Behold the ambidextrous glove
-
-
- June
- 20
-
Mike Ashmore’s Thunder Thoughts blog is a must-read if you like following the prospects. He has really worked hard on it.
Mike was in Staten Island yesterday and snapped this photo of Pat Venditte’s glove. It was custom made so he can wear it on either hand. It’s only a matter of time before this guy becomes a national story.
Hey, ESPN, we’re looking at you. Send Erin Andrews to Staten Island.
This entry was posted
on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 1:19 pm by Peter Abraham.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Gotta wonder if Oneli Perez uses the same glove.
Hi Pete,
What is the current relationship between Bernie Williams and the Yankees???
It is the final season at the current stadium, you know…gotta be some room for a tribute…
and can you get rid of the bikes and babes ad?
Go yanks
Hey, if it works, I’m not complaining.
Just hope Venditte really develops—so in the end people talk about his ability to pitch, and not that he does it with both arms.
Why are both ny teams short season minor league affiliates is such bad neighborhoods? The SI Stadium really is nice, but good luck walking around after a night game. And the Cyclones area might be worse.
He actually WAS a national story, I read about this dude a while ago -
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04.....wanted=all
SI stadium is very nice, but it is such a pain the the ** getting their from Jersey. Also you are right you aren’t driving through the best neighborhood.
Nick in SF was right Lace or Steletto
**there**
Blue Jays fire manager
They’re the only AL East team under .500
I want to know what Dave Trembley has the Orioles drinking…
Big News for the Blue Jays:
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Blue Jays will fire manager John Gibbons prior to Friday night’s game and replace him with Cito Gaston.
There’s a press conference scheduled shortly. Gibbons has gone 305-305 in parts of five seasons with the Blue Jays, including this year’s disappointing 35-39 mark that has the team in the AL East basement. General manager J.P. Ricciardi may also be on the hot seat at some point, but unlike in Seattle this time the manager takes the first fall. Gaston managed the Blue Jays from 1989-1997 and led the team to a pair of championships, but hasn’t managed since then and is now 64 years old.
That…is…AWESOME!!!
Russel: Great minds
Anyone listening to FAN? Did Dog just say Gibbons fired in Toronto?
Thanks.
It looks like he might have to spring for a new glove or have the Yankees get a new one for him soon. That one is in pretty rough shape. I bet he doesn’t oil it regularly.
a few blocks from the si stadium is a block called jersey street…it might be the scariest street Ive ever been on….and I grew up in Alphabet City.
Look what the Mets started. Who is the next to go?
I love how we all get the same news at exactly the same time…
sorry didn’t see the new thread…
“how does the short starts raise the teams era even though joba and rassner had good era’s for their games themselves giving up 1 and 2 runs respectively?â€
randy,
this is a really important question – for the yankees right now in particular and for most teams as a whole. Its a really big question for the Sox for instance as their starters when healthy don’t go very deep into the game.
I think there’s two different answers to this question – near term and long term. The near term question is the probably the most relevant one as I’ll assume Joba is going to give them more innings over time and that they’ll find a starter better than giese for the 5th slot.
The yankee team era right now is 4.17 – 7th best in the AL. The starters ERA is 4.62 however. So the yankee team ERA so far is much better than their starters ERA. Why? The bull pen.
The bull pen team ERA is 3.47 – that’s very good. Even if you take out Joba’s 23 relief innings its very good.
So as a whole, when the yankee starters have given them short starts they’ve actually been replaced by the relievers who have better aggregate ERA. So in many ways, the short starts aren’t hurting them.
It’s actually really remarkable for a starting staff to have an ERA of 4.6 and the team to have an ERA of only 4.17 – that’s a huge difference. And the reason why that’s happenned is that the bull pen has thrown 38.5% of all the team’s innings – and those innings have been thrown to the substanstially lower ERA of 3.47.
Now that’s an aggregate look and obviously the staff has undergone a huge turnover.
More specifically, the starters going short really amounts to the starters making a 5-6 inning start instead of a 6-7 inning start (assuming most 4-5 starters don’t throw more than 6 or so innings).
So each turn through the rotation I’d guess the starters going short is going to make the bullpen thrown 3-6 more innings than you’d like.
