Notes from Sunday
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 14, 2010 
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Robinson Cano is well aware that he barely hit .200 with runners in scoring position last season. He’s also well aware that he’ll be expected to do better than that as the Yankees No. 5 hitter.
“It’s more than an honor to hit behind A-Rod and in front of Posada,” Cano said. “That means I’m going to have to step it up early in the season.”
Joe Girardi has said some of Cano’s ugly RISP numbers last season were the result of bad luck, a lot of hard-hit balls finding gloves. Cano said he’s working to be more patient in those situations, making sure he doesn’t chase bad pitches.
“I know what I had last year, what I went through,” Cano said. “Him putting me fifth, that means that he trusts me.”
That’s very true. Girardi likes that Cano hits for average and doesn’t strikeout very often. It’s always been expected that Cano would eventually move up in the lineup, and Girardi thinks this is the time. “I consider Robbie a veteran player,” he said, while touting Cano’s sometimes questioned work ethic.
“I think he plays the game easy,” Girardi said. “When Robbie goes after the ball, you can be going at the same speed as a guy who looks like he’s putting in 100 percent effort, Robbie is still going just as hard, but Robbie has an easiness to him. Robbie Alomar had an easiness to him when he played second base. Some guys just appear that way. The other guys look like they’re working a lot harder, but they’re not necessarily working a lot harder. I see what Robbie does day in and day out, whether it’s on the field, off the field, in the weight room. I see it every day.”
• Girardi on CC Sabathia’s outing: “Good. Very good. Much better than his last time when he wasn’t comfortable with his mechanics. He was very sound to me.”
• Girardi on what’s causing Jonathan Albaladejo’s struggles: “He just doesn’t have his sink right now. It’s something that we’re going to have to iron out. He’s going to continue to pitch for us and we’re going to continue to evaluate.”
• My own comment: Don’t forget that Albaladejo made the opening day roster the past two years. Not saying he’ll make it this year, but I wouldn’t expect him to be among the next cuts. The Yankees like him, and he was pitching very well at the end of last season.
• Expect to see the regulars playing longer into games after tomorrow’s off day. Bank on three at-bats per game, Girardi said.
• After yesterday’s start in Lakeland, Chad Gaudin told Girardi that he felt fatigued. “At some point you usually hear it, everyone here in spring training says they’ve got a dead arm,” Girardi said. “You have to fight through it.” In print, those words read as if Girardi was calling out Gaudin to “fight through it.” In reality, it sounded more like Girardi expected this sort of thing and wasn’t surprised or bothered by it. At one point he said the Yankees would help Gaudin deal with the dead arm issues.
• Girardi told the pitchers on Friday that the results start to matter now. “We told them, now you’ve got to pick it up a little bit,” Girardi said, “because now their getting to that point where you’re next couple of outings are going to be evaluated much more seriously than your first two.”
• Girardi confirmed that he still plans to have his top three starters from last year — Sabathia, Burnett and Pettitte — start those first three regular-season games against Boston.
• In case you missed it: C Jose Gil, RHP Grant Duff and RHP Zach McAllister have been reassigned to minor league camp.
Good to see that Austin Jackson had two triples today.
Can’t wait for Duke to get wacked in the 2nd round…..Cry Coach K, just Cry….Overrated bunch of humps….
Cano glides after balls. A Gold Glove is in his future.
Pat M, Cal fumbled away the chance for a friendlier opening weekend… I am going to refrain from thinking too much about a Sunday matchup with the Dukies, as getting past the Louisville Pitinos will not be a given.
Nonetheless, I might have to dig out my video of Jason Kidd and Lamond Murray leading the Bears past Bobby Hurley and Coach K… what a game that was!
Nick in SF…When was that 1993 ???T
Nick in SF…When was that 1993 ???T
@nick in sf -
I have printed my brackets. Thank you!
~GM (PHILLIES) Ruben Amaro according to RAB, wants to swap Howard for Pujols. Since the story leaked he’s been denying it’s true.
If Pujols leaves St Louis, neither he are his agent are stupid to his open market value. His agent will demand close to Alex money, somewhere around 24-26M per yr, if not more.
