Jeter: “I have a job to do”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 07, 2011 
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First, a quick announcement that Sam and I are going to have a video chat on Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. We figured that’s a good way to wrap up things in New York before I head to Tampa at the end of the week. Be sure to stop by.
Second, nothing groundbreaking here — believe me, the last thing the Yankees want is a huge story coming out of Tampa on February 7 — but The Associated Press did move a full story about Derek Jeter’s arrival at the Yankees minor league complex this morning. Here it is.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Derek Jeter is focused on the present and not a down 2010 season.
The Yankees shortstop is trying to bounce back after hitting .270, which is 44 points below his career average.
“I’ve always been pretty good in my career in terms of forgetting about previous seasons, whether it was a good season or a bad season,” Jeter said Monday. “You have to forget about it and move on.”
The 36-year old team captain has been working out onfield for almost a month — his normal offseason routine — at the Yankees’ minor league complex. Although spent three days with hitting coach Kevin Long in January, Jeter’s pre-spring training process basically remains the same.
“The main thing you always want going into a season, you want to make sure that you’re healthy,” Jeter said. “You’ve got to maintain yourself throughout the course of the year, so that’s why you work in the offseason.”
After some negotiations with the Yankees became public and a little snippy, Jeter agreed to a $51 million, three-year contract. While general manager Brian Cashman raised the possibility Jeter could one day be switched to the outfield, Jeter said he can’t predict the future.
“I wish I could,” he said. “I’m not a fortune teller. I don’t have a crystal ball at the house. I have a job to do (this season).”
New York’s biggest concern appears to be its starting rotation following the retirement of Andy Pettitte. The Yankees have two openings behind CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett.
“Other guys are going to have to step up,” Jeter said. “That’s basically how it goes. I wouldn’t use the word worried. It’s going to be different without him.”
“I’m happy that he came to a decision that he’s comfortable with,” Jeter added. “I know how close Andy is to his family. Family is No. 1 for him. He’s definitely a teammate that you look forward to seeing and we’re really going to miss.”
While the Yankees failed in their attempt to sign left-hander Cliff Lee, the Boston Red Sox added left fielder Carl Crawford and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
“Last year they had a lot of injuries,” Jeter said. “This year I would assume that everyone over there is excited to get going. It’s our job to try and beat them.”
Notes: Hughes threw 28 pitches during his second bullpen session. The right-hander feels that RHP Ivan Nova could have a breakout season in the rotation. “I think Nova is a real candidate for that,” Hughes said. “He’s got unbelievable stuff.”
WCYF, that scouting report on Hughes curve is no longer accurate. He hasn’t thrown a power curve like that in the majors. His 2007-2008 curve was a slow curve, 71 mph. His 2009 curve was faster and better at 77. His 2010 curve was 75 mph.
Its an inconsistent pitch, I’d like him to work on more of a power curve. He had a knuckle curve whose grip he learned from Moose, which may have caused him to move away from whatever power curve he used in the minors.
Jeter always has a terrific attitude – I have a good feeling about him this season.
Getting the bat knocked out if your hands by every fastball in sight isn’t much of a “job.”
Jerkface, why do you think he went away from the power curve from 2009? He seems almost uncomfortable with the curve, which may explain why he’s always changing the kind he throws.
“I’m not a fortune teller. I don’t have a crystal ball at the house.”
Better than not being a ‘magic person’, I suppose.
Oh, never mind – I see you think the knuckle curve is the culprit. Maybe Rothschild will make a difference
Jerkface, why do you think he went away from the power curve from 2009? He seems almost uncomfortable with the curve, which may explain why he’s always changing the kind he throws.
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I don’t know. Hughes seems more willing than a normal pitcher to move to different pitches, but also has shown an aptitude for it. Considering he scrapped his high school slider (which he could always bring back and was a plus pitch) and added a plus curveball in under 1 minor league season out of highschool. He has used at least 3 different types of change up grips. His curve has been wildly different every year.
The one thing remains with his curve: At its best, its an extremely great pitch warranting the praise he has received for it. At its worst its not bad, but not helpful either.
Against lefties, the curve was swung and miss 27% of the time in 2010, and had a 50% ground ball rate. It had a 50% flyball rate against right handers. And they only swung and missed 9%. Batters hit .299 if you count curves they swung and missed for strike 3 or put in play for an out/hit. If you only count ‘putting it in play’ they hit .380
Jerkface, thanks. I definitely have no desire to see him return to the slider…….mostly due to the strain it puts on the arm. LOL The kid’s all over the place, but I assume it’s because he’s just trying to perfect these pitches; I’m sure he’ll find something that satisfies him….soon, lol. He loves to talk pitching, so I wonder if he’s getting almost too much input from too many people…..
Ooh, those #s on the curve are not very good; he’s capable of much better than that.
Betsy
I can tell you like Phil a lot and just want him to be the best. If you could ask him one question though, what would it be?
“Other guys are going to have to step up,” Jeter said.
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Thank you Derek!
I can’t help to think the Yanks could have spent that 17 mil better somewhere else if the dude’s name is not Jeter. But the… I guess he does have a job to do. I am glad he hasn’t lost his touch of stating the obvious and always saying the ‘right’ thing.
Jerkface February 7th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
WCYF, that scouting report on Hughes curve is no longer accurate. He hasn’t thrown a power curve like that in the majors. His 2007-2008 curve was a slow curve, 71 mph. His 2009 curve was faster and better at 77. His 2010 curve was 75 mph. Its an inconsistent pitch, I’d like him to work on more of a power curve. He had a knuckle curve whose grip he learned from Moose, which may have caused him to move away from whatever power curve he used in the minors.
