Opening eyes
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 16, 2010 
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There aren’t many roster spots up for grabs here in Tampa. The most interesting battles seem to be for the fifth starter and who plays center field, but those aren’t fights for roster spots so much as decisions on who plays where. The utility infielder spot might be available (depending whether you consider Ramiro Pena a lock), the final spot on the bench is available (with two obvious leading candidates) and the pitching staff seems to have one opening in the bullpen.
Most players in camp are simply trying to make an impression, hoping to be the guy called up when a spot inevitably opens. So far, so good for these guys.
Kevin Russo
Infielder
.385 average, .500 on-base percentage
Could make a push for that utility job, especially if he keeps getting playing time at shortstop and proves he can handle the position. He hit last year in Triple-A, and he’s kept hitting here in big league camp. If he doesn’t beat Pena for the utility job, he could certainly push for a quick call-up.
Mark Melancon
Right-handed reliever
3.2 innings, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts
Probably the top relief prospect in the system, Melancon has been sharp through his first few outings. He could be crowded out of the big league bullpen — especially if the Yankees carry a second lefty — but don’t be surprised if he follows the same path Dave Robertson followed last season: Open in Triple-A, called up early, pitching key innings late.
Boone Logan and Royce Ring
Left-handed relievers
9 innings, 7 strikeouts, 1 walk, 3 hits
Both Logan and Ring have so far made a strong case for a second bullpen lefty, but Logan also has an option left and Ring is in camp on a minor league deal, meaning both can be sent to Triple-A if they don’t make the big league roster.
Greg Golson
Center fielder
2 doubles, 1 home run, 5 RBI
Golson has three hits this spring, and all three have been for extra bases. He’s also shown great speed and terrific range. Considering he has a spot on the 40-man, he could get a chance to play off the bench at some point this season.
Jason Hirsh
Right-handed pitcher
3.2 innings, 0 hits, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts
Once a massive pitching prospect in the Astros system, he’s battled injuries the past few seasons but seems to be finally healthy again. Could push for a bullpen job, but more likely going to Scranton to work out of the rotation. Legitimate chance at the sixth starter role.
Colin Curtis
Outfielder
.500 average, .639 on-base, 1.000 slugging
Curtis made some adjustments this winter and it led to huge numbers in the Arizona Fall League. He’s continued hitting for power through his first few at-bats in big league camp. If he can carry these results into the regular season, he’s a toolsy enough outfielder to get a look in New York. Curtis, Jon Weber and David Winfree have all looked pretty good these first few weeks, but none of them has Golson’s 40-man spot.
I don’t get the idea of taking the 12 best arms if one of those arms needs straightening out. If Joba is still struggling by the time ST ends, what is so wrong with sending him to AAA? The Yankees are a terrific team; they can certainly get by with Joba in AAA for awhile. They really need to think about the future and not just the present. If Phil loses the #5 spot, send him to AAA. They will survive and, yes believe it or not, win games without him as the set up man. I love Cash, but if he doesn’t start developing these kids, I’m going to start wondering about him.
“Girardi and Cashman are a team. Watch MLB Network’s The Pen, you see Ruben Amaro having a strategy meeting at the end of spring with Charlie Manuel and some other guys discussing who to bring North. Same stuff happens with the Yankees, more so now because Girardi is one of Cash’s guys. They work well together so far.”
——————————–
Yeah, I have pointed out a couple times how well Cash and Girardi seem to work together. I should have said technically it is Cash’s decision or at the end of the day it is really Cash’s decision who goes North and South on opening day and throughout the season.
Hirsch is intriguing. I’d still like Russo to make the team; if not, they should probably trade him. If he can’t even beat out Pena (through no fault of his own), then he has no future with the Yankees.
Boone and Logan have options? Zero chance either is on the Opening Day roster.
I’ve got one odd man out from this group: Joba/Phil/Aceves/Mitre/Gaudin.
Adam from the last thread might be right. Mitre’s very attractive salary might mean he’s not long for this team.
Sorry, that’s Alan.
M, Gaudin is a better pitcher and he’s versatile. I don’t see anything appealing about Mitre. I want the better players on my team and I don’t care that Gaudin is more expensive. If the Yankees are going to start going that route, keeping players only because they have lower salaries, then this not the Yankees organization that I know.
Betsy,
I was just asking because at this point, with the arms we have Gaudin’s just a garbage reliever to me.
If Kevin Russo could play a corner OF spot adequatelely it would help his cause. He could be kept over Thames or Hoffman and Ramiro Pena could still make the 25-man roster.
