Yankees pregame: Realignment/Martin scratched
Posted by: Brian Heyman - Posted in Misc on Jun 13, 2011 
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Hi, Brian Heyman here today at Yankee Stadium for the series finale against the Indians.
There’s an ESPN.com report out now that states Major League Baseball and the players association are talking about a plan that would do away with the AL East and all the other divisions for that matter. There would just be two 15-team leagues with Houston or Florida possibly switching to the AL to even them up. The top five in each league would make the postseason.
Nick Swisher didn’t give the plan two thumbs up.
“I think baseball is the greatest game ever invented,” Swisher said. “I don’t think you need to change a thing.”
What do you think?
*Joe Girardi still doesn’t have a starter for Thursday’s series finale against Texas. Hector Noesi would be a good candidate the way he has performed as a long man. “It’s something we would definitely consider,” Girardi said. But Girardi also said he would have to see first whether he needed him in relief the next couple of nights. If so, it’s expected he will go with a Triple-A option.
*Phil Hughes is scheduled to make his first rehab start in the Gulf Coast League tomorrow.
“I think it’s very realistic that it’ll be sometime in July,” Girardi said of Hughes’ return.
*As for some other players trying to come back from their injuries, Damaso Marte is supposed to play catch today; Rafael Soriano will see a team doctor tonight to determine when he can start playing catch; Pedro Feliciano is scheduled to throw again on flat ground tomorrow; and Eric Chavez has been swinging in the batting cage but has yet to run.
Update, 6:08: Russell Martin was just scratched with lower back stiffness. Francisco Cervelli will catch and bat ninth. Brett Gardner will move up from ninth to eighth.
Nova is not anywhere near > Kennedy.
That’s ridiculous WTP.
Regardless of league, he’s putting up tremendous numbers right now. He would easily be the #3 starter in this current rotation behind Sabathia and Colon, maybe even the number two.
His strikeout rate is very strong and outside of fastball velocity (of which isn’t all that bad) he has no weaknesses as a pitcher. The scary this is that his command should only continue to improve.
With an odd number of team in each league how would they do it when there are no interleague games? Will there be an interleague game everyday then?
Would you trade Montero and Cano for Kershaw or Felix?
What MLB needs to do is “do away” with Bud Selig.
I’m sure he is behind this move.
I was hoping Hughes would take a big step forward this year and give the Yanks basically what Colon is doing.
It would be great if Hughes can come back strong and show why so many people think he will develop into a front of the rotation arm.
If they want to re-align…..move the Brewers back to the AL (AL Central) and move the Royals to the AL west. Don’t do away with the divisions…
CB, nice to see you posting
G-C
Are you for real?
Nova throws harder
Nova has superior breaking balls
Kennedy throws 90 and his fastball is straight as an arrow.
In the A.L., Kennedy would not put up good numbers.
His pitches are better suited for the N.L.
“I was hoping Hughes would take a big step forward this year and give the Yanks basically what Colon is doing.
It would be great if Hughes can come back strong and show why so many people think he will develop into a front of the rotation arm.”
________________________________________________________
My thoughts exactly.
No state should not have two teams in the same league.
“Would you trade Montero and Cano for Kershaw or Felix?”
Not a chance…..
I think the league’s definitely need to be balanced out. As killing the divisions, you would say goodbye to the unbalanced schedule and the current Yankees/Red Sox rivalry.
It would be great if Hughes was actually ready and available to take
the mound this Thursday!!!
WTP,
How in the world can you say Nova has superior breaking balls?
Kennedy’s change up is his best pitch and he can throw it literally any time, behind in the count and ahead in the count. His curve is maybe a tad shy of being a plus pitch but its definitely above average and when he’s spotting it for strikes he can be unhittable.
If Kennedy can develop a little more consistency and sharpness with his curve he’ll be one of the legitimate best pitchers in the National League and all of baseball. He’s a Mike Mussina lite.
Kennedy’s command is also a million times stronger than Nova’s and always will be.
Come on man.
WTP, you’re basically also saying that Ivan Nova would be doing better than 7-2 with a 3.23 ERA with a 75/26 K to BB ratio in the NL
I don’t think so.
kei igawa should get the start
Put teams like that are in the same state in the same division like
Dodgers Angels
W.Sox Cubs
Yanks Mets
Reds Indians
A’S Giants
and do away with interleague play.
Hi Blake. Good to hear from you. Glad to see your holding down the fort with your usual astute observations.
Warm Up bands sing covers of Beatles songs
The Core Four sing: “Grow Old With Me”
brett gardner sings “Slippin” And slidin’”
Carlos silva sings “Fool On The Hill”
CB-
I second or third that. Good to see you around.
G-C,
Thats the pitcher that came to mind when your describing Kennedy. Mussina after he lost a bit on his fastball.
“Put teams like that are in the same state in the same division like”
The consequence of that is to risk truncating the interest in any given state to one division, which demographically, makes no sense.
Lead guitar for warmup groups are Bernie Williams and Ringo O’Neill
CB,
We need reinforcements ….come around more often!
CB,
Welcome back. I saw you posted a couple days back on a Yanks/Sox game thread. You mentioned that the Yanks are some what handcuffed offensively. That got me thinking and a bit concerned. What would you do to loosen those cuffs up a little? Some players seem to be untradeable and others seem to go hot and cold. Do you see more offensive struggles in the near future. Prediction on when Montero plays in Yankee Stadium?
A Marte sighting! That guy is like bigfoot.
Hughes will be back.
And he will make a difference.
Next year he goes back to API in the off season if he’s smart, and I think he is.
Minimize the use of that cutter. Get back to basics. FB, CB, and Change. Plus command.
