Phil Hughes had a good outing yesterday, pitching 5 innings and allowing 3H, 3ER, 2BB, and 6K’s. The WHIP is good, but he used 86 pitches for 5 innings, meaning he needs to be more economical. The Yankees roughed up the Phillies, 13-4, and former Twins top prospect JD Durbin got the worst of it, surrendering 6ER and a 3-run to Robinson Cano and a solo shot to Melky Cabrera in the fifth inning.

Overall, though, the Yankees’ offense was clicking, as they had 19 hits and three homeruns (Jason Giambi homered off Jamie Moyer in the third). Mariano Rivera was sharp, striking out the side and walking one. Billy Traber allowed a run, but the lefty job is essentially his anyway. LaTroy Hawkins was also sharp, and Brian Bruney made his case for the last spot in the bullpen with a scoreless 9th inning.

Today was the day for big cuts in the minors.  Here is a list of the Phillies transactions based on the latest minor league roster , and a summary of the changes from the week 3 roster including the cuts made today.

AAA - Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs

Released P Ryan Cameron   
Signed P Steve Green      
C Tim Gradoville sent to AA Reading    
C Lou Marson sent to AA Reading     
C John Suomi sent to AA Reading      
Inf Luke Appert sent to AA Reading       
Inf Neil Sellers sent to AA Reading       
OF Jovan Moran sent to AA Reading       
P Kip Bouknight to AA Reading       
P Travis Minix to AA Reading        
P Pat Overholt to AA Reading       
P Justin Pope to AA Reading       
P Zack Segovia to AA Reading  

 AA Reading Phillies

C Tuffy Gosewisch sent to Clearwater
C Tim Kennelly sent to extended Spring Training (Group 5)
C Alan Robbins sent to Clearwater   
Added Inf Carlos Leon 
Inf Welinson Baez sent to Clearwater  
Inf Zach Penprase sent to Clearwater   
Released OF Brian Burgamy  
Released OF Matt Thayer  
P Andrew Cruse sent to Clearwater 
P Brett Harker sent to Clearwater  
P Garet Hill sent to Lakewood  
Released P Charles Merricks 
P Brian Schlitter sent to Clearwater  
Released P Zac Stott   
Released P Cory Willey
Released P JJ Trujillo   

Clearwater Threshers

C Luis Arzeno sent to extended Spring Training
C Travis D’Arnaud sent to extended Spring Training
C Jesus Sanchez sent to Lakewood
Inf Derrick Mitchell sent to Lakewood
Inf Matt Rizzotti sent to Lakewood
Released Inf Jamie Morales
Released Inf Charlie Yarbrough   
Inf Domonic Brown sent to Lakewood  
P Tyson Brummett sent to Lakewood 
P Chance Chapman sent to Lakewood
P Sergio Escalona sent to Lakewood 
Released P Jean Guillen
P Zach Sterner sent to Lakewood   

Lakewood Blueclaws

Released C Kirk Bacsu   
Added C Joel Naughton    
Converted C Josh Eachus to Pitcher and sent to extended Spring Training   
Released Inf Phillip Cuevas   
Inf J Villegas-Andion sent to extended Spring Training    
OF Darin McDonald sent to extended Spring Training     
Released OF Jermaine Williams      
P Richard Austin sent to extended Spring Training      
Inf Arlon Quiroz sent to extended Spring Training      
P Heitor Correa sent to extended Spring Training      
P Justin De Fratus sent to extended Spring Training     
Released P Jared Locke     
Released P Chris Rhoads     
Released P Daniel Schwartz      
P Robert Roth sent to extended Spring Training      
P Kyle Slate sent to extended Spring Training   

Williamsport / Extended Spring Training

Released Inf Ambiorix Rincon   
Converted OF Tim Binkoski to INF  
Released P Jon Forest   
Released P Nate Jeans   
Released P Nolan Mulligan   
Released P Eric Smolin   
Released P Jack Tilghman   
Inf Clay Harris placed on DL   
Inf Francisco Murillo placed on DL    
P Gilmir Pereira placed on DL    
P Nauricio Romero placed on DL             

Here’s my first crack at projecting the Opening Day roster. Note that there will be a long reliever and likely a lefty in the bullpen.

