It seems Yankees never stay still during any point of season, including off-season and playoffs. This certainly gives Yankees fans many things to talk about and have chances to love Yankees more which is a good thing.
There is no exception this off-season as well.
As for Brian Bruney trade, I really can't say I will miss him because it seems to me he always walks tons of guys that is a big no-no for me to a pitcher. I rather pitchers to give up hits than walking guys.
As for Curtis Granderson trade, my first reaction is Yankees giving up a little bit too much for him. Personally, I won't give up Austin Jackson for him. That being saying, I will rather Yankees have him than giving another big long term contract to relative older players, such as Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. Of course, I know they are much better overall players than Curtis Granderson. But, at some point, you have to ask how many long term contracts Yankees want to tie to for at least next 5 years.
I don't know prospects good enough to say which team gets the best deal out of this three-way trade. However, no one knows for sure how all the prospects will turn out to be.
If what Brian Cashman says is true which Yankees’ priority this off-season is pitching and a left fielder with no-so-firm fewer pay roll on hand, I think this deal means few things. First of all, I think this deal pretty much closes door on Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. Brian Cashman always likes to have flexibility. I don’t think he will go out to give another long term deal.
As for Johnny Damon, Yankees probably gain some leverages during negotiation. If Damon asks more than 2 year deal which I won’t give to him, I can see Yankees go to lesser players in order to add some depth. As we see this season, Melky and Gardner can handle the platoon situation. That being saying, Damon is a good fit to no.2 spot as DH and plays some games at the left field in order to give DH spot for Posada, Jeter, A-Rod and Teixeira once a while.
Brian Cashman probably focuses on starting pitchers and bench players from this point on. However, I think this deal may have an impact on Roy Halladay deal for couple of reasons. Of course, I assume Yankees will get Pettitte’s deal done at some point of this off-season.
Firstly, I don’t think Cashman is willing to give up prospects and giving another big long term contract to a pitcher after signing AJ and CC the past off-season. As history shows, there is a big risk to give any pitcher a long term contract. One will think two long term contracts to pitchers will be enough. I know Roy Halladay is an ACE, but he will be 33 year old in 2010. Do you really want to sign him through 37,38?
Secondly, I don’t think Cashman want to give up all good prospects he has at the same off-season after dealing Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy and Phil Coke. You don’t give up prospects and let him walk at the end of 2010 season. Draft picks mean much less for Yankees than other small market teams. As Girardi shows he can handle the bullpen well, Yankees will need all the pitching depth they have on the higher minor league system to fill up their bullpen and(or) rotation. You can’t deal all of them away.
If I have to guess now, I think Yankees will bet and sign one or two veteran starting pitchers for a short term deal this off-season in order to fill up the end of rotation. Let us wait and see.
Let’s Go Yankees!
Showing posts with label Brain Bruney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brain Bruney. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
What is wrong with Wang? part 2
Some people believe there is no way Wang is healthy. Michael Kay even comes up with his own take on his radio show: Wang has a bad shoulder. Others believe Wang's problem comes from bad mechanics.
As for now, I take Wang's words. Wang is not a 40 years old pitcher who is at the end of career. There is no point to pitch through injury, especially at the beginning of season. As my previous post points out, I believe what Bruney said. Because Wang hasn't trust his right foot or hasn't build up strength of his right foot completely, it leads to his bad delivery, terrible control and horrible command.
Because of long layoff, Wang's mechanics is not consistent and is difficult to repeat and regain. As for Wang's velocity, I see 92mph sinker from Wang with good movement from Wang during his last start against Indians. A lot of fans always like to add few mph when they describe how hard a pitcher on their team throws. Based on what I hear from Wang, Wang's sinker is around 91-93 while his four seamer will top at 94 at times. I don't think Wang loses 5mph on his sinker(95mph to 90). The way a lot of people claim.
Keep in mind three things. First of all, terrible delivery also can lead to drop of velocity. Secondly, Wang may hasn't built up his arm strength due to long layoff. Thirdly, Wang's velocity usually is up when the season goes on.
Even if Wang loses few mph on his sinker, he still will be a above average pitcher or at least average, serviceable pitcher if he gets his command, control and movement back on his pitches(sinker,four-seamer, sliders).
The only concern I have is Wang's bad mechanics may lead to arm problem later on.
