These games don't matter. Everybody knows this. Just last year, the Yanks went 13-18 in the meaningless Grapefruit League, and look how they rebounded - a whopping 82 regular season wins!
Nope, zero concern here. Move along, there's nothing to see. Have another Angel's Envy. Yesterday, our zeros heroes scrounged up three (3) hits (by Verdugo, Grisham, & Cabrera), against the famed Tigers' pitching staff of Koufax, Drysdale, Podres Mize, Chafin, Lange, et al. They scored no runs (0) en route to a 7-0 spanking, their 3rd straight loss and 7th in the last 10 games. They are in a spring slump.
So I keep repeating the gibberish: It just doesn't matter. Trouble is, the things that DO matter - injuries - are tumbling in like ballots from the outer parishes of Louisiana. What's especially troubling is how the Yankees are dealing with them - singing "LALALA" and grabbing the Calgon Bath Oil Beads.
Three days ago, there was a obvious path to dealing with the chance that Gerrit Cole will miss much, if not most, of 2024: Sign Jordan Montgomery.
Let's recognize that they've irreparably pissed off Blake Snell - he'll hate us forever -by simultaneously badmouthing and poormouthing the guy. But Montgomery is still out there, waiting for some team to pay him what he's worth, and it's sad that Hal Steinbrenner is home, refusing to answer the phone. They have one move: Sign Montgomery - now, as they should have done in December - and save themselves from having to desperately secure another JA Happ/Frankie Montas/Andrew Heaney in July.
But the weirdest issue is Aaron Judge. Two days after he has an MRI on his abdomen - abdomen, WTF? is he constipated? - the Yankees are poo-pooing the matter and assuring us that all his fine - that Timmy merely ate the wrong berries, that Lassie has come home, that Uncle Joe merely has gout, and that Aaron will suit up this weekend. Uh huh. Judge was supposedly feeling "beat up," so - along with some Tums for the Tummy, they sent him for an MRI? Is that how we deal with farting? A body scan?
Listen: Somebody feared something much worse than the runs, and even though it happened at the absolute worst day possible - Gerrit Cole Injury Day - they sent Judge to get bombarded by gamma rays, or sonic beams, or whatever it is they do in those infernal machines. Apparently, the MRI didn't show anything, so they're rubbing dirt on his gut and sending him back to play his regular three innings.
Something weird here. Something is very wrong. But take heart, everybody. It just doesn't matter.
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11 comments:
We are doomed.
Cash is incompetent.
Hal is greedy.
Boone is...well, Boone.
But great news! A source says Cole does not need TJ surgery!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!!
We might have one effective starter. Pop the corks, boys. This is as good as it gets this year.
Remember Tanaka's avoidance of TJ? Loved the guy, but not as effective post elbow pain. Still a very effective pro. Anyway, the last couple years, every Tanka start was a tightrope walk. Will it pop this time? Exciting! And he didnt dominate. That was over. Crafty, still usually got it done through 5. But that was it. Best case scenario fo Cole now, I think, if he figures out how to pitch effectively while protecting his elbow. I suppose most truly great pitchers have to adjust at some point to diminishing physical prowess and/or injury. The very best figure it out. Cole's turn.
Our reigning Psy-Young pitcher has always been a bit of a head case.
Things can get under this skin . . . especially when they're already there - like a balking ulnar collateral ligament that refuses to get loose between starts.
But to his credit - Cole likes to coach. He has opinions and he expects to be heard.
Perhaps HE can influence the flatulent front office to make a move and acquire someone to HIS liking - a pitcher that has the chops to pick up the slack and hold down the fort until the BIG FLOUNCE gets back on the bump.
(or not - - - as we know)
1) Angels Envy is a really good bourbon.
2) I read that Stroman doesn't want to pitch opening day preferring to, "stay on schedule". My guess is he's probably preferring to, "face the 3rd best pitcher"
3) Publius makes a good point about Tanka an Cole. I guess we can only hope.
4) If no one signs Snell or Monty and the season begins... wow. That's a big shift in what teams are willing to pay and might be helpful with resigning Soto next year.
5) Plus, chances are that without a full spring training they will get hurt or be less effective for a month or so. Even if they are throwing regularly it won't be in real games and real situations against better opponents.
The non leadership of pompous putz Cashman. Now Strohman refuses to pitch the opener. Does not look like a good signing. As long as Genius Cashman is in charge, the Yankees will be a joke.
Someone needs to explain to me, perhaps as you would to a child, why a SP gets to choose when and how he will pitch? If a player refuses to play he can and should be suspended w/o pay (Hal: “Great idea, BTR!) it’s gonna be a long year with this Prima Donna.
BTR -
"it’s gonna be a long year with this Prima Donna."
True dat. That said, Stroman claimed that he didn't want to mess with his schedule because it might open himself up to injury. I suppose there is some validity to it but it seems pretty weak to me.
The way things are going we might be looking at Clark Schmidt as our opening day starter.
Oh well... at least Yamamoto has a sky high ERA so far.
In his final game before the season he struck out seven in 4 2/3 innings but gave up four runs. Maybe the bigger ball is giving him trouble or maybe I've got a bad case of sour grapes.
Looks as if our opening day starter will be NASTY . . .
I wish YY no good, as I wish no Dodgers any good, ever.
I've always been a little disappointed in Cole, but that's probably more on me than him. He gave us four good years, including that Cy Young season.
Very true what Publius says about Tanaka—but again, a decent career with us, including a 1.88 ERA in 4 ALCS starts.
And as for Stroman...yeah, I agree. A lifetime, .500 pitcher who got at least $37 million in his last contract, and perhaps as much as $55 million...and he's going to tell us when he will pitch. Sigh. I see Marcus has learned nothing from his past.
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