Pregame notes: Chavez today, but Nunez will keep playing
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Notes on Jul 26, 2011 
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Eric Chavez wasn’t surprised to see his name in the lineup today. He still hasn’t been officially activated from the disabled list — the Yankees will wait until after batting practice to complete the transaction — but after six minor league games and an off day Monday, Chavez showed up ready to play.
“The last day actually I fielded about six balls,” he said. “When I had played third, I didn’t have a lot of action until the last day. Once that happened, in my mind I knew I was ready to go.”
Joe Girardi said this isn’t an indication that Chavez will takeover as the Yankees everyday third baseman until Alex Rodriguez returns. In fact, Girardi said he still plans to play Eduardo Nunez, but obviously Chavez is a proven alternative.
“Nuney’s been playing extremely well,” Girardi said. “Nuney has played every day here at third base for us, so I thought he could probably use a day — especially the way he plays, at such a fast pace. His legs could use a day. I’m not of the belief that we would play Chavy six or seven days in a row. We have to make sure we keep him healthy.”
Chavez was hitting .303 before the foot injury that landed him on the DL, but he’s actually hoping for better in his return. He said his minor league at-bats felt good last week, and he’d like to drive the ball a little more than he was back in April and May. He actually felt like he was starting to drive the ball when he broke his foot.
“I’m sure if I play well, then I’ll play,” he said. “If I don’t look too good, I probably won’t play… It was more of filling in for Tex and Al than being an everyday guy (out of spring training), but if this did happen, I was hoping to be physically in shape to do it. And hopefully I can do that.”
• There appears to be a fake Twitter account claiming to be Carlos Pena. Whoever has the account just tweeted that Pena has been traded to the Yankees. It’s not true. A Yankees source just confirmed that no such deal is in place.
• Rafael Soriano felt normal soreness today, and the Yankees expect to activate him in a few days. Could he be activated tomorrow? “Possible,” Girardi said. “But probably not.” That’s because Soriano just pitched back-to-back days and the Yankees prefer to give him two days off. It’s not because of any sort of injury concern.
• Girardi said Soriano will be reevaluated tomorrow before any decision is finalized. An off day Thursday would give Soriano an automatic extra day of rest either right before or right after being activated.
• The Yankees have to open both a 25-man and 40-man roster spot for Chavez because he was on the 60-day. The assumption seems to be that Brandon Laird will be optioned back to Triple-A, but the Yankees won’t announce anything until after BP, which is going on right now. (Actually, maybe they don’t have to open a 40-man spot. Don’t remember when they opened on, but it seems there is one open for Chavez).
• CC Sabathia is going for his 15th win of the season, which would be the Mariners 17th straight loss. “Our job is just to win games,” Girardi said. “That’s the bottom line. You can’t worry about how your opponent has been playing or what’s going on with their club, because on any given night, a club can win a game. Clubs go through tough spells and then they get hot, so you obviously don’t want to be the start of someone getting hot. You go out, play the game, play the right way and hope you get CC another win.”
• A lot of young kids from today’s HOPE Week event around the Yankees today. There were a few roaming through the clubhouse, and a bunch went through stretch with the players. Pretty cool to see how much the Yankees are smiling and laughing with those kids around.
UPDATE, 5:45 p.m.: The Yankees still haven’t sent any sort of official announcement, but MLB.com lists the transaction as Chavez being activated and Laird being option. As expected.
MARINERS
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Brendan Ryan SS
Dustin Ackley 2B
Miguel Olivo C
Justin Smoak 1B
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Mike Carp DH
Greg Halman LF
Chone Figgins 3B
Associated Press photo
The Yankees aren’t going to make any MAJOR deals at the trade deadline. They have the Wildcard wrapped up and aren’t going to throw good money after bad to try to catch Boston for 1st place in the AL East.
The only type of deal they might make would be for a second LOOGY and they aren’t going to give up much to get one.
If the Yanks make a trade it wont be so they can make the playoffs……it’ll be to help them win it all
If the Yanks make a trade it wont be so they can make the playoffs……it’ll be to help them win it all
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There isn’t anyone available, this year, that can help the Yankees win it all. Besides, they don’t have the $$$ to pay on that sort of talent even if it were available.
both nunez and chavez can play, one at 3b at one at dh against righty. Posada should not be the DH agaisnt righty. Not only is he not hitting and slow but he is good for 2 outs in one at bat (double play waiting to happen) per game.
