Quick notes from Tampa: Pineda, Logan, Eppley and Molina
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Apr 05, 2012 
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As you can imagine, there’s not a ton going on here at Tropicana Field. The Yankees are going through batting practice right now, and I don’t think you would anticipate a ton of news on the day after breaking camp. Here are a few newsy tidbits.
• Michael Pineda played catch today, throwing 25 pitches, but there’s still no timetable or definite plan moving forward. Joe Girardi said he’s not even sure whether Pineda is going to stay in Tampa or follow the Yankees to Baltimore and New York. “They’re still talking about what plan they want to take with him,” Girardi said.
• Boone Logan said there is “night and day” difference in the way his back feels this morning compared to yesterday. There was legitimate pain yesterday. Today there’s only lingering soreness. He fully expects to be ready to pitch tomorrow. “I would be in there, in my mind,” he said.
• The Yankees have claimed right-handed reliever Cody Eppley off waivers from the Rangers. He’s 26 years old and will be assigned to Triple-A to pitch out of the bullpen. Cashman said he likes Eppley’s ability to handle right-handed hitters, and he helps add some depth after losing George Kontos and promoting David Phelps to New York.
• Gustavo Molina has decided to accept an assignment to Double-A. He’ll split the catching duties in Trenton with Jose Gil. Those two did the same thing this winter.
Tampa’s lineup for tomorrow:
CF Desmond Jennings
RF Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
DH Jeff Keppinger
SS Sean Rodriguez
2B Elliot Johnson
1B Carlos Pena
C Jose Molina
LF Matt Joyce
Granted – BJ Upton is hurt and they have some moving pieces against the Big Lefty – but really – Jeff Keppinger as your DH and cleanup hitter?
Santana is looking sharp – he’ll be a good guy to target at the deadline
yanks 27 April 5th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
Santana is looking sharp – he’ll be a good guy to target at the deadline
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I don’t think the Mets will move him.
Even if he’s healthy I think the injury history and contract will depress his value so that what you’re getting back in offers won’t be even close to his worth. With the Madoff thing settled, the Mets aren’t under the financial pressure they thought they would be under – so that shouldn’t be a consideration.
In other roster moves that make little to no sense – the Tigers are playing Ryan Rayburn at DH…he’s a better LF than Young, a better 1b than Prince and a better 3b than Miggy – why wouldn’t you DH one of those guys?
Why would it be in Pineda’s interests to throw in the sometimes coldish weather up here rather than Tampa?
“Santana is looking sharp – he’ll be a good guy to target at the deadline”
With this contract?
12:$24M, 13:$25.5M, 14:$25M club option ($5.5M buyout)
Not for the Yankees.
Wave Your Hat April 5th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Does Nunez playing regularly vs lefties mean no Gardner vs lefties?
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Let’s see…
Eduardo Nunez is a starting infielder against lefties moving Jeter or Arod to DH.
Andruw Jones will start against lefties as well and the only place to do that is LF.
Isn’t it obvious the Yankees view Gardner as a platoon player?
yankeefeminista April 5th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
GB, Mujica also up in AAA. And on Trenton DL: Jeremy Bleich, Jairo Heredia, Diego Moreno, Danny Burawa, Luke Murton and Damon Sublett.
Do you recall if milb-tv cameras from LHV are decent?
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Cameras are pretty decent. Certainly better than Scranton. Like the difference between Us Cellular in Chicago and Yankee Stadium.
Verlander has really become a pitcher….he’s been mostly 92-94 today but his CU and breaking ball are so good and he can throw them in any count so it doesn’t matter
Maybe Cashman should get serious about upgrading LF and getting a bat there who can start against lefties and righties.
36 innings of regular season baseball played, 27 runs scored total.
Something to monitor?
yankeefeminista April 5th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
GB, Mujica also up in AAA. And on Trenton DL: Jeremy Bleich, Jairo Heredia, Diego Moreno, Danny Burawa, Luke Murton and Damon Sublett.
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Not really surprised about Burawa with his oblique injury, or Bleich. He could be back this year. Wasn’t aware of Murton. Sublett’s been hurt of and on with injuries for 2 years. Heredia has a lot of talent, but, like Ramirez, can’t stay healthy. Moreno, I know almost nothing about.
