Two weeks from today the regular season ends - you are the manager of the Yankees. You were hired because you could infuse sabermetrics/computer-advised stats into the lineup & pitching changes. Doing this you've seen your team go from having a first-place lead in the ALE to a 'lock on the W/C one-game playoff' to now scurrying for your W/C spot at all. Ok in all probably you will hold on to a W/C spot. BUT let's talk - Sabathia has been floundering in his last several starts. Do you keep him in the rotation? Maybe use him with Lynn in a combined #5 rotation spot - neither has been giving us quality starts and that takes a toll on the pen. Justus Sheffield is coming up - would you start him against Baltimore or Tampa?? This one hurts but Gardy has shown some signs of slowing down while slumping at the plate!!! Would you bench him and start McCutchen in left as a prelude to getting Judge back in the lineup? Don't forget you've got Neil Walker who can play a few games in right until Judge is full strength. We've watched the bull pen and know that the strength is with DRob, Dellin, Chad, Holder & Britton until Chap is green lighted. Why mess with Kahnle who maybe because of all the pitches last year has not been lights out this season - spending most of the year between the DL & S/WB. The kids up for September & weaker links - use them only in a blowout loss not when it looks like we have a comeback feel to the game - that is a big reason for losing yesterday.
Do you go with your gut feeling instead of the saber or cybermetrics??? Remember this was a factor in Joe G not getting a new contract along with the fact that he reprimanded a star in public - after behind-the-scenes tutoring did not make an impression. With hfa for the W/C on the line what would you do. Me - for sure I'm old school & winning is more important than players' egos & if it costs me a job - so be it.
