WHAT THE HECK'S GOING ON WITH TANAKA?

What is going on with our ace, Masahiro Tanaka? Seriously.

Photo: NJ.com

That question is being asked from us, the fans and goes all the way up to Hal Steinbrenner. The Yankee ace has looked anywhere from a starter for Appalachian League Pulaski to a bonafide ace in Major League Baseball.  Tanaka is better than that, and many fans are truly frustrated by the whole thing.

Ron Sachs/CNP

The New York Post wrote about Tanaka in detail, and states that Tanaka's struggles can be traced to one simple ingredient.

"Those who believe Masahiro Tanaka, in the worst skid of his Yankees career, can be fixed by overhauling every aspect of the struggling right-hander’s game should save their thinking cells. the man with the most knowledge of the former Yankees ace says not to expect massive changes in what Tanaka does on the mound and in bullpen sessions in between starts.

Tanaka isn’t going to adjust his feet differently on the mound. He isn’t going to start throwing sidearm. Nor is he going to alter his upper body during the windup.

'This is no rebuild, it’s consistency and it’s going to be a process to get him back to being consistent,’ pitching coach Larry Rothschild..."

And in the end, it was evident last night.  Nothing happened. No adjustments, just him trying to work out of his funk. And guess what? It didn't work. Tanaka gave up 5 hits and 5 runs and 3 homers and the Yankee Universe groaned.

Whether it's the much talked about partial tear of his UCL or just some minor tweak, they need to figure out something pretty soon. With an ERA of 6.55, only Tommy Layne and Giovanny Gallegos have a higher ERA.

Tanaka insists it has nothing to do with injury and sure Larry Rothschild's insist it's merely consistency. But I insist they need to come to a conclusion and figure it out fast.

Boston's 1 game out, folks.  It's no joke now.



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

JOE BLOWS AN O'S SWEEP

Photo: Getty Images

It's always nice to win a series,  but a sweep is always better.  And Joe Girardi out managed himself and his team right out of one Sunday, as well as out of sole possession of first place in the division.

Hate to be the fly in the ointment here, and if you want to read about how wonderful the team is doing and what a grand first month they've had, there's plenty of that joy juice to imbibe from other sources.

But I wrote a month before Opening Day  "Joe's resistance to change is looking more and more like the biggest weakness on the Yankees lineup card." And we all saw an example of it booting a winnable game that could've left  the Bombers two games up in the East instead of tied.

Photo: Getty Images

Going into a game he said he'd already decided he wouldn't use Adam Warren, his chief longman, or Tommy Layne due to their usage the previous day, Joe proceeded to manage his bullpen precisely as he always does -- which is to say, excessively, slavishly following his usual binder formula and, not all that unpredictably, ran short of pitchers when the team managed to tie the score 4-4 in the bottom of the 9th on a two-run double by Sir Didi.

Photo: Getty Images

This embarrassing eventuality -- one that Joe conceded in the post-game presser he didn't see coming until he sent Dellin Betances into the game for his usual 8th-inning-bases-clear outing   --  prompted him to park Bryan Mitchell, the last pitcher standing in the 9th, at first base -- a position he'd never played before and losing the team the DH in the process -- so Aroldis Chapman could come in and pitch the 10th.

About an hour later, following a not so clean inning by Chapman and a bases-loaded-nobody-scores inning from the offense,   Mitchell  traded his first baseman's glove for his 6.35 ERA and returned to the mound in the 11th to cough up three runs and the game.

Photo: Getty Images

Now, you could blame Mitchell if you wanted to be mean. Or you could blame bad situational hitting by Castro and Judge at the end for failing to get the go-ahead run in -- but you'd be blaming the two guys who scored the tying runs to send it into extras in the first place, so you'd only look silly.

No, this one's on Joe and his binder who both decided it was business as usual, first when starter Jordan Montgomery who had been cruising for five innings opened the 6th with two walks. Joe and his binder decided  that Jonathan Holder -- the guy with the highest WHIP available in the pen -- was the right man to bring in with the tying and go-ahead runs already on base with no outs.

Two batters later, the NY lead was gone for good as Joe's  bullpen-by-numbers approach came in for a savaging from  fans across social media , led by YES analyst and Yankee announcer David Cone who couldn't believe what he was seeing when Holder came into the game. He rightly wouldn't stop howling  about it the rest of the game, spotlighting each new high-paid  reliever who soon followed to face empty bases and minimum batters to earn their paychecks. Throughout his manifesto,  Cone was met online by a hail of supportive baseball fans, researchers, sabermetricians and statisticians -- including YES's own James Smyth -- who kept posting metrics and stats supporting his point, as if they were even needed.

