Tuesday, March 01, 2011

Spring has Sprung!

We are now in full spring training mode as we are about half way through week 1 of spring training games. Only 30 days to opening day and the Yankees open competition on the remaining rotation spots will be deeply debated. If I had to guess I would say the rotation will be rounded out by Nova and Garcia. But man are the young kids good. Not only Nova, but Betances and Banuelos also pitched real well in their first outings of the spring. Brackman's injured groin is on the mend and he's throwing already. Looking way down the line, given the lack of real good pitching on the upcoming free agent markets, I could see a rotation with CC, Hughes, Nova and the B's with one of them probably in the pen (or traded). Can never have enough young pitching. I know it's real early in spring but it's good to have this kind of excitement around young arms. I think this group is even better that "Generation Tres". All of these guys seem to have their heads on straight.

I really liked Montero behind the plate and I think Girardi has tipped his hand a little. When asked if it made sense for Montero to be the back up or get full playing time down in AAA, he reminded us that Posada began as a backup catcher. Girardi feels he can get Montero 300+ AB's. That means he will be catching 2-3 times a week minimum. Martin has yet to catch a game, I believe he was in as a DH the other day. I think Cervelli gets sent down to AAA and gets a call up if/when there is an injury. If Romine progresses as believed Cervelli may be traded.

The Yankees did in fact inquire on Liriano, but Twins weren't interested...yet. And no discussions are currently taking place. I think the in-house young talent is probably better than Liriano right now. Plus there have been whispers Lariano is a problem in the clubhouse. And if an organization like the Twins want to trade him with a couple years left, has to make you think that something isn't right with this guy.

Mark Prior is throwing well, but it seems he is destined for AAA. I hope he makes the big club at some point this year.

37 comments:

old professor said...

I have been impressed with the showing by the young pitchers. But one outting does not make a for a successful major league career. (A) the hitters are usually behind the pitchers at this point and need to get their swings and timing down (B) some of the batters being faced late in the game by the young guns tend to be minor league quality players. Having said that, the Yankees may actually have something special brewing on the farm that may position them for a long-term run at winning Division, League and Series crowns.

I would not look to trade any of the young arms at all. The team built their draft over a number of years on pitching and may now be reaping the reward. Even some of their second tier pitchers have looked good.

As for the catching position, I like Cervelli and he appears up to the challenge, but I have to agree it looks as if the team is ready to run with Montero and in a year or two Romine (and the best is still only 18 - Sanchez).

Prior is a class act who knows he is a long shot to make the team. I would not be surprised to see him accept a AAA assignment to build arm strength and give the team depth for later in the season.

Crash said...

Eventually one of those arms is getting traded. You have more arms than rotation spots. You have to figure CC will be there long term (5+ years), same with Hughes, then you have Nova, Brackman, Bentances, and Banuelos. 6 spots not including AJ for the next couple of seasons. Someone is being shipped out. As I type this I read on ESPN NY Joba is prime trade candidate.

old professor said...

The three B's are not going anywhere. If Joba has an outstanding spring he will stay. I do not believe the Yankees are going to give up the system to bring in a short term rental. It would be an interesting dilema had the Yankees landed Lee last summer giving up the package that Seattle demanded and then had him go back to Philadelphia.

Crash said...

So Martin can't catch yet and now Cervelli is out with an injury. I guess that leaves Montero and Romine for Spring.

old professor said...

Cervelli took a foul off of his foot while batting and was taken out as a precaution. Tests on the foot were inconclusive. Montero and Romine have looked good, but this is the first real week of spring let's wait a little longer before they are announted.

The young arms continue to impress (yes it is still only the first week) Noesi pitched two innings and allowed 1 hit.

The interesting piece is the first base/infielder Vasquez who has demonstrated the ability to hit for power. He was originally an afterthought invitee, but gives the team a good option from the right side of the plate and is 5 to 6 years younger than Chavez.

Crash said...

Unless Chevez spikes himself he's getting the backup 1B/3B job.

Garcia gets the start today. Not sure who is starting against the Red Sox Friday night.