As long as the bull pen continues to throw to a 3.47 ERA – especially with Veras and Ramirez generally throwing well – those short starts aren’t going to kill them short term.
However, long term its a very different issue – no bull pen can tolerate throwing 39% of its teams innings over a season. Once you get past 35% its very difficult. If the pen keeps getting used at that rate they’ll tire and their ERA will go up – then those replacement innings they throw for the starters could be very bad ones.
To continue this way one of two things have to happen – eithe the starters need to go deeper. Which I think they will – espeically Joba. Also because they’ll replace Giese hopefully with a starter that can go at least 6 inning per.
But the way the Yanks will most likely make up for these short starts is through bull pen depth. 7 guys can’t throw 38% of a teams innings over a season. But the yankees haven’t used a pool of 7 guys for the pen – they’ve used many more arms because they have very good bull pen depth.
Some of the current guys might get tired. But they’re likely to call up Robertson, melancon, etc at some point to replace those tiring arms.
Also – alot of that stress on the pen in terms of workload came early in the year and was absorbed by Ohelndorf as the long man.
I think the fact that they’ve been able to call so many relief pitchers up from the minors, possibly getting back Brueny, etc. will allow them to tolerate short starts without it killing them.
Compton kid Chris Smith Yankee at heart
Wow, I really didn’t expect to see Gibbons get canned. They have very good pitching, but no hitting. That just goes to show that you need balance in a team. Pitching is important, but if you throw a 1 or 2 run game and still lose what good is it?
Did Gibbons have his uniform on?
Somewhere Ted Lilly and Shea Hillebrand are enjoying this.
mel- I heard he was sleeping in it.
Forgot about the Lilly scuffle but I thought the same thing about Hillenbrand.
Brandon,
Thanks for the link on Chris Smith.
I wonder if he’ll really be on the fast track?
Isn’t Austin Jackson slightly ahead of schedule? It seems that the two things missing on the Yankees is athleticism (A-rod aside) and speed.
CB: How much of this, I wonder, has to do with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, neither of whom were able to pitch well? I know Moose hasn’t gone deep into games a lot, but apart from the Boston starts and one other ‘clunker’, he has not given up a lot of runs.
It’s really weird when you think about it, though.
You mention the bullpen arms…you read the game threads here and see eeryone’s reaction when Farnsworth or Hawkins is warming up…
…and then you see the bullpen has an era of 3.47?
I mean, Mo’s numbers can’t distort the bullpen ERA that much…
…can they?
CB:
Thanks for that post on the bullpen. Excellent stuff.
cya john gibbons.
Shouldn’t the Yankees call up Venditte now? How long does he have to waste his talent in the minors?
(j/k)
wow. Cito back as Jay’s manager…too bad Carter and Fernandez aren’t coming through the clubhouse door.
Not for nothing, Gibbons should have been gone a long time ago. Only in TOR can the manager have fights with two players and keep his job. Good riddance to him! That being said, he wasn’t TOR’s problem. That contract they signed Wells to is a dog. They have no offense. A new manager isn’t going to change that.
I can’t believe I am saying this, but I actually agree with something the mad puppy said. He is talking about an artilce in the Post (?) that said that the Mets Asst. GM had a big hand in bringing Latin players to the Mets, mainly Beltran. The mad puppy brought up Beltran giving the Yanknees a $20 million discount to come here. That what hand did he have, if the Mets were essentially Beltrans back up.
Here’s the video of the switch-pitcher vs. switch-hitter confusion. Venditte looks fairly exasperated.
http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPl.....b522237e45
“but I actually agree with something the mad puppy said.”
Yeah, but then he said he wants to hear from us about Joba when Farnsworth gives up a game-winner to Keith Youkilis (whoever that is) in the postseason.
Chris HEARTS the $150m Red Sox, but not enough to get their names right.
Toronto has the pitching to contend; the problem is just that you can’t expect your starters to pitch a complete game shut out every time!
Chris smith is a stud.
“the problem is just that you can’t expect your starters to pitch a complete game shut out every time!”
very true, but then its on the GM to get some everyday players who can hit!
Brandon,
Thanks for the link on Chris Smith.
