Spring Game 34: Yankees at Reds (now updated with roster moves)
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-
- March
- 31
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YANKEES
Gardner CF
Swisher LF
Teixeira 1B
Posada C
Nady DH
Cabrera RF
Ransom 3B
Berroa SS
Pena 2B
Pitching today: Joba Chamberlain.
REDS
Tavares CF
Dickerson LF
Votto 1B
Phillips 2B
Bruce RF
Hernandez C
Encarnacion 3B
Janish SS
Owings RHP
Notes: The game is on WLW, 700 AM radio in Cincinnati. … The Yankees are looking for at least six innings out of Joba, who has had problems running up his pitch count all spring. He’s also due to start maintaining his velocity. … This will be the penultimate game at Ed Smith Stadium for the Reds, who will move to Goodyear, Arizona, next spring. The Reds have been in Sarasota since 1998. The final game at Sarasota will be on Thursday against the Pirates.
Back with more later.
UPDATE, 9:25 a.m.: Per Brian Cashman, Jonathan Albaladejo is on the team.
UPDATE, 9:35 a.m.: Lots of news this morning:
Alfredo Aceves and Dan Giese were optioned to Scranton. Kevin Cash and Brett Tomko were reassigned to the minor-league camp. They’ll be at Scranton.
No decision yet on the utility reliever. Cashman said he wants to see what players become available out of other organizations first.
A-ROD UPDATE: Joe Girardi and Cashman have spoken to or texted with A-Rod in recent days. He started throwing yesterday. Word is that the rehab has gone well. Follow-up MRIs, Cashman said, have been positive.
UPDATE, 9:40 a.m.: The rotation at Scranton, Cashman said, would be Hughes, Kennedy, Igawa, Aceves and Jason Johnson. They plan to use Brett Tomko out of the bullpen.
Tomko was crushed, saying the news came as a shock. But he doesn’t have an out in his deal until June. “I don’t have any options,” he said. “I’m trying to be rational about it and look at the big picture. But it’s tough because I had a great spring.”
UPDATE, 11:12 a.m.: To advance the A-Rod story a bit more, Cashman said that Alex would be back in Tampa by no later than April 13, although it could well be earlier. The Yankees are still targeting a mid-May return to the major-league lineup by Rodriguez. He will play in minor-league games first, likely in warm weather. That probably means with Single-A Tampa.
UPDATE, 12:03 p.m.: It would seem justice moves slowly in Nebraska. This from the AP:
New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain¹s arraignment on a drunken-driving charge has been rescheduled a fourth time. His lawyer requested the postponement. The Nebraska hearing had been
scheduled for Tuesday and was reset for Wednesday. Chamberlain was to pitch in Florida on Tuesday. He also was granted delays earlier this month and in December and January. Chamberlain, who played for Nebraska in college, is charged with first-offense drunken driving and having an open alcohol container. He was pulled over Oct. 18 by police on the outskirts of Lincoln.
UPDATE, 1:03 p.m.: We’re about to get underway here in Sarasota.
UPDATE, 1:09 p.m.: Here’s a iink to a story I did for LoHud.com on A-Rod this morning.
Meanwhile, Gardner singled to center. But when Swisher hit a rocket up the middle, the pitcher snared it and doubled Gardner off.
UPDATE, 1:12 p.m.: Yes, the Yankees have the DH and the Reds do not. Makes sense I guess.
UPDATE, 1:21 p.m.: Just received an e-mail from Sports Illustrated. Their baseball issue is this week and they predict that the Mets will beat the Angels in the World Series. That would be quite a thing given their rotation.
Meanwhile, Joba’s first inning was like so:
F-7
Double (sinking liner that Melky let get behind him)
BB
P-3
K
20 pitches / 11 strikes
They also pick the Yankees to win the AL East. CC Sabathia is on the cover.
UPDATE, 1:37 p.m.: Good second inning for Joba:
K
F-9
E-9 (Melky dropped a ball)
K
13 pitches / 10 strikes. No score in the game.
UPDATE, 1:48 p.m.: On behalf of all the beat writers who need to pack, I would like to thank Angel Berroa for getting picked off first after getting a single and Brett Gardner for being thrown out stealing after getting his second single of the game. That makes the game so much faster.
UPDATE, 1:53 p.m.: Joba’s third inning:
P-2
K
Single
F-8
12 pitches / 8 strikes
Meanwhile, via Lauren Moran back in Tampa, we have this report on Mariano Rivera:
He got five outs (in one inning). He threw 21 pitches and allowed one hit, a home run of all things. Two groundouts, two strikeouts, one fly ball.
UPDATE, 2:02 p.m.: A new source has emerged with Mariano Rivera news. Chad Jennings, the Scranton beat writer, was watching Mo and reports that his second pitch was belted for a homer by the immortal Rich Thompson of Lehigh Valley. After he needed 10 pitches to record three outs, they left him out there to face two more hitters. Chad had him for 18 pitches, 14 strikes.
UPDATE, 2:08 p.m.: 2-0 Yankees on a two-run double by Melky, who has had quite an interesting game.
Meanwhile, since so many people have asked, here is Joba’s velocity:
Fastball: 105
Slider: 99
Curve: 91
Change-up: 89
Knuckleball: 63
Gyroball: 86
The game is not on TV and there is no gun at the park. I see two scouts with guns in the stands and if I get a chance, I’ll ask one of them.
No offense to anybody, but sweating velocity on March 31 is a little silly. Power pitchers usually take time to build up their velocity and the Yankees have said Joba’s velocity isn’t much different than it was at this stage last season. He hit 96 against the Phillies last week.
Beyond that, he is not going to throw 99 as a starter and nor should be try. The idea is to go seven inning, not win a carnival game.
Yankees lead 3-0. Ransom had an RBI single to drive in Melky.
UPDATE, 2:31 p.m.: 1-2-3 inning for Joba. I have him for 67 pitches, 44 strikes, through five innings. His line: 5 3 0 0 1 5. Why oh why did they make him a starter? What a mistake.
UPDATE, 2:43 p.m.: Yankees 4-0 after a sac fly by Melky. But Ransom grounded into a DP to end the inning.
UPDATE, 2:54 p.m.: Joba fanned Dickerson to start the sixth. Then came the trouble. Walk, walk, RBI single. He seems to be wearing down a little. I have him at 83 pitches.
UPDATE, 2:57 p.m.: Joba is out after another RBI single. 4-2 Yankees.
He pitched well. But they wanted him to get through six and he went 5.1. He threw 86 pitches, which is too many for 5.1 innings.
Bruney in now to try and clean up the mess.
UPDATE, 3:00 p.m.: Keep in mind, Joba will be back in Tampa on Sunday to pitch in a minor-league intrasquad game. That will be his final tune-up.
UPDATE, 3:04 p.m.: Joba’s line: 5.1 5 2 2 3 6.
UPDATE, 3:38 p.m.: Yankees lead 6-3 middle of the eighth.
We just spoke to Joba and Jorge Posada. Joba was pleased with his outing with the exception of not being able to go deeper in the game. Posada, who once believed Joba belonged in the bullpen, said that the pitcher “proved me wrong.”
“He’s our fifth starter and I’m happy with that,” Posada said. “It’s for the betterment of the team.”
Spoke to a scout who was in the stands today and he had Joba consistently around 94-96.
Also, Joba is on his way to Nebraska tonight and will appear before the judge tomorrow. He expects that the case will be settled then.
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on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 8:45 am by Peter Abraham.
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Chad Jennings
Sam Borden
Does anybody know what Joba’s velocity has been this spring? I was also trying to get a read on how hard Phil Hughes threw this spring. Should we be concerned about their ‘dip’ in velocity?
The Joba velo watch continues…
Easily the most over analyzed kid in the history of the game. Let the kid go out and pitch for christ sakes.
Good to see they’re giving writing utensils a shot at the backup infielder. Maybe Pencils will spell Jeter at short later in the week.
if he pitches anything less than a no-hitter I predict this page will officially hit meltdown mode…which is just silly
and let the long list of jokes about Pete’s typing error begin now!
Absolutely….every time out as well. It is ridiculous to think that he can go 15-2, with a 3.5 ERA, and people will contend something is wrong.
it looks like 2b has been INKED in! HA!! (yes I’m aware that was ridiculously stupid)
Pens just inked a new deal. Pencil has shown a lack of hustle, and the manager wants him to get the lead out. He claims to have mechanical problems. Magic Marker is looking for a permanent spot in the infield.
Knew I probably shouldn’t have gone there.
Penultimate?
Apparently Pete has been sitting next to Tyler Kepner for too long
Sorry….I’ll get back to work now.
Pete can you be sure to give us an update on the velocity of Chamberlain.
I don’t think the issue with Joba is the velocity, moreso as the decrease in his top speed. So far this spring the highest I can recall him reaching is 96 if I’m correct and that was once.
I am all for him starting but if his mechanics are out of wack and he feels he needs to tone down his velocity to be able to throw accurately then something’s amiss with him and Eiland. A guy doesn’t go from trowing 98 to 93 for no reason, that has to be figured out as to why that is the case if he’s fully healthy.
Its obvious he will not throw 98 mph on every pitch that would be impossible, but I’ve read he is doing odd things in his delivery almost trying to guide the ball instead of just letting it go in his delivery. This is a continual learning process with Chamberlain, but if he shows he cannot handle the rotation then the Yankees may have to consider the pen, that is well down the road but there are some signs that should be closely watched.
If it is purely mechanical, which I think it is then it should have been figured out by this point of camp working with the pitching coach.
its spring training…why should he be ripping up his arm to 98, when it doesnt matter.
It makes me laugh how people praise Burnett for not trying to throw the ball through a brick wall but at the same time they scorn Joba’s progress as a starter because he’s doing the very same thing.
Funny stuff.
UPDATE, 9:25 a.m.: Per Brian Cashman, Jonathan Albaladejo is on the team.
__________
YAY!
As coach said, Joba is easily the most overanalyized pitcher on the staff. It’s approaching an Arod-like fixation from the media and fans.
Folks need to take a deep breath and stop overreacting to everything Joba.
He wasn’t throwing 98 last March, why should he now?
Leave the kid alone and let him develop without stalking every pitch.
Nobody should even be talking about Joba’s velocity. Repeat after me, IT IS SPRING TRAINING!
Get back to me in May when most of the cold weather is gone and his arm is stretched out. IF he’s still topping out at 94 we might have something to talk about then.
It makes me laugh how people praise Burnett for not trying to throw the ball through a brick wall but at the same time they scorn Joba’s progress as a starter because he’s doing the very same thing.
Funny stuff.
Exactly. A.J. never misses an opportunity to praise Roy Halladay for teaching him how to pitch effectively without throwing 100mph every pitch. Maybe he’s trying to pay it forward by imparting the same wisdom on Joba.
Why would a team want to move to Arizona instead of Florida? Arizona is an insanely overrated place.
FYI stadium tours are now on sale. Got mine.
Alby makes the squad.
I guess that’s it for Tomko, Aceves, and Giese.
I bet Giese gets released. Aceves and Tomko to Scranton hopefully.
The concern on velocity is on health and mechanics. While he shouldn’t be ‘ripping’ it every pitch, he should be able to air it out when he needs to. If the velocity is just not there, well then something has changed…either he can’t get it up there because he is hurt or his pitching motion has changed or his approach has changed…all interesting.
BTW, I saw Tom Seaver on MLB last night talking about mechanics and how important it is to understand what he was doing wrong and correct it quickly during a game. It was gascinating to listen to him.
Just think all because we had an awful bullpen in 07, he was reaching an innings limit, and they used him to get into the playoffs.
I guarantee he wasnt ripping pitches at 99 or 100 as a starter at Nebraska or in the minors that year.
How many times did he hit 98 or 99 when he threw the gem at Fenway last summer?
I was just looking at the Mets team and I’m not really impressed. Their lineup is Reyes, Murphy, Wright, Delgado, Beltran, Church, Schnieder, Castillo. Their rotation is Santana, Pelfrey, Perez, Maine, Hernandez. Bullpen is K-rod and Putz then a bunch of crap.
Is there any way this team beats the Phillies in the east? I don’t think so.
Coach I distinctly remember Joba hitting 98 on the gun in the 7th inning of that Red Sox start.
For that reason alone I completely dismissed the idea of him ever returning to the pen.
yea joba not throwing 98 as a starter, is 93 to 96. i would like a long man, oh well. now utility spot
Just because A-Rod is away on rehab something has to be written or stirred up.
Peace and tranquility in Yankeeland ?
Could it be that Joba has been trying to establish his breaking pitches knowing that his velocity will be there once the season starts ? A good guess says yes.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....s_lik.html
Jennifer where can you find info on the tours?
Yes, there is no doubt he hits that on occasion, but to think that he is going to live 97-98 for 7 innings is crazy.
Coach that wasn’t my point.
The fact that he could reach back and hit 98 after throwing 7 innings is proof enough the guy should never have to deal with the pen debate again unless injuries force the team’s hand.
There are only a handful of guys with the ability to throw in the high 90s that late into the game.
Just go to yankees.com than under Yankee Stadium in bold is Yankee tours, I just happened upon it last night. I never go to that site.
Well Jennifer I guess I should have checked in the most obvious place before asking. LOL.
Thanks anyway.
Tigers Release Gary Sheffield
By Tim Dierkes [March 31 at 8:41am CST]
According to Tom Gage of the Detroit News, the Tigers released DH Gary Sheffield. They’ll eat the $14MM owed to him for ‘09. It’s quite surprising to see the team assume all that money to make him go away, especially since he’s healthy right now. Plus he’s just one home run shy of 500 for his career.
Let the speculation begin on where Sheff will end up. Obviously his options will open up if he can play the outfield. To kick off the discussion…would the Blue Jays make sense?
“If the velocity is just not there, well then something has changed…either he can’t get it up there because he is hurt or his pitching motion has changed or his approach has changed…all interesting.”
I think this is what is the crux of the questions, is it just a Spring thing, is it mechanical, I mean surely his arm should be fresh and he is 23, so why is his velocity so low relatively to what we know he can do. I keep hearing it was this low last Spring at this time, I’m not so sure on that one. Sounds like rationalization to me.
I am all for him in the rotation but I hope Joba takes nothing for granted in his approach to being a starter. We remember the lessons well of Hughes and Kennedy, there are no better examples of what happens when too much comes too quickly as in those two from last season.
I agree with people who say his velocity will rise as the season progresses, just would be refreshing to see a couple of pitches at 98 for a piece of mind that he can indeed dial it up when need be. Its the whole Hughes and Kennedy experience that has left me leary, especially with the savages in the NY media that look for every little negative to run with and print.
Tigers decided that eating $14M is way better than keeping Sheffield on the team.
damn you teddy.
damn you to hell.
I wonder if this time away from the spectacle (and subsequent isolation) of the spotlight has given the everyday third baseman a chance to focus on the season at-hand.
and… Tigers released Sheffield. Hmmmm… I know at least four teams that won’t want him.
“Tigers Release Gary Sheffield
By Tim Dierkes [March 31 at 8:41am CST]
According to Tom Gage of the Detroit News, the Tigers released DH Gary Sheffield. They’ll eat the $14MM owed to him for ‘09. It’s quite surprising to see the team assume all that money to make him go away, especially since he’s healthy right now. Plus he’s just one home run shy of 500 for his career.
Let the speculation begin on where Sheff will end up. Obviously his options will open up if he can play the outfield. To kick off the discussion…would the Blue Jays make sense?”
LMAO!, just don’t want him anywhere around the Yankees, we got out from under him at the right time. The guy was a flop in Detroit and now this, well at least trading him was a smart move, never mind Humberto Sanchez is doing his best to not pitch with his numerous DL stints.
I know Miggs, i was just countering what you said. Didn’t think you were saying otherwise.
Wow Sheffield didn’t lead Detroit to the promised land? Even though Humberto Sanchez has been a bust, it is hard to argue against the trade that sent out Sheffield and cleared the spot for Abreu. Signing him was a big mistake vs. Vlad.
well i already in h*ll, sorry
That Scranton team is going to plow through the International League if they get any kind of consistent offense at all.
No team in that league can match their pitching staff from top to bottom. That pen is going to be lights out.
We may see Alan Horne in that Scranton rotation eventually as well if he can continue to progress from his rehab and Humberto Sanchez in the pen if he can find a way to get on that mound consistently.
Neither are guarantees with their injury history but they do represent more viable options if they do manage to stay healthy.
Tomko should have made the team.
Hope Joba can get his velocity up, but it’s nice that we have other options if it doesn’t work out. Though I can’t imagine it won’t.
Is todays game on TV or radio in NY?
me too, teddy…me too.
what if nobody signs sheff, 499 hr, poetic justice
Jennifer when are you going?
I waited so long last season I missed the final tours!
So now I’m just waiting to hear back from my mom & my sis to see if they want to join us. If I don’t hear by today, I’m going ahead anyway! We’re limited to Saturday or Sunday, so I figure time is of the essence.
“Is todays game on TV or radio in NY?”
LOL, nope
mogul…wasn’t calling you out there…just the 25 other posts that will inevitably follow (including mine!).
Thanks to John in Ohio (any relation to John from Cincinnati?) all bases have been covered, quite well actually, in regards to a writing instrument playing 2b.
