Yankees Spring Training Thread

[Optimist]

I just read that he went four innings.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Yeah that was a VERY rough outting. Mussina for the past 2 years has started out of the gate very slow. You get older its harder to get ready.

[riverside sluggers]

Carl Pavano, who resumed facing hitters on Sunday, might not be ready to start for the Yankees on April 15, the first time the team will need a fifth starter.

Pavano will begin the season on the DL with a back injury. "We're talking 25 or 30 innings he's going to probably need -- and maybe more," manager Joe Torre said. "He may need 35 innings, because he hasn't pitched since the middle of last year, basically." If that's the case, Pavano likely wouldn't come off the DL until April 29. Because of a favorable early-season schedule, that's just the second time the club would need a fifth starter.

 

Pavano needs to get it together. The more time he spends on the DL, I just dont see him at all playing out the 4 year deal he had signed

[26 to 6]

I meant to ge on yesterday to talk about this, however my VERY EXPENSIVE Sony computer has been giving me a hard time the past few days. So while it's getting worked on I rented this one for the week.

 

...Anyways. What's the deal with Moose? I mean, I like Mussina, and always have, but he needs to step it up. Last year wasnt a good one for him, and now in his contract year (or option year rather) he's not off to a good start. I can only hope that for his sake, and for my sake, along with every other Yankee fan, as well as the Yankees, that he gets better and steps it up this year and shows that he's still capable of being the great pitcher we know him to be. We saw it on occasion last year, we just need to see more of it this year.

I'm pullin for ya Mike!

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

...Anyways. What's the deal with Moose? I mean, I like Mussina, and always have, but he needs to step it up. Last year wasnt a good one for him, and now in his contract year (or option year rather) he's not off to a good start. I can only hope that for his sake, and for my sake, along with every other Yankee fan, as well as the Yankees, that he gets better and steps it up this year and shows that he's still capable of being the great pitcher we know him to be. We saw it on occasion last year, we just need to see more of it this year.

I'm pullin for ya Mike!

Well unless your Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens when you get older you get more injury prone, less consistant and thats what has happend to Mussina. Hes 37 years old and hes not going to get any better. I dont really know what to expect from him next season.

[26 to 6]

Well unless your Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens when you get older you get more injury prone, less consistant and thats what has happend to Mussina. Hes 37 years old and hes not going to get any better. I dont really know what to expect from him next season.

Obviously I understand that he's getting older and everything. My post was more of a rant of frustration rather than questioning why. I mean, it is that too, but not completely. He is still capable of throwing the 3-hit, complete game shutout..just not as frequently. And it's frustrating that he has so many bad performances.

 

As much as it would hurt because I love Mussina, I wouldnt be surprised if he was traded before July 31. I'm sure there will be some team making a playoff run that'd be willing to give up a good prospect or 2.

[ORS]

As much as it would hurt because I love Mussina, I wouldnt be surprised if he was traded before July 31. I'm sure there will be some team making a playoff run that'd be willing to give up a good prospect or 2.

The only way that makes sense is if the Yankees aren't in a pennant race themselves, and I seriously doubt you're willing to say that they won't be.

[AlexanderTheGreat13]

Obviously I understand that he's getting older and everything. My post was more of a rant of frustration rather than questioning why. I mean, it is that too, but not completely. He is still capable of throwing the 3-hit, complete game shutout..just not as frequently. And it's frustrating that he has so many bad performances.

 

As much as it would hurt because I love Mussina, I wouldnt be surprised if he was traded before July 31. I'm sure there will be some team making a playoff run that'd be willing to give up a good prospect or 2.

Theres about a 0% chance of trading him. He has a full no trade clause. Even if we could trade him I doubt we get anything for a half year rental. Mussina at this stage in his career is about a 3-4th starter. Thats why the Yankees need RJ to win 18-20+ and one of the others (Wang I think will do it) to step up and win 15 games along with maybe 12-15 wins from Mussina. The wild card is Pavano. They really need to get something and I mean something out of him.

[ARod2212]

Moose will be ok, if he's healthy he can still win 16 or 17. If Pavano produces I think they'll be a real powerhouse. RJ looks good so far and Chacon looks like he's picking up where he left off.

 

I'm encouraged thus far.

