Yankees at the break: Shortstop
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jul 13, 2011 
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Derek Jeter is still a universally beloved Yankees icon, but he now has his share of detractors who appreciate his past and dread his future. He’s sparked more debate than any other Yankee this season, but he’s also provided the year’s most memorable moment.
First half
The batting average is the exact same, but Jeter is hitting for less power and drawing fewer walks than he did last year. He’s remained in the leadoff spot at least partially because Brett Gardner has struggled in that role (and because Curtis Granderson has laid claim to the No. 2 spot in the order). Defensively, he seems roughly the same as last year, still without a ton of range, but as sure-handed as anyone. After a calf injury cost him the second half of June, Jeter returned as a significantly better hitter in the days leading up to the all-star break. He’s been driving the ball for the first time this year.
Second half
If the last week was a sign of things to come, then the Yankees are in good hands. It wasn’t only the 5-for-5 game on Saturday, even in the days leading up to that unforgettable performance, Jeter was hitting line drives for the first time this season. But the bulk of the year suggests last week was an outlier. It’s hard to expect him to return to his 2009 form, but he left some reason for hope heading into the second half.
The minors
Most of the shortstops in the Yankees system seem to be little more than role players – if that – at the Major League level. Walter Ibarra is having a nice year in Tampa, but this is also his third year at that level. Jose Pirela hasn’t done much in Trenton, and the Yankees know what they have in Ramiro Pena. That’s why there’s considerable focus on Staten Island, where last year’s first-round pick Cito Culver has been pretty good after a slow first week. He’s been outstanding against lefties – batting average around .500 against them – and the Yankees have no doubt that he can handle the position defensively.
One question
Why is Jeter so good in the first inning?
It’s easy to understand why so many fans prefer Brett Gardner in the leadoff spot, but Jeter’s hitting .281 with a .342 on-base percentage as the Yankees leadoff hitter this season, and he’s been unusually good in the first inning. When leading off the game, Jeter is hitting .404/.475/.500. Is that a matter of experience? Is he better prepared for the game to begin than any starting pitcher he’s going to face? Is that a meaningless statistic?
The future
Unless Culver flies through the system – which isn’t likely to happen – the Yankees have two shortstop options for the next few years. They can stick with Jeter, or they can find a new place for their iconic captain and hand the position to Eduardo Nunez. He’s not as polished as Jeter, but Nunez has shown why the Yankees like him. He can hit, he can run and he has a powerful – if erratic – arm. It remains to be seen how long Jeter can hold down the position, but the Yankees have an alternative in place.
Associated Press photo
General rule of thumb folks – a guy who dominates major leaguers is better to have on your team than a guy who dominates minor leaguers.
BoJo July 13th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Chip July 13th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
General rule of thumb folks – a guy who dominates major leaguers is better to have on your team than a guy who dominates minor leaguers.
_____
Unless his performance is on a downswing and he will soon be passed by the prospect.
————–
Very true – but does a bad first half constitute a downswing in performance?
Game 1 of the ALDS. CJ Wilson on the mound.
Who starts at DH for the Yankees?
They need another bat…
I don’t want Andruw Jones in the playoffs, I want Beltran
Very true – but does a bad first half constitute a downswing in performance?
____
Only The Shadow Knows!
Ubaldo had a 5 game down swing, 2.5 ERA in his last 50+ innings pitched
Unless his performance is on a downswing and he will soon be passed by the prospect
===================================
What evidence of this passing exists right now?
Mell July 13th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Trading for a loogy = smart
Trading for a number two starter = smart
================================
True, but market for both sucks, or in the case of a #2 starter, just plain invisible….unless the Rox are seriously discussing moving Jiminez, which I kind of doubt.
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But we don’t know that do we? No one on this blog knows anything about who is available as we aren’t privy to what phone calls Cashman makes to other GM’s or receives.
Teams are not just going to trade ace-type pitchers while they are on top of their game, unless they are in their contract year. If you want a top of the rotation starter, the majority of the time, you have to buy low like Haren last year and potentially Jiminez this year.
It is a gamble because sometimes, guys just flame out and don’t recapture their magic (Kazmir/Willis) others are just one-year wonders (Volquez/Carmona).
LGY, are you intentionally be obstinate? The whole point of seeing players yourself is that you can evaluate versus trust others to evaluate. So, if you can’t understand why seeing a player helps you to evaluate a player, I can’t help you there.
Why is Ubaldo’s high BB rate a concern but Betances isn’t?
But we don?t know that do we? No one on this blog knows anything about who is available as we aren?t privy to what phone calls Cashman makes to other GM?s or receives.
One of the smartest things said on this blog – outside of Nick’s comments on smart phones, of course
– today.
I’d love to know what the internal evaluations are for some of our players, as well as Billy Eppler’s evaluations for other team’s players. It would be enlightening, to say the least.
What evidence of this passing exists right now?
________
I would look at his workload before 25, the increase in innings pitched by year, and velocity. He might be wearing down like Gooden and Garcia and other young pitchers have. May be hiding an injury….
LGY, are you intentionally be obstinate? The whole point of seeing players yourself is that you can evaluate versus trust others to evaluate. So, if you can’t understand why seeing a player helps you to evaluate a player, I can’t help you there.
——————
Like I said, I’ve seen Betances live.
If seeing him a bunch of times at Trenton leads one to conclude that they wouldn’t trade him straight up for Ubaldo or that he is “untouchable” it’s time to go back to trusting the scouts and the numbers.
Nick in SF July 13th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Thank you, but I think it?s disqualified for misspelling ?analogous?
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oops….and I didn’t even notice the spelling error. #laziness.
Chip July 13th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
General rule of thumb folks – a guy who dominates major leaguers is better to have on your team than a guy who dominates minor leaguers.
///
This is pretty facile, Chip. A guy who isn’t yet in the majors is going to have a hard time dominating major leaguers before he actually gets there. The whole evaluation process is based on being able to approximate how a guy projects going forward.
