Pitchers and catchers start to check in
-
- February
- 14
Had a chance to speak to Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain so far this morning.
Hughes, as always, was measured and confident. He said he was shocked at the revelations about Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens but still feels the same way about them personally.
He also brushed off the idea that there is more pressure on him now because he wasn’t traded for Johan Santana. “It wasn’t my decision,” he said. “Trust me, I put far more pressure on myself.”
Joba was animated, as usual, and said he didn’t care how the Yankees used him. “It’s all about No. 27,” he said.
Interestingly, he said his best pitch so far during his workout has been his changeup.
Spoke to Scott Strickland who relayed an interesting story. The Yankees signed him last May and assigned him to Class AAA Scranton. But as he was headed that way, his wife gave premature birth to twins. So he returned home and didn’t play again the rest of the season.
Jaden and Call Strickland are doing well now and Scott says he’s ready to pitch. He could be a sleeper.
Mike Mussina lost some weight. Brian Bruney lost a lot of weight and Kyle Farnsworth looks far less bulky. Farnsworth also has a full head of hair for the first time since he’s been a Yankee.
For those of you waiting for No. 21 to get retired, Morgan Ensberg has it.
Other than the retired numbers, the only numbers not assigned are 6, 51, 69, 98 and 99.
Finally, Andrew Brackman is the biggest baseball player I have ever seen. Randy Johnson is taller but is built like a praying mantis. This kid is immense. It’ll be interesting to see him on the mound next season.
Back with more later.
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on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 10:41 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Nice. Thanks, Pete
Thanks Pete - I can’t tell you how excited I am to be talking about REAL baseball. Any chance of getting some pictures of these guys posted?
So Paul O’Neill obviously isn’t coaching this Spring, interesting how they would give his # out especially since he is working for YES as well.
I remember seeing Strickland’s back in the Scranton clubhouse one day, but I never actually saw him. I was wondering what happened.
Paul O’Neill’s number better get retired!
Prediction - Moose will win 13 games and pitch 175 IP’s this year. He will be motivated for one more contract while trying to get to 300 wins.
Second Prediction - In 2009 Moose will pitch in NY. However, Citifield will be his new home.
Screw Ensberg getting 21… a scrub like him does not deserve to wear that number…
# 1 I am very disappointed that they aren’t retiring Paulie’s number.
#2 No offense to Morgan, but Morgan of all people. At least give it to a star.
So who’s wearing #97?
Hallelujah. It’s such a relief to finally be reading about some actual baseball!
It could still get retired… People wore #9 and #10 after Maris and Rizzuto had it. Nice to see #6 and #51 not worn though.
Seriously, the Yankees retire WAY too many numbers. O’Neill was a great player and a great Yankee, but I don’t think his number should be retired.
WOW Ensberg gets 21??? Awful
That’s fine if you think they have too many numbers retired… I just do not think some scrap heap castaway that only Cashman wanted deserves to wear 21. That number to me represents leadership, grit, and championships… Ensberg represents a FO that could have gotten Casey to do what Ensberg is going to do… STUPIDITY
No need to retire 21.
I want to see Kyle Farnsworth picture.
Who names their child “Call”? LOL.
I wonder if Britton lost weight.
Farnsdearth might have a breakout season this year. I’m expecting it, based solely on the belief that Girardi can get him straightened out. Also, Farnsdearth didn’t like Torre and he’s in a contract year.
Who is wearing #’s
47
50
52
57
87
88
89
Eduardo Nunez is wearing #97
I don’t think that Cash is involved with handing out numbers. That would fall to the equipment manager. Take it up with him.
He was told that he could now give out that number and he did.
What we as fans should do, if we do not want to see that number on the field, except in monument park, is write or call the Yankees.
ensberg is not a scrub.
I think it comes to down to Ensberg vs Duncan for the 1st base spot.
“ensberg is not a scrub.”
Ummm yes he is… his 230 BA last year was pathetic… Sure he had a 320 OBP… Break out the champaign! He is a scrub. He was a player that NOBODY ELSE WANTED. Another Cashman special from the scrap heap.
” Ensberg represents a FO that could have gotten Casey to do what Ensberg is going to do… STUPIDITY”
wow, you have almost no idea what you are talking about.
“Mike Mussina lost some weight. Brian Bruney lost a lot of weight and Kyle Farnsworth looks far less bulky. Farnsworth also has a full head of hair for the first time since he’s been a Yankee.”
So Pete, I assume you think Mike started working out, Bruney stopped easting and Farns got off the juice. If so, he should have more balls this year!
