Yankees still leading baseball’s biggest popularity contest
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jun 23, 2011 
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All-star voting continues for another week, until the end of next Thursday. So far, the Yankees are on pace for five players in the starting lineup. Major League Baseball will send one more voting update on Tuesday before the final results are announced on July 3. For now, here’s where the voting stands.
Catcher
Russell Martin, 2,226,797
Alex Avila, 1,730,511
Joe Mauer, 1,341,474
Avila has better offensive numbers than Martin, but I haven’t seen Avila day in and day out, so I can’t say whether he’s had the same impact as the Yankees new catcher. To me, Martin has felt like an all-star this season. Maybe that’s not the best way to pick the best players in the game, but it’s not a bad reason to vote for a guy. I’ve seen Martin a lot this year, and I wouldn’t have a problem voting for him.
First base
Adrian Gonzalez, 3,017,960
Mark Teixeira, 2,407,665
Miguel Cabrera, 1,771,893
Teixeira’s playing well enough to deserve a spot on the team. Gonzalez and Paul Konerko have been better first base options, but Teixeira’s right there in the mix. Teixeira is an obvious snub candidate because of his position (there are a lot of productive first basemen out there) and because of his team (if the Yankees really do get five players in the starting lineup, might be hard to get one on the bench).
Second base
Robinson Cano, 3,664,498
Dustin Pedroia, 2,239,172
Ian Kinsler, 1,452,880
Very quietly, Cano is beginning to approach last season’s level of production. He hasn’t been quite as good this year, but he’s been tremendous this month and he’s once again the best second baseman in the American League.
Third base
Alex Rodriguez, 2,876,537
Adrian Beltre, 2,307,380
Kevin Youkilis, 2,25,438
The choice should come down to Rodriguez or Youkilis. Those two have pretty similar numbers, but Rangers fans are keeping Beltre in the mix (he has the homers and RBI, but his slash line’s not in the same league as the other two).
Shortstop
Derek Jeter, 2,654,040
Asdrubal Cabrera, 2,242,157
Elvis Andrus, 1,513,929
Obviously Jeter hasn’t been the best shortstop in the American League, but at this position, he remains the most popular and recognizable option. Cabrera’s been a breakout player this season and will surely make the team, but Jhonny Peralta has also been outstanding, and so has J.J. Hardy when he’s been healthy.
Outfield
Jose Bautista, 4,156,940
Curtis Granderson, 3,473,227
Josh Hamilton, 2,400,408
Jacoby Ellsbury, 2,249,323
Carl Crawford, 1,789,097
Ichiro Suzuki, 1,537,101
Nelson Cruz, 1,462,426
Nick Swisher, 1,271,843
Brett Gardner, 1,120,179
J.D. Drew, 1,112,720
It’s been impossible to ignore Bautista for the past year and a half, and it seems the baseball world has noticed Granderson as well. Both are strong choices for the outfield. For now, Hamilton is getting in there on his popularity, but Ellsbury is having a nice season and could take that last spot in the last week of voting. Swisher and Gardner are in the top 10, but hard to imagine either one sneaking into the all-star game this time around.
Designated hitter
David Ortiz, 3,116,578
Michael Young, 1,760,195
Jorge Posada, 1,120,830
Young was the earlier leader at DH, but Ortiz has pulled ahead and pulled away. He’s certainly the most deserving choice. Young’s had a nice year, and so has Victor Martinez, Billy Butler and Travis Hafner, but Ortiz has earned the all-star spot. Posada, obviously, is not in the mix.
Associated Press photos
Russell Martin leading catchers? Wow! He needs to pick up the slack with his bat.
I’m tired of Cervelli as well. But he will only play once every 5 games from now on provided Martin remains healthy.
I disagree that Posada (especially with the way he’s been hitting) should ‘split’ time with a guy who appears locked in cruise control in AAA.
How many lefty starters will the Yankees face? Enough to warrant cutting Montero’s playing time in half when Montero seems to be communicating that he clearly needs more playing time down there in Scranton?
–
Martin has been sucking for 2 months now. He needs to play less. Cervelli can’t play more because he sucks even worse. According to scouts and his own manager Montero is communicating that he needs playing time in the majors.
Really?
First base
Adrian Gonzalez, 3,017,960
Mark Teixeira, 2,407,665
******************
Yeah those 53 K’s overlaying those 14 BB’s and .748 OPS are screaming CALL ME UP CALL ME UP.
Where do you get this stuff?
Avila is the most deserving catcher, and it really is not at all close. Not even sure Martin is #2 anymore.
Erin,
Of course its natural to be upset as Yankee fans but Gonzalez clearly deserves it over Tex
Triple-I just want the entire infield to go!! LOL
Where do you get this stuff?
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You read anything on Montero lately? He has never walked a lot and his strike outs have increased as he has advanced to face stiffer competition. He whipped AAA 2nd half last year, was hitting .400 for the first month of this year I don’t understand why you’re so hung up on his OPS now, considering he hit .290. He should have been on the team out of spring regardless of his performance in ST.
Scouts and his own manager have said he is bored with the level and thinks he is stuck there. It may or may not be true.
montero is struggling against AAA pitchers….
what makes u think hell be sucessful against ML?
i want this guy to be all hes hyped up to be, so i say keep him down UNTIL he hits well AND HAS plenty of playin time in the majors,
seems like u guys want his name up here regardless of how hes prefomin in the minors
the level of pitchin is 10000x better in the majors than AAA for the most part, think about all the sucessful AAA pitchers who would or do get murdered up in the majors….
Oh so call him up because he’s throwing a pity party?
Martin’s season hit its high point against Baltimore on April 23rd when he hit 2 HR. At the end of that game he was hitting .333/.410/.722 (61 PAs).
Since then, in 161 PAs he is hitting .193/.317/.281
Oh so call him up because he’s throwing a pity party?
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No, call him up because is the best hitting prospect the yankees have had in years and has a track record of success and the future is now.
montero is struggling against AAA pitchers….
what makes u think hell be sucessful against ML?
–
He hit .289/.353/.517 with 21 homers at Triple-A as a 20-year-old
From the All-Star break onward, he crushed at a .351/.396/.684 clip
What is there to lose by calling up Montero? If he looks over matched then send him back down. Plenty of teams call up top prospects and send them back down if they don;t look ready
I’m bored
Call me up or else I will stay bored
Somebody entertain me
Why do we have to go to school anyways
GIVE THAT BOY A PROMOTION!!!
