Joba Chamberlain Needs to Drop Anchor on Mariners’ Weak Offensive Fleet

Joba Chamberlain has sparked a debate more perplexing than determining “who framed Roger Rabbit,” “what happened to Amelia Earhart,” or “how many licks it takes to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop.”

Fans, scouts, and analysts will continue to argue whether Chamberlain is best suited as a reliever or starter, with nothing short of unequaled dominance and stardom likely to quiet it.

Chamberlain has become the personification of a Rubik’s Cube—evolving into an even more confusing puzzle as you seemingly get closer to finding a solution.

In 14 starts thus far in 2009, the former phenom has struck out more than six batters just one time. He surrendered four first inning runs in that start, and the Yankees were never able to recover.

Though pitching better in the month of June, Chamberlain has been far from dominating his opponents.

He was rescued in a putrid performance against the Mets in which he walked five and threw 100 pitches in just four innings. He then followed that start by allowing 11 baserunners against the Washington Nationals—the worst team in all of MLB.

Luckily for Chamberlain, his next opponents are the Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners are performing admirably in an improved American League West, but are doing much of it with smoke and mirrors—especially on the offensive end.

Seattle currently sits at 29th in MLB in runs scored, 26th in OBP at just .315, and 25th in OPS. They also rank just 19th in home runs with 72, which would be much worse if one player (Russell Branyan) did not have virtually 30-percent of them.

Ichiro Suzuki leads all of MLB in batting average at .372—managing to lift an otherwise poor team batting average up to 13th in the league at .261.

It is time for Chamberlain to show the kind of put-away fastball and slider he utilized in 2008, as well as show better location early in the count.

He needs to deliver a steady diet of 93-95 MPH fastballs and unhittable sliders—ensuring that the Mariners are left “sleeping with the fishes.”

The Mariners are a very difficult team to strike out, and a high total in tonight’s game would go a long way in showing Chamberlain’s overpowering nature has not gone the way of the dinosaur.

Similar to the Atlanta Braves lineup that Chamberlain defeated in his last start, the Mariners have just three truly dangerous hitters.

Nate McLouth, Brian McCann, and Chipper Jones have been replaced by Jose Lopez, Branyan, and Ichiro—with the rest of the batting order leaving much to be desired.

Chamberlain cannot knock the opposing pitcher out of the game with another line drive tonight, so he might actually have to out-pitch Mariners starter Brandon Morrow.

Ironically, Morrow is another stud reliever-turned-starter prospect with an electric arm, and it will be exciting to see the two face off in Yankee Stadium.

All eyes will be on Chamberlain (what a surprise) as he toes the rubber at home—a place where he is pitching to a 0-2 record, 1.55 WHIP, and 5.18 ERA in 2009. He has also walked 21 batters in just 33 IP at Yankee Stadium.

Chamberlain—as well as Wang—will need strong showings over the next few weeks in order to continue to hold off the suddenly electrifying Phil Hughes.

The quest for reacquiring respect and fear begins tonight for Chamberlain—against a team and a lineup he should do nothing but toy with.

Yankees’ Chien-Ming Wang to Become 300 Game Winner on Oct. 21, 2263

According to Matt Gelb of The Star-Ledger, yesterday marked Chien-Ming Wang’s first major league victory in 379 days.

It was a long and painful road to redemption for the once dominating sinker-baller, and one that many New Yorkers would prefer to forget.

A man once “guaranteed” to provide 200-plus innings per season and 15-20 victories is now nothing more than an unreliable project.

Yankee fans are more often than not holding their breath each time Wang releases a flat sinker—as opposed to using it for more encouraging activities like cheering or yelling “let’s go Wang!”

Wang currently stands at 55 wins in pinstripes—46 of which were collected over two and a half magical seasons at the top of the Yankee rotation.

At the torrid pace he was riding through an unfortunate baserunning injury in 2008, he would have been set to reach the 300-win milestone somewhere around his 42nd or 43rd birthday.

Wang’s current pace has been slightly more tortoise than hare, and would create a far different target date for creating history in the Bronx.

If he continues to achieve one win every 379 days, Wang will be penciled in to earn his 300th victory on Oct. 21, 2263.

The Taiwanese right-hander would be at the ripe old age of 284—older than the present age of the United States of America that enabled him this great opportunity.

Some may scoff at the idea of a starting pitcher throwing 260 years in the big leagues, or even surviving long enough to see the middle of the 23rd century.

