Tuesday postgame notes: “Not something we’re going to pursue”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 26, 2013 
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Brett Gardner had three hits yesterday. Ichiro Suzuki had three hits today. But those aren’t the outfield spots anyone wants to talk about these days. The Yankees search for a left fielder continues, and it seems that there will be no easy fix. Johnny Damon has offered his services, but general manager Brian Cashman made it clear today that the Yankees aren’t interested.
“It’s just not something we’re going to pursue,” Cashman said. “I love Johnny, a lot of leadership and everything else, but it’s just not going to fit our needs. It’s the same reason we didn’t bring him in last year. We need somebody who can play the outfield every day.”
In phone calls and text messages yesterday, Cashman told me and just about every other beat writer the same thing yesterday — that the Yankees are focusing on the options in camp — but today he was a little more crystal clear, and a little more detailed.
“I got a text from Scott Boras last night after I got a lot of texts from you guys,” Cashman said. “And I responded to him the same way I responded to you guys. … Johnny’s great. Listen, I love Johnny Damon, and he was an awesome Yankee when we had him. But that was a while ago.”
It was Matt Diaz starting in left field this afternoon. Melky Mesa played there yesterday. We’ll also see Juan Rivera, Ronnier Mustelier and Zoilo Almonte. It’s hard to rule out the Yankees making an addition before Opening Day, but Cashman made it clear that he’s in no hurry to make a change.
“We’re going to evaluate what we have in camp,” Cashman said. “I’m not looking outside at this stage. My first response, always, to a loss, is to make sure we don’t have what we need right here in front of us.”
• Cashman also offered an explanation of why Eduardo Nunez won’t be considered for the left field job. “I don’t think he profiles as an outfielder with the bat,” Cashman said.
• Have other free agents contacted the Yankees about their left field opening? “Yep,” Cashman said. Are any of them going to be signed? “No.”
• Phil Hughes did more pool work today, but Girardi didn’t have any sort of update on him. Hughes said yesterday that he expects to be reevaluated on Wednesday.
• Will Kevin Youkilis play in tomorrow’s game? “No, I don’t think so,” Girardi said. “We’ll make him go through some hoops first.”
• One random observation about Joba Chamberlain’s postgame comments. Doesn’t this eliminate any chance of him coming back to the Yankees after this season? If he wants to be either a starter or a closer, I have to think he’ll have a better chance finding one of those jobs elsewhere.
• Speaking of which, both Chamberlain and Robertson pitched a scoreless inning today. Robertson walked one batter but didn’t allow a hit. “I felt pretty good,” Robertson said. “I missed with a lot of fastballs away, but in my head I felt like they were minor misses. Missing six, eight inches outside. I felt like I had a good angle on my fastball, which is good. I feel like I’m more prepared this year than last year.”
• Chamberlain struck out two, first with a slider and then with a fastball. “Everything felt really good, so I was really happy about it,” Chamberlain said.
• Jose Ramirez made a strong first impression with his two scoreless innings. “To start his first game here, seeing Howard and Rollins, he threw strikes,” Girardi said. “He did a nice job. … He’s got a live arm. He’s got a really good changeup. Saw a good slider today. Good stuff.”
• Ichiro had three hits today, but the star of the show was J.R. Murphy who had a home run and a hard-hit double. The homer came off Zach Miner, who has 157 games in the big leagues. … Mark Teixeira had an RBI double today. … Suzuki stole a base. … Matt Diaz got his first spring hit with a single up the middle.
• The Yankees lost 4-3 because of a three-run seventh for the Phillies. All three runs came off Zach Nuding, who gave up a pair of homers — long ones — to Domonic Brown and Tommy Joseph. The Phillies had only five hits. … Branden Pinder gave the Yankees a good eighth inning with two strikeouts.
• Nunez hit three balls on the ground today. Each time, his helmet fell off on his way to first. Seems like that’s happened every time he’s hit a ball on the ground this spring. “I don’t know how it happens,” Nunez said. “This helmet fits me good on my head. You know, it’s tight! I don’t know what the problem is. … (Teammates) are all over me. They kill me, especially Jeter (who says), ‘Nuney, what’s wrong with you? This is Yankees. We can’t do that here.’”
Associated Press photos
repost:
Just a drive-by to say thanks to Shame for the link to that story. Things like that renew my faith in humankind. And what an inspiration the boy is. Kudos to his parents.
I would also like to renew my stance on Joba being a starter. I still have not given up on that, nor will I.
Great night all.
**************
And an addition re: Damon and the Yankees stance – Thank God.
Dat’s all for now.
“It’s just not something we’re going to pursue,” Cashman said. “I love Johnny, a lot of leadership and everything else, but it’s just not going to fit our needs. It’s the same reason we didn’t bring him in last year. We need somebody who can play the outfield every day.”
This would seem to rule out either Juan Rivera or Matt Diaz getting the job.
One random observation about Joba Chamberlain’s postgame comments. Doesn’t this eliminate any chance of him coming back to the Yankees after this season? If he wants to be either a starter or a closer, I have to think he’ll have a better chance finding one of those jobs elsewhere.
It’s conceivable that he could be the Yankee closer next year assuming Mo hangs up his spikes. I think it would be a competition between Joba and D-Rob. What he won’t find with the Yankees is closer money.
Thought Ramirerez was impressive….first time I’ve seen him and liked it a lot.
Joba looked great….slider had awesome tilt and so much downward movement the Phillies guy called it a split.
