Spring Game 31: Yankees at Braves
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Mar 28, 2009 
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YANKEES
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Nady RF
Cano 2B
Cabrera CF
Ransom 3B
Cash C
Tomko RHP
Pitching today: Brett Tomko, Alfredo Aceves, Dan Giese.
BRAVES
Schafer CF
Escobar SS
C. Jones 3B
McCann C
Norton 1B
Diaz RF
B. Jones LF
Prado 2B
Jurrjens RHP
Pitching today: Jair Jurrjens.
Notes: While most of the Yankees head for Disney, Chien-Ming Wang, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui and Nick Swisher will play for Triple-A Scranton at 1 p.m in Tampa. … The three pitchers are the three remaining candidates to be the long reliever. Tomko has been the best this spring. But Joe Girardi remembers how well Aceves and Giese pitches last season. … Posada will also catch tomorrow before getting some time off. He said last night that his shoulder continues to feel good.
Back with more later on.
UPDATE, 1:02 p.m.: We’re about to get underway here at Disney. Pretty quiet day so far in terms of news. Girardi said back in Tampa that the long man competition won’t necessarily be decided today. But what happens today will have an impact.
UPDATE, 1:09 p.m.: The game is on television somewhere because it’s on in the pressbox. The Braves folks say it’s on Sports South.
UPDATE, 1:1 p.m.: Brian McCann just left the game when he took a foul tip off his hand.
UPDATE, 1:16 p.m.: The Yankees loaded the bases with one out. But Cano grounded into a 6-4-3 DP.
UPDATE, 1:25 p.m.: The Braves started the inning with a wind-blown pop-up double. Melky was apparently playing behind the fence given how long it took him to get over to the ball. But Tomko wiggled out of the jam without allowing a run.
UPDATE, 1;27 p.m.: According to our operatives in Tampa, Jorge Posada threw out a runner in the minor league game. But Wang allowed two home runs, at least one of which was wind-blown.
UPDATE, 1:35 p.m.: The Yankees loaded the bases with no outs in the second when Tomko inexplicably drew a walk. Jeter grounded into what looked like a sure double play. But using his great will to win and True Yankeeness, Jeter was able to convince the ball to take a bad hop and two runs scored.
Now the Yankees lead 3-0.
UPDATE, 1:38 p.m.: This release from the Yankees:
The Yankees announced today they have acquired minor league RHP Charles Nolte from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for RHP Jason Jones. Jones was taken by Minnesota in the 2008 Rule 5 Draft and offered back to the Yankees. Instead of Jones being returned to the organization, the Yankees and Twins agreed on the two-player trade.
Nolte, a 24th-round pick by Minnesota in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, was 4-3 with one save and a 2.05 ERA in 44 relief appearances with the Single-A Beloit Snappers in 2008 (70.1IP, 63H, 26R, 16ER, 35BB, 75K, 1HR). The 6-3, 200 lb. right-hander is a San Diego, Calif. native and attended San Diego State University.
UPDATE, 1:52 p.m.: Yankees lead 4-0. Melky is 2 for 2. He’s hanging in there maybe.
UPDATE, 2:00 p.m.: Brian Bruney pitched in the Double-A game this afternoon. His line: 2 0 0 0 0 4. 32 pitches / 19 strikes.
UPDATE, 2:04 p.m.: Tomko didn’t do anything to hurt his cause: 3 3 0 0 1 1. Aceves now on to pitch. Still 4-0 Yankees.
UPDATE, 2:15 p.m.: The Yankees made a double switch and put Ramiro Pena to play short. On cue, he made a diving stop (going, ahem, to his left) and then a strong throw to get Matt Diaz. The Yankees gathered outside the dugout to congratulate him after the inning.
It would be forward-thinking if the Yankees kept him on the roster instead of Berroa.
UPDATE, 2:17 p.m.: It is high, it is far, it is gone! Mark Teixeira has hit a ball over the right-field fence and the Yankees lead 5-0! And Tex marks the spot! He’s on the Mark!
OK, I’ve lost my mind. But it really is 5-0.
UPDATE, 2:22 p.m.: Cano goes deep to left. 6-0.
UPDATE, 2:38 p.m.: Aceves allowed a run in the fifth. 6-1 Yankees.
Meanwhile, in the AA game back in Tampa, Hideki Matsui was 2 for 3 with a double, a homer and a walk.
In the Triple-A game, Nick Swisher was 1 for 5 with a homer. Posada caught four innings and was 1 for 4 with a double.
UPDATE, 2:54 p.m.: Pretty good work by Alfredo Aceves. 3 2 1 1 1 1. Yankees lead 6-1 after six.
UPDATE, 3:37 p.m.: Jeter left the game with a bruised knuckle on his left pinky finger. The Yankees did not reveal this until Jeter had already left the park.
Officially he’s, “just fine.”
UPDATE, 3:40 p.m.: Wang did not pitch well in the AAA game. 5 9 4 4 1 3. 92 pitches. He allowed two homers.
Probably not a big deal as pitchers use those games just to build endurance.
The game is almost over here. Back with more later.
Keep it. Up Tomko
But for Nady starting in RF, this has been a very productive ST.
If Aceves or Giese were to step up and grab the last bullpen slot, it would make Cashman’s job a little easier because he would need to only make one cut to free up the room for an infielder to take A-Rod’s place. However, if Tomko were to make the team, they would need to make 2 cuts.
Swish’s versatility and energy “hold the whole thing together”?
m, are you his mother?
Only a mother could see a player like Swisher as holding the New York Yankees “together”.
Divine Providence forbid we should ever be in such straits.
Re: Battle of the longmen
May the longest of the longs win.
Re: 30+ MPG
Do the car companies expect us to jump for joy about 30 MPG? No disrespect to the sponsors on this blog but it’s insulting.
Mark Feinsand gets a scouts opinion on all of the Yankees. Here’s on I really hope is not true:
JORGE POSADA
“Your question mark with Posada is how his arm comes back. From what I’ve seen, he’s going to have to be better than he was this spring or he’s going to be another DH. Teams are going to take off on him. He’s a hell of a player, a great switch-hitting catcher who can still hit, but his arm will have to be better as the season goes on.”
Peter, have Posada’s throws looked that bad this spring?
http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....nkees.html
I mentioned this on the other thread. What insight did that “scout” offer that a 10 year old child couldn’t provide?
Posada’s throws improved over the course of the spring. The critical issue is durability. The scout either didn’t watch all the games, or is merely an idiot.
Posada threw out 4 of the last 5 runners who tried to run on him. One of them was Ellsbury. The throw to get Ellsbury was not a great throw, and he might have actually been safe, but regardless, it was a close play. Runners like Ellsbury, Crawford, and Ichiro can steal on anybody, what Posada needs to do is throw out the average to slightly above average runners. I think he has proven that this spring. Last year, everybody was running on him, whether they were basestealers or not. He is to the point right now, from what he has done, that managers will not send their average runners because he will throw them out.
Mark in Tampa-He was out, it was a great tag by Jeter and a bad slide by Ellsbury, he should have lowered his head. Important thing is that his arm strength was there.
Anybody else think Molina is the best defensive catcher they’ve ever seen? If only you could combine Posada’s bat with Molina’s glove. Posina. Or maybe Molada.
As you say, the point isn’t whether he was safe or out, but that Jorge is able to keep first base from being just a temporary stopping point for all runners, like the beginning of last year.
IMO, the single best thing out of this ST is Posada’s health and performance. Having him in the lineup as the catcher is so important to the success of the Yanks. Matsui can DH instead of Posada taking up that spot. Also, no need for a third catcher on the roster.
