UM, THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT CHIEN-MING WANG

Photo: USA Today

Just when you thought you've seen anything, someone is releasing a documentary on former Yankee pitcher Chien-Ming Wang.

Quick note and it comes from SNY.  Truth be told, I would gladly so see this...

"Wang, who enjoyed two spectacular 19-win seasons with the Yankees in 2006 and 2007, posting a 3.63 and 3.70 ERA, respectively, was plagued by injuries later in his career. With years off in between appearances on the mound, he managed to string together stints with the Nationals and Royals before retiring.

Photo: NBC Sports

The Taiwan native showed persistence in the tail end of his career, despite his injuries, which would ultimately build the foundation for 'Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story,' which documents the story of the former Yankees pitcher."

The Trailer is here...




The Doc comes out on October 26th. Just goes to show that you can make a documentary about anything if it's interesting.  I WILL go see this. I love these types of documentaries about the will and determination to succeed.  This kid has the fire, always had even though he rarely showed emotion publicly. I just wish things went his way.  If anything, I hope this type of story opens the eyes of others out there who want to quit following their dream. I tip my cap to Director Frank Chen. Well done.

OTANI: A RISK OR REWARD?

Already there is talk about next year for the New York Yankees. One of the main topics of discussion has been the Yankees pursuit of the Japenese Babe Ruth, Shohei Otani. Already gaining momentum as the season wears on, this topic can and will only grow stronger. We have seen many articles on Otani here at BYB, and have written our share as well.  In all of them, the Yankees are connected to this young man.  According to this piece from the New York Daily News, the Yankees skipper, Joe Girardi finds him to be "intriguing". 

(Masterpress/Getty Images) 

Shohei Otani, considered the Babe Ruth of Japan, is reportedly ready to come to the MLB next season, and the Yankees are one of several teams interested in his services. Brian Cashman and assistant GM Jean Afterman recently went overseas to see Otani, 23, pitch and hit for the Nippon Ham Fighters.

'He’s definitely intriguing,' Joe Girardi said Wednesday of the two-way international star. 'Obviously I haven’t seen much of him, I just hear reports about him. I was asked today: ‘Could a guy pitch and DH some?’ And I think it’s possible. I do."

Credit: Japan Times

Hey, that's a good question. Could he pitch and DH some too?  I'm sure he could, but I believe the better question is would you want him to? Would you like him out there running the bases on the days he's not pitching?

Thinking about that really brings back for me at least, thoughts of Chien-Ming Wang and he only had to do it for that one game. He was never the same after he got hurt running the bases in Houston. Just me being cautious is all...

A move such as this would definitely have its advantages, but it could also end up having many disadvantages as well. On first thought, it's a great idea, but in today's game where pitchers are babied, would it be a risk teams are willing to take?

What are your thoughts? When it comes to Otani, would it be a risk you would want the Yankees to take? 

Comment.

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @sevn4evr 

CHIEN MING-WANG IS STILL GOING!

Just a small note with a former New York Yankee.  Chien Ming-Wang has signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals.  That news comes from Yahoo Sports...

Source: Royals sign Chien Ming Wang to minor league deal.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 7, 2016

According to YESNetwork.com, "Wang, 35, has not pitched in the Majors since 2013, and missed the entire 2010 season recovering from shoulder surgery.

Last year, Wang spent time with the minor league affiliates of the Braves and Mariners as well as the independent Atlantic League's Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, posting a 5.88 ERA over 130 innings.

He struck out 51 batters and walked 35, going 6-11 at all levels in 2015."

Hey, wish the guy well.  He did good for the Yankees when he was with us going 2 seasons with 19 wins...2006 and 2007.

 

 
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CHIEN-MING WANG HAS STILL GOT IT!

Quick note on former New York Yankee Chien-Ming Wang.  It looks like the Atlanta Braves have signed the dude.  This coming from the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

"The Braves signed veteran pitcher Chien-Ming Wang, a Cy Young Award runner-up eight years ago, to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.

Wang, who’ll be 35 in March, hasn’t started more than six games in a major league season since 2011 and spent last season with Reds and White Sox Triple-A affiliates, compiling a 13-8 record and 4.12 ERA in 28 starts, with 73 strikeouts and 57 walks in 172 2/3 innings. That innings total is as big a reason as any for the interest from the Braves..."

Alot of information right there, and good for Wang for getting signed.