He should in fact skip a grade!!!
<i.Scouts and his own manager have said he is bored with the level
This is not true at all.
Doc Iac June 23rd, 2011 at 11:50 am
montero is struggling against AAA pitchers….
what makes u think hell be sucessful against ML?
////
Anyone who has watched Montero hit knows he will bit ML pitching. No one, in fact, with any shred of knowledge of him doubts that eventuality. You and Bret are hung up on temporal MiL stuff that has no real bearing on what kind of hitter he’ll be.
*hit ML pitching. lol
GIVE THAT BOY A PROMOTION!!!
–
Sometimes talented individuals need to be challenged, you never felt bored in school because the stuff was easy and uninteresting? Not to mention the different kind of learning styles. Montero more than earned a callup with his 2010 performance. There is no reason to punish him for an effective, if less powerful, first half 2011.
I really meant to say anyone who has watched Montero hit knows he will *spit on ML pitching….eventually
.
DRob30 Day off means going fishing! @ERob3 is not so happy
Triple,
True…but he would lose trade value if he looks overmatched. Teams want ML-ready guys in exchange for front-end starting pitchers. You just know Cashman is targeting one.
This is not true at all.
–
Uh Butch Wynegar has said it, and an article was posted in the other thread saying it. So yea, it is true at the very least in some respects.
I didn’t realize tearing up AAA for 2 months, and then regressing sharply warrants a call-up now.
jerkface – Thats not what the insider article said at all, people have been misquoting it all morning.
Thats not what the insider article said at all, people have been misquoting it all morning.
–
Ok then give the proper quotes I don’t have insider
Bret The Hitman,
Plenty of gifted kids act out or underperform in regular classes because they are bored
Teams want ML-ready guys
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Even an ML-ready prospect can fail at the major league level. No one knows when a prospect is ready or how long it will take to adjust to the majors. Pedroia looked absolutely lost when he came up and he was an advanced college hitter with a great pedigree.
ya he will hit ML, but right now hes slumping…
so ur sayin to get out of the slump, play less against tuffer competition?
Money quote: “There are no doubts about his tools. But he’s such a good hitter that he sometimes takes hitting for granted… he’s so confident in his ability that, mentally, sometimes he wavers a bit. A part of me thinks he’s a little bored here. He thinks he’s just passing through. But he still doesn’t understand how tough it is at the big-league level, especially the mental adjustments.”
Nothing about that says “he’s bored and need s callup”. it says “he doesn’t focus and he needs to grow up”.
Jerkface June 23rd, 2011 at 11:57 am
This is not true at all.
–
Uh Butch Wynegar has said it, and an article was posted in the other thread saying it. So yea, it is true at the very least in some respects.
////
Yup. Austinmac found an article in Newsday quoting Wynegar to that effect. The kid’s “boss” thinks he may be bored. Good enough for me.
@ERob3 is not so happy
=======
Who is ERob3 ? Wife ?
Read the whole quote prufrock. Wynegar is not championing for his callup with that statement.
Triple,
The worst thing you can do with a kid who is acting out is enable them. If the kid wants more challenging assignments he should prove he/she can master the basics first. That would present a more compelling case than sitting their, staring out the window, picking his/her nose.
Nothing about that says “he’s bored and need s callup”. it says “he doesn’t focus and he needs to grow up”.
–
Heh, glossing over the section of that quote ‘A part of me thinks he’s a little bored here.’
Ok great. ID you are awful at this sometimes.
Bret The Hitman,
The only pitchers he has been offered for so far have been Doc and Lee so unless there is a pitcher on that level available I don’t see him being traded. Liriano is the only borderline number 1 guy that could become available and I doubt Cash trades Montero + for him.
as far as teams wanting ML ready guys for front end starters what ML ready guys did Tor and Cle get for Lee,Halladay and Sabathia?
Montero isn’t bored because he DOESN’T want a callup. He is bored with the level, he wants to be in the majors. Wynegar has been quoted as saying ‘he thinks he is just passing through’.
jerkfac – i’m not glossing over anything, YOU are glossing over the entire rest of the quote, which puts that statement in context.
You are ridiculous.
Vineyard-yes, ERob is DRob’s wife.
She’s an Erin too.
The worst thing you can do with a kid who is acting out is enable them. If the kid wants more challenging assignments he should prove he/she can master the basics first.
–
You do that and you lose some kids, if you want to be high and mighty over some kids for not being perfect, ok go ahead, but you adapt to the kid as much as you think the kid should adapt to you.
Many of you are ultra-conservative. This team needs power. Alex is hitting but he’s not hitting for much power, and with his hip remaining a worry he may be on and off in that regard.
A RH power bat who will put up a good average is just a phonecall away. The sooner he gets started, the sooner he gets comfortable.
You guys are making Montero sound like such a freakin’ puss.
montero is hardly struggling at Scranton. His defense has been more than average. He’s not trying to jerk outside and low pitches out of the park. He’s hitting what they give him. Until they get hitters at the front of the order where they have to pitch to him, he won’t be hitting a lot of home runs. The home runs will be there. The RBIs will depend on getting people on in front of him. Since it’s obvious that you haven’t seen Montero play, how do you know that “he’s struggling”? You don’t…because he’s not. They’ve lost most of their offense this year because of injuries.
jerkfac – i’m not glossing over anything, YOU are glossing over the entire rest of the quote, which puts that statement in context.
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I’m not glossing over it, honestly how do you get through to a hitter who is bored with his level that he needs to work harder? Give him a taste of the majors, if he succeeds hooray, if he fails then send him down and tell him he needs to work harder.
Calling him up can be a tool for development.
Prufrock – this team, the yankees… the team leading the majors in HR’s and second in SLG… needs power?
Speak of the devil….
AndrewMarchand Full Jesus Montero story is coming later today, for now here is Bombers Beat, featuring an interview with Montero. http://es.pn/jzQDOT
And all this time I thought Montero was at AAA, but apparently he’s in reform school. How about we just enable that bat right on up here to enable us to hit for more power?
The Yankees adapted to Montero. They gave him a spring training to prove he can handle a tougher level, a more challenging assignment.
HE BOMBED.
No crying in baseball.
Does Montero think .5 seasons in AAA is all he needs to prove himself?
GB7 – So since Montero can obviously be pitched around to to limit his power by AAA pitchers… you think coming up to the Majors is going to make that… easier? The major league pitchers are just going to give him pitches to hit? There’s no logical following there at all.
