Splitting the squad
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 13, 2010 
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Because of there are two games happening at once, the Yankees brought some extra players up from minor league camp this morning. Only one of them — outfielder Edwar Gonzalez — is scheduled to play, but the rest will be on the bench just in case. There’s an extra catcher, outfielder and infielder for both the home game and the road game.
Home vs. Baltimore
Scheduled to play off the bench: C Jesus Montero, 1B P.J. Pilittere, 2B Reegie Corona, LF Colin Curtis, RF Jon Weber, DH Kyle Higashioka
Extra players: C Mitch Abeita, INF Justin Snyder, OF Austin Krum
Available out of the bullpen: Royce Ring, Kei Igawa, Alfredo Aceves, Dave Robertson, Wilkins Arias, Jeremy Bleich
Road vs. Detroit
Scheduled to play off the bench: C Austin Romine, 1B Mike Rivera, SS Kevin Russo, 3B Jorge Vazquez, LF Edwar Gonzalez, RF Reid Gorecki, DH Jose Gil
Extra players: C Ryan Baker, INF Luis Nunez, OF Dan Brewer
Available out of the bullpen: Sergio Mitre, Boone Logan, Grant Duff, Amaury Sanit, Zach Segovia
• Kevin Russo is getting some time at shortstop today. If he can prove himself at that position — he played it in college, in the Arizona Fall League and a few times last year — he could make a strong push for the big league utility job.
• A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes and Mark Melancon are each scheduled for side sessions today.
• Back-to-back road trips for Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher, all of whom will go to Lakeland today and Bradenton tomorrow.
UPDATE, 9:55 a.m.: Just got the Orioles game notes. Still no lineup for them, but their scheduled pitchers are: Jeremy Guthrie, Alfredo Simon, Jason Berken, Cla Meredith, Matt Albers and Alberto Castillo.
UPDATE, 10:34 a.m.: The Orioles lineup.
Adam Jones CF
Cesar Izturis SS
Nick Markakis RF
Miguel Tejeda 3B
Matt Weiters C
Garrett Atkins 1B
Ty Wigginton 2B
Lou Montanez LF
Michael Aubrey DH
The Orioles are actually sort of a split-squad as well. They’re playing a B game in Sarasota. My question is, who in the world is playing in that game? Is Nolan Reimold handling every position?
Chad, Just want to thank you & Sam for all the info you provide! Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the latest and best info, Mr. Texting While Driving.
Has Higashioka gotten any playing time? If so, anyone want to take a stab at scouting him?
Not driving today, m. This is just regular posting, but yesterday did require a quick stop on the side of the road to update that the game had been rained out.
Higashioka hasn’t gotten much playing time. He’s in the same boat as D.J. Mitchell, both lower-level guys who are here to get the wide-eyed shock of big league camp out of the way. Those two have lockers directly across from one another. I actually love talking to both of them. They seem to appreciate being here, but they don’t seem overwhelmed. Very polite, the kind of guys you feel good about if only because they have good heads on their shoulders.
Chad,
LOL. I think Carig outed you. That was you, right?
As for Higashioka, I could’ve told you he was a good, polite kid. That’s how we raise them.
Here’s the O’s lineup from one of their new beat reporters at MLB.
http://brittghiroli.mlblogs.co.....ineup.html
BTW, Eric Karabell was on the radio yesterday talking fantasy baseball. Was thrilled to pick 10th, got A-rod, blah, blah, blah. But my ears perked up when I heard the host ask about Joba. (what a coincidence)I just posted a piece on Joba.
Basically it was 10-ft pole talk. But the really interesting thing is (and I hope he’s wrong on so many fronts), is that if Joba sucks, and goes to the pen he doesn’t think he can even be mo’s setup guy. And that will hurt Phil’s value (fantasy?) because the Yankees will be forced to take him out of the (presumed) starter role and have Hughes setup.
So, I foraged around a finally found the entry. Of course it’s Insider. Without reading the entry, the teaser made it sound like they’re quite high on Phil’s “value” as a fantasy starter.
