Good timing: Gardner to work with K-Long this winter
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 15, 2011 
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Brett Gardner plans to begin baseball workouts soon after Thanksgiving, and his focus will be on improving his timing at the plate. Gardner’s already planning a January training session with hitting coach Kevin Long.
“I’m either going to go out to Arizona (to Long’s home) or he’s going to come to South Carolina,” Gardner told Newsday. “Or I might actually meet him down in Miami and work out with him and Alex (Rodriguez) and a couple other guy. I’m excited to do a little work and maybe make a few adjustments with him.”
Erik Boland talked to Gardner this morning at P.S. 130 Elementary in the Bronx, where the Yankees left fielder was reading to kids. Gardner said that he believes inconsistent timing at the plate is what led to inconsistent results in the box score this season.
“Without good timing, you don’t really have anything,” Gardner said. “It doesn’t matter how good your mechanics are.”
Associated Press photo
It’s always good to see that players are acknowledging their weaker areas. If Gardner could be more consistent, he’d be a great threat at the top of the line-up.
Cute picture!
And I think Gardner should join Camp A-Rod
Gardner was unwittingly given detention for being found in the hallways without a pass.
Can anyone confirm if Tex is actually living with Klong this winter?? His left-handed swing needs it…:)
Benny-yes, Tex has said he’ll be working with K-Long.
Is Kevin Long a BUNTING expert???
Were those kids given prop Yankee hats? If so, do they get to keep them? Who paid for them?
Were they told to bring their own for the day? Mets caps forbidden?
Is tucking in your shirt just not done? Was Brett on the way to go clubbing when he stopped off at the school?
Maybe if Gardner didn’t spend all his time picking his nose at first base he’d have better timing at the plate.
Amirite??
Tucking in shirts is so 1900′s Nick, get with the times.. Next we will be introducing Tuxedo’s with no pants.
Nick-
Congestion is supposed to make your head feel like a balloon not look like a balloon #gardnersheadishuge
DKnobler Joe Torre talks about complications of replaying fair/foul calls. No decision yet. But shouldn’t biggest issue be getting calls right?
pcaldera Torre said playoff expansion was not talked about w/ GMs. “It’s on the commissioner’s desk.”
pcaldera Torre said playoff expansion was not talked about w/ GMs. “It’s on the commissioner’s desk.”
—-
When is Bud Selig retiring again? Can’t be soon enough
“Why are we rating these moves on how big a splash they make anyways?”
I already forgot, but I think someone posted a tweet of a rumor that Yankee insiders are telling their friends not to be surprised IF the Yankees make a big splash with some pitching acquisition.
Unfortunately, if the slash is too big, they’ll just end up at the fat farm.
@Ourand_SBJ: SBD: A new portion of Bob Costas’ Sandusky interview will be on NBC’s “Nightly News” tonight. Interview was 15-20 minutes long.
pcaldera Torre on expanding replay to judge fair or foul: “If you?re going to (do so)…it?s going to be tougher on the umpires (to place runners).”
Gardner must want that gold glove if he’s working with K Long…..
Long’s a busy guy:
MarcCarig Long says he’s also visiting Montero, Teixeira, Swisher, Laird and A-Rod. “I’m gonna make my rounds,” Long said.
@MilesDoranCBS: Penn State asst. coach Mike McQueary speaks publicly for the first time to @CBSNews. TONIGHT on the @CBSEveningNews
No way do I give Swish a 3 year deal at age 32. We went through this with Abreu, then Damon and Matsui. Fans hate to say goodbye. That’s understandable. But dang. People were ready to ship out Swish and now that Kemp is gone everyone thinks Swish is the best OF in baseball outside of Kemp. The guy is too inconsistent.
Jesus Montero is 21 years old and just made his major league debut in September, but despite his expressed interest in playing winter ball this offseason, the Yankees decided not to let him.
“He wanted to, but he doesn’t need the at-bats and with a catcher, you want to avoid risk,” general manager Brian Cashman said before the GM meetings start today in Milwaukee. “We want to keep him healthy.”
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....z1doTTdShv
Hartnett (CBSsports): Why Grady Sizemore Makes Sense For Yankees
Sizemore Would Provide Competition At Corner Outfield & DH
November 15, 2011 2:14 PM
Once considered to be one of the brightest young players in baseball, Grady Sizemore suffered through three consecutive seasons of ‘injury hell.’ His significant upside is attracting many free agent suitors despite him missing 276 games over that three-year stretch.
