Today in The Journal News
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- June
- 13
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The Yankees are back at .500 after beating Arizona. Kevin Devaney has the story.
Johnny Damon is loving life as the DH. This notebook also has info on Roger Clemens (present), Randy Johnson (not present), Doug Mientkiewicz and Darrell Rasner.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, June 13th, 2007 at 12:19 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Josh Thomson
Every newspaper has had recent accounts from Damon saying how much he loves DH’ing. Funny that he is basically campaigning for his good friend Jason’s job. I for one think Giambi should be an overpriced bench player when he gets back.
Do you think Torre will finally stick w/ a better defensive lineup than playing a bunch of stiffs when and if Giambi comes back? I think he learned from his mistake last October that you can’t play fantasy baseball in the majors and expect it to work out.
I agree, we’ve got to go with our team that has the best balance of offense and defense and this seems to be it. Melky’s caught a lot of balls out there that could have cooked us. I think there’s no question you keep him in center. Giambi hopefully doesn’t return this season and if he does, I wouldn’t use him for anything but late innings like Ruben Sierra.
The funny thing is they are talking about Damon basically as the 4th OF’er now, possibly playing left or right. Gotta admit that’s a better situation than Bernie doing it. Heck Damon might not even play much in the national league parks next week. Gotta give credit to Joe for making a pretty major change and not having any rebellion, actually just the opposite. All players have bought in, well maybe not Giambi, but he should almost just go on the Carl Pavano witness protection plan for both his sake and the teams.
that jerk michael kay said damon is going to start at firstbase vs. the rockies . which is fine . i think damon likes the idea of being in the line-up as a dh instead of on the d.l. thats my interpretation of damon’s comments .
giambi hasnt lived to his contract nor has pavano and so far neither has igawa .
I guess I’d rather see Damon start at 1st, than finish at first. I understand Torre’s thinking. I assume Colorado and SF are both grass surfaces, so it’s worth a shot to keep Damon’s bat in the lineup, at least while he’s hot.
Lets stop putting Giambi and the Pavano in the same sentence please.
Giambi while overpaid has still been solid for us over the years. Some 40 homerun seasons, plays hurt, onbase machine, big homerun hitter(Game 7 03 ALCS?).
Pavano on the other hand through 4 years will have a grand total of 18 starts and 40 million under his belt. Robbery.
Giambi has been a hitting machine during most of his time with the Yankees. He is undeniably overpaid but hoping that he does not return (which would make him even more overpaid) is absurd. The best thing for the team is if Giambi returns and gives us another 150 OPS+ season as DH.
If Johnny loves being the DH so much, I hope he actually starts hitting. How about that, Johnny?
point is neither has lived up to thier contracts .
Hello Peter and everyone..I’m an admirer of the site, longtime lurker finally driven to post over the 1B situation.
Johnny Damon has compensated throughout his career for less than excellent baseball instincts with his superior athleticism. (If I recall correctly he said as much back in KC). Putting him at first base would be an even bigger disaster than the Sheffield experiment there last year. The days of regarding 1B as a kind of hospice for subpar gloves should become history with Giambi.
I might have missed it but there seem to be two very obvious candidates for 1B that rarely if at all get mentioned here. It seems to me that Matsui, with his quick hands and feet and large frame, would be a PERFECT shift to 1B; more obviously, Jorge, a former SS, would be an excellent guy there for the same reasons, especially if he keeps hitting like this and it means extending his career a few years…(must find BUC now!)
chris in fairfield, that’s because there is no DH in Colorado, so he either plays in the field somewhere or doesn’t play. I thought Torre said he’d be in the corner outfield spots though.
i want griffey to be our DH. i want giambi to get used to the fact that he might be traded or that his contract might get torn up. once damon is healthy he should play 1st base and we should trade clippard and some other lesser known low ceiling guys for griffey.
