Modifying the Lineup August 25, 2008
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady.add a comment
The Yankees’ offense is (hopefully) revived, though the Baltimore series should have showed enough not to have Jason Giambi can’t bat fifth anymore. Other than a homer and a sac fly, Giambi did nothing this series. OF Xavier Nady, batting .329/.374/.588 since being acquired, hit a double, a homer, and had a pair of RBI in the series, to go along with five hits. Nady needs to bat fifth to better benefit the offense, and, if he proves he can handle it, DH Hideki Matsui needs to bat sixth. Nady is a high-average player with very good power who is a good RBI man–he’s batting .322/.377/.496 w/RISP, only a shade under his regular numbers (.328/.383/.553). Matsui is starting to get his stroke back on his return, and has homered twice since coming back. He is a clutch player with good power and is hitting .343/.450/.507 w/RISP. Giambi has a good eye, but can’t hit anything but mistakes and average fastballs, and is hitting .205 w/RISP. He doesn’t protect A-Rod the way Nady and Matsui can, and A-Rod’s numbers have suffered from that, and the direct result of trying to do too much. If this team plans on going deep into the postseason, this change needs to be made.
Matsui Returns–Who to Drop? August 19, 2008
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Bobby Abreu, Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon.add a comment
The Yankees announced over the weekend that injured DH Hideki Matsui is coming back tonight against Toronto. Considering he needs knee surgery over the offseason, he can only play DH. However, that creates a logjam with Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, Xavier Nady, Brett Gardner, and Jason Giambi in the OF/DH mix.
First, who to send down? It’s not that obvious. Justin Christian can play any OF position in a pinch and has blazing speed. The Friday night pickoff hurt his chances, though. Of course, there’s always Chris Britton, whom I hope Yankee fans realize kinda sucks after a homer to freggin’ Ross Gload. I still think Christian gets sent down, because otherwise he’ll just get no playing time.
Now, Girardi said that Gardner was the team’s center fielder. He has more speed and a better arm and better range than Johnny Damon, and with fluky flyball pitchers like Sidney Ponson and Darrell Rasner on the staff, that really helps. None of the OFers deserve to be benched offensively, but Matsui needs to play because he excels in RISP where other members of the team don’t. Yet when Damon doesn’t play the team doesn’t have a legit lead-off hitter. Here’s my idea of a lineup when he comes back:
Gardner CF
Jeter SS
Abreu RF
A-Rod 3B
Giambi 1B
Nady LF
Cano 2B
Pudge C
At this rate, Abreu, Damon, and Matsui are in the rotation, where in a game two play and one doesn’t. The above lineup is the example of one day’s rotation. It’s advantageous, because Matsui can’t just play everyday on turf on that knee, and the other two are 34, not to mention that Damon is almost constantly nicked up. Despite the interest in a consistent lineup, this is likely the best idea.
Thoughts: Injuries August 8, 2008
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Hideki Matsui, Injuries, Joba Chamberlain, Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada.add a comment
Over a span of a few weeks, Hideki Matusi, Johnny Damon, Jorge Posada, and Joba Chamberlain went down, hampering the Yankees’ postseason efforts. Matsui’s issues are now with his right knee, as opposed to his left. He had it drained out after feeling pain it, before just not being able to play because of it. While Matsui has been a solid offensive contributor to the Yankees, his home runs and slugging are way down while is average is way up. He has shown to no longer be durable, and his bat can’t be counted on for a 162-game season. I think it’s best to trade him in the off-season for a solid package, considering he’ll have only 1 more year on his contract but will likely sneak into the Type A free agent group.
Johnny Damon’s injury was a short-term stint but has a long-term effect. His shoulder pain, he says, will likely persist with him throughout the season, which might not hamper his bat but it will restrain his limited power at this point. Moreover it will force manager Joe Girardi to rest him more often, forcing noodle bat Melky Cabrera into the lineup. It shouldn’t matter for next season, but the Yankees need him for them to make the playoffs.
Jorge Posada missing the remainder of the season was, in my mind, inevitable with the type of injury he had. It restrained his power and throwing strength, and his play was lacking as a result. I don’t think the Yankees were counting on him much at all from Day 2 (remember he injured it on the first day of the season), so it isn’t much of a loss, per se. His current level of production is now replaced and surpassed with Pudge. However, if this is still an issue next year and beyond, the Yankees will severely regret his 4-year contract, as, at that point, he would be unmovebale.
