Nine players cut from big league camp
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 13, 2010 
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Nine players were cut from big league camp this afternoon.
RHP Andrew Brackman
RHP D.J. Mitchell
RHP Christian Garcia
RHP Kevin Whelan
LHP Wilkins Arias
LHP Kei Igawa
LHP Wilkin De La Rosa
LHP Jeremy Bleich
C Kyle Higashioka
The three players on the 40-man were optioned to specific teams. Brackman was optioned to Tampa, Garcia to Trenton and De La Rosa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Previous indications were that De La Rosa would open in the Trenton rotation, so his assignment might change between now and opening day. For now, he’s with the Triple-A group.
Two other players have been cut, but those moves aren’t being announced because those players are on the road in Lakeland. They will either be announced later tonight or in the morning.
Aww, sad ..but I look forward to hearing about Brackman, Mitchell and De La Rosa’s progress during the season…
I didn’t see the new post –
Doreen – Hi – It’s pretty bad here on LI. Lots of wind and rain, especially on the South Shore, I think. I just drove from there, and it’s pretty bad on the Southern State Pkwy. I can see the road flooding tomorrow in certain spots, as it frequently does. If you can avoid driving to LI tomorrow, I’d think you’d be better off.
It’s a two man race between Thames and Hoffman for the last spot on the roster. I can see them going with Thames, as the known quantity, and maybe working out a deal for Hoffman is they really like him and want him to go to AAA. I think the Dodgers are strapped for pitching, so maybe something built around Mitre. Who knows, it might even be enlarged beyond that.
Curtis? I would guess that he would start in AAA, and, depending on how things go, might be called up later in the year if someone falters.
One thing I know for sure – it sure is great seeing baseball again.
I’m so glad Kei Igawa got past the 1st cuts.
“Not only is Wieters one of those names you simply HAVE to know in baseball right now”
lol
Brandon I don’t know if you’re goofing about Kei but I feel that way about him. I’m still hopeful for him.
Just updated with the full list. Nine names in all. No Jose Gil, at least not yet.
Went to cc’s last game in spring last year, mo closed it out to enter sandman, it was epic for being a tampa game. Anyway, Does cc pitch tomorrow? Is he holding his every 5 days pitching? If it works out, the game he pitches last will be against baltimore, and an away game. Any idea’s what his schedule is? Would like to make 1 more game preferrably cc’s last start before the season starts but that may have to change.
Gotta say.
Aceves is making quite the strong case for the #5 job.
He looked really strong again today.
If he keeps it up all Spring.
Who knows.
Goof or not, it’s sayonara to Igawa.
Someone wanna tell me why GGBG isn’t bunting at least once a game ???
I like Laird and Curtis.
And El Nino was flashin’ some leather today.
Gonna be hard for Russo to dislodge him.
The Yankees should never be allowed to get a young pitcher in their hands if they give the #5 spot to anyone other than Phil or Joba. If you gave jobs to players just based on who had the best STs, there would be a lot of mediocre ballplayers in starting lineups.
Betsy-
Aceves is much more than just a ST training phenomenon, isn’t he ?
Whoo Hoo they’re gone!
MTU, Aceves is not the future of this organization. Phil and Joba as a #5, IMO, would be much better than Aceves because they havet stud potential that Aceves doesn’t have. They would have ups and downs like any #5, but you deal with that. If the Yankees can’t deal with that, then they really have no clue and no interest in developing young pitchers.
I love Aceves. Just saying. He’s a good dood.
Betsy-
I wont argue with you.
I know how you feel about Phil.
And you know how I feel about our young men.
But you and I aren’t in charge of making these decisions (thankfully).
And all I am saying is that the Management may see things differently.
But we’ll see how it goes down by the end of ST.
If Phil outperforms the others and shows the things he needs to show moreso than the others then it likely will be him.
Oops re: Igawa
Bets, I don’t know what will happen obviously but Ace is really doing a great job. It’s going to be a tough decision I would think. At least as of today it would IMO.
m-
He’s more than just another pretty face.
The guy knows how to pitch.
MTU,
LOL. Anything BUT a pretty face.
m
March 13th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
I love Aceves. Just saying. He’s a good dood.
*****************
m, I love Ace too
I’d like to personally buy our Mexican Scout a Burrito grande, and a Dos Equis.
Pena
Aceves
Banuelos
Vasquez
Need I say more.
what you mean Kei won’t make the team!! WOW. LOL I’m actually a little shocked they didn’t want to try and play him so someone may trade for him?
