The 2009 New York Yankees Thread

xavier mcdaniel

To me this trade is a no-brainer. Vazquez is among the more durable pitchers and is not old like Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson were at the time of their acquisitions. He's also in a contract year, so he'll probably pitch well and if you don't re-sign him, I'd think he'd be a Type A or Type B free agent, so at the worst you don't re-sign him and get at least one draft pick. Now, what makes it more intriguing is left field. When they acquired Granderson, the assumption was Cabrera slides over to left and they don't re-sign Damon. Now there's an opening there because I don't see them making Brett Gardner an every day outfielder.

Cliffy6745

After a disgusting display by the Giants there is one thing that can cheer me up...

tcaporale

Cliffy6745 wrote:

After a disgusting display by the Giants there is one thing that can cheer me up...

I feel the same way, haha.

I'd much rather see the Yanks win than the Giants anyway... watching the Giants beat the Patriots gave me enough happiness to last a lifetime.

Anyway, it really was a shameful performance today. I mean, they had to win out to reach the playoffs, and it was the last game ever at Giants Stadium, and they played like the Redskins did last week. It's clear that they're a world apart from the Super Bowl team, and it's also clear that losing Burress affected the team tremendously.

igotid88

tcaporale wrote:

Cliffy6745 wrote:

After a disgusting display by the Giants there is one thing that can cheer me up...

I feel the same way, haha.

I'd much rather see the Yanks win than the Giants anyway... watching the Giants beat the Patriots gave me enough happiness to last a lifetime.

Anyway, it really was a shameful performance today. I mean, they had to win out to reach the playoffs, and it was the last game ever at Giants Stadium, and they played like the Redskins did last week. It's clear that they're a world apart from the Super Bowl team, and it's also clear that losing Burress affected the team tremendously.

I don't think not having Burress had anything to do with it. Eli is having his best passing year. And completion percentage. It's the defense that has been the problem.

I can't wait for spring training. I know they probably won't do this. But I'd like to see Brett Gardner play a full season. See how he does.

Cliffy6745

igotid88 wrote:

I don't think not having Burress had anything to do with it. Eli is having his best passing year. And completion percentage. It's the defense that has been the problem.

I can't wait for spring training. I know they probably won't do this. But I'd like to see Brett Gardner play a full season. See how he does.

Its unreal how far the defense has fallen. And Osi is gone more than likely, good chance AP is gone, sad to see these guys go after the Superbowl run. Going to be a different looking defense next year which is not necessarily a bad thing with how they played for the majority of this season.

Spring training is right around the corner...kind of. I hear you on Gardner, I dont think they will do it but I would not mind seeing him on a daily basis the more and more I think about it. I think he is a better option than the guys available besides Holliday. He has a decent OBP and obviously has lots of speed. Not bad for the 9 hole. I would still like them to give the Damon negotiations one more chance, but i dont see that happening.

Cliffy6745

I like this, Montero is the 5th best prospect in all of baseball according to Baseball America and well ahead of some pretty big names, including the Red Sox prized possession.

5. Jesus Montero, c/dh, Yankees
WHY HE’S HERE: The minors’ best hitter, Montero gets compared to Mike Piazza as a catcher whose hitting tools far outstrip his defense. However, the Yankees don’t see him as Jorge Posada’s heir, because his defense is on par with Piazza’s or worse.
WHAT HE’LL BE: Because he’s likely to move out from behind the plate, Montero should be a first baseman or DH primarily. Other ex-catchers with premium bats such as Paul Konerko and Carlos Delgado leap to mind.
WHEN HE ARRIVES: New York’s offseason moves will dictate whether Montero spends all season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre or moves up to the big leagues as a part-time catcher and DH.


http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=7425

rearviewmiror

Cliffy6745 wrote:

I like this, Montero is the 5th best prospect in all of baseball according to Baseball America and well ahead of some pretty big names, including the Red Sox prized possession.

5. Jesus Montero, c/dh, Yankees
WHY HE’S HERE: The minors’ best hitter, Montero gets compared to Mike Piazza as a catcher whose hitting tools far outstrip his defense. However, the Yankees don’t see him as Jorge Posada’s heir, because his defense is on par with Piazza’s or worse.
WHAT HE’LL BE: Because he’s likely to move out from behind the plate, Montero should be a first baseman or DH primarily. Other ex-catchers with premium bats such as Paul Konerko and Carlos Delgado leap to mind.
WHEN HE ARRIVES: New York’s offseason moves will dictate whether Montero spends all season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre or moves up to the big leagues as a part-time catcher and DH.


http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=7425

That's cause Kelly is young, and the real prizes of the Sox org. are at the big club already. Clay Buchholz being the big one.

