Pressure

“No-one puts more pressure on me than myself” – Athletes Cliché

I’ve been thinking about pressure recently. I watched the inauguration ceremony and aside from the obvious historical relevance what stuck with me was the few shots we were shown of President Obama as he was walking through the hallways leading up to the balcony. Head up, eyes forward, looking like a guy totally ready to take on the biggest job in world even though he will clearly have an indefinable level of pressure on him.

The average person will never know such pressure. The pressure we face in life is split into milestones. For me, in my limited years it has all been about pressure in education. Setting goals, reaching goals and trying not to screw up and waste my parent’s money in the process, and there will be plenty more down the line that hopefully I will succeed with at similar level as those I have already achieved.

Now you may wonder what the hell that has to do with baseball or the Yankees. In the mix of my day dreaming I thought about the Yankees and the pressure that comes with signing a deal, big or small and putting on those pinstripes. Probably not as big a deal as being leader of the free world, and probably not as minor as the life of student scrapping his way through grad school, so lets just say what Yankees players face is somewhere in the middle.

I’ve watched a lot of press conferences and I read every bit of information I can get my hands on and the quote that opens this blog is one that I hear a lot. In most cases it may not be so cliché. When a player from Kansas or LA or Florida says those words after signing a deal I can probably believe that what he is saying is true. That his own will and drive to be great is no greater than those who pay him to play or pay to watch him play. Our team isn’t in Kansas. The Yankees are not from LA or Florida. They are in New York where that line does not apply. Where those words take on their cliché status and where even though it is the same game played in all of the other 30 major league cities, it is just a bit different.

I have but one major worry with Mr’s Burnett, Sabathia and Teixeira. It has nothing to do with elbows or shoulders. Injuries happen, though hopefully they wont, and even if they do I have to presume it wont be a Carl Pavano situation for any of these players. I don’t worry about talent or skill. All of the additions have it, the deals have them at the peak levels of their talent and I doubt that any of this trio will suddenly wake up one day soon and lose their ability to do what they do.

What I worry about is an unknown yet inevitable day this year. A day when I will crawl out of bed, stumble across the hallway to my pc to read about the game that has passed in my slumber and read a back page along the lines of:

“Sabathia Smacked By Sox”
“Burnett Bombed by BoSox”
“Teixeira Tanks in 8th”

Now those headlines will mean nothing much to us. We are Yankees fans and for the most part we a desensitised to the nature of our over the top expectations. However I wonder what will happen to the aforementioned players when they wake to see these headlines plastered across the overly dramatic back-page background of them with a slumped head heading back to the dugout or the vision of them walking off the mound – hat tipped up, wiping the sweat from their brow whilst closing their eyes and exhaling in the typical shot that photographers always seem to get.

I wonder how they will react when they see this. New York chews up and spits out more athletes than any other city regardless of expectations, salary or sport. It is a wonder to me that A-Rod can still take it, as even the press realises that a mix of their words and our expectations enables them to caricature Rodriguez with the weight of the world on his back in a way that is meant to be amusing, but is maybe too close to the truth to be funny.

That is what I worry about. The situation I have described will happen. Perfection is unattainable in life and in baseball and when it happens it will be on of those defining pressure milestones for the players involved. How they respond is vital and you obviously hope they respond in the right way, with strength and accountability, but at the same time realise that just as that hurdle is passed it is there again in the next game, in the next at bat waiting to trip you up and if you can’t handle the pressure then you will keep falling.

I don’t know how it will be set-up in the new stadium, but in the old one as you walked down the tunnel leading up to the dugout there was the sign stated the famous Joe DiMaggio quote, “I thank the Good Lord for making me a Yankee”. That’s a true statement but just so these players know what they are really in for they could also hang up the following:

“No-one can put more pressure on you than we can” – New York Yankees

Thoughts on the New Yankee Stadium

There is much anticipation over the opening of the New Yankee Stadium this April. I, like many Yankee fans, am unsure what to think about the new stadium. I figured that in this post I will go through the many positives and negatives that the New Yankee Stadium will bring. First lets start with the negatives.

Negatives
1.) Atmosphere- Despite the resemblance to the old stadium, I believe that the atmosphere of the New Stadium will be different than the old. For starters, the new stadium lacks history. The Yankees greats such as Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, and Mattingly have never played a game inside the new park. Part of the mystique of the old stadium was the people associated with it. You could almost visualize the great ballplayers on the field as you were watching a game pan out. For alot of us watching a game at the old Stadium wasn't just about what was happening on the field. It was an all encompassing feeling that every part of the Stadium was somehow connected to the events that took place inside it. While walking the corridors you can't help but think that someone was walking the same corridor after Aaron Boone's ALCS home run or David Cone's perfect game. Even the little things such as the peeling paint, or ancient bathrooms showed the stadiums connectedness to hundreds of great Yankees moments. Bob Sheppard's voice will also be sorely missed from the New Stadium. Despite his contract to announce the opening game at the new stadium, it is unlikely that Sheppard will be there for long. Unfortunately for me, the memories of old Yankee games won't be able to transfer over to the new stadium. However I am optimistic that there will be great new moments in the New Yankee Stadium for years to come.

2.) The Bleachers- One of the biggest blunders of the New Stadium was the design of the bleachers. The old Yankee Stadium had nearly 7500 bleacher seats. The New Stadium will have only half as many. This number will be offset somewhat by a standing room area that can hold 2,000. Despite this, the Stadium will still be nearly 2,000 bleacher seats short of the old stadium. Although the Bleacher Creature will surely establish themselves in their new section, the removable of bleacher seats will surely disperse the once cozy section. That means less affordable seats for poor college kids such as myself, or any other Yankee fan who is on a budget. Being able to see a Yankee game for under 20 bucks is a great thing, and I think that the lack of bleachers in most new stadiums (at least compared to the older stadiums such as Fenway, Wrigley and the Old Yankee Stadium) has partly contributed to the rising ticket costs. A second problem that I have with the bleachers is the sports bar which I like to call "That really ugly black box" that they put in center field. First of all it is an eyesore. Architecturally it doesn't fit in with the rest of the Stadium, which to its credit has done an excellent job of retaining many of the features of the old stadium. Second it is located right above monument park, which could somewhat hamper the experience. Rather than looking up and seeing the bleachers, or the facade, fans get an eyeful of drunk patrons who have nothing better to do than look at monument park from the confines of their air conditioned, padded bar chairs. Anyways, the removable of "cheap seats" has really pissed me off, and has not only decreased the likelihood of me ever sitting with the bleacher creature but has also prevented thousands of fans from seeing a Yankee game at an affordable price next year.