With the advancements in medicine, technology, and performance-enhancing drugs, however, Wang’s road to 300 is much more probability than fantasy.

After all, Satchel Paige was able to compete at the major league level in 1965 at the age of 59—without the aid of any enhancers outside of the coffee he was served between innings.

Is it that far-fetched to believe Wang could ride the PED train all the way to 2263? Who knows what kinds of chemical concoctions will exist as we move into the 10s, 20s, and 30s.

The only obstacle seemingly in Wang’s way is the same advancements in medicine and technology that will offer him the chance at making history.

Somewhere between now and 2263, it is highly likely that the technology required to clone humans will be developed and utilized in American society.

Furthermore, when taking into account inflation and marketing opportunities in other galaxies, the Yankees payroll will be somewhere around $370 trillion.

This will make it very difficult for Wang to remain in the Yankee rotation through 2263—as New York will be able to purchase the rights to the embryos of Cy Young, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson, and Sandy Koufax.

Wang will be relegated to 8th inning duties, but should be able to record the one victory per season necessary to maintain his pace.

Whether or not Wang is able to achieve the milestone remains to be seen.

If the future cloned version of George Steinbrenner has anything to say about it, however, we will be able to add Wang’s name to a very illustrious list of pitching royalty.

Judg-Ming-t Day: Wang Faces Last Chance to Stay in Yankees Rotation

Yankees fans attempt to remember a time when Chien-Ming Wang led all of MLB in wins. They try to hold onto the memories of a sinker once described as “trying to hit a bowling ball.”

Concerns of a recurring injury have subsided, and a steady and explosive velocity has returned to Wang’s arsenal—albeit an arsenal now more feared by scoreboard operators than opposing hitters.

If everything is right physically with Wang, then initial fears of a deterioration taking place between-the-ears have begun to come to fruition.

We have all seen the numbers. Wang’s 14.34 ERA through the first five starts of the season is the worst in Major League Baseball history—sadly not at all a hyperbole.

Nothing short of a liability and an embarrassment, Wang has done virtually nothing to change the level of optimism from “completely empty glass” to “glass half empty”—let alone “glass half full.”

Placed into a very precarious situation by the Yankee hierarchy, Wang was originally slated to face both Boston and the Mets in consecutive starts. The baseball gods saved him from being thrown into the lion’s den, as a rainout slightly shifted his fate.

Wang now faces the lowly Washington Nationals, “proud” owners of a 16-45 record, and currently on pace for 119 losses in 2009.

The Nationals are 19th in runs scored, 16th in team batting average, and 14th in team slugging percentage—even while boasting one of MLB’s best power hitters in Adam Dunn.

If Wang cannot pitch dominantly against the worst team in baseball, the Yankees will have their hand forced. They simply cannot continue to run a mentally-weak hurler out to the mound that is depleting an already bungling bullpen.

To put things into perspective, Wang is 0-4 in his five starts in 2009. In 2006—his best season—it took him 19 starts to suffer his fourth loss.

The pitcher that now wears No. 40 for New York is simply a shell of the man once counted on for length and consistency every five days.

Phil Hughes, on the other hand, has been further forcing the issue with stellar pitching over his last five appearances.

Since May 20, Hughes has pitched 18.2 innings while generating a 2.89 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 20 K, and just 4 BB. This stretch included wonderful outings against divisional leaders Boston and Texas.

Wednesday’s start at Yankee Stadium has now become Judgment Day for Wang, as a confident and eager Hughes is now breathing down his neck for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

One more abysmal performance is likely to spell the end for New York’s former ace—at least for the remainder of 2009. Only an injury would reinsert him into the Major League equation.

Promising young phenoms like Rick Ankiel and Jeff Francouer have had their physical tools overcome by their mental doubts, and Yankees Universe can only hope that Wang is not the next in line.

Perhaps a full offseason of work and a fresh start in 2010 is just what the doctor ordered for Wang’s resurrection. Perhaps he is about to turn a miraculous corner that no one in New York could dare to anticipate.

New York may be “the city that never sleeps,” but it will be Wang’s eyes that will be unable to rest easily if he falters on Wednesday night.

Andy Far From Dandy: Pettitte Becoming A Less and Less Dependable Yankee

Yankees starter Andy Pettitte was always deemed the model of consistency in New York’s rotation.

