Position player notes from Mark Newman
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Dec 30, 2009 
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Here are a few leftover notes from vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman. Some are related to the minor leagues, some to the big leagues. I also have some leftover pitching notes that I’ll post a bit later.
By the way, this came from what was supposed to be a five minute conversation last week about Jesus Montero. I just wanted to confirm the Yankees’ plans to have Montero open the season in Triple-A. Then Newman and I talked about the infielders on the 40-man. Then we kept talking for another 20 minutes. Every time I post something about the minor leagues, I seem to get at least one email telling me I’m not in Scranton any more and I shouldn’t be writing about the minor league system. But I tend to think this stuff is worth knowing, and especially on a fairly slow day like today, it can bring a different perspective to a major league issue, such as…
• I’ve read some concerns about Brett Gardner’s jumps in center field. Newman acknowledged that Gardner occasionally took bad routes, but he said that’s nothing new. He said he saw the same thing when Melky Cabrera and Bernie Williams first got to the big leagues. “We can simulate everything in the minor leagues except the three decks,” Newman said. That third deck makes the ball difficult to track, and it takes some getting used to.
• Last weekend, Juan Miranda began playing again in the Dominican. I read several times that he was injured, but Newman said that was never the case. He said Miranda’s team simply brought in one of the local favorites to play first base. “I think they brought in one of their superstar guys,” Newman said. “But (Miranda) played well.” Through 13 games, Miranda has a .409 average with two home runs and 11 RBI.
• Rule 5 pick Jamie Hoffmann can play all three outfield spots, but Newman said he profiles best as a right fielder. “Our guys have scouted him,” Newman said. “He’s a big guy that can run. He’s a toolsy guy. I hope we can keep him because I really like the guy.”
• There’s not much upper-level outfield depth in the Yankees system, which means Triple-A outfielder Colin Curtis could play a role next season. The good news is, Curtis destroyed the Arizona Fall League with a .397 average, .472 on-base and five home runs. That’s an offensive league, but still, those are great numbers.
“He’s been experimenting with his setup a little bit,” Newman said. “How much flex in his legs. How low his center of gravity should be. Sometimes he gets a little lower than others. Recently he hasn’t used quite as much flex. He led the league in OPS. Everything being relative, relative to the rest of the league, he was still really good.”
• I wrote this last week in the post about Montero opening in Triple-A, but for those who follow the minor league system closely, it’s worth repeating because of the enormous depth behind the plate. This is how Newman said the minor league starting catching situation is likely to stack up on opening day:
Triple-A: Jesus Montero
Double-A: Austin Romine
High-A: undefined
Low-A: Kyle Higashioka
Extended ST: Gary Sanchez and J.R. Murphy
Obviously, there will be others mixed into different roles (P.J. Pilittere, Kyle Anson, Jose Gil, Mitch Abeita) but those are five are the biggest name catchers in the system, and they’ll be spread throughout the organization. It’s a pretty good situation.
Chad, you magnificent bastard!
Posts like this show why this blog is hands down the best Yankee one on the net. And, not to mention, light years ahead of where it was this time last year!
Great info!
Thanks Chad, to us prospect enthusiasts/mavens/nuts this stuff is gold. From my POV please feel free to post it anytime and anticipate that will be greatly appreciated (as is all the other great stuff you guys provide us for not one thin dime)!
Chad,
PLEASE don’t listen to anybody who says to skip the minor league info. This stuff is great. If they don’t like it, then skip that post.
I don’t know why anyone would want you to stop posting Minor League stuff. This is good stuff we can’t get from anywhere else. It adds another dimension to the blog. Keep up the good work Chad!
I doubt you are going by votes, by mine is to keep doing what you are doing and post the minor league information you have. In one way or another, what is going on in the minor leagues affects what is going on with the New York Yankees.
I just want to say that the true Yankees/baseball devotees among us truly appreciate the minor league analysis. If you care about the Yankees’ future and if you love to watch baseball, you understand that the major leagues are just one part of the equation, albeit the most significant one, of course.
Chad, ignore those who tell you to stop with the minor-league updates. These kids are future Yankees and I’m sure most of us love your insight. The next time you speak to Mark Newman, can you ask him if the Yankees plan on trying Romine in the OF? If Montero is going to be the future catcher, either Romine converts or he’s traded. It would be a shame to trade him just because he has the bad luck to play a position that maybe the best hitting prospect in the minors plays, in the same organization. It sounds like he’s an athletic kid who can really hit….and the Yankees can use an OF prospect.
How old is Colin Curtis? From what I’ve read, he sounds like a future 5th or 6th OF and not a real prospect.
We already have a RF, so it would be better if the Yankees could make a LF out of Hoffman……
Chad ;
It’s good that you remain having good communication with Mark Newman.
Yankee fans are always interested in what goes on with prospects and how he views their progress.
Chad, please keep posting about the minor leaguers. They are very important and since late 2005, Cashman has increased the value and importance too.
How old are Higashioka, Sanchez and Murphy? This is where the problem comes from having drafted too many catchers. By the time these kids reach the point where they are tradable commodities (meaning probably AAA), 4 years or so will have passed. They can’t help us now, they can’t help us even as trading chips now….so I don’t see any benefit to having all these catchers. The Yankees should have drafted infielders and outfielders way before this year. I’m not thrilled with the team’s drafting philosophy
Chad, I love hearing about the minor leaguers. Keep it up!!
Chad,
The prospect information you provide is fantastic! Why anyone would complain about getting this type of insight is beyond me.
How old are Higashioka, Sanchez and Murphy? This is where the problem comes from having drafted too many catchers. By the time these kids reach the point where they are tradable commodities (meaning probably AAA), 4 years or so will have passed. They can’t help us now, they can’t help us even as trading chips now….so I don’t see any benefit to having all these catchers. The Yankees should have drafted infielders and outfielders way before this year. I’m not thrilled with the team’s drafting philosophy
——
Granted you may be correct, however you can look at it another way.
Catchers are hot commodities and having a system loaded with catching prospects can make a lot of teams drool and help us in deals.
Lets say, just for arguments sake that Montero turns into Jorge part 2 and we have a great hitting catcher of the future.
Well now we have a bunch of player we don’t need that other teams will go ga-ga for.
Great potential leverage.
Frankie Arcia should also be in low A.
Damian Taveras will also be over in the states on one of the bottom three teams this season, at least to start. He could move quickly.
Romine is our future Pudge (all around)and Montero is our future Manny (offensively. Romine will be our everyday catcher while Montero will be our everyday DH who can catch for us one out of every five games.
Oh, and Chad,
Keep it coming. I read your SWB stuff religiously.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....id=4781783
Here’s a Grandy interview with too many questions about the media.
Chad- your perspective on the farm system is invaluable and almost all of us appreciate it. ignore the naysayers..
I read your SWB blog quite a bit and thought it was great…I was thrilled when you were hired because I knew you would be providing us good information here on the minors….Keep up the good work!!
who doesn’t like the minor league updates?
the updates are gold. Thank you Chad
“Romine is our future Pudge (all around)and Montero is our future Manny (offensively”
—————————-
na. Pujols
Anyone who says you should not post minor league info/insight is a complete dope. This is the lifeblood of the team going forward. If you are not interested in that, you are not a true, educated fan. Chad, I am so happy you are here. Been following your stuff for years, and you have not missed a beat covering the Show. Please keep doing it all and best of luck– though you don’t seem to need it. Thanks.
Nick, the problem is that no one is going to trade for these kids while they are so far away from even being considered real prospects. We can’t trade them for promising young INF or OF at this point, so IMO, the Yankees should have drafted those INF or OF prospects themselves. We could use OF help now, not in a few years when Montero is established as a premium young player. I just think the Yankees went way overboard. We’re depending on a Rule 5 pick and Colin Curtis ) to help us – what does that tell you?
“Romine is our future Pudge”
Thought I’ve been reading he’s quite athletic yet not a very good defensive catcher.
Why on earth would anyone complain about minor leagues coverage? This is a Yankees blog, with multiple daily updates, and so minor league insights are what the real fans are interested in reading. We all want to have a good handle on the entire organization, not just the MLB talent.
Frank: you have. His analysis is kinda off
Catchers who can hit have trade value starting in A ball. That said, the Yanks should hold onto their catching core like grim death. A bunch of them will be trade platinum by this time next year.
Frank
December 30th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
“Romine is our future Pudge”
Thought I’ve been reading he’s quite athletic yet not a very good defensive catcher.
————————————————————
I was under the impresssion that Romine’s strength is his defense.
Chad, great info. Please keep it up. Remember, some people will find reason to complain about anything and everything.