Brett,
Maybe you should let a week go by before reading the tea leaves over Saturday’s line-up.
But assuming you don’t have the patience to do that, whom are you suggesting Cashman target?
“Santana is looking sharp – he’ll be a good guy to target at the deadline”
It’s in the Yankee plan that no need exists for that type of target this year.
Yep. But again, it is just typical impatience from Cashman and the brass. No faith in their own, always have to be going after someone else’s. Like the people who wanted to trade Betances for Danks.
////
EA,
…and bury him in the bullpen!!
Heredia is making his way back from shoulder surgery. Bleich will be an option probably in late May or early June. Burawa another May addition.
re-post
yankeefeminista April 5th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Chip, re: Keppinger is at DH because C’s a lefty; if Rays get anywhere near a 2010 year out of Luke Scott at DH vs. righties, they should be OK there.
yankeefeminista April 5th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
GB, good to hear re: cameras. I hope they are also decent from Lexington when River Dogs play there.
Bret,
Did Gardner steal your girlfriend?
chip – i think that the mets would have trouble trying to move santana. mostly because of the contract, and, if i recall correctly, their inability to get insurance for it. can’t imagine his shoulder surgery makes it any more likely for a team to get insurance, either.
not to belabor the point, but i still think the mets/wilpon have more financial trouble than you give them credit for, even without having to pay out on madoff. remember, they were also counting on payouts from madoff accounts to provide much of the deferred money owed on contracts, like santana’s.
oh, well. just glad fred doesn’t own the team i root for.
UnKnown April 5th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Chip April 5th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Tampa’s lineup for tomorrow:
CF Desmond Jennings
RF Ben Zobrist
3B Evan Longoria
DH Jeff Keppinger
SS Sean Rodriguez
2B Elliot Johnson
1B Carlos Pena
C Jose Molina
LF Matt Joyce
Granted – BJ Upton is hurt and they have some moving pieces against the Big Lefty – but really – Jeff Keppinger as your DH and cleanup hitter?
——
No kidding. The Rays are going to have some serious problems scoring runs this year. I know they got some really good SP, but they are going to have to score at least 2 or 3 runs to win games and I don’t think they can do that.
CC, Kuroda, and Hughes should cruise through that lineup all wknd.
“Which one?”
\hitman’d
Relieved to have a Molina back in the system.
I predict that Andruw Jones will beat someone out for more PT this season. It could be Ibanez; it could be Gardner.
Crawdaddy April 5th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Heredia is making his way back from shoulder surgery. Bleich will be an option probably in late May or early June. Burawa another May addition.
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If Heredia and bleich come around to their talent level, they’ll make fine additions, especially Bleich adding another lefty to the rotation. Burawa teaming up with Montgomery will be the fun part of the late innings. some high octane stuff.
If Santana has a Santana like first half, they’d be able to move him. These things get done.
yankeefeminista April 5th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Chip, re: Keppinger is at DH because C’s a lefty; if Rays get anywhere near a 2010 year out of Luke Scott at DH vs. righties, they should be OK there.
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Yeah I know, and against RHP in addition to Scott being in there Pena will move up in the order – but really – the best you can do at 4 and 6 against a LHP are Keppinger and Eliot Johnson?
Rich in NJ April 5th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
I predict that Andruw Jones will beat someone out for more PT this season. It could be Ibanez; it could be Gardner.
—————-
I still think that if not this year, then this winter a Gardner for Morse trade would make sense for both teams.
That is, of course, assuming that this Mike Morse injury is not something too substantial.
Platoon players are not created equal.
A PT that plays only vs LHP is a bench player. A PT that plays vs RHP is a starter.
There are many starters in MLB that should be Brett Gardner type platoon players. The Yankees are one of only a few teams that have the talent to actually do if though.
Besides that absolutely hideous thing in left-centerfield, the Marlins new park is pretty nice (lime green walls notwithstanding). Fish tanks behind the plate are cool.
Now – if only the Rays & A’s could get something done with their parks, before they wind up in Charlotte, San Jose or who knows where….
Carl Crawford, who Bret the Hitman begged for the Yankees to sign, should be platooned.
Let’s make some noise, Detroit!
Swing away.
LGY April 5th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Carl Crawford, who Bret the Hitman begged for the Yankees to sign, should be platooned.