Too much tinkering IMO.
Is Pennsylvania the only state that has both its teams in the same league?
“G-C,
Thats the pitcher that came to mind when your describing Kennedy. Mussina after he lost a bit on his fastball.”
_____________________________________________
Yeah, absolutely SOS.
Kennedy, with his intelligence, competitiveness, and command, has a chance to be really really special.
Unfortunately, 9 bad starts in 2008 convinced them he was a little more expendable than I think he should have been. Sucks, but I can’t shake the feeling that had Cashman valued him as he should have he never would have needed to have been mortgaged in that deal for Granderson.
Rich,
How would that hurt it? Would fans stop watching if their team became an N.L. team no DH?
Someone brought up another idea the other day. Have both leagues implement a DH and split them up instead of National and American. East and West.
G-C
IMO, Kennedy would not be having this much success
pitching in the AL East.
IMO, Nova has superior pitches and I’m happy that Kennedy is somewhere else.
Add 2 teams to the AL and the DH to the NL – problems solved.
CB-
Re: Stanton.
A stone cold monster.
G-C,
Do you think some of the reason they traded him had to do with attitude? Those media blunders. It seems like when someone steps out of line, they end up being shipped out. Tabata is another one I remember. I hope this Sanchez benching that recently happened doesnt get him a plane ticket to Pit.
I like the idea of one league, without the divisions. The thing I don’t like is 5 teams making the playoiffs, that’s 1/3 of all teams. Stick to the top 4 teams in each league in the playoffs, but make each playoff series 7 games. This would then assure the best teams getting into the playoffs, rather than a weak division winner barely over .500 getting in, while a very good team in a stronger division not making it.
I KNOW I’m in the minority but I’d like to see them just set a long term goal – like 15 years from now a universal rule and combine into one national league..never liked the DH rule much
SoS
Most fans primarily follow the teams that the teams they root for play. Major markets drive sports. If you have both teams in, for example, NY or LA, in the same league, you are skewing the interest toward one league. I don’t see that as an revenue enhancer overall.
The DH is a separate issue.
i think this plan is a little silly. while i’d like to see the unbalanced schedule go away, i think the rivalries created are good for the game as a whole and should stay.
this country has some regional biases and loyalties, why get rid of that?
“Would you trade Montero and Cano for Kershaw or Felix?”
——-
Absolutely crazy trade that would never happen. Get ready for this one. My best Chip impression.
Kershaw, Kemp, Kuo and Furcal for Cano, Montero, Manny, Betances.
I like this idea. It would give some meaning back to the idea of winning the pennant.
Btw. I am not saying I would do that trade.
MTU,
+1. He was known to have pin point control coming out of the minors and a nasty curve. Once he started using that cutter, we saw less and less of the other pitches and less control to go with it. A lot of pitches up in the zone.
As to the DH question, either all of baseball has the DH, or none. I find it ridicules that teams play under different rules. Why not allow each division to have separate rules if that’s the case. One game, one set of rules.
What if the NFL pulled this stuff with rules, and the NFC had 3 point conversions, and the AFC had 2 point conversions, and you played by the rules based on the home field. Most would call that dumb, just like the DH, no DH rule is dumb.
“What would you do to loosen those cuffs up a little? ”
The Yankees are at a cross roads of sorts. Short term their major need for this season is pitching. That’s almost always the case every season. It’s true you can never have enough pitching. That said, so far the pitching has done well given reasonable expectations. The injuries place new significant pressures though.
At the same time – more intermediate to long term – this team has significant issues it is going to have to deal with in terms of the attack.
This team just doesn’t have a great deal of bat speed. It’s weird to say as this is the yankees – but it’s true. They also don’t have a lot of players with really good swings. This is not a recipe for substantive success.
The quality of the swings on this team really worries me. They have to change that.
Trading for pitching is always a risky proposition. Guys like liriano I’m weary of unless the price is very reasonable. Haven’t really liked how he’s thrown the ball this season.
I personally would look to trade Gardner, Nova, Romine – something like that and hope I could get a young, dynamic position player who is about to get expensive. I don’t know if an opportunity to do that would come up this season or in the winter but I’d look to make that kind of move. I would be willing to trade Swisher as well were it not for the fact that he is having such a bad year that his trade value is nothing.
The club is in a tough spot. Right now they are thin on talent on the mound and in the field, and the long term contracts complicate all of that.
Regarding Montero – I really don’t know what’s going on with him. When I’ve watched him play – he’s struggled with soft stuff low and away. It’s just very odd given how much power he has the opposite way.
I’d like to see him make adjustments to that stuff and I’d call him up afterwards. I do worry that if they call him up now and he stays in this funk with soft stuff away he’ll struggle up here.
A couple years ago didn’t Buck Showalter bring up the idea of having 28 teams (contracting 2 of them) and having all 28 teams play 3-games at home and on the road against every other team? All teams would play equal schedules in that they all play the same competition an equal number of times. By contracting 2 teams, that would give every team 6 games against every other team, while maintaining a 162 game schedule.
Part of the idea would be so there wouldn’t be SO many rivalry game like the 19 annual Yanks/Sox games, which I actually agree actually gets to be too much. Having fewer rivalry games would make those rivalry games even more important.
Also you wouldn’t have the top teams in the toughest division (in recent years the AL East) beating each other up all year playing 19 games against each other, and the weaker teams in that division (Baltimore & Toronto) wouldn’t have to face the likes of NY, Boston, Tampa Bay 19 times each. That isn’t really fair compared to what the other AL teams faced at the time.
Also consider that things were aligned so that Seattle could set a record for wins with 116 while playing about half their games in a division where the Bad News Bears wouldn’t have finished last.