“We can’t trade them for promising young INF or OF at this point, so IMO, the Yankees should have drafted those INF or OF prospects themselves”
Kind of hinges on those guys being available when the Yankees pick, no?
Here’s something else to consider. Catcher is one of the most difficult positions to fill. Chances of more than 1 or 2 of these guys being catchers at the MLB level are pretty slim. Power in numbers and all that. The more you have to develop, the better the chances of finding one who will be up for the job.
John Farnham will most likely be in High A Tampa to catch.
Wolverines!!!!!!!!
Buster_ESPN Sources: The Cardinals’ offer to Holliday is believed to be over $100 million.
7 minutes ago from web
Phil, really? If that’s the case, then scratch what I said. I didn’t think teams would be interested in young players that low in the minors.
Don’t trade Romine, LOL.
I heard that Gary Sanchez is a Jesus Montero clone, bit it might be to early to tell.
Please continue to post about the minors.
I think the mL stuff is one of the things that distinguishes this blog.
Compliments of BP. Reading this leads me to believe there may well be 4 MLB hitters. But it doesn’t lead me to believe there are 4 MLB catchers. But 1 or 2 is all you need:
The Bad: Montero remains a well below-average catcher, despite his improvements. His big, thick build doesn’t provide much agility defensively, and he’s only expected to get bigger, which will almost assuredly mean a move to first base. His approach is good for his age, but it could use some improvements, as he swings at a lot of bad pitches, making up for it by often crushing them.
The Bad: Multiple scouts noted that Romine was the same player in 2009 as 2008, with little to no advancement in the two areas of his game that need the most work. He’s a free swinger who is prone to chasing breaking balls, and he expands his strike zone when behind in the count. Defensively, he has all the tools to succeed, but his receiving skills are quite raw.
The Bad: The track record for Dominican catchers is exceptionally poor, as young players there focus far more on tools than games, so Sanchez’s receiving skills and in-game instincts are quite poor. He’s already thickly built, and some wonder how big he’ll get as his body matures
The Bad: Murphy is still new to catching and quite messy behind the plate, needing to work on his lateral movement and receiving skills. Some scouts wonder if he has the frame to handle a season-long workload behind the plate, without seeing another positional possibility for him other than left field
Love this stuff, love this blog. If anything think it has gotten better since Sam and Chad took it over. I liked Pete a lot but these guys are doing a wonderful job.
I really enjoy reading about players in the minors. Keep posting man! good work!
Frank, that’s true. We’re actually lucky to have Montero and Romine together at basically the same time.
Well, alot of people beat me to it, Chad, but here’s one more in support of your minor league coverage!
“How old are Higashioka, Sanchez and Murphy? This is where the problem comes from having drafted too many catchers. By the time these kids reach the point where they are tradable commodities (meaning probably AAA), 4 years or so will have passed. They can’t help us now, they can’t help us even as trading chips now….so I don’t see any benefit to having all these catchers. The Yankees should have drafted infielders and outfielders way before this year. I’m not thrilled with the team’s drafting philosophy”
Betsy,
You should know better than the above post. You draft and sign the best players available despite what position they play. Besides pitching, premium catcher prospects are in high demand. Furthermore, some of these guys are still in their infancy when it comes to catching which means a prospect like Murphy that is very athletic can move to another position if need be due to his special bat and skill level. Also, some of them might look good in “A” ball, but might never progress to being a ML catcher or player so you have a strength in numbers to protect such a situation.
It’s very difficult to project these players that are signed so young. Even the best organizations at projecting and evaluating players miss more with their projections than when they’re dead on with their projections.
MLB teams view getting three players out of every draft/IFA class to the big leagues as being a successful year when they evaluate that class 5 or so years down the line. Three players, that’s it, out of maybe 40-60 prospects in any given class.
thank you, Frank.
no loss on JR Murphy. NYY doesn’t need him to remain at Catcher
“Romine is our future Pudge”
=======
He’s only 5-4?
FYI:
On the stuff from Baseball Propectus “The Bad” was preceded by “The Good”. With the exception of Romine, “The Good” for these players focused almost exclusively on hitting.
Triple-A: Jesus Montero
Double-A: Austin Romine
High-A: undefined
Low-A: Kyle Higashioka
Extended ST: Gary Sanchez and J.R. Murphy
========
Mauer Shmauer.
Im glad we are loaded at the catchers position. Can we trade one of them for SJ’s nephew. Therefore we would have an inside job giving us the scoup.
Frank, thanks for posting, but wow are those negative reports…..especially so on Romine.
Chad, keep posting info like this! Anything Yankee is good!
Thanks to you, Sam and Josh for all the great info. Happy New Year to you guys!! I look forward to reading your posts!
Chad,
I don’t care what other posters say, I love your perspective on the minor leagues. You did a great job in Scranton and I’m glad you are bringing your expertise to this blog.
Looks like Holliday will not be a Yankee.
“Frank, thanks for posting, but wow are those negative reports…..especially so on Romine.”
Again, those were sort of the counter arguments. Here’s “The Good” for all 4:
The Good: Simply put, Montero is one of the best offensive prospects in the game, and possibly the best. He’s a massive slugger with the contact skills of a batting champion, with one scout classifying his ability to put the middle of the barrel on the ball “almost supernatural.” His raw power is at or near the top of the charts—and he’s just starting to tap into it. He has the potential for 30-40 home runs annually. He’s a hard worker who puts as much work into his defense as his hitting, and he’s made great strides behind the plate.
The Good: Romine has impressive tools for a catcher. He’s an adept hitter with a knack for hard contact, and his raw power rates as 55-60 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He has a strong build with speed that rates only a tick below average, and his arm is strong.
The Good: Like Montero and Romine, Sanchez has the hard-to-find and much-desired combination of contact skills and above-average power.
The Good: Murphy’s bat was one of the more advanced in the draft among high school players. His swing is both quick and smooth, and the ball flies on his bat with power that is surprising for his size. He’s a good athlete who runs well for a catcher, and his solid arm is augmented by a quick release
“Every time I post something about the minor leagues, I seem to get at least one email telling me I’m not in Scranton any more and I shouldn’t be writing about the minor league system. ”
wow :rolleyes:
Chad:
Anyone who gives you grief about reporting on the Yankees farm should be ignored. Those people don’t understand what you bring to the table.
that jennifer steinbrenner seems nice
“Frank, thanks for posting, but wow are those negative reports…..especially so on Romine.”
Betsy,
Then we have Frankie Piliere, a former scout for the Rangers and currently a writer for AOL Fanhouse that stated on PinstripesPlus that both Montero and Romine will be ML catchers. He scouted both players last year for the Rangers and says Montero’s defensive problems are not nearly as bad as some publications are making it out to be. He also likes Romine’s bat and that both catchers still have work to do in improving their skill level behind the plate.
Chad as long as you don’t start doing play by play of the Rookie League games. We have a guy for that.
Holliday:
Don’t think Boras isn’t purposely trying to jack up the price on Holliday..
But yes, I agree.. Holliday dreams are over unless some miracle happens.
Chad,
By the way, keep up the great work with your minor league updates and don’t pay attention to those naysayers. Most of us enjoy these updates regarding future Yankees.
Craw, you make good points, but the Yankees are barren in the upper levels of the minors outside of some pitching. I’m just saying that we need to develop other positions besides catcher. At least with the infield it’s mostly set for years….but we don’t seem to have a viable replacement for Jeter (I’m not suggesting we need another Jeter, mind you). The OF? Heathcott is years away. These C prospects (or so I thought – Phil seems to believe otherwise and he knows a lot more than I do about this stuff) seem to be so far away that they can’t be used as chips. I’m not suggesting we trade all of them (it’s good that we have more than 1 or 2 promising prospects), just that it would be nice if they were more developed so we could bring in a few talented position players.
What position did Murphy play prior to being converted?
NYY needs to get better and more infield/outfield coaches and especially catching instructors in to the low minors. It’s incedibly shortsighted to have bare bones instructors at those levels. It’s tough for guys like Torre Tyson who has to spread himself so thin, trying to teach these kids every position. That’s one reason that these kids are so far behind others with their defense.
I myself love the minor leagues. I drive over to Tampa to catch High A games. So please don’t stop.
I can’t wait to see Manny Banuelos LHP, Melky Mesa OF, and Pat Venditte P at Tampa this year.
Another reason catchers lower in the system don’t always look great behind the plate is that the pitchers at that level don’t have good control. I’m glad we have so much catching talent as it helps our pitching talent.
sos – repost – yeah, i did that. thanks
You have to take scouting reports with a grain of salt (both the good and bad). There are a lot of bad scouts out there. There are also a lot of good scouts who only specialize in certain positions. So when you read a quote from a nameless scout, you have to take it with a grain of salt.