—————–
You don’t need to be platooned on the DL
FLASH WAGER:
What team scores the first run this afternoon?
Looks like Norris had a mix-up on his roster yesyerday. He had mentioned that Montgomery was jumping High a ball and heading to Trenton, but, he’s still on the Tampa roster.
18 months ago: Sign Carl Crawford!!!!!!!!
Now: Maybe Cashman should get serious about upgrading LF and getting a bat there who can start against lefties and righties
This is going to be the year of the pitcher – all the more reason we should have kept Montero. Going to be more of a need for teams to scratch across a run here and there, a guy with power who can add a run (or more) to the board with 1 swing is very valuable in today’s MLB.
Stuckey,
Seeing as all 3 games are in the bottom of the 5th, no score…
Tigers
How will Rays run production be any worse than last year’s? In 2011, they lost their DH in Manny, Longoria missed almost 30 games and this year, they’ll have a full year of Desmond Jennings. They lost Kotchman, Shoppach, but added Pena, Luke Scott. But if Longoria and Jennings are healthy and Scott gives them reasonable production, they should be the same if not better than 2011.
1st run will be a Victorino HR against Bedard in the next inning
No one will ever score a run in the majors this year
Not even Montero, JF?
Except him. He will score between 30 and 35 runs.
Jones was saying he wanted to push for a starting role this season.. or privately saying so anyway. That was the word on the street.
I’d really like to see Gardner be able to do what he did this spring more often and drive the ball up the middle. He can be such a weapon. So can Jones, of course, in the right hitting situations – I just love Gardner’s speed.
Miggy just about killed himself trying to catch a pop up.
Trenton Line-up
Josh Norris ? @jnorris427
@TrentonThunder lineup: A. Almonte LF, Mustelier 3B, Adams 2B, Z. Almonte RF, Lyerly 1B, Mesa CF, Brewer DH, Gil C, Ibarra SS, Hall P
Nice to see that David Adams is in the opening day line-up
Then let a ball go through him…..hard hit….but Miggy isn’t a big league caliber third baseman
blake, he’s got a of cushion to ease his pratfalls
Blake,
He was still admiring that play. Ball just scorched off his glove.
JF,
That’s a lot of IBB’s for him and productive groundouts behind him.
Halladay lookin’ OLD out there. Control spotty and no MPH to make up for it. Phillies are definitely comin-back-to-the-pack in the NL East.
That’s a lot of IBB’s for him and productive groundouts behind him.
–
I was thinking 30 HRs
Ortiz waved at smoke there.
Miggy had a facial injury. He’ll be tentative for a while.
And yet Halladay has allowed 2 hits and zero runs through 5
The stalemate continues…
Scorekeeper had to decide who his “buddy” was. Went with Verlander, E5 Cabrerra. Gonna be plenty of those E5′s in the Tiger Box Scores this season.
We are talkin’ Pitt here, and that NL bottom of the order escape hatch.
The bigger story with the Phillies is that Bedard is shutting them out….their offense stinks.
Strasberg throwing 95.
It’s an epidemic.
blake April 5th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Then let a ball go through him…..hard hit….but Miggy isn’t a big league caliber third baseman
——————-
I still don’t get why, with Victor out, they’re forcing Miggy in there. My guess is that when Inge is healthy they’ll make a change.
Verlander pickin’ up where he left off last season. The guy lookin’ exceptional is Bedard.
There are seriously 4 games going on….3 in the 6th inning and zero runs have been scored in any of them
I understand MLB is fueling up a private Gulfstream so Bud Selig can jet from city to city declaring each game a scoreless tie.
The mets score the first run, disgraceful.
Mets scored
Lester looks afraid of Miggy.
Of course….the Braves allow the seal to be broken.
Put it on the boooard! Mets 1-0.
Jays are going to go out and score 10 runs and panic is going to set in…
Detroit’s secondary starters can’t really be as good as they looked against us in the ALDS, right?
I that the third bacon-saver of the day? I’m not even a Tigers fan, and I’m frustrated.
Hassey,
No they aren’t. Iirc they lost to the Rangers and it wasn’t much of a battle.
Whoa – even my knees buckled on that one
This is exactly why I laugh when you hear commentators saying how the love pitching duels. These games would put Richard Simmons to sleep.
Which Boston reliever gives up the walkoff hit?