For me personally, I've always liked the guy.  I hope he can get back up to the Bigs.  Don't forget, this guy once had 2, 19 win seasons for the Yanks in 2006 and 2007.  No reason why the guy can't keep trying to climb the ladder.  I hope he succeeds!

What can I say... I love the fight!

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YANKEE INJURY & THE BASEBALL FACTORY

With CC Sabathia on the shelf, the question has arrived by several Yankee fans as to what happens next.

Sadly, injuries happen in sports and happen in baseball as well. As players get older, there are aches and pains and we have seen it happen to some of the greatest athletes alive.  The latest Yankee casualty is CC Sabathia.  Sure, the Yankees think he’ll be ready in July, but I’m pessimistic. I never believe the Yankees. That doesn’t mean I hate them or anything. All it means is that I know how they operate.  They don’t want to cause panic, they want to assure the fan base that all will be fine.  The words  are chosen wisely when they speak to the media, and when the player is ready, or not, we will all know. But for now, the Yankees are buying time with CC and when they break it to the base, we’ll either throw our arms up as if the say, “Dammit CC”, like he did it on purpose or something. Or, we just grin and take it for what it is… an injury.

In the mean time, the Yankees need a replacement. I was thinking about all the Cliff Lee chatter that happened yesterday. There was an article claiming that Cliff Lee will be the Yankees big target at the deadline, read the Boston Globe HERE, Nick Cafardo saying:

"Owner Hal Steinbrenner said last week that the Yankees could buy pitching before the trade deadline, given they’ve already lost three starters to injuries. Michael Pineda (lat) and CC Sabathia (knee) are expected back, but for the Yankees to compete over the long haul they must add a significant arm.

Baseball executives think they’ll have their eyes on Cliff Lee if the Phillies fall out of the race. Of course, that’s a big if.

The Yankees would have plenty of competition for Lee."

What does it mean? Not much. I mean Cafardo throws a ton of names out there every week, rarely do any of his insinuations or predictions come to life, but the reality is, the Yankees need an arm, he's right about that and there is no question need to make a move for a big gun.

But the Lee talk... I mean, we’ve done this already, haven’t we? We do this every season around this time. But this time, it could be the real thing.  What would happen logically is, if the Yankees can get a “big gun”, then the blow of "No Sabathia" isn’t as bad.  CC then disappears until next Spring and comes back in 2015 fully healthy.  Without a “big gun”, Yankee fans get angry and keep asking “What now?”

It’s funny, I received quite a few of those questions yesterday.  I simply say this to you all; I am flattered you are asking me for inside baseball, but I am giving you my opinion, and that’s all I can do… CC will most likely be back by the end of the season, or not at all this year.  I also am 80% positive we will have a new pitcher soon, be it now or by the All-Star break.  Truth be told, we can’t wait, we need to act. But this is the baseball factory we know and love, and it appears that every time the Yankees get on some type of roll, the pitching seems to vanish.

(In Photo: Tim Redding)
We saw it many years ago when they thought they would strike lightening in a bottle with the likes of Darrell May and Tim Redding. That proved to be a disaster.

We tried Sidney Ponson, not once, but twice and that wasn't very good.  We checked out Brian Gordon, who then went to Korea, but is now back in our minor league system.  We even brought back Chien-Ming Wang for a minute last year, only to not use him and he eventually left.

Oh, and remember Aaron Small and Shawn Chacon? That was a fun year, but even they eventually ran out of gas.  It's the baseball factory, and it's all about pitching and if you're hot, you're in. If you're not, you're out, and sometimes, if you're just "there" you're in. But there is no question this year, the Yankees can't take chances on budget basement pitchers, they need to go big to secure a playoff spot.  After last season, not making it to the playoffs, they spent big, even though they probably shouldn't have.  But the did it, because the fan base was restless.  Plus, we're the  New York Yankees... we aren't supposed to ever miss the playoffs.

Look, the Yankees are down. We lost CC, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda. That means we have Masahiro Tanaka, David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, Hiroki Kuroda and Chase Whitley. I mean... really?  It ain't happening... the Yankees will sign someone big... they have to.

In the end, we will be fine, but it's getting there, it's the uncertainty that I hate.  We need stability in the pitching department and I believe we're going to trade for a big gun.

Lord knows we need to... but who will it be? Stay tuned...

