NYY Spring Training Thread

[26 to 6]

Pitchers and catchers reported today........finally!

 

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2009/02/cc.jpg

 

With all of the headlines this offseason, and the recent controversies it's sure to be an interesting campaign down in Tampa. We can use this thread to highlight all of it, including games, roster moves, injuries, and such.

 

Add Brett Tomko to the list of invitees. The Yankees just signed him to a Minor League contract. He went 2-7 with a 6.30 era with the Royals and Padres last year. he is a longshot to make the team, and might even have trouble cracking Scranton's rotation. He'll provide depth though, and as we Yankee fans know you can never have enough of that.

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/yankees-sign-brett-tomko/

 

Also figured I'd point out some uniform number news, for those of you who care about that kind of stuff like I do lol.

 

Nick Swisher is wearing 33, prying it away from Bruney who switched to 38, previously occupied by Dan Giese who will now wear 39. Austin Jackson has been issued 82, John Rodriguez gets 47, Jason Johnson will wear Carl Pavano's 45, Angel Berroa is wearing 14, J.B. Cox has 66, Shelley Duncan gets 17 back, Kevin Cash has 19, Jesus Montero is 83, and Sergio Mitre wears 61. Everyone else's number is listed on the Yankees roster page now.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Who will start in the OF for NY? Will Swisher or Nady be traded before the start of the season?

[26 to 6]

They're both going to go to camp, and if a good enough offer comes around I'm sure they'll be willing to move on of them. They've been shopping both of them but seems like there's more interest in Swisher, especially from the Braves; since Nady's a free agent at the end of the year ans Boras is his agent. If they do keep them both I would think Nady gets the bulk of the playing time in RF, with Gardner or Melky opening up the year as the CF and Damon being the LF. but Swisher with his versatility will definitely get plenty of AB's, at least 400 if I were to guess. He'll spell Damon here and there, give Nady some rest, or even take over the bulk of the playing time in CF if Melky/Gardner struggle throughout the season. We'll see though.

[pinstripezac]

If they do keep them both I would think Nady gets the bulk of the playing time in RF' date=' with Gardner or Melky opening up the year as the CF and Damon being the LF. but Swisher with his versatility will definitely get plenty of AB's, at least 400 if I were to guess. He'll spell Damon here and there, give Nady some rest, or even take over the bulk of the playing time in CF if Melky/Gardner struggle throughout the season. We'll see though.[/quote']

 

I think that's the way it goes, but seeing how they

 

will want 3 catchers at the begining of the season

 

I don't think both melky and gardner make the team

 

my fear is that gardner doesn't get a fair chance

 

because melkey is out of options

[26 to 6]

Yeah your probably right. I wouldnt be shocked to see Gardner start the year out in Scranton since Joe wants to carry Cash while Posada works his way back to 100%. They need to find a versatile player who can play behind the plate, like a Brandon Inge, Josh Willingham type player so carrying 3 catchers doesnt hurt our depth in other areas.

[pinstripezac]

Yeah your probably right. I wouldnt be shocked to see Gardner start the year out in Scranton since Joe wants to carry Cash while Posada works his way back to 100%. .

 

no idea why that story had cash ahead of cervelli

 

cervelli is listed 3rd in the depth chart

 

we know cash can't do much why not give the kid a look

 

I think cash is about 7 yrs older, maybe they don't want the

 

kid to sit or the writer was wrong

 

They need to find a versatile player who can play behind the plate, like a Brandon Inge, Josh Willingham type player so carrying 3 catchers doesnt hurt our depth in other areas

 

 

that's a good idea

 

then again even if posada is good to go this yr

 

the clock is ticking maybe it's time we beat theo

 

to trading for one of these youngs catchers that are available

 

in texas or arz

[jacksonianmarch]

I actually think Swisher fits better into the theme of the offense. Patience, power etc. Nady is a hacker with power. Swish is the most patient player in baseball. That being said, we have a LFer in Damon who is slowly breaking down, we have a DH in Matsui who hasnt been healthy in 2 yrs and we have a CF situation that could be surprising or incredibly disappointing. If we kept everyone, I would expect Swisher to get the RF job with Nady playing over Matsui or Damon vs lefties. I would also expect Nady to get a ton of PT spelling Damon and Matsui as well as spelling Tex when he needs a blow. I could see Nady getting 450 ABs this yr, pretty close to regular PT while also having him maintain his type A status

