Spring Training Game 4: Yankees vs. Blue Jays
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 06, 2010 
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YANKEES
Jeter SS
Granderson CF
Posada C
Rodriguez 3B
Winn RF
Gardner LF
Cervelli DH
Miranda 1B
Pena 2B
RHP A.J. Burnett (13-9, 4.04 in 2009)
BLUE JAYS
Bautista 3B
Hill 2B
Lind DH
Wells CF
Overbay 1B
Reed RF
Gonzalez SS
Snider LF
Molina C
RHP Shaun Marcum (did not pitch in 2009)
TIME/TV: 1:05 p.m., MY9/WCBS
WEATHER: Should be sunny, and maybe a little warmer than yesterday. It’s slowly starting to feel like Florida down here, and the forcast calls for the mid-60s. I’d bet on plenty of wind, too.
UMPIRES: HP Andy Fletcher, 1B Eric Cooper, 2B Marty Foster, 3B Paul Emmel
ON THE LINE: The fifth-starter candidates have the day off, but A.J. Burnett will be making his debut and working on a changeup that he plans to throw a little more often this season. Should be interesting to see just how often he throws it and how well he throws it.
BACK ON THE MOUND: Blue Jays starter Shaun Marcum missed all of last season with an elbow injury. Marcum pitched pretty well for the Blue Jays a few years ago and could become a key part of their rotation now that Roy Halladay is gone.
FAMILIAR FACES: A note from the Yankees PR department: Of the 66 players in camp, 37 were either originally drafted or signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Yankees, 23 played in at least one game for New York last season and 27 have appeared in a game with the Yankees at some point in their careers.
THEY’RE BACK: The four players in camp who played for the Yankees in the past, but not in 2009: Javier Vazquez, Nick Johnson, Marcus Thames and Kei Igawa.
UPDATE, 8:06 a.m.: Andrew Brackman is scheduled to make his spring debut today. Jonathan Albaladejo, Boone Logan, Mark Melancon, Jason Hirsh, Romulo Sanchez and Amaury Sanit are also available out of the bullpen.
UPDATE, 9:10 a.m.: A few notes from this morning.
• Jamie Hoffmann is scheduled to get his first turn in center field this afternoon. Scheduled to play off the bench: C Mike Rivera, 1B Jorge Vazquez, 2B Kevin Russo, SS Eduardo Nunez, 3B Brandon Laird, LF Colin Curtis, CF Hoffmann, RF David Winfree, DH Austin Romine.
• Sunday’s pitchers: Sergio Mitre, Chad Gaudin, Kei Igawa, Wilkins Arias, D.J. Mitchell, Ryan Pope, Amaury Sanit, Kevin Whelan. Obviously they’re making a lot of the young guys make the long trip to Fort Myers.
• Position players not making the trip on Sunday: Posada, Rivera, Romine, Jeter, Johnson, Rodriguez, Granderson and Winn.
• Christian Garcia is throwing a bullpen today and is scheduled to make his spring debut on Monday. Other pitchers throwing side sessions today: CC Sabathia, Zack Segovia, Zach McAllister and Ivan Nova.
• Mariano Rivera and Damaso Marte got up to 30 pitches in the bullpen yesterday. They’re scheduled to pitch again on Monday. “I think next time is a BP,” Rivera said.
UPDATE, 9:12 a.m.: Forgot to mention, today is Francisco Cervelli’s 24th birthday.
UPDATE, 9:27 a.m.: It’s a few days old, but I just saw it this morning. According to the Can-Am League’s site, the Yankees have signed independent leaguer Myron Leslie to a minor league deal. Leslie played in the Oakland organization until last year. He plays all four corners and has shown some power in the past. He could be a utility guy for either Trenton or Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
UPDATE, 9:54 a.m.: Welcome back Jose Molina, who’s starting at catcher for the Blue Jays. Catching prospects Travis D’Arnaud and J.P. Arencibia also made this trip, as did pitching prospect, Zach Jackson. Watch first baseman Brian Dopirak if he gets in the game. He was once a significant prospect with the Cubs, and he’s starting to get some of his luster back with the Blue Jays. Huge power. Some of the minor league pitchers were talking about him the other day, hoping he’d make this trip. Apparently he looks terrifying, but he’s one of the nicest guys in the game.
UPDATE, 12:56 p.m.: Not a cloud in the sky as we’re getting ready for the first pitch here in Tampa. Checked in with Nick Johnson earlier: “Took a few swings,” he said. “Felt loose.”
UPDATE, 1:40 p.m.: Burnett’s day is done after an inning and a third. He could have gotten through this second inning, but allowed two-out base hits to Jose Bautista and Aaron Hill. TV had his fastball at 94-95, which is pretty impressive for his first spring start. I’ll be interested to hear what he says about the changeup.
Amaury Sanit is in to finish the second.
UPDATE, 1:46 p.m.: Burnett threw 36 pitches, 24 for strikes. That’s better than either Hughes or Chamberlain did yesterday.
UPDATE, 2:01 p.m.: I don’t remember him making an especially dazzling play this spring, but Ramiro Pena continues to show he’s a nice glove man all around the infield. Kevin Russo had some good at-bats yesterday, and I remain a big Russo believer, but the utility job does seem to be Pena’s to lose.
UPDATE, 2:24 p.m.: Just got back from the clubhouse where A.J. Burnett said he was happy with the changeup. He estimated that he threw 10 of them, and used them to lefties and righties. He basically threw a changeup whenever he wanted to throw a curveball.
Still no update on Francisco Cervelli, who was hit in the head by a fastball just as the clubhouse was opening for us to talk to Burnett. Should have an update on him soon.
UPDATE, 2:27 p.m.: Cervelli has a concussion and will undergo a precautionary CT Scan.
UPDATE, 2:34 p.m.: Brandon Laird is in at third and Reegie Corona is in at short. Jonathan Albaladejo is in to pitch.
UPDATE, 2:38 p.m.: Walking around the clubhouse, Jonathan Albaladejo looks terrific. He’s lost a lot of weight and said he feels much better when the team is running, but on the mound he’s really struggled in each of his appearances.
UPDATE, 2:49 p.m.: What a brutal, brutal, brutal third of an inning for Albaladejo. He faced the entire Blue Jays lineup, and his only out was a line drive that was drilled into Juan Miranda’s glove. He’s already charged with five runs, and the bases are loaded. In spring training, there’s no coming back from an outing like this. His ERA is going to be terrible all spring.
Mark Melancon is in to try to clean up the mess.
UPDATE, 2:55 p.m.: Good work by Melancon.
UPDATE, 3:04 p.m.: Curtis in left, Hoffmann in center, Winfree in right, Russo at second, Vazquez at first and P.J. Pilittere catching. Mike Rivera was listed as today’s backup catcher, but Pilittere is getting the nod. I wonder if Rivera might now go to tomorrow’s road game to catch Gaudin and Mitre.
UPDATE, 3:18 p.m.: Colin Curtis with a ground-rule double to left. It’s all about making an impression for Curtis, and so far he’s done that. I don’t think he can make this team out of camp, but he can do enough to make Joe Girardi want to call on him if/when the Yankees need a spare outfielder.
UPDATE, 3:22 p.m.: Andrew Brackman now pitching. Should be fun.
UPDATE, 3:28 p.m.: Or maybe it won’t be so fun. That was J.P. Arencibia’s second home run of the spring.
UPDATE, 4:43 p.m.: Just talked to Cervelli. Tests came back negative. He’s dizzy and has a headache, but he should be OK. “Rest a couple of days and be back,” he said.
AJ Better throw that change
It appears he realizes that being a two pitch guy is not going to last through his mid thirties because if either one isn’t working he’s too predictable.
Interesting to see how Brackman is progressing. There’s still a part of me that thinks he’ll be the closer in 2-3 years.
I hope you are right Carl, after all the hype about it.
Wow, Cervelli as DH, I would have never guessed that line up
Am I the only one that thinks ST GTLU is an impossible concept??
Erica
Doreen suggested a “most right” winner…ST GTLU is even harder than when the roster expands! I guess its just practice for the real thing.
I’m with you Erica… I’d actually be worried about someone who came up with this one on his/her own.
Rnady Winn in the 5-hole? Cervelli at DH?
odd stuff there
I’m in Miami this weekend and all the people talk (hablo) about is this brutal winter… the low was 44 Friday morning. 49 this morning
If I recall correctly, I think there were 4 September GTLUs after the September call-ups. Joe Girardi won them all.
Its just really hard. Too many variables
I’m extremely excited to see Brackman pitch today!
The way the Yankees collect pitchers who need(ed) Tommy John
they ought to be paying the real Tommy John royalties.
Erica-
I would have thought you like a challenge.
Erica, I definitely agree that an ST GTLU is an exercise in frustration if not futility!
Loving Granderson in the two-hole though. Just because.
Am I the only one around here who is starting to wonder if “generation trey” has morphed into “generation uno” ?
The one thing I’m sure of, however, is that there is a King Joe in my life, and that would be Joe Girardi. From the time that St. Joe announced that he was far too cool to accept less money (despite not producing what was expected from a Yankee manager for quite a while and being damned lucky, IMO, to even have a job after his 2006 postseason embarrassment) I wanted to see JG as manager of the Yankees. I was not a fan of Donny Baseball as manager only because I thought the Yankees needed fire in a manager and didn’t see Mattingly as being the person.
I have not been disappointed one day. I think Girardi rocks.
ST GTLU, like ST is just practice
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Erica-
I would have thought you like a challenge.
****************************
I have reached the phase of busy season where my mood can best be described as “grumpy”.
These days working 12-13 hours a day and supressing the urge to kill most of my coworkers is about all of the challenge I can handle
Erica-
Sounds like you could use a few adult beverages and a vacation.
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Erica-
Sounds like you could use a few adult beverages and a vacation.
*******************
Yes and Yes
Sadly, time off is not in the cards until April 16th (and yes, Atlantic City is booked already), but I think I am cracking open a bottle of wine tonight while I catch up on my DVR.
Its really best for my sanity
Brackman’s last 10 games in 2009 were all in relief and other than his walktotals, he actually pitched very well.
21 innings, 17 hits, 8 runs, 6 earned runs, 12 walks, 24 strikeouts, 0 home runs allowed. ERA of 2.57, with a BAA of .219.
Hopefully he picks up where he left off. His trouble was usually in the later innings of his starts. Most likely because of his lack of mound time over the past couple of years.
Erica-
Better that than going “postal”.
Looking forward to seeing Brackman. I dont care about the results, just want to see a nice clean motion and hopefully decent control.
GB-
I could have used your help around here the other day during the Joba wars.
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 9:22 am
GB-
I could have used your help around here the other day during the Joba wars.
————————————————————
Not me, pal. I’m a coward.
GB-
I thought we already settled that !
I am the devout coward.
countryclub
March 6th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Looking forward to seeing Brackman. I dont care about the results, just want to see a nice clean motion and hopefully decent control.
————————————————————
You can forget about a nice clean motion, and control his first time out. He has a lot of moving parts.
GB-
“He has a lot of moving parts.”
BIG moving parts.
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 9:28 am
GB-
I thought we already settled that !
I am the devout coward.
