SB Nation User Blog: Travis G

The details of Nick's new deal

Travis G — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:51:25 -0000

The details of Nick's new deal

$5.5 million for 2010, plus incentives based on plate appearances. $5.5 million mutual option for 2011: both sides would have to exercise it.

Caption game! (via BTF) That's Babe Ruth lying on the ground. "Ohhhh... shouldn't have had that...

Travis G — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:43:30 -0000

Caption game! (via BTF)

That's Babe Ruth lying on the ground.

"Ohhhh... shouldn't have had that Jager last night."

Post your 2010 lineup

Travis G — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:16:07 -0000

Nick Johnson looks to be the final addition to next year's lineup. The odds of Johnny Damon coming back are pretty slim right now. How do you set the lineup?

I'll go first (against a RHP):

1. SS, Jeter, R - one of the game's best leadoff hitters.

2. DH, Johnson, L - .402 career OBP is exactly what you want at the top of the lineup. He'll force pitchers to pitch to Tex and A-Rod.

3. 1B, Tex, S - great hitter from both sides of the plate. Perfect for the three spot.

4. 3B, A-Rod, R - no-brainer. The top slugger in the AL.

5. C, Posada, S - this is a toss up between Swisher and Jorge, but I'll go with Posada because of a slightly higher slugging average.

6. LF, Granderson, L - another toss up, between Cano and Grandy, but Grandy gets the nod because of a slightly higher OBP, and his SLG should improve with the short porch in RF.

7. RF, Swisher, S - Swisher really could hit sixth, but I don't want two lefties (Grandy and Cano) hitting consecutively.

8. 2B, Cano, L - What a #8 hitter! .306/.339/.480 for his career.

9. CF, Melky or Gardner - that's a damn good ninth spot, and both hitters are entering what should be their primes.

With a lefty pitching, the only differences would be switching Granderson and Cano (who hits lefties significantly better), and maybe playing the righty Hoffmann in CF.

Nick Johnson just about signed

Travis G — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:22:47 -0000

Nick Johnson just about signed

One year, $5.5 million, pending a physical. Buster Olney says it's on the 1 1/2 yard-line.

Grandy, Joba, Frankie and A-Rod

Travis G — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:16:06 -0000

More photos » by Seth Wenig - AP

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Curtis Granderson was introduced at a press conference today. Said the new outfielder -

One thing I've learned over my world travels, being in China, being in Africa, being in Europe, Latin America, when you mention Major League Baseball... the Yankees are the first team that comes up... To get a chance to be a part of that now... I'm excited about that.

As we expected, Joba Chamberlain will have any innings limitations removed next year. Hopefully since he won't worry about pitch counts, he won't worry about making perfect pitches, which will make him more effective.

Phil Hughes' limits will remain, but he'll probably be allowed to go about 180 innings.

The Yankees are comfortable with Frankie Cervelli as the backup catcher. Good to hear, since he's cheap, plays as well as Jose Molina, runs thrice as fast, and allows for Jesus Montero to come up mid-season if (Mo forbid), Cervelli isn't cutting it.
Dr. Marc Philippon told A-Rod his hip is fine, and he will not need surgery this off-season.
Nick Johnson is close to agreeing with the Yankees on a contract, but has yet to take a physical.

Discussions with Johnson 'hot'

Travis G — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:58:07 -0000

Discussions with Johnson 'hot'

The Yankees like the idea of Granderson and Johnson more than Damon and Matsui, especially considering the money.

Yankees top 10 prospects

Travis G — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:29:17 -0000

The bible of baseball prospecting, Baseball America, released it's top 10 prospect list for the Yankees.

1. Jesus Montero, c
2. Austin Romine, c
3. Arodys Vizcaino, rhp
4. Slade Heathcott, of
5. Zach McAllister, rhp
6. Manny Banuelos, lhp
7. Gary Sanchez, c
8. J.R. Murphy, c
9. Jeremy Bleich, lhp
10. Andrew Brackman, rhp

My first impressions are that Romine, Sanchez and Bleich are surprisingly high. Romine projects to be a good, all-around catcher, but hasn't played above A-ball; several other prospects have produced more at similar ages with higher ceilings. Sanchez has yet to play a single pro game, and Bleich had an awful half-season at Double-A.

(FYI, Sanchez was the top IFA catcher this year. His bat doesn't project as much as Montero's, but he's supposed to be better behind the plate.)

Montero is called the best hitter for average and power, an impressive combo. Newly-acquired Jamie Hoffmann is the 'best defensive outfielder.' Frankie Cervelli is the 'best defensive catcher' while Ramiro Pena is the 'best defensive infielder.'

