Notes from Tuesday
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc, Podcast on Mar 02, 2010 
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As you might expect, there wasn’t much news coming out of the Yankees spring training complex today. The big baseball news was the possibility of Joba Chamberlain being pushed back a day or two because of a mild illness, but even that will become a complete non-story if he shows up healthy tomorrow.
Otherwise, it was all fun and games today. The Yankees start the games that (sort of) matter on Wednesday.
“It’s going to be competitive,” Game 1 starter Chad Gaudin said. “I’m going to compete, but I’m not going to prepare the same way I would for a normal start. Physically I’m going to prepare the same way, but as far as having a game plan going against hitters, you’re not going to have that.”
Here’s the Joe Girardi audio from today. Most of it is about the team outing to the arcade, with a few nuts and bolts at the end.
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• It rained heavily through the night, but the back field was dry enough for Andy Pettitte to throw his scheduled batting practice session. He threw to two hitters, right-hander Jamie Hoffmann and lefty Juan Miranda.
• Girardi wouldn’t announce tomorrow’s lineup, but said the Yankees have already decided on lineups for the first five spring games. “You’ll see five or six guys that you would anticipate being possibly in the opening-day lineup,” Girardi said.
• He couldn’t remember whether Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson are in the outfield together tomorrow, but Girardi said the Yankees will “definitely” play them together this spring.
• It’s amazing that the Internet has made people aware of 17-year-old Dominican pitchers, but I’ve gotten several emails and read multiple comments about Rafael DePaula and whether the Yankees have signed him or will sign him. “He has not signed (with anyone),” Mark Newman said in an email. “We have seen him several times.”
• Odd story about Yankees minor leaguer Justin Milo, who also played hockey at the University of Vermont before being kicked off the team today. You have to read pretty deep into the story to get a Yankees reference. Thanks to Russel for emailing the link.
• Looks like some of the individual Yankees are going to have to pay back some of their World Series winnings.
• At the very least, Rocco Baldelli drew some Yankees interest on this blog, but it seems he might not be able to play this season. For now, he’s taking a job in the Rays front office.
• Looks like some of the individual Yankees are going to have to pay back some of their World Series winnings
**************
Well, thats quite an embarrassment for the Union. Those lower salaried players & staff should really consider a grievance
TY for addressing the DePaula thing.
Apparently, this is not your typical 17-year old.
According to one person floating around the internet, DePaula will be signed by the Mariners tomorrow.
We’ll see if the guy is right.
Erica – always OPPC
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Erin-
Rubber Duckie on the iPod!!!!
*************************
Nice!
I was going to tell you earlier but then I got busy with a project at work, but “Honker Duckie Dinger Jamboree” came on mine earlier today
Frank March 2nd, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Awesome photos.
I dream about being there with those guys. If only I could have some sort of skill, I would not be where I am today
aww, Frank. Prison Guard? Inmate?
Bohdi-
“According to one person floating around the internet, DePaula will be signed by the Mariners tomorrow.”
I am beginning to dislike the Mariners GM a lot.
I’m a little surprised that the Yankees don’t schedule more split squad games any more. They certainly have the pitchers and it’s a pretty good way to get a look at both hitters and pitchers as well as the defensive end.
GB-
“as well as the defensive end.”
I thought that was football ?
Hi guys, is the s t game tomorrow being televised?
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:22 pm
GB-
“as well as the defensive end.”
I thought that was football ?
————————————————————
LMAO. Has anybody ever pulled you through a computer monitor and boxed your ears?
What’s up with Costanza in the Jenny Craig ad on the right of the screen?
We’ve come a long way from the days of Lace & Stiletto haven’t we ladies & germs?
GB-
“Has anybody ever pulled you through a computer monitor and boxed your ears?”
And sent them where ?
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:17 pm
Bohdi-
“According to one person floating around the internet, DePaula will be signed by the Mariners tomorrow.”
I am beginning to dislike the Mariners GM a lot.
===
LOL. I grit my teeth whenever I see that too. But you know, they aren’t going to re-sign Cliff Lee. They’re going to sign IFAs like they did Felix and build their pitching that way. Lee’s just a rental. In this sense, they might be more aggressive on DePaula than we will be. Although Newman has waxed poetic on this kid a lot, so I’m hoping we just step in and whisk him away.
Erica, I make a point not to originate posts about Pete because, as far as I’m concerned, he’s gone. Let him do what he wants to do and so be it. That said, I don’t think he was professional at all about Alex. It’s one thing not to like him (or anyone), it’s another to constantly make snide, mean comments about him all the time. I have no idea who Sam,Chad or Josh like personally and that’s a good thing.
SJ, thank you for clarifying. That’s what I thought – I’m trying my best to avoid any stories having anything to do with Galea.
I wouldn’t be annoyed with the M’s if they signed DePaula, I’d be more annoyed with the Yankees for not signing him.
