The sixth Yankees all-star: Dave Robertson?
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jun 23, 2011 
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Five of the Yankees everyday position players are in line to be all-star game starters, but there’s no vote for all-star game pitchers. If you could vote for one Yankees pitcher to make the team, who would it be?
CC Sabathia is tied for the league lead in wins, and Mariano Rivera is second in saves, but right now the Yankees all-star pitcher just might be Dave Robertson.
“He’s just got a lot of confidence in what he does,” Joe Girardi said. “And he has very good command, usually, of two pitches. And he’s mixed in a changeup a few times, which I think has been effective for him. It’s not something he uses a whole lot. He has that late life on the fastball, and it’s tough on hitters.”
I’m not sure he could win a fan vote, and it’s rare for any middle reliever to be selected at large, but Robertson has numbers — a team-low 1.19 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 30.1 innings — and he has to have the attention of the league. He’s stepped into a bigger-than-expected role, and he keeps dancing out of next-to-impossible situations.
“I feel like coming into those jams makes me really have to focus on throwing strikes,” Robertson said. “In the past when I’ve come in and no one’s on base, I tend to walk a couple — still do every now and then — but I think that’s really kind of helped me be able to bear down and kind of just pretend it’s a situation like that and just throw strikes and go after hitters.”
Girardi said yesterday that Robertson will probably fall out of the setup role when Rafael Soriano comes off the disabled list. For now, though, Robertson’s making it a little easier to forget that the Yankees are missing their top offseason addition (a guy who actually was an all-star last season). The Yankees have some bigger names who are pitching well enough to receive some all-star attention, but their newest setup man is worth a look as well.
“I’ve been moved around all over the place,” Robertson said. “I’ll stay in this spot I’m at right now for as long as they want me to.”
Associated Press photo
repost:
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb.....id=6696528
• The SI Yanks had several bonus babies from last year’s draft in their lineup, led by the hyperathletic Mason Williams, son of former New England Patriot Derwin Williams. Mason is loose-bodied and an above-average runner, but needs to get a lot stronger and to work on recognition of offspeed pitches — he struck out twice in ugly fashion on breaking balls. He glides forward when he strides, reducing his time to recognize non-fastballs, but there is some bat speed there and it’s a great baseball body.
• Cito Culver didn’t get the highest bonus the Yanks handed out last year but he was the first-round pick, and the early returns there are not positive. He’s a switch-hitter but his left-handed swing is unworkable, even if you stripped out all the trappings like the bizarre leg kick that screws up his balance. The bat control isn’t there from the left side and Markel was blowing fastballs by him all night. At short, Culver goes to his left fine, but his range into the hole isn’t great and he doesn’t have the arm to make that play. I might move him to second and have him just hit right-handed if there’s no improvement this summer in those departments.
• Ben Gamel, younger brother of Mat Gamel, at least showed that he recognized the difference between a ball and a strike, but struggled with picking up the changeup, not a huge shock for a teenaged hitter with only ten games of pro experience to that point. He has good hip rotation but tries to get his arms extended on balls on the inner half, which is just going to result in a lot of weak contact or foul balls. He’s a fringy runner and will have to play an outfield corner, so he has to hit to have any value. The fact that he showed a clue at the plate (on a night when most of the lineup was flailing) is a real positive.
D-Rob!!
Good case for it
http://sports.yahoo.com/fantas.....rve_061911
Interesting read on “out pitch” and overall pitcher effectiveness.
Robo K has the 2nd highest fWAR in the AL amongst relievers. Right behind Jordan Walden.
The iceman cometh to the ASG? II don’t want the rest of the league to know him.
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.
Joelsherman1 Austin Romine will rep #Yankees in Futures Game and Jefry Marte will be #Mets rep
LoHud and the Yankees conspiring to puff Robertson’s value so as to package him, Montero and the B’s for Kevin Brown
Good morning, everyone!
Last night’s game was a letdown because they could have been in first place, but these kinds of games happen. They’re still tied in the all important loss column. As long as they keep winning series, life is good.
When you think All-Star, you don’t think Robertson. But he definitely is one of our most valuable players.
I liked the Soriano signing, based on the assumption he would be healthy. And I knew then that he was a luxury, that we didn’t really need him. That’s proving to be true, but some of us already knew that David Robertson could set up.
As for the ASG tallies so far, it’s nice to know that some worthy players are getting recognition. I can’t stand Bautista, but he truly deserves the nod. Happy that Mauer is not getting the copious amount of voting he’s had in the past. That means there are some voters that actually pay attention to what’s going on with some of these players.
Of course I want all the Yankees to make the team, but there are some other good players who should play, too.
Who was it that told me WAR for pitchers was useless…
Be real tough for Robertson to make the team, there are a few relievers having really nice seasons.
I’m wondering LGY… would WPA be a better stat for relievers than WAR? Or WPA/LI?
Taking the set up role away from Robo for Soriano is a sacrilege.
It could wind up hurting us.
Cash’s worst nightmare.
Looking at all the high priced supposed talent the Yankees have brought in over the last few years and this kid is better than them all–young, in shape(take notice Joba), strong work ethic and very affordable for the next few years. IMO, with some grooming by Mo could be Yankess closer of the future.
I can take Soriano being hurt. I can take him being dour. What I can’t take is him being a stubborn, inflexible ass. I’m really enjoying his time away from the team.
I can take him being dour. What I can’t take is him being a stubborn, inflexible ass.
==============================
Not if he sucks on the mound.
It doesn’t make sense to trade Montero for Weaver.
If you are going to trade for Weaver using the pitching depth with Banuelos/Betances+ to get him, which I would gladly do.
Cito Culver is what, 19 years old? One year out of HS, limited play time due to cold NY winter/springs, no college experience…and we are supposed to worry about “early returns”
ID,
I wasn’t trying to start some WAR pitcher debate. I was just throwing it out there as an interesting tidbit.
AL All-stars by Tango Linear weights scoring:
http://www.fangraphs.com/fanta.....an-league/
RobinsonCano Thank you to all my fans for voting for me for All star I have 3,664,498 votes not bad huh? Thanks guys keep voting for me
How did we survive when the athletes couldn’t communicate with the fans?
LGY – I wasn’t trying to pick a fight, I’m genuinely curious what your thoughts are… WPA or WPA/LI to me seems to be more relevant for relievers since the “results” and “difficulty of situation” are paramount to their role on the team.
m,
Rumors Lamar for the other A.I.. Also heard rumors of Parker being traded. If we can get a good young forward in a deal, id pull the trigger.
