Kinda equivalent to speaking with or listening to fans sitting next to you at Yankee Stadium, I like to read the comments from “fans” on various message boards and forums. Here’s a brief list of some current opinions that seem to be prevalent (please note: these are not “stat head” Theo Epstein wanna-be’s; these are your WFAN caller-type fans):
1) Joe Girardi sucks- He can’t manage the bullpen, is handling Wang, Joba, Rivera, Posada, and Hughes wrong, and is too politically correct during interviews.
2) Fransisco Cervelli should replace Jorge Posada as everyday catcher. All of the pitchers work better with him, and he’s younger.
3) Wang needs to be in the bullpen, traded, or released.
4) Brian Bruney is on the DL too much and shouldn’t be talking about K-Rod.
5) Andy Pettitte is a has-been.
6) Joba should be pitching the 7th+8th innings. Period.
7) Brian Cashman should be fired.
8) Do we really want Damaso Marte back?
My takes:
1) Girardi doesn’t suck. He’s been under stress these last couple of weeks, and doesn’t have a whole lot to work with regarding the bullpen. Getting swept by the Red Sox again was embarrassing and frustrating. I am totally okay with Girardi because we can second guess every pitching move from here to eternity. He explains his rationale during the post-game press conferences…I had some issues with him not giving Phil Hughes work when he was banished to the bullpen, and I don’t think he’s handling Wang’s fragile psyche well, but those are minor criticisms in the grand scheme of things. Ultimately the players must execute, and I believe Giradi has made them feel relaxed and prepared this year. The team chemistry is a LOT better than last year.
2) Jorge has a lot of critics because of his dominant personality. But to suggest that Cervelli replace him is absurd. This campaign to make Jorge full-time DH is personality-driven; Cervelli is a wide-eyed rookie who gets rave reviews from CC and AJ, while fans see Jorge arguing with Joba and Wang all the time. Anyone who says Cervelli is an everyday catcher at this time (No HR, .298/.310 1 walk in 57 at-bats) is SICK.
3) Wang needs to be kept a starter until he can get his confidence back. He needs to be treated with kid gloves and patience until this happens.
4) Bruney has a right to express himself. I do think that fans, announcers, and management are putting too much hope on him to be THE 8th inning setup guy because he is so injury prone.
5) Andy always goes through stretches like this.
6) Joba should be a starter. Period.
7) Brian Cashman should be fired, I agree with.
8) I agree- I am not a fan of Damaso Marte. I sure wish Phil Coke would get his act together and become the “lefty guy”.
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We won last night against the worst team in baseball. Nick Johnson was on 1st base for the Nationals and i have his pictures and his autograph that i snapped myself at a baltimore game awhile back..
I also read about the Cervelli > Posada "debate".
Anyone who advocates benching Jorge 144 OPS+ Posada should have his posting privileges (and his children) taken away.
Cervelli was hitting .190 in AA TRENTON. He's performed better than expected for an emergency call-up (3rd string catcher), but his .298 batting average is VERY weak, considering his hits are mostly singles.
The alleged advantage in handling the pitchers is CC and AJ complimented the rookie a few times.
The ERA stats when Jorge catches is illusory since Posada's numbers are inflated from catching Wang.
That being said Cervelli looks like he will have a very nice career ahead of himself as a backup catcher which was fine for Tim McCarver and John Flaherty when they were players…
Molina has a good reputation for throwing runners out and "handling pitchers" (what are they beasts?) but Molina has gotten fat and immobile and can't hit for shit.
I understand that some people do get frustrated at times, especially when we lose. I have no problem with that, that is our jobs as fans- we expect to win EVERY DAY. I have no problem with people having their opinions about Joba being in the pen but if you want to make your case you have to have a legit reason as to why he should be be in the bullpen.
If I remember correctly, he just SAT there last year and was only in a FEW high-leverage situations.
Yup, Joba's not allowed to have a bad start if he does, he should be in the bullpen.
The Eighth Inning is Magical now, and only certain people have the mentality for it…
NOT!
I agree with the "crazed" yankee fans because we ALWAYS want to win!
But deep down, Damian is right..
But, and i have one, Wang how much can you pat Wang on the back and hold his hand and take him to kindergarden? Come on, he's no rookie. Burney did do great, but what exactly is his problem? I hope to God he is not another "Pavano" and starts saying his arm hurts, etc.. We are just climbing up where we should belong and the yanks don't need anyone screwing up now!!!