Two teams being contracted would be a problem with the union of course, although spreading those roster spots between the remaining teams might solve that problem. Buck mentioned the idea of contracting two small market teams just eeking out an existence w/little hope of contending. He probably never thought the teams on a financial bubble might include the Mets & Dodgers though!
I kinda liked the general idea, maybe some details to be worked out.
One alternative, which I think I like, is to have two 15 team leagues with no divisions (balanced schedules?) and the top 5 teams in each league making the playoffs. It would have been nice if all 3 of NY, Boston & Tampa could have been in the playoffs some years, instead of the 3rd place team having to stay home while a weaker AL Central or AL West team could advance just because of where they played.
I liked the ideas of one league, one set of rules (keep the DH) and just have the top 8 or 10 teams making the playoffs, regardless of geographic location. I don’t think (or don’t know if) those last ones were Showalter’s ideas but breaking away from the old league/division alignments would be good.
Kennedy is where he belongs, in the weak NL. When he was here, he seemed to not accept his bad performances. Nova, if he were in the NL would do very well. You have to remember he is still a kid and will continue to improve.
————————————————————
Only change I would like to see is either have the DH in both leagues or get rid of it.
Wow, I hate that idea of realignment – why can’t Bud deal with the real issues of the game instead of trying to fix what isn’t broken?
I hope Phil can do that, LGY, but he’d have to have improved a great deal in terms of his secondary pitches at least. IMO, he should drop the cutter and throw a 2-seamer- he just gives up way too many HRs.
Kennedy has surprised me and I think he’s clearly better than Phil or Joba; I think he’d do just fine in the AL.
CB,
I was just joking around with my trade proposal above, but I do think Matt Kemp is a guy who fits what you are talking about.
He is 1.5 years away from free agency and I don’t see how the Dodgers will be able to lock him up with their money problems.
What do you think? Or are you thinking younger on the verge of arbitration type of player?
Kennedy has surprised me and I think he’s clearly better than Phil or Joba; I think he’d do just fine in the AL.
—
lololol masterful troll
SoS-
That’s how I see it. Just my 2 cents on Phil.
Look at how great Bartolo is with his 2 FB’s and pinpoint command.
He only mixes in the breaking ball occasionally.
I know Hughes does not sit 94-95 but he doesn’t need to with his command. 92-94 is plenty good enough with the action on his FB.
If he learned that wicked 2 seamer, and mixed in his CB once in awhile IMO he dominates like he did in the 1st half of last season.
That is why I said back to basics with just a little modification.
CB,
nice summary post. Have you seen Banuelos or Betances pitch this year (other than ST)…if so….impressions?
I agree with you on both the short and long term issues. This offense revolves too much around Alex health and Cano’s plate discipline for me right now…. Ideally I think they need another young hitter than can consistently hit RHP….to me that’s right there with starting pitching on the list going forward.
CB, boy I hope you are wrong. Thin on talent on the mound and in the field – you can’t be worse off than the Yankees, I guess. Are you referring to the minor leagues?
In a couple of years JU will be ours. Maybe sooner.
Come to think of it. All Hughes needs is to change his uniform number. Doesnt he do that once every 2 years?
SoS
What difference does it make what # a stud has ?
Yes Matt Kemp would be awesome if the Dodgers would trade him….but they’d want a boat load Id imagine right now.
Patrick, I could say the same for you. Now that we’ve gotten the pleasantries out of the way, we can go back to ignoring each other.
MTU -
If the D-Backs were not playing so well we might have had a chance of getting him this year, but, not now.
We do need a player such as JU in place of Swisher, and soon.
Montero for J.Upton?
The Yankees are fortunate that the Red Sox have spent their money so foolishly in recent years to match some of the dumb contracts the Yanks handed out. They could really be a much better team than they are but instead they blew their cash on Lackey and Crawford.
I still can’t believe that the Sox passed on Holliday.
MTU, that’s a lot of modification. You’re asking him to pick up a new pitch (which I think would be a good idea) on the fly in the middle of the season – and not just that, you’re asking it to be wicked. He still needs his curveball – it’s too bad that he won’t be able to spend more time than is absolutely necessary at AAA to improve, but obviously that’s just not possible given the state of the rotation.
Blake-
The time to have gotten Kemp would have been when he was having all those “problems”.
Let’s focus on JU instead, whaddya’ say ?
We’ve got the inside pole position on that one.
Patrick, I could say the same for you. Now that we’ve gotten the pleasantries out of the way, we can go back to ignoring each other.
—
This is the first time I’ve looked at the comments in weeks. I’ve gotten tired of the constant nonsense posted here; your post about Kennedy is a perfect example. Good to know that some things never change!
MTU,
I had a plan to get Upton in a couple years but nobody liked it
MTU,
Hughes strength was his control of his 92-94 fastball. He doesn’t have that big moving 2 seamer. He could develop one, but that is not in his current skill set. Their are darn few with a pitch like Colon has been throwing.
Well Patrick, I’m tired of you being a pollyanna about Phil. If you don’t think Kennedy is good, that’s your problem. Now you can either be civil, which is probably beyond you, or you can hurl insults at me, which is not beyond you and maybe even beneath you.
Betsy-
I apparently have more faith in Hughes than you do right now.
At some point, I think we see the 1st half of last year Phil again. I’m hoping it’s just in time for the playoffs.
Phil Hughes had a great 12-6 curve, what happened to it, who knows. He may have hidden it in his locker.
Austin, and yet Phil admitted he doesn’t have great control – which is why he needs his FB (which I think is more like 91-93).
