Of the 40 Yankees listed on their roster in September 2013, only 9 remain on the spring 2015 40 man roster.
In less than a year and a half, 78% of the players have disappeared from the team's employ.
The 9 survivors are: catcher John Ryan Murphy, first baseman Mark Teixeira, shortstop Brendan Ryan, thirdbaseman Alex Rodriguez, outfielder Brett Gardner, and pitchers CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Dellin Betances, and Adam Warren.
The high turnover doesn't say much about Brian Cashman's abilities as general manager, in terms of identifying talented prospects or serviceable major leaguers.
If the Yankees end up losing 90 or more games this year, Cashman and his subordinates ought to be the ones fired - not manager Joe Girardi.
Showing posts with label Mark Teixeira. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark Teixeira. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Hal Steinbrenner is as dumb as his father
The other day Hal Steinbrenner was quoted as saying, "We put a lot of
money into the offense, and they have been, as a whole, inconsistent. It’s been
a problem. And it needs to change."
Like, duh. Did he really believe that shelling out all that cash was going to result in a super-duper offense? On June 11 I wrote a blog stating that the "Yankees' bats aren't coming alive anytime soon" and more than two months later, it seems that I was right.
The naive Steinbrenner crew and dopey GM Brian Cashman had unrealistic expectations this past offseason.
Carlos Beltran was aging and often injured, so could he really be expected to produce at a high level? Same with recently released second baseman Brian Roberts. Outstanding hitters in their prime, yes, but they were both way past those days when they were signed as free agents. Same thing with Ichiro Suzuki and the departed Alfonso Soriano.
Comparing Brian McCann to Thurman Munson was a bit silly, and unfair to McCann - in three consecutive years Munson had averages of .318, .302, and .308, with RBI totals of 102, 105, and 100, and hit over .300 in two other seasons as well. In his career McCann has hit .300 twice and has never driven in 100 runs.
Believing Mark Teixeira would drive in 110 runs a year after coming off a serious wrist injury at age 34 wasn't very bright.
If Derek Jeter hadn't announced his retirement before the season it would be clear that his career is over at this point, with his .271 batting average 40 points below his career average of .311.
Several months ago Girardi was quoted as saying, "I don't believe people forget how to hit overnight" and while that is true, this Yankee team was more of a case of a group of players whose skills have eroded significantly and just can't cut the mustard anymore.
Like, duh. Did he really believe that shelling out all that cash was going to result in a super-duper offense? On June 11 I wrote a blog stating that the "Yankees' bats aren't coming alive anytime soon" and more than two months later, it seems that I was right.
The naive Steinbrenner crew and dopey GM Brian Cashman had unrealistic expectations this past offseason.
Carlos Beltran was aging and often injured, so could he really be expected to produce at a high level? Same with recently released second baseman Brian Roberts. Outstanding hitters in their prime, yes, but they were both way past those days when they were signed as free agents. Same thing with Ichiro Suzuki and the departed Alfonso Soriano.
Comparing Brian McCann to Thurman Munson was a bit silly, and unfair to McCann - in three consecutive years Munson had averages of .318, .302, and .308, with RBI totals of 102, 105, and 100, and hit over .300 in two other seasons as well. In his career McCann has hit .300 twice and has never driven in 100 runs.
Believing Mark Teixeira would drive in 110 runs a year after coming off a serious wrist injury at age 34 wasn't very bright.
If Derek Jeter hadn't announced his retirement before the season it would be clear that his career is over at this point, with his .271 batting average 40 points below his career average of .311.
Several months ago Girardi was quoted as saying, "I don't believe people forget how to hit overnight" and while that is true, this Yankee team was more of a case of a group of players whose skills have eroded significantly and just can't cut the mustard anymore.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Yankees' bats aren't coming alive anytime soon
Yankee manager Joe Girardi is going to need more than his eternal optimism to get his team hitting. I don't think there are any answers in his trusty binder, either.
The Steinbrenner crew and dopey GM Brian Cashman may have had unrealistic expectations this past offseason. Carlos Beltran was aging and often injured, as was second baseman Brian Roberts. Outstanding hitters in their prime, yes, but they are both way past those days. Same with Ichiro Suzuki and Alfonso Soriano. Comparing Brian McCann to Thurman Munson was a bit silly. Believing Mark Teixeira would drive in 110 runs a year after coming off a serious wrist injury at age 34 wasn't very bright.
