Wrapping up the day in Clearwater
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Mar 26, 2009 
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Happy anniversary to Hideki Matsui, who belted a home run today. He still hasn’t collected on that marriage bet from Bobby Abreu and Derek Jeter.
That’s an up-to-date drawing of Mrs. Matsui over to the right.
Joe Girardi was pleased with Joba Chamberlain. Asked about Joba’s velocity, Girardi said it’s about what it was at this point last season and they would expect it to get better as he builds arm strength.
Joba has two more starts in spring training. Keep that in mind. And he did hit 94 today. It’s not like he’s Tim Wakefield.
Brian Bruney was encouraged and the coaches were pleased with what they saw from Jose Veras. The Yankees held the Phillies to six hits and struck out eight.
“middle relief pitchers are a dime a dozen. very few are consistant from year to year..those that are become closers or dont get traded. There is virtually no trade market for middle relief pitchers.”
middle relievers have historically been very valuable at the trade deadline often netting some very good prospects in return.
No mention of Melky’s homerun? I guess it wasn’t gritty enough.
Hey Pete, So was he in the range of 93-94 the whole game, or was he below that?
thanks pete for asking about the velocity. they know more than me so if he healthy, thsts all that matters. someone suggested he might been throwing 2 seam fastball.
wait so Joba isnt the second coming of the righty 23 year old jamie moyer????? damn…
*sarcasm much intended*
When I heard Mike Francesa accept the invitation of Mets executive VP Dave Howard Wednesday to visit the dunk tank at Citi Field, I assumed one of two things:
That Francesa was kidding, or perhaps that he thought the invite was to be the dunker, not the dunkee.
I asked him about it Thursday. Turns out he was not kidding and that he is up for getting wet in public – for a cause.
“As long as it’s a nice, warm day and it would be for charity, I’ll gladly go in the tank,’’ he said.
Um, really? “I’m sure I will draw quite a crowd of Mets fans looking to dunk me. I’m looking forward to it.’’
What would he charge? “We’ll try to make it very steep for the media
http://weblogs.newsday.com/spo.....l#comments
==============================================
Can we have something like this at Yankee Stadium? Pleeeeaaasssee?
Mrs. Matsui looks happy
If Veras, Edwar, or Bruney have great years and our pen is doing well, why would we even think about trading them? The objective is to win this year, not re-stock the farm.
And who knows how their replacements will do. If you have a good pen and you’re a contender… it is probably a good idea to keep that pen intact.
No mention of Melky’s homerun? I guess it wasn’t gritty enough.
————–
Melky already lost the CF job. Too little too late for him. It’s only a matter of time before it becomes official.
They’ve already altered their lineup at the top of the order as well to ease the transition with Gardner in the #9 slot.
S.A.-The 2009 MLB season is almost here
March 26th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Mrs. Matsui looks happy
————————————————————
She’s obviously been watching a lot of hubby’s video collection.
really dave? not saying youre wrong, but I dont recall too many being traded for at the trade deadline…no special ones for that matter that hwere just middle relievers with no closing experience.
She’s obviously been watching a lot of hubby’s video collection.
=========================
Booyah!
LMAO! Pete you’re a pisser!
People need to get it.
Veras having a good year is a joke! Can the guy ever throw a clean inning? Please trade him asap!
GB7, Tyler Matzak of Capistrano High, threw a 1 hit shutout yesterday, as he whiffed 9 walked 3 ( all on 3-2 curveballs )….Sat at 92-93 all game and hit 94 on some guns….14 MLB scouts in attendence…. By June he maybe the # 1 pitcher selected…Still has not committed to a College…Pro ball is what he wants….
Even if you trade Veras, it would be to accommodate a top prospect like Melancon. Not mediocrity like Albaladejo.
dan – The manager trusts him, even if you don’t. He said he has the inside track on a spot in the pen because of the good work he did last year.
PAT M.
March 26th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
GB7, Tyler Matzak of Capistrano High, threw a 1 hit shutout yesterday, as he whiffed 9 walked 3 ( all on 3-2 curveballs )….Sat at 92-93 all game and hit 94 on some guns….14 MLB scouts in attendence…. By June he maybe the # 1 pitcher selected…Still has not committed to a College…Pro ball is what he wants….
————————————————————
Afternoon, PAT. That’s good for the young man, but, sucks for the Yanks. Love to see some videos on him.
Offer him an autographed baseball from the famous GreenBeret7, to go to an independent league and file for free agency.
Big Handsome,
Damaso Marte is the first one that comes to mind. Eric Gagne (he was a closer but the Sox had no intention of using him as one).
A few others that come to mind from recent seasons: Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel.
I’m definitely not saying that there is a huge market but if you have a reliever who has shown any sort of consistency and doesn’t have a big contract, you’ll be able to move him.
“That’s an up-to-date drawing of Mrs. Matsui over to the right”
Pete: you kill me : )
“Even if you trade Veras, it would be to accommodate a top prospect like Melancon. Not mediocrity like Albaladejo.”
mediocrity?
Take some advice from Obama when he said “I like to know what I’m talking about before I speak”
I’m not understanding the altered lineup thing. First, they altered it b/c it makes more sense for jeter to be hitting 1st, sabermetrically speaking. Second, Melky is a switch hitter. It doesnt matter who bats first, he could still be the 9th hitter.
Jack sorry to burst your bubble but Veras did not have a good year last year! He had a decent half year! 15 BB in his last 21 innings suck! After the All Star break he had a 1.75 whip.
