The view from Moose’s locker
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 25, 2008 
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Here’s the (somewhat) famous “window” in the clubhouse between the lockers of Phil Hughes (right) and Mike Mussina (left). I had a secret blog operative snap the photo for me.
Moose said he is thinking about installing a desk for a receptionist so somebody can keep track of interviews he, the Franchise and Ian Kennedy are being asked to do.
There’s a baseball and a family photo on the little shelf under the window. Better Homes and Gardens will be in next week to shoot photos for a big spread they’re doing.
On Phil’s blog last night we were trying to figure out who’s the pitcher in the photo to the right, except it looks like they took that down.
dang.
This is slightly different from the picture Phil Hughes threw up on his blog. His had a photo of a pitcher (presumably) to the right of the window. This one doesn’t. That picture also brought much discussion on his blog trying to figure out who it was.
Also someone to keep track of who’ve offered pieces of gum so far
Great minds Rebecca, great minds.
Moose sounds pumped up this spring, is he drinking?
lol, Moe. Good question.
Whatever Moose is drinking, I want some. I have three midterms on the sixth. THREE. In the same day. Two are blue books.
I am going to die.
OK, per Phil’s blog he mentions “something Peter Abraham and I have been working on.” In addition to the Q&A session, could Phil be Pete’s “secretive blog operative” who snapped the above photo, this time with a hidden camera rather than his cell phone?
Rebecca,
Trust me, you will miss those Blue Books more than you know after you graduate. Live it up.
Anybody get the email from the Yankees for priority registration???????????
I volunteer to be Moose’s receiptionist.
Chill out Rebecca the 6th is so far away. You are always complaining about your work on here. Live in the moment I say!
What are blue book midterms? I am guessing you write a lot?
bill No
was the email supposed to go out today?
“What are blue book midterms?”
There are these standard size booklets they use for timed essay exams, called blue books.
They took down the Wizard of Oz pic, too.
Rebecca – good luck with those midterms.
Bill – if the emails have gone out already, then nope. The registration details didn’t say what time today they were going to send it though.
anyone read Joel Sherman’s article, I literally said it in 2007 well since 07′, I think the 2006 draft by Cash/Oppenheimer will go down in history as the greatest Yankees draft in the this era.
NYP
Blue Books are the little note books you use for strictly essay exams. Being a Political Science, History and African American Studies major myself, I used blue books just about every week.
However, I would certainly trade anything to stay up late and study for those exams again. I miss college terribly. Especially on days like today where I just got my wisdom teeth out and am out of the prescription painkillers!!
Ah feel better Dr. Cox. When I got mine out my cheeks looked like a squirrel’s for about a week. Also if your bleeding doesn’t stop put damp tea bags on the stitches. It will help heal them faster.
Or Maybe this picture was taken before Phil’s and they put up the Wizard of Oz picture later.
Brandon, 1 problem with the 2006 yankee draft, they only drafted pitchers and they don’t have much up and coming position players and they will have to keep on overspending, the market is crazy. next year there is no right fielder and no 1st baseman.
Oh ok, my prof in physics used blue books once or twice but thats it. I was a computer engineering major so not many essay exams.
Moe, Texeira and Tabata
Texeira will cost you 22 mil a year and up (boras is his agent), and tabata aint ready for another 2 years.
From the Joel Sherman article:
“An AL executive, however, while terming the picks “very good” said “do not attribute it to genius” because the Yanks simply overpaid to get a high-ceiling player such as Betances to forego Vanderbilt and sign.”
Is it not genius to use the thing you have the most of (money) to get the things you want the most, (cheap players with possible star potential)? Secondly the Red Sox could have had Chamberlain but chose Daniel Bard instead who was awful in 2007 in Class A. Therefore, doesn’t it take genius to not only spend your wealth players, but also picking the right players to spend it on? I just don’t get the so called AL executive. Sounds like he’s grasping at straws to me.
Brandon, didn’t they also sign Montero that year?
