Spring Training Stats to be Aware of and a Roster Preview
by Brandon C. on Mar 21, 2010 9:00 AM EDT
in Analysis
40 comments
UPDATE: 6:30 PM: My bad, I had 26 players on the roster. Take away Mitre or Melancon, depending on the rest of the spring training.
UPDATE: 4:40 PM: Just to clear things up. I had Granderson in left and Gardner in center as an impulsive reaction, not because I think that will happen. I really don't have much of an opinion on that. The roster I posted is the roster I WANT, not the roster I necessarily think the Yankees will go with. Thanks for reading!
We are two weeks away from the Yankees opening day game against the Red Sox. We are also a while into spring training and stats are beginning to matter. At what point do stats become relevant? Do they matter yet? If they do, here are some players that you should be aware of.
Robinson Cano: .387/.424/.581 1 HR 4 RBI
Francisco Cervelli: .471/.526/.647 1 HR 2 RBI
Colin Curtis: .500/.563/1.083 2 HR 8 RBI (6-12 hitting)
Brett Gardner: .281/.361/.406 0 HR 1 RBI 1 SB 0 CS
Greg Golson .316/.381/.579 1 HR 5 RBI 1 SB 2 CS
Jamie Hoffmann: .130/.174/.259 0 HR 0 RBI 1 SB 1 CS
Ramiro Pena: .214/.267/.357 1 HR 2 RBI 1 SB 0 CS
Kevin Russo: .368/.435/.474 0 HR 2 RBI
Marcus Thames: .107/.107/.167 0 HR 0 RBI
Jon Weber: .550/.700/.550 0 HR 5 RBI
David Winfree: .294/.294/.368 0 HR 2 RBI
Randy Winn: .167/.167/.200 0 HR 4 RBI
That's the hitters. My take is that Spring Training stats matter at least a bit now, but the rest of Spring Training is very important. If you asked me right now I would honestly not want Jamie Hoffmann or Marcus Thames on the MLB roster. Both have outs in their contracts, but I do not feel they will help the club. Instead I would take Greg Golson (solid speed, OK bat, former top prospect) David Winfree (OK speed, OK bat) or maybe even this years Shelley Duncan, Jon Weber (solid bat throughout minor-league career, seems like a AAAA player) At this point Marcus Thames seems to be declining rapidly, as his spring training stats reflect that. He could definitely pick it up once the season starts, but you can't guarantee anything. In Jamie Hoffmanns case the Yankees should trade for him and send him down to AAA to mature. They may need him this season. As for the utility job, Russo is a solid player, but he seems like more of a future starter and playing him very scarcely could have a negative affect on him. Give Pena the job and keep Russo in mind for the future.
Continue reading after the jump for the pitchers -
Alfredo Aceves: 1-1 3.77 ERA 1 BB 7 K's
Jon Albaladejo: 0-0 33.75 ERA 2 BB 1 K
Joba Chamberlain: 0-0 16.20 ERA 7 BB 5 K's
Chad Gaudin: 0-3 8.68 ERA 5 BB 5 K's
Jason Hirsh: 0-0 0.00 ERA (3.2 IP) 0 BB 5 K's
Phil Hughes: 0-1 2.08 0 BB 5 K's
Boone Logan: 0-1 2.57 ERA 1 BB 5 K's
Mark Melancon: 0-0 2.84 ERA 1 BB 8 K's
Sergio Mitre: 0-0 3.21 ERA 3 BB 14 K's
Royce Ring: 0-0 0.00 ERA (4.1 IP) 1 Hit Against 1 BB 5 K's
Amaury Sanit: 2-0 0.00 ERA (4.1 IP) 0 BB 5 K's
For Hughes and Chamberlain it is too small a sample size to judge the winner. As of now Hughes is the obvious favorite, but don't count out Joba, as he had a solid performance in his last start. (3 IP 2 hits 1 ER) Watch their next appearance closely, as Girardi wants to decide the winner rather soon. For the pitchers in the pen, the performances so far matter. Chad Gaudin has struggled and has blamed the intense workouts. Meanwhile, another year removed from Tommy John surgery, Sergio Mitre has been lights out. Jason Hirsh is a name to keep an eye on, as he was a solid MLB pitcher a couple of years ago with the Rockies. With Damaso Marte slightly injured the Yankees may want to take another lefty with them. If they do look for them to take Boone Logan, even though Royce Ring, a former prospect within the Mets organization, has had the slightly better spring. Amaury Sanit is a name to keep an eye on as well, as he has pitched very well. Aceves was pitching really well until his performance yesterday (4.1 IP 5 ER) and should get a spot as a long reliever. Melancon should make the team, but very possibly won't, as the Yankees look to pull a Dave Robertson with him and develop him more.
