Ruminations on the roster
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 29, 2009 
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Jose Molina did some base-running drills before the game last night and joked afterward that he’s still not fast.
But he was able to run from second base to home with adequate enough speed to score on a single, which is all the Yankees really need him to do. Then he stood at the plate and made a series of strong throws to second base.
Molina will repeat that drill tomorrow and then the Yankees will decide when and where he goes on a rehab assignment. He will be ready to rejoin the team soon enough, maybe in a week or so.
What happens then?
Jorge Posada is the primary catcher, period. He’s not going to be the DH because the Yankees aren’t releasing or trading Hideki Matsui. Whether you agree with this notion or not, Posada is the catcher and Matsui is the DH.
When Molina is ready, he’ll be on the roster as he is one of the best backup catchers in the league. The pitchers love throwing to him, he knows the league and he’ll get you a double every now and then. They Yankees aren’t releasing him or trading him.
Could the Yankees carry three catchers? Maybe.
Now that Xavier Nady is done for the season, the outfield isn’t changing. It’ll be Johnny Damon, Nick Swisher, Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner.
Cody Ransom is sticking around to back up A-Rod and play wherever else they need him.
The decision comes down to keeping Cervelli or Ramiro Pena.
There are two schools of thought:
Keep three catchers: This would allow the Yankees to DH Posada a little more often and then pinch hit for Molina or Cervelli.
Keep Pena: He’s more versatile and a good pinch runner.
Or …
Plan C: Send Cervelli and Pena back to the minors. The rookies need to play and get at-bats instead of getting dusty on the bench in the majors. They’ll be back in September and probably on the team for good next season. Activate Molina and use the other roster spot to add a better pinch hitter, somebody like Shelley Duncan or John Rodriguez.
Or maybe you have your own plan.
Me? I send the kids down so they play, activate Molina and add a good bat.
your plan is reasonable but I keep pena and send down Cervelli….
I persoanlly prefer the Keep 3 Catchers approach, though I really like what Pena brings to the team. So my question is, why is it a given that Ransom sticks over Pena? I’m certainly not an expert but as far as I can tell Pena hits better, fields better and runs faster. What does Ransom have to offer that Pena doesn’t?
Send down Ransom, keep Pena and Cervelli.
I would keep the kids up. You could allow the whole infield to get a day off if needed and slot 3 quality players in. That’s including Ransom.
That list is very similar to the suppose fake ones that was going around the internet during the Mitchell Report. Then it was quickly taken off the internet. hmmmm
I think Pena is going to be a solid ML player eventually. The kid is excellent in the field and he truly has some good fundamentals in the batter’s box. He would benefit from some more development.
Plus, he isn’t the best bat off the bench. I’m a fan of bringing up John Rodriguez or Juan Miranda. Shelley has shown he can’t hit anything but fastballs, so let’s get what we can out of Miranda and Rodriguez.
The Yanks will activate Molina and send down Cervelli.
Barring another injury, the Yanks won’t call up either Duncan or JRod. They didn’t call them up when they were needed – why would they do it now?
pete is obsessed with getting shelly called up.
he’s not a good pinch hitter.
John Rodriguez has a hammy issue?
I keep Pena because he’s a defensive whiz kid. And Alex will need his rest. And Jeter will get knicked up. Or hit by yet another pitch. Ransom would be my “pop” off the bench along with Swisher. haha.
Cervelli has options, send him down to Scranton but keep him on speed dial.
Don’t cry for him Argentina (and ladies here), he’ll be back soon enough.
He filled in very well. But Mr. Doubles is coming back soon. No doubt Cervelli’s performance most likely means that Jose Molina won’t be here next season. Too bad, he seems to like it here, and the pitchers love him.
No choice but to send down Fransisco Cervelli. Yeah, I know he shows “grit” “energy” and all of the other tiresome descriptions that mean nothing. When it comes down to it, Molina is the slightly better player. The difference between the two isn’t really significant.
With A-Rod needing a day off every week, you keep Ransom and Pena so that one can play in the field on his days off. A-Rod can then come in the game in a pinch hit situation and you bring in the other to field for him. Jeter is also 35 and might need some days off every now and then.
Send down Cervelli, even though it pains me, he isn’t going to get enough playing time. Send down Ransom to and maybe activate a slugging pinch hitter. Pena deserves to stay and you can’t keep a catcher like Molina in AAA.
Pena and Cervelli need to be playing everyday. Send them down and get a back-up player that can plat infield or outfield like DeRosa. We could of given mote than Cards to get him (unless the PTBNL is named Pujols).
On this team, how often are you going to need a pinch hitter? As long as they can get Posada enough rest to keep him fresh, I’d keep Pena around for his glove and his legs.
Why not keep Pena up here? There’s no potential there. He is what he is, a nice utility infielder.
Girardi has already tipped his hand last week on what they’re going to do when Molina comes back.
Cervelli will get sent down because he talked about them not likely to carry three catchers and he talked about him playing everyday to improve his game.
Unless circumstances forces him to change his mind, that’s what is going to happen.
Cervelli down, Molina up.
And Molina isn’t getting traded.
You do not send down someone like Cervelli who is working as well as he is with pitchers (especially Joba and CC), can get good wood on the ball and seems to keep the spirits high in the locker room and on the bench. You could argue his solo HR was the spark that is carrying us on this run right now.
Anthony (NYC)
Larry Lucchino at a apperance in a baseball musuem commented that all the yankee gear on display was from so long ago obviously taking a shot at the yanks not winning it all since 2000 and couple that with John Henry twitter updates taking shot at tex and co are the red sox getting a little too confident in your opinion? i guess they have confidence now that Big Stein is out of commision.
Buster Olney
Anthony — personally, I think all that stuff was cheesy and classless. I thought it was when Steinbrenner was doing it, and I think it is now when the Red Sox are doing it.
This team has a nice mixture of vets & youngsters.
When the vets rest, you get great defense plus good bats off the bench.
Found out the forgotten name on the steroid list…Jose Veras
Keeping 3 catchers is a luxury, and Cervelli would almost never play. So, Cervelli should be sent down, for now. It makes sense to keep Pena, because as well as Alex is doing now, who plays if Alex needs an extended rest and Jeter or Cano get nicked up a bit? Ransom is the only utility infielder, other than Pena, right? So, even if Pena doesn’t get to play a lot, I think keeping him is a necessity because of ARod’s hip.
Pena isn’t a bat off the bench, but he can pinch run.
In a perfect world — ah, forget it. There is no perfect world!
Too bad there’s no PED that can make you throw in the vicinity of the plate.
I would DFA Matsui to keep the youth train going, but I know the Yankees Brass won’t do it.
You send Cervelli down. He needs daily AB’s.