Among AL relievers, Robertson has the 3rd lowest ERA, lowest FIP, 5th lowest xFIP, most strikeouts, and 10th highest WPA.
Dude has been awesome. I hope he makes the AS team.
I liked what someone posted on the previous thread. Vote for the red sox making the all stars so we can rest our stars for the games that really matter. Alex and company can use a few days off.
ID,
Personally, I don’t think there is any best stat to evaluate a reliever. I really think probably more than any other position you need to take into account a bunch of things to measure their performance.
No individual stat really seems to tell us much about relievers.
SoS,
Seriously? LO is one of our best, most versatile players. Doubt he goes.
I regularly watch the standings to see who is out of contention only to realize most divisions are so bad everyone is in contention. Only the East of both leagues have a leader much over .500. That surely does make acquiring someone difficult unless it is a salary dump. I see none of them I want except Beltran.
The Mariners reportedly would move Bedard for immediate offensive help. I don’t see a match unless the Yankees acquired Beltran and moved Swisher, but why wouldn’t the Mariners simply try to acquire Beltran ?
I just don’t see significant help, if any, in the rotation. The bullpen and bench, likely yes.
“Really, this post should have come first, followed by Mike’s Jesus Montero post. Montero can benefit the Yankees in a number of ways right this moment. He can take on the right-side DH duties (when Girardi doesn’t feel that A-Rod needs a half day) and he can take over Cervelli’s spot as the backup catcher. More importantly, he can play more often than Cervelli, both to the effect of getting his bat in the lineup and spelling Martin a bit more frequently. He might not get the at-bats of a full-time player, but it will be somewhere close. And those at-bats at the majors could aid his development more than continuing to spin his wheels in AAA”.
From rab.
Irreverent Discourse June 23rd, 2011 at 2:43 pm
prufrock we are not that far apart in our sentiments, only that you see the potential downfall of this lineup being much more prevalent than i do… and that rush’s the need to call up montero. I would not put that pressure (help carry the biggest baddest offense in the league as a 21 year old…) on a player who is not hitting minor league pitchers who have adjusted to him. he has plenty of work to do in the minors, his impact on the major league level can only be overstated.
if he’s getting bored playing every day not hitting well against pitchers that have learned how to neutralize his power… how is he going to be not playing every day making more outs than he ever has before in his career.
////
Yes, “potential” downfall is a good way to describe it, because of course, optimally, Alex’s hip issues don’t interfere with his hitting for power, Tex’s power surges occur often enough to help carry them to the division title and maybe he and Alex alternate hitting bombs in a round or two, Granderson continues to crank out homers at his current rate to compensate for Gardner’s lack of slug, Nicky just takes off from here on in and rakes for power, Martin goes back to providing some thump, Jeter laughs in the face of the calendar and reverts to 2009 form, etc, etc, and the world spins merrily around. Could that happen? Sure it could. I HOPE it does. We have no power shortage if it does, we’re obscenely competent, in fact, in the power dept, if it does.
But yes I guess that’s where we part ways, because I want to get the ball rolling NOW to help diminish that inevitability, whether it comes this year or next. Alex is just so important to the lineup’s fortunes and getting Montero comfortable better distributes power up and down and makes the offense less ARod-centric. IMO that is crucial and the best reason to promote the kid.
As for offspeed stuff away that’s frustrating his power, if he is making adjustments and settling there he can do the same thing here. Jason Heyward was positively clueless last season early against junk away, flailing and looking like he didn’t belong. He still has some trouble with those pitches. Hosmer in KC has trouble with offspeed stuff, too. Sounds like Montero is accepting what he’s getting, that’s what makes him different than a Jorge Vazquez type. I believe Montero will recalibrate vs. pitching that discourages power & make similar adjustments here.
I don’t think he’ll be relied upon to carry this team, but I do think his bat gives us yet another headache for opposing pitchers. He can bat low in the order to get entrenched and then move him up when his hitting warrants. Hit him behind Cano eventually.
I mean … that’s fine, I get it, but I also don’t agree with it. The kid has 756 plate appearances at Triple-A to his credit and he’s a .290/.348/.480 hitter at the level. Robinson Cano didn’t hit that well in Triple-A, neither did Melky Cabrera or Bernie Williams or Jorge Posada or pretty much any position player the Yankees have called up in the last 20 years. Montero’s batting line this year is just a convenient excuse to leave him down more than anything else. If he’s doing that as a frustrated 21-year-old against Triple-A competition, what is he capable of after a deserved promotion?
All this stuff about him being frustrated and lacking effort isn’t a sign of some greater problem either, even though it will be spun that way. Have you ever been stuck at a job when you know there’s no promotion to be had? It freaking sucks, and situations like that often lead to people looking for employment elsewhere. It’s completely normal, and Montero’s frustration just shows he’s human, that’s it. He did what he had to do in Triple-A, let’s stop pretending he hasn’t and should instead be some kind of model person incapable of frustration and disappointment.
The Yankees are tilting at some serious windmills here. Whatever move they make will be scrutinized, whether they call Montero up or keep him down or trade him. That’s life. There’s an obvious path for him to get playing time in the big leagues which involves getting Frankie Cervelli‘s complete lack of positive impact off the roster and letting Montero serve as the backup catcher and part-time designated hitter. He could get four starts a week that way (two at catcher, two at DH), which is what the Yankees did with Posada a decade ago and how teams regularly broke in young players back in the day. There’s nothing unconventional here, the kid is so obviously ready and able to help. Stop fearing failure and let him do it.
From rab.
He’s younger than Lamar. They are looking to get younger and more explosive. He also isnt busy with a t.v. show and not a candyholic. I see Pau getting traded before he does though.
If Spurs stand pat this year and dont make the obvious changes. Im filing for free agency.
upstate kate June 23rd, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Cito Culver is what, 19 years old? One year out of HS, limited play time due to cold NY winter/springs, no college experience…and we are supposed to worry about “early returns”
///
kate, we’re into the age of popstar “evaluators” who feel compelled to make statements about these kids. The nice thing though is at least they’re writing about our guys all the way down in short season. I read what I want & disregard what’s obviously hot air & hubris. But I agree with you! Lot of growing for these prom babies to do!
Rumors flying that Kemba could fall to the Knicks at 17.