Bedard mowing down the Phils.
The Red Sox could’ve really used a guy like that last September
These Boston area merchants that participate in their own commercials are a laugh riot.
No way I give Votto a 10yr deal. NO WAY
The Red Sox could’ve really used a guy like that last September”
Or now
Lester been miffed at the HP Ump ALL day.
I wish I could care about any of the games being played today lol… real baseball starts tomorrow, right?
Lester is going into chicken leg withdrawl.
Gardner makes that play. But he’d have to be in the lineup to do it.
“Come on, Josh. Let’s go in and mainline some chicken broth.”
Do you guys think we can construct 162 unique chicken jokes this season?
DONNYBROOK April 5th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
No way I give Votto a 10yr deal. NO WAY
I heard it’s 12 years – he’s good, but that’s insane.
Enjoy playing with your AAA friends over the next decade, Joey, cause Cincinnati ain’t exactly swimming in revenue
Boston’s bullpen…..lol.
gb7-
i’m not doing so well.
i’m simultaneously listening to the red sox game on the radio with an 11year old practicing “mary had a little lamb” on his trombone in the background.
you’re good with kids . any advice?
Lestah choked the chicken?
Yep. the Padilla move pays instant dividends…for the other team.
This is what they are gonna do by refusing to put Bard in the pen….they are going to jeopardize the games that their good starters pitch ….
Enjoy playing with your AAA friends over the next decade, Joey, cause Cincinnati ain’t exactly swimming in revenue
–
It only raises their payroll by 10 million and their TV deal will expire in 3-4 years, which currently only pays them 10 million. They’ll be fine.
Walking Miggy to get to Prince…..
Wow.
Padilla was ugly before, but that mug under a Boston cap just makes it worse.
Something to monitor.
My funny Valentine!
randy l. April 5th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
gb7-
i’m not doing so well.
i’m simultaneously listening to the red sox game on the radio with an 11year old practicing “mary had a little lamb” on his trombone in the background.
you’re good with kids . any advice?
————————————————————————————————————————-
Sure, randy? Don’t have any of your own, or, move and don’t tell anybody where.
Man the Red Sox back end & bullpen are gonna be a freakin’ train wreck this year. Better score 900 runs boys.
Shelley Duncan DOnuts lined an opening day double. Many fore-arms were bashed.
Trisha, we haven’t settled the stakes on our two bets yet.
We could just make each wager for a number of Ritter Sports, say 5 or whatever each.
Or, as we did last year, I could stake the excellent Scharffenberger chocolate against Ritters.
Scharffenbergers are bigger and more expensive than Ritters… perhaps a 3-to-5 ratio would be fair. I think that’s how we did it last season.
Either way is fine with me, so you make the call. I guarantee you’ll be happy with Scharffenbergers should you win one or both of the bets. Yum, I might go get one for myself to celebrate the start of the season.
Jerkface April 5th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Shelley Duncan DOnuts lined an opening day double. Many fore-arms were bashed.
Happy to see Shelley finally get a chance somewhere – the consummate AAAA player
AJAX!!!!!
DONNYBROOK April 5th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
No way I give Votto a 10yr deal. NO WAY
———————
That contract is going to be a killer.
And I’m sorry – you don’t give that kind of a deal to a 1b. SS maybe but not a 1b.
OK, I know they haven’t thrown a pitch yet this season but, wish I could go to Jackson…
http://tinyurl.com/7hptdhe
1. Double-A Jackson Generals (Southern League/Mariners)
No other team in the minors can boast four Top 100 Prospects. With RHP Taijuan Walker (No. 20) and LHPs Danny Hultzen (No. 21) and James Paxton (No. 52)—along with SS Nick Franklin (No. 77)—Jackson fans are sure to get an elite prospect on the mound three out of every five days.
Good AB by prince…
BloggingBombers Sabathia reflected on his first three years in pinstripes: ?It?s been a lot of fun. Not just with numbers or things … http://www.sulia.com/c/new-yor.....ce=twitter
And I’m sorry – you don’t give that kind of a deal to a 1b. SS maybe but not a 1b.
–
You don’t sign anyone for 12 years.
Nick – as long as Scharffenberger makes milk as well as dark I’m good to go! I hate dark chocolate.
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Did you see the look on Ellsbury’s face? Almost indigant that someone would run on his arm.
