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The Bronx Block
Don’t Jump!
The sky is falling! The Yankees suck! They can’t hit! They’re 9 out of first and 6 back of the wildcard! They’re done! They need to trade the whole farm system for Sabathia! Holy crap, this ledge is REALLY high up! AAAAAAaaahhh! All these thoughts have gone through my own mind in the past few days, so I’d imagine that it’s the case with some of you, as well. It’s important, though, during these troubling times, to take a step back and gain some perspective. Here are some things to consider before you splatter yourself against that harsh, unforgiving pavement below.
- If there really IS a God, he (or she) I’m thinking would probably frown on killing yourself over a sports team. It might prevent you from gaining admission to Heaven, Nirvana, or Valhalla, or whatever particular vision of the afterlife you hold to. NO 72 virgins for YOU!!
- Last year at this point, the Yanks were 11.5 out of the division and 8 out of the wildcard, compared to this year’s 9 and 6.
- Joba and Moose are going the next two games, giving us a reasonable shot at splitting this 4 game series.
- Most of the question marks going into the season have actually been answered pretty positively so far:
a) The bullpen has really solidified. With the recent addition of Robertson, Giese as a long man, and the unlikely rise of Veras to the relief ace role, the pen looks extremely tough. Even if a guy like Edwar falters, help is close at hand with guys like Patterson, Strickland, and Cox at AAA, and Sanchez and Britton rehabbing from injury.
b) Giambi has made the 1st base questions go away for a year with his slimmed-down, mustachioed resurgence.
c) Girardi looks confident and has been able to motivate when necessary while not losing the respect of the veterans.
d) Moose has outperformed even the most optimistic predictions.
e) Joba has successfully transitioned from relief ace to solid member of the starting rotation.
f) The only big question going into the season that has turned negative is the Hughes, Kennedy fiasco, but even that has a chance at turning out all right with Kennedy pitching in rehab now.
The big problem has, surprisingly, been the bats. That was the only non-question going into the season and now we’re left scratching our heads how it’s possible for these Yankees not to hit. Strange game this baseball. The good news is that you’ve got to figure that this team is going to hit the second half. Maybe this is just a second half team. The point is that this is doable. It’s not going to be easy but you have to think that they’re going to, at the very least, make it interesting the rest of the year. So take a step back… take another step back, walk over to the fridge, grab yourself a frosty beverage and watch Moose beat the Sox today. Be thankful you’re not a Royals fan and be grateful that you root for a fun team that will keep you distracted and unproductive until football season starts. God bless America, and God bless the New York Yankees (no blasphemy intended, big guy, save a couple virgins for me).
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on Saturday, July 5th, 2008 at 12:23 pm and is filed under Off the Facade.
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11 Responses to “Don’t Jump!”
July 5th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
After 88 games last season (where they are now), they were 9.5 games back. They had better starting pitching last season and A-Rod and Posada were having career years.
July 5th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Their starting pitching was about the same last season. Mussina and Igawa/wright/etc were just as bad in the 4-5 slots as what we have going now. The bullpen is better. They just need to hit the damn ball.
July 5th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
July 5 last year: Yanks 11.5 out. Yanks below .500. They’re definitely better off so far this year.
July 5th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
You can’t go by the date. Go by the game number. On July 5, 2007, the Yankees had only played 82 games.
July 5th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Even by your reasoning, the Yanks were still 8 out of the wildcard at that point versus 6 this year, so there’s still no question the Yanks are better off this year than last. I’m not sure why you’re focusing on the division when it’s the wildcard that’s important.
July 5th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
One thing that made it do-able in the past was the leadership of Jeter, Posada and Pettitte. They would will the Yankees back into contention in recent years. Without Torre around this year, those three look like they’re just collecting their paychecks. There’s no fire in their bellies. On top of that, A-Rod, without any personal goals - like a huge contract extension - to motivate him, is back on cruise control this year. And Cano - after getting the huge contact extension - just can’t seem to muster up an iota of plate discipline.Last year, Clemens and Duncan came in and shook up the clubhouse and, with Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, A-Rod and Cano, got things going. Hardly seems likely that that will happen this year. Two years before that it was Cano, Wang, Small and Chacon who came out of nowhere to give the Yankees the shot in the arm they needed. You can’t count on miracles happening every year. I was hoping for a repeat with Rasner, Giese and Gardner. Not happening. Do they really think Sidney Ponson is the type of player to inspire some sort of a turnaround?
