Rotation depth is strong

Chad Jennings takes a look at the minor-league rotation depth, as it shall serve to supplement a very deep major-league staff. CJ notes that the Yankees have their rotation figured out for the next few years, with CC, A.J., Wang and Joba all locked in contractually. However, we had Sidney Ponson, Darrell Rasner and even Kei Igawa (one start), pitching last year, so you never know.

Giambi likely to testify at Bond’s trial

Michael Schmidt (NY Times) has the story.

The Atlanta Perspective

Here’s David O’Brien (Atlanta-Journal Constitution) on how the Braves see Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady:

Nick Swisher — Pros: He’s only 28, and the switch-hitter is under a reasonable contract for three more years ($5.3 million this season, $6.75 million in 2010, $9 million in 2011, and $10.25 million club option for 2012 with a $1 mill buyout). Before his career-worst season for the White Sox in 2008, he had a .361 career OBP and 80 homers in 1,617 at-bats in parts of four seasons with Oakland, and he’d totaled 60 doubles, 57 homers and 173 RBI during the 2006-07 seasons. Swisher has the versatility to play adequate defense at three OF positions and 1B, though he’s probably a bit of a stretch in CF.

Cons: That contract no longer looks quite as attractive as it did before the market price for OFs took a dive this winter. It’s $22 mill for the next three years with the buyout. And that 2008 season wasn’t just below-average, it was awful. He hit .219 with a .332 OBP in 153 games, but did have 24 homers. And the Braves would probably have to trade at least prospect or two to get him.

Xavier Nady — Pros: Strong defensive outfielder who’s coming off a career-best offensive season, including a .305 average with 25 homers, 37 doubles, 97 RBI, .357 OBP and whopping .510 slugging percentage in 555 at-bats for the Pirates and Yankees, including a .307 average with RISP and .333 with RISP and two outs. Nady hit .317 with an .886 OPS vs. lefties. He can play all three OF positions and 1B.

Cons: His $6.55 mill salary in 2009, his last season before free agency, would eat up most or all of the remaining funds the Braves have. Plus, they’d probably have to give up a pitcher or solid prospect to get him, and then would have him just one season before he’s up for free agency.

Nady “can play all three OF positions,” huh? Anyway, Swisher is clearly the more attractive commodity, especially if you expect the market to rebound (a reasonable assumption). But, notice the pros outlined by O’Brien. Those reasons are exactly why the Yankees should keep him and move Nady. If you have to trade either player (to free up payroll, whatever), it really doesn’t make sense to hold on to X. Ship him out for a good player—prospect or otherwise—and move on.

(props to MLBTR)

Wells VS. Torre

From the Daily News:

David Wells didn’t hold back when he was asked about Joe Torre’s new book, “The Yankee Years,” on The Michael Kay Show on 1050 ESPN radio Thursday afternoon – and he may not hold back if he and Torre happen to cross paths.

Asked what he’d say to Torre about the book, Wells replied: “I’d probably just knock him out.”

Wells tempered the fighting words with laughter, adding: “I probably wouldn’t say anything. I’d probably laugh at him. It’s easy to say things when you leave.”

Torre, who was critical of Wells when the pitcher published his book “Perfect I’m Not” while still a Yankee, remained critical in “The Yankee Years”, which he co-authored with Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci.

“The difference between Kevin Brown and David Wells,” Torre says, “is that both make your life miserable, but David Wells meant to.”

Wells admitted to clashing with the manager, saying that Torre would often turn off his music in the clubhouse without ever asking him to turn it down. How’d Wells respond? He’d blast the music again and tell Torre, “If you got a problem, go in your office and shut the door.”

“I wasn’t there trying to make Joe’s life miserable, I was there trying to win,” added Wells, who used the loud music to pump himself up before games. “He fined me for wearing a Babe Ruth hat, that’s pretty shallow. I threw the money at him and said, ‘Go buy a pair of rims for your car.’”

Torre has been criticized for publicly calling out players in his book, something he said he’d never do when he was still managing in pinstripes. But Wells called that notion “BS” to begin with.

“Joe called guys out from time to time,” Wells said. “He always said you’ll never hear anything from him in the media or the papers, and that was BS … Joe didn’t respect a lot of people in my eyes.”

David Wells never fails to amuse me.

