The 2009 New York Yankees

[Kashanova]

Stadium update

[KOL]

Stadium looks real nice, I heard Brian Cashman said that pitching is priority, a day later I heard they were trying to sign Manny?
Nevertheless, im guessing C.C Sabathia and Jake Peavy are high on the list.
Will Joba remain in the 'pen?

[Kashanova]

I think depending how the winter goes they'll determine what's better for the pen.

I'm pretty sure C.C. is going to be a yankee, other than that i don't know who else the yanks are going to get.

[YankeePride]

They want Joba as a starter. Putting him in the pen would be a bad move. You don't throw a pitcher with a 95+ mph fastball, and plus plus curve and slider, along with a plus changeup into the pen.

I've read that Phil Hughes is doing well in the Arizona Fall League. That's a good sign as I've always worried about him.

[Sandman42]

I think it was either Cashman or Girardi that said Joba would start the year as a starter and then they would go from there as to limit his innings throw. Maybe by skipping him a few times in the rotation later in the year or whatever. The bullpen showed they are fine without Joba, as Bruney, Edwar, Veras, and Coke can all be effective relievers.

YP, Hughes has been doing alright in the AFL. It seems like he either has starts where he dominates or he completely loses it. I wouldn't looks that much into the stats of any of the Fall or Winter leagues though because they aren't that great of a guage of the player's talent. It's a very uneven playing field in the AFL or in any of the Winter ball leagues.

[YankeePride]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sandman42

I think it was either Cashman or Girardi that said Joba would start the year as a starter and then they would go from there as to limit his innings throw. Maybe by skipping him a few times in the rotation later in the year or whatever. The bullpen showed they are fine without Joba, as Bruney, Edwar, Veras, and Coke can all be effective relievers. YP, Hughes has been doing alright in the AFL. It seems like he either has starts where he dominates or he completely loses it. I wouldn't looks that much into the stats of any of the Fall or Winter leagues though because they aren't that great of a guage of the player's talent. It's a very uneven playing field in the AFL or in any of the Winter ball leagues.

Oh, yea, definitely, but any kind of good outing is a good outing for Hughes. He needs to get back on track in some way. Perhaps carry that into next season.

In other news, Jason Christian (who I liked) is further proving an inability to hit as he is struggling in a Winter League somewhere in a foreign warm climate. I can't remember where he is exactly. He is, however, 4 for 4 on stolen base attempts. Running doesn't get you into the majors for a long time. Christian needs to learn how to hit Major League pitching.

[Sandman42]

Baseball America ranked out top 10 prospects.

1. Austin Jackson
2. Jesus Montero
3. Andrew Brackman
4. Austin Romine
5. Dellin Betances
6. Zach McAllister
7. Alfredo Aceves
8. Phil Coke
9. Mark Melancon
10. Bradley Suttle

I can't wait to see what Betances is able to do at the higher levels. He's got excellent size for a pitcher and has excellent stuff. The main knock on him so far is his control is pretty wild, but he's still very raw as a pitcher.

[KOL]

I'm wondering whether they will go to Japan for talent again?
There are some sturdy looking players out there, Yu Darvish, Koji Uehara and a young guy who has been banned form Japanese ball for skipping their draft who's last name is Tazawa.
Darvish would cost the Yanks a lot, $90 million just to negotiate.
Uehara, probably is a middle relief - SU man
Tazawa, seems like this guy is the talking point around MLB. He is the top ranked Japanese FA in 2009.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Quote: Originally Posted by YankeePride

Oh, yea, definitely, but any kind of good outing is a good outing for Hughes. He needs to get back on track in some way. Perhaps carry that into next season. In other news, Jason Christian (who I liked) is further proving an inability to hit as he is struggling in a Winter League somewhere in a foreign warm climate. I can't remember where he is exactly. He is, however, 4 for 4 on stolen base attempts. Running doesn't get you into the majors for a long time. Christian needs to learn how to hit Major League pitching.

Justin Christian? I don't think he's gonna amount to much more than a 4th outfielder. Doesn't really possess the necessary tools to ever start for the Yankees.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sandman42

Baseball America ranked out top 10 prospects. 1. Austin Jackson 2. Jesus Montero 3. Andrew Brackman 4. Austin Romine 5. Dellin Betances 6. Zach McAllister 7. Alfredo Aceves 8. Phil Coke 9. Mark Melancon 10. Bradley Suttle I can't wait to see what Betances is able to do at the higher levels. He's got excellent size for a pitcher and has excellent stuff. The main knock on him so far is his control is pretty wild, but he's still very raw as a pitcher.

Jeremy Bleich has been absolutely shut down in Fall League play. I thought he should make the list somewhere since he has much higher ceiling than Coke, Aceves, Melancon. 28-1 K/BB ratio in his last 24.2 innings in Fall ball.

Betances and Brackman are a (tall) pair to keep an eye on, they could climb the prospect rankings quickly.