[26 to 6]

no idea why that story had cash ahead of cervelli

 

cervelli is listed 3rd in the depth chart

 

we know cash can't do much why not give the kid a look

 

I think cash is about 7 yrs older, maybe they don't want the

 

kid to sit or the writer was wrong

I think Cash is the better option because like you said there's no reason for Cervelli to sit when he could be getting valuable playing time in AAA. Also Cash is older, knows the league more, and is familiar with the division AND the Red Sox pitching staff having caught them last year. He offers a whole lot more than Cervelli does at the moment. Besides, I don't think Cervelli projects very high, I think at the most he's a career backup catcher. And the reason he's listed above Cash on the "depth chart" is because he's on the 40 man roster while Cash is just an invitee.

[26 to 6]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090214/capt.886a429bd012435caa5fa2d42d815469.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp111.jpg

Pettite looking funky today hahahah

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090214/capt.0752d1b79a7d45d58e64dfa1d8bf5bd9.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp115.jpg

Joba and Burnett throwing..

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090214/capt.eacfff0881164b3c8c8c75a0d8406b3f.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp112.jpg

Girardi and Posada

 

Also, with Sabathia taking his 52, Eiland switched to 58. Mick Kelleher, who replaced Bobby Meachom on the coaching staff is wearing his number 50. Brett Tomko was issued Bobby Abreu's #53.

[yeszir]

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2009/02/14/sox9__1234642841_1407.jpg = http://tvmaniadigital.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/power-rangers.jpg

 

You guys are so screwed

[jacksonianmarch]

I think Cash is the better option because like you said there's no reason for Cervelli to sit when he could be getting valuable playing time in AAA. Also Cash is older' date=' knows the league more, and is familiar with the division AND the Red Sox pitching staff having caught them last year. He offers a whole lot more than Cervelli does at the moment. Besides, I don't think Cervelli projects very high, I think at the most he's a career backup catcher. And the reason he's listed above Cash on the "depth chart" is because he's on the 40 man roster while Cash is just an invitee.[/quote']

 

I think Cervelli could be a league average overall catcher. He is a plus defender with nearly no power but a great eye. I think he could have a high OBP as a regular. But thats his ceiling. his only plus offensive skill is his ability to draw walks

[Keeper]

Swish is the most patient player in baseball.

 

And one of the worst at making contact. He's a Jekyll and Hyde kind of player. Very streaky. The only thing you know you'll get out of him is 20+ HRs.

[diony]

I think Cervelli could be a league average overall catcher. He is a plus defender with nearly no power but a great eye. I think he could have a high OBP as a regular. But thats his ceiling. his only plus offensive skill is his ability to draw walks

 

His highest ceiling is to be a league average catcher. But being realistic he's an above average backup catcher. He's a plus defensive catcher like Molina but better hitter, he's the Yanks backup catcher for 2010, or can serve as a stop gap catcher until Montero/Romine are ready.

[jacksonianmarch]

And one of the worst at making contact. He's a Jekyll and Hyde kind of player. Very streaky. The only thing you know you'll get out of him is 20+ HRs.

 

Very true. His contact ability is poor. Its not Adam Dunn poor, but its pretty high. One thing that people really arent getting though is how ridiculously unlucky he was last yr. When you typically sit around .250 in BA and then have a BABIP season of .249 and put up a dismal BA of .219, you can kinda expect a rebound.

[jacksonianmarch]

His highest ceiling is to be a league average catcher. But being realistic he's an above average backup catcher. He's a plus defensive catcher like Molina but better hitter' date=' he's the Yanks backup catcher for 2010, or can serve as a stop gap catcher until Montero/Romine are ready.[/quote']

 

I completely agree with the above statement.

[TheKilo]

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2009/02/14/sox9__1234642841_1407.jpg = http://tvmaniadigital.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/power-rangers.jpg

 

You guys are so screwed

 

LOL

[26 to 6]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Fsh7GWfK4f0/SZnWpqqJ-LI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/lVq-k30lAkY/s400/345,http+_d.yimg.com_a_p_ap_20090216_capt.5c0303fe49644ac49b003a098cd2c0a4.yankees_spring_baseball_flma112.jpg

Take a look at "Big Slim" CC Sabathia after his shave. I thought they might let him keep his look but I guess not. At his press conference and through camp this far he had his little sideburn/goatee type goatee going, but I do remember a few days ago reading that someone suggest he shave, don't remember what reporter it was.

