Scouting the Yankees [Forum Archive]

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Scouting the Yankees

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Posted by: min0 lee

CATCHER Jorge Posada's name was bandied about in trade talks this winter but it seems like the Yanks are sticking with him - despite the trigger clause in his contract that guarantees him $12 million in 2007 once he starts 81 games this year at catcher. John Flaherty was Randy Johnson's personal catcher in the second half last year but he's gone now and Joe Torre says Posada, not new reserve Kelly Stinnett, will catch the Big Unit.

SCOUT SAYS: "I think he's still one of the upper-echelon catchers in the big leagues. Age is a factor, though. He looked good at the end of last year, so he needs to carry it over."
FIRST BASE
Jason Giambi was the Yanks' biggest concern at this time last year but now he has re-established himself as a force. He also has been working with infield coach Larry Bowa on his fielding and is expected to play the majority of his games at first base. Andy Phillips will be a defensive replacement late in games and utility man Miguel Cairo could see some time at first, too.
SCOUT SAYS: "I thought Giambi was done, just like most of baseball. You've got to be impressed with what he did to come back. If he can keep those numbers, hey, he proved everybody wrong. Defensively, it's not even really an issue; when you have a guy at the corner doing what he does, it's not a big deal if he's not a Gold Glover."
SECOND BASE
At 23, Robinson Cano is the baby on the Yankees, the only everyday player under 30. He was brought up from the minors last May to be a spark for the struggling Yankees and made himself stick. Questions about his work ethic surfaced over the winter, but he was out working with Bowa several mornings a week during the spring.
SCOUT SAYS: "My only concern with Cano is that I'm told he's not a real patient hitter, doesn't take many walks. He plays pretty good defense at second base, puts up above-average offensive numbers at that position. He's a solid everyday second baseman. He's young and hungry and that's important, too."
THIRD BASE
It's hard to imagine Alex Rodriguez having a better year than he did last year (.321, 48 HR, 130 RBI) as the AL MVP. Rodriguez has essentially completed his transition from shortstop to third base and is a weapon in the field, as well as at the plate. There are no obvious flaws to be found in his game and there are few players with a work ethic as intense.
SCOUT SAYS: "Best third baseman in the big leagues and he'll be great for you on an everyday basis. As good as he is, though, you've still got to question his ability in clutch situations. Sometimes it seems like he's over-thinking in big spots."
SHORTSTOP
This will be Derek Jeter's 11th full season as the Yankees shortstop and he's hit .300 or higher in seven of them (including last year's .309). Jeter had been forced to abandon his No. 2 slot in the lineup the past few years as the Yanks searched for a leadoff man, but now that Johnny Damon is in the mix, Jeter is back to his old spot.
SCOUT SAYS: "He is the same guy he's always been. He's got the eye of a champion. Over the course of a season, he just shows through as a winner. That's the best thing you can say about a player and that's the first thing you can say about him."
LEFT FIELD
Hideki Matsui had a lot of questions to answer last spring after saying he wanted to play out the final year of his contract instead of talk about an extension. The result? Matsui had a great year and signed a four-year, $52 million deal over the winter.
SCOUT SAYS: "Solid outfielder - good defense, good at the plate, just solid all the way around. He can do pretty much anything. When someone needs something out of him, he comes through. He makes pitchers work. He's a little under the usual power numbers at a corner spot but he can always put the bat on the ball."
CENTER FIELD
This was the biggest hole the Yanks had over the winter. Getting Johnny Damon was about as good as they could have hoped for and he gives them a huge defensive upgrade plus a solid leadoff hitter - and also sticks it to the Red Sox. One caveat: Damon's left shoulder was an issue last fall and he already was sidelined during spring training after tendinitis flared up.
SCOUT SAYS: "I've got to be honest, I think he's a little bit overrated. He's a good defender, he's a good hitter and he can steal bases - don't get me wrong, he's a good major league player. But I don't think he's a savior. He's getting older and his arm is a real question. He may put up great numbers, but let's see how he handles the grind of being a Yankee."
RIGHT FIELD
Sheffield may be the scariest Yankee hitter for opposing pitchers to face and, at 37, he has remained remarkably consistent (30 or more homers in six of the last seven seasons). The Yanks have a club option on him for 2007 that will remain an issue until it is addressed.
SCOUT SAYS: "He's never been affected by pressure. If he's not the best guy in the league at bat speed, he's still in the top five. He's probably one of the most-feared right handed hitters in the big leagues. Pitchers literally believe that they could get a line drive up the middle and get killed. The big question is whether this contract thing is a factor, but I think it'll motivate him to do better. I expect a huge year out of him."
DESIGNATED HITTER
Bernie Williams will start the season at DH and should get plenty of at-bats there, but also look for Torre to use the DH spot as an opportunity to get his regulars a bit of rest. Gary Sheffield will spend a fair number of days DH-ing and it should be used to give Jason Giambi a reprieve.
SCOUT SAYS: "I think they're forcing it a little bit with Bernie here. I was surprised that he was coming back. I thought last year his bat speed had really slowed down."

