Where are all the Yankee haters?

[elicoleman]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

Braves (on May 15) last year were 17-18 and finished with 96 wins, and if the Braves can do it, I have no worries that the Yanks can too.

Even the Cardinals on this date were only 20-17 and finished with a 105-57 record.

[devilsjaw]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

Or what? You're going to be forced to put them in your sig too?

Go O's!!

[Misfit]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

Umm, didn't the Sox just lose 2 of 3 to those same Mariners? And only split 6 games with them over the last week? So that must mean the Sox are horrendous, no? With the Yanks starting out poorly, a lot of people weren't paying attention to the Sox. They have some issues as well, such as starting pitching and Foulke. But I digress...

Guys, this Yankee team is too talented to keep playing as bad as they were. A streak like this was inevitable, and it's funny how all you hear now is 'Well, it's only the A's and Mariners' when they just lost 3 of 4 to Tampa. The O's are going to come back to earth soon, once guys like Bruce Chen and Erik Bedard wake up and realize that they are actually Bruce Chen and Erik Bedard. In the end, the Yanks will battle the Sox for the division. The Yanks definitely have some issues, but even with those issues, they are still the most talented team in the AL. Lucky for them, there are no powerhouses in the AL this year....

I don't know what it is with the Red Sox, but they always struggle at Safeco. And since they started one game with Jeremi Gonzalez (who, to his credit, had pitched well in his two starts), its not too surprising they lost two out of three. Foulke's a big issue for the Sox, but right now starting pitching has been fine:

Arroyo - 4-0 2.97 ERA
Clement - 3-0 3.06 ERA
Wakefield - 4-2 3.61 ERA
Miller - 0-0 4.22

If Schilling and Wells can come back strong they'll be solid in the rotation all season. Timlin and Mantei have also been very effective out of the bullpen so far. This team should just set the cruise control until the all-star break, then look at where it could make itself better through trades.

The Yankee rotation and bullpen are still a mess. Offense can't carry a team forever. Mussina has showed up in May, but no one else is in much of a groove right now and Johnson looks hurt. They also need a legit set-up man since Gordon and Quantrill appear done. Torre can't overwork Rivera again this year and expect him to perform in October, should the Yankees get there. Their offense isn't going to be this good all year. Sheffield's older and could see a poor second half. Matsui can turn it around but he's not going to contend for an MVP like some thought. Arod's stats will always be empty. Cano's on base percentage is actually lower than his batting average and ML pitchers will figure out how to get him out sooner rather than later. Jeter could have a career year, given his .425 OBP but that obviously wouldn't be enough. Womack in left with his weak arm and .331 SLG% also isn't scaring anyone.

[dooch]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

I don't know what it is with the Red Sox, but they always struggle at Safeco. And since they started one game with Jeremi Gonzalez (who, to his credit, had pitched well in his two starts), its not too surprising they lost two out of three. Foulke's a big issue for the Sox, but right now starting pitching has been fine:

Arroyo - 4-0 2.97 ERA
Clement - 3-0 3.06 ERA
Wakefield - 4-2 3.61 ERA
Miller - 0-0 4.22

If Schilling and Wells can come back strong they'll be solid in the rotation all season. Timlin and Mantei have also been very effective out of the bullpen so far. This team should just set the cruise control until the all-star break, then look at where it could make itself better through trades.

The Yankee rotation and bullpen are still a mess. Offense can't carry a team forever. Mussina has showed up in May, but no one else is in much of a groove right now and Johnson looks hurt. They also need a legit set-up man since Gordon and Quantrill appear done. Torre can't overwork Rivera again this year and expect him to perform in October, should the Yankees get there. Their offense isn't going to be this good all year. Sheffield's older and could see a poor second half. Matsui can turn it around but he's not going to contend for an MVP like some thought. Arod's stats will always be empty. Cano's on base percentage is actually lower than his batting average and ML pitchers will figure out how to get him out sooner rather than later. Jeter could have a career year, given his .425 OBP but that obviously wouldn't be enough. Womack in left with his weak arm and .331 SLG% also isn't scaring anyone.

