Pitchers and Catchers
It seems like most of the Yanks have made it to Tampa already, but the hard date for pitchers and catchers was yesterday and everybody showed. The big questions in these revolve around AJ Burnett, the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation, and the starting catcher. AJ we'll just have to wait and see about, but it seems like firing the PC and hiring Rothschild could be good for him. The candidates for 4th and 5 spot seem to be Nova, Garcia and Colon. If healthy, I expect Garcia to start out as 4th starter, and Nova to start out as 5th starter. I think Colon is toast. And I'm not to terribly worried about the rotation because help is on the way from the farm. In the short term, it could be Noesi or Phelps, in the longer term it could be Banuelos, Betances, Brackman and Warren. By the way, 5 starters don't pitch 200 innings, and it's possible that Banuelos, Betances or Brackman could make it to that 5th spot this year if they dominate early.Catcher should be interesting. Cash has repeatedly said Russell Martin will be the starter, but I don't think he will. I think Jesus Montero will at least split the position with Martin or Po to start out, and then own it going forward. Martin, at his best, which was now a few years ago, was not as good as Montero will likely be right out of the gate. Montero is the Yanks best hitting prospect since Mantle, and he did nothing but prove it as he blew through the system. I haven't seen the park factors for a couple of years, but Montero's numbers were outstanding, even though he was hitting in a bunch of pitchers parks. He ran that gauntlet like it was noboby's business. And he's no worse a defensive catcher than what we are used to. I really think hes going to win the job, starting now. Go Yanks!
posted by Kalel9 @ 11:05 AM
18 Comments:
I have long been a critic of Eiland, so I would like to think that Rothschild can make an impact throughout the staff.
To me, the key for this year is not to make any short-sighted trades. IOW, unless it's for a spectacular veteran under 29, or the price for a marginal upgrade is incredibly cheap, pass.
I also think that how they handle Montero will be a window into their willingness to integrate more of their top prospects on to the ML roster over the next few seasons.
I think Montero goes at the first sign of a team willing to trade a top-tier pitcher to the Yankees. Which is unfortunately, because even if he can't stick at catcher long-term, they need to make room for him, period.
I expect A.J. to have a better year and Phil to take over as a No. 2 in terms of production. I also have high hopes for the three Killer B's. It's time to let the farm develop and stop signing anymore guys to huge, long-term deals.
What is unfortunate? That you think that? If they were willing to trade him for a pitcher, they could have done it already. He was only available for Lee. Romine is far more likely to be traded.
He was available for Lee and Halladay. They've shown they're willing to trade him, and signing Martin tells me they don't think he can catch long term. It's unfortunate, because I think they should hold onto Montero and let the Killer B's fill out the rotation over the next few years.
Montero will not be a Yankee this time next season.
They were willing to trade Cano for Randy Johnson, then he made the bigs, and they haven't been willing to trade him. Same thing is about to happen with Montero, who is even better than Cano.
That was Randy Levine, who must have a library of compromising pics of the Steinbrenners because he's about as unimpressive an individual as I have seen in a position of authority who didn't get the job as a result of nepotism.
Levine pushed Montero for Lee/Halladay?
Even if they don't think he can catch, they should make him full-time DH and start setting aside money to buy out A-Rod when he can no longer play third. He's too good a dirt-cheap bat to trade away.
Slightly OT, but speaking of third, I might be in the minority, but I have very high hopes for Bradley Suttle going forward.
No, Cano for Johnson.
Suttle can hit, though the power hasn't really happened, and he's either 24 or will be soon and still in AA.
Lost a year of development due to injury. I wouldn't be surprised to see his career follow a similar track to Kevin Youkilis'.
That would be good.
Joba is being rippped for being fat when coming into camp.
He better pitch well in ST for his sake.
He's also throwing great.
He's hardly this team's biggest problem.
Hearing great things about Mason Williams.
Take a look at Colon, Anon.
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/d225a1d6e0bf2a03e50e6a706700ed00.jpg
That's heavy.
Colon looks like he ate Joba.
As an appetizer.
Banuelos looks good with his mid 90's FB. Betances and Banuelos in AA will be a lethal 1-2 punch.
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