Heyman On K-Rod, Sabathia, Fielder, Beltran
By Tim Dierkes [July 13 at 12:09pm CST]
The latest from SI’s Jon Heyman…
•Francisco Rodriguez’s agent Scott Boras spoke with Brewers GM Doug Melvin shortly after last night’s trade, at which point Heyman says “Boras made the case that K-Rod should close, suggesting he wouldn’t do nearly as well setting up.” Melvin was apparently noncommital in that conversation, as he has been publicly. K-Rod would become the highest-paid reliever in baseball history if his option vests, though Boras wouldn’t get commission on a contract brokered by Wasserman Media Group in 2008. Heyman suggests an unhappy Rodriguez is a scary concept, but based on the player’s tweets (in Spanish), he’s content.
•Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia “has done some selling on the Yankees” to his friend Prince Fielder. Heyman doesn’t take this as a sign the Yankees are interested in Fielder as a very expensive designated hitter, but rather an indication that Sabathia expects to stick around with the club after this season.
•Cardinals right fielder Lance Berkman told Yahoo’s Jeff Passan he expects Fielder to top Albert Pujols in total dollars due to the age difference, but Albert should get the higher average annual value.
•Heyman sees the Tigers as a potential suitor for Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran. He believes the Tigers could add a bat at second base, third base, or outfield.
Heyman doesn?t take this as a sign the Yankees are interested in Fielder as a very expensive designated hitter, but rather an indication that Sabathia expects to stick around with the club after this season.
*******************
Heyman is such a visionary.
No, just good at shooting himself in the foot:
Scouts at Hughes game praised his curveball, but LGY wasn’t actually present to use his expertise to determine whether this was faulty information or not.
Hence, being at a game live YOURSELF, so you don’t have to depend on “scouts” is meaningless.
Yea, that follows, man…
yankeefeminista July 13th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
LGY, are you intentionally be obstinate? The whole point of seeing players yourself is that you can evaluate versus trust others to evaluate. So, if you can’t understand why seeing a player helps you to evaluate a player, I can’t help you there.
*************
It really depends on who is doing the evaluating. An average fan sitting twenty rows up between first and third wouldn’t necessarily get a better sense of how a player is doing than someone watching on television; particularly a pitcher. The center field camera and radar gun would provide better information. A professional scout is a different story.
No, just good at shooting himself in the foot:
Scouts at Hughes game praised his curveball, but LGY wasn’t actually present to use his expertise to determine whether this was faulty information or not.
Hence, being at a game live YOURSELF, so you don’t have to depend on “scouts” is meaningless.
Yea, that follows, man…
———————–
So Hughes just broke out that sharp curveball for one start and then it just vanished once again after that?
You guys get put under some spell when you attend these minor league games.
J. Alfred Prufrock July 13th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
No, just good at shooting himself in the foot:
Scouts at Hughes game praised his curveball, but LGY wasn?t actually present to use his expertise to determine whether this was faulty information or not.
Hence, being at a game live YOURSELF, so you don?t have to depend on ?scouts? is meaningless.
Yea, that follows, man?
***************
He said “the scouts in the stands on here”…meaning the individuals on this blog who saw Hughes live. Not professional scouts.
If you’re going to be less than civil, you should try to be correct
LGY, scouting report on Betances? Or are you so not qualified that you have never contributed even one remark here on said player in spite of the endless discussions about him?
YankeeFem,
I’ve found nothing for the EL All Star game, yet. However, the AAA All Star game is on MILB’TV.com at 9:00 PM
LGY July 13th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Game 1 of the ALDS. CJ Wilson on the mound.
Who starts at DH for the Yankees?
They need another bat…
—————–
It will probably be Jorge Posada.
In the AL East, I see Jiminiez as a very similar pitcher to Burnett. High walk rates, lots of Ks, lots of long innings and high pitch counts, some dominant games, frustrating to watch.
LGY July 13th, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Game 1 of the ALDS. CJ Wilson on the mound.
Who starts at DH for the Yankees?
They need another bat…
—————–
It will probably be Jorge Posada.
Though I would have no problem with them picking up Marcus Thames right now either.
I’m just saying that in the event that scenario presents itself – Jorge Posada will be the Yankees starting DH in the playoffs.
Scouts at Hughes game praised his curveball, but LGY wasn’t actually present to use his expertise to determine whether this was faulty information or not.
——————
The same curveball that Hughes felt the need to scrap after one start back and change completely?
Erin July 13th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Heyman doesn?t take this as a sign the Yankees are interested in Fielder as a very expensive designated hitter, but rather an indication that Sabathia expects to stick around with the club after this season.
*******************
Heyman is such a visionary.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Careful, Erin. His nephew is lurking.
sounds to me like everyone needs a hug, not just the prospects
Dear Lohud,
I have seen Ubaldo Jimenez pitch live 37 times.
Because I have seen him live and my live viewing tells me he is the greatest pitcher who ever lived the Yankees should trade Montero, Betances, Banuelos, Sanchez, Murphy, and Heathcott for him (all the “untouchables” in the Yankee system).
If you disagree with this assessment, you have not seen Ubaldo Jimenez pitch live enough and please report back when you see him live the requisite 37 times.
Thank you,
LGY (AKA Ubaldo Lover)
If you’re going to be less than civil, you should try to be correct
///
I read what he wrote, he’s never seen Betances pitch, thus the smoke & mirrors & attempt to demean the idea that actually seeing a player for yourself teaches you anything about him.
Civil? The guy’s been the worst kind of Derek Jeter troll since I joined this place. Worse than a trolling Red Sox fan. He gets what he deserves.
J. Alfred Prufrock July 13th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Chip July 13th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
General rule of thumb folks – a guy who dominates major leaguers is better to have on your team than a guy who dominates minor leaguers.
///
This is pretty facile, Chip. A guy who isn’t yet in the majors is going to have a hard time dominating major leaguers before he actually gets there. The whole evaluation process is based on being able to approximate how a guy projects going forward.
————-
Yes but if you’re trying to win this year – as the Yankees are – then the rule applies. Given that Ubaldo is only 27 it is not as if the Yankees are taking on a player who is over the hill (in this scenario)
Mind you this is not an endorsement of the move – just a general observation.
People are kind of edgy today…
That’s right – here I lurk. Be nice to Uncle Jon.
LGY, Hughes threw a sharp curve. He obviously had been tinkering with it even then. What’s your point? To always undermine even when you lack the expertise to do so. I have no stake in your believing me or not.