I know one thing…..they’ll never find out if Montero can hit in the big leagues if he never has a chance to.
HE BOMBED.
–
He hit .300 in the last 10 games, ops over 1 every spring before that.
RiverAveBlues Promotions. RT @jnorris427: Slade Heathcott and JR Murphy have been bumped to Tampa. #Yankees
blake – who is saying he’s never going to get a chance? he’s simply not ready to have that chance yet, because he has NOT mastered the AAA level yet. 2 months last year doesn’t accomplish that no matter how anyone wants to spin it.
10 games?
Spring success is not a guarantee of regular season success for that matter, and spring failure doesn’t mean a player isn’t ready. The Yankees are shortsighted on Montero.
Didn’t Gonzalez say he would boycott the AS game this year?
10 games?
–
How many games do you think spring training is and how many do you think Jesus was getting in?
Irreverent Discourse June 23rd, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Prufrock – this team, the yankees… the team leading the majors in HR’s and second in SLG… needs power?
///
I’m aware of that and it’s nice, but we need a YOUNG power bat who also hits for average.
Especially a RH power B. We just don’t know how 35-year old Alex with hip issues is going to be in terms of his power down the stretch and in the postseason.
I wonder if Heathcott and Murphy were awarded a promotion for twiddling their thumbs in Charleston and just generally sitting around being bored.
i think he was laughing at your sample size.
When does someone master a level?
i think he was laughing at your sample size.
–
Ok let me turn around and laugh at his sample size of spring training.
1800 PA .310 .366 .497 .863 sample sized tia
Look at Murphy and Heathcott.
Their bats did some talking and they won a promotion.
It worked for Jesus Montero before as he rose through the system.
That’s the system.
You earn it.
If he doesn’t know that by now, oh well.
prufrock – I just don’t understand how a player who is having his power limited by AAA pitchers is going to start hitting for power against better pitchers.
Could it happen? Sure. Is it worth burning an option and a 40-man spot to find out? Nope.
Leave him where he is, let him get himself right. if he starts hitting like he did last year again, THEN you call him up.
There is no reason to do this in June when he is not playing to his strengths.
blake,
Why did he say he wants to boycott?
Erin June 23rd, 2011 at 12:09 pm
RiverAveBlues Promotions. RT @jnorris427: Slade Heathcott and JR Murphy have been bumped to Tampa. #Yankees
///
I heard this yesterday. Thought Heathcott would be delayed because of shoulder but I guess he’s fit to go. Thanks for posting.
Hey ty, the pressure’s on now!! JK. Looking forward to your updates.
I’m a little sad that that offensively silly Charleston lineup got broken up. Well, new faces and bats will keep the line moving. Soon enough, Heathcott & Murphy will be in my backyard. That won’t be so bad
.
blake June 23rd, 2011 at 12:10 pm
Didn?t Gonzalez say he would boycott the AS game this year?
******************
why?
I think something about the immigration laws in Arizona or something ….
You earn it.
–
.289 .353 .517 .870
Erin – because of the immigration/papers law thing in Arizona. he definitely said it, it will be interesting to see if he follows through.
Ok so…sticking with the boredom theory to explain 53 K’s vs. 14 BB’s…
Jesus Montero was bored in the beginning of spring training…then he got excited when he realized that his boredom was generating interest among Yankees talent scouts, Cashman and the front office. Once he realized the boredom routine was working and he had everyone’s attention, he became extremely excited and performed to his abilities for the remaining 10 games.
Thanks blake and Irreverent Discourse
Montero hit .286 in spring.
Right – the next Miguel Cabrera.
That would be tied for 3rd on the current yankees. He has that kind of potential, to hit for a high average with power. Worth finding out how he does.
I think Montero will be up sometime soon after July 31.
They sent Montero back to AAA to work on catching, not because he couldn’t hit. he will stay there until he doesn’t need that work anymore. He will not be called up to fix any real or perceived weaknesses in the Yankee offense. It would have happened already otherwise.
Miguel Cabrera didnt even have to spend any time in AAA. Yankees could have promoted Montero out of AA!
Irreverent Discourse June 23rd, 2011 at 12:13 pm
prufrock – I just don’t understand how a player who is having his power limited by AAA pitchers is going to start hitting for power against better pitchers.
Could it happen? Sure. Is it worth burning an option and a 40-man spot to find out? Nope.
Leave him where he is, let him get himself right. if he starts hitting like he did last year again, THEN you call him up.
There is no reason to do this in June when he is not playing to his strengths.
///
Discourse, I’ve been consistent in my feeling that Montero needs to get here and start his learning curve against ML pitchers. I’ve seen enough of him to know what is inevitable. He’s not going to have sustainable problems or “holes” that aren’t passing clouds. He’s just born to hit and mash and the sooner he gets started, the better. I have said over and over again that Montero’s bat, given the aging of the lineup, is a necessity, not a luxury FOR THIS SEASON.
That’s how I see it. It’s one of those years where we might be more fragile up and down the lineup. If this were 2009, I’d agree we could wait. He’s got nothing to learn at AAA.
I hit .286 in spring training….MAKE ME A YANKEE…or else I will be board and put in 50% effort AND I will tell my mom the teacher is being mean to me.
Mike Moustakas was hitting 287 and slugging 498 and he got called up this year
# Jerkface June 23rd, 2011 at 12:16 pm
Montero hit .286 in spring.
——————————————
Did Martin hit the same or was it a little bit less?
53 K’s 14 BB’s in AAA
They don’t need his bat and they definitely don’t need his defense.
That’s the story.
He has a chance to do what Heathcott and Murphy did.
Everyone has a chance to win a promotion.
The Yankee offense isn’t a real problem now, but getting Montero up to speed NOW means you avoid problems later where you have to call up a guy to patch an aging lineup and he has to acclimate and isn’t as good as you need. Considering they have plenty of reason to call him up given Martin’s precipitous decline offensively, cervellis general uselessness, and Posada’s lack of being on the team next year, they should do it.
Montero getting comfortable in the big leagues means next year isn’t as much a problem if Martin continues to hit .200, or swisher struggles again, or a-rod declines, or jeter is even more of a blackhole, or Cano regresses, or any number of problems that can crop up.
Martin hit .260 in spring.
Up to speed?
He needs to get up to speed with AAA competition.
The pitchers in that league adjusted to him.
Can he counter?
Heathcott and Murphy got their’s.
