Postgame notes: “Call Mike Schmidt, too”
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 11, 2013 
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Derek Jeter went through his usual postgame interview routine — said he feels fine, ankle’s not an issue, thinks he’ll be ready for Opening Day — then he was asked, jokingly, whether he’s called Chipper Jones to try to woo him out of retirement.
“Y’all just come up with all kinds of stuff,” Jeter said.
He honestly thought the notion of Jones to the Yankees was a media-created joke. Told it was actually Brian Cashman who floated the idea, Jeter started laughing.
“Call Mike Schmidt, too,” he said. “Call everybody. … I think Chipper is at home right now. Unless we have a golf team, I don’t think there’s a reason to call him up.”
• Jeter will take tomorrow off and he still plans to play the field on Wednesday. It will be his first time in the field since the ankle injury. “Whatever he tells me he wants to do Wednesday, that’s what I’m going to do,” Joe Girardi said.
• Any chance of the Yankees actually opening the season with today’s top of the order? Any chance of actually batting Brett Gardner, then Jeter, then Ichiro Suzuki? “I don’t know if I’ll do that because you think about Robbie Cano probably third,” Girardi said. “… We’re going to look at a lot of different things. I put Ich in a power spot today, at three, just trying to get guys lots of at-bats.” Girardi hasn’t really said much about his plans for the leadoff spot, but I do find it interesting that Gardner is consistently hitting first and Ichiro is not.
• Speaking of Gardner, he got his team-leading 10th hit today, and he’s also tied for the team lead with five walks, but it was his equipment that got all of the attention today. Trainer Steve Donohue has created a removeable cast that Gardner will slide over his left hand whenever he gets on base. It’s solid and is meant to protect the thumb that’s been injured a few times over the years. Gardner is testing it this spring and said the early results are promising.
• Dave Robertson pitched a scoreless inning in his return to the mound. He hadn’t pitched since being scratched from an outing because he couldn’t get his shoulder loose. “I didn’t have any problems,” Robertson said. “Felt great. … I didn’t think anything was wrong with me last time.”
• Kevin Youkilis had his first Yankees home run today. He also had a sacrifice fly. “Great at-bats,” Girardi said.
• Another terrific start for Hiroki Kuroda who had six strikeouts through four innings. “I think I’m improving on the quality of my breaking balls,” he said. “Obviously I’m not at the peak of my conditions, but I’m in a good place.”
• The Yankees face a left-handed starter on Wednesday — just so happens to be Cliff Lee — so the team will get an early opportunity to see new outfielder Ben Francisco against a lefty. Girardi said he’s planning to have Francisco in the lineup that day.
• Girardi talked to the media before today’s cuts were announced. The most significant was certainly Austin Romine, who seemed to have at least an oustide chance of making the team. Or, at least, it seemed that way when camp opened. At some point this spring it became crystal clear that Romine was a secondary option. I wonder if that might have been different had Francisco Cervelli not gotten off to his strong start behind the plate.
• Thought we might see another Jose Ramirez start before his assignment to minor league camp, but I guess not. He definitely made a name for himself up there. Very much on the radar now. Francisco Rondon also pitched well, and J.R. Murphy hit .364/.417/.909 in 11 at-bats, and Brett Marshall had a 0.89 WHIP with eight strikeouts and only one walk. All of them made a good impression up here.
• Solid final outing for Dellin Betances before his inevitable option to Triple-A. He went two scorelss innings today with one hit and a hit batter. … Shawn Kelley has allowed two hits through four scoreless innings this spring. He seems to be quietly making a strong first impression. … Ichiro Suzuki doubled today. He’s hitting .435 this spring. … Corban Joseph finally had a positive day. He had two hits to raise his spring average to .217. … No hits but two walks for Slade Heathcott. … Another hit for Chris Stewart who’s hitting .278 this spring.
• Ronnier Mustelier didn’t have a chance to make any plays at third base today. “Amazing,” Girardi said. “You put a guy out there and they don’t hit it to them (when) you’re trying to find something out.
• For whatever it’s worth, I talked to an opposing scout who’s seen quite a bit of both Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte. The scout said he would trust Almonte with a big league job ahead of Mesa. He said Almonte has really grown on him over time, but he’s not sure Mesa will make enough contact to have any sort of offensive impact at the big league level.
Associated Press photos
“Y’all just come up with all kinds of stuff,” Jeter said.
