$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on May 30, 2007 18:42:14 GMT -5
Its more like drowning people, in this case being delusional fans, looking for a rope to grab on to. I agree, Hughes is no lock. In fact, if he can pitch to a .500 clip this year, after being on a baby pitch count last year and with his growing rep of staggering under pressure (I have named a couple of examples on here in the past) there is no way to expect much more.
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Post by Chris on May 30, 2007 19:08:58 GMT -5
Ahhh but maybe we are overlooking the inevitable OBI WAN KENOBI - LUKE SKYWALKER-like relationship that will develop between he and Clemens which he keep hearing about enabling Hughes to become a dominant pitcher. HA!
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 5, 2007 6:33:17 GMT -5
At least there's some good news coming out of Trenton. The other day, top prospect Joba Chamberlain threw 6 innings and struck out 12. He is striking out 1.73 batters per inning. His ERA in AA is 2.60 right now, so he's really dominating down there. You never know--even though it shouldn't happen, he may get a call up.
Though he isn't striking out the batters as fast, Ian Kennedy is also doing extremely well down there, 2.32 ERA, 39Ks in 31 innings with a better WHIP than Chamberlain.
In other news, Mr. Wonderful Ross Ohlendorf is healthy again, and is doing better now that he's off the DL, throwing 5.2 scoreless innings and giving up just 2 hits in his last start.
Steven White has been outstanding for Scranton, with a 2.31 ERA since his injury woes went away. He's probably not that far off from being ready.
One interesting mystery is the absence of Shelley Duncan on the Yankees roster. He's a DH/1B down there and having a career year. Despite the obvious opening in the Bronx, he is still there. He's going to be 28 in September, but maybe the Yanks can catch lightning in a bottle and grab a Shane Spencer/Kevin Maas.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 5, 2007 7:17:57 GMT -5
Chamberlain has been invited to, and will be participating in, the Minor Leagues Futures Game. He is the only Yankee prospect that will be on hand, from skimming the roster.
Balls, you are going to love this, despite what the POST says today, reports on the MLB wire have the Yankees mulling over giving up either Chamberlain or Kennedy to bring in Eric Gagne.
Something about Duncan the Yankees do not like. I may ask the question in a Baseball America chat. I dont think he is a lifesaver, and you said yourself its a CAREER YEAR, but I think he is a better option than Phillips and Cano.
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 5, 2007 7:30:03 GMT -5
I saw that in the Post. I would be surprised to see that happen. The idea of trading a top level prospect for an injury prone reliever is just extremely stupid, especially when your rotation is old and these guys aren't that far off. Steven White maybe. But Kennedy and Chamberlain should be untouchable.
I would be extremely pissed if we traded one of those guys for Gagne.
Don't get me wrong, I don't see Duncan as the future by any means, but as a stop gap fill in for 2007, I say go for it.
Like you said, we're dealing with Andy Philips out there. Give Duncan the shot.
Nice Freudian slip with Cano though. I'm assuming you meant Cairo.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 5, 2007 7:44:54 GMT -5
Cashman himself admitted only Hughes is "untouchable."
Yeah, I meant Cairo, although Cano has been a tremendous dissapointment and has taken himself out of the "who is the best young second baseman in the game" discussions.
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 5, 2007 8:03:36 GMT -5
Cashman has been pretty smart with the young pitching. And I think Chamberlain and Kennedy are both pitching themselves into untouchable status. Either way, you don't trade the future for a reliever.
The wording of the Post article also seems to show that Cashman isn't looking to make this deal:
"Because GM Brian Cashman has been reluctant to talk about including minor-league pitchers Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain in a trade - Phil Hughes is untouchable at all costs - the Yankees likely don't have what it will take to get Gagne, in whom the Tigers are very interested. "
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Post by thecaptain15 on Jul 5, 2007 8:04:49 GMT -5
I hope the Yanks realize it just isn't happening this year and they don't make a stupid deal like that..It is one thing if you trade for a Texeria type player and can lock him up (I know he is a Boras client) but I wouldn't give up those pitchers for anything less than a younger postional stud if anything......This year is done let it go and work to next year. Call up a couple of these guys in September and give them a taste and see what they can do....
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MSBNYY
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 5, 2007 8:13:31 GMT -5
They are getting to the point of deciding whether to sacrifice this year. They obviously want to open the new stadium with being in a position to win. They may have to think about being sellers this year instead of buyers.
We have one of the better farm systems, but the reason for that is because of young pitching. The positional talent is as barren as ever.
They should seriously consider unloading some of their MLB level talent for positional prospects. Demand among real contenders could be higher than you would expect. The Post even said that there might even be demand for Kyle Farnsworthless.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 5, 2007 8:15:13 GMT -5
Yeah, demand for him if the Yankees pick up all the money. Bad way to do business, especially when you have a higher payroll than NASA.
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 5, 2007 8:19:55 GMT -5
You said the same thing about Randy Johnson.
Not ALL the money. Some. Teams are not going to seriously expect the Yanks to do that and they won't. So worst case, status quo.
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Post by thecaptain15 on Jul 5, 2007 8:49:18 GMT -5
Pick up the money if we get a better prospect...Geez with 4+M tix sold again they can pick it up..