Prufrock – If he had nothing to learn there they would not have sent him there to learn.
He can be “born to mash” all he wants, but the Yankees are CLEARLY not grooming him to be a DH. Otherwise he would have been the BUC out of spring training, no questions asked.
He is infinitely more valuable to the organization as a chip or a future player as a catcher. Simple as that. They have trade chips and money to solve any offensive woes they may have (or you think they have…) this year.
Derailing the development of their most prized prospect over some latent possibility that the Yankees might need more power later thi syear seems like a good idea? If they still need that power in August and Montero is mashing, then maybe he’ll get the call… but not until after he catches 100+ games in the minors this season.
I only base most of this on what the Yankees are actually doing with him, not what I want them to do.
Irreverent Discourse June 23rd, 2011 at 12:08 pm
GB7 – So since Montero can obviously be pitched around to to limit his power by AAA pitchers… you think coming up to the Majors is going to make that… easier? The major league pitchers are just going to give him pitches to hit? There’s no logical following there at all.
———————————————————————————————————————-
What part of that didn’t you understand? He hitting that they give him. he’s just not trying to jerk low and away pitches out of the park. He’s hitting to right and center. They’ve lost Vazquez and Maxwell and he’s the hitter pitchers fear. They’ve lost 5 outdielders so far and just got one of them back. There middle infielders aren’t hitting above .230. There’s Montero and Laird. What would force pitchers to pitch to them with mobody on base. Laird started slowly, like he usually does. He’s been hitting for a month. As far as strikeouts go, they aren’t that out of the norm.
“That’s the system.
You earn it.”
What if you earn it and get ignored? That’s not supposed to be disappointing?
He needs to get up to speed with AAA competition.
The pitchers in that league adjusted to him.
This, One thousand times this.
If his power can be neutralized by AAA pitchers, he has more adjustments to make at that level. Major league pitchers would eat him alive.
Brett The Hitman — How many spring training games did Montero “BOMB!!!111!” for? Twelve?
You keep your head up and make yourself invaluable to your employer to the point where his/her only option is to promote you.
Look at Murphy and Heathcott.
Their bats did some talking and they won a promotion.
——————–
Heathcott has been awful since April.
May: .283 .289 .572
June: .212 .281 .493
Yeah, his bat really did some talking
Montero has always been able to hit….he’s hit at every level….and he hit at AAA last year. He’s off to a so so start for him but it doesn’t change that underlying fact that he has a great swing and incredible bat speed.
GB& – Yes but everyone here is championing he gets called up with some mythical expectation for his power to resurface. Why wouldn’t major league pitchers pitch him the same way? if he was the “force” that half the people here need him to be to fulfill their arguments, he would be mashing every single mistake, regardless of where or what they throw him.
Unless he only faces AAA pitchers that don’t make mistakes… ?
ESPN has an article stating the Cubs are meeting next week to talk about trades. The problem with bad teams is they have few players that would help significantly, and the players they want to trade are the expensive ones. I want no part of Zambrano, Soriano or probably Dempster.
The lefty reliever who pitched against the Yankees last week(Alzheimer’s moment) is about all that does much for me.
Crap, I messed those slash lines
May: .216 .283 .289
June: .188 .212 .281
What if Montero caught 2 games a week and Uncle Joe got him two other DH games a week? I’m not saying its a perfect system, but he’d be able to get his ABs in 4 games a week and he’d start adjusting to life in the bigs.
Erin June 23rd, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Vineyard-yes, ERob is DRob’s wife.
She’s an Erin too.
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Thanks Erin. How come she isn’t happy cuz DRob is goin fishin on his day off ? Why doesn’t he ask her to go along and prep the bait ? LOL !
Bret
I think you are really reaching on this. We don’t actually know Montero, so we don’t know what his thoughts are. I don’t believe he is consciously not working hard, but he may not be challenged enough. It is hard to sustain a high level of performance if you are not challenged.
From personal experience, I can tell you that my son usually performs better in classes where he is challenged. If the class was too easy, he would cruise thru and not work as hard (where personally I would use that type of class to increase my GPA). Of course not all his classmates are like that, but certainly some are.
austinmac – marshall would be nice, i would give dempster a shot… if hecan get his HR/FB under control he is a big K guy.
You can talk about Montero’s 2nd half in 2010 but this boredom business really makes him sound like a candyass and it’s pissing me off.
RiverAveBlues RT @Kevin_Goldstein: Over at ESPN, I wonder if the #Yankees have a perverse fear of failure concerning their prospects: http://es.pn/bEogy
Triple Short of a Cycle June 23rd, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Mike Moustakas was hitting 287 and slugging 498 and he got called up this year
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KC can afford to. They aren’t goimg anywhere. They can afford to let him struggle.
but everyone here is championing he gets called up with some mythical expectation for his power to resurface.
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Do you think his power just went away?
Vineyard Yankee June 23rd, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Thanks Erin. How come she isn?t happy cuz DRob is goin fishin on his day off ? Why doesn?t he ask her to go along and prep the bait ? LOL !
************************
LOL Well, if she’s anything like me that would not be her idea of a good time.
“You can talk about Montero’s 2nd half in 2010 but this boredom business really makes him sound like a candyass and it’s pissing me off.”
Maybe he should call himself DeJesus Montero
Dos Jesus. Is a good thing.
I think the Yankees can afford to let Montero struggle some…..they put up with Cervelli now knowing he’s not.going to get any better.
Damned people complain because the yankees don’t teach fundamentals, then complain because they don’t rush them.
jerkface – no, i don’t think he “went away” but it’s not there right now, is it? seems like every time they tell him to focus on his defense again, his power disappears. i wouldn’t expect it to instantly resurface if he gets called up tomorrow, since he not exhibiting any right now. It’s not like he’s mashing a la last year second half, where you would expect him to carry some power with him into the adjustment… you want to throw a guy that is performing outside of his batting profile up against better pitching and then not complain when he struggles for 2-3 months. i highly doubt that would be the case.
he can stay down there, make his adjustments (the pitchers have adjusted to him, his turn) and continue working on his defense. the yankees don’t need him right now, at all. they have plenty of other options and… oh yeah… no offensive holes to fill anyway. cervelli is not losing the division for the yankees. their lack of consistent pitching is.
Lengthy feature on Derek “aging” in Sunday’s NY Times Magazine section in honor of his 37th birthday.
Too funny that Zillo refused the writer clubhouse access and told him, “We’re not interested in helping you, so why should I let you in?”