I never got the third catcher thing. We have a backup. Why get a backup to the backup? Makes no sense.
The second best news of ST is that Mariano looks like he hasn’t missed a beat. That question has no doubt been answered in the positive!
Worst things out of ST? Arod’s hip, of course, but that should be no issue by the end of April, or so.
More concerning is the lack of anybody grabbing the 8th inning role. The Yanks have a bunch of good 7th inning and earlier types, but nobody to trust in the 8th. I don’t trust Edwar, Veras, or Marte in that role. I thought Bruney could be it, but he has been underwhelming. Somebody will have to step up during the year. Maybe Coke or Melancon can grow into that role, although they seem reluctant to get Melancon into the majors this year. And no, I am not making a case for Joba to the pen!
you don’t need an 8th inning guy, just go with matchups
I love Melancon and like Coke. By the way, Mo seems BETTER than he did last yr. Not one, but TWO five pitch innings! Un-be-liev-a-ble. The man is simply unfair. Nobody should be allowed to be that good.
There was talk at the start of ST that they may need a third catcher if Jorge couldn’t catch consistently. Molina would have started most games, the extra catcher would have been the backup, and Jorge would have been on the roster to DH, pinch hit, and emergency catcher. IMO, would have been a total waste of a roster spot; if Jorge couldn’t throw he should have started the year on the DL; but thankfully he has made it a moot point with his performance.
teddy-I don’t know about that. There are certain players (first who comes to mind is Manny who we luckily no longer have to deal with, but there are others) who you can’t just go lefty-righty with You just need your best shot to get them out in the game.
well if that the case. mo good for 5 outs for 15 pitches. ortiz you can get out with lefties, manny gone, i think matchups work
Mark in T..
I agree with your assessment that the two best things to happen this ST is Posada and Mo..
I’ll add a third, the overall healthiness of the team going into the season. I can’t remember, the last time the Yankees
had so few health issues.
The 4th- Although Gardner and Melky may never be All Stars, at least they are both having good Springs, and it takes the pressure off NY to make a move now for a CF.
I have tickets to go to the workout day next week on April 2nd. Has anyone ever been to one of these before?
Will all the starting players be there? Do they take batting practice?
Any info would be helpful…
Why in the world is Tomko a roster candidate? He’s a carreer mediocrity, sliding swiftly into sub-mediocrity.
Pete – If you’re reading this…
A few days ago, Jorge threw out 3 baserunners trying to steal second, and we all felt better. Yet, the scout that Mark Feinsand spoke to (in Mark’s Daily News blog) says that Jorge has a lot of work to do. What do you think of Jorge’s arm and throwing from what you’ve seen?
Ditto, your evaluation of Nick Swisher in the field?
Thanks.
Can they send Robertson down to get some work somewhere? There’s just no place for him it appears and today will be the 8th or 9th day he’s gone without pitching……
So this is basically the Final Audition for the Long Relief Spot
I wish Giradi would give robertson and alby the pen spots… Veras and Ramirez are so replaceable and expendable….
Im sure both will be up in the bigs by May 15th…
I just read this on rotoworld.com,
“Joba Chamberlain’s velocity has improved in recent outings, but still isn’t back to normal.
Chamberlain topped out at 94 mph in a start on Thursday, but that isn’t impressing scouts who have seen him hit 98 mph consistently over the past two seasons. “He was very stiff, almost as if he was working on something,” a scout said of the Yankees’ No. 5 starter. “I didn’t see anything all that good.” Joba has about two weeks to get things in order. It may be time to start worrying.”
That doesn’t make much sense to me. If you actually watch his starts from last year he averaged 94-95 and would only break out the 98 mph fastball when he needed a strikeout. There is no reason to put that much stress on the arm during the spring and I’m positive he will be able to hit that velocity during the regular season.
Also the point about “it looks like he’s working on something”, well yeah of course he is. He’s got 5 pitches and still a young pitcher he is most definitely working on improving his 3 worst pitches.
I’m glad Gardner looks like he’s going to get the starting gig in CF. I have serious questions about him, but I’d like to see him get a chance to succeed/fail over the course of a couple of months. He brings a unique asset to the Yankees in his blazing speed so that, if he can get on base and a respectable clip, he will be an asset to the Yankees. Melky? I already know what he is – and I don’t need to see more of him. The fact that he’s had a good ST doesn’t change my mind at all – many players have good ST only to have bad regular seasons. He’s just not a good hitter.
Patrick-I never worry about ST stats. We all know Joba’s a great pitcher and will be fine once the season starts. And watch Gardner exceed expectations and have a really good to great year. I’m calling it!
My post had nothing to do with spring training statistics…
Betsy-Once I mentioned casually that Gardner has a shot to hit over 300 with a 400+ OBp. Not a prediction, just a casual comment that I meant to mean that Gardner has potential. So someone wrote back that the reason he couldn’t do that is because scouts don’t project him to. But that doesn’t cut it for me. Wasn’tMelky projected to win a batting title? Wasn’t Kei Igawa the next big thing? Scouts are not always right by any stretch of the imagination. Gardner could end up very, very good.
Patrick-Perhaps I used the wrong word. It had to do with how Joba’s velocity was and his control in ST. I never worry about how good or bad someone does in ST. Again, we know Joba’s a great pitcher, so I’m not worried.
Patrick-Perhaps I used the wrong word. It had to do with how Joba’s velocity was and his control in ST. I never worry about how good or bad someone does in ST. Again, we know Joba’s a great pitcher, so I’m not worried.
Sorry, duplicate.
Sorry, duplicate.
This is weird.
There was only ever one scout who thought Igawa was the next big thing. Unfortunately he was Cashman’s right hand man at the time. Perhaps even more unfortunately, he still is.
Joey’s Poodle-Regardless, he was a scout.
Nice article on CC…..
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03.....161737.htm
I love this:
“He was so happy,” Cody Ransom said. “He said, ‘I forgot how much fun it was to be out there.’ ”
I also love how the starters are all engaged in a competition of sorts with each other…..
Melky wasn’t even considered a real prospect, let alone a contender for a batting title. However, TexMVP, scouts are often wrong. If Brett can hit .250/.260 and get on base at a decent clip, I’ll be very happy. I’m not sure that he can do that, but at least let’s give him a shot.
Betsy-His batting coach predicted a batting title, I believe.
If Brett can master the bunt single, that’s not unreasonable.
Melky’s batting coach isn’t a scout.
Nobody in their right mind thought Igawa was going to be anything special or Melky was going to be a big time player.
Hell, I wanted Melky traded after the 2006 season when his value was at it’s peak and teams around MLB had some interest in him.
joba has much of the month of april to get in shape too. he’s the fifth starter which means he can be skipped some turns through the rotation. you have to assume they are trying to keep his innings down.
maybe he’s been told to go slow this spring training. is it really smart for someone to throw maximum velocity in spring training when they are in their early twenties?
on a related note, pitchers go through a shock when they hit cold weather when the season begins. this is when the little injuries can pile up, hamstrings, groin pulls etc. this yankee season is all about the starters being healthy, so going slower with sabathia, burnett,wang, and joba in spring training is the smart thing to do if they are actually doing that.
weather is a variable you can’t control,but if there’s an especially cold april the team needs to make adjustments. when hughes was called up his first time two years ago ,it was a really bad cold spring with snow and sleet at many games. everyone was behind. the yankees didn’t seem to take this into account when they pushed hughes when he didn’t have the proper base of innings down. the injury probability was increased and the injuries came.
so if joba is taking his time to get ready for a full season, i think that’s probably the smart way to go.
