Batter Up! Official 2012 Spring Training Baseball Thread

[lgna69xxx]

From River Avenue Blues regarding the Pettitte comeback

It came out of nowhere, which makes it all the better. Minutes ago Jack Curry reported that the Yankees have signed Andy Pettitte to a one-year, $2.5 million minor league deal. Joel Sherman has since confirmed the report. At 1 p.m. the YES Network will have more details. Chances are Pettitte won’t be ready for Opening Day — he does need to get into the swing of things — but he’ll be around for the 2012 season. Forget Michael Pineda. Forget Hiroki Kuroda. This is the most exciting news of the off-season.

Update by Ben (1:03 p.m.):According to multiple reports, Pettitte got the itch to rejoin the club when he visited Spring Training a few weeks ago. After considering a return throughout the off-season, he reached out to the club recently, and the team responded in kind. As Sherman reported, Yankee sources said, “It’s Andy Pettitte; if he wants to come back, we say yes.”

For now, Pettitte’s comeback attempt — and that’s what this is — will have little impact on the starting rotation. Pettitte, who turns 40 in June, will have to work his way back into game-ready condition, and the Yanks plan to give him as much time as he needs. He should probably be viewed as an option come mid-May or even early June. Much depends upon the current condition and the shape of his left arm and legs.

When or if Pettitte is ready to return to the Majors, the Yanks will have the luxury of seven viable starters. He could slot in behind CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda while taking pressure off of the young Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda with Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes in the wings. Pettitte’s return would also make Garcia, signed to just a $4 million deal, a potential trade chip.

It’s something to think about how, just over two months ago, the Yanks were facing a shortage of starting pitchers but now find themselves awash in arms.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Good article on why the red sox need to sign Roy Oswalt

The arms race in the AL East is on.

With the New York Yankees’ luring Andy Pettitte out of retirement and back into their rotation, the balance of power in the division has swung even further away from the Red Sox.

The Yankees now boast a rotation of CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda, and Pettitte. The versatile Phil Hughes can now head back into the setup role he so thrived in, joining an already solid bullpen.

This development was not what the Red Sox needed.

They now simply cannot compete with the pitching staffs of the Yankees and Rays. If they want to have any hope of competing in the division this year, they need to make a move to bolster their pitching staff immediately.

The one that makes the most sense, fans have been clamoring for and is most obvious is to sign Roy Oswalt.

It may be late in camp and Oswalt may not be an ideal option, but the Red Sox can ill-afford to wait a month or two into the season to find something better. Oswalt represents a proven player who can stabilize the back end of their rotation, something they sorely need. Although Daniel Bard has looked good this spring, counting on him to provide 30 starts and a reasonable ERA is asking a lot out of someone who has not started a game since 2007.

An open competition for the fifth slot is a nice idea in theory, but what good can really come of it? If they choose Felix Doubront, they get a player who rarely stays healthy and has thrown a grand total of 35.1 Major League innings. If they choose Alfredo Aceves, they remove a vital cog from their bullpen and hitch their wagon to a man with eight career starts. The rest of the field (Vicente Padilla, Andrew Miller, et al.) have injury concerns that will likely preclude them from being considered.

Coupled with Pettitte’s return, this lack of strong internal options has forced the Sox’s hand. Normally, Oswalt’s track record of success (three All-Star games, a 3.21 career ERA) would be outweighed by his troubling injury history and the notoriously difficult transition from the NL to the AL. However, things are anything but “normal” now.

The Yankees’ bold move is a testament to the idea that if a team wants to compete in the AL East, they need as many arms as they can get. Petitte represents not only a pitcher who knows how to win, but one who can be effective despite his advanced age.

While his performance was a bit uneven last year, Oswalt is someone who could easily follow this Petitte model. Despite the fact that he no longer possesses the high-90s heat that made him a perennial Cy Young contender in Houston, Oswalt still managed to put together a solid effort last season.

By dealing Marco Scutaro, the Red Sox have cleared several million dollars off the books that could be used to sweeten an offer for Oswalt. As they learned last year, a team can never have enough depth in the starting rotation.

Along with the projected All-Star break return of Daisuke Matsuzaka, the addition of Oswalt would enable the Sox to remain competitive in the AL East. If they fail to act now and get Oswalt into camp and ready for the season, they could quickly fall out of the race and be merely in afterthought in 2012.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Mounting concerns over Pineda's velocity

Two of Michael Pineda's pitches appeared set. The slider, a pitch he calls "my baby," looked ready for the regular season. The changeup, a weapon he wanted to hone this spring, might have been his best pitch of the day. But the fastball, and its relative lack of velocity, remains the central issue lingering over Michael Pineda. In the Yankees' 8-5 victory against the Nationals Thursday, Pineda showed signs that he's settling nicely into his new surroundings. ... Yet even that quantum leap was overshadowed by the numbers that popped up on radar guns behind home plate: Pineda's fastball, which a season ago sat in the mid-90s, averaged just 90 mph.