What hurts more than any of these losses is that of Joba Chamberlain. Jobamania has been insanely nasty, particularly since moving to the rotation, and he was a fixture and the #2 starter on the team. It’s supposedly only rotator cuff tendinitis, caused largely by the insane heat in Texas that night (NOT HIS MOVE TO THE ROTATION!). He should be back by September 1, though with the Yankees’ ultraconservativeness we might not see him again this season. I do not think this a long-term problem.
Random Ramblings: Joba, A-Rod, Mussina, Matsui December 11, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, Joba Chamberlain, Mike Mussina.3 comments
Imagine a world where Jason Frasor didn’t exist. That’s right, Jason Frasor. Now, not many people know who he is, but that’s OK for the purpose of this excersise.
So now picture Joba Chamberlain…
The whole point is, if Jason Frasor didn’t exist, Joba would have qualified for Type B free agency this year. Very impressive for a rookie reliever who only played in August/September. Now, of course, Joba has almost six full years ahead of him for free agency, but that is just a thought on how good this kid really is, how he has a higher score than players who have been around for ages in a ranking that involves the last two years.
A-ROD DEAL NOT YET FINALIZED The A-Rod deal hasn’t been finalized. It will be a month in four days that the
“preliminary agreement” was announced. And how long will it take for Carl Pavano to be released?
MUSSINA INTERESTS THE PHILLIES YES! We found a match here at YLF! Per MLBTR the Phillies have “mild” interest in Mussina. Again, while the Phillies are close to home for the 39-year-old pitcher, the bandbox nature of the park might turn him off. However, he would get to be a #3/#4 in that rotation (that really says something…)
MATSUI TALKS HEATING UP I wonder who the Yankees might get in return. We’ve heard Jonathan Sanchez and Noah Lowry as possibilities, but that’s just not enough for a player like Matsui. I was thinking more of Matsui + prospect for Matt Cain, the sinkerballing righty who gets good strikeouts for a pticher of his type. He has ace stuff, but will never won’t win in San Francisco with that offense without Barry Bonds. Besides, in terms of ceiling/potential/stuff, the Giants may prefer to keep Lincecum, as any deal that they need to improve the team must involve one of these two young righties.
Evaluating the Likelihood of a Salary Dump Trade December 9, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Atlanta Braves, Bobby Abreu, Chicago Cubs, Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Kansas City Royals, Mike Mussina, Phillies, San Diego Padres.5 comments
As we know, the Yankees aren’t fully out on a Johan Santana trade. However, to proceed, they need to rid themselves of their glute of outfielders and pitchers. The likely victims of any such trade would be one of Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, and Mike Mussina. The probability of any such deal is evaluated below.
Hideki Matsui, DH/LF, $13M per year for 2008-9 Considering the current market, Matsui is signed reasonably, as he brings to the table good power and contact skills, but below-average defense. Also, waving his no-trade clause likely isn’t a problem. Matsui has been a slight disappointment in New York, as his “Godzilla” moniker hasn’t quite showed up. The Giants are in preliminary talks with the Yankees, and, per Kevin Davidoff of Newsday on November 8th, the Yankees prefer to deal him over Johnny Damon. The Giants are willing to give up Jonathan Sanchez or Noah Lowry, but the Yankees should be able to garner more from such a solid player. If the Yankees sweeten the deal with a prospect–say, Alan Horne or Humberto Sanchez–the Yankees could conceivably get Brian Wilson, the “closer of the future” for the Giants. Include both, and the Yankees have themselves Tim Lincecum. Something can get worked out. Odds: 50%
Johnny Damon, DH/LF/OF, $13M per year fr 2008-9 Damon is overpaid, considering his decline and now lack of impressive skillset. Damon’s range has declined, but he is an average left fielder now. His power isn’t what it was, particularly with his current behemoth of little, nagging injuries that have taken away some of his skills, and his 2006 season, in terms of power, was a fluke. What should be expected next season is a .285/.370/.410 line of some sort, a happy medium between 2006 and 2007. His speed, a large part of his game, also suffers with these injuries. The White Sox have been mentioned with Joe Crede, but Crede isn’t necessary for the Yankees anymore. He could conceivably join the Royals–Justin Huber, a 1B for the Royals, has no place to play, and the Royals have had on-and-off talks with the Braves about moving David DeJesus. Speaking of the Braves, they have also been mentioned in Damon rumors. Money would be somewhat of a concern for both of these teams, and the Yankees would likely have to eat 9 or 10 million of the remainder of the deal. I like the Royal matchup better, as it gives us a power-hitting 1B with 15-20 HR power and isn’t a platoon player. However, Huber’s glove might be a problem. The Braves could probably offer Joey Devine, and I would take that too. But my gut feeling is that, in accord with Davidoff, the Yankees like Damon more than Matsui. Odds: 35%