Lineup
LF Johnny Damon
SS Derek Jeter
RF Bobby Abreu
3B Alex Rodriguez
1B Jason Giambi
DH Hideki Matsui
C Jorge Posada
2B Robinson Cano
CF Melky Cabrera

I think the lineup should have Cano batting 5th and Matsui 8th, but I just don’t see Girardi doing that.

Bench
INF Wilson Betemit
3B/1B Morgan Ensberg
1B/OF Shelley Duncan
C Jose Molina

While the Yankees would love a speedy pinch runner and/or a true utility infielder, Betemit and Ensberg are versatile enough and hit too well for them to carry Bernie Castro or Nick Green.

Rotation
SP1 Chien-Ming Wang
SP2 Andy Pettitte
SP3 Mike Mussina
SP4 Ian Kennedy
SP5 Phil Hughes

Note that I am determining this based on innings, as the first two pitchers will pitch over 200 innings, with the last three slots pieced together based on innings caps and an aging veteran.

Bullpen
LR Darrell Rasner
MR LaTroy Hawkins
MR Kyle Farnsworth
MR Billy Traber
MR Scott Patterson
SU Joba Chamberlain
CL Mariano Rivera

Girardi will likely take a lefty, as it is his preference and Traber has done a solid job. Patterson’s spring performance will win him the last bullpen spot, and Ross Ohlendorf will continue his bullpen seasoning in AAA S/W-B. I’ve been predicting that LaTroy Hawkins’s 63% groundball rate won’t hold up and he’ll be out by mid-summer, and I’m maintaining that.

This is a solid roster. Some things will no doubt have changed by the end of the year (Hawkins, Farnsworth, Damon traded? Joba to rotation?). Prospects will be called up, disappointments will be DFA’d. This team has its share of broken-down, aging veterans (Damon, Matsui, Giambi, with Abreu, Posada, and Jeter soon to follow) who may not last the full season. There will be growing pains with the Big 3. The bullpen is full of question marks who can well be busts.

This is not to say there aren’t players on the rise. Robinson Cano is a rising star and the second-best 2B in the league. While comparisons to Carlos Beltran and Bernie Williams are silly at this point, Melky Cabrera will be (at least) a league-average CF. The Big 3 will have its moments to shine, and Wang, only 27, will get it done with his hard sinker.

The offense is no longer a 1,000 run offense. The pitching is somewhat suspect, and there are a fair amount of questions on this team. Regardless, I see that the Yankees still have enough to scrape a 92-70 record because there still is talent. However, they will barely miss the playoffs.

Yesterday, Joe Girardi named Chien-Ming Wang as the starter on Opening Day. This was essentially known for weeks–his Spring Training assignments have been on track with Opening Day, and he merited the start anyway. At least it’s not Carl Pavano this year.

• Andy Pettitte and Robinson Cano were scratched from today’s game with back issues. Jon Alabadejo started and punched his ticket to Scranton, allowing 6 ER in 1/3 IP. However, the game was canceled after an inning and a half due to rain.

This is semi-off-topic, but I thought I’d post it anyway for grins.  CNBC is having a March Madness style tourny to select the best logo in minor league baseball.  In today’s brackets voting three of the Philllies minor league teams are in the running.  The Clearwater Threshers face the Modesto Nuts, the Williamsport Croscutters face the Quad City Riverbandits, and the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs face the Gary Southshore Railcats.

Click here to view the site and place your votes for the best logos.

When I voted the Theshers were losing 58%-42%, the Crosscutters were narrowly ahead 52%-48%, and the Iron Pigs were comfortably in the lead 63%-37%.

Get out the vote!

Back in early February, we heard the baffling news that Joba Chamberlain would be prepped for Season ‘08 as a starting pitcher. Luckily, for Yankee fans, Joba has been redesignated to the bullpen, at least to start the season. We can all breathe a collective sigh of relief, knowing that we have someone to bridge the gap from starter to Mariano….

