Monday notes: Cashman is “ready to rock and roll”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Feb 14, 2011 
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The Yankees spring training clubhouse is pretty full as it is, but Brian Cashman said he wouldn’t mind finding room for one more. He’s still on the lookout for a starting pitcher, either through free agency or the trade market.
“If it makes sense, I’m ready to rock and roll,” Cashman said.
As it is, the left side of the Yankees clubhouse is full of fourth and fifth starter candidates. Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon and Ivan Nova have lockers right next to one another. Five lockers away, in his same spot as last year, is Sergio Mitre.
The younger candidates — D.J. Mitchell, David Phelps and the rest of the young guys — are in the middle-of-the-room lockers usually assigned to minor leaguers and the more borderline big-league candidates. The fact Nova is with the veterans, in the same row as CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett, is a pretty clear indication that he’s a step ahead of the other guys who were in the minor league system last year.
“The chances that the fourth and fifth starter role will be answered sooner than later are not very good,” Joe Girardi said. “I think we’ll spend all spring evaluating everybody in our camp. You’re going to look at Nova, and Garcia (and) Colon and Sergio, and some of the young kids that are coming up… You want to see, as they develop in spring training and they get strong, who we feel has the best chance of helping us during the course of the season. So, basically, we have an open competition until March 30.”
• I doubt there’s anything to read into this, but Girardi mentioned three young starters by name: David Phelps, Adam Warren and Dellin Betances. Again, I’m sure those are just the first three names that jumped into his head, but they were specifically mentioned.
• Speaking of Betances, he said he’s been in Tampa since January. And I’ll say this again, he’s a bigger guy than I ever expected. I knew he was tall, but he’s no scrawny kid. There’s some strength to that guy.
• The Yankees expect Russell Martin’s hip and knee to be just fine, but they won’t push him in spring training. “You’ll see him catching tomorrow,” Girardi said. “It’s not like he’s not going to catch at all, but we’ll take it a little bit slow.”
• Girardi acknowledged that Brett Gardner was playing through fairly steady wrist problems in the second half of last season. “I know it bothered him a lot last year,” Girardi said. “We would talk about it every day, ‘How are you feeling?’”
• I didn’t see Jorge Posada this morning, but Girardi said Posada will do work as a catcher this spring. “We’re going to see Jorge go through some of this catching in spring training,” Girardi said. “I can’t tell you if he’s going to catch in games right now. I’m physically going to watch him and evaluate how he feels. But as you know, we asked him to prepare as if he was going to catch.”
• Girardi on how Rafael Soriano might react to becoming a setup man after a great season as a closer. “I know Rafael looks up to Mariano, and he talks about how he watches what he does, so I’m sure that will be a joy a little bit,” Girardi said. “A lot of times that depends on your ego, how easy it is to go from being a closer to not being a closer and being the setup. He seems that he’s excited about being here. He’s excited about doing his job, and he wants to do whatever it takes to win a championship.”
• No innings limits for either Phil Hughes or Ivan Nova. “Right now I don’t have any innings limitations for anyone,” Girardi said. “It’s kind of nice.”
• Speaking of pitching limits, Girardi said CC Sabathia’s offseason surgery shouldn’t impact his workload this season. “I’m pretty much going to manage CC the same,” Girardi said.
• Sabathia said he expects to be one of the guys who throws 20 to 25 pitches in the bullpen tomorrow.
• For the first time, David Wells is in camp as a spring training instructor. “Sometimes camp can get long,” Cashman said. “I think Boomer will keep it lively for us.”
• As you can tell by the picture, the Yankees did a few light drills today. That’s an AP shot of Jesus Montero. Brett Gardner was also in and out of the clubhouse briefly, and he did some light throwing in the outfield with a player I didn’t recognize from far away. Sergio Mitre threw a little bit off flat ground. Curtis Granderson was there at one point.
Associated Press photos
Thank God for a new post as that other one got infested with some crap about Hughes having man boobs.
Phil Moobs?
That was the strangest page in blog history. Wow.
in the 70′s I’d be packing my bags heading for Fort Lauderdale Fla, I miss those days
Chad–
Any word or update on Christian Garcia?
Crawdaddy February 14th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
Thank God for a new post as that other one got infested with some crap about Hughes having man boobs.
*****************************
What???
Also please ask about Alan Horne.
Now here is a picture of huge, how many chins is this guy sporting ? ?
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0.....rk+Yankees
Anyone else to inquire about George ?