Anyway, I hope Karabell’s wrong. I hope Joba doesn’t suck. And I hope that the Yankees aren’t so short-sighted that they short-change both (or one even, but another topic for another day).
Anyway, Karabell ended the point by basically saying that Joba’s overhyped and there were 50 pitchers he’d take before for him.
Anyway, he’s very low on Joba, but not many people aren’t.
http://insider.espn.go.com/esp.....c_baseball
Carig and I were on the road together yesterday. We spent most of our time trying to come up with “Know Your Yankees Beat Writer” tweets. It started with Carig tweeting about me — Which Yankees beat writer has spent the most time in a tractor? — and reached it’s peak when I suggested we compare Sweeny Murti to Edwar Ramirez by asking, Which Yankees beat reporter was traded to Texas for cash considerations?
Sweeny has actually been mistaken for Edwar in the past.
I don’t take anyone seriously outside the Yankees or some posters on this board regarding Phil or Joba. First, they all have an agenda (I ignore fantasy baseball folks at all costs, anyway) and that his to criticize the Yankees no matter what they do. Secondly, they have zero clue about developing pitchers. Thirdly, they are giant hypocrites for wanting Joba in the pen when they don’t say the same about David Price or other young, very talented pitchers. Fourth, they called Phil an overrated bum because he struggled when he was injured and not only haven’t they revised their opinions, but they want him in the pen. Nope – everything I need to know about Phil or Joba I can find out right here.
Chad, I expect major details on Phil and AJ’s sessions; I’m sure you’re aware of how important they are and how I am waiting on pins and needles to hear the results…………Yes, I’m just kidding (sort of), lol.
Karabell is a fantasy geek. He is neither qualified nor capable of offering logical and cogent baseball analysis.
I would disregard anything he says when he drifts into areas in which he knows nothing.
Player evaluation being one of those areas.
The Cactus League sure don’t seem to have all these weather woes and adjustments to make.
I’ve never been to a ST game in the Cactus League, but I wouldn’t want there not to be ST in Florida. It’s the best.
“BTW, Eric Karabell was on the radio yesterday talking fantasy baseball.”
m-
for some reason i always think of Clarabelle the Clown from the Howdy Doody show when i think of eric karabell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarabell_the_Clown
“Who’s the funniest clown we know?
Clarabell!
Who’s the clown on Howdy’s show?
Clarabell!
His feet are big, his tummy’s stout,
But we could never do without,
Clara, Clara, Clarabell!
Who has fuzzy-wuzzy hair?
Clarabell!
It’s partly red but mostly bare.
Clarabell!
And since the day that he was born,
He’s honked and honked and honked his horn.
Clara, Clara, Clarabell! “
Karabell is a fantasy geek. He is neither qualified nor capable of offering logical and cogent baseball analysis.
co-signed.
here’s the Karabell piece (I’m operating under the assumption that anyone that nerdy must know what he’s talking about):
“If you’re hoping Phil Hughes will emerge as a consistent, reliable fantasy starter this season, win a lot of games and pile on the strikeouts, you shouldn’t be pleased at the spring his similarly overhyped teammate Joba Chamberlain is having. Um, what? Allow me to explain.
It’s common knowledge that the New York Yankees have one rotation spot open after adding Javier Vazquez to CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte. The Yankees have a slew of options for the No. 5 spot, led by Hughes and Chamberlain but also including Sergio Mitre, Alfredo Aceves and Chad Gaudin, among others. Fantasy baseball owners, of course, are always looking for that proverbial “home run” option, and youngsters Hughes and Chamberlain possess the upside, especially in terms of strikeouts. Since they are noted Yankees, even if their talent level is similar to that of other hard throwers on other teams, by nature they get overhyped.
However, one of these hotshots also is expected to be the primary setup man for closer Mariano Rivera. The way Chamberlain has been pitching this spring, he surely is not rotation fodder. In fact, he might not even prove worthy of that setup role, either, and if he can’t pitch the eighth inning in April, it might not matter how good Hughes is in March. Unfortunately for Hughes and his ultimate fantasy value, he could be forced to pitch in relief.
