Monday notes: Moving forward
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 20, 2012 
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Because the A.J. Burnett trade was just finalized, it was inevitable that some of the buzz surrounding today’s first Yankees workout would center on a player who’s no longer here. Teammates had positive things to say about Burnett, and speaking to reporters at the Pirates minor league complex, Burnett said he was hoping for a fresh start that would bring some of the “joy” back to baseball.
“It was fun the first couple of years,” Burnett said according to The Associated Press. “Then it got like, I’m never going to get out of this funk… I let a few too many people tinker with me, maybe. When you let that happen, you start doubting yourself sometimes. You wonder, ‘Am I doing it right? Is this how it’s supposed to feel?’ and things like that. In ’09, nobody messed with me. I was able to do what I wanted to do on the mound, whether it was turn around, close my eyes and pitch upside down. Then you have a few bad games and you start changing and listening.”
A few comments on Burnett from Yankees camp…
Russell Martin: “I think sometimes he would let negative thoughts get into his mind and they would affect him a little bit. It wasn’t the fact that he didn’t care or anything; he probably cared more than anybody. He’s just very hard on himself and sometimes over-critical, and when you do that, sometimes you just go the wrong way. That’s what happened with him sometimes; he was over-critical of himself instead of just simplifying the game. He would listen to everybody trying to help him out, and when you do that, it becomes chaotic. I think that’s what was happening in his mind.”
CC Sabathia: “It’s tough. We came into this thing together, and it’s just tough to see him go. But I think it’s the best for him, and we just move on. It’s part of the game, he’s been around a long time, and I think he understands. Just a change of scenery. Sometimes that does well for guys, and hopefully that can do well for him… Our families got really close, our kids, our wives, so it’ll be tough. But like I said, hopefully he stays healthy, and it works out for the best for him.”
Joe Girardi: “From a manager’s standpoint, I felt A.J. did everything we asked him to. He worked hard. He came prepared every day. He gave us his best effort, and he even tried making changes as the years went on. I had a good time with AJ when he was here, and he won some really important games for us. You go back to the game against the Tigers; you go back to Game 2 of the World Series for us. If not for AJ, we may not win that World Series. Obviously you develop relationships, and we developed a good relationship, and I’ll miss him. As I told him, I want to wish him the best of luck to try to continue to improve your trade.”
• Martin said he texted with Burnett after the trade. “I told him I was going to bunt off him,” Martin said. “He wrote back, ‘LOL. I know you better than that, man.’”
• Speaking of Martin, he said the Yankees talked to him about a multi-year deal, but those conversations never went very far. “My agent and the Yankees talked a little bit about an extension,” Martin said. “Including this year, they were talking about three years. That’s where the conversation ended. They didn’t really throw any numbers out there. Well, they did, but I’m not going to throw them out there.” For whatever it’s worth, Martin said he loves being with the Yankees.
• It was Francisco Cervelli who caught Hiroki Kuroda today, but obviously Martin knows all about Kuroda from their time together in Los Angeles. “On his good days, he can reach up to 95 with good movement on his fastball and good two-seam sinking action,” Martin said. “He’s got a cutter that he uses, and a curveball that he uses as well. It’s not necessarily a strikeout curveball, but he can throw it for strikes. He’s got a slider and a splitty; his splitty is pretty much his strikeout pitch with his fastball. He’s got good command, and you’ll see, he’s pretty good.”
• Most guys seemed to be throwing around 25-30 pitches in their first bullpens today. One notable exception was Phil Hughes who threw 40. He was easily the last to finish in the first group. He said he’s been throwing for several weeks and Larry Rothschild decided to keep him on that advanced schedule rather than have him scale back now that camp has officially opened.
• Girardi said he has no specific number in mind, but he knows Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter will both need fairly regular DH days this season. He indicated that he’d like to have most of those days come against left-handers, with Eduardo Nunez stepping into the lineup. “It’s just more of a feel more than anything, and watching how he’s moving and watching how he’s responding day after day after day,” Girardi said. “Is it better to give him a DH day? Is it better to give him an off day?”
• Obviously Eric Chavez’s name is still floating out there on the free agent market, and no one seems to be ruling out the possibility of bringing him back to the Yankees. “Not so sure that we wouldn’t make another move before position players report here,” Girardi said. “You always look for depth, and if we can add some depth, we will.”
• Signing Chavez could all but lock up the final spot on the Yankees bench, but there seems to be at least one bullpen spot that’s wide open. “You’ve got to figure out what you’re going to bring in your bullpen,” Girardi said. “Do you bring another lefty? Or bring another right-hander? A guy that gives you distance? There’s a lot of guys that I’m going to pay attention to.”
• Random position player sighting of the day: Corban Joseph showed up briefly to either put something in his locker or take something out.
Associated Press photos
is that what people were saying earlier was aj taking shots at the yankees? how can anyone call that taking shots?
i wish aj and the pirates all the luck, it’d be great for the fans in pittsburgh if the pirates could take advantage of the disamament of the nl central.
almost linsanity time!
