Winter league notes: Cervelli playing well in Venezuela
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Dec 07, 2012 
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Not sure winter stats factor into big league decisions, but if they do, Francisco Cervelli is making already making his case for regular playing time.
Down in Venezuela, Cervelli is hitting .325/.462/.550 through 40 at-bats with Navegantes del Magallanes. Cervelli is one of five catchers on the roster, and each of those catchers has at least a little bit of big league experience. Cervelli didn’t join the group until November, when the season was roughly a month old, but he’s been playing fairly regularly lately.
If the Yankees can’t find a more proven alternative behind the plate, Cervelli could come to spring training in a legitimate competition with Chris Stewart and Austin Romine for the Yankees starting job. Still a lot of time for that to change, though. Romine’s numbers weren’t especially good in the Arizona Fall League, but the Yankees seem happy with his performance down there.
• Eduardo Nunez is back in the Dominican Winter League. He played his first game on December 1, and he’s had a hit in each of his games since then (only four games, but still). Nunez went 3-for-4 on Wednesday to push his very, very early slash line to .375/.375/.438 with a stolen base and three RBI. He’s played shortstop all four games and has hit cleanup or fifth in the order.
• One of the long-shot, in-house options at third base is Ronnier Mustelier who has a .285/.340/.438 slash line in Mexico this winter. Not sure why but he hasn’t played in a little more than week. That said, he’s already gotten 144 at-bats down there. Most of his time this winter has come at third base, with a handful of games in the outfield corners.
• Three young outfielders on the 40-man roster — Melky Mesa, Zoilo Almonte and Ramon Flores — are each on winter league roster, but none has seen significant playing time. Of the three, Flores is the only one who’s played since the end of October, and that was one game off the bench in mid-November. That’s not at all unusual for young guys like that. It’s not like the Fall League where major league organizations have significant say in a player’s playing time.
• Injured for much of last season, second base prospect Angelo Gumbs is back on the field in Puerto Rico. He’s gotten into five games since late November. He’s had only 10 at-bats, but in that time he has three hits including a double and a home run. Yankees Triple-A manager Dave Miley is Gumbs’ manager in Puerto Rico.
• Utility man Jose Pirela, trying to build on a strong Double-A season, got off to a strong start in Venezuela but has since gone cold. His slash line is down to .236/.333/.318. In mid-November it was .307/.403/.426.
• Added to the 40-man this offseason, left-handed reliever Francisco Rondon has a 1.69 ERA in the Dominican, but that hides his .318 opponents’ batting average Rondon has faced 12 lefties and struck out half of them. Of the other half, though, four got hits including a double and a home run for a .667 slugging percentage against left-handed batters.
• Another 40-man addition, young right-hander Jose Ramirez got his first winter start on Wednesday and delivered four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, no walks and one hit. He was facing a lineup that included guys like Felix Pie and Brad Snyder who have a little bit of big league experience and a lot of Triple-A experience. That’s not bad competition considering Ramirez has never pitched above High-A.
• From the not-sure-what-to-make-of-him file, lefty Vidal Nuno is building off his ridiculously good Double-A season by pitching to a 2.11 ERA in Venezuela this winter. Hard to consider him a legitimate prospect, but he’s pitched well for a few months now.
• Speaking of non-prospect lefties, reliever Juan Cedeno was left unprotected and unselected in yesterday’s Rule 5 draft. He could certainly get another non-roster invitation to big league camp next year, and right now he has a 3.24 ERA in the Dominican. But much like Rondon, the solid ERA hides the fact he’s walked quite a few guys and has let lefties reach base nearly 43 percent of the time.
• One of several fringy relief prospects in the Yankees system, Preston Claiborne was dealing in Puerto Rico, but he’s allowed multiple runs his past two times out. Opponents are still hitting just .167 against him this winter. He had just one walk in his first eight innings down there.
Associated Press photo of Cervelli
Patrick December 7th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
And Brett and those wheels are getting old. Yanks were or are interested in Ichiro and Not the budding Revere???
