Housekeeping

Hey all - just a few notes on what to expect from The Balls in the near future...

- The Morning Dump will make it's triumphant, corn-riddled return on Friday so you know exactly what to read this weekend

- I am also working on running some guest post over the next few weeks because even a man as impressive as myself can't do it on his own

- The blogroll is also going to subject to overhaul to make sure that only the best Yankee blogs sit in the prime real estate in the margin of the world's best Yankees blog.

- Drop me a line at jimmydugan[dot]thefowlballs[at]gmail[dot]com with any suggestions, comments, or vids of lewd acts that come your way.

Uh Oh

(Elbows shouldn't do that anyway)

After another 5 stellar innings against the lowly Orioles today, Andy Pettitte left pre-maturely with elbow stiffness (at his age, he should be happy when anything gets stiff /rimshot). While the Yankees went on to win the game, this serves as a reminder of just how fragile the 2010 season is in the Bronx. While speculation will run wild, let's take a look at what the Yankees could be faced with if Andy is truly hurt (and he doesn't reach for the magic needle to get back early).

So, let's say Pettitte hits the 15 day DL. Basically he would miss two starts, with Sergio Mitre in line to take his start on Tuesday after following him up today. Then, because of a built-in off day, he would miss just one more start before returning to make his scheduled start on the 21st against the Mets. To me, this is the move. If he is going to (probably) miss the first start, give him the second start off. While he has been great thus far, the innings that Andy Pettitte throws in May are not the reason that he was re-signed. And after seeing Javier Vasquez fold like origami every time out thus far, the Yankees could be in dire need of vintage Andy Pettitte come September.

Don't Cha Know???

From the team sending his best friend to AAA, to benching him for a lack of effort, to the best player in baseball in just a year and a half. Who's lazy now?

I'm back

You know, I looked at the site this morning. I knew I hadn't updated in a while, but Jesus Christ Opening Day? I agree with the shitty, scathing emails that I received. I suck. I am terrible. 

So, here's a synopsis of what has happened between then and now:

 - CC sucked, then was really good, now is just good

 - Andy Pettitte is obviously on HGH again

 - A-Rod wasn't hitting, but now he's starting to. He also hit a ball in Oakland that hasn't fucking landed yet.

 - Derek Jeter hasn't been great, but not bad either. He'll have another .300 season

 - Robinson Cano is the best player on the team - but much more shockingly, he hasn't looked lazy (yet)

 - Mark Teixeira has sucked and is continuing to do so

 - Mo is God

 - Phil Hughes looks like the guy that we heard about for what seemed like 10 years in the minors

 - Javy Vazquez works every day to make me look like an asshole

 - Jorge Posada is obviously sharing HGH with Pettitte

 - Randy Winn is a waste of blood

 - Brett Gardner: All Star (I still think he sucks, but I'll take it while we wait for Teixeira wakes the fuck up)

 - I haven't been to a game yet, please feel free to donate tickets at jimmydugan.thefowlballs@gmail.com

 - Joe Girardi picked Sunday to fuck up for the first time by deciding to intentionally walk Kendry Morales; then deciding not to

Thats about all I really have of note - let me know what I missed while telling me how much I suck in the comments

Yuck

(Catch. The. Ball.)

The Yankees and Red Sox played a typical early-April-in-the-Northeast bout tonight, losing to the Red Sox 9-7 in what turned out to be an abortion of a baseball game.

Terrible pitching and poor defense by Jorge Posada turned out to rule the day. But hey, at least Curtis Granderson hit a home run, right?

PS - Since I basically stole that picture from myself, is that still stealing?

Buona Pasqua

And Happy Opening Day!

April 4th Can't Come Quick Enough

I bet that Clay Bucholz is somewhere watching this right now on someone else's laptop...

Guess Who's Back

Ok, so it's been to long since my last post. Big shit. God knows the Yankees have enough morons like myself covering even the most minute move like its going to cost the team the World Series in March. Oh no!!! They are keeping Marcus Thames and cut the juggernaut that is Jamie Hoffman!!

I weigh in when my opinion is needed - nee - DEMANDED.

The fifth starter derby (which we all knew was a two-horse race from the beginning) has finaly come to a close, with Phil Hughes being officially named to the final spot. This leaves Joba Chamberlain in the wind, seemingly banished to the bulpen. I have never been a "Joba to the bullpen" guy and still believe that he has a real future as a starter. Young, live armed pitchers with three plus pitches, by definition, are starters, and don't let any asshole tell you differently. Unfortunately, the Yankees do not have the luxury of letting two young starters develop by getting their asses handed to them over a full season. They are expected, if not demanded, to win year in and year out so there really is only one slot to play with when the goal is a championship. Not to mention Joe Girardi is in a contract year, and nobody gives a fuck about the title he won in 2009.The pitcher that showed the most in Spring Training was going to win this job, and Hughes put up better numbers while showing real promise with a changeup.

So what now for Joba? Is he the heir apparent to Mo, if he ever retires? In my mind, Joba is a starter. Again, 23 year olds with 3 major league pitches don't just grow on trees. There is a reason why A.J. Burnett, a possible #2 starter with horrific inconsistency makes more than Mo, the greatest closer ever to walk the earth. Starting pitchers a fucking impossible to find. The Yankees have two choices - either send Joba to AAA to start and let him fill the hole left by Andy Pettitte or Javy Vasquez in 2011, or package him in a trade while he still has value. "But Jimmy, Joba should be setting up for Mo!!1!11!!!!". Shut the fuck up. I will take my chances with Robertson/Marte/Aceves/Melancon in the late innings and groom a kid that still has at least #2 starter upside. That being said, I am a huge Hughes fan, and I look forward to watching him throw every fifth day. Until Chamberlain came out firing bulletts in 2007, Hughes was a MUCH bigger prospect. Top flight stuff, and a pro attitude. In the end, this really won't matter as much as people are makiong it seem. It's the fifth starter. The other four days of the week, the Yankees are trotting out potential All Stars, and no matter how bad Hughes is, the Yankees' refuckingdiculous offense will carry him to 12-15 wins. Just another storyline as the Yankees march to #28.

Take one

Today, the debate officially begins. In the third Spring Training game of the year, both Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes will take a turn on the mound to begin what will undoubtedly be the most covered (and annoying) story of March. I need that remote from that shitty Adam Sandler movie so I can fast forward to April 4th.

Live Game Chat @ BBD

My buddy Rob over at Bronx Baseball Daily is holding a live chat in conjunction with the first Spring Training game today at 1pm. I know posts have been rare, but the simple fact is that this Spring Training is fucking BORING. No steroids, no A-Rod/Jeter fights, not even a bullshit Andy Pettitte contract dispute. But I digress.

 

Head over the BBD at 1 - I will be there, but there has not been word on whether Boyz II Men, ABC, or any of the remaining East Coast Family will be in attendence.