Prufrock – All (most all) young guys have struggles with major league offspeed stuff, that’s why it’s major league stuff
Heyward’s struggles last year actually highlight what I don’t see right now (or would rather see, i guess) from Montero. Heyward was still mashing mistakes when they were presented to him, even while they were making him look silly at the plate… Montero doesn’t seem to be doing that in AAA (let alone the majors, where his only true pop would initially come from mistake pitches), still k’ing at an extraordinary rate, not walking… going the other way with pitches he can get is nice… but he’s not owning the plate when balls are left over it. If he can’t own the mistakes and bad pitches of minor league guys on a regular basis, I don’t want him getting “owned” by major league pitchers when he becomes the weakest link in the lineup. I would like to see him return to last seasons dominance before he gets called up. He’ll have enough to worry about when it finally happens for him.
Some experts see Kemba as a backup guard or maybe even behind the backup in the future. Not sure what these experts are thinking. I thought he was the most explosive player in the league. Cant see too many teams passing on him though.
Time to take off the training wheels and throw him to the wolves. Justin Smoak batted .218 13 homers in 100 games 2010. This year hes at .259 12 homers in 69 games. Im willing to accept the growing pains knowing hes our future cleanup hitter.
Smoak is a prime example of a player called up too early by a struggling club that didn’t have much to lose at the time. And he wasn’t even trying to learn how to field a position at the major league level…
You have to have 5 world series rings to be allowed to bat .218 in 100 games for the yankees. The outcry for a young player struggling like that to be sent DOWn would be outrageous around here…
More-so for Chris Davis than Smoak.
That seattle even took smoak in that deal is still a large mystery to me.
Smoak plays 1B, Montero C. It’s two different tales. Especially since Montero was considered to be raw at the position.
Cashman wants him getting work everyday. So he should work every day. He should worry about things he can control.
I.D.,
IMO, I think Cash is keeping him in AAA for the risk factor. I believe he still is trade bait and he doesnt want to kill his trade value. Having said that, GB mentioned that he has no protection in the lineup and pitchers arent giving him much to hit. Assuming Im wrong about Cash wanting to deal him. What good does it do to keep him down and not having him see good pitches? Defense cant be worse than our very own BUC.
“The Mariners reportedly would move Bedard for immediate offensive help.”
Knowing the M’s, “offensive help” probably means Montero or Gardner. Remember when they wanted Austin Jackson for 2 months of Washburn?
Interview with Slade Heathcott’s Mom.
Part 1: http://www.pinstripealley.com/.....art-1-of-2
Part 2: http://www.pinstripealley.com/.....#storyjump
Nice little interview with Don Mattingly.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c...../index.htm
On Slade blowing up that catcher:
“He texted me – he probably knew I was freaking out, so I talked to him right after that. I got a text saying everything’s ok, apparently it was an ongoing thing that had been going on and I guess they had gotten word from – I don’t know who said what, where, whatever – but basically I think it came down to they had gotten word before the game, the catcher was going to make the call to hit Slade – to peg him with a pitch. And that’s the reason why he went after the catcher, because of that right there; the catcher’s the one that made the call. Technically in baseball if the catcher makes the call…
Why would they want to hit him?
I don’t know. I think there was things from a few weeks before that, maybe in a game or some stuff that happened… I really don’t know what the gist of the issue was or anything at all, other than there was just a lot of mouthing going on, from what I heard. Things like that, he wasn’t hurt, but he told me, “I’m probably going to get fined, get suspended, but it’s all ok,” and I just let it go. But I think it was just a lot of mouthing going on, and I really don’t know the whole thing of it. Apparently they got word before the game that they were going to hit Slade, and I guess he took care of it. Yeah, I think he pretty much took care of that. (laughs)”
SoS – I agree that Montero’s trade value plummets once the first call-up is made and the rest of the baseball world see’s what is as a catcher, which is the only way he could ever be traded for an Ace anyway… so Cashman may be protecting his investment in that regard. I’m not so sure that’s a good reason to keep him down though, so I’m looking for other reasons.
GB7′s sentiment of them pitching around him limiting his power is entirely valid, and he is taking the ball the other way and “working with it”… but are these the best AAA pitchers ever that have total control and make no mistakes? If minor league pitchers in one offseason have learned how to effectively neutralize Montero’s power, without having good enough control or command to be major league pitchers… how is he going to fare when he gets called up and does have to face pitchers with control/command and full-on scouting reports? He is not going to see “good pitches” thrown by better pitchers, as you dubbed them… that would make no sense.
I would rather see him make these adjustments and go back to raking in spite of being pitched around. Then I will tell you yes, Montero is ready to come learn how to hit in the majors.
I firmly believe he is down there because they NEED him to be a catcher, for trade or for keeping. It’s the only true clean path to playing full-time on this roster for the next 5-ish years.
While I agree Montero needs to be playing everyday, why not bring him up for a sniff. Let him start a few games and see how he handles it. They can always send him back down.
Heathcott seems to be shaping up into a whole heap of drama and trouble. I wouldn’t expect him to last in the Yankee system much longer.
“Girardi said yesterday that Robertson will probably fall out of the setup role when Rafael Soriano comes off the disabled list.”
LOL
i love it
7th inning guy or 8th inning guy, you’re paying Soriano that ridiculous contract either way, play the player that most deserves the 8th inning, and that’s D-Rob hands down
Joe has this theory, it’s like, “this is the way it’s always been done”, so you have to keep doing it even if it doesn’t make sense anymore. rigid, inflexible, and shortsighted.
RobinsonCano Everyone wants to know if I dislike being called Robbie. Answer is no. Everyone calls me Robbie, family friends teammates and now u guys LOL
Thank goodness because Cano-y just doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily.
But we allow martin to bat .233 with a .750 ops & his numbers are falling rapidly,cervelli .175 with a .501 ops.
Disgusting.
Montero is an istant upgrade over cervelli,even if he struggles,maybe & probably an offensive upgrade over martin.
How do you justify a .175 avg/.501 ops,with montero batting almost .300 & almost an .800 ops in AAA.
Montero also has over an .800 ops for his career in AAA.
Such an easy decision,it’s comical.
munson15 – the “quick look” can’t really happen only because he’s not on the 40-man roster. have to cut someone, then you start burning his options by sending him up/down.
The yankees have never had trouble finding offensive help in the middle of the season, who thought Berkman was going to be on the Yankees this time last year? They don’t need to start messing with guys that are not “burning up the minor leagues” to patch tiny little holes in this offensive juggernaut.
munson15,
I kind of get the feeling the Yankees think he’s a “he’s here to stay” kind of player.
