**Official YANKEES 2009 Thread** (1 Viewer)

[Limp Ditka]

If I heard the TB broadcast correctly, Mariano gives up back to backs for the first time in his career and it's the first time he's given up 2 HR in the same innings since '98

I'm sure he loves the new digs.

 

[Raider Nation]

8 more jacks in Coors East tonight.

Good thing Big Stein isn't lucid enough to understand how bad his beloved team is.

 

[cobalt_27]

You boys enjoying Big Tex? Don't worry, he will start hitting when it no longer matters.

He had a .467 BA and OPS over 1 for the Angels last year in the postseason. Did that not matter?

What on earth makes you think this team can make the playoffs?

Im a Yankee fan and Im not gonna give up in May

You should. The writing is on the wall, and you simply choose to ignore it.Much like most of the decisions they make that you support. Like not bringing in Santana because you didn't want to give up Kennedy.

 

[Man In The Box]

This team starts slow every year. This is nothing new. I admit that I'm a bit concerned, but to say that the fans should give up on May 7th is ridiculous though. If they're 2 games under .500 on August 7th, then you have yourself a scoop. They're banged up right now, not getting hits with RISP and the bullpen is imploding at the worst times. Bruney has been a big loss for this team. The starting pitching hasn't been great either. You're not going to win too often with all that going against you.

I went to both games vs. Tampa. The Stadium is really nice, but I prefer the old place. I'm not a big fan of all the shops and bars and whatnot. If I want to buy a cap, I'll get one off ebay, thank you. There's a lack of energy in the new stadium. I think alot of it has to do with the fact that people spend half the game walking around checking out all of the new stuff. There were 42,000 plus there both nights, but the corridors are constantly packed with people. Maybe once the novelty wears off, and they swallow some pride and make some of the seats more affordable, hopefully the people who paid for their seats will actually, you know, sit in them and maybe make some noise.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

:launchingpad:

 

[Michael Brown]

This team starts slow every year. This is nothing new. I admit that I'm a bit concerned, but to say that the fans should give up on May 7th is ridiculous though. If they're 2 games under .500 on August 7th, then you have yourself a scoop. They're banged up right now, not getting hits with RISP and the bullpen is imploding at the worst times. Bruney has been a big loss for this team. The starting pitching hasn't been great either. You're not going to win too often with all that going against you. I went to both games vs. Tampa. The Stadium is really nice, but I prefer the old place. I'm not a big fan of all the shops and bars and whatnot. If I want to buy a cap, I'll get one off ebay, thank you. There's a lack of energy in the new stadium. I think alot of it has to do with the fact that people spend half the game walking around checking out all of the new stuff. There were 42,000 plus there both nights, but the corridors are constantly packed with people. Maybe once the novelty wears off, and they swallow some pride and make some of the seats more affordable, hopefully the people who paid for their seats will actually, you know, sit in them and maybe make some noise.

All of this is

 

[blackjack23]

If I heard the TB broadcast correctly, Mariano gives up back to backs for the first time in his career and it's the first time he's given up 2 HR in the same innings since '98I'm sure he loves the new digs.

Could be something to do with him only throwing 86-88 mph and him and Girardi basically admitting after the game that hes still not 100%. Seriously that Longoria HR wouldve been out of any stadium.Anyway, apparently Mariano is gonna be a concern too now. This team is ####ed.

 

[Sammy3469]

Who's going to catch if Molina is hurt?

 

[blackjack23]

You boys enjoying Big Tex?

Don't worry, he will start hitting when it no longer matters.

He had a .467 BA and OPS over 1 for the Angels last year in the postseason. Did that not matter?

What on earth makes you think this team can make the playoffs?

Im a Yankee fan and Im not gonna give up in May

You should. The writing is on the wall, and you simply choose to ignore it.Much like most of the decisions they make that you support. Like not bringing in Santana because you didn't want to give up Kennedy.

Please root for another team. Youre embarrassing yourself here. How any fan of any team can give up in May is beyond ludicrous. Now if you give up in July cuz theyre still playing ####ty thats more reasonable.

 

[blackjack23]

Who's going to catch if Molina is hurt?

