2009 MLB Discussion Thread

Hahaha...thank you Manny! Now maybe Selena Roberts can get off of A-Rod's nuts and find someone new to write a book about. Honestly, I'm just glad somebody from the Red Sox world FINALLY got busted. Believe what you want about it not being steroids/HGH related. Hell, even super Sox homer Peter Gammons tried saying it was from a "prescription", but no one is buying it.

As I've said time and time again, the world (and by "world", mainly I mean media...since they dictate everything the "world" thinks) needs to realize that this problem spread far beyond A-Rod, Clemens, Bonds, and McGwire. As dumb as A-Rod's excuse sounded, it WAS part of the culture. I really agree with what Bob Costas said about putting a general disclaimer at the beginning of the MLB record books that goes like this:

Before you read the pages of the MLB record book there is something to consider. Baseball has had many different rules and different eras. There is the Dead Ball Era and Modern Era. There was segregation until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. The mound used to be higher than it is today. The parks used to be bigger. The ball was made differently years ago. Expansion changed the game. Interleague play and the wild card changed the game.

Baseball's different eras and rules make it hard to compare statistics across different eras. Included in that difficulty is the Steroid Era, which makes numbers difficult to judge in the 1990’s and 2000’s, because players were using illegal substances. It is also possible players in earlier eras used these too, but this seems to be the era that steroid use was most prominent. Keep that in mind when you read this book and enjoy the Hall of Fame.
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This is a great way to make a distinction...several distinctions actually. Honestly, I think the horrible, tiny gloves that players used back in Ted Williams day could be considered a "performance enhancer". But at least this way, it would acknowledge all the changes baseball has gone through, without singling anybody out.
 
Here's another great quote concerning the steroid era:

The penalty for the current players will be that even though they are considered among the best players of all time they are considered dominant players in a tainted era. That is true of those that took drugs and those that didn’t. But it makes no sense to me to leave out Rogers Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez who are three of the most talented baseball players I ever saw. It makes no sense to put Greg Maddux in because he is one of the best pitchers of all time that we think did it the right way. How do we know that after the A-Rod development? If it comes out that a player took roids after he is inducted are we going to remove him from the Hall?

It also makes no sense to have Greg Vaughn in the Hall of Fame, because he didn’t have great numbers, but of the guys that we think were clean he put up great power numbers. Now it becomes arbitrary and pointless. It isn’t about what you did on the field it is about what we think you would have done had you been clean or had the league been clean to allow you to reach peak potential. We are putting guys in that we aren’t even sure are clean to penalize guys that we think or know cheated. How does that help us uphold Willie Mays and Babe Ruth’s legacy?

You should be judged on the production you put up in the era you put it up in. Let the historians decide where they would rank the players and how they wish to write the story of Major League Baseball. If a player is found to have used steroids, let the writers decide how much they think that affected his career and decide accordingly. But to lump Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Alex Rodriguez in the “above average” category because they used steroids and put in lesser players to make a point that steroid use won’t be tolerated doesn’t seem like a responsible way to handle this era.

For the players that were caught there will be there cross to bear. Right now Barry Bonds and Rogers Clemens have legal battles to show for their insistence of innocence. Alex Rodriguez decided to come clean and he now has his cross. The damage to their careers and reputations is undisputable.

Baseball’s main interest shouldn’t be to continue the witch hunt against former players. It should instead be concentrated on cleaning up the game so this doesn’t happen again. If that happens, at least this era will not be for naught.
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Manny's with the Dodgers now. Welcome to 2008.

Screw Manny. He tested positive for a women's fertility drug in spring training, and was allowed to continue playing until the recent retest. Why? Why not suspend him immediately?
 
Yahoo:
A source close to Manny Ramirez(notes) said Thursday that the illegal substance for which the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger tested positive was not “an agent customarily used for performance enhancing.”

At least not on the baseball diamond. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the substance is supposed to boost sex drive.
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[quote name='GuilewasNK']I will say this though, if I was a major league palyer, making millions, I'd run EVERYTHING prescribed to me or bought over-the-counter through MLB before I take it. I don't care if it is a damn suppository.[/quote]

Seriously. Whether or not this turns out to be something that actually enhances athletic performance, it's his fault for not having half a brain. You have doctors and trainers that work for each team, plus people you can contact in the MLB offices. There was zero reason why this should have happened.
 
