S.T. Game 26. Kuroda starts vs. Braves, ESPN @ 1

Today’s game is on ESPN at 1 p.m. for those who can watch.

Eduardo Nunez SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Raul Ibanez DH
Eric Chavez 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
Dewayne Wise CF
Chris Dickerson RF
Justin Maxwell LF

RHP Hiroki Kuroda

Only in S.T. can you get away with a cleanup hitter who is 3 for 42.

Joba had a press conference last night in which he refuted some of the stuff that came out regarding his injury (amount of blood, limb or life-threatening, etc.). Apparently he got hurt jumping from one trampoline to another, and he felt it on takeoff, not landing. Whatever… it’s still a bad injury and we’ll see how it heals and affects him from here on.

Interesting baseball news in that Magic Johnson’s group was awarded the Dodgers.

Seattle and Oakland started the major league baseball season today with their game out in Japan.

S.T Games begin today for Yanks

Ok, it’s only South Florida, a group of  college kids, but games do begin today for the New York Yankees. They’ll take on the Phils this weekend as S.T. action begins.

Today’s lineup:

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Raul Ibanez DH
Nick Swisher RF
Brett Gardner LF
Eduardo Nunez 2B
Gustavo Molina C

RHP Adam Warren

I bet you forgot about Gus (I’m not one of the brothers) Molina. Expect the regulars to get one at bat, maybe two, then depart. Get their work in, show up for the fans, and out.

Jeter and A-Rod are old enough to almost have fathered the college kids they are going up against.

Cano won’t play until Sunday. He just got back from attending his grandmother’s funeral.

Warren isn’t as touted as Betances or Banuelos, but he is trying to make a good impression for a possible midseason callup. AAA SWB should have a very good rotation this year with the two “Killer B’s”, Warren, D.J. Mitchell and Dave Phelps.

Warren 24, was 6-8, 3.60 for AAA last year.

Just to refresh your memory, here are the records of the others:

Betances: 4-6, 3.42 (AA); 0-3, 5.14 (AAA); Total minors 4-9, 3.70.
142 K in 126.1 IP. 24 in a few weeks.

Banuelos: 21 in 12 days. 4-5, 3.59 at AA; 2-2, 4.19 at AAA. 6-7, 3.75 overall.
125 K in 129.2 IP

D.J. Mitchell, 25 in May: 13-9, 3.18 at AAA.

Dave Phelps: 25, 7-7, 2.99 total (6-6, 3.19 AAA & another 2 games Rookie Lg.)

Hopefully they blossom at AAA this year. They’ll be important. You may have seen Hal Steinbrenner’s statements yesterday reconfirming the Yankees’ goal of getting under $189 MM for the payroll in 2014. With some position players and CC getting big contracts, that means young, inexpensive pitching must step up.

JD not in DH mix anymore

Apparently Johnny Damon isn’t a consideration for the DH spot anymore, per conversations Damon had with some NY Post writers.

Along with reports that the Yanks are in extensive talks with Ibanez, it appears as if a deal with Ibanez will be announced soon.

In other news, there is a report that the Yanks don’t have enough for Ibanez AND to bring back Chavez, unless Hal agrees to more $$$. So, for now, it appears that the Yanks are concentrating on Ibanez, no Chavez, and that the door is open for Branyan (like Chavez, 1b/3b/dh, and a lefty hitter) or Hall (righty hitter, but 2b/3b/ss/all 3 of positions) to grab a bench spot.

Torre: Owner?

Joe Torre left his post at MLB today to concentrate on putting together a coalition so that he could be part-owner of the Dodgers.

As stated elsewhere, Don Mattingly could only hope for that.

Seattle is said to be the leader to get P Hisashi Iwakuma.

Fernando Rodney to the Rays.

It looks like the Yanks won’t sign Nakajima. If so (deadline Friday at 5 p.m.) expect them to go back and try to re-sign Eric Chavez.

Nice piece by Baseball America,  not only on the Yanks top prospects, but also a guess at the 2015 Yankees (40 year old A-rod at 3B?).

