Yardbarker: Darrell Rasner

You Just Can't Kill The Beast

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:57:41 -0500

The Yankees are a weird bunch. They won their 2nd straight against the Rays, the team with the best home record, and overall record, in all of MLB. It was their 3rd straight

Joba Says he is Ready

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:23:35 -0500

Joba is saying that he's ready to return from his injury. Its to little to late but it'll be nice to see him again I guess. Girardi wants to wait until Monday though. He'll return in the bullpen and work his way back to the rotation. The question is who will he replace? Looks like either Ponson or Rasner at this point. I'd rather see Ponson go.

The End Is Rapidly Approaching

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:34:23 -0500

In my last blog entry, I mentioned that the Yankees could only afford 7 more losses the rest of the way. Make that 6. And if they continue to play the way they're playing, they'll lose those 6 games by the end

Here’s a replacement for Rasner

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:21:00 -0500

Forget Darrell Rasner! Maybe the New York Yankees need this kid in their starting rotation.

ITS NOT EVEN FUN TO CHEER AGAINST THE YANKEES ANYMORE

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:46:18 -0500

by WCT, The Ship of Fools

(photo: AP)

Normally, once my Indians are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention (this year it was May 8th, I think...or the 9th? Definitely the 8th or 9th) my favorite summer pastime becomes cheering against the New York Yankees. They are bigger, stronger, and faster than everyone else, so it becomes like cheering for the little guy, if you consider the other 29 teams in baseball "the little guy." Like cheering against Goliath. However this year, that hasn't been the case. That's because the 2008 Yankees are a complete mess.

Lets be fair, they are 7 games over .500, and you really can't call a team with a winning record a complete mess, even if they do have a $200+ million payroll. They are also not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet, and anything can happen in 30 or so games. But with each passing day it looks less and less likely that the Yankees will be playing in October. Yes, the Yanks surged down the stretch last year, and desperate Yankee fans will arrogantly point to last year's second half run as evidence that this team still has a shot. But make no mistake, last year's team was much, much better than this year's, and much more due to make that late charge.

Consider this: The Yankees right now sit in third place. 11 games out of first in the AL East. Looks bad, huh? Looks even worse when you look closer: The last place Baltimore Orioles (somehow only 5 games below .500) are 17 back of first. So the Yankees are almost twice as close to last place as they are to first place! They are one bad stretch away from being in the AL East cellar. Also, on August 19, 2007, the Yankees had a run differential of +160, tops in the Majors. Even though they were underachieving at that point, you knew it was just a matter of time before they made a run. This year, the run differential is +46, or 7th in the AL. The Yankees' record is 6th best in the AL, meaning, the numbers say this is about where they should finish up (if not lower. The Blue Jays have a better run differential but are 1 game behind record-wise).

New York has Mike Mussina pitching out of his mind, but what else do they have in the rotation right now? Two nobodies (Darrell Rasner & Dan Geise) who they cannot count on for wins on a nightly basis, a guy who is 40ish years old and inconsistent (Andy Pettitte) and a fat Arubian scofflaw (Sir Sidney Ponson). They just sent their CF to the minor leagues and the guy that replaced him dropped two fly balls last night, including one that allowed the eventual game-winning run to score. Derek Jeter is doing better of late (I guess) but still having a non-Jeterian season. The LF spot has been a revolving door of rookies and misfits all year, and they are getting about what I thought they would get from the Catcher position with Jose Molina and an old Ivan Rodriguez.

Let me say this again, anything can happen, and until they are mathematically eliminated, no one is going to say this team is dead. But no one is saying that Toronto is in the race, and their record is only 1 game worse than New York's. If this were anyone else but the Yankees, we would have buried them by now. This team used to have studs at every position, and it was fun to laugh when someone like the Marlins would jump up and beat them in October. It was fun to cheer against them. Now they just look so, eh, and you can't even derive any pleasure out of cheering for them to lose.

Well, maybe just a little.