On Wednesday, Chamberlain got roasted by the Detroit Tigers for six runs in the third inning, with noted “power hitter” Gerald Laird teeing him up for a grand slam. Sure, Chamberlain pitched a pair of scoreless frames to open the game, then cited fatigue as a reason he struggled. Maybe it explains how a .225-hitting, defense-first catcher (who managed four home runs in 135 games in 2009) took him deep. Chamberlain has allowed 11 runs in his past two outings, covering 3 2/3 innings. That’s no way to make a rotation — or earn a key bullpen role.
Weeks ago, I predicted Hughes would win that coveted fifth rotation spot for the Yankees. Why is it so coveted? Well, the Yankees were baseball’s lone 100-win outfit in 2009, and they seem just as strong this season. The team also offers run support and good defense, making that Yankees fifth starter a lot more appealing than whomever the Pittsburgh Pirates or Kansas City Royals send out there. Hughes did allow a Ryan Raburn home run Wednesday — sleeper alert! I’ve been watching Raburn closely — but has pitched well this spring. Thus, it might seem obvious that Hughes would be the team’s fifth starter. But if Chamberlain continues to sputter, Yankees fans concerned about that setup role would be the first to remind you that Hughes was one of baseball’s top setup men in 2009, producing a 5-1 record, a 1.40 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine in 51 1/3 relief innings.
When fantasy owners look for setup men with value, it normally leads us to those on teams with shaky closers. Ryan Madson and Matt Thornton are good examples. With Hughes, we knew saves weren’t coming his way, but the peripheral numbers were so good and he won more than most middle relievers, so he became eminently ownable in that role. No, he wouldn’t win 12 games with 150 strikeouts, but he can help a fantasy team. I’m starting to think he’s bound for a relief role again, not because of anything he’s failing at, but because of the erratic Chamberlain. By the way, we still rank Chamberlain ahead of Hughes and project a combined 34 starts for the duo, along with plenty of relief work.
Ultimately, this situation brings me back to comments I made in January; it’s possible neither Hughes nor Chamberlain will be a starting pitcher this season, and this obviously affects their fantasy values. The Yankees got next to nothing from their fifth starters last season, and it didn’t seem to matter. Chien-Ming Wang, Hughes, Mitre, Gaudin and Aceves combined for 35 starts, with an 8-11 record, 25 home runs allowed and a 6.92 ERA. Who’s to say manager Joe Girardi won’t choose Gaudin, who had a lower ERA than any Yankees starter (although in only six starts) for the spot, leaving Chamberlain and Hughes for relief work?
I could see this happening. Gaudin is pitching well this spring, while Aceves and Mitre have yet to allow a run. None of those guys project as eighth-inning options. Hughes and, if he’s pitching well, Chamberlain surely do. Gaudin as a late-round pick, anyone? Hey, don’t scoff. It’s more realistic than you might think.”
I still can’t believe the papers are buying into the notion that this is an open competition. They don’t even seem to understand why it’s only between Joba and Phil – they are completely clueless when it comes to pitching.
Oh brother – Hughes projects as an 8th inning guy? Um, he projects as a top of the line starter. Sorry, but what an idiot.
The DUMBEST thing the Yanks could possibly do is place both Joba and Hughes in the bullpen.
That would make no sense at all.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03.....f=baseball
I love Kevin Long…
I am guessing the Florida rain finally stopped-
It’s sure raining here. I felt like a duck driving to work. Quack Quack
First mistake….thinking someone that geeky knows what he is talking about.
That “analysis” showcases how little he knows about the game.
To talk about somebody getting “roasted” in a ST game, when he was given SPECIFIC instructions to only work the inner half of the plate, makes no sense.
In other words, this geek took a glorified bullpen session, which was all Joba’s appearance was the other day, and decided to build a “Joba is overrated” column.
Another person who has no concept of what ST is all about.
That’s why he is in the fantasy, and not reality, world of baseball.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....VndKAnphqL
Ugh…………and I don’t care about what the players think about this. They have no clue about developing pitchers either – nor do they care about Joba or Phils careers.