————————————————————
Only on every other Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It’s not good to hog all of the cowardice for yourself.
GB-
But you’re a war hero.
How do we reconcile that with part-time Cowardice ?
Doesn’t seem to add up.
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 9:31 am
GB-
“He has a lot of moving parts.”
BIG moving parts.
————————————————————
With his limited innings over the last 5 years, his delivery is not real smooth. 6′10 inches and 240 pounds is a lot to keep in sync.
Well I attempted two posts about the wedding of Tony Gwynn’s daughter and both were censored. They should be. The amount of money spent on that wedding was obscene!!! It was on Platinum Weddings.
To see a breakdown of what was spent, go here:
http://www.gaslampball.com/201.....edding-was
Can’t believe how huge Gwynn is. He looked like he weighs in at at least 300 lbs.
GB-
“6?10 inches and 240 pounds is a lot to keep in sync.”
ALMOST as difficult as teaching an Elephant to ice skate.
Trisha, I 100% agree with you on Girardi.
He treats everyone equally and does not rat out anyone to the media. If there is anything, he takes blame defending them. Having won WS, he is on a solid ground and I think he will be more aggressive managing this year.
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 9:35 am
GB-
But you’re a war hero.
How do we reconcile that with part-time Cowardice ?
Doesn’t seem to add up.
————————————————————
Old age?
GB7,
As you said. his control improved greatly at the end of last yr. I don’t think he walked anyone over his last 10 innings. Plus, reports have been good so far this spring. It’ll be good to get our 1st look of 2010.
I’m guessing Vasquez and CC pitch on monday.
Buster Olney is almost ready to predict the Yankees won’t make the playoffs as the mediots are jumping on the Rays bandwagon and might be picking the Red Sox to win the wild card.
Actually, I hope most of the mediots do pick the Yankees not making the playoffs as it will be sweeter when their predictions turn out wrong.
“Can’t believe how huge Gwynn is. He looked like he weighs in at at least 300 lbs.”
Hard to believe that guy once stole 56 bases. Looks like a Weeble.
Great hitter though. One of the bigger disappointments about the 1994 season going down the drain, beyond the obvious ramifications for Yankees fans, was not seeing Gwynn’s run at .400. He was at .394 when the players went on strike.
GB-
“Old age?”
The mind is willing but the body ain’t sorta thing I guess.
And even the “young at heart” deal isn’t gonna cut it.
Serious question.
What’s your “prognosis” for Joba ?
1 BP guy. It’s over.
2 Totally “fallen angel”.
3 Needs the “Robocop/Halladay” treament.
4 Other.
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 9:39 am
GB-
“6?10 inches and 240 pounds is a lot to keep in sync.”
ALMOST as difficult as teaching an Elephant to ice skate.
————————————————————
He’s got a good combination of pitches, though. 2 and 4 seam fastballs, knickle curve and change-up. He was working on a slider last year. Once he gets comfortable with his motion and gets that slider down, and maybe drops down on the righties, he’s going to be more than most right handed hitters can deal with. A young, slightly irratic Randy Johnson from the right side.
GB-
” A young, slightly irratic Randy Johnson from the right side.”
I propose naming him after IBM.
“Big Blue”
Goes good with the NC background also.
And so begins the Nick Johnson injury/pain/blah blah blah excuses for not playing. I’d take my chances with Godzilla any day over NJ as DH. Godzilla does what it takes to play (drain knees etc). Now watch the koolaid drinkers attack as per usual.
“Now watch the koolaid drinkers attack as per usual.”
You’re welcome to your opinion so stop being a jerk and labeling those that don’t agree with you as “koolaid drinkers”.
Brackman went to NC state, so “Big Red” might be more appropriate.
Buster is the worst analyst in baseball at making predictions so its actually a plus if he picks against the Yankees. The Yankees are better than they were last year on paper so I don’t really understand these guy’s logic…
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 9:49 am
GB-
“Old age?”
The mind is willing but the body ain’t sorta thing I guess.
And even the “young at heart” deal isn’t gonna cut it.
Serious question.
What’s your “prognosis” for Joba ?
1 BP guy. It’s over.
2 Totally “fallen angel”.
3 Needs the “Robocop/Halladay” treament.
4 Other.
————————————————————
A boot upside of his head wouldn’t hurt him much. I haven’t a clue as to what needs to be done with Chamberlain. Maybe a sports psychologist, or, I’d even try a hypnotist. Something to help him to concentrate on his job. The Cubs had a couple of pitchers back in the 60s that used self-hypnosis to pitch.
Chamberlain needs to be immune to all the moralizing and BS that goes on in his name,
and certainly to be free of Kangaroo Court YES having Jack Bleepin’ Curry put Cervelli on the spot re the young pitcher.
Really – Chamberlain needs to issue a BIG, FAT, F-OFF – to everyone, and just pitch.
Why is it so hard to understand that NJ is just injury prone. With all of Matsui’s knee problems, he will play more games than Johnson.
GB-
Whatever would keep him from 1 or 2 works for me.
Even Hypnosis.
I am having a hard time forgetting the 2007 Joba, Red Sox Joba, and post-ASB Joba and accepting the Goosage Joba, or the “didn’t pan out” Joba.
Hopefully it’s too early for those outcomes.
“The Yankees are better than they were last year on paper so I don’t really understand these guy’s logic…”
I’m not sure they are. I would still take Damon/Matsui over Granderson/Johnson.
And Vasquez will crumble under the NY pressure like he did previously.
Bohdi-
You and I are in a ever shrinking minority who still have hope that JC can realize his full potential, and are unwilling to accept him in a dimished role.
I would dearly love to see a turnaround.
Some of Joba’s issues are between his ears but he also needs to get with someone who can iron out his delivery and fix his mechanical issues #1 and at the same time he needs to get himself in better shape which would help him repeat his delivery and increase his stamina. I don’t know if he can do those things while trying to pitch in the big leagues.
MTU
That’s because you’re smart.
He doesn’t need hynosis – this board does. He needs to be allowed to learn on the job. That’s what young pitchers do.
Blake-
Then #3 above would be your choice for JC.
nice to see well over a thousand comments yesterday as chad does a good job providing info and updates.
looks like lohud yankee blog is going to continue to be the place for serious yankee fans of all persuasions( old school, new school, and skipping school)
i’ll admit i didn’t think the blog would survive peter a. leaving, but these guys have done a great job.
MTU
March 6th, 2010 at 10:07 am
Bohdi-
You and I are in a ever shrinking minority who still have hope that JC can realize his full potential, and are unwilling to accept him in a dimished role.
I would dearly love to see a turnaround.
===
F-’em. I was at those starts. I know what I saw. The kid had his head in the toilet for two days – according to Girardi.
Let the fat cats here throw up for two days and try to get leg drive on a pitcher’s mound.
Rob, we shall see.
Bohdi-
I doubt the smart part.
Hopeful maybe.
Not wanting to be wasteful maybe.
Stubborn possibly.
But I think we are trying to push a rock up hill over here.
Rob
March 6th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Why is it so hard to understand that NJ is just injury prone. With all of Matsui’s knee problems, he will play more games than Johnson.
- – - – - – - – - -
Thanks for the negative outlook. It looks like the Yankees are doomed for 2010 before the season ever starts.
Bohdi-
“F-’em. I was at those starts. I know what I saw. The kid had his head in the toilet for two days – according to Girardi.
Let the fat cats here throw up for two days and try to get leg drive on a pitcher’s mound.”
It’s more than that.
A lot more for some.
MTU,
You know I’m really not sure. If Joba loses the #5 starter job and they still want him to be a starter then yes they need to break things down and start over and they need to do that in the minors. If they decide he’s a reliever longterm then you can either leave him like he is and simplify things to 2 pitches or you could still send him down to iron out his mechanics.
MTU,
Dashing out for now.
Unless Joba is physically incapable of starting, he should be nurtured as a starter.
The rest is doubletalk and BS.
Bodhi
Agree, Sometimes I really do think it’s that simple. I feel the same way about Alex as well.
GO YANKS ! World Series Champions !
Bohdi-
I admire your passion, and your unwillingness to settle for hamburger when you believe you still have steak.
Jobas energy is up in his head, no doubt.I am a Yogi, I can feel it when I watch him. He needs to breatrh into his belly. There are other Yoga exercises that would bring his energy down. From an energetic (spirit) perspective the source of a pitch is the belly. Remember how Mussina would bend at the waist. He was bringing his energy down.
Joba isn’t breathing through his eyelids enough, thats his whole problem.
“From an energetic (spirit) perspective the source of a pitch is the belly. ”
David Wells and CC agree. Joba could benefit from a little Yoga I would say.
RichardC
March 6th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Jobas energy is up in his head, no doubt.I am a Yogi, I can feel it when I watch him. He needs to breatrh into his belly. There are other Yoga exercises that would bring his energy down. From an energetic (spirit) perspective the source of a pitch is the belly. Remember how Mussina would bend at the waist. He was bringing his energy down.
————————————————————
You might be closer to being Yogi Bear…or Boo Boo Bear is more likely.
Erica -
If the lineups go up at 8 am, it’s not going to work.
However, if people want to to GTLU for ST, would it be feasible to put your guesses in the night or even the afternoon before? I am willing to do this. Let me know.
Also, I mentioned a variable on the ST GTLU, which would be to keep track of which non-starters Girardi puts in the starting lineup. For instance, the Thursday game, he had Miranda starting at 1b, and two of the people who did GTLU did have Miranda in their lineups. It wouldn’t matter what position in the lineup, but as long as you were “thinking along with” Girardi in which playes would sit and which would play, that would be the challenge.
Of course, as the season gets closer and minor leaguers are re-assigned, the lineups will be more stable, and the regular game could go on.
Chad does give indications as to who may or may not be availabe the next day.
It’s up to you guys.
If you aren’t interested, then I won’t do GTLU until opening day.
Off topic:
This might be an interesting side note:
From MLBTR
“Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria is now free to sign with any team, tweets ESPN’s Jorge Arangure. His agent, Bart Hernandez, says that he’s been “unblocked” by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, giving him the freedom to sign.
Bidding for the 19-year-old could go as high as eight figures, more than the $8.2MM the Red Sox gave Jose Iglesias earlier this winter. The Angels and Blue Jays reportedly have some interest in Hechevarria, but Arangure adds in a second tweet that the Cubs and Yankees have shown heavy interest.”
I just bought my tickets for all four games, the Yanks play at Comerica Park in May.
“Jobas energy is up in his head, no doubt.I am a Yogi, I can feel it when I watch him. He needs to breatrh into his belly. There are other Yoga exercises that would bring his energy down. ”
And from a layman’s standpoint, he does seem to have an abundance of stored energy in his belly.
Seriously though. If the worst case scenario is that Joba loses his spot in the rotation to Hughes? Well I think we can all live with that.
If that’s the case, hopefully Hughes will pitch well enough this season to solidify his spot next season and Joba gets another shot.
My only concern is Joba wouldn’t get the innings he needs to go full bore in 2011 and he’s on yet another innings limit.
Oh good, the game is on tv…..I can not wait to see AJ again.
I also can’t believe how the papers are making it sound like Phil was awful. Ok, so he wasn’t great, but geez – they should have focused on his promising change-up instead of the fact that he gave up a couple of hard hit balls.
