If you’re looking to kill some time around lunch, I’ll be chatting here on the blog beginning at noon today. Stop by if you can and we’ll talk all about CC Sabathia’s future, the Yankees’ fluctuating offense, the possibility of September call-ups, and whatever other topics might come up. For now, a few random thoughts after a disappointing home stand.
• Alex Rodriguez has already exceeded expectations this season — by his admission, he’s even exceeded his own expectation — but he’s still a 40-year-old with two surgically repaired hips who hasn’t played a full season in a long, long time. Lots of Yankees are struggling lately, but I think A-Rod’s month of August has to be the most concerning. Is there a player who seems more vulnerable to being simply not durable enough for the long haul? It’s speculation, of course, but if a guy like Brett Gardner is a little worn out right now, imagine how Rodriguez must feel. With the off day today and the three games in Atlanta this weekend, Rodriguez should get basically four days off before stepping back into the lineup on Monday. He could probably use that rest as much as anyone.
• Players optioned to the minor leagues have to stay there for 10 days before being recalled, and that rule doesn’t change just because rosters expand in September (thought players can return as soon as their team’s minor league season comes to an end). Yesterday, the Yankees optioned to Triple-A two different relievers — Nick Goody and Nick Rumbelow — who seemed locks for the September roster. Now those two can’t come back until the first weekend of September. Not a huge deal, but I was a little surprised the Yankees were OK with doing that to two of their better up-and-down relievers. Makes me think there are plenty of other relievers they’re planning to bring up immediately. Andrew Bailey, maybe? James Pazos? Maybe Bryan Mitchell as early as this weekend?
• Why are people still writing and emailing and tweeting that the Yankees need to replace Carlos Beltran? He was brutal in April, but is that still leading people to believe he’s been a bad hitter this season? Sure, his defense is rough, but the guy’s hitting .302/.365/.529 since the first of May. That’s basically Mark Teixeira but with a higher batting average. Lately, Beltran has been easily the Yankees’ best and most consistent hitter. The Yankees don’t need to cut him. If anything, they need to move him up to the No. 3 spot to give him more at-bats.
• Here’s the old theory being applied to a new situation: The Yankees refuse to give young players a chance, and that’s why Rob Refsnyder isn’t playing second base every day. Thing is, I think the Yankees are actively trying to give young players a chance this season. They didn’t trade for anyone when Jacoby Ellsbury got hurt in May. They tried to stick with Jacob Lindgren earlier in the season (until he was simply too unreliable and ultimately hurt). They promoted Luis Severino rather than trade for a veteran starter. They’ve given Greg Bird regular at-bats since he came up. They’ve called up too many young relievers to name. If you’d like, be frustrated that the Yankees prefer Stephen Drew at second, but I don’t think it’s out of blind devotion to experienced players. The Yankees clearly just aren’t sold on Refsnyder. If they were, every indication is that they’d want to give him a chance.
• In the short term, moving CC Sabathia to the bullpen in September should be an easy decision (as long as no one else gets hurt in the rotation, where the Yankees have actually become a bit thin). Sabathia in the pen might even be an effective and helpful role change for both the player and the team. What could be more interesting is whether the Yankees plan to stick with that change heading into next spring. They could do it. Figure a projected 2016 rotation of Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, Luis Severino, Nathan Eovaldi and Ivan Nova, with Adam Warren and Bryan Mitchell also stretched out competing for spots, plus Chase Whitley coming back from Tommy John surgery. Throw in, perhaps, a random free agent signing and the Yankees could have enough rotation depth to tell Sabathia to simply prepare for the bullpen where he might be able to breathe fresh life into his career.
• Dustin Ackley was an unpopular acquisition, it seems, because fans wanted some sort of obvious impact player. And Ackley certainly isn’t that. But he only cost two players who really had no future with the team, and I really do think he could fit pretty well next season as a left-handed utility type who might get some sort of boost from Yankee Stadium’s short porch. If having Ackley on board makes the Yankees a little more comfortable giving a Refsnyder a longer look next spring — worst case scenario, Ackley could always fill in or platoon at second — then I think he’ll be a worthwhile player who will be more helpful than either Ramon Flores or Jose Ramirez. Ackley is beginning a rehab assignment tonight, and I don’t think that’s completely inconsequential.
• For most of this season, Chris Young has been a perfect role player for the Yankees because he’s brought exactly the right-handed balance their outfield needed. But in the past month, Young’s slumped as much as anyone. Even against lefties Young has hit .111/.158/.111 in the month of August. That’s bad. Really bad. Replace him, though? I just can’t see it. For the other four months of the season, Young hasn’t simply hit lefties, he’s hit at an MVP level against them. From April through July, Young hit .370/.429/.710 against left-handers. That level of production can’t be dismissed after one bad month. The Yankees know Young’s capable of big-time numbers in a platoon role. They don’t have to project or speculate; they’ve seen it. It think they have to keep running him out there to find that production again. This is his job, he’s done it well most of the year, and the Yankees need him to do it well again down the stretch.
• Yesterday was the fourth time Chris Capuano had been designated for assignment this season. While I understand why the Yankees have brought him him back every other time, I do wonder if there might be an alternative who could do the exact same job and perhaps at a higher level. Kyle Davies has delivered a nice season in the Triple-A rotation, and he’s pitched particularly well lately. He’s stretched out and shouldn’t be nearly as rusty as Capuano has been. Couldn’t he play the same role, eating innings whenever necessary? Wonder if the Yankees would consider it. Makes little sense to put a young guy like Brady Lail in that role, but it’s still a role worth filling.
• Obviously we know most of the names who will be — if they get there — on the Yankees’ playoff roster. We know there will be some combination of the current five starters, we know at least five of the bullpen arms, we know the lineup regulars and at least two of the bench players. September, though, could determine the last few spots. Can Mitchell lock up a job? Can Refsnyder earn platoon at-bats at second? Can Bird get enough at-bats to play a worthwhile role? If there’s a fifth bench player, could someone with speed make a strong case for it? What about the possibility of Sabathia vs. some of the young relievers?
• Whenever I’ve written about September call-ups, I’ve mentioned the somewhat odd possibility of career minor leaguer Rico Noel. He’s not the typical prospect prospect, and the Yankees only added him mid-season, but the guy can run. And in September, there’s room for a pinch runner. This week, Brian Cashman told Joel Sherman that the Yankees specifically want to see Noel steal some bases while considering the possibility. He would be a highly specific call-up, but one that could provide a spark in key late-inning situations.
Associated Press photos
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