The Yankees are praying that Aceves grabs this spot today
The last thing they want to do is make room on the 40 man for career mediocrity like Tomko who was released by the Royals last year and been on like 10 teams in 10 years.
Pete didn’t mention this, but today’s game is on SportsSouth (the part-time Braves cable outlet). If you have DirecTV’s sportspack you’ll be able to catch the game today. Also it looks like Twins @ Red Sox on NESN and the Phillies game on the MLB Network….
Guisseppe Franco-A scout predicted Igawa to be great.
Melky’s batting coach isn’t a scout, but he did coach Melky in batting, the stat I was referring to. Scouts are not always right. Phil Rizzuto was not highly touted at all, he’s a HOF now. Going back a bit I know, but still!
I don’t think their intention was to snub Robertson… there just has not been an opportunity to get him in the game.
The starters are starting to go deeper into games, they need to get guys like Mariano, Edwar, and Marte into more games to make up for lost time, they need to get the long men into games etc.
It’s not like guys like Steven Jackson, Igawa, Claggett etc. are pitching instead of him, its the guys who need to get into games.
Where is everyone?
Teixeiramvp -
Hello!
I’m doing “Saturday stuff,” so as for me, I’m back and forth. Don’t know about anyone else, though.
Glad I’m not alone here!
7*7, I didn’t mean to make it sound like the Yanks were purposely skipping Robertson. However, since Alabadejo has pitched quite a bit, it does tell me that he has the inside track. I just think Robertson needs to pitch, that is why he should be sent down. It’s not helping him (even if he starts the season in AAA) to be sitting on the sidelines…..
Guisseppe Franco-A scout predicted Igawa to be great.
————
There’s a big difference between one scout predicting Igawa was going to be great and the conventional wisdom among most scouts around the league.
Neither are ever going to be 100% accurate.
But the conventional wisdom when Igawa was signed was that Cashman made a really bad move and Melky was not likely to be an everyday center fielder in this league.
Both Albaladejo and Robertson are going to be sent to Scranton but I’m with Betsy because I’d like to see Robertson get on that mound and get his innings in.
Regardless, that Scranton pitching staff is going to be a steamroller this season. No other team in the league is going to be able to match their pitching from top to bottom.
The rotation is going to be very very good with Hughes, Kennedy, Aceves, even Igawa, and others who will end up there before the season is over.
The bullpen is going to be outstanding with Melancon, Albaladejo, Robertson, Jackson, Claggett, Cox, etc, etc.
If that club gets any consistent offense at all they will plow through the International League.
“The last thing they want to do is make room on the 40 man for career mediocrity like Tomko who was released by the Royals last year and been on like 10 teams in 10 years.”
Geise’s career hasn’t been good enough to call mediocre. He’d likely be the guy to come off the 40 man should Tomko be the guy. Not a big loss.
Joey’s Poodle,
Good morning. I was just trying to make the point that sometimes role players are called glue players. Luke Walton is an example I was drawing off of. He sucks like lemons, can’t play a lick in the starting lineup. But he is the glue that holds it together. When he’s out, so are the “little” things he does.
Different sports, and Swish isn’t in Walton’s part of the spectrum. Just trying to point out that Swish does the little things and he can maybe be the glue that we need. He has more versatility and patch up the holes we’ll inevitably have on a daily basEs.
So, no, I’m not his mother. Just using it as an example that might have been misconstrued by another reader as hyperbole.
Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG *OPS+ TB
2006 21 NYY AL 130 460 75 129 26 2 7 50 12 5 56 59 .280 .360 .391 95 180
not many players are this good at this age. these numbers say he’s a major league player. why he’s regressed for the past two years is the question. maybe it’s him, maybe it’s yankee coaching, or maybe it’s a combination of both. the yankees have not been very good at bringing offensive players along. cano is a prime example.
in the end, cabrera may not be good enough to be a yankee , but he’s definitely good enough to be a mlb player somewhere.
gardner totally has to prove himself. he’s likely going to get two months. even a player like pedroia had a terrible first month to six weeks his first year , so to be fair, gardner should get at least 6 weeks to get it going.
i see centerfield as an open competition for the next few years if the yankees stay in house. i don’t see the logic of trading melky while he’s at his low value point. maybe once he’s played and put up some numbers more like his first year it would make sense if gardner works out. until then, he’s an inexpensive part of the mix.
“Anybody else think Molina is the best defensive catcher they’ve ever seen?”
No. He’s not even the best defensive catcher at the Molina Christmas dinners.
Not sure if this has been mention yet, but the yankees are on channel 649 for those you have DirecTv sports pak.
I’m a little torn on a position that’s been historically filled by a filler.
In most cases I prefer to fill from within, without any major roster moves.
But if Tomko has earned the job by outpitching, he deserves it. Otherwise, why have comps in spring and why include non-roster invites.
Giese? Not a fan. But whenever he’s in, I’m cheering. Really cheering.
Aceves? I’d rather he be a starter in Scranton. He’s already proven to be a durable starter, barely breaking a sweat. I (maybe erroneously) look at Aceves as the 7th starter. 8th if they’re going to let Kennedy back into the Bronx. Seems like a waste of good innings to let Aceves wallow in the Yankee bullpen.
It doesn’t really matter, but they all three look like they could do the job. Even the AAA Cy Young that was already sent down would fit the bill.
Maybe Swisher can do the little things and be the glue after he plays his first regular season game as a Yankee.
Nick,
Maybe. Seeing as we didn’t have any “glue” players last season.
gameday please
We didn’t? We sure had anough players who were ready for a visit to the horse factory.
:0 
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....b_atlmlb_1
What happens when a Penny falls back down to earth? 3 hits and 2 earned runs.
Too bad the Yankees fell back to earth, too.
melky is doing very well.another hit
Melky singled to center, Ransom singled to right
Cash at the plate
Tomko works a walk. Based loaded. Captain is up
Tomko draws a walk.
His great eye at the plate gives him a heads up for the roster spot.
Now we get to see his speed on the bases.
Rofl at Bobby Cox cursing on TV.
Then they kicked him off TV!
Great defensive play by Cano.
re: Pete’s note of the Yankee trade – Jones for Nolte.
Wasn’t Jones the guy who said he was happy to be out of the Yankee organization?
If so – that would have been awkward coming back as a Rule 5 return….
Nice Robby – someone on another board reported that Cano stood like a statue on a play recently in another game, who knows if Robby’s head is really back in it. Of course, that could just be one fan’s impression. In any case, I think he’s going to have a darn good year.
Hey, anyone know how bad McCann was hurt? He’s my starter on two of my fantasy teams! (Well, at least on one of them Posada is on my bench…I’m kind of screwed on the other ones).
This may be the first time living in South Carolina has enabled me to see a Yankees game. Liner to Tex ends the inning.
Rebecca,
McCann is starting for me in 2 of my leagues as well. If he’s hurt I’m @#%@#%@#ed
Didn’t take the Yanks too long to get rid of that bum Jason Jones.
McCann is Just sick with a Stomach virus.
Yanks traded Jason Jones to the Twins for Charles Nolte. Here are Nolte’s stats: http://www.thebaseballcube.com.....olte.shtml
if melky going down, he going down swinging
“Wasn’tMelky projected to win a batting title?”
no, never. not sure where you got that from.
“Wasn’t Kei Igawa the next big thing?”
no, never. he was specifically brought over to be an affordable #4 starter. didn’t work, but he was never hyped as the next big thing. ever.
what’s the scouting report on Nolte? Is he a better prospect than Jones? Or is this all just an exercise of trade chips…?
