I suppose that Wang doesn’t count as a front of the rotation starter. I suppose that the loss of the left fielder, DH, power-hitting catcher, and the slow start of Cano, decline of Jeter and Abreu had absolutely nothing to do with the Yankees’ season.

I suppose that Damaso Marte has made the bullpen rock solid.

How so? What parts?

What’s the basis for your position?
————————————
Among other things, Madden cited the fact that the bullpen didn’t have a lefty. So what? The bullpen seemed to be doing pretty well without one and the past 10 days’ failures aren’t because the Yanks broke camp without a LHP in their ‘pen.

Or, maybe it was the part about the bench consisting of Ensberg/Betemit. Because it was so indefensible to start the year with a righty hitter off the bench that had a career .278/.400/.512 line vs. LHP? Isn’t that what everyone thought the Yanks needed, more righty power off the bench?

If Madden wants to rant and use examples, he may as well pick on the right people. The team isn’t a $200M beached whale because the Yanks didn’t have a lefty in the pen or thought Ensberg was a good bench player. It’s because a full 33% of their opening day lineup — Jeter, Cano, Cabrera — has played a season to be ashamed of at the plate and in the field.

How so? What parts?
———-
Blaming the pitching when the offense is the problem. The pitching is pretty much performing the same as last year;

ERA+
2007: 99
2008: 99

OPS+
2007: 118
2008: 104

But, nice rant on the part of Madden…

How so? What parts?

What’s the basis for your position?

Madden’s article is complete rubbish, as usual.