Notes from Thursday
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 25, 2010 
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Marcus Thames went 0-for-4 today and his spring average is down to .094, which is the lowest in camp. Across the board, his numbers are worse than returned Rule 5 pick Jamie Hoffmann.
Of course, Thames has something going for him that Hoffmann did not: A track record. He’s proven to have legitimate major league power, especially against lefties, but it hasn’t shown this spring.
“The one thing that we talk about Marcus is playing against a lot of left-handers possibly,” Joe Girardi said. “He hasn’t seen a lot of left-handers this spring.”
The Yankees are schedule to face lefty Jamie Moyer tomorrow, and Girardi said Thames will be in the lineup. They’re supposed to face lefty Nate Robertson on Saturday.
“He was brought in to complete for the spot, and right now he’s the last man standing, so to speak,” Brian Cashman said. “But that doesn’t mean he’s not still needing to compete for that because I don’t know what’s going to become available between now and the end of camp.”
• That’s obviously not Thames in the AP picture above. Derek Jeter was one of just three Yankees to get a hit today. Ramiro Pena also had one and Randy Winn was 3-for-3, bringing his spring average up to .259.
• Phil Hughes on winning the fifth-starter job: “It was what I set out in the spring to do. I grew up a starter in high school, minor leagues, even my first couple partial seasons in the big leagues. It was something that I really wanted and I feel like I’m ready for the challenge and ready for the season that lies ahead. I’m just looking to go out and put together as many quality starts as I can and give our guys a chance to win everyday. That’s really all I can asked from myself.”
• Girardi said he sees Sergio Mitre as a long man out of the bullpen, but he seems honestly open to putting whoever is pitching well into key late-inning roles. “When you’re pitching well, you’re going to pitch,” he said. “That’s the bottom line. You don’t know exactly what happens to a guy when he turns into a one-inning guy. We saw Hughesy’s velocity jump three, four, five miles per hour at times. It changed him.”
• Because Cashman said today that the Yankees might not be able to carry two situational lefties, Girardi was asked if Boone Logan is strictly a situational lefty. “He has that changeup that can neutralize right-handed hitters somewhat,” Girardi said. “And he has pretty good sink on his fastball. He’s a guy that you want to see down the stretch here and see how he does.”
• Girardi said “I’m not sure” when asked if Alex Rodriguez will be available to play Saturday.
• Another night game tomorrow. Yankees vs. Phillies in Tampa at 7:05.
• Hughes is starting tomorrow, A.J. Burnett on Saturday and Andy Pettitte on Sunday. Monday is listed as TBA. It should be Javier Vazquez.
Chad, I really appreciate this blog and the work you do. You truly are the man.
“He was brought in to complete for the spot, and right now he’s the last man standing, so to speak,” Brian Cashman said. “But that doesn’t mean he’s not still needing to compete for that because I don’t know what’s going to become available between now and the end of camp.”
I find the last part of this quote interesting.
“I don’t know what going to become available …. ”
Glad Cash is still waiting and watching.
Stealth mode activated.
Chad, thanks!
You could tell Phil wanted this so badly; I’m glad he’s got his chance now. I guess he’ll only pitch a couple of innings tomorrow – the pressure is on, lol. NYYFans is blowing up – I love it, lol. Seriously, Phil has a good head on his shoulders – that will serve him in good stead.
Poor Thames – I have faith in him, though. A bad spring doesn’t necessarily portend a bad season.
trisha – OPPC member who sees, hears, and knows all. 28 is on its way!!!!!
March 25th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Erica, I’m definitely set for S and G. They are doing both the Mohegan Sun and Trump Taj Mahal, both in May.
*****************
S&G in Atlantic City!?!?!?!
Must look into this when i get home.
Cause I need more reasons to want to go to AC
Is anyone but me surprised that GGBG hasn’t practiced bunting for hits more often this ST ?
IMO, he should have been bunting for practice a minimum of once per game.
Strange that he didn’t take advantage of the opportunity.
Pat M, I’m a Long Island girl. Nope, no big hair anymore (the 80′s are out, lol) fortunately… I wear spectacles (sheesh, I can’t even say the normal word) and take pride in being a bookworm!
Okay, I could sit here and quote classic rock lyrics all night, but I really need to leave work now
Bye all!
If u have any pull w. Girardi would u please ask him to send Gardner to sarasota game on mon. night!! lol a fav. of my son! Tex and Jeter too
I actually think Gardner has been bunting in games quite a bit.
Bye Erica!
I’m off for a break ; be back later!
Gardner has tried a bunt in every game I’ve seen him play in ( I haven’t seen them all but I’ve seen a few)
Chad-
Really ?
Maybe I missed it. Would you say he bunts at least once a game ?
This has been a sweet night on lohud. No more discussion about 5th starter – well no more in a real heavy sense.
