Breaking News Arod is Coming Back Tomorrow

Arod is finally coming back from hip surgery, he will play in tomorrow night's game against the Orioles. He is coming back at a time where the Yanks need him most. They are coming off a 4 game losing streak, where they failed to score more than 4 runs in a single game.
Cody Ransom did a bad job filling in for him, although Ransom's replacement Ramiro Pena did played very well for a few games.
Anyway it's about time, hopefully his bat will do wonders for the lineup, and for the team.

Two hits won't cut it for Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira is known for his sub par Aprils, and this year's was as bad as any. This streak of unacceptable hitting has lingered over into the beginning of May, but we are seeing some good signs.
Of late he has been swinging the bat better, putting the ball all over the park and placing it just where it needs to be instead of just airing it out to the center fielder.
Yesterday we saw Tex get two hits, only his fifth multi hit game, including two in the last three games. He displayed his clutch ability with his eighth inning bases clearing 3 RBI double tying the game.
Although Mark Teixeira was able to save the game in the eighth he was not able to continue his clutch hitting to continue the game. He flied out short right field destroying a sac fly opportunity to tie the game by hitting the 2nd out. The score then remained the same the Yankees lost 3-4 to the TB Rays. All Yankee fans will continue to watch attentively as we wait for Tex's bat to wake up.

Whats wrong with the bullpen

It's 27 games into the season and the Yankees are 13-14, what is going on?

Well, a number of things have gone wrong, like Chien- Ming Wang and his 34.5 ERA or Mark Teixeira, and his .209 batting average, or all the injuries that happened this year.

But right now lets look at the problems in the bullpen

The bullpen has already netted 5 losses and has blown 4 saves, allowing a total of 84 runs over 89 innings this multiplies out to an ERA of 7.93, that is dismal no matter what stadium you play in, even if there is a "wind tunnel going to right field".

The first problem in the bullpen is the injury to the eight inning set up guy Brian Bruney, this leaving a huge hole in the bullpen, in the eight inning spot. Before being put on the DL, Bruney pitched 8 innings allowing only 3 runs on 3 hits and 2walks, while throwing 12 strikeouts.

Secondly, three of the pitchers who were supposed to carry most of the bullpen responsibilities, Damaso Marte, Jose Veras, have a combined 8.35 ERA. The lefty Damaso Marte who was brought in via trade last year has a 15.19 ERA. Jose Veras who pitched very well last year has a 7.62 ERA. And Jonathon Albaladejo who is also struggling has a 6.43 ERA.

Thirdly there have been a lot of errors, and unearned runs so far. There have been 16 errors and 14 unearned runs thus far. This means that when someone committed an error, the pitchers have not stepped up their games, and picked up their teammates.

Solutions

There are a few ways to fix the bullpen, firstly Brian Bruney will come back, hopefully sooner rather than later.
Another Solution is to put Joba in the bullpen, this will weaken their rotation, but it could be a necessary measure if the bullpen doesn't improve.
Joe Girardi could give young players like Alfredo Aceves a chance.
Or the Yankees could make a trade, but that would happen as the trade deadline nears.

How to fill the holes of the Nets

As outlined in my previous 2 posts the Nets have 2 major holes in the starting line up, one in each of the starting forward positions. This is the same problem they had last year, when they played the entire season without starting caliber forwards.

The first way to change the forward situation is to move Vince Carter from Shooting Guard to Small Forward, leaving the starting SG job to CDR. This no matter what position changes happens to the current roster they still need a starting caliber power forward.

There are a lot of players that the Nets could get this summer, but they would have to sacrifice their dreams about the summer of 2010. It could be worth it, because if Lebron, Bosh and D-Wade all resign or go somewhere else and sign , then the Nets will have to settle for a similar player to what is out there this year and they will probably overpay them. If we pick up a good player this year, we wont have to risk trying to get a star next year, and they could be had at a better price. Not to mention a few good players could put the Nets back into the playoffs.

Here my take on the restricted Forwards available this summer

David Lee: The Knicks put David Lee into the starting offense replacing Zach Randolph, and he delivered 65 double doubles the most in the NBA this year. He averaged 16 points and 11.7 rebounds a game and would be a big help to the Nets on the boards. he is a restricted free agent but the Knicks will not match any offer as they are playing the Lebron sweepstakes in 2010. He is not a good defender or shooter, having never hit a three in a game. He could be had at 40-50 million over 5 years, and he is only 26.

