Spring Training Game 27: Yankees vs. Twins
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Gameday Thread on Mar 31, 2010 
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YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Marcus Thames DH
Jorge Posada C
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Nick Swisher RF
Curtis Granderson CF
Brett Gardner LF
Ramiro Pena 2B
Juan Miranda 1B
RHP Phil Hughes
TWINS
Denard Span CF
Orlando Hudson 2B
J.J. Hardy SS
Jason Kubel DH
Delmon Young LF
Brendan Harris 3B
Brock Peterson 1B
Juan Portes RF
Drew Butera C
LHP Brian Duensing
TIME/TV: 1:05 p.m./YES Network
WEATHER: A few light clouds in the distance, but otherwise another bright and sunny day here in Tampa. Spring training started with some chilly days, but these last few weeks have been outstanding.
UMPIRES: HP Vic Carapazza, 1B Eric Cooper, 2B Andy Fletcher, 3B Damien Beal
ON THE LINE: In terms of roster decisions, the most interesting thing to watch in Yankees camp might be Marcus Thames at-bats against lefties. He’ll face another left-hander today, and he’s looked pretty good against them lately… Also worth watching left-handed reliever Boone Logan and Royce Ring. The Yankees are still determining whether they have room for one of them in the bullpen.
UPDATE, 1:15 p.m.: Denard Span just lined a ball into the stands and hit a woman who’s wearing a Span jersey. Turns out, it was a member of Span’s family, possibly his mother. Jorge Posada immediately ran over there, then Span ran into the stands to check on her. She seems to be OK, but that was pretty crazy.
UPDATE, 1:31 p.m.: That was in fact Span’s mother. She was hit in the chest, but did not go to the hospital. She’s back in the stands, just not as close to the field as before.
UPDATE, 2:15 p.m.: Since that two-out, two-run stretch in the first inning, Phil Hughes has retired 10 of the past 11 Twins. He’s struck out five through four innings. I really think he can be a very good pitcher in the major leagues, and I think we’ll see it happen this year.
UPDATE, 2:20 p.m.: That’s spring home run No. 2 for Alex Rodriguez. He’s now tied with Robinson Cano for the team lead in RBI with 9. Nick Swisher has eight and Nick Johnson has seven.
UPDATE, 2:29 p.m.: He didn’t get the out, but Ramiro Pena just made a nice relay throw to third to very nearly get Orlando Hudson. The guy can play some defense, no doubt.
UPDATE, 2:35 p.m.: After Hughes was chased from the game, Boone Logan struck out Jason Kubel to strand a runner at second and keep the Twins lead at 3-1 in the fifth. I’ve done a complete 360 on Logan. I came to camp expecting him to make the team, then I thought he’d be crowded out by fifth-starter candidates, and now I think they’ll find a way to at least carry him until they need a fifth starter.
UPDATE, 3:01 p.m.: Joba Chamberlain is in to pitch for the Yankees. Brandon Laird is in the game at third and Jose Pirela is in at shortstop.
UPDATE, 3:15 p.m.: More unusual to see a switch-pitcher or a 5-foot-3 second baseman?
UPDATE, 3:24 p.m.: Apparently ESPN just listed Clay Condrey as a Yankees reliever. Condrey is with the Twins after establishing himself with the Phillies. Don’t worry, he’s not going to beat out Mo.
UPDATE, 3:25 p.m.: Nice game for Juan Miranda, who just homered to pull the Yankees within 4-2.
hopefully hughes does well.
and joba, interested in seeing what he has ” stuff “
no Marty Foster. Is he okay?
Nick in SF
March 31st, 2010 at 12:46 pm
And I agree that 1977 is where the divergence starts, but events BEFORE 1977 would also be affected because the Losties influenced events on the island before 1977.
********************************
Without ever seeing an episode of LOST. I translate this as follows:
The 1977 release of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours affected the LOST universe
Its on ESPN
Preemptive Strike:
Since people will inevitably be comparing PH and JC after today’s performances let me say the following:
They are both young, talented, Yankee pitchers, and I am rooting for both of them. BOTH of them. to do well.
Today we finally find out if this Hughes character is any good considering he is facing the best lineup in baseball.
I say Chamberlain hits 95 today. Anyone want a piece of that action?
BloggingBombers Biggest question: Who’s the slowest? RT @MLBastian Jose Molina was asked which of the 3 brothers is the best catcher. “I’m the best looking”
1 minute ago via web
If you haven’t seen L
ST, you shouldn’t be nosing around in between the asterisks.
“What the heck are you talking about? I was calling out Girardi for not just naming Granderson the starting CF than playing all these games”
——————————————-
bad scooter: never mind. Apparently the thought process is too deep for you
The media and fans will put Phil under a microscope this whole season and they will expect him to pitch like a seasoned vet instead of a kid. However, the Yanks committed to Phil as the starter and a starter he shall be. Whatever Joba does in the pen has no bearing on anything.
The most important thing to watch from Hughes today is his fastball command.
His off speed stuff has been very good all spring. His fastball command has been ok but not great.
Hopefully he’ll continue building up his arm and getting back that command. It’ll come with more work.
Damn..hope he or she is okay, and I hope it’s not a kid..
Somebod is seriously hurt. Hopefully that lady is a doctor.
i kind of hope that logan/ring make joba’s service in the bullpen unnecessary
Did Span hit his mother?
Jeez. Looks like a family member.
Nick in SF
March 31st, 2010 at 1:04 pm
If you haven’t seen L ST, you shouldn’t be nosing around in between the asterisks.
*******************
Wow- that’s rude!!
Actually the next time I am looking for a TV project and I decide to get a Netflix account, I am going to start watching LOST
wow, really? it was Span’s Aunt/Mother?
That was his mother.
What happened???????????
Even if Ring and Logan go down to AAA to start the season, I’m sure there will be times when either one or both are called up. Opening day roster is just what it’s called .. the roster on opening day.
If Hughes goes to Scranton to get a couple starts in until the big team needs a 5th starter, it’s not to say Phil didn’t make the team. This might even allow the one extra lefty to start the season.
We’ll all see who does well, who gets hurt and how the opposing teams match up against different kinds of pitchers at different times during the season. Guys will get call ups and guys will get sent down. Some will even be on a shuttle. Part of managing is managing the roster and that includes the 40-man roster through the whole season.
That was well placed for strike 3, but Span’s head must’ve been somewhere else. The person walked off out of the stands, so hopefully not too serious.
Whew, that’s good news. Was she hit by a foul ball?
Span hit his mother?
What are the chances?
Good fastball command and throwing a free and easy 92-93.
Nice start for Phil.
Hughes living on the outside. 2 K’s then a single up the middle on his curve.
So is this a ESPN 93mph rad gun where he is sitting at 90-91? Or is this a true read?? Just curious. Let’s not start the velocity debate today.
Hughes hitting 93 on the gun
CB, is FB command usually the last thing to come? I suppose it depends on the pitcher, though.
PeteAbe Two roster moves for the #Redox: Boof Bonser and Jed Lowrie to the DL retroactive to March 26.
___
Remember when Jed Lowrie was one of their top prospects?
hughes throws harder than joba
“TWINS
Drew Butera C”
ha went to college w/ him, remember him getting drafted w/ the Mets organization, glad to see him playing w/ the Twins today, good guy
“The media and fans will put Phil under a microscope this whole season and they will expect him to pitch like a seasoned vet instead of a kid.”
Betsy, last week you argued that if Hughes spent this year in the pen, next season he wouldn’t be a kid.
No offense, but you can’t have it both ways.
Great, there goes the perfect game, lol.
Amazing how Phil looks so much more complete than 2 years ago when it was strictly fastball curve. I could easily see him having as good stats as Andy this year.
I was hoping to see Mauer, Morneau and Cuddyer in the line-up to better guage Hughes effectiveness today.
Erica: awwwwww, sorry, you know I didn’t mean it like that. And I am only looking out for your best interests in case you start watching.
So far so good on the fastball command for Hughes. He is locating the ball well.
People keep talking about Phil’s velocity last year – but what made his fastball so good was it’s location and life.
Hughes sitting 93-94 out of the pen had a better fastball than relievers throwing 96-98.
“Span hit his mother?
What are the chances?”
—————————————–
approx the same chance as Chuck Knobloch beaning Oberman’s mom
**** BEGIN LOST GEEK TALK ****
I don’t think the flash sideways stuff is relevant to the Alpert episode from last week. The backstory they showed for him was his original timeline backstory — not sideways reality. Last week was a break from the sideways narrative device.
And I agree that 1977 is where the divergence starts, but events BEFORE 1977 would also be affected because the Losties influenced events on the island before 1977.
—
I guess you’re right about Alpert and the flash sideways. I was stretching a bit to make my point.
