As the NEW YORK YANKEES head into the 2014 season, let us look at several issues that have been on the stove this off season.
Tanaka, the highly sought after Japanese free agent pitcher is on the open market and will be signed by a team willing to pay a significant salary for him. Having seen Tanaka pitch and having seen thousands of other pitchers in my lifetime, I have a concern with Tanaka. My concern is with his delivery and the stress he puts into many of his pitches, sometimes appearing as if he is throwing his body with his delivery. I have seen all to many pitchers who threw this way, injure themselves because this violent throwing action takes its toll on the arm, elbow, shoulder, and whatever else it may find. Tanka's motion is not truly fluid. Many of the greats in MLB who have dominated on the mound, were very smooth and fluid, using their legs and body going to the plate and dominating and intimidating batters. Many others who were also dominating where not fluid and many looked to be throwing violently thus taking a toll on their arm and body. Many of these dominated for a few years and then suddenly the wheels fell off the wagon. If the YANKEES obtain Tanaka, and from what I have heard, Tanaka WILL sign with the YANKEES, I will be pulling for him, BUT whoever Tanaka signs with, I feel Tanaka as time plays out MAY not be worth what the winning bidder is going to pay. Time will tell.
afraud, who arguably may be the most foul corrupt person to ever play MLB, a person who has lied and cheated his entire career, a person who lied and cheated on his family, his teams, the fans, and MLB has been banned from baseball for the 2014 season. Not long enough in my view, afraud should never be allowed to play baseball again. Remember WIN METHOD fans, no record of any of the steroid users is real or valued. These records of the steroid users should be eliminated from the record books and not ever be used by any fan ever.
2014 season outlook. Even at this time, without the rosters being finalized and spring training not yet open, the YANKEES look like a solid sure thing playoff team. With Captain Derek Jeter back at shortstop playing great defense and great offense, that is an upgrade from last year. Brian McCann behind the plate will be an upgrade fro last year. Mark Teixeira back at first base will be an upgrade from last year. The outfield with Elsbury, Gardner, Soriano, Beltran will be an upgrade from last year. Third base will be an upgrade from last year with a combination of several players, led by Nunez will be an upgrade from last year. We lose Cano at second base, but one minus is eliminated or nullified by so many plusses. The excess of talent at so many positions therefore allows for an automatic upgrade at the designated hitter spot. The pitching will have many potentials vying for a spot in the rotation, and if Tanaka becomes a YANKEE spring training competition will shape the rotation for the best. There are many options and many guys competing for the same. After everything shakes out the YANKEE 2014 is going to be one of accomplishment and achievement.
608 comments:
1 – 200 of 608 Newer› Newest»Lets roll and win it all.
I think teams may be feeling the effects of long term contracts that have gone south. I would almost rather over pay a guy for 2 or 3 years than get stuck foe 10 years.
It's been to long WIN METHOD. Looking forward to a big year. Love ya,
The Yankee lineup is solid. the pitching will be the question. There is plenty of time before the season starts for much to happen in this regard.
Glad you mentioned afraud WIN METHOD. You were the first, back almost 15 years that knew Alex Rodriquez was corrupt, a disease, and certainly not WIN METHOD, and you repeatedly stated such. You were right all along.
Now you made me more ready for 2014. Thanks WIN METHOD.
Hope we get Tanaka and hope he does well and lasts through his Yankee contract, if there is one.
Big year and a playoff year.
Rumor has it Tanaka will make decision Tuesday or Wednesday.
Looking for to a great season for the Yankees.
After hearing all the rumors, scuttlebutt, and innuendo, i feel Tanaka will sign with the Yankees.
Agree WIN METHOD. Aaron is the career HR leader and Maris is the single season leader.
5 days or less for Tanaka.
Decision time draws closer every minute.
All off season action will pop as soon as Tanaka makes his decision.
Lets get ready for baseball.
Nice report WIN METHOD. Thanks for your insight on Tanaka.
I would still take a chance on him.
It will be interesting to see just how much Tanaka will get.
I think Tanaka has 94 hours left or less.
Tanaka is down to under 81 hours. Any day now.
Think positive guys and gals, the best news of the off season is afraud is gone for the year.