Also, why trade Russo when he’d be under team control for years? I don’t see teams trading away too many of their AAA guys who are on the cusp of contributing.
You want to keep your good guys around and trade the fringe guys.
So far the following people have submitted lineups for GTLU:
MTU
Erin
BBFan
upstate kate
teddy
Noreaster (How do you like me now?)
Y’s Guy
RayVT
Dave F
I will accept lineups until Chad posts the official lineup or 3:30 p.m., whichever comes first.
Why should they trade Russo if he doesn’t make the team? No, seriously?
Chad: i did have Pete’s back when he left.
however, you really are the best.
“Boone and Logan have options?”
—————————
hehe.
Just because I enjoy this sort of thing, I’ll chime in on the AAA guess from the previous post…
Lineup
Russo 3B
Nunez SS
Miranda 1B
Montero C
Vazquez DH
Winfree RF
Curtis LF
Corona 2B
Golson CF
Bench
Rivera C
Gorecki OF
Weber OF
Rotation
McAllister
Hirsh
Nova
Sanchez
Moseley
Bullpen
Melancon
Ring
Duff
Albaladejo
Whelan
Igawa
Sanit
Apologies to Josh Schmidt, Eric Wordekemper, Zack Segovia, Chris Malec, Luis Nunez and mostly to P.J. Pilittere.
Betsy–I saw lots of elk, some bighorn sheep and had a black bear walk about 20 feet from my cabin. I am going back this year and hope to see a moose. Wonderful spot for a Texan to go in July.
I also like Russo, but I expect them to pick Pena for his SS glove with the newfound love of defense.
Ok M, we’ll have to agree to disagree on the merits of Gaudin v. Mitre. I don’t think Gaudin is a garbage pitcher – he’s a nice, versatile arm to have for a team like the Yankees.
I’m not sure what your point is about Russo and I know how it works regarding who you trade and who you don’t trade. However, he’s not going to play anywhere in the INF anytime soon and he apparently can’t play SS. If he could, I would much rather have him than Pena. He’s not a starting OF – where is he going to play?
Oops, I don’t think Gaudin is a garbage-time pitcher. He’s a nice spot-starter – not as good as Aceves, but similar. He can come out of the pen and give the team some innings, especially after the starter doesn’t have it.
MTU, Thank you for the pictures! Great shots!
“Also, why trade Russo when he’d be under team control for years? I don’t see teams trading away too many of their AAA guys who are on the cusp of contributing.”
Contributing how is the question? Barring disaster, he’s never going to be a starting infielder on this team, with those spots occupied for years to come. Seems like he’s to good a hitter to be a utility guy, who again, because of who currently occupies the IF spots, will see little action in that capacity anyway. He’s played less than 10 games in the OF as a pro. so who knows if that’s an option?
Might well be that his most significant contribution to the Yankees would be as a trade chip.
Betsy,
Your points are good. But you don’t trade good cheap players until you are forced to.
And Gaudin’s a garbage pitcher like Mitre’s a garbage pitcher. Meaning they’re not. There’s just no room for them. And they’re both starters. They’re only going to be relievers over guys like Melancon and other good pitchers because of their contract status.
They got to be parked some place, and the only place is in the majors.
Which brings up another question. If the 20% are on the big league roster, who starts if something happens in the rotation? McAllister?
oops, I meant that I don’t think Gaudin is STRICTLY a garbage-time pitcher whereas I think Mitre is at this point.
It may seem like 90% of the team has been decided but I can’t recall the last time the Yankees had so many good options to consider which is a credit to Cashman for how he’s brought the team to a better level since given more authority in 2006. It took a few years but the team arrived at fruition this year and the lower levels are expected to show results in 2010.
This year’s team will start the season with at least 2 additional home grown products in Pena and Cervelli.
Every time I guess the lineup, it seems easy, yet my guesses are never right.
Well, I’ll go along with the crowd.
SS Jeter
DH Johnson
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
2B Cano
C Posada
CF Granderson
RF Swisher
LF Gardner
M, I would much rather have Russo then Pena any day of the week, so trading him would not be ideal for me. Pena got hot last year, but he’s not a good hitter and never has been. The Yankees should play Russo every day at SS in AAA until he’s servicable – then, send Pena down and replace him with Russo.
M:
I believe neither Gaudin’s nor Mitre’s contracts are guaranteed (using SJ44 as my source on this). They can be let go, if they are deemed unworthy of a spot on the 25 man roster. I think it’s almost a certainty one will be. My money’s on Mitre being the goner.