STARTING PITCHING
There were no Randy Johnson-esque offseason moves to make, so the rotation looks pretty familiar. The Big Unit and Mike Mussina are the experienced anchors of the staff, while Chien-Ming Wang and Shawn Chacon were pleasant surprises last year and offer youthful energy. The Bombers are hoping that the fifth spot will ultimately go to Carl Pavano, who is a "major" key this year, according to Joe Torre. The only problem is that Pavano's back could keep him on the disabled list until at least late April. Jaret Wright is also in the mix and will be ready to jump into the rotation in case of injury. There is no obvious pitcher waiting in the minor league wings (as Wang was last year) but Torre mentioned Matt DeSalvo as someone who caught his eye during spring training and could be a call-up option.
SCOUT SAYS: "I like that rotation if they're healthy. This might sound crazy but I think Shawn Chacon really makes that staff a lot better. The guy had a pretty good career in Colorado and the Yanks did a great job getting him and giving him a chance. He's tough and he wants the baseball, so I think New York is his kind of place. I still kind of wonder about Randy Johnson and how good he'll end up being for them. His numbers were good last year, but I think he can be better and I think he maybe isn't all the way himself. I've always liked Mussina, and even if he's getting older, he's still top of the rotation for me. The injuries are the biggest question like every year - if they can stay healthy, they're going to be in great shape. It's a solid staff."
BULLPEN
This was the area that got the biggest upgrade and the Yankees stockpiled arms in an attempt to rebuild the bridge to Mariano Rivera. Lefties Ron Villone and Mike Myers join new setup man Kyle Farnsworth in the revamped pen, and Tanyon Sturtze will also be prominent. Rivera has shown no signs of slowing down which, as always, is critical to the Yanks' success. After blowing two saves to Boston in April last season, Rivera coughed up just two more the rest of the year.
SCOUT SAYS: "I'm a big power guy in the bullpen, so Farnsworth isn't bad. I do wonder about his makeup and his ability to handle the situation. That said, his arm is overwhelming. He might find his comfort zone as the eighth-inning guy and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up as absolutely dominating guy in the setup role. I think he'll either have an average year or special year; I don't think he'll implode. You get Rivera, Farnsworth, (Octavio) Dotel late in the game ... that's an outstanding lineup. Dotel could be a big weapon for them. Myers? I've never been a big fan of different-look lefthanders but he's had a lot of success so you can't knock him too much. One thing I'd look for even though it's a little out of nowhere: I think (Jaret) Wright could be really effective as a late-inning setup guy."
Scouting the Intangibles
BENCH
Williams should fill in at the corner outfield spots when Torre looks to give Sheffield or Matsui a "half-day off" at DH. Bubba Crosby will also be a defensive replacement in the outfield and pinch runner. Cairo is back as the utility infielder, Stinnett is the reserve catcher and Phillips fills out the bench (when the Yanks are carrying 12 pitchers). Ruben Sierra is gone but the Yanks hope Williams can fill a similar role as a switch-hitting threat.
SCOUT SAYS: "I think the Yanks did a great job upgrading this area. Cairo is a huge upgrade and he'll help all over the infield. He can play anywhere. This is a guy who Torre can feel confident putting in anywhere and not get a huge dropoff and feel confident that he won't cost them a game. That's a way overlooked part of the game, I truly believe."
MINORS
Eric Duncan seems to be taking to his switch from third base to first and was "impressive" at the plate, Torre said. Ramiro Pena and Kevin Thompson also attracted notice with their hustle during the spring while Posada said he wouldn't be surprised to see top pitching prospect Philip Hughes in the majors this year.
MANAGER
Torre had a heart-to-heart with George Steinbrenner last November that seems to have smoothed out the relationship between Torre and The Boss, though we'll see just how long things stay easy. There's almost a whole new coaching staff this year but Torre seems to have everyone on the same page already. Mel Stottlemyre's departure and Ron Guidry's arrival as pitching coach is the most noticeable change, but doesn't figure to change much. Tony Pena (first base), Bowa (third base), Lee Mazzilli (bench) and Joe Kerrigan (bullpen) are the other new arrivals.
FRONT OFFICE
GM Brian Cashman nearly left over the winter but he is back with more power to show for it. As part of his new deal, Cashman was given license to restructure the organization's hierarchy in an effort to eliminate the New York-Tampa factions. On paper, it sounds great; in practice, only time will tell whether he's allowed to make (or reject) all the moves he sees fit as well as if the organizational backbiting abates.
PREDICTION
A rocky start made last season a struggle even though the Yankees eventually stormed back to win the AL East. Look for this year to be easier, with the same qualifier as in recent years: Health. If the Yanks can avoid any major injuries, there is no reason they won't win the division by a comfortable margin and find themselves right back where they have been every October since 1995: the playoffs. The record: 99-63. First place.