Veras blows and if he couldn’t beat out Albie last spring he shouldn’t this spring. Not with the way Albie is pitching.
“No mention of Melky’s homerun? I guess it wasn’t gritty enough”
it is ok. Ozzie likes gritty players
“Can we have something like this at Yankee Stadium? Pleeeeaaasssee”
only if tank of water, is replaced with vat of hot/boiling oil
Like I said on the other thread… What makes Albaladejo better than Britton?
Their minor league stats from 06 are nearly identical.
Mrs. Matsui is looking very good. Glad to see marriage agrees with her.
“That’s an up-to-date drawing of Mrs. Matsui over to the right.”
Hmmm… that triangle appears a little bloated. Is there a little Godzilla on the way?
For everyone expecting Joba to ratchet it up to 98, its ST. He will save his best stuff and effort for when it counts.
vinny-b (Girardi, Pettitte, Mo, Matsui, Gardner = my top 5)
March 26th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
“No mention of Melky’s homerun? I guess it wasn’t gritty enough”
it is ok. Ozzie likes gritty players
=======================================
So…Gardner will be playing for Ozzie, then?
Ms. Matsui seems happy in that picture. Good to see that he bought her a nice bow.
I wish the Yankees trade Melky so all you racist bums start crying over Gardner not being able to hit over 150 and playing poor defense.
Mrs. Matsui does look a lot happier today.
Last week she caught Hideki cutting out paper dolls and she became quite jealous.
It was ugly. There were paper cuts and everything.
Sounds like the pen did well. I saw that someone mentioned Bruney’s weight. Is that a concern or a possible explanation for his struggles? I tend to think not, but maybe someone else can enlighten. I know the Yankees actually told Brian he lost TOO much weight and to put a few lbs back on….. Good to see Coke back out there.
I know Alabadejo doesn’t have the potential of a Robertson, but I still think he’s a good, solid pitcher who can be very useful for the Yankees. I like Robertson a lot, too, so this is no knock on him.
I’m glad Mrs. Matsui is happy, but I worry about the happiness of Mr. Matsui. Every time he engages in relation with the mrs he risks a paper cut in a most sensitive place.
Dave – I don’t know how familiar you are with prospects, but Albaladejo isin’t even in the same stratosphere as Melancon.
One is a closer prospect who scouts rave about and was one of the most successful college closers in history. Bulldog makeup, mid 90s heat, killer breaking stuff. Went through 3 stops in the minors coming off TJ surgery, putting up a 2.27 ERA in 95 innings.
The other is a fringy middle reliever who was released by the Pirates and traded by bullpen-starved Nationals. Doesn’t have an out-pitch, and has spent 8 seasons in the minors. Relievers like him are a dime a dozen.
They are not even remotely close.
Hahaha that drawing of Godzila’s wife is the funniest thing you’ve ever posted on this blog.
Hmmmm, it looks like you won the race to make a paper cut joke, DT, but cut me some slack; I’m working with a blackberry here.
“Like I said on the other thread… What makes Albaladejo better than Britton?
Their minor league stats from 06 are nearly identical.”
First, Chris Britton isn’t a bad reliever. He’s at the very least an average pitcher. The Yankees never game him a real chance to succeed.
Second, minor league stats from one season three years ago aren’t enough to make any sort of judgment.
I’m not saying Alby is going to be great, but from what I’ve seen (actually watching him pitch) he looks pretty good. Throws fairly hard, great movement on his pitches, and he doesn’t walk guys. He needs to be given a chance. That’s all… a chance.
I personally think he’ll be an effective middle reliever and believe it or not, that’s not always easy to find.
Seth,
Because Albaladejo is Britton 2.0.
A guy with mediocre stuff who puts up good numbers in the minors and Spring Training and people clamor for him to be ahead of the more talented relievers like Melancon, Robertson, Coke, Bruney etc. because he looks good against minor league hitters at the back end of games.
Thankfully, Girardi and Cashman evaluate the pen and not some fans.
Seth:are you really comparing minor league stats from 3 years ago on two different pitchers as a way to somehow compare the two pitchers now in 2009…
Jack: Veras has an inside track on the bullpen because, GET THIS… he’s out of options he wasn’t great last year, but he wasn’t bad, a power arm that can strike a guy out when needed, just needs some control
PAT M.: the #1 pick in the June draft will be Stratsburg, if you follow the baseball drafts, he’s the next “can’t miss” guy.
Chris: lineup change helps out in a few ways, Jeter has a higher OBP than Damon, Damon is lefty and with Gardner in the 9 hole Damon leading off would put back to back lefties in the lineup, which is nice to avoid, Jeter hits into a lot of double plays, Damon is good at advancing the runner and hitting with RISP
NickSF.
Need your 5 star pick this eve.
-dennis
“Dave – I don’t know how familiar you are with prospects, but Albaladejo isin’t even in the same stratosphere as Melancon.”
Danny,
Are you crazy? I mean that in a serious, nice way.
Find me a quote that showed me comparing them and we can talk. YOU are the one that said Albaladejo was MEDIOCRITY.
Second, Melancon hasn’t pitched a single inning of major league baseball. I happen to agree that he will be pretty good but you are clearly suffering from a case of the hype. The Yankees have had tons of top prospects that didn’t pan out. For you to be making such definitive statements about guys, when you are clearly less knowledgeable about the players than many people on here, is a shame.
