I’ve compiled a list for your benefit/enjoyment of where you can find every former Yankee or former Yankee minor leaguer right now in Spring Training.  There are a few that I bet the Yankees would gladly take back, such as Tyler Clippard, while a majority of them have yet to do anything productive for their new team...read more

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Although their names had been linked in the days prior to the Yankees’ signing of Chan Ho Park, I was a little surprised to see that they actually completed a deal.

What can the Yankees expect out of Chan Ho Park as a reliever?  Can he be used in a set-up role?  Was this entire article just an excuse to use my slightly clever title?

We all know about his splits from last season; he was terrible as a starting pitcher but excellent in the bullpen with a 2.52 ERA and a K/9 of 9.4 for the National League Champions.

Frankly, considering his age and how volatile he has been over his career, I would really like the Yankees to put him into a tight game immediately and frequently over the beginning of the season.   This would be as important as they would be able to see if Park would be able to come through in close games, as well as see if he is the same Chan Ho Park that they saw in the bullpen from last year.  I do expect to see a regression from last year’s stats due to the move to the AL East and an increase in his age, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he turned out to be a serviceable reliever for the Yankees next year.

In case you didn’t notice, Brian Cashman was a complete master this offseason.  He basically upgraded from Brian Bruney to Chan Ho Park, while saving money on the upgrade, as well as acquiring Jamie Hoffman because of it.

Also, this signing does an a impact on the 40 man roster; as of this moment there are no more spots on it for Park, which most likely means that Edwar Ramirez will be designated for assignment.

According to Matt Eddy of BaseballAmerica, the Yankees re-signed three minor leaguers who were in the organization last year.  The Yankees re-signed RHP Paul Bush, OF Edwar Gonzalez, and 3B Marcos Vechionacci on minor league deals.

Bush, 30, pitched in 12 games between Trenton and Scranton last year after being signed from the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League.  In both stops he was able to put up a K/9 ratio over 10, in 37 total innings.  He has a career minor league ERA of 3.08.  Expect him to spend time in both the Scranton and Trenton bullpen, and be an occasional starter as needed.

Gonzalez,27, struggled terribly last year in Trenton (AA) after a successful 2008 campaign.  Last year with Trenton he only hit .232/.296 with a .329 SLG and 4 homeruns in 413 at-bats.  Expect him to be a back-up outfielder in Trenton, or maybe Scranton.

Vechionacci,who will be 24 in April, was once a highly touted prospect that turned into a complete bust.  He has a career minor league OPS of .682 and only hit .213/.278 with a .332 SLG and 10 homeruns last year with Trenton.

Boone Logan, 25, was a 20th round pick by the Chicago White Sox back in 2002.  He surprised baseball by making the White Sox’ opening day roster back in 2006 with only four games above rookie ball to his name.  He struggled mightily in the majors and has been up and down ever since.

2009:

Boone Logan was traded to the Atlanta Braves prior to the 2009 season along with Javier Vazquez.  2009 would be another up-and-down year as he would end up pitching 29 games in the minors, and 29 games in the majors.  He continued his trend of limited success in the majors, compiling a 5.19 ERA, which actually lowered his career ERA to 5.78.

Logan, a lefty, had a noticeable lefty-righty split in 2009.  Lefties were only able to hit a OPS of .626 off of him while righties hit a .932 OPS against him.

Following the season he was traded, once again with Javier Vazquez, to the Yankees.

2010:

Logan, at this point, may have a slight chance at the last bullpen job, but it is definitely no lock.  With his splits, one would hope that the Yankees would try to make him a LOOGY, and keep him as far from righties as possible.

If he does not make the roster on opening day, Logan is going to have a tough climb getting to the majors.  He is going to have a bunch of competition in Triple-A, including several of their starters, if there is an opening on the big league level.  Royce Ring would be his major competition, as they are both lefties.

Basically, don’t expect much out of Logan this season.  Expect him to pitch in 10-20 games, and he very ineffective.  With a 2:1 K:BB ratio, and a WHIP of 1.69 over 162 games, there is not much to look forward to.

The Yankees made two managerial changes in the low minors today, as they announced that Charleston RiverDogs manager Torre Tyson would be named the manager of the Tampa Yankees, and taking his place would be RiverDogs hitting coach Gregg Colbrunn

Tyson was the RiverDogs’ hitting coach for two years and spent the last three years as their manager.

Colbrunn spent the last three years as the team’s hitting coach following his big league career.  Colbrunn was in the Major Leagues from 1992 to 2004, where he accumulated 98 homeruns and had a .799 career OPS.

