How bout them Yankees!?

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #360833 02/03/07 06:16 PM 02/03/07 06:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	Pavano Insists He's Ready to Pitch Quote: Source: AP February 3rd, 2007 NEW YORK - Carl Pavano says he’s healthy and ready to pitch again in the major leagues. Really. Honestly. Truly. “I’ve thrown three bullpens. I just threw one this morning. I feel pretty good,” he said Friday. The New York Yankees pitcher, starting the third season of a $39.95 million, four-year contract, hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since June 27, 2005, due to shoulder, back, buttocks, elbow and rib injuries. Earlier in the week, teammate Mike Mussina said Pavano “needs to earn the trust from the players, the coaches, the manager and the organization.” “I welcome any kind of thoughts like that, especially from my teammates, especially from someone that I respect like Mike Mussina,” Pavano said during a telephone conference call. “I couldn’t really have said it better myself. I understand the position I put myself in with the things that have happened over the last couple of years,” Pavano added. “I totally understand why there’s question marks.” Pavano, a 31-year-old right-hander, went 4-6 with a 4.77 ERA in 17 starts for the Yankees two years ago before going on the disabled list. Having spent time with his teammates late last season, he doesn’t feel a need to apologize for the distractions he caused. “I don’t think I rubbed anyone the wrong way or disrespected anyone in any way,” he said. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman envisions Pavano will be part of a rotation that will include Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and Kei Igawa. For Pavano, a turning point was when his new agent, Gregg Clifton, introduced him to Brett Fischer late last year. Pavano spent about nine weeks during the offseason in Phoenix working out four-to-five hours each weekday at Fischer Sports Physical Therapy & Conditioning. On weekends, he rode mountain bikes. “The injury itself on my back just really messed my whole body up,” Pavano said. “It worked from my back and it went into my shoulder, my elbow, my legs. It kind of just took over my whole body.” Preparing for the start of spring training on Feb. 15, Pavano worked out on machines that he hadn’t used before, ones he said were more common for track athletes and body builders. “I don’t think I’ve worked any harder this offseason than I have in the past. I’ve definitely worked smarter and attacked issues that Brett was able to capitalize on and make stronger,” he said. “It was a lot of flexibility stuff. A lot of the motion in my back was lost over the years and I regained a lot of that, and a lot of the strength that was lost over the years and obviously shoulder strength.” Randy Johnson, Kerry Wood, Eric Gagne and Kevin Millar work out there, too. Fischer had Pavano exercise in unconventional ways. To get back the whipping motion in Pavano’s windup and separate his shoulder and hip movements, Fischer had Pavano straddle tables “like he was riding a wide, wide horse.” Pavano also worked with medicine balls and pulleys. “It involved identifying specific joints that weren’t moving the way they were supposed to be move,” Fischer said in a telephone interview. “He had a lot of — I call them nagging injuries. He had learned to compensate one after another, and it kind of steamrolled on him a bit. I said, ‘Let’s start again and let’s get all these joints moving correctly.’ “ Pavano and the Yankees still have one issue to resolve. Cashman wants to hold a formal meeting to discuss what happened last year, when Pavano withheld from the team that he had injured his ribs in a car accident. The Yankees may attempt to discipline Pavano for hiding the injury from the team for several weeks. “Our desire is probably to have a chance before spring training, if possible, or certainly early in spring training,” Clifton said. “We’ll just all get together and try to sit down and hash it out a little bit and move forward from there.” I sincerely hope he can come back and be a decent starter in the AL East. He's got the pitches. Now he needs to stay healthy. But I'll believe it when I see it. For now, he has to earn his spot, and battle Igawa for the 4th starting role.

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #360939
02/04/07 10:02 AM 02/04/07 10:02 AM

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,724

Double-J

Double-J

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,724

2007 Yankees Projections

Here are the values from Bill James (i.e. Sabermetric man), PECOTA, and ZiPS projections. Many thanks to Yanksphan from the NYYFans forums for assembling these.

Yankees Batting Projections - Bill James Baseball Handbook 2007

Code:


Name 	Age 	Inj 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	RC 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	SB% 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS
Abreu 	33 	High 	160 	588 	170 	43 	2 	21 	104 	99 	118 	123 	141 	26 	9 	74% 	0.289 	0.415 	0.476 	0.891
Damon 	33 	Med 	154 	627 	179 	35 	4 	17 	115 	75 	98 	68 	82 	22 	8 	73% 	0.285 	0.358 	0.435 	0.794
Matsui 	33 	High 	129 	485 	143 	31 	1 	19 	81 	86 	87 	61 	70 	2 	1 	67% 	0.295 	0.376 	0.480 	0.856
Mientk	33 	Med 	100 	292 	77 	20 	1 	6 	35 	35 	41 	38 	45 	2 	1 	67% 	0.264 	0.356 	0.401 	0.757
Phill 	30 	Low 	76 	154 	40 	8 	1 	7 	23 	21 	22 	11 	32 	1 	1 	50% 	0.260 	0.309 	0.461 	0.770
Cano 	24 	Med 	149 	557 	181 	44 	3 	17 	80 	83 	99 	23 	60 	4 	2 	67% 	0.325 	0.354 	0.506 	0.860
Jeter 	33 	High 	158 	644 	203 	35 	2 	17 	117 	81 	114 	70 	111 	24 	7 	77% 	0.315 	0.393 	0.455 	0.848
A-Rod 	31 	High 	159 	607 	178 	29 	1 	42 	119 	124 	130 	91 	143 	16 	6 	73% 	0.293 	0.395 	0.552 	0.947
Posada 	35 	High 	143 	497 	132 	29 	1 	22 	70 	89 	84 	78 	113 	2 	1 	67% 	0.266 	0.373 	0.461 	0.834
Giambi 	36 	High 	135 	424 	112 	22 	0 	30 	77 	91 	90 	99 	104 	1 	1 	50% 	0.264 	0.419 	0.528 	0.947
Cairo 	33 	Med 	95 	254 	65 	13 	1 	2 	31 	25 	26 	15 	32 	11 	4 	73% 	0.256 	0.308 	0.339 	0.646
Cabrera 22 	Low 	130 	460 	131 	24 	2 	10 	69 	60 	67 	46 	57 	12 	4 	75% 	0.285 	0.351 	0.411 	0.762
Bernie  38 	High 	121 	358 	98 	19 	1 	11 	54 	52 	53 	43 	54 	2 	1 	67% 	0.274 	0.355 	0.425 	0.779

Yankees 2007 Pitching Projections - Bill James Baseball Handbook 2007

Code:

Name 	Age 	Inj 	G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	HB 	W 	L 	Pct 	Sv 	BR/9 	ERA 	WHIP
Wang 	27 	High 	32 	32 	214 	232 	15 	52 	98 	5 	14 	10 	0.583 	0 	12.2 	3.79 	1.33
Moose 	38 	High 	29 	29 	172 	170 	29 	36 	146 	4 	12 	7 	0.632 	0 	11 	3.56 	1.20
Andy 	35 	High 	33 	33 	210 	214 	20 	61 	164 	3 	12 	11 	0.522 	0 	11.9 	3.77 	1.31
Pavano 	31 	High 	14 	14 	78 	84 	8 	20 	50 	4 	5 	4 	0.556 	0 	12.5 	4.15 	1.33
Karste 	24 	Low 	15 	12 	85 	93 	11 	25 	64 	2 	5 	5 	0.5 	0 	12.7 	4.45 	1.39
Rasner 	26 	High 	10 	6 	38 	39 	3 	8 	26 	2 	3 	2 	0.6 	0 	11.6 	3.79 	1.24
Farns 	31 	High 	67 	0 	62 	55 	7 	28 	68 	2 	4 	3 	0.571 	2 	12.4 	3.77 	1.34
Myers 	38 	Low 	65 	0 	34 	32 	3 	15 	25 	3 	2 	2 	0.5 	0 	13.2 	3.97 	1.38
Proct 	30 	Med 	80 	0 	95 	93 	15 	34 	85 	3 	6 	5 	0.545 	6 	12.3 	4.26 	1.34
Rivera 	37 	High 	54 	0 	66 	53 	3 	14 	57 	3 	5 	2 	0.714 	40 	9.5 	2.59 	1.02
Vizcai 	32 	Med 	67 	0 	69 	63 	10 	28 	61 	2 	4 	4 	0.5 	0 	12.1 	3.91 	1.32

Sabermetric v. PECOTA v. ZiPS (Batting)

Code:

Bobby   Abreu 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	160 	588 	170 	43 	2 	21 	104 	99 	123 	141 	26 	9 	0.289 	0.415 	0.476 	0.891 
  PECOTA 	
 	        474 	131 	28 	2 	16 	95 	65 	86 	107 	22 	6 	0.277 	0.389 	0.447 	0.835 
  ZiPS 	        150 	534 	153 	34 	1 	20 	89 	98 	114 	122 	28 	7 	0.287 	0.414 	0.466 	0.880 
  Average 	155 	532 	151 	35 	2 	19 	96 	87 	108 	123 	25 	7 	0.284 	0.406 	0.463 	0.869 
 
