jacksonianmarch

7 of 10 starts that were solid. As much as you dont want to admit it, 5.2IP and 1ER is solid. Granted, he was lucky as hell today and he had nearly no command of his fastball for the second time in 3 starts. But he did his job nonetheless

the starter put us in a solid position to win again. 7 of 10. It was not pretty at all, but thus far, the rotation has done what it is supposed to do. Right now, considerably concerned over Coke vs Sizemore

make that 7 of 10.

5.2IP 5H 1ER 5BB 4K The big man just couldnt throw strikes consistently today, yet he gave us a gritty, gutty performance. Tied 1-1. Runner on 1st, 2 outs, Edwar coming in.

WTF is Girardi doing? Sabathia is at 120 pitches and he has had nothing all game long. Granted, his nothing is better than most pitcher's everything. But right now, I'd take Edwar over a tiring, struggling CC.

good win for NY. Another well pitched game from the bombers. CC in game 1 and the crap that has been Wang for 2 starts are all that separate us from a near flawless start from the rotation.

And I said that. I dont think people are understanding me here. Losing Nady hurts this team. Its a short term loss, though. It isnt like losing one of our starting pitchers to tommy john and feeling the effects for 2 seasons. This is a player who wont be on our roster in 2010. And, if a player like Miranda comes up to the majors and performs to his minor league level of performance, or even slightly below it, then it will help us in the long run as he'll be a useful trade chip, or develop into a permanent DH.

If you go by scout.com, once a player makes his debut, he is no longer on the list. Miranda made his debut last yr. Make no bones about it, Miranda has a big league bat and he has a solid eye to boot. He will carve out a job in the majors. My question is whether he's going to be a starter caliber player, or a pinch hit type. He's a butcher at 1b and has been tried in the OF with minimal to no success. He's similar to Carter in that respect. In short, he turns 26 at the end of this month, he has solid power and patience. He does K a lot and has minimal value in the field. Sounds like a potential DH type to me. And if he comes up and has a good half season, say .270/.350/.450, then his value rises and he might be dealable for something we need.

It is truly difficult to explain anything to the idiots of the planet, but here goes. I loved Nady, and I am upset he is gone. I think in the short term, this team suffers with his loss. But when I use the term, "long-term", I mean longer than the short term. I thought that was implied, but then again, I need to consider my audience. Nady is a 1 yr guy. I think its pretty easy to see. Boras is the agent, he's coming off a big 08 and he isnt really the type of player we lock up long term (lacks patience). So, as a 1 yr player, he is not a long term player. Juan Miranda, OTOH, could be a long term player as we control him for 6 major league seasons. He has done nothing but hit and show patience in the minor leagues and he has come out gangbusters this season. If we find a way to get him into the lineup on a semi-regular basis and prove he is more than a AAAA player, than this team benefits in the long run from Nady's absence. I think there is some benefit in the short term by getting Swisher in the lineup, but having Nady as the short term insurance policy would have been really nice. Also, for Gom and the rest, losing Posada last yr was #1a reason why we werent in the playoffs. Yes, he gives something back defensively. But to say that you'd rather Molina catch is pushing it. Molina gave back nearly 300 points of OPS. I dont care how good a defensive whiz the fat man is, he does not make up a 300 point OPS drop. Without Posada, this lineup went from being patient in every hole, to having an absolute black hole in the lineup that lacked patience and speed. He is an absolute, 100% liability in the lineup.

It was 55 degrees in Oakland

Mar. 31st 2.2IP Apr. 4th 1.0IP Apr 7th 0.2IP Apr. 9th 0.1IP Apr. 10th 1.0IP Apr. 14th 4.0IP only 60 pitches He is not stretched out by any means. If you wish to try and break him, put him in the rotation right now and "stretch him out" like we did with Joba. Worked GREAT.

Green-Kottaras-Ellsbury = black hole

ARod>/=Manny

#2 is just wrong. Matsuzaka's slot isnt due for another 4-5 days. Why bring up a starter now when the pen is coming off a day where the entire pen sans Saito was used? It made sense to bring up a reliever they can use for the next few day and then call up Buchholz. If the sox wish is to put Masterson in the rotation after shortening him to a reliever with no IP buildup, then it was a poor plan (see Joba 2008). I think the sox will use Buchholz and piggyback Masterson if Buch struggles.

Imagine what the yankee offense will do when he's back.

Agreed. This could help in the long run though once Matsui can play the OF. Matsui is expected to be allowed to try and play the field come the end of May. At that time, Miranda could be recalled and be used in DH situations or as a rest option for Teixeira. Miranda is absolutely killing the ball in the minors. As is AJax.

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/ per Pete Abraham, nothing official, but he'll need elbow surgery and will miss the yr. Well, Swisher will be starting for good. This is a blow to our depth

Nailed it. I have actually seen the sox more than the yankees this season (mostly due to their west coast swing and my schedule this week). And I must admit, he is completely cheating fastball. Thing is, he isnt getting around on it even with his cheating. And any offspeed pitch is giving him absolute fits. If he isnt currently hurt and this is just the post-wrist/knee/age Papi, then he's finished. If he's still hurt (which is what he looks like to me) then maybe they should rest him a bit.

No, not at all.

The question is, Dojji, would you put your eggs in Tex's basket for 09 or Lowell's? One is in his prime with a history of durability and a history of consistent, superior performance and the other is an older player with a history of prior chemotherapy (it does take a long term toll on your body btw), current injury and concern for declining performance from a yr ago.

Tell me where I was wrong in my post.

Lowell, Papi and Varitek, 3 guys who father time and injuries have rendered significantly questionable for 09, start off 14 for 76, or .184. Jed Lowrie is still having problems with a wrist he broke 6 months ago. Now the big savior is Lugo, a guy who everyone wanted to run out of town? Interesting. Ellsbury has completely regressed, hitting .194 with 2 walks. Jon Lester allowed 20 baserunners in his first 11 innings. Granted, only 2 walks. DiceK has allowed 19 baserunners in 6.1IP and was lifted due to arm fatigue. Send your thank you letters to the WBC. Right now, the sox offense is clicking on 2 cylinders with Bay and Youkilis. The rotation has Beckett firing on all cylinders and one good start from Penny, whose shoulder is a time bomb. Wakefield goes tonight to try and halt the 3 game skid.

what the hell is up with blue socks?

Ortiz is cheating fastball and cannot adjust right now. I think either his wrist still hurts, or he's lost a ton of bat speed