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CHIEN-MING WANG JUST SIGNED WITH A CLUB

According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, Chien-Ming Wang just signed a deal with the Cincinnati Reds... it's a minor league deal:

Source: Chien-Ming Wang's minor league deal with #Reds includes opt-out dates on 5/31 and 6/30
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 15, 2014

Hey look, the Reds just lost Bronson Arroyo. They're probably looking to stockpile some arms, and Wang is a guy I would take a chance on.

To tell you the honest truth, I would have loved the Yankees to have given him a shot last season when we had him. That didn't work out, but whatever... life goes on.

Good luck Wang, we always loved you in the Bronx.

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

JOBA THANKS THE FANS EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH BYB!

I wanted to pass this along because when players leave and new ones come in in the off-season, it's a whirlwind.  There's sadness, happiness and I'm not gonna lie, I get anxious. Yankee fans start to wonder what's coming next and how well the guys we let walk will do.

When it comes to Joba Chamberlain, there was no bigger fan than me.  Sure, he was much different in demeanor than a Mariano Rivera, but that's what made it unique.  Not to mention, when he took the mound, he pounded the plate and I remember most those Red Sox games, when the game was one the line, he delivered.

One particular moment I remember was when I was on the streets of Charleston, South Carolina on vacation.  It was the Summer of 2007 and I was standing outside a bar with one of oldest who was sleeping in a carriage.  I was watching the Yankee game through a window while my wife was shopping in a store near by. There was no sound of the game, but I remember Joba was on the mound replacing Chien-Ming Wang.  The Yankees were up at the time, but you know with the Sox, that changes all the time.  Joba came in and despite a Dustin Pedroia double, he got us out of the inning and onto victory.  I loved what he showed me that day and I became a fan instantly.

Years later, we were all still rooting for Joba and many got frustrated.  Is Joba the same guy? Can he be? Well, Yankee fans need not worry anymore, unless you're a Joba guy like me.  I'll keep watching him in Detroit and I'll keep rooting.

Well, luckily for you, Joba has a message to the Yankee fans today and he's asked me to deliver it exclusively to the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers.  He sent it to me after I had written  JOBA & HUGHES: OVER IN THE BRONX, BUT NEW LIFE AHEAD, and here's what Joba said:

 "I appreciate it. I learned so much from it all. I'm so grateful and thankful for the tremendous 7 years. Ups and downs included. It made me a better man, father, friend, and baseball player... I wouldn't be anything without the fans that supported me. I know it was hard at times but I hope they know I gave it everything I had every time I went out there."

Say what you will about Joba Chamberlain.  I call him courageous and determined.  He's also pretty mature these days and I hope he gets out there in Detroit and becomes a champion again for he and his kid... in his own division of course.

Thanks for reaching out Joba.  Turn the page, go get'um kid.

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

SIMON SAYS JOHNSON? YOU'RE JOSH-ING!

Regular readers of BYB weren’t surprised by an article by ESPN’s Mark Simon talking about Josh Johnson. That’s because we talked about it last month in Pitching Fits. He weighs the pros and cons on Johnson, but ultimately here’s what Simon says:

"The verdict: Johnson is going to be one of the most intriguing free agents this winter because of the combination of tantalizing potential and legitimate risk. He probably makes the most sense for a team looking to go bargain-hunting.

The Yankees have enough resources that they don’t need to invest in a pitcher of this nature. They can pursue pitchers with a bit more performance certainty.

Let someone else roll the dice on Johnson. Our call is to pass.”

(In Photo: BYB "Friend", Mark Simon)
Just like we said to do. Johnson is too injury prone and has had a disastrous run these last couple of seasons. Not to mention how many bad puns about his name Yankee fans would then have to endure. Intentional or not.

Johnson with two balls. Oh, he was shafted by that call! Here’s the pitching coach to pump Johnson up. He’s put on a seminal performance tonight, real spurts of energy. Johnson will have to suck it up to squelch this uprising. Let’s see if he can pull it out!

You have to figure a "Johnson Joke" drinking game would quickly catch on. I mean I am not even trying here, you think the announcers will be able to resist? Yankee fans will be dying of liver failure by May.

And just imagine the chaos should the Yankees get Chien Ming Wang! Only thing worse would be signing a guy named Tommy Testicles or something. May as well bring back The Yankee Dandy if that happens.

So anyway, thank you, Mr. Simon, for reporting something we mentioned last month. If ESPN starts running articles about baseball action figures next, I will call shenanigans.