“The DUMBEST thing the Yanks could possibly do is place both Joba and Hughes in the bullpen.”
if 2010 was going to be the final season of MLB then it may make some sense but because hopefully that isn’t the case it makes very little sense and is why I don’t think they will do that.
They definitely won’t do that, but my word, these sportswriters and assorted geeks are stupid.
Betsy,
The papers are merely echoing what the staff is saying themselves. It’s not like they’re making sruff up.
Of course Karabell’s a fantasy geek, doesn’t make what he says not interesting. And he’s projecting Hughes as a starter. He’s just saying (in his opinion) that Hughes is the only one of the candidates capable of setting up. (I can only assume that he’s never, ever seen or heard of D-Rob, but how could he not from a fantasy POV? lol)
All these outsiders going
against joba make me root all the more for him.
Chad,
At first I had reservations about Pete leaving but you have been terrific. Thank god your back. Sam doesn’t do it for me and I find myself reading the blog much less when he is around instead of you…
Jimmy
M, I suppose, but still – the writers have bought it hook, line and sinker. If any of them had any vision, they would realize that they are being fed BS
M, I don’t find it interesting, but then different strokes for different folks.
But, it’s not true. Jobs is capable of setting up, something he has proven when the games actually count.
To take a meaningless ST outing and create a premise that he can’t set up, is comical.
There is no baseball logic to that “analysis”. That’s why it’s comical.
It renders the rest of his “analysis” useless because it’s created off a false premise.
I’m really looking forward to watching D-Rob pitch this year.
If he can work in an effective changeup, lefties (who hit .189 against him last year) are going to be in for some rough ABs. It would definitely help mitigate against not having a LOOGY if they decide to go w/Marte as the sole lhp in the pen.
Betsy,
Believe it or not, all the writers don’t hate the Yankees. They don’t want to dig up every piece of dirt and kill them. The Yankees and the writers have a symbiotic relationship from which both sides benefit. As such, the writers sometimes serve as a mouthpiece. And right now, the writers are helping sell the idea that there is some semblance of a competition for the 5th spot.
I don’t think anyone takes the writers very seriously. Just glean the info you want, and form your own opinions.
Any talented pitcher is capable of setting up. None of these guys knows squat about Phil or Joba…
M, except for the Daily Spews, I don’t think the sportwriters in NY hate the Yankees and I never said they did.
I’m not one of these people that think you had to have played baseball to be a good evaluator but at the same time I don’t think a Journalism degree and a press pass qualifies you either. I think too many reporters make the jump from reporting to evaluating.
FYI – the Yankees/O’s game is on My 9
Betsy,
That’s right. But saying otherwise wouldn’t help his agenda, right?
Maybe David Wright just has a small head or maybe Rawlings did something to lessen the bubble effect of this helmet but honestly it doesn’t look that bad on these regular folks.
Maybe MLB can just make it a rule that makes everybody wear it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Of course not, M, lol. Ick, off I go to the bank in this disgusting, rainy weather………
There isn’t any information in that column to glean any opinion other than the author is clueless.
This is a fantasy geek offering incorrect baseball analysis.
What is there to gain from that article?
Do you realize that Joba Chamberlain never topped out, as he did the other day, in ST last year. He also had good tilt on his slider. For a March 10 outing, that’s an IMPROVEMENT over where Joba was a year ago.
Its why the Yankees, and the scouts who were at the game the other day, were upbeat about the performance.
That being the case, how does one draw the conclusion, as the geek did, he can’t set up?
He based it on giving up a ST HR to Gerald Laird. In other words, he based his opinion on ST stats. Sorry but, that makes you a baseball moron.
Anybody with a thimble’s worth of baseball knowledge would tell you that when a guy is only working one half of the plate in a game, he isn’t trying to pitch as if it was the regular season.
The geek clearly isn’t capable of understanding that.
That’s ok. However, don’t draw conclusions on Chamberlain’s appearance based on incorrect knowledge.