Ichiro and Gardner both look good early and they’ll need them to….Hafner swinging the bat well also.
Nunez is so far so good defensively…..
I wonder, re Joba, if Montgomery is knocking the door down in AAA, would the Yankees consider dealing either Joba or Robertson during the season?
Blake -
I really liked what I saw from Ramirez. I know it was just one spring start but that, coupled with the rave reviews he’s gotten thus far make me think he could be a solid rotation candidate going forward. I wonder if he might make Dellin Betances expendable in a trade – say for a Dom Brown?
I really don’t think they are looking at Diaz or Rivera to play every day…..at least I hope they are planning on one of them winning the same job they were fighting for before Granderson’s injury and will mainly play vs LHP……those 2 aren’t every day players even for 6 weeks…..neither can play defense and neither can hit RHP
blake February 26th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
I really don’t think they are looking at Diaz or Rivera to play every day…..at least I hope they are planning on one of them winning the same job they were fighting for before Granderson’s injury and will mainly play vs LHP……those 2 aren’t every day players even for 6 weeks…..neither can play defense and neither can hit RHP
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I think Girardi would trust Diaz in the field (at least as much as he trusted Ibanez) I’m hoping you’re right.
“I really liked what I saw from Ramirez. I know it was just one spring start but that, coupled with the rave reviews he’s gotten thus far make me think he could be a solid rotation candidate going forward. I wonder if he might make Dellin Betances expendable in a trade – say for a Dom Brown?”
If they’d trade Brown for Betances then they should have done that already regardless….I kinda doubt they would though.
Did like Ramierez a lot though….you could tell the ball had some hop on it and had some downward movement ….he threw a sick CU to Howard.
“I think Girardi would trust Diaz in the field (at least as much as he trusted Ibanez) I’m hoping you’re right.”
The big difference though is that there are alt more of the pitchers Ibanez can hit than the ones diaz/Rivera can…..I don’t see his they could play either of those guys every day as RH hitters …..they wi need a platoon partner
When I saw the Joba headline I thought “uh oh,” but his response was completely reasonable. It does answer a question I posed a few days ago, if Joba was concerned about the moves from pen to rotation and back. It’s probably ‘yes.’
The Yanks have 5 or 6 guys now in the system with legit front of the rotation upside….Campos, Hensley, Banuelos, Depaula, Ramierez, etc….they badly need to figure out a way to get 1 or 2 if them to do it
Really all you need is to develop one ace if you’re the Yankees. It would be a huge boon to save that type of money. Then pay for another ace.
One guy would go a long way. They would no longer have to hear how they can’t develop pitchers
“I don’t think he profiles as an outfielder with the bat,” Cashman said.
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I think Nunez’s bat profiles more like a typical OF then Ichiro and Gardner do. I think Nunez could put up numbers that could be considered “Swisher like”, the defense out there would really worry me (but could be no worse then Rivera or Diaz).
Any news on Aardsma? He hasn’t pitched yet. He posted 101 on the radar gun years ago as a Cub.
“I think Nunez’s bat profiles more like a typical OF then Ichiro and Gardner do. I think Nunez could put up numbers that could be considered “Swisher like””
I think it’s easy to say that…..but Nunies minors argue track record doesn’t really suggest that type hitter and he really hasn’t been around long enough to be exposed by big league pitchers yet…..I like his bat for a SS and do think he’s got some upside…. But the truth is we for know exact what he’d really produce with 500 ABs…..he could improve….he could get exposed and regress too as pitchers learned his weaknesses
I expect the Yankees will pick up a reasonable reserve outfielder at the end of spring training when everybody needs to make difficult roster decisions. Probably somebody equivalent to Dickerson.
Blake,
I agree with you on liking his bat, but it’s the defense that is going to cut his career short. I don’t believe he’s a major league SS, but I don’t think 6 weeks in the OF will kill the Yanks season.
I WANT JOBA! (to start)! I WANT JOBA (to start)!
And in pinstripes!!!
I think he deserves that opportunity. I am calling on the baseball gods to work some magic and right what was wronged. (IMHO, anyway).
Thank you in advance, baseball gods!
“I’d like to catch one more game, too,” Girardi said.”
Really disappointed in this comment.
It’s so freaking obvious how different they ( Cash and Joe) treat their favorites vs their non favorites. And I’m a big Hughes fan.
I really thought we got rid of that kind of thing when Torre left, but I guess I was wrong.
Devils advocate Im sure the Yanks really refer not to have to rehash all this stuff with the media again this year….Joba has a role for 2013 and he needs to focus on that right now because its an important one for this team.
Joba the starters ship has sailed as a Yankee….so either way Im sure they don’t want the distraction….the comments could have been better crafted by Girardi and Cashman….but Im sure they just want him focused on task at hand right now …..they need him
Joba far more likely to start a game in the future than Girardi is to catch one, I don’t understand that comment. It reminds me of Cashman’s HR comment from this offseason.
What this comment is saying, essentially, is that the manager of Joba’s team thinks he will never start a game in the majors and that thinking so is unrealistic. While that might be true for the Yankees, it certainly is not true for all of baseball. Its, really, not something that needs to be said by the manager.
Bleh.
trisha – Glad you liked it
Joba got a raw deal in that faux competition between he and Hughes.. but I really don’t get how the Yankees can rule anything out when Hughes might be out the door next year and their best pitching prospects aren’t near ready. I think over the last few years they’ve used 6-7 different guys to account for over 30 starts per season (something I don’t think is all that unusual league-wide)….. why not just give it a go? That was what I couldn’t figure out the last time, either. If the worst case scenario is that he ends up back in the pen, is that really so terrible?
