If Farnsworth recreated his National League/Cubs/Girardi era output, he'd flop again in any town.

Girardi's clairvoyant comment on YES about Farnsworth last season was cool but not the kind that will solve his shoulder problems, neck twinges, back knots, etc. that pop up at moments he's needed most. Nor will it help him pitch on consecutive days, enter with runners on base, or stop giving up so many late game home runs.

• Farnsworth had a runner on 1B, Girardi in the YES booth said (as I recall), Farnsworth is likely to overthrow the ball to 1B in attempting to hold the runner on and in so doing will make things worse for himself. Which Farnsworth did about 5 seconds later, threw the ball wildly in the direction of 1B.

Now this impressed me and a lot of other people but that knowledge alone won't change Farnsworth into Joba. Girardi may cure him of this one habit--or not-- maybe Farnsworth will turn his back on him as he did to Joe Torre--in any case, that won't make him the dependable 1.1-2.0 inning guy 4-5x times a week they need.

• The 2003 NLDS Marlins v Cubs, Game 3 was rebroadcast on XM this weekend. In the 8th inning an announcer said Borowski was pitching, and the runner on base was Farnsworth's responsibility.

The runner, Miguel Cabrera, eventually scored the tying run for the Marlins, making it 2-2. The Cubs finally won by 1 run but their pitchers had to work 11 innings to do it--thanks to Farnsworth giving up the tying baserunner in the 8th.

• His ERA for that series was 10.12. In the all-important Games 6 and 7, he gave up 3ER in Game 6, and 2ER in Game 7. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Unless you intend to win the World Series with this person--that he just needs to be "tweaked."

Farnsworth began with the Cubs as a starter in 1999, and after starting 5 games in 2000, was moved to relief. He's never really been a closer--which some incorrectly assume is his logical progression-- with the partial exception of the 2005 season which he split with 2 teams, Detroit and the Braves. He's never been counted on as a team's closer for even a full half season unless you want to call his stint at the Braves a half season. He's shown no ability to do the job. Certainly not in the American League.

• The Yankees have no use for any guy who can't pitch more than one inning, can't pitch consecutive days, can't come in with runners on base, and frequently backs out at the last minute when you finally do call him. That's what he did in 2007 and much of 2006. His downward spiral in IP begain after his first year in relief (2000). Looking at his record on Baseball-Reference:

• In 2000, he pitched 1.67 ip/all appearances, *includes his first 5 games for which he was a starter)*

• In 2001, 1.08 ip/appearance

• In 2002 1.07 ip/appearance
• In 2003, 1.0 ip/appearance
• In 2004, .94 ip/
• In 2005, .97 ip/
• In 2006, .92 ip/
• In 2007, .93 ip/

In 2007, Farnsworth:

• Multi-Inning Appearances: 0
• Enter w/ runners on base: 0

In 2002, his last year with Girardi:

• Multi ip apps: 12
• Enter w/ rob: 18

2005 (split betw. Tigers and Braves):

• Multi ip apps: 8
• Rob: 14

2006 (w/ Yankees):

• Multi ip apps: 9
• Rob: 14
• So his ascending wimpiness, twinges, etc., started at the Cubs and continued its famous drift into the Yankees.
• Girardi talks about the time he had with Farnsworth in his 3 years with the Cubs, which is great. A lot has gone under the bridge since 2002, their last year on the same team. He wasn't Farnsworth's personal catcher at the Cubs-which is fine, just interesting to note.
• from Baseball-Reference, games pitched by catcher/year:

• 2000 w/Farnsworth
• Girardi-26G
• J. Reed-20G
• M. Mahony-1G

• 2001 w/ Farnsworth
• Girardi-33G
• Hundley-27G
• Machado-18G

• 2002 w/Farnsworth
• Hundley-28G
• Girardi-14G
• Mahony-4G
• Machado-1G

• Girardi did make 1 interesting comment to Michael Kay on his ESPN radio show on May 21st this year, that "The biggest problem is that Yankee pitchers too soft, they refuse to make Red Sox hitters uncomfortable." Hey, sign us up for that guy.

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