CC watches some hoops
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Feb 22, 2009 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Those 40 pitches CC Sabathia threw today didn’t wear him out a bit. He zipped over to Orlando this evening to see the Magic hammer the Heat 122-99. The AP snapped this photo of him there.
————
For the first time in a long time, I caught every film nominated for Best Picture. I thought Frost/Nixon was the best of the bunch but Slumdog Millionaire figures to win.
Kate Winslet and Sean Penn are the likely choices for the acting awards. But Meryl Streep and Mickey Rourke were great. Beyond that, I have no idea about anything.
That’s it for tonight, catch you all tomorrow.
cc!
Why isn’t CC resting after that icky Stomach Flu?
CC will arrive in NY just in time to catch Knicks/Celtics playoff games at the Garden!
FYI mlb network will show some Spring Training games. Right now their site says teams TBD though.
Good game for him to go to… Wade scored 50 (and the team still lost by 23 lol)
From the previous thread……
Speaking of the minor leaguers, it appears the good beat writers like Pete, Kepner, Feinsand, and even Brian Hoch all have pieces today on Mark Melancon.
This is why these younger beat writers who blog regularly are far ahead of the “old guard” reporters like Sherman, King, Madden, and Klapisch.
Those guys don’t have any idea who Mark Melancon is will refuse to take him seriously until his name is etched on the 25-man active roster.
The younger beat writers have adapted their coverage to what the fans want to read and the old guard hasn’t.
That’s a big reason why it’s primarily the old guard who keeps resurrecting the “Joba to the pen” debate. They can’t offer an informed opinion on such matters if they don’t know anything about these young kids.
Hoch:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....Id=rss_nyy
Kepner:
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/.....e-yankees/
Feinsand:
http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....his-p.html
He looks depressed by the score or something
“CC will arrive in NY just in time to catch Knicks/Celtics playoff games at the Garden!”
After todays let-down I see no playoffs once again for my Knicks
From the previous thread……
Speaking of the minor leaguers, it appears the good beat writers like Pete, Kepner, Feinsand, and even Brian Hoch all have pieces today on Mark Melancon.
This is why these younger beat writers who blog regularly are far ahead of the “old guard” reporters like Sherman, King, Madden, and Klapisch.
Those guys don’t have any idea who Mark Melancon is will refuse to take him seriously until his name is etched on the 25-man active roster.
The younger beat writers have adapted their coverage to what the fans want to read and the old guard hasn’t.
That’s a big reason why it’s primarily the old guard who keeps resurrecting the “Joba to the pen” debate. They can’t offer an informed opinion on such matters if they don’t know anything about these young kids.
I really need to make the trip the opposite way, Orlando over to Tampa for a work out, hopefully this weekend
Sorry, Pete.
I eliminated the links from my last comment so you wouldn’t have to approve it.
http://s294.photobucket.com/al.....C00195.jpg
Stumbled upon this. SOmeone posted pictures from ST.
Amazing, the guy signs the biggest contract ever for a pitcher and can come and go as he pleases. Imagine if A Rod tried to take in that game? He would get mauled by media folks. Good for CC, he is a huge step in the right direction of #27.
Yikes! Tonight on the MlLB 30 Clubs in 30 Days coverage of the Yankees Girardi said that the Yankees seem to have one too many outfielders referring to the Swisher/Nady situation. Just when it seemed Cash and co. got the need to have a bench and depth, it looks like they might give it away.
He said they have depth and swisher is important because he can play multiple positions.
5 Things Not About A-Rod
Sweeny Murti
Yankees@wfan.com
Tampa Bay, FL (WFAN) — Here are five things that have nothing to do with A-Rod:
* The pitcher I am most looking forward to watching this spring is Mark Melancon. Across 3 levels last year (A, AA, AAA) Melancon was 8-1, 2.27 ERA, 0.958 WHIP, 22 walks and 89 strikeouts in 95 innings pitched. I asked a Yankee exec, “What if I said Mark Melancon was the future closer for the New York Yankees?” The exec replied, “That wouldn’t be a stretch.” Melancon is listed at 6-2, 215 pounds, a redhead with a brush-cut who turns 24 in March. A scout told me he was the best pitcher he saw in the minors all last season. A good look at Melancon this spring and maybe all you guys will stop begging the Yankees to put Joba back in the bullpen.
* Jorge Posada’s bat was sorely missed last season, mainly because the Yankees were still a team counting on its bruising lineup to outhit its mediocre starting pitching. The beefed up rotation should make it a little easier to take if Posada is not 100%, the drop-off to Jose Molina won’t be felt as heavily. However, Posada’s bat has looked good in the early going according to Hitting Coach Kevin Long, who said Posada’s swing is more compact than before. Long thinks Posada is still capable of hitting 15-25 home runs, just as in the past.
