Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Opening Day Just Around The Corner

Just 10 days until the Yankees open up the regular season. They start the season in Tampa this year. The rotation is a little up in the air right now. Obviously Girardi has already said CC and Kuroda have spots. I would think Hughes has earned a spot there as well. I also think Pineda has earned a spot as well. Even though his velocity was down to start the spring his performances have been decent. That leaves Nova who has been at best inconsistent, and Garcia who has pitched well and deserves a spot. News leaked yesterday that the Yankees have in fact shopped Garcia at least to the Marlins. Even if they do trade Garcia, they still have a surplus when Andy is ready to come back. I think the safest bet is to option Nova down to AAA. It wouldn't be smart to trade him as they will need him next season with Kuroda, Garcia, and likely Pettitte all gone (again). It will be interesting to see what Girardi and Cashman do, they should announce the rotation I would think in the next 5 days or so.

On non-baseball news...Tebow-mania hits the big city as his trade to the Jets became official. Tebow is a class act. He may not be a great NFL QB but it's easy to see why he draws support from the fans and his teammates. Giants owner had a little fun with the Jets though, his comment on Tebow, "The David Carr press conference is tomorrow." I haven't heard of any big Giants signings yet. Though it seemed to work for them last year.

Wrestlemania this Sunday. Rock vs Cena. I couldn't tell you anything other than that but it may be worth a buy just for that.

30 comments:

old professor said...

Time to comment on your rotation. Garcia is a very valuable commodity for the Yankees. He has pitched well, he knows how to pitch and can be used to teach the young pitchers how to pitch versus throw. When you talk about the possibilty of a trade, exactly what hole will the Yankees need to fill (other than a left handed dh) that can be accomplished with a trade. You never have enough arms. Rotation should be CC, Kuroda, Garcia, Pineda, and Hughes. Nova could fill a role much like Noesi did last year or send him down to get things straightened out. His velocity and location have both been lacking this spring.

More interesting is the bullpen. The Yankees have two rule five players that have pitched extremely well in the Spring. There is the left handed reliever they got in rule five from the Red Sox who has a ton of strikeouts this season (Cabral??). Keep him because as well as he has done and to rub sox nation's nose in the dirt. In addition they have Mitchell who is a rule five they got from the Nationals and he has done well and projected as a long man out of the pen.

Yankees also have to seriously consider what to do with Justin Maxwell who is out of options: he has speed, has hit this spring and is a defensive plus in the outfield. (He has not displayed a lot of power but has played really well).

Crash said...

Old Prof said:"Rotation should be CC, Kuroda, Garcia, Pineda, and Hughes. Nova could fill a role much like Noesi did last year or send him down to get things straightened out."
Completely agree with you on this one Old Prof.

I thought I read that Maxwell was already reassigned. I could be wrong on that one. I know they made a bunch of reassignments the other day.

old professor said...

Maxwell is in the outfield tonight so he has not been reassigned. Preston Mattingly was released.

Crash said...

So Joba thinks he'll pitch this season. Good luck with that. I read one report that him missing time in 2013. If I'm the Yankees I put 2012 on the back burner and focus on having ready for opening day next year.

Andy Pettitte is getting close to an in-game appearance.

The baseball season has officially kicked off even though it isn't "Opening Day" yet. Mariners and A's have already started in Japan. As of now it's tied 1-1 in the 9th inning. Mariners seem to be in mid-season form as Felix Hernandez went 8 innings.

Magic Johnson buys the LA Dodgers for $2.15 BILLION. I would guess that would put the Yankees some near $4 billion if sold???

The NY Football Giants will open the NFL season hosting the Cowboys. Giants and Coughlin are discussing an extension. I would still fire Kevin Gilbride though. Wish some team would give him a head coaching job so there's a reason for him to leave.

Crash said...

I stand corrected. From Darren Rovell who is sports finance guy has said "If the Dodgers are worth $2 billion, then the Yankees are worth $5.5 billion and the Cowboys are worth $7 billion."

I still think the Yankees are THE sports franchise brand and should be higher than the Cowboys. But the NFL is king right now.

old professor said...

Why is it this site keeps changing its appearance? It is confusing enough to insure the proper posting now the site has changed its appearance for the second time in three days!!!

Joba's injury is not as severe as originally thought. He will be in a cast until June. The only issue after that is getting into baseball shape. Logically if all goes well he could be back just after the all star break. The other big question will be just how stable the joint will be in the future. My guess is there was some significant stretching of ligaments and tendons. They will not be as strong as in the past.

I have to agree regarding Gilbride. He is unimaginative in his play calling and gets into consistent trends that makes it easy to exploit. I am not sure extending Coughlin is necessarily a good thing. Yes he has won two super bowls and has in all likelihood hall of fame credentials, but at some point the realization comes that there is a need for change.

Crash said...

Brandon Jacobs just signed with the 49ers.

old professor said...

Regarding Jacobs, his usefulness has long past. He was a power runner who took a beating and over the last two seasons he slowed down and looked like he was trying to tiptoe through things. The only difficult decision for the Giants is who are they going to sign and bring in as a backup.

