Sabathia makes first spring start
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 15, 2013 
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Brett Gardner CF
Derek Jeter SS
Ichiro Suzuki LF
Travis Hafner DH
Juan Rivera RF
Francisco Cervelli C
Musty! 3B
Dan Johnson 1B
Corban Joseph 2B
LHP CC Sabathia
Looks like they are testing out the ‘A’ lineup (sans Cano) to back CC. Sadly, this lineup is perhaps the most likely for opening day (with Cano perhaps batting 4th), and it reminds you how pathetic the lineup will be until Teix and Grandy return. (man do they miss Swisher right now).
love that all the beat writers call him Musty
‘(man do they miss Swisher right now).”
understatement….say what you want about Swish but he gave them depth at 2 positions and we was really consistent and pretty durable. Not saying they should have matched Cleveland….but they should have tried to replace him with somebody younger if they weren’t going to sign him
So is it actually feasible that Juan Rivera will remain our cleanup hitter to start the season?
I imagine it will be either Hafner or Youkilis, but isn’t that thought horrifying?
Misread the lineup, but I’m horrified all the same
Is Slade still with the team? Is he getting into games?
Morning.
Not sure what else Mustelier can do.
He’s earned a spot IMO.
“Is Slade still with the team? Is he getting into games?”
he’s still there I think….don’t think he played yesterday so I assume he will today. It’s kinda weird that he’s still with the team unless they are seriously considering taking him north.
MTU March 15th, 2013 at 8:18 am
Morning.
Not sure what else Mustelier can do.
He’s earned a spot IMO.
——–
I think the failure of anyone actually winning the 1B spot (besides Rivera?) really helps Musty’s case.
I haven’t really been keeping track of how many spots are open. Is it possible take Mesa, Rivera, Nunez, Nix, and Mustelier? Seems like those are the front runners for the fill-in spots.
Blake-
Why would they take Heathcott w them ?
Kinda needs some more MiLB experience, no ?
Bad move IMO. Get him some more reps at AAA.
If he does well bring him up after the ASB.
Kev-
No reason to take Mesa other than speed and D. He cannot hit ML Pitching yet. Might never.
MTU,
I don’t know…..why is he still in big league camp at this point? I don’t think they will or that they should either really…..but it’d kinda be cool and I don’t really know why else he’d still be around unless they were at least thinking about it.
Physically he’s pretty close to ready I think….mentally and experience wise though he needs more time….he needs to face some pitchers in the upper levels that know how to set hitters up and how to command the ball.
If Mustellier makes the team as the starting 3b and Youk is moved over to 1b then Juan Rivera will be the starting RF.
Really it is down to Mustellier vs. Melky Mesa at this point.
The opening day lineup will be the worst in over 20 years. Youkilis and Hafner will hit cleanup dependent upon the pitcher.
Why is Heathcott still up with the team but never plays. Doesn’t he get to get ready for the season? He would at least make the game more interesting.
Blake -
I agree. It’s a nice dream but I can’t see them jumping Heathcott from A ball to the majors. Too much downside.
“Really it is down to Mustellier vs. Melky Mesa at this point.”
or Rivera…..they need 3 players really….they need a Tex replacement…..a Granderson replacement….and then just the 4th outfielder they originally needed.
Blake-
I have no idea either but I don’t belive he’s ready.
Look what happened to Melky when they brought him up too soon.
Ronnier can play the corners.
I’d put Youkilis at 1st and Mustelier at 3rd.
In the OF I’d use some combo of Almonte, Francisco, or Rivera.
Youkilis might hold up better playing 1st anyway.
Let’s see what Musty can do at 3rd, etc. for a month.
“I agree. It’s a nice dream but I can’t see them jumping Heathcott from A ball to the majors. Too much downside.”
the AFL is considered AA level by most and he destroyed it…..but yea I agree. Maybe another reason he’s still around is the Yanks want him to spend time with Jeter and Mo and these players…..thinking maybe that’ll be good for him
Blake -
Much as I don’t want him, I think Rivera’s made the club. He keeps on hitting and that’s all they can ask out of him.
I think the only question is whether Rivera is starting at 1b with Youkilis at 3b and Melky Mesa in CF or if Rivera’s starting in RF with Mustellier at 3b and Youkilis at 1b.
The real issue for me is the numbers.
