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While you were busy watching the Bills choke, the Yankees beat the Angels

Posted by Rebecca Glass at 10:44 pm 4 Responses »
Sep 142009

The Yankees did something tonight they have not done much this season: they beat the Los Angeles Angels (of Anaheim, of the US, of the Galaxy…).

The game was played as though it was a playoff game–low scoring, with some key defensive plays and small-ball run scoring. Considering that right now the Yankees and Angels could potentially meet in the ALCS, this is not something that should pass entirely without comment.

Though Joba Chamberlain pitched only four innings, he did look the best he has looked in a while. His only mistake was a home run to Vladimir Guerrerro.

The Yankee bullpen–Alfredo Aceves, Phil Coke, Phil Hughes and Mariano–was not perfect, but was able to limit any damage so that the Angels never had more than a one run lead at any point of the game. The bullpen tonight was best epitomized by Phil Hughes: he issued a walk to load with no one out, but allowed only one run to score–so the Yankee offense, which also wasn’t great tonight, was still close enough to come back and take the lead.

Mark Teixeira easily had the best night on the offense, but Nick Swisher homering again (I’m half-serious here, folks) is also worth mentioning. It’s the law of averages realizing that Swisher’s home/road splits really are a little too weird.

The Yankees more or less beat the Angels tonight with small ball–the same way the Angels usually beat the Yankees. In the eighth inning, Brett Gardner pinch ran for Mark Teixeira, attempted to steal third, and then going home when the throw to third went into the field.

To remove Mark Teixeira from the game was no small thing–Teixeira’s an MVP candidate, and Gardner’s only real asset is his speed–but this is the type of season 2009 has been for the Yankees. Things tend to work out.

“We don’t always want to be a club that has to hit the ball out of the park to score runs,” Girardi said on the postgame.

Today’s game certainly epitomized that.

In the end, the Yankees gain a game in the race for home field advantage, lower their magic number to 12, and get to beat the Angels in the process.

It’s easy to say what-if, but sometimes it’s better to just enjoy the result.

What to make of Brian Bruney

Posted by Chris H. at 6:15 pm 10 Responses »
Sep 142009

Brian Bruney is a bullpen anomaly.

After posting a 4.86 ERA in the first half, Bruney has seemingly settled down since the All-Star break, throwing 16 1/3 innings of 3.31 ERA ball. However, Bruney’s ERA is a beautiful illusion—the product of good luck and good defense. Over the last 30 days, Bruney has pitched 7 1/3 innings. During this period, he has a .176 BABIP and an 8.81 FIP. He also has a 2.45 K/9 and a 12.27 BB/9. Still, despite these numbers, Bruney’s ERA is a mere 1.23 over the last 30 days. Remarkable, right?

Because of his second half, Bruney’s season ERA has fallen to 4.09 (his season FIP is 5.33). As evidenced by his 8.18 K/9, Bruney can still punch out batters with regularity, however, his main problem is command. He walks 6 per 9 and has not been an efficient reliever.

At some point—not this season, but over the winter—the Yankees are going to have to figure out what they have with him. He can’t really be trusted in the later innings due to his propensity to walk batters, so what’s the point of keeping him around? Does he really deserve to be with the team? He has good stuff, but, at what point does stuff become irrelevant if you can’t throw strikes?

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The Yankees' Balanced Lineup

Posted by Moshe Mandel at 4:15 pm 2 Responses »
Sep 142009

From Joel Sherman:

Robinson Cano is hitting .301 vs. lefty pitchers, the same as Joe Mauer. But Cano has a .551 slugging percentage vs. southpaws as compared to Mauer’s .446. In fact, Cano has the second-best slugging percentage in the AL when it comes to lefty batters vs. lefty pitchers (minimum 100 plate appearances). The No. 1 spot belongs to Hideki Matsui at .564.

This got me thinking about how incredibly balanced the Yankees lineup is, largely due to their 4 switch hitters, as well as having lefties who can handle left-handed pitching. Here are the relevant numbers.

Team v. LHP as RH: .291/.381/.469
Team v. LHP as LH: .283/.338/.520
Team v. RHP as RH: .279/.359/.430
Team v. RHP as LH: .282/.361/.494

Here are the numbers by individual:

Vs. LHP
Derek Jeter: .410/.481/.571
Johnny Damon: .281/.347/.469
Mark Teixeira: .306/.399/.500
Alex Rodriguez: .264/.402/.500
Hideki Matsui: .269/.343/.588
Jorge Posada: .296/.354/.496
Robinson Cano: .299/.327/.542
Nick Swisher: .255/.398/.503
Melky Cabrera: .266/.344/.427

Vs. RHP
Derek Jeter: .302/.366/.432
Johnny Damon: .288/.380/.521
Mark Teixeira: .266/.365/.554
Alex Rodriguez: .296/.413/.532
Hideki Matsui: .277/.375/.477
Jorge Posada: .277/.360/.545
Robinson Cano: .328/.360/.501
Nick Swisher: .249/.359/.492
Melky Cabrera: .286/.340/.429

This makes for a total line against lefties of .288/.367/.487, while the Yankees hit righties at a .281/.360/.477. Those two lines are very similar, and reflect the Yankees ability to match-up with an opponent regardless of the handedness of the pitcher. In recent years, the Yankees had been susceptible to solid left-handed pitching, but no longer. It truly is a versatile, deep lineup that should not fear any pitching staff in baseball.