“He was a player that NOBODY ELSE WANTED.”
not true at all.
he turned down a job as the Devil Ray’s starting 3Bman (until Longoria is ready) for a minor league deal with the Yankees.
but i wouldn’t expect you to know the facts, Chris, i mean Ruhi.
LOL I have no idea? OK, lets see… The Yankees get Ensberg to try and play 1st base, a position he has played very little… Sean Casey was available, a guy who actually can play 1st base well… What exactly do you think I don’t know, that you know? You have said NOTHING.
LOL yeah because NOBODY wants to play for the Rays… try a bit harder.
Casey had a 296 BA with an OBP 353 and he is actually a 1st baseman….
Scrap heap boy, had a BA of 230 and an OBP of 320, and is NOT a 1st baseman…
You can keep Ensberg.
Pete - thanks for the wonderful, actual baseball, news.
I can’t believe Mussina lost weight. He never struck me as a guy who had much to weight to lose anyway. I hope he has a great year.
casey is on the sox’s 40 man which implies that he was given a major league deal. we didn’t have space to give him such a deal.
WHO HAS NUMBER 11
“Sean Casey was available, a guy who actually can play 1st base well…”
why would the Yankees want another left handed hitter?
why on earth would the Yankees want Sean Casey? they wouldn’t.
they need RIGHT HANDED HITTERS for their bench.
this is pretty much common sense.
but feel free to keep spewing nonsense.
Got to love the ONE game Ensberg has played at 1st base… and he committed an error… Great player.
I can’t wait for O’Neill’s number to be retired. Do you guys think they’ll retire Tino’s number 24?
Morgan Ensberg vs. LHP: .284/.406/.530
Sean Casey vs. LHP: .291/.354/.425
it’s all a matter of health. if Ensberg is healthy, he’ll be a steal.
if he isn’t, he won’t make the team.
it’s that simple.
At the time of the Sean Casey signing, I don’t think that the Yanks even HAD a major league contract to offer him
in the end it is pointless to argue… This idea they need him because he is a right handed bat is silly. The guy is a scrub who has one career game at 1st base.
“Got to love the ONE game Ensberg has played at 1st base… and he committed an error… Great player.”
your schtick is soooo old.
you come on here and post a bunch of crap. when everyone gets tired of you, you pick a new handle.
it’s beyond lame.
why don’t you go troll the Ron Mahay fanclub’s web-site?
Anyone know who number 11 will go too
Morgan Ensberg is not a scrub player. Look at his body of work. He fits the mold that the Yankees are looking for. He takes walks when healthy. I think Ensberg has finally recovered from his shoulder injury and he might be a serious sleeper.
Can you please post some pictures from spring training
where is Igawa.
Wow, the fact that the Yankees would give anyone but Paul O’Neill the number 21 is a slap in the face to Paul and his fans. Screw that. Morgan Ensberg? Please. They could have at least given it to someone worth a damn.
Hey asshat, what is this idea that I picked a new handle? I am here, and haven’t changed a thing. Who do you think you are? My schtick is old? Thats new to me considering I have never talked about Ensberg on this board before, but hey don’t let that stop you from judging a person you have no clue about.
Where is everyone getting tired of me? You jumped on me because I rightfully called Ensberg garbage… you have some man love for a scrub, thats your right, but who the hell do you think you are telling me to go to another sight.
In closing Go screw yourself.
“Kyle Farnsworth looks far less bulky. Farnsworth also has a full head of hair for the first time since he’s been a Yankee.”
I’ve always thought that Kyle looked a little like the leader singer of Coldplay, Chris Martin. This may confirm they are now the same person….just don’t ask Kyle to sing.
hmmmm
who is this guy ruhi?
“who is this guy ruhi?”
A fan with an opinion… just like everyone else on this site.
Educate me please. What makes a number retirable? Tell me why you guys think O’neill’s should be retired. And Tino?
I’m not being sarcastic, just wanted to know why you guys think they’re special. (I don’t know enough to form an O-pinion). Thanks.
Ruhi: So, what would have been your plan to get Casey to sign a minor league deal with the Yanks instead of that major league deal with the Red Sox?
I was hoping that Chris Britton lost some weight. He has always looked like a spare tire.
For anyone looking to find out the current assigned numbers, check out the following links…
40-man roster
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=nyy
Non-Roster Invitees
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/roster_nri.jsp?c_id=nyy
Now Batting #11 Chris Woodward
Yeah, a waste
Oneill had intangibles, played hard, cared about team over self. People loved him for that, he was refreshing and different from most players today. A throwback, if you will.