The Sox pitching staff is in no better shape than the Yanks. Everyone likes to talk about Unit being old, but does everyone forget Wells is 41 (and fat) and Schilling is 38 and coming off ankle surgery? It's not like either of them are guaranteed to be around all season. And I'm sorry, but Arroyo, Wake and Clement are not going to carry this team. Clement has exceeded my expectations for him; I expect him to suffer a bit of a dropoff and Arroyo is going to go through a slump as well. Their pen is okay; Mantei is a major injury risk as well. I have no problem with people saying the Yanks staff is old and injury prone, because it is, but to then talk about the Sox staff without mentioning the same thing is not fair. Wade Miller is also coming off a major injury as well. Both teams have the same issue with their staff.

The Yanks lineup may not carry them all season, but it will produce. Sheffield is the least of their worries. He had an MVP type season last year with a bum shoulder, he's healthy this year. Matsui is starting to come out of his slump and while Tino won't keep this up, he'll be serviceable for them. I agree that Womack may not be long for LF, not because he can't field out there, but he doesn't produce enough offensively. But with the rest of the lineup, they just need him to get on base, steal a few, etc. With Jeter, Sheff, Matsui, ARod, Posada, etc, they will score runs plenty.

[Stu]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

The Sox pitching staff is in no better shape than the Yanks. Everyone likes to talk about Unit being old, but does everyone forget Wells is 41 (and fat) and Schilling is 38 and coming off ankle surgery? It's not like either of them are guaranteed to be around all season. And I'm sorry, but Arroyo, Wake and Clement are not going to carry this team. Clement has exceeded my expectations for him; I expect him to suffer a bit of a dropoff and Arroyo is going to go through a slump as well.

I somewhat agree on Clement but what makes you think Arroyo will go into a slump? He has been one of the best and most consistent pitchers in baseball over the last year. He hasn't lost since August 15th and the Red Sox are 6-1 in games he's pitched so far this year. Like him or not, he's a #1 starter on a lot of teams.

The difference between the Red Sox and Yankees staff is that the Red Sox are better suited to handle injuries and poor performances. They have guys like Wade Miller, Jeremi Gonzalez and John Halama that provide MLB caliber replacements. Wang has performed fairly well for the Yankees but how long will that last? The Yankees are going to have much more trouble replacing guys like RJ and Brown if they end up on the DL, which judging by their age and history, they will.

[dooch]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

I somewhat agree on Clement but what makes you think Arroyo will go into a slump? He has been one of the best and most consistent pitchers in baseball over the last year. He hasn't lost since August 15th and the Red Sox are 6-1 in games he's pitched so far this year. Like him or not, he's a #1 starter on a lot of teams.

The difference between the Red Sox and Yankees staff is that the Red Sox are better suited to handle injuries and poor performances. They have guys like Wade Miller, Jeremi Gonzalez and John Halama that provide MLB caliber replacements. Wang has performed fairly well for the Yankees but how long will that last? The Yankees are going to have much more trouble replacing guys like RJ and Brown if they end up on the DL, which judging by their age and history, they will.

Okay, I was with you on Arroyo until you said he's a #1 on a lot of teams. Unless those teams are the Devil Rays, Royals or Rockies, then not a chance. Kevin Brown and Wang would be #1's on those teams as well! He's performed very well, but to say he'd be a #1 on a lot of teams is a stretch. Let's see him do this for a few seasons before anointing him that kind of status.

And while the Sox have replacements in case of injuries, I wouldn't exactly say they're viable. Jeremi Gonzalez has been in the minors the last few years for a reason (and when the D Rays get rid of you, you know you're in trouble). Halama is adequate, but not a guy I'd want to rely on for 10-15 starts though. And while Wade Miller has a lot of potential (he was the best offseason pickup for the Sox IMO), he's a big injury risk. If the Yanks had an injury, they might move Sturtze to the rotation, who would be no worse than Halama or Gonzalez. And they have guys like Pete Munro and Aaron Small in the minors, who while may not be all that great, would be no worse an option than Halama or Gonzalez. I'm not saying I'd want to rely on them (heck, Munro started 2 games in the NLCS last year for the Astros), but I'm just comparing them to the Sox options other than Miller.

