Wrapping up the day in Tampa
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 21, 2009 
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· CC Sabathia went home with what is charitably being described as the flu. Let’s leave it at that.
· Bernie Williams bailed out and won’t be back until Monday.
· I spent my time on Field 2 mostly, watching Joba Chamberlain, Christian Garcia and George Kontos. Joba threw two sets of 20 pitches, resting in between. The idea was simulate two innings. His first inning was a little rocky as his arm was trailing his body and his pitches were all over the place. After talking it over with Jose Molina, the second inning was much sharper.
“For Feb. 21 it was just fine,” Chamberlain said.
Christian Garcia has impressive stuff. If he can stay healthy he could knock on the door this season. But he always seem to run into something.
· Two interesting items in Joe Girardi’s office: An Ohio State football helmet signed by Jim Tressel (“Go Buckeyes! Go Yankees!) and a large paper shredder next to the desk. If state secrets are ever revealed, they won’t come from him.
· There were almost all baseball questions today. It was refreshing. ESPN has had Bob Holtzman in camp since the start. You wonder at what point they’ll give that up. Probably not until he meets with the MLB people.
· A-Rod sort of bantered with reporters in the morning, talking about the economy, traveling to Mexico City and some other topics having nothing to do with baseball or steroids. You’ll be happy to know he hasn’t too much of a hit financially.
· You’ll read more about this in the paper tomorrow. But the reason Jason Johnson was late to camp was because he was receiving radiation treatments on a cancerous growth behind his right eye. Scary stuff. He seems to be doing OK now.
· Girardi talked about the strengths of Brett Gardner (speed, covers ground) and Melky Cabrera (switch hits, great arm) as center field candidates. You would think it comes down to who hits in spring training. The x-factor is that Melky is out of options, so the Yankees would risk losing him if they took him off the 25-man roster. But if he can’t beat out Gardner, what difference does that make?
· Future big leaguer Dante Girardi and some of his buddies were in the clubhouse after the workout and tried to attack Shelley Duncan. It looked like a pack of midgets taking on Andre The Giant. Shelley at one point had a kid on his shoulder, one wrapped around his leg and another in a headlock. “My head hurts,” said one of the little scrappers after running up against Shelley.
Let that be a lesson to you, son.
”
· You’ll read more about this in the paper tomorrow. But the reason Jason Johnson was late to camp was because he was receiving radiation treatments on a cancerous growth behind his right eye. Scary stuff. He seems to be doing OK now.”
Thoughts and prayers are with him.
hope all goes well with johnson…
and too bad shelly isnt better because he is a bowl of laughs in that clubhouse
If there is one thing Alex is clutch w/ it’s his $$$
Christian Garcia time and time again I wish that kid can just STAY HEALTHY, he has AJ Burnett stuff according to many but he can’t stay on the field it’s like miny Pavano.
Shelley just seems like a great guy. I’m glad he’s back in the organization.
That Shelley Duncan story is too cute…
“CC Sabathia went home with what is charitably being described as the flu. Let’s leave it at that.”
Huh?
Shelley Duncan beating up poor defenseless children
The little whipper-snappers had it coming.
‘Huh?’
The toilet lid type.
I’m still anxious to hear about AJ, lol….
Poor CC – that stomach thing really is nasty. He’s going to likely need a couple of days to recover.
Wow about Jason Johnson – of course my thoughts are with him. Hopefully he’ll have a full recovery…..
Glad to hear that it was mostly baseball questions today. Even for reporters that claim they simply have a job to do, what’s the point if (a) they are getting no answers or (b) the answers are the same? Even the Joel Sherman’s of the world have acknowledged that most fans just want to get back to baseball talk…..
If Garcia can stay healthy, it may be him, not Hughes, who replaces Andy in 2010.
That kid has just NASTY stuff. Just stay healthy
Wonder how Joe Giradi looks at Sabathia coming to camp with a hang over?
Bob Holtzman & the rest of the media types just need to leave everything be.
Im tired of the media trying to turn over every single stone. Continually trying to kick a man when hes already down. Just let it be.
Melky switch hits is a plus a strength? He can’t hit left handed pitching to save his life!
I’ve read the same things regarding Garcia…I would love for this kid to really put it together and stay on the field.
If he can stay healthy ! IF !
