Good Morning unhappy Yankees fans. The non-hitting Yankees team showed up last night as did the non-ace Cole. I left early last night because I could see that Cole was bad and they were not hitting. Nothing worse than getting agitated before going to bed. I see in the box score that Loaisiga and Severino did not acquit themselves well, either.
To be fair, aside from losing to the Red Sox, it did not change anything - the Rays probably beat them in 4 games at most.
Long post...
So as we do best on BBI, let's tear this down and give our views on what needs to be done in our own POVs.
Cashman needs to go. His product is stale. Look back over the last decade and aside from 2017, the hitting on this team disappears for large periods of each season. How many times have we wondered how a team with that much talent can simply go into a slump with every player in it at the same time. He does not develop starting pitching, even though he is pretty good at finding RPs.
Boone and staff. Keep Harkey, Blake and Cressey and the rest go. I have no idea who to get, but a yes man is not the answer and neither are Girardi or Showalter. This was an inept staff. The start of the season with all the baserunning and fielding mental errors is unforgiveable. The handling of the pen was subpar. The rigid dictum on never throwing a pitcher on more than two days is ok as long as there are exceptions. Boone's whole feel for when to push a pitcher and when to pull him was just off. He was not as bad as Joe Torre in handling the pen to be honest.
Players - as most had noted, starting with an all right handed order was whimsical and defiant. Cash believing he could bully other teams with the Yankees power. Well by trade deadline he figure out that he needed a couple lefty bats and they improved. After some injuries and COVID forced them to hit SWB for players, players with speed and defense, they started playing exciting winning baseball. August was one of the best months and fun months in since 2017.
First Base:
Rizzo/Voit - I would let Rizzo go back to Chicago. I was impressed with his fielding but not the bat. He'll want too much money for what he will give and he is over 30. Unfortunately Voit is a walking IL player, bring him to ST and see if he can be traded.
I move DJLM to 1st. He is much better than Voit in the field, but not quite as good as Rizzo. He will probably improve with experience. We know he can hit. It was clear that his injury hurt his bat and I'd bet it was for most of the season.
Second Base:
It is clear that Torres is much better and more comfortable at 2nd. Everything about him improved when they moved him back where he belonged. They control him for a while. Leave him at 2B and see how he responds. He will have value.
SS:
I think I stick with Velazquez until Peraza is ready unless they can find a glove guy with a better stick than Velazquez. But Velazquez is a high energy switch hitter with above average baserunning skills. Nothing wrong with a lower cost guy playing for a contract that will not hurt you in the field or on the bases.
Third Base:
No problem with Gio staying put. He had an off year with leg issues that I think plagued him the whole season. He toughed it out and his game suffered for it.
I'd keep Tyler Wade, when given a chance to play he batted better than we thought he could and he can competently play 2nd, 3rd and SS as well as OF if needed. He is a demon on the bases and was close to passing Gardy as the best baserunner on the team.
Catcher:
They need to replace Gary. His fielding is atrocious and his bat does not cover his fielding problems. Pitchers should not be subjected to that level of incompetence behind the plate. Gary has tried and tried to get better. He lost weight the past two seasons. He has done everything they asked and he worked very hard. His bat has also gone away. I wonder if the analytics non-sense ruined his swing. He used to go oppo to drive the ball, but now all I see is uppercut pull swing.(Same could be said for Voit, fwiw).
Higgy, I was never a Higgy guy. Yes he can block pitches in the dirt and he has decent power occasionally. I suppose as back up he is ok except he has a noodle arm.
Outfield:
RF - Judge - enough said. Pay the man
LF - Stanton - let him play the field. He gets more engaged when playing the field
CF - Now we have an issue. Hicks will be back, but he is another IL card holder. Yes he can run down flies and I would bet his arm will be better. His bat is mediocre at best. I think he has one season left. Just prepare for him missing half the season.
Gardy - love the man. Nobody plays harder. Nobody gives better at bats. But it is time. I think Greg Allen can play the backup roll while keeping the baserunning that Gardner gives.
Florial - they either need to find him a spot in the Bronx, or move on.
Starting Pitching:
Cole - bad end of the season. I think we will find his hammy never fully healed and that is why his control was missing in September. Not really worried about him just disappointed.
Montgomery - I think he proved he is no better than a 4 or 5. But there is nothing wrong with that and I have no real issues with him. I get the impression he is a worker and still improving along with his repaired arm.
Cortes - keep this guy as a backend starter. He seems too good to be a long relief guy.
Severino - who is this guy? Is he the near ace we expected? There is little doubt as to his physical ability. I think being with Cole, he will learn pitching.
Taillon - He had a rough start, got really good midseason and then faded a bit. I have no problem with him. Another guy that will benefit by listening to Cole and being another year removed from surgery.
German - I think he has #3 to maybe #2 stuff. As do many pitchers, he has one inning that he forgets what he is doing and gets tagged.
Kluber - I really enjoyed watching him pitch. Technician with supreme control. Would need to be re-signed but at 35 y/o pushing 36 I would pass because of what he would likely want to stay. For $6-$8 mill, I would be tempted.
