jacksonianmarch

Initially, Kerry Wood was in the discussion, but he's out for 2 months with a back strain

This is just stupid. Somehow, he needs to meet your definition of a "difference-maker." A difference maker, by definition, makes a difference. Adding a guy who can throw 200IP, K 200+ guys and an ERA of 4.5 to a rotation that had a rotating roation spot which averaged less than 5IP and had an ERA over 6 makes a difference. In terms of which rotation I would take, all healthy and all living up to their career norms, I call it a wash. 1 goes to NY. 4 goes to NY. 2 and 3 go to Boston. But you also have the caveat that Buchholz is entering his first full season as a starter and Beckett has been hurt entering the playoffs two seasons in a row. The entire point is that he gives innings, gives power AND is durable. You can say that about 3 guys definitely in the Yankee rotation with a guy who is getting toward dependable in Burnett since he's been healthy 2 yrs in a row. While you have Beckett and Lackey who have been injured at times over the past 2 yrs, then Buchholz who is unpredictable and a frequently injured DiceK and you see the point here.

See, putting that sigh crap in here does nothing but start fights. Onto example's point. Every organization puts a certain spin on players. Some guys are legit, some guys arent. For every Jon Lester, there are two George Kottaras's. It happens in every organization and the Red Sox are not immune. Lately, though, they have been living up to the hype.

Depends on the lineup. But, if taken in a vacuum, I would take the average to below average defensive 3b who can hit over the gold glove 3b who cannot any day of the week.

Dipre, just so I can get this out there, please give me a prediction for Vazquez in 2010. Go for it.

This is exactly why Verducci is right and some people on this site arent. #1- Javier Vazquez is coming off a great season. A season of ace level performance where his ERA was under 3, and he put up ANOTHER 200+IP and 200+K season. It isnt like this guy has just languished in mediocrity and now is expected to be great. #2- Javier Vazquez is going to be the #4 starter. A guy who has shown throughout his career that he is as durable as anyone. #3- The Yankees had 4 pitchers make 31+ starts last yr, and they are all back, PLUS Vazquez. Lets put a minimum out there. Lets say that Vazquez puts up 200+IP, 200+K's and a 4.50ERA. Would that not be a massive upgrade? This is the problem here. Everyone seems to think that Vazquez needs to have an ERA under 3 to be considered GREAT for the Yankees. He doesnt. He needs to take the bump every 5th day and give us 6IP 3ER and 6K per night. I'll take that. Lets just have a game here. Just some prediction for the 2010 season 1. CC Sabathia- 34 starts 20-7 3.20ERA 230IP 200K 2. A.J. Burnett- 32 starts 15-9 4.00ERA 200IP 210K 3. Andy Pettitte- 32 starts 15-11 4.40ERA 190IP 160K 4. Javier Vazquez- 32 starts 17-11 4.50ERA 210IP 200K Now, those numbers are not out of the realm of possibility at all. Actually, I think you can pretty much bank on CC, Andy and Vazquez for at least that level of production and AJ has shown 2 yrs running that he has been durable. Now, tell me any other team out there with a more durable, more productive starting 4. Cmon, go ahead. You cannot Now, Boston's rotation has the POTENTIAL to give better numbers assuming Lackey sheds his recent injury history, Beckett doesnt go down again late in the season, Buchholz shows he can be durable and effective in the bigs, and DiceK shows he can take the mound and be effective. But, those are a lot of questionmarks, and exactly the reason why I think Wakefield was retained on a two yr deal. So, the sox rotation may have the potential to surpass the Yankee rotation, but the durability and the effectiveness in the top 4 of the Yankee rotation is EXACTLY why Verducci is right. Schilling said it best, the team that will win is the team that will get the most starts out of their top 5. And right now, you have to say that the edge in that category is NY.