Garcia had his TJS, so he should be fine now. Very excited about that kid. Despite the fact that he has rarely pitched the past 2 years, he already has an above average changeup and is very advanced mechanically. Not much for him to learn at the minors, he just needs to log innings now and he could be in next year’s rotation.
people forget that garcia is only 23. despite his numerous setbacks, he is still ahead of most guys at his level. already has the changeup and repeatable mechanics.
he is going to fly through the system if he stays on the mound. wouldn’t shock me to see him replace andy next yr
afters TJS, knee surgery, shoulder fatigue, elbow, then shoulder again… I wouldn’t put the house on him but he is an extreme sleeper the Josh Johnson type, AJ Burnett or Josh Beckett in FLA type.
Pete.. continued thanks & congrats for a great blog!.. I was wondering, do you know what is the best blog for seeing what the competition is up to?.. Boston & Tampa Bay I mean of course. It’s always good to know your enemy!
“Wonder how Joe Giradi looks at Sabathia coming to camp with a hang over?”
I’ve gotten the impression its a stomach bug…
what does that CC stuff mean?? he’s hungover?
Pete,
Nice subtle jab at A-rod. Giambi, the biggest roid rip-off in Yankee history, was great though.
Best wishes to Jason Johnson.
If this baseball thing does not work out for Shelley-maybe he can become a Nanny?
Picture from today:
http://www.daylife.com/topic/N.....os/today/1
ESPN hasn’t sent Holtzman away because they still expect more revelations to come out. Everyday we’re learning something new. Pretty soon we’re going to get Roberts’ book leaks and I’m sure the NY media will continue to dig and uncover things.
I love days like this where it looks like there is no new ARod news and it’s all baseball… but these days will be few and far between for the immediate future. So lets enjoy them as they come.
“Wonder how Joe Giradi looks at Sabathia coming to camp with a hang over”
huh? He has the sh*ts.
some of you don’t know what a bad stomach is.
Was my capt on tap ON TAP ON THE 21[/
Melky has the advantage of being able to suck from both sides of the plate as opposed to just one.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0.....rk_Yankees
Alex and his daughter Natasha Rodriguez.
Brandon– all of those except the knee are common in post TJ recipients. Really shows how remarkable Melancon’s season was considering he had 0 setbacks. He pitched almost 100 innings as a reliever coming off surgery.
Wasn’t Holtzman the guy Torre kicked out of post game media session one time?
Wouldn’t surprise me if both Garcia & Hughes are competing for the fifth spot in next years ST.
Melky is a switch hitter and has a lazer arm. He also has much more power and is a better contact hitter (less Ks).
The only advantage Gardner has is speed. I know people rave about Gardner’s OBP, but that was a product of him taking advantage of minor league pitching. Do you think ML pitchers are going to ever throw this guy anything but fastball strikes? This guy can’t get the ball out of the infield. He isin’t going to get the walks until he proves he can hit. He can’t steal 1st base.
This is hilarious – I’ll post it in a few parts because it’s very long. A poster named Fabien Brandy posted this on NYYFans.com; he got the basic format from Bill Simmons of ESPN
http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/.....ons/020219
THE NEW GUY (C.C. Sabathia or Mark Teixeira)
The ultimate spring training staple, a barrage of stories involving the latest blockbuster acquisition and everything he brings to the table. You can usually count on one lone profile — always complimentary and always interesting — as well as a handful of “He’s fitting in nicely with everyone” features. Pictures of The Acquisition either A) wearing his Yankees hat, B) wearing his new uniform or C) laughing it up with his new teammates always work well. And don’t forget the “Projected Opening Day Lineup” with the new guy prominently involved. We just want to see the New Guy. All is good now that we have the New Guy. Give us the new guy!
THE WASHED-UP GUY (Brett Tomko or Angel Berroa)
Another spring tradition … usually we’re subjected to at least one sappy “Can this guy turn it around?” story … before he bombs miserably. These stories might become more interesting if teams took these guys behind the practice field and shot them in the back of the head, execution-style (like lame horses).
THE SLEEPERS (Nick Swisher)
We were so excited about The Acquisition this winter that … hey, we forgot about The Sleepers, those underrated new faces who will inevitably figure into the World Series puzzle this season. Bonus points here, because every Sleeper is usually a little suspect — after all, another team was willing to give him up — yet after weeks of subtle hype, you’re expecting nothing less than a .350 batting average, 35 homers, 20 wins or 40 saves from each Sleeper by the end of March.
THE UNHAPPY GUY (Nady or Swisher?)
