Peace, I’m in here
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Feb 02, 2009 
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You know, the peaceful transition of power is a truly remarkable thing and for those of you who watched C-Span this morning, I’m sure you saw the elaborate swearing-in ceremony in which I took the Oath of Office for the LoHud Yankees Blog.
It was glorious – my wife held a copy of “The Yankee Years” for me to place my hand upon, Pete was sitting one row over awaiting his helicopter flight to a retirement community in Del Boca Vista and Chief Justice Ruben Sierra issued the oath, stumbling over a few words but getting the gist of it. Ronan Tynan sang “God Bless America” and, as we exited, Challenger the Eagle flew in and nearly knocked over Randy Levine. It was beautiful. ….
Anyway. It’s a pleasure to be hanging out with you all for a week as Pete recharges his batteries before what will surely be a long (thanks, WBC!) spring training. Since it’s a certainty that I’m not as tapped into the world of Yankees news on the internet as I once was, I invite any links, thoughts and comments at sborden@lohud.com – I’m sure you guys will help me keep the posts fresh and insightful over these next seven days. Let’s do Pete proud.
I thought an appropriate way to start might be to pay homage to the end of football season/beginning of baseball season by doing a post in the style of the esteemed Sports Illustrated writer Peter King. Thus, here are 10 things I think I think:
1. I think you guys are going to be missing Pete pretty badly by about 12:30 this afternoon, if not sooner. Sorry. He’s the best, there’s no doubt.
2. I think there is no way Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera will start the most games in center field for the Yankees this season. You don’t spend all this cash on other players not to get an established CF at some point along the way. There’s a deal to be made somewhere and the Yankees will make it.
3. I think this will be the last year of Andy Pettitte’s career and, unfortunately for the Yankees, I don’t think it will look much like the last year of Mike Mussina’s career.
4. I think Phil Hughes will win 12 games this year.
5. I think the Yankees better find a decent catcher to fill in when Posada isn’t as healthy as they hope.
6. I think they need to find a way to get Nick Swisher some at-bats.
7. I think the bullpen worries me a little. Ok, a lot. Rivera is coming off surgery but you give him a pass. The setup guys? Without Joba, it’s just so hit-and-miss. The Rays proved last year that non-closer relievers can rise up out of nowhere, but it’s hard for me to have tons of faith in what the Yankees have right now. (Though I do like Edwar Ramirez – see below)
8. I think Edwar Ramirez could be the Yankees’ version of Scot Shields from a few years ago. High strikeout numbers, dominant set-up guy, kinda skinny – there was a time when Shields setting up for K-Rod was an unreal combo. Ramirez certainly has that potential.
9. I think these are my quick Super Bowl thoughts:
a. Last year’s fourth quarter was better – though not by much.
b. LOVED the Doritos commercial where the guy threw the “crystal ball” through the vending machine glass.
c. Michaels and Madden did a very good job.
d. For those that read my Daily News blog, you’ll be pleased to know that “The Girlfriend” became “The Wife” and that she makes an unbelievable chili on Super Bowl Sunday.
10. I think the rest of my posts probably won’t be nearly this long. Sorry again.
Great first post, Sam! Just one little thing I’d like to say about the Super Bowl; I’d much rather have Fox doing it then NBC. I personally like Joe Buck and Tory Aikman over Michaels and Madden. Also, last year I loved the thing Fox did with the players from each team talking about a word and their season. If that’s not specific enough, the Giants word was Resiliency.
nice to have you on board
Sam’s Lohud’s Joba. He should be starting, instead of being in the ‘pen.
The doritos commercial was hilarious, but wahat was also funny was in the Office episode, when the fire took place everyone was looking for an exit, and Kevin smashed though the vending machine glass and started grabbing snacks.
I wholeheartedly ageee on Melky & Gardner. I see Melky startign the season in Scranton ,and his career as a Yankee will be over soon. Gardner will stick around as a pinch runner/Defensive replacement.
I don’t share your faith in Edwar, he can be very hittable. Unless Melancon & Bruney can step in, the pen will be taxed without Joba.
Hughes will win 7 games. Swisher will be traded by the ASB. Pettitte will go 11-7, with a 4.50 ERA. He will pitch well in the Post season though in route to our 27th World Championship.
“1. I think there is no way Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera will start the most games in center field for the Yankees this season. You don’t spend all this cash on other players not to get an established CF at some point along the way. There’s a deal to be made somewhere and the Yankees will make it.”
“4. I think Phil Hughes will win 12 games this year.
5. I think the Yankees better find a decent catcher to fill in when Posada isn’t as healthy as they hope.
6. I think they need to find a way to get Nick Swisher some at-bats.”
Great first post Sam. Bold statements that I (mostly) agree with. I think that beyond Posada Molina is one of the best back-ups in the game sure he cant rake but he throws out 50% of runners. Swisher does need some at bats however I see GI Joe getting him some by rotating him and Nady around RF and the bench, an ideal situation for those 2 might be a platoon. Finally I hope you are right about Hughes winning 12.
Edwar is fine-as long as he doesn’t pitch vs the Angels. He gave 11 runs against them and 14 against everybody else.
Good stuff, Sam… I’m ok with Jose Molina behind the plate, though, if it’s not 100+ games back there for him…
I am a big fan of Peter Abraham, however my one complaint against him is his complete lack of faith in Edwar Ramirez. Granted, does Edwar occasionally let up 4 ERs against the Angels without recording an out? Yes. He actually did that twice in 2008. But I am glad to see that Sam has the same faith in the 6’3″, 150 lb machine that I do.
Where do you think this mystery center fielder is coming from? And for whom?
The Yankees would have to part with key future pieces from the pitching vault to secure anyone worth getting, and no team is going to hand over a star center fielder to them – generally teams like to hang on to such players for themselves.
Nady or Swisher is not going to yield such a player.
If I’m the Yankees, I give the job to the worthier half of Cabrera/Gardner and let the lineup produce around the No. 9 spot.
Peace, Sam, glad to have you here!
Sam:
That was a lot of fun. I was always happy to hear you with John and Suzyn…and, by the way, just what is that all about? How does it work, and why?
Barry Lane
I agree with You Sam…the Yankees aren’t completely built but I like the Yankees pen without Joba, that is if Joba can get us 12-14 wins. Andy I still think will get us 12-14 wins but agree this is his last year. I think Edward Ramirez will have a great year. He has great stuff. But I do pray that Gardner will emerge as a pesky 260 hitter , who can get on base with some walks. If he can emerge this season, I think the Yankees will win it…too much speed and power, enough front line pitching and better defense with Tex at first. This should be a very good year for the yankee faithful!
Point no. 2 on CF:
If you must have an established player in CF because of all of the other money spent, the Yanks will never have a young position player. I think, because of the other money spent, and offensive ability through the lineup; they can afford to have a young, energetic player in CF. Good defense and speed is important on this team that doesn’t have a lot of it.
Further, what established CF would be possible that you would like to see? Cameron? Absolutely not! Now, if Matsui doesn’t bounce back, Cano is hitting .200, and Posada can’t play regularly; they may be forced to look for offense in center.
I think that if Gardner could get consistent contact on the ball. He could steal 40 bases that is invaluable to a team. Also I think the pen is fine Bruney was phenomenal last year when he could get on the field.
Last year E-Ram pitched in 55 games, and let up zero or less runs in 45 of them! I agree that he has more of a chance than anyone in the current non-Mo bullpen to be dominant. He is just prone to very, very bad games where he lets up 4 ER without recording an out against the Angels. Twice in one year. He seems to lose his composure sometimes, he’s “easily rattled” like Joe T says about the Big Unit. I think with more experience, and HOPEFULLY another pitch and 15 more lbs, he can be very good.