Joba chamberlain appeared in 19 regular season games last year. The Yankees won 17 of those games. Enough said.

For those keeping track, The New York Yankees LAST Season Opener in The House That Ruth Built is in ten short days =)

• J.B. Cox returned on the mound after missing a year with Tommy John Surgery, and threw in a minor-league game. He threw only fastballs and sliders–no changeups–and felt good. He is at Hi-A Tampa, and will advance to AAA S/W-B when the weather is appropriate.
• Eric Duncan has impressed in Minor League games. Per Chad Jennings’s box scores, he is 4-14 (.286) with a HR, 3 RBIs, 1 BB, and 4 K’s in 4 games. Not bad.
• Kevin Reese has returned to the Yankees…as as scout. Reese last played in 2007 with S/W-B, but retired after finishing the year on the DL and being released. He will now scout the Sally and Appalachian Leagues for the Yanks.

Add to Detroit, LAA, Boston, and the Mets, Tampa Bay. Francisco Cervelli’s wrist was unjustly broken, just as he was poised for a breakout year, by some AAAA second baseman who wasn’t going to make the team. What gives? Joe Girardi was right in complaining about it, and in reacting, Joe Maddon was a gigantic asshole. So the Yankees rightfully hit uber-prospect Evan Longoria, and Shelley Duncan slid into Akinori Iwamura. Jonny Gomes (?) fought with Duncan, and Melky Cabrera allegedly (I didn’t see this one either) punched Longoria. Duncan and Cabrera were handed 3-game suspensions, and Gomes a 2-gamer. I won’t even get into how unfair this is, but at least our guys will play Opening Day.

The Rays will be good soon. They have #1 overall pick LHP David Price, LHP Jake McGee, RHP Wade Davis, SS Reid Brignac, OF Desmond Jennings, and, of course, 3B Longoria either now or waiting in the wings. The new ownership will expand payroll with the new stadium, GM Andrew Friedman is committed, and all those #1 picks and losing actually mean something. Joe Maddon is the last installment of the loser culture that needs to be removed, but those prospects, combined with LF Carl Crawford, CF B.J. Upton, LHP Scott Kazmir, 1B Carlos Pena, and (for the next year or two) SU Al Reyes and CL Troy Percival, would make a powerhouse AL East team. They won’t be a joke anymore, and there will be four teams fighting for control (BOS, NYY, TB, TOR), not just two. The Yankees are on the decline in some aspects and on the rise in others, and could very well find themselves third in the AL East in 2010. This rivalry will be interesting to follow in the years to come.

Brett Gardner’s been tearing it up in Spring Training, spraying doubles and triples everywhere, stealing bases, legging out bunts, and doing everything the Yankees have asked of him. He is a dynamic player the Yankees haven’t had in a while (I can’t remember how long, in fact!). He has shown good defense in centerfield was well, and, overall, has impressed this spring.

All of the top prospects from the lower to mid levels (Jesus Montero, Austin Jackson, Jose Tabata, Alan Horne, Juan Miranda, etc.) have been sent to minor league camp. Now, Brett Gardner isn’t a top prospect (no matter what BA thinks of him), but, in retrospect, he isn’t quite the #25 guy on the top 30 as I put him in November. Also, he hasn’t been moved or optioned, either. It seems as if the Yankees are giving this kid a shot to make this team, though I just don’t see where that would be.

I would love to move Johnny Damon. All the stuff he does for the troops is nice, but he’s in the same shape to start Spring Training as he was last year. He’s batting .242/.286/.394, subpar numbers. Gardner has been given as many at-bats as A-Rod, and more than Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi. He’s hitting .393/.469/.536, which is highly impressive. While he won’t do that in the regular season, he can certainly do better than Damon’s line, which is how I project him to start the year (again). His contract was mentioned in trade discussions in passing this winter with Atlanta and San Francisco, but nothing materialized. He’s 33 and won’t be getting younger or better. He’s taking away a spot from a younger and superior player than Damon is at this point. As GM Brian Cashman said, Gardner is Juan Pierre who can take a walk. He would give us a true leadoff man, and an entertainment on the basepaths and in the field. This man should make the team, but needs to play every day, and that can only happen in AAA. Anyone want Damon?