July 5th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Yo, you guys are totally harshing my buzz, man!! Cash has pulled rabbits out of his pocket before! All we need is the bats to wake up and Kennedy to come in and pitch the way he’s capable. It can happen. Yes it’s difficult, but definitely possible.
July 6th, 2008 at 8:21 am
No, all is not lost, but yes the Yanks do suck. Right now, their pathetic. With the exception of the pen, the rest of the team shapes up to mediocre at best.
An offence that was supposed to be the teams strength, spotty at best.
Thin on starters. How many teams go to the postseason with two rookies in the rotation?
I heard someone say yesterday that there’s too many guy’s in the clubhouse just happy to be there. Complacent?
As far as Jason Giambi is concerned how many errors does he have? And how much offence can he be expected to generate over a full season to make up for them. I think Moose has a better chance of winning 20 than of Giambi keeping this up, and how on board is everyone else with Moose being a Cy Young candidate? I believe this is a team of aging veterans who may catch lighting in a bottle, but I doubt it.
The team is waiting to take contracts off the books and hopefully use some of the new money to sign some free agents. Use the revamped farm system to bring in deserving youngsters, and expose them to the glare and see how they do. We don’t want anymore Ed Whitsons.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing. As much as it kills me to say it Boston had a year similar to this in ‘06. They hung tight and went WS champion last year. Boy does it hurt when those guys do it right.
July 6th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Guys…
The Yankees aren’t making the playoffs.
I think all real fans knew this before the season started. The team is transitioning and all these players you mentioned having good years (Moose, Giambi) won’t be on the team next season.
We should all be more interested in Brett Gardner, Robby Cano, Joba, Phil Franchise and IPK.
And more concerned with Jeter, Posada, Matsui and Damon. The last two, unfortunately, will be on next year’s team.
July 6th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
We’re FOUR out of the wildcard amigos! Y’all are giving up waaay too early. Why the long faces? Have some fun with this team. We’ve got some players and we’re going to be in it to the end. Let’s go Yaaannks!!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Pete and Frank I believe, as I have posted since April, that your assesments are right on the money…
This is a 85 win team….period.
The offense is impotent against anything that resembles quality pitching. It is a static, station to station, team that is lacking in the offensive fundamentals of the hit and run, advancing runners and difference making base running.
The defense is average at the very best with lack of range being a huge issue at almost every position. Posada behind the plate (due to his injury) is a green light for even average base runners to take extreme liberties on…and how many players limited to DH’ing can one team have?
The bull pen is good…the portion of the starting staff made up of Mussina, Pettitte and Joba has been good overall…the 4th and 5th spots render the overall grade to average.
I am of the opinion that you trade the expiring contracts of Giambi and Abreu for prospects only if they result in a higher return then the “sandwich round” draft picks for losing them in FA will provide…if not wait it out.
Pursue Texeira in that the farm sytem is devoid of an immediate fix for 1B…I believe Jesus Montero is the future at this position but at 18 years old this is still 3-4 years away.
I would “gamble” with a FA to be like Rocco Baldelli. Yes I know he is the definition of the DL list but if he stays healthy you have a legitimate top tier 5 tool CF’er and I believe the term/money will be affordable.
Along the same lines can Rich Harden be had? Obviously for the right price….
I would look at C.C. as well and since he is only 27 years old I may be willing to take a shot at a major commitment although conditioning continues to be a concern.
The Yankees need to let the farm sytem continue to develop and when prospects are ready they need to be played for more than 50 ab’s before they are judged as to success or failure.
In addition eveluate young talent and take a shot based on superior tools…Where were the Yankees when an Elijah Dukes became available?
I am very optimistic about 2009 and beyond and my support in 2008 is unwavering…but I am a realist and this group is not going to make Girardi change his number to 28.
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