Saturday, February 20, 2010
It has begun...
Hooray! Ring the bells, sound the alarms, and wake up the children because Spring Training is upon us! Pitchers and catchers reported to camp Thursday and a few others reported early to get a jump start on their title defense in the upcoming 2010 season. The biggest stories that will likely begin to take shape when Grapefruit League games start next month will be the fifth starter pitching, whether Granderson will play center or left field, and whether or not Kevin Long can help some hitters hit off of left handed pitchers or improve their swings. Other than those details the Yankee team is pretty much set barring a disaster or explosion of skills by a prospect. I wouldn't be surprised if the Yanks made another minor trade during or just after Spring Training because they will have three to four viable starting pitchers remaining and you can't just throw those guys in the bullpen. I see either Chad Gaudin or Sergio Mitre being traded. I like Gaudin better and think he pitched better for New York last season than did Mitre. The problem is that Brian Cashman, the GM, has a man crush on Mitre for some reason so he might be more reluctant to trade him. However, at this point it doesn't really matter because I am too excited and stoked to care about the trivial details. It's baseball time people and I can't wait for this next season!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Final pieces likely in place
The Yankees are most likely done dealing this offseason as they have made one minor trade and signed one free agent. The Yankees traded a minor league infielder to the Texas Rangers for minor league outfielder Greg Golson. Golson will compete for a roster spot during spring training. The 24 year old is a speedster and solid defensively. He could be a good right handed hitting compliment to the host of left handed hitting outfielders we currently have.
The other move the Yanks made was to sign veteran outfielder Randy Winn to a one year deal in which he will most likely be playing left field. Winn played the last few years with the Giants and had previously played with Seattle and Tampa Bay. The 35 year old is a switch hitter but he might as well just be a left handed hitter which is why this move confuses me. Winn hit .292 against right handed pitchers and only .158 against lefties. So, rather than signing a right handed hitter to platoon in left field with Brett Gardner, the Yankees sign a guy that can really only do damage from the left side.
While the Yankees do have right handed hitters in Jamie Hoffmann and Golson in the outfield mix, it is unlikely that the Yanks will look to carry five outfielders on their active roster. This means that, barring some move or monstrous spring training, Golson will be sent down and Hoffmann will have to be sent back to the Nationals. We received Hoffmann from the Nationals as compensation for the Brian Bruney trade but, since he was signed and traded to the Yankees, he would have to be sent back to the Nationals if he doesn't remain on the Yankees active roster.
Essentially the Yankees have two switch hitter in the outfield in Winn and Swisher and two left handers in Gardner and Granderson. The hope is that the Yankee hitting coach, Kevin Long, can improve the swings of all four outfielders that remain on the roster so that this concern does not become an actual problem. It would be great if the guys didn't need right handed hitting compliments but only time will really tell what will happen with that.
Updated lineup:
1. Jeter SS
2. Johnson DH
3. Texeira 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Cano 2B
7. Swisher RF
8. Granderson CF
9. Winn/Gardner LF
The other move the Yanks made was to sign veteran outfielder Randy Winn to a one year deal in which he will most likely be playing left field. Winn played the last few years with the Giants and had previously played with Seattle and Tampa Bay. The 35 year old is a switch hitter but he might as well just be a left handed hitter which is why this move confuses me. Winn hit .292 against right handed pitchers and only .158 against lefties. So, rather than signing a right handed hitter to platoon in left field with Brett Gardner, the Yankees sign a guy that can really only do damage from the left side.
While the Yankees do have right handed hitters in Jamie Hoffmann and Golson in the outfield mix, it is unlikely that the Yanks will look to carry five outfielders on their active roster. This means that, barring some move or monstrous spring training, Golson will be sent down and Hoffmann will have to be sent back to the Nationals. We received Hoffmann from the Nationals as compensation for the Brian Bruney trade but, since he was signed and traded to the Yankees, he would have to be sent back to the Nationals if he doesn't remain on the Yankees active roster.
Essentially the Yankees have two switch hitter in the outfield in Winn and Swisher and two left handers in Gardner and Granderson. The hope is that the Yankee hitting coach, Kevin Long, can improve the swings of all four outfielders that remain on the roster so that this concern does not become an actual problem. It would be great if the guys didn't need right handed hitting compliments but only time will really tell what will happen with that.