I had completely forgotten that 1977 wasn’t the only time travel the Losties had done.
**** END GEEK LOST TALK **** (for now)
94 on ESPN right by Young, 92 on YES.
sitting 89-92 topped out at 93 mph in inning #1 so far for Hughes.
I hope Mrs. Span is ok, that was a hell of a foul ball she took off the face.
approx the same chance as Chuck Knobloch beaning Oberman’s mom
______
Classic Yankee moments from Chuck “Sax” Knoblauch.
It was a check-swing foul. Like a cue ball shot. Freaky.
94? I think the gun is slightly ESPN juiced by a couple MPH. But showing more strength again today. He looks good, just too much of the plate on the curves, need to bury them.
Four position players over the past decade have made their major league debut at the age of 20 (none debuted before 20):
Miguel Cabrera
BJ Upton
Justin Upton
and
Delmon Young.
Jason Heyword will be the 5th guy.
Stuckey, you know I worry about everything. I made that comment because I was worrying that by the time Phil got out of the pen and into the rotation, he would be further behind in terms of his development. I didn’t mean that 24 was old……..Are you saying (I don’t think you are) that it’s fair for Phil to have to pitch like a seasoned vet? He’s going to be the most scrutinized 5th starter because everyone will expect the Yankees to replace him with Joba if he struggles.
0-2 Curve taken up the middle for a single. It wasn’t really as bad as Tino said. It was outside and like knee high?
Its weird how hitters can just pound his curve
“94 on ESPN right by Young, 92 on YES.”
Jerk, you’re watching both?
Curveball has hurt him this inning.
Then again, if this was the regular season, he wouldn’t be throwing a 3-2 changeup to Kubel.
Another reason why you throw out ST results because pitchers throw pitches in certain counts they won’t throw in the regular season.
MLB.TV and an actual TV
Nick in SF
March 31st, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Erica: awwwwww, sorry, you know I didn’t mean it like that. And I am only looking out for your best interests in case you start watching.
***********************
Thanks Nick
You can resume being my favorite person in SF now
CB, that makes the debate about his velocity totally meaningless. Phil doesn’t need to throw 96 MPH to be effective. I still remember the Jays saying what good late life he had on his FB after his debut…. Alex made a point to say he throws “easy cheese” this spring (and Phil was not throwing harder than 91 or 92, if that).
He worked on cutting down the curve arc. Making them more tight. The one hit up the middle looped a bit, which is fine, but need to bury that low, too high and too slow if you were looking offspeed.
93 mph fastball line drive
Hughes stuff looks great, but the Twins are hitting it.
Doesn’t help that he has been in 3-ball counts to every guy I think since striking out Hudson.
“Its weird how hitters can just pound his curve”
There’s a strange disconnect with Hughes curve. Hitters shouldn’t be able to hit it the way they are given his fastball and the bite on his curve.
Maybe it’s location. But right there Young is not a good breaking ball hitter at all.
For him to hit that pitch down in the count is not a positive.
The fielders must think they are playing behind Joba now lol
CB,
I mentioned how Neyer picked the Braves for the NL East. Mentioned how Heyward would blah, blah, blah. Was asked by Stash who Heyward reminded him of. He said Andruw Jones, but said that Heyward is nowhere near the defender that Jones was even thought Heyward’s pretty good. I lol’d at that as Jones is a big tub of lard now.
Phil getting hit, but not looking terrible bad while doing it.
thinking mitre is going to get some long relief opps early this year.
Finally uses a cutter to get out of the inning.
Hughes stuff looks great, but the Twins are hitting it.
Doesn’t help that he has been in 3-ball counts to every guy I think since striking out Hudson.
___
If his stuff is great, they shouldnt be hitting it.
Phil needs to do better.
In my opinion, one of the problems in the past with Phil’s curve was the low velocity. Before 2009 he would sit in the low 90′s with his fastball and throw the curve in the low 70′s. That’s just too much difference in velocity, it’s a lot easier to recognize when the curve is coming with such a big gap. Last year the curveball avg velo went up to 77 which definitely helps things. But still, I think that could be why his curve is so hittable.
“Hughes sitting 93-94 out of the pen had a better fastball than relievers throwing 96-98.”
——————————–
Like Joba in the playoffs with his 96 MPH batting cage fastballs.
Like Hughes, I love Robertson’s fastball. It does not matter that it is only 90-91. It just seems like it explodes on the hitter.
It is interesting with Joba that much of the focus has been on his velocity. But with that velocity went his command and life on his fastball. One of the reasons I really agree with you that it is not about his role.
Scouting report says Heyward has plus range, but he plays a corner spot so probably not nearly as good range as Jones used to have.
Gardner and Nino batting infront of Miranda…has GI Joe lost it today?
Again, I would love to see Hughes continue to work with AJ on the curve. He has nice motion and as mentioned tried to make it tighter, more like AJs. It used to be like an offspeed pitch, but since he has added that into his pitch selection he has a few pitches he can now go to. His slider used to be decent in the minors, but there is always a fear of an arm injury there if you throw it too often.
“thinking mitre is going to get some long relief opps early this year.”
My thoughts exactly
And that is not exactly a comforting thought.
Which YES guy was fond of saying that Hughes should be proud of his fastball? Cone or Leiter?
He’s used it for a couple of young pitchers. It’s kind of funny. But, rightfully so, he needs to work on all his pitches.
“Was asked by Stash who Heyward reminded him of. He said Andruw Jones, but said that Heyward is nowhere near the defender that Jones was even thought Heyward’s pretty good. ”
Jason Heyward is nothing at all like Andru Jones. They aren’t even remotely similar players other than the fact that they both came up very young for the Braves.
That’s a terrible comparison.
Jones is a very impatient hitter who doesn’t have good strike zone command.
That’s arguably Heyward’s biggest strength.
I don’t see how those two guys are remotely alike. Heyward is much more similar to Justin Upton and even Miguel Cabrera.
“If his stuff is great, they shouldnt be hitting it.”
It’s a mixture of bad location / luck.
Before 2009 he would sit in the low 90’s with his fastball and throw the curve in the low 70’s. That’s just too much difference in velocity, it’s a lot easier to recognize when the curve is coming with such a big gap.
–
Some guys can make a slow curve work though. In Hughes’ no hit start his curve was 70-72 and hitters had no idea what was happening. Greinke has a pretty slow curve.
He needs to go with what works, but perhaps he should tighten it up a bit.
If he throws the way he did that inning, he has a chance to be the second best pitcher on the team this season.
I don’t care about the results.
I’m happy that Phil’s stuff isn’t as ugly as the line shows, however he won’t be making it late into games this way, no matter how nasty his stuff looks.
Phil the Thrill,
Do you always talk about yourself in the first person?
BloggingBombers Good news: Span’s mother, Wanda, was hit in the chest by the foul ball, but she’s OK and back in the stands watching the game.
CB,
Good point about Heyward’s plate discipline. One of the (very minor) sticking points with him is that he walked so much in the minors that some scouts doubted how good he actually was at hitting. Minor league pitchers pitched around him all the time (because he’s a monster) and he wouldn’t budge at all. He’s just an extremely talented hitter with a great approach at the plate.
CB
March 31st, 2010 at 1:23 pm
“Its weird how hitters can just pound his curve”
There’s a strange disconnect with Hughes curve. Hitters shouldn’t be able to hit it the way they are given his fastball and the bite on his curve.
Maybe it’s location. But right there Young is not a good breaking ball hitter at all.
For him to hit that pitch down in the count is not a positive.
————————————————————
Does it appear to you that the hitters see the curve ball for a long time? Too much right to left and too slow? A curve more on the order of Burnett’s, with a faster break might suit his needs more?
What’s the score?
Our pen could take a beating early on.
2-0 Twins
“One of the (very minor) sticking points with him is that he walked so much in the minors that some scouts doubted how good he actually was at hitting.”
I believe this is actually what happened with him in high school. Since he’s turned pro he’s always been seen as an absolute star.
Scouts used to go watch him in high school and if they randomly saw a game where Heyward drew some walks they didn’t have as much to write about. That happens with kids who show plus strike zone command and pitch recognition skills.
He grew up in the Braves backyard. They had scouted him since he was in middle school.
He’s still just 23, so we’re going to see a few ugly games from him season…
I think some of you need to exhale a bit.
He doesn’t “need to do better” today. He needs to get ready for the season.
That’s why he was working the fastball early and throwing 3-2 changeups. He, and no other pitcher, is in regular season mode.
He’s going to be in the rotation and isn’t getting yanked anytime soon.
He needs to get his pitch count up, continue to work on fastball command, and build arm strength.
He does that, he will have done his job today.
