Chamberlain: “We’ve got to continue to push each other”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Podcast on Feb 19, 2010 
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When reporters gathered around their lockers this afternoon, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes each talked for about three minutes. Hughes joked that we need some sort of gauge to easily judge the competition. At some point, after I turned off my recorder, everyone began suggesting random ways to decide the whole thing. Hughes liked the idea of The Office trivia, probably because he used to watch that show on his laptop all the time.
Here’s the audio, first from Chamberlain, then Hughes.
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Finally, a few pictures. As you’ve seen, my phone’s camera can’t really take worthwhile pictures of guys on the bullpen mound. Instead, here’s a picture of Hughes running out of the bullpen after the session, a picture of Jorge Posada running into the bullpen to start the session and a picture of the crowd lingering overhead.
It was quite the media event, and Hughes had to dodge a photographer on his way out. Also the crowd was a little bigger while they were pitching. I took the picture when they finished. That’s Francisco Cervelli in the background of the Posada picture.
Chad,
Can you take pictures of me? Your camera is very slimming.
(no need to apologize for the quality of the pictures, the complainers can find glossies somewhere else)
I wanted to make some comments in response to a discussion from yesterday.
One poster said that wins tell a lot about a pitcher. I’d like to point out 2001, and compare Clemens vs Mussina. That year, Clemens was 20-3 (.870) and won the Cy Young Award. Mussina was 17-11 (.607); he was fifth in running for the Cy Young.
… Sure looks like Clemens deserved the Cy Young- looks like his year was “much better” than Mussina’s.
Well actually, Clemens had RS (Run Support) of 5.88 runs/game, while Mussina only had 4.12 runs/game. And Mussina’s ERA was about 10% better than Clemens’ ERA.
Also, ERA results were pretty well mirrored by some of the newer sabremetrics stats- Clemens FIP=3.29 WPA=2.29, Mussina FIP=2.92 WPA=3.91. (For those who don’t know, FIP is “Fielding Independant Pitching” and in values normally fall in the same range as ERA. WPA is “Win Probability Added”- a higher value is better.)
So, if you pay much attention to Wins and Win Percentage, Clemens had a better year than Mussina. But, based on ERA and on the other statistics, Mussina had the better season.
What do you think?
Hideki Matsui said his knees aren’t 100 percent, reports Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.
Shocker. The newly-signed Matsui made his first appearance in camp on Friday, arriving a few days before position players are required to report. Through a translator, Matsui said he “feels physically pretty good, although to be honest, my knees aren’t 100 percent.” The Yankees had concerns about Matsui’s surgically-repaired knees, and although the World Series MVP suggested hr was capable of playing in the outfield again, the Angels would be foolish to do so.
Randy, I’m going by memory here, but I’m not sure you got the point of my Lackey comparison. The point was to illustrate that the perceived chasm between the approach required for starting pitching the relieving isn’t as bit as some imagine.
As a 1 inning reliever, Hughes threw his 1st and 2nd pitches at about the same rate as a starter. As a reliever, he simply didn’t use his 4th pitch much, which for a comparable starter equated to 4 pitches per 100.
The point was, I don’t think his time spend in the bullpen was time completely wasted in his development. In fact, I believe it made him focus on maximizing the two pitches he’s going to throw 82% of the time as a starter.
Phil Hughes I believe took a step forward as a major league PITCHER in 2009, the step forward we’ll all been expecting. he just so happened to do it as a reliever.
Will be need to adjust to perhaps losing 2 MPH off his fastball as a starter? Absolutely. Which in fact makes his progress locating it and having confidence in it ALL the more vital.
I’ll repeat the overall point. The difference between a guy who pitched 80 innings 1 inning at a time and the guy who pitched 224 innings over 35 starts was 4 change-ups per 100 pitches.
Phil Hughes became a better pitcher in 2009, perhaps even BECAUSE of how he spent his year, not despite it.
Short relieving (at least how Phil Hughes practiced the craft) and starting as not completely different disciplines. They’re much more alike than they are different.
Is Phil Hughes path to the eventual rotation perhaps a little unusual? Yeah, okay, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad path.
If anyone told you they knew a tried and sure way of having a young player with stuff make the huge leap to consistent major league starter, they’d be lying.
