Can Rafael Soriano handle postseason pressure?

The uniform number that will be enshrined twice at Yankee Stadium is also the number of saves Mariano Rivera has recorded in 16 years of pitching in the postseason. That number, of course, is 42, which is 41 more than his successor has.

Rafael Soriano, who will forever be linked to Mo whether it's fair or not, may not be able to hold up to the pressure of the postseason. It's too early to tell; he's only pitched in six games. But the Yankees should proceed with caution, especially after what he did last night.

Soriano can pitch. He's doing about as good as we'd expect of Rivera this season. Sure, watching him allow last night's three-run homer was a big blow. But I'm more concerned with how he handled it, and what that means about his mental toughness, which is needed to record the biggest of saves.

Rafael Soriano untucks shirt after save [Video & Photos]

Time to show off my new camera for you readers. I like the photos better, but the main attraction, of course, is Rafael Soriano's post-save superstition: The Untuck. Watch it here, and then check out my photos (mostly) from the upper-deck.

Mixed reports on state of the Yankees [Poll]

I woke up this morning and saw a positive article about the Yankees from Red Sox world, here in Boston, and a negative Yankees article from Yankeeland. Huh.

The Boston Globe published an article titled "Yankees in a position to build healthy lead," while the New Jersey Star-Ledger published an article saying the Yankees aren't equipped to win it without Brett Gardner.

So, which is it? The Yankees have succeeded, securing a division lead after a mediocre start, with dominant starting pitching and the longball. But they sure could use that spark at the end of the lineup, who hit .412 in last year's ALDS against the Tigers.

Check out my analysis below and then vote in the poll (left) on the state of the Yankees.

Nate’s Takes: Rafael Soriano, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Girardi, Jesus Montero

Well football is back, which is bad news for baseball. With very few division races even close, baseball may have to take a backseat to football for the next month. The Yankees had an interesting week. They didn’t play particularly well and they suffered a few injuries that may have a long-term affect on their roster.

But after a week where the Yankees suffered some heartbreaking losses, you look at the standings and find that not only are the Yankees up by three and half games, but the Rays are dangerously close to being a real wild card threat. The Rays are only three games behind the Red Sox in the loss column and Yankee fans can only hope that a Red Sox team that has dominated the Yankees all year fails to reach the post season. Here are my takes.

Nate's Takes: Alex Rodriguez a DH, Curtis Granderson's defense, Eduardo Nunez

Disclosure: This post was written after Sunday’s rainout and the editor of this blog failed to post Nate’s Takes during the usually scheduled time – Monday morning. 

After a tough series in Boston the Yankees had an OK homestand and continued to keep pace with Boston in the AL East race. Mariano Rivera struggled in three straight outings causing Yankee fans to once again wonder if he was done. Curtis Granderson continued to crank home run after home run and the rotation seems to get more crowed be the day. With Alex Rodriguez days away from joining the lineup here are my takes.

Nate’s Takes: Jorge Posada, Jesus Montero, CC Sabathia, Rafael Soriano

The Yankees were three outs away. Three outs away from winning two out of three at Fenway Park. Three outs away from an excellent road trip. Three outs away from ending all the talk that the Yankees can’t beat the Red Sox. It just wasn’t meant to be, as Mariano Rivera blew his fifth save of the season and the Yankees found themselves in second place once again.

While this was a heartbreaking loss, Yankee fans can’t lose sight of how good this Yankee team still is. The Yankees are in great position to make the playoffs and still have a chance of winning the division. With that said, here are my takes for the week.

Yankees notes: A win, a promotion, but no trades

A lot going on in baseball on this fine Sunday. Justin Verlander almost pitched his third career no-hitter, the Red Sox unofficially acquired Erik Bedard from the Mariners, the Indians traded for Ubaldo Jimenez, and much, much more.

The Yankees, however, didn’t make any of the major headlines. For the first time that I can remember, the Yankees didn’t add a single piece to their team before the trade deadline. I guess initial rumors were true in that the Yankees real acquisitions were just the returns of both Eric Chavez and Rafael Soriano.

Here are some Yankees news items to be aware of for Sunday.