Bullshit. MLB wouldn't hand down a suspension and make it headline news for that. Unless it was testosterone with "sexual enhancement" being used as a cover. Also, as dafoomie so eloquently pointed out, if it's happened before, why weren't they able to make the distinction and avoid this whole mess.

Oh, and to dafoomie directly, I could care less that Manny is on the Dodgers now. If you think this is the first time Manny used something, you're a tool. What's more believable, that A-Rod used from 2001-2003, but then stopped because testing was getting more strict. Or that Manny used in 2009 when testing is really strict and the media runs wild with these stories, but never used before when nobody gave a damn? Hopefully Selena Roberts investigates these "Sexual PEDs" and why and for whom Manny exactly needed them.

Personally, I think neither story is very believable, and wish the media would give up on these individual witch hunts. The fact is, this shit was running rampant in MLB and it's going to take years (and several retirements) to clean it all up. Even then, you'll still have untraceable substances and players staying one step ahead of the curve. But I'm willing to bet it's been that way for 60 years.
 
Well regardless of what you use it for, it's a banned substance, but the reason that it is banned, if you read it, is that it's used in conjunction with steroids, since steroids destroy one's sex drive.
 
What Manny allegedly took:

As such, hCG is commonly used during and after steroid cycles to maintain and restore testicular size as well as endogenous testosterone production. However, if hCG is used for too long and in too high a dose, the resulting rise in natural testosterone will eventually inhibit its own production via negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary.
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Apparently, it's similar to what Giambi got busted for.
 
Yeah, as more comes out, it's pretty clear that Manny's statement is a bullshit. There is no reason a man his age would get this drug, unless it was in concert with something else.

Also, did anyone catch what Boras said in a Playboy interview? He basically suggests that players of this era shouldn't have steroid use held against them when it comes to the Hall of Fame, because it's just part of the evolution of the game, like new surgeries and such. What bullshit.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']

Also, did anyone catch what Boras said in a Playboy interview? He basically suggests that players of this era shouldn't have steroid use held against them when it comes to the Hall of Fame, because it's just part of the evolution of the game, like new surgeries and such. What bullshit.[/quote]
I actually completely agree with him, I don't really understand the fuss over steroids.
 
[quote name='Ugamer_X']I actually completely agree with him, I don't really understand the fuss over steroids.[/QUOTE]
It gives people an advantage who are willing to sacrifice their health down the road. You're at a disadvantage if you don't, competitively and financially, and people who otherwise would not are almost compelled to do it to keep up.
 
What about the kids that get Tommy John surgery voluntarily? You can't tell me that's not a health risk. It's tough to prove but some people are having it done. One of the docs I used to work with in NY had to deal with it all the time. He constantly had parents asking if their kid should just have it done now so they won't get hurt during their "money making years".

What about all the players that took greenies in the 70s and 80s? Should they be precluded from the Hall since they took something that helped them play? Not everyone used them but it was obvious that it helped many players including Mike Schmidt. He admitted to taking greenies and acknowledges that he did so knowing that eventually it would mean trouble.
 
but we have no idea how many were or still are taking illegal phd. The testing will always be behind the people that create this shit.

As for manny, while he is blowing this off to a personal issue, I find it funny that the MLBPA is not appealing this. They appeal everything and no matter how fucked up the incident, the MLBPA will stand behind its members.

A few interesting things mentioned on weei today. One of the hosts was put on the spot when he thought manny started using. He made a very valid argument for post 2005. Stating that starting in 2005 manny was notorious for slow starts. Gammons was going on and on how he could only hit meatball pitchers and couldn't touch the top tier level pitchers stuff and his next payday was coming up soon. It was also noted how interesting it was for some of the 04 redsox players to have long hair/ with a lot of facial hair ie manny and damon. There faces/heads were covered and it would be tough to tell if there heads got bigger like bonds did. If you look at damons head now compared to when he came up with the royals he has a much bigger head.
 