Apparently the Cubs are dealing talented head-case Carlos Zambrano to Miami for Chris Volstad.

Budget constraints?

So, what exactly IS the Yankees budget?

Just say that Hal Steinbrenner wants to keep the budget at $200-$205 million for 2012.

Now consider fans that are angry because the Yankees haven’t pursued anyone.

I checked some things out.

Here are nine. Count them, NINE players making $156.25 million for 2012.

A-Rod $29 million
Jeter $16 million
Mariano $15 million.
Ok. That is $60 million on three players who on 8/1/12 will be 37, 38 and 42 years old. Yikes.

Let’s go on.
CC 23 million
Teixeira $22.5 mil
Cano a ”bargain” at $14 mil (considering he probably is their best hitter right now).
Granderson another “bargain” at $10 mil
Swisher $10.25 mil
A.J. Burnett $16.5 mil

There you go. Nine players, $156.25 million. Meaning that if Hal & Co. want to keep the budget RIGHT WHERE IT IS, you allocate $45-50 million FOR THE REST OF THE ROSTER.

Still wondering why Cashman hasn’t made any moves yet?

Not only that, if Hal & co. want to cut the budget to $189 million for 2014 (when the new CBA has $189 million as the cutoff for a luxury tax due to go up to 50% from 40%) money must be cut.

Where?

Ok, No A.J. after 2013. Mo will probably be retired.

But Granderson and Cano will probably get raises.

How to keep costs down?

The kids. Prospects. Players whose salaries you can control for a while. Meaning Banuelos, Betances, Phelps, Warren, Montero, Romine, etc.

Don’t blame Cashman. Blame the nine players earning $156.25 million for 2012.

Oh…. I forgot.

The one player Cashman DID NOT WANT.

Soriano.

There’s another $11 mil.

Meaning $167.25 for 10 players.

… and about $35-40 mil for the REST OF THE ROSTER.

$40 mil leaves it at $207 million. $18 million over where Hal & co. supposedly want to cut it to by 2014.

Wondering why no moves?

Look there.

It wasn’t just me…

I’m glad to hear ESPN’s Mike and Mike Morning Show discussing last night’s strike zone.

Many times during the game, I said, “where was that?”, especially when TBS’ K-Zone showed what appeared to be a strike. It certainly didn’t help the struggling CC.

Nevertheless,  A-Rod is at .000, Teix at .091. Your 4 and 5 hitters.

Teix is 1 for his last 25 in the postseason. 1 for 11 in this one so far.

Swisher 2 for 11 in these three games (the one HR), 4 for his last 33 in the postseason.

A-Rod is 4 for his last 31 in the postseason, 0 for 10 in this one so far.

That is 4-5-6. The “meat” of the order.

More like tofu.

For all the criticism of the Yanks’ pitching behind CC, something else is being missed.

Lack of postseason performance by guys you count on to deliver.

You see the stats above. The bats.

As Josh “the Yankee Truth” states, hitters…not sluggers.

A.J. on the mound. Do or die.

Meanwhile, some bats (esp. the ones listed above) need to come alive.

From Lohud: It was the first time all year that he’d pitched more than an inning. (meaning Soriano).

Um, don’t do things for the first time in the playoffs.

Like I wrote yesterday, where was Hughes, if only for one inning?

The owners wanted Soriano, Cashman didn’t. Granted Cash makes mistakes now and then, but on this one … ???

How short will the leash be on A.J. tonight?

Texas can eliminate Tampa Bay today.

Madonna the SB halftime show? Hmm, wardrobe malfunction part II? (someone tweeted that, and it was good…)

Finally, is it me, or does it seem that the Yanks don’t have that “thing” — winning close games—this year? Remember two years ago, when they won the WS, the walkoffs? Not this year. No late inning magic, it appears.

Sentiment is costing the Yankees right now

I’ve been mentioning this in a couple of posts lately and want to put this on a post all its own.

Sentiment is killing the Yankees right now.