“but Im sure they just want him focused on task at hand right now …..they need him”
So mocking him is the way they like to motivate? I understand what your saying, but there is no good way to spin those comments.
sigh…….
Cashman’s comment is fine, he is basically no-commenting on it by addressing a real weakness the team has that he is working to fix.
Girardi’s comment cannot be spun as ‘getting Joba’s mind in the right place’ or whatever. Its just a dick thing to say about one of your players.
“you are saying”
Sorry
“What this comment is saying, essentially, is that the manager of Joba’s team thinks he will never start a game in the majors and that thinking so is unrealistic”
Pretty much
What is odd about that comment is that in general I have found Girardi to seemingly possess an above average amount of empathy. Maybe he dislikes Joba, would explain why the Yankees went from Joba the starter to Joba the reliever so strangely on his watch.
“Girardi’s comment cannot be spun as ‘getting Joba’s mind in the right place’ or whatever. Its just a dick thing to say about one of your players.”
I agree….any chance this question was asked while Nude was pitching
I won’t even comment on the comments by our FO/management… we construct better arguments on here and that’s saying something lol.
“So mocking him is the way they like to motivate? I understand what your saying, but there is no good way to spin those comments.”
No I agree….the comments were in poor taste…..as JF said they basically suggested that Joba was crazy for even bringing it up
I remember when Jorgie and Damon talked about wanting Joba to be in the pen.. but those were guys that were chasing their final championships. They had every reason to want him out there. It didn’t mean he should have never been given a shot again.
“Really disappointed in this comment.
It’s so freaking obvious how different they ( Cash and Joe) treat their favorites vs their non favorites. And I’m a big Hughes fan.
I really thought we got rid of that kind of thing when Torre left, but I guess I was wrong.”
I’m calling on the fate and karma gods to help the baseball gods here and do something that forces the Yanks hand and finds Joba starting again. It’s only right.
“What is odd about that comment is that in general I have found Girardi to seemingly possess an above average amount of empathy.”
I agree he usually seems to have his players back. Although thinking back on Posadagate maybe it doesn’t include the players that are out of favor with Cashman.
I would love for a non Yankee reporter to ask some tough follow up questions to Giradi about that comment.
Shame, truth be told I don’t think it was any of their freakin’ business to weigh in on where Joba should be. Reminds me of the stuff Fat Milkshakes pulls in beantown. They should have kept their mouths shut and worried about their own positions!
Oh my god… http://gawker.com/5987185/terr.....socialflow
CC and family in Harlem Shake video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?f.....mbp5FxB5rU
Shame, I saw that picture today and immediately had to go to another site because I thought I was going to barf. I have a very weak stomach and that was one of the most hideous pictures I’ve seen in a long time – not to mention how freakin’ horrifying the eel is by nature! SMH on someone spearing it and standing there like a grinning goon while the thing bleeds to death.
I would love for a non Yankee reporter to ask some tough follow up questions to Giradi about that comment.
——————
Sherman seems like the man for the job lol. I still can’t get over he and Joe getting into a screaming match in his office. Oh to be a fly on the wall…….
trisha – I don’t blame them for commenting or wanting him in a place where he could be used every day (we weren’t as strong in the pen at the time, if my memory serves me correctly – which admittedly it might not). They wanted to win in the playoffs and Joba was a major weapon out there. That being said, I don’t think it should have just been an either/or option at that time.
Going back to making him a starter never had any downside other than him just ending up back in the pen.
Tar February 26th, 2013 at 8:10 pm
“I’d like to catch one more game, too,” Girardi said.”
Really disappointed in this comment.
It’s so freaking obvious how different they ( Cash and Joe) treat their favorites vs their non favorites. And I’m a big Hughes fan.
I really thought we got rid of that kind of thing when Torre left, but I guess I was wrong.
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There will always be favorites because some ppl gravitate toward each other while avoiding others. The problem with Joe and Cash is their admiration for their favorites is so out in the open that it builds resentment. You can’t tell me Joba never stops and thinks Hughes is still starting and I’m not. Hell I would go as far to say that some fans don’t like Hughes because of how chances he has been given.
That’s a parasite!! It’s horrifying!! I thought Jersey was having some issues when these giant crab eating rodents showed up in our rivers….
Then again, being such a big fan of SyFy, Giant Rodent vs. Super Parasite sounds like a fantastic film. Maybe I’ll email SyFy and see if I can get production started.
Shame Spencer February 26th, 2013 at 8:35 pm
Oh my god… http://gawker.com/5987185/terr…..socialflow
—
Imagine that coming up through your plumbing.
I really like Hughes too and followed his entire career very closely… I don’t want to take anything away from him by having this argument, but it really was crazy to anoint him and screw with Joba by giving him a bunch of 4 inning starts and all that other BS.
Yea why can’t they both have started? Joba had options! They could have just optioned him!
Girardi is tightly wound and probably doesn’t like the goofball types.
“…but it really was crazy to anoint him and screw with Joba by giving him a bunch of 4 inning starts and all that other BS.”
MFn Dave Eiland and all the rest of the conspirators. Well, the wheel of karma turns slowly at times, but it turns.
squat – Do you want me to have a heart attack?
(Maybe don’t answer that
)
“Girardi is tightly wound and probably doesn’t like the goofball types.”