-screw Texiera
and Moe in 2006 through IFA we got Jesus Montero
years prior we picked up Jose Tabata
through the ML draft we picked up Austin Jackson, Eric Duncan, Seth Fortenberry, Mitch Hilligoss…last year Taylor Holiday, Justin Snyder, Austin Romine.. etc.
Hah, how did we jump over the 2008 season?
Shouldn’t we at least play a ST game of the 2008 season before we jump to 2009?
yeh raymagnetic they picked Jesus Montero on July the 2nd 2006
“Brandon, 1 problem with the 2006 yankee draft, they only drafted pitchers and they don’t have much up and coming position players and they will have to keep on overspending, the market is crazy. next year there is no right fielder and no 1st baseman.”
No they won’t. Most of their current position players are going to be playing their positions at least through 2009. By then one of their young outfielders should be ready. A lot of people think Montero will also rise through the system rather quickly as well. The only decision they’ll really have to make is whether or not they want to keep Abreu around. Last year the Yankees drafted a ton of position players. Cashman has a plan and I like it.
I’m talking about stud poition player prospects, besides jackson and tabata there is none.
We will have to wait to see how the other players you mentioned develop.
Moe-
Texeira is worth a lot of money but I doubt he will get 22 mil/year.
Tabata will be very close to ready in spring 09 if he stays healthy this year and produces like we all expect him to. I see him spending most of 08 in AA with a callup to AAA at the end of the season. In a year from now he will be in the mix for the RF job.
Montero and Miranda’s considerations aside, with Giambi’s $$ coming off the books, I’d have no issues with Cashman throwing a boatload of $ Tex’s way to play 1B in the Bronx for the next 5-7 years.
Now, if Miranda proves he can hit LHP this year, I may pull back from offering Tex such a long term deal.
And, if Montero is lights out in Charleston and Tampa this year, again, I may hold off on commiting so many years.
But everyone has to be careful to not jump too quickly on the Montero bandwagon, too. He’s got the talent, lets see him go out and do it.
Same with Tabata… he’s no sure thing for RF just yet.
“they will have to keep on overspending, the market is crazy.”
Overspending on position players is generally preferable to overspending on pitchers. You can’t fix the whole system in one draft. If I have to pick one, I go for pitching. You draft the best guys that are there, you know? Besides…it’s not like you can draft a RFer or a 1B in 06 and have him ready to start in the majors in 08. That just doesn’t happen.
And besides, high-ceiling pitchers can move a lot more quickly than hitters. And having young pitching enables you to make a trade for a youngish position player.
As for 1B…there’s Tex. Next year he’ll be 29. I’d give him a pricey 6 year deal at 29. He’s a much more athletic and well-rounded player than a guy like Giambi, which bodes well for his health over the life of the contract. Also, frankly, Jeter should really be moving somewhere before the end of his deal. 1B would be ideal…
Jose & Humberto wants to make the team this year according to PSP
remember it’s the last year at Yankee Stadium and the ASG plus futures game will be played here.
I would love to have Texeira, but I don’t see cashman signing him, as he tries to rebuild the system, besides there will be a bidding war on him and boras will drive up his price.
and everyone is sleeping on Eric Duncan he’s 23 and came in better shape.
“I would love to have Texeira, but I don’t see cashman signing him, as he tries to rebuild the system”
Why? Signing Tex would in no way impact building up the farm. Miranda and Montero are the only guys that Tex would maybe be blocking. The former is better suited as a lefty DH, and the latter is what, 17 and in rookie ball? And currently a catcher.
anyone know what draft picks we get for guys like Giambi, Farnsy and Abreu ?
“and everyone is sleeping on Eric Duncan he’s 23 and came in better shape.”
Sleeping on him? He hasn’t shown the ability to perform to his talent level for the last several years. If he turns it around, wonderful. But banking on it? I wouldn’t.
i did read an article that mentioned Eric Duncan worked on building core strength this offseason to help alleviate the back problems and stay on the field.