I think people are rejecting the reliever-to-starter path because there isn’t much contemporary precedence, and because the fallacy that his pitch selection %’s would be vastly different in one role and another.
The stats (just people counting and recording pitches, not interpreting) just don’t bear that out.
Phil talked about the Office all the time on his blog – sounds like a good way to me to decide the 5 spot, lol. It looks like they are going to be the rock stars of this camp – Phil had to dodge the paparazzi? LOL
Chad, the pictures are just fine and we appreciate you posting them
My husband and I are latecomers to The Office. But I like to think that we are the couple in that show (the cute couple!). I’m sure I’m flattering us, but there is a lot about them that reminds me of us – especially as we were. But I’d never win a trivia contest on The Office. Betsy, didn’t Phil run a The Office trivia contest on his blog to give away stuff?
Chad-
Was there anything on wether or not it still takes Joba extra time to get loose before throwing ? Did you notice anything on that point ?
I think the experience Hughes got last year will prove invaluable in either role, though I do think if he loses out to start the season, they’ll send him down to SWB for awhile to get innings and stay stretched out.
DaSaint007
February 19th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Damon needs a $6+ million, non-deferred contract to save face. Apparently, no one’s offering more than $4-4.5MM guaranteed, with the remainder deferred.
Can anyone see any possible scenario that would allow Cashman to reconsider were Damon willing to accept an identical offer from the Yanks?
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Perhaps if they can unload Mitre, Hoffmann and Igawa to a team like the Cubs or Houston for some minor league prosects of some value (not necessarily top of the line, but maybe somewhere far down the ready line or middle of the pack prospects). Both teams need pitching help in the rotation and bullpen and outfield help. That moves about 6 mil from the payroll.
After 3 months off, Matsui is already saying his knees are less than 100%.
Question:
Do they use radar guns to check FB velocity when guys do bullpens later in the Spring ?
Do they show readings during ST games like they would in Reg. season games ?
Never been to ST.
“I do think if he loses out to start the season, they’ll send him down to SWB for awhile to get innings and stay stretched out.”
Which is less innings he’ll throw for the Yankees. Still waiting for someone to piechart for me how pitching less this year to pitch more next year is a net gain for the Yankees..?
If Damon comes back to the Yankees for pennies, I can see the spin now.
“I wanted a chance to repeat”
i love hideki matsui and with him nothing but the best in everything he does (except against the yankees)
im getting sick of everybody on here dumping on damon and now its strarting with godzilla. these guys played huge parts in a yankees championship and i will personally give each a standing O every time i see them come up to the plate. whether or not it was wise to let them go (and i think it was in both cases) they are yankees champions and yankees fans should treat them accordingly.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
GM Alex Anthopoulos would like to focus on speed, athleticism, and strong baserunning throughout the Blue Jays’ organization, writes MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.
The Blue Jays signed Jose Molina to a one-year deal that includes a club option for 2011, according to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.
Umm, yeah, that fits the plan.
“Umm, yeah, that fits the plan.”
:LOL:
Holla amigos.
So i read that Jurjens shoulder is stiff. I wonder if they would take Mitre or Gaudin for some AAA positional needs? Do they have anything left to offer?
Agree, leave Matsui and Damon alone, without them there would have not been a no 27. You might not want to believe this but the Yankees might miss them more than you’d like to realize. They were clutch and could hit leftys. Damon won game 4 for NY and Matsui game 6. let’s see if Winn/Gardner, Johnson, and Granderson can play in the clutch before you complain about these two.
damon chose his own fate, nobody bashing matsui
DaSaint007
February 19th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
•GM Alex Anthopoulos would like to focus on speed, athleticism, and strong baserunning throughout the Blue Jays’ organization, writes MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.
The Blue Jays signed Jose Molina to a one-year deal that includes a club option for 2011, according to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.
Umm, yeah, that fits the plan.
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Three Molina catching brothers and the Yanks got the slowest one and the only that can’t hit.
A match race to the “death”. Jose Molina vs HOF catcher, Ernie Lombardi in his prime. My money is on Lombardi and he’s been dead for 33 years. Ernie wins in a roll over.