“There isn’t anyone available, this year, that can help the Yankees win it all. Besides, they don’t have the $$$ to pay on that sort of talent even if it were available. ”
Maybe but we don’t know that yet…..and who wont have enough money? The Yankees? Money for who?
I guess Girardi figures CC vs Fister and the lowly M’s should be a cakewalk and the Yanks will win with whoever they send out there…. Otherwise Posada should not be DHing over Nunez
Right on. The Yankees proved last year that they are not going to go all out to win the East. For some reason it seems like they don’t feel as if it is as important as it once was to them.
If a deal is made it is strictly to get through the battles in October.
Yea if Chavez hits and Jorge continues not to hit then we may see him.start to take DH days from Jorge……unless they make a deal for a bat in which case Jorge probably goes to the bench full time.
They aren’t likely to DH with their only middle infield reserve.
there is a open roster spot from brian gordon
If Posada isn’t going to play against a right handed starter, then when is he going to play??
And there have been several names. Mentioned that could help the Yankees have a better shot at winning the World Series…..what we don’t yet know is if the prices will drop to make it worth the additional chance
I love Posada but I don’t really feel like watching King Felix blow him away 3 times tomorrow afternoon
Right on. The Yankees proved last year that they are not going to go all out to win the East. For some reason it seems like they don’t feel as if it is as important as it once was to them.
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Winning the division all the time didn’t help them much in the mid 2000s. The minimal gain you get from winning the division really doesn’t outweigh the cost of going all out for it.
Sure it’s always nice to win the division, but it just doesn’t matter all that much. And tbh if things remain the way they are, I’d be happier facing the Rangers in the first round than the Tigers anyway.
• There appears to be a fake Twitter account claiming to be Carlos Pena. Whoever has the account just tweeted that Pena has been traded to the Yankees. It’s not true. A Yankees source just confirmed that no such deal is in place.
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According to some they already have Pena at 1st.
Carlos Quentin: Interesting tidbit.
I was looking at how Carlos Quentin fares in ballparks where the Yankees might be playing playoff games. It just so happens that his highest OPS+ is in Arlington, following by Fenway Park.
Here’s a guy who could DH against lefties and play the OF against righties. He can play LF in away games like Fenway or RF in YS. Both are short and easy to navigate.
http://www.baseball-reference......r&t=b
“There isn’t anyone available, this year, that can help the Yankees win it all. Besides, they don’t have the $$$ to pay on that sort of talent even if it were available. ”
Maybe but we don’t know that yet…..and who wont have enough money? The Yankees? Money for who?
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The next Yankee dynasty is in the minor leagues (Montero, Banuelos, Betances, etc). The Yankees have gotten as much out of the ‘add a piece here…add a piece there’ philosophy over the last 8-10 years. Its time to start all over with younger talent. Cashman knew that when he convinced Stienbrenner’s son in law in 2004 to invest in the minor league system. Now the Yanks are ready to transition those players in the minor leagues.
In a few years when the young Yankees are on board and ready to challenge for a playoff spot the front office will add experienced pieces to supplement their talents.
Last year everyone wanted the Yankees to make major additions at the trade deadline and watched as minor deals to add Austin Kearns, Kerry Wood and Lance Berkman ensued. This year the Yankees will probably add fewer pieces than last year.
And, YES, hours after the trade deadline passes everyone will be on this site whining that the Yanks failed to get King Felix or Carlos Beltran…just like they whined last year.
Fenway Park is up there but not second for Quentin. My mistake.
You can always count on Bret to keep trying, keep pitchin’ the deals…..
Actually, the research you did makes some sense. Good for you.
Carlos Quentin rakes in Texas, Detroit, LAA and Fenway.
Can the Yankees make a trade that includes
Pena, Cervelli and Kei Igawa???
Did the Yankees win the WS with their additions last year? Didn’t they try to add Cliff Lee?
Carlos Quentin: Interesting tidbit.
