2007 New York Yankees Thread - Page 82

thomamon · 08-23-2007, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

Whats the rumors in New York for getting Johan Santana?

I heard Melky Cabrera, Phillip Hughes, Robinson Cano, Some SPer that can throw 100+ or something (can't think of his name)

Seems like quite a lot, but I don't really follow the Yankees farm system. Whats the news in NY?

The person who started that rumor is on crack. Maybe we can throw in Jeter too.

myasu · 08-23-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomamon

The person who started that rumor is on crack. Maybe we can throw in Jeter too.

Not a bad idea!

1998 Yankees · 08-24-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

Whats the rumors in New York for getting Johan Santana?

I heard Melky Cabrera, Phillip Hughes, Robinson Cano, Some SPer that can throw 100+ or something (can't think of his name)

Seems like quite a lot, but I don't really follow the Yankees farm system. Whats the news in NY?

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomamon

The person who started that rumor is on crack. Maybe we can throw in Jeter too.

If this ever happened, I would move to Minneapolis and live in CommishJoe's attic or basement so I could still root for the Yankees.

CommishJoe · 08-24-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

If this ever happened, I would move to Minneapolis and live in CommishJoe's attic or basement so I could still root for the Yankees.

HA! I already have 7 boys (including me) living in my 3 bedroom house so you'd have to pitch a tent in the backyard

I haven't heard anything about that rumor up here either. Good thing too

darkhorse · 08-24-2007, 05:17 PM

Since the All-Star break the Yankees are averaging 7.2 runs per game and batting .320/.389/.534 as a team. FIVE regulars have OPS's over 1.000 during that span with Posada leading the way at .363/.471/.646 for an OPS of 1.117.

Since June 1st, old washed up Bobby Abreu is batting .330/.404/.563.

That stuff makes even a fan of the MLB record holders for offense in a game a big lightheaded BUT I still believe the Red Sox will win it all this year with their amazingly well-rounded game.

CommishJoe · 08-27-2007, 01:47 PM

Another 5 run outing by Hughes, but his line still looks pretty good. Other than 2 bad pitches which the Tigers smoked, and a single turned into an inside the park HR, he seemed to pitch Ok. 6IP, 4H, 1BB, 6Ks are all respectable #s.

Skipaway · 08-27-2007, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlyons

The only rumors I've heard involve waiting 16 months and signing him as a free agent.

That trade rumor might be a good thing for the Yankees though. There is no chance for that to happen, but that might give Santana a good impression about how high the Yankees values him!

myasu · 08-27-2007, 11:59 PM

Mussina had another horrible outing.
3IP, 9hits, 1walk, 6ER.

Yankees had to use 3 more pitchers (for the remaining 5 innings) just to finish the game, when they knew the Red Sox were coming to town the very next day after a day off. (I know, it was Ramirez, Henn, Bruney. But considering the way the Red Sox have been hitting recently, you could use any help out of the bullpen...)

Now, Yankees are 8 games back again, looking tired, must take 2 out of 3 games at least, against Matsuzaka, Beckett, Schilling.

Now they need a big help from that French guy from the Boston pen !
What was his name??

thomamon · 08-28-2007, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myasu

Now, Yankees are 8 games back again, looking tired, must take 2 out of 3 games at least, against Matsuzaka, Beckett, Schilling.

Now to sound disheartening, but if the Yanks stand a chance in the East, they must sweep. Bottom line

myasu · 08-29-2007, 01:17 AM

Deleted

myasu · 08-29-2007, 01:20 AM

Yankees....

They just never give up.

And Matsuzaka...

I still have not seen his best in the Red Sox jersey.
I watched a TV documentary about him the other day, and his personal trainer (conditioning person) said that Matsuzaka is still struggling with the pitchers mound in the MLB parks.