He’s still around, he’s making big money, he’s not playing every day or starting in the rotation … and yet the team can’t/won’t trade him. Welcome to the depressing world of The Unhappy Guy! Get ready for quotes like, “Well, baseball is a business” and “You have to learn to go with stuff — it’s part of the game,” and “All I can do is get ready to play every day and hope to come through if these guys ever need me,” and even “Obviously, I’d love to be out there, but I’m not the one calling the shots.”
THE POSITION CHANGE (Joba Chamberlain)
Usually, these stories are more fun when a position player is involved, especially when they mention that the player in question went out and bought a new glove. You know it’s serious when a new glove is involved.
THE FINAL STRAW (Phil Hughes?)
This former hot prospect showed tons of promise but never made The Leap; suddenly he’s reached his mid-20s and everyone’s tired of watching him fall short of expectations. Can he put it together before it’s too late?
THE RECLAMATION PROJECT (Kei Igawa)
Always a pitcher coming off arm surgery/slump/waivers/trade, who could really help this team … if he could just recapture the way he pitched in (fill in the year).
(As an added bonus, Igawa doubles this year as “The Pitcher Who Just Needed His Mechanics Tweaked,” maybe the dumbest of the spring training angles.)
THE GUY WITH NO ANGLE (Derek Jeter?)
The toughest story for any beat writer to pull off … it’s The Guy With No Angle! How can you drag 75 lines out of these guys? Where’s the hook? Did you get married over the winter? Are you happy with your contract? Do you have any dying relatives? Have you ever battled a life-threatening illness? Ever spent time in a Turkish prison? Do you like gladiator movies?
THE NEW COACH WITH THE MAGIC WAND (anyone?)
Always more fun when a new guy joins the staff and starts messing with everyone’s swing/delivery … usually with mixed results. For every “Mike Easler changing Mo Vaughn’s approach and turning him into an All-Star” situation, there’s always a “Walt Hrniak changing Rich Gedman’s swing and eventually landing him in a semi-pro beer league” debacle.
Some classic “Magic wand” angles involving coaches: “The athlete learning to drive down on the ball, so he can hit grounders and use his speed” … “The guy shortening his swing to make more contact” … “The guy learning how to hide his pitches, so teams can’t figure out what’s coming next (because tipping pitches is the only possible reason why he had a 7.90 ERA last year)” … “The starter shortening his delivery, so runners can’t steal on him … “The athlete working on his jump, so he can become an effective base stealer” … “The catcher working on improving his throws to second base.”
We may regret locking up Burnett to a 5 yr deal when we have Hughes, Garcia, De La Rosa, Kontos, Betances, Brackman, Heredia, Banuleous, Vizcaino, Bleich, etc. all ready within the next couple of years.
Guys like Garcia, Hughes, De La Rosa, Kontos, Bleich, Heredia may be ready by next Spring.
Melky is a switch hitter
———————-
In theory I guess he is.
freddy k you can never have too much pitching. That is a good problem to have.
OT but look I found Selena Roberts
http://i43.tinypic.com/v3kig5.jpg
“The only advantage Gardner has is speed. I know people rave about Gardner’s OBP, but that was a product of him taking advantage of minor league pitching. Do you think ML pitchers are going to ever throw this guy anything but fastball strikes? This guy can’t get the ball out of the infield”
Gardner will be a major leauge player. After this year, we may know whether it will be as a starter (for any team) or as a 4th outfielder.
I do know, he will be a more valuable player at the major league level, then Melky.
Cashman is really delusional when it comes to the CF job. I used to think that Hal’s budget was handicapping him from Cameron, but a lot of the beat writers said that Cashman lost interest in him after they acquired Teixeria.
And judging from his positive, glowing praise of Melky/Gardner this winter (especially Melky because of his winter-ball performances), it looks like that was true.
Hoping for the best.
freddy k
February 21st, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Guys like Garcia, Hughes, De La Rosa, Kontos, Bleich, Heredia may be ready by next Spring.
————————————————————
Maybe you should hold off on Bleich, Heredia and Garcia for at least a little longer. They’re not close to being ready.
“We may regret locking up Burnett to a 5 yr deal when we have Hughes, Garcia, De La Rosa, Kontos, Betances, Brackman, Heredia, Banuleous, Vizcaino, Bleich, etc. all ready within the next couple of years”
yup. They were impatient and wanted to win now, tho. At least Lowe is not on the team.
