We need some games around here
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 20, 2013 
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Seriously. Pitchers and catchers was a huge step. Getting all of the position players in camp built a little bit of buzz. But the Yankees really need to start playing games.
Derek Jeter is still in rehab mode. Michael Pineda is throwing a few fastballs every now and then. Alex Rodriguez is nowhere to be found. Joba Chamberlain’s ankle and elbow both seem to be working just fine. Robinson Cano isn’t a free agent yet. Ichiro Suzuki isn’t a new guy anymore, and honestly, neither is Kevin Youkilis at this point. There’s really only so much Joe Girardi can say on a day to day basis that we don’t already know.
For us to truly learn something new about this team, we need some games. We need to see the outfield alignment, and get a feel for how these catchers are going to perform, and see if some of these young guys can open some eyes. We’ve known the bulk of this roster for more than a year now, and we’ve spent an entire winter exploring the big picture topics of payroll and age and free agency and prospects. It would be a lot of fun to see some actual results, is all I’m saying.
Don’t get me wrong, there are 83 players in camp, which means there are at least that many interesting stories to tell. But it’s been a long winter, and some actual baseball would be really nice right about now.
Associated Press photo
No arguments from me. Let the games begin, and let’s hope for some good showings by the youngsters.
Good morning.
Probably already know this, but 4 Yankees were in the Top 100 list of Baseball America.
No. 32 – Mason Williams.
Best tool: Speed/defense (70).
Weakest: Arm (50).
No. 57 – Gary Sanchez
Best tool: Power (65)
Weakest: Speed (30)
No. 63 – Slade Heathcott
Best tool: Speed (70)
Weakest: Bat (50)
No. 77 – Tyler Austin
Best tool: Bat (65)
Weakest: Speed/defense (50)
http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....eball.html
Do we agree on what their strongest and weakest assets are? See article for link to all 100.
Morning all… might be one of the few times the majority of LoHud is on the same page regarding Gardner to CF. I think Chip is the only person I’ve heard opposed to it.
I didn’t see the tool rankings Trader, thanks for posting.
crane’s buisness (according to wfan) valued the yankees at $2.8B, not counting yes.
sign cano.
Hardball Talk ?@HardballTalk
David Price says he wouldn’t sign with the Yankees because of their facial hair policy http://dlvr.it/2zGLK0 #mlb #hbt
“I wouldn’t sign a long-term deal there. Those rules, that’s old-school baseball. I was born in ’85. That’s not for me. That’s not something I want to be a part of.”
LOL!!
Ys Guy February 20th, 2013 at 8:56 am
crane’s buisness (according to wfan) valued the yankees at $2.8B, not counting yes.
sign cano.
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This.
Give Cano any money you might have earmarked for Price cause he says he’d say no thanks to Yanks because he’s not shaving.
@craigcalcaterra
David Price says he wouldn’t sign with the Yankees because of their facial hair policy http://hardballtalk.nbcsports......ir-policy/ … via @HardballTalk
Joe Torre used to have a couple of intrasquad games a couple of days before the ST games started, just to get the players acclimated to game action again. I notice Girardi doesn’t do that. Wonder why.
So LoHud feels Gardner should play center. Who should be the leadoff hitter, especially vs righties?
Gardner or Suzuki?
From NY Times:
“For all of Gardner’s solid outfield play, where his speed allows him to cover huge chunks of real estate, his greatest asset could be his patience in the batter’s box. Over his five-year career, according to FanGraphs.com, Gardner has swung at only 33.8 percent of the pitches thrown to him. Consider that Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer had the lowest swing rate in the major leagues last season, at 35.4 percent.”
“Of course, taking pitches — and make no mistake, Gardner takes many — is only one piece of the puzzle. More important, when Gardner decides to swing, he makes contact 90.4 percent of the time. Last season, only seven players in baseball had higher rates of contact. His patience and precision make for a rare combination in a league of free swingers.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02......html?_r=0
Chad:
Was wondering if you got a chance to see Greg Bird hit? They say his power is electrifying
i’ve been saying since last season ended that gardner should be the CF and leadoff hitter.
