fullcountpitch.com

By Gary Armida

When the FCP favorite, Brett Gardner, singled through the middle against Jonathan Papelbon in the tenth inning on Sunday night, he breathed life into the dying Yankees season. While that may seem like hyperbole, a loss would have devastated the Yankees’ slim playoff chances. With Sunday night’s win, the Yankees now stand 9 games out of first place in the AL East and, more importantly, 3.5 games behind the second place and Wildcard leading Red Sox. While many are somewhat befuddled about the Yankees being in this position, many could see this type of season coming. It’s not even like the Yankees have been horrible as they now stand in third place with a record of 47-42, but the upstart Rays have been tremendous thus far (55-32) and the Red Sox just keep chugging along (52-39). While 9 games behind is a tremendous deficit, the Yankees were in a worse position a season ago. However, they are not nearly the same team they were a year ago. Last season, no big changes were needed. A spark from a 20 year old reliever (now turned staff ace) was all the Yankees needed to qualify for the playoffs. This season, however, the Yankees are in need of a couple of drastic moves. Fortunately, the solutions all lie within this column.

The Problem

Well, the problem is that they are in third place with a record of just 5 games over .500. But, there is a very simple reason for this. It lies within the statistic, run differential. This statistic measures how many more runs you score than you let in. The Yankees run differential stands at just +22, meaning that they have scored just 22 runs more than their opponents have scored against them. That is a number that suggests a .500 team so the Yankees are fortunate to be five games over the mark. To further show an average team, the Yankees rank 7^th or 8^th (out of 14 American League teams) in ERA, hits allowed, runs allowed, homeruns allowed, and walks. The offense ranks slightly better, but still rank 7^th in the league in homeruns, 6^th in slugging percentage and runs scored. In other words, they are the walking definition of a .500 team.

Another problem is that other than Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, and Alex Rodriguez, no player is performing close to standards. Age is finally setting in with a number of players. Derek Jeter is seeing a decline in his offensive statistics for the first time in his career. It is normal, but something that wasn’t counted on for this year.

Solution # 1: Release the Dead Wood

By ‘Dead Wood’, I mean LaTroy Hawkins. Hawkins was a low-risk, high reward signing, but after his poor showing, he is anything but a reward. Releasing Hawkins and calling up a minor leaguer with a strong arm like JB Cox, Jeff Marquez, or Stephen White would be a positive. Hawkins is throwing to a 5.94 ERA. A batting tee has a better chance at getting a hitter out. Releasing Hawkins would be the first step in motivating the team. Additionally, third catcher Chad Moeller needs to be off the team so that Joe Girardi has another option off the bench. Someone like Alberto Gonzalez or even slugger Jason Lane (14 homers at AAA) would be a better option than the light hitting, no speed Moeller. He is kept around for insurance, but it is at the expense of having a better more diversified bench. This actually leads to solution 2.

Solution # 2: Posada and Betemit

Jorge Posada is trying to play through a shoulder injury. Rather than have surgery, he is gingerly getting through the season. The injury is obviously zapping his power as Posada is hitting .281/.361/.446. It’s a far cry from his tremendous season of 2007. Because of the injury, Posada has been the designated hitter or first baseman in addition to starting at catcher. When Posada does start behind the plate, the Yankees lineup is not harmed. When manager Joe Girardi plays Posada elsewhere, he is forced to use the light hitting Jose Molina. Because Posada is not a power threat at the moment, and Molina is not a hitter, the lineup now becomes a seven player challenge, rather than nine. It is admirable that Posada is trying to play through his pain. However, in order for the Yankees to have the best opportunity to win, he must be behind the plate when he does play.

Wilson Betemit is being used sparingly. While he is an average player at best, he is being underutilized. If Posada is strictly used as a catcher, Jason Giambi can DH more. This leads to Betemit becoming the starting first baseman for the squad. While it is true that he has never slugged higher than .465 in his career, it is still 100 points higher than Jose Molina’s career mark. This does help the lineup, ever so slightly.