Joba Out of Commission

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:28:44 -0500

Joba Chamberlain is heading to the DL, but he actually received some good news as well. Ian Kennedy will get another shot in the rotation in the meantime while a former Yankee is enjoying his short time with his new team in the NL.

Help For The Yanks Could Be In The Farm

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:14:14 -0500

As the long baseball season winds down to its final month, there is nothing more beneficial to a team in the pennant race than being able to call up impact players from the minors. And, the Yankees may have more than a few players who can help in their pursuit of a post-season berth in 2008 such as Scott Strickland, Ian Kennedy, Austin Jackson, Phil Hughes and, yes, Carl Pavano. With Darrell Rasner not pitching well of late and Joba Chamberlain on his way to see Dr. James Andrews, the Yankees need help in their rotation. While many teams would be in a great deal of trouble in trying to replace 2/5 of their rotation, the Yankees have formidable options. Out of the group of starters previously listed, Kennedy is the most ready, as he has posted a 4-2 record with a 2.14 ERA in 46 1/3 innings recording 38 strikeouts while sporting a 0.91 WHIP. Based on Kennedy not having any injuries like the other starters and pitching very well at AAA, expect him to get the call first. Not too far behind Kennedy, and depending on the diagnosis of Chamberlain, lies Hughes and the inept Pavano. While both are just beginning their rehab assignments, I expect them both to be on the fast track to helping the Yankees either as a starter or as a long man out of the pen with Hughes receiving the call before Pavano. In the bullpen, every team can always use a quality arm to record critical outs in their final month of play. The Yankees might have that in the 32 year old journeyman Strickland. Strickland has been spectacular at AAA Scranton Wilkes-Barre with a 3-0 record. In 56 innings, Strickland has a 2.57 ERA while recording a very impressive 61 strikeouts in addition to a 1.04 WHIP with 9 saves. Finally, the OF and bench can use a young and talented jolt in Jackson. Jackson, the AA CF of the Trenton Thunder, may be in a little over his head at the big league level making the two level jump and only being 21. However, bringing him up could serve a great deal of value to his development. Currently at AA, Jackson has a solid .297 average in 110 games with 9 HR, 61 RBI, 14 SB and a .372 OBP. While these options may not seem like much to Yankee fans, these players would be viable choices for any contending team. The only difference would be the varying over/under assumptions in days of how long it would take for Pavano to hurt himself on the way to the ballpark.

Time for Kennedy to get another shot

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:23:56 -0500

I will admit up front I did not see Sunday's thrilling 14-9 come-from-behind victory by the Yankees over the Angels. The golf course was calling my name, and I listened. Anyway, there is one thing about Sunday's game I can comment on. It absolutely has to be Darrell Rasner's last start. It's time for Ian Kennedy [...]