  Melky Cabrera 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	130 	460 	131 	23 	2 	10 	69 	60 	46 	57 	12 	4 	0.285 	0.351 	0.411 	0.762 
  PECOTA 	
 	        514 	145 	27 	3 	10 	74 	59 	45 	65 	10 	4 	0.282 	0.341 	0.408 	0.749 
  ZiPS 	        157 	584 	172 	28 	3 	18 	93 	92 	55 	67 	12 	5 	0.295 	0.355 	0.445 	0.800 
  Average 	144 	519 	149 	26 	3 	13 	79 	70 	49 	63 	11 	4 	0.287 	0.349 	0.421 	0.770 
  
Miguel Cairo 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	95 	254 	65 	13 	1 	2 	31 	25 	15 	32 	11 	4 	0.256 	0.308 	0.339 	0.646 
  PECOTA 	
 	        179 	46 	8 	1 	2 	22 	16 	9 	23 	8 	3 	0.258 	0.300 	0.343 	0.643 
  ZiPS 	        75 	226 	55 	12 	1 	2 	28 	26 	12 	26 	10 	2 	0.243 	0.300 	0.332 	0.632 
  Average 	85 	220 	55 	11 	1 	2 	27 	22 	12 	27 	10 	3 	0.252 	0.303 	0.338 	0.640 
  
Robinson Cano 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	149 	557 	181 	44 	3 	17 	80 	83 	23 	60 	4 	2 	0.325 	0.354 	0.506 	0.860 
  PECOTA 	
 	        533 	164 	36 	3 	16 	76 	80 	30 	65 	5 	3 	0.308 	0.345 	0.472 	0.817 
  ZiPS 	        143 	568 	179 	41 	3 	18 	81 	97 	24 	68 	3 	2 	0.315 	0.343 	0.493 	0.836 
  Average 	146 	553 	175 	40 	3 	17 	79 	87 	26 	64 	4 	2 	0.316 	0.347 	0.490 	0.838 
  
Johnny Damon 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	154 	627 	179 	35 	4 	17 	115 	75 	68 	82 	22 	8 	0.285 	0.358 	0.435 	0.794 
  PECOTA 	
 	        548 	158 	30 	4 	18 	94 	73 	62 	76 	14 	5 	0.289 	0.362 	0.458 	0.821 
  ZiPS 	        149 	611 	177 	31 	4 	17 	112 	88 	60 	82 	16 	6 	0.290 	0.353 	0.437 	0.790 
  Average 	152 	595 	171 	32 	4 	17 	107 	79 	63 	80 	17 	6 	0.288 	0.358 	0.443 	0.802 
  
Jason Giambi 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	135 	424 	112 	22 	0 	30 	77 	91 	99 	104 	1 	1 	0.264 	0.419 	0.528 	0.947 
  PECOTA 	
 	        395 	100 	18 	0 	29 	84 	81 	102 	99 	2 	1 	0.252 	0.413 	0.518 	0.930 
  ZiPS 	        125 	394 	95 	17 	0 	27 	70 	97 	91 	97 	1 	0 	0.241 	0.400 	0.490 	0.890 
  Average 	130 	404 	102 	19 	0 	29 	77 	90 	97 	100 	1 	1 	0.252 	0.411 	0.512 	0.922 
  
Derek Jeter 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	158 	644 	203 	35 	2 	17 	117 	81 	70 	111 	24 	7 	0.315 	0.393 	0.455 	0.848 
  PECOTA 	
 	        585 	189 	32 	4 	12 	110 	71 	59 	93 	23 	6 	0.322 	0.390 	0.452 	0.843 
  ZiPS 	        152 	625 	189 	34 	2 	16 	111 	92 	66 	110 	21 	4 	0.302 	0.378 	0.440 	0.818 
  Average 	155 	618 	194 	34 	3 	15 	113 	81 	65 	105 	23 	6 	0.313 	0.387 	0.449 	0.836 
  
Hideki Matsui 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	129 	485 	143 	31 	1 	19 	81 	86 	61 	70 	2 	1 	0.295 	0.376 	0.480 	0.856 
  PECOTA 361 	104 	21 	1 	15 	62 	60 	51 	52 	2 	1 	0.288 	0.376 	0.474 	0.850 
  ZiPS 	        133 	498 	146 	31 	1 	19 	85 	100 	58 	77 	1 	1 	0.293 	0.367 	0.474 	0.841 
  Average 	131 	448 	131 	28 	1 	18 	76 	82 	57 	66 	2 	1 	0.292 	0.373 	0.476 	0.849 
  
Doug Mientkiewicz 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	100 	292 	77 	20 	1 	6 	35 	35 	38 	45 	2 	1 	0.264 	0.356 	0.401 	0.757 
  PECOTA 	232 	58 	13 	1 	5 	29 	30 	26 	38 	1 	1 	0.251 	0.328 	0.382 	0.710 
  ZiPS 	        101 	329 	84 	22 	1 	6 	41 	36 	42 	51 	2 	1 	0.255 	0.342 	0.383 	0.725 
  Average 	101 	284 	73 	18 	1 	6 	35 	34 	35 	45 	2 	1 	0.257 	0.342 	0.389 	0.731 
  
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 
  Andy Phillips 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	76 	154 	40 	8 	1 	7 	23 	21 	11 	32 	1 	1 	0.260 	0.309 	0.461 	0.770 
  PECOTA 	
 	286 	74 	15 	2 	11 	37 	45 	21 	60 	2 	1 	0.259 	0.313 	0.441 	0.754 
  ZiPS 	108 	326 	80 	14 	2 	12 	56 	57 	29 	59 	2 	2 	0.245 	0.312 	0.411 	0.723 
  Average 	92 	255 	65 	12 	2 	10 	39 	41 	20 	50 	2 	1 	0.255 	0.311 	0.438 	0.749 
  
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 
  Jorge Posada 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	143 	497 	132 	29 	1 	22 	70 	89 	78 	113 	2 	1 	0.266 	0.373 	0.461 	0.834 
  PECOTA 	
 	405 	105 	21 	1 	17 	65 	65 	65 	84 	2 	1 	0.259 	0.365 	0.443 	0.808 
  ZiPS 	127 	417 	110 	22 	1 	18 	59 	84 	63 	93 	1 	1 	0.264 	0.368 	0.451 	0.819 
  Average 	135 	440 	116 	24 	1 	19 	65 	79 	69 	97 	2 	1 	0.263 	0.369 	0.452 	0.820 
  
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 
  Alex Rodriguez 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	159 	607 	178 	29 	1 	42 	119 	124 	91 	143 	16 	6 	0.293 	0.395 	0.552 	0.947 
  PECOTA 	
 	555 	160 	30 	2 	34 	108 	104 	84 	131 	14 	4 	0.288 	0.385 	0.531 	0.916 
  ZiPS 	156 	589 	169 	26 	1 	32 	108 	126 	88 	138 	16 	3 	0.287 	0.387 	0.497 	0.884 
  Average 	158 	584 	169 	28 	1 	36 	112 	118 	88 	137 	15 	4 	0.289 	0.389 	0.527 	0.916

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #360941
02/04/07 10:09 AM 02/04/07 10:09 AM

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,724

Double-J

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,724

Code:


Name 	Age 	Inj 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	RC 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	SB% 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS
Abreu 	33 	High 	160 	588 	170 	43 	2 	21 	104 	99 	118 	123 	141 	26 	9 	74% 	0.289 	0.415 	0.476 	0.891
Damon 	33 	Med 	154 	627 	179 	35 	4 	17 	115 	75 	98 	68 	82 	22 	8 	73% 	0.285 	0.358 	0.435 	0.794
Matsui 	33 	High 	129 	485 	143 	31 	1 	19 	81 	86 	87 	61 	70 	2 	1 	67% 	0.295 	0.376 	0.480 	0.856
Mientk	33 	Med 	100 	292 	77 	20 	1 	6 	35 	35 	41 	38 	45 	2 	1 	67% 	0.264 	0.356 	0.401 	0.757
Phill 	30 	Low 	76 	154 	40 	8 	1 	7 	23 	21 	22 	11 	32 	1 	1 	50% 	0.260 	0.309 	0.461 	0.770
Cano 	24 	Med 	149 	557 	181 	44 	3 	17 	80 	83 	99 	23 	60 	4 	2 	67% 	0.325 	0.354 	0.506 	0.860
Jeter 	33 	High 	158 	644 	203 	35 	2 	17 	117 	81 	114 	70 	111 	24 	7 	77% 	0.315 	0.393 	0.455 	0.848
A-Rod 	31 	High 	159 	607 	178 	29 	1 	42 	119 	124 	130 	91 	143 	16 	6 	73% 	0.293 	0.395 	0.552 	0.947
Posada 	35 	High 	143 	497 	132 	29 	1 	22 	70 	89 	84 	78 	113 	2 	1 	67% 	0.266 	0.373 	0.461 	0.834
Giambi 	36 	High 	135 	424 	112 	22 	0 	30 	77 	91 	90 	99 	104 	1 	1 	50% 	0.264 	0.419 	0.528 	0.947
Cairo 	33 	Med 	95 	254 	65 	13 	1 	2 	31 	25 	26 	15 	32 	11 	4 	73% 	0.256 	0.308 	0.339 	0.646
Cabrera 22 	Low 	130 	460 	131 	24 	2 	10 	69 	60 	67 	46 	57 	12 	4 	75% 	0.285 	0.351 	0.411 	0.762
Bernie  38 	High 	121 	358 	98 	19 	1 	11 	54 	52 	53 	43 	54 	2 	1 	67% 	0.274 	0.355 	0.425 	0.779