Sam
Just because you are a guest, don’t for even one minute believe we won’t aggravate you just as well as we do Pete, maybe worse as we are on a time thingy with you. lol
Peter King is an idiot. For example, he often
1) Uses bullet points
a) Like this
b) Isn’t that weird?
c) Brett Favre Brett Favre Brett Favre
Point no. 5 re: catcher:
I think Molina is in the top 5 defensive catchers in the game right now. His offense is poor, but that is the general rule with catchers. We have been spoiled by Posada the past 10 years or so. Getting a catcher that hits is very rare, I don’t see how the Yanks get one for the possibility that Posada can’t play regularly. The red sox couldn’t part with enough to get a legit catcher, and they were desperate to get somebody to keep from having Varitek back there.
Welcome Sam… hope you have as much fun here as you do on FaceOff, but then, these folks tend to be a little rabid on occassion. For instance when you talk about Joba – starter or bullpen? Or better manager – Torre or Girardi? Or what to do about Jeter – keep at SS or move him into the OF? Resign him in 2 years or let him go?
Good stuff.
Like your first post, gotta say you are opinionated — that’s a good thing.
“2. …You don’t spend all this cash on other players not to get an established CF at some point along the way. There’s a deal to be made somewhere and the Yankees will make it.” Although there is a deal to be made, your remark is almost identical to a hundred or so from this time last year and the deal was never made and they stuck with the Melky/Gardner combo. Cash gets cheap at center and with the bench. Don’t agree with him but that’s his history.
“4. I think Phil Hughes will win 12 games this year.” At least, in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Against all basic sense I think the starters will remain pretty healthy this year.
“5. I think the Yankees better find a decent catcher to fill in when Posada isn’t as healthy as they hope.” That would be Molina.
“6. I think they need to find a way to get Nick Swisher some at-bats.” The at bats are there at 1B, DH, and all three OF spots.
“7. I think the bullpen worries me a little….Without Joba, it’s just so hit-and-miss…. but it’s hard for me to have tons of faith in what the Yankees have right now.” This is the same group that led the league in holds last year.
Agree with you everywhere else in particular regarding Edwar. He is funky but effective and should continue to be so.
only one major problem with the post…
madden and michaels were horrendous last night!!
Point no. 8 re: Edwar:
I love Edwar and his K ability. It would be a huge boost for the team if he can be a solid 8th inning guy. But, I think he needs to develop one more pitch. His change is great, but many hitters are able to sit on it, or just wait for his mediocre fastball. If he was to develop a slider, maybe, it could create a little more indecision in the hitter’s thoughts, so they can’t sit on just the FB or the change.
“I think that if Gardner could get consistent contact on the ball. He could steal 40 bases that is invaluable to a team. Also I think the pen is fine Bruney was phenomenal last year when he could get on the field.”
Yep, hopefully Girardi understands this. Gardner is faster than Melky and speed KILLS. Not only does Gardner get himself into scoring position by easily stealing bases after a single, but he will most likely be batting 9th which means lots of fastballs to Damon and Jeter… lots of runs.
Unless Melky rakes in Spring Training, Gardner should be in CF.
Sam, you got any pull with Cash?
I have 1 week to convince you that the thing this team needs is Manny in the 5 spot to protect Arod.
I think that Nady is gone anyway and we need to get creative with a deferred salry offer to Boras and bring Manny to the bronx.
Our CF position will be ok defensively and our pitching is set.
The question marks now are at Catcher and Dh healthwise and do we have enough pop in our line up after Tex and Arod?
I don’t think we do and by getting Manny now we only give up a 4th rd pick and don’t have to chase Holiday later or next year.
“I think therfore I am”
(as long as not Sam)
Welcome Sam Borden
On the CF.Just because the team spent all this money doesn’t mean they have to have a big money player at every position.Sam who do you think you are some new found fan who thinks the team needs to have that. Where were you a few years ago when Melky was the everyday CF. If we are counting on our CF to carry us then we are in a lot more trouble than that.
IMO The CF with the way this t eam is structured has to be a defensive position and just servicable on the offensive side. We know both Melky and BG can play defense.
I do not have much faith in Edwar. But I do like this
“Jonathan Albaladejo, pitching for Mayaguez in the P.R. Winter League, had 14 saves and gave up one run in 22 innings (while striking out 18 and walking two).”
For anyone that knows – would the Japanese market we have with Matsui prevent us from picking up Manny this year and getting rid of Matsui? I think Matsui is gone next year anyways.
Aloha, Mr. Borden!
Thanks for filling in for Pete.
I respect your opinion because you’re in a better position to know these things, but I sincerely hope you’re wrong on a lot of your predictions!
Everything that could possibly go wrong last season did. And we still won 89 games.
I can live without Melky or Gardner in CF and putting Swisher in CF gets him a lot of at-bats. I know he doesn’t prefer the position, but does that mean he won’t try his best? Playing for the Yankees and playing for Guillen who likes to play mind games are two different stories. BTW, we have 6 OF. 6! Gardner probably starts out in AAA.
The bullpen is the part of the team with the least question marks. But let’s say Mo can’t go. Do you go with Bruney? Or do you bite the bullet and go with Joba as an emergency measure. I like option #2. Edwar? Really? He’s the first one cut if they bring in Albaladejo, Melancon, or Aceves.
I disagree. I think the Yankees bullpen will be solid as long as everyone stays healthy. Bruney, Coke, Marte, Ramirez, Veras, and of course Mo. Not many teams have the luxury of having 2 good lefty specialists. Girardi has shown that he knows how to effectively use and manage his bullpen. I think the bigger concerns for the Yanks will be the CF position and whether or not Posada can bounce back.
>I personally like Joe Buck…
I’m watching the The Invasion right now. I think Joe Buck is one of the infected.
In my book, Edwar is at least ahead of Veras. Veras is a hard-thrower who seemed to run out of gas by the end of the year. We have already have Bruney as our hard-throwing righty. At least Ramirez gives you a different look. I think cutting him would be a mistake, especially for an Aceves or Albaladejo.
Welcome aboard. Posada is older and he could get injured at anytime.
Pel,
The Invasion was terrible. Please tell me that you’ve seen the 1978 version with Donald Sutherland.
YankeeRay
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 am
Sam, you got any pull with Cash?
I have 1 week to convince you that the thing this team needs is Manny in the 5 spot to protect Arod.
I think that Nady is gone anyway and we need to get creative with a deferred salry offer to Boras and bring Manny to the bronx.
Our CF position will be ok defensively and our pitching is set.
The question marks now are at Catcher and Dh healthwise and do we have enough pop in our line up after Tex and Arod?
I don’t think we do and by getting Manny now we only give up a 4th rd pick and don’t have to chase Holiday later or next year.
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Hey YankeeRay, don’t know if you saw PA’s post about Cashman appearing at some L.I. theater tomorrow night for a Q&A with Randall. Put The Case for Manny Ramirez on paper and hand deliver it to him!
juan cruz? any chance? scouting report dont know much about him.
As Sam correctly notes, there are quite a few more question marks in the starting lineup and the bullpen than one would like to believe. I would indeed be surprised (actually shocked) if Posada (i) performs “adequately” (meaning a shoulder that permits him to exceed a 10% CS rate), (ii) is within sniffing distance of his career offensive numbers, and (iii) is not on the DL for a portion of the season.
As to Matsui, I likewise would be surprised if health and overall physical deterioration do not restrict his performance “dramatically” and render him of limited production. There goes your protection for A-Rod.
Cano, however, may be the third “big gun” if his apparent change in attitude, physical regime and dedication are what K-Long and others tell us. I look for big numbers from Robbie and timely hitting….and of course, staying awake on defense.
IMO, both Nady and Swisher are iffy, at best, particularly the latter. I look for Cabrera to do much better than is expected and probably will man centerfield.
As a lifelong Yankee fan, I would feel much better if the big “Man” still out there were welcomed back to where it all started. A big gap would be filled, and late October would be a reality not a disappointment.
Here’s my pen
Mo, Bruney, Marte, Acevas, Veras, Coke, Albaladejo, Sanchez.
if we need 3 catchers, delete one.
Welcome Sam. You have some big shoes to fill, but judging by the first post you’ll do fine! Now just keep in mind we require 5-10 posts a day to distract us from our jobs.
I’m fine with Molina behind the plate for 40 games. Plus it’s an upgrade defensively.
