Girardi: “We just need A.J. to go pitch well”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jul 29, 2011 
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At some point during Wednesday’s game in the Bronx, I was standing at the back of the press box talking to two other writers. It was mostly small talk about the trade deadline, and at some point this question was asked:
With the Yankees rotation exactly as it is right now, who gets the ball in Game 2 of the division series?
Freddy Garcia’s name was mentioned but quickly dismissed. Same for Phil Hughes. Ultimately, the debate came down to Bartolo Colon and A.J. Burnett. The conversation went in circles, debating everything from whether pitchers care which game they start to whether it’s more important to have a reliable starter in Game 2 or 3. I’m not sure we ever came to a consensus.
Joe Girardi was asked how important it would be to have Burnett step up these last two months and solidify himself as a no-doubt, No. 2 starter behind CC Sabathia.
“I think it’s way too early to start thinking about that,” Girardi said. “We just need A.J. to continue to go out and pitch well. I’ll worry about numbers later, where they fall into line. We just need A.J. to go pitch well.”
Burnett’s numbers in July haven’t been great. He’s not allowed more than four runs in a start this month and opponents are hitting just .239 against him, but he’s pitched out of the sixth inning only once, he has a 4.94 ERA, and opponents are slugging .443.
Two numbers that surprised me about Burnett’s season: His WHIP is lower than Dave Robertson’s, and his opponents batting average is lower than everyone on the team except Sabathia, Robertson and Cory Wade.
Unless the Yankees can find a no-doubt No. 2 starter, I think there’s a chance they’ll stay quiet at the deadline and move forward with what they have. If that’s the case, a down-the-stretch emergence from Burnett — starting tonight — could add some comfort come October.
“We’ve gotten this far with them, and they’ve pitched pretty well,” Girardi said. “If you look at our starting rotation, the ERAs are pretty good for the most part. I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the next (three) days, but these guys are pitching well.”
Associated Press photo
Burnett?s numbers in July haven?t been great. He?s not allowed more than four runs in a start this month and opponents are hitting just .239 against him, but he?s pitched out of the sixth inning only once, he has a 4.94 ERA, and opponents are slugging .443.
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That’s because it’s A.J. Burnett month (according to my NYY Calendar ). Last year A.J. Month was June and we all remember how that went. He doesn’t like having his own month. Never fear, the pressure will be off of him on Monday when Jorge Posada month starts.
Giradi, the ultimate optimist!!!!
The only guy who had a comparable arm in the system, was Vizcaino,
—————————–
Thank you Javy smh
Aj just need to throw quality strikes consistently. Walking is liking giving up double with him not holding runners well. He is the one if the not the most frustrating pitcher to watch, got a ton of talent but head has ton of baggage too.
“We just need A.J. to go pitch well.””
I’m beginning to believe “just” is a four-letter word.
I vote to stand pat. Go with Colon second. I don’t think people give Garcia enough credit. Make him third and wake AJ up with fourth. Hughes to the pen.
Girardi said. “We just need A.J. to continue to go out and pitch well. I’ll worry about numbers later, where they fall into line. We just need A.J. to go pitch well.”
Been waiting for AJ to pitch like the #2 starter almost as long as we waited for Farnsworth to have results that matched his stuff.
“Aj just need to throw quality strikes consistently”
aj just needs to get old and go away.
he will never get it together on a consistent basis. he is who he is at this point.
can he help sometimes? sure.
can you count on him? not really
i’d go with colon as the #2 if he’s healthy when the post season comes.
Before his contract runs out, Burnett will be a well paid No. 5 starter.
We don’t have HBO so I didn’t see DJ3K.
One of the kids who saw it said Derek has “DJ” and a “2″ inlaid into his hardward floors. Without seeing it, not sure how small or big it is or how obvious or subtle, but……
if you bought the condo, would you keep a DJ2 inlay because you bought Derek Jeter’s condo or would you ask for a price reduction becuase the floors need to be replaced?
Odds, from last thread, LOL. It’s a terminal condition.
BTW, both Manny & Dellin’s ERAs would be a lot lower if the Trenton bullpen didn’t come in & allow inherited runners to score every time.
The bullpen has been awful coming in for them. They both would have a much better chance to get outs themselves if the Yankees didn’t have these stupid rules in place to pull them out and spare them the normal stress of having to cope with men on base real pitchers go through.
Pat
I would keep it, but then I am a big DJ fan
” said it yesterday – the “Killer B’s” have been handled much the same way by many of the same people who got to screw up Joba, Hughes and Kennedy – so why should I be confident that the results will be any different.”
not really. They have moved more slowly with them….some of that is due to injury but they haven’t rushed any of them to the big leagues like you could argue they did with all 3 of Hughes, Kennedy, and especially Joba.
Wave Your Hat July 29th, 2011 at 10:30 am
The Yanks were very fortunate this year, essentially filling an inside straight when the signed Colon and Garcia to complete the rotation. The chance of similar fortune striking next year is not good.
The free agent pool in starting pitchers next year is thin. Right now, next year’s rotation is CC (with an *), AJ and Hughes. I doubt whether Banuelos or Betances will be in the rotation next year, right now they are having some growing pains (and Betances with limited innings) in a great pitcher’s park in Trenton.
Where’s the rotation going to come from? Getting a guy like Jimenez is key. IMO more important than prospects.
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That’s the elephant in the room. What happens when Garcia and Colon leave and the Yankees fall short in starting pitchers next year? It’s CC + ????…I count 4 question marks in 2012.
I don’t think the Yankees want to be shorthanded against the Red Sox in 2011 let alone 2012.
I feel the Yankees will be forced to meet the Rox asking price for Ubaldo Jimenez.
WYH-
May be a a ploy but the comments above don’t sound like a team anxious, or even ready to make a trade.
Counting on AJ to step up to a #2 and then be solid in the playoffs ?
Man these guys must be really good in Vegas, or have more faith than Mother Theresa.
what your going to get with AJ is what you have had with him, good games and bad games this won’t change
I feel like Girardi just keeps on making excuses for AJ over and over. He always something along the lines of how AJ’s last start was encouraging, but he says that about AJ after every one of his starts. Bottom line is that AJ is AJ and you will never know what you are gonna get out of him. Can anyone imagine where the Yankees would be without CC?
sounds like the Phillies are going hard after Pence…..they wanna win them another title before that window slams shut
The risk of Colon is not that convincing. He’s had games where he’s chucking 95 late. If anything, he appears the picture of stamina & reliability. He had the hamstring from running to first, not from anything pitching related.
pat-keep it. Definitely.
JAP
is it typical for pitchers in the minors to have pitch counts like that or is this more specific to the Yankees? Or does it vary a lot by organizational philosophy? I would guess the Rangers minor leaguers would have higher pitch counts.
JAP-
No offense but it’s a good thing you didn’t decide to become an actuary. I think your calculation of the odds on Colon is bit off.
I do hope you are proven right though.
It wouldn’t be the way I would run my insurance co.