The other thing that happens a lot is that scouts of other teams purposely try to drive down the value of a good player.
“Craw, you make good points, but the Yankees are barren in the upper levels of the minors outside of some pitching. I’m just saying that we need to develop other positions besides catcher. At least with the infield it’s mostly set for years….but we don’t seem to have a viable replacement for Jeter (I’m not suggesting we need another Jeter, mind you). The OF? Heathcott is years away. These C prospects (or so I thought – Phil seems to believe otherwise and he knows a lot more than I do about this stuff) seem to be so far away that they can’t be used as chips. I’m not suggesting we trade all of them (it’s good that we have more than 1 or 2 promising prospects), just that it would be nice if they were more developed so we could bring in a few talented position players.”
Betsy,
Which goes back to my original point about the difficulty in projecting these prospects. The Yankees gave a million bucks to a young high school SS Angelini, but it’s now working out so far. It’s the nature of the business, but failures are common and successes are rare. With that said, someway and somehow the Yankees will have a young SS to replace Jeter when that time comes. This isn’t the KC Royals we’re talking about.
I meant to say not working with Angelini.
“These C prospects (or so I thought – Phil seems to believe otherwise and he knows a lot more than I do about this stuff) seem to be so far away that they can’t be used as chips.”
Montero and Romine could be trade chips right now if the Yankees wanted to go that way. The other guys? Well not Murphy (a smattering of pro games) or Sanchez (next pro game will be his 1st, just turned 17)…yet. I don’t know a great deal about the kid expected to play in Charleston. Though Green Beret mentioned seeing him and said he was the best defensive catcher in the system by a pretty decent margin, but I could have that wrong.
“You have to take scouting reports with a grain of salt (both the good and bad). There are a lot of bad scouts out there. There are also a lot of good scouts who only specialize in certain positions. So when you read a quote from a nameless scout, you have to take it with a grain of salt.
The other thing that happens a lot is that scouts of other teams purposely try to drive down the value of a good player.”
There you go. Everybody has their own agendas and let’s face it BA is wrong more than they’re right with their rankings.
“What position did Murphy play prior to being converted?”
Betsy,
I believe he was an outfielder.
No need at all for Halliday, as explained by Rob Neyer on Espn.
Yanks fine without superstar LF
*ThoughT Green Beret……
Betsy,
While the Yanks are thin in position prospects at AA and AAA, they have no room for anybody to play even if they were ready. The infield is set for the next few years (at least). CF is filled. Swish is signed for a couple more years. The only two openings on the team in the near future are catcher (which they should be bale to fill from within) and LF.
We’ll see what happens this yr with LF. But having one question mark in the upcoming yrs means that even if they had players knocking on the dorr in AAA, they most likely wouldnt get a chance.
GeorgeInJax
December 30th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I myself love the minor leagues. I drive over to Tampa to catch High A games. So please don’t stop.
I can’t wait to see Manny Banuelos LHP, Melky Mesa OF, and Pat Venditte P at Tampa this year.
Another reason catchers lower in the system don’t always look great behind the plate is that the pitchers at that level don’t have good control. I’m glad we have so much catching talent as it helps our pitching talent.
————————————————————
Mesa is a lot of talent. Big power, very good speed and a good defensive outfielder at three spots. His problem is that he’s as raw as a fresh laid egg. He’s a swing and miss power bat, like a young Alfonso Soriano.
Betsy, your math is fuzzing, and logic like this is why some of us think you worry to extraordinary lengths.
If the low-level catching prospects are 4 years away from helping the Yanks, this same logic would apply to inf and outfielders.
Following this through-line, if the catchers develop, they’ll be ready to be trade chips for other commodities at the same time these theoretical OF and IF’s they Yankees “should have” drafted could help the Yankees… in 3 or 4 years.
Your “solution” doesn’t address your concern, the lack of IF and OF at the higher levels.
And on that subject, the Yankees will treat Romine and the other projects as they are right now, the BPA (best player available), meaning they won’t move them off their position because they are potentially “blocked” by another prospect.
Montero is no lock to be a catcher, much less a major leaguer. Romine will probably NEVER be moved unless he proves he’s no catcher.
His value will always be highest as a catcher, if not for the Yankees, then in a trade.
Only scenario he ever gets moved is if all three of these things happen:
1.) He BREAKS out as a hitter
2.) Montero establishes himself as a major league catcher
3.) Yanks can’t find better value in a trade than moving him to the outfield.
The likelihood of ALL three things happening is remote.
And oh yeah, ALL low-level prospects have warts. That’s why there are low-level prospects.
Frank, thanks for posting!
What kind of power is 55-60? That is, who would be a comparable major leaguer?
Craw, thanks. I did see that on PP last night – I’m going to re-read it again tonight. We’re talking about babies here, so it shouldn’t be surprising that they have more developing to do.
I don’t get why any Yankee fan wouldn’t want to know about these kids… unless their not real Yankee fans, but bandwagoners.
Why is everyone looking at Montero as a catcher? Particularly with Romine right behing him. A potentially great hitter who is huge is wasted behind the plate. All that squatting, particularly for a big guy, kills your knees and makes you heavy legged. There are tons of examples of catchers in big league history who have gotten old way before their time. Not only that, you risk injury such as broken hands and fingers that cost a lot of valuable playing time. Montero has already broken a finger once. Why put him in harm’s way? The Yankees need outfielders and have plenty of other quality catching prospects on the way. Groom him for Right Field in Yankee Stadium in 2011.
“What kind of power is 55-60?”
There are guys who can answer this better than I, but this is based on a 20-80 scale, with 80 being the best.
Montero is viewed as having 80 power which translates to a 35-40 homer per year guy. I’d imagine the 55-60 Romine is at translates to 20 or so.
Betsy,
When people say “power of 55-60″ that’s on an 20-80 point scale. 50 is considered major league average. Therefore a 55-60 power is above average but not elite.
Frank
December 30th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
“These C prospects (or so I thought – Phil seems to believe otherwise and he knows a lot more than I do about this stuff) seem to be so far away that they can’t be used as chips.”
Montero and Romine could be trade chips right now if the Yankees wanted to go that way. The other guys? Well not Murphy (a smattering of pro games) or Sanchez (next pro game will be his 1st, just turned 17)…yet. I don’t know a great deal about the kid expected to play in Charleston. Though Green Beret mentioned seeing him and said he was the best defensive catcher in the system by a pretty decent margin, but I could have that wrong.
————————————————————
Everything I’ve seen on Higashioka is limited to Tampa Rookie ball and that was very little. Pat M is the one that’s seen him. He watched him in high school. Not much that I can say about him until Charleston plays a few game.
Chad -
Skipping down past some comments to add my voice to those who want you to absolutely continue with the minor league updates!
(I get to impress a couple of really die-hard Yankees fans who never really pay a lot of attention to the minor leagues – guys who still can’t believe a woman would know anymore more than the basics of baseball – when I can name the next guys in line for a position.
)
The only downside is getting to know these guys way too prematurely and then getting disappointed when they’re traded away (Ian Kennedy
)
Craw, thanks! Well, then he’s another OF. He’s not going to forget how to play OF, though I find it interesting they’re trying to convert him to C.
Country Club, that’s all true…..
GB, you have a way with words; I hope he doesn’t get salmonella.
Stuckey, very true – and I neglected to take that into the lag time we’d be experiencing with young OF or INF prospects. At the very least, it’s lead to some good discussion and I’ve learned quite a bit.
saucy -
Amazing jack-o’lantern.
Thanks for the info on Romine’s power potential. If he’s a C, 20 something HRs is very good. If he’s an OF, that seems rather light…..but right on line with GB’s analysis (a Paul O’Neill type). If Romine has the career that Paulie did, I’m sure we’d all be thrilled.
CountryClub
December 30th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Betsy,
While the Yanks are thin in position prospects at AA and AAA, they have no room for anybody to play even if they were ready. The infield is set for the next few years (at least). CF is filled. Swish is signed for a couple more years. The only two openings on the team in the near future are catcher (which they should be bale to fill from within) and LF.
We’ll see what happens this yr with LF. But having one question mark in the upcoming yrs means that even if they had players knocking on the dorr in AAA, they most likely wouldnt get a chance.