The Count of Montefusco, you might be right about Jorge, but he’s still a damn good catcher and far too valuable back there calling games and managing the ever-changing pitching staff. If/when his body breaks down, maybe, but so far he’s holding up behind the plate, so leave him there…. By the time his body breaks down, it may be too late to shift to 1B (too old), but who knows. So far, his defense has actually been improving and this year so far proves so is his offense.
Phelps has got to play. He is the best 1b on the team.
I don’t want Damon at 1B, dont think it’s gonna work, but I could be wrong.
We have 3 DH’s right now – Damon, Matsui, and Giambi. We don’t need a 4th. Is Griffey no good in the OF anymore? He’s also a walking health risk, worse than Giambi and far worse than Damon who at least plays with his falling apart body.
Stop insulting Giambi by even putting him in the vicinity of Pavano.
Giambi has been very good for the Yanks. Hes hit a ton. He hasnt been very good in the field but everyone knew this coming in.
Don’t forget his 2 homers in game 7 off Pedro. How easy some people forget.
very funny ricky.
I think Damon realizes that Melky is a superior fielding CF and that helps the whole team.
Griffey would have been phenomenal in pinstripes……9 years ago.
Fine comparing Giambi and Pavano is unfair. Giambi is a gamer whose skills have diminished, Pavano still has skills but is clearly not a gamer.
Either way, I think the team is better, especially in 2008, if Giambi is off the team and is replaced by either a productive fast player like Ichiro or the money is spread out for a much more prodcutive bench. Both scenarios assume we pick up Abreu’s option.
Chris, agreed, I don’t think right now is the time to do it. He’s invaluable behind the plate. But I think rather than spend on Texeira for five years at bazillion dollars it would be good to find Jorge the same kind of talented acolyte he was to Girardi…and then transition him to 1B gradually before it’s too late, say over the course of the next few seasons (120/40, 81/81, 40/120)
Count, I definitely agree we need to get him an understudy, and fast… regardless of whether 1b is ever in his future. He’s kind of an anomaly to still have this much production as a catcher and to be improving defensively at this age.
Chris NY, you said we have 3 DHs. What about Abreu? He is by far a worse OFer than Matsui.
Matsui is by no means a Gold Glover but he’s no liability out there either. He’s still got wheels baby.
I don’t know how we can really be considering trying Damon out at first yet. With the way our record is right now every win is way too important to give one away because of some bonehead play in the field, which is bound to happen as he learns how to play during an actual game.
The problem this year and next is that the Yankees have two aging hitters who cannot play the field well everyday (Damon, Giambi). Both will be difficult to get rid of. By 2009 Damon will be the only one (no problem – he can DH), unless, of course someone else moves into that category (Posada?, Matsui?). The worry I have about signing Ichiro is that 2009 Ichiro might look a lot like 2007 Damon.
Maybe it is smarter to stick with Cabrera in Center for 1.5 years and avoid future overcrowding of aging position players.
I think Abreu and Matsui are just about league average on defense overall. Damon, Giambi and Phelps are the 3 DH’s on the team if you ask me.
Yeah, Abreu and Matsui are passable in the field. Giambi is a true DH, as he physically can’t play a position. Damon is in the same boat until he recovers.
i didnt say it , your boy michael kay did .
I see that the Staten Island Yankees begin their season next week. Is there anyone on their roster worth watching?
Kevin Whelan, a strong reliever has been moved to a starter and demoted from AA to A Tampa. Think the demotion has to do with him becoming a starter, because his numbers aren’t bad.
speaking of melky – and i like him but , he’s hitting .250 and let a inside the park homer up . is it me or is he realy just not that good ?
Johnny better love life as DH, he isn’t going back to CF anytime soon hopefully.
Can we get Bubba Crosby back here?
I think the team can get Jorgie some PT at 1b, and let me catch, trust me guys, I can handle it.
Ok, let’s get over the obsession in needing the big star, big power hitter at 1B. If you put Cano’s numbers at the 1B hole and Cairo’s at 2B, you would be satisfied w/ the results. Look at the overall team w/ Cairo’s bat in the lineup. It’s fine.
