Quick notes from Day 1: Rodriguez, Gardner, Romine, Jeter
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 12, 2013 
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Here’s the quick version of today’s notes…
• Joe Girardi insisted that the decision to have Alex Rodriguez rehab in New York has nothing to do with avoiding a distraction. He said the Yankees simply want Rodriguez to rehab with his doctors. “There’s not a lot that he can do here,” Girardi said.
• Fow now the Yankees outfield has Brett Gardner in left and Curtis Granderson in center. Girardi indicated that the Yankees will consider making a change, but for now there has been no real discussion about it. Girardi’s not sure he wants to shake things up. If they decide the switch is worth exploring, the Yankees will make the change early in camp and see how it works.
• The lineup is a work in progress. Girardi gave no indication of his plans for who will leadoff, where Jeter will hit or how he’ll stack the middle of the order. He said he’ll try different things this spring, but the Yankees rarely have all their regulars in the same spring training lineup, so it might be a while before we get a real sense of Girardi’s plans.
• In the catching competition, Austin Romine is not necessarily on equal footing with Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart, but Girardi said Romine will get a serious look. “He still has an opportunity here,” Girardi said. Romine said he feels great this spring. He lost some weight and his back hasn’t been bothering him this winter.
• Girardi said that finding a right-handed DH is a priority this spring. He also said he wants to see Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera on the field so he can completely get past worrying about them.
• Didn’t see Rivera or Andy Pettitte this morning, but Michael Pineda is here. So is Cesar Cabral. Between today and yesterday, I believe I’ve seen every pitcher — except Andy and Mo — who has a reasonable chance of making the big league roster. The only catcher in the mix who I didn’t see was Bobby Wilson, but my guess is that he’s around, I just didn’t see him.
• There are two additional rows of lockers in the Yankees clubhouse, and most rows have an extra locker to help fit so many guys. That said, there’s still one empy locker in the clubhouse. It’s the one next to Derek Jeter. It’s good to be the Captain.
Girardi’s not sure he wants to shake things up.
“Shocking!!!” – Said no one ever.
Meanwhile, in the desert…
http://tinyurl.com/amheeht
“It’s no secret that we’ve been in negotiations,” Zduriencik told media members moments ago at the team’s spring training facility. “We’ve had really good discussions with his two representatives…so, although I don’t have an update for you right now, I will say that I think things have been very positive. There has been a good tone to our discussions. And I hope, on a positive note, that sooner than later, we’ll be able to announce something. But anything of this magnitude, both in terms of years and dollars, just takes time to work things out.
“But I would say that, at this moment, it’s been real positive, and hopefully sooner than later, we’ll have something to say to you that will be significant.”
Why shake things up when they can go with what won them the World Series last year…
@MiLB
Defensive Gems: The drills and skills that make @Yankees’ @MjordanW9 one of the Minors’ premier outfield defenders: http://atmilb.com/1595YkA
Sure, Joe.
Compass – I had an awful dream last night that the M’s traded Felix to the Sox. I even think I came on here to read about how blake and trisha were SURE the Sox did some dirty dealings to make it happen!!
(I spend too much time with you people.)
Torn ACL of Rondo says:
February 12, 2013 at 11:57 am
Why shake things up when they can go with what won them the World Series last year…
The Giants didnt
@eboland11
Concerns about club aside, Girardi said his evaluation of Yankees is “this team could win 95 games and get to the World Series.”
It was a joke. Why would the Yankees want to shake things up, or make significant changes, after they just won the 2012 World Series.
@AndrewMiLB: #Yankees Prospect Mason Williams (@MjordanW9) Answers Seven Questions about Playing Center Field http://t.co/zpmlNsPj
Concerns about club aside, Girardi said his evaluation of Yankees is “this team could win 95 games and get to the World Series.”
_
85-95
But what’s he going to say?
Yea, and the Yankees “could” win 105 games. Girardi has gotta be a poster on this blog.
Shame ~
Girardi’s finally got his wish. No starting catchers on the roster. Now he can use backup catchers til his heart’s content.
