Saturday morning notes: Cervelli staying positive
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes, Podcast on Mar 05, 2011 
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Francisco Cervelli was pretty stunned yesterday. He said he woke up in the morning convinced his left foot was bruised and not broken — it was sore but not especially painful, there had been no significant swelling — but the news from the Yankees medical staff was a sobering reminder that spring training is not good for him.
Three of the past four years Cervelli’s been injured in spring training, always on or around his birthday, which is tomorrow. When he wasn’t hurt in spring of 2009, he was terribly sick leading up to the World Baseball Classic.
“I think I’m going to change my birthday,” he said.
Cervelli turns 25 tomorrow, and a lot of family flew into Tampa to celebrate. This was supposed to be a good weekend. Instead, Cervelli came hobbling into the Yankees clubhouse on crutches.
“A little sad yesterday,” Cervelli said. “But I talked to my mom. It’s good when I have my family here. Today’s different. I’m positive. A lot of people in the world, they don’t have legs, they don’t have arms. I’m healthy. I just have something in my foot, and it’s going to be OK.”
Is he confident his job will be waiting for him when the crutches are gone and the boot comes off?
“I hope, but if it’s not, I’ll fight again,” Cervelli said. “This is me. You have to fight every year for something. I’m not going to cry because somebody is going to take my job. No. I’m going to charge back.”
Here’s Cervelli
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• Andrew Brackman faced hitters this morning. He threw roughly 30 pitches in the bullpen, then threw 25 to Austin Krum and Brandon Laird. “It was good,” Brackman said. “No problems.” He hopes to pitch in a game within a few days.
• Warner Madrigal also threw live BP this morning. Freddy Garcia, Ivan Nova, Dellin Betances and Adam Warren threw sides.
• A lot of former Yankees roaming around in the Nationals clubhouse. Chad Gaudin is starting for Washington. He’ll be pitching to Ivan Rodriguez, with Jerry Hairston Jr. playing center field. Alberto Gonzalez is on the Nationals bench. Former Yankees Chien-Ming Wang and Tyler Clippard are in camp with Washington but didn’t make the trip.
• Scheduled to play off the bench: C Austin Romine, 1B Brandon Laird, 2B Kevin Russo, SS Doug Bernier, 3B Brad Suttle, LF Justin Maxwell, CF Melky Mesa, RF Colin Curtis, DH Greg Golson
• Available out of the bullpen: Joba Chamberlain, Dave Robertson, Romulo Sanchez, Ryan Pope, Robert Fish, Steve Garrison, Daniel Turpen, David Phelps and D.J. Mitchell
• Tomorrow’s travelers today: The Yankees have a road game against the Astros in Kissimmee tomorrow. Phil Hughes starts for the Yankees, Brett Myers for Houston.
Pitchers who are making the trip: Brian Anderson, Steve Garrison, Phil Hughes, D.J. Mitchell, Hector Noesi, David Phelps, Andy Sisco, Adam Warren and Eric Wordekemper
Position players who are not making the trip: Francisco Cervelli, Jorge Posada, Austin Romine, Ronnie Belliard, Ramiro Pena, Jorge Vazquez, Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher
Aww poor Frankie……..how depressing for him.
Seems as if the national press is just now getting acquainted to Manny Banuelos:
“Oh boy. The New York hype machine has found its new best friend.”
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......n-kershaw/
Have you noticed that Girardi is using full units in games., the wholeregular infield or the whole regular outfield. There is little mix and match.
I like Cervelli’s attitude. Hope he heals quickly.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what John Sterling will do for a Montero home run call…perhaps:
“JESUS H.Montero!!! That’s a heavenly blast!”
Time for a “Guess teh Sterling Call” Contest!
I have been thinking about the potential logjam at the catching position, and how the Yankees plan on turning it into a positive.
I would think either Cervelli (when healed) or Romine could be packaged to a team needing help at that position. What position should the Yankees target in return?
