The Trouble with Randy

A year ago at this time, I was ready to trade Jason Giambi to Detroit for Bobby Higginson.  The funny part?  The Tigers fans I knew wouldn’t take the deal.  This year, it’s Randy Johnson.  It’s frustrating watching a pitcher who doesn’t have the same zip on his fastball or break on his slider refuse to acknowledge this fact.  It’s been this way for the better part of a year now.  And that’s not even taking his salary into account.  Of course, I’m not paying that bill.

If it was only Randy that was having problems, I probably wouldn’t be as worried.  However, most of the bullpen is having issues as well.  A fact that Dad constantly points out when I talk to him.  Tanyon Sturtze (who Dad calls Tanyon Sucks) just went on the DL, as clearly something’s wrong with him.  He doesn’t like Randy Myers, who I’m not a fan of either, though somehow his ERA is just over 1.00.  Aaron Small, who along with Wang an Mo were the best pitchers the Yankees had last year, has been shelled each time he’s pitched since coming off the DL.  Shawn Chacon hasn’t been consistent.  Jaret Wright looks like crap, though he did finally get a win the other day.  Farnsworth looks good some days, bad on others, but that’s probably going to be the case with him.  Scott Proctor has pitched pretty well, and I like the way Mussina has been pitching.  He looks much better than he did last year.

But getting back to Randy, the thing that I’ve noticed (and guys like Jeff Brantley and Harold Reynolds have as well) is that he’s not challenging hitters inside.  He throws a lot of soft stuff (and his slider is becoming soft stuff) away from both lefties & righties.  No offense, but if you’re afraid to come inside on Mark Loretta, clearly you don’t think you’re able to intimidate anymore.  He’s doomed unless he can get that edge back.  I missed his bad first inning today, but I’m not terribly disappointed about that.

Here’s the bright spot.  With Sturtze now on the DL, the Yankees called up Scott Erickson.  Yep, the former Twin & Oriole (and Ranger & Met & Dodger).  OK, he gave up a run in his 1-2/3 innings of work today, but at least it was only one.

How they’ve still managed to be tied with Boston for first place, I’ll never know.