I really hope Romine hits like .400 in ST and wins the job….at least he might get better
And, speaking of nightmares reminds me of dreams…
Surprise?
http://seattlesportsinsider.co.....prise-team
C.C. weighs 290
To me that seems high.
Nah, CC is a big dude. His weight isn’t much of a worry.
CC is the least of my concerns about the team, as is the pitching.
Now, where did the Yanks finish last year and where exactly did the Indians finish? Thats what I thought.
“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.”
I hope to be proven wrong but I wouldn’t be that surprised to see the Indians, under Francona, finish higher in their division than the Yankees this year.
It’s more than about wins and losses. It’s about getting the chance to watch players develop and continue the winning tradition. What some of us see is a gap in development and integration on to the ML roster that puts that at risk.
So many question marks for this team…
Happy to read that Romine has declared his back healthy
I really want him to win the starting job coming out of ST
Both Mo and Andy have certainly earned the right to show up for ST anytime
they want.
@DKnobler
The Yankees can keep A-Rod out of sight (and they will), but they can’t stop the A-Rod questions from coming. http://cbsprt.co/Z80hTA
@mcuban: The Mavs are a business unlike any other. My latest blog post http://blogmaverick.com/2013/0.....any-other/ …
Interesting read.
That Knobler is a frikking GENIUS, duh!!!
Of course the questions are going to be asked. Big Deal.
I personally am not worried the team will have to answer questions. That’s just part of the process.
I really could care less where ARod rehabs, just as long as he is doing his work.
The media is just looking to sell papers and this is what they do
“I have to realize that many, if not most Mavs fans don’t call talk radio shows. They don’t tweet about what went right or wrong during each game. In fact, while they want the Mavs to win, they are Mavs fans, win or lose. In fact, I was one of those fans before I bought the Mavs. We had a horrible team the entire run of my owning season tickets. It didn’t matter. I was a fan first.
But to some Mavs fans the Mavs are more than just a game. They are a release. They are a connection to other family members. They are an escape from the realities of a very difficult life. There are fans who love the Mavs because it makes their lives better.
THere are not many businesses that can begin to have that kind of impact on their customers/fans. ”
Had to post at least part of it since I know some of you will be too lazy to click the link
@injuryexpert: Kevin Towers quoted as saying Didi Gregorius has an elbow strain, UCL problem. Trying to clarify. Neither is good.
@keithlaw: /Sirotka’d “@nickpiecoro: Towers said the #Dbacks didn’t do a physical exam of Gregorius before finalizing the deal to acquire him.”
Wow
The Diamondbacks making us look competent! There are those good vibes Doreen was hoping for!
Trade proposal:
Mets get: Hughes and Granderson
Yankees get: Wheeler, Murphy, Neuenheis, Buck
Why would the Mets give away a future ace they have under control for a long time in return for 2 1 year players?
Patrick February 12th, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Why would the Mets give away a future ace they have under control for a long time in return for 2 1 year players?
—————-
Stop inserting logic into my silliness.
Seriously though – The Mets seem like a prime dumping ground for Curtis Granderson if we could make it work.
A physical didn’t show (or so we are told) anything about Pineda’s shoulder issues/significantly declining velo. The D’backs may have looked at his existing medical records.
Trading for pitchers is a risky business.
But ok, Towers isn’t on the list to replace Cashman.
I thought getting a physical was standard procedure for absolutely every player in any trade. Even very low end players in trades get physicals.
Stop inserting logic into my silliness.
—
My apologies
Wow, I was expecting Girardi to announce they have no chance. I feel better.
Rich in NJ February 12th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Trading for pitchers is a risky business.
———————
Didi’s a SS not a pitcher – but trading for anyone is risky business.
I see Girardi is already in regular season form with his standardized, predictable answers.
I’m most curious about how he’s going to refer to Youkilis and Hafner – will he call them Youk and Pronk or will he go with the “ie” and go with Youkie and Pronkie?
As I said last year, Girardi doing all these pressers, pre-game, post-game, etc. is truly a waste.