King - it appeared to me that King gained a lot of control as the season wore on and when he returned from his finger injury. It might very well be in their plans(or whomevers)to stretch him in ST and let him start. If not, it is quite apparent he is a strong BP arm.
Gil - do they commit to a youth movement? I think I would give this guy a serious, serious look in ST. He maybe another half season away
Schmidt - so far I have not seen it from him. Seems always injured.
Nelson - likewise, I do not see it with him. Has great stuff, can't throw a strike
My choice:
Keep Cole, Severino, Taillon, Montgomery, German and King. Cortes remains with team as spot starter and long relief. Have Gil pitch at SWB.
Let Kluber sign elsewhere.
Bull Pen:
This could be where there is some turnover.
Chapman - not sure what to think. I am pretty certain the days of constant 100 mph+ are over. I do like that he has developed the splitter and slider into good pitches.
Loaisiga - the heir apparent to closing. Looked like he had a bad night last night, but it happens
Green - 30 years old. FB down a tiny bit from consistent 97 to steady 95/96. IMV, his control was off by midseason. He has always been a bit streaky from unhittable to a gopher ball machine. He may be worth keeping another season or maybe it is time to move on.
Peralta - guy can pitch. He has balls. Right demeanor for the bullpen. Important lefty reliever that is also effective against righties.
Holmes - another keeper. Whatever they corrected with his control issues turned him into a near unhittable pitcher.
Luetge - he pitched remarkably well until late in the season. I think scouting reports caught up as well as innings. I bring him back
Rodriguez - not sure what he is, but a lefty arm.
Abreu - need to work with him. I think this is another power arm with good off speed stuff that need to be brought up
Others
Deivi Garcia - lost man of the team. What is he? Why did he lose his control? Perhaps if they want to start a youth movement, bring him up and make him a bull pen pitcher.
I keep:
Chapman, Loaisiga, Holmes, Peralta, Abreu. I think hard about Green, but lean toward keeping. Likewise Luetge, but I think they can find a younger arm.
I would think about Garcia as a BP arm to at least get him to the Show.
I'd bring Rodriguez to camp as an arm, but he is another I just do not see helping.
There are players that will be released, there will be trades made.
The most important thing this offseason will be moving on from Cashman and Boone. I hope Hal can see that. It is quite apparent the status quo will lead to continued status quo.
That is my two cents. I will check in later today to see what the BBI Yankees brain trust has to say. I am sure this will not be the last of these.
As is the usual reaction, the Yankees will spend money to cover mistakes. I would expect the. To go all in on Trevor Story.
The SHOULD move on from both Cashman and Boone, but they probably will not.
* I would definitely give Florial a legit chance to win the CF job.
* Love Rizzo too. He's a baseball player.
* Cole is going to have hard time with the fans next year. That was a pathetic showing. I though I saw him asking to be taken out. I hope my lip reading is wrong.
* Cashman indeed had to go, not just Boone. Cashman has been living off the Stick's organizational development for 25 years. Bye.
* Definitely stand pat at SS with Velasquez until Peraza and/or Volpe are ready. HE can always become the utility guy after.
* By Gary. Can't carry his stupidity anymore unfortunately.
One of Gleyber, DJ and Gio need to be on the move. Pick the two you want to keep and get rid of the third.
If big stein were alive, I think Correa would be signed this offseason. With little Hal in charge, I doubt we see any spending spree.
I have zero confidence in Boone. But I expect he'll be back.
Players we need to move on from:
Frazier
German
Wade
Gardner
Odor
The roster is an unwieldy mess and I have little confidence in the organization to fix it. I expect more of the half measures we've grown accustomed to.
Agree with chick's synopsis of the essential things to do.
As for.the personal, I could live with Gleyber back at 2b but I'd be fine of they moved on from him and signed someone from the loaded FA market at SS and put DJ at 2b full time. I'd be ok with bringing Rizzo back, but not at a DJ type contract and I think that's what he'll be looking for. He's shown signs of decline. Voit should be a goner. I'd like to see them bring it a good 1b or just move DJ there and stay with Gleyber. They need to move on from Gary. It's over. His bat no longer justifies his inability to receive the ball. I'd stay with the OF, even Gallo. I have to think he's better than he hit after we picked him up. It's probably time to move on from Gardy, hopefully he just retires.
As for the pitching honestly I wouldn't change much. The pitching was our strong point. Once we got the pen straightened out after that the field of dreams the gut punching losses disappeared. We can tweak some stuff, but having Sevy back hopefully as a top end starter from day one for the first time on 3 seasons could be huge.
Pitching will be ok, although you could bring in a vet to take Kluber's place.
Bye bye Gardner and Sanchez. Not many options on FA for catchers, but Sanchez is uneven with the bat and bad at defense and handling pitchers. Pay Judge, although use his age in negotiating. Not much of chance of a discount, but this teams needs to spend on O. That's easier to find than pitching.
As for.the personal, I could live with Gleyber back at 2b but I'd be fine of they moved on from him and signed someone from the loaded FA market at SS and put DJ at 2b full time. I'd be ok with bringing Rizzo back, but not at a DJ type contract and I think that's what he'll be looking for. He's shown signs of decline. Voit should be a goner. I'd like to see them bring it a good 1b or just move DJ there and stay with Gleyber. They need to move on from Gary. It's over. His bat no longer justifies his inability to receive the ball. I'd stay with the OF, even Gallo. I have to think he's better than he hit after we picked him up. It's probably time to move on from Gardy, hopefully he just retires.