Throughout individual games he appeared as though consistency was in fact an infectious disease he was attempting to avoid, but the end result usually involved a Yankees win.

He might completely lose his control from inning to inning, or pitch brilliantly until a 3-4 run sixth inning, but he won with regularity—which is all Yankee fans care to remember.

Pettitte has won 63 percent of his career decisions, and has twice won 20 games. He was confident, reliable, and accountable, never backing down from a challenge or battle with adversity.

It seems as though Pettitte has another fight on his hands, and his unrelenting self-assurance will be stretched to its limits.

Always just one pitch away from ending his career, he has repeatedly stated that he will hang up his cleats in the event that his elbow finally breaks down permanently.

Recent injury struggles have actually involved a balky back, though perhaps it has resulted from an overcompensation to protect the stresses placed on his pitching arm.

In response to the injury, Pettitte conceded “I guess it’s a little bit of old age.” This is the first sign on a man beginning to succumb to the daily aches and pains of a 162-game season.

The Yankees once won because of him, resulting from his uncanny ability to pitch himself out of trouble—always making the perfect pitch in a key situation.

They are instead now winning in spite of him, battering opposing pitchers into submission in order to squeak out a victory.

In seven starts since the calendar turned over to May 1, Pettitte has pitched to a 5.23 ERA and staggering 1.84 WHIP.

In addition, he has recently needed the aid of a GPS system in order to locate home plate, walking 23 hitters in just 41.1 IP.

This equates to a BB/9 ratio of over 5, including games of 4, 4, 5, and 6 walks respectively over that span.

The Yankees have still managed to go 5-2 during Pettitte’s recent struggles, which has significantly limited the whispers of a possible 2009 “swan song.”

When healthy, Pettitte is still a weapon on the mound, evidenced by his 2.96 ERA in the month of April.

He was also 12-7 with a 3.76 ERA through a July 26 gem against Boston in 2008, before arm problems sent his season spiraling down the stretch—he finished just 14-14 with a 4.54 ERA.

The problem is no one knows if Pettitte’s body will ever be the same, or if he can last a full season without further incident.

No. 46 has always been one of the Bronx’s favorite Yankees, and nothing will ever change that.

He has been at the epicenter of countless heroic victories, and has stood behind a microphone to answer any question asked of him—even in the darkest of times.

Pettitte is still the first member of the staff that I want on the mound in October, and there is plenty of time for him to catch a second wind in 2009.

Perhaps a short stint on the disabled list later in the season can keep him fresh for the stretch run.

After all, New York is desperately trying to find ways to utilize both Phil Hughes and Chien-Ming Wang in the Major League rotation.

The Yankees need Pettitte to stop coming up petite in order to make a significant run at October baseball…so here’s to hoping he can turn it around.

The Yankees FINALLY Return Joba Chamberlain to an Eighth Inning Role

The great Joba Chamberlain debate has raged on for years, rivaling other conundrums of past and present history.

Coke or Pepsi? Boxers or briefs? Paper or plastic? To be or not to be?

The “bullpen or starting rotation” question may never be settled with regards to Chamberlain’s ultimate future, but last night’s effort may have helped New York arrive at a temporary decision.

Chamberlain was sent out to pitch the eighth inning of a close game on Monday night, trying to preserve a victory for a Yankees starter who pitched magnificently over the first seven.

Haunting nightmares of a 2007 ALDS gone bad were revisited by the arrival of the same midges that once shook the confidence of the Yankees reliever.

This time the bugs did not travel alone, as a flock of seagulls blanketed the outfield grass like an eerie sequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.

Chamberlain was able to maintain his composure this time around, determined to not repeat his October meltdown.

He proceeded to effortlessly coast through the inning 1-2-3, like he had done so many times before in setting up for Mariano Rivera. Does this sound familiar?

The eighth inning has always been Chamberlain’s personal sanctuary—a place as comfortable and relaxing to him as a Tempur-Pedic mattress.

The Yankees had finally seen all that they needed to see.

Their talented young hurler was best cut out for a setup role, especially if the team could get such rock-solid pitching out of its starters.

The starter who put New York in a winning position on this day, however, was in fact Chamberlain himself.

Will Chamberlain be a starter or setup man for the Yankees in 2009? The answer that manager Joe Girardi would like to hear is “both.”

In going eight innings while allowing just two runs on four hits, Chamberlain was able to perform admirably in early innings, while also preventing the underbelly of the Yankees bullpen from being exposed.