Absolute Joke that Edwar Ramirez is going to make the team… We need a long man much more than we need a guy with location/competitive/instability issues.
Doreen- June 20. It is the next Saturday after May 9th when I am in Baltimore. That is why I snapped up the tickets quickly as well, not too many Sat/Sun choices.
I for one an not too thrilled about not takng a long reliever. I know that it is not that big a deal but I remember last year when we didnt take a longman out of Spring and by the 2nd week we were all clamoring and not understanding why. Tomko had a great Spring it really doesnt make sense to use someone like Albie in a role that he usually doesnt have.
Well Albaladejo gets his shot, lets see if he can produce when called upon, if he can’t there are guys behind him hungry to eat his lunch, so better take advantage when given the chance.
Tomko pitched well but I don’t trust him in the AL East and feel he would eventually be released outright. Must suck to have to pitch in the minors after pitching so well in camp, but its a long season.
m March 31st, 2009 at 12:09 am
S.A.,
I’m still laughing out loud. Still trying to figure out why Nady would be wearing his batting helmet in the locker room.
Thanks. That was a good one.
==================================
LOL! Glad you enjoyed it.
Smart move by the Tigers. They had 3 DH’s on that team; Guillen, Cabrera, Sheff. Now they can put Guillen or Cabrera at 1B and DH or vice versa and not lose as much on defense. Still a crappy team though.
“Absolute Joke that Edwar Ramirez is going to make the team… We need a long man much more than we need a guy with location/competitive/instability issues.”
Why do some people despise Edwar on the roster, I’ve seen a few posts questioning him being on the squad
Last season the guy pitched 55 IP, 44 H, 24 BB, 63 K’s and a 3.90 ERA and moreover he matured as a player in his role, he seems much more comfortable on the mound and knows his job. At worst he bombs and the Yanks send him down and call up someone else from the minors, at best he is a solid middle reliever for us in 2009, nothing to lose.
http://www.700wlw.com/cc-commo.....l?world=st
Check this link out around game time and see if the game is being streamed. I’m not sure if it will be streamed over the internet or not, but this is the station.
Right now it’s politics.
What kind of spring did Sheffield have? He hit two hrs against the Yankees, if I recall correctly, but that was a while ago.
It seems like a lot of money to just let him go. How bad could he have been? Or do they have someone in the wings? Of are they just tired of him?
Interesting turn of events for him.
I know a lot of people don’t like him, and he can be – ahem – controversial, but I thought he did pretty well for most of his time here. Mind you, I think they let him go at just the right time, but while he was here, I kinda got used to him.
It is too bad Tomko didn’t make the team. But Albaladejo showed promise last season before getting injured, and he’s done well for himself this spring. I guess in the long run they wanted to do with the best arms overall and not worry about a longman who may be mediocre.
In any event, I suspect that if one of the RPs isn’t doing the job, Tomko will be called up.
Bummer about Tomko. Hopefully he gets a shot before June and shows he can still pitch in the majors. Then he can catch on to a team that will actually use him.
Jennifer -
That is the date we’re looking at too!!
The first Saturday tour we’re going to be in Florida. I’m not sure which time we’ll go – it depends on if my sis and her family join us.
I am so looking forward to it!
Tomko was crushed, saying the news came as a shock. But he doesn’t have an out in his deal until June. “I don’t have any options,” he said. “I’m trying to be rational about it and look at the big picture. But it’s tough because I had a great spring.”
===========================================
Jennifer -
We’re skipping Baltimore this year in favor of Disney World. We always look forward to going down there to catch a game, but sometimes the dates just don’t jive – actually it seems like every other year!
There is a huge difference between this years staff and last years staff. That is why a long man is not necessarily needed. We Phil Hughes, and IPK are not making starts, the likelihood of having someone sit and wait is small.
Outside of pitching poorly against the Angels, has Edwar done something other than not throw 100 that should keep him from not making this team?
Let’s not get all up in arms over Tomko.
If you watched enough baseball you know he will get tatooed in the AL East.
He should not be taking a roster spot away from Edwar or Albie.
If you’re seriously going to suggest his spring numbers merit a spot on the team, then why doesn’t Igawa? He had a great spring too.
Just sayin’.
Yeah, it’s a real “joke” to have a guy on the team (Edwar) who has a career ERA in the 2’s against everybody but the Angels. I hope the rest of the staff are as much of a “joke” skillwise as Edwar has been.
If you take out his numbers against the Angels, who own him, he has been one of the most effective guys out of the ‘pen the last year and a half.
As far as the long reliever issue, if you have 4 of 5 starters who give you innings, as the Yankees do, it’s less if an issue. Edwar, Coke and Albie can pitch multiple innings.
If the need arises for a dedicated longman, they at least have the depth in Scranton to fill the hole from within.
Qwerty -
Ah, that makes sense, then – a glut of DHs in Detroit.
S.A. -
You have to feel bad for a guy who couldn’t have done more than he did to make the team, and he doesn’t make it anyway. I really hope he does get a call up before June.
I wonder what what into the thinking. Just like last season, they were so set on a long man. What changed their mind each time?
This year, I can understand it more, since the starting staff has at least 3 guys who can go some innings. Last year was the real head-scratcher because 3 of the 5 guys were not going to be able to give the innings (I am including Mussina), two of who were rookies.
I wonder what they said to Tomko. I mean, what CAN you say?
“Outside of pitching poorly against the Angels, has Edwar done something other than not throw 100 that should keep him from not making this team?”
A lot of people don’t like his stuff / control. Also because the Angels gave up on him he is therefore useless because the Angels are apparently infallible.
I hate to see posts that knock Sheff. That guy played hard and played hurt when he was with the Yanks.
I guess people don’t like guys that speak their mind.
Baltimore, Minnesota, Mets and Boston are spots for Sheffield to land.
I’m glad the Yankees weren’t fooled by Tomko’s Spring numbers.
Jennifer – Thanks for the tip! Just bought mine — taking the bunch on Fathers Day!
Happy Birthday Wanger !!!
Go Yankees 2009 !!
I think the Yankees just went with the better arm in Albaladejo
The scouting report on Albaladejo is heas a great pitchers’ frame, good command of his fastball and the ability to keep the ball down in the strike zone.
This is one thing I noticed from him, he is consistently down in the strike zone, I rarely see him leave a lot of pitches up in the zone. Its why it seems guys are always hitting the ball into the ground off of him when he pitches.
He also doesn’t give out walks he will pitch to contact, kind of a righty version of Coke when it comes to just throwing strikes and putting the ball in play and not messing around with the batter. Throughout the minors his BB totals are impressive.
Does anyone know what pitches he throws, obviously a fastball but what are his secondary pitches.
Doreen-I know. I do feel bad for Tomko. Oh well, maybe we will see him later at some point. Maybe not.
Just wish him the best!
“I guess people don’t like guys that speak their mind.”
When his mind is full of nonsense that is detrimental to the team then yeah you are right. Joe Torre doesn’t like black people. Ok Kanye, thanks for speaking your mind.
Derek was preparing for the NY circus long before he slipped on the Pinstripes.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/popup?id=7213343
Cashman deserves credit for the Sheffield trade.
“Let’s not get all up in arms over Tomko.
If you watched enough baseball you know he will get tatooed in the AL East.
He should not be taking a roster spot away from Edwar or Albie.
If you’re seriously going to suggest his spring numbers merit a spot on the team, then why doesn’t Igawa? He had a great spring too.
Just sayin’.”
Exactly he had a nice spring but Tomko is like an emergency starter, worse case scenario, I think the AL East would light him up like a Christmas tree. I mean all his pitches in Spring seemed to be up in the zone, on hittable level. He was getting it by guys but I don’t know about doing that with Youkahead, Minnie Me Pedroia, Longoria, Crawford, etc that you would get away with what he has in Spring with his pitches.
“No decision yet on the utility reliever. Cashman said he wants to see what players become available out of other organizations first”
Utility reliever? Or did you mean utility infielder? The Yankees have 3 or 4 utility relievers (long relievers) they just sent down that are as good or better than any other organization can produce.
Jeers, that bad part about Sheffield “speaking his mind” is that he’s burned a lot of bridges in the process.
Decided this morning to bite the bullet and try to find a ticket for opening day. I *think* I am willing to pay a premium for a good seat. It depends on the premium. Actually, and I truly mean this, I would settle for a good bleacher seat. But since I don’t know the setup of the new Stadium I don’t want to end up somewhere I can’t see the action. I understand there are seats with obstructed views. Makes sense, right, new Stadium and all?
(What this really means is something happened that my father hated more than anything in the world. I got back tax money and am all excited about it. He always tried to tell us that it was our money and we had allowed the government to use it all that time – but I still think it feels like pennies from heaven. Finance has never been my strong suit.)
Oh that’s right, it is Wang’s birthday. Happy birthday to him.
pat -
What great pictures! Thanks for posting that link.
About Tomko. I always feel bad when players feel bad. So I feel bad for Tomko. You can’t blame him for thinking he had a chance if he had a great spring. I mean isn’t that what invites to ST always think and are always led to think – it’s a tryout for the big dance?
Those are some cute pics of Derek.
I don’t have anything personally against Tomko (other than I think he’s really not any good)
I’m just not a huge fan of the long man as a whole. The idea of sending a bad pitcher out there to turn a 10-8 game into a 16-8 game never really struck me as practical.
It seems like they quietly put the info on the site. Glad I looked.
“About Tomko. I always feel bad when players feel bad. So I feel bad for Tomko. You can’t blame him for thinking he had a chance if he had a great spring. I mean isn’t that what invites to ST always think and are always led to think – it’s a tryout for the big dance?”
Well he has a few choices
1) go to the minors and continue to pitch well and hope to get called up soon
2) ask the Yankees to release him even though they can keep him until June and hope he catches on with someone else ala Texas,San Diego, even though he just left there last season.
Trisha -
Your father and my husband! You want to keep your money – you can invest it, save it, spend it – earn interest on it – because it’s yours.
If you pay too much up front, you’re “gifting” the government the use of your money, and then they just give you back what was yours in the first place. In fact, it’s not bad if you end up having to owe them just a little bit.
It took me a short while to fully appreciate this, because I, too, used to look forward to that nice little check from the IRS.
My husband is a financial guy, as you can guess. And he’s done a good job by us, so he gets no argument from me.
“I don’t have anything personally against Tomko (other than I think he’s really not any good)
I’m just not a huge fan of the long man as a whole. The idea of sending a bad pitcher out there to turn a 10-8 game into a 16-8 game never really struck me as practical.”
Just another way the game has changed when you need a sloppy mop up man at the back of your pen to replace someone who has just finish bombing in his outing.
“The idea of sending a bad pitcher out there to turn a 10-8 game into a 16-8 game never really struck me as practical.”
I think a long man is useful when the starter gets knocked out real early in a blowout game. If there is no long man the bullpen could get burned out in a game the team is very likely to lose.
For example lets say Pettitte gets blown out of a game and gives up 8 runs in 3 innings. If someone like Tomko is on the team he can pitch 4-5 innings to get us through the game and the bullpen is fresh for the next day. Without him it would take 3-4 guys going 1 or 2 innings each AND the team probably still loses.
Its a risk to not have a long man but with the great starting rotation the Yankees have, I think its an acceptable risk.
Why all of the complaints about Tomko not making the trip north because he had a great ST? His numbers weren’t any better than Albaladejo’s? What he had was more innings based partly on making two starts. Albaladejo is 8-9 years younger.
Judging Tomko on his previous years would place this ST in the abberration category. If there is a need within the next month, Tomko will get a shot at it…otherwise, look for a trade to a team desperate for starters/relievers (Milwaukee/Texas/Pittsburgh).
Doreen, my dad was just so smart that way. Of his six kids, it seems that half of us paid attention and the other half didn’t bother. (I’m in the second half of course.
)But I will say this. He did tell me to open an SRA at work because he always felt I was “handling too much money.” Amazing how parents know their kids. So I did it. Today I have an extremely healthy account sitting there because of him.
Thanks dad!
“Why all of the complaints about Tomko not making the trip north because he had a great ST? His numbers weren’t any better than Albaladejo’s? What he had was more innings based partly on making two starts. Albaladejo is 8-9 years younger.
Judging Tomko on his previous years would place this ST in the abberration category. If there is a need within the next month, Tomko will get a shot at it…otherwise, look for a trade to a team desperate for starters/relievers (Milwaukee/Texas/Pittsburgh).”
Exactly, there was a reason Tomko was in Yankee camp, people weren’t exactly knocking down their door for him to be on their team.
B.T.W Happy Birthday to Chien-Ming Wang.
The wonderful thing about our depth, is we don’t need a long man. We have so many interchangeable parts that have options, that you can trade them out when they need to be rested.
I have always been a fan of the long man, especially because the Yankees for the longest while have been a team that has suffered in need of it! I agree that it appears that this year might be different, but I truly always like that person in the pen who has the ability to go 4 or 5.
Tomko was also in camp to fill some innings. Someone needs to pitch in ST.
Tomko came into camp on minor league contract- moving him to the Yankees would have meant clearing a 40man slot for him on the roster. Putting Tomko at Scranton to start the season ensure 2 things, he gets steady work to verify that his spring was no fluke and he will be among the first called up if needed. I think however that he will revert to his recent past and be ineffective in the AL East.
Joba has been around 91-94 so far, with 1 reported reading of 96. As a starter last year, he was consistently at 96, with occasional bursts to 98 for a pitch or 2. With pitchers, max velocity ebbs and flows during a season- there are games when a pitcher will have a little bit extra (Sox game) and other game when consistent velocity will be a struggle. As a starter you don’t want him throwing 98 on every pitch, but consistently hitting 96 with control is how he will win games. Velocity is very important- not only for the FB but also affecting the movement of breaking pitches.
He did come to camp a bit lighter, but there have also been whispers regarding his off season conditioning program. Right now he is still building arm strength. If we are still haveing this discusion June 1 then we have a problem.
Issues so far have been mechanical and mental- both are fixable. He is working on his approach to a starting a game vs finishing a game (mental- hitting spots, not wasting pitches, setting up batters etc) while at the same time trying to perfect a smooth repeatable motion. Again- wait until June-1 before passing judgement. He is young, raw and very much a work in progress.
Trading Sheff was the best move possible. Regardless of what becomes of what we got back (clagget, sanchez, etc) getting him out of town was the best move for the team.
Really looking forward to reading Gary’s tirades about Dombrowski or Leyland. I am sure they will be entertaining.
Keeping someone in the pen to throw an emergency 4 or 5 innings is a waste of a spot.
Big Handsome
March 31st, 2009 at 10:21 am
Hurtbumo Sanchez
———————————-
Sounds like a Dominican lady and Carl Pavano had a kid, Hurtbum O’Sanchez. Kind of like Bum ho Lee, my favorite player on the Korean WBC team.
“Keeping someone in the pen to throw an emergency 4 or 5 innings is a waste of a spot.”
Many major league coaches disagree with you.
“I have always been a fan of the long man, especially because the Yankees for the longest while have been a team that has suffered in need of it! I agree that it appears that this year might be different, but I truly always like that person in the pen who has the ability to go 4 or 5.”
Well when you have Mike Mussina, 5 and done as we all knew
Kevin Brown
assortment of kids in Clippard/Chase Wright/Matt DeSalvo/Hughes/Kennedy
Darrel Rasner
Sidney Ponson
Carla Pavano – Eek
Jeff Weaver
Jaret Wright
to name a few you certainly needed a long man, that is for sure.
You betcha Cal
“He did come to camp a bit lighter, but there have also been whispers regarding his off season conditioning program. Right now he is still building arm strength. If we are still haveing this discusion June 1 then we have a problem.
Issues so far have been mechanical and mental- both are fixable. He is working on his approach to a starting a game vs finishing a game (mental- hitting spots, not wasting pitches, setting up batters etc) while at the same time trying to perfect a smooth repeatable motion. Again- wait until June-1 before passing judgement. He is young, raw and very much a work in progress.”
+++ That is what has me a little concerned did Joba rest on his laurels and take things for granted in the offseason, you hate to see young guys do that. Like I stated before Hughes and Kennedy got rotation spots handed to them and were major duds, no one expected them to win 15 games going into 08′ but no one expected them to go winless either. I expected last season for Hughes and Kennedy to be something like 10-9, 10-10 with 4 run ERA’s but that was a pipedream.
I just hope Joba doesn’t take things for granted in his approach to pitching for the Yankees, he should see the examples of Cabrera, Hughes and Kennedy where nothing is guaranteed and you have to make it happen.
Between Albaladejo,Coke and Ramirez this spring 29.1 innings 31k’s and 3 walks….lets hope they keep this up during the season
Re: Tomko; A # of posters said not to be fooled by his ST #s or given his past he would get clobbered in AL East. That maybe true. But if the NYY felt that way, why then should they give this guy false hope and mislead him into thinking he has a shot at making the team. Can’t blame him for feeling bad. Some stuff Cashman/ Girardi say doesn’t make sense, ie. Brett may start year @ SWB all the while entertaining offers for Melky, Saying they will go with a true LR and for the 2nd year in a row they don’t. Even saying the backup inf job will be Pena or Berroa while they wait to see who gets cut from other teams.