He honestly thought the notion of Jones to the Yankees was a media-created joke. Told it was actually Brian Cashman who floated the idea, Jeter started laughing.
“Call Mike Schmidt, too,” he said. “Call everybody. … I think Chipper is at home right now. Unless we have a golf team, I don’t think there’s a reason to call him up.”
///
LOL!
Derek, please buy the Yankees out from under these guys. You can be a player-owner
See you later, folks.
blake says:
March 11, 2013 at 6:53 pm
“Hi. I was 23 years old when I was told just what I could do with my fastball/slider/CB/change arsenal. Fast forward to the present: I am now 27, and the Scourge of the Sixth Inning.”
They have to learn from it….as JF says….the pen should only be an option if he absolutely shows its not working as a starter.
I’ll be honest….I like his stuff and delivery better than pre-injury Pineda…..he’s got more movement and he has mastered the more difficult secondary pitch.
Jason Parks tweeted today he’s considering ranking him #3 amongst Yankee prospects….that’s how impressed he was this spring
Blake,
I agree, Ramirez has shown a ton this spring. His approach is very advanced for a kid his age and at his level. Hopefully the Yankees can build upon this spring and he can whip through the system. He sort of reminds me of a young Kelvim Escobar in terms of the arsenal.
I’ll be honest….I like his stuff and delivery better than pre-injury Pineda…..he’s got more movement and he has mastered the more difficult secondary pitch.
Jason Parks tweeted today he’s considering ranking him #3 amongst Yankee prospects….that’s how impressed he was this spring
——–
Well, we can still dream about Ramirez. He’s looked very good, but Pineda had a an actual stretch of success in the majors.
Also, it’s a very small sample size… I think we’ve got to dial back expectations here. Manny was a better prospect, right?
Face if you’re around would you explain the metrics that is being added to the Gold Glove equation and are you satisfied with how much that’ll come into play ??? Is this different than the one that you always quote which has some flaws ???
“Well, we can still dream about Ramirez. He’s looked very good, but Pineda had a an actual stretch of success in the majors.”
Yes….doesn’t mean he will be as good….I just like his delivery and base to work from better. Pineda’s slider was a true wipeout one…..don’t think Ramirez has that now….but I think perhaps he can learn a quality slider easier than Pineda can get the feel for a quality CU
@pgammo: Scott Kazmir was really good in 4 shutout IP for Indians today. 89-93, P inside, delivery restored.
Face if you’re around would you explain the metrics that is being added to the Gold Glove equation and are you satisfied with how much that’ll come into play ??? Is this different than the one that you always quote which has some flaws ???
–
Its a proprietary metric so we don’t know anything about it. Chances are it will be 100x smarter than managers.
I heard Nettles looked good at the recent Yankees Fantasy Camp and Brooks Robinson flashed some glove during the 2012 Baltimore Old Timers game.
RadioKev March 11th, 2013 at 7:07 pm
I’ll be honest….I like his stuff and delivery better than pre-injury Pineda…..he’s got more movement and he has mastered the more difficult secondary pitch.
Jason Parks tweeted today he’s considering ranking him #3 amongst Yankee prospects….that’s how impressed he was this spring
——–
Well, we can still dream about Ramirez. He’s looked very good, but Pineda had a an actual stretch of success in the majors.
Also, it’s a very small sample size… I think we’ve got to dial back expectations here. Manny was a better prospect, right?
——————
Manny is still a better prospect. Much like Ramirez, he has to stay on the field. He’s only gotten over 100 innings once in his time in the minors.
blake March 11th, 2013 at 7:15 pm
@pgammo: Scott Kazmir was really good in 4 shutout IP for Indians today. 89-93, P inside, delivery restored
—————
Saw that Zach McAllister made the rotation.
That means Kazmir and Dice are fighting for that 5th spot.
“Manny is still a better prospect. Much like Ramirez, he has to stay on the field. He’s only gotten over 100 innings once in his time in the minors.”
I don’t really think it matters which is better …what matters is they are 2 of several guys they have with true frontline starter upside…..they need a couple to fulfill it.
I still think Manny is gonna be really good and think his control issues last year were likely a symptom of the elbow problem
I tend to agree on Mesa. Power and speed, but he is a flawed hitter. His swing looks far too long for consistent contact. If only Almonte could catch a fly ball.