If the season started tomorrow here is my roster that I would want, not what the Yankees would likely pick. This is MY pick. There is still time left and many things can change, don't forget that.
Rotation:
1. CC Sabathia
2. A.J. Burnett
5. Phil Hughes
Bullpen:
Long Reliever: Alfredo Aceves
Long Reliever/Spot Starter: Sergio Mitre
Long/Middle/Set Up Man: Chan Ho Park
Lefty: Damaso Marte
Lefty: Boone Logan
Middle Reliever: Mark Melancon
Set-Up Man: David Robertson
Closer: Mariano Rivera
Lineup:
1. Jeter SS
2. Johnson DH
3. Teixeira 1B
4. Rodriguez 3B
5. Cano 2B
6. Posada C
7. Granderson LF
8. Swisher RF
9. Gardner CF
Bench:
Backup Catcher: Cervelli
Utility Infielder: Pena
4th Outfielder: Winn
5th Outfielder/Pinch Runner: Greg Golson
Analysis: I took Melancon as the last pitcher because he has proven himself and can be a solid MLB reliever. If the Yankees don't think they will use him often, then they should NOT take him. Notice Joba Chamberlain is not there. I think the Yankees should (but definitely won't) send Joba to AAA and have him continue to practice pitching there as a starter. Barring a Hughes meltdown, wait for a pitcher to get injured and call him up. If there is no injury consider a 6 man rotation (helps keeps Hughes' innings down) or move one of the two to the pen.
As for the bench, notice I took Greg Golson over both Hoffmann and Thames. Golson has options left, while they both don't. I am perfectly fine letting Thames go, but I would like the Yankees to trade for Hoffmann and put him in AAA. Golson won the spot over Weber (32 years old, career AAAA player, will struggle in MLB) and Winfree (no speed, not enough power).
Thoughts?
0 recs |
40 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I think it would be more benefit to Joba to do that..
but I doubt it.
I can see Joba and Gaudin taking the spots of Logan and Melancon.
Why is Gardner in CF? …not this again. He ain’t much faster then Grandy, isn’t as instinctive a CF, and throws like a girl (a girl that doesn’t play baseball, mind you). Much rather have the dude with experience, and of course the experience in a cavernous stadium like Comerica, then Gardner.
And I’d like Greg Golson to stay on, I think there’s something there, at least more so then Hoffman (or Gardner…)
Master of the squeegee
Gardner in CF
Impulsive reaction from last year…honestly I have no opinion whatsoever about where the two play in the outfield.
Yeah, Golson has had a solid spring and is fast enough to provide Freddy Guzman type player off bench and has a bat that can get some singles here or there.
I don’t see Gaudin making the team right know
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
now*
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
How would blowing away AAA hitters help Joba??
The only way he’s going to learn to consistently get major league hitters out is by facing major league hitters.
I'd rather have Joba as the 5th starter
but how exactly is being in the bullpen gonna prepare him to be a starter?
If Hughes is the 5th, I think Joba should go to AAA (and same thing for Hughes). Just to keep their starter chops alive.
If the bullpen stinks, then that’s where the non-5th starter should go.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 21, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed, but Hughes as 5th as of now
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
6 man rotation?
Send him to the pen? What would you do?
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
The Jamie Hoffman
experiment, I believe, is over. Good Outfielder, but not much with the bat. I do not think we will be seeing him on the Yankees this year. Golson, though, has been a good surprise, as has Weber. Weber just looks like a professional hitter. He could be a sleeper to make the roster.
Not sure what they saw in him in the first place
but I’m sure they could have drafted someone better
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Melancon
deserves a shot to show he belongs.
The Joba to AAA depends entirely on where his head is at. If he takes it well and uses it to get back to the MLB then fine. He COULD go into a funk and go backwards.