Yankees 2007 Pitching Projections - Bill James Baseball Handbook 2007

Code:

Name 	Age 	Inj 	G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	HB 	W 	L 	Pct 	Sv 	BR/9 	ERA 	WHIP
Wang 	27 	High 	32 	32 	214 	232 	15 	52 	98 	5 	14 	10 	0.583 	0 	12.2 	3.79 	1.33
Moose 	38 	High 	29 	29 	172 	170 	29 	36 	146 	4 	12 	7 	0.632 	0 	11 	3.56 	1.20
Andy 	35 	High 	33 	33 	210 	214 	20 	61 	164 	3 	12 	11 	0.522 	0 	11.9 	3.77 	1.31
Pavano 	31 	High 	14 	14 	78 	84 	8 	20 	50 	4 	5 	4 	0.556 	0 	12.5 	4.15 	1.33
Karste 	24 	Low 	15 	12 	85 	93 	11 	25 	64 	2 	5 	5 	0.5 	0 	12.7 	4.45 	1.39
Rasner 	26 	High 	10 	6 	38 	39 	3 	8 	26 	2 	3 	2 	0.6 	0 	11.6 	3.79 	1.24
Farns 	31 	High 	67 	0 	62 	55 	7 	28 	68 	2 	4 	3 	0.571 	2 	12.4 	3.77 	1.34
Myers 	38 	Low 	65 	0 	34 	32 	3 	15 	25 	3 	2 	2 	0.5 	0 	13.2 	3.97 	1.38
Proct 	30 	Med 	80 	0 	95 	93 	15 	34 	85 	3 	6 	5 	0.545 	6 	12.3 	4.26 	1.34
Rivera 	37 	High 	54 	0 	66 	53 	3 	14 	57 	3 	5 	2 	0.714 	40 	9.5 	2.59 	1.02
Vizcai 	32 	Med 	67 	0 	69 	63 	10 	28 	61 	2 	4 	4 	0.5 	0 	12.1 	3.91 	1.32

Sabermetric v. PECOTA v. ZiPS (Batting)

Code:

Bobby   Abreu 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	160 	588 	170 	43 	2 	21 	104 	99 	123 	141 	26 	9 	0.289 	0.415 	0.476 	0.891 
  PECOTA 	474 	131 	28 	2 	16 	95 	65 	86 	107 	22 	6 	0.277 	0.389 	0.447 	0.835 
  ZiPS 	        150 	534 	153 	34 	1 	20 	89 	98 	114 	122 	28 	7 	0.287 	0.414 	0.466 	0.880 
  Average 	155 	532 	151 	35 	2 	19 	96 	87 	108 	123 	25 	7 	0.284 	0.406 	0.463 	0.869 
 
Melky Cabrera 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	130 	460 	131 	23 	2 	10 	69 	60 	46 	57 	12 	4 	0.285 	0.351 	0.411 	0.762 
  PECOTA 	514 	145 	27 	3 	10 	74 	59 	45 	65 	10 	4 	0.282 	0.341 	0.408 	0.749 
  ZiPS 	        157 	584 	172 	28 	3 	18 	93 	92 	55 	67 	12 	5 	0.295 	0.355 	0.445 	0.800 
  Average 	144 	519 	149 	26 	3 	13 	79 	70 	49 	63 	11 	4 	0.287 	0.349 	0.421 	0.770 
  
Miguel Cairo 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	95 	254 	65 	13 	1 	2 	31 	25 	15 	32 	11 	4 	0.256 	0.308 	0.339 	0.646 
  PECOTA 	179 	46 	8 	1 	2 	22 	16 	9 	23 	8 	3 	0.258 	0.300 	0.343 	0.643 
  ZiPS 	        75 	226 	55 	12 	1 	2 	28 	26 	12 	26 	10 	2 	0.243 	0.300 	0.332 	0.632 
  Average 	85 	220 	55 	11 	1 	2 	27 	22 	12 	27 	10 	3 	0.252 	0.303 	0.338 	0.640 
  
Robinson Cano 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	149 	557 	181 	44 	3 	17 	80 	83 	23 	60 	4 	2 	0.325 	0.354 	0.506 	0.860 
  PECOTA 	533 	164 	36 	3 	16 	76 	80 	30 	65 	5 	3 	0.308 	0.345 	0.472 	0.817 
  ZiPS 	        143 	568 	179 	41 	3 	18 	81 	97 	24 	68 	3 	2 	0.315 	0.343 	0.493 	0.836 
  Average 	146 	553 	175 	40 	3 	17 	79 	87 	26 	64 	4 	2 	0.316 	0.347 	0.490 	0.838 
  
Johnny Damon 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	154 	627 	179 	35 	4 	17 	115 	75 	68 	82 	22 	8 	0.285 	0.358 	0.435 	0.794 
  PECOTA 	548 	158 	30 	4 	18 	94 	73 	62 	76 	14 	5 	0.289 	0.362 	0.458 	0.821 
  ZiPS 	        149 	611 	177 	31 	4 	17 	112 	88 	60 	82 	16 	6 	0.290 	0.353 	0.437 	0.790 
  Average 	152 	595 	171 	32 	4 	17 	107 	79 	63 	80 	17 	6 	0.288 	0.358 	0.443 	0.802 
  
Jason Giambi 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	135 	424 	112 	22 	0 	30 	77 	91 	99 	104 	1 	1 	0.264 	0.419 	0.528 	0.947 
  PECOTA 	395 	100 	18 	0 	29 	84 	81 	102 	99 	2 	1 	0.252 	0.413 	0.518 	0.930 
  ZiPS 	        125 	394 	95 	17 	0 	27 	70 	97 	91 	97 	1 	0 	0.241 	0.400 	0.490 	0.890 
  Average 	130 	404 	102 	19 	0 	29 	77 	90 	97 	100 	1 	1 	0.252 	0.411 	0.512 	0.922 
  
Derek Jeter 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	158 	644 	203 	35 	2 	17 	117 	81 	70 	111 	24 	7 	0.315 	0.393 	0.455 	0.848 
  PECOTA        585 	189 	32 	4 	12 	110 	71 	59 	93 	23 	6 	0.322 	0.390 	0.452 	0.843 
  ZiPS 	        152 	625 	189 	34 	2 	16 	111 	92 	66 	110 	21 	4 	0.302 	0.378 	0.440 	0.818 
  Average 	155 	618 	194 	34 	3 	15 	113 	81 	65 	105 	23 	6 	0.313 	0.387 	0.449 	0.836 
  
Hideki Matsui 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	129 	485 	143 	31 	1 	19 	81 	86 	61 	70 	2 	1 	0.295 	0.376 	0.480 	0.856 
  PECOTA        361 	104 	21 	1 	15 	62 	60 	51 	52 	2 	1 	0.288 	0.376 	0.474 	0.850 
  ZiPS 	        133 	498 	146 	31 	1 	19 	85 	100 	58 	77 	1 	1 	0.293 	0.367 	0.474 	0.841 
  Average 	131 	448 	131 	28 	1 	18 	76 	82 	57 	66 	2 	1 	0.292 	0.373 	0.476 	0.849 
  
Doug Mientk 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	100 	292 	77 	20 	1 	6 	35 	35 	38 	45 	2 	1 	0.264 	0.356 	0.401 	0.757 
  PECOTA 	232 	58 	13 	1 	5 	29 	30 	26 	38 	1 	1 	0.251 	0.328 	0.382 	0.710 
  ZiPS 	        101 	329 	84 	22 	1 	6 	41 	36 	42 	51 	2 	1 	0.255 	0.342 	0.383 	0.725 
  Average 	101 	284 	73 	18 	1 	6 	35 	34 	35 	45 	2 	1 	0.257 	0.342 	0.389 	0.731 
  
