We know Tom Coughlin may be fired, but would the Giants seriously consider trading Eli Manning?
Calm down, Giant fans. Yes, Eli has had a bad year, but you are turning him into the new Roger Maris: excellent player, overly unappreciated. If they trade him, your team will be mediocre for years afterward.
If the Jets face Kansas City in the first round of the playoffs, they WILL lose.
You need to run the football to win in January, and Kansas City can certainly do that. With the defensive struggles of Gang Green in recent weeks, what makes you think they will stop Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones on the ground?
Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell calls America "a nation of wusses" after the postponement of Sunday's Eagles game due to the Blizzard of 2010.
Imagine if a blizzard happens the day the Meadowlands hosts the Super Bowl. What will the NFL do then?
Devils fire John MacLean, rehire Jacques Lemaire.
Johnny Mac should be grateful he's away from this mess. With Marty past his prime and Ilya under contract for 14 more years, get ready for a decade of mediocrity, Devils fans.
Andy Pettitte still undecided about retirement.
It's as simple as this for the Yankees: If he comes back, there is hope for #28 in 2011. If not, wait until 2012 to hope.
The 7-8 Rams visit 6-9 Seattle Sunday night to determind the NFC West champion.
Do yourself a favor and root for Seattle. I want to see the outcry from the fans, league, and media over a 7-9 division champion!
With one week to go before the playoffs, my Super Bowl pick at the moment is Patriots-Eagles.
This is despite last night's no-show by Vick and co. With their playmakers, I expect Philly to make a lot of noise in January. But if they don't make it, don't be surprised if the Saints make it again.
And my non-sports thought of the week:
Is anyone else happy to not have to deal with Christmas music overkill on the radio until next year? I mean, starting Christmas music non-stop on some stations BEFORE Thanksgiving? No wonder we are all so overindulgent at Holiday time!
Everyone have a safe, healthy, and happy New Year! Next week will be my NFL regular season wrap-up, plus awards and playoff predictions!
NFL Picks for Week 17 (2-2 last week, 19-21 overall)
NE -4 over Mia
NO -7 1/2 over TB
Buf +3 over NYJ
SEA +1 1/2 over Stl
Showing posts with label Andy Pettitte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andy Pettitte. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
What Now for the Yankees?
For the first time in over a decade, the Yankees did not get their man. Nearly 95% of their offseason was banked on a potential high-priced acquisition of Cliff Lee. Now that he has chosen to return to Philadelphia, the Yankees have major holes in their starting rotation, and have likely fallen behind the hated Red Sox with their acquisitions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez. Before all the irrational, media-manipulated Yankee fans jump off the George Washington Bridge, it's important to remember that they made it to Game 6 of the 2010 ALCS with essentially the same roster they have right now. So it is not out of the question that the Yankees can return to October glory in 2011. But they will need help.
The remainder of the Yankee offseason should be centered around the following five strategies:
1. Do NOT trade for Zach Greinke.
Forget his social anxiety issues and the potential to become the next Ed Whitson in New York. Greinke has only had one ace-caliber Major League season, his 2009 Cy Young season. If you look at his stats from last season and 2008 and before, what exactly screams the word "ace" to you? In 2010, he went 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. In 2008, he went 13-10 with a 1.28 WHIP. Solid, but not ace material. Before 2008, Greinke did not have ONE season with a .500-plus record since his Major League debut in 2003. There is no denying this man's talent, but to me, he is more of a number 2 or 3 starter. If the Yankees decide to mortgage the farm for him, they'd better realize what kind of pitcher they are getting. Then pray he can handle New York.
2. Convince Andy Pettitte to come back for one more year.
Let's face it, the Yankees need Ol' Reliable Andy now more than ever with Lee out of the picture. Before second half injury issues, Pettitte, at age 38, was on his way to the best season of his career. He went 11-2 with a 2.70 ERA, made the All-Star team, and was highly considered a Cy Young Award favorite. Who's to say that if he stays healthy throughout 2011, that he can't at least approach a 20-win season? Of course, it will cost the Yanks more money to convince him.
