Live video chat tomorrow at 11 a.m.
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on May 28, 2009 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
Now that the Yankees are tied for first place, it seems like a perfect time to do another live video chat.
So be here tomorrow at 11 a.m. with your questions and I’ll get to as many as I can. Go to lohud.com/protalklive.
The chat is sponsored by Friedrich Air Conditioning. Hey, a newspaper making money with the interet. It’s the greatest thing ever. So be here tomorrow at 11 and help save journalism.
lets go twins!
I was gonna say the same.
Twins would be up 3-0 in this series but they chose to sit Mauer in game 1.
Go Twins, it will be tough though, Beckett is pitching
Indians game is in a delay. We can hope for a 2 hour delay, than they lose their starter and have to burn the pen.
“drug test
psych evaluation
IQ test”
this is baseball. i think two out of three should be good enough.
otherwise, we’re going to lose good posters like gb7
SJ, if I missed this before, I apologize. I was just curious as to what you thought of AJ last night? Obviously he still has issues with control, but he did make the pitches he needed to and shut down a very good offensive team. He wasn’t thrilled with his performance (too many pitches), but he conceded it was a start – obviously he’s going through some mechanical issues. I generally like what I’ve seen from AJ as far as battling goes (though I think he was pissed off at Kim for asking about his performance being gritty), but I’m eager to see him when he’s really on his game.
1-0 twins.
1-0 Twins!
interesting: http://web.yesnetwork.com/news.....1&oid=
ANSKY
May 28th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Juiced balls? Are HR totals up all over baseball? Wind patterns? Weather/atsmopheric phenomonon? Given the degree to which they made an effort to duplicate the old stadium in terms of field dimensions, given that it’s located next door to the old stadium, given that it sits at the exact same distance relative to sea level, and given that it faces the exact same direction, it would be hard for anyone to to predict such a jump in HRs. How can anyone in the organization possibly ‘answer for that’?
——————————————————————————————
In the AL, the offense is up over last year, including home runs. Pitchers walks and strikeouts are also up.
Here’s a percentage breakdown for the AL. The NL has a tab that you can check also.
I’d almost bet PA’s life that this rise isn’t due strictly to Yankee Stadium.
http://www.baseball-reference....../bat.shtml
I thought it was the best AJ has looked since the Boston Debacle.
He got out of sorts in the 6th with the walk to Byrd because I thought he could have finished that inning stronger and given them another inning.
That said, his mechanics were better, even threw 5 changeups in the game, and I thought Cash did a really nice job working with him.
AJ can flat out pitch. The guy was the best pitcher in the AL from June 15 to the end of the season last year.
If he can get over the hump mechanically, he’s a weapon.
They just need to stay on top of his mechanics and make sure he stays tight with them.
He’s one guy on the staff that will benefit from having Molina, or a veteran catcher, work with him. I think its a better fit, because veteran catchers are more experienced in dealing with pitchers that can go off course mechanically.
Where is the Gehrig bat?
That’s your curse right there.
Who did they sell it to?
Agree. When Molina comes back, AJ will cruise
“I’d almost bet PA’s life that this rise isn’t due strictly to Yankee Stadium.”
Alot of hitters are in double digit HRs throughout the league, there are rumors of tight winded up balls IDK if it’s true
SJ44
May 28th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I thought it was the best AJ has looked since the Boston Debacle.
He got out of sorts in the 6th with the walk to Byrd because I thought he could have finished that inning stronger and given them another inning.
That said, his mechanics were better, even threw 5 changeups in the game, and I thought Cash did a really nice job working with him.
AJ can flat out pitch. The guy was the best pitcher in the AL from June 15 to the end of the season last year.
If he can get over the hump mechanically, he’s a weapon.
They just need to stay on top of his mechanics and make sure he stays tight with them.
He’s one guy on the staff that will benefit from having Molina, or a veteran catcher, work with him. I think its a better fit, because veteran catchers are more experienced in dealing with pitchers that can go off course mechanically.
————————————————————
In that same vein, last night’s “visit” to the mound by Cash was probably his best contribution to the team this year. It definately got Burnett out of his mini-funk that inning and he pretty much cruised after that. A lot of close pitched that could have gone either way and a lot of foul balls killed his pitch count. Loved what Cash did. Even Cash wasn’t sure why he did it, but, it was effective.
SJ, your assessment of Wang last night? I am a fan with no technical knowledge but to me his sinker was darting in and low to righties, just what you want, do you concur?
If they can get Wang fixed then you have a hell of a staff……………..
The walk to CRUZ, not Byrd. Sorry for the error.
Brandon “You think you can keep up w/ me ?”
May 28th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
“I’d almost bet PA’s life that this rise isn’t due strictly to Yankee Stadium.”