Boston Dave, sorta reminds me of the people in the Sox organization hiding behind Lars Anderson when they failed to sign Tex.
Nick – There is room for multiple paper cut jokes here – yours was more PG-13 – but Vegas Rickles always did have that risque edge.
It’s amazing how many pitching experts there are all of a sudden these days. People can read an opinion on some blog somewhere, regurgitate it and all of a sudden they are experts. Spew out a few stats and they are convinced they can’t possibly be wrong.
I never thought that Britton or Patterson got a fair shot. Britton was just used to eat innings in blowouts and sent down thereafter. He didn’t pitch with any consistency.
I like Albaladejo, but just don’t see where he fits with all the other young talented arms we have. You can only carry 7 guys in the pen. It would help if they could turn him into a long man (he was a starter for some time in the minors).
Mike Francesa just said the Mets have a really strong bullpen.
Is that so?
K-Rod and Putz can only throw 150 IP max. The average bullpen throws 500 IP a season.
What about the other 5 guys?
That’s 350 questionable innings that he doesn’t really account for and the media in general often makes the same mistake.
The Yankee pen will be better than the Mets’ pen this season. Much more depth.
Happy Anniversary Hideki! Traditional first anniversary gift is Paper. How appropriate!
DT: I’m not afraid to go blue when the material calls for it.
Dennis: I’m dining on fine cheesesteak right now, so how about Villanova getting points? But I haven’t looked at the lines yet today.
Those numbers were combined averages from 06 to 08, FYI. Not just from 06.
The pitching expert I rely on most is Vince Offer Schlomi from Shamwow! fame.
DT.
Vegas Rickles is perfect. Well played.
-the puck
Uke, He pitches for Tony Gwynn @ San Diego State…Saw him pitch last year, outstanding pitcher….Is he eligable in June ????
When the ‘experts’ evaluate the pen, they tend to only look at the 8th-9th inning.
Mets pen has minimal depth after that. Shawn Green? Darren O’Day? Stokes? Villone?
Uke: I get the reasons why jeter should be leading off god i’ve been saying he should leadoff for years. I think its been proven statistically over and over through the years, thats why I’m saying that having him leadoff doesnt seem to make it any more likely that Gardner has won or lost the CF job yet. If Melky was a righty, then maybe you could make some sort of argument I guess.
Seth, often Minor League #’s don’t translate to the majors, especially when it comes to pitching, you have to consider the makeup of the player among other key components, they’re both guys that shouldn’t be part of a contenders BP
Giuseppe,
he should have said “improved” bullpen. It’s a bit early to say it’s really strong.
K-Rod makes up for the loss of Wagner.
Considering how cheaply Seattle gave up Putz, I have to think they were concerned about his health.
As great as Putz is healthy, I’d like to see him hold up for a few months before counting on him to be his usual self.
The rest of their pen could be ok but certainly is a big question mark (Sean Green, Feliciano, Figueroa, ???).
Dave – Melancon is a much safer bet to be a stud than Albaladejo is.
Stupid Met fan on with Mike.
Pat M, Stephen Strasburg’s agent, Scott Boras, wants 50 million if he’s drafted first.
Nobody even mentions Albaladejo as a candidate for the pen– not the YES guys on TV or the website, nor any of the beat writers. Not one quote from Girardi or Cash on him.
Every Spring, there is one guy who gets over-hyped. This year, it happens to be Albaladjeo.
R+,
good point.
another thing about the Mets pen – their starting pitching, at least to me, looks more suspect than usual (Maine is hurt, Perez is inconsistent, 4th and 5th starters are question marks) and the bullpen could be counted on quite a bit.
having a 1-2 punch is great for the games that Santana goes 7 strong. But what happens when they need 4-5 innings after one of their starters has a rough outing?
Melky hits better from the left side so usually he will bat lefty unless there is a lefty on the mound anyway, so I don’t feel that the switch in the lineup is geared toward the 9th spot as much as it is toward getting more production out of the 1-2 spot
“Stupid Met fan on with Mike. ”
Hahaha… I just tuned in. For all Fat Mike’s faults, he is definitely pwning the caller.
Boras doesn’t want 50 million, but I’m sure he’ll easily get 10, too bad San Diego didn’t lose 4-5 more games so they good get their hometown hero, whom loves the Padres, yes he’s eligible this year
“Dave – Melancon is a much safer bet to be a stud than Albaladejo is.”
I think you’re in the wrong place or just have your head up the wrong place. As far as I can see, nobody is debating that.
But if you find somebody who said Alby is going to be better than Melancon, cool, you can talk to them. Otherwise, I guess you can put your head back up in there.
Anyone else see the free mlb.tv game today? Was that the premium package or the regular? It looked so much better than my regular package that I had last year.
Leave Dave alone, I’ve seen him say like 3 times Melancon is better than Alby, dead issue, move on, he never claimed alby was better
Met fan said Cano couldn’t hit. Rather have Main instead of Joba. Our LF has bad knees. (what’s wrong with Damon knees?) Maybe he meant Matsui who is the DH. Posada will never be able to throw again.
l:
That was hilarious. LMAO
Ball 4
March 26th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I never thought that Britton or Patterson got a fair shot. Britton was just used to eat innings in blowouts and sent down thereafter. He didn’t pitch with any consistency.
I like Albaladejo, but just don’t see where he fits with all the other young talented arms we have. You can only carry 7 guys in the pen. It would help if they could turn him into a long man (he was a starter for some time in the minors).
