The Yankee Zone

ENOUGH!!

2009-05-10T12:36:00.000-07:00

I just can't do it anymore.

If this team cannot find it within themselves to play hard, play with fire, play with passion, play with hunger, and just go out there and look like they actually care, why should i devote 10-15 minutes after every game to update this?

As I write this, we are going down like flies against some Japanese no-name. Nobody on the team is putting together good AB's consistently. Nobody.

The pitching staff sucks. The starters consistently put the team in a hole, and the bullpen is like gasoline to a fire.

Our moron manager Joe Retardi is a joke. The Yankees are unprepared half the time. From errors, to base running mistakes, to getting picked off, to throwing to the wrong base, etc. Never mind his ridiculous managing of the pitching staff.

This team just sucks. They don't deserve my time. Or yours.

Yankees Swept Away Again

2009-05-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

The struggling Tampa Bay Rays storm into Yankee Stadium and send the Yankees to their second straight sweep at home.

The Yankees fight back all night, only to watch Blowriano melt on the mound.

The Greedy Cheatin' Lefty sucks yet again; .280 BAA | 4.38 ERA
And he wanted more money?

Marky Pop Up continues to sink lower and lower. An 8 year mistake.

Captain Groundout leads by example; and that's why the Yankees suck.

(PHOTO: Getty Images)

Boston Bullies Strike Again

2009-05-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

0 for 5 against Boston. Yankees swept by the Sawx again!

Punchless Yankees back to .500 on the year.

That Pena Kid? He sucks. Were is Alex?

(PHOTO: Getty Images)

Series Finale Postponed by Rain

2009-05-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

(PHOTO: Associated Press)

Sabathia Struggles Again as Palmer Dominates

2009-05-03T13:26:00.000-07:00

$161 million for this? The Bulbous Bust sucks again. When will we see the real Sabathia?

Yankee bats shut down by journeyman minor leaguer, Matt Palmer.

Jose "8.03 ERA" Veras continues to suck.

Recap
Angels - 8
Yankees - 4

(PHOTO: Getty Images)

Swing Flu Outbreak Spreads

2009-05-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Make that 36 runs in 4 games; but the Cheatin' Leftie struggles again.

Jorgie saves the day; 4 RBI night for the old Yankee as the gutty, gritty Yankees make a Boston-esque comeback.

A-Rod who? That Pena Kid just keeps on hitting. Thanks for the steal, Cody Ransom.

Recap
Angels - 9
Yankees - 10

(PHOTO: Getty)

Yankees Catch the Swing Flu

2009-05-01T16:05:00.000-07:00

26 runs in the last 3 games for the Bombers.

Looks like Marky Pop Up got his Flu Shots.

Coke Zero continues to roll.

A.J. Struggles early, then settles down for 7 strong.

Recap
Angels - 4
Yankees - 7

(PHOTO: Associated Press)

Yankee Bats Remain Hot as Joba Rolls

2009-04-29T19:54:00.000-07:00

What team is this? Yankee bats pound Detroit pitching for second straight game.

Joba being Joba. 7 dominant innings will shut up the morons for at least 5 days.

Time to panic; Mariano serves up another bomb!

Nick Swisher is doing his best Mickey Mantle impersonation.
Homers from both sides of the plate.

Meanwhile in the 3 hole... Marky Pop Up can't buy a hit.
.197

Recap
Yankees - 8
Tigers - 6

(PHOTO: Reuters)

A Child Shall Lead Them

2009-04-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

The Golden Boy hurls a 2-hit gem in Detroit.

The Yankee bats, surely inspired by the news of the Yankee brass lowering ticket prices, finally wake up in a big way with 10 in the 7th.

Melancon continues to impress.

Marky Pop Up keeps on doing what he does best.

Recap
Yankees - 11
Tigers - 0

(PHOTO: Associated Press)

Yankee Bats Remain Dormant

2009-04-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

One bad inning for Sabathia spells doom for the Yankees.

