Pinch hitting: Jesse Ghiorzi
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 08, 2010 
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Next up in the Pinch Hitters series is Jesse Ghiorzi, who searched through baseball to put together a team of familiar faces.
Jesse grew up in Westchester County, lives in Ohio and tries to make it home for two or three games at The Stadium every year (he also catches four or five games on the road). “My favorite Yankees memory was sitting on the third-base line during David Cone’s perfect game,” he wrote.
Jesse is the PR coordinator for a race track — “cars, not horses!” – and runs his own blog with his friend Mike Pellegrini, “who had the idea for the ex-Yankees team,” Jesse wrote.
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If you take a look at virtually any MLB roster, you’ll recognize a player or three who played in the Yankees organization at one point. Years ago I remember looking at guys like Jay Buhner mashing, Kenny Rogers toeing the rubber and J.T. Snow flashing leather and wondered “what could have been?”
While this team isn’t as star-studded as it could have been in other years, I’ve often thought you could put together a roster comprised of former Yankees that is good enough to compete for the playoffs. I picked the team based on who would give me the best chance to win in one season, not one game, not one series, or for five years. My selections are below, with information about how the player came to and left the Yankees as well as his active years in the organization.
Lineup
1. Alfonso Soriano, 2B (CHC)
signed after playing for Hiroshima Toyo Carp, 1999-2003, traded to TEX 2004
2. Johnny Damon, CF (FA)
signed as FA, 2006-09, currently unsigned
3. Bobby Abreu, RF (ANA)
acquired via trade from PHI, 2007-09, signed w/ANA 2008
4. Carlos Pena, 1B (TB)
signed as FA, 2006, released 2006
5. Hideki Matsui, DH (ANA)
signed as FA, 2003-09, signed w/ANA 2009
6. Juan Rivera , LF (ANA)
signed as amateur FA, 1996-2003, traded to MON 2003
7. Mike Lowell, 3B (BOS)
drafted, 1995-1998, traded to FLA 1999
8. Dioner Navarro, C (TB)
signed as amateur FA, 2000-04, traded to ARI 2005
9. Nick Green, SS (BOS)
purchased from ATL, 2006, signed w/PIT 2007
Bench
Melky Cabrera, OF (ATL)
signed as amateur FA, 2001-09, traded to ATL 2009
Wil Nieves, C (WAS)
acquired via trade LAA, 2005-2007, signed w/WAS 2008
Eric Hinske, UTIL (ATL)
acquired via trade from PIT, 2009, sign w/ATL 2009
Jerry Hairston, Jr., UTIL (SD)
acquired via trade from CIN 2009, signed w/SD 2010
Rotation
Ted Lilly, LHP (CHC)
acquired via trade from MON, 2000-02, traded to OAK 2002
Jake Westbrook, RHP (CLE)
acquired via trade from MON/WAS (same one as Lilly!) 2000, traded to CLE 2000
Ross Ohlendorf, RHP (PIT)
acquired via trade from ARI, 2007-08, traded 2008
Chien-Ming Wang, RHP (FA)
signed as amateur FA, 2000-09, currently unsigned
Jeff Weaver, RHP (LAD)
acquired via trade from DET, 2002-2003, traded to LAD 2003
Bullpen
Scott Proctor, RHP (ATL)
acquired via trade from LAD, 2003-07, traded to LAD 2007
Octavio Dotel, RHP(CHW)
signed as FA, 2006, signed w/KC 2006
Tyler Clippard, RHP (WAS)
drafted, 2003-07, traded to WAS 2007
LaTroy Hawkins, RHP (HOU)
signed as FA, 2008, traded to HOU 2008
Brett Tomko, RHP (OAK)
signed as FA, 2009, released 2009
Phil Coke, LHP (DET)
drafted, 2002-09, traded to DET 2009
Randy Choate, LHP (TB)
drafted, 1997- 2003, traded to MON 2003
Coaching staff
Manager- Joe Torre (LAD) 1996-2007
Bench- Don Zimmer (TB) 1996-2003
Pitching- Joe Kerrigan (PIT) 2006-07
1B- Willie Randolph (MIL) 1994-2004
3B- Larry Bowa (LAD) 2006-07
Strengths
An outfield of Rivera, Damon and Abreu gives me good pop (68 HR in 2009) and lots of offense but leaves a lot to be desired in the department of defense. Speedy guys like Ellsbury and Ichiro would tag up from 1st base on deep flies. The bench is a major strength, with Leche starting probably three games a week to give Rivera, Damon and Abreu each a day off. It’s also versatile with two guys (Hinske and Hairston, Jr.) who can play multiple positions.
