The X-Factors

When the 2010 season started, the Yankees roster seemed good enough to challenge for another World Series ring. I mean come on the pitching is filthy, the line-up is stacked with weapons of all shapes and sizes and gaining post-season and World Series experience is always precious. What was expected from the outfield though? Curtis Granderson was supposed to bolster that group, but could fan favorites Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner play at a high enough level to keep this machine running smoothly? The doubters were definitely out there, but Gardner and Swisher have done nothing but prove them wrong as they’ve been centerpieces of this Yankee offense thus far.

When Brett emerged with the Yankees, I instantly loved the guy. He hustled, stole bases, and added a dimension to the team that we hadn’t seen in a while. However, one Yankee fan I know, a Miami (Ohio) alum, had doubts and told me when Bretty G came up that he would never make it as a starter. “He can’t hit for squat, and his arm is weaker than my Mother’s” was along the lines of what he said, and I couldn’t really argue. He made progress last year, appearing in 108 games while hitting .270 with 26 stolen bases, but coming off the bench as a speed guy seemed like it would be Gardner’s role forever. I’m not sure if A-Rod slipped a little HGH in the kid’s Gatorade, but Brett has come back this season looking jacked and ready to swing a big stick. He’s hitting .333 with 14 stolen bases in 15 tries, and just seems way more comfortable at the plate. His hit streak of 11 games was just snapped last night in Detroit, but that’s the type of consistency we hope to see more of as the season rolls on. Good start Brett, now keep it goin’.

We all knew Swish would be good for hitting 25 homers with high energy play while keeping the clubhouse loose, but questions regarding his defense and low average loomed entering this season. However, he too has answered the bell. Nick has been “Swishing and Dishing” as my man Walt Clyde would say, hitting .306 with 7 homers and 24 RBIs in 30 games. That’s been key as his solid hitting has allowed Girardi to be flexible with Nick’s spot in the order. I actually like him a lot hitting in the two hole while Nick Johnson is rehabbing at the buffet. Swisher is a switch-hitter who has been getting on base, hitting for power AND average, and he packs MONSTER lips which is great to see. As for his defense, he isn’t Ichiro out there in right, but he hustles after every ball, plays hard, and loves getting the fans into it. Swish aint winning any batting titles anytime soon, but we don’t need him to. A steady offensive output and OK defense from Swish is all the Yankees need. Let’s face it, we don’t want to see Randy Winn or Marcus Thames playing any more then they are now so keep crushin it Nick.

The Yanks continue their series with Detroit tonight when Javier Vazquez returns to face Rick Porcello, so keep an eye on Brett bouncing back from his first hitless game in a while. As for Swish, he looks to keep a 5 game hitting streak of his own alive tonight.

Shout out to my man Nick for his birthday today

Brew

3 Negatives for the Yanks

1) Granderson to the DL

Granderson hitting the 15-day DL is a HUGE concern for the Yanks.  Last week I had absurd amounts of schoolwork so I didn’t get the chance to write the blog, but one of my 3 positives was going to be Granderson’s play in the outfield. Curtis Granderson is simply perfect for the Yankees.  His swing is ideal for the short porch in right.  He hit the most homeruns to right field in baseball last year (or something like that).  Adding the ridiculous porch at the Stadium into the mix, Granderson looks like he could really emerge as a dominant centerfielder for the Yanks.  Grandy got off to an okay start by hitting .225 in the first month, but his speed and athleticism are what make him a perfect fit for the Yanks.  He is second on the team with 4 steals and is exactly what we need from the 7 hole.  His speed is crucial for the Yanks this year.  We are used to having freakin’ Jorge grounding into a million double plays a year in the 7 spot, but now we have a speedy hitter with some pop in his bat beating out double plays like it is his job.  He has hit into 1 in the last 100 and some odd games, which is simply awesome, but lets not forget he strikes out a lot.  In the field, Granderson has 3 assists already, which is more than Bretty G and Swish combined. Having Grandy and Bretty G, “the Yankee’s Ichiro,” (Thanks to Ronny Washington) deep in the lineup allows Girardi to be creative and play a little small-ball, (Steals, Hit and Runs, Bunts, ect.).  Grandy looks to be a defensive upgrade in center over Damon.  His mixture of awareness and speed make him dangerous in the outfield.  All these positives aside, Bretty G and Swish are going to need to step up with the absence of Grandy.  We have a tough stretch coming up with series with the Sox, Twins, and Rays and the absence of Grandy is going to hurt us no doubt, but lets hope Bretty G and Swish step it up enough where we get by without Grandy.