Chad, good stuff. Thanks!
Excellent point, Betsy. We don’t know and we don’t need to know.
Bohdi-
I grudgingly admit that the Mariners GM is doing a good job.
That’s what I was getting at.
I’m greedy I want all the talent in our organization.
He’s turning that franchise around IMO.
Of course that’s good maybe the Angels get buried.
The MLB Network will show tomorrow’s opening exhibition game vs. Pittsburgh.
SJ44′s nephew is likely to get some playing time.
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:31 pm
GB-
“Has anybody ever pulled you through a computer monitor and boxed your ears?”
And sent them where ?
————————————————————
They usually just send them to some poor earless kid.
GB-
“They usually just send them to some poor earless kid.”
As long as they’re in Haiti or Chile I’m cool with it !
Betsy-
I understand that. But on the other hand, I don’t really get the hostility either (and I am not saying its from you, I am just speaking generally). People focus too much on the negative instead of what really matters most. Pete built a really great community here. Something about the quality of his work attracted you and everyone else to this blog (newcomers aside obviously), and kept you here commenting regularly. I just don’t understand why people can’t remember the good times instead of the “good riddance” attitude
He’s not playing tomorrow. Not making the trip to Tampa.
He’s staying in Bradenton to work with a couple of their pitchers.
Agree on Mariners front office.
They’re smart the way they’ve built their club. Yah, I hate the Angels. But I’ll root for Matsui-san. Matsui vs. Ichiro should give the reporters out there something to write about.
Should be great theater.
Bodh, all I need to know is that Alex is a member in good standing of the Yankees – they care about him, he cares about them. I’d rather talk about arcades then HGH, that’s for sure.
Bohdi-
Speaking of front offices.
I am excited to see what
Towers will come up with.
He has the rep.
Bronx Jeers
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:30 pm
What’s up with Costanza in the Jenny Craig ad on the right of the screen?
We’ve come a long way from the days of Lace & Stiletto haven’t we ladies & germs?
**************
You get Jenny Craig ads????
I usually get Bally’s Atlantic City ads. Its like they KNOW me. LOL
Although, trust me. I never need persuading for an AC trip
I hear that, Betsy.
Erica, I will say that I don’t get why people need to bring him up either. I never think of Pete. It’s great that he started this place and for the most part, he did a fine job. Pete was always nice to me – but at times he drove me crazy. Again, though, if his name wasn’t mentioned, I would never think of him.
Erica -
I tended to ignore when PA had his diatribes. Because I thought (think) he is a good writer, he kept us very entertained and he was good at running this blog. As the blog got bigger, things changed a bit. I do not go to his new digs in Boston, mainly because I am not a Red Sox fan.
bodhi -
Interesting comment about NY being an NL town. I never thought about it before, but you are right.
Erica,
Thanks for being the voice of reason with respect to the Pete Abe bashing.
Pete was biased against a few players but he did a really great job as a beat reporter and did a stellar job working to build this blog to what it is now.
Who doesn’t have his or her biases? And twitter/blogging is the perfect place to voice your own opinion. It’s not like he was bashing A-rod every day in the Journal News like some writers do.
MTU,
He’ll bring some leavening to the dough, no doubt. I’m looking forward to what his under-the-radar smarts can dredge up. Anything that makes the FO deeper is fine with me.
Hockey is about to take over my evening, so I’ll bid you all a good night!
I am sorry everyone. I didn’t mean to get on a soapbox.
I am not saying love, like or even miss the man. I am just saying leave him be.
ESPN has great article via FanGraphs that says Adrian Gonzalez is a perfect fit for Boston.
How right they are!
For all you Acronymaholics (Erica).
Here’s one for you.
RBSTNMMB.
You get Jenny Craig ads????
I usually get Bally’s Atlantic City ads. Its like they KNOW me. LOL
————————————————————
What?
Oh God. Now you have me thinking those Jenny Craig ads are specifically for me.
And with Costanza no less.
They know I’m a Seinfeld fan too!
Doreen,
The ghost of Dick Young, and all the broken-hearted Dodger fan fathers who raised their sons on the pith of their resentment of the New York Yankees.
.
Have a good night!
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:56 pm
For all you Acronymaholics (Erica).
Here’s one for you.
RBSTNMMB.
*******************
I am really tired and want to leave work now. Can you give me a hint??? I think the ST is Spring Training???
Bronx Jeers
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:57 pm
You get Jenny Craig ads????
I usually get Bally’s Atlantic City ads. Its like they KNOW me. LOL
————————————————————
What?
Oh God. Now you have me thinking those Jenny Craig ads are specifically for me.
And with Costanza no less.
They know I’m a Seinfeld fan too!