I am “hoping” (not convinced) Romine will play good enough to earn on a spot on the team, which in turn would increase his trade value. There is always the risk that Romine falls on his face, and hurts his trade value. I for one wouldn’t mind if Cash rolled the dice a little bit.
Montero in AAA for a few weeks would not be such a disaster. I am patient, and if it means an extra year of Jesus, I’m in.
Of course if that happens, this blog would implode.
It would be really cool if Brackman goes out and dominates in his games.
Fran the original March 5th, 2011 at 11:22 am
I like Cervelli’s attitude. Hope he heals quickly.
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He’s a young man who seems to understand what is important in life. Guys like that aren’t kept down for long. They don’t “do” “down.” OTOH, Montero’s time has come.
# mick March 5th, 2011 at 11:13 am
Don’t fall in love with Colon…
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Who is falling in love with him?
Just merely stating the obvious – he’s looked pretty good thus far. Better than I would have expected when they signed him.
That Tony Pena guy seems to have an idea what he’s doing.
PhiltheThrill March 5th, 2011 at 11:30 am
It would be really cool if Brackman goes out and dominates in his games.
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That would be great. Brackman dropped his change for a while to get his mechanics back & then reincorporated it with success. If he can keep doing that, away he goes. I know it’s a long shot, but I would love for him to get a rotation spot this yr.
Colon has been perfect so far , just wait til he has one bad inning, everybody will fall off the bandwagon.
BoJo March 5th, 2011 at 11:23 am
I’m really looking forward to seeing what John Sterling will do for a Montero home run call…perhaps:
“JESUS H.Montero!!! That’s a heavenly blast!”
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Whatever he says,he’s going to be saying it often.
It’s hard to believe that today will be the 8th Exhibition game already and it’s only March 5th…..I remember when inter squad games started right about now and around March 8th we started playing games vs. other clubs……With the start of the season opening earlier and earlier everything gets pushed up and on a faster track……Tweaked hams and muscles are certain to pop-up more frequently
Any chance Colon is long man?
At least today’s game is on CBS-Radio. Since I’m traveling a distance, I can catch the first hour or so.
poor Cisco…I am still hoping he returns to the BUC role…hopefully backing up Montero
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....3KiJf3tHbK
Banuelos article
# mick March 5th, 2011 at 11:33 am
Colon has been perfect so far , just wait til he has one bad inning, everybody will fall off the bandwagon.
————
Don’t include me with “everybody.”
Some of us understand the game and don’t jump off bridges when a player has a rough day.
Some of us understand the game and don’t jump off bridges when a player has a rough day.
======================
A couple.
upstate kate March 5th, 2011 at 11:39 am
poor Cisco…I am still hoping he returns to the BUC role…hopefully backing up Montero
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HE’ll be up eventually I think because who knows whether Martin can stay healthy. It’s sad for him that he worked so tirelessly in the offseason and was in such good shape, but he’s like a cat and will land on his feet. I’m actually sadder that Posada’s catching days are over, clearly because of the risk after so many concussions & not because they don’t “trust” him behind the plate. Such a great Yankee.
Thanks for the link Blake. A real benefit of the information age is more access to knowledge about young guys in the minor leagues. And it is not restricted to the Yankees…look at the hype regarding Strassburg’s first start, and Posey and Heyward’s rookie years.
I foresee the same issues with our hitters this year..can’t hit good.pitchers like last year. Already a few games, couldn’t touch verlander or bucholz for anything. Add to it a weaker staff and it portends no playoffs for NYY. But cashman wants us to be patient..pathetic!
Love Jeter out in front there pumping up Posada’s HOF candidacy. Po is a great, great player & DJ isn’t goin to let anyone not know that, saying he’ll go down as one of the greatest catchers in history. A torch has been passed, and for whatever reason it hasn’t gotten the proper awe & respect from blogs or writers.
I know his wife watches the blogosphere. Thanks, Jorge, you are the best.
JAl
it will be an adjustment to not see Po back there
Colon has an out in his deal.
I would guess by his out date (I think it’s 3/19 but, I may be off by a few days), if he doesn’t feel he has a shot at the rotation, he will move on.