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Yanks call up Guzman, DFA Claggett

Posted by Chris H. at 2:15 pm 5 Responses »
Sep 142009

From Chad Jennings:

In a move that seemed to catch every player in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees clubhouse offguard, the New York Yankees called up speedy outfielder Freddy Guzman this morning. To make room for Guzman on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Anthony Claggett (right) was designated for assignment.

The move makes Claggett ineligible for the Triple-A playoff roster. He’s going home tomorrow and he’ll wait there to find out whether he clears waivers, gets picked up or is traded for the second time in his career.

Guzman was acquired at the end of August and looks to serve the team as a pinch runner upon his arrival. Since joining Scranton, he has stolen 7 bases in 6 games (this season, he has stolen 45 bases while being caught 9 times). Though it is a strange move since they had to DFA Claggett in order to make room for Guzman—a nobody—I like the speed that they’re adding off the bench. He’s got no bat, but the wheels can be useful down the stretch.

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A-Rod on Umpire Marty Foster

Posted by Moshe Mandel at 12:12 pm 7 Responses »
Sep 142009

From Marc Carig:

“I knew it was a ball,” said Rodriguez, about the called strike he took on 2-2 fastball with the bases loaded, two outs and his team tied in the fourth inning on Sunday afternoon. “And then when I went inside to confirm it, I was even more upset.”
[snip]
This isn’t the Yankees’ first disagreement with Foster, a 10-year veteran who has worked an All-Star Game and two postseason series. On July 6 against the Blue Jays, Foster called Derek Jeter out on an attempted steal of third base. Replays showed that even though the ball beat Jeter to the bag, Jeter beat the tag.

After the game, Jeter said that Foster told him that he didn’t have to be tagged to be called out.

“I was baffled by the explanation,” Jeter told reporters. “I was told I was out because the ball beat me and he didn’t have to tag me. I was unaware of that change in the rules.”

Girardi and crew chief Wally Bell played down the connection. But Rodriguez, recounting the earlier incident with Jeter, said Foster had told his teammate to “get off the field.” In Jeter’s case, and later in his own, Rodriguez called Foster’s conduct “very unprofessional.”

Said Rodriguez: “I don’t know what his deal is with the Yankees.”

I am not sure that Foster had any issues with the Yankees coming into this game, but I would not be surprised if he does now that A-Rod suggested that he bears a grudge against the Yankees. Foster got the call wrong in both cases, and did not acquit himself exceptionally well in the aftermath of either situation. Considering the explanation that he gave Jeter and the lack of a warning to A-Rod, Foster does not seem to be the most reasonable of fellows. Now the Yankees may have a problem on their hands, being that Foster is widely considered to be a decent umpire and is almost certain to be working the AL playoffs. Hopefully he does not seize the opportunity to take matters into his own hands in October, and allows the players to settle matters.

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Willie Mays could have been a Yankee

Posted by Steve S. at 7:02 am 1 Response »
Sep 142009

Not just Willie, many of the best Negro League players were offered to the Yankees before winding up elsewhere. John Klima, the author of Willie’s Boys: The 1948 Birmingham Black Barons has an article in the New York Times discussing what he found in his research for his book. He writes:

Willie Mays could have been a Yankee. In the 13 months leading up to his acquisition by the New York Giants on June 20, 1950, the Yankees received numerous tips about Mays, then a teenager who was considered the best player in the Negro leagues.

The story of how he got away is a window into a time when the Yankees resisted baseball integration with discriminatory policies that cost them the best talent available in the years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947.

He continues:

(part time Yankee scout) Press pleaded with (Yankee advisor) Paul Krichell, the Yankees’ head scout, to see Mays. In a letter to Krichell, Press raved about players but expressed dismay that the Yankees had chosen to ignore black prospects.

“You could have had practically all of them, just for the asking,” Press wrote, naming several players, including Davis and Mays.

Klima goes on to add that HOF Shortstop Ernie Banks was another player who was the Yanks for the asking, but they passed.The Yanks had the forgettable Billy Hunter (1955), Gil McDougald (56-60) and Tony Kubek (61-65). McDougald and Kubek were good players, but they weren’t close to Banks. Banks first full season in the bigs was 1954, and Phil Rizzuto was done by 1955, so Banks could have took over after Rizzuto and been a cornerstone player.