Andy Phillips 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	76 	154 	40 	8 	1 	7 	23 	21 	11 	32 	1 	1 	0.260 	0.309 	0.461 	0.770 
  PECOTA 	286 	74 	15 	2 	11 	37 	45 	21 	60 	2 	1 	0.259 	0.313 	0.441 	0.754 
  ZiPS 	        108 	326 	80 	14 	2 	12 	56 	57 	29 	59 	2 	2 	0.245 	0.312 	0.411 	0.723 
  Average 	92 	255 	65 	12 	2 	10 	39 	41 	20 	50 	2 	1 	0.255 	0.311 	0.438 	0.749 
  
Jorge Posada 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	143 	497 	132 	29 	1 	22 	70 	89 	78 	113 	2 	1 	0.266 	0.373 	0.461 	0.834 
  PECOTA 	405 	105 	21 	1 	17 	65 	65 	65 	84 	2 	1 	0.259 	0.365 	0.443 	0.808 
  ZiPS 	        127 	417 	110 	22 	1 	18 	59 	84 	63 	93 	1 	1 	0.264 	0.368 	0.451 	0.819 
  Average 	135 	440 	116 	24 	1 	19 	65 	79 	69 	97 	2 	1 	0.263 	0.369 	0.452 	0.820 
  
Alex Rodriguez 	G 	AB 	H 	2B 	3B 	HR 	R 	RBI 	BB 	SO 	SB 	CS 	AVG 	OBP 	SLG 	OPS 
  Bill James 	159 	607 	178 	29 	1 	42 	119 	124 	91 	143 	16 	6 	0.293 	0.395 	0.552 	0.947 
  PECOTA 	555 	160 	30 	2 	34 	108 	104 	84 	131 	14 	4 	0.288 	0.385 	0.531 	0.916 
  ZiPS 	        156 	589 	169 	26 	1 	32 	108 	126 	88 	138 	16 	3 	0.287 	0.387 	0.497 	0.884 
  Average 	158 	584 	169 	28 	1 	36 	112 	118 	88 	137 	15 	4 	0.289 	0.389 	0.527 	0.916

Sabermetric v. PECOTA v. ZiPS (Pitching)

Code:

Wang 	        G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	32 	32 	214 	232 	15 	52 	98 	14 	10 	0 	3.79 	1.33 
  PECOTA 	36 	23 	151 	170 	16 	42 	74 	9 	9 	0 	4.55 	1.40 
  ZiPS 	        29 	28 	183 	202 	16 	48 	79 	12 	9 	N/A 	4.28 	1.37 
  Average 	32 	28 	183 	201 	16 	47 	84 	12 	9 	0 	4.21 	1.36 
  
Mussina 	G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	29 	29 	172 	170 	29 	36 	146 	12 	7 	0 	3.56 	1.20 
  PECOTA 	30 	28 	175 	182 	21 	43 	133 	11 	9 	0 	4.08 	1.28 
  ZiPS 	        30 	30 	184 	189 	21 	43 	148 	13 	8 	N/A 	3.91 	1.26 
  Average 	30 	29 	177 	180 	24 	41 	142 	12 	8 	0 	3.85 	1.25 
  
Pettitte 	G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	33 	33 	210 	214 	20 	61 	164 	12 	11 	0 	3.77 	1.31 
  PECOTA 	29 	29 	180 	190 	21 	51 	131 	12 	9 	0 	4.21 	1.34 
  ZiPS 	        32 	31 	193 	204 	24 	50 	140 	15 	9 	N/A 	4.10 	1.32 
  Average 	31 	31 	194 	203 	22 	54 	145 	13 	10 	0 	4.03 	1.32 
  
Pavano 	        G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	14 	14 	78 	84 	8 	20 	50 	5 	4 	0 	4.15 	1.33 
  PECOTA 	32 	25 	160 	182 	20 	30 	88 	10 	9 	0 	4.37 	1.33 
  ZiPS 	        20 	20 	128 	150 	16 	30 	66 	8 	7 	N/A 	4.64 	1.41 
  Average 	22 	20 	122 	139 	15 	27 	68 	8 	7 	0 	4.39 	1.36 
  
Karstens 	G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	15 	12 	85 	93 	11 	25 	64 	5 	5 	0 	4.45 	1.39 
  PECOTA 	41 	24 	139 	162 	25 	46 	81 	7 	9 	0 	5.55 	1.49 
  ZiPS 	        31 	29 	185 	210 	33 	56 	100 	10 	11 	N/A 	5.25 	1.44 
  Average 	29 	22 	136 	155 	23 	42 	82 	7 	8 	0 	5.08 	1.44 
  
Rasner 	        G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	10 	6 	38 	39 	3 	8 	26 	3 	2 	0 	3.79 	1.24 
  PECOTA 	34 	18 	126 	136 	16 	43 	64 	6 	9 	0 	4.77 	1.41 
  ZiPS 	        20 	17 	102 	121 	14 	25 	46 	4 	5 	N/A 	5.12 	1.43 
  Average 	21 	14 	89 	99 	11 	25 	45 	4 	5 	0 	4.56 	1.36 
  
Farnsworth 	G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	67 	0 	62 	55 	7 	28 	68 	4 	3 	2 	3.77 	1.34 
  PECOTA 	63 	0 	68 	55 	7 	27 	79 	4 	3 	7 	3.33 	1.21 
  ZiPS 	        72 	0 	67 	60 	9 	29 	67 	4 	2 	N/A 	4.16 	1.33 
  Average 	67 	0 	66 	57 	8 	28 	71 	4 	3 	4.5 	3.75 	1.29 
  
Myers 	        G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	65 	0 	34 	32 	3 	15 	25 	2 	2 	0 	3.97 	1.38 
  PECOTA 	38 	0 	32 	34 	4 	12 	18 	2 	1 	1 	4.43 	1.44 
  ZiPS 	        67 	0 	36 	36 	4 	15 	23 	2 	2 	N/A 	4.25 	1.42 
  Average 	57 	0 	34 	34 	4 	14 	22 	2 	2 	0.5 	4.22 	1.41 
  
Proctor 	G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	80 	0 	95 	93 	15 	34 	85 	6 	5 	6 	4.26 	1.34 
  PECOTA 	52 	1 	54 	55 	9 	18 	41 	3 	3 	3 	4.51 	1.35 
  ZiPS 	        73 	1 	90 	90 	13 	33 	76 	5 	4 	N/A 	4.60 	1.37 
  Average 	68 	1 	80 	79 	12 	28 	67 	5 	4 	4.5 	4.46 	1.35 
  
Rivera 	        G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	54 	0 	66 	53 	3 	14 	57 	5 	2 	40 	2.59 	1.02 
  PECOTA 	60 	0 	66 	56 	5 	16 	58 	5 	4 	34 	2.45 	1.08 
  ZiPS 	        68 	0 	76 	61 	3 	15 	66 	8 	1 	N/A 	2.01 	1.00 
  Average 	61 	0 	69 	57 	4 	15 	60 	6 	2 	37 	2.35 	1.03 
  
Vizcaino 	G 	GS 	IP 	H 	HR 	BB 	SO 	W 	L 	Sv 	ERA 	WHIP 
  Bill James 	67 	0 	69 	63 	10 	28 	61 	4 	4 	0 	3.91 	1.32 
  PECOTA 	51 	0 	56 	56 	9 	23 	49 	3 	3 	2 	4.36 	1.40 
  ZiPS 	68 	0 	66 	62 	9 	28 	60 	4 	6 	N/A 	4.64 	1.36 
  Average 	62 	0 	64 	60 	9 	26 	57 	4 	4 	1 	4.30 	1.36

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #360944 02/04/07 10:22 AM 02/04/07 10:22 AM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	My thoughts on the stats are a bit wowed. Obviously, the aging players yield the higher injury risk, but I can't believe some of them. Matsui had a huge consecutive games streak going into this past season, and his freak wrist injury ruined it for him. The guy is never out. I'd give him the lowest of low for injury risk. Then again, Damon is a medium (WTF? He had at least three nagging injuries I can think of off the top of my head last year), and A-Rod and Jeter are High, so I'm not sure how much faith I have in that James injury stat. Also, this Yankee lineup is drastically under-powered. Jeter is going to regress apparently, and hit only 17 HR's and drive in 81 RBI's. I think his RBI totals will be a bit higher (in the low 90's range). The HR's may be accurate. Matsui and Cano are only going to hit under 20 HR's? Nope. Don't buy it. I think Cano pushes for the batting title this year, and Matsui is going to hit around 35 as he rebounds from injury last year. In fact, I'd venture to say that if A-Rod has problems (hopefully not), and Giambi gets injured as I predict, Matsui may lead this team in HR's, with Cano and Abreu inching behind in the high 20's/low 30's range. As far as pitching goes, again, the injury bug is supposedly going to kill us. I don't buy it (for the most part). Moose yes, Pavano yes, Pettitte maybe, and Wang should be low. The win totals from the sabermetric scale are hugely disappointing...Wang is going to regress, Moose won't hit 20 wins (which I think he could this year, finally), and Pettitte is going to blow. I just don't see it, with our batting lineup. Then again, the way they rated our lineup, I could see our pitchers playing like they had the Royals batting order. Anyways, let's hear some others opinions. I think we're being a bit devalued. What do y'all think?