Weaknesses
Injury concerns run rampant up and down the roster, so we’re going to throw a crazy amount of money at the vaunted Phoenix Suns training staff to keep our largely injured and/or aging players. Obviously with Green and Lowell on the left side of the infield is a point of concern, but hopefully that’s made up for with All-Stars on the right side. While the term closer-by-committee terrifies any baseball fan, it looks to be the case for the Ex-Yankees without a clear cut favorite. Choate (5 SV/ 13 GF in 2009) and Hawkins (11 SV/ 34 GF in 2009) are most likely going to see the bulk of the action.
Tough Choices
I love what Pudge Rodriguez can do for the staff, but I preferred the younger Nieves. It would have been nice to find a place for Xavier Nady, because I think he’ll put together a decent year, but there are enough guys coming back from injury-plagued years on the club already. There was absolutely no way on God’s green Earth I was going to allow Carl Pavano and his cancerous ways into the clubhouse.
Bottom Line
If these Ex-Yankees were to play a full season in the AL East they could lose 90-95 games if the injury bug hits them. I think the best they’d do is around .500 based on having such a questionable pitching staff that the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox would abuse at times. However, since we are clearly operating in a fantasy world, imagine Bud Selig’s last act as commissioner was to place the Ex-Yankees in the NL Central in place of his Brewers. With this club getting to play the Reds, Pirates, Astros and Cubs (without Soriano and Lilly, remember) I pencil them in for 88-74, contending for the wildcard.
That pitching staff isn’t winning too many games! The top end of the lineup is good, but this team doesn’t make the playoffs in the AL.
Great job Jesse! Very interesting
The outfield defense would be awful.
That team would be brutal defensively. I doubt that pitching staff would be able to win 88 games in the NL Central with that defense behind them. An interesting post, nonetheless. Good idea Jesse.
I don’t think that’s a .500 team.. the lineup is descent but defensively would be terrible and the rotation is awful. Interesting post though.
A few alterations:
SS – Alberto Gonzalez
Nick Green may have the better bat but Gonzo is a defensive playmaker.
I would put Giambi on the bench instead of Hinske and also put Austin Jackson into the OF somewhere. Though I see the need for keeping the bats of both Damon and Rivera.
No Kyle Farnsworth in the pen?
Soriano in the OF.. gotta be. Bench Juan Rivera and put Hairston at 2B, Alberto Gonzalez at SS. Nice team!
So apparently we are getting hit with a blizzard on Wednesday
This team would be last place in the AL East.
Can we put mussina in the pitching rotation? even after a year retired he’s still better than anybody else there.
No thanks. They’re all ex-Yankees for a reason.
I think that realizing how awful that rotation looks should be seen as a tribute to Cashman and the Yankees organization.
Brett Tomko!!!
Well ALRIGHT!!!
Erica,
Yeah i’m not looking forward to driving in that mess.
Jesse,
Nice post, I don’t agree with all your choices but it’s an interesting topic for discussion.
I’m not sure CMW is healthy enough to pencil in to a 5 man rotation right now. Maybe in a few months though. I wouldn’t hesitate to go with Pavano. He’s a very good pitcher as he showed with Minnesota last year.
And don’t get me started on that outfield, it’s atrocious. I’d probably drop Juan Rivera to the bench, pencil Melky in as the starting CF.
” I wouldn’t hesitate to go with Pavano. He’s a very good pitcher as he showed with Minnesota last year.”
A very good pitcher?
I’m pretty sure he gave up the most earned runs in the AL last season.
He did look good in that playoff game, I’ll give him that.
Patrick
February 8th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Erica,
Yeah i’m not looking forward to driving in that mess.
***************
Right now I am planning on working from home.
They are calling the amount that is supposed to hit us “immobilizing”. They are also saying over a foot now with blizzard winds
I agree, Patrick. Pavano should easily be in that rotation.
Pavano could make that rotation – heck Ian Kennedy could make that rotation.
“Gave up the most runs in the American League last year”
This means absolutely nothing to me.
Notice I said “as he proved with the Twins”. He wasn’t great but he was pretty good with them. Decent ERA, averaged 6+ innings per start. Looked great at the end of the season.
Erica,
Unfortunately my job doesn’t allow us to work from home. I’ll probably have to take a day off.
Patrick
February 8th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Erica,
Unfortunately my job doesn’t allow us to work from home. I’ll probably have to take a day off.
************
That stinks.
With technology as it is, I actually never need to be physically in my office. But they really enjoy my smiling face and frown upon taking advantage of working from home.
However, vacation time off is strictly forbidden until April 15th. A few years ago, I needed a procedure on my foot that I couldn’t put off and prohibited me from walking for a few days. They wouldn’t let me stay home and just recover. Instead I had to bring 10 tax returns home. Good times.