There is no doubt the Yankees have gotten smarter, but where is this kid gonna play if he can't catch? posada will be your DH, and tex is your 1b. For a few seasons at least.

Cliffy6745

rearviewmiror wrote:

Cliffy6745 wrote:

I like this, Montero is the 5th best prospect in all of baseball according to Baseball America and well ahead of some pretty big names, including the Red Sox prized possession.

5. Jesus Montero, c/dh, Yankees
WHY HE’S HERE: The minors’ best hitter, Montero gets compared to Mike Piazza as a catcher whose hitting tools far outstrip his defense. However, the Yankees don’t see him as Jorge Posada’s heir, because his defense is on par with Piazza’s or worse.
WHAT HE’LL BE: Because he’s likely to move out from behind the plate, Montero should be a first baseman or DH primarily. Other ex-catchers with premium bats such as Paul Konerko and Carlos Delgado leap to mind.
WHEN HE ARRIVES: New York’s offseason moves will dictate whether Montero spends all season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre or moves up to the big leagues as a part-time catcher and DH.


http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=7425

That's cause Kelly is young, and the real prizes of the Sox org. are at the big club already. Clay Buchholz being the big one.

There is no doubt the Yankees have gotten smarter, but where is this kid gonna play if he can't catch? posada will be your DH, and tex is your 1b. For a few seasons at least.

Casey Kelly and Montero are basically the same age, Kelly is two months younger.

I still think the Yankees are trying to have him catch. At least at first and well enough to split time with Posada until he is done. They are only going to be on the same team for a year and a half at most. Montero still needs some time in triple a.

Jeff Murray

If Cervelli grows even more into the catcher position I don't see Montero getting much time anytime soon. That kid flat out plays hard and hustles. I'm hoping he is the #2 catcher this year rather then a emergency backup. From what I've read the management likes his approach with the pitchers, he's not afraid to give pointers to the veterans.

If Montero is that good of a hitter I would hope he learns to play an outfield position.

You can see the Yanks were planning well for Posada's eventual departure from behind the plate, plenty of prospects to fill in.

Cliffy6745

Jeff Murray wrote:

If Cervelli grows even more into the catcher position I don't see Montero getting much time anytime soon. That kid flat out plays hard and hustles. I'm hoping he is the #2 catcher this year rather then a emergency backup. From what I've read the management likes his approach with the pitchers, he's not afraid to give pointers to the veterans.

If Montero is that good of a hitter I would hope he learns to play an outfield position.

You can see the Yanks were planning well for Posada's eventual departure from behind the plate, plenty of prospects to fill in.

The Yankees really are stocked with catchers, Cervelli, Montero, Romine.

I do think that Cervelli is going to be the backup catcher coming into the season but I have to disagree with you on Cervelli playing more than Montero when he comes up. Cervelli cannot hit and is not going to be in the lineup over Montero even if he does handle the pitchers a bit better. The Yankees have a veteran pitching staff and they know what they are going to throw and when.

Jeff Murray

Cliffy6745 wrote:

Jeff Murray wrote:

If Cervelli grows even more into the catcher position I don't see Montero getting much time anytime soon. That kid flat out plays hard and hustles. I'm hoping he is the #2 catcher this year rather then a emergency backup. From what I've read the management likes his approach with the pitchers, he's not afraid to give pointers to the veterans.

If Montero is that good of a hitter I would hope he learns to play an outfield position.

You can see the Yanks were planning well for Posada's eventual departure from behind the plate, plenty of prospects to fill in.

The Yankees really are stocked with catchers, Cervelli, Montero, Romine.

I do think that Cervelli is going to be the backup catcher coming into the season but I have to disagree with you on Cervelli playing more than Montero when he comes up. Cervelli cannot hit and is not going to be in the lineup over Montero even if he does handle the pitchers a bit better. The Yankees have a veteran pitching staff and they know what they are going to throw and when.

So the Yankees have a good problem at catcher! Montero needs to become a seasoned catcher, while Cervelli needs to become a better hitter. And if both improve where they need to, the Yanks will have a very difficult decision.

As far as the veteran pitching staff, sometimes they get stuck in their ways and need someone to point that out, and that is one place where Cervelli has not had a problem, he is not in awe of their star status.

Only time will tell which one will win out the position, or if the Yanks get greedy and bring in Mauer. Should be fun to watch.