The most impressive statistic of the evening shows that he recorded 20 of his 24 outs via a groundball or strikeout.

For a power pitcher who likes to throw fastballs up in the zone, allowing just four balls to be caught outside of the infield truly epitomizes his dominance.

Chamberlain followed up two very disappointing starts with possibly his best of the season, which has inevitably caused the emergence of yet another pitching query.

Which two of Phil Hughes, Chien-Ming Wang, and Chamberlain will occupy the final two rotation spots once we reach the All-Star break?

This question may not be answered for quite some time, but the Yankees thoroughly enjoy having to address it.

After all, wouldn’t every team love to have the “problem” of having to choose between three successful young starters?

Chamberlain looked calm and collected in his return to the eighth inning on Monday.

However, it appears that he will only get there again in the near future if he also pitches the first seven.

The Yankees Can Forget About Chien-Ming, Right? “Wang!”

Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang has had much more than just a tumultuous season in pinstripes.

A 0-3 record and 34.50 ERA turned a former ace into a rejuvenation project filled with fear and uncertainty.

The unexpected and full-fledged collapse left the Yankees organization stirring for answers—only to find more questions the deeper they dug.

Would Wang ever again regain the form of years past? Had he simply had his confidence forever shattered like the sad story of Rick Ankiel?

Did compensations for a recurring foot injury ultimately lead to overexertion of his pitching shoulder and elbow?

Golf enthusiasts refer to the persistent nightmare as “the yips,” describing the sudden and complete inability to perform even the most simplistic of mechanical tasks.

It usually starts with a missed putt or a wayward drive of the tee, but before long a golfer is left praying for a way to simply make decent contact.

In the midst of a battle with “the yips,” a golfer would rather wind up and throw the ball down the fairway than even attempt to address it with a golf club in hand.

Wang was experiencing the baseball version of the psychological phenomenon, suddenly prevented from utilizing the pitch that single-handedly paved the road for his success—a painfully heavy sinker.

Virtually nothing could be done to rediscover or repair mechanics “gone rogue,” as mental anguish seemed to be at the epicenter of the pitching issues.

New York released a very rational and sensible explanation for the happenings, highlighting Wang’s incapability of driving off the mound with his formerly injured foot.

Subsequent compensations in mechanics put added pressure on his hip joints, while also preventing him from getting on top of his patented sinker.

Whether or not the story is 100 percent true will remain a mystery, but it was far too logical to bother questioning.

After all, an injury is much more comforting for a fan base to hear than “he may need time in a mental health facility.”

On Wednesday night, Wang finally delivered a sense of optimism to Yankees Universe that all hope was not lost for his 2009 campaign.

It finally appeared as though it would be Wang’s fastball that would be rapidly sinking, as opposed to the prospects of his Yankees career.

Wang pitched two strong innings in relief against a very talented Rangers lineup, and closed out the game without allowing a single baserunner.

He struck out two Rangers, including one of the hottest hitters in MLB in Nelson Cruz. Cruz had recently produced 5 HR, 10 RBI, and a .462 AVG during a seven-game hitting streak.

Wang also generating two ground balls, proving that the depth and tilt on his sinker are beginning to round back into form.

There is a lot to still be concerned about, and two innings clearly is not enough of a sample size to deem Wang “cured.”

Yankees fans were looking to anything as a sign of progress, however, and this certainly qualifies as such.

Wang’s importance has been downplayed slightly in the recent past, as Phil Hughes has pitched dominantly over his last two starts.

Do not be a strictly nearsighted fan, and do not disregard how vital Wang is/could become to the Yankees ultimate successes.

In the event that Joba Chamberlain is forced back into the bullpen or AJ Burnett suffers an injury, Wang could be the difference between a playoff birth and scheduling tee times.

Let’s hope the result is not the latter…as Wang’s “yips” would likely worsen if he was lead onto a golf course.

A Special Thanks to WBSU 89.1 FM Radio

I would like to extend appreciation to the guys at The Point After of WBSU 89.1 FM radio in Rochester, NY.

They were generous enough to invite me onto their program today to talk Yankees baseball for 10 minutes.

The hosts do a great job up there, and I urge all of my readers to check out the site and give them a live listen.

We discussed many topics about the recent troubles of Alex Rodriguez off the field, the feedback stemming from the opening of the new stadium, and the current state of the Yankees.