Does anybody read the posts?
McCann took a foul tip off his hand in the first inning.
Brandon Jones was scratched with a stomach virus.
And the trade is just because the Yankees didn’t want Jones back as they have no place for him outside of the Trenton bullpen.
Cano was the one projected to win the batting title.
Nolte has K’d more than 1 per ip in the minors so far.
The Yankees are in trouble as far as pitching, too many riches. The pipeline is plugged and they need to deal some pitching. They have something like ten relievers and six starters at SWB. The trade was just to get a younger guy.
I never heard or read about any scout say Igawa was going to be the next big thing.
Maybe the guy worked for the Neville Chamberlain scouting service.
“if melky going down, he going down swinging”
That’s an improvement, he usually goes down sliding into first.
So did Bobby Cox leave the game with a foul tip off the hand or a sick stomach?
(j/k Pete… yes I read the posts)
Nolte was a Snapper last year. Good. Can’t have enough ex-Snappers.
I wish Minnesota would draft somebody named Whipper and send them to Beloit.
Melky will get his job back, then go into lazy-mode again.
“if melky going down, he going down swinging”
That’s an improvement, he usually goes down sliding into first.”
sad, yet so true
I thought Bobby Cox left the game with a foul mouth. I’m having a hard time keeping up too.
Yikes. Check out the college stats of Nolte. (link Phil provided above)
As an San Diego State Aztec his numbers were terrible. Just goes to show – scouts go off what they see (and future potential) and not just numbers.
Okay, let it droop.
Would it make sense (assuming the candidates for long reliever are nearly equal) to choose the man who is least like Joba because he will most likely be the pitcher AFTER Chamberlin throws his 100 pitches? The guy who looks least like Joba would have a totally different look for the opposing batters and that might help him succeed. – Just a thought.
Yep, leaped right on him in the 24th round.
The Braves announcers are having fun trying to pronounce Alfredo’s name.
“Ass-a-va.”
Tex just made a nice play. Glad we have him.
very nice play by Pena
That ply that Pena just made is a sure single when Jeter is in there. The guy can play defense that is for sure
Nick * I mean Charles * Nolte is a groundball pitcher, not much on him yet, I’ll see if he has a mugshot somewhere.
And tex just hit a homer. Really glad we have him =)
“Would it make sense (assuming the candidates for long reliever are nearly equal) to choose the man who is least like Joba because he will most likely be the pitcher AFTER Chamberlin throws his 100 pitches? The guy who looks least like Joba would have a totally different look for the opposing batters and that might help him succeed. – Just a thought.”
Look I’m no fan of Tomko but there is no reason he shouldn’t get that spot, just because they have to clear a roster spot to put him on the roster, oh well. The guy came into camp and has performed well, that’s all you can ask.
Aceves can go to the minors, and Dan Giese is 31, not 21, I have no quarems about him being released, which I think will happen. He was given his shot and his numbers are the worst of all three guys, if he wanted a spot, he should have pitched well and earned it. He is the one that is on the 40 man roster that needs to be off of it.
“I never heard or read about any scout say Igawa was going to be the next big thing.”
igawa was probably signed more for his stats in japan that on a lot of good scouting. his stats weren’t that much off from matsuzaka’s in japan.
you wouldn’t think that just looking at the japanese stats that there’s be this big of a difference in their mlb stats.
so much for objective stat based appraisals.
That’s too bad because Giese did well last year.
For you McCann fantasy owners – Braves announcers said it was just a contusion on the ring finger. No X-rays necessary. They sounded relieved.
‘The biggest wild card on the SDSU staff is redshirt sophomore Charles Nolte, who was rarely used in important situations. A Tommy John surgery alumnus, the lanky, projectable Nolte (6-foot-3, 175 pounds) can show a 90-93 mph fastball and at times flashes a plus hard breaking ball with late downward movement. He lacks command and feel, not to mention consistent mechanics. ‘
Sounds like Brett Tomko junior.
Cano Opposite field homer
Man. Cano just flipped his bat and hit a liner into the left field seats.
Pena over Berroa would certainly fit in with the “younger and better defender” culture Cash has been trying to cultivate. Then Pena could go back down to get regular play when Alex comes back.
Braves announcers just said McCann has a contusion on his right ring finger. Hopefully he’ll be ok.
LMAO @ the Nick Nolte mugshot.
Nice touch Pete…
DT: Thank you!
Pete, I read the posts…most of the time, anyway…
Stats are like rules, a baseline that requires judgement. And then come human nature. Two weeks ago Melky was a bum, today he looks like a world beater. Which Melky do you have going forward? As Randy I says, “Why not keep both for a few months”.
and here we go with the jeter bashing.
Wouldn’t it be better for Pena to get playing time in the minors? Then if Jeter goes down with an injury he would be called up.
Hey what channel is the Yankee game on ? or are ppl hearing it on radio ?
“That’s too bad because Giese did well last year.”
I don’t know what is our love affair with Dan Giese, the guy has thrown a total of 52 innings and is 31. I could understand if he was younger, but he is what he is, a roving minor leaguer.
I mean Aaron Small had a nice stretch with us, Shawn Chacon had a nice stretch with us, perspective folks we see where they ended up. Is Cashman going to honestly not give the spot to Tomko because he fears having to take Giese off the 40 man roster and lose him, wow.
Brandon – MLB audio has the Braves announcers on.
m
March 28th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Pena over Berroa would certainly fit in with the “younger and better defender” culture Cash has been trying to cultivate. Then Pena could go back down to get regular play when Alex comes back.
————————————————————
And, if he bombs in the games he plays, NYY has to look for another utility player because Berroa will be gone, they’ll have to use an option and move another player off of the 40 man roster (2 moves instead of one for that position). Pena’s never played above AA.
Ransom grounded into 2 DPs today… ouch
So much for using him to play ‘small ball’.
Brandon – Sports South, the Braves network.
Brandon ( I Love Me Some Me), Clyde on Mike Taylor: “Round and round I go, where I stop nobody knows…”
March 28th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Hey what channel is the Yankee game on ? or are ppl hearing it on radio ?
————————————————————
DIRECTV, Sports South Channel 649
With the way Cody is handling the bat as of late, we may need Berroa’s offense more than Pena’s defense
Perspective folks eh, that’s a new point of view.
Ahh thanks. As for the utility, keep Pena lose the snr. citizen.
GB7,
I understand that. But I wouldn’t think that Pena would be starting any games. He’d be a defensive replacement. Alex will be back in no time. No worries, be happy!
If this was indeed a fair competition, then Tomko has won going away.
Giese is no big loss of the 40 man. We have Aceves, who has better stuff, in reserve if Tomko fizzles out.
The Braves announcers have learned how to pronounce Aceves – somebody must have given them a tip.
Pena can be like the Attorney General was for us last year… great defense, can do some things like bunt, steal bases, spray a few hits here and there etc.
His defense is amazing. Cashman has raved about him all Spring, he said he is seriously in the mix for the job/
m
March 28th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
GB7,
I understand that. But I wouldn’t think that Pena would be starting any games. He’d be a defensive replacement. Alex will be back in no time. No worries, be happy!
————————————————————
Pena will be getting some starts if he goes north with NYY. It’s not worth losing two players for one position.
There’s a replay of this game tonight on MLB Network everywhere but NY where it is blacked out.
Bad job by the Yankees with these blackouts.
I think Pena has more upside than AG and could well supplant Jeter if given the opportunity.