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #361186 02/05/07 09:16 AM 02/05/07 09:16 AM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	Yankees Don't Expect Williams to Play for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Quote: Source: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice According to a wire report over the weekend, outfielder Bernie Williams is “leaning toward” accepting the Yankees offer of a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp in spring training. That hardly means we’ll see the popular Yankees veteran in Northeast Pennsylvania, though. In a telephone interview with the Times-Tribune, Yankees farm director Mark Newman said that even if Williams accepts the minor league contract, he isn’t likely to accept an assignment to the minor leagues. “No, I don’t expect it to happen,” Newman said. It’s likely that 38-year-old Williams will use the contract as a chance to make the big league team and retire if he doesn’t. In a 16-year major league career — all with the Yankees — Williams has amassed 2,336 hits and 287 home runs while becoming wildly popular among Yankees fans. Over the past three years, though, Williams’ role in New York has gradually deminished.

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #361365 02/06/07 01:10 AM 02/06/07 01:10 AM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Not really Yankees news, but he was a Yankee at one point D'backs add Stottlemyre as instructor PHOENIX (AP) -- Mel Stottlemyre will join the Arizona Diamondbacks as a special instructor in spring training and will work with the club's pitchers during the season, the team announced Monday. Stottlemyre, 65, spent 26 seasons as a major league coach, including 11 as the New York Yankees' pitching coach. He had a 164-139 record with a 2.97 ERA in 360 games, all with the Yankees. His son, Mel Stottlemyre Jr., is the Diamondbacks' minor league pitching coordinator. Source: SI

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #361576 02/06/07 03:02 PM 02/06/07 03:02 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	A-Rod May Eye Exit After '07 Quote: Source: ESPN.com The $252 million contract that Rodriguez signed with Texas six years ago is stunning for its magnitude and noteworthy for agent Scott Boras' foresight. It includes a clause giving Rodriguez the freedom to opt out after the 2007 season, and again in 2008 or 2009 if he's not earning $1 million more than the second highest-paid position player in the game. Now that Manny Ramirez is staying in Boston and Bonds is re-signing with San Francisco -- we think -- it's the hot rumor du jour: A-Rod, tired of his best never being good enough in New York, plans to take advantage of his "opt out'' clause and flee for a more favorable environment. He's not the only big leaguer with an escape clause. A.J. Burnett and Vernon Wells have similar opt-out provisions in Toronto. Aramis Ramirez just took advantage of one to negotiate a five-year, $75 million contract with the Cubs, and J.D. Drew left Los Angeles after two years to sign a $70 million deal with Boston. Boras told ESPN.com that opt-out clauses are a way for players to protect themselves against all sorts of unforeseen developments -- from ownership upheaval to changing personal circumstances. "These things are about choice,'' he said. "When you do the contract, you can't always anticipate what the issues will be.'' Front-office executives generally agree that opt-out clauses are a no-win proposition for teams. If a free agent is bad (e.g., Chan Ho Park), he gets the cash regardless. If the player performs well and the market goes crazy, he can use his opt-out clause to hit the open market or squeeze an extension out of his current club. "It certainly is for the most part a player-friendly clause,'' said Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, who was not a happy man when Drew opted out in Los Angeles. "There's little debate on that.'' So why do teams give them? Maybe it entices a player to sign for a slight discount, or serves as Plan B when a club is averse to giving out no-trade clauses. More likely, it's as simple as the player and his agent holding firm and the team saying, "Let's do it and worry about the repercussions later.'' If Rodriguez leaves New York, it will be the headline story of the next Hot Stove season. We're talking about a 12-time All-Star and two-time Most Valuable Player who makes news when he's getting a tan in Central Park. Rodriguez has averaged 40 homers and 119 RBI in New York, but he still makes some Yankees fans wistful for the Scott Brosius era. Publicly, at least, Rodriguez is pledging allegiance to the Yankees. And Boras, true to form, is keeping his negotiating options open. "I don't think Alex personalizes it,'' Boras said. "He knows when you're a New York Yankee and the Yankees don't win, that players of a certain stature are going to get a certain response from the fans. He accepts that. "He's in a very good situation. He's playing for a team he loves to play for, and he can either evaluate [the clause] or let it pass. Frankly, he doesn't have to do anything.'' What will A-Rod do? Here are three possibilities: Scenario 1: Rodriguez's 2007 regular-season numbers are impressive, but they're rendered meaningless when the Yankees are bounced in the Division Series. It's A-Rod's fourth straight October flameout, and he's getting torched on WFAN radio and buried in the tabloids. He's thinking about wearing a Bobby Valentine nose-and-glasses disguise around town just to maintain his sanity. The good news is, Rodriguez's production still ranks among the elite players in the game. As it becomes increasingly clearer that the A-Rod-New York union isn't working and he's going to opt out, potential suitors are standing in line. The Angels are always looking for help for Vladimir Guerrero, and the Dodgers might be willing to sign another big Boras client despite the hard feelings from Drew's abrupt departure. The Nationals want a marquee name as they prepare to move into a new park in April 2008, and the Red Sox, those freethinkers, can never be counted out as players. Maybe Seattle fails to re-sign Ichiro Suzuki and decides to dump Adrian Beltre and bring back A-Rod to resurrect the good old days. Rodriguez is guaranteed $81 million over his final three seasons in New York, and that $27 million annual payout will be tough to surpass. But if Boras can land him $150 million-plus for a long-term deal and a fresh start, it will be tough for A-Rod to resist taking the plunge. Scenario 2: Rodriguez hits the jackpot. He belts 50 home runs, wins a third MVP award and the Yankees capture the World Series for the first time since 2000. He enjoys a public relations makeover, just as Peyton Manning did after winning the Super Bowl. Derek Jeter and his teammates embrace him as a "true Yankee,'' and everyone is so giddy after the parade, it's no longer outlandish to envision him finishing his career in pinstripes. Because Texas is responsible for a third of the $81 million New York must pay Rodriguez from 2008 through 2010, the Yankees are basically getting a year of A-Rod for free. Boras is happy to make that point when he approaches general manager Brian Cashman about an extension. Boras is also sure to note that Rodriguez is better than Alfonso Soriano, who received $136 million from the Cubs at age 31, and that the Yankees will enjoy ample benefits from A-Rod's chasing Babe Ruth in New York. In fact, the rhetoric has already begun. "It's very clear to all people in baseball that Alex is stepping into a time in his career that's going to be historic in the next decade,'' Boras said. "He has an opportunity to have Ruthian and Aaron-like performances in his career. There aren't many players in the history of the game you can say that about.'' Scenario 3: Rodriguez has a good season, but not good enough for the Yankees to consider an extension. Boras surveys the market and has no assurances he can do better elsewhere. So A-Rod remains in New York, forced to get by with no love and a mere $24 million base salary with $3 million deferred at 3 percent compound interest. Whatever happens, it's bound to be eventful. "I can assure you one thing,'' said an American League executive. "That clause will not pass without Scott using it as a leverage point.'' You can count on that. During this offseason, I'm warming back up with A-Rod. Given the fact that there are few proven commodities in baseball - and A-Rod is still one of them - I really can't see letting him slip away, unless the deal was a monster (i.e. Pujols for A-Rod/Giambi). Let's see what he does in 2007. I think he's going to surprise alot of people, and really come out strong.

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #361578 02/06/07 03:06 PM 02/06/07 03:06 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	Yankees' Posada Focused On Season, Not Extension Quote: TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jorge Posada is focused on the season as he heads into the final year of his contract with the New York Yankees. Posada will make $12 million in 2007, the final season of a deal paying him $59 million over six years. The 35-year-old catcher says he’s leaving his contract situation up to his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. ‘‘Obviously I have one more year left, and a lot can happen,’’ Posada said Monday after a pre-spring training workout. ‘‘We’ll see. It’s up to them. That will take care of itself. I’m concentrating on what I have to do.’’ Posada hit .277 last year with 23 homers and 93 RBIs, the best season at the plate for the four-time All-Star since 2003. Unless the sides agree to an extension, he will be eligible for free agency after the World Series. ‘‘To tell you the truth, if I keep feeling like I’m feeling right now, I’m going to keep playing,’’ Posada said. ‘‘If I don’t feel like that, it’s time to go.’’ Posada will be working with several new pitchers this season, including Kei Igawa. ‘‘He was very good in Japan, and I’m looking forward to catching him,’’ Posada said. ‘‘It’s going to be a good experience for me.’’ Posada expects Igawa’s transition to be eased by the presence of Hideki Matsui, who will be starting his fifth season with the Yankees. ‘‘I think Matsui is going to help him a big deal, ‘‘ Posada said. ‘‘Matsui had it tougher being here by himself. It’s going to be all right.’ I'm one of the hardest people on Jorge in my inner circle of Yankee fans, but its hard to keep bashing the guy when you look at what else is out there. He's still the best RBI hitting catcher in the league, even if he runs like a bag of donuts. Plus, I'm glad to see he's giving Igawa the thumbs up.