Im assuming Kevin Cash will be called up and someone will be DFAd to make room on the 40 man roster.Between Wang, Posada, Molina, Bruney, Marte, Nady, and ARod this year is beginning to look a whole lot like last year.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Fire up those Joba to the pen rumors again

During Thursday's post-game show on the YES Network, Yankees manager Joe Girardi revealed that Mariano Rivera's surgically repaired shoulder has been bothering him.The news came minutes after Rivera suffered his first loss of the season, allowing two home runs to the Rays after entering a tie game in the ninth inning. His velocity has taken a noticeable dip and he may need a few days off. Rivera still has a 3.97 ERA and a 17/0 K/BB ratio over 11 1/3 innings this season.

 

[blackjack23]

Joba's been their best starter

 

[Limp Ditka]

Joba's been their best starter

Not even close

 

[cobalt_27]

What on earth makes you think this team can make the playoffs?

Im a Yankee fan and Im not gonna give up in May

You should. The writing is on the wall, and you simply choose to ignore it.Much like most of the decisions they make that you support. Like not bringing in Santana because you didn't want to give up Kennedy.

Please root for another team. Youre embarrassing yourself here. How any fan of any team can give up in May is beyond ludicrous. Now if you give up in July cuz theyre still playing ####ty thats more reasonable.

It's not that they're playing ####ty. It's. That. They're. Not. A. Good. Team. I said this during the preseason, and today should be no surprise to any Yankee fan with his eyes even just partially open.My distinction is between what you "think" and what you feel. You're a big feeling guy, which is fine and all, but makes for irrational assessments. Unlike you, I can divorce myself from what I want to happen from what should happen. This team, as currently constructed, has absolutely no business winning more than 90 games, let alone earning a playoff birth in the playoffs from a division whose two best teams are organized with far greater superiority than we are.

I wish you would root for another team. You support the kind of nonsense that perpetuates this team sustaining this level of ridiculous mediocrity.

 

[blackjack23]

It's not that they're playing ####ty. It's. That. They're. Not. A. Good. Team. I said this during the preseason, and today should be no surprise to any Yankee fan with its eyes even just partially open.

My distinction is between what you "think" and what you feel. You're a big feeling guy, which is fine and all, but makes for irrational assessments. Unlike you, I can divorce myself from what I want to happen from what should happen. This team, as currently constructed, has absolutely no business winning more than 90 games, let alone earning a playoff birth in the playoffs from a division whose two best teams are organized with far greater superiority than we are.

I wish you would root for another team. You support the kind of nonsense that perpetuates this team sustaining this level of ridiculous mediocrity.

This is what you said in this thread before the season.

Agreed with most of this. Tampa will take a small step back, but last year was not a fluke, per se. Just scale them back a bit. Boston should be right about where they were last year, with no major movement up or down. Yanks win about 7-10 more games than last year, putting them in/around that 95-100 win range. They may be division champs, but I don't think they have enough to get past the ALCS. Again.

 

[blackjack23]

Joba's been their best starter

Not even close

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/sorta...;sortByStat=ERAWho's been better? Hughes only had 2 starts so far.

 

[cobalt_27]

It's not that they're playing ####ty. It's. That. They're. Not. A. Good. Team. I said this during the preseason, and today should be no surprise to any Yankee fan with its eyes even just partially open.

My distinction is between what you "think" and what you feel. You're a big feeling guy, which is fine and all, but makes for irrational assessments. Unlike you, I can divorce myself from what I want to happen from what should happen. This team, as currently constructed, has absolutely no business winning more than 90 games, let alone earning a playoff birth in the playoffs from a division whose two best teams are organized with far greater superiority than we are.

I wish you would root for another team. You support the kind of nonsense that perpetuates this team sustaining this level of ridiculous mediocrity.

This is what you said in this thread before the season.

Agreed with most of this. Tampa will take a small step back, but last year was not a fluke, per se. Just scale them back a bit. Boston should be right about where they were last year, with no major movement up or down. Yanks win about 7-10 more games than last year, putting them in/around that 95-100 win range. They may be division champs, but I don't think they have enough to get past the ALCS. Again.

They may win the division, but they're not good enough to get past the ALCS. This was also prior to A-Rod going down, IIRC.I think you're missing the forest through the trees in that thread, giving you some rope there, but...I think it was pretty clear I was downgrading virtually every position grade that you gave.

 

[avoiding injuries]

Wow. I hope there is as much division in the Yankee's clubhouse as there is in this thread. Especially with A-Rod coming back tonight. I hope it takes him at least until his 4th game back to get things going.