What a bunch of cream puffs! Talking about a blizzard as a foot of snow. Real blizzards are two to three feet of snow with gale force winds. You guys and Erica must live in Marshmallow land.
Erica sorry about the score last night. It’s tough when you are so close and it looks like you are going to win.
Who is going to be your new PBF?
Pitchers and catchers soon.
This message from Arctic Command!
The way that list was going I thought I was going to see Kyle Farnsworth somewhere.
Comet
February 8th, 2010 at 10:59 am
What a bunch of cream puffs! Talking about a blizzard as a foot of snow. Real blizzards are two to three feet of snow with gale force winds. You guys and Erica must live in Marshmallow land.
Erica sorry about the score last night. It’s tough when you are so close and it looks like you are going to win.
Who is going to be your new PBF?
******************
I am very brave and gutsy when it comes to a lot of things. Driving in snow is not one of them. I have had way too many bad experiences skidding on parkways, when it feels like someone was really just looking out for me. I live about 45 minutes from work (on a normal day) and if I can avoid driving in the bad weather, I do.
Thank you, I am not going to lie. Losing that money is still hurting today. So close.
At this time, I am not ready to move on into another pretend relationship. But when the time comes, this blog will be the first to know
It’s a good thing Willie is coaching 1st base & not 3rd!! lol
Sorry to hear about your super bowl wagers, Erica. Also your job sounds pretty intense – accounting right?
My company has silly policies about working from home but even if they allowed me to, I can’t nowadays. All of my work is done in a software lab and it can’t really be taken elsewhere.
LMAO!
Patrick
February 8th, 2010 at 11:20 am
Sorry to hear about your super bowl wagers, Erica. Also your job sounds pretty intense – accounting right?
********
Thanks Patrick.
And yes, I am a CPA. Its not as glamourous as they sell it
So, in retrospect looking at that list I would do the following:
I’m first bringing in a couple of Nationals – At SS Christian Guzman is an upgrade from Nick Green in every way. I think it’s cheating to use Sori at 2b – he’s a LF now so that’s where I would play him – and put Alberto Gonzalez at 2b.
and replace Damon in CF with Austin Jackson. yes, I’m giving up two bats in Rivera and Damon, but I think with this pitching staff I’m going to need OF help instead.
I would improve the bench by putting in Giambi for Hinske and Pudge for Nieves.
Add Pavano to the rotation in place of Weaver – I think for the purposes of this we can assume everyone is healthy.
Guzman – SS
Sori – LF
Abreu – RF
Pena – 1b
Lowell – 3b
Matsui – DH
Navarro – C
Jackson – CF
Gonzales – 2b
Bench:
Giambi
Pudge
Hairston
Melky
Damon
Rotation:
Lilly
Pavano
CM Wang
Ohlendorf
Westbrook
Pen
Closer: Dotel
LHP: Coke, Choate
RHP: Hawkins, Proctor, Kennedy,
This proposed team is not better than the Cincinatti Reds.
OK, I’ve stopped LMAO. Nice post. I would have given I would have made the following substitutions:
Rotation
Ian Kennedy over Jake Westbrook as a starter.
Brian Bruney over Tyler Clippard as relief pitcher.
Alberto Gonzalez over Nick Green at SS.
Mel Stottelmyer over Joe Kerrigan as Pitching Coach
By the way – speaking of former Yankees – did anyone else see the note out of Pittsburgh that they think Jose Tabata is actually closer to 30 than to his reported 21?
Chip, I think they said mid-20′s.
DaSaint –
I forgot about Bruney entirely – Yeah I would put him in my pen. I think I would still keep Westbrook around though. Maybe bounce Proctor instead.
As for Mel – I don’t think he’s still in baseball so does he count? We’re going to need a ruling on that. Because if Mel counts then I’m adding Moose to the rotation.
Joaquin Arias and Alberto Gonzalez, I would start either of them over Nick Green. Green came out of the gate hot last year, but he’s not really major league quality. Gonzo hit .299 last year and has a slick glove, Arias is stuck in Texas but hit .291 two years ago. Neither has any power.
Anyway, great list… I really enjoyed it!
I think I would still take Guzman over Arias at SS and put Alberto at 2b.
Though with Guzman and Soriano we’re not talking about a great OBP duo at the top of the lineup.
Every permutation I’ve read here is a 100 loss team in the AL, no matter what division they’re in and a 93-95 loss team in the NL.
There’s a reason they’re ex-Yankees.
Jesse,
Great post! Loved the “analysis”. DaSaint is correct, leaving Bruney off was a glaring ommission. He was a very good middle reliever for a few years.