I wonder if he’ll really be on the fast track?
Mel no problem, it’s freaky to think the scout will be disappointed if he doesn’t make the majors in 2 or 3 yrs. and how about the fact Chris made it a goal to hit .600 in H.S. the freaky thing is he surpassed it by 108 points
seriously..how many manager firings this week? First Randolph, then McLaren and now SI.com is reporting that Gibbons will be replaced by the Jays’ manager in 1993. CUH-RAZYYY lol
Confucius
I heard that too. My money is on Farns against Kevin Youkilis!
“How much of this, I wonder, has to do with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, neither of whom were able to pitch well? ”
The yankee bullpen had to throw around 30 extra innings this year due to Hughes and Kennedy being ineffective. That’s about 12% of the bullpen’s total this year.
A disproportionate number of those extra innings were absorbed by Ohlendorf, however.
Paradoxically, Hughes and Kennedy not pitching very long in their starts decreased the workload on Mo and Joba – they yankees lost in most of those Hughes/ Kennedy games taking away appearance opportunities from Mo and Joba.
When you’re looking at individual relievers – Hawkins and Farnsworth – you have to look at how many innings they’ve thrown to make sense of what impact their ERA will have on the team bull pen ERA.
Hawkins has thrown 28 innings and Farnsworth 33 innings. That’s around 11-12% of the total bull pen innings. So their individual ERA would only have 11-12% influence over the team bull pen ERA. Together that a substanstial fraction.
But when you get down to individual relievers ERA just isn’t a very good stat and doesn’t really reflect their impact on games. Especially for farnsworth who only comes in for 1 inning at a time and in generally high leverage situations. When Farnsworth gives up runs its much worse than when hawkins does becasue of the situations they perform in.
oops meant Keith Youkilis. I’m as bad as Dog.
Did anyone catch that update by Sweeney? Who’s questionable with the flu? Sounded like either Volquez or Mussina, but I wasn’t listening closely…
Confucius
Looks like I spoke too soon.
According to the Post Steven White is now off the 40 man
Chris Smith is just like Compton
CB: Yeah, that explains a lot.
It’s a total catch-22 with Farnsworth–you don’t want him to pitch because you’re worried about the lead, but then he comes in and pitches well, so you give him another shot…
“seriously..how many manager firings this week? First Randolph, then McLaren and now SI.com is reporting that Gibbons will be replaced by the Jays’ manager in 1993. CUH-RAZYYY lol”
It’s the right time of the season for it. You don’t want to wait until after the All Star break to start turning things around; AFTER the ASG is when you want to be in the thick of the pennant race.
It’s sufficiently “into” the season now that you can tell where a lot of teams are headed–the Rays, for instance, might not finish in second, but at this point it would take an utter collapse for them to finish fourth or last, and Detroit’s playoff chances are hanging on by a slim thread, even as the team approaches .500–but there is enough time left, that if a team wants to change things, you can try to now and have some hope of the change occuring in the current season.
I have no idea if that made any sense, but hopefully it did.
“Did anyone catch that update by Sweeney? Who’s questionable with the flu? ”
I missed it too… thought he said Volquez, I don’t think it was Mussina.
I think if it was Mussina questionable, Pete would have told us, no?
Gayle,
White at least right now is still on the official 40 man roster.
Perhaps its not updated. White has been horrible this year. He’s definitely in danger of being DFA’d.
If he is off the 40 man it’ll be interesting to see who the corresponding move will be. Melancon? Aceves?
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....p?c_id=nyy
Chris Smith is just like Compton
Care to elaborate ?
I saw highlights last night of Venditte having a battle of the wills with a switch hitter. It was hilarious the way they both kept switching sides. But Venditte threw a third strike that broke down and away from this right handed batter, and the movement was so pronounced I went, “WHOA!”
I have a feeling this kid’s for real.
not a fan of my music, Brandon?
CB–
Here is the story. AGain source is Sherman’s Blog
Here is one for real diehards who care about the composition of the 40-man roster: righty Steven White has passed through waivers and was removed from the Yankee 40-man roster, but will remain with the organization.
