Results tagged ‘ Melky Cabrera ’
Hot Stove
Alright, I guess it’s finally time to talk about what the Yankees should or might do to get ready for next year. It’s been over a week since the WS, so I have had plenty of time to enjoy the victory. Now how do we do it again. One of the more interesting things to come out of the GM meetings was the availability of Curtis Granderson. I believe the Yankees would be foolish not to pursue him. If they were able to trade for Granderson, then they could let both Damon and Matsui go. They would be better defensively by moving Melky to left and with Granderson in CF. It would also allow them to move Juan Miranda to the DH spot and get both younger and cheaper there. But what would it take to get him? I think you would have to include Gardner in any trade package and it would most probably take at least one pitching prospect. Who would you give up? Ivan Nova, Ian Kennnedy? Either Joba or Hughes. My package would be Gardner, Ivan Nova and perhaps a position prospect or another minor league pitcher. What do you think?
A-Rod, Swisher and Posada join the party
It was good to see the offense wake up last night. A-Rod, Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher all had key contributions as did Andy Pettite. Now it’s time for Robinson Cano, Mark Texeira and Melky Cabrera to pipe in. All three have been putrid. Not only have they not been hitting, they have had horrible at bats, swinging at pitches way out of the strike zone, while taking pitches right down the middle. If these three can wake up and the others continue to hit, Philadelphia has no chance. I still like the Yankees chances of winning this series, especially now. All they have to do is split four games and the series is theirs. Philly meanwhile must win three of four. I like the odds for the Yankees. And if CC pitches like himself tonight on short rest, then the Phillies have virtually no chance at all. They are a good team, no doubt with a lot of fight in them, but the Yankees are better. Can’t wait for game four to start.
Yanks to WS
Yes, I know, they haven’t won the ALCS yet, but there is no way that they lose the next three games. After winning last night to go up 3-1, they virtually assured themselves a spot in this year’s WS. It was a great game if you’re a Yankees fan, not so much if you root for the Angels. The Yankees scored 10 runs and very easily could have had 12. Tim Mclleland had a rough night umpiring at third. How do you call Swisher out for leaving early when you weren’t even looking at him? And how do you not call both Posada and Cano out when each was tagged standing off the bag right in front of you? As for Posada, it’s time for him to get his head out of his posterior before he costs the Yankees a game. I learned in little league to go halfway on a ball that deep to center, then get back if it’s caught or take off if it’s not. You don’t tag up there, particularly if you run like Posada. And you definitely do not take off from third on that ground ball. And oh, by the way it is usually the catcher that reminds everyone how many outs there are. That’s three mental mistakes within the span of about ten minutes. In the end, none really hurt the team too much, but all of them could have. Time to wake up Jorgie. So Melky finally woke up and he was huge last night, Cano showed signs of coming to life. Now it’s time for Swisher and Matsui to start hitting. If that happens, watch out. This team will be a juggernaut going into the series. Now let’s take care of business on Thursday after another ridiculous un-needed day off.
The One That Did Get Away
First, I want to say that I don’t believe this loss was entirely Joe Girardi’s fault. The offense except for hitting home runs, has been putrid. It’s time for Cano, Swisher, Cabrera, Texeira and Matsui to wake up. You can’t depend on home runs to win in the playoffs. The Yankee offense needs to put pressure on the opposition and they haven’t done it. Having said this, the final blow for the Yankees definitely was Girardi’s over managing. He has done it all series, but this time it bit his team where it hurts. There was no logical reason to pull Robertson for Aceves and his team paid dearly for it. There were a few other questionable moves that hurt during the game, but this one put the icing on the cake and handed it to the Angels. I still don’t believe the Angels will beat the Yankees three out of the next four, so I like the Yankees chances. I do however believe there is a very real chance the Yankees will lose two out of three in Anaheim and go home with a 3-2 series lead. Too bad that they had to gift wrap this one. When you’re up 3-0 in the fifth inning of a playoff game, you are supposed to win.
Thoughts on the ALCS
Just a couple of random thoughts on the ALCS. First, this one will be a battle. I expect the Yanks to win in six. A-Rod will continue his hot streak as will Texeira. At some point NIck Swisher will get a big hit in an important spot. Melky and Cano will continue to struggle. Jeter will be Jeter. The difference in this series will be pitching. The Yankees will pitch better and that will be the difference. The series will unfold this way. The Yankees will win both of the first two games in NY. They will then win only one of three in Anaheim and come home to close it out. That is my prediction, such as it is. My actual hope is for a sweep, but I get the feeling that is not going to happen this time.
Day Off
Well the Yanks managed to bounce back and scrape out one win out of four in Chicago. Let’s hope the day off energized them a bit as they were looking tired and not playing good baseball in Chicago. They need to turn things around in Toronto and play well this weekend against Boston. This has the potential to be either a great week for them or a disaster. Let’s hope it’s the former. This team can look like worldbeaters one day and then stink up the joint the next. I would like to see more consistently well played games. I still believe not getting fifth starter is going to bite them in the rear end. There must have been somebody out there who is a better option than Sergio Mitre. Time will tell whether they made a mistake, but judging by his last two starts, Mitre certainly doesn’t look like the answer. On another note, way to go Melky. Great game on Sunday. I believe Melky will stick around as the left fielder next year and he will continue to get better. Too bad about Jesus Montero. He was progressing nicely and could have started out next year at AAA. Now it looks like he will be back at Trenton and will still be two years away from major league duty. He gives every indication that he will be a solid major league player. Can’t wait to see him in the bigs. More later after the game tonight.
mlblogshighlanderhilites
Recent Comments