And the ticketmaster fun has begun. They’re willing to sell me a seat for $2,625.00 with a $59.70 convenience charge. That wasn’t quite the premium I had in mind. It seems that all of the other field level seats are sold out.
Bah
Teams do it all the time. You need someone to throw all those innings in ST. Especially this spring as it was longer. He was brought in to eat innings, and hopefully pitch well enough to garner a trade.
“Albaladejo joins Mariano Rivera, Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte, Phil Coke, Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez in the bullpen. The only remaining roster decision is the race between Angel Berroa and Ramiro Pena for the utility infield spot.”
Thoughts??
I say you take Berroa, simply to let the kid play every day. When Arod comes back, Berroa is gone anyway.
“Re: Tomko; A # of posters said not to be fooled by his ST #s or given his past he would get clobbered in AL East. That maybe true. But if the NYY felt that way, why then should they give this guy false hope and mislead him into thinking he has a shot at making the team. Can’t blame him for feeling bad. Some stuff Cashman/ Girardi say doesn’t make sense, ie. Brett may start year @ SWB all the while entertaining offers for Melky, Saying they will go with a true LR and for the 2nd year in a row they don’t. Even saying the backup inf job will be Pena or Berroa while they wait to see who gets cut from other teams.”
He still has a shot at making the team, they just didn’t say when,
It was no guarantee that it would be April, there is a reason why his contract had the minor leagues until June stipulation. The Yankees choose to go with what they feel is the better player, instead of solely Spring innings.
As for Brett and starting at SWB I think they were keeping him on his toes, I am glad that we are at a point with the Yankees where guys can’t just feel they have it made when they aren’t a proven, quality veteran that has been successful.
Hughes and Kennedy showed us take nothing for granted about your role on a team. Lesson learn the hard way.
How was he mislead?
He just didn’t make the team. He isn’t saying he was mislead by anybody.
There are only 25 spots. Albie wasn’t awarded a spot. He earned it by pitching very well.
He built on the success he had on winter ball. Meaning, he’s now pitched well for about 3 months, not just 3 weeks.
I’m really happy with the decisions the team is making this spring.
Tabbing Gardner to start and not sending him down because he had options and Melky didn’t.
Moving Jeter out of the 2 hole to hopefully decrease the double plays Jeter had been hitting in. The real brilliance behind that move is that Gardner hits before Jeter. If Gardner is on first, he can steal and hit and run and keep Jeter out of the GIDP opportunities.
Not feeling some weird need to take a journeyman like Tomko north just because he had a nice spring.
It just seems to me the team is being run better and the decisions are more about winning and putting the best team on the field.
I’m very encouraged.
I’m thinking Berroa also. He was ROY for a reason. Maybe we’ll see more of it. Maybe being ROY with the Royals didn’t cause enough excitement for him. It happens.
Anyway, Berroa would definitely be my choice based on his spring and his experience.
Trisha -
When you see that price, those numbers, you just have to laugh! In fact, I did laugh. But it’s sad.
Even if a person had that kind of money to spend on a baseball game, even a Yankees baseball game, why on earth would they? I can think of soooooooo many more valuable things to do with that kind of money. Oh, so many!!!!
Good luck trying to find something more sane.
We recently decided we will try to go to a game this season, but we figured we’d use stub hub, on a week day, and try to get “reasonable” seats wherever they are (with the possible exception of last row, last seat). It really shouldn’t be this difficult.
Albaladejo joins Mariano Rivera, Brian Bruney, Damaso Marte, Phil Coke, Jose Veras and Edwar Ramirez in the bullpen. The only remaining roster decision is the race between Angel Berroa and Ramiro Pena for the utility infield spot.”
Thoughts??
Loving the pen as long as Bruney isn’t still on an ego trip, yet sucking come April 6th in Camden Yards.
I for some reason don’t like Berroa, I don’t care about his hitting either way, he is what he is, mediocre, but his fielding scares the living bejesus out of me. Every time he moves to play a ball I get nervous it will be bobbled or go through him. E4, E5, E6 take your pick.
Rishi,
I like the bullpen in general. It could be better, but if they get the job done, that’s all that counts. I like the addition of Albie. He converted all but one of his save opportunities in winter league. Some people pooh-pooh winter stats, but I at least like the fact that he was able to slam the door. Some of those saves started in the 8th with inherited men on base.
I feel bad for Tomko. He did his very best and probably deserved the job, but roster space doomed him. I think he’ll go to Scranton and continue to do well. He’s still pitching for a job. And who wouldn’t have fun with those Scranton guys?
Kepner had an excellent article on the bullpen. Just a motley crew of relievers, but so far Cashman’s (and Girardi) done a nice job of assembling the bullpen.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03.....f=baseball
“Moving Jeter out of the 2 hole to hopefully decrease the double plays Jeter had been hitting in. The real brilliance behind that move is that Gardner hits before Jeter. If Gardner is on first, he can steal and hit and run and keep Jeter out of the GIDP opportunities.”
Absolutely can see that patented Jeter inside out swing with Gardner on first and Gardner going to third on the ball to right field, visions of it in my head right now, see told you. Will be fun to watch all season. The key is Gardner getting on base.
I’m not completely sold on Berroa, personally…in the long run, I’d prefer a defensive utility player (even if it’s for the projected 3-4 weeks). it’s good for pena to get the experience, come in as a defensive replacement and then head back down to build on that experience.
that ROY was forever ago – not sure the “magic” is really there and that he’s not just having a good 5-6 weeks…
Doreen, and you are doing it the sane way. Guarantee you that you will find a good deal for a good game during the week. Deciding that you want to go to Opening Day brings its own insanity. Having difficulty with heights brings the other part of it. My options as to where to sit will be limited whenever I go.
I will check my old standbys, StubHub and eBay. That’s actually where I always get my seats. I don’t know why I thought going on the Yankee website was going to garner me anything reasonable. I’ll check Craigslist too. I sold tickets there once.
m – read that article last night…it’s nice to know an aspect of the team can succeed without having $$ thrown at it
I’d take Pena and keep him on the roster when Arod comes back and send down or release Ransom.
It’s time this team begins to filter in younger players into the mix.
Long term, Ransom and Berroa serve no benefit to the team. Pena has a future. What better way to break him in than being Jeter’s understudy.
It also keeps Cano on his toes because Pena can also play second.
Their stated goal is to become younger and more athletic. Keeping Pena would be a step in that direction.
“that ROY was forever ago – not sure the “magic” is really there and that he’s not just having a good 5-6 weeks…”
I believe the ROY is still half full rather than half empty!
No long man to start the season? Yeah it could be construed as an oversight given Joba’s limitations and the fact that he hasn’t exactly shown the pitch count efficiency they’re looking for but it’s an easy enough fix.
“No decision yet on the utility reliever.” Infielder, no?
Interesting.
I guess they believe Pena would be better suited getting his work in at Scranton. I wouldn’t mind giving the kid a month long look at the majors. Give him some incentive by showing him life in the majors. Give him an idea of what he’s working for. A goal to strive for.
Berroa’s got to be a bit disappointed. He could be in the same boat as Tomko. Good enough but no cigar.
I’ve always given Mo credit for last year’s success for the bullpen. But I think we need to give Molina an assist as well.
Wouldn’t it be better for Pena’s development to play every day in AAA? He is still extremely raw as a hitter. If he has any shot of sticking in the major leagues he needs more time in AAA. There is no point to having him sit on the bench and play a couple innings every week.
“Wouldn’t it be better for Pena’s development to play every day in AAA? He is still extremely raw as a hitter. If he has any shot of sticking in the major leagues he needs more time in AAA. There is no point to having him sit on the bench and play a couple innings every week.”
Zactly!
Joba to DL, to Pen. Done.
“Joba to DL, to Pen. Done.”
Huh?
SJ,
Exactly. I’ve said that you take Pena, and keep him on the 40 because if he’s opened the Yankees’ eyes, he’s certainly attracting the attention other teams.
He backs up Ransom ( Jeter
), then can go to Scranton to get regular playing time.
I’d rather have a glove than a bat for the last guy on the bench.
“Tomko was crushed, saying the news came as a shock. But he doesn’t have an out in his deal until June. “I don’t have any options,” he said. “I’m trying to be rational about it and look at the big picture. But it’s tough because I had a great spring.””
…But you’ve had a terrible career.
i favor putting Beroa on the opening day roster because I think Pena is the better long-term option. When aRod returns we can DFA Beroa and then have a more flexible spot on the 40–be it for Melancon, Tomko, Pena or whatever the need is at the time.
SJ44 -
That’s an interesting take. First time I’ve seen it suggested that Ranson doesn’t have to necessarily automatically be the utility guy when Alex returns.
I just always wonder, isn’t it better for Pena to play everyday than to mostly sit on the bench and “watch” Derek Jeter? Jeter’s got at least this year and next before possibly making room for someone else.
Do you think when Alex comes back, he may be rested at the end of games on a fairly regular basis? Then I suppose Pena would get more playing time than might be expected, but it would be at 3B, and not SS.
In general, though, I do agree that it is an opportunity to go younger and more athletic.
If this Pena is what some think he is, it would be better for him to get a full year at AAA. It would be hard for him to get any better as a hitter only getting a few at bats a month.
One thing that favors Berroa though, is that he’d be the better option if Ransom absolutely fell apart before Alex came back.
Speaking of, sounds like sooner than later. But I’m glad that the Yankees are keeping him at arms length for now. They’ll be missing each other by a few hours. Funny, huh?
I’d take pena. Sometimes you have to a risk. These are the type of stories that you read and hear about all the time. The yankees have plenty of depth. Let the kid go out there and make some plays. They gave melky a shot when he was 20 years old, why not pena. I know we can talk about his 260 ba in AA, and that he has not played above that level, but what do the yankees have to lose? if he were on another team he would get an opportunity.
Cashman really screwed the pooch on Joba. He should have been left in the pen for the entire year in 08. By making him a starter, he developed shoulder problems that could be affecting his velocity this year. Either way, this isn’t the same pitcher we saw two years ago.
JOJO I agree. We have seen the fruits of rushing guys up before they are ready. Let him get more experience. It isn’t like the Yankees don’t have anyone ready made to use as their utility guy.
Pena.
mlbtraderumors says that sheffield got released by the tigers. i can’t say that i’m surprised, but the guys is 1 hr away from 500 and getting paid by the tigers to play for someone else. where do you think he ends up? baltimore?
Do we also notice that Cody Ransom hasn’t done much in Spring,
I mean he has in 65 AB’s
17 hits, 1 HR, 4 rbi’s, 14 K’s, almost as many K’s as hits, not good and a .262 avg.
The only thing I can tell Ransom is he had better catch the ball in the field and make the defensive plays, when a man is on base in front of him advance the runner with less than 2 outs, etc. In other words do the little things or he might be gone when Arod returns.
Pena is young. You bring him up now and he hits .190 and gets sent down, the media, fans, maybe even the organization turns on him. Then he gets down on himself. You risk losing him. Let him gain more confidence in AAA. If we’re possibly talking about the heir to the Jeter thrown, is that too much to ask??? I’ve seen too many Yankee projects get rushed along to their detriment. (Cough Cough-Phil Hughes-Cough Cough)
You know me. I’m all for keeping a guy on the roster who actually threatens Cano for playing time if Cano plays like last season.
I go Pena.
He’s a good glove. He has speed. Can get a bunt down.
I understand that he needs playing time, but I think he’ll get playing time and will be learning from the best.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4021631
The game is getting defense oriented. Of course they start the article off talking about Bobby Abreu.
JOJO – agreed.
It is a multi-factorial decision.
1) Pena – is he a career utility man or a shortstop of the future. If he is a career utility man then get it started now. If he is a shortstop of the future he needs to go back to AAA at some point to get consistent at bats and improve on that aspect of his profile.
2) Nunez – is he a utility option or is he the shortstop of the future. How far away is he. If the Yankees feel Nunez has made enough strides to get the temporary title of shortstop of the future (he probably has a higher ceiling than Pena but may or may not reach it)then Pena is a a utility man for the Yanks and may as well be on the big club, or is trade bait and should be back in AAA showing off for other clubs.
3) Angelini or Lassiter – Will either of these guys step up. Reports have Angelini as having an outstanding spring and Lassiter potentially moving off of SS. I guess we will see.
4) Who becomes available from other teams. Are they options to pick up.
“It just seems to me the team is being run better and the decisions are more about winning and putting the best team on the field.”
“seems”is the operative word.
what if gardner doesn’t hit. no one knows what he’s going to do. it’s a try out until he proves he can play at the mlb level in the real games.
i like moving jeter to hitting first , but brilliance? i don’t see the big deal of one move up in the order. i don’t see gardner hitting in front of him cutting down on his double plays that much because gardner isn’t going to steal second every time he gets on, there’s going to be other hitters on first sometimes with one out. bases loaded, runners on 1st and 2nd etc.
if jeter wants to quit hitting into so many double play balls he need to quit inside outing so many hittable pitches that he could turn on. he creates too many weak grounders to second. he’s gone to the inside out swing too much on middle to in pitches. that’s what needs to change.
i think this year is all about the five starters. it may be fun to nitpick about the last guy on the roster or bullpen, but their effect is minimal to how the five starters do. the yankees went after sabatha and burnett . that’s what has changed with this team. joba is a year older. wang is back. does pettitte have one more good year in him? this team will ride on he back of these starters if it’s going to be really good.
i’m skeptical the rotation will stay healthy, but if they do, this team will be very good. with the team built around pitching, then gardner could be valuable because there may be a lot of one run games. but gardner making jeter better? i don’t see it.
the way jeter hits better is to quit hitting so many weak ground balls. if he keeps hitting those, no one can turn him back into a hitter who drives the ball.
“They’ll be missing each other by a few hours. Funny, huh?”
April 13th is more like a few weeks, not a few hours. Kurt Warner had surgery 2 weeks ago and is still on crutches. Alex had surgery 3 weeks ago and is already doing baseball stuff. Good news!
“Yankee2123 March 31st, 2009 at 11:18 am
Cashman really screwed the pooch on Joba. He should have been left in the pen for the entire year in 08. By making him a starter, he developed shoulder problems that could be affecting his velocity this year. Either way, this isn’t the same pitcher we saw two years ago.”
(shakes head)
“Alex came back.
Speaking of, sounds like sooner than later. But I’m glad that the Yankees are keeping him at arms length for now. They’ll be missing each other by a few hours. Funny, huh?”
LOL, I hear you, Cashman wanted no part of the media circus acting like wild animals down in Tampa after they had such a quiet camp after Alex left for Vale.
Doreen
I think that when alex returns he will dh his first day, then play in the field the next. But with alex’s luck (no luck) he will end up pinch hitting in the bottom of the 8th w/ 2 on and 1 out ( in yankee stadium) the day before. LOL
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb.....id=4021766
THREE UP
Mariners (2008 FRAA: –45 | 2009 Projection: +11)
Seattle’s fielders really hurt their pitchers last season. The main problem was at shortstop, where Yuniesky Betancourt had a horrible year, but PECOTA (our system that compares players past and present to predict the future) is banking on better things for him. The Mariners outfield defense should be better as well. Franklin Gutiérrez, who didn’t have the chance to show off all his skills while playing rightfield beside Grady Sizemore in Cleveland, could shine in center. And Ichiro returns full-time to rightfield, a less-demanding position.
Tigers (2008 FRAA: –32 | 2009 Projection: +17)
Last year, the Tigers were the Rays in reverse, morphing from one of baseball’s best defensive clubs in 2006 and 2007 into one of the worst. But the gloves are back. Adam Everett could be a 20-run upgrade at shortstop over Edgar Rentería. Second baseman Plácido Polanco should rebound after a surprisingly poor year in the field; the eight errors he made last season nearly matched his total from 2005-07. And Detroit will benefit from moving Miguel Cabrera to first base full-time and playing Brandon Inge at third.
Yankees (2008 FRAA: –26 | 2009 Projection: +9)
First basemen are rarely impact defenders, but two-time Gold Glove winner Mark Teixeira is a significant exception. Plus he replaces Jason Giambi, who had only slightly less range than the Miller Huggins monument at Yankee Stadium. If Jorge Posada has trouble coming back from right shoulder surgery, take note: Backup José Molina, one of the best defensive catchers in the game, threw out 44% of potential basestealers last year.
Doreen,
Neither Arod, coming off hip surgery, or Jeter are getting amy younger. I not only think there are AB’s for Pena, I think they have to make sure both Jeter and Arod get more rest this year.
Not only that, the kid is far and away the best defensive SS on the team right now.
It’s a touchy subject but, IMO, Pena has to see some SS time this year. They can break him in umderstudying Jeter.
He’s too good a defensive player to keep in Scranton all season.
If they want to start him in Scranton? Some merit to that decision. All year? Wrong choice because his glove is ML ready right now and Kevin Long can work on his bat in NY.
Someone described Berroa as “The rare zero tool player” a few weeks. Ago. Perfect description. He’s a bad baseball player that has no business on a major league team, and frankly, I don’t trust Girardi to not pull a Betemit 2.0 and give Berroa way too man ABs. Leave him in Tampa.
Another thing to factor into the equation is how much rest Alex will need when he comes back. He probably won’t be an everyday player for a while. Ransom did well in the backup role last season, so I don’t see much of a problem there. But Berroa might be insurance for Ransom as well.