The Yanks had hoped that White’s power arm could be harnessed and that he would be in position this season to either be promoted to the majors as a starter or reliever. But while he has pitched poorly others have moved passed him on the organizational depth chart. So the Yanks decided to remove him from the 40-man roster at a time when they thought they could sneak him through waivers and retain him. Which is what happened.
A few scouts tipped me off to the move because the Yanks had been offering White around as part of trade proposals, specifically in the attempt to land a lefty reliever.
White, who turned 27 last week, is 4-6 with a 6.61 ERA in Triple-A, where he has appeared in 17 games, 10 of those starts.
The Yanks did not have an immediate corresponding move. But the removal of White from the 40-man likely frees the spot for Sidney Ponson to be put on the 40-man roster next week. Ponson, recently signed by the Yanks, is the most probable candidate to be elevated to pitch in Friday’s doubleheader against the Mets.
““Did anyone catch that update by Sweeney? Who’s questionable with the flu? â€
I missed it too… thought he said Volquez, I don’t think it was Mussina.”
I know Griffey’s been out the last couple of days. It’s possible it’s spreading through the Reds clubhouse. Hope they don’t give it to the Yankees…
“Yeah, but then he said he wants to hear from us about Joba when Farnsworth gives up a game-winner to Keith Youkilis (whoever that is) in the postseason.”
That’s a classic strawman argument. Did Joba start that game? If so…that’s probably why we were winning this hypothetical game in the first place.
Ponson would make sense right now, though I’m sure most of us would rather see, I don’t know, Melancon or Aveces.
not a fan of my music, Brandon?
ahhhhh now I get it.
“So the Yanks decided to remove him from the 40-man roster at a time when they thought they could sneak him through waivers and retain him. Which is what happened.”
Gayle,
That makes complete sense and would be a really good move if they did that. I was actually thinking last week that if they did DFA white that he’s been so bad that no one will take him.
He’s been so bad this year that there’s no way he’ll get called up and no one is going to take him in the rule V draft either.
“A big reason the Yankees have stayed in that race is Mussina (10-4, 3.87 ERA), who is unbeaten in his last five starts and is tied for the AL lead in victories. Since a shaky start to the season, he has gone 9-1 with a 3.25 ERA in his last 11 outings with just eight walks in 61 innings.
“No one ever sees a stretch like this,” Mussina said. “I don’t even know what it is. You don’t run ‘em off like that very often, so you never see that kind of stuff coming … the last 10 or 11 starts, I’ve pretty much been doing what I’ve wanted to do.”"
…”Cincinnati hopes Griffey will start Friday after he missed three straight starts because of flu-like symptoms.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....=280620110
Just watched the switch hitter/pitcher video. Funny stuff. Who’s on first? Who’s in the left batter’s box?
They’ll have to clarify the rules and call it the Venditte rule.
He looks just like Eli Manning. Poor thing.
Gayle and CB – thanks for the insights this afternoon.
Rebecca – I think Sir Sidney is going to be around only so long to a)start one of the DH games against the Mets, and b)until someone else shows they can step-up and be a #4-5 starter. I would think they would have already read him the riot act.
Delay in Chicago. Thought it was because Lilly was still celebrating the firing of Gibbons, but it’s just rain.
For the Mad Dogs who want to label this an easy series for us, we have to face two good young pitchers and one making his debut. We always struggle against those types. I’ll be grateful for any break we can get.
So it’s Griffey. That’s a break too, even given his decline. Those memories of the mid 90’s still haunt me.
chris smith is awesome… slugs like bonds, chokes up like big papi
also is a yankees fan
Joe from Long Island: Agreed, on all counts.
Ponson was pitching decent for Texas, not great by any means, but pretty good. He still throws in the mid 90’s and has a good splitter. If the Yankees can straighten his head out, he might be a very good pick up. Ability and talent arent his problem, he is just a complete head case…and loves the hooch.
I think everyone really needs to relax on Chris Smith. High school numbers are absolutely meaningless. Smith didn’t play in a competative league in Southern California so those numbers are just hard to make anything out of.
He’s probably only faced good high school pitching a handful of times. So its hard to know how good a hitter he is at that age.
And in that article Brandon linked to it was his high school coach who was predicting he’d be in the majors in 2-3 years not the area scout who signed him. I’m not putting much stock into what his high school coach has to say about when he’ll make the majors.