Y’s Guy,
I have a problem with Damon not Matsui. Damon comes off as a money hungry vulture IMO. He came out 4 years ago and stated that he wouldnt ever play for the Yanks and before you know it, he was wearing the stripes. Then he comes out this year saying he loves New York and wants to comeback. Not long after that, he makes an ultimatum to the Yanks and Cash to show em the money or dont bother. Lastly, it goes to a he said he said battle. Was all that necessary? Did i like the double steal, the effort he gave out on the field? Yes. Does that make everything after alright. Absolutely no. The Yanks are my team. Once someone leaves, honestly i root against them just like any other foe. I just think Damon looks at teams and fans as dollar signs. Money is important, but milking it for the last drop and willing to play in siberia for it is going over board in my book. Why should i have any respect for a phony?
S.o.S.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Holla amigos.
So i read that Jurjens shoulder is stiff. I wonder if they would take Mitre or Gaudin for some AAA positional needs? Do they have anything left to offer?
————————————————————
Send Mitre or Igawa to Atlanta for Omar Infante
Boxing returning to the Bronx
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....Id=rss_nyy
Yeah!!! You big, old meanies. Leave Damon and Matsui alone.
Tom in NJ
February 19th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Boxing returning to the Bronx
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl…..Id=rss_nyy
I assume that this is actually in a boxing ring and not the normal run-of-the-mill street corner fights.
Send Mitre or Igawa to Atlanta for Omar Infante
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Cash doesn’t want to spend the dough for a utility guy though. Even a talented one.
“Which is less innings he’ll throw for the Yankees. Still waiting for someone to piechart for me how pitching less this year to pitch more next year is a net gain for the Yankees..?”
Yeah, it’s not like there might be a case where they make him a reliever, then three weeks later they need a starter and have to go with Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin because his arm wasn’t stretched out enough anymore. That would never happen, would it?
Doree, yes he did. I can testify to what a good kid he is because he was always so friendly and appreciative to his fans. I stopped watching the Office a few years ago. The original Office, from England, is still great however.
Wenger’s admission came during a vitriolic attack on Swedish referee Martin Hansson for his below-par performance in the 2-1 Champions League loss at Porto in midweek.
He said: “I believe that he is incompetent or dishonest – but I prefer to think that he is incompetent.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/ho.....andal.html
What a conspiracy theorist
GB, when my father was 8 years old, he ran onto the field at the Polo Grounds and stole the Ernie Lombardi’s cap, lol. They made him give it back. I guess my dad became an atty to right that wrong, lol
However, the Yankees won WS with Molina so I don’t care if he couldn’t it. He was a very good backup catcher for us and I have no complaints about him.
if he couldn’t HIT, not it
Y”eah, it’s not like there might be a case where they make him a reliever, then three weeks later they need a starter and have to go with Sergio Mitre and Chad Gaudin because his arm wasn’t stretched out enough anymore. That would never happen, would it?”
It could. But it also might not. Then what have you gained?
You can’t get a refund for that sort of insurance policy if you don’t need it. You lose the premiums forever.
AND the math isn’t favorable in any case but a serious, long-term in the rotation. Losing Hughes at the major league level for weeks or even months to make 1, 2, or 3 spot starts doesn’t net you anything either.
AND oh.. Gaudin wasn’t bad as a Yankee. Not bad at all…
DaSaint007
February 19th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Send Mitre or Igawa to Atlanta for Omar Infante
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Cash doesn’t want to spend the dough for a utility guy though. Even a talented one.
————————————————————
It would be $850 K or 4 mil per year for 2 years vs Infante’s 2.25 mil this year w/2.75 mil team option next year.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/.....-open-camp
“As far as being in the right spot at the right time, I’m very thankful,” Burnett said of the championship ring. “But my overall individual performance always leaves room for improvement. I think a 13-9 record with an offence like this one, in a park like we play in is … well, I’ve got a lot of work to do.”
***
AJ’s being hard on himself as he could have had a few more wins. Still, I love the attitude.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
February 19th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
GB, when my father was 8 years old, he ran onto the field at the Polo Grounds and stole the Ernie Lombardi’s cap, lol. They made him give it back. I guess my dad became an atty to right that wrong, lol
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My heart goes out to the little girl who father was a notorious criminal, Betsy. How did you ever live down the shame?
