Nah, they are playing the Yankees not the Indians.They are just playing a better team.
Better?It's amazing how in denial people here are about how good this Yankee team is, and it will only get better.
They're good, but they ain't better than the 'Stros or the Tribe. They've just had the good fortune of two starters with a combined 4.27 ERA in the regular season pitching their ass off in the postseason. One run prevented them from being swept in the ALDS. That's the beauty of October baseball, the best team doesn't always win.It's amazing how in denial people here are about how good this Yankee team is, and it will only get better.
Sadly, yes. Ellsbury got 409 plate appearances this year. Those will be going to Clint Frazier soon. Another 635 PA this year went to Chris Carter and the man formerly known as Matt Holliday. Greg Bird presumably will have a full season next year.Better?
And they are about 13 months from adding Harper. Going to get really scary.Sadly, yes. Ellsbury got 409 plate appearances this year. Those will be going to Clint Frazier soon. Another 635 PA this year went to Chris Carter and the man formerly known as Matt Holliday. Greg Bird presumably will have a full season next year.
And as Chase Headley enters his last year, Gleyber Torres is almost ready to make the majors.
Yeah, I think the question mark was related to those facts being "worse" from the point of view of a Sox fan. Theres nothing "better" for us about the MFYs improving. But maybe P91 is an embedded YankeeAnd they are about 13 months from adding Harper. Going to get really scary.
I think it's amusing that you are insisting that Hanley is an elite hitter because of what he's been throughout his career, but you're implying Tanaka pitching lights out is an abnormality because he struggled for a couple of months this season.They're good, but they ain't better than the 'Stros or the Tribe. They've just had the good fortune of two starters with a combined 4.27 ERA in the regular season pitching their ass off in the postseason. One run prevented them from being swept in the ALDS. That's the beauty of October baseball, the best team doesn't always win.
The Yankees are Judge, Sanchez, and an otherwise averageish offense. Tanaka and Gray are good pitchers, Severino and Montgomery are good bets to do well going forward, but may drop off with exposure to the league, Pineda and CC are question marks. They have SP depth, but can be out-aced. Their bullpen is good to excellent. They're legitimate, but nothing like their earlier juggernaut teams. If everything breaks correctly for all their players they'll be a monster. But with even luck/regression (and their depth) they'll likely be in the (very good/contenting for the division) category. Contemporary rivals, not unreachable elites.It's amazing how in denial people here are about how good this Yankee team is, and it will only get better.
After your insistence that we should give up on Hanley due to his advanced age of 33, you're seriously trying to give me the "I told you so" about a 37-year-old 300+ pound pitcher with a bad knee who hadn't pitched in a postseason game in 5 years? For real?I think it's amusing that you are insisting that Hanley is an elite hitter because of what he's been throughout his career, but you're implying Tanaka pitching lights out is an abnormality because he struggled for a couple of months this season.
This Yankees team is very good and I'd say they are better than the Astros. I picked the Astros ast he start of the series, but said I wouldn't be surprise if the Yankees took it because they were that close. But the lineups are much closer than I thought and the Yankees have a slightly better rotation with a far superior bullpen. I was (still) underestimating them when the series started.
I'd argue that the Indians are a better team this year, but again, it was probably closer than I'd like to admit, and this article made a good case for the Yankees maybe being the second best team in the sport (and a team very well constructed for a post season run) back on September 19th.
The denial about how good this Yankees team actually is and is going to continue to be is understandable, but we should probably pull out heads out of the sand on this. The Red Sox will have some work to do in the off season if they want to remain the favorites to win the division, IMO. (And yes, the Sox are due for some positive regression. I'm factoring that in.)
Where did I insist this? Go find it and quote it. I'll wait.After your insistence that we should give up on Hanley due to his advanced age of 33, you're seriously trying to give me the "I told you so" about a 37-year-old 300+ pound pitcher with a bad knee who hadn't pitched in a postseason game in 5 years? For real?