As of this writing Derek Jeter has accumulated 216 at bats; is this enough for a hitter who missed most of the previous season to get their timing down? Let's hope not, since Jeter is batting .259 with only six doubles and one home run, numbers nowhere close to his career averages. Looks like his power is pretty much gone as he nears the age of forty.
Girardi was quoted as saying, "I don't believe people forget how to hit overnight" and while that is true, this may be more of a case of a group of players who just can't cut the mustard anymore.
Still, the Yankees may have a decent shot at winning the American League East Division, since the Blue Jays, Rays, Red Sox, and Orioles are mediocre in their own right. The Yankees' pitchers have been doing a decent job for the most part, so if opponents can be held to three runs a game, the Yanks' offense should be able to manufacture enough runs to win more games than they lose. A total of 85-86 wins might be enough to win the East this year so the race will probably go down to the last days of the season.
I hope I'm wrong. I hope the Yankees start tearing things up. It would make for a more fun summer. Right now it looks like it may be kind of boring.
The Steinbrenner crew and dopey GM Brian Cashman may have had unrealistic expectations this past offseason. Carlos Beltran was aging and often injured, as was second baseman Brian Roberts. Outstanding hitters in their prime, yes, but they are both way past those days. Same with Ichiro Suzuki and Alfonso Soriano. Comparing Brian McCann to Thurman Munson was a bit silly. Believing Mark Teixeira would drive in 110 runs a year after coming off a serious wrist injury at age 34 wasn't very bright.
As of this writing Derek Jeter has accumulated 216 at bats; is this enough for a hitter who missed most of the previous season to get their timing down? Let's hope not, since Jeter is batting .259 with only six doubles and one home run, numbers nowhere close to his career averages. Looks like his power is pretty much gone as he nears the age of forty.
Girardi was quoted as saying, "I don't believe people forget how to hit overnight" and while that is true, this may be more of a case of a group of players who just can't cut the mustard anymore.
Still, the Yankees may have a decent shot at winning the American League East Division, since the Blue Jays, Rays, Red Sox, and Orioles are mediocre in their own right. The Yankees' pitchers have been doing a decent job for the most part, so if opponents can be held to three runs a game, the Yanks' offense should be able to manufacture enough runs to win more games than they lose. A total of 85-86 wins might be enough to win the East this year so the race will probably go down to the last days of the season.
I hope I'm wrong. I hope the Yankees start tearing things up. It would make for a more fun summer. Right now it looks like it may be kind of boring.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Yankees GM Cashman's scouting failures now apparent
I've contended many times in the past that New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is the most over-rated executive in major league baseball, and the team's current situation highlights this.
Even with the Yankees being more financially responsible in the three years since the death of owner George Steinbrenner, the franchise still holds the greatest financial advantage in baseball history. This did result in a World Series championship in 2009, but any one of us would have also had the good sense to sign Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia in their prime.
Cashman hasn't done much with the financial advantage lately. Giving Kevin Youklis $12 million was a dumb move, especially since everyone knew that Youklis had chronic back trouble. With surgery it's likely Youklis will never put on the pinstripes again.
Cashman was also against signing free agent Rafael Soriano several years ago - but without Soriano the Yankees probably would not have made the playoffs in 2012, since he was almost just as good a closer as Mariano Rivera had been.
Basically what Cashman does is throw stuff against the wall and hope that something sticks. Lyle Overbay and Vernon Wells have contributed to the team's early season success, but that's hardly the result of top notch scouting. It's just hoping that an older player has something left in the tank.
With all the injuries the Yankees have suffered this year, it would have been an opportunity for their minor league players to step in and show what they can do. It could have resulted in a young player taking over, or showcasing them as a trade chip. But right now the Yankees have practically nothing in terms of position players. David Adams may turn out to be a good third baseman and hitter, and the same can be said for outfielder Zolio Almonte (if he's given the chance to play every day).
Down on the farm outfielder/first baseman Tyler Austin promises to be a good player, but he's two years away. Outfielders Mason Williams and Slade Heathcott, along with catchers Gary Sanchez and J.R. Murphy, will also probably be ready in two years and may turn out to be good players. But at the moment the Yankees are sticking their fingers in the hole trying to plug the leaks by using journeymen Reid Brignac and Thomas Neal as regulars, because they have no other options in the minor leagues. We'll see what happens with that.