He isn’t yet a finished product. He’s done a wonderful job filling in for Molina.
However, the goal is to develop him to be a starting catcher. At 23 years old, that’s a reasonable goal.
To do so, he needs to play everyday, which he will in AAA.
I definitely agree with you about Shelly Duncan. I think he would also bring the excitement and passion to the team that would be missing with Cervelli going back down.
Pete has the right idea. It’s the best for the team. Send the kids down, let them know they will return and add a bat off the bench. A bat with power at the very least.
plan C sounds good to me
I’m all for plan C. It makes perfect sense – with Nady out, we need some pop off the bench. It ain’t coming from Ransom, Cervelli or Melky/Gardner.
Cutting Matsui would not be wise at all.
Some AL team would pick him up at the minimum and the Yanks would be paying $13M for him to play for someone else.
Kind of like what Sheffield is doing for the Mets while the Tigers are paying his $14M salary.
Matsui can still hit and he’s not going to be with the club next season anyways. Might as well get what you can out of him. He’s still a force when he’s feeling good.
Despite everything, he’s still on pace to hit 20 dingers.
The options could depend on whether the Yanks want to take a look at Austin Jackson in September. Adding Duncan or Rodriguez to the 40-man takes that spot away from AJ, which doesn’t seem attractive. If I were to guess, Cervelli will be the odd man out; Pena is much more valuable as a utility player because of his ability to play multiple positions, bunt, and steal bases.
3 catchers helps the yankees immensely becuase in a big spot you can pinch hit with either matsui or posada (whoever ist he DH that day) on days that jorge doesn’t catch…Top nine leading off an inning down 1- you toss Jorge or Sui in there, pinch run with either Gardner or melky (whoever isn’t playing that day) and bring in Molina or Cervelli (again, whoever isn’t playing that day) to catch- That’s a lot of moves for 1 spot you could certainly argue, but in the American league with the type of lineup the Yankees will put out there, what else will the bench really contribute.
Now if there is an injury, you recallobrate- but that’s the way I would go-
Tough call. Pena probably says and Cervelli goes.
A power bat off the bench is a great idea. But Shelley Duncan is not the answer.
Unless you trade for that power bat, the options are here now.
Ransom has as much pop as Shelley Duncan, but unlike Shelley, Ransom has other uses.
And if you rest the vets on a regular, rotating schedule through the dog days of summer then you get the kids playing good defense on the field. And on any given day you have Posada, Damon, Rodriguez, Matsui, or if you can convince him, Jeter, coming off the bench.
On the Joe Girardi show (which I watched this morning), the question was asked about whether we’d see Austin Jackson this season and though Girardi did not give a time frame, he said there was a good chance Jackson would get the call up. He did not limit his statement by saying as a September call-up, and he emphasized that Jackson can fill in at all 3 outfield positions. They like what he is doing and are not concerned that the HRs aren’t there.
Wow, that outfield doesn’t exactly strike fear into an opposing pitcher, does it? I love having Pena as the backup, but Pete’s reasoning make sense. The kids are only a short trip away if needed. I wonder if Cashman is looking at picking up an outfielder with some pop?
The problem with calling up Duncon is that he hasn’t shown that he can hit without regular at bats. If he just gets 3 or 4 at bats a week he is not going to be productive.
Oops. Add Swisher to that list. He’s not a vet, more like a ‘tweener.
I can’t think of any possible way that Jose Molina is an upgrade over the Cisco Kid.
If being slower than a 3-toed sloth is an attribute, then he’s got that going for him.
He has a nice smile, I guess…
Keep Pena, send down Ransom. Promote Shelley Duncan. Keep Molina and send down Cervelli until September.
Cleveland must’ve wanted quite a bit for DeRosa. He would’ve fit the bill perfectly. Backup IF/OF with a good bat.
There is no way that is the real list. I have seen parts of the real list and its not full of superstars. A lot of small names punctuated by a few big ones, and it doesnt specify what they tested for anyways.
The difference between Molina and Cervelli is not big enough to kick a good player who’s a great guy to the curb.
I feel like Scrooge saying it but I don’t think Cisco is destined to be a starting catcher. He just doesn’t show enough with the bat. His decent BA of .269 obscures an OBP of .290 and SLG of .343 – that’s just not enough.
What’s worse, his numbers against RHP are .213BA, .245 OBP and .298 SLG. It’s hard to make it as a starter that way.
The Yanks will send Cervelli down when Molina is ready to go. Molina is actually a better hitter than Cervelli, and that’s saying something.
Molina can’t hit, we all know that.
But I think a lot of people forget how good Molina is defensively.
He’s the best defensive catcher on the team and he’s a far more experienced game-caller than Cervelli.
repost from last thread…
Jose Lima is on this list? Maybe his Winstrol was expired or something? Either that, or his dealer owes him a refund for faulty steroids.
One other factor to consider is that for the first time in a long time the Yankees don’t have a 40 man roster problem.
If I count correctly, they have only 39 players on that list now. Both Marte and Nady are on the 15 day DL and can just move to the 60 day DL if necessary. And Kevin Cash is still on the 40 man. That gives them 4 spots to play with, not even counting Tomko, who they also probably wouldn’t think twice about releasing if need be.
So, if there is a RH bat out there that can be had for younger prospects, the roster spot is there.
Keep 3 catchers…get rid of Ransom. Pena can play third and second and is more versatile than Ransom. Ransom has done nothing this year to distinguish himself.
I like Plan C. It makes the most sense. I honestly feel like these kids could be on our team in the future.
Molina is a better defensive catcher than Cervelli and better at calling games. Cervelli is a rookie and is not ready for the majors yet. Expose him too much and you’ll see what I mean. Allow him to develop in AAA and maybe, just maybe, he’ll be a starter one day. Molina is the best backup in the Majors for a reason. Cervelli is barely a backup right now – let’s be real here.
Cervelli goes down. Can’t afford to keep 3 catchers with all the chips and bruises and age etc.
Yanks might have a hand full of free agents coming off the books next winter that may never get signed becuse of injury and/or age. You know they have nearly 50$ mil coming off. I wouldn’t think they’re looking to spend all that. A good left fielder would be nice.
So what’s up with that list? Damon would be a bummer just as he’s a good guy.
I think DFA Brett Tomko would allow the Yankees to keep Ransom, Pena and Cervelli.
m -
I agree. Molina isn’t playing because he got hurt, not because he couldn’t do the job. Cervelli is a substitute – very, very good one, but a sub, nonetheless.
I think Pena, Cervelli & Tomko go down/away. Not sure who comes up. I do believe Jermaine Dye will be a Yankee soon.
