06.30.2006 Italians win it for the Yankees
Jason
Giambi: Solo HR which proves to be the game-winner
Ron
Villone: Relieves Mike Mussina after the rain-delay, 2 IP, 0 ER
06.30.2006 C-Money: "Step off Phil, ya heard!"
"I've got players people ask us about other than Phil Hughes," Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said. "People ask about him, too. I really have no interest. There are some guys you can have longer conversations about than others." (Source)
06.29.2006 Oh Octavio
"To be honest, even though I haven't done anything for the Yankees, I love being a part of this team," Dotel said. "The way that the front office, the trainers and the coaching staff treat their players, it's something that you really love to see. It's better than being with any other team I've been with. I'd love to stay here -- not for one more year, but for three or four years."
"I feel like I owe them," he said. "They knew my situation, and I knew my situation, but I feel like I owe them something. I can't wait to get on the mound and start paying them back." (Source)
If
Dotel can perform near his pre-injury levels, the Yankees will have made
the best bullpen addition in baseball.
06.28.2006 Bad news for the haters
06.28.2006 Wang squishing hitters like grape
Another start, another solid performance by Chien-Ming Wang.
8 IP, 2 ER, 19 groundouts
...Stinnett said. "When you throw 96-97 and have movement like he does -- and you put it over the plate -- that's pretty special." (Source)
Ranks
2nd in the AL in IP
Ranks
1st in the AL in Groundball Outs
Ranks
1st in MLB in Groundball Double Plays
Ranks
4th in the AL in SLG% Against
Ranks
7th in the AL in OPS Against
06.27.2006 Yanks offense struggles again, time to bring up Durazo
In three out of the last four games, the Yankees have failed to score more than 2 runs. It's time to tinker with the lineup and that calls for the promotion of Erubiel Durazo. The Yankees have a career 125 OPS+ hitter sitting in Columbus and it's time to bring him to the Bronx. In 16 games at AAA, he has a line of:
.321 BA / .413 OBP / .472 SLG / .885 OPS
Bring
up Durazo.
06.27.2006 Could we have had Navarro?
There is a significant lack of catching depth around baseball. Young promising catchers are a rare find. And, for some mind-boggling reason, the Dodgers just traded one for two bad players.
With an eye toward the future, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays traded pitcher Mark Hendrickson and catcher Toby Hall to the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday for pitcher Jae Seo, catcher Dioner Navarro and a player to be named. (Source)
How in the world do the Dodgers make this deal? Toby Hall is a career 80 OPS+ hitter. Mark Hendrickson is a career 86 ERA+ pitcher.
In exchange for these awful players, they traded away a 22-year old switch hitting catcher (who the Yankees included in the Randy Johnson deal).
The
question we ask is why didn't the Yankees jump on this, especially if the
trading cost was so cheap.
06.26.2006 Giambi beats the Braves
06.26.2006 Randy is in the house
Randy Johnson over his last 3 starts:
20.1
IP, 4 ER, 20K, 2 BB
06.26.2006 A wretched hive of dumb and stupidity
Comments made by John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman during Monday night's game:
Sterling: "Cairo knows how to handle the bat."
Miguel Cairo on the season: .230 BA / .294 OBP / .300 SLG / .594 OPS
Perhaps by saying that Cairo "knows how to handle the bat," Sterling meant that Miguel knows how to pick a bat up off the ground and hold it in his hands?
Waldman: "Aaron Small cleared waivers and was outrighted to Columbus. I'm surprised he wasn't picked up by someone."
Apparently, the market for 8.46 ERA pitchers isn't as hot as it once was.
06.26.2006 Best pitching prospect in baseball: Phil Hughes
AA - Trenton:
62.1
IP, 64 K, 3.18 ERA
OPS
against vs righties: .627
OPS
against vs. lefties: .656
2006 Splits between Tampa (High A) and Trenton (AA):
9.16
K/9, 6.63 H/9, 0.49 HR/9, 2.14 BB/9
And
he just turned 20 years old on Saturday.
06.21.2006 Yankees to have off-day, Proctor will pitch anyway
Fresh off their 5-0 victory over the Phillies, the Yankees will use Thursday to rest up and prepare for a weekend series versus the Marlins -- that is all of the Yankees except Scott Proctor. Although an off-day, Torre plans on using Proctor for at least an inning or two on the flight back to New York:
"Scotty
needs a little more work," said Torre. "He has electric stuff, but
he just needs to locate better. We're going to set up a flight attendant
at one end of the aisle and have Scott pitch from the other end."
06.21.2006 Mo pitches the 9th in a 5-0 game?
Why?
06.21.2006 More ridiculous analysis
It was only recently when we told you how the Sports Guy had transformed into Sully from Revere, attempting to provide baseball analysis while wearing his Red Sox Nation rubber bracelet. Well, he's at it again and the commentary is getting even more ridiculous.
Jonathan Papelbon has been outstanding for the Red Sox. His numbers so far this year have been Playstation-like: 0.25 ERA, 8.83 K/9, 8.75 K/BB, .372 OPS Against.
However, in Bill Simmons' latest column, he annoints Papelbon, as he did Foulke, as the heir apparent to:
And that's the right comparison: Mariano Rivera (Source)
Papelbon has been superb, but he's only had success for 3 months. Mariano is in his 11th season as an ultra-elite reliever. Such longevity and utter dominance is unprecedented for relief pitchers. Mariano is the best reliever in MLB history. That's not opinion. That is fact. Three months of great pitching does not compare to Rivera.
So Bill, take off the Red Sox goggles if you are going to write an analytical baseball piece. You're really making a fool of yourself.
06.20.2006 Mo, O bail out Torre
Despite a horrific exhibition of bullpen management, the Yankees fought back from a Torre-induced deficit to defeat the Phillies, 9-7.
Four Rings™ turned the bottom of the 7th into a disaster with his normal display of tactical incompetence. The Yankees entered the frame in a 5-5 tie. Ron Villone apparently had not kicked Joe Torre's dog and had relieved Mike Mussina when he was removed after five innings. After pitching 1.2 innings of effective ball, Torre realized that Scott Proctor still had naked pictures of him and took Villone out of the game. Proctor proceeded to walk Pat Burrell on four pitches and before you knew it, the Yankees were losing 7-5.
Luckily, the offense battled back with four runs in the top of the 8th and Mariano pitched two scoreless to nail down the win.
Don't
question the rings.
06.20.2006 Bernie: "The people at NoMaas are a bunch of idiots."
Coming into Tuesday's game, Bernie Williams was sporting a .920 OPS in the month of June. He continued his scalding hot streak with a 5-for-5 performance, bringing his season line to:
.294 BA / .333 OBP / .425 SLG / .777 OPS
He began the month of June with a .676 OPS.
Bernie
is hitting like it's 1999.
06.19.2006 Senior Circuit beating up on the Yankees
The Yankees have lost 8 out of their last 11 games and have fallen to 2-5 versus the National League this season. Somehow, even with all the injuries, the Yanks are only two games behind Boston.
Will
George tolerate this poor play?
06.19.2006 We should release Arod
2006
with Runners on Base:
.290
BA / .407 OBP / .556 SLG / .963 OPS
2006
with Runners in Scoring Position:
.299
BA / .444 OBP / .558 SLG / 1.002 OPS
2006
with Runners in Scoring Position, 2 outs:
.343
BA / .511 OBP / .600 SLG / 1.111 OPS
Even
Yankee fans can be ignorant.
06.18.2006 Torre: "Ron Villone eats babies."
How else can you explain Torre not using Villone during the Washington series?
Despite declaring Villone as "the closer" for Sunday's game (Mo & Farnsworth were unavailable), Torre had Proctor (surprise, surprise) warming in the 9th of a 2-1 game.
Torre
has been stating recently that the bullpen is being overworked. It's
easy to overwork a bullpen when the only pitcher that he uses is Scott
Proctor.