According to ESPN, eight MLB teams have expressed an interest in Sizemore and are examining his medical reports. Those teams are understood to be the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies and Sizemore’s previous employers the Cleveland Indians.
Sizemore could turn out to be a perfect fit for the Yankees considering their need for competition in both corner outfield spots. Brett Gardner’s numbers took a tremendous slide toward the end of 2011. Gardner was batting .286 with a .366 on-base percentage in mid-August and finished the year with a .259 average as his OBP fell to .345.
Gardner’s statistical drop-off could be attributed to playing a demanding workload of 159 games and his ‘all-out’ style of play. Having a healthy Sizemore around would allow Joe Girardi to keep Gardner fresher in 2012.
Nick Swisher needs to begin next season strongly after yet another dismal postseason but at least he is a consistent .370 OBP batter. If Swisher’s playoff struggles seep into 2012, a player of Sizemore’s ability could wrestle away playing time from Swisher in right field.
Brian Cashman has stated a desire to shift the Yankees roster to one of greater flexibility. The DH position could be a revolving for spot without a full-time righty or lefty option. Acquiring Sizemore plays into that philosophy. It’s all about options for Cashman and the modern Yankees.
With Jorge Posada’s days with the Yankees over, Sizemore could provide capable a left-sided designated hitter. Sizemore is a career .288 batter against right-handed pitchers with an impressive OBP of .376. Eric Chavez is mulling over retirement and it’s unclear whether the Yankees would consider bringing back Chavez if he intends to play in 2012.
Jesus Montero and Eduardo Nunez are the only remaining DHs on the Yankees’ roster and they’re both right-handed and unproven. It wouldn’t surprise me if Montero is dealt if the Yankees feel he isn’t a capable of becoming an adequate-fielding catcher. The raw Nunez will continue to develop defensively and allow Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter more chances to be given ‘half breaks’ at DH.
Utilizing Sizemore as a role player would give Gardner, Swisher and Curtis Granderson rest when needed and fill the Yankees’ need for a left-sided DH. In 2011, the Yankees went with a ‘buy-low philosophy’ by signing veteran free agents Chavez and Andruw Jones. Both players turned out to be successful part-time Yankees and I wouldn’t be against re-signing Jones as a right-sided DH, occasional corner outfielder and key pinch hitter.
Sizemore has a lot to prove regarding his health but is a tantalizing buy-low free agent target. If his medical reports are encouraging, the Yankees or any of their competitors would benefit greatly by having someone of Sizemore’s class.
now that Kemp is gone everyone thinks Swish is the best OF in baseball outside of Kemp.
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Best OFer available, who said he is the 2nd best OFer in baseball?
Bret – So if not Swisher in 2013… who? No trade speculation, I want a realistic answer.
Wow-Bret, couldn’t you have just posted the link to that Sizemore article?
Would love to add Sizemore ……just don’t think you can trade Gardner or Swisher and count on him. If he will accept a bench and be willing to fight for more…..then it would be a great risk.
When Bob Costas arrived at the studios of the new NBC newsmagazine program “ Rock Center” Monday night, he was prepared to interview Joseph Amendola, the lawyer for Jerry Sandusky, the man at the center of the pedophilia accusations that have rocked Penn State University.
“About 10 or 15 minutes prior to the start of the interview,” Mr. Costas said, “Amendola says to us, on his own: ‘What if I could get Sandusky on the phone?’ ”
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nyti.....-surprise/
Sizemore was enough of a “young bright star” that he’ll get a starting job somewhere this year, he would be foolish to take a bench/part-time DH role at 29.
MarcCarig Marc Carig
Long says he’s also visiting Montero, Teixeira, Swisher, Laird and A-Rod. “I’m gonna make my rounds,” Long said.
–
Might as well visit Martin too while KLong is at it. Those dp balls to the left side, (mainly ss) were killers this year.
Gardner’s bunting ability improved this year after much extra time in bunting drills and he’ll continue to work on it.
Kevin Long should level out his swing and make him into a good alley hitter. No telling how many triples he could leg out with 2 OF’s chasing a ball.
So Costas basically made up those questions in 10 minutes…..impressive.
ID,
Yes…I don’t think think Sizemore would accept that role…..
Cano actually leads the team in GIDP over the last 3 seasons (surprising) yet no one complains about that…
Martin isn’t half the player Cano is. Thats prolly why
Irreverent Discourse November 15th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Cano actually leads the team in GIDP over the last 3 seasons (surprising) yet no one complains about that?