The GCL will be a big test for him – much bigger than it is for most guys drafted out of high school.
I wouldn’t put too much stock in him until he’s in A ball.
By far the most encouraging thing I’ve seen on him has nothing to do with his numbers. From that article this is what the yankee’s area scout said:
“He can hit,†Smothers said. “God has blessed him with the ability to square up a baseball with authority. He has very advanced batting skills for his age. I’m really excited about him.â€
That’s a real positive and mean much more than all of smith’s numbers. But again, the area scout isn’t going to say anything bad about the kid – it was the scout’s asessement that lead the yankees to take him so high. That scout has a ton invested in Smith, including part of his reputation.
Southern California has a ton of prospects. It’s very possible the yankees got a guy who was overlooked because he played in a subpar league. But until he plays against better competition there’s no way to think he’s going to become a good prospect, never mind a major leaguer.
I’d be very surprised if Smith was in the majors anytime soon. He’s going to see much better pitching than he’s used to and he’s probably going to struggle.
chris smith is awesome… slugs like bonds, chokes up like big papi
I put it the other way but damn that would be something if we have the next TOny Gywn or Barry Bonds…I can dream can’t I ?
One crazy glove. Still unsure how the rules work for ambidextrous pitcher.
bonds used a 32″ bat, thats gangsta
my god…just watched pre-game interview with ozzie guillen for the cubs vs. w sox game. the guy has got to stop talking about himself in 3rd person. “I’m not saying people don’t like it, I’m saying Ozzie don’t like it.”
Francis The Praying Mantis -
when did you live in Alphabet City?
I heard the gentrified the place.
Just Ozzie being Ozzie, is all.
Did we ever get what the proper ruling should have been from last night?
Who was supposed to announce their side first?
And for regular pinch hitting situations, when’s the last possible moment to change hitters?
When’s the last possible moment to sub a pitcher?
How many changes can you legally make in one AB?
Buster Olney said pitcher has to declare first.
venditte is def. the flavor of the day…he’s the head story on milb.com and in like all the blogs. Man, if he’s the real deal and can get out pro hitters…I would be the happiest fan ever. I’ve followed this kid for a few years hoping the Yanks would get him.
Cashman speaks about Tabata’s struggles: “We all have to keep in mind he’s just 19…one of the five youngest players in the Eastern League,†Cashman said. “It’s the first time he’s ever been in cold weather, the first time ever dealing with failure, and he made a significant talent level jump.â€
Thank you some common sense here. Jose Tabata ain’t going nowhere :p
Thanks, Pat.
So then the hitter has to commit to a side and that’s it? No changes before or during the at-bat?
randy l, if you’re reading this, I saw your question on the previous thread. I’m actually not so saberetrically inclined. I don’t mean that I’m anti-sabermetrics, just that I’m not well-versed, as are some of the others you names in your request.
I’m also not particularly Trabermetrically-inclined anymore, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
“Thank you some common sense here. Jose Tabata ain’t going nowhere :p”
That is common sense. Putting in the EL, however, was not. Be one thing if he dominated, or even came close to dominating in the FSL, but he did neither. He’s overmatched at this level and I don’t buy that it’s not a bit of a confidence downer.
At least a half season in Tampa would have been the better approach. That would have allowed him to get comfortable with his hitting and hit the AA ground running. As it is now, he’s the six year old in the middle of a keep away game with a bunch of 4th graders.
I think it’s safe to say that Rebecca’s the resident saber-metrician.
“I’m also not particularly Trabermetrically-inclined anymore, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
Once again you deliver. Thanks for the laugh.
mel
He made it sound like once the pitcher declares, the batter steps in and that’s it for the at bat. He also said something about pitcher declaring first is to his advantage because most pinch hitters have a weaker side and the pitcher can try to exploit that in his choice.
Saying at bat did make me wonder if the pitcher can declare a different side before the next batter.
Mel, I don’t think there’s any question
How low in the barrel can the Yankees reach in getting Ponson? Give Geise a chance and if not him Horne. Ponson has so many problems even the Rangers wouldn’t keep him.
