Comments for Pinstripe Pundits - A New York Yankees Baseball Blog

Comment on Is Ichiro done? by Derek

Derek — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:43:13 +0000

Yeah, he’s essentially a sunk cost at this point. I do think there is value in him as a bench/role player, but he can’t take at-bats away from others, especially Wells at this point.

Comment on With Cervelli injured, Austin Romine will get a chance by Derek

Derek — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:41:24 +0000

Romine might get a chance now that Stewart is also banged up. However, the real guys to watch going forward are J.R. Murphy and Gary Sanchez. Both are off to pretty good starts in the minors this year, and supposedly, Sanchez has made strides defensively.

Comment on With Cervelli injured, Austin Romine will get a chance by JohnHD

JohnHD — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:08:21 +0000

Romine’s history with back issues concern me a little and that coupled with Girardi’s admitted reluctance to use him makes me wonder if he will eventually be the team’s number 1 catcher. I would love to see the Yankees have a first-class homegrown catcher. I have been hoping either Romnie or Montero would be but now I am not completely convinced Romine is the answer.

Comment on Is Ichiro done? by and

and — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:10:39 +0000

I think he is very overrated as ha hitter.
3time silver slugger is just a joke.
I’m M’s fan so watched his tons of infield hits and his tries to bunt on RISP. He also don’t select ball　in spite of　lead off guy.
Suzuki was gone away by weak Mariners.
Why did NYY give him old man 2-years contract.
I don’t know.

Comment on Is Ichiro done? by Roy Munson

Roy Munson — Sat, 18 May 2013 14:05:34 +0000

He’s here to sell Sapporo and Jerseys first and play baseball second. This is what happens when Cashman gets overruled by the “hierarchy” of Steinbrenner-Levine inc. Sadly I think he’ll cause a more deserving youngster a roster spot next season.

Comment on The 40-Man Chopping Block by Ted Nelson

Ted Nelson — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:38 +0000

Agreed on the roster casualties. Plenty of spare parts to cut loose. Many of them could potentially be re-signed or slipped through waivers.

Also agree that thing may look a little different in a few months due to injuries. Not just set backs, but someone else could easily get hurt (Hafner being a good candidate).

One thing I would point out, though, is that LOOGY and LHRP are not interchangeable terms. That a RP uses his LH does not make him a LOOGY. Rapada is certainly a LOOGY (Rondon at best looks like one too), but Logan has not been used as such for most of his Yankee tenure and Cabral is a chage-up guy who I think might even have a reverse split. So the Yankees might have Logan and Cabral both in their BP at some point without having a LOOGY. Cabral is a bit special, as you point out, but that goes the opposite way of possibly returning him as well: if Cabral looks like a long-term asset they might keep him at the back of the pen over a Claiborne or Kelley even if they see the other guy as marginally better in the short run. He has to be healthy and show something for that to come into play, of course.

Comment on The 40-Man Chopping Block by Derek

Derek — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:58:15 +0000

I agree with you that at least one of Tex, Hafner, and Youkilis will miss additional time this season (not including their current injuries). However, if at some point, Tex, Hafner, and Overbay are all healthy at the same time, I just don’t think the Yankees can afford to have 3 1B/DH types. Especially since Hafner is really just a DH; there are no plans for him to play an inning in the field all season.

Comment on The 40-Man Chopping Block by hornblower

hornblower — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:41:16 +0000

Tex, Overbay and Hefner are three players for 2 positions. No need to cut one at all. Plenty of playing time to go around with these older guys. With Tex hitting right handed it shakes out well. Keeping a left handed hitter on the bench to pinch hit for the catcher is fine. Can’t overdue it with Tex, Hefner and Youk, they are sure to miss some time again.

Comment on Brett Gardner and fixing what isn’t broken by Chris

Chris — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:49:22 +0000

Brett Gardner might be my favorite player in baseball and I’m certainly not meaning to tear his game to shreds. There’s no doubt he’s a spectacular defender and is certainly acceptable at the plate. I’m only saying that his previous approach had served him well and I’m not sure it makes sense to mess with what’s worked. His strikeouts are up a bit this year, but its a small enough sample that I’m not concerned about it just yet.

Comment on Brett Gardner and fixing what isn’t broken by JJF451

JJF451 — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:50:11 +0000

Brett Gardner has been short shrift from the so called pundits his whole career. The only thing wrong with Brett Gardner’s approach is that he should be fined every single time he pops out to 3B, SS or LF. With 2 homers and 11 RBI out of the leadoff spot he’s one of the once formidable Yankees more potent bats, even at .250 or whatever batting leadoff. I agree with the comments about not eschewing the walk. He desperately needs that for his arsenal as he has one stolen base in 20 plus games. That will never do. But his strikeout totals are what’s eating at me. He never used to fan like this. Still, I want him to be more aggressive and the fact that he just missed a year (after getting off to a good start last season) should not be lost on anyone. He’s still learning. He drags his bat through the zone way too much, but guys like Juan Pierre and Otis Nixon made a pretty good living as table setters and igniters. The Yankees have sorely lacked that over the years and I think, especially coupled with his defensive abilities, we should be celebrating Brett Gardner rather than tearing his game to shreds. I think he’ll improve. Just my two cents.