————————————————————
And Britton has been cut loose by the Padres, of all teams, while Patterson won’t make the 25 man roster and most likely to be removed from the 40 man roster. Definately, they’re both real keepers.
NickSF. I will wait until you look at the lines and sober up from a cheese steak buzz. However, I do like Villanova and every over on the board…
-the puck
Agreed, Boston Dave.
That’s what is wrong with these “experts” as R+ stated above @ 5:20.
Very very short-sided and explains why these morons keep talking about Joba to the pen.
There are normally seven pitchers who make up a bullpen and yet they only really focus on two of them – the primary setup guy and the closer.
I don’t have any doubt the Yankee pen will be better than the Mets pen this season. Lots of good young arms that miss bats.
where they bat jeter and damon has nothing to do with who wins the CF job.
Met’s have 2 pitchers in their rotation, 2 in their bullpen, and maybe 3 in their lineup, the rest of the team is a bunch of scrubs…
These Mets fans are amazing.
John Maine is better than Joba?
A-Rod is like Wally Backman?
If I had to guess, I’d see Strasburg getting $20M and a MLB deal and he’s probably worth more than that.
If the scouts are right, then he can be pitching in the majors very quickly. If that’s the case, he deserves to be paid for it.
Yeah, scouts go crazy about people a little too often for my liking, but they say he could pitch in the majors tomorrow and dominate
Tex gets his first exposure to a NY tradition- stickball!
http://www2.tbo.com/content/20.....-breaking/
The 8th-9th inning combo is very valuable in the postseason, but they can’t use Putz or K-Rod every game this year or they will need shoulder surgery by June.
You need to establish other guys who can get outs in big spots and you need depth.
Our pen depth is worlds better than the Mets.
I still can’t believe NYM got Putz that cheaply in that 3-team deal. Endy Chavez? Aaron Heilman? I understand he may be damaged goods, but it was still a steal for them considering they gave up nothing.
“And Britton has been cut loose by the Padres”
That’s because they signed Duaner Sanchez and are hoping he will return to his pre-injury self (I dont know that he will). If he doesn’t, I think Britton will be the first guy called back.
Britton was never going to make the Yankees and is at best an avg reliever, but IMO, he’s good enough to be pitching in the majors. I guess we’ll see.
“I still can’t believe NYM got Putz that cheaply in that 3-team deal. Endy Chavez? Aaron Heilman? I understand he may be damaged goods, but it was still a steal for them considering they gave up nothing.”
Agreed. I thought for sure he’d have something scary in his medicals. If he holds up this season, it’s a steal for the Mets.
Britton has been released, not sent to the minors.
Matsui’s wife is attractive, but flat….
GB,
All I saw was that he was reassigned to minor league camp.
what’s your source on his release?
p.s. he can become a free agent if he wants to but I hadn’t heard that he left camp
Ok, dennis, visions of cheesesteak are still dancing in my head, but I think I like the Memphis -5 the best out of the 4 lines, followed by UConn, Pitt, and Nova. I’m not particularly in love with any of them.
Strasburg maybe a # 1 in talent, but I doubt he’ll be selected # 1….
NickSF.
Thanks. That response looked like my senior prom selections….
I am going to call and pound Memphis. Please root hard.
-the puck
Pat M,
If he isn’t selected #1, I’ll be shocked… and disappointed that Washington couldn’t care less about ever winning. Their fans would revolt if they pass on him.
Stasburg is a once in a lifetime talent. Why wouldn’t you give him anything he wants to sign him?
Selig has a real issue on his hands though. Boras is going to blow the draft pay scale way out of whack with this guy.
go pitt!
If Strasburg doesn’t get taken #1, I vote to fire everyone involved in the Nationals front office… not that I don’t think that should happen already
New Yankee Stadium pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/st.....ium032609#
The Nats have the first and the 10th picks in this draft.
Bruney, Albaladejo, Veras, Edwar, Coke, Melancon, Robertson, Marte, Giese, Tomko….. does it really matter?
We’re going to have a top pen regardless with incredible depth. Not worth getting upset if a certain guy doesn’t make it or makes it.
Let the chips fall where they may. Girardi and Cash know what they’re doing. We’re going to have a great pen, whatever combination of guys they use.
I don’t think there should be a full salary cap in baseball, but there should deff be one on the drafted players, these are players that can possibly never even play in the majors making millions of dollars, players dropping to the lower 1st round not because of their talent but because of signability issues is absurd, the draft is defended as the method smaller market teams can use to remain competitive, but not for long, not with the payscale of rookies being so insane.
“Selig has a real issue on his hands though. Boras is going to blow the draft pay scale way out of whack with this guy.”
Very true. I’m sure it will be addressed when the CBA is up.
Still can’t believe we didn’t sign Cole last year. Not that I blame Cashman, but the situation was bizarre from the outset.
Girardi is quite masterful with the bullpen, that’s something most will agree with
That’s alright, Gerrit Cole assured us a first round draft pick this year, although we won’t get someone with his talent in this draft, we still have the pick
“We’re going to have a top pen regardless with incredible depth. Not worth getting upset if a certain guy doesn’t make it or makes it.”
That’s the point. The Yankees finally have great depth and with bullpens, that’s often the only thing that matters. Guys get hurt, guys go on hot streaks, etc. Very few teams can handle that as well as the Yankees appear to be able to this season.
All I can ask for is that everybody gets a chance. They’re all pitching well in the minors, they all deserve a shot to help the MLB team.