As for the pitching honestly I wouldn't change much. The pitching was our strong point. Once we got the pen straightened out after that the field of dreams the gut punching losses disappeared. We can tweak some stuff, but having Sevy back hopefully as a top end starter from day one for the first time on 3 seasons could be huge.
Don't sell yourself so short....Jennifer Gardner would be lucky to have you. Lucky, indeed.
Think you go another year with Hicks. But absolutely add another Outfielder (moreso CF) to take his job the following year if not earlier. Would keep Gallo as the 4th guy. Gardner more than done.
It doesn't seem that with all your solid suggestions/ideas, the Yankees will end up with a top flight team in 2022 that is significantly better than the Duncan YoYo team they fielded this season.
They are a very long way from the promise of 3-4 years ago when so many young players were supposed to be on the cusp of superstardom.
This is no longer a young team. IMO, they need an injection of young blood, and it's not clear their minor league system can provide that.
Feels like the Yankees are headed nowhere fast and maybe their trajectory is downward. Sure, Judge and Stanton and a decent pitching staff will get them to .500 ball. But hard to envision anything significantly better than that in 2022.
Maybe 90 wins max?
Don't sell yourself so short....Jennifer Gardner would be lucky to have you. Lucky, indeed.
I know right? I'll even get one of those crappy Capital One credit cards she's always hawking.
It doesn't seem that with all your solid suggestions/ideas, the Yankees will end up with a top flight team in 2022 that is significantly better than the Duncan YoYo team they fielded this season.
They are a very long way from the promise of 3-4 years ago when so many young players were supposed to be on the cusp of superstardom.
This is no longer a young team. IMO, they need an injection of young blood, and it's not clear their minor league system can provide that.
Feels like the Yankees are headed nowhere fast and maybe their trajectory is downward. Sure, Judge and Stanton and a decent pitching staff will get them to .500 ball. But hard to envision anything significantly better than that in 2022.
Maybe 90 wins max?
I honestly believe that analytics destroyed these young players. The launch angle means everything, K's mean nothing crowd ruined the swings of way too many of them including Sanchez, Torres, Hicks, and even Gio. The Yanks are not a baseball team. They're a HR Derby team, and not a good one at that. This type of baseball will eventually die, like the fads in the NFL have come and gone. Will the Yanks jettison this approach? Who knows...and it doesn't matter if they keep these players because it's all they know now. Before Phil Rizzuto died, he was asked if he still went down to ST to teach the kids to bunt. He said now, because "these huckleberries have no use for bunting and don't want to learn". That's baseball, Susan.
Quote:
It doesn't seem that with all your solid suggestions/ideas, the Yankees will end up with a top flight team in 2022 that is significantly better than the Duncan YoYo team they fielded this season.
They are a very long way from the promise of 3-4 years ago when so many young players were supposed to be on the cusp of superstardom.
This is no longer a young team. IMO, they need an injection of young blood, and it's not clear their minor league system can provide that.
Feels like the Yankees are headed nowhere fast and maybe their trajectory is downward. Sure, Judge and Stanton and a decent pitching staff will get them to .500 ball. But hard to envision anything significantly better than that in 2022.
Maybe 90 wins max?
I honestly believe that analytics destroyed these young players. The launch angle means everything, K's mean nothing crowd ruined the swings of way too many of them including Sanchez, Torres, Hicks, and even Gio. The Yanks are not a baseball team. They're a HR Derby team, and not a good one at that. This type of baseball will eventually die, like the fads in the NFL have come and gone. Will the Yanks jettison this approach? Who knows...and it doesn't matter if they keep these players because it's all they know now. Before Phil Rizzuto died, he was asked if he still went down to ST to teach the kids to bunt. He said now, because "these huckleberries have no use for bunting and don't want to learn". That's baseball, Susan.
He said "no"...not now.
The Yankees are built for the regular season. And after escaping the aging team they had become 10 years ago, they are playing just like those guys. The only time all year their lineup had any energy was the 13 game win streak. And look who played through most of it - Velasquez and Wade.
As a team they should be bring in one rookie/young everyday starter EVERY year to help keep the lineup from getting old and stale at the same time. Would it have hurt their offense this year?
But instead the Yankees' devotion above all else to analytics has led them to bring in big, muscular guys that can hit 35 to 40 home runs that go more than 430 feet. But they are constantly hurt and strike out a lot. Stanton, Voit, Judge, Sanchez. And they don't put the ball in play when it's needed, and hit into a god awful number of double plays. How often is that the result of wanting a 450-foot three run HR instead of an RBI single. Sanchez was a good hitter when he came up, but the emphasis on HRs has killed him by turning him into a pure pull hitter. Same with Torres. He was one of their best hitters with 2 out and men in scoring position his first two years. Since hitting all those HRs in Baltimore, not so much.
And the devotion to the analytics avoids any logic. A guy can go 0-24 and not have a day of, but then has a 4 hit game with 2 HRs, and the next day is his day to 'rest', which is even more maddening when the day after that is an off day.