Yes, but he has hit better with more playing time (this year and last) and he has made some nice plays as well. If he keeps getting playing time, we should have a better read on him by the end of the season. Obviously, if he plays poorly the rest of the this year, the pressure to bring in an established outfielder for 2008 will be high.
At 3:32 He = Melky
Whelan wasn’t moved to Tampa to be a starter. He started last night because Tampa was short a starter due to Joba Chamberlain’s promotion to Trenton. Yesterday would have been Joba’s start day in Tampa.
Tampa is also playing a DH tonight so they decided to give Whelan a few innings.
He was demoted to have Nardi Conteras and Gil Patterson, who are based in Tampa, work on his delivery. He has struggled with control the past month.
Its only his second full season as a pitcher (he was a C in college) so this type of setback is not unexpected.
He will pitch out of the bullpen in Tampa and they will probably have to callup a pitcher from Charleston to replace Chamberlain on the Tampa roster.
Melky made one bad play, and about a dozen good one’s since he became the everyday CF. We are only going to concentrate on the bad play and forget about everything else?
His average is deceiving. He is hitting .340 as a starter this year. He’s a 22 year old kid who needs to play everyday to be effective.
Is he a .340 hitter? No. But, he isn’t a .250 hitter either.
I suspect, if he continues to play everyday, his numbers will be similar to last year. He hit .280 last year with 50 RBI. More than good enough production given what he adds to the team defensively.
chris, Kay is not my boy… was just saying that’s the only reason Damon’s not DH-ing that game.
Melky is better than a .250 hitter and last year showed that, as he is right now as he brings up his average this year. He’s still a kid, will make mistakes like the inside the parker, but yes, he is a good player and is still developing.
I agree with you guys, Abreu is no better in the OF than Matsui. One can throw, one can’t, Bobby’s faster but doesn’t always go hard… Matsui misplays some balls… both “ok” out there, but they can be liabilities at times. I was being dramatic calling them DH’s, but I don’t like either of them out there very much.
Phelps I don’t consider a DH because his hitting isn’t as special as people believe. A DH should be a better than average hitter since that’s all they do is hit. He’s average, if that.
I agree 100% Joe Monte.
Melky misplayed that one ball, other than that he has been outstanding. Last time Damon saw CF, he let at least 3 balls fall in that could have been caught, it was ugly. If I remember correctly it was 5/30 against Toronto with Clip pitching.
I like Melky, he’s an average defender with a plus arm. I made one bad read on a hard liner but overall has been a better defender than Damon in CF. He’s probably an everyday starter on any other team. As far as growth, I don’t see Melky going much farther and looks as tho he’s pretty much topped out.
*HE* made one bad read on a hard liner but overall has been a better defender than Damon in CF. – oy
Guess what Sunny? Melky is an everyday starter here. Like it or not. I think he has great potential, even if he never hits more than 10 HR’s. Plus you can tell he is a real character guy, I can’t tell you how happy I am that we didn’t trade him. I never liked that Mike Gonzalez deal anyway.
sunny, topped out at 22 years old? Seriously?? If he went to college he’d be a senior getting ready to graduate. It’s his second year in the majors. He’s an above average defender right now and of course he can continue to learn and get better as well as grow physically and gain at least some power. Not saying he’s going to win a dozen MVP’s or hit 40 hr’s a year, but to say a 22 year old KID has topped out is just silly, I’m sorry.
I agree with Jeff on the character thing too, there is something to the theories about the energy he and Cano bring (and it seems like Cano feeds off of him). He’s an important part of this team, all around.
Jorge at 1st is a good idea. He’s played infield before and would do a good job. I still think a trade is in order. Tex might be a bit much, how about bringing in someone like Derek Lee if the Cubbies go into sell mode?
kd,
Derek Lee is twice the player Tex is. If you think Tex is a bit much, Lee is a bit TWO much.
