Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Today in the Journal News on Apr 19, 2010 
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The Yankees finished off a sweep of the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Andy Pettitte didn’t feel great early, but he finished with another terrific start, getting the ball to Mariano Rivera for the closer’s fifth save of the young season. Josh has the story in today’s paper.
Starting in place of Derek Jeter, Ramiro Pena did his part with a two-run single. Josh’s notebook also has items on Nick Johnson’s approach at the plate and Brett Gardner’s speed on the bases.
With that, I’m on my way to the airport to spend most of my day on a plane heading west. I’ll try to check in when I land in California, but we’ll also have a few updates throughout the day while I”m in the air.
Have a safe trip Chad. No Yankees today is gonna kill me
Fran -
Yay!
I was just looking at the schedule, and realize the 9-game “west coast trip” is just a 6-game west coast trip and then back east for 3 in Baltimore.
Nice way to pass the time on your off day, being honored by the President.
Have a safe trip, Chad.
Doreen
when I click on your name I get an error message, is it me or you?
no Yankees today means I can get caught up on all the pre and post games I recorded while we were gone…ESPN and baseball tonight highlights just don’t cut it.
Chad – hope you had a relaxing weekend off, and have a safe flight.
Testing.
I hate playing in Oakland; that park is beyond hidedous. I’m not sure why any hitter would want to sign there as a FA.
Last night’s discussion was really very interesting. The Yankees 2011 rotation is in flux right now, with Javy a FA after this year and Andy always on the verge of retiring. I know the Yankees are hoping to build their team mostly from within, but because our better pitching prospects are years away, they’re going to probably have to sign another FA or two to fill in the holes (one if Andy returns). I’m hoping that Javy has a big year here because I really don’t want to go after Lee and yet another big $$$, long-term deal.
Safe travel, Chad.
Final Rays/Sox game at 11am today for anyone jonesing baseball while Chad wings West.
Doreen
I get a message that says: looking for something on MobileMe?
Testing again.
upstate kate -
Thank you for the heads up.
I made a small change and didn’t update that here. (That’ll teach me to do this techie stuff at 11:30 at night!
)
It should be okay now.
mlb network showing the game
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....tml?page=1
PUCKHEAD PITCHER
Phil Hughes is having to deal with the firings of his general manager and skipper – no, we’re not talking about Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi, we mean the recently axed Brian Lawton and Rick Tocchet of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Hughes’ favorite hockey team.
Hughes, a longtime Bolts fan who makes his offseason home in Tampa, said he tries to make as many Lightning home games as possible, down to the day the Yanks break camp for the spring (Hughes was spotted during the Rangers’ April 2 visit to St. Pete Times Forum, busily signing autographs while most Blueshirts ambled anonymously to the team bus).
As for baseball, Hughes feels great following his first big-league start in nearly 11 months, when he threw a career-high 108 pitches over five-plus innings on Thursday. “Felt like old times,” he said. “I felt the normal soreness, all the regular stuff. Felt good to get back into that swing.”
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Glad Phil is feeling good; hopefully Pat M can make it out to Oakland for his start on Tuesday.
mlb network showing the redsox and rays at 11 am today
Oops, Wednesday
Should we cheer for the Sox today? The Red Sox win would put the Yankees is first place alone….decisions decisions.
I know we go through this every year with Pettite but he’s not really pitching like a guy that needs to retire anytime soon right now.
blake
what kind of talk is that? cheer for the sox? NO!!!
why are they playing so early? is it b/c of Patriot’s Day and the Boston marathon?
blake April 19th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Should we cheer for the Sox today?
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I don’t think I could ever bring myself to root for the Sox. lol
blake April 19th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Should we cheer for the Sox today? The Red Sox win would put the Yankees is first place alone?.decisions decisions.
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I have a very hard time rooting for the RS even when it helps the Yankees. I want the RS to lose so they continue to fall in the standings. Then they can deal with Tampa later.
They are playing early so that the Sox players will have time to make the early bird specials.
That would be a pretty cruel thing to do, Blake. A win by Boston today would only add to Boston fans false hopes.
Several points about 2011…..
1. Don’t necessarily think Andy is going to retire. If he keeps pitching like this, he won’t.
2. Bloggers want to build the entire team from within. That’s not necessarily the Yankees philosophy. Their philosophy is to field a team with the best players they can get.
If it comes from within, great. If it comes via trade or free agency, the team has shown no hesitation to package what some bloggers thought were “untouchable” prospects for players.
I wouldn’t worry too much about 2011. We have only played 2 weeks of 2010 and things can change on a dime.
blake
Tough call. I’d like to see Lackey lose in Fenway but don’t like the Rays having 7 wins in a row.
Blake-
I don’t know about cheer but the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Kate-
Did you do all the hikes we talked about ? Please fill me in on gmail.
pat -
Those are my feelings precisely.
I want the Rays to lose; if that means the Red Sox have to win, so be it.
What I really want is sole possession of first place.
MTU
We did all the hikes you suggested and more! We did about 50 miles of hiking, I had to come back to work to rest. We had a wonderful time, thanks for all your help 
I emailed you earlier this am
Speaking of Pettitte; here’s how close he could have been to 300 wins. In 2002 and 2004, he missed 34 starts. That’s his average starts per year and at 17 wins. He’s also had 78 starts in his career where he’s pitched at least 6 innings and allowed 3 runs (not earned runs, just runs) and only winning half of those, 56 more wins for a career total of 287 wins.
Yes, I know that’s not how it works, but, I was bored.
NYPost_Kernan #Red Sox fans might not want to think about this: #Mets are closer to first place (4 games) than your team. Sox already trail #Yankees by 5.
SJ
I could see Andy walking away the way Mike Mussina did. Just hope he continues to have a great year and it becomes a topic of conversation next winter.