Maybe.
I think he’s just being a good little minion and doing his master’s work. We all know who’s in charge.
Godd hard weather conming in down in these parts. I’ll drive in it if I have to ( in fact, I enjoy it sorta’ like Gilles Villeneuve ) – its the other drivers I have to consider as a bunch of idiots!
– greetings to you, fair community.
Jerkface February 26th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Yea why can’t they both have started? Joba had options! They could have just optioned him!
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It goes back to them not knowing how to handle pitching. The montra of the club is develop young pitching yet they traded for Javy, stuck Joba in the pen, and then watched as Javy crashed and burned
We all know who’s in charge.
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Cashman does everything except fill out the line-up card
jacksquat February 26th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Girardi is tightly wound and probably doesn’t like the goofball types.
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He always supported Swisher
Girardi’s comment is indefensible, but it’s just a comment. What’s worse is the actual decision not to give Joba a chance to start. The Yanks are going to look pretty stupid if Joba Chamberlain and Phillip Hughes follow Ian Kennedy as 20-game winners, but all for some other team.
I think its going to be a fun season,… just a bit outside
I am keeping a helpful watch on Melky. I am sorry about, Granderson, I don’t need to win by having another team’s player hurt.
Well,….Russell Martin certainly showed himself as a great big baby today. At the eleventh hour,….he declines! Who the hell else is Canada going to get to catch!!!? Russell, Bobby Orr played on, you suck!
I’m sorry I even mildly supported Russell Martin on this blog. Baby!
Against All Odds February 26th, 2013 at 9:03 pm
jacksquat February 26th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Girardi is tightly wound and probably doesn’t like the goofball types.
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He always supported Swisher
—
Maybe it’s because Girardi is a disciplinarian and health nut and Joba gets DUI’s, injures himself off the field and has come into camp out of shape.
Probably a combination of of several things.
But frankly I couldn’t care less about the Joba starter thing anymore. He will be a reliever this year and then most likely won’t be a Yankee next year. I don’t get why some people seem to have a party whenever this issue comes up (or they bring it up themselves).
Remember when Yankees had such high hopes for Kennedy, Hughes and Joba? Next year Hughes and Joba probably will be gone.
Now we have Banuelos, Campos, Ramirez, etc., and I think they look better than Hughes, Kennedy and Joba. No hype intended.
Now we have Banuelos, Campos, Ramirez, etc., and I think they look better than Hughes, Kennedy and Joba. No hype intended.
–
How so?
Hughes, Kennedy, and Joba absolutely annihilated the minor leagues.
Hughes was the #2 prospect in baseball and I think Joba was #3 at one point…..
blake February 26th, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Hughes was the #2 prospect in baseball and I think Joba was #3 at one point…..
—
Care to make a prediction on the results?
Good chance Campos has surgery first though…
jacksquat February 26th, 2013 at 9:31 pm
But frankly I couldn’t care less about the Joba starter thing anymore. He will be a reliever this year and then most likely won’t be a Yankee next year. I don’t get why some people seem to have a party whenever this issue comes up (or they bring it up themselves).
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Because it shows how much of a failure they are when it comes to pitching. Ppl give them the “don’t draft at the top” free card but with the high end guys they have acquired they still haven’t produced one player they can hang their hat on. What happened to Generation Trey??? According to Cashman they were going to anchor the rotation for yrs. Hughes is a solid 3 when he is on but he still has his injury issues, Joba is a spare part in the pen, and Kennedy is no longer here. What about the Bs??? One has control issues, the other is recovering from injuries, and the last one was a bust. Joba not starting isn’t about getting a panties in a bunch it highlights how poor they are at developing starters despite Cashman getting defensive and saying “”I feel we’re having a lot of success,” LOL a lot of sucess?? If what the Yankees have done is considered a lot of success than what the Rays and Giants and produced should be considered legendary because it completely blows away what the Yankees have done.
“Care to make a prediction on the results?”
What results? Just saying that they were terrific prospects…..and all three of those guys have contributed in the big leagues
jacksquat February 26th, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Now we have Banuelos, Campos, Ramirez, et
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But the same person Cashman is still in charge when it comes to having a future.
We can’t even call what the Yankees have done average. They’re right below that right now.
Hey, I just said I think Banuelos, Campos and Ramirez look better to me than Hughes, Kennedy and Joba did. Ranking doesn’t tell me everything. We’ll see.
Pitchers are highly volatile, especially when you aren’t drafting the can’t miss guys (who also miss quite a bit). I don’t think it’s very unusual for the Yankees to go through a stretch where they haven’t ended up with an ace type.
Joba pitched to a mind-boggling 1221 ERA+ when he came up in 2007. He K’d nearly 13 per 9 and walked only 2.3 per 9. Yes it was only 24 innings out of the pen, but they were awesome.
He doesn’t have to repeat those exact numbers, but if could be dominant again — not just okay — then he’ll do himself good and it’ll likely make the Yankee FO take notice again. What matters will be performance on the mound. The rest is just noise.
I don’t think it’s very unusual for the Yankees to go through a stretch where they haven’t ended up with an ace type.
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They haven’t ended up with a number 2. Hell They haven’t even ended up with a Pettitte type. That’s how bad they have been.
I like the pitching they have coming….like I said earlier they have 5 or 6 guys with legit front of the rotation potential….hopefully one or two of them will get there
then he’ll do himself good and it’ll likely make the Yankee FO take notice again. What matters will be performance on the mound. The rest is just noise.
