Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 09, 2009 
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The Yankees are headed to Boston after beating the Rays. Ernie Palladino has the story.
Joe Girardi doesn’t look too far ahead when it comes to Mariano Rivera. This notebook also has an update on Phil Hughes and news on Xavier Nady and Brian Bruney.
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As predicted, it is raining in Boston. We’ll keep you posted as the day progresses.
Draft is today. Yankees are picking 29 but it looks like they’re going to wind up with a quality draft pick at that position. Lot’s of uncertainty in the draft this year – even more than normal. Part of that is the economy.
I’m hoping the yankees are going to be very aggressive throughout. They lost their own 1,2, and 3 rounder because of signing Tex, CC, and AJ (picks at 29 and 76 are compensation for not signing Cole and Bittle last draft). They didn’t offer anyone arbitration so they’ve go not supplemental.
Let’s hope guys fall and the yankees are very aggressive about selecting and signing those guys.
They’ve generally done a good job in the draft the past few years but they’ve perhaps taken too many safe college picks too high.
I’ve never been a guy who made that big a deal of booing, but I found it really odd when A-Rod was booed for grounding into a DP-with the Yanks up by 2 runs in the eighth. I kind of blinked and said, “You’re kidding right?”. Weird.
Anybody know how the weather is supposed to be tonight?
Keith Law on the draft:
“I readily admit that I have no idea what’s going to happen tonight. This is the most ridiculous draft I’ve ever been a part of or covered.”
What are the odds of a game being played tonight?
Yankee fan base is turning into a joke in addition to booing arod in the 8th a good part of the stadium was leaving with Rivera on the mound and 2 outs in the 9th
very well.
Looking at the radar, the rain will likely be gone by 7:00. It’s a fast moving storm. So…
My thinking of the draft has always been to get as many good/great arms as you can, you can always deal some later for position players if you need to. The feeling being that it is easier to get position players in FA as well, a lot of times the FA pitchers have already had their best years by the time they are available.
But, seeing some of the great athletic talent that is nearly unattainable right now(the Uptons, Adam Jones, Jay Bruce, Hanley, etc.), it would be nice to see the Yanks develop a few guys like that on their own to go with Ajax and Cano. If their are any great outfielders, SS available at no. 29, would love to see the Yanks jump on them.
This whole thing with how Yankee fans suck is so overblown. Years ago my great grandparents used to leave if they were losing in the seventh. You think it’s any different now, or in Fenway?
Not all fans are big fans like us or are absolutely loyal and that’s fine.
I thought this was funny, so I figured I would re-post it from the last thread:
re: Varitek. This is from CBSsports.com’ s Larry Dobrow last week. Certainly not definitive, but I was surprised to see it from a writer on a respected site, not just a blog poster:
“I have no reason to believe Jason Varitek is anything other than chemically pure and the greatest leader since Charlemagne, but he has hit 10 homers in 159 plate appearances after hitting 13 in 483 last season. If a Yankee player enjoyed such a late-in-life power spike, BoSox fans would fall over themselves to chant “Steroids! J’accuse! Steroids!” Consider this a preemptive returning of the favor.
Weather.com says only a 30% chnce of rain by 7:00, so most likely we’re getting the game. At least, there’s a 70% chance we’re getting the game in.
We need to draft an outfielder, that’s where we have holes and depth problems.
Mark in Tampa, I like it. Let the truth out.
“a good part of the stadium was leaving with Rivera on the mound and 2 outs in the 9th”
Are you sure that wasn’t all of the Rays fans leaving?
“But, seeing some of the great athletic talent that is nearly unattainable right now(the Uptons, Adam Jones, Jay Bruce, Hanley, etc.), it would be nice to see the Yanks develop a few guys like that on their own to go with Ajax and Cano. If their are any great outfielders, SS available at no. 29, would love to see the Yanks jump on them.”
Mark, they have too otherwise you end up platooning players for the rest of this franchise’ existance. The Rays never really have to worry about def replacement, a guy like Pena is being used well, the Red Sox don’t have to plug anyone in…sooner or later this FO has to realize it needs to improve OF defense especially the COF w/ suitable bats.
I’d rather have an athletic .270 – .280 hitter than an immobile AS who hits .300 but can’t field his position well or throw a ball to homeplate.
And for the love of god can they be under 26 yrs. of age
When do we start looking to draft a short stop? I know Jeter is havng a revitalization this year but, some insurance would be nice.
I’d rather have a great hitter and bad to eh fielder than a great fielder and a bad to eh hitter.
You’re right though, we need to draft a SS.
“Are you sure that wasn’t all of the Rays fans leaving”
You’re right, I forgot they actually picked up some fans last year.
It’s fine for people to leave in the 7th if they want to, but if you stuck it out all the way to the 9th why get up and head for the exits with 2 outs.
Keith: that makes two of us! LOL
It’s crazy. So much stuff going on, and each move affects other moves.
The HS guys are pricing themselves out of the market. That’s affecting a lot of people right now.
The Yankees? Their first round pick is not protected this year. That means, they will stick closer to slot than people think.
Gonna be a crazy day and night!
Joe Mama, you want to beat the crowd crush out of the stadium, I can understand that.
