On the Yankees beat

It's great to see his success. His reputation was always that he had a great arm but couldn't throw strikes. He still walks too many, but he's improved. Complimenting the catcher is always a good thing for a pitcher to do, he is getting smarter!

We should compliment Cashman for acquiring Bruney. There are some pluses in the Cashman ledger.

Bruney is pitching very well but I sense a strong affinity for his fastball which was descibed by the YES announcers as above average. I believe 93-95 is a plus fastball, No.

Kat, Thank you for getting us off the Arod topic which thankfully most of the bloggers did not get hollier than Thou.

I'm looking forward to this series with the Red Sox. I wonder if any changes are in the works or the wait and see for another week or so. Talk about a break for Clippard and De Salvo with injuries to the top 3 from AAA, Karstens, Rasner and Hughes. Its amazing how many of our players are getting injured on rehab. Oh! I can't count Pavano's car crash.

Kat: I had asked Anthony Reiber for his sense of the Yankee clubhouse when he was substituting for you? Is it sensing distraction from the media always surrounding it or just disappointment from the injuries and poor play.

Mitch Hilligoss didn’t have to wait until his final at-bat to extend his hitting streak to a South Atlantic League record 36 games, but he did wait long enough to provide some drama for the Charleston fans.

Hilligoss laid down a bunt down the third base line for a single in the seventh for his only hit in five at-bats. That was enough to give him the South Atlantic record all by himself. His eighth-inning double on Tuesday had tied Scott Seabol’s mark set in 1999.

The third baseman also stole his seventh base of the season. With a hit against Columbus at home on Thursday Hilligoss’ would equal Joey Cora’s 37-game hitting streak for the longest mark of the past 20 years. The minor league record is Joe Wilhoit’s 69-game streak set with Wichita in 1919.

Hilligoss was the Yankees’ sixth-round pick out of Purdue in 2006. While he hasn’t hit for much power, he does have some pedigree as a hitter. He was the Big 10’s batting leader in 2005 and a scout told John Manuel before last year’s draft that Hilligoss was one of the best college bats he’d ever seen. Last year he made Baseball America’s short-season Postseason All-Star Team and was named the 17th best prospect in the New York-Penn League.

Chip: I wouldn't mind a guy who can hit doubles and singles.

Bush league on Pedrioa

Now comes the fall out. Word travels quick through the baseball fraternity and the Jays might not be the only team to let him know he was wrong. You see, professional sports all have unwritten codes. In hockey, the tough guys fight the tough guys. In football, you don't run the score up when the outcome is decided. In basketball, the rules for the stars are different from the rest. And in baseball, they'll allow cheating -- spitballs and the stealing of signs -- but they don't allow deception. That's why they have the balk rule which punishes a pitcher for "deceiving" the base runner as the rule book states.

That's why players throw at guys who deke runners with fake relays. And Pedroia is now an outcast in baseball for faking the tag last night at second to get an out call.

Bush league on Pedrioa

"Now comes the fall out. Word travels quick through the baseball fraternity and the Jays might not be the only team to let him know he was wrong. You see, professional sports all have unwritten codes. In hockey, the tough guys fight the tough guys. In football, you don't run the score up when the outcome is decided. In basketball, the rules for the stars are different from the rest. And in baseball, they'll allow cheating -- spitballs and the stealing of signs -- but they don't allow deception. That's why they have the balk rule which punishes a pitcher for "deceiving" the base runner as the rule book states."

Baseball does not stand for deception.

Pedroia now gets to join A-Rod in the group of the few players in baseball history who have used to deception to try to win a game.

That's why players throw at guys who deke runners with fake relays. And Pedroia is now an outcast in baseball for faking the tag last night at second to get an out call.

Dr,

What planet are those sports rules applicable? I could fill a thousand pages with examples of where you are wrong but it would just bore everyone. Fake tags are only a problem in amateur sports for the reason that you dont want to force a player to slide unneccessarily because there is always a higher chance of injury. Since amateurs are playing for sport, the health and safety of the participants is the number one concern.

Are you just making this stuff up or has someone been feeding you this garbage and you just assumed it was the truth?

It's The Truth.. Barfield got horsefu*ked by the ump last night game. Sh*t happens.

Nudge

HAH

Nicely done.

Trenton's pitching staff ranked among the best in the minors through the first month and a half of the season. Thunder pitchers carried a miniscule 2.24 ERA with a 312-84 strikeout-walk ratio in 301 innings. Perhaps most impressively, the club had allowed just 238 hits during that span--a big reason why Trenton sat atop the Northern Division standings.

"If you go into a game down after six innings, you're going to lose," a scout from a National League club said. "They pound the zone--it's always strike one."

