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The Yankees just released INF Chris Woodward. They still have 42 players in camp.
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on Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 at 5:39 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings joined the The Journal News in October 2009, having spent the better part of seven years covering baseball in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and an award-winning beat reporter and features writer. E-mail me at cjennings@lohud.com
Sam Borden is an award-winning journalist who joined The Journal News
and LoHud.com in January 2008. He covered the Yankees for the New York
Daily News from 2004-06, and has also worked as a columnist for the
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So now who are the utility infielders left?
Betemit, Green. . .
Nick Green is now gone too I believe.
The current bench appears to be Betemit, Molina, Ensberg, Shelly Duncan and someone to back up Jeter, right?
Weren’t they hot on Woodward for awhile? Then he just get released?
Betemit is goign to be backing up Jeter, they have been working him in at SS. Not a bad idea since Jeter very rarely takes a day off and they can always call up the mexican mall lawyer if disaster strikes.
Didn’t Nick Green agree to stay on with a minor league deal?
Anyone care to rank the 1B guys in decreasing order of fielding ability?
“Nick Green is now gone too I believe.”
I think he accepted an assignment to AAA, though. People were assuming he’d exercise his clause that allowed him to declare free agency if not on the 40-man by last night, but I could swear I read he didn’t. Maybe on mlbtraderumors? RAB?
I read that Nick Green agreed to stay, too…
“Maybe on mlbtraderumors? RAB?”
Try The Lohud Yankees Blog. It’s posted along with today’s line-up.
Nick Green taking a minor league deal has something to do with this, i’m sure.
“Anyone care to rank the 1B guys in decreasing order of fielding ability?”
Ability in general or at 1B?
If the former, I’d say Ensberg, Betemit, Duncan, Giambi. As for 1B in particular…got me
“Try The Lohud Yankees Blog. It’s posted along with today’s line-up.”
That could easily have been where I saw it, yes
whozat,
1B, duh!
good riddance chris woodward you bum!!!
It’s good to have a utility INF who can play multiple positions. Most guys I would expect to be better or worse at one position that the other. It’s been said that Betemit is better at the corner positions than up the middle, but I don’t know that Jeter really needs a specific backup coming off the bench.
If Betemit (or some other utility guy) can backup 3rd better than he can backup SS, then play him at 3rd and move A-Rod over to SS for a game or two if needed. A-Rod might be the best backup SS in the history of the game. It’s been a few years since he played there regularly, but I’m pretty sure he can still handle that kind of a switch if he had to.
He moved over there to fill in before and he did WAY better than Miguel Cairo could have done.
12345,
You’re a guy, right?
I was just going to post that it’s sad to see the Yankees release nice guys (you know, ones who aren’t buttheads or felons). Sometimes they’re not very good or there’s just overcrowding, but it seems like playing for the Yankees is the ultimate dream. So it’s sad in that sense to see a dream die.
(sniff, sniff)
Okay guys. I think it’s time. You know what I’m talking about.
OPTIMISM CAMPAIGN 2008: Mission 27/08
Ranting Guy,
In recent history, Joe Torre would rather have put the bat boy @ SS than Alex. Do you think that Girardi would? It’s been so long, I wonder if Alex remembers how to play the position. lol.
I marvel at the fact that Alex became such a good 3B. (alas I’m not bitter at the fact that Jeter didn’t move. After all, Alex knew the dealio.)
New Yankees Stadium Photo – They’ve begun to install the windows and paint the part above the facade white, check it out: http://slidingintohome.blogspo.....being.html
Both Torre and Rodriguez said it wasn’t fair to put him at SS unless in an emergency because he hasn’t taken ground balls there since he played for Texas.
“whozat,
1B, duh!”
Given that neither Giambi nor Duncan are particularly good, I feel like Ensberg or Betemit’s greater agility would outweigh lack of experience most of the time.
Giambi’s actually good at picking bad throws. He won’t do much else for you, though he’s also got the most experience and probably won’t do stuff like make an effort on a ball that the 2B needs to handle, or NOT make an effort on a ball that he could have gotten but thought the 2B should handle…if you can follow my run-on sentence
Duncan’s more agile over there and has a better arm, and seems ok at receiving throws, but we’ve seen him make the wrong call on grounders a few times. We’ve also seen good plays. I figure Betemit and Ensberg would be about the same…though, perhaps a few more wrong decisions, but also few more agile plays. I know Betemit’s not some super-slick glove man, but given that he can handle 3B and SS, I still have to give him the innate-agility edge over Duncan. Similar logic with Ensberg…He’s a good fielding 3B, I’m pretty sure. But Duncan’s greater experience at the position would probably help him make the wrong decisions less often.