“but if you stuck it out all the way to the 9th why get up and head for the exits with 2 outs.”
Because they’re trying to beat the crowd
You figure Mariano is basically a lock to get the save so why wait until the end and get caught in a traffic stampede?
Are people really complaining about folks leaving in the 9th with 2 outs and Mariano on the mound
SJ, I’m sorry I have to ask, but I keep forgetting you nephew’s name, what is it again? Any chance the Yanks draft him?
“I’d rather have a great hitter and bad to eh fielder than a great fielder and a bad to eh hitter.”
B/c it has worked right ? the OF defense other than CF which is mediocore is one of the worst in baseball. It’ll cost us at some point.
Brandon how about sign Carl Crawford when he hits FA. That gives you and outfield of Crawford-Jackson-Cabrera. Not many homers from that group but amazing defense.
Nobody drafts for need in the MLB draft, nor should they. Take the best players and develop them then make trades if needed down the line.
I hope the Yanks are more aggressive this year and go after more signability guys.
“Phil Coke pitched the eighth, allowing just a walk, but has never had a major-league save”
Hey Pete–you should tell your colleague Palladino that phil coke does indeed have a major league save against the twins on may 18th
So Brandon, you’d sacrifice Damon right now for a great filder that hits 270 with limited pop?
Studies show defense is worth half of what offense is worth, at most, generally less. Sorry, hitting over defense please.
I seem to recall the Yankees drafting a couple of SS in the recent past.
Garrison Lassiter and Carmen Angellini come to mind in particular.
This is baseball anyway, you don’t draft for need in baseball. The current Yankees catcher was drafted as an infielder and now he’s a borderline HOF player.
Patience grasshoppers, Patience.
“Their first round pick is not protected this year”
Does that mean if the pick doesn’t sign, they won’t get a compensatory pick next year?
I need to be convinced Melky keeps this up. If not, we need to sing another outfielder. I don’t think a 280 hitting Melky is worth keeping. Not enough pop.
raymagnetic, we’re just throwing out ideas, what position do you propose?
Starting pitcher Andy Pettitte watched Hughes work from the dugout in the seventh inning and said the way Hughes’ fastball was rising, it almost looked a little bit like Mariano Rivera’s devastating cutter. Hughes said he wasn’t trying to cut the ball on purpose, but it’s just what happens sometimes when he throws his fastball.
“If you can have anything like Mo (Rivera), it’s a good thing,” Hughes said.
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....to_th.html
So it begins.
Bring on Youuuuuuse Rules
sing is sign.
Melky is an above average defender in CF, Damon and Swisher are average.
Mark in Tampa,
That is correct, so they really need to sign whoever they draft.
“The bottom line is, two negatives will happen if Phil stays in the pen. He will not be able to stay stretched out and he won’t work on his 3rd and 4th pitches.”
My feeling is that if Hughes hasn’t mastered his “3rd and 4th” pitches by now, it is far from a sure thing that he will with another 75-100 innings in AAA.
Second, I think the “stretched out” worry is overblown. Hughes role on this team, this year, is most likely in the pen. For that, he doesn’t need to be stretched out. Next year, he will have all of spring training to get ready to start.
Third, we can use him this year in the pen. He could be the missing piece that will solidify the pen and put us in a position to win it all.
Fourth, Hughes could still get the occasional start this year, and pitch multiple relief innings too. He could get his IP up around 100-125.
Fourth, I’m not that worried about how many innings Hughes will be able to throw next year. He’ll be 24, not a kid. There’s no magic formula. Santana went from 108 IP to 158 IP between ages 23 and 24. If Hughes can throw 160 innings next year that will be fine with me, if he helps us win this year.
Fifth, getting major league hitters out teaches something. I’m concerned he won’t have to pitch 100% in AAA. He may even regress, who knows?
Sixth, psychologically it will be a blow to him. That could affect his pitching as well. He’s having success, I’d be reluctant to mess with it.
On a different topic, I hope the Yanks draft a hitter, not a pitcher with their first pick.
“raymagnetic, we’re just throwing out ideas, what position do you propose?”
The best player available regardless of position. Most of these guys aren’t going to see the bigs for years anyway, might as well get the best guy they can get and see what happens.
“So Brandon, you’d sacrifice Damon right now for a great filder that hits 270 with limited pop? ”
I’m talking about the future not now. Damon would be the ideal DH for this team, and he knows his OF days are dwindling down. When Matsui leaves after this yr. and Posada part time catches/DH, Johnny if resigned should become the fulltime DH part time LF.
raymagnetic, all right.
Francesa at the YS Hard Rock Cafe today. Here he won’t be able to drink or order Diet Coke.
Only Pepsi at new YS.
“So Brandon, you’d sacrifice Damon right now for a great fielder that hits 270 with limited pop?”
How about somebody who is outstanding both ways? That’s why I would love to see them look for an outfielder in the first couple rounds. IDK if there would be one of that quality when they draft, but if there is, got to take him. When you get somebody that high, you are looking for a no compromises type player; not strictly offense or defense.