Blake,
I beg you not to talk about Pineda and a CU.
Lol ok I won’t….I just want him healthy
After reviewing his stats, I see Francisco is the rare combination of corner outfielder with neither power nor speed.his OPS is actually better against right handers.
Is this the Yankees signal of their feelings about internal prospects?
Chances are we will continue to scour the dumpsters and our pipe dream for Musty will rust.
Still wonder why Thome hasn’t been contacted.
“Is this the Yankees signal of their feelings about internal prospects?”
Lets hope it only means they don’t like Rivera or Diaz
They could take Musty, Mesa/Almonte, and Francisco as an extra outfielder.
Musty could play 3B and Mesa/Almonte an outfield spot…..
If Francisco makes the team, Mesa will go down with Almonte and prolly start in CF or RF.
The question is, who will be the LH 4th OF?
More moves to come…
“I beg you not to talk about Pineda and a CU.”
austin mac-
too late.
i’m ready to pounce
Randy,
I knew you were in the brush just waiting. My preferred topic is “the Yankees have no plan except signing unwanted players to one year contracts and the shortsightedness of it all”.
I enjoy your thoughts on such topics.
Ramirez to the pen should only be uttered after ~3 seasons of failed starting in the majors.
—————————–
For which team? Surely not the Yanks. See Chamberlain, Joba for the Yankee formula regarding that.
I’m ok with Pineda CU talk….just want no more Pineda torn labrum talk
I’m thinking only one of Musty/Mesa/Almonte makes the team. And if I had to guess, I’d say it’ll be Musty.
I only threw Manny out there to say Ramirez still has to stay healthy and make it happen in the minors, that’s all. We’ve seen a flash of excellence, but he’ll have to sustain it.
Ramirez is exciting because of that great change. If he adds one more pitch he is a true threat. That’s a good base to work with.
CountryClub says:
March 11, 2013 at 7:43 pm
I’m thinking only one of Musty/Mesa/Almonte makes the team. And if I had to guess, I’d say it’ll be Musty.
Really 3 spots seem up for grabs…..they need somebody to play an outfield spot, somebody to play either 1b or 3B….and then an extra outfielder.
If musty can play 3b acceptably then he seems like a logical choice…..then you need 2 outfielders and really of the candidates only Mesa, Almonte, and Francisco could play every day…..Rivera and Diaz are too bad defensively and can’t hit RHP at all.
My guess is its either Musty, Francsico, Rivera…..or Musty, Mesa/Almonte, Francisco.
Almost positive Francisco will make the team….
Also, Pineda is almost exactly a year older than Ramirez.
Mister Tom-
Saw your post from earlier.
You’re becoming a local legend in the marryin’ dep’t.
If it were up to me from what I’ve seen Id take Musty, Almonte, and Francisco……
Would make Francisco the 4th Ofer…..would play Musty at 3B and RF some depending on the pitcher…..Almonte in RF vs RHP.
I like Mesa but have reservations as to whether he can hit big league breaking stuff…..if they went with him that’d be ok but i think Almonte gives them more versatility Left/ Right.
And if they really wanted to get crazy they could take Heathcott, Musty , and Francisco!
Blake-
I like your theory on Man-Ban and his C and C issues.
We’ll find out. before last season he didn’t really have those types of issues.
In fact he was known for his excellent command.
It could also be the addition of the curve. He’s still putting it together.
Cashman’s faux call for Chipper was a not too subliminal cry for a LH 3B a la Chavez.
Do you really think they will trust Must vs rightys?
That’s why I am thinking Thome at 1st w/ Youk at 3rd.
“I like your theory on Man-Ban and his C and C issues.”
His delivery is just too good and repeatable for those problems to just crop up and stay without a cause….
austin mac-
i was out on a limb without a paddle lat year at this time saying pineda could not learn change up or improve a change up for those who thinks he had one in the short time he needed to go into the yankee rotation.
you see, that was also about the bad plan that is playing out right now. cashman thought he could give himself a #2 pitcher and this would help him get under the 189 mandate set by hal. all it’s done is take away an offensive building block they’ve had.
pineda really needs, when he’s healthy enough to pitch, to go down to triple a and perfect that change up. he’s going to need it more than ever. plus it’ll stop the meter running on his mlb service time.i think it’s been ticking the whole time he’s been hurt, and will continue so until he’s healthy and sent down.
with the new game hal is playing service time should be critical to the yankees. you’d think they’d get pineda healthy asap and get him sent to the minors. if he gets hurt down there, no more mlb service time ticking off. one more reason to have him down there to see if he’ll get re-injured again.
you don’t want him to get re-imjured at the mlb level and have another year tick off.