“Still can’t believe we didn’t sign Cole last year. Not that I blame Cashman, but the situation was bizarre from the outset.”
That one stings. Yanks just missed on Porcello several years back and then they lose out on Cole. Just think of the possibilities…. UGH
I selfishly hope Cole gets injured (nothing too serious but enough to affect his draft stock). I’m a jerk, it’s ok.
Who pitches this Sunday vs Pirates?
Yeah, that’s true. Small market teams no longer have the advantage with Boras and other guys making these ridiculous demands. $50 million for a guy who has never thrown a pitch above college?
I thought the draft was a way for the small market teams to be able to build teams when they can’t compete in free agency.
Cole started off on the wrong foot by shunning the media in order to go play golf.
Then Bill Madden wrote a story that Cole’s father is a millionaire and they don’t need the money. If that is true, shouldn’t Cashman have been aware that you can’t woo him with money if he’s already rich?
Soon players with top 10 draft potential will tell other teams not to draft them because they want to sign with the Yankees or Red Sox in the last couple picks of the first round
Cole had a sudden change of heart after a long talk with his father, he had intended on going into the bigs i believe, but I guess he decided to go to school instead, either way, he was raised with a silver spoon in his mouth and probably won’t ever need to worry about paying the mortgage
“Selig has a real issue on his hands though. Boras is going to blow the draft pay scale way out of whack with this guy”
have a solution. First, tell me if the foundation’s been poured at the future Jets/Giants stadium?
D-dog
March 26th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I wish the Yankees trade Melky so all you racist bums start crying over Gardner not being able to hit over 150 and playing poor defense.
=============================================
There does seem to be a ‘Great White Hope’ thing attached to Gardner. And an “our little Dustin Pedroia” thing attached to Gardner.
Melky does seem to be tagged “lazy” without any evidence that he is. Particularly since people often say Melky AND Cano are “lazy.”
“There does seem to be a ‘Great White Hope’ thing attached to Gardner. And an “our little Dustin Pedroia” thing attached to Gardner.”
That might be true except that people are clamoring for AJax to take over in 2010 and get Gardner out of there.
What can Bud really do if Boras demands $50 million and the Nats are willing to pay it? Tell the Nats they can’t sign him?
Then what?
Enquiring minds want to know…. what did sources say or Derek say about Girardi batting him lead off?
“Melky does seem to be tagged “lazy” without any evidence that he is. Particularly since people often say Melky AND Cano are “lazy”
Melky had 2+ years, to prove himself. And the racist claims are beyond weak.
Simple solution, allow trading draft choices…..With Bowden out of DC, who knows….
Pat M,
How are things? The Nationals could go cheap and not take Strasburg but otherwise he’s a lock to get taken first barring injury.
Many scouts are saying that Strasburg is on his way to being the greatest amateur pitching prospect of all time. Better than Mark Prior. There’s always hype about this player being the best prospect ever, etc. but with Strasburg there’s a real case to be made both in terms of his performance and his talent.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on Strasburg given that you saw him in person last year (I was actually meaning to ask if you had and what your scouting report was).
As good as he was last year – he’s been even better this year. Much better. He’s struck out 74 hitters in 34 innings. That’s an averate K/9 innings of nearly 20. That’s simply unimaginable.
He’s only gotten in shape 3 years ago (a bit like Joba’s story though not as dramatic…). And it seems like he’s still on the upward slope of figuring out his talent.
He’s almost sitting 98-101 in games. He’s hit 103 on the gun several times this year. Those velocities are almost unheard of for a starting pitcher. It’s not like he’s occassionally breaking 100. He’s there all the time. And his pitches have a lot of movement and life on them.
If you get a chance to see him this year make a point to do so. He’s having a truly historic season. Perhpas one of the great performances by any college athlete in his/her respective sport in history.
Take a look if you get the chance. I’d be interested in your take and how he looks compared to last season.
Melky isin’t lazy – he just isin’t very good.
Doesn’t have power, doesn’t have speed, doesn’t have plate discipline, not a high average hitter, switch hitter who is inept from the right side.
What skill-set does he possess exactly?
“What skill-set does Melky possess exactly”
ability to place empty box of David Sunflower seeds, on his head
Melky does seem to be tagged “lazy” without any evidence that he is.
————
Can’t have this one both ways. Yankee fans praised Melky relentlessly in 2006 when he came up because of the supposed “high energy” and youth he brought to the team.
Melky also did gain some weight and looked pretty sluggish most of the 2008 season.
I think Matsui should hook his wife-a-scetch up with some botox/upper enhancements and a new wardrobe. Then she’d look like the girls in some of the videos stashed in his closet.
“Melky also did gain some weight and looked pretty sluggish most of the 2008 season.”
Lets not forget the homerun tear he was in last April and the next coming of Bernie talks with a sprinkle of all star in July. He has batted much better in the minors than Brett. I do believe we should give Gardner a shot, but for some to say he’s better than Melk is a bit premature.
CB, Glad that Spring Traing is coming to a conclusion for it means that you’ll be hanging out here and that will elevate the LoHud’s game…..I’m certain that San Diego State plays vs. my Alta Mata UCI….I’ve been watching this lefty Tyler Matzak ( Capistrano HS ) Wow…..I’m going to look up the Aztecs schedule..Last year he was very impressive, but didn’t warranted the raves he getting now….
CB,
I’ll be heading over to see Strasburg when the team returns the first week of April. Can’t wait…
As you said, the scary thing about his fastball is that is does have some cutting action.