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06.....gewanted=1
I wish Martin and Cervelli could use the boredom excuse. It might make me more hopeful about their futures.
I don’t see Montero being called up before the trade deadline. He has too much value as “potential”, and will be used as trade bait for the right starting pitcher. If they bring him up now and he struggles, his value takes a big hit. I just don’t think it’s worth the gamble to Cashman for a guy who would only play a couple of times a week anyway.
montero is not bored, and im sure hes not usin it as an excuse,
just ppl that wana see him succeed so bad tht they will blame nething but him
as for me, i think he has the potential to hit for hit average and power in the majors, but he should have to prove it before he gets called, even if he was mashin in the minors, u wouldnt want him up were he would play half the time, call him up when there is plenty of time for him to play
Erin June 23rd, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Just thought that might qualify as ‘quality time’ ? You know sitting on the riverbank with worms, a beer and a cold stale bologna sandwich.
Yeah, Jeter and Posada are pushing 40, Martin hasn’t hit in two months, Swisher is inconsistent, and the Yankees should trade their only high level prospect with an impact bat to fortify the most effective part of the team where they have the most mL depth.
You can’t make this stuff up.
You really can’t take away at bats from Posada now. He’s turning his season around in a hurry. There’s no immediate need for him right now, so he should continue to work on his catching. Seems simple to me. The kid may want to be in the bigs, but he’s got to continue to put in the work.
Thanks JF
Montero is not going to be traded. get that through your heads. There is nothing on the trade market that is worth his talent. They aren’t trading him for Dejesus or bedard or the rest of the garden variety players. Dejesus is hitting .233 with no power. What value is that.
“but he should have to prove it before he gets called”
Last year when he was in the midst of hitting 21 home runs with a .289 .359 .517 slash line was he proving it such that he warranted a call up?
“I don’t see Montero being called up before the trade deadline. He has too much value as “potential”, and will be used as trade bait for the right starting pitcher. If they bring him up now and he struggles, his value takes a big hit. I just don’t think it’s worth the gamble to Cashman for a guy who would only play a couple of times a week anyway.”
I think this at least in part true. I don’t think they want to make a move with Montero and him on the 40 man until they know they are keeping him and they know he’s going to get enough playing time. I don’t expect a player being available good enough to deal him for….but I think Cashman is just waiting to see what infolds. If he’s not traded by July 31 then he’s probably not going to be at all…..and the Montero era will begin.
The lefty reliever who pitched against the Yankees last week(Alzheimer’s moment) is about all that does much for me.
===================
Probably Sean Marshall, and the Cubs won’t likely be moving him.
“Him,” I mean “Montero”
as for me, i think he has the potential to hit for hit average and power in the majors, but he should have to prove it before he gets called, even if he was mashin in the minors, u wouldnt want him up were he would play half the time, call him up when there is plenty of time for him to play
–
This is never. The Yankees can give him plenty of time to play right now. There will always be players ahead of him, the Yankees have to have the balls to put Montero out there.
I hope the Angels make Jered Weaver available.
People keep talking about trading Montero for a pitcher. Who is that pitcher exactly? Unless you consider Liriano a number 1 starter there are no number 1 starters on the market
For those amongst us who are not cerebrally challenged and can stay focused for about 10 minutes, there is an outstanding piece in today’s NY Times on Derek Jeter and on the aging cycle written by Michael Sokolove…….Really an outstanding piece
For once I want to believe that GB is right.
Montero could play 3-4 games a week right now without a significant role change for anybody. Martin would play a little less and Jonesy would ride the pine or be released……other than that nothing would change except a very talented bat would be in the lineup more often.
A slow travel / off day around MLB today which results in a whole lot of subjective nothing to discuss. Even tougher as the afternoon comes with very few games to choose from on ‘Extra Innings’. I hate these type of days.
Triple,
Nobody that’s rumored to be available now……would have to be something off the radar. I don’t see him being traded.
I agree that Montero won’t be traded. Cashman all ready had an agreement to trade Montero, for Lee. I don’t think he’s going to back down on that type of value. I think he’s not going to be traded not because Cashman has a burning love for him, but because I just don’t see that type of pitcher being on the trade market.
What ace would be made available? I don’t know of any situations that could present themselves.
I think the decision to trade Montero for Lee was made above Cashman.
blake June 23rd, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Montero could play 3-4 games a week right now without a significant role change for anybody.
—————–
Exactly blake. Totally agree. He could easily get in 4 games a week, with Martin and Posada still getting in 5 games per week.
Weaver and Liriano are the only number 1 or 2 starters I could see being made available
Pat M. June 23rd, 2011 at 12:44 pm
A link would be nice so I don’t have to direct to much of my ‘limited focus’ in finding it.
Jered Weaver in Game 2 would be awesome. That means Colon and AJ in games 3 + 4. We could go deep. And Weaver is in his prime.
Vineyard Yankee June 23rd, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Pat M. June 23rd, 2011 at 12:44 pm
A link would be nice so I don?t have to direct to much of my ?limited focus? in finding it.
********************
VY, pat linked it in her 12:36 post.
Weaver and Liriano are the only number 1 or 2 starters I could see being made available
==================================
And Weaver is probably very doubtful.
Liriano is an accident waiting to happen and the Twins are only 7.5 games out.
I would love to trade for Liriano…..just not with any of the top guys.
I would love to trade for Liriano…..just not with any of the top guys.
–
Yup, not worth the B’s and Montero, but I’d give up 2nd tier guys for Liriano. No one available worth Montero.
Personally I’d rather have his teammate, Dan Haren than Jared Weaver. Weaver is a flyball pitcher who barely gets his fastball above 90 mph
Erin:
Missed that, Thanks. Need more coffee.
Concerned about Liriano in regards to staying healthy. Wouldn’t trade big for him.
Weaver would be great though. Kershaw too
Don’t see us getting a stud this season. though
I like Weaver….. be tough as hell to get . .
Pat M,
Thanks for the NYT tip. Great article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06.....f=baseball
Face…..Read this article, the crux to many of your arguments is mentioned such as performance enhancing medical procedures….It really is a fascinating read….Pool Service intermission…..
Oh, no. Montero’s not playing/ He must have been traded….or, joining the Yankees….or, just sitting out because he played last night.
What Happended to Hanley??
Per mlbtraderumors.
Ramirez?s stock ?has dropped to Enron levels.? Some rival evaluators say that his poor start is more than a slump and that the shortstop needs to improve his physical condition.