06.18.2006 Dotel is coming, Dotel is coming
Dotel is on a rehab assignment, completing his comeback from Tommy John elbow surgery, and he is expected to join the Yankees in 7-10 days. (Source)
His addition to the bullpen could be one of gigantic proportions.
Career:
10.87 K/9, .671 OPS Against, 125 ERA+
06.18.2006 Old Ca$hMoney had a farm...
And on that farm he had J.B. Cox:
Age 22, 2005 2nd round pick, closer at the Univ. of Texas (succeeded Huston Street)
2006 Trenton (AA): 20 games, 2.11 ERA, 42.2 IP, 31 K, 13 BB
Splits: 74 Groundouts vs. 31 Flyouts. Lefties have a .482 OPS against him, Righties are at a .632 OPS
06.17.2006 It affects all of us...
Even the Yankees.
Phillips has traveled home on every day off to be with his wife as she deals with the debilitating side effects of chemo...
They learned last month that the chemo killed the cancer -- doctors delivered the news in an appointment on a Yankees off day, so Andy was there, too -- and they're finally returning to a sense of normalcy.
Bethany, given the go-ahead this past week to travel again, is here on her first road trip. What she and Andy have gone through is something they'd never wish on anyone else. (Source)
We're very happy for Andy Phillips and his family that his wife is now cancer-free. We wish her the best in her recovery.
We're
making great progress in the battle against cancer. Help us continue
the fight and consider making a donation to cancer research. For
more information on how you can help, click
here.
06.17.2006 Cash cleaning house
In deciding they needed better bullpen depth, they turned to a 25-year-old...T.J. Beam is up and Aaron Small is out, designated for assignment. (Source)
Small-Erickson-Long: all DFA'd. Yanks getting younger, better, and more efficient.
TJ
Beam, age 25, 6' 7"
2006
numbers:
Trenton
(AA): 18 games, 0.86 ERA, 42 IP, 34 K, 12 BB
Columbus
(AAA): 5 games, 9.2 IP, 13 K, 2 BB
06.15.2006 Randy Johnson suspended for throwing an inside pitch
Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson was suspended five games by the commissioner's office Thursday for intentionally throwing at Cleveland's Eduardo Perez the night before. (Source)
So Randy is suspended 5 games for throwing a pitch that did not hit a batter...
In 2005, MLB established a policy that originally suspended a player for up to 10 games if he tested positive for steroids.
06.15.2006 Respecting the game
Eduardo Perez on the Randy Johnson brushback:
"I was taught how to play this game," Perez said, "and that's not how you play the game -- unless I missed the memo." (Source)
Playing
the game the "right way."
06.15.2006 The Scrappy Gritty Hustler™ returns
(Source)
Bubba Crosby was welcomed back to the Yankees clubhouse Thursday...Manager Joe Torre has said in the past few days that it was just a matter of Crosby getting his timing back at the plate and feeling comfortable. The reserve outfielder struggled a bit with Class A Tampa, going 1-for-8. But after being moved up to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday, Crosby started to find his stroke.
Find his stroke? Bubba Crosby has a 46 OPS+ for his career. He never had a stroke.
"After the base hit the first night, I felt I found something," Bubba said.
I
think it was a piece of bubble gum in his pocket.
06.14.2006 Unit, Phillips lead Yanks back into first place
Behind
a strong pitching perfomance from Randolph Randy Johnson
and great offense/defense from Andy Phillips, the Yankees moved into sole
possession of first place in the AL East.
Johnson was Big Unit-like by striking out 6 and walking none through 6 1/3. He was ejected after brushing back Eduardo Perez in retaliation for Jorge Posada getting beaned. It is about time a Yankee pitcher showed some passion after seeing one of teammates get hit.
Andy Phillips hit a 2-run jack and flashed some great leather, including an amazing catch to end the game. Andy Phillips' defense has been spectacular. He currently has a Zone Rating* of .902, which would be good for 2nd among all MLB first basemen if he had enough games to qualify.
*Zone
Rating is the percentage of balls fielded by a player in his typical defensive
"zone," as measured by STATS, Inc.
06.14.2006 NoMaas Stats 101: ERA+
Continuing
on with adjusted statistics, we will explain a very useful pitching metric:
ERA+
06.13.2006 A brilliant performance
Wang:
7.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 14 groundouts to 5 flyouts
06.13.2006 Phil Hughes dominates Blue Jays AA affiliate
7.1 IP, 1H, 8K, 3 BB
And we have confidence that Cashman will hold his ground:
The
New York Post reports that Washington is asking for pitching prospect Philip
Hughes from the Yankees in exchange for Alfonso Soriano. "Obviously I know
what our shortcomings are," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. "But I also
know we are better than this. I will try to address whatever shortcomings
we have. Up to date, nothing makes sense." (Source)
06.11.2006 Yanks get swept by Oakland
Couple thoughts:
1. On Saturday, Kevin Thompson hit a HR and drew a BB. On Sunday, he sat the bench. Logic?
2. Five different Yankee pitchers threw on Sunday, but not Ron Villone.
Villone
has a 1.79 ERA and has held opponents to a .580 OPS. Yet, he never
seems to pitch in close games. He's made 25 appearances in 2006,
but in only 5 of them has the score differential been 2 runs or less when
he entered the game. It makes no sense. He should be getting
some of Proctor's innings.
06.11.2006 Amen
Pitcher Scott Erickson was designated for assignment.. (Source)
06.11.2006 Old Ca$hMoney had a farm...
And on that farm he had Jose Tabata:
Signed
in 2005, from Venezuela
OF,
age
17, Charleston Riverdogs (Low-A)
.317
BA / .374 OBP / .480 SLG / .854 OPS
06.09.2006 Randolph serves up his favorite dish, yet again
4 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 2 K, 3 HRs allowed
06.08.2006 Sheff to have surgery, now what?
Our first thought would be for Kevin Thompson to start in right field. He would give the Yankees good defense, good basestealing, and a league-average bat.
However, there is no way that Torre will play him over Bernie and Bubba.
Thus,
C-Money will have to acquire another outfielder that Torre will actually
play in order to bump Bernie/Bubba out of the lineup.
06.08.2006 Is Francona drinking Joe's green tea?
Why on earth is Kevin Youkilis hitting 8th? His stats heading into Thursday's game:
.319 BA / .434 OBP / .505 SLG / .939 OPS
06.07.2006 The decline of the Sports Guy
In a state of disbelief during Karate Kid Part II, Mr. Myagi said to his old friend Sato, "What has happened to you?"
NoMaas' Lane Meyer asks the same question to the Sports Guy.
Bill
Simmons loves to drink the Red Sox Kool-Aid
06.06.2006 Melky shocks the world
His
catch to rob Manny was a million-to-one shot.
06.06.2006 If you throw right-handed, they will draft you
On the first day of 2006 MLB Draft, the Yankees went berserk with right-handed pitchers by selecting 13 of them.
NoMaas'
initial take is positive as the organization loaded up on big power arms.
Our Marty McFly offers this
report on some of the names you need to know.
06.06.2006 Parting is such sweet sorrow
Dear Terrence,
Although you have been designated for assignment, I have faith that we will be reunited once again. Fate has deemed it so. I must now bid you farewell, but please know that I love you.
Always,
Joe
06.05.2006 Andy Phillips leads attack on Beckett, Yanks back in first place
For
someone who talks alot of smack, Beckett isn't very good.
1.1 innings, 7 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 HRs allowed (one by Andy Phillips)
ERA now at 5.27
Remember
when Sox fans were so quick to label Beckett an ace?
Tuesday marks the beginning of the 2006 MLB draft. Who will the Yankees select? NoMaas sat down with Yankees General Manager, Brian Cashman.