Alot of hitters are in double digit HRs throughout the league, there are rumors of tight winded up balls IDK if it’s true
————————————————————
To me, it’s who’s hitting them and where in the ballpark they are hitting them. Zobrist and Bartlett are the two main examples. The fact that pitchers are walking batters only increases the chances of a hitter getting a good pitch to hit.
So you think bad pitching + tight strings in the balls
GB7-
In the NL HRs aren’t up, in fact slightly down. Runs per game in the NL are indeed slightly up, hard to tell why, maybe due to a few more walks.
Since the HR uptick is only in the AL, maybe the Stadium does account for some of it. I’m not all that interested in crunching the numbers but maybe someone will.
I have no idea if any of the differences in the AL or the NL from last year are statistically significant at this point – maybe a bored statistician could let us know.
What was cool about that visit was, he didn’t even say anything to AJ! lol
Basically, just allowed him to catch his breath and then went back behind the dish.
Its the little things like that a veteran catcher brings to the table. That’s the stuff a guy like Cervelli will take in and learn and it will make him better.
Stuart,
Far and away, the best Wang has looked since his injury. The sinker had a ton of movement, he threw it confidently, and his arm angle was definitely lower than its been.
Its definitely a step forward and something for him to build on.
I thought he got squeezed on the Cruz walk. The 2-2 pitch was a two seamer that caught an awful lot of the inner half.
In the NL, Citi Field may be pulling the HR totals down some.
I read on another board that Phil gave Wang a sort of limp handshake after the game ended last night- anyone see this? I didn’t, so I can’t really comment on it, but others were speculating that Phil couldn’t really find the enthusiasm to really congratulate Wang because they are, in a sense, competing with each other (I don’t agree because Phil will go down if Wang pitches well, but Phil could be thinking that way). I find this sort of silly – but if that is Phil’s thinking, I don’t like it. I love being competitive, but Wang pitching well is good for the team.
Limp handshakes? That’s how stupid rumors start. Dumb, unlikely and unfair.
That was a wierd HR in Citifield last night, some idiot threw a cup of soda at the exact same time and on one replay it looked like the ball hits the U of the Subway sign, the other replay shows it missing…IDK
SJ (almost called you AJ, lol), thanks! I like that he threw some changeups…and I have no doubt that the man can pitch, esp. when his mechanics are in order. I really like that he’s not satisfied with his performances – clearly AJ is fairly unhappy that he hasn’t been able to go deeper into games thanks to high pitch counts. I almost feel like he thinks he’s letting the team down.. The look on his face when Cash left the mound was priceless – I wish I could caption it – but AJ did credit Cash (and always credits his catchers) for that move.
From Kim Jones blog..
Joba, Joba, Joba: Joba is a big kid who was fooling around in the clubhouse with a little laser that A.J. bought him at a gas station here. Seriously, a gas station. He got a kick — a big kick — out of pointing a red dot at unsuspecting teammates. Joba’s big personality extends to the mound, as we all know, but he just seems more natural in the 8th-inning than in the starting rotation. At least that’s our view. It would seem an athlete who can dominate at a position helps a team more than an athlete whose results are, so far, a mixed bag in another role. Obviously there are two sides to this, and both can make relevant points. But there are plenty of voices in the clubhouse who agree with us, but it’s a silent chorus. At the moment. (If Bruney’s flexor mass strain in his elbow leads to a long — or painful — absence, you might start to hear the chatter.)
Oh Please – I find it ridiculous too, but what the heck – we’ve got all the time in the world for analyzing stuff like this, esp. with an off day.
I want to know who CC is taking to the Cavs game tonight,lol
I know A-Rod and Jeter are too good to go.
I want to know who CC is taking to the Cavs game tonight,lol
I bet there about 8- 10 Yankees there – pitchers and kids
Betsy May 28th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
I read on another board that Phil gave Wang a sort of limp handshake after the game ended last night- anyone see this?
=====================
Betsy, did you get that info from the same place you got that info on what Melky said about A-Jax?
I didn’t see no limp handshake after the game
I read somewhere that it’s a group of ~26 – He has two boxes…there is a list of a few players going…most I think went to spend the off day with family
Kim Jones opinion = Nothing to do w/ Yankee roster moves
P.S. Betsy it’s simple
Phil Hughes doesn’t shake the hand of the enemy
carl
May 28th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I know A-Rod and Jeter are too good to go.
Cool just like me – I am too good to go to basketball games.
Betsy I don’t buy it. Plus I read somewhere that Phil went to Joe and told him he would pitch out of the pen.
Loved it when Cash went to the mound. Singleton was shocked by the move at the time. The postgame interview with Cash was great – basically said he had never done it before, just thought it would give AJ a breather and help him get out of his mini-funk he was in.
Nice little contribution by the 4th string catcher!
S.A……yes, lol.
As Pete said, most of them went home on their private Jets
I bet most of the low budget players are going with CC to the game like Swisher, Hughes, Joba, Cash etc.
that ball did not hit the sign
Kim Jones joins the idiot brigade.
