A-Rod’s Stats Empty? Girardi A Mistake?

Adam Schein and Chris Carlin, yesterday on SNY’s Loud Mouths, discuss the questions. Here’s the video:

What do you think?

August 21, 2008 | Filed Under Loud Mouths Video

Comments

17 Responses to “A-Rod’s Stats Empty? Girardi A Mistake?”

srivinodh on August 21st, 2008 1:08 pm

For me to gain any trust on what SNY.tv tells me, i have to know how they discussed “Willie’s firing”.

And please take a look at the records of NY teams… and the level of competition.. anyone who doesnt think Joe G deserves a break is crazy…
MJ on August 21st, 2008 1:14 pm

I have no idea what “empty stats” could mean regarding A-Rod. What, like Jeter’s HR last night to tack on meaningless runs?

Does Raf need to post the RCAA list again? The perception of A-Rod is so negative that it takes an other-worldly, outrageously history season like last year for anyone to shut up about him. When he’s “merely good” (which is to say still one of the best players in baseball by any measure), we carp about how much he sucks and how empty his stats are.

As far as Girardi being a mistake…what were the alternatives? Another go with Torre? Hiring Mattingly instead? Based on the information, the choices, and the alternatives, Girardi represented the best option. If it doesn’t work out, then we’ll deal with that then. Why are we judging a manager’s tenure before his first season is even over? It’s preposterous.

Now, do I think Girardi’s done a good job? No, not by any stretch. But he’s not working with the same team Torre did, either. The 2008 Yankees haven’t hit anywhere close to where they should’ve. Had the offense been more productive, the Yanks wouldn’t be in 3rd place.
owine on August 21st, 2008 1:21 pm

Anyone who believed that Girardi would come in and be able to manage like Joe Torre is absolutely insane. Torre managed many games before coming to New York, Girardi had one previous season. Look at this season for what it is, a transition year. Transitioning to our younger core, younger pitchung, younger bullpen and a new manager. Girardi has huge shos to fill, he deserves time to fill those shoes.
Joel on August 21st, 2008 1:48 pm

I advocated for keeping Mr. Torre. But these “Loudmouth” guys are off base. Can Girardi really be blamed for the 200 fewer runs the Yanks are on pace to score this season? And were these “Loudmouths” out pushing for the Yanks to hold on to Torre last October/November? I think not.

The A-Rod stuff is ridiculous. He’s a monster player. One of the best in our generation. A first ballot Hall of Famer. These same schmucks who are pounding on him now will be saying 15 years from now: “Oh, we were so privileged to have been able to watch a player like A-Rod here in New York.” (Cue the dramatic music for the career highlight film.)
MJ on August 21st, 2008 2:09 pm

But these “Loudmouth” guys are off base.
———————————-
Joel said it best.
ken on August 21st, 2008 2:10 pm

What’s with that annoying music?
DJ21996 on August 21st, 2008 2:38 pm

I agree with Torre. But Alex’s numbers are not empty at all. Alex is having a very good season in a team that has been too ripe with inconsistency.
butchie22 on August 21st, 2008 3:02 pm

I understand what people say about Arod, but you want to see the real Arod(unclutch and homeruns meaning nothing) look at Adam Dunn. Bill James called him an old school player. That is what Yank fans accuse Arod of being and point blank Arod is a much better player than Dunn.

Girardi is doing a good job considering the circumstances. He doesn’t have the same team as Torre and some of these older veterans are one year
older. Cashman didn’t mold the team into a team that was tailormade to Girardi’s strengths. ONce again my motto for this season: Blame Cashman!
Raf on August 21st, 2008 3:12 pm

Cashman didn’t mold the team into a team that was tailormade to Girardi’s strengths.
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Eh?

What are Girardi’s strengths, and why would he expect a different team this year than last?
Raf on August 21st, 2008 3:16 pm

Torre managed many games before coming to New York, Girardi had one previous season.
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Don’t think that means anything. Why should it? Girardi’s problem isn’t inexperience.

