Game 41. Torreyes, Beltran, CC lead Yanks

As Joe Torre used to say… small bites.

After an 8-17 start, the first order of business is getting back to .500. One step at a time.

The Yanks moved closer to that goal with an 8-3 win tonight over Oakland that put them at 19-22.

CC Sabathia came off the DL with a solid outing, going six innings and giving up only one run. I have not posted CC’s win total in a while, but this is #217 of his career, tying Mickey Lolich and Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons on the all-time list. He has passed Rick Reuschel, Mark Buehrle, Stan Coveleski, Jim Perry, Wilbur Cooper, Charlie Hough and Curt Schilling this year.

CC hasn’t really been good since 2012, and I wrote him off last year. I don’t know how much of those troubles had to do with his problems with the bottle, but then again, how was I to know he had those troubles?  No one knew.

But hopefully CC has everything going for him again and get back to somewhat close to what he used to be.

After CC gave up a run in the second, the Yanks exploded for five runs in the fourth. Ronald Torreyes tried a squeeze bunt, failed, but made up for it with a 2-run triple, putting the Yanks up 2-1. He later scored on a WP. Later in the inning Carlos Beltran had a 2-run double.

The Yanks got a run in the sixth on another RBI double by Beltran. The A’s  scored in the seventh to make it 6-2.

Jacoby Ellsbury hit a 2-run triple in the 9th.The A’s scored in the bottom of the ninth for the final score of 8-3 Yankees.

Beltran had 3 hits, 3 RBI. All 3 hits were doubles.

Didi Gregorius had 3 hits. Torreyes had 2 hits, 2 rbi.

I don’t know how many times this year Ellsbury reached on catcher’s interference, but it happened again tonight.

CC (w, 3-2, 3.41 nice resurgence)  6 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 walk, 8 K.
Yates 2 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 walks, 1 K. 2.08
Shreve 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 walk, 0 K. 4.00.

A nice win where you didn’t have to use any of No-Runs DMC.

 

 

 

Game 38. Yanks fall, 5-3.

The Yanks lost to Arizona and Zach Greinke Tuesday night 5-3 to drop to 16-22. With the quarter-pole of the season approaching, it is apparent some changes have to be made.

Here are just a couple of suggestions. Constructive criticism, if you will.

The Yanks are 1-11 with Pineda and Severino, with a combined ERA close to 7.00. They are 15-11 otherwise. Pineda does have options. The Yanks should consider removing both from the rotation and sending both to AAA to get straightened out or should even consider trading Pineda (but who’d take him right now?). Even John Sterling, on air, was exasperated by Pineda. Such talent, but wasting it.

But the Yanks really don’t have anyone to bring up. The loss of Bryan Mitchell really hurts here. You can’t get something for nothing in a trade. You’d have to give up a top prospect.

But the Yanks can’t just keep throwing Pineda and Severino out there.Some change has to be made, be it a promotion/demotion or a trade.

The Angels just signed Tim Lincecum. The former CYA isn’t what he used to be, but I wonder if the Yanks had any interest. They should have, considering the struggles of Pineda and Severino. Heck, maybe the Yanks could talk Mark Buehrle out of retirement.

The Yanks should also consider dropping Mark Teixeira down in the lineup. Teix, 0 for 4 with 3 strikeouts last night, has 0 HR and 3 RBI since April 13. You can’t just keep batting him 3rd or 4th. Here is where the loss of Greg Bird hurts.

Starlin Castro homered (5) in the second to give the Yanks a 1-0 lead but the offense didn’t do too much against Grienke. They did get two in the eighth to make the score close. Losing the DH in an NL park the past two games hasn’t helped.

Pineda (L, 1-5, 6.60) 5 IP, 5 R, 9 H, 1 walk, 9 K. Gave up 1 HR.
9 K in 5 inn, but 5 runs given up.
Shreve 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks, 2 K. 3.71.
Yates 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks, 1.76.

 

Game 28. Yanks lose 5-1. What to do with CC?

