We’ve asked. We’ve recommended. Yet, the man Joe Girardi loves to hit second is still on the club, despite a current .103/.188/.103 line and being a below-average hitter against left-handed pitching for his career.
But, there has to be something we’re not seeing. There has to be a reason why the Yankee decision-makers like him so much. Thus, we’re enlisting the assistance of our visitors to figure it out. Help us understand!
Great event and great gesture, no doubt.
On Tuesday, Rivera met with 16 veterans from the Tampa-based James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, before the Yankees’ 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. It was part of the 43-year-old’s season-long farewell across the majors, which includes scheduled meetings with fans at each ballpark the Yankees visit throughout their campaign. It’s a gesture distinctly Rivera: Selfless, memorable, one that makes an impact.
The event began with a short word of thanks from the closer, followed by questions from some of the 16 veterans. The audience included a mix of allegiances, with people in Yankees apparel sitting alongside Rays fans. But such an image is how Rivera envisioned this all along: People joined not by team color, but by a love for the game. A community.
The presentation with the veterans was one of many Rivera, who has 614 career regular-season saves, will hold throughout the season. Those in the audience included people who fought in World War II, Vietnam, the Gulf War and current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many were coping with a variety of ailments, including post-traumatic stress disorder and other physical issues.
Previously, Rivera had met with season-ticket holders and stadium staff members in Cleveland and Detroit. He expressed a desire to hold the nationwide campaign on March 9 in Tampa, Fla., the morning he announced his intention to retire.
A class act, that Mariano. Although you think a meeting between military vets and the greatest reliever
ever wouldn’t have been held in a storage area.
Nothing says “Thank you” like an elegant cardboard box backdrop
Game 18: CC gets stung by Rays (TB 5, NYY 1)
Game Notes:
- Sabathia didn’t have it from the beginning, giving up four runs — and two HRs — in the 1st
- Velocity was finally up, but CC’s attempt at going “nice and easy” (his words) backfired
- Only the third time in Sabathia’s Yankee career he surrendered 3+ homers
- Ryan Roberts opened and closed the Tampa scoring with two of those blasts
- Meanwhile, the Yankees got nothing off Rays lefty Matt Moore
- Robbie Cano had the only two Yankee hits of the night, including a homer in the 4th
- Ben Francisco played against the lefty starter. It (0-4, 2 K’s) did not go well
- Hey, did you know Kenny Loggins is performing at the Trop on May 11th?
YES Player of the Game: Matt Moore (.178 WPA)
Our Player of the Game: Matt Moore (.178 WPA)
Game 19: Ichiro chooses weapon correctly (NYY 4, TB 3)
Game notes:
- Up against reigning Cy winner David Price, Phil Hughes turned in his second straight solid start
- Price was equal to the task, lasting into the 9th inning in a tie game
- Crooked hat, crooked number: slightly-askew Fernando Rodney gave up a two-run GW hit…
- …to Ichiro!, in a vintage performance (2-4, 2 RBI, run scored, OF assist, questionable CS call)
- Mariano survived a leadoff HR in the 9th for career save #614
- BEN FRANCISCO PLAYED. AGAIN. AND BATTED FIFTH.
- Now the backstop makes it official: Kenny Loggins. Tropicana Field. May 11th.
My9 Player of the Game: Ichiro! (.359 WPA)
Our Player of the Game: Ichiro Suzuki (.359 WPA)
Game 20: Fu**in sh*t! (TB 3, NYY 0)
Game notes:
- Alex Cobb was dominant; all three Rays starters completed at least eight innings in the series
- Andy Pettitte struck out a season-high 10, but faltered slightly in the 5th and 6th
- Tampa’s three runs seemed like 12 the way the Yankee offense was going
- Ben Francisco didn’t play, but Brennan Boesch did…and once again looked foolish in right field
- Meanwhile, Eduardo Nunez?!?!? made the Yankees’ best defensive plays of the night
- Vernon Wells didn’t play either. It was really a house money lineup.
- A 9th-inning rally fell short when Pronk popped up with two on and two out
- Not much else to say, except…HIIIIIGH-WAAAY TOOOOO THE DAN-GER ZONE!!