Betsy,
At least we see eye to eye on Russo.
Frank,
I think they’d try to get something for them before releasing them.
But yeah, one or both of those aren’t long for the team. They’re not so much fighting for the 5th spot as they are auditioning for other teams.
I wouldn’t be in such a hurry to trade some of these guys (depending on the deal, of course). All it takes is one injury and we could be scrambling for depth.
how much time before golson can be the next garnder?
“I think they’d try to get something for them before releasing them.”
I think they’re keeping Gaudin. As far Mitre, there’s generally not a lot of demand for pitchers pushing 30 who don’t miss bats. Yankees might get a non-prospect to fill out the roster of a minor league team, but that’s about it.
Pena is the one that could use some more seasoning. Russo looks ready enough with the bat to contribute. But Pena will make the team anyway based on his defense and contributions last year.
Hi Doreen,
I’ll Play.
Derek SS
Johnson DH
Tex 1B
Alex 3B
Robbie 2B
Jorge C
Grandersion CF
Swisher RF
Gardner LF
Thanks for hosting
“how much time before golson can be the next garnder?”
Don’t think there is enough time in the world. Nothing at all to suggest he can hit at the MLB level. Barely gets on base 30% of the time in the minors.
I’m probably in the minority but I think Gaudin may be the one who gets traded if either do. Mitre has virtually no trade value and makes 1/3 what Gaudin does. If they can’t find a taker for Gaudin then they may dump Mitre for whatever they can get but I think the Yankees like Mitre more than fans do.
“Pena is the one that could use some more seasoning. Russo looks ready enough with the bat to contribute. But Pena will make the team anyway based on his defense and contributions last year.”
My argument would be that being a utility infielder is Pena’s destiny. That’s what he is. Won’t hit well enough to be more than that. Russo can probably be more than that and is thus better served getting everyday AB’s til an opportunity, be it via injury or trade, presents itself.
If Russo doesn’t make the team, I really hope they do not play him that much at 3b in AAA.
Russo can already play 3b ok. He also plays a decent 2b.
They need to get him more time at positions he’s week at.
I’d like to see him play more in the LF and SS in the minors – LF in particular.
If Gardner struggles to hit and Winn doesn’t bounce back from his bad season last year the Yanks are going to struggle in LF. Russo can hit. I have more confidence in him hitting major league pitching than I do in Collin Curtis. I’d like to see them give Russo reps in LF in the minors should they have a problem in the OF this year either due to injury or ineffectiveness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQjt0Xzb5F8
Wanna LYAO – found this posted on Daily Sports Pages – a video of Fernando Perez, Tampa OF prospect, on how big baseball salaries affect players like him.
Hilarious.
Frank, I agree. I think Pena’s future is as a utility infielder and they would rather Russo play every day than sit.
I like the Russo getting reps in LF thought (CB with a good idea, shocker). He can hit.
For some reason, I’m not being allowed to post on this site when I use my main computer (I am on my laptop right now). Has anyone ever had that problem?
CB, agreed. I don’t know enough about his bat to determine if he’s an every day LF (if he can play the position adequately), but we might as well try every avenue should LF as constituted not work out.
Noreaster-
The pleasure is all mine.
Fernando Perez, incidentally, can really write. He’s a poet, with a degree in American Studies and Creative Writing from Columbia.
MTU
beautiful pix (and cute dog)
have you been to Zion/Bryce? that is our spring break destination this year.
Fernando Perez – my new favorite non-Yankee
.
“I’d like to see him play more in the LF and SS in the minors – LF in particular.”
Agreed, CB. Not sure of precisely how it could work, but if he makes himself a satisfactory outfielder, I wonder whether he could slide into Swisher’s spot as an everyday player when his contract is up after 2011?
AAA guess from the previous post…
Lineup
======
Russo 3B (SS/2B/LF)
Golson CF (LF)
Miranda 1B (DH/LF)
Montero C (DH)
Vazquez DH (3B/1B/LF)
Winfree RF
Curtis LF
Corona 2B
Nunez SS
Bench
=====
Rivera C
Gorecki OF
Weber OF
Laird 3B, inf, LF, RF
Rotation
========
McAllister
Hirsh
Nova
Sanchez
Moseley
Bullpen
=======
Melancon
Ring
Duff
Albaladejo
Whelan
Logan
Sanit
Bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes
March 16th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Fernando Perez, incidentally, can really write. He’s a poet, with a degree in American Studies and Creative Writing from Columbia.
*********************
Wow, I had no idea. Good for him!
