Saturday, September 19, 2009

6Pound8OunceBabyJoba: ALDS Debate

As you may have heard, the team with the American League’s best record at season end has the privilege of choosing the format of their ALDS series, a 7 day series or an 8 day series.

In an 8 day series, we would only have to start 3 pitchers (assuming we played all 5 games). Those pitchers would presumably be CC Sabathia, Andy Pettitte, and AJ Burnett. CC would get the ball in game one, Andy in game two (AJ hasn’t earned that spot), then AJ would get the ball in game three. CC and Andy would pitch in the next two games. Now, you might say that that would be the best situation. A second start by Andy is better than having a Joba start judging by their recent performance. The problem with the 8 day series is that while we only have to start 3 pitchers, our opponent also only needs three pitchers.

Our opponent right now looks like it will be Detroit, unless Texas overtakes Boston for the wildcard, in which case we’d face the Rangers. The Tigers would presumably send Justin Verlander to the mound in game 1, followed by Edwin Jackson, and then Jarrod Washburn in an 8 day series. If it was a 7 day series though, the Tigers would throw in Rick Porcello while we’d send out our Lord the Savior, Joba Chamberlain.

Verlander has been dominant this year with a 3.34 ERA, and in September his ERA is a mere 3.00. In either format we’d have to face him, so his stats aren’t extremely relevant to the choice. The main key is whether the Yanks would like a Edwin Jackson v. Andy Pettitte matchup in game 5, or a Joba Chamberlain v. Rick Porcello matchup.

Jackson has been phenomenal this year with a 3.22 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. However, in September his ERA is 5.40. He’s already pitched 7 innings more than he did all of last year, and perhaps he’ll experience fatigue as the postseason rolls around. Right now, he’s not the dominating force he was on the mound most of the year, but he’s definitely got the ability to get opposing hitters out. Andy Pettitte has pitched well this year, but in his last two starts he’s allowed seven earned runs over eleven innings. Andy’s got postseason experience though, which could give the team a sense of courage and stability in a crucial game.

Joba has been limited by the new Joba Rules recently, not having a gone 6 innings since August 11th. Porcello, Detroit’s star rookie, meanwhile has been dominant of late with a 3.79 ERA in the past 30 days. I love Joba, but the last thing we want is a starter who could blow up early on in a big game. Joba is either great or he’s bad, and we can’t take that risk in a big playoff game.

Start Andy. He’ll be his typical self, allowing 3 runs over 6 or 7 innings. That’s nearly a guarantee. If he goes seven innings then Hughsie, Mo, series over. We can’t take the risk of throwing out Joba, as big of a savior as he is. In the playoffs, consistency is more valuable than a chance at dominance. Plus, I’d rather face Jackson right now than Porcello, although that could certainly change. If the Rangers win the Wildcard, I’ll put up a new analysis, but for right now, expect Joe Girardi to plan on giving Dandy Andy the ball if a game 5 comes up. To do that, he’d have to pick the 8 game series, which I’m sure he will.

*This post was written by Kevin Seefried of 6Pound8OunceBabyJoba*

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Steiner Sports News

Good afternoon – This from a reader named Matt:



Steiner Sports will be releasing a full line of Derek Jeter commemorative pieces of memorabilia in honor of him becoming the Yankees all-time hit king.



Jeter will be signing all the memorabilia TODAY and pre-orders are being accepted now on www.steinersports.com


Prices are as follows:



Derek Jeter MLB Baseball Engraved With "Record Breaking Hit, Date"

$599



Derek Jeter Authentic Yankee Inaugural Season Patch Home Jersey w/ Embroidered Stats LE/222

$999



Derek Jeter "Record Breaking Hit, Date" Engraved Game Model Bat

$999

Thanks,
Matt

Monday, September 14, 2009

The Pinstriper: Problem: Yankees Wasting Pitchers

The New York Yankees have a great farm system. They develop great players. One thing they cannot say, however is that they hold on to those great pitchers. Most of the AAA Yankees' roster is now on the MLB Pirates (seriously.) Lets name a few:

RP Steven Jackson (MLB Pirates)
RP Eric Hacker (MLB Pirates)
RP Scott Patterson (MLB Padres at the time, now with the MLB A's)

The Yankees also made the horrible trade of Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, and Daniel McCutchen for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.