*****************
Ummmm…because he’s Robinson Cano. Duh, ID
Ken_Rosenthal 8 mins #Yankees latest team to hold preliminary meeting with Bob Garber, agent for Wilson and Oswalt. #mlb
Cashman wanted to say in person that he’s not interested.
Grady Sizemore is getting more attention that I expected…..I was hoping that The Yanks had the inside track on him with few suitors……Nick in SF…..I’ve been up since dawn for the ESPN College B-Ball marathon and I’m making a few greenbacks while doing so…..By the way, just how long is Jorge Gutierrez going to be playing for Cal ???? It seems like he’s been there for the past 6 years…..Saw UCLA underachieve vs. Mary-mount the other night and now Reeves Nelson is suspended to go with no back court is going to be an issue…..They have an NBA size front line though……They win the PAC 12, although I wish Howland had signed local product Allen Crabbe……
On one hand I would love to see them trade Gardner, as he may not get better. On the other hand, he improved his bunting and reading of pitchers. He seems to be a player that will work hard to improve and I wonder if he can make it to the next level. All things considered, I would play him in 2012 for a full year in left again and see what happens. He is a gamble either way. He will need to earn the leadoff spot however.
The time to sell-high on Gardner has passed.
Blake,
Why not tell Sizemore he is the starting LF and keep Gardner on the bench as a 4th OF and injury backup? If Sizemore is healthy enough to play in LF then he’s an upgrade over Gardner and Sizemore knows it.
Guttierez is a senior, it just seems like he’s been there forever because he got good playing time as a true freshman. He should be playing basketball professionally next year… somehwere. I flipped off the hoops action last night after I LOST betting on Gonzaga to cover a 2H spread. Bitter. Cal rolls over Austin Pea tonight at 7 p.m. PST on ESPN2. I lost money on UCLA too the other night, I see many disappoinments in their future.
Gardner has been better than Sizemore the past 2 seasons, and Gardner knows it.
Gardner is probably a speed reader.
“Can you please slow down, Mr. Gardner?”
Not saying they should trade Gardner……..however his trade value is going to decline as he inches towards 30 and as he gets more expensive in arbitration. This doesn’t mean you trade him for the sake of trading him……but you listen if somebody wants him.
Gardner could become a real scary player if he can improve his hitting skills and learn when to run when on base.. Hell of a LFer’ right now.
I know he loves to take pitches, but to me, he needs to swing the bat more without 2 strikes on him. JMO
When Sizemore is injured, Gardner is better. Are you happy Jerkface?
If Sizemore is playing at 100% he is a better baseball player than a .720 OPS guy.
So I’d offer Sizemore a starting gig in LF and tell him he will also get AB’s at DH and RF.
Sizemore batted .224 in 2011 with a .285 OBP. He struck out five times as often as he walked. Horrendous. And he still had a higher OP+ than Gardner.
But he wouldn’t take Gardner’s job. As the posted article points out: Posada’s gone, there’s an opening for a lefty bat. Given the Yankee fixation on “handedness” I doubt they’re pegging Montero to DH against righties. So they need somebody else in the mix.
He was not playing 100%
Sizemore at 100%:
.290 .375 .533 .907
You throw him out there until he can’t play.
Montero will be hitting against righties. That was just PR to justify keeping Po in there…and of course I know how well Po hit in the play offs.
I guess Montero could hit righties at a .288/.376 clip but Sizemore has proven he can do that when healthy. If Sizemore is healthy, he should be given those AB’s.
He was not playing 100%
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There is no guarantee he will ever be at 100% , which is why your silly little ‘name him the starter’ thing is silly.
If Sizemore joins the Yankees, its in the Andruw Jones role until he proves otherwise. The Yankees don’t oust current starters for projects.
“If Sizemore joins the Yankees, its in the Andruw Jones role until he proves otherwise. The Yankees don’t oust current starters for projects.”
Yes I agree with this. Now you coukd hope he takes somebody’s job by playing like he used to….. but you can’t count on that.
Gradys slash lines were very Swisher like even before the injuries. The value was in the 30/30 potential as a CFer…..he’s not that anymore and he always Kd a ton.
All the Sizemore can be this or that “if healthy” is a lousy argument considering that he hasn’t been healthy for 3 years.
Even Sizemore himself knows that, which is why he seems to be willing to take a 1 year deal to prove himself again.
Even if he does stay healthy, we probably won’t ever see the same player he was in 2006-07.