Thanks to my awesome friends for sharing!
I think I will do a little cyberresearch on the CSN and S and G concerts. Have a great night all.
GO YANKEES!!!
Blake-
Have you seen GGBG try any drag bunts, and if so was he successful ?
I think he’s been trying to do so, MTU. Think he needs to keep trying because from what I’ve seen, he’s not good at it. Struggles to direct the ball and struggles to get it more than 10 feet from the plate.
what happened to that weber kid. is he back in the minors
YET. That should read “he’s not good at it yet”
Wow! Cuse is toast.
“Have you seen GGBG try any drag bunts, and if so was he successful ?”
I’ve seen him push bunt more. He had a nice push for a hit the other day and then got picked off afterward. I think he’s attempted a few drags but I can’t recall a successful one that I’ve seen.
Frank-
IMO it is imperative that GGBG become a guy who can bunt for hits.
He needs to impersonate Mickey Rivers as much as possible.
Butler takes out the Orangeman….Somewhere Rebecca is shedding a tear or two…..Me, I’m posting a W & $$$’s….
MTU;
You’re probably right and he’s probably trying. He’s not there though. Not yet.
Gardner has been getting a few bunts down the third base line fairly well, but as a lefty with that kind of speed, he needs to learn to drag bunts down the first base line. He could outrun 80-85% of them and they would have to be perfect. It’s especially effective against left handers because they all fall off to the third base side.
MTU (aka GBURL)
March 25th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Chad-
Really ?
Maybe I missed it. Would you say he bunts at least once a game ?
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I’ve never seen him try to drag a bunt…minors or majors. If he does, he’s got two quick steps on the fielder before they could even react.
franky b
March 25th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
what happened to that weber kid. is he back in the minors
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“That Weber kid” is about 32 years old and never a day in the minors.
GB-
Thanks for supporting my POV.
I think GGBG’s success is going to be tied to “bat control”.
He isn’t going to overwhelm anyone with his power.
Needs to slash the ball.
Bunt the ball.
Pound the ball.
Etc.
And then use his speed.
MTU (aka GBURL)
March 25th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Chad-
Really ?
Maybe I missed it. Would you say he bunts at least once a game ?
————————————————————
No, but, he needs to. About 1 every 3 games right now. every time he leads off an inning, he should be bunting to get on base and then running on 1 of the first 2 pitches.
MTU, you’re correct. His whole game should be tied to his speed…like Willie Wilson with the Brett led royals or Chone Figgins. He has one major talent…speed.
GB-
Roger that.
“MTU, you’re correct. His whole game should be tied to his speed…like Willie Wilson with the Brett led royals or Chone Figgins. He has one major talent…speed.”
he’s also gritty and gutty.
GB-
What’s your take on Joba’s chances of ever getting out of the BP again ?
Blake, can he hit enough to stay in the bigs ??? Or rather to be an everyday ballplayer ??? This will be the make it or break it for the gritty one !!!!!
Pat M-
I hope you don’t mind me taking that one you posed to Blake ?
My answer would be Yes if his maximizes his major weapon.
Speed.
Thru the use of improved bat control.
“Blake, can he hit enough to stay in the bigs ??? Or rather to be an everyday ballplayer ??? This will be the make it or break it for the gritty one ”
I really don’t know, thats the $64,000 question, but I agree that this is probably a make or break year for him, at least if he wants to be a regular with the Yankees. How much do you think he would have to progress offensively this year before they began to view him as a possible longterm option in the outfield? I think at the moment they see him as a stopgap until next offseason.
“He was brought in to complete for the spot, and right now he’s the last man standing, so to speak,” Brian Cashman said. “But that doesn’t mean he’s not still needing to compete for that because I don’t know what’s going to become available between now and the end of camp.”
I hope that’s not an empty threat.
MTU, This was spoken in great length last spring when we debated the merits of Gardner and Melky…..Myself & GB mentioned in great earnest the need for him to become a good bunter as it could transform him into a .300 type hitter….He has improved somewhat, however there are times when he just looks overwhelmed and hopeless in the box….Besides, now apparently once he gets on base he has issues reading a pitchers moves….How did he matriculate through the Yankee farm system with such poor basic skills…..Yankee Stadium is not the greatest place for on the job training…..
I agree that Gardner needs to learn to use his speed more and needs to master the art of bunting but at some point you still have to swing the bat. You can’t steal first base and you can’t bunt every time.
I think if he just focuses on hitting line drives and ground balls ( really level out his swing) then he would beat out a ton of infield hits and force a lot of errors. They should do the Willie Mays Hays drill with him, 10 push ups for every fly ball he hits. We’ll just have to wait and see how he does I suppose.