At the time it looked great for both sides, maybe better for the Yankees.

Now Tabata is a top-prospect outfielder (which the Yankees can use besides Austin Jackson,) Ross Ohlendorf is an innings-eating starter in the MLB (Yankees can use that) Jeff Karstens is injured, but a solid 5th starter, and Daniel McCutchen is getting a trial in the MLB.

Meanwhile Nady is hurt and Marte has a horrible contract and a horrible ERA.


I would not be ranting if the Yankees had reasons for these moves. Do the Yankees REALLY need Freddy Guzman? They're just going to DFA him in the offseason when Kevin Russo, Austin Jackson, Zach Kroenke, etc need 40-man spots. Why not DFA Juan Miranda? They should try to trade him in the offseason. They have first base locked up for the next 7+years.

For all we know Claggett can be a valuable MLB pitcher in the future. The Yankees did not give him, or Jackson, or Hacker, or Patterson a decent shot. That is my problem.

*This post was written by Brandon of The Pinstriper*

Sunday, September 13, 2009

And A Player to be Named Later: Damon in 2012

After the disappointing 2008 season, if you had said that the Yankees would resign Johnny Damon after his contract would run out in 2009, most people would have thought you crazy.

Not that Damon played poorly. Not at all. In fact, his numbers generally, across the board were as good, or better than his career averages.

No. It had more to do with the perception of the Yankees after their subpar 89-win season. After 2008, the general consensus was that the Yankees were old, slow and brittle—the complete opposite of the AL-winning Tampa Rays. And to that end, Damon was one of the perceived culprits. He had been moved from center field to left field in Yankee Stadium (he had a -15 tally on Bill James rating system for centerfielders from 2005 to 2007) and wasn't considered an ideal fielder to cover the cavernous ground out in Death Valley. He had a chicken arm, and wasn't a threat to throw out your grandmother taking the extra base. And, he missed time to due foot and shoulder injuries.

So, with the Yankees feeling they had to get younger, faster and more durable, considering Damon to be a Yankee past 2009, seeming like a non-starter.

However, with the new season brings a new perspective. The 2009 Yankees, rebuilt, are cruising. And with their resurgence, comes a Johnny Damon who seems reborn. Or at least playing for a new contract.

Switched to batting second, Damon is on pace for a career high in HRs, RBI, Slugging percentage, OPS and walks. And while he will never be mistaken for Willie Mays in the outfield, he does have 6 assists, and is at the least, holding his own in the OF.

The blog, Pinstripe Alley recently posed the question of what should the Yankees do with Damon in 2010. To that end, Damon has publicly stated he'd like to return. And if a deal was short and relatively market price (and not Yankee-priced), the Yankees would probably be amenable. Why, with Damon aging, youngsters waiting to fill his spot, and the free agent market beckoning, would the Yankees consider resigning him?

Firstly, with Matsui most likely not returning, the DH spot would open up—which would give more options to play Damon’s bat without subjecting the Yankees to his arm out in LF every day. Both Posada, Damon and sometimes, Rodriguez can rotate through the DH spot giving the Yankees some flexibility.

Plus there is the question of the instability of the outfield. With Austin Jackson batting well in AAA, should he have a good spring, the Yankees might try him in CF, but that can’t be counted upon. Is Brett Gardnet or Melky Cabrera the long-term answer? And if Jackson does come up, would Girardi move Cabrera or possibly Gardner to...where exactly, LF, RF? Nady is most likely not resigned, but would the Yankees prefer Cabrera in RF over Swisher and relegate Swisher and Gardner to utility status? Or would they Cabrera move to LF and have Damon fill the DH spot on a regular basis? And what about the rumors that the Yankees would be making a play for Matt Holliday?

By resigning Johnny Damon, the Yankees would give themselves—something Girardi loves, and somwthing they can afford to give themselves—options. And Damon's bat is a very good option. By next year, the Yankees can protect themselves from Damon's arm and declining fielding skills to some degree—no matter what they decide to do in the outfield, be it Austin Jackson, Matt Holliday or whomever. Damon can DH, or spot start in the outfield, or fill in should someone get injured. His bat more than makes up for any declining skills he may have in the limited time he would be on the field. Singing Damon to a 1-year contract with an option makes the most sense. It gives the Yankees the flexibility they could use and keeps a good hitter and a good clubhouse influence in Pinstripes for a couple more years.