FIRST BASEMAN: 1) DRAW–Shelley Duncan and Jason Giambi 2) Morgan Ensberg (distant 2nd)
Observations: Duncan’s impressive spring training has continued, with the high (or, if you look at it differently, low) point of the season sliding into Akinori Iwamura and sticking up for his teammates. Meanwhile, I still can’t recognize Jason Giambi besides #25 (he’s in that good shape), and his approach at the plate is more balanced. The stats are proving it, too. Ensberg will stick around as a back-up infielder with Wilson Betemit, with the latter’s performance wiping out the chance of platoon appearances for Giambi and Duncan.
UTILITY INFIELDER: 1) Wilson Betemit/Morgan Ensberg tandem 2) Nick Green 3) Bernie Castro 4) Chris Woodward 5) Cody Ransom
Observations: The tandem has the best shot because of Betemit’s $2M contract and what was given up to get him (Scott Proctor) despite his performance with the Yankees last year and his spring this year, and because of Ensberg’s strong spring despite no home runs. Betemit would face righties and Ensberg lefties. Nick Green has been giving himself a shot, lifting himself from the depths of the low interstates to have the game-winning hit against Cleveland this week, and hit a shot against Pittsburgh yesterday. Bernie Castro’s speed is something the Yankees don’t have much of, and haven’t had since Tony Womack was here. He can also handle the bat well. However, he needs to hit better to make it over more seasoned guys with more lucrative contracts. Chris Woodward has shown solid fielding and versatility despite lackluster fielding. He likely won’t make the team, though, because there are better options. Same for Cody Ransom, who, on the opposite, has hit decently well but has made several errors when he’s played. He likely gets a AAA job, though.
LONG RELIEVER: 1) Jeff Karstens 2) Darrell Rasner
Observations: I just don’t see how either makes the team. Karstens impressed until he was lit up in relief recently, and he’s been given many chances by the Yankees since 2006, and hasn’t delivered in the past 1+ year. On the other hand, Rasner nearly allowed a run against a college team (not good when trying to make a Major League team. He hasn’t impressed this spring at all, and his velocity is down a little. Joe Girardi is looking for a long man, but these two aren’t capable of the job. If you want to bring up Kei Igawa–well, he hasn’t even appeared recently in a game, so…
LEFTY SPECIALIST: 1) Billy Traber 2) Heath Phillips
Observations: Traber was added to the 40-man, and has pitched lights-out this spring against lefties, so the job is essentially his. Phillips has faded fast, with a poor relief outing topped with an awful first inning in the Shelley Slide game (and beaning Evan Logoria).
6TH and 7th BULLPEN: 1) Scott Patterson 2) DRAW–Edwar Ramirez and Chris Britton 4) DRAW–Ross Ohlendorf and Jonathan Alabadejo 6) Jose Veras 7) Brian Bruney
Note I added 6th bullpen because I don’t think there will be a trademark long man on this team. Scott Patterson has consistently impressed in Spring Training with the major leaguers still in the game. He hasn’t allowed a run this spring, and should make for a solid reliever. The only reason people don’t give him enough credit is because he’s a 29-year-old former Indy Leaguer. For the final spot, I see it as a draw between Edwar Ramirez and Chris Britton. Both have been solid if unspectacular, and Ramirez posts the higher strikeout numbers while Britton keeps getting outs on the ground. If anything, Ramirez gets the nod because he gives the ‘pen a different look, a changeup artist as opposed to a hard-thrower. Moreover, Britton seems to have gotten fatter–not a good sign with Joe Girardi managing. Ohlendorf’s spring has taken a turn for the worse with back-to-back subpar outings, and he now doesn’t figure to make this team till later in the year. Alabadejo’s awful start to the spring has improved drastically, but it’s too little, too late for him. Veras has been consistently ineffective, giving up runs in many of his outings (albeit it “only” being about 1 run), and Bruney hasn’t pitched much.