Having lots of good pitcher’s is a great thing. You never know how many of them will pan out and you have to take it year by year. Plus what happens when other teams need pitching (which they always do) and we need a replacement for Jeter with nobody in our farm to fill in?
OT but look I found Selena Roberts
http://i43.tinypic.com/v3kig5.jpg
=========================================
You guys all claim for gritty, gutty role players who are hungry and play with heart. Well, you have that with Gardner.
The guy is an explosive player. He forces mistakes. He is a grinder. Remember his 12 pitch AB against Papelbon that won the game? He hit like .400 with RISP last year. He can bunt for a hit. It makes the pitcher and the infielders think and be very alert. We will see many 2 base errors caused by him. He plays excellent defense, tracks the ball better than Melky.
The guy hit over .300 in his 2nd callup. When he gets on base, he will distract pitchers and get into scoring position everytime he reaches base.
As long as he works on bunting and keeping the ball on the ground, he will add a new dimension to our game.
Sounds like things are going well down there.
Me, I have to go fraking shovel snow.
Appreciate the multiple updates.
Burnett was a very short sighted move. But Cashman had to do it. After the Hughes/Kennedy disaster, he was not going to take the risk again of prospects failing him. He had to win now going into the new stadium and he did everything he needed to. There is a very good chance Burnett is Pavano 2.0, but we didn’t really have much choice.
And like vin said, atleast we’re not stuck with 40 yr old Lowe. Out of all the 2nd tier pitchers, Burnett made the most sense, even if it is short sighted.
“There is a very good chance Burnett is Pavano 2.0, but we didn’t really have much choice.”
yeah, no there isn’t.
“There is a very good chance Burnett is Pavano 2.0, but we didn’t really have much choice.”
And there is a chance he becomes Schilling in his prime. That’s a chance you have to take.
OMG, BURNETT PLAYED FOR THE MARLINS, HE’S PAVANO!!!
I am guessing that for CC, it’s a case of “When you’re running to cover first/ And you’re feeling something burst”…
I don’t think the Yankees will regret signing Burnett at all. It’s very easy to take the negative slant with this guy, but I won’t. I’m sure he’ll be on the DL at some point during the season, but so will many pitchers and players, on the Yankees and on other teams as well. I understand why some are taking the wait and see approach, but I just have a very positive feeling about AJ. I’m going to assume good health (I just won’t worry about something that may or may not happen, meaning injuries) and I’m going to trust in AJ’s maturation (this is not an uncommon thing among pitchers).
Flurstly I think that fourth times making sense will lhave a veritable habberdashery of doctors and slimy entrails? There’s four or or four things that always kind of seem to sort of jam when busting through the uncontrolled definition of caps, smacks, bats and hats. And caps.
Mighty Quinn: Feb. 21
Saturday, February 21st 2009, 2:40 AM
The quote of the week comes from Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino, commenting on the Yankees’ free agent signings.
“The Yankees have spent like the U.S. Congress. An old adage says there’s three things money can’t buy – love, happiness and the American League pennant.”
“There is a very good chance Burnett is Pavano 2.0, but we didn’t really have much choice.”
————————————————————
Maybe you won’t get any ulcers over Burnett if you at least pitch in a game before deciding he’ll miss the next 5 years.
liquid longooshian…
yesh.
Like Francessa said…. AJ could be a star in this city if he finally lives up to that great potential he has and stays healthy.
A quirky fire-baller with tattoos and an eccentric personality? He’s got the goods to hit it big on and off the field.
Just remember what Doc told you in TOR and stay healthy.
What exactly does Larry Lucchino do for a living? His specialty was getting municipality to anti-up for new baseball stadiums, but since they’re not doing that in Boston, what does he do?
Exactly what do Pavano and Burnett have in common other than being Marlins pitchers who are injury prone?
Isin’t Lucchino their version of Randy Levine?
Man, Shelley is awesome. What a great story. He and Bruney have both won some points with me for being so great with the little ones! Thanks again Pete for bringing us so much top notch info from camp.
If only Shelley could hit and field. He’s someone I’d love having around every day. But I dont ever see him overcoming the flaws in his game to become even a decent bench player. Maybe he should try to take a shot with another team (he is, like, 30, you’d think FA would be approaching soon) but I dont think theres a future for him on the Yanks, not with the emergence of Juan Miranda.
Geez, heredia is 19 rs old and hasn’t pitched a day outta charleston and people are saying he’s a candidate for the 2010 rotation? Yikes.