CALIBER 09
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am
I disagree. I think the Yankees bullpen will be solid as long as everyone stays healthy. Bruney, Coke, Marte, Ramirez, Veras, and of course Mo. Not many teams have the luxury of having 2 good lefty specialists. Girardi has shown that he knows how to effectively use and manage his bullpen. I think the bigger concerns for the Yanks will be the CF position and whether or not Posada can bounce back.
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The bullpen is a strength, I concur. We have a lot of depth and arms on the farm should anyone get hurt. We also have Mark Melancon ready to swoop in and make an impact. And we have yet another lefty waiting in the wings – Mike Dunn. I am at a loss as to why everyone is harping on the bullpen.
CF is not a problem area. We have two kids who can track the ball and make great defensive plays (Gardner’s arm is better than reported, and Melky has a canon). Those two kids, whoever gets the assignment, are the pitcher’s best friend. We don’t need outside help.
Posada is a concern, no doubt, for 2009. At least, long term, we know we have some nice depth at the catcher position in our system.
My biggest concern has to be posada. if he cant catch and we have 2 holes in the lineup at cf and c our lineup is substantially weaker. Another bat such as manny or dunn would help relieve some of that concern although i understand it is highly unlikely.
Hi Sam -
Like m above, I certainly hope you’re wrong on a few of those points! Right now, before any games are played, I prefer to indulge my optimitic side.
Is it just me or is our 3rd baseman looking a little skinny these days
http://www.brunopress.com/foto.....ek%20Jeter
Nice to see you here, Sam. Welcome, Disagree, though, about the bullpen and CF. In my opinion, the bullpen is our strength. If Bruney maintains his control, then he has closer potential. Watch Albaladejo exert major impact this season. Watch Melancon contribute, too. As for CF, the only way upgrading becomes worthwhile is if a young, athletic, four- or five-tooler can be acquired. And acquiring such a player would cost the team far more than it would (or should) be willing to discard. Much as I’d like to see, say, Matt Kemp take over in CF, I’d rather Cashman hold on to Hughes, Betances, Ajax, and Montero. Then again, maybe I’m completely mistaken!
if hughes is to win more than 12 games at the mlb level for the yankees,than livan hernandez is going to win more games than one the five starters because one of them is going to be injured and out for over 2/3 of the season.
livan will pitch. livan always pitches. i predict livan will win more games than hughes in 2009.
…and to really go out on a limb, i predict he will also win more games than one of the the five starters -sabathia, wang ,burnett, pettitte, or joba.
now of course , this appears a ridiculous position because livan doesn’t even have a team yet to play on and he’s not very good. my real point is that it’s highly unlikely that the yankees five starters are going to make it through the season without one of them missing a significant amount of time.
i know the back up plan is hughes, aceves,kennedy,etc, but is that really the smart way to go because of the likelihood that one of the big five will go down for a major part of the year?
if one of the big five going down is almost a certainty, that means hughes is already in the rotation for all intents and purposes. isn’t that the same old,same old rushing the kid without him getting proper triple a seasoning to condition his still young arm and body?
i think taking the proactive measure of signing a veteran 6th starter as low cost insurance would be the really smart thing to do- someone like paul byrd, a veteran who could pitch long relief if no one is injured. if the yankees starters run the table and don’t miss hardly any starts, the yankees would be in the playoffs making mega bucks and the 6th starter cost would be a minor insurance cost .
on the other hand, the downside of hughes pitching for an injured veteran starter for a significant amount of the year means hughes will be throwing his normal 3-5 innings and those missing innings he creates will have to be made up by the bullpen and by the other starters thus stressing out hughes because of the pressure to do well, stressing the bullpen to cover his innings, and stressing the other 4 starters to also try to go longer into games to cover those short starts of hughes.
i say remove the stress for everyone and sign a veteran starter with bargain prices out there for a sixth starter, and let hughes have a real triple a development season for the first time that everyone plans on from the beginning.
and then in 2010, hughes becomes the new stud in the # 5 spot when he’s seasoned and chomping at the bit for his first full season in the rotation.
^^^
Hi Doreen. Don’t think it’s mere optimism. The Yankees are very strong in rotation and bullpen. I can’t fathom how anyone can be “worried” about the bullpen, other than the fact that bullpens are flaky by nature because much depends on middle relief, which is always unpredictable. However, the Yankees have such a wealth of bullpen arms, that they are in better shape than most teams. It’s a strength!
Welcome Sam!
I like our bullpen if Mo is healthy. Lots of different looks in the group they can assemble. An unhealthy Mo starts the Joba debate raging and we could all live without that.
Considering the contract and the option situation, I would think CF is Melky’s job to lose in camp or the first month of the season. Melky is on the preliminary WBC roster. Would Yankee camp or international play be a better tune-up for the season?
randy,
There is no real-life “veteran starter” who would be willing to accept a contract with the Yankees just to wait around in the minors for an injury, and who would be significantly better than Hughes/Kennedy/Aceves.
By the way, Paul Byrd is taking the first half of the season off.
The bullpen can be even stronger this year, because they should have less exposure this year. IF CC, AJ, and Wang are healthy all year, I know-big ifs, the starters will pitch many more innings than last year. The best way to have a good bullpen is more starter innings, limiting the exposure of the 6th and 7th inning pitchers. That gives more options and flexibility for the 8th, as well as more rested pitchers in August and Sept.
gayle
A friend sent me a similiar picture last week and I thought Alex looked really trim. Then I realized he looks shorter than Derek in it so it may just be the angle of the picture. His face does look like he lost weight.
gayle-
The link is dead.
Randy, I hear what you’re saying; however, what veteran starter is going to caddy in AAA waiting for someone to get hurt?
boddhisattva -
I do agree the bullpen is a strength, both because of the depth at the position, the talent that is out there and the way Girardi showed he could manage it to its best advantage. I also agree any comfort in the state of the bullpen is a little flaky because, as you say, such is the way of middle relief.
No team going into the season is perfect. I like where the Yankees are now. I prefer to assume Jorge and Mo and Matsui will be healed and able to do their jobs (albeit not like mere 30-year-olds). I think their pitching will pull them through some games this year (actually, as it did last year). I think they may not have a 1,000 run offense this season, but I don’t think they’ll need it. I think the offense will be more consistent – not as many blowouts, but not as many shutdowns, either – less feast or famine.
I think Girardi will be slightly more comfortable in his own skin, but will never be a great communicator. If the Yankees are winning and consistent and get off to a good start, that may not even be a problem.
Less than 2 weeks now for pitchers and catchers. There is a light at the end of the winter tunnel!!!!!
I starting missing Pete as soon as soon as I saw point number 7. Pete and David Cone seem to be the only guys “inside” the sport that understand how this should work. No offense, Mr. Borden…Sam…but if you’re so concerned about the Yankee bullpen, why don’t they make CC Sabathia the lefty specialist? Joba, until he proves he can’t stay healthy (and I don’t think you’ll see that happen) belongs as a starter! If you have any awareness of the Yankees system in recent years, then you know there are plenty of arms that can be called up to contribute, just in case some of the key arms of last year’s pen falter this year. Mark Melancon should be ready to go, Humberto Sanchez, Phil Coke (if he can’t cut it as a starter)…Personally, I think the bullpen is not a concern. The only thing I would do to bolster it right now is to sign Juan Cruz, since it would cost the Yanks only a 4th rounder….But I think Marte will adjust and be better as a possible setup/backup closer. Bruney and Veras? I would expect at least one of them to be a key contributor. David Robertson showed potential…Giese and Aceves could qualify as decent long men. We saw Giese do it last year, and Aceves will probably wind up better in that role than a starter. Seems to me the bullpen can hold its own. Even if Rivera has to hit the DL, I would find other ways than using Joba in the pen, especially if he’s proving what he can do as a starter. I think those years of Farnsworth and all those fossils and weaklings we acquired as starters made people overexaggerate the importance of the setup man. Nolan Ryan isn’t even going to employ a bullpen! Now I wouldn’t go that far, but starters are clearly more important. You can find setup guys who can’t start. Even Farnsworth had some success in that role before he was dealt. Joba could dominate one day as a closer, I have little doubt about that, but that should only happen if he can’t stay healthy as a starter.
