Time to recharge the batteries a bit before the big showdown at home with the scum.
Been very nice to see Neil Walker finally start producing (.364/.611/.455 in the last five games). It's not easy to be so patient when you're a veteran who is struggling to get the bat going, but Walker's been doing it - 6 BB in 18 PAs.
Injuries: Bird will make his first appearance at extended spring training today. Kahnle is scheduled to throw a bullpen session lated this week. Warren is throwing off flat ground, but has not yet thrown off a mound. Drury is in Trenton now because of a Scranton road trip - Yanks want to keep him close to NYC in case he's needed. Went 2-3 last night with a homer and a walk. There isn't any rush to get him back just yet, but it will be interesting to see what happens if Andujar continues to scuffle after his hot start (.224/.240/.306 over the past two weeks, 13 Ks in only 50 PAs and just 1 BB).
Finally, there isn't much more to be said about Gleyber that hasn't already been said, so I'll just say the same thing again - wow.
Seems like several games have had the same arc. Either lose the lead and reclaim it and win or take the lead late and win, and different guys stepping up.
What a fun team to watch.
Gleyber and Andujar have been a great addition.
Look forward to see if we can get a healthy Bird back. We could use another powerful left handed hitter.
I'm hoping Gardy gets on a roll.
We need Kahnle and Warren. Warren has not been the same since he got hurt last year. Like to see the old Warren back.
Domingo German was has been fantastic his last two outings. Incredible movement on his pitches. He had Cleveland batters off balance for six innings. Hope he stays on course.
Go Yanks
2B is Torres now but having Walker off the bench able to play multiple positions will be valuable. I like Austin, but Walker is a more useful bench piece. Austin may go down when Drury comes back.
Otherwise I think Boone is really getting a feel for the team and I like his style. I had no problem sticking with Betances yesterday. As the game lined up you could see we were going to be 1 guy short with Robertson,Green not available.
Just a tremendous vibe around this team right now. Very positive group, no head cases, and they really seem to like each other. Check out Didi's video of Gleyber's clubhouse entrance after yesterday's game.
Link - ( New Window )
Link - ( New Window )
Exciting times
Just a tremendous vibe around this team right now. Very positive group, no head cases, and they really seem to like each other. Check out Didi's video of Gleyber's clubhouse entrance after yesterday's game. Link - ( New Window )
It's a great group, and Didi really seems like a main source of the camaraderie. Everybody gravitates towards him, especially the young latin players. Torreyes also seems to be a great clubhouse guy. I always get a kick out of the dugout celebrations. After the home run yesterday you can see Torreyes already opening a giant sunflower seed bag to pour on the guys at home plate. Pretty funny.
Very easy group to root for.
This team is so much fun right now.
Putting aside that first month of 2017 when he was dealing with that foot injury, here are Bird's numbers including the playoffs:
80 Games
.256/.351/.969
22 Home Runs
62 RBIs
2B is Torres now but having Walker off the bench able to play multiple positions will be valuable. I like Austin, but Walker is a more useful bench piece. Austin may go down when Drury comes back.
I think on the broadcast yesterday it was mentioned that Austin leads all AL rookies in both HRs and RBI. It might be tough sending him down, but someone has to go.
Cashman can put that one on his placque (sp?), 3 months of Chapman in a season that was going nowhere for Torres and then getting Chapman back I was about to post on Chapman's big smile yesterday after the Torres HR and also that it will be hard to send down Austin when Bird comes back as noted below.
Wee needed a 6th starter, and I think Montgomery will have to wait his turn when he is finally ready, plus it looks like Justus Sheffield is ready to make his push. It would be perfect if by the trade deadline these five are healthy and pitching well, and we have Montgomery and Sheffield ready. Then we don't need to use any prospect resources for veteran starting pitching.
Wee needed a 6th starter, and I think Montgomery will have to wait his turn when he is finally ready, plus it looks like Justus Sheffield is ready to make his push. It would be perfect if by the trade deadline these five are healthy and pitching well, and we have Montgomery and Sheffield ready. Then we don't need to use any prospect resources for veteran starting pitching.
agree on all.