Since it will take minimum 3 years to get to the bigs, now is the time to be looking for a SS in the draft. Of course, you still have to take the best player, can’t reach for somebody just because of the position they play.
Brandon, you’re missing my point a bit I think.
Who would you rather have (pretending personal issues don’t exist) Manny or Carl Crawford?
Perhaps you’ll answer differently, but I say Manny. Just too good of a hitter.
Mark in Tampa, both ways would be nice.
“Are people really complaining about folks leaving in the 9th with 2 outs and Mariano on the mound”
Yeah maybe you’re the type of positive fan who leaves before the game is over trying to beat the crowd, want to beat the crowd leave in the 8th, some people stay and watch the whole game. I’ll complain about the fans leaving with 2 outs when the same jackass just boooed arod in 8th for grounding into a DP.
In real life, Manny’s weird issues are too much. He’s a clubhouse cancer.
“How about somebody who is outstanding both ways? That’s why I would love to see them look for an outfielder in the first couple rounds. IDK if there would be one of that quality when they draft, but if there is, got to take him. When you get somebody that high, you are looking for a no compromises type player; not strictly offense or defense.”
It has to be a CF.
LOL that caller the Ortiz jersey buried in the YS being a reversed curse.
“Who would you rather have (pretending personal issues don’t exist) Manny or Carl Crawford?”
Carl Crawford.
“My feeling is that if Hughes hasn’t mastered his “3rd and 4th” pitches by now, it is far from a sure thing that he will with another 75-100 innings in AAA.
Second, I think the “stretched out” worry is overblown. Hughes role on this team, this year, is most likely in the pen. For that, he doesn’t need to be stretched out. Next year, he will have all of spring training to get ready to start.
Third, we can use him this year in the pen. He could be the missing piece that will solidify the pen and put us in a position to win it all.”
totally agree, unlike Joba who was always a 4 pitch pitcher, Hughes has been a 2 pitch pitcher…he has the control and stuff to help in the bullpen
Wave you make some good points, I simply disagree. Keeping Hughes in the bullpen hurts the Yankees now and down the line. What happens if Pettitte goes down with an injury? Who is the sixth starter? It certainly won’t be Hughes if he stays in the bullpen.
I’ve stated my case, Hughes needs to work on his pitches and he needs to throw minimum 150 innings this year. He spent a few months in AAA after last year’s disaster and we saw how much his stuff has improved. Better fastball command/velocity, better curveball, he developed a cutter and his change is improved. You don’t think he could improve his cutter/change if he goes back to AAA for a few months?
Luckily Cashman agrees with me, he basically said Hughes will go down when Bruney returns.
“Since it will take minimum 3 years to get to the bigs, now is the time to be looking for a SS in the draft. Of course, you still have to take the best player, can’t reach for somebody just because of the position they play.”
CF or SS and they need to be a 5 tool, this is rd. 1 that player drafted in rd. 1 needs to be groomed for 2 – 3 yrs. away from ML.
I don’t get why you’d want Crawford over Manny.
Come to think of it, Crawford is actually better than your description of an ideal outfielder Brandon. A 270 hitter, but good D? Hmmm…Manny or that dude everybody wanted to get from the Pirates, Mclouth or something?
“Manny or that dude everybody wanted to get from the Pirates, Mclouth or something”
Manny.
Right now Hughes is a 4 pitch pitcher, the only problem is his 3rd and 4th pitches are mediocre. With some work they can improve.
New thread.
IMO, CF and SS are the best athletes on the field, generally. If you draft an inordinate amount of those players, you can fill the other positions. Generally speaking, a good hitting SS can play 3B or 2B, but those positions can’t necessarily play short.
Same for CF and corner spots. If you can play center, you can play a corner, but many corner OFs don’t have the physical tools to play center.
This is MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo’s prediction for the Yanks first pick.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....;fext=.jsp
“29. New York Yankees: Brett Jackson, OF, Cal-Berkeley
It’d be tempting to have the Yankees take a shot on Gibson, sort of like they did with Andrew Brackman a couple of years back. For now, we’ll stick with the toolsy college outfielder.”
Take it for what it is….somebody’s wild guesses.
I think a brief stint in the pen can do wonders for Phil if he succeeds. It will put him in some pressurized situations which could help build his confidence.
You also have to trust your stuff when you are pitching in those situations and you cannot nibble at the plate because your job is to throw strikes. It could end up helping the kid out.
With the way Hughes pitched last night will Francessa ask that he be moved to the 8th inning?
When the Yankees win another WS,maybe all the fans will calm down in the fan base,and stop all the snide snipping at each other,over meaningless comments.
Eight years in the wilderness,can play negative with any fan base. A win will help with the infighting.
The Yankees are finding ways to win,this will come in handy in post season.They’ve won 8 of 9 series losing only to the Phillies,this group of games.
Do you remember in years past,a lost would spiral into a slide.slump? The Yankees haven’t, in this series of games lost back to back games,They have found a way to WIN.
There is another article on Tony Lopez. Go to Yankees.com and select the article on the Yankee draft picks. Tony is #4 on this list and projected to go to Pittsburgh. The accompanying photo is a catcher. Don’t know BC colors but could guess it is Tony.
Absolutely