The final 48: Who’s still in Yankees camp
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Mar 18, 2013 
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Two weeks to go, and there are 48 players still on the active roster in Yankees camp. One way or another, the Yankees will trim that number to 25 before Opening Day. These are the guys still in camp.
Obvious big leaguers (17)
Derek Jeter, Brett Gardner, Hiroki Kuroda, Chris Stewart, Robinson Cano, Francisco Cervelli, Dave Robertson, Ichiro Suzuki, Travis Hafner, David Aardsma, Kevin Youkilis, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Ivan Nova, CC Sabathia, Joba Chamberlain, David Phelps
Nothing to do with these guys except put them on the major league roster and take them north. I guess you could say that Stewart is still competing with Bobby Wilson, but I’m not sure that’s actually true. Nova and Phelps are technically competing for the fifth starter job, with the vague possibility that the loser could go to Triple-A to stay stretched out, but that just doesn’t seem realistic at this point. Seems like they’re in.
Almost certainly big leaguers (2)
Eduardo Nunez, Brennan Boesch
Nunez is certainly getting the playing time that suggests the Yankees are locked into using him in a platoon role. I fully expect him to be on the roster — at this point, I’ll be stunned if they send him to Triple-A – but I don’t think it’s quite a 100 percent guarantee. Close, but not quite. Similar story for Boesch, who seems like a natural fit to help fill the void in the outfield. If nothing else, the fact he’s a left-handed hitter makes him stand out. But, like Nunez, Boesch has options. The Yankees say he’s not a sure thing to break camp.
Status uncertain (3)
Clay Rapada, Boone Logan, Phil Hughes
All three seem to have big league jobs waiting for them, the only question is whether they’ll be healthy enough to open the season. Girardi said yesterday that Logan seems to be on track. He hasn’t pitched in a game, but he’ll pitch a simulated game on Tuesday, which means he could be in a regular game later in the week. Hughes is pitching a simulated game this afternoon, and the Yankees remain hopeful that they have enough time to get him ready to open the season. Rapada is a significant question mark. He’s currently shut down with shoulder bursitis and Girardi has acknowledged that there’s a good chance he won’t be ready in two weeks.
Trying to win a spot (7)
Dan Johnson, Jayson Nix, Ben Francisco, Juan Rivera, Thomas Neal, Melky Mesa, Ronnier Mustelier
If you assume Nunez and Boesch are on the roster, the Yankees still have room for three of these guys. The only left-handed hitter in the bunch is Johnson. The only middle infielder is Nix. There are four right-handed outfielders, one of whom — Rivera — could also win a job at first base. If the Yankees don’t make a move, nearly half of these guys will be on the Opening Day roster.
Possible injury replacements (5)
Bobby Wilson, Cody Eppley, Shawn Kelley, Josh Spence, Jim Miller
There’s no indication that either Cervelli or Stewart is hurt, but an injury seems to be Wilson’s only chance of making the team at this point. Spence could sneak onto the roster if Rapada isn’t ready and the Yankees decide they want a second lefty, but the Yankees could also replace Rapada with one of the experienced right-handers – either Kelley, Eppley or Miller. Eppley is the most familiar of the bunch, but he’s also had the worst spring of the group.
Inevitably heading to the minors (10)
Matt Tracy, Gil Velazquez, Juan Cedeno, Preston Claiborne, Walter Ibarra, Mark Montgomery, Addison Maruszak, Vidal Nuno, Jose Pirela, Branden Pinder
Nuno has been terrific this spring, Velazquez is a versatile guy with big league experience, and Heathcott is a left-handed outfielder who’s awfully good in the field. Even so, it’s hard to envision any of these 11 actually breaking camp on the roster. A case could be made, certainly, but it just doesn’t seem realistic. There might be a few mid-season call-ups in this bunch, but Opening Day big leaguers seems like a stretch.
Inevitably heading to the DL (4)
Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, David Herndon, Cesar Cabral
The Yankees already put Alex Rodriguez and Michael Pineda on the disabled list, and it’s a matter of time before these four join them. Of this bunch, only Herndon is on a minor league deal and not on the 40-man roster. The rest could be retroactive cases for the 60-day disabled list, especially if/when the Yankees need to open roster spots for guys like Nix and Rivera.