“Absolutely can see that patented Jeter inside out swing with Gardner on first and Gardner going to third on the ball to right field, visions of it in my head right now,”
————————————————–
I had the same vision a few years back only with Damon in front of Jeter. But in my version Jeter was hitting gappers to drive in Damon.
Jonathan Albaladejo’s winter ball stats:
22.0 IP, 13 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 2 BB, 18 K
0.68WHIP, 0.41 ERA
“Someone described Berroa as “The rare zero tool player” a few weeks.”
now that’s funny
There is essentially no difference between Berroa’s and Pena’s defensive numbers, including RF. There is a difference in offensive numbers however. With Rodriguez out, backup offense will have more value than backup defense. Pena’s no better than a AA .250 hitter so far. Berroa offers more extra base power and run production and has the added experience. Check the numbers yourself.
Defense
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....=Last_Name
Offense
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com.....imeFrame=1
If they are going to rely on pitching and defense until A-Rod comes back, Ransom is the answer for now because he does have glove.
I think Pena is the obvious choice as the utility guy until ARod gets back. He presumably has a future in the organization where Berroa does not. Better to use a roster spot on a guy that has a future than one who doesn’t. He’s also a better defender and better baserunner than Berroa. And, we’ll be more than happy to send him to AAA when ARod gets back (barring another injury to an IF in the interim) and have him continue to develop in AAA.
“I don’t trust Girardi to not pull a Betemit 2.0 and give Berroa way too man ABs. Leave him in Tampa.”
that’s silly.
Betemit is a MUCH better hitter than Berroa.
the Tigers released DH Gary Sheffield
“No decision yet on the utility reliever. Cashman said he wants to see what players become available out of other organizations first.”
two words: Jeff Keppinger. The Reds is willing to trade him anyways.
NYYanksFan,
I thought the Yankees fly out on Wednesday, and Alex arrives in Tampa on Thursday?
SJ44,
Excellent point on Kevin Long. He’s made great strides with the young guys. (Cano, Melky, Gardner). You’re that high on Pena?
“Better to use a roster spot on a guy that has a future than one who doesn’t.”
wrong.
SJ44
Pena can understudy Jeter and if you really want to send the world off it’s axis, Jeter could understudy Damon.
Matt DiBari
March 31st, 2009 at 11:27 am
Someone described Berroa as “The rare zero tool player” a few weeks. Ago. Perfect description. He’s a bad baseball player that has no business on a major league team, and frankly, I don’t trust Girardi to not pull a Betemit 2.0 and give Berroa way too man ABs. Leave him in Tampa.
ROFLMAO!!!
“Plus he replaces Jason Giambi, who had only slightly less range than the Miller Huggins monument at Yankee Stadium”
LOL, ouch.
SJ44 -
Well, I guess we’ll find out exactly how “edgy” the Yankees want to be.
Because committing to giving Jeter more rest would definitely be pushing the Yankee envelope.
(I have to laugh, though, when I think that we’re talking about 34-, 35-, 36-year-old guys as “old.” Hah! – Yeah, I know, in baseball, it is getting up there.
)
SJ -
Gonna have to disagree with you about keeping Pena on the squad when ARod comes back (again, barring another IF injury). Much better to let him go down to AAA and play everyday, taking what Kevin Long has taught him this spring and in his early days on the big squad and applying it in a game, than languish on the bench probably 4 out of 5 days.
” i don’t see the big deal of one move up in the order. i don’t see gardner hitting in front of him cutting down on his double plays that much because gardner isn’t going to steal second every time he gets on, there’s going to be other hitters on first sometimes with one out”
it guarantees he’ll have about 20-25% fewer opportunities to GIDP though.
so yes, it will cut down his DPs.
Why are we so sure that Joba developed shoulder problems from starting? Tendinitis is not something you get in one day. It develops over time. Maybe it came from the bullpen work but didn’t show up until he went to the rotation.
How many 8th inning set-up guys are in the Hall of Fame? How many have won the Cy Young? You just don’t put a guy who can be a front line starter in that role unless you’ve exhausted all other options.
Why are we still having this discussion???
“The rare zero tool player”
LMAO!, that would explain his terrible numbers since they robbed Matsui of the rookie of the Year award and gave it to Berroa. What exactly would the Yankees achieve by keeping Berroa on this roster. The guy is a hasbeen.
“LMAO!, that would explain his terrible numbers since they robbed Matsui of the rookie of the Year award and gave it to Berroa. ”
Berroa was the better choice. no one was “robbed”. just because Matsui is a Yankee doesn’t mean we have to throw objectivity out the window.
I feel for Tomko, but if he pitches well in AAA, he will get a job in the big leagues, even if not with the Yankees. He has to keep his chin up and be professional.
I really like Alabadejo and, although I think the Yanks could use a long man, I’m glad he made the team.
Berroa or Pena? Berroa for me. They can always DFA him and recall Pena if he’s not getting the job done with the Yankees. Also, Pena should be playing every day and I still have doubts about him. He never played above AA (and wasn’t that good) and now he should make the NY Yankees?
Good news all around on Alex. I want him back in the lineup sooner rather than later, no matter what circus surrounds him.
Pena has ZERO games played in AAA.
ZERO.
you guys are hilarious.
he needs to go to AAA.
Joba hits 96 on the gun today. Just you wait and see!!
Tomko won’t last in the AL East. He is another Billy Traber.
Good move taking Albaladejo over him. He can pitch 3 innings if needed.
Coach6423
March 31st, 2009 at 11:25 am
(shakes head)
Don’t shake your head, just nod in agreement when Joba’s pitching out of the pen this Summer, and striking guys out. Write it down, Joba will be in the pen this year.
my point is, he won’t languish on the bench if the bench is used properly.
Sooner or later, they have to begin bringing younger guys into the mix.
This is the perfect time to do it.
If the moment overwhelms him, you can always send him to AAA.
However, if he shows he can handle it, the move makes the Yankees a deeper and better team.
Sometimes the reward outweighs the risk. I think that’s the case in this instance.
Curious, I agree. As infuriating as it was to watch Wilson Betemit seemingly be good at absolutely nothing, Berroa is actually *worse*
m
“UPDATE, 11:12 a.m.: To advance the A-Rod story a bit more, Cashman said that Alex would be back in Tampa by no later than April 13, although it could well be earlier. The Yankees are still targeting a mid-May return to the major-league lineup by Rodriguez. He will play in minor-league games first, likely in warm weather. That probably means with Single-A Tampa.”
April 13 is also when the Yanks will be back in Tampa to play the Rays.
JOBA CHALLENGE!
What is his stat line going to look like today?
92 pitches 5 2/3 inn. 6 hits, 2runs, 2 walks, 4 SO
I have to admit 3 weeks ago I had no idea who Pena was. Now I’m believing he’s going be the Yankee shortstop for the next decade. Maybe we all need to pump the brakes.
“He is another Billy Traber”
Yet Traber exposed his true self to Boston in Spring unlike with us where he looked like a Spring warrior, too bad he didn’t sneak onto the Red Skunks roster and faced Matsui a couple of times.
Randy,
I always agree with you, but in this instance I have to disagree with you on the Jeter/Gardner thing.
I think if Jeter comes up with Gardner on 1b, Girardi will give Gardner the green light all the time.
If Gardner takes 2b on his own and Jeter inside outs the ball like he does all the time, it goes from a potential double play to a productive out that moves Gardner from 2b to 3b.
I realize with Gardner’s speed he’s going to score most times from 2b anyway, but moving him over to 3b opens up the potential of a sac fly for Damon who is a good situational hitter in his own right.
I think the Jeter move was done to protect Jeter from himself. He can’t GIDP in the 1st inning anymore. I’m sure he still will hit into a lot of them and I agree with you completely about his swing and how it’d be nice to see him pull some pitches, but I’m optimistic that this Gardner move is going to play better with Jeter’s offensive game.
“http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/pgStory?contentId=9342344&MSNHPHMA#sport=News&photo=9336196″
I especially liked # 16. lol
JoJo
Bouncing the guy from the pen to starter, can’t be good. I don’t think anyone sees Joba (I would hope not) as the permanent 8th inning guy. What people should see is a pitcher capable of taking over for MO when he retires. And that day is coming.
Joba line:
6 inn, 2 hits, 0 runs, 2 walks, 8 SO, 94 pitches.
“Curious, I agree. As infuriating as it was to watch Wilson Betemit seemingly be good at absolutely nothing, Berroa is actually worse”
Kind of like negative infinity. I for one won’t be fooled by Berroa. Like I said I don’t even care about his lack of hitting, but his glove scares me, he is just too skittish in the field when I watch him.
Will be interesting to see what Joe does if a starter lasts 2 innings. Coke is too good to be used in a game that is already decided. You can’t just throw Alba to the wolves for 5 or so innings like you can with a long man either.
“I have to admit 3 weeks ago I had no idea who Pena was. Now I’m believing he’s going be the Yankee shortstop for the next decade. Maybe we all need to pump the brakes.”
seriously, you think?
the kid is a career .258/.316/.319 in the MINOR LEAGUES with ZERO games in AAA.
the notion that he should be playing regularly in the majors is laughable at best.
you send him down to AAA for at least half a season. if he maintains the offensive gains he is HINTING at, maybe you call him up during the summer.
but sitting him on the bench and exposing him to the majors based on 3 DECENT (not great) weeks of ST is lunacy.
How would you like to be the GM of this team and have to tell your owner that you are going to eat 14 million dollars oh and your 22 million dollar pitcher you might have to eat a lot of that as well (oh and by the way he has won exactly zero games since you got him), your other big pitcher probably wont be up in the big leagues for a while as he is coming off of surgery.
Dave Dombroski has to be on the hot seat.
I hate to say it but jeter will still hit into double plays.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see Sheffield sign with the Rays. Burrell is primarily their DH, they aren’t comfortable with their RF situation since Fernando Perez got hurt. Sheffield at this point may be a disaster in the field, he wasn’t that great in his prime(fielding), but essentially for league minimum, they may bring him back home to Tampa.
exactly curious….let him develop
Joba Line
4IP, 8 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 2 SO, 80 pitches.
Cal,
I can sort of accept a lack of offense from a bench player of they offer something else (Jose Molina, for example.)
Men like Berroa and Betemit who won’t hit OR field OR run well are just lumps on the bench.
Cal,
I can sort of accept a lack of offense from a bench player of they offer something else (Jose Molina, for example.)
Men like Berroa and Betemit who won’t hit OR field OR run well are just lumps on the bench.
Girardi is going to earn his money this year. He has to find a way to get ABs for Pena, Swisher, and Melky while keeping the other vets happy with their playing time. But you want the regular lineup out there as much as possible. Should be interesting. Hope he doesn’t tinker too much with it.
It’s great to have conversations about young NYY prospects, discussing who might replace whom someday. Wasn’t long ago there was no such talk. But realistically, do you really think the NYY will someday have Pena, Nunez etc replace Jeter? When the time comes they’ll trade for Hanley Ramirez or some other top SS (or buy one). In recent years they’ve given more of their young guys a shot, which I applaud. But if they can get a HRam type they’ll do it simply because they can and because they are the NYY.
And if Joba isn’t in the ‘pen this year, will you stop predicting he will be?
It really doesn’t matter how many games Pena has played in AAA. As far as prospects go, AA is a better indicator.
He could start at SS for at least 10 ML teams right now because his glove is that good.
This is not like Austin Jackson. A kid who needs AAA to continue his development curve.
Conceievably, this is a kid who could spend the next 2 years being the utility INF, then move into the starting SS role in 2011, at the ripe “old” age of 25.
If the Yankees did it that way, he will have plenty of experience prior to taking over the role. Much more than just grinding at AAA.
People keep saying the yankees are going to pick between Pena or Berroa for the utility spot. But that’s not really the issue.
The true issue is whether you want Pean or Ransom to be the backup infielder this season.
Alex’s rehab by all reports is going well. When he gets back there’s only room for one of Pena, Ransom or Berroa.
If you want Ransom as your utility guy once Alex comes back then it doesn’t really fit to put Pena on the 40 man roster and have him sit on the bench until May only to send him down to AAA afterwards. That’s just not an efficient use of a 40 man roster spot and not really beneficial to Pena’s development.
If you want to keep Ransom as the utility guy then you pick Berroa for right now until Alex comes back. Berroa you can DFA or send down to AAA once Alex gets back and you don’t lose anything while at the same time freeing up a 40 man roster spot again.
Just me but I don’t see how Pena is ready. He’s had a good spring but really needs time in AAA. Very, very few players make a successful jump from AA to the majors. Even immensely talented players don’t do that very often. Pena isn’t the kind of talent you’d expect to make that jump quickly. And in many ways coming off the bench as a utility guy seeing infrequent action is more difficult than being an every day player. Pena has never played that role and it’s unclear how he’d do not playing every day.
It’s not a small issue to put Pena on the 40 man roster. He isn’t rule 5 eligible until next season. If they put him on the 40 man now and then keep Ransom as their utility guy they are really hamstringing themselves this season. The 40 man doesn’t have many players on it that they don’t want to keep. You really want to keep that extra 40 man spot open in case you have to make an in season trade.
Closers are flawed pitchers.
Either they have limited pitches: Mo for example
Durability issues: Papelbon
Or ineffectiveness as a starter: Eckersley
Joba has 3 plus pitches. Maybe he’ll prove to not be durable enough, but I’m not convinced of that yet.
Doreen, thought you’d appreciate this. Just found a ticket on stubhub for opening day for $10,000. Honest God, $10,000. And if you want to take 3 of your friends, they have 3 others right near it. For $10,000. Per ticket.
Man alive. That’s pretty sick.
NYYanksfan,
Thanks for that.
Joba will not be in the pen this year. Like it or not, for better or worse, he is going to be a starter at the major league level for at least 1 full season, if not 2, before they consider moving him to the pen.
All Girardi has to do is win. He doesn’t owe anybody at bats. Put the best team out there as much as possible, that’s what he needs to do.
Sheffield is going to be a steal for some team. Put him on a winning team and he will hit many big HRs for you. He knows he is on his last legs and he is still an intimidating player to face.
Would hate to see him on the bench in Boston or Tampa.
SJ44 makes a good point. Can’t really argue with that.
Ed – 2009 season is begins next week
March 31st, 2009 at 11:31 am
“No decision yet on the utility reliever. Cashman said he wants to see what players become available out of other organizations first.”
two words: Jeff Keppinger. The Reds is willing to trade him anyways.
YES!!!! Keppinger is a sleeper…..great utility player!
CB hitting all the important points and drawing the correct conclusions as usual.
part of this is just following Pete’s lead, but many people here don’t seem to want to think through the roster implications of adding certain players.
the answers are different when you look at the whole picture that Girardi and Cashman have to deal with.
“It really doesn’t matter how many games Pena has played in AAA. As far as prospects go, AA is a better indicator.”
sure, but Pena didn’t hit in AA either. so what does that mean?
.253/.311/.315 in AA. HORRIBLE.
no, what people are using as their INDICATOR is 3 weeks of Spring Training.
“All Girardi has to do is win. He doesn’t owe anybody at bats. Put the best team out there as much as possible, that’s what he needs to do.”
Exactly. He owes Swisher nothing. If there are ABs to give him, he will. But he isn’t going to manufacture playing time if things are going well, except the occasional day off for Damon or Nady. Girardi shouldn’t feel ‘pressure’ to get anyone ABs, those things work themselves out. If anyone complains, then get rid of them.
IMO Joba needs to get a new lawyer.
It’s funny that the Yanks have a 200 million dollar payroll with All-Stars galore. But we’re arguing about who should be the utility guy.
Gotta love being a Yankee fan!!! Come on Opening Day!!!
SJ does make an interesting point. Having Pena as the backup IF would ease Jeter’s transition. As in, they won’t have to sit down and tell he can’t play the position anymore. Having Pena spell him over the next two years will get Jeter used to the concept. Maybe he’ll get the message by ‘10.
“my point is, he won’t languish on the bench if the bench is used properly.”
I just don’t see how that’s possible. Best case scenario for him he gets 1 day a week at 3B for Alex and 1 day a week at SS for Jeter (where he’s a significant downgrade in overall value in each case, IMO). That’s 2 days a week he’s playing. Wouldn’t he be much better served playing full time at AAA????
With his glove, if Pena hit .250 off the bench, he’s an asset to the team.
His glove is the asset. Anything you get with the bat is a bonus.
“But we’re arguing about who should be the utility guy.”
The utility guy becomes an important position when you have a 3B coming off significant surgery, a mid-30s SS and a 2B prone to concentration lapses who may need a day off every now and then to get his head right or a player behind him that pushes him so that the lapses don’t occur.
SJ – He can also run and bunt.
What are your thoughts about CB’s excellent post regarding the 40 man?
I have got to believe some trades will be coming during the course of the year to clean up the 40 man roster as the Yankees will need to protect a bunch of players after this year.