Andy is in a weird place. For years, he wanted to retire to spend more time with his family, especially with the kids growing up.
Now, the kids have grown up and they love that he’s playing for the Yankees and want to see him play as long as he can.
Its almost as if he has passed the “stay at home dad” phase with the kids getting older.
Add to it the fact he is throwing the ball as well as he ever has.
It makes for an interesting debate in Andy’s mind as to how long you keep playing.
Kate-
Gmail waiting for you.
I’m not sure Andy will retire either if he’s pitching well and the Yankees are still winning.
SJ44
Those yrs Andy played in Houston may have helped him be willing to play longer. He was able to be home more playing there.
Pettitte is also the only pitcher to pitch in 16 seasons or more without having a losing season except for Grover Cleveland Alexander who. opened his career with 19 straight non-losing seasons. in his 20th and final year, he was 0-3.
The ball will be in Andy’s court , so to speak, if he pitches well and wants to return.
dont worry about tampa just yet. we know boston always makes it back, so the more losses they can accrue in april, the better it is for everyone.
Andy also seems to enjoy the role of mentor, which might keep him around an extra year or two, as long as he’s effective.
SJ44 -
It really is quite the irony isn’t it, that “stay at home dad” phase passing just when he’s at the point in his career where it’s feasible.
Sorry folks but I want Boston to knock some of the wind out of Tampa’s sails.
trust me…having the kids around all day can change your mind about wanting to be a “stay- at-home-dad” in a hurry.
12 million dollar cotracts tend to keep guys around also. If we are talking about this in November it means Andy had a great season.
Andy Pettitte for 2011!!
GreenBeret7 April 19th, 2010 at 9:24 am
trust me?having the kids around all day can change your mind about wanting to be a ?stay- at-home-dad? in a hurry.
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LOL
Andy has more money than he can spend. He’s already made over 100 million dollars in the game. The money now represents more respect than anything else.
You want to be paid for the level of your performance. At this point in his career, that’s the importance money holds.
Andy is one of the guys who has handled his money well.
GreenBeret7 April 19th, 2010 at 9:24 am
trust me?having the kids around all day can change your mind about wanting to be a ?stay- at-home-dad? in a hurry.
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You got that right. When I have my Grandson for a day my son can’t show up soon enough to pick him up. He expects me to share the computer.
GB-
“trust me…having the kids around all day can change your mind about wanting to be a “stay- at-home-dad” in a hurry”
Would that be in a NY minute, or a Savannah second ?
Erin April 19th, 2010 at 9:28 am
GreenBeret7 April 19th, 2010 at 9:24 am
trust me?having the kids around all day can change your mind about wanting to be a ?stay- at-home-dad? in a hurry.
************************
LOL
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After about 48 hours with them, I was the “run-away-from-home-dad” type. That God for those 1 year combat tours, though. It gave me a chance to relax and unwind before facing the real enemy.
It is a long season and things seem to have a way of working out. I hope Andy & Javy both pitch great and come back, but I would like to have another LHP in Lee as well. I also want Joba in the starting rotation. I can not have it all! LOL!
Doreen – GTLU Standings & Rules April 19th, 2010 at 9:21 am
Andy also seems to enjoy the role of mentor, which might keep him around an extra year or two, as long as he?s effective.
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It was clear what AJ thought of him during an interview during the PO.
MTU (aka GBURL) April 19th, 2010 at 9:30 am
GB-
“trust me…having the kids around all day can change your mind about wanting to be a “stay- at-home-dad” in a hurry”
Would that be in a NY minute, or a Savannah second ?
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Those would be GreenBeret minutes.
***Thank*** God for those 1 year
Betsy
LOL I was as that Rangers game. And I KNEW I saw Phil on the board. He was with Swish!!!
SJ, so you don’t think the Yankees mind having a very expensive, old rotation? That’s how it’s going to play out if that’s the case. I’m not necessarily talking about trading prospects for a pitcher; the best young pitchers are being re-signed with their teams anyway. I’m talking about constantly going to the FA market. I’m not suggesting that our rotation be mostly homegrown, but it would be nice. In any case, that’s not going to be possible for another few years at least.
I have no idea what Andy will do; even if he decides not to retire, there’s no guarantee he will continue to pitch like this. The Yankees need to (and I’m sure they realize this) think about 2011 and beyond.
CR, was he? LOL I thought it was cool that he was recognized and spent time signing autographs, but I’m not surprised; based on interactions on his blog (which he has completely abandoned, lol; I guess like most kids he has a short attention span), Phil’s a great kid who appreciates his fans. I didn’t know he lived full time in Tampa; I guess that’s how he became a Bolts fan. I knew he spent his bonus $$ in 2007 on a house, but not that he still lived there.
I am hoping the Rays steal 20 bases today and crush the RSox. I prefer a 2-team race versus 3. Also, I like Tampa more than the RSox. Lastly, I think Yanks will finish 1st no matter what.
Betsy,
I think the Yankees like winning. It doesn’t matter how old players are if they are still performing. We see that on this present roster.
Teams that rely solely on young pitching don’t make the playoffs. You have to have a mix and right now the Yankees have a nice mix.
Give me a group of guys between 28-35 who can pitch, and i’ll win a lot of games.
Let Baseball America tout all the “great” young arms, many of whom never make it.
I’ll take veterans who know how to pitch and win titles.
Pettitte seems to have a knack for picking up a new pitch every couple of years. He’s lessened his use of the cutter over the last couple of seasons and gone more with a change-up and curve ball more. Much like Mussina, he’s pretty adaptable to change, though, Pettitte seems to adapt to changes a little easier. Mussina was pretty stubborn before his last season.
Betsy-
IMO, the Yankees like winning, and are always in win now mode.
That seems to color all that they do.
At the moment they seem to have a nice balance of youth and veteran.
Who knows if both AP and JV will return ?