Whether Joe can be called clever for his  Waxahachie Swap that left an overwhelmed and over matched Mitchell pitching two innings separated by an hour spent awkwardly fielding an unfamiliar position before an anxious crowd and then desperately trying to stay loose as his team tried and failed to pull off a protracted comeback win is a matter of opinion.

According to him, he had no other choice, which of course would make him desperate not clever. Either way, though, he's full of baloney. He had other choices.

Mitchell could've just kept right on pitching until the Yankees got the lead, and then Joe could've brought in Chapman. It was a home game. There was no need to rush in Aroldis. In fact, it was the bottom of the order he faced. Joe could've let Mitchell pitch two innings, then pulled his swapadeedo so his high heat guy could face the top of the order and then brought Mitchell back from first base. Now, THAT would've been clever, we wouldn't have lost the DH an inning sooner than we did and maybe Mitchell doesn't get shelled quite so badly.  Or Chapman could've even pitched two innings. Heck, he's done it before and has said he'd be happy to do it again.

Or perhaps, like Coney opined, Clippard or Betances could've come in when the game was really on the line -- with two on and nobody out in the sixth -- when the game was actually decided.

That's not just Coney's and my opinion either.

"It was a wonder why Girardi turned to Holder, a rookie who entered the day giving up 12.9 hits per nine innings, when strikeout artist Dellin Betances was available," wrote NJ.com's Brendan Kuty.  "Instead, Girardi went to Betances in the eighth, with his team down two runs. Girardi also went to more accomplished relievers Tyler Clippard and Mitchell later in the game. Holder's choke job erased the 2-1 advantage..."

Make no mistake: This Yankee team has been  all kinds of awesome so far because of the players. Period.

On Sunday, the players did enough to win. Joe and his binder were the ones who struck out.

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore

THE YANKEES' WBC CONTINGENT IS ALIVE & WELL

Logan Bowles / USA TODAY Sports

As much as I'm down on the whole concept of the World Baseball Classic and wish the Yankees didn't participate, the fact remains six went. And while their reps in such a competition carry both greater risk and less value than the more controlled environment of spring games where they could be focusing on ironing out weaknesses and expanding their toolbox, it was very helpful to see NJ.com's Randy Miller provide a summary progress report this week on how they're all doing.

Koji Sasahara, The Associated Press

(Thankfully, no injuries appear in his report, unlike those on some other MLB contingents.)

"Dellin Betances, DR reliever

WBC stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 games, 2 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 2 K, 3 BB...

Didi Gregorius, DH, Netherlands

WBC stats: .348 average, 23 AB, 8 hits, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, 0 K, 5 games...

Tyler Clippard, USA reliever

WBC stats: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 games, 3 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 5 K, 1 BB...

Tommy Layne, Italy reliever

WBC stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 games, 3.1 IP, 4 hits, 0 runs, 4 K, 3 BB...

Donovan Solano, Colombia 2B

WBC stats: .267 average, 14 AB, 3 hits, 2 RBIs, 4 K, 3 games...

Giovanny Gallegos, Mexico RHP

WBC stats: 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1 game, 2 IP, 4 hits, 1 run, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 K, 0 BB..."

All but Solano are on the Yankees 40-man roster and are either starters or have an excellent chance to see playing time in the Bronx this season.

Gallegos has been optioned to Scranton-Wilkes Barre and will start the season with the Triple A RailRiders.

Solano, who was outrighted off the 40-man roster last winter following an impressive September call-up replacing an injured Starlin Castro and was re-signed to a minor league deal, is one of 15 infielders remaining on the spring camp roster after Wednesday's roster cuts.

Good stuff. I had to share it! Enjoy!

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore

NO TALK OF A TANAKA EXTENSION

Source: Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images North America

Perhaps we are a bit pre-mature in this whole Masahiro Tanaka contract extension talk but nevertheless it is news.  Both NJ.com and The New York Daily News are reporting that Tanaka will have some deciding to do at the end of next season.  "The Yankees won't discuss a contract extension with Tanaka this season, Cashman said. The 28-year-old righty, who finished in eighth in the 2016 American League Cy Young vote, can opt out of his deal and test free agency after next season."

Source: Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images North America

If he pitches well, there may be a story.  If he doesn't pitch well, there may be no story.  But right now, Brian Cashman is speculating and it could be nothing than just some mindless chatter.  "We made a significant investment and he was a Cy Young award candidate last season and we certainly hope he does again," Cashman said. "But at this stage, we've had no discussions internally to pursue any type of extension."