[a700hitter]

Moose will be ok, if he's healthy he can still win 16 or 17. If Pavano produces I think they'll be a real powerhouse. RJ looks good so far and Chacon looks like he's picking up where he left off.

 

I'm encouraged thus far.

Hope springs eternal.

[26 to 6]

He has a full no trade clause.

I was unaware. Thanks.

 

The only way that makes sense is if the Yankees aren't in a pennant race themselves, and I seriously doubt you're willing to say that they won't be.

If he's doing bad then what sense would it make to keep him around?

 

Moose will be ok

I hope so. I'd love for him to retire a Yankee, but if he has a bad year that just wont be the case.

[26 to 6]

From Another Site:

 

I was at Astros camp in Kissimmee on Sunday. They were playing the Tigers.

 

My kid (11 yr old) nephew was standing with a bunch of kids and he was wearing a Jeter jersey and Yankee cap.

 

Dimitri Young was walking by wearing a warm up jacket and do-rag. Most of the kids were 'stos fans, and some didn't recognize him.

 

My nephew then asked Dimitri Young for an autograph and Dim-itri answers as he walks away from the kids, not signing;

 

"Who's Derek Jeter anyway?"

 

To which my nephew says;

 

"He's got 4 rings, who are you?"

 

 

Made his uncle proud.

..that kid rules! And in a later post the guy goes on to say that former Yankee Marcus Thames got a good laugh out of it.

[ORS]

If he's doing bad then what sense would it make to keep him around?

If he's doing bad, why in the hell would a contender want him?

[Optimist]

Tino threw the first pitch tonight ; looks like retirement is going well for him.

[riverside sluggers]

Posada might miss the first 3 games or so of the season

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=A9htfuU1ECVEN4cA4xURvLYF?slug=ap-yankees-posada&prov=ap&type=lgns

[Optimist]

What's that option in Posada's contract for this season? If he doesn't catch in half of this season's games the option for next year doesn't go into effect or something like that?

[riverside sluggers]

Yes the 2007 option becomes guaranteed once he reaches 330 games caught from 2004 - 2006. Once the 07 option becomes guaranteed, 2008 option will be added on to his contract.

 

http://mlb4u.com/nyy.html

[Optimist]

Not related to Spring Training, but still an 'important' pre-season topic...

 

My Picks for the Ultimate Road Trip:

 

http://www.yesnetwork.com/uploads/roadtrip_finalists/6ED8DE9EEB8C46E7BA84FED62C4183DE.jpg Maria

http://www.yesnetwork.com/uploads/roadtrip_finalists/5781FD1CD36C41DE8E7FCCF9CBE0B466.jpg Michael

http://www.yesnetwork.com/uploads/roadtrip_finalists/02EB4004AA7E4940A3EC3E4FE97F88C1.jpg Kevin

http://www.yesnetwork.com/uploads/roadtrip_finalists/86D4F109919F44AC8BCC50C0A44520DA.jpg Tatiana

[Optimist]

Torre plans to use Sturtze and Kyle Farnsworth in the late innings to set up Mariano Rivera, alternating the two right-handers in the seventh or eighth innings to keep them fresh.

 

"I still have the same mind-set that both of those guys are in the same category," Torre said.'

 

Source

 

Andy Phillips has caused some healthy debate within the organization. General manager Brian Cashman believes he is worthy of regular at-bats as the designated hitter. Manager Joe Torre will start the season with Bernie Williams in that spot. He sees Phillips as a late-inning defensive replacement for Jason Giambi

 

Source

 

Joe... :stop:

[riverside sluggers]

Tanyon Sturtze to set up for Mariano? I dont see that working out well

 

I thought it was evident, farnsworth its the go-to guy for the 8th inning. Maybe he's looking to refrain from over-usage, Tom Gordon the past 2 seasons. But still this is not the best option for NY

[26 to 6]

If he's doing bad, why in the hell would a contender want him?

Because some teams do that. They might feel that they can turn him around, or that he's worth the gamble becaus epossibly he could give them what they need to make it further than they would have.

 

Examples:

Yankees-Loaiza

Red Sox-Suppan

Giants-Ponson

etc.

 

A team lacking pitching that is trying to make a serious run might be willing to send a few prospects and take a chance. Teams like the Tigers, or the Twins or something. Seattle, the Mets, Phillies, etc. Its not out of the realm of possibility.

