Curtis Granderson out ten weeks with fractured right forearm

February 24, 2013 by Mike Axisa 244 Comments

The Yankees lost quite a bit of offense this winter, so the last thing they needed was one of their top hitters to get hurt in his first Spring Training at-bat. Curtis Granderson will miss ten weeks with a fractured right forearm, the team announced. He was hit with the fifth pitch he saw from Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ in today’s Grapefruit League game.

“I was excited,” said Granderson to Mark Feinsand after suffering the injury. “My body was feeling good, mind was feeling good and I was ready to go. Five pitches in we have a little setback. They said it could be worse. Now we rest, recover, get it back and get ready to play whenever that day comes … Mentally, you understand it’s part of it. At the same time, there’s not much I can do about it except for doing the best things I can to not make it worse but yet keep myself ready to go.”

Granderson, 31, hit .232/.319/.492 (116 wRC+) with 43 homers last summer, by far the most on the team and the second most in all of baseball. As Buster Olney noted, players responsible for 162 of the club’s 245 homers from last year are either hurt or playing for other teams. Obviously Travis Hafner and Kevin Youkilis will mitigate some of that, but not nearly enough. Juan Rivera and Matt Diaz are in camp competing for the right-handed outfield bench bat job, though both could wind up making the team now. Melky Mesa, Zoilo Almonte, ~~Chris Dickerson,~~ Ronnie Mustelier, Alfonso Soriano … you name it and he’s a big league option at the moment.

I guess the good news is that the injury happened so early in camp. Ten weeks means Granderson should return in early-May, but remember, he’ll miss all of Spring Training and will need some time to get himself ready to face big league pitchers. I’ll be happy if he makes it back in mid-May, nevermind early-May. Brian Cashman is never one to panic, but the Yankees can’t afford to sleepwalk through this injury like they did the offseason. They should be scouring the various markets hard for a replacement. They simply don’t have enough offense right now.

Anthony

Well, crap.
RetroRob

Shades of A-Rod.

Was out, so didn’t see the HBP. Hopefully it’s just precaution. Team can not afford to lose another 40 HRs.
trr

looked to me like it got him on the meat of the forearm, hopefully just bruising
- Karl Krawfid
  
  Fracture.
  - trr
    
    F*ck me…
- http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso
  
  Even knowing what the result was, that in no way looked like it caught a meaty part. It looked not good from the get go.
Karl Krawfid

10 weeks for Grandy.

Sucks.
Mickey Scheister of Doom

FUCK!!! Enter: Zolio?

Gardner has won the CF job.
- Cris Pengiucci
  
  Definitely puts a wrinkle in the OF competition. Need 2 or 3 now, not 1 or 2. Let’s see if a couple of the young guys can step up. Or if the Steinbros open their wallets and make a trade, taking on some salary.
  - Mickey Scheister of Doom
    
    More story lines, that’s for sure. At least it’s early in spring and not the last game or whatever. It sucks balls though. Awful.
Robinson Tilapia

Well, that fucking sucks, to put it mildly.

Time put on the big boy pants, folks.
Preston

Rivera, Diaz, Mustelier, Mesa or Almonte will be an opening day starter. That’s not good.
Dan

At leat we only lose 1 month of real games.
- Mickey Scheister of Doom
  
  This!
  - blee
    
    plus any rehabbing.. and he didnt get any ST to get back into rhythm.. so.. sucks
JGNYC

Well I guess we can officially put “Too many homers” behind us.
- RetroRob
  
  Not enough homers!
  - commerce
    
    Losing HR thump is not a positive, but most who post here more often sing the praises of pitching and defense as important or more important than HR stats–that would make a good case if one reviewed the HR team totals of the 10 teams that competed in the postseason in 2012. Of those clubs, 7 struck less than 200 bombs during the regular season. Only NYY, Baltimore, and Texas hit 200 or more. Interestingly, the combined HR total of the WS combatants
    (266) was only 18 more than the Yankees. The World Champions smote 103 in 2012–WHAT? The ALCS Champs, the Detroit Tigers hit 163 placing them 16th among 30 ML clubs.
    
    The Yankee lineup will produce around 190-200 HRs in ’13, IMO. I earlier predicted 219 but Granderson’s grounding will probably pull that down another 20-30. But let’s say we lose another key power guy or two and “sink” to the level of, say, the Tigers’ 163 last season, it is reasonable to assume that we can do as well as the three teams who hit at or below that number and still competed to go to the WS–1) Detroit (163) 2) St. Louis (159) 3) Atlanta (149). It’s not all about the HR as most of you like to point out.
    - OldYanksFan
      
      190-200 HRs? Really??? Show me 150 please.
      I’ll start.
      
      Cano: 30
      
      You finish.
      - Dalek Jeter
        
        Cano: 30
        Tex: 28
        Jeter: 11
        Youk: 12
        Ichiro: 7
        Hafner: 12
        Gardner: 5
        Granderson:25
        A-Rod: 12
        
        That’s 143 w/o the catchers, bench, or fill in OFer’s…I think 150-165 is doable.
      - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
        
        Cano 30
        Jeter 10
        Tex 30
        Grandy 25
        Ichiro 9
        C 5
        Hafner 15
        Youk 18
        Gardner 6
        Bench/ARod/Injury replacements 12
        Total 160 – seems reasonable
- JobaWockeeZ
  
  That was never a fucking thing. That’s a strawman which won’t die.
  - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
    
    It absolutely was. There are hundreds of comments on this site and emails in my trash to prove it.
Now Batting

Well if the Yankees were ever going to seriously consider Alfonso Soriano now’s the time. Terrible not having an Ibanez/Jones/Thames in camp this year.
- I am not the droids you’re looking for…
  
  I had this same disquieting thought about Soriano, namely that his price (which already concerned me) just went up m
MP