And yet, his playoff performance looks a whole lot more like his previous two years in MLB. Walk rate is 1.4 (1.58 and 1.62 in 2015 and 2016 as opposed to 2.07 this year) and he's keeping his pitches down and away from the middle of the zone:And yes, it is indeed an abnormality when a guy with a 4.74 ERA on the year who gave up the 3rd-most HR in the league and finished the regular season with a 4.99 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in September suddenly turns into Koufax in the postseason by giving up just 2 ER in 20 innings with a 0.61 WHIP against two of the best lineups in baseball (and we'll never know if Encarnacion's injury was the deciding factor in Game 3). Tanaka had one decent month, August, that's it. Every other month his ERA was between 3.8 & 8.4 so to say he simply "struggled for a couple months" is beyond apologetic.
I'm capable of adjusting my opinions as I gain more information. I'm watching Yankees games in their entirety now where as I spent the season mostly watching highlights and reading box scores (unless they played the Sox). I'm adapting my position as I make more observations. You should try it some time.You now say the Yankees are a better team than the Astros, yet prior to the series you and virtually everyone else outside of Yankee Universe expected Houston to win? Does not compute.
Unless we're talking about Tanaka. Then "what-have-you-done-lately" is the right approach.I have no doubt the Yankees lineup next year will be a strong one if they can avoid injuries. But predictions of any kind at this point in time are silly, because we haven't a clue what kind of starting rotation NY will have next season or who will be in the Sox lineup. Sabathia is a free agent, Tanaka will likely opt out, and who knows what kind of changes are in store for the Sox. There is no denial, just a rational wait-and-see approach. I think people are far too reactionary and far too what-have-you-done-lately. Think back to when the Sox won in '07 and all the talk about how they were so young and talented that they'll be dominant for years to come. How did that work out? How about all the people who thought the Nats and Tribe were a lock for the World Series this year? Games and championships are won on the field, nowhere else.
I challenge the assertion that the rest of the Yankees offense is 'averageish,' or at least the underlying criticism there. If it were Judge/Sanchez, and then a bunch of guys normally distributed around a 100 wRC+ I could buy it, but really, they were solidly above average even when you discount their two big bats (which I wouldn't, that's like saying that the mid-2000s Red Sox teams were average offenses, if you didn't count Manny and Ortiz). Hicks, Frazier, Castro, Gardener, Headly, Ellsbury, and Gregarious all had wRC+ of over 100, with Holliday at 98. The only below average hitters were part timers, fill-ins, bench guys, and rookies, most of whom won't get as much playing time next year. Honestly, the scariest thing might be that Bird had an 86 wRC+ despite an absurd .191 BABIP that is way below what you would expect looking at his batted ball data (hard hitting, not a ton of grounders). Also, they scored the second most runs in the majors last year, despite missing a month + of Sanchez and having a month+ where Judge was a drag on the lineup, so it's hard to see how they are an average offense.The Yankees are Judge, Sanchez, and an otherwise averageish offense. Tanaka and Gray are good pitchers, Severino and Montgomery are good bets to do well going forward, but may drop off with exposure to the league, Pineda and CC are question marks. They have SP depth, but can be out-aced. Their bullpen is good to excellent. They're legitimate, but nothing like their earlier juggernaut teams. If everything breaks correctly for all their players they'll be a monster. But with even luck/regression (and their depth) they'll likely be in the (very good/contenting for the division) category. Contemporary rivals, not unreachable elites.
But if Tanaka opts out and Cashman prefers Darvish to Tanaka, that becomes a lot more possible with Tanaka's money off the books.Just commenting on the Darvish stuff. Cashman will do everything he can to stay under the luxury tax in 2018. Don’t think he’s made that a secret. There are no immediate needs and nobody out there worth blowing the long-term plan over.
Absolutely. Which definitely adds something to the argument that Tanaka won't opt out.But if Tanaka opts out and Cashman prefers Darvish to Tanaka, that becomes a lot more possible with Tanaka's money off the books.