NoMaas:
"Hi Brian. Thanks for taking the time to speak with us."
Ca$hmoney:
"Holla."
NoMaas:
"The draft is almost here. What type of players will you be looking
for?"
Ca$hmoney:
"Straight up gangstas."
NoMaas:
"Gangsters?"
Ca$hmoney:
"You heard me, biatch."
06.05.2006 Not-as-good-as-Scott-Brosius wins AL Player of the Month
Rodriguez reached based safely in 25 games during the month of May and finished the month with a nine-game hitting streak. In 28 games overall, the reigning American League M.V.P. batted .330 (36-109) and hit eight home runs...
Rodriguez
recorded five doubles, one triple and 67 total bases while posting a .416
on-base percentage and .615 slugging percentage. (Source)
06.04.2006 Yankees to play Boston...again
06.04.2006 Why are these guys on the team?
vs. Baltimore on Sunday
Aaron
Small: 2.2 innings, 7 runs, ERA now at 9.67
Scott
Erickson: 3.0 innings, 4 runs, ERA now at 7.59
Terrence
Long: 0-3, now hitting .167 BA / .250 OBP / .194 SLG / .444 OPS
06.04.2006 Even Jason Giambi agrees: "NoMaas was right."
While Giambi...has had trouble handling the DH role in the past, he is glad to rest his glove to give Phillips a chance.
"I want him to stay up here in the big leagues," Giambi said. "I know the only way he can showcase what he can do is by getting playing time.
"He
can hit." (Source)
Andy
can rake. And we told you so.
06.04.2006 And now the NY media loves Melky
Did we call this or what?
This
is what happens when you hire people who don't know much about baseball.
06.01.2006 Sheff out for the season?
Sheffield and the Yankees yesterday got the bad news they feared, learning that his left wrist is so injured that he could be disabled for the rest of the season.
General manager Brian Cashman, calling it "a serious injury," said Sheffield's wrist will be immobilized in a splint for the near future to see if the swelling subsides. But he would not come close to promising this "conservative treatment" will work.
If
the doctors determine that Sheffield's wrist is not healing as quickly
as hoped, the next option likely will be surgery, which very well could
be season-ending. "To be quite honest, I can't rule out surgery," Cashman
said. (Source)
06.01.2006 Yanks blow game, sweep
Farnsworth:
16 BB in 24.1 IP
06.01.2006 Andy Phillips starts 3 games in a row
And produces.
7-12, BB, 6 RBI
How
can you evaluate players if you don't give them a chance?
06.01.2006
Kevin
Thompson wins election
Sheffield was replaced on the active roster by outfielder Kevin Thompson. (Source)
This is a move that was horribly overdue. It is unfortunate that an injury is the reason why he was called up. He should have already been on the Yankees roster.
His line at Columbus: .288 BA / .380 OBP / .453 SLG / .833 OPS / 7 SB in 8 tries
He should also be playing everyday, especially over Terrence Long who does not belong in professional baseball. After going 0-5 in Thursday's game, Long now has an OPS of .497. Apparently though, possessing zero talent does not bother Joe Torre. Experience matters more than actual production:
"He's
a pro and easy to like in the clubhouse," Torre said of Long, "He has been
in the fires before with Oakland when they were winning pennants," Torre
said. "You can never discount that experience in my mind." (Source)
05.31.2006 Mussina continues his renaissance
9 IP, 5K, 1 BB, 6 H, 0 ER, 1 Torre smackdown
05.31.2006 Alex Rodriguez is a jerk
He's starting to pad his stats again.
.303
BA / .404 OBP / .554 SLG / .958 OPS
05.30.2006 3 innings, 25 pitches, 19 strikes, 3K
The
Greatest of All-Time
05.30.2006 They bashed him -- now when will the NY media jump on the bandwagon?
Melky Cabrera:
4-6, 3B, 2B, BB, 2 RBI
And that's why you give young players a chance to succeed.
Cabrera:
.328 BA / .406 OBP / .410 SLG / .816 OPS
05.29.2006 Now batting, the designated hitter, Terrence Long
91
career OPS+
Currently
sporting a .200 BA / .273 OBP / .200 SLG / .473 OPS
Where
are Durazo and Hidalgo? Or Kevin Thompson who now has an .841 OPS
at AAA?
05.29.2006 Is he alive?
6
IP, 2 H, 0 ER
05.28.2006 Who cares
05.28.2006 Yanks to battle Central-leading Tigers
05.28.2006 After 48 games, Torre discovers that Ron Villone is in on the roster
The manager would like to create a mix in which he doesn't have to include working right-handers Scott Proctor and Kyle Farnsworth on the same days as often as he has this season...
"We just have to work out a way to make sure they get enough rest so that when they do come in they are not trying to muscle, or overthrow or feel that they need to do that."
"You
are going to have to find another body out there and it may be Ron Villone,"
Torre said. (Source)
05.25.2006 .163 hitter complains about ARod
The Red Sox contend that Alex Rodriguez was faking it when he didn't realize he hit a Tim Wakefield knuckleball for a three-run homer in the top of the seventh that propelled the Yankees to a 7-5 win Tuesday night.
"The guy's got 450 career home runs, he doesn't know when he squares one up?" said Boston catcher Doug Mirabelli. "I don't believe that." (Source)
Home run expert, Doug Mirabelli
"I
was surprised by it," A-Rod said of being asked about Mirabelli's quote.
"Especially since the other guy [Ramirez] stood there like the Statue of
Liberty." (Source)
05.24.2006 
Melky hits leadoff
And he responds:
2-4, BB, 4 RBI
OBP
now at .413
Further
proof that the media has no idea what it's talking about.
05.24.2006 ARod speaks out
"It'll never stop," he said, "until I win five or six world championships, and hit a Joe Carter home run to win one of them."
"I don't take anything personally. I think it's comical. Anyone who drives in 130 runs has to hit in the clutch. I've done a lot of special things in this game. For none of that to be considered clutch is an injustice." (Source)
Bravo,
Alex.
05.23.2006 Yanks lose to Boston 5-4 because ARod HR doesn't count
Citing the A-Rod Isn't Clutch rule (AIC), Major League Baseball subtracted three runs from the Yankees final score against the Red Sox on Tuesday night. Alex Rodriguez's three-run HR was declared "ineligible" because it did not occur in the 9th inning.
The
Yankees will try to avoid the series sweep as a struggling Randy Johnson
takes the hill on Wednesday.
05.23.2006 This is why we're not sold on Proctor
His 2006 stats are not very different from his career numbers.
Career numbers are in italics.
K/9
7.36 (7.36)
K/BB
1.85 (1.84)
Groundball/Flyball
0.68 (0.66)
What really has changed?
05.22.2006 S.O.S
Yanks drop a 4-spot in the ninth, but lose again to Boston. Now 2.5 games back.
The good news though...help is on the way.
Hopefully,
Sheff will sine yo piddy on the runny kine.
05.22.2006 Darrell Rasner should be in the rotation
Aaron Small has been designated as the replacement for injured starter Shawn Chacon. Since Small has lost his pixie dust and is reverting back to the bad pitcher that he is, we believe that there are better options for the rotation. Take a look at AAA and you will find 25-year old Darrell Rasner.
Rasner was claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals in February 2006.
Coming into this year, Rasner has had a solid professional career. In four minor league seasons, he's compiled a 3.53 ERA while averaging 6.79 strikeouts per nine innings.
He's been even better in 2006:
46 innings, 40 K, 9 BB, 3 HR allowed, 2.74 ERA
Also, opposing batters have a line of .264 BA / .292 OBP / .348 SLG / .640 OPS, which is good for an OPS+ against of about 85.
This young guy may be legit. Give him a chance. He's a better alternative than Aaron Small.
The
only job that Aaron Small should have is being a stunt double for Beaker.