Rich in NJ July 13th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
People are kind of edgy today.
***********************
Too much down time. (gameless)
I read what he wrote, he’s never seen Betances pitch
–
Hmmm
its a sign of baseball withdrawal Rich
Rich, I am categorically *not* edgy. However, no Yankee game for a 3rd day in a row can do that to people.
For those of us who were actually in attendance in Brooklyn, Hughes threw a couple of sharp, late breaking curves that the hitters couldn’t pick up until it was too late.
He also threw that slow big curve that breaks too early & can get creamed.
The first one was a good pitch, the second one wasn’t.
That’s what happened in Brooklyn.
Rich in NJ July 13th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
People are kind of edgy today?
*********
Yea well…there’s no game tonight! Grr
I heard that Heyman wears a fur-trimmed bra under his suit to hold his man boobs in place.
Rich in NJ July 13th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
People are kind of edgy today?
********************
Rich, do you need a hug??
GreenBeret7 July 13th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
I heard that Heyman wears a fur-trimmed bra under his suit to hold his man boobs in place.
———–
Stay classy
Erin July 13th, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Rich in NJ July 13th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
People are kind of edgy today?
********************
Rich, do you need a hug??
____________
Rich needs a prospect hug.
I would join in on the heyman hate if i hadn’t already done so with my blog username
GB, never mind these aimless diversions
… is the EL All Star game tonight being televised or not? 
Austin Jackson:Curtis Granderson::Betances:Ubaldo
I think this works.
Only the IL game is listed on milb-tv and with no Montero in the lineup, who cares?
YankeeFem, all I’ve found so far is the AAA game being televised, but, I have hopes
JF, not even close.
Jerkface July 13th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Austin Jackson:Curtis Granderson::Betances:Ubaldo
I think this works.
————-
Possibly.
Though I think the Rox would hope Betances works out better than Action Jackson has thus far for the Tiggers.
GB, do you think they may just put it up at the last minute?
GreenBeret7 July 13th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
I heard that Heyman wears a fur-trimmed bra under his suit to hold his man boobs in place.
********************
Your intellect is only surpassed by your non-existent sense of humor.
YankeeFem NESN had it on TV in 2009 and 2010. so perhaps there is hope
Tell that to Cashman who called Betances possibly the Yankees best pitching prospect ever.
Jerkface July 13th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Austin Jackson:Curtis Granderson::Betances:Ubaldo
I think this works.
********
Bingo
GB, I don’t get NESN
heyman_sux July 13th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Jerkface July 13th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Austin Jackson:Curtis Granderson::Betances:Ubaldo
I think this works.
********
Bingo
_____
West Coast Yankee Fan July 13th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
GreenBeret7 July 13th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
I heard that Heyman wears a fur-trimmed bra under his suit to hold his man boobs in place.
********************
Your intellect is only surpassed by your non-existent sense of humor.
——————-
and his class. Don’t forget his class.
yankeefeminista July 13th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Tell that to Cashman who called Betances possibly the Yankees best pitching prospect ever.
——————
and the General Manager of the team would never, ever, engage in hyperbole that could increase the value of a prospect within his system?
Hughes has been tinkering with his curveball ever since he came up to mlb, but let’s just ignore that blatantly well known fact.
JF, not even close.
–
Why not? Austin Jackson was a good looking minor leaguer with some flaws whose ceiling was probably Curtis Granderson. Dellin Betances is a good looking minor leaguer(who I have seen pitch in the minors so don’t start in with that, 2010 Tampa A+ where he kicked ass) with some flaws whose ceiling is probably Ubaldo Jimenez.
The Yankees would make those swaps probably 100 out of 100 times. I don’t think the Rockies would make a straight up trade, but without considering whether the rockies would do it arguing AGAINST a straight up trade is really weird.
Betances struggles with his command, he is a big guy so his mechanics will always be an issue, he has poor fielding.
Betances = Jackson
Any starter not named Banuelos = Kennedy
Any reliever in the minors = Coke
Seems like a fair deal to me.
It appears that if there is a new owner for the Dodgers, it might be Dennis Gilbert
Go read the scouting reports, current rankings or the top 50 if you want “expert” opinions, although my evaluation preceded their “bandwagonism”
I have no desire to sell Betances (or Montero or Banuelos) to anyone. Not sure why the discussion has become about undermining the ability of the player though, but whatever.
yankeefeminista July 13th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Hughes has been tinkering with his curveball ever since he came up to mlb, but let’s just ignore that blatantly well known fact.
————————————————————————————————————————-
If he’s adding another curve or changing the type, I’m hoping that he learns Burnett’s or Mussina’s.
Rox get: Hughes, Noesi, Laird and Romine
Yanks get: Ubaldo and Stewart and Matt Reynolds
LGY,
You’re officially a “Jiminez Hugger”!
Is that a reply to my question? or to someone else? Why is it not a fair analogy?
If he’s adding another curve or changing the type, I’m hoping that he learns Burnett’s or Mussina’s.
–
Uh thats the one he currently throws that is junk. Mussina taught him the grip. He doesn’t have Burnett’s innate ability to throw it at 80 mph
JF, your scouting report is outdated, Tampa high A in no way informs what kind of pitcher Betances is now. However, by all means cling to what is obsolete.
For those who don’t know Reynolds: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.co....._id=519186
Why is it that the ones that wasted all winter complaining about payroll are the ones that want to add high priced gambles instead of having some patience? Jesus, some of these players are barely old enough to get into a bar.
Yes but if you’re trying to win this year – as the Yankees are – then the rule applies. Given that Ubaldo is only 27 it is not as if the Yankees are taking on a player who is over the hill (in this scenario)
Mind you this is not an endorsement of the move – just a general observation.
////
If Jimenez is available, there are other packages that the Yanks could offer that don’t include the Big Three.
Betances is 23, throws 98 mph from a 6-foot-8 frame, & has the best FB & CB in the system. More importantly, they’re plus plus pitches. When he rehabbed after ligament surgery, he developed a change up that is also plus. He’s a heartbeat away from the majors, not some electric arm in Single A with one & a half pitches and an ETA of 2015.
He could succeed in the majors now if he were in one of those organizations that no one cares about & which takes the usual command issues young guys with big arms go up and down with, in stride.