He hit .291 and had 24 RBI the last month of the season, but was largely inconsistent. I have no doubt he wont sniff the MLB roster out of camp, but if he can put together a couple solid months in Scranton, he’d be back on the radar at least… build back up his trade value.
“anyone know what draft picks we get for guys like Giambi, Farnsy and Abreu ?”
I suspect Abreu at least will be a Type A, and possibly Giambi if he has a good year. Kyle would probably be a Type B unless he has a great season.
The exact picks would depend on who signs them. For a Type A you get the other team’s 1st round pick and a supplemental pick, unless they’re one of the 15 worst teams. Then you get a supplemental pick and their 2nd round pick. For a Type B, you get the supplemental pick.
Moose also would be a Type A if he has a good year, probably. A good 08 and a good 06 would outweigh his mediocre 07, I think.
Nobody wants to give up on Duncan..
I wonder if the pressure of being the Yankees first real prized prospect in awhile got to him, and pushed his development back a little..
Now hes not in the spot light at much.. Maybe he can mature a bit more as a player..
Does anyone remember that not too long ago Eric Duncan was the #1 prospect in the yanks org.?? looks like they gave up on him, no one picked him up in the rule 5 draft, there is a reason for that, he is not ready.
Brandon
Remember what I said? He is my sleeper pick.
thanks for the pick info…
Whozat the Yankees have admitted he was rushed into AAA, he was in AAA at age 22 last season and turned 23 on Dec. 7th, he is very young even took the offseason as serious as any minor leaguer can, lost 20 lbs. gained more strength and worked on his core strength.
For all he didn’t do in AAA, he was 22 yrs. old in a league w/ vets and had 81 strikeouts in 411 at-bats, so the bat is touching the ball, he just has to adjust.
Jennifer I do remember hopefully your prediction like Eddy Murphy’s in “Coming to America” is dead on
Miranda is trade bait. While he might hit a ton, that’s about all he can do. At best, he’s Giambi light. Because he’s cheap, he should be a tempting trade to a lower tier team that needs a bat. I hope we target guys more like AJax. He’s not a masher but has decent tools all away around. Guys like Giambi and Matsui and great when they rake, but once their hitting declines a bit, you have little left.
Some Yankee teams of the past have had great defenders. Defense is a big part of what makes ‘good pitchers’. We tend to remember a key HR for longer then a key great outfield catch, so it’s easy to not view defense as important. But it is. Melky has shown us that and even Doug M. A run saved is worth as much, and sometimes MORE then a run scored.
We need to stay away from all-bat, no-glove types of players.
“For all he didn’t do in AAA, he was 22 yrs. old in a league w/ vets and had 81 strikeouts in 411 at-bats, so the bat is touching the ball, he just has to adjust.”
What about all he didn’t do in AA either?
81/411 is about a K per four ABs. That’s basically a strikeout per game. He hasn’t shown enough power to make that OK.
Look, I’ll be very happy if he gets it together. But, I’m not going to hold my breath here.
Good morning,
I agree with Brandon,Jennifer on Duncan. I know he has had a bad couple years but he seemed to always be fighting injuries. Keep in mind before that he was winter league player of the year.In regards to not showing power, He has had back problems that would limit anyones power. Ask Mattingly. I also agree that not bein on the radar will help him relax and being put on waivers was probably a wake up call. Put me in on the Duncan is the sleeper of the year bandwagon.
Awwww, where’d the Wizard of Oz picture go?
The baseball draft is not like the football draft.
You don’t draft for need. You draft the highest ceiling guys available when you pick.
In most cases, those are pitchers. Its why teams like the Yankees load up on pitchers.
In an ideal world, the Yankees would love to “grow their own” on the pitching side and use free agency/trades to get most of their position players.
Why? There are more sure things in free agency with position players than there are with pitchers.
Its not a coincidence that every 100 million dollar + starter and most of the free agent relief pitchers who got multi-year deals are busts.