05.21.2006 Who's reading NoMaas?
The Yankees signed designated hitter Erubiel Durazo to a minor league contract. (Source)
It
was only a few days ago when we...
05.21.2006 Yankees to face Schilling
Schilling's month of May:
3 starts, 17.2 innings, 14 earned runs, 6 HRs allowed, 7.13 ERA, 957 interviews
Schilling
embraces a dear friend
05.21.2006 Freedom? Not really
Farnsworth's uncertain status forced the Yankees to make a roster move, calling up reliever Colter Bean from Triple A Columbus. If Shawn Chacon (bruised left leg) can make his start Friday, Bean will go back down once Aaron Small, starting in Chacon's place tonight, is available for relief duty. (Source)
Keeping
Scott Erickson over Colter Bean is ridiculous.
05.21.2006 NoMaas Stats 101: OPS+
So far, we've taken a look at Batting Average, On-Base Percentage, Slugging Percentage, and OPS. One disadvantage to all these stats is that they are neither park-adjusted nor league-adjusted. Oftentimes, people overlook that a particular ballpark or league can influence a player's statistics. For example, if a player's homepark is a hitter's park, his stats are most likely inflated.
Now,
we enter the world of adjusted statistics which provide a more accurate
means of evaluating a player's performance and comparing him to others.
We
begin with OPS+.
05.18.2006 Yanks to take on JV
05.18.2006 Scott Erickson should not be in professional baseball
Yet, he pitches for the New York Yankees.
While at Columbus, Scott Erickson had the 2nd worst ERA among Clipper relievers (4.25). Just about anyone else on the entire Columbus staff would have been a better option.
17
games, 25.2 innings, 32 Ks, 0.70 ERA...just another year of Colter Bean
rotting in the minors.
05.17.2006 We're a little late with this, but...
Get well soon Hideki!
05.17.2006 Schilling states the obvious
''I can talk until I'm blue in the face..." (Source)
05.17.2006 A low-cost opportunity
First baseman/DH Erubiel Durazo, who is on the Triple A Oklahoma disabled list with a hamstring strain, has requested his release. Durazo has an out clause in his contract that permitted him to ask for his release if he was not brought to the major leagues by May 15. The Rangers have 72 hours from the time of his request to bring him to the majors, trade him or release him. (Source)
In addition to currently being on the DL, Durazo only played 41 games in 2005 because of ligament replacement surgery in his left elbow.
Despite the recent injury history, Durazo could be a productive, low-cost addition for the Yankees. Over his career, he has proven to be an excellent hitter:
Career
.281 BA / .381 OBP / .487 SLG / .868 OPS
Career
125 OPS+
And he has punished right-handed pitching:
.279 BA / .387 OBP / .498 SLG / .885 OPS
Durazo
would cost virtually nothing to acquire and he could be a steal.
Definitely worth a shot. Low risk, high reward.
05.16.2006 Posada messes with Texas
In an absolutely stunning comeback, the Yankees overcame a 9-0 deficit to beat the Rangers 14-13 on a Jorge Posada 2-run walkoff HR.
05.16.2006 Paul Quantrill, Version 2006
We're not convinced about Proctor, but one thing is certain...his arm is being run into the ground.
Proctor has thrown more pitches than any other reliever in MLB.
Proctor
has pitched in 9 out of the last 14 games.
05.15.2006 NoMaas teams up with the Yankees to fight children's cancer
When it comes to baseball, many of us are very passionate. For a moment, let's channel some of that emotion into something that truly matters. All of us know someone that was affected by cancer and many of us have lost someone that we loved. It is a disease that dramatically changes the lives of millions and spares no one, including children.
That is why NoMaas is proud to team up with the New York Yankees and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center . In coordination with the Yankees Universe program, we're raising money to fight children's cancer. If you buy a Yankees Universe T-shirt, all net proceeds will be donated to the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.
So do a good thing, help a child be able to live a full and happy life. Give them a reason to hope.
To purchase a Yankees-Universe T-shirt, please click here.
If you don't want a T-shirt, but wish to donate to Sloan-Kittering, please click here.
05.15.2006 "It's his off the field managing that makes him so good."
Yet, he feels the need to publicly criticize a 21-year old kid because he didn't bring back a HR ball:
Cabrera brushed against the outfield wall attempting to rob Jay Payton, but unlike Thursday night when Bubba Crosby brought back Mike Lowell's homer to left with a leap at the fence, Payton's ball made the seats.
"I
didn't think (Payton) hit it that well," said Joe Torre, before adding
that Cabrera "didn't get back to the fence like Bubba did the other night."
(Source)
05.14.2006 Why does this keep happening?
Bubba Crosby replacing Melky Cabrera for defense in the late innings...
1.
Is this really a defensive upgrade?
2.
What do you think this does to the confidence of Cabrera?
3.
If looking for a defensive upgrade, how can Bernie be left in the game?
05.14.2006 Torre loses his boyfriend
Yankees placed RHP Tanyon Sturtze on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder. Whether Sturtze is hurt or not, the Yankees are better off without him, especially since Joe Torre has never been able to resist the temptation to use him in close games. Sturtze had a 7.59 ERA and a 2.16 WHIP in 10 2/3 innings this season. (Source)
Scott Erickson's contract was purchased from Triple-A Columbus and he will join the Yankees today (Source)
Hopefully, Erickson will not be placed in any high-leverage situations. However, he is nearly 40 years old. His Veteran Index is off the charts.
05.11.2006 Your new #5 hitter
.263 BA / .301 OBP / .358 SLG / .659 OPS
Do
you have any confidence that The Ringmaster will plug in the right pieces?
05.11.2006 Wrong Kevin
2006 AAA Columbus:
Kevin
Reese: .257 BA / .336 OBP / .376 SLG / .712 OPS
Kevin
Thompson: .283 BA / .379 OBP / .416 SLG / .795 OPS (6 SB in 7 AT)
Plus,
Kevin Reese is 28. Kevin Thompson is 26.
05.11.2006 Sheff & Matsui...now what?
Our recommended lineup:
Damon,
CF
Jeter,
SS
Giambi,
DH
Arod,
3B
Posada,
C
Cano,
2B
Phillips,
1B
Cabrera,
RF
Thompson,
LF
We lose significant offense without Sheff & Matsui, however we would have a very good defensive outfield with Thompson, Damon, and Cabrera. We would save runs.
Also, Cabrera and Thompson should be serviceable with the bat. In addition, Kevin Thompson is an excellent basestealer.
Bernie and Bubba should be locked up in someone's basement. Bernie has no offensive or defensive abilities and Bubba can't hit.
This is an extremely critical time for the Yankees and we have no faith in Torre to utilize the right players. Cashman may have to put his foot down...hard.
Ca$hMoney,
call up Kevin Thompson and then let Torre know who's boss.
05.11.2006 Torre, Torre, Torre
1. Starts Bubba Crosby over Melky Cabrera
2. Matsui gets hurt, moves Bubba to LF, brings in Bernie to play RF. Bernie continues to embarrass himself with a ridiculous defensive mistake which leads to the loss.
3. Starts a non-hitting Miguel Cairo at first base, who also happens to be a midget who can't handle a high throw from Jeter.
4. Does not pinch hit for Cairo in the bottom of the 8th with the tying run on third base.
Chalk
up another one for Joe.
05.10.2006 Empire strikes back
Curt Schilling couldn't defend himself as the Yankees lineup unloaded on the descendant of the Hutt family.
The Yankee attack was led by the best hitter in baseball, Jason Giambi (.314 BA / .531 OBP / .779 SLG / 1.310 OPS).
Schilling
went 5 innings, surrendered 3 HRs, and allowed 6 runs. It is unknown
whether or not he cried in the dugout.
05.10.2006 Bubba subs for Melky in the 8th?!?
Way
to build up a kid's confidence, Torre. Not only does Melky need time
in RF, but you also took an at-bat away from him.