Gonna throw this out there, but if Posada didn’t have this extra year on his contract Montero would probably be here as the BUC/DH.
pat June 23rd, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Thank goodness because Cano-y just doesn?t roll off the tongue as easily.
*******************
ID, I understand what you are saying, but we are interestingly on opposite sides of two issues.
You are more hand waving about the current lineup’s potential for demise or stumbling enough to be an issue, whereas I am more philosophical about Montero’s potential for struggle up here and believe he can make adjustments here instead of languishing in Pennsylvania.
The Yankees would appear to land on your side of reasoning.
We’ll see what happens.
Check in later.
Good stuff prufrock. Nice, civil, complete disagreement. what has the world come to :p
Montero will get plenty of ab & he will catch enough to stay sharp.
Don’t forget the games in the majors that he will play that he would not have in the minors when their season ends not to mention being around posada,martin,pena.
756 AB is enough in AAA for now.
Cervelli is an automatic out & injuries always have killed martins offense,we are seeing that now.
If you have a chance to make the big league club better,you do it.
Take off the training wheels & let montero go.
Wieters had his best year to date his first year in the majors at 23 yrs old.
Best avg,obp,slg,ops to date.
LOL. I hope we’re BOTH right…you on lineup, me on Montero.
Later.
I figured out why the Yanks are loathe to call up Montero: Girardi doesn’t know what to call him. Jesusy – sounds too much like a car brand. Jesy – sounds like the weather in NY in the summer. Monty – sounds too much like a game show host. Montero-y? Just too many syllables. Sorry, Jesus, as long as Girardi is skippering this boat, you’ll just have to stay ashore.
what about the chances of Jorge catching a game or two. Cervelli is terrible and it gets Posada’s bat in there while he is still going good. I know they won’t do it, but I would.
Montero has already been called “Monty”
ron – if it was all that obvious, it would have already happened. It also took weiters almost 2 full seasons in the majors to reach that level. I highly doubt you or anyone else around here would have waited out his poor production for what is still pretty poor production. He was a “can’t miss” just like Montero.
niblick – I’m going with “Jeezy Creezy” until further notice
A catcher’s primary role is defensive. Montero is not replacing Martin because of that. Martin is excellent game caller and receiver. Montero is iffy. If he comes up, he will be a backup catcher and DH vs. lefties.
Per Fox, Jim Riggelman resigned. Upset his option wasn’t picked up and general treatment he received from Nats.
I can handle growing pains at the plate, but Montero needs to be ready behind it.
ID..didn’t really think of the roster implications. Good point. But I still think he can learn alot at the major league level. He can’t be any worse then Cervelli.
2 managers just flat out walked away from their jobs this week… Bizarre.
And the Nats were playing pretty good ball.
really Pat? That is too bad. They are above .500
munson15 – He can’t be, or so we would think… with 3 major league catchers on the staff, an extra at DH and a starter you would also think that Cervelli would not have gotten worse defensively in his time here. When I see that, it tells me that you can’t learn defense on the fly, or you can’t learn it playing twice a week. Either way it’s not a good sign for Montero learning on the fly. Maybe Girardi et. al. know this and that’s why Montero went back to AAA after ST.
“Jeezy Creezy”
========
Thats funny. Im not an OMG person. Instead I replace it with “Jesus Creezus!”.
Irreverent Discourse:
Wieters best year was his first year.
Also do you think montero would struggle in 3 years from now in the majors after having a great year at AAA ??
The answer is,nobody knows.
I do know one thing.
He will be up sooner than later,probably this year.
Is a month or two going to make a difference?
Or even 3 or 4 months??
Also why are we willing to tolerate cervelli’s .175 avg/.501 ops & terrible defense & martin’s numbers dropping fast??
We saw montero catch in st.He can hold his own,if not send him back down.
It is about making the big club better.
Nobody has a crystall ball but if i was cashman,i trade cervelli & bring montero up.
He has to come up eventually & i don’t think a few months will matter on any side of the equasion.
A catcher’s primary role is defensive. Montero is not replacing Martin because of that. Martin is excellent game caller and receiver. Montero is iffy. If he comes up, he will be a backup catcher and DH vs. lefties
——
Then why did the Yankees have so much success with Posada as their catcher?
Cervelli played quite a bit last season, so it isn’t the amount of playing time that has caused his defense to look worse, it is more likely what we are seeing from him is what is the normal.
ID
Cervelli is just not a very talented baseball player and never has been.
SoS – I can’t take full credit, stole it from Eddie Izzard
“What on earth is that, Jesus? Jesus Christ! What on earth is that?”
“Don’t take my name in vain, Dad!”
“Jeezy Creezy, what on Earth is that?”
“Don’t call me Jeezy Creezy! Look Dad, I went down there, I taught ‘em to be hang out, be groovy, drink a bit of wine, they split into different groups!
You’ve got the Catholics, the Protestants, the Jesuits, the Methodists, the Evangelicals, the free Presbyterians, the locked up Presbyterians… the Quakers, the Bakers, the Candlestick Makers… The Mormons are from Mars, Dad, we’ve had that checked out.”
“And what does the Holy Ghost think of all this?”
“Oh, he’s useless, Dad. Got a sheet over his head these days.”
( spookily ) “Oh… Holy Ghost! Holy Ghost… Holy Ghost!”
“Holy Ghost, this is not an episode of Scooby Doo!”
“I would have succeeded if it wasn’t for those pesky God and Jesus fellows!”
I.E.,
Dont forget Montero probably went back to AAA because they had Martin starting. Cervelli playing minimal and at that time Posada playing full time dh righty or lefty. Girardi probably knew he wouldnt get much playing time and instead get splinters sitting. Times have obviously changed. With the way things are now. He could easily get to in 4x a week.
# upstate kate June 23rd, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Montero has already been called “Monty”
————–
As long as he’s not the “Full Monty” we’re all good.
# Yogi Mantle June 23rd, 2011 at 4:21 pm
Cervelli played quite a bit last season, so it isn’t the amount of playing time that has caused his defense to look worse, it is more likely what we are seeing from him is what is the normal.
———–
Agreed. I think he was playing way over his head in 2009. I don’t think he’ll ever be that player again.
This version of Cervelli is what he is.
Then how do we know that last year Montero wasn’t playing over his head?
You can’t take speculation in one direction and not the other.
