Yankees’ woes not Girardi’s fault
Posted: Thursday, May 14, 2009 8:31 PM
I blogged on the perilous state of certain managers earlier this week, and a question bounced back: Does Yankees skipper Joe Girardi belong on the list? How much of a leash does Girardi have in his second year on the job?
Well, the answer will determine whether general manager Brian Cashman is truly running the Yankees.
Look at the roster and it’s obvious that injuries have hurt. But a $200 million payroll produces Kevin Cash, Angel Berroa, Ramiro Pena and Francisco Cervelli as depth? Is there not better than that to call upon or reason to believe there should be, in the Yankees farm system?
Look at the bullpen. It is still the Yankees' weakness. Let's once again pose this question: Is there ONE pitcher in that bullpen other than closer Mariano Rivera who inspires any confidence from teammates or fear from opponents?
The Yankees are old in crucial positions, starting with the 39-year-old Rivera. Thus there is little room for injury or ineffectiveness and the Yankees have been crushed by both.
Against Toronto Tuesday night, Derek Jeter was scratched and Hideki Matsui left in the fifth inning with a hamstring. Matsui was a Japan ironman, but he has been frequently injured in New York.
Jeter is a different situation, and a potential Yankee nightmare. Perhaps the most unnoted achievement of the last 13 years is Jeter's durability. In 10 of the 13 years, he has played 150 games. In two other seasons his totals were 149 and 148 games. Just once in his career, 2003, when he dislocated his shoulder on opening day, has Jeter missed substantial time.
Now Jeter is paying the expected price for that grind. His 2008 OPS, .771, was a career low. And in 2009, the number has dropped again (.756).
The Yankees can't afford to lose Jeter for an extended period. Yet, they have a shortstop that is now Jeter Lite. Not bad, in fact, still better than many, but they have no replacement.
Back now to our premise: Is Girardi accountable for any of the above? This is Cashman's team, built on Yankees’ money, and a new insistence on producing players from within. Problem is the money hasn't bought a title in years, and others in the AL East have generated more homegrown talent. The division is suddenly tougher, a gauntlet that is now four teams rather than the time-tested Yankees-Red Sox tussle (and the Orioles are improved). If the Yankees don't measure up, it's not on the manager.
EXTRA SWINGS:
1. MORE ON MANAGERS...this week's speculation is that Eric Wedge is safe in part due to his bond with Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro. The Indians know that as poorly as they have played, no one has pulled away in the AL Central.
2. MANY IN BASEBALL…are rooting for Dontrelle Willis in his attempted comeback. One of the game's most dynamic personalities, a reborn Willis would help not just the Tigers, but baseball as well.
3. DURING THE SUMMER…teams talk about the importance of bullpens. Then in the winter, they pant for starters, and pray for unknown relievers to emerge or veterans to persist. After a month, here are 10 relievers that, mostly under the radar, are making huge contributions:
FRANK FRANCISCO, Texas. No doubt about the closer here. He has nine saves, but he also has right biceps tendinitis, which has kept him from pitching since May 6.
RAMON RAMIREZ, Boston. He’s an unknown, who has emerged as the setup man for closer Jonathan Papelbon. Ramirez has shown he can retire lefties as well as righties.
ANDREW BAILEY, Oakland. Soon to lose his anonymity, Bailey has sick numbers like a 0.61 WHIP, and six hits allowed in 21.1 innings pitched.
JUAN CRUZ, Kansas City. A terrific signing as setup man, he now replaces the injured Joakim Soria as the closer.
DAVID AARDSMA, Seattle. Former first-round draft choice (by San Francisco) turned journeyman, he has been a solid setup man in the M's fast start (1.12 WHIP).
DAVID WEATHERS, Cincinnati. At 39, with over 900 games pitched in his career, the vet is still sturdy as the Reds’ setup man (1.09 WHIP).
RAFAEL SORIANO, Atlanta. Helping take the mystery out of late-game situations for Braves manager Bobby Cox. Soriano has three saves and five holds teaming with closer Mike Gonzalez.
RYAN FRANKLIN, St. Louis. A key reliever on the 2000 Olympic gold medal team, Franklin has once again preserved his career with an unexpected surge to take over a glaring hole in St. Louis. He has nine saves and a 0.68 WHIP, taking over after the young ones failed.
JONATHAN BROXTON, Los Angeles. Simply stunning in his matriculation to the closer's role, just two hits allowed and 27 strikeouts in his first 16 innings pitched.
HEATH BELL, San Diego. A Mets’ castoff, Bell has been the best relief story of the first month. Handed the unenviable assignment to replace Trevor Hoffman, Bell has been perfect: eight saves and seven runners allowed in first 11.2 innings pitched.
