Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on May 22, 2010 
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Javier Vazquez pitched well (again) but the Yankees still couldn’t make it through the night without an injury (again). Rick Carpiniello has the story from last night’s game.
Across town, the Mets are going through their typical circus but Jerry Manuel is keeping his head up even as the sharks are swarming. My column looked at how the frenzy around Manuel’s job has increased, even as he’s done a few things right. As you know, you can’t predict baseball.
In better health-related developments, Curtis Granderson will begin a rehab assignment and – if all goes well – could return late next week. Carp’s notebook also has items on Marcus Thames, Kevin Russo and Phil Hughes.
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Be sure to check in later this afternoon for updates from Citi Field as Carp will be on the scene and blogging.
So, will the thought du jour be to keep russo around and dfa winn when granderson comes back?
That’s not my line of thinking, but knowing how some of these yankees fans are, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a call for the removal of both winn and thames and replace them with kids.
Though I would like to see them keep Miranda around.
They may just have to keep whoever is hitting.
What would the Royals want for Joakim Soria?
What do they want for Zack Greinke, his contract is up in 2012. Royals won’t be a contender by then, and his value is the highest now, as reigning AL CY.
Missed most of the game as I was at a minor league baseball game for a friend’s birthday. Great fun!
Anyway it seems that Javy looked good? I know it was the Mets but he has now pitched very well in two games and of course, to one batter in a relief appearance against the Red Sox. Maybe he is finally turning it around? If so, that’s great news in what has been a tough week for the Yanks.
well for one day, looks like putting russo out there was the best idea. No thanks for Greinke. My understanding is he doesn’t like the big scene (New York).
Thames isnt going anywhere, but i would not be shocked if Winn did.
If the yankees have any problems, it’s not because of Randy Winn. Wake up out of your collective comas.
JR Murphy “Best of the bunch” article.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....TWP8aqsqmL
Now he joins Jesus Montero, Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez as a part of arguably the deepest group of catching prospects in baseball.
And Sharp said he won’t be surprised if Murphy emerges as the best of the bunch.
“I know that it’s just gonna be a matter of him putting in the time,” Sharp said. “He’s the type of kid who gets immersed in a setting and can adjust like no one else. Give him two months at any level, and he’s gonna figure it out.
“If it was, for example, the Nationals [system], you might see him fly through the minor leagues, because, like I said, he has the ability to adjust and succeed very quickly. I know he’ll have the guys ahead of him as targets, and try to move ahead of them.
“I think he can do that.”
Greinke already stated he wouldn’t like to pitch in NY. With his past problems along with those comments, he’s not a good fit for putting on a Yankee uniform.
Kansas City isn’t trading Grienke. He’s the best thing they got and he is signed for two more years. Anyone wanting Soria would probably have to pony up some nice talent and/or take Guillen’s contract.
Grienke has a social anxiety disorder as does my daughter. It has nothing to do with living or working in a big city whatsoever.
I don’t expect the Yanks to eat Winn’s contract just cuz Russo had a good debut. He or Pena goes down when Granderson is ready… Thames and Miranda will share DH
The Yankees have bigger issues than Winn. His situation will be resolved at the appropriate time.
“Grienke has a social anxiety disorder as does my daughter. It has nothing to do with living or working in a big city whatsoever.”
With all due respect, pitching as a Yankee player with certain expectations in front of Yankee Stadium is quite different than just living and working in a big city.
Gotta love the greedy Yank fans with their annual “could we get Superstar X for average minor leaguers A, B, and C?”
I unfortunately missed the game last night. How did Russo look in LF?
Murphy is a fine defensive catcher and he can hit and he can steal his share of bases. Either he or Higashioka will be playing for the Tampa Yanks by mid-season.
Maybe the Yanks should just target Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw?? Perhaps a package headlined by red-hot Kevin Russo and superbat Marcus Thames?
Ugh
“Murphy is a fine defensive catcher and he can hit and he can steal his share of bases. Either he or Higashioka will be playing for the Tampa Yanks by mid-season.”
I seriously doubt that unless Higashioka picks it up quite a bit.
Good morning!
I decided to read with the game on last night and fell asleep. Woke up for the post-game. Maybe I should do that all the time- it’s very relaxing.
