Author Archive
Looking at some interesting splits for Yankee hitters
Posted by: | CommentsIt was only a matter of time before everyone started doing some creative stuff with the new splits data at FanGraphs, and sure enough Moshe Mandel at TYU used the info to look at some interesting splits for various members of the Yankees’ 2010 lineup. The one piece of data that really stood out to me was Curtis Granderson’s home HR/FB (8.9%) vs. away (15.7%). Overall, his numbers at Comerica Park (.306 wOBA) were way worse than those away from it (.372) last season, yet that’s not a consistent theme throughout his career. The splits were much closer in previous years, though still slightly better away from MoTown.
Does that bode well for a 2010 rebound? Yeah, I think it does. Looking at his 2009 home spray chart, you can definitely see that Granderson hit some balls that were turned into outs at home that probably would have done some damage (over the fence, off the wall) elsewhere. As some are wont to say, time with tell.
Open Thread: Winn comes cheaper than originally thought
Posted by: | CommentsWhen the Yankees first reached an agreement with Randy Winn a few weeks back, reports indicated that he would receive the last $2M left in the budget. Not long after that, the Dodgers landed Reed Johnson for just a six-figure payout, and I said the Yanks overpaid to get their man, even though he was the right player.
Well guess what? It turns out Winn’s deal isn’t quite as rich as originally reported. Take it away, Joel Sherman…
The Yankees today also officially signed Winn to his one year contract for a $1.1 million base with $900,000 available in incentives: $100,000 each for 50, 75 and 100 plate appearances, and $150,000 apiece for 125, 150, 175 and 200.
Yes, the incentives add up to $900,000 which would make the total value of the deal the original $2M. However that money is far from guaranteed, and if Winn pockets it, it means either a) something bad has happened in the outfield, or b) he played well enough to earn the playing time. Remember this is a very easy deal to back out of. If Winn’s not producing, they’ll just dump him.
Bottom line: Randy Winn at $2M was an overpay, but Randy Winn at 55% of that with some incentives is just fine. No reason to cancel your season tickets.
Update: Commenter Cecala points out that Winn’s incentives are based on plate appearances against lefty pitchers only. Even better.
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Once you’re finished disagreeing with me, go ahead and use this as your open thread for the night. In case you haven’t heard, we have a perpetual off-topic post now, available at the end of the nav bar above. You don’t have to wait all day to talk about something we don’t have a post for anymore. Anyway, the Devils are the only local team in action tonight, but there is a new hour of 24 on. Enjoy the thread.
Montero headlines non-roster invites
Posted by: | CommentsAt long last, the Yankees have released the list of non-40-man roster players they’ve invited to Spring Training. Drum roll please…
Catchers
Kyle Higashioka
Jesus Montero
P.J. Pilittere
Mike Rivera
Austin Romine
Infielders
David Winfree
Outfielders
Colin Curtis
Marcus Thames
Reid Gorecki
Jon Weber
Pitchers
Wilkins Arias
Jeremy Bleich
Grant Duff
Jason Hirsh
Kei Igawa
Zach McAllister
Royce Ring
Amaury Sanit
Zack Segovia
Kevin Whelan
Sixty players in all will report to camp, some with more of a chance to make the team than others. They need all the catchers because there’s a lot of mounds in the Tampa complex, and someone has to catch all those guys throwing bullpens. Sanit’s a nice sleeper. He’s an older Cuban guy without blow-you-away stuff, but I bet he sees the big leagues at some point in 2010.
Obviously, I can’t wait to see Montero permanently damage some psyches with his bat.
Yankees sign Marcus Thames
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate (3:44pm): Joel Sherman confirms that it is in fact a minor league deal, adding that Thames will make $900,000 if he makes the team. He pulled down $2.275M last season.
3:27pm: Via Jon Heyman, the Yankees have signed Marcus Thames to what I assume is a minor league deal. The soon to be 33-year-old has historically crushed lefties, though those splits weren’t as pronounced last year. With negative defensive value and zero baserunning prowess, anything Thames contributes will come from his ability to run into the occasional mistake pitch from the right side. He’s just some competition for Jamie Hoffmann in Spring Training.
Thames, of course, grew up in the Yanks’ system, and homered on the very first pitch he saw as a big leaguer, taking The Big Unit deep.
Fan Confidence Poll: February 8th, 2010
Posted by: | Comments2009 Season Record: 103-59 (915 RS, 753 RA), won AL East by 8 games, finished with the best record in MLB by 6 games, won 27th World Series
Top stories from last week:
- In the lone personnel move of the week, the Randy Winn signing was made official.
- Hank Steinbrenner emerged from his hideout in Tampa to remind us all that when Derek Jeter’s contract is up, he’ll be taken care of. Meanwhile, the price of pitching keeps going up as young arms around the league continue to sign long-term deals.
- Rival executives are praising the way the Yankees are run.
- Rich Aurilia hopes to join the Yanks on a minor league deal, while the team’s two A-ball affiliates changed managers.
- The Yankees will appear in seven FOX games next year.
- After some revisions, PECOTA predicts a second straight division title for the Bombers.
Please take a second to answer the poll below and give us an idea of how confident you are in the team. You can view the new and improved Fan Confidence Graph anytime via the nav bar above, or by clicking here. Thanks in advance for voting.
Open Thread: Super Sunday
Posted by: | Comments
Colts vs. Saints. Peyton vs. Brees. Freeney vs. his ankle. Over/under on the number of Hurricane Katrina references is set at 4.5.
Use this thread to talk before, during, and after the big game. Enjoy.
Surprise! Tabata might be older than expected
Posted by: | CommentsVia The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pirates’ GM Neal Huntington admitted that former Yankee prospect Jose Tabata might actually be in his mid-20’s, instead of the 21 he’s believed to be. If you’ve stuck with me throughout all of my blogging adventures, then this shouldn’t be a surprise. There were rumblings Tabata was older than he claimed to be way back when he was in Rookie ball. “I mean the body… it’s hard to argue with the skeptics,” said Keith Law.
If true, Tabata’s prospect status would take a major hit given his complete inability to hit for power at such an advanced age (his best IsoP is .122, and came four years ago). The Xavier Nady-Damaso Marte trade would look that much better as well.
Open Thread: Simply the Best
Posted by: | CommentsJust 12 more sleeps until it all starts again…
The Rangers are playing the Devils, while the Knicks, Nets, and Isles all have games of their own. Enjoy the thread.
Lackey vs. Vazquez
Posted by: | CommentsBoth the Yankees and Red Sox imported a big time starting pitcher this offseason, though they went about it in very different ways. The small market Sox managed to convince Lackey to take a massively below market deal in order to fit him into their tiny payroll (/hyperbole), while the Yanks traded an excellent prospect and two spare parts to bring Javy back. Jay at Fack Youk compared the two pitchers with regards to their polar opposite reputations of clutchiness, and shows that the two aren’t as different as you may think. Make sure you check it out, it’s some great stuff.