*This post was written by P-Cat of And a Player to be Named Later*

Friday, September 11, 2009

Baseball Hot Corner: Joba's Regression

The New York Yankees are enjoying a special season. The best record in baseball isn't a fluke. Success is the story. Lost in the shadows of jubilant walk-off-wins, nightly heroes and prodigious production is the stark regression of Joba Chamberlain. The Golden Child has transitioned from dominant stopper to bullpen draining enigma.

For an objective, expert opinion lets hear from former elite hurler, pitching coach and current ESPN analyst Orel Hershiser:

"There is nothing electric going on here."
"He is still a two pitch pitcher."
"I've always wanted to see him in the bullpen."
" The extra three miles per hour is where the outs are."
You won't hear any of that on the YES network.

Joba's body language tells a story. The adrenaline amped, stalking strikeout machine who powered his way to the Great Rivera has been replaced by a rumpled riddle. The next Clemens is no where in sight. Top of rotation starters take time to develop, frustration enters the mix because progress isn't palpable. Joba has followed a myriad of rules to the brink of nowhere. Time for a new plan.



*This post was written by Mark Serio of Baseball Hot Corner*

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Blogging Along

Hey guys it's Brandon the moderator here. I am only available to work from 3-11ish on weekdays and anytime on weekends. Posting will still be often, however.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

No, You're A Towel: Yankees Good No Matter What

The Yankees are currently at 85-48, sporting the best record in baseball. They're also the only team with a .600 winning percentage. How do they rank in the advanced standing categories?

Best in baseball with a 45-20 record at home

Best in the American League with a 40-28 road record

Best in the American League with a 7-3 extra innings record

Best in baseball with a 55-34 record vs right-handed pitching

Best in baseball with a 30-14 record vs left-handed pitching

Best the American League with a 42-32 record against teams with a record greater that .500

Best in baseball with a 45-18 record against teams with a record less than .500

Best in the American League with a 8-2 record in their last 10 and 15-5 record in their last 20

Tied for best record in baseball with St. Louis with a 23-7 record in their last 30

Currently have the longest winning streak in baseball at 6 games

Best in baseball with 763 runs scored

Best run in baseball with a run differential of +141

They're also an MLB-best 23-8 against the AL Central division, which is probably where they'll find their first round opponent. Let's hope they can keep this up heading into the playoffs.

*This post was written by Andrew Katz of No, You're A Towel on September 3rd

Behind the Moat: Playoff Roster

With the Yankees 8.5 up on September 5th, I think it’s safe to look ahead to the postseason.

C (2):
Jorge Posada
Jose Molina

IF(5):
Mark Teixeira
Robbie Cano
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Jerry Hairston Jr.

OF(5):
The Swish
Melky Cabrera
Johnny Damon
Eric Hinske
Brett Gardner

DH(1):
Godzilla

Pitchers(12)

Rotation:
CC Sabathia
Andy Pettitte
AJ Burnett
Joba Chamberlain*

Bullpen:
Mariano Rivera
Phil Hughes
David Robertson
Alfredo Aceves
Phil Coke
Damaso Marte
Sergio Mitre
Mark Melancon*

Thoughts:

-I think the Yankees should only carry 12 pitchers. Matsui’s lack of mobility makes having pinch runners important and more fielders an absolute neccessity.

-I ordered the bullpen in order of importance in a big game.

-Joba could get knocked down to the ‘pen if need be.

-I penned Melancon in, but if Bruney turns it around, he’s back the mix. I just don’t trust him right now.

-Brett Gardner’s in, assuming he comes back okay.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

The Pinstriper: The Brian Bruney Problem

About a week ago I wrote about the Phil Coke problem. He was not pitching effectively as the main lefty reliever. Now I will talk about Brian Bruney. Bruney is 4-0 with a 4.55 ERA this season. Last season he was 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA. The year before, however, he was 3-2 with a 4.68 ERA. Bruney has shown the ability to be lights-out and started the year as the Yankees set-up man. I felt this was a great idea at the time and that he would be an awesome set-up man. I've changed my mind. Since June 28th Bruney has pitched 16.2 innings with a 4.44 ERA. That is mediocre. Bruney had an 11.81 ERA in July and a 0.87 ERA in August. The August ERA looks great. Here are the facts though:

-Bruney has gone 6 innings without recording a strikeout.

