.8% of his pitches for strikes and recorded first pitch strikes to just 13 of 25 batters faced. He'll have a lot of time to think about this performance, as he's not due to take the mound again until August 25th.Alfredo Aceves followed Chamberlain. Alf worked around a single and double to work a scoreless sixth, but the wheels came off for him and the Yanks in the seventh. He allowed a single and a double to start the inning. After recording a ground out, he hit a batter, then got a K. With the bases loaded and two outs, Alf plunked another one, making it 5-3 and ending his day.
Chad Gaudin, in need of work before his start Wednesday, relieved Alf, but didn't offer much relief. He allowed two singles and a double to the first three batters he faced, ruining Alf's line and letting the game to get to an out-of-hand 9-3. Gaudin would give up a two out homer in the eighth just for good measure. At the very least, Gaudin shouldn't be quite so rusty when he starts Wednesday night.
It's hard to complain about losing this one. The Yanks have still took 3 of 4 in the series, still have won 12 of 14, and still have a 7.5 game lead in the AL East. Things had gone so well for so long, it's almost as if the Yanks were due to miss a few breaks: things like giving up all ten runs with two outs, or Johnny Damon getting thrown out by a hair to end the seventh when an infield single would have tied the game, or Damon just missing a flyball in the seventh that could have prevented a five run inning. Hopefully they got all the bad breaks out of their system today and will start fresh in Oakland tomorrow. We'll see you then.
Game 118: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
It's getting to the point where this season is really fun. The Yankees are 31 games over .500, have a 7.5 game lead in their division, and have won twelve of thirteen. Everything seems to be going their way.
Joba Chamberalin takes the mound for the Yanks today and will try to keep that roll going. After three consecutive impressive starts following the All-Star break, Joba has regressed to his frustrating ways over his last two starts, allowing 11 hits and 9 walks over 11 IP. Today would be an opportune time to right himself again. This will be his final start until August 25th as the Yankees attempt to control his innings over the remainder of the season.
Chamberlain has made one start against Seattle, coming on June 30th this year. He went five and a third, giving up three runs on nine hits and three walks while stiking out four. The Yankees won, but Joba did not factor in the decision. In four previous relief appearances against the M's, Joba pitched 4.2 innings, giving up just one run and five hits, with a 3:1 K:BB.
Seattle will toss a dreaded rookie starter. Doug Fister, who was drafted by the Yankees in 2005 but went unsigned, is a 6'8" righty who made his Major League debut with an inning of scoreless relief on August 8th. He made his first Big League start Tuesday against the White Sox, throwing six shutout innings of one hit ball, but walking four. While his MLB walk rate is quite high through all of seven innings, he issued just 12 free passes in 112 innings of minor league work this year. What little I can find about him on the internets says he doesn't have overpowering stuff, pounds the zone, pitches to contact, and induces a lot of ground balls.
Hideki Matsui is out of the line up for the second consecutive day, though I've yet to hear any news of an injury. [UPDATE 2:30: According to Pete Abe, Matsui has fluid on his left knee and is day-to-day] Mark Teixeira will DH, with Nick Swisher at first and Eric Hinske in RF. Melky Cabrera gets a much needed day off with Jerry Hairston taking his place in CF. Robinson Cano will not start at second base for the first time since June 25th. He's played every inning of every game since then and has missed only 19 innings all year. Ramiro Pena gets the start in his place. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a pinch hitter or two today, and I'm holding out hope that Chad Gaudin will at least get an inning of work so he doesn't go into his Wendesday start so rusty.
After playing three straight games starting after 10 PM on the east coast, we get the treat of baseball on Sunday in the afternoon. With three wins already to show for this series, what do the Yankees have to lose?
Joba Chamberalin takes the mound for the Yanks today and will try to keep that roll going. After three consecutive impressive starts following the All-Star break, Joba has regressed to his frustrating ways over his last two starts, allowing 11 hits and 9 walks over 11 IP. Today would be an opportune time to right himself again. This will be his final start until August 25th as the Yankees attempt to control his innings over the remainder of the season.