With four catchers in the top 10, the Yankees are clearly pursuing a defined strategy. The brain trust (Damon Oppenheimer (head of scouting), Mark Newman (head of 'baseball operations') and Brian Cashman) seem to think catching prospects are more valuable than any other prospects (outside of perhaps pitchers). And they would be right. Back when Texas had three good catching prospects (Teagarden, Ramirez and Saltalamacchia), other teams seemed willing to trade almost anybody to get one of the trio. Good catchers are hard to find, and by stock-piling them, the Yankees are ensuring they have the necessary 'chips' to land a big-name veteran when needed. The best will rise to the top while the remaining can be traded off.

We at Pinstripe Alley put together our own combined prospect list:

1. Jesus Montero

2. Mark Melancon (BA may not have considered him a prospect)

3. Zach McAllister

4. Austin Romine

5. Manny Banuelos

6. Arodys Vizcaino

7. Slade Heathcott

Honorable mentions include Eduardo Nunez, Kevin Russo, Alan Horne, Ivan Nova, George Kontos, Wilkins De La Rosa, Colin Curtis, Jairo Heredia and Hector Noesi, who each received one vote. Really, after the first six, it's a toss up.

Notes about the prospects -

Montero:

Yes, there is such a thing as hype, but a few prospects actually deserve it. Montero is one of them. Having just turned 20 a few weeks ago, he's hit for a high average while maintaining low strikeout rates and decent walk rates at every minor league stop. His power has improved steadily along the way, and when you consider that he's done this against competition that's usually been a year or two older, and that most players rarely reach their power peak at 19, you've got a special player on your hands.

- 3460kuri

He's got loads of potential, but he's played only 44 games at AA. It's a testament to the amount of hype I'm willing to believe that he's ranked this high.

- jscape (ranked Montero third)

I've seen him in person. He looked like a man among boys despite being several years younger than most every other player. He hit a grand-slam and allowed two passed balls, which is basically what most experts think of him: great bat, no glove. He did, however, show off a strong arm. He should catch no worse than Mike Piazza. Jesus has a chance of debuting next year, especially if the Yanks don't sign another hitter.

- Travis

No brainer that he is the top prospect. Nobody knows for sure if he can catch. Everyone who has seen him is sure he can hit.

- Ed

Some scouts make the argument that Montero is the best hitting prospect in the minor leagues. That's debatable, but at the catching position, which I believe he can stick at, few players are as valuable. You just don't find too many bats as potent as his behind the dish. He's shown offensive skills reminiscent of Miguel Cabrera on his way up.

- Frank Piliere of AOL FanHouse

The ball rockets off his bat; he's an elite contact hitter; not patient and D isn't great... Montero has a lot of raw ability and plenty of development time on his side. And he's already proven that he has a very high offensive floor. With his skill set, he could very well turn into an annual .390+ wOBA guy... I see Jesus Montero as a potential once-in-a-generation force on offense.

- Project Prospect

McAllister:

[He] may not have dominating stuff, and doesn't project as an ace, but he does a little bit of everything that you want to see in a pitcher - he strikes batters out (7.1 K/9) while limiting the free passes (2.5 BB/9), and keeping the ball in the park (.4 HR/9). While workload/innings limits are still a concern heading into his age-22 season, I'm not sure he has much more to prove in AA. Barring injury or catastrophe, it won't be shocking to see him on the major league roster in late 2010 or early 2011.

- 3460kuri

There's a lot to like about Z-Mac, mostly because of his certainty. He's durable, having pitched 120+ innings the last two years, has ideal size (6'6", 230), and has been effective at nearly every level. A good ML comp is Jake Westbrook - a solid, mid-rotation innings-eater. Sinker-ballers will be more valuable to the Yankees than most other teams due to the homer-friendliness of Yankee Stadium.

- Travis

Romine:

The Yankee most likely to be a catcher in 2012 would be the top catching prospect in nearly any other organization.

- jscape

Part of the Yanks embarrassment of riches at catcher.

- Ed

Melancon:

Ignore what you saw from him in his brief trip to the majors in 2009. He throws strikes and keeps the ball in the yard. With two bullpen spots open after the trade of Brian Bruney and Phil Hughes' likely departure to the rotation, he should have every opportunity to fill one of them, and there's no reason he shouldn't be able to at least duplicate Bruney's production.

- 3460kuri

Got a taste of the Show in 2009, then put up a 0.906 WHIP in Scranton with more than a K per inning.