 

[blackjack23]

They may win the division, but they're not good enough to get past the ALCS. This was also prior to A-Rod going down, IIRC.

I think you're missing the forest through the trees in that thread, giving you some rope there, but...I think it was pretty clear I was downgrading virtually every position grade that you gave.

LMFAO They're just not that good but theyre not good enough to get past the ALCS? Make up your mind here. And ARod comes back tonight so if that was the difference then according to you they should be good now. Make up your ####in mind. You sound like a typical fair weather band wagon jumper. You had them at 95-100 wins before the season. I had them winning the wild card. Now after a month of struggling you say that people any Yankee fan with their eyes partially open shouldve known they were not that good. My positional grades may have been wrong but the fact of the matter is I had them winning the WC only. So your the delusional one here. As a matter of fact this has gotta be fishing.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Joba's been their best starter

Not even close

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/stats/sorta...;sortByStat=ERAWho's been better? Hughes only had 2 starts so far.

Well, since ERA is the end all stat, I'm just going to have to agree with you. But if you can do me a favor and bring this back up when Joba can figure out how to average 6+ innings per outing and stop taxing the bullpen, that would be great.He very well could have turned the corner starting with the second inning v Boston the other night. But as of now, considering the 4 guys that have pitched every scheduled start, I just don't think you can point to the guy in the rotation who is averaging the least amount of innings per outing, as well as the highest walk rate, as your best starter.

 

[cobalt_27]

They may win the division, but they're not good enough to get past the ALCS. This was also prior to A-Rod going down, IIRC.

I think you're missing the forest through the trees in that thread, giving you some rope there, but...I think it was pretty clear I was downgrading virtually every position grade that you gave.

LMFAO They're just not that good but theyre not good enough to get past the ALCS? Make up your mind here. And ARod comes back tonight so if that was the difference then according to you they should be good now. Make up your ####in mind. You sound like a typical fair weather band wagon jumper. You had them at 95-100 wins before the season. I had them winning the wild card. Now after a month of struggling you say that people any Yankee fan with their eyes partially open shouldve known they were not that good. My positional grades may have been wrong but the fact of the matter is I had them winning the WC only. So your the delusional one here. As a matter of fact this has gotta be fishing.

I still think this team will cobble together ~85 wins. In the context of everything else, that's not very good. Not for what they spend. Not for what they should be. And, certainly not constructed to do any damage in the playoffs.Shady, what's your assessment of Ian Kennedy these days? Still glad we hung on to the kid and said no thank you to Santana?

 

[blackjack23]

They may win the division, but they're not good enough to get past the ALCS. This was also prior to A-Rod going down, IIRC.

I think you're missing the forest through the trees in that thread, giving you some rope there, but...I think it was pretty clear I was downgrading virtually every position grade that you gave.

LMFAO They're just not that good but theyre not good enough to get past the ALCS? Make up your mind here. And ARod comes back tonight so if that was the difference then according to you they should be good now. Make up your ####in mind. You sound like a typical fair weather band wagon jumper. You had them at 95-100 wins before the season. I had them winning the wild card. Now after a month of struggling you say that people any Yankee fan with their eyes partially open shouldve known they were not that good. My positional grades may have been wrong but the fact of the matter is I had them winning the WC only. So your the delusional one here. As a matter of fact this has gotta be fishing.

I still think this team will cobble together ~85 wins. In the context of everything else, that's not very good. Not for what they spend. Not for what they should be. And, certainly not constructed to do any damage in the playoffs.Shady, what's your assessment of Ian Kennedy these days? Still glad we hung on to the kid and said no thank you to Santana?

So in other words you changed your opinon on them and you did not foresee them struggling like this in the preseason.And to answer your second question of course not. I can admit when I was wrong. I wish we traded for Johan.

 

[Sammy3469]

They may win the division, but they're not good enough to get past the ALCS. This was also prior to A-Rod going down, IIRC.

I think you're missing the forest through the trees in that thread, giving you some rope there, but...I think it was pretty clear I was downgrading virtually every position grade that you gave.

LMFAO They're just not that good but theyre not good enough to get past the ALCS? Make up your mind here. And ARod comes back tonight so if that was the difference then according to you they should be good now. Make up your ####in mind. You sound like a typical fair weather band wagon jumper. You had them at 95-100 wins before the season. I had them winning the wild card. Now after a month of struggling you say that people any Yankee fan with their eyes partially open shouldve known they were not that good. My positional grades may have been wrong but the fact of the matter is I had them winning the WC only. So your the delusional one here. As a matter of fact this has gotta be fishing.