Craw, are you kidding? I do think the Rays will be very good again and the Sox will be good as well (yes, I’ve seen articles where the writers are drooling over their rotation), but most Yankee articles have been very complimentary towards them. Screw Buster if he thinks the Yankees got worse.
Betsy, the papers don’t know anything other than he gave up a HR (which was wind blown). The Yankees saw what they wanted to see out of Phil yesterday which was Changeup progress.
Wow, Bodh – you’re saying the rest of us who think Joba has issues are idiots? If not, then you need to clarify what you wrote to MTU because that sounded like an insult to me. You make it sound like Joba hasn’t done anything wrong and his critics are all stupid.
Doreen-
I admire your enthusiasm a lot. I think it could be fun to try and play along. I am just saying its really hard.
I don’t have the time to think about ST line ups this time of year, but if others are interested- then go for it. I love everyone wanting to be a part of it.
However, if anyone would have guessed that Cervelli would be the DH today please contact me off the blog about choosing tonight’s Powerball nunmbers
Betsy,
Buster won’t be the only one. I suspect many of the MSM so-called baseball experts will pick against the Yankees because it generates discussion and controversy.
Blake, if Joba can’t be motivated to get into good shape, then that is bothersome and that’s all on him. He’s stubborn and appears to be, at times, uncoachable. Shaking off a catcher in ST is ridiculous and inexcusable. I don’t think he’s learned a thing – I don’t think he “gets it”. I’m sure the Yanks are doing all they can do re: his mechanics, but it’s on Joba in the end as they can’t pitch for him.
You’re right about Phil, but it was still annoying to read the guy in Newsday trash him. I loved that change he threw to Zobrist – it was gorgeous.
A very happy birthday to Cervelli
I see that Sean Marcum, coming back from Tommy John surgery is pitching. The Jays had the makings of a monster rotation a couple of years ago with Sean Marcum, Jesse Litsch and Dustin McGowan all young studs. But they got hurt. Litsch looks like he’ll be back this season, also from Tommy John surgery and McGowan (labrum surgery) has also started pitching this spring. If these three come back to what they were, the Jays will be a force. they’ve already got Romero and Drabek (picked up in the Halladay trade) plus a couple of other young guys who are probably a year away in Marc Rzepczynski and Brandon Morrow.
Craw, if they are doing that for that reason, it’s asinine. I respect the Sox a great deal as always, but they are not as good as the Yankees. Even if you think their rotation is better, it’s not by a lot; the offense however, does not stack up. I also respect the Rays, but the Yankees are hardly a fluke and they are still the best team in baseball.
Betsy, do yourself a favor. Don’t read the newspapers.
The analysts can slobber over the Soxs all they want but the facts are their rotation is injury prone and they have question marks offensively. They should the a very good team if they stay healthy but the Yankees are much more balanced and will have a better bullpen IMO.
At this point, these IFAs hold no interest for me. Everytime one becomes available, the Yankees are said to be interested and to be the favorites. Wake me up when they actually sign one, lol.
Trish, good idea!
I’m pretty sure one of the guys on MLB television picked the Yankees to come in third behind the Suxers and the Rays.
All of that hits me the way any of the media prognostication hits me – who really gives a rat.
I know the Yankees will win number 28 this year. Therefore I pay no attention to the foolishness and angst that accompanies the “experts” picks every year.
Is there anyone else here who is totally convicted in the belief that the Yankees will win it all again? I would really like to have a little company this season and a little bit of a shield against the inevitable “watch out for this team!” “watch out for that team!”
Glad to see Romine will get a few at bats today….
betsy, I really thought we would hear stories that Joba was working out like crazy and would be coming in to ST in great shape etc..that’s not to say he isn’t because obviously I don’t know but the first thing people were saying when they saw pictures of him this spring was that he looked overweight. He just doesn’t seem to be making the adjustments both on and off the field needed to be what he wants to be.
Be careful when judging whether a player is “in shape” from visual cues alone.
Betsy, if you can take you cues from what Girardi has to say (seriously, a good idea because the guy does call it like it is, though gently) and then see what people here whose baseball opinions you respect have to say, you will probably get a good read on reality. The outside media is there to sell papers. I believe the more provacative they can be, the more they sell.
About Phil – I have never wavered in my belief that he is going to be one of the Yankee leaders, on the field and in the clubhouse. Any bumps in the road don’t ever dissuede me from that belief, nor will they.
Jose Molina will forever be known as the last player to hit a HR at the old Stadium.
Trisha,
I think baseball prospectus picked the Yanks third and Leiter and whoever else was on there disagreed.
108 stiches – and I was there when he hit it and pretty close to where it landed!
blake, I didn’t know it was BP. That explains it all!
Here’s hoping the powder blue prevails over the evil royal blue tonight.
Baseball Prospectus is a joke and I can’t take them seriously anymore. Yep, the guys (not counting stooge Victor Rojas) totally disagreed with BP…Leiter was great, lol.
Trish, I definitely respect many of the posters here more than I do the mediots. I’m not even suggesting they say that Phil was great as he admitted he had no FB command….. Also, I can’t believe anyone believes Joe when he says that Mitre, Gaudin and Aceves are serious candidates to be the 5th starter. Unless Phil or Joba are horrid beyond belief, then it’s one of those two. I don’t care of the other three have zero ERAs at the end of ST; I do not want any of them starting.
YankeesWFAN Jose Molina on Cervelli: “They’re in good hands…you won’t miss me…he’s a great catcher.” #classact
26 minutes ago via UberTwitter
Blake-
With respect to Joba.
Illusion or reality ?
I will agree with you about one thing.
I absolutely think he should have shown more commitment to training in the off season.
SJ has confirmed that the Yankees could not force Joba to go to a place like API but I am of the opinion that he should have taken the initiative and gone there.
It’s truly amazing to me how quickly players can be “written ” off, or treated like “fallen angels”.
It wasn’t that long ago when Joba was a Phenom in some people’s minds and now he is (for some) almost an also ran.
If Phil ascends to the heights this year, and then happens to stumble for whatever reason, then i hope someone is there to help him up instead of seeming to kick him when he may be down.
Some people (again not accusing anyone in particular) also don’t like Joba’s from the wrong side of the tracks
background, or his perceived personality.
For me, it is actually appealing.
And has a real human interest quality to it.
But hey, that’s just me.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....start.html
Harper makes NO mention of Phil’s change, so that’s a joke. He’s also making it out as if this is all about Joba…and it’s not.
However, what is up with Cashman?
***In fact, Cashman flatly said, “if you ask me what’s the best team for 2010, it would be Hughes and Chamberlain both in the bullpen, and have Aceves, or Gaudin, or Mitre take the fifth spot.****
I’m sorry, but if Cashman actually thinks that the Yankees would be better off with either of those 3 in the rotation, he’s absolutely nuts.
Chad, you’re kicking butt this spring. Keep up the great work — we all appreciate it.
Leiter is great isn’t he. He was a good pitcher but he was born to do what he’s doing now.
Leiter used to do Yankee games, but he hardly does them anymore now that he’s with the MLB network.
Betsy I absolutely believe that 5th place is up for grabs. Joe doesn’t BS. He’s an above-board manager and doesn’t play little head games the way his predecessor did (IMO). Now what the others would have to do to wrestle 5th from Joba or Hughes is certainly subject to debate. But he wouldn’t be telling 5 pitchers that they had a chance to be his 5th starter if he really only had two in mind. He is not built that way. He would be saying that the 5th starter was between 2 players but that the three others certainly had a shot at making the team.
Rishi
March 6th, 2010 at 11:25 am
YankeesWFAN Jose Molina on Cervelli: “They’re in good hands…you won’t miss me…he’s a great catcher.” #classact
26 minutes ago via UberTwitter
**********************
Awww…that’s sweet! I loved Molina, but I agree with him-I think they’re in very good hands with Cervelli as backup.
MTU,
I used the phrase “going postal” the other day, and my teenage daughters looked at me like I had 2 heads. I had to explain the tragic origins of the phrase.
Then last night I told one of them that it must be cool to have a spin off just for you, but they’re never more popular than the original. Then I said maybe Frazier (I had to really think about this one) from Cheers. She’s all, “Huh?” I sang the theme. Nothing. Ted Danson? Norm? Cliff? Nothing. Woody Harrelson? Nothing. Kids nowadays.
So, what do you guys think? Cheers and Frazier were both huge hits in their respective “eras”. Which one was more popular?
Trisha-
FWIW. I agree with you on Girardi.
I too believe the competition is more than
JC or PH.
Betsy -
If I remember correctly, Cash also said, for this year only and it wouldn’t be in the longterm interest of the Yankees to go that direction.
However, I can see where he’s coming from. Gaudin, Mitre and Aceves would all make very good to decent #5 starters. Joba and Phil have dominated in the pen. It would certainly be a short game, wouldn’t it, if you knew you had Joba/Phil, DRob/Marte and Mo in the pen? Plus Gaudin and Aceves have done good jobs from the pen. Mitre is the only guy I see as not being able to do either/or.
I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in hades for that to happen, though. Not at all.
MTU, I’m not anti-Joba, I actually like the kid and he has a great story. Thats what makes him so frustrating though, we have seen glimpses of what he could be. It just seems that he isn’t doing the things neccessary to reach that potential, I don’t know thats the case but its what it looks like. He was questioned about his work ethic and conditioning last year so I fully expected to hear that he had busted his hump this offseason and would come into spring training trimmed down a bit and on fire to win a job. That doesn’t seem to be the case. Not trying to jump to conclusions, I want to see him succeed just like anyone else does because that would benefit both him and the Yankees.
Betsy
Cashman has said that before but followed it up with “but it’s probably not in our best interest for 2011 and beyond”.
I think the competition is between the 5 guys but that the Yankees would prefer it if either Joba or Hughes steps up and wins it.
Blake-
We are not in disagreement on the conditioning issues.
And I stated as such.
And I am certainly not accusing you of not being a Joba supporter.
Both of these 2 young men have great potential.
And that’s the bottom line.
m -
I think “Cheers” was more popular. BUT as a spin-off, Frazier was close to the original in its success. I think it is because of the fantastic cast of characters they had – it didn’t all depend on the Frazier character. In fact, I think Frazier could have stood on its own, without having been a spinoff. It depended very little on any reference to its origins.
cheers and Frazier both are awesome. I liked Frazier better personally.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
March 6th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Wow, Bodh – you’re saying the rest of us who think Joba has issues are idiots? If not, then you need to clarify what you wrote to MTU because that sounded like an insult to me. You make it sound like Joba hasn’t done anything wrong and his critics are all stupid.
====
It’s not a question of culpability or innocence.
The cult of blame is a strange narrative, in light of where the player is in his career and his upside.
It’s an odd focus for baseball fans, and it holds no interest for me, because it doesn’t tell me anything of value about the player – it’s all projection and innuendo.
I’m rooting for the arm to get back to 2008 and flourish.
Listening to people dissect Chamberlain’s post-game soundbites – and listening to them trying to read some great significance into what he does and doesn’t say, is frankly, tired.