[26 to 6]

Not related to Spring Training, but still an 'important' pre-season topic...

 

My Picks for the Ultimate Road Trip:

 

http://www.yesnetwork.com/uploads/roadtrip_finalists/6ED8DE9EEB8C46E7BA84FED62C4183DE.jpg Maria

http://www.yesnetwork.com/uploads/roadtrip_finalists/5781FD1CD36C41DE8E7FCCF9CBE0B466.jpg Michael

http://www.yesnetwork.com/uploads/roadtrip_finalists/02EB4004AA7E4940A3EC3E4FE97F88C1.jpg Kevin

http://www.yesnetwork.com/uploads/roadtrip_finalists/86D4F109919F44AC8BCC50C0A44520DA.jpg Tatiana

didnt you apply as well?

 

Have they gotten back to you at all?

 

Tanyon Sturtze to set up for Mariano? I dont see that working out well

He's had no problem having Tanyon set up for Mo in the past. If he wanted to give Gordon a day off or if Tanyon was hot or something. In fact, Tanyon was the 7th inning guy last year, until he hit that slump.

[ORS]

Because some teams do that. They might feel that they can turn him around, or that he's worth the gamble becaus epossibly he could give them what they need to make it further than they would have.

 

Examples:

Yankees-Loaiza

Red Sox-Suppan

Giants-Ponson

etc.

 

A team lacking pitching that is trying to make a serious run might be willing to send a few prospects and take a chance. Teams like the Tigers, or the Twins or something. Seattle, the Mets, Phillies, etc. Its not out of the realm of possibility.

Sorry, not buying it.

 

When the Yanks picked up Loaiza he was 9-5, 101 ERA+, ~2 K/BB -----About league average

When the Sox picked up Suppan, he was 10-7, 119 ERA+, ~2.5 K/BB --Above league average

When the Giants picked up Ponson he was 14-6, 115 ERA+, ~2 K/BB ---Above league average

 

With the Yanks offense this year, league average will be fine and the Yanks won't want to dump him. If he's below average, no contender is going to want him.

[26 to 6]

Sorry, not buying it.

 

When the Yanks picked up Loaiza he was 9-5, 101 ERA+, ~2 K/BB -----About league average

When the Sox picked up Suppan, he was 10-7, 119 ERA+, ~2.5 K/BB --Above league average

When the Giants picked up Ponson he was 14-6, 115 ERA+, ~2 K/BB ---Above league average

 

With the Yanks offense this year, league average will be fine and the Yanks won't want to dump him. If he's below average, no contender is going to want him.

Wow, I cant believe you went and looked all of that up. I should have, but I just thought of those names off the top of my head. But yea, I guess you got me with those numbers. But its not like they were doing GREAT when they got traded, they were doing so-so.

 

But I mean, I seriously have to believe some team would be willing to take a risk on him if the Yanks want to dump him if he's not doing so hot or something.

[MC Hammer]

Wow, I cant believe you went and looked all of that up.

Yeah I can't believe he actually backs up things he says with stats instead of just talking out of his ass like you.

[ORS]

Wow, I cant believe you went and looked all of that up. I should have, but I just thought of those names off the top of my head. But yea, I guess you got me with those numbers. But its not like they were doing GREAT when they got traded, they were doing so-so.

 

But I mean, I seriously have to believe some team would be willing to take a risk on him if the Yanks want to dump him if he's not doing so hot or something.

It doesn't take any time to look that up, well it doesn't for me. I have a high-speed cable connection that tranfers information at 100 mega-bytes per second hooked up to my wireless router which transmits to my laptop at 54 Mb/s. When on the boards I frequently have a second browser window up so I can look up stuff while I post. I takes less than 2 minutes at BB-ref.com.

 

No, they weren't doing great, but two of them were doing pretty good. All three of the teams that got these guys had very good offenses though, so league average to above average pitching would have suited them. The only team on the list of possibles that may fit that criteria AND have the resources to pick up part of Moose's contract, is the Mets. They may end up needing pitching, but I don't see Moose as a fit for them. First of all, they have enough older veterans with declining stuff and question marks surrounding them. They also have some good young arms that will likely be ready to contribute if needed by mid-season. Lastly, I don't see Minaya going after someone who is performing below average to help his team contend. The guy has a history of giving up value, but it has pretty much always been for performers. These guys are going into a contract year as well:

 

Pettitte

Zito

Mulder

Kelvim Escobar

Jose Contreras

El Duque

 

There are others, but that is the short list of those that I think have a strong possibilty of outperforming Mussina. If any of their teams' aren't in contention, they may be able to fleece Omar if the Mets are making a run and need a pitcher.