3.) Cost- 1.3 billion dollars later......we have a new stadium. This number is absolutely outrageous when you think about it. About 450 million dollars will be paid by the tax payers, while an equal amount will be contributed by the Yankees. The remainder of the money has been paid for by the city or state and has included funding for infrastructure improvements, replacing McCombs Dam Parkland, and building parking garages. Anyways, I think that this is an outrageous cost, and unless A-Rod is willing to play for free for the remainder of his career, we will continue to see higher than average ticket and merchandise costs at Yankee games.

Positives
1.) Design- One of the successes of the stadium (besides the aforementioned center field monstrosity) has been the incorporation of multiple elements of the Old Yankee stadium. In some cases the New Stadium looks more like the pre-renovation stadium than the older one did. The facade around the entire upper deck, as well as the beautifully done exterior have created a ballpark that is gorgeous from inside out. In addition, wider concourses, more restrooms and better handicap accessibility have made the stadium easier to get around. I am happy that things such as field dimensions and monument park have been preserved in the new stadium. All in all, I think that the architects did a good job at trying to recreate the Yankee Stadium experience of old.

2.) The Big Ass Replay Screen- That thing is huge! It will not only replay the highlights of the game, but also be able to entertain us between innings with clips of classic Yankees moments, Yankeeography, etc. I'm just hoping that it doesn't take too much away from the game and hopefully fans can keep their eyes fixed to the pitcher and batter and not the replay screen.

3.) Improved Sight Lines- One of the big advantages of the New Stadium is that it offers near perfect sight lines for nearly every seat in the house. In the old stadium, especially in the upper deck near the foul poles, it was difficult to see down the lines. Now, with improved sight lines, fans won't have to miss a double down the line or Jeter diving into the stands to make a game saving catch.



This sums up my thoughts for the New Stadium. Although they are mixed, I still look forward to seeing the Yankees in their new home. Feel free to add your own thoughts and opinions on the New Stadium.

AJ Burnett: Cashman’s Folly?

When the Yankees shelled out nearly a half of a billion dollars in about a one month span, and pitcher AJ Burnett was one of the recipients. The now 32 year old righty, received a 5 year $82.5 million deal from the Yankees in December after his “breakout” year in 2008. Many Yankees fans are in favor of this signing and look to Burnett to be an essential part of the 2009 season and beyond, however there is evidence that may suggest otherwise.

From the standpoint of his mentality, his stuff, and his 2008 season, Burnett may seem like the perfect fit for New York. There is no arguing that he has electric stuff and wants to win every time he gets the ball. The argument is more focused on the question of will he be able to go out there every fifth day on a constant basis to provide what he has to offer? Along with all of his success, Burnett’s career has been plagued with injury, and not minor ones. In 2003 he had Tommy John surgery, after elbow inflammation persisted through the early season. The surgery delayed the start of his 2004 season, though he returned strong. The injury bug left Burnett alone until the 2006 when he was again hit, and twice. The first injury was related to remains from his initial Tommy John surgery that became irritated and inflamed in his elbow. The second injury was again related to the elbow and put him on the DL for nearly a two month span. As he had done in the past, when he did pitch, he pitched well. His 2007 season got off to a good start, he completed the majority of the season up until mid-June, when he was struck with shoulder issues. This seemed to be more a chronic issue, as he spent time on the DL in two consecutive months for what seemed to have been the same injury. This injury is the most concerning out of the long list, due to the fact that it involved the shoulder. Sure, elbow issues are bad, but shoulder problems have a higher probability of ending a pitcher’s career. Though Burnett’s 2008 season was DL free, he endured a heavy workload just a season after having spent time off due to a shoulder injury. He made 34 starts and pitched over 220 innings, both being firsts in his career. An injury prone 32 year old coming off his body’s most taxing year shouldn’t be what anyone wants to hear. In addition to having so many injuries, the trend of them doesn’t favor the Yankees. Every year he has pitched over 200 innings (which is just 3 times in 8 seasons), he has spent the following year on the DL for at least part of the season, if not missing the whole season. Some of the other injuries also followed lighter load seasons, such as those of 2007, which isn’t reassuring in any sense. It just seems that Burnett can’t stay healthy, and if his 2009 season takes the same path as every other year, he will be in for some potentially time consuming and serious injuries.

Contractually, the signing of Burnett really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Above are mentioned facts of his career, which has consisted of plenty and too much time off due to health related issues. The Yankees gave a 32 year old, oft injured pitcher, a five year deal. Could you recall the last time the Bombers gave a lucrative somewhat long deal to a much younger pitcher with similar concerns? Yes, you probably guessed it, a fan favorite, Carl Pavano. It’s a stretch to consider Burnett in any sense to be like Pavano, except for their health histories. The thought of having another disastrous contract like that of Pavano still looms, however. A Burnett injury will be a constant threat to the pitching staff of this team for the next five seasons, unless his toughness and body have finally adjusted to being a major league pitcher, this, however, seems quite unrealistic. His final season in pinstripes will be at age 36, which is a little old for any pitcher (excluding Randy Johnson). His career is close to crossing over the line into the statistical declination period, as that drop begins for most pitchers between the ages of 32 and 34. In coming years his stuff will begin to decline and he will have to adjust by learning new pitches, or changing pitch selection, not to mention he will become even more prone to injuries. The money is not so much the issue when it comes to Burnett’s contract, it’s the years. A five year deal is a long deal for anyone who is 32, especially someone like him who carries such a great risk. Finally his spot in the rotation is also a bit of a concern. He has the stuff of an ace, but is currently slotted in at number two in the rotation. That, to me, seems to be pushing it, there is little doubt that Wang can keep his arm healthy and pitch another solid 200 innings, but there is doubt surrounding that same ability of AJ Burnett. If you ask me, he should our third man, he may be able to get a little extra rest, and would surely prove to be the best number three pitcher in the majors.

AJ Burnett undeniably has the stuff, mind set, and natural ability to compete anywhere, especially in New York. He has the potential to win many a games in the Bronx and become a big performer and star, but it is all based on how healthy he can stay. For most pitchers with stuff like his, the sky is the limit, but for Burnett, it seems to be more like his health is the limit. Possessing a career filled with dominance and injury, could the recent signing of AJ Burnett be Cashman’s folly?