*************************
LOL-I don’t see Jenny Craig either-but when I saw your earlier comment “what’s with Costanza” what immediately popped into my head was “you know, a lot of people have asked me that” from The Junior Mint
Bodhi -
Ah, but for Mantle and Mattingly! Because my father-in-law was a died in the wool Bklyn Dodgers (then Mets) fan and my husband an adoring Yankees fan.
Erica-
OK.
It’s what every fan loves.
How’s that ?
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Erica-
OK.
It’s what every fan loves.
How’s that ?
************
Peanuts and crackerjacks???? LOL
Okay- I give up. I really want to go home
GB-
How much longer before they spring you ?
SJ, I had a interesting conversation with an old time talent scout today….He’s been scoutng HS /College for almost 40 years and noe has been re-assigned to talent scouting at the farm level….He says the guy to watch out for is the Carolina basketball kid , Brackman….He just might hit the bigs in a very impactful way….His organization believes that the Yanks are looking to get someone ready to replace Rivera when that time comes…..As for Hughes / Joba, his take was that Joba’s problem is Joba…He went on to say that Joba is not a repeater type pitcher ( mechanics ) and this be in his opinion because of his body type….He made comparisions to Terry Forster, The Goose and more recently Troy Percival…..Some guys just can’t do it every 5 days, and ned more repeative work ( bullpen )…He also scouted Strawberry and Davis back in the late 70′s….I’ve known him since my coaching days from The Connie Mack Elite summer leagues…..
Erica-
Since you’re tired.
RBSTNMMB.
Means
Real Baseball Starts Tomorrow No More Make Believe.
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Erica-
Since you’re tired.
RBSTNMMB.
Means
Real Baseball Starts Tomorrow No More Make Believe.
***********************
Nice-
So basically, tonight is SEBE
(Spring Exhibition Baseball Eve)
On that note- I Am going home!!!!!!!!! YAY!
Very few if any of the old Dodgers or Giants fans crossed over to the Dark Side when those teams left. They just followed the teams and when the Mets were born, they adopted them. It’s always amazed me that the Yanks got thereputation of being followed only by the rich and the Dodgers, giants and Mets were all of the city poor. Actually, there were more “poor” yankee fans than “poor” Dodger, Met or Giants fans. That was the case before the late 70s revival, anyway.
Pat M, that’s very interesting. Everything I’ve heard about Brackman since late last year has been positive. Still, if he turns into a closer/reliever, that’s not exactly great news. They’re having a hard time developing starting pitchers.
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:06 pm
GB-
How much longer before they spring you ?
————————————————————
I’m hoping that if the tests come back in my favor, I can go out and drink a beer by St. Patrick’s Day. I’ll need to change my name that day, of course. I’m thinking O’GreenBeret 7 would be appropriate.
interesting statement GB. My Mom and Dad, despite being born and raised in the Bronx, in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, as my Mom would put it, were both Brooklyn Dodgers fans. And, indeed, we were Mets fans growing up. Then we all went our separate ways, as far as baseball was concerned. It makes for lively family discussions
You must be due for a check up soon, aren’t you?
Pat M,
I’ve been hearing the same thing from scouts re: Joba.
It’s why I believe Hughes will be the starter and Joba will be in the pen when the dust settles.
I love Brackman. I think he is going to bust out this year and show why people think so highly of him.
GB-
“I’m thinking O’GreenBeret 7 would be appropriate.”
I like it.
And the Green Beret would work too !
Everybody has a hard time developing pitching because it’s very hard and unpredictable.
Developing starting pitching is not a Yankee problem. It’s a universal problem throughout baseball.
Mo pitched at about 70% capacity in the ALCS and WS. He was really hurting.
I think that has gotten the Yankees thinking that it may be time to groom his successor if they believe they have an in house option.
Pat M.
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:08 pm
SJ, I had a interesting conversation with an old time talent scout today….He’s been scoutng HS /College for almost 40 years and noe has been re-assigned to talent scouting at the farm level….He says the guy to watch out for is the Carolina basketball kid , Brackman….He just might hit the bigs in a very impactful way….His organization believes that the Yanks are looking to get someone ready to replace Rivera when that time comes…..As for Hughes / Joba, his take was that Joba’s problem is Joba…He went on to say that Joba is not a repeater type pitcher ( mechanics ) and this be in his opinion because of his body type….He made comparisions to Terry Forster, The Goose and more recently Troy Percival…..Some guys just can’t do it every 5 days, and ned more repeative work ( bullpen )…He also scouted Strawberry and Davis back in the late 70’s….I’ve known him since my coaching days from The Connie Mack Elite summer leagues…..
————————————————————
Interesting comparison with Forster and Gossage, Pat. I said a few weeks ago that he reminded me of a lot like a young Gossage. I remember when he and Forster came up with the White Sox and they were going to be the next Drysdale and Koufax. Never thought of the Pervevil connection, though. Perhaps because I never saw much of him before 2000. Hopefully, Chamberlain controls his weight much better than Forster did. What a waste of talent.
