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Hey, remember Alex Rodriguez?  Quite fellow, never stirred the pot, a pleasure to hear about.  Well, the good news is he is playing in a rehab game today which means he should be back in the lineup very soon.  The bad news is Selena Roberts' book comes out May 12 and the Daily News has a copy and has started to write about it.

Some of the stuff is not the surprising.  It claims A-Rod used steroids in high school and HGH in 2004. (Seriously, at this point can you honestly look at any player in baseball and 100% believe he is clean?  I know I can't)  What is more distubring to me, is the allegation that he would tip his teams' pitches to opposing batters in blowouts, hoping that would be done for him in return.  To me, selling out your own teammates like that is unforgiveable.  

As an added bonus, the book on A-Rod comes out the same day that the new book about Roger Clemens comes out.  Should be quite a day for baseball.   

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 09:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (19)

The last two night's have provided a glimpse into the ideal Yankee future- Hughes (22) and Joba (23) both in the rotation and both winning games.  It has happened before, September 2007 to be specific, but I wonder when was the last time before that when the Yankees had two pitchers getting wins who were under 25?

Who knows if this is the start of something or a flash in the pan, but the Yankees have a reason to be optimistic.   

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

YES just played this interview with Girardi about moving Joba to the pen.   

Girardi- I think if you looked at his numbers as a starter and compare him to other starters last year, you would say his numbers are pretty special.  But, it's it's always heightened when you come in the eighth inning you're only going to throw one inning.  I loved what he did in both roles last year and that's something we've talked about we debated over and over.  Threw a pretty good game against Boston.  Threw a pretty good game against Kansas City.  I mean he has thrown some pretty good games for us he hasn't necessarily been rewarded with wins but he's thrown pretty well. And it's hard to have that same presence outworldly as a starter because i think you would wear yourself out.  You can have it inside of you.  But you know this is something we talked about doing and we think he has top of the end rotation stuff and this is something he is probably going to grow and learn.

Question- Has his velocity been where you want it to be and if not will that improve?

Girardi- I think against Boston it was the best it had been and we've talked about how power pitchers take a little but more time than other guys sometimes and i think he was consistently 93 and i think it will continue to improve as the season goes on

Question- Can you envision any scenario this year in which he goes back to the bullpen?

Girardi- Well thats not something i necessarily want to get into.  I mean we have five starters now and we will stick with those five starters.  You see what situation you have as the season goes on but right now we are sticking with those starters.  

I don't know if that will put the rumors to rest, but I hope so.  Joba has 15 career starts with a 2.99 ERA.  If he kept that up he would win multiple Cy Youngs.  Let's see him start a lot more games this year and then decide where he should end up, the bullpen can be a fallback option and too many starters would be a wonderful problem to have. 

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 06:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)

You can't argue with the move to pull Pena and hit Posada, but consider what this is setting up.  Berroa is going to play third for the next three innings in a close game. (It's 2-0 right now)  If something happens to Molina then "insert name here" is your catcher for the rest of the game.  Gardner is the only available bat on the bench. 

I don't know if there is a stronger case than that for reducing the pitching staff to 12 pitchers, but I hope the Yankees do it soon.   

UPDATE- The Yankees have a way of making me look dumb often.  This game isn't close, doesn't change my opinion about cutting down to 12 hurlers though.

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 09:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I keep hearing how the Yankees relievers other than Rivera have been a disaster and the Yankees need to make changes.  But let's look at some facts.  Last week the Yankees were 9-6 and feeling pretty good, now they are 9-10 and feeling bad.

But, Friday's game squarely falls on Rivera's shoulders.  If he does his job, that's a win.

Saturday, A.J. couldn't hold a 6-0 lead and gave up 8 runs.  You can blame the bullpen for what happened after that, but that game belongs on the starter.

Sunday, Andy Pettitte gave up four runs and Monday C.C. did the exact same. 

So, perhaps we are looking at this the wrong way?

Yes, there are question marks. But, when Bruney comes back things will be a lot better and let's see what Melancon can do before we try and trade the whole bullpen and bring in new guys.  Better, let's worry about the offense and things like A-Rod's hip and why Girardi has given up on Gardner so quickly. 

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 06:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Ugh, ugh, ugh.  Not much else to say.  Well a couple of things. 

Pena plays third until A-Rod returns.

Cabrera at home this year OPS 1.555 on the road OPS .666.  In 1600 plate appearances he is a career .711.  I know Girardi thinks he is swinging a "hot bat", but maybe that bat is a creation of the new Yankee Stadium and it is too early to give up on Gardner?  (I will admit, Gardner isn't doing much, but we know what Melky is)  

Sabathia pitched pretty well, not great, but at least he rested the bullpen.  

Tomorrow the Yankees turn to Hughes.  I hope that besides demoting Jackson, they consider cutting it down to 12 pitchers again.  The Yankees need another bat on the bench, especially with Damon banged up.

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 09:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is why the Yankees gave Sabathia all that money, a start like this.  The team is reeling and it needs someone to lift them on his back and carry them to a win.  It's a big spot in the young season, can C.C. deliver? 

And guess who is starting at third?  Not Berroa! 

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 05:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Not a good weekend in Fenway, but at least Melancon looked good and pitched his way out of big trouble in the 8th.  Fair or not, I think the Girardi death watch starts now and will be in a frenzy if the Yankees don't take the series from Detroit. I would not want to be Joe if the Yankees come home Thursday under .500. 

With that, I am going to try and get some sleep.   

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 11:21 PM | Permalink

You simply can't lose that game.  Up 6-0 Burnett has to find a way to bring it home.  I found the managing by both guys strange to say the least.  Why did Francona keep Beckett in there and why did Papelbon close out a 5-run lead?  More importantly what was Girardi's bullpen plan tonight?

Veras came in for the 6th and Albe came in for the 7th which makes you think Ramirez or Marte would have been used for the 8th if the Yankees had a lead <gulp> Why was Coke, who has been hot recently, pulled after getting Ortiz out?   

I don't get it, but the Yankees better figure out a way to win tomorrow.   

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 08:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Posted by Peter (Yankees) at 03:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)