I still think this team will cobble together ~85 wins. In the context of everything else, that's not very good. Not for what they spend. Not for what they should be. And, certainly not constructed to do any damage in the playoffs.Shady, what's your assessment of Ian Kennedy these days? Still glad we hung on to the kid and said no thank you to Santana?

It was a mistake at the time and is still a mistake...having said that, they need to bring him back up.

 

[blackjack23]

They may win the division, but they're not good enough to get past the ALCS. This was also prior to A-Rod going down, IIRC.

I think you're missing the forest through the trees in that thread, giving you some rope there, but...I think it was pretty clear I was downgrading virtually every position grade that you gave.

LMFAO They're just not that good but theyre not good enough to get past the ALCS? Make up your mind here. And ARod comes back tonight so if that was the difference then according to you they should be good now. Make up your ####in mind. You sound like a typical fair weather band wagon jumper. You had them at 95-100 wins before the season. I had them winning the wild card. Now after a month of struggling you say that people any Yankee fan with their eyes partially open shouldve known they were not that good. My positional grades may have been wrong but the fact of the matter is I had them winning the WC only. So your the delusional one here. As a matter of fact this has gotta be fishing.

I still think this team will cobble together ~85 wins. In the context of everything else, that's not very good. Not for what they spend. Not for what they should be. And, certainly not constructed to do any damage in the playoffs.Shady, what's your assessment of Ian Kennedy these days? Still glad we hung on to the kid and said no thank you to Santana?

It was a mistake at the time and is still a mistake...having said that, they need to bring him back up.

I thought he was hurt

 

[Sammy3469]

They may win the division, but they're not good enough to get past the ALCS. This was also prior to A-Rod going down, IIRC.

I think you're missing the forest through the trees in that thread, giving you some rope there, but...I think it was pretty clear I was downgrading virtually every position grade that you gave.

LMFAO They're just not that good but theyre not good enough to get past the ALCS? Make up your mind here. And ARod comes back tonight so if that was the difference then according to you they should be good now. Make up your ####in mind. You sound like a typical fair weather band wagon jumper. You had them at 95-100 wins before the season. I had them winning the wild card. Now after a month of struggling you say that people any Yankee fan with their eyes partially open shouldve known they were not that good. My positional grades may have been wrong but the fact of the matter is I had them winning the WC only. So your the delusional one here. As a matter of fact this has gotta be fishing.

I still think this team will cobble together ~85 wins. In the context of everything else, that's not very good. Not for what they spend. Not for what they should be. And, certainly not constructed to do any damage in the playoffs.Shady, what's your assessment of Ian Kennedy these days? Still glad we hung on to the kid and said no thank you to Santana?

It was a mistake at the time and is still a mistake...having said that, they need to bring him back up.

I thought he was hurt

yeah..should have added when given the chance

 

[cobalt_27]

They may win the division, but they're not good enough to get past the ALCS. This was also prior to A-Rod going down, IIRC.

I think you're missing the forest through the trees in that thread, giving you some rope there, but...I think it was pretty clear I was downgrading virtually every position grade that you gave.

LMFAO They're just not that good but theyre not good enough to get past the ALCS? Make up your mind here. And ARod comes back tonight so if that was the difference then according to you they should be good now. Make up your ####in mind. You sound like a typical fair weather band wagon jumper. You had them at 95-100 wins before the season. I had them winning the wild card. Now after a month of struggling you say that people any Yankee fan with their eyes partially open shouldve known they were not that good. My positional grades may have been wrong but the fact of the matter is I had them winning the WC only. So your the delusional one here. As a matter of fact this has gotta be fishing.

I still think this team will cobble together ~85 wins. In the context of everything else, that's not very good. Not for what they spend. Not for what they should be. And, certainly not constructed to do any damage in the playoffs.Shady, what's your assessment of Ian Kennedy these days? Still glad we hung on to the kid and said no thank you to Santana?

So in other words you changed your opinon on them and you did not foresee them struggling like this in the preseason.And to answer your second question of course not. I can admit when I was wrong. I wish we traded for Johan.