So instructs have started and a few happenings seem to be going on with the demotions of a few players. First of all, the guys who are coming stateside seem to be the following... Gary Sanchez, Fernando Perez, Damien Taveras, and Eladio Moronta are now in camp. Sanchez was the big fish from last yrs INTL FA period who will be slotting into the starting catching role in the GCL. Fernando Perez was previously Damian Arredondo, who was signed, but then voided and suspended for identity fraud. He was re-instated in January and quickly signed. He is really 18 or 19 by now and apparently runs a 6.3 60 yd dash, which is incredible. He'll be a starting infielder for the GCL team as well. Taveras is a DSL holdover who just mashed last yr at the catchers position. Reports say that he has been killing the ball this spring in the Dominican, and he has a real chance of platooning with JR Murphy in SI or with Sanchez in the GCL. And Eladio Moronta is a 20 yr old that we signed in November. He was coming off a suspension as well for lying about his age and signed for a 570K bonus. He is being compared to Raul Mondesi, a guy with a big bat and a bit arm. He'll probably also start in the GCL with a chance for promotion to the long season leagues should he show he can hit. Other info on two pitchers that the yankees have their eyes on. One is Carlos Mattias, a hard throwing latin pitcher who was initially signed by Boston, but got suspended for lying about his age. He's short statured (5'11") and presumed to be 18 or 19, but throws upwards of 99mph. He is expected to receive a 7 figure bonus and looks like the Yankees are the frontrunners at this time. The other is Rafael Depaula, the tall, slender dominican pitcher who was suspended for lying about his age. He's back on the market now and has been squarely in the sights of the yankees. He tops out in the high 90s and has a plus potential curve already. Sounds like he'll be another 7 figure bonus guy. He has a workout planned with the yankees on the 23rd which could rapidly turn into a contract Other notes...Christian Garcia is looking healthy and strong after another injury plagued yr. Colin Curtis is just mashing in big league camp and with his strong AFL season, he might be putting himself back onto the prospect map. Slade Heathcott is surprising a lot of people in camp with his advanced bat and is quickly looking like a lock to being in the long season leagues. And of note, it looks like JR Murphy is going to be in extended spring training and eventually SI for 2010. His grouping in instructs has given him away, with Kyle Higashioka in Charleston.

Dipre, it all depends on the players. There are certain players that teams either dont see fitting into their system or who teams may think have maximized their potential, so those players will get hyped for trade. There are other players who might be in a logjam and kept in the lower levels due to organizational depth, but the team wants to hang onto those players. Underhyping them will be good so that player doesnt get picked in a Rule V draft scenario. The biggest hype seems to go into players who are taking over at the big league level, because selling a prospect promotion to the populace in this area is huge.

Its 70 degrees here today. The warm weather has arrived! Spud, I don't think Ortiz gets a lot of rope in the early going. If Lowell is still in house, he'll supplant Ortiz if he starts to suck again.

I...LOVE...IT

Just read everything he said, and I think he's spot on here. First of all, the sox lack versatility in their lineup and I agree that power righties will give them trouble. Plus, with the de-emphasis on holding runners and the poor arms of the catchers, I dont see how a sox-rays matchup isnt a nightmare for Boston.

go away

He survived the toughest part. Now onto the rehab

Hermida over Cameron? I can't even spin that around to make it believable.

I agree Gom, this is a great position to be in. I am just reminding you that this depth will pretty much dissolve come April. Not a bad thing, necessarily, but something to keep in mind nonetheless

thank you for your service

First of all, the Yankees had more home grown players on their roster than any team except the rockies last yr. Secondly, the guys you don't want to trade are exactly the guys who are your best trade chips. If the player is expendable, then the return will be minimal. Casey Kelly, IMO, is the first guy who gets dealt in a deal that matters. Especially in any Adrian Gonzalez deal

Hughes right now, from the sounds of it. But I would rather see Joba in the 5 hole. He's already stretched out. Putting him back in the pen would seal the debate for the rest of Joba's career

So they keep him in the unit based upon the fact that his brainstem was manipulated. Everything from seizures to heart block can occur after brainstem manipulation. After 2 days, he'll likely be moved to a floor and then out to rehab.

Joba looked good today. Had that slider moving and was throwing pretty hard.

Its Jesus Montero and yes, they are the two biggest trade chips. Just because they arent on the block doesnt mean they wont move for the right return

Prediction: Josh Reddick is on another club for 2011 Spring Training

Doubront isnt close to their best trading chip and he wouldnt get a lot in return until he proves he can do more in an extended period of time. Kelly, Bard, Buchholz, etc are way ahead of him in terms of tradeability.