Its too volatile a market and teams like the Yankees would rather have pitchers give them their good innings instead of leaving them with their previous teams.
Eric Duncan? Stats don’t tell the entire story. He has been overmatched at every level thus far in this career.
In most cases, he has struggled with pitchers who have upside. Simply put, he doesn’t hit good pitching and hasn’t in his entire career to date.
I havent received an email for the priority games either… hopefully soon though. then again in every year they’ve done this type of thing, i’ve never been picked. Luck has got to change some time.
Thanks for the vote of confidence guys!
Good news, though, I just submitted my Fordham Application
Right, now I really am going to be late for class, so I’ll see you all in a bit!
“An AL executive, however, while terming the picks “very good†said “do not attribute it to genius†because the Yanks simply overpaid to get a high-ceiling player such as Betances to forego Vanderbilt and sign.â€
It’s a pretty ordinary strategy to try to get promising players to forego college and sign. It’s not something every team does with every kid, but it’s hardly something new the Yankees dreamed up. I’d hate to see what this “AL executive” would say if the Yankees didn’t try to sign promising kids. It was stupid not to use their willingness to aggressively spend in this way before.
But who said what the Yankees are doing is “genius” anyway? I doubt it was anybody with the Yankees. Leave it to Sherman – - set up a straw man and knock him flat with the help of an unnamed AL executive.
Joel Sherman always finds a way to turn in a positive to negative, he hates the yankees, Period.
I don’t read his articles, he mkes me wanna throw up!
Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Mission 2708:
“Good news, though, I just submitted my Fordham Application”
Just think, if you get accepted, you will join the ranks of Captain Kangaroo, Alan Alda, Denzel Washington, Vin Scully and Michael Kay as a Fordham alum.
Seriously, good luck.
Bottom line. That’s what high income teams like the Yankees are supposed to do. Use their money to dominant the draft and the Latin American free agent market.
The Tigers do it and nobody says a word about it.
This is the intelligent way to do business in today’s baseball.
You load up on young assets because they are the most valuable commodity in the game.
Its beats wasting millions on the Over-35 crowd or on journeyman relief pitchers.
This philosophy is why the Yankees future is so bright and why the rest of baseball are ticked off to no end.
Its tough to beat the Yankees money. Its even tougher when they spend it wisely. As they have done in recent years.
murphydog,
Don’t forget the famed streetballer & ex-Laker William “Smush” Parker!
Humberto float like a butterfly Stings like a bee Sanchez
when you see it you’ll understand
That Al executive sounds bitter. Sounds like he wanted Dellin Betances and didn’t get him. Now he’s claiming the Yankees overpaid for him.
Watch the next out-cry amongst anti-Yankee people will be the Yankees buy farm-systems.
I read that the Rays might sign Bonds. What will it take to finally get rid of this thorn in my a$$? I thought it would be a perfect year with the big mouths of Schill and Bonds finally calling it quits. I guess i cant be that lucky.
No instead now we will see him 19 times a year. Hopefully they will only pay him 500.000 and he won’t see any need to go thru a season with no chance to win.
“But who said what the Yankees are doing is “genius†anyway? I doubt it was anybody with the Yankees. Leave it to Sherman – - set up a straw man and knock him flat with the help of an unnamed AL executive.”
exactly.
and you can say what you want about the amount of “genius” in the strategy but the bottom line is this:
the Red Sox have tons of money and made TWO picks before Joba was selected.
while you don’t have to believe picking Joba was a stroke of genius, the Yankees deserve credit for doing their homework on the guy. that’s all.
they did their homework on his injuries and felt they were completely overblown.
i bet Cashman and Oppenheimer were giggling like schoolgirls and giving high fives to each other when the Sox picked Kristofer Johnson at #40.
Pete:
Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog. I occasionally (and foolishly, considering your audience) get irritated about anti-Sox sentiments posted here (making fun of Buchholz re: laptops is a particular annoyance), but the constant flow of information and humor keeps me coming back.