That’s all I got. Some of that is based on what I saw this spring of Duncan at 1B and what I saw of Wilson over there last year. I only saw Ensberg over there VERY rarely, so that’s pretty much pure speculation.
I’d like to see if JG thinks an infield with A-Rod at SS and Betemit at 3B is better than the other way around. I’m sure Alex could still handle SS better than any substitute infielder in the league.
Aside from the obvious point of it being Jeter’s team when A-Rod arrived, I think a small part of why A-Rod was better moved to 3B instead of Jeter was that A-Rod was probably better suited to make the switch than Jeter.
That may be an incorrect guess on my part, but it’s worked out pretty well for the team the way it has.
greg,
Thanks for continuing to update us. I know some arent happy about the new stadium. But you have to admit. Its going to be the most beautiful looking out there. Im liking it.
“Both Torre and Rodriguez said it wasn’t fair to put him at SS unless in an emergency because he hasn’t taken ground balls there since he played for Texas.”
Yeah…I figure Betemit will be fine out there for the 12 games that Jeter doesn’t play the field, or whatever it’d be.
Of course A-Rod wouldn’t be the all-star SS he used to be if he hopped over to Jeter’s position for a game or two. As was pointed out he’s not used to it anymore. Just saying I think he’d be better than a regular backup.
I would also add that Arod was also more suited for third due to his stronger arm.
Rebecca
I’m an Optimist!
There was no mention of Jeter in the manifesto – what gives?
Ranting Guy,
He seems to heavy of built now to play short. I could be wrong, but he isnt as fluid as he once was.
Jimmy: You caught the bit about clutch, no?
I think it’s one of those things. We already know. It doesn’t need to be said.
whozat,
So it’s still a toss salad, then?
Maybe Tex will feel sorry for us!
SOS,
You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure to keep you guys up to date.
I’m actually one of the people who isn’t too thrilled with the idea of a new stadium. But I’m very interested in the progress, as are most Yankee fans.
Glad you like the photo.
i dunno if anyone posted this already but check out Joey Gatheright jumping over a dodgers pitcher
oops heres the link: http://tinyurl.com/33rmua
mel,
Regarding the 5 minute chalkboard i had to endure earlier.
You have to wear a Los Spurs jersey if they win it all.Deal?
Greg,
Keep em coming.
BDB,
That reminded me of Vince Carter dunking on that 7 footer in the olympics. Mad hopps. I think that the rays gave up on him too soon.
Only if you wear a Los Lakers one. lol.
Here’s an article on the cap’:
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/.....to_a_Fault
saucY,
See? That’s why we use tinyurl.
SOS – agreed he wouldn’t be nearly as good as he used to be (he used to be damn good) but if he really had to do it he could fill in.
Ray,
I was talking about Philips being oblivious to the fact that the Yankees had a large fanbase in Japan back in 2004 most likely in support of Hideki Matsui. At the same time I admit that there are plenty of Japanese Red Sox fans out to support Dice-K and his new team, as well they should. I never said anything about “ghosts†or “haunted souls†in the American League East because that wasn’t my point. The Red Sox have won more titles and out done the Yankees in recent years and deserve credit, but I wasn’t talking about the actual teams, just as Hank Steinbrenner wasn’t. Hank made comments about the fanbase and how the Yankees are globally the most popular team in terms of fans and the Yankee brand which he claims is a fact, whether this is true or not I don’t know. All of that being said Steve Philips is still, in my opinion, an idiot and I’m looking forward to a season of battles between the two most popular teams in sports.
Jimmy: You caught the bit about clutch, no? YES
I think it’s one of those things. We already know. It doesn’t need to be said.
Let’s not take him for granted either.
great post though is there a theme song or a slogan?
Empire Strikes Back – Imperial March??
SoS,
In fact, yours will be have to worse because you’re talk more trash than I do!
mel,
No Deal(cant ever wear it). The only trash i talk is about 1 guy. You cant tell me you dont hate his antics sometimes. I know he’s on your team and all but its like having Farns on your team. When he talks you cringe.