————————————————————
If Posada is leaving in two years and Swisher’s contract is up in two years, how does that make only one spot, plus left field?
ortforshort
December 30th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Why is everyone looking at Montero as a catcher? Particularly with Romine right behing him. A potentially great hitter who is huge is wasted behind the plate. All that squatting, particularly for a big guy, kills your knees and makes you heavy legged. There are tons of examples of catchers in big league history who have gotten old way before their time. Not only that, you risk injury such as broken hands and fingers that cost a lot of valuable playing time. Montero has already broken a finger once. Why put him in harm’s way? The Yankees need outfielders and have plenty of other quality catching prospects on the way. Groom him for Right Field in Yankee Stadium in 2011.
————————————————————
Why are you only looking at Romine as a catcher and Montero as a DH? They both have big potential with the bat and Montero is a bit more advanced defensively.
Keep us informed on the Yankee prospects. You do great work.
People seem to have the idea that Montero is some big, soft Pillsbury Doughboy. Nothing could be further from the truth. He’s no bigger than Mauer or Weiters and smaller than catchers like Fisk and Alomar.
saucy,
You got some real talent there. I tried doing the interlocking N.Y. but it didnt come out so great. Next year you should try something to do with the Yankees. What made you do Swayze?
From MLBTR:
” ESPN’s Buster Olney tweets that the Cardinals’ offer to Holliday “is believed to be over $100MM” (guaranteed, he tells me). Additionally, Ringolsby replied to my email and clarified that he’s been told the Cards’ eight-year, $140MM offer is guaranteed both in years and dollars.”
If this is true then it’s bye bye MH.
It would have been nice if we had some accurate reports earlier.
The Yankees were never going to reach this price stratosphere.
All along it was my impression based on previous reporting that MH could be had for around 100Mill or so.
The only way it could still happen would be for these 2 reports from Olney and ringolsby are false.
Likelihood now at 5% or less.
I can’t see MH not taking the kind of offer it appears the Cardinals have made.
Guess we target CC if he is available next year.
Damon or Nady might be fill ins, and better than Gardener.
Or maybe gardener gets till the ASB to show what he can do.
Good luck Matt. You aren’t a 1/2 price Beamer after all.
We’ve analyzed just about every LF free agent that might be available for a one year contract.
If Damon were to accept 5-6 million + incentives on a one year deal would you be able to put up with his subpar defense and just sub for him in the late innings?
Thoughts!
They need to make a determination RIGHT NOW on whether or not Montero can stick at C.
He is already in AAA – the next stop is the majors. By the ASB, they need to know if he can be a catcher or not. If he can be, then start grooming Romine to the OF.
No need to delay it. It may take him time to master the OF positions, why not let him get a head start on it?
How about Geoffrey Sarnataro??
Is he slotted to open the season in Scranton or could he stick with the big squad?
GB7,
Who do you see out of Romine and Montero being the future catcher of the Yankees? Will the other be traded or switch positions in your opinion?
GB – Is Montero really a bit more advanced defensively than Romine?
I thought Romine was supposed to be a very good defensive catcher but Montero was the one who needed work?
I don’t know what is funnier…
The “Geoffrey Sarnataro” posts
or
the “The Yankees and Damon are PARTING WAY” post.
Tough one
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....cts/1.html
14. Casey Kelly, RHP, Red Sox
Why he’s here: Kelly actually hit and pitched in 2009, as he had ability as a shortstop and wanted to hit. His hitting lagged behind his pitching prowess, and after a trip to the Arizona Fall League, Kelly realized his future is on the mound.
What he’ll be: Kelly has a knack for adding and subtracting from his fastball and excellent curveball, sometimes toying with hitters. His athletic ability and innate pitchability evoke some comparisons to Zack Greinke, though his arm isn’t quite in Greinke’s class.
When he arrives: Kelly first needs to prove he can handle a full-season workload as a pitcher. If he proves that in 2010, he should be ready by 2011
***Geez, BA really loves Kelly.Greinke?
With what the Cards are likely to pay Holliday I wonder if they can afford Pujols back ?
If they bring back Pujols and MH is signed for about 16-18/yr. they are going to have a huge chunk of their payroll tied up in just 2 players.
And you think we have monetary issues.
Holy smokes.
maybe they are already conceding the point that they wont be able to bring back Pujols ?
If true I think they made a mistake signing MH.
If I could only have one of the two it’s no contest.
losing pujols would be devastating.
JMHO.
Lon Keller
December 30th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
How about Geoffrey Sarnataro??
Is he slotted to open the season in Scranton or could he stick with the big squad?
————————————————————
pay attention
he was traded in the granderson deal
Chad, keep up with the minor league reports, it’s good info.
I don’t know what is funnier…
The “Geoffrey Sarnataro” posts
or
the “The Yankees and Damon are PARTING WAY” post.
Tough one
=====
Gotta go with PARTING WAYS. It seems to pop up daily just in the nick of time.
Boras is a mastermind. He got the Cards to bid against themselves. What was the need for them to offer 8 yrs or $16-18 mil when by all indications, no one else was in?
“If this is true then it’s bye bye MH.”
Can it be both? I don’t see that excerpt being entirely accurate (Ringolsby’s part). It’s probably still goodbye though, this sounds like a final attempt to drive up the price before taking the Cardinals offer. Oh well, at least we should know one way or another pretty soon now.
I would like to add my vote in FAVOR of posting notes on minor league players. I read your stuff when you were in Scranton and Mike Ashmore for Trenton. I like to know about the strengths and weaknesses of the total organization. In retrospect drafting a Rule V outfielder (where the Yankees are definitely not deep) makes a great deal of sense. I guess a lot of us like to think about what Cashman can do and understanding more about the system enhances our Yankee experiences. Thanks and please keep posting these types of comments.
People seem to have the idea that Montero is some big, soft Pillsbury Doughboy.
=========
Can i be the first to give him a nickname? What do you guys think of Baby Huey? I picture a teenager thats so big he’s got the plumbers crack going on beind home plate.
S.o.S.-
I like Paul Bunyan better.
He got the Cards to bid against themselves. What was the need for them to offer 8 yrs or $16-18 mil when by all indications, no one else was in?
========
Maybe the cards were affraid of the Yankees swooping in and getting him. I would be worried of Mr. Silent Azzazzin(not sure if it would clear the filters).
Chad, anyone who complains about this stuff is just one of your typical people who complains about everything. I come to this blog to read stuff like this. Keep up the good work!
S.o.S.
December 30th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
GB7,
Who do you see out of Romine and Montero being the future catcher of the Yankees? Will the other be traded or switch positions in your opinion?
————————————————————
I have my preferences on it, but, I see NYY keeping both Romine and Montero and Cervelli backing one or the other. I’d prefer to see Romine in a corner outfield spot (left field). It gives NYY 3 catchers on the roster.
Bye bye Holliday.
Will be nice watching________(fill name in here) for a year in LF. Then it’s Hellooooooo CC.
Can i be the first to give him a nickname? What do you guys think of Baby Huey? I picture a teenager thats so big he’s got the plumbers crack going on beind home plate.
keep looking
His first name is Jesus and his last name is Almost MONSTER
we can do better
As far as the catching situation is concerned, Montero and Romine will duke it out as starting catcher. I agree with GB that Cervelli most likely will be the backup for either.
MTU,
You and i both have to just get up and dust ourselves off with this terrible news of Holliday. I was almost certain he would be wearing stripes by new years. Hopefully the sun will come up tomorrow.
Speaking of sun. I am freezing my kibbles and bits off here today in socal. Its like 40 degrees, windy and cloudy. Thats the problem with S.Californians. We never know when its going to get cold and assume its going to be hot. So we leave our jackets at home.
They better get Crawford next year now that they have passed on Holliday. I’m not a fan of blackholes.
4 years 66 million guaranteed for Jason Bay.
8 years 140 million guaranteed for Holliday?
Doesn’t compute.
Brett Gardner is better than Crawford right now. Doesn’t have as much power, but a higher OBP, higher average, more speed, better D, and 5 years younger and much much cheaper.
Gardner is going to be one of the best #9 hitters in the AL and will be a force in the double leadoff spot. Can get himself into scoring position without Jeter putting the ball in play.
keep looking
His first name is Jesus and his last name is Almost MONSTER
——
“El Monstero”
Remaining likely options for starting LF:
Garnder – possible
Hoffmann – Rule 5 pick. Unlikely, but possible
Damon – If the price is right, come on down
Byrd – plays all 3 OF positions, but LF the least
Brett Gardner will see more than his share of fly balls hit to him in practice to better judge routes and positioning.
Austin Romine will likely be a non-roster invitee as he was last spring. This may give him a chance to get in some work at corner OF positions during split squad games to see how he adjusts.
U.E.,
Your absolutely right. MONSTERO is a much better name. Im asleep at the wheel.
GB7,
You think they will hang on to all 3 even though both Romine and Montero could be full time starters on any team? Wouldnt it be better to trade one and land a big fish in return?
