When the Yankees decided that Phil Hughes would be their fifth starter, they, by inference filled three of their relief positions also. Alfredo Aceves, Joba Chamberlain and Sergio Mitre had good enough seasons last year that they were always going to be on the Opening Day roster.
Going into Spring Training the Yankees had, barring some disaster or an unexpected loss of form, 4 of the starting positions firmly fixed. 3 of those were carry-overs from the 2009 World Champs – Sabathia, Burnett and Pettitte.
The Yankees have used an amazing 16 outfielders in Spring Training as they have sought to fill the hardest three spots on their roster. In the infield, we have merely been debating the bench spots. In the outfield, nothing is certain – an amazing situation for a team coming off a World Series win to find themselves in. In 2009, Melky Cabrera beat out Brett Gardner to fill the centrefield slot (despite opening the season as second choice). Leftfield went to Johnny Damon primarily because Hideki Matsui’s balky knees prevented him playing the outfield all year. Rightfield went to Nick Swisher who was the lightweight of the three but a good clubhouse presence. Now only Swisher remains.
Jorge Posada has been a tremendous player for the last 15 years. The suspicion is that the Yankees will soon have to find a replacement for their veteran catcher, He is safely ensconced for 2010 but 2011 or 2012 might be another matter and so the young pretenders are making their moves.
Shortstop is a very key position when it comes to estimating the Yankees roster for 2010. Obviously, Derek Jeter is the incumbent and will remain so for a few years yet. But Ramiro Pena is the key figure when it comes to trying to figure how well the Yankees will do well off the bench. Last season, Pena was a refreshing presence who did well at all the infield positions he was used in. During the season he was sent to Triple-A Scranton to learn the outfield. What the Yankees brass saw during that stint was obviously a disappointment because his standing seems to have slipped somewhat in their eyes.
There will be no surprises at 3b from the Yankees beyond Spring training. Alex Rodriguez was always going to be the first choice third baseman and the Yankees have not often carried a bench player who specialises at third.
The Yankees have used 5 players in Spring Training that you might consider second basemen. Of these four are junior members of the farm system – Luis Nunez, David Adams, Kevin Russo and Reegie Corona. Russo has seen a good number of at-bats in the Spring games and produced some decent stats but realistically he will be looking for a September call-up when the roster expands.
So far in Spring Training, the Yankees seem to be looking at 4 first baseman. There is no question going into the season about who will be the everyday player. The puzzle is more whether the Yankees need a dedicated first base backup on the bench or whether they will go with a middle-infield utility man and use Nick Johnson at 1B on those days when Teixeira does not start there.
I haven’t had chance to post anything on here recently but I promise to keep the journal busy over the next few weeks. What’s been happening?
1. I have a new website. The writing side of my work has become busy enough to encourage me to promote it further and one of my publishers were happy to help me do it as they get more work too if I’m busy. If you’re inclined to take a look, it’s here: www.darrenhirst.com
2. One of the bands that I have been working with have attracted interest from Sony/BMG which has meant some high flown meetings which seem to have gone well.
3. You can read all about my work with Sad Cafe on the new version of their website which I believe is going live today. I’m impressed with the design of this one. It was done by a company called project42 who are very talented and very efficient. You can see the site here: www.sadcafe.co.uk
4. The new issue of Natural Progressions which I edit will go to the printers on Monday. That looks good too.
5. The RSC has a new group of productions. The first is King Lear and a review of this excellent performance should be on this site in a few days time.
6. Some of my favourite artists are doing gigs in the next few weeks and I’ll do reviews which will eventually find their way here. I’ll be writing about Panic Room, Timothy B. Schmit, John Foxx and Swarf.
7. I’ve been involved in negotiations with John Foxx’s manager, Steve Malins, with a view to staging an exhibition of John’s art in Stratford-Upon-Avon. This has been frustrating and may come to nothing.
8. Baseball Spring Training has begun and I’m going to be writing an analysis of the Yankees’ Spring squad which will also eventually find it’s way here.
Busy, busy, busy………..
That’s TWI-D (Twilight Dawning) not TWIB (This week in Baseball)
Here’s the roll of honour:
Batter of the Year 2009: Derek Jeter
Pitcher of the Year 2009: C.C. Sabathia
Bench player of the Year 2009: Ramiro Pena
Relief Pitcher of the Year 2009: A three-way tie:
David Robertson – Mariano Rivera – Alfredo Aceves
For the record, here are the total points gained:
Batters
Derek Jeter 8
Alex Rodriguez 5
Robinson Cano 4
Jorge Posada 3
Hideki Matsui 2
Melky Cabrera 2
Johnny Damon 2
Mark Teixeira 1
Brett Gardner -1
Xavier Nady -1
Nick Swisher -2
Bench
Ramiro Pena 4
Francisco Cervelli 3
Jerry Hairston jr 1
Juan Miranda 1
Kevin Cash -1
Cody Ransom -2
Eric Hinske -2
Shelley Duncan -2
Freddy Guzman -2
Angel Berroa -2
Jose Molina -3
Pitchers
C.C. Sabathia 6
David Robertson 5
Mariano Rivera 5
Alfredo Aceves 5
Andy Pettitte 3
Joba Chamberlain 3
Phil Hughes 1
Mark Melancon 1
Phil Coke 1
Chad Gaudin 1
A.J. Burnett 0
Damaso Marte 0
Brett Tomko 0
Brian Bruney -1
Jose Veras -1
Sergio Mitre -1
Ian Kennedy -1
Jonathan Albaladejo -2
Chien-Ming Wang -2
Anthony Claggett -2
Edwar Ramirez -3
The way that is calculated favours those players that are consistent. Teixeira’s awful April and October explains why he might have ranked lower than on other season summaries. Other than I think it’s pretty reflective.