I am looking forward to reading you all season.
Great point old Yanks Fan. Fielding does help pitchers.
Just submitted my Northwestern application.
A Yank’s fan in Chi-Town??
Dr. Cox,
Chicago Dave used to be a frequent visitor here. Hope he’s back once the season starts up.
Overall the Sherman article was a positive one about the Yankees and what they did on in the 2006 draft. He is right to describe that draft as a potentially seminal moment in franchise history.
The amount of pitching talent they acquired in that draft alone was deeper than many organizations have in their entire system.
The genius comment from that other “AL executive” was just sour grapes. Cashman doesn’t have much of an ego and I doubt he cares about the gripes of others. Bottom line – you need talent.
Over the past two years the Yankees have given out close to $15 million dollars in signing bonuses. A lot of money. Most in the majors. But then one remembers that the Pirates decided to trade for Matt Morris and pay him $14 million to be a below average pitcher. $15 million isn’t looking to bad anymore.
The financial resources can’t be downplayed. But as we’ve all seen it matters a lot more about how the money is spent than the amount spent.
In 2004 the Angels had the 12th pick in the draft. They had scouted and knew Phil Hughes probably better than any other team in baseball. They loved him.
They got down to picking between Jered Weaver and Phil on their board. They picked Weaver. Now don’t get me wrong – Weaver is a talented pitcher and will be productive and have a long career. But I don’t think many people would want him know over Phil now. Don’t know why they took him – he was a big name coming out of college and only fell to #12 because of signability. But I’d guess they figured he’s a polished college arm whose close to major league ready. In the end they spent more money on weaver than the yanks did on Phil and wound up getting the guy with less upside.
The Yankees are willing to take risks with younger players and are in the process of being rewarded with it many times over their initial investments.
May not be genius. But they are the right decisions.
If I recall correctly didn’t the soxs pick ahead of the Yankees. They picked Craig Hanson, and the Yankees picked Phil Hughes. (or was it the other way around)? Either way the Yankees got the better pitcher.
Saux did pick first that year.
So the Saux also passed on Phil and picked Hanson who hasn’t done very well. I’m sure they could have signed Phil to a large bonus if they picked him. Money might buy you a player but it doesn’t guarantee they will do well.
Could you find out what the saux gave Hanson.
The Sox didn’t have a pick in the first round in 2004. They took Hansen in 2005. They really rushed Hansen to the majors and may have ruined his career. I hope the yankees don’t do something similar with Melancon.
They got Dustin Pedroia in 2004. They generally do a very good job of getting at least one productive major league player from most of their drafts.
2003 – Papelbon and lester, 2004 Pedroia, 2005 ellsbury. 2006 though not looking as good. They took risks on some pitchers with good stuff who haven’t panned out. Also have a few high ceiling high schoolers they got that draft (Lars Anderson and Ryan Kallisch).
The Sox in 2006 did have three picks before the yankees took Joba. All three picks came after the yankees took Kennedy at #23.
Hanson and Hughes were not drafted in the same year.
Oops, I don’t know why I thought they were drafted the same year.
right, and in 2005, the Yankees used their first pick on CJ Henry. they were criticized at the time for not taking Hansen, b/c there were some people in the NY media who thought Hansen could help the Yankees by the end of the *2005* season.
it seems like both were busts, but at least Henry helped the Yankees get Abreu.
CB,
If the Yankees had not taken Kennedy, do you think the Sox would’ve grabbed him? I saw some of him in college & he was a winner.
Jennifer,
How’s the bird?
And we have CJ back.
I got him to eat last night, and this morning when I left for work he was eating a little and chirping. Not his usual self but much better than Sat/Sun. I am now waiting for the vet to call and tell me the results of the blood test. I want to go home already and check on him! Thanks for asking.
Great news, Jennifer.
Ok. I am officially bored of being a bum. Who can find me a job?