David Price says he wouldn’t sign with the Yankees because of their facial hair policy http://dlvr.it/2zGLK0 #mlb
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It’s a ridiculous policy and the abandonment of it is long overdue.
And the Yanks need to realize that they’re no longer the only rich kids on the block.
jeers is right. ridiculous policy that should have been retired a long time ago.
Ys Guy-
Gardner’s average of 4.3 pitches per at bat would help run up the opposing pitcher’s pitch count sooner, than if the Yankees kept him in the 9 spot.
My concern with him, is will he stay healthy all year, continuing to slide head first?
players have tats of naked women, guns and demons all over but a goatee gives the ‘wrong impression’?
wtf?
yt, rickey henderson did it throughout his career. played 22 seasons or somesuch.
its stupid, but you dont make out the lineup thinking about head first slides…
The Yanks aren’t the only organization that asks for clean cut facial hair.. Is it really that big of a deal?
McCulloughSL
Phil Hughes says an MRI revealed a bulging disc in his upper back. Shut down for 4-5 days. http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde.....es_si.html …
I don’t have a problem with the facial hair policy.
And it was a big deal to George so I don’t see Hal retiring that policy as long as the Steinbrenners own the team.
pat February 20th, 2013 at 9:33 am
McCulloughSL
Phil Hughes says an MRI revealed a bulging disc in his upper back. Shut down for 4-5 days. http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde…..es_si.html …
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‘Bulging disc’ sounds so much worse than a 4-5 day thing… anyone ever have one?
Ouch and Darn! On Hughes.
And a big LOL on David Price. (Show me the Money is all that really matters.) If the Yankees were really in on him, and offered him the money he would want, and he had a ton of players calling him and courting him – well, let’s see what he has to say then.
At any rate, aren’t mustaches allowed???
Nothing wrong with head first slides as long as you hit the base with an open palmkorfist and protect those five fingers.
Not much of a bulge in that disc if it’s only 4-5 days. That’s relatively good news.
If the Yankees are really worth $ 2.8 BILLION without including YES than I am completely done with supporting or even understanding the quest for $ 189 M in payroll.
That said I still like the idea of saying goodbye to aged players and giving youngsters a chance to prove themselves.
Shame Spencer February 20th, 2013 at 9:32 am
The Yanks aren’t the only organization that asks for clean cut facial hair.. Is it really that big of a deal?
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It’s not a big deal and I understand they want a clean cut look like many organization in the world do. Correct me if I’m wrong but the policy started when the Boss took over right and that was at a time when players had all types of crazy hair. Even though there are guys today that go over board I’m sure guys on the Yankees wouldn’t go overboard if they modified the policy.
Plus it is a lot easier to have a blanket no facial hair (or no beard) policy than it is to try to navigate through what kind a beard is permissible and how long it can be, etc.
But I’m seriously more concerned about Hughes. Hope the anti-inflammatories help, but more important, is this a one-time thing, or will this be a recurring problem?
Doreen February 20th, 2013 at 9:44 am
Ouch and Darn! On Hughes.
And a big LOL on David Price. (Show me the Money is all that really matters.) If the Yankees were really in on him, and offered him the money he would want, and he had a ton of players calling him and courting him – well, let’s see what he has to say then.
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But if he has the option to take less and be happy then he would turn them down and not think twice about it.
“It’s too bad that financial matters periodically ruin the fun of baseball’s most likeable team. The Rays are an unconventional band of winners bound together by the culture of acceptance and ethos of joy. With a mood that’s more campus frathouse than controlled clubhouse, it’s no wonder that ex-Rays pine for their alma mater even while earning fatter paychecks elsewhere.”
ethos of Joy, where the F does morosi come up with these lame narratives? baseball’s most likeable team?