People keep saying the decisions regarding pitching are going to be difficult to make. I don't think so - Nova has been inconsistent with his pitching much like last year early he always seems to have a bad inning or two. The rotation based on performance should be: CC, Kuroda, Garcia, Hughes and Pineda (in that order). Nova goes to the pen or the minors to get his work.

I am disappointed in Cory Wades numbers this spring. His ERA is over 7 for the spring and his pitches seem to be flat. Mitchell has pitched well as has Cabral. Robertson needs more innings to make up for lost time.

Outfield situation is a little bit difficult as well. Dickerson will be released (not hitting this spring), Maxwell is out of options but has hit fielded and run extremely well and should be added to the team. Wise has also played well but sadly no room for him. Ibanez with his one hit yesterday is now hitting - wait for it -.089. There has to be a better option out there for the team.

Crash said...

Old Prof I'm going to mit pick just a little and say Hughes has earned the #3 spot and Garcia #4. But I agree that Nova is the odd man out, they should send him down to keep him stretched out vs putting him in the pen.

I'm more interested in if the Yankees decide to keep the veterans they brought in. None of them seem to be fighting for a job. Jones, Chavez, and Ibanez all have struggled and seem to take it for granted they'll make the team (and they probably will). But I wish I saw some effort and fight in them. Based on performance alone, I would cut all of them and go young.

Crash said...

Mark Feinsand of the Daily News hypothesizes that Nova has made the rotation because he is pitching in the minors today instead of against the Orioles...because his first regular season start would be...against the Orioles. He also says Garcia to the bullpen makes the most sense. I understand the logic but can't see that happening.

old professor said...

The Yankees have signed Jack Cust to a minor league contract. If I am not wrong he is a lefthanded DH that played for Oakland - long homeruns but many strikeouts. This could be a signal the Yankees are not sold on Ibanez. (Can we say that Damon is still available and probably more serviceable than either Ibanez or Cust).

Feinsand is making the Garcia move to the bullpen based on the his veteran status and he would not pout about going to the pen like one of the younger individuals would. Hate to tell him this, but being sent to the pen or down to the minors is all part of the maturation process - you learn to deal with it or you find yourself out of baseball.

Of greater concern for the Yankees is the extended injury of Romine. His back is getting worse and may actually be a bulging disk in his back. If true this does not bode well for someone who wants to be a catcher.

There are rumors regarding the signing of someone who is on the verge of being released (cannot remember who). I would not waste a spot for another catcher. The team has depth at the position. The only rationale I can think of is they are not happy with Cervelli's performance this spring - he is hitting .175. Molina is hitting over 400.

Crash said...

George King in the Post speculates that Pineda is pitching for his rotation spot when he goes up against the Phillies tonight.

I kind of disagree...I mean to mea it really doesn't matter if Pineda or Nova is sent down or moved to the pen, but Pineda has had better results than Nova.

old professor said...

I am going to try this again. I have tried to post this three times without success.

The latest comment by Girardi regarding the "sixth starter" not being guaranteed a roster spot speaks volumes and pretty much indicates the direction the Yankees are going. The team normally prefers veterans so you can figure CC, Kuroda, and Garcia are in the rotation. Hughes has pitched lights out and will be the number four rotation spot. This leaves Nova and Pineda for the last spot in the rotation. Nova has not pitched well and Pineda's velocity has not come back, which is now a concern for the Yankees. It would appear Seattle knew more than what they were saying when the trade was made.

I believe Pineda goes down and Nova gets the spot in the rotation. When Pettitte is ready to pitch Nova goes down.

Of more interest is the bullpen. I would think the Yankees will go with seven pitchers in the pen. You know that Mo, Soriano, Logan and Robertson are givens. That leaves: Mitchell, Warren, Phelps, Wade, Rapada and Cabral pitching for the last three spots. Rapada and Cabral will battle for the second lefty out of the pen. I would think Cabral stays because the Yankees would have to return him to Boston and I can't see them wanting to face him during the season.

That leaves Wade, Mitchell, Warren and Phelps battling for two spots in the pen. Best guess Mitchell gets one of the spots.

Crash said...

Oh no...Pineda tells Yankees he has shoulder pain after tonights start. Guess that solves the rotation question for Girardi. Pineda did hit 93-94 with the fastball. I would say the Yankees will be overly cautious here and DL him and hopefully just rehab with a strength and conditioning program after a couple weeks off from throwing.

old professor said...

Interesting that Pineda indicated that he feels sore often. It should be obvious the Yankees may have received damaged goods. The kid had to pass a physical to complete the trade, somebody missed something.

So he goes on the DL and that gives the team a rotation of cc, Kuroda, hughes, Garcia and Nova. Not a bad rotation. Bullpen questions may have been answered tonight as well. Wade gets touched up again while Rapada and Cabral blank the Phillies. Wonder if it is possible to carry three left handlers in the bullpen.

One last comment on the rotation. Garcia showed some class prior to the game by telling people while he preferred starting he would go to the pen and be a reliever if that is what the team needed. Veteran with class!!!!

old professor said...