Jurrjens hitting and running the bases shows a big difference between the national and american league. it’s nice to see old fashioned baseball where pitchers are all around athletes.
Don’t worry, be happy, despair is around the corner.
As far as I see Berroa and Tomko are not on the 40 man roster, so how would they free up 2 spots that would have to be cleared out for them to be on the roster.
Giese would be one to go for Tomko but who else off the 40 man would go, to make a roster spot for Berroa.
randy l
agreed. the national league is real baseball
Randy –
you obviously missed Tomko scoring on a grounder to 2B earlier. He was a blur.
Tomorrow he is challenging Brett Gardner to a foot race.
“It would be forward-thinking if the Yankees kept him on the roster instead of Berroa. ”
Pete, it might be “forward thinking”, but it would be VERY POOR management of your 40 man roster.
the Yankees need space on their 40. if you put Pena on the 40 man, you can never remove him without risking losing him.
if you go with Berroa, when A-Rod comes back, you just cut ties. see ya. no regrets. if he passes through waivers, he can go to AAA. if he doesn’t, no long term implications.
we all may prefer Pena’s glove, but practically speaking, it’s the wrong move. you are closing off that spot on the 40 man for the next few years….for what? a tiny, tiny upgrade at backup IFer?
Not to be outdone by speedy Tomko walking and scoring a run earlier – Eagle Eye Aceves draws a walk.
The competition is heating up.
“igawa was probably signed more for his stats in japan that on a lot of good scouting. his stats weren’t that much off from matsuzaka’s in japan.”
no, he was signed based off a scouting report.
the report was done by Mike Pagliarulo’s scouting agency.
when Igawa bombed, Pags wrote a nice column on his website about how stupid the Yankees were to sign him, forgetting that he was the one who recommended him!
this is from the Daily News:
“In other words, Cashman, in signing Igawa (who was sent to the minors on Friday), ignored the advice of Pagliarulo’s company, whose services the Yankees have employed the last couple of years. The only problem is, Cashman didn’t ignore Pagliarulo’s report. Here’s what it really said: “(Igawa) is considered one of the best starters in Japan and is having a good season. He is doing a good job of moving the ball around the zone and seems to be conserving himself throughout the game … He showed a good split and was adding on to his fastball in tough situations. He has enough to be a fourth or fifth starter in the U.S.”
The Yankees have their own Far East scouts. They made a mistake. I also have thought that the signing was an overreaction to the Sox signing of Matsuzaka, but obviously I can’t prove it.
On Bruney’s line, the last number, the 4, is that K’s or BB’s? 19 out of 32 for strikes isn’t wonderful. But then, after seeing what AJ and CC have Mo have been doing, it’s hard to keep it in perspective.
‘He showed a good split and was adding on to his fastball in tough situations. He has enough to be a fourth or fifth starter in the U.S’
What splitter !
I’ve never seen a splitter from him in my life and his fastball SUCKS, Pags and Afterman should have gotten thier butts kicked for that one.
Sounds like a pretty good day all around for the Yanks, though 32 pitches in 2 innings is a lot for Bruney. I just love how the Yankees congratulated Pena – the support these guys have for each other, even those players who may not make the team, is going to be invaluable as they go through the inevitable rough patches. Pena as the utility infielder? I agree that defense is the way to go, but I prefer Berroa. If he hits and plays adequate D, then we’re in good shape. If he hits or not and plays shoddy D, then we can always recall Pena. I’d prefer that the kid play at AAA instead of sitting on the bench in NY.
Brandon ( I Love Me Some Me), Clyde on Mike Taylor: “Round and round I go, where I stop nobody knows…”
March 28th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
‘He showed a good split and was adding on to his fastball in tough situations. He has enough to be a fourth or fifth starter in the U.S’
What splitter ! I’ve never seen a splitter from him in my life and his fastball SUCKS, Pags and Afterman should have gotten thier butts kicked for that one.
————————————————————
John Cox scouted and recommended him. Cox also scouted and recommended Wang. Cox is now with Oakland.
Send Berroa packing.
The NL is also weaker baseball, and it’s not close.
‘John Cox scouted and recommended him. Cox also scouted and recommended Wang. Cox is now with Oakland.’
He must have been drunk that night.
I think it depends what the Yanks feel the ceiling is on Pena.
If they feel he’ll never be more than a back-up – use him now on the MLB roster.
If he projects to be a future starter, let him play every day in AAA.
Doreen,
It’s probably K’s. As for his pitch count and ball/strike split: Bruney’s control is off this spring? Maybe because he’s “bored with spring training”.
19 strikes, 13 balls isin’t great, especially against a Double A team.
Well Giese can’t do much better striking out the side, in order.
Photo of Richard Gere from last night. He either had a rough day, I need to get me some of that movie make-up or he isn’t aging well.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/.....be3b78231/
Betsy,
Pena will only be on the Yankee bench until Alex comes back. Lots of ball to play after that.
If Pena’s glove is as impressive as everyone says it is, he’ll have to be protected at some point anyway.
Can’t go wrong either way, I guess. Whomever they choose won’t be playing on a regular basis. Berroa has opened some eyes and will probably get picked up after the Yankees are done with him.
It’s not good when a guy who historically has control problems isin’t showing good control this Spring.
Bruney lost a ton of weight over the winter. Didn’t the Yankees tell him to put some of it back on? I hope he didn’t think that the skinnier he is, the better he will be.
“Well Giese can’t do much better striking out the side, in order.”
yeah, but can he draw a walk today to keep up with Tomko and Aceves?
Thanks, m. I never know how to read those line when it’s just numbers thrown out there. I know there’s a particular order, but my brain at this point doesn’t really want to register that data! And I don’t feel like cleaning out the temporary files to make room
.
Yeah, maybe Bruney is “bored.” Sigh. I’ll never understand. Dream job. Bored. Does not compute.
But, in a kinder vein, perhaps it’s tougher to get the adrenaline going when you are not competing for a job, just an inning, and the games don’t count. Everyone’s different.
If I were Bruney and the Yanks, I wouldn’t be too thrilled with his line. He’s not making much progress this spring – maybe his mechanics are off? Whatever it is, they had better get him straightened out.
Ransom is falling fast- 2 double plays and a strikeout this afternoon (along with a single).
Pena may be playing more than we think.
All I know is we have enough snr. citizens in this lineup, and the uty role is a grit/grind roster spot, I want the kid because he’s going to fight for every pitch, Berroa the vet has dropped off and I’m not gonna get fooled by his ST numbers, sure today it’s good 9 weeks into it when he doesn’t work the count than what, Pena can work the count, has foot speed and it’d be wise to showcase him ala Attorney Gen.
I’m watching the game on the net and Giese kept throwing breaking pitches one after the other to minor leaguers and they kept chasing it, don’t get too excited. Big Sloppy or mini me Pedroia aren’t chasing breaking balls one after the other, like these wet behind the ear minor leaguers.
Bruney gave up no hits or walks today and went 2 innings.
That means if he threw 13 balls, he went to 3-ball counts on 4 of the 6 hitters he faced.
Doreen,
I can understand what goes through players mind. Maybe it sounded worse than it was. He should’ve just said, “I can’t wait for the season to start.” TMK. Too much Kennedy.
‘If Pena’s glove is as impressive as everyone says it is, he’ll have to be protected at some point anyway.’
Nunez’s glove/bat is better, that’s why you have to see what you got in this kid because it’s likely he gets dealt.
“Berroa the vet has dropped off and I’m not gonna get fooled by his ST numbers”
I feel the same about Berroa, but he is gone either way, when Arod gets back unless he is so good when he plays in limited time that he is impressive.