He said that the mound in the States are harder comparing to the Japanese mounds, and with the way Matsuzaka pitches (He used to slide his left foot towards the home plate after he release the ball, to keep his release point low and controled. But with the harder mound, his left foot would be just stuck at where it landed, and it has been the reason his command is not what it used to be back in Japan.)
With all the other reasons including the difference of the balls and everything, this, according to the trainer, is the biggest difference Matsuzaka has been trying to adjust to all these days.

I think it makes sense, watching some of the other Japanse pitchers making smoother adjustment to the American baseball (Like Okajima has been, or Saito for LAD, Ohtsuka for Texas did not have as much trouble, except for THE "ball".) and Matsuzaka struggling more because of the way he delivers the ball.

It is interesting that some pitchers from Japan look more relaxed, comfortable, confident in MLB, Okajima being an extreme example.

In an interview, he said

"On my very first outing in MLB, the very first pitch was hit out of the park pretty easily. It was a four seamer I used to pitch all the time in Japan, and at the very moment, I thought I could not use the pitch anymore in MLB. I tried out 2 seamer that I really did not throw back in Japan, and it worked. Also, because of the difference of the ball, my curve ball, which has been my out pitch in Japan, has not been working over here. I just can not locate the pitch as much as I want. I think the ball is more slippy over here. So, I tried the change up, that I had never used in Japan. With the help from our pitching coach, it worked out just fine, so I started using it instead of the curve ball. I guess I am really lucky as I look back, because the very first pitch I threw in MLB was hit out of the park, and it was like #8 hitter in the lineup, I thought I had to change the way I pitch completely, otherwise my career here would be over in a week. As it turned out, that home run helped me change, not just the way I pitch, but it made me become humble. Now I am facing every hitter as he was a #3 hitter."

On the other hand, Matsuzaka has been, at least to my eyes, little bit stubborn, still trying too much to dominate the hitters.
How often do you see him go 0-2, and then go full count, trying to strike him out, and then walk him, specially early in the ball game.
I think it has at least a little to do with him not getting as many run support as his fellow starters.
When Matsuzaka is on the hill, no groove. He throws way more pitches than he needs, and that takes out something out of the hitters.

Well, I think I should have posted this in a Red Sox thread!

Sorry, I am just disappointed about Matsuzaka.
He should do better than this.
I know he is a better pitcher than this, and I just want him to know that he has to pitch better than this in the post season games.
If he could not, I would be the first Japanese to spank him in the ass at Narita Airport when he comes back to Tokyo in November (hopefully).

I admit.
I wanted the Sox sweep now.
Bacause if we did not finish them right now, even kick them out of the wildcard race, I was scared that the Yankees would somehow come back in the playoff, and, and...... Oh, no.

I gotta throw up now.

1998 Yankees · 08-29-2007, 10:50 AM

Responses in bold:

Quote:

Originally Posted by myasu

Yankees....

They just never give up.

That's why, with all the ups and downs this year, I have enjoyed this season even if they miss the playoffs. After the spring they had, they could have tanked but did not. They keep coming back instead.

And Matsuzaka...

I still have not seen his best in the Red Sox jersey.

His best may be yet to come. Don't forget, he is technically a rookie here and while not dominating, is having a decent season.

I watched a TV documentary about him the other day, and his personal trainer (conditioning person) said that Matsuzaka is still struggling with the pitchers mound in the MLB parks.

He said that the mound in the States are harder comparing to the Japanese mounds, and with the way Matsuzaka pitches (He used to slide his left foot towards the home plate after he release the ball, to keep his release point low and controled. But with the harder mound, his left foot would be just stuck at where it landed, and it has been the reason his command is not what it used to be back in Japan.)

With all the other reasons including the difference of the balls and everything, this, according to the trainer, is the biggest difference Matsuzaka has been trying to adjust to all these days.

He may honestly believe that, but just reading it here and perhaps quoted out of context, it sounds like a weak excuse. Better to say "Gee, this is rougher than I thought over here, but I'm working on things and I'm going to get even better, just watch."

