WHY BUCK FALLS SHORT

Buck Showalter. You know the name because you have either admired him in the past or because you remember him bashing Derek Jeter and the Yankees at the beginning of the season. Read it HERE. That was a confident Buck, a different Buck….a winning Buck. Once upon a time, Buck Showalter turned overlooked teams into postseason contenders in a short amount of time, but is this fairytale over? Buck is credited with being a strategic manager who often outsmarts other teams, but what has he done that made him so appealing to the Orioles?

After joining the Yankee coaching staff in 1990, Buck was named manager two years later. By 1994 the Yankees finished first in the American League East despite a short season thanks to the players strike. In 1995 the Yankees finally make the playoffs as the Wild card, which was their first appearance since 1981. Buck left the Yankees in 1996 when they coincidentally won the World Series and repeated their victory in four of the next five seasons.Right after Buck left the Yankees, he was hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1996 in preparation for when the team would actually compete in 1998. Buck’s first year in Arizona was disappointing as the team finished 65-97, but his off-season acquisitions of Randy Johnson, Todd Stottlemyre and Steve Finley helped the team win the National League West division title in 1999. After ending his second season on a high note, the 2000 season was disappointing and resulted in the Diamondbacks firing Buck. Once again, the Diamondbacks would go on to win the 2001 World Series, one year after being let go.

Clearly, Buck has been instrumental in forming winning teams even though he has not been around to reap the rewards. It is not surprising why the Orioles offered him the job after firing Dave Trembly last year. The Orioles have since reloaded their team to make them more competitive but what has he done since? If you look at the stats, he hasn’t done anything. Last year at this time the Orioles record was 44-81 and this year they are 49-77. The year has not been the typical re-build for Buck that he is used to, after making a splash in the free-agent pool and building up a talented young pitching rotation, the team has still gone “bust.”

Justin Duchscherer: After being persued by several teams during the offseason (including the Yankees), he signed with Baltimore for a one year deal. Since then, he has spent the entire season on the disabled list with a strained left hip, and was released earlier this month.

Brian Matusz: Just one of the young pitchers with high expectations for the year, Matusz has had a rollercoaster of a year with a 1-6 record and an 8.92ERA.
Jeremy Guthrie: A 5-16 record with a 4.55 ERA. He has also been battling with shoulder problems.

Brad Bergesen: Was sent down for the 4th time in the past two years to work on his mechanics and durability.

Chris Tillman: Also sent down to the AAA affiliate after poor outings.
Pitching has been the major issue of the Orioles all season, and despite call-ups and demotions to the minor leagues the Orioles have not been able to solve their pitching problems.

The Orioles made noticeable improvements to their lineup in the off-season acquiring big names Mark Reynolds and Vladimir Guerrero. While Guerrero still has respectable numbers with a .276BA, his 44 RBI total is not what the Orioles expected. Mark Reynolds is still the same hitter from last year, with “all or nothing results” as he still holds a high strikeout rate (147 so far), and a low batting average (.219) but he is still hitting homeruns, he has hit 27 this season. In addition to a struggling pitching rotation, the Orioles also struggle with scoring runs and are ranked 18th in the league, which is also not a typical Buck Showalter stat.

Buck Showalter has had success in the American League, but this is the American League East, and it is a whole new ballgame. Is Buck a talented manager? Yes, but with numbers like these he won’t be able to compete with the big dogs, and he could find himself walking in Dave Trembly’s shoes. Where is all the trash talk now, Buck?

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer / Associate Editor



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THE MORE THE MERRIER

"My preference is to be with the New York Yankees, and it's not unreasonable to have that in mind, because I've demonstrated that I can be useful. A team like New York would be ideal for my age, [as would] playing in a successful, media-heavy, demanding division. Without doubt it would be an inspiration."
-- Freddy Garcia


I've always liked Freddy Garcia and he's saying all the right things. The question is, does he still got it. If I had to line up Colon and Garcia up and had to choose 1, it would in fact be Freddy. At this point though, there is a lot going on and I am not sure he's in the cards. Then again, who really thought they would sign Colon? Here's what's going down:

• The Yankees have made a formal offer to Andy Pettitte for 1 year, 12 million. Andy's working out. Things may be coming to an end in the Andy Saga very soon. Reports are the Yankees are "optimistic" about a return.


