...one of the very few bright spots so far...lost for 15 days. ...and it begins. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12915966/jacoby-ellsbury-new-york-yankees-leaves-game-injured-knee
He is number one in the batting lineup and has proven himself to be all star. Why couln't he be out when the Yanks play my unfortunate O's.
...and oh...fwiw, it's beautimous here at the beach. (Panama City Beach, Fla) ...me and the wife are still recuperating from the 4 pounds of King Crab legs we ate last night.
I hated the Ellsbury signing. Calling him DLsbury in his time w/Boston. Good player, injury prone, contract made no sense. Brett Gardner is pretty much a clone of him and their contracts are night and day. That said he's a good leadoff man and has been a catalyst this year. He will be missed. I'd like the organization to play close attention to Chris Young v Carlos Beltran during his time on the DL. If Young outplays Beltran on an everyday basis, he should become the RF when Ellsbury is healthy. Beltran can still get a lot of ABs as the 4th OF and 2nd DH, but Young's D is superior. If his bat is on par with Beltran, Young deserves the majority of the PT>
...the large majority of his DL time was the result 2 horrendous collisions with team mates while hustling to get to fly balls...just sayin'...he's also a better hitter and base runner than Gardner. Speed is about equal and Gardner may have the better arm. ...as far as salaries, it doesn't bother me who makes what, as long as the produce.
A week or so back I'd have agreed with you but Beltran seems to be coming around of late, currently riding a 10 game hitting streak where he's gone 13 of 36 (361 BA) over that span with his first 2 HRs of the season, 5 XBH & 7 RBI. Lets hope it continues.
I think Ellsbury is the Yanks best all around player and one of the better players in the league. Just hope this is only a slight bump in the road. Young has shown himself to be a valuable 4th outfielder and as some of us spoke about before and during ST, chances are we WILL eventually see one or two of their minor league pitchers and maybe one or two of their top position players as the season goes on.........and it look as if it's going to happen. Heathcott (one time 1st rounder) has put himself back in the mix and Judge may not be far away. Pirela is already here and Refsnyder could be here as soon as the Yanks give up on Drew which could be soon.....but, sorry if I sound silly, but Drew could also be a couple few good games (hits) from being kept in the lineup. It'll work itself out one way or another. Let's just hope the pitching and the rest of the lineup doesn't come down with an injury bug epidemic.
Heathcott is a scrub. I dont expect to see much of him over the next 2 weeks, maybe 1 or 2 spot starts to get guys rest. As far as Judge is concerned I'd put him in AAA and let him learn to swim. He is going to K at every level, so is the life of a slugger. He could be a July-August option if he does his part on the field and they dont baby him. Ellsbury is a good player when he is on the field. His flaws are his durability and the fact he is as streaky as they come. You normally see his type of hot and cold nature with sluggers, but he is a speed guy who has very little in between. He is either on a hot streak where he's batting .380-.400 or a cold streak where he's batting around .200. This pitching staff needs reinforcements. Tanaka should be back next week at which point Warren should join the pen. Lindgren should already be here I dont know what they are waiting for. They built themselves a cushion and now need to face the reality that it's gone and some positions need to be dealt with. Didi should be in AAA trying to get himself together offensively.
...can't quite figure out Young...everyone else gave up on him but he's never been as good in his whole career as he's been with the Yanx...solid OFer...good bat. ...and I have to agree on DiDi. I was hoping the change of scenery would maybe spark his bat but he looks totally lost most of the time...I think it's clear he need some help with his hitting down in the minors...because the Yanx current hitting coach doesn't seem to be earning his pay. (sand yes, Long was made the scape goat)
Since Ellsbury was a good part of that offense someone else is going to have to step up big time. Who knows maybe it'll be Beltran who's currently on a 10 game hitting streak (361)
A week or so back I'd have agreed with you but Beltran seems to be coming around of late, currently riding a 10 game hitting streak where he's gone 13 of 36 (361 BA) over that span with his first 2 HRs of the season, 5 XBH & 7 RBI. Lets hope it continues. __________________________________ I think he'll hit as long as he's healthy. He could be a big difference in the middle of the order and was unfortunately a big reason - imo - why the Yanks' offense was so bad last year which cost them - imo - (lol) a playoff spot. Last year he had the elbow issue and his season was a washout....but the year before the Yanks signed him when he was with the Cards, he had a very good year. They probably need to give him more days off in the field , replace him in RF in the later innings, more DH duty.... to keep his legs fresh. I do NOT think he's "washed up" yet as a hitter and can still hit..... ......let's hope.
I'm hoping the same. He's been to good a hitter for to long to just suck now. By season's end I'd be okay with 15-20 HR's, 70-80 RBI & a 250-260 BA. As you said, lets hope.
Beltran hit .230 last year and is 38 years old. I dont know why people would expect a turn around. He's been one of the worst players in MLB so far this year. He has a -0.5 WAR. This isnt happening overnight. His OPS+ last year was 98 below the league average and he missed 53 games. His demise is falling right in line with how guys fizzle in their late 30s when not being enhanced by roids. I dont expect Beltran to turn it around, if he did it would be nice, but given how bad his D is I'd prefer Chris Young in RF.
Honestly I can't go by what he did last year because once he went over that wall to make a catch he wasn't the same the rest of the year. So last season I chalk up to injuries. The numbers I said I'd be okay with are well below his career averages based on his years, (38) Do I think he can reach those numbers yes. Will he, I don't know, but I can hope. As far as RF yeah Young would be better defensively but & that's a big BUT! what to do with Beltran if he continues as he's been the last 10 games? Lets see. Besides with Ellsbury out Young will get plenty of playing time over the next few weeks. Lets see if he can step it up.
Right now they both play anyway. And I'd let Beltran ride this streak out regardless. But when his next slump hits he's gotta sit if he has not really fixed his stats between now and then. He has an .864 OPS in May. Which is very good.
_________________ You do realize Beltran was playing through an elbow injury last year which DID require surgery? Just checking in to see what I'm "dealing" with. If he's "healthy" and continues to put up poor numbers, I'll be leading the parade to bench his ass or release him and bring up one of the kids.