***Percival*** connection
“Mo pitched at about 70% capacity in the ALCS and WS. He was really hurting.
I think that has gotten the Yankees thinking that it may be time to groom his successor if they believe they have an in house option.”
I’ve advocated a plan in which Rivera would start his season later than other pitchers – as late in the year as he could to be ready to qualify for post-season play.
I’d gladly give up 4 years of Rivera in April-July if it netted a couple of extra years of Rivera in October.
upstate kate
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:18 pm
interesting statement GB. My Mom and Dad, despite being born and raised in the Bronx, in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, as my Mom would put it, were both Brooklyn Dodgers fans. And, indeed, we were Mets fans growing up. Then we all went our separate ways, as far as baseball was concerned. It makes for lively family discussions
You must be due for a check up soon, aren’t you?
————————————————————
Kate, I assume that you are the only one in your family that has any baseball taste. Have you tried to show them the error of their ways?
Yeah, my next check-up is on the 14th. With any luck, I’ll be able to go to the bank without a mask on. I hate trying to explain that stupid thing at the airports. I guess they think that I’m going to stick up all of the passengers and make my getaway.
Pat M. – That’s interesting stuff from your scout friend, about Brackman, and Joba.
Given how much effort has been expended on making Joba a starter, I would think they’d give it one more shot this spring. But, if his head and body aren’t into it, then making him part of the bullpen, and possible backup to Mo this season, ain’t half bad.
From what I’ve read, if Brackman can get his mechanics down, his control will follow, no?
Ordinarily this NYC as an NL town phenomenon would be over by now.
That was a long time ago that the Giants & Dodgers were taking the subway to work so many of their fans are in the big Polo Ground in the sky at this point. Or they’re in Florida.
The problem is that some of these “people” ended up breeding.
And it’s their offspring that carry this defective gene that makes them hate The Yanks.
Then there was that whole 80′s thing where the earth was apparently spinning in the wrong direction.
But this is currently a Yankee town and has been for a while. We will win this war!
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:21 pm
GB-
“I’m thinking O’GreenBeret 7 would be appropriate.”
I like it.
And the Green Beret would work too !
————————————————————
Yeah…I’ll fit right in with my Kelly Green velvet knee britches and, black shiney shoes with brass buckles. Nobody will even notice me.
GB, Bill who has been around so long that he played with the Senators and was the guy who showed the ropes to a young slugger by the name of Harmon Killebrew….He was best friends with Andy Carey and played golf all the time in the off season in Newport…..Has some great tales from the old days regarding Mick, Slick and Billy……He’s been well healed for many decades and donates his salary to the local youth baseball leagues here in Orange County….He just loves baseball and has been offered Front Office jobs and just perfers to hang out and watch kids…….Old School guy, has his own way of evaluating talent…..
Bronx Jeers =
It may be a Yankee town, but the press hasn’t gotten the memo!
I swear, this must be the only city where the hometown team, which is a winning team and has been for the last 15-plus years, gets such animosity from the newpapers that cover it.
GB
no such luck! 2 of my sisters settled in MA and became red sox fans and my parents retired to FL and became Devil Ray fans. My Dad died in 2001, so never got to see the Rays become a better team.
I have done better w/ this generation. My son is a true Yankee fan. The daughter of one sister is a Yankee (mostly Damon/Swish) fan, and the son of the other sister has a room that is a shrine to Derek Jeter.
GB-
“Yeah…I’ll fit right in with my Kelly Green velvet knee britches and, black shiney shoes with brass buckles. Nobody will even notice me.”
And the pointy ears won’t matter either.
The only problem with that plan is, the AL East is so competitive, you don’t have the luxury of spotting Mo. It could cost you a playoff spot.
Plus, baseball players are creatures of habit. I think it would be tough to mess with Mo’s schedule at this point in his career.
Joe from Long Island…There comes a time when you realize you cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’e ear….SJ is clearly right about the AL East…Someone here suggested that the first 9 weeks are not so important when concerning your closer ??? Say What
Doreen – HL Mencken, the old journalist/rabble rouser of the early part of the 20th century, once wrote that the function of a newspaper was to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. I think that might explain the anti-Yankees nature of much of what is written.
That’s a great story, Pat. Love to hear about the old timers connections to the stars of our day. I assum that you’re talking about Bill. F. One of Mantle’s best target practice pitchers. as good a relief pitcher as he was (holds the record for consecutive innings without a walk), he gave up the monter shot to Mantle off of the facade in ’63. Hit less than a foot from the roof.
Doreen,
You mean this guy?
http://www.enough-lupica.com/l.....d/dvd1.htm
Pat M-
“As for Hughes / Joba, his take was that Joba’s problem is Joba…He went on to say that Joba is not a repeater type pitcher ( mechanics ) and this be in his opinion because of his body type”
So the scout is saying that Joba is unable to repeat his delivery because of his “body type” ?