Also, if you think you’re going to see 12 wins from Hughes this year, it’s going to be in AAA. He might get some spot starts (though I think Kennedy and Aceves would be in line before Hughes this year for that), but he needs more time.
Pat
” Would Yankee camp or international play be a better tune-up for the season?”
As long as he plays, I say WBC. It’s real games that mean something, with very good competition. Anybody know where he stands on the depth chart for DR team?
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Hey YankeeRay, don’t know if you saw PA’s post about Cashman appearing at some L.I. theater tomorrow night for a Q&A with Randall. Put The Case for Manny Ramirez on paper and hand deliver it to him!
——
Hey Bod, I live in So Fla now or I would be there. I need a courrier to deliver the message.
I have a good friend who is very friendly with Girardi and if I can get at him I will lol. He works out in a local gym and goes to another buddies sons school basketball games.
When I ran into Al Leiter at local HS basketball game I asked him about geting Tex before it looked like we could and he said yes so insiders know.
Less than 2 weeks now for pitchers and catchers. There is a light at the end of the winter tunnel!!!!!
——–
Doreen, the shadow says 6 more weeks up there for you guys
tom try this one
http://www.brunopress.com/fotoweb/GridNormal.fwx
Giambi’s squad,
In my perfect bullpen, neither Veras nor Edwar are in the bullpen. But Coke, Melancon, and Aceves are.
Aceves can be a long reliever, although it seems we don’t really need one this year. Especially after Andy signed. So Aceves may be better served as a starter in AAA, first on the on-call list.
Mo, Bruney, Marte, Albaladejo, Coke, Melancon, (Veras? I feel like I’m forgetting someone)
This team is vastly improved from lst year and should win 100 games. If we can win 89 with only two consistently healthy pitchers last year and the terrible situational hitting we got, we can win 10 more with this team.
This new pitching staff effects every facet of the game. More innings from our now improved starting rotation = less runs the offense has to score and less pressure on them to score = less bullpen exposure and fresher arms coming into the 7-8-9 = all around healthier, more energetic team.
I think guys like Swisher/CC/Joba will add energy to the team and cause guys to perform better.
Hey Sam,
Nice introduction. Funny stuff so I’ll assume you were also joking about Edwar.
It will be tough to get the bullpen guys regular work. The first 3 starters are all capable of pulling a complete game.
You guys are forgetting about Robertson for the pen too. I actually think with the amount of arms they have, the pen will be a strength.
Also, the Doritos commercial would have been good if they did the globe throwing joke once. Having the dude throw the globe at the other guys crotch ruined it. This is why commercial writers don’t write comedies.
meaning they could go 7 or 8 innings easily.
Obligatory reply to Sam:
2. There is a reason we spent big bucks at 1B but not at CF: the CF market is terrible right now. Cameron was quite possibly the best available option, and the Yankees already backed away from him. Obviously things can change later in the season, but I see the Yankees’ worst-case scenario as making Swisher the CF, not sacrificing prospects to pick up someone else’s mediocre CF.
3. I think Pettitte is still a 200 IP, 100 ERA+ pitcher who likes to be paid millions of dollars. He will be back next year barring injury.
4. 12 wins would mean Hughes pitching in the rotation for most of the season. I don’t see it.
5. I simply have no ideas for how the Yankees could replace an injured Posada and get anything close to his production. I don’t think it’s feasible.
6. Swisher will get plenty of at bats spelling Damon and Matsui, and to a lesser extent Teixeira and Nady, and as a PH.
7. Why would the pen concern you after its fantastic performance last season? The team has the same core of relievers coming back (minus Farnsworth of course, who is no loss) and has lots of relief talent waiting in the minors. My biggest concern is Rivera gets hurt and we have to deal with countless debates over whether to put Joba back in the pen.
8. I’ve seen Edwar look dominant and I’ve seen him unable to buy an out. He’s got a long ways to go before he can match Shields’s durability or consistency.
And what’s with the 12 wins for Hughes? That’s AAA, right? Because if he’s in the Bronx, something went terribly wrong.
“I think guys like Swisher/CC/Joba will add energy to the team and cause guys to perform better.” My thoughts exactly, Joey. Gardner, too, adds this element. This is what’s been missing for a while. That’s why, for all his obvious greatness, Manny would be all wrong for this team.
I think you are mostly right on 2-8.
Nobody knows the health of Posada and Matsui until they’re both game tested in the later exhibition games of March.
If Brett Gardner spent needed time with extra bunting drills and were to be a gap hitter, he takes the CF question and makes it a non-question because of his speed.
The bullpen has ample arms to compete for jobs. It could be the toughest decision Girardi has to make when decision time comes for the final cuts before the start of the season.
If the Yankees have some patience with Gardner and let him get his at bats he’d probably steal 35 bases. It took Gardner some time at each level so maybe it’s just a matter of time. (added by Mobile using Mippin)
Welcome, Sam-alah!
Welcome Sam!
M, I think that Hughes will get any where from 10-20 starts. You have to figure that Joba’s innings limit will mean 20-23 starts from him and A.J. will miss some time- 3-5 starts- (it’s his track record. It also doesn’t mean he will not be good).
“And what’s with the 12 wins for Hughes? That’s AAA, right? Because if he’s in the Bronx, something went terribly wrong.”
Terribly wrong with the rotation, but unthinkably right with Hughes, who would have magically transformed into a 180-inning pitcher.
Vincent writes, “You guys are forgetting about Robertson for the pen too. I actually think with the amount of arms they have, the pen will be a strength.” I think that this is so obvious that I don’t quite understand the contrary argument.
Sam–This is where the substitute teacher gets called on: Why do you believe as you do? What are your thoughts regarding Bruney, Marte, Albie, Veras, Coke, Melancon, and maybe even Humberto Sanchez? What leads you to conclude that these guys, collectively, are hit and miss? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
I hear what you’re saying; however, what veteran starter is going to caddy in AAA waiting for someone to get hurt?
the sixth starter doesn’t have to be at triple a. the 6th starter could be in the bullpen at the mlb level as the long reliever. burnett alone last year was bombed early in many of his starts last year. a good long reliever is a good thing to have.
also joba even if 100% healthy would benefit from having some of his starts picked up from time to time.
but like i said, it’s almost a certainty that the yankee 6th starter will get 15-20 starts this year. a 6th starter probably won’t be sitting on the shelf for long.
i realize my suggestion of getting a 6th starter isn’t going to happen. cashman is going with hughes as the 6th starter. i’m saying it’s a mistake for the reasons i gave before.
“Why would the pen concern you after its fantastic performance last season? The team has the same core of relievers coming back (minus Farnsworth of course, who is no loss) and has lots of relief talent waiting in the minors.”
Because middle relief is the probably the most inconsistent aspect of any baseball team from year to year. Guy like Marte, who’s been pretty consistent throughout his career, is more the exception than the rule. But no other memeber of the middle relief corps has a history you can really hang your hat on.
that is : “I hear what you’re saying; however, what veteran starter is going to caddy in AAA waiting for someone to get hurt?”- tom
I don’t think we get Manny for the simple reason that if Posada is not OK, he will be converted to DH with Matsui gone next season.
The Pen is not an issue. CF is not an issue. People keep saying, get younger, get younger, then advocating a trade for Mike Cameron. That is NOT getting younger. You dont need 9 all stars. It hasnt worked for us in 9 years.
Randy whats your take on Acevas? I see him long relief, spot starter before Hughes. I dont think you want Hughes sitting on the bench.
So, maybe a Ramiro Mendoza type of player? Some one who can pitch out of the ‘pen and start in a pinch if necessary?
Even if the middle relief guys fail, we’re calling on guys like Melancon, Albaladejo, Robertson, and hopefully Sanchez & Brackman. Who’s missing from the list? I know, it’s sad. But he lost his bus pass.
randy,
Ok, you want a veteran starter who will accept a contract with the Yankees to be a long reliever who will fill in as a starter if necessary, and who is better than Hughes/Kennedy/Aceves.