Burnett has historically been a mediocre 1st half pitcher and a lights out 2nd half one
Pre and Post All-Star:
2008 -
Pre: 4.96 ERA
Post 2.86 ERA
2007 –
Pre: 4.31 ERA
Post: 3.01 ERA
2006 -
Pre: 4.33
Post: 3.86
He has also been an excellent September pitcher. I hope the fans have patience with him if he doesn’t get off to a fast start. His track record indicates he will turn it up in the 2nd half.
Pre:
R-Tek, I agree, all A.J. has to do is pitch well and he’s got the kind of personality that will make him instantly beloved among Yankee fans. The same thing is true of CC, also. Truer, even.
That’s why words can’t even express how much I loved these pickups as opposed to the additions of guys like Randy Johnson. The differences are like night and day. And of course thats without even touching on field differences and age, which are also numerous.
I definitely think it’s safe to say the team is in much better hands now than it was then….and imagine if the decision making hadn’t changed? I shudder to think. the Yankees would be in the cellar right now. I think even the most staunchly anti Cash posters would have to admit this…
“I shudder to think. the Yankees would be in the cellar right now. ”
*Well, not literally right now, since it’s the offseason, but you know what i mean.
Casanova Wong: I keep hearing totally different assessments of our younger/lower minors SP, and have no idea which is accurate. For a long time (recently), the consensus was (& largely still seems to be) that Brackman was the best of the bunch. Then a rotoworld rankings came out w/Betances 3rd and Brackman not in top 10. Now I hear Heredia mentioned as more likely to make a quicker lasting impact?
Anyone more in the know than me on this able to clarify who really does lead the pack?
AJ will win 20 games. Don’t jinx him by putting him in the same sentence with Pavano.
Gardner for cf. He will give this team some life.
Well, the Yankees have lowered their payroll, and Boston’s 2008 payroll was at least TWO TIMES greater than the following teams: Colorado, Texas, Baltimore, Arizona, Minnesota, Kansas City, Washington, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Tampa, & Florida.
But, Boston doesn’t buy championships or players………
“We may regret locking up Burnett to a 5 yr deal when we have Hughes, Garcia, De La Rosa, Kontos, Betances, Brackman, Heredia, Banuleous, Vizcaino, Bleich, etc. all ready within the next couple of years”
What about Kennedy? What about Coke? What about Aceves?
Would be nice to have a comprehensive list. Can anyone point me to one?
Brackman, Betances, Garcia all have the highest upside of the guys on the farm.
Betances and Brackman are still a couple of years away. Garcia had Tommy John surgery and should fly through the system now if he stays healthy. He has a very high upside and he is very polished.
De La Rosa and Kontos are probably going to be relievers at the ML level and follow the Mike Dunn path. Both have very good stuff.
The rest of the guys are really not on the map. Heredia is still in low A and doesn’t have a top of the rotation ceiling. Bleich could move quick, as could McAlister. All 3 of these guys have “quick mover” potential but don’t have the high upsides of the Brackman/Betances/Garcia trio.
To surmise, look for Garcia to put himself on the map this year. Everyone else is still some ways away.
Melky is a switch hitter and has a lazer arm. He also has much more power and is a better contact hitter (less Ks).
————
Funny stuff.
Melky hit .213 / .279 / .299 as a right-handed hitter last season. Is that really an advantage?
Melky has also never hit more than 8 home runs in a season. Does he really have THAT much more power than Gardner?
Melky does have a stronger arm – but Gardner is a better fundamental defender, covers more ground, and takes better routes to the ball.
Gardner is a better defender than Melky.
I think Girardi is quietly hoping that Gardner wins the job because of his speed and overall style of play. They’ve given Melky plenty of opportunities to get a stranglehold on the CF job and he hasn’t done it. They’ve been trying to get rid of him for awhile now.
If Melky doesn’t outplay Gardner during ST – he’ll probably be gone because they won’t carry six outfielders (including Matsui).
That poor toilet.
Okay, let’s play pretend.
Pretend that somehow Melky is sent down at some point this year. Who would pick him up? Would the team have to put him on any particular roster? 40-man at the least? Isn’t it likely that Melky would clear waivers?
A bench of Swisher, Melky, Molina, Ransom really isin’t that bad.
Swisher would be the best bench player in baseball
Molina is the best backup catcher in baseball
Melky is very good as a 4th OF (better than most other teams’)
Ransom is a utility INF with some punch
And Swish, Jose, Melky are all plus defenders too.