I think it makes sense, watching some of the other Japanse pitchers making smoother adjustment to the American baseball (Like Okajima has been, or Saito for LAD, Ohtsuka for Texas did not have as much trouble, except for THE "ball".) and Matsuzaka struggling more because of the way he delivers the ball.

It is interesting that some pitchers from Japan look more relaxed, comfortable, confident in MLB, Okajima being an extreme example.

Good case in point.

In an interview, he said

"On my very first outing in MLB, the very first pitch was hit out of the park pretty easily. It was a four seamer I used to pitch all the time in Japan, and at the very moment, I thought I could not use the pitch anymore in MLB. I tried out 2 seamer that I really did not throw back in Japan, and it worked. Also, because of the difference of the ball, my curve ball, which has been my out pitch in Japan, has not been working over here. I just can not locate the pitch as much as I want. I think the ball is more slippy over here. So, I tried the change up, that I had never used in Japan. With the help from our pitching coach, it worked out just fine, so I started using it instead of the curve ball. I guess I am really lucky as I look back, because the very first pitch I threw in MLB was hit out of the park, and it was like #8 hitter in the lineup, I thought I had to change the way I pitch completely, otherwise my career here would be over in a week. As it turned out, that home run helped me change, not just the way I pitch, but it made me become humble. Now I am facing every hitter as he was a #3 hitter."

He said all that in one breath?

On the other hand, Matsuzaka has been, at least to my eyes, little bit stubborn, still trying too much to dominate the hitters.
How often do you see him go 0-2, and then go full count, trying to strike him out, and then walk him, specially early in the ball game.
I think it has at least a little to do with him not getting as many run support as his fellow starters.
When Matsuzaka is on the hill, no groove. He throws way more pitches than he needs, and that takes out something out of the hitters.

Now you're talking perhaps about what he has to do to adjust over here, plus the sporadic run support that you mentioned has not helped.

Well, I think I should have posted this in a Red Sox thread!

Well, feel free to copy your post over there, but you are welcome here, myasu.

Sorry, I am just disappointed about Matsuzaka.
He should do better than this.
I know he is a better pitcher than this, and I just want him to know that he has to pitch better than this in the post season games.

I trust that I will not be insulting you if I point out that IMO, IMHO, the Japanese baseball leagues are not on the same level of overall quality as Major League Baseball. Not every great player of yours is going to come over here and "do an Ichiro" (.350, ROY, MVP in his first year). Matsuzaka may come into his own next year.

If he could not, I would be the first Japanese to spank him in the ass at Narita Airport when he comes back to Tokyo in November (hopefully).

myasu, I hope our American culture is not rubbing off on you. I would expect you to bow before spanking him at least. LOL.

I admit.
I wanted the Sox sweep now.
Bacause if we did not finish them right now, even kick them out of the wildcard race, I was scared that the Yankees would somehow come back in the playoff, and, and...... Oh, no.

Our rallying cry: "2004! 2004! 2004!"

I gotta throw up now.

Ah, get over yourself. Best record in baseball, .600 winning percentage, 7-game division lead with one month to go. What's to be sick about? Save it for the playoffs, when all is wiped clean and eight teams start from scratch again.

CommishJoe · 08-29-2007, 11:21 AM

Moose's next start is being skipped...

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseba...,3440194.story

Should be interesting to see how Kennedy does.

1998 Yankees · 08-29-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommishJoe

Moose's next start is being skipped...

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseba...,3440194.story

Should be interesting to see how Kennedy does.

I feel bad for Moose, but it's time. It may not be permanent, but the signs* have been there sporadically in the past, like the lawn mower running out of gas analogy that I used earlier.

I have not always liked Mussina for various reasons; complaining about run support and playing conditions, pig-headed refusal to do anything different when necessary, failure to protect his teammates in headhunting wars. But, his standing up for the team and challenging Pavano earlier this season was a definite plus in my book.