Bobby Abreu, RF/DH, $16M for 2008 Abreu is also overpaid, considering he is slipping defensively, isn’t a power hitter, and has lost some of his trademark plate discipline. We all knew that Abreu wasn’t going to be the Abreu we got just after the trade, but I would have expected something between 2006 and 2007–again, a happy medium. What makes Abreu attractive is that he has a good arm in right with decent defense, and is also a lefty bat with deceiving speed for his size. His game is more gap power and doubles now, and that’s fine–just not with $16M as he is now. Regardless, he could fetch something good on the market, except that expectations for Abreu in 2008 are that he improves over 2007. That gives him more value to the Yankees than it does to another team, making it a better idea for him to stay. If the Yankees somehow jump into the Kosuke Fukodome race, Abreu is expendable. The Cubs are seeking a lefty bat as well, and there is a very real chance that Fukodome, whom they love, will land with the Padres, a team who offered him a substantial amount of money along with being on the West Coast. That would make Abreu attractives to the Cubs, who could also afford him. Though Sean Gallagher might be a need for the Cubs, he is a potential reap for Abreu. In a dream world, the Yankees could get Jeff Samardzija (RHP) or Tony Thomas (2B), but I would be surprised if that could happen. The Padres could definitely use Abreu, but money might be a concern for them, and the Yankees would have to eat money. The Yankees could reasonably reap Kevin Kouzmanoff, a platoon-playing 3B who is a power bat and could be an improvement over Wilson Betemit, or maybe OF Cedric Hunter. The Yankees definitely don’t have to move him if it’s not a deal they like, especially considering that, if he has a fine season next year, he could be a Type A free agent and net two draft picks. The clear thing is that Abreu will not be back after 2008. Odds: 25%
Mike Mussina, RHP, $11M for 2008 Any deal involving Mussina would have to involve eating money. He simply isn’t worth $11M, especially that Greg Maddux makes 10. Mussina’s stuff really showed a decline–his fastball is around 85 MPH, his changeup wasn’t as good a setup pitch that it was in 2006, and he didn’t have a lot of confidence in all of his pitches, even in his best pitch, his knucklecurve. This deal, however, is one the Yankees should wait to make until Spring Training. The likely event is that Ian Kennedy will beat out Mussina for the 5th starter spot, and, if Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Andy Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang, and Kennedy come out of Spring Training healthy, there will be no place for Mussina. He doesn’t like to relieve, being soft a creature of habit, so he will have to be dealt. The only obstacle is his no-trade clause now that he is 10-5 player. He has specifically said that he doesn’t want to pitch in Philadelphia, where, even in the National League, his stuff won’t stand a chance in that bandbox. If he would wave it to go to Philly, though, the Yankees could conceivably re-acquire C Jesus Sanchez and add catching depth to the system. The Yankees could conceivably get Wes Helms, a utility player, or 1B/OF Greg Dobbs. The Padres could also seek an upgrade over de facto 5th starter Justin Germano, and well-traveled former Rule 5 draft pick Wil Ledezma could be a return. Potential fifth OF Jason Lane could also be a reaped return. A little out there would be righty reliever Cla Meredith, but that might involve a package with Kei Igawa, and thus a lot of money-eating. The Yankees have other, better, higher-ceiling arms that can fill in for injured or innings-capped starter. However, manager Joe Girardi might be hesitant in having a rotation with three kids and two veterans. Odds: 25-35%.
Winter Meetings Recap: Yankees Abandon Santana, Haren Talks December 7, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Hideki Matsui, Johan Santana, Jose Molina, Jose Tabata, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Rule 5 Draft, Tyler Clippard, Winter Meetings 07.add a comment
The Yankees’ self-imposed deadline came and went late Monday night, when the world woke up Tuesday morning, there was no Johan in pinstripes. Why? Well, according to the New York Daily News, the Twins backed off the Ian Kennedy demand late Monday night, and would have accepted a Phil Hughes-Melky Cabrera-Jeff Marquez-Mitch Hilligoss package, but Brian Cashman pulled the offer back. Per the News, Cashman convinced Hank Steinbrenner and the Yankees’ FO that, despite not wanting to deal Hughes in the first place, it was fiscally irresponsible to have two $25 million players, and the Yankees were simply not going to limit their fiscal flexibility and inflate their payroll while paying $40+ million in luxury taxes.