I have changed/adjusted my opinion of them, yes. I think I made it clear then that, regardless of outcome in the pennant chase, I did not regard this group as fondly as you did. I believe in regression to the mean, of course, so I do expect they won't be this bad for the remainder of the year. They'll get hot, win a few games back-to-back. They might even eek out a win or two against Boston. But, I am sick and tired of watching this team screw everything up time and time again. So, you may have to forgive me if I go off the deep end with the "they suck" sentiment from time-to-time. Relative to everything they have at their disposal--huge fan base, ####loads of money--they do suck. Might be enough to make the playoffs. But, given that they gave a big middle finger to their fans this season, both in respect to the stadium and the team they decided to field this year, I'm just a little pissed off by the whole thing.

 

[Limp Ditka]

So who closes if Mariano is out for a stretch of time?

 

[blackjack23]

I have changed/adjusted my opinion of them, yes. I think I made it clear then that, regardless of outcome in the pennant chase, I did not regard this group as fondly as you did. I believe in regression to the mean, of course, so I do expect they won't be this bad for the remainder of the year. They'll get hot, win a few games back-to-back. They might even eek out a win or two against Boston. But, I am sick and tired of watching this team screw everything up time and time again. So, you may have to forgive me if I go off the deep end with the "they suck" sentiment from time-to-time. Relative to everything they have at their disposal--huge fan base, ####loads of money--they do suck. Might be enough to make the playoffs. But, given that they gave a big middle finger to their fans this season, both in respect to the stadium and the team they decided to field this year, I'm just a little pissed off by the whole thing.

I really cant disagree with anything you said here. Just dont act like I (or other Yankee fans) were delusional for thinking they were a playoff team before the season when you in fact did so as well.

 

[blackjack23]

So who closes if Mariano is out for a stretch of time?

WTF knows. Perhaps they will go with Joba (hes the only one that makes sense although that will really hinder his progress as a starter and would be a horrible decision). If I had to pick someone out of the bullpen Id say Joe mixes and matches or goes with Coke.

 

[Man In The Box]

I think the ONLY way that Joba closes this year is if Mariano is done for the season AND Wang returns as an effective starter. Even then it may not happen. This team is totally committed to Joba being a starting pitcher.

I made my post last night not knowing the news about Mariano. If he's seriously injured, this team is seriously ######.

 

[cobalt_27]

I have changed/adjusted my opinion of them, yes. I think I made it clear then that, regardless of outcome in the pennant chase, I did not regard this group as fondly as you did. I believe in regression to the mean, of course, so I do expect they won't be this bad for the remainder of the year. They'll get hot, win a few games back-to-back. They might even eek out a win or two against Boston. But, I am sick and tired of watching this team screw everything up time and time again. So, you may have to forgive me if I go off the deep end with the "they suck" sentiment from time-to-time. Relative to everything they have at their disposal--huge fan base, ####loads of money--they do suck. Might be enough to make the playoffs. But, given that they gave a big middle finger to their fans this season, both in respect to the stadium and the team they decided to field this year, I'm just a little pissed off by the whole thing.

I really cant disagree with anything you said here. Just dont act like I (or other Yankee fans) were delusional for thinking they were a playoff team before the season when you in fact did so as well.

Duly noted.

 

[Bogart]

So much tension in this thread.

Guys, this team isn't that bad. There is nothing here that a few key free agent pick-ups couldn't take care of. A pitcher or two, a few hitters, and you are golden.

 

[Norseman]

So much tension in this thread.Guys, this team isn't that bad. There is nothing here that a few key free agent pick-ups couldn't take care of. A pitcher or two, a few hitters, and you are golden.

 

[Finless]

How does a team that spends so much cash have so many holes?

Will they ever fire Cashman?

 

[Michael Brown]

It's gonna be hilarious to see the backpedaling in here when this team wins its 95th game.

All I heard back in 2007 was that A-Rod CARRIED the team to the postseason; some people went so far as to say he was the only reason they made the playoffs. Now, he's coming back...and suddenly it means nothing.

Teixeira is going to finish up right around .290, but is barely treading above .200 right now.

CC is going to win 18-20 games, and you can count on one finger how many he's got so far.

And if you think this pen is going to carry a 6+ ERA for the season, I respectfully disagree.

It's an awful stretch, no doubt. But some of you guys act like there won't be good stretches to balance it out. It's not like anybody is running away with the division (sorry Toronto fans, I just feel this is Orioles 2005 redux).