Oh, it’s just 2 runs….thanks
CB,
Well he could’ve been going with the 1-in-a-1/2 generation comparison.
Be proud of that fastball, Phil.
Nice tailing action on the fastball.
Thank god she took it off the chest.
Jerkface,
I’m not saying the curve velocity is the reason why it’s hittable, just a possibility. I am friends with guys from college who are now in the minors. We were talking about a pitcher that came from our college who was drafted in the second round and the guy mentioned that once he’s with a team they’ll change his slow curve to a faster slider because the pitcher throws mid 90′s and his curve was in the 70′s.
Maybe Phil worked so hard on his change that he didn’t concentrate enough on the curve. I imagine it’s hard for any young pitcher to have to develop all these pitches at the same time.
Maybe Phil need’s more 12 o’clock on his curve. He’s thrown to knee-bucklers this inning already.
“Does it appear to you that the hitters see the curve ball for a long time? Too much right to left and too slow?”
Look at how overpowering Hughes fastball has been today. Look at that awful Portera had.
His curve should fool more hitters than it does because they really have to be sitting fastball.
Part of it is likely location.
But at times hitters seem to see the curve really well out of hughes hand and pick it up relatively early.
Perhaps he’s inconsistent with his arm speed on the pitch? Maybe he doesn’t hide the pitch well? Maybe he’s tipping it in some way?
I don’t know. It’s just somewhat odd.
Much nicer. How many pitches was that?
Hughes curves this inning look much better. The last one was 75 on the gun.
CB,
You’re right. From BA -
“When Jason Heyward was in high school, scouts struggled to get a good read on the Atlanta prep prodigy. Opposing teams pitched around him, and his coach struggled to throw a good batting practice, which meant a crosschecker or scouting director could fly in, watch a Heyward game and leave without really ever getting a chance to see what he could do.”
I was reading another report on him yesterday and I swear they said minor league pitchers pitched around him a lot. Whatever, he’s a stud and on both of my fantasy teams
Besides Vazquez(and maybe Pettite),no starting pitcher has been very good.Shouldn’t this worry the Yankees…?
Yea I get you Patrick. He just threw a 75 MPH curve that buckled Span, but its possible the movement was better more than the velocity. It could just be getting away from him and spinning up in the zone.
What are the possibilities for Hughes curve?
1. Velocity
2. Tightness of the Break
3. Location thrown
Lets see Eiland work with Hughes on these points I hope.
*breaking news: Hughes now throws 50 mph curve after talk with eiland*
ack. that’s needs and two knee-bucklers.
Predicting pitching outcomes over one inning is as dumb as predicting a season ending injury for Tex after he got hit the other night.
Funny how some of the same people do both.
I guess after a 1-2-3 second inning he could be heading to Cooperstown.
That was more like it.
CB, maybe it’s good that it’s getting hit in ST as now they know that’s something they have to work on. Would you be concerned or do you think this is something that is fairly easily fixable?
saying we think that the pen will be used a lot early is not bridge jumping or overreacting, its just a fact from experience that there may be some short starts in the beginning as history would show us with CC and the lack of work Andy had so far, and Hughes being young.
We are all still confident that we will win it all.
Oh CB brought up another thing Hughes can work on: Tipping the pitch.
Wait, Hughes is good today?? I thought he was having a bad day????
I’m so confused. My head hurts.
This place is a fascinating sociological study.
A-rod’s embarrassed. lol.
It all depends on what hitters see out of the hand. If his release is a bit early, they can pick the arc and the rotation. It can be as simple as that. Reagrdless. The curve/fastball combo is why he has always racked up a lot of ks. He will be fine. Some lined singles happen. It’s not like some guys hit moon shots off of those pitches.
Say what you want too about Arod. You never see him complain about injuries or look any different.
WTH? pull Jetes off the field right now.
stuckey, like most outings that aren’t shut outs or dominating performances, there are good and bad things
Has Phil thrown any changes? I’m taping the game so I can watch this later…..
Well, the best news is his FB apparently looks very good. Isn’t it always the way that when you have one pitch working, the other one doesn’t?
I know he threw a tighter curve last spring as I remember the reaction on various boards.
“saying we think that the pen will be used a lot early is not bridge jumping or overreacting, its just a fact from experience that there may be some short starts in the beginning as history would show us with CC and the lack of work Andy had so far, and Hughes being young.”
Saying it in a general discussion is not. Saying in direct response to Hughes having the first inning he did IS.
It’s not always what’s said but when and why it’s said.
Context…
Um, what happened to Jeter?
Swisher over/under 30 homers this year. I say over. Amazing how much more in shape he looks too.
“Oh CB brought up another thing Hughes can work on: Tipping the pitch. ”
Guess we need to trade him to the Cardinals then.
Betsy,
No I’m not worried. He’s going to have a very good season.
Like any 23 year old pitcher he just has some things to work on. No big deal.
The runs he gives up today are completely immaterial.
That’s why I put that first post up – the most important thing for him today is building his fastball command as that’s trailed his off speed stuff today.
And his fastball has looked very good. So far it’s the strongst that pitch has looked this spring and that’s what I was hoping to see.
CB, It seems to me that Phil doesn’t finish with when throwing the breaking ball….It just doesn’t have that good bite all the time……I have to turn in my selections today, are the Twins an over or under 82 win team. ?????
I think it’s fair enough to question Phil’s potential efficiency. He hasn’t been terribly efficient in the past as a starter and he’s relatively young.
Let’s just hope that we see more of 2nd inning Phil than 1st inning Phil.
Nothing out of line or trollish. cough-California-cough.
There is no measuring stick for any ST outing to gauge regular season performance. It’s bridgejumping.
Like Posada said yesterday about CC, he feeds off the energy.
It’s ST. That’s all this is. It’s not important.
“stuckey, like most outings that aren’t shut outs or dominating performances, there are good and bad things”
Exactly, which is why reacting to each and every nuance of a 3 hour game is an exercise in futility.
It’s like reacting to election returns when 2% of the precincts are reporting.
If it floats your boat, far be it for me to rain on anyone’s parade, but I reserve the right to find it fascinating.
CB, thanks.
I love his curve, but that’s why he’s 23 and not 33. He may not be sure what kind of curve works best for him.
That’s very good news about his FB. He was so accurate with that thing in the pen last year, it was scary. He couldn’t have done better at times if he’d gone up and placed the ball in Jorge’s mitt.
Even if he gives up more runs, I don’t care. The stuff is clearly there, even if it’s not quite consistent.
“Tipping the pitch.”
No that was the skill set Eiland is supposed to work with Hughes on perfecting.
Eiland works with Hughes and teaches him how to better tip his pitches in order to actively ruin him.
That’s the yankees coaching philosophy.
That’s about as long an out as you can get.
Good swing vs a lefty for Granderson, hit it 400 feet up the middle
Pat M,
I’d definitely go over on 82 but that’s just my opinion.
Granderson just missed. Sounds like it was close to the end of the bat. Nice at bat against a lefty, though.
Twins always seem to find a way and they have the best lineup in the central and always seem to put together enough pitching. I’d go over as well.
I wonder how the future of Phil Hughes career is going to look in the next half inning…?????
oh man but one thing to consider, they will be playing at Target field this year. No more homerdome.
Stuckey, I don’t think people would do this with AJ, Andy, Javy or CC, but it’s a different story with Phil (or Joba). Phil hasn’t started in awhile; fans are curious and want to see what he can potentially bring to the table as the #5 starter (for this year). It’s just the process of watching a SP grow up before your eyes – it’s fascinating (and sometimes ugly/pretty all at the same time).
Twins pitching is pretty underwhelming but jerkface is right they have the best lineup in that division.
The Twins are usually nowhere close to .500 on the road, they might have some trouble getting used to Target’s quirks
The NAME IS NINO
Nice, Jala-Pena!
Lots to feast on in the Central, over’s probably a pretty safe bet. Bet I wouldn’t bet on it.
Betsy – Vasquez is going to be on “intimidated by NY” watch ALL years.
Pettitte is going to be on “he’s old and done” watch all year.
Burnett will be on “good AJ/bad AJ watch all year.
CC will be on “is he an ace/isn’t he AND “will his high inning counts the last three years catch up to him” all year.
I’ll give this to bridgejumpers, they’re equal opportunity.
Lincecum’s velocity is down and it probably doesn’t matter
Tue Feb 23,2010 11:00 AM ET By Craig Calcaterra
Yahoo!’s Tim Brown has a feature on Tim Lincecum, the central part of which is Lincecum’s diminishing velocity, which has gone from mid-90s in his rookie year to a consistent 93 mph in 2008 and down to 91-92 last season, at least according to pitching coach Dave Righetti:
“I’m aware my velocity wasn’t where it was,” he said. “I don’t feel like it’s anything to be scared about. I’ll just learn how to pitch better.”