The safest long term option for the Yankees, not requiring 40-man moves and disrupting future plans is to patch any offensive woes with money and spare parts.
They won a world series with Cervelli catching, they almost won another one last year. The limited playing time of the BUC is not going to determine the course of the season.
GF
Here we go again….
AndrewMarchand Yankees’ top prospect Jesus Montero was told to sit down for two games because of lack of “energy.” http://es.pn/lbRVjH
I guarantee you 1 thing.
If martin gets hurt,nobody is going to wan’t cervelli playing 1 more game than he has to wich is too much.
I think people don’t realize how close montero was to coming up.
If martin hit the dl,imo,it would of happened,especially with romine out.
Romine might be brought up to replace cervelli but something needs to be done about cervelli.
He is an automatic out that becomes the everyday catcher if martin gets hurt.
I also disagree about a catchers primary responsibility being defense.
As long as a catcher holds his own,most managers take the offense.
Then how do we know that last year Montero wasn’t playing over his head
——
Because Montero has hit at every stop while being one of the youngest players in the league with maybe the best swing in the minors.
While Cervelli sucks and always has?
I.E.,
Ha. Im wondering how I came up with those words. Must have heard that before and never knew it.
Is Cervi on track to have the worst batting avg. for a full season ever for a Yankee catcher? Maybe Girardi empathizes with Cervi being that he was never known for his stick and a big offensive hitter took his spot?
So much for calling montero up.
Romine???
AndrewMarchand Yankees’ top prospect Jesus Montero was told to sit down for two games because of lack of “energy.”
——
Note to self: Stop listening GB on playing time issues.
Misled me on first Sanchez and now Montero
Cervelli wasn’t the primary backup on the 2009 team. He filled the starting role when Posada and Molina went down for awhile but was sent down to Scranton when both returned.
If my memory serves me, I don’t think Cervelli was even on the active roster for the 2009 postseason.
Giuseppe Franco June 23rd, 2011 at 4:35 pm
If my memory serves me, I don?t think Cervelli was even on the active roster for the 2009 postseason.
************************
I think he was for the ALDS (and possibly ALCS) because of Molina catching AJ. They wanted to have another backup. Or something like that. LOL
This is ridiculous. Just call up Montero already and see if he’ll get locked in with a change of scenery and a new challenge.
Erin,
Thanks for that article. Very illuminating. He’s a good kid with big bat. Just needs to mature a bit. And guess what? Intangibles do mean something.
Today was another in the line of terrible performances by Brackman. Three runs in 2/3 of aninning. His ERA is now 6.98. That Killer B’s career, at his age, is on the brink of dying. The second half of last year was the only time he has pitched decently. Too bad, but another in a long line of poor first round draft picks.
I know most think the Yankees are infallible, but I would like them to draft players who are widely considered to be worth being picked at that spot. Culver wasn’t, Gumbs wasn’t, Bichette wasn’t etc.
They seem to outthink themselves. I wish the scouts who evaluated the Latin players were doing the stateside evaluations.
I understand Culver and Gumbs are only in their second year, but wouldn’t it be nice to see high draft picks perform well rather than saying they might come on?
Sorry that link didn’t work-here’s the Marchand article w/his take on “Monte”
http://tiny.cc/uu0yx
The Yankees ruined Montero
Instead of treating him like a normal top prospect they have let him languish away in Pennsylvania for two years while just handing a broken Russell Martin the starting job.
Cervelli was on the roster for the ALDS/ALCS. Actually got an AB in Game 3 in LA.
Yanks better not have screwed up Montero
Oh, I guess that link did work afterall.
Just ignore my 4:38 post.
m, my pleasure.
“I just get the feeling that Monte is so blessed physically –and I hate to say it –he is almost bored here in Triple-A,” said Scranton hitting coach Butch Wynegar, a former Yankees catcher. “Maybe if he went to the big leagues tomorrow, this kid might just go off and he just might lock in.”
A catcher can’t have a lack of energy. Montero better shrink the size of his head or he will join a long list of those who never achieved to their ability.
What is up? Montero, Sanchez and Heathcott all showing maturity and emotional issues.
Martin is hitting .190 over his last 40 games. His stats were basically accumulated in the first 3 weeks of the season. He’s also been nicked up.
Cervelli has a .500 OPS.
No reason at all not to have Montero up here. You can see why he would be getting frustrated down in AAA.
So we’re just supposed to ignore the fact that Montero tunes out? You have to be sharp to be a pro ball player. He needs to wake up. I’m sorry, you just don’t reward spoiled behavior with a call up. It needs to be nipped in the bud. Which apparently didn’t work last season.
m June 23rd, 2011 at 4:43 pm
So we?re just supposed to ignore the fact that Montero tunes out? You have to be sharp to be a pro ball player. He needs to wake up. I?m sorry, you just don?t reward spoiled behavior with a call up. It needs to be nipped in the bud. Which apparently didn?t work last season.
***********************
totally agree
No reason at all, except you know… that’s he’s not ready. or he would be here.
The bravado of some of you just literally thinking “the yankees are so dumb” is amazing.
Their entire coaching staff is comprised of catchers, I don’t think they are misreading anything.
On a much more positive note, Brett Gardner is a pretty darned good left fielder. Interesting articles with different vantage points.
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-yo.....me-changer
And now we’re seeing why Cashman was willing to let such a big bat go in a trade for elite pitching.
# Erin June 23rd, 2011 at 4:36 pm
************************
I think he was for the ALDS (and possibly ALCS) because of Molina catching AJ. They wanted to have another backup. Or something like that. LOL
————-
I stand corrected. I guess my memory didn’t serve me too well.
I spent the entire 2009 postseason in the hospital so that postseason is somewhat of a blur to me.
M and Erin, I also agree. What message does it send if poor focus is rewarded with a promotion?
Reality-players who don’t develop very good focus don’t last in the majors. It is way too difficult.
The Yankees bring these things upon themselves.
They hype their prospects up beyond recognition to the media and fans and then when it comes time to actually give these kids a shot they go with bums like Gordon or they trade them away.
They have absolutely no consistency in their words and actions.
For 3 years all we have heard about is pitching and catching depth, yet the Yankees continue to almost desperately search for pitching and their catching situation becomes a mess by the ASB every year.
Joelsherman1 Who is advising Riggelman: 1) The Mets. 2) Tiki Barber. 3) A-Rod. That move was so dumb, what could Plan B have been #Nationals
Giuseppe Franco June 23rd, 2011 at 4:49 pm
I stand corrected. I guess my memory didn?t serve me too well.