PS: I would love to see Lee in pinstripes though
Well, lucky for us, we didn’t get Gonzo – he’s out for the rest of the year after elbow problems.
As for the ceiling comment, I meant he’s not going to hit for power, but he is currently hitting over .300 as an everyday, versus, below .250 on the bench. He’s more of an Abreu than a Arod. I’m not raking on Melky, I’m just making an observation – that yes, he currently is an everyday player, but if everyone on this team were healthy, he wouldn’t be – it’d be Matsui, Damon, and Abreu in the field. Same case as last year. If Sheff and Matsui never got hurt, no one here would even know Melky’s name. Not because Melky isn’t good, but because when everyone is healthy, there’s no spots for him right now. Again, I’m not saying he’s not good, but saying that if it were Baltimore or even the Brewers, they’d be playing him full time right now. Don’t misconstrue my comments for criticism.
again, Jorge Posada at first is a good idea only if he had a twin brother, named Jorge. Yes, he would be good there, but Mariano would also be a great Centerfielder. We need him where he is and right now, there aren’t many catchers in the league better than Jorge, so why should he lose his position? In 2, 3 years, maybe that would be a good option (1B), but by then, he may not be the hitter he is now either, so he may go straight from catcher to backup catcher or bench player or retirement.
Right now, he’s invaluable behind the plate and we need to get him a mentee as soon as possible.
Actually many of us knew Melky’s name from the cup of coffee he had for a week in 2005. It was a disaster, but he never let it get him down, he just went about his business and got better. Luckily for him, Cash and Joe still believed in him and he has made the most of his opportunities.
Speaking of Jorge, it is a travesty of justice that he is not leading the all star vote for catchers. I just don’t understand the public’s fascination with I Rod. I’m sure Jorge will make it as a reserve, but still. Jorge, also leave the kid home, it was cute the first time when he ran out instead of you, but it got a bit old last year.
Speaking of all star games, next year it’s at the Stadium and it sure would be nice if Torre could manage it. Which by the way only happens if the Torre gets extended. I fully expect he will get a new 3 year deal.
I think Melky’s earned a starting spot on this team regardless of the injuries (yes, he got the chance because of them, but I think he keeps his spot somewhere in the outfield from here on out, if they’re smart).
I agree about the Abreu comparison. I think his power will increase some though, to somewhere around Jeter or Damon type HR numbers (somewhere from mid-teens to low-20’s), which is more than acceptable from your CF-er.
Jeff, great point. We all need to “vote for pedro” and get jorge starting that game.
Posada is not moving to first base. They have nobody to replace him behind the plate.
Let’s not get too crazy about Cairo.
Players are bench players for a reason. They can’t play everyday.
Cairo, like Alex Cora in Boston, is an excellent guy to have on the bench.
If they play everyday, like the Red Sox saw when they tried to play Cora more, their warts (especially offensively) begin to show and they are less effective.
That’s why its so tough to find bench players. Its a very difficult role on a team.
Temporarily, Cairo is fine at first.
However, when this team slumps again offensively, which it will (all teams have slumps), you are going to need another bat somewhere in the lineup and that’s when Giambi’s presence will be missed.
We see how much more effective Arod is now that Abreu is hitting. A good lineup has one threat after another in it. That’s what Giambi adds to this lineup.
A HEALTHY Giambi, that is. The key word being “healthy”. He is a monster in the middle of the lineup. Just look at what he did last when during the Yankees second half run.
If he’s not healthy, that’s a different deal.
But, we have to be careful not to go overboard on assessing players after a good week or two.
Give me a healthy Jason Giambi in the middle of the lineup and I’ll be more than happy to juggle around first base and DH.
The whole issue may be moot if Giambi isn’t healthy this year.
All I am saying is, don’t discount what he brings to this lineup when he is healthy.
I agree Chris NY, Melky has definitely made the most of his opportunities when he got them and has definitely earned his spot. And I also agree that he should be our starting CF (or LF) whether or not Giambi comes back.