Desperate for help, the Yankees turned yesterday to the ancient, atrophying arm of former major leaguer, Andy Pettitte. Brian Cashman also met yesterday with Alan Hendricks, agent for Roger Clemens.

The Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)

 

[lgna69xxx]

Thats why it is called spring training. Pineda also came into camp a few lbs over his playing weight, quite the opposite of CC who came into shape trimmer than he has been in years. Pettitte is a good signing and the Yanks have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If Andy still has "IT" then great!, if he doesnt then he doesnt, they were not planning on having him in the rotation anyways before yesterday so it's all good in Yankeeland. :thumb:

On the contrary, Hughes velocity is up and looking to make a strong comeback

Prediction.... Andy still has "IT" and Pineda wins 12-15 games this season. Trust me rumps, was it not YOU who thought Nova would never win 5 games last year and spend more time in Scranton than the Bronx, yet Eager Beaver and myself both said "wait and see rumps, wait and see"

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Prediction.... Andy still has "IT" and Pineda wins 12-15 games this season. Trust me rumps, was it not YOU who thought Nova would never win 5 games last year and spend more time in Scranton than the Bronx, yet Eager Beaver and myself both said "wait and see rumps, wait and see"

right, and you also thought the Yanks would win the World Series. How did that work out?

Remember, EVERYTHING went wrong for the Sox last year...and they won 90 games. Over/under for the Sox - 94 wins. Over/under for the aging, defense challenged Yankees - 91.

Rule number one for ALL professional sports teams - Never hire a GM named Brian.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Better than the red sox, thats for sure. If you remember correctly, you had them as the best team EVAH! , how did that work out

The Yanks won 97 games last year, and added 2 reliable starters and now Pettitte. The offense will continue to be one of the best in the game. And was it not YOU who used the defense excuse last season as a major reason the Yanks would not make postseason? They got better as a team, cant say the same for your team. If i were you I would be worried about that staff of fragile pitching, both physically and mentally. Asking Danny Bard to be a starter should not end well, he has not been one since I believe 2007 and his arm is no longer built for those kind of innings over the course of a long 162 game season. Buchholz coming off a season where he had a broken back and has pitched more than 100 innings only once in his big league career is a major concern as well. Who knows whats between the ears of Beckett anymore. Lester should be good as long as he stays away from the antics in the clubhouse from last season and he will under Bobby V. And another MAJOR reason the Yanks improves, no more AJ, that alone is good for 5 more wins :lol:

Prediction.... Danny Bard back in the bullpen by June1 and red sox finish in 4th this season.

right, and you also thought the Yanks would win the World Series. How did that work out?

 

[daydreamer41]

right, and you also thought the Yanks would win the World Series. How did that work out?

Remember, EVERYTHING went wrong for the Sox last year...and they won 90 games. Over/under for the Sox - 94 wins. Over/under for the aging, defense challenged Yankees - 91.

Rule number one for ALL professional sports teams - Never hire a GM named Brian.

Gee last year, bunches of Sports writers predicted that the Red Sox would win the Series, and your precious team finished a strong 3rd place. Keep listening to those know nothing sports writers, rumps. The Sox are a shoe in for 4th this year behind the Rays and Blue Jays.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Pineda's velocity on the rise

Thats why it is called "spring training", rumps.... Time to work on things and clearly Pineda is.(see link below) He came into camp 20 lbs overweight, already lost ten and will be where he needs to be in 2 weeks when the season is set to start. Hughes pitched well today and with Pettitte back in the fold, well...... good luck with Dan Bard as a starter for 6 months, btw, he will be lucky to make it half that as a starter and by then how good will he be as a closer with his confidence shot?... Always liked Bobby V. but this train wreck is worth buying a ticket to see. The quest for 28 is alive and well in da boogie down Bronx at the house Derek and George built. :thumb:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...tball-velocity-speed-94-mph-article-1.1047937

the fastball, and its relative lack of velocity, remains the central issue lingering over Michael Pineda. Pineda Pineda's fastball, which a season ago sat in the mid-90s, averaged just 90 mph.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Brett Lawrie, the next Superstar in baseball?