Time for Kennedy to get another shot

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:23:56 -0500

Sunday MLB on TBS: Comments from Angels/Yankees Gm

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:13:43 -0500

The following is commentary from today's (8/3) Sunday MLB on TBS broadcast between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the New York Yankees with announcers Chip Caray and Ron Darling. ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** LA of Anaheim Angels (9) @ NY Yankees (14) Announcers: Chip Caray (play-by-play) and Ron Darling (analyst) Studio: Marc Fein Darling on NY Yankees starting pitcher Darrell Rasner's first inning struggles: He is a sinker/slider type pitcher. It's almost like he is too strong at the beginning of the game. His pitches tend to be out of the strike zone or flatten out a bit...It looks like he is trying to aim his pitches. You can never do that, you have to let them go. Darling on the Angels aggressive approach to running the bases: What makes it so unusual is that this Angels team has a lot of power, but they still play kind of smallish baseball. Darling on Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick, who has batted .500 against them in his career: (Howie) Kendrick, whom they (the Angels) believe is a future batting champion, that's how they feel about him. Caray: I think the Yankees feel the same way. Darling on the Yankees addition of outfielder Xavier Nady and left-handed reliever Demaso Marte: (Xavier) Nady could be the (former Yankees third baseman) Scott Brosius of this team; just the study guy, doesn't say much just gets the job done...but Demaso Marte, they really needed that addition, they haven't had a left-handed in their bullpen really all season long. Darling Angels third baseman Chone Figgins: In my opinion Chone Figgins is one of the most valuable players in this league, (he) does everything for this Angels, and they are arguably the best team in baseball going from first to third. they always are pushing the envelope. Darling on team's not protecting their farm system and trading for 'name' players: I think you suffer a lot more from stries - histories and salaries. You're always going to pay off of what people have done, not what they are going to do in the future. Darling on the Milwaukee Brewers: Of course (starting pitchers) Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia, when those two don't win in Milwaukee they look very ordinary as a team. Darling on Yankees outfielder Bobby Abreu getting thrown out at third in the fourth inning before shortstop Derek Jeter scored at home: Bad play by Abreu...Just amazing to me when you see a guy (like Bobby Abreu) that has that much experience in the game; has seen it all, done it all, and occasionally has that bonehead kind of play, no other way to describe it. Darling on the NY Mets pitching woes: John Maine, their sturdy right-hander who's had a solid season, now is going to be put on the DL with shoulder stiffness/soldier strain, and Billy Wagner is going to have another MRI, his second in the last couple of weeks. Caray: That's not a good category to lead Closers in. Darling on NY Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady, who's three-run HR in the seventh inning gave the Yankees an 8-5 lead: When you look at Xavier Nady, he was a very popular player when he was with the Mets a few seasons ago. I think for (NY Yankees GM) Brain Cashman when he goes to trade for players, especially every day players, it is always nice to know that they have played in New York, had success in New York and was a popular player in New York, even though it was for just a short time with the Mets. Caray on the high-scoring seesaw battle between the Yankees and Angels: If this is a playoff preview, Ron Darling, boy have we had a great game to watch today. Darling: What a great game, almost like a boxing match; toe-to-toe, these teams going back and forth. Caray on the third error by the Angels in the eighth inning, fourth overall, giving the Yankees a 10-9 lead: A nightmarish inning for Chone Figgins at third. It should have been two (a double play), they got none, Yankees back in front. Caray on the Angels blowing leads of 5-0, and 9-8: They've had a Halo of a time finishing off the Yankees today. Source: TBS Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/), which includes The Biz of Baseball (http://www.bizofbasketball.com/), The Biz of Football (http://www.bizoffootball.com/), The Biz of Basketball (http://www.bizofbasketball.com/) and The Biz of Hockey (http://bizofhockey.com/). He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus (http://baseballprospectus.com/news/?author=124), and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content view=article id=47 Itemid=18) He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_contact view=contact id=2 Itemid=29).

MLB Waiver Wire - Week 17

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:26:29 -0500

Screaming Sports' Andrew Thibodeau breaks out the MLB Waiver Wire and runs downs a list of five potential fantasy studs. If you're looking for that extra edge this week and beyond, then this gem is for you.

The Red Sox demolish the Yanks

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:37:06 -0500

So far, the Red Sox have beaten the Yankees by a combined score of 13-4. The Yankees were so beaten so badly, that you could have heard "Let's Go Red Sox" chants at the Stadium. The starts by Andy Pettitte and Darrell Rasner were awful. Bobby Abreu and Alex Rodriguez left the bases loaded and not driving key runs in. Derek Jeter is having his worst season, hitting around .280, grounding into multiple double plays and showing bad range at shortstop. This bad stretch by the Yankees makes you want to start thinking about the 2009 season. The Yankees have to make several moves to stay alive this season. The "genious" Brian Cashman has cost the Yankees so many times by signing bad players and sometimes overpaying for them. It's time to get rid of Cashman, to save this organization from more failure.