Solution # 3: Make a Dramatic Trade/ Signing

With so many injuries to the outfield, the Yankees are struggling find a consistent starting outfield. With Johnny Damon joining Hideki Matsui on the DL, the Yankees will be fielding an outfield of Melky Cabrera, Bobby Abreu, and the aforementioned favorite, Brett Gardner for the foreseeable future. When Johnny Damon returns, the Yankees must do something dramatic. Brett Gardner needs to remain in the lineup given that he actually looks at pitches and will help run up a pitch count. Of course, it helps that he can absolutely fly, an element that the Yankees are lacking. Ideally, Cabrera should be the one to sit as he is proving to be nothing more than a slightly above average 4^th outfielder. He could then be packaged for some other help (which we discuss in solution three). Also, if Bobby Abreu was able to net the team a better package, he should also be considered a prime trading chip. Abreu is in the last year of his contract and his OBP is 100 points lower than it was two years ago. In other words, he’s a player on the decline. Why is this dramatic? Well, the Yankees are far too comfortable in their starting status. No player on the offensive side of the ball is in any competition for playing time, with the exception of the rookie Gardner. They need a shakeup in that clubhouse. If Cabrera is benched or traded, it may serve as a wakeup call for his buddy, Robinson Cano who is finally showing signs of life. Trading a starter will give the team a jump start.

There is always the specter of Barry Bonds, who remains available. While the signing would be dramatic, it is not advisable. The distraction of Bonds in the New York media market will prove to be a detriment to the team.

Solution # 4: Call the Pirates

The Pirates are a team that is clearly out of the race, but has a ton of talent to sell off. The Yankees should look to seek a package of outfielder Xavier Nady and lefty reliever Damaso Marte. Both players fill holes on the Yankees. Nady provides excellent offense (.325/.384/.542.). Nady is a right handed batter who would provide a bit more balance to the let handed dominant batting order. Marte would give the Yankees a real left handed pitcher out of the pen who is capable of getting both right handers and left handers out. A package beginning with Melky Cabrera and a couple of minor leaguers should do the trick.

If the Pirates don’t want to deal, the Yankees should set their sights on a team like the Reds (Adam Dunn and Bill Bray) or the Indians (Casey Blake, Paul Byrd, and a reliever). In short, the Yankees need another bat, a back end of the rotation starter, and a reliever (preferably left handed). This is where Brian Cashman can save the season without giving up too much talent. He must provide those upgrades, but he does not have to get (or give up) premium talent.

Solution #5: Try Again

Phil Hughes failed his first time around. He looks to be coming back sometime in early August and should be given another opportunity to start. The stuff is there for him to be successful. The rotation would get a big boost if he can claim the number five job. With Chamberlain pitching so well, Andy Pettitte doing his thing, and Mike Mussina defying all his critics, the healthy, successful return of Phil Hughes would be tremendous. Even failed rookie, Ian Kennedy should have another shot. Listen, the Sidney Ponson/Darrell Rasner end of the rotation is definitely not getting you back to the playoffs.

If he does fail as a starter, he would probably make a tremendous late inning reliever as was seen in the playoffs last season. So, the Yankees could throw him into the mix with their surprisingly good bullpen.  

Solution #6: Shave the Mustache

Seriously. That is not an attempt at humor. The Giambi mustache is one of the dumbest things to hit a baseball culture in a long time. It’s not even Giambi that I am referring to as players are always superstitious. Like Crash Davis said, if you believe you are on a streak for a reason, then you are. You have to respect the streak. Giambi has had a nice, unexpected resurgence. Without his resurgence the Yankees would be in worse shape as he is the only player in the lineup having a better than projected season.

No, the mustache needs to be shaved because of the fans and television. Every time Giambi comes to bat, we are now subjected to the fan shots of ridiculous people thinking they are original and funny wearing the thick mustache in the stands. Maybe the first person who did it was funny, but the thousands of shots per game is getting old. People, listen to me. It’s not funny anymore. The horse has been beaten. So please Jason do the real fans a favor and shave it off. You have cooled off anyway (.230 average over the last 10 games) so your streak is essentially over. Heck, do it for charity like Damon did with his beard during his Red Sox days.

Closing Thoughts

So, there you have it, six relatively simple and realistic steps to saving the Yankees season. They do have the talent and they have underachieved a bit so far. They may have that last gasp effort in them as some players perform closer to their career numbers. But, GM Brian Cashman must make some sort of dramatic statement to shakeup the malaise that seems to be the 2008 Yankees.