I agree the Francisco is probably a lock. I don’t like it, but I agree.
Blake-
I hear ya’.
It would be something if in 2015 the rotation was CC/Nova/Pineda/Ramirez/Banulos
Worst catching group ever.
CountryClub says:
March 11, 2013 at 7:58 pm
I agree the Francisco is probably a lock. I don’t like it, but I agree.
Yea I don’t think they would have bothered with him at this point if he wasn’t a strong candidate…..this tells me basically that they aren’t wild about one or both of Diaz/Rivera….and since they seem determined to have a veteran take a spot perhaps this is a good thing because he’s better than those two ….he can at least play defense
Francisco #’s stink and he is here to be a 4th OF when Grandy returns.
They must not think the minor leaguers would be well served at this level.
It answers Cashman’s question of what do you do with a talented OF/1B when Grandy/Tex returns.
Certainly too much talent costs money.
randy,
it’s obvious they didn’t want him to catch.
they didn’t want him as part of a dh platoon.
what would you have done with him?
@ProfessorParks: Six international sources so far on #Yankees RHP Rafael DePaula and all six love the raw stuff. Extreme risk/Extreme reward.
blake March 11th, 2013 at 7:20 pm
“Manny is still a better prospect. Much like Ramirez, he has to stay on the field. He’s only gotten over 100 innings once in his time in the minors.”
I don’t really think it matters which is better …what matters is they are 2 of several guys they have with true frontline starter upside…..they need a couple to fulfill it.
I still think Manny is gonna be really good and think his control issues last year were likely a symptom of the elbow problem
————————–
I also really like Nik Turley.
Exactly one month until Trenton opens at home. Hopefully, JRam gets that start, and I want to see DePaula in Trenton by the second half. #getgreedy
We have Turley in Trenton as well. I’d love to see that fastball go up a few ticks like Manny’s did; not that it has to, but I think it will.
Manny’s C/C was also a symptom of the added velo.
Blake-
Best raw stuff in the system.
Has it all. Repeatable delivery.
Stupid Visa problems slowed his arrival.
Doesn’t anybody know anything about Depaula? Where is he gonna start this year?
Blake-
My guess would be Tampa, or possibly Charleston.
If he does well he’ll move fast.
JAP, YF, and myself drooled over him before he finally made it Stateside.
He’s very advanced.
.412 .474 .765 1.238
2 2B, HR
MTU,
I want to see him pitch on something besides a YouTube video
JAP, YF, and myself drooled over him before he finally made it Stateside.
///
MTU, I’ll guess Tampa. He could fly, but he needs a lot of innings.
I haven’t seen him, except on video, but yes, I have had that wet chin
I do have to respectfully disagree, though on one thing: the best pure, raw stuff in the system belongs to Dellin Betances.
Blake-
Here ya’ go :
http://riveraveblues.com/2012/.....ula-80642/
Check it out.
They haven’t said where DePaula will pitch, but I think Charleston perhaps to start and then he’ll move up second half. I am hoping Charleston, so that I can see him when the Dogs come to Lakewood in early May (fingers crossed).
MTU, yes siree. We were all over DePaula, and with good reason. Can’t wait to see him live.
YF-
RAB thinks it will be Tampa.
If he pitches in Tampa, I will have tyanks film him. She does a good job.
MTU, we’ll see… It could be based merely on pitcher overload at this point. I could see either happening.
YF-
She’d better have a hi-speed camera.
yankeefem – Tyanks is a goldmine. Wish she’d drop by. Love her stuff, esp when it comes to hitting/fielding.
“Stupid Visa problems slowed his arrival.”
______
And a family issue that kept him DR-bound when he should have been facing stronger competition…
MUT, that’s the problem with watching these guys on video, and also with those lousy milb cameras. Nothing like in the flesh
Hey, you should take a trip out here, visit Grounds for Sculpture and let us take you to dinner and a Trenton game
I stayed locked onto him like a cruise missile in flight.
Damn, MTU, not MUT! Sorry.