 

Stupid, pointless information. But hey, that's what Spring Training is all about lol

 

I must say he looks pretty damn funny.

[diony]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090213/capt.16c36ec798be4787a6cb473e5434ad1c.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp101.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090213/capt.53ee9ba2ac6f4360a039308b78fd837d.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp110.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090213/capt.9bf192b11fc14f02afb0ebd928de481b.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp123.jpg

[diony]

Wow, CC needs Bruney's diet.

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090213/capt.1770f6f9efe043899d8aaec05b9072a1.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp120.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090213/capt.b0441fdcffab4c569c92ea877c181218.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp126.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/f1/fullj.06f9413bdb8428883969ed4b418dcf42/06f9413bdb8428883969ed4b418dcf42-getty-84737870jm009_new_york_yank.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090214/capt.259ec881c09e4c819e2e0d31e330ece7.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp107.jpg

[jacksonianmarch]

CC looks like he's a bit slimmer than he looked in the Brewers uni. Maybe its just me. Bruney looks like he lost 50 pounds from 07. And Joba looks like he's in good shape too.

[rician blast]

Bruney looks like he doesn't work out at all...looks fkn soft.

[diony]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090213/capt.7abe91127c694d5eaa92d56bfefc7344.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp108.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090213/capt.de2814bab883498da07019a4289e51c9.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp105.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090214/capt.4ecdd17e58104e0b81179522821e19c4.yankees_spring_baseball_flgp136.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/b2/fullj.20d12bc20bc58d16a2b1c2964bf321b3/20d12bc20bc58d16a2b1c2964bf321b3-getty-84737870jm006_new_york_yank.jpg

[BoSox21]

CC's man-boobs look like they're stretching out his shirt more than his gut so yea, maybe he did lose some weight

[diony]

Some Tex photos.

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/31/fullj.7b94bcae916d1b736a4492ec41dea15b/7b94bcae916d1b736a4492ec41dea15b-getty-.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/00/fullj.f9dea769635074c87fed94688ccfabcf/f9dea769635074c87fed94688ccfabcf-getty-.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/00/fullj.00c22338a9e6affe23a319cc9fb09b4c/00c22338a9e6affe23a319cc9fb09b4c-getty-.jpg

 

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/aa/fullj.0de98ab3420da9cca572a140877f1ad0/0de98ab3420da9cca572a140877f1ad0-getty-.jpg

[26 to 6]

So far Melky Cabrera, Jose Veras, and Edwar Ramirez have declined to play in the WBC despite being on the provisional roster. They prefer to prepare for the season. Can't say I blame them, especially Melky. Another reason why the Classic should be played AFTER the season and not before it.

 

Found a good shot of Tino & Tex

 

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2009/02/610x.jpg

 

It's also pretty cool that Bernie's in camp until March 2nd training for the WBC. He joins team Puerto Rico on March 3rd.

 

http://yankees.lhblogs.com/files/2009/02/captb32ad8d4b1ed455f87206d7be72c9bacyankees_spring_wiliams_baseball_flgp108.jpg

[diony]

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o74/Di0ny/jm.jpg

[Cocos Disciples]

Are either of you guys (or any Yankee fans) in Tampa?

[26 to 6]

Unfortunately not. Well on second thought i dont know if that's unfortunate or not with all of this nonsense going on down there.

 

Here's a shot of "The Starting 5"

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Fsh7GWfK4f0/SZ9WbBjLkzI/AAAAAAAAFBA/plyvL88vAPM/s1600/3294998958_fe2bb2401c_o.jpg

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3282698755_830614782e.jpg?v=0

CC & Joba arriving in street clothes.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3385/3288396901_7ab97a730c.jpg?v=0

This is from the A-Rod press conference the other day. More than just the "old guard" was on hand for support. I can see, among others; Tony Pena, Teixeira, Burnett (i think), Damon, Hughes, CC, Joba, Wang, Veras, and Bruney.

[diony]

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05Ne4d24Nb7Bf/610x.jpg

[Cocos Disciples]

Nick Swisher's pretty rad.

 

Do the kids still say rad?