How good can this guy get? Batting .609 this spring and seems he is as natural a talent as Arod was coming up with Seattle years ago. Can't wait to watch him play live this spring/summer in TO. To bad he ended up playing over the limit late last season thus he is no longer a rookie, he would of been one of the the favorites for ROTY this season. Oh well, maybe the MVP then kid. The Jays are gonna be scary good if they put together a good group of starters. Should contend this season for a wild card and possibly the division in the next 2-3 years and beyond.

 

[Doc Holliday]

The Jays have had a phenomenal spring & the key will be to keep the starters healthy. I actually think the starting pitching will be as good if not better than last season, and an improved bullpen. John Farrell's decision-making should improve with one year under his belt as a MLB manager.

Personally, i'm picking the finish 3rd or better in the AL East.

I can't wait for the season to begin! :thumb:

 

[lgna69xxx]

Girardi makes Bobby V his Bitch! (want some cheese with that whine Mr. Feb 14th?)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Bobby Valentine still wasn't happy even after Ryan Sweeney scored on a squeeze bunt in the ninth inning to give the Boston Red Sox a 4-4 tie against the rival New York Yankees on Thursday night.

"It was regretful that (Clayton) Mortensen warmed up, though, and then we were told they weren't going to play an extra inning," Valentine said. "I didn't think that that was very courteous."

Generally, spring training games that are tied are played through 10 innings, unless a team runs out of pitching.

Valentine scoffed at the idea the Yankees had run out of pitchers.

"They had plenty of pitching. Probably too long of a ride. They could have known that going in.

"No, they had plenty of pitching."

The Yankees used five pitchers, with seven remaining on their travel roster.

"Usually they (the umpires) talk about it if it's a tie game, but they didn't," said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. "And I used all our pitching and I just said that's it. I just looked at (umpire) Tim Tschida and said that's it."

Valentine was informed the game was over as the umpires walked off the field.

"The umpire came over and said we couldn't play," Valentine said. "I don't care about not playing. It's just, you know, why do I have to warm up my pitcher who's trying to make a team, come in in a tie game against the Yankees and maybe help him make a team and instead he has to walk off the mound to take a shower?"

Asked how it is generally determined to call a game early in a tie, Valentine responded:

"Usually you go over and say, 'Hey, I don't have any more (pitching).(Or) I have 10.'" Valentine said. "I don't know. I haven't been around in a long time. Joe (Girardi) knows better than I. I guess you just walk off the field.

"I'm sure (Girardi) didn't do anything deliberate. It's just I have to answer a pitcher who's trying to make a team. Why use that bullpen?

"I don't set protocol. I'm learning."

 

[Doc Holliday]

Joba in hospital with severe ankle injury.....season in doubt

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/sto...erlain-suffers-severe-field-ankle-dislocation

 

[Doc Holliday]

Joba Chamberlain dislocates ankle while jumping on trampoline

Joba Chamberlain, who once swept New York into a fervor with his dominant relief work for the Yankees, now finds his career in some doubt after dislocating his right ankle while playing on a trampoline with his son.

Chamberlain, who was already working his way back from Tommy John elbow surgery at Yankees camp, suffered the injury at what general manager Brian Cashman explained was a "kid's center with athletic activities featuring trampolines," according to the YES Network's Jack Curry. Chamberlain had surgery Thursday night for what was described as an "open dislocation" and will be hospitalized for several days.

Chamberlain, who was less than a year removed from Tommy John surgery, tweets often about his 5-year-old son Karter, posting a silly photo of the two just a day before the trampoline incident. Cashman told Curry he did not believe Chamberlain's son was hurt in the accident.

Chamberlain did not figure in the Yankees' immediate bullpen plans as he recovered from elbow surgery, but this latest setback, which a somber Cashman termed "massive," jeopardizes any chance he'd have of contributing in 2012. Chamberlain is entering his sixth major league season and is slated to make $1.675 million this season. He won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2013 season.

The ankle injury was the latest star-crossed incident for Chamberlain, who stoked some mania with his high-velocity debut in 2007. The Yankees attempted to convert him to a full-time starting pitcher in 2008 and 2009, but he spent the past two seasons strictly in a relief role.

http://content.usatoday.com/communi...islocated-ankle-trampoline-son/1#.T2ykMsUge1w

 

[lgna69xxx]

Say it aint so......

Johnny D and Vlady G out of work.....

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tom_verducci/03/20/johnny.damon/

 

[lgna69xxx]

"Switch Pitcher"?

Should of known if anyone could do it, he would be wearing Pinstripes :thumb:

http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseb...tte-pitches-from-both-sides-of-the-mound?bn=1

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

The Great Jesus Montero Giveaway

No wonder the Yankees signed a 45 year old pitcher who hasn't pitched in two years. Obviously it's too early to say, but this could turn out to be one of the worst trades of all time.