If you do, you will be laughed at by anybody who understands the reality, and not fantasy, game of baseball.
meant to say, Joba topped out at 94 the other day. Something he never did in ST last year.
Sorry for the typo.
gf- when are people going to learn you don’t put pitchers in the pen that you think will be good. the pen is where people who couldn’t hack it as a starting pitcher go to prolong their careers. Hence. MO. He couldn’t hack it as a starter and became one of the greatest closers of all time.
m
There’s a limit on the number of “kids” you’re allowed to adopt or we’ll be forced to call DCFS on you.
Betsy
Maybe you should just stick to reading columns by the beat writers.
For the most part, they give you the facts and the quotes. The columnists veer off into opinion and that seems to be where you get upset with what you read.
Take the Lupica’s, Harper’s, Sherman’s and O’Connor’s off your reading list. Kiernan has been on a Yankee lovefest lately but he can turn any minute now so read him at your own risk.
“Maybe MLB can just make it a rule that makes everybody wear it.”
I posted yesterday that it’s happening this year in the minor leagues.
SJ,
I think you misunderstood me (in fact I know you did haha).
I’m not talking about Karabell.
Betsy (no offense) has a big problem with the (NY) writers. She’s (no offense) always talking about how clueless they are.
So I was just trying to tell her to glean the info she wants (like scouting reports on AJ & Phil haha) and form her own opinions.
Scouting reports might not be the right word because those are subjective aren’t they?!
Randy l
Since I’m in a different time zone, and working on other things during the course of the day, I jump on and off threads, sometimes missing things until the following day. I just wanted to thank you for your very long reply to my questions regarding bat speed. I really appreciate you taking the time.
GB-
“OF Dan Brewer”
He’s got a small cahnce to play today.
Know you’re high on him.
SJ, I asked this yesterday and Doreen had a good response, but I wanted to see what you thought. If the Yankees were happy with Joba’s velocity, then how are they not unhappy with Phil’s, who’s only hitting 90-91?
Pat, I try to only read those guys (well, not Madden or Pukica – I never read them at all) when the headline of the article is appealing. Harper has been awful this spring, so I’ve stopped reading him. O’Connor hasn’t written that much about the Yankees… It’s actually the beat writers who’ve been bothering me lately as they appear to be the ones who keep saying how badly Phil and Joba are pitching and how Ace/Mitre/Gaudin (well, mostly the first two) are outpitching them.
The greatest closer, Jen…
Betsy worries about everything M. We all know that.
She means well but, she can’t help herself.
She should recuse herself from the Phil/Joba debate because she is too emotionally involved. lol
Seriously though, as far as writers, here is my rule of thumb….
You read enough of them, you know where they are coming from.
ESPN has had an Anti-Yankee agenda since 2003.
Harold Reynolds, in his deposition during his lawsuit against ESPN, talked about how producers wanted him to spin the Anti-Yankee agenda because it was “good TV”.
He refused and he believed it was a reason why they reacted the way they did when he was fired for something he didn’t do. His damage would suggest he “won” his case so, he may have had a point.
John Kruk has admitted the same stuff when it comes to an Anti-Yankee agenda.
Its a big reason why they have lost significant ratings and market share with Baseball Tonight.
Basically, I discount just about anything any ESPN writer has to say about the Yankees, with the exception of Buster Olney.
Buster is still trying to fight the good fight and is trying to stay impartial. However, I think he will eventually succumb because if its about maintaining professional balance and putting food on the table, he will pick the latter.
The guys on the beat today are pretty decent. They all would like more controversy because that brings eyeballs to their stories.
Overall though, its not a bad group.
I don’t expect a lovefest when it comes to covering the team. I do expect accuracy.
When I read stuff I KNOW is false, such as some of the stories during the Damon contract talks, that’s when I rip these guys.
The Karabell piece? Honestly, its one the dumbest columns I’ve ever read from somebody who wants to offer “analysis” about a player. That’s why I wrote what I wrote.
Betsy,
Do you read Feinsand? His blog? Because his last thought on a 5th starter entry was this:
“It sounds like it’s going to be pretty difficult for anybody not named Hughes or Chamberlain to win this job, doesn’t it?”
