Clemens wasn’t nearly 42 after 1999. And RJ was pitching in the NL in 2004, the difference is much more than the DH if you watch some of those lineups.

As a Blue Jay fan, I can say that was a great game. Unfortunately for the Yankees, the Jays exposed how bad Giambi is at first – I bet many teams have made a note of that play!
=======

Giambi has been a full-time 1b since 1997. I think teams already know how good/bad he is

Randy’s always been a two-pitch pitcher: slider and a fastball. Now, I’ve read that he throws a two-seamer and a four seamer – but, at this age, I would bet that both of those are now the same speed. So, in essence, his fastball is just his fastball – no matter what grip.
==================================

RJ throws a 2 & 4 seamer, along with a slider and split.

He had a tremendous year last year, it stands to reason that there may be a letdown, much like Clemens in 1999 after winning the “pitchers triple crown” two years in Toronto

As a Blue Jay fan, I can say that was a great game. Unfortunately for the Yankees, the Jays exposed how bad Giambi is at first – I bet many teams have made a note of that play!

Randy’s always been a two-pitch pitcher: slider and a fastball. Now, I’ve read that he throws a two-seamer and a four seamer – but, at this age, I would bet that both of those are now the same speed. So, in essence, his fastball is just his fastball – no matter what grip.

The slider, now without hard rotation, is basically a BP fastball.

I wonder if Unit would consider throwing 90% fastballs, spotting it like crazy, and using the “BP-fastball-slider” as a change – but keep it out of the strike zone?

Given his unique release point, this might work – at least better than things are going now.

None of this is on Mel, RJ is a veteran pitcher who should fix what is wrong on his own. But at nearly 42 this may be all RJ has left. Pig in a poke?

Pitching coaches are way overrated.

Knowing that RJ threw sliders 41% of the time doesn’t tell us when he threw them in a typical count. Granted, the “tilt” on his slider is too often flat, but a change in philosophy in when he throws the breaking pitch would improve things for Unit. Going with his fastball more late in the count would enhance his slider earlier and set up his slider better when he chose to use it as a strike-out pitch. Using the slider as an out pitch rather than trying to throw early strikes with it would be going against Mel’s basic modus operandus but could mitigate his less effective breaking pitches. Fixing his mechanical problems are beyond Mel’s capabilities so changing his mix of slider/fastball might be the easier solution.