The unavoidable topic of Joba Chamberlain's possible return to the eighth inning role was also covered, as well as the importance of Chien-Ming Wang and Phil Hughes.

I look forward to speaking with them again in the future, and ultimately had a great time on the show.

Chien-Ming Wang Injury Update: Foot Again Blamed as the Catalyst

Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang has once again shot himself in the foot.

I of course mean this figuratively, and am in no way insinuating another Plaxico Burress nightmare.

According to reports produced by the New York Daily News, it appears that Chien-Ming Wang’s struggles were indeed magnified by a recurring foot injury.

The damage dates back to last season, when Wang was injured while rounding third base in an Interleague game.

“Organizational pitching coach Billy Connors remarked that Wang was unable to push off his back foot, which is where pitchers gather their power from. Wang pitched four innings in an extended spring training game Saturday and is slated to do so two more times before rejoining the Yankees.”

Wang’s account of the early season disaster is that “stiffness in my right foot threw off my mechanics.”

As a result, the Yankees feel that his hip took on the brunt of the stresses. He was getting over onto his front foot too quickly, using hip rotation to compensate for an insufficient push off of his back leg.

Billy Connors and the Yankees organization seem to have targeted exactly what needs to be repaired in order to salvage Wang’s season. Actually succeeding in doing so is the next and more difficult step.

Phil Hughes, Wang’s current replacement, will pitch today against the Angels. His performances will ultimately determine the urgency of Wang’s restoration.

The Yankees have decided to implement a rehab process including a strength and conditioning program.

It wouldn’t hurt to also send him to a few sessions with a first-rate therapist, would it?

Yankees Awake to See May 1: Players Feel Differing Emotions

As the clock struck midnight on Friday morning, the calendar had officially flipped over to the month of May.

The Yankees awoke from a fulfilling night’s sleep, basking in the positivity of their recent three-game winning streak.

Currently sitting at 12-10 in the standings, New York has climbed back into striking distance of the leaders in the American League East.

The team’s record is rather remarkable considering the turmoil and misfortune that suffocated the Bronx during March and April.

The Yankees have won 54.5 percent of their games, on pace to finish 88-74 over a full 162-game season.

Virtually identical to New York’s 2008 finish of 89-73, it has done so without the luxury of even one at bat from Alex Rodriguez.

It seems more impressive when reflecting on the additional losses of Xavier Nady and Brian Bruney to elbow injuries, as well as the incompetence of the Yankees bullpen and high-priced free agent acquisitions. Chien-Ming Wang did not quite succeed as a No. 2 starter this season either.

Mark Teixeira, Damaso Marte, and Wang feared becoming the stars of their own version of Groundhog Day, unable to escape the nightmare of a never-ending April.

Many other Yankees, including Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, and Melky Cabrera, would have leaped at the opportunity to avoid the arrival of May 1.

Swisher and Cano combined for 12 HR, 35 RBI, 21 BB, and 39 R in just 22 April games. Cano had added 34 hits and a .366 AVG to his list of accolades.

Cabrera, on the other hand, has entirely rejuvenated his Yankee career. In hitting .327 with 4 HR, he has won back the starting center field job in the Bronx, and subsequently rediscovered his confidence and swagger.

While assuming the reasonable statistical comebacks of Teixeira, Burnett, and Sabathia, it is easy to see why Yankees fans have reason for optimism and hope.

The ultimate success of Wang, A-Rod, and the bullpen are still in doubt. The simple return of A-Rod to the lineup, however, should help the team’s overall lineup depth. Teixeira should also feel more comfortable and assured at the plate with legitimate protection behind him.

If “April showers bring May flowers,” then perhaps the Yankees will be purged of their troubles; once again able to perform at the highest of levels.

May will almost certainly “come in like a lion” in terms of scheduled opponents, as the month’s first seven games are against the Angels, Red Sox, and Rays. A three-game series with the World Champion Phillies also looms later in the month.

The Yankees will be tested early and often in the season’s second month, but can feel very fortunate to be in their current position.

April “showered” the Bronx with controversy, injuries, underperformance, boos, and even a strange wind current dilemma.

I’m sure those players sad to see May’s arrival will be willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. I, for one, am not waiting until Cinco de Mayo on May 5 to start celebrating.

Chien-Ming Who? Hughes Arrives Without Hype, As Advertised

The Yankees were unsure of where their season stood, and even more unsure of what would come of their besieged pitching staff.