Well, the title is “One for the Ages”. What does that mean? Well, for one, I was sick in an ugly way for 2+ weeks (explaining why I couldn’t post), and I’m finally better now. But that’s not what was for the ages.

Tuesday, the Yankees played a Spring Training Game at Virginia Tech to help with the healing process after a madman took his and 32 other lives on campus. A-Rod sat in the VT dugout forever to sign autographs, and prominent people at VT came in to the broadcast booth expressing perennial gratitude. The stadium was packed, and everyone was excited. The final score (11-0) didn’t matter, and despite impressive performances by some of the pitchers (particularly Brandon Fisher of VT), the Yankees did what they needed to do.

I don’t know how much of a limb I am going out on to project this, but I have updated my Clearwater Threshers website with this (click here) as my projected 2008 line up. The projection is based on the latest 2008 ST roster mixed in with a little intuition. I’m guessing I’ll have about 20 of the 25 players correct, with a few free agent signings thrown in at the last minute just to mess things up and maybe a few other moves in the mix.

It will be hard to top the team’s 2008 FSL Championship, but I am looking forward to some good times at the park regardless of the team’s record.

Alright gang, here are this week’s updated minor league rosters.   You can compare this to week 3 rosters, the week 2 roster and week 1 rosters that I had posted earlier if you would like.

Group 3 is what is projected as the Clearwater Threshers 2008 roster, though there will still be moves made before the roster is absolutely final. With the changes from 3/22/08 the roster is probably at least 90% accurate.

I’ll keep on the lookout for each new officially posted roster and keep them updated here as needed.  Next week’s roster will likely be final, or at least as close to final as it will get barring a few last minute changes.

I hit the Carpenter Complex to check out the first day of minor league games. It was the Clearwater (Group 3) team and the Lakewood (Group 4) teams against the Orioles. Nothing of terrific interest to report except that I did pick up the newly updated minor league rosters. This version has the guys broken out into five groups not four like the previous version that I had posted a while back.

Though these rosters are still subject to quite a bit of change before the season actually starts, they do seem to be much closer to what each roster may look like. The Group 1 seems most likely for the biggest changes as guys continue to get sent down from the big league camp, but as you move to groups, 2, 3, 4 & five I see less change happening at each lower level. Of course “less” is relative with perhaps even as much as 50% change still to come.

I’ll keep on the lookout for each new officially posted roster and keep them updated here as needed.

The 2008 minor league Spring Training games begin on Tuesday March 11th with the “Clearwater” squad at home at the complex beginning at 1:00.  The squad referred to as the Clearwater group would be Group 3 here (Current Workout Groups)  This group will change greatly however before the season actually begins (See my previous post).

 You can view the 2008 Minor League Spring Training Games Schedule for all teams by clicking the link.

Several people have emailed me or messaged me asking about the 2008 workout group assignments. 

I was finally able to get my hands on them today. 

Most of you are aware that these groups by no means indicate what the actual AAA, AA, and other rosters will actually look like in the end.  This is just where the guys are working out now.  There are still going to be many guys sent down from the big league ST roster to take spots away, a lot of players will be cut, and many free agents will be signed to minor league spots after other teams cut players.

That being said … here is a link to the Current Workout Groups in PDF version (sorry, but I didn’t feel like re-typing them from scratch).

I recently had the opportunity to chat with Jason Donald during Spring Training and ask him a few baseball questions.

Jason, you started 2007 in Lakewood before finishing in Clearwater. What were the biggest differences between low-A and high-A baseball?

I think the biggest difference between high A and Low A was as with any level you move up, the game is a little bit sharper and quicker. Plus, there are some older pitchers with more experience that know how to pitch a little bit more. Better off speed and they can use that effectively when they were behind in the count.

I know that in the minors the team record is usually secondary (at least as far as the Phillies are concerned) to player development issues. What if any benefit to your development will you look back on winning the 2007 FSL title as having given you?