Pruf, she does a great job on position player info. Would love to see her back at Lohud. We were lamenting the other day via email how much we miss talking prospects with GB7. So much fun in the old days when we all were in here trading observations.
Don’t know what happened to the other one though ?
Paniagua.
MTU can be tempted by good pitching and good seafood. #addedbonus.
JAP-
That’s a very nice offer. I’ll keep it mind.
I’ve been called a MUT before.
No problem.
MLB voided our deal with Paniagua b/c of identity/age fraud. Then once he was eligible to sign again, he signed with the Cubs.
YF-
Oh. Easily.
Throw in a beer and I’m in Heaven.
You guys are the best.
MTU, heaven will then be easily attainable in our parts.
YF-
Well that sucks.
Thanks for the update. I wondered what happened.
JAP-
That’s a very nice offer. I’ll keep it mind.
///
Please do. We don’t have quality burritos out here, but we do have some very good restaurants that are into serving local in-season ingredients to excellent effect!
JAP-
You also have something very special which I do not see enough.
An Ocean.
We were lamenting the other day via email how much we miss talking prospects with GB7.
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Yeah. I think even people who didn’t “like” him, loved him. He’s still around, of course. They say it isn’t “over there,” or “up there;” Their “there” is interpenetrating with our “here,” but we lack spiritual eyes. Well.
I think even people who didn’t “like” him, loved him.
–
Lets not speak for everyone.
MTU March 11th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
JAP-
You also have something very special which I do not see enough.
An Ocean.
///
Well, we’re a little ride away, but I’m game if you are
GB definitely knew his baseball.
Had an encyclopaedic mind for it.
His MiLB insights were really spot on.
Jerkface March 11th, 2013 at 8:56 pm
I think even people who didn’t “like” him, loved him.
–
Lets not speak for everyone.
__
I’m sorry that he may have passed on, and if so, I hope he has found peace, but yeah, not everyone.
Jerkface March 11th, 2013 at 8:56 pm
I think even people who didn’t “like” him, loved him.
–
Lets not speak for everyone.
///
You’re right, and I understand. He was incredibly rude to you; unspeakably so, at times. Hey, we had our differences, but I kept a soft spot for him regardless. You don’t have to feel that way, of course.
But..if you ran across this guy, and you had some kind of car trouble, or what have you, this is a person who would unsentimentally help you. His bark was bigger than his bite. You both loved baseball…. He had a big heart. I know that about him. You don’t have to agree, of course.
I’m sorry that he may have passed on, and if so, I hope he has found peace, but yeah, not everyone.
///
Rich, you have always been a gentleman here, (even when I gave you a hard time about Jeter). You just lack arrogance, and you are unbelievably reasonable in all discussions; you’re as fair minded and thoughtful as they come. You did nothing to earn the kind of rancor and just meanness he doled out to you. But I also know think you know what I’m talking about, even though you may not share my feelings on this.
*know or think
New post —->
JAP
Thank you for the kind words. I guess I do. I mean, I didn’t see that side, but I understand from your posts and the posts of others, that there was such a side.
Um, what is so outrageous about asking Chipper Jones to play 3B, DH, or do one and a little bit of the other in April and May or until Teixiera returns?
Chipper posted .287/.377/.455/.832 with 14 HR, 62 RBI, and six more walks than strikeouts (57 BB to 51 SO) in 448 PA last year. Anyone honestly think Youkilis will post that or around that for the 2013 Yankees? I’d say about the only numbers from those Youkilis c/would post is the HR and RBI and maybe OBP. I would be ECSTATIC if Youkilis OR A-Rod posted the numbers Jones posted in 2012.
Chipper is a career .303/.401/.529/.930 hitter with 2726 H, 468 HR, and 1623 RBI – a future first or second ballot Hall Of Famer – and I for one could give a flying !@#$ that he turns 41 next month. The guy can still hit and check this: Say he posts only .260/.330/.420/.750, wayyy below his 2012 or career slashline through May. That would most likely still be better than what Nix would post and could possibly be as good as or better than what Youkilis would post.
So what he SAYS he’s retired. The Yanks should at least ask him if he’d be down to play until Teixiera returns and if he says no, then that’s it. It doesn’t hurt to ask and I’m sure he’d be extremely flattered and at least consider it as it is the Yankees.
The Yankees should at least make Jones an offer.
Musty got lost, Musty got lost, Musty got lost
Somewhere down the lin http://www.chatalex.com/