Chien-Ming Wang had recently suffered both a mental and physical breakdown in New York, and 19 automatic wins quickly manifested itself as a gaping hole in the rotation.

A mysterious “injury” sent Wang away to the Yankees secret Tampa laboratory, trying to fix what so suddenly and unexpectedly became broken.

A culmination of velocity reduction, arm slot inconsistencies, and a non-sinking sinker forced New York’s hand.

Who could emerge from a barren Minor League landscape to plug the leak of a sinking Yankee ship? A familiar face stepped out from the shadows, ready to rewrite his chapter in the Yankees’ history books.

The “messiah” of the starting staff would have to be Phil Hughes, once believed to be the next great ace of Major League Baseball. Injuries and underperformance shattered his dreams in 2008, and left fans and scouts wondering what had become of the “can’t-miss prospect.”

Still baby-faced and just 22 years of age, Hughes was not ready to let fans forget his polished pedigree. He entered his season debut with a 3-0 record and 1.86 ERA in AAA, and had made some key adjustments to his pitching repertoire.

The fine-tuning was clearly evident in Tuesday’s debut against the Detroit Tigers, as Hughes made a potent and powerful lineup appear more prepared for the Eastern League at AA.

Hughes’ final line included 6 innings, 6 strikeouts, two walks, and just 2 hits allowed. More importantly for the Yankees, he was able to obtain “1 win.” It was a win they desperately needed, and totaled more than Hughes had collected in all of 2008.

A new and precise cutter has been added to Hughes’ arsenal, and helped to minimize one of his biggest weaknesses as a starter in the majors. He was now able to get inside consistently on lefthanders, turning doubles and home runs of years past into ground balls to second base.

Hughes used one of these ground balls to escape his only jam of the day, preserving a 0-0 pitcher’s duel at the time.

The weight of the world—or in this case “Yankees Universe”—was on Hughes’ invaluable right shoulder. He did more than simply deliver; he proved that he belonged in pinstripes for the weeks (and possibly months) to come.

With a sharp curveball and 92-93 MPH fastball, Hughes was a serviceable starter. When adding a pinpoint cutter and developing change-up, there is no telling how high his ceiling can rise.

The Yankees needed a stopper, but more importantly, they needed a sense of hope and serenity. Hughes gave them both, and appeared for the first time to be exactly as advertised.

We had all heard the hype ad nauseam. On Tuesday, however, we finally saw it with our own eyes.

Chien-Ming “Wrong”: An Aberration Has Officially Become a Trend

Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang came into Saturday afternoon’s game against the Cleveland Indians with a 0-2 record and 28.93 ERA.

In allowing 15 hits and 6 walks in just 4.2 innings pitched, Wang looked more like a minor league journeyman than a man who finished runner-up for the Cy Young award just three years ago.

Things couldn’t possibly have gotten worse in his third start, right? Wrong.

Wang was lambasted and humiliated for the third straight time on Saturday, allowing 8 hits and 8 runs in just 1.1 innings. He further inflated his ERA to a sickening 34.50.

In fact, my previous comparison of Wang to a minor league journeyman was proven much more accurate than I originally intended.

Yankees emergency call-up Anthony Claggett produced virtually an identical pitching line to Wang’s. He allowed 9 hits and 8 runs over 1.2 innings, and threw gasoline onto an already blazing fire.

Once the smoke had cleared, the Yankees had suffered through a 14-run explosion that left them scrambling for answers.

Wang’s struggles go far beyond early-season inconsistencies, or rust caused by last year’s foot injury. An abnormality has turned into a haunting trend; one that could derail the confidence of a team looking to find itself.

Imagine if Mariano Rivera suddenly lost his ability to throw a cutter, eliminating the only true weapon he brought to the pitching mound each day.

Wang is experiencing this nightmare first hand, as his previously unhittable power sinker has morphed into a belt high batting practice fastball.

Opponents once described hitting against Wang as “trying to hit a bowling ball.” Now it appears he is simply placing the ball onto a tee for opposing hitters to launch into orbit.

Whatever adjustments pitching coach Dave Eiland is attempting to etch into Wang’s mind have been proven worthless. Many fans are already calling for Phil Hughes to immediately board a bus from Scranton, PA to the Bronx.