There are some people here who stick to what they saw rather than what they decide is “wrong” with Chamberlain’s mental state.
Those posts have some credibility and interest. The rest is noise.
I LOVED Frasier.
But Cheers was DEFINITELY way more popular.
Hmm- other spinoffs….
Dallas/Knots Landing
Mary Tyler Moore/Rhoda
All in the Family/The Jeffersons
m-
The gap between the generations is always that way.
And as far as:
“Cheers and Frazier were both huge hits in their respective “eras”. Which one was more popular?”
You’re asking the wrong guy on that one.
I, like your kids, wouldn’t have a clue.
I have 130 channels of TV, and I rarely watch more than 1/2 dozen of them.
I don’t agree with anyone, lol – not with Trish, Pat or Doreen.
Pat, I read that comment from Cash and I still disagree with him about 2010. Doreen, Mitre is awful. I like Gaudin, but he’s more of an emergency spot start guy than anyone I would choose to start on a regular basis. Same goes for Aceves…..I have zero clue what to expect from Joba, but Phil in the rotation all year would be a a very good #5; even with the ups and downs he’d experience, he’d be much better than any of those.
How one comment can change your life.
TylerKepner Ronan Tynan, once the celebrated Irish tenor for the Yankees, has moved … to Boston. http://nyti.ms/cq5w4T
Also, Doreen, Joba has not dominated in the pen for a long time. He was not even that good out of the pen last year….
m
March 6th, 2010 at 11:38 am
MTU,
I used the phrase “going postal” the other day, and my teenage daughters looked at me like I had 2 heads. I had to explain the tragic origins of the phrase.
Then last night I told one of them that it must be cool to have a spin off just for you, but they’re never more popular than the original. Then I said maybe Frazier (I had to really think about this one) from Cheers. She’s all, “Huh?” I sang the theme. Nothing. Ted Danson? Norm? Cliff? Nothing. Woody Harrelson? Nothing. Kids nowadays.
So, what do you guys think? Cheers and Frazier were both huge hits in their respective “eras”. Which one was more popular?
****************************
m, you need to get your daughters to watch Cheers! They don’t know what they’re missing
It’s a tough question which one was more popular, but I would probably have to go with Cheers. I love Frasier-I think it’s considered one of the greatest spinoffs ever.
Doreen,
Popular might have been the wrong word. I was thinking “hit”. I seem to recall that Cheers was wildly popular. But didn’t Frazier enjoy great ratings and critical success? And you’re absolutely right. Frazier on Cheers was almost a bit player. Now that I think about it, I think I liked Cheers better. Some great talents from that show. I mean, Kirstie Allie! j/k. But she was funny/good.
Guess what show I really liked. It was centered around a tiny little airport.
m
March 6th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Doreen,
Popular might have been the wrong word. I was thinking “hit”. I seem to recall that Cheers was wildly popular. But didn’t Frazier enjoy great ratings and critical success? And you’re absolutely right. Frazier on Cheers was almost a bit player. Now that I think about it, I think I liked Cheers better. Some great talents from that show. I mean, Kirstie Allie! j/k. But she was funny/good.
Guess what show I really liked. It was centered around a tiny little airport.
*******************
WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
I still watch that show in reruns when I can find them
m
March 6th, 2010 at 11:51 am
Guess what show I really liked. It was centered around a tiny little airport.
**************************
Wings Great show.
Wings…awesome show.
Blake-
“Wings…awesome show.”
Hot Wings.
Awesome food !
Betsy -
The point is Joba did dominate in the pen at one time and has shown he can do it. By the time he got to the pen last season, he was wiped out. I don’t believe he did a great job in the post season in relief, but he did a better job than he possibly would have starting, because less was required of him. He also “brought it” if not in greatness, in demeanor, out of the pen in October.
As far as Mitre goes, the kid was rehabbing off of TJ. A lot of his bad outings had as much to do with poorly fielding his position as it did with his actual pitching. On several occasions, balls back to him that would have been inning-ending DPs were misplayed by him, which led to extending the innings (and pitches thrown). And just when he seemed to be getting sharper, he was hit by a comebacker and missed a few starts. I don’t believe based on last season one can definitely state he stinks. Mixed results, is what I’d say.
I’m not trying to change your mind, by the way, just giving my take on Mitre.
Also, you’re talking #5 starter here. Actually if Joba or Phil gets the spot, you’re #5 starter probably has the ability of a #3 or #4 (if not higher at some point during the season), so obviously, that would be better.
It’s a hypothetical, that’s all.
“Wings…awesome show.”
Hot Wings.
Awesome food
True statement. My favorite show from the cheers era was set in Hawaii and featured, a Ferrari, a helicopter, a Tiger’s hat, and very short man shorts.
All in the Family/The Jeffersons
Maude also spun off All in the Family.
Tarheel,
I had an errand and missed your post.
Simplicity is what young players need. They can’t allow the minutia and irrelevancies of public opinion interfere.
Considering the fishbowl these kids are in, the Yanks would be smart to batten down the hatches and insulate these players from all the nonsense.
And they sure don’t need to fuel the fire by making anonymous in-house comments.
A tight ship and a tight lip – let them work in as much peace as possible, under the circumstances, and give them every opportunity to succeed. It’s in the team’s long-term interest if these two succeed as starters.
Mitre is better than most people think. I think Aceves is more valuable doing what he did last year though.
blake
March 6th, 2010 at 11:59 am
“Wings…awesome show.”
Hot Wings.
Awesome food
True statement. My favorite show from the cheers era was set in Hawaii and featured, a Ferrari, a helicopter, a Tiger’s hat, and very short man shorts.
************************
Magnum, P.I.
Betsy, I think the biggest mistake posters make is actually believing they know what’s best for the Yankees when their opinion is in opposition to the Yankee’s. Seriously.
I absolutely understand Cashman saying what he did. And yes, Joba and Phil in the pen in 2010 would likely make the pen unstoppable – what Cashman was obviously getting at. It didn’t mean forever, it meant for one year. Whether or not that happens, in theory it is definitely sound.
Don’t underestimate Gaudin. He has been a starter and has a lot more experience starting than Phil or Joba.
That said, I have no idea who will win the 5th stater spot, nor do I particularly care. As long as its the pitcher who gives us the best chance of repeating, then he’s my guy.
If you had trusted the Yankees last season, you would not have worried your way through the season. Try it, you might like it!
The worst thing we can do as fans is get so attached to any player that we fail to see the forest for the trees. That’s when you start to believe your way is the best way and your enjoyment starts to go downhill. I have players whom I have absolutely adored, but when their fortunes fell, I had to understand and adjust. The alternative isn’t very pretty.
Love Phil but understand that his career is out of all of our hands. If he achieves he will be there. Nobody is going to hold him back. Try to just let if flow. It’s all good.
Always remember that the Yankees are all about winning. They will make the choices that they believe give them the best chances of winning.
Trish, I disagree, what can I say? Also, I trusted the Yankees, so I’m not sure what you’re getting at. I worry about everything – that doesn’t mean I didn’t have faith in them.
blake, definitely agree about Mitre. He’s going to open people’s eyes. He is probably where he should be based on having TJ surgery, if not a bit ahead.
I purposely let it lie because there’s no point in repeating ourselves, but there’s no way I think Gaudin (who I like a lot) would be better than Phil over the course of a season as a starter. One, he could never get out of the 5th inning and two, he’s not close to being as talented.
I’m going to leave it there. I don’t know if you meant what you said, but you’re implying that I care more about Phil than I do about the success of the Yankees and I won’t even respond to that.
Erica -
Not long after Kirstie Alley got to Cheers, I started to hate it. A lot of the plot lines were too contrived (and I know that’s silly, because what was more contrived than Sam & Diane?). But I think they would have done better if they had not made Rebecca and Sam an item. Just my opinion on that one.
At first I like Cheers with Rebecca. Because she was a strong, yet quirky, character who could stand up to Sam in a new way. But then they weakened her, I thought. They let her quirkiness take over and all her intelligence went out the window.
I missed the Coach character, but the Woody character became a favorite.
If I had to say, I liked Cheers better than Frasier.
IMO
From what I have seen thus far:
Gaudin > Mitre By a lot.
Betsy, if you trust the Yankees, then you trust what they are doing and you trust that they will do things that give them the best chance of winning. That’s what we should all be hoping for, no?
So ST is just a “sit back, wait, and watch” time.
It didn’t sound too much like you trusted Cashman when he said what he did about Joba and Huges in the pen!
Blake-
I could be wrong.
And we can agree to disagree.
And I hope you are right.
But for me.
The only thing Mitre is gonna open is a can of sardines for lunch.
Wait, so because I trust the Yankees Trish, I have to like everything they do? Sorry, I don’t buy that. Besides, they haven’t done anything yet for me to criticize them. All I said was that I disagreed with Cashman’s comment; I don’t need to defend my opinion on that.
Trisha,
That’s why they kept Mitre around, they know he is another year removed from injury and will be stronger and better than last year. If he and Gaudin aren’t contributing then they are two good trade chips at the deadline although I won’t be surprised if one of them gets moved before opening day.
Betsy, as I said, I don’t care who gets the 5th starter spot. And unlike you, I don’t know who would be better over the course of a season. That’s why I prefer to wait and see how things play out.
But that’s just me.
” He’s an above-board manager and doesn’t play little head games the way his predecessor did (IMO).”
yeah, , if it wasn’t for jeter, posada, rivera, williams, and pettitte who all loved him (and still do), that predecessor’s approach would have never worked.
those four yankee world championships mean nothing, nothing i say ( IMO)
it brings tears to my eyes that saint joe is here now
… actually i really like girardi a lot, but why take cheap shots that are unnecessary ?
torre and girardi are not in competition with each other.
when someone leave the yankees, it doesn’t make them the enemy.
torre is a major part of yankee history and a great yankee manager.
the make up and character of the present team is to a large degree because of torre.
the torch was passed on to another really good yankee in girardi.
i don’t see the problem.
If nobody is going to debate the issues around the team, and just want to wait for Baghdad Bob/Yankee announcements, every blog would go out of business.
Debating moves are what makes these blogs survive.
Also, not every word said publicly by a Yankee official is gospel.
Unless you believed Brian Cashman when he said, “Bubba Crosby is my CF”, and “nothing is happening”, just before he makes a trade, or “Mark Teixeira isn’t in our plans”, a week before he signs him.
As far as Joba is concerned, sure, you can put a bubble around him and believe that’s going to make him better. However, that’s unrealistic for anybody with the Yankees.
Whatever pressure he may or may not feel is a fraction of the pressure somebody like Arod has had to deal with on an almost daily basis since he became a Yankee. It comes with the territory.
If Joba pitches well, in whatever role he has, nobody will complain. If he doesn’t, people will discuss. That’s just the way it is.
Betsy, it is apparent that you and I go through the course of a season in very different ways. You tend to be critical and worry. I tend to accept and not worry. But if it works for you, then it does. To each her or his own.
MTU,
I didn’t say Mitre was Roy halladay or even as good as Gaudin, just that he’s better than people give him credit for. He was still coming back from surgery last year but still took the ball each time he was asked to. He should be better this year and I’m thinking the Yanks kept him around to use as a trade chip because of that.