I was looking at how Carlos Quentin fares in ballparks where the Yankees might be playing playoff games. It just so happens that his highest OPS+ is in Arlington, following by Fenway Park.
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Sounds like the Yankees better do whatever it takes to get him before Boston discovers his OPS in their stadium-does. They’ll also need to sit down with Jorge and tell him he’ll only be used as a pinch hitter.
Thornton, Quentin, Rasmus, Pence, Hernandez, Jimenez, Beltran, W. Rodriguez, Kemp seem to be the more popular names bandied around coming to the Yankees.
Over or Under that not one of them is traded for by the Yankees by the deadline.
I think we’ll all be surprised.
LGY – Could be something to that. Facing Verlander twice in a short series would not be too much fun. However, I am hoping CC could outduel him. The Rangers have such a good offense it would not be easy there either.
Fenway Park is up there but not second for Quentin. My mistake.
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Oops Bret- didn’t see your post. At least you’re trying to back up your proposals with some research. Will Boston add salary that puts them into luxury tax territory?
Quentin hits best in Texas, then Detroit, then LAA, then Fenway.
He rakes in Texas and Detroit.
Laird optioned to Triple-A just became official, just in case anyone was holding his or her breath.
But Quentin doesn’t hit at all in NY
Blake-I think the Yankees would have gotten to the WS last year with Cliff Lee, but with their offense in stall mode, facing the Giants pitching, would they have won, especially since Lee was beaten?
Thoughts?
T-Storms moving into NYC…they were very bad once again in Springfield Ma & East Central CT….
Trader,
You never know…..the dynamic of a Giants Yankees WS coukd have been totally different. Lee got hit but would they have hit CC? Would some of the Yankee vets risen to the occasion on the biggest stage…..we will never know.
…trolls will be showing up soon ..back after game ( who am I)
Gotta go too. Win tonight. Win tomorrow.
too easy joeman
Play tonight win tonight
Is it a my 9 game tonight?
# LGY July 26th, 2011 at 6:29 pm
too easy joeman
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really
The M’s pregame broadcast is lamenting over the fact that “They had to play against more than the Yankees last night.” Of course speaking of the umpires and the missed calls that went the Yankees way.
I guess being on this kind of losing streak makes you reach a little bit.
thinking a team that makes a big move (trade) the flood gates will open……
really
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GB7.
Do I get a prize?
# LGY July 26th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
really
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GB7.
Do I get a prize?
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just a at a boy
UnKnown July 26th, 2011 at 6:34 pm
The M’s pregame broadcast is lamenting over the fact that “They had to play against more than the Yankees last night.” Of course speaking of the umpires and the missed calls that went the Yankees way.
I guess being on this kind of losing streak makes you reach a little bit.
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The Yanks got the benefit of a couple of blown calls last night. It’s pretty tough for the M’s to endure the losing streak, the Yankees (in YS), AND the umpires. I think that it’s a pretty understandable sentiment. Hopefully, the umps won’t try to even the score for their crummy game last night by giving the M’s a couple of questionable calls.
Catch you all later.
Enjoy the game.
Jon Heyman predicts Reds will land Ubaldo Jimenez on MLB network.
He thinks they have the best prospects to offer and that a NL team is willing to offer more than an AL team.
He said the Rockies execs held a 2 hour meeting to deliberate on current offers.
I think it depends on if the Rox want Montero more than the Reds guys. Montero would rake in Coors and I think they know it. The Rox are using the Reds as a price driver and are trying to get Cashman to add too much to Montero.
It would be a mistake for Cashman to pull the trigger on that deal for Jimenez. The REds can have him.
“he M’s pregame broadcast is lamenting over the fact that “They had to play against more than the Yankees last night.” Of course speaking of the umpires and the missed calls that went the Yankees way.”
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what was the final score?
yeah……….. those umps blew the game.
Yanks can offer montero, nova, and a pitcher not named banuelos or betances.
if they take it, ok. if not, oh well.
Gammons suggesting that Cleveland had negotiated a trade for Beltran and were willing to take on the salary but that Beltran nixed it because he doesn’t want to play for them.
Swish is a clubhouse leader?