* Speaking of Jose Molina, he told me Monday about the passing of his father, Benjamin Molina, last October. The 58-year old father of three major league catchers suffered a heart attack on his way to coaching a youth baseball game in Puerto Rico. Molina spoke to me about the emotion of putting on the catcher’s gear every day and thinking of all the days and years he spent learning the game from his father. I don’t know Bengie Molina or Yadier Molina, but from the little I know of Jose Molina I can tell the patriarch had a lot to be proud of.
* Before speaking to a group of at least 20 reporters in front of his locker Monday, Mark Teixeira shook hands with every single one. He made eye contact with every single person during the roughly 15-minute session. I’m guessing he’ll be a media darling very quickly.
* There is one thing I have to see before this spring is over. I just have to see if Edwar Ramirez can fit into one of CC Sabathia’s pant legs.
I thought that the Yanks 30 in 30 was pretty good except for two things. First of all, they rehashed the Joba debate. Tiresome, but predictable; of course they were way off base in their assertion that he should be in the BP.
More incorrect in my opinion, was Dan Plesac stating that the sox are “vastly improved”. What? Because they added Smoltz(out till May or June) and Penny, who is only a decent starter when healthy. Manny is gone, Crisp is gone, Drew is still hurting, and we will see what Ortiz does in a full year post-Manny.
IMO, much as I couldn’t stand the guy, the sox will miss Crisp much more than they think, particularly if Ellsbury struggles again.
I would be shocked if Nady or Swisher got traded unless someone gets hurt. I personally don’t see an area of need on the Yankees more important than a 3rd corner outfielder at this time. Do you?
There is one thing I have to see before this spring is over. I just have to see if Edwar Ramirez can fit into one of CC Sabathia’s pant legs.
==================================================
LMAO! I’m gonna say yes
I can’t see a trade right now. The Braves just signed Garret Anderson.
I can see the Yankees trading Nady to the NL before the trade deadline to a contender that needs a righty bat. Hopefully we’ll be rolling by then with Swish doing his thing and Gardner or Melky nicely ensconced (sp?) in CF.
“Mark Teixeira shook hands with every single one. He made eye contact with every single person during the roughly 15-minute session”
Why haven’t Arod’s myriad advisors had him doing things like this? The simple common sense things do seem to elude him. Then again, maybe he did and the reporters all thought he was being phony or something. I am rooting for him always, but he just seems to miss the one or two important things that guys like Jeter and Michael Jordan always seemed to be able to do.
In 2 years or so, when Joba is no longer on innings limits, the rest of baseball will wish he were in the bullpen.
“In 2 years or so, when Joba is no longer on innings limits, the rest of baseball will wish he were in the bullpen.”
No truer words have ever been spoken.
Mark—
A-Rod is just a socially awkward guy. He’s not mean spirited, he just doesn’t conduct himself in a proper manner. He tries too hard, is misguided, and doesn’t get good advice. It’s weird– he wants to fit in so badly and be normal, that he comes off as exceedingly abnormal. When he tries to be himself, he always says/does something he shouldn’t. When it’s scripted for him he still can’t execute it properly.
As Joe Torre’s book said… he just doesn’t get it. For example, when Torre asked him to stop bossing guys around and to get his own coffee… he actually did. He didn’t understand the underlying message Torre was trying to convey.
He is a GREAT player though, and thats all that matters.
I thought that the Yanks 30 in 30 was pretty good except for two things. First of all, they rehashed the Joba debate. Tiresome, but predictable; of course they were way off base in their assertion that he should be in the BP.
——————————–
Yeah, it’s pretty clear that everyone really seems to be discrediting the Yanks pen, when in fact, that really was their strongpoint last year.
Be curious to see if they advocate Price being in the Ray’s pen this year. lol
As Joe Torre’s book said… he just doesn’t get it. For example, when Torre asked him to stop bossing guys around and to get his own coffee… he actually did. He didn’t understand the underlying message Torre was trying to convey.
—————————-
Like it also mentioned in the book, it really should be so easy for him. All is he has to do is realize that if he just goes out on the field and does what his talent allows him to do, instead of worrying about how everything looks, he’ll be loved.
Anyone who follows the Yankees knows that Cash’s bullpen strategy has worked out very well, even if most of the starters he got didn’t pan out. Marte was resigned, but there was no free agent addition to the pen which looks to be stronger with Melancon, Coke, and the next guy du jour. For now Joba is better in the rotation, after Mo retires we can talk change, but hopefully that won’t be for at least three or four years.
They seemed very poorly prepared to talk about the Yankees.
The Yankees pen was their strong point at the beginning of the season in the first half last year. But, if you look at their stats, almost every single pitcher in the pen did poorer in the second half of the season. When, in contrast, teams like the Red Sox or the Rays (without Percival) all had their bullpen numbers improve as the season went on.
I don’t think the Yankees pen is as good as it’s being touted.