• Brian Cashman told Joel Sherman he was never close to doing a trade of any type. I was surprised they didn’t land anybody, but it sounds like they weren’t even close.
• No trades? Fine. They’ll take a 4-2 win instead, completing a series victory against the Orioles. Brett Gardner led the way with a three-run triple and Freddy Garcia earned his 10th win. Derek Jeter exited early after being hit by a pitch but X-Rays were negative.
• Manny Banuelos, a highly regarded prospect for the Yankees, was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A, according to Jack Curry. It’s nice to see the Yankees move a prospect at the deadline — within their organization.

Nate’s Takes: Brandon Laird, Brett Gardner, Robinson Cano, Adam Warren

In any division besides the AL East, Yankee fans would be talking about how the Yankees are rolling and approaching 25 wins over .500. But in the AL East, Yankee fans can only look up at the red hot Red Sox and wonder if they can keep pace. The Yankees had a so-so road trip, splitting two of four against division rivals before almost sweeping the A’s.

Mark Texeria continues to have a terrible month, while Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon just won’t give up. The reinforcements are on their way as Eric Chavez and Rafael Soriano continue to rehab, and as the trade deadline approaches Yankee fans must sit back and see if Brian Cashman has anything up his sleeves. Here are my takes.

Sherman: Yankees rejected K-Rod deal

Via Joel Sherman’s Twitter:

Heard #Yankees rejected similar deal for K-Rod, in part, because then either Soriano or K-Rod have pitch 7th inning and (cont) #Mets

If you haven’t heard, Francisco Rodriguez wound up with the Brewers in exchange for two players to be named later.

It certainly would have been an interesting situation with two loose cannons in the bullpen who think they should be closing when there’s a guy named Mariano Rivera still in town. I think it’s a scene the Yankees were right to avoid, even though they could use some bullpen help to make up for all of their injuries. Your thoughts?

Rosenthal: Yankees to pursue relief help at trade deadline

Via Ken Rosenthal:

The Yankees, knowing that the trade market is thin in quality starting pitching, likely will pursue relievers aggressively after suffering numerous injuries in their bullpen.

The report mentioned Padres closer Heath Bell, who is having another stellar season.

Rosenthal is right, kind of. The Yankees have had the worst luck with injuries to their bullpen this season. Losing Rafael Soriano, Joba Chamberlain, Pedro Feliciano and Damaso Marte for extended periods of time hasn’t made it easy for the Yankees. Plus, the trade market for starting pitchers will likely be incredibly thin.

Injury bug has stung Yankees hard

The Yankees’ injury list gets longer by the day. Derek Jeter went down with a Grade I calf strain yesterday that might put him on the disabled list, Bartolo Colon and Amaury Sanit landed on the DL on Sunday, Russell Martin is battling a tight back, and Joba Chamberlain is headed for Tommy John surgery. This list doesn’t even include important names like Rafael Soriano, Damaso Marte and Pedro Feliciano, relievers who aren’t expected back anytime soon, Eric Chavez and Phil Hughes.

This season is beginning to remind me of the Red Sox’ 2010 campaign. Speaking of the Sox, they are in the middle of a nine-game winning streak and hold a comfortable two and a half game lead over the Yankees in the AL East.

Nate’s Takes: Joba, D-Rob, Jeter, rotation

When I last posted a week ago, the Yankees were in great shape. They were a game up in the AL east and were about to take on the Red Sox at home. A week later, the Yankee season is on the verge of falling apart.

Yes, I know they are only two and a half games out with plenty of games to go, but the injuries just keep piling up. After getting beaned, blasted, beaten and swept by the Red Sox, the Yankees also lost some key players. Joba Chamberlain is out until mid 2012 leaving the Yankee bullpen in a state of desperation. With Rafael Soriano, Damaso Marte and Pedro Feliciano all months away from actually throwing a pitch, David Robertson has become the most important Yankee reliever. With Bartolo Colon injured, the Yankee rotation is as shaky as its been since 2004.

The Yankees are in trouble and eventually this all has to go back to Brian Cashman. Now I understand he tried to get Cliff Lee and failed, but since 2003 he has failed over and over to put together a good rotation that stays in place.

If I were C.C. Sabathia, I would leave after this year, the Yankees are going to have a hard time finding anyone to upgrade this rotation anytime soon and eventually might have to give up a good hitter like Cano in order to get the all important second ace. With all that said, here is my take on the week:

Another reliever down: Joba Chamberlain, roster changes

The Yankees have lost Joba Chamberlain for at least the next three weeks, as he was placed on the disabled list with a strained flexor muscle today.

The Yankees also claimed Jeff Marquez and sent Hector Noesi down to Scranton.