His time is nearly here. I’m not trading him for roughly an older version of himself, when I can put together a package that doesn’t include him.
You are stating the obvious, that he is not yet getting out major league hitters. & by saying that, you want me to infer that there are real questions in the air that he might not, once he arrives. But because I know this really doesn’t apply to Betances, but is just some general truism about prospects vs. established MLB players in general, I have no reason to give it any credence in this specific case.
JF, your scouting report is outdated, Tampa high A in no way informs what kind of pitcher Betances is now. However, by all means cling to what is obsolete.
–
So he is worse now? Great.
Anyway, back to the thread at hand. Excited to see Culver evolve. I never did watch those archived SI games. You see any of the televised AB’s.
GB, that was addressed to you and whomever else is watching milb games.
Cause it is pretty hard to beat Betances 2010 first half.
GreenBeret7 July 13th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Why is it that the ones that wasted all winter complaining about payroll are the ones that want to add high priced gambles instead of having some patience? Jesus, some of these players are barely old enough to get into a bar.
—————
and they could have major league careers as memorable as those of the great Brien Taylor or Ryan “Space Needle” Anderson or the immortal Drew Henson and of course the future Mickey Mantle Ruben Rivera…
Does Betances come with a QWERTY keyboard?
GB7,
I agree. We’ve got players at AAA who deserve a shot. What do we give for Ubaldo? Somebody mentioned above that it’s testy in here today. I am, for lack of baseball, a slight setback in the hip, and a colonoscopy today. Am I excused?
JF, he is a very good fielder, he was having trouble throwing the ball to first and second which he worked on in EST. He had a breakthrough in repeating his delivery last year. You are so stat-driven, why not go look at his AA numbers. You are much sloppier when it comes to using your resources to evaluate prospects. All this stuff is woefully outdated. Do your homework, man.
tom in georgia, you are definitely excused. Hope you are feeling better. My excuse is I am hungry.
He had a breakthrough in repeating his delivery last year.
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Then why is he walking so many this year? Why is he having uneven command/control games? He isn’t a perfect prospect. He has 2 errors! The same as always!
jimbaumbach Reason to invite Clemens to testify was not because of McNamee dispute but because he challenged accuracy of Mitchell Report, Barnett said
jimbaumbach Durham wants to make sure jury knows Clemens “voluntarily” testified under oath; Hardin said today that’s a technicality. #clemens
bw51official Hey NYC! Come down to Times Square, I?ll be with @MasterCard in the Priceless New York batting cage. #AD #pricelessNY
Thank you YF. Haven’t eaten since last night.
He has 40 walks! This is the sloppiest research ever. 4.8 BB/9? Breakthrough! He has had 1 full season in the minors where he has walked less than 4 batters per 9.
By the way if you’re calling Ubaldo a “high priced gamble” you need to revise your thinking.
11:$2.8M, 12:$4.2M, 13:$5.75M club option ($1M buyout), 14:$8M club option ($1M buyout)
and if you’re talking about Santana – well I’ve never complained about payroll.
Betances is a great prospect, but I’d still trade him straight up for Ubaldo.
Nick in SF July 13th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Does Betances come with a QWERTY keyboard?
_____
No, but he comes with a quirky power curveball; I think that might count for a little more than the QWERTY.
Betances struggles with his command, he is a big guy so his mechanics will always be an issue, he has poor fielding.
////
Talk about facile. Big guys struggle with command. Cliche 101. Poor fielder? His throws have been off. For a guy who’s that big, he is quick off the mound and is actually an excellent fielder. I’ve seen him charge a dribbler to his right and come up throwing to nail a fast runner attempting to bunt his way on. His throws have been an issue from time to time, not his ability to react off the mound.
But you’ve been reading, I see, scouting reports from idiots. I’ve seen that one, too, where they say he can’t field. Ain’t true.
JF, but Colorado won’t and Cash won’t trade him anyway. Next.
yankeefeminista July 13th, 2011 at 4:42 pm
JF, but Colorado won’t and Cash won’t trade him anyway. Next.
———
I agree that it’s not enough for Colorado.
I disagree that Cash wouldn’t include him in a deal.
Last year was an anomaly for Betances with his walk rates. Stuff is useless if he can’t find the plate. If everything breaks right, he will become Jiminiez with his high walk/K rates. But you can get Jiminez now in his prime.
JF, but Colorado won’t and Cash won’t trade him anyway. Next.
–
All you have to do is say that you understand why someone would trade Betances str8 up for Ubaldo without resorting to the childish and repetitive ‘HAVE YOU SEEN HIM PITCH ???’ Because we’ve established that we’ve all seen him pitch.
saw a few of his at bats. culver should/could be like a Nunez type hitter. Williams? That kid hits liners all over the place. Haven’t seen much of Gumbs since last summer in the rookie league in Tampa. Not liking what I’ve seen of the pitchers, though.
Love the big fastballs of Burawa and Kahmle..The other arm is Mark Montgomery, drafted in June and already in Charleston. 21 strikeous is 8 innings.
Mark Prior pitched 2 innings in Florida today.
Here’s the GCL Yankees box for the infant Yanks
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....8;did=milb
Then why is he walking so many this year? Why is he having uneven command/control games? He isn’t a perfect prospect. He has 2 errors! The same as always!
///
What’s your point? He’s a non-perfect prospect who’s a stud. Your point is, you don’t have one, unless you’re suggesting they get rid of him because he’s walked people this year.
Talk about facile. Big guys struggle with command. Cliche 101. Poor fielder? His throws have been off.
–
Do you disagree that he struggles with his command? Where did his walk rate come from? And I don’t think its crazy to say that taller players can have more trouble with their mechanics. And since when is throwing not a part of fielding???? Thats what I meant, his throws. If you can get to a ball but can’t throw it to get the out whats the point?
All you have to do is say that you understand why someone would trade Betances str8 up for Ubaldo without resorting to the childish and repetitive ‘HAVE YOU SEEN HIM PITCH ???’ Because we’ve established that we’ve all seen him pitch.
///
We have?
. If you’ve seen him pitch, why are you relying on clueless, derived reports?
Everything about Dellin Betances is perfect.