At this point, simply staying healthy for a full season has to be the #1 goal for both Garcia and Hughes this year.
Garcia hasn’t accomplished that since 2005 and Hughes hasn’t since 2006.
Just staying on the mound will help their progress considerably and get them opportunities to help the big club.
But it remains to be seen if they can actually do it.
Some bad team would gamble on Melky.
He is a gold glove defender and only 24 years old. He switch hits, good gap power, has some speed and doesn’t K a lot. He could be a poor man’s David DeJesus.
I have to figure he would have a role on the Padres, Pirates, Giants, Nationals of the world.
I’d imagine that Melky would start the year as the CF’er even if Gardner beats him out.
You figure that 3 catchers will be on the 25 man until Posada proves he can catch. Then you have Ransom and Swisher/Nady on the bench, with Melky in CF considering he has no options.
When Po proves he can catch, then Cash goes down, Gardner comes up and Melky can go to the bench.
Melky’s a Gold Glove defender?
Good one.
Pretend that somehow Melky is sent down at some point this year. Who would pick him up? Would the team have to put him on any particular roster? 40-man at the least? Isn’t it likely that Melky would clear waivers?
————-
Someone might pick him up, but it is possible that he could clear waivers.
Perhaps the Yanks could work out a deal with someone as they did with Chase Wright a couple of weeks ago.
Frankly, I’m sick of Melky and I’d like to see him go somewhere else. Girardi seems to have a man crush on Gardner and I really believe he’d like to see Gardner win the job.
I just hope Gardner has really worked on his bunting this offseason and slapping the ball into the ground to the opposite field.
One bunt hit a week could add as many as 20 points on his average throughout the course of a season.
If Melky was a gold glove defender Gardner wouldn’t be up for Melky’s job. And what good is being a switch hitter if you suck from both sides of the plate?
Melky would be the 4th outfielder on most teams. His biggest asset is a strong throwing arm.
Terrible from the right side of the plate. Unless he shows great improvement and beats out Gardner, I don’t think he makes the team.
Having a good arm doesn’t = gold glove defender
And he is a switch-hitter in name only. He can’t hit from either side of the plate, but I could bat righy better than him.
Gardner is going to win the job. Girardi loves him and he finished last yr strong. He is working on bunting and hitting the ball on the ground.
When I saw Gardner have that 12 pitch AB which resulted in the game winning hit against Papelbon, I was a believer.
He is the type of player winning teams have. He creates havoc for opposing teams. He will force other teams into mistakes, get into scoring position everytime he gets on base, and will distract pitchers.
Yeah. Funny how sexy Melky becomes as a player when there’s a chance he’d be picked up by another team.
So Damon is definitely our LF? Nady probably our RF? (Joe hedged on the “So if you did a lineup today, Nady would be on it?” question.
I’d feel pretty good having Damon, Melky, Nady, Gardner, & Swisher to cover the outfield. Do we have room for Melky and Gardner?
5 starters
7 relievers
IF:
Jorge
Tex
Robi
Jeter
Alex
OF:
Damon
Melky
Nady
DH:
Matsui
Bench:
Molina
Swisher
Gardner
Ransom
It would come down to that extra OF (Gardner) or an extra catcher (Cash).
No doubt we will carry 3 catchers to start the year. Thats why I bet Melky wins the job. Gardner has options, Melky does not. I don’t think they would risk losing him to waivers. They would have a Swisher, Molina, Cash, Ransom bench until Po can catch.
Unless the Yanks trade Nady or Swisher (which I doubt) – I don’t see them carrying both Melky and Gardner.
They won’t make a habit of it – but Damon could play CF once in a while and the same with Swisher.
That would give them six outfielders, including Matsui (Damon, Nady, Swisher, Matsui, Melky, and Gardner).
Yes, it’s true Matsui won’t play LF all that often – but he’ll still play out there once in a blue moon.
All signs point to them carrying either Gardner or Melky – not both.
Pete how did Kontos look today
Well, it’s settled. Melky (most likely) wins the CF job and Gardner comes up when someone goes on the DL.
How long does Cash stick around? Are they going to start Jorge of slowly, just a couple starts a week? I predict he’ll be Wang’s catcher, but I’m sure that Molina will hook up on a regular basis with someone, too. All the pitchers seem to love Jose.
We’re going to be carrying 3 catchers for a while.