Goodness gracious. Disaster potential if that doesn’t heal properly. Ichiro, Gardner, Mustelier? Oof.
- commerce
  
  A sneer for Ichiro? He’s ICHIRO, for god’s sake. A sneer for Gardner? He was one of our starters for the past 2 yrs, for god’s sake. Whether Mustelier, Diaz, Rivera, or some other combination of players replace Granderson for 2-mos, we will still present as formidable an OF (including defense) as the Giants did in the WS when they won it all minus their best hitter, Melky Cabrera. Name that OF, will you?
UncleArgyle

I guess it’s better than breaking his wrist? But this totally blows.
mrdbag

Well at least I did not committ to the mlb package and waste the extra money. Cashman won’t address the loss so third place sounds right
- Cacique
  
  Step off the ledge, chicken little. It sucks but he doesn’t have a season ending injury.
Steve S

I would love to see the Yankees give Almonte, Mesa, and Zoilo a lot of playing time to see if one can be of value.
- Steve S
  
  * Mason instead of the 2nd Almonte
  - jjyank
    
    Mason’s too far away.
    - Laz
      
      Mason will be starting at A+, let alone mlb.
Carmine

I could use a little Giancarlo to ease the pain right about now.
- Barry
  
  This.. made me chuckle. wish it could happen, would even be ok with him getting 21
Kevin G.

Fuck the Blue Jays
jjyank

I think I speak for everyone when I say:

“Fuuuuuuuuuck”.
- MannyGeee
  
  This. 10000 times this
  - Jacob the OG(formerly Jacob)
    
    This morning I went on an extreme rant around my house and no doubt I dropped the F bomb 1000 times, I obviously forgot to rant about the jays or something becuase now I have to say it 1000 times more.
Havok9120

All the “let the kids play the OF” people may find a nice silver lining here.

I don’t.
- Jacob the OG(formerly Jacob)
  
  I never thought I would say this but, Future HOFer RM might be the best choice
ClayDavis

Lineup is going to be really pedestrian. Thanks Hal!
- commerce
  
  Oh, HELL YES, Jeter, Ichiro, Cano, Tex, Youk, Hafner, Rivera/Diaz, Cervelli/Stewart, and Gardner…should surrender right now if not sooner. At the top of the order, the most prolific hitters in MLB in this century followed by one of the Top 10 hitters in baseball backed up by one of the most consistent power hitters (HR/RBI) in the game and him by The Greek God of Walks who is a devastating clutch hitter who has ruined many Yankee nights in the past. Finally, Hafner and Gardner are positive forces on the attack. I’ll take that lineup any day over 2/3rds of all clubs in the game. PEDESTRIAN is way, way off the mark.
Joe R

I wonder if this causes Girardi to put Curtis back to CF when he’s healthy, due to not having time to get used to LF.
- Havok9120
  
  Depends on how Gardner’s doing would be my guess. And if Grandy gets much in the way of rehab time on the farm.
  - Joe R
    
    Not sure that would matter. Gardner is used to playing CF. I wouldnt imagine him having any issues. Granderson has spent like 95% of his career in CF so the time wouldve helped to get used to LF. Will be interesting to see what happens.
- RetroRob
  
  Nah. Gardner will be playing CF, plus Granderson is going to have to do a couple weeks at least in the minors for rehab where he’ll play LF.
  
  I also have no doubt that Granderson can play LF. He might be a little iffy at first, but he’ll pick it up quick.
Bubba

Well this sucks. On the sunny side, we get an early preview of next year.
you should have shot Arod (the other guys)

why is he pitching him inside in ST. they did that shit on purpose .
- Mickey Scheister of Doom
  
  Payback for some scurvy fuck swinging too hard and breaking his own hand last year. Assholes!
  - Pat D
    
    Scurvy fuck lives!
Darren

Fuckballs.
Mickey Scheister of Doom

In June/July the Yanks should have a nice group ready to contribute. A-Rod, Grandy and Pineda. Assuming all remain on track, etc. if they can stay within 5 games and those three return to form, it’ll be anyones division. The silver lining is perhaps we get impressed by a youngster given an opportunity.
- Jacob the OG(formerly Jacob)
  
  Good positive outlook, like your positivity friend.
- OldYanksFan
  
  Ture, but I kinda worry about the Apr/May/Jun group ready to contribute…
Jobamania

ugh……great way to start off

Ichiro, Gardner, who?

Time to take out a blue jay
TomH

Unbelievable catastrophe. They let all those HR’s go, and now this. It was living dangerously.
Evan3457

Well, if Granderson misses the whole season, then the Yanks WILL be down 100 HR from last year.

—————–

Very depressing news. Bad tangible event. Also a bad omen, for those who believe in such things. Puts more pressure on Tex, never a good thing.
http://www.twitter.com/mattpat11 Matt DiBari

So the Yankees really aren’t going to be very good this year, huh?
- jjyank
  
  I still think they will.
- Jacob the OG(formerly Jacob)
  
  Oh I still pick them to win the division, but how I do not know
  - OldYanksFan
    
    Misteek and awrra?
hogsmog

Fuck this fuck this

ahhhhhhhhhh

hh
- hogsmog
  
  …hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Mickey Scheister of Doom

They’ll strikeout less, no?
- forensic
  
  Yup, unless he comes back really rusty with worse contact skills trying to make up for lost time…
  - Mickey Scheister of Doom
    
    Or maybe he’ll work with the guy Jeter worked with a couple of years when he got hurt ago that returned him to form and come back as a new, improved C-Grand. If there’s a clutch gene in his body, entering the FA market for the first time, it would be in his best interest to put together a nice injury shortened campaign.
  - RetroRob
    
    …and less power because of the fracture.
    