Good job, Brian. Santana is coming off a career-worst year of his recent years of dominance (that is, 2000 and 2001 notwithstanding). He gave up 33HRs, his walk rate rose, as did his wild pitches, and he also struggled against the AL East. Moreover, he has a great slider that he was hesitant to throw. This for a $25 million dollar pricetag and giving up the future ace, Phil Hughes, and Melky Cabrera, whom some compare to a Bernie Williams-lite. Though Cabrera is expendable, with Jose Tabata, Austin Jackson, and Brett Gardner almost at the bigs, and the current glute of outfielders, he still has value for 2008. Hughes, on the other hand, is not expendable. He is young gives the Yankees the ace of the future. His stuff is great, and he has great control, and is roughly seven years Santana’s junior. This was the right choice.
MATSUI BEING SHOPPED?Per Peter Abraham, the Yankees and Giants were in preliminary negotiations regarding a trade of Hideki Matsui. The Yankees, per Kevin Davidoff on the Nov. 8th edition of Newsday, prefer to trade Matsui over Johnny Damon for understandable reasons. Matsui has previously said that he would wave his no-trade clause, though it may be a little embarrassing for him to leave New York as a slight disappointment. Abraham sees the Yankees getting Noah Lowry in return, but I am not impressed with his 87:87 K-BB ratio in 156 IP. I would rather have Jon Sanchez, but I would definitely be impressed if we acquire Tim Lincecum or Henry Sosa. If getting Lincecum involves surrendering, say Tabata/Alan Horne, I would do it and run away, laughing.
MOLINA RE-SIGNED, PHILLIPS DFA’D, ELECTS FREE AGENCYAgain per PeteAbe, Jose Molina’s 2yr/$4M deal was announced on Tuesday, and to make room on the 40-man, Andy Phillips was DFA’d. Not a bad decision–first base is a clogged-up position, and Phillips hasn’t shown the power that he did in the minors. He was replacement-level, batting .292, with 2 HRs and 25 RBIs. He cleared wavers, but after getting DFA’d twice in the same season, he opted to become a free agent instead of accepting an outright to AAA Scranton/W-B.
CLIPPARD DEALT In a deal announced Wednesday, Tyler Clippard was dealt to the Washington Nationals for 25-year-old right-handed reliever Johnathan Albaladejo. Albadejo went 1-1 with a 1.88 ERA in 14 games and 14 1/3 innings with the Nats this past season in the majors. He has only recently found success since being converted to the bullpen. Clippard struggled in New York, both in the minors and majors, going 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA in 27 IP and 6 games and starts. This is a good trade for both sides, as we can see Nats GM likes to add pieces at their lowest value who have high ceilings (though Clippard isn’t high ceiling). The Nats should be contenders in 2009, with Ryan Zimmerman, Lastings Milledge, Jesus Flores, Chris Marrero, and Ross Detweiler potentially established by then. For the Yankees, this gives another bullpen option who can actually throw strikes. Nice job.
GARDNER LOST IN RULE 5Mike Gardner, a 26-year-old swingman in AA Trenton, was picked by the San Diego Padres with the 18th pick of the Rule 5 draft. Gardner posted a 2.88 GO/AO ratio, and could help the Padres in the bullpen. The Yankees could not select anyone in the MLB portion, as they had a full 40-man, but they selected 27-year-old Bo Hall, a righty reliever from the Milwaukee Brewers, in the AAA portion. In his first season above HiA, he went 5-2 with a 3.46 ERA and struck out 56 in 54.1 IP, while allowing 41 H but 36 BB.
DAN HAREN TRADE TALKS WITH YANKEES DEADHank Steinbrenner publicly griped about the price for Dan Haren. A’s GM Billy Beane asked for Phil Hughes and Alan Horne, as Melky Cabrera had no value to him. The Yankees continued on shopping.
