Speaking of Home Run Javy, did anyone notice the 2008 White Sox now have as many members of the 2004 Yankees pitching staff (Contreras and Vazquez) as the 2008 Yankees (Mussina and Rivera) do?

Somewhat improbably, the 2007 Sox also had as many guys (Contreras, Vazquez, and Bret Prinz) as the 2007 Yankees did (Rivera, Mussina and Scott Proctor). Didn’t waste anytime in clearing out that 2004 team, did they?

Damon is also playing a very good LF, which is nice.

Austin Jackson is also raking in Trenton thus far (.300/.404/.388), so outfield help may well be available for 2009 if need be.

Austin Jackson is also raking in Trenton thus far (.300/.404/.388)

I’m not sure that constitutes “raking,” per se. You’d like to see at least some power.

It’s early in the season, and the fact that he’s greatly improved his selectivity bodes very well.  Jackson hit for power in Tampa and during the Hawaii Winter Baseball League.  Also, I didn’t imply he was major league ready right now - just that by next season he may be able to help the big league club.

I know. I’m just being a nit-picking ass. At first, I thought that it was a typo, since I recalled Jackson having displayed some power. I do love the OBP.

Speaking of power, Jesus Montero’s line thus far at Charleston is: .361/.384/.554 and he’s just 18 years old.

All right, you mugs, I need an answer.  I’ve been asking this question and trying to research for a while, but can’t find an answer.

What happens in the minors when the Yankees call somebody up (without sending somebody down, as with a DL situation)?  DOes it result in a chain of callups that goes all the way down to Rookie ball?  And if so, does the Rookie team have to go out and sign somebody else?

Conversely, if the Yankees send someone down without a callup (as when someone comes off the DL), is there a chain of demotions that results in some porr kid being kicked out of pro ball?

This is a totally serious question.

JL, you’re way too hard on yourself.  (And I had the same reaction to the use of the word ‘raking.’)

I liked this, by PA:

Home runs allowed to Manny Ramirez
1. Jamie Moyer 10
2. Mike Mussina 9
3. Tanyon Sturtze 8
4. Brad Radke 6

See, Moose does pitch like Jamie Moyer!

Damn.  Somebody tell me - how do I prevent my punctuation marks from metamorphosing into those repulsive little pictures?

Good game last night. I think the only downer for me was that Jeter couldn’t get the ball out of the infield. He seems to be only effective right now when he anticipates the ball on the outer half. This is nothing new and it seems to happen every year in the first month or so. He seems very slow to inside fastballs and gets jammed a lot by hard throwers. I would like to see him get that first homer sooner than later. At least he’s been pretty good with rbi’s given most of his hits are singles.

WP—you could try separating them like this : )

Now answer my goddam question!

:glombi:

Anyone seen APhil lately?  He was funny.

What happens in the minors when the Yankees call somebody up (without sending somebody down, as with a DL situation)?

I’m not sure, but I think there is a ripple effect.  You may want to try and ask this question to Chad Jennings, Scranton Wilks/Barre beat writer.  His blog is here.  I’d bet he knows the answer.

He seems very slow to inside fastballs and gets jammed a lot by hard throwers.

You’re right, it is nothing new.  That’s the trade-off you make when you build your entire hitting approach on letting the ball travel as long as possible.  Given the sustained success that this approach has brought him, I’m not sure it does much good to wish that he’d change.

Thanks SG.

fgas, post your answer when you get it, will you?
Thanks

Jeter may not hit home runs, but he’s still hitting his share of double each year. As long as he’s doing that and getting on base around .390-.400, he’s doing fine in my book.

So how many runs will the Yanks need to win tonight?  My guess would be six.

So how many runs will the Yanks need to win tonight?  My guess would be six.

...per inning.  Sure, that sounds about right.

Jeter may not hit home runs, but he’s still hitting his share of double each year. As long as he’s doing that and getting on base around .390-.400, he’s doing fine in my book.

You are right as is MC. I remember though that in 04 after the 0-34 streak he ended it with a long homer off Zito in YS. That season he really did seem to handle more inside stuff and his slug % seemed to go up considerably that year evidenced by 23 hrs and around 40 doubles.  He hit 19 the following year. In 06 which was his best overall season probably since 98-00 he fell to 14. If he had just jacked a couple more that year he would have cleared 100 rbi’s and perhaps made just enough more of an argument to have eased past Morneau for MVP.
I realize overall that he’s a fine player but he will never see the kind of money in an extension that he’s getting now. Part of the power problem is by his syle of swing, stance etc., when he drives the ball it’s often to the larger dimensions of the park.  Anyway nothing to get worked up about…

I wonder what happens with Girardi if Moose goes on a long stinking streak say four-five starts in a row?  I really would be careful with those hangers to guys like Crede, AJ and Thome.

I thought everyone would enjoy this.

http://www.sportspickle.com/features/volume7/2008-0416-vorp.html

Very cute, ABD.
I wonder how she feels about VORBP (Value Over Replacement Blog Participant)?

“After 20 games, the Yankees had yet to hit any homers besides 15 solo shots and 5 two-run shots.”

...Henh?  That’s a homer a game.  I think you’re missing a modifier there.

fgas, I can give an incomplete answer…

The Yankees generally don’t give promotions to real prospects unless their is some merit to it - an empty position one level above isn’t the type of reason they move high-value guys. They have plans for guys like Austin Jackson, Francisco Cervelli, Jose Tabata and Jesus Montero and don’t deviate much from those plans.

But they keep a pool of players in Extended Spring Training in the event of injuries and to fill vacancies after big league promotions. When Chad Moello was called up, instead of promoting PJ Pillittere up from Trenton, and thus promoting Kyle Anson from Tampa to Trenton, etc, they just took an unassigned catcher like Jason Brown and sent him to SWB to fill the roster spot. Jason Brown is an organizational guy - not a guy with big league potential.

If there were to be an injury to a rotation member in Tampa or Trenton anytime soon, they’d assign Brett Smith there. He’s a fringe prospect at best, and don’t want him taking innings from other guys they want to develop.

...Henh?  That’s a homer a game.  I think you’re missing a modifier there.

Early morning cobwebs.  I was trying to say they hadn’t hit any 3 run HRs or grand slams and that mess came out instead.

He smokes one the other way for an opposite field HR and the Yankees go up 2-0. That HR does not help his BABIP though.

From yesterday’s gameblog, this was quite funny.

I’ll have to start late, but I’m up for liveblogging tonight….

All yours Keith.  I’ll get the thread up for you.

I thought everyone would enjoy this.

http://www.sportspickle.com/features/volume7/2008-0416-vorp.html

Wow, that was amazing.