What is this linsanity you speak of
Chad,
You are a heck of a hard worker. We in the hinterlands always appreciate the insights and information you provide.
I didn’t take what Burnett said was bad either. It sounds like he over thinks his mechanics, and that can be difficult. He seems to acknowledge the choice to listen is his.
really looking forward to melo tonight. but there might not be that much of the lin & melo show because lin played 46 min last night, davis is back and melo is coming off his injury. still it should be fun to watch.
meanwhile in beantown the celts can deal with the mav’s and watch the knickerbockers pass by them in the standings (for years to come?)
A new PED?
TheAtlanticHLTH TheAtlantic/Health
New fracture putty developed by the Department of Defense could heal bones in days: http://bit.ly/xmvWUI
From MLB trade rumors
•The Burnett acquisition creates competition at the back end of the Pirates’ rotation, writes Biertempfel. He believes Kevin Correia and Jeff Karstens will battle for the last spot, if everyone is healthy. Burnett talked to reporters this morning. One interesting news tidbit was his comment that one ever asked him about a potential Angels trade, though he confirmed he’s not interested in the West Coast for family reasons. Unprompted, Burnett debunked the rumors about his wife’s transportation preferences, saying with a smile, “She loves to fly.”
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I found the last sentence interesting.
GreenBeret7 February 20th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
A new PED?
TheAtlanticHLTH TheAtlantic/Health
New fracture putty developed by the Department of Defense could heal bones in days: http://bit.ly/xmvWUI
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Things seem to be quieting down here and you want to start more trouble.
Melo dishing and swishing early.
The refs on the other hand in lockout mode.
Did Tyson get hurt again?
Check that about the swishing.
A little rusty on the layups.
Any Knicks live streams?
TIA
LGY
The refs on the other hand in lockout mode.
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The way they allow NBA games to be called now is ruining the game.
Baron Davis time!!!
no injury, chandler has 2 fouls
Nick in SF February 20th, 2012 at 8:01 pm
Any Knicks live streams?
TIA
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I thought your quote earlier was very appropriate.
Any Knicks live streams?
TIA
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http://www.firstrowsports.eu/w.....-nets.html
Thanks YS I saw him with a pad on the bench and thought he got hurt.
You mean the Dostoevsky quote, MY? Thanks, there are a lot of them. Here’s another I like:
“…one cannot avoid the simple fact that anyone at any time can decide to act in a way which might not be considered good, and some will do so simply to validate their existence and to protest and confirm that they exist as individuals.”
Nick, first row sports, google it…
Nick
Yes that one. They make to much sense. That puts them out of place here.
Thanks LockDown and MG, yo la tengo.
How did Baron Pipp look in his first NYK action?
LockDown February 20th, 2012 at 8:06 pm
Any Knicks live streams?
TIA
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http://www.firstrowsports.eu/w…..-nets.html
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Thanks – wish I noticed earlier – would have watched more (late here in the UK!)
nets take the lead with lin and melo on the bench.
Baron looks pretty good, the Knicks have great depth right now and I saw no evidence of the ball not moving with Melo in the game, he got 5 shots within the flow of the game in Q1.
This team is going to be very tough later in the season when they get used to each other.
Sweet. I loved Baron Davis during that “We Believe” GSW season, it would be great if he contributes for the NYK too.
Stay healthy, Baron!
Nets on fire from 3.
Baron celebrates his first points as a Knick.
@netw3rk: This won’t make the media guide. http://t.co/JmKCvGUF
Man Lin gets hammered left and right and fouls are hardly ever called
No idea what the refs are doing. Lin was hammered on his last drive.
davis knocked mizzou out of the round of 8 in the ncaa tournament way back in his ucla days. i won’t say i got over it, but i dont hold it against baron anymore….
maybe the tigers make up for it this year…
here’s a really interesting Dostoyevsky quote:
“You can be sincere and still be stupid.”
WTF.
Why did the shot clock reset??
That’s true Lin doesn’t get the calls but that should change after a while.
I do believe you’re sincere, randy.
LGY, I suggested earlier that you should give Pat M an extra $5 if Hughes starts the season as the #2 or #3 in the rotation. What do you think about that?
LGY, I suggested earlier that you should give Pat M an extra $5 if Hughes starts the season as the #2 or #3 in the rotation. What do you think about that?
——
Sure, why not.
WTF?????????????????? Now Fields gets hammered.
What is going on right now?
The Knicks are getting hacked on every drive with no calls.
AJ should do well in Pittsburgh. No pressure, no large crowds. He’ll be able to pitch, I mean throw.
not liking the baron melo chemistry
Mike will talk to the refs about the non calls. Lin and Melo will have big games in the second half.
I like that attitude.
I will suggest to Pat M that he give you an extra $5 if Hughes is traded before Opening Day.
Pete has a vlog on his site. Crawford said he was not happy with Henry’s comments. What comments were those? The ones where he said that he opposed Crawford’s signing. I had forgotten about that, too. Crawford saying he’s taking a mulligan this year. Actually he said he was here for his “redo”. Whatever that is.
melo’s game is one on one, he stops the flow
Give Melo some time to gel with Lin.
