3193 replies to this topic

[Wilfrid]

Yesterday was a walkover, right?

[Wilfrid]

Jeter Displays Classic Form, Helping Yanks Prevail in Early Showdown

Get it while you can.

Going Friday night, fingers crossed on the weather.

[Wilfrid]

...Derek Jeter, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games and is now batting .416. Jeter, who had four hits Monday, reached 30 hits in 16 games, the fastest any Yankee has reached that many hits.

[Lex]

The Yankees pitching situation just became less complicated. From ESPN -

Michael Pineda out for 2012

New York Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda will miss the entire 2012 season because of a right shoulder anterior labral tear.

Pineda will have surgery May 1, the Yankees announced Wednesday.

It is yet another turn in what has become the puzzling saga of the 23-year-old right-hander the Yankees acquired from Seattle in January in exchange for Jesus Montero, the most highly touted hitting prospect in their farm system.

Pineda was 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA for the weak-hitting Mariners in his rookie season, but his effectiveness fell off markedly in the second half of the season, when his ERA rose and his velocity declined after the All-Star break.

The Yankees had attributed his second-half decline to fatigue because of his workload -- Pineda threw 171 innings in 2011 -- but after showing up for spring training some 20 pounds overweight, he continued to have problems with his velocity. He lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his final preseason game, having allowed six runs and seven hits to the Phillies on March 30.

[Rich]

The Yankees pitching situation just became less complicated. From ESPN -

Michael Pineda out for 2012

New York Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda will miss the entire 2012 season because of a right shoulder anterior labral tear.

Pineda will have surgery May 1, the Yankees announced Wednesday.

It is yet another turn in what has become the puzzling saga of the 23-year-old right-hander the Yankees acquired from Seattle in January in exchange for Jesus Montero, the most highly touted hitting prospect in their farm system.

Pineda was 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA for the weak-hitting Mariners in his rookie season, but his effectiveness fell off markedly in the second half of the season, when his ERA rose and his velocity declined after the All-Star break.

The Yankees had attributed his second-half decline to fatigue because of his workload -- Pineda threw 171 innings in 2011 -- but after showing up for spring training some 20 pounds overweight, he continued to have problems with his velocity. He lasted just 2 2/3 innings in his final preseason game, having allowed six runs and seven hits to the Phillies on March 30.

Cashman is one of the best at identifying offensive talent and one of the worst at pitching. Pineda was never right in the second half of last season. Said this in a much earlier post. My opinion - he will never pitch for the Yanks and never be effective for anyone. Pettitte will be #2 and they will need to get a #5 if Garcia fails to improve, Hughes must be released - it's over for him.

This will be a Jeter season if he can continue. The team will either miss the playoffs or just make it. Not going anywhere unless some pitchers overachieve.

[Lex]

[Wilfrid]

I notice you only update when Wright has a clear lead. It looked rather different a couple of days ago.

[Wilfrid]

I think Kuroda is a better test of Cashman's nous than Pineda. Cashman has insisted that Pineda's medical condition was thoroughly examined before the deal was finalized, and if that's true, the outcome is just dumb bad luck. We simply don't know whether it would have been a good deal, and may not find out until some time in 2013.

Kuroda is going to present much more prompt evidence of whether we've been suckered into buying an NL pitcher who can't perform in the AL again.

[Lex]

I notice you only update when Wright has a clear lead.

[Rich]

I think Kuroda is a better test of Cashman's nous than Pineda. Cashman has insisted that Pineda's medical condition was thoroughly examined before the deal was finalized, and if that's true, the outcome is just dumb bad luck. We simply don't know whether it would have been a good deal, and may not find out until some time in 2013.

Kuroda is going to present much more prompt evidence of whether we've been suckered into buying an NL pitcher who can't perform in the AL again.

Cashman knew that Pineda's velocity slipped 7/9mph after the All-Star break. It was chalked up to innings pitched. Sorry 22-year-olds don't lose that much velocity that quickly. That should have been a warning sign and yet he wasn't given an MRI during his physical.

He won't pitch for anyone until June of 2013. Never trade an everyday player for a pitcher has reared its ugly head once again.

Kuroda will be a 14-12 or so pitcher. He was never a two guy and never will be. But he will give innings and keep them in most ballgames. That's what you get for $10 million these days.

[Wilfrid]

I may be completely wrong (and I haven't checked), but I thought the story was that he had thorough exams, including MRIs, and they're now saying the damage was too minor to be detected.

I'm open-minded as to whether it was incompetence or bad luck, but if the former I agree with everything you say.

Can't blame Cashman for Hughes, whose career is a train wreck. Will be good to see Andy Pettitte take the mound.

[Rich]

I may be completely wrong (and I haven't checked), but I thought the story was that he had thorough exams, including MRIs, and they're now saying the damage was too minor to be detected.

I'm open-minded as to whether it was incompetence or bad luck, but if the former I agree with everything you say.

Can't blame Cashman for Hughes, whose career is a train wreck. Will be good to see Andy Pettitte take the mound.

It doesn't matter at this point, but I think you're referring to the MRI after he reported the shoulder problem in March.

Hughes just never lived up to expectations. Even in his 18-win season, he was being hit quite hard but the team scored behind him. Pitchers have those types of seasons. I would take Pettitte at 3/4 strength before seeing Hughes again. Saying that, I think Hughes has the stuff for a 7/8 inning setup guy. One inning, throw as hard as you can and get out of the way.

[Wilfrid]

I think that's Hughes' future. The Yankees did have a lot invested in him as a starter. Also wishing we'd taken at least half a season of Colon at this point, but who knew the wheels would fall off Freddy Garcia too?

[Rich]

I think that's Hughes' future. The Yankees did have a lot invested in him as a starter. Also wishing we'd taken at least half a season of Colon at this point, but who knew the wheels would fall off Freddy Garcia too?

Agreed, Garcia appeared the better choice of the two after last season. Still think he's a good #5. But those three outings - OUCH!!!

[Lex]

Going Friday night, fingers crossed on the weather.

It'll be really cold. It'll seem even colder because Verlander is pitching for the Tigers.