I think it's worth pointing out that his shift toward being more of a LD/GB hitter was intentional and may have been a response to what looked like a fatal flaw against breaking pitches down and a way (especially sliders). Selling out for power may open that hole up again which could mitigate or even outstrip any gain he might see from hitting more dingers.SS - Two guys going in different directions. Despite the home runs, Gregorius still managed just a wRC+ of 107, but his defense blows Xander's away. I haven't given up on X yet because of what he flashes at times, but I hope he sells out contact for power and welcomes himself to the flyball revolution. Didi has probably reached his ceiling and I'm holding out hope that X can still grow into his. Didi is the better player right now.
Eno Sarris has mentioned Bogaerts' swing in a few chats and has spoken to X about it and claims it is intentional and he has no interest in making a change. Still - I don't know how he improves unless he tinkers with it.I think it's worth pointing out that his shift toward being more of a LD/GB hitter was intentional and may have been a response to what looked like a fatal flaw against breaking pitches down and a way (especially sliders). Selling out for power may open that hole up again which could mitigate or even outstrip any gain he might see from hitting more dingers.
The Mets were built on fragile young pitching. This has been discussed in the Yankee forum and talked about by some beat writers but the Yankees are loaded depth-wise in the minors to supplement the offense and the pitching. Looking back at the Mets, they never really had any sort of depth beyond what was on the ML roster and a couple top prospects.The Mets were deemed to be a year ahead of schedule when they made the World Series a couple of years ago too. Players get injured. Players regress. Prospects fail.
The Yankees are formidable, are stocked in the minors, and, obviously have deep pockets. But it seems that too many people are making the assumption that everything keeps going great for the Yankees, when it just rarely happens that way. Shit happens. It will happen to them too.
"Now, these things hardly ever work as scripted — case in point, the Yankees being this deep in the playoffs this year. For example, the Yanks might be lucky if Aaron Judge and Luis Severino ever perform again at their 2017 level. Injury and unexpected decrease in performance are part of any team’s reality. When the Mets made their magical and unexpected ride to the World Series in 2015, it was easy to believe it was the beginning of serial contention. However, the difference between the New York teams is meaningful. Sandy Alderson had to pretty much empty the depth of what was not a great system to make that run. Those Mets were built on pitching, which is more fragile and volatile than hitting. And the financial will of the Mets will never match the Yankees."
Yes, baseball is about the same teams dominating year after year because their finances allow them to work the system in their favor.It's a great, great time to be a baseball fan - the Sox and Yanks both with tremendously bright futures, slugging it out for years to come. This is what baseball is about.
I mean, I take your point but the Astros, Twins, Diamondbacks and maybe even the Rockies will also all be good for quite a while. Maybe the Nats can re-sign Harper and stay atop the NL East as well.Yes, baseball is about the same teams dominating year after year because their finances allow them to work the system in their favor.
Years of Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers dominating does not make it a "great, great time" to be a baseball fan at all. A fan of those franchises, sure; but of baseball, not so much
My guess would be that people are over-estimating the potential "lack of alternative options" market that would actually exist (somewhat similar to what basically went on here last winter with Buchholz), and that he needs to count towards any NYY LT figure being calculated.Absolutely. Which definitely adds something to the argument that Tanaka won't opt out.
This. Also stop this crap about the Yankees success being a good thing. It stinks and it sucks.Yes, baseball is about the same teams dominating year after year because their finances allow them to work the system in their favor.
Years of Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers dominating does not make it a "great, great time" to be a baseball fan at all. A fan of those franchises, sure; but of baseball, not so much
I am biased because I am a Red Sox fan of course. But I think baseball is better when both of the Red Sox and Yankees are good.Yes, baseball is about the same teams dominating year after year because their finances allow them to work the system in their favor.