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I disagree. I have watched almost every game Hughes has pitched and I know what my eyes tell me; I have been watching baseball for a long time. I do not subscribe to your dependency on statistics.
One more thing on Hughes curve, in 2010 mid-season he said this about it:
“Some days it’s on and some it’s off, but it’s more reliable now.”
This makes sense and any pitcher will tell you that some days certain pitches are better than others. It’s just the way it is, especially with feel pitches. Pettitte didn’t have the cutter working perfectly every time out and you could say the same thing about Sabathia’s change.
Hughes is 24 and though his curve and change for that matter are inconsistent at times; this IMO is perfectly normal with a young developing pitcher.
“I disagree. I have watched almost every game Hughes has pitched and I know what my eyes tell me; I have been watching baseball for a long time. I do not subscribe to your dependency on statistics.”
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Are you saying that you believe Phil Hughes threw a power curve in 2010?
http://minormatterstrenton.blogspot.com/
Some good reading from Josh Norris, starting from Friday’s article on Graham Stoneburner down to the end.
The important thing is the speed differential between the fastball and curve; hopefully both thrown with the same arm motion and slot. Hughes fastball in 2010 from what I recall was usually in the 94mph range and his curveball was usually about 74mph. That 0mph differential is right where it should be.
And by the way, I can specifically recall games in 2010 where Hughes got big outs with his curve.
More good reading by Donnie Collins from Scranton paper on Maxwell, Chavez, Belliard and Pettitte.
http://blogs.thetimes-tribune.com/yankees/
“The important thing is the speed differential between the fastball and curve; hopefully both thrown with the same arm motion and slot. Hughes fastball in 2010 from what I recall was usually in the 94mph range and his curveball was usually about 74mph. That 0mph differential is right where it should be.”
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Hughes FB last year averaged 92.5 MPH.
His CB was 75.8 MPH.
The scouting report is no longer accurate because he doesn’t throw that pitch with that grip anymore. It is not the same pitch Hughes throws now.
Betsy February 7th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Certainly no ringing endorsement of Montero:
http://nomaas.org/2011/02/inte…..hn-manuel/
Comparing him to Mike Piazza, he has a better arm but is a lesser receiver. He’s never been held up as a guy who is great at handling pitchers, either. It’s hard to get that type of info, and that’s a story I’m trying to work on –how different is it for minor league catchers to handle minor league pitchers vs. major league pitchers. But, I’ve talked to a couple of Yanks’ pitchers over the years on teams that have had Montero, and no one ever has stuck his neck out to say he’s a joy to work with, or that he handles pitchers well or catches them well.
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To whoever wrote that (not you Betsy) …
He is TWENTY ONE YEARS OLD, for pete’s sake!!!!!!!!!!
Thats not a power curve. You have no idea what you’re talking about. A power curve is a type of pitch, not some velocity differential theory.
Also the 8-10 mph differential really matters with the changeup instead of the curve.
It’s a true power breaking ball that sits in the low 80s with 1-to-7 break.
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This is what you wrote. Low 80s? 1-7 break? Not Hughes curveball in the major.
I specifically recall games where Burnett got big outs with his curveball.
I just noticed that Jim Kaat’s KittyKorner for YES has ended when jim left the Organization in December. Sorry to see him leaving. Few better at discussing pitchers and baseball in general, and a lifetime of great stories. He never took himself too seriously and never talked about how the “old time players” was better. I always appreciated that he hated the pitch counts and 6-7 innings and out pitching theory. You’ll be missed, Kitty.
GB7 -
Thanks for the links. Loved the Stoneburner stuff.
any time, Doreen. He tends to get overlooked by scouts and writers, so, maybe he’s the big surprise of 2011. He and Jeremy Bleich’s return to health will be two more pitchers to watch. Bleich is a key because he’s another lefty and is looked at like a young Pettitte. One can hope, huh?
LGY February 7th, 2011 at 9:47 pm
I specifically recall games where Burnett got big outs with his curveball.
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I specifically recall games where Roger Craig got big outs with his curveball for the Mets.
GB7 -
that’s the best part – the hope.
Doreen, being from Cajun Country is something else Bleich has in common with Pettitte. The Yanks have had a lot of success with pitchers from Louisiana. Shaefer Hall is one more lefty, and like the right handed Stoneburner just does not allow home runs nor does he walk batters. Not quite the strikeouts, but, still not bad. You should be getting these guys in Trenton this year, probably early. You’ll enjoy them and watch out for Brett Marshall. WOW!!
Jerkface; I don’t agree with your stats. Moving on.
I think the last “next Andy Pettitte” was Kevin Mmahat”…a kid too poor to afford a vowel for his last name.
s/b afford a 3rd vowel
GreenBeret7 February 7th, 2011 at 9:33 pm
http://minormatterstrenton.blogspot.com/
Some good reading from Josh Norris, starting from Friday’s article on Graham Stoneburner down to the end.
++++++++++++++++
Wow! What an awesome writer.
Thanks for pointing it out.
This kid has a future…hopefully he won’t be traded for a Bill Madden…but actually, he should be hired by that paper, as they need someone like Chad or Donnie Collins to revitalize their Yankee section.
I remember Whitey Ford struck out Jim Gentile out on some nasty curves !
So there ! LOL