It is interesting hearing both sides on how much and how long to pay free agents. Go short and pay high? Go long and pay heavy? Go long and pay high? A team takes their chance no matter what they decide. I like paying higher for a short term, but then if the player does great, he will command even more money in his new contract and you could lose him. If you go long term and he fails, you are stuck paying for nothing.
I guess you take your chances whichever way you decide. Damned if you do and damned if you don't scenario.
Just like any investment, you take your chances.
We will know one way or the other any day or so.
Down to 72 hours or less for Tanaka decision.
At least the Tanaka story is upbeat, positive and about a winner. While the afruad story was about a cheater, liar, and loser.
57 more hours for Tamaka to make his decision known, because most likely he already knows which team he will sign with.
Will it be plan A or plan B for the Yankees.
If Tanaka gets a look at what came through NYC yesterday, he may want California.
Tanaka will be a YANKEE.
YES!!!!! The Yankees will rule again in 2014.
Great work WIN METHOD. Love ya,
Hopefully Tanaka will be all he is cracked up to be.
It looks like Tanaka is WIN METHOD and wants to win, so he chose the right team to do it.
Oh man, it is going to be one heck of a year to be a Yankee fan.
Now to make final roster adjustments and then a competitive spring training for the final spots.
Welcome to New York Mr. Tanaka.
A giant step forward, and yes Jeter does make a difference.
Keep winning Tanaka.
Hey Tanaka is still cheaper than afraud. And we got nothing from afraud.
It's plan A.
There is no team in baseball who improved as much as the Yankees have this winter, not even close.
Can you say playoffs. Can you say pennant. Can you say World Series.
It is amazing how WIN METHOD so consistently beats all to the punch on so many signings.
This from Tanaka..""""Masahiro Tanaka says he chose to play for the New York Yankees because they appreciated him the most among the many teams in the majors who were chasing the prized signature of the star Japanese pitcher.
"They gave me the highest evaluation and are a world-famous team." Tanaka said at a press conference in Japan on Thursday after agreeing to a $155 million, seven-year deal with the Yankees,"""""
It's Tanaka time in NY. Great way to get away from the fraud.
Glad we got Tanaka. Got to give the Steinbrenner kids credit.
Tanaka said he came to the YANKEES to win and because they game him the highest evaluation. Just think how much WIN METHOD played a part in that.
Maybe we will get lucky and Tanaka will be better than anyone thought. Better than 24-0?
The rotation got better, the lineup got better, the team is better. All makes for a sure playoff spot this season.
3 weeks to pitchers and catchers. Take care of Tanaka, Jetes.
Go Yankees.
Wouldn't it be fantastic for the Yankee team to earn a World Series ring this season, without afraud. How sweet and fitting, a magical season.
That would be sweet Carl.
For the Yankees to win the WS in the afraud is banned would crush afraud no end.
Yes, win the WS without afraud.
Tanaka wins games, that must irk the stat frauds.
Yes again, wins. The thorn in the side of the losers. Wins will always decide who is best.
Looking forward to this season.
Hope our expectations are not over board.
Without the afraud garbage, Jeter will have a legendary year for a 40 year old.
The curse of afraud is gone.
Tanaka and Jeter will make a consummate pair. Both big time winners.
I for one am amazed how WIN METHOD knows of Yankee signings before everyone else.
In Jeter, Tanaka has a great role mode; and mentor.
Tanaka number 19.
Beltran, Elsbury, McCann, Tanaka. What a job by the front office.
20 days for pitchers and catchers.
Spring training can't come fast enough.
This from Tiger manager Jim Leyland...The stat frauds must hate him.
""""" About
Category: Baseball
Jonathan Papelbon putting a fan in a headlock who tried to jump into the Phillies bullpen
September 8, 2013
MLB Double Cut: Week 23
Recapping what you missed from the MLB week
Jonathan Papelbon putting a fan in a headlock who tried to jump into the Phillies bullpenJonathan Papelbon putting a fan in a headlock who tried to jump into the Phillies bullpen
The Starting Line-Up
1. Falling apart
The previous progress made between the Rays and the city of Saint Petersburg to keep the Rays in the Tampa Bay area is falling apart. The sticking points seem to be the fee the Rays would have to pay in order to leave Saint Pete and demolish/redevelop Tropicana Field.