?If he doesn’t change his body,? one scout said. ?He’s going to have to move [to a different position] sooner rather than later.”
Click here to check out Olney?s analysis of Ramirez from yesterday.
Norfolk must have an early bus. 6 pitches and they’re out in the first inning against Scranton….and that was with a hot.
Trade for Hanley asap if his stock has dropped
Pat M, I read the article this morning, its really good but all it tells me is what I already know, Jeter is probably done.
Hopefully have Hughes back for a couple of eval starts before the deadline so they’ll have a better idea of what they actually need pitching wise.
GB
I hope he isn’t bored sitting out a game
upstate kate June 23rd, 2011 at 1:23 pm
GB
I hope he isn?t bored sitting out a game
*****************
Hanley is in a bad marriage with the Marlins and its affecting his play…..he probably will have to move to the outfield at some point but I believe he would greatly benefit from a change of scenery…..
Problem with a guy like Like Liriano is that the Twins might value him way higher than we do.
We might only be willing to offer B type prospects and they might want A guys.
IF that were the case then I’m with those who say no.
He has the talent but his health is questionable long term.
If we were to consider surrendering A type prospects it should be for an all around quality return.
I’m just curious. If the Yankees baited the hook with Montero or even one of the B’s, for example, would any clubs bite ? , i.e. trade a front line guy.
I’d give up just about anyone for a guy like Kershaw, for example.
Just because teams do not advertise their availability does not mean they can’t be had is my argument.
Blake . . .what about the pitcher . .Anibal Sanchez ??
RiverAveBlues Our own @mikeaxisa wades into the Montero debate. http://rab.me/50970
I hear Cervelli is bored and misses the bus rides to AAA parks. Lets make both of them happy.
Anibal Sanchez is talented but has a history of arm trouble.
Great article about Jeter and the aging cycle. This is the most telling nugget of inside information produced by the journalist for this piece:
Scouts are sort of the undercover agents of baseball and will rarely consent to be quoted by name. I asked the scout I visited with in Florida about Jeter, and his answer was succinct. “His hands are not as quick,” he said. “His feet are not as quick. His overall strength is diminished.” The scout summed it up by saying, “Father Time catches up with all of us.”
Has Hanley ever played OF ?
If so, is there enough of a sample to know what type of an OF’er he’d make ?
MTU,
They wont get A listers for him most likely though…..and they’ll get even less next year.
Just throwing it out there.
Eric Bedard for someone not named Montero?
Only 32 years old
2.93 era
Last 10 games
4 shutouts
2 allowing only 1 run
Not allowed more than 3 in that span.
People wanted to give the moon for Lee. How about getting a poor mans for much cheaper? I know he has an attitude and a history of injuries. Thats why we dont give our top dog for him and take the risk.
Blake-
We don’t know that for sure but I do agree that we should not be the ones to surrender any for him.
And you’re right about next year. Less of a return the longer they wait.
Mike,
Id like him but I have no idea what the price tag would be.
MTU,
Not that I know of…..but typically if you can play SS you can play outfield at an acceptable level.
SoS-
I’d consider Bedard but not surrender much for him.
He has a terrible health history.
The other problem is that the M’s have been a difficult trade partner and I see no reason that would change now.
Jeter will retire before his contract is up. I cant see him accepting playing at a low level for more than 2 years. The first he will think is an aboration(not including last year). Second will sink in and get him to hang them up. He too much of a competitor to accept sucking.
MTU,
Yea I wouldn’t give front line talent for him….Im not sure anyone else will either though
I wouldn’t consider Anibal Sanchez any less of an injury risk than Liriano… althought I would bet the marlins will move him now that hes pitching well.
The problem the Yankees will face going forward is that their farm system is “too good” to get good deals in trades. Everyone know what they have, and wants it. it’s very hard to talk a team into 2 or 3 B-level prospects when you have so many A-list prospects hidden under your hat.
Blake-
If he can play OF respectably and the terms are not totally off the Planet you’d have to go for a bat like that.
Without question.
ID-
I agree with you on Sanchez vs. Liriano except that I think Liriano would be easier to obtain than Sanchez.
I am not sure the Marlins are even considering moving Sanchez ?
Many rumors have flown about Liriano being available.
Other thing is that Liriano is a lefty. We could use another lefty.
ID,
I think there is some truth to that…..but the fact that some of the Yankees “B listers” have gone on to do well in other organizations does work in their favor…..Kennedy being the poster child there.
If Jeter wins, does he go?
If Jeter wins, does he go?
–
and leave close 60 million on the table… can’t see it
MTU – My only thinking that Anibal may be easier to get is the constant struggles the Marlins have had with keeping him healthy, the struggle of the team in June and the managing situation right now.
They are both arb eligible next year and FA’s in 2013.
I like the swing and miss stuff of Sanchez, a much more consistent way to win ballgames. Even at a slightly higher price.
*close to
Thanks to whomever posted that Goldstein piece in the previous thread. I agree about the Yankees not trusting their kids. I’m sorry, I still feel that Noesi should have been given a crack instead of Gordon. I know he was bad yesterday, but that’s going to happen. Gordon has no future here – he’s ordinary. At least Noesi has talent.
As to Montero, I’ve never bought into that “he’s bored ” argument. If he’s not putting in an effort, that is on him. No one ever guaranteed that he’d be up here by a certain date – he is obviously a very slow starter (as evidenced by his last two years) and obviously the Yankees felt and still feel he’s better off in AAA. It’s up to him to do the best he can and force the Yankees’ hand. I just don’t have a lot of sympathy, none actually, for players who don’t put out the effort.
The twins are showing signs of life in a very winnable division, no reason for them to be “sellers” just yet.
Blake-
You and I both know that the most likely outcome at the TD are incremental changes.
Maybe that’s for the best anyway.
Guess it never hurts to imagine a major trade.
As to Cash, I’ve no interest in Reyes at all, but I’m sorry, Jeter can’t possibly play SS for another 4 years (I don’t even know how much he has left in him period – he’s not that good a hitter anymore) and Nunez is just terrible in the field. I think Cashman is overrated Nunez by a lot.
ID-
I hear you and respect your POV but all other things equal I take the lefty.
he is obviously a very slow starter (as evidenced by his last two years)
–
obviously
You got a problem with that Jerkface? Apparently so. Well, obviously we won’t be having a conversation about it – which is fine with me.