 

2) Bullpen Pitching

Robertson, Marte, and Park all have ERAs over 4, which is simply unacceptable for pitchers in the Yankee’s bullpen.  Robertson is holding onto his major league spot by a hair.  He has two blown saves, 11 hits, and 8 ER in 5 2/3 innings.  I would rather pull Mike Stanton out of retirement and let him lace them up because it is pretty hard to do worse than Robertson.  I don’t want to give up on Robertson because last year he was a hidden gem out of the bullpen for us while posting a 3.30 ERA.  He is still posting the strikeouts, (8 in 5 2/3 IP) but is way too hittable to be appearing in the late innings for the Yanks.  Chan Ho Park has been up and down this year.  His peak, the 3 innings of work en route to a win against Boston early in the year.  His other two appearances were tough making his ERA 4.76 for the year.  I don’t see Park’s struggles really having a huge impact on the Yanks simply because Girardi has started to, and I think will continue to, shy away from him.  Marte has pitched well for most of the first month, but had one tough outing en route to a 8-4 loss against the Angels, which is the reason for his 5.40 ERA. 

Robertson, in my mind, needs to head up to Scranton and figure out his location issues.  He will be (or more like I hope he will be) reliable again as he was last year.  Park’s issues are concerning me as much because we have proved we can win without him this year.  Marte will get over his one tough outing and be another solid 1 inning guy out of the pen.

 

 

3) Tough stretch coming up

So far, I am loving how the Yanks are playing.  This next 2-3 weeks are really going to show how good the Yanks really are.  We have a three game series at Fenway, which we know will be great.  Then we have Detroit, who is 16-11, the Twins, another two game set with Boston at the Stadium, and then Tampa and the Mets.  If the Yanks can get through this stretch impressively, we are golden.

 

PS: This whole Jorge to the DL thing is troubling as well.  Cervelli is hitting the crap out of the ball though, maybe a good thing?  Wel’ll see.

CBAB

The Angry Ones

by Richard Gonyeau

May 7, 2010

  I was recently involved in a friendly debate about the "unwritten rules" of baseball (and subsequently the DH rule) with the Angry Ones over on giantsmix.com. I kept trying to state my point, but they all quickly came out of the woodwork to raise irrational, immature arguments. They told me that the American League version of the game is wrong, and that it's 'fake baseball.' They all assume to know much more about the game than I do, because I didn't play past little league. (Evidently the writers/readers at giantsmix.com are all ex-professional baseball players.) They trashed ARod, and called the Yankees 'cheaters' for a reason I still can't figure out, because it was never properly explained to me. To see their inane arguments in the comments field, click here.

It occurred to me then, that non-Yankee fans really do hate the Yankees and their players with a passion. I have trouble relating to this, because I like all baseball teams. Ok, maybe not the Red Sox. But I respect them as a worthy adversary. Unfortunately, fans of other teams do not view the Yankees in the same light. And so, I dub them 'the Angry Ones,' because they are in fact, quite angry.

I have an explanation for their intense negativity: the Yankees are the most popular team in baseball. They are one of the best teams, competing in the best division in baseball: the AL East. These facts have a polarizing effect on fans of the game. Fans of other teams are jealous that the Yankee faithful have a team that competes every single year. And I honestly sypmathize with them, because I couldn't imagine not being in contention each season. Can you imagine what it must be like to be a Pirates fan? Forgetaboutit.

One thing I find astounding is the animosity the Angry Ones exhibit towards the DH rule and the American League. It's as if they believe themselves to be baseball purists, and our DH rule is blasphemous. The ironic part, is that most of the writers/readers at giantsmix.com have grown up with the DH rule as part of their lives. It was adopted by the league in 1973. It is as much a part of the game as sunflower seeds. I can understand if someone doesn't like the DH rule. It's a free country, we all have choices. But to over-react and start calling AL baseball fake, or cheating, is simply ridiculous.

If they want to be angry at us, then so be it. It just gives us more reason to root for the American League in interleague play, as well as in the All-Star game. (Which, we continue to dominate by the way.)

I know it was weeks ago that ARod infamously stepped on the mound during a game against Oakland, but Dallas Braden is running his mouth once again. To read his recent comments, here is a link from the USA Today article. It should make a routine set against the A's a bit more exciting, no? But we'll have to wait until July for that showdown. Tonight we open up a 3 game series in Boston. (Those fake, cheating bums!) Lol.

Hey Angry Ones... the big shiny photo of Arod at the top... that one's for you.

State of the Yankees

As I take stock in what I have seen from our beloved Yankees over the first month plus of the season I can't help but be incredibly excited about this season as well as the future of the Bombers.  Sure there are injuries (Granderson, Posada and Mo) but look at how we have been able to fill these holes with young talent, young Yankee talent.  Gardner is becoming a solid player all around, his presence on the bases is enough to disrupt any pitcher.  Cervelli seems to be in line to take the plate from Jorge Posada next year (at the latest) and his energy seems to be providing the same spark that Shelly Duncan did a few years back.  Finally we get to Joba Chamberlin and what seems to be where he will be spending the rest of his career, and rightfully so I believe, closing out games for the New York Yankees.  We seemed to get lost in the romanticism of having him pump his fist for 7 ok innings of pitching and had forgotten how great he was (minus a swarm of bugs) a few years back coming out of the bull pen and halting a team dead in its tracks before handing the ball off to Mo.  We now have what we were looking for, answers to some of our aging players that don't involve signing other aging players at over inflated prices.