These promotions mean that Luis Sojo, who was the Tampa manager last year, is now out of a job.

Recently Jim Edmonds announced that he was attempting a comeback for the 2010 season.  Furthermore, Eric Byrnes was officially released from the Arizona Diamondbacks.   Both should figure to be cheap options for the Yankees, and a guy that could possibly take some time in left field, depending on how Brett Gardner is doing.

Frankly, I’d rather have Jim Edmonds of the two.

According to FanGraphs, Edmonds had a UZR/150 of -23.3 in 2008, two seasons ago, but in centerfield.  Although he may not be an asset like he used to be, I would not be surprised to see him have much better numbers in left field, where he would spent the majority  of his time.   But which Jim Edmonds the hitter will be seen?  He was released in 2008 by the Padres after not being able to break a .500 OPS in 90 at-bats, but rebounded with the Cubs where he had a .937 OPS with 19 homeruns in 250 at-bats.

Frankly, if the Yankees can get decent fielding and an OPS around .820, they would be more than thrilled.

Byrnes has been hit with a lot of injuries the last few years and his offensive numbers have plummeted so much that the Diamondbacks just outright released him.  And even when he is healthy and “hitting,” he doesn’t do much.  He has only three seasons with an OPS over .800 in his career.

However, if the Yankees are able to get a certain outfielder to drop his price, this is irrelevant.

Over the last week the Yankees have added a few minor pieces such as Reid Gorecki, among others, to the depth chart. Guys like Gorecki and Jon Weber are not at all likely to open the year on the team; only if they have an amazing spring and other unforeseen incidents occur (such as injuries.) At this point however, should Brian Cashman consider himself “done” for the most part, when it comes to looking for depth at both the Major League and Minor League levels?

When it comes to the batters, my train of thought is this: “If a Yankees starter had to miss a month due to injury, would the Yankees have a suitable replacement?”

Catcher: The back-up catcher is most likely going to be Francisco Cervelli unless he has a terrible spring and Mike Rivera has an outstanding one. If Posada had to miss a month, Cervelli would take over, and frankly, the Yankees would be just fine.

First Base: If Teixeira missed some time, the Yankees would have a number of options here actually. For one they could move Nick Johnson to first base and have absolutely anyone that they want to DH. Or they could have Juan Miranda, or even Jorge Vazquez play first or DH, depending on how they want the defensive alignment to play out. They have two blocked mashers in the minors and a DH who plays first also.

Second Base: They have a plethora of options here. The Yankees could easily go to either Ramiro Pena, Kevin Russo, or Reegie Corona.

Shortstop: Ramiro Pena is one of the best defensive shortstops there is and can hit for decent average. Reegie Corona can also play shortstop, but he has yet to hit at the AAA level. Throw Eduardo Nunez into the mix as well.

Third Base: Kevin Russo and Ramiro Pena have had a decent amount of games here, while Reegie Corona has only had a few.

Left Field: If Gardner or Hoffmann are injured the other could take full-time duties. In the minors Jon Weber and Reid Gorecki are coming off of successful seasons and could probably hold their own. Maybe Colin Curtis if he can continue that winter league success (but I’m not crossing my fingers.)

Center Field: Were Granderson to go down they can move Gardner to center full-time and have Hoffmann start in left, or do some sort of platoon involving Hoffman/Weber/Gorecki.

Right Field: Were Swisher to go down, they can move one of Gardner or Hoffmann to rightfield full-time, maybe implementing a platoon.

DH: Obviously they can go with anyone that they want. Or they can choose to go on a cycle allowing the starters to get half-days off, with bench players taking their positions for one game.

Basically, were the Yankees to go with the team that they had now, assuming there isn’t a huge plague on injuries in the minors, they would be just fine. They have suitable replacements in every position basically. However, if Jerry Hairston, Jr. to re-sign, he could be a replacement in literally every position but catcher. Hairston, Jr. would be very handy to have around were an injury to occur.

Rotation: Waiting in AAA should be Ivan Nova, Zach McAllister, Jason Hirsh, Romulo Sanchez, and Kei Igawa. Sanchez and Nova are the only ones on the 40-man roster though. Furthermore, in AA they will have Chris Garcia and Wilkin(s) de la Rosa, who are both on the 40-man roster. On the Major League roster, Alfredo Aceves, Chad Gaudin, and Sergio Mitre are all capable of starting on short notice. Furthermore, maybe whichever of Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes does not win the starting job. Plenty of depth here, at least right now. Also, a darkhorse candidate – Lance Pendleton.