Posada is the biggest concern of our season
The loser of the Gardner/Melky battle won’t be on the bench.
Cash isn’t on the 40 man roster, m. Somebody would have to be dropped.
Any chance Cervelli is the 3rd catcher instead of Cash considering he is on the 40 man already?
The bench configuration pertaining to the OF/catcher situation will be fascinating to watch.
I’d guess if we need to carry 3 catchers, Melky will have the advantage because he is out of options.
Is it smarter just to keep JoPo on the DL to start the season until he is 100% ready to catch and his arm is back all the way?
Fred,
That’s a question for Green Beret.
I thought I saw someone say that Cervelli would have a chance to start on a mediocre team. Or something like that.
I’m not sure who they would DFA if they need a 3rd catcher (or even if someone like Melancon makes the team out of ST)
Albaladejo? Eric Hacker? Stephen Jackson?
Or if they get rid of Melky, that could be where the extra spot comes from.
I’m not so sure Melky will win the CF job simply because he has no options left.
The guy has regressed in each of the last three seasons and has fallen out of favor with the coaches and the front office.
They’ve tried to dump him several times within the past year and hasn’t found any takers.
Gardner outplayed Melky last ST and Melky still won the job because of Gardner’s inexperience above Double-A.
It doesn’t seem like the Yanks are going to carry Melky unless he earns the job legitimately. If he can’t beat out the guy with 127 major league ABs – they aren’t going to do him another favor and keep him over Gardner simply because he has no options left.
I don’t see any way Cervelli is in the majors this year before Sept. unless there is a huge emergency.
If Cash is not on the 40 man, it is possible that they will start with 2 catchers, but be ready to DL Posada and get Cash to the big club right away if Jorge can’t cut it early.
“Melky does have a stronger arm – but Gardner is a better fundamental defender, covers more ground, and takes better routes to the ball.”
Melky does take some pretty bad routes. Does anybody remember the game where he ran a double into a 2 run inside the parker? I think it was a tie game and the Yankees had to win in extra innings against the Pirates. good times, lol.
Also, somebody mentioned a point during the season at which Melky and Brett would both be on the 25 man…that is a monumental waste of a roster spot if you ask me.
Although, it is true that Cash will probably have to start the season on the 25 b/c of Posada’s recovery. That’s annoying because, maybe I’m in the minority here but I still wanted the Yanks to p/u a bench player, or at least extend a non roster invite to one. I was thinking someone like Ray Durham or Nomar as a possible 25th man.
I’m not a big fan of our bench as currently constructed even with Nady on it (I’d start Swisher ahead of Nady except against LHP though) I think in terms of having a reliable veteran that can go long stretches w/o playing and still get a big pinch hit or even take a walk in a tight spot, and play several consec. games w/o killing you – basically, someone better than Betemit. I think the other competitors in the East all have this, and we don’t. We need to get a guy who fills this role way before wasting a roster spot on the losing end of Brett/Melky.
why don’t we try and get a Mark Gruzelank or Nomar type on the bench?
we missed the boat on Rich Aruiella
The Sox and Rays benches are MILES ahead of ours.
We have Swisher/Nady and thats it, nothing else.
Swisher is 4-9 with 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, and 2 walks against Jeremy Guthrie
Guess we know who is starting on opening day
oh, and I wholeheartedly agree that Melky is not gonna win the job just because of options, and that Girardi loves Brett and will give him every chance to win it. Gardner just has to keep the ball on the ground. Hitting it into the air is a waste of time, its not like he’s going to hit it out.
Melky will literally be playing for his Yankee future this spring. If he and Gardner get on base at the same rate, then Gardner is 10x as valuable as Melky. He’s going to hafta prove he brings SOMETHING more. otherwise it’s goodbye. poor Cano! lol.
“They’ve tried to dump him several times within the past year and hasn’t found any takers”
I guess I missed that. Maybe you can provide the link.
As bad as melky did offensively last year, It still was better then Gardner
Cashman will be trying to acquire Mark Cameron by March 4th… guarenteed
Jack – Grudz is a type B FA and was offered arb. So while he wouldn’t cost an early round pick considering the type A’s we signed (maybe a 4th or 5th?), it’s still a pick as compared to Nomar who doesnt cost one.
I hate to assume that Cano is gonna have at least one prolonged slump this year, BUT just in case he does, would be nice to have someone to fill in at 2b. I don’t mind Ransom filling in at short sporadically, his glove is serviceable and he can hit a bit, but I dont want him being called on as the 1st or 2nd option to pinch hit late in a game.