The only injury concern I’ve heard is around his sudden increase in velocity. Some pitchers who have seen a jump like this end up with problems. That may not mean much of anything.
If his secondary pitches are truly above average as said by some, the Nationals simply must pay the man.
Forgive me if I’m late to the party on this, but on the previous post, where Pete listed the rotation for the beginning of the season: assuming CC is still No. 1, then why is Joba the No. 2 and Pettitte the No. 5? Even if only temporary, it means that Joba will be going up against the other’s teams’ No. 2, instead of Wang or AJ, correct? Is that smart?
Preliminary reports are that Aaron Boone’s surgery was successful. That’s good to hear. They say the recovery time is months. As long as he ends up healthy.
Pat,
Yes the season is drawing near. I remember reading something very brief about Matzak last year. I think it was something within an article on Cole about SoCal kids coming up for this years draft. You’ve been raving about him so he must be a good one. High school lefty with good stuff… not real common. I take it your more impressed with him than Cole.
That Cole thing was fun last year. You went out and scouted him for the board when it looked like the Yankees might have him on their radar. Let’s hope Matzak signs with Boras (or at least i think we should hope that…)
Tough part of the draft this year – the sox pick one spot in front of the yankees. That’s a tough one – bound to be some inevitable heartbreak there. If Josh Fields hadn’t signed with the M’s the yanks would have picked one spot before the sox… oh well.
Strasburg’s performance this year has been monumental. He looked great in the olympics over the summer. I think he’s even better than he was last year or during the olympics. It seems he’s picked up some velocity from last year and is still learning what his body is capable of with the right mechanics.
Some of the swings hitters are taking against him are amongst just about the worst you could possible see.
The yanks staff looks pretty good, doesn’t it? How much does AJ throw his two seam fastball (especially to right handed hitters) and how much does he use his change up, particularly when his curve ball command isn’t there. That’s what I want to see. But he’s certainly looked good.
This might have been complete hyperbole but a scout watching strasburg pitch said that strasburg was better than AJ right now.
BD,
Strasburg’s curve ball is terrific. It’s almost a bit like Burnett’s in certain ways. He throws it as hard as a slider but it’s action is truly that of a curve ball. It’s a plus plus pitch.
Enjoy watching him. The quality of swings hitters are getting against him are simply atrocious. They are just starting their swings willy nilly – you can tell that they feel like they have almost no shot at not getting overpowered.
Question,
Why does Boston keep collecting pitchers? Do they not have enough? Is there nothing in the pipeline?
They’ve signed Rocky Cherry. (What a name, like a stud football player).
You can never have enough pitching, that’s why, cheap as hell, why not give him a try, It doesn’t matter what # is assigned to pitchers unless its the first week of baseball or the playoffs, once injuries, off-days, skipped starts and all that fun stuff comes into effect, no team will have their rotation lined up perfect 1-5 every 5 games
CB,,,Cole threw harder than Tyler, but Tyler is well wrapped upstairs, where as Cole was very young for his talent…Although he’s looked good for UCLA…Tyler pitches in a far more competative league than Cole did….However make no mistake about it, Cole has a MLB arm…..As for AJ, back in Novemeberthere was only a few that were campaining for his signing over Derek Lowe….I’ll aways recall your Schilling analogy, and I believe you’re right on…..Love that arm…..
after watching a video link here posted the other day in which strasburg struck out 23, my thoughts were he should just shut it down and get a contract before he throws another pitch.
boras can take his chances by letting strasburg finish the season and go for a big payoff because strasburg is just one gamble he’s making. strasburg has only one bet and that’s on his own arm.
he’s done enough already to be a high #1 draft pick. i know he won’t do it , but he really should be thinking about how to protect his future . if something happens to him now he gets zippo.
there should be a way for him to at least insure himself, but i doubt that’s ncaa legal.
Is there independent verification that Joba’s velo was the same at this point last season?
send stratsburg to japan and then let boras host a yankee-sox bidding war in 2011.
Mrs. Matsui is looking lovely as usual.
Has anyone actually ever seen her? Is it possible it’s all just a clever ruse to separate Jeter and Abreu from their money? Perhaps that’s why they haven’t paid?
Pete have you seen Mrs. Matsui?
I for one really like Matsui and believe he’ll have a big year. I understand he’s getting older, but I wish he could stick around. I hope he gets a championship with the Yankees.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03.....161443.htm
If this is true about Jeter I will kiss the damned ground. It will tell me the Yankees are more interested in winning than worried about hurting Jeter’s feelings.
Jeter in the one hole should mean less opportunities for him to GIDP. That is HUGE!
You know what happens when you sign a lot of low-cost FA pitchers? You collect a lot of mediocre pitchers. Could you catch the proverbial lightning in a bottle? Sure. But I don’t know that it’s a reliable way to build a contender. And, it takes up roster space in your minor league system (which at this point in ST is going to happen, they’re not going to make the 25-man at this point). Though, I guess that if you had any good arms in your farm system you wouldn’t be signing low-cost FA pitchers to start with.
CB, from the previous thread, I thought you made a great point about how fans have been happy with AJ throwing at 93/94 and really pitching, but less than pleased/concerned at Joba’s reduced velocity. The only thing I’ll say is that AJ has been consistently at 93/94, whereas Joba seems to be pretty spotty at around 92-94. Of course, if he’s throwing 2-seamers more, that would explain things. Also, AJ has been sort of mentoring Joba – I think Joba is taking this advice (being more efficient, not throwing max effort) to heart, but it’s not that easy to put it into practice. He’ll get there in time, I’m not worried about that.