~Yankees might lose Adeinis Hecharvaris, the Cuban SS, to the Blue Jays. He’s worried about being blocked by Jeter’s contract extension. Cashman thinks he can be trained at 2nd base, but that makes Cano trade bait.
Story in The Bleacher Report!
If dook loses in the first round Coach K’s back might flair up again….
m, how can you have such good taste in baseball and such bad taste in hoops?
The loss to the Huskies last night really dinged them…That being said, judging where Washington was seeded, The Pac 10 wasn’t going to get any respect due to the down season and the hyped / perception that went with it….Cal Berkley Bears will be a Sweet 16 Team and what will make my 2010 Hoop season is them punching out The Dukies……I’m certain Tarheelyank will be in our corner next Saturday……Time for me to get to work tonight for the week, investment wise for entertainment purposes only…..I pulled out a rabbit last night with New Mexico State….I think I ended up making 35 bucks for the day….
Indeed, 1993. Here is the last 2 minutes of the game (9 minutes real time):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhOgBJ_2ME8
Grant Hill was also on that Duke team… they were 2-time defending champs of the NCAA. Cal would lose to Kansas in the round of 16.
blake,
lol. Blame my dad for Duke. As for the L’s. Come on! They’re the L’s!
“~GM (PHILLIES) Ruben Amaro according to RAB, wants to swap Howard for Pujols. ”
well I’m sure he does, I wanna trade bank accounts with Bill Gates too.
It often seems like organizations have blind spots with certain players. The Yankees have one with Albaladejo. He stinks even when his ball sinks. Stop the madness.
http://www.fangraphs.com/pitchfxo.as…ion=P&pitch=FA
Joba’s never been the same since he got hurt in that August 4th start in Texas, way back in 2008. Since that month he missed, you can clearly see his velocity has not been the same. He can’t throw in the upper 90′s at all. Going from a 96-99 mph FB, to a 91-94, with an occasional 95, is a huge drop for a pitcher. Joba used to be able to revert back to his fastball, and blow people away. Hitters were always worried about it, which made his offspeed stuff impossible to lay off, or swing at. That’s no longer the case. Now Joba has to hit spots, which is something he didn’t necessarily have to worry about, at 98 mph. If Joba’s shoulder is now, what it will forever be, then he won’t be as special as we once thought. He can still be good, but now he’ll have to be more of a pitcher, with significant improvement in his command, to be so. A guy like Hughes has lived and learned with his current velocity, his entire life. He’s always had to pitch somewhat, as opposed to throw. In the minors, even Hughes can overwhelm some hitters, which isn’t the case with the jump to the pros. Hughes’ transition, or any minor leager like him, will come down to that adjustment. With Joba that adjustment is even more pronounced, since he always been able to simply blow people away. Flat sliders were something he could get away with when the hitter is worried about 99mph at any moment. Not so anymore
http://www.fangraphs.com/pitch.....8;pitch=FA
Nick in SF….I remember that game so very well…Funny thing is I made a bundle the year before when Duke upset UNLV, then I turned around and made a killing on Cal……Murray was suppose to go to UCLA but at the last moment he opted for Cal…..His cousin Tracy was a big time player for the Bruins who were bounced out in the first round by Penn that March…OUCH…Then Princeton bounces out UCLA a few years later when they were defending Champs…..My worst financial setback of all time…..I hate Duke …..
Joba’s FB averaged around 95 mph as a starter in 2008. I agree that he hasn’t been the same, but it’s too early to know whether or not he will get it back. We’ll have a better idea in a few months.
Dick Vitale is a self indulging , self promoting idiot….Babling about North Carolina and U Conn not being in the Tourney, but omits UCLA from the list ….Yo Vitale, they have 11 NCAA Banners hanging, and just like the Yankees, they only hang National Championship banners in Pauley Pavillion…..
Ahhh I remember Tracy Murray, what a sharpshooter…. killed the Bears on more than one occasion…. UCLA did have some early-round woes there or a while… but I was just speaking of Tyus Edney’s mad dash yesterday… vs. the Missouri Tigers, I believe.