Except for the things that aren’t perfect.
jimbaumbach After each witness judge asks jury for questions. I look fwd to Cashman. “Who are you pursuing in trades, and remember you’re under oath.”
Joe from L.I. said :
I’d love to know what the internal evaluations are for some of our players, as well as Billy Eppler’s evaluations for other team’s players. It would be enlightening, to say the least.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I concur Joe. I’ll bet that Cashman is having several daily conversations with Billy Eppler and his scouts, Mark Newman, and “Stick” Michael to gather information helpful in making any moves.
Exclusive photos of my death:
http://news.yahoo.com/comets-d.....02662.html
What’s your point?
–
My point is that Betances is good but if the Yankees could trade him str8 up for Ubaldo they probably would.
I wouldn’t trade Jesus Montero for much, but I’d trade him str8 up for Justin Upton.
J. Alfred Prufrock July 13th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Then why is he walking so many this year? Why is he having uneven command/control games? He isn’t a perfect prospect. He has 2 errors! The same as always!
///
What’s your point? He’s a non-perfect prospect who’s a stud. Your point is, you don’t have one, unless you’re suggesting they get rid of him because he’s walked people this year.
—————-
Again, without endorsing or decrying the suggestion of trading Betances for Ubaldo – I think you (and some others) need to accept that trading a prospect for a top level major league talent is not the same as “getting rid of” a guy.
The Mets got rid of K-Rod, they traded him for nothing. The suggestion here is trading Betances for a top level, young, cost controlled dominant major league pitcher. That’s a trade – and unlike in video games you can’t trade an A-Ball non-prospect for such a player and have it accepted. To get quality you have to give quality.
TominGeorgia, that sounds like a real pain in the ass today, so, you’re excused. Hope all went well. I hate those things, but, I got lucky when they made it madetory on retirement physicals. A b ad hip is never fun, either. Will you be going a replacement or just repairs?
Dellin Betances has 3 plus pitches and had a breakthrough with his mechanics last year.
Yet, he is walking close to 5 per 9 this season (the same as he did before his breakthrough and before he discovered his third plus pitch–the changeup).
Something doesn’t add up here.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18466217
This is the Ubaldo article in the Denver Post. It doesn’t say he’s available, but it does say that the Rockies would listen and mentions the Yankees (not specific players) when talking about getting a huge haul for him.
***And A hip***
Comet- LOL
Thanks for the link-cool picture!
No, I don’t have to disagree, I’ve seen him struggle with his command. But I also have seen him hit the reset button and make in-game adjustments. He has trouble finding the plate for an inning & then he makes an adjustment & that first-inning pitcher’s gone. He’s big. Doesn’t need to be pinpoint, but he’ll have to get better at commanding his fb. From what I’ve seen, that’s not going to hold him back. He’s done it on an in-game basis.
It’s not that he “can’t throw”, it’s that he’s a big boy whose throws can get away from him. He’s had games where he’s had no such issues. He’s improved there.
What’s dumb is to talk about him not being “perfect.” He doesn’t have to be to fulfill his ceiling of being a front-end guy.
A couple of years ago the Yankees could have had a young, top of the rotation pitcher (Dan Haren) for Joba Chamberlain.
This sounds an awful lot like that argument just with different names. Anyone wish the Yankees had done that deal now?
The reason I got the Blackberry Bold is that was the only Sprint smartphone (I’m married to Sprint for compelling financial reasons) that has a removable SIM card so you can take it overseas and swap out a local one.
The Motorola XPRT has the same feature, plus a QWERTY keyboard and with the Android OS. So I switched to that one but I’m still within the 30-day window to give it back and start over. Now I read about the Photon 4G, which is also a World Phone with all kinds of speed, power, and great features. But no QWERTY. I wonder if doing without that will be easy.
Being a World Phone is not, in itself, a guarantee of satisfaction. Brian Gordon, for example, has swapped out his SIM card and is working in Korea on a local network, but that doesn’t mean he’s worth a 2-year contract extension with unlimited data usage.
This whole discussion is likely academic, I think Ubaldo remains in Colorado and Betances remains tightly in our collective embrace. I just hope the Photon is released before the trade deadline — er, before my 30-day deadline.
G-Love
the article talks about the Rox looking for something like this:
There’s little the Rockies could acquire that would justify trading the right-hander — unless someone wants to give them a front-of-the rotation starter, a top major-league- ready arm and a slugging outfielder.
So, as I said above:
Hughes, Noesi and Laird fill those needs. Add in Romine and maybe another prospect and get the Rox to send back Ian Stewart and Matt Reynolds for the Yankee pen.
Fine, they can have an Andrew Brackman, Warren, Romine and Corban Joseph type package.
What’s dumb is to talk about him not being “perfect.”
–
Whats dumb is to say that trading him straight up for UBALDO JIMENEZ is getting rid of him or somehow a bad trade for the Yankees. Its such a good trade that it would never happen in a million years because the Rockies aren’t stupid. I hope if betances is traded he goes for a guy that good, like Felix. And if he isn’t traded then I hope he meets that ceiling which we are all hoping for. Just remember TINSTAAPP. There is no such thing as a pitching prospect. Even the best can get cut down by the baseball grim reaper
actually Noesi isn’t a top ML ready arm…but he’s a ML ready arm.
J. Alfred Prufrock July 13th, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Fine, they can have an Andrew Brackman, Warren, Romine and Corban Joseph type package.
————
Oh I see, you plan to get O’Dowd drunk before engaging in trade discussions.
GB7,
Thanks. Just a muscle issue in the hip, no more surgery. What’s worse than the Roto-Rooter is the prep, no food for 24 hours (no booze or beer, either), and drinking a gallon of awful-tasting stuff called “Go Lightly”, the most mis-named drug in history!
Chip July 13th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
A couple of years ago the Yankees could have had a young, top of the rotation pitcher (Dan Haren) for Joba Chamberlain.
///
Joba actually succeeded at a very high level as a starter in 2008. What if they had given him a spot for 2010, with no innings restrictions & he had taken off?
Chip,
I think a combination of Hughes, Nova or Noesi and maybe Heathcott can get that package started. It will take more than 3 players, but those can be the principles.
I wonder if the Yankees offered the Rockies Hughes, Nova, Heathcott and Romine does it get a deal done.