If both don’t then that leaves room for another homegrown, or a new FA.
Hello Betsy!
Andy probably isn’t going to just lose it in 1 season. The Yanks will probably offer another 1 year contract and if he doesn’t play up to expectations he will probably transition to the bullpen for the rest of that season.
Andy’s workouts are a plus to the youngsters and sets an example of what is expected.
Expensive, old rotation? Come on, stop worrying, Betsy.
CC, AJ, maybe Cliff Lee, all in their early-mid 30′s?
Hughes in his mid 20′s?
Petttite year to year, winning 10-12 games as a number 5 until he hangs it up with Mo and Po, maybe after the 2011 or 2012 season?
If there isn’t enough to worry about right now, and there really isn’t, why not worry about whether the Mayans were right?
Betsy
As long as Andy continues to pitch well, each year he pitches gives the Yankees more time to develop their own SP rather than going after FA.
I can deal with no Yankee baseball tonight since 24 is on. Very sad that the show is coming to an end. Not much else on TV that I enjoy thee days. Too many Law and Order and CSI shows. Also like Cold Case.
If one really wants to worry about something, think more about whether Cashman wants to move on, and the CBA in 2011 and how it will affect the Yankees, especially if they win in 2010, 2011, or both.
SJ, I definitely don’t think a team of all greenhorns is the way to go, but then the Yankees need to think ahead as to who will be available in free agency. I guess Lee is the obvious answer, but he’ll require a long term, expensive deal; do we really want to do that again?
Ruben Sierra – “The Yankees don’t care about people. They just care about winning.”
Ray, I’m definitely fine with Andy coming back, but the Yankees would still need another pitcher. I hope for many reasons tha Javy has a big year because he’d be an ideal re-sign.
Pitts, seriously – can we please have a conversation where someone does NOT bring up the fact that I’m worrying? I am NOT worrying – there, and that’s all I’ll say about that.
Why not? If he is healthy, the guy is an outstanding pitcher.
The issue is whether he can hold up over 5 years and that’s what you have your medical people determine when you look at his reports.
You also have to see who else is competing for his services. If Boston isn’t in, it affects the marketplace in a positive way re: the Yankees.
Cliff Lee is an outstanding pitcher. Basically, he may cost a couple of more million a year than Vazquez.
They will have to determine whether or not he’s worth it.
Put it to you another way, despite all of the overhyping of prospects, the Yankees don’t have anybody who will come close to being as productive coming up through the system as Lee would be in next 3 years.
That is what folks should be thinking about. Not the size of Lee’s contract.
Yeah, sure – I’m really worried about the world ending in 2012. Give me a break.
Maybe they just didnt care about Ruben Sierra?
Anyways, did i miss something in Boston? Is Ellsbury still hurt or has he been benched for Hermida?
Ellsbury is still hurt(bruised ribs) but he should be back mid-week
Ellsbury is still hurt. They are expecting him back mid-week.
SJ, that’s an awful lot of $$$ tied up in a few players. The Yankees will re-sign Mo and Jeter; we already saw that Hal refused to add anymore payroll beyond that mythical $200 or so million. I would like to keep some change lying around as it were “just in case”.
Apparently some people on this board have never heard of it.
The RS did make a defensive upgrade in CF today.
Bill Hall replaces Cameron.
Pettite really is remarkable…he’s pitching better now than anytime I can remeber last year minus the playoffs.
The Yankees are actually in a pretty good spot right now with their rotation and should have several options to consider this offseason. A strong season by Hughes would allow them to be a bit more choosy in their decision making this winter.
I think its too early to try and guess what the 2011 rotation will look like, a lot can happen between now and then..they will have options however.
Pettitte and Lee are pretty much identical pitchers over the first 6 years of their careers. Lee has a bit more control is the main difference.
Betsy,
Those will be short term deals. Ever stop to think Hal didn’t want to overspend this year because they are looking a year or two down the road?
The Yankees will spend what they need to spend to field the team they want to field. That has never changed and never will as long as the Steinbrenner’s own the team.
Even with this “budget” in place, they still made Johnny Damon the highest offer he had in the marketplace. They can’t force him to take it.
Money isn’t an issue to the Yankees for the right player. The key being “right” player and not just a guy because he has a name. Those days are gone.
I know I’m getting ahead of myself here but I can’t help it.
If the league thinks the 2010 Yankees are Monsters.
What will they think if they add CC, CL, and bring up Monstero ?
OMG.
Yeah, I heard of it – I was responding to that ridiculous post.
Kate-
one last gmail.
MikeSilvermanBB Cameron at hospital now, could be passing another kidney stone, getting checked out. #redsox
McAllister is pitching this afternoon against Buffalo and Tampa Yanks are playing a double header. No listing of the starters, yet.
SJ, I want to make it clear that I was not criticizing Hal, but he’s not his father in that he will spend without restraint (and that’s a good thing). Yeah, I stopped….and I thought, I did plenty of that, but did you? You twisted what I said to make your point. I’m sure you’re well aware that most of the biggest FA are off the market, so if that’s what the Yankees were doing, they’d better hope that Lee does not take a liking to Seattle. I won’t even bring up Crawford since you think he’s a goner. I have no idea why you brought up Damon; When did I ever criticize the Yankees for how they handled him? You’re thinking of someone else, but it wasn’t me. I thought they handled that situation perfectly – I was thrilled when Cashman went public and called out Boras.
GB-
Thanks for the heads up on Z-Mac.
pat April 19th, 2010 at 10:08 am
MikeSilvermanBB Cameron at hospital now, could be passing another kidney stone, getting checked out. #redsox
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I had heard that on the radio this morn. I was just trying to make a joke, which I guess was a fail.
Happy 31st Birthday Kate Hudson!
Blake, ok – we’ll have to wait and see. I just found last night’s discussion very interesting. It’s pretty important that Phil have a solid year, I think.