The very thought of an outfield of Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Hank Bauer/Roger Maris is almost impossible to fathom. It would be among the best of all time, if not the clear winner. The 1961 team would have been even more storied, if at all possible. It’s hard to argue the Yanks would have won more, during Mays’ prime (54-66) the Yanks had 9 World Series appearances and won 4 World Series championships. But he very well could have been the difference in a few of those series, and Joe Girardi might be wearing #30 on his back today.

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What Active Players Belong In The HOF?

Posted by EJ Fagan at 1:06 am 30 Responses »
Sep 142009

This week, we saw two historic achievements by Derek Jeter and Ichiro Suzuki. They got me thinking: which active (and recently retired) players belong in the Hall of Fame? Our era has produced a lot of superstars – more than I realized before I tried to put together a list – and they could start crowding the Hall of Fame pretty quickly. My list:

The No-Doubters

  • Albert Pujols
  • Greg Maddux
  • Derek Jeter
  • Mariano Rivera
  • Ivan Rodriguez
  • Pedro Martinez
  • Randy Johnson
  • Ichiro Suzuki
  • Craig Biggio
  • Tom Glavine
  • Trevor Hoffman
  • Frank Thomas
  • Ken Griffey Jr.
  • Mike Piazza

We’re looking at an impressive list. Pedro Martinez sports the best ERA+ in MLB history. Ivan Rodriguez has a case for being best catcher of all time. Ichiro Suzuki may hit 3,000 hits despite his odd career path. Greg Maddux is somehow underrated, despite being one of the best pitchers in baseball history. Albert Pujols may be the closest thing that this generation has to a Lou Gehrig. Mariano Rivera has somehow compiled a ridiculous 202 ERA+ in his career, 50 points higher than anyone else who has pitched over 1,000 innings.

The Borderlines

  • Jorge Posada
  • Jeff Bagwell
  • Jim Thome
  • John Smoltz
  • Vlad Guerrero
  • Todd Helton
  • Lance Berkman
  • Chipper Jones
  • Omar Vizquel

Most of these guys will not make the Hall, but some will. Smoltz has an interesting relief/starting career and is well-liked by the press. Guerrero was more dominant than people realize. Guys like Helton, Berkman, and Thome will be a real test of Hall voters: can they distinguish between guys who were very valuable offensive players even if they didn’t hit 500+ home runs? We’ll see. I don’t give Hall voters much credit.

The Steroid Crew

  • Barry Bonds
  • Roger Clemens
  • Rafael Palmeiro
  • Alex Rodriguez
  • Manny Ramirez
  • Gary Sheffield
  • Sammy Sosa

What happens to these guys? Every one has hall-worthy numbers. There is a good case that Barry Bonds was a better player, strictly by the numbers, than anyone since Babe Ruth. Clemens could have gone down as the best pitcher ever. Alex Rodriguez could hit 700 home runs. Hall of Fame voters will likely spite a few and let the others in. Steroids or not, Bonds, Arod, and Clemens are inner-circle cooperstowners, and Manny and Sosa absolutely should get in too.

This seems like a huge list to me. When I look at the past few years of Hall of Fame ballots, I see few players that I truly believe deserve entry. Guys like Goose Gossage, Jim Rice, and Bruce Sutter would be near the bottom of the “Borderline” list if I had included them. Are we seeing more Hall of Famers for some particular reason today? Or are we (or I) inflating the value of present-day players?

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Minors Recap, 9/13

Posted by Eric Schultz at 12:33 am No Responses »
Sep 142009

Tampa falls to Charlotte, 9-2 (series tied 1-1, best of 5)

  • David Phelps got the start, giving up 6 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits and a walk in 2 1/3 innings.
  • Jairo Heredia gave up 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits in 3 2/3 innings, with 3 strikeouts.
  • Adam Olbrychowski struck out 2 and gave up 2 hits in a shutout inning of relief.
  • Phil Bartelski walked 1 in a scoreless inning of work.
  • Dan Brewer was 2 for 3.
  • David Adams, Austin Romine, and Damon Sublett were each 1 for 4.
  • Jack Rye was 1 for 3 with a walk.
  • Walter Ibarra was 1 for 4.

Robert Pimpsner, who has covered the Staten Island Yankees over the last few seasons, has updates on a few injured prospects.  Arodys Vizcaino, sidelined with a back injury for the last month, is long-tossing, and will be ready to pitch in instructional league.  Caleb Cotham, the Yankees’ 5th-rounder out of Vanderbilt, was shut down after aggravating his previous knee injury.  Neil Medchill, the powerhitting outfielder from Oklahoma State, will have wrist surgery.  All of these guys would be big assets to SI in their upcoming series against Mahoning Valley for the league championship. Scheduled to start in the 3-game series are Adam Warren, Sean Black, and Jose Ramirez (who was promoted from the GCL).

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