“Unless you believed Brian Cashman when he said, “Bubba Crosby is my CF”, and “nothing is happening”, just before he makes a trade, or “Mark Teixeira isn’t in our plans”, a week before he signs him.”
Or “We really wanted Johnny Damon”?
SJ, I would say that you are as selective in believing what Cashman puts out as anyone else. Human nature 101. If it fits your beliefs, then you believe him. If not, you don’t.
And by the way, perhaps Bubba Crosby WAS his CF when he said it?
Curiously, did you believe Cashman when he said the Yankees really wanted Torre back, or did you think that was superficial hogwash? There are definitely two schools of thought on that, with many campers in each camp.
How one comment can change your life.
TylerKepner Ronan Tynan, once the celebrated Irish tenor for the Yankees, has moved … to Boston. http://nyti.ms/cq5w4T
————————————————————-
Tynan was a curse. Let him sing at Fenway and they’ll be ousted in the first round for years to come.
At least that’s what El Duque over at the “It Is High..” blog thinks.
“For eight years — eight stinking years — we let this overfed, hairless-and-legless lunk and his K-Mart ski goggles curse our seventh inning stretches, dooming us in the post-season. He sang when Bubba Crosby collided with Gary Sheffield. He sang when Randy Johnson self-immolated. He sang when Raul Mondessi tiptoed after fly balls. HE SANG WHEN JOHNNY DAMON’S GRAND SLAM PUT US BEHIND 9-2 IN THE WORST COLLAPSE IN BASEBALL HISTORY! And only last October, when this steroidal-voiced Irish Seaworld flipper-legged mutant finally got his “walking” papers, did we finally win anything!”
Blake-
As I said earlier, I hope you are correct on Mitre and he turns out to have more value than I think he will.
That’s very true, SJ, but since I didn’t agree with Cashman’s comments, I obviously don’t trust him. Sheesh – I’ve been one of the biggest Cashman supporters on this blog.
Good point about Cash and the Bubba Crosby comment; I hadn’t even taken that into consideration. I personally don’t think Phil needs outside motivation to do well, but maybe Cash (that would be disappointing) or maybe he was directing that comment to Joba. The problem is, it gave the media more to work with, though fortunately only Harper took the bait.
Or it could be that Cashman was actually speaking the truth. Again, selective choosing in what we want to believe and what we don’t.
Trisha,
Do you really believe Bubba Crosby was ever going to be the CF for the Yankees? I mean, really, put the pom poms down and think for a minute.
Do you really think Brian Cashman actually believed that when he said it? If you do, then he should be fired because he spent 52 million dollars of his company’s money when he had his starting CF for 400K already on the roster.
As far as Damon is concerned, Cashman laid out chapter and verse the negotiations between he and the Damon side. They mirrored what I said on this blog for over a month. Things you discounted in every way and were proven wrong by the GM himself.
Do you think he was lying? How many times have you ever heard Brian Cashman go public with a contract negotiation?
I’ll save you the time to find the answer. Its never until the Damon negotiation.
Why do you think that is? Its because he didn’t like the public narrative from the Damon side that he wasn’t interested in bringing him back because he knows it wasn’t true.
As far as the Torre negotiations are concerned, two problems with your example:
1. Not every negotiation is the same. You should know that as a lawyer.
2. Brian Cashman doesn’t negotiate the manager’s contracts and didn’t negotiate the Torre contract. That’s a Randy Levine/Lonn Trost negotiation.
Brian gives his recommendation but, Levine and Trost negotiate the manager’s contracts with the Yankees.
Enjoy the game everyone.
Catch y’all later.
That’s uproariously funny, Ronan didn’t cost us 2004.
We lost in ‘04 primarily because we had no LHP, and Giambi and his bad back took our big LH power bat out of the lineup.
Other reasons: Jorgie threw to the wrong side of 2B, Joe didn’t run on Wake, Rivera was coping with a family tragedy, etc.
Pettitte surely would have made a difference, but looking back, I’ll take 10 years of Hughes in the rotation over one ALCS against Boston. Plus Andy proved you can go home again
.
I’m so over 2004.
Cashman says whatever will neutralize the reporters ability to ask more questions most of the time.
The entire context of the quote by Cashman yesterday was:
It would help the team in 2010 if both Hughes and Chamberlain were in the bullpen. That is a true statement.
HOWEVER, he immediately followed up by saying that it isn’t in the long term best interests to have BOTH of them in the bullpen and ONE of them has to be in the rotation.
What went unspoken, and missed by everybody who jumped on the first comment was:
1. One of them IS going to be in the rotation, barring injury. Cashman admitted as much yesterday.
2. By saying ONE of them is going to be in the rotation, one of them is going to the bullpen since Cashman likes having one of them in the pen, based on his earlier comments.
Unless of course, one of them pitches themselves off the roster.
Its always interesting to me how the media interprets quotes in a group.
I thought for sure there would have been more followup to his comments yesterday.
I guess its spring training for the writers too! lol
SJ – then let me rephrase the question. I’ve asked you the question before but maybe it’s been buried in the rest of the post.
Do you believe the Yankees were sincere in their offer to bring Torre back or do you think it was their way of trying to get rid of him?
Again, there are definitely polarzied opinions on that one, with both sides being highly populated. I am curious to know what you thought. I don’t need to know all of the reasons you thought the way you did, just the bottom line.
That’s not news about Cashman’s statement on Hughes and Joba in the pen. He said that with Francesa on Wednesday. He’s right. The squad for 2010 is better if both are in the bullpen but long-term its not ideal. Then he went on talking about other stuff.
SJ44-
A little late but… CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!
I hope yesterday is just the first of a ton of success and very many homeruns!!
Molina you are a class act, we loved you & Cisco, thanks for the reassurance.
Brackman prbly gets the Bleich treatment today.
SJ,
I know I’m late to the party on this, but congrats on your nephew’s debut. Saw him listed on the rotoworld site. Throw a runner out and hit a HR? Love it!
SJ, I agree that it was a theoretically sound statement made by Cashman, indicating that the bullpen would be aces with both of them in the pen. I didn’t take it to say that neither would make the rotation.
That’s why I say that people get too twisted with what they read in the press. And with their inability to let life happen without obsessing every step of the way. The Yankees are going to break camp with the roster they believe is the best they can put together. And it doesn’t matter who agrees with it and who doesn’t.
The upside to debate is that it allows people to speak their mind. The “downside” is that often the truth to every situation lies somewhere in the middle, meaning maybe there’s something to be said for all sides. But when people put out their opinions and filter to different sides of an issue, all those people believe they have the correct answer. That’s why I feel it’s pretty much a waste of time to go beyond stating one’s opinion. Of course, when someone doesn’t agree with that opinion and decides to dance all over your head, then your drawn into endless debate!
I really like to KISS…
SJ – just read Glove’s comment about your nephew! WOWEE!!!
That has to feel really good. Obviously the boy is going places fast.
nice article on Tony Sanchez:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg.....745-63.stm
now that’s how you make an impression!
SJ, I did read Cash’s whole statement, but the uproar developed because I disagreed with the idea that the team would be better with a mediocre 5th starter and Joba/Phil in the pen.
Harper’s article was awful, lol, but unlike the players (who can expect to be sharper as the regular season approaches), I’m afraid the sportswriters will be in ST mode all season.
So MLB Network were not allowed to boardcast today’s in the NYC area. Why not?
I remember back in 2007, before the Torre negotiation went down, feeling that Torre should have some sort of incentive clauses in the contract based on playoff performance.
Imagine my surprise when the Yanks hierarchy actually came up with a similar idea.
Unfortunately though, I’m basically a nobody who knows nothing about these things so the fact that their ideas sort of echoed my own says more about their misguidedness than my “genius”.
That being said, I think they did want Torre back but on only on those terms. They were spending a lot of dough on his position and although I think they were willing to keep spending it, they wanted better results.
Personally, even as a fan of Torre, I wasn’t too disappointed by his departure.
Sometimes it’s just time to make a change. And I think it worked out well for both parties.
Tony Sanchez could find himself at AA Altoona by mid to late June. Maturity ahead of his time.
Tony has a built-in fan club already, lol. The kid seems like he’s going places…….
Let’s see if AJ has success with the change today…
I love Tony’s quote about how he “embraced the nerves” – good for him.
The Jays are not going to be bad at all as they have good young pitching; AA has them going in the right direction
Betsy in all fairness nobody said they felt the team would be better with a mediocre fifth starter. You seem to have decided who is mediocre and who isn’t at this point. It seems the rest of us are willing to let ST play out.
And it also seems that most of the rest of us believe that the 5th starting position is open, even though it might be that Joba and Phil have the edge unless they lose it.
****************
Enjoy the game all. Nothing goes better with working out than watching Yankee baseball.
Try to stay away from bridges. It’s only ST!!!
94…just nice and easy.
Leaving work now!!
I’ll talk to you all later on if I am still conscious when I get home!
Its amazing how AJ throws 95 effortlessly.
4get above saw that it was channel 9
Bronx Jeers, my take on the Torre deal was identical to yours.
anyone know if game on in upstate ny
So MLB Network were not allowed to boardcast today’s in the NYC area. Why not?
Blackout because the game is on My9.
So far, no changes…….all FB
Bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes
March 6th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Chamberlain needs to be immune to all the moralizing and BS that goes on in his name,
and certainly to be free of Kangaroo Court YES having Jack Bleepin’ Curry put Cervelli on the spot re the young pitcher.
Really – Chamberlain needs to issue a BIG, FAT, F-OFF – to everyone, and just pitch.
**********************************************************
so perfectly worded….
Time warner its now showing My9
i checked MLB network it says its showing it but they are not
Kay is such a jerk……..AJ gives up a hit and a bloop hit, and now he’s losing his release point and going Jekyll and Hyde on us.
Such a Burnett inning.
It IS the first game of ST…
AJs stuff looks good as always.
“Kay is such a jerk……..AJ gives up a hit and a bloop hit, and now he’s losing his release point and going Jekyll and Hyde on us”
Just calling it as he sees it.
Why? He gave up a line drive, a bloop and a walk. The expectations for AJ are ridiculously high – as if he has to be perfect.
I don’t think he threw any changeups – maybe one or two. I wonder what was up with that?
Sorry, Frank – that’s a dumb comment for Kay to make in AJ’s first ST inning, after he simply have up two hits, one of which was a bloop. Other pitchers had similar innings (or worse) in ST, but you don’t get these types of comments
“Betsy, I think the biggest mistake posters make is actually believing they know what’s best for the Yankees when their opinion is in opposition to the Yankee’s. ”
betsy-
then again ,another school of thought is to always question authority.
people who don’t question authority make for a boring yankee universe ( not to mention a very undemocratic world).
of course, i’ve always felt this :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1.....411578420/
Thanks all for the well wishes re: Tony. It really was one of those storybook nights for him and our family.
Trisha.
Cashman wanted Torre back. That was his recommendation. Levine hated Torre so, he didn’t want him back. Trost was 50-50.
In the end, they still offered him a salary that still would have made him the highest manager in the game. He turned it down over the incentives.
More accurately, he turned it down because he knew he had the Dodgers job in his hip pocket and didn’t want to put up with the BS anymore. Can’t blame him for that.