    I think the fact it’s no his hand is good, but I’m no doctor.
- MannyGeee
  
  Yeah, if F.H.o.F Ronnier Musteiller is your next man up, you will NOT be cutting down on strike outs.
  - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
    
    ?
Ryan

Chris Dickerson would have been nice depth ……. Fuuuuuudddgggee
- MannyGeee
  
  Chris Dickerson would have been ‘meh’ depth, to be honest.
dasani

WE’RE SCREWED. With all that wonderful depth we have.
- commerce
  
  Nowhere near SCREWED, but I agree that our depth has been compromised..first, by failing to land Cespedes in ’12, letting Dickerson go for nothing, losing Ibanez to FA, and, today, suffering Granderson’s injury. The loss will be inconsequential if we have a healthy season and our highly touted rotation and bullpen come thru. But the thinning out of options leaves us vulnerable. We need some luck…the talent is largely on board.
teddy

this is a shame
Mickey P

We desperately need Teixeira to start strong.
Mike Myers

On the bright side, if he is gonna break a bone this is the time to do it.

We are sure its the forearm and not the wrist? Wrist injuries seem to take forever to fully heal.
- jjyank
  
  I haven’t heard the word “wrist” so far. They seem to be saying “forearm” consistently. Whether or not that’s better, I’m not sure.
  
  Despite what Tilapia says, I am in fact NOT a doctor.
  - Pat D
    
    Yea, you’re just a worthless bank teller who likes to act tough and important.
    
    /that one guy’d
  - MannyGeee
    
    He’s actually been calling you a proctologist… Well, more like an assclown…
    
    Tilapia called you Dr Asshole, OK? Happy now?
hogsmog

THIS PROVES THAT THE AJAX TRADE WAS A HUGE MISTAKE ONCE AND FOR ALL, RIGHT??
- Pat D
  
  MUST BE BECAUSE THIS WAS IN ALL CAPS!!!
  - MannyGeee
    
    IT’S TRUE BECAUSE LOUD NOIZES!!!!!!
blehmann

Soriano is an expensive option, perhaps too expensive given that we are talking about Granderson being out one month of the regular season. What about Michael Taylor of Oakland as a cheaper stopgap? He has no place in that outfield and his slash line last year in AAA was .287/.405/.441 in 120 games. He is not good for 40+ HR per year but 20+ might be realistic.
- forensic
  
  A month and a half, and that’s with no setbacks or delays in getting ready during rehab since he’ll now miss all ST too.
Blame Canada

I say we should intentionally throw at Jose Roidtista. whether or not what happened to Grandy was intentional, the Jays benefit from it. I say even the playing field and go wrist hunting.
Hans Moleman

Mike, I blame you for picking a picture displaying Grandy’s right forearm in the foreground with the title “The Experiment Begins” for our first Game Thread of the season.
https://twitter.com/KramerIndustry Kramerica Industries

This is just lovely.
Vern Sneaker

Pitching pitching pitching — it was going to be the key to this year’s success even more than it usually is, and now it’s totally critical. We need the staff to be lights out the first forty games .
- commerce
  
  You got it! But solid pitching is needed for 100 games not just 40…last year, as our pitchers slid (CC on DL twice, Andy out for most of second-half, and the puzzling decline of Nova’s performance) cost us a double digit lead going into Sept.
Leg-End

We needed that power Karen!
Al

Manny being Manny is playing for the DR in the WBC
- Akward
  
  Has he got the arm for right field? The stadium is obviously lopsided in terms of acreage so counter intuitively might suit him if he hasn’t got a noodle – and knows a good barber.
The Real Greg

Well, the Yankees are screwed. They can’t afford a slow start in this tough division. Now with much less fire power, they are going to struggle in this division.
- forensic
  
  FALLACY!
  
  Sorry, couldn’t resist. With all this pouting I have to try to make stupid jokes.
  - The Real Greg
    
    It’s not exactly a fallacy. More of an estimated assumption. Over the last 10 years the Yankees have been known to get off to slow starts. With the division stacked this year, they can’t do that. The loss of a major power source in addition to the other things really puts us behind the 8 ball.
    - commerce
      
      What are the other things?
    - MannyGeee
      
      Dude, the sky is not falling. I don’t give a shit about ZiPS projections, make Toronto prove they can do it before we crown them. About 7000 times more scared of Detroit than anyone else in the AL right now.
- Havok9120
  
  I am shocked- SHOCKED!- to find gambling in this establishment.
Carmine

Passing up on Michael Morse is looking dumber and dumber by the day
The Real Greg

I will say this. This goes back to the Yankees failure of drafting good hitters in the last 10 years. Cano, Montero, and Jackson,are really the only three top hitters they have drafted over the last 10 years.

Whoever is in charge of drafting for the Yankees should be fired, if not already.
- the tenth inning stretch
  
  Cano and Montero were international free agent signings, weren’t they?
  - The Real Greg
    
    Well that makes it worse then.
Rhanebaeux Dix

so he misses a little over a month of the regular season. its not really that bad
Robert

Let the Kids play the outfield,one of them will have a good camp and win a job!!! Lets see who replaced Wally Pipp and became a Legend????
The Real Greg

I’m all for the kids playing the outfield. The problem is that with that, Yankee fans are going to have to lower their expectations.
Heismanziel

While this sucks, It’s not a deathblow to the season. Were really going to need pitching to step it up in a big way, and have robbie and tex really carry us for the first few weeks. Maybe sprinkled in with a little bit of lady luck. I still think this team can tread water and stay afloat and be in a decent enough position by the time granderson comes back. We absolutely cannot afford another injury.