MTU and that’s why I believe that the stuff being put out by the Yankees is more than a smoke screen. Anything can happen, and of course they could turn around in the end and say that Phil/Joba really needs to be in the rotation, yada yada yada, but if Ace has an absoluely dominant ST, it would really sound weak for Girardi to say “We looked at all of that but really felt we needed to let Phil/Joba start in the rotation.” Not only would be lose face with the press and everyone else listening to this stuff, he would likely also lose the respect of some of the players.
I will continue to say I believe this to be an open competition. While it may be possible that the Yankee organizations smokescreens the press or other GMs I seriously do not believe for a minute they smokescreen their own players, especially not people like Girardi, Cashman and Eiland.
Oh yeah, JMO.
I like Aceves, too. My post has nothing to do with any personal feelings.
Trisha-
If he keeps showing what he showed today it could be tough.
He even looked good when he was looking bad.
If you get what I mean.
If you listened to Sterling and Waldman, Sterling said that the way he’s pitched Ace is your 5th starter.
It looks like a lot of people believe that 5 people are competing.
MTU I think that’s pretty condescending to think that my opinion is based only on how I feel about Phil. I happen to personally think the Yankees would be asinine to give that spot to a veteran instead of Phil OR Joba. Yes, Joba, too. The Yankees want to start developing youngsters? Then they had best give them a shot.
trisha,
I don’t want to argue with you (I’ll probably lose, lol).
But the Yankees have already said they’re not going to just look at ST results, especially ERA.
I’m keeping an open mind, too. But the 20 percenters look more like:
Hughes: 75%
Joba: 20%
Aceves: 3%
Mitre: 2%
Gaudin: <1%
I like Aceves too but Hughes or Joba has to be in the #5 slot to start the season.
Any other decision would be moronic.
Trisha-
What to do ? What to do ?
On the other hand Joba and Phil could come out blazing in the next few weeks and the complexion changes again.
Ace has been remarkably consistent so far.
We’ll see.
I’m so glad you won’t argue with me….not that I would be arguing.
Aceves is just as hungry as Phil for the 5 spot. imo
Chad do you know if the Yanks plan to go with a 5 man rotation from game 1 of the regular season? just wondering if they were going w/ a 4 man for a few weeks b/c of how the off days may fall
Chan Ho Park will earn the 5th spot watch. He’ll blow Joe away. bwahahah! Glad Brackman (Boras client) and Igawa are gone too.
Young Master Hughes…..Is in the 2010 Yankee Starting Rotation…..The future is now, that’s why !!!!!
GF-
I think the Decision makers are looking many many things.
I agree net net they want PH or JC but what if one guy looks dominant in important ways ?
Aceves is NOT just a ST phenomenon. He has been quite good as a starter.
It’s up to the management.
Doesn’t matter how WE see it.
mel,
I think Joba’s odds to make the rotation are at least slightly better than you do, especially since Hughes’ innings are going to be capped.
They screwed around with Joba’s innings cap last season and put such a strain on the rest of the rotation for the sole purpose of giving him the opportunity to log 190 IP this season.
That would mean all the screwing around would have been for nothing.
Ace as 5th starter is a real possibility.
Unless Joba shows trenmendous improvement in the next three starts, he will be in the bullpen.
In the case of Hughes, if Ace outpithces him by a wide margin, he will be sent to AAA to continue working on his pitches, mainly the change up. They have to build up his innings this year and it is not going to happen in the bullpen. At some point in the season he will come back to ML, either as starter or BP arm. All this to make him ready without innings limitations for next year as well.
Pat M-
May Joe G. grant you your wish.
GF, Phil will be able to pitch 160-170 innings apparently, which would be fine as a #5. I don’t see the Yankees deciding that Joba should be the #5 because he was in the rotation last year. That would honestly be really unfair to Phil, who could have been in the rotation this year had he gone to AAA. Let it be a fair fight betwen them – that’s fine.
Gone to AAA last year, I mean.
I’ll still put up my $20 to anyone’s $30 on Joba or Phil being #5, but if Aceves was to win the spot I would have a huge smile on my face for Alfredo and his family (and a frowny face that neither Joba nor Phil were judged ready to take the spot).
MTU – exactly right. And man alive, we’ll see. This is pretty heady stuff I think! Or at least exciting stuff.
mel, Eiland gave a list of the things that they were going to be looking at in terms of evaluating the “20 percenters” – Girardi’s term. He reiterated that it isn’t going to be dependent on statistics. He gave a pretty cool list of what some of the things are.