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #361631 02/06/07 05:25 PM 02/06/07 05:25 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	Jeter Expects Clemens to Play in 2007 Quote: Source: AP TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Yankees captain Derek Jeter expects Roger Clemens to pitch this season. He just doesn't know where the ace might wind up. "The only thing I'll say about Rocket is he hasn't decided if he's going to come back yet. If you ask me what I think, I would think he would," Jeter said Tuesday after a pre-spring training workout. Clemens has said he would not make a decision on returning for a 24th major league season until sometime after spring training. He took a similar approach last year and didn't make his season debut with Houston until June 22. Plagued by poor run support, Clemens went 7-6 with a 2.30 ERA over 19 starts last season. The Yankees, Astros and Boston are the top three contenders should the seven-time Cy Young winner pitch in 2007. The 44-year-old righty was part of two World Series championship teams during a five-year stint with the Yankees from 1999-2003. "I don't have to sell him on New York," Jeter said. Jeter hasn't talked recently with longtime teammate Bernie Williams, who has been considering a minor-league contract and spring training invite from New York. Jeter said "it would be strange" to play without the veteran outfielder, who made his Yankees debut in 1991. "I hope he comes back," Jeter said. Notes: Jeter took batting practice with C Jorge Posada and INF Miguel Cairo. ... Japanese LHP Kei Igawa had a long toss session during his first early workout at the Yankees' spring training complex.

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #361678 02/07/07 12:23 AM 02/07/07 12:23 AM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Originally Posted By: Double-J During this offseason, I'm warming back up with A-Rod. Given the fact that there are few proven commodities in baseball - and A-Rod is still one of them - I really can't see letting him slip away, unless the deal was a monster (i.e. Pujols for A-Rod/Giambi). I know what you mean DJ. I almost cringe at the thought of A-Rod leaving. Sure he's not Mr. October, but his regular season stats are great (he's already won his MVP in New York) and he'd be ANOTHER big bat to lose (with Sheffield being the first, and no one but Doug I-can't-hit-to-save-my-life Mien "filling" in for him). I'd love to see him win a title in New York and prove all the na-sayers wrong just like Peyton did on Sunday.

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #361679 02/07/07 12:26 AM 02/07/07 12:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	It's the summer of 2013, and Alex Rodriguez is finally getting the love and acceptance he craves. As he basks in the praise for his 715th career home run and takes aim at Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds, he's embracing the role of beloved elder statesman. Critics who once slammed Rodriguez for wilting under pressure now admire him for the consistency, sportsmanship and strong work ethic he's displayed since breaking into professional ball with Seattle two decades ago. He is 38 years old and he has never flunked a steroid test, posed for a mug shot, pulled a gun at a stop light or defamed the game with questionable off-field behavior. So who cares if he weighs his remarks for public consumption and seems obsessed with his self-image? Baseball fans certainly don't care as they stand and cheer, and sportswriters hail Rodriguez as the man who's about to ride to the rescue and knock Bonds from the top of the record books. What uniform will A-Rod be wearing when he sets the home run record? As everybody knows, that question was resolved in November 2007. ----------------------------------------------------- The $252 million contract that Rodriguez signed with Texas six years ago is stunning for its magnitude and noteworthy for agent Scott Boras' foresight. It includes a clause giving Rodriguez the freedom to opt out after the 2007 season for any reason, and again in 2008 or 2009 if he's not earning $1 million more than the second highest-paid position player in the game. Now that Manny Ramirez is staying in Boston and Bonds is re-signing with San Francisco -- we think -- it's the hot rumor du jour: A-Rod, tired of his best never being good enough in New York, plans to take advantage of his "opt out'' clause and flee for a more favorable environment. He's not the only big leaguer with an escape clause. A.J. Burnett and Vernon Wells have similar opt-out provisions in Toronto. Aramis Ramirez just took advantage of one to negotiate a five-year, $75 million contract with the Cubs, and J.D. Drew left Los Angeles after two years to sign a $70 million deal with Boston. Boras told ESPN.com that opt-out clauses are a way for players to protect themselves against all sorts of unforeseen developments -- from ownership upheaval to changing personal circumstances. "These things are about choice,'' he said. "When you do the contract, you can't always anticipate what the issues will be.'' Front-office executives generally agree that opt-out clauses are a no-win proposition for teams. If a free agent is bad (e.g., Chan Ho Park), he gets the cash regardless. If the player performs well and the market goes crazy, he can use his opt-out clause to hit the open market or squeeze an extension out of his current club. "It certainly is for the most part a player-friendly clause,'' said Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, who was not a happy man when Drew opted out in Los Angeles. "There's little debate on that.'' So why do teams give them? Maybe it entices a player to sign for a slight discount, or serves as Plan B when a club is averse to giving out no-trade clauses. More likely, it's as simple as the player and his agent holding firm and the team saying, "Let's do it and worry about the repercussions later.'' If Rodriguez leaves New York, it will be the headline story of the next Hot Stove season. We're talking about a 12-time All-Star and two-time Most Valuable Player who makes news when he's getting a tan in Central Park. Rodriguez has averaged 40 homers and 119 RBI in New York, but he still makes some Yankees fans wistful for the Scott Brosius era. Publicly, at least, Rodriguez is pledging allegiance to the Yankees. And Boras, true to form, is keeping his negotiating options open. "I don't think Alex personalizes it,'' Boras said. "He knows when you're a New York Yankee and the Yankees don't win, that players of a certain stature are going to get a certain response from the fans. He accepts that. "He's in a very good situation. He's playing for a team he loves to play for, and he can either evaluate [the clause] or let it pass. Frankly, he doesn't have to do anything.'' What will A-Rod do? Here are three possibilities Scenario 1: Rodriguez's 2007 regular-season numbers are impressive, but they're rendered meaningless when the Yankees are bounced in the Division Series. It's A-Rod's fourth straight October flameout, and he's getting torched on WFAN radio and buried in the tabloids. He's thinking about wearing a Bobby Valentine nose-and-glasses disguise around town just to maintain his sanity. The good news is, Rodriguez's production still ranks among the elite players in the game. As it becomes increasingly clearer that the A-Rod-New York union isn't working and he's going to opt out, potential suitors are standing in line. The Angels are always looking for help for Vladimir Guerrero, and the Dodgers might be willing to sign another big Boras client despite the hard feelings from Drew's abrupt departure. The Nationals want a marquee name as they prepare to move into a new park in April 2008, and the Red Sox, those freethinkers, can never be counted out as players. Maybe Seattle fails to re-sign Ichiro Suzuki and decides to dump Adrian Beltre and bring back A-Rod to resurrect the good old days. Rodriguez is guaranteed $81 million over his final three seasons in New York, and that $27 million annual payout will be tough to surpass. But if Boras can land him $150 million-plus for a long-term deal and a fresh start, it will be tough for A-Rod to resist taking the plunge. Scenario 2: Rodriguez hits the jackpot. He belts 50 home runs, wins a third MVP award and the Yankees capture the World Series for the first time since 2000. He enjoys a public relations makeover, just as Peyton Manning did after winning the Super Bowl. Derek Jeter and his teammates embrace him as a "true Yankee,'' and everyone is so giddy after the parade, it's no longer outlandish to envision him finishing his career in pinstripes. Because Texas is responsible for a third of the $81 million New York must pay Rodriguez from 2008 through 2010, the Yankees are basically getting a year of A-Rod for free. Boras is happy to make that point when he approaches general manager Brian Cashman about an extension. Boras is also sure to note that Rodriguez is better than Alfonso Soriano, who received $136 million from the Cubs at age 31, and that the Yankees will enjoy ample benefits from A-Rod's chasing Babe Ruth in New York. In fact, the rhetoric has already begun. "It's very clear to all people in baseball that Alex is stepping into a time in his career that's going to be historic in the next decade,'' Boras said. "He has an opportunity to have Ruthian and Aaron-like performances in his career. There aren't many players in the history of the game you can say that about.'' Scenario 3: Rodriguez has a good season, but not good enough for the Yankees to consider an extension. Boras surveys the market and has no assurances he can do better elsewhere. So A-Rod remains in New York, forced to get by with no love and a mere $24 million base salary with $3 million deferred at 3 percent compound interest. Whatever happens, it's bound to be eventful. "I can assure you one thing,'' said an American League executive. "That clause will not pass without Scott using it as a leverage point.'' You can count on that. Source: ESPN