Molina has been a good hitter THIS YEAR, but his career average is below Cervelli’s line right now. Cervelli is more likely to provide average, with less power and apparently no walking ability (despite walking in the minors)
Molina will provide low average, some doubles, and some walks
As far as where Molina gets his rehab assignments, I’d like to see him get 3 games at Tampa and 3 games at Trenton. That gives him some time to advise and work a couple of days with both Romine and Montero. He’d make a great catching instructor after his playing days are up. That actually would take him just about up to the All-Star break. Let him evaluate the progress of the two and give the front office/management an update.
One caveat for keeping Pena. I’d love to seem him get more play at short.
Sub out Jeter in blowouts, convince Jeter to take a fielding day off per week. The Yankees need to be firm with Jeter now, in order to ease any kind of transition plan later.
m –
Good luck with that!
Damon would be the least surprising on that list.
Cervelli has been up for 6 weeks and has more than that fat bastard has had in his career.”
I’m no Molina fan but he’s been better than Cervelli this year. Cervelli will ultimately hit better than Molina – not saying a lot – but I don’t think it will be as a regular.
Jerkface-
I was referring to this year.
Can we trade Shelley Duncan so his fans can STHU already. How anyone would think he’d help on this level above Jorge Vasquez from AA..please man.
While we’re on the topic, what ever happened to Humberto Sanchez?
If Damon is on that list, his arm isn’t.
Doreen,
I’m too much of a parent, huh? But you must be firm with kids. If they don’t hear the word “no” early on, you’ll end up with monsters.
Hey, Shane Victorino was just on espnews. I just want everyone to know that, in general, people in Hawaii don’t sound like him. Most of us are articulate and speak clearly.
gayle,
I read your post about being at the game and Mo being ackowledged. Thanks for that. Was it via p.a. system or video board?
Wave Your Hat
Don’t let the trolls and idiots get to you Wave. If they had something competent to say they wouldn’t try to ram it down your throat with crap!
I like your posts & ideas.
Keep the Molina dynasty represented in the Bronx, send Cervelli down where he can play regularly and develop into whatever he’s going to be.
Keep Pena as a permanent utility infielder, he already is what he’s going to be and he’s good at it, besides being young, cheap and well-behaved. We are going to need a reliable utility IF for as long as we have Jeter and A-Rod, might as well check that off our list now while a suitable guy is already on the spot.
we should send cervelli down & go with 2 catchers.
makes no sense to go with 3 at the expense of a bat or pen arm.
cervelli is back up when the rosters expand anyways.
i like the extra infielder but it is not needed.
we can go with only pena or ransom if needed,no big deal there.
the big question is do we get rid of tomko & who should take his place?
mcallister,ajax,duncan,etc….
do tex & arod need a day off even though we don’t play today or do we give them different days off soon??
should not have the same day off.
Good point GB7, we’ve suddenly got depth at the catcher position. It would be great to have Molina spread some of his knowledge around…
mike must be out of his mind of his mind if he thinks that the yanks are gonna have jeter play left next year with pena at short, cervelli at catcher and posada dhing…not happening at all
How about we try and judge Pena and Cervelli based on which player will help the team win more games?
I think you need Pena up here to rest Jeter and A-Rod. Jorge has Molina, Molina has Jorge. But Jeter and A-Rod need a good backup player so they can sit when they need to.
Plus, to be frank, I’m a big fan of Pena’s. Not to get all hysterical, but he reminds me of a young Jeter when Derek was first called up. Very similar body type and crispness of play.
What do you guys think?
Pettitte has actually pitched very very well this season on the road. He’s having major issues at home that he’ll have to overcome.
Home: 3-2, 5.77 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, .332 BAA
Road: 4-1, 2.79 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .228 BAA
He’s obviously much more comfortable pitching on the road this season and the stats clearly bear that out.
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And Vargas is much more comfy at home…
Home: 2-0, 1.67 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, .224 BAA
Road: 1-3, 5.86 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, .333 BAA
Jason’s got a bit of a swagger, but I gotta think the thought of the New YS has him quaking in his cleats
Speaking of reminding you of someone.
If you look at the slow mo of mo’s at bat. The ball he fouled off? He totally looks like Rios. Same build, similar facial features. Almost the same swing. lol.
Thanks, Rayvt.
tastic
June 29th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
While we’re on the topic, what ever happened to Humberto Sanchez?
————————————————————
H. Sanchez is pitching for the Yankees at Tampa.
Rayvt
June 29th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
I think Pena, Cervelli & Tomko go down/away. Not sure who comes up. I do believe Jermaine Dye will be a Yankee soon.
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what makes you think we get dye??
i would love it.i have him on my fantasy team along with hunter,bay,juston upton for my outfield & all of them are killing for me.
it would cost a fortune for him.
RalphieD (OPPC) June 29th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
mike must be out of his mind of his mind if he thinks that the yanks are gonna have jeter play left next year with pena at short, cervelli at catcher and posada dhing…not happening at all
———-
Unreal. Francesa really is clueless.
There’s a better chance that Cashman will sign me to be the starting shortstop next year than that scenario playing out.
Well, let’s face it, we were bound to get a troll on here today.
Its unfortunate the guy has to cuss out a regular poster here with nonsensical drivel but, that’s what makes him a troll.
Hopefully, Pete bans him.
Molina got ovexposed last year, but he’s a decent hitter part time and a damn fine defensive catcher. Cervelli has done a wonderful job and it’s time to go to Scranton and play every day. There is no reaosn on earth to carry a third catcher.
Until there is a legit bat/RF available I would keep both Pena and Ransom around. They give excellent flexibility in resting the regular infielders and can run coming off the bench.
the big question is IF Shelley Duncan is not good enough to be another bat where do the Yanks find one? It should be a RH hitter who is versatile… kinda like Mark DeRosa but not him.
Jeromy Burnitz abused steroids so bad he’s on the list twice.
Send Frankie down, let him play.
Leave Pena on the roster, I don’t think his ceiling is high enough that playing every day in AAA is going to help much. He’s a very good major league role player, though.
Then, in 2 weeks when Molina or Posada gets hurt again, you can bring Cervelli back up.
Can someone explain to me how the Soxs are already done with their west coast trip, when the Yankees still have to make 3 trips out west!?
Send down Cervelli and Ransom. Keep Pena and Molina. Call up Duncan for pinch hitting against lefties and the occasional outfield/1st base stint.
I’m with Pete. The kids need to play everyday so they’re not doomed to be bench players for the rest of their careers. Send them down, and bring up a respectable late-inning bat. We’re missing any real threat off the bench, which was one of the hallmarks of those great late-90s Yankee teams.
I don’t see what the big deal is about the west coast trips. Only team we should worry about is the LAA.
Noreaster
June 29th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Good point GB7, we’ve suddenly got depth at the catcher position. It would be great to have Molina spread some of his knowledge around…
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NYY will let Molina go at the end of the season, but, if I’m the Yanks, I’d offer him a coaching job when he’s had enough of backing up. He’s never going to get another 2 mil plus a year contract again.