“Also please ask about Alan Horne.”
From a good source, Horne is working through his rehab with the Yankees.
arod should have a BIG hug for colon when he sees him…
Vineyard Yankee February 14th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Now here is a picture of huge, how many chins is this guy sporting ? ?
———————————————————————————————————
wants to make the team & looking for some money…..then coming to camp looking like that
Strangest? That was mild. Even in LoHudom.
I’m thinking Nova takes a big step this year
Chad, thanks for all the posts and news.
Vineyard Yankee February 14th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Now here is a picture of huge, how many chins is this guy sporting ? ?
++++++++++++++++++
More Chins than a Chinese phone directory….
Colon has man boobs on his back
Anyone have a picture of CC?
You can never have enough chins!
Catching up with the last thread before catching up with this one, two things:
First -
pat =
thanks for the link to the Alex award – I’ve never seen him so relaxed. I followed some, but like you, missed most of the jokes . People seem to like him there!
Re Phil Hughes:
The only thing I saw about the way Phil Hughes looked that would warrant a comment is – man, he needs to get some sun! White, white legs!!!!
joe, its bartolo colon, did you think he was going to come in looking like mariano?
Ys Guy February 14th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
‘arod should have a BIG hug for colon when he sees him’…
=============
You’re joking right ? The question being can ARod get his arms all the way around that to actually give him a proper hug.
‘wants to make the team & looking for some money…..then coming to camp looking like that’
============
It takes alot of food to feed a beached whale.
Doreen-
It’s pretty funny that Phil has glow-in-dark legs considering he is from CA.
Doesn’t he surf in the off season ?
# Ys Guy February 14th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
joe, its bartolo colon, did you think he was going to come in looking like mariano?
—————————————————-
no but not looking like that, why even bother
vy i was referring to arod thanking bart for all those beachballl he’s served up for arod over the years. they have a hammer and nail relationship with colon, despite his roundness playing the part of the nail.
MTU -
Right???? Lol
BTW – I haven’t looked at your pics yet – it’s been a crazy day, but I plan on enjoying them later on. Thanks again for sharing.
That was not even in the top hundred of strange blog posts. Only Peter A .veterans have seen the really crazy stuff. Pete would pour gas on the fire in a heartbeat.
I guess Cashman’s look can cut it as a back up drummer in the 60s. Baseball wise, as expected, will be an interesting spring with spots up for competitions late into Fl’s sun.
Doreen,
We call whit “shark bait”
This is how gullible i am. You know those heart shaped sweet heart candies? Well this year the sour ones had jk, Jacob, a picture of a flip-flop. And I found two on my daughter’s desk. Actually there was a 3rd one that was not PC. Anyway one was the backside and the other one was BOOB. I cracked up in light of the last thread. Daughter was getting a little creative on the last 3, but she had me fooled for a second.
Now you know why ballplayers get paid millions, to put up with this crap. It’s worse than a TSA grope.
Repost of CC and Phil.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0.....rk+Yankees
CC is looking pretty good.
Doreen-
Maybe he “surfs” the internet too much.
Hope you enjoy the photos.
# Carl February 14th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
Anyone have a picture of CC?
**********************************
I didn’t see any of CC. But here’s one of AJ and D-Rob. (Big help, aren’t I?)
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0.....?q=Yankees
Vineyard Yankee February 14th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
Repost of CC and Phil.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0…..rk+Yankees
CC is looking pretty good.
****************************
I stand corrected. How did I miss that one? LOL
Ys Guy February 14th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Got it, thanks. He still is a whale though, maybe he can wear CC’s old uni. ?
Hughes looks to be about 250 lbs
CC looks the same size as Phil now lol
Chad,
Why it seems like you are using the same photo for Jeter in everyone of his posts ?
Are you implying that is his only highlight from the 2010 season ?
# AZ88 February 14th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
CC looks the same size as Phil now lol
————————————————————-
hope it’s the camera angle
I can’t believe Hughes is only 24.
It seems like he’s been around forever…
Cashman is “ready to rock and roll”
——————————————–
He means that is for 2012 ? — Because I do not see there is any hope for 2011 .
Rodriguez has a .461 batting average, with eight home runs (including 3 in one game) in 47 at-bats against Colon.
too bad he didnt stick with the socks…
“Ruby Tuesday February 14th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Cashman is “ready to rock and roll”
——————————————–
He means that is for 2012 ? — Because I do not see there is any hope for 2011″
////
being pessimistic on P’s and C’s Day is just so sad…
Phil Hughes is a big guy, he’s 6’5 and doesn’t look overweight to me at all. He’s known to have a superb work ethic.