Yankees Mailbag

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:21:07 -0500

With Chien-Ming Wang out until September, do you think the Yankees will go out and trade some players for a big-time starter like C.C Sabathia, or will they possibly bring someone up from the Minors, not including Kei Igawa?

MLB Waiver Wire - Week 12

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:00:55 -0500

Someone (in NYC) really, really wants our CC

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:20:02 -0500

The Indians have won five of their last seven, finally discovering that if they put injured guys who can't swing a bat on the DL instead of in the 3 and 4 holes in their batting order they might be able to score a few runs. The Tribe has cut an 8 1/2 game deficit with the White Sox to 5 1/2 and things are beginning to look as if they are moving in the right direction (as long as the bullpen doesn't have to play too big a role in any particular game). The Sox, meanwhile, have lost 5 of their last 6 games and look to be about to put Paul Konerko on the DL. So now does not appear to be the right time to pull the trigger on any trade involving CC Sabathia. But you can bet Mark Shapiro is getting plenty of phone calls from the 212 area code trying to convince him otherwise. The Yankees, who have won 17 of their last 25 and have moved to 4 games over .500 and 6 game out of first in the A.L. East, have put together a decent starting staff of late, with the addition of Joba Chamberlain and Darrell Rasner (is he doing it with mirrors?) and the resurrection of Mike Mussina. But all that may get flushed down the pinstriped pot if, as expected once MRI results are in, staff ace Chien-Ming Wang is put on the shelf for most, if not all, of the rest of the season with what is believed to be a broken bone in the foot. The New York Times is already speculating that the Yanks' GM Brian Cashmen has the speed dial to Mark Shapiro fired up. "The Yankees' season changed irreversibly on Sunday. Chien-Ming Wang's season is in jeopardy with a serious injury to his right foot, and C. C. Sabathia instantly became a very important name in the Yankees' universe." -- lead of today's New York Times story. The Times story seems like nothing more than a logical conclusion - no names of any kind are mentioned and no quotes from anyone are included. The New York Post - also apparently speculating - doesn't seem to think the Yankees have the goods to get it done. "The Yankees' options to replace Wang are limited. The Indians aren't about to deal C.C. Sabathia and the Yankees don't have the major league-ready arms Cleveland would want. Dan Giese is in the Yanks' bullpen, and Daniel McCutchen, Alan Horne, Jeffrey Marquez and Kei Igawa are at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre." That is assuming the Tribe is only interested in pitching in return - which may not be a great assumption. Meanwhile, the Yankee blog published by the Journal News, my local paper, is already speculating about who the Yanks might have to sacrificed to get CC to replace Wang. "LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS: C.C. Sabathia (Indians): He knows how to pitch in the AL, he's a lefty (always a plus at the Stadium) and you'll have a few months to try and sign him. But if the Yankees are desperate, Mark Shapiro will seek the world for his ace, especially if he's going to an AL team. Start with Robinson Cano." Robbie Cano would seem like a good place to start, at least if you look at his career numbers. But check out these numbers from NJ.com for the Yanks lost and bewildered 2B this year. "Going into Saturday night's game, Cano had the lowest on-base percentage (.260) and third-lowest slugging percentage (.316) of major-league players with at least 250 plate appearances." If the Yanks were to put Cano in as a centerpiece of a package for Sabathia the Tribe would be getting - for now - yet another player who is underperforming miserably this season. Shapiro would have to try to determine if this year is an aberration or the start of a trend. As has already been established in the linked articles, the Yanks don't have much in the way of MLB-ready pitching (not counting the injured Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy) and they themselves are trying to fill 1B with the likes of Jason Giambi and Shelley Duncan and Wilson Betemit. They also have nothing to offer at 3B (Betemit is their backup there too) and the corner outfield spots are taken by veterans who the Indians wouldn't necessarily want if they end up punting on this season and trading CC. So while the pressure will be brought to bear on Shapiro by the Yanks' front office, it's not clear what the Yankees have to offer in the way of young, healthy major leaguers who are playing up to their potential.