Associated Press photos
Yawwwwwn…. Gooooooood morning all.
Did everyone make it through St. Patrick’s Day..? My survival was in doubt when some janky Jersey chick got all mad at me for punting her purse across a parking lot and yelling ‘fetch!!’
Some people are extremely sensitive around the holidays.
I don’t think Boesch is that much of a lock for the opening day 25 man roster. With options remaining I think he is likely to be sent down to work on some issues that set him back over the last year and then he will be called up if he can look more like the earlier successful version rather than the recent uninspiring version.
@KenDavidoff
In the #Yankees’ austerity movement, Mark Teixeira is looking more like a problem than a solution. http://bit.ly/YLkPhE
Morneau 2012: .267/.333/.440/.773 – 19 HR
Morneau 2012 Pre-ASB: .246/.312/.440/.752
Morneau 2012 Post-ASB: .289/.354/.439/.793
He had 500 AB’s last year so I would imagine he is healthy again. As you can see he had a nice bump in BA and OBP in the second half last season. His slugging is low but isn’t Target Field very difficult to hit HR in?… I’m sure that slugging % would take get a nice boost hitting in NYS. Morneau is a pretty heavy pull hitter if I am not mistaken.
If the price is on the low(ish) side is terms of prospects and he is in fact available, the Yanks need to go get him. The Twins are in full rebuild mold,Morneau is a FA at the end of the year, and they owe him $14M this year. Seems pretty logical that they would want to shed that payroll.
Morneau would be a great replacement, but I have no idea of the player cost. I doubt very much whether the Yankees would pay his salary. We are still in an austerity mode. We look not for trades but for released players.
austinmac March 18th, 2013 at 9:35 am
Morneau would be a great replacement, but I have no idea of the player cost. I doubt very much whether the Yankees would pay his salary. We are still in an austerity mode. We look not for trades but for released players.
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They might be willing to pay a premium for a guy on a 1 year deal, so I am not sure that the austerity argument works here. They have been willing to spend money this year, just not to commit long term dollars this year.
I have no idea what the Twins would want, but taking all of his salary might make the player cost relatively low. Could do Warren and a position player?
The problem is what happens when Teix returns. If one of the two could play both corner stops, then that could help, but now you are looking at one of them at DH instead of Hafner.
Paco,
They are now at last year’s budget. I still doubt they would add over ten million to it. I do think the question is if Teixiera returns. If he does, Morneau can replace Hafner, or if Hafner is doing well, trade him at the deadline. If he is hurt, Morneau will be needed anyway.
I would be shocked if someone like Warren would get Morneau even for one year at a high salary. But, what do I know?
Morneau would be a plus if they didn’t give up anything serious.
He’s got the concussion history, is over 30, and his splits from last season are pretty severe.
But he had a .900 OPS vs rhp & could certainly take advantage of the porch and RCF.
Morneau also always seems to be nicked up and did have a wrist problem a couple years ago.
We lucked out playing Minnesota with him sidelined those two years. That bat might have made a big difference in those close games (especially at home) we always ended up winning in those series.
PacoDooley March 18th, 2013 at 9:44 am
The problem is what happens when Teix returns. If one of the two could play both corner stops, then that could help, but now you are looking at one of them at DH instead of Hafner.
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That you worry about when it happens. Morneau and Hafner are injury prone and it appears that Tex has become injury prone as well. Probably not very likely that all 3 of them are healthy at the same time. If by chance Tex comes back and Hafner and Morneau are both raking, then we have a piece to trade in order to fill another need.
I’d like to think in what is probably the last best chance for the Jeter/Rivera/Pettitte Yankees to win a WS that the Yankees would agree to take on Morneau’s salary if they did not have to give up much in terms of prospects. I would imagine they are at least talking with Minny and a few other teams.
Good morning
Seems like Tex revealed the torn tendon sheath before Cashman, who wanted it kept under wraps, had a chance to make a deal for a replacement.