Starters Jeff Marquez and Alan Horne have been impressive, but reliever Edwar Ramirez was nearly untouchable coming out of the pen to shut it down. Through 16 innings, the 26-year-old righthander allowed just five hits, struck out 31 and carried a 0.57 ERA.

The above is from Baseball America - FYI Edwar Ramirez has been promoted to AAA where he is continuing to dominate (6.1 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs 2bb 10K) I think it is a matter of when, not if, we see him get a call up.

Boston Globe Eric "Boar" Wilbur take on Arod Bush League Play. Eric Wilbur

http://www.boston.com/sports/nesn/wilbur/sports_blog/blog/2007/05/31/president_of_bushleague/index.html

[img]http://www.nomaas.org/images/drop138.gif[/img]

Chip

Good to see you back. Are you implying that all those minor leaguers are a good sign for the future or this year ie trade bait?

For Casual Observer if he's reading:

George Kottaras, c, Triple-A Pawtucket (Red Sox)

David Wells, the man for whom Kottaras was traded last August, keeps rolling along in the big leagues at age 44. Kottaras, meanwhile, has yet to prove he's ready for Triple-A. The 24-year-old backstop has hit just .194/.297/.291 in 103 at-bats, and has nabbed an just four of 37 basestealers (11 percent) on the year. Of note, Kottaras managed just a .210/.286/.361 line in his Triple-A trial last season.

CHIP

I'm glad to see you've been paying attention to Eddie Ramirez.
Let's assume when Clemens is on board the Yanks send DeSalvo back to the minors
and possibly move forward on a trade of Visciano
and Myers bringing up Eddie and Britton.Provided anyone would want them.

Mr. Clean Jeans:

I'm not implying anything either way. I just had some free time here at work and was looking through Baseball America and thought I would pass along some notes about Yankee prospects.

I know that Hilligoss, while the average and hit streak are impressive, has hit for zero power in Low A and I have no idea if Horne or Marquez have enough stuff to see their minor league success translate to the major league level. The only one of them I am sure we will see at some point (barring injury) is Edwar Ramirez - with Farnsworth moving closer to the door each day and Ramirez's numbers being as eye-popping as they are, I can't imagine the club not calling him up at some point.

ruse

I want to say that when Clemens comes up DeSalvo sticks around in a long relief role, but you're probably right since I don't know who they team would send out to open up a roster spot other than DeSalvo.

I get the impression that Farnsworth is more likely to be moved than Vizciano because, if nothing else, Viz is at least available when Guidry calls down to the pen - with Farnsworth it is always a question of if he's going to be able to get loose.

As for Myers, if the losing has done nothing else it has shown that Myers can be more than a 1 batter pitcher, he is capable of being stretched out so I think he would stay and Villone would get shipped out.

I was kinda hoping you had some intuition of sorts that we may move some of those little guys around to try and sow up Tex.

I know it goes against the New THinking era but I'm torn on how strict Cashman should adhere to it. Especially with the current season being so painful.

Joba Chamberlain, rhp, high Class A Tampa (Yankees)

Chamberlain has been dominant in the FSL since a hamstring injury delayed his start this season and he continued the trend last week. He yielded just six hits over 14 innings while striking out 16 and walking four.

Yankees are not getting Tex for a few reasons:

1. Texas doesn't have to move him anytime soon which means they are not going to give him away for 50 cents on the dollar - the asking price would start with Hughes, Tabata, and ..... and the Yankees would be stupid to pay that.

2. With Boras as his agent there is no way Tex doesn't test the free agent market, so that means the Yankees risk giving up Hughes, Tabata, and whatever for 1 year of Texiera unless they give him an unholy amount of money that far and away trumps whatever any one else would think of offering - and that hardly ever works out well

3. There are teams that need him more and have more ML ready talent to offer from deeper systems - the two LA teams for example. The Angles could offer a package of Brandon Wood, Nick Aderhart and Casey Kotchman or the Dodgers could use Chad Billingsly, James Loney and Matt Kemp.

PHUCKER

My sense is Cashman will not make a big splash w/a major trade until after the all-star game.Maybe he would consider moving relievers for a RH bat ASAP.

CHIP
Myers is incapable of keeping RISP from scoring.It's painful.He has pitched well on occasion.

CHIP

Coletti isn't going to move that kind of inexpensive talent for Tex who may balk at playing for an LA team.Loney and Kemp have huge upsides.Why Little keeps Billingsley in the Pen is a mystery to me when rejects like Tomkp and Hendrickson are starting.
Brandon Wood may not turn out to be the bluechip prospect everyone claimed he is.
Kotchman is hitting .309 last time I looked.Angels will be getting Anderson and Rivera back midseason.

Ruse

How about Abreu, Tie Clip, Alan Horne, Farnsworth, Henn, and Alberto Gonzalez for Dye and Josh Fields?

Fields gives the Yankees insurance when/if Alex bolts - the White Sox can keep Abreu (if they want) for a shorter commitment and less money than it would take to re-sign Dye while they wait for Ryan Sweeney and Brian Anderson to prove they are ready to play and they would get a SS prospect to replace Juan Uribe

Everything we want always has a "starts with Hughes" pricetag

I hate baseball

Phucker - thats why you have to set your sights on the players that GM's know going in can't possibly be worth a Hughes. Though I do remember 2 years ago when Billy Beane wanted Hughes, Tabata and Duncan for Mark Kotsay

Kotsay!! LOL

CHIP

Let's think about this from the palehose side.Fields has begun to light it up at Triple A.He is going to replace Crede at 3rd next year for certain.Let's just say Crede will not be w/ the team next yr.If Dye is available you're looking at a 33 yr old streaky hitter who does have a history of injury.Sound familiar ?
I like Tyler Clippard and I think it would be more than a wise decision to keep him.
Once a pitcher reaches the bigs it usually takes 1 yr or 2 to see what they will amount to.Clippard is a battler.
Yanks need to get younger.

Ruse - I agree Yanks need to get younger. Also think that the one thing we do have to take somewhat seriously about this stuff about Alex and the mystery woman is that here we have yet another reason he may opt to play in a place other than NY next season (less of a media spotlight) so I was thinking that by moving a pitcher or two from a very deep pool of pitchers for a position player prospect might be a sound move - Dye for Abreu was more of a "I'll take your struggling guy if you take mine" deal.

"We don't throw at .260 hitters. Shut the --- up and take your base."

- Jason Varitek to A-Rod

CHIP

w/ regards to Abreu ,he might fit in w/ the Padres or Giants both could use hitting.Maybe the Padres/Giants would give up a reliever and a prospect.Yanks eat salary.Or package him w/Farnsworth to Giants for a little more Schierholtz/Jonathan Sanchez.

CHIP

I get the your struggling guy for mine idea,but our guy is struggling a helluva lot more than their guy.If the Palehose are interested I'd do it even for the short term.There still would be a difference in contracts.Abreu makes alot more.

I think he would make the Giants too left handed no? Plus they'll be getting Roberts back soon so then they would have Bonds, Winn, Roberts in their outfield.

As for the Padres - they have guys who can get on base, their problem is getting them in once they're out there.

I think if the Cubs could move Jaques Jones then Abreu would be a good fit out there though not with Lou Pinella or in Seattle if they lose Ichiro

chip there is a speedster in trenton Cannot recall the name It may be jason he is an OF. leads the team in steals , how do they rank him

Could see if Billy Beane wanted Abreu for Dan Johnson and the ability to get out from Jason Kendall's deal. Yankees are one of the only teams around that can have a 10 million dollar back up catcher.

A's (when Piazza comes back) can use him and Melhuse behind the plate and can keep Cust at DH, move Swisher in to play 1st.

Just a thought, though probably not a good one.

CHIP

Not really.Durham,Winn,Visquel,Ortmeier are SWH.Aurilia,Feliz RH.Bonds,Roberts,Klesko LH.Good balance.

Anon, not sure who you mean, there's Brett Gardner - he's a speedy of, stuck with the Yankees in the spring for a while, he's on the DL down there with a .211 BA in 90 at bats.

CHIP

Dan johnson has emerged as the A's best hitter along w/ Swisher.Cust after that dramatic 2 weeks is now batting .222 and will shortly be looking for a new suitor.Kendall is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Does anyone have any info on the Japanese CF who will be an unrestricted FA next season (no posting fee)? I hear he's supposed to be very good. I believe his name is Fukudome (sp?)

You mean Fukudome Igawa? The base stealing Kamikaze.

Anon, if you meant Justin Christian, I don't see anything specific on him. Outside of leading Trenton in steals though I don't see too much to get excited about (though keep in mind I'm only going by his stats since I've never seen him play)

He's hitting .208 with a .259 OBP and a .250 Slugging, he has struck out 29 times in just under 180 ABs and is 27 years old playing in AA.

The only 2 OF prospects in the Yankee org. who might amount to something are Austin Jackson at Charlston and Tabata.

ruse -

When it comes to Cali baseball I will always defer to you since you're out there. Basically I'm just throwing names out there - thinking out loud.

Jim - don't know anything about him. Though I saw in one fo the ESPN chats that they expect he's going to be more sought after than Matsui (Hideki not Kaz) because he has no preference about where he plays. I don't know about you though, I'm about ready to take a pass on Japanese imports for a while - speaking of, nice to see ESPN go into full spin mode after Dice got knocked around. At some point they will have to admit that right now he's an ok pitcher and not the second coming right?

Ruse,

I'm not going to write off Gardner, Colin Curtis or Sardinha yet.

Anyone know what happened to the kid catcher the Yankees signed last year, Jesus Montero? I remember they were pretty disappointed in him after they signed him, but I haven't heard anything about him and can't find him listed with any of the Yankee affiliates which means they are either saving him for short season, rookie ball or released him.

Just heard on ESPN 1050 that Giambi has been put on the DL because of his foot. It's the same injury that Strahan had with the Giants.
He may be done for the season!

Chip

That was the Indians.

I also think he's overworked.

He insists on throwing 120 pitches everytime out.

PS
Giambi is going DL tomorrow and it's no longer just a bone spur. It sounded much worse had something do with his arch.

It's Plantar faceitis (sic).

Walking boot for 3 weeks.

He's toast!

CHIP

I think Montero is hurt or like you said he'll start in the short season

JIM
Kosuke Fukudome hit .401 in 06.
Shinnosuke Abe a good defensive catcher w/ some pop .

JOHN G.

If that's true I bet MLB had something to do w/ it.He knocked in 3 runs last night.Something smells.

So the question before the panel of experts is this:

Do the Yankees, as Kat suggested, use the DH spot to rest OF'ers, play Melky every day and call up Kevin Thompson

Call up Shelly Duncan and give him a shot to pull a Jack Cust

Call up Eric Duncan (hitting better of late) play him at first and use Phelps as the DH

Sign Bernie Williams (that one's for Rick)

Ruse,

Wasn't Giambi going to the Doc today for a cortizone shot?
They must have done an examination and determined that this needs to be done.

Geez, What else can go wrong?

DON'T ANSWER THAT!

To quote that LT from Full Metal Jacket:
"It's a big $hit sandwich and we all gotta take a bite".

Chip,

As much as signing Bernie would be fun, I think it is time to give the youngsters some playing time.

All,
I was watching FSN Boston last night and the talking heads were speculating that if the yankees lost 2 of 3 or got swept this weekend, they would be sellers not buyers at the trade deadline. The local radio shows this morning are previewing the series as a chance for the Sox to put the nail in the coffin of the Yankees season. One radio host last night called the yankees irrelevant and would only talk about the Orioles.

I hate this stuff!

Well...it's true,

The rest of the baseball world is getting a pretty good belly-laugh at the Yanks expense. Cashman has been the biggest Keystone Kop of them all. I mean paying Clemens over $18mm is just another utterly idiotic move by a team that has made the same type of mistake over and over again.

I dont say these things to gloat, or to throw salt in the wounds...but IT IS the perspective from everyone outside of NY.

In fact, I'd guess that if both the Yanks, and Clemens could have a "second chance" neither of them would do what they did.

wow not to bring up old things that was said yesturday but did'nt our hahaha crazy guest on here mention that the yankees players will be auctioned off if the Team is out of it? I agree that the youngsters should be played especially if the season is doomed.

One issue I have heard presented is that Cashman has a real difficult task in trying to get young while trying to win at all costs for an owner who wants to win right now. I don't present this view as an excuse but to present a dynamic in the front office that may explain some questionable moves. Clemens for example is a perfect way to try and win now without giving up any prospects. Given the difficulty of the task, it may have been the perfect solution. GS will spend the money, BC wants to get younger and not give up prospects in a trade. Therefore, get clemens and both sides appear happy.

As for the other moves, Farnsworth, Abreu, even Damon, they were acquisitions that were temporary (by temporary I mean 2-3 years) solutions to keep GS feeling as though the team is trying to win now, without giving up prospects. The result is an inflated payroll. I won't say the yankees don't care how much cash they spend, but cash is a commodity they have a surplus and can make mistakes with. When smaller teams want to rebuild they get rid of higher priced players hoard cash (to eventually sign and keep their top prospects) and build their farmsystems because they can't afford to do both at the same time, the yankees (and the red sox for that matter) can.

They obviously can't do that forever, but for the short term it is a way to appease a boss who wants to win now while preserving your most cherished assets. An earlier post noted the success at Trenton, that is the asset i believe Casman is trying to protect.

That is my humble opinion. By the way, has anyone ever commented on the irony in Cashman's last name? Cash-man, i think that's pretty funny!

Gotta face facts....

Fact one....Clemens is no answer...he is at best a 5 inning pitcher..EXACTLY what the Yanks dont need.

Fact two....the Yanks find themselves in a situation that they cannot move to take advantage of possible young and talented impact players like Texiera because of past idiotic moves that have left them handcuffed with large long term contracts to past their prime players who are in rapid decline..therefore they have nmothing to bargain with....mo amount of money solves that problem.

fact three.....inexplicably, they continue down the same path...and there is little to look forward to excepth the same sop from Cashman.

ahhh....never mind...I could go on all day.