Same Joe, Different Uniform

From Ken Rosenthal (FOX Sports):

LOS ANGELES – Joe Torre’s most questionable decision, the one that led to all the trouble, was his removal of right-hander Derek Lowe.

Five innings, 74 pitches, Lowe coming off his first 1-2-3 inning.

Yes, Lowe was working on three days rest. Yes, the Dodgers had just taken a 3-2 lead. Yes, Torre could deplete his bullpen with a day off on Tuesday.

But in hindsight, Torre acted too soon.

Lowe’s departure triggered a bullpen merry-go-round, and the Dodgers went on to lose Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, 7-5, falling behind the Phillies, three games to one.

A lot of writers and fans are saying, “here we go again,” as the “let’s second guess Joe Torre game” begins, like clockwork, all over again. It’s a game that Joe Torre cannot escape because of his winning reputation. He can go to LA, he can go to Canada, he can even go to Guatemala, it doesn’t matter, name the location and that reputation will proceed to follow him. Did he think he could escape it on the other side of the country? Impossible. That’s just the nature of the beast.

However, what’s interesting with this situation is that people are being very sarcastic when they talk about second guessing Torre. He’s a great manager—he proved that in NY—and he has been the steady hand, guiding the Dodgers into the postseason after a disappointing 2007 campaign. With this in mind, some are acting like it’s blasphemy to criticize Joe. It’s almost like the Dodgers should be content that they got this far, thanks to Joe, so leave him alone. He’s instantaneously absolved of any wrongdoing and it’s simply absurd. While it’s true that he helped to get LA into the playoffs, now fans are seeing why Joe Torre wore out his welcome in the Bronx (in a managerial sense).

Joe Torre made strange decisions in the playoffs and in the regular season which hurt the team (Girardi has made a variety of mistakes too, but this post is about Joe Torre, not Joe Girardi). Yes, he got the Yankees into the playoffs, over and over again, but his inability to make the right move, at the right time, didn’t help them get deep into October. Also, his bullpen management was terrible, and, of course, what hurt the Dodgers in yesterday’s stunner? That’s right, Torre’s pitching decisions. Pulling Derek Lowe, who was seemingly breezing through the potent Philly lineup, was a classic Torre move.

When Joe Torre left NY and joined LA, he brought that winning pedigree with him. Regrettably, for the Dodgers, he also brought the same bad habits.

More ESB Projections

According to Eddie at DTT, not only will Damaso Marte be a Type A player, but Ivan Rodriguez could also win Type A status (he notes that his calculations may not be spot on, yet there is still an 80-90 % chance that he’s right).

I’m all for keeping Marte around, however, and not only as a lefty but also as a setup guy. Marte is a good pitcher and proved that with the Yankees, despite a bumpy beginning which was likely attributed to his controversial injury. Then again, the team could always offer him arbitration, he could decline, sign with someone else and the team will gain some draft picks. You don’t really lose going that route, although I still think he’ll help in 2009.

Pudge’s situation is a bit trickier. If offered arbitration, Pudge could very well accept and then the team would be stuck with him (if he is, indeed, a Type A player). That will be the Yankees’ call and they’ll have to make an educated guess as to what Pudge will do. I think he would be willing to reject arbitration in order to find a multiyear deal on the open market, as his time on the bench in 2008, may have soured him on a return.

Meacham Let Go

The inevitable has occurred. Bobby Meacham has been let go by the Yankees. No word on who his replacement will be, but as PA notes, I’m sure that the Yankees will consider getting someone with some fire in his gut, as a “tough love” mentor to Robinson Cano, may in fact be necessary. Of course the person will have to be a good 3B coach, first and foremost. But the Cano thing does factor in.

Go Get Gillick?

Sometimes, the randomness that is conveyed in the sports pages amazes me (this is a blog, I can be random here). Joel Sherman, in his latest piece for the NY Post, offers some advice to Yankee GM, Brian Cashman. “Go get Gillick,” he commands, noting Pat Gillick’s GM history, a history built upon creating winners in different locales, whether it be Seattle, Toronto, Baltimore, or, of course, Philadelphia. Gillick knows how to construct a winning ball club and has done just that in Philadelphia, where he is finishing his year and his GM career (he’s 71).

The desire to participate in a full season as a GM is no longer something he feels. He is ready to end his tenure in Philadelphia, although he has not ruled out other baseball activities for different clubs (I would assume that consulting is a possibility). Sherman knows that Cashman and Gillick have a very friendly relationship and thinks that the two should pair up and do some damage in the Bronx. I mean, why not? Gillick could truly help Cashman, there’s no doubt about it.

What’s sad about this notion, for Sherman, is that it makes no sense for Gillick. He’s retiring, essentially. Also, he lives in Seattle, so how would it work, exactly? A man retiring in order to escape the everyday rigors of the game, surely doesn’t want to travel back and forth, across the country, when he can just work closer to home. I believe that the Seattle Mariners will call Gillick and he will advise them, at least in some capacity (not as the GM). It’s fun to say, “Go get Gillick,” however, realistically, he’s doesn’t seem to be a viable option.

Hughes Solid

Phil Hughes, in his second start in the Arizona Fall League, pitched well against Phoenix, allowing 4 hits, 1 ER and 1 BB over 5 strong innings. He struck out 3 and his ERA sits at 1.80, thanks to this effort and his his performance a week ago (5 IP, 1 H, 5 BB, 7 K). Hughes cut down the walks in this game, which bodes well for him as he continues to refine his repertoire, as well as his mechanics.

No matter how good he may prove to be this offseason, don’t expect the Yankees to offer him a rotation spot in 2009. The team is going to stick to the strict father model, meaning, if you want a spot, you’re going to have to earn it (in SWB, next year).