There are only so many bullets left in his shoulder. I don’t think he wants to waste them in the bullpen.
Brackman has three legit pitches. At 6’11″ he has the potential to be as good as anyone, I hope he will be.
Po is one of my all-time favorite Yanks. In his career the one year the Yanks didn’t make the plays was the one year where he missed a lot of games with an injury.
I don’t blame Colon, so good luck to him if he doesn’t make the team. I do hope Prior will agree to go to AAA if he doesn’t make the team – he’s someone I’m really rooting for and I’d like to see him succeed here. If not, then I hope he gets a chance elsewhere.
If the Yanks had to bet on innings I think they bet on Garcia over Colon.
The only thing “pathetic” are moronic rantings about ST AB’s against “good” pitchers and drawing conclusions from them.
There are plenty of places you can spew that particular brand of stupidity. This isn’t one of those places.
Please be nice to each other.
I mentioned this last post – Colon’s performance in this camp so far has been a good example of the difference between throwing strikes and throwing quality strikes. I love that two-seamer to lefties that starst at their hip and catches the plate.
He may not make it due to the numbers game, but I have to admire Colon’s grit and determination
Colon is pitching for his life, Garcia just came off a 12 win season.
The odds are really against him but another team will pick him up if he continues to pitch well.
Upstate – he will have to just focus on being the best DH in the AL
. One thing that goes under-appreciated about Po is how discriminating he is at the plate. The two BBs yesterday (IIRC it was 2) are a big part of his package, along with BA and some power. I think he’s really takin pride in rearing Montero,too, which is no surprise. I have a date with John Sterling soon (:() so time to roll.
# SJ44 March 5th, 2011 at 11:58 am
There are plenty of places you can spew that particular brand of stupidity. This isn’t one of those places.
———-
Sadly, this is one of those places at times – which drives some of the smarter folks away.
PhiltheThrill March 5th, 2011 at 11:59 am
.
Please be nice to each other.
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My impressions in here: those who are “nice” are selectively so. Those who are nice are naturally & effortlessly so. Those who are not nice have a personality disorder or are just missing that gene, & that isn’t going to be cured here.
But I salute you for tryin. Good one, all.
J. Alfred good points-and I agree!
PtT
I like your campaign, but that was not an intelligent post.
I almost hope that Banuelos gets smoked in his next game. Two things will happen. The first is that he’ll find it’s just not that easy and he’ll keep pushing to improve. He’s the least of the worries. The second part is to cool of the “instant Banuelos fans”. One bad game will toss cold water on them. That will take some of the high fan expectations off of him. I’d rather see him booed in the minors instead of hearing them in his first ML games.
Garcia will be in the rotation as long as he’s still healthy in another month.
Nova seems like he’s got a firm handle on the fifth slot.
Injuries could very easily change things, but outside of that, I’d be very surprised if those two aren’t in the rotation when the team goes north.
Does anyone know how Frisco fractured his foot?
Foul ball off his foot a few games back.
JAP That was good points on Posada. The “disorder part” is not part of my pay grade.
One thing Bartolo has done so far is that he’s shown that the Yankees in fact weren’t crazy for bringing him to camp.
If Colon continues to show command with decent stuff, I would have to consider him as a candidate as 4 or 5 guy. I been saying Garcia and Nova all spring and do still think that’s prolly the best combo for the Yanks. However, in lieu the fact Garcia can pitch in relief and has done so as a long man. I think the config of Nova,4, Colon 5 and Garica as the longman config can possibly work as well. In this case, the immortal Mitre gets squeeze out by the numbers game.
Posada is a HOFer to me already. If he adds on another good season as a DH then it will only strengthen his case.
your welcome Kate.
Nova at the 4 would prolly work better than Freddy at 4.
Would rather give him the extra work.
Colon doesn’t look in shape. Doubt he makes it through the season w/out a major injury.
Thanks GF. You have to feel for the kid, his springs have been nightmares. He can be a starter on some teams, unfortunately for him catching is the Yankee’s deepest position.