Whether he’s pitching at 91, 94 or 98, he said, “I’m not sure it’s a choice. You go out there with what you have. I’m still going out there with the same kind of confidence.”
Of course over that time his strikeout rate, WHIP, ERA, K/BB ratio, and home run rate have improved so it’s not like anyone is worried.
The scariest thing about Tim Lincecum? He’s right about the age where Greg Maddux and Pedro Martinez took a step forward and transformed from really good pitchers with awesome tools to otherwordly pitchers who had awesome tools and truly understood the game of pitching.
That’s what Pena is making the team…
Girardi says Joba can start again in the future.
What is that wrist tattoo Joba has?
Overall, aside from hanging a couple of curveballs, I think he’s looked quite good in these 3 innings.
Nice cutter
Strike out on the cutter, just a little bit of action on the pitch
Hughes crusing now. Wonder how Ian Kennedy will fair in the NL this year.
“The Twins are usually nowhere close to .500 on the road, they might have some trouble getting used to Target’s quirks”
Just turn the heat off in the visiting clubhouse/dugout
Damon called out Wang too… so it wasn’t just Hughes. Said he can’t keep going 1 inning and killing the pen because it affects games the next 2-3 nights too because the pen is shot.
If he could call out a former 2-time 19 game winner, he can call out a rookie.
Well lucky for me we have a TV in our conference room, which I just have to keep wandering back to…
Either Kenny or Tino made the point that Phil would be using different pitches in a regular game on certain counts, but no need to tip his hand during ST…which is just practice.
M
I think it is Flaherty who talks about pitchers being “proud” of their pitches.
Phil Hughes is in beast mode.
No takers on Chamberlain hits 95 on the (YES) gun action?
Nomar is a pretty good commentator
Girardi also said Joba is in the bullpen for the year.
Hopefully, that will stop the “put him in the rotation” talk if/when an injury or poor performance takes place.
Just finished watching Hughes, he looked good.
Most of you folks would be a lot happier if you weren’t following ST pitch by pitch. Unless you are Joe Girardi or Dave Eiland, you just aren’t going to learn that much.
bru,
Interesting about Lincecum.
I’m looking at his velocity #’s on fangraphs. He averaged 94.2 on the fastball in 2007. 94.1 in 2008. 92.4 in 2009.
It’s probably just an aberration. If he is averaging around 92 again this year I’ll think something is up.
Dammit I thought Jetes was throwing elbows.
Swish with a nice catch
some thoughts on the Twin’s new stadium:
1. the Yankees had to get used to a new stadium last year, and were very successful
2. the Twins will figure out the quirks a lot quicker than opposing teams
3. they can turn playing in the cold weather into a home field advantage, as the Yankees did over the Angels
5 ks.
1. the Yankees had to get used to a new stadium last year, and were very successful
2. the Twins will figure out the quirks a lot quicker than opposing teams
3. they can turn playing in the cold weather into a home field advantage, as the Yankees did over the Angels
–
1. NYS is pretty much the same dimensions as old YS. Other than the outfield wall with the scoreboard being straight instead of curved.
2. True
3. The twins have never played at home in cold weather, it might be a detriment to them. Though their 2 best hitters should be used to the cold being from that area. (morneau in canada and mauer in minn)
Not many hitters are going to hit that letter high fastball.
getting swings and misses on fastballs is good.
What is that wrist tattoo Joba has?
——————————–
It’s a Jesus fish with a cross in it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlh2374/3373621833/
Can’t ask for much more from your #5 starter.
He’s throwing the ball very well.
Jesus is NOT a fish. he is a catcher.
Pat M,
Just looked at that site you pointed me to prior pinnacle sports to get updated lines.
I have to say – the house has done a very good job!
But here are the 5-6 teams I like best:
1. Indians over 75.5
2. Astros under 74.5
3. Yankees over 94.5
4. Padres over 71.5
5. Cards over 88.5
6. Jays under 71
And here are my picks for the rest:
7. Diamondbacks under 82.5
8. Braves over 85.5 (like this one too)
9. Orioles under 75 (like this one too)
10. Sox under 94.5
11. Cubs over 82
12. White sox over 82.5
13. Reds under 79.5
14. Rockies over 85
15. Tigers under 80
16. Marlins over 81
17. Royals under 72.5
18. Angels over 82.5
19. Dodgers over 84
20. Brewers over 80
21. Twins over 82.5
22. Mets under 81 (like this one too)
23. Oakland under 80
24. Phillies over 91.5
25. Pirates over 70.5
26. Giants under 81.5
27. Mariners under 83.5
28. Rays over 89.5
29. Randers under 85
30. Nats over 72
Hope this helps but don’t hold me to it!! Not a wagering type myself.
A-rod baby
New pre game ritual, throw a baseball at Al’s ankle.
Duensing appears to be a pretty smart pitcher (except for that pitch) since he’s come up….not great stuff but smart with what he does with it.
Alex’s bat speed is just astounding.
“Jesus is NOT a fish. he is a catcher.”
Though by the sound of it, perhaps Jesus should be on a fish diet.
This is the first game this spring where we’ve seen Hughes show the same plus fastball he had out of the pen last year.
He’s looked terrific. This is exactly where he wants to get to before the season starts.
What Might Have Been for the Twins…
This team had it’s chances against us in the ALDS – baserunning blunders and Carlos Gomez’s inability to drive in a runner with bases loaded off David Robertson cost them the chance to tie the 2009 ALDS, 1-1.
Also, a potential rotation of Santana, Garza, Liriano lost to the wind…imagine Garza in that playoff rotation against us last year.
Lotta armside run on that fastball. Who said Hughes fastball is straight?
Santana, Garza, Liriano (pre-injury) – that would have been some rotation. Gone with the wind….
wow hughes is cruisin now.
Not the best job of tracking that one for Gardner. wind or sun, he looked to be in trouble from the start.
Looks like the bridgejumpers can get down off the ledge for now.
and as soon as i say that, he is done.
Gardy needs to catch that.
Chad
Arsenal are on right now in a huge 1st leg matchup with Barca on Fox Soccer Channel.
Good luck to Arsenal today.
Logan hitting 95 on the ESPN gun
CB, Thank you for your input……
i like logan….
Ok, just got back from lunch – it sounds like Phil looked good. His stuff is just very good – underrated perhaps because of the velocity issue. I see he threw some good cutters, too – nice.
I’ve been impressively shocked by Logan this spring so far. I sort of figured him to bullpen fodder at scranton.
Logan may have been a real find; it’s too early to say at this point, but for a throw in ? He’s had an awfully good spring. My word, though – how tall is he?
Cesc Fabergas is LOST today for the gunners.
He’s injured in a parallel reality and unavailable for games outside of san francisco.
That would have been a perfect bunt by Gardner if the pitcher was left handed.
Arsenal-Barca…what a game this will be
Too bad van Persie is injured
The only issue with Phil is efficiency – he has a hard time getting past the 5th inning (or so it seems).
CB
Was that a joke? If so, LOL.
If not, Cesc in the starting XI
By the way, for any fan of Heroes on here, go look at a picture of Cesc Fabregas. He bears a slight resemblance to that character, Sylar. I think his name is Zach Quinto.
Neshek could really be nasty against the right handed batters.
Tino there is a spot for him, it’s batter’s box.
Got to find a place for Miranda. He’d be killin’ it in our park.
CR9,
Yes. My attempt at goonies humor. I saw that Cesc was playing. Wegner tried to gravely cast doubt on his availability as of yesterday saying that were the game played yesterday Fabergas wouldn’t have played.
D-rob looks 11 years old today, especially how he hopped the BP fence
Phil pitched OK today, but let’s remember this lineup he faced is not all that good.
I have not seen much of Logan, but it seems to me is gotton some good hitter out this year. He’ll be on the team if Ace goes to the DL.
Betsy – Hughes rules (Pleading the Fifth)
March 31st, 2010 at 2:35 pm
The only issue with Phil is efficiency – he has a hard time getting past the 5th inning (or so it seems).
————————————————————
He was only scheduled for 70-75 pitches, so he was on target for 6+ innings with a 100 pitch count.
Patrick
March 31st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
bru,
Interesting about Lincecum.
I’m looking at his velocity #’s on fangraphs. He averaged 94.2 on the fastball in 2007. 94.1 in 2008. 92.4 in 2009.
It’s probably just an aberration. If he is averaging around 92 again this year I’ll think something is up.
——————————————————–
agree
my point is that his velo dropped for a few years & he is getting better at the same time while maintaining his k rate & winning a cy
a lot of factors are in play
command,conditioning,mechanics,developing pitches,not tipping pitches & most important understanding how to pitch/keeping hitters guessing wrong
imo hughes has a better chance at achieving this than joba does right now
cashman telling kay that he does not ever see joba getting the velo back that he once had
he said we would have seen it by now
Now why didn’t Juan Miranda ever get a shot to play in the bigs?
