The LoHud Yankees Blog

When the Yankees decided to move Jorge Posada to designated hitter, they had three choices: Give the job to one of their prospects, take a chance on Francisco Cervelli full time or sign a free agent. They decided to go after Russell Martin, and the results have been mixed.

First half
Through the first month, the Martin signing seemed inspired. Jesus Montero and Austin Romine had flopped in spring training, and Martin came roaring out of the gate with a .293 average and six home runs in April. He’s hit just .185 since then, but the pitching staff seems to love everything about him – his personality, his game calling, his ability to block A.J. Burnett’s curveballs – and it says a lot about the state of catching in the American League that Martin was voted to the all-star team on the players’ ballot. Good everyday catchers are hard to find, and Martin’s been better than most.

Second half
Even if he doesn’t hit, Martin has value for his ability to work with pitchers and play reliable defense behind the plate. Martin’s been banged up through much of the year, and the Yankees seem to think that might have contributed to his slumping offensive numbers. The Yankees also have Jesus Montero waiting in Triple-A. His power numbers aren’t nearly as good as everyone expected this season, but there still seems to be little doubt that he will be a middle-of-the-order hitter in the big leagues. If the Yankees decide Martin’s defense isn’t enough to make up for his offense, they could call up Montero.

The minors
Montero is the big name, and even without his usual power, he’s still be a pretty good hitter in Triple-A. A step below Montero, Austin Romine has pretty similar numbers in Double-A (he’s also hit for average, but not much power). All the way down in Charleston, the Yankees top lower-level prospect, Gary Sanchez, has gone through an inconsistent first full season in the minors. The organization’s breakout star behind the plate might be J.R. Murphy, who hit his way out of Charleston and is still waiting for his first Tampa home run.

One question
Are there enough at-bats for Montero off the bench?
The Yankees don’t have to pick one or the other. They could carry both Martin and Montero, but it only makes sense if they believe Montero would get enough at-bats while splitting time behind the plate. He’s certainly a better hitter than Cervelli, but the Yankees would have to be sold on Montero’s defense and they would have to make sure he got enough playing time – either at catcher or DH – to continue his development.

Beyond 2011
There are plenty of options here. Martin is still arbitration eligible, so the Yankees could easily bring him back next year. They could decide to give the position to Montero next year, or they could decide to dangle Montero as a potent trade chip. The Yankees are making decisions behind the plate for the first time in a long time, and it’s hard to know which direction they’ll go.

Associated Press photo

This seemed appropriate on the day of the Major League all-star game: An all-star team of the Yankees minor leaguers who have stood through the first half of the season. This is not meant to be a collection of the team’s top prospects at each position, but rather an attempt to pick the players who are having the best seasons up to this point. The level listed is where they’ve spent most of the season, not necessarily where they are now.

Starting lineup

C - J.R. Murphy, Charleston
1B - Jorge Vazquez, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
2B - Corban Joseph, Trenton
3B - Robert Lyerly, Tampa
SS - Walter Ibarra, Tampa
LF - Ziolo Almonte, Tampa
CF - Greg Golson, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
RF - Jordan Parraz, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
DH - Kyle Roller, Charleston

Murphy, Roller and Lyerly have already been promoted this year, and although none of them is hitting quite as well since moving up a level, all three were hitting for average and power when they moved. Slade Heathcott and Justin Maxwell might have made this list had they not been injured, instead the outfield has a versatile Triple-A guys along with the system’s best outfielder in the first half. Almonte has been terrific — average, power, speed — and must be getting some consideration for a call-up of his own. Cito Culver might have been the pick at shortstop, but I have a hard time choosing a guy who’s played fewer than 25 games.

Bench

C – Jesus Montero, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
IF - Kelvin Castro, Tampa
OF – Ray Kruml, Trenton
UT – Rob Segedin, Charleston

It’s kind of a strange thing to come up with a four-man, all-star bench. I went with Montero in a close call over Austin Romine (Montero’s shown a little more power) and I went with Kruml in a close call over Ramon Flores (Kruml leads the system in stolen bases and has been a defensively versatile leadoff man for Trenton). Castro’s been surprisingly good since taking over at Tampa’s everyday second baseman, and Segedin hit .323/.396/.482 while playing third base and the outfield in Charleston. Kind of like Roller and Murphy, Segedin’s off to a slow start since his call-up to Tampa.

Rotation

SP – Dellin Betances, Trenton
SP - Nik Turley, Charleston
SP - D.J. Mitchell, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
SP - Craig Heyer, Trenton
SP – Jairo Heredia, Tampa

It’s pretty much impossible to pick just one of those Triple-A starters. David Phelps has the best strikeout and walk totals and Adam Warren has been the real workhorse, but I went with Mitchell because of the groundballs and because he just pitched back-to-back shutouts. Even with the high walk totals, I’ll stick with Betances as the ace. Plenty of snubs here (The Triple-A guys I mentioned, Banuelos in Double-A, O’Brien in Low-A and High-A). Turley was incredible with Charleston, but he’s about to miss some time.