[quote name='ryanbph']If you look at damons head now compared to when he came up with the royals he has a much bigger head.[/quote]

My head is also bigger than it was a decade ago. It's called getting older. It sucks but some people get fat heads instead of beer guts. Maybe they were using PEDs but you can't just say fat head = steroid user.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']It gives people an advantage who are willing to sacrifice their health down the road. You're at a disadvantage if you don't, competitively and financially, and people who otherwise would not are almost compelled to do it to keep up.[/quote]

Exactly. 100%. It's not like weight-lifting or eating healthy or taking more batting practice. Steroids are ILLEGAL and dangerous for your health, and you're putting players in a bad situation where they have to compete with cheaters who are willing to put their well-being at risk.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']Yeah, as more comes out, it's pretty clear that Manny's statement is a bullshit. There is no reason a man his age would get this drug, unless it was in concert with something else.

Also, did anyone catch what Boras said in a Playboy interview? He basically suggests that players of this era shouldn't have steroid use held against them when it comes to the Hall of Fame, because it's just part of the evolution of the game, like new surgeries and such. What bullshit.[/quote]

Never "read" a Playboy in my life. :lol:

Bore-ass needs to give it up. That's like saying pine-tar, corked bats and nail files evolved baseball. Then again, cheating happens in every sport. Nascar has mechanics doing shady shit, the NBA has floppers like Vlade Divac and Reggie Miller. The NFL has guy trying to get away with holding every play. Doesn't means the sport is evolving though.
 
[quote name='ryanbph']It was also noted how interesting it was for some of the 04 redsox players to have long hair/ with a lot of facial hair ie manny and damon. There faces/heads were covered and it would be tough to tell if there heads got bigger like bonds did. If you look at damons head now compared to when he came up with the royals he has a much bigger head.[/quote]

Yeah, I'm all for dissecting the 2004 Red Sox, but if we're going to make accusations, let's at least give them some merit. I think a better argument is the fact that before 2004, David Ortiz and Jason Varitek struggled to hit their weight. Also, Mark Bellhorn had a standout year, only to never be heard from again. Large statistical spikes like that point to steroid use moreso than large heads and facial hair.
 
I would like to ask how many Scott Boras clients have to get busted for PEDs before his ass gets banned from the game though. After all, he is the one pulling all the strings. That's one move that wouldn't tarnish the record books at all.
 
[quote name='n8rockerasu']Yeah, I'm all for dissecting the 2004 Red Sox, but if we're going to make accusations, let's at least give them some merit. I think a better argument is the fact that before 2004, David Ortiz and Jason Varitek struggled to hit their weight. Also, Mark Bellhorn had a standout year, only to never be heard from again. Large statistical spikes like that point to steroid use moreso than large heads and facial hair.[/QUOTE]
I won't say that any player in baseball is 100% clean. However, Ortiz struggled with the Twins because of Tom Kelly. He was a power hitter in the minors but Kelly wanted him to be Wade Boggs and hit singles to the opposite field with an inside out swing, and thats what he did in Minnesota. The Sox got him and Francona told him to be a "swing from the ass" power hitter.

He was far from the only one that hated Tom Kelly, Todd Walker had one bad month after 2 years in the majors and they shipped him to AAA before giving him away to Colorado for nothing.

Not sure what you're thinking with Varitek, he had good offensive seasons prior to 04. He had better power numbers in 03.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']Manny's with the Dodgers now. Welcome to 2008.

Screw Manny. He tested positive for a women's fertility drug in spring training, and was allowed to continue playing until the recent retest. Why? Why not suspend him immediately?[/quote]
Seriously... it's completely unfair to the other clubs, players, and fans.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44'] Steroids are ILLEGAL[/quote]
Not really.
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44'] ...and dangerous for your health, and you're putting players in a bad situation where they have to compete with cheaters who are willing to put their well-being at risk.[/quote]
I'll admit to not being 100% up to snuff on this info, but I'm pretty sure there's no conclusive evidence that steroids are as bad for you as people think. Plus, most of the known side-effects go away once you stop using steroids.

There also needs to be more consideration over the actual advantages that steroids gives players. Does it make them stronger? Sure, but it still doesn't make them better ballplayers. It sure as hell doesn't do much for pitchers in terms of performance, outside of keeping older players in the game. Hell, we'll never know how many players out there have taken steroids and never amounted to anything. Because when it comes down to it the boost in strength you get will only do so much for your game.

It's an overblown issue that needs to be reassessed.
 
1) Steroids are a controlled substance. Their distribution is illegal through the means that most of these players are obtaining them. There's a reason why clinics and such have been raided. They are distributing the drugs illegally. Now, my sister takes steroids, because she has MS. She gets them from a doctor for a legitimate reason, though, and isn't a professional athlete looking for an unfair edge.