A pitcher’s four biggest assets are location, movement, speed variation, and top-end velocity (in that order). The concerning factor in Wang’s regression is that he has not shown even one of these skills thus far in 2009.

Though a small sample size, it is fair to be very concerned with Wang’s helplessness on a mound he once controlled.

Wang is so out or sorts that he is virtually unrecognizable. The Yankees must feel like the stars of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, wondering what happened to the man they once called their ace.

The calendar still indicates that we are in mid-April, and would normally provide enough of a relaxation mechanism to calm nerves.

Wang has been so consistently dismal, however, that it is impossible to ignore the truth. The Yankees need him to pitch like years past in order to make a run at the division title, AL pennant, or World Series Championship.

New York needs his ERA to mimic its stock exchange, rapidly declining in as short a time period as possible.

Perhaps “May’s showers” can help to cleanse Wang, washing away his failures and allowing him to start anew. Perhaps Eiland has a few more tricks up his sleeve to get the Taiwanese hurler back on track.

The Yankees better hope so, because their season ultimately depends on it.

The Nick Swisher Chronicles: When A First Baseman is Your Best Reliever

The Yankees struggled through one of the worst beatdowns in recent memory at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

Starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang looked as discombobulated and frustrated as a frequent viewer of ABC's hit show Lost.

The disaster hit an apex when first baseman Nick Swisher toed the mound at Tropicana Field.

In an inning that became both surprising and disconcerting, Swisher performed admirably.

The pitching novice did not allow any runs to score, meanwhile his teammates paid to perform the craft were allowing 15.

Swisher even managed to strike out a hitter, and posted a strike-to-ball ratio identical to that of the team's starting pitcher.

After also launching his third home run of the early season, Swisher has proven to be a true 'jack of all trades.'

The Yankees have not seen a hitter with this much pitching talent since Babe Ruth was acquired from the hated Red Sox (note: soaked in sarcasm).

Perhaps Swisher can replace the struggling Phil Coke in the Yankees bullpen, ensuring that two dependable lefties remain at Joe Girardi's disposal.

Imagine all of the possibilities during Interleague games played in National League stadiums. Swisher could pitch and bat third...talk about lengthening a lineup.

In all seriousness, the Yankees need to figure out what is wrong mechanically or structurally with Wang and others.

They need to make sure that an already overused bullpen can avoid exhaustion before flowers begin to sprout back in New York City.

All signs point to coincidental and common early season hiccups, but things better improve quickly before impatient whispers turn into roars.

After all, Swisher is likely to be unavailable out of the bullpen tonight.

Yankees Victim of “Fowl” Play: Orioles Fly High on Opening Day

The 2009 season began with hopes and dreams of a deep October playoff run.

The Yankees hoped to turn back the clocks and recreate dominance reminiscent of the late 1990s.

Monday’s season opener was not quite the initial progress they had hoped for, as the Yankees were surprised by an upstart Oriole team with something to prove.

Prized pitching acquisition C.C. Sabathia had hoped to have a New York debut so successful that fans would think his initials stood for “Chevy Chase.”

Unfortunately for the hefty lefty, his pitching prowess reminded much more of the post-Friends acting career of “Courtney Cox.”

Though there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to hit the panic button after nine innings of baseball, the loss provides dissenters some early fuel for their Yankee-hater fire.

Even if you had not watched one pitch of yesterday’s game, a single statement could explain the day’s events for the Yankees.

Of all the high-priced free agents obtained by New York during the offseason, it was Nick Swisher (1-for-1, ground rule double) who had the most promising Opening Day performance.

Considering Swisher was not in the starting lineup, and managed to accumulate about 60 seconds of field time, it is clear that Sabathia and 1B Mark Teixeira struggled in game one.

When taking a much broader perspective on the game’s events, there were many positives to cling to.

Injury concerns Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui both hit mammoth home runs, and rookie CF Brett Gardner displayed the skills necessary to start in the league.

Additionally, the unveiling of the Derek Jeter leadoff experiment was a success. Both he and Johnny Damon had multi-hit games and helped to jumpstart a stagnant offensive attack.

The Yankees did nothing to quiet the voices of those who questioned their defensive abilities or bullpen depth.

They struggled mightily in each area, and will need to make adjustments quickly in order to keep pace in the league’s toughest division.

Luckily for New York, there are 161 games remaining on their schedule. It is only a matter of time before their talented roster straightens themselves out.