Cute story. Does he still have the hat?
http://www.northjersey.com/spo.....d_him.html
I’m really excited about Javy……..
Never mind, betsy. You said that they made him give it back. No hat but, he has a rap sheet. LMAO
GB, I have no shame…..witness how I’m bragging about it, lol.
No, they made him give the cap back and I remember him telling me that, well let’s put it this way, Lombardi didn’t think it was so cute. I like the story because sometimes I forget that my parents were kids…..
Gotta love those “selfish players” that are never satisfied, don’t you, Betsy?
We’ll just keep that hush hush, GB, before they disbar him.
GB, no question……….and I think this team is full of those types of players. That said, I think AJ cares more than anyone else on the team because there’s a picture showing him leading the rest of the team as they were doing their sprints. Clearly he wanted it more than the rest of them – lazy bums.
Yeah. They’ll have to look for video tapes and finger prints on your dad. I wonder if there’s a reward out on him?
I can see “America’s Most Wanted” now: Dangerous criminal, Betsy’s Dad is still at large after 65 years.
A few thoughts:
As much as I love Joba, I really feel in my heart that Phil Hughes will be the Yankees 5th starter.
Granderson’s BA 282 31hr 78RBI 350 OPB ( How many stolen bases will he have this year??) I have him pecked for 30.
Javier will pitch better than AJ burnett.
Betsy, I think now that AJ has a year under his belt, and the nerves & the pressure have settled somewhat, we’ll see a more confident and consistent AJ Burnett in 2010….Man I just love that arm, always have…..Last winter CB indicated that AJ could be ready to blossom and mirror Curt Schilling’s career….I still think CB was on to something about AJ
“I wanted a chance to repeat”
If that’s what it will take to get that idiot back, get it done.
Benny Blanco
February 19th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
A few thoughts:
As much as I love Joba, I really feel in my heart that Phil Hughes will be the Yankees 5th starter.
Granderson’s BA 282 31hr 78RBI 350 OBP ( How many stolen bases will he have this year??) I have him pegged for 30.
Javier will pitch better than AJ burnett.
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Sorry for the repost
Hopefully, it’s a player like Burnette that dogs Chamberlain this year. chamberlain is very nuch like a young Burnett. I believe NYYs see a pitcher that was better than the one they signed up for in Burnett, now that he’s got the butterflies out.
Pat M.
February 19th, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Betsy, I think now that AJ has a year under his belt, and the nerves & the pressure have settled somewhat, we’ll see a more confident and consistent AJ Burnett in 2010….Man I just love that arm, always have…..Last winter CB indicated that AJ could be ready to blossom and mirror Curt Schilling’s career….I still think CB was on to something about AJ
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I was thinking the same thing. And whats interesting is that his era last year 4.07 was better than the year before.
LOL I may turn him in for the reward, GB
Pat M, I think he’ll have a very good year as well. He may never live up to what others expect of him, but he works hard, is a great teammate and cares a lot. He’s also one guy who’s brought back a sense of fun to the team and that is worth a lot to me. Overall I think he’s a pretty popular guy, though I sense bitterness from some corners because he hasn’t had the career his arm dictated he might. Well, some people grow up later than others. I don’t know if AJ will turn into Curt, but it’s ok if he doesn’t. I thought he acquitted himself well in the post-season and his game 2 performance in the WS was tremendous. I think he can clearly handle NY and the post-season pressure; whatever issues he had in the post-season had nothing to do with choking and everything to do with his quirks as a pitcher.
Benny, Burnett has an ugly July, with some real serious blowouts ( Fenway )….Extract those few games and his numbers were good….He was his own worst enemy….Interesting that GB makes the Joba comparison, becuse Joba was his own undoing last season as well…..Burentt just has sick movement on his heater and then there’s that optical illusional breaking ball….Stuborn at times (as is Joba ), but AJ has matured over the past few seasons….Joba, who knows when the light bulbs upstairs will turn on….
Pat M, I think it was an ugly August and that completely killed his #s. Up until then, he’d done a good job of pitching without his best stuff (a few bad starts not withstanding). I don’t get what happened at Fenway – my only guess is that he cared a lot about being a Yankee and took the rivalry very seriously. I think he looked forward to pitching in Fenway in pinstripes, but his eagerness just blew up in his face. In any case, I hope that was the problem because prior to that, he’d been lights out at Fenway.