I’m predicting that Tex will need surgery after “wasting” time waiting for it to heal on its own
He’ll come back and find out after taking batting practice that the ECU tendon is subluxing and therefore the sheath is not stable.
I’m not an Orthopod, but I did stay at a HIE, once.
YT,
I am about ready to let you operate on me.
Yankee Trader March 18th, 2013 at 10:18 am
Good morning
Seems like Tex revealed the torn tendon sheath before Cashman, who wanted it kept under wraps, had a chance to make a deal for a replacement.
I’m predicting that Tex will need surgery after “wasting” time waiting for it to heal on its own
He’ll come back and find out after taking batting practice that the ECU tendon is subluxing and therefore the sheath is not stable.
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Surgery certainly feels likely. I think of the Gardner situation here, where they waited ages before he eventually had surgery. If he had had the surgery much earlier he might have actually returned in time to be a contributor. Likewise Banuelos and his elbow (well, at least the part about waiting before what seemed like inevitable surgery).
Presumably the doctors have a more informed opinion than I do, but you would hate for him to wait 8 weeks and then have surgery that puts him out 20 weeks when he could just have the surgery now and be back to play the final month or so of the season (and perhaps postseason).
Austinmac-
Depending what surgery you needed, I would need to bring the step by step instruction manual into the OR with me, and have you, as legal consul, sign a waiver stating you understand all risks and won’t sue me!!!
Tex has the same injury that Mark DeRosa had. DeRosa elected to forgo the surgery and has regretted it ever since as the pain persisted and never went away until after he had the procedure.
Even if Tex rests the full 10 weeks and comes back he will have to have a procedure at the end of the year anyway. Any pain at all when he comes back in May and he is done for the year.
A tough injury to over come with just rest.
(BTW, my brother has been a surgeon for 22 years)
Paco-
Jose Bautista waited until he called Sam Fuld, who had given the tendon sheath full rest and then found out he needed surgery. Bautista then decded to have it repaired so he could be ready to open the 2013 season.
Attached a pretty concise article on Bautista’s injury and why surgery was probably the way to go, in terms of preventing further problems with his wrist.
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/20.....mart-move/
A lot of the “who’s on 1st” debacle would be solved if Hafner could actually play 1b. This is exactly why you do Not sign guys that can Not play a defensive position. You eventually get hamstrung, (like the Yanks currently are), and end up having to eat up 2 roster spots to fill 1 position. If a team desires to platoon atta position, that’s OK, as you can plan accordingly. This entire 1B\Hafner Fiasco was avoidable.
DONNYBROOK March 18th, 2013 at 10:47 am
A lot of the “who’s on 1st” debacle would be solved if Hafner could actually play 1b. This is exactly why you do Not sign guys that can Not play a defensive position. You eventually get hamstrung, (like the Yanks currently are), and end up having to eat up 2 roster spots to fill 1 position. If a team desires to platoon atta position, that’s OK, as you can plan accordingly. This entire 1B\Hafner Fiasco was avoidable.
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Donny is clapping out truths this morning.
HAfner is the DH. They would still be needing to look for another bat in this situation. Versatility is important, but so is actual production. They need HAfner to OPS around .800 for as long as he stays healthy, not play 1st. Not to mention it doesn’t matter because Youkilis and Rivera can both play 1st and another position, so they have it covered.
I meant if Hafner could play first they’d still be looking for another bat. Having a dedicated DH is a good thing. It HELPS in these situations, because you don’t have the crappy rotated DH candidates assuming full time duties.
Yankees look to cut payroll, but ailing Teixeira is a problem
By KEN DAVIDOFF
Last Updated: 9:48 AM, March 18, 2013
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports.....Hj0nyyakcK
Rivera at 1B issa stop gap disaster waiting to happen. A DH should be able to play a position if need be. Some of us were around when The Boss stock piled the Yanks with DH’s, so we have seen how this plays out. It ALWAYS ends in tragedy. Oh, and by the way, Hafner ain’t gonna OPS .800 in 2013. You have been listening to Hafner’s agent and Cashman FAR too long.