They love Joba and Phil and want them to succeed, yes. But not at the immediate expense of losing the season – WERE THAT TO BE THE CASE IF JOBA AND PHIL JUST COULDN’T CUT IT ENOUGH.
JMO, and I will try to find the article that gives the things Eiland talked about it. I listed them in a previous post. I even said that if anyone had enough interest they could track the things per pitcher. Doesn’t mean enough to me that’s for sure. I am good to go no matter who they choose.
Betsy,
Not suggesting they are going to give the job to Joba simply because he was in the rotation last season.
My only point is that I believe the odds of him making the rotation are better than mel suggests.
Madden: Sox starting five as good as it gets
The fact that Terry Francona is boasting about a five-strong rotation of Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Clay Buchholz, with 43-year-old Tim Wakefield in reserve, should come as unsettling news to the Yankees.
LOL Thats the headline on Madden’s article in the News (which I will not be reading). Really? the Yankees can’t boast of a pretty terrific rotation themselves? Madden is such a moron.
I think Aceves would be fine in the #5 starter role but that wouldn’t be in the best interests of the club longterm (Cashman has said that very thing). Also, Aceves was very valuable and good at what he did last year. I think they will use the 5th starter to develop Hughes or Joba (probably Hughes) and let Aceves stay in the role he excelled at last year.
GF, probably so. Honestly, I haven’t calculated any odds because I have no idea how the Yankees are evaluating these guys. I think Phil and Joba are the ones……the others are on the outside looking in unless both kids completely and utterly collapse.
From the article. (These stats don’t include today’s outing)
***************************
Nevertheless, the evaluation process has begun, though Eiland said decisions will come down to much more than numbers.
“It’s the quality of each pitch, working ahead of the count, first-pitch strikes, stuff, command, how economical are they, are there long at-bats, are the outs hard-hit?” Eiland said. “You can go out and pitch a few innings and give up lasers all over the field and walk away with no hits and no runs, but that doesn’t mean you made a lot of good pitches. So it’s not just based on numbers and results.”
A look at the 20 percenters:
Alfredo Aceves
2 G, 6 IP, 0 ER, 4 Ks, 0 BB, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
Sergio Mitre
2 G, 5 IP, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 0 HR, 0.00 ERA
Phil Hughes
2 G, 4 2/3 IP, 2 ER, 2 Ks, 1 BB, 2 HR, 3.86 ERA
Chad Gaudin
2 G, 4 IP, 3 ER, 3 Ks, 1BB, 2 HR, 6.75 ERA
Joba Chamberlain
2 G, 11 ER, 2 Ks, 6 BB, 1 HR, 27.00 ERA
Good to see Madden is still as loony as ever.
The guy may know old Yankee history pretty well but he doesn’t know jack about the game today.
He’s never seen a Yankee prospect he liked and overrates every RS prospect.
It’s way too early to be worrying about the stupid Red Sox.
Darn – my post got filtered, and I have no idea why.
Joe in LI – Thanks for the info. I can certainly play it by ear tomorrow, but I really would like to get my daughter back to school for Monday.
*****
Aceves – I like him, too. I think he’s perfect in the role he’s had for the last 2 years. He’s a rarity in that role and I would think that the Yankees will keep him there.
Mitre/Gaudin – have to be perfect to be the #5 guy, PLUS Joba and Phil have to both miss their mark (as set by the Yankees) by a lot for that to happen.
I still think the “loser” of Joba/Phil ends up in AAA. I know it’s an outside shot. (Of course, I’m assuming the “loser” is Joba.)
I don’t know what the do with Mitre/Gaudin – out of options, right? So, that’s a call I’m not comfortable even guessing on.
I’m probably be wrong, but my opinion doesn’t really have any impact, so that’s okay.
I have no feel for the outfield guy. I really haven’t seen much of anyone, and for some reason, I tend to be paying more attention to Colin Curtis, even though I know he won’t be making the team out of ST. I have no idea what Winn or Thames or Gardner has done, really. I kind of watch Granderson, but, he’s on the team no matter what.
*****
I see Damon hit a HR today against Mitre. It’s going to be weird with him on the Tigers. Much weirder than Sheffield.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day March 13th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I think Phil and Joba are the ones……the others are on the outside looking in unless both kids completely and utterly collapse.
——————–
We certainly agree on that.