Source: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America

 Frankly, I don't blame Cashman.  

Tanaka was too expensive and has too many innings in him for a mere 28-year-old starting pitcher.  He's been injured which affects his longevity in the big leagues where pitchers have a shorter life-span than big name hitters.  "In 2014, Tanaka suffered a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament. If it tears further, he will likely need Tommy John surgery. The procedure typically ices pitchers for between 14 and 18 months," reports NJ.com.

Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America

Let's not forget that Tanaka may want to move closer to home as we reported last week in our piece TANAKA'S LAST STAND.  But with the present right in front of him, Tanaka has to focus on conditioning for a strong season, one where he anchors the Yankee pitching staff and leaves the game in the capable hands of what is being touted one of the best bull pens in the game. "To combat the lack of proven arms in the rotation, Cashman bolstered the bullpen, bringing back Aroldis Chapman and adding him to a solid back-end that already featured Dellin Betances and Tyler Clippard. Tommy Layne (3.63 ERA, 44.2 IP) will be relied upon as a left-handed option," reports The New York Daily News.

Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

But for right now, there is not talk of a Tanaka extension and we will have to wait and see if he has done enough to ready himself for a strong spring and an equally strong summer in 2017.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

MENTORING YOUTH & VYING FOR A PLAYOFF SPOT

It is very difficult to manage two very different initiatives at the same time.  When it comes to the 2016 New York Yankees, that is just what is happening.  They are mentoring youth and vying for a playoff spot at the same time.  It isn't easy to do but it is happening and with some success.

According to Fox Sports, "Now, the Yankees appear ready for the future. Combine the prospects that the Yankees got at the deadline with the prospects they have now, as well as the youth already in the majors, and they appear ready for the next six to seven years. It all starts in 2017, and it will be interesting to see the youth movement begin to develop into a dynamic combination." But what if it starts now, in 2016?  "We're in 'win today' mode,'' said Girardi, whose team is 3-1/2 games back in the race for the second AL wild-card spot. "It's just kind of where we are right now," reports ESPN on Tuesday.  So we have the youth and the will to win, so could it really happen?

The young guys are battling in the field, behind the plate and in the batter's box.  Guys like Tyler Austin are making their mark with clutch hits and a home run when we needed it last night.  Gary Sanchez is not only lethal with a bat in his hand but behind the plate as well, gunning out wanna-be base stealers.  Luis Cessa is looking good on the mound and the Yankees announced that Triple A pitcher called up at the end of the month, Bryan Mitchell will take the mound against the Jays in their final battle at the stadium tonight.  I am also loving that Tommy Layne is kicking some butt in the bull pen after being released by the Red Sox.

The Baby Bombers combined with some revived veteran energy are some how making some noise late in the season.  What was supposed to be an opportunity to give young players some major league experience is turning into a full out, we aren't done yet push to the playoff finish line.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




 

BLAKE PARKER JUST GOT SIGNED

Yanks are making moves by picking player up off waivers.  This morning we reported the Yankees signed Tommy Layne.  Read WE GOT TOMMY LAYNE... HERE WE GO! for more on that. Well, there's now more...

Now it appears we got Blake Parker.  MLB Trade Rumors writes: "The Yankees have announced that they’ve claimed righty Blake Parker from the Mariners.... The Mariners designated Parker for assignment when they acquired Arquimedes Caminero from the Pirates over the weekend. Parker has only pitched one inning in the big leagues this season, but he’s had a very impressive campaign in Triple-A, posting a 2.72 ERA, 12.7 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 39 2/3 innings for Tacoma."

So there you go...

I love offering celebration GIFs...

Sarcasm can be fun. 

WE GOT TOMMY LAYNE... HERE WE GO!

 Small note, but just wanted to keep you in the loop on recent roster moves by our beloved New York Yankees.  We signed lefty pitcher Tommy Layne... I know... AREN'T YOU LIKE SO EXCITED!

MLB Trade Rumors writes: "The Yankees have announced that they’ve signed lefty Tommy Layne to a big-league contract. The signing will require a 25-man roster move, which has yet to be announced."

Jared Diamond tweeted this:

The Yankees have signed lefty pitcher Tommy Layne to a contract. He will be in uniform tonight.

— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) August 9, 2016

Tommy Layne, the newest member of the Yankees, has a 3.21 ERA in 168 career games with San Diego and Boston. Was recently DFA by the Red Sox

— Jared Diamond (@jareddiamond) August 9, 2016

Diamond works for the Wall Street Journal.

And there you have it. Tommy Layne folks.

I know... I can hardly contain myself either...