05.09.2006 Happy 60th birthday, Randy!
On Tuesday night, Randy Johnson hosted a party at Yankee Stadium in honor of his 60th birthday. The guests were given plenty of great party favors, which included walks, wild pitches, and hits. What a bash!
05.09.2006 Aaron Small has lost his pixie dust
We told you during the offseason. Aaron Small pitched way over his head in 2005 and we had zero confidence in his ability to approach those numbers in 2006. He will continue to be a poor pitcher as he has been his entire career. The only question is whether Joe Torre recognizes this. Will Small be the next Tanyon Sturtze?
No
more fairy tale pitching for Aaron Small
05.09.2006 The 411 on Melky Cabrera
So he made an error in his season debut...Big deal. We're excited about Melky Cabrera. NoMaas' Marty McFly explains why.
Despite
the error, we hope that Melky plays RF for the rest of the year.
05.08.2006 Josh Beckett knows respect
When Josh Beckett takes the mound in the Bronx on Tuesday night, Yankee players should pay homage to baseball's grand ambassador. When it comes to cherishing the national pastime, no one cares more for the game than this overrated Boston pitcher. Despite leading the league in fist pumps, screaming on the mound, and yelling at opposing players, Beckett considers himself to be the guardian of baseball's traditions.
During a spring training game versus Philadelphia, Beckett became upset when Phillies slugger Ryan Howard began a home run trot after he hit a ball deep to center field. The wind held the ball in the park and Howard's ball was caught for an out. Ambassador Beckett did not appreciate Howard's actions:
''He was jogging after a pop up," Beckett said. ''It's not like I wanted to fight the guy. I wanted to make a point. You look like a jackass whenever you hit a ball like that and you're pimping it and you're out. I'm kind of about respecting the game. Even if it is a home run, I don't think it's the right thing to do. I'm not the type of guy to not say anything. (Source)
In a game earlier this season versus Toronto, Beckett also had a confrontation with Shea Hillenbrand:
When Shea Hillenbrand began to jog to first base on a 3-and-1 pitch from Beckett, thinking it was ball four before the umpire called it a strike, Beckett was furious. He got Hillenbrand to hit into an inning-ending double play ball on the next pitch, then ran off the field, barking at Hillenbrand over his lack of protocol.
"I'm playing the game right," Beckett said at the time. "I didn't appreciate that." (Source)
Respectful
Josh flipping out on the mound.
05.08.2006 NoMaas Stats 101: OPS
On-Base Percentage plus Slugging Percentage = OPS
To
read the full description on OPS, please click
here.
05.07.2006 NoMaas is speechless
If Gary Sheffield is forced to spend time on the disabled list, the Yankees could call up either Kevin Thompson or Melky Cabrera to take his place on the roster.
Thompson, who has been the starting right fielder for Triple-A Columbus, is hitting .286 with three home runs, nine RBIs and a team-leading 20 runs scored in 26 games. Cabrera, the Clippers' center fielder, is hitting .368 with three homers and a team-best 21 RBIs in 29 games.
Even with Bernie Williams and Bubba Crosby on the roster, Torre could hand the starting job to one of the youngsters should Sheffield land on the DL.
"If somebody is playing every day at the Minor League level, you probably should try to play them every day here," the manager said. "We'll decide when we see who that person is." (Source)
Torre
said
that he would play a minor league callup everyday.
05.07.2006 Stop it, Joe!
STOP USING TANYON STURTZE!
Sturtze starts the 7th inning of Sunday's game versus Texas. Sturtze exits the game with bases loaded and no outs in the 7th inning.
This is just madness. Cashman, please make this bullpen Torre-proof. DFA Sturtze.
05.07.2006 Where is Ron Villone?
Bullpen Pitcher / Number of Appearances
Sturtze
/ 14
Farnsworth
/ 13
Myers
/ 13
Proctor
/ 12
Rivera
/ 10
Villone
/ 10
Villone as a reliever over the past 3 years: 3.52 ERA, 128 IP, 122 Ks, .218 BA Against
He should not be at the bottom of the bullpen depth chart.
Torre,
give Villone a chance or you're out of the Sons of Italy.
05.07.2006 NoMaas on location: Phil Hughes' AA debut
NoMaas'
Lane Meyer was in Trenton for Phil Hughes' debut at AA. Here's his
take.
05.06.2006 Pure comedy
For the first time this season, Alex Rodriguez was not in the cleanup spot for the Yankees on Friday night.
With Gary Sheffield healthy enough to start in right field for the first time since last Saturday, manager Joe Torre told bench coach Lee Mazzilli to insert Sheffield back into his No. 3 spot in the lineup, dropping everybody else down one slot.
What Torre forgot to account for was that, while Sheffield had been out of the lineup, Jason Giambi had been hitting third, followed by A-Rod and Hideki Matsui. When Mazzilli put Sheffield third, he moved Giambi to the cleanup spot, followed by A-Rod and Matsui.
"It was accidental," Torre said. "I didn't think about getting him out of the cleanup spot.
Torre wouldn't say whether he planned to go with the new lineup beyond Friday or revert to the old one.
"We'll
see what it looks like," Torre said. "Lineups aren't as important to me
as they are to other people. As long as those four guys are in there."
(Source)
05.05.2006 Damon grand slam leads Yanks to W, but what's up with Randy?
Randy Johnson let up five more runs in the Yankees victory over Tampa. His ERA now sits at 5.02. Other disturbing stats:
K/9
6.02 (8.42 in 2005)
K:BB
3.22 (4.49 in 2005)
Groundballs/Flyballs
0.82 (1.13 in 2005)
Hitters
have an .833 OPS versus Johnson this season.
05.05.2006 We couldn't even make this stuff up
Torre on Tanyon Sturtze, who again pitched in the late innings of a close game:
"I think he's throwing the ball fine..." (Source)
05.03.2006 Unclutch Arod provides game-winning hit in the 10th, Farnsworth sighting reported
Alex
Rodriguez knocked in John Damon for the game-winning run in an extra innings
victory over Tampa Bay. Because all of Arod's hits have come in non-clutch
situations, this is the first official RBI of his career.
Rumor
has it that Farnsworth pitched 1.1 innings with 2 Ks
05.03.2006 DFA Bubba, promote Melky or Thompson
The argument from the BubbaManiacs is that Crosby can do "things." They define "things" as playing good outfield defense and providing some speed on the basepaths. The problem with Bubba is that he can't hit.
What if we were to tell you that there are players available who can do "things", but can also provide some offense?
Take a look at AAA and you will find them:
Melky
Cabrera: .373 BA / .425 OBP / .529 SLG / .954 OPS
Thompson:
.293 BA / .377 OBP / .457 SLG / .834 OPS
Sorry,
Bubba fans. He shouldn't be on the roster when these options are
available.
05.03.2006 Damon confirms, Sox fans would rather see the Yankees lose than have their own team win
"These guys are planning their lives around what I do, pretty amazing," Damon said. "Thanks for caring. They don't care about cheering their team. They're booing me." (Source)
Nice
job tucking your t-shirt into your pants.
05.01.2006Torre plays favorites, costs the Yankees another game
In the bottom of the eighth in a 3-3 game versus Boston, Torre elects to start the inning with Aaron Small who, in his season debut, has already pitched the previous two innings. Keep in mind, Kyle Farnsworth is in the bullpen. Mirabelli grounds out. Fine. Small walks Alex Cora. Keep in mind, Kyle Farnsworth is in the bullpen. Small hits Kevin Youkilis. Keep in mind, Kyle Farnsworth is in the bullpen Torre brings in Tanyon Sturtze. Keep in mind, Kyle Farnsworth is in the bullpen. Sturtze lets up a single to Mark Loretta. Boston goes ahead 4-3. Flood gates open.