MTU…Aloow me to explain my rationale….A year from now it’s very possible that the only starters the club will have is CC & AJ, if Hughes or Joba don’t pitch in the rotation this year…At some point you cannot be hung up on the present as opposed to the future….If it wasn’t for Hughes and his false ( injuries ) starts both he & Joba would or should have been already in the rotation….Acesves is a bandaid type starter, and Mitre is certainly not the answer going forward…..Aceves fills out the swingman / long reliever pitcher that every contender club must have….Joba’s very inconsistant 09 really set things back as far as the projected rotation future…..Besides, I still maintain that the club recieved a wakeup call last October regarding Rivera…..They want a very deep pen for that reason….Robertson , Joba offer that comfort
And then we all know that Yankees well enough to know they are not going to screw around too long with the 5th starter, no matter who gets it. The person doesn’t produce, he’ll be moved aside. Thank God. I don’t remember anything quite so painful as the season of the revolving door starters, when the Yankees set the record for the number of starting pitchers in one season.
Franco, he’s awful…..that’s why I didn’t read the article. I went to go check something else out and that flashed in my face – I started having seizures thanks to that headline, lol.
Agreed, blake.
Aceves was outstanding in the role he had last season with his versatility and it’s no secret that the organization wants Joba or Hughes to win that fifth starter slot.
The Sox have a great staff but 1-5 I honestly only see a a slight (if any) edge over the Yankees’s staff. CC is the best pitcher in both rotations and I’d take Vasquez every day and twice in Sunday over Dice K.
I think the Yankees clear edge offensively will trump any starting pitching advantage the Sox have and I also like the Yankees pen better (especially if Joba or Hughes is in it). There’s my unbiased but probably a little biased opinion.
GF, and I’m sure you feel the same way, this is not a knock on the 3 pitchers, esp. Aceves and Gaudin. I like both and they are good pieces to have around in the pen. Facts are facts, however. There is nothing good that would come of choosing a veteran over both of these kids. Also, it’s not even just about the future. These kids as a #5 starter have the potential to shut down the opposing team. I said this yesterday, but the Sox were lucky in a way that Lester and Bucholz were a couple of years apart. Phil and Joba one right on top of the other is an awkward situation for the Yankees given their mantra every year is to win.
Pat, if Joba had done well last year, we wouldn’t be having this discussion – I totally agree. He’d be settled in as the #4 starter and Phil would be in the rotation as the #5. Best laid plans of mice and men, I suppose.
Pat M.-
That’s fine with me.
There are a number of potential points of disagreement.
However, I see no point in belaboring them.
You know your stuff.
You may be right.
Just hope that Joe G. sees it your way.
And especially for Betsy’s sake.
We’ll know in a few more weeks.
Also factor in the Wang debacle
Hoping Colin Curtis isn’t one of the two remaining.
MTU, You’re very mellow today, It’s just an opinion….I do think it’s Young Master Hughes’s time to step forward….Next spring, no Pettite or Vasquez leaves them back to a 2004 scenerio…No starters….Lee and Beckett will cost a fortune if they even go the free agent route….Cashman’s plan for building his rotation from within is behind schedule
GF,
I know we had our differences, but it is great to see that you are back in good health. There are some things more important than sports….and I have mellowed a bit since our World Series title.
I agree. It way too early to worry about the stupid Red Sox.
If you were to rank the 10 probable pitchers in the Yankees and Red Sox rotations, how would you rank them?
Guiseppe Franco,
If Joba can’t get back on track, it doesn’t matter how many innings he can reach.
I realize it’s spring, and it’s early. But it’s getting late fast for Joba.
Thanks for your kind words, Jim.
Pat M.-
I’m not as sure as you are that either Andy, or Javy or both wont be back.
My thinking is that if Andy pitches well and he wants to pitch again. He has an open invitation.
And if Javy has a great year in PS who knows.
I understand about the youngsters, and the cost control, etc.
It is just not as obvious to me as it may be to you.
Good question, blake.
CC
Lester
Beckett
Vazquez
Lackey
Burnett
Pettitte
Hughes
Dice-K
Buchholz
mel,
I just think Joba has a better chance than you do. That is all.
And we both know that part of his meltdown the other day had much to do with him running out of gas and doing what his pitching coach and manager told him to do.
There’s still plenty of time left for both kids to make their case.
CR9,
That’s exactly how I’d rank them.
GRRR!!! when the darned site eats your post!