“Phil Hughes had a great 12-6 curve”
some have theorized that throwing so many cutters has screwed it up.
I doubt the Dodgers would trade Kemp right now but he is approaching free agency and I don’t see how they can extend him.
I think this winter the Dodgers will explore moving him.
Austin-
Then maybe Phil ought to buy Bartolo dinner and bring along a translator and a notepad.
some have theorized that throwing so many cutters has screwed it up.
–
It wasn’t a consistent pitch since he came back from injury, before the cutter.
Francona said the other night that the Sox believed that Lester’s curveball had taken a step back because he was too cutter happy…
MTU, and apparently I’m more realistic than you. Have a nice day.
If the yankees want to replace one of their OFers, I could think of a worse player to do it with than Matt Kemp.
blake -
Isn’t that what a PC is supposed to look out for, and make the necessary changes required to make him better, not worse?
Betsy-I can live w/Hughes throwing 91-63
Anything below 91 is not healthy.
I know I say this often, but I think Hughes would be himself a lot of good
by throwing the change-up more. Keep the hitters off balance.
Look at Freddy Garcia: His splitter would be similar to a Hughes change up. That pitch is golden for Freddy
Blake, Hughes is always fiddling around with his curve…….I don’t think that helps.
Blake-
I know you were onto JU, and I was right there with you. Still am.
Francona said the other night that the Sox believed that Lester’s curveball had taken a step back because he was too cutter happy…
–
I wonder if this is like andy pettitte. Lester’s cutter is like pettitte’s. Nearly a slider. Lots of movement instead of late movement.
WTP, he won’t do it. He’s stubborn and he admitted that he was stubborn. I think he’s afraid to go out of his comfort zone. The time to do it was after spring training 2010, when he had a nice change up. Instead of throwing it enough so that he had confidence and kept the feel, he just went all out with his hard stuff.
I never said Kennedy wasn’t good. Learn to read please
JF,
then I don’t know….just a thought.
LGY,
The Yankees should make a systematic, concerted effort to try to acquire Matt Kemp.
I wanted them to try to get Kemp this off season as I was afraid it would only get more difficult. What he’s doing now is not surprising in any way.
Kemp is a controversial guy (far more than he should be). People have criticized him a great deal but they don’t realize he started playing baseball relatively late.
I don’t know. He’s a guy with bat speed falling out of his pockets. His swing is so good and so dynamic – I don’t know. He was going to put it together. His swing is just awesome. I just have always loved it. I don’t know how you can watch him swing a bat and not want him to play for your team.
So I agree – they should try to get him. Something like that. They really need to add bat speed to the team.
In the kind of run scoring environment we have right now, a player like Kemp – his value and tool set is difficult to measure.
It’s hard to know what the dodgers are going to do though. I’d guess they would put off trading him until they have new owners. He’s still not that expensive so I’d think he’s an asset McCourt would want to keep around.
I’d also look into seeing if the Cards would move Rasmus. The other guy I’d take a run at is Choo. But these are really tough gets.
But I’d be willing to trade say Swisher, Gardner, Nova and Romine + Money for one of those guys + some middling pitching if they would do that.
i think kemp would be the perfect swisher replacement. but the dodgers just can’t trade away young superstars now that they’re being sold. kemp and kershaw are in la until free agency.
that being said, does anyone think that either betances or banuelos are ready for the rotation next year?
Pettite’s cutter was great and didn’t seem to have an effect on his other pitches….I’m not sure all pitches are like that though.
Young pitchers pick up pitches or drastically improve their secondary stuff all the time.
It is really not far fetched for Hughes to come back and have a strong curveball or changeup or whatever. Kershaw basically abandoned his curveball and went to slider last year. Price picked up an effective curveball last year. Lester’s secondary pitches became much more consistent as he developed.
It happens. Pitchers mature, get stronger, become more consistent, develop more confidence and their secondary pitches follow suit.
Let’s hope AJ keeps the line moving. Let’s hope our bats continue to rack up the hits and runs, we’ll need them tonight.
Being a RS pitcher these days is easy, all they have to do is give up less than 8 runs, and they win.
Betsy-
You may be more realistic than me. Many people are. I’m an optimist and a dreamer.
I meant no offense by the way. i was just stating my POV and i know you were just stating yours.
I happen to think that Phil Hughes is a stud and will prove it once again when he is healthy.
Which I think he will be eventually.
How about this, I learn how to read and you learn how to be civil? So what that I disagree with you about Phil – what the heck is the big deal? Nevermind, don’t answer that – or do, I don’t care. It’s not my problem that you’ve gotten your hackles up for some stupid reason. Take a chill pill.
Hughes can not pitch well consistently without a breaking ball that keeps the batter’s honest.
Since his FB is not 95+, he can’t get through the line-up multiple times with a fastball/cutter
alone
MTU, I’ve no problem with you having a different point of view. I don’t agree with you, but boy am I hoping you are right.
Ian Kennedy is completely irrelevant.
That tried was a complete heist for the Yankees. I don’t get it. They absolutely made out like bandits in that trade.
That’s a trade you make and don’t look back.
They got an immensely more valuable player than they traded for. How can you possible want more than that?
This team would be rudderless this season without Granderson. And he was great to close out last season.
He really may be the most valuable player in baseball this season given his position.
No one in baseball can score any runs and the yanekes have a guy who is going to perhaps hit 40HR from CF while playing plus defense.
And Granderson is actually getting better as the season has gone on.
That trade was mission critical to the health of the organization.
How about this, I learn how to read and you learn how to be civil? So what that I disagree with you about Phil – what the heck is the big deal? Nevermind, don’t answer that – or do, I don’t care. It’s not my problem that you’ve gotten your hackles up for some stupid reason. Take a chill pill.
