Kevin Baker's book is here!

Kevin Baker's book is here!
"... an exemplary sports book..." Kirkus Reviews

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Time for A Chat.....



Everyone settled in?

Got a beer, a shot of something 100 proof, some Earl Grey tea perhaps?

I just turned off CC,  struggling in the 5th inning, to keep Houston to 5 runs.  It already seemed like a 4 hour game, and 100 pitches, by our 37 year old lefty.

We have shown nothing on offense since Gardy's lead-off homer, and the consecutive hits by our third and second basemen.  All the big dogs are striking out. And we have logged three errors.

The team has lost 4 of the last 6 and is losing ground to Boston.

What can this portend?

I am requesting that the Yankee brass hold firm.  I implore them not to panic, and succumb to the promises of trading for help.  It is now clear that our starting pitching is as follows ;

1.  We have a legitimate, young ace.
2.  In Tanaka we have a guy who often pitches like an ace.  He has a weakness;  the three run homer. But he wins more than he loses.
3. In Sonny, we have a failure, who pitched one good game and then gives 2-3 clunkers.
4.  CC is doing today, what CC can do  Usually, 5 innings and 5 runs.
5.  German maybe has a future, but not likely this year.
6.  Montgomery will come back when it is too late to matter.

So the obvious move is to trade the great young talent, which cannot get at-bats with the big club,  for pitching.

Here is the problem;  there is no starting pitching available that can match or exceed the talent potential we would have to give up.  And we have succeeded, in a major way, using our youth in positions on the field.  We cannot revert to trading youth for age.  Potential stardom for past glory.

It is the organization's bad choices and poor planning which have failed to develop the pitching staff, and they have to bite the bullet, and pay their price, through patience.  We have some young guys emerging.  But likely not until next season.

I say this;  the only reason everyone is in a stew about the current Yankee dry spell is because the expectation became; " we are going to win it this year."   That is understandable;  we came within a game of the big dance last year and we signed the NL MVP.  But the pitching staff does not allow that expectation.   It didn't from the very beginning.

We should be content to do what we can and not worry about it.  It is our bad fortune to have Boston and Houston both in the AL.  Not to mention some fine teams in Anaheim and Cleveland.  But we need to stay with the plan.  Try some of the younger pitchers.  Bring up "Red Thunder."

Use the season to learn and get right for next year.  We can surely buy some FA pitching in the off season.

We must hold the line.

22 comments:

Local Bargain Jerk said...


Hear, hear.

Leinstery said...

Stanton has me yearning for Ellsbury. Not even kidding. The Yankee Tipper can at least find his way on base and he's not as overpaid.

KD said...

Jeter stuck us with the “worst contract in history”. Now watch him take Red Thunder in a three way trade in which we end up with a 4 month rental of a second tier starter.

KD said...

Behold Bret Gardner and the power of JuJu....

Leinstery said...

Gardy is carrying them. Shame Stanton, Sanchez, and a good other guys are totally useless and they can't capitalize.

Leinstery said...

15 strikeouts 26 outs into the game. Good God, between that and the errors this team is unwatchable currently. Gardy and the occasional Judge solo homerun are the only things they have going on. At least the mighty slugger Giancarlo did his best Jeter impression with the infield tapper. Gary will strikeout.

KD said...

Sanchez is so bad right now. Terrible.

Leinstery said...

Three straight breaking balls down and away and this fucking clown can't figure it out. He is less than worthless, he actively hurts the team with his swiss cheese defense and his Stephen Drew batting.

KD said...

Bring in the Personal Catcher (TM). Sanchez needs a week off.

Leinstery said...

I'd prefer Romine to start for a few weeks. Better defensively (anybody is) and has an approach when he bats, whereas this fucking lunkhead Sanchez just swings out of his shoes at ever goddamn pitch. Romine also fights honorably, as he only fights in self defense, no cheap shots from him.

Leinstery said...

For the love of God DFA Hicks already. His defense is not worth keeping him.

KD said...

The Yankees win! The Yankees win! Ball game over! The Curse of Toe OVER! TenYankeeeeessnWIN!

Leinstery said...

"It's a wonderful day in the Gleyberhood" - John mixing in some Mr. Rogers.

I'm glad Suzyn recognized Gardy as the player of the game, he was most deserving.

KD said...

AnDUhar not so shabby either!

HoraceClarke66 said...

El Matador!! El Conquistador!!!

A tribute to character and luck more than skill, but we'll take it!

HoraceClarke66 said...

Tonight's latest miracle aside, Duque, you are spot on.

As Yogi might have put it, "Why sell out when there's nothing to buy?"

KD said...

How about that bounce back to Sanchez after yet another wild pitch from Chapman?

You just can’t predict baseball....

Anonymous said...

I RATHER SEE THOSE 2 KIDS COME UP IN THE CLUTCH THAN ANYONE ELSE ON OUR CLUB.

GLEYBER, AND ANDUJAR.

SHOCKING HOW NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE PITCHER (AND THEIR PITCHES ARE), THESE 2 GUYS HANG IN THERE AND PUT OUT GREAT AT BATS ALMOST EVERY TIME UP. (ESPECIALLY ANDUJAR).
HE KEEPS MAKING CONTACT, HARD CONTACT, EVEN AGAINST TOUGH RIGHT HANDED SLIDERS.

MAYBE HE CAN TEACH STANTON A THING OR 2 ABOUT HOW TO HIT A SLIDER FROM A RIGHT HANDER.

BIG WIN.

TheWinWarblist said...

AHH-AHH-AAHHHH-AAaAaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHaaaa-ah-ah-ah-aaaaaaaaAaAaHaHaHaaaAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!

Alphonso said...

And notice how Torres got all the credit, save for you guys.

It was Andujar who, twice, with no one on and two men out, hit a double. That left Torres to drive him in, which he did. Both times. And that is a big deal. No doubt.

But if Andujar had struck out, like Sanchez or Stanton, Torres gets no chance for his heroics.

So it is well to note, that Andujar played just as critical a role.

Well done, good and faithful.

HoraceClarke66 said...

I agree completely, ALL-CAPS.

And you're right, Alphonso, Nobody gives proper homage to The Doubles King.

Isiyku Abdulahi said...


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.