Sizemore at 100%:
.290 .375 .533 .907
You throw him out there until he can’t play
——–
That was six years ago when he was 23 years old and probably juicing.
.276 .368 .488 .856 This is Sizemore’s real ‘healthy’ slash line. 2 years prior to his injury: .260 .362 .479 .840
He is a hacker. He has good skills, I’d sign him to backup with the possibility of becoming a starter depending on production. Doesn’t deserve Dejesus level ballwashing though.
Now again if he’d sign on for Jones role and compete for more then id be very interested as he is still fairly young and I think the short porch would do him good. …….bit there is just too much risk to give him a starting gig over what they have.
In 2008, Sizemore matched that 133 OPS+
He’s at 120 OPS+ for his career.
Better than Gardner when healthy.
Clearly.
Bret doesn’t like the simple fact that both Swisher and Gardner are better than Sizemore right now until he proves otherwise.
His stats in 2005-07 don’t count for jack with all the injuries he’s sustained the last few years.
I’m not opposed to telling Sizemore he has a chance to win a starting role in spring training.
That’s why they’re looking at his medical records. If they don’t like what they see, then I’m fine with that assessment. But if he passes the test, I think that’s a good sign.
I’d like to see Grady signed for a 1 year deal, however I’m with The Face on with his take about Sizemore….But man for a few years he was one good looking ballplayer…
I wouldn’t give him any more than 1 year, but if his meds check out, I offer him at the very least a chance to win a starting job in spring training – Gardner, Swisher, Montero will have to perform.
Andruw Jones isn’t lighting any fires under anybody. Sizemore might.
Sizemore versus Jones is even a gamble. Sizemore is more expensive and an unknown commodity. We pretty much know what we’ll get with Jones.
Colon was a huge gamble. Talk about a reclamation project.
Andruw Jones was signed because he’s a right handed power hitter who could come off the bench to hit lefties.
Not the same role as Sizemore.
@YankeeSource: Sizemore’s injuries last 3 years: Elbow surgery, hernia surgery (1), microfracture surgery L-knee, two R-knee injuries, hernia surgery (2)
Nick in SF…..Michigan State + 6 looks good to me….
It’s interesting the Yankees are investigating Sizemore. I recall a poster here who was interested in Sizemore at the beginning of 2011…way back when…and another poster here tried to bully him for such a wild notion, calling Sizemore damaged goods…yet the Yankees are interested now…low and behold.
But let’s talk about how wild the notion of Sizemore is now.
Because we can’t let go of the past.
I would take gamble of Sizemore over Jones…..because I do like the upside with Sizemore and because I don’t think the Yanks really need a LHP hitting specialist on the bench.
I think the Yankees should be direct and take affirmative action.
I seem to remember someone raving about how the Yankees should trade for Sizemore. How did that one work out? Doesn’t seem like the rest of the league was champing at the bit for him.
Your exuberance for Sizmore far outstrips the Yankees interest.
It’s also kind of hilarious to me that the title of the CBS article is:
Why Grady Sizemore Makes Sense For Yankees
SI_JonHeyman 2 mins Asked if its going to be difficult to fit buehrle into payroll, gm ken williams said “yes.” Not closing door tho. #chisox
I wouldn’t touch Sizemore unless he had MRI’s and complete physicals by every hospital in NYC.
Even then I’d have a pronounced injury clause in his contract.
Bret The Hitman November 15th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
It’s interesting the Yankees are investigating Sizemore. I recall a poster here who was interested in Sizemore at the beginning of 2011…way back when…and another poster here tried to bully him for such a wild notion, calling Sizemore damaged goods…yet the Yankees are interested now…low and behold.
But let’s talk about how wild the notion of Sizemore is now.
Because we can’t let go of the past.
———–
Being “interested” is an extremely vague description. Cashman has a tendency to kick the tires on everybody.
In late July, there were stories about the Yanks being “all over” Jimenez and supposedly on the verge of obtaining him.
How did that work out?
8 teams interested. Outstrip that.
The McQueary “interview” was him telling CBS he has to let the process play out and right now his emotions are crazy.
It lasted about 15 seconds.
Hi Grady this is Brian Cashman.
What you looking for next season?
Hi Brian. I need about 8mil. and a starting job.
I see Grady. Nice talking to you.
Investigation over.
bret – lets talk about overreacting to the yankees looking at medical records instead then?
sizemore, like beltran… is damaged good. you don’t go out of your way to rely on that, it’s foolish. colon is a completely different situation.
