SORRY CC, BUT ENOUGH'S ENOUGH!

It's been a crazy few weeks. Between all of the crazy trade deadline action and the Yankees getting an unwelcome surprise from the injury bug, my head is spinning. I've have been sitting here on pins and needles.

It's funny, I remember the series we played against the Rangers for instance. I came home from work and I turn on my TV. As soon as I turn it on, BOOM there goes a three run homer to Josh Hamilton. I immediately face palm. Fine, it's only the first inning and I get it.

No time to panic but come on! Our pitcher that night? CC Sabathia. My thinking was, it was his first time through the batting order. Then it got dicey. I worry that down the stretch, if CC keeps doing this sort of thing, it could really hurt us.

I feel like each pitch I am watching from CC he's hanging fastballs and breaking balls. It's batting practice! Hey CC....the ball isn't supposed to go in the stands. Ideally, we like it to hit Brian McCann's glove. If not, as long as it lands in a position players glove we are good. I am in physical pain watching these outings though, and I am starting to yell at the rest of the BYB team now too.

So this is how I feel as CC gets the ball tonight.  If he has a bad outing tonight, I think it's safe to say I am off of the CC Sabathia "Starting pitcher" train. It might be time to go to the bullpen like BYB previously wrote about in SABATHIA TO THE BULLPEN? THINK ABOUT IT.

You know, I really like CC Sabathia as a person. He is a great guy and he has so much passion but at the end of the day it's not about throwing out "likable" people and hoping they perform. It's about throwing your best guys into the game everyday who are reliable and get the job done. I worry that that just isn't CC anymore. It is time to do what is best for the team and let someone dependable take the lead.

The Yankees have kept him in the rotation out of respect, and I get that. But now the Yankees are dealing with injury to Michael Pineda and arm fatigue to Ivan Nova, that is a huge blow to the team right now. It's crunch time. It's August....it's time to be thinking about the postseason. Nova may not be on the DL yet, but I have a bad feeling about this that I just can't shake. I hope I am wrong, but if I am not then we are down 2 starters and we have already lost out on the Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels and David Price sweepstakes the Yankees need to think long and hard about this because the postseason is at stake here.

All I can say is Brian Cashman better be on the phones asking about Yovani Gallardo or Jeff Samardzija or James Shields right now. The last time I checked....Dustin Ackley can't pitch. Oh yeah... and he's hurt. Maybe we can pull a miracle like in Moneyball and teach him.

We need to because I am sorry CC....but we can't afford your inconsistency anymore.


   

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ 








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I'M NOT SURE ABOUT CHASE UTLEY & THE YANKEES

Look, I'm all for bettering the Yankees club down the stretch, and sure, Chase Utley has amazing hair, but that doesn't qualify for a reason to pick up 36 year old Utley to "help" the Yanks.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News writes:

"A man who could fit as the Yankees’ playoff second baseman spent last night in Reading, Pa. Chase Utley went 3-for-4 with a double, in what might have been his final rehab game after an ankle injury.

Now, he will become one of baseball’s most intriguing August trade chips. Utley is fading, but he is an intense, winning player, drawing interest from contending teams.

One industry insider pegged the Cubs, Dodgers and Yankees as the teams most likely to pursue Utley before the end of the month, during the period when a player can be traded if he passes through waivers unclaimed (or to the team that claims him)."

OK, but what about Rob Refsnyder? What ever happened to Jose Pirela? Is it smart to add a veteran with a bag ankle, even as a rental, in hopes that he will do the same thing as Stephen Drew anyway?  I'm not getting it... and I'm not seeing it.

Where's the upgrade here?

So I ask you, do you go for something like this? Or is it silly?  Comment. I'd love to hear from you.

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KARMA'S A BITCH, PAPI

Remember, Bud Selig's not around anymore to protect you. You should watch your ass.

I don't care for this guy. He's a dude that makes dumb statements without worry about who hears them and he knows good and well for years, that Bud Selig would protect him.  After all, who remember Selig hugging David Ortiz after the Sox won the World Series a few years ago.

Meanwhile Ortiz had been accused, and rightly so, of doing steroids just like all the others.  In short, something stinks, and it's Big Papi.

According to the New York Post, David Ortiz is not convinced Alex Rodriguez is clean anymore... got it:

"The guy is playing the right way now — as far as we know. He’s having a good season and doing the right thing. I guess that deserves credit...He’s having a good season... Me, personally, I thought having a year off and getting older was something that would affect you, but he looks good to me."