Patience...Except When You're Bad

I think one of the most interesting aspects of this coming season that has yet to be discussed relates to Phil Hughes. His rotation status from the standpoint of opening day has obviously been debated in relation to the variety of other options that exist, however all likelihood suggests that at some point this year he will get his chance at holding down a rotation spot either through injury, his own performance or the simple fact that he is Phil Hughes and the Yankees are not yet ready to give up on the player once dubbed the 'baby rocket' by Jason Giambi.

Presuming that Hughes gets his shot is a fairly safe bet. What is less safe and about as volatile as RBS shares are is how fans will react to Phil Hughes. Fans are by nature quite fickle so again it would be safe to say that if he wins they will love him. What will be far more interesting to see is if he doesn't get it done right away, how long will Yankee fans tolerate him...better yet how long will the front office tolerate poor performance?

Prior to the start of last season the general statement from the front office was that Hughes, along with Kennedy, had their rotation spots, essentially for better or worse, with the realisation that the backup options were not any good and would not serve as any real form of organisational development if they (they being the likes of Rasner, Karstens) were put into the rotation ahead of Hughes.

A few weeks into April the organisation was singing a completely different tune. Hughes and Kennedy had both flopped. Hughes was evidently injured, but he only attributes the injury bothering him in his final start before his DL stint, so sadly he really was that bad in April. The general consensus was that had it not been for the injury Hughes would have likely been sent down to the minors for what had been considered a major disappointment in terms of his performance, essentially confirming a worse case scenario for the Yankees when they constructed the 08 season roster with a goal of being lead by young players like Joba, Hughes and Kennedy (JHK).

Now compare this year’s roster to last year’s. Last year the vast majority of fans believed the Yankees had enough to compete and rightly so. That being said it would have been a stretch to presume this team would be a title contender when the plan was at one point to have a rotation comprised of 3 rookie starters. Even with the rationale fan and some within the organisation taking such reduced expectations, no player was spared for poor performance and that included Phil Hughes. So what does that say about what response he should expect to get if he is poor this year?

This team is on another level compared to last years, in terms of talent, added wealth and most importantly expectations. My belief is, if you can't win with this team, and win right away then whom can you win with? The brunt of such expectations falls on the Usual Suspects and obviously the new additions, but also on the likes of Hughes. If Hughes couldn't get some slack on a team that probably wasn't set up to win last year, then what will the response be if after 5 starts he is putting up numbers similar to those seen in the first month of last season, for a team that is meant to dominate without exception?

It will be very interesting to see if the Yankees soldier on with Hughes, again providing that health is not an issue. Alternatively and more worryingly the Yankees, like some fans (myself included) may lose patience to the point where JHK, which is now arguably only JH, suffers another loss to leave only Joba from what was the most anticipated group of prospects in the Yankees for many years.

Am I exaggerating here...ask Ian Kennedy! His early promise from 07 starts against Tampa, KC and Toronto have been banished from the minds of fans in place of the pitch after pitch that was either wide of the plate or shot into the outfield. Phil Hughes is only sparred from Kennedy status due to his hype, his better stuff and the fact that his injury saved him from himself.

Will he be just as lucky this year?

*****

I thought I'd borrow an idea from the Sports Reporters and finish with a parting shot. Please though don't take this the wrong way. My general disdain for the vast majority if not all of the main media extends to the Sports Reporters cast so this shouldn't be taken as a tribute to their so-called expertise, rather an attempt to do it better than they do.

Kevin Youkilis signed with the Red Sox last week for $40 million over 4 years. In his press conference Youkilis stated that money isn't a big deal to him, that he loved Boston and that his wife and family were part of the decision. That's right, his wife and family. Weren’t they the same reasons that Teixeira mentioned?

Even though their logic was the same, it was Teixeira, and more importantly his wife who were mocked by the media, including Peter Gammons for their decision making process. Then again that is to be expected for you see Boston is a magical place. Where 42 year olds are good investments, where 2nd place in a Cy Young a few seasons ago means you are due for greatness, where injuries magically heal, where 39 isn’t as old as it is in the Bronx and where you can take into account your family without everyone taking shots at you.

Minor League Breakdown: My Top 10 Yankees Prospects:

1.Austin Jackson
The 22 year old centerfielder is the obvious choice for the Yankees number one prospect. He is the first high ceiling offensive player that the Yankees have actually given adequate time to develop in the minors for quite some time. He has five tool potential, though he is yet to fully refine and develop his skills. His 2008 in Trenton was good, but the power numbers weren’t quite there. I expect his power to begin to develop, as well as the other aspects of his game. You could expect Jackson to break into the majors as early as late this season, as long as he makes the proper adjustments in AAA. Jackson is most likely going to be our centerfielder for years to come, hopefully he can fill the void Bernie has left.

2.Jesus Montero
An offensive monster, the 19 year old catcher possesses offensive tools like no Yankees minor leaguer from my generation. He is said to rank 80/80 on the scouts power scale and also has the ability to drive in and score a lot of runs, as well as bat above .300. The one negative that Montero has showed to this point, is lack of plate discipline, as his strikeouts are nearly double his walks, however this should improve as he gains experience. Fielding wise, Montero has made strides, and has a very good arm, he won’t be stellar, but he could be good enough. To put in perspective how good he is, his season last year compared to Albert Pujols year at the same age. No matter what position Montero ends up playing, he looks to be a definite big leaguer with All Star and Silver Slugger potential. He is probably 2 years off, but learn the name.

3.Zach McAllister
Perhaps my favorite prospect in the system, Zach McAllister’s 2008 showed why the Yankees drafted him. The 21 year old righty had an incredible breakout year as he completely dominated opposition in Tampa and Charleston. He has pin point control, a solid repertoire (FB, CB, SL, CH), and a good GO/AO ratio. He will most likely start the season in AA, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him in AAA at mid-season, and perhaps in the Bronx at roster expansion time. He has a great build, is still very young, and seems to be very polished. If I had compare him to a current Major Leaguer it would be Jon Lackey. McAllister could be on his way to being a middle or upper rotation starter with a solid career, if he can come close to his 2008 numbers, expect him to hear him mentioned.

4.Dellin Betances
Another young and very projectable prospect, the “Baby Unit,” has ace potential. His 2008 season, which was mostly spent in Charleston (A-), was a series of ups and downs. The most evident problem he has is control, as can be seen with his high walk rates. His walks allowed many more runners to score than you might otherwise expect, opposing hitters only batted .208 off him, and he held opponents to just 87 hits in 115 innings. At times, however, his walks disappeared, and he flashed absolute dominance, shutting teams down and occasionally gaining double digit strikeouts. If Betances can continue the progress he made last year, especially toward the end of the season, he could begin to move quickly. Pitchers with a big frame like Betances (6’8”- 6’10”) often struggle with control for a while. If he can put everything together, Betances has #1 and closer potential.