Otherwise, nice post Brandon. Agree a second lefty is needed because of Marte’s inability to stay healthy.
Hughes will have a very solid season. He knows he cannot get by on potential any longer. This is it for him or he gets traded in the offseason.
Joba to AAA
It does rely entirely on how much it would hurt Joba’s confidence. For now, we don’t need to worry about it, as he could step it up in his next couple of performances. Thanks for the nice words.
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Forget Mitre... Spring Training is not the Regular Season
Joba to the Pen… not AAA. Mitre out.
Granderson in CF; Gardner/Winn in LF.
Agree Thames & Hoffman out… Golson in.
Good post Brandon
by YANKEES FOREVER on Mar 21, 2010 11:06 AM EDT reply actions
Mitre
There may be something to the whole “year removed from Tommy John Surgery” thing everyone is talking about
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Mitre
Or other team’s may be sand baggin it so they can tee off on him during the regular season.
Mitre has never been successful at the major league level and this year will not be any different.
I would prefer Gaudin over Mitre eventhough his spring numbers are worse because he has proven himself at the major league level.
by YANKEES FOREVER on Mar 21, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Last year I was the biggest Mitre hater
This year I am undecided. Gaudin even admit himself he isn’t up to the teams spring training regimen, who says he’ll improve? Teams don’t sandbag it…they have jobs to win, the hitters do, and they won’t just stop hitting so a pitcher on the Yankees gets a job.
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Team
Melcanon will not beat out Joba. No way Yankees will mess with Joba’ s head. Mitre has impressed and that maybe enought to make him trade bait with Gaudin. Question will be what would Yankees get in return for either of them or want for them?
Now it is interesting about Golson and Winfree. But seems so far that Hoffman is the better fielder and good speed. His biggest asset at the plate has been the ability to make contact and patience (that is exactly what one looks for from a pinch hitter). Right now it all depends on the need for defense over offensive. One thing never discussed is the fact that Hoffman could be a emergency replacement at a corner infield position, if the need arose (was a third basement for first two yrs). Golson has the tools but needs to work on his defense. Triple A seems more appropriate for him to hone his defensive skills. Golson looks like a lock to be first player called up, if outfield needs help and to fulfill a Guzman role at end of the year. Winfree is interesting and needs or deserves a shot but maybe included in a trade with a pitcher. Thames is not showing anything but ability to hit long fly balls.
Golson/Hoffmann
Yankees should trade for Hoffmann either way so they don’t have to send him back….I still think people are overrating Hofmann’s defensive skills
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
He was rated as the best OF defender in the Dodgers system for years.
I don’t think his D is overrated at all.
Strikeouts are boring- Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic.
by CasanovaWong on Mar 21, 2010 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
They're overrating it compared to Golson
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Granderson belongs in center
Anybody who thinks that Gradner’s speed is so much better than Grandersn’s and can overcome his bad hops and terrible arm is fooling himself. Plus having a guy like Granderson in center, who played CF in the huge Comerica Park, and Gardner in LF can help “defensively challenged” outfielders like Nick Swisher. Granderson shades over 2-3 steps and we’ll be seeing a lot less bad plays coming from LF.
I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.
Vince Lombardi
Like I said in my comment
I have absoluetly no opinion about that….I just went by impulsive reaction from last year (gardner was in center) and threw him in there. Sorry.
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Yankee roster
I definitely would take Joba over Melancon. With the Joe Nathan news, how about trading someone like Hoffman and perhaps Thames plus Melancon (as a possible closer) and perhaps Albaladejo for Cuddyer (more likely) or Span? In this way the Twins at least get a closer for their needs and the Yanks solidify their outfield. I mention Cuddyer to deal with LHPs especially. If the Twins want a lesser catching prospect such as Romine instead to insure themselves against a Mauer free agency, this is another possibility. Maybe there is no trade available, but I think the basic idea is worth a call.
Wait so this?
Hoffmann, Thames, Melancon, Albaladejo for Cuddyer or Span? So many things wrong with that.