It doesn’t really help that we have a pretty difficult first six weeks. @Tigers, @ Indians (4), @ Jays, @ Rays, @ Royals, Home vs A’s, Jays, Dbacks, Orioles, and Sox. Luckily a 3 game set vs the Astros is thrown in there. Hopefully we can play at or close to .500 ball by the time Grandy gets back.
Al

Say no to Wells
Carmine

I really hope some one like Mustelier gets the job and just goes Ryan Braun circa 2007 bananas on the entire league.
Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)

FUUUUUUUUUUCKKKK
fuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuckfuck

That’s all I have to say.
AlfonsoSoriSignMeNow (Formerly ThatstheMelkyMesaWaysa)

I really think they need to seriously consider our old friend Alfonso Soriano. Cubs are willing to eat a large amount of his deal and he would be a great fill in for Grandy and one of the best fourth outfielders we could have.
Mike Civi

You really have to hope Granderson gets healthy and comes back when he is ready so there is not lingering effects.

Lets see what a young guy can do and then you have a Diaz or Rivera for the 4th OF spot. If cashman doesnt think that will get the job done, there is always the option of going after Alfonso Soriano or even Vernon Wells, as previously discussed earlier this season.

***Side note*** or throw the whole farm at Giancarlo Stanton!!
Drew

Why do some many Yankees fans sound like Chicken Little? The sky is falling. The sky is falling. He will be back shortly after the start of the season and it is stupid to trade any value until we see if some of the young guys can step up. Every other team in baseball seems to be able to make it work and sometimes finds lightning in bottle or at least someone that can be a serviceable MLB platoon player.
- forensic
  
  I agree with some of what you say, but a quarter of the season (at least) is not really shortly after the start of the season.
- Herby
  
  It’s a crappy thing to happen, but at least he’ll have the time to come back for the majority of the recovery before the season begins. It’s certainly not the way you wanted the ST schedule to begin. I don’t think it’s going to be the end of the Yankee world the way some are portraying it though. It’s maybe a loss of 6 HR depending on who you put out there, perhaps less. I think the team can handle that.
- commerce
  
  Hell, we won 95 g last season while suffering injuries to Pineda, CC, Andy, Mo, A-Rod, Tex, and DRob. The minuses entering the ’13 season can be largely offset by a healthy rotation and robust bullpen. The lineup will still score 800 runs. I think we win 88-92 games which should be good enough to slip into the playoffs.
  
  The “Sky falls” if CC and co. have off years…
The Moral Majority is Neither

See what Cleveland wants for Swisher.

I’d go Austin, Warren and Campos.
- Drew
  
  You would trade two of our top ten prospects plus our number 7 starter to get Swisher back? Please become a Mets fan.
  - The Moral Majority is Neither
    
    I assumed my post was too ridiculous to take as serious.
    - The Big City of Dreams
      
      I laughed the minute I saw his name. It was too funny
- Jacob the OG(formerly Jacob)
  
  Why not just make Pronk play left instead…. oh yeah
Gonzo

Remember when Pujols was supposed to be in a cast for 4 weeks and was in the lineup in 2? Let’s hope for an Albert miracle.
- Jacob the OG(formerly Jacob)
  
  I doubt the FO would let him do that, plus Albert is way different a once in a generation typer player that just has miracles happen to him.
- The Moral Majority is Neither
  
  Is deer antler spray allowed in baseball?
  - Gonzo
    
    I believe the IGF-1 would show up on a blood test, but I’m not positive. Can anyone clarify?
  - Gonzo
    
    Oh, it’s not allowed even before the blood testing it wasn’t allowed.
Tom

Even after the Upton trade the Dbacks still probably have an OF surplus. I wonder if Logan (I think they are still looking for a lefty bullpen arm) + mid tier prospect would get someone decent back.

The A’s would be another potential option as they have some near ML ready talent in AAA and a pretty full OF already.

I do hope the Yankees avoid Soriano – I’m not sold on his bounceback year and that they don’t do something crazy like go after a guy like Ethier.
- Jacob the OG(formerly Jacob)
  
  Makes to much sense to happen unfortunately, seems like everything that makes sense does not happen.
- Herby
  
  Throw a few of the kids out there in ST games, if you aren’t impressed see who gets cut toward the end of camps. I still don’t think it’s going to make a huge impact down the road.
  - The Real Greg
    
    It’s not just his loss that bothering me. It’s that combined with the lack of action in the off season and the increased difficulty in the division and the Yankees usual expectations and the poor drafting.
    
    All of that combined makes it very uncomfortable for Yankee fans and the team itself.
    - TomH
      
      This is the correct position.
    - Ted Nelson
      
      Action for actions sake is not a good thing. You might be happier if they went out and signed AJ Pierzynski and then traded their top 5 prospects for Upton or signed Bourn, but that doesn’t mean it would make the organization better off.
      
      Poor drafting? Are we talking about the same team? Missing on one first round pick does not = poor drafting.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
        
        One?
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        Are you talking about DBJ? Because he’s still looking like the best prospect selected from 51-60.
        
        Slade certainly hasn’t been a bad pick, even if he’s had problems staying healthy. Cole was a good pick, even though they couldn’t sign him, and the Brackman pick was good process, even if the results were terrible.
        
        Oppenheimer’s first draft was 2006, which was a pretty unqualified success in the first round. So, yeah. One.
        
        Now Batting
        
        Brackman, draft, and good shoulder never be used in the same sentence.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        If a talent like Brackman falls to 30 you take him every single time. It looks terrible in hindsight, but it was a coup in 2007.
        
        Now Batting
        
        You don’t give a major league salary to a guy who has never pitched in professional baseball and has to go under the knife for TJS. There’s a line between risk taking and stupidity that was crossed.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        It’s just money. And there’s no way in hell they get that kind of talent at pick 30 without some sort of issue.
        
        Gonzo
        
        Your DBJr logic would make sense if they only could choose from those chosen 51-60.
        