Chris,
Agree. I like Bruney, everyone else is a question mark for me. Marte is a LOOGY at best. Don’t trust Veras, Edwar, Robertson, etc.
Coke could be a wildcard, but Cash wants him as a starter. Melancon is the best arm out there, but you know Cashman will be conservative with him so I doubt he makes the team out of ST. So our 2 best arms might not be on the 25 man roster going to Baltimore.
Bruney better be lights out like he was last year, or we are screwed. I don’t expect Melancon to dominate immediately anyway when he does come up.
“almost every single pitcher in the pen did poorer in the second half of the season.”
Better starting pitching should help that. Don’t forget, Wang and his 7 IP per start were gone, and Rasner and Ponson picked up a number of starts. Many of those were 5 innings. Any bullpen will struggle the more it is exposed. A bullpen, by definition is usually the weakest part of a team. The closer is usually the only guy who is one of the top pitchers on the team. Limiting that middle relief to the 7th and 8th innings, and rarely more is the best way to have a successful BP.
As a staff last year the Yankee’s starters averaged 5.5 innings per start. The bullpen was over-worked. As Mark said, having SP that can go deep into games should help keep them fresh.
When the pressure was on in August, this is what our pen did:
Robertson- 8.18 ERA
Bruney – 3.46 ERA
Veras – 5.54 ERA
Edwar – 6.94 ERA
Marte – 7.71 ERA
When we were fighting for our playoff lives in August after the big late July trades, the pen flopped. They did well in September when we were 8+ games out and didn’t have a realistic shot of the playoffs.
….
Our rotation in August consisted of Mussina and
Injured Pettitte
Rasner
Ponson
Giese
Kennedy
Pavano
That may explain the bullpen performances.
Zman,
August was also the month they lost Chamberlain and Pettitte had that shoulder issue.
No bullpen is going to continue to mow hitters down if they are being forced to throw 4+ IP every night.
The significant increase in innings pitched by the rotation will benefit the pen.
Heath Ledger won an award tonight, what a snob, not showing up. I hate people like him.
You guys forget that last years pen strategy was to rotate in fresh arms for tired arms all year. That could not have worked better. So yes guys got tired, but fresh arms replaced them and for the most part outpitched them as the Yankees made the too little too late run.
Robertson, Coke, Marte and yes Joba energized the pen late. I am not sold on Edwar, but I like Bruney and some of the other guys who got hurt.
On the long side, Aceves and Giese both seem to fit the bill nicely, that’s a big improvement over Rasner and whomever.
The bullpen is a source of strength, it just is.
I think we need a Peter Griffin-style flashback to explain how un-funny and in poor taste that was.
IRod was bad news for our pen.
unfunny indeed
Zac Effron/Vanessa Hudgens were at the Oscars again I ask why ? and I was laughing when my little cousin was watching the t.v. and said look it’s those HSM rejects.
Congrats to Heath he deserves it. R.I.P. Heath.
Back to baseball I’m about to read a few Melancon updates be back later.
I know I’m late on this, but re: the Yankees’ pen, I would have thought that MLB network analysts would actually take the time to find out about these guys instead of basically saying “hey, these are no-name players – they can’t be any good”. The fact that these guys only care about “famous” names shows me that the they are the baseball equivalent of the Cindy Adams/Page 6/Liz Smith type. They apparently get off on dropping names – hey, Saito is a “big” name, he’s going to be great. Hey Smoltz is a probable HOFer – he’s a sure thing (injuries? what injuries?). Brian Bruney? No one knows him outside of NY – he can’t possibly be any good.
Generally speaking, Mitch and Plesac have been fine on the Hot Stove show (not sure how often John Hart has been on – I rarely see him), but I wonder if it’s just reflexive with mediots in general that they criticize the Yankees. Dan Plesac – the Sox have vastly improved? Look, I respect the Sox and they could easily win the division. I’m not going to assume they won’t get big performances from their newcomers – they very well might. The problem is this: When the Yanks have question marks, mediots always assume they will be answered negatively. When the Sox have ?, the mediots always assume they will be answered in the affirmative. There must be some kind of mass hypnosis placed over the mediots in regards to the Sox because it’s clear that “Red Sox GOOD, Yankees BAD”.
‘From behind the batting cage, Derek Jeter cackled and taunted the bat’s former owner, Robinson Cano, yelling, “Get him, Mark, get him!”‘
a little silly to already think about trade-deadline trades but here was a decent article on players who may be made available:
http://www.springtraining09.co.....idates.php
I heard that Swish was on the show (still have to watch that part) and that he was hilarious…..as was Damon. I can’t wait to see that!
AJ is going to be my favorite story to follow this year – I truly love our new guys, but IMO, this guy has “IT”. If he’s healthy, I can see him sort of becoming a very cultish type figure. He’s got the tattoos, the mean streak on the mound and the fastball -AND a desire for the big stage. I love how he and CC have bonded. These pitchers are going to try to one-up each other all year – and that will be fun for fans to watch.
