Big, big series following the All-Star break. We haven't faced Tampa much at all this year, it's time to take control of the division. Game 1: Shields vs. Sabathia Game 2: Niemann vs. Burnett Game 3: Price vs. Pettite Should be a good series. Discouraging news on the injury front as Aceves couldn't finish his bullpen session on July 5 and appears to be nowhere near returning. Nick Johnson also had setbacks in his rehab. Apparently Mitre could be close to returning.... Our bullpen is a massive pile of ass fudge this season and we need some more capable arms. I think Alabadejo should be called up and given a shot.
Johnson is likely done for the year. Aceves might be as well. That's the last I heard on each of them. Missing Johnson isn't that big a deal, not because I don't like him, but because we wind up having more availability for the revolving DH so guys get rest. I hadn't heard Mitre was close. That's good news. Hopefully that will spell the end of Gaudin. Albaladejo actually got the save last night in the AAA All-Star game. I want him back in the majors. I can't understand what the delay is.
Hahaha, you know, taken within the framework of what I posted, it does sound a bit silly. I've been harping on bringing him up for weeks though. He's mowing them down for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In MLB 10: The Show, I'll bring in guys that could easily help my MLB team, but I'll put them in AAA to win those titles. I have issues :s
Johnson being out is a big deal, because it necessarily puts Frankie Cervelli, Colin Curtis or Ramiro Pena in the lineup. I'm all for resting Posada and A-Rod from time to time, but it does hurt the lineup in a very real way. Along those lines, I think that Juan Miranda has earned another shot. He could platoon with Thames at DH, and it's not like anyone would miss Kevin Russo.
Personally, I don't care about Cervelli's bat, I like his defense enough that whatever he hits is just a bonus with Posada at DH. Pena is hard to watch, but whatever. I'd be okay bringing back Miranda. Especially if Russo is going to continue to never get playing time. I like Russo but it's hard to perform when you never get to play. EDIT: I just read that Mitre will begin his rehab with SWB tonight. Good news.
The problem is, Cervelli's not even that great a defensive catcher--his caught stealing percentage is only 14%, not nearly good enough for a guy hitting as poorly as he is. I like Frankie because of his energy and his propensity to get hits in big spots, but the less he gets on the field the better.
You're going to judge him based on caught stealing? Personally, I'll judge him based on the games he calls while behind the plate. Sure, it's not a "stat" and there will be people who take issue with that, but whatever. Cervelli is the best defensive catcher out of himself, Posada, and Montero and those are the only guys who are available right now. And I despise Nick Johnson, so never seeing him play for the Yankees again is just a bonus to me.
I'm not saying that CS% is the end all be all for catchers, but 14% is downright terrible. The article I linked to also takes passed balls into account, and Cervelli doesn't do a great job there either. The "calling a good game" stuff sounds good, but it's completely unquantifiable and your perception of it is deeply affected by confirmation bias.
send Swish! Oh wait, we already sent him. Jeter licks balls right now by the way. I say we start the "Jeter is done" talk.
Pettitte had nothing today, and has left the game in the 3rd inning with a groin/leg injury. Perfect.
