***OFFICIAL 2011 YANKEES THREAD*** (1 Viewer)

[Michael Brown]

Looks like this might be our "bridge" season. Definitely still enough offensive firepower, the back end of the bullpen is stacked, and CC is CC. I also like our 4th, 5th, and 6th starters, except for the fact that they'll be our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

Lots of questions throughout the roster, some of which I'll add to later. For now...

-CC is coming off knee surgery, will he begin to decline? He looks rededicated and has lost weight, I expect big things in a "walk" (opt-out) year.

-Can AJ get his mind right? To an extent. I think he'll bounce back somewhat, but an ERA in the 4's is still to be expected.

-Is Hughes ready to contribute for a full 162 + postseason? I think so.

-Can Nova hold down the fort? For awhile maybe, but not likely for 30+ starts.

-Can we find someone from amongst Garcia, Colon, Mitre, the kids, hell even Prior that can be a serviceable 5 and give us close to 200 IP? Probably not.

How will Jeter, A-Rod, Tex, Granderson bounce back from the worst years of their careers? I think Jeter and Tex bounce back close but not up to previous levels, A-Rod stays about the same, and Granderson has a nice year.

Expectations: 88-90 wins and contend for the WC but finish 10 games back of Boston

 

[shadyridr]

-CC is coming off knee surgery, will he begin to decline? He looks rededicated and has lost weight, I expect big things in a "walk" (opt-out) year.

Guy's a horse. He'll be awesome like usual.

-Can AJ get his mind right? To an extent. I think he'll bounce back somewhat, but an ERA in the 4's is still to be expected.

I dont expect any bounceback. Hes a headcase and was never really that good plus his stuff has diminished. He throws 92-93 now.

-Is Hughes ready to contribute for a full 162 + postseason? I think so.

Still not impressed by this guy. His fastball is too straight. Two pitch pitcher. Nothing more than a #3 starter IMO. Hope Im wrong.

-Can Nova hold down the fort? For awhile maybe, but not likely for 30+ starts.

Was very impressed by his stuff last year. Wouldnt surprise me one bit if he sticks. They pulled him way too early last yr. I hope he has a bit of a leash.

-Can we find someone from amongst Garcia, Colon, Mitre, the kids, hell even Prior that can be a serviceable 5 and give us close to 200 IP? Probably not.

Garcia was actually pretty decent last year. That being said, probably not. Probably ending up trading for someone.

How will Jeter, A-Rod, Tex, Granderson bounce back from the worst years of their careers? I think Jeter and Tex bounce back close but not up to previous levels, A-Rod stays about the same, and Granderson has a nice year.

Tex will be fine. Last yr was nothing more than a fluke IMO. I think hes gonna drop off a cliff at one point cuz of his massive uppercut swing but hes too young for that now. He'll be awesome like usual. ARod will be good for his usual .290-30-100. Not the superstar he was but among the least of our problems. Im expecting big things from Grandy. Exciting player when hes going good like the 2nd half of last yr. I personally think Jeter is old lol and that is the reason for his poor year. Im not expecting much more than last yr honestly.

Expectations: 88-90 wins and contend for the WC but finish 10 games back of Boston

Pretty much agree 100%. I think they'll get the wild card as they beat up on all the poor pitching in the league with their all-star lineup. The objective will be to hover around the WC lead until the trade deadline and trade for a top pitcher. No clue who that may be now. I say 90 wins, WC, and 1st rd exit due to their poor rotation.

 

[Smack Tripper]

I'm not too worried overall, I think they'll be in a position to win a wild card, and once you get, you're in. As far as matching up CC/Phil with any of the other rotation tops at the moment in the AL, I'll take my chances.

I will say this though, Montero will be the catcher on this team by default, I don't like the momentum on this Martin thing from the start. If anything slows them down, it will be that. You'd like to have a decent receiver for the Burnett's and Nova's of the world who you're trying to teethe through a season, and not ham fisted Jesus. But if the boy hits, well, bring it.

 

[Raider Nation]

Whoa.... Jorge Vazquez can RAKE!

 

[Smack Tripper]

Whoa.... Jorge Vazquez can RAKE!

I'd love to find a spot for this guy, but I don't think its in the cards, as he's not on the 40. I guess there is value in the Chavez/Jones/Belliards of the world, but I really wish he or Laird were going to get a looksee. I wonder if Vasquez figures in the DH picture next year when Posada moves on. He's no spring chicken, he's in his late 20's if I'm not mistaken.

 

[shadyridr]

Juan Miranda_2011

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Whoa.... Jorge Vazquez can RAKE!

I'd love to find a spot for this guy, but I don't think its in the cards, as he's not on the 40. I guess there is value in the Chavez/Jones/Belliards of the world, but I really wish he or Laird were going to get a looksee. I wonder if Vasquez figures in the DH picture next year when Posada moves on. He's no spring chicken, he's in his late 20's if I'm not mistaken.