Interesting about Scott Strickland cause David Cone mentioned him on Yankees Hot Stove last week as one to keep an eye on this Spring. This is his 2nd year back after TJ surgery so he should be even stronger this season.
“So, what would have been your plan to get Casey to sign a minor league deal with the Yanks instead of that major league deal with the Red Sox?”
I don’t know that answer… The point I was trying to make was Ensberg *IN MY OPINION* is not the answer to 1st base. Nothing the Yankees have is a true answer to 1st base. The Yankees could have tried to work something out to get Casey, but I don’t know what that could have been. I don’t have the answers, just opinions which I am happy to share.
I don’t think the Yanks went with Casey because he’s a left handed hitter. The Yanks have been longing for a right handed power hitter. Ensberg or Duncan could be that guy.
“In closing Go screw yourself.”
whatever. anyone who posts this:
” This idea they need him because he is a right handed bat is silly. ”
obviously doesn’t know what they are talking about.
which i don’t have a problem with. not everyone has to know everything.
but when you call someone “garbage” and you don’t even understand the basics, that’s pretty annoying.
the bullpen situation looks a lot better with Joba out there, doesn’t it?
hmmm
You seem like a very smart guy, but why do you like to argue so much? It feels like you wait for a statement then jump on people. It does not make most people want to post when you are so vehement.
Just wondering. Is it fun for you? It seems you could put that brain to better work with initiating your own topics and discussions rather than laying in wait for some unsuspecting soul. You are clearly bright enough.
“The Yankees could have tried to work something out to get Casey, but I don’t know what that could have been. I don’t have the answers, just opinions which I am happy to share.”
again, this is fine.
but i don’t see the reason to call a player a “garbage” and the FO “idiots”.
I understand the basics, and I am saying just because he is a righty isn’t a reason to sign him… You accuse me of changing handles and not knowing anything because I have a different opinion… you are the one who is pretty annoying.
I’m sorry but his bat isn’t good enough to make an impact on this righty/lefty argument. If he was far and away better than the other options as a right hand bat over lefty’s that would be one thing, but he isn’t… and he has played ONE GAME at first… a game he committed an error in… That is quality.
“You seem like a very smart guy, but why do you like to argue so much? It feels like you wait for a statement then jump on people. It does not make most people want to post when you are so vehement.”
yes, you are probably correct. but this is what i reacted to:
“Screw Ensberg getting 21… a scrub like him does not deserve to wear that number…”
“Ensberg represents a FO that could have gotten Casey to do what Ensberg is going to do… STUPIDITY”
“Ummm yes he is… his 230 BA last year was pathetic… Sure he had a 320 OBP… Break out the champaign! He is a scrub. He was a player that NOBODY ELSE WANTED. Another Cashman special from the scrap heap.”
all of these posts came before i said anything more than “ensberg is not a scrub”.
yet *I* am being called out for vehemence.
you are right, i am probably a bit too argumentative.
but the tone was already set before i even said a word.
Yeah I can see that in that case but my statement earlier was not with such a tone and you jumped on me and the other person on the other string. Just an observation.
It just makes some people not want post.
Oh well, have a good time, thats what we’re here for right?
I reread what I wrote… thanks for reposting it… and I what I said is right on the money… you disagree… you told me I changed names to hide… you are the combative one. But hey spin away.
“I understand the basics, and I am saying just because he is a righty isn’t a reason to sign him… You accuse me of changing handles and not knowing anything because I have a different opinion”
no, i accused you of changing handles because there is another poster who is known to change handles and last week was posting a very similar diatribe about Morgan Ensberg and Sean Casey.
if it wasn’t you, then i apologize.
like i said, i reacted to you calling Ensberg “garbage”. i don’t think that is fair. just like i didn’t think it was fair when Pete implied that Ensberg’s struggles were steroid related.
Ensberg was seriously injured for the last year and a half. if he is healthy, he is FAR from garbage. if he isn’t, he won’t make the team.
as a yankee fan, you should be psyched that the Yankees may have gotten the potential steal of the off-season instead of ranting and raving about the “stupidity” of the FO.
as for playing 1B, the yankees have all of ST to evaluate. if he can’t field the position, he won’t make the team.
again, it’s a minor league deal with a ton of upside and zero downside.
i don’t see the “stupidity” there.
“Yeah I can see that in that case but my statement earlier was not with such a tone and you jumped on me and the other person on the other string. Just an observation. ”
you’re right and i apologize.