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They’ll take notice and bring him back with unreal expectations to replace Mo. If he’s smart he won’t want any part of that.
Oh, and the “Generation Trey” moniker ought to be put to its death. I think it was born from a Joel Sherman article. Not one of his best moments.
One thing I pray to the baseball heavens, when the blue chip players make their way to the bigs, please no stupid group nicknames. I’m especially talking to you ESPN NY.
I just said I think Banuelos, Campos and Ramirez look better to me than Hughes, Kennedy and Joba did.
–
Why? None of Campos/Ramirez/Banuelos have the stuff of Joba, the repertoire of Kennedy, or Hughes command and control (and at the time, breaking ball/change up). So I’m wondering why you say that.
All 3 were such monster prospects. We have the value of hindsight to know what they became, but gosh they were so baller in the minors.
Jerkface February 26th, 2013 at 10:29 pm
I just said I think Banuelos, Campos and Ramirez look better to me than Hughes, Kennedy and Joba did.
–
Why? None of Campos/Ramirez/Banuelos have the stuff of Joba, the repertoire of Kennedy, or Hughes command and control (and at the time, breaking ball/change up). So I’m wondering why you say that.
All 3 were such monster prospects. We have the value of hindsight to know what they became, but gosh they were so baller in the minors.
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On the plus side, Campos, Ramirez and even Banuelos to a degree, will benefit (hopefully) by having someone competent in charge of their pitching development where I truly believe that Hughes, Kennedy and Joba were hampered by the ineptitude of Nardi Contreras.
If Mo retires, who replaces him? Robertson looks like the heir apparant. If Joba puts it all together, he could be a good closer, too. I don’t think Joba would stay with the Yanks in order to be an 8th inning guy. So, in order to keep him, the Yanks might have to offer him the chance to be a starter in 2014.
Unfortunately, I don’t think they will. I think they’ll just let some other team sign Joba as a closer or as a possible starter.
Chip,
You’ve always hated Nardi and now I have to agree. He oversaw pitching development since Hughes came in and the Yankees have had a pitiful complement of pitching come from the minors since that time. I think the Yankees were something like 20th in pitcher WAR by prospects and a lot of that was David Robertson.
Whatever Nardi was doing, it didn’t work. I hope Patterson helps the next group out, because I have to disagree with JS about how good they look in comparison to Hughes/Joba/Kennedy. The difference is as you stated, that they can still be developed and hopefully by a different hand.
Against All Odds February 26th, 2013 at 9:53 pm
jacksquat February 26th, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Now we have Banuelos, Campos, Ramirez, et
———————–
But the same person Cashman is still in charge when it comes to having a future.
—————
This is why I’m on record as saying the most important move the Yankees made this winter had nothing to do with players on the roster; it was hiring Gil Patterson to replace Nardi Contreras.
Now, if Nardi was just executing Brian Cashman’s philosophy then hiring Patterson will change nothing. I truly hope that’s not the case.
Jerkface February 26th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Chip,
You’ve always hated Nardi and now I have to agree. He oversaw pitching development since Hughes came in and the Yankees have had a pitiful complement of pitching come from the minors since that time. I think the Yankees were something like 20th in pitcher WAR by prospects and a lot of that was David Robertson.
Whatever Nardi was doing, it didn’t work. I hope Patterson helps the next group out, because I have to disagree with JS about how good they look in comparison to Hughes/Joba/Kennedy. The difference is as you stated, that they can still be developed and hopefully by a different hand.
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My hope is that Nardi was really inept and not simply executing a philosophy dictated by Cashman.
Chip February 26th, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Against All Odds February 26th, 2013 at 9:53 pm
jacksquat February 26th, 2013 at 9:42 pm
Now we have Banuelos, Campos, Ramirez, et
———————–
But the same person Cashman is still in charge when it comes to having a future.
—————
This is why I’m on record as saying the most important move the Yankees made this winter had nothing to do with players on the roster; it was hiring Gil Patterson to replace Nardi Contreras.
Now, if Nardi was just executing Brian Cashman’s philosophy then hiring Patterson will change nothing. I truly hope that’s not the case.
——————-
I like the Patterson move as well. Hopefully the actually let him implement his ideas and philosophy.
they**
It’s not all about raw stats in the minors either.
And I don’t want to hear that it is all about switching to Patterson from Contreras if Banuelos, Campos, Ramirez etc end up better. A better coach can certainly help, but a lot is still dependent on the player’s ability.
Against All Odds February 26th, 2013 at 11:08 pm
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I like the Patterson move as well. Hopefully the actually let him implement his ideas and philosophy.
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I’ve argued that Nardi Contreras is not only responsible for Hughes and Joba not reaching their potential, but has cost them Jesus Montero, Melky Cabrera and the chance to sign Matt Holliday.
If Hughes, Kennedy and Joba had been developed properly then the Yankees don’t sign AJ Burnett after the 08 season and might have money in the bank to sign Holliday the next year. They don’t trade Melky for Javy Vazquez and they don’t trade Montero for Pineda.
Instead of being front end starters (which they have the talent to be) the Yankees have a number four starter in Hughes and a non closer middle reliever in Joba. And the fact that he wiffed so badly on the relief potential of guys like Chris Garcia and Tyler Clippard is on him as well. The damage might be done as far as Betances is concerned, but I have hopes that Patterson can rebuild Banuelos as he recovers from injury.
