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Joel Sherman Success not feeling good in the Bronx Jul 14, 2003
This has been a first half of disturbing signs, yet plenty of wins for the Yankees.
Giambi, despite a slow start, again revealed himself as perhaps the most awesome combo of power and patience this side of Barry Bonds. Jeter seemed to have found his stroke before getting plunked by Pedro Martinez. Johnson displayed he could be an on-base machine in the majors, also, but these recurrent hand injuries are disturbing. Hideki Matsui has adjusted to the two-seam fastball that breaks away from him to become an offensive force. And don't discount how vital it was that he was able to fill in for Williams in center. Jorge Posada's average is down, but he still offers well above average power and patience from behind the plate. Sure, it would be nice if Alfonso Soriano would just stop swinging at pitches way out of the strike zone. But his might and speed is an awesome pair. The rotation, much like the offense, has overall good numbers, but plenty of worries. Roger Clemens and David Wells have pitched mostly well, but they are both 40 and there is concern about their durability. Mike Mussina had a hiccup in May, but has been the most consistent Yankee starter, touching brilliance at times. Andy Pettitte has had a good-bad-good run this season, pitching of late as if he wants the Yanks to keep him after this year. The awful component in the rotation has been Jeff Weaver, who just may not have the heart and brain for this job. It is possible Brandon Claussen, Jose Contreras or possibly even Jon Lieber will be in the rotation before long. After beginning the season on the DL, Mariano Rivera has returned as a great closer again. THE BAD
The problem is that Mondesi and Ventura might be the best defensive players on a poor defensive team, so removing them from the lineup is more complicated. And it also is complicated because the Yankee bench stinks. John Flaherty, the now disappeared Bubba Trammell, Enrique Wilson and Todd Zeile are toothless veterans. The Yanks must do a better job of stocking their bench with useful reserves in the future, especially as key starters such as Giambi, Jeter, Posada and Williams age. Chris Hammond and, when healthy, Antonio Osuna have delivered a lot of quality set-up work. But not enough to dissuade the notion that how the Yankees get the ball to Rivera is their biggest problem. Juan Acevedo? He's already come and gone. Sterling Hitchcock? His arm strength has returned, but the trust in him has not. Dan Miceli? He's as likely to be an ex-Yankee in August as still in this bullpen. Al Reyes? He's a journeyman for a reason. THE UGLY The minor league system that once flourished is badly depleted. That hurts the Yanks in both giving them players and in having enough assets for trades. Erick Almonte did not kill the Yanks filling in for Jeter for six weeks, but he did not enhance his value much with his dubious defense. Jason Anderson is not nearly as poised and overpowering as advertised. Juan Rivera was too often overmatched on offense and is not as good on defense as the Yankees would like everyone to believe. The need to obtain uninspiring veterans such as Flaherty, Karim Garcia, Miceli and Ruben Sierra underscores that there was no one available down below to do supplementary jobs. Jose Contreras also is not a shining moment - at least not yet - for the developmental folks. They suggested the Yanks outbid the Red Sox, and reach four years at $32 million and they portrayed a pitcher that would be much more ready to compete in the top levels than he has been. His lack of baseball I.Q. has been stunning. And it seems almost ludicrous that the decision where to send this guy in the minors would cause perhaps the greatest rift between Torre and Steinbrenner. Now, we also are going to find out if he can stay healthy. SECOND-HALF PREVIEW The returns of Williams and Johnson should help the offense return to consistently excellent. The Yanks must decide if Weaver really can be part of this rotation now and in the future, if not Claussen may be too intriguing to leave at Triple-A. Steinbrenner's presence is causing even more unease. It seems this simple, the Yanks win a division and a World Series title or else Torre's tenure could be over. |
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