02/08: The Kids
Posted by: James
Quick couple of goings-on regarding two of the more touted/hyped Yankees prospects.
First off, John Sickels over at MinorLeagueBall posts a prospect smackdown between two of the more anticipated position prospects in all of baseball, Fernando Martinez of the Mets vs. Jose Tabata of the Yankees. It's an interesting read, if only to read about each player's skill set at such a young age. As usual, the comments are a pretty interesting mix.
The Daily News checks in with a report on the 6'9" power pitching prospect Dellin Betances and it is very rosy indeed.
Well, he's home-grown, big, throws hard and says all the right things. It'll be interesting to see what he does in his first full season as a pro.
First off, John Sickels over at MinorLeagueBall posts a prospect smackdown between two of the more anticipated position prospects in all of baseball, Fernando Martinez of the Mets vs. Jose Tabata of the Yankees. It's an interesting read, if only to read about each player's skill set at such a young age. As usual, the comments are a pretty interesting mix.
The Daily News checks in with a report on the 6'9" power pitching prospect Dellin Betances and it is very rosy indeed.
Betances, drafted out of Brooklyn's Grand Street Campus in the eighth round of last year's amateur draft, said he spent his winter working out at his former high school and at Parisi Speed School in New Jersey, trying to improve his speed, stamina and strength for his first full season as a professional.
...
Grand Street coach Mel Martinez said Betances bulked up from 215 pounds to 230 over the winter, and his velocity rose accordingly.
...
Betances said he's among some of the best baseball talent in Tampa. He said he's seen some big leaguers around the complex, and looks forward to working alongside Yankee legends such as Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte at spring training - and, one day, to sharing the field with them during the season. "Being around them is an inspiration, because you look up to them," Betances said. "You see what they accomplish, and you hope one day you can be in that position."
...
Grand Street coach Mel Martinez said Betances bulked up from 215 pounds to 230 over the winter, and his velocity rose accordingly.
...
Betances said he's among some of the best baseball talent in Tampa. He said he's seen some big leaguers around the complex, and looks forward to working alongside Yankee legends such as Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte at spring training - and, one day, to sharing the field with them during the season. "Being around them is an inspiration, because you look up to them," Betances said. "You see what they accomplish, and you hope one day you can be in that position."
Well, he's home-grown, big, throws hard and says all the right things. It'll be interesting to see what he does in his first full season as a pro.
Posted by: Patrick
From Pete Caldera:
The Yankees are not seeking to enter discussions about extending Mariano Rivera's contract during spring training, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Posted by: Patrick
From February 1:
And today:
Kind of a shame, really. For whatever is thought about Mel, we won 4 titles while he was pitching coach and he was a career Yankee that had a pretty good go at it (164-139, 2.97 ERA, 6th all time for the Yankees in wins, 3rd in innings, 6th in strikeouts, 3rd in games started, 8th in complete games and T2nd in shut outs).
"I had a nice talk with (GM) Brian Cashman but basically he said he had nothing for me," Stottlemyre said yesterday. "I was a little surprised and disappointed, but I don't have any hard feelings. I just decided I'd move on." ...
"I would have gone to spring training if I had heard from Cash earlier," said Stottlemyre. "He apologized for being so late to call, and said he was putting me on a list to be submitted for George Steinbrenner's approval.
"I would have gone to spring training if I had heard from Cash earlier," said Stottlemyre. "He apologized for being so late to call, and said he was putting me on a list to be submitted for George Steinbrenner's approval.
And today:
Mel Stottlemyre is headed to the desert. The former Yankees pitching coach has taken a job with the Diamondbacks as an organizational pitching instructor.
Kind of a shame, really. For whatever is thought about Mel, we won 4 titles while he was pitching coach and he was a career Yankee that had a pretty good go at it (164-139, 2.97 ERA, 6th all time for the Yankees in wins, 3rd in innings, 6th in strikeouts, 3rd in games started, 8th in complete games and T2nd in shut outs).
02/06: From San Diego to Colorado
Posted by: Patrick
From Ken Davidoff:
Via Steve.
The Yankees were supposed to visit San Diego this season, but when Colorado management begged for the Yankees to come in and boost attendance, baseball relented and switched the schedule, as first reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. This is when the Yankees have every right to cry hypocrisy: Opposing teams don't want them spending so much on talent - until the chance arises to have them in their ballpark
Via Steve.
01/31: Wednesday Morning Links
Posted by: James
If you haven't read this story about a young fan and Roger Maris, you are missing out. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside...though I have a sneaking suspicion that the rice & beans I had last night might be adding to that. Hat tip to Steve L. for the link.
Speaking of personal relationships, here's a story from the Daily News about one of Bobby Murcer's.