For second straight game, terrible plate discipline and lack of clutch hitting does the Yankees in.

What got into Justin Verlander? The Yankees did.

Nick Swisher is doing his best Wilson Betemit impersonation.

4 L's in a row for the Bronx Billionaires...

Recap
Yankees - 2
Tigers - 4

(Photo: REUTERS/Rebecca Cook)

Pettitte Comes Up Small in Beantown

2009-04-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

The Cheatin' Lefty, who demanded more money all winter long as the US economy went down the tubes, gets outpitched by a man making 1/8th his salary.

Overrated Mark Teixeira keeps popping 'em up.

Mark Melancon with two scoreless innings. Good thing he wasn't used Saturday.

Brett Gardner + Melky Cabrera = The worst CF duo in history.

Yankees swept in Fenway. 3rd place, here we come!

Recap
Yankees - 1
Red Sox - 4

(Photo: Getty Images)

Welcome to the Yankees, A.J.

2009-04-25T21:05:00.000-07:00

A.J. Finally has his "Yankees Moment"
Blows a 6 run lead and serves up 8 runs in 5 innings at Fenway.

The Yanks called up prize prospect and heir to Mariano, Mark Melancon, so he can sit in the 'pen and watch Veras, Albaladejo, Marte, and Robinson give up 8 runs.

The Yankees again prove they are no match for baseball's model franchise.

Win 3 in a row, lose 2 in a row. Is it still 2008?

Recap
Yankees - 11
Red Sox - 16

(Photo: Associated Press)

I'm Back...With a New Format for 2009

2009-04-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well, I've ignored this thing for too long. Last year's gutless effort by the Yankees really turned me off to this. Why waste my time writing about these overpaid slugs? Well, I've toyed with the idea of starting this again ever since Pitchers & Catchers reported, but I just haven't been able to find the time to start it again.

Until today.

Now, I'm too lazy and really no longer have the time to write long and thought out posts like I previously tried to do. So I'm going to keep it simple from now on. Just post a few quick thoughts on the game. In other words, I'm totally biting off Boston Dirt Dogs. Enjoy.

The Big, Bad Red Sox

2008-07-25T14:06:00.001-07:00

This Yankees/Red Sox rivalry seems a little different since 2004, does it not? No longer are we the big terrible invincible Yankees. No longer do we have that cloak of invincibility. The safety net of "Ahh, we'll win. We always have." All that was gone the moment the 2004 Yankees choked away a 3-0 series lead. Since then, the Red Sox have gone on to win the World Series twice. Meanwhile, in the Bronx, we haven't gotten out of the first round.

The roles have been totally reversed. Doc Gooden, David Wells and David Cone are not throwing no-hitters anymore. Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are. The Yankees are not sweeping hapless National League teams away in the World Series anymore. The Red Sox are. The Yankees aren't expected to win the Americal League East anymore. The Red Sox are. Josh Beckett has taken the role of a David Cone. Papelbon has been as good as Mariano in the Playoffs. Lowell has replaced Brosius. I could go on and on.

So here we are, the Yankees heading into Fenway Park chasing down the Red Sox. The Tampa Bay Rays don't matter, forget them. This is all about Yankees vs Red Sox. The way it's been the last decade or so. Only these last few years the Red Sox have been kings.

Time to get things back to normal.

Kim Jones is Hot

2008-07-09T14:19:00.001-07:00

Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano doused the wrong person.
Morons.

Take Out the Trash

2008-06-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Ross Ohlendorf. LaTroy Hawkins. Kyle Farnsworth. Edwar Ramirez. What do all these guys have in common? They are all garbage.

I don't want to hear about Edwar's great changeup. He hangs it way too often and his fastball is straighter than Proctor's. You can see Ross Ohlendorf's good stuff, but he falls behind all the time and hitters sit on his fastball. Kyle Farnsworth shouldn't be anywhere near the 8th inning. And LaTroy Hawkins just flat out sucks.

