Super Nova

Ivan Nova threw a 3-hit complete game shutout against the Orioles today.  People rightfully raved about his curve, and this was a huge win for the Yanks.  But, why has Nova improved so much?  I think we have to credit Larry Rothschild, because Nova was taught no out pitch in the Yankee minors. It's ridiculous but true.  He could always throw three pitches for strikes.  But they were hittable strikes.   It seems that no extra work went into teaching him how to tilt the pitch or bounce one with two strikes. I hope we don't see any more of this under Gil Patterson.   It was as bad as Cano arriving in the majors without knowing the strike zone or how to take a walk or grind.    Ponderous.   Great day for the Yanks and Nova, though.

Giants Pre-Season Game 4: The Backup Bowl

Well, today the Giants play their last pre-season game. Well some of them do.  I don't expect to see many staters, and I think the practices will have more to do with who else makes the team than game 4 does, unless someone makes 3 or 4 big plays.

As always, it's been hard to gage where exactly the Giants are in terms of opening day.   But game 4 must be played, so lets hope we see exciting performances from some backups and no more injuries.

This Week on the Blog

This week on the blog, nothing too big is expected.  But:

Yankees:  Jeter returns today, let's see how long he stays and if this adds to their late season surge.    Next Sunday, Rosters can expand.

Giants:  They have to make cuts, and perhaps find a safety to replace Brown.   They might even be able to make a trade.   Their last preseason game is also this week.  JPP won't play in it, but he is off the PUP list and that's huge.

Rangers:  Still have to sign Stepan.   Sather says a bridge deal is likely, with a longer extension being worked out in year one.    A lot of the Rangers are already skating, and camp opens soon.

Knicks: The Knicks have one more roster spot to fill.

And that's about that.

Giants vs. Jets Preseason Game Day 3

Okay, this is usually the most important preseason game.  If any of them are actually important.  The starters tend to play into the third quarter and we should start seeing some chemistry.   Last week's performance lacked timing and chemistry.  Let's see if they've improved.   Looks like Cruz will be out, so it's time for someone else to start making big plays, especially from the slot.   And we're still looking for a consistent run game and run stopping game by the D.  We'll also get a longer look at Justin Pugh at RT.

he biggest issue is no more injuries, especially against a chippy  Jet team that has a chip on it's shouldabout the Giants   Go Giants!

On the Farm: Hayden Sharp and Taylor Morton Retire

Wow.  In surprising news two of the Yankees young "power arms" decided to retire.   Taylor Morton, the converted catcher from the 2010 draft and Hayden Sharp from the 2011 draft have called it quits.   Both had had some success in the minors though Morton was awful last year, and both were expected to develop plus velo.  I think Sharp also has a chances to play football.  I don't know what Morton will do or why this happened.   Good luck to both young men.

Hal Calls Farm Braintrust to Tampa

According to the News and the Post, Hal Steinbrenner called the leaders of the Yankee farm system to Tampa today for a long meeting.   Madden and King were among the respective reporters, so we'll be lucky if they got the names right.  Anyway, they surmised that Cashman, Newman, Oppenheimer and maybe Donny Rowland, the somewhat legendary Yankee scout who's been overseeing IFA scouting for the past few years.  Don't know if Pat Roessler was there or if Madden or King has even heard of him.

The upshot of the articles was that Hal either wanted to see who'd be ready next year, or complain about why no one will be ready next year.    Well, there are a few places to look, starting with the mirror.   Hal did not choose to spend money in the drafts or IFA back when there were no limits one what could be spent.   Thus they passed on high upside preps and juniors with big signing demands in the draft, and passed on guys like Sano and others in IFA.   Under Hal, the Yanks have also resisted the urge to go after big ticket Cuban players.

What Hal has authorized has been an expansion of the scouting department, thus the Yanks have been able to hire and bring back some of the better scouts in the business.    As I've written before, I don't think the problem has been the scouts.  It might have been what they've been allowed to spend, but I think they are finding talent.

The big problem has been player development throughout the system.   While Mark Newman is titularly associated with that, and the buck should stop there, a lot of his job is handling logistics up and down the line, as well as sifting through reports and making recommendations.  In other words, he's not a teacher.

I think where the Yanks are hurting is in the teaching department.  Gil Patterson hasn't had enough time to show whether or not he's part of the solution yet, but the rest of the long term coaches up and down the system need to be closely looked at and in many cases replaced.   These coaches have the most contact with the players day in and day out, and we're just not seeing enough progress to justify the status quo.

But who knows what solutions Hal and the braintrust will come up with.  Its unlikely that they will try throwing MONEY at the problem.  That wasn't always the answer under George, but it's never been the answer under Hal.

