On the Yankees beat

Looks like the A team guys are all starting today. Hopefully Igawa will start settling in.

Writer in the Chronicle is referring to Igawa as Just-K a reference to his strikeout totals...writers crack me up ! What do you think the Yankee brass are supposed to say "We have absolutely no confidence in our players"???

Rick you get my trade offer?

We're gonna have to win a lot of 10-8 games!

Phucker

I'm at work. You can send it to rekeyes@co.stark.oh.us

I see Bubba Crosby has been sent outright to the Reds Triple A team Louisville ...oblivion

Two thoughts:

1. I am glad to see Cashman is keeping a cool head (and making sure others in the organization keep one as well). I would rather get these injuries out of the way in March and April than have them creep up in July and August - of course there is no assurances that they won't resurface then too.

2. I don't want to beat a dead horse, but this is why you don't just give away a guy for a bag of balls as many here have suggested the Yankees should have done with Pavano. I am not a Carl Pavano fan, but I am a realist and a healthy arm is a healthy arm is a healthy arm and with the injury issues that this rotation has the Yankees will need every arm they can get.

Ruse, with Josh Hamilton being unstoppable this spring and Freel, Dunn and Griffey assured of roster spots, Bubba had to know he had no chance of making the team. Hell the Reds are shopping DeNofria because they don't know if they'll have room to play him

CHIP-
Your right about Pavano's value and the Yankee injury situation. He's "now" worth (2) bags of balls.

At least 2 Roy.

Could be worse, Yankees could be so desperate for pitching that they could go after Alay Soler (cut by Mets) or Joel Pinero (about to be cut by Sox)

Chip,

If you have information regarding Joel Piniero being released by the Sox, please share it with me.

To be honest, I have my doubts that he will be released...he has pitched quite well, all things considered, this spring. I would sooner expect some sort of trade involving Piniero, but an outright release is, imo, highly doubtful.

We have lots of healthy arms at AAA and every one of them is BETTER than Pavano. That is my comment.

Rick,

Perhaps the Sox and Yanks could do a trade...Pavano for Clement?

Thanks, but I don't want either of them.

There was some discussion about it on ESPN Radio down here...that since Piniero didn't win the closer spot, and isn't in consideration for the 5th spot in the rotation, that they might release him at the end of Spring Training if there are other pitchers let out on the market who fill the role of middle relief better

Well Rick, whether you want Pavano or not you're stuck with him for now. And frankly if the choices are opening the season with a rotation of:
Mussina
Pavano
Igawa
Rasner
DeSalvo
or
Mussina
Igawa
Rasner
DeSalvo
to be determined

I'll take the former over the latter.

I suppose it's possible...but with the Sox on the hook for $4mm for Piniero, and the fact he appears able to give innings in the middle relief/mop up role...I cant see the Sox releasing him. Frankly, I think Piniero has pitched reasonably well...along with other guys like Gabbard and Snyder...who could make alot of starting rotations on other teams...It would seem the Sox have some trade value if the need arises.

Chip

Pettite will take the ball on his day. You left him out.

Quick Matsuzaka update for those who are interested.

He pitched 5 innings today...104 pitches, of which 45 were balls. He walked 5 batters. He clearly was struggling with his command.

On the other hand he gave up no hits, and no runs.

If I were Boston, the trade I would make would be Wily Mo Pena to the Braves for Hudson and Langerhans.

The Braves would get a replacement in place for Andruw's bat if he leaves, and by moving Hudson's contract they would free up money to try and re-sign Smoltz and maybe even take a run at Torri Hunter. For the Sox, Hudson is another good arm, keeps the ball down and would give them a much deeper rotation in case Beckett is awful again.

Chip

Beckett Awful?? Watch it my friend!! You're talkin about my # 2 pitcher. Who's my number one? CARL PAVANO BITCH!!

The Sox seem content to let Willie Mo develope and close up a few of the holes in his swing...in the hopes he is another Ortiz, only from the right side of the plate.

I doubt the Sox, at this particular time, would be interested in taking on Hudson's contract. they seem to have alot of depth in the starting pitching.

As far as Beckett goes....dont count on him being awful. He has looked outstanding this spring...has really developed command of his curve ball. I predict that Beckett will make a run at the Cy this season.

Smoltz has said he would want to be traded to a contender in July if the Braves aren't in position to make the playoffs. Do you folks think the Yanks would want him, especially if Clemens goes elsewhere? Do you want him?
I figured he was hinting that he would like to go back to Detroit.

Rick,

I'm not going to count Pettitte until he's back throwing in a game without pain.

Jim A

Absolutely !!! 10 times more than I want a fat surly old and questionably effective Roger Clemens

I think if he's traded he might prefer to stay in the NL (especially if it is a midseason trade) How about if their platoon at first is struggling, the Braves send Smoltz to the Cards for Chris Duncan

I don't get the impression that the Yankees are going to make an inseason move for a starting pitcher. Not given the relative cost of starting pitchers around the league and the new philosophy of holding the top prospects.