I spent the entire 2009 postseason in the hospital so that postseason is somewhat of a blur to me.
****************************
at least it was a happy blur, right?
“Their entire coaching staff is comprised of catchers, I don’t think they are misreading anything.”
Except the final decision rests with Cashman, not Girardi and Pena.
Girardi early on in ST sounded very open to Montero making the team and talked about how the experience of playing in the big leagues is invaluable. Then 2 weeks later, he touted the company line of how it is better if he plays everyday in AAA
Just like ownership said Girardi was on board with Soriano, even though Cashman wasn’t.
“Yankees general manager Brian Cashman informed Posada of his intention to give top prospect Jesus Montero a shot to win the starting catching job, a baseball official with knowledge of the conversation told ESPNNewYork.com on Wednesday.”
30 days later…
Yankees sign Russell Martin and promise him to the starting catching job.
LGY,
So defense is not important for a catcher? The Yankees won with Posada in spite of his defense at times, and his offense in the majors was far better than Montero is putting up at AAA.
The reason why Montero is in the minors is quite simple. The Yankees don’t think he will help enough at this stage. Don’t you think they want to win?
NotHankStein If Girardi ever pulled the crap Riggleman did, I’d make myself manager. Then I’d make Arod bench coach so he’d be near me all the time.
Minor league talent is not a tap, you can’t just open it whenever you need to extract some. It has to be ready. 3 years into rebuilding the farm, the yankees could not be in a better position. still competing, still have almost all the pieces…
There is no rush.
June 23rd, 1/2 game back, 2nd in the league in runs scored and wOBA… this is not the time to start tearing up the roster because some back up is underperforming your ridiculous expectations. This is not the time to throw your best future prospect under the bus because some impatient fans think “enough is enough”.
He will be called up when there is time, and when he will play. With Posada turning his year around in a quick, Montero at-bats are drying up by the day.
The maturity issues thing will eventually pass. Cano, Joba, and Ian Kennedy were often accused of having maturity issues.
austinmac June 23rd, 2011 at 4:38 pm
“I know most think the Yankees are infallible, but I would like them to draft players who are widely considered to be worth being picked at that spot. Culver wasn’t, Gumbs wasn’t, Bichette wasn’t etc. They seem to outthink themselves. I wish the scouts who evaluated the Latin players were doing the stateside evaluations.”
austinmac June 23rd, 2011 at 4:54 pm
The reason why Montero is in the minors is quite simple. The Yankees don’t think he will help enough at this stage. Don’t you think they want to win?
LOL
a baseball official with knowledge of the conversation told ESPNNewYork.com on Wednesday.
ESPNNewYork seems to hear a lot of “conversations” that never actually happen.
“For 3 years all we have heard about is pitching and catching depth, yet the Yankees continue to almost desperately search for pitching and their catching situation becomes a mess by the ASB every year.”
Couldn’t agree more. Remember Cashman in ST talking about how he has pitchers in AAA who would all be in most rotations in MLB? And of course, he has genuflected about Montero and how he is the best hitting prospect in AAA and scouts compare him to Miggy, etc.
Sure sounds like a lot of hot air. I agree with that rouge GM in Goldstein’s piece – sooner or later, other teams are going to realize that these players not nearly as good as Cashman says or the Yanks have no idea how to handle them correctly considering they are always shying away from using them.
Jim Riggleman is an idiot apparently.
Disrespect?
How about quitting on your team in the middle of a contract, at a time where the team is thriving?
And this idea that he will definitely get another managing job?
I wouldnt give him one if he is willing to up and quit mid-season just because he is unhappy he didnt immediately get an extension.
Guess what Jim, the Nats have sucked for a long time, partly while you were manager.
One good month is great, but doesnt erase the other crappy times.
ESPNNewYork seems to hear a lot of “conversations” that never actually happen.
——————-
Is it really necessary for me to link one of the dozens of other articles that said Montero would compete with Romine and Cervelli for the starting job???
Erin June 23rd, 2011 at 4:51 pm
at least it was a happy blur, right?
——-
Eventually, it was. Although it sucked not being able to watch any YES pre or postgame shows.
Hell, that dump didn’t even have ESPN!!!
GF – Go tell Milton Bradley that “it will pass”.
It’s not the Yankees fault that Montero is impatient. He’s 21, not 26. It’s not their fault Montero is having a difficult time with the professional part of the equation.
He’s young, yet. He’s got plenty of time to learn about pro ball.
Montero really wants to make it to the Bronx and soon. He just has a funny way of showing it.
Did people in baseball read that article on Robertson’s pitching extension? Seems like it’s never mentioned or realized. I only hear about his fastball’s “late life.”
Giants are trying to dust off Bill Hall I see. He might work out well for them.
Marchand and Law are both idiots. culver is 18 years old and was playing in the GCL and SI at 17. He hit .269 in the GCL last year. Pretty difficult to evalute him in the SI games that total 20. Best guess is, he’s never seen him.
Sanchez is an 18 year old playing in a league that averages 20 years old. Given the two injuries the .260 BA this year. He’s hitting .267. He draws a walk about once every 10 at bats. nothing wrong with his arm, but, needs a lot of work on blocking the ball. 27% CS rate isn’t bad for an 18 year old.
Can’t answer for Williams, I haven’t seen him. From the lime he signed late last year until now…10 games and 39 at bats, he’s hitting .282 with a double and a homer. For a butcher, he’s struck out 5 times.
And LGY, if you don’t like the info I post, don’t read the damned stuff.
All these draft prospects suddenly leapfrogging Kemba Walker haven’t proven much at all. Sometimes I feel NBA scouts harp on size too much. It can lead to foolish decisions like the Blazers drafting Greg Oden over Kevin Durant or when teams questioned how Chris Paul would make it in the NBA at his size. Kemba Walker is going to be the steal of this draft. If he can raise the level of play of a bunch of underclassmen, he can do the same for a team of NBA players. He is short but he is quick enough to compensate for his lack of height and tough enough too. The scouts doubted Stephen Curry’s PG abilities as well. He fell to #7. Look at him now.
LGY – No, not at all. I’ve seen it elsewhere. Just making a general statement that they are a joke of a source.
“The Boston Globe says the Yankees not as good as advertised”… duh.
