The rise and fall of the Yanks
 

The Yankees need relief help.

The Yankees like to win during the playoffs.

The Yankees prefer players who can handle pressure and act as professional "team-first" kind of people.


So they trade for Armando Benitez?

What in the hell are they thinking?

He has the most saves since 2000. The problem with closers, if they blow a save it's all over the front pages, if they do their job, they get nothing except their name in small print with a little S by it.

Up front - Benitez will NOT be the closer. Rivera would have to be dead for that to happen.

The thing about Benites that sucks is that we can't face him anymore. I wish he were on Boston. He and Kim would be a great 1 - 2 punch for Yankee combacks. I think the Yankees as a team are hitting about .800 off of Benitez over the last 7 years or so.

Wasen't Benitez the guy who Strawberry punched in the head in the 3rd base dugout? And no, it's been widly publicized he will NOT be the closer. He will be Rivera's setup guy.

In other baseball news, Griffey is out for the year, why doesn't this jackass just retire?

The Yankees will not win the Pennant this year.. I repeat the Yankess will not win this year. They just don't look good. Sure, they lead by a few games but they just don't have that look like they've had the past few years. I think this is the year they go down. oh and it's gonna be Boston winning the Pennant :D

Benitez pitched two scoreless innings tonight as the Yanks win, 10-4. And while you're bullshitting, the Sox lost again. I wished Benitez on the Sox too, I totally agree Mondak. Say what you want about Rivera blowing game 7, if Kim hadn't blown games 5 AND 6 there wouldn't have been a game 7.

As I said before, remind me to bump this thread in October.

-Mikey

Hey - be nice to the Boston fans - this part of the season is all they've got. ;)

Ha ha ha !!!! This is the best thing I have ever seen. You missed last night's game. They are hitting on all cylinders! Giambi is so on fire it is tough to describe. 1-6 in the lineup are some of the best players in baseball at their positions, let alone the Yanks.

Soriano
Jeter
Giambi
Bernie baseball (BTW, he new album came out this week - go out and buy it)
Matsui
Posada

Unreal! These guys are all murdering the ball right now. Matsui and Giambi are almost impossible to get out right now. They are both RBI machines lately.

As far as Benitez is concerned...he may not be a great closer - but he is a HELL of a setup man. Hammond, Benitez and Rivera. . . now THAT is a stable of arms that can close out some games.

I would like to see more al teams play without a dh.

The Yanks ARE playing without their DH, Nick Johnson. He's injured (but comes back next week). Ruben Sierra is filling in nicely but if the AL's DH rule went away tomorrow they'd just sit Sierra, have the pitcher bat and STILL field the best lineup from 1 to 8 in the American League.

The only hole (and it's a small one) in the Yanks lineup is 3B. Ventura and Zeile have been inconsistent. However, they HAVE come through with clutch hits and RBI's and have done more for the team than their .241 and .197 averages would indicate. They also allow lefty-righty platoon flexibility, both are solid in the field, and Zeile can also play 1B well.

By the way, I'm sure nobody in here will mention it, so I will. Thanks to their 4-game sweep of Cleveland this weekend, the Yanks now have the best record in the American League. Only Atlanta has a better overall record.

Rise and fall, my ass.

-Mikey

to bad they ruined baseball, by spending more and more money, till there not enough talent to make even one other good team. To bad they will come home w/o a championship for the 3rd year in a row. Hope george enjoys spending money for nothing

Mikey- I usually agree with you...and I do agree that their offense is incredible and shows no signs of stopping, however I think that management hasn't shown their usual skill during the past 2 years. In the first years of the run, they would pick up guys based on their ability to fit in, regardless of skill.

In the past 2 years, they've picked up players like Raul Mondesi, Rondell White, John Vander Wal and Bubba Trammel who haven't worked out as planned and some who have complained about playing time.

The reason I said that Benitez was a sign of the rise and fall of the Yanks is that they're making moves that seem desperate. I would be thrilled if Benitez adjusts to his new role as a set-up man. His first night was super--his second night, not so great.

I just feel that they're throwing a lot of stuff up against the wall and seeing what sticks. Grab a lot of pieces and worry about how they fit later, instead of taking the time to find the right piece as they did in the late 90's.