Let us pause for a moment to reflect on Arizona, UCLA, North Carolina, and UCONN all missing the tourney. That’s a lot of history and tradition that will be playing elsewhere or watching the rest of the hoops season on TV.
Nick in SF……Vitale only talks about the Big East od the ACC…..30 on 30 , ESPN, Reggie Miller and the NY Knicks, Spike Lee production
Could Albaladejo’s problem be due to his extreme weight loss?
Pat M.
Reggie Miller, Dook, this place is depressing tonight.
It would be nice to hear from GB. Cheer me up. Haven’t heard from him for a couple of days now. Hope all is well.
So tomorrow’s an off day? And Hughes starts on Tuesday, Joba on Wednesday?
Oh I forgot. My new handle
Hey Vitale talks about UCLA when he talks about teams that were good in the 70s.;)
Actually I’m impressed with Amaro putting the feelers out there with the Cards….
If STL determines that they won’t be able to sign Pujols long term then a swap of Howard would be the best plan B from both a production standpoint(although there is a dropoff in the quality of player the end production is similar) and a marketing standpoint as Howard grew up in St. Louis and would be welcomed and eventually beloved by the fans.
Phillie would be obviuosly getting the best player in the game for the remainder of his career to team with Utley and Rollins and if Dominic Brown is ready for 2011 then they could afford to let Werth go and cut the check for Pujols.
“Could Albaladejo’s problem be due to his extreme weight loss?”
Given that he was never good, I don’t see how.
Rollins
Polanco
Utley
Pujols
Ibanez
Victorino
Brown
Ruiz
P
That’s a helluva lineup for the next 2-3yrs…
good for Reuban that he’s jumping the gun
I am dvr-ing the Reggie Miller thing to watch later… not sure my heart can take in the whole thing at once.
Tarheelyank, I appreciate the thought, but it could be Louisville facing Duke on Sunday… need to study up a bit on the Cardinals. Not a single commenter on the 90+-minute ESPN hoops show just now even considered that Duke would not be in the Sweet 16 or even Elite 8… I hope the Dukies are looking ahead as well.
I don’t know if its too wise of Amaro considering that it could upset Howard and there is very little chance that deal would ever go down. I’m sure he never meant it to get out if theres any truth to the rumor.
I don’t believe the Pujols/Howard thing for a nanosecond.
Blake, UCLA was in 3 consecutive final 4′s and 2 NCAA Championships just 2 years ago…..They have 6 1st rounders in the past 4 years….Say What
Nick
It’s ok, I am not a Cardinal fan either. The Bears it is. Maybe we can drag blake along for the ride. There was a regular who was a big Cardinal fan. I am trying to remember who it is. Might be Wave.
I don’t get why they don’t cut Albaladejo; he’s just not very good. What exactly do the Yankees see in him? Why exactly do they like him?
I still hope Thames gets the job; what does Winfree offer the Yankees?
No worries, I don’t think the Golden Bears will be jinxed by LoHud optimism, and I doubt any of them will stumble upon this page and start looking past louisville.
Did anyone else notice that one of the Marquette Eagles was sporting a Yankee cap when CBS flashed them receiving their selection? Nonetheless, I think I will pick UW to get past them.
Betsy
It’s the misplaced faith in his ability to induce GBs…every few weeks.
Who do you guys think gets the last spot? I’m thinking Hoffman.
Don’t see how Pujols ever leaves St. Louis.
The Phils had better include Halladay in that deal. Howard can certainly hit but Pujols is in another league.
Pujols will be a Cardinal for life.
Thames. They have a bias toward veteran-ness.
“Blake, UCLA was in 3 consecutive final 4’s and 2 NCAA Championships just 2 years ago…..They have 6 1st rounders in the past 4 years….Say What”
touche…how many titles they won in the last 15 years.
“They have a bias toward veteran-ness.”
I think that bias went to LA.
Pat M. I was just joking around BTW.
“I think that bias went to LA.”
I would love to be wrong, but I have heard Girardi invoke that “e” word (experience), way too often.
It’s beyond me, Rich. I normally don’t criticize the team as I trust them completely, but this guy is absolutely brutal. I don’t care if he stays in the minor leagues so much, but wh y the heck should he take a roster spot from a talented pitcher?
