Please, no more Marcus Thames in LF

Here’s a bit I wrote a few weeks ago with regards to Marcus Thames: This season, as a left fielder, the 33-year old is projected to be 11 runs below average over 150 defensive games. He would cost a win, essentially. Of course, in a platoon with Brett Gardner, Thames’ time in the field would [...]

Bobby Wilson not upset with Mark Teixeira

Via Lyle Spencer of MLB.com: “It’s baseball,” [Wilson] said. “From Tex’s standpoint, he was playing baseball. That’s the way the game’s played. I have looked at it to see if there was enough plate there. I probably won’t.” In the second half of the 2008 season, Wilson had a locker next to Teixeira’s in a [...]

Overreacting to Javier Vazquez’s latest start

I saw this over at Sliding Into Home and figured a response was necessary: I think it’s time we accept that Javier Vazquez is a gutless bitch who cannot handle New York or the American League. After today’s stinker, the goat of 2004 is now 1-3 with an ERA of 9.00, and clearly the weak [...]

Morning Bits: Vazquez, Pettitte, YES, Fighting

Here are a few quick items to start the day: Javier Vazquez was ineffective against the Angels yesterday, leading to the first series loss this year for NY. Andy Pettitte pitched well on Saturday and now owns a 3-0 record, but how long will this great showing last? In case you missed it, my love [...]

Pettitte’s strong start

After Andy Pettitte’s latest start, in which he struck out 8 Angels over 8 innings (0 BB), allowing 1 ER on 6 hits, the grizzled left-hander now has 3 wins, and sports a stellar 1.29 ERA and a 2.51 FIP. The 1.29 ERA signals the best April mark of his long career, while the 2.51 [...]

Nick Johnson out until Tuesday

It appears Nick Johnson’s lower back stiffness, which was reportedly brought on by participating in extra batting practice, will keep him sidelined until Tuesday (the Yankees have an off-day tomorrow). Johnson was expected to play today, however, it appears the Yankees are being cautious with him, as that is the safest strategy given his well-documented [...]

G16: Yankees @ Angels

Here are the lineups for tonight’s ballgame: YANKEES (11-4) Derek Jeter SS Nick Johnson DH Mark Teixeira 1B Alex Rodriguez 3B Robinson Cano 2B Jorge Posada C Curtis Granderson CF Nick Swisher RF Brett Gardner LF PITCHING: RHP A.J. Burnett (2-0, 2.37 ERA, 3.46 FIP) ANGELS (8-9) Erick Aybar SS Bobby Abreu RF Torii Hunter [...]

Quick Bits: Wells/A-Rod, Pinstripe Bowl, Joba

Here are a few quick items on the evening: David Wells says that Alex Rodriguez is a veteran and should know the “don’t step on my mound” rule. The New Era Pinstripe Bowl has been granted a 4-year license by the NCAA. The first event is on Dec. 30. Ben K. applies an article by [...]

Morning Bits: Posada, Strike Zone, Vazquez

Here are a few quick items on the morning: Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave Blues takes a look at Jorge Posada’s contact and swing rates, thus far. Dan Turkenkopf of Beyond the Box Score examines strike zones and their consistency across ballparks. Via Newsday, Javier Vazquez is looking forward to turning the page after his [...]

Morning Bits: Recap, Robinson, Chan Ho, Hughes

Here are a few quick items on the morning: Thanks to a strong outing from Phil Hughes, the Yankees beat the Angels last night, 6-2. Robinson Cano also contributed, going 2-for-4 with 2 home runs on Jackie Robinson Day. While warming up last night, Chan Ho Park hurt his hamstring and will be reevaluated today. [...]

Eighth inning up for grabs this year?

Here’s an interesting article from Joel Sherman of the NY Post: Unlike with the fifth starter’s job, the Yankees are comfortable going into the season without delineating a primary set-up man for Mariano Rivera. It had been believed that if Joba Chamberlain failed to win the last rotation spot, he simply would become the main [...]

Thames will need to prove his worth all season

This spring, over 42 at-bats, Marcus Thames, the right-handed, power-hitting outfielder the Yankees signed to a minor-league deal for a base salary of $900k, is hitting a mere .143/.200/.286, while leading the club with 17 strikeouts. Now, spring statistics are generally hollow numbers, however, in some instances, particularly when a player is signed to a [...]

Quick Bits: Recap, Teixeira, Venditte, Montero, Relief, Org Preview

Here are a few quick news items on the morning: Thanks, in part, to a nice night by Robinson Cano, the Yanks defeated the Orioles yesterday, 11-7. Mark Teixeira took a pitch off his right elbow. He’s expected to return to in-game action on Thursday. Today, with a split-squad series on hand, manager Joe Girardi [...]

Tex leaves game early after being hit by pitch

The title pretty much says it all. In the second inning of today’s game, Yankees first baseman, Mark Teixeira, was plunked in the right elbow by Oriole pitcher, Jeremy Guthrie. He left the game with what has been deemed an “elbow contusion,” and was subsequently replaced by David Winfree. More on this tomorrow, although it [...]

Aceves hurting, could help Boone Logan

According to George King of the NY Post, Alfredo Aceves, who just a few days ago was competing for the final spot in the Yankees’ starting rotation, could end up missing Opening Day due to a balky back. Aceves had experienced some lower back troubles earlier this spring, and those issues, which King ominously describes [...]

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