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 5, 2007 8:52:28 GMT -5
Depends on the prospect and the amount of money.
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Post by mac0822 on Jul 5, 2007 9:10:03 GMT -5
Is Mo available? The Sox could use him as their 7th inning guy.
Let me know...
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 5, 2007 9:12:08 GMT -5
You dont want him to stay in New York so you can continue to kick his ass every time the Yankees stupidly put him on the mound against you?
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 5, 2007 10:05:37 GMT -5
By the way, Brett Smith got the old "5 inning rain-shortened no-hitter" for Trenton yesterday, although he was all over the place.
Brett Smith had one of the strangest no-hitters in memory on Wednesday. Smith threw a five-inning rain-shortened no-hitter, even if it might not rank as his best start of the season. Smith walked seven, but managed to work his way out of trouble in a 10-0 win over Altoona. Making it even more special for Smith, his mother was in the stands as she saw him pitch for the first time this season.
baseballamerica.com
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 5, 2007 10:11:35 GMT -5
What's the scoop on Alan Horne? Legit prospect or just a guy having a sick year in Trenton?
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 5, 2007 10:16:36 GMT -5
Depends who you believe. I actually just emailed you something with his name mentioned in there. Some think he is legit, but most think he is middle of the rotation at best, filler at worst.
Great avatar, by the way.
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Post by thecaptain15 on Jul 5, 2007 10:25:51 GMT -5
These days middle of rotation would be fine....LOL
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 5, 2007 11:42:58 GMT -5
That e-mail was interesting. I wonder if the answers would have been different had he been asked to ignore the injury concerns of Chamberlain and just talk upside.
It seems Chamberlain's downside is being brittle.
I can understand the concern over Marquez. After a great start, he's slowed down and doesn't strike people out. Wang is good without the Ks, but even I will admit that it's an exception rather than a rule.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 19, 2007 8:08:49 GMT -5
So I finally got around to watching the Futures Game last night, and got to see pitching prospect Joba Chamberlain, the big Indian, hurl. This guy is a keeper. Even the broadcasters were fawning over him, he was one of only 3 prospects (Justin Upton, the top prospect in all of baseball, was another, so he had fine company) to get interview time during the game.
He comes across well, and humble. Had a lot of praise for Clemens, who worked with him a bit. Joba (pronounced JABBA, not Joe-Ba) gave up a run, but was throwing smoke. He is, by far, my favorite prospect in the system, and this one worked out for me cause I was following him while he was still in Nebraska.
While he was pitching a dumb bird was parked between the mound and the plate, and at one point he sort of strolled over to get it away, but it merely bounced a couple of steps. So Joba walked back to the mound and waved the catcher over to get the bird out of there instead. Good stuff.
Also, in the unintentionally funny thing, when asked what the first thing he would ask a guy like Clemens, he replied, "How?" as in "how can you pitch so well into your 40's when I hope to just lift my arm at that time" - but, him being an Indian and all, I found it funny he said, "How."
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 19, 2007 8:16:20 GMT -5
Hughes apparently looked sharper in his rehab start yesterday. They have declared him 100 percent and now it's a matter of building his arm up. He'll be bumped to 75 pitches in his next start.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 19, 2007 8:30:15 GMT -5
He'll be bumped to 75 pitches in his next start.
Oh, goodie! Exactly where he was at all last year!
Wake me up when he can get to 100.
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 19, 2007 8:34:05 GMT -5
That's why he has more than 1 start left. The goal is 100.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 23, 2007 10:53:55 GMT -5
Read in more than one place this weekend that the Yankees are seriously considering promoting Chamberlain to pitch out of the pen.
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Post by jwmcc on Jul 23, 2007 10:56:11 GMT -5
True, but when would they do that, when the rosters expand? In a week? Sounds like a risky move to make. Jw
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 23, 2007 11:05:29 GMT -5
From what I am getting out if it, he would replace one of the bums out there. At worst, the plan all along seemed to be to get him some game-action later in the year, out of the pen come roster expansion. But the timetable may be rushed, because his stuff has been lights out, and we have a few idiots in the pen.
His stuff, and his makeup, profile as a reliever. In fact, there are some pushing him to be groomed as a closer. Even at the Futures Game, he hit 100 on the radar gun, although the gun may have been just a little speedy. But still, he was throwing as hard as anyone. He is averaging 13 Ks per 9 innings. They like the idea of him in short spurts.
Me? I would prefer to keep him as a starter. But keep in mind, he has a history of injury...it may be a proactive move to keep him healthy, while reaping reward.
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 23, 2007 11:05:30 GMT -5
It is a risky move. He got hit hard in his last start. That happens, but let him master AA first.
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$heriff Tom
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Post by $heriff Tom on Jul 23, 2007 11:14:10 GMT -5
His stuff would translate. By getting rocked in his last start he has been rocked in what, 5% of his appearances this year? This is why they are considering bullpen. He can come in and blow guys away. He may be new to pro baseball, but he came into the system as a college senior, so he is much more advanced. He would not be thrown into the lions, and he could be a better option than the jackoffs throwing slop out of the bullpen as it is. Thats the bottom line.
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Post by MSBNYY on Jul 23, 2007 11:19:07 GMT -5
Actually, I think this is the first time he got rocked all year.
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