I did notice that Hughes handshake thing. Wasn’t that conspicuous, but did look kind of odd
If so… I like it. Hughes showing his competitive nature is never a bad thing.
Yeah, how dare Kim Jones give her opinion!
Everyone who disagrees with Joba staying in the rotation should be executed!
pel I don’t think so either. the flight of the ball was already changing before it got near the upperdeck.
“Kim Jones joins the idiot brigade.”
That’s enough to get you banished from this blog.
My only hope is that Pete doesn’t come out with a post enumerating the reasons why Joba SHOULD be in the pen. Women cause men to do crazy things.
Hey people.
Glad we’re in first.
This game with the Sox and Twinkies will put us in first alone if the Twinkies come through.
Wang: Good game ? * extends hand *
Phil: * scowl * I know you ?
SJ44
May 28th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
What was cool about that visit was, he didn’t even say anything to AJ! lol
Basically, just allowed him to catch his breath and then went back behind the dish.
Its the little things like that a veteran catcher brings to the table. That’s the stuff a guy like Cervelli will take in and learn and it will make him better.
Stuart,
Far and away, the best Wang has looked since his injury. The sinker had a ton of movement, he threw it confidently, and his arm angle was definitely lower than its been.
Its definitely a step forward and something for him to build on.
————————————————————
I was thinking about that after the game, and Bob Gibson came to mind. In particular was a visit McCarver made to the mound and before he said a word, Gibson told him to get the Hell off of his mound. He told McCarver that the only thing he knew about pitching was that he couldn’t hit it.
Last night, though, Burnett was so confused that he forgot he was AJ Burnett in trouble again, and started pitching like Bob Gibson.
That ball never hit the wall
nor the subway sign
See? And there you go…rumor out there, Phil is cold and competitive and calculating and bitter… not fair to the kid. Don’t spread rumors.
Far and away, the best sign from yesterday’s game was the apparent return of Chien Ming Wang (am I missing a hyphen?).
The win was nice but a normal Wang would be the best thing that could happen for us right now.
Jorge coming back is great news.
Brandon “You think you can keep up w/ me ?” May 28th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Wang: Good game ? * extends hand *
Phil: * scowl * I know you ?
===============================
“Kim Jones opinion = Nothing to do w/ Yankee roster moves”
Never said it did.. Yours doesn’t either.. Nor does Petes.. Nor does mine..
Its the little things that add up.
For instance, what CC is doing tonight.
No, it won’t matter in a game in which its tied and you need a player to get a hit.
However, taking a bunch of teammates to the Cavs game tonight, makes this team more of a TEAM.
To that end, here is where it makes a difference….
Going through tough times.
This team has been through a lot already this season.
Arod’s steroid stuff, his injury, a ton of other injuries, Wang falling off the map, a slow start by Tex, etc.
Yet, they survived ALL of it and are in a good spot right now.
Through it all, you have a sense this is a much better TEAM in the true sense of the word. The pies, the comebacks, the way CC extends himself to be a good teammate, all that stuff matters. It really does.
It toughens up a team and gives them a sense of one.
That’s what is happening to this team and that’s why they are playing better than they have in recent years.
They weren’t even like this in the last few years under Torre. It was too corporate.
Big difference now and CC, Swisher, and AJ are three reasons why that is the case.
Brandon, I seriously couldn’t tell.
Ridiculous to overturn the call, though. If you an’t tell, don’t overturn it!
There is no way you can see that from LF…
The replay they focused on the wrong ball, it looked like a fan up the last deck threw something down at the same time.
I am against Joba going into the pen with some caveats and they are; bruney out for a long time, no other pen arms showing any level of relaibility such as robertson or melancon since i have given up on veras and the other walkers, wang looking great over next few outings, hughes continuing to excel and improve, and last but not least joba not giving them any length and continuing to not dominate. i do not expect joba to dominate every outing but about 25% of the time he needs to show he can be a #1….he needs to show he is moving in the right direction…
“In particular was a visit McCarver made to the mound and before he said a word, Gibson told him to get the Hell off of his mound. He told McCarver that the only thing he knew about pitching was that he couldn’t hit it.”
I can’t wait until the day Joe Buck does the same kind of thing.
This team is the NY Yankees.
I don’t know what last team was. But they certainly weren’t the 26 time World Champions.
This team is never out of a game. Ever.
If we only had a bullpen, we’d be spectacular.
By the way, I’m not a big basketball fan, but I love watching Lebron and hope Cleveland wins only because Lebron is the most exciting player on the court.
I have said this is the most likeable yankee team in years.
they are a little less stodgy and corporate in my perception.
they are younger, appear more energetic, and appear to be battling more. this is shown in the numerous comebacks, the celebrations, the clowning around, etc.
this team is really younger and more homegrown then in years.; they have the old guard homegrowners and then you add melky, gardner, pena, cervelli, wang,hughes, joba, robertson, coke, etc.. they have a TON of homegrown talent sprinkled in with a couple of the huge FA signings………
Shea stadium has to be the stupidest park ever built. They have a stupid overhang from the (second?/third) deck. So if you hit the ball high it is a homerun. But if you hit it low you have to hit it further to get out.
