As negative as I am, I do not think this year is gone at all.. I think it will be a “long” season of many disappointments, but I do not think that its all out of this teams reach.

Early signs are not good, no doubt.

I think Hank was just talking because he is still really upset that he didn’t get Santana. He wanted him bad.

Oh well, the Yankee dynasty is yet to become the Yankee travesty.. we have a few more years before that would happen.

Cashman, well.. He is not better or worse than anyone managing such a high profile team with a huge purse. The money is there and a couple mistakes obtaining players that don’t pan out.. are well, a waste of money.. NOT using the money and passing on players are the mistakes I can’t tolerate. Who is to say if the Yankees are better with Brian or not?
What about Joe T or Joe G? IT’s the same team and both managers are getting the brunt of an under-performing team. I do like seeing how Joe G plays small ball, put on the hit-n-run, and stands up every game unafraid to run out to the field.

What did the Yankees do? They ended up promoting him and he took off.

You never know when it clicks with prospects. I haven’t seen a Thunder game yet so I don’t know if Tabata is overmatched or just starting slow.

His numbers certainly look that way. Worst thing that happens is that he goes back to High-A ball. But I figure you have to give him a couple months to see how he adjusts. He’s a talented kid, but thinking he’d start dominating AA in his first month at nineteen was kind of…unrealistic.

Perhaps being challenged will show him that he needs to work hard in order to achieve his potential. Word has been that he’s coasted on his talent at times. Perhaps his poor showing—coupled with Jackson starting to push past him as a prospect—will be the kick in the butt he needs. It wouldn’t hurt to have them pushing each other.

The Yankees are being very aggressive promoting both guys (Jackson and Tabata) to AA. Both are very young for that league.

I think they want to accomplish two things with them in the EL. One, if they play well, they have two guys that are either on the fast track to the Bronx or are elite trade pieces.

Two, they want to see how mature these kids are in terms of handling failure.

The EL is a tough league for kids that young. They are going to get their chin scraped this season. I’m willing to handle their ups and downs this year because they are very talented kids.

Jackson’s lack of RBI is a byproduct of the Thunder lacking a true leadoff hitter. He’s hitting second in the order and Ramiro Pena, a non hitter, is the leadoff hitter.

The bottom of their order also isn’t very good. Another reason why his RBI opportunities have been limited so far this year.

#
3
this
year.”

Verlander was a #1 his first season. Why can’t Phil be a #3? More importantly, since this is what I’ve ACTUALLY said (repeatedly, though perhaps not in that specific response to your specific comment), why can’t Phil and Joba, over the course of the 45 or so starts they make this season, provide production equivalent to a #3 and most of a #4 starter?

“Unless he’s the next Orland Pace. I dont see why they did that. They needed a quarterback and running back. Parcells is a smart man. Maybe he sees a steal in later rounds.”

There number one need was an offensive lineman, and Jake is the best in the class at that spot. They have a better than good RB in Ronnie Brown, so drafting another one this early would be pointless. And they believe they have a future star with John Beck. The earliest they take a QB is round 2, which is when I believe they will take Chad Henne (another Wolverine). Drafting Ryan would have been dumb, 1 reason—QB wasn’t their main need, and 2—sitting Ryan in favor of just a 2nd year player in Beck would be a shear waste of time and talent.

Seems like a good idea keeping him down there. He’ll get the AB’s and build confidence.

Any concerns that Tabata seems a little overmatched in Trenton? Also was shocked to see Ajax with ONE rbi in 19 games. He’s showing no power, but his avg/obp and K/BB rate are quite good. I know the EL is a lousy league for hitters, and Tabata is young for the league, but I’m getting budding star vibes off this kid.

Thanks. I agree. I was a kid when Romine was with the Sox and now his son is a prospect. I have to stop this aging thing. It isn’t growing on me…

I will jump off from posting as we both have games this eve. I will read though as I am dying to hear feedback on Hawk Harrelson if anyone has the Chicago feed this eve.

Have a good night and take care.

-dennis

I don’t think they are worried about Montero’s walk rates right now.

He makes a lot of contact. At his age, you don’t want to take away his aggressiveness. Strikezone refinement? That comes with AB’s.

It may be one of the factors in keeping him in the SAL all season but, I don’t believe its a cause for concern.

He’s a very special talent and they are going to be very conservative with his development.