-In Bruney's last 9 appearances, only 2 of them were with a lead of 2 or less runs.

-Joe Girardi has only used Bruney in big lead or low-risk situations.

-Bruney has a 8.71 ERA with runners on when he enters the game.

-Bruney has a 15.00 ERA with runners in scoring position when he enters the game. (The ERA doesn't include runners that were already on base when he entered the game)

-Bruney has a horrific 38.57 ERA with runners in scoring position and 2 outs when he enters the game.

Pete Abraham listed Bruney as a borderline candidate for a postseason spot. If Girardi isn't willing to use him in tight situations....how can he help in the postseason?

I'd like to see Bruney be used in close games this month. If he pitches poorly: no playoff spot, if he pitches well: postseason spot. That simple.

*This post was written by Brandon of The Pinstriper*

Baseball Hot Corner: Yankees Provide Answers

I was flipping through the Sporting News MLB Preview issue. (March 30, 2009.) A column titled, "What Could Stop The Yanks?" caught my eye: "Sporting News asked three members of the defending World Series champion Phillies to identify the Yankees' biggest weakness: OF Shane Victorino: Defense. OF Geoff Jenkins: Middle relief. Closer Brad Lidge: Too much talent.

A formidable list considering the context of recent seasons. Safe to say, the question marks have been replaced by exclamation points. I'll let the experts provide the graphs but my eyes tell me '08's defensive problems have been solved. Especially noteworthy is the right side of the infield. Teixeira's range and soft hands provide a stark contrast to Giambi's imitation of a fire hydrant. Cano's arm combines with fluid grace to routinely rob potential hits. The pitchers are grateful.

The middle relief hole was shrewdly plugged when Girardi changed Phil Hughes' job description. A struggling starter transformed to a dominant stopper. The Great Rivera finally had company.

"Too much talent?" The New York Yankees are the only team that can afford this unconventional issue. A rich group of disparate mercenaries have gelled into a cohesive unit. The results speak. The questions have been answered.

*This post was written by Mark Serio of Baseball Hot Corner

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Bob Sheppard Tribute

Here is a Bob Sheppard tribute.

*This post was written by Joe of Demolition of Yankee Stadium

Yankees Raffle Info

This from a reader named Jon:



Celebrities for Charity is raffling off two premium tickets (section 105) to the September 26, 2009 Red Sox vs Yankees game @ Yankee Stadium. The prize also includes a $500.00 travel allowance as well as a $200.00 gift certificate to Michael Psilakis' Kefi Restaurant in Manhattan.


Proceeds from the raffle go to benefit charity and can be purchased at : https://www.celebritiesforcharity.org/raffles/alphaomega_sox.cfm.


Raffle tickets are only $2.00 a piece with a min. purchase of 5 tickets.


Entry deadline is September 23, 2009 @ 11:00am EDT.

Baseball Hot Corner: A.J.'s Engima

When the Yankees went shopping for redemption in the off season, caveat emptor was the order of the day. Three big ticket mercenaries have infused the roster with pennant caliber talent but there is a dark side.

CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira deliver as advertised. All Star caliber, ready for prime time performers provide the Bombers a healthy return on over-the-top investment. It didn't take shrewd baseball judgement to pluck CC or Teix. Their notable skill sets matched perfectly with the rickety roster's gaping holes. "Pay the man his money."--(Rounders)

The third purchase, A.J. Burnett wasn't from the no brainer file. Paying $82.5 million for a 10 time veteran of the DL was ominous. There was no denying A.J.'s talent, nasty, eye-popping stuff was intoxicating. The marriage was made.

Burnett's enigmatic '09 performance is a snapshot of his career: stellar stuff, shaky command, mediocre record. Tuesday night in Baltimore, Burnett attempted to stop a skid of six consecutive starts without a win. It didn't work. Six innings pitched, six runs, 11 hits, frustration festered.

A mediocrity mired 10-8 record for the best team in baseball isn't good enough. The injury history speaks. The future is now. Frustration rules. You get what you pay for.