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #361909 02/07/07 07:26 PM 02/07/07 07:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Early Bird TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Kei Igawa is getting an early start to his first spring training with the New York Yankees. "He looks like he is going to be a real good pitcher," Yankees vice president Billy Connors said Wednesday after Igawa's second workout at New York's minor league complex. "He throws a heavy ball. He should be very good." Igawa, who agreed in December to a $20 million, five-year contract, has been throwing on flat ground. The 27-year-old left-hander is scheduled to throw off a mound on Monday. "It's an honor to be on this field," Igawa said through a translator. Igawa is likely to be part of a rotation that includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte, with Carl Pavano also starting if he is healthy. Igawa went 14-9 with a 2.97 ERA for the Hanshin Tigers last season. "We need him this year," Connors said. "He's very important for our club. I've heard a lot of good things about him. We're happy to have him. We're anxious to see him out there." Igawa has gotten the chance to meet several new teammates also working out at the Yankees spring training complex, including shortstop Derek Jeter, catcher Jorge Posada and infielder Miguel Cairo "It's all a feel for him, getting to know the guys," Connors said. "Jeter has been already kidding him ... teaching him a new word every day. He's going to be fine. It just takes the time to get adjusted." Source: SI

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #362068 02/08/07 09:08 AM 02/08/07 09:08 AM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	Not a bad thing to have a multi-time winner of the strikeout title and the Japanese Cy Young on your team, right? Of course, he still sucks though. [/Boston_fan]

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #362070 02/08/07 09:19 AM 02/08/07 09:19 AM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	Clock Ticking For Bernie and the Bronx Quote: Source: New York Times By TYLER KEPNER Published: February 8, 2007 The next road trip on Bernie Williams’s schedule is not to Tampa, Fla., for Yankees spring training. He will not be packing bats and gloves. Instead, he will bring his guitar to a church in New Milford, Conn., tomorrow, for a benefit concert with Chynna Phillips. Williams, 38, has the rest of his life to appear at such events. He is an accomplished guitarist, as anyone who has heard him strumming peacefully in his corner locker at Yankee Stadium knows. But his days as a baseball player are numbered. The question is whether they are over, officially. Williams does not want to retire, and he does not want to leave the Yankees. But he does not want to grovel for a meaningful job with them, either. The Yankees do not want to beg Williams to accept the standing offer they have made him. Williams has been invited to spring training as a nonroster player, but with no guarantee of a spot when camp breaks on March 31. “Bernie right now is just focused on the Yankees,” his agent, Scott Boras, said yesterday. “He really is. I know there is interest out there from a number of other teams, but his focus is on the Yankees.” Other teams have offered Williams guaranteed major league contracts, according to Boras. But the Yankees have no plans to make such an offer because they do not envision Williams on their 25-man roster. The Yankees plan to carry 12 pitchers and two first basemen, not including Jason Giambi, who will become the full-time designated hitter. There is room for only one reserve outfielder, Melky Cabrera. Last spring, the Yankees had a comparable roster crunch in the bullpen. They had space for two left-handed relievers, Mike Myers and Ron Villone, but agreed to let the veteran Al Leiter come to camp as a nonroster player. That was a new role for Leiter, who had 19 years in the majors. The difference is that Leiter was ready to retire and mostly wanted to stay in shape for the World Baseball Classic. Williams, who hit .281 last season, wants to keep playing. “I was 40, and Bernie’s 38,” Leiter said yesterday. “So he’s probably working out, and he feels good. It’s a tough spot, it really is, for him and the Yankees. I would say, if it’s about playing, he should find the best opportunity to play. And if he wants to play, his best opportunity is not with the Yankees.” Williams could accept the Yankees’ invitation and hope he makes the team, either through an injury to an outfielder or a trade of Cabrera. And if the Yankees end up with no spot for him, Williams would at least have showcased himself for other teams. In a way, though, Manager Joe Torre could be the most important factor. Torre is loyal to Williams, and he could decide to take only 11 pitchers in April, effectively postponing a decision on a player he deeply respects. For now, Torre could probably convince Williams to come to camp with one phone call. If Torre tells Williams that he truly wants him in Tampa — even without the promise of a job in April — it seems likely that Williams would go. There is compelling statistical data to keep the switch-hitting Williams in pinstripes. In 133 at-bats against left-handers last season, he hit .323 with seven home runs. In 127 at-bats against lefties, Giambi batted .213 with nine home runs. Torre has always dismissed the idea of trying Williams at first base, and the Yankees seem intent on keeping Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps as a right-handed complement to Doug Mientkiewicz. But given his success against left-handers, Williams theoretically could share the D.H. spot with Giambi. In any case, Williams is unlikely to approach his playing time of last season, when he had 420 at-bats. He has seemed uncomfortable as a pinch-hitter and is no longer ideal for pinch-running or late-inning defense. One American League general manager, who was granted anonymity because he did not want to speak publicly about a player who was not on his team, praised Williams for his class and experience. But he also questioned Williams’s value on the field. “There is not enough offense to consider him an offensive bench player or enough defense to consider him a defensive bench player,” the general manager said. “His skills are trending down, and at his age there is very little reason to believe he will reverse the trend at all this season.” In spite of that, if Williams comes to spring training, there will probably be strong public pressure on Torre to keep him. Williams has the longest tenure of any Yankee, with 16 seasons in the Bronx. It is hard to imagine Torre cutting Williams to make space for Phillips, Phelps or a 12th pitcher. Then again, it is also hard to imagine Williams risking the indignity of ending his career by being cut in spring training. “You’re going to be dealing with baseball evaluations, but still — it’s Bernie Williams,” Leiter said. “He’s a guy who’s going to go down as one of the great Yankees in the history of the team. You have to be sensitive to it.”

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #362124 02/08/07 02:13 PM 02/08/07 02:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	First spring training photos I've found, courtesy of the Associated Press, Yahoo, etc:

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #362126 02/08/07 02:19 PM 02/08/07 02:19 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #362127 02/08/07 02:20 PM 02/08/07 02:20 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #362153 02/08/07 05:31 PM 02/08/07 05:31 PM
Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 17,300 New York Sicilian Babe
Sicilian Babe Joined: Aug 2002 Posts: 17,300 New York	Thank you, Double J. I personally like # 2,3 and 4, but I guess that's not a surprise. President Emeritus of the Neal Pulcawer Fan Club

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Sicilian Babe] #362155 02/08/07 05:42 PM 02/08/07 05:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Sweet, thanks DJ. May I ask, where did you find them?

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #362157 02/08/07 06:08 PM 02/08/07 06:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Don't be surprised if the Mets, and not the Yankees, end up with Johan Santana for $20 million a year after the Twins' Cy Young Award winner becomes a free agent after the 2008 season. -- St. Paul Pioneer Press Source: SI That had better not be the case. I know the Mets need pitching but so do we

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #362296 02/08/07 08:19 PM 02/08/07 08:19 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	Originally Posted By: Irishman12 Don't be surprised if the Mets, and not the Yankees, end up with Johan Santana for $20 million a year after the Twins' Cy Young Award winner becomes a free agent after the 2008 season. -- St. Paul Pioneer Press Source: SI That had better not be the case. I know the Mets need pitching but so do we That's based upon nothing. Bobby Abreu and Johan Santana have the same agent (Peter Greenberg), and I think that it couldn't hurt. I mean, the Phillies, the Royals, the Cubs, the Dodgers, every team in MLB could get Santana. Their comments don't mean anything without some sort of evidence or rationale. This is the full "article" in all of its...umm...glory. Again, it's like saying that "some team will sign Santana in 2008." Duh. Anyways, trust me, I12...I'm pretty sure that the reasons the Yankees didn't go gaga over Matsuzaka (although I'm sure they thought that their bid would have been enough) was that they're keeping a nice little nest egg to make Santana the highest paid pitcher, if not player, in major league baseball once he's an FA.

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #362338 02/08/07 08:40 PM 02/08/07 08:40 PM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Originally Posted By: Double-J Anyways, trust me, I12...I'm pretty sure that the reasons the Yankees didn't go gaga over Matsuzaka (although I'm sure they thought that their bid would have been enough) was that they're keeping a nice little nest egg to make Santana the highest paid pitcher, if not player, in major league baseball once he's an FA. I really hope your right. But with other teams such as boston, Anaheim and the Mets competing with the Yankees in bidding wars, I'm a little more worried now than I would have been a few seasons ago. As for Matsuzaka, I'm REALLY hoping he's another Hideo Nomo. The first couple of seasons the guy was great and I think his delivery really threw hitters timing off. But once guys saw him enough and timed him right, they knocked him all around.

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #362531 02/08/07 10:35 PM 02/08/07 10:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	Forget Nomo. I want him to be another Hideki Irabu.

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #362548 02/08/07 11:10 PM 02/08/07 11:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Speaking of which, I placed an order for that "Asian Connection" T-Shirt and have yet to see the product. Do I have to speak to your manager?