“I always agree with you, but in this instance I have to disagree with you on the Jeter/Gardner thing.”
g.love-
don’t do that.i don’t even agree with myself all the time, but we do tend to agree about not drinking the cashman koolaid.
i just think gardner has to prove himself by playing in real games before we know what he is. if he works out the way it’s hoped i can see he could have an effect on jeter. the big if is whether he’ll get on base enough to do this. i just think this effect will be minmal unless gardner really plays well and then i guess i could see how it could effect jeter. i just have a lot of things that i think are more important like the starting pitching.
i’m really reacting to the blog getting so caught up in little stuff that just doesn’t look at the big picture. the yankees have made a big bet on their starting pitching . the fact the rotation is heathy is the big story. i could care less about who the futility infielder is going to be until i see what the rotation is going to do.
this team’s success is not going to depend on who the utility infielder is though once the big stuff is clicking that’s something to fine tune. this team just isn’t there yet. it’s still in the rough out period. how will this team look when the starting five big guns start firing everyday the way they will when the season starts?
once a team defines itself with great starting pitching then it will develop an offensive style, and personnel will follow. but right now , it’s less than a week away to see the beginning of rolling out this rotation.
that’s what has my interest. just keep those starters healthy.
I’ve been out of town a few days and not up to date on ST moves. Can someone answer the following:
Is Jeter as leadoff hitter a done deal for the RS? I thought that was a ST experiment.
Is Gardner definitely the starting CF?
I take it the bullpen is now set? (Rivera, Bruney, Marte, Ramirez, Veras, Coke, Alba?)
Thanks.
Arod did not have a significant surgery…he was scoped.
Trisha –
My jaw just dropped!
Who are these people who can, in any economic climate, buy tickets for $10,000 a piece? Frankly, I think they already have the best seats in the house — the players’ dugouts!!!!
Pena makes the spectaular/flashy plays, but, his three errors have allowed 4 runs and all on balls hit directly at him. I don’t think he can hit .230, much less .250 and, he’s a Bernie Williams on the bases. Very good speed, but, not a great/intelligent base runner. I’d rather have the offense that Berroa could offer over the next 6 weeks. If he bombs, NYY hasn’t lost a thing. All it costs is one spot on the 40 man roster. If Pena bombs, it’ll end up costing two spots.
“With his glove, if Pena hit .250 off the bench, he’s an asset to the team.”
ok, but considering he only hit .253 in AA, he isn’t going to hit .250 in the majors.
he’s going to hit .200.
Any surgery that keeps a guy out for 6-8 weeks is significant. Especially when it doesn’t correct the underlying problem that caused the surgery in the first place.
Yay!
Just got tickets for Stadium Tour.
BD -
Probably, at least to start the year.
Yes, at least to start the year.
Yes, at least to start the year.
But when will Pena’s glove be used? Jeter’s not coming out of games for defensive purposes. He’d take that as a slap in the face.
Here’s a story. I’m a lifelong Yankee fan but my family moved to Baltimore when I was a boy. One year there was this prospect in the O’s system named Manny Alexander. A lot like Pena. He was a little shortstop with speed who was a fantastic fielder, but not much of a hitter. Supposed to be Cal Ripken’s replacement eventually. Cal was in his early 30’s at this time.
The guy had a great spring so the O’s brought him up north. He’d play 2nd base until Cal was ready to move. Only problem, Cal wasn’t ready to move. Cal wouldn’t even talk to the guy. Once it got out that Cal didn’t care for the Alexander, the media turned on him, and then the fans. This was friggin’ Cal Ripken Jr!!! A legend. You have to be very careful replacing a legend. The guy struggled at the plate and soon started to struggle in the field. They sent him down and soon he was out of the organization and within in a few years out of baseball.
JOJO,
Great story, but all it told me was that Cal wasn’t a True Yankee.
SJ (or anyone),
Cashman said they’re waiting to see what other IF might pop up on the market. Any thoughts on who might be available?
The primary point I was trying to make in my earlier post wasn’t so much to advocate who the utility infielder should be. I was more just trying to clarify what the real decision the yankees are faced with.
It’s not Pena vs. Berroa. It’s Pena vs. Ransom.
If the team decides that Pena gives them the best chance to win they should put him on the roster.
But the trade off they need to consider are two fold: 1) is the marginal difference Pena vs. Ransom great enough to justify the decreased roster flexibility/40 man roster issues that arise with putting Pena on the team? 2) What is the probability that Pena doesn’t hack it as the utility guy and has to be sent down (in which case he is still taking up a 40 man roster spot and they may have to cut a player from the 40 man who they like in order to make trade).
Those are the issues. On the whole I’d be inclined to just go with Ransom/ Berroa and see how it goes before putting pena on the team but if their talent evaluation says Pena is substantially more valuable than Ransom due to his glove then they should consider Pena as they are doing.
BD,
I’ll echo Rodg. Yes, yes, and yes.
Jeter seems to have taken to the new “challenge”. I see lot more leadoff doubles than we had last year.
Girardi said that there won’t be any flip-flopping on the CF.
They gave Albie the last spot. Some of us are skeptical about the lack of a long man, but happy that the spot was given to Jonathan.
Astros’ beat writer, their better one, picks Yanks to win World Series. And if they don’t, he’ll eat a bug.
http://tinyurl.com/c8f8or
I do love how every season all of us in the blog somehow get really caught up in last man on the bench/last arm in the pen.
However, I’m thoroughly disappointed in this blog that there hasn’t been a Sheff for a 3b fill in since he played there before in his career.
I was almost certain upon his release that there would be ridiculous clamoring to put him at 3b until Arod is ready.
It is great for baseball reasons that the Yanks got CC, AJ, and Tex, but they HAD to get them to justify some of their ticket prices. Can you imagine dropping $10G per ticket for one 3 hour baseball game, and then the Yanks bring out Sidney Ponson, Darrell Rasner, or Carl Pavano to spin their 3IP, 7 ER games?
I know $10G is the secondary market price, but there are face value tickets at $2,500 or more, right? Insanity!
Adam (Delaware): Giradi picked Nady over Swisher because of his apparent comfort with him, despite the fact that Swisher is pretty definitively a better hitter, fielder, and baserunner. While I know that this will probably sort itself by May, shouldn’t the front office be distressed by their manager’s unwillingness to field the best possible team?
Rob Neyer: (12:35 PM ET ) Well, yes … or maybe. I suspect that Girardi and Cashman spent a fair amount of time discussing the decision … and I think you’re right: before long we’ll have forgotten it ever happened because Swisher will play more.
On the long reliever thing, I see the point about trying to save the bullpen for the next day, but a lot of times it’s not strictly necessary to go to the long man. Unless the starter is injured or has thrown too many pitches, the manager can leave him out there until, say, the 5th, and save the bullpen that way. IOW, let the starter serve as his own long man, so to speak.
I’m sure starters would PREFER having a long guy in the pen as insurance against that rare, demoralizing, ERA-wrecking start where they give up 6 runs in the first and still have to tough it out for 4 more innings.
All things equal, having a long-guy is fine. However, if the choice for the last spot in the bullpen comes down between a GOOD pitcher who can generally only go 1-2 innings or a so-so pitcher who can go 4-5, I think you’re better off with the good pitcher.
I’d like to see Sheff on the opening day roster. He’ll hit #500 and then we can get rid of him. Win-win. He gets #500 and we’ll probably win.
“Cashman said they’re waiting to see what other IF might pop up on the market. Any thoughts on who might be available?”
Jeff Keppinger, Mel.
The fact is, barring another injury, the utility man, be it Berroa or Pena, isn’t going to play. Jeter’s not going to let himself be replaced in the late inning for defense, and he’s going to play every day. Same with Cano. If Ransom sits a game or two, it doesn’t matter who subs for him.
Ransom’s clearly the guy who the Yanks intended all along to be the utility man, and when ARod comes back he will be again.
That means the utility man for the first two months will go back to the minors or be released. Given that, IMO Berroa seems to be the best choice to fill in the utility spot until ARod comes back.
Ed,
He’s already available, no? Who else? haha.
From what I’ve read, Pena has added some size (muscle/strength) and worked on his hitting. He is not the same physically this spring as he’s been in the past. It is conceivable that he has improved for real with the bat.
As far as roster moves go, as for myself, I don’t focus on that because I don’t really know all the ins-and-outs, all the rules, who has options, who doesn’t, blah, blah, blah, so I just involve myself in the current conversation. I always realize that there are decisions made on players that are influenced by the “business end” of things, and I go with the flow.
More than likely Pena is not going to go north with the team, especially if Cashman said he’s waiting to see who might become available around the league(s). Which also means they’re not exactly sold on Berroa, either.
“Astros’ beat writer, their better one, picks Yanks to win World Series. And if they don’t, he’ll eat a bug.”
If he patronizes a Houston restaurant, he’ll probably eat a bug either way.
Rishi,
lol @ those who actually thought there was a competition for the RF position. First of all, the whole we traded good talent for Nady thing. Secondly, if it were a battle, it would’ve lasted a little longer, no?
Nady over Swish is front office all the way.
I picked up arod in the sixth round of my fantasy draft and late 50s overall. Is that a good pickup if he is back by mid May?
mel, the reds wanna move him since he’s been outhit in st. (added by Mobile using Mippin)
Mo (NYC): Is Melky Cabrera an above average 4th outfielder?
Rob Neyer: (12:28 PM ET ) Umm, no. That would be a lovely goal for him, though.
=============================
Ouch!
Brian (NYC): On the flipside of the speedy leadoff guy debate, the Yanks are now hitting Jeter 1st and Damon 2nd, which, when you look at the numbers, makes perfect sense. They may lose credit with the Swish/Nady debate, but they have to gain a couple points back with this decision, right?
Rob Neyer: (12:47 PM ET ) Sure. Especially if you figure Swisher eventually gets the PA he deserves. Absent A-Rod’s injury the Yankees would be right on track.
Dave absolutely. Thats a steal. Even being out until may, Arod is still a 1st rounder in most drafts.
Josh (Lincoln, NE): Of course, the Yankees should continue to lose points for allowing Jeter to play SS.
Rob Neyer: (12:50 PM ET ) You mean “runs”.
———-
I’d say that one hurts more than the Melky one…
Wow! The Tigers just let Sheffield go. He’s a jerk but being let go when you have 499 homers just sucks.
Personally I think the longer this goes on the worse it is for Joba. Now it is constantly a story. Just go plea, get community service and be done with it.
It should be pointed out that Neyer, not Rishi, insterted the winky emoticon.
Hey is this the same Manny Alexander?? I knew I read his name somewhere else:
John (Niagara Falls, ON): KLAW, Anytime someone mentions how effective steriods are I have two words for them Neifi Perez!!!!!
Keith Law: Manny Alexander. The anecdotal-evidence game is useless. Studies done on HGH indicate no enhancement to athletic performance.
thanks, M – I haven’t yet mastered the delination between my stuff and the copy/paste…I do do the whole “enter, line/lots of equal signs” and it apparently does not work
“Dave absolutely. Thats a steal. Even being out until may, Arod is still a 1st rounder in most drafts.”
Been going in the 3rd or 4th round in most drafts I’ve been in. Depends on the league. In a straight roto league, I think a good argument can be made for taking him in the 2nd round. If it’s a head to head league and he’s not part of 20% of the regular season, 4th round is about right. 6th round is a nice score.
Berroa stays and Pena goes down…..
Rishi (and others),
Just “enter” after you paste and then do the hyphens, underscore, or equal signs.
Just wanted people to know that Neyer was the one making the joke!
m – I do that and either end up with a “dash” or what happened above…I might just stick to the “”s…it’s just more annoying to do
“Nady over Swish is front office all the way.”
well, that and Nady is having the better spring (.857 OPS vs .760) and coming off a better season (.867 OPS vs .742)
but yeah, what a crazy decision.
we should base all decisions off of what happened in 2007.
Swisher will PROBABLY win the job eventually, but saying that Girardi’s decision is based on nothing more than “comfort” is complete BS. it’s just that we don’t like what the numbers are telling us, so we choose to ignore them.
“Enter” twice? Or put asterisks around the text you want bolded.
Sure wish we could have our old html formatting back…
Thanks, M…
and here’s the gameday:
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday.....b_cinmlb_1
Im going to Tampa tomorrow to see phillies yanks. Anyone know who pitches for yanks.
Should be interesting. Chamberlain vs Owings
10 MPH winds blowing out to right, 80 degrees and humid
Gardner lines a single through the middle
Mitch should be cc
Swisher lines to pitcher, Gardner doubled off of 1st
Was thinking that Gardner/Owings matchup would be interesting. Owings apparently hasn’t lost any luster, who was he traded for?
Good to see that Gardner won that battle. Thanks in advance for the PBP, GB7.
Pena hit .266/.330/.357 in AA last year. He was in the .250’s the year before when he needed surgery.
And he only hit .266 because he had 1 bad month, July. He did a good job of getting on base outside of July, and if you know a darn thing about the Yankee minor leagues you’d know Waterfront park is a serious pitchers park and that the Eastern League also suppressed hitting last year.
TODAY should be Opening Day!
Teixeira walks
Posada pops out to short
These Cincy announcers are already getting on my nerves – 3 minutes into the game and they’re already harping on the money the Yankees spent in the off-season and on the new stadium.
man, GB – that inning is flying by
m is for mojo-we got it back
March 31st, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Was thinking that Gardner/Owings matchup would be interesting. Owings apparently hasn’t lost any luster, who was he traded for?
Good to see that Gardner won that battle. Thanks in advance for the PBP, GB7.
————————————————————
My pleasure
CB is correct from a roster standpoint that carrying Pena isn’t worth it.
SJ44, I disagree about Pena. He will never be the starting SS for the Yankees, never. You are talking about him taking over for Jeter in a few years? That is insane, it will never happen. This is a kid that has never had an OPS above .700 in the minors. He is not a good hitter at all.
Maybe some time in AAA and he will be able to develop his hitting a bit more so that he is at least above replacement level. Right now his bat isn’t even ready for a bench spot.
Yes he is a very good fielder right now but I don’t see the use for him. Say he gets a start one day a week. Will his exceptional defensive ability offset his awful hitting if he only gets one day in the field? For every start he gets at least 3 at-bats but how many shots in the field does he have? I don’t think its worth it at all.
Its not like Girardi will sub Pena in during late innings to tighten up the defense. If that was an option then I could see the usefulness of Pena.
Wow. Its 4am here. I woke up to listen to Joba pitch a spring training game.
I have problems.
“Owings apparently hasn’t lost any luster, who was he traded for?”
Owings was the PTBNL in the deal for Dunn from last year.
Any link to audio for the game? I tried the one from the earlier post,but it didn’t work..
Steve B,
Ouch. The ‘backs didn’t even make the playoffs.
“Baltimore, Minnesota, Mets and Boston are spots for Sheffield to land.”
The Mets don’t have the DH so I don’t see him landing there. It’s gotta be AL for him as I think Gary should strictly be a DH now. If I were TOR, I’d take him. They need offense and when he’s not injured, the guy can mash.
Actually, Owings is a pretty good hitter. That’s why he was so coveted.
Trisha, were those $10,000 tickets in the dugout?!
Joba with the walk!!!!
“Ouch. The ‘backs didn’t even make the playoffs.”
Yeah, that didn’t go well. I don’t think Owings is going to be very good. He’s a longball friendly pitcher in a tough park, but he’s a legit bottom of the rotation pitcher who can eat some innings. Not a great deal for Snakes.
Boston would be stupid to pass on Shef. Shef is old, but at least he can see his toes. Ortiz is on the downside of his “illustrious” career.
Any audio links for the game?
“Wow. Its 4am here. I woke up to listen to Joba pitch a spring training game.
I have problems.”
What is wrong with you? Its spring training. I dont even get up here at 4 a.m. for an earthquake. Get some sleep and read up on it later.
Definition of a Yankeeholic
1.Waking up before the roosters to see a spring training name.
2.Knowing minor leaguers names.
3.Reading this blog instead of working.
4.?
So does anyone have predictions yet for division winners and wild card winners?
Here are mine:
AL East – Yankees
AL Central – Indians
AL West – A’s
AL WC – Red Sox
NL East – Phillies
NL Central – Cubs
NL West – Dodgers
NL WC – Mets
joba with the k
thanks for the updates, carl…so it’s 1 out and 1 on 1st?
Yeah, Boston would be a great place for Sheff. I’d hate to see it though.
Chamberlain’s pitching line
strikes 12
balls 12
Fly out to left
Lines Doubles off of Cabrera’s glove in right (misplayed)
Walk
Foul pop to first
Strikeout
IP 1, 1 hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, W 1, SO 1
Apparently command is lacking, no speed readings
inning over Rishi
“Actually, Owings is a pretty good hitter. That’s why he was so coveted.”
Can he field? We need a utility player thats well rounded.
ok- got it, gameday finally updated…
SoS,
We tried to get him in the Randy Johnson “trade”, but it was a “Dunn” deal.
Nady gets K’d 1 out
Nady strikes out on foul tip
“Apparently command is lacking, no speed readings”
Last time out he ended up with 36 strikes and 32 balls.
To his credit, he’s been awfully effective in minimizing the damage, depsite the higher pitch counts.
The Sox will never take Sheffield. They havent had an african american player on their team in years.
What about McPherson for a 3b stop gap? He’s out of options with the fish and he could probably be had relatively cheap…
not trying to offend, but it is the truth.
Cabrera lines out to left on diving catch
Melky out of a great catch 2 outs.