See, he has a clue.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....z0i4kAZ6Ga
Betsy,
One has nothing to do with the other.
Phil is not a power pitcher. Joba is.
Phil doesn’t need a 97 MPH fastball to be effective. Joba does.
When Joba, who is always slow to gain velocity in the spring, is topping off at 94 on March 10, that’s good news for the Yankees. It has nothing to do with Phil.
What one guy does, doesn’t effect the other. That’s what you need to understand.
They are two different guys with two different pitching styles.
Phil can win a lot of games in his career throwing 92, with great command, if he gets the change up down. BTW, that’s what Roy Halladay throws so, its not a bad thing.
Joba isn’t as effective a pitcher, as we saw last year, if he is topping out at 92. Velocity matters more for Joba than it does for Phil.
Joba’s velocity definitely has improved from last ST to this ST
Last yr. around this time he was at 90 mph, this yr. he’s touching 94…so he’s getting there, I’m starting to believe stomach virus and him cutting down on work last week may have been the reason. The one thing he lacks is the fastball command, Yusssse can put it anywhere, that’s why he worked so great in the SU/CL role last yr. Joba still isn’t advanced at the locating his fastball point of his game. Another words he’s near Oli Perez w/ it.
SJ, lol – I’m trying to wean myself off worrying. However, I think it’s important to note that not every ? I have means I’m worrying. Sometimes I just have a question that I’d like the answer to.. What specifically were you referring to to M that I was worrying about?
M, Feinsand also has no clue as he’s a guy who thinks Phil belongs in the pen based on temperment and last year. Nevermind that he’s been a starter his whole life and has shown flashes in the spurts as a starter that he’s had in the big leagues. That said, he’s generally better than most of the other guys.
SJ, thanks – that makes sense!
By the way, if I were an atty, I would recuse myself from the debate because I’m strongly rooting for one guy. That said, I would love for Joba also to become a top starting pitcher – imagine having both these kids in our rotation for years to come? However, as SJ said recently, it’s very hard to do in NY. As it stands, if Phil wins the spot, then Joba’s going to the pen – and how does that help him as a starter? One of these kids is going to have his development as a starter seriously delayed because there is just one spot. Lester and Bucholz did not come up at the same time so the Sox had it easier in a way..
Betsy, I kind of believe the same on Hughes. Not that he can’t start, but Mo said the most important thing is having an outpitch and control of your best pitch. Hughes comes out that BP he has more control of his pitches than any other candidate for that role, his locating of the fastball and curveball is downright nasty. I think Chan Ho is here to take over the SU spot, he did it in Philly, he’s a vet, and he’ll do it here, Hughes will likely be in the BP this 1st half. The 2nd half is another story, he could be Mo’s understudy IMO.
SJ, I need your thoughts on Ivan Nova, he was hitting 97 and 98 according to some ppl impressing ML scouts in ST. What are your thoughts on him?
SJ?
Brandon, so Phil should be converted to a reliever because he happens to have the best control of one pitch other than Mo of anyone in the pen? I think you’re selling him short as a starter. Pat M and I both think he’s got the stuff to be a terrific SP for a long time and that is way more valuable than being a set-up man/closer. It’s also a complete waste of material. Phil wants to be a starter, by the way; he’s never going to complain, but it’s obvious if you read between the lines. I respect your opinions (and it’s nice to see you back, by the way), but I can’t agree with you on this one.
Nice road lineup! Called the Tiger’s ticket office and they’re not sold out so going to rush over to Lakeland to try to make the game
Betsy I’m not in for sticking him in there, but he’s the best candidate b/c of his control w/ the fastball and his outpitch, unless Melancon finds himself.
Brandon,
He is an interesting guy. I’d need to see more if him in AAA to see if he can take that stuff to the mound every fifth day and get people out.
If he can, the Yankees have a guy worth keeping.
I noticed that kid for like 2 yrs. but never did I know 98 mph can come out from his arm, reports on him was 93 mph tops…goes to show you, don’t ever give up on young SP.
