TwitterGutsy Call Joe
10 Oct 2012
Raul Ibanez is obviously the hero of this game, but you have to give tremendous credit to Joe Girardi. Girardi decided to roll the dice with Ibanez hitting for A-Rod in the 9th and it was the right call. He followed that up by leaving Ibanez in to face a lefty in the 12th when Ibanez was 12-for-65 with 0 homers against lefties in 2012, and it was the right call again. Either move, especially the first one, could have opened him up to criticism, but Girardi pulled the trigger. He looks like a genius now, but can you imagine what the story would have been if Ibanez had struck out in the 9th and the Yankees had lost?
Now the Yankees have this series in their control. One more win at home and they head to the ALCS. It would behoove them to win it tomorrow, as thanks to this year’s postseason schedule there won’t be an off-day between the ALDS and the ALCS if the ALDS goes five games. Behoove is probably too small a word as the Yankees would be at a serious disadvantage if they went 5 games in the ALDS. They would have to pitch CC in Game 5, meaning he wouldn’t be available until Game 4 of the ALCS on regular rest. Furthermore, they wouldn’t have any of their ALDS starters available on regular rest for Game 2 of the ALCS. They could either start Kuroda on three-days rest or pitch Nova or Phelps I suppose.
So, the Yankees need to figure out a way to win tomorrow. They face Joe Saunders, a guy they have roughed up historically. Phil Hughes was 11-4 with a 3.74 ERA at home this year, so you have to feel good about the pitching matchup.
And while it isn’t a topic for now, A-Rod’s five-year/$114-million deal will certainly be a topic in the near future.
Oct 11, 2012 @ 01:13:15
And while it isn’t a topic now? Uh, well, um, OK, it may not be a topic, Peter but, I can offer an opinion anyway. Alex will be traded away and he will carry a barrel full of Steinbrenner cash with him as he departs out the door. He would make a heck of a cheap DH someplace … else.
See Burnett, AJ.
See $189MM salary cap.
Oct 11, 2012 @ 07:19:54
I’m not sure too many teams will line up for him unfortunately. Even “free” doesn’t help when the production has dropped off so much. Amazing what the owners get themselves into with these mega deals for 7-10 years.
Easily has to be the highest paid player to ever get pinch-hit for in the history of the game.
Oct 11, 2012 @ 11:32:58
Mitchell
Opinions are always welcome!
That’s my thinking too, but like BL, I am not sure how they will be able to pull it off. Not only the size of the check, but the fact that he can veto the trade will make it very hard.
Thinking about it, Miami may be the best fit. A-Rod is from there and would probably agree to go home. The Marlins could use the boost at the gate that A-Rod would being. If the Yankees heavily subsidized the move, it just might work. I don’t think it happens now, but after next year, I could see it.
Oct 11, 2012 @ 12:21:56
My strong guess is that A-Rod would welcome the exit from the NY media lights. He won’t block the trade.
I think he’s now emabarassed by his failings. Any time you hear him talk about how “he’s still getting his walks” … that’s a guy who wants to be talking about something else. Great career, he was a monster – now he seems either hurting or aging at an accelerated pace.
My guess is that if they do it at all, they will try to make the trade come before the salary calculations date(s).
Oct 11, 2012 @ 12:32:24
BL – I think that A-Rod has always set a lot of firsts, some good, some truly dreadful. Everything about him is magnified. When you’re the highest paid player, you set lots of first.
I am really happy that Hank is happy or at least willing to his let his brother manage the dollars. And that Cashman takes direction well … I am hopeful that a mistake of that magnitude never gets repeated. It just screws up the game – for everyone.
Oct 11, 2012 @ 13:36:44
agreed.
I am wondering if there are quicker “accelerated pace” of declines for former steroid users?
Meaning – if you used for a while, does it somehow affect your hand/eye, your strength quicker on the decline after you stop using?
There can’t be any substantial studies done on this but his decline has been very rapid IMO. He wasn’t a middle of the road guy before so I’m shocked at the speed at which he has declined.
Don’t want to debate how much he may have been a user over the years, not my intent in posting this.
Oct 11, 2012 @ 13:51:30
BL
You can certainly make the case that the lack of steroids have caused A-Rod’s power to disappear, but I don’t think it accelerated the decline. Look at Ortiz, he is still hitting and he failed the same test and is the same age as A-Rod.
I think we also need to put A-Rod’s numbers in context. His numbers were still above the average for the position and his OPS+ was still 112, so he is a productive player. He just isn’t near to what he once was.
Oct 11, 2012 @ 13:59:44
No one will ever take on any piece of this contract.
A Rod still has another good year in him if he can ever get healthy. He was looking good just before he broke his hand in July. But in the last 3 years of his contract, he’s going to be a part time right handed power hitter like Andruw Jones.
By the way — I fully expect the Yankees to repeat this lunacy when they sign Cano to a ten year deal.
Oct 11, 2012 @ 18:42:35
Peter – you didn’t mention that Papi is still on the juice, j/k…really…j/k…
Oct 12, 2012 @ 00:34:50
I have a friend who is a huge Red Sox fan and actually believes that to be the case. Says there is no way he could rebound from the way he looked a few years ago at the plate to where he is now without some help.