The Yanks have a lot of young catchers and a lot of the are Latin. With the respect he garners from the Latin players, he’s a near perfect match….much like Tony Pena is.
Not sure of Posada’s future plans, but, with his money, like Jeter, I doubt that he wants to coach.
Whats with all the Shelley hate…He’s obviously not the next McGuire but he’s got pop and energy. I’d rather see him as our 25th guy then making a trade for someone elses.
For the record, I’d keep Pena on the bench since I don’t think it’s a good idea to only have 1 utility infielder. Especially when your left side of the infield is 35.
I brought it up since there was talk of a rh hitter to replace Nady.
Cervelli has got to go down, he needs XP. Having 3 catchers is pointless. The novelty of Cervelli will wear off soon enough.
Wave Your Hat
June 29th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
The Yanks will activate Molina and send down Cervelli.
Barring another injury, the Yanks won’t call up either Duncan or JRod. They didn’t call them up when they were needed – why would they do it now?
This makes the most sence to me.
Three catchers does not work unless Posada DHs 50% of the time.
Two extra infielders works OK some long as they both get some work. I think all the starters should get a little more time off; not just A-Rod.
francessa too in love with the angels.
our job is too win around 95 games or whatever the number that is needed to win the division & less for the wc.
if we get good pitching i do not fear the angels.
the rs,phillies & the rays worry me.
Peter Rabbit
Pena is okay. He has been a pleasant surprise, but he’s no Jeter. LOL! I know you didn’t mean he was the same level of a player. Pena is a typical good glove weak stick SS. He may develop into an adequate hitter, but lets not go Kevin Maas on him quite yet. A player like Pena gets exposed quickly. He needs to develop in AAA to see where his cap is really. Ransom is just as good a backup as Pena in the long run IMO. Pena & Cervelli will be back in September if not sooner. The Yankees need a RH everyday type hitter to bat 5th. Jermaine Dye type hitter that could play an OF position and allow some platooning for the other OF. Keeping Damon, Matsui & Swish fresh would help. Swish/Dye/Melky w/Damon rotating & Gardner as a backup/PR works for me. Also, Damon could be a DH 40 to 50% of time.
I don’t see what the big deal is about the west coast trips. Only team we should worry about is the LAA.
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I’m hopeful after this next series that opinion may change. Hopeful, not confident
Look how expensive DeRosa was – Chris Perez and a player to be named.
Mark Melancon is a close comparable to Chris Perez (maybe a little worse than Perez because Perez has performed in the majors), and rumor has it that the player to be named will be a good one.
DeRosa would have been useful, but if that’s the cost it’s a little high, isn’t it? I don’t think we are going to see the Yanks trade for a hitter of DeRosa’s or Nady’s caliber – we don’t need one that much unless we have another injury.
Send down Ransom and Cervelli and bring up Duncan. Alot of teams are looking for a bat right now so at the least they could showcase Duncan for a possible trade.
WYH, you are exactly right IMO. I didn’t think the need was that large anyway. Where would DeRosa get consistent AB’s? Out of Gardner, Melky, and Swisher it seems 1 is usually in a funk while the other two are hot. I think Girardi has gotten the best out of all three this year.
send cervelli down,keep ransom & pena,get rid of tomko,trade for a pen arm & a bat if needed or just bring a bat up.
i would love to get dye but it would cost way to much.
dye would make this lineup absolutely sick & if we ever got a good pen arm also look out.
i can see cash getting a pen arm but not dye also.
Love Cervelli, but it makes sense for him to go down. I keep Pena and Ransom over bringing up Shelley because you’re not really adding that much pop with him anyway, and the Yankees need someone to plug in on A-Rod’s off-days (if Girardi remembers he gets those) and if Jeter or Cano happen to need a day off you have another option. Plus you have more versatility with speed and players who can bunt. If this were the WWE I’d take Duncan, but I don’t think he brings much other than a good tackler.
Thanks for the reply Rayvt.
Based on what you wrote, this team really needed Nady. Essentially a right handed Cano. Man, I wanted that lineup.
Tomko’s spot is ripe for the taking with a decent trade. Robertson’s isn’t too secure either, especially since he has got options.
The Yanks will pull the trigger on something, they always do. My guess would be Huston Street. Helluva upgrade on those two. Question is, what do you have to give up for him?
There’s a great retrospective on Mo that espnews just played. It’ll probably play again.
Rayvt, that Dye possibility I like. If you are going to get another guy in the outfield it has to be a significant upgrade and that’s what Dye is.
street & dye would be great.
Anyone know if the AJ interview is still up on WFAN site? I won’t be able to check it until later. Thanks!
I think it’s great that so many players/coaches are encouraging AJ to throw his change more and that he seems willing to do it. I have no idea if he refused out of sheer stubborness or if he actually thought it wasn’t that good of a pitch for him – I’d like to think more of the latter, but who really knows? Interestingly, AJ seems to put a ton of stock in what CC says – not a surprise. From all reports, they’re very close and you can tell that AJ respects CC a great deal. He’s mentioned before that one thing he wished for in Florida was a veteran presence to guide him and the rest of the youngsters. I like that he’s mentoring the kids, but again interestingly, he seems to recognize that maybe he needs a bit of mentoring himself. Hey, whatever it takes to bring his innate talent out on a more consistent basis.
Carrying 3 catchers is not real smart.
What the Yanks really need is a RH bat off the bench now that Nady is not gonna be back.
I think Cervelli brings much more to the table than Molina, but they won’t release Molina. So send Cervelli down and wait for Molina to pull a hammy again, which won’t be long I’m sure.
Send Cervelli down. I think Pena needs to remain with the Yankees. I’m not sold that Cody Ransom can play shortstop when Jeter needs a break…and Jeter will need days off from time to time in July/August.
When Molina is ready Cervelli probably goes down.
What ever the case, I think Posada should catch no more than 2 out of 3, 4 out of 6 games and DH once per week.
A-Rod could use 1-1/2 days per week; play 4 of 6 in the field and DH 1 of 6.
Jeter, Canno, and Tex should play 6 out of every 7; at least getting a day off in a week that there are 7 games.
The 4 outfielders should all play about the same amount which would equate to 3 of 4 days.
I don’t think Joe gives the regulars enough time to stay fresh. The team is healthy now, let’s keep it that way…
francessa loves ripping the yankees.
is he a yankee fan?
if he is it sounds like he is mad that the rs are better or have been doing better.
how about having faith in your team.
we are right there with them & just need to make a move or two to get ahead of them.
a bat & a pen arm will go a long way.
i am happy with street alone but a big bat like dye puts us ahead imo especially with lowell hurting.