With that said I realize that he obviously has to do them and why he gives such vanilla answers.
But man is it pointless.
“Didi’s a SS not a pitcher – but trading for anyone is risky business.”
I just assumed he was a pitcher given the injury. MY BAD! That may explain why Towers didn’t do his due diligence, but it doesn’t excuse it.
Chip says:
February 12, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Trade proposal:
Mets get: Hughes and Granderson
Yankees get: Wheeler, Murphy, Neuenheis, Buck
The mets wouldn’t trade wheeler for Justin Upton
I’d do Granderson for Flores and some pieces.
So here’s a real trade proposal:
Astros get: Cody Eppley
Yankees get: Justin Maxwell
Solves the issue of the RH outfielder – he can play all over, the Yankees know him and he’s shown upside in his play.
Eppley’s probably not going to be in the pen this year – getting replaced by Aardsma and Joba.
“well, we battle tonight, i thought Pronkie’s double was huge for us, and Youkie had a real good AB before him, he is a battler obviously. I thought CC pitched well, he left a slider up that ramiro pena make good contact on, he is a dangerous hitter. I think we are heading in the right direction. Well… I gave Jete another day at DH because i feel it’s a along season. “
Chip
Leave the Maxwell debate alone. Nobody could have predicted he would have played
so well as an Astro.
At the time ST 2012 concluded, the Yankees decided against keeping him.
Of course it was a poor choice, but I think every MLB team would have made the same move.
Keeping the Vet and dismissing the unproven player.
cesar cabral, is he a discernible upgrade over a loogy?
i would hang up the phone on you real quick Chip. eppley has zero upside and is not a starter.
“Leave the Maxwell debate alone. Nobody could have predicted he would have played so well as an Astro.”
That’s a LoHud Falalcy
Some of us predicted that Maxwell would hit well v. LHP because he had in a small sample size:
.243 .374 .448 .821
So whiile .272 .387 .505 .892 may not have been predicted, that he could help the Yankees at a position of need was.
‘No one could have predicted’ is one of the best lines besides ‘best shape of his life.’
Hehehehehehe..
@MikeFrancesaNY
I’m askin da hahd-hittin questions and answerin dem myself with Tawm Collins on da line. Do youah like Jawn Niece? Everyone likes him.
if Mesa garners better strike zone judgment, he has as much tools as Maxwell, probably more power. Mesa and Almonte needs a bit more seasoning. i say 3/4 of AAA season. He can real useful if he does that.
Why would the Astros or anybody want Eppley?
though I think Almonte (not abe) has a better chance of becoming a MLB player than Mesa. but either has a chance to be 4th OF or maybe a tad better imo.
I like the idea of stubb blake, question is always what they want for it. his contract is reasonable.
The Indians are saying they aren’t trading Stubbs now….the issue with him though is how much would you give for a platoon RH bat …..if you’re Cleveland you’re not dealing him for nothing….so my guess is your probably have to give a real prospect or somebody like Phelps to get him and not sure he’s worth that. He’d be nice to have….but kinda a luxury and depth move more than anything
Extend Grandy on a reasonable deal and then trade him to the Mets
not much… maybe a warren type, i kick in Mesa, beyond that I say no to it. but I do think when it’s all set and done Yanks will go north with better options than Diaz or Rivera, really rather hard not to do. we see.
Anyone that has Twitter needs to start following Florida Man…. check this out:
@_FloridaMan
Florida Man Enters Wrong Home, Tries To Kick Everyone Out | http://on.wcsh6.com/Uh79w1
“but trading for anyone is risky business.”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/re.....204725.htm
Pitchers had a 34 percent higher injury rate than fielders prior to the All-Star Game, according to the study. Not surprisingly, pitchers experienced 67 percent of the injuries to the upper extremity compared to fielders while fielders also had a greater proportion of the lower extremity injuries and injuries to other anatomic regions, according to the study.