I’m so happy for Javy, hurt finger notwithstanding. It was a great outing and much needed. I’m glad the bullpen did a decent job of it, but I didn’t really understand why Robertson didn’t get to pitch the entire inning. I guess he was getting those two batters no matter what, but I’d love to know, if he’d gotten 2 outs, would he have been allowed to face the left or was Marte coming in no matter what? Ah, who’m I kidding. Mix n match, of course. I love Girardi, but even I think he’s a little too match-up happy.
Whoever said Tex’s bat bothers them – I’d say I agree. I watch it and think “Stop that!!!” Sheffield used to do a similar thing and it bothered me, too. I’m sure once he starts hitting again (and he will), the bat thing won’t be nearly as noticeable.
I think last night’s close victory will go a long way toward getting the team back on track. On previous nights, they scored the runs but the pitching didn’t hold up. I think it’s big that on the night the offense struggled the pitching held up. It’s also a good sign that on a night that the Yankees struggled offensively (and won) that the Rays and Red Sox lost.
I have good feelings about Hughes today. Let’s go Yankees.
86,
I’m curious since you have experience with this — You don’t think the pressure of being a Yankee and playing in NYC would add to Greinke’s social anxiety disorder?
I doubt KC would ever trade him, mind you, but I always considered him a poor fit due to his illness.
crawdaddy not in terms of the disorder it isn’t.
It’s about coping with interpersonal conflicts and confrontations not anonymous idiots yelling at you from afar.
It isn’t the same thing as guys like Ed Whitson wilting under the pressure of pitching in New York.
Having two catchers like Murphy and Higashioka on the same team isn’t good because neither get enough work. It didn’t work with Romine and Montero, either.
Wave – for a kid that doesnt usually play the out there, in a ballpark that has such a big field, I thought he did a pretty good job. I can’t really recall any plays that were spectacular on his part, he wasn’t tested much from what I remember, but he seemed to do a serviceable job at least.
Chainsaw May 22nd, 2010 at 10:34 am
Maybe the Yanks should just target Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw?? Perhaps a package headlined by red-hot Kevin Russo and superbat Marcus Thames?
Ugh
———————————————————————————————————————-
Yeah….ain’t it great?
Thanks, Shame S.
I think Winn is probably gonna be DFA’d when Grandy comes back. If Russo fills in nicely, it will be hard to send him down since he gives Joe more flexibility.
With Grandy back, you don’t need Winn to be your backup CF as you have Gardner and Grandy to cover there and a corner.
The only thing, I see, that can save Winn is another injury in the OF or Miranda falling off a cliff hitting wise and the Yankees thinking he needs to go back down.
I think Thames is here for the season. He’s done more with the bat than Winn and fills the RH role in the DH equation.
Chainsaw May 22nd, 2010 at 10:32 am
Gotta love the greedy Yank fans with their annual ?could we get Superstar X for average minor leaguers A, B, and C??
I’m sure we could get Albert Pujols for a package of Montero, Russo, Nova, Sanchez, Romine, Corona, Curtis, Brackman, Venditte, Bleich, Pilliterre, and the Staten Island Yanks manager.
He and tex could platoon 1B and DH!!11!!!
*rolleyessmileyhere*
Doreen, I assume that because Robertson threw two innings and 23 pitches the night before, and all Girardi was looking for were a couple of outs.
“Having two catchers like Murphy and Higashioka on the same team isn’t good because neither get enough work. It didn’t work with Romine and Montero, either.”
I agree, but there are some differences in that analogy. First off, Romine and Montero started at Tampa together. Murphy just got to Charleston. Secondly, Montero was having a great season so promoting him to Trenton was the right thing to do. While Higashioka is barely hitting over .200 Thirdly, didn’t Romine and Montero spend an entire season together at Charleston.
“Now he joins Jesus Montero, Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez as a part of arguably the deepest group of catching prospects in baseball.”
Arguably?
No need for the qualifier, imo. Not a chance another team has a deeper group.
In fact, I would ask, has any team EVER had a deeper group at that position?
Montero and Romine spent a year and a half on the same team, but, neither got the defensive time they needed. The only reason Murphy was late to Charleston was because he was a late sign last year and didn’t get much playing time. Higashioka will be just fine. What he does down the road is unknown, but, he’s good and he’ll hit.
Can’t you tell a facetious proposal when you read one? Sheesh
Grienke is more likely to have a problem with someone in a crowded restaurant then a crowded baseball stadium. The things that trigger “episodes” for someone with a social anxiety disorder are almost always one-to-one in a public setting and normally with people you know.
I can understand the belief that a more stressful work environment would be an issue. I felt the same way originally til I had to learn more.