“El Monstero”
Rebecca?
btw where has Optimus Prime been?
S.o.S.-
Could be time to move on down the road.
I wish the reporting could have been more accurate.
My belief was always based on the thought that MH could be had as a “bargain” not nearly full value.
I guess we get to do this all over again next year when we shoot for CC ?
If this indeed over what’s your take on the fallback ?
Gardener, damon, nady, Byrd, other ?
We might still be faced with an issue next year if Gardener doesn’t pan out , and CC resigns with Tampa.
Would love to have solved LF this year.
Oh well.
If those reports are true then then cards can have him for that price.
Tim
December 30th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
GB – Is Montero really a bit more advanced defensively than Romine?
I thought Romine was supposed to be a very good defensive catcher but Montero was the one who needed work?
————————————————————
From the times that I’ve seem Romine, his glove hand seemed a bit slow and he doesn’t really shift well behind the plate. It could probably be fixed. Montero has some issues, but, he’s doing alright for a 19 year old kid and he’s learning well. One thing that they can both do is hit. Romine can also run. I’d hate to see that speed to go to waste. He has the speed to steal 15-20 bases.
Sterling – it is high is far it is gahn, Jesus with a Monster Mash
Rockks,
Um, no.
That’s like saying that Gardner is better than Granderson.
I would be ecstatic if Gardner could become Crawford or Granderson.
But he’s not. Not yet anyway, but hopefully will have the opportunity to play and showcase his talents, fielding, running, and as importantly, hitting.
“4 years 66 million guaranteed for Jason Bay.
8 years 140 million guaranteed for Holliday?
Doesn’t compute.”
Boras is the best agent in sports. He found his one dumb owner, like he always does. No one else was even bidding for Holliday (unless you believe the bogus Baltimore report), and he got over double what Bay got.
Just a genius agent.
MTU
December 30th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
S.o.S.-
Could be time to move on down the road.
I wish the reporting could have been more accurate.
My belief was always based on the thought that MH could be had as a “bargain” not nearly full value.
I guess we get to do this all over again next year when we shoot for CC ?
If this indeed over what’s your take on the fallback ?
Gardener, damon, nady, Byrd, other ?
We might still be faced with an issue next year if Gardener doesn’t pan out , and CC resigns with Tampa.
Would love to have solved LF this year.
Oh well.
Move on down the road? Yep and keep walking!
You’ll never work on this blog again!
You you DREAM KILLER!
S.o.S.
December 30th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
U.E.,
Your absolutely right. MONSTERO is a much better name. Im asleep at the wheel.
GB7,
You think they will hang on to all 3 even though both Romine and Montero could be full time starters on any team? Wouldnt it be better to trade one and land a big fish in return?
————————————————————
They’re too young to trade and get the value that they could be worth. To answer the question, though, yeah, I think they’ll keep all three. Two mashers and a defensive whiz.
MTU,
I would go with Dye 1, Byrd 2. Followed closely by Bubba Crosby. GB7, EAR MUFFS please, im really starting to warm up to trading some chips like Gaudin or Mitre plus other prospects for Dejesus(if we dont get a bopper). My biggest concern isnt the defensive side as much as it is the #5 hole in the lineup. Who do you think it will be assuming Gardner starts(still think its highly unlikely).
Thanks Chad, your insight of our farm system and it’s players have definitely enhanced the quality of our blog.
Uncle-
LoL.
I did my best.
Chances are less than 5% if true.
Now onto the next quest.
Reality sometimes has a way of intruding.
Hal to the rescue ? Nah !
Crawford and Lee next year
Chad, your post is the best..keep the minor league info coming..we are fortunate to have you and Sam..
Cervelli C/OF
Monstero C/DH
Romainia C/OF/DH
How’s that for flexibility?
GB7,
My post said that C can be filled from within (Its one position that they have players near ready – inc Cervelli). And i believe that Swish is under control for 3 yrs (i wasnt counting 2010 when i said 2 more yrs, I should have been clearer).
So, right now, LF is the only real open spot for the immediate future.
You you DREAM KILLER!
========
My older son says this a line similiar to this when he doesnt get his way from me.
“You murderer of love!!” also speaking of getting old. He says “just because its classic, doesnt make it good”.
I’d welcome Damon and his noodle arm back in the Bronx with open arms.
I’d rather have anyone other than Gardner/Reed.
I think we focus too much on the #5 hitter. There won’t be too many occurances in a game where it becomes a game-changing situation. JMHO.
MTU
December 30th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Uncle-
LoL.
I did my best.
Chances are less than 5% if true.
Now onto the next quest.
Reality sometimes has a way of intruding.
Hal to the rescue ? Nah !
Ok so you can start again Next Year
Oh I mean NEXT POST SEASON
you’re done until Cliff Lee
Matt
December 30th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
“4 years 66 million guaranteed for Jason Bay.
8 years 140 million guaranteed for Holliday?
Doesn’t compute.”
Boras is the best agent in sports. He found his one dumb owner, like he always does. No one else was even bidding for Holliday (unless you believe the bogus Baltimore report), and he got over double what Bay got.
Just a genius agent.
—
I acknowledge he’s a good agent, but double?
It’s false.
Chad
One of the reasons I was so pumped to hear that you’d be coming on board at Lohud was exactly because I knew you’d be all over the minor league info. Please keep doing exactly what you’re doing.
Thanks!
“You murderer of love!!”
Wow this is awesome. Can I use this?
Uncle Ellsworth (Expert textpert choking smokers, don’t you think the joker laughs at you)
December 30th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Cervelli C/OF
Monstero C/DH
Romainia C/OF/DH
How’s that for flexibility?
————————————————————
Not sure who’s backing up at third besides Pena, but, I’d bet you a pack of Marlboros that Cervelli gets a couple of games at third base next year.
Cervelli C/OF
Monstero C/DH
Romainia C/OF/DH
========
Sounds like we need a new nickname already for MONSTERO to blend in with the this Italian food course. Monterochini? Dont know why but im hungry all of a sudden.
In what world is Gardner better than Crawford???
Gardner doesn’t belong as a starter even and Crawford will be one of the 3 to 5 best FA available next year.
I saw Crawford in Tampa this past year and he is electric. Great speed, great arm, great jump, has power when he wants it as well. Crawford is an amazing player.
If Gardner was so great, then why does Cash keep saying he wants a cheaper option for LF? Or why is everyone wanting Holliday this year or Crawford next year? What a joke!
Have an idea for LF -
What about Giambi?
He has really trimmed down in recent years, can be our #5 hitter, and was a great Yankee. I’m sure he would be open to trying out LF if it meant getting a chance at winning a ring.
Not sure who’s backing up at third besides Pena, but, I’d bet you a pack of Marlboros that Cervelli gets a couple of games at third base next year.
Ah Yes
Maybe the OF too. We dicussed fringe guys broadening their positions last season.
If Cerv could be OK at 1st 3rd and right
would that add a couple years to his career or what
Same for Pena in OF
Uncle-
thanks. I can use the rest.
lee shouldn’t be too much of an issue if Andy retires.
The net difference between Andy’s and Lee’s salaries might not be all that bad.
Anyway.
Chapman might be ready by then.
Yankees pursuit of either Lee, Webb, Beckett or Lilly is thankfully not predicated on Pettitte retiring next season. One of either Pettitte or Vazquez, or possibly both will be gone after 2010.
Ideally, one of those slots would be taken by a FA (see above), while the other would be taken by a prospect or one of Joba/Huges, presuming that the other is already in the rotation from the prior year.
Otherwise, will be pretty expensive (and therefore unlikely) having 4 starters under long-term contracts at market rates.
Brett,
Are you arguing that one of them got under or overpaid?
I say both got pretty good deals.
Why didn’t Cashman stick Gardner in the trade package with Vizcaino and Dunn?
Wow this is awesome. Can I use this?
=======
Be my guest. Its better using it on someone than the other way around i guess. I always get the short end of the stick. Cant help but laugh everytime though. Hes freakin 11 mind you.
RT
December 30th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Brett,
Are you arguing that one of them got under or overpaid?
I say both got pretty good deals.
—
Bay got a good deal.
No way Holliday got double that deal.
False report.
countryclub
December 30th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
GB7,
My post said that C can be filled from within (Its one position that they have players near ready – inc Cervelli). And i believe that Swish is under control for 3 yrs (i wasnt counting 2010 when i said 2 more yrs, I should have been clearer).
So, right now, LF is the only real open spot for the immediate future.
————————————————————
Swisher’s under contract in 2010 and 2011. There’s one option year in 2012.