Well it looks like some of the questions in the bullpen may have been answered too. Not only did Pineda leave the game because of soreness, Cabral left the game as well due to "severe" pain in his elbow and is headed for an MRI.

Crash said...

Pineda is placed on the DL with shoulder tendinitis.

old professor said...

Well this issue solves the rotation situation and makes it easier to keep Penida in the minors. This resembles the Phil Hughes story from last year. Hughes came in out of shape struggled during spring training and eventually went on the DL with tendinitis in his shoulder and the season was a waste.

old professor said...

Well this issue solves the rotation situation and makes it easier to keep Penida in the minors. This resembles the Phil Hughes story from last year. Hughes came in out of shape struggled during spring training and eventually went on the DL with tendinitis in his shoulder and the season was a waste.

old professor said...

Sad news on Cabral. He has a stress fracture of the elbow.

Crash said...

Looks like the Mets have some good news...Johan Santana will be their opening day starter. He's apparently recovered from shoulder surgery. Hasn't pitched since September 2010.

Andy Pettitte appears to be a ways off still. He threw 33 pitches in a simulated game and said he was tired. Not sure how much longer he could have gone. Said his legs still aren't there. Though no official word from the Yankees as to when he could be available. I would shocked if we see him before June.

As for Pineda, I would keep him on the DL for as long as I could. The Yankees need to whip him into shape, build his arm strength up too. He shouldn't make a MLB appearance until after the All-Star break. You can already tell this season will be a waste for him. The parallel to Hughes from last year is uncanny. Hopefully the Yankees learned from that debacle.

old professor said...

Pettitte is learning a life's lesson, age waits for no one. He came to camp as an advisor and get the itch to pitch. He probably had not give a good deal of thought to the rigors of conditioning prior to that decision. He and Girardi both indicated it is not a matter of arm, but a matter of legs.

It will be interesting to see who the Yankees break camp with. There are a number of outfield cadidates who had outstandiing springs. Dwayne Wise had an outstanding spring, Justin Maxwell played great defense, and Molina had great offense as a catcher.

Crash said...

Looks like Pettitte will pitch in Thursday's game against the Mets. It's most likely going to be out of the pen and probably for an inning maybe 2. If you figure Pettitte would begin his "regular" offseason training sometime in December and given the fact the he actually took a whole year off, he is not going to be ready for sometime. If the Yankees are smart they don't rush him back and really look for him to contribute in the second half and in October.

old professor said...

Yankees have no plan to rush Pettitte. There is still a question whether he will actually round into shape and say: yes! I am ready or will he say: No, can't do this any more?

Just some numbers to consider: Andruw Jones who is going to be the DH against left handed pitchers and be the fourth outfielder is hitting .200; Ibanez finally got on the interstate with his batting average and is hitting .155; Gardner who will be the starting leftfielder is hitting .216; and Justin Maxwell who has recovered from last year's injury and is younger than all of the above is hitting .317 and has pretty much been told there is no room on the team for him. (This is crazy - springing training is supposed to be used to get in shape and show people you can still perform - Jones, Ibanez and Gardner have not performed and are given roster spots - it is crazy.

Frm the pitching side, Robertson seemed to be in mid season form yesterday with one inning pitched and two K's. Hughes was also impressive going four innings allowing five hits and no runs.

Crash said...

I think Hughes is going to have a big year. Better than 2 years ago, that may sound like a lot since he won 18. But I think all the other stats will be better (ERA, BB, K, WHIP, etc.).

Crash said...

Kim Jones is now with the NFL Network.

Crash said...

Pettitte pitches a scoreless inning. He gave up a lead off single but took just 13 pitches to get out of the inning.

Also hearing Rapada made the team. Cashman met with him yesterday and he came out of the meeting smiling.

Dave Phelps also made the team. He'll pitch out of the pen.

Boone Logan had an MRI today, think for his back, came back negative.

Red Sox made the big trade to land Andrew Bailey from the A's, well he's having UCL surgery on his thumb will miss 4 months. Bobby Valentine has announced Alfredo Aceves is the closer for the Red Sox.

old professor said...

It will be interesting to see who else makes the roster for the Yankees. If Rapada is added that will leave only one bullpen spot open.

Aceves will thrive as the closer. He was someone the Yankees should never have let go.

Crash said...

Old Prof. Yankees release Jorge Vazquez today.

old professor said...

I am not surprised with the release of Vasquez. He did not hit as expected and is a liability on the field. It will be interesting to see who the team has in the minor leagues at first. Yankees also sent Cervelli down to triple a and add Chris Stewart obtained in a trade of Kontos to the Giants.

Stewart is 30 years old and barely hits his weight. Cervelli was surprised. Why I don't know he didn't hit all spring until the last game and hits a two run home run.

I am surprised that did not keep Mplina who hit well over 300 and has a strong arm. They have given him two. Notices (1) go to double a or(2) as for a release.

Phelps also makes the team. So they decide to keep one of the your kids not named Betances or Banuelos.

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