Wow. That photo is definitely shopped. His head is small and his waist is so girlish.
Mets over Angels? I thought pitching wins championships?!? Ooooh. I’ll curse the day that Livan wins a ring with the Mets.
What would Boston do with Sheffield? They have an everday left fielder, an everyday DH, and a RF who is better than Sheff at this point in their careers. Sheff would be a whiner on the bench for @110 games, and play mediocre baseball in the @50 games that Drew is hurt. Makes no sense from their perspective.
“They also pick the Yankees to win the AL East. CC Sabathia is on the cover.”
Nooooooo!!!!
Ransom K’d 3 outs
that is not an attractive pic of CC on the cover of SI (update above)
Ransom strikes out
They got rid of manny because he was a headcase, they are not bringing in sheffield
“The Sox will never take Sheffield. They havent had an african american player on their team in years.”
Coco Crisp?
That picture of CC on the cover of Sports Illustrated-he looks thin.
Francesa talking Knicks? Whoa.
Al Harrington is an idiot
UPDATE, 1:21 p.m.: Just received an e-mail from Sports Illustrated. Their baseball issue is this week and they predict that the Mets will beat the Angels in the World Series.
Don’t think the Angels get past the Rays or Sox.
Rishi do you have a mlb.com account
I want to know what drug SI is on. The Mets to win the WS? HUH? Yeah that pitching staff is awesome. You get beyond Johan and it is who? Give me a break.
#1 – Fenway “faithful” are only faithful to white ballplayers
#2 – They dont have a roster spot for sheff. He is a LF/RF/DH guy and all those spots are covered for
#3 – sheff got kicked off a good team
mel,
I remember the rumors were that we got Owings. But we would have gotten him by paying more or giving more up. Instead we recieved Ohlendorf. Man, if only we knew he could be our pinch hitter back then.
carl – i do not (at least not anymore)
Mets won’t make the playoffs again
You want mine so you can listen to the game
That looks like Luis Sojo on the cover
“I want to know what drug SI is on. The Mets to win the WS? HUH? Yeah that pitching staff is awesome. You get beyond Johan and it is who? Give me a break.”
They always do stuff like that. Too easy to pick the Yankees, Red Sox or Rays.
Mets pitching = pretty medicore, but I think Pelfry will end up being very good.
Mets over Angels? I think there is a significant chance that neither team makes the playoffs. The Angels were one of the most overrated teams last year. I think the A’s will surpass them this year and might only need 90 wins to take it. The Mets are a mess. Their lineup, bullpen and rotation have major question marks.
Melky not having a good day in the field
How in the world does SI have the Mets and Angels making the world series?
That is laughable. I’m shocked and they’ve lost some credibility.
Tough game already for Melky.
Announcers: “Melky Cabrera is just a bad outfielder.” Pretty harsh.
that would be awesome…except I’m at work and didn’t bring headphones!! I’ll definitely ask next time, though…thanks!
“#1 – Fenway “faithful” are only faithful to white ballplayers”
Pedro, Papi? I guess those two don’t count at all…
Joba 3 k’s in two innings.
“and if you know a darn thing about the Yankee minor leagues you’d know Waterfront park is a serious pitchers park”
yet he hit better AT HOME (.710 OPS) than ON THE ROAD (.686 OPS).
but yes, please keep up the condescending comments. they are very helpful. especially when they are not supported by the facts.
np Rishi
Chamberlain’s pitching line
strikes 10
balls 3
Strikeout
Fly out to right
2 base error on Cabrera in right of medium fly
strike out
IP 2, 1 hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, W 1, SO 3
Pitch Count Totals 22 strikes, 15 balls
Much better control, but, Cabrera’s defense is killing him
Ransom hitting .258 this Spring… ouch. He seems to be striking out every other AB.
We may need Berroa’s offense more than Pena’s defense.
what did melky do to make the announcers say that?
“#3 – sheff got kicked off a good team”
Russ:
The Tigers = awful
Much better shot at finishing last than they do finishing 1st.
I wonder if he is pouting now that he is relegated to 4th outfielder status?
What about McPherson for a 3b stop gap? He’s out of options with the fish and he could probably be had relatively cheap…”
not a bad idea. no idea what he’d cost though.
Melky isn’t making much of a case to stay on the roster…
Dee- listening, not watching, but apparently Melky misplayed another ball hit to right.
If anyone is watching or listening to the game, let us know what Joba is hitting on the gun, if they say.
Has Pena ever played in the outfield? Maybe he could be our super-utility guy.
It’s just one game, guys. But that Neyer comment is still ouch.
Dee- Per Pete’s updates:
1st inning: Double (sinking liner that Melky let get behind him)
2nd inning: E-9 (Melky dropped a ball)
Berroa singles on liner to center
Hasn’t Joba traditionally gotten off to rough starts and then calms down?
Making fun of Giambi’s defense? How cruel. He’s working on it:
“So far this spring, Jason Giambi has showed a lot of defense and not much offense, sort of the opposite of his reputation.
Giambi hasn’t played first base all that much since leaving the A’s after the 2001 season. Daily work there this spring has left him a little sore on occasion, but he looks as if he will have no trouble being the regular there.
At the plate, though, Giambi is in an 0-for-20 funk. He’s not concerned about it because, he said, he has been working on several things, especially with teams playing him in a shift. He’s getting pounded inside as a result, but he doesn’t want to change his approach.
“I’m sure the shift sucks up a few hits, but I’m here to get on base, drive in runs and hit homers,” Giambi said.
Would he ever bunt to beat the shift? Giambi laughed and said he has been working on it just in case.”
Where’d he ever get that idea??
‘listening, not watching, but apparently Melky misplayed another ball hit to right.’
yeah i just saw it on the update. thanks so much!
curious,
you are the one who posted the wrong stats. While I’m sorry that you feel condescended to, if you hadn’t used the wrong stats, I wouldn’t have said a thing. They’ve been happy with the progress they’ve seen in Pena’s O. Waterfront and the Eastern League disguise some development. And what kind of numbers are you gonna want out of your UT?
Melky! You’re doing it wrong!!
“”#1 – Fenway “faithful” are only faithful to white ballplayers”
Pedro, Papi? I guess those two don’t count at all…”
Nope.
m is for mojo-we got it back
March 31st, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Has Pena ever played in the outfield? Maybe he could be our super-utility guy.
It’s just one game, guys. But that Neyer comment is still ouch.
————————————————————
Pena has never played anything but, shortstop until this ST
pena flies out to left
Berroa picked off of first by catcher
All this angst about the last spot on the bench is pretty unnecessary IMO. Whatever guy you choose there will be very little difference long term and short term. All three players (Berroa, Ransom, Pena) are not very good.
In fact, the Yankee bench in general isn’t very good. Swisher should be a starter so having him on the bench is really nice, Molina serves his purpose as an all defense no offense catcher. Other than that we basically have nothing. I’ve griped about this for years but the Yankees just don’t put much value in bench players.
man alive with the baserunning!!
Gardner singles to left
Pedro, Papi? I guess those two don’t count at all…”
They are not african american, they are hispanic. Some say limit to white players, im just saying they dont like AA’s. I’ll give them a little credit.
anybody have info on joba’s velocity? im not part of the joba velocity task force but i would like to know
Joba got another postponement? Don’t these people watch Law & Order?
McCoy: ” Your Honor, Mr Chamberlain’s responsibilities to the New York Yankees should not preclude his responsibilities to the people of the state of Nebraska!”
Gardner caught stealing oh my
Swisher batting, Gardner caught stealing by Hernandez
He said white… Unless you are ridiculously ignorant, you would realize that white does not cover hispanic…
They are not giving speed readings
Looks like Gardner just wants that CF job more than Cabrera does.
Two misplays by Melky because his head isn’t in the game and Gardner has two more hits.
if joba is not giving up runs, he could throw 92 for all I care.
Wow. 3 outs given away.
Ramon Hernandez.
Boston not one of the most friendly cities toward black athletes. I’ve heard Paul Pierce had to convince Ray Allen & Kevin Garnett to come there since they both had reservations.
wow…so that’s one of each “doubled off/pick off/caught stealing” in 3 innings?
“Giambi hasn’t played first base all that much since leaving the A’s after the 2001 season. Daily work there this spring has left him a little sore on occasion, but he looks as if he will have no trouble being the regular there.”
How out of shape do you have to be to get sore from some extra work at first base? He is in his 30’s, not his 60’s, right? I mean, it isn’t like he is getting extra time in as a linebacker or something, it is first base!
gardner caught again, oh well
and, surprisingly, 2 by fan fav GGBG
“Boston not one of the most friendly cities toward black athletes. I’ve heard Paul Pierce had to convince Ray Allen & Kevin Garnett to come there since they both had reservations.”
And yet Boston will campaign to guys coming to the Yankees that it is a bad town to play in lol Boston is full of snobs who sniff their own farts
I guess Pete always wants to point out how bad a fielder melky is….
another k for joba
The base running could be better. I’ve notice a good deal of outs made on the base paths for the Yanks this spring. Don’t mind aggressiveness but just be smart about it.
Agressive on the bases ???
Patrick at 9:39 a.m., saying no way Mets can beat Phillies. Of course they can. They barely lost out to them 2 years in a row. 2 years ago Wagner was running on fumes. last year out. They added KRod and Putz (although they are both risks). They can beat the phils. Not saying they will. But definitely possible.
Chamberlain’s pitching line
strikes 8
balls 3
pop up to catcher
Strike out
single to right
line out to center
IP 3, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, W 1, SO 4
Pitch Count Totals 30 strikes, 18 balls
Thanks, GB – looking good
Not much you can do about getting doubled off on a liner to the pitcher. With Gardner batting, he may have screened Berroa, but, don’t know. Hernandez has a great arm and quick release
Cal at 10:08 a.m. Ya got that right. Edwar is pretty good. Better than Tomko. Don’t go just by spring training stats. Kennedy had good spring stats last year. Tomko has been a punching bag for years.
Interesting, rotoworld says that girardi said albaladejo made the team, whereas Pete has Cashman saying hold on.
Swisher walks
“Patrick at 9:39 a.m., saying no way Mets can beat Phillies. Of course they can. They barely lost out to them 2 years in a row. 2 years ago Wagner was running on fumes. last year out. They added KRod and Putz (although they are both risks). They can beat the phils. Not saying they will. But definitely possible.”
Anything can happen with the Mets. That’s why they’re the Amazins! LOL
Swisher walks alot. By June, he’s getting more time than Nady in right.
“you are the one who posted the wrong stats. While I’m sorry that you feel condescended to, if you hadn’t used the wrong stats, I wouldn’t have said a thing. ”
right, except i didn’t post the wrong stats.
i posted his career AA stats.
there was nothing wrong about them at all.
strike 2.
The problem I see with the Mets is their pitching staff have an ace, a good closer, and 9 question marks. Ollie might be good. Or not. Just depends on the day.
Soooo, anyone know what Joba’s velocity is like?
Joba has 4 K’S in 3 innings. His e.r.a. is at 3.06. Are we expecting way too much from him? I mean wouldnt you guys be satisfied if he’s just under 4 for the season? With some banging on him daily. Youd think he was over 6 and not striking anyone out.
Anyone see American Idles numbers yesterday? Watch him pitch lights out this year now that he isnt with us anymore.
We always seem to be the rehab stop for players.
Teixeira strikes out
I never liked Bette Midler. Always thought she was sooo overrated.
Update:
Meanwhile, via Lauren Moran back in Tampa, we have this report on Mariano Rivera:
He got five outs (in one inning). He threw 21 pitches and allowed one hit, a home run of all things. Two groundouts, two strikeouts, one fly ball.
Let’s drop Melky, and add Sheff to the yankee bench!
Yeah, Taylor, he’s hitting 165 MPH on the gun.
For the 3rd time….they’re not announcing speeds.
At this point I don’t want to hear that Joba’s velocity was down. He’s getting outs. That’s all that matters.
I still want to know though. Hee Hee.
Is Gardner really as fast as everyone says he is? He has already been caught stealing 3 times and only has 5 SBs (and he has been on base at a .420 clip this Spring)
Posada strikes out
Are we expecting way too much from Joba? 3.06 with 4 k’s in 3 innings. With all the thrashing hes taking this spring. Youd think hes over 6 with no k’s.
Anyone see Mr.DL S numbers yesterday? Watch him have an awesome year. We seem to be the rehab stop for players.
Nady safe on error by right fielder, nady to first, Swisher to 3rd
So as not to mislead:
UPDATE, 2:02 p.m.: A new source has emerged with Mariano Rivera news. Chad Jennings, the Scranton beat writer, was watching Mo and reports that his second pitch was belted for a homer by the immortal Rich Thompson of Lehigh Valley. After he needed 10 pitches to record three outs, they left him out there to face two more hitters. Chad had him for 18 pitches, 14 strikes.
48 pitcheds over three innings?
How many of those are due to errors?
I like to see Joba get into the 7th more often than not this year
can melky do something to redeem himself…
Peter: is joba hitting 95?
2-0 yankees on a double by melky
“Is Gardner really as fast as everyone says he is”
what was he in the majors last year…10-0-1 (pickoff)?
Cabrera line drive double to left center, 2 runs score
Big Handsome,
We don’t mind you listening to the song, just turn down the volume!
Tampa taking it to Buchholz.
“Let’s drop Melky, and add Sheff to the yankee bench!”
He would really strengthen our clubhouse. The ultimate team player. Ill pass.
good job, Melky…won’t take the sting out of that error, but RBIs are good
i love how everyone raves about the mets bullpen, granted they upgraded and it is worlds better with k-rod and putz, but what about the other bullpen arms?? it wasnt just the fact that they couldnt close games but the WHOLE bullpen was crap. good luck to the mets and their 2 bp pitchers.
3-0 yankees
The funniest thing about Chad’s report is that earlier in the day when Thompson was told he was facing Mo to start the game he told jennnings he better not use any good bats
Yes, I’d say that Melky made up for the two misplays. WooHoo!
Phil,
just to clarify. i was posting his total AA numbers in response to SJ44’s point that AA was a true measure of a prospect’s talent.
you are correct, he was much better in 2008.
sorry that i got snippy, seems like we were talking past each other a bit.
Ransom singles to left, Cabrera scores
Okay, forgot about Putz.
Santana, Ollie (meh), Putz, K-rod. Dassit!
nice to see Ransom hitting the ball too…
I would say that Reds error was pretty costly…
GreenBeret7, guess what, I’m not going to read through everyone’s post to try to find the 2 other responses to that question in the 400 responses we have here. I have a life and I have sh*t to do. Next time answer the question without the attitude, or don’t answer it at all if it was such a hassle.
Ransom moved to 2nd on throw, Berroa flies out to right
Yanks lead 3-0, middle of the 4th inning
Folks saying Mets starters are question marks. What about Blanton and Myers, 4.50ish ERAs last year. Moyers is 45 and last year was his best in several years. Chan Ho Park as 5th starter (having a Tomko-eque spring though-he may bounce back). Hamels is very good. A little twinge delaying his first start.
I think Santana is obviously good, Pelphrey may match Myers (I think Myers peripherals are better), Maine and Ollie Perez versus Blanton and Moyers is fairly a tos-up. Livan and Chan Ho? Toss-up. Both have been mediocre recently. Mets will likely add a starter by mid-year.
Phils may have more consistent guys, but its close. The pens are fairly close. Phils more depth. A lot of their guys had career years last year.
SI may be on the pipe, but the Mets are pretty good, and a close match for the Phils. Y’all act like the Phils blew them away last 2 years with no pen, when Mets had the lead in September 2 years in a row, only to blow it becase their pen was awful. K-Rod and Putz is a pretty big upgrade.
Midler was excellent in “Rochelle, Rochelle”.
If there was a speed announced, I would have posted it. They don’t even tell what pitches are thrown
“They can beat the phils. Not saying they will. But definitely possible. ”
They CAN but it isn’t very likely.
Look at their starting rotation. Santana will probably have a very good year, Pelfrey is also an ok bet to have a good season but he is also an injury risk (60 more IP in 2008 than in 2007). Perez is nothing more than mediocre, Maine still hasn’t regained his velocity and Livan Hernandez is even older than El Duque. The bullpen is still a weakness despite K-rod and Putz. The lineup is also pretty weak, the only bats they can count on are Reyes, Wright and Beltran.
The Phillies have a stronger rotation, bullpen and lineup.
Things can change but right now the Phillies have a distinct advantage.
An erotic journey from Milan to Minsk?
UPDATE, 2:08 p.m.: 2-0 Yankees on a two-run double by Melky, who has had quite an interesting game.
Meanwhile, since so many people have asked, here is Joba’s velocity:
Fastball: 105
Slider: 99
Curve: 91
Change-up: 89
Knuckleball: 63
Gyroball: 86
The game is not on TV and there is no gun at the park. I see two scouts with guns in the stands and if I get a chance, I’ll ask one of them.
No offense to anybody, but sweating velocity on March 31 is a little silly. Power pitchers usually take time to build up their velocity and the Yankees have said Joba’s velocity isn’t much different than it was at this stage last season. He hit 96 against the Phillies last week.
Beyond that, he is not going to throw 99 as a starter and nor should be try. The idea is to go seven inning, not win a carnival game.