Cash though, wanted Torre back and had Torre’s back every year he was in NY.
Its why he was hurt so much when Torre took shots at him in his book.
I think AJ may throw more changes this inning. The one I saw him throw looked pretty good.
Randy, I didn’t even notice that quote – lol. If I wasn’t so over the discussion, I’d be very annoyed. From now on, let’s none of us disagree with the Yankees. Lord, what a pretentious quote that was. By the way, I couldn’t see the image you linked to – what was it supposed to be?
I will never forgive Torre for what he did to Cashman; it almost seems like Torre only cared about Cash during their years together because he thought he could walk all over him. Then, when he discovered he couldn’t – that Cash actually had a mind of his own and different opinions – he took the dagger to Cash and ruined a friendship.
Blake, I thought MAYBE he threw a couple to the 2nd to last batter – I wasn’t sure. I didn’t see any curves, though. Perhaps AJ wanted to get his feet under him with his FB – which is fine. He does throw awfully nice and easy….
Re: Torre
The Yankees were put in a similar position as the NY Rangers were when they won the Stanley Cup in ‘94.
Mark Messier’s agent was talking re-negotiations and contract extensions yearly until Ranger management finally posed the question, “How many more years are we supposed to pay Mark Messier for 1994 ?
Joe Torre led teams didn’t win it all from 2001 to 2007 yet he was insulted because of an incentive clause in a contract proposal which was very reachable.
He bit his nose to spite his face and still hasn’t made the kind of money with the Dodgers he would have if he accepted his last Yankee offer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1…..411578420/
Randy l,
You look like a young George Harrison. ALOT.
Ouch, AJ was awful today – he couldn’t even make it out of the 2nd inning. He didn’t look good at all – no command and I don’t think he threw the change that often. Last year, he was great in ST
betsy-
check the link again. it’s the funny part.
one of my favorite photos.
Bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes-
well, you are what you smoke, i mean eat
Granderson doesn’t have a very good arm….he made a pretty weak throw from CF
Randy, is that you standing or are you the guy behind the other two ?
Randy-that’s a great picture!!
Wow.
Granderson’s arm is fine. It’s just one throw. Wow.
Betsy:
Think that was a case of a guy with an average arm making a bad throw.
Watching AJ Burnett pitch last year was both remarkable and strange for so many reasons.
In games where AJ didn’t have it, he just didn’t have it and was terrible. That was often very clear from the start. But that’s a phenomenon that not that rare.
But many of the games he won and had decent to good outcomes in were like nothing else I’ve seen.
I can’t recall a pitcher missing his spot as often as Burnett did and still win a game.
It was an amazing thing to watch. He missed his spots over and over and over and his stuff was still good enough in certain games for him to get through it.
That out he got on molina where he sawed off his bat was a great example. Now mind, you it is Molina… But AJ missed his spot there by two feet. Low and away becomes up and in to a right batter because AJ has so much arm side run at times.
And the pitch as so much action that it saws off the bat.
Ultimately, though you just can’t get away with missing spots like that over the course of a long season and be consistent.
It was good to hear AJ talk about throwing more change ups (though he’s said the same thing in prior spring trainings and doesn’t change…) And being a two pitch pitcher for AJ has been a major issues in the past.
But that really wasn’t the primary problem for AJ last year. Last year his problem was his fastball command. It was awful to mediocre – even in games he won.
Let’s hope that AJ’s command improves this year. He’ll never be a great command guy but last year was bad even for AJ.
Tripps, WTH is your problem. I made one comment – and it was a weak throw. Pardon me if I haven’t followed Granderson in CF for his whole career; I don’t live in Detroit.
betsy-
that’s me standing.
i should say i was the other guy and everyone who disagrees with me would be scared
actually he was and is one of the kindest people i’ve ever met.
from a time capsule point of view, the bumper stickers are classic on the old land rover.
I thought AJ had plenty of games where he didn’t have his good stuff and still got through it and I remember the comments on this blog were very postive towards him in that regard. That doesn’t mean he didn’t have horrid starts, just that there were more games where he was not great and he got through it…and he deserves credit for that.
I’m anxious to hear his quotes about today – he had no command, unlike last year’s ST where he got off to a flying start. He did throw a few changes- I thought he’d throw more, but it’s not like he said he’d throw a lot (whereas Phil was clearly intending to do that).
tripps get used to it. She definitely needs to be medicated.
Randy, that is a great picture – taken the year before I was born, lol. The other guy looks like Jorge Garcia (Hurley, on Lost).
My sister was something of a hippie/flower child. I remember visiting her in New Paltz. She and her friends would be spread out all over blankets having picnics and I would be the silly kid sister running around. I had my first sip of beer courtesy of my sister at these parties; I hated it then, I hate it now, lol.
sj44-
tony seems to have that special something.
i’m like everyone else enjoying following his success.
it’s an especially great story knowing how hard he’s worked at raising his game.
it’s not easy to do what he’s done in the past few years.
Its spring training people. Its about GETTING ready for the season. Its not about results.
Its about building arm strength and trying new things for pitchers.
For hitters, its about getting used to seeing live pitching again.
We have this conversation every year and folks still fret over meaningless, spring training results.
Just watch the games as something to do, to track the younger players, and hope for no injuries.
Getting caught up in the results is fools gold.
AJ had better command early in the game, then it deserted him. I suppose that accounts for his better ration of strikes to balls than either Phil or Joba had.
all the lonely people where do they all come from?
SJ44 maybe if you say that to your friend betsy about 100 times a game it might sink in. Maybe not.
I was just reading about the Yankees supposedly being “heavily interested” in Cuban SS prospect Adeiny Hechevarria. Does anybody know much about him? I wonder if the Yanks would really make the necessary investment–rumored to be as much or more than the $8.2M BOS paid Iglesias? Considering how difficult it is for the Yankees to get elite position player prospects in the draft and their dearth of quality infield prospects, this sounds like a worthwhile risk.
SJ44 March 6th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Its spring training people. Its about GETTING ready for the season. Its not about results.
————————————-
I admire your perseverance but question why you bother.
I realize it’s directed at one person though. For your harshness at times, you are still quite benevolent.
“I can’t recall a pitcher missing his spot as often as Burnett did and still win a game.”
its just because his stuff is that good. He can get away with things that other pitchers simply can’t. If he could ever do away with the terrible outings and turn those into descent ones then he could make the jump to elite. Its kinda the same thing thats keeping me from being a really good golfer. I have flashes of brilliance but still occasionally shank one that leads to a triple bogey and ruins my round.
Matt – I heard Jim Leyland in an interview during the winter, who managed Granderson, for years say his defense and arm were solid. That’s Jim Leyland, one of the best baseball men in the business.
Than you get declarations like Granderson has a weak arm on one throw. Oh my.
Betsy you ever seen this guy play. He’s awesome.
AJ’s velocity and movement looked really good, he just missed some spots. He did throw strikes for the most part…not a terrible first one.
AJ’s velocity and movement looked really good, he just missed some spots. He did throw strikes for the most part…not a terrible first one.
cervelli beaned, looks ok
Blake, he did have many of those decent outings last year that you speak of……..but I suppose he’s always going to have rotten starts (which every pitcher does, so I’m not quite sure it’s a big deal). I think people need to dial down their expectations for AJ because they’re really unfair. He’s a good to very good pitcher and that should be enough; there’s nothing wrong with the career he’s had. It’s not fair to expect him to be perfect or near unhittable which I think people do – I can’t think of too many other pitchers with that burden. He was blessed with a good arm and not so good command; that’s life. Every pitcher has their good points and their bad.
I say this as a huge fan and as someone who thinks he’s going to be very good this year. He was fine last year and he won the biggest game of the year – that should by him some street cred from Yankee fans. I think for the most part it does because generally he’s a popular guy (though maybe not with the internet set).
“But that really wasn’t the primary problem for AJ last year. Last year his problem was his fastball command. It was awful to mediocre – even in games he won.
Let’s hope that AJ’s command improves this year. He’ll never be a great command guy but last year was bad even for AJ.”
CB,
I know you looked at AJ pretty closely around the time he first signed with NYY. How would you say his fastball command in 2008 compared with last year? As you say, he won’t show great command, but I’m curious what a reasonable expectation might be.
Tripps Granerson is definitely solid defensively. If you saw even two games when he was with the Tigers you could see that. Betsey likes talking out of her ass. Makes for a very long season. Calls Kay a jerk when he says something about AJ then declares Granderson to have a weak arm on one throw. Unreal.
SJ, Tony made one hell of a splash last night….CB, the over / under lines are on Vegas Watch…..My plan is to pick out 5 teams and place a 100 point value on each ( to start ) and 20 points on the remaining 25 teams…Then adjust…..All imput is welcomed
“It was good to hear AJ talk about throwing more change ups”
cb-
that would be music to my ears.
as a matter of fact, it seems that several pitcher could use a good change- hughes and chamberlain included.
the yankees should make the change up the official pitch of the 2010 spring training season.
anyone who gets it down gets a special prize.
LOL Randy – this is Camp Change-up, apparently. I think Phil has the edge so far. If AJ threw a few today (I think, just a few), they didn’t look so hot. I’m not sure if Joba threw any.
These games are meaningless and hard to watch. Sure the novelty of baseball after a long winter fills a void but other than getting ready for the season , their is little to root for. Of course, the armchair experts will always have an opinion, as is their mission in life.
Why is changing speeds a new concept?
tk,
I think AJ will be better this year. 2009 was literally one of the worst control/ command years AJ has had over the past decade. He walked more guys, hit more batters and had more wild pitches than he has in a long time.
As concerning – his command inside the zone wasn’t good either.
I was hoping that 2009 AJ was going to build off the end of 2008.
AJ had an odd year in 2008. For roughly the first half of the year he was bad to mediocre. Then in the second half he went on a huge run and finished the season as arguably one of the 5 best pitchers in the AL.
AJ spoke a lot about how he had grown up in 2008 and I was hoping that his improvement in the second half would be the level he’d build off of.
But that didn’t happen. He took a step back.
So for 2010 it’s reasonable to expect his command to be better – it’s just difficult to know how much better it will be. Let’s hope he gets back to the way he was throwing at the end of 2008. He was just phenomenal then.
“I’m not sure if Joba threw any.”
maybe all those pitches that we thought were joba’s fastball were really his change ups.
that’d make more sense considering how slow his fastball now is
SJ44 -
I’d like to add my voice to the well-wishers and contratulations. What a debut! He truly sounds like a great kid. Continued success!
Randy l -
What a cutie you were! I disagree about George Harrison – he had a much gaunter look.
Great picture, all around, though, including the bumper stickers, the vehicle and the quartet – dog included. I was 12 then…wow.
I’m not watching the game today – choosing to do a bunch of stuff on the computer, not the least of which is vacation planning, always a fun thing.
I’m sure AJ will be fine by the time April rolls around.
Pat M.,
Getting a sense of your strategy is helpful. I’m going to focus on the 5-7 teams/ lines I like best and then will make a call on the others.
Sounds like the main thing is to find those 5 you want to focus on and then make reasonable plays on the rest. I think that’s the right way to approach it. They make it tough by forcing you to pick every team as the math starts working for the house.