Chamberlain has made one start against Seattle, coming on June 30th this year. He went five and a third, giving up three runs on nine hits and three walks while stiking out four. The Yankees won, but Joba did not factor in the decision. In four previous relief appearances against the M's, Joba pitched 4.2 innings, giving up just one run and five hits, with a 3:1 K:BB.
Seattle will toss a dreaded rookie starter. Doug Fister, who was drafted by the Yankees in 2005 but went unsigned, is a 6'8" righty who made his Major League debut with an inning of scoreless relief on August 8th. He made his first Big League start Tuesday against the White Sox, throwing six shutout innings of one hit ball, but walking four. While his MLB walk rate is quite high through all of seven innings, he issued just 12 free passes in 112 innings of minor league work this year. What little I can find about him on the internets says he doesn't have overpowering stuff, pounds the zone, pitches to contact, and induces a lot of ground balls.
Hideki Matsui is out of the line up for the second consecutive day, though I've yet to hear any news of an injury. [UPDATE 2:30: According to Pete Abe, Matsui has fluid on his left knee and is day-to-day] Mark Teixeira will DH, with Nick Swisher at first and Eric Hinske in RF. Melky Cabrera gets a much needed day off with Jerry Hairston taking his place in CF. Robinson Cano will not start at second base for the first time since June 25th. He's played every inning of every game since then and has missed only 19 innings all year. Ramiro Pena gets the start in his place. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a pinch hitter or two today, and I'm holding out hope that Chad Gaudin will at least get an inning of work so he doesn't go into his Wendesday start so rusty.
After playing three straight games starting after 10 PM on the east coast, we get the treat of baseball on Sunday in the afternoon. With three wins already to show for this series, what do the Yankees have to lose?
Marte The Missing Man
I apologize for the second straight alliterative post title.
Waaaay back in late May, Jay posted this, a somewhat tongue-in-cheek look a Damaso Marte, who even three months ago, seemed like a forgotten man. Since then, we've had numerous updates on his rehab progress. Just yesterday, I speculated that Sergio Mitre could be making his final appearance with the Yankees, as Marte's rehab assignment was set to expire.
Then, shortly before game time, came the news that Marte is not returning, having been excused from the team indefinitely for "personal reasons". First off, I hope that, aside from the shoulder problem that has shelved him virtually year, everything is alright with Marte and his family. Secondly though, the timing of this is all very dubious, given that none of this was announced until something had to be done with Marte. Funny that personal problems would crop up right at that point in time.
We may have seen the last of Damaso Marte in 2009. Or, the Yankees may be looking to buy some more time until rosters expand on September 1st. That would seem unlikely though, as I imagine Marte's being excused will preclude him from participating in any further minor league games this year, which in turn will prevent him from getting his velocity back to where the Yankees want it.
Marte is under contract for two more years. I have a feeling we'll be seeing some interesting stories about this whole situation during the dog days of spring training next year. Until then though, this will remain a very curious subplot to the 2009 season.
Waaaay back in late May, Jay posted this, a somewhat tongue-in-cheek look a Damaso Marte, who even three months ago, seemed like a forgotten man. Since then, we've had numerous updates on his rehab progress. Just yesterday, I speculated that Sergio Mitre could be making his final appearance with the Yankees, as Marte's rehab assignment was set to expire.
Then, shortly before game time, came the news that Marte is not returning, having been excused from the team indefinitely for "personal reasons". First off, I hope that, aside from the shoulder problem that has shelved him virtually year, everything is alright with Marte and his family. Secondly though, the timing of this is all very dubious, given that none of this was announced until something had to be done with Marte. Funny that personal problems would crop up right at that point in time.
We may have seen the last of Damaso Marte in 2009. Or, the Yankees may be looking to buy some more time until rosters expand on September 1st. That would seem unlikely though, as I imagine Marte's being excused will preclude him from participating in any further minor league games this year, which in turn will prevent him from getting his velocity back to where the Yankees want it.