If the team takes Francisco, Mustellier, Rivera and Nix north then I don’t know how they create enough spots on the 40 man roster.
Mesa needs to go down and work on his swing.
Blake,
Yeah he destroyed the AFL but, while the competition there is good, the sample size is very small.
“Yeah he destroyed the AFL but, while the competition there is good, the sample size is very small.”
sure but I think just how a player looks on the field means something as well….he doesn’t look out of place with big leaguers right now…..I don’t think he’s ready yet either…..think mainly he needs to face more advanced pitchers in the upper levels and work on his swing a bit more (he gets Gardnery sometimes)…..but he’s still around for some reason….
blake March 15th, 2013 at 8:36 am
“Yeah he destroyed the AFL but, while the competition there is good, the sample size is very small.”
…..but he’s still around for some reason….
——————–
True enough
blake -
i have this de ja vu feeling of rooting for roger repoz, horace clarke,charley smith,jerry keeney fritz peterson, kekich,etc all over again.
… and the yankees had good players stottlmyre, murcer, and roy white coming along just like now. even munson. but it took until 1976 to be really good again. it was like ten years.
i honestly don’t see how you can get into all these no names who will overwhelm the few good players who are there.
i think hal is playing you.
he sees a blog like this and thinks they are hooked on the action. no matter how bad it gets, they keep talking about yankee stuff that hal doesn’t even know about.
i think yankee fans need an intervention. they need to break the habit
i mean have fun following the yankees , but damn, don’t let this a hole hal hijack the yankees with your support and backing.
i really think this whole thing, the course it’s on, has no chance of working out. we’ll see though.
who knows? maybe pitching really does win and it will override everything else.
Showcasing??
Showcasing Heathcott, I mean.
I think that the second game lineup (opening day will likely be against Lester – so I’m going second game so it will be against RHP)
Gardner – CF
Jeter – SS
Ichiro – LF
Cano – 2b
Youk – 1b
Hafner – DH
Rivera – RF
Mustellier – 3b
Cervelli – C
Bench: Stewart, Francisco, Nix, Nunez
Doreen-
I have no problem trading Slade as his value is high and I do not think he will stay on the field enough.
My only condition is that he is packaged with others to bring back an impact player.
Otherwise I’m keeping him.
The Yankees are in transition.
MTU March 15th, 2013 at 8:18 am
Morning.
Not sure what else Mustelier can do.
He’s earned a spot IMO.
————————————–
As a 28 year old player in AAA seems logical to give him a shot to see what he can do – he has no more development to do – he made an adjustment to the American game and seems to have ironed out some things in the minors, but he is not going to get any better. They can store him in AAA as depth, but I think it makes more sense to go ahead and see what he has. If he really fails at the big league level, then you might as well cut him loose.
Mo, Ichiro, AP, Kuroda, and all others should go out w. a Ring.
Good morning all-
MTU-
Got the photos-spectacular shots!
As much as I would like to see Mustelier make the team he hasn’t been getting enough chances when he is put in at third and I believe he struck out both times yesterday as his BA has been falling.
The bench could very well be these five-Stewart, Rivera, Francisco, Nix and Nunez
paco-
I don’t think he can do that much damage in a month.
Who knows he might even be a plus ?
Like the player he seems to be.
“i think hal is playing you.”
he’s not playing me…..I know what they are trying to do. Ive seen enough now to know that the talent they have on the farm is real….there is real potential there. The problem with that is the potential doesn’t always become reality and the Yankees and Hal have to shift gears if it doesn’t.
As I’ve said…..if the plan is to try to get under 189 if all goes well and they can still win then I get that and fine…..but they have to understand that the fans won’t accept a crappy team just so they can save on the luxury tax…..they won’t show up or watch and then the whole effort is counterproductive.
I do think Hal is trying to snake oil the fan base to some degree…..but he has to be smart enough to know that the bottom line is winning and not winning and that’s what fans really respond to….not talk.
MTU March 15th, 2013 at 8:42 am
Doreen-
I have no problem trading Slade as his value is high and I do not think he will stay on the field enough.
My only condition is that he is packaged with others to bring back an impact player.
Otherwise I’m keeping him.
—————————————–
Is his value that high given that he hasn’t had been back from injury for very long? Texas needs OFs, so you could include him with Joba in a package. They won’t put together a package for Andrus at this stage, but I am still hopefully that they can give Olt a try – overrated perhaps, but if you can make a deal without trading any of the top 3, then I say do it (Joba, Heathcott and ??? a pitcher perhaps? other pieces?)