It was a subtle jab, but a jab and to be honest, it's JV.  He knows that's gonna circulate in the press and he knows it going to get under everyone's skin.  Here's the better thing to do, and it's something that Ortiz doesn't do well... SHUT UP. 

No one really takes this guy seriously anymore, do they? He's old, he's frustrated and he's not relevant anymore and so, Alex is actually having a good season.  Whats more, he's helping the Yankees win and actually acting like a leader.  In fact, I don't even remember the last time Alex Rodriguez said something stupid to the press.  He used to do it all the time.  It's different now.  Bottom line, I wish Rob Manfred would do what Selig didn't do for years in Major League Baseball... treat David Ortiz like everyone else.

Big Papi is kind of a douche.  He can appear charming all he wants, but that game is over.  Those days of trying to be funny with hugging New Yorkers and getting caught wearing Yankee caps in the ESPN offices is stuff that was done a long time ago, when Ortiz was relevant.




Well, he's not anymore.

We all know something fishy has been going on with him and PEDs for years, authorities just didn't nail him yet. Well, they will.

I always say "Karma's a bitch."   Manfred should introduce Ortiz to karma.

By the way, big ups to my man Mike O'Hara when he was with the MLB Fan Cave for a great spot with Ortiz.  Round of applause?  Way to go Mike.



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FANS SALIVATE OVER SEVERINO

It was a nice start and an exciting debut for the kid that everyone wanted to see pitch.  For some strange reason, I remember it like I remembered when Al Leiter debuted for the Yankees back in September 1987. 

There was a lot of hype and everyone wanted to see what he had back then.  Leiter would get the win that night against the then American League Milwaukee Brewers.  Tonight, Luis Severino got the loss... but the effort was there.  The Yankee bats just weren't.

Severino went 5 innings, gave up 2 hits and 2 runs.  He struck out 7.  He looked real good, better than I thought and to be honest, I don't even care about the loss.  I'm just glad the game is under his belt.  I think many of the fans were pleased.

The Yankee bats went like this... In the 7th inning, it was Carlos Beltran with a solo shot to the Red Sox 2 runs.  Steven Wright pitched great for the Sox. You need to tip your cap.  The Yankees just couldn't help out Severino or themselves.  In the end, we come up short.

But the Severino debut was a great success... and to be honest, I can't wait to see more.

Final: Red Sox 2 - Yankees 1

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GI GARRETT IS BACK IN THE BRONX!

I'm the "called it" guy.  I'm not proud of that, but I am, and that's because it was mind boggling to me the way the Yankees brought in Dustin Ackley just to shit the bed after 2 games and hit the DL. Meanwhile they carelessly DFA'd Jones.  I looked at my phone at Cassie and Garrett's Twitter that day. I felt bad. I thought, "They're good people." And in the end, I wished them well, not knowing the outcome.

I did write WHAT ARE THE YANKEES DOING?, and in it simply wrote: "I kind of wish we never designated Garrett Jones for assignment... you know what I mean?"

That was followed with comments from BYB readers, many of which think I am absolutely insane for wanting Jones back.  To them, I laugh.  Garrett Jones is not a bad player.  Garrett Jones came to New York in a trade looking for a new opportunity.  The opportunity was a role that he wasn't so familiar with, playing less, and playing when he was called on and not a guaranteed spot every single game. Guess what? With his wife and family Yankee fanatics, the opportunity was right, and he went for it with opened arms. Going from playing every day to not, well, you gotta understand what that does to an every day player who isn't used to that role. You need to adjust and so, sometimes it ain't easy. And that's Garrett Jones right now.  But trust me, the guys a hard worker and a grinder and ladies and gentlemen... he's not Stephen Drew. Not even close.

Here's the bottom line, Garrett Jones is back, because Ackley is a dud so far and that's good for G. It's an opportunity to shine for who knows how long... but it's another shot regardless.  Jack Curry broke the news about Jonesy today:

It's been a crazy few days for Garrett Jones. DFA'd and wondering about future. Guy who replaced you gets hurt. Sign back w/ original team.

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) August 5, 2015

Welcome back G.  Welcome back Cassie. 

Now let's get those Bleeding Yankee Blue shirts on and pose for me!!! Papa needs a new BYB photo of one of my favorite couples!