Honest people can disagree though.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the enigma that is AJ Burnett. These numbers pretty much sum it all up…
blake July 29th, 2011 at 11:25 am
” said it yesterday – the “Killer B’s” have been handled much the same way by many of the same people who got to screw up Joba, Hughes and Kennedy – so why should I be confident that the results will be any different.”
not really. They have moved more slowly with them….some of that is due to injury but they haven’t rushed any of them to the big leagues like you could argue they did with all 3 of Hughes, Kennedy, and especially Joba.
————–
Joba and Kennedy (unlike Betances and Banuelos) were both college pitchers so they were older and further along in their development – that’s why they were moved so quickly through the ranks. That and they were dominating at every level.
Hughes was also forcing his way to the majors. That’s why he got up here after 3 1/2 years.
J. Alfred Prufrock July 29th, 2011 at 11:28 am
The risk of Colon is not that convincing. He’s had games where he’s chucking 95 late. If anything, he appears the picture of stamina & reliability. He had the hamstring from running to first, not from anything pitching related.
—
I agree mostly, but he is 38 and heavy, so things like hamstring pulls are more likely.
Chip,
Brackman was a college pitcher….college to the big leagues is a huge jump even if you are older. Joba had very little minor league time and Hughes had very little time above AA. I think the Yanks are going to move more slowly this time around…..maybe even give Manny 180-190 innings at AAA next year so that in 2013 he can enter the rotation with no innings limits…..he’d still only be like 22.
What guys like Joba and Phil illustrate in bold relief is just how hard it really is to identify, and develop good young arms. At least for the Yankees.
In support of my POV I cite the well-known fact that Hughes was considered to have near perfect mechanics.
Despite that, and what many claim is a general babying of MiLB arms, he has managed to come up short to this point and injure his arm.
Some of this is just a crapshoot just like the playoffs.
It takes not only good development but good luck as well.
JMTC.
Bret The Hitman July 29th, 2011 at 11:25 am
That’s the elephant in the room. What happens when Garcia and Colon leave and the Yankees fall short in starting pitchers next year? It’s CC + ????…I count 4 question marks in 2012.
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Why is that different than what the Yankees faced entering this season?
If the Yankees retain CC and don’t add Ubaldo or some other stud number two I expect they’ll fill out the rotation much the way they did this year – with a mixture of young pitchers and vets on low risk deals. Will it work as well? I don’t see how it could…but they’ll figure it out.
upstate kate July 29th, 2011 at 11:29 am
JAP
is it typical for pitchers in the minors to have pitch counts like that or is this more specific to the Yankees? Or does it vary a lot by organizational philosophy? I would guess the Rangers minor leaguers would have higher pitch counts.
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Upstate, the Rangers may be the opposite extreme, I don’t follow how they handle their guys, just an acquaintance with the Nolan Ryan rhetoric. Teams definitely have pitch counts but the Yankees seem to have no room for intuition or realtime response to game situation & how a guy is throwing the ball.
Last night was downright bizarre – that kid needed just 44 pitches to get through five and left the game at 63 pitches IN THE SIXTH… that’s got to be the greatest caricature of their reluctance to let these guys grow up on the diamond I’ve seen to date. Was it because he is now strictly a showcase piece?? No idea. Had I been close enough to Contreras, I would have expressed my dismay.
aside from wang, every young pitchers that the yankees brought up to the majors can not throw strike consistently even if their lives are at stake. This only means not good mechanics. Also a lot of injuries in the minors for pitchers (brackman, betances, horne, etc). And for the batters, no one can be relied to sac bunt successfully 90 percent of the time. There is something wrong in the developmental process whether it is the instructors or the way they are teaching the players
baseball this year is so divided from top to bottom…. you have the giants, phillies, red sox, rangers and yankees on one tier, all with one medium flaw, then you’ve got a gap and maybe 2 other teams (braves, angels or tigers?), then of the remaining teams, big gap to .500 teams and then basement teams… but the distance between the top 5 and bottom 5 is as stark as ever. this is leading to a seller’s market and why you saw a guy like Wheeler (great prospect in a position of depth, in exchange for a 2 month rental) get so little back. that set the market and it’s hurting the yankees. With Soriano coming back, Romero pitching very well at AAA and perhaps a hughes resurgence in the bullpen, I think Cashman is doing the right thing to wait and pick up salary dumps. the yanks pressing need is a #2 and right now the #2s out there are too overpriced. Why should colorado flinch on the Jiminez offer – there’s no need.
What I think will happen… I’d say make a list of 10 salary dump guys (Matsui, Wood, heathy Giambi for waiver deadine – you can add the others) and 2 of them will be on this roster in september. Saturday will come and go quietly for the yanks – and probably another second round exit OR loss to the Rangers will happen in the post season. We just didn’t get Lee and Pettitte retired, that’s all… what else could have been done in this market?
blake July 29th, 2011 at 11:36 am
Chip,
Brackman was a college pitcher….college to the big leagues is a huge jump even if you are older. Joba had very little minor league time and Hughes had very little time above AA. I think the Yanks are going to move more slowly this time around…..maybe even give Manny 180-190 innings at AAA next year so that in 2013 he can enter the rotation with no innings limits…..he’d still only be like 22.
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Brackman also had Tommy John surgery after he was drafted, missed a year and had to start from scratch.
I hope you’re right with Manny – but I have no confidence in those who are in charge of developing the organization’s minor league pitchers to actually do it – I haven’t seen them be successful with one yet.
It’s possibly the only reason I’m hoping Cashman leaves after this season – I would love to see the Yankees bring in a GM with a completely different philosophy who cans Nardi and brings in someone who has some sort of track record of success to run the pitching within the organization.
Pitching is an unatural act.
Hire Mike Marshall now to help prevent arm injuries.
There. I said it again.
jacksquat July 29th, 2011 at 11:33 am
J. Alfred Prufrock July 29th, 2011 at 11:28 am
The risk of Colon is not that convincing. He’s had games where he’s chucking 95 late. If anything, he appears the picture of stamina & reliability. He had the hamstring from running to first, not from anything pitching related.
—
I agree mostly, but he is 38 and heavy, so things like hamstring pulls are more likely.
////
He is 38 & heavy & I now cringe when he comes off the mound but he does after all seem to have a real pitching stamina. I’d rather save the farm & roll the dice on him.
MTU, yep. I think even some of the most skillful projections in life reside in hope…:)
you can get by in the reg season with a AJ,Colon & Garcia ….come playoff time against a TEX & Bos how confident you you be they get the job done ? me… not very against those two teams
don’t want to hear about a Harden, Hiroki Kuroda…these type of guys are what they have now
JAP-
Luck more likely.
We could all use more of it.
Hope too. And Faith.
jskwrite,
I think its the exact opposite. Parity in MLB have left few of any true elite teams
MTU July 29th, 2011 at 11:41 am
Pitching is an unatural act.
Hire Mike Marshall now to help prevent arm injuries.
There. I said it again.
—————–
I would be happy with taking Rothschild after this year out of the dugout and putting him in charge of working across the different levels in the organization.