*This post was written by Mark Serio of Baseball Hot Corner*

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Sommer Frieze: September Call-Ups

From Chad Jennings Swb blog:

There are no major surprises in the initial wave of September call-ups, but there is one significant surprise among the players filling the resulting holes on the Triple-A roster.


First the big league call-ups.

C Francisco Cervelli
SS Ramiro Pena
RHP Mark Melancon
RHP Edwar Ramirez
LHP Mike Dunn
My predictions were pretty much this exact group, with Jonathan Albaladejo instead of Dunn. I’m a little surprised Alby didn’t get a call-up, but those five 40-man relievers were pretty interchangeable in my mind.

Ok I know what you are thinking. Who is Mike Dunn? The only Dunn I know is Adam Dunn.

Pete Abraham has more:

The left-handed Dunn is interesting. He has struck out 99 in 73.1 innings and allowed only 58 hits. But he also has walked 46. Dunn has shown improvement with his control lately. Girardi loves having two lefties in the pen. It could come down to Dunn or Marte.

Dunn is a 24 yr. old lefty who (as can be seen in the stats above) throws heat. He is 4-3, 3.31. Obviously Coke has…to put it nicely…sucked lately. There is little time left in the season for anyone to “figure out” Dunn. Maybe, like K-Rod did for the Angels in 2002, Dunn may be a late season addition whose unknown quantity is a boon for the Yanks in September and October.

More from Abraham, regarding Jarod Washburn (emphasis mine):

Washburn is 1-2 with a 6.81 ERA in six starts for the Tigers. He has allowed 11 homers in 37 innings. Oh, by the way, Seattle wanted Austin Jackson for him.

People who bash Cashman continuously also should praise him for when he does something right.


*This post was written by Mike Sommer of The Sommer Frieze*

River & Sunset: Pettite Power

I hope you didn't buy what Andy Pettitte was selling last night in Baltimore.

Because, contrary to what the rejuvenated Texan may have said, he wanted to straight-up murder poor Jerry Hairston Jr.

Think about it. If your buddy misplayed a routine grounder that cost you a perfecto in wiffleball, you'd be beside yourself. Now picture it happening with two outs in the seventh inning of an actual game to the psychotically-intense Pettitte. Oh boy.

Poor Hairston already has to deal with never being good enough for dad...and now this?

Sometimes life isn't fair. Let's just hope that Hairston isn't soon on the wrong end of a hunting rifle and Pettitte the wrong end of a level-one felony charge because we need both of these guys.

Especially Pettitte, who, let's face it, has been the Yankees' second-best starter this season. How crazy is that?

The left-hander is 4-1 with a 2.56 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break and is 12-6 with a 4.03 ERA overall. He's on pace for another season of 200-plus innings and he says his body is feeling better than it has in years.

These are all stunning revelations when you remember where this guy was a year ago.

Pettitte seemed cooked by the end of last season. Like, well-done, burnt on both sides cooked. He was a .500 pitcher with a 4.54 ERA; a guy with a chronically tender elbow and a bum shoulder. He seemed primed for the requisite final season where the once-great pitcher dreadfully embarrasses himself—better known as The David Cone—before he headed off into the sunset.

But a funny thing happened on the way to Deer Park. Pettitte has somehow managed to sidestep a cruel demise, like he's been studying the ending of all 14 Final Destination movies.

He came back after an extended dance with the Yankees in the offseason, taking a steep paycut in the process. He was slated to be the No. 5 starter, a guy who could eat some innings, maybe win 10-12 games and keep his ERA around 4.50.

Instead, he leapfrogged over Chien-Ming Wang's decomposing corpse and both Good Joba and Bad Joba. Now, pitching his best baseball in years, is it that insane to think you'd rather have Pettitte in a big postseason spot over A.J. Burnett?

At 37, Pettitte is improbably an essential piece of the puzzle in the Yankees' drive for No. 27. Let's just hope he realizes the personal and team ramifications that would come with poisoning Jerry Hairston's coffee.


*This post was written by Dan Hanzus of River & Sunset*

Respect Jeter's Gangster: Posada Problem

Recently we've been treated to a bevy of stories about Posada's supposedly rocky relationship with AJ Burnett. We've also heard a lot of commentary over the course of the season about Joba's tendency to shake Posada off (used to be seen as a virtue, not so much anymore).

