Javier Vazquez and fastball timidness

Upon a brief review of Javier Vazquez’s four starts, one thing, in particular, stands out to me (there are several things you can look at, but this one item catches my eye). That is that Javier Vazquez rarely threw his fastball in his three losses, and, when he did throw the fastball, which has generally [...]

AL starters doing worse than Javier Vazquez

To make you feel better about Javier Vazquez (if that is possible), here’s a list of American League starters that are doing worse than he is, according to xFIP (Dave Golebiewski explains xFIP a bit here).

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 [...]

Open Thread: I <3 Kim Jones

This was on YES’ Extra Innings following the Yankees’ 7-1 romp over the Angels (thanks to Joe for the upload). So, what do you think? Do I have a shot?

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 [...]

Checking in on Burnett’s changeup

During Spring Training, we heard much about A.J. Burnett’s desire to employ his changeup more this year. “Whether I throw it or not, I don’t know, but I’ve been working on it,” noted Burnett. Well, on the 2010 season, across 3 starts, A.J. Burnett has thrown a total of 297 pitches (and Jorge Posada has [...]

Defending Randy Winn

Here’s Mike Axisa’s take on Randy Winn following Wednesday’s game: The dude is toast. Greg Golson can provide the same (or better) defense and baserunning, and at least offers a chance at being a non-zero with the bat for close to one-third of the cost. While I do get that Winn has yet to notch [...]

Morning Bits: Hughes, Johnson, Romanski

Here are a few quick items on the morning: In his second start of the season, Phil Hughes nearly no-hit the Oakland A’s. Although Nick Johnson is only hitting .136, his .406 OBP still pleases the Yankees. A minor minor-league note—the Yankees have signed left-hander Josh Romanski. Romanski, 23, is a former 4th round pick [...]

Vazquez’s velocity improving

Did anyone notice Vazquez hitting 91 mph (repeatedly) on the radar gun last night? I sure hope that you, as well as others, did, because it appears as though the velocity concerns surrounding the right-hander will soon subside. As I wrote a few days ago, Vazquez’s velocity increases as the weeks go by (at least [...]

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