Have I mentioned how much I appreciated Bobby Murcer as an announcer? In a sea of self-aggrandizing types in the play by play booths, he came off as a genuine guy who loved baseball. Don't forget to keep him and his family in your prayers.
Finally, Pete A. checks in (a day after Lasik, so head over and wish him a speedy recovery) with some notes from a conf. call with Mark Newman:
Speaking of personal relationships, here's a story from the Daily News about one of Bobby Murcer's.
Bobby Murcer welcomed a familiar friend yesterday, receiving a visit from Andy Pettitte in Houston. Murcer is beginning his third week of chemotherapy and radiation to fight brain cancer at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Have I mentioned how much I appreciated Bobby Murcer as an announcer? In a sea of self-aggrandizing types in the play by play booths, he came off as a genuine guy who loved baseball. Don't forget to keep him and his family in your prayers.
Finally, Pete A. checks in (a day after Lasik, so head over and wish him a speedy recovery) with some notes from a conf. call with Mark Newman:
Phil Hughes will be held to 175-180 innings this season after throwing 152 last season. The plan is to have him start the season in Class AAA but Newman did not rule out the idea of his making the team out of camp...Newman seems very high on Humberto Sanchez and Ross Ohlendorf, saying they can help the Yankees this season. He also mentioned that Ian Kennedy, Joba Chamberlain and Dellin Betances are already in Tampa working out.
Jose Tabata reminds the Yankees of Jeter at the same stage of his career.
Jesus Montero, the kid catcher from Venezuela, has “light tower” power and will get a chance to start in the Gulf Coast League instead of the Dominican Summer League.
Jose Tabata reminds the Yankees of Jeter at the same stage of his career.
Jesus Montero, the kid catcher from Venezuela, has “light tower” power and will get a chance to start in the Gulf Coast League instead of the Dominican Summer League.
Posted by: Patrick
From Boston.com:
That's fine with me.
Via Steve.
"I will play in 2008," were the words 40-year-old Curt Schilling told Red Sox Nation this morning on the Dennis and Callahan show.
His contract with the Red Sox ends after this season. ...
Would he consider pitching for the Yankees in 2008?
"It wouldn't be in New York,” Schilling told host Gerry Callahan. “No. I could not make that move."
His contract with the Red Sox ends after this season. ...
Would he consider pitching for the Yankees in 2008?
"It wouldn't be in New York,” Schilling told host Gerry Callahan. “No. I could not make that move."
That's fine with me.
Via Steve.
01/30: Art Fowler Dies
Posted by: Patrick
From the New York Daily News:
Art Fowler, who won World Series rings as pitching coach of the Yankees in 1977 and 1978, died yesterday. He was 84. He died at his home, his son John said.
Posted by: David
Lets face it, Bernie Williams just doesn't fit into the Yankees plans for 2007. He filled in admirably for 2006 with the injuries to Sheffield and Matsui but he simply can't run well enough to play the outfield and his arm has always been poor.
There was some talk about him possibly playing first base but frankly I am thrilled at getting Mientkiewicz who is a stellar defensive first basemen. Giambi should be the full time DH because of his weak throwing arm.
Giambi could be backed up by Andy Phillips and Josh Phelps at the DH and Torre will rest Damon, Abreu and Matsui by having their bat in the lineup as DH. Melky is the backup outfielder we need. He can play all three outfield positions and has a great throwing arm. If your not convinced yet, remember he is only 22 not 38 like Bernie.
We really can't afford to use up a roster spot on a fifth outfielder or sometime pinch hitter. We just signed Cairo today as the backup infielder.
Bernie, Yankee fans will always remember Game 1 of the 1996 ALCS when you homered off of Randy Myers to win the game. Also, how many times have we seen on YES the homer you hit off of Rod Beck to win Game 1 of the 1999 ALCS from the Red Sox. Your 1996 ALDS and ALCS were fantastic and have provided us fans with a lifetime of memories, but, buddy, its time to move on.
There was some talk about him possibly playing first base but frankly I am thrilled at getting Mientkiewicz who is a stellar defensive first basemen. Giambi should be the full time DH because of his weak throwing arm.
Giambi could be backed up by Andy Phillips and Josh Phelps at the DH and Torre will rest Damon, Abreu and Matsui by having their bat in the lineup as DH. Melky is the backup outfielder we need. He can play all three outfield positions and has a great throwing arm. If your not convinced yet, remember he is only 22 not 38 like Bernie.
We really can't afford to use up a roster spot on a fifth outfielder or sometime pinch hitter. We just signed Cairo today as the backup infielder.