• The Yankees are confident and pleased enough with their gang of minor league arms that having them all compete for a rotation spot may in fact be in the cards. Andrew Brackman,Hector Noesi, David Phelps and others all have what it takes, the question is, can they impress enough to get the call.


• Bartolo Colon, Sergio Mitre and Ivan Nova will most likely also compete for a rotation spot, or at least, that's what was discussed yesterday.


• Justin Duchscherer and Jeremy Bonderman are both still on the Yankees radar. If I had to pick, I'd pick "The Duke", this decision would be based on age and his wanting and willing to start for the New York Yankees. He recently said this: “For me it’s black and white. I want to start, that’s the whole mindset I have... I find it funny that people say I can’t pitch in that environment, but I’ve pitched in New York before..." Like Garcia, Justin's actively whoring himself out for a job opportunity and to tell you the truth, I have no problem with it. The squeaky wheel gets the oil and if you can put your money where your mouth is and prove to everyone you truly are back, I say confidence is half the battle. As far as Bonderman is concerned, I don't care for him strictly because this guy talked about retiring last summer. If I'm the Yankees, I don't want a guy whose head's not in the game. You know?


• Bronx Baseball Daily also had this nugget from Buster Olney about the Yanks continually going back to look at Fausto Carmona. Interesting to check out. Read it HERE.

A lot of names, good problems though. Wow, this is the first time all winter I've felt decent about the Yankees pitching options. Are things turning around in the Bronx? Let's hope so. Day 89 Andy... Where are you?

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WHY WE NEED TO RECAP

Starters like Doug Davis, Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Bonderman, Freddy Garcia, Rodrigo Lopez, and Brian Moehler are all out there for the Yanks to snag off the free agent market if they want a quick fix at the back half of the rotation.

Bartolo Colon is pitching in a Dominican Winter League and there are mixed reviews about how he's doing. Colon clearly wants to make it back, the question is, will the Yankees take a chance on him or will it be a team like the Royals.

Then you look at pitchers like Pedro Martinez or Jarrod Washburn and these guys haven't pitched in the majors in a while. Over a year.

You then have guys like, John Maine, like Justin Duchscherer and 90 year old Jamie Moyer (who just keeps on ticking). The problem with these guys are they're all coming off injury. The only name the Yankees have been connected to is Justin Duchscherer, but who knows if he's still on the radar.

Andy Pettitte is by far the Yankees top choice. Reliable, durable and comfortable, but there's one issue of concern... It's January 25th. Ladies and Gentleman, Don't panic. I have a good feeling about this guy, I feel like he's coming back. I've said it before in IF YOU BUILD IT, HE WILL COME (BACK), Andy waited until January 26th before and this may seem like a long time, but it's actually not. Tomorrow's the 26th. After that, well, then you have to start to worry. My gut says Andy's coming back, that being said, it is very possible he's "getting pitcher ready" to see how his body responds to the daily workouts. It's possible that he's seeing how he feels day in and day out to see if he can handle a full season. It's reality. So, while I feel good about Andy, keep that in the back of your mind. Be patient... We'll know soon.

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PITCHING POTPOURRI

So, more rumors than normal these past few days with the New York Yankees attached to them. I like that. That’s the kind of winter I like in Yankeeland, the Yanks spreading a wide net in the hopes to snag someone. Obviously the issue this year is the Free Agent market is lame.
L-A-M-E.

PETTITTE: The Andy Pettitte Saga continues. Still no word on if he’s coming back. I don’t think he is for sure, but hey, Pettitte’s done this before. You never know. There’s a lot of talk about Pettitte being spooked by Roger Clemens which is a possible reason for him maybe retiring. Some say he’s afraid to have to deal with Clemens and his trial. I say this, Pettitte’s not afraid of anyone. Pettitte did the right thing a few years ago, he came clean, you can’t say that about Clemens. Turn the page. As far as the Yankee and their starting pitching, well we all know it’s gonna get ugly if Andy doesn’t come back.

BONDERMAN: The YES Network’s Jack Curry tweeted that the Yanks are no longer in on Bonderman. Earlier this month in WHY BONDERMAN ISN’T THE ANSWER , I stated my concerns on this guy. Injury problems and lack of recent pitching should have crossed im off the list a while ago. I liked him in 2006, enough said.