It’d be pretty amazing to keep Montero and the B’s and get Ubaldo back.
Hughes would probably get killed in Colorado though. Fly ball pitcher in that park? Forget about it.
They’d want Nova because he could keep it on the ground.
Hey Chip, Romine & Joseph are legit offensive players. Brackman’s a mess right now, but he has upside. That’s an approximate package. THe question would be what would they want? I’ve already said they can’t have M or the two Bs.
The Yankees have a huge number of trade-worthy players in their system and there is no way that many of them will ever play in the Bronx. I wouldn’t mind seeing Cashman try to make some smart deals that would bring some first-round draft picks in return to try and equalize what we didn’t get this year.
Chip July 13th, 2011 at 4:52 pm
A couple of years ago the Yankees could have had a young, top of the rotation pitcher (Dan Haren) for Joba Chamberlain.
************
That was painful to even read.
Jerkface July 13th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
What’s your point?
–
My point is that Betances is good but if the Yankees could trade him str8 up for Ubaldo they probably would.
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You don’t call him “good.” He’s not Nova. He didn’t draw a comparison from Towers with Felix because he promises to be “good.” More hand waving from you. You’re out of your league.
Passing up Haren to keep Joba (who the team wasn’t looking at as a starter anymore) hurts me too much to think about.
I’m hoping when we get Robo-Joba back, he is even better than the previous model. We can rebuild him.
I had Jiminez on my fantasy team last year, so I saw the great stats and all, but he didn’t last. I honestly wouldn’t trade a slew of top prospects for him. It was definitely a glimpse into his potential, but whether he’ll attain that on a consistent basis is another thing.
LGY, he moved up in class. Plus he was injured early with the blister, so got off to a slow start. Betances isn’t fatally struggling with his command. His last outing he allowed one walk. His BB rates are @half of his K rates, which are @10.3/9. His GO/AO = 1.41 and his FB velocity is up to 99. Trade them Nova instead.
*2* walks
Are you seriously dismissing praise of Betances? Unbelievable, are you trolling me right now and I’m just not seeing it?
The question is, why is Jimenez even available? I don’t even buy that he is.
tomingeorgia July 13th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
GB7,
Thanks. Just a muscle issue in the hip, no more surgery. What’s worse than the Roto-Rooter is the prep, no food for 24 hours (no booze or beer, either), and drinking a gallon of awful-tasting stuff called “Go Lightly”, the most mis-named drug in history!
————————————————————————————————————————-
That is bad stuff….worse than barium. Go-Lightly, but run fast. Get it all fixed Tom.
His BB rates are @half of his K rates
–
His huge K rate is awesome, but in the majors K’s decrease and walks generally increase, so I’d hope he brings his walk rate down to the 3s.
No, I’m just tired of your hollow hubris. Like I said, the guy is probably not even available. Moot.
No, I’m just tired of your hollow hubris
–
I could say the same to you. You are a pretty big blowhard and you get really butthurt quite easily about Jeter and Betances.
Trade them Nova instead.
///
Sure, that I’d do. The question I have is, why is this guy even available? That in itself would be a concern to me.
LGY, he moved up in class. Plus he was injured early with the blister, so got off to a slow start. Betances isn’t fatally struggling with his command. His last outing he allowed one walk. His BB rates are @half of his K rates, which are @10.3/9. His GO/AO = 1.41 and his FB velocity is up to 99. Trade them Nova instead.
————————
And the 4 starts before that he walked 15 in 18.1 innings.
JF, he is around the plate, seeing him pitch you can see when he is getting squeezed, when he is working on a pitch, etc. BB rates without qualifiers aren’t very useful. However, of course declining walk rates are the goal, and transition to mlb cannot sometimes inflate them.
LGY, you are nitpicking, but have at it.
And this moved up a class stuff? Why is that an excuse?
I thought he wasn’t a AA pitcher? He’s just a pitcher that happens to be in AA right now, right?
LGY, you are nitpicking, but have at it.
————–
Nitpicking is pulling out one start and saying his walks are not a problem or his isn’t struggling with command.
He is walking 4.8 per 9 on the season. That’s the fact of the matter. He’s a great prospect but command is a real issue with him.
I’d trade Betances for Jiménez.
JF, Jeter? You mean the Yankee playing you actually admit to disliking?
Anybody have a link to that cell phone blog? I’ve got some ringtone haikus I’ve been sitting on for quite a while.
JF, he is around the plate, seeing him pitch you can see when he is getting squeezed, when he is working on a pitch, etc. BB rates without qualifiers aren’t very useful. However, of course declining walk rates are the goal, and transition to mlb cannot sometimes inflate them.
–
I get this, but its just like CS% in the minors. At some level you have to look skeptically at the numbers simply because minor league pitchers might not hold runners or have a good pickoff at all or the team isn’t emphasizing it and a catcher might struggle in that circumstance. On the other hand there are catchers that manage to be pretty damn good at CS% in the minor leagues so its possible. Betances might be getting squeezed or working on throwing his change / curve for strikes and failing at it leading to a high walk, but lots of other pitchers are managing to not walk nearly 5 per 9 while dealing with the same issues.
Betances walk rate isn’t just a happy bump in the road. Its something he needs to further work on and which might not ever be addressed consistently simply because of how much movement he has and his size.
You are a pretty big blowhard and you get really butthurt quite easily about Jeter and Betances.
////
Sure. You’ve been trolling Jeter & evangelizing about Brett Gardner since I got here.
I’d trade JF and LGY for Jimenez.
More importantly, Tom, how do you have the accent perfectly placed on Jimenez’s name? I am impressed.
JF, Jeter? You mean the Yankee playing you actually admit to disliking?
–
Jeter isn’t my favorite or even in my top 10 yankee but I cheer for him to do well all the same. I don’t root AGAINST him during a game that’d be stupid.
Copy and Paste, Yankeefem, copy and paste…
Cheers!
YankeeFem, I left you a response at 4:46 on your question about me seeing the SI clips.
Until I know that Jimenez is healthy, I wouldn’t trade for him at all. There’s something wrong if the Rockies are trying to trade him. However, assuming he’s ok in all respects, you trade Betances for him in a heartbeat.