Banuelos is going to be a very good pitcher for the Yankees in the next year or so. He's scheduled to pitch 2 innings Friday against the Sox. He may be sent to AA or possibly AAA. But he has 0 chance of making the club out of camp. He's not listed on the 40 man roster currently. Brackman and Betances are though. Unless Garcia and Colon stink it up or get injured, all the young pitchers will start in the minors, except Nova who is likely the #4 starter. The other good thing about Nova is he threw 187 innings last year between AAA and NY. That means no inning restrictions. He actually threw more than Hughes.

Crash said...

Ok so the aura is starting to fade on Betances. He won't have a perfect spring, 2 quick strikeouts then gives up a double and 3 walks before being pulled.

Crash said...

Red Sox & Yankees tonight. I know it's only spring but should be nearly a full line up.

And I'm just really tired of everyone jumping on the Red Sox band wagon saying how they're just going to run away with the division. Yes I understand they get A-Gon and Crawford, but they lost Beltre and V-Mart who put up great numbers last year Yes they had injuries, but the young kids played over their head. And they still have the same pitching. There's questions about Lackey, Beckett, Dice-K, and Bucholz. Everyone is predicting 100 wins for the Sox...really do you know how many times the Sox have won 100+ games, 3 times in their entire history...the last time was 1946. Before then it was 1912 and 1915. That's it. Yankees have won 100+ 4 times this decade ('02, '03, '04, '09) and 19 overall.

old professor said...

The pitching for the Yankees has looked fairly good. I was impressed with Burnett and his new motion; Joba has looked sharp with his new motion, and Hughes has looked good as well - but again it is early in spring.

The competition for the fourth and fifth spot will heat up in the next two weeks. Garcia threw well yesterday and at this stage for his fastball hitting 89 and having command of the other pitches, has to give him a leg up on the young arms. Interesting if he pitches well and Colon pitches well, it will give the Yankees the opportunity to let the younger pitchers develop in the minors and not have to worry about innings limitations. I think Garcia will be in the rotation. Buenalos has a solid mental approach and has the cockiness needed to succeed, but has not had the innings. I find it amusing there are some who compare him to Guidry.

Crash said...

Banuelos doesn't have the slider that Guidry had. Banuelos has a good fastball and a real good change up. He just picked up a curve ball last year. It looks like all 3 pitches will be plus-type pitches for him. Each of these guys need more innings. But there appears no reason why they won't make it back up to the bigs this year at some point.

And Montero is now a lock for the backup spot.

old professor said...

Don't give Montero the backup position just yet - he is hitting a paultry .125 this spring. And if you look at some of the pitchers he has been facing, most are minor league AA or A pitchers in the other organization. At 21 he has a lot of time to grow - let him grow, don't rush the process.

The thing that does concern me is what appears to be the complete lack of hitting by any Yankee other than Vasquez who is hitting over .700.

Gardner is not hitting, Tex, A-Rod and Jeter are trying to get their swings down. The last three games they have scored a grand total of nine runs (and six were in the first of the the 3 against the Astros who committed two errors and walked someone with the bases loaded in the 9th).

Crash said...

Peter Gammons talking to scouts, saying Banuelos is comparable to a young Johan Santana. WOW!

old professor said...

If Banuelos is that good, then maybe the Yankees need to see what he can do in the show. Unfortunately if you compare him to Santana, we know what happened to Santana.

Crash said...

Cervelli has a busted foot out at least 4 weeks.

Yeah we know what happened to Santana, he was the best pitcher in the league for about 10 years. I'll take 10 years of Santana-like pitching.

Crash said...

Looks like Brackman will make his spring debut tomorrow after being sidelined with a groin injury. We've seen and heard so much about Betances and Banuelos that we have forgotten that Brackman was the one very early this spring that had everyone excited. Let's see if he can make an impression like the other 2.

Crash said...

Good start for Burnett today. 3IP, no hits no walks 1K. Still early but he looks better.

Joba bounces back after he got beat up last time out. 1 IP, no hits no walks. Prior went 1 inning gave up a hit but also got a K, no wlaks, runs. Feliciano 1 IP 2K's no hits no walks. A lot of good pitching going on. And this was the "A" lineup for the Phils (Victorino, Polanco, Rollins, Howard, Ruiz, etc.)

old professor said...