Berroa is this year’s Ensberg. Feasting off first pitch fastballs in ST and putting up good stats.
Don’t believe the hype. As Pete said, putting Pena on the roster shows forward thinking. He can add much more to the club than Berroa can.
Just had time to look at the box score and it seems that Da Melk isn’t leaving quietly!!!
DA MELK!!!
You want a fast start? How’s about keeping the rhythm of ST? Near the top of the heap we are.
GO YANKEES!
“Well Giese can’t do much better striking out the side, in order.”
Is there a way to strike out the side out of order?
I think Pete was trying to point out the difference between Jeter in the field and Pena in the field. And that it might be forward thinking in that Pena could help ease the “transition”.
I wonder how long the leash is on Bruney as the 8th inning guy when the season starts, considering how many other talented relievers have.
I also wonder if Girardi has enough confidence in him to even pitch the 8th inning, coming off the Spring he had. Obviously if lefties are upcoming, Marte will pitch. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he starts Bruney off in less leverage situations just to see how he does.
Bruney has been talking all Spring as if the 8th inning spot is already his and locked up, regardless of what he did. I wouldn’t be so sure.
Nick
Strike out, strike out, home run, strike out.
Not in order
Nick in SF
March 28th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
“Well Giese can’t do much better striking out the side, in order.”
Is there a way to strike out the side out of order?
Didn’t work. Yes, there is.
Gardner down to .367, Melky up to .346
Yikes. Wasn’t it just yesterday that Gardner was hitting .450 and Melky was hitting .270?
Yes, the Yankees did tell Bruney to put on some more weight. I don’t know that that has anything to do with his struggles, though.
i know gardner is 0 for 2. but is he still swinging the bat well?
tom,
You’re forgetting Coke. He’s got the confidence to attack hitters that you need to be a set-up guy.
“Gardner down to .367, Melky up to .346
Yikes. Wasn’t it just yesterday that Gardner was hitting .450 and Melky was hitting .270?”
Just more reason to keep both these guys and let them push each other to be better. For some reason Gardner has stopped trying to bunt to get on base. I realize the 3rd baseman is in, but doesn’t mean he can’t drag bunt, all of a sudden he is just swinging away like “the Mick”
Yes Nick in SF….When the third batter hits out of order & whiffs….Rememeber, a hitter is not called out for hitting out of order until his AB gas concluded…Then the opposing mgr. reports it to the homeplate blue…So in effect it happens…..
Cal
March 28th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I’m watching the game on the net and Giese kept throwing breaking pitches one after the other to minor leaguers and they kept chasing it, don’t get too excited. Big Sloppy or mini me Pedroia aren’t chasing breaking balls one after the other, like these wet behind the ear minor leaguers.
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Prado and Infante aren’t minor leaguers. They’re both solid hitters.
All right, you all win. I only hope my surrender can pre-empt GB7′s merciless reply.
As of right now, Coke would be my SU man.
He is the only guy in the pen I trust to throw strikes.
Well error by Pena, see how these things work, right through him.
Yes, the gap appears to be closing. But hopefully they’ll look at more than .avg. Who do you like better in CF? Who can wreak havoc for opposing teams on the basepaths?
It’ll be terrific to have both Melky and Gardner hitting well and playing well. That portends well for the Yankees.
Cal – I noticed that. Wasn’t the talk all spring about how Gardner had to learn how to bunt for hits and work on perfecting his bunt?
Doesn’t look like he has been working on it.
“you obviously missed Tomko scoring on a grounder to 2B earlier. He was a blur.”
dt-
of course tomko has played mostly in the national league.
the worst base running i have ever seen by a pitcher was by a knuckleball pitcher named danny boone( real name). danny ,all season, bugged clete boyer,the manager, to put him in as a pinch runner . finally at the end of the season, in a game that needed to be won ,because of injuries to other players, clete put danny in to pinch run for a runner on first.
danny didn’t have his game spikes on because he was a starting pitcher and it was his off day. whatever shoes he had on made him trip and fall flat on his face half way between first and second when there was a base hit. he still managed to crawl into second base though.
then there was a ball to the screen and guess what, he trips and falls again between second and third, and barely makes it to third base. then there’s a short fly ball that maybe will score a runner. danny tags up,takes off and with his blazing speed ( he was fast) is going great when he trips and falls flat on his face again, but luckily it’s right on top of the plate and he scores the winning run.
not only was it the worst base running i’ve ever seen it was also one of the funnier baseball things i have seen. he was called up from rochester to the orioles that summer and i sent him a congratulations, but warned him not to tell frank robinson that he could pinch run.
“I noticed that. Wasn’t the talk all spring about how Gardner had to learn how to bunt for hits and work on perfecting his bunt?
Doesn’t look like he has been working on it.”
I don’t know why he has stoppped trying to bunt, I’ve been waiting to see him try it but he keeps swinging away all of a sudden in his most recent at bats as opposed to earlier in Spring.
“Forward thinking” to include Ramiro Pena on the roster? Like, forward thinking to a time when we don’t have to consider the fact that he OPSd 687 in Trenton last year? I’m not high on Berroa, at all. But I’m not sure what Pena’s benefit would be, unless you never gave him ABs. He has absolutely no power and he’s terribly impatient at the plate. And he’s a good fielder.
Brett has still had the better spring even though Melky has gotten hot. I’ve seen enough of Melky for now – Brett deserves the chance to start and I want to see what he can add to this team. If he’s just god-awful, then insert Melky and see if he can do better.
Melky is 5-12 with 3 doubles and a triple off Guthrie
That may get him the opening day start.
I really like, “Tex marks the spot.”
‘i know gardner is 0 for 2. but is he still swinging the bat well?’
Yeh he is. I think you trade Melky or drop a pitcher and keep them both then deal him. Brett had a better spring vs better pitchers too. Him going from .450 to .367 means pretty much nothing, .367 is damn impressive, Melky needs some tough IMO.
Melky is going to be the 25th man anyway
You’re bench is Berroa, Swisher, Molina and ???
Both are making the team. If Brett looks overmatched, Melky will replace him. Same with Swisher/Nady. Same with Bruney and the rest of the pen.
Competition all around, no one can ever feel safe.
Brandon,
lol. I think that .367 is a pretty nice progression from his first callup.
*our bench
Giese is pulling a Houdini Igawa in the 9th inning.
‘Best Fastball: RHP Charles Nolte (24) has flashed 96 mph gas; he sits in the low 90s. He could throw harder more consistently as he gets further away from Tommy John surgery. ‘
Interesting. I did not know this, Humberto step up your game.
“Giese is pulling a Houdini Igawa in the 9th inning.”
Well that should seal his fate, he’s out of the game now. The guy throws primarily offspeed pitches and a 86 mph fastball, now I see why he has been in the minors forever.
Ugh – I hope Jeter is going to be ok.
Wang – what an ugly start.
UPDATE, 3:37 p.m.: Jeter left the game with a bruised knuckle on his left pinky finger. The Yankees did not reveal this until Jeter had already left the park.
Damn that WBC!
Bye bye Giese
Welcome to the team, Mr. Tomko!
who is pitching now that giese is out?
who is pitching now that giese is out?
Bugs Bunny Ramirez.
Edwar has to come in and clean up his mess.
Jeter will be fine.
Wang? I think we’re all forgetting that he’s not exactly in game form. The dude’s been out of the game for what, 8 months?
Jeter must have hurt himself in the first inning when he collided with Norton and they both went down.
CC, Pettitte, and Wang have all looked better against MLB competition than they did in the minor league games.