Marvin Williams: He averaged 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds last year for the Hawks he would command a similar contract to David Lee but the Hawks would probably match it, so the Nets will have to make a sign and trade deal to get him. He would be a good fit with the Nets were he could play both forward positions, and he is only 22 years old.

Paul Milsap: The power forward for the Jazz is only 24, and he played very well this season averaging 13.5 points and 8.6 rebounds coming off the bench on a playoff team. He could come in and start at the 4 position but he will get a big contract and need to be obtained in a sign and trade deal because Utah will match any offer.

Linas Kleiza: He killed the Nets in Denver hitting a number of corner three's that made want to cry. So he earned his way onto this post. he averaged 10 points per game and 4 rebounds, he is 6-8 and he can play either the 2 or the 3. He is another sign and trade guy.

Look out for my post about unrestricted free agents and then the draft!

Nets Bigs Analysis

Here's my take on the Pf's and C's on the Nets Roster.

Brook Lopez: averaged 13 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game He was third in the ROY voting and looks to be the future of the Nets as well as the best pick in the 08 draft.

Eduardo Najera: barely played at all in his first year as a Net. He was brought here as a backup 4 who could bring some energy but we couldn't see any of it this year.

Josh Boone: started the first 7 games of the season, but then got injured and his job was permanently taken by Lopez. He averaged 4.2 points per 4.2 rebounds and a block per game. He is a decent backup center, and plays good D, but i wanted to cry every time he went to the free throw line, where it seemed like he barely ever hit the rim.

Sean Williams: appropriately nicknamed swat for his blocking ability, Sean Williams took a huge step down after a mediocre rookie campaign due to a combination of on the court and off the court problems. He is a backup 4 or 5 at best if unless he gets his act together. he averaged 2.4 points and 2.4 rebounds as well as a block per game. He worked his way into the rotation, because of his defense after being sent down and later kicked out of the D-League for his bad behavior.

Ryan Anderson: averaged 7.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in an up and down rookie season, which was mostly dependant on the amount of playing time he got, he shot the ball well from beyond the arc but is mostly a shooter just like Yi.

Yi Jianlian: was brought to New Jersey on a strictly marketing level, bringing in a huge fan base. He averaged almost 9 points and 5 rebounds per game as a streaky shooting power forward, but plays a lot like Ryan Anderson. He will probably get one more year to figure things out. But as of this point he is not really a good option for a starter.

Whats Missing

The Nets have a starting center set, and enough backup bigs for now, but what's really missing is a starting power forward which the Nets could fill either in the draft or in the free agent market. If the Nets fill this position look for them to become competitive again in the East.

Look out for my post about how to fill the holes later in the week!

Good game for Pettitte and the Yanks

Andy Pettitte pitched 7 innings allowing 2 runs on 9 hits getting no K's but allowing no BB's, as the yankees went on to win 5-3.

The yankees scored 4 runs in the second inning starting off with a leadoff walk by Nick Swisher, and a double by Matsui, followed by a Ransom fly out to the Right fielder, Gardner then hits a 2 rbi single and then Jeter matches minus the rbi's. Damon hits a line drive to the left field and got caught going for 2, netting a rbi single. Tex finished off the scoring with a rbi single.

A 2 run 4th by the A's brought them to withn 2 but they would not come closer than that, because Johny Damon hit a solo Homer in the 6th.

Brian Bruney allowed 1 run in the 8th but Mo got the job done in the 9th and got his 4th save of the season.

Notes

Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera tied for the MLB record of win save combinations with 57

1+5= A reason to be optimistic bout the Nets future

Point Guard, and Center are by far the hardest positions to fill in the NBA, and the Nets are set at those positions with two great young players one an already an All Star in Devin Harris, and the other one, is a rookie averaging 13 and 8 who most likely is the runner up in the rookie of the year award this year. This a huge reason to be optimistic on the future of the Nets.

If the Nets have a good offseason they will have an opportunity to make the playoffs after a two year drought. But first they have to evaluate the roster, to be able to see were the help is needed.