Once again, Torre plays his personal favorites instead of using higher quality players in meaningful situations.
You
will always be...my endless love.
05.01.2006 Phil Hughes to make AA debut on May 4th
Former New York Yankees first-round draft pick Philip Hughes was promoted Sunday to the Double-A Trenton Thunder. Hughes is slated to make his Eastern League debut on Thursday, when the Thunder host the Reading Phillies.
Hughes allowed just 19 hits and two walks in 30 innings, striking out 30. FSL opponents batted just .187 against the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Georgia native. (Source)
04.30.2006 Red Sox get ready for Yankee invasion
David
Ortiz (above) running laps in preparation for the Yankees-Sox series.
04.30.2006 Damon returns to Fenway, how will frat kids react?
"He deserves a standing ovation," Mike Myers said. (Source)
Damon
brings a .905 OPS into Fenway.
04.30.2006 Just give him some time, Andy Phillips hits 1st HR of the season
(AP
Photo/Ed Betz)
04.30.2006 Buttocks update
Carl Pavano (sore gluteus maximus) threw a structured batting practice in Tampa and it went well. Pavano could pitch in an extended-spring-training game early next week . . . Brian Cashman said Pavano needs what amounts to a spring training to get his pitch count up. This means that Pavano is at least a month away from returning to the rotation. (Source)
04.27.2006 NoMaas sits down with Joe Torre
In an exclusive interview, NoMaas' Sensei John Kreese sat down with Yankee skipper Joe Torre before Thursday's night game with Tampa Bay.
SJK: "Thanks for taking the time, Joe. We appreciate you taking the time to speak with NoMaas. As you know, we are big fans."
JT: "No problem, John."
SJK: "It's Sensei."
JT: "My apologies, Sensei."
SJK: "Joe, last night was a tough loss to swallow. Fourteen walks issued by the Rays and only 2 runs scored by the Yankees. Can you explain?"
JT: "No."
SJK: "Ok. Well, what is your gameplan for tonight's game?"
JT: "I want to make as difficult as possible for our team to win."
SJK: "Excuse me?"
JT: "You heard me, karate man. I'm going to DH Damon for the second night in a row, even though Matsui needs a rest like you need Johnny Lawrence to defend a crane kick. And you know what, I'm gonna put Bernie in CF with his poor defense and anemic hitting."
SJK: "This is madness."
JT: "No mercy, right Sensei? And how about this? If we get a save situation in the ninth, enter sandman, because here comes Tanyon Sturtze."
SJK: "You can't be serious?!?"
JT:
"I
am serious. Do you have four rings?"
04.25.2006 Ok class, today's lesson is...
Jason Giambi is scary good.
"Repeat
after me, children. O-B-P."
04.25.2006 Mussina tosses another gem, Yanks crush Rays
Old Man Mussina: 6 IP, 7K, 0 BB, 4 H, 1 ER
04.24.2006 Dispelling the myth: Arod isn't clutch
Let's compare "choker" Alex Rodriguez to "clutch" Derek Jeter.
2003-2005 Regular Season "Close and Late" situations
ESPN.com defines "Close and Late" as when the game is in the 7th inning or later and the batting team is leading by one run, tied, or has the potential tying run on base, at bat, or on deck.
Arod:
.276 BA / .392 OBP / .553 SLG / .945 OPS
Jeter:
.249 BA / .352 OBP / .392 SLG / .744 OPS
Huge
advantage to Arod.
Now, let's examine their postseason careers:
Arod:
.305 BA / .393 OBP / .534 SLG / .927 OPS
Jeter:
.307 BA / .379 OBP / .463 SLG / .842 OPS
Advantage
Arod.
Please
stop with the nonsense.
04.23.2006 Bird hunting
Big
Unit: 8 IP, 1 ER, 3 H
Giambi:
3-4, 2 HR, 2B, 5 RBI, OBP is now .530
04.23.2006 Joe, whose fault is that?
Torre on Andy:
"We
have to see what we have, player-wise. The only way we expect him to help
us is to find a place for him to get some at-bats on a regular basis. He's
a big-league hitter, he just needs an opportunity to play...he's not getting
many opportunities to show us what he can do." (Source)
04.23.2006 Varitek pulls a Pavano, hurts bum-bum
Jason Varitek sat out Saturday's game to rest his sore buttock muscle.
He's
been battling that (buttocks) muscle," manager Terry Francona said.
(Source)
04.21.2006 Dear Yankees
In case you didn't know, the season has started.
Sincerely,
NoMaas
04.19.2006 Giambi smarter than most baseball writers and analysts
"I'm
just going to stay within my strike zone. I can be just as valuable getting
on base with my walks and running up pitch counts," Giambi said. (Source)
04.19.2006 Moosterpiece
7.1
IP, 7K, 1 ER
04.18.2006 Randy Johnson doesn't make it over border, Randolph Johnstone pitches instead
The Canadian Border Patrol refused to allow Randy Johnson entry into Canada because of a "bruised buttocks" epidemic that is sweeping through the United States. Although Johnson explained that it was Carl Pavano who had been afflicted with this debilitating condition, Canadian officials would not budge. As a result the Yankees were forced to send Randolph Johnstone to the mound where he was promptly thrashed for 7 runs over 3.1 innings.
Sir
Randolph Johnstone
04.18.2006 OF defense is horrible
Damon has been solid. It's the corner positions that have been abysmal. They are costing this team runs.
Sheffield needs to become the DH and a better RF option must be utilized. Bubba Crosby is not the answer because he can't hit. A more viable alternative is Kevin Thompson.
And
please Joe Torre, stop playing Bernie Williams in the field.
04.18.2006 Phil Hughes, 8 Ks in 6 IP
In
his third start this season for the Tampa Yankees...ERA is 0.56.
04.17.2006 No more 3 catchers
New York Yankees announced today that catcher Koyie Hill has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Columbus. Hill, 27, was claimed off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 6th, 2006 but did not appear in a game for the Yankees. (Source)
This means that the Yankees no longer have 3 catchers on their 25-man roster, which did not make any sense. Could more roster moves be coming?
Whatcha
gonna do when Cash says "no three catchers for you."
04.17.2006 NoMaas Stats 101: Slugging Percentage
Slugging Percentage (Known as SLG...):
Formula: (1*1B + 2*2B + 3*3B + 4*HR) / (AB) ~ the quantity one times the number of singles hit by a batter plus two times the number of doubles plus three times the number of triples plus four times the number of home runs divided by total at bats.
Alternate Formula: TB / AB ~ the number of total bases accumulated by the batter divided by the number of at-bats.
For example, if a player has 1 AB and hits a HR, his slugging percentage would be 4.000. A home run consists of 4 total bases. Four total bases divided by 1 AB equals 4.000.
If a player has 3 ABs and goes 2 for 3 with a HR and 2B, his slugging percentage would be 2.000 (6 total bases divided by 3 ABs).
Babe Ruth has the highest career slugging percentage at .690. That means Babe Ruth averaged 0.69 total bases per AB.
Pros: Provides a simple, easy-to-understand measure of a batter's power potential by evaluating each kind of hit a batter gets and assigning a value corresponding to the number of bases gained for each of them. Generally, the higher the SLG percentage is, the more power a player has shown.
Can be used in combination with other statistics to arrive at more complex statistics. Commonly understood as a fairly important statistic both in and out of the sabermetric community.
Cons: Subject to the same random influences as batting average. Assigns an arbitrary number of bases to each type of hit, even though the true marginal value of a triple over a double is not as great as the marginal value of a double over a single (proven by somewhat convoluted statistical tests).
Comments: While not completely descriptive of player ability, it is still a decent enough measure of power performance and is common enough that most fans will understand the basics of it. Also, the principles of assigning weights to different events will play an even more important role when NoMaas delves into more complicated measures like Davenport's EqA and Linear Weights.