Typical Mets, always second class citizens in NY. Why is no one criticizing them for how they build an obstacle course of a park?
All you need to know about how much Francesa has no clue. Varitek just hit a HR and what did he says. “Why does it seem the guys the red Sox seem to give away always come back for good year. The Red Sox tried to give him away last year”
Attention Mike varitek was a free agent the Red Sox never tried to give him away
vin
May 28th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
“In particular was a visit McCarver made to the mound and before he said a word, Gibson told him to get the Hell off of his mound. He told McCarver that the only thing he knew about pitching was that he couldn’t hit it.”
I can’t wait until the day Joe Buck does the same kind of thing.
————————————————————
I could deal with listening to one of them on a broadcast, but, both together is more than a human should have to deal with. Neither of them belong anywhere near a plugged in mic, though.
Think the Yankees think long and hard about putting a pitcher in the pen like they did Joba because of all the foolishness it has created.
If they hadn’t done that it wouldn’t even be a discussion.
I heard CC asked Wang to go to the game and he asked “is Phil going?”
And then Phil said “I’m not going if Wang is going.”
Then CC said “you are both going and you BOTH are sitting next to Swisher” to which Melky said I’m not sitting next to the track star!
SA, what you didn’t hear was what Phil did after that. …
From a source, they even gave me dialogue of it.
Wang: so we friends ?
Phil: yeh man.. hey don’t worry about it, competition right.
Wang: rrright..shower, thanks Phillll * shoulder tap *
Phil: *waits for Wang to leave* I’ll show that basterd, * itching powder in cleat *
Twinkies and Sox tied?
What are Varitek’s numbers anyway?
He’s also not having a good year. Ok, nothing special.
But, that’s Mikey. Always shining the Red Sox shoes.
Somebody ought to tell him the Yankees are actually tied with the team is supposed to be unbeatable for first place.
Perhaps one his numerous assistants can pass that along to him.
Stuart,
I think they signed the right free agents this year for a change. Not just talented guys. But, guys who would take on the challenge of playing in NY and not shy away from it when they struggled.
One thing we have seen from CC, AJ and Tex is, during their struggles, their personalities didn’t change. They were accountable, not surly, and handled the rough spots well.
That shows me these guys can handle the lunacy that sometimes is playing for the Yankees.
When you have that, and you add to it a free spirit like Swisher, to a team of good guys, you have something solid.
That’s just Phil working on toughness
before i head out to lunch, uncle ellsworth.
huy fong (the actual rooster brand) sample packs, $8.
http://huyfong.com/no_frames/sample.htm
their website looks like it was designed several championships ago…
Really getting tired of the media “hue and cry” for Joba to be put in the pen.
It makes no sense to me.
The team is in first place w/o him in the pen. He’s one of the best starting pitchers on the team in a league where NO ONE has good young starting pitching.
He wants to start. He has the ability to become an Ace as a starter.
I just don’t get it.
If Kim Jones means this then fine. It’s her opinion.
However if this her writing that garbage was to drive blog hits then it’s not okay.
Pete took a week off and came back with some of the same broken record stuff about the stadium and RISP after the team just went on a huge run and smacked the cover off the ball.
It’s these “hot button” topics that really get to me since it’s almost an arrogance of the media to make us swallow stories we don’t care to swallow.
If Joba goes to the pen Cashman and Girardi are morons. He is a future #1 pitcher who will be cost controlled for many years here. He’s doing well as a starter. The team is in 1st.
You got nothing to write about and you need the old “Joba to the pen” story or “the new stadium is a power hitters paradise” then it’s time to dig deeper for stories because those two are already played out.
Hahahahaha
I’m looking up Varitek’s numbers, then.
That was really a terrible signing by the Sox.
I’m so sick of the Joba talk.
But as they say, when life gives you lemons – make lemonade.
btw – Mr. Diet Coke Windbag already bought a case of these…
http://tinyurl.com/lehea8
SJ44-your nephew discussed on Keith Law’s chat:
Ray (Boston): How do you see the major league prospects for Tony Sanchez? With the exception of power and feel for the game, his grades in the scouting report are average to below average, yet he’s still #30 on your board.
SportsNation Keith Law: (2:28 PM ET ) He’s #30 because he’s a catcher – an average bat and an average or fringe-average defensive catcher is still a pretty good prospect, at least in terms of asset value. And that’s what I think he is – he’s an everyday catcher who hits for power but not a great average.
What people don’t realize is that for a first year starter Joba is doing well above average. The great Johan Santana had a six ERA his first year.