Sorry, nothing new on Garcia or Horne. Most of the guys were coming and going pretty quickly in the clubhouse this morning. Only Sabathia gave any sort of extended interview. I spoke to Hughes very briefly, but didn’t think to ask about Garcia. I’ll get an update at some point, but he wasn’t really on my mind this morning.
Speaking of huge…..Montero is dwarfing the other guy in that pic above.
And continuing the conversation from the last thread, guys are still filling out in their early 20′s. Look at jeter, Alex, pujols and how they filled out. Hughes us just growing into his frame IMO.
Chad
Did they say the time that the stadium opens for the public tomorrow?
Blake-
Hercules dwarfs ALL mortals.
Great day. It is the best indication that the Good Lord wants the world to continue.
Looks like the Yanks expect Nova to make the rotation. It’s up to him to deliver, but they’ll give him every oppotunity. Good. I still have my autographed cap that I got in Scranton on LoHud’s trip there.
MTU,
Yes! He is a big kid no joke….
M, that’s true, but he’s gotten so big on top that I believe that most of this is due to workouts…….He’s gotten dramatically bigger from about 22-24/25 – it’s not like we’re comparing him to when he was 18. Roger Clemens got as big as he did because he was using and because he worked out a LOT. When he was younger, he was more like Phil was a couple of years ago in terms of body shape.
Blake-
Yup.
Big, as in defensive lineman, big.
Solid. No wonder they go far when he gets a hold of one.
In fact, I think NASA is tracking one he hit now orbiting Pluto.
Crawdaddy February 14th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
“Also please ask about Alan Horne.”
From a good source, Horne is working through his rehab with the Yankees.
+++++++++++++++++
Craw–
Do you know if he re-signed with the Yankees?
# blake February 14th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Speaking of huge…..Montero is dwarfing the other guy in that pic above.
===============
That would be Brett Gardner, Montero’s new clubhouse valet.
Between Garcia and Horne, I think Garcia has a better shot of coming back. Horne’s rotator cuff injury is a brutal injury to recover from.
How do we know how much he’s been working out? I don’t think that was the focus at the athletic performance center.
Was there an article about Phil’s workouts?
blake February 14th, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Speaking of huge…..Montero is dwarfing the other guy in that pic above.
———————————————————————————————————————-
Still, Montero appears to have lost a few pounds. He’s just huge, but, little of it appears to be fat. if there’s any fat, it’s the strongest fat that I’ve ever seen.
GB,
Yea I meant good big. He looks in shape and ready to go there.
Phil looks fine.
I truly think there is far too much nitpicking.
The only thing that matters is how he’s pitching. Same for Joba.
Montero does look slim. And CC looks great. Looks like a pro QB!
GB-
I believe it’s that fat they call “muscle” in Venezuela.
Rumor has it that they were actually looking for the Venezuelan version of the Bigfoot when found Jesus.
Of course, Yankee scouts , being what they are, were johnny on the spot contract in hand.
M, it’s just my guess. I don’t think he’s growing into his frame – I think he’s growing beyond it. Since the conversation can only go downhill from there, I’ll just leave it at that.
Doreen, it’s just different opinions…..not nitpicking.
Great day. It is the best indication that the Good Lord wants the world to continue.
———
it does seem to be an ‘eternal’ constant … seems like yesterday I was talking about and believing Bam Bam Mullen and Kevin Mass would lead the Yanks out of the dark abyss. The names have changed but the youth is still in abundance. and hope certainly springs…
Colon looks like he should be selling hot dogs at the Stadium…..
Montero has lost the baby pudge…..he’s now 6 foot 4 of bad news
Well as long as there are no Bartolo Colons on the staff…hey, wait a minute.
Why would BG be putting tape on Montero’s calf? Maybe it’s one trainers – Donahue, maybe?
Blake, his biggest goal this spring is fixing his footwork. He gets to work with Pena all spring. Contrary to some. he’s not stiff in his movement. I’ve always thought that the Yankees needed to emply dance instructors to improve the rhythm and footwork of their young players.
Blake-
We both know that all free-standing structures at NYS had to be reinforced per the new Jesus insurance policy.