Bottom line: The Rays will get out of Pinellas County if they want to, but they will have to play ball with Mayor Bill Foster and the city of Saint Pete.
2. The Nine Man Defense
After some research, the folks over at Fan Graphs found only fleeting references to rules involving the catcher. Long story short, the catcher doesn’t have to be squatting behind the plate. Enter the 9-man defense:
The 9 man defense, with fewer than 3 balls or 2 strikes and no runners on.The 9 man defense, with fewer than 3 balls or 2 strikes and no runners on.
This defense should only be considered in extreme situations, such as a one game playoff scenario. Would the umps allow it? If they did (which according to the rules, they should), where would the umpire stand to avoid getting hit with pitched baseballs?
3. Overvalued?
Finally, a former closer has called out his own game, closing. Dennis Eckersly, now a Red Sox broadcaster explained, “its not as tough as you think”.
Not every pitcher with nasty stuff is cut out for closing. With this in mind, many pitchers are. It takes all kinds of mental strength, focus, and discipline to make it to the highest level of any profession, especially as a pitcher in baseball. Great relievers can be found and tested, as the Red Sox did with Koji Uehara and their relief core.
Here is where you shouldn’t be surprised: your best overall reliever is usually going to be the best at closing.
4. Breaking down a 3 way tie in the NL Central.
The Reds, Cardinals, and Pirates could easily finish all tied up after the last game of the season according to many projections. If there’s a three-way tie in the NL Central standings, there would be a tiebreaker game, with the loser becoming a Wild Card. Then there would be a tiebreaker game with the winner of the first tiebreaker against the team that hasn’t played a tiebreaker yet. The winner of that game would be the Central champ, and the loser would play a wild-card game against the other loser.
The team with the best record against the others will have the choice (and choose) to not play in the first tiebreaker game.
5. Old school is old school
Tiger’s skipper Jim Leyland doesn’t believe in statistics. Leyland:
“I don’t believe in any of that stuff,” Leyland said. “I won’t listen to any of it and have no interest in talking about it. You can figure out whatever you want. My view of pitchers’ stats is this: Did he give us a chance to win? If he did that on any kind of consistent basis for me, then he’s a very good pitcher.
But I also like guys that win. I’d rather have a pitcher nobody is talking about who has won 15 games than somebody everyone is raving about who has won five. I’m a baseball manager, not a statistician. I’m wasting my time talking about it.” """"""
Winter has been to long, come on spring and baseball.
Only an utter fool would believe is not the single greatest factor in rating a player and only a fool would think losing makes a player better than winning.
Sarcastically, Tanaka sucks, Shani had a 1.01 ERA and that was lower than Tanakas, Shani struck out 100 more batter than Tanaka in the same amount of innings. Shani only walked 12 batters all season, far better than Tanaka. I don't care if Tanaka never lost a game. Shani at 13-11 was the better pitcher. This is how the stat frauds think.
Good stuff guys. Truth rules. Win and you are the best.
Wins Gus wins. jk
Tanaka could be the jolt that ignites CC.
True Les. Hopefully CC will fight to be top dog.
And the there is countryman Kuroda, who was number one last season, and Nova, and a host of others for the five hole.
A little friendly competition doesn't hurt.
Phelps, Warren, Pineda, etc for the 5 spot.
19 days for pitchers and catchers.
Yankee rotation is going to be very formidable this season.
The WIN METHOD should be the bible for any athlete who wants to be the best.
I love coming to this blog. No one tries to sell me anything. No ads trying to sell me something. No redirecting links. Just great intelligent knowledgeable baseball talk, information, and ideas.
Hey stat frauds, don't let anything like wins get in your way, troll on.
Nice Wes, very nice. Why would a stat fraud care about wins.
Thanks Frank. You've been here since the start. That is a great of the blog. No BS, just good info, intelligent posters, and winning baseball.
18 days for pitchers and catchers.
afraud realizing he ain't going to be playing for the Yankees in 2014, now says this may be a good thing. Now he can rest and fully recover from his surgeries, juice all he wants, and then is looking forward to helping the Yankees in 2015. What a joke.