It’s time for the Yankees to piss off the uneducated (and blind) in their fan base. Time to tick off the clubhouse. Time to look to the future and forget the past.

Time to save their season.

Yeah, some will bitch and moan about “how could you do this”? Hey, Bernie got old. The Yanks released Babe Ruth.

Instead, they are kissing the asses of two legends. Respect? They got respect by getting ridiculous long-term contracts that neither deserved. They got them by being Yankees legends. Those deals aren’t looking good right now, are they?

The past doesn’t get you any hits NOW.

Derek Jeter is at .254. Those of us who saw Horace Clarke continuing to leadoff every year (lifetime BA .266, 29 career HR) know where that got us.

Jeter has had a great career. He is now 23 hits from 3000. A sure first-ballot HOF player.

That doesn’t help him or the team NOW. If this team is to win, Jeter must vacate the leadoff spot. .254 and OPS+ 70-75 must be dropped to 8th or 9th. Continuing to bat him leadoff is hurting the team.

And only on the Yankees could someone be hitting .303-18-45 at AAA before Memorial Day and not even be on the 40-man roster. While Jorge Vazquez is doing that, Jorge Posada is .178-6-16. Put sentiment aside. Which Jorge would you rather have Dh-ing for the Yanks right now?

Vazquez, 29, .303-18-45? Or Posada 40 in August, no HR since 4/23 and .178-6-16?

If you really want to win (and to use Herm Edwards phrase, “You play to win the game”) Jeter must be dropped in the lineup. Posada must be forced to retire or be released.

It’s not like I’m not sentimental or have no appreciation for what these Yankees icons have done in the past. I do. I’ll be the first to applaud when they have a day or have their numbers retired.

But right now, continuing to bat Jeter leadoff and continuing to play Posada at DH (and keeping Vazquez’ bat at SWB) is hurting the Yankees and may cost them a playoff spot.

It’s time for the front office, ownership and manager Girardi to show some b***s.

If not, they’ll be on the outside looking in come October.

(Obviously something must be done about Swisher, .206-2-19, OPS+72, either he gets better or a replacement in RF has to be found but that’s a post for another time)

 

Game 48. 2 HR by Jones, 1 by Teix lead Yanks to 7-3 win. Mo pitches in his 1000th game

\It’s a gorgeous day today. The Yanks have an afternoon game, because today is getaway day. They are off tomorrow then play Friday in Seattle.

1. Jeter SS .254-2-15  3sb/5att OPS+ 72  2975 hits; coming off two 0 for 5′s.
2. Granderson CF .275-16-35  6/8  160
3. Teixeira 1B .254-12-30  0/0  139
4. Rodriguez dh .288-9-26  1/2  138
5. Cano 2b .279-9-32   3/3  122
6. Martin C .270-9-26  3/3  140
7. Swisher RF .208-2-19  1/2   72
8. Jones LF .191-2-3  0/0  58
9. Nunez 3B  .278-1-6  5/6  100

Garcia P  2-4  3.12  ERA+ 128

26-21, 1st by 1/2 g. over Boston. 2 games worse than Pythagorean record. OPS+ 113; ERA+ 109

Waiting for word on Soriano, who had an MRI yesterday and is seeing Dr. Andrews today. This doesn’t look good. People bash Cashman but he didn’t want to pay $35 million over 3 years for a setup guy. He was overruled. Cashmoney was right.

What a bullpen that is on the DL. Marte, Feliciano and Soriano.

Great job by Garcia in the first getting out of trouble. He gave up a leadoff triple but got a comebacker to the mound and two pop-ups to strand the runner. Good start for the Yanks. Jeter doubles (hit #2976), WP, Double by Granderson for a run. After an E-4, Alex flies to CF and Cano lines out. Good play by Bautista and Granderson is doubled up.

2-run HR by Andruw Jones in the 2nd. 3-0 Yanks. #3 year, 410 career for Andruw.