Jimmy; Hmm, a theme song would be cool.
How about “To Victory” from the 300 soundtrack?
SoS,
No, I don’t cringe at all. With exception to the Bynum rant, my guy’s been eloquent, polite with the media, and supportive of his teammates. You only see what you want to see.
And I don’t talk trash because I’m super superstitious.
Via Bronx Banter I saw this absolutely classic takedown of Jose Canseco on Deadspin by the great Pat Jordan:
http://deadspin.com/372409/cha.....pat-jordan
How about throwing shaq under the bus in Colorado? O.k. ill stop now.
I think that 10-4 prediction for the Spurs is looking better and better. I just hope both teams are fully healthy for the playoffs. May the best team win.
Hmmmmm….not sure i’m down with that one…
(funny Frank Miller lives in my hood – pretty cool guy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ivkk8VNEqQ
Empire Strikes Back
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peNZVndJX1E (Joke)
Rebecca: this song is dated but the sentiment is exactly on point.
Bing Crosby, Andrews Sisters “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive”
Yeah, the bus got totalled.
So what do you have them finishing at? These were my predictions before Dirk went down. Add a game to Spurs, NO for an unexpected wins this week, subtract 1 from Lakers for loss to GS
Lakers 61-21
Houston 57-25
Hornets 55-27
Suns 54-28
San Antonio 54-28
Jazz 54-28
Golden State 52-30
Dallas 51-31
Rebecca,
Carmina Burana O Fortuna(from 300, Jackass the movie)
My count is 40 players in camp, 41 if you count Sean Henn. I suppose 42 if you count Joe Muich coming in when Cervelli went down. Alberto Gonzalez was sent to the minor camp days ago according to Chad Jennings but I don’t think it was officially announced. However counted, about four cuts per day over the next four days…
For the last three spots in BP, I’m going with:
Traber
Ohlendorf or Bruney
Rasner
If Ensberg is on, there is no more space for position guys.
Except for Betemit, but I consider him to be a lock.
mel: How funny is that the Nets, which are about 20 games behind the eigth seed in the West have a legitimate shot at the 8 seed in the east, and they won’t finish +.500?
Traber/Bruney/Rasner looks about right. Bruney over Ohlendorf because of the money invested & rewarding Bruney for the positive changes he made.
I like Ohlendorf and Patterson, though. It’s like 31 flavors, hard to choose. You know you should go with the low-fat ice cream, even though the other flavors look better.
Rebecca,
Have the Nets fans taken a liking to Devin Harris? Dallas is 0-8 against WC powers since the trade. Not really Kidd’s fault, it’s just tough.
Yes, I hope you guys make it. Philly’s looking pretty good now, too.
Mel:
(I’m late, but whatever). Alex played SS for part of a game last year after Jeter came out. I forget who they shoved at 3B, but whoever it was, they weren’t confident he could play SS. It was only for an inning or two, but he was pretty good for that short time.
mel: Honest answer is, I don’t know. Outside of the Yankees, the NCAAs and the Devils (who are a legitimate playoff team, if they ever decide to win a game again), I’ve not had time to follow anything. Most people up here are much more interested in college basketball, at any rate, though Syracuse made me cry last night.
Andrea,
Thanks. Sometimes I wonder (are you too young to remember that lyric?) if Alex wants to go for the all time records at the SS position. He only needs X amount of AB or HR or something or other.
mel: I think if the records at SS were that important, he wouldn’t have gone to the Yankees and switched positions.
Andrea and Mel – In the game when Derek went into the stands the Yanks moved Alex to ss and Sheffield played third base (and not very well at that!)
Folks,
I agree that Jeter’s fielding skills have eroded. However, he is still an important offensive player – 200 hits a year is tough to replace. Yes I know he has a penchant for GIDP- but on balance he has come through. So, is anyone serious about replacing Jeter on the left side of the infield?
Thomo
Buh Bye Woodward!
When I saw the headline “Yankees release Woodward”, my immediate reaction was “what about Bernstein?”.
First Doug Mientkiewicz, now Chris Woodward. The Yankees are foolishly getting rid of all their great players. I haven’t been this depressed since they sold Horace Clarke to San Diego.
I agree with you Jim! I was also sad to see Chris Woodward go.