04.16.2006 Beast
04.14.2006 Torre: "I want to minimize the effectiveness of my bullpen."
Torre said his ideal situation in the bullpen would be to alternate right-handed setup men Tanyon Sturtze and Kyle Farnsworth on a day-to-day basis in order to keep both men fresh. Of course, that would be life in a perfect world, Torre acknowledged. (Source)
In a perfect world, Torre would realize that Kyle Farnsworth is a much better pitcher than Tanyon Sturtze. In a perfect world, Kyle Farnsworth would not pitch in a 12-5 blowout and Tanyon Sturtze would not pitch the 8th inning of a 4-1 game.
According
to Joe, Sturtze and Farnsworth are interchangeable.
04.14.2006 Boston bagel franchise creates bagels to honor Coco Crisp, Ortiz eats all of them
'Finagle A Bagel' has cooked up something that should be easier to swallow: a cocoa-flavored bagel with chocolate chips and a coating of rice crisps. The bagel was created to honor Coco Crisp...The limited-time cocoa bagel went on sale yesterday at all 20 Finagle A Bagel locations in Greater Boston. (Source)
Sorry
David Wells, these are for Papi.
04.14.2006 Two outs, bottom of the ninth, tying run at the plate...
David Ortiz pops out to right field. Blue Jays win.
**Graphic
by NoMaas forumer, bmarvel**
04.13.2006 Just one of Torre's boys
Sturtze's ERA ballooned to 7.71 in four appearances after allowing two runs in one-third of an inning Tuesday.
In spring training, Sturtze posted an 8.30 ERA in nine appearances, but Torre remains unconcerned. Sturtze's arm is healthy and Torre believes a couple of good outings will help his confidence.
"I don't think he's in a good rhythm right now," Torre said. "Physically, he's fine and his velocity is good." (Source)
Is it because he isn't in a good rhythm or could it be because Sturtze isn't any good?
Career 5.18 ERA, 88 ERA+, .811 OPS Against
04.11.2006 Captain Tangible
Jeter wins game with something that shows up in box score.
3-run
HR in the 8th
04.11.2006 Lefty
Mike Myers: 4 games, 2.2 innings, 3 K, 0.00 ERA
04.10.2006 The Po-Po
3-4,
2 HR, 2B, BB
04.10.2006 Where is Andy Phillips?
Bernie Williams has a .578 OPS. Joe Torre started Miguel Cairo at first base on Sunday. There is no reason why Andy shouldn't be in the lineup.
04.09.2006 Yanks' O continues to make tomato juice
"When they give you lemons, you have to make lemonade. When they give you oranges, you have to make orange juice. Tonight we tried to make tomato juice out of lemon juice," Alex Rodriguez said. (Source)
If
the Yankees made lemonade, perhaps they could beat the Angels.
04.09.2006 A man among boys
Big
Unit: 8 IP, 8K
04.08.2006 Coming soon to the Boogie Down
PHIL
HUGHES
In
his first start of the season for the Tampa Yankees, Hughes threw 4 innings
and recorded 9 strikeouts. That's right. 9
Ks in 4 IP.
04.08.2006 Yankees to sign 7 more backup catchers, will add them all to 25-man roster
In addition to Wil Nieves and newly acquired Koyie Hill, the Yankees have reached agreement with 7 more catchers whom they also plan to place on the 25-man roster. "You can never have enough catchers in the dugout," manager Joe Torre said. "Ideally, I would like to have the entire roster comprised of catchers. I was a catcher. Tony Pena was a catcher. Catchers know how to play the game the right way."
Welcome
to the Bronx.
04.06.2006 NoMaas Stats 101: On-Base Percentage
On-Base-Percentage (Known as: OBP, OBA, BP...):
Formula: (H + BB + HBP)/(AB + BB + HBP + SF) ~ The quantity of hits plus walks plus times hit by pitch divided by the quantity at-bats plus walks plus times hit by pitch plus sacrifice flies.
Pros: Provides a quick, comprehensive evaluation of the number of times a player was able to get on base. Fairly common enough so that many, if not most fans and players will know what it is (with a higher likelihood of good interpretation). Can be used in combination with other statistics to arrive at more complex statistcs. Widely heralded as one of the most important measures of offense.
Cons: Still subject to the same problems as batting average with regards to hits, but is more likely to be representative of a players true ability.
Comments: By far and away one of the most important measures in the game, because of ease of understanding, high level of predictive value for scoring runs, and easy accessibility on the internet. OBP is based less on the luck of the batter, and more on the combined tendency of the batter to be selective of pitches, get his pitch to hit, or take a walk - either way, they're getting on base.
This statistic is the reason we do not like Torre's decision to hit Giambi 5th. In 2005, Giambi had an OBP of .440, meaning he reached base during 44% of his plate appearances. This was the best percentage in the American League.
If
he is getting on base so often, we would rather see Alex Rodriguez or Gary
Sheffield (or both) hitting behind him instead of Matsui and Posada.
He is more likely to score with better hitters behind him, which would
better utilize his superior ability to reach base.
04.05.2006 Baseball-Reference.com
Last week we started our Stats 101 series so we could help NoMaas visitors develop a better understanding of our arguments and opinions. Our next installment will be coming soon.
We also thought it might be useful for visitors to see which statistical databases we get our numbers from. One of our best sources is a site called Baseball-Reference.com. BR is one of the most popular and complete statistical databases in existence. We highly encourage you to have a look around the site. You will learn alot by just browsing. To begin, have a look at this page:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/schilcu01.shtml
04.05.2006 Torre deals Yankees first loss of the season
If a player has a good spring training, one can ignore all of his previous career results, according to Joe Torre.
In the bottom of the ninth of a tie game, Torre decided to use Scott Proctor to help the Yankees send it into extra innings. As usual, Proctor was ineffective and let up the game-winning run vs. Oakland.
The Yankees remain undefeated versus Oakland and lose their first game to Joe Torre.
04.05.2006 Pavano's butt problems
The
Yankees sent the results of an MRI of Carl Pavano's left buttock to Dr.
Robert Watkins in Los Angeles for further analysis. (Source)
Carl
Pavano waiting for his MRI
04.04.2006 Hello,
2006! Bombers destroy Oakland, 15-2.
Zito
served up a Grand Salami to MVP Alex Rodriguez
04.03.2006 Torre randomly picks Opening Day lineup
Torre's response when asked about the strategy he used to construct the batting order:
"Don't ask me why. That's just the way I decided to do it," the manager said. (Source)
Torre's Lineup:
Damon
Jeter
Sheffield
Arod
Giambi
Matsui
Posada
Bernie
Cano
What's wrong with this?
1. The AL's best OBP guy is hitting 5th (Giambi)
2. Torre has made it very easy for opposing managers to matchup relievers vs. Yankee hitters:
Jeter-Sheffield-Arod:
Righty-Righty-Righty
Giambi-Matsui:
Lefty-Lefty
Cano-Damon:
Lefty-Lefty
3.
No Andy Phillips (should be DH)
04.02.2006 Randy vs. Zito
04.02.2006 ESPN Shocker: Gammons picks Yankees, says Red Sox won't make playoffs
Red Sox uriNation riots in response, fans send back their plastic bracelets that validate their fandom.
03.31.2006 Glass-Assed Carl
The Yankees also shut down right-hander Carl Pavano...Pavano bruised his left buttocks diving for first base while making a play in a minor league game on Tuesday. (Source)
Biggest.
Wimp. Ever.
03.31.2006 Prediction: Jeter sets career high in sacrifice bunts and forces NoMaas staff to vomit repeatedly
Article
on Yankees.com: Small
Ball to Match Long Ball
03.31.2006 Baseball launches "independent" steroid investigation
Red
Sox co-owner, George Mitchell, is leading the investigation. Think
any Red Sox players will be exposed?