HAWKINS INTERESTS YANKEESPer the Daily News, the Yankees are interested in RH-reliever LaTroy Hawkins for a 1yr-3.25M contract. Bad idea. Hawkins has been bad since his 2003 season with the Cubs, but somehow makes clubs believe he’s good and worth trading for. His K rate is low and declining, but still induces ground balls. He isn’t effective and often chokes in the clutch. Why waste money when there are better internal options?
MARTE, GRABOW INTEREST YANKEESLefties Damaso Marte and John Grabow of the Pittsburgh Pirates interest the Yankees. Jose Tabata is the start of talks for those, but the rumor says that the deal could expand to include Ian Snell and/or Jason Bay. That would be a good deal for the Yankees, as they would like have to give up one of Matsui or Damon, one of the Big 3, and then Tabata/Horne in that scenario. They get youth and power production in left, a young and effective starter, as well as a solid lefty specialist.
MAJOR FREE AGENT SIGNINGS AND TRADES OF THE WINTER MEETINGS Below I will list the major signings and trades of the meetings, along with a brief comment next to them.
1. Detroit Tigers acquire 3B Miguel Cabrera and LHP Dontrelle Willis for LHP Andrew Miller, OF Cameron Maybin, C Mike Rabole, and three prospects–This deal empties the Tigers’ farm system, but makes them a powerhouse in the MLB to compete with the Red Sox and Yankees. This leapfrogs them to among the best MLB teams. However Willis or C Ivan Rodriguez will likely have to be flipped to another team due to salary concerns.
2. LA Dodgers Sign CF Andruw Jones to a 2yr/$36.2M contract–Good signing. The Dodgers get Jones for a short-term, re-establishing his value during his peak years as well as not having to commit the big bucks over big years for him.
3. KC Royals Sign OF Jose Guillen to a 3yr/$36M contract–OK deal. Guillen will miss the first 15 games due to an HGH suspension, but he offers a solid, middle-of-the-order power bat with a decent glove and an arm that was once stronger. The Royals will see the beginning of his decline at the latest by the last year of his contract. Considering this, his only average defense, and his bad clubhouse reputation, he is somewhat overpaid. This does show, along with the Gil Meche signing last year, that the Royals are willing to spend to compete.
4. Toronto Blue Jays Agree to 1yr, $3-$4M contract with C Paul LoDuca–LoDuca is a below-average receiver and a below-average bat. Wasted money.
Phil Comes Up Huge, Yankees Continue Series and Torre Era with 8-4 Win October 8, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Andy Pettitte, Chris Britton, Edwar Ramirez, George Steinbrenner, Hideki Matsui, Ian Kennedy, Joe Torre, Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, Postseason, Robinson Cano, Roger Clemens, Ron Villone.add a comment
Had the midges not attacked, we would be leading this series. But let’s not talk of what might have been.
Had the Yankees lost last night, we would be eliminated and Joe Torre out. Again, though, let’s not talk of what might have been.
Roger Clemens started last night, lasting a mere 2.2 innings while giving up a run in all of them. His hamstring flared up, and there is some likelihood he’ll never pitch again (if he doesn’t, at least he struck out some one to end his career.) Phil Hughes then came in, and after allowing a fly ball double to Jhonny Peralta in the third, he threw a very solid 3.1 innings, striking out 4 and walking none, and allowing only one other hit. If Clemens doesn’t pitch in the ALCS, should the Yankees get that far, count Hughes for Game 3 and Ian Kennedy (remember him?) for Game 4.
However, the momentum changed in the fifth. With the Yankees cutting the Indian lead to 3-2, Johnny Damon steps up to the plate with Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera on base. He homers, and, seemingly out of nowhere, the Yankees have a 5-3 lead. Then, in the next inning, with the bases loaded on a questionable IBB for Hideki Matsui, Robinson Cano singles to right, but Trot Nixon lets the ball gets past him and all runners score. With the score then 8-3, the Yankees all but won the game.
Chien-Ming Wang will start tonight, and Andy Pettitte will likely start on Wednesday. However, with Clemens likely out for the rest of the postseason, the Yankees can add another pitcher to take his spot? The four candidates are Ian Kennedy, Chris Britton, Edwar Ramirez, and Ron Villone. It seems, after the first two games, the Yankees needed a long reliever, so that goes for Villone. Joe Torre’s preference for AAAA arms whom he tries to ride out, plus his changeup, states Ramirez’s case. Ian Kennedy gives them another starter, but he has never relieved, shouldn’t relieve with his finesse stuff, and we really don’t need a starter until the ALCS. Britton…well, I have previously written about him. The best bet is for Villone to make it, as he is a lefty, anyway.