2) People in favor of the use of steroids still claim there is no conclusive evidence that they have any long-term effects. Even if that is true, which seems doubtful to most in the medical community, there are still documented short-term effects. And much of the information on long-term effects have come from case studies, which are not entirely accurate, because many of the people involved promote steroid usage and may or may not offer full disclosure. Testing on animals, though, suggests that steroids could have numerous, long-term medical risks, including heart disease, liver disease, and blood clotting.

3) As for the argument that "Well, it doesn't make them better palyers," that's flatout nonsense. Steroids do a lot more than just make you stronger. Even if they did only make you stronger, being stronger will help make you a better player than you are. Physical talents do not make a great ballplayer, but they help. And if you are already a good ballplayers, using steroids to gain more of a physical edge is gonna make you a better ballplayer. Was Barry Bonds, for instance, a great player in the first half of a his career? Absolutely. But if all of the evidence mounting against him is true, and he took steroids, just look at what he became? He want from great to unearthly. End of discussion.
 
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Yeah, this has been rumored for a while. About damn time, honestly, I've seen Melvin make way too many bonehead decisions that have costed games.

And fire Schu for hitting coach, and get Mark Grace out there. :D
 
[quote name='yukine']Yeah, this has been rumored for a while. About damn time, honestly, I've seen Melvin make way too many bonehead decisions that have costed games.

And fire Schu for hitting coach, and get Mark Grace out there. :D[/QUOTE]

i havent been able to watch the D-Backs games but change is definitley good if its not currently working. I also approve of Mark Grace as hitting coach. that guy was always a solid hitter. he should be the one grooming the youngins in that lineup.
 
PHOENIX -- The Arizona Diamondbacks fired Bob Melvin on Thursday, hoping a new manager will be able to get the most out of their talented core of young players.

The Diamondbacks will make A.J. Hinch, their vice president for player development, Melvin's replacement on Friday, according to a person familiar with the move who requested anonymity because the announcement had not been made.

The 34-year-old Hinch is a former major league catcher with no professional managerial experience. His promotion was first reported by radio station KTAR.

[+] EnlargeBob Melvin
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport/US PresswireBob Melvin has been fired by the Diamondbacks.

The 47-year-old Melvin's firing comes after a disappointing start by the Diamondbacks, who entered Thursday 8½ games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Melvin, who went 337-340 in four-plus seasons, had one year left on a contract he received after being the 2007 NL Manager of the Year.

"This is a difficult decision, but I feel that our organization needs to move forward with a new voice," general manager Josh Byrnes said in a statement.

Hitting coach Rick Schu also was fired, and pitching coach Bryan Price resigned.

Melvin's stock rose when he guided a youthful but talented group to the NL West title two years ago. He was dismissed because many of the same players have failed to live up to expectations based on that season, when the Diamondbacks posted an NL-best 90-72 record despite being outscored by 20 runs across the season.

Justin Upton, Arizona's 21-year-old right fielder, is off to a solid start, but some of the team's other young players have struggled. Conor Jackson went 1-for-3 in Arizona's 4-3, 10-inning loss at San Diego on Thursday and is batting .191 on the year. Mark Reynolds has struck out 36 times in 102 at-bats.

"We're counting on everybody to develop further," Melvin said in an interview before the season. "We don't rely on one guy to hold up the brunt of this thing. We expect them all to develop and score more runs."

Arizona's few veterans also did little to help Melvin.

Eric Byrnes is hitting .139 in the second year of a three-year, $30-million contract. Melvin this week decided to bench Chad Tracy, who is hitting .221.

Speculation about Melvin's future grew with every 1-2-3 inning by the Diamondbacks' hitters. Arizona entered Thursday with a .225 batting average, by far the worst in baseball.

Team president Derrick Hall, speaking on KTAR on Thursday morning, called the team's play "unacceptable."

Making matters worse for Melvin, the Diamondbacks have been beset by injuries.

Ace Brandon Webb went on the disabled list with a shoulder injury shortly after his opening day start and has yet to return. Then Stephen Drew went on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Reliever Tom Gordon, acquired over the winter to shore up the bullpen, is already on his second DL stint.