While sports radio jockeys continue debating if Joba Chamberlain really is best served by life as a starting pitcher, Melancon has become the readiest available answer to this eternal question: Who will replace Mariano Rivera as the Yankees’ closer?
“I think it’s able to be done, so I’m excited for that,” Melancon said. “I’m excited that people are throwing that out there, but I know it’s not true until I make it true.”
Jeter may have crowed when Cano splintered his lumber, but Jeter also cut and missed at two pitches from Melancon, grinning widely after the second one made him look silly.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....Id=rss_nyy
GI Joe should make them run laps.
Posada was asked if Melancon reminded him of any other pitcher, but he decided not to stick the kid with any comparisons or labels. Remember, it was just a few years ago that Posada compared Phil Hughes with a young Roger Clemens, a comparison which immediately heightened everybody’s expectations of Hughes despite the fact that he was still a teenager.
“No more comparisons for me,” Posada said, laughing.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/yankees/
Glad to see he learned his lesson after the hyping of Hughes LOL
I still have this pic saved last year’s ST
http://i40.tinypic.com/291lxdj.jpg
Sox are the model franchise in the sport… they have earned the benefit of doubt.
everything theo touches has turned to gold thus far, why should they assume it will change now?
they took the rays to game 7 without contribution from ortiz or lowell. beckett had a 9 ERA in the postseason
they are going to be a handful this year
CC picked a great game to go to. Wade dropping 50 would have been magical.
Smoltz was a VERY smart pickup. His type of injury is not considered to be serious, his age is the only question.
But he dominated the NL and his stuff can play anywhere. He was an ace starter and an ace closer. He is maybe the best big game pitcher ever. He is going to be a huge factor for them.
Smoltz admitted that the Yankees were after him too. So even Cashman obviously acknowledged how good he is. But Cash probably thought there was no way he would leave Atlanta for Boston. If he knew that, I think he would have made a bigger effort to sign him.
“everything theo touches has turned to gold thus far, why should they assume it will change now? ”
Edgar Renteria, Julio Lugo, Matt Clement, Eric Gagne would all beg to differ. Theo’s done reasonably well for himself. He’s also caught a fair number of breaks along the way. Let’s not get carried with the hyperbole.
The worst thing Cashman can do is baby Melancon.
The guy has nothing to learn in the minors. The only thing keeping him from a spot in the pen is a 40 man spot and his arbitration clock (like it matters with the Yankees anyway).
He doesn’t have to be thrust in the 8th inning right away but he should certainly make the roster unless he has a bad ST
Yes, it does seem as if Jorge has learned his lesson.
Longtime LoHud comments readers will know what did it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....otostream/
Theo = Jerry Reese of the Giants/Scott Pioli of New England
Until he gives you a reason to doubt him, you assume he has struck gold.
Again, Renteria, Clement, Lugo, Gagne. He’s had his mistakes. He’s had his breaks. He’s done well, but he hasn’t been perfect.
‘He doesn’t have to be thrust in the 8th inning right away but he should certainly make the roster unless he has a bad ST’
You’d rather he perfect himself in the minors first, there is no rush right now. You have Coke, Marte, Edwar, Robertson, Bruney, Veras and Mo, there is no rush right now for the BP. Let him him dominate in AAA and then bring him up around July.
‘Theo = Jerry Reese of the Giants/Scott Pioli of New England’
Say what ? Dude don’t compare Theo to Jerry Reese he’s not that, Jerry Reese actually robs talent from the draft and other teams when they drop them off the roster. Ex. Derick Ward, Dominek Hixon, he’s so good that his rejects are still stars.
“Sox are the model franchise in the sport… they have earned the benefit of doubt.
everything theo touches has turned to gold thus far, why should they assume it will change now?
they took the rays to game 7 without contribution from ortiz or lowell. beckett had a 9 ERA in the postseason
they are going to be a handful this year”
They’ve won 2 championships in about 100 years and they are the model franchise? lol
Spoken just like a delusional Red Sox fan.
Saito has been an elite all-star closer on a very good team for 3 years. Okijima has been dominant for 2 years. Masterson was lights out as a reliever last year. They acquired Ramon Ramirez (who was a former Yankee farmhand actually) for CoCo Crisp, who had a terrific year as a SU man in KC last year. Smoltz was a closer in the past and if converted to the pen, would be the best SU man in baseball with that slider. Delcarmen has had 2 good years in a row. Papelbon is the 2nd best closer in the game.
Their bullpen is LOADED. All we have is 1\2 a season of Bruney to hang our hat on and Marte against lefties only. Even if the Sox strike out on guys like Saito, they still have more than enough proven reliable BP arms with atleast some track record.
Melancon threw 20 innings in AAA last year with a 2.70 ERA. He struck out 22 and walked 4. He had a .163 BAA and a 1.51 GO-AO.