The Yanks lost Wednesday evening 5-1, and an interesting question is looming. What will or can the Yankees do with CC Sabathia? 

In a few weeks, Chris Capuano will be coming back. Same with Ivan Nova. Both are starting rehabs. The same with Tanaka when he is ready.

Normally, the answer would be obvious. They replace the worst pitcher in the rotation with someone who will be better.

Well, here are some numbers.

4-0, 2.97; 2-1, 3.22 (on DL); 2-0, 3.81; 2-1, 4.78; 1-0, 0.75 (two starts)…

and 0-5, 5.45. The 0-5 (leads MLB in losses) is CC.

The Yanks are 17-11, 17-6 if you take away CC.

Normally the answer is obvious, you would take that pitcher out of the rotation, but the problem here is that this pitcher is making $23MM this year, $25MM next year and there is a $25MM vesting option for 2017 (with conditions). That is a lot of money to eat.

CC’s problems have not been short-term. This isn’t a blip. He is 17-22, 4.94 since 2012. If he wasn’t CC, and wasn’t earning all that money, he would be a #5 starter trying to hold on to his job. Right now, I cringe when his turn in the rotation comes up.

So normally, the Yanks would just replace CC in the rotation when someone, like Nova, is ready. But in this case, it isn’t that easy. It’ll be interesting to see what the Yankees do.

CC went 6 1/3, 4 R, 9 H, 2 walks and 4 K. Not terrible, but he needs run support now, is not an ace, and the Yanks didn’t give him any run support last night. 0-5, 5.45. You wonder when he will get that first win of the season.

You wonder what happens in a few weeks if CC continues to be winless, has an ERA over 5.00, and the others are ready.

Rogers 1 1/3, 1 R, 2 h, 0 walks and 0 K. 2.89.

Shreve 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 1 K. 2.61.

To be fair, the Yanks only scored one run on seven hits. Two hits were by just recalled Jose Pirela, who replaced Gregorio Petit, who was placed on the DL.

A-Rod got hit #2960, 40 away from 3000.

The win against the Yanks was a long time coming for Mark Buehrle. The Yanks had owned him. It was Buehrle’s first win over the Yanks since 2004.

Marlins still making waves

So the Marlins are out on Pujols, despite a ten-yr. offer.

Is Pujols really 31? Even if that, ten years is too much. If he’s really 34 or so, then a ten-yr. offer is insane.

But apparently Miami is also out on Fielder. Fielder, younger, may make more sense but it appears the Marlins, after being spurned by Albert, seek more pitching. There are rumors of a six-yr. deal being tossed at Wilson by both Miami AND the Angels.

They did land LHP Mark Buehrle today (I’ll admit, I wanted Buehrle on the Yanks, but apparently the Yanks didn’t want to go more than two years. Buehrle got $58M/4 yr.). This reunites Buehrle with his old mgr., Ozzie Guillen. Buehrle, who has thrown two no-no’s (one a perfecto) was 13-9, 3.59 this past season, ERA+ 117. For his career, he’s 161-119, 3.83, ERA+ 120, 162 g. ave. 15-11, 3.83. Solid. He’ll be 33, and if I were Cashman, I’d have offered him 2 yr., $30mm. Nothing more. Of course, I don’t know what $$$$ Cash has to deal with. Buehrle got 4 yr., $58MM. I don’t think Cashman wants to go into that 2014 CBA . Meaning nothing (outside of present contracts) into 2014.

The Yankees did win a posting fee on a Japanese SS, Hiroyuki Nakajima. Twitter has reports of him being a good bat, but poor glove despite a recent GG in Japan. The Yanks posting fee of $2mm was enough. They are looking at him and Nunez for the utility inf. spot. Nakajima’s last four years in Japan were: .331-21-81, .309-22-92, .314-20-93 and this past year’s .297-16-100 (21 SB). We don’t know if the pop will translate, but it’s nice pop if it does. The Yanks now have 30 days to sign him.

Huston Street was dealt by the Rox to SD. Street was 1-4, 3.86, 29 saves for Colorado in 2011. He is just 28 but has 178 career saves, 30-21, 3.11, ERA+ 143. He was the 2005 ROY with the A’s.