 

EDIT: It's not DSL, it's high-speed cable. I used to have DSL, but it was only 3 Mb/s.

[26 to 6]

Yeah I can't believe he actually backs up things he says with stats instead of just talking out of his ass like you.

Man, go f*** off. I dont "talk out of my ass." I just dont feel that looking up stats before EVERY post is required to post on a baseball forum. God forbid I just throw some thought around. This isnt that serious. You take it way more serious that it is. Relax man.

 

Go Pirates!

[26 to 6]

It doesn't take any time to look that up, well it doesn't for me. I have a high-speed cable connection that tranfers information at 100 mega-bytes per second hooked up to my wireless router which transmits to my laptop at 54 Mb/s. When on the boards I frequently have a second browser window up so I can look up stuff while I post. I takes less than 2 minutes at BB-ref.com.

 

No, they weren't doing great, but two of them were doing pretty good. All three of the teams that got these guys had very good offenses though, so league average to above average pitching would have suited them. The only team on the list of possibles that may fit that criteria AND have the resources to pick up part of Moose's contract, is the Mets. They may end up needing pitching, but I don't see Moose as a fit for them. First of all, they have enough older veterans with declining stuff and question marks surrounding them. They also have some good young arms that will likely be ready to contribute if needed by mid-season. Lastly, I don't see Minaya going after someone who is performing below average to help his team contend. The guy has a history of giving up value, but it has pretty much always been for performers. These guys are going into a contract year as well:

 

Pettitte

Zito

Mulder

Kelvim Escobar

Jose Contreras

El Duque

 

There are others, but that is the short list of those that I think have a strong possibilty of outperforming Mussina. If any of their teams' aren't in contention, they may be able to fleece Omar if the Mets are making a run and need a pitcher.

 

EDIT: It's not DSL, it's high-speed cable. I used to have DSL, but it was only 3 Mb/s.

I agree with everything you say (except maybe Duque outperforming Moose, but maybe.), im just saying that I think there will be a team willing to take the risk on him. Nobody would probably want to take all of his contract, but I could see him having a below average-mediocre season and a team in need of pitching that cant seem to pull off a deal for another good pitcher showing interest in Moose.

 

However, we can agree to disagree I suppose.

 

But regarding Minaya and not going after Mussina. I can definately see Omar making a move, or at least making a run at Moose. I dont think it's likely or anything, but its definately not unfathomable. Especially if the Met's starters arent doing good.

 

IDK man, I guess it's just me, but I cant see teams passing up a guy with as much experience and success as Mussina. But like I said, agree to disagree I suppose.

[ORS]

Man, go f*** off. I dont "talk out of my ass." I just dont feel that looking up stats before EVERY post is required to post on a baseball forum. God forbid I just throw some thought around. This isnt that serious. You take it way more serious that it is. Relax man.

 

Go Pirates!

Regarless of how important you think it is, wouldn't you prefer to spend a couple extra minutes to avoid putting your foot in your mouth? I don't find any of this important, but I have enough pride to want to post intelligently.

[26 to 6]

Regarless of how important you think it is, wouldn't you prefer to spend a couple extra minutes to avoid putting your foot in your mouth? I don't find any of this important, but I have enough pride to want to post intelligently.

I dont think that not looking up those guys stats before using them as examples as mediocre pitchers who were traded to a team who was willing to take a risk on them is putting a foot in my mouth.

 

I dont understand why people cant just have general baseball conversation. If i just throw some thoughts out there and just talk baseball without going and looking up all the stats, im being an unintelligent person who just talks out of his ass. I'm not the president delivering a specch regarding a particular topic nor am I a baseball reporter who is writing a column or anything. Im justa guy talking baseball. I look up stats and whatnot when I feel necessary, but I have no problem just posting my opinions and whatnot. Forgive me guys for having different posting philosophies than you, but thats just how I feel. If I felt the need to practically do research before each and every post I would be up 24/7.