        Cole, Brack, IPK and Slade have one thing in common that Cito and DBJr dont, but that’ll cause a ruckus with this crowd, so I’ll just leave it there.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        He was better than everyone selected after him in his round. Josh Bell cost 7 times as much and has struggled with injuries.
        
        Bichette was a fine supplemental round pick and he’s far from a bust, even if he didn’t hit very well as the seventh youngest player in the SAL.
        
        Gonzo
        
        No problem. We’ll just disagree then.
Robert

I think any of the kids could equal Grandy’s post season performance last year!!!
- jjyank
  
  But those kids might now get them to the post season.
  
  *inserts two too many exclamation marks*
  - Robert
    
    Grandy was 3 for 33. I think Slade could improve on that. But seriously he is only out till mid May and will miss only 25-30 games.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      I’m sure Slade Heathcott has never gone 3-for-33 in his life.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  The kids aren’t getting them to the postseason.
  - The Real Greg
    
    And that’s all that matters. EXPECTATIONS.
    - forensic
      
      Actually, results are all that matters. Expectations does nothing for them by the end of the season.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Expectations mean absolutely nothing. They’re always wrong anyway.
  - Herby
    
    Oh please Mike, by the time it gets to the postseason this injury will be an afterthought…put away the doom and gloom…as I said, Granderson’s HRs and production equal out to about 7 or 8 over the time he’ll be out, his replacement could probably hit 3 or at least 4 depending on who you put out there…Is 4 HRs going to kill the Yankee season…give it a rest.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Where are they getting this 20+ HR replacement? 4 HR a month is 24 for the season.
      - Herby
        
        I think you could conceivably get it out of Almonte, a late spring pick-up or possibly Rivera…the were able to get to the postseason with Granderson tanking in the end of the last season…we’re not talking a full season replacement…6 weeks. No need to project it out, Go with the doom and gloom, it does well for the site. I forgot .232 hitters are hard to come by…we do need to replace those K’s too.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        Hahaha
        
        Almonte’s still gonna give you the .230 average and the Ks. He’ll just do it without the walks or the power.
        
        Herby
        
        so the 20+ HRs in 400 AB in Trenton were a figment of our imaginations…you’re saying he can’t run into 4 HRs in 6 weeks…let me bookmark that. HaHaHaHa
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        Way to put words in my mouth, bro. Zoilo can absolutely run into 2-4 HRs in 6 weeks. What I took issue with was the crack about Grandy hitting .232 and striking out a bunch when Zoilo would be lucky to strike out that little in the majors, while walking 3-4% of the time.
        
        When I said without the power, I was talking about in comparison to Grandy. The only player in the minor leagues with Grandy’s power is Miguel Sano.
        
        Herby
        
        Well, Grandy’s power over that same course of time works out to about 8 HRs…so without the power would be a lot less than 4 HR, which in my original post the Yankees would be making up for about 4 HRs over the course of his injuries, which isn’t tragic. I like Granderson, I don’t like his K’s and I do think his avg. will come up this year. I think that spinning this into a season ending tragedy though as some are isn’t fair. I also don’t think Almonte is the best choice, but I don’t think they’d be in terrible shape if they went that way.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        Okay, it was just a little bit of cognitive dissonance when you complained about Granderson striking out a lot and not hitting for average while advocating for Zoilo to take his place.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        Okay, it just seemed a little weird when you complained about Granderson striking out a lot and not hitting for average while advocating for Zoilo to take his place.
      - Tommy Tough Tits
        
        Why are we really concerned about his replacement hitting HR’s…I just want to see some solid defense, the ability to make consistent contact and not get himself out by swinging at everything and possibly some speed on the bases…I am sure Rivera and Mesa could conceivably combine for 4 HR’s in a month…No?
        
        I also was not too sold on the Yankees this time last yr-so I like the fact that the Yanks are not being looked at as a contender-mine as well allow either Almonte, Mustelier or Mesa play some and see what you have. Can’t really hurt much in April.
        
        If we can suffer through Russell Martin batting .190 most of the yr and granderson striking out almost 200 times for about $20 million combined, than I can suffer through a younger player getting an opportunity and doing the same for much, much less.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte make Grandy look like Marco Scutaro in terms of making contact. The difference is that they don’t walk and have 20 HR power rather than 40 HR power.
        
        Oh, and Zoilo is a worse LF than Grandy is a CF.
    - The Real Greg
      
      If they get to the postseason….
  - Stan the Man
    
    The kids won’t have to since Granderson isn’t out for the entire season. The kids should get a chance to play the 30 games at LF while Granderson works his way back. It literally makes no sense to make a big move in this situation since it isn’t even March yet.
Ted Nelson

They’re DOOMED!!!!!!!!!!

I know so because I counted the number of HRs he hit last season!!!!!!!!!! That is a thorough and meaningful analysis. No need to look at comprehensive offensive stats to measure offensive impact, just like I see no need to look at defense at all when I talk about a team.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Try to spin this into something positive. Go ahead. Let me guess, Chris Stewart’s pitch framing will make up for the lost offense? Maybe Ichiro’s last three weeks of the season were the result of a miracle cure no one on the team has talked about?
  - The Real Greg
    
    I agree. There’s just too much negativity surrounding this ball club. When was the last time the Yankees went into a season with optimism and very few questions?
  - Ted Nelson
    
    Yeah, because I said it was a positive. Stop making things up. Your analysis is already piss poor enough without resorting to pettiness.
    I said that your analysis both sensationalizes the subject and mis-represents the relevant stats. Not that Granderson getting hurt is a good thing.
    
    Let’s wait for the games to be played. Somehow you have made about 1 expected lost win at C seem like 10 wins all offseason. You have refused to acknowledge defense because you feel the stats aren’t strong enough, but simultaneously refused to analyze innovative new stats that it seems obvious some of the best run orgs in the game are using. This is not something to be proud of, unless you enjoy basking in your own ignorance.
    