AJ spoke a lot about how he had grown up in 2008 and I was hoping that his improvement in the second half would be the level he’d build off of.
But that didn’t happen. He took a step back.
So for 2010 it’s reasonable to expect his command to be better – it’s just difficult to know how much better it will be. Let’s hope he gets back to the way he was throwing at the end of 2008. He was just phenomenal then.
—————————————
Usually the ones who talk about how they have grown up are not grown up. Maybe being in his walk year helped him grow up. His inconsistency is blamed on his electric stuff but it’s probably more mental.
I think AJ was talking about growing up off the field, CB. I don’t know what he was like in Florida or Toronto, but he’s been great in NY – with his teammates and the media. He has said this spring that he was disappointed with his 2009 and seems intent on improving. If he doesn’t, well – it’s not for lack of trying. I personally don’t like to think this way, but unfortunately trying hard doesn’t guarantee success.
randy,
Did you happen to see montero behind the plate? I know it’s a real small snap shot but I didn’t think he looked nearly as bad as people who are certain he can’t stay behind the plate have been saying. He didn’t look unnatural or stiff to me behind the plate. I was encouraged but wanted to know what you thought.
LOL Randy……….
Boone Logan has looked impressive, really impressed with him so far this spring.. Sanit, too he could make a splash along with Sanchez and Melancon mid season…
if anybody cares cervelli has a concussion
Boone Logan, a lot like Phil Coke (minus the white-trashiness).
betsys fav now catching
Ouch… how serious is a concussion to an athlete? Feel better Cervelli!
mick
March 6th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
if anybody cares cervelli has a concussion
**********************
Poor Cervelli. And on his birthday no less.
It’s really ridiculous that the baseball helmets hitters use aren’t systematically designed to with stand fastball velocities.
They’re just made in a relatively arbitrary fashion by guess made by the manufacturers.
The players don’t like that rawlings helmet that is actually designed to withstand professional velocities.
Cervelli has a concussion that could have been avoided or mitigated if he had a helmet designed with the attention that a child’s bicycle helmet is.
cb-
we’ve talked about it before , but aj has such a rotational delivery it’s difficult for him to time his release to paint corners .
pitchers who come over the top and follow through to the plate might miss up and down , but they don’t miss side to side the way aj does.
i don’t know how much this can be changed that much in aj’s career, which makes having a change up all the more important because when he’s off and can’t spot his fastball the change up would something else for the hitter to be thinking about.
the change up just seems a no brainer for aj.
I forgot Cervelli had a concussion this off season too.
Odd that AJ told Jack Curry he threw more change ups than he thought he would. He didn’t throw a lot, period, so that sounds like the change is really still going to be used sparingly.
Poor Cervelli – that’s awful. He’s probably going to be out for awhile…Now the Yankees probably do need another catcher.
Pat, that’s right…..Ouch. Now the Yankees probably wish they had Molina back.
randy,
We were discussing the importance of having a coordinated kinetic chain yesterday with respect to Joba. AJ is a great example of how hard that is to do.
AJ has a tremendously efficient throwing mechanics that are dominated by rotational motion. But while that rotational motion generates tremendous easy velocity it complicates his command because it’s such a balancing act for him to control those rotational components.
He has a beautiful change up. Let’s hope he stops being “stubborn” as he himself has described the barrier to using that tool.
sooo my9 is showing a uconn game… what channel is the yankee game?
Albie sucking much doodie.
Well, I think Alby is not long for camp……..
“Did you happen to see montero behind the plate?”
cb-
no i missed him yesterday.
i’ve seen a bit of video of him catching and he looks ok to me. he has an athletic presence , throws well. my conclusion from a really small amount of seeing him is that if he wants it , he can be a catcher.
a lot of catching is attitude- wanting to do it is the most important thing. it’s why cervelli gets the most out of his ability. i’ll have to watch montero more closely to have any opinion more than what i have now.
too bad about cervelli.
all concussions leave permanent damage. one or two minor ones is no big deal, but being a catcher cervelli doesn’t need concussions from being hit while batting.
concussions accumulate and he’ll likely get a few as it is from catching.
That is just depressing news about Frankie – and My9 had just shown a clip of Aaron Hill’s concussion. That kept him out the rest of the year; boy, I hope Frankie isn’t going to miss near that much time. As Pat said, he had a concussion this off-season.
“From now on, let’s none of us disagree with the Yankees. Lord, what a pretentious quote that was.”
Betsy that was not meant to be pretentious. It was meant to try to reign you in because you spend your life constantly worrying and often drawing very premature conclusions due to your constant worrying. And actually I think it’s far less pretentious to posit that the Yankees know more about running baseball than posters do, than for someone to complain at every turn in the road and curse the Yankees when things aren’t done their way. Seriously.
I was trying to show you that despite all of your misgivings and worry last year the Yankees won the world series and that maybe if you relax a little and trust the Yankees to know what they’re doing (that’s where the trust thing comes in) you could actually enjoy more and worry less.
It wasn’t meant for anyone else but you because nobody else worries the way you do. People seem to give their opinion but still manage to enjoy the games. You on the other hand seem to get stuck in place.
It was said to try to help, not to hurt. Sorry if it didn’t translate that way.
Poor Cervelli, the guy has the worst luck. Hopefully he’ll be ok.
CB, what does rotational motion mean? Thanks!
Trish, I don’t want to get into an argument, but I never, ever said or implied that I know more than the Yankees do about baseball. I just simply disagreed with Cashman…
man i feel bad for cervelli. I doubt hes ready for opening day.
Randy, just as I asked CB, if you have time check out the Vegas Watch baseball over / unders for 2010…I’m seeking quality imput as this is about money….Looking for 5 maybe 7 teams that look to beat the line on either end….
Albaladejo < Edwar Ramirez
Randy,
Thanks. I agree with you. Montero doesn’t look at all like the way he’s been described.
GB7 has been saying that for a while.
Montero really looks ok back there. SJ and I were discussing this yesterday. Some guys just don’t look right behind the plate. They look unnatural and stiff. Montero is not “stiff” back there.
He might never be great defensively but for right now there doesn’t seem to be some fatal flaw that makes him a stiff back there.
I don’t know if you heard his interview yesterday on WFAN. If not listen to it. All Montero talks about is his desire to work and remain behind the plate. Hitting was completely secondary and you could just tell that he doesn’t need to worry about the bat because that does come naturally to him.
If he can stick behind the plate that will be just enormous for the franchise.
A.J. is what he is and at 33 he’s not about to change…His command issues stem from the fact that he does not repeat his delivery well.
He’s doesn’t repeat his delivery well because he comes from the side and throws across his body. He’s a slinger.
He’s been able to get away with it thus far and have some success because his pure stuff is that good. His velo is 94-98, he’s got good snap to his curve so it’s more like a slider and his pitches have so much natural movement in the zone.
These are the same reasons that he’s difficult to catch.
These are also the same reasons that he’s never reached his true ceiling as he has the stuff to be one the top 5 starters in all of baseball and a true ace. However at 33 he’s not about to “fix” his delivery and make it more repeatable or adjust his arm slot slightly to improve his command so he’ll continue to be A.J….we just have to hope that he can continue on his “streak” of making 34 starts a yr as he will win far more than he loses and hope that the energy of postseason baseball in NY brings us A.J. “on” when we need it most in October and November.
Azaz, I think you’re right……
Betsy – again. I was suggesting that if you sit back and let the Yankees do their thing without worrying all the time you might find that you can enjoy things more. Is all. I think sometimes you let your worry get too intertwined with your opinion and then end up convincing yourself that a move you don’t like is a wrong move by the Yankees. You have to breathe and let the game unwind. Things happen over the course of a season, not the course of one game. Let the marathon be a marathon.
JMO
Love Ramiro Pena.
I think Melancon pitched today – I’m sorry I didn’t keep the tv on.
pat m -
do you have a link to them?
i’m not sure i’ll be much help , but i’ll give it a try.
Maybe if everyone ignores betsey she’ll just shut up.
Melancon got out of a bases loaded jam with a nice strike out on a breaking ball and a ground ball.
mick I agree with you about the boredom factor. Everyone knows ST is about woodshedding and working things out, especially at the beginning. That’s why there are probably no extremely sage comments to be made at this point – other than that there are no extremely sage comments to be made at this point!
Tin Cup …Vegas Watch, 2010 baseball futures over / unders…..My early 5 are….Seattle ( 83 ) White Sox ( 82 )Twins ( 82 ) Giants ( 83 ) NYY ( 94.5 )….
http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....ed-pi.html
Hi Pat M! How are you feeling?
Do you put money on all of those games when you talk about taking the over/under etc.? I know nothing about betting other than Vegas has the Yankees to take it all this year!
Albaladejo < Edwar
nice play by laird.
Tricia, I have a $ 1,000.00 to invest on all 30 teams….I have to place at least 20.00 on a team…..
i know is st, but jon a is a bum, i rather have an open spot on the 40 man roster
Betsy,
Generating velocity when throwing is a complex sequence of connected actions.
The reason why AJ appears to throw the ball so hard and yet so effortlessly at the same time is related to the fact that he does an extraordinary job of maximizing the efficiency through which momentum and kinetic energy are transferred to the arm.
There are a couple of different ways velocity is then generated. Much of that comes from rotation of the body around different axes.
The main axes of rotation is horizontal through the hips and shoulders. AJ does this tremendously well – he’s very efficient and fluid through his hips.
But he almost has too much horizontal rotation. It’s so complicated that it limits his command and thats why he winds up with so much movement he can’t control well, especially the ball running back towards right handed batters.
PL
You beat me too it. Spot on.
“Generating velocity when throwing is a complex sequence of connected actions.”
Not to mention, being blessed with more fast-twitch muscle fibers than the average human.
CB, thanks! When I watch AJ, I just think he’s got a very fluid motion…..it’s so free and easy. I don’t know how pitchers develop their mechanics, but someone taught him this (he was late coming into pitching, I believe – maybe that has something to do with it. Per AJ, he mostly played 3B in high school). Unless they completely rework him, he’s just going to be what he’s going to be…..which is perfectly fine. He’s won 100 games in his big league career and he’ll win some more.
Someone on RAB said Joe sounded fairly optimistic about Frankie – at worst, he’d miss 2 weeks. I don’t know – I’m glad if that’s the case, but concussions are nothing to fool around with.
Pat M – is that just for the future’s game? You don’t have to spend the entire $1000 do you? Again, I know nada la dida about betting.
‘what does rotational motion mean? ”
betsy-
imagine an plate of glass that would go from the pitching rubber to home plate like a fence.
with some over the top pitchers, like clemens, the ball in their hand stays very close to the glass plane at all times from breaking their hands to release of the ball.
this kind of pitcher drives towards the plate and tends to miss up and down. they follow through to the plate.
if they release to soon , they miss up.
if they release too late, they miss down.
with a rotational pitcher, the ball crosses the imaginary plane when the hands break and go behind the pitcher and then break the plane again coming back around when they throw towards the plate. on release, they break it again ( a righty falling towards first base)
this rotational pitcher will not miss up and down much , but will tend to miss sideways.
if they release to early they miss on their throwing arm side.
if they release late , they miss on their glove side.
this is what happens with aj.
he has to time his release to not miss his target sideways.
this motion also allows him to cut across the ball which makes it run back towards righties.
this is a great pitch if he spots it. but if it runs back to the middle of the plate it gets hammered.