The Yankees already had lost Rafael Soriano and Pedro Feliciano to injury before today.

Nate’s Takes: Bullpen, prospects, Jeter, Red Sox

Hello Yankee fans. Last week I said the Yankees would want to be within a game of the Red Sox before Tuesday’s home opener (that I am attending!). It’s surprising the Yankees are up a game with a chance to get revenge on a surging Red Sox team. What a job the Yankees have done in the past five games beating some very good pitchers and almost beating Felix Hernadez before that. The Yankees pitching staff seems to be carrying their sporadic offense (who would have thought that at the beginning of the year?).

I don’t know about you guys, but I couldn’t be more excited about this Yankees-Red Sox series. After all the games the Yankees have lost to their rival this year, all of that can be erased in the next four days. It has a 2009 kind of feel to it. A Yankees sweep would put them up four games, which would be the biggest division lead in baseball this year.

Nate’s Takes: Jeter, Soriano, Swisher, Gardner, Robertson, Granderson, Posada

Hey Yankee Fans,

Sorry for the week off. I graduated college last weekend and Lenny was nice enough to give me the week off. To start the week, the Yankees find themselves in second place to the Red Sox. The Yankees have lost all but one of the games they have played against the Red Sox and play the Red Sox next week (I am taking my little cousin to the first game). So no more talking about the Red Sox. In other news, Derek Jeter is closing in on 3,000 hits so hopefully that can happen this homestand. While I had my week off, and it’s kicked in that I am in the real world, here’s what I have observed over the last two weeks.

Rafael Soriano could be out for two months

This report via ESPN New York:

Yankees setup man Rafael Soriano will be out another 6-8 weeks after being diagnosed with an inflamed ligament in his right elbow.

Dr. James Andrews, after seeing Soriano on Wednesday, prescribed rest for two more weeks and then a conservative throwing program.

Making the announcement, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the ligament is the same one that Soriano had Tommy John surgery on back in 2008.

Uh oh. So much for that three-year, $35 million investment. Does this injury affect the chances he stays with the Yankees beyond 2011? Remember, it’s his choice.

Rafael Soriano hits DL, Yankees recall Chris Dickerson

After visiting team doctor Chris Ahmad today, the Yankees placed Rafael Soriano on the 15-day disabled list with elbow stiffness. They recalled speedy outfielder Chris Dickerson to take Soriano’s roster spot.

Soriano hasn’t pitched since Friday, so the Yankees have already refigured their bullpen. Here’s what it looks like:

Nate’s Takes: Granderson, Hughes, Cervelli

So after being distracted for the last two hours watching this Osama thing I finally had time to put together this week’s Nate’s Takes. Last week, I predicted the Yankees would go 5-2. Instead they went 4-3 thanks to Rafael Soriano and some ridiculous catches by Brent Lillibridge. If you also remember I correctly predicted that Nick Swisher would hit his first home run of the season versus the White Sox. I was also a week late on the Kevin Millwood prediction. He can go take his 85 mph fastballs somewhere else.

Overall the Yankees stand at 16-9, which is first place in the AL East. So why does it still not seem like the Yankees are not on top of their game? With Jorge Posada, Swisher, Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter struggling it seems as though the offense has not lived up to expectations (although they have hit a lot of homeruns). With Soriano and Mariano Rivera blowing more games in April than expected it seems as though the Yankees should have a few more wins. With that said, here is what I have for the week.

Obvious Yankees headline fail

*Breaking news* from Aaron Gleeman of NBC Sports Hardball Talk:
 
Why would the Yankees drop Rafael Soriano from the setup man role after one poor month (not even)? 

Mo gets touched up, Yanks fall in 10

The Yankees had Tuesday night’s game set up just the way they like it for the last two innings: a two-run lead with their setup man and closer freshly waiting to do their jobs. Rafael Soriano did his part, but a team finally got to Mariano Rivera. The Blue Jays tied the score in the ninth and won it in the 10th.

Scoreboard Says:
Blue Jays 6, Yankees 5
Win: Jon Rauch
Loss: Ivan Nova

Two Firsts for Mo:
Mo hadn’t given up a single run all season, including spring training. Nate’s Takes predicted Mo would give up a run this week, so be sure to read into his opinions every Monday. The Blue Jays really had him solved Tuesday night, slapping four hits and working a walk. (That was Mo’s first walk of 2011, too.)