3. Trade for a viable #2 or #3 starter behind CC. As mentioned before, Greinke would be a good fit as a 2 or 3 starter, IF makeup weren't such an issue. The Yankees will have to get creative here. Josh Johnson of the Marlins would be a perfect fit, but the Marlins wouldn't dare trade him one year before opening their new ballpark. Carlos Zambrano? Don't even get me started. Chad Billingsley? It may take top prospects Jesus Montero AND Austin Romine to get him to New York, and that is far too much for a non-ace. Other possibilities may be Fausto Carmona of the Indians and Francisco Liriano of the Twins, but both may not be available, either.
The man the Yankees should seriously consider trading for is Derek Lowe of the Braves. Atlanta is desperate to unload his contract, and Lowe would be a perfect innings-eater for a depleted Yankees staff. Assuming Pettitte returns, The Yankee rotation would consist of Sabathia, Pettitte, Lowe, Hughes, and Burnett. That is a solid enough rotation if all are healthy, especially in the AL East. Lowe is a gamer, knows the AL East well from his years in Boston, and would fit the Yankees nicely. Also, the Yankees may not have to give up their A-list prospects for him.
And by the way, if anyone even thinks the Yankees will throw money at Carl Pavano, I will personally come after you on the streets in a Ferrari filled with supermodels and hemmorhoid medication in the glove compartment!
4. Bring back Kerry Wood and spend, spend, spend on the bullpen!
At this point of the offseason, Kerry Wood is better suited to returning to the Yankees, since no teams seem desperate for a closer. Perhaps he is waiting to see what Rafael Soriano does before he makes his move, but Wood was a perfect fit as the 8th-inning bridge to Mariano Rivera last season. Maybe the Yankees can convince Soriano to be the set-up man, giving the Yanks a potential 6-7-8-9 inning combo of David Robertson, Wood, Soriano, and Rivera. That would be scary for the rest of the American League. Also, the Yankees should take a long look at Pedro Feliciano for a second lefty to complement Boone Logan, as their lefty options are running thin at this point. As for Joba Chamberlain? I personally believe he will be traded in a potential deal for a starting pitcher. If not, he provides incredible depth in an already deep pen assuming the Yanks load up.
5. Pray, PRAY A.J. Burnett gets his act together.
The Yanks are stuck with him for the next three seasons, with what is essentially an untradeable contract. Burnett is the key to the Yankees' success in 2011, and I'm not talking about the clubhouse pie-throwing contests. Burnett's 2010 season will go down as one of the most historically bad in baseball history. A playoff team that boasted a pitcher with a 10-15 record and a 5+ ERA reveals two seperate dynamics for next year's team. If Burnett duplicates his 2010 year, the Yankees will struggle to make the playoffs. If he goes out and has the best season of his career, and his mechanics are completely fixed by new pitching coach Larry Rothschild, the Yankees should at least get in to the postseason as the wild card. Burnett has the talent to be an ace on half the Major League staffs. At age 34, time is running out for him to show it. Next year needs to be that year.
NFL Picks for Week 15 (2-2 last week, 16-16 overall)
Phi +3 over NYG
DAL -6 over Wsh
NO +2 over BAL
PIT -6 over NYJ
The remainder of the Yankee offseason should be centered around the following five strategies:
1. Do NOT trade for Zach Greinke.
Forget his social anxiety issues and the potential to become the next Ed Whitson in New York. Greinke has only had one ace-caliber Major League season, his 2009 Cy Young season. If you look at his stats from last season and 2008 and before, what exactly screams the word "ace" to you? In 2010, he went 10-14 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. In 2008, he went 13-10 with a 1.28 WHIP. Solid, but not ace material. Before 2008, Greinke did not have ONE season with a .500-plus record since his Major League debut in 2003. There is no denying this man's talent, but to me, he is more of a number 2 or 3 starter. If the Yankees decide to mortgage the farm for him, they'd better realize what kind of pitcher they are getting. Then pray he can handle New York.
2. Convince Andy Pettitte to come back for one more year.
Let's face it, the Yankees need Ol' Reliable Andy now more than ever with Lee out of the picture. Before second half injury issues, Pettitte, at age 38, was on his way to the best season of his career. He went 11-2 with a 2.70 ERA, made the All-Star team, and was highly considered a Cy Young Award favorite. Who's to say that if he stays healthy throughout 2011, that he can't at least approach a 20-win season? Of course, it will cost the Yanks more money to convince him.