DUCHSCHERER: Reports today are that the Yankees have “stepped up” their interest in Justin Duchscherer. This coming from Jerry Crasnick from ESPN.com. Duchschereer is a righthander and a starter, but the report is he could either be used as a starter or reliever. That just give you an idea of what the Free Agent market is like right now. You have High priced free agents that no one wants to touch, you have broken down pitchers looking for comebacks and you have no names with no quality of work to show for their career. Horrendous year. As far as Duchscherer is concerned? Another injury riddled pitcher who had hip and elbow problems.

SORIANO: The Yanks were “out” on Soriano. Then Soriano said he would “set-up” for the Yankees, so the Yankees were reportedly “in” on Soriano. Then Cashman quickly dismissed that and said they would not giev up a number 1 pick for Soriano, only Cliff Lee. So technically, everyone assumed the Yankees were “out” on Soriano again. Then it was reported the the Yankees were not “out” on Soriano, but “in” on Soriano. Then, Buster Olney tweeted this “The question of what role Rafael Soriano will play for his next team is very much secondary to what his salary will be. In other words, if some club was willing to pay him to be it’s bullpen catcher for $45 million over the next three years, Soriano would consider it.” So does that mean the Yankees are “out” again? Maybe their “in”? I’m confused.

CHAMBERLAIN: Yes it’s true, Many many Yankee fans like the fact that Joba was a starter and would like to see him Start again. Sliding into home made a good argument for Joba being a starter for 2011. I prefer Joba in the bullpen, but I understand and respect the starter argument. I just don’t want to jerk the guy around, he’s been through enough. Maybe, just maybe, he is a 4^th or 5^th starter for the Yankees next year. My point is, if you’re going to do it, then do it and don’t keep moving him around, it’s not fair. Bottom line, I take Joba over Mitre, maybe even Nova.

Finally, if all else fails this winter, don't fret, have you ever heard of Hector Noesi, Andrew Brackman, David Phelips? You did? Good, they are some minor leaguers who Bronx Baseball Daily did a profile on, including a few more guys who the Yankees could call up if in fact, they don't sign any free agents. check it out, it's good.

My prediction, something's about to go down, stay tuned.

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WHY I LIKE LEFTOVERS

The end of the Core Four is near. The best thing Brian Cashman should do right now is get a veteran, experienced arm locked up and fast. By tomorrow afternoon, or right before Christmas, expect to have official word that Andy Pettitte has retired. At that point, Armageddon will hit this site.

I love Andy Pettitte as a New York Yankee. Not having him there will be a blow to the Yankees rotation, their fans and the team. Let's hope a last minute decision and some convincing from the Core Three and maybe a couple extra bucks gets the guy back to the Bronx for 1 more year.

But if not, then what? The rotation is made up like this:

1. CC Sabathia
2. AJ Burnett
3. Phil Hughes
4. ?
5. ?

Who do you like on the free agent market among the leftovers? How about in the Yankees farm system?

Kevin Millwood- Millwood has had a long career. He's bounced around but overall, he's reliable. He'd also get more wins with the New York Yankees than some of the other teams he's been with in the past. At what price? Tough to say, but I'd roll the dice on this guy.

Justin Duchscherer- not so sure about this guy. He hasn't pitched much and while he was once decent, I think I'd much rather take a shot on an experienced innings eater like Freddy Garcia, even though he's been with injury. Maybe Justin Duchscherer is a 5th starter. Or maybe Ivan Nova takes that spot.

Brad Penny- I never liked the guy. Gets hurt a lot. Hell, he could be a surprise, but I won't bet on this one.

Brandon Webb- I've always loved Webb. At one point in his career, he was among the best. He hasn't pitched in quite a while, and he's been talking to the Rangers and the Cubs, but maybe, just maybe, the Yanks make a late pitch for him. Honestly, if we went for it at a fair contract and he accepted, we check the guy out and maybe we use him as a 3rd starter. At most, Webb's lights out and we look like superstars for giving him a shot. At worst, he's mediocre and he's plugged into the 4th or 5th hole.

I sound like I'm panicking, I'm not, not totally at least. Let's just say I'm concerned. It seems like every year we are trying to fix our rotation. In 2009, we finally did what we needed to do and we won it all. Is it so bad that I want the same thing every year? Come on Cash, It's the holiday season...and without a rotation, baby, it's cold outside.

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