Marte is under contract for two more years. I have a feeling we'll be seeing some interesting stories about this whole situation during the dog days of spring training next year. Until then though, this will remain a very curious subplot to the 2009 season.
Mediocre Mitre Masters M's
As the first inning unfolded late last night, I was already cursing Sergio Mitre for what appeared would be another lackluster start. Ichiro led off with a tough hopper to Robinson Cano, who despite playing Gold Glove level defense this year, failed to pick the shorthop, placing Ichiro on second base. A groundout and flyball later, the Yanks were already down 1-0.
In the second inning, the Yanks responded. Robinson Cano, partially atoning for his error, led off with a single. With one out, Melky Cabrera lofted an easy fly ball to right center, one that clearly belonged to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. But Ichiro closed in on it as well, and in the confusion, Gutierrez dropped the ball. A Jose Molina single plated Cano and moved Cabrera to third. Derek Jeter hit fly ball that should have ended the inning, but thanks to the earlier error it became a sacrifice fly, giving the Yankees the lead. Nick Swisher followed with a two run home to make it 4-1 and the Yanks never looked back.
With a three run lead, Mitre had a little more margin for error, and he used it to his advantage. He faced the minimum in the second, erasing a single on a double play, and gave up just another single in the third. The M's cut into the lead in the fourth, using a walk, a base hit, and an infield single to make it 4-2, but Mitre responded by with a scoreless fifth, allowing just another single.
In the sixth, Mitre pitched himself out of the game. After striking out Ken Griffey Jr to start the frame, he surrendered a single, a walk, and another infield single to load the bases. Joe Girardi called upon David Robertson, who continues to ascend the bullpen depth chart. DRob got Jack Wilson swinging and Ryan Langerhans looking on a questionable pitch to end the threat.
It was the start of outstanding night for the Yankee bullpen. DRob started the seventh, working his third K between two singles. With two on and lefties Griffey Jr and Russell Branyan due, Girardi went to Phil Coke. Coke fanned Griffey, giving him the silver sombrero for the night, then Molina gunned down Ichiro on an ill-advised stolen base attempt, ending the threat.
Coke worked a 1-2-3 eighth, whiffing two more. Jeter closed the scoring with a solo shot in the ninth, his 15th of the season and his most since 2005. Mariano Rivera worked around a ninth inning single and walk to record his league leading 35th save, giving the Yanks the first three games of this four game series. With a Texas win over the Red Sox, the lead in the AL East is now 7.5 games.
It wasn't a great start for Mitre, but it was his best thus far. Though he once again failed to make it through six, he allowed only two runs, just one earned. The nine baserunners in five and a third is still too much, but he did limit the damage by not allowing any extra base hits. I'm not sure how much of that is a function of Mitre's skill as opposed to Seattle's anemic offense.
Regardless, the night was a success. The Yankees ensured yet another series victory, widened their lead, and the bullpen looked great, going 3.2 shutout innings, giving up three hits, a walk, and fanning eight. We'll be back in a bit as the Yanks look to bust out the brooms.
(Photos)
In the second inning, the Yanks responded. Robinson Cano, partially atoning for his error, led off with a single. With one out, Melky Cabrera lofted an easy fly ball to right center, one that clearly belonged to center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. But Ichiro closed in on it as well, and in the confusion, Gutierrez dropped the ball. A Jose Molina single plated Cano and moved Cabrera to third. Derek Jeter hit fly ball that should have ended the inning, but thanks to the earlier error it became a sacrifice fly, giving the Yankees the lead. Nick Swisher followed with a two run home to make it 4-1 and the Yanks never looked back.With a three run lead, Mitre had a little more margin for error, and he used it to his advantage. He faced the minimum in the second, erasing a single on a double play, and gave up just another single in the third. The M's cut into the lead in the fourth, using a walk, a base hit, and an infield single to make it 4-2, but Mitre responded by with a scoreless fifth, allowing just another single.