5.Andrew Brackman
Brackman is on the list not because of what he has accomplished, but because of his overwhelming potential. His frame couple with his pitches could make him into a staff ace or a great closer. Delayed by injuries, the Yankees first pick in the 2007 draft, the 23 year old debuted in the Hawaii Winter League in this offseason. Though he struggled, signs were promising that his velocity and pitch movement was getting back to where it had been. However, like Betances, Brackman looks to have some control issues, maybe even more significant than the Baby Unit. In any case, keep an eye on the big man, he could be a dud or a star, let’s see what he can do in 2009, because if it’s good, he could move quick.

6.Austin Romine
Another solid catching prospect in the Yankees system, the 20 year old Romine had a very good freshman year. He batted .300 with 10 homers and good production for the RiverDogs, as well as displaying good defensive capabilities. He should start in Tampa for the 2009 season and switch on and off between designated hitter and catcher with Jesus Montero. Hopefully he does as well in the coming season as he did last year. He has good potential, and at this point he looks to at least be on pace to be an average major league catcher. Romine has it tough right now with Cervelli and Montero ahead of him, but he should still be watched closely.

7.Brandon Laird
The huge 21 year old righty belted 6 more homers than highly touted Montero in 10 less games last season. He has amazing power potential, but his body type, the signing of Teixeira, and other factors (such as impatience) are working against him. I like Laird a lot, and if he can improve his patience and hit for a bit of a higher average, he could have a big impact. An improvement from last season could help put him on more people’s radar, because he seems underrated at this point. Brandon Laird could be destined for the DH job in a few years, but regardless, keep an eye on the kid, he has some great power.

8.Mark Melancon
The former University of Arizona closer bounced back nicely in 2008 from his Tommy John surgery. Melancon, 24, again flashed the dominance he showed in his college career. Not only does he display fine control and have the ability to strike out a majority of opposing hitters, but he also has a good groundball tendancy, which to me is an important attribute, especially to a reliever. This means he is somewhat less homerun prone, and with a good infield he could keep opposition off the base paths. Armed with a solid fastball, devastating curve, and what seems like a solid mentality, Melancon could be on his way to the Yankees bullpen in 2009, and perhaps be the future closer.

9.Jairo Heredia
Another young, low level pitching prospect in the Yankees system, Heredia helped round out a dominant staff in class A Charleston in 2008. His 2008 season was proof of the excitement that has surrounded him. He showed decent control, an ability to get strikeouts, and a good GO/AO, which are all good signs for an 18 year old. I expect that Heredia will spend the whole season in Tampa, because with so much pitching depth throughout the system, there is no need to rush him, unless of course he makes Tampa look too easy. It’s still very early in his career, but already I’ve heard comparisons to Pedro Martinez, take a mental note of the name Jairo Heredia because you might hear it a lot in years to come.

10.Kanekoa Texeira
Acquired in the Nick Swisher deal, I instantly liked the stats and what I read about Kaneko Texeira. With a chance to make the bullpen out of spring, you could at least expect to see him at some point during the season. He possesses a low-90’s high movement sinking fastball that allows him to have high GO/AO rates (almost 3 in AA), as well as a devastating slider, which was ranked the best in the White Sox system, prior to the trade. Texeira can get both righties and lefties out, but completely dominated lefthanders in 2008. I was unsure about the Yankees tenth prospect until we acquired Texeira, he has the tools that could put him in the bullpen as long or short relief for years to come. At only 23, more minor league experience couldn’t hurt, but if he dominates AAA and the bullpen needs help, he should get the call.

Writers Wanted

Since my workload for this semester will surely pick up, I won't always have time to post articles. I'd like to try for 2-3 a week, maybe more if I'm not busy. If anyone is interested in expressing there opinions about the Yankees, let me know! As long as you're articulate and know what you're talking about, I'd love to have some help. Post a comment in here if you have interest, leave me your email and name.

Andrew Brackman, New York’s Next Great?

Drafted number 30 by the New York Yankees in the 2007 draft, Brackman could become the biggest steal since, well Joba Chamberlain. Faced with injury concerns, the NC State junior fell significantly in the draft. He was ranked as the 7th best prospect entering the draft, and was considered to have the best fastball out of all the other pitchers. It seems that the elbow injury, which would require Tommy John surgery, was too big of a concern for most teams. However, the Yankees looked at the situation differently, they decided it was a way to get one of the most talented players in that year’s draft class at the number 30 spot. To me, and to many, this was a smart idea that will pay off in years to come. The last time the Yankees used this strategy and picked a high reward, injury risk, his name was Joba Chamberlain, and we all know that story. Let’s take a closer look at what the Yankees got in Andrew Brackman, and how these abilities could put him on the fast track to the Bigs.

The characteristic(s) of a pitcher that always draws the most interest is the stuff. Well then, let’s have a look at what Brackman throws. First, and most obviously the giant righty throws the fastball, both the two-seamer and the four-seamer. His fastball ranges anywhere from 92-97 consistently, and when he reaches back he can hit 100 mph. His two-seamer is more likely in the lower velocity range (92-95), however, the key to this pitch is the movement. The scouting reports suggest that this pitch has a lot of movement, and movement which is also late. The movement is most likely generated due to the fact that the 6’10” righty has an enormous downward plane. Additionally, Brackman can consistently get the pitch within the strike zone. Having good movement, velocity, and consistency with this pitch, with so little experience is a very good sign. Next there is Brackman’s four seamer, which more likely sits in the upper portion of his velocity (94-97). There is not a whole lot of information about it, but I assume there is some kind of movement, and his control is at least decent. The next, and perhaps most feared pitch is his spike curveball. The velocity of this pitch ranges anywhere from 77-83 mph, usually sitting 78-81. This pitch has a lot, and very nasty movement (looks like 1 to 7 or 12 to 6). Again he probably generates more movement than other pitchers just because of his sheer size. However good the pitch may be, he struggles with inconsistency control wise with it. Due to his relative inexperience in comparison with the difficulty of the pitch, it shouldn’t really come as a surprise. Finally Brackman throws a changeup, and it this point, it is mostly potential. The speed of his changeup can sit anywhere from 82-84 mph, which seems a little too fast. 80-82 mph seems like it would be a better range, just because the fastball velocity is bound to dip here and there, and the pitch may lose its trickery. When he was drafted scouts said that his changeup was just an average pitch, however many people suggest it could easily become a plus or plus plus pitch for him. Pitch wise, Andrew Brackman has all the right ingredients for a starter, a fastball (with 2 variations), a curveball, and a changeup. Inconsistent mechanics, command, and control, like is usually the case, will be the biggest problem that he will face, especially because his frame is so large. Hopefully Nardi Contreras and other organizational helpers like Dave Eiland can help harness the potential that lays within all of Brackman’s pitches, and make him the next great Yankees pitcher.