Remember -- marathon, not a sprint.

The only thing that would cause me to change my mind on this is if Mo has a significant injury. On a side note, it's odd that this comes out after last night considering his 17/0 K-BB ratio AND the fact that two nights ago he looked about as "on" as he can be.

Last thing is this...

I don't know how you can say a team is good enough for 95-100 wins and a division title but not good enough to win the ALCS. How can you justify that statement? ANY team that wins 95-100 games is obviously good enough to win the World Series. If they don't win it, it's not that they weren't good enough beforehand. It just means they didn't play well enough that week! But if you go into a postseason with two 20-game winners, three 30-HR guys, a boatload of .300 hitters and 100 RBI men, a dominant bullpen and closer, and lose...it doesn't mean you weren't good enough as constructed. It just means the other team played better than you over a 5 or 7 game stretch. It happens.

If you want to say a team that slugs its way to 100 wins isn't as equipped as one that has four dominant starters, fine. But this Yankee team isn't just built on offense like in the past. They've got good starters AND the bats to go with them. It hasn't come together yet. Doesn't mean it won't. And as we've all seen (even in the years the Yanks were winning), it only takes a handful of plays that turn an entire series the other way. Are you going to tell me the 2004 Yankees weren't good enough to beat Boston? They were one inning away from those flaws never being exposed! Are you going to tell me the 2008 Rays weren't good enough to beat Philly? The 1996 Braves weren't every bit as talented as the Yankees that year? Come on.

We've seen it a million times, the best team doesn't always win a series -- and it's more often who gets good pitching rather than who is a good pitcher. The 2006 Yankees were a better team than the 2006 Tigers. But the 2006 Tigers got great pitching from an extremely unlikely source in Kenny Rogers at a pivotal moment. Does that mean we should go into the offseason looking to sign every soft-tossing aging lefty we can find? Come on people, it's baseball -- things happen, especially in a short series, and that's what makes it so great and unpredictable. Best teams lose (see Cubs, Chicago circa 2008) and worst teams win. It makes for great theater come postseason. ANYBODY CAN BEAT ANYBODY. If your expectation of a team is for a division title and approaching 100 wins, you're letting your "Yankees always choke in the playoffs" bias show through if you think you can predict what round they're good enough to reach.

 

[Finless]

A-Rod's off the juice. What makes you think he'll have a significant impact?

 

[=Smackdown=]

This happens every year - People write off the Yankees and they come storming back. They'll do it again.

Nice post Michael Brown.

They need Bruney back healthy in the worst way. Losing games due to the bullpen night after night is demoralizing.

 

[Michael Brown]

A-Rod's off the juice. What makes you think he'll have a significant impact?

Thinking he's off the juice now is as delusional as thinking he stopped taking it once he got to NY.

 

[Limp Ditka]

A-Rod's off the juice. What makes you think he'll have a significant impact?

He hasn't been suspended yet and knows his rep is already tarnished beyond repair. There's really no downside to him continuing his cycles and risking getting caught outside of a 50 day vacation.

 

[shuke]

Hi, I'm new here.

Is Gardner being relegated to solely a bench player?

 

[Darth Cheney]

It's gonna be hilarious to see the backpedaling in here when this team wins its 95th game.

All I heard back in 2007 was that A-Rod CARRIED the team to the postseason; some people went so far as to say he was the only reason they made the playoffs. Now, he's coming back...and suddenly it means nothing.

Teixeira is going to finish up right around .290, but is barely treading above .200 right now.

CC is going to win 18-20 games, and you can count on one finger how many he's got so far.

And if you think this pen is going to carry a 6+ ERA for the season, I respectfully disagree.

It's an awful stretch, no doubt. But some of you guys act like there won't be good stretches to balance it out. It's not like anybody is running away with the division (sorry Toronto fans, I just feel this is Orioles 2005 redux).

Remember -- marathon, not a sprint.

The only thing that would cause me to change my mind on this is if Mo has a significant injury. On a side note, it's odd that this comes out after last night considering his 17/0 K-BB ratio AND the fact that two nights ago he looked about as "on" as he can be.

Last thing is this...