Just consider what the Yankee pitching would look like if they had been developed properly (I still think Kennedy would have been traded)
CC
Hughes
Joba
Andy
Nova
Pen:
RHP – Rivera, Garcia, Clippard, Robertson, Phelps
LHP – Logan, Rapada
Cashman also offered an explanation of why Eduardo Nunez won’t be considered for the left field job. “I don’t think he profiles as an outfielder with the bat,” Cashman said.
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Can someone explain to me what Cashman means? What we don’t know is what Nunez’s BA will be if he plays the whole year. Gardner can steal, so can Nunez. Gardner isn’t a HR hitter, neither is Nunez. Same with Ichiro. Maybe Cashman is looking for a hairy monster HR hitter.
And I don’t want to hear that it is all about switching to Patterson from Contreras if Banuelos, Campos, Ramirez etc end up better. A better coach can certainly help, but a lot is still dependent on the player’s ability.
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You haven’t answered, what of these guys abilities make you think they are better than any of the big 3? Ramirez is a 2 pitch guy who still needs to work on his third. Campos has 1 pitch and injury problems. Banuelos has the TJS and command issues (hoping thats a symptom).
What did you dislike of the big 3 in comparison to these guys?
Is it just the non physical/baseball talent portion of these players that you think makes them more likely to hit? I’m genuinely interested as to why you like them more. Is it just your gut?
And its certainly not about just raw stats, but at some point it is about production. And the big 3 all had killer scouting reports to go with their killler stats.
A bunch of player development heads were getting interviewed on MLB XM the past 2 weeks and a lot of them say that you can scout guys to draft and trade for, but its not until you get them in your system where you truly learn what makes them tick. And guys who may have tools may not be the best mentally and it holds them back/causes busts.
RMS February 26th, 2013 at 11:28 pm
Cashman also offered an explanation of why Eduardo Nunez won’t be considered for the left field job. “I don’t think he profiles as an outfielder with the bat,” Cashman said.
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Can someone explain to me what Cashman means? What we don’t know is what Nunez’s BA will be if he plays the whole year. Gardner can steal, so can Nunez. Gardner isn’t a HR hitter, neither is Nunez. Same with Ichiro. Maybe Cashman is looking for a hairy monster HR hitter.
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Yeah I’m with you on this one – makes no sense.
You’re right about the domino effect it created. That pitching staff looks nice. Good mix of young guys a couple of vets sprinkled in.
Maybe Cashman is looking for a hairy monster HR hitter.
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Yea that’s what he means or at least I think
Jerkface -
Getting back to the Contreras thing – the Yankees top two pitching instructors when Hughes and Joba were coming up were Nardi and Dave Eiland – to me that’s like letting a couple of blind guys drive your Ferrari.
I was relieved when Eiland was booted in favor of Rothschild but found it silly that someone as good as Larry had less say over pitching in the organization than Nardi.
My thought was always that the Yankees should identify and hire the very best pitching coach around – I wanted Dave Duncan – let him set up shop in Tampa and hire all the minor league pitching coaches; set the philosophy, have the top prospects report to the Tampa complex for at least one week each through the season to work one on one and set up a specific development plan based on their talents.
New York Yankees, Yawnnn! Is it too much just to ask for a single rookie that gets us excited ? I think what annoys me the most is that they act as if they haven’t seen this coming for years and are this unprepared for the transition.
I really just don’t know what to think about this team, it seems there’s more lack of interest than ever right now… and my head hurts from pondering the so many reasons why..
Why is it I have to fight to be excited that it’s baseball season ? Am I depressed ? Usually, I am like an eager beaver losing sleep thinking about the first pitch of the season.
Chip, I would be all for that. The Yankees should have the best and most expansive minor league coaching of any team. God knows they can afford it.
All their stadiums should have the best amenities. They should have enough instructors to cover the entire minors. And they should all be working together to get these guys through.
Against All Odds February 26th, 2013 at 11:33 pm
You’re right about the domino effect it created. That pitching staff looks nice. Good mix of young guys a couple of vets sprinkled in.
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and then the lineup could potentially have been:
CF – Gardner
SS – Jeter
1b – Tex
2b – Cano
LF – Holliday
DH – Granderson
C – Montero
3b – Youk (though with this lineup I doubt they feel the need to sign Youk to replace Alex)
RF – Melky
Sick line-up too. Duncan was my first choice as well.
Now I just have to convince you Joba is not an idiot and everything is back to square one lol jk.
and then the lineup could potentially have been:
CF – Gardner
SS – Jeter
1b – Tex
2b – Cano
LF – Holliday
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Passing on Holliday was the a very big mistake.. George would not have !!
Jerkface February 26th, 2013 at 11:40 pm
Chip, I would be all for that. The Yankees should have the best and most expansive minor league coaching of any team. God knows they can afford it.
All their stadiums should have the best amenities. They should have enough instructors to cover the entire minors. And they should all be working together to get these guys through.
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Same for hitters too – go hire a guy like Rudy Jaramillo to set up development plans for your best position players. Both the pitching and hitting guy set up plans in the winter for the top prospects and I don’t care what level you’re at…low A or AAA; you spend one week assigned to Tampa so that you can work with this pitching or hitting guru directly and see how you’re doing with the development plan and then adjust as needed.
Brian Cashman also mocked Joba’s desire to start – saying that “we’re down an outfielder so go ask him if he can do that too.”