I think if the Yankees were to make a move for a pitcher it will be the type of pitcher like Corey Lidle, back of the rotation guy, likely coming over with a big salary guy as well from a team looking to clear payroll.

Here's what I'm thinking, although this trade would never happen - if the Braves fall out of it and decide they want to move Chipper Jones, and the Yankees decide to take on him as a first baseman to replace the platoon (and give them insurance if a-rod leaves) and the Yankees get back a Mike Redman along with Jones in the deal.

Chip

Wrong Jones...I want the one who plays centerfield not 3b.

Man, I've always hated Chipper Jones for some reason. That would be a tough one to root for.
Chip: Who do you figure the Yanks would trade? I bet the first one they ask about is Melky.

Jim,

Like I said, I don't see that trade happening. It was just a for example. Chipper is a 10-5 guy meaning he can't be traded without his permission and I doubt he would accept a trade that came with a new position as part of the deal.

If, however, the Yankees were to make a trade where they took on a big salary player who had fallen out of favor with his current team I imagine that the asking price would be similar to what the team gave up for Abreu last year.

I think that if the right deal came along for Melky and the Yankees felt confident in what they have seen this spring from Sardinha, Gardner and Tabata that they would pull the trigger.

Again, the issue here is that for the Yankees to make another Abreu type deal they need to take on another position player with a lofty salary and a middle of the road pitcher, and given the price increase in even middle of the road pitchers, I'm still not sure it is possible to pull off another trade like that.

Here are some potential combinations:

Sexson & Washburn - Sea
Jenkins & Capuano - Mil
Burrell & Lieber - Phil

But if I were the Yankees I would find out what the Nationals would include in a package if the Yankees were willing to take back Christian Guzman's contract. Maybe Josh Johnson and either Nick Johnson, Brian Schnieder or Austin Kearns

For the record, I'm not advocating any of those pairings above...I don't like any of them.

Chip

Don't you think if they can get Capuano they should? I admit I know only what i know of him thru fantasy research (which is very little) But his stats look pretty good without the run support machine that is the Yankees. I figure he'd be great with us regardless of who they package with him.

is it me or did melky did not play like he had to proove that last year was no fluke. I did'nt sense no hunger from him like the other two guys , Sardhina , gardner etc.

Phucker,

He's a small guy, walks a lot of hitters and isn't pitching in the hardest of places (the NL Central is pretty weak from top to bottom) I would say he's probably a decent 3,4 in the American League, certainly wouldn't sell the farm for him.

As for Melky, some guys just don't have good springs, Bernie Williams is a classic example of that. He never once had a good spring but warmed up as the weather did. Melky and Bernie both seem to have a lot in common, no reason that might not be the case with this too.

CHip -

I agree it's only ST but in this case the stakes are different, Melky does not or should not have a secure spot if he is going to hit 260 and Sardhina etc, is tearing up the minor leagues, melky still ahs to prove not only that last year was a fluke but can he even better last years numbers

Chip: Soler signed w/ the Pirates...

If the Yanks need a "back of the rotation" starter, they have plenty of young minor league pitchers to fill that role. The only way they take on a "big salary" is for a "front line" starter. We were pretty much "desperate" last year with the Matsui\Sheff injuries, and our minor league cupboard almost bare in regard to Major League ready talent. If we need an outfielder, we have the outfielders you mentioned,(Sardinha, Gardner, and Tabata) plus Melky. Avoiding being "forced" into taking on a "big salary" is one of the reasons Cashman has traded for good young minor leaguers, and not traded away any of that talent.

Bomber,

If Melky stinks for the first two months of the season and Sardinha is batting .400 and crushing the ball then the Yankees might make a change.

I know it is only my opinion and I could be completely wrong, I just don't trust Spring Training numbers as a good judge of what's going on. I just think that the idea of Spring Training is to get healthy, work on your timing and get ready for the season if you have been told you're making the team as Melky has.

Roy, I agree with you. I think the only way the Yankees end up making a big salary move is if there is an injury to A-Rod, Jeter or Posada. Or if Giambi gets hurt and the first base platoon completely fails.

Yes I know, it is a lot to happen but if I told you at this time last year that the Yankees were going to lose Matsui and Sheff for the majority of the season would you have believed that?

Chip:

Why do you think DeSalvo would be the first SP up from AAA ? And do you think Sardinha has moved ahead of Thompson and/or Reese ?

As far as D-Sake's performance today, I have one thing to say...

THE YANKEES WIN, THE YANKEES WIN, THE YANKEES WIN

And the Red Sox lost.

So much for, "it's only ST".

If you're referring to my last comment, Roy, it was made in jest while proving a point that having the greatest pitcher in the world doesn't guarantee a win. Yes, it is ONLY Spring Training STILL, but the results are indicative of the fact that anything can happen in baseball. I guess my sarcasm wasn't evident enough this time around.