What has stuck out to me, however, is the fact that both of the pitchers who supposedly don't care for Posada's game calling are guys who lack control. That is, they don't hit the target, or anywhere near the target, that Posada sets up and then they blame Posada's pitch selection. Hence Girardi's recent comments about execution.

Take Joba for instance. He pitches like a wuss and probably shakes Posada off because he rather not throw strikes, and Posada rarely calls for intentional walks. These things happen, but the story becomes how hard Posada is to work with.

Burnett has great stuff, but no control. Think more talented Jose Veras. He misses all over the place, gets hit, then has the balls to wonder why Posada called this or that pitch (note: he didn't call for it right down the middle).

So, in conclusion, the problem is the inability of these guys to hit their spots, not Posada's inability to call a game. Sure Posada can be a bit stubborn and rough around the edges, but Burnett and Joba can't locate their pitches, and that's a much bigger problem.

*This post was written by Fernando Alejandro of Respect Jeter's Gangsters*

6Pound8OunceBabyJoba: Offseason Thoughts

Okay, so I know we’re only 6 games up, and we should be focusing on the pennant race, and all the games and whatnot, but I have to take a moment to think about this upcoming off-season.

There are 7 Yankees eligible for free agency after this season: , Johnny Damon (Type A), Hideki Matsui(Type B), Andy Pettitte (Type B), Jerry Hairston Jr (Type B), Xavier Nady(Type B), Jose Molina, and Eric Hinske.
If all of them walk, and the Yanks make no acquistions, the 2010 lineup and rotation would be as follows:

SS Jeter

DH Swisher

1B Teixeira

3B Rodriguez

C Posada

2B Cano

LF Gardner

CF Austin Jackson

RF Melky Cabrera

CC Sabathia

AJ Burnett

Joba Chamberlain

Phil Hughes

Chien-Ming Wang


As you can see, the lineup has a rather inexperienced and light hitting outfield while the rotation has major question marks with Hughes and Wang. So…Here’s my strategy

Offer Arbitration to Pettitte and Hairston. If they accept, Pettitte can be an option in the rotation, and Hairston can continue his superutility role. If they decline, the Yanks get a compensation round pick for both Pettitte and Hairston. If Hairston declines, the Yanks should still try to sign him, he’s a great asset for the team. Matsui and Nady would both likely accept arbitration, and the Yanks can’t afford to have two DH-type players on the roster, not with Jeter, A-Rod, and Posada all getting older. I would not offer arbitration to Damon because he would likely accept. In arb. he could probably get his salary boosted from $13mm to $14 or 15mm. If the Yanks wait to sign him as a free agent, he might settle for $7 or $8mm.

Call up Francisco Cervelli. Cervelli will take on Molina’s role as the backup catcher. The pitching staff loved him in his stint in the majors this year, much like they love pitching to Molina. Cervelli is a nice, cheap option to back up Jorge, and he hit as well as you could have expected him to in his time in the majors. He is only a backup, so he doesn’t have to be Josh Gibson or anything.

Call up Shelley Duncan. Hinske was great on the bench this year, but Duncan can be just as effective. .271/.370/.534 in triple A with 27 homers. Those numbers are worthy of an MLB roster spot.

Call up Austin Jackson. The center fielder of the future needs to make it to the Bronx this year. He might not be “ready” by April, but I’d be shocked if he isn’t manning center field by May 31st.

Decline Sergio Mitre’s 2010 Option: Okay, he had a good start yesterday. Doesn’t mean I want him on the team next year.