    Don’t even go to the Ichiro thing. That’s a huge embarrassment to you. You have admitted that you have no knowledge of hitting mechanics. You said you don’t even feel comfortable watching tape. You’re an “analyst” of the game who seems to know little or nothing about either the game itself or statistics as a science. What is your value add? Take a class, read a book, watch some video, interview an expert.
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
      
      Take a class, read a book, watch some video, interview an expert.
      
      Oh fuck you. You’ve never contributed anything of value to these comments and instead sit back and snipe because you’re incapable of analyzing anything yourself.
      
      I know little or nothing about the game? Kiss my ass. I’ve forgotten more baseball than you’ll ever know.
      - Steve
        
        Ban him. He must be in some kind of commenting violation. He’s also an asshole.
        
        Bob Buttons
        
        I think don’t be an asshole is specifically mentioned in the guidelines.
        
        Steve
        
        2) To that end, personal attacks and insults will not be tolerated.
        
        Herby
        
        Yea, Mike really needs to smoke a fatty.
      - Andy Pettitte’s Fibula
        
        Mike, it’s your blog and far be it from me to tell you what to do but IMO you should realy consider banning this guy. His abject nastiness and antisocial commenting is nothing but a blight on this site and I’m sure he’s driven people away as he’s nearly done with me on many occasions.
        
        commerce
        
        Man up, guys…blistering someone is one thing, banning them for expressing views with which you disagree is another. A little spice adds flavor. TedN doesn’t bother me at all–his attack on MikeA (above) was more than a bit snarky, but I thought MikeA defended his ground without anyone else’s help.
        
        Manny’s BanWagon (formerly Andy Pettitte’s Fibula)
        
        The point is no one should have to put up with personal attacks from this misanthropic asshole and the obnoxious condescending venom he seems to spew every few days.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        He’s usually not this much of a dick when you or Plank or someone else aren’t provoking him.
        
        He’s abrasive as shit and holds grudges excessively but he’s really not nearly bad enough to be banned.
        
        Steve
        
        Yeah, damn Axisa baited him with this article.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        Try re-reading my comment, bro.
        
        I said “He’s usually not this much of a dick.”
        
        He was obviously completely out of line today.
      - http://www.riveraveblues.com GT Yankee
        
        Mike, your comments have made my evening. I’m particularly tired of Ted and his sniping. Often seems that he is here more to pick a fight than talk Yankee baseball in civilized way. I go to RAB several times a day and read many of the comment sections. Far too many times I’ve seen comments by readers where Ted has gone on to attack them without provocation. I know this personally as he’s done so to me as well. Quite frankly it detracts me from participating in comments as much as I’d like. Who knows how many others have been driven away from YOUR BLOG due to his a-hole attitude. I really like everything about RAB….except him! A ban due to derogatory comments about the founder and operator of the blog wouldn’t disturb me one bit.
        
        Ted-Your arrogance and bad treatment of your fellow Yankee fans has finally come to a head in form of the owner/operator here telling you to fuck off. Could it be more obvious that you’re not wanted here? If you have any pride whatsoever, find another medium to spread your poison. I hear “Falk Youk” might be looking for a resident asshole. To the one or two “Tedfenders”, don’t worry so much about comments concerning the Yankees you perceive as “negative”. A much more consistent form of negativity affects this blog in the form of the person you choose to defend.
    - Now Batting
      
      For a site you seem to spend a lot of time commenting on you sure do spew a lot of vitriol. Perhaps spend your time elsewhere or make your own blog. There are zero barriers to entry.
      - Numb(Wood)Chucks
        
        Right? Why would someone keep reading what he thinks is “piss poor” analysis?
        
        I mean he admitted that he stopped becoming an ESPN Insider because he stopped thinking anything of their stuff. We should be so lucky.
        
        Now Batting
        
        I dunno I think he has some decent posts sometimes. Just wish he’d keep it impersonal.
        
        Manny’s BanWagon
        
        He dropped ESPN insider because it wasn’t up to his standards. In others words he felt Keith Law unfairly criticized something the Yankees did and there was no forum for Ted to attack him back.
    - Tom
      
      Ted… please explain how pitch framing value is calculated. You have been beating this drum all offseason.
      
      How does framing address:
      – The impact of the count on whether a marginal pitch is called a ball or strike
      – The impact of pitch type on a marginal ball/strike
      – The impact of the umpire on a marginal ball/strike
      – The impact of the pitch f/x system on a marginal ball/strike (especifically on low and high strikes which go through some adjustment)
      
      Martin… he was pretty good at framing. It’s not like Stewart is replacing someone poor at it. You are going from Martin/Stewart to Stewart/Cervelli… hell if you believe in framing as such a valuable skill that is a net DOWNGRADE in that regard.
      
      Being able to spit out what someone else has done and having no clue what the limitations of the work are, doesn’t make you know what the hell you are talking about. Hell even an advanced stat guy like Dave Cameron disputes the absolute value of the impact.
      
      And as for Ichiro… why is the default position his mechanics must have changed? I think unless there is evidence it has changed, the reasonable explanation is that you have sample size effects. I hope it’s real, but I have no reason to think it is. September data is also notoriously noisy as you have the compounding issue of expanded rosters and Sept callups.
      