I still think there is no such person. If a starter is good enough to start, he won’t sign with the Yankees to relieve. If he’s not good enough to start, signing him as a 6th starter is pointless.
That’s why when the Yankees need to try to find such a player, they use a journeyman like Giese from their own organization.
I also think that if we need a 6th starter, the team will go with the hot hand, whether it’s Hughes or someone else.
tarheelyank-
i like the idea of aceves being there ahead of hughes. the problem for me is that i really like hughes’ potential as a very good pitcher. i want to see him get at least half a year at the triple a level and know that’s where he’s going to be right from the start so he gets his mind focused on development.
12 wins from Hughes is not out of the question. Last year, the Yankees used I think 13 starters. The top 5 in terms of games started gave them something like 117 starts, so they needed something like 45 starts from starters 6-13. That was bad, but not the worst among AL teams. A couple of teams needed over 50 starts from starters 6+. The no. 1 and no. 2 teams in terms in this category needed 9 and 13 starts respectively from their 6th most prolific starters and beyond. The average appears to be in the low 30s.
Bottom line: for a typical team, their pool of reserve starters are going to be asked to fill the equivalent of one rotation spot in terms of games started. If they are very lucky, it won’t be a full rotation spot but maybe a half of one instead. Or they could get unlucky and need starters 6-15(?) start over 50 games.
This means Hughes could easily get 25 starts and win 12 games without anything going disasterously wrong for the Yankees. Of course, it would require Hughes’ staying healthy and the other starters not getting DL’d at the same time other starters are on the DL. But it could happen.
I think what Hughes needs is someone in the dugout to put his head on their shoulder. Maybe a tissue liaison. Someone to rock him back and forth when he feels cold. Someone to pat him on the head when he throws a no-hitter but someone to discipline him and throw him in the cage if he decides to go all Buchholz-wild.
Great post Sam. Here are some comments I had:
2. I agree, but it depends on how Gardner plays. I really feel like Melky is done. His defense (other than his arm) is overrated and his offense has never really been there. That said I don’t think a deal is coming anytime soon. What I do think we’ll see a lot more of if Gardner struggles is a Damon, Nady, Swisher OF. Damon still has the range to be about an average CF. Swisher is a great RF (and good LF) and Nady is about average in LF or RF. Last year Girardi did use an OF with Damon in CF, Abreu in RF, and Nady in LF at least a few times I certainly don’t think he’ll shy away from doing that with Swisher who is MUCH better than Abreu defensively. At the very least expect to see that OF when Wang is pitching and perhaps when Molina is catching to avoid having both Molina and Gardner at the bottom of the lineup. Although if Gardner can hang in CF that really improves our defense as that would give us plus defenders in all 3 OFs spots (Damon in LF, Gardner in CF, and Swisher in RF). The only guys I could see us trading for would be Cameron (not a big upgrade) or Dejesus (will cost a decent amount).
3. Pettitte won’t have a year even resembling what Moose did last year, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a typical Pettitte year (200 IP with an ERA not too far north of 4). He pitched well in the first half last year and was pitching hurt for a good portion of the second half when he struggled. Although I could also see age catching up to him with some injury problems this year. He has no distrations (Mitchell Report/Clemens hearings) this time around so hopefully he comes into camp in great shape as usual.
4. Only if there is a big injury, which is actually a strong possibility so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it. Although Hughes has to stay healthy himself. But with a lot of the pressure taken off him he could really succeed this year.
5. Unless you develop someone through your system its not easy to have a very good backup C because the good ones usually get a starting gig. Simply put if Posada can’t catch we’re going to have sacrifice offense at that position. With that in mind we might as well go with Molina who can give us great defense. Hopefully Posada can play a good chunk of the season there, but I wouldn’t trade for anyone midseason either that didn’t work out too well with Pudge.
6. I would think Swisher is the starting RF over Nady. There will certainly at least be a competition, but Swisher is better defensively and assuming he has a rebound year as everyone expects is also better offensively.
7. When it comes to the bullpen a lot of times you can build a good one with a quantity of unproven/questionnable arms especially if you have a dominant closer to provide stability to the back-end. In addition to Mo we have a lot of guys that have back of the bullpen ability with Marte, Edwar, Veras, Melancon, Coke, Robertson, Sanchez, and Bruney. You gotta assume at least a couple of those guys will step up like Veras and Edwar did last year.
8. I agree, I like Edwar, but I do worry if he has the ability to handle big time pressure situations. We’ve seen him fold up and choke at least a few times already. If he wants to be a Shields type of reliever he’ll need to have icewater running through his veins.
>The Invasion was terrible.
The movie had just started when I sat down to eat breakfast and watch TV. When I finished eating I told myself “you’ve made it this far” and forced myself to finish the movie. Nicole Kidman was cute, though. And for a while she was wearing a tight gray top while frantically running around the city, so that was… clearly, at some point I abandoned watching this for the story. So, Nicole Kidman: cute. That’s all I got out of it. Oh, and Daniel Craig’s hair was atrocious. So, The Invasion: Nicole Kidman was cute; Daniel Craig had funny hair.
>Please tell me that you’ve seen the 1978 version with Donald Sutherland.
Yup. The Invasion is just another poor remake.
I dont see Edwar even being on the team. I see Veras and Edwar being trade bait for another need.
The Yanks have enough hitters in the lineup. Center field needs to be filled with someone that is strong defensively. With all the possitives iv heard this offseason on Melky and the money they just gave him. Even if he bats .250, he will be an asset to the team on the defensive side. Just think of him as the Broscious of the team(not the .300 one).
I see Hughes winning 8 games in the bigs.
Nice to see Pete get a break. He spent all winter hustling to get that Sabathia story up, about 8 hours after every other website, blog and African village had spent the day talking about it.
And don’t forget when he busted his butt to watch the Teixeria press conference Live and In Person….. from his sisters couch.
He worked incredibly hard all offseason assuring us it was impossible to sign CC, AJ and Tex. It must have been very tiring butter his foot before he put it in his mouth. And knowing him, he probably ate it. After such an arduous task, he probably went into hibernation for a week!
It must have taken hours to select only the best guest blogs. Remember that one where the guy said that the Yankees chose Damon over Beltran in 2005? How did Pete find such great journalism!!
People think it’s very easy to be mad a Cashman all year. It takes a lot of effort to tear him down every chance you get!! Pete deserves a break! Cashman won’t give Pete quotes, not because he probably doesn’t like Pete, but because Pete is so tired from all the work he does!!
Rest up lil’ Pete! You’ve earned it!!
Yankees need to make & a move on a CF,and a in shape A Jones & a two year contract could be a steal, the guy had one bad year.
“Yankees need to make & a move on a CF,and a in shape A Jones & a two year contract could be a steal, the guy had one bad year.”
I agree w/the cant have an all-star at every position argument. But also agree with this one. Go for it if you can get him on the cheap.
Donald Sutherland starred in a good alien movie in the 90′s called Puppet Masters. IMO better movie than Invasion.
jeremy-
ypu are thinking like cashman. how’d that work last year when you both thought it was a good idea to put hughes, kennedy, and joba in the rotation ?
understand something. one of the 5 starters is already injured and out for much of the year. we just don’t know who he is yet.
you will get your way. cashman will do what you say this year. hopefully ,the yankees will be able to overcome this high risk gamble better than the high risk gamble they made last year with hughes, kennedy , and joba.
the gamble this year is a lower risk than last year , but it’s still a high risk that’s hoping for the best rather than lowering the risk right from the start.
cashman is #1 hoping none of the starters will get injured for a significant amount of time.
#2 ,he’s assuming hughes, aceves, or kennedy, etc will fill that spot.
what about last year makes either of those two hopes a good bet?
my view may seem overly pessimistic, but i think it’s just realistic. injuries to starting rotations is a given except in very rare occasions(tampa last year).
could your scenario work out well? yes it could, but i’d say it’s two in ten chance that it would. i think my scenario of getting a veteran 6th starter would have a five in ten chance of working out well.
we’re really debating probabilities here. remember my plan has your plan as a back up,so mine by definition has a higher chance of success.