As a true Yankees fan, I will vote for all Red Sox players to make the All-Star Team. The very last thing a player needs, in the midst of a marathon season, is to play yet another damn game. Even with World Series home-field advantage at stake, it’s still the 163rd most important game of the season — in other words, just about meaningless. So please, all Yankees fans, stop voting for people on your team! Vote Red Sox — early and often.
You got a problem with that Jerkface? Apparently so. Well, obviously we won’t be having a conversation about it – which is fine with me.
–
He is obviously a slow starter as evidenced by the 1 time he actually started slow and not counter pointed by the other 4 times he didn’t!
I have no problem with you misusing the word obviously
I’m fairly sure Martin has something to do with the Yankees having better than expected SP, so I don’t care if he hits .240
I did not misuse the word, but whatever floats your boat; it’s hardly worth arguing about.
MTU – All things being equal, yeah a lefty would be nice.
Sigmund – That is brilliant.
MTU,
Incremental changes are fine if nothing is there…..this team will make the playoffs as is and once there everyone has a shot. I don’t think they have an ideal playoff rotation……but they should have a good pen by that point.
I would welcome a significant move if one can be had…….I just don’t want to see any Betances for Wandy Rodriguez type deals.
I did not misuse the word, but whatever floats your boat; it’s hardly worth arguing about.
–
Because he obviously is a slow starter right? (started this year hitting .400, still hitting .290, has killed the minors every year all the time except in 2010)
No on Reyes. Too much money for a player with no power and relies alot on his speed(see Crawford). There has to be someone out there that can get the job done without having out whole infield full of high paid gagillionaires that cant be benched if they start sucking.
Anyone worried about Tex batting avg. dipping even more this year? Can this end up being a worse contract than the Giambi one? Is Long to blame?
What is Goldstein saying? We don’t use our prospects properly? How astute!
He actually mentioned Betances and Banuelos as possibilities this moment.
The powers that be don’t think they’re ready and that’s good enough for me but he knows better.
Sounds like many on this blog.
There is no urgency for Montero at this time.
When he is needed he will be there.
The same goes for Noesi. Is it really imperative to commit to him as a starter at this very moment when clearly his value is in the pen.
That article was much ado about nothing and has been hashed and rehashed thousands of times before.
Blake-
That’s what I’m saying.
By the odds alone nothing big is likely to be there for us.
I think for the most part,we are on our own at the trading deadline.
No team is giving us an ace or a stud offensive player.
I think that will have to come in the offseason.
We might be able to upgrade but i don’t see cashman making a big splash.
I doubt he trades for a big pen arm after the soriano disaster either.
How much better can we get a pitcher to do better than garcia or nova?
I would bring montero up & look into pitching & maybe try to trade swisher in a package for a more dynamic rf.
I just don’t think cashman should trade montero unless it is for a king felix,etc… & i doubt that happens.
I would do a montero,hughes & a few more for a king felix or similar,if hughes can make a few good starts,before the deadline,if even possible.
Not many directions you can go.
No team is going to trade us a young ace & the next level of pitchers will cost to much & we don’t know if it will be a better situation.
I wish we still had ian kennedy.
Teixeira has a .388 wOBA, good for the 23rd most productive hitter in the majors.
Teixeira has a .222 BABIP
His career BABIP is .299
He is only slightly outside of his normal batting profile, hitting a few more fly balls than usual.
He has a lot of correction coming his way, and even half of it would put him over a .280 BA…
“maybe try to trade swisher in a package for a more dynamic rf.”
There are just as many of these as there are Ace’s to trade Montero for.
I wish we still had ian kennedy.
====================
I don’t get this Kennedy-lust.
Certain pitchers do better outside of NY and he is one of them.
Ted Lilly was another.
They send these guys away for a reason and they know better than you or I.
Lilly’s start against Detroit yesterday reminded me why it was a good thing he’s gone. I think they checked him for whiplash after the game.
He has a lot of correction coming his way, and even half of it would put him over a .280 BA…
=========
Sorry I.D.. Can you elaborate on this. I trying to understand what you mean. Do you see it being a minor tweak or something that will stick with him ala Giambi?
# Betsy June 23rd, 2011 at 1:54 pm
You got a problem with that Jerkface? Apparently so. Well, obviously we won’t be having a conversation about it – which is fine with me.
=================================
How dare Jerkface disagree.
Another example of something negative.
I’m tired of pointing it out, it is what anyone can see it is.
Im sure his attitude played some role as well.
These pitchers who consistently give up 3 walks and strike out 3 don’t make it here.
Im sure his attitude played some role as well.
=============================
Everyone in here has an attitude.
Some think there sh*t don’t stink.
There’s a difference.
SoS – I’m trying to say that he doesn’t need to change anything, he’s just hitting the ball at people. His LD/GB/FB %’s are not really off from his career norm, and his career norm BABIP is .299, he’s .070 under that right now. Over a larger sample size, his BABIP would approach .299 and his batting average would naturally rise in the process.
He’s already in the top25 most productive bats in the majors WHILE struggling with “luck”… when it swings the other way for him… watch out.
Bernie!!
bw51official Excited for Old Timer’s Day this weekend. Check out my website for my full statement on the event…. http://fb.me/zarrqcxm
“…..but the fact that some of the Yankees “B listers” have gone on to do well in other organizations does work in their favor…..Kennedy being the poster child there.”
If someone gave some of those “NY B listers/ elsewhere A listers” some truth serum and asked whether it was growing pains/learning curve or expectation influences that caused problems in NY it would probably be a beneficial read for the organization and ml-ers.
SoS – Teixeira is even striking out less and walking more than his career averages. He’ sjust not doing anything wrong right now, just unlucky IMO.
Every time I miss Kennedy I think about having Granderson……it was worth it.
The Yankees should see how much the Braves would pay for Gardner……and no Im not advocating trading Gardner because he’s good and he’s cheap……but he’s also pretty much exactly what the Braves need most right now.
mick,
lol. I was talking about Kennedy.
Blake, I thought he was worth it from the beginning. Of course IPK has turned out better than I thought, but our pitching has been surprisingly good and Granderson has been a stud.
What do we get from the braves?
Thanks ID. Im feeling much better now about Tex. Now if Cervelli would get that unlucky tag off we might have something.
So if Bernie is attending Old Timers Day, does that mean he officially retired? Did I miss that?