It’s too bad that Mustelier wasn’t the starting 3rd baseman when Pettitte faced Cliff Lee. Youkilis had about five chances, about 2 tough ones, playing 3rd before they removed him and brought in Nix.
“Showcasing Heathcott, I mean.”
I guess that’s possible…..but it’d have to be a prospect of his caliber at a position they need more or a deal for a true impact player before I’d move him….his ceiling is too high.
If Texas wanted to do Joba and Heathcott for Olt I’d think about it…….if the Padres wanted him in a Headley deal then I’d think about that……but I wouldn’t move him otherwise
Are we sure Hal really give’s a sh*t ?
He says he does but what if he really wants to sell ?
Short of something that would impact a potential sales I’d expect him to just stay the course.
Now if you believe him that’s another thing.
Joba and Heathcott for Olt makes some sense for both sides…..I think Heathcotts ceiling is higher than Olts but Olt has a higher floor probably and plays a position the Yankees need badly.
Of course…..losing Joba could hurt the pen a good deal….you can find relievers but they probably won’t shake lose til the deadline and right now Aardsma doesn’t look like he can get outs in the big leagues to me……
YT-
Glad you liked them. You’re my Georgia rep.
If the Yankees trade Joba, is there another pitcher in their bullpen that can register 95-96 on their fastball, because I haven’t seen it from Aardsma, Kelley, Miller and the rest?
Why is Dan Johnson still playing?
Blake-
Backfilling our pen is one of them least of my concerns.
Doesn’t Hearhcott have to play to be showcased? An occasional two innings and one at bat doesn’t show much.
edit: “the” not “them”. sorry.
blake March 15th, 2013 at 8:12 am
love that all the beat writers call him Musty
—————-
See, they really do pay attention to us
What’s the hubbub about the Dominican team? People upset they were happy when they….won?
Maybe I’m wrong but I do not feel good about the fact that JU went elsewhere.
Perhaps he won’t rake the way I’m expecting him too.
Sorry no deal could be made. Guys like him rarely come along.
aao
so we can take photos with our hands and talk into them as well?
would you go for that?
——————
No but you can’t stop technology
——————————————————————–
Reading through yesterday’s thread I came across this exchange about technology and the future. So, as a little change of pace, I thought you folks might enjoy this French TV ad (no translation necessary.)
http://vimeo.com/61275290
Looking at this attached site on Mike Olt, it doesn’t look like he has done enough in ST to excite many scouts:
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/t.....='ALL‘
“Backfilling our pen is one of them least of my concerns.”
normally yea….but with this team if they get a lead they need to make it hold. I’m not sure Montgomery is ready yet…..you take Joba out of the pen right now and it’s pretty crappy after DRob and Mo…..Logan is ify with the elbow…..I might chance it to get a long term answer at 3B….but for 2013 they really can’t afford to open any new holes
I don’t think Hal is trying to sell Yankee fans anything except tickets. You’re attributing things to him that aren’t there.
Hal is not a baseball guy, he never was which is why neither he or Hank were supposed to be the ones running the Yankees right now (it was supposed to be Jennifer Steinbrenner’s now ex-husband Steve Swindall who was a good baseball man, just not a good husband). Hal’s a business man, sees the payroll incentives in the CBA, has a GM who has said for 10 years that he wants to be less reliant on high dollar free agents and is saying “Great, let’s do it.”
If it doesn’t work, if this year is an epic disaster because of all the payroll that’s tied up in injured players, I think he’s sincere in saying that he’ll adjust the approach. What I hope is that he holds Randy Levine and Cashman responsible and is willing to move on from the two of them. What I hope is that he doesn’t just have a knee jerk reaction to being accused of being cheap and just bring back Granderson and Cano at contracts that don’t make long term sense to the club.
What I have feared and will continue to fear is that if this season is a disaster is that Cashman will go and Randy Levine will promote a puppet GM and run the team himself much the way Larry Luccino runs the Red Sox.
If that happens then the angst you feel this season will be nothing compared to what we’re in store for.
