NFT: 4.17 Yankee Thread

Headley, Castro, Ellsbury, Hicks...all hitting better than expected.

2016:
19 games
.150/.268/.150
9 Hits
0 XBH
0 HR
2 RBI

2017:
12 games
.410/.531/.615
16 Hits
4 XBH
2 HR
3 RBI

.

2016:
23 AB
.087/.160/.087
2 Hits
0 XBH
0 HR
2 RBI

2017:
22 AB
.318/.484/.773
7 Hits
4 XBH
3 HR
8 RBI

Maybe rest Gardner and have Hicks in left? Also, sounds like Holliday will be back tonight.

In comment 13431160 Del Shofner said:

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Maybe rest Gardner and have Hicks in left? Also, sounds like Holliday will be back tonight.

Given that Bird has been in a slump, and looked to be breaking out of it last night, I would be inclined to play him while he still has a hot hand and hope that he can build on it, and get his confidence back.

but I suspect there's been an effect on vets like Headley, Hicks, and Castro after all the chatter in spring training was essentially about how long until they lose their jobs to our top prospects.

They're playing for their jobs, however long it lasts in NY, or then auditioning for another chance elsewhere when the time comes.

Again, hard to say how much that affects the ability to hit a baseball, but they clearly brought their A games to start the season.

Now, we have some tougher teams on the schedule in the next few weeks...Boston, Baltimore, Cubs, and others...we will see if they can keep it up.

In comment 13431186 Beer Man said:

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In comment 13431160 Del Shofner said: Quote: Maybe rest Gardner and have Hicks in left? Also, sounds like Holliday will be back tonight. Given that Bird has been in a slump, and looked to be breaking out of it last night, I would be inclined to play him while he still has a hot hand and hope that he can build on it, and get his confidence back.

yea - I'd play Bird as well. He looked very good last night and as we've seen with Judge, playing multiple days in a row can be a nice boost.

will start rehab games this week. Unclear exactly when he'd come up to the majors but would be a nice addition.

I don't think Torreyes could have done a better job filling in for him. Great defense and 10 RBIs in Didi's absence.

In comment 13431188 mfsd said:

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but I suspect there's been an effect on vets like Headley, Hicks, and Castro after all the chatter in spring training was essentially about how long until they lose their jobs to our top prospects. They're playing for their jobs, however long it lasts in NY, or then auditioning for another chance elsewhere when the time comes. Again, hard to say how much that affects the ability to hit a baseball, but they clearly brought their A games to start the season. Now, we have some tougher teams on the schedule in the next few weeks...Boston, Baltimore, Cubs, and others...we will see if they can keep it up.

Agree.

laughed when last year CC said he wants to play past his contract. I know it's early. But, with the end of last year and so far this season CC seems to have turned the corner and is now a finesse pitcher, ala Andy.

In comment 13431251 mitch300 said:

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laughed when last year CC said he wants to play past his contract. I know it's early. But, with the end of last year and so far this season CC seems to have turned the corner and is now a finesse pitcher, ala Andy.

I wonder if he'd have a reasonable contract demand given how much he's made, the fact he seems to like NY, he was well-supported through his alcohol problems, etc.

So far they are exceeding my expectations. It is a small sample size, but as a fan I can't help but hope this is the start of something new and exciting for this franchise.

In comment 13431265 Mike from SI said:

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In comment 13431251 mitch300 said: Quote: laughed when last year CC said he wants to play past his contract. I know it's early. But, with the end of last year and so far this season CC seems to have turned the corner and is now a finesse pitcher, ala Andy. I wonder if he'd have a reasonable contract demand given how much he's made, the fact he seems to like NY, he was well-supported through his alcohol problems, etc.

IF and I say If he continues to pitch like this I would think the Yanks and him can work on a contract that benefits both. I know he goes home for a short time during the holiday season, but pretty much stays in N.Y. all year long.

Looked 10 times more comfortable at the plate last night. 3 for 3 with a monster hr.

His slump was in his head which as Yogi would say is huge. Right now team is playing like magic. Its early. I just want to see who starts jumping ship and changing their mind when times get rough. Short memories. But the future is pointing in the right direction

Personally I am waiting for Judge to hit the launching pad

In comment 13431300 xman said:

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His slump was in his head which as Yogi would say is huge. Right now team is playing like magic. Its early. I just want to see who starts jumping ship and changing their mind when times get rough. Short memories. But the future is pointing in the right direction Personally I am waiting for Judge to hit the launching pad

Yup, I feel like Judge is just starting to learn what he's capable of. That home run that should have been last night wasn't a big swing, wasn't crushed, and he put a breaking ball out of the park the opposite way.