Forgive me if this was mentioned last night but Mitch Williams gave me the 1001st reason why he doesn’t know what the hell he’s talking about half the time on MLB Network.
He said that a Pujols for Howard deal straight up would make both the Cards and Phils BETTER.
Now I see how this trade would make the Phils better but how exactly does this make the Cards better? Because Howard is left handed?
Um, no.That’s asinine.
Howard isn’t even in Mark Teixeira territory but he’s right up there with Pujols?
I know Williams is a Phils koolaid drinker but no 10 yr old in his right mind would ever trade the best player in the game (and already one of the best ever) for Ryan Howard.
Mitch Williams always makes me scratch my head and wonder why he’s on such a panel.
And, of course, this deal will never happen and I know it’s already a tired issue.
Erin,
Watch the video I posted. It is pricelessly funny.
Bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes
March 16th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Erin,
Watch the video I posted. It is pricelessly funny.
***********************
Bodhi, I will when I get home-I’m at work and can’t get access to You Tube.
Mitch is their version of Kruk without all the smugness. I think he’s mainly there for comic relief.
The only way the Cards would ever consider that deal is if they absolutely decide they cannot afford Pujols. I can’t see them not giving him what he wants though.
Frank,
I don’t know if Russo has the arm to play RF.
He might not even be able to play the OF on an everyday basis. But the club should find out.
In general it is easier to play LF than 2b or 3b. And Russo has played some in the corner OF spots in the minors already.
I just think the guy can hit. He might not be able to hit with enough power to play in the OF – that’s a real issue. But he seems to be a guy who can get the bat on the ball – and on top of that he’s a patient hitter as well.
Given the lack of viable OF prospects the yankees have, especially in the upper minors, and the uncertainty in the big league club in LF – I’d like to see what Russo can do in the OF over an extended period of time.
He might not be an OF – but they should throw him out there in AAA and find out.
Upstate-
“have you been to Zion/Bryce? that is our spring break destination this year.”
It’s my backyard. Have you ever been ?
A number of the pics were Bryce and Zion.
Thanks for the compliment on the Dog. he’s a lover. So’s the other one. Their hike record currently stands at 8 miles.
Erin,
LOL. Easy for me to say – I work from home!
.
Giuseppe Franco
March 16th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Perhaps if the Cards could free up some money having Pujols leave & Howard come maybe. But that does sound stupid to me too. Kind of like the RSox getting someone from SD for zip + Lars!
Mitch is an unabashed Phillies homer, and he admits it. He usually never tries to be impartial. Almost all of his opinions on things are colored by:
- him being a closer for the phillies
- being a reliever
- being a power pitcher
Thats what he is.
But he is still really good at what MLB network is trying to do. He is a real nice on air personality, and does good work on their diamond demo series explaining why power pitchers like to do things certain ways.
Not a bad one in the MLB network group other than Peter Gammons.
RE: Kevin Russo
The Yankees arent going to trade him because he missed out on the team this year, having guys like Kevin Russo is necessary in case of injury.
Its only when the only choices are make the team or be released that a guy is traded just to be traded. ANd mitre will bring in much more than a non-prospect. He misses a league average amount of bats 5.5 k/9 and a career high of 6.8 K/9. He has the stuff to miss bats, but was injured for much of his current MLB career.
By potential he is a valuable asset. A cheap pitcher with dominant groundball tendancies who has swing and miss stuff. His problem has always been leaving pitches up in the zone, if its down he is very hard to hit.
CB:
That’s where I was at a loss as to how it could work. Russo may one be the guy the Yankees can slide into the #7/#8 spot in the lineup when it’s Swisher’s time to go, but not necessarily in Swisher’s postion in field.
Jerkface:
Totally disagree on Mitre. He’s been brutal both healthy and hurt as a major league pitcher. Nothing remotely league average about his career. He’s been considerably below average and teams just don’t give away prospects for that.
“Mitch Williams always makes me scratch my head and wonder why he’s on such a panel.”
We all need clowns.
Don’t we?
Sometimes he’s funny. Lidge did something bad late last season…maybe it was in the postseason. Anyway they’re all talking about it and when it becomes Williams’ turn he just deadpans “Now I know why they hate me in Philly so much”
I wouldn’t count out Jeter being the RFer in 2-3 years. I hope he’s still playing SS well at that time but there’s really no way to predict that and I think RF would be perfect for his post SS years.
Amazing to me how Colin Curtis gets short sticked b/c Randy Winn is on this team.