The Phillies do want to develop players, but they want to develop us in a winning atmosphere. I think winning the FSL was a great experience because you want to become accustomed to winning and playing in the playoffs and in a championship setting. When you get that taste of winning a title, it definitely sets the tone for what you would like to accomplish for the rest of your career.

The Threshers 2007 manager Dave Huppert was also the 2006 manager of the Blueclaws when they won their title. I know you weren’t with the Claws in ‘06, but generally speaking how big of a role does a manger play in a team’s success, and specifically how big of a job do you think that role was in ‘07 for the Threshers?

I think a manager can play a huge role in winning, but the players ultimately play the game. Hupp is a great manager, his past two seasons and his career speak for itself. Hupp was pretty simple, he let us play and when something needed to be fixed or corrected, he would do it. He wouldn’t instruct for the sake of instructing. As long as we played hard and did the little things, he was fine with that.

Within the Phillies organization who have you been able to look to as a mentor whether that be a coach, a manager, a minor league instructor, a peer or another player?

There are a few people that I have looked to as I guess somewhat of a mentor. Kevin Jordan, our hitting guy in low-a was pretty good. He played in the big leagues and had been thru the same things that a lot of us players have gone through. Donny Long, now with the Pirates, did a lot for me. He was great at simplifying things for me, helping me slow down, and really learn to become a better hitter. Bill Dancy, field coordinator, has been a big help. He’s been in the game for a long time and has helped in all facets of my game.

After such a successful 2007 both personally and team-wise what sort of goals do you have for yourself in 2008?

One goal I have for the 2008 season is to become a more consistent player. Consistency is what keeps you in the game and moving up in the game. Keep a consistent approach offensively, and become more consistent defensively. I got a lot better when I moved up to Clearwater and basically I want to to keep working off that. Another goal is also to move up a level each year and try to get that much closer to the big leagues.

I know you had a few at bats during last ST with the Phillies, but is this your first full ST with the club, or did you get to go through everything last year as well?

This is my first big league camp, it has been a great learning experience thus far. Getting a chance to see what these guys do on a day in and day out experience, how they approach the game, the way they approach a game is a great learning experience. I have really enjoyed getting to pick guys brains whether its defensively or at the plate, base running or about certain opposing pitchers.

The Phillies middle infield seems pretty secure with Utley at second and Rollins at SS. Has the organization talked with you at all about a move to either third or the OF? What would your reaction be to a position change?

The middle is pretty secure, but at the same time my approach has been to take care of my business and everything else will take care of itself. I haven’t been approached for a position change, but one would help me get there, then i would gladly do it. But I would like to stay at short for as long as possible.

Would you prefer a utility role, being available to a variety of positions, or would you prefer to master a specific role?

I would like to be a guy that can stay at one position and be an every day guy. But if I got to play in the big leagues as a utility guy, I would take it.

First and foremost… I’ve always called you Andrew, but I keep seeing you referred to as “Drew” Carpenter around the net.  Which is it…Drew or Andrew?

Andrew

I know from talking with you earlier that you said you’ve been in Clearwater working out since January to try to be in better shape this year than you were last year. What sort of goals have you set for yourself in 2008?  

I think everyone’s goal each year is to get to Philly because I know mine is. Other than that they are to win another championship, to keep my team in every ball game to give them a chance to win, to keep progressing on my changeup and making that better, and now in AA maybe get a couple of hits this year.

You had a great year in 2007 at Clearwater. You set an all-time Clearwater record for wins in a season with 17 regular season wins plus two more in the post season. Was that a breakout type of season for you, or how will you look back on the accomplishments of 2007? 

I would consider that a breakout year for me. I think having the year I did last year made people look at me a little more and give me a little more respect out there on the field. After your success this year I saw at least one Ebay auction for one of your baseball cards go for over $300. How does that make you feel? Pressure…motivation…?    It makes me feel good that someone thinks that highly of me. I think it motivates me to become that much better.What pitches were you working with in 2007, and what was your strongest pitch or pitches?  The pitch I was working on was my change up because I didn’t really have a change when I was drafted and it’s really good to have one when you move up in the system. My strongest pitches were my fastball, split-finger, and my slider. What (if anything) new is the organization working with you on developing for the future?  Nothing new per se, just that my change up is a work in progress, and I’ll continue to work on that.