Joe from LI,,,I think the Sox are hoping Penny can last a half a season before he breaks down ( usually around the AS break )and then they slot Smoltz in for the 2nd half….
I loved the ground balls AJ was getting on Tuesday – he had some very easy innings and even when he was tiring, the Sox were not having good at bats. I asked on another board whether AJ threw any changes against the Sox, but I got mixed responses. Some people said he threw four or five, but others said he only threw one. If he doesn’t have confidence in it, I hope the Yankees can build it up – it would be awfully nice if he had that 3rd pitch.
got tickets yesterday for $90 for the yanks/sox game on 8/7, going with the fam, we couldnt find seats all together so we are sitting behind eachother a bit scattered but i dont care im so excited!!
btw $90 each, not all together lol (i wish) hah
Mark Fidritch interviewed on MLB network.
so genuine.
Anf for 90 bones, where are you sitting ??? A few years ago for $90.00 you’d be sitting in the Yankee Bullpen bs’ing with Rivera…
CB, from the previous thread, I thought you made a great point about how fans have been happy with AJ throwing at 93/94 and really pitching, but less than pleased/concerned at Joba’s reduced velocity.
__
The problem, at least as I see it, is Joba’s being at 89-91 at times. If he’s consistently at 93-94, and occasionally at 95-96, that’s fine.
PAT M,
field seats section 134, cant complain.
How come Bard was able to 100 without needing a month and half?
Faith, That’s not bad at all…….
$55 for MVP Field Box for Yankees vs. Oakland A’s with no service charge if purchased at stadium box office.
Two drawbacks:
1) the game is being played in Oakland
2) the box office is also in Oakland
Got tickets to 4/4 game can’t wait!! Saw the second to last game at the old stadium. I am seeing the second game at the new.
Tickets still available. Tough times in Oakland.
“there should be a way for him to at least insure himself, but i doubt that’s ncaa legal.”
randy, i think ncaa football players frequently do this
even if strasburg gets hurt, he’s still going to get at least $5M from someone. look at Brackman.
i mean, unless his arm comes flying out of its socket and hits the catcher in the face or something.
Can someone explain to me how NCAA pitchers can have “advisors” that are basically agents but NCAA basketball players and their colleges get penalties for dealin with “advisors”
Seems like a double standard to me.
“The problem, at least as I see it, is Joba’s being at 89-91 at times. If he’s consistently at 93-94, and occasionally at 95-96, that’s fine.”
If he’s only throwing his 4-seamer 89-91 in the regular season, then maybe it’s a problem.
They need to PROHIBIT radar guns in spring training. People are too in love with them (especially when they mean little to nothing in the spring).
I don’t know too many pitchers who would rather have speed than control anyway. Give me a pitcher who can control his pitches at 89-91 any day over one who can’t at 100. Joba is in the process of developing his pitching. You can’t do that if you’re trying to throw the ball through a wall every time.
“send stratsburg to japan and then let boras host a yankee-sox bidding war in 2011.”
i think he still has to go into the draft, no? i could be wrong
“it would be awfully nice if he had that 3rd pitch.”
So true.
As CB has said in the past, if AJ’s curveball is “on”, nobody is hitting him.
If that’s the case, I’d surmise that the games in which he’s been hit, he wasn’t locating the curveball and was forced to overuse the fastball.
If he can mix in a good changeup during the games in which his curveball is off, look out.
He is good enough to excel with 2 pitches, if he can throw 3 (or 2 when one of the offspeed pitches isn’t working), he’s going to dominate.
vinny-b (Girardi, Pettitte, Mo, Matsui, Gardner = my top 5)
March 26th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
“Melky does seem to be tagged “lazy” without any evidence that he is. Particularly since people often say Melky AND Cano are “lazy”
Melky had 2+ years, to prove himself. And the racist claims are beyond weak.
=====================================================
See, here’s the difference between you and me.
First of all, I’m responding to another poster, who used that word.
Secondly, you are pretty combative, aren’t you? I am making an observation that the guy has a point. I am agreeing with the poster.
Your idea of Melky having had time to “prove himself” has nothing to do with what the guy said, or my comment on what the guy said.
jennifer – I was at that second to last game, too!
From last thread:
“Having the faux-Sheppard fill-in last season didn’t work so well.”
It wasn’t so bad.
I’m telling you that guy had A LOT of people fooled. Can’t recall his name but i think he studied under Sheppard at St. Johns.
I did not want to leave the stadium, but Yankees security started to yell at everyone to leave. They were really jerks about it.
“Tigers manager Jim Leyland admitted Thursday that it’s “highly unlikely” Joel Zumaya will be ready for Opening Day.”
Zumaya could be as important as any other pitcher on the team (unless Verlander wakes up).
Too bad Detroit doesn’t have much of a farm system left. They’re likely to be in the market for some bullpen help this season and the Yanks have extra.
Mel Hall?
If he’s only throwing his 4-seamer 89-91 in the regular season, then maybe it’s a problem.
They need to PROHIBIT radar guns in spring training. People are too in love with them (especially when they mean little to nothing in the spring).
I don’t know too many pitchers who would rather have speed than control anyway. Give me a pitcher who can control his pitches at 89-91 any day over one who can’t at 100. Joba is in the process of developing his pitching. You can’t do that if you’re trying to throw the ball through a wall every time.