This is the second time in their 12-year history that the Diamondbacks have changed managers in midseason. In 2004, the Diamondbacks fired Bob Brenly after a 29-50 start and replaced him with Al Pedrique on their way to a franchise-worst 51-111 record.

That disaster paved the way to Melvin's return to Arizona, where he had served as Brenly's bench coach on the 2001 World Series champions.

Melvin's hiring as the Diamondbacks' manager came under bizarre circumstances. The club had selected Wally Backman as manager, but Backman was dismissed four days later following revelations he had been arrested twice and struggled with financial problems.

Arizona then turned to Melvin, who was out after two seasons in Seattle, where he went 156-168.

Melvin made an immediate impact in the desert. He led the 2005 Diamondbacks to a 77-85 record, a 26-win improvement.

Two years later, the Diamondbacks made a surprise run to the NL West title despite scoring 20 fewer runs than they allowed -- a fact that led many to praise Melvin's ability to squeeze the most out of his lineup.

Melvin was honored as the 2007 NL Manager of the Year, and soon after the club extended his contract through 2010.

"I am grateful for all the success and memories associated with Bob," Byrnes said. "Bob has done great things for this organization. Having worked with him for nearly four years, I have a great deal of respect for his character and skills."

Arizona opened its NL West title defense last spring by bolting to a 20-8 record. But after leading the division for most of the season, the Diamondbacks faltered and were caught in the stretch by a Los Angeles Dodgers squad energized by the arrival of slugger Manny Ramirez.

The Diamondbacks came into this season expecting to make another run at the division title.
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Like most of the coach firings in the NBA this past season, this was quite premature. But I hope the D-Backs lose all remaining games, anyway, so more power to the possibly inept replacement.
 
Already posted, Matt. :lol:

Not sure how I feel about the pick, he is a guy with no managerial experience, and seems like a choice to save money until next season when they will most likely look outside for a new manager.

But I don't see how this is "premature", Melvin should of been gone before the season even started. It's obviously not just his fault the players are under performing, but the manager is the leader of the club and he is partially responsible. Yeah, the Diamondbacks were amazing in 2007, but he still made a lot of bonehead moves then as well.

I can't tell you how many poor decisions he has made during the course of a game, that has costed games. He can't manage a bullpen at all. And right now the Diamondbacks are not even doing the little things right, yeah teams go through hitting droughts all the time, but the base running hasn't been there, the fielding, everything, with the exception of starting pitching.

That being said, he always seemed like a great guy and I hope he lands on his feet. But it's time for change for this club. I'm more upset about Price resigning than them firing Melvin, honestly.
 
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Dammit, another quality start squandered by the Cubs inept offense and bullpen. I guess when the other team gives you a gift throwing error to first and you can't push across at least one run with the bases loaded & one out that's what you get.

I saw A-Ram go down early in the ballgame with what looks to be a shoulder injury. If he goes on the DL we are in real trouble. Our lineup is already thin with Lee banged up.
 
Whoo nice outing by John Niese. I hope we can get more starts like that out of him. 6 innings 2 ER and it should have been one because Beltran and Church misplayed a pop up. But even though it was against the pirates who played really well tonight, i am happy to see the mets win late. Beltran and Delgado came up with big hits. So far and i am only saying so far, May is treating the Mets good. I have to say though. I am really impressed with Nyjer Morgan. He is speedy as fuck and has a canon for an arm. That kid is going to be amazin.
 
former yankee top prospect ian kennedy is done for the season. He has an aneurysm in his right shoulder. He was pitching really well in AAA, and if rivera/the rest of the bullpen continue to struggle they could really use jobba in the pen. The only problem is there is no word on wang and his return and they could have used kennedy but he is done.
 
[quote name='ryanbph']former yankee top prospect ian kennedy is done for the season. He has an aneurysm in his right shoulder. He was pitching really well in AAA, and if rivera/the rest of the bullpen continue to struggle they could really use jobba in the pen. The only problem is there is no word on wang and his return and they could have used kennedy but he is done.[/quote]

The Yankees starting pitching depth is drying up fast. Heaven help us if their fans are forced to watch Kei Igawa again.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']So, the Yankees pretty much kept to the script tonight: homerun by A-Roid and a great start by CC.[/QUOTE]

Yeah first pitch swing and it was gone. At least something went right for the bombers that night.