—
lol ok
MTU,
Hughes needs to have Colon teach the two seamer and Mo the cutter and Hughes would never have to throw anything but these two pitches. Colon two seamer to a lefty is like Maddux’ but at 91.
CB, I agree about that – I love Granderson and was one of the few who was completely confident that not only would he have a big post-season but that he’d have a big year in 2011. The conversation isn’t about the trade – just about the kind ofpitcher IPK has turned into.
granderson may actually be hitting 300 by the end of the season. if he does, he seriously should be considered for the mvp
Blake,
I haven’t seen manny or betances much other than video clips. I’ve listened to some games.
From the video I’ve seen – manny looks like he’s not being consistent with his release point (which was an issue in spring training as well).
Betances is just learning. He can look like very different pitchers on different days. He’s still needs to be more consistent with his mechanics.
Brackman is aiming the ball. He’s very mechanical out on the mound. Not the athletic get through your delivery guy you’d hope for given his basketball background.
Betsy-
Here’s what i’m going by.
Last year 1st half Phil.
He was one the bet young pitchers in baseball.
I think he started to run out of gas in the 2nd half.
Once he gets to full stamina watch out.
He can do it. Just needs to handle his training a little differently.
A place like API is the ticket for him.
WTP, he won’t do it. He’s stubborn and he admitted that he was stubborn. I think he’s afraid to go out of his comfort zone. The time to do it was after spring training 2010, when he had a nice change up. Instead of throwing it enough so that he had confidence and kept the feel, he just went all out with his hard stuff.
——————-
Betsy,
He was a 23 year old having an insane amount of success blowing people away at the beginning of last season.
He is human and a kid who has gone through a lot as a young player in this league. The mental part of the game is huge for young players.
This is not AJ Burnett. He is not a 34 year old who never realized his potential. He is a 24 year old kid who has had a huge amount of ups and downs in his very short career.
You really need to cut him some slack.
Have a good evening folks.
Man, am I relieved. I thought Phil Hughes was dead. It’s been forever since I’d heard anything about Hughes’ lack of ability. I’ve missed that.
I haven’t been around much. Just surprised to see any discussion at all of Ian Kennedy.
That trade was literally a heist. If we want more than that then there’s no hope for being a Yankee fan.
Granderson’s swing is beautiful. He does as good a job of using his entire body to uncoil into the ball as any player in the game. He has unreal bat speed.
They are so, so, so lucky they made that trade. That was a franchise altering trade. Whatever you give up you just forget about. It’s the cost of business – especially when what you gave up is some solid but not great pieces.
He really may be the most valuable player in baseball this season given his position.
—————
Not sure you want to open the Granderson MVP door with some on here
then I don’t know….just a thought.
–
Perhaps focusing on his cutter meant that he never got back to where he was pre injury? But I remember his curve being wildly different from his AA curve and 2007 pre-injury curve post injury 07 and 08. And then in 09 he had his cutter that he picked up while injured in 08. And the curves never been the same.
LGY, you’ve been on his case pretty good recently, so I find it odd you’re asking me to cut him some slack.
MTU, I guess we just disagree. I don’t think the fatigue got him – he started pitching badly well before his innings started to take effect. I guess we’ll find out over the course of the next couple of years who’s right – it’s not an argument we can win or lose today.
CB, I’ve never looked back. Granderson is a tremendous player – it’s really remarkable what changes he and Long wrought when they revamped his swing. I don’t ever regret that deal………….somehow the topic of IPK vs. Nova came up.
Martin out of lineup….
Martin Scratched. Why even play him yesterday? FREE MONTERO
Update, 6:08: Russell Martin was just scratched with lower back stiffness. Francisco Cervelli will catch and bat ninth. Brett Gardner will move up from ninth to eighth
I haven’t been around much. Just surprised to see any discussion at all of Ian Kennedy.
–
I haven’t been reading the comments lately but I can only imagine people wish he was still a Yankee considering the current options. Most fans on this blog didn’t like Kennedy when he was a Yankee and considered him a 5th starter AT BEST so it’s only natural to see what he’s doing now and be surprised at what he’s become.
Personally I would do that trade again in an instant, and I’m sure any rational person would agree. But I’m not going to lie, I wish we still had Kennedy. I don’t want him at the cost of Granderson, but take that side of the equation out of this. Kennedy is a really really good pitcher and you’d be crazy not to want him on the Yankees.
“Not sure you want to open the Granderson MVP door with some on here ”
Really?
Oh goodness. This has also been a source of “disagreement?” Really?
Were Jose Bautista not out of his mind, Granderson would be right there with Cabrera and Gonzalez as the favorites. Which ever team won would probably have the MVP winner.
All that said, there’s really no way to compare the value of those players – Granderson is more valuable because of his position.
Anyway, don’t know what else to say. It’s pretty obvious. But that’s never made a difference in the past so why start now…
Did you all see the update.
Martin out again. DL time.
OK Jesus get that eye infection cleared up so you can see the destination on your ticket when they call you.
And remember. Rake outside slow stuff. That’s key.
Now get a move on.
Betsy,
How have I been on his case? All I have said is that in hindsight that they should have traded Hughes for Halladay and that he has been injury prone in his career.
CB,
I want to make it clear I still believe the Granderson trade was a tremendous deal for the Yankees.
My only point was that I’m not sure they necessarily needed to mortgage Kennedy to make it happen.
Still doesn’t mean I wouldn’t do it a thousand times over.
Just DL Martin already
He really may be the most valuable player in baseball this season given his position.
