RealGM

discuss

CC has lost 40 + pounds

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_ ... s-rotation

Usually I think to myself that's a good thing but 2 seasons ago, he lost a lot of weight and zip to his fast ball. Ask David Wells who hasn't been overweight since Jesus' time...pitching is about the thought process. Last season I thought CC's velocity was there but his pitch selection stunk.

Really, all eyes are on Pineda. Can he freaking pitch ONE game? Right now, he's looking like Carl Pavano Jr. Sure, I'll buy that the Yanks didn't lose with Montero but there were multiple offers that the Yanks could have used in their favor.

This rotation is going to be every thing to watch. Sure the offense/defense will be scrutinized but really think it's self-explanatory.

But this rotation is a complete gamble.

1. It's gambling that Kuroda will remain healthy all season long, especially in the second half.

2. It's gambling CC can bounce back after 2 mortal seasons.

3. It's gambling Tanaka's adjustment to MLB won't be brutal.

4. It's gambling Nova and Pineda will be bailed out by the offense.

But most importantly...

The Yankees are gambling Robertson can do his thing.

I agree with the Dr..The team isn't very well constructed but does have some pieces. If everything breaks their way 92-95 wins may be reasonable, but I could see things going poorly and only getting 70-80, 84-88 is where I think we end up.

The Tanaka circus could get fun, we really need him to be a #1 Franchise Face Ace ala Verlander (not that I expect it).
http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... n_display/

tanaka struggles to run 1 mile

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/tanaka-str ... --mlb.html

oh boy

Well, I doubt CC Sabbathia could finish ONE lap around a NYC city grid block.

Pitchers are/always have been the divas of MLB. Tanaka is a professional. I'm not going to worry about him so much as I am going to worry about....Mark Teixiera.

His comment, "We're back to being the Yankees..."

What exactly does that mean to you, Mark?

Let's look at the Yankee dynasty that won FOUR World Series. Only Jeter and Rivera are automatic Hall of Famers. O'Neill, Wells, Key, Martinez, Posada, Pettitte, Williams, Brosius are likely NOT going to make it. They played in a system that benefited the TEAM not based on talent alone.

You look at this squad, it's an All-Star team except All-Star teams almost never win a World Series.

Teixiera at only age 33, looks like he's 43 with numbers plummeting down the last 4 seasons. Injuries are raising a red flag. Expectations are so modest that if he can finish a season healthy, I would be content.

The health of Teixiera, Ellsbury, McCann, Beltran...that's the HUGE worry on this team.

I also have to wonder, what's Cashman's plan when Kuroda retires? Better pony up another $155M for another FA.

Dr. Detfink wrote:You look at this squad, it's an All-Star team except All-Star teams almost never win a World Series.

It might have been an All-star team in 2006 but it certainly is not now.

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... etirement/

not sure I like how that sounds......

Well looks like Tanaka has looked pretty good, especially with his splitter. Betances also looking real good (which is a good thing both because the Yanks lack of relievers andlack of minor league options with Betances). Would have been a shame to have to let him end up with another team). Pineda also reportedly looking real good in simulated games with zip on his fastball that I've read is hitting 93-95 mph range which is great since there was some concern about velocity (he's pitching today, so fingers crossed). Something going on with Soriano...hopefully its not serious. I'm expecting the Yanks to make a trade soon.

moocow007 wrote:Well looks like Tanaka has looked pretty good, especially with his splitter. Betances also looking real good (which is a good thing both because the Yanks lack of relievers andlack of minor league options with Betances). Would have been a shame to have to let him end up with another team). Pineda also reportedly looking real good in simulated games with zip on his fastball that I've read is hitting 93-95 mph range which is great since there was some concern about velocity (he's pitching today, so fingers crossed). Something going on with Soriano...hopefully its not serious. I'm expecting the Yanks to make a trade soon.

soriano had the flu?

Pharmcat wrote:

moocow007 wrote:Well looks like Tanaka has looked pretty good, especially with his splitter. Betances also looking real good (which is a good thing both because the Yanks lack of relievers andlack of minor league options with Betances). Would have been a shame to have to let him end up with another team). Pineda also reportedly looking real good in simulated games with zip on his fastball that I've read is hitting 93-95 mph range which is great since there was some concern about velocity (he's pitching today, so fingers crossed). Something going on with Soriano...hopefully its not serious. I'm expecting the Yanks to make a trade soon.

soriano had the flu?

Not sure but Pineda looked real, real good. Struck out 4 out of the 7 hitters he faced, throwing 21 of his 27 pitches for strikes.

The rotation looks decent but if Pineda's arm doesn't fall off, it could be very, very good.

CC looks done

It would not surprise me if CC finishes 12-10. Too many innings. After the All-Star break it's going to be Kuroda, Tanaka, Nova, CC, Pineda, Phelps.

Tanaka looked good yesterday in my 1st time catching him pitch live, he has filthy stuff. His splitter is deadly.

Pineda is looking awesome.

Slamm Goodbody wrote:Pineda is looking awesome.

he isnt clocking 96 anymore, which is concerning post surgery

otherwise he is good

As he builds up arm strength, he'll be able to dial it up. For now he's learning how to pitch and not just sit on speed, looking at you Phil Hughes.

Pharmcat wrote:

Slamm Goodbody wrote:Pineda is looking awesome.

he isnt clocking 96 anymore, which is concerning post surgery

otherwise he is good

He hit 94 yesterday and they said was consistently in the 91-92 mph range with his fastball. That's 2-3 mph better than his previous outing. Plus the Sox players said that with his height the ball was looking like it was coming right on top of them making it faster and that his slider was absolute killer. I would expect his arm and stamina to keep improving and for him to be able to hit 93-94 regularly the next go around with the heat and maybe rear back and tap 96 or so. I was watching the scoreboard and at one point in the 3rd he was a crazy 25 out of 26 pitches for strikes.

The Yankees are like that girlfriend that can always gold dig ya. I am cautiously optimistic.

ellsbury already hurt

terrible signing