What exactly does that mean Pat ?
What exactly is Joba’s body type ?
And why does that particular body type lead to an inability to repeat a delivery ?
And the scout doesn’t think it’s fixable ?
I’m not trying to pick a fight just understand his POV ?
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:43 pm
GB-
“Yeah…I’ll fit right in with my Kelly Green velvet knee britches and, black shiney shoes with brass buckles. Nobody will even notice me.”
And the pointy ears won’t matter either.
————————————————————
Well, last night, I was thinking about using Mickey Mouse ears, but, it wouldn’t be quite the same.
I read – Buster Olney? – an analysis of the Yanks’ schedule, and about half of the first 40 games are against teams that were above .500 last year, including Boston and Tampa. That makes it tough to not go all out, as losing games to those teams puts you in a real hole in the division. They have to come out of the gate hard.
MTU, It means he’s too loose, too many moving parts, he may lack ( due to his size ) the physical cordination to be a repeative motion that a starter requires…..Too much thinking can get in the way more often that not….Some guys can make adjustments on the fly, some guys just lack that capacity….It does appear that Joba sometimes is all over the place on the mound, especially from the stretch…….Some feel he’s better suited to throw 25 pitches late in the game…..
Joe FLI, Menckin also said, “A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.”
Then, there’s this one a little more fitting to the earlier discussion:
“A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy crazier.”
GB-
“Well, last night, I was thinking about using Mickey Mouse ears, but, it wouldn’t be quite the same.”
Roger that !
I hope everything goes well for you in all respects.
Of course, you know, I cannot say more, for I fear your Blunderbuss, and my ears are already boxed and on their way to a 3rd world country.
Bronx Jeers -
I couldn’t even click on that link! ha ha!
Joe from LI -
Could very well be that that’s the case here.
MRI,
Some guys, especially big, power guys, have difficulty repeating their mechanics on a consistent (ie: 100+ pitch starters level) basis.
That was Goose’s and Forster’s problem and why both became closers.
Fluidity with your mechanics is vital for a starting pitcher. If you can’t repeat your delivery consistently, you can’t be an effective starting pitcher.
In Joba’s case, that and consistent focus, have been his issues.
How he addresses those issues this Spring will play a large part to determine his role on the team this season.
MTU,
My Iphone butchered your name. Sorry.
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:03 pm
GB-
“Well, last night, I was thinking about using Mickey Mouse ears, but, it wouldn’t be quite the same.”
Roger that !
I hope everything goes well for you in all respects.
Of course, you know, I cannot say more, for I fear your Blunderbuss, and my ears are already boxed and on their way to a 3rd world country.
————————————————————
LMAO. I need to replenish my file with all of my smartazs remarks in it. I can’t think of any.
I’d think that Chamberlain can make a boatload of money when it comes time to replace Mariano Rivera. He’d be about the same age as Rivera was. I also think that within the next two years, Rivera can take Chamberlain and “learn him all of his experience”.
Pat M-
I respect your baseball knowledge, and the experience of the scout but I am still at a loss to understand his POV.
There have been many Big-bodied pitchers who have suceeded as starters.
And as far as Joba’s coordination or lack thereof I question that too.
He’s seems like a pretty good athlete to me in spite of his size.
I am reminded of that now (in)famous diving catch.
They completely reworked Halladay’s mechanics didn’t they ?
The mental part I see as similar to AJ – too stubborn.
I think that can change as well.
And I never did and still don’t think temperament has anything to do with the ability to execute. Just focus.
It can even be argued that focus can be improved by emotion rather than hindered.
Maybe I am wrong.
I am not a baseball man.
I am inherently an optimist.
And really want Joba to reach his full potential.
In my mind, that’s not as a closer.
Let the chips fall where they may.
Thanks for all the pics Chad!! They are all great ( well, besides for the one of Tex because that man needs a major haircut). I had a really longgg and hectic day in the office today. The highlight of my day was when someone changed the channel on my office TV and put the Met game on!!
(Seriously, this was exciting…real baseball!)
The only thing I ask is that the Yankees give Phil the same shot they are giving Joba. Phil making or not making the rotation should not be predicated on whether or not Joba fails.
SJ, that’s true about developing starting pitching and I’m beginning to realize how frustrating and filled with bumps it often is. Look at Phil – here’s a kid with great makeup, a great pitcher’s build, repeatable mechanics, a good work ethic and a very good arm (I love Alex’ comments that he throws “easy cheese”) and yet he’s had his share of problems. It just seems like the Yankees prospects end up with TJ surgery or being converted to relievers – is that how it is in most organizations?