Montero was allowed to compete for the back-up role and couldn’t convince them to get rid of Cervelli, who sucks by all counts. That’s about all I needed to know about where they thought Montero was defensively. I haven’t heard any reports about his “marked improvement in catching” so far this season since he has been so focused on it he’s that not hitting. He’s not focused, he’s bored, he’s not improving the things they asked him to work on… this is the future? This sounds like a trainwreck.
man…
im startin to think montero can kill a kid and some of u guys will still defend him
Do you mean to tell me that Jesus Montero’s lack of energy didn’t get him the promotion he was gunning for?
Maybe he should try a different approach.
All right, I’m off.
Have a good evening everyone
In a good question and answer session with Josh Norris, Brian Cashman once again said the Yankees believe Jesus Montero can catch at the big league level. In fact, Cashman said Montero is already better than some of the catchers in the Majors.
“The minor leagues is (where you) work out your problems,” Cashman said, “and he’s certainly closing the gap. He’s not there yet, but he’s pretty damn close. We believe he’s better than some starting catchers, defensively, in the big leagues right now.”
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/201.....gue-level/
Red Lobster June 23rd, 2011 at 4:57 pm
“For 3 years all we have heard about is pitching and catching depth, yet the Yankees continue to almost desperately search for pitching and their catching situation becomes a mess by the ASB every year.”
Couldn’t agree more. Remember Cashman in ST talking about how he has pitchers in AAA who would all be in most rotations in MLB? And of course, he has genuflected about Montero and how he is the best hitting prospect in AAA and scouts compare him to Miggy, etc.
——————
That pitching is paying off major dividends in our bullpen right now. What are you talking about?
And the Yankees suddenly don’t have catching depth? Huh? Right now they’re giving Cervelli his room to prove himself as the back up catcher. You don’t just throw away players, and eat the money.
Meanwhile Martin is a phenomenal catcher, and you can tell that the grind is affecting his hitting performance. And they do have Montero.
# Irreverent Discourse June 23rd, 2011 at 4:59 pm
GF – Go tell Milton Bradley that “it will pass”.
———–
Some people can’t be helped regardless of their age. They are just born and bred thugs. Elijah Dukes and Mel Hall also come to mind.
Having maturity issues at age 21 is one thing. Milton Bradley is an entirely different animal at this point.
Bret The Hitman June 23rd, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Do you mean to tell me that Jesus Montero’s lack of energy didn’t get him the promotion he was gunning for?
Maybe he should try a different approach.
__________
couldnt agree more…
hate this ‘bored’ BS
Goodness, I know it sounds like I’m being harsh on Montero.
But the ones who hyped up Montero the most are the fans, not the organization. The organization sees that he’s not ready offensively or maturity-wise. He’s defense might be the best part of his game atm.
So, I’ll try to tone it down, but I get riled up when I see excuses for poor behavior.
I wouldn’t read too much into what Cashman says about his prospects. This guys job is literally to keep his prospects value as high as possible, regardless of truth. I would imagine that on January… 29th he was still exploring trades for more starting pitchers.
They make him sound like a prep school boy born with a silver spoon lodged up his rear end.
“It’s not the Yankees fault that Montero is impatient. He’s 21, not 26. It’s not their fault Montero is having a difficult time with the professional part of the equation.”
———————-
Why did the Yankees tell anyone that would listen that Montero would compete for the starting catching job?
# Bret The Hitman June 23rd, 2011 at 5:03 pm
Do you mean to tell me that Jesus Montero’s lack of energy didn’t get him the promotion he was gunning for?
Maybe he should try a different approach.
—————-
So you’re gonna pistol whip Montero for his issues but you have no problem handing over Carl Crawford money to a notorious underachiever for most of his career and had plenty of “maturity issues” of his own in Jose Reyes?
Something about that stance doesn’t make any sense.
Romine has lost almost a month of playing time and he’s still not ready. He’s just now been cleared to resume after the concussion.
“That pitching is paying off major dividends in our bullpen right now. What are you talking about?”
——————
Who?
Roberston and Noesi are the only ones in the bullpen from the Yankee system. Robertson has already been around for four years and Noesi has barely pitched.
Montero not playing in the bigs, I think, has everything to do with the guys who are currently on the team. Posada and Cervelli. I honestly think Posada was on the clock to prove his value, and you know what? He’s started to again. If he didn’t you can bet you’d see Montero up around the All Star Break.
Meanwhile, they still have Cervelli on the team. What are they going to do with him? Send him down to the minors? He’s got a fine bat, but he needs to settle down more at the plate. He still holds value, and the team is still paying him, so they’re going to try and get the most out of him before calling up Montero. Could be a trade chip, we’ll have to see.
LGY – They had no one else, and the longer the rest of the league believes he’s a ML catcher the longer his trade value stays high?
How are we to know they didn’t evaluate where Montero actually was and go… “oh my god we need a catcher” and bam… Martin is signed. Allowing a guy to compete when there are no other options in your system is not a difficult statement to make.
I’m sure there were a few days in the offseason in 2008/2009 that Nick Swisher thought he was going to be playing first base every day. Things change.
Wow. I actually agree with Bret the Hitman at 5:02.
Really hope the Knicks get Kemba!!
Jose Reyes is an MVP candidate. He has had 3 or 4 outstanding seasons at the major league level. He is not underperforming in AAA because he is “bored”. You really pulled that comparison out your wazoo Franco…as usual.
LGY,
Was this before or after they signed Martin? Was this before or after they decided that Posada wouldn’t start another game behind the plate?
Nothing was promised. And nothing excuses lack of effort. Which he got disciplined for last year as well.
It’s a lot of hard work, as I’m sure that he’s learning.
He’s young and not ready. No crime there. But don’t act like you’ve arrived already.
Roberston and Noesi are the only ones in the bullpen from the Yankee system. Robertson has already been around for four years and Noesi has barely pitched.
————–
Robertson and Noesi aren’t paying off majorly so far? Also, most of those guys in the pen are still from our minor league teams, whether we developed them or not, they’re part of our system’s pitching depth.
And you can also count Nova in there too, who’s showing some good upside.
Shocking…Reyes is having his best season in a contract year.
The next team he plays for is going to deeply regret the contract they give him. Guaranteed.
I think the Sacramento Kings, Detroit Pistons or Charlotte Bobcats will draft Kemba Walker.
LGY – They had no one else, and the longer the rest of the league believes he’s a ML catcher the longer his trade value stays high?