And the parking lot has to be moved back 50 ft. to protect vehicle windshields and pedestrians.
tyanksfan36 February 14th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Chad
Did they say the time that the stadium opens for the public tomorrow?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Security staff opens the main gates at 10:00 AM. See ya there. Right above the Yankee bullpen in RF. The players make their entrance on the field from there. It’s the best and closest view.
whoops….one *of the* trainers
GB-
Montero is Latin.
Samba, Mamba, Merengue, Macarena. Hey. No problem.
GB,
I read there for awhile that they were having him throw old school by dropping his back foot back instead of pivoting…..is that still what they are doing? I think some folks will be surprised this spring when they see him catch…..he’s just not that bad from what I saw last year…
And when other teams get to see him it’s gonna be Last Tango in the Bronx.
Blake-
Randy said his lower half was a bit slow.
The pivot method was implemented to help with his release times when throwing.
He still need to work on his blocking skills but with that big body of his I’m sure he’ll figure it out.
So, montero & cervelli competing for the backup? And cervelli would have to be really bad offensively, and montero would have to be decent defensively for montero to win out?
Not everything is a credible opinion – it’s helpful to have some substantiation.
The arm is strong and accurate, and his hands are soft. He recieves the ball well with good framing.
Men of LOHUD, lets bring Valentine’s Day back to it roots next year. Our women will love it:
“From Feb. 13 to 15, the Romans celebrated the feast of Lupercalia. The men sacrificed a goat and a dog, then whipped women with the hides of the animals they had just slain.
Young women would actually line up for the men to hit them, Lenski says. They believed this would make them fertile.”
MtU,
Yea I would agree with that. His hands look ok but his lower half was a little slow because he’s so big but it really does look like he’s trimmed down a bit which certainly can’t hurt. Im really excited to.see where he is this spring……as Randy has said before, a lot of catching is “want to”.
Bam Bam and Kevin Maas – those were the days!
RF above the Yanks’ bullpen….. You have no idea how much I wish I could be there.
Blake, not really sure what change is being made. You know, for all of the complaining some of these know-it-alls on here do about his slow response to throwing out runners, he was still at 23% and in Trenton in 2009, he was 32%. I doubt that he got bad in 1 year. Much has to do with pitchers not holding runners. Even in his first 2 years, he was at 23%. He’ll pick up tricks from Pena to improve.
Blake-
GB said what I would have said.
Montero is going to have some terrific instructors to work with this spring.
I’m still of the opinion that Montero could be as good defensively as Cervelli, but if his bat is the equal of Pujols, I would rather not risk injury to him and let him DH full-time as soon as possible…even if it means making Posada back-up catcher only.
If he is truly a great bat, I don’t want his games limited by the drain of catching, nor his career shortened by same.
Only thing I know about access tomorrow is that stretch is scheduled for 11 a.m.
GB,
yea minor league pitchers generally aren’t the greatest at holding runners…..
The only real problem with Montero’s throwing is sometimes he yends to wind up to make his throws. Show him videos of good quarterbacks and have him imitate that.
Thanks for the photos
he ***tends*** to wind up to
Blake-
and as far as “want” goes let me put it this way.
If memory serves Montero comes from a family of catchers.
They’re like the flying Walenda’s of catching.
A family affair.
So the “want” might even be “genetic” in nature.
Tom in NJ-
Umm… no thanks.
I’ll just take flowers and chocolate
Blake, I believe it was Montero’s mother that was a catcher on the national softball team.
My surprise teams of the year:
Milwaukee
Detroit
Oakland
montero is going to get coaching as good as a catcher could get with girardi, pena, and also posada being there.
there’s some serious years of catching experience between those three.
i think the most important thing in throwing to bases is being quick with the release. if the catcher is getting in position to throw as he receives the ball he can get rid of it in a hurry and i think that’s more important than receiving the ball and then getting ready to throw and throwing a bb down to second.
DocTodd February 14th, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Colon looks like he should be selling hot dogs at the Stadium…..
***********
Actually… a lot of those guys are in decent shape from going up and down stairs all game
I remember striking up a conversation with a soda vendor one scorching summer night when I was sitting in Row X in the Upper Deck in OYS. He said he lost over 30 pounds so far that season. (And yes, I do like talking to strangers)
GB-
I thought that Jesus also had a brother who is a catcher ?
Darn, I was hoping to get to see more than only 15 minutes tomorrow. I guess ill just be late to school.
The one problem that Montero does not have is the problem that Romine does have. Dropping pitches, especially strikes with runners on base. It’s like there is a spring in his mitt.