Hi there. Some thoughts –
1. Tragic about Hideki Irabu. Just tragic.
2. Congratulations to David Robertson on his successful night last night. If I didn’t live so far away from the city, I’d have gone. Hanging out with DRob and Chad – it sounds like it was a blast.
3. Another success for HOPE Week.
4. Colorado needs to get real. So does Seattle, but that’s not happening with Jack Z. there.
5. I definitely see the Phillies going after Pence.
6. Very nice job by Sandy Alderson.
7. AJ needs to get them started on winning 3/4 from the w’Oes.
8. I really hope Buck realizes he’s so far back that he gives up on the tough-guy nonsense. We don’t need more distractions from losers.
“….. every young pitchers that the yankees brought up to the majors can not throw strike consistently even if their lives are at stake. This only means not good mechanics.”
Might also be thousands of people breathing down their necks can be distracting.
That might mean they aren’t cut out for NY but MAYBE NY fans aren’t cut out for developing young pitchers because it requires patience.
Chip,
Great posts this morning. I agree with you completely. I think the Yankees have a very difficult time of turning highly hyped prospects into what they are projected to be. To me, it seems like the guys who come up with little fanfare are the one’s who seem to do the best. When Cano and Wang came up, they didn’t come up as saviors. The same w/Gardner and Melky when they came up.
The guys brought up with all the hype of future stars just don’t seem to click. I’m not talking about the Jeter/Mo era types. It was a different regime then.
This is why I trade for a young top of the rotation guy in Ubaldo.
The way the conservative Yankees go the earliest we’ll see Betances or Banuelos will probably be 2nd half next year in our bullpen because they won’t let them innings jump enough to be starters here next year.
Then if everything goes perfectly and they both have no setbacks, they could both be in the rotation in 2013.
But would the organization risk 2008 again where they put 2 rookies (basically) in the rotation from the get go? I don’t think so.
I keep Manny because LHP with power is a rare commodity.If they can turn Betances into Ubaldo somehow, I think they should do it.
For as many people I’ve seen call Betances a future “Felix”, I’ve seen just as many call him a future “Daniel Cabrera”. You never know with these guys. With Ubaldo we know that when you match up his numbers, pitching 1/2 his games in the worst park for pitchers in the league, he’s still one of the top starters over the past several years.
By keeping prospects you’re betting that the Yankees develop them perfectly and that they stay healthy. I’m less concerned about health than I am about the Yankees ability to develop these guys right now. The pitch counts, the innings limits, the fear of promoting them when they have a hole on the major league club….everything says to me that the Yankees are gunshy and terrified these guys will get hurt or fail and lose trade value.
If the Nats get Denard Span for Drew Storen after getting Wilson Ramos for Matt Capps last year I would legitimately start to wonder if Bill Smith is really a Washington fan.
Joelsherman1 Heard talks between #Yankees #Rockies have not gone well. Yanks value Jimenez as no better than No. 2, Col as ace
Joelsherman1
Heard talks between #Yankees #Rockies have not gone well. Yanks value Jimenez as no better than No. 2, Col as ace
Chip-
Have you ever seen Dr. Marshall’s videos on how to prevent pitching injuries ?
If not, you can google him and watch. I have. He is definitely thought
provoking if nothing else. A little radical.
He uses Science to try to take some of the injury risk out of pitching.
I applaud him for trying. Would like to see what he could do to help our young guys.
Sounds like the Braves could have Pence if they’d give up Minor….I love Minor but I might just have to do that as deep with pitching as they are.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com
Wave Your Hat July 29th, 2011 at 11:12 am
That’s interesting, JAP. I’m sure the Bs have great potential, I guess the question is am I comfortable with the Yanks maybe losing in 2011 and 2012 waiting for them to arrive, while in the back of my mind worrying that they won’t turn out to be worth the wait. I guess that’s the question all of us fans are asking ourselves.
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Yes, there’s a real split in the fanbase on this.
Development is in the minors. Having good mechanics is to be done in the minors. In the majors, results is relative but not being able to throwing quality strikes consistently is not one results that is relative. Wang was not very good but at least he throws quality strikes most of the time.
Well the Yankees aren’t going to tell Colorado how they really value Ubaldo until they have to….they are still trying to get the price to drop.
MTU,
Marshall definitly has some interesting ideas…..I think if he was a little less abrasive, meaning critical of everyone else besides his ways of doing things then he might have more response from teams…..he comes off a little “crazy old man” I think. He certainly has some interesting ideas though.
Another year where we will likely will be playing for the wild card.
RiverAveBlues Tonight, the Yankees start a four-game set with the Fightin? Showalters. Good times. http://flic.kr/p/a4ZC5N
Blake-
Lot’s of “Crazy old Men” have made a big difference in the History of Science.
pat,
I disagree with you. NY Fans have patience. You didn’t hear anyone booing Ivan Nova this year as he took his lumps and developed into something good. Dave Robertsen wasn’t booed off the mound when he used to walk the ballpark. Joba had a long leash. So has Hughes. Fans supported Phil Coke. The only reason Ian Kennedy didn’t get a longer leash here was his attitude that was evident and the fact that he was getting pummeled as a starting pitcher.
This perception that the Yankee fans have no patience is wrong. What they have no patience for is abject failure at the major league level. Every fan of every team has no patience seeing a guy go out and get their brains beaten in with no signs of progress.
The Yankee fans have patience as long as the team fights and stays competitive.
This whole theory that the Yankee fans need to accept several years of losing seasons so they can develop a new core is ridiculous.
This organization knows how to rebuild on the fly. They’ve been doing it for 16 years or so now.
Fans here have more patience than they are given credit for. What they don’t have patience for is excuses and lack of progress. Nova showed the fans that he was battling and making progress this year and people started to fall in love with the guy. I never heard anyone boo him or call for his head.
LoHudYankees
Poll: NYC baseball fans say Derek Jeter as great as Babe Ruth http://lohud.us/pDs2ZI #yankees
# pat July 29th, 2011 at 11:50 am
Joelsherman1
Heard talks between #Yankees #Rockies have not gone well. Yanks value Jimenez as no better than No. 2, Col as ace
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I’m sure the UJ fans aren’t happy to see that.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that talks between the Yankees and Rockies have not gone well (Twitter link).
Reading the threads, I find it funny that some see Betances’s outing last night as a negative. Would it have been nice for him to get through the 6th, sure. However, he had his best FB command of the year last night, his CB was its usual filthy self, and he was still sitting 93-94 in the 6th and topping at 96. He’d thrown a ridiculous 44 pitches through 5, extremely efficient and even more than you can ask for. And I will always take giving up only 1BB while having faced 22 batters. No one was overly concerned about the 6th inning. And the thing is Dellin has the K’s but also the GO rates. He is buying into pitching to contact much more now. On his home field, he has a 1.83 GO/AO rate which using mlb approximate equivalencies puts him at slightly under 50% GB% at Waterfront. (1.26 overall.) Add that his lefty splits are always very good, and you have to like his progress. Still could see him come out of our bullpen later in year if he remains a Yankee.
