Why Veras and Berroa are still with Yankees?

As you guys know, I expect to have a busy May and June. That's why I can't blog and watch Yankees games as many as I would like to. Please stay with me, I will be back at full speed when July comes around.

When our bombers are doing great, I have the same question as many Yankees fans have. Why Veras and Berroa are still with Yankees?

I know Veras has a great live arm, but he can't control where the ball goes that is the big problem for any relief pitcher in the bullpen.

When we have Pena as our utility infielder, why we need Berroa on our team?

I don't get it.

I know we are only few days away from getting Molina and Nady back. On top of that, our bombers are doing great right now, so it seems it doesn't matter at all.

Nady will "only" be out 4-6 weeks

I think they come up with this conclusion because Nady will be a free agent after this season. I am wondering how much Nady can bring on the table if he only is able to play as DH. We already have a lot of DH candidates. However, that is no guarantee Swisher will be able to hit like this the whole season and how healthy the rest of lineup will be. It certainly is good to have some depth.

Nady is injured

Hopefully, we can get him back shortly. A possible elbow injury doesn't sound good. Fortunately, we have Swisher to plug in. That's why I don't want Yankees to trade either one of them during off-season when you consider how many question marks we have in the lineup. Yankees takes a hit not only on depth but also on offense because Nady actually is one of few position players actually hitting right now.

Aceves starts with CC in minor league

1:21pm I just turn on computer and watch Rays announcers praising Price's strikeout to end the first inning. Come on. I know this feed is from Rays announcers for their home team. Even though Price strikes out Nady, it's a high changeup which is a bad pitch.

1:24pm Hopefully, Aceves is fine. It seems to me Aceves turns his ankle or something. I actually think Aceves pitches well in that first inning even though he loads the bases.

1:37pm Swisher just gets on base by a walk after taking some balls and fouling many pitches. The way Swisher hit and play should bring best out of Nady. Nice competition. The same thing goes to Melky and Gardner.

1:54pm Even though I like the way Aceves pitches, he should try to throw more strikes. It seems to me he always pitches behind in the count. He will be in big trouble if he does that in regular season and faces a more patient team like Red Sox and Yankees.

2:01pm After reading the ball well and catching that fly ball, Gardner just gets on base with a walk. At this stage of spring training, the way Gardner plays is very hard to see Melky winning the job over him barring injury.

2:15pm It's a stupid play by Crawford. Crawford just gets tagged out at third for trying to steal third, especially he just steals second base. When you hit before Pena, what is the difference between second and third. You know what? Pena follows up a single. I know he is confident on his speed, but why do that when you just steal second and a left hand hitter(Pena) is on the plate. Even though Rays eventually score one run, Crawford basically causes his team one run.

2:25pm The way Rays hitters run crazily off Cash today. We better not to let Posada catch first series against Rays. It will be better to let Molina catch this series to stop running game. First run of this game is basically from steal. That not only prevents Rays from running but also avoids Posada hurting himself for trying to catch runners at this early of season.

2:37pm I am watching this game on MLB.TV. I know the feed is Rays network, but it has been very hard for me to stand this broadcasting. The way they praise their home team and down on other teams as much as they can is unbearable.

2:55pm I know Swisher didn't throw very well to second base when he tries to start a double play. However, the throw is not horrible. I actually think we get the runner. Swisher just make a terrific play at first when the ball will be down the line for a double.

2:58pm All the throws Cash make to second base are all very terrible. He should not have anything to do with Yankees major league club.

3:12pm Marte has a relatively easy solid first inning of spring training.

3:16pm Igawa's scoreless inning streak is on verge of being broken. Amazing! Igawa just strike out when there are runners on second and third with less than 2 outs. The locations of Igawa's pitches are better.

3:22pm Even though Igawa gives up a walk after a tough at bat by Rays hitter, Igawa loads the bases and gets out of it. Cashman definitely is working on trading Igawa if he can do it now.

3:24pm Rays announcers really use every chance to praise Rays as much as possible.

3:44pm Igawa loads the base again. m.... Igawa just walks the first run he allows in spring training. Ok. I take it back. The way Igawa pitches should have nothing to do with Yankees big league club. His command and control really doesn't look like the most Japanese pitchers I often see. His command and control is better, but it still is not good enough for American league.

Joba's 5th Spring Training Outing

1:21pm It sounds like Joba has a good first inning of work. Suzyn and John say Yankees hope Joba can get batters out at fewer pitches. I actually don't concern about that. As a no.5 pitcher, if big 4 are doing they are supposed to do, we should have well-rested bullpen to back up Joba. That is the lesson Joba will learn from pitching more. I don't think that is something young pitchers can suddenly listen to.

1:33pm Damon not only makes a great catch on left field but also move Melky over to third base with less than 2 outs. Let see whether or not Teixeira can get that run in with less than 2 outs. Ok. Texieira walks. I think Matsui can get that run in

1:37pm Probably not. Let see how Nady hit in that spot. Ok. They don't. They have been done this very well so far this spring. I hate to see Yankees can't get the runner on third with less than 2 outs in.

1:40pm Joba is in trouble now after giving out three singles in a row.