He has hit .268 .361 .453 .814 the past 4 years, was only 16 points off .800 last year. I expect him, while healthy, to hit around .350/.450/.800.
Hafner playing 1st base doesn’t solve the problem of Teixeira going down, so its irrelevant.
Hafner playing 1st base doesn’t solve the problem of Teixeira going down, so its irrelevant.
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No, but not signing Hafner and signing a guy like Berkman or Young would have been a better move.
Matsui did not need to play the OF in 2009 to contribute, he was able to sit in the DH spot for the entire season and produce. That is all you need from a DH. In the best case, you get a guy who can also play the field, but in general you just need 1 guy who can comfortably sit in the DH and rake.
I like that “while healthy” disclaimer. Hafner playing 1B Would solve the problem. It is FAR easier to get a bat to fill the DH Slot, than get a legitimate 1B. And again, Rivera at 1B would be a “hold your breath” move.
No, but not signing Hafner and signing a guy like Berkman or Young would have been a better move.
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Delmon Young? Hell no. Berkman? Maybe if you think Berkman is going to be a better hitter, yes, but the position the DH plays is irrelevant.
I like that “while healthy” disclaimer. Hafner playing 1B Would solve the problem. It is FAR easier to get a bat to fill the DH Slot, than get a legitimate 1B. And again, Rivera at 1B would be a “hold your breath” move.
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1B is the easiest position on the diamond, and getting someone who is comfortable DHing is probably about as difficult as getting someone who can stand at first.
The Yankees can get a 3B or a 1B as well, since they have Youk.
Even if Teixeira manages to make it back without having surgery, it would be a risk to play 1st and possibly risk damaging the sheath and his wrist on scooping up a low throw or diving to his right, etc. He might need to DH.
Therefore either plan on someone other than Youkilis playing third, with him at first, or get another 1st baseman now.
It’s too bad that Mustelier, who played third in Cuba but only something like 28 times in the minors, has not had or been given the chance to get enough playing time at third in ST.
It would have been nice had he, instead of Youkilis played third on Pettitte’s debut, since Youkilis got 4-5 chances , some on tough plays , while he was in.
Now with 9-10 games remaining in ST, I’m rooting fot “Musty.” Play him for me!!!
“I know there’s a whole bunch of season left,” Teixeira told reporters, “and the time that really matters is the playoffs.”
Is Tex so deluded to think that a team minus himself, A-Rod and Grandy is going to be anywhere near the playoffs? The Yanks weren’t even favorites to win the division BEFORE these three went down. Lord knows what will happen if and when one of the starters gets hurt, which given their age, is almost inevitable.
“If a reliever says wants to start, as Chamberlain sort of did last month, then you can laugh it off – or, if you actually like the player involved, you sit him down and, with compassion and consideration, explain why that isn’t going to work. Such a player is trying to talk his way up the food chain. You admire it, in a way.”
Man, Davidoff really hates Joba.
Warren+Rob Segedin/Kyle Roller for Morneau. Get it done CashBoy!
To say that playing 1b is merely “standing at first”, shows why some on this Blog fixate on slash lines and the like. There’s a beautiful game out there, but one Must actually watch it in order to appreciate\understand it.
I know it is LoHud tradition to always expect the worst but David Ortiz had the same injury (partial tear of the wrist tendon sheath) in 2008.
His last game before the injury was May 31st and he was back in the daily lineup on July 25th, about 2 months later and played almost daily for the rest of the season.
No one knows how Teix’ injury will turn out but if they did the surgery he is gone for the season so what difference does it make by resting it first.
Shame-
What was considered a strength before ST started-pitching- is looking a little thin to start the season and get thru the 1st month with only two off days-the 2nd and 15th.
Joba is the only one in the BP who can actually throw a 95-96mph strike.
The mirror image sidearm twins, Rapada might start on DL and Eppley is meh.
Kelley was shelled his last outing and Aardsma touched 93 once but is living around 91 on the radar gun. Logan hasn’t even played in a game yet.
During the colder month of April, how often will MO be asked to save back to back games, especially a day game following a night game?
With this offense the bullpen will play a big part in determining whether a low scoring game turns out in favor of the Yankees.