When it comes to the build of a pitcher, Brackman is a dream. He is a huge guy standing at 6’10” and a fairly proportional weight of 270 pounds. His height and weight coupled will give him an advantage over other pitchers, because firstly he will be able to throw harder, with the larger downward plane and extra body weight. Secondly his height, as previously mentioned will help him develop extra movement on his pitches, which may be near impossible for smaller pitchers to develop. Thirdly his gigantic body will surely give him some kind of intimidation factor, because how often do you see a guy this big, throwing in the upper-90’s, and not playing basketball? Though his size is a definite advantage to him, many also see it as a disadvantage. No worries though, Brackman is a very good athlete, and his all around athleticism should allow him to make the proper adjustments in a given amount of time. He played baseball and basketball (center) at NC State, so I’m sure he is no stranger to proper footwork, agility, and jumping. These three factors alone should help him be at least an average fielder, and to me fielding is extremely important. Not only will his athleticism help with his fielding ability, but it may also help him develop and make adjustments to his pitching mechanics quickly and fairly easily. To be able to play at the college level you have to be willing and able to be coached, and be able to make adjustments to any situation which may arise. I’m going to quickly allude to his basketball career. To play basketball the most important aspect of a shot is proper mechanics and repetition of these mechanics. If you get good at it, you’ll the majority of your shots. I know baseball is completely different, but if he can make adjustments to his mechanics in baseball, like he did in basketball, he should be able to move quickly. So now that we know about his body type and athleticism, let’s take a look at his experience. This is where the majority of the concern with Brackman resides. His baseball career is young, and his professional baseball career is just starting. Brackman is an extremely raw talent, which may be the one factor that prevents him from making the majors within the year. He has problems repeating his delivery, which then causes his pitches to be uncontrollable or wild. This issue most likely takes root from his size and relative inexperience pitching, especially professionally. His baseball career is still very short. As far as I can see, Brackman pitched for his entire high school career, which was very good, he had the seventh best career ERA in Ohio history. When he went to North Carolina State, he also pitched, but for only about 30 games. His Freshman year was fantastic and put him on the radar by scouts again, his sophomore year was ugly mainly due to injury, and his junior year he bounced back. Additionally in his junior year, he pitched in the Cape Cod League, where he earned title of the second best prospect in the league. After being drafted, Brackman was almost instantly sidelined due to an elbow injury that required surgery. Brackman returned to pitch in the fall of this year, after missing a year for Tommy John surgery. He put up fairly unimpressive numbers in the Arizona Fall League, however, he had two very dominant starts. His walk and hit rates were high, but his strikeout rates were high, and his velocity was apparently very good. Having just 40 games (give or take) of upper echelon baseball experience could, as I mentioned, put a strain on his movement through the system, especially when coupled with his Tommy John recovery. Surely Brackman will have major limit on his innings this season, I would guess maybe even below 100 innings. Due to this, I almost think it’s more realistic to move the big guy to the bullpen. With his velocity and plus plus curveball, he could easily be the next great closer. Perhaps the Yankees could just have him pitch out of the bullpen this season to build up experience and confidence, and then make the transition back to starter. No matter where he ends up, whether it be in the back end of the bullpen or the starting rotation, Brackman has impact potential.

One of the riskiest draft picks for the Yankees in a while, Brackman could pay off big. He has a lot to work on and it remains to be seen if he can stay healthy, but if everything falls in place be prepared. Andrew Brackman could be the next big thing in pinstripes, literally.

The Fifth Man

At this point, the Yankees pitching staff, and team for that matter is nearly set. However, one big question mark still looms in the midst of all the offseason activity, who will be our fifth starter? Cashman has said that the Yankees would be willing to fill that spot with an internal option, though there are remaining free agent starters on the market. It is a questionable strategy at this point, considering the pitching woes of our youth, especially last season, but let’s take a look at what the Yankees have, and what is available.

Internal Options:

Alfredo Aceves:
A very interesting option indeed, Aceves flew through the minors last season, and landed on the big stage on the last day of August. In his brief time in the Bronx he was pretty impressive, giving the Yankees 3 quality starts out of his four, and going at least 5 innings in 4 of his 6 appearances. His ERA was low considering he gave up 25 hits and 4 homers in 28 innings, but if he can manage to keep the runners he lets on base from scoring, that’s all we need. Possessing a low 90’s fastball, a solid curveball, a good changeup, and a cut fastball of sorts, look for Aceves to show up in spring ready to make the team. At this point, he may be the best and most polished internal option the Yanks have, and if I had to pick anyone to be our fifth man, it would be Aceves.

Phil Hughes:
One of the most highly touted pitching prospects in the Yankees system, probably since Brien Taylor, Hughes has thus far been far from spectacular, though there is still a lot of potential in him. It doesn’t seem as if he will be ready to take on the duties as the Yankees fifth man in 2008, or at least to start the season. He is coming off two straight years derailed by injury and inconsistency and may need some time to recuperate and regain momentum. Hughes took a step in the right direction in the AFL, pitching lights out for most of his starts, not to mention his fastball regained velocity. If Hughes dominates in AAA for 5 or 6 starts, and our #5 man is struggling, he should get the call. A mid-90’s fastball combined with a curveball, slider, changeup, and newly developed cutter, could potentially make the 23 year old Hughes a weapon. He remains a big question mark in my book, at least until he can show consistent dominance or at least decent pitching again.

Ian Kennedy:
Kennedy is another candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation for the Yankees. Like Hughes, he has failed to translate his minor league dominance into the majors. His brief showing in the 2007 season showed promising signs, but it all crashed down for him in 2008 with bad performance and injury. From what I’ve seen, Kennedy is a very polished pitcher with a good variation of pitches, and fairly consistent mechanics. His problem in 2008 appeared to be associated with a lack of confidence in his stuff and a fear of bat on ball contact. He was almost too cautious when pitching to hitters, which led to high walk totals, and nearly a 1/1 K/BB ratio. His 69 innings in AAA showed that he still has good stuff, as he once again dominated on the minor league level. Hopefully with a confidence boost and some experience under his belt, Kennedy could perhaps be an impact player. Again, I say Kennedy starts the season in AAA, and under circumstances of showing good pitching on his part and a bad fifth man in the Bronx, he could get the call.