Betsy, I can’t argue that Nunez hasn’t made errors and maybe I’m just holding out hope that he can be the next SS whenever that day comes because I’d like to see someone from within. But DJ did make 60+ errors one year in the minors and over 20 each of his first 2 years with the NYY. Plus guys like Andrus and Castro (both of whom everyone raves about) make a lot of errors. No one will ever be another DJ but I think( I am in the minority I know) Nunez has a chance to be the NYY SS (someday) if he works at it.
Betsy,
Yea…Kennedy was always pretty good…..but you can’t pass on a chance to lock down an up the middle position for a few years. The Yanks have a few guys in the system now with equal or greater ceilings than Kennedy.
Ron,
Don’t know…..Id ask though. They have a ton pitching and Gardner would be a huge upgrade for them……he would change their offense and defense. It would have to be a good return.
I think gio gonzalez would be perfect for ny.
A lefty,90 k in 94 innings,whip of 1.30,era of 2-59,79 hits in 94 innings.
If he can lower his walks,he would be nasty.
blake:
Fair enough.
Kate,
You sure hes not just throwing the first pitch and doing the national anthem on his guitar?
upstate kate June 23rd, 2011 at 2:24 pm
So if Bernie is attending Old Timers Day, does that mean he officially retired? Did I miss that?
**********************
kate, you didn’t miss it-I think he just skipped that step.
SoS
a snippet from the link Erin provided (Bernie’s website)
“I’m pumped to take my first swings at this great new Stadium. I have played guitar in Center Field, and thrown out the first pitch a couple times, but never played on the field.”
Irreverent Discourse June 23rd, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Prufrock – If he had nothing to learn there they would not have sent him there to learn.
He can be “born to mash” all he wants, but the Yankees are CLEARLY not grooming him to be a DH. Otherwise he would have been the BUC out of spring training, no questions asked.
He is infinitely more valuable to the organization as a chip or a future player as a catcher. Simple as that. They have trade chips and money to solve any offensive woes they may have (or you think they have…) this year.
Derailing the development of their most prized prospect over some latent possibility that the Yankees might need more power later thi syear seems like a good idea? If they still need that power in August and Montero is mashing, then maybe he’ll get the call… but not until after he catches 100+ games in the minors this season.
I only base most of this on what the Yankees are actually doing with him, not what I want them to do.
////
Sorry had to rush out.
His being born to mash is not about what Jesus wants, it was in context to your having suggested he could struggle against ML pitching. My point is, all he has left to do with the bat is get himself familiar with Major League pitching, including going through the crucible of inevitable “struggle” early. The sooner he gets through that, the sooner he’s in a position to impact the Yankee lineup.
I’m glad they’re not grooming him to DH. The value he offers at C is consistent with what we have been getting from Posada all these years, and the feature of the Yankees lineup that makes it difficult to pitch to and provides an inestimable edge. The hitting catcher is merely continuing a long standing Yankee tradition, so I would say he is “infinitely more valuable” as a catcher FOR US, moreso than as a trade chip.
Why use “trade chips” when they have the player right here? The “woes” I “think they have” are looming, whether they get away with the current lineup and outrun Father TIme for one more year, or not. Montero can help them now, but he’s obviously more than a one year proposition. Montero will be the yang to Cano’s yin in the lineup for years to come.
There is virtually no downside to him getting started now, and everything to gain. Cervelli not playing will not be a detriment, and Martin, as has been pointed out by other commenters here, is already showing what his offense looks like when he plays through pain. He is not going to provide Posada-like offense for the lineup, so already you have an aging lineup plus not much slug going forward from your catcher. The answer is getting bored in AAA.
I also acknowledge how conservative – to a fault, I would say – the Yankees are with young players. What Goldstein had to say in that piece Mell posted has been said in this space before many times. So they may indeed continue to let him languish in AAA. But I hope they look at the bat of post-honeymoon Martin, consider Alex’s health issues, Tex’s ups and downs and inefficient swing, Jeter no longer hitting for any power, our no slug left fielder, and decide that it would be a good idea to get the Montero Era started.
Blake, the thing is though, as we’ve seen, ceilings sometimes don’t mean much. I have no idea how any of these kids in the minors will do and given how things have not exactly turned out as planned with Joba and Phil, it’s impossible for me to assume they are going to be great. Nonetheless, Granderson has been a revelation – and he’s a great guy
I find it funny how Cashman always goes out of his way to praise Nunez and say he would be an everyday SS on any other team. He must see him as a big trade chip and it’s talk for the trading deadline because otherwise he sounds foolish. Who knows what kind of player Nunez will be in 5 years but Cashman needs to calm down.
From Keith Law’s most recent post about the baby Yankees at SI:
• 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.
I have a feeling Joba will be restored to a starting role. Of course, we have to see how he is post-TJ, but he may just gain even more of what he “lost” after the layoff. It’s happened before. Makes so much more sense, especially if Brackman can somehow find his way to the ML bullpen and make a statement.
Betsy,
We didn’t know how good Kennedy would be either….at the time of the deal he was considered excess.
http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb.....id=6696528
(you need insider access)
Let’s not forget tho – that IPK is pitching in the NL West. Not exactly heavy on offense.
Hate to agree with Law, but my first intake of Cito was in Brooklyn and he was indeed batting left-handed. I did not like when he stepped into the pitch his upper body separated from his lower. I looked for it on second AB and third & it was clearly a bad habit he needs to become disabused of.
New Post- The sixth Yankees all-star: Dave Robertson?
We didn’t know how good Kennedy would be either…
==================
Blake
Kennedy is good Elsewhere.
Doesn’t mean he would be as good here.
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.
“Doesn’t mean he would be as good here.”
Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t either.
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.
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This is waaaaay premature IMO, but these guys love to make blanket statements. I’ve seen this young man exactly once, so I’m not going to go off half c o c k e d (it’s absurd that this harmless, hackneyed expression doesn’t make it through the stupid filter) about him. But he made a very nice play ranging far to his right, backhanding the baseball but had no chance to throw the runner out and threw the ball short. He did have to pivot at his extreme right, though and throw off the wrong foot, so I wouldn’t necessarily say he has no arm at all. No other plays like that occurred, since Hughes was in such control on the mound so that was all we got.
This Law has to realize that these are such young kids, we have no idea how where they end up physically will influence what they’re able to do.
Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t either.
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Evidently the powers that be thought he wouldn’t.
They know more than you or I.
# sunny615 June 23rd, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Let’s not forget tho – that IPK is pitching in the NL West. Not exactly heavy on offense.
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There you go.