A. The Yankees can’t trade Hoffmann without the Dodgers being involved somehow.
B. No team would accept Thames in a trade. He is untradeable.
C. Albaladejo is at this point worth nothing.
D. Hofmmann isn’t worth much either
E. The Twins just signed Span to an extension and aren’t trading him.
F. The Yankees barely need any of them, why trade depth?
G. Melancon isn’t proven enough to be a closer yet.
H. Romine is not a “lesser catching prospect” I wouldn’t give him up for Cuddyer.
I. Mauer is re-signing with the Twins.
That should answer that.
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Golson
I completely agree that he should get the last spot. I’ve believed that ever since spring training started. Like you said, he still has options left. And his defensive ability and speed is a nice asset off of the bench. The Yankees are going to have a lot more opportunities for him to pinch run for somebody than Thames or Hoffman to hit for someone. And also, unlike hitting, speed never goes into a slump. I completely agree with Golson making the roster.
Also, Joba is going to be on the roster. Whether it’s starting or relieving, I don’t know, but he’s gonna be in the majors. Count on that.
Joba
I THINK he will make the roster I don’t necessarily want him to right now. I may want him in the pen this season, I may want him in AAA…as of now I have him in AAA
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Joba
Is not going to AAA. So, I don’t really get what you did there. Is this the roster you WANT, or the one that will come out of spring training? Oh, and Granderson will be in center. Going simply off where he has spent almost all of his time this spring.
I'm going to update the story
To clear things up.
This is the roster I want, not what I think.
I didn’t do the Granderson in left Gardner center on purpose, that was just an impulsive reaction, I don’t have an opinion on that
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
I don't care...
if Granderson plays left or center, just don’t want the Yankees to play ping pong with him,
make a decision and leave him there. Hard enough getting adjusted to playing in NY, without
going back & forth.
by Great Gatsby on Mar 22, 2010 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
When did they expand the roster size?
You’ve got 13 pitchers and 13 players. By my math, that’s 26 in total, which is one more than you’re allowed to have.
If only Girardi could use the “new math” in coming up with his roster.
I'm an idiot
My bad! Check latest update!
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Good post
but I respectfully disagree on a couple of points.
- Not every player is playing to win a spot on the roster. Some players may be solidifying their backup status, a la Cervelli and Pena. Others may be just there to show what they can do outside of the minors, a la Steven Strassberg (sp?) who pitched very well but the Nationals GM has already said on the radio that he’ll start the year in the minors.
- Stats matter least for pitchers. At least as far as I think fans should be concerned. We don’t know what they’re being told to work on. Command, speed, off-speed, using all their pitches in every at bat, we don’t know. Because we don’t know what Eiland and Girardi are using to make evaluations, I think it’s pointless to place too much emphasis on any one stat. Joba’s ERA sucks, but maybe they just wanted him to work on his change-ups, no matter if they were hit or not. Aceves may have a great ERA but maybe he failed to use all the pitches at his disposal to get X number of outs in his outings. Lastly, these stats are the same as any we’ve used to discuss players’ performances during the post-season: small sample sizes. They are just warming up for a marathon, so maybe it doesn’t really reflect regular season performance as much as we all seem to think it does.
That all being said, I am content to wait and see what Girardi chooses as the roster, and I’ll be happy with whatever he draws up. It’s not a bad thing to have so many choices for outfield or the #5 SP spot or so many pitchers to fill the bullpen with (and others to keep in AAA in case they are needed).
Oh believe me I agree
With #1 if I made it sound otherwise, my bad
2. I don’t see how 3.77 ERA for Aceves is great but I get your point and it is very tough to tell.
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Don't see it...
I know you said this is how you would like to see it, but 13 pitchers, I don’t see it?
Seems everybody is in a rush for Melancon to be here, not ready yet. Maybe a mid-season call-up or if somebody goes on the DL or underperforms?
by Great Gatsby on Mar 22, 2010 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I had too many players, I miscounted
Writer for Pinstripe Alley.
"Today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth."
"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
joba was told to work on pitching inside
and he didnt do that well for a few starts. thats why his ERA is through the roof
I believe in the Church of Baseball
by Frankie Camp on Mar 22, 2010 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions
GO GARDNER!!!!
Keep it up buddy! Drop them bunts and get on base!
"My office is at Yankee stadium. Yes, dreams do come true."
Derek Jeter
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
Related FanPosts on Pinstripe Alley
Related FanShots on Pinstripe Alley
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