I can easily see a 90+ win season and depending on just how good the 5th starter is even 95+.
In 2015 the Yankees should just ell him not to come to spring training. Pay him and give him the right to sign with any other team.
Think of the positives this spring, the negative is banned.
What a solid roster this year. Just think of the upgrades over last season.
You are right Pete. I see no problem with 90+ wins.
Getting closer and closer. Lets go Yankees.
Speed and power throughout the lineup.
Don't forget the cutting out of the cancer. No afraud.
17 days until pitchers and catchers report.
We are about to get some significant snow here. Very rare for my neck of the woods. Go Yankees.
Man o man, I can't wait for baseball to start.
The more I think of it the more I like Nunez at 3rd base. I like his bat at the bottom of the order also.
It would be great if Pineda is ready this season.
In some circles it has been mentioned what a great team mate afruad was, and how much he did to help the new developing kids. I take the WIN METHOD view, afraud was a cancer in the clubhouse and to his team mates, and unquestionably poisoned the youngsters.
Bingo Warren. He afraud led his teams to all to many unproductive seasons. More last place outcomes than World Series outcomes.
No matter who the 5th starter will be the top 4 in CC, Tanaka, Kuroda, and Nova are very representative and can match up with any team.
Tru Erica. Then there is Phelps, Warren, Nuno in the mix.
The storm has landed. Already encrusted in ice and heavy snow right around the corner.
Try living in New Jersey Sharon.
When is the first game?
16 days until pitchers and catchers report.
Jeter will be at camp welcoming all invited to camp.
You can always use a combination of 5 hole starters.
I think it is harder on a pitcher in a rotation not to pitch regularly.
Excellent blog, one of the best I have come across, if not the best.
From Russia with love, go Yankees.
Good luck with the Olympics, Yuri.
This camp is going to be filled with much blooming and growing.
Any team without afraud is a better team.
Agree Wes, and that has been documented.
15 days and spring training camp for pitchers and catchers opens for the Yankees.
Lets get ready for the baseball season. Americas game, a game attended by the most people the most often in America.
Jeter said to be progressing beyond expectations and there should be no reason why he will not be able to play and lead his team for the full season.
Go Yankees
Pennant winning for the Yankees this year.
Jeter is going to have a great season.
Hi ho hi ho it's off to the World series we go.
What is nice right now, all is peaceful.
Elsbury, Jeter, Beltran, Tex, McCann
Soriano, Nunez, Roberts, Gardner...WOW!
Which Yankee pitcher will win the most games this season?
15 days and spring training camp for pitchers and catchers opens for the Yankees. Yep, just two more weeks.
"""""""Tom Loughlin said...
Elsbury, Jeter, Beltran, Tex, McCann
Soriano, Nunez, Roberts, Gardner...WOW!"""""
Sure looks good Tom. Many runs will be scored, but that does not mean anything unless the games are won.
What a beautiful lineup without afraud.
I have a question for any stat frauds out there...How could the Yankees in 2013 win more games than they lost while scoring less runs than they allowed for the season?
Sabathia, Kuroda, Nova, Tanaka, and Pineda/Phelps/Nuno/Warren is a top 5 rotation in my opinion.
""""""" Cory said...
I have a question for any stat frauds out there...How could the Yankees in 2013 win more games than they lost while scoring less runs than they allowed for the season?""""
Because a win by 1 run is equal to a win by 10 runs and a loss by 1 run is equal to a loss by 10 runs. The amount of runs scored or not scored is meaningless. Only the W or the L are what matters. The stat frauds are caught off base and caught stealing again.
Ask the stat frauds what it take to get to the playoffs and they will answer with sound bites of garbage and convoluted BS. In fact if you win more than the competition you go to the playoffs. Simple and factual, no ifs ands or buts.
Come on now Steve, you know the stat frauds believe that if you score many runs more than the opposition you are the best, and the what the heck if you don't win the most games.
Logic and common sense always wins in the minds of the intelligent, while thd fools deny deny deny.
Also the fools want you to believe that a pitcher who loses a game is better than the pitcher who just beat him and won the game.