In the sixth, Mitre pitched himself out of the game. After striking out Ken Griffey Jr to start the frame, he surrendered a single, a walk, and another infield single to load the bases. Joe Girardi called upon David Robertson, who continues to ascend the bullpen depth chart. DRob got Jack Wilson swinging and Ryan Langerhans looking on a questionable pitch to end the threat.It was the start of outstanding night for the Yankee bullpen. DRob started the seventh, working his third K between two singles. With two on and lefties Griffey Jr and Russell Branyan due, Girardi went to Phil Coke. Coke fanned Griffey, giving him the silver sombrero for the night, then Molina gunned down Ichiro on an ill-advised stolen base attempt, ending the threat.
Coke worked a 1-2-3 eighth, whiffing two more. Jeter closed the scoring with a solo shot in the ninth, his 15th of the season and his most since 2005. Mariano Rivera worked around a ninth inning single and walk to record his league leading 35th save, giving the Yanks the first three games of this four game series. With a Texas win over the Red Sox, the lead in the AL East is now 7.5 games.It wasn't a great start for Mitre, but it was his best thus far. Though he once again failed to make it through six, he allowed only two runs, just one earned. The nine baserunners in five and a third is still too much, but he did limit the damage by not allowing any extra base hits. I'm not sure how much of that is a function of Mitre's skill as opposed to Seattle's anemic offense.
Regardless, the night was a success. The Yankees ensured yet another series victory, widened their lead, and the bullpen looked great, going 3.2 shutout innings, giving up three hits, a walk, and fanning eight. We'll be back in a bit as the Yanks look to bust out the brooms.
(Photos)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Game 117: With A Little Help From My Friends
The Yankees have already ensured at least a split of this four game set against Seattle. If the M's are going to turn this series around and keep their slim post-season hopes alive, they'll have their best chance at it tonight.
A-Rod has yet to play in this series and as of this writing, it's unknown whether the back spasms -somehow related to being hit by a pitch on his elbow - that scratched him from last night's line up will do the same tonight. My guess is he'll be playing. Mariano Rivera took his cranky shoulder to the mount for the ninth last night, and though he induced a 1-2-3 inning on nine pitches, his velocity was down. He may be given the night off to rest, but I fear the Yankees might not have opportunity to use him anyway.
That's because Sergio Mitre will make what could be his final start for the Yankees. In five starts this year, Mitre has not once made it through six innings nor has he allowed fewer than three earned runs. He has an astronomical WHIP of 1.91. As a sinkerballer, he induces a lot of groundballs that could potentially erase those baserunners, but at least three times Mitre's own poor fielding or throwing has ruined or jeopardized potential double plays. His ERA is 7.04 and opponents are hitting .373/.405/.529 off him. For comparison's sake, in six post-DL starts, Chien-Ming Wang had a 6.43 ERA, a 1.61 WHIP, and a batting line against of .298/.365/.509 - poor by any measure, but far better than Mitre.
For the second day in a row, the Yanks will dig in against a lefty, Luke French, who came to Seattle from the Tigers in the Jarrod Washburn deal. Since coming to Seattle, French has made two starts, allowing 8 ER and walking 7 in 10.1 IP. While with Detroit, French started against the Yankees on July 17th, allowing two runs, just one earned, in five innings of work before Joel Zumaya blew it for him. The Yankee win on that night placed them 15 games over .500. In the four weeks since they've played an additional 15 games over .500, going 21-6. That's damn impressive.
They say winning solves everything, so I suppose that's why there hasn't been the same level of vitriol directed at Mitre as there was at Wang earlier this year when things weren't going quite so well. One of the weak arguments in support Mitre has been that despite his 1-1 record, the Yanks have gone 3-2 in his starts. But look at his pitching line. They haven't won those games because of Mitre, they've won them in spite of him. Mitre has relied heavily on help from his friends on offense to keep his record respectable. Sooner or later he's going to have to do it himself or he'll likely find himself out of work. But for tonight at least, I'll take all the help he can get from the bats.