P.S Based on interviews Wang have with Taiwanese media, Wang actually feels he starts getting his sinker back the last game against Indians. During the whole spring training, Wang has two concerns. First of all, he hasn't gotten his velocity all the way back yet. Secondly, he hasn't threw his sinker well yet. He is glad he starts getting the feel of his sinker. In his opinion, the movement and location is much more important than velocity.
As for now, I take Wang's words. Wang is not a 40 years old pitcher who is at the end of career. There is no point to pitch through injury, especially at the beginning of season. As my previous post points out, I believe what Bruney said. Because Wang hasn't trust his right foot or hasn't build up strength of his right foot completely, it leads to his bad delivery, terrible control and horrible command.
Because of long layoff, Wang's mechanics is not consistent and is difficult to repeat and regain. As for Wang's velocity, I see 92mph sinker from Wang with good movement from Wang during his last start against Indians. A lot of fans always like to add few mph when they describe how hard a pitcher on their team throws. Based on what I hear from Wang, Wang's sinker is around 91-93 while his four seamer will top at 94 at times. I don't think Wang loses 5mph on his sinker(95mph to 90). The way a lot of people claim.
Keep in mind three things. First of all, terrible delivery also can lead to drop of velocity. Secondly, Wang may hasn't built up his arm strength due to long layoff. Thirdly, Wang's velocity usually is up when the season goes on.
Even if Wang loses few mph on his sinker, he still will be a above average pitcher or at least average, serviceable pitcher if he gets his command, control and movement back on his pitches(sinker,four-seamer, sliders).
The only concern I have is Wang's bad mechanics may lead to arm problem later on.
P.S Based on interviews Wang have with Taiwanese media, Wang actually feels he starts getting his sinker back the last game against Indians. During the whole spring training, Wang has two concerns. First of all, he hasn't gotten his velocity all the way back yet. Secondly, he hasn't threw his sinker well yet. He is glad he starts getting the feel of his sinker. In his opinion, the movement and location is much more important than velocity.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wang with Posada at Phillies
1:56pm So, Posada and Wang don't have good luck in terms of rainouts. Yankees don't want them to travel a lot. They end up with moving more than 2 places
2:03pm Wang has very economical pitching counts in first inning. 1 ground ball 2 flyouts
2:08pm Yankees and coach staff probably are scared to death when Phillies pitcher almost walks Wang to first base.
2:11pm Wang is in trouble to begin second inning. Trouble always begins at walk. Guess what? Wang is always one pitch away from double play.
2:20pm Posada is tested for first time of this game. Runner steals second successfully. Since I can't see it, I don't know how Posada looks. But, Wang strikes out the batter to end the inning. Wang throws a lot of balls in second inning.
2:25pm Back to back walk to Posada and Damon. If Posada can catch 110 games, that will be a huge upgrade for 2009 season.
2:30pm Yankees tie the game for Nady's infield single. See. Trouble always begins at walk.
2:37pm Wang's command and control is not so good today, but he comes up with another double play. I think Wang tries to practice his secondary pitches, such as slider, changeup and splitter. When he is in trouble, he always has sinker to go to.
2:45pm Wang is very underrated in terms of his defense. He just makes a great play to end the inning. There are two hits Wang gives up today are basically ground ball. But, his command and control is not too good.
3:16pm It seems to me Wang get tired once he reaches his pitch counts. I am listening to Phillies announcers for this game. Why they talk like Damon hits .200 last season? Come on, I know Damon doesn't have a great arm which everyone knows it, but the guy hits over .300 at leadoff spot.
3:25pm Wang's day is done. Bruney is up and strike out first two batters he face. However, Bruney gives up another run for Wang and 2 runs for himself. I believe Joba should be in the bullpen crowd will be out pretty soon.
4:05pm When Giese follows Bruney's step to get killed, I believe Joba should be in the bullpen and our bullpen are terrible crowd will be all out by now. Come down, guys. This is a spring training game. Sometimes all relief pitchers have the bad days together. It seems to me Tomko will be long man job.
4:09pm The most important thing of this game is Wang pitching solid and hopefully Posada comes out healthy and feel good after throwing to second once.
2:03pm Wang has very economical pitching counts in first inning. 1 ground ball 2 flyouts
2:08pm Yankees and coach staff probably are scared to death when Phillies pitcher almost walks Wang to first base.
2:11pm Wang is in trouble to begin second inning. Trouble always begins at walk. Guess what? Wang is always one pitch away from double play.
2:20pm Posada is tested for first time of this game. Runner steals second successfully. Since I can't see it, I don't know how Posada looks. But, Wang strikes out the batter to end the inning. Wang throws a lot of balls in second inning.