*EDIT: This quote may be the strongest indication yet:

Quote:

Mussina said he would "understand" if Torre went with another pitcher next time through the rotation.

No player says something like that unless he suspects in his heart that he might be through.

darkhorse · 08-29-2007, 01:42 PM

Johnny Damon has been raking (.304/.390/.466) since the All-Star break, whilst Coco Crisp is back to playing like Coco Crisp.

1998 Yankees · 08-29-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse

Johnny Damon has been raking (.304/.390/.466) since the All-Star break

My friend and I were just speculating as to whether the Yanks would trade him during the offseason, if possible, and whether this surge would help the process.

Damon is doing well in LF, but that leaves Matsui in DH and you know already that we have too many DH's around now. Yes, the consensus is Abreu is gone after this season, but only Cabrera of the three has the arm for RF and it's unlikely either Damon or Matsui can play CF long-term anymore.

If Duncan sticks with the club, he can play RF, but that still leaves Damon as expendable because the CF job belongs to Cabrera. Neither Damon nor Matsui can play RF.

I'm confused. Ideas?

silvam14 · 08-29-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse

Johnny Damon has been raking (.304/.390/.466) since the All-Star break, whilst Coco Crisp is back to playing like Coco Crisp.

If Damon played CF half as good as Coco has, he wouldn't be in LF now.

1998 Yankees · 08-29-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvam14

If Damon played CF half as good as Coco has, he wouldn't be in LF now.

Keep in mind their age difference: 33 (Damon) vs. 27 (Crisp).

darkhorse · 08-29-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvam14

If Damon played CF half as good as Coco has, he wouldn't be in LF now.

If Melky Cabrera played for the Red Sox, Coco would be out of the lineup.

1998 Yankees · 08-29-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkhorse

If Melky Cabrera played for the Red Sox, Coco would be out of the lineup.

That's pretty much what happened to Damon (well, out of CF at least). Cabrera has turned into an excellent CF with instincts, glove, and arm.

08-24-2007, 05:17 PM	#1625
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	Since the All-Star break the Yankees are averaging 7.2 runs per game and batting .320/.389/.534 as a team. FIVE regulars have OPS's over 1.000 during that span with Posada leading the way at .363/.471/.646 for an OPS of 1.117. Since June 1st, old washed up Bobby Abreu is batting .330/.404/.563. That stuff makes even a fan of the MLB record holders for offense in a game a big lightheaded BUT I still believe the Red Sox will win it all this year with their amazingly well-rounded game. __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan." Last edited by darkhorse; 08-24-2007 at 05:19 PM.

08-27-2007, 01:47 PM	#1626
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	Another 5 run outing by Hughes, but his line still looks pretty good. Other than 2 bad pitches which the Tigers smoked, and a single turned into an inside the park HR, he seemed to pitch Ok. 6IP, 4H, 1BB, 6Ks are all respectable #s. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

08-27-2007, 11:59 PM	#1628
myasu All Star Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 1,491	Mussina had another horrible outing. 3IP, 9hits, 1walk, 6ER. Yankees had to use 3 more pitchers (for the remaining 5 innings) just to finish the game, when they knew the Red Sox were coming to town the very next day after a day off. (I know, it was Ramirez, Henn, Bruney. But considering the way the Red Sox have been hitting recently, you could use any help out of the bullpen...) Now, Yankees are 8 games back again, looking tired, must take 2 out of 3 games at least, against Matsuzaka, Beckett, Schilling. Now they need a big help from that French guy from the Boston pen ! What was his name?? __________________ myasu Bill Spaceman Lee- "The other day they asked me about mandatory drug testing. I said I believed in drug testing a long time ago. All through the sixties I tested everything."

