Not a lot of news at this time since the clubhouse hasn't opened yet for the night game against the Astros. Darrell Rasner is pitching. He could cement his spot in the rotation to begin the season, though, to be honest, whether he makes the Opening Day roster or not might not have much to do with his performance. It's likely to be more about Jeff Karstens and how soon the Yankees think he can be ready to contribute to the major league team.
The other story line (in jest) is whether or not Mariano Rivera will allow a baserunner. He's set to pitch tonight, and has a 0.00 ERA this spring. He has allowed four hits (a .133 average) in nine innings.
Comments (27)
What do I win for entering the first post? Bag of balls?
For those of you who like to dog the Sahx, Dan Shaughnessy has an article in today's Boston Globe dumping on Mr. Coco Crisp.
I am rooting for Rasner as the staff needs some young guys to help offset the older pitchers that may experience injuries.
Wow , I didn't realise Mariano had such good numbers , so much for him being old;)...thanks Kat:)!
Jim A:
Cairo can indeed play the OF if that means he can stand out there with a glove on his hand, praying that no one hits the ball anywhere near him. He's a candidate for a Canseco-style beaning. Plus, as you pointed out, the guy looks like SHREK.
I find it amusing that the Yankees got Rasner after Washington released him. He's trying to become the 6th or 7th starter for the Yankees and would likely be at worst the number 2 for Washington.
Chip:
You are exactly right! One man's garbage is another's gold , I guess;)!
Chip : I'm sure any number of teams have inquired about Rasner...sometimes a sleeper falls thru the cracks
It is again testiment to the smart and savy GM we have in Mr. Cashman. I may have misspelled testament, excuse me.
Your right Big T..he is savy:)!
that's savvy w/ 2 v's
Lol..who cares...one z or two...btw, what was your comment even about. Any number of teams inquired about Rasner? What does that have to do what Chip and I were saying? Geez you still want that @ss whoopin don't ya?!
Roger will make this Rotation Alright !
"Casual Observer" is the bad apple here in this blog.
Hitman : You are by definition an imbecile !
ruse: I am..how? your comment had nothing to do with what was being said. And I am the imbecile...lol...say it to my face and find out how witty you will be !
Chip,
We are thinking a lot alike today as you probably remember several of my posts proclaiming that Opening Day should be a national holiday as well as the irony of Rasner getting cut by the Nats and the fact that Tim Redding at one point this spring was considered the number 3 for the Nats. He's since been sent down to work on his command...where have we heard that before.
Sometimes you just have to pick up a whole bunch of bodies, throw them against the wall and hope a couple of them stick, which is pretty much what happened with Rasner. He was signed when the Yanks were trying out everybody or so it seemed.
Jim A; Thanks for the advice.Do you know offhand if the Yanks are on XM this evening?
Ruse,
I believe the Yanks are NOT on XM tonight.
Here's the one thing I don't get - and keep in mind we're talking about a back up first baseman, back up catcher, and second lefty in the pen - but if Torre goes on performance then the three positions that are up for grabs shouldn't be that hard to nail down.
Phelps has dominated Phillips
Henn has been much better than Villone (and would cost them 1.8 million less)
the only one that is close is Pratt vs. Nieves - and that's because they both stink.
Keeping in mind what I just said, I see the Yankees taking Phillips, Pratt and Villone - and that's why Torre annoys me sometimes.
Chip : GM's get busy right about now ..the Yanks can afford to give a relief pitcher and maybe a b-prospect for an above average backup catcher w/ an upside...Melhuse ? The A's have been singing the praises of Kurt Suzuki in the press ...Kendall plays 145 games and Piazza is adequate defensively...
Ruse,
Dealing with Billy Beane is never easy...I remember when for Kotsay he wanted Hughes, Duncan and Cano
Chip : Your right Beane is never easy ! is that a true story about Cano etc?...Brewers optioned Mike Rivera to Triple A...Melhuse,Coste,Doumit are the only catchers I can think of who might be available ,although it's a long shot..
hah, He also said Piazza will not be the backup.
Beane doesnt liek the yankees and wont work with them properly.
Who else is out there w/a catcher to give ?
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=15156
Sean (NY): What are your division winners and wild card predictions?
Jim Callis: My predictions (not the consensus BA ones that ran in the issue): Red Sox, Indians, Angels, Mets, Brewers, Dodgers win divisions. Yankees and Phillies win wild cards. Red Sox defeat Brewers in World Series.
http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/audiochoose?id=2815623
New York Yankees
GameNight's Spring Training Cheat Sheet: 1050 ESPN Radio's Jim Leyritz says Carl Pavano can win back some fan support on opening day
RUSE-RASNER IS A SLEEPER.
WHAT A SPORTS MAVEN.WHEN IS THE NEXT COMIC BOOK CONVENTION.