Bullpen: I’m assuming the opening day bullpen will at least have the following: Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, Damaso Marte, Alfredo Aceves, Mark Melancon, and Chad Gaudin/Sergio Mitre. There will probably be one more guy added in there.

Now, down in AAA will likely be some combination of: Jonathan Albaladejo, Edwar Ramirez, Boone Logan, Royce Ring, Kevin Whelan, Grant Duff, Zack Segovia, Eric Wordekemper, Kanekoa Texeira (if returned), Zach Kroenke (if returned), and Josh Schmidt. I don’t see anybody that I would at this point feel comfortable with in Major League action. I see three guys with ERAs over 5 last year, a LOOGY with limited Major League success, a guy that can’t throw a strike, a guy that can throw fast but hasn’t even had much Minor League success, a guy released by the Nats, a 46th round pick, two guys that the Yankees didn’t feel like protecting, and a guy that throws low-80′s. I will also add Romulo Sanchez into that mix, who isn’t too shabby/

Conclusion: I’ve said it before and I will say it again, I don’t understand how Brian Cashman can feel comfortable with this bullpen, even without an injury occurring.

Recommendation: If I am Brian Cashman, I first trade Chad Gaudin to open up a few dollars on the payroll. Gaudin made $2 million dollars last year between the Padres and Yankees, so one can assume that he will make about $2.5 million next year. With that money I’m bringing on Jerry Hairston, Jr. (say…$1.8 million dollars with a team option for $2.2 million) and Kiko Calero, who is coming off a season where he had a 1.95 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 10.4 SO/9 for Florida, but isn’t receiving too much attention due to his age (35) and the injury risk (missed most of 2008) – for say, $2 million dollars over 1 year. Maybe I see if Chad Bradford would be willing to come into camp on a minor league deal, seeing if he can get over his injury-plagued 2009. Following the additions of Hairston, Jr. and Calero, I call it an offseason.

Thoughts?

Throughout Yankee history there have many names that one will never forget. Babe Ruth. Mickey Mantle. Ron Guidry. But personally, I feel the need to talk about a certain five-time World Series champion who played shortstop for the Yankees during their amazing run in the 1990s.

Of course you know the guy that I am talking about.

Luis Sojo.

Back in September of 2003 the Yankees were in crisis. Derek Jeter was suffering from a minor injury, meaning that Erick Almonte was going to start for a few games. This meaning that the Yankees did not have a back-up-back-up infielder for a small stretch of games. Media coverage and outrage ensued.

Brian Cashman had a truly brilliant idea to solve this minor inconvenience. He hired a gun. How this guy was still available no one will ever know, but Brian Cashman managed to get Luis Sojo to sign on the dotted line. This is the single signature that would change the future of the Yankees forever. At first many players were reportedly opposed to the signing. They thought that Sojo would make all the other Yankees look like frail girly-men in comparison to the Wilt Chamberlain of baseball. But after showing them his mad skills, they turned around.

“Sojo is ready. I can feel it. According to my statistical research, 38-year old overweight infielders who did not play the entire previous season, had a OPS of .404, OPS+ of 7, and a batting average of .165 have a long history of great success in the future. It’s just simple math,” Cashman said the day of the signing.

What a magical month September of 2003 was. I wish i could have been there to see his first at-bat of the year…I can just see it now.

I’m sitting in the upper deck of Yankee Stadium. The sun is out and the 50,000+ Yankee fans are in attendance. However, this is not like any other game; there is a certain aura floating around the ballpark. There are certain rumors, but it isn’t known if it’s true.

A man on a bench with a radio shouts, “It’s true. It’s true. Sojo signed. The legend is back.” Cheers and joyful songs are spread throughout the stadium. A little kid nearby throws his Enrique Wilson jersey on the floor yelling at it, “You will never be half the man that Sojo is!” Clay Bellinger was seen nearby crying.

Rumor is that Miguel Cairo and Cody Ransom were nearby shaking their heads in disappoint saying, “We can do it better.” Sinners.

If my memory is correct, this is the moment where Nelson Mandela declared that he was a Yankee and the Pope held mass at Yankee Stadium.

I don’t know if Luis Sojo actually had an at-bat that game. I don’t think he did as the game actually mattered, but I like to think it happened like this…

“The pitch to Sojo…it’s a weak groundball to the shortstop, should be an easy out. The shortstop…refuses to pick up the ball and Sojo arrives safety at first!” The shortstop gets on his right knee, removes his hat, and bow down towards Sojo, “Tis an honor to allow a hit to thee,” he says.

In reality, Luis Sojo may have gone hitless that month. He might not have been able to get a thousand-bouncer up the middle like in the 2001 World Series or one from one of his patented “closed-eyes” swings, but in my heart, he sure hit a homerun.