—
Jose Bautista says hello
Betsy-
I want to be right because that way we have ourselves a young, in-house, stud pitcher for the future.
If you’re right we all lose.
“Russell Martin was just scratched with lower back stiffness.”
Martin looks ridiculous trying to play baseball right now. He’s not balanced at the plate because he’s so stiff.
It’s obvious just watching him that his back is a major issue.
Enough is enough! Martin is hurt. Period. Wake up Cashman and get Montero up here!!!
MTU, I couldn’t agree more.
I know I recall you making comments to the fact that you were not happy with how Phil has developed. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I respect your opinion, but for me, it’s a big wait and see. I’m skeptical and if that ticks some people off (not referring to you), then that’s too bad. I want to be wrong and I’m looking forward to seeing him back on the mound at YS.
“My only point was that I’m not sure they necessarily needed to mortgage Kennedy to make it happen.”
They did. Just look at the logic of that trade from Arizona’s stand point.
They traded Scherzer – a pitcher who is extremely talented for lesser arms. Why would they do that?
Because they wanted to turn one pitcher into two starters to fill out their rotation.
They wanted relatively cheap major league ready guys.
Kennedy was the only one the yanks had to fit that description. There was no way that trade gets done without him.
As it is the Yanks are lucky arizona had that need. Detroit wanted a high ceiling OF prospect and a high ceiling power arm for Granderson. Which was a reasonable demand.
If AZ isn’t willing to give up Scherzer I don’t know if that Granderson deal happens.
But anyway it’s done and now I’m talking about it, LOL.
Needless to say – that trade is actually a model for future deals the yankees should pull off. Take the quality arms they have depth in in the minors and turn them into high impact position players – which they really have a dearth of in the organization.
They gave up value but they got a special talent back. That’s just business. Can’t help it.
Russell Martin has been scratched from the lineup. He really needs to be put on the DL and Gustavo Molina brought up to take his place on the roster.
Really?
Oh goodness. This has also been a source of “disagreement?” Really?
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Really. Apparently his batting average is not high enough or something to be an MVP candidate.
But the disagreement is coming from a few of the Red Sox slanted contingent on here so there is bias involved from them
Needless to say – that trade is actually a model for future deals the yankees should pull off. Take the quality arms they have depth in in the minors and turn them into high impact position players – which they really have a dearth of in the organization.
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Couldn’t agree more
Oops, I meant to address the last part to LGY
Everyone has to see this.
“And he’ll make a start, I guess it would be next Tuesday, for the Gulf Coast. Monday’s Opening Day and they were concerned that he might be nervous for Opening Day, so they’re going to go Tuesday.”
That excerpt is from this article: http://espn.go.com/blog/new-yo.....um=twitter
Basically, the Yankees are holding back Hughes from a rehab start on Monday because its opening day in the GULF COAST LEAGUE and they don’t want him to be nervous.
Is this the same guy who pitched 7 shutout innings in game three of the ALDS last year? Does anyone else get the sense that the way this organization has handled this guy has just been flat out weird?
How many of us thought the Granderson trade was bad the first half of last season and wish they had kept Ajax? Hands(my hands up). Glad I was wrong.
Bring up Montero, Martin to DL…..when Martin returns, demote Cervi
Betsy-
The Yankees need to do a better job of developing young pitchers.
But that is an issue for another discussion.
Suffice it to say that I hope they are learning from their experiences.
“Jose Bautista says hello”
Patrick,
Seriously?
This is what I wrote:
“Were Jose Bautista not out of his mind, Granderson would be right there with Cabrera and Gonzalez as the favorites. Which ever team won would probably have the MVP winner.”
We are not even half way through so while Bautista is the clear favorite Granderson is in that conversation. A .400+ wOBA CF who plays plus defense is going to be considered for MVP. That was my point.
Players who have .500 wOBAs don’t generally need people saying “.500 wOBA player says “hello” for them.
And on that note, good evening everyone. Take care.
G-C,
Ankeil is probably getting a kick out of this.
That has to be a joke.
In October one will be able to look at the results for the season and make the case for who should be the AL MVP.
Right now Bautista is batting 59 points higher than Granderson and also leads him in OBP by .139 – SLG by .90 and OPS by .227
Granderson has also struck out almost twice as many times, 65 to 35
Bring up Montero, Martin to DL…..when Martin returns, demote Cervi
==============================================
Gustavo Molina will be promoted before Montero is. Molina is a better defensive player and has some major league experience. I would have preferred that the Yankees resign Chad Moeller but they chose to save a few $$$ and add Molina instead. At any rate I think that “Goose” can successfully back up Cervelli until Martin is healthy.
Update, 6:08: Russell Martin was just scratched with lower back stiffness. Francisco Cervelli will catch and bat ninth. Brett Gardner will move up from ninth to eighth.
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Shouldnt that read. Brett Gardner will move up to cover second?
Enjoy the game folks.
Time for dinner and a ballgame.
WCYF right on cue.
Let’s see if AJ can pitch a solid game against the slumping Indians.
I still feel Hughes will be a solid top of the rotation pitcher.
Kennedy looks good because he is in the NL. Put him in the AL East and see what he does.
DL Martin and call up anyone not named Molina.
They need to put Martin on the DL. Get his back right….there is no sense him trying to keep playing if it’s bothering him. It’s mid-June…..get healthy.
No one should be allowed to talk about who could potentially be an MVP or in the running for MVP until the end of the season.
LOL If that’s really why the Yankees pushed Phil to Tuesday, then I don’t even know what to say.
Blake, I don’t know why the Yankees are pushing it with Martin
What’s wrong about what I posted LGY? Not a thing.