He will become a stronger hitter definitely, but not to the extent of 30+ homers a year. If he can keep his current pace, I can also see him comparing to the Jeter’s and (healthy) Damon’s.
Personally, tho I think next year is going to be a bit of a mess. Matsui and Damon are signed until 2009. Giambi until the end of 2008. Theoretically, that’s 3 DH’s next year. Ichiro and Hunter are available as FA this winter – does Cash try to sign one of them? Both of them? If Abreu plays like this for the rest of the year, does cash pick up his option? Let him go? Sign no one and keep as is?
I think Cash will sign a big OF next year because the Yankees don’t like to make the same mistakes twice. Once upon a time they didn’t sign Beltran because they had a CF for another year, that one still haunts them. Next time, they will sign a player a year too early rather than wait until a year too late.
The problem with that theory is there’s no one like Beltran out there.
the outfield situation depends on Abreu hitting for the rest of hte year and Arod’s situation. If Abreu doesn’t hit and Cashman has to replace both, then we’re in trouble. If Alex stays, then we can get sign a corner guys with a bat.
I really hope Alex stays, he’s better than people give him credit for.
hey sj
get a chance to see joba last night? absolutely dominating
Joba was not only dominating, he is an untouchable.
As untouchable as Hughes in the Yankees organization.
Kay just told Gammone on his show the Yankees turned down every overture for Chamberlain in any trade talks.
That’s how highly thought of he is with the Yankees.
Wang, Hughes, Chamberlain and Kennedy. Those four guys, barring injuries, are the future of the rotation. Ages, 26, 20, 21 and 22. Outstanding.
Perhaps as early as next year but, probably closer to 2009.
At this point with Hughes, Chamberlain and Kennedy, its about health, building innings and experience.
The makeup, stuff and ability is all there. Just have to apply the finishing touches.
Its a very exciting time to be a Yankee fan. For the first time in a long time, they are putting together the kind of pitching depth in the farm system needed to be a fully functional organization.
We see what Wang and Hughes have brought to the table. Now, its time for the next wave, led by Kennedy and Chamberlain to show their stuff.
SJ44 –
Do you mind if I ask what you do for a living?
Your comments reflect a significant degree of sophistication. You have time to follow the interviews of Kay/Gammons (ESPN, right?) You have information on the Yanks’ minor leagues. I consider myself a loyal fan of the team, for many years, and between my job, my family, and the day-to-day travails, there’s no way I could possibly keep up with this stuff.
I’m impressed.
Great interview by Goldman at YES’s Pinstriped Bible. It makes you wish Edwar Ramirez and Britton were here instead of Viscaino and Farnsworth.
http://www.yesnetwork.com/news.....amp;vkey=5
Edwar Ramirez (SWY AAA)
17.2 innings pitched (as a reliever), 1.02 ERA, 2 earned runs, 29 Ks, 6 BBs, WHIP 0.85., Batting Average Against .150.
I remember how the Mets were going to dominate with young kids starting for them. Generation K. How did they do?
You cannot rely on young pitchers to succeed. Especially 4 of them! Be glad you got the options and the talent there and hopefully more on the way.
But writing in 4 of them for the ‘09 rotation right now is beyond ludicrous. I got a bridge I can sell you in Brooklyn if you want.
The most valued commodity in baseball today is young pitching. Luckily, the Yanks have that in abundance.
Now the key is figuring out who are going to be the legit stars and therefore keepers and who are the trade bait.
A nice problem to have. Finally.
Who cares who starts the all star game? I wouldn’t call it a travesty if Posada is coming off the bench after being named to the tea,. There are a lot more important things to worry about in this game than something so trivial.
And its just a matter of time before Cashman plugs that 1b/bench/right hand hitter hole. It won’t be a star but it will be a professional hitter. Something this bench needs.
Scott Hatteburg for 1B?
Hatteberg would be a good choice. A guy who can flat out hit. Play some 1b. DH. Pinch hit.