Betsy
One thing that should encourage you is that it appears like Cashman and Hal are more unified as to the moves that are made.
It doesn’t appear like there will be deals made behind Cashmans back like in the past.
MTU, I’ll keep an update going, I’ll be watching the game on the internet. As soon as I find out who’s pitching for Tampa, I’ll post it. Schedule listings are fouled up. some have the 1st game starting at 11: AM and others at 4:00 PM.
Trenton and New Hampshire should be interesting. Ryan Pope going againsy Kyle Drabek.
Stoneburner’s pitching for Charleston tonight.
So, the Red Sox are now looking at an OF of Hermida-Hall-Drew after two weeks of play. I don’t think this is what they were expecting going into the season.
People are right to note how the paradigm in the game in regards to young talent is shifting, particularly in regards to young pitcher. You might not seen as many attractive free agents on the market as previous (though CC Sabathia was still a very rare case in ANY era).
But with all actions there is an equal and opposite reaction. You’re likely going to start to see more quality, veteran pitchers (ala Javy Vasquez) be made available from the teams that are locking up these young pitchers.
There will be quality pitching available to the Yankees to keep fortifying their rotation.
Ike Davis had better be Lou Gehrig the way Joe and Evan are talking him up; he’s going to save the Mets’ season.
Betsy,
I’m not criticizing you. You have to stop being so sensitive.
I’m just pointing out how the Yankees do business.
If they REALLY want a guy, they will make him the best offer. If the guy doesn’t take it, there isn’t anything they can do about it.
Crawford and Lee will definitely be the two biggest FA’s on the market. What the Yankees do with either guy will largely depend on what happens this season.
What if Mo retires? What if Andy retires? What if they don’t want to sign Javy? All reasonable scenarios.
IF that happens, the Yankees have more than enough money to pursue both guys IF that’s what they want to do.
My point is, money won’t stop them from doing anything. It never has and it never will.
Betsy
For the future of the Yankees rotation and developing thier own starting pitching, I agree with you that it is important for Phil to have a solid year. Phil needs to be in a position to be a #3 type starter next year.
GB-
Thanks.
That’s an interesting menu of talent on display today.
Maine, I’m not worried about the Yankees at all; I love the Cash and Hal partnership.
Phil, I think that’s asking too much of Phil to be a #3 next year, but he does have to have a good year (not in terms of #s so much as in terms of progress). If he regresses, then it’s not only not good for next year, but it raises questions about the future.
Stuckey’s point is a good one. Folks have to remember, for every one player that is tied up with a long term deal, other solid veteran players are going to be in the marketplace.
Most teams are not the Yankees or Red Sox. They don’t have unlimited, or near unlimited resources, to sign all of their top players to long term deals.
The Rays for example are going to lose Crawford after this year. If they had the funds, they would keep him.
You will have guys on the market that can help your team every year. Its the way it always is, whether its via trade or free agency.
The most important thing is to make good baseball decisions. The Yankees have made good baseball decisions the last couple of years and I don’t see that changing anytime soon under this current regime.
Yes, it’s early but stepping on the neck of Boston is always a good thing to do and keep them down.
Although the Rays clearly are more talented than Boston, they have to see what they’re made of when they have a long west coast trip in May. The Rays are just as interested in keeping Boston down as the Yankees are.
The mythical days of Boston being a powerhouse are coming to an end as they will find out when they attempt to solve problems at the 7/31 trading deadline or sooner.
Other teams have an interest in Adrian Gonzalez also and can put together a more attractive package to get him than Boston can.
San Diego GM Jed Hoyer is a former assistant to Theo Epstein and knows exactly what to pull from Boston’s farm system and unless he gets exactly what he wants, no deal.
Betsy
My point was they seem to have a plan and based on the moves over the last few seasons it seems to be a good one. Saying that, I think that they probably already have a rough draft for the future in place. They will adjust it based on how the season plays out.
SJ, I don’t think I’m being sensitive at all, but let’s not go there.
I never said the Yankees could force a player to take their offer, so I’m not sure why you keep bringing that up. Fine, lets’ just agree that the Yankees will do what they have to do to strengthen their team. I hope that’s not Lee, but there’s no point in debating that as ,if he goes FA, it’s not for another year.
All this Andy love today makes me
Hopefully the guys had an easy flight and will pull out a win tomorrow. The Javy bashing is getting old and I just want the fans to get over it already.
MTU, just looking back at the previous games for Tampa Yanks, looking like Noesi and maybe Kapala get the starts. Danny Kapala and David Phelps were team mates at Notre Dame.
Why are you so against Cliff Lee? He is one of the best pitchers in baseball, isn’t old, and has the kind of style of pitching that can hold up over a long period of time.
Plus, he’s lefthanded in a ballpark that favors LH pitchers.
He’s the perfect guy to get after this off-season if you are the Yankees.
Maine, I know the Yankees have a plan; Cashman is no dummy. I’ve been a Cash supporter for a long time; he’s always thinking one or two steps ahead. The whole conversation got started last night because we were talking about teams that have really good young pitching…
Doesn’t a signing of Cliff Lee would make Crawford a no no..???
GB-
Suffice it to say that the Yankees have a great deal of talent in the minors.
Right now I have my eye on Z-Mac, and Warren on the pitching side.
And, of course, on Montero on the hitting side.
Let me know about anyone else to watch (i.e. Brewer )
Short of trying to trade for Gonzales this summer and losing the best of their young and ready players, I’m betting on Boston making a run at Carlos Pena as a FA to fill the first base hole and moving Youkilis back to third base.
MTU, I think that Brewer is a comer along with Laird, who’s starting to warm up. First AA homer last night. Don’t sleep on Phelps, either. He knows how to pitch.