- jscape

Vizcaino:

Here's a name you probably haven't heard of before. Vizcaino features a fastball that touches 94 MPH with a good curveball and changeup, and he just turned 19. What I like most about him, though, is that unlike other young strikeout pitchers, he has control - averaging 2.9 BB/9 to go with 10.4 K/9 across 86.1 professional innings. He hasn't played above short-season A ball, but if things progress well you might look for him in AA by late 2010. With three seemingly useful pitches, he seems pegged to be a starter for now, although that could change at this point.

- 3460kuri

A long way away, but a name to keep an eye on.

- Ed

Horne:

Everybody seems to have forgotten about him, as he's missed significant portions of the last two seasons due to injury. But in his last full minor league season, he was really, really good. At age 26, 2010 is probably make or break for him. But if he can stay healthy and regain at least most of the form he showed in 2007, he may be able to creep his way up the team's pitching depth chart.

- 3460kuri

Dunn:

The lefty walked way, way too many in Trenton and Scranton, but he dominated the Arizona Fall League.

- jscape

Banuelos:

Results before projection, but when the projection involves an 18 year old lefty with a fastball in the low 90s able to touch 94, with the mound presence of this guy...

- jscape

What's not to like about an 18-year-old lefty that throws in the low 90's, K's 8.5/9, has a 3.5 BB/K ratio, and a 2.62 ERA? I'm very interested to see how he does in the high minors.

- Travis

... it's about time the baseball world was fully aware just how talented this 18-year-old lefty actually is. He doesn't have the size at 5-foot-10 and he doesn't throw 97 mph, but the total package and maturity is something to behold. Sitting at 90-92 mph, reaching 94 mph at times, Banuelos works through a lineup with very little effort. And, with some further physical maturity, it's not unreasonable to think he could pick up a little more velocity.

Despite his good lively fastball from the left side, that's not what makes him so intriguing. It is his pitching aptitude and uncanny feel for the game. He is the owner of two above-average secondary pitches, the changeup and the curveball. There's a debate among scouts as to which is a better offering. He appeared to be more consistently comfortable with the changeup at 76-80 mph, but he also showed command for the 11-5 breaking ball at 72-74 mph.

The stuff is above average, but when you consider the advanced feel he has for pitching and the often pinpoint command he possesses it's amazing that he's still only 18. He pitches with such ease and attacks hitters with such a calm demeanor, that he can be a front-of-the-rotation pitcher in the majors a few years from now. If you're trading with New York and looking for its most complete pitching prospect, look no further than Banuelos.

- Frank Piliere

Bleich:

Too many hits, but the control is there (3.5 BB/9, 7.2 K/9). He's got a long ways to go, but I think the lefty will get there.

- jscape

Heredia:

Another young, high-ceiling Dominican pitcher. He dropped down the list this year because of injuries (he only threw 38 innings), but he is very effective when healthy (3.27 ERA, 8.6 K/9, 3 BB/9). He just turned 20 so he has plenty of time to improve.

- Travis

Noesi:

He does not have the gifts or feel for pitching that Banuelos has, but that is certainly no insult. Noesi is the type of prospect that shows up in deals quite frequently. He's a little older than you'd like for a pitcher below Double-A, but has the stuff of a No. 3 big-league starter. Another reason you may not know much about Noesi is because in 2008 he was much shorter in his arsenal than he is today.

When I had the chance to see him then, he was a pitcher severely lacking in secondary pitches despite his good velocity and fastball command. This year was a much different story. He displayed downright dominance at times, especially in his stint with at low Single-A Charleston (S.C.). Maybe most impressive of all was his stamina; his stuff would sometimes improve as his pitch count mounted. Although he still likes to mostly to work of his well spotted 90-94 mph fastball, this year there was the curveball as well. With good 12-6 action, the curveball came out whenever Noesi seemed to need it this year. He had a feel for just how much to mix it in and varied the speeds from 72-76 mph. With a second pitch that now shows flashes of being plus, and an occasional changeup mixed in, Noesi showed tremendous growth in 2009 and became a complete pitcher. He could be a guy that continues to emerge in a hurry and may not be far off from the big leagues.

- Frank Piliere

Heathcott:

This year's first-round pick would've gone higher if not for an injury and 'attitude problems.' He has a Grady Sizemore-esque ceiling and projects as a better player than Austin Jackson: more power and a better arm.

- Travis

Tools, tools, tools. This guy has 'em. Now let's see what he can do with 'em.

- Ed

Brackman:

At this time last year it wouldn't have been unreasonable to believe that Brackman, pictured right, would be among potential untouchables, but as 2009 unfolded it was clear that he would face all the roadblocks that a near 7-foot pitcher coming off arm surgery could. To say he struggled mightily with his command is an understatement as his walk totals were off the charts. What was more concerning, however, was the fluctuation in his raw stuff. While reports were more positive when he worked as a reliever later in the year, there were times when his stuff was close to pedestrian.