By the way, it's stuff like this Tweet below that I love about the Jones family:

Seriously the outpouring of support since last week from fans & Yankees has been awe producing to say the least. TY! pic.twitter.com/jzU6kewdBo

— Cassie Jones (@CassieJones08) August 5, 2015

Sometimes things happen for a reason!

Did you like this? Read These: 
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GARRETT & CASSIE JONES
WHO'LL WEAR #BYB FIRST? CASSIE JONES OR LORY ANKIEL?




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THE BIG JAPANESE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

I’ll tackle this bad boy!  I’ll say it.  My concern with Masahiro Tanaka goes deeper than his partially torn elbow ligament...that will or won’t need surgery at some point in his career.

No, what troubles me is that I can’t think of one highly touted Japanese hurler that panned out to be the game changer he was rumored to be before making the trip across the Pacific.

I have a buddy who has bought Volkswagen Jetta after Volkswagen Jetta.  Yet every time he gets one he will complain to me that, “As soon as the warranty is up it sounds like I have a tea set under the hood.”  Basically he is saying that the car is a headache in the making after the 5th oil change…and yet he buys them as if he didn’t have any other choice!  Maybe he should go with a BMW or Range Rover…maybe an Acura or Kia…or maybe…BUY AMERICAN!

Nomo, Dice K, Irabu, I’d say Igawa, but…well, you know that story.  They come over, make big money, have one good year and then the Major League hitters time that leg hitch or odd delivery and tee off like John Daly after 4 or 5 Bloody Mary’s. And yet…MLB GM’s still feel the need to pay top dollar for players that just might not be that good.

Look, I really like Tanaka.  He seems like a class act.  He is humble and works hard.  His spilty is NASTY…but puts tremendous strain on the elbow.  What happen when it goes “POP”?  Then he will rely on a hittable fastball and possibly have to learn some different breaking stuff…while collecting crazy money to be a number 4 or 5 starter.

I am not looking to bring doom and gloom to the otherwise happy days in the Yankee Universe.  This is just something I have wanted to get out there for discussion.  Masahiro is good…but he probably won’t be great…and hopefully won’t join the list of Japanese heroes that transform into Major League zeroes.

Food for thought….

** Yeeeah, Chuck!  Tell ‘em what time it is Bhoy! **




 
--Mike O'Hara Senior "Features" Writer
Twitter: @mikeyoh21


 




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JETER SPEAKS TO BYB READER NICOLE HART!

Now this is a treat for the BYB readers...

Well... Derek Jeter may not tweet... but he sure does speak!

Derek did alittle Q & A with BYB Reader and ABC News on 10 reporter Nicole Hart, and we are lucky enough to play you the highlights of the Jeter appearance right here! As I mentioned in MAYBE JEET DOES TWEET the other night, Nicole and I became friends through BYB and she's a huge supporter of ours and so, we here at BYB are huge supporters of hers as well.

Anyway, I wanted to show you this video.  Enjoy this... it's Jeter being Jeter and it's for a great cause.

This took place in Albany. Both Derek and Sharlee spoke out about bullying and the positive things they're doing with the Turn 2 Foundation.  The Foundation has really become a positive force for kids all over doing really incredible things.  The fact that Hart was able to get in there and get to speak with the Derek and Sharlee is just awesome.

I want to personally thank Nicole Hart for giving us the video here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.  It's great to have terrific readers and friends.  I appreciate it very much.

Enjoy everyone! Thanks Nicole.

 

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STOP! HAMMER TIME!

The Yankees have been demolishing their opponents lately scoring a crap load of runs. Are you noticing that?  They seem to be clicking on all cylinders.  It's nice to see. It's Hammer Time!


God... remember when this was a hit?

Last night the Yanks hosted the Red Sox and many, like I, almost feel as though the rivalry, as much as I love it, isn't the same rivalry we've been used to from the 1970's and 1990's.  It's much different.  Maybe it's the characters they have now on the Sox.  Dustin Pedroia is just too damn likeable.  Ortiz is just old now.  Varitek is gone... you see what I mean?  Anyway, let's talk about the game.

Masahiro Tanaka was on the mound going 6 innings and giving up 5 hits and 3 runs.  He only struck out 3 and gave up 1 home run.  He has not been spectacular, but he has been decent and doing his job.  Sadly, many of us here at BYB are just waiting for something bad to happen.  He doesn't appear to be the same pitcher we signed.  It's strange.  By the way, those 3 runs were the only 3 the Sox would score all night.  The rest of the pen did their job wonderfully. I tip my cap.