I blame the WBC clearly.
Phil Coke’s bruise took a long time to heal – who knows how long Jeter’s will? It’s on his hand – that’s not a good thing.
Having Swish means this team does not need both Melky and Gardner. If Gardner wins, Melky’s good spring will make it a little easier for Cash to move him.
The Yankees should have enough confidence in whoever wins to not clog up a roster spot on a “just in case”
If the Yankees don’t have enough confidence in thier decision, Make a trade before the season starts. IMO
Ramiro, Eduardo stay hungry, well more Eduardo.
Wang really did have a dreadful spring last year and then he came out of the gates red hot. I would prefer to see him sharper, but he’s a very good pitcher so I’m not worried.
Hmm, I seem like I’m panicking about Jeter – I’m sure he’ll be fine, but I still hate to see it.
Hope those that said they ‘despite’ the WBC will pipe down now.
People can get nicked up anywhere.
if brett gardner can’t bunt by age 25, i don’t think it’s likely he’s ever going to be good at it . he’s had a whole lifetime of being small and extremely fast and it is just dawning on him that maybe he should learn how to bunt ?
being smart isn’t necessary to be a good player, but i do wonder about gardner’s intelligence in not making bunting part of his game as he developed.
Ugh. That ending was a little too thrilling.
Poor Giese. But there’s just no room for him on this team.
“Phil Coke’s bruise took a long time to heal – who knows how long Jeter’s will? It’s on his hand – that’s not a good thing.”
You worry way too much Betsy, Derek is probably getting ready to go to dinner somewhere in South Beach tonight, bruised pinky and all
And as for Wang, yesterday Becket pitched 6 innings and gave up 6 hits and 4 earned runs and was named opening starter today.
edwar added some status to his CV with that save.
Good job by Edwar in a big spot
He pretty much has his spot locked up.
“Having Swish means this team does not need both Melky and Gardner. If Gardner wins, Melky’s good spring will make it a little easier for Cash to move him.
The Yankees should have enough confidence in whoever wins to not clog up a roster spot on a “just in case”
If the Yankees don’t have enough confidence in thier decision, Make a trade before the season starts. IMO”
Well glad you aren’t running the team, I see no reason to deal Melky, Swisher can’t play CF, is not a better defender, has a weaker arm and is slower than Melky.
I like the fact that Melky can sub into a game late for Damon, if the team has a runner in scoring position in a close game, be a pinch runner for the slower middle of the order if we are trailing late, and you can then use Swish to play say 1st if Cabera runs for Tex, or use Melky to run for a Posada without losing another bench guy like Swisher or Ransom when Arod gets back.
There is so much more you can do with Melky being on the bench late in the game. It allows flexibility in a close game, instead of being stagnant late on.
not to mention trading Melky would get us next to nothing, so what’s the point of trading a 24 year old defensive CF.
I bet when Girardi gets asked about the long man competition today, he says “It’s still too close to call, all of them looked great today”.
Yah. Can’t see trading Melky. The best you could get is pitching. And, lord knows, we have enough of that.
And who would take Melky’s spot on the 25?
All things point to Berroa being kept until Alex returns. Ramiro Pena is better served to get at bats in AAA and secure his future with the Yankees.
Cashman has 40-man roster decisions to make.
‘UPDATE, 3:40 p.m.: Wang did not pitch well in the AAA game. 5 9 4 4 1 3. 92 pitches. He allowed two homers.’
who were they ?
Cal
Then why keep Swish? In case we pinch run for Tex. I don’t see it.
I can see keeping Gardner as a late inning defensive/pinch runner- but not Melky.
“And who would take Melky’s spot on the 25?”
That’s the question I keep asking we trade Melky then who takes his spot, Is Berroa going to be kept when Arod gets back, okay. That is even more meaningless, if Ransom is here as well.
Fair to say Melky isn’t going anywhere, my issue with Melky has always been his undisciplined approach to hating, but the guy can catch the ball and has a gun. The Yanks have nothing to lose keeping him.
Cal, no question I worry too much – it’s a dopey bruise on a pinky and it will in no way affect his ability to enjoy the nightlife.
Yeah, I’m not worried about Wang – just thought he’d be sharper. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if it turned out he was working on a bunch of different pitches…I’d like that, actually.
“Swisher can’t play CF, is not a better defender, has a weaker arm and is slower than Melky. ”
if that’s the case, then maybe they should trade Swisher. It sounds like the case for keeping Melky is that Swisher isn’t adequate enough.
I would think it depends which knuckle – the top or the middle – he hurt as far as if it will affect his hitting much.
I’m not a ballplayer and it’s not my livelihood, but I bruised the top knuckle on my right pinkie back in November. I couldn’t bend it and it hurt like the dickens for over a week. But it didn’t stop me from doing anything. Actually, I think I probably either broke or dislocated it (day before vacation, why bother checking it out?), because now, several months later, it is painfree but deformed – permanently bent. However it does not affect my grip (I work out with kettlebells) at all.
“All things point to Berroa being kept until Alex returns. Ramiro Pena is better served to get at bats in AAA and secure his future with the Yankees.
Cashman has 40-man roster decisions to make.”
Berroa stinks defensively I must say, he almost made another error in the 9th inning, he is only borrowing time until Arod gets back and then will be gone. The Yanks will have to let someone like a Clagett, Garcia, De La Rosa be exposed off the 40 man roster to accomodate Berroa in the meanwhile
Giese will be waived and Tomko kept, and Aceves to the minors.
Jon Heyman wrote a couple weeks ago how no one will take Swisher’s contract in this economy.
“Yah. Can’t see trading Melky. The best you could get is pitching. And, lord knows, we have enough of that.”
m
There are two things I am sure of— Duke sucks, and you can never have enough pitching.
Fair to say Melky isn’t going anywhere, my issue with Melky has always been his undisciplined approach to “HATING”, but the guy can catch the ball and has a gun. The Yanks have nothing to lose keeping him.
Yikes make that hitting, hooked on phonics.
By CF standards, yes, Melky is more valuable than Swisher. He’s also a better defensive replacement/pinch runner
You try and keep Gardner, Melky, and Swisher. You let Matsui go.
Damon will probably move on. And Nady goes back to the NL.
Randy I, Talking about bunting and Brett Gardner here will garnish you much heat…It’s tabo as I found out earlier this spring….
From a numbers standpoint, the competition between Gardner and Melky is a lot closer than you would think.
B Gardner 21 49 9 18 2 2 3 6 33 6 7 5 1 .436 .673 .367
M. Cabrera 20 52 10 18 3 1 1 9 26 6 2 2 1 .424 .500 .346
I’m not a fan of Melky, but I would also keep him. He’s a pretty decent 4th OF type and definitely useful in an emergency or in situations like Cal described.
Randy, agreed that bunting should have always been part of Brett’s repertoire. That said, it seems like the kind of thing that you can get better at with enough work. There are things you can’t improve (like speed or your arm), but bunting? Practice, practice and more practice makes perfect. I’d like to believe that working hard pays off eventually……
TarheelYank,
But we don’t need the kind of pitching Melky will bring back.
Poor Swisher– he has been regulated to the team cheerleader
If anyone cares, I’m watching YES and Matsui’s about to hit his Home Opener Grand Slam from 2003!
And I don’t mean, hey look at what I’m watching, I mean, hey put it on if you want some goosebumps.
“Swisher can’t play CF, is not a better defender, has a weaker arm and is slower than Melky. ”
if that’s the case, then maybe they should trade Swisher. It sounds like the case for keeping Melky is that Swisher isn’t adequate enough.”