SD meanwhile, DFA’d Jeremy Hermida.

Could Jimmy Rollins be going back to the Phils? It appears so. As does K-Rod to Milwaukee, where he would be one very expensive setup man.

So now Miami is looking to deal Hanley Ramirez because he had a snit fit about being moved from SS to 3B. He is coming off a bad year, and has had a history of showing up his mgr. Great talent, great asshole.
Grow up, Hanley.

For the record, I saw Hanley Ramirez play for AA when he was a Boston farmhand. I saw great talent. Too bad he progressed into a jackass.

Erik Bedard to the Pirates. Bedard was 5-9, 3.62 combined for Sea/Bos. ERA+ 110. Bedard has never given 200 IP in his career, only once has he given 30 starts in a season. Pass.

Guillermo Mota back to SF. He was 2-2, 3.81 for them in 2011, ERA + 94. Career 39-44, 3.91, ERA+ 106. He is 38.

David Ortiz accepts arbitration from Boston. He did hit .309-29-96 in 2011, OPS+ 154, but he is 36.

Rumors are that the Phils would deal prospect Domonic Brown for Gio Gonzalez of the A’s. Gio would make that rotation … ugh.

For Gonzalez, the A’s wanted Montero as a start…

The Angels are about to sign LaTroy Hawkins. Hawkins, soon to be 39, was 3-1, 2.42, ERA+ 162 in 2011. For his career, he is 63-85, 4.48, ERA+ 104 w/87 saves.

UPDATE: K/ROD accepts Milw. arb. offer. Meaning he’ll be the most expensive setup guy ever.

Tim McCarver, who had a long playing career (and was 2nd in MVP voting to teammate Orlando Cepeda in 1967), was elected to the HOF as a broadcaster. (The Ford C. Frick Award).

DeWayne Wise, who saved Buehrle’s perfecto with a great catch, is about to sign a minor league deal w/the yanks. .219 B.A., OPS+ 62. Better glove than bat.

 

 

 

Reyes, now Pujols?

It seems as if the Boss’s ghost has bought the Marlins. After the Bell and Reyes signings, apparently the Marlins are in on Pujols—for a 10-yr. deal. They better hope Pujols actually IS 31.

In the NFL, the Bears are wise. No interest in talking to Favre, no matter what their QB troubles are.

The Twins deal P Kevin Slowey (27) to Colorado for a PTBNL. Slowey had an awful 2011, 0-8, 6.67, ERA+ 60. Career? 39-29, 4.66, ERA+ 90. He’s 20.

Fired managers and ex-players have to love ESPN. Terry Francona replaces Bobby V in the booth for ESPN—after Bobby V replaces Francona as Boston mgr.

Rumor has P Mark Buehrle down to five teams.

The Pirates are interested in signing INF Wilson Betemit (30, KC/Det. 2011, .285-8-46, OPS+ 117, career OPS+ 105, .269 b.a.) to a deal as well as bringing back OF Nate McLouth (30).  McLouth platooned with the Braves, .228-4-16 in 2011, OPS+ 89. McLouth’s best year was in the ‘burgh in 2008, when he was an All-Star, GG, and finished 27th in MVP voting with a .276-26-94 year, 23 steals and a league-leading 46 doubles. Once dealt to Atlanta in 2010, he went south….in more ways than one.

The Cards apparently have P Kyle Lohse on the block…in order to make room for someone else? Lohse did win 14, with a 3.39 ERA, for the 2011 WS Champs.

Mets moves: Trade Angel Pagan (30, .262-7-56, 32 SB, OPS+ 93 in 2011, .279, OPS+ 101 career) to SF for Andres Torres in a trade of CF. Torres hit .221-4-19, 19 SB, 82 for SF in 2011. Alsong with Torres, the Mets get Ramon Ramirez, 30, 3-3, 2.62 in 2011. ERA+ 136. The Mets also signed Jon Rauch. The big righty (6’10”, 33) was 5-4, 4.85 for Toronto in 2011 with 11 saves but an ERA+ of just 88. Career 39-31, 3.82, ERA+ 113.

