Joe knows Baseball

Pretty solid win for the Yankees yesterday. Albaladejo really showed something when he was able to escape that jam. Maybe he's going to become somebody Girardi can rely on other than Bruney and Mo. Bruney looks like an absolute stud, and combined with the close of last year, he looks to have fully cemented himself in the 8th inning role.

Obviously putting Joba there is the stupidest idea you could ever have, but I guess he'll have to throw 5 consecutive perfect games before morons like Mike Francesa understand. Furthering the point Joba must remain a starter, as my esteemed colleague Peter Abraham has pointed out, Mark Melancon has allowed 5 baserunners in 9 scoreless innings while striking out 15 in AAA. Get that man a spot in the bullpen immediately. Bullpen pitchers can be found, starters are a different sort of talent.

No real Joe Girardi gripes yesterday. He managed the bullpen well, pinch hit Posada at the proper time, all in all a well-managed game. The only thing I would question is having Ransom try and lay down a sacrifice with Matsui on first. Obviously he got thrown out at second, Matsui is arguably the slowest runner in the American League. How can you expect a sacrifice there to be successful? Either pinch run or let Ransom swing away (yuck.)

The Brett Gardner watch continues: On base percentage: .292, slugging percentage .311. But oh my, he works so hard and really cares! For comparison sake:

Brett Gardner: 45 at bats, 0 homers, 3 walks, 9ks.
Melky Cabrera: 17 at bats, 2 home runs, 2 walks, 1 K.

Melky's OPS is over 1.000. Clearly that will drop with more than 17 at bats, but why not give the young lad a shot? The Melk Man can deliver.

As Kevin Goldstein from Baseball Prospect said when he ranked Melky #10 on the Top 10 Talents 25 and Under list for the Yankees: "I'm not a great believer in Cabrera or Brett Gardner, but Cabrera's bat gives him the edge for the final spot." That pretty much sums it up.

And yes, I will continue to abuse Brett Gardner until he is no longer playing every day.