Plus you’re not giving up anything of value for him.
Asst Manager- let’s also remember that there was a time when the Red Sox most prized pitching prospect was a guy named Carl Pavano. Todd Van Poppel was touted as a sure bet when he was drafted in 1990 by the A’s. He was given his release in the middle of the 1996 season, the same year Pavano went 16-5 in Double A.
What the Yankees have are prospects every team wishes they had. They make great assets in trade talks. 50% of them may become legitimate major league pitchers. Let’s hope the Yanks get lucky and hold on the right ones.
“If Johnny loves being the DH so much, I hope he actually starts hitting. How about that, Johnny?”
Damon is hitting .345 over the last six games. Thats not to shabby.
Times have changes since the early 90’s. Look around baseball. The most valuable commodity is young pitching.
With the money that’s being paid to average, let alone above average pitchers, injuries and other factors (pressures of playing in different markets), the more pitching you can develop internally is the way to go.
Especially important for a team like the Yankees. Why keep taking a bad luxury tax hit (which just helps their opponents load up on talent) when you have better internal options?
Its the trend throughout baseball right now.
They aren’t trading Wang, Hughes or Chamberlain. Kennedy? Probably not unless the player is named Miguel Cabrera or Mark Teixeira or some other under-30 star position player.
We know Hughes and Wang will be in the rotation 2009. why not Chamberlain and Kennedy.
Its been a long time since the Yankees had two guys this good, at the same time, in their system.
Obviously, injuries can throw a monkey wrench into things. However, if these guys stay healthy and productive, its hard to see the Yankees trading them unless they completely abandon their gameplan.
The biggest change in the game since 1996 is the advent of foreign of pitchers becoming major forces in the market.
As far as prospects go, the game hasn’t changed any since 1996. It’s always been a game of chance and always will be when it comes to relying on prospects.
Look at Craig Hansen with the Red Sox. He recieved a $4.5 mil signing bonus to be the Sox closer of the future. He’s not even on the Red Sox radar after bombing out last year and was one of the reasons they gave Joel Piniero a guaranteed $4mil contract this year.
The Yankees pitching situation is a lot like the Marlins in 2003.
The Marlins had 3 young pitchers in their rotation in 2003, Beckett, Penny and Pavano. They added Willis during the season to give them 4 outstanding young arms.
Sometimes, young pitchers are so good, you have to put them out there and take your chances. The Marlins did and they ended up winning a World Championship.
If Kennedy, Hughes and Chamberlain pitch like Penny, Beckett and Willis did in ‘03, I don’t see how they can keep them out of the rotation.
You give young pitchers the Yankees offensive firepower and that’s a great combination.
I readily admit its not the way the Yankees have done business in the past. But, the Marlins blueprint (of using young arms and winning) is there. Unlike the Marlins, the Yankees won’t trade guys away because they don’t want to pay them.
If Britton and Ramirez continue to pitch well in AAA, and Humberto Sanchez, Mark Melancon, and JB Cox come back from surgery, the Yankees also have some attractive bullpen options for the future. Add in David Robertson and, for the first time in a long time, the Yankees have the type of pitching surplus that will also help them on the trade front.
They just have to make smart decisions with all these guys. That’s going to be the key.
SJ44,
Chamberlain and Kennedy probably won’t both be up in 08 though. 09 can be the Marlins type year. Moose is resigned for next year and I would bet Pettitte’s gentleman agreement option is picked up since he carried this staff for a month and has looked pretty good. Add in Hughes and Wang and that leaves one spot for a kid to bust in there. I could see the Yanks taking the Hughes treatment and having them finish off the year at AA and then getting some AAA time in to limit there innings and maybe a June call up for one or both next year. If not I hope 09 looks like this Santana, Hughes, Wang, Kennedy, Chamberlain. And anyone who says they don’t want Santana is nuts. He is the best pitcher in baseball and you don’t know what you are talking about if you say otherwisse.