When former NBA players (Mark Hendrickson) are shutting you down, the end might be near... well, not exactly but as a Sox fan, it is nice to a Yankee loss every once in a while. Can't wait for the big weekend series...

As for Benitez, he is an improvement over what the Yanks had (Al Reyes) but a powerful lineup, such as the Red Sox, will eat him up. I am glad the Sox didn't get him because as already mentioned, the Yankees would make him piss his pants... again.

And Nick Johnson might come back soon but the over/under on when he gets hurt again is 2 weeks... the man is as injury prone as Griffey.

Perhaps the Yanks understood that Armando always put them on the edge of disaster...they shipped him to Seattle for Jeff Nelson.

Best of luck Mariners.

Does no one see the problem with this? The Yankees can buy and sell whomever they wish because they have the fortune of being in New York...how does this promote competition?

I hate to burst your bubble but here are the line ups from 8-6
Johnny Damon, CF 4 0 1 1 1 0 .269
Bill Mueller, 3B 4 0 1 0 1 0 .329
Nomar Garciaparra, SS 5 1 2 1 0 1 .317
Manny Ramirez, LF 4 1 1 0 0 2 .319
David Ortiz, DH 3 1 1 1 1 0 .293
Kevin Millar, 1B 3 0 1 1 0 2 .287
Trot Nixon, RF 4 0 0 0 0 2 .319
Todd Walker, 2B 3 0 2 0 1 0 .282
Damian Jackson, PR 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
Jason Varitek, C 2 1 1 0 2 1 .291

you are looking at the best offence at baseball.

just for reference
Derek Jeter, SS 4 0 1 0 1 1 .325
Bernie Williams, CF 4 0 0 0 0 1 .267
Jason Giambi, DH 3 1 1 1 1 1 .266
Jorge Posada, C 4 0 1 0 0 2 .252
Hideki Matsui, LF 4 1 1 0 0 1 .296
Aaron Boone, 3B 4 0 1 0 0 0 .268
Nick Johnson, 1B 3 1 1 1 1 1 .287
David Dellucci, RF 3 1 1 0 1 0 .251
Enrique Wilson, SS 3 0 1 1 0 0 .217
a-Ruben Sierra, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0 .276

Yankees are paying huge luxury tax and revenue sharing is now a part of MLB. Every team will be much better off, the talent will be even thinner, and it will be much more competitive.

Here's what you say when you compare the Sox's and the Yank's line-ups.

Sox: "Decent, Decent, Nomar, Manny, Decent Decent..."

Yanks: "All-Star, All-Star, All-Star, All-Star, All-Star, All-Star..."

What does this have to do with a trade?? Are you upset that Seattle picked up an all-star pitcher during a playoff run. Those damn Mariners...buying another AL West title.

The Mariners didn't pick up an "all-star pitcher", they picked up Armando Benitez. There's a difference. Once Sasaki is back Benitez will be setting up like he should.

And as for Nelson, don't the Yankees always lose him in the offseason only to reaquire him at the deadline? Seems like it to me.

Finally, there are maybe three legitamite all-stars in that Yankee lineup: Boone, in the National League of course; Giambi, even though he struggled; and Matsui, the reason MLB should consider limiting the number of times you can vote for a player.

Jeter is more overrated as a ss then Phil Rizzuto, Soriano is learning that just because you swing at everything doesn't mean you will actually make contact, Bernie Williams is using a Rascal to get around in center, and the very fact that David Dellucci is your right fielder is funny as hell.

Decent catch against the wall tonight.Decent pitching.Decent win.And an All Star loss.Go Sox.

For all the money the yankees spend, the got Spanked on the season series by Oakland -- the team with 1/3 the payroll of the Yanks. The yanks have gotta be shitting themselves, cause if Oakland passes Seattle in the west, the pinstripes will have their stripes removed by the best pitching staff in baseball. In a 7 game series, having to face a team with Starting ERA's right at about 3.0 (2.6, 3.0, 3.3, 1.3, 4.5), the Yanks have gotta be freaking out. Up that payroll to 200 mil, or just acquire Billy Beane from the A's to replace your piece o' shit GM. Otherwise you're gonna get your asses handed to you. Holy fuck, Yanks would be the worst damned team in the league if a salary cap was instituted.