What more does he need to do? If he has a good ST, I don’t see why he shouldn’t make the team, or even worse, take an inferior arm instead of him.
I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Jose Molina’s father – wow, 58 is so young. My thoughts are with the Molinas…….
As far as Tex, I already saw a snarky comment (John Harper, I think?) about the press perhaps not quite believing that Tex is really that nice…LOL Media favorite? I don’t think so – the mediots will find some way to portray Tex as a phony. If not a phony, then boring as all get out. Mediots don’t like nice, they like spicy…..
ray,
I hate the Sox as much as anyone, but how can you say they are NOT the model franchise in the sport today under Theo? 2 titles in 4 years, 4 game 7 ALCS trips since 03.
If they are not the model franchise, who is?
They should have let Theo touch the Teixeira negotiations, then maybe Tex would’ve turned to gold instead of pinstripes.
80 stripes,
elite closer in the NL West, yes. But that was then. Now he is having platelet injection therapy in his pitching elbow.
Masterson and Ramirez look good. Smoltz would be a great addition IF he can recover from surgery.
‘Saito has been an elite all-star closer on a very good team for 3 years. Okijima has been dominant for 2 years. Masterson was lights out as a reliever last year. They acquired Ramon Ramirez (who was a former Yankee farmhand actually) for CoCo Crisp, who had a terrific year as a SU man in KC last year.’
Dude it’s not like Ramon Ramirez is Soria, Masterson was in his rookie yr. we’ll see now w/ scouting reports what happens w/ him although he is very talented in the BP, it’s like sticking Wang in the bullpen.
‘Smoltz was a closer in the past and if converted to the pen, would be the best SU man in baseball with that slider.’
Smoltz is not exactly the iron man of baseball right now.
‘Delcarmen has had 2 good years in a row. Papelbon is the 2nd best closer in the game.’
Delcarmen was part of the problem last yr. he bombed liked he was pitching for the Mets BP.
‘Their bullpen is LOADED. All we have is 1\2 a season of Bruney to hang our hat on and Marte against lefties only. Even if the Sox strike out on guys like Saito, they still have more than enough proven reliable BP arms with atleast some track record.’
Saito is coming off a bad injury, Bruney has improved, Marte actually is a LHP SU/CL type again if you want to crown the Sox crown them but player for player BP vs BP our BP was the better BP last yr. and it continues to improve.
“Saito has been an elite all-star closer on a very good team for 3 years. Okijima has been dominant for 2 years. Masterson was lights out as a reliever last year. They acquired Ramon Ramirez (who was a former Yankee farmhand actually) for CoCo Crisp, who had a terrific year as a SU man in KC last year. Smoltz was a closer in the past and if converted to the pen, would be the best SU man in baseball with that slider. Delcarmen has had 2 good years in a row. Papelbon is the 2nd best closer in the game.
Their bullpen is LOADED.”
In less innings last year Okajima walked more batters and struckout less batters. He hasn’t been ‘dominant’ for two years at all. In fact less year he wasn’t nearly the same pitcher and he also complained about a tired arm.
Delcarmen had a 3.27 ERA last year. He was mediocre at best.
Saito is closing in on 40 and he has a bum elbow. His WHIP nearly doubled last year.
Smoltz is also in his 40′s coming off of a bum shoulder.
Basically their bullpen is NOT LOADED. You’re dreaming if you think it is.
was not able to see the NYY segment on the MLB channel, today. I did enjoy the programming, earlier in the day. They replayed a cubs/cardinals game from the early 1980′s. Tell you what, Willie McGee was a helluva player.
If I was a media member and there was a guy who was nice to me and trying to learn my name and be friendly with me, I would be suspicious too. Not even Jeter, the media king, does that.
What player does that? Most players hate the media and think of it as a chore and couldn’t tell the difference between Feinsand and Sweeny Murti if they were wearing nametags.
‘What more does he need to do? If he has a good ST, I don’t see why he shouldn’t make the team, or even worse, take an inferior arm instead of him.’
There is no reason to rush him, let him get seasoned in AAA for awhile then bring him up like the Angels did w/ K-Rod and we did w/ Joba.
Guard,
which delusional Sox fan told you Smoltz’s injury isn’t a serious one?
it’s the type of injury (significant damage to labrum) that can end a career. Smoltz could very well recover from it but it is a very serious injury.
He needs to demonstrate that he can sustain that success for more than twenty innings, and he needs to show that he’ll still be good when his flukishly-low BABiP returns to normal.
There was a blurb in O’Brien’s blog where she said her fellow media members were awed by Teix and asked her (she was a beat writer for the Rangers and knows Teixeria well) if that was really him and if that how he really interacts. They were taken back that he was so courteous and genuine.
Good for Teix though… he is going to be the face of the franchise soon if he continues doing what he does. Classy guy all around.
cashman did bid on smoltz, so his injury couldn’t be that bad….