2009 rotation:
CC
Lee
Burnett
Hughes
Chamberlain/Pettitte (if Joba is moved to the pen permanently this year)
With Crawford in left. Montero probably ready to split time with Posada at C.
I’m so excited, I can hardly contain myself. I have to remind myself that we have to wait a year LOL
How much backtracking does Buster Olney do every off-season? Plenty. He comes out with a rumor, pulls it back and so on and so forth. He’s the new pet for the agents, heir to Peter Gammons.
I started calling him Monstero a few years ago. I think it’s easy, obvious and will catch on.
Brett-
And thought I was determined.
You now have the baton.
run with it.
Besides this fork in my back kinda hurts.
Brett,
Olney said that “over” $100 million of that was guaranteed. Not sure what the exact figure was. I imagine some team/vesting options were involved as well. I find it hard to believe they went from 5/$85 to 8/$140 for no reason when no one else was bidding.
There has to be some kind of catch. Even Olney’s report that $100 mil was guaranteed seems kind of bogus. Why inspired them to raise their offer by $15 million?
I could see Pettitte playing the ‘Wakefield’ game if he continues to be productive. Let’s say he’s 14-10 next season, with an ERA around 4.00. Are you kicking him to the curb if he wants to go year-to-year?
Of course his salary demands will heavily factor into that argument, but just sayin…
MTU
December 30th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Brett-
And thought I was determined.
You now have the baton.
run with it.
Besides this fork in my back kinda hurts.
—
Buster Olney? Of all people! He breaks nothing big. He is wrong 99% of the time. He’s a tool. Obviously highly ducated, well-spoken, articulate, nevertheless an idiot savant.
Phil-
As long as you don’t start calling him Monastero.
Can’t have the guy turnin into a Monk before he gets a chance to destroy the league.
RT
December 30th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Brett,
Olney said that “over” $100 million of that was guaranteed. Not sure what the exact figure was. I imagine some team/vesting options were involved as well. I find it hard to believe they went from 5/$85 to 8/$140 for no reason when no one else was bidding.
There has to be some kind of catch. Even Olney’s report that $100 mil was guaranteed seems kind of bogus. Why inspired them to raise their offer by $15 million?
—
That’s it. You are ON to him!
The Cards have completely bid against themselves. When they sign Holliday, I want to see them get criticized the way the Yankees do. I’m not sure what’s worse for them – if they just bid against themselves knowing there is no other offer out there or if they did it based on some false report that the O’s had made an offer.
Can we nickname Romine “El Diablo”? I heard it means fighting chicken. I LOVE IT!!
Mosterror?
hey just brain stormin here
Buster Olney,
YOU’RE FIRED!#$#@!@%
This offer isin’t anything new.
Wasn’t there always an offer on the table that contained 3 option years that would bring the value to $140 mil?
I don’t think they guaranteed that now. The reports were that only 5 were guaranteed. Did STL change their offer and guarantee all the years or something? Seems kind of dumb to do that.
Actually yes, I would kicking Andy to the curb if Joba pitches well this year. Phil is going to be a bigger part of the future than Andy and there is no question in my mind that he’s in the 2011 rotation. If Joba pitches well, then either Javy is re-signed or they sign Lee……and Phil is in the rotation. If Joba implodes and he’s put in the pen, then and only then can I see the Yankees re-signing Andy.
Monterror
El Diablo means the Devil…………and I don’t like that nickname for Romine. Boring…..
Al
December 30th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
This offer isin’t anything new.
Wasn’t there always an offer on the table that contained 3 option years that would bring the value to $140 mil?
I don’t think they guaranteed that now. The reports were that only 5 were guaranteed. Did STL change their offer and guarantee all the years or something? Seems kind of dumb to do that.
—
Buster Olney does SHROOMS
Monstero
Brett-
I never give up 100% until the signing by an other team.
However, there are some things that make a lot more sense to me in the light of these reports.
For instance, the apparent lack of interest on the part of the Yanks.
Why would they be if these were the bids ?
It aint over till it’s over but I not feelin it right now.
Wish I were.
It is more bad reporting that’s gonna be somethin.
black taco
MTU
December 30th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Brett-
I never give up 100% until the signing by an other team.
However, there are some things that make a lot more sense to me in the light of these reports.
For instance, the apparent lack of interest on the part of the Yanks.
Why would they be if these were the bids ?
It aint over till it’s over but I not feelin it right now.
Wish I were.
It is more bad reporting that’s gonna be somethin.
—
Buster Olney probably rummages through his mother’s underwear drawer.
El Diablo means the Devil…………and I don’t like that nickname for Romine. Boring…..
====
Sorry Betsy, but I watched Taladega Nights and they gave me the REAL definition for it. Gotta go with them. Rent it, if you dont believe me.
MTU -
I remember hearing (on XM about 2 wks ago) that the concern is if they didn’t bring back Holliday, that it would be difficult to extend Pujols. They need someone to protect Pujols in the lineup and they need to show Pujols they are serious about providing that protection. So, signing Holliday should help them sign Pujols. I’m sure they’ve done the math, and realized that they could afford both (to a point).
But you are right; a team like the Cardinals giving the huge lion’s share of their salary budget to 2 players is interesting, to say the least.
I do believe, though, that the Cardinals are considered a large market team (they have a huge midwestern fanbase). But I confess I don’t know much, if anything, about their financials.
Brett-
What’s his favorite the panties or the bras ?
Betsy – high on pie
December 30th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
El Diablo means the Devil…………and I don’t like that nickname for Romine. Boring…..
————————————————————
I just hope the don’t call him “Romine Lettuce”
Please Stop.
MTU / BRETT
Doreen-
they better be if they want to afford both !
Remember when people said that Boras was going to take a hit for Damon and how he handled that negotiation?
LOL
Not if this Cards deal is legit. If he got over $100 mil from them, he took them to the cleaners. If it is $140, then just forget it, he never is going to be criticized again.
“Romine Lettuce Rejoice another Home Run!”
Dude, quit it already. I am getting really annoyed with the phone calls, etc. about these “rumors”. I am an accountant and do not appreciate this bizarre misinformation campaign.
MTU,
He goes straight for the Ring Dings, the YoYo’s, the Doodles, Funny Bones and Devil Dogs
Fantastic interview with Granderson:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/comme…ory?id=4781783
CG is going to be fantastic, on and off the field. He’s very well-spoke and he certainly is aware of the pitfalls of NY. He’s right about the lodgings being a tad more expensive than in Detroit, unfortunately, lol
Betsy – high on pie
December 30th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Actually yes, I would kicking Andy to the curb if Joba pitches well this year. Phil is going to be a bigger part of the future than Andy and there is no question in my mind that he’s in the 2011 rotation. If Joba pitches well, then either Javy is re-signed or they sign Lee……and Phil is in the rotation. If Joba implodes and he’s put in the pen, then and only then can I see the Yankees re-signing Andy.
———————————————————–
It becomes easy to do that if Andy has an ineffective 2010, harder to do if he has a good season. Of course, he could just retire regardless, which would make it easy to move on.
But if he’s effective and wants to stay on, and is willing to continue to take pay-cuts to do so, then he could still be an option, depending on market conditions.
Maybe Lee or Beckett or Webb asks for $25MM/year. Then he may not be your man and Andy could fill a spot. You never know.
DaSaint,
People have been trying to kick Andy out the door for years. I’ll believe it when I see it. I have no reason to believe if he performs like he did last year and wins us a bunch of big games in the playoffs, that they would discard him for no reason.
I doubt Cashman is constructing his 2011 rotation before the 2010 even starts. If Andy has another good year, I don’t see how he is not back for 2011 unless we sign 2 FA pitchers again or something.
I’m not a fan of Swisher. He puts up numbers against shlocks and is useless against any pitcher than can throw breaking pitches for strikes. Yankee Stadium (both old and new) have small right fields. You don’t have to be fast to play it well – there are tons of examples of that in Yankee history. Moving forward, I like an outfield of Montero in Right, Granderson in Center with a caddy and Crawford in Left. It’s an outfield with a lot of talent and a lot of balance: lefty-righty; power-speed; defense.
What kind of fancy boy spell Jeff with a G?
GB, you’re on a roll today. Will we hear the expression “Romine wasn’t built in a day” if he struggles?
Got it!! ROMINE EMPIRE showing whos in power!! Just thinking out loud.
Don’t call me Crissy, one more time, I’m warning you.
Da Saint, I definitely don’t want to overpay for Lee (not interested in 5/6 years at $19, 20 million). If it comes to that, then yes I can see Andy still in the rotation, but I would still prefer Vasquez (if he pitches well this year). Our rotation would be incredible…..