In my opportunities to evaluate the towering right-hander, I saw a pitcher who appeared tentative at times to let his fastball go as he lived around 89-92 mph. He was still able to produce some good downward sink on the fastball, and use his height, but the raw velocity was just not there. Also mixed in was a downer curveball at 71-75 mph with plus potential. The command, on the other hand, was erratic at best. There is definitely a lack of comfort with his mechanics and the big question is whether he will ever develop that feel and consistency enough to be a dependable big-league pitcher. If he does, the stuff can be brilliant, but what I got a glimpse of was the ugly side of Brackman and that needs to be taken into account.

- Frank Piliere

How weird is this?

Travis G — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:57:18 -0000

How weird is this?

Farm system recap: Scranton Yankees, aka A Farewell to A-Jax

Travis G — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:44:03 -0000

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

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With all the recent events between the Yankees and their division rivals, this had to be delayed.

The Triple-A Yankees finished first in the International League's Northern Division with an 81-60 record. They were swept, however, in the IL finals by the Durham Bulls, three games to none.

The offensive star was once again Shelley Duncan, who won the MVP after hitting .277/.370/.546 and leading the league in homers and RBI. He'll be 30 next year and declined to return to the Scranton Yankees, making himself a free agent. It's too bad that he happened to be in the organization of a team with such talent at the big league level. I believe he could've been (and still might be) a productive ML hitter.

Cuban defector Juan Miranda was the left-handed MVP, batting .290/.369/.498. He's been called the current DH for the big league Yankees, but we all should remember Brian Cashman's statement that Bubba Crosby was the starting centerfielder right before they signed Johnny Damon. However, having Miranda as the platoon DH/1B wouldn't be so bad. He murders right-handed pitchers (.893 OPS vs. RHP, .712 vs. LHP). But having a DH that only plays two-thirds of the games makes for problems by itself. He's a solid insurance policy in case (Mo forbid) Teixeira goes down.

The best prospect on Scranton was Austin Jackson (.300/.354/.405), who led the team in plate appearances because he hit lead-off much of the year. He's what's called a 'toolsy' prospect, basically meaning he hasn't shown much in terms of production but has the raw tools to be a very good player. His best stint to date was a half-season with the Tampa Yankees (.345/.398/.566 in 67 games). However, he has never come close to that incredible slugging average since 2007 (.419 and .405 the two years since). What's also concerning (for Detroit) is his strikeout rate: 522 in 565 career games. Generally a player that K's that much also hits for power - not so with Ajax, who has 30 career homers. The Tigers are hoping that his raw physical ability eventually translates into power (he'll only be 23 next year). He hits for a decent average (.288) and OBP (.356), steals bases (123 SB, 34 CS) and plays above-average defense (by most accounts). He'll never be a superstar, but could be a good centerfielder for many years (which is extremely valuable).

There wasn't anyone too exciting on the pitching side. Romulo Sanchez (65 ip, 4.04 ERA, 64 K, 34 BB, 1.55 WHIP) was acquired from the Pirates in May. The Yankees like his high-90's velocity, but what's perplexing is his relative lack of K's (until this year). He K'ed 5.9/9 before this season. That rate jumped to 9.2/9 this year. Being just 25, he still has a chance at a long ML career. He'll never have a rotation spot, but his heat could make him an intriguing bullpen option in 2010.

Another relief option is Mark Melancon (53 ip, 2.89 ERA, 54 K, 11 BB, .91 WHIP), the former closer for the U. of Arizona. His career minor league stats are sick: 156 ip, 2.54 ERA, 151 K, 35 BB, .96 WHIP. His problem at the major league level, in a brief 13-game stint, was control: he walked 10 in 16 innings. That can be attributed mostly to nerves. His MiL walk rate is very low (2/9), so once he gets comfortable in the majors, we should see the dominant Mark Melancon.

I guess I need to mention He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, who now holds Scranton's career mark for wins, with 29. He led the team in innings (145), wins (10), K's (105), walks (40) and homers allowed (21). Two years to go...

Fomer Cuban national team starting pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in...

Travis G — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:08:02 -0000

Fomer Cuban national team starting pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Houston in front of representatives from 15 major league teams.

... at the Baseball USA complex, the left-hander tossed two separate five-minute side sessions, throwing mostly in the 92-93 mph range and topping out at 96 mph. Chapman, 21, also threw his slider and change-up.

The Red Sox already made a bid of $15.5 million for Chapman, but that was with his old agent.