Hughes, Kennedy and Igawa have made 15 starts combined with the following atrocious numbers:
0 – 8 8.60 ERA — just under four innings per start.
Six other Yankees have started games this season and have combined for the following solid stats
29 – 15 3.91 ERA — just under six innings per start.
The hidden “cost” of starters not throwing enough innings is the thinning of the bench. Ideally you have five good starters giving you 6+ innings a night and you can have a six man bullpen. The Yankees have had to carry seven relievers all year and eight quite frequently which leaves very few roster spots for reserves.
Pat,
Thanks. So, in last night’s situation the batter erred? And the pitcher compounded it by switching sides? And no question about the next at-bat. And the hitter cannot change during an at-bat. But you can change pitchers right? Do they say anything about changing arms during an at-bat?
Rebecca,
Such a lovely maiden!
**pinch hitters= switch hitters
mel: *blush*
I’m here to rescue knights (and Yankees fans) in distress!
“The hidden “cost†of starters not throwing enough innings is the thinning of the bench.”
The vast majority of AL teams carry 7 relievers. So, it’s not like the Yankee bench has been any thinner than anyone else’s for that reason. The real issue with the bench is that multiple starting players have gone down for multiple days/weeks at a time. And, that neither of the (pretty reasonable) righty 1B options panned out. The OF rotation has actually worked out pretty well, keeping Damon and Matsui productive thus far. If Melky would step up, that’d be great. I’d still like to get Freel to provide an all-over fill in and a good righty contact bat. I’d also like to get Wigginton to slot in at 1B against tough lefties. One thinks that both should be pretty reasonably priced.
Griffey is under the weather.
who is avaialble in the pen tonight? I assume Ohlendorf, hawkins(yech), ramirez, and traber… who am I missing///
again if Melancon, robertson, or Cox are legit then they would have a much better situation for these games when mariano is a no go….
Fred, as a barely 18 year old last year in the FSL, Tabata was hitting .305 before the cyst on his wrist and layer the hamate surgery cut his power and season short. Were you expecting .400 average and 40 homers in 2/3rds of a season?
why do people like Ty Wigginton? He stinks terrible OBP, cannot field, and he has a pretty hefty ontract.
he has so streaky also.. Freel would be agreat bench guy but Wigginton is a pass..Freel’s speed off the bench is a huge help…
“Fred, as a barely 18 year old last year in the FSL, Tabata was hitting .305 before the cyst on his wrist and layer the hamate surgery cut his power and season short. Were you expecting .400 average and 40 homers in 2/3rds of a season?”
I do think he should have stated in single-A to make sure he healed properly and regained his stroke. That said, he’s still only 19.
cb-
thanks for the excellent analysis of the bullpen question i asked.
so having reinforcements for relievers in the minors becomes a key part of the plan to go younger and cheaper because the starters are innings restricted and the relievers get overworked.
if the yankee relievers have a 3.47 era that still could mean they have a much higher era for those innings pitched when they are overworked.
high era overworked innings could be built into the 3. 47 era of the relievers. if the yankees can reduce the overall number of overworked innings the era could go even lower.
stats aren’t kept on when relief pitcher is pitching when he shouldn’t be ,but we know it when we see it.
it would be interesting to keep the stats on when we know the pitcher is overworked.
my hunch is there is probably a jump of 1.5 to 2.00 runs to a pitcher’s era for those innings when he’s over worked.
if the yankees can keep the reinforcements coming and avoid reliever burnout it could do wonders to team era.
Randy: I wonder what happens if you look at the bullpen’s ERA in the Hughes/Kennedy starts versus all the other ones?
melancon and robertson are even better options because each pitch more than an inning.
Robertson- 26 appearances and he’s pitched 47 innings. He sometimes pitches 3 innings even. Beautiful ERA of 1.53…What do they want him to prove anymore?
Melancon- 23 appearances…51(!) innings 2.29 ERA and only 10 walks. Again…what does he need to prove in AA?
Promote Robertson to mlb and Melancon to AAA soon lol
“I’d still like to get Freel to provide an all-over fill in and a good righty contact bat. I’d also like to get Wigginton to slot in at 1B against tough lefties. One thinks that both should be pretty reasonably priced.”
