Anyone out there have any solutions for Kyle Farnsworth? It's been so frustrating for the Yankees to watch this guy pitch, hit 96, 97 and 98 on the centerfield radar gun, and yet struggle to get hitters out. Doesn't make much sense.
Of course his command has something to do with it -- he falls behind hitters way too much -- but perhaps it's getting to the point where we should wonder whether he can do it here, in New York. The Yankees handed him $17 million over three years, which they may regret if this continues.
The Yankees thought they would have Octavio Dotel by now, but his return doesn't seem likely until the end of July, if not sometime in August. Puts some pressure on Brian Cashman to find relievers by the trade deadline. Expect former Devil Rays righthander Jesus Colome to get a chance soon, and maybe even Ramiro Mendoza as well.
So did anyone get a good view of the tension between Farnsworth and catcher Jorge Posada in the ninth inning on Tuesday? Just wondering what your thoughts and observations were... Please post in the comments section, and we'll discuss.
(The above photo is credited to The Associated Press. Two bonus points to anyone who can identify when the photo was taken, and what exactly was going on.)
Comments (9)
You could cut it with a knife! Posada to me gives 100%,plays hurt with all the bumbs,bruises that catchers accumulate during the year. Posada is a winner and knows how to win. This year an additional injury with the ligament tear in back of knee. Now, add injuries to three or more starting players at any given time in this early season. The team needs maximum effort and attention from all remaining players to compete until the team is healthy again. Farnsworthless enters the game and appears to be on cloud nine, spaced out. He has had 6 straight bad outings where he has needed 20 or more pitches to get out of the inning with giving up runs or leads. This keeps him from pitching the following day. So, last night Farnsworth forgets a man is on second and crosses Posada up with the wrong pitch. There is no room for a struggling team to have this inattentiveness. I hope Torre addressed this issue and his pitching of late. Farnsworth is a long line of disappointing FA who can't handle NY. I would trade him in a heart beat. Farnsworth has not been a winner and appears to be continuing along this line. He can not be trusted out on the mound.
It was taken in 2003 at Cincinnati when Farnsworth and Paul Wilson got into a fight. Farnsworth really pounded him and may have even bodyslammed him.
Larry is correct. Here is a link to the story (with the same photo):
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2003/06/19/cubs_reds_ap/
Lets give Farnsworth
some time before running him out of town.Remember when he struck out Ortiz in Fenway?Patience and support will help the team a lot more than just trying to run him out of town-he has 3 more years on his contract!!
Posada has always had a hot temper. I'm sure they'll work it out. Posada's managed to forge a rapport with some of the most difficult egos in the game. He and Farnsy will be fine.
What worries me about Mr Posada is how he seems to not get along with some very vital pieces of the pitching staff. If this was an isolated incident it would be one thing, but don't forget, Posada and the Big Unit almost got into a fight in the dugout in Philadelphia! Obviously, Posada has nowhere near the charisma that Varitek, Matheny, Kendall, and other great catchers have...and when things get ugly in a game, well...it brings out bad feelings as quick as too many Bud Lights!
Have Goose Gossage talk to Farnsworth... Goose's talent was similar to Farnsworth's and he might be able to say something that will correct the problems that we as Yankee fans are seeing far too often. The results that we are seeing are nowhere near the talent that Farnsworth has.
Goose had the ability to be wild when it was of value to him. This goes to Farnsworth inability with pitch location. I did say that "I would trade him in a heart beat" but I recognize his enormous talent and hope for a turn around. The starting pitching appears to be slowly coming around. Hopefully, the bullpen will be called upon less and better results the norm.
Farnsworth needs to add a changeup to go with his heat and breaking pitch. Whether or not Guidry can have him develop one at this stage of the season is unknown. Winning breeds confidence and that could be what he and some others need. Nobody wants to be known as a guy that held a team back or stopped a streak.