JF – Yeah I do think Berkman is a better all around hitter. I liked Berkman’s splits better for that role. I hear what you’re saying as far as why the DH defensive position (heh..irony..) is irrelevant but for a team like ours where it seems like we’re being forced to platoon everyone I feel like our bench has to be more dynamic. It may not have needed to be more dynamic in this position (DH) but it looks like we’re going to end up with more parity on the bench again.
To say that playing 1b is merely “standing at first”, shows why some on this Blog fixate on slash lines and the like. There’s a beautiful game out there, but one Must actually watch it in order to appreciate\understand it.
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1B is the easiest position on the field. There is a reason old players from around the diamond gravitate to first as they get older, its not because of its terrible difficulty. There are skills that need to be learned (scooping, footwork around the bag), but it requires the least amount of physical ability.
So yes, it is easier to get someone to stand at first than at any other position.
Why waste resources (prospects, money) on a 1B when you still need a long-term 3B? Haven’t accepted Arod is cooked yet?
Or haven’t accepted Youk was signed as a bandaid at 3B, not an everyday guy?
I’ve been an advocate for trying to stand Musty at 1B lol. Musty the One.
I lean towards Fire’s approach that we should have been focused on a 3B alternative.
MG-
Might Tex have a greater chance of doing further damage to the sheath and ECU tendon than Ortiz.
It’s the sheath on Teixeira’s right hand, his dominant hand when batting from the left side, plus he plays the field. With Ortiz it was the left wrist and he’s strictly a DH.
I’m not trying to be pessimistic, but I think the Yankees need to be proactive, when it regards Teixeira.
Ortiz injury:
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/n.....8;c_id=bos
So yes, it is easier to get someone to stand at first than at any other position.
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Yep, even the Mick, Henry Aaron and a bunch of other over the hill OF’s on their last legs played there. If you can offset the usually small hit it takes to the defense with some some still potent lumber, it’s a very typical end of career move for big hairy monsters who don’t have the luxury of DH’ing.
Cashman would have to be really really stupid to not do anything about 3B and bank on Arod. You never know though, he banked on Carla Pavano for like 4 years straight.
Shame Spencer March 18th, 2013 at 11:15 am
“If a reliever says wants to start, as Chamberlain sort of did last month, then you can laugh it off – or, if you actually like the player involved, you sit him down and, with compassion and consideration, explain why that isn’t going to work. Such a player is trying to talk his way up the food chain. You admire it, in a way.”
Man, Davidoff really hates Joba.
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When did he say that Shame?
With Jeet’s bounced throws, playing 1b just ain’t, “standing at first”. The references to Mantle, Aaron, and how MLB was played decades ago, are proof that some of you are doin’ “The Time Warp”.
Every infielder bounces throws. Stop pretending first is a difficult proposition.
AAO – Link this way
I am not ashamed to say that I’ve had a man-crush on Boesch for years…I hope he makes the team and gets 125 ABs…he’ll eat our RF bleachers for breakfast
At this stage would you take the over or under on a combined 25 home runs from Teixeira and A-Rod?
PacoDooley: Seems like Tex revealed the torn tendon sheath before Cashman, who wanted it kept under wraps, had a chance to make a deal for a replacement. I’m predicting that Tex will need surgery after “wasting” time waiting for it to heal on its own. He’ll come back and find out after taking batting practice that the ECU tendon is subluxing and therefore the sheath is not stable.
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Surgery certainly feels likely.”
You guys seem to be ignoring the fact that there is a major difference between Tex’s wrist injury and Bautista’s, and that’s that in Bautista’s case, the tendon was diagnosed as unstable. In Tex’s case, the tendon has been diagnosed as being stable. Reports state that if the tendon were unstable, surgery would be the only option. But it’s not, so there is a 70 percent chance (reported) that rest will heal the injury. That’s what I’ve gotten from the reports on Tex’s injury. If all that’s true — and again, that’s what’s been reported — then your assumption that the two injuries are the same (Bautista and Tex) is wrong, and therefore your assumption that Tex is almost surely done for the year and will need surgery is also wrong.