But there remains the unsolved business of 2018, and whether Sevy's wretched second half represents an aberration... or the future norm.
I just dunno. For a team that won 100 games last year, I cannot remember so many question marks opening this spring.
Here is my list of question marks:
First base, second base, third base, shortstop, catcher, left field,
We have Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and a bullpen. After that, everything is in flux. Not the worst situation: Competition in spring training is a good thing. But everywhere... question marks.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI CHECKED AARON HICKS OFFENSIVE PROJECTION FOR 2019 IN ONE OF THOSE "SABER" MAGAZINES.
ReplyDeleteHIS AVERAGE FOR 2019 WAS .227 .
I ALMOST FELL OFF THE COUCH.
I'M SICK OF OUR HITTERS GOING FROM .280 HITTERS TO .250 HITTERS, AND .250 HITTERS TO .220 HITTERS...
IT HAS BEEN GOING ON CONSISTENTLY SINCE GIAMBI.
THEN TEXIERA.
GRANDERSON.
I'M GONNA CALL IT "COOP POLICY".
GUARANTEE COOP 25 - 30 HOMERS, AND HE THINKS IT'S FINE TO HIT .220 OR EVEN LOWER.
APPARENTLY, IF YOU HIT 15 HOMERS, IT'S OK TO HIT .195 FOR MOST OF THE SEASON, (STEPHEN DREW).
"COOP POLICY" IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR US DUMPING RONALD TORREYES. (NO HOMER GUARANTEES).
IT'S "COOP POLICY" THAT IS KEEPING US BEHIND BOSTON FOR THE LAST DECADE.
IF ONLY HAL CARED ENOUGH TO REALIZE THIS...
....BUT THE MONEY KEEPS ROLLING IN.
The money keeps rolling in, ALL CAPS, and the fundamentals are being forgotten. Basic baseball stuff. And it's institutional - from scouting to on-field coaching. Think about this: If and when this ever gets turned around, meaning some people will have to go, it will take years for the team's culture and organization to recover. Hal and Cash and doing long-term damage here that won't be easily fixed. At least we had the last dynasty.
ReplyDeleteI HEAR YA, 13 BIT...
ReplyDeleteALL THESE TEAMS AND GM'S SEEM TO BE "ON BOARD" WITH THE CHANGES IN TODAY'S GAME WITH THE SABERMETRICS....
....BUT IT'S THE SAME GAME THAT HAS BEEN PLAYED FOR OVER 100 YEARS.
RIGHT NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE A BATTER THAT STRIKES OUT IS ACTUALLY "ACCEPTED", AS OK.
....AND YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO STEAL, BUNT OR HIT AND RUN.
....BUT, YOU STILL NEED TO ADVANCE RUNNERS TO SCORE.
SAME GAME FOR 100 YEARS.
IT'S MY CONTENTION THAT THE GAME WILL EVENTUALLY GET BACK TO THE SAME GAME IT WAS ALWAYS MEANT TO BE.....WITH FUNDAMENTALS.
MORE BUNTING, STEALING, AND CONTACT WILL RETURN TO THE GAME, AS DEFENSIVE SHIFTS CONTINUE TO OVERWHELM HITTERS.
THAT'S BASEBALL.
Fuckers.
ReplyDeleteI agree, guys. There is a sense—like so much going on right now in our society, even in the world—that we are living on borrowed time.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's just an illusion. Maybe it hats do with a feeling of helplessness about most things. I was talking with some guys about pro basketball the other day, and we were all agreeing how we find the game done but, hey, the algorithms have determined this is the best way to score the most points, etc., etc.
Same with football, same with baseball.
It occurred to me, why don't we just throw out the math and coach and regulate the games the way WE want them to be played? Instead, like everything else, these systems have taken on lives of their own.
And yes, 13bit, that is the tragedy for us Yankees fans. This team will not be a serious contender again for years to come—probably not in our remaining lifetimes. And all because of this lethal combination of office politics and indifferent ownership—it's a metaphor for the entire country!
And Duque, you are right on about Sevvy.
ReplyDeleteThe "he was tipping his pitches" whispering campaign is an all-too-typical, Coops-era indulgence in wishful thinking.
Over the second half of last season, after his spectacular start, Sevvy went 5-6 in 12 starts, with a 5.57 ERA, and 76 hits and 9 home runs allowed in just 63 innings.
That's not even counting his dreadful postseason, in which he had 2 starts, went a total of 7 innings, and surrendered 9 hits, 9 walks, and 6 earned runs.
"Tipping pitches" simply doesn't account for that sort of performance over three months and 14 starts. Nor does it account for how Sevvy could show up late for the biggest game of the year.
Mark my words: long before the first year of his cool new contract—fully 1/3 the annual cost of a Harper or a Manny, mind you—is up, it will be revealed that Sevvy:
—Has a bum arm, or
—A drug problem, and not drugs of the performance-enhacning variety, or
—Both of the above.
This is one more typical, penny-wise and pound-foolish move from our increasingly destructive front office.
ReplyDeleteNEWS: Elite Sports NY (whatever THAT is) claims Ellsberger
a. has plantar fasciitis, whatever that is
b. got it as the result (?) of "running on an anti-gravity machine" -- whatever THAT is
c. won't report to spring training until March (which has, you know, something like 31 days).
OK. Can we trade for Bryce Harper NOW????
That's crazy talk!
ReplyDeleteWhy, we still have five, count 'em, five perfectly good outfielders!!
Except for the one who's too old.
And the one who can't remember his cat's name.
And the one who can't play the field and struck out 211 times last year.
And the one who's projected to hit .227 this year.
And the one who has got injured for a big chunk of the season the last two years, and hit .212 on the road in 2018.
Why we're set, SET, I tells ya!
FUNNY STUFF HOSS...
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter what his offensive projection is...
ReplyDeleteAll that matters is his WAR...
We're doomed. I hope I'm wrong, but it's a strong feeling in the Force.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI really want the world to know about this great man who brought back happiness into my life again after my husband left me and the kids 3 years ago for another women online when i contacted Dr Believe he cast a love spell for me within 48 hours my ex husband start calling me and begging for forgiveness for everything that have happened between us. I was so happy to have my family back together with love again here is the email of Dr Believe via believelovespelltemple@gmail.com a man with the great powers you can also call him or add him on Whats-app: +2348156148821
God bless you
I am very grateful for your help in my marriage.