“he’s not playing me…..”
blake ,
i think he is because you are so interested in the yankees. what normally is a good thing is being used against you. you’re the cream of the crop of god well informed fans and yet you still stay interested.
that’s right in hal’s wheelhouse.
i just refuse to take the bait. as i said, i’m thinking train wreck.
we’ll see
“so we can take photos with our hands and talk into them as well?”
I haven’t learned how to take them w my feet yet but I’ll work on it.
And you can already speak into any modern DLSR right now. They are video capable.
So the future in is already here.
The Dallas paper did note they were scouting Joba plus Red Sox relievers. Olt has not impressed them so far this spring from my newspaper scouring.
Send Joba to the Rangers for Mitch Moreland.
Yankees add a slugging 1b who can fill in for Tex and DH a bit assuming that Pronk gets hurt.
Rangers have 1b options in Olt and Berkman.
Blake-
Mongomery, Aardsma, Rondon, Cabral, Nuno, etc.
The middle of the pen is realtively easy to replace.
We should be so flush elsewhere.
I’ll take Headley or Gordon.
Forget Olt.
And when the Rangers can’t sign Andrus I’ll take him too !
I prefer not to do buisness w the Rangers.
Not sure they wish to deal w. the Yankees either.
yanks61 and MTU-
Check this out. Why can’t my IPad do this?
http://www.snotr.com/video/7466/Magic_iPad
MTU -
Ken Davidoff pointed it out the other day. Trading Joba to the Rangers would represent a significant departure from business as usual for the Yankees.
1. They don’t trade players off their major league roster.
2. When they do trade players off their major league roster it is usually not to teams that they view as competition.
Then there’s the PR aspect of it. Given Joba’s (mostly undeserved) popularity, if they trade him for Moreland and then he walks out of the pen in October and shuts down the Yankees…geeze.
Speaking of PR – imagine that as a free agent Joba signs with the Mariners with an agreement that he’s going to start and the Mariners come to the Stadium and you have Joba starting with Montero as his catcher…
It’s sad that it’s Mariano’s last year and the Yankees have the weakest team in recent memory.
It would have been nice in Mariano’s last year for them to have made a real run for the World Series title but with this team but just don’t see it happening.
“i think he is because you are so interested in the yankees. what normally is a good thing is being used against you. you’re the cream of the crop of god well informed fans and yet you still stay interested.
that’s right in hal’s wheelhouse.”
I don’t get to go to the games though…..Hal’s wheelhouse is the casual fan that fills the stadium….there are a lot more casual fans than guys who know who Corbin Joseph is….those are the ones that make Hal money and the ones he has to keep happy….in addition to the corporate sponsors (who follow the TV money)
I see that Olt has 10 SOs in 26 ABs this spring – a bit scary given that he has not performed well above AA when given the chance.
Nice to see from his profile though that he is from New Haven – would be nice to have a local guy I suppose.
blake March 15th, 2013 at 9:16 am
“i think he is because you are so interested in the yankees. what normally is a good thing is being used against you. you’re the cream of the crop of god well informed fans and yet you still stay interested.
that’s right in hal’s wheelhouse.”
I don’t get to go to the games though…..Hal’s wheelhouse is the casual fan that fills the stadium….there are a lot more casual fans than guys who know who Corbin Joseph is….those are the ones that make Hal money and the ones he has to keep happy….in addition to the corporate sponsors (who follow the TV money)
—————-
Actually Hal’s wheelhouse are the corporations that buy luxury boxes to entertain out of town clients.
Those are the guys they want to keep happy.
Chip-
That essentially supports what I said.
I hope Joba finds a starters job somewhere. If it makes the yankees look like they misjudged him then that’s how the cookie crumbles.
OTOH other teams might just slot him exactly as the Yankees have.
He isn’t cheap anymore.
blake -
don’t get me wrong. i think you really understand the yankees and know your stuff.
enjoy the spring. we’ll revisit this later . we do need to see this team play
“Actually Hal’s wheelhouse are the corporations that buy luxury boxes to entertain out of town clients.”
I said that
randy,
I do think Hal is trying to con the casual fan
In reality the figure of $189M is really closer to a target of $177M to account for what is to be projected, the cost of player benefits for a teams 40 man roster.
If Hal keeps to the 177M and appeases the fans by signing Cano to another expensive AAV contract, IMHO, there is no way to surround him with enough talent to field a competitive team in 2014.
New Post———->
Musty got lost, Musty got lost, Musty got lost
Somewhere down the lin http://www.chatalex.com/