“and it’s no secret that the organization wants Joba or Hughes to win that fifth starter slot.”
Based on? (not that I am outright disagreeing). If it’s based on Cashman’s comments that it wouldn’t be good for the future of the organization to have both of them in the pen, how’s this for provocative? He didn’t say that one couldn’t go down and start in AAA.
I am going to be absolutely elated no matter who wins the 5th starter spot because I love them all. What I don’t want to see happen is for Phil or Joba to win the spot and then lose it. I don’t think it would be good for either of them to go through that again. I would rather see one or the other go through some time in AAA than to get yoyo’d again. I know that the organization brought both up faster than they wanted to do to circumstances beyond their control but I would rather see full development time – IF IT IS NEEDED – rather than have them jerked around. Both are still young men.
That said, I love not caring because seriously, it leaves me wide open to be thrilled no matter what. My guts aren’t in this one.
GF,
I know. I think Joba has a better than 20% chance. Those were random numbers.
BUT…Joba needs to show a lot. I think he needs to show that last season was not who is. And I’m not talking about his ERA. Truth be told the ERA was decent.
Can Joba be economical? Can he stop nibbling? Can he put out guys he’s got in 0-2? Can he get out of the 5th? To me, those are the questions that he needs to address before the 24th. And I’m not sure that’s possible.
I think they have a candidate in mind, and are letting things play out. That’s a good thing.
But once they make their decision, I think they’re going to stick with it. If the winner flames out in the season, it’ll go to Aceves, Gaudin, or Mitre (barring any trades).
I might flip flop Vazquez and Beckett, and Dice-K and Buchholz.
Beckett, while he has not performed in the regular season as he did in the 2007 playoffs, has had his struggles attributed to injury.
Vazquez, while being great and consistent in the NL for years, we will see how he does in the toughest division in baseball. He did succeed in the first half of 2004, prior to his injury riddled 2nd half.
I’d take Lackey over Vazquez.
Much more of a big game pitcher than Vazquez although Javy has certainly been more durable.
And I still believe it’s an open competition.
Have a good night y’all. It’s all good.
GF I didn’t know you weren’t feeling well.
Lackey is good and I’m not pleased that he’ll be pitching for Boston.
That said, I love our team and I like our chances.
I too would like to see Aceves in the same role as last year. Long relief and an occasional spot start if needed – like Ramiro Mendoza was for the Yankees.
trisha,
Yeah, it’s a long story but I’ll make it short.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.....neuropathy
Diagnosed with a condition called CIDP and I spent most of the last 6 months in the hospital or an “extended care facility” as a result.
It’s a long recovery but I’m getting there.
I really can’t argue with those who would rather have Lackey than Vasquez. On past performance that’s probably the way to go. I just think Lackey is a big injury risk and am not sure how he will fare in Fenway. I would rank Vasquez ahead of Lackey based on how I think they will do in 2010.
I will take it one step further, before it’s all said and done, it will be both Joba AND Phil.
IMO it’s not a matter of if an injury (starter) is going to happen, it’s when. The Yankees have to figure out a way to keep both stretched out.
Giuseppe Franco,
I did not know that you were ill but I am glad that you are on the road to recovery.
since iwaga was robbed of an opportunity to be the 5th starter, i should be giving another pick
Watching a little thing on Fox Prime Ticket (LA regional network), and it looks like they were following some kind of traveling secretary for the Dodgers traveling to Arizona. It was a neat look behind the scenes of an mlb team. Looks like a very challenging job.
m,
Did you watch Seinfeld? Wasn’t George the assistant to the travelling secretary for the Yankees?
Fran,
I loved Seinfeld. I just saw an episode the other day, he was firing one of George or Mr. Magoo. But “Steinbrenner” had black hair. Not realistic. haha.
And I think you’re right. But nothing was funnier than those wool unis.
Article, from the MLB Tigers site.
“Damon shows Yankees what they’re missing.”
Has anyone over there noticed it’s ST, and that game doesn’t count for anything?
My entirely scientific 5th starter chart, which I will update pending Hughes and Chamberlain’s outings:
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/h.....5077_n.jpg
But nothing was funnier than those wool unis
*******************
m,
That was a great episode.
New post.
Lo Hud Tech guy
I think you need to post Jerkface’s chart on the site and allow us to vote on the winner of the 5th spot.
Tarheel,
I guess GT finally put us out of our misery the other night. They played well in the first half just to make it that much more painful in the 2nd. Oh well time for baseball…