It’s great to fall in love with guys who make good debuts, but the Yanks are not getting rid of their fourth OF (Wynn) for Russo (who has little OF experience) at this stage. Makes no sense. I’d keep Russo and send Pena down.
Good morning,
The game last night, with the exception of Javy’s “injury” and the inability of Tex to hit anything at all, was terrific. I almost bit my nails off as it was too close for comfort, but we came out of iwith a well played game by the Yanks. Watching Russo get 2 hits in the game was just terrific
GB.
What does one do to get Tex back to hitting the way he can. He is just as frustrated as we all are. Any thoughts on this subject. Jeter could use a dose of ‘hitting solution’ also although I think he is playing hurt.
As good as Murhy is, he’s got a long road ahead to match up with Montero and Romine. Nobody on here has seen Sanchez so not sure how you can say that he’s great. I don’t have much faith in writers that haven’t seen them but act like they raised these kids from puppies.
I think the Reds should go hard after Oswalt. Add him, and eventually Chapman, to that staff and they could hang w/the Cards all year.
“Montero and Romine spent a year and a half on the same team, but, neither got the defensive time they needed. The only reason Murphy was late to Charleston was because he was a late sign last year and didn’t get much playing time. Higashioka will be just fine. What he does down the road is unknown, but, he’s good and he’ll hit.”
Again, I disagree with you that one of them is going to be promoted to Tampa by mid-season. They will not promote Higashioka this season unless his perfomance starts to improve and Murphy is new to catching so he’s not going to the FSL this year either.
“Grienke is more likely to have a problem with someone in a crowded restaurant then a crowded baseball stadium. The things that trigger “episodes” for someone with a social anxiety disorder are almost always one-to-one in a public setting and normally with people you know”
I’ll leave the on-line psycho analysis to you as whatever his issue is, he stated he doesn’t want to play in NYC.
SAS, all they can do is let Teixeira work out his issues. Average is lower than last year, but, it’s the same production as 21 May 2009. He can break loose at any time. Same as Rodriguez and Jeter.
As I quoted Hemingway’s Santiago: “”Have faith in the Yankees, my son (daughter). Think of the great DiMaggio.” (or Teixeira, Jeter and Rodriguez)
the Blue Jays hit six HRs last night, and still lost.
biggest problem: every one of them was a solo shot.
Crawdaddy,
It doesn’t matter if Greinke doesn’t want to play here. If the Yankees trade for him, he has no choice. If they complete a deal in the off season, he’d have 1 full year with the Yanks before free agency, plenty of time to change his mind.
Why would the Yanks trade for a guy that already said he doesnt want to play in New York? Also, wouldnt it make more sense just to make a push for Lee in the off season instead of giving up players/prospects for Greinke?
Even if NYYs wanted Greinke, he’s not worth Hughes, Montero and McAllister, plus his contract.
Yankee Trader — “Favorite Knicks team of all time- Clyde the Glide Frazier, Willis Reed, Bill Bradley, Earl the Pearl Monroe, and Phil Jackson. Wasn’t Dave DeBusschere also a teamate?”
Yes. The starting six on the 72-73 championship Knicks were Clyde, DeBusschere, Bradley, Monroe, Reed, and Jerry Lucas. Lucas started some games at forward but played a LOT of center that year since Willis’s legs were giving out on him. Phil Jackson was the sixth/seventh man.
“the Blue Jays hit six HRs last night, and still lost.
biggest problem: every one of them was a solo shot.”
2- three run homers would have been better?
Shame Spencer,
I think they’ll sign Cliff Lee but if the money gets too crazy they have the chips to acquire Greinke. I was wrong about Greinke’s contract length. If the Yankees acquire him via trade in this offseason, he’ll have 2 years as a Yankee before his free agency. Plenty of time to turn get him to bleed pinstripes.
“Personally, I love watching him play — he has energy off the charts — but he is already viewed in some other clubhouses as something of a hot dog. “It’s no wonder the Red Sox threw at him,” said one official. “He’ll drive you nuts with the stuff he does.”
Buster Olney on Cervelli.
so playing w/heart and showing your emotions makes you a ‘hot dog’?
what a joke.
Thanks GB
Doreen,
I fell asleep during post game show. Woke up about 2 and had a hard time going back to sleep.
2- three run homers would have been better?
————————
not in my book — I’m a fan of statistical anomalies.
that had only happened once previously (6 runs all via solo HRs): Oakland did it in 1991.