Knicks,
At least Randy WInn can make a straight path to a flyball and catch it without doing an ancient ceremonial dance.
Can’t believe Miranda isn’t on this list.He might not have great numbers so far but he’s hitting the ball very very hard and just had some bad luck.
Why couldn’t Miranda be that LH bat of the bench?
“Amazing to me how Colin Curtis gets short sticked b/c Randy Winn is on this team.”
Let’s see him once be a standout in the minors before lamenting him losing a spot to a decade-long major league player. A career .264 hitter in the minors, barely scratching out a .700 OPS doesn’t have any legit gripe. IF he takes his AFL season to SWB this year, THEN he’ll making a case for himself.
Frank:
Mitre was doing very well the first half of the season in FLA in his first FULL season as a starter before injuring himself and needing tommy john.
He is also young.
he’ll BE making a case…
Roger,
The guy’s a disconcerting combination of a spare part and a dangerous lefty bat.
I want him off the bench, too. You can never have too many lefty power guys for our park.
Kate-
I do not know if you saw my post to you above.
I would be glad to answer any questions you might have regarding your upcoming trip.
Please feel free to contact me at cybermrb03@gmail.com
Jerkface:
Mitre’s 30 in 9 months. I can’t disagree enough. IMO, he quite simply sucks. Even when he’s kept the ball down, which he’s done at twice the major league average over his career (GB/FB and GO/AO ratios), he’s gotten hammered.
Guess we’ll agree to disagree on this one.
Brandon,
Randy Winn is the 4th outfielder on this team. 4th. For a 4th outfielder he is a good risk to bet on.
He can play all 3 outfield positions and play them fairly well to well. He’s a switch hitter. Yes he had a brutal season last year but he’s only 35 and it’s too early to conclude that he’s fallen off a cliff and is useless as a player.
It’s not Randy Winn’s fault that the yanks could be weak in LF this year. If Winn winds up playing a lot – that’s not by design – that’s by desperation.
It would be a terrible idea to make Collin Curtis a 4th OF in the bigs. He would benefit greatly from more at bats in AAA. He is exactly the kind of guy who has to play every day – if his recent AFL/ AAA play are indicative of real improvement and not chance over a small sample, then he absolutely needs more time in AAA to consolidate those gains.
On top of that he is a lefty handed batter and you can’t count at all that he’s going to hit LH pitching in the bigs. As such, he’s a particularly problematic choice to be a 4th OF at this time in his career.
Curtis will be much better off playing everday in AAA – if Gardner bombs then Curtis will likely get his chance.
But Randy Winn is a perfectly fine 4th OF.
Frank – I meant baseball young, he has only had 1 season with more than 100 IP and he was 26 when he got hit with TJ.
Don’t say something like he is going to be 30, that is misleading. 2009 was his age 28 season, and this is his age 29 season, and he has only made more than 10 starts in 1 season. Where he pitched to a 4.65 ERA.
He has 1.55 GB/FB ration, but a 2.5 GO/AO ratio. What does that tell us? He gets hit when his ball is up, and gets out when its on the ground.
He had a 2.75 ERA the first half of 2007. And has shown exceptional ability in the minors. He has stuff and potential. And he is cheap.
Worth more than you think. I am not saying he is world beater, but he he is worth far more than you think he is.
MTU
just saw it, I had to do some actual work
I will email you shortly.
thanks
Jerkface
March 16th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Mitre is young @ 28, while Gaudin is younger @ 26. I like the idea of keeping both of them, but I don’t know how that happens short of an injury somewhere.
I also still like Hoffmann, but it isn’t looking real good right now for him.
“Worth more than you think. I am not saying he is world beater, but he he is worth far more than you think he is.”
I’d imagine we’ll find out in a couple weeks what teams think of him. Hard to envision him being on the 25 man roster and the minors, as I understand it, are not an option.
CB, You clearly explain the Yanks outfield situation, and I too agree that as the progresses the club will benefit greatly with Randy Winn ….In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised with his role expanding ( and the cost of Gardner ) come May / June…..Russo has been impressive with his plate approach and how he handles the bat….It’s a question of adding him as an offensive upgrade over Pena, or go with the defensive upgrade with Pena……..Has GB checked in at all ?????
Actually Mitre is 29 & Gaudin will be 27 the 24th.
New Post: Gardner gets the start in center
New post. Who guessed Gardner on center and Granderson in left?
This could be some of Mitre’s “best work”
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_OOCf....._olsen.jpg
Chad,
So based on your AAA roster and who is left, what happens to the Gaudin/Mitre and Thames/Winn loser?