Rivera – Papelbon
Bruney – Ramirez
Marte – Okajima
Melancon – Masterson
Veras, Coke, Robertson, Alby, Aceves, etc – Delcarmen, Saito, Lopez, etc
The Sox certainly appear to have a better pen than last season but nobody (yes, even NESPN) can say with much certainty that the Sox have a better bullpen than NY. If anything, the stats would suggest otherwise.
“cashman did bid on smoltz, so his injury couldn’t be that bad….”
great logic!
At their best, the Sox pen blows away ours. Papelbon, Saito, Smoltz, Okijima, Delcarmen, Ramirez, Masterson? Of course, they all have to stay healthy.
Compare that to Rivera, Marte, Bruney, Veras, Edwar, Coke, Aceves
And if we’re counting on Melancon, the Sox can count on Bard who has Jonathan Broxton-type stuff and a higher ceiling than Melancon (though he does have spotty control).
If you guys can’t see the potential that the Sox pen has, I don’t know what you are watching.
Bruney and Marte will be fine… its the guys after them who are worrisome.
Does anybody really trust Veras, Robertson, or Edwar to get big outs?
R-Tek
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:26 am
There was a blurb in O’Brien’s blog where she said her fellow media members were awed by Teix and asked her (she was a beat writer for the Rangers and knows Teixeria well) if that was really him and if that how he really interacts. They were taken back that he was so courteous and genuine.
Good for Teix though… he is going to be the face of the franchise soon if he continues doing what he does. Classy guy all around.
————————————————————
So, what are you saying? That the Yankees will be a two-faced organization? Jeter will be there for the next five years. By tat time, there will be others coming in from the system.
“Compare that to Rivera, Marte, Bruney, Veras, Edwar, Coke, Aceves”
I’ll take the above bullpen. And you left out Melancon and David Robertson.
You can’t count Melancon as a positive for the Yankees – he hasn’t thrown one pitch in the big leagues.
How about we give Robertson a chance before we decide he can’t be trusted? This is why fans should not be GMs – if fans had it their way, no young players would ever pitch for the big club because there would be no guarantee that they can be trusted. LOL That’s how it works for every player that ever played the game…..and that’s why the games are played. Robertson is young and I like his stuff. He would not be expected to pitch in a big game RIGHT NOW, so asking if he can be trusted in such a situation doesn’t make much sense. If he makes the team, he will be asked to pitch the 6th, maybe the 7th inning if he’s doing well. If he’s got the goods, he should be able to do ok.
As to Edwar, aren’t his numbers outside of pitching against the Angels excellent? Speaking of, I do find it disturbing that the guy said he had this soreness issue late last year …What, he just chose to forget about it until now? I’m not happy with him at all.
yes. I trust David Robertson. Anyone who followed his career from the time he was drafted, knows the perfomance he exhibited when first entering the Bronx, was not a fluke.
he will do very well.
‘Does anybody really trust Veras, Robertson, or Edwar to get big outs?’
You can say the same for Okijima, Delcarmen and Lopez
‘yes. I trust David Robertson. Anyone who followed his career from the time he was drafted, knows the perfomance he exhibited when first entering the Bronx, was not a fluke.
he will do very well.’
The guy had a no HR allowed streak of infinity before he finally broke down, you don’t just forget how to pitch it’s clear he either got hurt at the end of last season or worn down.
You really only need three guys you’d trust for leveraged outs; the rest are fungible, and should be really familiar with the schedule of the Scranton shuttle. For the Yanks, their trusted guys are probably Mo, Bruney, and somebody else that shakes out. I was against the Marte extension because I don’t know that I trust him any more than I do the kids, but we’ll see what happens. Hopefully Melancon is the real deal, and he can assume the big innings.
“And if we’re counting on Melancon, the Sox can count on Bard who has Jonathan Broxton-type stuff and a higher ceiling than Melancon (though he does have spotty control).”
that is laughable. You could also say Bard has Farnsworth type stuff.
The Yankees have many more arms in the minors with “potential”. Bard is certainly a good prospect but comparing him to Broxton right now is a joke. The same goes for Melancon for sure. Nobody is comparing Melancon to anyone but he is clearly more likely to be a factor in the big leagues than Bard. Because… well… who cares if you can throw 100 if you can’t locate the pitch?
Please Sox fans, get a clue and come back.
bottom line:
Yanks fans will take the Yanks bullpen. Sox fans will take theirs. Both appear to be improved from last season (when the Yanks had the superior pen).
Nobody really knows how things will play out and both bullpens could be very good…. which makes these analysts who are praising the Sox pen while questioning the Yanks pen exposed as biased idiots.
BD thank you for that comment. I mean seriously how is Bard just because he throws 100 mph compareable to Broxton ? Melancon can hit 96 or 97, Betances has hit 100 mph in GCL last year, Brackman in Cape Cod hit 101…none of them are Jonathan Broxton, that’s something they have yet to earn.