So what does Yankees GM Brian Cashman do? He calls up Kei Igawa. Brilliant.

It's time for Cashman to get moving on fixing this bullpen. I'm tired of hearing about how great David Robertson and JB Cox are doing down on the farm. Get them up here and see if they can help get this pen turned around. Scott Strickland has been more than solid down in AAA, why not give him a shot? He's had success in the majors before, and I thought the whole reason the Yankees signed him was to have insurance in AAA. Well, use it! Get him up here and see if he can help.

LaTroy Hawkins got his chance, he blew it. Release him. Get him out. Cut your losses and move on. Cashman hasn't been able to give his managers a solid bullpen in years now. Signing veteran free agents hasn't worked out, it's time to give the guys down on the farm a shot. Get moving, Cashman.

The National League Sucks

2008-06-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

If you disagree with this you are wrong.

Update, 6/21 3:49 PM: Maybe I should have put the Cincinnati Reds higher on my little pyramid there.

We Need You, Phil

2008-06-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

Where is Philip J. Hughes?

For the second season in a row, the Yankees prized pitching prospect is spending a good portion of his season down in Tampa recovering from injury.

Last season, Hughes suffered a hamstring injury while in the middle of a no-hit bid against the Texas Rangers. While rehabbing, he severely injured his ankle. He missed a total of 3 months with the injuries. Hughes returned to the team in August and was fairly effective down the stretch (4-2 4.65).

Unlike last season's on-field injuries, Hughes suffered a mysterious stress fracture in one of his ribs early this season. Only Phil Hughes knows how and when the injury occurred. If the Yankees do in fact know how Hughes suffered the injury, they aren't telling.

Conspiracy theories aside, with Chien-Ming Wang's possible season-ending injury, one thing is clear: The Yankees need Phil Hughes.

Some Yankee fans are ready to throw the farm at Cleveland for C.C. Sabathia. Jerome from Manhattan, of WFAN fame, suggested a package of Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy, Darrell Rasner, and Alan Horne for Sabathia.

If it were physically possible, I would have punched him right through the radio.

There is no need for this foolishness. Sure, Sabathia could slide in and be the ace this team needs. But not at the price that Cleveland will demand. If Yankees GM Brian Cashman can somehow pry Sabathia away from the Indians for Ian Kennedy, OF Jose Tabata, and maybe another low to mid level prospect, then be all means do it. But I really do not see that getting it done. Then there is issue of re-signing Sabathia who will be a Free Agent after this season. Additionally, I do not see Cleveland pulling the trigger on a Sabathia deal any time soon. They have no reason to. Any Sabathia deal will be made after the All Star break.

So what are the Yankees to do now that Wang is out at least until September? As Peter Abraham pointed out, the Yankees have 8 off days between now and July 24th, meaning they will only need a 5th starter four times between now and then.

Phil Hughes is expected back in August. All the Yankees need is a 5th starter to keep the rotation spot warm for him.

There is no rush to go out there and acquire an ace. The Yankees do not need to throw the farm to a team for a Sabathia, or Roy Oswalt, or Ben Sheets, or A.J. Burnett. If Dan Giese isn't able to hold down the fort as a 5th starter, I'm sure the Yankees will give Ian Kennedy another shot (when healthy).

If the in-house options are unable do the job, there are Free Agent options available to hold down the fort. Can David Wells give us 4 or 5 solid starts? What about Freddy Garcia? Where is Tim Leary these days? There are options out there, and I don't mind Cashman being creative.

The Yankees will get through the Wang injury. Panicking and selling the farm is not the answer.

(Photo: William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

Gutting It Out

2008-06-13T21:32:00.000-07:00

It was a hot steamy Houston night. With sweat pouring down his face from the moment he began warming up, to the moment he powered a 97 MPH fastball passed Brad Ausmus for his final pitch of the night, Joba Chamberlain gave Yankees fans a reason to look forward to the rest of 2008.

