Yanks Go Yard » Joe Girardi

Stewart Catching Fire With The Bat

Dan Dechenaux — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:46:30 +0000

On opening day, the catching position looked like a weak link, or at least an area of question, for the New York Yankees. But Chris Stewart, with his dependable glove and now hot bat, has seized his opportunity to provide the answer. (more…)

Derek Jeter Takes Grounders, Swings The Bat, Makes Progress

Dan Dechenaux — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:37:26 +0000

Derek Jeter knows he must be patient as he makes his way back from his ankle injury, but he doesn’t like it. Looking like a man who is tired of waiting to return, he talked about the importance of limiting his physical activity. (more…)

New York Yankees Fans Play Name Your Yankee

Dan Dechenaux — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:04:04 +0000

Okay, so you think you are an expert on the New York Yankees? Well, here we go with the new installment of “Name Your Yankee,” presented by Yankee Fan Dan. This is where the real Yankee fans step up to the plate and show their knowledge. (more…)

It’s Great To Have Mark Teixeira Back

Dan Dechenaux — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 01:44:15 +0000

It doesn’t matter that the ball skidded over the top of the wall. The result was the same-a grand slam to ignite the New York Yankees offense and help them to a 7-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Most importantly, it meant that Mark Teixeira is finally on his way back. (more…)

The Cure For The Phil Hughes Blues

Dan Dechenaux — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 19:34:00 +0000

Do you get anxious every time Phil Hughes pitches? Do you suffer depression when he blows the ball by one batter after another and then spoils it all by serving up a home run? Do you get delusional by thinking he will someday fulfill his potential? If you do, you have the Phil Hughes blues.

Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

So what is the cure for this condition? Apart from Hughes leaving the New York Yankees and finding success with a team that has enough outfield space to keep his gopher balls in the park, what is the solution?

Perhaps manager Joe Girardi should move him back to the bullpen. In 2009, Hughes was 8-3 there with an earned run average of 3.03, the lowest of his career. He struck out 96 batters in 86 innings, the best ratio of his career. He set the table very well for Mariano Rivera.

But the log- jam in the Yankees bullpen is like the line at the ticket window. There just isn’t any room, even if Hughes could adjust quickly to the move back. Besides, as a reliever, he would have an opportunity to blow a game every day, not just every four or five days.

So here is the cure. Don’t pitch him in Yankee Stadium. Better yet, don’t pitch him in any park that has measurements that favor the home run. Hughes has already given up 12 home runs in 58.2 innings in 2013. Last season, he allowed 35 in 191.1 innings.

And forget about comparing him to pitchers who find a way to win despite allowing homers. No disrespect intended, but Hughes is not CC Sabathia. He needs to fix this to win, and he knows it.

With Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte, David Phelps and the eventual return of Michael Pineda, the Yankees could afford to hold Hughes out in stadiums that favor home runs. If Pineda doesn’t make it back, Vidal Nuno could get the start. To keep him in rhythm, let Hughes pitch a simulated game in the bullpen during his missed starts. Just don’t let him take the mound.

There you have it, the cure for the Phil Hughes blues.

Why David Adams Should Stay

Dan Dechenaux — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:31:59 +0000

For David Adams, some say the writing is on the wall. He may soon find himself with Scranton Wilkes Barre as the New York Yankees make room on their roster for returning veterans. But it is easy to construct a strong case for him to stay. (more…)

Remembering Jorge Posada

Dan Dechenaux — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:32:46 +0000

From his debut in 1995 until 2011, one familiar face owned the New York Yankees catching position. He was like a block of granite, a tough, dependable, well- liked gentleman named Jorge Posada. (more…)

Why CC Sabathia Will Find His Way Back

Dan Dechenaux — Mon, 27 May 2013 00:35:07 +0000

In post-game comments, CC Sabathia seemed frustrated and disappointed in his performance after the New York Yankees 8-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The loss pushed his record to 4-4 with an earned run average of 3.96 for this season.

So why should his struggles not cause Yankees’ fans concern? What indications are there that Sabathia will work it out and return to his dominant self? (more…)

Why Would Joe Girardi Sit Vernon Wells?

Dan Dechenaux — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:27:24 +0000

Joe Girardi’s decision to leave Vernon Wells out of the starting lineup in the New York Yankees’ 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles Monday left many fans dumfounded. In his last 10 games, Wells is batting .313 with three home runs and eight runs batted in. That is nearly a run per- game of production sitting on the pine. (more…)

Showalter Owes The Yankees Everything And Nothing

Dan Dechenaux — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:22:28 +0000

Buck Showalter, the Baltimore Orioles feisty manager, owes everything to the New York Yankees, and he owes them nothing at all. Had events evolved a little differently, Showalter, not Joe Girardi, could own the responsibility of filling out the Yankees’ lineup card for tonight’s game. (more…)