Pat,
There are so many story lines this year.
JOBA vs Phil
Javier’s story. The crafty veteran returning to get a second shot at redemption.
Jeter, MO, PO, and Pett, going for number 5
Alex hitting his 600th. April 4 cannot come fast enough.
Burnett had about 4 really ugly games, but, people forget that he had 10 games of 6+ innings of 3 runs or less that were no decisions or losses. That runs….not just earned runs.
Betsy, if AJ has a career year this year. He will be lights out.
Betsy, if AJ has a career year this year. He will be lights out.
Burnett had about 4 really ugly games, but, people forget that he had 10 games of 6+ innings of 3 runs or less that were no decisions or losses. That runs….not just earned runs.
—
Maybe if he had worked for his run support he’d have won some of those, but theres a reason why guys like AJ don’t win 20 games. Gimme Joe Saunders and his 4.6 ERA and 17 wins over AJ and his 4 or 2 or 3 or whatever he feels like throwin ERA that day and his measely 13 or less wins.
As Cone has said, if AJ could throw a third pitch more, he’d have a much easier time when he has trouble commanding his fb or curve.
Rich in NJ, with his pitching style, a circle change would most likely be his easiest to master 3rd pitch…..
Burnett has a great third pitch. why he doesn’t throw that great change-up more is beyond me.
Rich in NJ
February 19th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
As Cone has said, if AJ could throw a third pitch more, he’d have a much easier time when he has trouble commanding his fb or curve.
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Exactly.
It’s good to see you posting, Monkfish Jones. Your old school commentary is a refreshing change from those persnickety sabregeeks.
Harold Reynolds:
Q: The biggest spring training competition for the Yankees is for the fifth starter’s spot with Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes as the top candidates. Who do you think is better off in the rotation?
A: Neither, both should be in the bullpen. If you look at Hughes, Chamberlain, (Damaso) Marte, (Mariano) Rivera at the end of games, you are now asking your starters to go six innings. That’s a tremend-ous lift and takes a major burden off the starting pitcher. I think that’s a formula that can win them another World Series
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....z0g2hQcpNp
Tom in NJ
Did they ask him whats wrong with his hairline?
champ809
February 19th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Jason Werth is a better RF’er than Choo
JD Drew when healthy is a better RF’er than Choo
Josh Hamilton who will play in RF this year is a better
RF’er than Choo.
The point is while Choo is a good young player,who I happen to like alot he’s not the 2nd or 3rd best RF’er in baseball.
If all Rf’ers were FA right now Choo would not be awarded the 3rd highest contract by teams and gms
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champ,
Again, if you want to make the argument that those guys are better you have to actually give even some sort of reason. CB brought up Upton and explained why he was better. CB also brought up Ichiro. Pat made his case for Ethier. I used the stats from 09 to make my case for Choo.
Since neither of us are scouts or baseball executives just saying they are better is not a credible statement without evidence.
One last post for the night. Just a few links.
You tried making your point by using a combination of useless and bogis numbers.
The Yanks improved their starting pitching getting Vazquez and I agree with Harold Reynolds, put Joba and Phil both in the pen. Mitre or Gaudin will be 500 pitchers in the 5 hold. More games are won or lost in the pen and having both there will lighten the innings on the starters. However, we’ll be looking for a bat during the season. Can’t replace Matsui, Damon, and Melky with Johnson, Winn/Gardner, and Granderson. Too suspect late in games to leftys. Neither Winn of Granderson can hit them. Will be shopping for a bat and missing Johnny badly by June. Should never have signed Winn, waited longer for Damon, and signed him for cheap money. It’ll cost Cashman money and prospects to fix the order later. Also, the bench stinks.
that really is an interesting question: what will be the fan reaction to j. damon’s yankee stadium return. i predict huge noise, one half booing, the other half cheering.
My buddy just emailed me…Chad, you made his day..in the photo of the crowd lingering over the BP, my friend is the one closest to the foul pole….he’s so excited he’s in the photo! I can’t stop laughing.
BTW, who is that in the BP below the crowd?