What a ship of fools.
gb7-
none yet, i’m waiting till i get older and settle down.
i know one thing.
i’m not buying anyone a trombone
Toronto asserting themselves as a last place team. Ah regular season baseball.
Trisha, I can confirm that Scharffenberger chocolate is delicious.
2-0 top 9th. Rut roh Bobby.
Perhaps it’s time for the “fake mustache & glasses” stretegy, o baseball savant
Halladay for 8 to Papelbonehead for the save – just the way Charlie drew it up.
Not the best start for Romero
***strategy (damn spellcheck
)
Well, no matter how the BoSox/Tiggers game turns out…
it was a good day (since I have both Verlander and Lester on my fantasy team)
Halladay 8 innings 2 hits…..ho hum
Trisha, they make a variety of chocolates with different cacao %’s.
So just name the # for each bet. 5 Ritters to 3 Scharffenbergers for each bet? More? Up to you.
I hate routing for Valverde.
I wish the Red Sox and Valverde could both lose
blake April 5th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Not the best start for Romero
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I think the Mets are going to be better than predicted and I think the Jays are going to be quite terrible.
I wish the Red Sox and Valverde could both lose
–
Valverde blows the save. Miggy hits a walk off in a couple innings.
blake April 5th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
I wish the Red Sox and Valverde could both lose
——————
Valverde gets the save and then blows out his Achilles doing his save dance.
randy l. April 5th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
gb7-
none yet, i’m waiting till i get older and settle down.
i know one thing.
i’m not buying anyone a trombone
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Get older? How? you’re already a vegetable.
Pinch running for A-Gon in the 9th. Good, good. Bobby V using the Torre strategy of screwing himself in extras.
Um what?
I went to fax a document and came back to find men on 1st and 3rd? What did Valverde do?
I can be happy to root for him today.
GO PUPPET!
Just looked at the Cubs lineup – oh my they’re awful.
PUKEY!!!!!!!
BloggingBombers Cashman said Cervelli was “not confused” about the reason for his demotion, even if he wasn’t happy with it.
Nick 3 to 5 is fine, again as long as it’s not dark choc.
Jerkface April 5th, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Pinch running for A-Gon in the 9th. Good, good. Bobby V using the Torre strategy of screwing himself in extras.
——————
Quickly playing the “what if” game – if it goes to extras he has to put Punto in at 3b move Youk to 1b and then he has Shoppach on the bench…oy.
I still have my money on the puppet in this one.
Or maybe not.
Ok, so 5 Ritters for each of the two bets vs. 3 Sharffenbergers for each?
Should you win, you can pick the varieties from their website.
http://www.scharffenberger.com.....chocolate/
Valverde blows…………………………………………………………his first save since 2010.
I havent been reading the blog for a few days and i dont want to skim, so what is all of your theories on Pineda?
Anybody else think this might be a fake injury?
I dislike Valverde so much that im not that disappointed …..win it in the bottom.
What sucks is Valverde had Ortiz looking.
ok, tigers need to win it now.
Nice going, Valverde.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KbP7VMLVg0
Nah, the pitch to Ortiz was off the plate.
blake April 5th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
I dislike Valverde so much that im not that disappointed …..win it in the bottom.
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Maybe Valverde is hurt and winds up going on the shelf and missing the rest of the season.
The good news is that Bobby now will have to put Punto in at 3b and move Youk over to 1b. Gotta love Boston’s depth.
Milk almond with chocolate sounds WONDERFUL.
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I always like the home team in extras.
And Mark Melancon is now pitching in his first game that anyone cared about since 2010.
Actually, I don’t mind Verlander having his game blown either.
Just win it Tigers.
Melancon’s fastball looks really straight.
New Post w/Thursday notes
“…so what is all of your theories on Pineda? Anybody else think this might be a fake injury?”
Hi Michelle B! The loudest theory here about Pineda is that his presence in pinstripes is an unforgivable Cashman blunder, our offense has been undermined until 2017, and Randy Levine probably sabotaged his shoulder just to mock the paying customers. If you disagree with this theory, there’s a good chance that you’re worse than Hitler.
I don’t think it’s a fake injury, but hopefully it’s just a very mild injury and his shoulder will be fine and his velocity will be back as he builds his strength back up.
thanks, Nick!