Hard to argue any points. Though someone said move on from Gio, DJ, or Torres. I think you keep all 3. And Wade is a keeper too. He's like the spark plug you can put anywhere.
Boone; I don't know. I've wanted him gone but if Cash is the one pulling the strings, maybe he was just too hamstrung. I mean no manager can be so in-game tone deaf unless they're following orders from the top...right??
Reminds me of that scene in "Training Day" when Jake (Boone) tells Alonzo (Cashman) in the car "I will do anything you want me to."
I don't think Cash or Boone are going anywhere unfortunately. The fact that Yankees are in the playoffs 5 years in a row will be the stupid justification.
The Yankees are built for the regular season. And after escaping the aging team they had become 10 years ago, they are playing just like those guys. The only time all year their lineup had any energy was the 13 game win streak. And look who played through most of it - Velasquez and Wade.
As a team they should be bring in one rookie/young everyday starter EVERY year to help keep the lineup from getting old and stale at the same time. Would it have hurt their offense this year?
But instead the Yankees' devotion above all else to analytics has led them to bring in big, muscular guys that can hit 35 to 40 home runs that go more than 430 feet. But they are constantly hurt and strike out a lot. Stanton, Voit, Judge, Sanchez. And they don't put the ball in play when it's needed, and hit into a god awful number of double plays. How often is that the result of wanting a 450-foot three run HR instead of an RBI single. Sanchez was a good hitter when he came up, but the emphasis on HRs has killed him by turning him into a pure pull hitter. Same with Torres. He was one of their best hitters with 2 out and men in scoring position his first two years. Since hitting all those HRs in Baltimore, not so much.
And the devotion to the analytics avoids any logic. A guy can go 0-24 and not have a day of, but then has a 4 hit game with 2 HRs, and the next day is his day to 'rest', which is even more maddening when the day after that is an off day.
Tampa Bay relies on analytics maybe more than any other team in the league. Ownership are financial guys, which is all they do.
They seem to be doing well.
I think at the end of Moneyball, there was a great line by the radio commentator:
"You can’t approach baseball from a statistically bean-counter point of view, it’s won on the field with fundamental play. You have to steal, you have to hunt, you have to sacrifice, you gotta get men’s score in position and then you gotta bring ’em in. And you don’t do that with a bunch of statistical gimmicks. Nobody reinvents this game."
Agree with those saying Yanks should roll with a plus defender at SS…doesn’t need to hit a ton, we have other bats for that. Torres seemed comfortable the last 3 weeks back at 2B. I agree about DJLM at 1B and Urshela at 3B
Replacements needed at catcher and in CF. Also DH…give Voit a shot, but can’t rely on him to stay healthy
The pitching isn’t in bad shape, but agree that we need to start looking for Chapman and Britton replacements now
I think there will be a lockout as well, too many issues
between the two sides. They need to make some moves on this roster for sure, starting with Boone.
His act isn't cutting it anymore.
I agree with Stu on Ca$hman, he ain't going
anywhere, cuz Hal doesn't have the balls...
BTW, was that A-Rod lovefest over 'Cora the cheater' nauseating or what? Jesus H. Christ, give it a rest!
Agree with those saying Yanks should roll with a plus defender at SS…doesn’t need to hit a ton, we have other bats for that. Torres seemed comfortable the last 3 weeks back at 2B. I agree about DJLM at 1B and Urshela at 3B
Replacements needed at catcher and in CF. Also DH…give Voit a shot, but can’t rely on him to stay healthy
The pitching isn’t in bad shape, but agree that we need to start looking for Chapman and Britton replacements now
I would like them to move on from BOTH catchers TBH,
but there isn't a lot out there in free agency.
I saw a list about a week or so ago, Yan Gomes was the best
option I saw? I agree with Section, that Higgy has a
noodle arm. He is a good receiver, but doesn't hit enough
to warrant keeping him around anymore, this roster needs
to be re-tooled! Chapman, Britton & Green all on last year
of their deals in 2022. I would start to revamp the BP a bit, if possible?
sign alex cobb - his groundball profile and hr supression should play well at yankee stadium
see if you can get conforto relatively cheaply
and if the money is there the only premium free agent i'd target is seager but i doubt the dodgers let him leave over money
I think at the end of Moneyball, there was a great line by the radio commentator:
"You can’t approach baseball from a statistically bean-counter point of view, it’s won on the field with fundamental play. You have to steal, you have to hunt, you have to sacrifice, you gotta get men’s score in position and then you gotta bring ’em in. And you don’t do that with a bunch of statistical gimmicks. Nobody reinvents this game."
This is the major problem. Are we really expecting Boone to out-manage Cora or Kevin Cash? They both use analytics heavily. We also have a roster that is useless outside of Judge/Stanton/DJLM.
When you look at the Rays, Sox, and Bluejays, they have guys that can hurt you from every spot, not black holes like we have.