Unless the Yankees are impressed with Hoffman’s awful hitting, I don’t see how it’s him. Thames is a quality major leaguer and his bad ST is no big deal. Hoffman hasn’t shown anything at all…….
Rich, this has nothing to do with Thames being a veteran (and I don’t think that’s quite true anyway). Hoffman hasn’t shown a thing – just because your young doesn’t make you talented.
blake
fun fact
“Twenty of the last 25 Carolina players selected in the NBA Draft have gone in the first round.”
Cardinals are paying Holliday until 2029, by the way his contract is structured, he’ll be retired and working on grand kids. It’s so far, the richest contract in the history of the club, ALL TO KEEP PUJOLS HAPPY. Noway they swap him for Howard.
Amaro CAN WISH ALL HE WANTS, but Albert is staying put, CARDINALS WILL BREAK THE BANK, for him!
“Twenty of the last 25 Carolina players selected in the NBA Draft have gone in the first round.”
I’d say theres a fair amount of tarheels representing in the NBA.
Betsy
What has Thames shown?
He’s a veteran and can hit MLB pitching, Rich; I don’t need him to have a good spring. It would be nice, but I don’t need him to. Hoffman hasn’t shown he can hit, period – he should be the one with something to prove.
Unknown factor: would Thames accept a MiL deal? Would the Yanks want to give him one?
“I would love to be wrong, but I have heard Girardi invoke that “e” word (experience), way too often.”
Rich your probably right. I think the current Joe is at least a little more open minded than the old Joe. Anyway this spring that theory is going to put to the test. We shall see.
Betsy
That’s my point. He’s a veteran. The problem is that he may be in decline and he can’t field. I’m not happy with Winn being on the team, let alone Thames. I would rather have some younger players whose performance curve is more likely to be ascending.
Tarheelyank
You are correct that Girardi is more open minded than Torre.
Blake , I stand corrected…Those 6 players theat UCLA lost in the past 4 years were I believe were Lottery picks….
I think the Yankees would offer and if Thames didn’t find a better gig, he might take them up on it.
is this a good fantasy team ????
C Miguel Montero
1B Prince Fielder
2B Robinson Canó
3B Ryan Zimmerman
SS Derek Jeter
OF Andre Ethier
OF Michael Cuddyer
OF Carlos Quentin
Util Adrián González
Util Carlos Peña
BN Lance Berkman
BN Chris Coghlan
BN Julio Borbón
BN Martín Prado
BN Ryan Theriot
BN Rod Barajas
SP Johan Santana
SP Chad Billingsley
RP Joakim Soria
RP Trevor Hoffman
P Jered Weaver
P David Aardsma
P Frank Francisco
BN John Danks
BN David Price
“I’m not happy with Winn being on the team, let alone Thames. I would rather have some younger players whose performance curve is more likely to be ascending.”
I think their plan is to make due in LF this year and then pursue Crawford in the offseason. There has already been talk that the Rays probably aren’t going to be able to keep him and already been rumors that the Yankees would be the frontrunners to get him. Winn/Gardner/Thames etc are stopgaps IMO and I think should hold down the fort well enough with all the other weapons they have.
I’m not high on Crawford, blake.
Bru:
Good club ‘cept for steals. Probably going to want Borbon starting ahead of Cuddyer.
“I’m not high on Crawford, blake”
I’m with you, Rich.
Overrated.
“Those 6 players theat UCLA lost in the past 4 years were I believe were Lottery picks….”
how many titles did they win?
Doesn’t matter if you’re high on him or not, thats probably what their plan is and its not like they have any major league ready outfielders in the minors. It was either overpay for Holliday or Damon or go with what they went with.
Blake:
Don’t you mean it was either overpay Holliday or Damon this year or overpay Crawford next year?