It could begin tomorrow night in Baltimore, as former Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang takes the mound to prevent an immediate 2009 losing streak.

Regardless of the Opening Day disappointments, it feels incredible to once again be talking about meaningful baseball.

Buckle your seatbelts. It is going to be a wild ride.

Beasts from the Far East: Wang and Matsui Revive Yankee Confidence

After a tumultuous 2009 season that saw the Yankees finish six games out of the Wild Card race, the Bronx called for change.

It is well documented that Brian Cashman gave $423.5 million in commitments to just three players in hopes of revitalizing the roster.

On Friday night, one of those investments gave a glimpse into the kind of performance that is to be expected of him this season.

CC Sabathia pitched two strong innings in his Yankee debut, and virtually went the entire outing without throwing a pitch outside of the strike zone. He also collected two strikeouts.

The “three-headed blank check” of Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira will undoubtedly play a major role in the success or failure of the Yankees this season. The uncertainties surrounding Alex Rodriguez have only added to the pressures they face.

Meanwhile, two players used to being at the center of the team’s core have gone somewhat unnoticed this spring.

The recent comebacks of Chien-Ming Wang and Hideki Matsui will be as important to the 2009 Yankees as the health of Alex Rodriguez.

Wang is a pitcher that has compiled a 46-15 record over the past three seasons, which represents a winning percentage of 75 percent. His heavy sinker is the perfect compliment to the flame-throwing of Sabathia and Burnett.

Matsui is a patient and disciplined hitting machine, collecting 100 RBI seasons in his sleep when healthy. He has arguably been the best clutch Yankee over the last six years.

Yankee supporters can find an excellent silver lining in Saturday’s spring training loss to the Braves. Wang and Matsui were a part of the same game for the first time since June 15 of last season.

Wang looked fantastic is his second start of the spring. His fastball had great life, and it was on a sharp downward plane all game long. Seven of the nine outs that he recorded were via a groundout or strikeout.

More importantly, Wang bounced off of the mound to field a bunt from the first batter of the game. He showed solid mobility, and shoveled the ball with his glove to Teixeira for the out.

Matsui’s day could be considered a success simply by his participation. However, he did show signs of his improving health.

With a runner on first in the fourth inning, Matsui was able to drive the ball through the right side of the infield. Though seemingly routine, this is a great sign for Yankee fans.

To drive an inside pitch to right field, Matsui is forced to rotate his hips and apply large amounts of torque to his knees.

It is this same torque that allows a hitter to generate power, something Matsui struggled with last season while attempting to play through injuries.

Sportswriters will continue to use names like Teixeira, Sabathia, Burnett, Rivera, Jeter, and Rodriguez ad nauseum for the duration of spring training.

Do not forget about the “beasts from the far east”, as the Yankee season may hinge on their success.

Houston, We DON’T Have a Problem: Wang Solid in Debut against Astros

Chien-Ming Wang hit the ground running in his return from a serious foot injury last season.

Luckily for the Yankees, this is simply a figure of speech and required no baserunning.

During an interleague game against these very Astros on June 15th of last year, Wang was injured while rounding third base. It was a setback that ultimately derailed the Yankees season.

Wang would not have to grab a bat or helmet on Monday, but he was once again able to toe a rubber in live action.

During a successful two-inning debut, Wang gave up two hits and zero runs. More importantly, he made it through the game without any discomfort.

By walking no one, he proved his control was not lost along with half of his 2008 season. By allowing four flyouts and only two groundouts, he showed his sinker still needs some adjustments.

As many superstars departed for the World Baseball Classic, it was unlikely that Wang would face high-quality competition.

However, the Astros lineup featured Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, and Hunter Pence. They combined for 82 home runs in 2008, and provided an excellent barometer for Wang’s comeback.

He did not allow an extra base hit over his two innings, showing that he was able to miss the sweet spots of the middle of the order.

Though he was bumped to the #2 starter role in order to split up the two Yankee flamethrowers, Wang is truly perceived as the #3.

Nevertheless, it is arguable that Wang is as important as any starter in the rotation going into 2009.

Due to his ability to pitch deep into games and limit pitch counts, Wang’s sinker could prove to be the second most important pitch of the Yankee rotation behind Rivera’s cutter.

If he is able to produce a rebound season in the range of 16-18 wins and a 3.75 ERA, the Yankees should be well on their way to another AL East title.

The next step would be to determine once and for all if Wang will ever be a dependable October performer.