CB
LOL it is then.
__
Any Yankees fan, that does not have a favorite team in European Futbol, can you please pray for the quick recovery of Wazza, Wayne Rooney, for Manchester United…. Since Man U are the Yankees of European Futbol!
?Even though it was just spring training, it was good to see PJ Pilittere hit a homer the other day. He’s been at trenton for a long time and looks like he’ll be there again this season.
I like Manchester United solely because of the movie “Eurotrip”
Because we have a lifer on 1B and that’s where Miranda plays.
Give the man an OFer’s glove and let him pretend to play RF.
GB, as always a font of knowledge. Thanks! By the way, there was a whole category on Jeopardy yesterday about Nurse Karloff’s close relative, Frankenstein. I thought of you.
Now why didn’t Juan Miranda ever get a shot to play in the bigs?
–
Blocked, wasn’t a complete hitter until last season.
The Hell with soccer. Never could stand watching that game or being forced to play it in phys ed in school.
Barca all the way (long time reader first time participator)
I am still trying to recover from yesterday.
“Since Man U are the Yankees of European Futbol!”
How many managers have the Yankees had since Fergusen started running things at Man U?
Alas, the Galacticos might be the better comparison in certain ways.
OMG
Barca just nearly took the 1-0 lead with the all important away goal, but a GREAT SAVE!
Just a question to CR9 is the CR9 referring to Ronaldo?
Betsy – Hughes rules (Pleading the Fifth)
March 31st, 2010 at 2:44 pm
GB, as always a font of knowledge. Thanks! By the way, there was a whole category on Jeopardy yesterday about Nurse Karloff’s close relative, Frankenstein. I thought of you.
————————————————————
LMAO. I’m not sure if you’re developing a mean streak or if you didn’t mean it the way it was written, Betsy.
Joe Torre/Alex Ferguson.
I am a Madrid fan as well, because they are the Yankees of Spanish Futbol, but Manchester are the most decorated team in England, and they carry themselves with the same class as the Yankees.
Another Great Save by Almunia!
Love the Yankees.Hate Man u…
They’re boring.And Wayne Rooney is overrrated
Madrid is more like the Yankees.They buy the best players and they won the most
lol @ his delivery
OMG What a game already.
Zlatan just had a tap in from right in front of the net, and hit it over!!!
PJ is a great guy and would have a lot better chances in another organization.
I’m taking out my latent frustrations on you, GB, lol. I meant that I felt bad for you (yeah, that’s what I meant, lol). How are you feeling?
I’m taking out my latent frustrations on you, GB, lol. I meant that I felt bad for you (yeah, that’s what I meant, lol). How are you feeling?
You cannot say the great United is boring Chelsea or Liverpool maybe but not United.
Yes. CR9 is for Cristiano!! One of the top 5 HOTTEST men in the world!!!
Also, many players want to play for Madrid or Man U at some point in their careers, much like the honor it is to play for the Yankees.
Read Bobby Abreu (Madrid fan) in a recent ESPN Magazine article!!!! Abreu still has great things to say about the Yanks!!
Phil as #5 and Joba in the pen, should be awesome. I think we can count on Mo helping Joba too for advice and game preparation.
Cristiano is also one of the top 5 most handsomest rapists.
Wayne Rooney, overrated?????
This year, first year without Ronaldo, SAF adjusted his position, and Rooney as a result, has singlehandedly put us in position to win the PL and the CL.
I supported Ronaldo when he was with Manu Utd but not anymore he is a spoiled brat who stops playing when things don’t go his way I will take Rooney or Messi any day.
The similarity between the Yankees and United for me is the hunger to win which I love in them both.
Fine, let me just clarify my comparisons.
Madrid, Yankees of La Liga.
Man U, Yankees of England.
Chelsea, Red Sox of England, even Matt Damon and Will Ferrell are fans of both teams.
Man City, Mets of England!
Glory Glory
You can’t hold it against Cris. It was his dream to play for Madrid. He’ll one day come back to Man U.
So what if he’s a brat. He is SMOKING HOT!! When you’re that hot, you can be a brat!!!
Rooney is terrific but the attempts to argue that he’s better than Messi are forced and do over rate him.
Yanks have had 9 managers since Fergusen has been at Man U.
Betsy – Hughes rules (Pleading the Fifth)
March 31st, 2010 at 2:51 pm
I’m taking out my latent frustrations on you, GB, lol. I meant that I felt bad for you (yeah, that’s what I meant, lol). How are you feeling?
————————————————————
Not bad, Betsy. It only took you 5 minutes to dig your way out of that one.
I’m doing fine, Doll. Just a little tired, but, saw the Twins this morning, so all is good. Thank you for asking. Hope all is well your way.
OMG ANother save by Almunia. Barca have literally had 9 great chances.
Another Save!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My baby takes the morning train….
[please tell me someone here has seen Eurotrip]
Will Joba EVER throw at 97-99 again?
Hughes’ outing was much better than the stat line looks. He showed alot of the aggressiveness he had in the ‘pen last year which is a great sign. If this is the worst pitcher in our rotation then we are in fantastic shape.
It looks like the hitters are getting a good look at Hughes’ curveball as they are getting much better swings on it than they should. I wondered if he was tipping it somehow. If they can figure out why they get such good swings and fix it then Hughes could really take off. That pitch could be a knee buckling hammer strikeout pitch.
Man u will win the Cl?haha they wish!They lost last night remember.And Rooney is out for weeks and Robben will be back for Bayern
CB,
Rooney is the man but I have to agree with you here. Rooney at least has to have one more season like this in order to even be close to Messi.
Although he has done better for England than Messi did for Argentina
Easy inning for Joba
We’ve had 9 managers since the mid 80s???? Holy ****
My comparison was not based on managers, but the Yankees did have a pretty decent manager in Torre for a decade and a half.
My baby takes the morning train….
[please tell me someone here has seen Eurotrip]
____
LOVE IT
It’s obvious that Rooney is among the top 3 players in the world.
Also, Messi is the best player in the world, but he has such talent around him.
Rooney, as I said (having watched every game this year) has singlehandedly put us in a position to win both the PL and CL.
Roger
I never said that we were going to win. I said he put in a position to win!
As for next Wednesday, even without Wazza, I have to believe that our team will come out with fire, instead of playing like the garbage we played for all 90 minutes yesterday.
It is hard to compare because Fergie is the one who buys the players but the Yankee managers have to work with what they have (which to be fair is generally pretty good)
What has Rooney done better for England?What did they win…?Or even got close to win?Nothing…
Messi is so much better.It’s not even close
GB, you dirty old man, calling me a doll. I’m glad you’re doing well – and that you got to see two sets of Twins today (get it? Twins and twins?).
I can’t complain about today, especially as Phil showed his good FB, lol. Also, I made up with a friend that I was in a fight with, so I’m happy about that.
If anyone is watching the game on ESPN, what did Sutcliffe say about Phil? Thanks!
Also, it cannot be forgotten the the PL is a tougher game than La Liga.
By that, I mean it’s more physically brutal in the PL.
In La Liga, it is more “the beautiful game” that others like to refer to futbol as.
CR9,
Berba-gol will be the difference if the White Pele doesn’t play.
I still have faith we will destroy Bayern whether Robben plays or not.
There’s no better time than ST for a particular pitch to get hit. They can work on Phil’s curve now that they know there may be an issue…….
AHHHH, Nasri nearly puts Arsenal on top!
Roger,
England qualified early while the Argies struggled.
Messi didn’t do much in those matches. While Rooney scored and setup goals in his.
Glory Glory
Yeah, Berba will have to be the key. Nani played poorly yesterday. Hopefully, Valencia gets the start.
I believe we’ll win also, being at the Theater of Dreams (much like Old Yankee Stadium!!!)
GreenBeret7
March 31st, 2010 at 2:45 pm
The Hell with soccer. Never could stand watching that game or being forced to play it in phys ed in school.
******************************
GB, you sound like me! lol
I am hoping Phil has a year like Rooney has this year, there is nothing sweeter than seeing a player from your own system grow right in front of your eyes to be a great.
@Ledger_Yankees Pitch count for Hughes 88/61 strikes.
I have to agree that the Pl is tougher then La Liga
YankeesWFAN #1 sign that spring training is too long: Reggie Jackson in front of the Yankee dugout doing the YMCA.
6 minutes ago
clay condrey apparently in our projected bullpen, nice one ESPN
Glory
Also, I am more concerned with this weekend’s clash with Chelsea. I am concerned the strategy of SAF will be to play for the nil nil draw.