Frank
it is a points league
Runs (R) 1
Singles (1B) 1
Doubles (2B) 2
Triples (3B) 3
Home Runs (HR) 4
Runs Batted In (RBI) 1
Stolen Bases (SB) 1
Caught Stealing (CS) -1
Walks (BB) 1
Pitchers Stat Category Value
Innings Pitched (IP) 1
Wins (W) 10
Losses (L) -5
Saves (SV) 5
Earned Runs (ER) -1
Walks (BB) -1
Strikeouts (K) 1
sb are no big deal
I think Crawford is a good player but as I said over and over earlier in the offseason I would much rather have Holliday if you’re going to spend big money on a corner outfielder. I’m glad they didn’t give him the contract he got from the Cardinals but I think they probably thought they could get Crawford cheaper and for fewer years and that they have a power right handed bat on the way in Montero. We’ll see how it plays out but aside from Holliday or Damon what else could they have done this offseason?
Gotcha Bru. That’s a good team.
i wouldn’t mind werth next year
he might be cheaper
I was hoping that if they had signed Hechevarria, if his offense developed quickly, he could have played the OF until Jeter had to be replaced, assuming Hechevarria could play SS at the ML level.
“Don’t you mean it was either overpay Holliday or Damon this year or overpay Crawford next year?”
kinda, but speculation has been that Crawford won’t demand as much money or as many years as Holliday did and 1 year younger and several years younger than Damon. What other choices did they have for this year?
“i wouldn’t mind werth next year”
Better for the Yankees than Crawford IMO. Better outfielder, insomuch as he’s not limited to just left field, and better all around offensive player.
The Bleacher Report says Hecharvaria doesn’t want to be blocked by Jeter. I’m sure Jays GM Anthopolous is playing this up in his negotiations o get him.
Better outfielder, insomuch as he’s not limited to just left field, and better all around offensive player.
–
Crawford can play CF easy
I’m actually concerned that the “blocked by Jeter” meme will prevent the Yankees from securing a replacement until it’s long after the time that Jeter should be moved.
“The Bleacher Report says Hecharvaria doesn’t want to be blocked by Jeter. I’m sure Jays GM Anthopolous is playing this up in his negotiations o get him.”
Whatever he did has apparently worked. MLBTR now says he signed with the Jays. 4 years, $10M
“Crawford can play CF easy”
Not well. No accident he’s in left. He wasn’t very good in center and doesn’t have anywhere close to the arm for right.
I don’t know if it’s true of Crawford, but Rickey Henderson was good in CF, but he much preferred to play LF because he thought it was easier on his legs.
MLBTR reported today that at least 4 teams wanted Brett Gardner for CF. The Royals, Reds, Padres, and Wht Sox.
Breaking: Hechavaria to Jays 4/10M SIGHT Jeter’s IMPENDING
extension.
Crawford is considered by most to be the best defensive LF’er in baseball. Either way, I don’t think they view any of the current LF candidates as a long term option for that position and that a move will be made either at the deadline or next offseason depending on whats available, whats needed, and what makes sense at the time.
“Hechavaria to Jays 4/10M SIGHT Jeter’s IMPENDING
extension.”
ok, so if he turns out to be any good then the Yankees can sign him in 4 years.
Well you can’t blame the guy, the Yankees won’t let Jeter walk this year. I’m glad it’s not Carevelli or Montero Cashman was trying to sign.
ok, so if he turns out to be any good then the Yankees can sign him in 4 years.
–
He’ll be arbitration elig for 2 years after
“He’ll be arbitration elig for 2 years after”
true.
blake
Cashman scouted this guy hard, he wanted him. Yankees were the front runner, something changed.
Sounds like he’s planning on getting to the big leagues fast and is worried about Jeter…he’s only 19 so if he made the big leagues at 22, Jeter would be what 38 or 39 and could be close to moving anyway. Who knows.
6:30 comes early, gnight all..
Signing Hechavarria would put Cano on the trade block. Cashman was going to shift him to 2nd base.
I don’t buy the “Yankees can buy a guy later” thing. Then you overpay for the decline phase. It’s bad business.
Cashman isn’t going back down the buy, the overpriced veteran road again! It’s a great opportunity to play for the Yankees, some can’t see that far, their loss!!
I’m sorry the Yanks didn’t sign Hechavarria. It seemed to me that the timing would have been perfect, as Blake pointed out. Jeter is great, but in two years he won’t have the range to be a good SS. Maybe Hechavarria expects to be starting the Majors next year.