Don’t look for the Yankees to take on significant salary because its not happening.
Dye=significant salary.
A relief pitcher=less salary to pick up and it fills a greater need.
NYY isn’t likely to unload a ton of talent to get both Dye and Street. Dye is a FA and NYY won’t resign a 36 year old outfielder that isn’t just a lot better on defense than Swisher is. Street would be fine, but, not at the expense of Melancon in the mix. Dunn, Kroenke and maybe Nova or Noesi.
Betsy-it’s there:
http://www.wfan.com/pages/223566.php
Can anyone fill me in on why Ransom is getting an automatic spot? He was playing pretty poorly before he got injured, I can’t imagine why anyone would expect him to step his game up now. Why not keep Pena around and use him to spell ARod, Cano, and Jeter as well?
i agree.dye will cost way too much in money & prospects.
ok.street it is.
bring him on & call up a bat.
You all realize Colorado is .5 games out the WC right now, no?
Street isn’t going anywhere.
The best answers to the Yanks bullpen are in the organization right now.
My guess is the Rockies’ fan sites aren’t demanding that Colorado trade Street. The Rockies are a game back of the wild card – why in the world would they trade their closer now?
Just don’t see it.
Is that list of players who tested true? I’m not suprised by one name on there, but do feel a little vindication on the amount of BoSox.
As others have been saying, A-Rod needs to be the DH. I just read moneyball and at the end billy beane says that if he were to have become gm of the red sox he would have “permanently requisitioned manny ramirez’ glove.” you could make the same argument for requisitioning a-rod’s glove even when he is healthy–his hitting is far more vauable to the team than his fielding (even if he is valuable defnsivey) and the defense is not worth the risk. now that he is not healthy, ti is definitely not worth the risk. what they do for matsui for one year is of little importance compared to protecting the value of a-rod’s contract. trade matsui, even fi he doesn’t have much value. or keep him as a pinch hitter. or let him dh the days a-rod has off… who cares, just make a-rod the dh.
Wave Your Hat June 29th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
My guess is the Rockies’ fan sites aren’t demanding that Colorado trade Street. The Rockies are a game back of the wild card – why in the world would they trade their closer now?
———————
They won’t.
This is just another example of a rumor being put out there and everyone latching onto a name and beating it into the ground whether it makes sense or not.
Besides, he’s not even nearly as good as some of these people think he is.
AROD fan…his defense was stellar over the Mets series, esp yesterday…do you have a better 3b in the fold? I don’t get the constant slobbering over Billy Beane…yeah the A’s are decent every year, but is the guy winning championships left and right for all the genious talk he gets? not exactly…
The CWS need a 3B & a Starting Pitcher. They have Scott Podsednik (LF/CF), Carlos Quentin (LF/RF) & Brian Anderson (CF) and a rookie named DeWayne Wise (all 3 OF spots). Also Josh Fields could play some OF in RF or LF.
I believe Jermaine Dye is a FA after this year so he would be a rental. A team like the Nationals could be the 3rd team and supply a player like Kearns and Milledge for contract relief and some prospects. Maybe even Igawa!
DB June 29th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Is that list of players who tested true? I’m not suprised by one name on there, but do feel a little vindication on the amount of BoSox.
=================================
Right now file that list under rumor.
Congrats to Mo on his 500th save.
“I don’t get the constant slobbering over Billy Beane…yeah the A’s are decent every year, but is the guy winning championships left and right for all the genious talk he gets?”
On a $ per win basis Beane does pretty well. I like Cashman OK but I think I’d swap Cashman for Beane straight up, how about you?
Brett Gardner really a ROY candidate? Anyone really think he could keep up his current numbers? My heart tells me yes, but my more sensible side says no chance.
Hokiehill June 29th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I don’t get the constant slobbering over Billy Beane…yeah the A’s are decent every year, but is the guy winning championships left and right for all the genious talk he gets? not exactly…
————————
Aside from when he had Mulder/Zito/Hudson, his teams have been downright dreadful. Everyone just liked to buy into the whole “moneyball” thing because it sounded so smart and they wanted to be smart too.
In reality it is a deeply flawed way of running a baseball team. For all his “OBP” genious, how many hitters of any worth has that system provided? Giambi? Tejada? That’s about it.
Pauly -
Ransom is a nice player as a fill-in, utility guy. He is not an everyday player, which is what he was asked to be when ARod was out. He’s fine for the role he has. And he has some power, which Pena does not.
Brett may be the ultimate streak hitter 5-6 and 0-5 two consecutive games. Wow.
WYH, you can keep Beane. Yanks aren’t about $ per win. They are about winning Championships for which Cashman has 4 and Beane has 0.
there is something to be said for Beane to have the success he’s had for the money, but I think they hype surrounding the guy is borderline absurd. that’s just my opinion.
Inbox: Should Hughes stay in the ‘pen? Beat reporter Bryan Hoch answers fans’ questions:
http://tinyurl.com/lv6wdf
The Yankees have to keep their salary under the cap for Lebron in 2010. Doncha guys know anything!
Keep Ransome and Molina and send down Cervelli and Pena? I disagree.
I think the Mets, when faced with a similar situation, gave the matter more thought and made the correct (if somewhat gutsy) call when they kept Santos and traded Castro. They saw a talented young catcher who had the potential to do a great job for them far into the future and was ready, if not to start every day right now, then certainly to step into the second catcher spot and share the job. They decided to go with future potential rather than keep on a journeyman whose potential is already well known.
I hope the Yanks do the same — in both these cases.
Ransom’s only value is that he can play third to give Arod a rest. What we need is another Luis Sojo super utility guy off of the bench.
SJ
I understand the no more $$$ issue for the Yanks, but they are desperate for a Hitter that can play a field position. Dye can hit and is a power threat, can provide protection to ARod. Also, will lessen the strain on Matsui and Damon.
I believe some contracts could be swapped/mitigated as well. Perhaps Igawa goes to Washington.
I agree on Street. I don’t see the Rockies moving him. They’ve won 20 of 23 I think. The NL as a whole is awful, espeicallly with the way that the cubs, mets and phillies are playing.
For a mid-market team the opportunity cost of trading street is just too high. They could always unload him in the off season. Sure they’ll probably get less for him given what he’ll get in arbitration but that difference in talent is unlikely to make up for the opportunity cost of a crack at going to the series.
Mid-market teams set themselves up and jump through hoops to try to put themselves in a position to have a season like the one colorado is having. They just can’t squander that opportunity, especially given how often injured Tulowitski is. He’s healthy this season. They need to take their shot. If they don’t do it this year they may as well not bothering to compete.