There would be considerable competition for Freel, which would likely eliminate the “reasonably priced” characterization.
Wouldn’t think Wigginton would be too terribly costly though.
V, I agree that Tabata should have started this season in the FSL, but, for someone to hammer him for not destroying AA pitching while recovering from hand/wrist surgery is a bit of BS. The kid should be a freshman in college. He’s going to be just fine. I spent 2006 watching him in the Sally League. Reminds me of a right hasnded version of Bobby Abreu.
rebecca what is even more interesting and I dont have the numbers in front of me but look at the bullpen numbers when Moose starts. They have been unreal in almost all of his starts and have really saved him some wins
“why do people like Ty Wigginton? He stinks terrible OBP, cannot field, and he has a pretty hefty ontract.”
Because against lefties, he DOESN’T stink. He hits them very well. And the Yankees have a very lefty-heavy lineup. As for his contract, a) he’s due about 2.5 mil over the rest of the year, which the Yanks can surely afford, and b) that’s why he wouldn’t cost much talent.
“There would be considerable competition for Freel, which would likely eliminate the “reasonably priced†characterization. ”
A good point.
That’s all I’m saying, V. He had a good average, but was not a dominant hitter last year. I think another half season in Tampa would have done him a world of good this year and allow him to hit the Eastern League with confidence.
Another point, his value on the trade market (not that they’re looking to move him) takes a hit because he looks so bad in Trenton. Where he may have been a centerpiece of a package to trade for an A-list player before, he’s not going to be now.
gayle: Yes, yes they have.
It’s as if they notice “oh hey Moose is starting tonight, and every good start he gives us, well, we can’t waste it”
Except for that one game against Kansas City
“for someone to hammer him for not destroying AA pitching while recovering from hand/wrist surgery is a bit of BS”
GB, I had not considered the possibility he would destroy AA pitching. I was merely hoping he’d be able to hold his own. He has not been able to do so, and it’s in large part because he was not ready.
score 10 runs and the pen doesnt matter.
New post.
Hey all –
I found this clip of a funky Japanese pitcher last night while I was checking out another YouTube clip somebody had posted here. It’s apparently fake (staged or edited possibly), but it’s still fun to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Back to Venditte.
Don’t know if Olney is correct about having to “declare” a side, but he very well could be. But this seems to undermine the advantage Venditte’s worked to achieve. That he can compete from either side means he should be allowed to adjust to the batter. The advantage of switch hitting is that the batter can adjust as desired to the pitcher. Why should Venditte not have the same opportunity from the mound, and not just be limited to moving the switch hitter to his weaker side? Is he forced to declare a side to non-switch hitters, then have to go with that if the opponents pinch hit? No.
Seems to me the operating rule should be that of time. The batter has X time to take position in the box, the pitcher x time to deliver. Batter delays, a strike is called. Pitcher, a ball. Too slow to act, you lose. In practice this confirms the advantage to the pitcher, but it’s a unique advantage he’s worked to achieve. Not like we’re gonna see a glut of guys doing this.
Regarding Gibbons, let’s not forget the Jays repeatedly throwing at Arod’s knees last year. On the other hand, give Gibbons credit for exploiting Joba’s limited pitch count in his first game as a starter — he’s no dunce, regardless of what we might think of him otherwise.
Regarding White, I suspect that they’re opening up space for Ponson at least right now. I’m no fan of Ponson, but Cash is no doubt seeing if he can hook a win or two any way he can while Wang is out. It also gives him the ability to bluff other GM’s out of the assumption that he is desperate for a starter RIGHT NOW so that they can try to dump garbage on him at an exorbitant price.
And to everyone who says that CC is worth at least as much as Santana and that the price for Santana was Hughes, Melky, and Kennedy or some package including Cano or Wang, remember that the real price the Twins took for Santana was a worth whole lot less. I would estimate that the price for CC should be something along the lines of two first-round draft picks (or their equivalents) who have made some positive progress in the minors — i.e. two No. 1’s plus.
hey guys i’m sure I missed this asked and answered a hundred times today so I’m sorry
but I just watched the video from SNY – what side did the batter end up batting from and did Venditte throw from the same side??