YES Player of the Game: Alex Cobb (.379 WPA)
Our Player of the Game: Alex Cobb (.379 WPA)
After dropping two of three in Tampa, the Yankees are back in the Boogie Down Thursday night following a 3-3 road trip. It’ll be New York’s first extended homestand of the season, a 10-gamer against Toronto, Houston and Oakland.
Pettitte (10 K in 6 IP) was clearly frustrated with Wednesday’s lack of run support.
CC Sabathia’s velocity is very “now.” While it’s a worthwhile topic, let’s take a look at these sexy charts:
Clearly a decline in fastball velocity, but then there’s this:
Annnnnd this:
These charts make things seem a lot less desperate for the big lefty. For one, it’s not like Sabathia’s fastball is getting pounded for more line drives. Second, his swinging strike percentage on fastballs, while lower than four years ago is still in line with his career mark.
This velocity issue continues to be worth watching, but Sabathia is clearly a skilled enough pitcher with strong secondary offerings that he can still get outs on a regular basis, especially because his location continues to be strong.
The Yankees entered Tuesday night’s game versus Tampa hitting .190/.262/.299 against left-handed pitching. Here’s two recommendations to assist the situation.
1. Get rid of Ben Francisco and call up Zoilo Almonte
We previously explained how the Ben Francisco Treat hits lefties at a below-average rate, even though Girardi is treating him like some kind of lefty-killer.
In his place, the Yankees should call up 23-year old Zoilo Almonte from Scranton. There was speculation during Spring Training that the switch-hitting Almonte could make the big club after Granderson went down, but he was sent to Triple-A to build on his solid 2012 Double-A campaign (.277/.322/.487). He’s off to a nice start this year, hitting .273/.414/.418 for the RailRiders. Additionally, he’s played every outfield position and is already on the 40-man roster.
He HAS to be better than Francisco, and he’s homegrown. Give the kid a shot.
2. Stop automatically sitting Travis Hafner against lefties.
We understand Pronk is brittle and the last thing we want is for him to break down due to overuse, but does he really have to sit against EVERY LHP the team faces? He doesn’t have bad career numbers against them (.256/.360/.444), so why not pick your spots in a manner that’s a little less “binder-like.” Our idea would be to focus on sitting him during getaway days or day games after night games. Those are the danger zones for injury-prone players, not hitting against same-side pitching.
It was a line drive single baby, not a chopper.
Ichiro 2 RBIs in 9th win it. Props to Hughesy: 7IP, 6K, 2BB, 6H, 2ER.
This morning, we asked what function Ben Francisco served, considering he gets ABs versus lefties, but has been below-average against southpaws for his career.
We next move onto Jayson Nix, whom Joe Girardi refers to as “Nixy” during pillow talk.
Due to the club’s various injuries, Nix has seen action 14 of the Yankees’ 18 games, is hitting a terrible .194/.231/.278, and striking out in 36% (!!) of his plate appearances.
Nix’s poor offense doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone, as he’s been an abysmal hitter throughout his career.
However, his saving grace and utility to Joey G is his ability to play multiple positions. In his Yankee tenure, J-Nix has played 3B, 2B, SS, and LF — and he’s made appearances in 2013 at all of those infield positions.
So the question is, can the Yankees find someone in their system with Nix’s defensive versatility, but who isn’t an automatic out at the plate?
The answer: No, because of one sticking point.
The sticking point is shortstop. Nix can play shortstop, even though he doesn’t do it well, per the limited samples noted by UZR and TotalZone. With Derek Jeter on the shelf indefinitely and Nunez the only other fresh body who can man the position, Nix will be needed if El Eduardo gets hurt, needs an off-day, or is substituted for a pinch-hitter.
When it comes to the Yankee farm system, the cupboard is extremely bare for shortstops. There’s utility-man Addison Maruszak who plays SS/3B at Triple-A, but the 26-year old is struggling mightily so far this year (.206/.386/.235) and has no offensive pedigree. There’s free agent pickup Gil Velazquez, but he’s awful.
One of our Twitter followers interestingly suggested David Adams, who was shocking released earlier in the spring only to then be re-signed. Adams is currently manning third base at Triple-A, and there’s no question about his hitting ability. He’s off to a very nice .316/.422/.474 start in Scranton. Adding to Adam’s value is his ability to field second base, where he played until he was converted to third base last season at Double-A Trenton. But, the issue is that he has no experience at shortstop.
So unfortunately, it looks like we’re stuck with Nix for the time being.