The worst was when they reset the shot clock for no reason that led to 3 points for the Nets.
I’m trying not to sound biased but that was one of the most one sided halfs from the refs I’ve seen.
“I should like to know what people fear the most: whatever is contrary to their usual habits, I imagine.”
? Fyodor Dostoyevsky
melo is a show stopper, the ball sticks to him and disrupts the flow Lin creates.
The more time randy spends looking up Dostoevsky quotes as opposed to his usual shtick, the better off we all are.
Melo actually deferred too much IMO.
randy going jonathan livingston seagull
melo is a show stopper, the ball sticks to him and disrupts the flow Lin creates.
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Not sure what half you watched. He passed almost everytime he touched the ball.
this is Lin’s show now, Melo’s talents aren’t as necessary
Landry. Beyond stupid.
Can’t even get calls at home. What a joke the NBA is
Guess the refs have some money on this game
WOW. Offensive foul? That happens almost every time down the floor in the NBA.
Brooks just pushed off yet no call.
melo has disrupted the flow, lin has become tentative…
melo has disrupted the flow, lin has become tentative…
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It is Stat who is the problem, not Melo
You have to be kidding me.
Refs and Umpires complete ruin sports
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Screw You HUMP
Landry getting mad now!
The league needs to investigate this crap
Are the refs blind
Investigate how about some reassignments
Congrats Nets. This is your NBA finals.
d will sayin, you want me or lin?
Nets making every 3 in sight, the refs absolutely killing the Knicks, and the Knicks playing incredibly stupid basketball.
It is Stat who is the problem, not Melo
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how so?
Deron Williams is still the best point guard in the metro NY area.
nothing from melo so far tonight.
melo demands the ball, its all about him.
take him off the floor and watch the knicks make a run.
give it some time, the guy hasn’t played in 2 weeks.
Just maybe it’s the bad shooting and stupid fouls by the Knicks tonight. The Nets aren’t fouling anyone when Knicks are on the foul line.
Haha. Knicks finally get a call. No way that’s a charge.
knicks got away with one there
knicks got away with one there
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Certainly makes up for the half dozen Net calls
for the first 5 minutes of this game the nets couldn’t buy a shot. since then, they can’ miss. increadible shooting. williams was determined not to be in lin’s shadow again this game.
A let-down game the night after beating the defending champs on national tv isn’t such a shocker, not to mention trying to integrate Melo and Davis into the flow.
Plus the Nets have been unconscious. Not a good recipe.
knick role players are not the focus with melo out there.
novak, smith, fields are out of the flow.
he demands the ball.
I’ve seen better Nets teams collapse more dramatically than this.
That said, this is pretty goddamn enjoyable. Knock on wood.
i dont know what game you’re watching, melo hasnt been demanding the ball in this game. in fact he hasnt found his place in the flow at all.
It is Stat who is the problem, not Melo
================
how so?
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He doesn’t work being on the floor with Chandler. He has lost his explosiveness. he plays just about the worst defense one can play. He can’t dunk anymore unless he is all alone. He gets shots blocked left and right and this can’t be blamed on his brother getting killed. He has been awful all year.
If Orlando is stupid enough to take him and Chandler for Howard you do it 100 times out of 100
All generalizations are false, including this one.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wi.....ook_LF.jpg
melo is 3-7 from the field.
Tyson, what are you thinking man.
wow, the knicks working their way back into the game and chandler has to go off and get himself ejected…what was he thinking?
wow, the knicks working their way back into the game and chandler has to go off and get himself ejected…what was he thinking?
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I agree it was dumb but after a while you get sick and tired of getting popped left and right. Humphries is a punk and deserves to get smacked
ok at least he didnt get booted.
WTF?????????????????????????? Where is the foul
i was just thinking that the door is open for melo to take the knicks to a win here…
Knicks making a run…
No idea what Fields is think going ISO with Melo, Amare, and JR Smith on the floor.
Knicks had 3 possessions to cut it to 6. That could be the game.
Thats game
wow, in 1 minute the knicks gave this one right back. knicks not rebounding at all at this point. they look gassed.
knicks made their run with Melo on the bench.
This is Lin’s team now.
knicks missed shump
d will had free will.
Photo of AJ in Buc’s uniform:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports.....53172698/1.
Looks good on him.
Melo is just rusty. Triple is right. Amare is definitely a bigger problem. Hopefully he’s still getting into game shape after rehabbing his back all summer but he looks about 40 years old right now.
Stat is fine with Lin and the pick and roll. they just won 9 of 10 w/out Melo.
Common sense.
Amare is pretty much useless when he’s not doing anything on offense because he’s one of the worst defenders in the league.
amare game is pick and roll. that’s it. he’s one dimensional.
nash made him. lin would too.
he has terrible hands and cant shoot.
but he fits better in a point oriented offense.
Frankie Piliere and Scoutingbaseball.com’s 2012 top 100 amateur draft roster.
http://sbb.scout.com/2/1160365.....Og.twitter