New York Yankees News and Notes

by Frank Campagnola on Feb 29, 2012 6:00 AM EST in New York Yankees News

Good morning, Pinstripe Alley readers. Here's your morning news for Wednesday, February 29th.

For the first time since his Tommy John surgery, Joba Chamberlain threw off a regulation mound. He threw sixteen fastballs during the session, and hopes to add breaking balls back into to his repertoire on Friday.
Joe Girardi says there is not a battle for the fifth spot in the rotation, but a battle between Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda, Phil Hughes, and Freddy Garcia for the final three spots. CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda are guaranteed rotation spots, which seemingly answers who the second starter will be when camp breaks.
At The Daily News, Mark Feinsand writes that Ivan Nova is dealing with the pressure of expectations after his excellent rookie season.
Brian Cashman recently reached out to Andy Pettitte and offered him the job of "special instructor," which Andy accepted. The former Yankee great is hopeful the arrangement will continue for years to come.
Joel Sherman is calling Girardi's bluff, and says that Phil Hughes is all but guaranteed a rotation spot due to Brian Cashman's belief that Hughes is a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Baseball Prospectus published another study examining the effects catchers have on their pitching staffs, and once again, Russell Martin ranked among the best in the game, with an extra 67 runs prevented over the last four seasons.

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Russell Martin ranked among the best in the game, with an extra 67 runs prevented over the last four seasons.

GIVE HIM ALL THE DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by GriffMan on Feb 29, 2012 8:12 AM EST reply actions

ALL THE DOLLARS

by jetanumba2 on Feb 29, 2012 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

I think it would be ok to sign Martin after the season if we feel he is worth that price. If he stays healthy and improves , i doubt the yanks would be out spent if they wanted to resign martin. There will be FA options this next off season for cathcers. Patience in this case pays off.

by ABMANTLE on Feb 29, 2012 9:17 AM EST reply actions

If he hits the open market, I don't see the Yankees keeping him

With Yadier Molina supposedly getting 5 years/$75MM, Martin’s price will probably be pretty high. They’re the same age with similar career numbers and are both regarded as good defensive catchers. The difference is Molina is coming off his best year and Martin’s numbers have been below average for the last 3. How he performs this year will really drive how much Martin can expect to get as a free agent. If he shows improvement over last season and stays healthy, he’s going to be highly coveted, and the Yanks may not be able to afford him in 2014.

by otamamij on Feb 29, 2012 10:35 AM EST up reply actions

Martin's offense does not need to be anything above average for catchers for the Yankees to keep him.

If the team is at the point where Martin’s failure to pound the ball hitting 8th is making a difference, then the team has a lot of other much bigger offfensive problems. Cashman obviously understands that 17 saved runs per year is the equivalent of that many RBI.

I’m not concerned with Ivan Nova’s mental toughness. After all the crap last year, he’s shown that he’s a proven commodity. I’m more concerned about Hughes, who has a higher upside than Nova, but has been injured, fat, and moved around between the rotation and the bullpen. Before the season ends, the Yankees will be glad that they have Garcia, whether for long relief, spot starts, or injuries.

by designatedquitter on Feb 29, 2012 10:53 AM EST reply actions

67, not 17

by yanksrule on Feb 29, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

67 in the last four years, so 17 per year.

Contributing writer for Pinstripe Alley.
Follow me on Twitter @frankiecamp48

by Frank Campagnola on Feb 29, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

LOLel Sherman

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Feb 29, 2012 11:06 AM EST reply actions

The fact that Pineda is amongst those competing for a rotation spot worries me

I expect him to earn one anyway, but can you imagine if he doesn’t right away? There would be a total shit storm here.

Also, if he doesn’t make it does that mean he comes out of the pen? Because oh good God I don’t want ANOTHER Joba situation, especially with someone we traded Montero for.

I know where I come from, and when you always have in mind where you come from the rest will be easy. I think the rest will be easy.

-- M. Rivera

by GMan83201 on Feb 29, 2012 11:12 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I see this as completely impossible.

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Feb 29, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions

I sure as hell hope so

by long time listener on Feb 29, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

His chances of missin the rotation are as low as Kim Jones’ chances of finding a job!

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter, Writer for On The Banks

by Brandon C. on Feb 29, 2012 12:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I saw it as impossible too

Which is why I was surprised to hear he wasn’t promised a rotation spot. I mean, how badly would he have to perform to not get one?

I know where I come from, and when you always have in mind where you come from the rest will be easy. I think the rest will be easy.

-- M. Rivera

by GMan83201 on Feb 29, 2012 12:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Not sure what all the hoopla is about Pineda not being handed a spot.

Seems to make sense that at his age and with his limited MLB playing experience he is told he has to work for the spot. Same thing should hold true for Hughes and Nova. Garcia, as an aging player with well less than HOF career numbers also has to prove he can get the job done.

by NYYankeeDude on Feb 29, 2012 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

we just traded our best prospect to get him

And we traded him because he was considered, if not a No. 2-type pitcher right now, someone who was on the cusp of turning into one. To hear now that he’s not even guaranteed a rotation spot is a little surprising.

by long time listener on Feb 29, 2012 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but telling him he is guaranteed a spot is not necessarily the best play.

Hughes went into Spring last year looking like everyone’s favourite choice for No.2. Look how that turned out.

by ArunK on Feb 29, 2012 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

Yes we did trade away top flight talent for Pineda

And Pineda needs to be the #2 guy we traded for.

But we still shouldn’t just hand that spot to him. We have to push him to earn it until he proves otherwise.

Of concern though is the need to develop a 3rd pitch. Makes me wonder whether we made a good deal.

by NYYankeeDude on Feb 29, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

It’s a bunch of lip flapping to keep people from getting complacent. I’ll break into the owner’s box naked on opening day if Pineda isn’t in the rotation to start the season.

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Feb 29, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

Your doing that may not be the crowd- pleaser that you anticipate.

by designatedquitter on Feb 29, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

girardi may have said that so people come into spring training with a fire under their ass

Gentlemen, you cant fight here. This is the War room!

by NYC Jim347 on Feb 29, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Oh yay...

Source

Russell Branyan – a long shot to make the team – experienced some back spasms on Wednesday. Girardi: “Don’t know how long it will be. I think it was tightening and spasms. We’ll have to wait and see.”

"Don't you think it's strange that you'll make more money than President Hoover this year?"
"Why not? I had a better year than he did." - G.H. Ruth

by Andrew GM on Feb 29, 2012 2:07 PM EST reply actions