Romine the bases
Blake-
What do you think ?
Throwin in the towel or soldiering on ?
More propaganda or accurate reporting ?
Odds were kinda low before today’s blurbs.
SOS, if he struggles it could be the “Fall of the Romine Empire”, lol……..
Romine Holiday……..
Don’t call me Crissy, one more time, I’m warning you.
=========
Classic!!
it kinda suck.
would’ve rather the Cardinals get Holliday at a bargain price. They got too scary
We’re finally on the same wave length Betsy. Did you get a chance to look up el diablo in the NASCAR dictionary?
When it comes time to give Romine a #, it will be a Romine numeral
Don’t call me Crissy, one more time, I’m warning you
—————————————————–
*turns* over table
The New York Yankees and Johnny Damon are PARTING WAYS.
SOS, I googled El Diablo to be sure I wasn’t out of my head and under Urban Legends (or whatever website it was), it gave the real definition and YOUR definition, lol. It reminds me of the fighting chicken on Family Guy, lol. I’ve never seen Talladega Nights
I watched both Kyle & Austin catch at the H.S. & Connie Mack levels……Kyle was the better catcher, very smooth and called his own game…..Very good hitter with pop….Austin his a pure plus line drive hitter, strong arm, but he had slow feet however his powerful arm made up for his footwork…..His stick will ride him to the bigs…..However as GB has noted many times before, he needs to become Elston Howard and learn to play the corner outfield or even 3rd base….The one thing I have to credit Brian Cashman with, is that when he was given control of the baseball operations, he built the organizational foundation on pitching and catching….The Gold & Platnium commodies of baseball…….I watched Kyle catch Gerrit Cole right before they both were selected by the Yanks…Kyle went yard in that All-Star game…..Shame that Gerrit decided to play for UCLA, man the heavens gave him an incredible rocket of an arm….He jugged at 100 several times on several guns…….
betsy-
And when Romine goes on a vacation. It will be a Romine holiday.
at some point, you ceased being Jim and became Cris.
(know am late to this convo. My bad. One of my fave all time scenes
Jesus and the Holy Romine Emperor splitting the catching duties…
Betsy -
I love that! You should copyright it! “Romine wasn’t built in a day”
I love the minor league post. It keeps you updated with the upcoming stars. I read the post all the time and you guys are doing a great job. I read it all the time. Can’t get enough. Keeps me updated on everything. Keep up the great work.
phil-
I hate to tell you but that’s a bad vibe.
Romine number! Romine holiday! You guys are great. Keep it up.
Romine Shower!
Doreen-
And when Romine is selfish. He is a Romine.
thanks for the info chad!
no matter how many good things you write in life, there will always be people looking for something else! do your thing – youre good at it!
Betsy – high on pie
December 30th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
GB, you’re on a roll today. Will we hear the expression “Romine wasn’t built in a day” if he struggles?
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I hope that none of these catch on, Betsy. They’re all beyond bad. LMAO.
Look just how far we’ve all fallen since the glory days of November.
Gb-
How you feelin’ ?
MTU, I don’t know man, if those reports are true the boras has gotten the cards to bid against themselves. I wanted Holliday a lot but only at the bargain price that was being talked about..not 8 yrs
GB7 -
Hey, it’s been almost 2 months since they’ve won the WS. You can’t live in the past!!!
(I like the Romine-isms!)
Betsy,
I speak spanish. I always knew el diablo meant Devil. Did it really have fighting chicken? I it was a joke in the movie.
Blake-
10/4.
mitch williams is trying to say Rivera doesn’t belong on the All-Decade top 10 overall players. Cuz he is a pitcher
clown.
Tracy Ringolsby is reportedly reporting that the Cards offer is off the table.
i hope the Cards don’t give Holliday that much
MTU
what is?
When he struggles it should be ROMINE ME WHY WE GOT HIM?
Phil – good one!
GB, I think these are all classics of the genre……
Pat M, are you saying that Romine’s bat will carry him to the majors because he’s not great defensively or simply because he’s blocked at C by Montero?
Things I’m still hopin for :
Wang to come back on a Milb deal.
Chapman.
Nady can still throw.
JD would take an inexpensive 1 yr. deal.
Brett Gardener can transform himself into Mickey Rivers.
Don’t go after Holliday. Save your money for Mauer and/or Crawford next year.
Doreen, thanks – I am pretty proud of myself!
AJ, sorry – you’re pie tag line is outta here.
Phil-
Jesus and the Holy Roman Empire.
They didn’t play well together.
Comprendo ?
Doreen – Ain’t it Just “Grand”?
December 30th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
GB7 -
Hey, it’s been almost 2 months since they’ve won the WS. You can’t live in the past!!!
(I like the Romine-isms!)
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I almost feel sick laughing at these.
Of course, there’s a possible problem with this is, if it gets out of hand, we might end up chasing off Chad, Josh and Sam. Too bad we didn’t come up with this and chase PA off sooner.
MTU, too late – I already posted about Romine Holiday!
SOS, there’s a character in Family Guy who’s a chicken. He only appears periodically, but when he does, he’s always getting into brawls with Peter. Do you watch FG?
Well, here’s another one – when in Romine, do as the Romines do
Tracy Ringolsby is reportedly reporting that the Cards offer is off the table.
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booyaaa!!
SOS, lol
Vinny, are you kidding? Mo not in the top ten players of the decade? Was Mitch ever hit in the head or something?
Wow, Phil – the Cards pulled the offer?
Brian Cashman $$$$$$$
December 30th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
The New York Yankees and Johnny Damon are PARTING WAYS.
– - – - – -
Is that so ? Is this broken news ?
I guess what they say is true. It doesn’t take much to amuse a Yankee fan. Just wins and bad puns.
“Vinny, are you kidding? Mo not in the top ten players of the decade? Was Mitch ever hit in the head or something?”
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he a clown
S.o.S-
Are you pullin my leg ?
Link please ?
Of course, Yankee Stadium will be the Romine Colisseum
A Yankee thread on Austin Romine on a message board will be the Romine Forum
MTU,
thus they are splitting the catching duties for the Yanks.
GB, there’s no such thing as a bad pun….
And when Romine homers it will be, Austin Powers One!
Phil, another good one!
Knowing Sterling, he’ll probably say something like Austin hit it to Boston
Nice article on Cashman’s rebuilding of the organization:
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweets.....ger-better
All about reducing the average age and mixing in the youts with the veterans.
Yes is counting down the top ten Yankee championships – it’s ridiculous that 1996 is at #7 and this years team is #9.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
December 30th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
GB, there’s no such thing as a bad pun….
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You’ve been writing so many of them that you haven’t had time to read them.
Puns are a sign of insanity. Luckily, with me, nobody knows the difference. I’ve always been like this.
MTU
December 30th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Things I’m still hopin for :
Wang to come back on a Milb deal.
Chapman.
Nady can still throw.
JD would take an inexpensive 1 yr. deal.
Brett Gardener can transform himself into Mickey Rivers.
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MTU –
Would love to see Wang signed as late-season pitching depth.
Ok with Chapman in theory, after some MiLB.
Ok with Nady if he throws better than Damon (no seriously, even with 2 surgeries, he should be able to)
And Gardner can DEVELOP into Micky Rivers, if given time. But as Yankee fans, we never seem to give too many the time to develop.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
December 30th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Phil, another good one!
Knowing Sterling, he’ll probably say something like Austin hit it to Boston
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Romine doesn’t have that kind of power. He can only reach Schenectady. Montero can reach Montreal.
Betsy, All I can go by is how he looked back when he was playing for El Toro HS and from what some of the scouts I know had him booked and evaluated at…..His stick and his arm were rated extremely high…..He’ll be in the bigs because he can flat out hit…He has plus speed, plus + arm, with a plus baseball IQ…..He was a linedrive gap hitter with power ….He’ll be a September call up by 2012, if he’s still in the Yankee Organization…..He has MLB written all over him and this was in 2007…..But from all accounts he is better defensively than Montero…..Kyle was so advanced in his mechanics for a HS catcher, but he doesn’t carry the same plus stick that Austin has….
Saint-
gotta keep my spirits up now that MH looks like he might be gone.
Betsy,
Yeah i watch family guy occationally. Always seem to change it when they go overboard in front of my kids. Love it though. Dont remember a diablo.
MTU,
Blind leading the blind bro. I read what you read and believed it.
Da Saint, thanks for posting. I get warm fuzzies knowing that our future is in good hands with Cash and Hal (and All State, too).
GB, if that’s the case, they’d better lock us all up and throw away the key.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
December 30th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Da Saint, thanks for posting. I get warm fuzzies knowing that our future is in good hands with Cash and Hal (and All State, too).