If loving Luis Sojo is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.

Dear Voters:

WHAAAAAT?!?!

Today you elected Andre Dawson into the Hall of Fame. Andrew Dawson, he of the career .806 OPS and 119 OPS+. Those are fine numbers; those are not even close to Hall of Fame numbers.

Let me explain to you how terrible this decision was:

Todd Zeile received zero votes. Todd Zeile’s OPS is .769. Todd Zeile’s OPS+ is 103.

Ray Lankford received votes. Ray Lankford’s OPS is .840. Ray Lankford’s OPS+ is 122.

Yes ladies and gentleman, one could actually statistically argue that Ray Lankford was a superior baseball player than Andre Dawson.

In fact, of all the players on this year’s ballot, Andre Dawson’s OPS+ was 15th out of 19!

Sincerely,
Me

Over at MinorLeagueBall, John Sickels ranked the Yankees prospects:

1) Jesus Montero, C, Grade A: I know that his position is up in the air, but I love this bat so much that I’m going to give him a straight Grade A. This is a Mike Piazza/Manny Ramirez type bat.

2) Austin Romine, C, Grade B: Not in Montero’s class as a hitter, but he’s not bad, should improve further, and is much better defensively.

3) Manny Banuelos, LHP, Grade B-: Borderline Grade B. Intriguing young lefty, undersized but has a very good arm and has performed quite well thus far.

4) Zach McAllister, RHP, Grade B-: Strike-throwing-ground-ball-generating-inning-gobbler with advanced pitching feel. A fifth starter, long reliever, or trade bait in New York.

5) Slade Heathcott, OF, Grade B-: Excellent tools, will have to see how his skills develop, and if he overcomes concerns about his makeup from high school.

6) Mark Melancon, RHP, Grade B-: Borderline C+. Relief prospects are hard to grade, especially if they aren’t going to get a chance to close, but I really like Melancon. Great stats in the minors, with very good stuff.

7) Gary Sanchez, C, Grade C+: Scouting reports point to enormous offensive potential, but would like to see him in game action before ranking higher.
John Murphy, C, Grade C+: Scouts like the bat a lot, but raw defensively. As with Sanchez, need to see what balance he finds between tools and skills.

9) Kelvin De Leon, OF, Grade C+: Broken record: great tools, lots of power potential, questions about plate discipline, need more data from higher levels.

10) D.J. Mitchell, RHP, Grade C+: Picks up tons of grounders, throws strikes, very athletic, needs better secondary pitches to reach his full potential.

11) Wilkin De La Rosa, LHP, Grade C+: Live-armed lefty needs sharper command. Great trade bait.

12) David Adams, 2B, Grade C+: Power spiked in the Florida State League. If he maintains that, could be a nice surprise in Double-A in ’10.

13) Corban Joseph, 2B-3B, Grade C+: Sleeper prospect, hits for average and controls zone well, might develop some power to go with it.

14) Adam Warren, RHP, Grade C+: Polished college pitcher could develop into another inning-eater type.

15) Neil Medchill, OF, Grade C+: Excellent power from the left side in the New York-Penn League, but batting average/OBP against better pitching are in question.

16) David Phelps, RHP, Grade C+: Looks like a sleeper to me, finished season with brilliant run in the Florida State League. Notre Dame product.

17) Andrew Brackman, RHP, Grade C: He’s horrible as a starter, but has a chance to develop in the bullpen.

18) Jose Ramirez, RHP, Grade C: Can hit 95-96 MPH and pitched well in rookie ball; sleeper candidate to emerge in ’10.

19) Jeremy Bleich, LHP, Grade C: The Yankees like him a lot more than I do, but I can’t rate him higher than this given how badly he pitched in Double-A.

20) Bryan Mitchell, RHP, Grade C: Live arm, cost $800,000 to buy away from North Carolina, will need time but has a high ceiling.

OTHERS (All Grade C): Sean Black, RHP; Gavin Brooks, LHP; Jairo Heredia, RHP; Jamie Hoffman, OF; Brandon Laird, 3B; DeAngelo Mack, OF; Melky Mesa, OF; Juan Miranda, 1B; Hector Noesi, RHP; Ivan Nova, RHP; Eduardo Nunez, SS; Kevin Russo, 2B; Romulo Sanchez, RHP; Graham Stoneburner, RHP; Brad Suttle, 3B; Pat Venditte, RHP-LHP; Kevin Whelan, RHP.

Notable absences include: Dellin Betances, Alan Horne, Chris Garcia, and Reegie Corona, amongst others.