2007 Playoffs News

[TonyStarks]

According to NY Daily News:

Ian Kennedy's bad back will keep him off the roster for the first round of the playoffs, but Torre didn't rule out the possibility of using the 22-year-old if the Yankees advance deeper into the postseason. Kennedy hasn't pitched since Sept. 13, although he will likely throw on flat ground today to test his back.

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I gotta admit, that's tough news to hear.
I thought that Kennedy would have been able to pitch out of the pen and be a long man.

[TonyStarks]

(From Daily News today)

Torre said he will likely use Johnny Damon in left field over Hideki Matsui - who would be the designated hitter - in the postseason. The Yankees are 21-8 in Damon's 29 starts in left, and Torre thinks Damon's rested legs will be a better option in the outfield than Matsui and his banged up knees.

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I like what I've seen from Damon in LF.
Granted, Bernie Williams probably has a better arm than Damon right now...but Damon is playing very good defense!

[DoubleX]

Tough break with Kennedy, but I'm glad to hear that the team was actually considering Kennedy in relief. I assume in the first round at least, we could see Mussina and Hughes in the pen. My gut says that Hughes in particular could be great out of the pen, but then again he seems to struggle most early in games and then settles down.

The team is making the right call with Damon in LF, IMO. The team is much better defensively with Damon out there. Also, given that Sheffield was starting at 1B last year in the playoffs, I assume Torre will once again go for the best lineup and start Giambi in the playoffs. Believe it or not though, I think I'd rather have Mientkiewicz playing and Giambi coming off the bench as a hitter. Mientkiewicz has been hitting pretty decently since coming back.

[TonyStarks]

Lingering pain in his left hamstring, and "a little swelling" was enough to prevent Roger Clemens from taking his scheduled start on Tuesday. Now, the plan is for Clemens to sit out the remainder of the regular season. The Yankees will set up a simulated game to determine Clemens' availability for the AL Division Series.

(From Bergen Record)

[DoubleX]

If Clemens is unable to pitch in the postseason, could it offically be said that this was a terrible and superfluous signing? I know people will say that his clubhouse presence (when there) is invaluable and that his presence on the team alone gave it a much needed jolt, but I don't know if I buy that. Clemens has barely pitched in the last month, and though he's had some good starts, he's been only slightly better than average on the whole this year (which should have been predictable given his age and his history with the Yankees). Granted, I'd much rather have Clemens out there than Mussina or Hughes at this point.

[TonyStarks]

If Clemens is unable to pitch in the postseason, could it offically be said that this was a terrible and superfluous signing? I know people will say that his clubhouse presence (when there) is invaluable and that his presence on the team alone gave it a much needed jolt, but I don't know if I buy that. Clemens has barely pitched in the last month, and though he's had some good starts, he's been only slightly better than average on the whole this year (which should have been predictable given his age and his history with the Yankees). Granted, I'd much rather have Clemens out there than Mussina or Hughes at this point.

No....it's already been the worst signing since maybe Mo Vaughn was signed by Steve Phillips and the Mets. (That's sarcasm, btw) :laugh

I say it's the worst because the Yanks haven't gotten back half what they paid Clemens. And I personally don't buy that Clubhouse experience and what he teaches Hughes and Chamberlain stuff. That's all fine and dandy, but again...he's pitching more like a $7M pitcher than a $20M pitcher.

[Yankwood]

No....it's already been the worst signing since maybe Mo Vaughn was signed by Steve Phillips and the Mets. (That's sarcasm, btw) :laugh

I say it's the worst because the Yanks haven't gotten back half what they paid Clemens. And I personally don't buy that Clubhouse experience and what he teaches Hughes and Chamberlain stuff. That's all fine and dandy, but again...he's pitching more like a $7M pitcher than a $20M pitcher.In a surprise move of monumental proportions the Yankees have just announced that Joba Chamberlain will become the 3rd starter they need to win Championship number 27.

[clipper]

Tough break with Kennedy, but I'm glad to hear that the team was actually considering Kennedy in relief. I assume in the first round at least, we could see Mussina and Hughes in the pen. My gut says that Hughes in particular could be great out of the pen, but then again he seems to struggle most early in games and then settles down.

The team is making the right call with Damon in LF, IMO. The team is much better defensively with Damon out there. Also, given that Sheffield was starting at 1B last year in the playoffs, I assume Torre will once again go for the best lineup and start Giambi in the playoffs. Believe it or not though, I think I'd rather have Mientkiewicz playing and Giambi coming off the bench as a hitter. Mientkiewicz has been hitting pretty decently since coming back.

The best line up is with Doug. I don't think Joe will start Giambi at 1B because of his defense and is 3/23 in the last 10 games. Doug is doing much better. Possibly DH but he is not hitting. Looks like we got WC and BoSox only need a split with Minn. I'd like to see Giambi as DH for rest of the season.

Clipper