“If you guys can’t see the potential that the Sox pen has, I don’t know what you are watching.”
The Sox pen has potential, yes. Potential is a small part of the equation.
Even you have the potential to post something rational. That doesn’t mean it’s very likely.
Robertson has to improve his control before he can be counted upon for anything. Even in AAA, it was very spotty.
Patrick from PP said there is an excellent chance Melancon breaks camp with the Yankees. In his words, he has nothing left to prove at the minors.
This is from the guy who actually saw him
I don’t think it really matters if Melancon starts the season in NY. He’ll be there soon enough.
If the Yankees keep him in AAA for 4-6 weeks they’ll be able to keep control of him for an extra season (see: Evan Longoria 2008).
Dustin,
I read that too when he did his scouting reports. Which is why I’m puzzled that so many here think he’s going to spend 1\2 the year in Scranton. The only thing keeping him out of the opening day roster is the numbers game and 40 man roster spots (considering we may need to make one for Kevin Cash too).
Patrick Teale is one voice who reviews Yankees arms, the guys that have the final say are Mark Newman and Joe Girardi.
‘I don’t think it really matters if Melancon starts the season in NY. He’ll be there soon enough.
If the Yankees keep him in AAA for 4-6 weeks they’ll be able to keep control of him for an extra season (see: Evan Longoria 2008).’
Exactly no point in rushing him, he’ll be here just not right now.
I don’t trust any reliever other than MO. I’m sure the Sox don’t trust anyone other than Papelbon.
Unless you have Scott Shields or someone, the late innings are always an adventure leading up to the closer.
Veras and Edwar are fine. You’re not going to get all-stars to pitch the 6th-7th inning for you.
Saito’s arm regenerated itself after the esperimental stem-cell treatment?
And I can’t wait until Smoltzy takes Papelbon’s job.
Well, the Yankee’s pen may not be all that you want it to be. But what’s your solution? And, please. Please don’t say Juan Cruz.
Girardi had a lot of trust in Veras and Edwar last year, I doubt that has changed. Unless they completely implode in ST, they will probably make the team. They did well last year.
Rivera and Marte are locks, Bruney is a near-lock, and we’ll carry Aceves/Giese/Tomko or some longman.
So there could be a heated battle for the final spot. Coke’s got a good shot to earn it.
Juan Cruz… will only cost a 4th round pick
Sea Net,
good point. teams are lucky if they even have a closer they can trust.
bullpens are as far from an exact science as it gets IMO. Projecting them seems impossible. Because of that, the more legit options you have the better.
that’s why I feel more comfortable with the Yankees 2009 bullpen. They have so many more options than in past seasons. If someone struggles or gets hurt, it’s actually not the end of the world. There will be someone else in AAA who is talented, hungry, and eager to earn a spot.
Edwar said he felt pain in his last 3 appearances in ’08. Does that coincide with any bad numbers?
I would sign Juan Cruz and then trade him to the Braves or Cardinals (or other interested NL team) for a prospect (with greater value than the 4th rd pick they’ll lose).
I see it as a way to circumvent/leverage the current free agency system and to take advantage of the Yankees position after already signing 3 type-A’s.
we don’t need Juan Cruz.
NYY have a complete logjam of +++ potential bullpen arms in the high-mid minors, who will have no place to play.
*above comment directed to Zman*
Edwar’s last 3 games (@ TOR, vs. CWS, vs. TB)
2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Ironically, before that 3 game stretch he had a few bad games
vinny-b,
Excellent point. The cream will be rising faster than we can skim it!
3.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 Ks (1 blown save)
Those were Edwar’s numbers leading up to the final 3 games. So he pitched much better when he was apparantly injured lol
Al,
Thanks. So much for that!
I’m watching the Oscars now, and that Rahman winner looks a lot like George Lopez in a Bollywood production.
R+,
the Yanks will have 7-8 bullpen arms.
Rivera
Bruney
Marte
Veras/Ramirez/Albaladejo (dont forget about him!)/Robertson/Coke/Aceves/Giese/Melancon
it’s anybody’s guess. I’ll go with Veras, Edwar (if healthy of course), Coke, and Alby.
Dave,
Who is the long man out of that bunch? I don’t think we should waste Coke as one. He could be pitching higher leverage innings. We do need a guy who can come in when the starter gets bombed and soak up 3-4 innings if needed. Giese was that guy last year
Rivera/Bruney/Marte/Veras/Coke/Albaladejo(or Melancon)/Aceves(longman)
Didn’t Girardi already say that Aceves, Giese, Tomko, and Jason Johnson were fighting for the long man job? So I think its safe to pencil one of those 4 into the pen
IF Ramirez does have shoulder tendonitis, NYY will most likely shut him down for 10-14 days, which puts him 2 weeks behind everyone else. If he’s not ready by opening day, NYY has good options in Geise, Albaladejo and Coke. There is no reason to use a player option on Melancon at this time. Let him go to Scranton and learn to close in the minors. The Yanks need to know how he responds to pitching 3 days in a row, rather that pitching 2 innings at a time every other day. No reason to have him in NY, now.