The Mets also signed Frank Francisco, 32, who along with Rauch was with Toronto in 2011. Francisco was 1-4, 3.55, ERA+ 120 with 17 saves. Career 18-19, 3.72, ERA+ 124.

Others…

Bronx Baseball Daily has a list of pitchers the Yanks could possibly trade for.  I’ll invite you to check out their descriptions of each pitcher but will list them here with my opinion. Some of what I say will be based upon what BBD reported. I encourage you to check out their link.  Some of what I say may match BBD’s, but only because we share that opinion.  

1) Greinke — a CYA but that social anxiety disorder scares me. Don’t think a match, but in a 3-way deal? See Liriano below.
2) Buehrle — this one intrigues me. No-hitter and a perfecto. Lefty. 32 in 2011. 15-11 3.85 average. Postseason experience. 4x All-Star, 2x Gold Glove. Innings eater. 200+ each year since 2001. Solid addition. Not cheap, but if you were going to give $22MM to Lee, as an alternative at $15MM, I’d take him.
3) Shields/Garza   Doubt TB/NY trade w/in division.
4) Blanton not sold on him. 4.30 career ERA. Realistically? Looking at 4.80 and a #5 guy, not a #2. 
5) Lowe   Problem is, 38 next June. Only on a one-year deal. AL East experience, but ERA+ 88 and 98 (4.67 and 4.00) in weaker NL the last two years. Very leary on him. I’d probably pass.
6) Nolasco   I’m wary of NL pitchers coming to the DH league. Just turned 28 and that career ERA of 4.45 in the NL makes me wonder what happens in the AL.
7) Wandy Rodriguez  32 but a better option than Nolasco? Lefty, so nice there. Cashman worked out the Berkman deal w/Wade last year, can he work with Wade again? Better ERA’s than Nolasco, and last three years have been very good (3.54, 3.02 and 3.60). 12-13, 4.18 average while pitching in Houston’s bandbox where that LF is quite short. Made $5MM in 2010. BBD states FA after next year so Yanks need him for one year or offer extension. But intriguing. Probably not a #2, but…   
8) Carpenter    Somehow the Cards need to pay Pujols without robbing Fort Knox. As intriguing as he is, he does turn 36 next year. Expensive in $ at his age and what you would give up for him. Don’t think Cards give him up, but you never know.  Pass.   
9) Zito Seems he’s been around forever. 33 That contract is too much for me. Wasn’t even on SF’s postseason roster. Last winning season 2006 w/A’s. SF is pitcher’s park but Zito ERA’s 4.53, 5.15, 4.03 and 4.15 scare me off as does a way-too-high salary. No.  
10) Liriano As BBD states, Twins don’t want to deal him. Nice that BBD suggests a 3-way, Greinke to Minny, Liriano to NY and Yanks send players to KC. Just 27 & hasn’t made big $ yet. Just one year over 150 IP and that recent missed year due to injury (2007) scare me off a bit.

So the ones that would intrigue me are Buehrle, Wandy Rodriguez and Liriano. One advantage with Buehrle and Liriano is that both have postseason experience. I think I’d go after Buehrle if available, with Wandy Rodriguez second. How about you?

Besides these ten, there are reclamation projects. Rich Harden went to the A’s. Besides Harden, others are (let’s discuss each):

Harden 29. Went to A’s (MLBTR says Yanks had interest) but deal fell through. 3.63 ERA but 5-5, 5.58 for Texas last year. Never won more than 11 in a season.  Made $6.5 MM last year. 
Brandon Webb 32 next spring. VERY intriguing. Pitched opening day 2009 and not at all since. 2006 CYA and the runnerup in 2007 and 2008 for the D-Backs. Postseason experience. From 2006-2008 averaged 19-8, 3.13. 2009 salary was just $6.5MM. Joel Sherman says the Yanks don’t care for Webb much. 
Jeff Francis missed all of 2009. 2008-2010? 8-16, 5.01. I know it’s been Colorado, but the 29 year old doesn’t impress me. 4.77 ERA. 4-6, 5.00 in 2010. 
Chris Young will be 32. Never won more than 12 in a season. 3.80 ERA nice. Doesn’t thrill me, but what reclamation project does? That’s why they are reclamation projects.
Chien Ming Wang  Ship probably sailed. Didn’t pitch in 2010 after disaster of 2009.   31.
Brad Penny. 33 next year. Hmm. Wins 16 in 2006 and 2007. 20-22, 5.01 since. Can he pitch in northeast? Disaster for Boston in 2009.   