Erica in NY February 14th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
(And yes, I do like talking to strangers)
+++++++++++++++++
And yet, you won’t even try being flayed by warm, bloody animal carcasses?
MTU, not sure about the brother. Almost certain about his mother, though.
Randy
Same with playing SS….the good ones rarely have to show off the gun because their footwork is so good and they get the ball out so quickly.
GB-
Also, the interference issues.
You know what’s really scary ?
As good a prospect as Jesus is puported to be Gary Sanchez might be better.
I can’t make the emoticon that rolls it’s eyes or I would.
I haven’t seen Gary play yet but I will this year..
Someone was on wfan with francessa abot a few hours ago & said that nova throws a 95 mph 2 seamer & has a good cu,he passed his high innings last year & the yankees think he might have gotten tired.
Also cc is keeping his options open with his opt out after this year.
This after saying on more than 1 occasion that he would not opt out.
BoJo February 14th, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Erica in NY February 14th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
(And yes, I do like talking to strangers)
+++++++++++++++++
And yet, you won’t even try being flayed by warm, bloody animal carcasses?
*************
Nope.
Doesn’t sound like a good time
GB-
”
Montero signed for $1.6 million, what he called “life-changing” money that has given his family comfort. He has two brothers – one, Jesus Rafael, is a catcher in the Cardinals’ system – and his mother and father are devoted to the catchers’ careers.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....z1Dz4jnutK”
This taken from an article written a while back by mC Carron of the Daily snooze.
By the way, Jesus’s father builds race cars.
There’s always surprises but it will be a shocker if Colon makes this team. He belongs in a sauna for at least a solid week.
MTU, if Jesus’ father was a carpenter, THAT would be newsworthy.
MTU, only saw Sanchez play in about 5 games, but, what games. I think he had 3 or 4 homers and 3 doubles in those games. The defense was pretty good. Threw out a couple of runners, so he may indeed be the future, but, imagine those bats (Montero and Sanchez) surrounding Rodriguez, Cano and Teixeira.
No GB.
That would be downright scary.
I seem remember reading that Montero’s dad broke down and cried when he heard his son was playing in the Future’s game at the old Yankee stadium. His dad loves the Yankees.
I really hope the Yankees don’t make a trade.
Erica, where’s your sense of adventure?
” imagine those bats (Montero and Sanchez) surrounding Rodriguez, Cano and Teixeira”
Again. If I could make the right kind of emoticon I would.
The “amazing” emoticon.
MTU February 14th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
” imagine those bats (Montero and Sanchez) surrounding Rodriguez, Cano and Teixeira”
Again. If I could make the right kind of emoticon I would.
The “amazing” emoticon.
———————————————————————————————————————-
You’d need the “faint” or “swoon” emoticon.
Well, not to step in front of the flames, but for once I agree with Betty. Phil does look a little soft in the front to me in that pic. Not that he looks like Colon… (holy crap).
Maybe it’s just the pic.
CC looks great.
Can someone repost this pic of Hughes’ alleged porkiness?
Tom-
I’d cry too if my son brought 1.6 million Yonkee dollars back to Venezuela.
There you go Rich.
http://www.preceptpress.com/jabba.jpg
Well, lets see. a guy in a photograph, wearing baggy shorts and a baggy t-shirt worn with the tails out…yep..so obvious to see that he’s “soft in the middle and overweight”.
Rich:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0.....rk+Yankees
Rich-
Look at VY’s 6:29 post.
That’s the picture Betsy commented on.
MTU February 14th, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Tom-
I’d cry too if my son brought 1.6 million Yonkee dollars back to Venezuela.
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Especially if he’s not part of a drug cartel.
er, Betsy, not Betty.
Thx, MTU.
And, CM
Doreen, I finally made the reservations and boy, they’re not kidding when they suggest making them far in advance!
Citricos
Flying Fish
Sanaa
Kouzzina
San Angel Inn (lunch)
Jiko
Wolfgang Puck
Blue Zoo
GB-
That’s Columbia.
Venezuela has lot’s of oil and Hugo is taking care of the “Gente”.
He makes sure that everybody gets a piece of the Yankee dollars he
“appropriates”
Rich-
You’re welcome.
Viva La Jesus? is that redundant?
New Thread ====>
Betsy -
that’s a great list! We’ve eaten at Sanaa – enjoyed it.
I made reservations for the Brown Derby today. Tried for Le Cellier, but it’s booked.
Let me know how you like Citricos!