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Revere is not that good dude. He’s ok but nothing special. Gardner is better…
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compare their stats…Gardner played 1 full year more and is 5 years older…not much dif
$3 Mil seems relatively high for Brett Gardner.
“the age thing I understand but betting on Upton magically getting better after being in the big leagues for 7 seasons is a bad idea.”
eh I don’t know…..he’s entering prime age now and seems to have matured a bit….he was a couple of homers shy of being 30-30 last year and while he may never reach the potential he was projected to have as a prospect……he could take another step at his age if he could cut down on the K”s and raise his BA a bit……
Upton is entering prime years…..Swisher is leaving them.
compare their stats…Gardner played 1 full year more and is 5 years older…not much dif
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Yeah you’re right, Gardner is much better.
The comparison is that they are both CF, bat lefty, don’t hit for power, are good fielders, SB threats. Gardner is just a much better version, not sure why the Yankees should have traded for Revere….
.278 .319 .323 .642 vs .266 .355 .368 .723
Gardner gets on base way more and somehow Revere manages to have half as much power. Gardner also better defensively.
MTU December 7th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
AAO-
Cheap talk is not going to appease or satisfy anyone.
It’s actions that count and what fans will judge ownership by.
They couldn’t possibly be that stupid to think that.
Or could they be ?
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I think they truly believe it. Think about it every person they “targeted” they lost out on. Every time they were linked to a player another report came out about them not being interested. Also take into account the no authority to make moves story and the anger developing in the fan base. So all of sudden out of no where the FO not Cashman himself but the FO is doing a background check on Hamilton.
Gardner only got $3M?
Gardner only got $3M?
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2.85 according to boston herald
Jerkface December 7th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
.278 .319 .323 .642 vs .266 .355 .368 .723
Gardner gets on base way more and somehow Revere manages to have half as much power. Gardner also better defensively.
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have to say some of Gardners stats are a product of the offense he plays in durning the reg season
Gardner at $2.85M is excellent value.
have to say some of Gardners stats are a product of the offense he plays in durning the reg season
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Revere has Mauer hitting behind him.
AAO-
“I think they truly believe it.”
If true, all I can say is good luck with that.
I credit the fanbase w more smarts than that.
Maybe I’m wrong ?
Gardner at $2.85M is excellent value.
—
Yeah it is.
Can someone explain to me why people think Gardner is a crap player but at the same time want to trade for Ben freaking Revere?
“$3 Mil seems relatively high for Brett Gardner.”
it is if he misses most of the season again….if he stays heathly its a steal
Jerkface December 7th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
have to say some of Gardners stats are a product of the offense he plays in durning the reg season
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Revere has Mauer hitting behind him.
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your kidding right..Mauer and thats it
Gardner plays elite defense and when he’s healthy he gets on base at a decent rate and steals lots of bases…..he’s very valuable for what he’s paid and I hope he plays CF this year
your kidding right..Mauer and thats it
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Revere literally has Mauer hitting right behind him in the order. He is in the most beneficial position someone who believes in lineup effects can be in. Gardner hits 9th. Or 8th. He has nunez hitting behind him.
Revere has less than no power & worse plate discipline. A lineup doesn’t change that.
MTU December 7th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
AAO-
“I think they truly believe it.”
If true, all I can say is good luck with that.
I credit the fanbase w more smarts than that.
Maybe I’m wrong ?
—————
Oh yea we have more smarts than that but it probably accomplished it’s goal already. How many Yankee fan do you think are discussing Hamilton to the Yankees right now.
Got to run.
I’ll try to check back later.
Good one all.
Chip December 7th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
$3 Mil seems relatively high for Brett Gardner.
—
2010-2011
Michael Bourn:
.281/.345/.368/.713
97 OPS+
299 games
112 bb, 249 so
178 runs
113 sb, 26 cs
Brett Gardner:
.267/.364/.374/.737
98 OPS+
309 games
139 bb, 194 so
184 runs
96 sb, 22 cs
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You should reconsider.
and Bourn is about to get like 70 million dollars probably…..
