Despite the disappointing loss in the Division Series, the 2011 season was certainly a memorable one for me as a Yankee fan. We’ll certainly have much more in-depth looks at the season and its successes and failures, but I wanted to go over a few of some of my favorite things from 2011.
Jesus Montero: Despite a disappointing beginning to the season and myriad rumors that he was bored in AAA, the 21 year-old made a major splash in the majors, showing few signs of being overmatched against big-league pitching and showing his prodigious opposite-field power. His catching remains a work in progress, but it seems certain that Montero will play a significant role in the Yankee lineup next season and for the forseeable future (barring a trade).
Russell Martin: His awful Game 5 is going to leave a bad taste in many mouths, but it was a pleasure to watch Martin go to work behind the plate after all those years of Jorge Posada’s mediocrity. The interesting new studies on pitch framing are further evidence of Martin’s defensive value, and while his bat was streaky, he was able to hit some big home runs. He may not be the Yankees’ catcher long-term, but his presence will bring some stability in the post-Posada era.
Bardy Garcilon: Both Garcia and Colon came to the Yankees this year on minor league deals, believed to be over the hill with nothing left to contribute. Instead, both became vital pieces of a Yankee rotation that exceeded all expectations. They did it with contrasting styles: Colon with his power fastball and darting 2-seamer and Garcia by changing speeds and mixing pitches, but it was fun to watch these veterans at work. I imagine at least one of them could be back next year for depth, and they’ve certainly earned another shot.
Derek Jeter: Much-maligned and left for dead after a down year, Jeter was well on his way to proving the critics right with a slow start to the season and a DL stint. Following the injury, however, Jeter was able to turn things around, collecting his 3000th hit in grand fashion (via a home run off David Price), and lifting his batting average up to a respectable .297 at season’s end.
Ivan Nova: Once an afterthought in the Yankee farm system and demoted to AAA due to a crowded rotation, Nova was a horse for the Yankees down the stretch this year, and looks to be a strong rotation option going forward. His slider improved notably, becoming a legitimate strikeout pitch, giving him another option to use other than his sinker. His Game 1 appearence was a huge success on a big stage, though it may be overshadowed by his injury in Game 5.
David Robertson: He took the next step as a reliever, proving that his strong 2010 season was no fluke. He continued to be a dominant strikeout artist with a propensity from escaping difficult jams (sometimes of his own creation), but he looks to be a legitimate successor at closer going forward. Which brings me to:
Mariano Rivera: What more can be said about this guy that hasn’t already been covered? With consistency, dominance, poise under pressure, and class both on and off the field, Mo personifies everything that is right about baseball. It was a pleasure to watch him earn the all-time saves record, and his humility in the face of effusive praise. Once again, the ageless one showed no signs of slowing down, and here’s to many more seasons in pinstripes.
Last night’s defeat was certainly wrenching, but there was a lot to be thankful for as a fan. It’s going to be a long offseason as always, but I’ll be counting down the days until 2012. Thanks again to all the readers and commenters for helping to make TYA a fun and interesting place to discuss our beloved team.
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Thank you guys for giving me an insightful and intelligent Yankee blog. Its been one of the best regular seasons that i can think of, and while the postseason didn’t end the way I wanted, I can accept the fact that Nova was due for a letdown. Now im just annoyed that were going to hear so much stupidity from the mouths of most Yankee fans like “get rid of swish, tex, arod, and let CC walk! Theyre not postseason performers!” Or one of my favorites “its because of the fans! Look at the back row, this new stadium has no soul.” Yeah because the team had no “heart, soul, and grit” back in 09. And the Yanks never blew any series in the old stadioum *cough01,03,04,06etccough* Seriously its like some of these people don’t think, so I thank you for putting a blog out there for the thinking mans Yankee fan.
Trading Montero for almost anyone would indicate that they are clueless.
Not really. Kershaw, Hernandez, and Hamels would all be fully worth trading Montero for, depending on what else was required. Gallardo could be in that disscusion if he continues to improve. None of these pitchers will be traded, but a blanket statement should never be made about someones availability. In the right deal any player is moveable.
I think we also have to hold off on crowing Montero the next big thing. I’ve already read countless people claiming he will be the next Miguel Cabrera. The kid has played 17 games at the major league level, and despite great success at a young age he still has holes in his swing. He strikesout too much, and he doesn’t allow himself to walk enough. The league had already started adjusting to his swing by throwing offspeed stuff. I have no doubt he can re-adjust to these adjustments, but let’s hold off on the Hall of Fame speech just yet shall we. I still think he is much more likely to end up as the next Carlos Lee, than the next Miguel Cabrera. Which would be just fine by me, considering Lee had 4-5 seasons as good as just about anyone in baseball standards.
Not, really. Notice I said almost anyone, so the blanket you refer to exists only in your mind, and Hamels definitely wouldn’t be on the list.
They need offense more than pitching. He is their only impact bat under 25 when you include the upper level of the mL system.
Jeter will be 38 next season; A-Rod will be 37. Teix is a .240ish hitter. Granderson may never replicate his 2011 season. That leaves Cano as their only impact bat.
A lineup with Cano and Montero would be dynmite.
OTOH, they have two potentially top of the rotation pitching prospects in the mL.
Their starting catcher had a .681 OPS from May 1st on.
They didn’t lose in the playoffs because of their pitching. They lost because of their lack of hitting.
So yes, Montero is virtually untouchable.
I wasn’t really refering to you on the blanket comment. I was talking about anyone who says Montero is untouchable.
You wouldn’t trade Montero for Hamels? He’s under 30, left handed, and has ace ability. The trade would never happen, but Cole would most certainly be on the list.
I’m not going to pass on a young ace because we happen to have two potential starters in the minor leagues. I still believe that Betances is most likely headed to the bullpen eventually because of his control.
I agree with you I wouldn’t trade Montero for just anyone, but I think there are more pitchers in the league I would trade him for than you are making it sound like. Offense is much easier to replace than top end starting pitching, and outside of CC we have no one who fits that bill.
I think our pitching had just as much to do with our loss. The games we won all had strong starting pitching, but CC, Garcia, and Nova the second time all put the offense in a situation of having to come from behind at one point or another.