SJ — Hasn’t the experience regarding Mark Teixiera broken you of trying to draw a payroll limit for the Yanks? lol
GB 7 — I agree getting both would be very costly in terms of prospects because the Chisox are still contenders. If they want an impact bat look for possible salary dumps…
Personally I’d love to pry Ty Wigginton from Baltimore
AROD fan,
$32 million per year DH???? I don’t think so.
DB-
Look, this isn’t an A’s fan site and down deep I really don’t care one way or the other, but from 1999 to 2006 Beane’s A’s finished 1st or 2nd every year, 4 first place finishes and 5 post-season appearances.
Given the payroll he was working with, Beane did a fantastic job. If you let him have the Yankee payroll to play with, I suspect Beane would be a Hall of Famer.
Beane is a great GM because he puts together contending teams with a small payroll and does it by looking at market inefficiencies and capitalizing on them. Look at the hauls he gets back in his trades.
He recognized that defense was being undervalued a few years ago and put together a great defensive team, just like when players who just got on base no matter what were being undervalued and he was able to draft/acquire them.
Beane is a good GM but so are many others. I think if you gave Billy Beane the yankees payroll you’d have a goddamn monster team on your hands.
“Aside from when he had Mulder/Zito/Hudson, his teams have been downright dreadful. Everyone just liked to buy into the whole “moneyball” thing because it sounded so smart and they wanted to be smart too.
In reality it is a deeply flawed way of running a baseball team. For all his “OBP” genious, how many hitters of any worth has that system provided? Giambi? Tejada? That’s about it.”
Nick Swisher has an .873 OPS this season. To those who say he’s done nothing, you do realize that he doesn’t have the money to keep his good players, right? That’s kind of the point of the unfair game part. Not really fair to compare Beane to Cashman considering the payroll difference.
86w183
June 29th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
SJ — Hasn’t the experience regarding Mark Teixiera broken you of trying to draw a payroll limit for the Yanks? lol
GB 7 — I agree getting both would be very costly in terms of prospects because the Chisox are still contenders. If they want an impact bat look for possible salary dumps…
Personally I’d love to pry Ty Wigginton from Baltimore
————————————————————
Wigginton would be the answer to a “poor man’s” version of Derosa. Now comes the big issue. Is everybody ok with a couple of my friends from an agency going to have a “friendly conversation” with Angelos about the wisdom, not to mention, health of his pet dog and horses, about dealing with the Yankees?
WYH -
But if you give Beane the Yankees $$, does he still do “money ball?” Or does he do what the Yankees already do?
I think Matsui can help alot of teams down the stretch as a DH. I think if the Yanks are determined a trade can be made.
Just like some players aren’t cut out for NYC managers and front office types may not be either. Beane might wilt under the pressure here after an entire career of NEVER having to win anything.
I’m not downgrading the job he’s done, but when you can always make moves for the long term and never have short term pressure you are in a completely different realm of decision making.
“On a $ per win basis Beane does pretty well. I like Cashman OK but I think I’d swap Cashman for Beane straight up, how about you?”
That might be the case. But I do think that a real case can be made for Beane adjusting very poorly to changes in the game in ways that would be concerning.
His approach towards using statistical analysis to find “market inefficiencies” is no longer a strategic advantage. The barrier to entry was far too low and now most if not all teams do some of it.
Beane was very slow to adjust and see that the market was becoming more efficient as teams borrowed his approaches (and as his lietenants became GM’s themselves…). He didn’t move fast enough to identify the new inefficiencies that were developing until the winter before last.
The A’s are building back up their talent base and how these teams do will say a lot about how Beane is able to set up a talent evaluation system.
He decided to spend $4.25M on Ynoa and to trade for Holliday. Let’s see.
No 86 because the drop in ticket sales and revenue for every team, including the Yankees, is very steep this year.
Going into the season, I doubt anybody would from the Yankees would tell you they would have exactly ONE home sellout since Opening Day.
Or, that Bank of America would pull almost 80% of its sponsorship….in excess of 20 million dollars.
The Yankees, unlike other teams, aren’t maxed out from a finance standpoint. The Rockies and D’backs for example, are. Both teams are really hurting financially and that may play a role in what both teams do at the deadline.
I don’t see the Yankees taking on significant payroll the rest of the way. Five-Seven million? Yes. Over 10 million? Doubtful.
WYH -
And not just the Yankees $$, but the Yankees. In NYC. With the media scrutiny and the demanding fanbase.
Money ball only seems to work in Florida.
DB: Where did you see that “leaked list” of players?
Anyway you trade Molina??
there is some reason why girardi likes cody ransom and i have no idea why. i would keep pena for late inning defense.
Beane is also moving away from the Moneyball philosophy.
The way they are scouting and evaluating players, at least at the amateur level, is completely different than it was 6-8 years ago.
I think he is a good GM. The best in baseball? No.
If he was the Yankees GM? He would spend just like Cashman because he can. I don’t know a GM in the world who gives back some of his payroll! lol
If you have it, you use it. If not, you lose it because ownership will pull back. Especially if you win with less. That’s usually how it works in baseball.
Beane is a great GM. Or was. What’s happened lately? Not much. They haven’t been able to knock off the Angels or grab the wild card while in a weak division.
Yeah, Cashman has a blank check, but with the exception of one year, we’ve been in the postseason every year while competing in the best division in baseball.
The unfortunate reality is you have to spend to compete in baseball. The Red Sox didn’t win until they started doing it. The Rays went on a spending spree (haha) and made it to the world series. The Angels spend. The Tigers spend to keep up with the Sox and Yankees.
Just win one for the dynasty players, get the monkey off the back, and then we can actually field a team without feeling the pressure to pay every position player $20M a year.
Doreen-
“Moneyball” was not about on base percentage. That was just the example Michael Lewis publicized. Jerkface had it right in his post above – Beane was about capitalizing on market inefficiencies. On base percentage was at the time undervalued. Something else is probably undervalues today.
Put another way, Beane is good at “buying low, selling high”. That’s always a winning approach.
Fair enough wyh, but who’s to say he makes the same moves when given a larger payroll? Do they keep Giambi and all their starters? Then what do those teams do?
I’d keep Matsui. What’s one more over-the-hill bat in this lineup anyway? Boston plays 4 last place teams from here until the all star break. 10 at home! Expect to be 10 out in 2 weeks!
Go Go Godzilla!
the things that have made Beane a great GM for the A’s (his whole moneyball approach) just don’t apply to the Yankees and the way their team has been run. If you tell me I can have Cashman and the willingness of the front office to spend money on marquee names or Beane and his money ball then it’s no debate and I take Cashman. The question really is, how would Beane use the money and would he be able to handle expectations of getting to and winning the WS every year as opposed to just having a good team…also, let’s remember he would have to do this against AL East competition…
And another thing. Cashman would never, ever be able to make the moves that Beane makes. Which is to move a player when he’s most valuable, rather than wait for his contract to expire like the Yankees do.