How are we to know they didn’t evaluate where Montero actually was and go… “oh my god we need a catcher” and bam… Martin is signed. Allowing a guy to compete when there are no other options in your system is not a difficult statement to make.
——————-
ID,
I really think you believe in this fallacy that teams don’t know what kind of player a prospect is until they hit the majors.
Do you think the Yankees have some special force field surrounding Montero at Scranton so no other teams can see him?
Teams have scouts EVERYWHERE. Every team in baseball has seen Montero and has their evaluation of what they think of him as a catcher.
In terms of the second part, why did the Yankees say anything? It was NOVEMBER! Nowhere close to ST. They had absolutely no incentive to open their mouth and start parading around about how great Montero is and how he is going to compete for the starting catching job.
Why did they open their mouth? What did that serve?
GF,
I don’t know how you read into Bret’s comment like you did.
By all accounts, Montero really, really wants to be in the majors. He’s right on the cusp, but instead of doing things the right way, which is work hard, hone your craft, and wait for the phone to ring, he went about it the wrong way.
m June 23rd, 2011 at 5:14 pm
GF,
I don’t know how you read into Bret’s comment like you did.
By all accounts, Montero really, really wants to be in the majors. He’s right on the cusp, but instead of doing things the right way, which is work hard, hone your craft, and wait for the phone to ring, he went about it the wrong way.
____
exactly…if i want a promotion, im not gona do less work,
Maybe Montero reads the comments in here and is just frustrated because the Yanks won’t listen to us and bring him up.
Let’s all rag on him and see if he does any better.
Another gutless “front office sourse” of Marchand’s? That’s worth exactly zip until “the source” agrees to put his name on it. Montero caught 4 games in a row and has DH’s in between. He’s played 9 straight days and caught in 7. For somebody “lacking energy”, .he’s hit .303 over that stretch.
Giuseppe Franco says:
June 23, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Shocking…Reyes is having his best season in a contract year.
The next team he plays for is going to deeply regret the contract they give him. Guaranteed.
———
Agree 100%
DRob >> Soriano
Bit disturbing to hear Montero has been made to sit for two games due to “lack of energy” (read attitude). Sounds like a spoilt child pouting. I seem to recall he also had disciplinary problems last season. Is this just the impetuousness of youth or another Miguel Cabrera in the making?
GreenBeret7 says:
June 23, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Another gutless “front office sourse” of Marchand’s? That’s worth exactly zip until “the source” agrees to put his name on it. Montero caught 4 games in a row and has DH’s in between. He’s played 9 straight days and caught in 7. For somebody “lacking energy”, .he’s hit .303 over that stretch.
————-
Internet reporting has created an entire generation of Jayson Blair’s.
Attitude problems? One word….
Waterboarding.
To compare Montero with Miguel Carbrera is just ludicrous and shows a reckless disregard for the facts.
Cabrera has a drinking problem that he’s been trying to get under control for years.
What the h*** is the connection to Montero???
AldotheApache June 23rd, 2011 at 5:34 pm
To compare Montero with Miguel Carbrera is just ludicrous and shows a reckless disregard for the facts.
Cabrera has a drinking problem that he’s been trying to get under control for years.
What the h*** is the connection to Montero???
———-
There were questions during Cabrera’s development about his attitude/effort and if he’d ever reach his full potential. To my knowledge that didn’t involve any drinking issues, that has only come to light in the past couple of years.
RadioKev, I live in so. Florida. I get a lot of news about the Marlins.
Cabrera had an immediate impact with the Marlins from his very first year. He was a middle of the order hitter as a rookie. There was never any question about his development. There HAVE always been questions about his work ethic, unwillingness to improve his defense, his weight, and yes, whispers about his drinking and partying.
That it didn’t come to light until AFTER his trade has more to do with the Marlins enabling him and protecting their blue chip asset, and zero to do with some sudden onset of a drinking problem in the last two years.
He got away with it for years cause he is a great hitter.
“And the Nats were playing pretty good ball.”
================================
A sweep of the M’s and Riggleman’s life was complete?
Seriously though, a touch of irony in this whole scenario…
Mike Hargrove resigned as manager of the M’s in the middle of the 2007 season during a 6-game winning streak when the team was 45-33. Riggleman’s bench coach, John McLaren took over as manager until he was fired mid-season 2008. McLaren’s bench coach, Jim Riggleman was named as interim manager that season.
The Nat’s current bench coach … John McLaren.
‘t is a tangled web we weave.
Btw, iirc, Cabrera was a middle of the order hitter as a rookie on the team that beat the Yankees in the World Series and thus were World Champions.
Again, no connection to Montero at all. None.
Cabrera had an immediate impact with the Marlins from his very first year. He was a middle of the order hitter as a rookie. There was never any question about his development. There HAVE always been questions about his work ethic, unwillingness to improve his defense, his weight, and yes, whispers about his drinking and partying.
———
I don’t really believe the comparison was necessarily that “serious,” I was just pointing out Cabrera has also dealt with attitude criticisms. I think that’s what the comment was going for.
In either case bad attitude doesn’t correlate with results.
RadioKev, fair enough. But the differences between the two situations are much more compelling than the comparisons.
Beyond Cabrera’s demons, there’s also the questionable credibility of some of the stuff that gets out there nowadays.
Robertson is not going to make the all-star team. Mariano will be selected, and they won’t take two relief pitchers from the Yanks.
I’m struck by Posada getting over a million votes at DH. It just goes to show that there are a disproportionate number of votes from Yankee fans.
Edit … differences are much more compelling than the similarities.
David in Cal says:
June 23, 2011 at 6:14 pm
Robertson is not going to make the all-star team. Mariano will be selected, and they won’t take two relief pitchers from the Yanks.
I’m struck by Posada getting over a million votes at DH. It just goes to show that there are a disproportionate number of votes from Yankee fans.
———–
Jason Varitek played in one of the recent AS games sporting something like a .214 BA. Wasn’t hitting his weight, and yet …..
Posted quickly before going to a meeting..
should have read…
Mike Hargrove resigned as manager of the M’s in the middle of the 2007 season during a 6-game winning streak when the team was 45-33. Hargrove’s bench coach, John McLaren took over as manager until he was fired mid-season 2008. McLaren’s bench coach, Jim Riggleman was named as interim manager that season.
The Nat’s current bench coach … John McLaren.
and so it comes full circle…
Nationals Name John McLaren As Interim Manager
http://bit.ly/iYV8gU #mlb