However, I don’t believe a word Cash says. He is in stealth mode as far as I am concerned.
Good to see Stoneburner is back up from A+ and starts for Trenton tonight.
No true Joba and Hughes were booed off the mound when they didn’t pitch well. The same went for Coke. You’re right about Nova I’ll give you that.
Noobs? The Sherman leaks are part of the negotiating dance. They’re dancing right now. Hard.
Joelsherman1 Catch 22 also in Jimenez talks: harder #Rockies try to deal him more suspicion #Yankees have something physically wrong
jimbaumbach Attorney for Roger Clemens has filed his motion to “dismiss case and to prohibit retrial” – lots of documents to read. Check Newsday.com.
AAO-
I would support getting U-Jim under the right circumstances.
To me, valuing him as a #2 on the Yanks part seems emminently realistic.
I also can see how Colorado might want to sell him differently.
What you hand over for a #2 is obviously different than for an Ace.
Whatever happens is fine with me.
G Love
Not booing doesn’t show patience, it shows humanity.
Keeping a 23 year old who you don’t owe $30M to in the rotation if they have a bad year because you believe in their potential shows patience.
Win now mode and patience are hard to balance and the Yankees are always in win now mode.
not*
Did Jeter participate in HOPE week???….I read all of the stories and don’t remember seeing his name.
# MTU July 29th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
AAO-
I would support getting U-Jim under the right circumstances.
To me, valuing him as a #2 on the Yanks part seems emminently realistic.
I also can see how Colorado might want to sell him differently.
What you hand over for a #2 is obviously different than for an Ace.
Whatever happens is fine with me.
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Very well said. I wouldn’t mind acquiring him if the package wasn’t too far out there.
# Stacey July 29th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Did Jeter participate in HOPE week???….I read all of the stories and don’t remember seeing his name.
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I’m sure he has. Him, CC, and Cano were on the Today Show talking about Hope Week.
The biggest load of BS in this thing is that the Red Sox “are deeply in on Jimenez”.
The Yankees know it’s BS, that’s the good news. If they do something here, it won’t be to trump a phony Boston offer.
I’m probably in the minority on this but if the Yanks can’t get Ubaldo I wouldn’t mind seeing them get Erik Bedard. I know he’s risky healthwise but he’s pitching well this year and he is very tough on lefties which would be very useful against Boston.
G Love, Yankee fans booed Mariano Rivera. Patience… not them.
“Did Jeter participate in HOPE week???…”
Yes. Wednesday.
WYH-
I wouldn’t give up what Jerk Z is likely to ask for him (Too much).
paste
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A source told me earlier today that Cincinnati may be the favorite to land Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez. We reported yesterday that Colorado requested Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, and two pitchers from the Yankees. Those two pitchers did not have to be both Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos.
Earlier this week Troy Renck of the Denver Post reported that the Rockies have asked the Reds for top catching prospect Devin Mesoraco, Aroldis Chapman and Homer Bailey or Travis Wood in exchange for Jimenez.
Our sources believes that Yonder Alonso would be in the deal and a “major league caliber pitcher.” Chapman or Bailey would certainly qualify.
I wouldn’t be surprised the four game sweep at the hands of the Mets motivated Cincinnati to play ball with Colorado. If the above is true, then it would lead me to believe the Yankees would either have to change their position on “untouchables” in their system, or pass on Jimenez.
It was Cincinnati that first initiated talks for Jimenez before any other club so it stands to reason they are the most serious suitors.
MLB Trade Rumors reports that Detroit, Boston, and Cleveland also are in the mix.
It sounds increasingly unlikely that Ubaldo Jimenez will not be in pinstripes unless the Yankees up the ante.
Stacey July 29th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Did Jeter participate in HOPE week????.I read all of the stories and don?t remember seeing his name.
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He went to Wednesday’s event. For whatever reason, his name was mentioned in the list of Yankees going that night.
edit: his name *wasn’t* mentioned
Prufrock, QFT about inherited runs. Manny is a victim of those as well. And don’t forget that gold glove caliber IF with Pirela at SS, and Lyerly at 1B or 3B. Joseph has improved but is still no great shakes at 2B.
We need a couple of MAJOR pieces !
Who are we gonna beat with current DH ? ( love him always, but… )
Bench ? ( do we have one . )
SP ? 2-3 ?
RP Still iffy except for Mo & D-Rob
I expect little from SoRRYiano ( actually nothing ) & Hughes is way up in the air JMO & A-Rod MUST be himself when he gets back.
Poll: NYC baseball fans say Derek Jeter as great as Babe Ruth http://lohud.us/pDs2ZI #yankees
Let me know when Jeter helps to revolutionize the game like Ruth did. It just shows how much we are a live in the moment kind of society
YankeesPR The Yankees wrap up #HopeWeek today, reuniting John and Andrei and visiting the Central Park Zoo. http://twitpic.com/5xqril
All you need to do is look back the past few years and see how many times the Yankees have made a deal for a top of the rotation guy and you will have your answer to them getting Ubaldo
ARod’s the key; again makes no sense to trade Jesus with offensive production as iffy as it is from Alex.
If I were Detroit, I’d balk at giving up both Porcello and Turner for Ubaldo. Should be very interesting to see what happens over the next couple of days…
Why are the Yankees not going with the rotation of:
Fri – AJ
Sat – Colon/Garcia
Sun – CC
I don’t get why they have to use Nova as a spot start when everyone can stay on turn and still have 4 days in between their last start.
Anybody know the context here?
http://twitpic.com/5wfh33/full
JackCurryYES Spoke 2 Moose Skowron, who is fighting lung cancer. Said he’s completed 30 radiation/12 chemo treatments. “I’m feeling a lot better” he said
thanks JAP
it would seem the time to learn how to pitch out of trouble is in the minors
I wouldn’t mind having Porcello…if nothing else he knows how to roll Youk
Chien-Ming Wang is getting back on the hill tomorrow. This makes me happy.
Also this would line up CC for the opener at Fenway on Fri. Now with Garcia going on Sunday he has the opener.
I would rather have our ace going to open the series and try to establish some momentum right from the start.
Against All Odds July 29th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
No true Joba and Hughes were booed off the mound when they didn’t pitch well. The same went for Coke. You’re right about Nova I’ll give you that.
///
Yep, Joba & Hughes have been booed. The problem is, like with most things, we live in an instant gratification society. When sports are involved, it’s really 10-fold.
How many people have any kind of vision, or can afford to? It takes patience, & even absorbing ridicule, to see a vision manifest. Few have the stomach, or the stamina, or the faith. The voices of reason & restraint get drowned out by the demands to “do something”.
While it doesn’t mean the Yankees should never make any moves, it does mean that building a team from within is exceedingly difficult, if the Yankees value public opinion above all other considerations, or what may be best for the franchise from a pure baseball perspective.