I have never been the biggest Gardner fan, but right now he is a key. He has to stay healthy and get on base. Of course, he may have to steal home.
blake December 7th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
and Bourn is about to get like 70 million dollars probably…..
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Horrible
and Bourn is about to get like 70 million dollars probably…..
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Probably, but his market is looking a bit thin right now.
We’ve devolved into Gardner – Revere comparisons now…How the mighty have fallen.
Even if Bourn does not get what he wants, he is going to get a lot, and a lot more than Gardner. Gardner is a steal, no pun intended.
Jerkface December 7th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
your kidding right..Mauer and thats it
–
Revere literally has Mauer hitting right behind him in the order. He is in the most beneficial position someone who believes in lineup effects can be in. Gardner hits 9th. Or 8th. He has nunez hitting behind him.
Revere has less than no power & worse plate discipline. A lineup doesn’t change that.
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all I’m saying is that Revere is 5 years younger and the stats with Gardner playing 3 full years and Revere playing 2 full years are close
all I’m saying is that Revere is 5 years younger and the stats with Gardner playing 3 full years and Revere playing 2 full years are close
–
But they’re not close. Get over your Gardner bias.
Jerkface December 7th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
all I’m saying is that Revere is 5 years younger and the stats with Gardner playing 3 full years and Revere playing 2 full years are close
–
But they’re not close. Get over your Gardner bias.
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we’ll continue on how good Gardner is durning the coming season……
I hear ya Nick.. It does seem incredible that your season might amount to one player’s production. And yes, I too hope the Yanks play the ‘worst case scenario’ game at every turn.
I’ve said a few times I think the ideal structure of any club is 1/3 vets, 1/3 prime players, and 1/3 rookies/young players.
I think our ratios have been out of whack. If we can upgrade or match the production from even one position on the field this year from last year (C, RF, 3B), I think we can ‘afford’ to try a rookie out in another one of those roles.
I’m ready to roll the dice!!!
Even thought the honey badger would rather just take what it wants.. I’m ready.
LGY December 7th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Gardner at $2.85M is excellent value.
—————-
It’s essentially the same contract he had last year which makes some sense seeing as how he didn’t play last year.
I talked about Revere the other day just because he’s young and cost controlled and wouldn’t cost as much as Gordon, Upton, etc.
But I know nothing of Worley so I don’t know who got the better end of that deal. Just thought he might be an attainable option without blowing up the farm.
Eh, c’est la vie.
I wonder if Fowlers gets moved.
Jerkface December 7th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
all I’m saying is that Revere is 5 years younger and the stats with Gardner playing 3 full years and Revere playing 2 full years are close
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But they’re not close. Get over your Gardner bias.
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Just as soon as you guys get over the notion that a 30 year old with one plus tool (speed) is something to get overly excited about.
Shame,
You overlooked the DH role. Right now they have nine players from last year’s team, including Nunez. If we are lucky enough for Nix to clear waivers, that makes ten.
Also, please do not forget there is no game tomorrow.
Just as soon as you guys get over the notion that a 30 year old with one plus tool (speed) is something to get overly excited about.
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Who is getting overly excited about him? Countering the rampant negativity directed towards our now only good, young cost controlled player is not over excitement.
He is legitimately valuable, the market is proving so. Be glad he is on our team and we don’t have to worry about signing him or trading for him.
lets not forget that a lot of peeps here that Gardner was as good as Jacoby Ellsbury
austinmac December 7th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Shame,
You overlooked the DH role.
—————–
Nunie for DH!!
Gardner could easily be the most exciting player on the team this season. He certainly won’t be the most frustrating.
Chip,
We have to be able to talk about some player who might help. What else do we have? Tex and a bounce back, cough free year? Cervelli finding his magic RISP form? Jeter’s ankle? Granderson’s good vision?