Born in 82

 

[harryhood]

Betances will pitch today against the Phills, Kay referred to him as one part of "The Killer B's" (terrible shtick), and reports have been pretty positive on Brackman, Betances, Banuelos.

Too bad 1 or 2 of them will probably get traded away when they decide to make their move for Liriano.

Not sure if it was just fluff, but they were talking yesterday about how Rothschild totally rebuilt AJ's delivery. I am a touch optimistic as they said they were focusing on him throwing downhill more. He has shown he can be pretty good when his mechanics are consistent and he is on top of the ball.

Good to have some baseball back!

 

[Raider Nation]

they were talking yesterday about how Rothschild totally rebuilt AJ's delivery.

Did anybody rebuild his Scarecrow brain and Tin Man heart?

 

[shadyridr]

Really love Montero's swing. I can definitely see the Cabrera comparison.

 

[shadyridr]

Cervelli out 4 weeks with broken foot. Is it wrong for me to be excited by this development?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Betances and Banuelos are the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of the Yankees roster.

 

[Smack Tripper]

I know it was Red Sox who'll be in single A or playing on the Newark Bears in a month, but boy did Manny look like a pitcher last night. Real command and presence. I think the Johan comparisons, strictly physically, are not absurd, but really, he looks like a young Al Leiter to me. He just looks like he's got an idea how to pitch out there. Could be fun.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Pedro Feliciano should form a faction with Latroy Hawkins, Chris Hammond, Steve Karsay and Damaso Marte as bullpen killers.

 

[shadyridr]

WTF is Gustavo Molina? Did they find another long lost brother?

 

[Smack Tripper]

Boy cashman complaining about the mets abusing felciano is embarrassing. Did someone put a gun to his head and make him sign that crap deal? As I said in the ya Kees 2010 thread, broken toe and all, I would rather have spent a bit more on downs. I'm sure if he knew he'd have to spend 31 million on soriano, he would have seen downs differently

 

[shadyridr]

Boy cashman complaining about the mets abusing felciano is embarrassing. Did someone put a gun to his head and make him sign that crap deal? As I said in the ya Kees 2010 thread, broken toe and all, I would rather have spent a bit more on downs. I'm sure if he knew he'd have to spend 31 million on soriano, he would have seen downs differently

Yeah he sounds ######ed.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Nova is a Stud for the first go round and then he gets figured out. I think this is your Marino heir apparent.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Nova is a Stud for the first go round and then he gets figured out. I think this is your Marino heir apparent.

Sounds similar to what people were saying abut Joba a couple years ago.

 

[the moops]

Mariano Rivera is just ridiculous. Man.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Nova is a Stud for the first go round and then he gets figured out. I think this is your Marino heir apparent.

Sounds similar to what people were saying abut Joba a couple years ago.

No I would say that is an I'll-informed comparison. Joba was a guy with three plus pitches and 4 pitches overall who dominated the minors and was at an innings threshold. The pro bullpen crowd saw the dominance and were unaware of his starter pedigree, or, probably his repertoire,frankly, but saw a mo successor. In a small sample size, Joba had some dominant starts. There are two factors to the bloom coming off his rose: his shoulder injury in Texas and the jerking between pen and rotation. Whereas Nova hasn't shown, in his limited sample size, the ability to put really 6 or 7 good innings together. It's hard to gauge what deception might be there the first time through but the numbers are stark. And that was Mariano As a starter. I thunk he had one decent start as a rookie in Chicago and was otherwise a pedestrian prospect, reputation wise. But the results were there before the buzz.

 

[shadyridr]

"Andruw Jones makes his bones!" God Sterling needs to retire.

 

[shadyridr]

WTF did Joe take CC out? What a joke

 

[shadyridr]

"Hes my 8th inning guy" #### you Joe. You gonna bring him in the 8th if its an 8 run lead. IMO shouldve went with Robertson or kept CC in there.

 

[the moops]

I'm not seeing the issue here. Sabathia had thrown 104 pitches, it is a 4 run lead. I think bringing in the pen this early in the season is a fine move. And I'm sure just as many Yankee fans would be #####ing if Girardi brought in someone besides Soriano who blew the lead.

 

[shadyridr]

I'm not seeing the issue here. Sabathia had thrown 104 pitches, it is a 4 run lead. I think bringing in the pen this early in the season is a fine move. And I'm sure just as many Yankee fans would be #####ing if Girardi brought in someone besides Soriano who blew the lead.

Soriano pitched yesterday. Using him today wouldve made him unavailable tomorrow. Robertson has thrown 1 inning all year. IT WAS A 4 RUN LEAD! There is no benefit bringing in Soriano there. If anything bring in Robertson and if he struggles THEN bring in Soriano. Makes no sense the other way. It was a 4 run lead. Other guys are out there available to pitch

 

[Jules Winnfield]

I'm not seeing the issue here. Sabathia had thrown 104 pitches, it is a 4 run lead. I think bringing in the pen this early in the season is a fine move. And I'm sure just as many Yankee fans would be #####ing if Girardi brought in someone besides Soriano who blew the lead.