I thought that AJ got squeezed a few times last night. Overall it was a good effort. He went after hitters with his fastball which is something that he really needs to do to dominate.
Wang was outstanding. Some of his sinkers were nasty. With guys like Joba, Andy and Phil who seem likely to pitch 6 or 7 innings at most, Wang is not a bad option out of the pen to pitch 2 to 3 innings at a time. If short appearances help Wang build his confidence, it seems like a perfect fit until he is ready to return to the rotation.
When Wang is ready to return to the rotation, I am not sure what the proper move is regarding the other starters. I think that Hughes needs to stay up. With his cutter and the renewed movement on his fastball, Hughes would be excellent for the pen as he approaches his innings limit.
In the end, having six viable starters is a nice thing, particular when you take into consideration Andy’s age and AJ’s injury history.
Thanks Saucy
Try Franks Chicken Wing sauce I’ve been putting it on everything!
Jesus, Francesca’s still ranting about that controversial Met homerun. All I know is that that execs at Subway are peeing in their pants over how much bang they got for their advertising buck.
SJ44
May 28th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
He’s also not having a good year. Ok, nothing special.
But, that’s Mikey. Always shining the Red Sox shoes.
Somebody ought to tell him the Yankees are actually tied with the team is supposed to be unbeatable for first place.
Perhaps one his numerous assistants can pass that along to him.
Stuart,
I think they signed the right free agents this year for a change. Not just talented guys. But, guys who would take on the challenge of playing in NY and not shy away from it when they struggled.
One thing we have seen from CC, AJ and Tex is, during their struggles, their personalities didn’t change. They were accountable, not surly, and handled the rough spots well.
That shows me these guys can handle the lunacy that sometimes is playing for the Yankees.
When you have that, and you add to it a free spirit like Swisher, to a team of good guys, you have something solid.
————————————————————
It will be curious if Sabathia and Teixeira’s presence and to a lesser extent, Burnett, will have on Rodriguez, if they can draw him in to their sphere of influence, or, if he remains only a little less distant from the team than before. They could be his most positve influences since Lou Pinella.
diet Coke is carrying on about the homerun that wasn’t. Someone called up trying to explain to him that it wasn’t and he wouldn’t let him speak. Someone calls up to agree with him and he shuts up.
“carl
May 28th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I know A-Rod and Jeter are too good to go.
”
ha probably true but AROD has kids so maybe this off day is an extra chance to see them….Jeter is probably wherever minka kelly is
GB7
I can’t stand McCarver as a broadcaster but to listen to him talk baseball is another story. He played with and against some of the greats and has some good stories. Totally differant when he is reminising.(sp)
BTW I heard Cisco eyes doesn’t like Molina and Georgy hates Cash b/c he was a Red Sox, I heard that one on a forum.
SJ the thing I like about the tex and CC signing besides there talent is there age. CC is 28, he has thrown a bunch of innings already but he is one big hombre.. he is only 28.. tex just turned 29 and 1B age is less of an issue then CF or SS..
next year theoretically they can hal a starting rotation of hughes at 23, joba at 24, wang at 29 I think), ccat 29, and AJ the old man at 33………………
also 2 of there starters could be making less then 1 mill a yr……
varitek is doing better then last year but that is not saying much. he has 9 hrs and is hitting 242.. he is doing OK………….
So how many copies of that book did Selena Roberts sell?
5?? Haven’t heard a word about it for weeks
Okay, Varitek is batting 238 with 13 HR’s…lots of Hr’s, but come on. 238? That’s terrible. Francessa doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
David
Has he mentioned once how stupid that overhang is?
SJ,
did you had anything to do with this?
——————————
ESPN’s Buster Olney suggests that the Yankees are at least considering Mark DeRosa internally:
Imagine DeRosa as a big hunk of tuna, bait on a hook. One of the looming shadows circling below is that of the New York Yankees, who are weighing options and haven’t decided whether to take a shot at the versatile veteran.
——————————
I’m sorry, I am looking at the 08 stats. He had 13 HR’s all of last yr., 8 this year.
And yes, 242 avg. That’s terrible.
Brandon, you for real? lol
Its a pretty accurate call by Keith, although I’m hoping he is going a little higher than 30. If he goes 30 to Tampa though, that would be a GREAT fit for him.
If I was to put in a scouting report on him, I would say his catching skills (and MLB agrees) are above average.
He blocks balls and catches and frames pitches better than anybody in the draft. Its not even close.
Throwing. Slightly above average arm but, a very quick release, making him very accurate and very effective.
He has a power bat. It has translated to wood, which is a positive.
He is very durable. You are talking about a kid who has remade his body in the last 18 months. Lost over 30 pounds, is very flexible, and plays everyday.
When folks scout players, one thing that seperates internet scouts from real scouts is the ability to answer the bell everyday. Real scouts see that as a big plus. Internet scouts are too consumed with tools and often overlook durability. The pros don’t because they don’t want to pay for guys who live on the DL.