Phil Coke:
Coke is quite an intriguing option. His 2008 work out of the bullpen showed a truly dominant side of him with a mid-90’s fastball, a nasty slider, and a decent changeup. It would make sense for the Yankees to add another lefty into the rotation, but with expense to the bullpen, the move becomes questionable. Coke would most likely not be the same pitcher in the rotation as he is out of the pen, which is usually the case. His fastball velocity would most likely dip to around 90, his slider would slow and movement may be reduced, and the lack of a good enough third pitch might begin to show. Additionally, Coke had some kind of arm issues last season, as you may remember he was a component in the Nady and Marte deal until the Pirates didn’t like something during his physical. With this potential injury and a somewhat weaker repertoire, Coke seems better suited to be a reliever. Interestingly enough, rumor has it that Cashman even told him to prepare to be a starter at spring training. Coke is an option, but I’d rather keep him as a reliever.

Kei Igawa:
Potentially the Yankees worst signing in the past decade, Kei Igawa, still remains an option to be the fifth starter. He was bombarded in his debut year in the Bronx, and thus has spent almost all the rest of his time in the pinstriped uniform of Scranton. In his time there he has managed to put up some decent numbers. He carries a mid-three ERA in his AAA career, and solid walk and strikeout rates. Again it would be nice to have another lefty in our rotation, but it isn’t a necessity. Igawa has been far from impressive and may be destined to spend his years in American baseball on a AAA team. Igawa is an option for the fifth spot, but he wouldn’t be my first, second, or even third choice, unless he really shows something.

Jason Johnson:
At this point, I don’t really even consider him an option. He has atrocious career numbers, and quite frankly, I’d rather have Donovan Osborne come back and pitch in the number five spot. Unless Johnson somehow finally figured to put everything together at age 35, don’t expect him to make the team.

External Options:

Andy Pettitte:
Being a free agent, Pettitte is an external option, as the Yankees would have to add him to the payroll. A long time Yankee, he would be a great option. He has proved his consistency by winning 12 games in 13 of the last 14 seasons and 200 innings in almost every season he’s pitched. The problem with Pettitte is not his abilities or attitude, it’s the cost. After spending nearly $500 million dollars and cutting payroll, the Yankees are looking for a cheaper short term option. Pettitte, however, feels deserving of a contract in excess of what the Yankees offered him, probably somewhere between $12-16 million. After not accepting the Yankees offer, and the Yankees rightfully unwilling to raise the offer, Pettitte may be forced to sign with a more desperate team or just retire. In addition to the financial issues, there was also signs and talks of injury with Pettitte at the end of last season, I believe it involved the elbow. With the high price demanded for a potentially injury risk, I think the Yankees would be smart to shy away from Pettitte, unless he takes their current and fair offer.

Pedro Martinez:
I’ve always been a fan of this guy, aside from when he threw Zimmer to the ground. Pedro is a tremendous pitcher with the combination of great stuff and a competitive attitude. Yes he is aging, injury prone, and his stuff is deteriorating, but he surely still has something left in his tank. An incentive laden deal, much like the one given to Penny and Smoltz, would be a perfect fit for Pedro, if he accepted. As a number five man, Pedro could get the rest he needed and provide more than almost every other fifth man. Though many people doubt him, and dislike him due to some incidents, Pedro is a good pitcher with the right mind set, and even at age 37 would be a fine option.

Freddy Garcia:
Garcia is another option for the fifth spot, mainly because he will come fairly cheap. If he is offered a contract, it should be based on meeting certain innings and start quotas and bonuses for the innings he pitches over what they expect him to. Garcia has been out for nearly the entirety of the last two seasons, so it’s hard to know how badly the injuries affected his stuff and his conditioning, especially considering he had a shoulder injury. He has had a good career and proved to be consistent enough, not to mention he is only 32. The Yankees should watch him work out and try and gauge what he wants for a contract, because if he could be had for a one year deal, with the previously mentioned contract, I think it would be a good high risk high reward move.

Ben Sheets:
If I had to pick someone to sign, Sheets would be my guy. He has stuff that could make him worthy of a number 1 or number 2 job, but his health has always held him back. Sheets pitched well in 2008 and would have been more demanded had he not had an end of the season injury. At just age 30, Sheets could be a great sign. If he would accept anything from $10-12 on a 1 year deal with an option, I would go for it, however, that may be unrealistic. From what I can see, none of Sheets most recent injuries are that serious, and if he is your fifth man, missing a few games here in there wouldn’t be a big deal. Sheets is an option, but at this point he seems like a long shot.

Randy Wolf:
The 32 year old lefty is coming off a decent year in the NL. Wolf has pitched well in his full seasons, but like Sheets, he has also been plagued with chronic injuries. I’ve only seen him pitch a handful of times, but I think he has good enough stuff to get by in the American League, especially as a number five. Additionally, Wolf has major league experience under his belt, which is always a help. I’m not aware of the contract he is looking for, but again if he would accept an offer in the Yankees range, he wouldn’t be a bad choice.

There are some other options out there, including those by trade, but I don’t want to speculate while it is pretty quiet. When it comes to other free agents, I felt that they aren’t a good option, or may be asking for a longer more lucrative deal than the Yankees would offer. Overall, it seems like Cashman is set on going with internal options, but I’m not particularly crazy about the idea. With AJ Burnett and a limited Chamberlain in the rotation, I think it would be almost necessary to pick up another veteran pitcher. The risk of injury is something the Yankees are going to have to take if they sign another free agent, but if the contract is short and inexpensive, it won’t be a big deal. If I had to pick an internal option at this time I’d pick Aceves, and as a free agent I’d pick Ben Sheets. There is still plenty of time until spring training, and until the season starts, we are left to ponder.

Odd Man Out

The Pros and Cons of The Outfielders

Nick Swisher:

Pros:

-Switch hitter. One of the biggest advantages Swisher holds over the other three outfielders is his ability to bat from both sides of the plate. This would allow for a more flexible lineup, and create a lineup that would be very similar to that of the 1998 Yankees..