I don't know how you can say a team is good enough for 95-100 wins and a division title but not good enough to win the ALCS. How can you justify that statement? ANY team that wins 95-100 games is obviously good enough to win the World Series. If they don't win it, it's not that they weren't good enough beforehand. It just means they didn't play well enough that week! But if you go into a postseason with two 20-game winners, three 30-HR guys, a boatload of .300 hitters and 100 RBI men, a dominant bullpen and closer, and lose...it doesn't mean you weren't good enough as constructed. It just means the other team played better than you over a 5 or 7 game stretch. It happens.

If you want to say a team that slugs its way to 100 wins isn't as equipped as one that has four dominant starters, fine. But this Yankee team isn't just built on offense like in the past. They've got good starters AND the bats to go with them. It hasn't come together yet. Doesn't mean it won't. And as we've all seen (even in the years the Yanks were winning), it only takes a handful of plays that turn an entire series the other way. Are you going to tell me the 2004 Yankees weren't good enough to beat Boston? They were one inning away from those flaws never being exposed! Are you going to tell me the 2008 Rays weren't good enough to beat Philly? The 1996 Braves weren't every bit as talented as the Yankees that year? Come on.

We've seen it a million times, the best team doesn't always win a series -- and it's more often who gets good pitching rather than who is a good pitcher. The 2006 Yankees were a better team than the 2006 Tigers. But the 2006 Tigers got great pitching from an extremely unlikely source in Kenny Rogers at a pivotal moment. Does that mean we should go into the offseason looking to sign every soft-tossing aging lefty we can find? Come on people, it's baseball -- things happen, especially in a short series, and that's what makes it so great and unpredictable. Best teams lose (see Cubs, Chicago circa 2008) and worst teams win. It makes for great theater come postseason. ANYBODY CAN BEAT ANYBODY. If your expectation of a team is for a division title and approaching 100 wins, you're letting your "Yankees always choke in the playoffs" bias show through if you think you can predict what round they're good enough to reach.

The four biggest talents on the Yanks (CC, Burnett, A-Rod, Tex) haven't even remotely carried their collective weight.

 

[Sammy3469]

Hi, I'm new here. Is Gardner being relegated to solely a bench player?

for the time being Melky is the CF

 

[shuke]

Hi, I'm new here. Is Gardner being relegated to solely a bench player?

for the time being Melky is the CF

I'm curious what his chance are of keeping it.

 

[Sammy3469]

Hi, I'm new here. Is Gardner being relegated to solely a bench player?

for the time being Melky is the CF

I'm curious what his chance are of keeping it.

Long term not good (Austin Jackson)...short term Melky's the CF if he keeps hitting (or better put doesn't suck)

 

[blackjack23]

It's gonna be hilarious to see the backpedaling in here when this team wins its 95th game.All I heard back in 2007 was that A-Rod CARRIED the team to the postseason; some people went so far as to say he was the only reason they made the playoffs. Now, he's coming back...and suddenly it means nothing.Teixeira is going to finish up right around .290, but is barely treading above .200 right now.CC is going to win 18-20 games, and you can count on one finger how many he's got so far.And if you think this pen is going to carry a 6+ ERA for the season, I respectfully disagree.It's an awful stretch, no doubt. But some of you guys act like there won't be good stretches to balance it out. It's not like anybody is running away with the division (sorry Toronto fans, I just feel this is Orioles 2005 redux).

I dont disagree with anything you say except the bullpen is atrocious no matter how you spin it. They wont pitch to a 6 ERA all year but a low 5 isnt out of the question. This pen is gonna ruin the entire season (of course it doesnt help that their top 2 set up men and now the closer is hurt).

 

[blackjack23]

Hi, I'm new here. Is Gardner being relegated to solely a bench player?

Did you see Melky's #s? I know he wont sustain that all year but wow. You can make a case that hes been the Yanks MVP so far.

 

[shuke]

Hi, I'm new here.

Is Gardner being relegated to solely a bench player?

Did you see Melky's #s? I know he wont sustain that all year but wow. You can make a case that hes been the Yanks MVP so far.

No you can't.

 

[blackjack23]

Hi, I'm new here.

Is Gardner being relegated to solely a bench player?

Did you see Melky's #s? I know he wont sustain that all year but wow. You can make a case that hes been the Yanks MVP so far.

No you can't.

He has a .954 OPS (4th on the team behind Swish, Damon, and Posada). Damon's recent hot streak certainly pushes him to the forefront as Yank MVP so far but Melky would be in the discussion.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

 

[Michael Brown]

I've got to hand it to you, you do make a compelling argument.