Quote:
I honestly believe that analytics destroyed these young players. The launch angle means everything, K's mean nothing crowd ruined the swings of way too many of them including Sanchez, Torres, Hicks, and even Gio. The Yanks are not a baseball team. They're a HR Derby team, and not a good one at that. This type of baseball will eventually die, like the fads in the NFL have come and gone. Will the Yanks jettison this approach? Who knows...and it doesn't matter if they keep these players because it's all they know now. Before Phil Rizzuto died, he was asked if he still went down to ST to teach the kids to bunt. He said now, because "these huckleberries have no use for bunting and don't want to learn". That's baseball, Susan.
I know I'm known as a bit of a numbers person around here but I really agree with this. You can't push this stuff so much that you interfere with players internal non-linear equations and muscle memory. People are "computer programs" too and any successful athlete has some amazing electrical / kinetic equation solving going on in their heads. You can ruin it on either side, sometimes weight training spoils the kinetic portion and they can't recalibrate. But if you throw too many things in their heads to process it can override some of their mental processes. You have to go slow and be contentious about what is being additive vs. starting to replace these systems that have worked for them. And most importantly you have to customize these learning styles.
Did you see Gio try to sacrifice a couple weeks ago?
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The Yankees have relied so heavily on analytics it has become a negative. The analytics play well over a 162-game season against all the pitchers in the league. When you get to the playoffs, you're facing the best in baseball. How did the Yankees offense do against the Rays all year? 50 runs in 19 games. Not being able to put the ball in play with men on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out kills you in that scenario. One run might win a playoff game.
The Yankees are built for the regular season. And after escaping the aging team they had become 10 years ago, they are playing just like those guys. The only time all year their lineup had any energy was the 13 game win streak. And look who played through most of it - Velasquez and Wade.
As a team they should be bring in one rookie/young everyday starter EVERY year to help keep the lineup from getting old and stale at the same time. Would it have hurt their offense this year?
But instead the Yankees' devotion above all else to analytics has led them to bring in big, muscular guys that can hit 35 to 40 home runs that go more than 430 feet. But they are constantly hurt and strike out a lot. Stanton, Voit, Judge, Sanchez. And they don't put the ball in play when it's needed, and hit into a god awful number of double plays. How often is that the result of wanting a 450-foot three run HR instead of an RBI single. Sanchez was a good hitter when he came up, but the emphasis on HRs has killed him by turning him into a pure pull hitter. Same with Torres. He was one of their best hitters with 2 out and men in scoring position his first two years. Since hitting all those HRs in Baltimore, not so much.
And the devotion to the analytics avoids any logic. A guy can go 0-24 and not have a day of, but then has a 4 hit game with 2 HRs, and the next day is his day to 'rest', which is even more maddening when the day after that is an off day.
Tampa Bay relies on analytics maybe more than any other team in the league. Ownership are financial guys, which is all they do.
They seem to be doing well.
But they do it much differently than the Yankees. Their HR guys put the ball in play when needed, they advance runners, they aren't constantly trying to hit 3 run HRS. Heck, most people don't even know who their top home run hitter was. Yet he was right there with Judge in most categories.
They don't want guys who just strike out or hit home runs. Not to mention, they don't stand and look at their 450-foot home run when they are down 7 runs. They don't admire a "home run" that ends up hitting the wall. They don't give guys a day or two off after finally having a good game after a long bad streak. They stole 88 bases. They hit the same number of HRs as the Yankees, yet had a higher batting average, slugging percentage and OPS. They had a catcher who hit 33 home runs in fewer games than Sanchez AND played good defense, which is more important to the Rays approach.
They focus on defense. The Rays were tied for seventh in fielding percentage. The Yankees were tied for 23rd.
The Rays play an entirely different type of baseball than the Yankees. And they do it at a much much lower cost. I'm a lifelong Yankees fan, but even I have to admit that the Rays are a much better run organization, top to bottom (minus the PR factor), than the Yankees, and it's not even close. From baseball decisions right down to keeping guys healthy and on the field.
The analytics also play heavily into the draft for both teams, yet the Rays consistently get so much more out of their draft picks. They constantly have guys ready to plug into the major league team from the minors, not just as fill ins but as guys who will become regulars. Who is the last guy drafted by the Yankees who came up and became a regular player? Why is that? Luck? The Yankees left Whitlock off the 40-man. The Rays would never do that with a promising pitcher who had shown what he had.
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In comment 15400986 M.S. said:
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I honestly believe that analytics destroyed these young players. The launch angle means everything, K's mean nothing crowd ruined the swings of way too many of them including Sanchez, Torres, Hicks, and even Gio. The Yanks are not a baseball team. They're a HR Derby team, and not a good one at that. This type of baseball will eventually die, like the fads in the NFL have come and gone. Will the Yanks jettison this approach? Who knows...and it doesn't matter if they keep these players because it's all they know now. Before Phil Rizzuto died, he was asked if he still went down to ST to teach the kids to bunt. He said now, because "these huckleberries have no use for bunting and don't want to learn". That's baseball, Susan.
I know I'm known as a bit of a numbers person around here but I really agree with this. You can't push this stuff so much that you interfere with players internal non-linear equations and muscle memory. People are "computer programs" too and any successful athlete has some amazing electrical / kinetic equation solving going on in their heads. You can ruin it on either side, sometimes weight training spoils the kinetic portion and they can't recalibrate. But if you throw too many things in their heads to process it can override some of their mental processes. You have to go slow and be contentious about what is being additive vs. starting to replace these systems that have worked for them. And most importantly you have to customize these learning styles.