Originally published on March 30, 2006

Posted by: I Are Baboon

Damn Yankee spammer.

Posted by: Goodfella9783

Quote:

Originally Posted by min0 lee

CENTER FIELD
This was the biggest hole the Yanks had over the winter. Getting Johnny Damon was about as good as they could have hoped for and he gives them a huge defensive upgrade plus a solid leadoff hitter - and also sticks it to the Red Sox. One caveat: Damon's left shoulder was an issue last fall and he already was sidelined during spring training after tendinitis flared up.
SCOUT SAYS: "I've got to be honest, I think he's a little bit overrated. He's a good defender, he's a good hitter and he can steal bases - don't get me wrong, he's a good major league player. But I don't think he's a savior. He's getting older and his arm is a real question. He may put up great numbers, but let's see how he handles the grind of being a Yankee."

Too bad they couldn't get a great center fielder like Coco Crisp.

Posted by: I Are Baboon

DUDE, how good has Coco looked the first two games???

Posted by: Goodfella9783

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

DUDE, how good has Coco looked the first two games???

I agree he looks great. We needed a great base runner/base stealer when Damon left and we got him in Criso. IMO, he'd spin a layer of dirt on Damon with his wheels. Made an awesome catch on opening day too. I love him already. Go Sox. (There goes your Yankees thread Mino

)

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Are Baboon

Damn Yankee spammer.

Posted by: min0 lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodfella9783

I agree he looks great. We needed a great base runner/base stealer when Damon left and we got him in Criso. IMO, he'd spin a layer of dirt on Damon with his wheels. Made an awesome catch on opening day too. I love him already. Go Sox. (There goes your Yankees thread Mino

)

That was a good catch. I do think he is an upgrade over Damon.

Why did the Indians let him go and why didn't the Yankees get him?

Posted by: soxmuscle

The Yankees didn't get him because they have nothing of value, whatsoever. Even the players that power that offense of theres such as Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, Gary Sheffield, etc. have almost no trade value at all because of how overpaid these players are.

The Yankees have one of the worst farm system in the game, and as I stated last paragraph have nobody to give up for a box of Coco Crispies no less Covelli Crisp himself.

The only player of value on the Yankees is Rivera, and Matsui and both were going nowhere.

As for why the Indians gave him up. They were able to acquire Andy Marte whose widely known as a future star. I was surprised the Red Sox were able to acquire such a good talent for only Renteria.

Also, the Indians recognized that Crisp wasn't going to leadoff, and was somebody who they could trade given the available corp of outfielders, who they eventually chose Jason Michaels from.

Posted by: soxmuscle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodfella9783

)

Johnny Who? Damon is a tool, and will be rightfully boo'ed as he deserves to be in the next few weeks.

It isn't that we needed a great base stealer, the Red Sox aren't going to use Crisp to steal bases, not when the likes of Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz are behind him.

What they needed was a centerfielder, and they got one, who exemplies all five tools, something Damon could not.

In ending, Damon would not have made that catch on Opening Day. Or, even if he did, he'd have to pull a Sandlot and run the ball in to Foulke with that noodle arm.

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