I’m in Portland for the Trenton game today. Besides Romine, any other guys I should be watching closely?
Yo Hitman,
Why would the Yanks trade for a guy who 1) doesn’t want to play in NY and 2) already has a real mental issue.
Seriously, we talk all the time about not having what it takes to play in NY an dit takes a special kind of ball player. You can’t trade for a guy who doesn’t want to be here and then suddenly make him want to be here. He wont perform and you’ll be the first on the bus booing him out of town.
Besides, if you taded for Greinke this year who do you take out of the rotation, only to put back into the rotation once Greinke goes on the DL with social anxiety disorder again?
About Joakim Soria…
He’s having a down year so far.
His WHIP is 1.38 and an ERA in the 3′s.
Nevertheless, if the Royals decide to reboot, he might be the top arm available at the trade deadline.
Everyone sucks except SJ and CB May 22nd, 2010 at 11:20 am
Yo Hitman,
Why would the Yanks trade for a guy who 1) doesn’t want to play in NY and 2) already has a real mental issue.
Seriously, we talk all the time about not having what it takes to play in NY an dit takes a special kind of ball player. You can’t trade for a guy who doesn’t want to be here and then suddenly make him want to be here. He wont perform and you’ll be the first on the bus booing him out of town.
Besides, if you taded for Greinke this year who do you take out of the rotation, only to put back into the rotation once Greinke goes on the DL with social anxiety disorder again?
********************
Green Eggs and Ham. How convinced can Greinke be that he hates NY when he’s never playing in NY?
2)I’m talking about acquiring Greinke in the off season not at the trade deadline. I mentioned that twice.
So hitman, you would trade for a closer who’s having a down year and make him a set up man? I’m sure he’d be thrilled to go from closer to set up man. Come on dude, get a grip on reality. You can’t bring people places they dont want to go and you cant make them do things they dont want to do. They may go and they may do it, but they wont perform at the level you expect them to.
Look at Marcus Thames. As a pinch hitter/platoon DH, he does just fine. But as an everyday outfielder he just doesn’t cut it.
To say “I dont want to play in NY” sounds pretty convincing to me, Hitman. Just because they’re the Yankees and many players would love to have a chance to play for them doesn’t mean every player wants to be a part of this organization. Some guys just want to play ball and could care less about fame and big money.
You really think Joakim Soria would rather close in KC than set up in NYC for 1 year, 2 at the most?
Again, Greinke has no basis for saying he doesn’t want to play for the Yankees. He’s never played for the Yankees.
Its so hard to predict trade market in mid may. So many teams are still in it. If ny is active I’d bet on a OF bat and or RP. Who? No clue.
I think closers have a certain mentality. That’s why Tom Gordon left – so he could be a closer in Philly. He didn’t want to set up Mo anymore.
Take Soria, tell him, “Look, you’re not as good as Mo. You’ll set him and Joba up.” See what happens. Again, not every player is looking for fame and money. Soria would probably love to close for NY, but to set up his ego may take a hit.
And you Hitman, have no basis to say that YOU would love to play in NY. You’ve never played there.
You can’t assume that everyone likes everything you do and if they dont they should because they dont know what they are talking about.
“Everyone sucks except SJ and CB says:
May 22, 2010 at 11:27 am
I think closers have a certain mentality. That’s why Tom Gordon left – so he could be a closer in Philly. He didn’t want to set up Mo anymore.
Take Soria, tell him, “Look, you’re not as good as Mo. You’ll set him and Joba up.” See what happens. Again, not every player is looking for fame and money. Soria would probably love to close for NY, but to set up his ego may take a hit.”
I’m pretty sure if the money would have been equal he would have stayed in NY.
Bret the Hitman May 22nd, 2010 at 11:25 am
Again, Greinke has no basis for saying he doesn?t want to play for the Yankees. He?s never played for the Yankees.
********************
he said it. bottom line, he said it. So pass. Dont need the hassle and the BS. You cry for his trade, but as soon as he cant handle it or his SAD attacks him again, you’d be all over him for not being able to play. Yeah, he may have the talent. But talented players play so much better when they are happy and comfortable and if he was/is neither of those, then what’s the point?
Ray, you gonna pay an equal salary to a set up man?
Johnny Damon stated he wouldn’t play for NY. Then Cashman showed him the money and viola, he suddenly found it okay to play for NY.