I’m thinking sign Nomar or even Durham, and keep Ransom in the minors as long as you have to have Cash on the roster, then call him up when you drop Cash.
I gotta say I feel bad for Shelley it doesn’t look like he’ll ever get a chance to play more than being a bench player and that’s looking at it positively. He might never get another chance with the Yankees or with any other major league team. The truth is guys like Shelley would rather or should rather want to be rule 5 picks atleast there they have somewhat of a chance. Maybe being picked will be the best thing in Jason Jones career. Even Eric Duncan has a chance but if your name is not Austin Jackson or Jesus Montero the chance of getting a regular position by the yankees for the next 2,3 years are slim. This year is probably the last chance Brett Gardner is going to get a chance. Good Luck to him. (added by Mobile using Mippin)
I think Shelly could make the team as a 5th OF/1B/DH type. Same role as Swisher.
Who else is going to take that final spot on the bench after we drop the 3rd catcher? Shelly is more valuable then Melky
I kind of like our bench.
You have a great defensive catcher in Molina, a backup infielder with some pop (he’ll rarely be used, though), Swisher’s very versatile and has some pop, and the third catcher’s a necessity evil.
I’d feel a lot better, though, starting the season with Gardner on the bench. Lot better.
As for Nady starting, what’s the big deal? He’d be batting in the bottom third of the order anyway.
· Future big leaguer Dante Girardi and some of his buddies were in the clubhouse after the workout and tried to attack Shelley Duncan. It looked like a pack of midgets taking on Andre The Giant. Shelley at one point had a kid on his shoulder, one wrapped around his leg and another in a headlock. “My head hurts,” said one of the little scrappers after running up against Shelley.
Let that be a lesson to you, son.
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That is great Pete!!
I love these tidbits you wouldn’t read elsewhere!! I also think that little Dante will at least play in the minors!!!
Also thoughts go out to Jason, hopefully everything works out for him. Very scary thing for him to go through.
Cashman has shown he has little regard for building a good bench. Hell, our best bench piece by far is Nady/Swisher but Cashman has been shopping them all winter. He doesn’t believe in depth.
I mean, we have Angel Berroa and Ransom on the bench when guys like Nomar, Aurillia, Gruz, Durham etc. were out there all winter (and 3 of them are still available)? What harm does a minor league deal do? Chances are, some of these vets will want a chance to win a ring and will sign with us. We should take advantage of the Yankee aura and try and get these good bench players to sign with us.
I doubt Cervelli would be heading off to the WBC if he thought he was competing for something.
“Cashman will be trying to acquire Mark Cameron by March 4th… guarenteed”
Mike’s younger brother who has as much pop but makes contact more?
Is our bench really that bad?
Swisher or Nady would instantly be the best bench player in baseball.
Molina is the best backup catcher in baseball.
Ransom is a nice utility infielder with some pop
We could certainly do a lot worse.
I’ve never even thought of cancer of the retina until reading the Jason Johnson story.
Best wishes to him on a full and speedy recovery.
I guess this was picked up during the physical?
Next time somebody calls baseball players athletes, I am going to refer them to this picture of a former cy young award winner:
http://tinyurl.com/djynoc
“Cashman will be trying to acquire Mark Cameron by March 4th… guarenteed”
I have a rule against taking guarantees from a person who don’t know how to spell the word.
jennifer
Here’s the Johnson story.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports.....6465_x.htm
We should take advantage of the Yankee aura and try and get these good bench players to sign with us
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Here’s the problem with that argument. Bench players may be bench players but they do want to play on occasion.
An established veteran is going to take one look at the roster and see the names A-Rod, Texixeira, Jeter, and Cano and realize quickly that he’s not going to see the field very much at all.
That Yankee foursome doesn’t miss many games and playing time is indeed a factor for established role players looking for a team.
Although the topic is not funny this is the kind of fun you like to see in a clubhouse from mlb.com
Damon said the most important thing he needed to do was tell the Yankees to change his direct deposit number to a different account. Both players have been told by their financial advisers that the matter could be resolved within a few days.
Neither seemed to be taking the situation too seriously. Near the end of a group interview, Damon’s locker neighbor Nick Swisher held a pen as a microphone and asked Damon to explain what he had been talking about.
“I’ve got to ask you for a loan,” Damon told Swisher.