[quote name='paddlefoot']The Yankees starting pitching depth is drying up fast. Heaven help us if their fans are forced to watch Kei Igawa again.[/QUOTE]

:lol:

[quote name='ryanbph']former yankee top prospect ian kennedy is done for the season. He has an aneurysm in his right shoulder. He was pitching really well in AAA, and if rivera/the rest of the bullpen continue to struggle they could really use jobba in the pen. The only problem is there is no word on wang and his return and they could have used kennedy but he is done.[/QUOTE]

This is what happens when you have low depth in the bullpen. guys go down and you can't replace them with another guy who is just as good. It is one thing i thought the yankees did wrong besides overpay some players is that they didn't build their weakness first which was pitching depth. CC and AJ were fine but the depth in the bullpen was lacking. I know you need more than a pen to win games but coming from a Mets fan...The pen is what lost us games....so for yankee fans sake, I know they do not want to go through what we went through the last two years.
 
Well, there goes Hughes reverting back to last year's form...great. Thank God Wang should be back by early June and appears to have found whatever he lost.
 
Wow... the Diamondbacks can get on base but cannot hit with RISP, 16 Left On Base tonight, getting only one run in...against the Nats. Ugh. Time for the D-backs to see the doctor for a "personal health issue."
 
[quote name='slickkill77']No Longoria love???[/quote]

He's off to an insane start, but I think more people would give him his due if he was on the AL East leading team. The Rays aren't there yet. In a few weeks, maybe. Tonight is a huge game for the Sox, they lose and its almost a guarantee they lose the season series against the Rays, which will be huge if the Rays are at/or near the top of the division in September.

I think the Rays are 6-3 against the Sox so far. 7-3 means they only have to win 3 of 9. Hopefully the good Beckett, Opening Day form, shows up tonight.
 
[quote name='Chitown021']Damn shame to see Greinke go 8, give up one earned, and take the loss the other night.[/QUOTE]

the life a royals pitcher. Such great talent to lay waste on a stagnant team...although they have a a lot of good youth right now...so maybe in a couple years like the Rays or Marlins..they could start to compete in the Central. They are atleast better than the Indians....who have to be the most surprising team this year. WHo knew they would suck so bad.
 
You know, no matter how many times I have listened to it over the years, that audio of Earl Weaver on "Manager's Corner" makes me die laughing. Sure, it wasn't for real, but fuck, it's funny.
 
[quote name='integralsmatic']

This is what happens when you have low depth in the bullpen. guys go down and you can't replace them with another guy who is just as good. It is one thing i thought the yankees did wrong besides overpay some players is that they didn't build their weakness first which was pitching depth. CC and AJ were fine but the depth in the bullpen was lacking. I know you need more than a pen to win games but coming from a Mets fan...The pen is what lost us games....so for yankee fans sake, I know they do not want to go through what we went through the last two years.[/quote]

The funny thing is, didn't a lot of experts think the yanks had a solid bullpen with strong young arms. My best buddy, a diehard yank fan, thought they would be fine in the pen. I found it odd, considering none of them had any mlb experiance. After watching delcarmen for the past couple of years, you see times of dominance and times where he just outright sucks.
 
Well, the thing with the Yankees bullpen is that they were banking on continued improvement from guys like Veras and Ramirez. Unfortunately, instead of getting better...or least pitching like they did last year...they have gotten worse. They were also placing far too much faith in Bruney, a guy with a history of control issues and injuries.

The thing with bullpens, especially when it comes to middle relief, is that you often just have to catch lightening in a bottle. That's why I say the Yankees sign someone off the scrap heap, like a Derrick Turnbow. He's been simply awful since that one good season in '05, but why not role the dice? There is something in there. Maybe, you can get it out of him. If not, it cannot be any worse than tossing rookies out there and praying for the best. At the end of the day, if the Yankees somehow turn this all around and start playing better, they are still going to have a glaring hole in that bullpen.
 
The Yankees bullpen might've been fine if they didn't play in the Launching Pad. They had to build confidence during the season but it looks like they're all just getting knocked around. It doesn't bode well if they make the playoffs.
 
Well, there is one arm that has emerged recently, and that's Phil Coke. He pitched really well in limited duty last year, but got off to an extremely rocky start this year. In his last ten appearances, though, he's given up one run and only walked one. It was quite, quite telling of how little faith Girardi has in the pen when Coke pitched two innings in Sunday's win.
 
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