Monday, March 03, 2008

Quick Hit

Giambi answered Duncan's output with a three-run smash of his own in yesterday's exhibition with the Phils. Looks like a real competition is brewing at 1B - good.

I'm interested to see what public reaction Hank will have to his now membership of the Bo Sox Nation.

Set your DVRs. Preseason games can be viewed on the YES Network this week on: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 1:15 PM.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

It didn't take long for the first round of cuts to come down in camp. Eric Duncan among the first four sent to the minor league complex. It's hard to say that your possible MLB career is over, even though it never started and that he's only 23. But it looks like this kid just isn't going to cut it. Better luck in the Mexican or Japanese League.

The guy from Cuba didn't look bad at 1B yesterday, Juan Miranda.

The Scooter said...

Carmen Miranda has a better shot at playing first base for the Yanks then Juan Miranda.

old professor said...

It is sad that as a first round pick Eric Duncan has been unable to cut it. Hopefully he can put up some numbers at Triple A and help someone in the future.

Regarding Juan Miranda, the Yankees signed the Cuban defector to take over at first when Giambi's Contract expires. The kid can hit though he will have to refine his defense. The other big question is his real age. He allegedly is only 26. (In Cuba that could be in dog years).

Anonymous said...

Typical Mussina. Reports are that he struggled with his 2-Strike command. He was able to get ahead of the hitter with 2 strikes and then couldn't put them away. He's done this for years. Get ahead and then nibble, nibble, and nibble some more until he either walks them or throws a meatball up there to get hammered. Girardi better talk to him, put the fear of God into him or something. He needs to throw strikes.

The Scooter said...

Easy Crash...I'm not saying that Moose is going to win 20 this year, but it is only March 3rd ya know. Let's give him a couple of weeks before we put him out to pasture for good.

old professor said...

Okay, the universe is definately out of alignment - I agree with Scooter. Mussina uses Spring Training to get in shape and strenghen his arm. He does not concern himself with getting people out. And yes Crash, it was his first two innings of the Spring. If it were late June and he was continuing to throw this way, then I am concerned.

The Scooter said...

Prof...You and I agreeing?

Wanna do lunch?

Anonymous said...

Maybe you 2 jokers have missed the last 5 Yankee seasons. Mussina has been doing this for years and his ability to get the call or make the right pitch when he needs to has declined each of those years. Since he come over to the Yankees, he has gone from an ace, to solid #2 guy, to a middle of the rotation guy, to an end of the rotation guy, to being pulled from the rotation guy, and now fighting to stay in the rotation (even though he's being paid like an ace).

He put up 3 good years with the Yankees when he first came over. He won 17, 18, and 17 games in 2001, 2002, and 2003 respectively. But he hit a wall in 2004. The last four years he is winning less, his innings have decreased significantly, his ERA and WHIP are up, and strike outs down.

Scooter and Old Prof are obviously still living in 2001 and giving him a pass. Mussina doesn't get the same pass that Bernie Williams got. We put up with below mediocrity production levels for several years with Bernie. But gave him a pass because he came up through the system, was for a short time revered as an offensive threat, a gold glove CF, and he was there contributing in their WS Championships in '96, '98, '99, and '00. Mussina isn't close to this.

As a fan of the Yankees I hope Mussina can add some value this year. But don't be surprised if he puts up his first losing season in 8 years and only his 3rd losing season in his career. I'm guessing probably 9-12 record with an ERA around 4.75. That is if Girardi gives him that much time. Realistically, Mussina could be pulled from the rotation by the All-Star break and I could see him being left off the post-season roster all together.

Hope I'm wrong.

old professor said...

Crash, now all that is needed is for Girardi and the other teams to agree which nine games he will win and the twelve he will loose. That would mean the Yankees and their opponents could take the day off (this would be twenty-one days of rest). Based on the way you analyze statistical data, the Giants lost the Super Bowl because they should not have even been on the field with the Pats. Is Mussina the pitcher he was five years ago - NO. But he still is serviceable and if the Yankees eventually tab him in as a number 4 or even 5 starter, he will be better than the 4 or 5 most other teams will put out their. (So what if the Yankees have to win his games 10-9 they will still win them.

Anonymous said...

Old Prof I expected a response with a little more substance than that. It seems you have dipped into Mid's book of childish retorts and clichés. You really couldn't come up with anything better than a poorly used analogy and "that's the reason they play the games"?

Anonymous said...

All I'm saying in a very round about manner is, I think Mussina stinks, he has for several years and there is no reason to believe that will change this year. I seem to recall a conversation we had a couple of months ago about Anrduw Jones. You were calling washed up after a single bad season. Mussina has had 4, and you think he's going to be effective???

If you think I'm wrong tell me why, with some logical support for your argument. "Because I said so" may have worked on arguments 25-30 years ago with me, but not now.

old professor said...

Actually Crash, that is why they play the game. Mussina could end up having a majority of his starts against Baltimore and Tampa and end up winning them. Who knows, Girardi might adopt a Casey Stengel concept of not having a set rotation and starting pitchers who have a better shot at winning specific games (reference Whitey Ford, 1961). [Yes, Scooter I remember the manager, player and season very well]. Adopting a philosophy like that regarding Mussina could give him additional rest and allow him a degree of moderate success (meaning .500 or above). In the sense of having set rotations, this would never happen, but it would be a good thought.

Anonymous said...

UGH!!! So pitch the washed up guy against the non-contender teams and the aces against the best. It may make sense from a team perspective, I mean managers will bench hitters against certain pitchers, send up pinch-hitters late in the game for favorable match-ups. I don't think Girardi would do that though. Essentially you would be throwing your kids to the wolves, if you give Mussina all the cupcakes.

Interesting thought old man.

Here I thought Whitey was a great pitcher, and you're telling me he only looked good because he pitched against hand picked opponents that stunk.

57 said...

Mussina is the reason I don't agree with a long term contract for a pitcher. Yes, that also means Johann. However, if it brings 2+ championships.. then I don't care.

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