The Yankees, for the most part, have been loyal to their players, at least in the last 15 years.
Jerkface
You are probably right about Beane. Although I wonder what kind of scrutiny he would have doing some of the things he has done if he were with the Yanks or Red Sox.
Because he traded stars for prospects, he had a wealth of prospects to choose from to be stars. He has had his share of busts as well and bad contracts. Chavez comes to mind.
Personally I like his style, and think RSox & Yanks emulate him more now than in years past and are stockpiling talented players.
But the Yankees have built from within adding FA stars to put them over the top. If it weren’t for the core of players brought in especially by Stick the Yanks would be suffering.
C-Posada
1B-
2B-Cano
SS-Jeter
3B-
OF-
OF-Cabrera
OF-Gardner
DH-(Matsui)
SP-
SP-
SP-Pettite
SP-Wang
SP-Joba
SP/RP-Hughes
CL-Rivera
RP-Coke
RP-Aceves
RP-others
BU-Cervelli/Pena
Also remember Soriano was used to trade for ARod.
Can Molina just stay injured?
There’s a difference between trading with the Yanks and trading with the A’s. Everyone knows that Beane will trade any said player making over 7 mil a year. These guys know that if NYY gets a player, the other teams have to deal with that for years.
If you think that Beane could make those types of deals with the Yanks, in a much tougher division, you’re mistaken. Teams will basically trade with NYY because of money. The Yanks have a lot of players that other teams want, but, Cashman has stopped that drain on the system. Beane’s standing order is to “win as much as you can with no money. Your job is safe.” There is no pressure on him to win it all.
Actually, Gene Michael and Buck Showalter were applying the same “Moneyball” principles to the Yankees as far back as the early 90′s.
Stick was always a guy who felt OBP and OPS were better indications of offensive ability than just BA or RBI on its face.
He just didn’t write a best selling book about it.
Also, Billy Beane is a cheap idiot. In the recent past, he hasn’t even cared about winning championships. I would be ashamed if I were a fan of the Oakland A’s right now.
As we near mid-season a $ 5-7 Million acquisition would be a guy with an annual salary of $ 10-14 Million. That would be right there for Dye, though I don’t expect that to happen.
Mentioned Michael Wuertz the other day as a bullpen possibility. Also had a good arm and this year is throwing more strikes thus has a 2.86 ERA.
finally a smart caller going at it with francessa comparing yankees prospects with the rs prospects.
and who the crap is this hunter jones guy???
pedroi is not better than cano.
i’ll take cano’s hr’s & rbi’s over pedroia’s any day.
the rs havn’t produced a ss,catcher.the yankees have up til now.
he mentions bard & bowden but not joba,hughes,pena,cervelli,gardner,melky.
until bard,bowden,jones show me they have staying power i am not convinced.
don’t forget the yankees just recently built up their farm system after years of neglect.
in time i think they are even or ahead of the rs & that is only after a few brief years of the yankees investing in their system.
the yankees are producing a ton of players now & do not get enough credit for it.
look at the catching position that the rs have none.
if hughes & joba turn into great pitchers & we can develope 1 great pen arm we are even or blow the rs away.
as far as the genious moves Beane makes, just look at Giambi…yeah he’s cheaper this year, but even so, Cashman would take a beating for signing Giambi again this season even at whatever price the A’s are paying…Beane looks great compared to the expectations, but the expectations are way below those of Cashman and the Yankees front office
GB7-
Maybe a little “arm twisting” would get us Nick Markakis!!
Any interest in these players, some who are free agents at the end of the season? What would it take.
Jose Valverde
Chone Figgins
Josh Willingham
Jack Wilson
Sorry about my last post. It made more sense when I was typing it than it did after I hit the “send” button.
I didn’t start this argument to say Beane is a bad GM, obviously he fits his situation perfectly and has done a fine job…I just don’t get how he become some mythological figure to some baseball “analysts” and fans when the guy really hasn’t accomplished that much when you compare him the league as a whole as opposed to just the A’s expectations. And it was probably a smart move to pull the plug on that movie…sounds terribly boring
The A’s drafts for years under Beane were horrible. Until they decided to gut the team and trade Dan Haren their system was completely devoid of young talent and was one of the lesser systems in baseball.
Beane didn’t see the way the game was changing and that was reflected in the way he continued to draft and the limited minor league development oakland had for a long time.
He’s now turning trying to orient the team in a very different direction but the book is out whether or not he will be as adept as exploiting what he perceives to be new market inefficiencies.
As a systematic approach what he’s doing right now isn’t particularly innovative and I’m not sure how it’s going to play out.
For example, giving Ynoa $4.25M is Beanse saying that the international free agent market for talent is relatively undervalued and that the best way to exploit this inefficiency is to concentrate my assets on this one player rather than doing what the yanks and sox generally do – spread their budgets over many international players.
Again, we’ll see. How Beane does long term is completely wrapped up in how the young pitchers in the A’s system do and how he tries to catch up developing young position players. Daric Barton proved to be awful so far and he was their big hitting prospect. Cahill, Anderson, etc. have had their ups and downs like young pitchers do.
For all you Cashman haters out there don’t forget he was the main reason why Tex is a Yankee. Tex said he was blown away by Cashman’s presentation, knowing his choice in music then Cashman sold the Steinbrenners to swoop in and get him.
I got this e-mail, if anyone is interested in Saving Gate 2.:
“Many have asked us what they can do to assist in our effort to preserve old Yankee Stadium Gate 2. We do have an upcoming event at Gate 2 scheduled for this Tuesday, June 30, 2009 from 4 to 7 PM. Our group will be gathering there to answer questions and hand out information cards to disseminate our message further.
Earlier that day, our group will be doing an Internet radio show dedicated to Saving Gate 2 from 11 AM to 1 PM. This is Baseball Digest Live hosted by Mark Healey. So if you can listen in to that (or listen to the archived version later on), that would be great.
Below is an announcement message of the Gate 2 event that we have forwarded to others. Also attached to this email are flyers for the Radio show and Gate 2 event. Please feel free to pass these on to others.
Regards,
Mark & Save the Yankee Gate 2 Committee
Pre-Game Event at
Old Yankee Stadium
- Gate 2 –
Tuesday, June 30, 4-7 pm
_____________________________
Baseball fans, historians & historic preservationists, from around the country, will be joining Yankee fans and concerned citizens from all over New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, for a Tribute & Celebration in a show of support for saving Gate 2, an original part of old Yankee Stadium as a memorial in honor of the greatest arena in American history.
Gate 2 is located directly across East 161st Street from the new Stadium. The Yankees play the Seattle Mariners at 7:05 PM. Please join us for this event.