1. Wait until the season is over to decide who is deserving of the AL MVP.
2. Right now, it’s not even close, Bautista would win if voting was today IMO.
“It’s still there a little but something I can play with,” Martin said. “I can run, throw, hit, even though I didn’t hit today, I can do enough to get the job done.”
—————
That is what Chad posted from Martin earlier today.
Why is he playing to just “get the job done?” Get healthy and then come back when you are actually healthy.
I really can’t stand that these guys think they are helping the team when they tough out real injuries. They hurt the team and just draw out their injuries.
1. Wait until the season is over to decide who is deserving of the AL MVP.
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No one decided anything.
Hi folks–
I was looking at Bautistta’s stats the other day and noticed that he may be in the running for the Triple Crown! The first in about 45 years! That’s pretty exciting to me, and I realized that many here never saw a Triple Crown year before (born too late).
I hope he gets it. It’s a lot of fun to watch.
I hope he gets it. It’s a lot of fun to watch.
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He won’t, his teammates are too terrible.
Martin has extra incentive to play through injury because its possible he could get pipp’d by ole Monty, if the Yankees would have the stones to promote him.
Betsy–
I wanted to follow up from yesterday and get your opinion on what you compare Brett Gardner to? Who is your LF standard? I’m curious. Given the budget the Yankees have, who should they get instead? Or are you just saying he is replaceable with another prospect? If so, what type would you look for?
Jerkface June 13th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
I hope he gets it. It’s a lot of fun to watch.
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He won’t, his teammates are too terrible.
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Be even more amazing then…it could be a great story.
Granderson also plays CF….Bautista doesn’t.
Betsy June 13th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
LOL If that’s really why the Yankees pushed Phil to Tuesday, then I don’t even know what to say.
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Oh, come now. You’ve never been at a loss for words before. Maybe not rational when discussing hughes, Romine and others, but, never at a loss.
The Gulf Coast League doesn’t officially start until next Monday. So technically he isn’t throwing in a real game just a sim game if they’re having him go tomorrow.
blake June 13th, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Granderson also plays CF….Bautista doesn’t.
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So what. You are going to penalize Bautista because he doesn’t play CF?
swisher is real smart. al west 4 teams nl central 6 teams. the probability of making the playoffs from the nl central is less, that is not fair Nicky boy… that is called math……..
Bojo, the fact is, I don’t have a replacement in mind for Gardner. I guess he’s ok – I’m not trying to trash him – I just don’t think he’s THAT good and his lack of baserunning instincts is still kind of annoying. We don’t have anyone to replace him and I don’t think we’re going to be trading for a stud, so he’s a perfectly decent player for the time being.
Trying to hand wave away that Granderson is in the running or on a short list of candidates for MVP ignores positional scarcity, media narrative, and the medias love to pick someone that is a winner.
If Bautista keeps pace by all means give him the award, but if A-gon or Granderson leads their team to a division title they will steal votes. You could get another Morneau/Tejada/Vlad upset
I think there is a better chance Martin get pipped by playing hurt and either playing bad or injuring himself worse. If he’s going to be getting scratched every other day then I really don’t understand why they don’t just take the time to get him healthy.
So what. You are going to penalize Bautista because he doesn’t play CF?
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You don’t pay attention to the MVP awards I take it?
aj hillbilly burnett has the highest era of the 5 present starters for the yanks.
freedy 88 mph garcia has a lower era….
let’s hear the excuses.
nova a rookie figuring things out has a lower era………..
CB–
Really liked your comments from prior thread about the uncertainty of setting a strategy in the changing dynamics of the offense/defense balance. I think the only answer is to put a lot of resources into farm development and go wide and deep through international scouting and aggressive signing and even more coaching.
Also agree about getting a big bat in OF–Kemp is a great target…I prefer Harper…both may be out of reach. Choo might be available though, and would be a great addition.
Betsy June 13th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Bojo, the fact is, I don’t have a replacement in mind for Gardner. I guess he’s ok – I’m not trying to trash him – I just don’t think he’s THAT good and his lack of baserunning instincts is still kind of annoying. We don’t have anyone to replace him and I don’t think we’re going to be trading for a stud, so he’s a perfectly decent player for the time being.
____
Thanks. Wasn’t sure if you had someone in mind.
so the real Martin has showed up
Jerkface June 13th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
You don’t pay attention to the MVP awards I take it?
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Uh, it appears that you don’t. Want to guess how many AL MVP’s the last ten years played CF. I won’t tell you.
Doesnt the MVP usually come from winning teams.
Bojo, my argument I know would be stronger if I did……
Uh, it appears that you don’t. Want to guess how many AL MVP’s the last ten years played CF. I won’t tell you.
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Logic is not your strong suit.
No I don’t penalize him….but Grandy makes up ground there but he plays a more premium position…..though Bautista is a good defender.
Joe G played Martin’s ass into the ground the first two months …now what
Betsy June 13th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
Bojo, my argument I know would be stronger if I did……
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well…it also helps to understand where you are coming from if an example is available to consider.
Uh, it appears that you don’t. Want to guess how many AL MVP’s the last ten years played CF. I won’t tell you.
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lmao, its about positional scarcity not centerfield specifically. Which is how Pudge can win an MVP over multiple 1.0+ OPS players. There is also the story component, where some RBIs down the stretch gives Vlad or Tejada an MVP over more deserving candidates. Go back through the MVP voters lists in the AL and see how many times Manny gets snubbed. Its very easy for the player with the best ‘stats’ to not win the MVP, even if that isn’t the right thing.
Good thing we have Cervi! (sarcasm)
“Not sure you want to open the Granderson MVP door with some on here ”
That’s a good way to be accused of anti-semitism.