They want to make money & sell their merchandise. If the Yankees don’t make a splash, even if it doesn’t result in a World Series, there won’t be any immediate backlash, unless Montero immediately turns into Mickey Mantle somewhere else (possible). But they may believe that keeping the fan hooked requires at least the countenance of going for it, even if Cashman privately believes one pitcher’s not going to turn their fortunes enough to be worth giving up key guys. The fan worries about later, never. The GM can’t afford to take that tact & he understands that, but he may be under pressure & have no choice.
Tom in N.J. July 29th, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Anybody know the context here?
http://twitpic.com/5wfh33/full
*******************
that’s a riot. Gotta love Swisher.
G. Love
I agree completely
With the exception of Jeter consider the following names:
Ruben Rivera
Rickey Ledee
Eric Duncan
Drew Henson
Christian Guzman
Dioneer Navarro
Eric Milton
Wily Mo Pena
Jackson Melian
Russ Davis
Juan Rivera
Nick Johnson
Brien Taylor
All highly touted prospects who – with the exception of Milton – were either forgettable major leaguers or never got to the majors at all
Then consider the guys who have had success in the majors
Mo Rivera
Andy Pettitte
Mike Lowell
Robbie Cano
Brett Gardner
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox are “aggressively” pursuing Ubaldo Jimenez.
Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reported just Thursday that the Red Sox were “not hot” for the Rockies’ ace, but that’s apparently changed. Boston is in pursuit of a top-notch starter as a result of the ongoing back issues with Clay Buchholz, not to mention the struggles of John Lackey, Tim Wakefield and Andrew Miller. Heyman says the Indians, Reds and Blue Jays are also in on Jimenez, with the Yankees “lurking.”
———————————————————————————-
That would suck!!
Tom in N.J. July 29th, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Chien-Ming Wang is getting back on the hill tomorrow. This makes me happy.
*******************
Me too.
MTU-
I read something to the effect that the M’s didn’t want to deal Bedard, so you are probably right about his asking price.
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox are “aggressively” pursuing Ubaldo Jimenez.
Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reported just Thursday that the Red Sox were “not hot” for the Rockies’ ace, but that’s apparently changed. Boston is in pursuit of a top-notch starter as a result of the ongoing back issues with Clay Buchholz, not to mention the struggles of John Lackey, Tim Wakefield and Andrew Miller. Heyman says the Indians, Reds and Blue Jays are also in on Jimenez, with the Yankees “lurking.”
Sox on on Jimenez
My sportsbook shows Wang pitching tonight, is that not the case?
spidanyc –
sorry for the repost . . . yeah it would suck big time !
Let me know when Jeter helps to revolutionize the game like Ruth did. It just shows how much we are a live in the moment kind of society
——————————————————————————————————————
Being alive does have its perks.
So predictable. Sherman says negotiations btwn Rox/Yanks not going well…of course the Rockies would then turn to the Sox. They’re trying to leverage the Yanks to up the ante but it ain’t happening
The Sox can NOT offer more than the Yanks
Yeah and what are the Sox going to part with Jiminez???? AA guys who aren’t ranked highly on the overall baseball prospect list.
This is simply the Red Sox trying to drive up the price on any player the Yankees may be looking at.
thanks
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that the Red Sox are “aggressively” pursuing Ubaldo Jimenez.
Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reported just Thursday that the Red Sox were “not hot” for the Rockies’ ace, but that’s apparently changed. Boston is in pursuit of a top-notch starter as a result of the ongoing back issues with Clay Buchholz, not to mention the struggles of John Lackey, Tim Wakefield and Andrew Miller. Heyman says the Indians, Reds and Blue Jays are also in on Jimenez, with the Yankees “lurking.”
———————————————————————————-
Sounds like they’re trying to get up the price so if the Yankees do get UJ they’ll have to sell the farm. Don’t fall for it, Cash.
I don’t think 4 days rest is good for Colon. It’s better to just stay on rotation days.
Erin July 29th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Stacey July 29th, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Did Jeter participate in HOPE week????.I read all of the stories and don?t remember seeing his name.
*********************
He went to Wednesday’s event. For whatever reason, his name was mentioned in the list of Yankees going that night.
*********************
thanks
WYH-
It seems to me all the buzz comes down to the here and now vs. the future.
And the plusses and minuses of getting there with what we have vs. what we may need.
And even more of it is about valuation and perceived risk in that quest.
Me. As in all things, I prefer a balanced approach.
Twitter
Joelsherman1 Joel Sherman
#Reds falling close to out of race also hurts #Rockies since Cincy called 1st on Jimenez in early July when sent Volquez down #Yankees
“For whatever reason, his name wasn’t mentioned in the list of Yankees going that night.”
Might be because he joined them halfway through the outing instead of leaving Yankee Stadium with them on the bus.
“Two numbers that surprised me about Burnett’s season: His WHIP is lower than Dave Robertson’s, and his opponents batting average is lower than everyone on the team except Sabathia, Robertson and Cory Wade.”
Wow. That’s bizarre.
yankeefeminista July 29th, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Reading the threads, I find it funny that some see Betances’s outing last night as a negative. Would it have been nice for him to get through the 6th, sure. However, he had his best FB command of the year last night, his CB was its usual filthy self, and he was still sitting 93-94 in the 6th and topping at 96. He’d thrown a ridiculous 44 pitches through 5, extremely efficient and even more than you can ask for. And I will always take giving up only 1BB while having faced 22 batters. No one was overly concerned about the 6th inning. And the thing is Dellin has the K’s but also the GO rates. He is buying into pitching to contact much more now. On his home field, he has a 1.83 GO/AO rate which using mlb approximate equivalencies puts him at slightly under 50% GB% at Waterfront. (1.26 overall.) Add that his lefty splits are always very good, and you have to like his progress. Still could see him come out of our bullpen later in year if he remains a Yankee.
However, I don’t believe a word Cash says. He is in stealth mode as far as I am concerned.
Good to see Stoneburner is back up from A+ and starts for Trenton tonight.
///
Great info. He’s just damn good. The GB rates I knew had to be up there, it’s fairly comical how very little even makes if out of the infield.
I’m toying with the idea of seeing Stoneburner tonight, though I feel like watching Yanks live. I’m on the run. Later.
Right now if I had to put money on him going anywhere it would be the Red Sox
It seems like the media, as much as a few other teams, are trying to push the Yankees to make the trade. It might have some validity, but too much of what is put out there is to muddy the waters and get things going one way or another.
Don’t see how the Sox can meet the Rockies asking price without touching the big league club….Jed Hoyer doesn’t work for the Rockies.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post says that the Yankees would only package Jesus Montero and Dellin Betances in the same deal in exchange for a sure thing, and they don’t view Jimenez as a sure thing.
———-
I 100% agree with this. Those two should get you a lockdown ace. Jimenez isn’t that. I’m hoping Cashman shows some patience and control. Could Jimenez put us over the top this year? He could, or he couldn’t. Not worth dealing a super package of prospects.
pat-yeah, that would explain it. I figured that might have been the case since I didn’t spot him in any of the pictures taken at the Empire State Building.