The weather is agreeing with the Yankees. 5-0 after a 2-run HR by Teixeira. #13 of the year, 288 career.

Garcia gave up a run in the sixth. Jones hit another 2-run HR in the sixth, #4 on the year, #411 for his career, in the sixth. 7-1 Yanks after 6.

Maybe he knew I was getting down on him. Big day for Andruw.

Garcia runs out of gas in the 7th. Gives up 2 runs and 3 hits. D-Rob in with a man on 3rd, one out. A groundout, FC gets the runner at home. D-Rob then gets a K.

Garcia 6 1/3, 3 R, 8 H, 0 walks and 4 K. ERA to 3.26. Record goes to 3-4.

7-3 after 7.

Joba in for the 8th. Robertson 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks, 1 K. ERA 1.42.

No matter the score, Mo hasn’t pitched in a while. The Yanks are off tomorrow, and go on a West Coast trip. His next appearance will be his 1000th game. Today should be the day for #1000.

Joba 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 walk, 0 K. ERA 3.33. To the 9th, Yanks up 7-3.

And it is game #1000 of Mariano Rivera’s career.

1 IP for Mo. 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 1 K. ERA to 1.71.

Yanks win 7-3. Now 27-21.

Quick thoughts

A good column today is in the Post regarding Colon. You wonder if the procedure used on Colon (providing it is clean and above board) could be used to save other pitchers’ careers. If so, what do you call it? You have “Tommy John” surgery. Obviously you can’t call it a colonoscopy. The Colon Procedure? Nope. We’ll have to think of something here.

Who knew that the spirit of the Boss would find a home in Fred Wilpon’s body?

Yanks’ management upset with Jeter over Posada situation.

Buster Olney has the report here. Buddy over captaincy/leadership? Another problem the front office is facing in dealing with fading legends who won’t look in the mirror and admit they are no longer what they were?

Don’t give me “Disrespect.” The Respect went over and above the line of duty when 36 year olds got four year deals. Now this is the result. I have the greatest admiration for what they did in the past. But the past doesn’t help you win games NOW. The front office showed its respect by giving them contracts they didn’t deserve. Once 36, they should have given out one-year deals, two at the most. Now,the repercussions of not doing so.

Update: More on it from the NY Post’s Joel Sherman.

Update II: Another good article about the Posada incident.

My 2 cents: The inmates don’t run the asylum. Just because they are legends, they don’t tell the manager or the front office what to do. And if the manager or front office needs to have the player look in the mirror regarding that player’s deterioration of his skills, well that is the job of the manager or the front office.

No one lasts forever, not even icons. Posada was wrong. Maybe he still hasn’t gotten over the fact he isn’t catching anymore. Maybe, like a lot of us, he has trouble facing the fact that the next birthday is another ending with a zero (in his case 40; heck I turn 50 this year).

Legends are supposed to help the manager lead a team. The problem with fading legends is that their ego and arrogance (see article just highlighted above), which helped them become a legend, is what hurts the team at the end when everyone except the legend knows that the flame is flickering out.

Update III: Tweets from Buster Olney, Jon Heyman, Joel Sherman, Sweeny Murti:

NYY held an internal conference call today re:Jeter’s comments; it’s presumed — but not confirmed — he was on call. All parties satisfied.

One person with knowledge of the internal conference call about Jeter’s comments says it was constructive, and now settled.

Jeter/yankees brass talked it out on phone and all is resolved, I hear. Sounds like he explained his answers not fully reported

Apparently all is well in Yankee-land now. Conf call with Jeter, Hal, Cashman, Levine. Jeter says “We’re all on the same page.”

Clarification: jeter not saying press misconstrued things. He did talk things out w/ brass and everythings good

#Yankees r good at defusing bombs, but fact there r public bombs shows true state of strained relationships with Jeter/Posada

Jeter, Hal Steinbrenner among #Yankees officials on conference call to defuse matters today. #Yankees claiming all calm again in their world

My 2 cents: Jeter sees what is happening with his buddy Posada, and is thinking about his own future and final days…