Had the lineup stayed healthy/productive, the Yanks would’ve won around the same number of games that they won last season.
butchie22 on August 21st, 2008 4:18 pm

Raf, Girardi played a NL style of ball when he was with the Marlins. When you pick someone who manages a different , more aggressive type of ball that includes bunting and his leadoff hitter can’t lay down a bunt last week, then that is a personnel problem. Where are the roleplayers to scratch out a run, everyone is a basher. Is that Girardi’s fault.Once again: blame Cashman!
Pete on August 21st, 2008 4:30 pm

So Cashman was supposed to completely restructure the team in *one* offseason simply because a new manager comes in?

So by your logic, Cashman should have traded A-Rod & Jeter for Chone Figgins & David Eckstein, right…?
Raf on August 21st, 2008 4:39 pm

Jeter, Damon, Gardner & Christian don’t know how to lay down a bunt? Jeter, Damon, Gardner, Christian, Cabrera, Cano, Molina, Pudge, etc, are bashers?

Pudge, Nady, Abreu, Betemit, Jeter, etc don’t know how to play NL style ball? Did the team forget how to play NL style ball under Torre?

The guys on the roster don’t know how to run?

News to me. You may want to check the numbers.
John ONeil on August 22nd, 2008 1:20 am

On A-Rod, YES had a stat last week. I don’t remember the exact numbers and haven’t researched it but here was the general idea. Last year, A-Rod drove in somewhere on the order of 40 runs in the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings. I think he had 20+ in the ninth inning alone. This year it was around 5. Again, I may not have the numbers exact but the order of magnitude should be close. He is not hitting when we need him to. Neither is Jeter. Nor Cano. Nor Giambi (for the last couple months.)

A-Rod gets singled out, maybe unfairly in light of the similar failures of his peers. A-Rod has better numbers than his peers - its true. But I have to agree they are not as good as they seem. Unfortunately, nothing is very good for the Yanks offense this year.

If Jeter continues his hot streak and manages to get his average close to .300 for the season, a lot of that offense will be too little too late as well.

Empty is an accurate description of our bats this year
butchie22 on August 22nd, 2008 6:54 am

Raf, no offense what team were you watching during the later Torre era ? BTW , the team essentially forgot to play NL style play and became more of an AL OBP team after 2001. The post Dynasty Torre team was built with people like Giambi not with rabbits like Figgins and Juan Pierre. Torre was not even utilizing strategy, he was waiting for a 5 run home run appraoch. C’mon , the whole train of logic of Damon bunting is a joke. Damon succesfully bunted in the first Toronto series, yet Damon (who is the leadoff hitter) can’t get one down now?All of a sudden Damon can’t do his job properly( witness his weak attempt to bunt last week). Jeter has very little speed now and to add insult to injury is becoming a singles hitter WITHOUT the requisite speed to make up for his loss of power.

Pete, by my logic Cashman is the architect of the team. He is not a complete dolt. He brought Girardi in for a reason. It is imperative that the GM to make changes to make the team more competitive AND to reflect the manager’s strengths.
butchie22 on August 22nd, 2008 7:00 am

Joel, these “Dummkopfs” who deride Arod are not exactly that because he is a very iffy clutch player. Considering the fact that he is paid 30 mill , people are expecting him to be the Second Coming of Mantle and Ruth. Look, Arod is a great player but a flawed one. He is deficient in the clutch unlike Papi who is making 12 mill! What a bargain compared to Arod,unh?
Raf on August 22nd, 2008 8:30 am

BTW , the team essentially forgot to play NL style play and became more of an AL OBP team after 2001.
—-
Eh???

OBP

1996: .360
1997: .362
1998: .362
1999: .364
2000: .354
2001: .334
2002: .354
2003: .356
2004: .353

So much for that… You may want to check the numbers.