Years of Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers dominating does not make it a "great, great time" to be a baseball fan at all. A fan of those franchises, sure; but of baseball, not so much
Of the 20 teams to play in the past 10 World Series, the four franchises you mention fielded just four--two for the Sox, one for the Yankees, one for the Cubs. The Dodgers haven't been in the WS for almost 30 years. There are only two teams in the AL, and only four in the NL, that haven't made the playoffs in the past five years, and only once over that stretch has a team made it to the WS two years in a row.Years of Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers dominating does not make it a "great, great time" to be a baseball fan at all. A fan of those franchises, sure; but of baseball, not so much
Not the best example unless you think winning the WS every time you make the playoffs (the Marlins are 1 for 1 since 2001) is a workable strategy.The Yankees have won the same number of World Series as the Marlins in the last 16 years. There’s been a good amount of parity since revenue sharing.
No no no no. These are utterly irreconcilable positions. Where's reggiecleveland when you need him? His old signature spoke for itself.I am biased because I am a Red Sox fan of course. But I think baseball is better when both of the Red Sox and Yankees are good.
Here's a few quotes from you in the ILBBAICLAAH thread:Where did I insist this? Go find it and quote it. I'll wait.
And I'm talking about Tanaka, not Sabathia here. You can tell because I used the name "Tanaka." Not "Sabathia."
I'm capable of adjusting my opinions as I gain more information. I'm watching Yankees games in their entirety now where as I spent the season mostly watching highlights and reading box scores (unless they played the Sox). I'm adapting my position as I make more observations. You should try it some time.
Unless we're talking about Tanaka. Then "what-have-you-done-lately" is the right approach.
To me pro sports is great when the Yanks, Lakers, Habs, Cowboys, Dolphins(I'm old school) stink!!!I am biased because I am a Red Sox fan of course. But I think baseball is better when both of the Red Sox and Yankees are good.
Yes well I can appreciate that sentiment too!To me pro sports is great when the Yanks, Lakers, Habs, Cowboys, Dolphins(I'm old school) stink!!!
Here's a few quotes from you in the ILBBAICLAAH thread:
Or even "Players who cannot stay healthy are not guaranteed an every day job and by platooning him, we hope to keep him healthy enough to have a season more in line with his true talent level which will help him the next time he hits the free agent market."
"And no, health doesn't excuse away the lack of production in two of his three years in Boston because there is no reason to assume he will be healthy going forward."
He can't stay on the field, and his bat hasn't been elite for quite a few years, even when he's healthy.
No matter how you slice it, he's an above average, not elite hitter, and he's hugely injury prone.
I didn't say he was injury prone because he was old, I said he was injury prone, period. He is. That is not an opinion. It is an objective assessment based on the fact that he can't stay on the field. Again, about 121 games per season. That's not a healthy player. That's not someone you count on to avoid injury and play to his full potential.The guy hurt his shoulder in 2015 slamming into a wall while playing a position he shouldn't have been playing. If he had been DH'ing or playing 1B to start that season, he would likely have played 45-50 more games. That was anything but an age-related injury.
He averages about 121 games per season. How many games he played last year (while hurt enough to be a mediocre hitter, by the way... he shouldn't have been on the field all year) does not trump the last 7 years.Last year he ranked 43rd in PA's among all players in the league, hardly the sign of somebody who "can't stay on the field". And again, big difference when we are talking DH as opposed to position player.
So Tanaka's a crappy pitcher because he struggled outside of August, but his performance in the post season is... what?I made the comment that the Yankees have gotten this far because BOTH Sabathia and Tanaka have pitched their asses off, something that nobody had good reason to expect after watching their performances throughout the season. I brought up Tanaka's September to prove it wasn't just an early-season funk, he was mediocre to horrible throughout the season except August. If he had done in September what he's doing now, his dominating the two best teams in the league obviously would have been less of a surprise. But that's simply not the case. I never said it was due to luck, those are your words not mine.
Yes, because that's the same thing. You've established that you aren't worth the effort of replying to at this point, so I'm not just done with this conversation. I'm done with you.You adjust your opinion and adapt your position? So basically you always go with the current frontrunner? So did you adjust your opinion of the Yankee offense way down after they batted .201/.289/.356 in the ALDS? Did you adjust your opinion of Judge way down after he went 1-for-20 with 16K's in the ALDS? I'm guessing you did on both counts, until around 3 days ago.