Betsy
So if you trust Cashman and think he has a plan for the future should you be concerned about the pitching going forward?
Betsy
I think Phil will have a season that would allow him to be a #3 type starter. I think the Yankees have done a good job developing him and see him as a mainstay in the Yankees rotation for many years to come.
David Adams is a very good watch, too. Does nothing great and everything well. The biggest draft disappointment, though, is Carmen Angelini.
GB-
I’ll keep an eye out for Phelps.
By the way, I forgot to mention Bleich and Banuelos.
GreenBeret7 April 19th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Short of trying to trade for Gonzales this summer and losing the best of their young and ready players, I?m betting on Boston making a run at Carlos Pena as a FA to fill the first base hole and moving Youkilis back to third base.
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I’ve thought that as well but there has been some thought that Tampa would choose to resign him and let Crawford walk.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Pena gives the Rays a hometown discount and stays in Tampa.
When I was in Tampa last weekend talking to some of the Rays people I know, they felt Pena would stay and Crawford is definitely gone.
I think we need to take a bit of a deep breath on all of the “talent” in the Yankees farm system. Its not as deep as some want to believe.
A lot is going to depend on how the guys in A Ball develop this season. If they develop, then its more accurate to say they have a lot of talent in the system.
Right now, the talent is light at the AAA and AA levels, with the exception of a handful of guys.
That’s ok, as long as some of the guys in A Ball take that next step this season.
Betsy
Yes! They weren’t in Yankees gear IIRC, and they came on the big screen right after random fans, and I just yelled out to my friends ‘that’s Phil and Swish!”
You’re right! Phil is a great kid! He was born to be a superstar!
__
One other funny story about that game…
They had a contest for free tickets for an entire section, and 2 fans had to name as many celebrities as they could in their respective 15 seconds, with pictures of the celebrities being shown on the big screen.
Each contestant got 3 and 4 celebrities, respectively. I got each one that came up, in like a half a second each.
And the best one was, MARIANO RIVERA was one of the celebrities, and the contestant that had that one didnt get him, and had to pass.
If Schilling is a legitimate candidate for the HOF, which ESPN had declared him a near lock, Andy could get into the HOF with a good season this year, and have better chances with a good season next year.
Pena would likely be a backup plan for the Sox if they can’t deal for Adrian and I just don’t know if that’s going to happen. If other teams become players for Gonzalez then the Sox can easily be outbid with prospects.
Cliff Lee would look great in pinstripes..he and CC are tight as well. How things shake out this year will determine the amount of interest in him I imagine.
The ones that I listed along with the obvious names like Montero, Bleich, Banuelos and Romine are the ones that have impressed me. I realize that not all will make it, at least with NYYs, but, they are talents to look at and wait to see develop.
SJ44
Unless there’s a major injury to one of the key players they won’t have much of a need from the farm will they?
If Pena re-signs and they can pull off a deal for Adrian, then what’s plan C for the BoSox?
Maine, I don’t get why having a discussion necessarily means I’m “concerned”. It’s getting tiresome; what is a blog for if not for discussion? We were talking last night about the young pitchers the Yankees have in the organization and I simply wondered what we would do about 2011 given that whatever prospects we have are in the low minors.
Phil, I think Phil will be a better than #3 starter; I think he’s a front of the rotation type. That said, asking him to be even a #3 next year is asking a lot, IMO. Hey, I hope he is- that would be fantastic.
I’d bet on Gonzales going back to Texas before going to Boston. Just my opinion, though.
I think the Yankees will be interested in both Crawford and Lee after this season. Starting pitcher and left fielder will be their two biggest holes. I also think that neither guy will be pursued as hard as Sabathia was last year, or even Teixeira.
And who knows, maybe after signing Jeter, Rivera and maybe Pettitte, the Yanks might be out of funds to spend on the 2011 team. They are making a concerted effort to reduce payroll and stick to a budget and I don’t think Lee or Crawford are worth breaking that budget like Teixeira was.
If the kids in the low minors don’t develop, what does it say about Cashman and the Yankees’ scouting department? It sounds like the Yankees have a pretty mediocre system, which is odd given that Cash said he was going to focus on rebuilding that when he took control again.
As I said yesterday, if the Red Sox want Gonzalez sooner rather than later, the Padres could and should hold them hostage for whatever they want.
The Red Sox have no position of power, at this point. And they shouldnt have any position of power at any point, because as long as they need Gonzalez, their offense is probably struggling.
GB,
I would add Nunez to that list and those are the guys worth watching, IMO.
I like McAllister more than a lot of other people but, he’s strictly a back of the rotation type of arm. A guy I wouldn’t be shocked to see traded if the Yankees need to make a move down the line.
Melancon is a guy who could factor into the bullpen mix if there are injuries.
Overall though, its light at the upper levels. Some real interesting guys at the lower levels, which is why I’m anxious to see how they develop this year.
Maine,
I think that’s correct. Even if Jorge got hurt, they would call up Chad Moeller before Montero right now because Montero isn’t ready to catch at the major league level.
Perhaps a kid like Curtis or Winfree could fill in for a DL spell for one of the OF’s.
Aside from that, I don’t see a lot of help coming from Scranton this year.
Short of trying to trade for Gonzales this summer and losing the best of their young and ready players, I’m betting on Boston making a run at Carlos Pena as a FA to fill the first base hole and moving Youkilis back to third base.
____
This isnt that big of a deal. Pena is a strike out machine. Boston has a lot guys with power and low OBPs. We are focused on higher OBPs now and it is working for us.
Andy is such a pro, he self adjusted and was simply awesome after his early shaky start.
One funny comment on Pete’s latest thread:
“The SS red sux 2010 cruise to another championship, is quickly turning in to a voyage on the Titanic.” ouch!!
Betsy
Thats all I was doing was having a discussion. Because I have a differant view than you doesn’t mean that I’m saying you’re wrong. Just have a different thought. Is that okay?