————————————————————————————————-
George Steinbrenner on multiple topics:
On Joe Torre: “His job is on the line. I think we’re paying him a lot of money. He’s the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don’t think we’d take him back if we don’t win this series.”
On A-Rod: “I think we’ll re-sign him. I think he’s going to have a good run the rest of the (postseason). I think he realizes New York is the place to be, the place to play. A lot of this (postseason) is laying on his shoulders, you know, but I think he’s up to it.”
On his health: “I’m doing all right. I’m fine.” (Courtesy of Peter Abraham)
Yankees Sweep Baltimore, then Lose Heartbreaker in 14 September 22, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Andy Pettitte, Baltimore Orioles, Brian Bruney, Chien-Ming Wang, Edwar Ramirez, Greg Zaun, Hideki Matsui, Jason Frasor, Joe Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, Mike Mussina, Phil Hughes, Roy Halladay.add a comment
The Yankees swept Baltimore between Monday and Wednesday, receiving great pitching from Phil Hughes, Mike Mussina, and Andy Pettitte. The offense clicked in the first two games before Brian Burres shut down the Yankees again despite losing. Hideki Matsui seems to have climbed out of his funk, while Melky Cabrera continues to sink into his. A-Rod set his career-high in RBI’s last night, but before his 2-6 yesterday he was slumping as well.
Yesterday, Chien-Ming Wang gave up 6 H and 2 runs (1 earned) in 7 innings, K’ing 4 and walking 1. Edwar Ramirez relieved him only to give up another home run. However, no offense through the first 8 innings had Roy Halladay, Toronto’s ace, pitching in the 9th inning with a 4-run lead. With an error by Aaron Hill, the Yankees then crept up and tied it in the 9th, before sending it to extras.
The Yankees only managed a hit and a walk against the 5 Toronto pitchers, and while the Yankee pitchers were on a similar pace, Brian Bruney, gave up a homer to Greg Zaun (sad, ain’t it?) and then Joe Kennedy (not, not JFK’s daddy) and Jason Frasor shut them down. Horrible loss
Sorry for the delay August 27, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Andy Pettitte, Detroit Tigers, Hideki Matsui, Houston Astros, Mike Mussina, Phil Garner, Phil Hughes, Roger Clemens, Tim Purpura.add a comment
Readers, I apologize for the delay in posting. The Yankees have, as you know, lost two of three as so far against the Detroit Tigers. Phil Franchise was decent, as Hideki Matsui misplayed the inside-the-park-homer, and the two home runs were the only blemish. I’m not concerned, and I think he’ll straighten himself out.
The now I’m-not-worried-about-my-job-although-I-should-be Mike Mussina is on the hill tonight. If the Yankees would’ve won the first three games, I would be rooting for him to get blasted so we can have Steven White or anyone takeover. However, he and his 85 MPH fastball are going to have to eat it and win today…or else.
In other news
1) Over at Minor League Ball, there was a piece about future lineups for every team, and here is the Yankees’ part, done by. If you have been faithfully reading this blog (which I hope you do), I have done many pieces on the Yankees and their minor league system (hence the name, Yankees: Looking to the Future) and our current overpaid stars’ future replacements.
2) Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte must be sad today. Their former Houston Astros manager and general manger, Phil Garner and Tim Purpura, respectively, have been fired. Well, the Astros have stunk for the last two years–what can I say.
Yankees Defeat Cleveland August 11, 2007
Posted by Pablo Zevallos in Bobby Abreu, Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly, Hideki Matsui, Joba Chamberlain, Joe Torre, Jose Molina, Mariano Rivera, Phil Hughes.add a comment
The future is shining now, as Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain combined to pitch eight scoreless innings, and impressed many. They combined to strike out ten in eight innings, and Mo closed out the ninth. Bobby Abreu continued his hot hitting and drove in 2, A-Rod hit his 501st career HR in the 2nd inning, and Jose Molina, Hideki Matsui, and Derek Jeter each had base knocks as well. Don Mattingly was the manager, and Joe Torre was in the radio booth with John Sterling and Susan Waldman (I pity him). Hughes’s only blemish was a home run allowed to Josh Barfield in the fifth, and Chamberlain struck out the side in the eighth.