Yankees lead 3-0. Ransom had an RBI single to drive in Melky.
Chamberlain’s pitching line
strikes 5
balls 2
single to right
double play 4-6-3
popup to 2nd base
IP 3, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, W 1, SO 4
Pitch Count Totals 37 strikes, 20 balls
Great inning
I like Bette singing “The Rose”. One of these days, I should see the movie
“Well Albaladejo gets his shot, lets see if he can produce when called upon”
————————–
The only thing I worry about is Girardi overusing guys in multiple inning stints. Without a long man who is prepared to throw 2-4 innings, guys may be asked to throw more than they should be. If that’s the case, you can throw performance out the window because their arms are going to be at risk.
There is now more pressure on the starters to throw quality starts…. which, at least this season, is more likely than in the recent past.
You are too funny. I love this blog and read it every day.
Pena grounder to 2nd
Did that say ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE MPH? Higher than the highest recorded speed of a pitch in any MLB game?
The only reason we’re asking about the velocity is so much has been made of it. The Daily News had an article about it today, John Heyman spoke about on SI.com and the guys on the MLB network have made mention of it.
We just want to hear “Joba clocked at 95″ so they can all shut up about it.
Sure, the Mets could beat the Phils in the NLCS. If they even get there.
You’re talking a head to head with the Phils, but they still have to win 90-95 to even get to the postseason.
Atlanta will win its share of games, too.
Did that say ONE HUNDRED AND FIVE MILES PER HOUR?
Higher than the highest speed for a pitch ever recorded in an MLB game?
Gardner foul fly out to left
In Melky’s defense, he has not spent a lot of time in RF. More LF/CF. Two RBI’s make up for two misplays that didnt end up costing them anything. His average is .350 and he has 11 RBIs. I realize it is ST, but you are making decisions based on ST right now. Melky should stay so when Gardner doesnt live up to the expectations we have a back up.
S.A.-The 2009 MLB season is almost here
March 31st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I like Bette singing “The Rose”. One of these days, I should see the movie
————————————————————
Great movie. Basically a Janis Joplin bio.
Swisher strikes out
Only 105 mph? C’mon, I thought he could touch 110.
Friend of mine at the game saw the gun from one of the scouts—96 fastball Joba
“Putz should be closing for the mets, not k-rod…putz is the better pitcher…and its not really that close”
Guess we should ignore that Krod is 5 years younger than Putz, has better career ERA, better career WHIP, and better career K/rate.
What why doesn’t Joba have 12 strikeouts? he is not cut out to be a starting pitcher.
“Tex’s New Best Friend
March 31st, 2009 at 2:22 pm
In Melky’s defense, he has not spent a lot of time in RF. More LF/CF. Two RBI’s make up for two misplays that didnt end up costing them anything. His average is .350 and he has 11 RBIs. I realize it is ST, but you are making decisions based on ST right now. Melky should stay so when Gardner doesnt live up to the expectations we have a back up.”
___________________________________________
I agree with this…
GreenBeret7 March 31st, 2009 at 2:23 pm
S.A.-The 2009 MLB season is almost here
March 31st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I like Bette singing “The Rose”. One of these days, I should see the movie
——————————————————————————————
Great movie. Basically a Janis Joplin bio.
============
It’s going on my “movies to rent on a rainy day” list.
I kind of think that’s a cool pic of CC, obviously meant to be a skyscraper. Picking the Mets to win the WS? LOL They have shaky pitching to start – IMO, although the Mets are a fine team, they are not exceptional….and they are not better than the best AL teams. Picking the Angels to get through the AL gauntlet? I don’t get that at all – they’ll somehow find a way to survive their pitching injuries because they always do, but they are just not as good as the Rays, Sox and Yanks. I don’t get that.
Joe needs to reign in Gardner a bit – I’m just glancing through the blog and will catch up later, but 3 caught stealings in one game? That’s pretty lousy – it seems that Brett is a pretty careless baserunner at times. It always seems like he’s being picked off or doubled off.
“Does anyone know what pitches ‘Albaladejo’ throws, obviously a fastball but what are his secondary pitches.”
—————————–
I believe he is fastball/slider with pretty good sink on both. When he’s right, he does a very good job at keeping the ball down in the zone.
Girardi HAS to overuse guys in multiple stints… there is no long man.
What else do we do if a starter goes out after 2.1 innings?
Yanks have a lot of promising bullpen arms. Of the youngsters I actually like Robertson best for the long haul. He isn’t making team right out of spring but he likely will be better than Edwar, Albaladejo, Veras and Bruney, all of whom could be pretty good.
As for Mets, folks say the have no one but K-Rod and Putz. Most teams don’t. Phils got some ok seasons from career medicrities. Feliciano is a decent situational lefty whome the Mets strecthed to face righties when desperate. Smith (now gone) was vice versa. can only get righties. They poorly managed the pen last year when guys sucked or went down.
Green was ok first half last year in Seattle, but was over-worked and broke down second half. Stokes has a live arm for the pen and was decent in the majors last year. Parnell has a live arm but not great results. I think he will disappoint Manuel. I like Jerry but don’t think he knows what he has or how to handle a pen.
Phils had Romero and Durbin and Madson. All had good years. But you ae talking relatively small samples in their careers. None of them has a long track record of being great relievers.
Put down anti-Mets blinders. Again, it is simple. Mets right there with Phils in September 2 years in a row without k-rod and Putz. You don’t think they will at least be right there with them again (and forget about SI’s ws prediction, just whether they can win division-which, btw, hosts the WS champ phillies-how far off could the Mets possibly be?).
Hey Pete – If Joba can hit 105 on the gun shouldn’t he be put in the pen so he can crank that up a few notches?
Maybe if other beat writers ie George King didn’t focus so much on velocity it would not stir up the pot in the comments section.
Betsy,
I’m not listening/watching the game but I think Gardner only has one caught stealing. He was also doubled off first or second but from what I understand it was pretty inevitable.
Remember the good ol days when Tampa would have never been included in the “AL Gauntlet”???
Memoriesss..
“The only reason we’re asking about the velocity is so much has been made of it. The Daily News had an article about it today, John Heyman spoke about on SI.com and the guys on the MLB network have made mention of it.”
——————————-
People have been trying to discredit Joba since he came up. Red Sox fans, likely trying to make themselves feel better, still say that he is “confused” about wanting to be a starter and won’t be good because of that.
You rarely hear a rational or objective, unbiased analysis of the guy outside of several posters here.
I’m with you Calm Down…giving up 3 hits?! this kid is washed up!
Chamberlain’s pitching line
strikes 11
balls 6
Foul pop out to 1st
bounce out 3rd to 1st
strike out
IP 5, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 ER, W 1, SO 5
Pitch Count Totals 48 strikes, 26 balls
Joba is cruising. Cruising I tell ya!!
“What else do we do if a starter goes out after 2.1 innings?’”
you use a bunch of relievers and the next day you send someone down and call Aceves up.
there is no reason to fret over this. don’t people watch the Office? what have we learned from the Office? Scranton to NYC is 2 hours away.
if the Yankees need to make a change, they can. they have a longman on their 40 man roster who is one phone call away.
i PRAY that the last bullpen spot and the backup IFer are the biggest problems with this season.
if they are, it will mean the Yankees have won 110 games.
wobatus,
I don’t have anti-Mets blinders at all. I like the Mets; I’m a fan of Reyes, Wright and Beltran. I simply hate Mets fans. Heck, I was at NLCS game 7 rooting FOR the Mets!
I simply think the Mets are a mediocre team that is being overhyped (like every year). They have major pitching questions and major lineup questions.
The bullpen will be a zillion times better this year but there are still holes. You can’t survive in the NL with 3 good pitchers and no depth in the rotation. They have 3 dependable hitters.
I have the Mets making the playoffs via the wild card but I don’t think they are a very good team. I almost chose the Reds instead.
one more inning like that ought to do it…how many pitches you think they let him throw today?
Teixeira ground rule double to right
Thanks, Patrick – still, Brett needs to be more careful.
hokiehill, if you can even believe this, the pig advertising these seats is selling outfield seats!!! For $10,1000 each!!!
http://www.stubhub.com/new-yor.....176894308#
Posada walks
I’m still trying to figure out why the Mets didn’t pick up one of the bargin basement lefties for the ‘pen-Ohman. Beimel, Reyes. Having to play Philly 19 times a year with Utley, Howard and Ibanez in the middle of that lineup, you’d think it’s a no-brainer…
Exactly.
If We need to use Albaladejo for 4 innings, he will be sent down and another arm (Robertson? Giese? Tomko?) will be called up
You’re only delaying the inevitable by not calling up a long man.
Nady HBP on elbow
Pinch runner for Nady
“Thanks, Patrick – still, Brett needs to be more careful.”
I agree, he is still a young player with a lot to learn. He doesn’t need to steal every time he gets on base, he should pick his spots carefully.
Is it just me or is posada in a slump?
Cool Patrick. Just that this is the same team, + k-rod and putz, that almost won the last 2 yars. Reds have promising young players. Harang has to come back and Cueto improve. Lots of NL teams have holes. Pedro Feliz is awful, for example. I’d say the Mets are right thee. But apologies, as this is a Yanks blog.
Yanks have a far more promising bunch of young pen arms.
Joba coming out for the 6th?
The winds have changed since game time, blowing right to left at 17 MPH
Cervelli running for Nady
Good day for Joba no matter what happens the rest of the way.
Keep in mind folks, this is our 5th starter. At one point last summer, Joba was our ACE!!! Remember that. Remember when he outdueled Beckett!! He’s our friggin’ 5th starter now.
Must call down!! Starting to feel faint!!!
You don’t need to be an ‘exceptional’ team to win the WS.
Who did the Phillies have in their rotation outside of Hamels?
Who did the Cardinals have in 06?
You just need to get in the playoffs and get hot. Picking the Mets to win the WS is not outrageous at all. They are a playoff caliber team that will have a much easier road to the WS than a team from the AL will.
The Mets have a star ace pitcher, a great offense, and a lock-down 8th-9th inning, same formula the Phillies used.
nady injured?
Cabrera sac fly on liner to center, Swisher scores
“Is it just me or is posada in a slump?”
I don’t care what Posada is hitting right now. Just get to NY healthy. If he’s healthy, he’ll hit. Not worried about that.
“Having to play Philly 19 times a year with Utley, Howard and Ibanez in the middle of that lineup, you’d think it’s a no-brainer…”
No-brain…er… indeed
Ransom grounds into DP, Yanks lead 4-0
The Angels have owned us for years, regardless of the roster we’ve had. If they don’t have to go through Boston (who kill them ever time), then the Angels in the WS is not a ridiculous notion at all. When they are healthy, they are a great fundamentally sound team with excellent pitching.
I rarely have dreams that involve baseball, but I guess Spring Training is getting to me; three nights ago I had a dream in which Teixeira made an amazing catch. What made it amazing was that he had to lean very far over the edge of a swimming pool and hang, suspended in air, to make the catch.
Afterwards, of course, he fell into the pool, but the water was shallow enough that he could stand up and raise his glove to show the umps that he had the ball. He had that huge smile on his face, the same one he flashed when he put on the pinstripes in his press conference (I’m sure Swisher flashed a big smile in his conference call too).
I’ve never been to a Spring Training game, do they really have swimming pools inside the field of play? Anyway, in the dream, either the announce said “That mad is going to win the MVP this year” or I said it myself.
So Tex is my MVP pick.
So how many games will we win this year?
I hope that the alarmist sports writers will notice that despite his “diminished” velocity, Joba is still missing bats. He’s struck out five batters so far today, and has averaged about a strikeout per inning this spring.
Lackey and Ervin Santana are hurting right now. Angels not looking like a lock right now if those guys miss significant time.
Chamberlain still pitching, Malek playing 1st base
Jesus Christ these broadcasters have me over here dying for some BBQ.
“The only reason we’re asking about the velocity is so much has been made of it. The Daily News had an article about it today, John Heyman spoke about on SI.com and the guys on the MLB network have made mention of it.”
———————————————-
People have been trying to discredit Joba since he came up. Red Sox fans, likely trying to make themselves feel better, still say that he is “confused” about wanting to be a starter and won’t be good because of that.
You rarely hear a rational or objective, unbiased analysis of the guy outside of several posters here.”
+++ While I am one who would like to see Joba touch 98, what is way more important than that to me is first of all he remains healthy all season and then puts up a record of say,
12-6, 13-7. In other words he just win double digit games or gives the team an opportunity to succeed when he goes out to the mound, that is far more important. All the gnarling nabobs of negativism who thrive on being reactionary every time Joba scratches himself so they can print a story can talk till the cows come home.
As long as he can get into double digit wins from the fifth spot and give the Yankees the opportunity to win the game in his starts, while continuing to develop into a star pitcher I will take it. He can’t be much worse than Hughes and Kennedy, Darrell Rasner, Sidney Ponson were last season.
Time, I say we’ll win between 99 and 103
Ransom hit into a Dp? Why isnt he batting lead off?
6 ks for joba
Ransom is going to kill plenty of rallies.
good start today for joba, i love our rotation!!
does anyone have a link to the articles that ran over the weekend where Tex said he picked NYY b/c they were the only team to not go public with their offer? My cousin told me about it, but I can’t seem to find it…
Thanks!
Seeing Tex swing the combination of Teixeira and Arod will be sick this season for the opposition.
I am amazed how people are dissing on Arod when talking about players. I’ve heard every name under the sun,
Hanley Ramirez, David Wright, Evan Longoria, Albert Pujols of course, Justin Morneau, etc. but ever since the Arod steroid circus and freakshow shenanigans, he is getting no credit as an impact player. Its like people seem to think he will stop hitting or fall of the face of the earth.
the cincinnati announcers are talking about how good joba’s slider is
if joba stays healthy…the yankees have something very special
“Ransom is going to kill plenty of rallies.”
That’s pretty much expected from the 8th guy in the lineup. That’s why we have GGBG as the second lead-off guy. Besides, remember how much Molina played last year? Swinging the bat just isn’t his thing.
Just my opinion but unless you seriously find real reason for panic, best not to bother with the alarmist stuff printed by the media.
It’s a good way to do life, keeps you from getting gray hair, and actually causes you to remain calm unless and until a moment comes for panic. If that happens, you can easily rise to the occasion.
Think about how much time you waste worrying about things that never happen.
Rishi,
here you go, there is also a link to the audio if you want to listen to it also
http://slidingintohome.blogspo.....ankee.html
“Ransom is going to kill plenty of rallies.”
He cannot be doing that kind of stuff during the season, like hitting into inning ending double plays. The Yankees aren’t asking and don’t expect much of him but to hold the fort until Arod returns, but Ransom has to do the little things like advance the runners, certainly get a sac fly with a man on third and less than 2 outs and catch the ball in the field. He is striking out a whole lot for my taste in Spring. Much isn’t expected of him but at least execute the little things.
you gotta have faith (bronx zoo 2009)
March 31st, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Rishi,
here you go, there is also a link to the audio if you want to listen to it also
http://slidingintohome.blogspo.....ankee.html
THANK YOU!!
Rish, try this:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.co.....misqu.html
Chamberlain’s pitching line
strikes 8
balls 11
strikeout (hard slider down) Brennamann says Chamberlain’s slider has been disappearing down hard
walk (Votto twice)
walk
single to center, run scores
single, run scores
IP 5.1, 5 hits, 2 runs, 2 ER, W 3, SO 6
Pitch Count Totals 56 strikes, 37 balls
Chamberlain’s out of the game
Thanks, Trisha!
Why not carry Berroa/Pena and release Ransom?
Atleast Berroa has had some success at the ML level, like Ensberg.
Cody Ransom is a 33 year old career minor leaguer. He is not Roy Hobbs. He is what he is.
If he can hit .250 and play adequate defense at 3B until ARod comes back the Yanks should double his salary because he will have earned it.
“I think in the end, it probably worked against them a little bit, because everyone thought the Red Sox were my No. 1 choice,” Teixeira said. “… The Yankees had a leg up all along.”
Hardee har har har har har!!!
Is this Joba’s final spring start? Or does he have one more? Looks like he could use another one to build up strength.
103 pitches in 5.1 innings?
Well, it’s a start.
Boston shouldn’t hate Boras. They should hate themselves because no one loves them.
Bruney pitching…throwing strikes, fly out to left
2 runs!! Joba is finished!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!
“He threw 86 pitches, which is too many for 5.1 innings.”
Is it 103 or 86?
hokie, yeah, puke for me also, if you don’t mind. I have to shine my shoes!
10,000$ a seat. Can’t blame him for trying although one would think you could at least get a better seat at that price.
67 pitches through 5. There you go Joba! And 5 K’s to boot. It seems he always has that high pitch 1st inn though. If he eliminates that, I’d say he’s good for 6+ per start.
S.I. picks the Mets? It would be interesting to see a rundown of their picks over the years. No matter. They’re never gonna beat the AL champion Yankees in a best of 7.
Bruney 2/3rds of an inning, 1 strikeout…Yanks lead 4-2 after 6 innings
no he threw 86 pitches not 103.
“Is this Joba’s final spring start? Or does he have one more? Looks like he could use another one to build up strength.”