JF, I am not concerned about Betances walk rates. He is still in AA for a reason. And you do realize Jimenez had 4.91 BB/9 in AA and a last year of 5.42 BB/9 in AAA.
I just wish I could see some of these minor leaguers play. I occasionally get down to Augusta Green Jackets games when they play Charleston. The next time I get there, there’s a whole new cast of characters. I envy those of you who can watch these guys rise (or not) through the system. One thing I do know, though, is that I love to see the ones who make it through come to the bigs. Boys who go pro at 18 need a little time. Even the college guys need time. But I’m still delighted when one of them makes the big leagues. Im not a prospect-hugger, but I’d like to see some of them have a chance. I realize, though, that the Yankees are not the Pirates who can take more risks than we can, but give our own a chance before we spend big money.
How is it possible the Yankees didn’t see mechanical issues with Phil since the leg injury? If he had these issues, then how did he pitch so well in the pen in 2009 and in the rotation for the first half of 2010. I’m kind of skeptical about the mechanics – does his delivery look different than it was in 2007?
Erin July 13th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
jimbaumbach After each witness judge asks jury for questions. I look fwd to Cashman. “Who are you pursuing in trades, and remember you’re under oath.”
Intriguing. If you could ask Cashman one question while he was under oath what would it be?
GreenBeret7 July 13th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
I heard that Heyman wears a fur-trimmed bra under his suit to hold his man boobs in place.
_____
Did you see that yourself or are you relying on scouts?
Mark Prior’s first game back in GCL, 2 innings, 1 hit, 1 run (unearned on his own throwing error), 0 walks, 1 strikeout’ WP. 4 groundouts, 1 airout
Chip, that proposal would get you hung up on. You don’t think Phil is that good and you want to include him in that beyond weak package for Jimenez? He has little trade value and why would the Rockies want a HR pitcher in that park? Noesi is a complete unknown and what is his ceiling really ? Maybe a #3? Laird and Romine?
JF, I am not concerned about Betances walk rates. He is still in AA for a reason. And you do realize Jimenez had 4.91 BB/9 in AA and a last year of 5.42 BB/9 in AAA.
–
And he walks a lot of guys in the majors! Its why I think Ubaldo-Betances is a good comp.
GreenBeret7 July 13th, 2011 at 4:46 pm
saw a few of his at bats. culver should/could be like a Nunez type hitter. Williams? That kid hits liners all over the place. Haven’t seen much of Gumbs since last summer in the rookie league in Tampa. Not liking what I’ve seen of the pitchers, though.
Love the big fastballs of Burawa and Kahmle..The other arm is Mark Montgomery, drafted in June and already in Charleston. 21 strikeous is 8 innings.
Mark Prior pitched 2 innings in Florida today.
Here’s the GCL Yankees box for the infant Yanks
http://web.minorleaguebaseball…..8;did=milb
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I’d love it if Cito ends up with Nunez’s kind of pop. Mason even the first time I saw him was hitting to all fields. He is the whole package. Gumbs is a big kid who should show some nice power from 2B. However, I haven’t seen enough of him at the plate to get a read on him yet.
What’s not to love about Burawa and Kahnle’s velo? Kahnle walked the ballpark before getting out of the inning in the game I saw. Not sure what he is doing these days in terms of BB/K. But they are still evolving. Burawa is supposed to have better control/command, no? Montgomery I have heard about but haven’t seen. I do like the kind of power bullpen arms we are signing.
BoJo July 13th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
GreenBeret7 July 13th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
I heard that Heyman wears a fur-trimmed bra under his suit to hold his man boobs in place.
_____
Did you see that yourself or are you relying on scouts?
————————————————————————————————————————-
He twittered that some wild eyed nutcase had thrown red paint on him. Says he threw like a girl. Couldn’t miss hiim, he was wearing pink pedal pushers and plastic shoes.
Jerkface July 13th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
JF, I am not concerned about Betances walk rates. He is still in AA for a reason. And you do realize Jimenez had 4.91 BB/9 in AA and a last year of 5.42 BB/9 in AAA.
–
And he walks a lot of guys in the majors! Its why I think Ubaldo-Betances is a good comp.
_
It is a comp made by many. However, Jimenez is slider, whereas Betances is CB. I think Betances will have better command than Jimenez in milb. Jimenez’s AAA rates were particularly high. And Betances barely walked batters when he was in full swing late last season.
tomingeorgia, Yea it’s fun to watch them progress. I’m just lucky to be 20 minutes from that Trenton ballpark. Beats relying on anti-Yankee “scouting” reports.
tomingeorgia July 13th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
GB7,
I agree. We’ve got players at AAA who deserve a shot. What do we give for Ubaldo? Somebody mentioned above that it’s testy in here today. I am, for lack of baseball, a slight setback in the hip, and a colonoscopy today. Am I excused?
___
Was the colonoscopy an annual check-up or just a hobby?
Wow, the Yankees aren’t going to cover Lopez’ tax bill, but Miller High Life will……..
http://espn.go.com/new-york/ml.....opez-taxes
GreenBeret7 July 13th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
___
Bojo,
It’d be worth your while to find out what’s up there.
Anyone remember who the Braves traded to get John Smoltz?
This is a test: Jiménez
tomingeorgia July 13th, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Bojo,
It’d be worth your while to find out what’s up there.
____
My luck–I’d find my head.
Bojo,
I like you, bat that was exactly my thinking.
GreenBeret7 July 13th, 2011 at 5:33 pm
He twittered that some wild eyed nutcase had thrown red paint on him. Says he threw like a girl. Couldn’t miss hiim, he was wearing pink pedal pushers and plastic shoes.
**************
How many times do I have to ask you for an address to send your Jane Fonda poster to?
“but”
Doyle Alexander
Tom, thanks. Kanji and Cyrillic characters are next.
tomingeorgia July 13th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
GB7,
Thanks. Just a muscle issue in the hip, no more surgery. What’s worse than the Roto-Rooter is the prep, no food for 24 hours (no booze or beer, either), and drinking a gallon of awful-tasting stuff called “Go Lightly”, the most mis-named drug in history!
—————————————————————————————–
It makes you realize how addictive food is.
It is a comp made by many. However, Jimenez is slider, whereas Betances is CB. I think Betances will have better command than Jimenez in milb. Jimenez’s AAA rates were particularly high. And Betances barely walked batters when he was in full swing late last season.