The Yankees Hammer Time went like this:

In the first, Mark Teixeira singled in a run.  In the 6th, Tex singled in another and then we started a mini-rally.  Brian McCann doubled knocking in 1. Carlos Beltran then grounded out, but in the process, Tex scored.

Then the 7th came... Zoo Wee Mama!:

Alex Rodriguez singled knocking in Ellsbury.  McCann hit a 3 run homer. 

Then Chase Headley doubled knocking in 1.  After that, Ellsbury singled and another run scored.  Then it was Chris Young, crushing a 3 run home run and sticking a thumb in the Sox eye.

It went like that... it was hammer time... and it was glorious in the Bronx last night.  More today? Let's hope.

Final: Yankees 13 - Red Sox 3

   


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GONE TILL SEPTEMBER

Another hit in the Yankees "August Bad Luck" routine.  Now Michael Pineda probably won't be back until at least September.  Oh goodie...

That comes from Brian Cashman who told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com:

Cashman: You will not see Michael Pineda in MLB games in August. Hoping for September.

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) August 4, 2015

So yeah... who knows if we'll even see the guy in September.

And what was the reason why we didn't try and nail down a starter at the deadline? Oh yeah, we didn't want to give away the "3 Kings".  Got it.  Well, Cashman was always known to be very creative when it came to trades in the past.  Are you gonna sit here and tell me that the Yankees didn't anticipate a starting rotation breakdown that's currently being held together by an inconsistent Masahiro Tanaka and a band-aid and no solid starter in sight?

Come on man... we're better than this. Sure, the Yankees are finding ways to win, but sometimes that stops too. We need to be ready.  We need a starter... don't we?



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MASON WILLIAMS SHOULD LISTEN TO MASON WILLIAMS DURING RECOVERY

I'm old. You'll see why in a moment...

I'm a child of the 70's and so, when I first discovered there was a kid named Mason Williams on the New York Yankees a few years ago, I immediately thought back to the days of Mason Williams... a recording artist, poet and comedy writer who wrote for some old TV shows like the Smothers Brothers.  I know, you don't know what the hell I'm talking about. Well, do you know the song Classical Gas? That song came out in 1968, but I remember it as still being insanely popular in the 1970's.  Anyway... here it is:


Now I have some news on the Mason Williams you know, the Yankee kid. He's hurt.  Not only is he hurt... he's about to get surgery for his bum shoulder.  That sucks.

 According to LoHud:

"Mason Williams is having shoulder surgery on Friday. The Yankees tried and tried to rehab that injury, but Cashman said the rehab simply didn’t work, so Williams is now finished for the year. Brutal timing for a guy who had clearly put himself back on the radar this season."

Chad Jennings is right. You just want to see these kids blossom, and then crap like this happens and sets them back. Who knows when he'll get his shot again.

So here's my thinking. Maybe after surgery Friday evening, after the drugs are in full effect and he's laying in his hospital bed... The nurse can dim the lights and play alittle Mason Williams, Classical Gas on a loop, for Mason Williams... and he can dream about recovery and crushing it next year for the New York Yankees.

Damn... I'm all about the setting...

Get well soon Mason Williams... no, not you Mason Williams... You Mason Williams.  I mean, sure... Mason Williams should be healthy too... I didn't want to .... oh forget it.

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WHAT ARE THE YANKEES DOING?

So yeah, by now you've heard the news.  Dustin Ackley is going to the DL.  According to several sources, but we'll go with the New York Post on this one...

"Dustin Ackley, acquired by the Yankees just last week in a trade with the Mariners, was placed on the 15-day DL on Tuesday with a right lumbar strain.

The utility played hadn’t started a game with his new team, but was 0-for-3 while stepping in during the Yankees’ two blowout wins over the White Sox this past weekend."

As you and I both know... this doesn't look good for the Yankees as well as Ackley.  The Yankees did nothing but get Ackley by the trade deadline.  Now it just looks like a big freaking waste of time.

The Yankees in the meantime have brought up Caleb Cotham, the righty pitcher from Triple A.

Get well soon Ackley.  Bad start my friend. 

I kind of wish we never designated Garrett Jones for assignment... you know what I mean?



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