I understand that no one in the Yankee hierarchy wants to waste time on this, but I don’t understand why they feel the need to mock their own players. Did it when Cano wanted to talk new contract two years ago and are doing it with Joba now. Wouldn’t it just be easier (and classier) to say; “Joba does have the talent to be a starter but he also has the talent to be a great relief pitcher and that’s where we need him.”
“I understand that no one in the Yankee hierarchy wants to waste time on this, but I don’t understand why they feel the need to mock their own players.”
Smugness often masks (or overcompensates for) insecurity. What Girardi said, however, was worse, imo, but both comments are offensive.
Exactly it comes off as petty. This is Joba’s career and yes he hasn’t been a saint through this whole ordeal (ie the DUI) but he was serious about the comments he made today. If he came out and said heck I could start, relieve, DH, pinch hit, pinch run, etc then yes go along with the joke. Cashman was basically saying he chances of starting are the same as his chances of playing LF.
his not he
“Wouldn’t it just be easier (and classier) to say; “Joba does have the talent to be a starter but he also has the talent to be a great relief pitcher and that’s where we need him.”
Exactly, no reason whatsoever to mock one one of your own players. Show some class.
I am really disgusted with the Yankees FO. I would like to see Cashman and Giradi find employment elsewhere.
A couple of out of options players that could be available towards the end of spring training that could make sense for the Yankees:
Jose Tabata – signed to a long term deal that the Pirates would love to unload; probably could be had for very little and serve as the RH outfielder and possibly develop into more than that. Still just 24.
Travis Snider – Left handed former stud prospect, 25 years old. I would bring him in and give him a shot to replace Granderson for the month. If it works, you put him on the bench and now you have Grandy’s replacement in 2014.
Justin Maxwell – not as much potential as the two other guys, but a solid defender at all three OF spots; performed well against LHP last year – probably shouldn’t have been released in favor of Andruw Jones last year
John Mayberry Jr. – not a particularly strong defensive player. Decent results against LHP and some thump in the bat.
Tar February 27th, 2013 at 12:04 am
“Wouldn’t it just be easier (and classier) to say; “Joba does have the talent to be a starter but he also has the talent to be a great relief pitcher and that’s where we need him.”
Exactly, no reason whatsoever to mock one one of your own players. Show some class.
I am really disgusted with the Yankees FO. I would like to see Cashman and Giradi find employment elsewhere.
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I think every job has an expiration date and Cashman might be there with this one.
Ideally what I would like to have happen is for him to leave and be replaced by someone from outside the organization who would take an unbiased look at every level of the organization – coaches, scouts, players and make the changes that need to be made.
My fear is that if Cashman was to leave, Randy Levine – who knows less about baseball than Cashman – would use it as an opportunity to put in someone who would be a puppet and he would make the baseball decisions himself. Sort of like what happened in Boston when Theo left.
Not a bad list of players that could come in and contribute.
For what it’s worth, we saw something similar. Joe Torre leaves and Cashman didn’t even think about replacing him with a strong willed manager from outside the organization – he went with Girardi, someone he could control and count on to go along with Cashman’s philosophy for how the team should play. If Cashman leaves, Levine would do the same thing to fill that position and he would be allowed to because Hal doesn’t have the kind of involvement to prevent it.
So what we really need are for both Cashman and Levine to step down together – but Levine’s never walking away from this job and Hal likely won’t fire him.
Against All Odds February 27th, 2013 at 12:12 am
Not a bad list of players that could come in and contribute.
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Yeah I would take Tabata, Maxwell or Mayberry over Diaz or Rivera as the RH fourth OF. And I’ve always liked Snider’s bat potential.
JF, you watched Ramirez today, what would you say you saw that was different than how Hughes looks?
As much as I wish Levine would go, he probably does the job Hal wants him to do very well: the brand, and with it revenues, are strong.
It’s unfortunate that both he and Hal don’t seem to understand the degree to which this organization has failed to exploit its revenue advantage since Cashman got the increased power he long sought, or if they do, they don’t care enough to do anything about it.
Mea culpa on Girardi. I thought he was the best choice to replace Torre. I was dead wrong.
A lot of Yankees have had an eye on Snider since he debuted a few yrs ago.
I wouldn’t mind Mayberry either
I’m definitely not a Girardi fan, but we have to be fair, we don’t know what has happened that we don’t see. Maybe Joba has been a real jackass with Girardi.
Not the best comment to make anyway, but there are bigger problems.
Even if, for the sake of argument, that is true, take the high road in public.
Yankee fans***
The typos are starting to pile up which means it’s time to go GN guys
Rich in NJ February 27th, 2013 at 12:17 am
As much as I wish Levine would go, he probably does the job Hal wants him to do very well: the brand, and with it revenues, are strong.
It’s unfortunate that both he and Hal don’t seem to understand the degree to which this organization has failed to exploit its revenue advantage since Cashman got the increased power he long sought, or if they do, they don’t care enough to do anything about it.
Mea culpa on Girardi. I thought he was the best choice to replace Torre. I was dead wrong.
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I agree that Levine handles the Yankee business very well; but recently we’ve seen him take a more active role in baseball operations (the Soriano signing, the Ichiro trade) and I can’t help but think him pulling the strings with someone like Billy Eppler in Cashman’s office can’t be good for the Yankees. He’s not a guy who is going to let the Yankees develop players, he’s going to want to go get every established veteran whether they’re on their last legs or not.