The Yankees and Red Sox have been doing this to each other for years. Big Deal.
Ha, this is hysterical.
Why are we talking about Red Sox in any big trades??? Are they including Ellsbury that I am unaware of.
They are thin on minor league talent and no one past AA.
If you are the Rockies who do you want that the Sox have? And who from the Sox would you be able to play this year or next?
if the Sox are really aggressivley after Ubaldo then that tells me they don’t think Bucholtz will be back this year.
I had also heard Wang and the Nats versus the Mets on Friday night.
I’m sometimes a little off, but I’m pretty sure today is Friday.
Can’t wait to see the complaining from some people if UJ were to end up on the redsox….. Stop acting like you dont want him people.
Chambliss,
The Red Sox do it way more then the Yankees do. Did we get involved in Crawford last year?
Benny Blanco,
We will complain when he goes there for Lars Anderson,Julio Igleseas and former STP frontman Scott Weiland
Triple Short of a Cycle July 29th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Chambliss,
The Red Sox do it way more then the Yankees do. Did we get involved in Crawford last year?
———-
Cashman had dinner with him.
I guess I’m going to be flipping back and forth between the Mets and the Yankees games. I hope Wang does well. While the Yankees did make the right decision with him, as you look at how long it has taken him to pitch again in the majors, he was a good pitcher for the Yankees. I would love for him to make a come back.
Nova and Betances for Jimenez. Maybe some extras, but that’s it.
Why would the Rockies want Iglesias…..they have a pretty decent SS that can actually hit better than Ramerio Pena.
Their top guys
Middlebrooks – nice year in AA, Red Sox website compares him to Travis Fryman (remember him?)
Khalish – hurt every year
Ranaudo – 4.31 era, certainly a talent, unlikely they move him anyway. Still a lot to prove in upper levels.
Iglesias – SS of the future for them, but more glove than bat. Colorado has a guy by the name of Tulowitski
Weiland – AA – 24 years old (keep in mind Hughes just turned 25, Nova is 24) – Red Sox website again – “projects as a late-inning impact bullpen arm, with the ceiling as a third starter”
All really really exciting stuff !!!!!!!!!!!
Joe,
I’m down with that, maybe a position player thrown in.
# J. Alfred Prufrock July 29th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Against All Odds July 29th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
No true Joba and Hughes were booed off the mound when they didn’t pitch well. The same went for Coke. You’re right about Nova I’ll give you that.
///
Yep, Joba & Hughes have been booed. The problem is, like with most things, we live in an instant gratification society. When sports are involved, it’s really 10-fold.
How many people have any kind of vision, or can afford to? It takes patience, & even absorbing ridicule, to see a vision manifest. Few have the stomach, or the stamina, or the faith. The voices of reason & restraint get drowned out by the demands to “do something”.
While it doesn’t mean the Yankees should never make any moves, it does mean that building a team from within is exceedingly difficult, if the Yankees value public opinion above all other considerations, or what may be best for the franchise from a pure baseball perspective.
They want to make money & sell their merchandise. If the Yankees don’t make a splash, even if it doesn’t result in a World Series, there won’t be any immediate backlash, unless Montero immediately turns into Mickey Mantle somewhere else (possible). But they may believe that keeping the fan hooked requires at least the countenance of going for it, even if Cashman privately believes one pitcher’s not going to turn their fortunes enough to be worth giving up key guys. The fan worries about later, never. The GM can’t afford to take that tact & he understands that, but he may be under pressure & have no choice.
————————————————————–
Good post JAP. I really enjoy your perspective on the Yankees.
If Bucholtz can’t return then the Red Sox need Ubaldo worse than the Yankees do. They’d have Lester, Beckett……and John Lackey.
“if you bought the condo, would you keep a DJ2 inlay because you bought Derek Jeter’s condo or would you ask for a price reduction becuase the floors need to be replaced?”
I don’t care about the floors, I just need a carport space for Jon Voight’s LeBaron.
Nick in SF July 29th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
?if you bought the condo, would you keep a DJ2 inlay because you bought Derek Jeter’s condo or would you ask for a price reduction becuase the floors need to be replaced??
I don?t care about the floors, I just need a carport space for Jon Voight?s LeBaron.
*****************************
If the Yankees want Ubaldo the Red Sox can’t stop them from getting him without including guys off the big league club like Ellsbury. The ball is in the Yanks court on this one…..they can probably get him if they want to pay the price…..I’m just not sure I would or they will. They have been trying to get a real running mate for CC for awhile now though……might not be able to say no.
Joe-
Nova, Betances, and Joseph/Adams ?
The Yankees don’t need anyone to make the playoffs. So that’s the big thing here. Can someone say they do?
Ok, so that out of the way. The Sox would feel much more confident if Bucholz comes back adding someone to couple with Lester and Beckett. Keep in mind many years Beckett has been a first half pitcher. But they certainly don’t need someone to win in a playoff series. The key is the Sox need a third starter and depth at the back end of their rotation. The Yankees have the depth to carry them to the playoffs. It’s the impact #2 starter you can 100% depend on to give you a quality to start to win in the playoffs.
I’ve been really bothered by Hideki Irabu’s death and feel the need to say something about it. I was always a huge supporter of the Boss and was never put off by his tirades. I felt it was his money and his team and if he wanted to use a tirade as a motivator, so be it. But the one time that really got to me is when he called Irabu the name he did. I thought it was awful and it broke my heart for Irabu. I’m sure we all realize that the Asian cultures are very different from western cultures and certainly different from the ways of the US. I’m not surprised to read that Irabu was never the same after George Steinbrenner said those things about him. Steinbrenner apologized but maybe (apparently?) the damage was done. I have no idea whether that set all of the dominoes in motion that eventually led to this point – there is no way of knowing – and personally I wouldn’t want to know because the thought of that possibility is too horrible.
I feel such a sadness about this that I could easily cry if I thought about it much more. Words certainly can wound; and though some are impervious to the barbs of others, not all are. And the more significant the relationship, the more the potential for real hurt and damage.
RIP Hideki. Whatever the demons, there are certainly no more to harm you now.
I agree with those saying Sherman’s tweet is a smoke screen.
One thing is clear, the Rockies are clearly engaged in possibly trading Ubaldo.
It might not happen like it didn’t happen in Halladay’s case. But it looks like a two-horse race. Just which one is going to pay off more?
That dismaying “news” could be to get the Yankees to cave on certain players.
As for the Yankees developing young players? Difficult to do because of the WIN NOW club culture. You’re not given the chance to fail and learn in the Bronx. Kids operate under tremendous pressure to be perfect because they have very few shots to prove themselves.
pat,
If the DJ inlaid floors is true, that’s so gauche. Yuck.
But if I bought it, I’d keep it. But I wouldn’t monogram my own floors with my own initials!
If the Rockies are asking too much of the Yankees for Ubaldo… what could the RedSox even hope to offer to acquire him? Their farm system is completely empty… they don’t have a single piece that could touch Brackman, let alone the other B’s or Montero.