Pugh Named Starter

According to his agent, Justin Pugh has been named the starting right tackle for the Giants today.  It's unclear if that's just for the Jet game, or for regular season.  If he plays well it, won't matter.   This was as player I liked very much leading up to the draft and seemed very Giant-like.  I think his concussion and Brewer's concussion have really limited the Giants' right tackle competition.  Ideally, I'd like to see them both get a shot at RT and G.  But this might not be the final stop for Pugh.   I really do think he can play all 5 spots.

Giants vs. Colts: Preseason Game 2

Tomorrow when the Giants play the Colts, we should get a slightly longer look at the starters.  Hopefully, they'll have made some progress in the run game, and that Reuben Randle will get off the line better that he did in 2 of his 3 targets last week.   He did look good on the ball he caught last week. Anyway, it would be fun to see a two TD quarter or so from the starters.  

On D, it would be good to see better gap responsibility throughout the game,  The sacks were good last week, but the rest of it was sort of unimpressive.  And it would be good to see the LB's round into contributing form at some point during this pre-season.  

The DB's looked pretty good last week and let's hope they have luck against Luck.

Other than that, let's see progress from the kids, big plays from the playmakers, and nobody getting injured.    Go Giants!

Mason Williams and Ben Gamel Promoted

Today, the Yanks promoted one of their best prospects, CF Mason Williams, and one of their most interesting prospects, OF Ben Gamel from Tampa to Trenton.   Williams should be filling in for the injured Slade Heathcott in CF.  Gamel will probably rotate between the corners and DH.  

Mason Williams had an awful start to the season but then caught fire in June and reminded us he still has a chance to be something special.    Ben Gamel has been a slow and steady producer.    They both have questions.    Williams has some about his attitude and power ceiling, while Gamel has a big question about his power floor.    Williams will be a major league CF.    Gamel will be a 4th OF unless he develops some pop.  Both are lefty bats who's power could be enhanced in the Bronx.   It's great to see the kids moving up in a sort of moribund minor league season thus far.

Sori is Hot

Alfonso Soriano has gone off for the last two games, hit four homers and knocking in 13 runs.   Of course, power has never been a problem for Sori.  What is a problem is that he's never learned the strike zone, and that imbeciles like Joe Torre used to bat him first, when he was younger because he was   "fast" even given the fact that speed is useless when it's not on base.    He should have always batted further down the order.   It wouldn't have taught him the strike zone, but it would have created RBI opps and perhaps lead to more IBB's.   Anyway, he always seemed like a good guy and it's nice to see him somewhat revitalized.

Giants Sign WR Marcus Harris

The Giants replaced injured WR Kris Adams today by signing WR Marcus Harris out of Murray State. Marcus was part of those fun Murray St. Racers of the past few years.   He's a good athlete with nice speed and excellent agility, but his size is so-so.  He's 6'1 but only 189.   Giants seem to like WR's that pack a little more weight.   We'll see how he does.   Has the talent to return kicks.  

This Week On the Blog

This week could be pretty interesting.

Yankees:  They'll continue to scrape along on the big league level, but it seems like this might be promotion season in the minors.   SS Cito Culver has already, reportedly, been promoted to Tampa, and there could be a few more, like Greg Bird...  We're also still in the waiver trade period.

Giants:  Giants have more practices and then the Colts game.   We'll see how the youngsters progress and the veterans bounce back.

Knicks:  They have one more contract to give out.  Will it be a big like Haddidi, or something else?

Rangers:  It seems like the Rangers will have to make a trade to give Derek Stepan the proper contract. That could happen at anytime.

So it will be an interesting week in development and construction.

Yanks Promote Betances

Seven years after looking like a steal in the 2006 draft, Dellin Betances has been called up by the Yanks.    Finally.   They switched him to a full time reliever earlier this year and he hasn't allowed a run since June 16 in AAA.   It's this simple: when Betances has fastball control; he's fantastic.   We'll see if he can bring it with him.  Girardi hates it when young guys come up and walk people.  That possibility exists here, but let's hope he's a long term part of the pen.

Giants Win!

Last night, the Giants went into Pittsburgh and won their preseason game.   Big receivers, Kris Adams broke his leg, and Guard Chris DeGeare also needed the cart to come out for him.  So best wishes to both of those guys as they recover.   They were both sort of intriguing.    There was a lot of good news, though.     First off, the Giants didn't draw a single penalty till the 4th quarter, when the remainered OL started jumping and Ryan Nassib drew a delay of game.  

Also, specials looked mostly excellent, high lighted by a blocked punt by Damontre Moore,  a forced fumble courtesy of Zak DeOssie, a dead solid 47 yarder by new kicker Josh Brown - who also buried his kickoffs - and a nice punt return by Jernigan.  Brown did miss one FGA and that was really the only blot on specials.  