And our defense makes some really bad defensive breakdowns during games, as evidenced by yesterdays’ unnecessary 2nd goal for Bayern. There was no reason for that goal to happen.
Anybody catch ESPNs bullpen list for the Yanks. They had Clay Condrey in it and Mo out…
Was Mo optioned to AAA? I didn’t know he had options left. I guess Clay beat him out for that final spot.
Thanks for everything Mo.
Erin
March 31st, 2010 at 3:10 pm
GreenBeret7
March 31st, 2010 at 2:45 pm
The Hell with soccer. Never could stand watching that game or being forced to play it in phys ed in school.
******************************
GB, you sound like me! lol
————————————————————
I hated that game as much as I hated dodge ball. Never saw the fun or the excitement in it. I just fould it totally boring.
GB
You should watch real Futbol. It is so entertaining!
Soccer is that cr*p that is played here in the US. MLS. Although I do make sure to root for the Red Bull and root against the New England Revolution!!!
“The Hell with soccer. Never could stand watching that game or being forced to play it in phys ed in school.”
Soccer’s what you play when you’re too small for football and can’t hit a baseball.
And that was the final comparison, aside from Old Yankee Stadium and the Theater of Dreams, the Yanks play in the toughest league in all of baseball, as do the Red Devils!!
That’s a pretty good ratio of strikes to pitches for Phil…
That goal broke my heart…but I believe that without Essien Chelsea are not that great.
Although Drogba can change the game…that game will decide the league.
Fergie better put an attacking team for both upcoming games.
Go to 1 game in Europe you will be sold
clay condrey apparently in our projected bullpen, nice one ESPN
____
i thought that mariano rivera kid showed some potential.
Um, ok Erin, lol….
“Soccer’s what you play when you’re too small for football and can’t hit a baseball.”
Or it’s what you play when you grow up in 3rd World Countries, and have nothing but a round ball to play with, and it’s all you know.
GreenBeret7
March 31st, 2010 at 3:13 pm
I hated that game as much as I hated dodge ball. Never saw the fun or the excitement in it. I just fould it totally boring.
**************************
Ugh-I forgot all about dodgeball. My friends and I would go out to the center of the gym for the start of the game, and then immediately go sit down on the bleachers as soon as the game started, claiming that we were out. No one ever caught on. lol
Phils’ curve doesn’t always have the full bite that it ussually has….He has a devasting breaking ball, however as of late only 1 of 3 really has it’s full break and it catch’s too much of the plate and big league hitters will keep their hands back and will square it up more often than not
Who the heck is Clay Condrey, lol?
May I say I’m stunned at the lack of talk about a certain pitcher that pitched a 1-2-3 inning just a few moments ago…
Pat M, what do you think accounts for that? It’s not like he doesn’t have a nasty curve when it’s right….He can spend time working on that since the Yanks won’t need a 5th starter for awhile.
Who the heck is Clay Condrey, lol?
–
Phillies pitcher.
Ho ho is gonna be good
This is why I love Futbol as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
i think eveeryone is too impressed with the yankees offensive explosion this afternoon to talk about Joba.
I dont think SAF is going to attack this weekend. We are in control of the league, so a draw is just fine, at least to Fergie (and myself, I’d take a draw without Roo).
GB,
I think the only way for you to appreciate the game is to visit a country where they have passion for it, I guarantee you will end up loving it.
It is like me, I never really followed Baseball until I came to N. America…now I hate the Sox and any Boston team (Celtics, Patriots, Bruins) and I love the Yankees.
SLAMA!
Can’t keep Miranda, Montero, Vazquez down for long…
Roger
A Liverpudlian?
Is there really nowhere for Juan Miranda?
Like I said, find a place for him.
I’m sure those here who protest that he’s “not ready” for the majors may be reconsidering their stance.
Ready as rain – to rake.
Betsy – Hughes rules (Pleading the Fifth)
March 31st, 2010 at 3:06 pm
GB, you dirty old man, calling me a doll. I’m glad you’re doing well – and that you got to see two sets of Twins today (get it? Twins and twins?).
I can’t complain about today, especially as Phil showed his good FB, lol. Also, I made up with a friend that I was in a fight with, so I’m happy about that.
If anyone is watching the game on ESPN, what did Sutcliffe say about Phil? Thanks!
————————————————————
I’m not dirty. I just took a shower.
Yeah, Hughes looked good except for hanging those two curve balls in the first inning. He had a crackling high hard fastball and that was good to see.
Park has been sensational this spring. He came in late, so, he must have been doing a lot of pitching this past winter. What an asset he could be if Aceves is out for any length of time.
My twins looked great today. Anthony is a cute little guy and Sidney is a real beauty. They’re gaining weight and are getting to be more active.
Gary Throne, Aaron Boone, and Nomar are calling the game on ESPN. Both liked what they saw from Hughes. Actually, they have raved about all of our players… not a typical ESPN broadcast lol
A very good broadcast to listen to… Nomar is very good so far.
Roger
If you are Pudlian, I think I saw Jon Arne Riise in that video!!
Remember that own goal for ‘Pool in the CL?
Big fan of Chelsea… class organization, class fans, class players. One of the most popular teams in Spain as well…
stuckey -
I just tuned in – I’ve been out and about. How’d Joba do?
“Is there really nowhere for Juan Miranda? ”
BB – Juan Miranda
oh goody, Slama, this guy was all over XM the other day as a potential closer for the twins
Doreen,
He’s the DH if Nicky goes down, and the 1B is Teix does.
But I want to see them give him an OF glove. He can certainly hide in RF. With that bat – I’ll take the sub-par defense. He has the arm.
Jim March 31st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Gary Throne, Aaron Boone, and Nomar are calling the game on ESPN. Both liked what they saw from Hughes. Actually, they have raved about all of our players… not a typical ESPN broadcast lol
A very good broadcast to listen to… Nomar is very good so far.
I’m surprised myself. Boone and Nomar are doing a good job.
I’d rather have Juan Miranda than Thames
CR9
no way!haha.I’m all Ajax!
But that song..with that crowd WOW
I think it is good for Joba just to do his work and stay out of the spotlight for a little while until he reclaims his rightful position as the teams fifth ace
When Nick Johnson goes on the DL, that is when Miranda will get his chance.
No way he can play left field. And there is no other spot open.
As I watch Juan Miranda, I see a smoother version of Kendry Morales.
Glory
You are by far the best poster on this site. You hate every Boston team!!!!!!!!
I’m sorry I cant reciprocate though. I have so much hate for the Boston teams, it is not healthy for me to hate the Pudlians or Chelsea or Barca, or City, or Arsenal.
Of those teams, I actually have respect for Barca and Arsenal.
Glory Glory Man United
March 31st, 2010 at 3:19 pm
GB,
I think the only way for you to appreciate the game is to visit a country where they have passion for it, I guarantee you will end up loving it.
It is like me, I never really followed Baseball until I came to N. America…now I hate the Sox and any Boston team (Celtics, Patriots, Bruins) and I love the Yankees.
————————————————————When I went to Europe or any other country as a trip, it sure as Hell wasn’t to go watch a game that I couldn’t stand.
Anybody know the status of Arod?
He fouled one off his foot and I wonder if he will be out for the season?
Too bad they couldn’t fuse Miranda and Gardner.
Of course, they’d have a power lefty bat with great speed, a decent arm, but who got poor jumps
.
Nomar and Boone have been very impressive
And Throne is a much better play-by-play guy than Ravech, O’Brein, Shulman, etc. or any of those other clowns….
Roger you should see the Turkish teams I don’t think I have seen more rabid fans in my life.
Groan……..
I’m glad I taped the game so I can see Phil for myself…I’m very happy about the FB. He’s just going to be a terrific pitcher.
Chan Ho has been fantastic; we got lucky that the guy miscalculated the market because he looks solid.
Aww, GB – that’s so sweet. I always wanted to be a twin, but I think it’s too late to rectify that now.
Jerkface, thanks!
im sure if nick johnson goes down, we will see miranda. not hoping for that though.
“March 31st, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Big fan of Chelsea… class organization, class fans, class players. One of the most popular teams in Spain as well…”
I wont result to insults, but ??????????
First, they are England.
Second, they bought their first championship a in a while in 2004 IIRC when a Russian Mobster took over their team.
Third, they try to buy every player like the Red Sox.
Fourth, they act like scumbags, like the Red Sox. John Terry/Jason Varitek. Didier Drogba(though I like his antics)/Manny Ramirez.
Enough with the soccer talk, noone cares!! This is a YANKEE site ppl.
“Or it’s what you play when you grow up in 3rd World Countries, and have nothing but a round ball to play with, and it’s all you know.”
Not Mariano…Thank God.
And baseball is growing.