-Walking ability. Swisher, is probably the best out of this group of 4 at walking. He has averaged 93 walks in the last three seasons, peaking at 100 in ‘07, and dipping to 82 in ’08. Getting on base allows for more runs to be scored, Swisher scored 86 runs last season, while batting just .219, the walks surely allowed for him to have that production.

-Power. Swisher also has the most power out of this group. He will give you on average 25 homers, and still has the potential to reach 30-35. Having power in the bottom of the lineup is always a plus.

-Flexible and Solid. Swisher has the physical ability to play all the outfield positions and even 1B, with at least average fielding ability. He is best in the outfield, but he provides flexibility for injury or rest days, and is sound in providing it.

-Age. Swisher is the youngest of this group of outfielders, at just 28. He is currently in his prime and should provide production until his contract runs out.

Cons:

-Strike Outs. Though Swisher walks a lot, he, like many hitters, seems to be hurt by the strike out. He has struck out at least 110 times in each of his four full seasons, but tends to be more around the 130-140 range. Being productive, however, could lessen the effect of this.

-Batting Average. When it comes to this category, Swisher is far from a star, however, there is potential to hit higher. Last season was a struggle for Swisher, and there was talk he was unhappy, a change in scenery should help boost his average. Keep in mind Brosius batted .203 before coming to the Yankees.

-Base Stealing. Swisher provides little ability to steal bases, though he isn’t a bad base runner. Speed is always a plus when it comes to close games and late innings, and with a lineup already lacking that ability, Swisher provides no help.

Xavier Nady

Pros:

-Balance. Nady provides a good balance in all of the offensive categories, not being fantastic at any one. He is probably just above average in most categories, and you could most likely expect at least .280 20 80 from him next season.

-Right Handed. Though not looking to be such a big issue this season, Nady could provide a right handed bat for the part of lineup, which will probably be more left handed.

-Super Utility. Like Swisher, Nady also has the ability to play all outfield positions and first and third base. He could play the corners above average, first and third (probably) average, and center above or slightly below average. Having him could allow for rest, or a position change given an injury occurs.

-Age. Nady is still just 30 years old, and with a contract only extending to the end of the season, he will be in his prime for the season.

Cons:

-Poor K/BB ratio. Nady lacks the ability to get on base via the walk, which alone isn’t a problem. However, with his newly found power, he has also found the ability to strike out. Coming close to, or going over 100 K’s in each of the last 3 seasons, Nady might not be a good fit for what may seem like an impatient lower half of the lineup as it is. He will strike out nearly 3 times as much as he will walk.

-Speed. Again, Nady is a player who can run the bases fine, but when it comes to stealing, he isn’t your guy. I would say his base stealing ability is below average, especially for an outfielder.

-New York Pressure. Overall Nady had a great 2008 season, however, the time spent with the Yankees was less than expected. His AVG and OBP took major hits, while his power seemed to be helped by the ballpark. The question is, can Nady be as good a player in New York as he was for the Bucs.

Hideki Matsui

Pros:

-Consistency. When it comes to being consistent, Matsui is among the best. When he is healthy, he will always drive in 100 runs and hit 20 homers. He is a middle to bottom of the order weapon.

-Toughness. Matsui is one of those guys that hates to not be playing, and even apologizes when he gets hurt. He displays a tremendous amount of physical and mental toughness, and always wants to be out there providing for the team. He always hustles and tries his best, he is a true warrior.

-Balance. Much like Nady, Matsui also provides a good balance within the offensive categories, however, he is probably a level up from Nady. He is not overwhelmingly good at any one category, but his makes him a solid player.

Cons:

-Age and Health. Unfortunately for Hideki, he is 34 going on 35, and age has taken a toll on his body. Injury has plagued him for the last 3 seasons, and he has missed large portions of 2006 and 2008. He is surely past his prime now, but can he be counted on to provide one more good year?

-DH. With his deteriorated knees, Matsui is likely relegated to DH, and only DH. His range was never tremendous, but now it will surely be below average. His effectiveness on the team could be reduced by being the full time DH.

-Double Plays. Considering the majority of pitchers faced are righties, Matsui always provides a hurt for all the good he provides, 55 GDP against righties in the majors. He is extremely prone to grounding in to the double play, and less productive Matsui coupled with a less productive Posada could mean disaster.

Johnny Damon

Pros:

-Speed. Unlike the other outfielders in this group, Damon can actually provide some speed. Though not quite game changing, 25-30 swipes could probably be expect from a healthy Johnny.

-Leadoff Man. If Brett Gardner were to have a bad spring, or not be able to adjust to the majors in 2009, Damon could be the leadoff man. He probably has enough left to provide good enough production for the one spot in 2009.

-Leadership and Personality. From what I’ve heard, Damon carries himself very well on and off the field. It’s evident he wants to have fun out there, but he also knows what it takes to get to the top. He is a very good influence on the youth, plus he apparently convinced CC to come to the Yanks.

Cons:

-Age and Health. As might be expected, Damon’s age causes health concerns, and has done a lot to make him less of a player. He isn’t getting any younger, and the season is long, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him spend some time on the DL in 2009. Last year was a rebound year for Damon, after a pretty bad 2007, but it seems unlikely that he can repeat his last season again.

-Fielding Ability. The range of Damon in the outfield is beginning to decrease as each year goes on, and with fielding always being among the top concerns, this is a problem. Not only is his range poor, his arm is among the worst in the majors (in my opinion), and that often allows for players to get an extra base.

-Money. If the Yankees are looking to dump a contract, not make a more positionally flexible roster, Damon, like Matsui, is the guy you point the finger at. He is going to make $13 million next season, which seems too much for a 35 year old.

Conclusion:

To conclude, I believe that Nady and Matsui should be the players put on the trading block. However, due to Matsui’s recent injury history, I think dealing him is highly unlikely, which would move Damon into that position. Therefore, Nady and Damon become the Yankees trade bait. The Yankees should start to test the waters now, just to see what kind of interest can be sparked. Like I said, I pick Damon over Matsui to be traded because he is healthier, and might gather more attention. Nady, however, was picked for other reasons. Each player provides similar abilities fielding and flexibility wise, though to me, Swisher is the better player. With his power, walk, and production abilities, not to mention he is a switch hitter who is 2 years younger, he has a clear advantage. I see Swisher bouncing back from his awful season last year, and potentially scoring 80-100 runs while providing that same amount of walks. Thanks for reading, what are your opinions?