Here's my take on the PG's SG's and SF's on the Nets Roster.

Devin Harris: leading candidate for the Most Improved Player, and he only Net to make the All Star team. He average 21.3 ppg and 6.9 assists and 3.3 rebs a game, but he sat out 13 games for injuries.

Keyon Dooling: played great for the Nets this year, he came off the bench about 60 times, and started 18 games, mostly filling in for an injury prone Devin Harris. He averaged almost 10 ppg with 3.5 assists and 2 rebounds per game. He is a great backup combo guard, and spot starter.

CDR: was drafted early in the second round, and didn't play much until DH was injured for the second time, where he was inserted into the lineup and earned his spot playing very good. He started a few games, and was loved by the fans. He could be a future starter, judging by what he showed at the end of the season.

Vince Carter: The former All Star and the only remaining memeber of the big 3 is the captain of he Nets squad, but he is almost 32 years old and showed a small dropp off in stats this year. He showed great leadership and team skills this year, but he is the center of the trade talks in the Nets off season, it would be nice to have him back next year.

Jarvis Hayes: The Backup Small Forward was a fan favorite who was notorious for his hustle plays. He averaged 9 ppg and is a great backup SF, the only problem is that through most of the season the starters were not playing as well as him.

Bobby Simmons: started 40 games averaging 8 points and shot 45% from three point land but is not a starter bottom line.

Treton Hassel:started 30 games and played good d, but he is not a starter either.

Whats missing is a backup PG because DH gets hurt to much, and a starting SF unless VC is switched to SF and CDR starts at the 2. In which case another wingman is needed.

Look out for Part 2 later in the week!

Giants TE's

Lets take a look, at the Giants tight ends, another group with a lot of skill, as well as younger players with potential.

Kevin Boss- The rookie last year, had a memorable performance in the absense of Shockey, he stepped in and contributed to the SuperBowl win, and had an ok year this year.

Michael Mathews- The third year player contributed as a TE, and as a FB, he will probably make the roster next year.

Darcy Johnson: a good backup tight end who stepped up at times receiving the ball, he has good hands, he is also a good blocker.

overall, there is a lack of star power, but a good groop of players

Nets Off-season

The Nets traded away RJ, and got five players on draft night, 3 rookies, and 2 non rookies.
Nets New Players
YI Jianlian, Brook Lopez, Ryan Anderson, Chris Douglas Roberts, an Bobby Simmons.
They got rid of 1 player so far in RJ, but it looks like more will follow.
so here's who wont be here next year
RJ Diop(agreed on a contract with Dallas), Darrel Arrmstrong,
possibly Krstic, Boki, Ager, and Marcus Williams.
And no one on the roster is safe, besides Yi, Lopez, an Harris.
So lets take a look at who the Nets are looking at, remember though no one expensive because the Nets want to get Lebron for Brooklyn in 2 years.
Mikael Peitrus- The 26 year old Frenchman who played for Golden State last year, is a wing man who averaged 7.2 points 3.7 rebounds, and .7 assists last year. These numbers are the second lowest in his 5 year career, because of less playing time which went down 7 minuets from the year before, where he averaged 11.1 points. He would be a good addition, to the Nets who are in desperate need for a wing man.
Roger Mason- A 28 year old guard with 5 years experience in the league. He played for the Wizards last year averaging 9.1 points 1.6 rebounds, an 1.7 assists, all career highs. He is another player who plays in a position the Nets need.
Euardo Najera, and Kwame Brown- 2 Forwards who the Nets don't really have room on their roster for, unless Krstic, an Boki leave.
JR Smith- The guard who played in Denver last year is only 22, he would be a huge addition to the Nets, but he is a restricted free agent, and Denver said that they would match any offer, so they would have to make a sign and trade to get him.

Yankees bats are asleep

The Yankees have a combined 5 runs in the past 3 games which is fairly dismal. Totalling just 13 hits over 3 those three games. And in the last 2 games Yankees scored just 2 runs on solo shots from Arod and Betemit.
This cannot continue, but i think it had something to do with the messed up lineup by Girardi, who even had Posada starting at first. I think there was no reason to take all of the lefties out of the line up as well.
Well look for the Yankees bars to wake up against Kevin Milwood of the Rangers.