3. Trade for a viable #2 or #3 starter behind CC. As mentioned before, Greinke would be a good fit as a 2 or 3 starter, IF makeup weren't such an issue. The Yankees will have to get creative here. Josh Johnson of the Marlins would be a perfect fit, but the Marlins wouldn't dare trade him one year before opening their new ballpark. Carlos Zambrano? Don't even get me started. Chad Billingsley? It may take top prospects Jesus Montero AND Austin Romine to get him to New York, and that is far too much for a non-ace. Other possibilities may be Fausto Carmona of the Indians and Francisco Liriano of the Twins, but both may not be available, either.
The man the Yankees should seriously consider trading for is Derek Lowe of the Braves. Atlanta is desperate to unload his contract, and Lowe would be a perfect innings-eater for a depleted Yankees staff. Assuming Pettitte returns, The Yankee rotation would consist of Sabathia, Pettitte, Lowe, Hughes, and Burnett. That is a solid enough rotation if all are healthy, especially in the AL East. Lowe is a gamer, knows the AL East well from his years in Boston, and would fit the Yankees nicely. Also, the Yankees may not have to give up their A-list prospects for him.
And by the way, if anyone even thinks the Yankees will throw money at Carl Pavano, I will personally come after you on the streets in a Ferrari filled with supermodels and hemmorhoid medication in the glove compartment!
4. Bring back Kerry Wood and spend, spend, spend on the bullpen!
At this point of the offseason, Kerry Wood is better suited to returning to the Yankees, since no teams seem desperate for a closer. Perhaps he is waiting to see what Rafael Soriano does before he makes his move, but Wood was a perfect fit as the 8th-inning bridge to Mariano Rivera last season. Maybe the Yankees can convince Soriano to be the set-up man, giving the Yanks a potential 6-7-8-9 inning combo of David Robertson, Wood, Soriano, and Rivera. That would be scary for the rest of the American League. Also, the Yankees should take a long look at Pedro Feliciano for a second lefty to complement Boone Logan, as their lefty options are running thin at this point. As for Joba Chamberlain? I personally believe he will be traded in a potential deal for a starting pitcher. If not, he provides incredible depth in an already deep pen assuming the Yanks load up.
5. Pray, PRAY A.J. Burnett gets his act together.
The Yanks are stuck with him for the next three seasons, with what is essentially an untradeable contract. Burnett is the key to the Yankees' success in 2011, and I'm not talking about the clubhouse pie-throwing contests. Burnett's 2010 season will go down as one of the most historically bad in baseball history. A playoff team that boasted a pitcher with a 10-15 record and a 5+ ERA reveals two seperate dynamics for next year's team. If Burnett duplicates his 2010 year, the Yankees will struggle to make the playoffs. If he goes out and has the best season of his career, and his mechanics are completely fixed by new pitching coach Larry Rothschild, the Yankees should at least get in to the postseason as the wild card. Burnett has the talent to be an ace on half the Major League staffs. At age 34, time is running out for him to show it. Next year needs to be that year.
NFL Picks for Week 15 (2-2 last week, 16-16 overall)
Phi +3 over NYG
DAL -6 over Wsh
NO +2 over BAL
PIT -6 over NYJ
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Are the Yanks in Trouble? Relax, Yankee fans.
Let's channel the mind of a passionate Yankee fan after Game 2 of the ALCS against the Rangers.
Fan: "We're in huge trouble!"
Friend: "Relax, it's only Game 2."
Fan: "But Lee is starting Game 3, and Burnett is slated to start Game 4!!"
Friend: "Maybe Lee will choke."
Fan: "What, are you kidding me?!?!? Lee has never lost a postseason game in his life and the Yankees are intimidated by him! And I don't trust Burnett any further than I can throw him!"
Friend: "Isn't Pettitte starting Game 3?"
Fan: "So what? We had to win the first two games in Texas, and Sabathia and Hughes both bombed! We're done!!!"
Friend: "Watch the Yankees win the series anyway. I'll laugh at you."
It's easy to panic as a Yankee fan when you live under the Steinbrenner Doctrine: Win the World Series or your season is an utter failure. It breeds pressure on the players, the coaches, and especially the fans. But you know what exacerbates this sense of urgency and entitlement? The Media. That's right, I said it.