He went 5 plus, over 90 pitches. That’s all you need coming out of spring training. Pitchers will continue to build up arm strength as the season progresses.
Why was Dusty ejected? Balls and strikes?
Berroa doubles off of center field wall
UPDATE, 3:00 p.m.: Keep in mind, Joba will be back in Tampa on Sunday to pitch in a minor-league intrasquad game. That will be his final tune-up.
Jeers, but $10,100 a seat for an outfield seat? Hell, they’re not even asking that for the Legends Seats right near the dugout! (Those are $10,000)
“Berroa doubles off of center field wall”
Rats now he is going to make the roster if he keeps hitting, darn it.
Pena bunts for a single to third
Is Pena fast
Joba will be fine. Yankees will be superb. This will be a season to savor!
You can book it.
does anyone here post game (play by play) updates during the game on twitter? please tweet me http://twitter.com/sportsinyiddish
Joba’s going to be a high pitch kind of guy for a while. Get used to it. Keep in mind he has yet to start 15 games in the big leagues and he’s 23. Give him time.
Don’t hate me but….
I think I just realized why people/ I want joba in the pen.
Do you want to drive a lamborghini 130mph or 55?
Is a lion in a zoo sad to you?
Is the grand finalie of fireworks the best part ?
To watch Jobas energy at 100% for 1 inning is so much more fun than the emasculated 80% 5 inning version..
Logically a quality starter makes sense, but emotionally driving 135mph is so much more fun!
Jd
Tom, I think we need Ransom’s D at 3rd. He’s also been around a while so knows what he’s doing. I’m not worried at all about Yankee offense. Au contraire. As long as we have solid defense and pitching, we are so good to go it isn’t funny.
Gardner Gardner singles to 2nd, run scores, Gardner to 2nd, Pena to 3rd on Phillips throwing error, 5-2 Yanks, Brewer running for Gardner
I love the Yanks but I would’t pay 10 grand to see Jesus. I’d have to catch him on YES.
Swisher gets infield single to pitcher, Pena scores, 6-2 Yanks
Change swisher’s hit to safe on error
“Joba’s going to be a high pitch kind of guy for a while. Get used to it. Keep in mind he has yet to start 15 games in the big leagues and he’s 23. Give him time.”
Not saying this is who he is, but didn’t Nolan Ryan have that issues with throwing too many pitches for a while in his career.
JOBA CHALLENGE!
What is his stat line going to look like today?
92 pitches 5 2/3 inn. 6 hits, 2runs, 2 walks, 4 SO
I was so close.
JOBA CHALLENGE!
What is his stat line going to look like today?
92 pitches 5 2/3 inn. 6 hits, 2runs, 2 walks, 4 SO
I was so close.
Malek grounds out to 1st
I love seeing Joba go all out and blow people away too. But I DON’T like seeing the Yanks miss the playoffs while the Rays & Pink Sox battle it out for the AL Pennant.
Seriously, why does anyone care about what commentators, analysts or the media predicts. Every prediction is really just a guess. The last three years, the Rays, Rockies and Tigers have made it to the WS. Everyone would have gone crazy if people predicted them, but it happened. So why drive oneself insane because somebody predicted a team other than the Yankees.
Posada strike out
86 pitches in 5.1 isn’t bad.. he probably would have around 96 to complete 6 innings
Then you can go batter to batter in the 7t as he goes over 100.
Considering Girardi and Eliand have been talking about 30 starts for a while now, 5 innings a start on average is probably their expectation.
JOJO – you ain’t gonna have to see that with this Yankee team and the phenomenal rotation, including Joba in the 5 spot. I get chills just thinking about the team we have. Yowza.
Cervelli strikes out
6-2 Yanks, bottom of the 7th
JOJO – while I would probably pay $10,000 to see the real Jesus (as opposed to the Yankee version) I agree with you that there is no way I would pay that for a ticket – not that I have it to pay mind you. But if I did, I wouldn’t. That’s plain nutso.
Any chance Pena can make this team and see some time at 3rd base?
Ramirez pitching
“Seriously, why does anyone care about what commentators, analysts or the media predicts. Every prediction is really just a guess. The last three years, the Rays, Rockies and Tigers have made it to the WS. Everyone would have gone crazy if people predicted them, but it happened. So why drive oneself insane because somebody predicted a team other than the Yankees.”
So true I never understood that, I don’t care who the “so called” experts picked, we had garbage rotations for a while and they would pick us to go to the Series, even though we would be knocked out in the first round in recent times. We finally didn’t make it at all to the playoffs last season. No one saw Tampa coming so fast, people felt they would be decent eventually but not to win the AL. It never bothers me who picks what, a lot of times its the writers trying to spark controversy and interest in their article.
Fly out to deep left
wow, Joba hit 105 on the radar today, that’s pretty sick.
Fly out to deep left by Taveras. Ramirez better get pitches down
If anyone cares the iPhone MLB app is now available for 9$.
It has live audio of all games!
Jd
“wow, Joba hit 105 on the radar today, that’s pretty sick.”
I think they were being sarcastic when they posted that Christina, with all the questions about his velocity from the various fans and media.
error on first baseman
four straight changeups to Votto. He’s gonna get hurt
four straight changeups to Votto. He’s gonna get hurt
This reminds me of SNL when they would do the news and someone would stand in the background and scream what they just said…
yep Double to left center field wall, run scores
92 threw 5.1 isn’t awful. if you thrown 6 inning at 17 per is 102 pitches. so he was fine with his pitches. he threw strikes about 61 percent of the time, thats solid
92 threw 5.1 isn’t awful. if you thrown 6 inning at 17 per is 102 pitches. so he was fine with his pitches. he threw strikes about 61 percent of the time, thats solid
Check the Bats blog at nytimes. Kepner had a scout say he was impressed with Joba–he threw 93-94 most of the game touching 96.
Ramirez needs another pitch….maybe a cutter to mix things up a bit
Not a bad outing for Joba, if anyone is interested in a live auction fantasy baseball draft $20 to enterdraft is friday night 9pm est on ESPN
email me at hanram2@gmail.com
I assumed so Cal. But the concept of Joba throwing the gyroball is enticing.
Line drive out by Phillips to third base
1 inning, 1 hit, 1 unearned run
6-3 Yanks
AW and teddy – I think Joba was very impressive. And he’ll only get better.
I’d love to see a CJ Wilson gyroball
The NYY need to trade Ramirez and bring up Robertson
“He pitched well. But they wanted him to get through six and he went 5.1. He threw 86 pitches, which is too many for 5.1 innings.”
Pete,
Have to disagree with you. 86 pitches over 5 and 1/3 innings is 16.2 pitches per inning. While of course you’d want more efficiency that’s not bad at all and expecting more efficient pitching from a 23 year old power pitcher is unrealistic.
Last year Tim Lincecum averaged 16.2 pitches/inning. Burnett 16.5/inning. Matt Cain 16.6. Edison Volquez 17.3. Justin Verlander 17.6. I could go on. Those were all pitchers who threw over 180 innings last year.
He ran out of gas today. That was the issue which isn’t a big deal for spring training. It wasn’t efficiency as much as stamina.
Taylor Grote is batting ….ground out to 2nd
Mitch Hillagoss is batting, robbed of a double to third
agreed, if he threw 100 threw 5 thats not good. 86 or 92 isn’t awful. most starter are done at 6 and at 100, so he was fine in his pitches, don’t like the bb, but thats a part of a young pitcher
“I assumed so Cal. But the concept of Joba throwing the gyroball is enticing.”
Ah okay, you got it, I thought you were being serious,
HHH — Joba isn’t emasculated, he goes out there and strikes out at least a guy an inning for 6 innings and throws his heater in the mid 90’s. He doesn’t turn into Sidney Ponson just because he pitches in innings 1-7 instead of inning 8.
Also, I just bought that app and unfortunately they tricked me because gameday audio doesn’t start until opening day. Not that it matters too much but i’ve been waiting for the thing for over a month and now I got it and … fail.
3rd out. They forgot to announce the batter. Who gives a damned whether Caliperi coaches at Louisville, Memphis or Mars?
Coke pitching the 8th
“Ramirez needs another pitch….maybe a cutter to mix things up a bit”
I always thought so too, I mean that circle change is a beautiful pitch but if batters see too much of it they will adjust.
Its funny its like a moving changeup, sounds like an oxymoron, but instead of breaking down as a changeup it also moves to the side.
But I agree he does resort to his fastball to vary things but it tops out what 90 I think.
You know I was just thinking in some ways how karmic would it be for Sheff not to get another gig and finish his career with 499 homers. I know it wont happen but for someone who has been a pain in the but and selfish for every team he has played for it would be somewhat fair.
strikes out Bruce…4 strikes
As an aside, I have Phil Coke on my fantasy team! And I drafted him as my second or third pick.
Coke gets a groundout to third….7 pitches, 6 strikes
AND COKE GETS A GROUNDOUT TO THIRD…7 PITCHES, 6 STRIKES!!!
a la SNL.
Gayle — He is definitely a jerk and I wouldn’t mind spitting on his shoes, but to let him sit with 499; that’s just mean!
strike out #2….9 strikes 3 balls for Coke
Trish yes some of us know ha ha.That is why I was so shocked when I wanted him in round 13 and couldnt find him only to be told you drafted him in like the 4th round. But then again you also drafted Grudzelanik lol
Rob, someone this morning mentioned that they thought that Sheff played hard for us and just spoke his mind and shouldn’t be penalized for that. But the guy burned too many bridges in the process, IMO.
gayle, I probably did the whole thing bass ackwards!
i’m sorry but coke needs to be our 8th inning pitcher.
Rob NY — 2009 The Road to Redemption
March 31st, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Gayle—He is definitely a jerk and I wouldn’t mind spitting on his shoes, but to let him sit with 499; that’s just mean
————————————————————
Al Kaline finished with 399 homers and that’s whenn 399 meant something. Sheffield isn’t half the ball player that Kaline was.
Coke is awesome
Just a strike throwing machine with that filthy slider
Trish it isnt just what he did with the Yankees if you look back he “spoke his mind” in Milwaukee, Atlanta, Los Angeles and here.You cant take away from what he was as a player but as a person he seems like a jerk.Between giving up in Milwaukee,making racist statements in Atlanta and LA it just
Man you got to love a guy like Coke, just comes in and tells the batter take your best shot, the guy strikes me as having icewater in his veins in his makeup to pitching, doesn’t seem like he would be fazed even if the batter hits it out of the yard, he’ll just throw the next pitch for a strike. Gotta love that mentality.
Pena pop fly to left…safe on error
Nobody on the Yankee pitching staff has increased their stock the last couple of months than Phil Coke.
Putting this guy in the pen was one of the best decisions they could have made since the beginning of camp and will pay huge dividends for this team in the late innings this season.
UPDATE, 3:38 p.m.: Yankees lead 6-3 middle of the eighth.
We just spoke to Joba and Jorge Posada. Joba was pleased with his outing with the exception of not being able to go deeper in the game. Posada, who once believed Joba belonged in the bullpen, said that the pitcher “proved me wrong.”
“He’s our fifth starter and I’m happy with that,” Posada said. “It’s for the betterment of the team.”
Spoke to a scout who was in the stands today and he had Joba consistently around 94-96.
Also, Joba is on his way to Nebraska tonight and will appear before the judge tomorrow. He expects that the case will be settled then.
ShareThis
How’d Bruney look? He’s one I’ve been concerned with….just slightly.
Well, I guess Joba to the Pen people can no longer use Jorge’s opinion as validation of their belief since Jorge has changed his mind,lol
Dan Brewer batting….first at bat against a ML pitcher. strike out
Can anyone tell me how the restaurant is working in CF? Will you have access to the restaurant when it is not a game day? How do you get tickets to it? Do you need a ticket to the game that day or just need to pay for the seats + food/drinks?
Melky’s D cost Joba some pitches.
Freyer batting, strikes out
Malek batting, grounds out to short
Phil
March 31st, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Melky’s D cost Joba some pitches.
————————————————————
four pitches. Chamberlain cost himself with the back to back walks in the 6th
Giese pitching. Line out to 2nd
dee,
we dont have a set 8th inning man yet, just like last year who ever is hot during that time will get the job.
This is a teeny tiny issue, but is anyone else bothered by the baseball habit of writing 5.1 for 5 and 1/3? It only bothers me a little bit, but it wouldn’t be much more effort to make it 5.33 and it would make more sense.
86 isn’t terrible through 5.33. It seems like his efficiency will improve since he certainly has out pitches. I guess its just a matter of learning to trust his stuff and his defense and his catcher or some combination of those. It isn’t as if he looks like Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn out there.
“Melky’s D cost Joba some pitches.
good point… another reason why defense is a big deal.
Coke is going to be very valuable for us because he throws strikes. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if hes our SU man by the end of April. Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if Joe uses him on opening day in the 8th inning considering how well he has thrown this Spring compared to Bruney/Marte.
bouncer to third….Hillagoss throwing error
GreenBeret you have to take into account that if Melky makes that catch it is a fact that Joba feels so good about himself that he starts throwing 110mph effortlessly and no-hits the rest of the game.
Defense in the minor league system needs some serious corrections at all levels
strike out
“we dont have a set 8th inning man yet, just like last year who ever is hot during that time will get the job.”
nothing wrong with that either, though I think it’s Bruney’s job to lose.
there are plenty of teams that don’t even have a set closer and even more that don’t have a set setup guy. we all know bullpens are a tricky species…
***JOKES***
We just spoke to Joba and Jorge Posada. Joba was pleased with his outing with the exception of not being able to go deeper in the game. Posada, who believes Joba belongs in the bullpen, says he “has yet to prove me wrong.”
“He’s our fifth starter and I’m not happy with that, I want to go home after 7 innings” Posada said. “Going home early is for the betterment of the team. Who wants to play 9 innings anymore?”
Spoke to a scout who was in the stands today and he had Joba consistently around 49-52. JOBBER IN TEH PEN!!!
***JOKES***
Giving Marte 3 yrs/$12 million (at age 34) when all he had to do was pick up the $6 million dollar option for 1 year, was one of the worst decisions that Cashman has made.
“Defense in the minor league system needs some serious corrections at all levels”
you can say that again. I’m not sure if you’re the one who brought this up but it would also be nice to see guys prepped for position flexibility, though I guess they should master a primary spot first since they’re having issues with just that.
wild pitch by Giese. 2 outs, runner on third. Strike out. Game over….6-3 Yanks.
“Spoke to a scout who was in the stands today and he had Joba consistently around 94-96. ”
Pete, you might as well close the comments section until opening day. there is nothing to talk about anymore.
new post
“Giving Marte 3 yrs/$12 million (at age 34) when all he had to do was pick up the $6 million dollar option for 1 year, was one of the worst decisions that Cashman has made.”
It’s easy to say that now but at the time it wasn’t a bad signing. I do wonder why Cashman knew not to offer arbitration because of the the eventual plummet in salaries but still paid Marte the previous market rate but who knows…
3/12 for a good reliever who was also lefty wasn’t bad for the 2008 season. It just so happened that salaries fell off the map in 2009.
Boston Dave
March 31st, 2009 at 4:01 pm
“Defense in the minor league system needs some serious corrections at all levels”
you can say that again. I’m not sure if you’re the one who brought this up but it would also be nice to see guys prepped for position flexibility, though I guess they should master a primary spot first since they’re having issues with just that.
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There are quite a few that could be moved around, just for the experience. Mainly what the Tampa people need to do is hire more minor league coaches to teach correct fundamentals.
“There are quite a few that could be moved around, just for the experience. Mainly what the Tampa people need to do is hire more minor league coaches to teach correct fundamentals.”
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hate to say it but it seems like the Red Sox do a pretty good job at this. Yanks, as you’ve said, just need to pay more attention to it.
“Giving Marte 3 yrs/$12 million (at age 34) when all he had to do was pick up the $6 million dollar option for 1 year, was one of the worst decisions that Cashman has made.”
if that is one of the worst decisions that he has made, he must be doing a FANTASTIC job.
b/c in the grand scheme of things, it’s really not a big deal.
at all.
Pete, Thanks for the Joba update.
I’ll be awaiting to hear about a huge slap on the wrist.
gayle, I think the guy is a loose cannon. (Back to Sheff) Unfortunately he never learned to shut his mouth. I agree with your assessment, by the way. Again, the guy burned a hell of a lot of bridges.
Thanks for the jinx SI. It’s greatly appreciated.
Cashman wants to see what becomes available as teams are paring their rosters before deciding on the utility infielder to start the season.
Berroa is not the answer and it wouldn’t hurt Pena to have at bats at AA or AAA.
Cashman may have Jeff Keppinger of Cincy in mind.
Pete, Thanks for the update on Joba’s velocity (even if I was foolish to ask!)
RussW210 -
I just did some research on Yankees.com. The centerfield restaurant is the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar, which is one of two membership only clubs. They did say you could purchase individual game tickets for entry into this spot. I haven’t researched that yet.
Well, now I’ve done some research, for 2 tickets to the Mohegan Sports Bar, for various dates, including day games, and either they haven’t opened these up for sale to the general public yet, or they’re already sold out. Or maybe you need to buy a minimum of 4 tickets. At any rate, I couldn’t really tell what the cost of these tickets would by anyway – it looked like $375 each (list), but I’m not sure.