Randy
Don’t you think Aceves or Giese could fill the roll of 6th starter?
joeman,
Saying Andruw Jones had one bad year is like saying the Arizona Cardinals had a disappointing fourth quarter. He was the worst player in baseball.
I wouldn’t let him anywhere near the team.
I’m excited to watch Edwar as well, but I disagree with the rest of your analysis on the pen. Until Mariano has a bad season, it’ll be tough for me to expect anything else but greatness from him. I think Brian Bruney will ultimately prove to be the dominant set-up man, and I feel Phil Coke and Jose Veras will both have a terrific seasons.
Sam,
Welcome aboard and very entertaining first post. I like many others would have to disagree on Ramirez. He can be good if used properly, but he is far from the most effective reliever in the Yankees pen. Bruney was very good last year and Marte, I believe will be very effective this year as well. Also, Melancon and some of the other young guys should get a chance to contribute. In addition, Girardi proved last year that he is much better at managing the bullpen than Torre ever was. The bullpen will be just fine and for the most part was just fine last year. I am really tired of the Joba debate. He is a starter and a very effective one and that is his role, both this year and beyond. Take care and I look forward to the rest of the week to see what you have to discuss.
First off…People need to start understanding that coke is going to workout as a starter meaning they want to atleast try him in triple A as a starter because they obviously know hes not going to make the staff out of camp. The bullpen overhaul is incredible.
Girardi is an excellent manager of the pen. The beauty of it is that since we no longer have all of our pen taken up with guarenteed spots it is finally a legitimate competition for almost all involved. that means kids like melancon and robertson sanchez and other longshots are gonna be working there asses off in order to compete for a spot.
Since spots are no longer all guarenteed if someone is cutting it there will be someone in the minors ready to step in and succeed. We can effectively go with the hot hand all season long with this newfound organizational pitching depth!!
Doreen
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:32 am
boddhisattva –
…….
I think Girardi will be slightly more comfortable in his own skin, but will never be a great communicator. If the Yankees are winning and consistent and get off to a good start, that may not even be a problem.
Less than 2 weeks now for pitchers and catchers. There is a light at the end of the winter tunnel!!!!!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I’m counting the days and smelling hints of baseball season in the air.
It’s weird to me that Girardi wouldn’t be a good communicator. He’s very engaging, verbal, bright, and there are even sort of nurturing tones to his voice when he speaks (his Kids on Deck hosting was not only funny, but he seemed to have a natural affinity for the camera and really connected with people).
He may come off as a little didactic to some, but that’s ok when you’re dealing with players who look to you for guidance, especially younger ones like some of the BP arms, Joba, Cano, Melky and Gardner.
“The no. 1 and no. 2 teams in terms in this category needed 9 and 13 starts respectively from their 6th most prolific starters and beyond. The average appears to be in the low 30s.”
BD-
my point exactly. why not get a decent 6th guy to fill those 30 starts when the pool of available starters is larger.
hughes, aceves, kennedy is still there as the “7th starter” who as you point out will likely be necessary too.
Intersting post Sam. I think PH is a good pitcher but unless something goes very wrong with the NYY currently planned rotation I don’t see PH getting enough ML starts to win 12 games. Moose once said as a rule of thumb a pitcher will win about one half of his starts, more in a good year and less in a bad year, but usually half his starts. Going by that rule PH would need about 24 starts. I figure he’ll get 10-12 and win 5-6 games. I think 2010 will be his year.
Good point burnett. Its refreshing to have a manager that doesnt have favorites(sturtz)and ignores the talented young talent. Im good watching the hot hand get the ball.
Hmmm how did you get the A$$ word through the filter?
“Moose once said as a rule of thumb a pitcher will win about one half of his starts”
Moose should know.
537 career starts. 270 wins.
Randy
I think you are being overly pessimistic. The Yankees have one of the best 1-5 rotations as it stands right now. Yes someone will miss time. Most teams have that happen. Most team use their farms to fill the spot. Having an extra starter is a luxury most teams don’t go into the season with. If they do it is apt to be like Garcia with the Mets or Penny & Smoltz with Boston.
I think Swisher will end up our starting CF.
randy,
I would love to have a 6th starter available who would be better than Hughes/Kennedy/Aceves.
My questions to you are still: who is that person, and why would he sign with the Yankees to pitch in long relief until an injury happens if he’s good enough to start?
Unless there’s a trade or two of the bullpenners, you’re not likely to see Melancon in NYY before the All-Star break. It’s doubtful that Sanchez will be up before August or September – control issues, and almost no chance that Brackman is in NY at all, this year. You’re also forgetting that Dan Geise is in the long man/spot starter mix as well.
Randy is there somebody out there that you want? Give an example. Are you talking about Sheets or Perez or a Ponson?
“I think Swisher will end up our starting CF.”
I’d guess they’d use Damon there before Swisher. Melky and Gardner would have to be absolutely abysmal offensively for the Yankees to move Damon or Swisher to center IMO.
Russell NY
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I don’t think we get Manny for the simple reason that if Posada is not OK, he will be converted to DH with Matsui gone next season.
——
If that happens then Manny is fallback in OF when Damon leaves. For this year Manny could still play OF spot if that happens and rotate Damon at DH with Posada and Manny. We need Manny this year and beyond.
If Posada can’t catch then that was a bad re sign. he is not the DH we need.
“Don’t you think Aceves or Giese could fill the roll of 6th starter?”
maine yankee-
not as well as a veteran starter who’s been through the wars like a paul byrd.
from yesterday:
” I think you can add alot here even if it is just your opinion without throwing barbs at the ones you don’t agree with.”
seeing how i usually am taking a minority position, barbs are a way of getting the attention of those who are the majority. especially with the one who the barb is sent to. i think if you notice i don’t go after anyone who can’t take care of themselves.
for example, nick in sf. i don’t think i’m going to hurt his feelings. he’s a pretty smart guy. gb7 ? hah, that’d be a good one. matter of fact he likes a good barb to be sent his way so he can launch thermonuclear missiles in return.
sj44? we’re disagreeing right now on torre. he’s basically asked me if i’m serious because he thinks my position is ridiculous. is that going to bother me ? no, but i still pay attention to it out of respect for his baseball IQ. cb? we’ve sparred at times., but he has so much statistical knowledge that he’s not going to get that many barbs from me.
… plus this is baseball, barbs are as american as apple pie.
thanks s.o.s
my favorite thing about girardi last year was that he didnt assign guys sets roles. Much like communism if you assign everyone roles then no one works extra hard. no extra incentive. but girardi runs the team like a Free market where the harder you work and the better you do the more you are given. No one gets complacent and everyone works there asses off. haha and i got that through due to the es on the end im pretty sure
“not as well as a veteran starter who’s been through the wars like a paul byrd.”
Again, Byrd is sitting out the first half of the season.
randy
Just to let you know that I don’t always disagree with you, I liked your take on the difference between Bernie and Melky. I think Melky’s ability to learn the game is well behind where Bernie got to. One example is the trouble they have had getting Melky to stop sliding into first. What I remember of Bernie you didn’t see immature things like that from him.
randy
Just tell us you are hired by Pete to generate more posts here. lol
You do a good job of that.
tarheel yanks-
ponson isn’t good enough, and sheets and perez are too young and too good.
i’d like an old veteran like byrd,
here’s possible pool of players:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....;minip=120
obviously only a few on this list are available and cheap or available in a trade.when the era on the list gets above 5.00 that’s the likely pool.
Got it B.a.r.. All i have to do is make the cuss word plural and it goes through. Now i just need to make sure im pissed at more than one person. Or just be myself and make sentences that wouldnt make much sense just to make a point.
Thanks for the tip.
“ponson isn’t good enough, and sheets and perez are too young and too good. . . . obviously only a few on this list are available and cheap or available in a trade.when the era on the list gets above 5.00 that’s the likely pool.”
Ponson had a 5.04 ERA last season. Sounds like a perfect choice after all.