Chien-Ming Wang an Ace (written 4/08)

Wang has been criticized by fans and scouts alike for the success he has had the last two seasons. People are contributing his large share of wins and high rate of success to factors other than his talents and his abilities. Many believe that Chien-Ming has just gotten lucky over a long period of time, or that he gets way more run support than any other pitcher in the game. The fact of the matter is these people are wrong and maybe blind to what Wang posses. It takes a lot of talent and hard work to win 19 games in the Major Leagues for two consecutive seasons, especially in the first 3 years seasons one has been pitching.

Proving wrong the luck or run support theory is my first order of business. First off any pitcher will get their share of luck, whether it be calls for strikes or calls in the field, it is part of the game, it is part of nature. I don’t understand how people can say that Wang has more luck than any other pitcher, because really that is impossible, unless of course he or the Yankees are bribing the umpires, and I highly doubt that. If anything Wang should be better than he is, he should allow less base runners because he is more unlucky than most pitchers. He is a groundball pitcher, which means the fielders behind him are more likely to make mistakes than if he was a strikeout or flyball pitcher. In order to prove that luck nor run support has played a roles in his victories, I would like to regurgitate some stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference. In games that Wang has won, which for his career is 46, he has pitched 323 Innings, allowed 282 Hits, given up 88 Runs (only 85 earned), allowed 13 HR’s against, allowed 71 BB to 151 SO, and carried a 2.37 ERA, now is that luck? In the games that Wang has lost he has been nothing more than atrocious, in losing 18 career games, he has pitched 105.1 Innings, allowed 148 Hits, 89 Runs (only 83 earned), allowed 9 HR’s against, allowed 41 BB to 45 SO, and in these loses has posted an ERA of 7.09. For the sake of saving space his no decision stats are 104.2 IP, 113 H, 54 ER, 8 HR, 31 BB, 31 SO, and a 4.64 ERA. His ERA for in his wins for 2007 was an astounding 2.19. Now to the run support conundrum, Wang had an RS of 7.04 runs per game when he started. Justin Verlander was the only pitcher above Chien-Ming Wang on the list, yet he is commonly regarded as an ace. Several other pitchers that had high success rates last season also showed high RS rates, including (those above 5.5 runs per game) Roy Hallady, C.C Sabathia, Dontrelle Willis, Felix Hernandez, Kelvim Escobar, and Josh Beckett. I can draw a conclusion from these stats that he has been an ace type pitcher in all 46 of his wins. Also I have concluded that you cannot discredit any of those wins from Wang, because he had a high amount of run support. These stats are proof that even if Wang were to get 5 or 6 runs in a game he won, he pitched good enough to win with a lot less runs than he got. I will make a comparison of Josh Beckett (who people say is a #1 starter) to Chien-Ming Wang (who people say is at best a #3 starter). In 2007 Wang had a lower ERA in the games he won than Josh Beckett did (2.19 vs. 2.50), but Beckett’s ERA in his losses and no decisions was lower ( 5.40 and 3.63 to 7.23 and 5.61). Josh Beckett’s runs support was 6.59, while Wang’s was 7.04. My question is how is Beckett considered more of an ace than Wang, yes the Taiwanese Terror is much worse in his losses and no-decisions, but what matters is the wins and how dominant the pitcher pitching was. Beckett and several other big name pitchers got a lot of run support as well, yet they can still be aces, they are not doubted. I think that strikeouts play a big role in this, as Wang is swept to the back of the pack because he doesn’t strike 200 or more batters when he wins his 19 games. Strikeouts are like homeruns, they are good and nice to pad stats, but they don’t mean that you are any better than the guy that doesn’t. This is like trying to compare Derek Jeter to Barry Bonds, it just doesn’t work. They are two different style players, you just can’t compare them based on a single statistic. Wang is in his own way an ace, and anyone who says that he won 19 games because of run support or luck should look at the facts.

There are several other reasons why I see Wang as an ace and as an asset to this team. First off he shows tremendous confidence and poise on the mound, and rarely do we see him show emotion on the mound. Seldom do we see him lose confidence and get shelled in starts following a bad one. It takes a lot to go out there give up seven runs and then come right back out five days later and shut a team down, it is not easy, and that is one reason I like Wang. He is always ready to battle. Another reason I like Wang is his consistency. Ever since being called up to the Yankees he has been an asset to the team, he is 46 and 18 in his career so far, and I’d say that is a pretty damn good start. Not only are his stats consistent, but his delivery and his mechanics seems to be for the most part consistent. Yes he has the few occasional kinks that every pitcher needs to work out, but every time he is out there the set, the wind up, and the follow through are exactly the same. This is important because it shows that the pitcher is polished, and that he will not be injury prone or be wild because his motion shows inconsistencies. Another factor and probably the most important thing about Wang is his ability to be able to go far into games, while maintaining a fairly low pitch count. That is something that is hard to do as a strikeout pitcher, and that is why I’m glad that he is not one of them. An ace is supposed to be able to pitch long into games and give up as few runs as possible, the strikeouts are just a bonus. That is why I am perfectly happy with the fact that Wang strikes out so few. Not only does Wang strike out very few, but he also walks very few, and that is extremely important for any pitcher, but especially a sinker baller. Now it is understandable that he will have too many walks in a few games, but it is not very often where we see 4 or even 3 walks in one start. Now onto the pitches that Mr. Wang possesses. He obviously has the sinker, which is his most important pitch, usually sitting between 92-95 it can be considered one of the harder sinkers in the game. This has been his main pitch for the entirety of his career, and really has had not had to use anything else, because it has been so successful. This pitch has allowed him to post a career 2.70 GO/AO ratio, which is very very good. Wang also has a slider, which he doesn’t use all that much, but we were able to see its true effectiveness in the game against the Mets, when he struck out 10 batters almost all with that one pitch. Finally Chien-Ming has been developing a changeup, which hopefully will come along nicely, and allow him to set batters up better. The addition or use of a secondary pitch has been Wang’s biggest weakness, it is his Achilles heal. The negative part about just using his sinker is now people are beginning to sit on it a little more, let the ones out of the zone go, while hitting the sinkers in the zone that have less movement. He needs, and I have every confidence he will, begin to use his changeup and his slider a little more frequently, especially when a situation arises for the punch out. Overall Wang has a solid build and a solid mentality.

I think that will do it for my argument on why Chien-Ming Wang is an ace. I believe I made several points that prove why he should be given this status, and why he should not be discredited for anything he has done. I can look past the lack of strikeouts and the bad games, because behind all that I see something special, I see the Pride of Tiawan, Chien-Ming Wang.

Thanks for reading,Dan G.