The race is definitely going to come down to who can avoid the big inury. I don't see the O's staying in it much longer - I think their starting pitching will eventually do them in - and between the Sox and Yanks, whoever stays healthy will have the upper hand. Should be fun.

[Stu]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

Okay, I was with you on Arroyo until you said he's a #1 on a lot of teams. Unless those teams are the Devil Rays, Royals or Rockies, then not a chance. Kevin Brown and Wang would be #1's on those teams as well! He's performed very well, but to say he'd be a #1 on a lot of teams is a stretch. Let's see him do this for a few seasons before anointing him that kind of status.

The race is definitely going to come down to who can avoid the big inury. I don't see the O's staying in it much longer - I think their starting pitching will eventually do them in - and between the Sox and Yanks, whoever stays healthy will have the upper hand. Should be fun.

We'll have to agree to disagree on Arroyo. Maybe it's because I watch him so much, but he has absolutely nasty stuff. Stealing some stats from Gammons, he's 11-2 with a 3.73 ERA since midway through last season and 4th in the AL in wins and 7th in ERA during that time period. If that's not #1 starter worthy then I don't know what is. What he does over the next few seasons is irrelevant IMO. Right now, he's one of the better pitchers in baseball.

I'm not sure about the O's. I've always argued that you need a strong starting staff to compete in the AL East, but they just keep winning. If they can keep this up through the summer I'd be surprised but not shocked. Regardless, I don't think the Yankees and Red Sox will both make the playoffs this year. If one or both struggle around .500 the O's have just as good a shot as anyone.

[Matteh]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

Okay, I was with you on Arroyo until you said he's a #1 on a lot of teams. Unless those teams are the Devil Rays, Royals or Rockies, then not a chance. Kevin Brown and Wang would be #1's on those teams as well! He's performed very well, but to say he'd be a #1 on a lot of teams is a stretch. Let's see him do this for a few seasons before anointing him that kind of status.

Brown and Wang are not better than Zach Grienke, they wouldn't be #1 on the Royals over him. Maybe Brown, but I doubt Wang would be the #1 starter on the Rays over Scott Kazmir.

[dooch]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

Brown and Wang are not better than Zach Grienke, they wouldn't be #1 on the Royals over him. Maybe Brown, but I doubt Wang would be the #1 starter on the Rays over Scott Kazmir.

I was being sarcastic when I said it, mainly in response to the Brandon Arroyo question....

[elicoleman]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

If Greinke was on either the Sox or Yanks, he'd be a guaranteed 20 game winner IMO.

[Stu]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

Brandon Arroyo

Is he related to Manny Ortez?

[elicoleman]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

Is he related to Manny Ortez?

One of the greatest moments in Mr Flip Floppers history.

[Stu]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

One of the greatest moments in Mr Flip Floppers history.

I was hoping somebody would know what I was talking about.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

......and Braves fans should be pro's at picking up warning signs of a team "blowing it".

Way to early for this type of post asianflow. I was wondering who the first person would be to post a "Yankees are the greatest team in the history of baseball" type-thread once they got back to .500.

This latest winning streak still doesn't take away from the fact that they are an old team. Old in the OF, old at 1B, and definitely old at pitching.

I'm simply stating the Yanks are back to playing good baseball. It's a long season and it was silly for people to dismiss the Yanks when the season wasn't even 40 games in.

A team with the type of talent the Yanks have will not be a bottom feeder once the season is over.

[dooch]

Re: Where are all the Yankee haters?

Is he related to Manny Ortez?

You know, I didn't even realize I typed Brandon until after you mentioned it....maybe when he reaches #1 status, people will get his name right!