03.28.2006 NoMaas Stats 101: Batting Average
This is the first entry in what will probably be a long series. We have decided to take a look at various baseball statistics and break them down to the core.
We are doing this for two main reasons. The first is to perhaps introduce some of you to statistics that you may not be aware of and explain them in a way that is clear and easy to comprehend. The second is to help you better understand where we derive our arguments and opinions.
In our first edition of NoMaas Stats 101, we will examine Batting Average:
Batting Average (Known as: AVG, BAV, OBAV...):
Formula: H / AB ~ Hits divided by At-Bats.
Pros: Provides a brief, quaint snapshot of a the percentage of at-bats that a player managed to get converted to a hit. Common enough so that ordinary followers and players of the game will know what it is (although not necessarily know how to interpret it as such). Can be compared to other baseline metrics to determine how lucky or unlucky a batter was on balls in play (BIP).
Cons: Not necessarily a measure of any skill that a batter has. Varies randomly and wildly based on the defense of the opposition, the quality of the opposing pitching, the park played in, and the tendancies of the scorekeepers to reward hits on challenging hit/error calls. Because batting average is dependent on so many things outside of the hitter's control, determining how relevant it is to a player's skill is difficult. It also does not measure a player's overall ability to get on base which is how runs are created.
Comments:
A .300 hitter (which is traditionally thought of as the dividing line between
a "good" and "great" hitter) may not necessarily be good or great. They
may really be a .275 hitter, and .025 of the hits he got were against teams
with horrible pitching and horrible defense, or maybe have even been entirely
from lucky bloop hits. This is why NoMaas discourages using AVG as a stand-alone
measure of any kind. By using batting average, you're saying a line drive
is the same as a bloop hit, and a home run is the same as a bleeder that
the pitcher just couldn't get to on time. You know that isn't the case,
so don't use it.
03.28.2006 Yankees gunning for the Worst Bench in Baseball Award
In
their quest to win the Worst Bench in Baseball Award, the Yankees optioned
OF Kevin Thompson to AAA in favor of Bubba Crosby.
03.25.2006 Torre: "I want to give other teams a better chance of beating us."
First,
Wil Nieves...now this:
Torre plans to use Sturtze and Kyle Farnsworth in the late innings to set up Mariano Rivera, alternating the two right-handers in the seventh or eighth innings to keep them fresh.
"I still have the same mind-set that both of those guys are in the same category," Torre said.' (Source)
Sturtze and Farnsworth are in the same category??
And then this gem...
Andy Phillips has caused some healthy debate within the organization. General manager Brian Cashman believes he is worthy of regular at-bats as the designated hitter. Manager Joe Torre will start the season with Bernie Williams in that spot. He sees Phillips as a late-inning defensive replacement for Jason Giambi. (Source)
Please
stop this, Joe. Please.
03.21.2006 Already carrying too many pitchers...
...and not enough spots for position players on the 25-man roster:
"Torre
said the Yankees might carry Wil Nieves on the roster as a third catcher
to start the season." (Source)
03.21.2006 Operation Shutdown 2006
Derek Bell on March 18, 2002:
"Nobody told me I was in competition. If there is competition, somebody better let me know. If there is competition, they better eliminate me out of the race and go ahead and do what they're going to do with me. I ain't never hit in spring training and I never will.
If it ain't settled with me out there, then they can trade me. I ain't going out there to hurt myself in spring training battling for a job. If it is [a competition], then I'm going into 'Operation Shutdown.' Tell them exactly what I said. I haven't competed for a job since 1991." (Source)
Soriano:
"If I don't play the position that I stink at, I'm going into Operation
Shutdown."
03.19.2006 Kevin Thompson update
Spring stats through March 19:
.476 OBP / .590 SLG / 1.066 OPS
This
message brought to you by the Kevin Thompson for Fourth Outfielder Committee.
03.19.2006 Good luck in your future endeavors
"After retiring the only batter he faced on Sunday against Cleveland, two-time All-Star Al Leiter announced his retirement." (Source)
03.19.2006 77 ERA+ pitcher & gaming geek
Red Sox baseball pitcher Curt Schilling enjoys a different game. The World Series MVP is an avid video game enthusiast logging countless hours playing multiple EverQuest II characters simultaneously on an elaborate four-monitor computer system. (Source)
03.15.2006 Yanks' farm getting some hype
"Right-hander Philip Hughes and third baseman/first baseman Eric Duncan aren't the only Yankees prospects making positive impressions.
"People are starting to believe what we were saying last year — we're strong, but strong 'low'," general manager Brian Cashman says, referring to the team's depth at the lower levels ..." (Source)
Other articles written this offseason on the upswing of the Yankee system:
Yanks
Farm More Fertile
State
of the Systems: AL East
03.15.2006 It may be too early to say we told you so, but...
Damon isn't a stranger to left shoulder problems.
From RedSox.com, September 2005:
"Damon was originally listed as the starting center fielder for the Red Sox on Monday. But after meeting with manager Terry Francona and head trainer Jim Rowe, the decision to pull Damon was made in favor of flying the outfielder back to Boston to undergo an MRI on his ailing left shoulder at 9 a.m. on Tuesday." (Source)
"The
Red Sox had to scratch indispensable leadoff man Johnny Damon from Saturday
afternoon's lineup, as the center fielder has experienced lingering pain
from the left rotator cuff he injured while diving back into second base
against the Orioles on Sept. 4. "After the game [Friday] night, we
got him a cortisone shot in that shoulder," said Red Sox manager Terry
Francona."
03.14.2006 Why the WBC makes no sense
Johnny Damon has a sore left shoulder, but the New York Yankees' center fielder is expected to be available Thursday night when the United States plays Mexico in its final second-round game of the World Baseball Classic.
"They're
calling it a spring training shoulder," Rob Butcher, the U.S. team's press
liaison, said Tuesday. "It's something a lot of players get this time of
year. We expect him to be able to play Thursday." (Source)
03.12.2006 Scumbag
Boston's Curt Schilling pitched three perfect innings Saturday before ing Chris Duffy in the head to start the fourth in a 10-7 loss Saturday to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Duffy left the game and was taken to a hospital, where tests showed he had a mild concussion.
"The bottom line is that ball should not have hit him," Schilling said. "You've got to be able to get out of the way of that pitch." (Source)
03.12.2006 ST update
Through Sunday, March 12:
Eric
Duncan - .409 OBP / .600 SLG / 1.009 OPS
Andy
Phillips - .417 OBP / .484 SLG / .901 OPS
Kevin
Thompson - .462 OBP / .435 SLG / .897 OPS
Melky
Cabrera - .400 OBP / .464 SLG / .864 OPS
Excellent
baserunner with an 80.6% stolen base success rate in 2005 (AA-Trenton)
.977
OPS in 2005 (AA - Trenton)
Average
defensive outfielder
PECOTA*
projects him as having a .759 OPS at the MLB level
Better
option than Bubba & Bernie
*PECOTA
is provided by Baseball Prospectus. PECOTA provides statistical forecasts
based on a player's career performance. It also compares that player
to players from the past or present with similar skill sets at the same
age.
03.07.2006 John
"It
is rare that Torre refers to Damon as ''Johnny." Usually, the name is ''John"..."
(Source)
03.04.2006 Better options than Bubba?
Yes. Kevin Thompson (26) and Kevin Reese (28).
2005 Minor League Numbers:
Thompson
at Trenton (AA): .432 OBP / .565 SLG / .977 OPS, 25 SB vs. 6 CS
Reese
at Columbus (AAA): .359 OBP / .450 SLG / .809 OPS, 16 SB vs. 5 CS
versus
Bubba
Crosby (29) at Columbus in 2005: .306 OBP / .363 SLG / .669 OPS
Bubba
Crosby's Career Major League #s: .253 OBP / .301 SLG / .554 OPS
