Saturday, March 27, 2021

"No, it wasn't those airplanes. It was the Bullpen that killed the Yankee Beast."

Last night, Aroldis Chapman took up where 2020 left off. 

He came in for the seventh, a scoreless dual with mighty Baltimore, and did for the Yankees what gender-reveal parties did last year for California wildfires. 

It began with a bloop single, which is the second worst thing that can happen when El Chapo enters a game. This was followed by the worst thing: The entrance of a speedy pinch-runner. Something about jackrabbit pinch-runners - their long leads, their obvious plans to steal second - has a tendency to unhinge Chapman.

It's a good thing nobody in baseball knows this. Otherwise, well, we'd have to start worrying. 

Stressed about the pinch-runner, Aroldis uncorked a wild pitch so high that Gary Sanchez waved at it like a passing plane. That put the pinch-runner on second - no more worries that he'd steal! - and El Chapo then gave up a run-scoring single. 

Then a double. That put runners on second and third. Did I mention there are no outs? Chapman threw another wild pitch - this one nearly killed the batter - scoring the second run. Did I mention no outs? Then he unleashed another wild pitch - Gary just started running after it, as soon as it left Aroldis' hand - scoring run number three.  

At this point, El Chapo did manage to strike out the, by-then, terrified batter. He left the game to a round of boos, which could also be attributed to the arrival of Nick Goody, who has had a tough spring. 

Let me run some spring ERAs by you.

Chad Green 5.06
Chapman 6.23
Luis Cessa 6.75
Michael King 7.04
Tyler Lyons 7.11
Justin Wilson 23.14

What does it say when the most hopeful thing about your bullpen is that the worst of them (Wilson) is out with an injury?

Okay, yeah, I know what you're thinking: March stats mean nothing. It's a time for veteran pitchers to try new grips, launch angles, etc. But the Yankees are heading into April with half their bullpen in shambles. 

We do have Nick Nelson, Lucas Luetge, Jonathan Loaisiga and Darren O'Day - but who in that crowd is a sure thing?) Concerns about the rotation have masked the steady deterioration of the bullpen. Zack Britton might not be back until July. 

We can look at the Yankee batting order and feel good about our chances. But no lead will be safe, and that, my friends, is a cause for concern.


6 comments:

  1. We've signed Chapman to beyond his sell-by date. Which we've already passed.

    It's galling enough that we still have to put up with him, but what makes it totally maddening is that it comes after all those years of the great Mariano.

    Who, by the way, was always cool and collected, and never sweat buckets.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A few thoughts...

    1) " and did for the Yankees what gender-reveal parties did last year for California wildfires. "

    Good one.

    2) Tanaka is out with a calf injury. 3-4 weeks (so far)

    Maybe we got lucky.

    3) The Bullpen

    Too bad we couldn't come up with a few extra million to sign any one of the top relievers that changed teams this off season. But, you know... luxury taxes and all.

    BTW According to Forbes the franchise is worth, 5.25 BILLION DOLLARS.
    But, you know... Luxury taxes and all.


    4) Last - Speaking of Forbes apparently money is a curse.

    The three top franchises in their sport. (In terms of worth.)

    Dallas Cowboys - Last Championship 1996
    New York Yankees - One title in the last 20 years.
    The New York Knicks - 1973.

    Just sayin'

    Doug K.




    ReplyDelete
  3. @ Doug K. Forbes estimates NYY at 5 and a quarter billion. I wonder how the hell they would estimate that value. If I was Prince Hal, I'd demand at least 20 billion for the NYY. If I was a zillionaire looking to buy, I'd pay just about anything to be the new owner of the NYY. Well, maybe only up to $30 billion.... But Prince Hal had better start shaping up, because another lousy playoff exit or no playoff at all ... and this club starts looking like it's highly overpriced.

    The bullpen needed a major overhaul, but we got a bandaid instead. So it looks like the typical Cashman deal: just sit tight and hope for the best. If the wheels fall off, then do another quick fix. Nothing very constructive happened over the winter, unless you count getting two starting pitchers who are held together with duct tape and safety pins. If those guys stay healthy, then perhaps we'll have a surplus of starters, which can help out our bullpen. Thing is, though, that everyone in baseball has a tendency to use relievers one inning at a time. It seems no reliever pitches more than two innings in a game, ever. I would like to see our surplus starters coming into a game and finishing it off. That way, you save the other arsonists for the next conflagration, uh, game.

    The Hammer of God

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pitching? Pitching? We don't need no stinking pitching!

    ReplyDelete

  5. I 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.

    ReplyDelete

  6. LOTTO, lottery,jackpot.
    Hello all my viewers, I am very happy for sharing this great testimonies,The best thing that has ever happened in my life is how I win the lottery euro million mega jackpot. I am a Woman who believe that one day I will win the lottery. finally my dreams came through when I email believelovespelltemple@gmail.com and tell him I need the lottery numbers. I have spend so much money on ticket just to make sure I win. But I never know that winning was so easy until the day I meant the spell caster online which so many people has talked about that he is very great in casting lottery spell, . so I decide to give it a try.I contacted this great Dr Believe and he did a spell and he gave me the winning lottery numbers. But believe me when the draws were out I was among winners. I win 30,000 million Dollar. Dr Believe truly you are the best, all thanks to you forever

    ReplyDelete

Members of the blog can comment. To receive an e-mailed invitation, write to johnandsuzyn@gmail.com. And check spam if it doesn't show up. (Google account required.)

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.