I don’t think he will hit for a high average. However, in the last year, he has improved both his eye and his plate coverage. If he hits .250-.270, with power as a pro, with his defensive skills, he could play in the majors for 10 years.
That’s something you sign on for and not look back.
MaineYankee
May 28th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
GB7
I can’t stand McCarver as a broadcaster but to listen to him talk baseball is another story. He played with and against some of the greats and has some good stories. Totally differant when he is reminising.(sp)
————————————————————
Oh, definately. As long as he’s telling stories he’s just fine, like Uecker, Kaat, Palmer and even Mantle and Murcer, he and they are in their elements. McCarver, like Gibson and Mantle before him, have no business reporting on a game in progress. Kaat, Palmer, Uecker and Murcer could do both.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman told me that Chien Ming Wang is in the bullpen unless Joe Girardi decides to make a change. Cashman says that Wang shouldn’t have a problem because “his contract says baseball player,” not starter and he “is sporting a 20-something ERA,” adding “We didn’t put him in this situation.”
Alan Chang, Wang’s agent, told me, “[Wang's] not comfortable with it, but he’s a team player.”
http://stations.espn.go.com/st.....st=4212846
“Really getting tired of the media “hue and cry” for Joba to be put in the pen. ”
Good. I hope you get tired of it.
I’m tired of seeing wasted talent struggling to go 5 or 6 every start and then have the bullpen come in and blow it almost every start.
And I’m waiting for people to apologize to me
SJ44
May 28th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Its a pretty accurate call by Keith, although I’m hoping he is going a little higher than 30. If he goes 30 to Tampa though, that would be a GREAT fit for him.
If I was to put in a scouting report on him, I would say his catching skills (and MLB agrees) are above average.
He blocks balls and catches and frames pitches better than anybody in the draft. Its not even close.
Throwing. Slightly above average arm but, a very quick release, making him very accurate and very effective.
He has a power bat. It has translated to wood, which is a positive.
He is very durable. You are talking about a kid who has remade his body in the last 18 months. Lost over 30 pounds, is very flexible, and plays everyday.
When folks scout players, one thing that seperates internet scouts from real scouts is the ability to answer the bell everyday. Real scouts see that as a big plus. Internet scouts are too consumed with tools and often overlook durability. The pros don’t because they don’t want to pay for guys who live on the DL.
I don’t think he will hit for a high average. However, in the last year, he has improved both his eye and his plate coverage. If he hits .250-.270, with power as a pro, with his defensive skills, he could play in the majors for 10 years.
That’s something you sign on for and not look back.
————————————————————
For old timers on here, would you compare him to a Munson, Sunberg, Randy Hundley type of player?
Big ouch by Cashman.
A.A., they didn’t really say that, did they?
I know it’s true, but that’s horrible, lose your starting spot to a kid after all he’s done when it’s possible it was all because of injury trouble.
SJ, who knows? Sometimes you learn how to hit in the minors. Wasn’t Pujols scouted as unable to hit breaking pitches?
Ed,
No. I always look at Cleveland because I know Mark Shapiro and Cash have a good relationship and you can actually talk logical deals with Mark.
He’s not other GM’s who will ask for 3 A List prospects for a utility player.
“Big ouch by Cashman.”
*Cashman says that Wang shouldn’t have a problem because “his contract says baseball player,” not starter and he “is sporting a 20-something ERA,” adding “We didn’t put him in this situation.”*
I think it’s safe to say that Papi has some strength left…. DESTROYED that bat!!
Hey Bryan, who is Selena Roberts?
Pete, I’m still waiting for the No “Francesca said this” blog day…it worked well with ARod over ST and I think it could work for this too…
“ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the Yankees have discussed internally trading for Mark DeRosa. An executive with knowledge of the Yankees thinking told me that DeRosa will likely be more of a need for other teams so the trade price could be too high for the Yankees. *The executive added if Brian Bruney’s injury is serious, it is more likely the Yankees will address the bullpen. Two possibilities could be Baltimore’s George Sherrill and Houston’s Jose Valverde.* ”
http://stations.espn.go.com/st.....id=3480300
here is what I don’t get , well actually there is a lot I don’t get with Francesa and maybe someone can explain why would you go to a 6 man rotation and mess up your top 2 pitchers who like pitching every 5 just so you can put Wang in there and make JOba an 8th inning guy. Aren’t you sacrificing you two high end pitchers for this?
jennifer
May 28th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Big ouch by Cashman.
————————————————————
I seriously doubt that Cashman would have said anything remotely close to that, other than he’s in the bullpen for now. Unless there’s a voice recording or admission from Cashman, I’ll call BS on another ESPN jackass.
Read many comments on Wang in the past few days. I guess it proves that Wang is an important member of the team, no matter he is on or not. Good for him and he should be pleased about all these comments and conversation, hope he read them and feel good and motivated. The way Yankees treated him recently may not be that bad as he might get matured and realize he must stay healthy to have his stuff to extend his MLB life.