My advice to Yankee fans is to ignore the prognosticators. Ignore the columnists. Ignore the so-called "experts" that make Cliff Lee out to be bigger than God himself. Yes, Lee is a great pitcher and will probably end up with the Yankees next season for 20 million or more a year. Yes, he is nearly perfect in postseason play with a 2-0 record against the Yankees in the 2009 World Series with the Phillies. Yes, he has the vibe of Mike Scott circa the 1986 Postseason (and if I hear that Lee scuffs the ball one more time, I am going to choke someone. Get real, folks!).
Have these fans forgotten this is baseball? Anything can happen. The sport is a crapshoot every single goshdarnmothertrucking day, no matter how good or bad the opposing teams are on paper.
Have you also forgotten that Andy Pettitte, wins wise, is the greatest pitcher in postseason history? His next victory will be his 20th, Cy Young caliber in the regular season, and unprecedented in postseason play.
Have you forgotten how shaky Texas' bullpen is? A full-blown implosion in Game 1, and agita-filled moments in Game 2?
The bottom line is, if Game 3 is close in the late innings, and Texas holds a slim lead, say, 3-2, will there be any doubts in your mind that the Yankees can rally at home? The Yankees once again led the major leagues with 48 come-from-behind wins in the regular season, and 3 of the 4 Yankee playoff wins have been of the comeback variety.
All Andy Pettitte needs to do is pitch a Vintage Pettitte game, and the Yankees will have a chance. Is it possible Pettitte can implode the way Sabathia and Hughes did? Yes, but isn't Lee due for a bad postseason start as well?
Relax, Yankee fans. Texas is a much better team than Minnesota, and they showed it in Game 2. This series is still a long way from over.
Of course, this all being said, should the Yankees lose Game 3 and throw A.J. Burnett in Game 4 with the season potentially on the line, THEN you may panic.
Fan: "We're in huge trouble!"
Friend: "Relax, it's only Game 2."
Fan: "But Lee is starting Game 3, and Burnett is slated to start Game 4!!"
Friend: "Maybe Lee will choke."
Fan: "What, are you kidding me?!?!? Lee has never lost a postseason game in his life and the Yankees are intimidated by him! And I don't trust Burnett any further than I can throw him!"
Friend: "Isn't Pettitte starting Game 3?"
Fan: "So what? We had to win the first two games in Texas, and Sabathia and Hughes both bombed! We're done!!!"
Friend: "Watch the Yankees win the series anyway. I'll laugh at you."
It's easy to panic as a Yankee fan when you live under the Steinbrenner Doctrine: Win the World Series or your season is an utter failure. It breeds pressure on the players, the coaches, and especially the fans. But you know what exacerbates this sense of urgency and entitlement? The Media. That's right, I said it.
My advice to Yankee fans is to ignore the prognosticators. Ignore the columnists. Ignore the so-called "experts" that make Cliff Lee out to be bigger than God himself. Yes, Lee is a great pitcher and will probably end up with the Yankees next season for 20 million or more a year. Yes, he is nearly perfect in postseason play with a 2-0 record against the Yankees in the 2009 World Series with the Phillies. Yes, he has the vibe of Mike Scott circa the 1986 Postseason (and if I hear that Lee scuffs the ball one more time, I am going to choke someone. Get real, folks!).
Have these fans forgotten this is baseball? Anything can happen. The sport is a crapshoot every single goshdarnmothertrucking day, no matter how good or bad the opposing teams are on paper.
Have you also forgotten that Andy Pettitte, wins wise, is the greatest pitcher in postseason history? His next victory will be his 20th, Cy Young caliber in the regular season, and unprecedented in postseason play.
Have you forgotten how shaky Texas' bullpen is? A full-blown implosion in Game 1, and agita-filled moments in Game 2?
The bottom line is, if Game 3 is close in the late innings, and Texas holds a slim lead, say, 3-2, will there be any doubts in your mind that the Yankees can rally at home? The Yankees once again led the major leagues with 48 come-from-behind wins in the regular season, and 3 of the 4 Yankee playoff wins have been of the comeback variety.
All Andy Pettitte needs to do is pitch a Vintage Pettitte game, and the Yankees will have a chance. Is it possible Pettitte can implode the way Sabathia and Hughes did? Yes, but isn't Lee due for a bad postseason start as well?
Relax, Yankee fans. Texas is a much better team than Minnesota, and they showed it in Game 2. This series is still a long way from over.
Of course, this all being said, should the Yankees lose Game 3 and throw A.J. Burnett in Game 4 with the season potentially on the line, THEN you may panic.
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