Updated lineup:
1. Jeter SS
2. Johnson DH
3. Texeira 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Cano 2B
7. Swisher RF
8. Granderson CF
9. Winn/Gardner LF
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Arbitration News
The Yankees locked up the few players they had that were available for salary arbitration on Monday by giving one year deals to Chad Gaudin, Boone Logan, and Sergio Mitre. Gaudin and Mitre will likely compete for the fifth starter role in spring training along with Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Alfredo Aceves. Whomever does not get selected as the fifth starter will fight for a spot in the bullpen (Likely Gaudin, Hughes, and Aceves in the bullpen, Chamberlain starting, and Mitre traded or sent to Triple-A). Logan will likely serve as a left handed specialist out of the bullpen after the departure of Phil Coke via trade.
One player who would have been available for salary arbitration this year would have been Chien-Ming Wang but the Yankees instead non-tendered him (essentially didn't offer him a contract) and he is now a free agent. The Yanks do have a couple million of dollars to work with in their budget but they are seemingly unwilling to take a low cost risk on Wang who had won 19 games in consecutive years before injuring his foot while running the bases in an inter-league game in 2008. He has not been able to come back from that injury and has suffered other injuries in the process but I hate to see him go after he gave so much to the team for the years he played. This game is a business so decisions cannot be made based upon emotions but I think he still has upside and would be worth a couple million to try and get him back to his 19 game winning shape.
One player who would have been available for salary arbitration this year would have been Chien-Ming Wang but the Yankees instead non-tendered him (essentially didn't offer him a contract) and he is now a free agent. The Yanks do have a couple million of dollars to work with in their budget but they are seemingly unwilling to take a low cost risk on Wang who had won 19 games in consecutive years before injuring his foot while running the bases in an inter-league game in 2008. He has not been able to come back from that injury and has suffered other injuries in the process but I hate to see him go after he gave so much to the team for the years he played. This game is a business so decisions cannot be made based upon emotions but I think he still has upside and would be worth a couple million to try and get him back to his 19 game winning shape.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Our biggest competition
Let's see...
The biggest obstacle the Yankees will face this coming season will come from within their division and from a bitter rival: the Red Sox. The Red Sox have upgraded their entire team from their defense, their offense, and their rotation. They were already a good team last season but they have made themselves a scary good team for the upcoming season. The following is an explanation of their offseason moves and their upcoming new look.
The Red Sox started the offseason with a trade for Jeremy Hermida from the Marlins, then they signed free agents Marco Scutaro, Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre, and John Lackey. Hermida is a solid outfielder and will give the Sox some flexibility and durability off the bench. Marco Scutaro will be a vast upgrade at shortstop compared to the revolving door they had at that position last season. Scutaro is good defensively and can hit as well. Mike Cameron will be patrolling centerfield for the Sox as they have decided to move Jacoby Ellsbury to leftfield due to Cameron's experience and Ellsbury's relative inexperience. Cameron is going to old in baseball terms next season, he'll turn 38 next season, but he has shown little decline in his defensive and offensive skills. Beltre had a disappointing offensive season with Seattle last year but he remains one of the best defensive third baseman in the game. Overall, their defense will be one of the best in the game. I find it hard to believe teams will find any easy runs against them this next season.
Finally, the John Lackey signing gives the Nation the best overall rotation in the AL. They have Josh Beckett, John Lester, John Lackey, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, and Clay Buchholz to choose from which gives them six solid starters. Beckett and Lackey are power pitchers with plus fastballs and fighter mentalities. They hate losing and hate leaving games even more. Lester is turning into a left handed ace with a solid fastball and great offspeed stuff. Matsuzaka and Buchholz showcase multiple pitches and both are coming off mediocre seasons after having some above average success. Wakefield continues his success by throwing his knuckleball all day long. He had some back issues and he is 42 years old but the Sox can afford to take a chance with him. With a plethora of starting pitchers, the Sox could even move one of them to further upgrade their team (likely Buchholz). They match up with the Yankees rotation arm for arm but I think they have the benefit of a little more depth and a better back end. While the Nation's bullpen lost a couple arms to free agency (Wagner and Saito), they have plenty of power arms to supplement any loss. With Delcarmen, Bard, Okajihma, and Papelbon, the Red Sox have a slew of strikeout artists to throw at other teams.