Most of my generation is familiar with this song from this. It also inspired a couple of hilarious parodies. Be that as it may, this may be the coolest performance from the entirety of Woodstock Music and Art Festival.
A-Rod has yet to play in this series and as of this writing, it's unknown whether the back spasms -somehow related to being hit by a pitch on his elbow - that scratched him from last night's line up will do the same tonight. My guess is he'll be playing. Mariano Rivera took his cranky shoulder to the mount for the ninth last night, and though he induced a 1-2-3 inning on nine pitches, his velocity was down. He may be given the night off to rest, but I fear the Yankees might not have opportunity to use him anyway.
That's because Sergio Mitre will make what could be his final start for the Yankees. In five starts this year, Mitre has not once made it through six innings nor has he allowed fewer than three earned runs. He has an astronomical WHIP of 1.91. As a sinkerballer, he induces a lot of groundballs that could potentially erase those baserunners, but at least three times Mitre's own poor fielding or throwing has ruined or jeopardized potential double plays. His ERA is 7.04 and opponents are hitting .373/.405/.529 off him. For comparison's sake, in six post-DL starts, Chien-Ming Wang had a 6.43 ERA, a 1.61 WHIP, and a batting line against of .298/.365/.509 - poor by any measure, but far better than Mitre.
For the second day in a row, the Yanks will dig in against a lefty, Luke French, who came to Seattle from the Tigers in the Jarrod Washburn deal. Since coming to Seattle, French has made two starts, allowing 8 ER and walking 7 in 10.1 IP. While with Detroit, French started against the Yankees on July 17th, allowing two runs, just one earned, in five innings of work before Joel Zumaya blew it for him. The Yankee win on that night placed them 15 games over .500. In the four weeks since they've played an additional 15 games over .500, going 21-6. That's damn impressive.
They say winning solves everything, so I suppose that's why there hasn't been the same level of vitriol directed at Mitre as there was at Wang earlier this year when things weren't going quite so well. One of the weak arguments in support Mitre has been that despite his 1-1 record, the Yanks have gone 3-2 in his starts. But look at his pitching line. They haven't won those games because of Mitre, they've won them in spite of him. Mitre has relied heavily on help from his friends on offense to keep his record respectable. Sooner or later he's going to have to do it himself or he'll likely find himself out of work. But for tonight at least, I'll take all the help he can get from the bats.
Most of my generation is familiar with this song from this. It also inspired a couple of hilarious parodies. Be that as it may, this may be the coolest performance from the entirety of Woodstock Music and Art Festival.
Upcoming Rotation & Potential Roster Moves
Yesterday the Yankees announced their rotation for the next week plus:
This deviates somewhat from the plan that was rumored heading into the road trip, which would have had Mitre and Gaudin closing out the Seattle series with Chamberlain held back until the getaway game in Oakland. The Yankees apparently thought better of having Mitre and Gaudin going in back-to-back games, fearful of overtaxing the bullpen.
This set up is probably best. It allows them to line up their three best pitchers against Boston. Chamberlain still gets skipped, giving him some necessary shutdown time, but by starting him tomorrow the Yankees have a little more flexibility with the bullpen today should Mitre turn in another stinker.
I know that save for Brian Bruney the bullpen is at full strength tonight and Alfredo Aceves is Girardi's long man of choice, but the Yankees would be wise to get Chad Gaudin some work today. Since his final start with the Padres on August 5th, he's thrown all of two innings, both coming in Wednesday's game. He's thrown just seven innings since July 26th. Giving him two or three innings today will allow him to sharpen up a bit and still be well rested for his start Wednesday.
Since the Joba Rules v2.0 have been mostly revealed I like the Gaudin deal more and more. That of course could change you know, once he actually starts pitching. But in theory, he gives the Yankees a viable spot start option who is more stretched out than Alf. When not starting, he could prove to be a valuable bullpen arm as he was with Oakland in 2006, as he's holding RHBs to a .229/.294/.348 batting line this year.