For all of Cashman and his front office cronies use of statistics and sabermetrics, their scouting of players leaves much to be desired. It's been an ongoing thing, dating back to 2006 when then-manager Joe Torre wanted to sign switch hitting Bernie Williams for one more year and use him as a pinch hitter and reserve off the bench. Cashman refused, instead going with Doug Mientkiewicz and Josh Phelps - who combined to produce a .200 batting average off the bench.
Now in 2013, it doesn't look like Cashman's reliance on sabermetrics is going to do the team much good for the rest of this season, either.
Even with the Yankees being more financially responsible in the three years since the death of owner George Steinbrenner, the franchise still holds the greatest financial advantage in baseball history. This did result in a World Series championship in 2009, but any one of us would have also had the good sense to sign Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia in their prime.
Cashman hasn't done much with the financial advantage lately. Giving Kevin Youklis $12 million was a dumb move, especially since everyone knew that Youklis had chronic back trouble. With surgery it's likely Youklis will never put on the pinstripes again.
Cashman was also against signing free agent Rafael Soriano several years ago - but without Soriano the Yankees probably would not have made the playoffs in 2012, since he was almost just as good a closer as Mariano Rivera had been.
Basically what Cashman does is throw stuff against the wall and hope that something sticks. Lyle Overbay and Vernon Wells have contributed to the team's early season success, but that's hardly the result of top notch scouting. It's just hoping that an older player has something left in the tank.
With all the injuries the Yankees have suffered this year, it would have been an opportunity for their minor league players to step in and show what they can do. It could have resulted in a young player taking over, or showcasing them as a trade chip. But right now the Yankees have practically nothing in terms of position players. David Adams may turn out to be a good third baseman and hitter, and the same can be said for outfielder Zolio Almonte (if he's given the chance to play every day).
Down on the farm outfielder/first baseman Tyler Austin promises to be a good player, but he's two years away. Outfielders Mason Williams and Slade Heathcott, along with catchers Gary Sanchez and J.R. Murphy, will also probably be ready in two years and may turn out to be good players. But at the moment the Yankees are sticking their fingers in the hole trying to plug the leaks by using journeymen Reid Brignac and Thomas Neal as regulars, because they have no other options in the minor leagues. We'll see what happens with that.
For all of Cashman and his front office cronies use of statistics and sabermetrics, their scouting of players leaves much to be desired. It's been an ongoing thing, dating back to 2006 when then-manager Joe Torre wanted to sign switch hitting Bernie Williams for one more year and use him as a pinch hitter and reserve off the bench. Cashman refused, instead going with Doug Mientkiewicz and Josh Phelps - who combined to produce a .200 batting average off the bench.
Now in 2013, it doesn't look like Cashman's reliance on sabermetrics is going to do the team much good for the rest of this season, either.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Yanks' 24-14 record proves you don't need stars to win games
The Yankees have one the best records in the major leagues at the moment, with a 24-14 won/loss record. this with many of their highly paid "stars" on the disabled list - Kevin Youklis, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mark Texiera, and Curtis Granderson. Yet with all the millions those guys are getting for doing rehabilitation exercises, the current team has been winning games with journeymen and cast-offs from other teams. How? Clutch hitting. Infielder Jayson Nix has been steady defensively and while he has only 7 RBI's, they have come at important times. Same for first baseman Lyle Overbay, who has been reliable in the field and has driven in 22 runs, most at crucial spots in games. Outfielder Vernon Wells has also provided a number of clutch hits.
The Yankees' pitching has also been steady. Hiroki Kuroda has dominated in his starts, and the young pitchers have showed that it's been worth it to give them a chance. Adam Warren has been lights-out as a reliever, and David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, and Preston Claiborne have also baffled opposing hitters.
It will be interesting to see what happens when the Yankees' high priced beef returns. Nix will be relegated to the bench, and Overbay will probably be designated for assignment, while Wells will see his at-bats shrink. But will the team keep winning?
The Yankees' pitching has also been steady. Hiroki Kuroda has dominated in his starts, and the young pitchers have showed that it's been worth it to give them a chance. Adam Warren has been lights-out as a reliever, and David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, and Preston Claiborne have also baffled opposing hitters.
It will be interesting to see what happens when the Yankees' high priced beef returns. Nix will be relegated to the bench, and Overbay will probably be designated for assignment, while Wells will see his at-bats shrink. But will the team keep winning?
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