—–different——
Betsy,
What it says is the same as it says for every other team in baseball. Developing and drafting players is a complete crapshoot.
There are few sure things and you basically draft and sign in bulk to find a few that make it.
Making it to the majors is the toughest thing to do in sports. In the NBA and NFL, guys get drafted and are on the team. In MLB, it takes years and there are tons of minefields along the way.
Its why I always caution people not to get fixated on one or two guys in a system because too many variables take place along the way. Christian Garcia being a prime of example of what I’m talking about.
The Yankees still have more homegrown players on their roster than the Red Sox. Yet, nobody talks about that.
There are no sure things. They have about 12-15 guys at the lower levels who are really interesting prospects. If 3 actually make it, that’s success.
That’s how tough it is and why its wise to temper enthusiasm about prospects.
If the kids in the low minors don?t develop, what does it say about Cashman and the Yankees? scouting department? It sounds like the Yankees have a pretty mediocre system, which is odd given that Cash said he was going to focus on rebuilding that when he took control again.
–
Well thats the danger of drafting anyone, isn’t it? Without being able to take a lot of surefire guys due to low drafting position and losing draft picks by signing FA’s, the Yankees will have trouble getting big name talents.
A lot of our cool international FA’s are still low in the system.
I actually like the AA and AAA teams because there are a few legit guys and a ton of people who can help. Its not perfect, but its the kind of mix that benefits a team like the Yankees.
I wouldn’t want the Yankees to have a bunch of surefire position players wasting their time in AAA because player X on the big club is signed through 2018
SJ, I like Eduardo Nunez a lot, too. I like Luis Nunez’ glove better, but Eduardo is an exception bat and base runner. I haven’t seen any change in E. Nunez’ defensively, though as far as footwork. If he gets that straightened out, he’ll be something. Quite similar to the problems that Andrus has for Texas, but, Nunez has a better bat, I think.
Betsy
Based on my untrained eye, from what I’ve seen so far Phil will surpass Bucholz(sp) this season. One seems to be progressing and one seems to be regressing. I know it’s early and things could change.
fyi – Boston/Tampa Bay game is on MLBN starting at 11am.
hmmmmmm … who do I want lose???
Betsy,
The fact is, the Yankees do have a mediocre system at this time. It’s basically in the middle of the pack. However, the farm system has played a huge part in the Yankees recent success.
Think about it.
McCutchen, Ohlendorf, Karstens and Tabata were traded for Nady and Marte. Marte helped us win a world series.
Marquez and someone I forgot was traded for Swisher.
Jackson, Kennedy and Coke (who also helped us win a WS) were dealt for Granderson.
Melky helped the 2009 team and was then traded with Dunn and Vizcaino for Vazquez.
Then look at our roster. Hughes, Chamberlain, Robertson, Cervelli, Pena, Cano, Gardner have all come from within the farm system. I’m not even mentioning Pettitte, Jeter, Posada and Rivera because they are from a different generation.
So even after trading away signficant prospects and having several graduate and have meaningful impacts on the team, we still have Montero, Romine, McAllister, Melancon, etc in the system. What’s remaining is mediocre but I think if you look at the contributions as a whole, the Yankees minor league development has been a gigantic help to the franchise.
I don’t think that Buchholz is regressing, he just isn’t getting any better, or, no worse.
Maine
Get it right! It’s Buchholz! He’s the trash that the Sox will try to dump for Gonzalez!
oops -
who do I want to lose???
Since when is a middle of the pack system “Mediocre”?
Buchholz is a victim of Boston’s media making him better than he is
The strength of the system is clearly catcher.
The Yankees have potential to have at least 5 big league catchers come from their system within the next couple of years. Clearly not all of these will play for the Yankees. And, many have the potential to bring back very nice pieces in a trade.
Cervelli – Is really proving to be an outstanding backup catcher. Excellent defense and game calling (will he become CC’s personal catcher) and a decent hitter. He might be able to start on a few teams in the league.
Montero – Enough said.
Romine – Solid all around. Progressing on the defensive side and supposed to be a good hitter as well.
Murphy, Higashioka – Lower down but with potential.
Gary Sanchez – really high upside but really far to go
GB7
What have you heard about Wilkin DeLaRosa? I had read some good things about him. I see he is at Trenton as a reliever this year. He is on the 40 man
Since when is a middle of the pack system ?Mediocre??
—
me?di?o?cre /ˌmidiˈoʊkər/
?adjective
1. of only ordinary or moderate quality; neither good nor bad; barely adequate.
Seems to describe middle of the pack pretty well
GB7
He doesn’t seem to be as confident as he was last year. That was one of the reasons they kept him in AAA as long as they did. He looks like that is a problem again.
I think DeLaRosa goes back to the pen to stay. As well as he does in the rotation, he seems to get nicked up from time to time. This is only his 3rd year of pitching and somebody will take him in the next Rule 5. Not much room in a rotation above AAA. he has a really nice fastball and a great change-up, though.
The fact is, the Yankees do have a mediocre system at this time. It?s basically in the middle of the pack. However, the farm system has played a huge part in the Yankees recent success.
–
This is a great point that needs to be looked at it. Its one thing to want to dominate the farm system charts each season, but give me a system that brings us a championship and I’ll take it.
If the Yankee system pushes it way into the top 10 every couple of seasons, delivers a WS through graduation/trade, and then drops down into the 16-18 range. I’m fine with that.
Maine, I don’t think we’re on the same page. I was not criticizing you for having another opinion – that’s not my style. I’m not sure what you’re referring to, but let’s drop it because I just can’t deal with getting into another argument.
I suppose Phil and Buchholz will always be compared to each other as long as they are on the Sox and Yanks. Buchholz throws very hard and he did settle down after the 4 runs. I would expect him to have a good year, but I hadn’t thought about him at all. I just hope that Phil lives up to his potential; if he does, he’ll be here for a long time.