The defensive line looked deep and talented even in the absence of JPP and Tuck.   Damontre Moore got a bunch of pressures, and Adewale Ojomo, and Justn Trattou each had a sack or two.   Cullen Jenkins looked like a keeper.   His sack of Big Ben forced the punt that Moore would bock.

The makeshift OL's were decent enough, but they couldn't coordinate any run blocks.   Thus Brown, Wilson and Scott weren't terribly impressive.  Brown even muffed a pitch and turned it over   On the plus side, all three of them were able to catch passes, which we haven't really had since Tiki.     In the late going, Michael Cox ran angry and witch some nice results.  

Eli was Eli.   He hit Victor Cruz for a 57 yard TD, after sliding up in the pocket and avoiding some heat.   A couple of plays earlier he hit Reuben Randle on a third and long.    He and Randle had been unable to connect earlier on a deep pass, and at the goal line after the punt block.   But the third down catch was with some yards after it was Nicks-ish, and opened up the bomb down the seem to Cruz a few plays later.

Carr was Carr.   Made some nice throws but bogged down and missed Jernigan deep.  Jernigan did have a catch or two to go along with his nice punt return.  

Curtis Painter played the third corner.  The line really struggled in front of him.   His one good play was a quick hitter to Scott.

Nassib was a typical rookie.   He got sacked a few times but fortunately didn't fumble.   He had a shotgun snap from McCants go into the endzone, for a Steeler TD, and later lead a field goal drive, which was highlighted by a pass he made to Julian Talley.    It was typical 4th quarter preseason game garbage.

None of the the TE's really shined.   Adrien Robinson had a little catch, and Larry Donnell almost made a few plays.   Donnell will need to shine a little brighter going forward if he wants to validate the hype he provokes in practice.

The linebackers, other than Jacquian Williams, looked crummy.   Nobody else made any plays.

The DB's on the other hand, looked pretty good.  Tyler Sash had a big game including a sack and a fumble recovery on specials.   That was a lot more like the Football Player we expected him to be when he was drafted.   Will Hill also had a game saving shoestring tackle.  Coverage was pretty good all around.

So in all, it was a pretty decent game.   Let's see if they can keep limiting penalties.  The deep pass also looks like it will be a big part of O.   Good special teams would be a nice theme.  And the pass rush was back for a night, even without JPP and Tuck.

They still need to do major work on establishing the run and defending the run.   But they have time and talent.   So that should work out.  Go Giants!

Giants at Steelers: Game Day!

The Giants begin their preseason schedule today in Pittsburgh.   Given the relationship between the Mara's and Rooneys, it's a wonder that this isn't one of their annual preseason games, but it's not.   Anyway, the big thing is no injuries.   The fun thing is seeing the the rookies and other young kids play and we should see plenty of that as the starters might only be in for a drive.   Unfortunately,  Pugh, Brewer and one or two others are dinged and won't play this week.   So Mosley will start for Snee.  He was awful last preseason.   Let's hope he was able to improve this offseason.   He was on IR last year and while I think there is value in taking mental reps, he needs the work.

The competition between Carr and Nassib - if they're only keeping 2 - should begin tonight.   I think in the past TC has tended to give each candidate his own preseason game.   So we might only see one of them tonight, then perhaps Painter.

The linebacker and DT's should also start sorting themselves out and it will be interesting to see if Mr. Hankins can make some plays.  Same goes for Austin - this might be his last camp if he doesn't show something.   Tuck's out, so the young DE's like Moore, Tracy, Ojomo and Tratou will see lots of action.

We have heard a lot about some young receivers.  Namely Rueben Randle and Jerrel Jernigan on the WR side, and Adrien Robinson and Larry Donell on the TE side.     Let's see how close they are.

We'll also see the duel between recently drafted RB Michael Cox, and superfast Da'rel Scott.   Either one of their chances would be really helped with a big kick return or two.

The OL is still in flux, so let's just get Eli out of there quickly. We'll see if Eric Herman has a chance.   Remember his big issue are his feet.  I don't know if McCants is dinged or not, but he's another one to keep an eye on.  He has feet and long arms, but really needed strength work.   Selvish Capers has also gotten some notice playing guard in practice.

We'll see the return of Aaron Ross, and maybe T2.   The we'll also see how the young CB's and Safeties plays.  I think Taylor is out.   But I wonder if there are any ringers among the young Corners.   We haven't had one pop in the last few year, but we used to do pretty well in the past.

Overall, the note remains'  No injuries.  And the best way to avoid them is to play hard.   We know the Steelers will.  Go Giants!

UPDATE:  Nicks and T2 aren't playing.   So it's just the return of Ross tonight.

Justin Tuck to LB?

The media is slightly abuzz over the fact that the Giants are talking about using Justin Tuck as a rush linebacker at certain points this year.  This might dovetail with the idea that they're going to show some 3-4 one gap looks, and that they are once again looking to by hybrid.  

