I Have Some Thoughts On The Yankees
We’re two months into the season, sitting in first place and overall things are pretty good. We’ve lost a few series that should have been easy wins (Tampa and Baltimore twice) but overall it’s an exciting time to a Yankee fan and with that I have some random thoughts on this summer Friday.
Tanaka Should Pitch Once A Week- Tanaka STINKS this season. It’s not just a start here and there. It’s literally ever start on regular rest. Coming over from Japan, it’s an adjustment to go from pitching once a week to every 5 days and Tanaka hasn’t made it. You give him an extra day of rest and he’s lights out. So why not find a way to make that work? I would rather have him lights out every 6 days, with spot starts for Chance Adams or eventually CC, then get shelled once every 5. Plus if his numbers get better he can opt out and we don’t have to deal with this anymore. With all the pitching we have in our system and free agents, we might be better off.
We Should Look At Yu Darvish- Darvish is a free agent after this year and after missing time the last couple of years thanks to Tommy John surgery he has regained his old form. With Texas 12 games out in the West and Houston not showing signs of slowing they may be sellers as the deadline approaches and if we are going to trade prospects for a pitcher, we’ve got to consider Darvish. Obviously it would be best if we could get a window to negotiate resigning him. But even if we don’t trade for him, getting him in the offseason would make it easier to get Shohei Otani. Otani is the Japanese Babe Ruth that could be coming over next season. He’s 22 and would look to DH/play the field 4 days a week and pitch once a week. He has a great relationship with Darvish and the idea of having both of them makes me crotch swell.
Aaron Judge Is Just The Best- I can’t talk enough about how much I love this guy. Not only is he playing great on the field and asking like a captain by taking the time to congratulate all of his teammates on great play. But he’s the most humble player we’ve seen since September 28th, 2014. Just look at this interview from last night and tell me how you couldn’t love him. The whole game of baseball loves him, but not as much as I do.
I Don’t Want Aaron Judge In The Home Run Derby- Is the Home Run Derby exciting? Sometimes. Would it be a thrill ride to watch Judge and Stanton go head to head in Miami? Of course.
HOWEVA, if Judge is in the Derby and slumps in the 2nd half, it will be blamed on taking batting practice in front of a packed stadium. The Giants didn’t lose in the playoffs because they went on a boat trip. But that’s what people remember and I don’t want the same for Judge. I would much rather Judge go and get his 1 or 2 at-bats then take the rest of the trip to Miami off. Not on a boat with his shirt off. Judge is already going to end up playing the most games in his life this season. Lets not add this circus stunt and instead focus on making the playoffs.
A Real First Baseman Can’t Get Here Soon Enough- Jesus Christ Chris Carter looks lost. I imagine that he is genuinely shocked when he see’s himself on the lineup card everyday. At this point the scouting report on him is just “Throw it on the outside half of the plate and he’ll swing himself into the 3rd base dugout”. Luckily, Bird has had some time to heal his injury and hopefully ego and should be back soon all while Tyler Austin is starting to rake. In 5 games at AA Austin hit .429 and in 6 at AAA is batting .364, which is better than Carter’s .178 with a million strikeouts.
That’s all I have right now. Have a great weekend watching the Yankees kicking the crap out of the Blue Jays and remember to mix in a water.
PS: I did a contract for a company in Toronto once and lived there for 3 weeks. They wait for the light to change before crossing EVERY TIME even if there isn’t a car for blocks. When I asked why, I was told “If you break a small law like jaywalking, it could be the beginning of more crime and anarchy.”