You’ve had great success as a starter.  Do you feel that will continue to be your future role for the club, or may we see you transition to the bullpen at some point in the future?   I think my role in this organization is a starter for a long time to come. If I am asked to become a reliever to better my chances to get to the bigs or it is best for my team I will do it in a heart beat. The Threshers 2007 manager Dave Huppert was also the Champion in 2006 at Lakewood, and back-to-back championships have earned him a promotion to AAA this year. I’m not sure how much you get to work with him as a pitcher, but I’ve heard other players say “there’s just something about the way he motivates the team.” How much of most team’s success can be attributed to the manager in normal situations, and how much of the 2007 success do you think was manager driven vs “team chemistry” driven?  Hupp was a great coach and motivator for us. I don’t really know what he did but he would just say the right things to motivate us to win and eventually we won the championship.What coaches, minor league instructors, peers or players within the Phillies organization have you felt like you have been able to look to as a mentor, and what have they helped contribute to your success?  

Steve Schrenk was a big part of my success last year.  When something was off just a little bit he let me know and we would just talk about the games and stuff. I learned a lot from him.

Thanks Andrew, best of luck this season! 

As a closing note…the members of the Clearwater Threshers 2007 FSL Championship squad (including Andrew) will be presented with their championship rings prior to the March 12th night game versus the Cincinatti Reds.  Any of you down in Clearwater for ST this year need to try to make it a point to get to the park early and support the guys during this pre-game ceremony.

Presenting the roster competition updates. I have here the position, leader (1), and runner-up(s).

FIRST BASEMAN: 1) DRAW–Shelley Duncan and Jason Giambi 2) Morgan Ensberg (distant 2nd)
LONG RELIEVER: 1) Jeff Karstens 2) Darrell Rasner 3) Kei Igawa (distant 3rd)
LEFTY SPECIALIST: 1) Billy Traber 2) Heath Phillips 3) Sean Henn 4) Kei Igawa (distant 4th) 5) Chase Wright (distant 5th)
7TH BULLPEN: 1) Ross Ohlendorf 2) Scott Patterson 3) DRAW–Edwar Ramirez and Chris Britton 5) Jonathan Alabadejo 6) Jose Veras 7) Brian Bruney

Note that there is no obligated long reliever role, and if none impresses going forward, the 5 spot would be the winning reliever otherwise. Also note that there is no obligated lefty specialist role, and if none impresses going forward, the 6 spot would also be a righty.

In the YES broadcast yesterday against the Astros, I heard Michael Kay mention Andy Pettitte’s new slidestep. He saw that, although Pettitte’s 5 pickoffs last year led the league, it wasn’t as high a total as it used to be because baserunners picked things up from scouting reports that helped them guess when and when not to steal. The slidestep is meant to take away that ability to guess. However, the slidestep rushes the delivery, leaving a higher chance that the ball would be high in the strikezone, which would lead to increased home runs allowed.

At the time, Pettitte nicked speed demon Michael Bourn with a pitch, and journeyman Victor Diaz was at the plate. Using the slidestep, on the next pitch, Diaz hit a homer the other way. You might ask, why is this important? Well, Andy Pettitte has never been given up many home runs in his career–about 20 in a full season’s worth. The slidestep leads to increased home run numbers (see: Lilly, Ted) and, coupled with Pettitte turning 36 in April (meaning diminished stuff), his stats might decline.

Well, the Yankees have lost our in a row to Minnesota, Cincinnati, Houston, and Tampa Bay. Those three teams aren’t the strongest opponents, but the Reds and Rays are both underrated teams. The offense hasn’t been able to get key hits to keep innings going, despite what the scores suggest. It’s early in Spring Training, but if the Yankees continue at this pace, they’ll finish with a sub-par record in Spring Training, and, based on that, they start the season sluggishly.