Obviously, each would be on heavily incentive-based contracts, and one-year only. Webb is intriguing but Sherman says Yanks not interested. Others are. Here is a good recent read on Webb from MLBTR. Velocity a concern, and of course you wonder how Webb would translate to the DH league.

Joel Sherman has a good read today, part of which deals with Webb.  And from others, with a comment or two from me:

Bill Madden of the New York Daily News says Carlos Zambrano is a “likely target” for GM Brian Cashman. Like new addition Mark Prior, Zambrano knows Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild from their time in Chicago. Hmmm… I don’t know if Zambrano’s combustible personality would play well in NY. He’s been a total a** much of the time.The Yankees are believed to be on Felix Hernandez‘s no-trade list, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link).

 

For the first time this winter, a Yankees person spoke to Buster Olney optimistically about the chances that Andy Pettitte returns in 2011.   GOOD!  

UPDATE: MORE ON ANDY:

The Yankees expect Andy Pettitte to tell them whether he intends to retire within a few days, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link). They’re cautiously optimistic that he’ll return.

Wood wants a two-year, $12MM deal, Rosenthal reports. (If so, no way do I want the Yanks to match that. Too high, IMHO, for the risk).

Lastly for now, MLBTR is reporting heavy trade interest in Fausto Carmona, CC’s ex-teammate with the Indians. Carmona just turned 27. 13-14, 3.77 in 2010. Only 1-10, 5.42 at age 22 in 2006 but 19-8, 3.06 in 2007 with a superb performance against the Yanks in the postseason that year (and not good vs. Boston). Injuries led to bad years in 2008 and 2009 which brought a combined 13-19, 5.89. Ugh, before last year’s rebound. You wonder if the Yanks are kicking the tires there. You would figure they are.    

 

Game 100. Sloppy 6-2 loss by Yanks to Rays.

CC was off, and he didn’t get much help from the D as the Yanks lost last night to Tampa, 6-2. A-Rod made an error, Teix messed up a play (rare for him) and Swisher had a brutal game in RF.

At least Mark Melancon was found alive and well.

But some of the play last night made me wonder about CF. I mean, right now the backups are Damon and Swisher, and neither is stellar defensively. There is the Ramiro Pena talk, but how many games has he had in CF? I remember when Torre put Enrique Wilson in RF for a game and what a disaster that was.

I know the Yanks don’t have intentions to bring up Austin Jackson and have him sit. They don’t want to retard his progress, but I have to wonder what other choice they have (short of getting an OF at the trade deadline, but you wonder about that now with the Red Sox trading Kotsay to the White Sox…there goes one option). God forbid anything happen to Melky now. Remember that the Yanks have one guy (Matsui) who has never played the field. An OF of Damon, Swisher and Hinske better mash…because as far as catching and throwing…

A comeback win by the A’s over Boston means that the Yanks are still 2 1/2 up.  

Marte didn’t have a good game last night in his rehab. 1 2/3 with 3K but 2 solo HR and the loss. Josh Towers went 7, gave up 2 R. 4-2 loss for SWB against Andy Sonnanstine.  

Trenton lost 2-1. Only RBI—Montero, who had 2 hits. Humberto Sanchez 2 2/3 scoreless in relief.

That’s it for now….gotta run.

One last thing. Buehrle retired the first 17 last night, stretching his streak to a MLB record 45 batters retired in a row. He lost the perfecto (which would have been an unprecedented second straight) with 2 outs in the 6th via a walk. The next batter singled, breaking up the no-no (the late Johnny Vander Meer must be happy). Buehrle then went on to lose the game.   