Erica,
You can send your hate mail to Reggie Wayne. Watching stuff on tv, and he was the “ugly” of the “Good, bad, & ugly” They said he closed his eyes and braced for impact. (that was my initial impression, that he heard footsteps)
SoS,
I know you’re in mourning this morning. Just wanted you to know that I feel bad for you, and hope you bounce back soon. Watching the Spurs should take your mind off football. And maybe next time Dungy will keep his mouth shut? J/K. Take care, buddy.
m
February 8th, 2010 at 11:46 am
You can send your hate mail to Reggie Wayne. Watching stuff on tv, and he was the “ugly” of the “Good, bad, & ugly” They said he closed his eyes and braced for impact. (that was my initial impression, that he heard footsteps)
**************************
He played better than I expected, at least in the first half. I don’t know how he did it- that ankle had to be killing him.
The best thing about the ineptitude of this team is that it demonstrates that the Yankees are parting with fewer players who have significant upsides/remaining years left. A comparsison with a similarly selected team from about 1991 would show why the Yankees had slid into mediocrity for the better part of 5 years as a veritable All-Star team could have been constructed from the young players dealt at that time.
Erin
February 8th, 2010 at 11:55 am
m
February 8th, 2010 at 11:46 am
You can send your hate mail to Reggie Wayne. Watching stuff on tv, and he was the “ugly” of the “Good, bad, & ugly” They said he closed his eyes and braced for impact. (that was my initial impression, that he heard footsteps)
**************************
He played better than I expected, at least in the first half. I don’t know how he did it- that ankle had to be killing him.
*****************
Never mind-I just realized what I typed-I’m talking about Dwight Freeney!! Forgive me, it’s Monday morning
m
February 8th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Erica,
You can send your hate mail to Reggie Wayne. Watching stuff on tv, and he was the “ugly” of the “Good, bad, & ugly” They said he closed his eyes and braced for impact. (that was my initial impression, that he heard footsteps)
********
Thank you. Its good to have a face and name to go with my blind fury
Erin,
Freeney was ankle, and Wayne was knee. You a Colts fan? You get my sympathy, too. Nobody else! Even my own daughter gets it. She should know better than to cheer for Peyton Manning. But she can’t help it. Her favorite animal is the giraffe.
Joe Vogel,
Was thinking the same thing. Cash has done a good job of upgrading the roster. We’ll see if any of the can’t misses actually hit the mark, but the Tabata news is probably nothing new to Cashman. I think the 40-yr. old wife was the tip off.
My Colts fan co-worker is up in arms about the ‘illegal block in the back’ on Manning during Porter’s int return….
That is one awful baseball team. The bullpen is potentially decent but this would be the worst defensive team in the International League. The starting pitching is downright awful.
But it was a noble attempt
Erin,
Good catch. Ooh, sorry about that.
And that should be “even my own daughter doesn’t get any [sympathy].”
m
Did you see the Megan Fox commercial during the SuperBowl and notice something unusual or actually usual about it?
Erica-
Would the foot procedure be a Johnny Damon tattoo?
Tom in NJ February 8th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
My Colts fan co-worker is up in arms about the ‘illegal block in the back’ on Manning during Porter’s int return….
_______
LMAO. WEAK excuse!!
pat,
I spent half the time trying to figure out if it was her (missed the first few seconds of the commercial). I should’ve just looked at her thumbs. (the real ones, guys!)
Hey guys, thanks for reading and all your comments… I didn’t want to put the fans of the ex Yankees through the annoyance of Carl Pavano. I know this pitching staff is a bit rough, but I can’t see putting IPK above Westbrook, he has 60 major league innings. Obviously I cheated a bit with Soriano at 2B but Hairston and Green up the middle for 162 games made me want to puke. Does everyone who suggested Giambi over Hinske on the bench forget what he did for the A’s last year? Hinske can play more positions and has decent pop.
I would play Damon over Soriano in LF. Damon can at least catch the balls he gets to and is a much better hitter. Soriano was pretty awful last year and I think he’s only going to get worse.
m
February 8th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Erin,
You a Colts fan? You get my sympathy, too.
**********************
I am; I appreciate the sympathy
New Post: So, what did I miss?
(the real ones, guys!)
You noticed they used a thumb double? Didn’t cross my mind until I read it this morning.
That post (as are most of these guest posts) was a complete waste of time.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/.....66005.html
Doesn’t seem like anything but hearsay regarding Tabata being older than his documented/accepted age. Weird that the GM would even address it since it is an unfounded rumor, but then again, I might be too used to Brian Cashman non-answers on issues like these.
Nice post.
Comforting to see so little in the “One That Got Away” category.
Hi,
You’re missing Jose Rijo that was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. The also omitted him on a post at River Avenue Blues.
Best regards,
Rudi