The study also noted that pitchers also spent a greater proportion of days on the disability list (62.4 percent) when compared to fielders (37.6 percent). But both pitchers and fielders spent significantly more days on the disabled list for upper extremity injuries than for lower extremity injuries.
[...]
As for the timing of the injuries, 74.4 percent of all MLB players’ injuries occurred before the All-Star break. Pitchers sustained 76.5 percent and fielders sustained 71.7 percent of their total respective injuries prior to the All-Star game. Seventy-nine percent of all shoulder and elbow injuries happened to pitchers before the All-Star game and 74.8 percent of all hamstring, quadriceps, groin and core injuries to fielders happened before the All-Star game.
@_FloridaMan
Florida Man Arrested For Allegedly Fixing Cars With Play-Doh | http://bit.ly/Xw2rFI
@_FloridaMan
Police Arrest Ketchup-Covered Florida Man Yelling Profanities At Tourists While Sprawled In The Middle Of The Street | http://keysnews.com/node/39182
@_FloridaMan
Florida Man Accidentally Shoots Off Penis And Testicles While Cleaning Gun | http://bit.ly/PbJRzY
—————–
Rich – Good stuff.
unlikely Shame unless this team collapse in the first half with massive debilitating pitching injuries and playoff berth are out of sight… they will continue to patchwork otherwise. I think unless the above scenario occurs Yanks will be a modest buyer like they were the previous few years. the garbage bin is open for Cmoney to prowl thru all season.
Bauer, I am interested to see how he does with Wahoo.
The Yankees new ticket exchange is going to have price floors. Stupid.
Jerkface February 12th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
The Yankees new ticket exchange is going to have price floors. Stupid.
—————–
Is it really? That wasn’t in the press release…
concession exchange will be next big idea JF, I sell you my half drank beer for 3.50 at YS? customers can instantly conduct transaction on Yankee exclusive ipad priced at a reasonable 550 dollars in our new Borgata lounge.
The thing that will hurt StubHub, if I’m understanding this right, is that you won’t be able to print your tickets from them anymore. Should be okay though, if they have a stand across the street from the Stadium where those that buy them can just pick them up.
Hals ultimate plan is to charge $1 per blog complaint from fans
I wonder if Chad will get a cut… Chad’s Girls don’t come cheap.
Is it really? That wasn’t in the press release…
–
http://t.co/7guhzZ8C
Unlike StubHub, the exchange is expected to feature price floors of some sort, but Trost said particulars have not been worked out. “Right now, we’re experimenting,” he said. “We’ll use this year to make a determination. Certain games may have it; certain games may not. Certain sections may have it; certain sections may not.”
@leokitty
That’s absolutely a response to the crazy overpriced Field Level seats “between the bases” and Champions sections going for like 75% off
Of course the downside of the new ticket plan isn’t mentioned. You can be sure the reason for the change is to stop cheap ticket sales to the extent possible.
With the extra money, the team will try to re-sign Eppley for 2014.
Ummm…
@HeathcottSlade
I’m going to know every dealer in town….
Can’t have the peasants inside the moat.
JF – Thanks.
So they’re just going to have more empty seats there, I guess. Either that or a lot of cash heavy security guards in those sections.
When Martin didn’t wait to see what the Yankees would offer, there were whispers within the organization that Martin had a problem with manager Joe Girardi.
That, Martin says, wasn’t true.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....e7zz4Eh4mN
_
If it is true, Girardi hid it so well that he could probably have a great career as a character actor.
i think my buddy bought the weekend package, i need to ask him. I be going a few games, though i must admit I probably spend far more on food than the ticket. I can’t stop buying food in a baseball game.
austinmac,
But for me I don’t see the upside in the Yankees trying to enforce a ticket floor, they don’t receive any of the revenue from secondary sales?
Jerkface February 12th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
austinmac,
But for me I don’t see the upside in the Yankees trying to enforce a ticket floor, they don’t receive any of the revenue from secondary sales?
—
If resale ticket prices get too low, it discourages buying at higher prices from the Yankees.
I think people will wait to buy tickets secondarily if the prices are significantly lower, but I am no expert in any of it.