This has been one of the more interesting springs in a long time for the Yankees - real competition for starting rotation and Nova, Garcia, Betances, Banuelos, Colon and Mitre have all risen to the challenge. My best guess is the Yankees will send Betances and Banuelos down to work on getting more innings. Garcia will end up with one of the rotation spots and then the battle begins between Mitre, Nova and Colon. I go with the Veteran Colon and send Nova down or trade Mitre.

The other competitions going on are for the back up utility infielder. I would give Nuenez the plus at this point. He is hitting and fielding. Pena is 0 for 13 in the hitting department.

The utility first/third base position will probably go to Chavez, but I like what I have seen from Vasquez. Don't even know if this guy was on anyones radar.

Catching is now a foregone conclusion. Martin as the starter (w/knee brace) with Montero as the backup. Interesting point reaised on the spring training report regading Posada - the Yankees are refusing to allow him to catch at all this spring which means in interleague play, he sits or pitch hits. Are they really serious about taking his bat out of the lineup during that two week period?

Crash said...

Garcia starts today should go 4 innings. Then Betances and Brackman will get work in. Brackman's debut.

Joba is being scouted heavily. Scouts are impressed with what they see. I see no reason at this point to trade Joba. You have to hope he performs well the first half of the season and raise his value even more to get a starting pitcher of quality in return, if the Yankees even need a guy at that point.

old professor said...

Joba was given a walk up call and has raised his level of play. The Yankees won't be looking at any trade at this point specifically because of how well all of the candidates have looked. I would anticipate if starting pitching becomes a glaring problem or there is a signficant injury, they would look for a trade in June.

With Joba throwing like he is as well as Feliciano and the rest of the pen. Games could be really short for this team. A lead at the end of six and the game is over.

Crash said...

Garcia and Brackman both pitched well.

Betances was hit around a little a bit. Think his ticket is punched for minor league camp and AA Trenton to start the season.

Crash said...

Colon gives up a couple runs but strikes out 7 in 4 IP. As impressive as Nova has been, if Colon continues to pitch well, you could see the Yankees go with both veteran guys Garcia and Colon, and send Nova back down. He has options left.

Crash said...

With Mo throwing BP it seems a little more like spring training now.

Single game tickets go on sale tomorrow I think at 10 or 11. I'm trying to score some Sox tickets.

old professor said...

don't be surprised if the Yankees go with both Colon and Garcia. The team is loaded with veteran presence and these two would fit in.

Crash said...

So CC, Hughes, Garcia, and Colon all have had 1 outing this spring where they got roughed up a bit. Burnett, Nova, and Mitre have pitched real well so far. Mitre hasn't given up a run yet in 3 games/5 innings. While Burnett and Nova each have an ERA in the low 2's. If Burnett can carry this forward into the regular season the rotation goes from suspect to pretty decent real quick.

Soriano, Mo, Prior, Feliciano and even Joba have all pitched well this spring too. Bullpen is looking very solid. Logan and Robertson have not pitched well yet. Each giving up a lot of hits, walks and runs. I would be all for Robertson being sent down and Brackman being in the pen, if he can adjust to be a reliever. He said in an interview he wants to start but would do anything to help the team.

I know some have players have been reassigned already. The Royals claimed Robert Fish after being waived by the Yankees, and the Yankees returned a rule 5 player, Dan Turpen to the Sox.

I would expect to see the Bronx-B's reassigned sooner rather than later. Just over 2 weeks left before Opening day.

Crash said...

Just found the list of players that have been reassigned to minor league camp:

Hector Noesi, Adam Warren, David Phelps, Brian Anderson, Buddy Carlyle, and Andy Sisco have all been reassigned. I think Carlyle had a cup coffee last year. Noesi and Phelps are decent(not top level) pitching prospects.

Crash said...

Yankees playing Sox tonight. Mitre was supposed to start was an injury scratch. Manny Banuelos gets the start instead. Should be interesting as the Sox will have a lineup with Crawford and A-Gon in it. Banuelos is widely considered the best pitching prospect in the Grapefruit League.

old professor said...

Carlyle was trying to resurrect his career and will probably be released. Noesi was touted as having an outside chance to make the club, but did not show much - still young and needs some fine tuning. Sisco and Anderson were big time prospects that never panned out for other clubs (Anderson with Tampa and Detroit and Sisco with KC) - Both trying to rebuild careers. Phelps is a not your typical young kid anymore he is mid 20's and has been less than lights out at the various levels. Average fastball and average breaking stuff. Yanks not ready to give up on him yet (think he played for North Carolina). Cannot see Brackman making the team. Watched him yesterday (encore presentation) and he wore down and was not able to put people away. Was hurt by a dropped flyball.