Game 95. A’s @ Yanks preview. Perfection for Buehrle.

If you haven’t heard, Mark Buehrle of the White Sox threw a perfect game today, helped by a couple of plays. In the 8th, a line drive off the bat of Pat Burrell was just foul, and out #25 was made by DeWayne Wise, who saved the perfecto by robbing Gabe Kapler of a HR.

Buehrle joins Randy Johnson, Jim Bunning, Addie Joss, Cy Young and Sandy Koufax as pitchers with two or more no-hitters in which one was a perfect game. All except the Big Unit are in the HOF. The Big Unit is a no-doubter. Some company.

There is a good story on ESPN.com about a milestone this week. NOT a good milestone. Fifty years ago this week, Pumpsie Green became the first black player to play for the Red Sox. 1959. Twelve years after Jackie Robinson. Twelve whole years. The Red Sox then became the last of the original sixteen to integrate. Other teams don’t escape the shame. The Tigers didnt’ integrate until 1958. The Phillies were the last NL team to integrate. John Kennedy in 1957. For the Yanks, it wasn’t until 1955 with Elston Howard. Heck, David Halberstam’s book October 1964 has a team picture of the Cardinals and a team picture of the Yankees. Seventeen years after Jackie Robinson, that 1964 Yankees team had only four colored players in that picture—three I recognize—Howard, Hector Lopez, and Al Downing. The other might be Pedro Gonzalez.

It is raining at the Stadium. The game will start late.

From Pete Abraham (link at right):

MIGHTY MO: Mariano Rivera has converted 97 of 101 save chances since April 21, 2007. He has not allowed a run in his last 15 appearances, a span of 14.2 innings. He has given up only four hits while striking out 15 in that stretch. His ERA has dropped from 3.38 to 2.18.

PHIL ‘ER UP: Phil Hughes has an 0.81 ERA in 16 relief appearances. He has not allowed any runs in his last 14 appearances. Hughes has struck out 22 in his last 17.2 innings. 

SWISHERROR Nick Swisher has committed six errors in right field. Only Justin Upton of Arizona (7) has more at that position.

MELKY’S MISSING: Melky Cabrera is 2 for 20 since the break and 29 of 130 (.223) since June 1 with a .299 OBP and 15 RBI.

Check out Mo’s starts. Why does it seem that every time he fails, people want to quickly write him off?

Manager of the Year? Guess who has the best record in the A.L. right now. The Yankees. Joe Girardi still has his detractors. There are some who will never forgive him for being the successor to Torre. But hey, the guy has the best record in the league. He won Manager of the Year already for his season with the Marlins. There is a long way to go, and history is full of collapses. But if the Yanks finish in the spot they are in now, with the AL’s best record, should Girardi be considered for the award? There are some who will dismiss him because of the payroll and talent, but considering the mess of a bullpen that has been straightened out (thank you Hughes and Aceves) and the disaster of Wang, not to mention Posada AND Molina on the DL at the same time, the loss of Nady, the juggling of Melky/Gardner, A-Rod’s hip (and yes, you can criticize Joe G. for not resting A-Rod more earlier on), should he get consideration?

Here is tonight’s lineup:

YANKEES (57-37)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Matsui DH
Posada C
Cano 2B
Hinske RF
Gardner CF

Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (9-6, 3.66).

As for the A’s, there are rumors of Matt Holliday possibly being dealt by the A’s to St. Louis.

Where did they come from? The Astros are only 1 game out in the NL Central. This after an awful spring training  and a 30-36 start. Since then? 19-10. 49-46, 1 GB. Four teams are within two games.

Two wins in a row for the Nats. Before that, they were 26-66. Ugh. Forty games below .500 with 70 to go.

Wang had his shoulder checked out. We’ll find out more later. Mo is probably unavailable due to his needing a rest.

I don’t know if you saw it, but apparently there is still trouble in the Mattingly household (or ex-household).