He keeps that approach, he's going to hit for good avg, not just HRs

But Sanchez has gone the opposite way, swinging at a lot of pitches off the plate inside. Last year he had a great eye; hoping that returns when he does.

excited to see Montgomery tonight. The statline was meh but he looked pretty good. Luckily the bullpenn is pretty well rested in case he can't go far.

But you have to keep in mind this guy is literally obese and has a bad knee/s. Not a good combo going forward. Regardless of the year he has this year, I'd be shocked if anyone (Yanks or anyone else for that matter) offered him more than a one year deal. Unfortunately I think his body will breakdown going forward. Just a matter of when. He isn't in the type of physical shape Pettite was in.

Really hoping he can get through this year healthy though, as that would be a huge lift. Especially considering he is getting paid ~25 million!

"cash or a player to be named later."

oh well ... not a big surprise after they dropped him from the 40-man to make way for Montgomery.

though that likely level out as we go on.

Good recovery to start of season now with this 7 game win streak.

Carter playing over Bird.

In comment 13431671 SoZKillA said:

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Carter playing over Bird.

Only reason for Carter being on the team is to face lefties. It was expected that he'd be in there today over Bird.

In comment 13431698 Ace718 said:

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In comment 13431671 SoZKillA said: Quote: Carter playing over Bird. Only reason for Carter being on the team is to face lefties. It was expected that he'd be in there today over Bird.

Exactly, it is frustrating. However, Joe needs to get at bats for Carter, or he will be useless when he does play. He already has a high strikeout numbers, and that's with being a full time player.

In comment 13431698 Ace718 said:

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Only reason for Carter being on the team is to face lefties. It was expected that he'd be in there today over Bird.

Yup. I don't have a problem with it. Hard to say Girardi hasn't been pushing the right buttons during this winning streak.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury (L) CF
2. Aaron Hicks (S) LF
3. Matt Holliday (R) DH
4. Starlin Castro (R) 2B
5. Chase Headley (S) 3B
6. Aaron Judge (R) RF
7. Chris Carter (R) 1B
8. Austin Romine (R) C
9. Pete Kozma (R) SS

All pretty much as expected (at least by me) except that Kozma is getting another start.

looking forward to every Yankee game is a beautiful thing. Can't wait for Sanchez to get back in there. And when does the kid infielder come up from the minors? EVERYONE loves him. Only a matter of time.

I suspect that effect is they make the game fun again.

In comment 13431706 mitch300 said:

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In comment 13431698 Ace718 said: Quote: In comment 13431671 SoZKillA said: Quote: Carter playing over Bird. Only reason for Carter being on the team is to face lefties. It was expected that he'd be in there today over Bird. Exactly, it is frustrating. However, Joe needs to get at bats for Carter, or he will be useless when he does play. He already has a high strikeout numbers, and that's with being a full time player.

Hopefully, Austin will be ready sometime in May at which point they can let Carter go!

.

You can always tell the fans that have a brain the size of a cockroaches. Yankee fans can be truly embarrassing sometimes. The job that this guy has done the past few years to keep this team afloat, and you still refer to him as "Clueless Joe" because you seen the headline on the back of the Post one time? Clown show.

In comment 13431793 TheMick7 said:

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Hopefully, Austin will be ready sometime in May at which point they can let Carter go!

agree that would be nice but Austin is on the 60-day DL and won't be ready until at least the 2nd week of June or so, I think.

wasted. Dumbass baserunning by Headley. He doesn't do that normally, but geez the ball is right there how do you run. Bad AB by Judge and Carter.

pretty good right now.

Let's crack this egg.

.

.

over the bullpen, 459 feet

Headley double and error drives in Castro, 3-0 Yanks

He smashed that down the line. He's absolutely raking.

And Holliday hit that ball 460 feet. Wow.

In comment 13431851 dpinzow said:

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Headley double and error drives in Castro, 3-0 Yanks

4-0.

Judge with some speed. Didn't expect that.

In comment 13431853 B in ALB said:

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In comment 13431851 dpinzow said: Quote: Headley double and error drives in Castro, 3-0 Yanks 4-0.

Judge beats out an infield hit. This team is really playing as hard as it can

got down the line.

.

Fortuitous call on the 1-1 pitch to Holliday; looked like a solid strike to me. If he falls behind 1-2 in the count, Chicago likely gets out of the inning knotted at nil.

I'm not complaining, mind you.

In comment 13431862 dune69 said:

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.

It's so early don't wanna get crazy but He's exactly what the yanks need. Crafty left hander. Montgomery just looks so comfortable out there. His delivery, motion just looks effortless. So early but you never know yanks may have found one in this kid. Love that he's a lefty.

He's not some big lumbering oaf. He's pretty light on his feet, which is a big reason why he's considered an above-average outfielder.

