yankees228

Additionally, because it's more relevant in this thread, I'll repost my comments about Joe's bullpen usage in this thread. And here is where Joe also struggles. Prior to yesterday, Robertson pitched last Sunday, Tuesday, and Saturday. Aceves has only pitched once this year, which was last Tuesday. Yet, with an opportunity to give Aceves some much needed work, where the game wasn't close, he goes back to Robertson. Now he expects Aceves to come in here and get some big outs. He might do it, but Joe's job is to give him the best opportunity to succeed, and Joe just so rarely does that.

Well, one of these needed to be started eventually. Just like last year, Joe continues to make routinely make decisions in close games that hurt his team's chances to win. Today, so far, has been a perfect example. Pineiro has been fantastic today, and down one run in the sixth inning, Torii Hunter was at third base with one out, and Kendry Morales up. Having just cut the lead in half during the previous inning, it's imperative that Joe does everything he can to prevent this run from scoring. Instead, he does absolutely nothing to prevent the run from scoring. The first mistake he makes is to even pitch to Morales, who's an excellent hitter from the left side. You have a slow, right handed hitter on deck, who would present a good double play opportunity. Juan Rivera is also a much weaker hitter than Morales, so it makes sense on two different levels. Thing is, based on another decision, we can clearly see that Joe isn't concerned with that run. He chooses to play the infield back, even with two strikes (where weaker contact is expected). Also, when you consider the fact that Morales is the number five hitter, you can afford to play the infield in, because a big inning isn't very likely with the bottom of the order due up. This particular decision didn't end up mattering, but it gives us insight into Joe's illogical mindset in this situation.

And here is where Joe also struggles. Prior to yesterday, Robertson pitched last Sunday, Tuesday, and Saturday. Aceves has only pitched once this year, which was last Tuesday. Yet, with an opportunity to give Aceves some much needed work, where the game wasn't close, he goes back to Robertson. Now he expects Aceves to come in here and get some big outs. He might do it, but Joe's job is to give him the best opportunity to succeed, and Joe just so rarely does that.

The Yankees continue to be held back somewhat by Joe Girardi. New year, same story. The guy just seems clueless at times.

Just a terrible job there by Javy. Gets way ahead, and then threw three straights pitches way out of the zone, none of them even tempting Hunter to swing. Then he throws a cookie. The last thing the Yankees can afford to do is give that run right back. EDIT 2: Cannot pitch to Morales here. EDIT 3: Joe just sometimes seems so clueless. Piniero has looked great, and he's making no effort to prevent this run from scoring.

It's still early, but Piniero is going to be extremely difficult to beat today. Those two runs might be enough. He has it all working. EDIT: When that is the best Posada can do with a 2-0 pitch, you know the pitcher is sharp.

Really soft run. A-Rod probably just have had the ground ball to his left. Javy has to limit the damage, because Piniero is sharp today.

You would agree, though, that there are more factors working against a salary cap in baseball than just the MLBPA, right?

I'm curious to hear you explain your level of confidence, considering how far into the season we are.

And for the record, the Rays have a ton of the problems in the bullpen that are going to be tough to overcome. We witnessed that on Sunday.

I have more faith in this year's Yankees' team than any team I've rooted for in awhile. With that being said, we're seven games into the season. To talk as if the division is locked up is foolish.

They're definitely a really good team. They've got a very durable rotation, with a true ace. They've got a solid bullpen, with an exceptional closer. They have a lineup that is solid from top to bottom, with a nice mix of OBP, power, and speed. Additionally, the defense has improved to the point where it should be around average at worst. It would seem like they've finally started to couple their financial advantage with some very good front offices decisions. They're going to be very tough this year. However, it's still early. I'd be very surprised if they didn't make the playoffs, but anything past that is far from a certainty. In the case of the Red Sox, if they get in, they can beat anyone with their staff. They're going to be tough in a short series.

I could be wrong, and I don't remember where I read this, but I do remember reading that the players make a lower percentage of the revenue in baseball than players in any other sport (NFL, NBA, NHL).

So many empty seats for the entire game (all over the stadium), and it completely emptied out around the seventh inning. Really disappointing, especially after the fans' pathetic showing during Game 2 of the ALCS last year.

I really like this quote from Girardi about tomorrow's ceremony. "We've talked about all the things we've needed to talk about -- the importance of 2010 and how 2009 is behind us. To me, it will be the last time in a sense we can think about it a little bit."

Granted, his stuff wasn't fabulous today, but his location was really good in my opinion. I expect a big year from him.

Fair enough. In that case, the knee problem would be a legitimate excuse.

I guess it all depends what he would do in that sixth year, and if that clause kicks in, there is a very good chance that he won't even be worth having in 2015. We just see this differently. Anyway, my main point was really about Bay.

It disappoints me to say this, but the guy that pitched in the playoffs last year, the guy that has pitched in spring training this year (not just numbers, I saw him in person, and he was fantastic), and the guy who has pitched the first two games of the season is the Carl Pavano that the Yankees thought they were signing. They weren't crazy when they gave him in that contract. He has so much talent, but him and the Yankees were both incredibly unlucky. The Yankees very easily could have gotten performance like this for the duration of his contract. It's definitely disappointing.

Sorry to bump this, but second in command?! ********. Who is first?

Also, it's kind of misleading to say that Lackey signed a contract that protects the Red Sox. It doesn't protect them at all through the end of 2014 (when the contract is set to expire). It only gives them a club option for 2015 at the league minimum, which might not even be useful if injury forces the clause to kick in. I'm sure you know all this, but I wanted to point it out because of the way you worded your post.

You don't believe front offices Gom, just like you didn't believe a word the Yankees said when they claimed Holliday, Bay, Lackey, and Damon were out of their price range. You're so caught up in not believing anyone that even when it's logical, you choose not to believe it. However, in support of Gom's specific point, here's what I'll say. To the best of my knowledge the Red Sox were willing to sign Bay to a four year contract. The breaking point was the fifth year. Sure, that final year might have been because of his knee, but it's hard for me to buy that as a legitimate concern when they were willing to sign him up to a four year deal. EDIT: I never read anything about protection in the proposed contract. Do you have a link?

E1, I think this is a very good summary of the way teams operate. The only gripe I have is that I think there are definitely more guys that, for the Yankees, weren't worth the price. Off the top of my head, I can give you three major examples: Pettitte, Damon, and Matsuzaka (the bid). I'm confident that there are others, but at 1:15 AM, I'm reluctant to go back through previous free agent classes to find these guys.