The beard thing is a bit outdated. Just insist on it being trim and neat. Hell when is the last time Pettitte to the mound clean shaven? Clemens always shaved the day after he pitched and then built up four days of stubble. It really hasn’t been enforced.
ethos of Joy, where the F does morosi come up with these lame narratives? baseball’s most likeable team?
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It’s the whole little engine that could thing. I don’t doubt their likability although their popularity isn’t that high.
why we at it, let’s have strip club next to locker room so player don’t have travel far afterwards and limit their exposure to risks. I am sure Morosi would approve the bonding there, it goes well with frathouse joy.
while
Hope the anti-inflammatories help, but more important, is this a one-time thing, or will this be a recurring problem?
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Well he has had back issues in 11, his last PS start, and now in ST. Hopefully those are just random flare ups and nothing more
Chad, just three days to go. Be patient. Maybe take a day off and go over to Busch Gardens, Disney or take the tour at the Yeungling Brewery. Then surely something really interesting will happen in camp.
Play Ball!
McCulloughSL
Phil Hughes says an MRI revealed a bulging disc in his upper back. Shut down for 4-5 days. http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde…..es_si.html …
paging Kyle Lohse….seriously if he’d do one year at this point then sign him and if Hughes ends up being fine then your rotation is better anyways.
Ken_Rosenthal
#Mariners send Carp to #RedSox for PTBN or cash. Kalish to 60-day DL.
The Dodgers have endless money and no facial hair policy
Off to the beach here in Samana, Dominican Republic. Last two days before return to Los Esatados Unidos and my daughter returns to her Peace Corps assignment in the most impoverished place I think I’ve ever seen.
Hasta Luego
If the Yankees are really worth $ 2.8 BILLION without including YES than I am completely done with supporting or even understanding the quest for $ 189 M in payroll.
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The only thing I’m surprised by about this report is that people are surprised… The Yankees are one of the wealthiest franchises in all of sports. Of course they’re worth well over a billion dollars.
The goal is dumb because it’s a money grab. Even if Hal only made a million dollars a year from owning the team (which is almost impossible because the Devils owner makes about that for a franchise worth much MUCH less in a league worth much less) that’s a pretty flipping sweet deal, IMO.
JackCurryYES
Cashman said he hopes Hughes back injury “is nothing major.” Hughes will rest for a week and maybe throw within 2 weeks.
All the hair rules are a holdover from the anti-hippie days.
Somebody throw some water in Chad’s face, and send him out for Rd 5\Wed. The man’s delirious.
Bulging disc sounds bad and the estimates quickly went from 3-5 days to 2 weeks.
Told ya we should have traded Hughes!
The policy has little to do with money but with an image Yanks want to portrait. I personally could careless if the guys can play ball.
“It’s not a big deal and I understand they want a clean cut look like many organization in the world do. Correct me if I’m wrong but the policy started when the Boss took over right and that was at a time when players had all types of crazy hair. Even though there are guys today that go over board I’m sure guys on the Yankees wouldn’t go overboard if they modified the policy.”
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by ‘crazy hair’ do you mean white guys with crew cuts?
Hughes is Exactly why investing BIG $$$, for at Least 7yrs, inna 31 yr old Cano is DUMB. Players crash-and-burn All the time. Utley is another log on this fire.
The only good news on Hughes is that it is happening before any of the games are even started, so he’ll be behind but not too much. This better not be the start of a ‘cursed’ season for Hughes.
I gotta player sportin’ hair like Oscar Gamble, I’m all over his butt to get it cut.
I bet ya a guy like David Price gets wicked razor burn.
Shaving kinda sucks.
Y’s guy is right. Full sleeves of ink is fine but hair on your chin is bad for the Yank image?
Ys Guy February 20th, 2013 at 10:20 am
“It’s not a big deal and I understand they want a clean cut look like many organization in the world do. Correct me if I’m wrong but the policy started when the Boss took over right and that was at a time when players had all types of crazy hair. Even though there are guys today that go over board I’m sure guys on the Yankees wouldn’t go overboard if they modified the policy.”
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by ‘crazy hair’ do you mean white guys with crew cuts?