A very detailed way of saying something every athlete at every level who enjoys some success eventually tells themselves: "Don't Think...Just Do." And these guys are guessing on pitches instead of using their instincts and hitting it where it's pitched. Just my opinion, of course.
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In comment 15401032 k2tampa said:
Quote:
The Yankees have relied so heavily on analytics it has become a negative. The analytics play well over a 162-game season against all the pitchers in the league. When you get to the playoffs, you're facing the best in baseball. How did the Yankees offense do against the Rays all year? 50 runs in 19 games. Not being able to put the ball in play with men on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out kills you in that scenario. One run might win a playoff game.
The Yankees are built for the regular season. And after escaping the aging team they had become 10 years ago, they are playing just like those guys. The only time all year their lineup had any energy was the 13 game win streak. And look who played through most of it - Velasquez and Wade.
As a team they should be bring in one rookie/young everyday starter EVERY year to help keep the lineup from getting old and stale at the same time. Would it have hurt their offense this year?
But instead the Yankees' devotion above all else to analytics has led them to bring in big, muscular guys that can hit 35 to 40 home runs that go more than 430 feet. But they are constantly hurt and strike out a lot. Stanton, Voit, Judge, Sanchez. And they don't put the ball in play when it's needed, and hit into a god awful number of double plays. How often is that the result of wanting a 450-foot three run HR instead of an RBI single. Sanchez was a good hitter when he came up, but the emphasis on HRs has killed him by turning him into a pure pull hitter. Same with Torres. He was one of their best hitters with 2 out and men in scoring position his first two years. Since hitting all those HRs in Baltimore, not so much.
And the devotion to the analytics avoids any logic. A guy can go 0-24 and not have a day of, but then has a 4 hit game with 2 HRs, and the next day is his day to 'rest', which is even more maddening when the day after that is an off day.
Tampa Bay relies on analytics maybe more than any other team in the league. Ownership are financial guys, which is all they do.
They seem to be doing well.
But they do it much differently than the Yankees. Their HR guys put the ball in play when needed, they advance runners, they aren't constantly trying to hit 3 run HRS. Heck, most people don't even know who their top home run hitter was. Yet he was right there with Judge in most categories.
They don't want guys who just strike out or hit home runs. Not to mention, they don't stand and look at their 450-foot home run when they are down 7 runs. They don't admire a "home run" that ends up hitting the wall. They don't give guys a day or two off after finally having a good game after a long bad streak. They stole 88 bases. They hit the same number of HRs as the Yankees, yet had a higher batting average, slugging percentage and OPS. They had a catcher who hit 33 home runs in fewer games than Sanchez AND played good defense, which is more important to the Rays approach.
They focus on defense. The Rays were tied for seventh in fielding percentage. The Yankees were tied for 23rd.
The Rays play an entirely different type of baseball than the Yankees. And they do it at a much much lower cost. I'm a lifelong Yankees fan, but even I have to admit that the Rays are a much better run organization, top to bottom (minus the PR factor), than the Yankees, and it's not even close. From baseball decisions right down to keeping guys healthy and on the field.
The analytics also play heavily into the draft for both teams, yet the Rays consistently get so much more out of their draft picks. They constantly have guys ready to plug into the major league team from the minors, not just as fill ins but as guys who will become regulars. Who is the last guy drafted by the Yankees who came up and became a regular player? Why is that? Luck? The Yankees left Whitlock off the 40-man. The Rays would never do that with a promising pitcher who had shown what he had.
Then the issue isn't analytics, its the looking at the proper numbers. The argument was that the Yankees relied on analytics too much. Tampa relies on analytics more than any other team in the league and have a better team for less money. If the issue is that the Yankees are looking at the wrong numbers, that's a different argument.
I'm in the minority but I don't think Boone is the problem. I don't think the Yankees really have many problems for that matter. They won 92 games despite enduring bad seasons from the basically the entire infield. They lost Hicks ( I know many hate him too, but he's a solid CF by any metric) and the pitching staff wasn't really at its best for most of the season.
Plus, unless the Yanks want to change their entire approach, firing Boone makes no sense. Who are you bringing in that does improves upon what Boone does? Boone has clearly got the pulse and respect of the players. He clearly gets them to fight and play hard and I have no doubt a lesser mgr exists out there that loses this team in 2021. No doubt.
As to Cashman, to me any talk of removing him is complete lunacy. He makes so many good moves I have lost count, year after year. If you insist on firing people for not winning WS titles, well, enjoy rooting for a mess of a franchise because you're firing people left and right.
Don't dump the baby out with the bath water. If you want to change directions have at it, but don't be surprised if things get worse. And they most certainly can.
Money doesn't make guys like Cole work harder. He's bringing his best every night. What you see, is Cole's best. The fact that he makes 100 million a game doesn't matter.
The 3rd base needs to fucking go but last night didn't lose the game. It didn't lose the season. He was being aggressive. No guarantee the next batter even gets that runner in if it's 2nd and 3rd one out, matter of fact knowing the Yanks, he doesn't.