Jerkface, good post. Well, this is a big year for the farm system; I’m crossing my fingers that just a few of these kids progress.
Patrick, I totally agree…….If some of these kids on the lower levels progress, then the rankings will change pretty quickly anyway. The Yankees drafted only pitchers and catchers for a few years; I’m glad they’ve gone away from that.
So Melky isn’t doing to well for the Braves this year?He should have still been a Yankee.I miss the Melkman!
Actually, that doesn’t describe the system at all. You and a few of the mediot clowns have them as mediocre, but, that doesn’t make it so. Hard to be mediocre when your teams win 3 of their 5 league titles.
GB7
You don’t see him as a LH reliever with the Yanks in the future?
Rays on top early!
CR9
Looking forward to the Cl games this week?
Betsy
Your not on the same page reference is more accurate than arguing. I’ll leave it there because I had no intent to argue.
Ok so first you say mediocre doesn’t mean what I think it means. I prove you wrong. Now you say the system isn’t in the middle of the pack, it’s actually at the top?
Winning minor league championships means absolutely nothing when evaluating a farm system. I could get a team of Cody Ransom clones and they would win the international league every year, does that mean I would have a great farm system?
No, of course not. It’s about having high-ceiling, projectable talent throughout the system. Right now the Yankees have a handful of legitimate prospects and then a lot of really young guys in the low minors with high ceilings. That’s pretty average when compared to the rest of the minor league systems in baseball.
Phil Columbus April 19th, 2010 at 11:09 am
GB7
You don’t see him as a LH reliever with the Yanks in the future?
———————————————————————————————————————-
sure, I do. He should be in Scranton by mid-season at the latest, but, as long as NYY hangs on to pitchers like Albaladejo and Ring, there’s not much room for him. I can see him as Marte’s replacement or in long relief/spot starter role.
Patrick
Out of curiosity where do you rate the RS minors?
Out of curiosity where do you rate the RS minors?
——–
Better than the Yankees but not nearly as good as most minor league analysts. I dunno, 10 or 12?
Patrick
If it’s better than the yankees why have they had to bring in players from the outside to fill the positions this year?
you called them middle of the pack…I didn’t. I only repeated your words.
It makes zero difference to me what you think, any more than the so-called experts that never see them. I also don’t need your definitions of words. So far, you haven’t proved anybody wrong. I don’t care about the career minor leaguers, but, if you look at it, they traded most of them off or sold them during the season.
Enough of the silliness. It’s not worth the annoyance.
Wow. Youk got a cheap strike call levied upon him. And immediately argued.
Boy, if our players argued every single cheap strike call, the games would last 5 hours and 20 minutes instead of 3 hours and 20 minutes.
NYY = Class
I don’t see the point of your question. Every team brings players from the outside to fill positions. Even the Rays who have had arguably the best farm system over the last 5 years have brought in players from the outside to fill spots.
I’m talking about each team’s farm system at this current point in time. Right now the Red Sox have a better system than the Yankees. Over the last several years I could see an argument being made that the Yankees’ farm system has helped them more than Boston’s has. Which is sort of what I’m trying to convey in my 10:57 AM post.
Roger…who loves Iceland!
I know it’s a long shot, but Bayern are missing a bunch of players due to yellow cards, so I am hoping that Bayern get their a**es handed to them.
No offense to your Dutchmen, but I wasnt particularly fond of that scumbag celebration by Robben after his goal. So it is not confused, I am not calling Robben a scumbag, just his celebration.
Barca and Inter should be quite a matchup. I love Mourinho attitude, behavior, mind games, and tactical style. Barca is, well, Barca. Great coach, great team, they define ‘the beautiful game.’
GB7,
What’s your problem with me? Every time you reply to one of my posts it’s with disdain. Get over yourself
GB7
I think Juan Miranda will be a FA after this year. Unless someone gets hurt he has no place on the Yanks. Does he have any value or is he simply another Shelly Duncan type.? His stats in the minors are similar to Carlos Pena and the Yanks let him walk after he had hit some HRs in Columbus.
GB-
i saw you were wondering about the start times of the tampa yankees game. Here’s their release (i’ve got season tickets)
Tampa, Fla. –Today’s game, vs. the Clearwater Threshers, has been postponed due to rain, wet field conditions, and the forecast of showers to continue throughout the day. There will be a doubleheader scheduled for tomorrow with the first game starting at 4:00PM (gates open at 3:00PM). The second game is scheduled to start at 7:00pm (original game time). Both games will be seven-inning contests. Tickets from today’s rainout can be redeemed at the George M. Steinbrenner Field box office, for tomorrow’s games or any remaining Tampa Yankees’ regular season home game.
If the Red Sox lose this game (and Lackey doesn’t pitch well) things are going to get very ugly in the Nation.
So Francona sat Ortiz yesterday and it didn’t do any good. That’s the problem with making a move like that so early (like calling team meetings) if it doesn’t work, what then?
And I wouldn’t be thrilled to see the Rangers come to town after a sweep. That team can still hit (and pitch a little).
Patrick
My point is when the RS need to fill a need they are going outside there system more than within.
The Yankees have fill alot of their needs from within. Guys like Cervelli, Pena, Robertson have given the Yankees alot of value for the cost.
It won’t show as a big deal as far as stars but provides alot of balance.
Thanks, WRS. I was curious as to when to tune in on the radio. I’ve seen a couple of different start times. I know that tomorrow has an 11:00 AM start time listed.
The way Andy is throwing the ball right now, I can’t see him retiring. I always felt Andy was not a “go out on top” kind of player when it comes to retiring. I think they are going to have to rip the uniform off of him.