It is a long off season leading to who knows what.
Nunie may well be the DH.
Shame, I would say that missing the postseason because of crappy production from Adams at 3rd would fall into the unlikely worst-case scenario category, but again, that’s what Mr. Odds asked — what’s the worst that could happen. The last time they missed the postseason (while still winning 89 games) it took several worst-case scenarios to occur at once.
Hi LGY,
I thought you would enjoy this
http://m.bleacherreport.com/ar.....jeremy-lin
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 7 at 3:35pm CST]
The White Sox have discussed deals involving Dayan Viciedo and Alejandro De Aza, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports. The White Sox and Mariners discussed a deal that would send Viciedo to Seattle. Meanwhile, the Reds and Mariners discussed a deal that would send De Aza to Cincinnati.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#xGWAW6rOWJakcq1B.99
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I like De Aza, and could see him as a corner OF. White Sox seeking a power left handed bat….Granderson anyone?
@TheOnion
Baseball Superstar Accused of Performance-Enhancing Genie Use http://onion.com/Qq5ItK
David Lennon ?@DPLennon
Not sure I understand why Piazza is being lumped in with Bonds and Clemens on HOF debate. Did I miss his trial?
all good players must have taken steroids….unless you played in the 50s
Nick – Right now the AL East is hard to evaluate.. we’ll see how the off season ends but I think this is the first year in a while where I wouldnt list the Yanks as the clear favorite. Hopefully we correct that lol. But if the Jayz (typo but it stays) get the opposite of the luck they got last year, they could make a push. The Rays always seem to annoying stick around. My only hope is the Orioles returning back to being the Orioles I’ve known and love for most of my life.. really terrible.
DaSaint,
Granderson is a native Chicagoan who might like to sign there. Good thought.
Clemens had a trial. And won.
The court of public opinion delivers its own verdicts. For better and for worse.
Braves still searching for leadoff-hitting left fielder
It’s tough when the team “slated to win it all” doesn’t win it all. And if a team is looked at as the team to go all the way and the team doesn’t do it, I fail to see how that turns into poor decision-making on the part of management.
It is so easy to MMQB and it is so easy to second guess.
Did the Yankees fail this year because of hitting, or pitching, or a combination of both? Did anyone forsee Pettitte going down for a good part of the season, Mariano not in the mix, Brett Gardner being out for basically the entire season? CC struggling the way he did when he did? Arod down, Corey Wade imploding, Cano going cold??? And I’ve just mentioned a few of the surprises the Yanks confronted.
If Andy didn’t get hurt, would the Yankees have had an easier go of it? (I’d think yes.) Was more pressure put on the bullpen with Andy out and CC down? I’d think yes to that also.
Sure you know injuries are going to happen, but you don’t plan on them taking some of your key players out for the entire season or a good part of the season.
Lots of things conspired to cause the eventual demise of what appeared to be a pretty promising season. And I don’t think you can put them all in the homes of Yankee management. Well you can but I think that turns into pretty much a cop out.
I do think G. Love’s late-night post from a few nights ago was excellent. Are there things the Yankees could have done better? There are probably always going to be things they “could have done better,” especially when their postseason ends prematurely. If they didn’t run into the buzzsaw of injuries they did – especially to the players they did – their postseason could been a much longer one.
************
I’d be happy if they had a bunch of prospects ready to play and brought them all up. I’d be happy to see more youth on the field. I’d give up the postseason for a bunch of years if it meant holding onto our own kids. But I don’t think that would wash on lohud or elsewhere in Yankee fansville. Yankee fans are win and win now oriented.
“Clemens had a trial. And won.”
So did OJ.
austin, you know I had to do it.
I refuse to click on any bleacher report article
Dbacks sign Brandon McCarthy, depending on the terms he could have been a nice fill in if we traded Hughes or Nova
If Cervelli could calm down just a bit, I do think he’s a viable alternative.