GB, if that’s the case, they’d better lock us all up and throw away the key.
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As long as they let us out by Opening Day.
Pat M, thanks! Boy, I love all these C prospects – but there’s only room for one C. If the younger catchers really develop, I wonder if Cervell’s time here is numbered. Hishigawa sounds like a terrific defensive player and maybe even a better bat. Of course he’s a long way away. I love hearing about Romine’s potential with the bat – IMO, the Yankees need to hold onto him.
GB, puns are like potato chips – you can’t stop at just one.
I wonder if Cervell’s time here is numbered
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Betsy:
I’m betting that Cervelli will be a career backup catcher (Not that that is a bad thing. Every team needs a viable backup catcher). I just don’t think he’ll hit enough to be a starter.
Chad: There are many sources for information on the Yankees at the major-league level, including your excellent blog. There are, however, far fewer sources of credible information at the minor-league level, so I, for one, really appreciate your inclusion of news and opinions from all levels on the Yankees system. And hey, I bet the guys playing in the system appreciate it, too.
And now a question: If developing pitchers is the most important aspect of a minor-league system, what’s next? Developing catchers? Happy to hear your thoughts.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
December 30th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Yes is counting down the top ten Yankee championships – it’s ridiculous that 1996 is at #7 and this years team is #9.
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What is their criteria for selection?
keep the minor league posts coming… the neanderthals might oppose it but there is nothing wrong with an educated fanbase.
I see Cervelli possibly developing into a Girardi. Decent hitter, good backup, good defensive skills, decent speed for a catcher. There’s a reason Girardi likes him…
Brett Gardener can transform himself into Mickey Rivers.
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MTU: How about Willie Randolph instead (a guy who actually knew how to get on base)?
The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Damon has signed with the Orioles, 2 years 17.5 million
Joe-
Fine.
Or Rickey henderson (i can dream can’t i ?).
738post is bs
whatever, whatever
the situation December 30th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
keep the minor league posts coming… the neanderthals might oppose it but there is nothing wrong with an educated fanbase.
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Haha, I wondered when someone would use that handle.
My repost from 5:49
“El Monstero”
Sterling call – Jesus with a “Monster Mash” or he could call it a “Monstero Mashero”
MTU:
Wouldn’t a 26 y/o Rickey be sweet? Allowed my boyhood idol Donny Ballgame to get 145 RBI in a single season before the full-force onset of PED’s.
whatever
December 30th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Damon has signed with the Orioles, 2 years 17.5 million
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If you’re going to post something, at least make it intelligent and believable instead of something that only idiots like you would believe.
Joe Vogel
December 30th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
MTU:
Wouldn’t a 26 y/o Rickey be sweet? Allowed my boyhood idol Donny Ballgame to get 145 RBI in a single season before the full-force onset of PED’s.
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Your “boyhood idol’s” nickname was Donny Baseball.
Thanks GB (I think?). You may be my new idol.
“Wouldn’t a 26 y/o Rickey be sweet?”
———
Now thats a name nobody has mentioned yet. I would have to think hard about Ricky at his current age instead of Gardner. He could probably hit for more power and run almost as well. Maybe Winfield could do it also. Now that we’re bringing everyone back we might as well explore all opportunities.
Good post
As many have chimed in on.
Just to reiterate on concerns re Gardner fielding.
I’ve read some concerns about Brett Gardner’s jumps in center field. Newman acknowledged that Gardner occasionally took bad routes, but he said that’s nothing new. He said he saw the same thing when Melky Cabrera and Bernie Williams first got to the big leagues. “We can simulate everything in the minor leagues except the three decks,” Newman said. That third deck makes the ball difficult to track, and it takes some getting used to.
And for the Melky fans and his strong arm vs Gardner
Per Fangraphs 2009 Melky – Arm -0.9,Gardner 3.0
In other words accuracy is also a factor.
Can i be the first to give him a nickname? What do you guys think of Baby Huey? I picture a teenager thats so big he’s got the plumbers crack going on beind home plate.
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Montero was dubbed “El Torito” a couple of years ago. It made the rounds on the boards.
I’ll bet it wouldn’t be hard to convince Rickey to come out of retirement. Funny thing was, when he was still in his 20′s, I always thought that he would be a player that retired earlier than later. Who knew that he would be a modern-day Satchel Paige or Minnie Minoso.
Yankee fans seem to fall for this shiny object syndrome.
“Boy that Crawford is really something, cheap at 15 mil per and five years.
His OPS+ career is 103, in other words average.
We don’t know what Gardner will develop into. Bear in mind that he was a walk on at a small college. So he isn’t a product of some college baseball powerhouse. The Yankee minor system didn’t do him any favors, they were teaching him to incorporate his lower body in hitting at the Major level. So we could curb our impatience and see what happens, we might be pleasantly surprised. Do the Yankees need some insurance? Of course they do, but crying doom is possibly premature.
I think the Yankees should consider Juan Miranda and give him a shot to play in the majors. He has left hitting power that the Yankees will need.
Bo Knows…First off, Happy New Years in the event that this will be your last post until 2010….As for Gradner, just like last years debate regarding his merits, if he could just become a betterr tahn average bunter, he’d pick up at least 3 hits per 100 ab’s which would make him a valuable .300 + hitter…..As for Holliday, my issue is that this lineup does not a # 5 stick ….3-4-5 is the meat, the heart of the lineup, and with lineup all 3 of those hitters should drive in 100 runs…Had Matsui played even close to a full season, he’d post 100 ribbies last season…Posada is not that type of hitter anymore in my mind….Cano should be able to slip into that slot, however the club might have lost some confidence in him in that role…….
I am surprised at all these Yankee fans that just throw Granderson out in CF without acknowledging that you should not start him against lefties? I know some of you folks are smart enough to realize you should give Gardner a chance and it that is the case he should be in CF. Defensive stats are almost worthless and Bill James said that. I agree with him. the metrics have so many flaws. Overall, there is no question Gardner covers more ground and should play out in CF and Granderson should be platooned. Gardner may need to be platooned as well, but he did hit lefties well last year. A betting person would have the odds that Grander hits lefties better than Granderson. Of course Granderson is ELITE against 66% of the pitchers (righties) and should bat 5th against them.
Can someone tell me why they are ignoring how bad Granderson is against lefties? He is basically Molina at the plate…Gardner showed improvement last year just like he has done every time he moved up levels in the minors. if he can give you an OPS of .724, his speed makes it like a .780 OPS. Then when you add in his defense he is BETTER than Damon. Now, the question is whether he can give us a .724 OPS. If he can then he should be playing in CF for the Yanks PERIOD. I say give him a shot; when he had more playing time he did better.
Are we better with Holliday, of course, but the Yanks will be better in the long run without holliday if Gardner can give us a .724 OPS because we will be able to sign Lee or Mauer to whatever he wants. You can;t have almost 200 mil locked up before next year and allow Boston to grab these guys as we will be worse. I also have reservations about giving Holliday so much money as he has not looked good in the AL. I think he is better than Bay, but I am not giving that much money to guys that I am not rock solid sure about. When guys like texiera and CC Sabathia come available the Yanks should grab them. If Mauer becomes available you go ALL out and get him. If Crawford is available it does not interest me as much (even though he is a very good player).
Agreed on Mauer. He is a once in a generation hitter. Get him and sort out the catching later. Maybe end up with Montero in right and Romine in left and Mauer behind the plate. Altho’ as long as I’m wishing, I’d take Crawford in left as an excellent long term solution. Agreed on Granderson, as well. The Yankees need to get a righty to platoon with Granderson or, if not, bat him ninth. You can’t put a guy with that big a weakness in the middle of the lineup, other teams will exploit it to death.
Chad, great stuff. I think it’s clear the majority of us love the minor league stuff. Keep that line to Newman open!
i echo the sentiments of the majority of these posts. Keep up the minor league converage! Your vast knowledge of the yankees minor league system is what separates you from the pack. I for one love it.
happy new year
Chad,
Count me as another that supports the reporting of prospects and minor league “stuff” – it’s why I read you at Scranton and why I followed you here. There are plenty of beat writers that report on the MLB team.
THANKS!
Don’t stop reporting on the minor league players. It is important that we know about what the players in the minors are doing and what we can expect when they get to the big leagues. You can never give us too much information. Thank you for your continued good coverage.
Chad,
Sam should learn from your postings. These items are actual news worthy articles that offer a lot of information about the team. You are a true reporter.
Sam on the other hand is using the blog to feed his lists and opinions that take up nothing but bandwidth and do little to tell us about the team we love.
I come here for informative articles like yours and I thank you for it.