All the protestations about his kids and wanting to be home have pretty much passed at this point. As SJ said, his kids are older. He could have walked away last season with a championship and brilliant post season in his pocket, yet he’s back now and he looks sharper than he did all of last year.
I think the post season last season reminded him what a difference maker he is in the rotation.
If he stays healthy all season, I don’t see him walking away unless things go really bad.
And for the record, Andy should have a rotation spot here as long he’s effective. He is an important player in that you want him on this roster to help the young pitchers and new pitchers who come in. He’s a leader and he’s a great Yankee.
Patrick, why do the Sox have a better farm system? Apparently their best prospects are also in the lower minors.
Stuckey
They sat Ortiz so they could keep Victor’s bat in the line-up because he wasn’t going to catch.
G. Love-
I think AP has been quoted as saying he “wanted to know that the tank was empty” before hanging em up for good.
Hey, look at Jamie Moyer.. Pettitte could pitch another 10 years of he wanted… lol…
Kidding (mostly)
Look, Maine, you’re completely missing my point.
We can get into a debate about which farm system has helped which team more. I’d actually contend that the Yankees have been helped more by their minor leagues than the REd Sox have. Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, Rivera, Cano, Gardner, Cervelli, Pena, Robertson, Chamberlain, Hughes, Aceves, Marte, Granderson, Swisher, Vazquez, A-rod. All players that came up through the system or were acquired by trading valuable prospects. Thats essentially the entire team other than Burnett, Sabathia, Teixeira.
But the point your taking issue with is that I said the Red Sox have a better minor league system than the Yankees. At this point in time they do. If you compare over the last 5 years, still, the Red Sox have had more talent in the system than the Yanks. The key is, the Yankees use what they have in the correct way. The Red Sox do not.
Phil C., I don’t know what the plans are for Miranda or Vazquez for that matter. I know that Miranda has spent a lot of time on his defense and he’s 100% better than he ever was. he’s really turned in some sparklers this season. His contract runs out at the end of the season, so, depending on what Johnson does, I’m guessing that one or the other could go in a mid-season trade.
via MLB Trade Rumors
AL East’s biggest trade chips:
Red Sox: Boston has held onto Clay Buchholz for this long, but with his name appearing so frequently on the rumor circuit, it really wouldn’t be surprising if they moved him for a big time player. They might still be able to find a taker for Mike Lowell, and there would be interest in Manny Delcarmen if he were made available. They did lose a valuable chip when Junichi Tazawa went down with Tommy John surgery.
LMAO!!! Red Sox stinksniffing at its finest
Those MLB TR writers are pretty obvious.
Ortiz looks pretty funny walking around with that fork sticking out of his back.
“They sat Ortiz so they could keep Victor’s bat in the line-up because he wasn’t going to catch.”
Right, they sat a guy hitting .180 for a guy hitting .220..
CR9
I think Inter is the only team who could win against Barca.Just because of the way they play.Very physical.But I guess I’m rooting for Barca
Correction: That should have been ***WSR***. Damned dog. I told him to leave the computer alone.
I don’t agree that the Red Sox have a better farm system than the Yankees. What has that supposedly better farm system done for Boston.
Patrick – I think it is the popular opinion that the Sox have a better farm system than the Yankees but I don’t see it.
They were really, really hurt by Tazawa getting TJ a few weeks ago and out for a year and Westmoreland with his condition. Lars Anderson flamed out last year we will see if he can reclaim his position.
Casey Kelly is in the low minors. They have others that are good, but it is not nearly as if they have future all stars at every position waiting in AAA. I would rate the systems as pretty close.
Also, the Red Sox might release Ortiz rather than just stashing him on the bench!
What an ignominious end to his Red Sox (baseball) career that would be.
New Post: A good way to start
MTU,
I believe it. I mean, he’s had plenty of time to walk away from the game and he keeps coming back. I think when he realizes he has the rest of life to hang out at the house with his family but he only has a limited time to be a starting pitcher on the Yankees, he keeps coming back and we should be thankful for it.
For a guy who is mostly regarded as a back of the rotation starter here, he never feels like he’s a back of the rotation starter. At least not to me.
And on another topic, did I see that right? Did Pedroia, who is currently the most effective hitter on the Sox, just try to bunt over a runner in the first inning?
Ooof.
If they get swept at home, the fans and media will be on death watch.
ortiz getting the boos now too
No Yankees tonight. Need to watch ” The King “on his march to the NBA title. He is a Yankee fan.
I’m not going back 5yrs. I’m talking current. The RS had a head start because Theo started sooner but now they don’t have an advantage.
Since Cash has had more control it could be argued the have surpassed the RS in that regard.
6 – 0
RAYS!
Sox look lost.
No Defense.
Noi Offense.
It’s early but …
This just in: the Suxers may never win a game again!
I’m fine with them losing because I’m fine sticking to my prediction that the Yanks will run away with the division, despite what the Rays are doing right now. I do remember rooting against the Sux’s competition at one point in my life. I think it the season that Toronto was in first for quite a bit, and we may have then owned last place by quite a bit (8.5 games?) So I felt it was more important that Toronto be stopped, no matter the competition.
First and last time.
GO YANKEES!!!
Lackey just pitched a 36 pitch inning gave up 5 HR, RAYS 6-0. Francona probably needs a drink about now team imploding early.
Patrick
Based on your own criteria how exactly would you rate the Sox system as being better than the Yanks?
Who are the high ceiling projectible guys in their system that are better than the Yanks?
Tazawa, Iglesius,Kelly,Westmoreland and Kalish?
rconn, I don’t see how their schedule gets any easier. Except for the Orioles, they have been terrible. Texas ran into a buzzsaw with the Yankees. The Rangers’ ERA was the best in the league before they came to the Bronx. They have really good starting pitching and they have offense. Then they see Toronto.
I’m now thinking that I may have been generous in predicting they would finish third…