Yanks want prospects

From Ken Rosenthal (FOX Sports):

The Yankees’ goal in moving Swisher or Xavier Nady is to recoup some of the prospects they lost in their respective trades for both players, according to rival executives. Nady and left-hander Damaso Marte cost the Yankees four prospects in their deal with the Pirates. Swisher arrived from the White Sox with a minor-league pitcher in exchange for infielder Wilson Betemit and two minor-league pitchers …

I heard about this yesterday, now I finally found a source. If you’re the Yankees, do you really move either player for mere prospects (especially with all your chips in, this year)? And, if you are trying to bring home prospects, would Nady yield anything of value? Swisher would probably have to be dealt for that.

Forget Vlad, we’ve got Robbie…

From FanGraphs:

O-Swing% (outside swing percentage): The percentage of pitches a batter swings at outside the strike zone.

Obviously, a lower O-Swing% is optimal for batters. Now, I wonder…

As Arnold would say, “Robinson Cano, you lack discipline…”

Stark on Torre and A-Rod, Swisher

From Jayson Stark (ESPN):

Hard as Joe Torre tries to spin his thoughts about Alex Rodriguez, we’ve heard from multiple sources that when A-Rod was a free agent last offseason, Torre advised the Dodgers not to touch him.

Well, have fun with… Casey Blake. Too bad Joe didn’t talk them out of signing Andruw Jones, huh?

Also, Stark spoke on Nick Swisher:

After trying to push Xavier Nady as the outfielder they’d most prefer to trade, the Yankees are telling teams they’re softening to the idea of dealing Nick Swisher. The Braves head the list of clubs who prefer Swisher because of his versatility and because he’s three years from free agency, not one.

If the Yankees deal Swisher, it’ll be a dumb move. Keep the guy you can control for the next few years. The Yankees are always big spenders. Maybe a cost-controlled player could help them out next year, you know, when they don’t have any outfielders.

4 reasons why Joba Chamberlain isn’t needed in the bullpen…

And they are:

Edwar Ramirez – CHONE projection: 3.38 ERA 3.43 FIP 64 IP 75 K

Jose Veras - CHONE projection: 4.05 ERA 3.95 FIP 60 IP 60 K

David Robertson – CHONE projection: 4.08 ERA 4.11 FIP 53 IP 57 K
*note Robertson’s abnormally high .344 BABIP last year

Mark Melancon – CHONE projection: 4.73 ERA 4.85 FIP 40 IP 30 K
*in 20 AAA IP, last year, Melancon’s line: 2.70 ERA 2.40 FIP 22 K

Quick Bits: Joe Torre, Jeter

First, my apologies for the sudden lack of posting. The real world momentarily stopped me.

1. The Joe Torre controversy continues. At this point, you really wonder why Torre went through with this book. He’s living comfortably and was a HOF manager. Now, he’s suddenly on his heels, reeling in the corner and is forced to defend his legacy. Why do subject yourself to that? He’s even making Alex Rodriguez look good in comparison (you’ll hear some loud cheers once the season begins), which is actually good for the team. Meanwhile, the Yankees are trying to prevent future tell-alls about the Yankee clubhouse through confidentiality agreements. I’m actually surprised that these haven’t been in effect already.

2. Derek Jeter thinks people should reserve judgment until Torre/Verducci’s book is actually released. I don’t really agree with that, anymore, as many people have read it it, in fact, and have posted online excerpts that tell a fair part of the story. When pressed about the book, Jeter did his typical avoidance shtick and said that everyone (on the team) is simply eager to play baseball. I guess it’s easier to say that when Torre chooses to portray you in a positive fashion.

3. Finally, with regards to DJ, Harvey Araton has a nice blog post up detailing what The Captain took from the old Stadium (as a keepsake). I think he actually left with the coolest thing possible.

Good question

From Neil Best (Newsday):

Will Dodgers players be hesitant to confide in Torre, knowing he shared behind-the-scenes tales of his Yankees days in the book?

Throughout the Torre controversy, I’ve wondered how the Dodgers feel about the situation. Torre, at this point, isn’t bulletproof as he is receiving major criticism for The Yankee Years. If you’re Manny Ramirez, do you wonder about what Joe Torre may one day write about you? Probably not, because you’re simply trying to find a deal, but if you’re a veteran player thinking about going to LA, does this effect your decision making process?