08-29-2007, 01:17 AM	#1630
myasu All Star Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 1,491	Deleted __________________ myasu Bill Spaceman Lee- "The other day they asked me about mandatory drug testing. I said I believed in drug testing a long time ago. All through the sixties I tested everything." Last edited by myasu; 08-29-2007 at 01:22 AM. Reason: Deleted. Same as the one below. Sorry

08-29-2007, 01:20 AM	#1631
myasu All Star Starter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 1,491	Yankees.... They just never give up. And Matsuzaka... I still have not seen his best in the Red Sox jersey. I watched a TV documentary about him the other day, and his personal trainer (conditioning person) said that Matsuzaka is still struggling with the pitchers mound in the MLB parks. He said that the mound in the States are harder comparing to the Japanese mounds, and with the way Matsuzaka pitches (He used to slide his left foot towards the home plate after he release the ball, to keep his release point low and controled. But with the harder mound, his left foot would be just stuck at where it landed, and it has been the reason his command is not what it used to be back in Japan.) With all the other reasons including the difference of the balls and everything, this, according to the trainer, is the biggest difference Matsuzaka has been trying to adjust to all these days. I think it makes sense, watching some of the other Japanse pitchers making smoother adjustment to the American baseball (Like Okajima has been, or Saito for LAD, Ohtsuka for Texas did not have as much trouble, except for THE "ball".) and Matsuzaka struggling more because of the way he delivers the ball. It is interesting that some pitchers from Japan look more relaxed, comfortable, confident in MLB, Okajima being an extreme example. In an interview, he said "On my very first outing in MLB, the very first pitch was hit out of the park pretty easily. It was a four seamer I used to pitch all the time in Japan, and at the very moment, I thought I could not use the pitch anymore in MLB. I tried out 2 seamer that I really did not throw back in Japan, and it worked. Also, because of the difference of the ball, my curve ball, which has been my out pitch in Japan, has not been working over here. I just can not locate the pitch as much as I want. I think the ball is more slippy over here. So, I tried the change up, that I had never used in Japan. With the help from our pitching coach, it worked out just fine, so I started using it instead of the curve ball. I guess I am really lucky as I look back, because the very first pitch I threw in MLB was hit out of the park, and it was like #8 hitter in the lineup, I thought I had to change the way I pitch completely, otherwise my career here would be over in a week. As it turned out, that home run helped me change, not just the way I pitch, but it made me become humble. Now I am facing every hitter as he was a #3 hitter." On the other hand, Matsuzaka has been, at least to my eyes, little bit stubborn, still trying too much to dominate the hitters. How often do you see him go 0-2, and then go full count, trying to strike him out, and then walk him, specially early in the ball game. I think it has at least a little to do with him not getting as many run support as his fellow starters. When Matsuzaka is on the hill, no groove. He throws way more pitches than he needs, and that takes out something out of the hitters. Well, I think I should have posted this in a Red Sox thread! Sorry, I am just disappointed about Matsuzaka. He should do better than this. I know he is a better pitcher than this, and I just want him to know that he has to pitch better than this in the post season games. If he could not, I would be the first Japanese to spank him in the ass at Narita Airport when he comes back to Tokyo in November (hopefully). I admit. I wanted the Sox sweep now. Bacause if we did not finish them right now, even kick them out of the wildcard race, I was scared that the Yankees would somehow come back in the playoff, and, and...... Oh, no. I gotta throw up now. __________________ myasu Bill Spaceman Lee- "The other day they asked me about mandatory drug testing. I said I believed in drug testing a long time ago. All through the sixties I tested everything."

08-29-2007, 11:21 AM	#1633
CommishJoe Global Moderator Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 5,238	Moose's next start is being skipped... http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseba...,3440194.story Should be interesting to see how Kennedy does. __________________ Joe Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due every day.

08-29-2007, 01:42 PM	#1635
darkhorse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: fort worth, tx Posts: 10,850	Johnny Damon has been raking (.304/.390/.466) since the All-Star break, whilst Coco Crisp is back to playing like Coco Crisp. __________________ "The Human Torch was denied a bank loan."