If Martin is as injury prone as he appears to be, it might not be long before Montero is the everyday catcher.
I love Jorge – but trying to be impartial I don’t see how he’s a HOF candidate.
.275 BA with only 1,583 hits and 261 Home Runs, no Gold Gloves and an .856 OPS. He only hit .300 one time in 16 seasons.
On guts, class and determination he’s in – but . . .
Nova would be the #5 starter by default because of his innings limit (just like Hughes last year) as well as his inexperience.
Nova may not even pitch until the middle of April because of expected rain outs and additional off days.
If Colon and Garcia are both solid by the end of ST why let them go, I don’t think either would stay to be a long man. Nova has options and can be waiting in the wings or he could start as long man over Mitre, no?
I truly believe that the Yankees can get equal or better production from AJ, Garcia/Colon, Nova as Boston does from Beckett, Lackey, And Dice K…….not only because I think they can match them with those 3 but because the Yankees are much better equipped to deal with injuries in those spots than Boston is.
How about Garcia and Colon as the 4, 5 and Nova as the long man.
If it happens like that, it won’t finish like that … I hope.
People are entitled to their opinions and they are entitled to share them on here as long the opinions don’t clash with the terms of service.
Nova needs to stay stretched out.
I can definitely envision Colon getting the fifth spot over Nova, with Garcia getting the 4th spot.
Why?
Nova has options, and could be sent down–whereas Colon and Garcia would leave if they don’t make it.
Now why should that matter?
Both pitchers–if healthy–know how to win and can provide value. I would let them start the season and have Nova in reserve, while they either build up wins or trade value.
Personally, I would prefer to give Nova the slot, but I can seeing doing otherwise so they don’t waste a valuable asset if Colon pitches well.
M Boston, it’s something to consider. If Colon and Garcia pitch well enough to win starting jobs, I’d almost be tempted to let them have the #4 and #5 spots and send Nova to Scranton until Colon or Garcia’s good pitching has run it’s course and then bring Nova up.
Check out Posada’s numbers compared to some of the catchers that are already in the Hall….you might be surprised.
Blake, do you think CC/Hughes and Lester/Buch is a wash?
I do
Never mind about the additional off days.
It appears they won’t get two scheduled days off until the third week of April, which is odd. It’s usually the first week or two.
Nonetheless, you can bank on a rain out or two in April so Nova still may only get 2-3 starts that month.
Mike,
Yes I do on paper.
CC/Hughes v. Lester/Buch could be a wash, but you have to give the RS a small edge at this point.
I think CC and Lester is a wash, I give Buch a small edge over Hughes at this point.
Rich,
Eh maybe based on last season….let’s just say I think it will be a wash.
# blake March 5th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Check out Posada’s numbers compared to some of the catchers that are already in the Hall….you might be surprised.
***********
That’s true. I think it’s not far fetched I just think he falls short. He was never dominant comparatively. The rings do help.
Bucholtz wont pitch to a sub 2.5 era again….
How is CC/Lester a wash? Doesn’t CC take precedence over Lester at this stage in each’s career? Buchholz takes precedence over Hughes. So in the end, it is a wash or possibly a slight edge to the Yankees because of the slightly larger gap between CC and Lester.
What I am excited about is that whether or not CC/Hughes and Lester/Buckholz are a wash, the pitching staffs starting next year should strongly be in favor of Yankees. Of course, it is hard to predict FA signings and trades, but the prospects coming up for NY are far ahead of what Boston will have on staff IMO.
Prolly not blake, that is mighty hard to do in AL EAST and AL period. me and Jerk has a line at 3. Jerk is too ‘afraid’ to let me push it to 3.2.
BTW–Manny reminds me of a young Tippy Martinez somehow. Anyone else see that?
WCYF,
Dominant compared to who? He has been either the best or the 2nd best catcher in the AL for over a decade. Only Piazza and Pudge were comparable in his era.
I predict both Hughes and Bucholtz will be around 3.5 with Hughes having more K’s and wins.
Regarding Nova, Garcia, Colon and Mitre and the 4-5 and long man.