E-gawa: That is so not true. First of all he’s 23. He’s still learning and having a much better first season than most pitchers do. Second, he’s on an innings limit and would be going deeper if he were allowed.
Idea: A.J. throws too many pitches, and he’s struggled lately (yesterday nowithstanding). Let’s make him the eighth inning guy!
Of course you say no. Why? Starters are more valuable.
You do know they didn’t plan for him to be a bullpen pitcher, right? He was planned to be a starter. Lots of young gun starters are tested in the pen. Joba passed that test. That was the only point of that.
Why isn’t David Price in the pen then? The answer of course is he was supposed to be a starter, not a pen guy. Otherwise, you’d see Nolan Ryan, Bob Gibson, and Pedro in the pen.
Starters are more valuable and I’m glad Joba is starting.
Look at Joba’s first 22 starts in his career and compare them to Halliday, Beckett, CC and Santana. They are very comparable.
If you aren’t patient enough to give him a chance to be a top end starter, you will never develop your own starting pitching.
If they need a bullpen arm, they can get one. Joba isn’t the answer to their pen issues.
GB,
Defensively, he reminds me of Jose Molina. The defensive part of his game is definitely comparable to what Jose brings to the table.
Offensively, I think Jim Sundberg is a good comparison. He makes good contact. He’s only stuck out 32 times in over 260 plate appearances.
I think the Sundberg offensive comparison is probably close to what we old timers could compare him to.
gayle he’s not advocating messin with CC AJ AP’s starts Just Joba PJH and Wang. I’ve heard worse things.
Hard for me to believe Cashman said that. That’s horrible.
GB7, that was Andrew Marchant he doesn’t misquote people, I know b/c I’m a Knicks/Giants fan and he wasn’t misquoting them doubt he’d misquote a high profile GM.
Wow SJ, if he’s defensively as good as Jose Molina if he doesn’t hit a lick he’d have a spot on some teams. That’s awesome defense.
“hope he read them and feel good and motivated”
If he does then this weak minded individual just pitch you’ll get your shot.
“Two possibilities could be Baltimore’s George Sherrill and Houston’s Jose Valverde. ”
Not sure how easy it is to work a trade with the O’s. I’ve been waiting for the Cubs to land Brian Roberts for 3 years now.
Not to mention the fact that the Os and Yanks are in the same division. I’d prefer DeRosa, and take my chances with Melancon in the BP.
SJ44
May 28th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Look at Joba’s first 22 starts in his career and compare them to Halliday, Beckett, CC and Santana. They are very comparable.
If you aren’t patient enough to give him a chance to be a top end starter, you will never develop your own starting pitching.
If they need a bullpen arm, they can get one. Joba isn’t the answer to their pen issues.
GB,
Defensively, he reminds me of Jose Molina. The defensive part of his game is definitely comparable to what Jose brings to the table.
Offensively, I think Jim Sundberg is a good comparison. He makes good contact. He’s only stuck out 32 times in over 260 plate appearances.
I think the Sundberg offensive comparison is probably close to what we old timers could compare him to.
————————————————————
sunberg would be a great model. Anybody that could catch 145-152 games a year in that heat and still produce offensively is definately a player of great value.
“Hard for me to believe Cashman said that. That’s horrible.”
Wang must have pissed him off on something, all I know is Cash came straight out on this one, he’s thinking the longterm of Wang and how Wang should be just pitching instead of saying he’s not a BP guy. Now his agent 180′d but hey it happens.
No way I’d risk it in the organization. We have a shot to win it all this year. Who knows if we will next year, what with all the variables that could occur? I wouldn’t risk players being a hugge bust and instead take the lesser risk of buying/trading for a more or less proven bullpen guy.
People want Joba in the pen because he was dominate as Mo’s set-up man.
As a starter he is not dominate. With time he may be. He needs time to develop.
————————————————————–
Another fan
Santana is one of the 2 best pitchers in baseball. It would be great if Jobs turns out like Santana. Not many do.
Uncle-
He just said what he wants to do now is put Wang in the rotation starting now for a few weeks and go to a 6 man rotation so that you can see what you have with Wang THEN once you know and if he is good move JOba to the pen and go back to the 5 man rotation.
big poopies #’s are worse then Melky’s last year. he has a n obp of 300, hitting 195, with no power and slugging.
he literally has been the worst hitter in a everyday lineup in baseball this year.
swisher has a 70 point better obp, with a 200 point better sluggin % or more.
OUCH…
Varitek just homered again. Dominican Prtein shake???
Brandon “You think you can keep up w/ me ?”