M,
I agree……I.don’t think this is a weather balloon….I think they want to.move him now.
Yeah, Wang is pitching tonight.
I mis-read this post, which is from today. My mistake :
Chien-Ming Wang is making his first major league start in a couple of years tomorrow. This will be cause for great celebration in Taipei:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......w-morning/
Fact of the matter is the Rockies are nto in a position where they HAVE to trade Ubaldo… so they are not going to lower their asking price for anyone.
Blake,
The Red Sox doesnt need to offer Ellsbury to get him. They can offer Weiland, Middlebrooks, Felix Dubront or Raunado and a catcher. They have the pieces to get him. I dont think they are doing that to up the price for the Yankees. They must have gotten bad news on Buchholz.
The Sox.have a lot of guys that could touch Brackman right now…..his value is in the dumpster.
Hi, Trish. Hope you are well.
MTU – I don’t think it matters to the Yanks who that extra person is. I’d give Colo. a list with the names of all the guys who we know likely won’t make the NYY roster, and tell them to pick one, whomever floats their boat.
But, the key is they get a SP for now (Nova, who throws ground balls, a desirable thing in Coors Field) and a SP for the future (Betances). If that’s not enough, then that’s it.
Remember, there are questions about Jimenez. In some respects, Nova is the most “sure-thing” of the bunch.
It’ like when you go to buy a car. You’re in the most powerful negotiating position when you’re willing to walk away.
“We just need A.J. to go pitch well.”
For some reason, the first thing I think of Einstein’s famous definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Christina,
If The Rockies want elite prospects then that wont get it done……do agree that they must be worried about Clay though.
My very, very best wishes for Wang comeback tonight. Hated it when he got hurt, then came back too early and really busted himself up.
Joelsherman1
#Rockies mad at Jimenez because out shape in spring, upset CarGo/Tulo got huge deals and he didn’t, has shut off pitch coach Apodaca
The biggest detrement to the Yankees “prospects” of recent years was flashes of big success.
Did Joba really have anywhere to go but down with his ridiculous lights out performances his first year. I mean that was absurd. Only time will tell if he can bounce back (still young) or if he is Zumaya like guy forever.
Hughes, almost no-no, first half of last year. Just turned 25, still learning how to pitch. People seem to forget everyone’s struggles early in their careers.
IPK – great first year and then struggles. His a lot of junk. Walks was one of the biggest issues without the overpowering stuff, but common to young pitchers.
Think about Nova. People liked him, but I think it is fair to say he has performed better than expected especially since he has always been kind of an afterthought to other guys. You feel as though expectations are still low for him. We look for Hughes to be a #2 right now, Joba to be Mo part #2, etc. Nova doesn’t have any more pressure than trying to keep them in a game and be a #5 starter.
I think that Nova would definitely be a requirement. Though I admit I haven’t heard that from any reliable source. It’s just they’ll be short a starter, and Nova is MLB/AL proven.
Montero/Nova/the AA IF/+1? That would hurt, but the Rockies aren’t trading him for rubbish.
Joelsherman1
#Rockies mad at Jimenez because out shape in spring, upset CarGo/Tulo got huge deals and he didn’t, has shut off pitch coach Apodaca
Yeah, I could see where the Rockies would feel they want to hang onto him.
So are the Rockies motivated sellers…..will they break.before Sunday. They are.deep in to this now.
A package of Betcances, Warren or Nova (prefer Warren going obviosuly), Joseph and Gary Sanchez should be more than enough to offer Jiminez.
The Sox can’t put together a package that beats that.
And everyone seems unwilling to give up the top guy.
So the Yankees have to just say we aren’t desperate.
The Rockies may just hold onto him, but if he was a “problem” before, I don’t think all this trade talk is going to motivate him to be any happier he is still there after the deadline.
Smoke screen # 2. Meant to counter Yankees injury suspicions.
The Yankee system has 4 top50 prospects in it right now and they are asking for 2 of them plus a major league ready starter in nova. The RedSox have I think 1 guy in the top50? No chance.
Joelsherman1 14 mins So does acquiring team get player energized by change scenery or player prone to pouting, plenty r curious #Yankees #Redsox #Indians #Tigers
Yeah and the one guy is Iglesias who would not even be of interest to the Rockies.
To answer the question Sherman is posting. He will be energized especially knowing the Yankees if he preformed can pay the big money. Plus in a rotation with CC, Mo and a team with Jeter. They will be all over him and motivate him.
The Red Sox can’t match the Yanks on a prospect deal and they don’t have a guy like Nova that could slot into Rox rotation now……at least nobody any good.
Ubaldo sounds like Rafael Soriano part 2.
Rather roll the dice on Bedard. He comes back from DL tonight against the Rays. Yanks and Sox will be scouting. Kind of hope he gets bombed to bring the price down.
m
I’m not a fan of monograms. … linens and stationary being he exception. It’s not staying on the floor if it was my house but depending on how big it is, I might cut it out and turn it into wall art.
Is mlb open for business this weekend?
It seems like deals weren’t announced on the weekends. But I think that was the winter.
Maybe Torre will open up the office as a favor to the Yankees?
Jared (NJ)
Keith, Mason Williams has really impressed me this year. I know you said that you think he will fill out so my question is if he does, what type of player can he be
Klaw (12:36 PM)
Talked to another scout who saw that club last week – he loved Williams too, raved about Gumbs’ bat speed although it’s his only real tool, and was down on Culver (mostly his LH swing). I think Williams has a chance to be … actually, the player I think Colby Rasmus will be. Hits for average, runs well, plays good D in CF, hits maybe 20-25 HR.
Which is why the Yankees shouldn’t even consider giving up Montero and Betcances in the deal? Why? Give them Montero lite who may be years away in Sanchez.
Middlebrooks is a 3rd baseman. The Rockies need one. Weiland can pitch in the majors right now. They may want elite prospects but they may have to settle for less to move him.
its like a 2 foot by 2 foot base with a 2 in it surrounded by pinstripes at the head of a giant dining table.
there is no way either of you would take it out. it looked great.
Rather roll the dice on Bedard.
————————————
If UJ is Sori part 2 than Bedard is Kevin Brown part 2.
Go back the Red Sox blog troll.
Irreverent Discourse July 29th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
its like a 2 foot by 2 foot base with a 2 in it surrounded by pinstripes at the head of a giant dining table.
there is no way either of you would take it out. it looked great.
*********************
agreed. I thought it was awesome.
Can Cashman land us something today? Hell a bench player will distract me enough until Sundays deadline.
Signed
Spoiled Yankee Fan
blake,
They can slot Weiland in their rotation. He did okay when he pitched in the majors. You can compare him with Nova.
If they want to move him then somebody will top what Boston can offer at the minor league level.
If UJ is Sori part 2 than Bedard is Kevin Brown part 2.
========
Thats all good.. He can punch as many walls as hed like with his right hand.
Weiland 10IP 9ER 14 hits 5 BB’s
Yeah, he did great.