The problem the Yankees had with replacing Torre is that it came a year too late. Had Torre been let go after the 2006 season Lou Pinella would have been the natural fit. Though I think Pinella would have been too strong willed for Cashman’s liking. My problem with Girardi was that he was too much a part of the organization. If you’re going to replace people I want you to replace them with people who have no ties to the organization coming in. That way they can evaluate things objectively without letting past relationships cloud your judgement.
Rich in NJ February 27th, 2013 at 12:23 am
Even if, for the sake of argument, that is true, take the high road in public.
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Exactly…Yankees should be better than that.
In Joba’s case it probably doesn’t cost them anything – he’s gone at the end of the year. But in the case of Cano, mocking him and Boras when they wanted to talk about a long term deal two years ago is going to potentially cost them either the best 2nd baseman in the league or tens of millions of extra dollars and force them into a scenario where they’re paying for Cano’s age 38, 39 and 40 seasons.
It was Cashman’s call to put Joba in the pen as he was expected to take the closer baton from Rivera.
JF, you watched Ramirez today, what would you say you saw that was different than how Hughes looks?
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He is certainly blacker. Ramirez has a real nice fastball and a great change up. But Joba had a better fastball and better secondary stuff. And Hughes when he was coming up had knockout stuff and better control than Ramirez showed in 2 innings.
What did you see that has you so convinced about Jose over the big 3?
Some of you fans have turned on Cashman and Girardi so much. It really doesn’t matter what they say now as they would never be right with any of their public comments.
It was Cashman’s call to put Joba in the pen as he was expected to take the closer baton from Rivera.
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They did an excellent job planning that succession then? Mariano has rotted Yankee fans and managements brains. Closers are not as important as Mariano ever was. No one else is Mariano Rivera. There is no point in diminishing a more important resource (starters) to try and find a closer.
Mariano is once in a life time, once he is gone the Yankees will probably face everyone elses reality: a constant stream of different closers coming in 2-3 spurts.
Jerkface February 27th, 2013 at 12:36 am
JF, you watched Ramirez today, what would you say you saw that was different than how Hughes looks?
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He is certainly blacker. Ramirez has a real nice fastball and a great change up. But Joba had a better fastball and better secondary stuff. And Hughes when he was coming up had knockout stuff and better control than Ramirez showed in 2 innings.
What did you see that has you so convinced about Jose over the big 3?
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It has nothing to do with race.
Specifically Ramirez to Hughes, I prefer the type of pitcher he is. Easy gas, downward plane and movement, good command, a very good changeup already, which Hughes has never had. I really don’t like fly ball pitchers that pitch up in the zone and have consistency issues with their secondary pitches.
Maybe Joba should just stfu and pitch?
Joba brought on the mockery himself. He’s a fat, drunkard who should just shut the f up and pitch the damn baseball.
For all of his great stuff that he thinks he has he sure hasn’t displayed in when pitching out of the pen for the Yankees.
Not one person would take Joba as a reliever over Robertson.
Shouldn’t he just be a lock down reliever since in his mind his stuff is just so awesomely great?
Joba, shut the f up and pitch.
Joba for future closer & trade Robertson ( get more for him I would think)…if joba can’t get job done then go get a closer
Joba, shut the f up and pitch -
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100 percent on board with that !
Joba for future closer & trade Robertson ( get more for him I would think)?if joba can?t get the job done then go get a closer
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Disagree.. . Not like Robertson will get anyone to put us over the top . . he’d fetch some minor league kids in which we’ll probably never see them…… . .If he’s packaged with another teammate for a bigger fish . . ( thats different ) .. . To leave the 8th inning and future closer job to Joba would scare me big time.
Crawdaddy February 27th, 2013 at 12:38 am
Some of you fans have turned on Cashman and Girardi so much. It really doesn’t matter what they say now as they would never be right with any of their public comments.
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When you make stupid comments you get called out for it it’s simple as that. This isn’t the first time both men have made comments that are dumb.
joba can say whatever he wants, he’s not a prisoner.
and i cant blame him for wanting a bigger role.
raymagnetic February 27th, 2013 at 6:22 am
Maybe Joba should just stfu and pitch?
Joba brought on the mockery himself. He’s a fat, drunkard who should just shut the f up and pitch the damn baseball.
For all of his great stuff that he thinks he has he sure hasn’t displayed in when pitching out of the pen for the Yankees.
Not one person would take Joba as a reliever over Robertson.
Shouldn’t he just be a lock down reliever since in his mind his stuff is just so awesomely great?
Joba, shut the f up and pitch.
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So much fail in this post. He has shut up and pitched. No matter where they put him no matter how who he had to jump over he always went out and pitched. Unlike other young pitchers on the team who have stated more than once publicly that they want to start Joba has said the opposite. “I’ll do whatever they want as long as it helps the team”
So he shouldn’t have an opinion when it comes to his career??
Maybe he’s not a good reliever
There are a few ppl that would. I like having both guys on the team though
Did he say his stuff was awesomely great??
Yes Joba don’t speak about your career just be a mindless robot and pitch.
“Joba brought on the mockery himself. He’s a fat, drunkard who should just shut the f up and pitch the damn baseball.”
A fat drunkard? Come on man…..
joba is a man making his living on baseball. he’s an FA after this season and he wants a good job next year.
i think it was smart of him to plant the seed in other GM’s heads that he can still be a starter, who knows there may be one out there who’s always thought joba should start and will give him a shot.
joba’s gotta worry about joba, not some ‘team tranquility’ bs.
joba works for the yankees, they dont own him, and he probably wont be working for them after this season.