Spend some money on the SP staff, let the Gallos/Rizzos/Voits go, and get working on a smarter plan to build an offense. Yuck.
I'm in the minority but I don't think Boone is the problem. I don't think the Yankees really have many problems for that matter. They won 92 games despite enduring bad seasons from the basically the entire infield. They lost Hicks ( I know many hate him too, but he's a solid CF by any metric) and the pitching staff wasn't really at its best for most of the season.
Plus, unless the Yanks want to change their entire approach, firing Boone makes no sense. Who are you bringing in that does improves upon what Boone does? Boone has clearly got the pulse and respect of the players. He clearly gets them to fight and play hard and I have no doubt a lesser mgr exists out there that loses this team in 2021. No doubt.
As to Cashman, to me any talk of removing him is complete lunacy. He makes so many good moves I have lost count, year after year. If you insist on firing people for not winning WS titles, well, enjoy rooting for a mess of a franchise because you're firing people left and right.
Don't dump the baby out with the bath water. If you want to change directions have at it, but don't be surprised if things get worse. And they most certainly can.
I think this post makes way too much sense for the morning after :) Very good points and I agree.
Very good points.
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Many Yankee fans will sleep at night.
I'm in the minority but I don't think Boone is the problem. I don't think the Yankees really have many problems for that matter. They won 92 games despite enduring bad seasons from the basically the entire infield. They lost Hicks ( I know many hate him too, but he's a solid CF by any metric) and the pitching staff wasn't really at its best for most of the season.
Plus, unless the Yanks want to change their entire approach, firing Boone makes no sense. Who are you bringing in that does improves upon what Boone does? Boone has clearly got the pulse and respect of the players. He clearly gets them to fight and play hard and I have no doubt a lesser mgr exists out there that loses this team in 2021. No doubt.
As to Cashman, to me any talk of removing him is complete lunacy. He makes so many good moves I have lost count, year after year. If you insist on firing people for not winning WS titles, well, enjoy rooting for a mess of a franchise because you're firing people left and right.
Don't dump the baby out with the bath water. If you want to change directions have at it, but don't be surprised if things get worse. And they most certainly can.
I think this post makes way too much sense for the morning after :) Very good points and I agree.
Very good points.
I am usually rational even after the worst Yankee moments ever, and last night was up there. Doesn't mean I am right, maybe Boone needs to go, but he doesn't appear to have lost this team and to me baseball mgr decision making has always been an overstated debate.
The Giants are another story. I am often irrational, especially the day after.
This. Tampa had Lowe hit like 25 homers over his career high, and the Yankees had career low seasons from everyone but Judge and Stanton.
I don’t think there are many issues to fix. Bring back Russo, go sign one of the shortstops, and add a starter. Can figure out the infield when one of the young prospects are ready in 2023
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it's that they can't hit. Or rather, not enough of them could hit. A lot of them also couldn't defend their positions.
Did you see Gio try to sacrifice a couple weeks ago?
The Yankees dominated the Rays in Sac bunts 10-6 on the season. If bunts mattered, you'd think we were the team to win 100 games.
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In comment 15401139 Heisenberg said:
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it's that they can't hit. Or rather, not enough of them could hit. A lot of them also couldn't defend their positions.
Did you see Gio try to sacrifice a couple weeks ago?
The Yankees dominated the Rays in Sac bunts 10-6 on the season. If bunts mattered, you'd think we were the team to win 100 games.
This may be the most utterly useless statistical comparison and logical fallacy I've seen this year
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In comment 15401143 rnargi said:
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In comment 15401139 Heisenberg said:
Quote:
it's that they can't hit. Or rather, not enough of them could hit. A lot of them also couldn't defend their positions.
Did you see Gio try to sacrifice a couple weeks ago?
The Yankees dominated the Rays in Sac bunts 10-6 on the season. If bunts mattered, you'd think we were the team to win 100 games.
This may be the most utterly useless statistical comparison and logical fallacy I've seen this year
Ha, well, I was being facetious. Thought that was clear.
But I'll take it as a compliment from someone who is arguing for better bunting to fix this team. :)
Levine, Fishman and all the anal-ytics crowd, and Cashman all need to go. They have failed MISERABLY. The team's record has been worse in each of four successive seasons. Their time is up.
Next fire Boone, Mendoza, Nevin, Willet, and all other coaches that Boone hired. Whoever screwed up Deivi Garcia has to go too.
Then clean house on the field.
When it comes to the Hal Yankees I always follow the money. These players are under contract for next year. The numbers next to their names are their luxury cap salaries under the current CBA which is about to expire and more likely than not there will be a lockout about 12/1/21. If/when that happens IMO unless the players are willing to sit for an entire season the new CBA will favor the owners even more than the last one.
Gerrit Cole 31 $36,000,000
Giancarlo Stanton 32 $22,000,000
Aroldis Chapman 34 $17,466,667
D.J. LeMahieu 33 $15,000,000
Zack Britton 34 $14,000,000
Rougned Odor 28 $0
Luis Severino 28 $10,000,000
Aaron Hicks 32 $10,000,000
That's 124 million committed for 8 players. Yes Odor is $0. Texas pays 100% of his money. I think that's the only reason he's on the team next year and he is horrible. Everyday he's in the lineup Stick Michael throws his remote at his TV up there.