Sean Casey? Do we actually have somebody arguing for ANOTHER LH hitter, and a guy who was shot by the end of last year, to have been signed?
I don’t blame Hmmm for arguing about it. It was not only a stupid idea, it was started by somebody who has filled this blog with nonsense, under different screen names, over the past two weeks.
As Hmmm said, if Morgan Ensberg is healthy, he is a steal. If he isn’t, he will get cut.
Either way, its not a signing that should cause such consternation. Especially when the alternative is another LH hitter who is on the downside of his career.
Sad, not one person here noted the progress Joba is making with his change up.
You take his filthy slider, his awesome fastball, and add a change up.
Whoa.
And don’t forget, he does have a great curveball, he just needs more time with it, check out his cornhusker stuff to see the nastyness.
I know this might sound crazy, but not everyone who got a number is going to make the team. It’s possible Ensberg has #21 for the duration of Spring Training and then he’ll switch afterward to a number that has been freed up.
I’d comment on the “Ensberg is a scrub” conversation, but Ruhi has made me lose faith in humanity.
Bill,
Chris Woodward has #11…… LaTroy Hawkins has 22.
joltin joe,
Thanks.
wow a civilized reply… had you done that from the beginning this wouldn’t have escalated. We have a difference of opinion, that is fine, it is what I like about baseball, but you jumping down my throat because you don’t like the way I express the way I feel about a player is going to get a bad reaction back.
We can agree to disagree about Ensberg, but I of course hope I am wrong, and the guy can play… I root for the laundry first, players second.
Casey is a nice player, but he bats left handed & the Yanks are looking for someone right handed. Casey doesn’t have much pop either, whereas Ensberg does. So they hope. Worse case he gets cut & Duncan gets the job. This is pretty much a 1 year scenario anyway, since 2008 will either have Texiera at 1st, or Miranda.
I truly can not believe what I’m reading. I grew up a Paul O’Neill fan through and through… I wore 21 in every sport i played because of Paul. I watched Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan play basketball SPECIFICALLY because they wore 21. I hate the giants but i have a tiki barber jersey… why? 21. I even like Deion Sanders cause he wore 21. LaDainian… 21. When i saw 21 on all the helmets this year in the NFL, it reminded me more of Paul O’Neill than it did Sean Taylor. Roberto Clemente, the best right fielder of all time, wore 21. There were talks of globally retiring 21 for his sake much like 42, and I wouldnt mind it, at least no one else would have it anymore.
The part that really irks me is that we as fans of “The Warrior” have been kept on this leash for 7 years now without that number being given out. I made a pact with my father the day Paul walked off the field as they chanted his name in 2001 that when they retired his number, 21, we would go to that game and sit closer than we ever did.
Paul was a model athlete, meant everything to his team and his team meant everything to him. He exemplified an entire generation of the hard work the yankees put forth in the mid-nineties… Ive checked every schedule as it came out every December hoping to see Paul O’Neill Day on there since 2005. Now after 7 years of respect we can just throw this all away?
What about the other fans just like me? What about the thousands of 21 jerseys i always see scattered around the stadium sitting up in the tier and looking down and smiling seeing all the 21s in the stands…
What about George? George LOVED Paul, Im sure it was Georges decision not to give out Paul’s number, does Hank not have the same soft spot? Is this his doing?
Do NOT give this number to Morgan Ensberg, if you wouldnt give it to Roger, or Cano, dont just dump it on Ensberg… there are far too many fans who pride that number.
Forever 21. Forever Paul O’Neill.
Exhale people. Chances are, if Ensberg makes the team he will have a different number.
Geez, its almost as if people bend over backwards to find something to complain about.
I like Paul O’Neill as much as anybody else. But, sorry, he doesn’t deserve to have his number retired.
Bernie Williams had a better Yankee career than O’Neill and should, and will have his number retired.
You can’t retire every number of a player that played for the Yankees.
Retired numbers should be reserved for great, not very good, players. O’Neill was a very good player. He was not a great player.
“wow a civilized reply… had you done that from the beginning this wouldn’t have escalated. We have a difference of opinion, that is fine, it is what I like about baseball, but you jumping down my throat because you don’t like the way I express the way I feel about a player is going to get a bad reaction back. ”
word. i never would have jumped down your throat if i didn’t think you were that other guy.
as SJ44 confirmed, there was reason for me to suspect that, but i DID jump to conclusions, and again, i apologize for that. seriously.
let’s move on.