I believe Stick was on with Michael Kay over the winter and he raved about Nova…I’m pretty sure it was Nova.
What is a Eric Karabell, and why in the world would anybody place any significant value on the rubbish he’s selling ???? Trust your eyes when it comes to evaluating talent…..The guy seems to be a putz
Brandon-
We almost lost Nova to the Padres in the rule 5.
Maybe we’re lucky we got him back ?
Betsy they must have fixed him. BTW if Stick is raving about a 23 yr. old, it’s one thing to talk about him but to rave about him, that means he’s popping the radar gun.
MTU I know. But TBH I didn’t know he could pop the gun. All we heard was 93-94 and a sinkerballer, like Lowe or Wang..now we’re hearing popping 98 mph (WHOA)
Dice K scratched from live bp w neck stiffness. Threw 5 pitches in pen before calling it quits.
Brandon-
I love Z-Mac. I hope they don’t let go too soon on him either.
They’re starting to get a glut at the upper levels.
Nice problem to have.
“It was refreshing to hear from Dave Eiland through today’s papers that the fifth starter competition is wide open and that there are no favorites. It cleared up a lot of confusions that this was only a two horse race b/w Phil and Joba. It makes me feel as if the staff will choose the starter who earns his spot as the fifth starter rather than mainly on prospect hype and supposed organization longterm best interests.”
Joe Girardi refers to them as his 20 percenters. Not 50 percenters, 20 percenters.
It doesn’t matter what individual posters may believe to the opposite, I am with you that this is wide open.
This from Dave Eiland:
“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”
If you are evaluating along with the Yankees, it might pay to look at the things that Eiland enumerated.
Nice little story on a real Journeyman, Matt Stairs trying to make his 12th (record breaking) team
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
MTU Noesi looks a bit promising. Christian Garcia what he did to Ryan Howard the other day was disgusting.
Erica-
If you like I can give Guiness a call and let them know you are going for it ?
Most consecutive days worked by a CPA.
I,m hoping you fail, of course.
Tricia , it appears that a few days rest has invigorated your zest and zeal on this matter….A few rainouts and you’re ready for action……Mr. Franco is back….
Brandon, this could be a big year for the farm system. If we just have a few young pitchers step it up….maybe we’ll get some love. On the other hand, nah – we won’t. Banuelos is a soft-tossing mediocrity with a low ceiling, right? LOL
Brandon-
There appear to be so many good young arms.
things are gonna sort themselves out I guess with injuries, regressions and trades.
What about our catching pipeline ?
Might be the BEST in all of baseball.
Whew.
These are the kinds of problems any team should wish to have.
On Wednesday, Chamberlain got roasted by the Detroit Tigers for six runs in the third inning, with noted “power hitter” Gerald Laird teeing him up for a grand slam. Sure, Chamberlain pitched a pair of scoreless frames to open the game, then cited fatigue as a reason he struggled. Maybe it explains how a .225-hitting, defense-first catcher (who managed four home runs in 135 games in 2009) took him deep. Chamberlain has allowed 11 runs in his past two outings, covering 3 2/3 innings. That’s no way to make a rotation — or earn a key bullpen role.
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After hearing the reasoning why Joba gave up that home run (he was working on what the management wants him to work on, Laird hit it out) I can say with authority that Karrabel has no clue what he’s talking about when it comes to “what it takes to make the rotation”
Joba might not make the rotation but it won’t be because he gave up that HR.
“What about our catching pipeline ?
Might be the BEST in all of baseball.”
Cisco
Jesus
Romine
Murphy
Higashiwaka
Sanchez
Yeh it’s hard to argue that. Look out for that Murphy kid.
New thread
Pat M, actually it was Chris’s post referring to Eiland’s comments and Girardi’s “20 percenters” that reinvigorated me on the topic. These ocassional nuggets reinforce to me that my original take on the matter is likely pretty spot on.
Heard they are playing a bottom of the 9th no matter the score against the O’s.
Nice Jeterian swing by the Captain in Lakeland