That kind of thing can get you kicked right in the Johnson...or something.


Chad R. MacDonald
BYB Features Writer
Facebook: New York Yankees the Home of Champions
My Blog: ChadRants


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PITCHING FITS

The Yankees rotation next year will definitely include Ivan Nova, CC Sabathia, aaaaaand…

Oh my. Houston, we have a problem. What’s that Houston? The Astros are your problem? Okay, conceded.

 Not to be all doom and gloom here, but just who will be taking the mound for the Yankees next year? CC Sabathia isn’t going anywhere. Yeah, he’s had a bad year. But his contract and fat stats will keep him in Pinstripes. He will be a starter, and one can only hope he will improve on this season.

Ivan Nova has firmly re-gained his Starter status. He dropped his ERA almost two full points to 3.17 from his disastrous 2012 campaign, when it was 5.02. He has been a solid and confident presence on the mound, and has earned the trust of the team once more. He will be a starter after improving on last season.

Hiroki Kuroda will be lost to the Free Agent Pool, along with Andy Pettitte and Phil Hughes. Three Yankee starters potentially gone. Kind of a big hole, don’t you think?

The price to keep Kuroda will most likely be too high for what he provides now. Hiroki has been very good during his time in New York. But cracks in his armor have been showing lately. This is not to say a deal shouldn’t get done. But it seems unlikely. It would have to be bottom dollar, and that’s hard to pull off in today’s MLB.
 

Phil Hughes. Fans have had their Phil of Hughes. They are calling for a Phil-a-buster. He is a Land-Phil of putrescence. Hughes has not been wonder-Phil, he has been disgrace-Phil. His stuff? Not so Phil-thy. I am Chock Phil of Hughes jokes.

So yeah, the one definite thing you can take from this article? Phil Hughes will not be back. No, he will end up somewhere else, find his talent again and win the Cy Young or something. Because that will make us all love him, right?

That leaves the Free Agent Pool. It is silly to try and guess who will end up where. Instead, let us take the attitude that I have been granted a wish to be GM for a day, with unlimited acquisition powers. Who would I select to fill out the rotation and why?

James Shields will be the prettiest girl at the dance, so to speak. Shields has lived up to his nickname “Big Game James” this year with the Royals. He sports a respectable ERA of 3.38, has gone 11-9, and most importantly, has the ability to beat the Tampa Bay Rays consistently. That is something the Yankees definitely need from a starter.

The bad news on Shields is he ain’t going to be cheap. He is easily the most desirable starter on the upcoming market, and everyone will be after him. The Red Sox may let Jon Lester go in order to secure him. Kansas City will try to re-sign him.

Expect the San Francisco Giants in the mix. They have Matt Cain and Madison Bumgartner locked up, and would be foolish not to pick up the option on Ryan Vogelsong. The Giants will be losing a grip on Chad Gaudin, Barry Zito, and Tim Lincecum. It is hard to believe they will hang on to all of them. Zito should be avoided. Gaudin would be an improvement over Hughes. That leaves The Freak.

It’s hard to believe that the Giants won’t sign him, but if they don’t, the Yankees should take a good look at Lincecum. He will be expensive and there is a risk element to that, always, but Freak seems to be returning to big game form. Relocation to Yankee Stadium might just re-energize him.

The real prize in San Francisco is Vogelsong. Bookmark that guy and check on him a lot. There is amazing talent and potential there. Should the Giants loosen their grip on him, the Yankees should wrest Ryan Vogelsong away. He would be the one I would go after.

Ubaldo Jimenez will be available, and he should be left that way. He has proven to be inconsistent and unreliable. Jon Lester should also be left alone. Same with Roy Oswalt. If you are going to go for those guys, you might as well just bring back Freddy Garcia.

Then we have those pitchers who have, at one time or another pitched for the Blue Jays; Shaun Marcum, Josh Johnson, AJ Burnett, Chien-Ming Wang, and Ted Lilly. Stay away from everyone who has ever worn a Toronto uniform.

Except one.

Roy Halladay will hit the market in 2014, after missing much of the season due to injury. But he is on the mound again when most expected him to not pitch again this year. He is doing terribly. Doc is 3-4, with an un-Halladay ERA of 7.19. There are those who say he is old and tired. That he is done. They are wrong.
If the Yankees can get Roy Halladay, they should. This writer has seen Doc perform in Toronto many times.