Jerkface
March 31st, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I’d rather have Juan Miranda than Thames
====
Me too. I’d rather have a superior lefty off the bench than an inferior righty.
But he doesn’t play the OF.
I would rather have Miranda or Garko than Thames.
Well, I don’t want to wish injury on anyone, that’s for sure.
I don’t like young players on the bench – not so much because they’re not as good as veterans, but that they should play more than sit.
Hope he stays ready!
Jim, thanks!
Chan Ho Park has been absolutely filthy – I wonder if he’s Mo’s setup man, as of right now he has to be. He’s throwing that good.
Nick Johnson will not go down. Say only positive things.
Roger
Ummmm.. Since Ajax have no shot at winning the CL for a while, shouldnt you adopt a team that does?
And since VDS led Ajax to a CL IIRC, shouldnt you like Man U?
Doreen – 2010 GTLU
March 31st, 2010 at 3:22 pm
stuckey -
I just tuned in – I’ve been out and about. How’d Joba do?
————————————————————
Kind of hard to say how good the pitches were, Doreen. They were mostly strikes and he got quick outs, but, they were all minor leaguers. If he threw 10 pitches, I’d be surprised.
Doreen, not sure… not anywhere I can watch the game. He got 1-2-3 outs on 2 gbs and a FO. Someone suggested he wasn’t throwing 97 to 99.
So I’m going to guess he was around 93 again…
Slamma (sic) is no easy mark. If you watched the graphics (which the YES announcers ignored) you would have noted that until Juan unloaded his ERA was 0.00. His minor league record is off the charts, but not being a high draft choice he has gone unnoticed, until this spring.
Did anyone else hear, “Just 1 more ken singleton, please!” from some lady on the YES broadcast?
What you doin’, Kenny? Or whom?
CR9
Amen!Hate Chelsea
There are a lot of players who are unsigned that I would rather have over Thames
Not exactly a high bar to reach.
Awwww, Cesc just got a yellow card, and now is out of the 2nd leg in the Nou Camp
But he doesn’t play the OF.
–
The yankees don’t need 5 outfielders. Thats what I don’t get.
“I would rather have Miranda or Garko than Thames.”
Brandon and I had been campaigning for Garko since last offseason before Cashman went out to sign Teixiera.
Doreen – 2010 GTLU
March 31st, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Well, I don’t want to wish injury on anyone, that’s for sure.
I don’t like young players on the bench – not so much because they’re not as good as veterans, but that they should play more than sit.
Hope he stays ready!
====
Yeah, but he’s not a typical “young” player in that he’s a professional hitter.
He’s one of those bats that can sit and hit.
I also expect him to really take off against ML pitching. He’s one of those guys whose bat will rise to the occasion.
Too bad for Cesc and say bye bye to Arsenal
really nice three player relay from right. All perfect throws.
I know it’s only ST but walking off against the Twins today would be picking right up where they left off last year and have Gardenhire talking to himself, wouldn’t it?
stop talking soccer….
Jerkface
March 31st, 2010 at 3:30 pm
But he doesn’t play the OF.
–
The yankees don’t need 5 outfielders. Thats what I don’t get.
====
The problem is, the collection they have are one-side hitters. So they think they need more of them. They also want a RH power bat off the bench.
personally i’d rather gary sheffield, he’s still out there, always a dangerous bat
may not need Yanks 5 outfielders but they don’t need 5 first basemen, either.
And I hate people who call it soccer…
I have to keep reminding myself that Hughes is only 23. He’s just been around for so many seasons already.
RANDY WINN IS DONE, the guy cannot hit a 84 mph MEATBALL right down the middle.. if the Yankees don’t release him they better reevaluate their decision mistake.. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY.
***Yanks may not need*** 5 outfielders
stop talking soccer….
___________-
its not even a real sport……….
this is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – we call it SOCCER
“Brandon and I had been campaigning for Garko since last offseason before Cashman went out to sign Teixiera.”
Good call. He’s younger, and better against LHP than Thames, and since neither would play the OF much, if at all, it would seem that the time is right.
You don’t want Garko.
As usual, player released…….LoHud commentators campaign for the Yanks to sign him.
Who wants pie!
I covered the ’94 World Cup. It was a blast. European journalists are very different – much more analytical about the sport they cover.
I am looking forward to the WC, although I do prefer my soccer on the rocks
.
I listened for a few innings on ESPN and Aaron and Nomar have been good.
Roger
They have to call it soccer here, because of our own football.
What an entertaining first half of the Arsenal game.
It was a wide open field, back and forth action.
“You don’t want Garko.”
No, I do.
Jerkface, I notice you posted about Phil’s change on NYYFan.. I guess today it wasn’t there, but scouts told Joel Sherman (it was in a recent article) that it was a plus pitch. I guess in order for it to really be plus, he’s got to be consistently good with it, correct? Considering where Phil started off from, I wouldn’t expect his change to be plus right away; it would be great if the the possibility was there, though.
CR9,
Respectfully i say that please bring that conversation to a soccer forum, not here. Thanks
“As usual, player released…….LoHud commentators campaign for the Yanks to sign him.”
Yeah, I hate when people make suggestions in order to improve the glaring weaknesses on the team.
Younger isn’t always better. He’s not a better off the bench hitter than Thames.
He hadn’t shown he can hit coming off the bench in any of his stops. Most of his offensive numbers came when he was playing regularly in Cleveland.
bodhi
I am highly anticipating the World Cup as well. I am praying every the Yanks are in first place in the east by 10 games when the WC starts, so I can fully enjoy it.
But the problem with the WC is, that referees take control and like to make themselves noticed (like that’s new
), and often times decide games.
Glaring weakness? when was the last time the yanks finished a yr with the same bench player that started the yr lol can you tell me? last yr we picked up eric kinske, brought up pena and cervelli, we started the yr with like noone off the bench so relax ppl
SJ
It’s doubtful whether Thames can hit at all.
“Yeah, I hate when people make suggestions in order to improve the glaring weaknesses on the team.”
“Glaring weaknesses”…
Really??? lol
robby s
Why does it matter when a team improves? If Garko, bombs, you replace him.
Miranda could do what Thames does.No need to spend that money
Ben Affleck is a Chelsea fan, i think
Rich in NJ
March 31st, 2010 at 3:41 pm
“As usual, player released…….LoHud commentators campaign for the Yanks to sign him.”
Yeah, I hate when people make suggestions in order to improve the glaring weaknesses on the team.
————————-
Sure. OK.
Do some homework.
WINN = Womack
robby s
Respectfully, this forum does not discriminate on what can be posted about besides politics. If you do not like my posts, then skip by them! Thanks
“Really??? lol”
REALLY!!! LOL!!!
I guess in order for it to really be plus, he’s got to be consistently good with it, correct? Considering where Phil started off from, I wouldn’t expect his change to be plus right away; it would be great if the the possibility was there, though
–
Yea, to be scouted as a real plus pitch it should be good more often than not. Right now its in that “solid change, flashes plus” area that alot of developing guys are tagged with.
I like it alot already and I’m glad scouts and other baseball types are liking it too.
Yes
Affleck is a Chelsea fan as well. It drives the Red Sox/Chelsea comparison even further.
The only thing that I see that Hughes needs to work on is finishing his curve ball….Once he establishes that pitch he’s going to have a very fine season…..13-7, era in the 3.50-3.75 neighborhood
Based on ST, Rich?
“Do some homework.”
I have. Garko was better v. LHP than Thames last season, and better overall.
Your turn.
No, Betsy, ST had nothing to do with it.
Hard to say Thamez is a “glaring weakness”.
He’s the 25th man on the roster and he has a history of hitting lefties, despite infrequent PT, effectively.
He has swung the bat better the last week.
Doesn’t hurt the Yankees to see if he has anything left at the start of the season.
CR9,
My team, Algeria, is in the same group as the U.S. that will be fun…I am rooting for any African team to win this year although the chances are really small but one can always hope
CR9 – this is a YANKEES BLOG, i’m just respectfully saying and i’m sure everyone here agrees with me, this is for yankee talk, not soccer
Rich in NJ – i’m just saying the yankees will put together a good bench, but a few ST at bats isnt a good enough judge of a player – CC’s ST era is about 8, would you drop him based on that? Thames can hit, let’s give it a chance, there isnt much out there
what a goal!!!zlatan!
What a goal by Barca. Zlatan has gotten them the all important away goal.
Rich, futile attempts at clever comebacks are going to disguise the fact you identified the Yankees 25th man (which in the Yankee-verse is about as relevant as two teams who play for the 64th seed in the NCAA tourney) as a “glaring weakness”.
So yes, really, lol…
“Hard to say Thamez is a “glaring weakness”.