As for Mitre, I'm starting to think more and more that today will be his final appearance as a Yankee. He has not pitched well by any stretch of the imagination. Given the off days and the Gaudin spot start, the Yankees will not need a fifth starter again until August 29th. Meanwhile Damaso Marte's rehab assignment expires on Monday, and since he was transferred on the 60 day DL last Saturday, the Yankees will need to make room for him on both the 40 and 25 man rosters. DFA'ing Mitre would accomplish both. There is also the possibilty that the Yanks could discover a "new" Marte injury resetting the clock, but he's now pitched 11 AAA innings to the tune of 2.45 ERA. He's as ready as he's going to be. [UPDATE: Tyler Kepner implies Marte isn't coming back any time soon, h/t to our friend Joe P at RAB]
Gaudin could make the August 29th start, then with rosters expanding three days later, the Yankees will have a lot more flexibility to rest Joba, deal with the Labor Day doubleheader, etc. As Jay pointed out this morning, by that point a comfortable lead, while not a sure thing, will allow them further flexibility in setting up their pitching down the stretch.
Today: Mitre @ SEA
Sunday: Chamberlain @ SEA
Monday: Burnett @ OAK
Tuesday: Sabathia @ OAK
Wednesday: Gaudin @ OAK
Thursday: Off
Friday: Pettitte @ BOS
Saturday: Burnett @ BOS
Sunday: Sabathia @ BOS
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Chamberlain vs. TEX
This deviates somewhat from the plan that was rumored heading into the road trip, which would have had Mitre and Gaudin closing out the Seattle series with Chamberlain held back until the getaway game in Oakland. The Yankees apparently thought better of having Mitre and Gaudin going in back-to-back games, fearful of overtaxing the bullpen.
This set up is probably best. It allows them to line up their three best pitchers against Boston. Chamberlain still gets skipped, giving him some necessary shutdown time, but by starting him tomorrow the Yankees have a little more flexibility with the bullpen today should Mitre turn in another stinker.
I know that save for Brian Bruney the bullpen is at full strength tonight and Alfredo Aceves is Girardi's long man of choice, but the Yankees would be wise to get Chad Gaudin some work today. Since his final start with the Padres on August 5th, he's thrown all of two innings, both coming in Wednesday's game. He's thrown just seven innings since July 26th. Giving him two or three innings today will allow him to sharpen up a bit and still be well rested for his start Wednesday.
Since the Joba Rules v2.0 have been mostly revealed I like the Gaudin deal more and more. That of course could change you know, once he actually starts pitching. But in theory, he gives the Yankees a viable spot start option who is more stretched out than Alf. When not starting, he could prove to be a valuable bullpen arm as he was with Oakland in 2006, as he's holding RHBs to a .229/.294/.348 batting line this year.
As for Mitre, I'm starting to think more and more that today will be his final appearance as a Yankee. He has not pitched well by any stretch of the imagination. Given the off days and the Gaudin spot start, the Yankees will not need a fifth starter again until August 29th. Meanwhile Damaso Marte's rehab assignment expires on Monday, and since he was transferred on the 60 day DL last Saturday, the Yankees will need to make room for him on both the 40 and 25 man rosters. DFA'ing Mitre would accomplish both. There is also the possibilty that the Yanks could discover a "new" Marte injury resetting the clock, but he's now pitched 11 AAA innings to the tune of 2.45 ERA. He's as ready as he's going to be. [UPDATE: Tyler Kepner implies Marte isn't coming back any time soon, h/t to our friend Joe P at RAB]
Gaudin could make the August 29th start, then with rosters expanding three days later, the Yankees will have a lot more flexibility to rest Joba, deal with the Labor Day doubleheader, etc. As Jay pointed out this morning, by that point a comfortable lead, while not a sure thing, will allow them further flexibility in setting up their pitching down the stretch.
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