Second Half Questions
Bullpen: Is there any help in sight? Will we continue to run Rivera into the ground? What role will Chacon play in the pen? And will Dotel have anything to offer? It does look like Proctor may have turned a corner and recaptured some of his April, May magic.
Fifth Starter: Is Sidney the guy or is he on a short leash with Chacon in line for another shot when he falters? And what of Pavano, who was supposedly throwing off a mound a few weeks ago? I haven't heard anything.
Outfield: Abreu? Reggie Sanders? Look at Sander's numbers. He's terrible. He's probably an adequate defender, but inferior to Cabrera and Bernie at the plate. The one good thing about getting a guy like Sanders is that he can settle into a bench role when Matsui and Sheff come back (assuming they are on track), while if you get Abreu, suddenly Bernie is out of a job, even as DH.
Injuries: Will we lose A-Rod for any significant time? What is Cano's deal? How far away are Sheff and Matsui?
These are the questions, friends, that will determine our destiny this season...
-Steiner
Fifth Starter: Is Sidney the guy or is he on a short leash with Chacon in line for another shot when he falters? And what of Pavano, who was supposedly throwing off a mound a few weeks ago? I haven't heard anything.
Outfield: Abreu? Reggie Sanders? Look at Sander's numbers. He's terrible. He's probably an adequate defender, but inferior to Cabrera and Bernie at the plate. The one good thing about getting a guy like Sanders is that he can settle into a bench role when Matsui and Sheff come back (assuming they are on track), while if you get Abreu, suddenly Bernie is out of a job, even as DH.
Injuries: Will we lose A-Rod for any significant time? What is Cano's deal? How far away are Sheff and Matsui?
These are the questions, friends, that will determine our destiny this season...
-Steiner
posted by Anthony at 9:42 AM
2 Comments:
The bullpen needs something other than Chacon and Dotel. The Yankees should be looking at a seller, possibly Seattle. Earlier in the season I thought someone like Kiko Calero would be ideal, but with Oakland's recent success I'd say they won't let him go. The Yankees need a consistent, long reliever. Is it possible that Chacon could fill that role? If I'm not mistaken he's pitched in that role earlier in the year and hasn't faired so well.
Dotel reported no pain after his rehab start and should be with the team sometime before the month is over. Matsui has an examination on Thursday, so we'll see how that pans out. Cano is starting his rehab assignment sometime next week, so the Yankees can expect him in early August. Sheff has surgery last Tuesday (I think) and is still looking sometime in September.
As far as I've heard the Yankees are behind on the outfielder trading block. Abreu and Soriano are both interested in the Tigers (although Soriano said he would resign with Washington after the season was over). As it stands the Yankees are red hot, Phillips and Cabrera are filling those gaps nicely. Granted they aren't as potent as Sheff and Matsui but I don't think the Yankees could have asked them to produce any better.
Sidney Ponson pitched well actually. He made one bad pitch: a hanging slider that Richie Sexson put into the seats. He looked a bit shakey in the first inning, but again it was his first appearance in a Yankee uniform at Yankee stadium. It'll take a few more starts to determine whether or not he'll settle into the fifth starter role. Unfortuneately the Yankees have to decide within the next ten days who they will keep, and who should go.
If I had to decide today, I would go after a middle reliever, in hopes that Matsui will return in August, and Sheff in Sept.
-OG
It's a tough call. I would lean to middle relief or a sure thing fifth starter (which isn't the same as a sure thing first or second, of course). There is talk about Scott Williamson from the Cubs, who has had decent numbers and has pitched big in the past out of the pen. He's also averaging over a K per inning, which is a good sign.
As for offense, with Cano coming back shortly perhaps we can wait for our late August or September returns. Whatever happens, it will happen in less than two weeks...
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