If you look at Joba’s entire career, from college to now, 5 things stand out in no particular order:
1. Electric stuff.
2. Conditioning/weight issues.
3. Injury history. Mostly legs and shoulder.
4. Lack of innings.
5. Fading consistency after 40-50 pitches.
It’s why many scouts, and quite a few people in the Yankee organization, feel he is best suited for the bullpen.
If Joba proves otherwise, he’s a starter. If not, he’s going to the bullpen.
SJ-
Thanks for your response.
I guess I am hoping Joba can reach his cieling and that it is more than as a BP piece, or even a closer.
I understand great closers are valuable to a team.
Not nearly as much as frontline starters though.
I feel the same way about Phil by the way.
The best for both is my hope.
They both have a great deal of talent.
Joba was not that good in the pen last year; I have no idea why people think he’s just going to be some great closer. He may not have the stomach for it – by that, I mean he’s got to have a thick skin and be able to deal with failure.
Surprised nobody brought this up… MLB video games were released today.. anybody play The Show 10 or 2k10? I picked up The Show and it’s amazing!!
SJ,
I completely agree with you on Joba. His value is definetly greater as a starter but alot of pitchers not just Joba cannot pitch 110 pitches every 5 days and have success with it. I was just wondering what’s your take on Phil, do you think he could be an elite starter and if so do you think he takes that step this year?
Betsy,
Yes, it’s like that everywhere in baseball.
Look around and see how many teams, especially playoff calibur teams, have a predominantly homegrown staff. It’s not many.
Too many variables, mostly injury related, come into play when developing pitching.
That’s why it’s so expensive on the open market.
MTU, I was a shortstop not a pitcher…I learned alot from Mound visits and I could teach the basics at the youth level and even at the HS level to a degree…..I can detect certain problems, however I’m not qualified to offer any insights of great significance to answer your questions….It’s like a 6’4 guard having a more fluid jump shot that the average 6’9 guy…..There are exceptions to that rule, but for the most part in holds true….My experience is that most pitchers are terrible atheletes in the true sense….They can hit a fly on the outcide part of the plate with a 90 mph heater, but they can’t run and chew gum at the same time…..
Agreed on all parts with MTU.
SJ-
What about the extended stretch of excellent starts he had in ’08? His stuff seemed to hold up well when he was past 40-50 pitches too because I remember being completely blown away by how much he was able to ramp it up when he was nearing his designated pitch count – Pirates game sticks out to me when he was at around 95 pitches on a ~105 pitch count…the Beckett duel is another obvious one.
Joba has the stomach and mentality to close.
He proved that in 2007. That’s not an issue.
I think Hughes’ stint in the bullpen changed his career arc.
His mechanics are tighter than Joba’s.
If he brings the same attack the hitters mentality he had last year, he will be a very solid starting pitcher.
SJ, ok then I need to be a little more understanding of the Yankees. It’s why I want Phil to be a starter so much (well, personally I want it for him as well). He could be winner for the Yankees for a long time and I want it to start ASAP. It is hard to develop SP in NY as the goal is to win and win right now. If this were KC or most other places, Phil and Joba would be in the rotation until they proved conclusively that they didn’t belong there.
Pat M.
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:27 pm
MTU, I was a shortstop not a pitcher…I learned alot from Mound visits and I could teach the basics at the youth level and even at the HS level to a degree…..I can detect certain problems, however I’m not qualified to offer any insights of great significance to answer your questions….It’s like a 6?4 guard having a more fluid jump shot that the average 6?9 guy…..There are exceptions to that rule, but for the most part in holds true….My experience is that most pitchers are terrible atheletes in the true sense….They can hit a fly on the outcide part of the plate with a 90 mph heater, but they can’t run and chew gum at the same time…..
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Except for Pete Ramos, Jim Kaat and Rick Wise. Ramos used to challenge Mantle to foot races when the senators played the Yanks. He’d almost caught him, but, it drove Stengel insane.
SJ-
I don’t want to beat a dead horse but I wanted to add a few more things to the mix.
With regards to #2 on Joba.
I think that is definitely fixable.
And if it is then 3, 4, and 5 since they may be related should also respond.
I know I have said this many times before but for me it bears repeating.
Joba should have been asked or required to go to API or something similar this offseason.
That would definitely have taken care of #2.
Can a team insist on such things, or does the off season belong to the player ?
At any rate, for this season it’s water under the bridge.
Hobs,
starting pitching is about consistency.
Yes, you can pick out a few elite Joba starts.
Overall? He’s been average at best as a starter and has had difficulty maintaining his stuff and consistency as a starter. Look at his walk totals last year.
It’s going to be interesting to see him this spring.
I’m interested in seeing if he learned anything from last year’s struggles.
SJ, By the way, I went up to Westwood the other night to watch Gerrit Cole throw vs. Vandy….Wow..He’s filled out since last spring, and has a much more controlled presence on the hill…..Had issues establishing the outside with his fastball, but it was his 2nd start of the season…..Hurts to say this, but he has star ability….