The Red Sox are looking like they might be a juggernaut next season and I would call them the team to beat if my Yanks didn't have the championship trophy sitting in the clubhouse. Either way the Sox are going to destroy teams, win close games, and pull out some come from behind wins and they'll give the Evil Empire (my Yankees) a run for the AL East title. The following is will likely be there lineup and rotation setup:
1. Ellsbury LF
2. Pedroia 2B
3. Martinez C
4. Youkilis 1B
5. Ortiz DH
6. Cameron CF
7. JD Drew RF
8. Beltre 3B
9. Scutaro SS
1. Beckett RHP
2. Lester LHP
3. Lackey RHP
4. Matsuzaka RHP
5. Wakefield RHP/Buchholz RHP
The biggest obstacle the Yankees will face this coming season will come from within their division and from a bitter rival: the Red Sox. The Red Sox have upgraded their entire team from their defense, their offense, and their rotation. They were already a good team last season but they have made themselves a scary good team for the upcoming season. The following is an explanation of their offseason moves and their upcoming new look.
The Red Sox started the offseason with a trade for Jeremy Hermida from the Marlins, then they signed free agents Marco Scutaro, Mike Cameron, Adrian Beltre, and John Lackey. Hermida is a solid outfielder and will give the Sox some flexibility and durability off the bench. Marco Scutaro will be a vast upgrade at shortstop compared to the revolving door they had at that position last season. Scutaro is good defensively and can hit as well. Mike Cameron will be patrolling centerfield for the Sox as they have decided to move Jacoby Ellsbury to leftfield due to Cameron's experience and Ellsbury's relative inexperience. Cameron is going to old in baseball terms next season, he'll turn 38 next season, but he has shown little decline in his defensive and offensive skills. Beltre had a disappointing offensive season with Seattle last year but he remains one of the best defensive third baseman in the game. Overall, their defense will be one of the best in the game. I find it hard to believe teams will find any easy runs against them this next season.
Finally, the John Lackey signing gives the Nation the best overall rotation in the AL. They have Josh Beckett, John Lester, John Lackey, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, and Clay Buchholz to choose from which gives them six solid starters. Beckett and Lackey are power pitchers with plus fastballs and fighter mentalities. They hate losing and hate leaving games even more. Lester is turning into a left handed ace with a solid fastball and great offspeed stuff. Matsuzaka and Buchholz showcase multiple pitches and both are coming off mediocre seasons after having some above average success. Wakefield continues his success by throwing his knuckleball all day long. He had some back issues and he is 42 years old but the Sox can afford to take a chance with him. With a plethora of starting pitchers, the Sox could even move one of them to further upgrade their team (likely Buchholz). They match up with the Yankees rotation arm for arm but I think they have the benefit of a little more depth and a better back end. While the Nation's bullpen lost a couple arms to free agency (Wagner and Saito), they have plenty of power arms to supplement any loss. With Delcarmen, Bard, Okajihma, and Papelbon, the Red Sox have a slew of strikeout artists to throw at other teams.
The Red Sox are looking like they might be a juggernaut next season and I would call them the team to beat if my Yanks didn't have the championship trophy sitting in the clubhouse. Either way the Sox are going to destroy teams, win close games, and pull out some come from behind wins and they'll give the Evil Empire (my Yankees) a run for the AL East title. The following is will likely be there lineup and rotation setup:
1. Ellsbury LF
2. Pedroia 2B
3. Martinez C
4. Youkilis 1B
5. Ortiz DH
6. Cameron CF
7. JD Drew RF
8. Beltre 3B
9. Scutaro SS
1. Beckett RHP
2. Lester LHP
3. Lackey RHP
4. Matsuzaka RHP
5. Wakefield RHP/Buchholz RHP
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Yankee lineup
1. Jeter SS
2. Johnson DH
3. Texeira 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Cano 2B
7. Swisher RF/Granderson CF
8. Granderson CF/Swisher RF
9. Gardner/Hoffmann LF
Sabathia LHP
Burnett RHP
Pettitte LHP
Vazquez RHP
Chamberlain RHP
It looks like the Yankees are going to try a platoon in left field with Brett Gardner and Jamie Hoffmann, or at least they are going to head into spring training with that plan. I don't really mind it at all because I like the idea of giving these guys a chance to earn their spots. I think it will give them all a sense of edge and a need to play better. I'm not sure how the Yankees will want to set up their lineup because it depends on if they want to put two lefties in a row or not. Most teams try not to do that because opposing teams can run a lefty out to the mound and essentially counteract most left handed hitters. I personally like the idea of having Granderson bat at the bottom of the order because he sets up some speed for the top of the order. However, it sounds like the Yanks will have Gardner or Hoffmann bat in the nine hole which leaves Granderson either batting behind Cano in seventh or behind Swisher in eighth. I guess it won't really matter. Also, from everything I have read Javier Vazquez will be the number four pitcher rather than the number three like I had thought. I think this might change once spring training starts but the rotation does set up nicely rotating the first four pitchers lefty and righty. I just think that Pettitte won't be able to keep up his success forever even though he is one of my all time favorites. I'm very much looking forward to baseball season!