On a night where Joba didn't seem to have his best stuff, he was able to go out there and put together an impressive start. In 6 innings of work, he allowed just 1 run on 6 hits, walking 4 (2 intentional) while striking out only 2.

We have heard Roger Clemens say it time and time again over the years. Gutting out a game like this, when you don't have your best stuff, and are constantly in jams, can feel more rewarding that going out with dominant stuff and throwing 7 innings of 3 hit ball. As we watch Joba Chamberlain develop before our eyes, you got to love the fact that he was able to gut out tonight's game and keep the Yankees in position to win. I may be in the minority here, but tonight was the most impressed I have been with Joba since he was called up in August of 2007.

Sure striking out the side with 99 MPH fastballs and ridiculous sliders in the 8th inning was fun to watch. But watching him tough out 6 innings of 1 run ball against a good offensive (albeit National League) team got me so excited for his next start, and beyond. When we won't have to worry about silly pitch counts and limitations.

I remember Jim Kaat always saying that you learn more about pitchers watching them struggle and working out of jams than you do watching them dominate. I learned a lot about Joba Chamberlain tonight.

(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

95 Tonight. Will This Finally Be The End?

2008-06-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

Enough with the pitch counts. Enough with the Joba Chamberlain for 4 or 5 innings garbage. Tonight should mark the first time Joba is able to go deep into a game. Now, with the way Yankees Manager Joe Girardi has been handling Joba thus far, removing him before he reaches his pitch count, I wouldn't be shocked if Joba is pulled after 5.1 innings and 86 pitches. But for once I'd like Girardi to actually keep Joba in there until he reaches his pitch count, maybe even exceed it for the first time.

It's time to stop the babying. It's time to take the training wheels off. Let Joba go out there and pitch his game. His arm is not going to fall off if he throws 97 pitches.

Now I have something to say to Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay:

Hey, Michael Kay! How are you today? I'd just like to remind you that I intend to tune into tonights Yankees game to watch the Yankees. Not learn how to count. I don't need you counting along with every Joba Chamberlain pitch. So please, just call the game.

I also don't want you pointing out the speed of each of his fastballs, we can see it on the screen for ourselves. I don't want to hear how he is "geeked up." I don't want to hear you talking about his pulsating neck every 2 innings. I don't need a shot of his father after every strikeout or base hit allowed. I don't need you calling his fastball a "stream of milk," whatever the hell that means. Please don't tell me his slider whispered across the outside edge. And when he comes to bat tonight, please don't tell me "he tries to pull an outside pitch and grounds it to SS."

Thank you.

Nipples On A Man

2008-06-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

That perfectly describes Shelley Duncan.

Why do men have nipples? Why do the Yankees have Shelley Duncan? The answer to those questions is simple: Nobody Knows.

What purpose do nipples serve on a man? What purpose does Shelley Duncan serve on the Yankees? The answer to those questions is simple: None.

Nipples on a man are ugly. Shelley Duncan is ugly.

I can go on about this all day and night. The fact of the matter is Shelley Duncan is totally useless. While I appreciate the energy, the spark, and the excitement he brought to the 2007 Yankees with his July call-up from AAA, his anemic start to this season cannot be ignored:

.175 AVG | .262 OBP | .281 SLG | .542 OPS

1 Homerun and 6 RBI. 3 Errors at 1B in 16 games.

I just vomited.

He serves no purpose on this team. Jason Giambi has a hold on 1B right now, with Wilson Betemit backing him up. It's time for Shelley to go back down to AAA where he belongs. Bring up speedy OF Brett Gardner or INF Alberto Gonzalez. Now.

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

UPDATE: June 13th, 4:09 PM

According to Peter Abraham's blog, the Yankees have sent down Shelley Duncan and called up INF Alberto Gonzalez. I guess Cashman read my blog. =)