Hey Jack, looks like you'll have some work to do this year after all. What are you doing now that CTU is gone?
Anyway, I figure it's time to take a look around and see what stupid shit is being said as well as make a few observations. Batting leadoff:
When Brandon Inge talked last weekend about the challenge of hitting and catching, Ivan Rodriguez understood.
It's a hefty job, and after 17 Major League seasons, it's not any easier for Rodriguez. When he comes into camp in the shape that he's in at his age, that's just the start of his work.
Screw being in good shape. Remember when Pudge actually was pudgy? Back when he was a "junk-food" junkie?
1996-2004: .522 SLG
2005-2007: .434 SLG
If I'm Dave Dombrowski, I tell this guy, "Hey, get off the treadmill and go back to eating Big Macs."
After all the work behind the plate catching side sessions and learning pitchers and getting back into game mode, this, he says, is his time to start to focus each day on refining his swing.
You should focus each day on refining your not-swing.
2005: 11 BB in 504 AB
2006: 26 BB in 547 AB
2007: 9 BB in 502 AB
You don't have to be Kevin Youkilis and never swing at anything, but come on. Take some damn pitches.
The key for Rodriguez, certainly at the plate, will be his discipline.
That's more like it.
Now, time to check out what professional curmudgeon, Murray Chass, has to say.
The Yankees have made two major decisions since the end of last season that they could come to regret this season. Last October there was Joe Torre; more recently there was Johan Santana.
Ohhhhhhh boy...this sounds like it's going to be one of my favorites!
The Yankees fared so well in Torre’s dozen years as manager — 4 World Series titles, 6 American League pennants, 12 playoff appearances — most people came to believe that only he could manage the team to October.
Most people are morons.
1996-2001
Tino Martinez: 175 HR
Bernie Williams: OPS's of .926, .952, .997, .971, .957, .917
Paul O'Neill: .297 BA, 102 HR, 604 RBI
Derek Jeter: .321 BA, 99 HR, 135 SB (77% successful)
Andy Pettitte: ERA+s of 129, 155, 104, 101, 111, 112
David Cone (1997-1999): ERA+s of 159, 124, 137 and 9.18 K/9 IP
Mariano Rivera: 466.1 IP, 215 SV, 100% invincible
Are you telling me that a team with players of this caliber could only be managed by Joe Torre?
Torre’s greatest managerial attribute was his ability to manage his players, keeping them happy even if they were former everyday players who were reduced to utility roles.
I agree. Because aside from that, he doesn't get pitching. I also am beginning to wonder what he did to prepare the players in spring training the last few years. The Yankees have been getting off to bad starts the past few seasons. A fair amount of players have been slow out of the gate and then pick up later in the season. Now, this spring training, some players (Mike Mussina) have been talking about how they did more running in one day under Girardi than they did in all of some spring trainings. That strength and conditioning coach didn't know what the hell he was doing, but maybe the buck doesn't stop there...I don't know. I'm just speculating.
Joe Girardi has managed only one year, but in that year, 2006 with Florida, he demonstrated enough knowledge and ability that I believe he could have done at least as well as Torre. He might have done even better, because he would most likely have run the pitching staff more efficiently than Torre. It is unlikely that Girardi will overuse and wear out some of his relievers and ignore others the way Torre did.
Hey!!! There you go!
If there’s one element of the team that could undermine Girardi’s chances of winning, it’s the pitching, and that is where the decision not to pursue a Santana trade could create regrets.
Oh no you don't go.
Entering a brave new world, the Yankees this year are counting on young pitchers. The change in philosophy, advocated by General Manager Brian Cashman, is admirable, but is it completely smart?
I think so.
Maybe Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain will become the reincarnation of Vic Raschi, Allie Reynolds and Eddie Lopat. But maybe they will be more reminiscent of Andy Hawkins, Dave LaPoint and Tim Leary, vintage 1990.
All three of these guys dominated the minor leagues. All three are number 1 picks. All three are now MLB-ready. Not at their primes, but ready to face MLB-hitters. All three cost nothing. What is the opportunity cost? Johan Santana. Yes, best pitcher in baseball. Blahblahblah. But the Twins wanted Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, and Melky Cabrera. Two of our three number 1 draft picks who dominated the minors, and our centerfielder for the future. Oh I know what you're going to say..."But he's Johan Santana!!! And then you coulda signed Aaron Rowand or Torii Hunter!!!"
And let's see how much that would cost going at their current contracts...
Johan Santana: 6 years, $120 million
Aaron Rowand: 5 years, $60 million
Torii Hunter: 5 years, $90 million
Yeah, let's spend $38 million more a year and achieve marginal to no improvement.
Maybe they will be everything the Yankees expect them to be. Maybe they will all succeed from the start. But maybe they won’t. Maybe they’ll stumble and sputter and need time to develop into consistent winners.
The point is, Hughes, Kennedy and Chamberlain don’t come with guarantees. Santana does.
Does he really? The guy is turning 29. Still young, but he had a bit of a downyear for him at age 28 last year, surrendering 33 HR. The guy will still be very good, but:
a) he costs a ton of money
b) while he'll still be very good, he's going to be able to dominate for fewer innings each year
c) just because he's had no injury trouble in the past does not mean he's not going to as he reaches his 30s
Had the Yankees sent Hughes to the Twins for Santana, it would not have been Scott Kazmir for Víctor Zambrano. Had the Yankees traded Hughes, they would still have had Kennedy and Chamberlain.
But they wanted more than just Hughes, you schmuck. The Twins wanted Kennedy, too. And Melky Cabrera.
My God...Santana's name now makes me nauseous. As a result, I'm going to go get drunk...perfect solution.
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