Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Mar 26, 2009 
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As spring training starts to wind down, the Yankees have some decisions to make about their roster.
The organization mourned the passing Johnny Blanchard and Arthur Richman yesterday.
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Yanks are at the Phillies this afternoon at 1:05 p.m. The game will be on YES. Joba will be starting against Carlos Carrasco.
Here’s a short, good article on Pat Venditte, the left handed….errr….right handed….Who’s batting anyway? Also has a video. Hard to believe the Post actually has something decent in it besides sleaze and slime.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/.....1175.story
It makes little sense to make Pena the utility player. If he bombs in the short time, or gets hurt, NYY will have to dig deeper to bring in Eduardo Nunez, who’s even less experienced than Pena. If Berroa isn’t on the opening day roster, it’s not likely he’ll stay in the system, because he’ll get picked up by another team. If he bombs, NYY loses little. He’s the more sound solution.
Yeah I would say Pete’s right on the money with his projections. Not a lot of surprises. Experience/lack of options trumps March success. If something doesn’t work, then you can make the switch early.
Unfortunately it just may be that Melky is in the twilight of his Yankee career. He’s had his opportunities though. I just think last year he came out with a power stroke in April and suddenly thought he was Melky Mantle. His success also seems to depend on Cano’s success. Like they’re twins or something. It might do both of them good to play on different teams.
The AP picture of Jeter & Gardner is good.
Jeter’s face looks like he’s thinking “I’m getting too old for this running crap”
Gardner’s face says ” Hey, I may be the next Yankee center fielder! How cool is that! “
My error…the Venditte article was in Newsday. It has slightly less sleaze and slime than the Post.
I got to see Pat Venditte pitch one inning last year.
Bronx Jeers -
I like your “Melky Mantle” reference – and I agree that to some extent that may have been the worst thing that happened to Cabrera last season – that flirtation with power in April.
I started becoming accustomed to not having Cabrera around in the fall when the Mike Cameron rumors were strong, so if they do end up “moving” him, it’s not so much of a shock or disappointment. I like(d) Melky, but I also always said that if Gardner could show what he’s made of he would be an interesting option in CF. Well, Gardner has certainly made a huge case for himself. If there was no Gardner, I think Melky is having a good enough spring that people would have been okay with him sticking around. But there IS a Gardner, and he’s one highly motivated kid. (I think I have a problem with Gardner because he looks a little like Pedroia, without the pug nose.
)
It would probably be to the benefit of all concerned if Melky was traded. The $64 question is, what do you get back in return?
I said yesterday I thought it would be neat for Pena to make the team as the utility guy, but I really think the Yankees are going to go with Berroa. Since it’s temporary, I suppose that’s okay. But my problem with it is not his hitting, but his “rusty” fielding. The last thing you want is a utility guy who puts the defense at risk. But, there are those annoying little business details like options and money and expediency to consider.
I think Pete’s spot on with Tomko. He gets the nod, but at the first sign of demise, he’s gone.
Back to Gardner vs. Melky for a second. My only worry about Gardner is that this is a false strong start. He’s obviously not a .400 hitter, so how far down to earth is he going to fall? I trust Melky’s modest .277 – it’s a realistic picture of what you get from him. And Gardner’s speed is an incredible asset, but ONLY if he gets on base. So, it’s a roll of the dice and a leap of faith. We shall see what we shall see.
Tom
March 26th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I got to see Pat Venditte pitch one inning last year.
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I’ll get to see the refty/lighty pitcher quite often here in Savannah and Charleston, along with Brackman and two others that I’m anxious to see, Addison Maruszak, Raymond Kruml, Andy Shive and Luke Greinke.
“My only worry about Gardner is that this is a false strong start.”
A legit concern, but one that isn’t going to be solved by Melky being around. In the end, with either guy, we’re talking about a solid defender in center who is in a lineup where you can hide him as your #9 hitter IF he needs hiding. Further, which ever guy gets the gig is probably only a one year fix.
Melky’s offense was never very good. He has zero power, demonstrates minimal base stealing instincts for a guy with his speed, and has seen his OBP drop from .360 in ’06 to .327 and finally to .301 last season. His high water mark for OPS was .751, which was below the AL average and last year he was at a Varitekian .642. I see no real upside with him. At least in Gardner’s case, you have a man with speed who know how to use it and a better OBP guy.
As I said yesterday, the one place where I think Melky might have appeal, and almost certainly the only place he can catch on as a starter is the White Sox. I wouldn’t expect a great deal back, but I’d definitely be talking to Kenny Williams if I’m Cashman.
GB, have you ever thought about starting a River-Dogs blog? You’d be good at it-and I’d read it. There’s little or no coverage for that team and it’s players.
Steve B -
True that really what Gardner does or doesn’t do has nothing to do with Melky. In fact, perhaps if Melky is not around, the urge to sit Gardner at the first signs of a slump might be able to be ignored for just long enough for him to show he can regroup and get out of that slump.
I know what the numbers have said about Melky. I suppose I will just simply always have a soft spot for the guy. I don’t think he’s as bad as the stats say (I like stats, but think they can be used to tell whatever story you want them to, so you have to have a healthy skepticism where they’re concerned) – although last year he was definitely that bad. I know he was never going to develop into a star, but thought he’d end up being a solid player. Maybe he still may, but more likely with another team.
Tom
March 26th, 2009 at 8:55 am
GB, have you ever thought about starting a River-Dogs blog? You’d be good at it-and I’d read it. There’s little or no coverage for that team and it’s players.
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NOOOOOOOO!!!! Are you kidding? I can’t type two words without a typo or misspelled word. If I could go to more of the games, it would something to do, but, I can only get to about half of the games. I will be happy to post things about the games that I attend, though, if anybody wants updates and the proprietor has no objections.
There is a pretty decent link to all of the goings on and pix of the team, though. I’ll add it in here. I’ll tell you, though….last year’s group was fun to watch. Hopefully, one of the Tampa dwellers that attend the games can post and update those games. Be nice to see that for all of the system’s teams. Not the fluff/polished pieces of pro writers, but, from a lowly fan’s point of view.
http://www.riverdogs.com/news/.....le_id=1673
There is also info in Spanish on this site.
Pick Berroa. Easier to DFA Berroa when Arod comes back than Pena.
As for Arod’s return date – my projection is May 15th. Yankees play in Toronto (turf) 5/12-14. Don’t think they will want Arods first game to be on turf against a team not fond of him in a city that had him photographed with a girl last year. Yankees have a 10 game homestand beginning 5/15. Seems like the best time to bring him back in.