I’m trying to think of who it was last season that told me that Cervelli wasn’t good enough to be anything more than a minor league catcher! Either that person doesn’t have eyes, or I’m a lot more perspicacious than I give myself credit for being.
I’m sure if I have the energy I’ll be able to find who it was.
Randy, great explanation – thanks! I think I get it for the most part. Who else is an example of a rotational pitcher? I don’t know, it seems to me like these are not ideal mechanics. It’s asking a lot to expect a pitcher to have perfect timing every time he throws a pitch. If that’s the case with AJ, then I think even giving him a good change isn’t going to help much. Even if he wanted to change his mechanics completely, it could ruin his velocity. I think the best thing to do is just accept who he is, the way you accept the limitations on every player. At least he’s healthy now – who knows? He could surprise everyone and pitch until he’s 40 without losing his stuff.
Tricia, Every team in baseball is assigned a total season win number…My taske is to determine if that team ( all 30 ) will win more than that number or less….Illustration, The NY Yankees are at 94.5..Do they win more or less than that number, and how much do I want to invest on my prediction…..I must at least place a 20 on each team and the remainder I can spread on whatever teams I feel the best about…..I could place 20 on 29 teams ( 480.00 ) and place the balance on let’s say the Yanks…
CT scan negative on Cervelli.
Cervelli CT Scan negative so he gets a few days off and Mike Rivera becomes the backup should Cervelli run into problems.
does not look like brackman really has any idea where the ball is going.
Pat M wow that seems like a lot of work. If you put $20 on each team and wanted to put the rest on just one team, do you win the most if you put it on the team that goes the most over the predicted wins?
(I have the Yankees at 104 this year by the way.
)
Cashman just said to Jack Curry, Hughes and Joba in the 2010 bullpen would be amazing based on their prior performance, but it would hinder future yankee teams and they need to be able to develop quality starters from the farm system.
Brackman just gave up a 2-run HR…
brackman’s curve looks like it has exceptional movement…fastball is off today but you can see the skills…
Albaladejo must be close to out of options. Maybe the old standby awaits him at either Washington or Pittsburgh.
I think every promising young starter should be converted to a reliever.
You just knew that was going to happen.
Painful strike.
That’s good news about Cervelli. I guess I need to ask a doctor, but how can he have a concussion and the CT scan come up negeative?
jerkface, Cashman’s comments are extremely easy to understand. Anyone thinking rationally can see why having both of them in the pen would be an amazing advantage for the Yankees. A very theoreticlly sound statement IMO.
The CT scan came up negative for anything else.
Tricia, It’s strickly a per team payoff……I’m betting against the assigned win total of each team….I can go over or under that team’s win total……Boston is at 94, do I say they win more or less and for how much..Once again it has to be at least 20.00 or as much as 520.00
“Not to mention, being blessed with more fast-twitch muscle fibers than the average human.”
Absolutely. Strength and mecahnics are both critical. But what’s particularly interesting about throwing is how lifting weights in the arm/ shoulder don’t necessarily improve velocity.
Power has increased for hitters tremendously over the years. Pitching velocity really hasn’t.
The latent elasticity of connective tissue may be as important as fast twitch fiber.
But an enormous differentiator is how coorndinated momentum is transferred from the core large muscles in the body through the arm.
IIRC to throw a 90+mph fastball you have to generate around 4 horsepower or so. As such it’s impossible for “arm” strenght or muscles in the arm/shoulder to account for much in the way of pitching velocity.
It’s how kinetic energy and momentum are transferrd to the arm that really matters.
That’s why Tim Lincecum can through so hard.
There is definitely some potential with Brackman. He will probably gain some velocity when you figure in recovery time and better mechanics. He is definitely a project though.
Putting Hughes and Joba in the pen may be a theoretical advantage in a perfect world, but if one of the big starters got hurt, and Hughes and Joba weren’t stretched out and ready to step into the rotation, it would be a short-sighted blunder, not to mention the costs in subsequent seasons.
I’m no doctor but I believe they’re looking for bleeding within the brain.
Pat M, good luck! That’s a lot more interesting and exciting than ST games.
“but how can he have a concussion and the CT scan come up negeative?”
Concussions aren’t diagnosed by CT scans. CT Scans are almost always “negative” in cases where someone has a concussion unless it is a really bad concussion.
Rich, that’s going to be a problem no matter who gets the #5 spot. Whoever loses is going to be Mo’s set up man and will not be stretched out to make a spot start or two.
Bronx Jeers, that could be it. I’m very happy that Frankie doesn’t have any of that going on – he just has no luck in ST.
Kevin Russo can hit. He has a terrific swing. He is going to hit in the majors.
as the President and sole member of the Jonathan Albaladejo Fan Club, I just want the world to know that the doctors say there’s a chance they may let me out soon.
I’m all better now.
watch out for the ducks. (you didn’t hear that from me.)
I also like that Brackman seems to have the ability to induce ground balls. When a pitcher can do that and have a high K rate, he has the potential to be very good.
CB, thanks. I sort of know what a concussion is, but technically I don’t. It’s some sort of trauma to the brain, but I don’t think everyone who gets hit in the head gets a concussion. I just know it’s nothing to fool around with and I hope the Yanks are very careful with Frankie.
CB, Russo has a nice career to look forward to….
Bronx Jeers, I would say you are right. They are looking for bleeding or any other possible brain injury.
Betsy
I think Robertson/Marte should set up for Mo, and the loser between Hughes/Joba should be used to pitch multiple inning outings in relief so that they can stay stretched out.
Does Russo project to be a utility player in the majors? If so, it seems like he would be more valuable than Pena….I’m kind of hoping Russo makes the team.
What a riot. Though I don’t necessarily object…
Rich, I agree……..Phil (or Joba) could even set up for Mo pitching multiple innings. I thought Joe using Phil for only 1 inning at a time last year was a mistake. If Phil goes to the pen this year and is a set up man, he won’t be using his change and we’ll have the same problem next year. His curve got rusty with disuse and so will the change
Rich in NJ
March 6th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I also like that Brackman seems to have the ability to induce ground balls. When a pitcher can do that and have a high K rate, he has the potential to be very good.
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Yeah. He’s got a good 2-seamer. Joba is another example of a guy who can induce ground balls and K people – although people may have forgotten this aspect to his pitching.
Melancon’s another one, and Garcia, for that matter.
Rich in NJ
March 6th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Betsy
I think Robertson/Marte should set up for Mo, and the loser between Hughes/Joba should be used to pitch multiple inning outings in relief so that they can stay stretched out.
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It’s a better plan than making one of them go backwards in short relief, that’s for sure.
Pat,
Russo just looks like a professional hitter.
The way he stuck with that pitch and went and got it down and away and took it to right field was impressive.
He absolutely tore through AAA last year once he got healthy and was great in the AFL before that.
Yeah. He’s got a good 2-seamer. Joba is another example of a guy who can induce ground balls and K people – although people may have forgotten this aspect to his pitching.
Melancon’s another one, and Garcia, for that matter.
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Hughes has historically been a groundball + strikeouts pitcher.
I suspect the Yanks will give Frankie a week or so to recover, maybe more if necessary. I’m glad he’s ok, but that’s scary.
CB, I think he’s better than Pena, but lacks the versatility that Pena brings….Russo’s time is now, either with the Yanks or somewhere else…
Jerkface, I don’t think Phil is that pitcher anymore though…..I thnk he now gets mostly fly balls, though I’m not sure why.
Shawn Marcum, who blanked the Yankees in the first couple of innings, hadn’t pitched since 2008. I’m not saying it means anything (except good for Marcum and the Jays), but it’s a fact.
Pat
The stick is much better than Pena’s. The big problem with russo is that he can’t play short – which is an issue and a real one.
But I could see Russo being a starting 2b in the majors for many teams.
It’ll be a tough call between him and Pena. Ultimately, though the advantage russo brings is his stick and the fact that he has eperience in the OF. With Winn and/or Hoffman/thames the OF skill set isn’t as important. I think it’ll be Pena though I is very enticing to get Russo’s bat on the bench.
Nothing wrong with Cervelli’s sense of humor. Or at least I hope it was humor.
Ledger_Yankees Cervelli feels dizzy. Has a headache. How many concussions has he had? “I don’t know… I forget.”
21 minutes ago
CB, When you do have the time to lookover the futures for this season, you’ll notice how the AL & NL West teams have no clear total win leader…..Every team is projected to be around .500…..That’s were I need to find the answers….After all someone needs to win those divisions and win 90 games
Apparently Cervelli’s concussion today happened in the same place as in November…….I hope he’s going to be ok, but I would be shocked if he’s good to go as far as playing anytime soon.
Hoffman moves pretty well for a big guy
Yankees should not count on Cliff Lee next year…
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html
I take Heyman’s column with a huge rock of salt, but either way, I am really skeptical about investing another $20m per year in a pitcher who is over 30. It’s all the more reason why they have to develop both Hughes and Joba as starters. You can always find quality arms for the pen. It’s incredibly hard to find talented young starters. The idea of putting both Joba and Hughes in the pen is pure madness beyond 2010.
Rich, I’m not keen on giving Lee a 5 or 6 year deal either. If Javy pitches well, I see no reason not to re-sign him. If Joba wins the #5 spot this year, then Phil needs to be in the rotation in 2011 – it’s as simple as that
Did Cervelli get hit in the noggin on his birthday? I hope he goes homes and rest. Stay away from Cano.
Seriously, I hope it subsides without any lingering effects.
The April schedule calls for 5 days off plus the possibility of a weather cancellation during the 1st series in Boston.
Girardi may not need a 5th starter until early in May. It could become a problem of keeping arms stretched out. Somebody with options may start the season at AAA and it can’t be either Gaudin or Mitre.
New post with Burnett audio.
MTU:
I have been Joba’s No 1 Fan on this board and appreciate the positive comments of Bodh, 809, Franco Guiseppe (where is he?) and a FEW others.
SJ’s analysis of Joba this year is welcome. It is straight baseball talk whereas last year he was not in favor of Joba and anything, anything he said negative about Joba was verbatim in other poster’s comments.
I wish I had your writing skills to project the positives of Joba’s skills. I have a tendency to flare and did so last year several times making me persona non grata.
You will begin to identify those who are anti but won’t admit it and those going for a joke in a bad situation.
For the life of me, I can’t not understand why writers have to nit pick in the case of of – Why Joba is not Ace Material”. Does ‘if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all’ ring a bell. Anyone?
So this post is annoying just as it was in 2009:
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Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
March 6th, 2010 at 11:49 am
. . . Joba has not dominated in the pen for a long time. He was not even that good out of the pen last year….
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Utterly unaccurate. All passion and no facts.
I will try to follow your lead in all things Joba this season. If I read something that is totally moronic, I will still flare.
And in previous agruments I still believe that having Joba and Phil both in rotation is in the best interests of the Yankees. And a financial plus, also.
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 your post. Thanks again and Keep it up.
Shelly