And damn, it will be funny if the Sox catch the Yanks and NY enters as a wild card...

And lose.

Just to clarify, we ARE still talking about the Oakland A's, who haven't won a playoff series since 1990, right? Like Seattle, the A's have been a great regular season team that come playoff time, shits their pants when the Yankees throw their gloves on the field. Which works out great for us, since Boston has to play them AND Seattle seven times each down the stretch. Boston will need to win at least 10 of these 14 games to bridge the gap, since on the same nights, the Yanks will be playing KC six times and Baltimore eight times and will EASILY play at least .500 against them. Which brings me to my next point...

If the Red Sox are this offensive machine (.292 team BA, 165 HR's) and the Yankees suck so bad (.268, 155), why are the Sox STILL behind them in the standings? I'll remind you the Yankees are leading Boston by a game in the season series. And look what happens when we look at the two teams stats against each other. Boston is hitting .271 against the Yankees. Too bad you traded Shea Hillenbrand, he was hitting .409 against us, by FAR the best for the Sox. Without him, the Sox BA agains the Yankees drops to .264. The Yankees are hitting .282 against this wonderful pitching staff you've built yourselves. But wait, Mondesi, Ventura and Bubba Trammell won't be around next time they meet. That RAISES the Yankees average against your wonderful pitching staff to .301. All this and the Sox have actually scored two more runs than the Yankees have head to head. How can this be? Explain please.

Boston has 6 games left against the Yankees. In late August and September, which historically have NOT been the best months for Sox fans.

But we're talking about the A's here. If you're wondering, the ace of their staff, Mr. Cy Young, ladies and gentlemen, Barry Zito, is 1-2 against the Yankees this year, and gave up as many runs (12) as strikeouts, and allowed 4 homers (more than to any other team he's faced so far), in 17 innings. Yeah, we're fuckin' terrified of him. Though the A's won the series 6-3, they only outscored the Yankees by two runs, 34-32.

A's outscore Yanks by two and win season series 6-3, Sox outscore Yanks by two and trail season series 7-6. Hmm...

-Mikey

Billy Beane (GM since 1999) = 2 division titles, 1 wild card. Lost all three series in first round.

piece o' shit GM (record since 1999) = 4 division titles, 2 World Series wins, 3 pennants. Two playoff series wins against Billy Beane.

You can keep Billy Beane. We're fine with our piece o'shit GM.

-Mikey

Can't the Yankees just have 10 or 20 rebuilding seasons in a row...please please please

We've already had two.

-Mikey

Christ.... if it were legal, Billy Beane would win you 2 world championships in one year with your payroll.
Cheese

When the playoffs coem theyll get it done I aint worried

Doe all-star mean anything nowadays?

It is an internet popularity contest. I could name 3 outfielders that should have been there before Matsushi. But the japanese vote counts WTF is that.

How could ventura end up 3rd in the vote with the wonderful year he is having?

Life is grand looking through pinstripe glasses.

Then allow me to correct myself.

The Yankees overall have better players than the Red Sox. Almost any position the Yankees have is an upgrade over the Red Sox.

Varitek vs. Posada -- Posada
Ortiz vs. Giambi -- Giambi by a very large margin
Walker vs. Soriano -- Soriano by an even larger large margin
Nomar vs. Jeter -- Tie. Nomar has slightly better numbers, Jeter has better plays.
Mueller vs. Boone -- Boone
Manny vs. Sierra -- Manny by far
Damon vs. Bernie -- Bernie by a good margin
Nixon vs. Matsui -- Matsui

Pitching I won't bother listing the pitching but it goes Pedro > any one Yankee, every other Yankee > every other Red Sox

The Yankees will win the division this year.

The Red Sox will not get the wild card.

And now for the thoughts of everyone NOT from NY...

