Saturday, March 31, 2012

3-31-12


I don’t get too caught up in spring training, but I do look for injuries and someone young or old doing something unexpected.  Pettitte coming back was unexpected and the Yanks did the only thing they could…sign him and let him get ready.  I am not sure we need him, but he definitely learned how to pitch differently after he was in Houston and if his arm is healthy and his body can stay healthy, he will be helpful.

I didn’t like any of the signings for the DH spot and as I said before I would rather have one of the younger and good defensive OF’rs play once in awhile and DH Swisher and then use the DH for the other players than use the Randy Winn’s, err, I mean Ibanez, Bill Hall types.  I did think that as a cheap signing Branyan would be a better option than Ibanez, but Branyan has had a hurt back and I am not sure is he has even played yet.  Still, let one of the younger guys like (not necessarily him) Chris Dickerson play IMO as we get better defense and probably better production…not sure why they are in love with Ibanez, but I hope he proves me wrong.

Back to the pitching, I am very disappointed in the spring training showing of Pineda.  Now he is on the 15 day DL with a sore shoulder; couldn’t have been much worse, especially with the guy I wanted them to go after, Yu Darvish, throwing in the mid 90’s and looking very good.  Not sure how a guy who was one of the top 5-10 hardest throwers in the game last year looks more like Phil Hughes?  Very odd.  Also, Bartolo, pitched 8 innings in Japan for a game that counted already…good for Colon!

I will write after opening day (Friday) and then take a few days off before resuming.  I hope everyone is doing great and looking forward to a fun season for the Yanks.  If I have time I will get my thoughts on the players out before the season starts (I usually do), but if I am a week late, so be it.  Once the season has hot stride, I should post 4-5 days a week.

Take care

Steve