1:47pm See Tiger get that runner who is on third with less than 2 outs in.

1:51pm Joba gets out inning and only allows one run even though he uses tons of pitches for that. In the end, How many runs pitchers give up is all the matter.

1:57pm Is it just me to feel this way? Is this Tiger top pitching prospect? The way Yankees keep hitting liners right at fielders. It doesn't sound very impressive for me.

2:08pm I will guess Joba uses spring training to practice his third pitch(curveball) and fourth pitch(changeup). I won't worry about Joba's stats, results and pitching counts.

2:12pm See, another great hit by Yankees. I know he gets tons of money of signing bonus and he is very young.

2:15pm Joba uses 57 pitches for three innings. Wow! A lot of pitches.

2:16pm Damon hita another ball hard to drive in first run for Yankees. I just finish the previous sentence. Teixeira comes up with another double for another run. Yankees leads 2-1 over Tiger. I think Tiger will definitely rush him if they put this 19 year old young pitching prospect on the big league team out of spring training.

2:22pm The way Swisher demonstrates his ability at plate and the way he plays defense when you compare him with Nady. I don't think why Swisher can't beat out Nady for right fielder job. I really don't think Girardi should grant right fielder job to Nady by default.

2:28pm Joba's day is done. 3.1 IP 4H 5K 1R/ER 63 Pitches.

2:33pm Damon makes another great play and saves a run. I sometimes don't understand so many so called experts claim how terrible defense Yankees has on every position. I think Damon is above average left fielder. If Damon can play a capable left fielder, I can't see why Jeter can't do it when he and Yankees decide to move from short stop position.

2:36pm I know a lot of Yankees fans don't like the way Suzyn and John broadcast on radio. However, they are fine for me when you compare with other radio announcers. I know they like to express their opinion a lot, but at least we can understand what exactly happen on the field. They also give us many information on both teams on the field.

2:48pm Miscommunication between Cano and Nady?

3:00pm Yankees certainly can be benefited from competition of all out fielders positions once Matsui can start playing outfield position. At least center fielder and right fielder will be in competition.

3:02pm Forget to mention. Melky improve the ability of running and putting bunts done. I agree with Sterling that Yankees play fundamental baseball better. However, Teixeira strikes out with runner on third with less than 2 outs after Nady did once earlier. Maybe today is one of days Yankees hitters just can't do it or opponents pitchers pitch better when runners on scoring position.

3:07pm Mo is up. Yes. Mo certainly will throw more pitches that last time out. Five pitches for strike out. Next pitch for ground out. Three pitches for a ground ball single. Three pitches for third out of the inning. Mo's line 12 pitches 10 strikes 2 balls 2SO 1GO 1H.

3:14pm Everyone is worry about who will be closer once Mo retires. Why worry about something is so far away? The way Mo pitches and the command and control Mo demonstrates I don't see why Mo can't pitch few more years.

3:34pm Edwar is in trouble and give up the tie run. Spring training stats sometimes mean nothing for major league pitchers. Not to mention, Edwar is behind everyone because of injury. I know many Yankees fans concern how Edwar, Bruney and Veras will perform and hope other youngsters to win the job. I know the trio don't have good command and control, but we know we have a lot of replacements down the farm if they can't get the job done once season starts.

3:51pm Miranda certainly can hit, but his defense is not good at all. By the way, Veras comes in and gives up another run after Miranda hits a two runs homerun.

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.

Nady or Swisher?

I think Yankees really commit to reduce their payroll to certain level which I agree with. Even though I don't think Yankees really need to deal one of outfielders because Swisher can play a lot of positions, I think Yankees will trade one of them if the right deal is out there. Because I think Yankees will and should get another veteran starter by trade or free agency, they probably want to free some payroll for that starter and use rest of budget to get a center fielder.

Based on what I heard from Yankees and what I saw from watching Yankees games, I think Yankees will deal Nady that I agree with.

Cashman already said Damon is not going anywhere because he is our lead off man. Matsui certainly can produce well when he is healthy. Not to mention it's very difficult to trade him based on his situation. Because of Japanese market, I don't think Yankees will be willing to risk the possibility of hurting Japanese market by trading Matsui. It's totally different story to trade him now instead of letting him walk at the end of his contract.

Swisher has a bad 2008 season which may result from luck, new team, new position and new batting order. I think he will be back to his 2006-2007 form. Not to mention Swisher is a patient switch hitter who can play a lot of positions and sign a team friendly contract. If Yankees let Damon and Matsui leave after 2009 season, it will be good to have him for one of spots. For me, I also like his personality. I think he will be good for Yankees.

On the other hand, Nady has a career year which will get paid much more in Arbitration. Don't forget Yankees try to control their payroll now. Of course, no one says Nady can't repeat that performance. Even if Nady's agent Boras let him hit the free agent market and sign with other teams, Yankees certainly can get draft pick for him if he perform well again in 2009 season. Don't forget Yankees still can sign him if he perform well again in 2009 season even if we trade him now. However, you always want to trade players when their values are high and buy players when their values are low. Based on what I saw from him and Swisher last year, I will bet on Swisher to perform better than Nady in 2009.

Of course, this all depends what kind of deals Yankees can get for them on trade market.