GB, Mantle speed is legendary, right behind his power
SJ, Joba proved he could set up – but can he close on a consistent basis? He didn’t pitch all that well against the Indians in 2007 if I recall. I’m not even referring to the midge game – his outings were fine, but he wasn’t the same dominant set up guy he’d been. I realize I have to be very careful not to compare Joba to Mo. Joba doesn’t have to be Mo (which he won’t and can’t be), he just has to be like a Paplebon. We’ll see…
Re: Phil – I was just so glad that he stayed healthy last year as that was what I most wanted.
GreenBeret7 March 2nd, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Personally, I never cared to know anything about another person’s private life, actor, politician or athlete. It’s none of my business. I only care what the do on the field or the screen or in office. It’s like everyone has to become Walter Winchell, Cyndi Adams, Louella Parsons or Hedda Hopper. Gossip colunms have nothing that I want to read. That’s what most of the media has become.
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I totally agree with you here GB. How are you doing my friend?
MTU,
I’m of the school this stuff has a way of working itself out.
Guys play themselves to their roles on the roster.
It’s why I don’t get caught up in the debates.
I’d rather just watch it play out.
Betsy,
He was a rookie in 2007. He was great. Folks have a short memory about just how good he was in the bullpen.
I have no doubt he can close. He has the stuff and mentality to close.
He also has the best possible mentor in Mo, if he ends up in the pen.
Pat M.
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:38 pm
GB, Mantle speed is legendary, right behind his power
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He said that in all of his years, that the three players that could almost match him in a foot race was Maris and a couple of pitchers…Ramos and a kid that came through the system with him, Tom Morgan who came out of El Monte, California. How he got the nickname of “Plowboy” is beyond me.
“They completely reworked Halladay’s mechanics didn’t they ? ”
The yanks reworked Joba’s mechanics as well and that’s what made him one of the best pitching prospects in the game.
In college Joba was sitting 92-94 with a good to very good slider.
That was very similar to the pitcher we saw take the mound as a starter last year.
After Joba was drafted Nardi Contreras worked with him Joba added 2-4 MPH on his fastball and increased the tilt on his slider.
It was those changes that made him a potential star and allowed him to rush through the minor leagues.
But that wasn’t the pitcher we saw last year. The pitcher we saw last year was much closer to the pitcher who threw at Nebraska – and that pitcher would have needed 2-3 years in the minors to be a success.
But the thing is that Joba has it in him. It’s not uncommon at all for major league teams to clean up mechanics and to elevate a pitcher’s game.
If Joba did it once – he can do it again.
And what Joba became was a potential elite starting pitcher. Starting. He was routinely holding his velocity late into games as a starter in the minors in 2007 and as a starter in the majors in 2008. He was not losing any significant velocity. He was throwing 97-98 in the 7th innings of games.
During that two month stretch when he was starting in 2008 he was quite literally one of the best pitchers in the AL.
That starting pitcher is still in there – he may or may not emerge but the Yankees should do everything possible to see that he does and give him the opportunity to demonstrate that.
SJ44 -
That’s about where I’m at with Joba/Phil. What will be will be, and everything happens for a reason. Cliche, but there’s a reason cliches are cliches.
SJ-
“I’d rather just watch it play out.”
As will we all.
Our answer awaits the patience of our eyes.
Best of luck to our 2 young Stallions.
Bronx Born
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:40 pm
GreenBeret7 March 2nd, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Personally, I never cared to know anything about another person’s private life, actor, politician or athlete. It’s none of my business. I only care what the do on the field or the screen or in office. It’s like everyone has to become Walter Winchell, Cyndi Adams, Louella Parsons or Hedda Hopper. Gossip colunms have nothing that I want to read. That’s what most of the media has become.
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I totally agree with you here GB. How are you doing my friend?
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Thanks, Bronx. Thank you for asking. Hope all is well on your end with family and yourself. Doing pretty well, I think. I’ll have another checkup in 2 weeks. If all goes well, I’m gonna raise Hell on the streets of Savannah on St. Patrick’s Day. If the news isn’t what I want, I’ll raise Hell anyway.
CB,
I think that’s the plan.
The only difference is, I think they are more open about putting him in the pen if they believe it’s the right move. I don’t think they are going to force the issue if they believe he can’t reach a starters ceiling.
CB-
Wonderful response.
And Amen.
CB, There is no disputing Joba’s monster potential, the key question will it ever be realized, or better yet how do you tap into it ????
SJ, if it works out that way, I’m fine with it. I wonder if Mo wants to be a pitching coach after he retires. He has got to stay in touch with the game somehow – he has so much to offer, to young kids and veterans alike. I worship at the altar of Mo.