2:25pm Back to back walk to Posada and Damon. If Posada can catch 110 games, that will be a huge upgrade for 2009 season.
2:30pm Yankees tie the game for Nady's infield single. See. Trouble always begins at walk.
2:37pm Wang's command and control is not so good today, but he comes up with another double play. I think Wang tries to practice his secondary pitches, such as slider, changeup and splitter. When he is in trouble, he always has sinker to go to.
2:45pm Wang is very underrated in terms of his defense. He just makes a great play to end the inning. There are two hits Wang gives up today are basically ground ball. But, his command and control is not too good.
3:16pm It seems to me Wang get tired once he reaches his pitch counts. I am listening to Phillies announcers for this game. Why they talk like Damon hits .200 last season? Come on, I know Damon doesn't have a great arm which everyone knows it, but the guy hits over .300 at leadoff spot.
3:25pm Wang's day is done. Bruney is up and strike out first two batters he face. However, Bruney gives up another run for Wang and 2 runs for himself. I believe Joba should be in the bullpen crowd will be out pretty soon.
4:05pm When Giese follows Bruney's step to get killed, I believe Joba should be in the bullpen and our bullpen are terrible crowd will be all out by now. Come down, guys. This is a spring training game. Sometimes all relief pitchers have the bad days together. It seems to me Tomko will be long man job.
4:09pm The most important thing of this game is Wang pitching solid and hopefully Posada comes out healthy and feel good after throwing to second once.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Burnett's 3rd Spring Training Outing
8:11pm I wake up one hour late, but I only miss one and half inning? There must be a lot of base runners. The pace of this game is much slower than the game Wang pitches. I know Burnett gives up one run and has allowed quite few base runners. I don't care the result. I am glad Burnett faces some difficulties and can have something to improve on. If Burnett keep having almost perfect spring outing, that will give many Yankees fans unrealistic expectation as well. Hopefully, Burnett's left arm is fine when he was hit by pitch.
8:17pm The way Blue Jay pitching staff constructs and forms, they and Orioles are going to lose many games this season.
8:20pm I am impressed the at bat by Swisher. Actually, he has been done this quite a while. He always can work the count well by making contact with good pitches and not swinging at bad pitches. On the other hand, it seems Nady is not as selective as Swisher. I believe Swisher is going to help us a lot if Girardi can give him enough playing time. I believe Giardi will like Swisher this kind of player. When all said and done, he will beat out Nady for right field job.
8:43pm I think Burnett is fine when you consider he not only can't command his breaking pitches but also can't locate his fastball. However, I am not sure how he will fare if he most major league hitters.
8:46pm Bruney has a fine first inning of work when he takes over Burnett because he can make adjustment on the mound when he can't throw his fastball for strike. However, don't forget to give Posada credit for that.
9:28pm Ok. My computer gives up on me. When I come back, I find out Bruney give up two runs and gets taken out of game. I not only miss this but also miss Mo's quick inning work.
10:04pm We certainly get more chances to look at kids because of the absence of A-Rod, Jeter and Cano, such as Pena and Nunez, etc.
As long as everyone is healthy and they know what they can improve on their game, I am not worrying about spring training number.
8:17pm The way Blue Jay pitching staff constructs and forms, they and Orioles are going to lose many games this season.
8:20pm I am impressed the at bat by Swisher. Actually, he has been done this quite a while. He always can work the count well by making contact with good pitches and not swinging at bad pitches. On the other hand, it seems Nady is not as selective as Swisher. I believe Swisher is going to help us a lot if Girardi can give him enough playing time. I believe Giardi will like Swisher this kind of player. When all said and done, he will beat out Nady for right field job.
8:43pm I think Burnett is fine when you consider he not only can't command his breaking pitches but also can't locate his fastball. However, I am not sure how he will fare if he most major league hitters.
8:46pm Bruney has a fine first inning of work when he takes over Burnett because he can make adjustment on the mound when he can't throw his fastball for strike. However, don't forget to give Posada credit for that.
9:28pm Ok. My computer gives up on me. When I come back, I find out Bruney give up two runs and gets taken out of game. I not only miss this but also miss Mo's quick inning work.
10:04pm We certainly get more chances to look at kids because of the absence of A-Rod, Jeter and Cano, such as Pena and Nunez, etc.
As long as everyone is healthy and they know what they can improve on their game, I am not worrying about spring training number.
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