      If you don’t like Mike’s analysis, there are other Yankee fan sites where you can do a better job of posing like you know what you are talking about.
- Scott
  
  “comprehensive offensive stats”… Ted, can you get down from your high horse long enough to tell us what “comprehensive offensive stats” exist that make this anything other than a major loss? What “comprehensive offensive stats” show more playing time for Mustelier/Rivera/Diaz isn’t a major offensive loss?
David

Didn’t see the hit. But this is a bunch of crap. How many hits did their players take last year. When are they oing to start retailitating?
- forensic
  
  Um, Warren hit the first Blue Jay batter the next inning. Did that make it any better? Didn’t think so…
Nice Guy Eddie

I see no need to give up anything for Alfons..one of these guys in camp is bound to step up in addition to what’s going to be on the market at the end of spring training. They can find a month of production from one of those two groups.
blehmann

The A’s have an outfield surplus. Michael Taylor hit .287/.405/.441 in 120 games last year in AAA. He is not good for 40+ HR per year but 20+ might be realistic. Why not?
- Scott
  
  Taylor’s .846 OPS in AAA is (in addition to being good, not great) suspect because it was in his 3rd full season at AAA; his previous years were .740 and .816.
  
  He’s a quad-A type who at best could be worth a shot as a strictly platoon option against lefties IF he has a big split (and I don’t know where to find splits for minor-league performance).
WhittakerWalt

Looks like the “PLAY THE KIDS!!” crowd is going to get their wish. God help us all.
alex ill take we’re fucked for 500

Please no Soriano.. anyone remember the ’03 postseason. All I can see is him swinging at sliders 3 feet out of the zone. Let the kids fill in and pray. This being said, another injury to one of our big bats will be devastating.
Chiggie

Mike it could just be that Stewart and other catchers give us an unexpected offensive boost for the first month. Just look what Stewart did today with one out and a runner on third. Oh wait!
Hoss

Mike, You’re seeing things clearly. There is no silver lining. Ted, Tilapia and his buddies were slamming me weeks ago when I said that the Yankees were not deep enough to sustain an injury to any starter (except catcher and DH, where there are no starters). It didn’t take long, because baseball is that way. Cashman giving up on Dickerson was fucking brilliant, right? Not obtaining any major league talent in the off-season equally as smart.
The only hope is that Mr. Steinbrenner now understands – from the fan reaction of FANS WHO DIDN’T THINK THIS TEAM COULD WIN 90-95 GAMES – that they need to spend money and improve. 4th place finish otherwise and a .500 record.
- Hoss
  
  My bad – Hafner is our starting DH. We had to (essentially) give up Dickerson to get another left-handed hitter who cannot play the field and is very injury-prone…
  - Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
    
    Who gives a shit about a 30 year old AAAA player who won’t even make the Orioles? Dickerson is nowhere near an adequate replacement for Grandy and Hafner had more WAR last year with a .233 BABIP than Dickerson did in his entire Yankee tenure.
  - Govin
    
    Dang now I see the wisdom in keeping Ryan Bruan in the minors as a backup. Curtis is not going to be out for the whole season.
- Stan the Man
  
  Chris Dickerson…really?
Scott

It’s Mustelier/Rivera/Diaz; let’s stop talking about Mesa and Almonte like they’re options.

1) Almonte was ok not great at just AA last year, where his K/BB was >4. He may have a career, but with that K/BB ratio, he hasn’t even fully figured out AA pitching yet.

2) Mesa… can people stop pretending he has a hope of a career? He’s a 26 yr-old minor leaguer who not only hasn’t hit that well in AA or AAA, but hasn’t shown any ability to make contact — he’s struck out 1 of 4 PA in AA, 1 of 3 in AAA. Is there anything I’m missing that makes anyone think he has a shot at being productive in the bigs, like maybe a trip to a special clinic this off-season?
- Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
  
  His Power, Speed, Defense, and Arm.
  
  He’s like Dickerson except with power and a throwing arm, and definitely has a shot of being a decent 4th outfielder in the bigs.
Christian

It’s okay guys, at least we have Dickerso…shit.
Ronnie

Enter Grady Sizemore?
- Govin
  
  Nope, by the time Grady is healthy Grandy will be healthy.
mt

Because of this, unfortunately, I tend to think the Granderson left field experience may now be over before it started – even if Gardner is playing a great CF in early part of year, (a good bet that he will) will Yanks want Grandy trying to both get his batting timing for first time all year (remember he will have no spring training hitting to fall back on) while also still worrying about a new LF position? I was surprised to see he had actually played so little LF – thought he had played more with Detroit.

The beauty of the Grandy to LF /Gardner to CF switch happening in spring training was that since both were in camp it could be done leisurely and gradually with Grandy still probably playing some CF during some games so it would not seem so abrupt – you can tell from Giradi that he does not want this to be seen as Grandy moving to LF because he is not as good – he did not want it to be seen as a done deal. Maybe he was just verbally “protecting” Grandy and it was a done deal but I do not think so. Fans have been thinking this switch was a no-brainer all off-season but clearly Girardi (even during his interview today before the news was revealed) did not want it to be seen as a done deal.

Now when Grandy comes back in May, I doubt he starts in LF defensively in the minors as he works his way back – we’ll see. So then I also don’t see him starting in LF in the majors when he gets back. Their main priority will be getting his hitting going.

If he does start in LF in minors and comes back to majors in LF, it shows that that the switch actually was always a done deal and all Giradi’s talk of evaluating how it was wotking and making sure there was no impact on Granderson’s hitting was all noise.

For those wanting vengeance against the Jays, remember Sabathia has taken out at least Carlos Pena one year for the Rays with a broken wrist/forearm from a HBP (in September when they still maybe had a chance if they did well – believe it was 2009 or 2010) and I believe somebody else last year (can’t remember who). That’s the natural reaction but it did not look like he was trying to hit him – although who can really tell those things.
- mt
  
  Also reminds me of last year when Gardner got hurt quickly and we had no Maxwell – this year Grandy goes down and we have no Dickerson. Maybe O’s will cut him (fingers crossed).
  - Bob Buttons
    
    Geez, wishing harm on someone through hopes of group violence?
    I know it sucks but don’t hex the guy because he ditched us.
Captain Crunch Sabathia

kinda wish grady sizemore was healthy right now. he would fit nice in the outfield for a little while
Pat D

I’m glad I’ve largely avoid this thread. I do find it interesting how more people think Granderson being out until May is more devastating than ARod being out till mid-July, though.
- Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
  
  Youk is much, much better than whoever our 4th OF ends up being.
  - Bob Buttons
    
    +1
  - Pat D
    
    Youk wasn’t a Yankee when ARod’s injury was revealed.
    - Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
      
      He was an available FA, though. There aren’t any good free agent outfielders left.
      - Pat D
        
        Right, but they had to spend the money on Youkilis that the might have spent somewhere else, etc., etc.
        