In comment 13431869 Greg from LI said:

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He's not some big lumbering oaf. He's pretty light on his feet, which is a big reason why he's considered an above-average outfielder.

I can't remember anyone this big getting up the first baseline this quickly since Winfield.

I think we've got something with him.

Hard to even say what his strength is. He throws all of his pitches well, but none of them is devastating.

In comment 13431879 yatqb said:

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I think we've got something with him.

Reminds me more of a left handed Ian Kennedy.

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“He’s a couple years older than I was, he’s a little more mature,” Sabathia said, recalling when he broke in at 20. “I was telling my wife, you see guys make their major league debut and some guys come and go, but I feel like this one is going to be around for a while.”

That's from the Post.

In comment 13431881 chopperhatch said:

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In comment 13431879 yatqb said: Quote: I think we've got something with him. Reminds me more of a left handed Ian Kennedy.

Jimmy Key (remember him)

In comment 13431869 Greg from LI said:

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He's not some big lumbering oaf. He's pretty light on his feet, which is a big reason why he's considered an above-average outfielder.

They said on the ESPN broadcast last night that, taking both height and weight into account, Judge is the largest field player ever to play in MLB. I looked around at some stats of past big guys like Frank Howard and I can't say that they're wrong.

7-0 Yanks. He actually got under that and hit it out

.

for Judge. I hope we have years of this!!!!

Happy Days!

but this is freaking awesome. We have some serious power.

Sanchez and Didi get back there gonna be balls flyin all over....

Kingman who could check swing and launch the ball over the center field wall

They said "ALL RISE" for Judge's HR

Yet not quite as hard as Sanchez according to Statcast. Amazing. We have quite a bit to look forward to.

25% strikeout rate as opposed to 40%+, he's going to pile up some gaudy numbers

Of all the surprises there have been so far, I'm most taken with this one.

Usually thumpers like him are butchers in the field. I wish he was playing TE for the Giants.

.

!!!!!

he looks composed enough to hang in as a big leaguer

In comment 13431881 chopperhatch said:

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In comment 13431879 yatqb said: Quote: I think we've got something with him. Reminds me more of a left handed Ian Kennedy.

Good call.

Montgomery is the real deal..wow.

In comment 13431921 section125 said:

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Montgomery is the real deal..wow.

He's got the mental composure, only question is whether his stuff is good enough or whether he is crafty enough to get the better hitters out on a consistent basis. That is still to be seen

with Sanchez, a confident Bird, and Didi

since all I have left are Sabathia, Teixeira, a 13-year old Soriano shirt that's too big and a Joba shirt that thankfully the name and numbers fell off.

MLB Shop had a 25% off flash sale on Friday, so happy I pulled the trigger on Judge and went with an O'Neill one too.

I'm not really believing what I'm seeing.

I love it though.

amazing considering he wasn't even in MLB last year.

3 run HR, and it's 7-3

quickly.

.

This Kate Smith song already? Absolutely awful.

God Bless America - used to play that at Flyers games and I still get POed hearing it. Belongs in Philly, not in the Bronx or anywhere East of 609 area code....

a like (re: kate smith)

Everyone bitches about Castro's plate discipline - Holliday is his equal, at best. Has he ever seen a pitch he won't swing at? And they are awful off balance swings, too.

way on that pop up.

In comment 13431952 section125 said:

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a like (re: kate smith) Everyone bitches about Castro's plate discipline - Holliday is his equal, at best. Has he ever seen a pitch he won't swing at? And they are awful off balance swings, too.

This is a spoof post, right?

but Aroldis comes in and gets the double play to end it. 7-4 win, 8 in a row!

In comment 13431966 Greg from LI said:

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In comment 13431952 section125 said: Quote: a like (re: kate smith) Everyone bitches about Castro's plate discipline - Holliday is his equal, at best. Has he ever seen a pitch he won't swing at? And they are awful off balance swings, too. This is a spoof post, right?

I've watched every game and virtually every televised ST game and Holliday hacks away uncontrollably and if you don't see that I think you are spoofing me. If you think I'm exaggerating, it is marginally.

great!!!!

In comment 13431986 section125 said:

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In comment 13431966 Greg from LI said: Quote: In comment 13431952 section125 said: Quote: a like (re: kate smith) Everyone bitches about Castro's plate discipline - Holliday is his equal, at best. Has he ever seen a pitch he won't swing at? And they are awful off balance swings, too. This is a spoof post, right? I've watched every game and virtually every televised ST game and Holliday hacks away uncontrollably and if you don't see that I think you are spoofing me. If you think I'm exaggerating, it is marginally.

