Something about this Yankee roster in 2009 seems lacking, the parts are for the most part excellent, it is the sense of the whole team that causes a pause... there are weaknesses: lack of speed, defensive range, and high on-base/ wearing at-bats. The weakness in 2008 was not so much the pitching, the five to eight losses that would have put them in the playoffs against Boston and Tampa, those awful losses to Baltimore and Toronto when the offense was shut down by strong pitching...were more due to the failure of the team effort on offense. Cabrera and Cano, sometimes Molina and the role players gave in far too many times, one and two pitch at-bats with runners on base in key situations. They have added some tough at bats, Swisher for one, Teixera for another...and they have brought back situational hitting with Matsui.
The solution could be in hand or at hand: Ramirez would be a DH for the ages, Griffey has a decent year left especially in a hitter friendly park like the new Yankee Stadium, even Abreu could be helpful. The other idea is to put the pizzazz back in Centerfield by a trade for someone to add speed, offense, on base, and slugging...Grady Sizemore, or a trade for someone like Ichiro. They are a potent offense when Posada gets pushed to number 7, Cano is number 9...and someone like Teixera bats behind ARod in the 5 slot...the key rbi slot in the lineup. Pitching is fine because of the bullpen strength an a tough 1-2-3 combo of CC, AJ, and Pettitte, Wang will be an advantage at the 4 spot and Joba belongs in the pen...but if he stars in the 5 spot he will be an advantage....So...looks like there is one move left to be made for the offense, and plenty to choose from...
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
talkin baseball on a cold winter's day
wrapping cold fingers around a warm mug of tea, sniffling a bit; snow outside is falling again on a good layer already in place...so let's talk baseball.
The Yankees cut payroll and added payroll, but the talk is as of they caused the recession and are rubbing our noses in it. The Yankees are the victims here, Boston bid 174 Million for a player they Yankees signed at 180, so the market was set by...Boston. Now Boston has added Saito, Ramirez, Smoltz, and Penny to a pitching staff that was already 8 deep in starters and ten deep in relievers; Tampa made the biggest improvement by adding Burrell and getting a year older with their young stars, Boston may now add Michael Young and pay less than his salary... all things done because NY added payroll as it cut payroll, rivals have clearly added payroll.
The Yankees will open a new ballpark and play to nearly packed houses at home and on the road, they pay 100 million to the league and other teams; and frankly would be a team who would greatly benefit financially from a salary cap. Say $100m in cap with no minimum ...to satisfy the small mind er... uh ... market owners and the Yankees would turn quite a profit. They would rather spend on the product they put on the field, and their fans...are glad for it.
The Yankees cut payroll and added payroll, but the talk is as of they caused the recession and are rubbing our noses in it. The Yankees are the victims here, Boston bid 174 Million for a player they Yankees signed at 180, so the market was set by...Boston. Now Boston has added Saito, Ramirez, Smoltz, and Penny to a pitching staff that was already 8 deep in starters and ten deep in relievers; Tampa made the biggest improvement by adding Burrell and getting a year older with their young stars, Boston may now add Michael Young and pay less than his salary... all things done because NY added payroll as it cut payroll, rivals have clearly added payroll.
The Yankees will open a new ballpark and play to nearly packed houses at home and on the road, they pay 100 million to the league and other teams; and frankly would be a team who would greatly benefit financially from a salary cap. Say $100m in cap with no minimum ...to satisfy the small mind er... uh ... market owners and the Yankees would turn quite a profit. They would rather spend on the product they put on the field, and their fans...are glad for it.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Yankees '09
A Democrat in the White House, the season has hope. Starting pitching will be a plus with one or more moves remaining the Yankees have a number 1, 2, and 3...CC, A.J. and Wang will match up with any team in the league, the bullpen is a steength if Joba goes back to setup and that us the early key. Humberto Sanchez or someone from the minors is needed to fill 60 innings or so of shut down relief in early innings. The offense has new life with Teixera batting third ARod 4th and someone not on the roster perhaps 5th. Posada, Nady,Matsui and Cano are fine in 6 through 9. Trade and bench from Cabrera, Gardner, Miranda[1B]; Molina is insurance at catcher. Team defense is improved but still the weakness with Damon in CF, or LF; team speed is lacking but many good base runners compensate for the lack of blazing speed and stolen bases.
The Yankees may need to trade to reduce payroll and add the remaining parts needed: Sheets or Pettitte, Manny or Griffey as another strong bat...even Barry Bonds should be considered. The potential is there for a good year from a very good team.
The Yankees may need to trade to reduce payroll and add the remaining parts needed: Sheets or Pettitte, Manny or Griffey as another strong bat...even Barry Bonds should be considered. The potential is there for a good year from a very good team.
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