Randy, I’m sorry to needle you about this, but you wrote a long comment about how I share Cashman’s fundamentally misguided philosophy and how your master plan has a better chance of success than mine. You also write copiously about your baseball IQ. So please humor me with the name of one veteran starter who is actually available to pitch (unlike Byrd), would be willing to pitch out of our pen for an indefinite period of time, and would be better than our current 6th starter options.
“Or just be myself and make sentences that wouldnt make much sense just to make a point.”
Thats a perfect example. 3 makes in one sentence.
Haha yeah anytime …like the next time more than one person suggest adding a prime talent such as paul byrd to our already very nice baseball team. If only one more person besides randy would suggest that we could make ass plural.
I dont get it…yeah maybe you dont want hughes penciled in as your 5th starter. But if hes ready when the time calls for him they will bring him up. If hes struggleing at trip A then you go with the hot hand in the minors. its not a difficult concept the only way players develop into big league stars is given big league experiences. Who ever is ready will fill in but there is plenty of depth to not ever have the likes of a paul byrd blocking the path of a pontential stud.
Just a side note on Melky, he’s out of options.
joba is a starter
joba is a starter
joba is a starter
joba is a starter
joba is a starter
can he be a plan B, if Mo goes down? sure…
but you don’t start spring training stretching your arm to be a reliever. you fall back on that if it doesn’t work as a starter. when joba wins 15 games this year, no one will be asking to put him back in the pen.
get over it? yes, i think so.
Byrd? I thought we were done trying to catch lightning in a bottle. We have enough depth in the minors to fill in when needed. A name that hasnt been mentioned this year and practically forgotten that i expect to have a comeback year is Horne.
“You also write copiously about your baseball IQ. So please humor me with the name of one veteran starter who is actually available to pitch (unlike Byrd), would be willing to pitch out of our pen for an indefinite period of time, and would be better than our current 6th starter options.”
jeremy-
first let me google “copious”.
co·pi·ous (kp-s)
adj.
1. Yielding or containing plenty; affording ample supply: a copious harvest. See Synonyms at plentiful.
2. Large in quantity; abundant: copious rainfall.
3. Abounding in matter, thoughts, or words; wordy: “I found our speech copious without order, and energetic without rules” Samuel Johnson.
————————————-
now that that’s done, i’ll proceed ( very few people with baseball experience know the word “copious” . matter of fact it’s often a tell that baseball IQ is low.)
hendrickson would have been fine as a swingman and was available.
it is cashman’s fault that there is so little available because he waited so long, so your argument that little is available now actually backs up my view that he played his cards wrong.
Tom B
And if Joba gets spanked, everyone will want him to be a reliever.
Byrd doesnt even qualify as lightning haha at best hes like catching a firefly in a bottle. Great point about Horne though he was trenton player of the year 2 years ago…great stuff so hopefully hell be back on top of his game.
randy
When was Hendrickson fine as any kind of a pitcher. If there aren’t better options on the roster now than him the Yankees pitching depth has been grossly overrated.
Yeah cashman played his cards wrong…lets see
1) Sabathia
2) A.J. Burnett
3) By waiting so long absolutely stole pettite and got texiera for less than a few others were offering
4) Robbed Nick swisher for the likes of wilson cantgetahit betamit
Every single target they have aquired in order to provide depth and leadership around the young core of players who desperately need it. but the overall goal is to lead the young players on the team to be leaders themselves and to give them the chance to thrive in N.Y. eventually leading to a homegrown team. This is the blueprint for a team that needs to stay in contention every year while also bring along a young team.
“Just tell us you are hired by Pete to generate more posts here. lol
You do a good job of that.”
maine yankee-
you know, it has crossed my mind that i should ask pete for a stipend per click when i tick people off, however since i annoy him even more than i annoy you and some others, i think that would be a sure way for permanent ISP banishment.
it is comical how i can get twenty or more hits on my little info blog from people clicking on my username if i say something outrageous on lohud.
it makes you realize how talk radio works.
boddhisattva -
Sorry I haven’t responded to your post until now, but I was out. (I know, how dare I take time away from the Lohud Blog???)
I should have been more specific when I said I didn’t think Girardi would be a great communicator. I was referring to his dealings with the media, and what I mean is he is very careful in what he says. I think because he such a personable and forthright guy he has difficulty mastering the art of saying nothing. It’s not easy to sort of answer a question, or avoid answering altogether, while leaving the questioner feeling like he got what he wanted.
I do think Girardi will do better with the players in the clubhouse – and I only say this based on the couple of publicized problems that arose last year vis-a-vis playing time (well, specifically, sitting Johnny Damon and not telling him about it).
—————
YankeeRay
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
Less than 2 weeks now for pitchers and catchers. There is a light at the end of the winter tunnel!!!!!
————
Doreen, the shadow says 6 more weeks up there for you guys
——————
Yankee Ray -
“The Shadow Knows.”
(And no, I’m not old enough to have actually listened to that program!)
randy,
Thanks for providing an example player and the joke about my word choice. Pretend I wrote “a lot” instead.
I have two problems with Mark Hendrickson:
1. Baltimore already signed him to join their terrible rotation.
2. He is awful at pitching. 5.21 and 5.45 ERAs in the last two years.
Mildly ridiculous to call out Cashman for “waiting so long” on acquiring pitching when he nailed down the CC and AJ contracts, giving us the top two FA starters on the market, before any team could even start a bidding war.
Maybe you’d be onto something if Cashman walked away from Pettitte, but instead he signed Pettitte for a bargain price to anchor the back-end of the rotation. What pitcher who fits your criteria did we miss out on, exactly?
I’m sure Cashman could acquire SOMEONE who would pitch out of the pen and could also start. My point is that this mystery person would be a terrible pitcher. My limited baseball IQ tells me that good pitchers play for teams where they can start.
Once you get to the point where your mystery pitcher is likely to give you Ponson-like performances, why not just go with a promising minor leaguer instead? Why is a 5.50 ERA from Aceves worse than a 5.50 ERA from some other team’s journeyman who we’d have to sign or trade for?
Jeremy great points
I would rather take a suspect ERA from one of our own atleast giving him a chance to grow and mature then a journey man who is not going to ever get any better. I would love to see what aceves can do again in spot starts if hughes isnt ready.
Burnett, thanks. A funny thing about this discussion is the Yankees already have an over-30 pitcher who can handle the swingman/spot-starter role if necessary: Dan Giese.
I am also interested in seeing what Aceves can do in a sub role.
exactly and danny giese pitched great in every role. And for CF i love gardner but no one is even taking into account the possibility that ajax emerges as a candidate early in the year. Stranger things have happened especially for those who are considered top prospects. Guy has a great attitude and work ethic and anything is possible when you add that to incredible natural skills.
I think they like what Giese gave them as well. Seemed like he fit in well and filled any roll they needed. He was very serviceable when he was brought in long relief.
I think Jackson just turned 22 so I think maturity could play a role . I think he would have to really blow them away to start the year in the majors.
“Thanks for providing an example player and the joke about my word choice. Pretend I wrote “a lot” instead.”
jeremy-
“a lot’ is way better and when contacting baseball people write it as “alot”. that works much better. “alotta” can be said as in we need “alotta” starters” , but not written. just trying to help you here.
the argument you are making has been used extensively that younger cheaper pitchers can easily have the 5.5 era that a journeyman veteran can have. the reality is the journeyman pitcher does it more consistently.
that’s right ,they’re more reliable and consistent about being bad. using my favorite bad pitcher of choice, livan hernandez anchored the twins pitching staff with his consistent bad pitching that had him leading baseball in innings at times as late as the all star break.
what he did was allow gardenhire to know that his spot was covered. he didn’t stress the bullpen. he gave the other starters a break from having to throw his innings.
another thing he did was allow liriano to stay in the minors long enough to get ready in a safe way. hernandez won 13 games last year and could not have worked out better for the twins.
if i was going to go with young guys taking their lumps and often lasting only 2-3 innings, and messing with their development because wins are needed at the mlb level for the yankees, i’d rather go with pitchers with less upside than hughes.
i would ideally like for hughes to throw 6 innings(100 pitches) every start in 2009 whether he’s getting hammered or not. he can do that at the minor league level. he can’t at the major league level because the yankees have to try to win the game. they don’t need to win at the minor league level.
so if the yankees are going to go by your plan ,which they are, ‘d rather hughes be left out of that plan with the caveat that he could come up after the all star break if needed.
i think one thing we agree on is that hughes is too valuable to slow down his development.