If Mitre is skipped because of an injury, he could be on the outside looking in when relating to the starting rotation. I think both Colon and Garcia make the rotation and you go with them until they break down then you bring in Nova and maybe one of the Bs.

Crash said...

Brackman wore down because it was only his second spring appearance. Jeter's dropped ball was his effort to squash any talk about moving to the OF.

old professor said...

Crash, I wasn't referring to Jeter's drop but count that in. The right fielder also dropped a ball that kept the inning going.

Banuelos continues to impress while Betances struggled again. They can say all they want about innings limitation and the need for more seasoning, but Banuelos is proving he belongs with the team.

Crash said...

As impressive as Banuelos was yesterday, that was by far his worst outing of the spring. Banuelos has only pitched 100+ innings in a single season once (2009). Last year he mad 15 starts and only went 64 innings. As much as I want to see him on the big club, he needs to build up some innings. Send him down, if he gets to 100+ between AA & AAA, then maybe call him up for another 50 or so at the big league level. Then in 2012 he's ready to join the rotation. Betances mechanics are a train wreck waiting to happen, and it drastically impacts his control. He needs some major work. Brackman while he did pitch 140+ innings last year, it was between A & AA. He needs to show improvements at AAA first. He was walking way to many people in Trenton last year. 30 walks in 80 innings, combine that with 77 hits and it's too many base runners. If I had to guess based off of those numbers he was trying to strike out hitters, nibbled and either walked them or fell behind and laid a fastball in and got hit.

As impressive as the kids are I actually agree with Cashman now, the kids need more seasoning, but perhaps as soon as next year they could have a big impact on the club.

old professor said...

If Cashman is saying that the kids need more seasoning, then Colon and Garcia are in the rotation.

I have not been impressed with the Yankee offensive output this spring. They are not hitting nor are they scoring runs. We are now fifteen games into the spring training game system and they are not hitting - maybe age is starting to play a factor.

Crash said...

Both Joba and Mitre dealing with oblique issues. Those are tough on pitchers, if you don't give them enough rest they will impact your delivery all year long. Joba was pitching really well this spring, if he stinks it up this year I will be suspect of the oblique the entire year...kind of like Clemens and his hamstring injury that bothered him for an entire year.

old professor said...

Former Yankee Ian Kennedy gets the nod to be the opening day pitcher for the D-backs. At 26 years of age and coming off a season with a 3.80 ERA I would be willing to suspect the Yankees would like to have him back. They gave up too soon on him, which tends to be the trend with this team. Let's hope they give the three Bs more time to mature then they did with Kennedy.

old professor said...

Here is an interesting scenario regarding the Yankee pitching staff - Mitre and Chamberlain both have muscle injury issues. Both end up on the DL to start the season, Garcia, Colon and Nova all head north with the team, all pitch well. Chamberlain and Mitre eventually rehab at AAA eventually join the team sometime in late May.

By that time someone may have pitched themselves out of the rotation or broken down.

old professor said...

Nova looked very strong in last night's game. He may have actually pitched his way into the rotation with that performance.

Joba may be on the self for awhile with a strain.

Crash said...

Everyone wants to say Nova has a spot in the rotation...I'm not so sure yet. I have to think Cashman will play it safe and go with Colon and Garcia. This way if one of them fails they call Nova up. If Nova starts in the rotation that means either Garcia or Colon would most likely be released. If Nova struggles early, they don't have a move left at that point. They can obviously send him down, but they don't have a viable replacement left.

old professor said...

Regarding the rotation and pitching, I am not convinced that Joba will be with the team on opening day due to the injury. Mitre may also be on the shelf. Either way both Colon and Garcia make the opening day roster. What surprises me is the Yankees are still interested in Kevin Milwood. At his latest tryout, his fastball hit 85 - that is batting practice stuff. I don't think they should waste their time.

It is also interesting that Justin Doucher (okay the spelling is way off) has apparently reinjured his hip and may be on the self for the Orioles.

I believe Bonderman may also still be out there waiting for an offer.

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