R+,
You could definitely be right. I would think the Yanks might like to have a 2nd lefty in the pen. As far as I know, the Yankees do want to try Coke as a starter and that means AAA. I do feel he has the arm to really help the Yankees right now… so it will be interesting to see what happens.
As for Giese, he is out of options. That could come into the decision making process and land him a spot on the 25man at least to start the season.
GB7,
good point – the Yanks have no reason to take any risks either. Thanks to their current depth, I imagine they’ll err on the side of caution.
It came as a surprise to me personally, but aside from giving up 11ER in 1.2IP against Anaheim, Edwar was actually pretty darn good last year.
If Aceves has a good spring, I’d give him the long man job. He’s one cool customer and could easily eat up 3-5 innings at a time.
after viewing Willie McGee hit for the cycle on MLB Channel earlier in the day, had to re-check his career stats.
originally drafted by NYY, and then traded to ST Louis in 1982
.295 career average
2254 career hits
352 stolen bases
4x All Star
World Series Champion
premiere defensive CF’er (3 gold gloves)
1985 NL MVP
2 time batting champion (.353 average is second highest mark for a switch hitter in NL history)
sorry. This player should be in the Hall of Fame.
That player has a career OPS+ of an even 100 which is absolutely average. He also had some stolen bases. Yanks never should have dumped him, but he’s no hall of famer.
did you watch McGee play in his prime years, or only judging him on stats?
*offensive stats*
gee, vinny, I’m doing both! I remember when the Yanks let McGee go Bob Sykes. Anyway, he didn’t have enough great years for the Hall of Fame. OF’s who end their careers with OPS+’s of 100 don’t make the Hall of Fame. Now, he can be in your Hall of Fame, but he’s not gonna get into the real Hall of Fame unless they open a stars of astroturf wing.
Phil:
it’s kewl. Didn’t know if you had watched him play, in his Cardinals days.
peaceBw/
right backatcha, vin!
Willie McGee was a great player for the Cardinals during the 80s. No doubt about it.
But he was never the same player after he was traded to Oakland in 1990. I had almost forgot that he played nine more seasons because he really fell off the radar once he left the Red Birds.
A great player for about a decade?
Absolutely.
A Hall of Famer?
I wouldn’t go that far.
Gammons views on steroids, Selig and baseball hypocrisy.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....mons_peter
willie mcgee was awesome. st louis is one of the best baseball towns in this country and thier fans know the game well and willie mcgee was one of the all-time crowd favorites there.
i dont know about the HOF, but willie was in my top 5 all time favorite players. excelled in evey aspect of the game and a he’s very nice man.
NYYankFan -
Excellent piece. And not just steroids – all PEDs. Real eye opener.
Could it be that even the sportswriting community is getting a little tired of the “moral outrage?”
Oh, Willie Mcgee. Yet another player the Yankees traded away…
Watched the ’30 Clubs in 30 Days’ Yankee offering/mess on MLB channel last night. Had to say it was a disappointment. Too much of the 4 clowns discussing the same thing over and over again (Joba in bullpen blahblahblah). Should have had more Spring Training footage and interviews with players. The one they had with Damon sounding like George W. as far as ‘wordplay’ was humorous. Otherwise – the show struck out in its attempt to present the ‘stripes in Spring.
c’est le vie
tom, it was 30 years ago, get over it.
he would have served as a nice bridge in CF, between Mickey Rivers and Bernie.
base clearing double:
I never met him personally, however i agree with all you said. ST Louis = best baseball town in US (when not including NYC)
i went to school at mizzou and lived in the area for 7 years and had a great chance to watch those great cardinals teams of the 80′s play alot of ball. the fans there are great and as knowlegeble about the game as you will find anywhere. and they LOVE guys who do the little things and show thiere support when they do the little things to win games.
i havent been to the new busch, but i was there to see the only ball ever hit out of the old park (it was foul and went over the arches right above where we were sitting in the upper deck.
great fans in St. Louis.
Old post, but the look on CC’s face in that picture means only one thing, he must be a fellow Heat fan!
This is the 2nd Heat game he has been to in the past month, also. Good thing we won the last one, otherwise I would have to decry him bad luck!
So first CC chooses Bergen County over Westchester and then he chooses the Heat over all the other teams. He is batting 1.000 in my eyes!!
in closing, Pete, because it pained my soul to see that score again (seeing your fav player have a career game in a loss is more than bad enough) know whats even more interesting than 122-99?
18-1!!!
sorry, I had to!
Go Yankees and Heat! Wade for MVP, CC for Cy Young!!