Varitek vs. Posada -- Varitek has slightly lower numbers, but is a much better defensive catcher.
Ortiz vs. Giambi -- Giambi is the right answer
Walker vs. Soriano -- Soriano, seriously is there anyone who would disagree?
Nomar vs. Jeter -- Nomar is better offensively and defensively. Jeter makes an ocasional great play and only leads Nomar in Seris rings.
Mueller vs. Boone -- toss up. Most years, Boone, but Mueller is having an unbelievable year, for a very cheap price.
Manny vs. Sierra -- Manny, without a doubt
Damon vs. Bernie -- If Bernie was a couple years younger and could run, then maybe. But Damon right now.
Nixon vs. Matsui -- Seriously, check the #'s...

Nixon - 101 350 67 110 19 5 22 70 205 50 70 4 0 .399 .586 .314
Matsui - 112 451 60 133 33 0 13 81 205 39 64 0 1 .352 .455 .295

Nixon in a frickin' landslide.

Well, I didn't think I'd see a post in here today, considering that the Yankees beat Seattle and the Sox dropped both games of a doubleheader to Baltimore last night.

They're now 4 games back. Just an indicator of how both teams do under pressure.

But we all already knew that, didn't we?

-Mikey

Posada is a great all-around catcher.

Jeter has more big game experience, gets the clutch hits, and leads the team.

Boone is better, overall Boone is who you want.

Damon over Bernie? That just shows how invalid your arguement is.

Matsui has much, much, much more experience than Nixon. With every at bat Matsui's getting better and better.

Also, I'm not even a Yankees fan, I don't even live in New York, I just stated the facts from what most poeple would do if they wanted to win a World Series every now and again.

Number time....

2 J. Varitek, Bos 312 47 92 24 1 19 68 2 2 33 .295 .363 .561 .924
3 J. Posada, NYY 336 55 86 15 0 19 60 1 4 73 .256 .399 .470 .869

Defensively Posada has been stolen the most in the AL, this stat compounds when you add the fact that it is very hard to steal on pettite.

Does The Jeter hype about leader and rings make him a better SS than A-rod also? I think not.

Bernie WAS better not anymore.

The Matshushi experience? Does the word rookie mean anything?
Nixon is a much better outfielder and hitter so please explain this comment.

the fall of the yanks huh?

god i hope so

The Yankees have what it takes to rise to the top and win it. They are fun to watch, they give the illusion that they are going to start bottoming out then they gather up the juice and blow the fans away.

the yanks have the most stacked team, but it seems none of them are playing up to his potential, save for Matsui

This is from a Mariner fan, so treat with circumspection:

The Yankees had a real chance to improve themselves by placing Benitez in a lower-pressure setup role. They instead chose to trade him to Seattle for Jeff Nelson, who has a bad habit of letting inherited runners score.

Even given Benitez' well-documented trouble this year, he's still a tremendous reliever, and will make a difference for Seattle as a late-innings guy to complement Rafael Soriano, Arthur Rhodes, and Shigetoshi Hasegawa. As for Nelson, well... Sunday, he inherited two runners. He let them both score, and the Yanks went on to lose the game.

Frankly, the Yanks may just win it all, but it'll be in spite of themselves and Steinbrenner if they do.

Just an exercise in comparison, yanks vs. mariners... (tossing away Seattle's utterly forgettable playoff history thus far)

Davis vs. Posada: Posada, with a caveat. Davis is very, very good but is stuck behind Dan Wilson for a reason that rhymes with "bontract".
Olerud vs. Giambi: Giambi's the better bat. Olerud's the better glove. Neither race is close.
B.Boone vs. Soriano: I give the edge to Boone on the basis of his plate discipline and his glove. Soriano has power and speed, but he's a hacker and he still can't field very well.
Guillen vs. Jeter: Jeter. duh.
Cirillo vs. A.Boone: I actually (right now) give the edge to Cirillo. One reason: defense. Cirillo's a terrible hitter these days, and Boone's hitting a buck and change with the Yanks.
Winn vs. Sierra A month ago I would have said Sierra. Right now? Winn by a large margin. Overall, Winn's better, but not by much.
Cameron vs. Williams: Williams, but it's close.
Ichiro vs. Matsui: Ichiro in a walk. Sorry, Yankee fans, but it's true. Ichiro's a better in almost every statistic but RBI, and that's more the price of batting leadoff than anything else.