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You’re talking about two different things, the optimal pitcher vs. Joba v. himself.
The reasons people are concerned about him is his prior body of work when viewed in the context of his decreased velo when he returned from the shoulder injury in September.
When returned, his velo was often at the 90ish mph level that it has been at times during ST. So when people see him being at that speed now, they don’t know if it’s a lingering effect of the injury, or building up arm strength, or from working on a pitch.
No one (apart from Joba and the Yankees, assuming he is being honest with them) knows the true answer to that question. So apart from taking the Yankees at their word, we as fans are left to guess what the truth is until the regular season starts and we get a truer test.
That’s why I asked for independent confirmation of his velo readings from this point last spring.
If Matsui makes photocopies of his wife is that considered bigamy?
No, cloning.
Jeter in LF
March 26th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
You’re talking about two different things, the optimal pitcher vs. Joba v. himself.
The reasons people are concerned about him is his prior body of work when viewed in the context of his decreased velo when he returned from the shoulder injury in September.
————————————————————
Two questions? Is he getting outs? Is he healthy?
The answer to both is yes. Therefore, there is no concerns.
Giuseppe Franco
March 26th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Melky does seem to be tagged “lazy” without any evidence that he is.
——————
Can’t have this one both ways. Yankee fans praised Melky relentlessly in 2006 when he came up because of the supposed “high energy” and youth he brought to the team.
Melky also did gain some weight and looked pretty sluggish most of the 2008 season.
======================================================
I wouldn’t say he was sluggish, I would say he went astray because of that unfortunate power display that messed up his mechanics. I’ve seen him described in this forum as not “coming to ST prepared.” That’s a willful disregard for reality; he’s in shape and he has worked all offseason on his plate mechanics.
So why would someone say he’s ‘not prepared’ when he is? The manager keeps praising him for his ‘not giving up’ and ‘competing.’ It seems that Melky – the actual player – is defying the stereotype.
“No, cloning.”
I hope he signed a pre-nup. All those cloned wives will take him to the cleaners. (all pockets checked first of course – don’t want to lose a wife to the dreaded spin cycle)
Two questions? Is he getting outs? Is he healthy?
The answer to both is yes. Therefore, there is no concerns.
__
That’s the point. We don’t know with metaphysical certainty (to borrow John McLaughlin’s phrase) that he is 100% healthy, and getting outs in ST is not necessarily completely generalizable to the regular season (otherwise Bucholz is now Cy Young).
So until and unless we see Joba being the pitcher he was v. Beckett at Fenway last year, there has to be some concern.
Giuseppe Franco
March 26th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Yankee fans praised Melky relentlessly in 2006 when he came up because of the supposed “high energy” and youth he brought to the team….
================================
Maybe they were happy about the .360 OBP. He can do that again with no trouble. Gardner? We will have to wait and see.
Melky:
Reasonably strong arm.
Accurate; if you feel a throw tailing about 1/3 the way up the first base line is acceptable.
Great catch on Manny’s attempt at a home run.
Amusing watching him scramble like a woodchuck after countless triples sail over his head, because he’s, at best, an slightly below average center-fielder.
Clutch pop-ups to SS.
Sad flailings at ‘ball four’ pitches.
Funny & memorable name.
Not lazy – just seems pathically unaware of his general surroundings.
Tells funny jokes; or at least he laughs at alot of jokes (not sure which trait is better)
Exactly what key skill can we highlight to make another team want to trade for him ???
A perplexing question, eh ???
Jeter in LF
March 26th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Two questions? Is he getting outs? Is he healthy?
The answer to both is yes. Therefore, there is no concerns.
__
That’s the point. We don’t know with metaphysical certainty (to borrow John McLaughlin’s phrase) that he is 100% healthy, and getting outs in ST is not necessarily completely generalizable to the regular season (otherwise Bucholz is now Cy Young).
So until and unless we see Joba being the pitcher he was v. Beckett at Fenway last year, there has to be some concern.
————————————————————
If there was even a hint that Chamberlain was hurt, he wouldn’t be pitching. He had no trouble getting outs last year after he came off of the DL.
Jeter in LF,
If you’re considering that Joba might be injured and that’s a reason for a decrease in velocity, that seems like a valid concern to me.
However, all accounts are that he is not injured at all. IMO, if the Yankees thought Joba was even remotely injured, he wouldn’t be pushing it at all and Phil Hughes would still be in camp.
I hope he’s healthy. If that’s the case, I haven’t the slightest concern for his velocity in spring training. I don’t even care what it is.
GreenBeret7
If there was even a hint that Chamberlain was hurt, he wouldn’t be pitching. He had no trouble getting outs last year after he came off of the DL.
__
That assumes that he is being totally forthcoming. He probably is, but I don’t know that.
__
Boston Dave
If you’re considering that Joba might be injured and that’s a reason for a decrease in velocity, that seems like a valid concern to me.
However, all accounts are that he is not injured at all. IMO, if the Yankees thought Joba was even remotely injured, he wouldn’t be pushing it at all and Phil Hughes would still be in camp.
I hope he’s healthy. If that’s the case, I haven’t the slightest concern for his velocity in spring training. I don’t even care what it is.
__
I basically agree, but my only point is explaining why there is some reason for concern, which can and probably will be assuaged when the season starts.
But for his injury last year, the decreased velo wouldn’t worry me at all.
hahhahahahahahahhhahahahaha
that picture joke is hilarious.