Bernie, Yankee fans will always remember Game 1 of the 1996 ALCS when you homered off of Randy Myers to win the game. Also, how many times have we seen on YES the homer you hit off of Rod Beck to win Game 1 of the 1999 ALCS from the Red Sox. Your 1996 ALDS and ALCS were fantastic and have provided us fans with a lifetime of memories, but, buddy, its time to move on.
Posted by: David
The Yankees have made quite a few changes during the offseason and the starting pitching rotation still has questions. Randy Johnson and Jaret Wright are gone and Pettitte is back along with Japanese newcomer Kei Igawa. This basically leaves the no. 5 starter job to the four headed monster of Pavano, Karstens, Henn and the phenom Philip Hughes.
My opinion is that you start the season with a Pavano, Karstens or Henn since they have had major league experience and since this is a no. 5 starting position, the Yankees will be going up against a rather weak no. 5 from the other team. With the Yankees potential for scoring a huge number of runs they could afford to have a so-so pitcher in the five slot.
However, Joe Torre's leash on this position should be very short. After a month or two of mediocrity, Hughes should be summoned to the Bronx. If he is close to the hype, he should get the chance he deserves. Look at the Tigers and how they gave guys like Bonderman, Robertson and Verlander a chance at very young ages. Bonderman is only 23 or 24 years of age and already has 4 major league seasons under his belt. Remember what the young Tigers staff did to our Murderers' Row lineup.
With Spring Training set to begin on February 15, I hope Torre and the Yankee brass take a long and hard look at Hughes and we get to see him in the Bronx with something more than a cup of coffee for 2007.
My opinion is that you start the season with a Pavano, Karstens or Henn since they have had major league experience and since this is a no. 5 starting position, the Yankees will be going up against a rather weak no. 5 from the other team. With the Yankees potential for scoring a huge number of runs they could afford to have a so-so pitcher in the five slot.
However, Joe Torre's leash on this position should be very short. After a month or two of mediocrity, Hughes should be summoned to the Bronx. If he is close to the hype, he should get the chance he deserves. Look at the Tigers and how they gave guys like Bonderman, Robertson and Verlander a chance at very young ages. Bonderman is only 23 or 24 years of age and already has 4 major league seasons under his belt. Remember what the young Tigers staff did to our Murderers' Row lineup.
With Spring Training set to begin on February 15, I hope Torre and the Yankee brass take a long and hard look at Hughes and we get to see him in the Bronx with something more than a cup of coffee for 2007.
01/25: Thursday Afternoon Links
Posted by: James
Also known as I Heart Fangraphs.com.
Update: And now they've added ZiPS projections as well. Perfect. Dave Appelman, you are the man.
As I noted the other day, Fangraphs added Marcel and CHONE projections to player pages. However, Dave Appelman wasn't content to just stop there. He has now added one of the bigger names in projections, Bill James, to the stats page. Here's A-Rod's page (and I tend to agree quite a bit more with BJ's prediction simply because the underlying rates seem to be closer to A-Rod's previous years). Obviously, all projections are simply scenarios of what could happen but still, it's fun to look at what each system predicts and see the various differences.
Also of note is Matthew Pouliot of Rotoworld's look at the Top 10 prospects for each team in the AL East. He doesn't break any new ground on the Yankees' Top 10 but it's still worth a look to get a better understanding of the divisional competition.
Finally, John Delcos of The Journal News has an article up about Bernie Williams and his current state of transition. The article is interspersed with quotes from Bernie which alone makes it worth the read. It seems that Bernie has more or less resigned himself to not being part of the 2007 Yankees team, which is sad but as usual, he carries and presents himself as a class act.
Update: And now they've added ZiPS projections as well. Perfect. Dave Appelman, you are the man.
As I noted the other day, Fangraphs added Marcel and CHONE projections to player pages. However, Dave Appelman wasn't content to just stop there. He has now added one of the bigger names in projections, Bill James, to the stats page. Here's A-Rod's page (and I tend to agree quite a bit more with BJ's prediction simply because the underlying rates seem to be closer to A-Rod's previous years). Obviously, all projections are simply scenarios of what could happen but still, it's fun to look at what each system predicts and see the various differences.
Also of note is Matthew Pouliot of Rotoworld's look at the Top 10 prospects for each team in the AL East. He doesn't break any new ground on the Yankees' Top 10 but it's still worth a look to get a better understanding of the divisional competition.
Finally, John Delcos of The Journal News has an article up about Bernie Williams and his current state of transition. The article is interspersed with quotes from Bernie which alone makes it worth the read. It seems that Bernie has more or less resigned himself to not being part of the 2007 Yankees team, which is sad but as usual, he carries and presents himself as a class act.
"Part of me says if they wanted me, they would have made an offer by now," Williams said. "When you play this game for a long time, you take things for granted and think it won't end. But the harsh reality of it is, it will."
