Can Jeter Surpass Rose?

Can Derek Jeter surpass Pete Rose’s hit record?

Ken Rosenthal thinks so, and I have to agree that, if Jeter is open to switching positions down the road and if he can mentally and physically deal with such a change, then, he does have a legitimate shot (really) at beating out Rose’s record of 4,256 hits (which is truly an astonishing record).

Currently, Jeter is close to becoming the all-time hit leader for the Yankees, a feat which he should accomplish next year (Lou Gehrig is the current leader in that department, holding strong with 2,721 hits). He only needs 366 hits and assuming he’s healthy this year and next year, that should be no problem.

Let The Kids Play

Tom Verducci is worried about Ian Kennedy’s arm in 2008 (what a nice man). Verducci featured Kennedy as an “at-risk arm” in his list of young “at-risk arms” for 2008. In fact, Verducci actually stuck Kennedy up at the very top of the list:

1. Ian Kennedy, Yankees, 23 (+61 IP)

Kennedy sailed through three minor league levels and reached the big leagues last year, his first full season in professional baseball. The Yankees allowed him to ring up 165 1/3 innings at age 22, after he threw 101 2/3 innings at USC in 2006 and 2 2/3 innings at Staten Island after signing. Kennedy was shut down late in September and left off the postseason roster because of what was described as mild back soreness.

Kennedy’s path may recall how the Angels pushed Jared Weaver, another college stud, by 56 innings in 2006. Weaver started 2007 on the DL with shoulder soreness and saw his ERA rise by 1.45.

One caveat: Kennedy’s jump is not as alarming as first blush indicates. The Yankees did give him an extra 30 1/3 “unofficial” innings of winter ball in 2006 (see Carmona below); not your high-stress big league innings, but still good incremental training. If you count that work, his jump of 30 2/3 innings barely pushes him into the danger zone.

Earlier in the day, Verducci actually forgot to include an extra 30 1/3 HL innings in his evaluation, and therefore, you have to wonder about his choice to place Kennedy at the very top of his list. However, to his credit he later changed his report and included those extra “unofficial” innings. Clearly, the Yankees haven’t set this kid up on a destructive path (as Verducci would like you to believe), as his workload has been relatively adequate in relation to the the 30 inning increment rule.

More Bits: Clemens, Bruney, Jeter

Sorry for the lack of substantial posts the past two days, it’s been a hectice week, thus far. However, if time allows it (I have classes all day), I’ll try to remedy that later on today (hopefully) or even tomorrow (definitely).

Anyways, here are some interesting news bits:

• Briany Bruney and the Yankees have reached an agreement for a one-year figure of $725,000. Bruney, who has been going through the arbitration process, initially asked the Yankees for $845,000 and the Yankees countered with $640,000.
• Next up, Roger Clemens denied steroid/HGH allegations today while under oath. Now, if Brian McNamee’s allegations are ever proven against Clemens, he could possibly face legal repercussions (similar to Barry Bonds).
• Finally, Derek Jeter and NY state tax officials settled a dispute from late last year. It’s good to know that Jeter can stop worrying about this tax dispute and finally get back to doing what he does best… partying in Miami.

Back with more later.

Roger Gets His Chance

Today, Roger Clemens will speak to the same Congressional committee that Andy Pettitte spoke to yesterday, and don’t let the legal analysts fool you, Clemens will not be plead the 5th and will speak to the committe under oath…

Does that say a lot about Roger’s innocence/guilt? What do you think?