Offer Chien Ming Wang for Seth Smith: Look, the Rockies have Brad Hawpe, Carlos Gonzalez, Dexter Fowler, Ryan Spilborghs, and Smith in the outfield. They can get rid of one of them, right? Hawpe, Fowler, and Gonzalez will likely make up their starting outfield, and Spilly can be a fine number 4. The Rox will have a rotation of Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jason Hammel, Jorge de la Rosa, and Jeff Francis. Francis is coming back from shoulder surgery and Cook has had problems with his shoulder as well. So their rotation needs some insurance. Okay, I know what you;re thinking, Wang’s had shoulder surgery too, but the Rox could still use him. Think about it, it’s more likely that 2 of 3 players recover from surgery than 2 of 2. Right? Add in that Wang is a groundball pitcher (exactly what is needed at Coors Field) and you have a good fit. A switch to the NL might be a nice change for the Wanger. He’ll get out of the eye of the NY press, he’ll be facing teams that are easier to beat, and Bob Apodaca has a habit of reviving the careers of aging veterans. Meanwhile, Smith gives the Yanks a big bat in left. And he’s a lefty. A lefty slugger in the New Yankee Stadium? Sounds good to me.

Offer contracts to Andy Pettitte, Ben Sheets, Erik Bedard (Type B), and Justin Duchscherer (Type B). The Yanks’ rotation after declining Mitre’s option and trading Wang leaves just CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Joba Chamberlain returning. That is, if Andy Pettitte doesn’t accept arbitration. If he does, then he’d be in there as well. The Yanks will try to move Phil Hughes back to the rotation as well. Don’t forget that Ian Kennedy will be back from his aneurysm trouble and George Kontos is another in-house option. That’s a lot of young arms to depend on though. Pettitte has easily earned himself a contract for next year. Bedard and Duchscherer are interesting options because although both are injury prone, they have both seen substantial success in the bigs. Sheets is my personal favorite. He missed this year due to injury as well, but God he can throw a baseball. Sheets, Bedard, and Duchscherer are all risky pick-ups, but I don’t see any of them making more than $10mm next year, and none of them are likely to sign for more than 2 years, and even that might be a stretch. The Yanks can flex a little financial muscle to take on a risky pitcher like that, because if they stay healthy the Yanks could end up with the best rotation in baseball. Imagine, if all are healthy, trotting out Sabathia, Burnett, Sheets, Joba, and Hughes.

Some might be outraged that I don’t have an Aroldis Chapman signing, or a Matt Holliday or Jason Bay signing. And I understand that. I’d obviously love to have Holliday or Chapman in pinstripes (not a big Bay fan, sorry), but I see my plan as a simpler way of getting another World Series caliber team out on the field next year. That team would, ideally, look like this….

Lineup

SS Derek Jeter

DH Nick Swisher

1B Mark Teixeira

3B Alex Rodriguez

LF Seth Smith

C Jorge Posada

2B Robinson Cano

RF Brett Gardner

CF Austin Jackson

Bench

OF Melky Cabrera

1B/OF Shelley Duncan

C Francisco Cervelli

UTIL Jerry Hairston Jr.

Rotation

LHP CC Sabathia

RHP AJ Burnett

RHP Ben Sheets

RHP Joba Chamberlain

RHP Phil Hughes

Bullpen

Mariano Rivera (CL)

Alf Aceves

David Robertson

Brian Bruney

Phil Coke (Lefty)

Damaso Marte (Lefty)

Mark Melancon

Also Available:

RHP Chad Gaudin

RHP Jon Albaladejo

RHP Anthony Claggett

RHP Ian Kennedy

RHP Edwar Ramirez

RHP George Kontos

LHP Zach Kroenke

LHP Michael Dunn

1B Juan Miranda

3B Yurendell de Caster

IF Ramiro Pena

That’s what my plan would be if I were Brian Cashman. Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? Let’s hear it in the comments

*This post was written by Kevin Seefried of 6Pound8OunceBabyJoba*

Monday, August 31, 2009

Posting Starts Tomorrow

Tomorrow will be the first day of many that we post here at The Ultimate Yankees Blog. The name is being changed to Blogging Yankees Universe, however. Thank you for your patience and we hope to get posts up ASAP. For Yankees bloggers that I have contacted reading this, you can still post here if you would like.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

How this Site Will Work

This site will be-well-the ultimate Yankees blog. It will feature blog posts from various Yankees blogs. Every day I will pick the best of the contributing blogs and post it to this website. Consider it a mega-blog if you will. The bloggers get their work recognized and the readers get a great way to read a bunch of opinions at once.

Welcome

Welcome to the Ultimate Yankees Blog. This blog will be a combination of the best blogs around. We will have posts from sites all around Yankees Universe. If interested in writing for this blog, please email me at bco004@yahoo.com.