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No I’m talking about the heavy beards, long hair, and afros.
Has anyone seen the Yankees ST radio schedule? I can’t seem to find it anywhere.
blake February 20th, 2013 at 10:06 am
McCulloughSL
Phil Hughes says an MRI revealed a bulging disc in his upper back. Shut down for 4-5 days. http://www.nj.com/yankees/inde…..es_si.html …
paging Kyle Lohse….seriously if he’d do one year at this point then sign him and if Hughes ends up being fine then your rotation is better anyways.
_________________________________________
Signing Lohse will cost them a draft pick. Won’t happen
“Signing Lohse will cost them a draft pick. Won’t happen”
it’ll cost them a late first round pick and they have 3 of them…..it’s not really the same thing as the Mets losing the 11th overall pick for Bourn.
I wouldn’t want to lose a pick for Lohse, personally. RHP, flyball, who throws 89 mph in NYS? If he didnt have the draft pick attached… of course if he didn’t he’d be signed already by another team.
the Hughes injury doesn’t sound significant enough to panic about…..however their rotation has to be their strength and they really can’t afford to lose any of that front 4 for any extended amount of time IMO…..they just don’t have the offense to cover for it for long.
I don’t know where Boras is in talks for Lohse…..but I’d think Kyle is wanting to get in a camp pretty soon and if the price has fallen to a year then they should at least consider it.
“I wouldn’t want to lose a pick for Lohse, personally. RHP, flyball, who throws 89 mph in NYS? If he didnt have the draft pick attached… of course if he didn’t he’d be signed already by another team.”
eh….I guess it depends on the terms of what he’ll sign for……late 1st rounders are more unpredictable than higher picks and the Yanks do have 3 of them right now. If Pettite went down for 2 months in June then having Lohse around certainly would be nice. He’d be a #3 or 4 in the AL east…..but what are we getting from Nova or Phelps? We just don’t know……if the offense was better then I wouldn’t worry about it as much
This “2 week” thing has come from Cashman. Till he gets a shingle, his medical prognosis on anything is the equivalent of most of us around here.
My guess would be that Theo is asking for a Busher that would go far latter than late in the 1st Rd. I’d spend $5 Mill X 2yrs for Soriano, before I would sign Lohse for 1 season at whatever\$$$. Yanks have options If Hughes goes down for a lengthy period. They have Yet to find a legitimate RH Bat.
IMO, the “2 week timeout” is to give PH as much time as possible before he really needs to get going for the season. 2 weeks from today is 3/6. That gives PH about 30 days until what would probably be his 1st start, 4/5 in Detroit. Given that he apparently did a lot of offseason work 30 days is probably all he needs to get ready for the season. Might as well give him as much rest time as possible to be on the safe side.
Huuuughes!
Lou Piniella had a great story about when George first came in and told Lou that he had to get a hair cut.
Lou gave him the old “Jesus had long hair” excuse to which George responded by telling Lou that I’d he could walk on water, then he could keep his long hair.
Lou could probably hit on water
” DONNYBROOK February 20th, 2013 at 10:40 am
This “2 week” thing has come from Cashman. Till he gets a shingle, his medical prognosis on anything is the equivalent of most of us around here.”‘
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every single thing that cashman does isn’t some kind of conspiracy to prevent the yankees from winning.
did you have a problem with which side of the bed cashman got out of this morning?(hal must have had input there, too)
even doctors dont know spit about backs.
I wish Cashman would stop calling ahead to the MTA to make me miss my train in the morning
dammit!
cashman burned the biscuits!!!
A herniated disc in the mid or upper back is somewhat unusual. Discs typically will receed after hernation. That is the likely hope and reasonable expectation. Of course, time will tell.
Again, most pundits predicted the Yankees would add rotation depth in the off-season. They didn’t realize then the money issues. The pundits saw the great lack of pitching depth and realized they would have to rely on both Nova and Phelps is an injury occurred.
As we all know, pitching is key for this season.