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and didn't get much of a spring training. It's entirely possible he just needed that first month to knock the rust off. His track record is solid.
2B is Torres now but having Walker off the bench able to play multiple positions will be valuable. I like Austin, but Walker is a more useful bench piece. Austin may go down when Drury comes back.
I think on the broadcast yesterday it was mentioned that Austin leads all AL rookies in both HRs and RBI. It might be tough sending him down, but someone has to go.
It's not an easy call. Austin has done a very nice job filling in. But if Bird comes back then Austin is confined to a platoon role against LHP. Just not sure that's worth a bench spot if it means losing the versatility of Walker or Drury
I know many want to see them trade for a frontline SP, but I don't think the market will bring one without significant costs in top prospects. No way do you get rid of the talented depth we have which has made this team so special this year. I say we continue to play and promote the young guys up, Sheff, German, and Monty will be fine. Our starters are pitching more like they should now that the weather is warming up. I love how dangerous our lineup is, and I don't even think it has reached its peak potential yet, with Bird, Frazier still both out of the lineup, and some guys not even getting hot yet (Sanchez, etc.).
The walkout's are very reminiscent of 2009, but this team just has a very special feeling about them. Got to keep building for the long haul, and just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Keep it going Yankees!
Yeah, but I think the old "a year too early is better than a year too late" applies here. And if all goes according to plan, Sheffield steps i in 2019 as the power lefty in the rotation, Monty the soft tosser. Thing couls be worse. :-)
Some are easy; Cole and Hale are definites, perhaps Holder as well if we go with one less RP.
After that it gets really tricky, as none of our position players deserve to go down or be cut (unless Andujar continues to fall off). Austin is major league player; while folks here are talking of sending him down, he's certainly proven capable of playing at this level. Does Frazier need a lot more time in the minors, and is that our solution to the roster glut? Do we trade Betances? Bird, as crazy as that seems to me?
Some are easy; Cole and Hale are definites, perhaps Holder as well if we go with one less RP.
After that it gets really tricky, as none of our position players deserve to go down or be cut (unless Andujar continues to fall off). Austin is major league player; while folks here are talking of sending him down, he's certainly proven capable of playing at this level. Does Frazier need a lot more time in the minors, and is that our solution to the roster glut? Do we trade Betances? Bird, as crazy as that seems to me?
Ok you got me. Who's Hale?
Smells like a sweep.
Smells like a sweep.
Did Betts get hurt yesterday?
Let's not forget trading for Didi!
Hope you are right -- it looks like he has the maturity. Ironically I think (hope) that if he is sent down he has rebounded back and it's more an issue of options than slumps.
Moreland.
Every single year the Sawx have some random bag of shit hitting like Lou Gehrig for a while. It's annoying.
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I think it's broken" routine starts.
NICE!
2B is Torres now but having Walker off the bench able to play multiple positions will be valuable. I like Austin, but Walker is a more useful bench piece. Austin may go down when Drury comes back.
There was a good article in the Athletic recently about how several of the guys who signed late in spring training were off to slow starts (not all - JD Martinez and Hosmer were hitting out of the gate)...but I think you’re right that it’s just taken Walker a little extra time to find his groove.
The last several game, you can really tell he’s seeing the ball well. Swinging only at good pitches. Proving to be a dependable utility guy
Someone (Drury, Walker, Austin, Andujar) is going to get pushed down to the minors or traded, and we’ll debate the wisdom of the decision when it happens, but all this depth should prove valuable over the season.
Bird will take someone’s spot when he’s ready, and Frazier will push for time soon too. Ellsbury, may as well euthanize him like a horse
As for Gleyber, as others have said...wow.
You've inspired me - from now on I'm calling Ellsbury Ol' Yeller.
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Ellsbury, may as well euthanize him like a horse
You've inspired me - from now on I'm calling Ellsbury Ol' Yeller.
Can't call him "Ruffian". Doesn't really fit. ;-)
Best idea I've ever heard regarding Ellsbury. God, what a brutal contract. In the future, "albatross contracts" will be referred to as "Ellsbury contracts."