It’s only March 5th – there’s a long way to go before the end of spring training. I believe by the end it will shake itself out and be fairly obvious to all who the odd man out. It’s a legitimate competition – although Nova and Garcia have an edge.
I wasn’t able to watch the game last night, but on the strikeout highlights for Colon, I wasn’t that impressed. Looks like he was just facing a bunch of chumps. Perhaps the strikeout pitches were less impressive than his overall outing, but I didn’t see much to be thrilled about.
Nova’s got way more upside, and Garcia is certainly more consistant. Unless either Nova or Garcia really blow it, Colon’s auditioning for other teams at this point.
BoJo…..I played with Tippy at Syracuse
I think Nova can be their 3rd best stater by July if given an opportunity.
WCYF, Dominant compared to who? He has been either the best or the 2nd best catcher in the AL for over a decade. Only Piazza and Pudge were comparable in his era.
***********
That’s pretty stiff competition. I hope he gets in, but I think Yankee fans understandably see things a little differently when it comes to Jorge.
When was the last time the Yanks opened with 19 of the 1st 27 games at home?
I hated when the traded Tippy Martinez. One of Paul’s worst trades.
Pat M. March 5th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
BoJo…..I played with Tippy at Syracuse
___________
Good guy?
Please .
For 2011 ,
J*n L*st*r E . R . A . == 2.05
C . B . E . R . A . == 1.33
( They are , after all , the 2011 A . L . co-Cy Youngs . Don’t you know . )
“I hated when the traded Tippy Martinez. One of Paul’s worst trades”
I believe Tippy remains the only guy to pick off three runners of first in an inning.
WCYF,
Maybe but numbers don’t lie and he has better numbers than some catchers in the HOF and isn’t finished yet…..plus he was a vital cog in several title teams.
I think Nova can be their 3rd best stater by July if given an opportunity.
——-
certainly possible. Consider Burnett is the de facto 3 and Nova is quite talented.
.plus he was a vital cog in several title teams.
=========================
So was Bernie and Andy….both not HOFers.
Mell March 5th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
“I hated when the traded Tippy Martinez. One of Paul’s worst trades”
I believe Tippy remains the only guy to pick off three runners of first in an inning.
______________
I best remember him for the George Scott relay race to LF wall.
IIRC, George was trying to hand him the bat(on) and give it directly to his head
blake March 5th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
WCYF, Maybe but numbers don’t lie and he has better numbers than some catchers in the HOF and isn’t finished yet…..plus he was a vital cog in several title teams.
**********
I don’t think his offensive numbers are that good and no gold gloves doesn’t help. You may be right though. Time will tell. I’d love it if he made it.
Pat–
Did you also play with 2 of my favorite Yankees in Syracuse–Jerry Kenney and Fred “The Chicken” Stanley?
Actually, the most current comparison at that age would be as a left handed version of Bret saberhagen…pitchability, talent, age, pitch combination and maturity beyond his age.
I believe Tippy remains the only guy to pick off three runners of first in an inning.
———
you can make a good living that way
And I presume you played with Guidry too then…
Bernie and Andy weren’t catchers.
GreenBeret7 March 5th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Actually, the most current comparison at that age would be as a left handed version of Bret saberhagen…pitchability, talent, age, pitch combination and maturity beyond his age.
______________
I was thinking more in terms of physical appearance and mannerisms.
Rich in NJ…..Gabe also sent away Scotty McGregor as well……..Scotty was a real good guy, I roomed with him when we played at New Haven…..The crazy guy was Rick Dempsey, he almost got us thrown out of a motel in Rochester for skinny dipping in the pool at 3 in the morning with a with female fans…Very drunk and very loud……Scotty was a very quiet religious guy very much the opposite of Demps, and they were room mates at Syracuse
Yanks down 1-0, Montero calling own game.
NEW===>>>>>>>
Pat
Thanks for the insights; it sounds like you guys were doing similar stuff to what we were doing at college. And yes, losing McGregor was another reason why I hated that trade.
CC > Lester