He’s the 25th man on the roster and he has a history of hitting lefties, despite infrequent PT, effectively.”
The weakness of this team is Gardner/Winn/Thames. Gardner and Winn aren’t going anywhere yet. That leaves Thames. If you can get a better hitter who still has mL options, it seems like a smart play.
Thames has pinch hit in 20% of his games (500 games played, 100 pinch hits) and has done quite well, but in the last 4 seasons he has averaged less than 20 pinch hits per season. So while he has done quite well when coming off the bench, he has done it while also playing quite a bit as a starter.
He won’t start for the yankees, or not as much as he would for any other team looking at him, so we don’t know how good he will be.
He is also incredibly streaky.
“The only thing that I see that Hughes needs to work on is finishing his curve ball”
Would you care to elaborate on that Pat? I assume you mean he isn’t following through like he does with his other pitches. I’d be interested to hear what you’re picking up on and how you think it is affecting the pitch (staying up in the zone?). Thanks.
I still believe the Yankees need an improvement in LF. Gardner has done nothing to suggest he can hit enough to play. Defensive speed is not enough.
Everyone seems to be in agreement this is going to be a three way race. I am not of the school that a team can shrug off a subpar starter by saying “we don’t need an all-star at every position”. The next time the game is on the line and Gardner comes up and we all look at the the bench and see Thames or Winn there I think my feelings will be shared.
robby
People on here talk about TV shows, College Basketball, Football, Movies, Hot Looking guys. This forum is for everyone and anyone to discuss anything within the parameters of the Terms of Service.
Jerkface, thanks! I’ll take that “solid, flashes plus” any day of the wee ,especially if he’s got his FB, curve and cutter. That’s a nice array of pitches…
Pat M, man – if Phil ended up with those #s as a 23 year old #5 starter, I’d be over the moon and so would the Yankees.
stuckey
What was futile was your reply. I highlighted that fact by imitating it.
Sorry, but when you have a $200m payroll, the weakness necessarily stands out as a result of the surrounding talent.
Sorry to but in but I noticed some of you talking about soccer in the UK.
Arsenal losing 1-0 after 20 seconds of the second half, Cesc Fabergas is out of the return leg due to suspension after getting a yellow card tonight.
Rich,
Garko hasn’t shown he can hit coming off the bench.
Last year doesn’t change that since he was released again.
Thames has swung the bat much better the last week.
There is no such thing as a glaring weakness on the 25th roster spot.
If the guy doesn’t hit, they will find somebody else. It’s not an important spot on an AL roster.
Affleck/Matt Damon/Will Farrell/Stephen King are Chelsea Fans
Roy Williams/Billy Crystal/Jay-Z/Donald Trump are Manchester United fans
Seinfeld is a Man City fan.
robby s
As I said to Betsy, ST has nothing to do with it.
Glory
What are your thoughts on Michael Carrick?
I think he is terrible overrated by Fergie!
Thames isn’t a true pinch hitter like Matt Stairs, or his ilk, so it remains to be seen what he can give to the yankees.
i took a week away from this forum and i come back and what a suprise, rich in nj is arguing with everybody….
Arsenal is in real trouble.
Ledger_Yankees Girardi: Hughes first start April 15. Until then, Will stay on active roster, but pitch extended spring games April 5 and 10. #nyy
Best Man u player…van der Sar!
Jerkface – there is no such thing as a pure pinch hitter
What a SAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arsenal could have gotten right back in it.
Before criticizing the Yanks on Thames and Winn, you have to consider left field candidates weren’t too plentiful this off season. Garko is just a guy like a lot of other guys, even if Cashman had saved the money on Gaudin and Park and used the savings on an outfielder there weren’t a lot of choices out there better than the ones we got.
Jerkface – there is no such thing as a pure pinch hitter
–
Matt Stairs pinch hit in 85% of his games played last season
Hughes starting on the 15th makes sense. Inserts him right into the #5 spot after the first time through the rotation.
@Joelsherman1 Hughes to throw sim games on Apr 5 and 10. Start Apr 15 vs. Angels
@Joelsherman1 Sorry on Hughes it is extended spring not simulated games
Thanks for the info on Joba, guys. 3 up and 3 down is good, no matter the velocity.
Wave Your Hat
It’s not really a criticism as much as a suggestion, and it’s prospective because Garko was just put on waivers.
“What was futile was your reply. I highlighted that fact by imitating it.”
Ah, self-satisfied meta explanations of our comebacks. Raising the bar, are we?
“Sorry, but when you have a $200m payroll, the weakness necessarily stands out as a result of the surrounding talent.”
At least you’re willing to apologize.
Yankees don’t have a “glaring” weakness. And you’re talking out of both sides of your mouth right now. You just implied to someone else (quite defiantly) that your comment was not based on ST.
So you tell me, does their career performance show a disparity you’d describe as “glaring”?
Whoops, didn’t see it already posted
Thames will be fine as the right hand option off the bench and part time DH……Randy Winn is getting no love here, but come June everyone will be whistling a different tune, as usual……SJ, how is Tony’s camp going ????
What a Shot!! Zlatan again!!!
Barca are moving on to the Semis
He might not be a “true” pinch hitter but I watched Thames come through with some huge, productive pinch hits for the Tigers.
LOL!!!
Kay just announced who will be covering the Yankees for ESPN New York:
Wally Matthews
He might not be a “true” pinch hitter but I watched Thames come through with some huge, productive pinch hits for the Tigers.
–
No kidding, he has a .300+ avg with power in his career as a pinch hitter, but he did it while maintaining steady playing time as a starter. Which he won’t get on the yankees. No idea how he does completely cold.
Just for the record, while I’m not a fan, I have no issue with other people discussing their favorite soccer teams. I am only saying this because someone said they think they spoke for everyone in saying that this is a Yankees only blog.
And I go off topic a whole lot!
Kay must have photos of someone because he ain’t goood ( a nice guy though)
Pay M,
Scuffling a bit with the bat but playing great defensively.
He’s a bit bored and is ready for Opening Night on the 8th.
He’s healthy though and he has held up well physically all spring.
dont these soccer fans have some rioting to do somewhere (else)?
“Ah, self-satisfied meta explanations of our comebacks. Raising the bar, are we?”
Nah, just having fun.
“At least you’re willing to apologize.”
That’s just how I roll.
“Yankees don’t have a “glaring” weakness. And you’re talking out of both sides of your mouth right now. You just implied to someone else (quite defiantly) that your comment was not based on ST.”
Life is often about relative measures. You’re way too intelligent to be so concrete.
“So you tell me, does their career performance show a disparity you’d describe as “glaring”?”
Given Thames’s age, I focused on more recent stats:
wOBA
2009
Thames: Overall: .312/ v. L: .345
Garko: Overall: .338 / v. L: .381
Maybe not!!
Arsenal are back down 2-1!!!!!!!!!!
There’s hope!
btw – with Swisher in front of him and Jeter behind him, I find it hard to imagine a manager burning a lefty pitcher late in a game to throw to Gardner, while NOT having another righty right behind him ready for Jeter.
Just how often does one imagine Thamas or Garko or however actually facing a lefty late in the game?
“Never” is probably the most accurate guess.
Don’t you also consider that when a younger player has bounced around as much as Garko, it’s a sign that he isn’t well suited for a bench role.
That makes a raw review of his stat line less relevent.
Wally Matthews? You would think they could have found someone more down the middle re: the Yankees.
Wally hates the Yankees. Odd choice for that gig.
“Life is often about relative measures. You’re way too intelligent to be so concrete.”
Tell that to Randy.
“Thames: Overall: .312/ v. L: .345
Garko: Overall: .338 / v. L: .381″
Doesn’t strike me as a significant difference, considering that unless he starts as DH (which doesn’t address the Yankees so-called “weakness” much less a glaring one), neither one is likely ever going to face a lefty late in the game.
Don’t you also consider that when a younger player has bounced around as much as Garko, it’s a sign that he isn’t well suited for a bench role.
–
He played for cleveland adequately and was then traded at the deadline/waiver line and not re-signed in the offseason. Lets not act like Garko was milton bradley’d around the league to a million different teams.
Career .790 OPS, who had a great first half with cleveland and didn’t play well for the giants.
One role was as a starter and one was off the bench.
He didn’t show he could play off the bench, which was my point.
I’d rather go with the guy who has a history of being able to play effectively off the bench as opposed to a guy who doesn’t.
One role was as a starter and one was off the bench.
He didn’t show he could play off the bench, which was my point.
I’d rather go with the guy who has a history of being able to play effectively off the bench as opposed to a guy who doesn’t.
–
He started 75% of the games he played in SF.
So what did Chamberlain top out at?
Anyone?
Wally Matthews hates everyone, so he will be fair to the Yanks.
testing: