10/15: Thoughts on Cano
Posted by: James
John Sickels, formerly of ESPN, has an outstanding site over at MinorLeagueBall.com where he covers baseball (mostly the minors but a good emphasis on the majors as well). He recently posted some interesting thoughts on Robbie Cano, most of which I tend to agree with. I'd take a look through the comments as well as there seem to be some good thoughts on Cano's overall development. Take a gander and let me know how you think Robbie will develop.
10/14: Patrick's (Preliminary) Plan
Posted by: Patrick
With the various "plans" that have been coming out, I decided to sit down and come up with a "doable", preliminary plan of what I would like to see the Yankees accomplish this offseason as far as the roster is concerned. In other words, I limited myself to one trade and focused on free agents. Here is the roster:
10/14: Baby Bomber
Posted by: James
Eric Duncan seems to be showcasing more of his true abilities in the AZL (Arizona Fall League) this fall. Granted, it's in 7 games and 30 ABs, but hey, that's still pretty good for a prospect that a lot of people were down on.
A lot of people expected great things from Eric Duncan this year and looking at his overall numbers while on the Double-A Trenton Thunder, most people come away less than impressed. At the end of the season, his line stood at .235 AVG/.326 OBP/.408 SLG - hardly something to write home about. However, there are some things to note about this performance:
A) While he struck out quite a bit - 136Ks in 126 games (or in 451 ABs - he struck out about 30% of the time) - he still showed enough plate discipline (59 BBs) to work out a decent OBP compared to his AVG.
B) The last part of his season was interrupted when he was hit in the head by a pitch and was forced to sit out a couple weeks with a concussion. On returning, it seemed to take him a little while to get his stroke back and unfortunately, before he could, the season was over.
C) He still showed a pretty good power stroke (19 HRs and 37 XBHs), which in my mind shows that while the power is there, it's the pitch recognition and timing that's still a little bit off.
D) Most importantly, we're talking about a kid who is only 20 years old and in AA. If he gone to college instead of being the Yankees first round draft pick in 2003, he'd be wailing on college pitchers right now. Instead, he is two steps away from the major leagues and trying to adjust. Give him time and I'm very confident that he will live up to the Yankee's expectations.
I might be overvaluing Duncan based on what I think his true potential is but I am certain that a lot of people are undervaluing him based on one season. I see the Yanks keeping him in AA to start 2006 and move from there. After that, I think it's only a matter of time before Eric makes the move to the majors (and hopefully, it's with the Yanks).
A lot of people expected great things from Eric Duncan this year and looking at his overall numbers while on the Double-A Trenton Thunder, most people come away less than impressed. At the end of the season, his line stood at .235 AVG/.326 OBP/.408 SLG - hardly something to write home about. However, there are some things to note about this performance:
A) While he struck out quite a bit - 136Ks in 126 games (or in 451 ABs - he struck out about 30% of the time) - he still showed enough plate discipline (59 BBs) to work out a decent OBP compared to his AVG.
B) The last part of his season was interrupted when he was hit in the head by a pitch and was forced to sit out a couple weeks with a concussion. On returning, it seemed to take him a little while to get his stroke back and unfortunately, before he could, the season was over.
C) He still showed a pretty good power stroke (19 HRs and 37 XBHs), which in my mind shows that while the power is there, it's the pitch recognition and timing that's still a little bit off.
D) Most importantly, we're talking about a kid who is only 20 years old and in AA. If he gone to college instead of being the Yankees first round draft pick in 2003, he'd be wailing on college pitchers right now. Instead, he is two steps away from the major leagues and trying to adjust. Give him time and I'm very confident that he will live up to the Yankee's expectations.
I might be overvaluing Duncan based on what I think his true potential is but I am certain that a lot of people are undervaluing him based on one season. I see the Yanks keeping him in AA to start 2006 and move from there. After that, I think it's only a matter of time before Eric makes the move to the majors (and hopefully, it's with the Yanks).
10/13: Coaching Changes?
Posted by: Patrick
I noticed something in the Cash article:
The Mattingly to bench coach move is interesting. Would that be lining him up as the heir apparent? I was actually already thinking about that, but wasn't sure who would be the hitting coach. Chili Davis was someone I didn't think of... would he be a good fit? Not sure. Would Mazzilli come back? Would he be a good bench coach? I suppose Piniella has to be a manager, so his name couldn't be considered. Leo Mazzone, Neil Allen, Billy Connors and Ron Guidry are some of the names being mentioned for the pitching job. A lot of questions, not many answers.
The Roy White thing is kind of out of the blue to me. Obviously, he's a Yankee legend, but also... I didn't see any reason for it, other than someone feeling that Sojo wasn't doing his job? But, I didn't really see that Sojo had done anything resembling a bad job, either? Ultimately, though, it's (hopefully) Torre's staff and he'll need to be comfortable with the moves being made.
If Joe Torre is the Yankee manager next spring, his coaching staff is going to be a lot different. With Mel Stottlemyre leaving and Joe Girardi likely to be hired by the Marlins as their manager, Torre will need a pitching coach and a bench coach.
Yesterday, Girardi had his second meeting with the Marlins. He also met for the first time with the Devil Rays.
One option to fill the bench-coach position is shifting Don Mattingly from hitting coach and hiring Chili Davis as hitting coach. Former O's manager and Yankee coach Lee Mazzilli also could be a bench-coach candidate.
Third-base coach Luis Sojo and first-base coach Roy White appear to be in the most jeopardy, with the possibility of Sojo moving from third to first. Some in the organization believe the Yankees need to retain Sojo to work with second baseman Robinson Cano.
Yesterday, Girardi had his second meeting with the Marlins. He also met for the first time with the Devil Rays.
One option to fill the bench-coach position is shifting Don Mattingly from hitting coach and hiring Chili Davis as hitting coach. Former O's manager and Yankee coach Lee Mazzilli also could be a bench-coach candidate.
Third-base coach Luis Sojo and first-base coach Roy White appear to be in the most jeopardy, with the possibility of Sojo moving from third to first. Some in the organization believe the Yankees need to retain Sojo to work with second baseman Robinson Cano.
The Mattingly to bench coach move is interesting. Would that be lining him up as the heir apparent? I was actually already thinking about that, but wasn't sure who would be the hitting coach. Chili Davis was someone I didn't think of... would he be a good fit? Not sure. Would Mazzilli come back? Would he be a good bench coach? I suppose Piniella has to be a manager, so his name couldn't be considered. Leo Mazzone, Neil Allen, Billy Connors and Ron Guidry are some of the names being mentioned for the pitching job. A lot of questions, not many answers.
The Roy White thing is kind of out of the blue to me. Obviously, he's a Yankee legend, but also... I didn't see any reason for it, other than someone feeling that Sojo wasn't doing his job? But, I didn't really see that Sojo had done anything resembling a bad job, either? Ultimately, though, it's (hopefully) Torre's staff and he'll need to be comfortable with the moves being made.
Posted by: Patrick
So says the New York Post:
Cool. Good news, good news. I'd like to have Cash back, wouldn't you?
Via Steve Lombardi.
If Brian Cashman leaves the GM office, as many expect him to do when his contract expires on Oct. 31, Cashman will split on his own — because The Boss wants him back.
"That's safe to say," Yankee general partner Steve Swindal told The Post yesterday when asked if the Yanks want Cashman back. "I have said that all along." ...
"We will be working on it," Swindal said of talking to Cashman. "He flew all night [Tuesday] and he needs to clear his head. We will sit down and talk and get started."
"That's safe to say," Yankee general partner Steve Swindal told The Post yesterday when asked if the Yanks want Cashman back. "I have said that all along." ...
"We will be working on it," Swindal said of talking to Cashman. "He flew all night [Tuesday] and he needs to clear his head. We will sit down and talk and get started."
Cool. Good news, good news. I'd like to have Cash back, wouldn't you?
Via Steve Lombardi.
10/13: The Boss Praises Mel
Posted by: Patrick
Stottlemyre praised by Steinbrenner:
One day after Mel Stottlemyre announced that he would not return for an 11th season as the Yankees' pitching coach, owner George Steinbrenner issued a statement through the club addressing Stottlemyre's departure.
"Mel Stottlemyre will always be a Yankee," Steinbrenner said. "When I purchased the ballclub more than 30 years ago, he was one of the team's true stars and leaders, and during his 10 seasons as pitching coach, we won six American League pennants and four world championships.
"While it is no secret that I can be a very difficult boss, Mel has always conducted himself as a professional and a gentleman," the owner added. "I wish he and [his wife], Jean, much success and happiness in the future." ...
"Mel was wonderful for our pitching staff," said Tom Gordon. "He worked very well with the veterans as well as the young guys, which was really big for us, especially with what we went through early. We could have been down in the dumps, but we could count on Mel and [manager] Joe [Torre] to keep us together. Things worked out well."
"Mel Stottlemyre will always be a Yankee," Steinbrenner said. "When I purchased the ballclub more than 30 years ago, he was one of the team's true stars and leaders, and during his 10 seasons as pitching coach, we won six American League pennants and four world championships.
"While it is no secret that I can be a very difficult boss, Mel has always conducted himself as a professional and a gentleman," the owner added. "I wish he and [his wife], Jean, much success and happiness in the future." ...
"Mel was wonderful for our pitching staff," said Tom Gordon. "He worked very well with the veterans as well as the young guys, which was really big for us, especially with what we went through early. We could have been down in the dumps, but we could count on Mel and [manager] Joe [Torre] to keep us together. Things worked out well."