Nice report Chad. I would be curious to follow Nunez’ fielding (where and how well).
Trisha,
It’s nice to have something I can count on.
Jerkface December 7th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Dbacks sign Brandon McCarthy, depending on the terms he could have been a nice fill in if we traded Hughes or Nova
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Yep, was thinking the same.
But we need to have patience until January, guys like Freddy Garcia will still be available…
austin –
Well with all of the uncertainty in the world and in our country, I guess we’d be foolhardy to think that it wouldn’t reach into just about every industry, right? Baseball is an industry after all.
I was always one of the Boss’s most ardent admirers. Boy oh boy do I miss him.
Trisha,
Ideally, I love an owner who is a fan surrounded by smart, baseball people. I miss George. His bluster always made me chuckle.
Towers signs McArthy so he can deal a pitcher…..
Mcarthy was the best of the mid to back end guys on value I think …, he’s kinda underrated
@FeinsandNYDN: Jayson Nix has cleared waivers and has been out righted by the Yankees to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre roster.
@nickpiecoro: Told Brandon McCarthy’s deal with the Dbacks is for two years and around $15M.
Very good deal…,as jF said that would have been great had the yanks traded a starter
It was the best of George, it was the worst of George…
Shame -
I saw your response to me from way earlier today. I would agree the timing seems bad, insofar as other teams are able to spend UP to the 189, and seem to have the money to do so, and at least on paper, lots of improvements look to have been made.
On the other hand, there really aren’t any players out there this season, and I think next season, that I think the Yankees should be spending their money on. So from that POV, the timing is okay.
Alex going down is the killer, really, to me. But I would seriously be comfortable with the at least trying some of their in-house options, as unappetizing as they may seem at the moment. You just really never know when a prospect like Dave Adams sees an opening and runs with it, taking advantage of the opportunity to the fullest (those intangibles that you don’t get to see until the moment presents itself).
Dbacks got 2 years of Mcarthy for barely more than the Nats spent for one of Haren
Who is (are) going to be the Yankees starting RF’er(s) this season ?
@JimBowdenESPNxm: A source has told me that Greinke was blown away by Nolan Ryan and Rangers Front Office..loves the ML team, prospects and chances to Win WS
Proximo hilo—–>
MTU says:
December 7, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Who is (are) going to be the Yankees starting RF’er(s) this season ?
Will you do a one year deal?
The Diamondbacks have agreed to sign right-hander Brandon McCarthy, John Gambadoro of 620 KTAR in Phoenix reports (on Twitter). Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com confirmed that the LSW Baseball client has agreed to terms on a two-year deal pending a physical (all Twitter links). The deal is worth $15.5MM, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports (on Twitter).
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#pLBseSVDx5jZqb6j.99
He got a two year deal? Unthinkable. Who offers players more than a year?
Good deal for the snakes considering the halos paid the same for blanton.
Good news about grienke and the rangers, I hope they spend Josh’s money on him.
Yankeesource ?@YankeeSource
@VamosYankees @treyalex09 However if it’s a 4 year deal, adding Hamilton might not be that bad a signing. Still a risk, but a minimized one.
3h Yankeesource ?@YankeeSource
I would. RT @VamosYankees @treyalex09 so you’d avoid Hamilton, huh?
3h Yankeesource ?@YankeeSource
@treyalex09 If there is any off-season where you should avoid stupid long term deals, this one takes the cake for me.
The Rangers would be an attractive team to play for. A good front office, good players, good system and money to spend. Their fans and media firmly believe they will get Geinke and either Hamilton or Upton. Great. Wouldn’t it be nice?
Yankeesource ?@YankeeSource
@realsamt1836byb Extremely long shot to get Hamilton. I still think it’s possible though and I do believe the Yankees have interest.
“LGY says:
December 7, 2012 at 5:21 pm
I refuse to click on any bleacher report article”
Lol you don’t have to, I’m sure you respect John Hollinger though. Fat Felton has a MUCH better PER than your boy Lin.