Johnny Damon also stated he only wanted to play in NY. The Cash made him an offer and he said no.
Everyone sucks,
you said Tom Gordon left cause he wanted to close. I say if the Yankees would have paid him the same money to setup he would have stayed.
Doesn’t matter if I would pay him or not.
Mike_Boston May 22nd, 2010 at 11:18 am
I’m in Portland for the Trenton game today. Besides Romine, any other guys I should be watching closely?
———————————————————————————————————————-
They’re playing a double header today in Portland. Watch David Adams, Brandon Laird and Daniel Brewer. The starting pitchers are supposed to be Wilkin DeLaRosa and Cory Arbiso.
Paid him the same money as a closer to be a set up man? Of course they aren’t going to do that. But even still, when Flash left I remember him saying in an interview that he wanted the opportunity to close again.
Again, some ballplayers dont really want the money or the fame. They want to do what they’re good at or have fun doing.
That’s right. What players say obviously means nothing in the end. This is a job. That’s why they sign contracts and earn big salaries. Teams don’t have to check in with trade targets and make sure they want to be BFF’s.
Good morning, all – As I take time away from cleaning out my garage –
I don’t know what started all this Zack Greinke talk, but it may not be the best idea.
Obviously, anything can happen, but I don’t think KC would be moving him, not unless they got one heckuva deal.
As far as his wants and desires….Yes, they are all professionals, and money is money. But, still, everyone is different. We can say that, logically, he’s never played in NY, he’s a pro, he’ll learn to like the money and NY….But not everybody’s cut from the same cloth. Just because Johnny Damon had a good experience doesn’t mean everyone will.
I think that with all that is known about Greinke, the Yankees would check out the real situation there 17 ways to Sunday before anything happens.
Back to the garage. Oh, joy….
Pom-pom waving smiley-faced Trisha is driving us nuts.
We have had to change our number three times and no longer accept text messages.
Think again Happy Girl. No one has carte blanche access to the Baseball Gods.
This time last year, I was on the LoHud completely frustrated as it looked like the Yanks weren’t going anywhere. ARod had just got back and they lost to Holliday with what looked like they didn’t even try.
SJ talked me off the ledge and from that point on the Yanks turned it around. Of course, the two had nothing to do with each other, but to point out how much of an idiot I was being.
The Yanks are in way better shape this year than last year. Their record is better, their pitching is better, and their hitting is better. They also still have one of the best records in baseball at the moment.
If this is the worst stretch the Yanks go through this year, they will be just fine. If not, then well I’ll just have to start making myself look like an idiot again (which I do just fine without trying). We still are all die hard fans.
Bret is going on with the Grienke nonsense again I see…
Question would you marry a woman who tells you before hand that she hates, you can’t stand sleeping next to you and will never be happy with you nor try to make you happy?
Would you marry her anyway?
Who in their right mind would give up 3-4 of your best young players for a player that has stated he’d be miserable living and having to deal with the big city and the constant spotlight and everything that comes with playing here?
SAS I don’t know if you saw my post expressing my appreciation to you because I think you were gone by the time I posted it. But anyway thanks for kind words.
Baseball Gods,
If you were trying for humor – you missed. Trisha adds spark to this forum.
Not sincerely,
CanoJOBAJeterFan
GB
Murphy stayed back in extendeds to get more work on his defense as he’s very new to catching…he’s a converted 3B
Having said that Craw I disagree with you about neither of those guys getting promoted to Tampa. Higgy would be the frontrunner but you right in that they’d I’m sure want to see his back pick up. He’s been swinging a better bat the last couple of weeks ( a lot of doubles ) but Murphy on the other hand has a very advanced bat and if his catching continues to develop and he’s raking they won’t hesitate to move him to Tampa come July imo.
I think it could be great for him to spend a couple of months learning from Higgy the finer points of the glove side and game calling demands of the postion.
new thread
Champ,
Did I not say that Higgy has to pick it up in order to get promoted? If he’s still hitting in the low .200s come late June or July then he’s staying in Charleston the rest of the year.
“Crawdaddy,
It doesn’t matter if Greinke doesn’t want to play here. If the Yankees trade for him, he has no choice. If they complete a deal in the off season, he’d have 1 full year with the Yanks before free agency, plenty of time to change his mind”
Sorry Brett, but it does matter as Cashman’s not going to give up that prohibitive costs in traded players such as Hughes and Montero for a player that doesn’t want to be a Yankee or in NYC.