The Yankees need to give Phil and Joba every chance to succeed as starters. If they don’t, it doesn’t speak well of their ability to develop pitching. That said, they are not in an easy position. Ideally they’d both be in the rotation instead of one being sacrifcied for the other. Unfortunately, that’s impossible to do in NY..
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:49 pm
SJ-
“I’d rather just watch it play out.”
As will we all.
Our answer awaits the patience of our eyes.
Best of luck to our 2 young Stallions.
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The Yanks just got rid of one of the Shetland ponies. Igawa and Mitre are next?
GB-
“If all goes well, I’m gonna raise Hell on the streets of Savannah on St. Patrick’s Day. If the news isn’t what I want, I’ll raise Hell anyway.”
You were born to raise Hell.
And in the case above, you can’t lose.
But I’m an optimist.
And when you start on your spree after all is said and done I hope your glass remains half full.
SJ,
I completely agree with you that the situation will play out and get decided on the field.
Just my opinion, but I the team is going to need at least 6 and most likely 7 starters during the year. They should plan accordingly.
This team is so loaded that the most likely way that they’ll miss the playoffs is a series of catastrophic injuries.
And injuries to the starting rotation are up close to the top of potential risk.
I know it was only one game, but that game Joba threw against Beckett in Feway was one of the single best starts any yankee pitcher had made in years given its context.
That pitcher is the guy you build a franchise in there. It’s possible that that pitcher has disappeared and won’t come back but it’s also very possible that this is just the ups and downs of a young pitcher.
It’s wait and see for right now. I’m still hopefully the team gets that pitcher back.
They’ve been very patient – perhaps too patient with him up to now. They shouldn’t just waste that investment with a snap judgement.
GB-
“The Yanks just got rid of one of the Shetland ponies. Igawa and Mitre are next?”
I hear Ray Ban is hiring.;)
A couple of years ago there were huge discussions on message boards about Phil’s mechanics.
Perhaps Rivera will become the team chaplain, but, I seriously doubt he will coach. He’s been talking for years about building schools and churches in Panama.
Ugh, I hate this filter -
GB-
“He’s been talking for years about building schools and churches in Panama”
He’s just Like Hebrew National.
MTU
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:55 pm
GB-
“If all goes well, I’m gonna raise Hell on the streets of Savannah on St. Patrick’s Day. If the news isn’t what I want, I’ll raise Hell anyway.”
You were born to raise Hell.
And in the case above, you can’t lose.
But I’m an optimist.
And when you start on your spree after all is said and done I hope your glass remains half full.
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Thanks, MTU. I always have complete faith in the proper outcome. Bad outcomes don’t bother me. I just figure that things can always be worse somewhere else.
The internet at my hotel has become a slowly moving mess, but I finally got tonight’s Q&A to go live so there’s a new post.
GB-
“I just figure that things can always be worse somewhere else.”
You know it !
That’s a natural born fact.
But I like your attitude.
It’s inspiring.
Now please don’t shoot me for saying so.
“Hurts to say this, but he has star ability….”
Pat M.,
Sounds like Cole did his best AJ Burnett impersonation but pulled a few rabbits out of his hat to get through that first inning.
What were your impressions of Cole’s slider? I read some good things about how that pitch is coming along for him.
Great arm. Read he was touching 99 in that first inning, sitting 94-96 on his four seamer.
Also, what did you think of Sonny Gray. Interesting kid. Small frame with a fast arm.
I think some of the anxiety over Hughes and Chamberlain’s future is somewhat akin to the old children’s tale that if you make a funny face and someone hits you on the back it will stick.
I think people are afraid if either/or is placed in the bullpen role again and succeeds, it will stick.
I think the Yankees are well versed in what we all know about the differences in the value of a starting pitcher and a reliever. In fact, since the Marte deal/contract we’ve seen evidence the Yankees know EXACTLY the value of a reliever in the contemporary market.
We should all hope Hughes and Chamberlain both make the Yankees and both succeed, in either/or role.
It won’t be a life sentence for either of them, unless the Yankees decide for reasons other than their success in role that they won’t ever succeed consistently as a starter.
CB-
” It’s possible that that pitcher has disappeared and won’t come back but it’s also very possible that this is just the ups and downs of a young pitcher.
It’s wait and see for right now. I’m still hopefully the team gets that pitcher back.”
From your lips to the Baseball G-d’s ears.
Surprised nobody brought this up… MLB video games were released today.. anybody play The Show 10 or 2k10? I picked up The Show and it’s amazing!!
About that Milo kid….don’t know how he is with a bat, but he was pretty darn good with a hockey stick. In the winter time i follow college hockey closely. Milo was the second leading scorer for Vermont. The week he got dismissed UVM came to New Hampshire to play UNH and they probably could have used him.
Hi – thanks for the post. I never know what I will come across when i scroll these blogs. But just wanted to let you know I really liked yours. keep it up.
Pamela