May 28th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
GB7, that was Andrew Marchant he doesn’t misquote people, I know b/c I’m a Knicks/Giants fan and he wasn’t misquoting them doubt he’d misquote a high profile GM
————————————————————
I still don’t buy it. He’s a reporter and it’s a slow news day with no controversy to whine about. They do what they all do….embellish and Marchant is no different than Sweeney Murti and the others.
gayle
May 28th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Uncle-
He just said what he wants to do now is put Wang in the rotation starting now for a few weeks and go to a 6 man rotation so that you can see what you have with Wang THEN once you know and if he is good move JOba to the pen and go back to the 5 man rotation.
I give up gayle
what I heard is that you leave AJ CC and Andy in their normal rotation and slot in Wang Joba and Phil when they fit. 5 for the vets 6 for the others
Oh, God. The Yankees are going to drop out of first place because they didn’t have the guts to play today. Boston will now go on a long run and hide from the Yankees. The season is over. Boston bats are waking up.
Twins have not lost yet.
Another fan May 28th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
A.A., they didn’t really say that, did they?
I know it’s true, but that’s horrible, lose your starting spot to a kid after all he’s done when it’s possible it was all because of injury trouble.
=============================
That’s what Andrew Marchand is reporting.
If indeed true, cold stuff from Cashman.
He stated on that site that he’s gonna be on with Michael Kay at 3:20pm. Maybe he will expand on it.
Sorry Uncle maybe I misheard you could be right certainly not worth arguing over lol
Brandon, would he say that about Andy? Or CC? Or A.J.? Or even, especially, Joba?
Wang did nothing wrong and if he’s right he should start.
SJ does Tony bat lefty or righty?
Would you prefer the Yanks look to him, or to someone like Mauer or Montero after Posada hangs ‘em up?
I realize he may not be ML ready by the time Posada quits catching, but let’s assume for the sake of discussion that he’ll be close.
OK, a 6 man rotation, where you didn’t mess with your 1 and 2 starters, would look like:
12345 12634 12563 12456 12345 etc.
That means, given normal open days, pitchers 3, 4, 5 and 6 would pitch on 6 to 7 days rest.
I’m not a hidebound dinosaur by any means but I don’t see that being a winner.
Let’s all just slow down and see how Wang pitches in the bullpen.
How could Varitek have 10 HRs and none were hit in Yankee Stadium?
Rose-Few pitchers are like Mo.
There has been one Mo. There have been more than a few great Aces. I’d bet on him being an Ace more than Mo.
He was not dominant. He was excellent. 2.35 ERA or something. Then let’s trade A.J. for Bobby Jenks if you want to go there. He has a similar ERA.
Joba has the potential to be a great starter, far more valuable than all great bullpen guys with the one and only exception of Mo.
At least Cashman didn’t call Wang an “asset”. Nothing was colder than that.
What Cashman said is the truth…I like the fact he doesn’t sugar coat things.
DB, I disagree.
New thread.
That doesn’t sound like something that Cashman would say. They obviously must not think his stuff is good enough right now to get people out for 6 innings or so. They also want Wang to know his body/mechanics a little more and be smarter as a pitcher. Eiland said yesterday about his mechanics, that he needs to do it, he needs to know himself what changes he needs to make on the mound. He said this is his career, I can’t do everthing for him. It is obvious that Eiland doesn’t want to feel like his father and have to tell him everything he needs to do..it is time to grow up.
If you look at what another guy posted in an early thread about the stadium and hit tracker it bears repeating..
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ark-10299/
http://www.hittrackeronline.co.....e=ballpark
I count 20 homers that wouldn’t have been out in the old park. They got to fix it in the off season, no doubt
“”ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the Yankees have discussed internally trading for Mark DeRosa”"
Mark DeRosa would be the player to be named later in the Carl Pavano trade.
“E-gawa: That is so not true. First of all he’s 23. He’s still learning and having a much better first season than most pitchers do. Second, he’s on an innings limit and would be going deeper if he were allowed.”
His innings limit has nothing to do with how many innings he goes per start.. His pitch count does.. he throws too many pitches per inning and usually ends with around 100 pitches near the 5th.
We’re not talking about AJ or CC or Mariano or anyone else. We’re talking about Joba because of what he’s actually done in a role.
Plans change for many players.. Rick Ankiel didn’t start as a pitcher, Arod didn’t come up as 3rd basemen, Babe Ruth didn’t come up as an outfielder.
Nolan Ryan, Bob Gibson? What?
Nolan Ryan had 222 complete games
Bob Gibson had 255 complete games
You’re bringing in a different game to this debate. Joba will never be that kind of pitcher.. ever.
And who is David Price? Oh you mean the guy who’s been averaging 4 innings a start in the MINORS this year?
Another fan
Joba came in from the pen throwing 98. My point was the game was, more often than not, over when you had Joba and then Mo coming in. It reminded fans of Mo setting up for Wetteland.
My opinion is Joba should be a starter. You just have to give him time. Will he be great like Santana? I don’t know that yet and neither do you.