I'm not sure how I feel about this.   First, I do agree that they should try things to get Tuck's sack numbers back up where they belong.   For the first 5 or so years he was excellent and in both Super Bowls, he looked like a Hall of Famer.   Not so much, lately.  So it's important for them to find out what the can still do.  They have to make a salary decision on him soon.


But, if they really want to surprise the other team, they should be training all of their DE's to stand up and rush and cycle them through the role.  Having it only be Tuck makes it easier for the other team to identify what we're doing.

The other thing that bugs me a bit is that the Giants have had this habit of drafting rush linebackers like Torbor and Clint Sintim, and then not using them to rush the passer!   So now they're going to have a 2-way DE do it?   Interesting.  

And to their credit they have stopped the LB experiments with Kiwi and Adrian Tracy, and that will probably also help the pass rush this year.  

Beno Urih To Sign with Knicks

This is a good get for the backup PG they've been craving all summer.   Beno is a lefty who can not only pass and play the point, but can actually shoot the ball.   He might fit in nicely with the Knicks, bring it down and fire a three philosophy.   He's 31, so he's also beginning to fit in with the Knicks older player theme.    Kidding aside, he should help and could even be a pleasant surprise.

Knicks Sign C/F Jeremy Tyler

Today, the Knicks went outside the rumor wheel and signed Jeremy Tyler.  You might remember him as the kid who dramatically backed out of Louisville a few years ago and went to play in Israel and other places during what would have been his college years.    He gives the Knicks another sort of intriguing big, and adds more youth.   We'll see if he blossoms.

ARod: Suspended; Appeals; and Returns.

The most boring and coincidentally the biggest story in the world today is that ARod got suspended for 211 games and is able to play while his appeal is heard.  He's able to play because Bud Selig is suspending him under the CBA's drug policy, rather then under the "best interests of baseball" codicil.

Look, ARod has no one to blame for this but himself.   He started believing his own press years ago and has taken extreme measures, and risks,  to live up to it.    That said, this outrage over PEDS in baseball is about 20 years late, and it's not really his fault that the wheel of hypocrisy keeps stopping on number 13.

In fact, I think Bud Selig is probably a far worse human being than Alex Rodriguez is.   Selig's elevation to league commissioner came only after he and the other owners threw out the relatively fair Faye Vincent nearly 20 years ago during the `94 stoppage.   Now, the reason why PED's didn't get cleared up back then was probably because Vincent was cast aside and baseball was booming once again on the excitement of `30s era baseball - powered by PEDS!     They lapped it up, and banked record gate receipts and TV deals.

But this seems personal between Selig and ARod.   I mean, David Ortiz failed the same original test ARod did, but nothing ever happens to him.   So why does Selig have it in for ARod?   I think it's because ARod broke the salary structure, first with his original Texas Ranger contract, then with his new Yankee contract.    ARod's deals sweetened everybody't deal, and that probably enraged a lot of old school owners and Bud is their bitch.   So I think Selig is interested in destroying him over the money he has cost the industry.   And I think he's interested in destroying him because he didn't lift any one of his corrupt, little fingers when PED use was far more widespread than it is today.  So I think, like the World Baseball Classic, he's looking to add "cleaned up baseball" to his phony-baloney "legacy."

I don't care if ARod ever plays another game, but if he's to go, I hope to heaven he takes Comrade Bud with with him.   He's been a bigger blot on baseball than all of the PED users combined.

This Week on the Blog

Okay, this week on the blog could be a little more interesting.

Yankees:  ARod will be suspended as soon as tomorrow.   We're still waiting for news about Pineda, and let's see if Nova stays Super, and Kuroda stays Great.

Giants:  The Giants will play their first preseason game.    Justin Pugh was concussed last week so it will unlikely that he will play, but we should get a long look at the other rookies as well as some of the other young non-starters on the team.  DeMontre Moore has sure been getting a lot of pub.  Otherwise, we're looking for no injuries.

Rangers:  They still need to sign Stepan, and still need room to do that, so a trade could happen any day now.

Knicks: They're still talking to Beno Udrih and some other FA's.

Further, if I have time and space, I'll write a little more about Yankee pitching and pitching prospects.

UPDATE:  They are MRI'ing Pineda's surgically repaired pitching shoulder.  This is unfortunate and could wipe out the rest of his year, if not more.

Yanks Sign Molina

Yesterday, the Yanks made official their signing of Dominican OF Leonardo Molina.   For baseball purposes yesterday was Molina's 16th birthday.    Molina is a righty hitter who was thought to be the most athletic member of this year's big name IFA's.    He probably won't be stateside till 2015 and we'll have to see what we've got.   At some point one of these IFA OF's has to come up big for us.  And with Ravel Santana's string of injuries, Molina may be next in line.