Yeah… sweet… another LH batter. Just what this team needs.
Morgan Ensberg… yeah, his name isn’t exactly the big-time, free agent acquisition type caliber name we are used to as Yankees fans. But hey, at give him a shot. If he’s terrible, then he’s gone. That simple.
I agree with hmmmm. Just b/c Casey’s name is more well-known, fence-Yankees fans are screaming ‘why did we let him go to the Sox?!?!?!?’
B/C, they have enough LH batters…
First base IS one of those positions where you keep throwing crap at the wall and hope something sticks… Yeah, do I hope they go after Mark Teixiera next year? Yes, as long as all other options at 1B fail this year.
Same can be said about CC Sabathia, who announced on his website he told CLE to wait until the offseason to bid for his services. Do I hope the NYY go after him next year? Yes, as long as all our other, internal pitching options fail…
Yes Retire 21.
21…… 51…… 42…. 2. Thatll take us through the year 2025… is that so much to ask?
Listen the bottom line is, he meant so much to this team. Great player, good player, whatever what have you… Over .300 career avg. 100+ RBIs year after year, 4 rings, one of the best arms ever. All those are throwaways when you talk yankee lore and the greatness that looms at 161st and River Ave… but the heart. The determination. The Fight, and what it meant to the fans, and the owner, and the team, is what were talking about here.
Oh my god… anyone heard the new budlight commercial?
“Mr. Preposterous Trade Suggester”
“Yes, thats you… Your the guy who calls talk-sports radio stations and suggest the two worst guys on your team for the best available all-star.”
“Your the guy, if you ran the team, you would orchestrate a 5-team, 23-player trade.”
“You, as team manager, throw complete common sense to the wind.”
“We salute you, Mr. Preposterous Trade Suggester”
Funniest thing I’ve ever heard… Just heard it during a break from Rome. Reminded me of that McLovin’ fool that pops his head in here every so often. It was perfect…
As someone who is more used to Andrew Brackman on a basketball court (he played basketball at N.C. State) than a baseball field, I absolutely agree. Brackman’s a big boy for a pitcher!
“21…… 51…… 42…. 2. Thatll take us through the year 2025… is that so much to ask?”
What about 6? I think if #13 hits 800 HRs, we might want to retire that number. What number is Cano? He looks like he might be a historically great 2nd baseman.
As SJ said, it’s a very high honor as must be reserved the the best of the best. You need to think twice before sharing space with Mickey, Joe, Yogi and the Babe.
hey guys, good news - we already have joba’s gamelog from the 2008 season. check it out:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/gamelog?playerId=6476
seriously though, this seems to be the exact plan, down to IP.
“Finally, Andrew Brackman is the biggest baseball player I have ever seen. Randy Johnson is taller but is built like a praying mantis. This kid is immense.”
Absolutely hilarious, Pete.
Casey’s a great clubhouse guy, adequate first baseman, and has no power. The Yanks didn’t need him.
As for retiring numbers…the Yanks need to set a rule RIGHT NOW…no more retired numbers until the player is inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The amount of retired numbers has reached its saturation point.
if #13 hits 800 and wins 2 or 3 rings then yes, we can think about that… robby wears #24, which already brings a few tears to some peoples eyes… but thats foresight to great extent and i dont think itll play out that way.. but based on proven leadership, merit and the passion brought to this team, 21 belongs up there
hmmm is my favorite poster here…. hands down.
“Kyle Farnsworth looks far less bulky”. I hope I’m wrong, but I would not be shocked if Farnsey’s fastball is down to 92-993 mph - with the same (lack of) control. that would be disastrous for the Yankees.
That’s “92-93 mph”! (Bad hands, er fingers, today!)
Great news about Phil’s changeup. If he can really develop that pitch and maybe get his velocity back up a few ticks to 93-94 consistently he’s going to be a beast this year and imo will justify holding on to him no doubt.
BronxBomber77-
When HGH Pettitte has a bad year after all this steroid stuff you will be either asking for a trade or saying Ian Kennedy might not be Santana after all.
Mark my words Ian Kennedy or Horne will be traded this or next year.
player photos on Newsday.com from today
Morgan Ensberg = 1 allstar, 1 silver slugger, MVP voting 4th place finish
Sean Casey= 3 time all star. best finish in MVP = 14th (once)
If having one bad year automatically make you a scrub regardless of whatever you’ve done in the past (in which case. Josh Beckett was a SCRUB last year! because he suckedi n 06!) then yes, Morgan Ensberg is a scrub.