“They can slot Weiland in their rotation. He did okay when he pitched in the majors. You can compare him with Nova.”
Why isn’t he in Boston’s rotation now then?
C’mon guys, be nice. She’s not trolling.
LOL so Garcia has had a great year and he gets dismissed; Burnett has been mediocre and he’s in the conversation? Ok…..
Garcia doesn’t have the stuff to be a stopper in game 2. Not that hard to follow.
Hey fellas. Whats your thoughts on going after Hunter Pence to take over right field and therefore taking Swishers option for next year?
# SoS July 29th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
If UJ is Sori part 2 than Bedard is Kevin Brown part 2.
========
Thats all good.. He can punch as many walls as hed like with his right hand.
——————————–
HAHHAHAHAH
Yeah Weiland, you could slot him right in. He would be a good batting practice pitcher in Colorado.
“The Red Sox doesnt need to offer Ellsbury to get him.”
It does need a smarter fan base, however.
The Red Sox can offer two sure-fire 1st ballot Hall of Famers in Kyle Wieland and Will Middlebrooks, quite possibly the greatest prospects in the history mankind (or at least since the immortal Casey Kelly).
Don’t let the fact that until this yr you’ve never heard of them dissuade you.
wow can’t believe everyone let this slip by.. must be a yankee site:
Triple Short of a Cycle July 29th, 2011 at 11:46 am
jskwrite,
I think its the exact opposite. Parity in MLB have left few of any true elite teams
There’s less parity than ever in baseball (and i’m not complaining, because it’s my biggest knock on the NFL that there aren’t any great teams anymore). The seventh place hitter on the yankees or red sox would bat third on half the teams in baseball. The Giants and Phillies both have a third starter that would be 15 team’s aces. The Yanks have hit Russell Martin and Brett Gardner 8th and 9th in their lineup at times this year – Martin was an all-star and Gardner is one of the most valuable players for his contract in the major leagues. Tampa is a good team, but if they had gardner and martin they’d be batting first (every day, no platoon) and Martin in the top 5 in the order. Combined, how many players that start for Oakland, Seattle, Kansas City (now, not their prospective values like Hosmer – because i’d take Tex or AGon over Hosmer this year), Tampa, Baltimore and Minnesota (those are just AL teams) would start for the Yankees or Red Sox? Mauer if healthy and catching… Ichiro if it was 2009 (yanks and sox are weakest in RF so probably 2011 as well)… Longoria (incumbent 3b on yanks and sox both have all star appearances)… let’s say you could plunk a better C or SS of those teams but out of 9 lineup spots for 6 (54 players) maybe 5 would crack the yanks or red sox (arguably healthy texas as well too) lineup.
Well I hope Sherman is right because no way do I want the Yankees giving up the farm for him. I don’t think he’s a mortal lock to be great going forward
16. Kyle Weiland, RHP
Team: Pawtucket (Triple A)
Scouting report: Kyle Weiland, drafted in the third round of the 2008 draft by the Sox, leads the International League in strikeouts with 65 in 58 innings. Despite making no relief appearances in the past three years, he has been widely considered to have a future in the bullpen. “He’s getting to know his strengths and learning how to pitch a little bit along the way,” PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler told the Providence Journal last Saturday. “He’s just tapping the surface of what’s to be seen there, I think.”
From boston.com no less.
jimbaumbach Rusty Hardin, in filing to dismiss the case, says the prosecutors showing banned testimony from Laura Pettitte “was no accident.”
jimbaumbach Hardin also acknowledged in filing that if government’s actions were “inadvertent,” then there should be a retrial. #clemens
Now I agree with Sherman’s 2nd tweet – there’s no reason why that team should want to trade Jimenez with his contract. I’ve been wary all along about this…
“Don’t let the fact that until this yr you’ve never heard of them dissuade you.”
Ha better yet, the fact you haven’t heard of them really before the last few weeks !!!!!!
Where have you gone Lars Anderson? Another sure ballot HOF from single A and AA not too long ago.
Don’t let the fact that until this yr you’ve never heard of them dissuade you.
==========
As Gammons would say. Numbers dont tell you the whole story. He already has their HOF speeches written out for them.
I like Pence….sounds like the price is steep though.
Wooo the bullpen! Future mediocre pitcher right there! Watch out!
–> New post
Any moment now Gammons will release that the Red Sox will begrudgingly offer Weiland, Middlebrooks, Bowden, Iglesias and a lifetime Red Sox Nation membership for Ubaldo & Tulo straight up and that the Rockies should take it since Weiland according to a source is a future Cy Young winner, Middlebrooks is Mike Schmidt reincarnated, Iglesias can play the left side of the field by himself and Bowden projects to be the best relief pitcher Boston has ever developed since Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen. Not to mention all the Red Sox prospects are good all American boys with the exception of Iglesias who while not born in America, got a 100 on his citizenship test and is a Civil War re-enactor on the side who uses his defensive prowess to defeat the south in his re-enactments. Not to mention all of the above visit local firehouses and listen to Smithereens records voraciously while forming a garage band that plays guitar driven indie rock.
If the Rockies don’t take that package, they’d regret it for the rest of their lives!
So that sounds like a guy that would do well in NY………..If he wanted more $$$, he should have gone year by year and taken the risk. I hate when players pull that stuff; when they have bad years, the teams still have to pay them – they can’t rip the contracts up
New Post: Pitching matchups vs. Baltimore
trisha – true pinstriped blue July 29th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
I’ve been really bothered by Hideki Irabu’s death and feel the need to say something about it. I was always a huge supporter of the Boss and was never put off by his tirades. I felt it was his money and his team and if he wanted to use a tirade as a motivator, so be it. But the one time that really got to me is when he called Irabu the name he did. I thought it was awful and it broke my heart for Irabu. I’m sure we all realize that the Asian cultures are very different from western cultures and certainly different from the ways of the US. I’m not surprised to read that Irabu was never the same after George Steinbrenner said those things about him. Steinbrenner apologized but maybe (apparently?) the damage was done. I have no idea whether that set all of the dominoes in motion that eventually led to this point – there is no way of knowing – and personally I wouldn’t want to know because the thought of that possibility is too horrible.
I feel such a sadness about this that I could easily cry if I thought about it much more. Words certainly can wound; and though some are impervious to the barbs of others, not all are. And the more significant the relationship, the more the potential for real hurt and damage.
RIP Hideki. Whatever the demons, there are certainly no more to harm you now.
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Beautifully said, ECS.
Amen.
Way too many ? on Jimenez to even think of giving up a big package….I think the Yankees will pass.
Yeah, and it’s not too hard to follow that Garcia is a better pitcher than AJ………but then again, maybe it is hard for some to follow
http://www.recordonline.com/ap.....-1/SITEMAP
Betances and Banuelos want to stay.
pat July 29th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
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I’m not a fan of monograms. … linens and stationary being he exception. It’s not staying on the floor if it was my house but depending on how big it is, I might cut it out and turn it into wall art.
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I’d cut it up and sell it in pieces as Jeter memorabilia to help pay for the place.