Bautista wont win the MVP unless he blows away the field….
Pedroia won the MVP and of the players voted for, like 12 had a higher OPS.
That’s a good way to be accused of anti-semitism.
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LMAO
swbyankeesTT SWB Yankees Blog
by mashmore98
It is indeed George Kontos who will be starting. Looks like David Phelps in line for the call-up to replace Colon.
39 seconds ago
LGY – don’t waste my time please you can’t hold your own. If the statistic imbalance between Granderson and Bautista remains the same as it is today – it won’t matter what their teams do, or what positions they play. If the gap between players is very small – those factors may come into play.
Ichiro won the MVP in 01 and Giambi OPS’d .342 .477 .660 1.137 ! Ichiro’s OPS was like 300 points lower.
Phelps makes sense; Warren did not. Mitchell less advanced than Phelps, but still love that sinker.
LGY – don’t waste my time please you can’t hold your own. If the statistic imbalance between Granderson and Bautista remains the same as it is today – it won’t matter what their teams do, or what positions they play. If the gap between players is very small – those factors may come into play.
———————
Why would Granderson even be in the conversation with Bautista?
I thought you had to be a Yankees homer to even consider him a candidate?
yankeefem,
You are on top of your game. 39 seconds. There you have it folks. Up to the seconds updates.
Can you see if they might have someone down there available that owns a catchers mitt?
Phelps? Nice. Didn’t want Mitchell.
Although I still don’t get why they don’t just start Noesi…
Talking about statistical gap without looking at past statistical gaps shows that you don’t know what you’re talking about.
If Granderson hits 45-50 homers…..which is possible for a playoff Yankee team or if Gonzalez hits. 330 with 140 RBIS then one of them will win the award. The MVP rarely goes to a guy on a 4th place team unless that player blew the field away.
Jerkface June 13th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Uh, it appears that you don’t. Want to guess how many AL MVP’s the last ten years played CF. I won’t tell you.
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lmao, its about positional scarcity not centerfield specifically. Which is how Pudge can win an MVP over multiple 1.0+ OPS players. There is also the story component, where some RBIs down the stretch gives Vlad or Tejada an MVP over more deserving candidates. Go back through the MVP voters lists in the AL and see how many times Manny gets snubbed.
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Ohh, I get it now. “Positional scarcity” and “the story component”. I think you forgot “childhood hardship”.
You’re the demon king of rationalization aren’t you. Throw whatever you can think of into the wind and move on.
Ohh, I get it now.
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Apparently you don’t.
Noesi has already demonstrated he can get major league hitters out and has shown the composure to not get frazzled on this stage.
I don’t get why they want to go with a completely fresh off the bus rookie against a top offense like the Rangers.
Russell Martin… he could be halfway through his DL stint already if he hadn’t come back to do nothing and still be hurting.
It’s all worth it if it hastens the arrival of Jesus. Hopefully.
Nick in SF June 13th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
“Not sure you want to open the Granderson MVP door with some on here ”
That’s a good way to be accused of anti-semitism.
__________
You are one funny dude. I always get a chuckle or outright laugh at your stuff.
Ignoring empirical evidence, eschewing it as ‘rationalization’, complete failure to understand the logic of the MVP award voters. Amazing.
Ignoring that the base premise of anyones argument is that Granderson MAY be the MVP , or should be considered. No one says he is or a lock to be. Hilarious. I’ve never seen someone suck so bad at this.
blake June 13th, 2011 at 6:57 pm
If Granderson hits 45-50 homers…..which is possible for a playoff Yankee team or if Gonzalez hits. 330 with 140 RBIS then one of them will win the award. The MVP rarely goes to a guy on a 4th place team unless that player blew the field away.
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Probably have to win Triple Crown to be in consideration.
GB, another useless bird’s view of the SWB game. No ability to watch Jesus’s AB’s from that distance.
Very strange line-up from Cleveland today…Choo having a terrible season and might be a buy low opportunity.
bird’s *eye* view
Very strange line-up from Cleveland today…Choo having a terrible season and might be a buy low opportunity.
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He isn’t doing bad against RHP (he always had a platoon split which is his one failing but he is such a good 5 tool player other wise I’d take him + K Long powers) so buying low is the right move since its buying low but he can help now (by platooning with swish)
Yankees picked up Cory Wade and assigned him to Scranton.
Rays fans are not happy. They have been calling for him to get a call up all season but instead the Rays released him a few days before his opt out date.
Jerkface June 13th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
I’d love to have that glove and arm in RF…a true 6 tool player
LGY…maybe they want Noesi to face the Rangers because they never faced him before?? We all know how the Yankees struggle against unknowns, maybe they are hoping Texas does too??
Cory Wade’s stats are real good, and he has had success in the majors. Could be a dark horse for the 6th/7th
Yeah, the Blue Jays are under .500
Not many MVPs come from 4th place teams.
Jerkface June 13th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Cory Wade’s stats are real good, and he has had success in the majors. Could be a dark horse for the 6th/7th
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How serious was his shoulder surgery? Are we looking at a CM Wang type deal?
# Nick in SF June 13th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Russell Martin… he could be halfway through his DL stint already if he hadn’t come back to do nothing and still be hurting.
It’s all worth it if it hastens the arrival of Jesus. Hopefully.
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won’t see him with the big team anytime soon
The Yankees also signed LHP Greg Smith. MiLB deal
Glad to see CB back and especially his comments on offense. In 2009 the Yankees were among the top teams in team BA, now they are in the middle. The decline in batting certainly contributed to the bad record of the second half of 2010 and will not help them win a title this year either.