Pardon if this was linked to in an earlier thread, but Christian Garcia get some serious love off his start today against the Phillies AA squad (including Werth) and the prize prospect from the Cliff Lee trade…
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/0.....urler-ste/
“Besides, now apparently once he gets on base he has issues reading a pitchers moves”
Totally agree. I really haven’t been able to figure out if he just doesn’t have the best instincts on the bases or if he is just inexperienced. He does make a lot of baserunning mistakes, and thats something a guy like him just can’t do…that should be his bread and butter.
We still need a LF IMO. Not a big Gardner fan. I thought during the post season he was overmatched. He will be an average LF at best with a little better arm than JD.
He will kill many rallies with his little flairs to LF with 2 outs when bunting is not an option.
I’m surprised that we didn’t try to make a late trade during the spring. Thames looks terrible and at this point I’m hoping that Winn takes the spot away.
“I agree that Gardner needs to learn to use his speed more and needs to master the art of bunting but at some point you still have to swing the bat.”
Who was the last good player that had a skill set similar to Gardner?
And I mean someone who is actually good and not a guy like Juan Pierre who doesn’t get on base enough to use his speed.
The last guy I can think of is Brett Butler.
And there have been a lot of fast guys to play the game between Butler and Gardner.
If the last player with similar skill sets to excel was 20 years ago – that’s not real positive.
Ellsbury right now is going through a lot of the same difficulties that will be confronting Gardner.
Pat M.-
“Yankee Stadium is not the greatest place for on the job training…..”
Truer words were never spoken.
I always thought the Yanks should have offered Rickey a nice little check to come in and work with Gardner.
Of course Rickey would probably end up taking poor Brett for all he’s got at poker but he might slip in a few basestealing pointers in at some point.
CB, Brett Butler would be real nice…I remember seeing him back in his early days with Cleveland, man was he good ….I always thought and GB really was pushing this, that with Mickey Rivers in camp, why not patter Brett’s game to Mickey’s…Rivers was very good in playing to his strenghts once he came to the Yanks and Billy Martin changed his game somewhat…..When he was with the Angels he had very little command in the box, that cahnged with Martin…..
Yea Butler is kinda who a lot of people look to as the ceiling for Gardner but as you said there have been a lot of guys since then they haven’t gotten there. Ellsbury is similar but to me he swings the bat a lot better and has much more power potential than Gardner does.
I’d guess the Yankees will give Gardner some time to show what he can do early on and if he impresses then great but if not then Winn may take over until they can pursue a permanent replacement this winter.
Luis Castillo’s career OBP (.369) is higher than his career SLG% (.354).
How rare is that?
Bronx Jeers, just caught up to your post. I drive by the Gold Mirror all the time (it’s in the Sunset District, I wouldn’t really call that area Ocean Beach) — there are pretty much two routes I take when I go to the Sunset, the Richmond, or over the Golden Gate Bridge. Last night, I took the route that takes me down Taraval and right past the Gold Mirror; tonight I went the other way.
Anyway, I see that place all the time, so it would be very easy… I was hoping you were thinking of something more challenging, like a secret back alley in Chinatown or North Beach. but the Gold Mirror is fine if you can’t get there yourself.
As for a potential meal/beer, sounds good pending availability, I’ll post the link to my flickr page and you can contact me through that if you’re going to be in SF. You know the Yanks are coming to Oakland in April, right? But 3 midweek games.
GB7-
I never had any clue what the words to that song were before
I could see Garner being like Willie McGee.
“Pardon if this was linked to in an earlier thread, but Christian Garcia get some serious love off his start today against the Phillies AA squad (including Werth) and the prize prospect from the Cliff Lee trade…”
Certainly encouraging stuff. I haven’t seen Garcia pitch very much, hopefully I will soon.
“Ellsbury is similar but to me he swings the bat a lot better and has much more power potential than Gardner does. ”
The second half of last year – Ellsbury’s batting average went up compared to what it was in the first half yet his on base percentage actually went down compared to his first half.
Ellsbury simply stopped drawing walks. I think that’ll be an interesting thing to follow this year.
Do you think Rickey could teach what he knew how to do? I wonder about that. Some things can’t be taught. But some things can, and maybe he could give enough advice to help a little.
I feel about having to lose Chad Gaudin. I wonder if they gave Gaudin the choice of going to AAA or going on the FA market. It sure would have been nice if he could have been insurance, even if it was expensive insurance.
Congrats to Hughes for getting named the #5 starter. And good luck to Mitre and Chamberlain, in whatever roles they end up with.
Who is S and G?
Make AJ Garcia’s mentor on how to stay healthy.
He should pass on what Doc Halladay taught him about it.:)
Doreen-
Simon and Garfunkel.
CB
March 25th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
“I agree that Gardner needs to learn to use his speed more and needs to master the art of bunting but at some point you still have to swing the bat.”