–
Ubaldo actually came up with a good curveball but he doesn’t throw it as much anymore.
Jerkface July 13th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Austin Jackson:Curtis Granderson::Betances:Ubaldo
I think this works.
///
WOW. Equating Betances with AJack just says it all.
His slider is also pretty slow, only a few mph off from Betances curve
JF, Betances curveball though is death.
Hughes should throw Betances curveball.
I am disappointed the Yankees have no interest in Beltran. In reviewing team batting stats, the Red Sox lead in virtually every category. This is only going to get worse with AROD out.
Jerkface July 13th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
His slider is also pretty slow, only a few mph off from Betances curve .
____
It is actually about 1 tick higher than Betances’ curve.
YankeeFem, Montgomery has about a 94 MPH but, adds a good change and what’s described as a wipeout slider at 86-87 MPH. Just 20 years old, I believe.
JF, I was thinking the same, but Betances’ CB unfortunately he something he was born with.
*is* something. And to clarify the unfortunate refers to Hughes not having Betances’ CB.
tomingeorgia July 13th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
GB7,
Thanks. Just a muscle issue in the hip, no more surgery. What’s worse than the Roto-Rooter is the prep, no food for 24 hours (no booze or beer, either), and drinking a gallon of awful-tasting stuff called “Go Lightly”, the most mis-named drug in history!
___
Any relation to Holly GoLightly?
WOW. Equating Betances with AJack just says it all.
–
Equating them in an analogy, do you know how they work? Jackson and Betances do not have to be equal in their own talent levels for the analogy to work.
austinmac, I’d love to add Beltran, too, but what makes you think the Mets would ask for something reasonable in return from us? That’s the issue, I would say.
GB, sounds like my kind of pitcher.
austinmac July 13th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
I am disappointed the Yankees have no interest in Beltran. In reviewing team batting stats, the Red Sox lead in virtually every category. This is only going to get worse with AROD out.
————————————————————————————-
With the injuries they have to their SP they will need to score alot of runs.
No, because Jackson though an excellent OF nice player, is easy come, easy go. Betances is the best arm, perhaps, the system has ever produced.
AJack isn’t nearly at Granderson’s level as an all around player. Betances may end up being better than Jimenez. So AJack to Betances doesn’t work, & AJack relative to Granderson does not equate with Betances to Jimenez.
Bojo,
No, but there was no breakfast at Tiffany’s, either.
Betsy, thought you might be interested to Chad Jennings response to a question earlier today:
How long a leash does Hughes have?
Pretty long. He’s been awfully good for two years now, one out of the pen and one out of the rotation. Plus, he’s a big part of the Yankees future.
Funniest line of the day (sorry NiSF) courtesy of MLBT
“Though Carlos Beltran has drawn lots of interest, the Mets aren’t actively discussing him with other teams at this point, Alderson told Rubin (on Twitter). The Mets are looking for a “big-time” prospect for Beltran, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney, who suggests the Mets could keep the outfielder if they aren’t offered exactly what they want.”
___
Riiiight. Keep him for that play-off run….
yankeefeminista July 13th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
GB, sounds like my kind of pitcher.
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The game to have seen, although only a minor league game was a couple of weeks ago with the 5 strikeout performance…in one inning.
tomingeorgia July 13th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
Bojo,
No, but there was no breakfast at Tiffany’s, either.
___
I can’t tell you how embarrassed I was when I went in there and asked for an Egg McMuffin.
jnorris427 Josh Norris
By the way, Dellin said he was indeed hitting as high as 98 his last time out. #yankees
30 minutes ago
GB, Pruf: It is raining in NH. I don’t even want our players on that field.
J. Alfred,
I have no idea if the Mets would be reasonable, but what does sound unreasonable is the Yankees having no interest. Offer to pay all his remaining salary and someone like Warren, Phelps or Mitchell.
Of course, maybe they have talked and been rebuffed. Sadly, you people on the board are my best info source.
Betsy July 13th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Doyle Alexander
++++
Bingo.
Doyle Alexander–a pitcher getting major leaguers out
John Smoltz–a prospect
Sometimes the best trades are the ones you don’t do.
The Mets are looking for a “big-time” prospect for Beltran, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney, who suggests the Mets could keep the outfielder if they aren’t offered exactly what they want.”
///
Whelp, guess Boston’s out.
austinmac July 13th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
J. Alfred,
I have no idea if the Mets would be reasonable, but what does sound unreasonable is the Yankees having no interest. Offer to pay all his remaining salary and someone like Warren, Phelps or Mitchell.
Of course, maybe they have talked and been rebuffed. Sadly, you people on the board are my best info source.
___
You need to hang out with a better crowd.
austinmac July 13th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
J. Alfred,
I have no idea if the Mets would be reasonable, but what does sound unreasonable is the Yankees having no interest. Offer to pay all his remaining salary and someone like Warren, Phelps or Mitchell.
Of course, maybe they have talked and been rebuffed. Sadly, you people on the board are my best info source.
///
I wouldn’t give them Mitchell, AM. Maybe we’re feigning lack of interest but might parade interest only if Boston’s really involved to make them pay a lot for him. I hear SF is where he’s likely to land.
MaineYankee,
The Red Sox have been scoring a huge amount of runs lately, and I suspect they will upgrade their pitching. Epstein has said as much.
I know many will say they have no one to trade. That is silly. Maybe no one at high minor league levels, but they do at the lower levels. Somehow other teams believe their prospects have value.
My point is simple–unless the pitching is significantly improved, the hitting needs another good bat.
austinmac
A return to health is the biggest need.
Austinmac, most teams want guys at higher levels who can impact the big club. The only wild card in this I think is that the Mets would have incentive to help out Boston, & if that is somewhat fanciful then they at least would certainly accept far less from them than from us, IMO.
There’s now way Nunez replaces Jeter at SS this year or next. The guy is fast and is decent offensively, but he is too much of a liability defensively (see today’s first inning error at 3B). It would take a great bat AND glove to push Jeter to DH and/or OF (someone like a Jose Reyes). I say the Yanks move Jeter to DH in 2013 when Culver or another heir apparent emerges.