He doesn't take a lot of walks but he has a .303 career BA and .382 career OBP (and has drawn 10 walks in 13 games this season). No problems with his approach at the plate

Holliday has drawn 60-70 walks a season through most of his career. Starlin's never drawn more than 36 walks in a season

In comment 13431997 dpinzow said:

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In comment 13431986 section125 said: Quote: In comment 13431966 Greg from LI said: Quote: In comment 13431952 section125 said: Quote: a like (re: kate smith) Everyone bitches about Castro's plate discipline - Holliday is his equal, at best. Has he ever seen a pitch he won't swing at? And they are awful off balance swings, too. This is a spoof post, right? I've watched every game and virtually every televised ST game and Holliday hacks away uncontrollably and if you don't see that I think you are spoofing me. If you think I'm exaggerating, it is marginally. He doesn't take a lot of walks but he has a .303 career BA and .382 career OBP (and has drawn 10 walks in 13 games this season). No problems with his approach at the plate Holliday has drawn 60-70 walks a season through most of his career. Starlin's never drawn more than 36 walks in a season

Holliday also has 10 ks in 37 ABs and has a crazy wild ass swing. Castro has 8 in 52 ABs.
History shows it should change (for both), but Yankee Stadium has a way of screwing up players approach to hitting. Look what it did to Teix. What I am seeing right now is Holliday is swinging at everything.

I'm not disappointed in the results.

so he might have gotten a bit fatigued in the 7th. Reminds me more of Boomer than of Andy. Andy was cutter crazy. Boomer worked off of a regular fastball.

175+ points higher than his BA. But knock yourself out with this one. It's probably true that he's swinging for the fences more when he swings, due to his role on this team. Fine with me.

Castro is lucky to have 5 walks in a month's worth of games. But yeah, exactly the same.

No matter though, team is on a roll. Getting contributions throughout the lineup and a lot of guys we'd grown very frustrated with are having a bit of a resurgence. All of this without Sanchez and Didi too. Impressive

In comment 13432045 Kyle in NY said:

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Castro is lucky to have 5 walks in a month's worth of games. But yeah, exactly the same. No matter though, team is on a roll. Getting contributions throughout the lineup and a lot of guys we'd grown very frustrated with are having a bit of a resurgence. All of this without Sanchez and Didi too. Impressive

You almost had to figure guys like Headley were due to return closer to the form. The key is the pitching obviously. This team has trotted out starters who look like they can at least get through 6. That was something we didnt think we could count on. If Pineda, Severino and Montgomery can put together a couple more starts each similar to the last ones they have had I will get very excited. Piñeda in particular. Tanaka, Piñeda and CC pitching with finesse is a more than solid top 3.

Very nice recovery since losing the second game in the Os series.

so fast on the infield single, and said (I'm paraphrasing) -

"You look at him, he looks like a defensive end out there. But a lot of defensive ends are very fast these days."

Thank god he's hit the ground running, looks like Bird may be turning the corner too.

As someone mentioned last week, Judge has like half of the hardest hit balls in the Majors based on exit velocity thus far.

used to call homers and walks "old player skills." And Holliday is an old player.

In comment 13432083 Phil in LA said:

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used to call homers and walks "old player skills." And Holliday is an old player.

Not bad to have. And a good mentor for Judge, I think. We have Cardinals fans in the family and Holliday comes highly recommended.

that they are still rebuilding this season.

Playing confident like they believe in themselves . over.

Whats in the water? .

lots of kids

Launching shots nightly .

Waiting for a Judge 550' . Make it 570
Sweet start.

Something here.

In comment 13432097 mfsd said:

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that they are still rebuilding this season.

You misspelled "transitioning" :)

In comment 13432128 Mike from SI said:

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In comment 13432097 mfsd said: Quote: that they are still rebuilding this season. You misspelled "transitioning" :)

Haha exactly

In comment 13431943 section125 said:

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God Bless America - used to play that at Flyers games and I still get POed hearing it. Belongs in Philly, not in the Bronx or anywhere East of 609 area code....

I imagine WBAI still has telethons. They were one of the first listner-sponsored stations.

In the 1960s a little-know Arlo Guthrie came to the station and taped Alice's Restaurant. At telethons they had an Alice's Restaurant Fund. At $500 they would play it. (It hadn't been released yet).

They also blasted Kate Smith's God Bless America.

It would take an accumulated $500 to [/i]stop[i] playing it. :)

sorry for the formatting boo-boo.

I wish this site had a post-facto post edit.

Will probably have some games where he struggles a bit, but looks ready to hold on to that spot.

.

lead the Yanks to move Gardner or Ells? Seems that Hicks is responding to playing every day pretty well.

while establishing Judge, Sanchez and Bird, this season is a monster success