Who was the last good player that had a skill set similar to Gardner?
And I mean someone who is actually good and not a guy like Juan Pierre who doesn’t get on base enough to use his speed.
The last guy I can think of is Brett Butler.
————————————————————
Brett Butler is a good model as is Willie wilson, though wilson was a switch hitter.
Ah Willie McGee, who did we get for him ???? Bob Stykes ???? GB will know….
MTU(aka GBURL)
March 25th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
GB-
What’s your take on Joba’s chances of ever getting out of the BP again ?
————————————————————
If Chamberlain raises his pitching IQ, and he can if he listens and with Rivera’s instruction, Chamberlain should be back in the rotation next year….unless Rivera convinces him that his true path to glory is Mo’s replacement.
Pat M
Yup, Sykes.
Pat M.
March 25th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Ah Willie McGee, who did we get for him ???? Bob Stykes ???? GB will know….
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Yep. straight up for Bob “Yikes” Sykes.
I’d suggest bringing in Matty Alou who could then rebuild Gardner in his image.
m, are you around?
Michael Bourn (2009 version) is similar to what Gardner could end up being.
Rich in NJ
March 25th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I could see Garner being like Willie McGee.
————————————————————
McGee had some power and could actually rip the ball.
I have only seen 2 or 3 ST games, but I have yet to see Gardner bunt.
I will say he appears slightly more aggresive and appears to me that he is trying to slap the ball through the left side. I was lucky enough to see Tony Gwynn bat a lot in his day, I think Gardner should watch tapes of Gwynn. If my memory is accurate Gwynn was also an unbelievable 2 strike hitter.
I’m not sure I buy bourn 2009 being the true bourn identity.
Doreen – 2010 GTLU
March 25th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Do you think Rickey could teach what he knew how to do? I wonder about that. Some things can’t be taught. But some things can, and maybe he could give enough advice to help a little.
I feel about having to lose Chad Gaudin. I wonder if they gave Gaudin the choice of going to AAA or going on the FA market. It sure would have been nice if he could have been insurance, even if it was expensive insurance.
Congrats to Hughes for getting named the #5 starter. And good luck to Mitre and Chamberlain, in whatever roles they end up with.
Who is S and G?
————————————————————
They’re the Farkel Twins, Simon and Gar.
GB-
“If Chamberlain raises his pitching IQ, and he can if he listens and with Rivera’s instruction, Chamberlain should be back in the rotation next year….unless Rivera convinces him that his true path to glory is Mo’s replacement.”
That’s an interesting take.
One can never underestimate the influence his Mo-ness has.
I guess I just wanted your take on the possibility of a potential return.
There are a number of unknown variables at this point in time.
Not the least of which is which pitchers will return, i.e. AP and JV, and what the Yankees needs will be.
CB
March 25th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I’m not sure I buy bourn 2009 being the true bourn identity.
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LMAO. Well played, CB
One last post for the night.
“I’m not sure I buy bourn 2009 being the true bourn identity.”
True enough considering how godawful he was in 2008. But he played to his ceiling (I guess) in 2009 and I think Gardner has a similar high-end.
CB-
Maybe that was just the Bourne Supremacy ?
Ah, Paul & Artie. Thanks, guys.
Bourne is more of a Doug Glanville type player. Let’s see if Bourne lasts five year like Glanville did.
Hey I’m not saying Bourn is going to be the same player he was in 2009, just pointing out that his numbers were very similar to what many expect Gardner to be. .285 average, .354 OBP, 61 steals, and stellar defense. Oh and no power plus lots of K’s.
Maybe in 2009 he finally found his Identity.
Doreen – 2010 GTLU
March 25th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Ah, Paul & Artie. Thanks, guys.
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Simon always said that Garfunkel was the true musician of the two. He did write some great songs, but, never hit as a solo like Simon did.
I think I might pay money to see S&G perform even at their advanced ages. They still sound pretty good.
Several years ago, we went to see CSN at the Garden State Arts Center. Wish we didn’t, and I’ll leave it there.
The Yankees will soon be convinced that Thames is washed-up. As it turns out, they would have been better off keeping Shelly Duncan, who is a cheaper, younger player with similar abilities.
I hope Cashmans threat was aimed at the Yanks taking a chance and signing Elijah Dukes.The Yankees have built in mentors in Jeter, CC, and Granderson plus the guys still young and has a ton of potential to be a monster.
Even though he isn’t as good as his “potential” dictates, he’s still a better hitter, defender, and faster than Thames and Randy Winn, plus he gives the Yanks a bonified RH power bat. The Yanks have very little organizational depth at OF and bottom line is this in the Yankees so really whats a couple hundred thousand dollar risk on a guy who could become quite the reward given the right situation which I think the Yankees offer.