Bullpen

Closer – Kevin Whelan, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Setup – Ryan Flannery, Tampa
Setup - Tim Norton, Trenton
Setup – Chase Whitley, Tampa
Setup - Tommy Kahnle, Charleston
Long - George Kontos, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Long – Josh Romanski, Tampa

I cheated a little bit to get Romanski in there. He spent most of the year pitching out of the Tampa rotation, but he’s since moved into the Trenton bullpen, so I’m counting him as a long reliever. Norton is on the disabled list, but he could be back fairly soon. Health has always been an issue with him, and this year he’s shown what he can do when he’s actually able to pitch. Flannery is a former 47th-round pick, but this is his second straight season with terrific numbers.

Just a quick announcement that tomorrow I’ll be hosting a chat at noon. Seems like a good thing to do on the final day of the all-star break. My hope is to spend this afternoon and most of Wednesday taking a position-by-position look at the Yankees as they head into the second half of the season. For now, a few quick links.

• Out in Arizona, my friend Mark Feinsand has the story of Robinson Cano’s big night in the Home Run Derby. “It doesn’t matter how much money you make or how long you play, that’s the kind of memory you can always share with your family,” Cano said. “When you retire, you can look over and say, ‘Wow, I was good back in the day.’”

• One of the more bizarre Yankees stories developing out in Arizona is the idea that Derek Jeter has somehow let down Major League Baseball by not attending the all-star game. If he weren’t coming off an injury, it would be a different situation, but if he doesn’t think he should play in the game, I can’t get too worked up about Jeter not attending.

• Curtis Granderson is going to be the American League’s leadoff hitter tonight.

• Speaking of Yankees center fielders, Josh Norris reports that Slade Heathcott could be heading for season-ending shoulder surgery.

• Turns out, the fan who caught Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit might have to pay considerable taxes on the gifts he received from the Yankees.

Associated Press photo of Cano, and I’m guessing that one didn’t get out of the yard

If these pictures don’t make you smile, then I don’t know what will. Here’s Robinson Cano, during and after his Home Run Derby win last night in Arizona. The all-star game is tonight. Let’s start the day with a guy smiling. A lot.

Associated Press photos

Robinson Cano brought his batting practice show to Arizona.

Cano had to set the final-round record to win tonight’s Home Run Derby, and he did it with 12 home runs. And these were not tiny shots just over the wall. Cano was hitting monsters all night with Russell Martin, Curtis Granderson and Dave Robertson watching from just in front of the dugout.

When it ended, I half expected A.J. Burnett to show up with the pie.

Of course, if you’ve ever seen Cano on a baseball field — playing second, at the plate, in the dugout, wherever — you can imagine the look on his face throughout tonight’s derby. The guy smiles more than anyone I’ve ever met, and he chose his father to as his derby pitcher. When Cano was one away, the cameras showed him hug his father and say, “I love you Dad.”

Really neat moment.

Cano must get his strength from his father, because Mr. Cano did not look like a weak man.

Cano must get his smile from his mom, because I’m not sure his dad cracked a smile once until that last homer!

Associated Press photo

How’s that for an easy transition away from a day of second-half questions into a post about tonight’s Home Run Derby?

Curtis Granderson is the Yankees all-star with the most home runs, but he wasn’t the Yankee selected for the home run contest. Robinson Cano will be on the field tonight in Arizona, trying to bring his batting practice prowess to the national stage. The Home Run Derby begins at 8 p.m. ET, and Granderson has already said Cano is his pick to win it because of all the BP fastballs Cano has sent into the seats.

“I can’t wait,” Cano said. “Looking forward to just going there.”

Cano left New York still uncertain who would throw to him, but he was considering his father. Here’s the Home Run Derby field, as chosen by team captains David Ortiz and Prince Fielder.

Jose Bautista
Blue Jays
Home runs this season: 31
Single-season high: 54
Career total: 144
—
Robinson Cano
Yankees
Home runs this season: 15
Single-season high: 29
Career total: 131
—
Prince Fielder
Brewers
Home runs this season: 22
Single-season high: 50
Career total: 214
—
Adrian Gonzalez
Red Sox
Home runs this season: 17
Single-season high: 40
Career total: 185
—
Matt Holliday
Cardinals
Home runs this season: 14
Single-season high: 36
Career total: 194
—
Matt Kemp
Dodgers
Home runs this season: 22
Single-season high: 28
Career total: 111
—
David Ortiz
Red Sox
Home runs this season: 19
Single-season high: 54
Career total: 368
—
Rickie Weeks
Brewers
Home runs this season: 17
Single-season high: 29
Career total: 106

Associated Press photo

Derek Jeter has his 3,000th hit. As of Sunday, the Yankees had no milestone-related reason to maximize his at-bats, and there had been a popular theory that Jeter would be dropped in the order after he reached the magic number.

But there he was on Sunday, back in the leadoff spot, right where he’ll probably be when the regular season resumes after the all-star break.