13 days and spring camp for Yankee pitchers and catchers will be open.
It is finally thawing out here. Can't wait for baseball.
Do not be surprised to see this team push 100 wins.
Stat frauds, losers of lifes lottery.
Very confident on the Yankee fortunes for the 2014 season.
Lets roll.
Today is 'super Sunday.' That means there is only one more Sunday after today before the Yankees open camp.
Lori Kelly said...
Do not be surprised to see this team push 100 wins.
That would be great Lori, I hope you are right.
12 days for YANKEE pitcher/catcher spring training camp to open in Tampa
Happy Goundhog Day.
New here, first post, hello all, Yankee fan, late teens, love to win.
It's February, baseball is right around the corner.
94 wins is my guess and should be good enough to win the division.
Is anyone going to watch the most over-hyped sports event in the history of sports?
Stat frauds are like afraud. They lie steal and cheat.
I'll watch Gus. It is a sporting event. Just nothing like baseball.
Going to dinner and movie with girlfriend. Everything will be empty. I get bonus points.
Will watch game tonight. No favorite, but the best guys will win no matter what any stat may be.
Will watch the game and have been watching pre game stuff. Watching because it is on the FOX network, the number one network in the world.
Show has been great, interviews, insight, and fun.
Watching super bowl, but it ain't baseball, Americas game.
Pretty pathetic super bowl game.
Football game sucks.
Spring training baseball games are better than this super bowl fiasco.
11 days for YANKEE pitcher/catcher spring training camp to open in Tampa
One of the worst big time sporting events of all time last night. good think they have all the commercial and half time show hype to semi save the bomb.
Hope everyone take spring training slow and easy. Build up and explode on opening day.
Pineda may be the biggest asset we have.
We will romp thru the AL East.
Don't forget Phelps, Warren, and Nuno.
You lose 14-0 in the first game of the WS and then win the second game 2-1. The series is even. football an NEVER compete with that. Baseball rules the world.
Derek Jeter hits on field for first time this year today in Tampa.
10 days for YANKEE pitcher/catcher spring training camp to open in Tampa.
Jeter will be ready. And he will lead us to the promised land again.
Jeter has something to prove to the naysayers. He will excel and embarrass the doubters.
Not only Jeter will excel, but the entire Yankee team will excel. the new faces are alive and want to win.
The best baseball blog I have ever come across.
A giant step forward for the Yankees in 2014.
9 days for YANKEE pitcher/catcher spring training camp to open in Tampa.
Baseball can't come soon enough for me.
After the sportless time between baseball seasons, baseball can't come soon enough.
Hope all the guys remember spring training is just that, training, to get ready for opening day.
Then and only then do the wins count. 162 games to get to the playoffs.
I think Yankee fans are going to have a lot of fun this season.
Haven't heard from the stat frauds. Think they are still recovering from the offensive stats of Denver in the super bowl fiasco. The better offensive team won without the phoney stats.
Wins and only wins determine who is best.
8 days for YANKEE pitcher/catcher spring training camp to open in Tampa
For as long as I can remember the SABR crowd has been unthinkingly declaring that the Yankees can’t win with Jeter at shortstop. Every year the Yankees win about 95 games on average and go to the playoffs. I'll take the WIN METHOD over SABR any and everyday.
Can't wait, just another week and the fun begins.
Barring injuries this season the addition to the everyday lineup this season of Teixeira, Jeter, Elsbury, McCann, Beltran, and Tanaka, alone make for a very formidable team.
Patiently awaiting baseball.
Soon we will hear. PLAY BALL!
7 days for YANKEE pitcher/catcher spring training camp to open in Tampa
A few camps are starting to open this week.
Yes to baseball, no to stats, yes to the WIN METHOD, no to sabre-metrics.
afraud announces today that he has accepted his season long ban from baseball. As if the lying cheat had a choice.
afraud gone for the season gives the Yankees at least 3 extra wins.
Easily going to be a 90+ win season.
6 days for YANKEE pitcher/catcher spring training camp to open in Tampa
Nice to see afraud in the rear view mirror and him not able to keep up.
Oh yes, baseball is around the corner. Took out my MLB subscription today.
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