Yeah, AJax turned 22 yesterday and has played just one season in AA. 2010 is likely the first year we could feasibly see him in action in the majors.
Melky, unlike Gardner, has demonstrated the ability to hit on the major league level, 2008 notwithstanding. I think the job will again be Melky’s to lose, especially since Melky is out of options.
I think Gardners September much like the september of Jacoby ellsbury 2 years ago showed much more what he was capable of.
I don’t think that Ajax will start the year in the majors but I also think he is not so far behind…
Granted I am a firm believer that Gardner is capable of hitting 280 at the major league level and getting on base at at least 350 clip. if he even bats 260 and slaps the ball around he will be productive and steal atleast 40 bases. I think speed is vastly underrated and as mentioned before speed at the bottom leads to fastballs at the top.
randy,
I think one of the reasons the Twins did not make the playoffs last season is that they had Livan “anchoring” their staff. (An anchor is probably not the best metaphor to use with Livan since he could probably keep the Bismarck from moving.) Yes his W-L totals were respectable, but his team could have won more games if he actually pitched well. And he was just filler, as shown by the Twins letting him go to the Rockies on waivers during the stretch run.
We are actually in agreement on two things: it’s bad to rush Hughes, and it’s great to have lots of pitching depth. Where we disagree is that you believe it’s possible to acquire decent veteran starters who will be ok spending an indefinite time as long relievers until a starter gets injured, and I don’t think that scenario is feasible.
I don’t think a journeyman who consistently gives you a 5.50 ERA is much help. There is nothing good about being consistently bad.
Trust me, if there were a pitcher available who was actually good and who would take a cheap contract as a swingman/spot starter, I’d say go ahead and sign him. As it stands, we have a very strong rotation and a range of options for spot starts (and I disagree that Hughes is our de facto 6th starter). IMO that’s the best any team can do. Even the Yankees!
BTW I know you’re a big Livan fan and so am I. I went to Expos games back when there was baseball in Montreal. I loved it when the Expos robbed the Giants in a trade for Livan, who gave them back-to-back terrific seasons.
randy
I think if you look around the major leagues you won’t see many teams looking for a warm body like Livan to take up space on their roster. That’s what they have pitchers in the minors for. Guys like Small and Giese can do as good a job filling the gap till the ones like Hughs are ready. Most teams have guys like that in the minors to fill roles like that.
1. I think you guys are going to be missing Pete pretty badly by about 12:30 this afternoon, if not sooner. Sorry. He’s the best, there’s no doubt.
Aaaah Sam…. you’re better then Sam-I-Am, yes? If so, we can handle it.
2. I think there is no way Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera will start the most games in center field for the Yankees this season. You don’t spend all this cash on other players not to get an established CF at some point along the way. There’s a deal to be made somewhere and the Yankees will make it.
If the Yanks have a $200m payroll, that’s an average of $8/m per player. So to pay ARod $32m, they need 4 free (kids, I mean) players. Jeter costs us 2.5 free/kid players. Tex and CC add up to 4.5. And so on. The Yankees MUST have some cheap help. By definition, when you “spend all this cash on other players”, you must have a bunch of cheap players too. Not saying we won’t have a different CFer by the end of the year, but it certainly explains the BP. But the idea that if you spend a fortune on 8 players, you then have to spend another forture to fix the few remaining weak spots, is wrong.
3. I think this will be the last year of Andy Pettitte’s career and, unfortunately for the Yankees, I don’t think it will look much like the last year of Mike Mussina’s career.
Agreed.
4. I think Phil Hughes will win 12 games this year.
We can only hope so, but not because he starts 28 games.
5. I think the Yankees better find a decent catcher to fill in when Posada isn’t as healthy as they hope.
You can’t find a BUC to come near Posada’s production. To get a C that approximates Posada, will be a major, expensive aquisition. Let’s hope we don’t need to.
6. I think they need to find a way to get Nick Swisher some at-bats.
They will. Swish will outproduce Nady and be on the team in 2010.
7. I think the bullpen worries me a little. Ok, a lot. Rivera is coming off surgery but you give him a pass. The setup guys? Without Joba, it’s just so hit-and-miss. The Rays proved last year that non-closer relievers can rise up out of nowhere, but it’s hard for me to have tons of faith in what the Yankees have right now. (Though I do like Edwar Ramirez – see below)
I’m not worried, but I don’t think the BP is great like many do. However, we do have lots of young talent to go through before we need to worry.
8. I think Edwar Ramirez could be the Yankees’ version of Scot Shields from a few years ago.
Do a lot of LSD when you were younger Sam?
9. I think these are my quick Super Bowl thoughts:
a. Last year’s fourth quarter was better – though not by much.
b. LOVED the Doritos commercial where the guy threw the “crystal ball” through the vending machine glass.
c. Michaels and Madden did a very good job.
d. For those that read my Daily News blog, you’ll be pleased to know that “The Girlfriend” became “The Wife” and that she makes an unbelievable chili on Super Bowl Sunday.
What’s a ‘superbowl’?
10. I think the rest of my posts probably won’t be nearly this long. Sorry again.
You’re not gonna apologize in every post, are you?
” I don’t think a journeyman who consistently gives you a 5.50 ERA is much help. There is nothing good about being consistently bad.”
the problem is that the inconsistent bad pitcher( hughes last year) can have an even worse “bad” like an 8.00 era.
livan won’t go to an 8.00 era. he’s very consistently 5.5 like clockwork. there is a high value to it if used correctly. the twins played the livan card expertly. their manager and gm raved about what he did for the team and for the young starters who by the way are very good.
the twins bring up starters very differently than the yankees do. they are on average 24-25 where the yankees have been going 22-23. there’s atwo year gap there. i think the twins do it the right way. their young staff actually may be better than the yankee veteran staff this year when all is said and done.
on another nore, if you and i were on the same management staff making a decision about the 6th starter, maybe our compromise would be aceves, giese, kennedy, maybe an emergency signing( ponson-like) , but because we agree that hughes is so valuable, we would agree to give hughes the luxury of a minor league development until the all-star break.
not to be harsh,but i don’t care so much about taking the chance on ruining aceves, kennedy, giese, etc by jerking them around. hughes is too good for that.
“I think if you look around the major leagues you won’t see many teams looking for a warm body like Livan to take up space on their roster”
maine yankee-
i’ll bet a large gifford’s grape nut ice cream cone he’ll pitching somewhere in the majors this year.
randy
Your not still on the farm in Me. You need to take the blinders off the horse.
Hughs isn’t the only option for the sixth spot. Aceves and Giese aren’t young pitchers that you need to treat like Hughs. They both have pitched in the majors and done a respectable job. I believe Liriano did have arm troubles. Not sure but I believe he came up at a young age.
randy
At least you know good ice cream. lol
randy
Livan will fit good with the RS bargain basement shopping.
he will be pitching for other teams because other teams do not go into the season trying to find close to an elite player at every position. Other teams accept that with there payrolls they are gonna have positions that are below average and they have to make due around these players.
Sometimes they hope that a certain player over performs but they know that not all of there pitchers are expected to win 15 games and some are just there to eat innings. This is not the yankees however. We build a team trying to field a great player at every position and build a pitching staff with 4 potential 20 game winners and 5 potential 15 game winners. If absolute worst comes to worst there will always be Sir sidneys out there when the time calls but to go into the season thinking we will need him or livan is much more pessimistic then realistic.
maine yankee-
so that’s an acceptance of the gifford’s ice cream bet? lol
randy
Thats a bet that is easy to lose for me. To many desperate teams out there.
O. Perez is no longer available. The Mets signed him.
damn, i thought i had a free grape nut gifford’s ice cream for sure.