2. Johnson DH
3. Texeira 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Posada C
6. Cano 2B
7. Swisher RF/Granderson CF
8. Granderson CF/Swisher RF
9. Gardner/Hoffmann LF
Sabathia LHP
Burnett RHP
Pettitte LHP
Vazquez RHP
Chamberlain RHP
It looks like the Yankees are going to try a platoon in left field with Brett Gardner and Jamie Hoffmann, or at least they are going to head into spring training with that plan. I don't really mind it at all because I like the idea of giving these guys a chance to earn their spots. I think it will give them all a sense of edge and a need to play better. I'm not sure how the Yankees will want to set up their lineup because it depends on if they want to put two lefties in a row or not. Most teams try not to do that because opposing teams can run a lefty out to the mound and essentially counteract most left handed hitters. I personally like the idea of having Granderson bat at the bottom of the order because he sets up some speed for the top of the order. However, it sounds like the Yanks will have Gardner or Hoffmann bat in the nine hole which leaves Granderson either batting behind Cano in seventh or behind Swisher in eighth. I guess it won't really matter. Also, from everything I have read Javier Vazquez will be the number four pitcher rather than the number three like I had thought. I think this might change once spring training starts but the rotation does set up nicely rotating the first four pitchers lefty and righty. I just think that Pettitte won't be able to keep up his success forever even though he is one of my all time favorites. I'm very much looking forward to baseball season!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Are the Yankees done?
It seems the Yankees might be done adding players, according to some baseball writers. However, it is unlikely that they would trust a full season of Jamie Hoffmann and Brett Gardner in left field, especially if Curtis Granderson continues to struggle against lefties. The Yankee lineup doesn't really need another bat but they also are not likely to simply throw someone out there. I have a feeling that neither Brett Gardner or Jamie Hoffmann will be starting the season in left field. Call it a 'Steinbrenner' hunch.
However, on the flip side, I wouldn't mind seeing the Yanks go with their current roster. Gardner showed that he can be a threat on the bases and could have a better season given more chances. Plus, there is no telling how well Hoffmann will play in Spring Training so he could surprise us all and earn that starting spot. Maybe I should consult the magic 8-ball...
However, on the flip side, I wouldn't mind seeing the Yanks go with their current roster. Gardner showed that he can be a threat on the bases and could have a better season given more chances. Plus, there is no telling how well Hoffmann will play in Spring Training so he could surprise us all and earn that starting spot. Maybe I should consult the magic 8-ball...
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Lower Payroll?
So, the word from the front office was that the Steinbrenners and Brian Cashman had agreed to lower the payroll from last year ($201 million) but, according to my calculations, the payroll for 2010 will actually be higher ($208 million). I heard that the Yankee big wigs wanted to have the payroll around $185 million for next season but it looks like that has no chance of happening. Also, the Yankees currently do not have a starting left fielder unless they plan on using Brett Gardner or Jamie Hoffman full time which I think is unlikely. Not sure what their plans are but it seems that the whole lowering of the payroll idea has gone out the window. The good news is that much of the added salaries for the next season came via the trade rather than signing free agents (ex. Granderson and Vazquez). I think the Yankees are looking to shed some salaries for next season because of the big free agents that might become available. I guess we can only wait and see.
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