Well, the title pretty much says that–I’ve been sick, and, combine that with end of term equals no good. Some thoughts on Spring Training thus far:

• Why is Kei Igawa on this team? Giving a grand slam to college reserve??? Please. We should have traded him to San Diego when we had the chance–Clay Hensley or Wil Ledezma would be more valuable.
• Ross Ohlendorf, to say the least, is very impressive. He’s hitting some high numbers on the gun, he’s got great control and his new splitter is really working out for him so far. He should break camp with the team if he continues this torrid pace.
• Speaking of torridness, Shelley Duncan is letting the world know who he is! He’s hit 2 home runs and a bevy of doubles to go with sound fielding at first base. He’s making his case to not just be part of a platoon, but to be the first baseman. Then again, remember Josh Phelps last year…
• Jason Giambi is no slouch, though–he has improved range at first base, hit a double the other way (gasp!), has hit a homer, and is much leaner. What competition and a contract year does for a 38-year-old juicer…
• No lefty has distinguished himself. Heath Phillips has done a nice job, but he hasn’t appeared often enough to see if this is consistent. Billy Traber did a nice job in the 5-inning perfect game, but otherwise has failed to impress. Henn hasn’t appeared much at all (less than Phillips) and Igawa hasn’t helped his cause.
• It’s a shame that Eric Duncan had to be among the first cuts. More than that, he was the only one with significant minor league experience of the group (Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, and bust Eduardo Nunez) to be cut. He didn’t even appear in a game, which speaks to the lost faith in him by the organization. I’m really pulling for this kid to have a great year at AAA and get a cup of coffee in September.
• Austin Jackson has drawn high praise from the organization–Reggie Jackson even said he moves better than LaDainian Tomlinson, which, while I think it’s an exaggeration, speaks to AJax’s athleticism.
• Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain struggled in today’s game. Nothing too much should be read into it–Joba had a control lapse and Kennedy wasn’t on par. They have shined until today, so don’t worry.

Food for your baseball brain now–try passing this quiz at Yanksfan v. Soxfan. My answers appear in the comments.

It is my absolute pleasure to recap the first Yankee Game of 2008. It was a long cold winter. We lost a 3rd baseman, we got a 3rd baseman. Same guy….. It was the slowest off-season in many many years. No blockbuster signings (except for the A-Rod thing) We lost a key bullpen figure in Joba Chamberlain, and gained a solid starter in Joba Chamberlain. Very odd indeed…..

As I said, today marked the first game of 2008. One Joba Chamberlain started the game, and threw two very flawless innings. No runs, no hits, no CHANCE for USF. He was followed by Ian Kennedy who also threw two scoreless innings. Then Sean Henn came in….um…I mean Phil Hughes…. I had a hard time following this one, until someone informed me that Phil switched up his #65 for a much lower #34. Not sure how he wrestled it away from Henn….. Hughes was DOMINANT, striking out 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Pitching was SOLID…the big three came THROUGH. OH….lest I forget: Kei Igawa came in in the 6th and gave up a Grand Slam. Don’t think we’ll be seeing much of him this year if he can give up a Grand Slam to a college ball club. Very Embarrasing Indeed!

The Yankees offense was great too. A-Rod, Posada, Jeter, Melky, and Shelly Duncan all had RBI’s in the game. Again, keep in mind this was a game against a college team. The big test will come tomorrow as the Yankees take on a much better Philadelphia Phillies team.

I really like the way the team looks this year. They are certainly underdogs this year, as they were back in 1996. No one is picking them to win it all. Wanna make some great money? Place a bet on the Yankees in Vegas this year….

I’ll try to recap Saturday’s game, but I head right to the airport afterwards, to come back to the very cold tri-state area….more later!

Sorry about the lack of updates–it was the end of the term, so I was very busy. Tomorrow I’ll give insight on the roster competitions, the spring training games (intrasquad and against USF), how much Kei Igawa sucks, and the end of the Transitional Yankees after 2009.