Joely Rodriguez 30 $2,750,000 - team option
Brett Gardner 38 $2,575,000 - team option
Darren O'Day 39 $1,400,000 - mutual option
The Yankees also control all of these players:
Miguel Andujar 27 3B Arb 1
Nestor Cortes 27 RP Pre-Arb
Clint Frazier 27 OF Arb 2
Joey Gallo 28 RF Arb 3
Domingo German 29 SP Arb 1
Chad Green 31 RP Arb 3
Kyle Higashioka 32 C Arb 1
Clay Holmes 29 RP Arb 1
Aaron Judge 30 RF Arb 3
Michael King 27 P Pre-Arb
Jonathan Loaisiga 27 RP Arb 1
Tim Locastro 29 OF Arb 1
Jordan Montgomery 29 SP Arb 3
Wandy Peralta 30 RP Arb 3
Gary Sanchez 29 C Arb 3
Jameson Taillon 30 SP Arb 3
Gleyber Torres 25 SS Arb 2
Giovanny Urshela 30 3B Arb 2
Andrew Velazquez 27 3B Arb 1
Luke Voit 31 1B Arb 2
Tyler Wade 27 2B Arb 1
Arbitration 3 means that 2022 is their walk year. If those players Judge, Montgomery, Taillon, Sanchez, Peralta, Gallo, Green sign a one year contract or take the Yankees to arbitration, win or lose, they will be unrestricted free agents when 2022 ends.
Arbitration 3 can get pricey for the value of players who are not stars. Some on that list could be non tendered. All of the players on the the under control list are on one year contracts and could be non tendered. Voit, Frasier, Andujar. etc. Non tendered makes a player an unrestricted free agent except for their former team. Unless the rule has changed a non tendered player can't sign back to his original team until after May 1. So non tendered is basically released.
As a first guess if I was Yankees GM for a day here is what I would do.
1B DJ. Give him a 1B glove the first of spring training and that's where we plays period. He hasn't been a good 1B but with an entire spring to get ready I think he'd be fine. He doesn't have a classic 1B bat but if he can rebound next year to around an .800 OPS that will work. I like Rizzo but he's only a 1B and the long term contracts already on the books leave no smart spot for him on the 26.
2B Torres his on field value is at an all time low but he's under team control for 2022 and 2023. So his off field value is high. I would love to see him on another team but I'm not giving him away. I would have to get an important piece if he was part of a trade package.
SS Wade/Velazquez I want to leave SS open for either Volpe or Peraza. I do not want a high priced FA SS. That doesn't work for me with the roster already being so top heavy.A good derisive SS is an underrated asset I know the Yankees were 19th in runs scored this year but for 2022 I'm willing to go all plus glove and wait for the kids.
3B Urshela Not a great bat but a great glove and that makes him a good 3B. For this roster. Open to trading him in the right package for the right return. Also Arb 2 so under team control for two more years increases his trade value.
LF Stanton 2/3 of the time DH 1/3.
CF open - position of great need. Hicks is an albatross contract and might have the first shot at the starting position, especially from Cashman, but he has no arm now and his range in CF is awful. His bat has never been great. Best case would be he's an expensive 5th OF or attached with prospects in a trade that brings back a big contract. I want an athlete who can play plus CF and run the bases.
RF Judge 2/3 of the time DH 1/3.
Catcher open - position of great need. Higgy is a backup and the personal catcher thing with Cole needs to end. I'm going to non tender Sanchez. A catcher who can handle a pitching staff and is a plus behind the plate is the #1 need for 2022 in my opinion.
I'm also non tendering Voit, Frazier, Andujar, Gallo and Peralta. I'm declining the options of Gardner, Rodriquez and O'Day (although he can exercise his side and the Yankees will be stuck with him).
I want to balance the 40 man roster and get away from 3 outcome bad defense players.
I have 4 pitchers on long term contracts. Cole who is locked in for. along time. Severino for the next 2 years, Chapman on his last year and Britton who can't pitch next year. I need 9 more pitchers. I need a backup 1B. 2 OFs including a starting CF and a starting catcher.
That's a lot of work to do in an offseason that may be on hold for a new CBA that could take part or all of the next season to finalize.
My plan requires two things. A skilled unemotionally attached GM and an owner who is willing to spend to win the World Series. I'm note sure the Yankees have either.
What's your plan?
I did not realize that Gallo was not under contract but is arb eligible for 2022. I agree, definitely non-tender along with the others you mentioned. While I appreciate his fielding and base running, he just whiffs to much. They don't need that.
They should not have a fixed DH. Look what a difference it made for Stanton when he started to play OF regularly. Keep DH open and rotate guys like Stanton, Judge and whomever the C is for maintenance days to keep their legs fresh.
DEFINITELY agree re SS. Wade/Velasquez are good placeholders. And Wade is versatile. Both good gloves.
I don't think it's right that Cashman survives and Boone doesn't, but I'm afraid you are right. Reese/Coughlin redux.
I would try to keep Rizzo. I really like him as a hitter and his D is excellent. He's a complete player and an old school situational hitter.