The man is exquisite. He has a training regimen second to none. He is dedicated, focused, and an unquestioned leader. He would bring up the level of New York’s entire staff just with his presence.

Roy Halladay has not won a Ring yet. You know he wants one. He is straining for it. Doc would be the answer to many questions. Yes he would be a roll of the dice. But so was Andy.

So, were I GM for a day, and given the unlimited ability to sign whomever I wanted from the Free Agent Pool next year, my rotation would be CC Sabathia, James Shields, Roy Halladay, Ivan Nova, and Ryan Vogelsong. I think that rotation will scare everyone else.

And while I am wishing, I would like a pony.

 
Chad R. MacDonald
BYB Features Writer
Facebook: New York Yankees the Home of Champions
My Blog: ChadRants


The Bleeding Yankee Blue store is opened! CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING! Also, follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?

I am not a quitter, that's just me. That being said, there is a force of some kind that is just keeping the Yankees from getting ahead in 2013, and any way you slice it, it will now be just about impossible for the Yankees to get a playoff spot at this point.

Sure, we play the Rays, and sure, we have to literally win every single game now to even have a chance… but no one wants chances… everyone wants the sure thing.  The Yankees are not a sure thing and it’s evident in Bleeding Yankee Blue’s readership. I know what a true Yankee fan IS, writing for you every day.  You are sad like us.

For the first time in the 3 years BYB has been in existence, we have seen 7 writers with unbelievable writers block and a readership that has tanked because of the fact that no one wants to read about losing and “fixing” a team.  We are depressed… all of us.  You can blame Joe Girardi if you want. You can blame freak injury, or Joba Chamberlain, or CC Sabathia, although, I don’t know how you can.  The Yankees were dealt a bad hand since the beginning.  

There were big moments, but those moments happened months ago.  I will tell you this… a guy like Lyle Overbay was a huge pickup and I love Mark Teixeira… but I didn’t miss him.  Overbay was a good solider and he was one of the best signings for the Yankees. Alfonso Soriano was another.  He was great for us in the short time he was here.  I love having Fonzie back!

There were bad moments and the biggest one was an interview that Derek Jeter did after the Sunday game this past weekend...  Mariano Rivera Day.  It was subtle, but he told reporters that now it’s getting real.  He told them that now he’s thinking about his own future in pinstripes with Andy Pettitte leaving and Mariano Rivera tour winding down. That’s honesty and that’s not Derek Jeter… that’s why you know it’s real.  Now, I’m paraphrasing Jeter’s quotes, but the reality is, that’s the gist of it… Yankeeland is changing.

The Yankees still have fight in them, sure, but they're limping.  Is it fair? Well, we have our own feeling that strengthening and conditioning in Yankeeland needs a major overhaul.  We will have a report about that tomorrow here on Bleeding Yankee Blue...it's important.  We also think that with a new season will bring in new blood...hopefully.  Is Tyler Austin ready? How about Slade Heathcott?

How about pitching? Will Mark Montgomery be a future Yankee closer? Will David Robertson? Who will be in our rotation? Chad MacDonald has a great piece about that… read PITCHING FITS… it’s dynamic and eye opening.

No one wants to admit it… but we’re probably done this season.  There are way too many obstacles and the stars now need to align perfectly. Under the circumstances… we did good.  We won a ton of games… but clearly not enough.  Hey, I was rooting when we were terrible in the 80’s and I’m still rooting… but reality has set in.  It’s no one's fault. It really isn’t.  Sure, if blame needs to fall on anyone, it’s lying to us that the Yankees were putting the best team on the field.  Hal said that, but I don’t think Hal really had a grasp on what they had put out there.

Travis Hafner was a bust.  We had faith in Melky Mesa, and we released him.  Boone Logan is probably a nice guy, but he’s a terrible lefty specialist.  We didn’t even give Chien-Ming Wang a shot and the majority of our team… was hurt.  Talk about bad luck or a bad omen, or whatever you want to call it… but I tell you what;  Let’s watch the final week of "the Mo farewell tour", let’s applaud greatness and let’s go away from a long winters nap.  I have no problem coming back stronger next year… it would be nice to have a clean slate.

In the meantime… there’s baseball to be played.  Be it just going through the motions, or really and truly fighting for a playoff spot… let’s do this… somehow, someway.  We are the mighty Yankees you know… even if we haven’t been that mighty this season.  I will always love my team… forever, and I know you feel the same.

Let's Go Yanks!

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