“I wouldn’t touch Sizemore unless he had MRI’s and complete physicals by every hospital in NYC. Even then I’d have a pronounced injury clause in his contract.”
It wouldn’t be a huge commitment likely…..whoever signs him is acknowledging the risk and basically rolling the dice. Some team may roll the dice in a big way and offer him a starting spot…..for the Yanks it would probably be a backup role
Beltran isn’t damaged anymore….he was good last year.
Colon wasn’t guaranteed a spot going into the season. You want Sizemore named the starting left fielder.
Bret The Hitman says:
November 15, 2011 at 6:35 pm
8 teams interested. Outstrip that.
———-
By that logic whenever a team signs him you’ll claim “see! I was right all along!” Of course he’ll sign somewhere, but only a desperate team would offer him a starting gig, never mind offer him big dollars. I’m sure the desperate team will do just that, and the Yankees are decidedly not desperate this off season.
blake – exactly.
no matter what the yankees offer to sizemore is (if anything at all, i highly doubt it) it won’t be for a starting job, so it’s very irrelevant. there are plenty of teams in the league that will/can offer him that role, and he will take it for less money because he needs to prove himself as a starter again to get a long term deal after next season.
bret can wish that a speed guy who’s legs have been destroyed for the last 3 years will come back and steal 30 bags again. he’ll only be left wanting in the end. it’s unlikely that he will ever be that player again.
For just $9 million, the Indians let him walk. That should tell you everything you need to know about Sizemore.
blake – beltran may be healthy enough to play, but his legs are gone. he is not a threat on the bases and he has piss poor range in the outfield now. if 75% of a player is all you are looking for, then Sizemore and Beltran are your guys.
the Yankees investigate everyone. it would be negligent not to, because you never know what can happen.
And as far as Jones goes, he showed marked improvement in his performance and in his demeanor as the season went on.
It amazes me all the time about the players some people are willing to take on, especially the reclamation projects, while not willing to give the players the Yankees already have a chance to reclaim themselves.
How is it that anyone not in pinstripes will absolutely improve, but those already here are not given that same benefit of the doubt?
It’s the same every off-season…..
I read that J.D. Drew may want to play next year.
Cash is going to make a big splash and sign him for RF.
Then he can trade Swisher for some front line pitcher.
Look at the heading of this article on msnbc :
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/.....sL5qD1Fuso
The state of journalism these days.
–” beltran may be healthy enough to play, but his legs are gone. he is not a threat on the bases and he has piss poor range in the outfield now”
I think you’re overstating that. He can still hit and he rakes RHP……don’t know if there is a fit with thePhillies Ya kees but he’s still a really good player.
I don’t know why my phone wrote Phillies.
blake – beltran may be healthy enough to play, but his legs are gone. he is not a threat on the bases and he has piss poor range in the outfield now. if 75% of a player is all you are looking for, then Sizemore and Beltran are your guys.
——-
Beltran had the highest OPS+ of his career last season.
If Melky duplicates his 2011 campaign in SF in 2012, I’d rather sign him than Swisher. Melky will be younger, cheaper and a better fit for the lineup. He’d rake in YS as a mature ballplayer.
I hope the Melkman plays his way back onto the Yankees.
LGYT – And that’s what you want to buy in on? A career year in a contract year? Stop me when you realize you’ve heard this story before…
You keep moving the goal posts.
I want to buy in on Beltran because he is really good at baseball.
any more nittany liars today?
the Yankees investigate everyone. it would be negligent not to, because you never know what can happen.
===================
they are a little like j. edgar hoover
Beltran has always been good….he was hurt for about 2 years and has been really good the rest of his career.
In particular, he’s better than Swisher
“In particular, he’s better than Swisher”
If healthy….yes he is.
This forum has always been extremely diversified. We’ve had discussions about everything from movies to breakfast foods to whatever else interests people
=====================================
Not to mention gambling, football, religion, basketball, muppets, pizza, music and hamburgers.
did i forget french fries?
GELATO!
ah yes and the most interesting man in the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!
someone actually called paterno a great man the other day and left never to be heard from again.
life is not all baseball all the time…get a life people.
did i forget movies?
I just hope that when Brett Gardner says he’s gonna be at home in South Carolina, that he means Charleston, so I can run into him when I’m drunk at the bars. I’d love to shake his hand, get him to sign my face or something. You know, drunk things. Maybe challenge him to a game of pool.