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.

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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.