The difference is that Swisher is a better hitter than Cabera, that’s why I emphasize the offensive and defensive strategies of having the two.
Also Girardi is saying he wants one guy in the field every day, but who is to say how Gardner will fair after being exposed over a long period of time, trading Melky would be hasty and shortsighted.
Besides Girardi has already hinted they both will be on the roster.
Also baseball is a long season and having depth is not a bad thing. The Yankees have a lot of pitching depth but their offensive depth in the minors is thin. The fresher you can keep guys like Damon and Nady over the course of the year the better. Guys may have to give up some at bats in order to win, that is what the Yankee teams of Hayes, Duncan, Fielder, etc did.
‘The Yanks will have to let someone like a Clagett, Garcia, De La Rosa be exposed off the 40 man roster to accomodate Berroa in the meanwhile’
LOL PACK YO ……
B Gardner 21 49 9 18 2 2 3 6 33 6 7 5 1 .436 .673 .367
M. Cabrera 20 52 10 18 3 1 1 9 26 6 2 2 1 .424 .500 .346
————
The numbers now don’t matter. The decision for the starting job has already been made – albeit not publicly.
Gardner has clearly outplayed him the entire Spring and Melky has just really come on in the past week.
Too little too late for the Melkman.
So Melky is more valuable than anything he could bring back in trade and he’s more valuable than Matsui could be in 2010?
Would they try and pass Cervelli, Steven Jackson, or someone through waivers?
They need a 40 man spot for the utility INF anyway
I read elsewhere that the Yankees relievers have stranded their last 10 inherited baserunners…….that’s an awfully nice stat.
I agree, GF -let’s hope the Yankees see it that way.
“So Melky is more valuable than anything he could bring back in trade”
For this season and the role in which the Yankees could utilize him he is, trading him would return some no name stiff from college ball now playing in the rookie league. Not worth it.
Its up to Girardi to maximize the abilities of Damon, Gardner, Nady with Melky and Swisher coming off the bench. The hallmark of a good manager is to be able to use those guys to get the good results.
You know Melky is being pushed on Cashman, they just paid him $1.4 million— Kay has said that Cash wants Melk to win the CF job numerous times on his show.
I don’t think he would force it on Joe, but I’m sure he is telling Joe to strongly consider him.
“You know Melky is being pushed on Cashman, they just paid him $1.4 million—- Kay has said that Cash wants Melk to win the CF job numerous times on his show.
I don’t think he would force it on Joe, but I’m sure he is telling Joe to strongly consider him.”
For Cashman to do that would be disingenuous and reflect on him as an absolute horses ar$e, if he even suggests that notion to Girardi then Giradi should resign, as the manager you want to pick the players you feel are best suited to help you win. Cashman would be loony to suggest that as a reason to start Melky over Gardner.
Nick,
You’re twisting my words!
I love Matsui. But can you see the Yankees bringing him back? He’s missed two years of playing time and he’s primarily a DH.
And yes, I think Melky is more valuable to the Yankees than the middling pitching he could bring back.
I’m not in the “Melky is rubbish” camp. When his head is in the game and he’s hitting, he’s a valuable player. He’s young, has a good arm, and can (theoretically) switch hit.
I don’t think Cashman is pushing Melky.
I read elsewhere that Cano didn’t make an effort at a pop up – did anyone see that, and if so, how bad was it? I think Cano will have a big year hitting wise, but if the Yankees need to worry about his head being in the clouds defense-wise, that could be an issue. He’s so darn unreliable on the field.
“Talking about bunting and Brett Gardner here will garnish you much heat…It’s tabo as I found out earlier this spring…”
pat m-
i hope gardener and melky both work out well. i don’t see it as an either/or situation.
bunting is something you learn from endless hours of repetition . you and i grew up idolizing mantle and probably spent more time in our back yards drag bunting by the age of twelve than gardner has put in on bunting for his life.
it is so easy to do if you can do it. it’s no harder than catching a ball with a glove. but if he can’t do it by now, at best he may get adequate. that would help though because it would bring the fielders in a step which would give him a few more hits over a year.
Just for argument’s sake (why else?), why should Melky be penalized for starting off slow, building up and finish up spring training strong? Especially if Gardner is doing the relative opposite (his BA has fallen from the .400′s into the more realistic .300′s)?
And, if Berroa’s good hitting is discounted because he’s “this year’s” Ensberg, feasting on first-pitch fastballs, what about Gardner – who has said he’s been hitting pitches earlier in the count so as not to fall behind?
Just food for thought.
“The Yanks will have to let someone like a Clagett, Garcia, De La Rosa be exposed off the 40 man roster to accomodate Berroa in the meanwhile”
then let it be Eric Hacker.
new post
Randy I, You’d think Gardner would have spent the offseason working on his bunting….His ob & ba would spike up
“Randy, agreed that bunting should have always been part of Brett’s repertoire. That said, it seems like the kind of thing that you can get better at with enough work. There are things you can’t improve (like speed or your arm), but bunting? Practice, practice and more practice makes perfect. I’d like to believe that working hard pays off eventually”
agree 100%
hopefully one of the coaches is in Gardner’s ear, pushing him to do the same thing (ie practice bunting for a base hit). That is what coaches get paid for
He’s gone all the way through the organization, and now it’s a glaring concern….
Randy l -
It used to be a lauded skill in the major leagues – being able to bunt for a base hit, being able to drag bunt. I suppose it went out of favor about the time HR replays on ESPN became all the rage, and fans became totally engrossed in the HR race between Sosa and McGwire (maybe even before that?). I always thought speed was exciting, watching games growing up.
I watched Lou Brock, and later Vince Coleman absolutely murder teams with their speed. I know Ricky did it, and there were a few others. They were as exciting to watch as Alex and Pujols and others are to watch hitting their HRs. I don’t know why both can’t co-exist. In fact, both skills co-existed, apparently, in Mantle (I never saw him play).
Do you think we’ll ever go back to a pitcher’s matchup being as much a reason to see a game as the possibility that some slugger’s going to hit a HR?
Although, to be fair, it’s not all the easy to buy tickets on the spur of the moment because of the pitching match-up. More of an “advanced sale” mentality. Which is not necessarily bad, but you can’t look in the paper and say, wow, Jones is pitching against Smith, I have to see that game! I’m sure people do still appreciate pitcher’s duels, but they sure don’t get the press they used to.
Still, it’s a shame.
“I don’t know why both can’t co-exist. In fact, both skills co-existed, apparently, in Mantle (I never saw him play).”
doreen-
mantle, as gb7 and pat m i’m sure will agree with , was the personification of speed and power. he would hit monstrous home runs and then drag a bunt single his next at bat.
bunting well doesn’t really even need great speed. when i was growing up as a lefty hitter i rarely saw a good left handed pitcher at the high school and legion level so i didn’t hit them well when i did see them.
whenever i would face a tough lefty with a good breaking ball, i would drag bunt one at bat , try to walk once and take my chances in the other two at bats. i pretty much batted .500 on surprise drag bunts so it was a strategy that worked well.
with the first baseman being back with gardener being a lefty hitter and with a left handed pitcher falling towards third base ,there is a lot of territory for a hitter like gardener to drag a bunt down the first base line.
it would be a way to add a hit here and there especially against tough lefties that gardener might have trouble hitting. the question is whether he’ll put in the time to do it.
we’re talking hundreds of hours and not a few bunts a day in spring training.
Just wanted to let you know that I appreciated your announcement of the Nolte trade. You certainly ‘outsccooped’ your competition with that picture!
Kudos!