        We could just keep going in circles.
        
        Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        Yeah. I guess it’s just that there’s no time to figure it out now but there was when we heard about A-Rod.
CountryClub

I guess I’ll put my 2 cents on the record. Count me in the group that doesn’t think the sky is falling. If it was a season ender, I’d feel differently. But he’s going to miss roughly a month. They should be fine.
- CountryClub
  
  Is it crazy to think they should give Heathott a hard look this spring? It’s not possible that he could get hot this spring and at least hold his own for a month with the Yanks? At least we know he can play top notch D.
  - Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
    
    Call me crazy, but I’d wait for him to at least play a game AA before installing him as a major league starter.
    - CountryClub
      
      He played in the AZ league last yr. it’s an offensive league but the majority of players are older. It’s not like he’s 18.
      
      To be clear, if not for the injury, I wouldn’t even entertain the thought. But again, it’s a month. After that he can go play in AA.
      - Bob Buttons
        
        Not worth messing up the kid’s groove for maybe marginal improvement over Mr. Temporary Replacement
- Pasqua
  
  In all reality, it’s two months (April + May). The Yanks are generally very cautious with injury returns, and Granderson will have had no Spring Training. He probably won’t be playing the OF in the Bigs at the 10 week mark. That does suck, any way you cut it.
  
  I think there’s a balance to be found between the “No Sweat” camp, and the “Doomed!” camp. This injury will definitely hurt their performance in the early-going, but is not a death sentence for the season.
Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)

What’s with all this bitching about Chris Dickerson? He’s a 30 year old AAAA player who Ks 30% of the time and doesn’t hit for power. He isn’t going to make the Orioles for God’s sake. He’s not a better replacement LF than Ronnie Mustelier and he’s really not that much better than Melky Mesa either.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa
  
  Dickerson outhit the almighty Mustelier in Triple-A last year and runs circles around him defensively and on the bases. Mustelier is Yuniesky Betancourt who can’t play short.
  - Christian
    
    I’m still pissed they let Dickerson go. What a dumb move.
  - Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
    
    Yuniesky Betancourt? I didn’t realize Yuni had ever had a BB rate above 5%. In fact, his career high in walks is lower than Mustelier’s AAA total last year. Not to mention that Yuni doesn’t have Mustelier’s power.
    
    Mustelier’s in a pretty unique situation and there really aren’t many comps, but a Yuni one is pretty lazy.
    
    And Dickerson is a Maxwell who can’t hit for power. See, it goes both ways.
  - ClusterDuck
    
    Took Dickerson 10 years to to excel at AAA.
    
    Meanwhile the Mighty Mustelier has never NOT hit in his two years.
    
    WE know what Dickerson can do in th emajors. Let’s see what Mustelier can do.
  - Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
    
    Oh, and Dickerson had an 89 wRC+ last year. So…yeah.
    - Need Pitching & Hitting (but mostly hitting)
      
      That was 2 years ago, fwiw.
      161 wRC+ last year.
      - Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
        
        Yeah, I should have said the year before. I was thinking like it was still 2012.
  - Stan the Man
    
    Reading this site I would have assumed Chris Dickerson was a 10 time All-Star.
    - Cool Lester Smooth (Formerly YanksFanInBeantown)
      
      I know, it’s worse than Monterowasdinero’s crush on Greg Golson.
      
      At least Golson was 24 and 25 at the time, not 30.
Kevin

I’d like to see Mustelier get a shot. I know, I know, the future hall of famer crowd is going to laugh. But I think he, at least, has real upside, something I can’t say for the rest of our options. At this point, this could be make or break for our season. We need to gamble on a chance of a good fill in, not cover the risk of a bad one.
- CountryClub
  
  I’m fine with him getting a real look too.
- Herby
  
  It would probably be my choice out of the group but I’d have to see more to be convinced, and still have to see who gets released by the end of training camp.
- SevenAces
  
  But we need veteran presence in the clubhouse!
Ethan

Fuck you JA Happ
- ClusterDuck
  
  At least Warren hit the first Blue Jay batter.
  
  Meanwhile Singleton said it wasn’t intentional.
  
  I think Kenny is wrong about that.
  - Pat D
    
    Spring training is not the time to intentionally plunk people.
    
    That being said, like I mentioned in the game thread, I’m all for a Blue Jay getting nailed in the first regular season game.
Dan

They still need a Right Handed Hitting Outfielder and a Righty DH. The fact that Granderson is out for a month should mean that Cashman does a bigger move than he would otherwise. This guy could be looking at 400 PAs now.
Captain Crunch Sabathia

I say bring in a few more guys in on minor league deals. Damon, Podsednick? Or go for minor trades like for Chris Coghlan? Idk, just throwing some names out there. I say give Girardi more options to play with.
your mom

I hated Happ when he was a frickin Philly, hate him even more now……Fucker.
free speech

Did anyone say 85 if we are luckey………….
Another Bronx Dynasty

the way this seasons is starting to look there should be a 50% drop in attendance (or 2M unsold seats).
Kramerica Industries

Holy fucking shit.

These guys are absolutely fucking awful.
Kramerica Industries

Fucking Nova deserves better than this.

Last two starts: 14 IP, 4 ER

ZERO runs of support.