Save the Yankee Gate 2 Committee
This is the final year of Molina’s 2-year deal. Cashman will decide in the offseason whether to sign him to a 1-year deal or feel Cervelli is ready to assume the backup role to Jorge.
Matsui figures to be gone after this year so Jorge will see even less time behinh the plate and more as a DH in 2010.
new post
Just for the record, I said I liked Cashman. I have never been a Cashman hater. I said I’d trade him straight up for Beane. I like Tex but I’d trade him straight up for Pujols.
And I thought the reason Cashman got Tex is because I argued so hard for it over the winter!
Oakland A’s-Birthplace of steroids on the west coast.
Master: Jose Canseco
Pupils: Mark Mcgwire
Jason Giambi
Miguel Tejada
Yankee Trader
June 29th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
GB7-
Maybe a little “arm twisting” would get us Nick Markakis!!
Any interest in these players, some who are free agents at the end of the season? What would it take.
Jose Valverde
Chone Figgins
Josh Willingham
Jack Wilson
————————————————————
I’ll get word out to the gang immediately.
As for your list of four, not sure that NYY could use Figgins. He’s too good to use as a part timer and not good enough to replace the full timers. As a center fielder, he’d be a Cabrera/Gardner at 10 times the cost. The others aren’t versatile or defensively good enough. Not thrilled about Valverde, who’s not as good as Street, but, ‘Zona will ask for just as much.
It wasn’t neglect that killed the Yankees farm system, it was the gross incompetence of the Tampa Mafia that produced a conga line of failed high draft picks.
From 2000 thru 2005 the Yankees got a total of TWO major leaguers out of those drafts. Phil Hughes and Brett Gardner.
By comparison the Tankees have had four players from the 2006 draft pitch in the big leagues already and that doesn’t include Zac McAllister or Dellin Betances.
The NY Yankees are a 8th inning quality arm away from being a very serious team to be playing baseball the week of Halloween…..They haven’t spent this money and they haven’t come this far to just roll the dice on what they currently have….A World Series Championship Banner flying atop of the new Stadium is worth way more than 10 million bucks…..Besides the Yanks have a posse of scouts hanging out at the Rockies game…Colorado will fade soon, they are not a playoff contender……GB, Molina as the organizations catching instructor would be a coup….
Ramiro Pena needs to play every day in the minors? Seriously? Like he is any kind of prospect? He’s a useful Utility infielder on the MLB level and that’s it, exactly the type of role he’s been used for this year. This post makes it sound like he’s some kind of blue chipper. Same with Cervelli.
How about Plan D? Send down Ransom and keep Pena and Cervelli.
I thought I read recently that the Yankees are out of options with Pena and they thought enough of him to release Veras instead. If that is true (someone correct me if I’m wrong), I would send down Cervelli and see what Pena can do for the rest of the season. They’ll all be back soon enough when they expand the teams to the full 40.
As much as I will miss those two, I vote for Plan C. It’s in everyone’s best interest.
Nice breakdown Pete!
there is absolutely no reason to keep cody ransom in the major leagues. pena is a much more capable fielder, can hit from either side of the plate (albeit poorly, but it’s not like ransom lights the world on fire ever) and has nice speed off the bench.
ransom has nothing keeping him on the roster outside of service time, and if joe torre taught me anything it’s that a bad player is bad whether they have experience or not.
Keep Pena and Cervelli and send down Ransom.
I adore Frankie Cervelli. I love his hustle and his enthusiasm, his speed (!) and his defense. And he’s a much better hitter than most thought. He’ll get better at bat over time; he’s a ROOKIE fer PeteAbe’s sake. I think his development this year probably means Molina won’t be back next year. But as much as I’d love to see him stay now, he needs to play more to keep developing, and the only place he’ll get that is SWB. But they should buy him a discount pass on the Chris Britton Express because if either catcher gets hurt again, Cervelli comes back to the bigs. And if he finishes the AAA year in SWB, I fully expect him to be called up as soon as that season’s over. (Along with AJax.)
Pena? Send him down *only* if they can replace him with someone who can fill in at 2B-SS-3B, and hopefully in the OF too — but the Yankees need someone *besides* Ransom who can sub in for A-Rod or Jeet or Cano, because those three are going to *need* days off.
Trade Molina for minor leaguer? Is that possible?
Girardi already said on WFAN that they will not carry 3 catchers.
The Yankees are succeeding with Pena and Cervelli. It’s dumb to mess with success. OTOH, this team isn’t particularly well run, so I’m confident that they will do something dumb.
they should keep pena, because we need the speed. cervelli will be back soon enough, and catching everyday will only help him.
First thing we have to do is say goodbye to Hideki Matsui. This opens the Dh roll for Nick Swisher and occasionally Jorge Posada. Next, We have to move Johnny Damon from the second spot in the batting order to fifth where he can protect A-Rod. Move Swisher to 2nd in the order. Now its time to package Melkey and Robinson Cano and Jose Molina for a top notch offensive and defensive Rightfielder. Keep Cisco Cervelli and Ramiro Pena on our major league roster. Bring up Kevin Russo to replace Cano. Bring up Shelley Duncan for some versatility and puch off the bench. Keep Brett Gardner as our everyday Centerfielder. Finally, after these moves are made, sit back and enjoy a CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.
I think they need another option off the bench now that we have cody random here, they should send down Ramiro Pena and bring up Shelly Duncan, they need to have a better bench.
Personally, I would send Molina down. I see no reason to do otherwise. Cervelli has stepped right in, has a better stick than Molina and is more than adequate behind the plate. It also seems to me that the pitchers have grown to trust Cervelli, so why not? The future has to start sometime. I’ve always believed the best players should play and in this case Cervelli is the superior player.
Why isn’t the immediate thought to DFA CODY RANSOM? He’s an absolute travesty at everything he does, whether its batting or fielding. Why can’t Pena just be the backup infielder? Don’t give me that veteran BS.
Ransom down, should be a no-brainer.
Arno
June 29th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I thought I read recently that the Yankees are out of options with Pena and they thought enough of him to release Veras instead. If that is true (someone correct me if I’m wrong), I would send down Cervelli and see what Pena can do for the rest of the season. They’ll all be back soon enough when they expand the teams to the full 40.
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I think you got a bad source. I haven’t read or heard that anywhere. I think they got plenty of options with him. Are you thinking of Ransom maybe?
The Yankees are succeeding with Pena and Cervelli. It’s dumb to mess with success. OTOH, this team isn’t particularly well run, so I’m confident that they will do something dumb.
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Don’t fix it, if its not broke.
I think Cervelli and Pena both have potential to become starters. I’m saying they will because you don’t want to get your hopes up but from what they displayed, their futures are bright.
I meant to say “I’m NOT saying they will…”