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #362668 02/09/07 02:29 PM 02/09/07 02:29 PM
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724 D Double-J
Double-J D Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,724	Originally Posted By: Irishman12 Speaking of which, I placed an order for that "Asian Connection" T-Shirt and have yet to see the product. Do I have to speak to your manager? Dear Mr. Irishman, Our customer service representative Alejandro S. forwarded your issue to me. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience regarding your order of March 26th, 2006, for the item #8675309, "Asian Connection 100% cotton t-shirt" and item #1337 "Kevin Brown pinstriped panties." These items have unfortunately been discontinued, and according to the manufacturer, have been destroyed. Your account will be updated and credited for the value of this order ($37.98). However, here at Yankeeeesstore, we value your business, and would like to extend to you a five (5) dollar gift certificate, which you can redeem at any time day or night at Yankeeeesstore.com. We appreciate your business, and apologize for any inconvenience. Thanks for shopping with Yankeeeesstore.com! Regards, Double-J Customer Service Manager Yankeeeesstore.com --- Other Items Which You May Like: LIMITED TIME!!! "DEREK JETER #2 Strawberry Shaft© T-Shirt" Cotton-poly blend, wrinkle resistant, no-fade® barrier protection against stains! Only $29.99 @ Yankeeeesstore.com!!!

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #362746 02/10/07 12:13 AM 02/10/07 12:13 AM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	That is unacceptable! Almost a year of waiting and now shirt! Let me just tell you sir, YOU just lost a customer. eBay here I come!

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #362777 02/10/07 01:16 AM 02/10/07 01:16 AM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Hughes ready to state case NEW YORK -- Philip Hughes, the big right-hander with a sizzling fastball and knee-buckling curve, is doing his best to ignore any hype of being the top pitching prospect in the Yankees' farm system. Yankee Stadium may very well be in his future, but right now, the 20-year-old Hughes is salivating only at the prospect of finally breaking out of winter workouts and staring down Grapefruit League hitters. "I look at it as an opportunity to show the Yankees what I can do," Hughes said in a telephone interview. "Hopefully, they like what they see. I may get a shot to make the team, and I may not. I'm always thinking of going in there with the intention of doing my best and making the decisions a little bit tougher for them." The Yankees' first-round selection (23rd overall) in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Hughes has established himself as one of baseball's best Minor League pitching prospects. The Santa Ana, Calif., product spent most of last season at Double-A Trenton, posting a 10-3 record and 2.25 ERA in 21 starts. Boasting a fastball that regularly clocks in the mid-90s, a curveball that was resurrected after being scrapped from Hughes' high school arsenal, plus a developing changeup, Hughes struck out 138 batters in 116 Eastern League innings, allowing 73 hits and walking 32. The curveball was a major factor in Hughes' success. When Hughes' velocity jumped in his late teens, the effectiveness of his curve diminished. Hughes had shelved the hook in favor of a slider, but at the urging of Minor League pitching coordinator Nardi Conteras, Hughes spent much of last season redeveloping his curveball into his strikeout pitch -- first at Class A Tampa in the Florida State League, then fine-tuning at Trenton. The pitch is actually more of a knuckle-curve, an offering that has been effective for Yankees starter Mike Mussina. The veteran right-hander spent time around Hughes last spring, even offering some tweaks on Hughes' version, and Mussina recently issued a strong endorsement for Hughes' future. "He's got ability, he's got skill, and he's got an idea," Mussina said. "He had a good year last year. I don't know if they should be throwing him into the fire at 20 or 21 years old, but he's not very far away." Hughes said last season gave him a low-pressure experience of what camp would be like. In one February workout, he buzzed a mid-90s heater past Alex Rodriguez, prompting the reigning AL MVP to ask a club executive, "Who the [heck] is that guy?" This year, his teammates will know the kid wearing No. 65. Hughes enters the spring as a dark-horse candidate for the back end of the Yankees' rotation, which has been tentatively filled out by Japanese import Kei Igawa and the oft-injured Carl Pavano. The Yankees would prefer that Hughes begin the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, taking the lead role in a powerhouse rotation. But that scenario is hardly a lock. "Obviously, if you look at the [Major League] rotation now, there's not really a spot for me," Hughes said. "A lot of things can happen. I'm just going to go in and do my best. If a spot opens up and they want me to fill it, I will. If not, I'll take my time and go where they want me to go." Mark Newman, the club's senior vice president of baseball operations, will not shoot down the possibility of Hughes making the team's Opening Day roster. But because of Hughes' value as a long-term asset, the Yankees are cautious not to jeopardize his future to satisfy a short-term need. "I would never count someone of his ability out," Newman said. "I think the best-case scenario is to give him a little time at Triple-A. It's not beyond reasonable for him to make an impact sometime this year." Newman believes time is on the Yankees' side. Hughes -- who will not celebrate his 21st birthday until late June -- would just be entering his junior year of college, had he attended. "He's probably the best young pitcher we've had in this organization since I've been here, both in terms of stuff and in terms of performance," said Newman, who joined the Yankees in 1989. "[Hughes] had a month last year where he threw 80 percent fastball strikes. We've never had anybody do that. He went all year and didn't face a hitter with the bases loaded. All the performance indices we look at are off the charts." Accordingly, the Yankees plan to increase Hughes' innings total this season to a ceiling of 180, no matter his level. Newman cautioned that Major League innings could be more taxing emotionally than those compiled in the International League. Hughes, who pitched 152 innings last year including the playoffs, said he is ready for a higher workload. "Midway last year, I was on pace for over 200 innings, and I didn't feel any fatigue going into the second half of the season," Hughes said. "I feel like I'm ready for a jump up in innings. "A lot of the philosophy is that if you increase innings, that can lead to arm trouble, so I'm sure they're going to be cautious. I'm definitely looking forward to another full, healthy season. I'll pitch until they shut me down." Through his relatively brief professional career, the roadmap of the Minor Leagues has become littered with coaches and scouts who rave about Hughes' makeup, maturity and moxie. Hughes said he believes his grounded personality comes from his upbringing, when he was taught that any perceived advantages or benefits can disappear at any time. Accordingly, Hughes said he hasn't been the type to get in trouble or become involved in confrontations. "I'm the same guy I've always been," Hughes said. "I just go out and pitch and do my thing every fifth day." He describes his clubhouse goals as keeping his head down and getting to work. It's an ethic that, sooner or later, should deliver him to the Bronx. "I think the door is open for me," Hughes said. "I've just got to go out and prove that I'm ready." Source: Yankees.com

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Irishman12] #362778 02/10/07 01:20 AM 02/10/07 01:20 AM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Williams won't accept Yankees offer Bernie Williams will not accept a minor-league contract offer from the New York Yankees, according to a report in the New York Times. Williams, speaking with reporters before a concert in Connecticut, said he would prefer to stay at home, stay in shape, and wait for a guaranteed offer from the team rather than attend spring training and attempt to play himself onto the roster. "I think if they wanted me, they would have signed me already," Williams said, according to the Times. "The option to go to spring training and see what happened — I don't think at this moment it is something I want to consider." A guaranteed contract will be tough to come by. A burgeoning Yankees roster has left little room for the aging Williams, who has played all 16 of his major league seasons in New York. The 38-year-old hit over .300 for eight straight seasons from 1995-2002, but his production has dropped off since then. "We love and respect Bernie, but with the dynamic of our roster, there's not a spot," GM Brian Cashman said. "We had a lot of conversations with him. I understand that he doesn't want to accept a minor league deal." The Yankees already have the outfield filled with Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, and Hideki Matsui. Jason Giambi will be the designated hitter, and Melky Cabrera as the only reserve outfielder. That means no spot for Williams, who hit .281 with 12 homeruns and 61 RBIs in 2006 and helped fill in holes in the Yankees' injury-plagued lineup. "It is just a part of the game," Williams said. "It is what makes this interesting." Source: FOX Sports

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: Double-J] #362817 02/10/07 10:52 AM 02/10/07 10:52 AM
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 704 Northeast reynols Underboss
reynols Underboss Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 704 Northeast	it would be very hard to see bernie not be on the yankees in some type of role. even though i belive melky is the extra outfielder we need i would love to see bernie hang around for another summer and hopefully another run for #27 for the all-time post-season rbi king Time You Enjoy Wasting, was not wasted - John Lennon A man who nevers spends time with his family can never be a real man - Don Vito Corleone

Re: How bout them Yankees!? [Re: reynols] #362896 02/10/07 03:57 PM 02/10/07 03:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS
Irishman12 OP UNDERBOSS Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 73,764 The Villa Quatro	Originally Posted By: reynols it would be very hard to see bernie not be on the yankees in some type of role. even though i belive melky is the extra outfielder we need i would love to see bernie hang around for another summer and hopefully another run for #27 for the all-time post-season rbi king I hope so too and I think the Yankees want him back. The frustrating part is there is NO room for him, that's what makes this situation so unfortunate.

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