Yankees pitcher Pineda needs shoulder to cry on
By KEVIN KERNAN
Last Updated: 9:39 AM, March 31, 2012
Posted: 2:05 AM, March 31, 2012
TAMPA — The question before last night was: Could young Michael Pineda pitch lights out in order to come from behind to earn the final spot in the Yankees rotation?

Following his putrid performance against the Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Pineda admitted his right shoulder is hurting, and now you must wonder if he will ever again be the pitcher he was for the Mariners during the first half of last season, the pitcher the Yankees thought they were getting when they traded Jesus Montero to Seattle.

Several times while speaking with the media, Pineda’s eyes filled with tears.

“I’m the same Michael Pineda,’’ he said in a quiet voice. “I’m making adjustments. I’m pitching. I’m the same Michael Pineda as last year.’’

No, he’s not. This was not just about a lack of velocity. Pineda became a pitching pinata, surrendering six runs on seven hits, walking three and striking out only two, lasting only 2 2/3 innings in the Yankees’ 13-9 win.

He admitted he tried to dial it up and couldn’t. His fastball stayed mostly in the 90-91 mph range. The more he tried to muscle up, the more he lost command. Often, his fastball was straight as an arrow. He kept trying to stretch on the mound, but never could get the right feel for his body or his pitches.

“I didn’t have good command for my fastball,’’ he said. “My arm is a little sore.’’

He then pointed to the back of his shoulder where the pain was most troublesome. That’s the red flag of shoulder pain, and Pineda will undergo an MRI today — the worst possible news he and the Yankees could get.

When Pineda walked into the Yankees clubhouse around 5 p.m. he had his headphones on and was swaying to the music, trying to shut out the outside world. Pineda tried his best to ignore a roomful of reporters and put on his game face, but he never looked comfortable in his pregame setting.

When he went to the mound, it got much worse.

He showed no fastball, no confidence; there was no life in his body, much less his pitches. He had lost it all and as he tried to explain all his pitching woes, you had to feel for him, but you also had to realize Pineda put himself in a bad situation by coming into camp way overweight. He was never mentally or physically ready for the challenge of being a Yankee.

If George Steinbrenner were still around, this would not be pretty.

Remember, though, Pineda is only 23. There is much to learn about him. This much is fact — between his first spring training start against the Phillies and last night’s start, he has gone backward at a breakneck pace. You can be sure the Yankees will now take the cautious approach with him. He may never make it to Yankee Stadium this season.

When his night was over, and Pineda left the clubhouse, he walked alone down the dark hallway, head down, shoulders slumped. He was a lost pitching soul.

Putting him in the rotation and letting him grow looked to be a good move, but his shoulder changes everything. Up until last night, his ERA was 3.31 and he had struck out 16 batters in 16 1/3 innings and showed a new changeup. Then it all fell apart.

“He has no command and can’t repeat his delivery,’’ noted one scout at the game.

Michael Pineda is damaged goods right now. He is not right, physically or mentally.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Or the best of all time. Pineda needs more time anyways and Freddy G is a more than capable 5th starter, no need to rush Pineda. Kinda funny, a red sox fan talking about worse trades of all time, lol. Ever heard of Babe Ruth

PS, some are saying Campos could be the best of all the young arms the Yanks have on the farm and came over as part of the Montero/Pineda trade.

No wonder the Yankees signed a 45 year old pitcher who hasn't pitched in two years. Obviously it's too early to say, but this could turn out to be one of the worst trades of all time.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Kinda funny, a red sox fan talking about worse trades of all time, lol. Ever heard of Babe Ruth

AS anybody who knows anything at all about baseball knows, Babe Ruth was not traded to the Yankees.

PS, some are saying Campos could be the best of all the young arms the Yanks have on the farm and came over as part of the Montero/Pineda trade.

Quoting Joe.T again?

 

[lgna69xxx]

He was traded for the all mighty dollar no? Same thing but still funny to see you try to post an argument about it, your post is the very definition of "grasping for straws". Joe T? No, I think he is shacked up somwhere with Kelly Summers right now and eating Steak and Eggs from his new fav resto!

 

[Merlot]

Kinda funny, a red sox fan talking about worse trades of all time, lol. Ever heard of Babe Ruth

Really.

So who was Ruth traded for??????????

You're baseball knowledge is almost as bad as your hockey sense (lack of). Ruth was sold for $125,000 and a loan of $300,000. There was no player trade. DUH!

Perfect record Iggy. You never let the truth see the light in you.

Bravo. :lol:

Merlot