10/13: Tino Wants to Return
Posted by: Patrick
Martinez's status for 2006 still unclear:
Cool. Good attitude. I'd like to have him back. I have a preliminary "plan" (I'll post it soon) that I'm coming up with and he fits in...
"As far as my playing time and the role I had, it was great. I loved it," Martinez said. "I wish I'd have played a little better down the stretch, but I loved coming off the bench, starting a couple of times a week. I didn't know if I'd like it or not, but I did. I got used to it and enjoyed it."
Should the Yankees pick up Martinez's option, he would look forward to another year in the Bronx. But if the Yanks decide to go in another direction, Martinez may decide to retire, putting an end to his 16-year career.
"I loved the role I had, and I'm not saying I wouldn't take that again," he said. "This is where I want to be if I can be anywhere at all. But if they want to try to get younger players, I'd understand that as well."
Should the Yankees pick up Martinez's option, he would look forward to another year in the Bronx. But if the Yanks decide to go in another direction, Martinez may decide to retire, putting an end to his 16-year career.
"I loved the role I had, and I'm not saying I wouldn't take that again," he said. "This is where I want to be if I can be anywhere at all. But if they want to try to get younger players, I'd understand that as well."
Cool. Good attitude. I'd like to have him back. I have a preliminary "plan" (I'll post it soon) that I'm coming up with and he fits in...
Posted by: Patrick
Mo was named the 2005 Delivery Man of the Year. Congrats.
Posted by: Patrick
This offseason we'll be doing a series of weekly columns here at YanksBlog.com called Interviewing the Yankees Blogosphere. Basically, we'll be sitting down with and interviewing a number of Yankees bloggers. These will include Alex Belth and Cliff Corcoran of Bronx Banter, Jennifer Mueller of NoSenseWorrying.com, Steve Lombardi of WasWatching.com, Brian MacMillan of Off the Facade and SG from Replacement Level Yankees Weblog - as well as Michael, Seamus, myself and hopefully a few others that I have invited. So, keep an eye out for that.
If you have any suggestions for questions that you'd like to see asked, please leave them as a comment or e-mail me at patrick@ifroggy.com.
If you have any suggestions for questions that you'd like to see asked, please leave them as a comment or e-mail me at patrick@ifroggy.com.
10/13: A-Rod Talk Overblown
Posted by: Patrick
Check out some quotes from this article:
I really think that there is some serious sensationalizing going on here.
That's the way one American League executive summarized A-Rod's disturbingly uneven performance: good enough for MVP-like numbers in the regular season, but an abysmal failure in October, just like Winfield. "George is stuck with him," is what the executive said of Rodriguez.
Five more years, $131 million, to be exact. Steinbrenner is already looking for someone to hold accountable for the way the third baseman has melted since Game 3 of last year's AL Championship Series. ...
There'll be some revisionist whispering that it's Torre's fault -that, somehow, he didn't get in A-Rod's face often enough, as if suddenly that was Rodriguez's missing medicine. Torre was initially the perfect antidote to Buck Showalter, whom A-Rod despised for his manipulative ways. In comparison to Showalter, Torre is a straight-ahead, no-agenda manager, which is what every major-leaguer wishes for. ...
A-Rod? He's the game's most talented player, but the mystery of his demons elude everyone. The friend said Rodriguez was "totally blown away, totally bewildered" by his .133 average against the Angels. ...
Torre is the one who'll take the fall for Rodriguez, even though no manager can teach a player to react gracefully under pressure. It was third base coach Luis Sojo who nailed A-Rod's problem Wednesday when he said, "In this game, you've got to be mentally strong. If you're not strong mentally you're done."
Five more years, $131 million, to be exact. Steinbrenner is already looking for someone to hold accountable for the way the third baseman has melted since Game 3 of last year's AL Championship Series. ...
There'll be some revisionist whispering that it's Torre's fault -that, somehow, he didn't get in A-Rod's face often enough, as if suddenly that was Rodriguez's missing medicine. Torre was initially the perfect antidote to Buck Showalter, whom A-Rod despised for his manipulative ways. In comparison to Showalter, Torre is a straight-ahead, no-agenda manager, which is what every major-leaguer wishes for. ...
A-Rod? He's the game's most talented player, but the mystery of his demons elude everyone. The friend said Rodriguez was "totally blown away, totally bewildered" by his .133 average against the Angels. ...
Torre is the one who'll take the fall for Rodriguez, even though no manager can teach a player to react gracefully under pressure. It was third base coach Luis Sojo who nailed A-Rod's problem Wednesday when he said, "In this game, you've got to be mentally strong. If you're not strong mentally you're done."
I really think that there is some serious sensationalizing going on here.