“There’s probably a good chance that he’s going to hit leadoff on Thursday,” Joe Girardi said. “Right now, he’s our leadoff hitter.”

Plenty of lineup construction research suggests that it really doesn’t matter very much. It’s the hitters that make the difference, not the order, but that doesn’t mean the question won’t linger. One way or another, the Yankees are going to have to answer it: Either they’ll stick with Jeter in the top spot, or they’ll give Brett Gardner another chance.

Right now, there’s not much reason to change. Gardner’s on-base percentage is 18 points higher than Jeters, and his batting average is five points lower. Gardner’s hit just .215/.298/.323 in 23 games as the Yankees leadoff hitter this season, while Jeter has been unusually productive — OBP of nearly .500 — when he’s led off a game. But Gardner certainly seems to be the more dynamic choice. He’s better at seeing pitches, taking a walk and creating havoc on the bases. Whether that’s enough to make a change remains to be seen.

Associated Press photo

By now, CC Sabathia should be in the Bahamas somewhere, enjoying a three-day vacation that he very much earned.

On Sunday, Sabathia pitched his first complete game shutout of the season, then he saw on the big video board at Yankee Stadium that he’d been picked as an injury replacement for the all-star game. Until that moment, Sabathia had no idea he’d been invited to Arizona, but he already knew he wasn’t going. He wouldn’t have been eligible to pitch anyway.

“I still don’t understand what happened there, why he wasn’t on the team to begin with,” Mark Teixeira said.

With 13 wins and 2.72 ERA, Sabathia was very much an all-star starter through the first half. He’s the first Yankees starter with that many wins at the break since Andy Pettitte in 1996. He’s riding a career-best 23.2-inning scoreless streak.

“I’ve been in the league not really for a long time, seven years, but I mean I haven’t seen a guy like him,” Robinson Cano said. “Go to the mound, pitch the way he pitches every time he goes out there. I don’t remember seeing just three or four innings. He always makes it happen.”

Sabathia’s already won one Cy Young award. If he keeps this pace, he might pitch his way to another.

Associated Press photo

No second-half question affects the Yankees long-term future quite like this one: Is Jesus Montero’s greatest value as a trade chip or as the future of the Yankees lineup?

In other words, should the Yankees think of Montero as a potential impact hitter in the second half, or should they think of him as the bait that brings an impact hitter — or pitcher — in the second half?

Similar questions could be asked about Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances, who have clearly set themselves apart as the top two pitching prospects in the system. Andrew Brackman was right there with them for a while, but his season has been a significant disappointment. Montero’s season has been only partially disappointing. He’s gone through stretches of as-expected production, but his .419 slugging percentage is uninspiring. Right now he’s on the disabled list with a sore back.

Russell Martin is an all-star, and the Yankees love him behind the plate, but he hasn’t hit much since the end of April. Francisco Cervelli is hitting just .214 as Martin’s backup. There’s certainly the opportunity for an offensive upgrade behind the plate, and the designated hitter spot could be fairly open next season if not immediately.

It’s certainly possible to envision a big league role for Montero sooner rather than later. It’s also possible to envision a significant trade target with Montero as the asking price.

If the Yankees still believe in Montero but don’t think he’s quite ready, then it’s worth keeping him in Triple-A and postponing the question and its inevitable answer. But if the Yankees have made up their mind one way or the other, Montero could be an immediate help. The only question is how to use him.

Associated Press photo

CC Sabathia so thoroughly dominated the Rays yesterday, that Curtis Granderson didn’t know where to stand. He was playing center field, with a perfect view of the pitcher and the plate, but he had trouble positioning himself.

“I’m always trying to figure out where I want to be versus this lineup (with) some guys who could potentially pull the ball,” Granderson said. “But with CC keeping guys off balance I had to second-guess myself a lot today. Luckily I had Andruw to my left who has a great deal of experience. I could trust him to say, let’s move the other way, these guys aren’t necessarily going to catch up to what he’s got going on.”

It was an interesting insight into Andruw Jones’ knowledge of the game, but surely the Yankees can get more value than that out of their fourth outfielder.

Jones’ batting average is down to .195 after an 0-for-3 yesterday. He’s hitting .231/.315/.446 against lefties, but he hasn’t had an extra-base hit since May 29, which says a lot about how infrequently he’s played and about how unproductive he’s been when he’s gotten at-bats.

There is a familiar alternative in Triple-A. Greg Golson is hitting .295/.350/.432 in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He’s been especially productive lately, but he comes with two concerns: 1. He doesn’t have a history of hitting quite like this, and 2: His platoon splits are completely backwards. Golson is hitting just .196 against lefties. Another right-handed Triple-A outfielder, Jordan Parraz, also has impressive numbers with the same unusual splits (though not as extreme). Chris Dickerson is a lefty, which doesn’t let him perfectly fill Jones’ role.

Given the Yankees three outfield regulars, the team don’t need much out of their fourth outfielder. But right now, Jones’ only real value is his experience, and that’s not helping too much.

Associated Press photo