Because at 105 his arm falls off?

 

[Smack Tripper]

I'm not seeing the issue here. Sabathia had thrown 104 pitches, it is a 4 run lead. I think bringing in the pen this early in the season is a fine move. And I'm sure just as many Yankee fans would be #####ing if Girardi brought in someone besides Soriano who blew the lead.

Because at 105 his arm falls off?

This is SOP. Its only an issue because Soriano blew it. You don't want to blow him out going into Boston this weekend. As for Soriano, hopefully it doesn't hurt his confidence, but I think with reports of his velocity being down and the faithful being lukewarm about the signing, its slightly disconcerting. But I don't think we can really go crazy on Girardi here either. Soriano and Boone Logan didn't make their pitches.Better it going down now than in Boston this weekend.

 

[shadyridr]

I'm not seeing the issue here. Sabathia had thrown 104 pitches, it is a 4 run lead. I think bringing in the pen this early in the season is a fine move. And I'm sure just as many Yankee fans would be #####ing if Girardi brought in someone besides Soriano who blew the lead.

Because at 105 his arm falls off?

no reason you cant go batter to batter in the 8th. Just cuz CC starts the 8th doesnt mean he needed to finish it. Im still bitter about this loss.

 

[Michael Brown]

A.J. Burnett = a real pitcher?

 

[Raider Nation]

Hughes is disgusting. I literally had to turn the game off until they pulled him. How in holy hell do you give him another start? And I know it's only seven games, but #2 is *officially* done. He's The Captain. He's a good guy. He's respected. Beyond that, this is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately profession, unfortunately. If he MUST be in the lineup, bat him 9th. Hate to say it but I'm sorry they came to terms with him in the offseason.

All of that being said, I wouldn't want to be the one who has to tell him to grab some pine.

 

[Thunderlips]

Martin has looked alright. If he continues to do well...what the odds of them moving Montero in a package to get a big time starter? Don't they have a couple of catching prospects down the pipeline?

 

[shadyridr]

Martin has looked alright. If he continues to do well...what the odds of them moving Montero in a package to get a big time starter? Don't they have a couple of catching prospects down the pipeline?

VERY high IMO but they would need a stud pitcher in return. They just about traded Montero for Lee last year and nothing's changed since then.

 

[Man In The Box]

Feliciano done for the season.

 

[shadyridr]

Yanks got a bit of a problem here with Hughes.

 

[cobalt_27]

Yanks got a bit of a problem here with Hughes.

He's turrible.

 

[Raider Nation]

Hughes is disgusting. I literally had to turn the game off until they pulled him. How in holy hell do you give him another start?

Have we seen enough yet??? Start Colon next time. Jesus...

 

[shadyridr]

Hughes is disgusting. I literally had to turn the game off until they pulled him. How in holy hell do you give him another start?

Have we seen enough yet??? Start Colon next time. Jesus...

I feel bad for the kid. Clearly something is wrong.

 

[shadyridr]

6 double plays?

 

[shadyridr]

These old guys (Garcia, Colon, Chavez, Jones) aint too bad

 

[Dr. Awesome]

I hope Chavez has a good year for you guys but I'm bitter he could never stay healthy in Oakland but suddenly he's looking good for the pinstripes.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Do they sell churros at Yankee Stadium?

 

[Raider Nation]

Mo is human. Again.

 

[shadyridr]

Mo is human. Again.

Seems to happen every yr in April. Ball isnt moving as much but velocity is fine. He'll be fine

 

[Michael Brown]

Mo is human. Again.

Seems to happen every yr in April. Ball isnt moving as much but velocity is fine. He'll be fine

I think the ball is moving plenty. Maybe too much even. Sort of explains why he's been missing spots so much. But yes I agree he'll be fine once he settles into the season. The last couple of years he didn't have these early season hiccups so we forgot that it had become sort of commonplace there for awhile.

 

[joffer]

So, is Derek Jeter a woman? WTF kind if slide was that in the 10th inning?

 

[shadyridr]

So, is Derek Jeter a woman? WTF kind if slide was that in the 10th inning?

glad someone else said it. After it happened I said WTF didnt he try barrelling into him or a hook slide or something

 

[rodg12]

Mo is human. Again.

Seems to happen every yr in April. Ball isnt moving as much but velocity is fine. He'll be fine

I think the ball is moving plenty. Maybe too much even. Sort of explains why he's been missing spots so much. But yes I agree he'll be fine once he settles into the season. The last couple of years he didn't have these early season hiccups so we forgot that it had become sort of commonplace there for awhile.

Ball was moving plenty yesterday, but was not on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the cutter was straight and he couldn't locate. Not worried though.

 

[Michael Brown]

Not trying to pile on, but did anyone else think Jeter gave up on that ball WAY too early on the infield popup? Another two steps and a dive gives him a shot, no?

 

[Smack Tripper]

Raffy soriano has no sack, thanks Randy