The 2009 Spring Training Thread

[VinnyTheMick]

I figured it was about that time....

Per Peter Abraham

The 40 Man Roster

Pitchers
Alfredo Aceves
Jonathan Albaladejo
Andrew Brackman
Brian Bruney
A.J. Burnett
Joba Chamberlain
Anthony Claggett
Phil Coke
Wilkin De La Rosa *
Michael Dunn*
Christian Garcia
Dan Giese
Eric Hacker
Phil Hughes
Steven Jackson
Ian Kennedy
Damaso Marte
Andy Pettitte
Edwar Ramirez
Mariano Rivera
David Robertson
CC Sabathia
Humberto Sanchez
Jose Veras
Chien-Ming Wang.

Bold- Projected starting rotation
*- Converted outdfielders

Catchers
Francisco Cervelli
Jose Molina
Jorge Posada

Infielders
Robinson Cano
Derek Jeter
Juan Miranda
Cody Ransom
Alex Rodriguez
Mark Teixeira

Outfielders
Melky Cabrera
Johnny Damon
Brett Gardner
Xavier Nady
Nick Swisher
Hideki Matsui

Non-Roster Players

Pitchers
Kei Igawa
Jason Johnson
Mark Melancon
Sergio Mitre

Catchers
Kyle Anson
Kevin Cash
Jesus Montero
P.J. Pilittere
Austin Romine

Infielders
Doug Bernier
Angel Berroa
Shelley Duncan
Justin Leone
Eduardo Nunez
Ramiro Pen
Kevin Russo

Outfielders
Colin Curtis
Austin Jackson
Todd Linden
John Rodriguez


Outside of a potentially weak bench, I am happier going into this season than I have been in many years. This team has concerns (CF, Posada & Mo's health etc..) but I don't think I've been this excited for a season in a long time.

[Pharmcat]

melancon...player to watch imo

[xstockholmsyndromex]

I figured it was about that time....


Outside of a potentially weak bench, I am happier going into this season than I have been in many years. This team has concerns (CF, Posada & Mo's health etc..) but I don't think I've been this excited for a season in a long time.

Me too. After the rough year we had to endure last year, this year should be refreshing. If we stay healthy, this team is going to do some serious damage! Go Yankees!!

[nykgeneralmanager]

De La Rosa is one to really pay close attention to other than the obvious ones like Montero or Jackson or Romine.

Also, I think there is a damn good chance that Melancon makes this team right out of spring training.

[Lconte17]

After the rough year we had to endure last year, this year should be refreshing.

We did win 89 games last year.... wouldnt say it was a "rough" year...

With that said Melancon, De La Rosa and Brackman are def pitchers to watch for... Brackman could very easily make a huge impact come deadline time.

I may be in the minority but looking at our catching depth with Cash, Montero, Romine, Pilittere and Cervelli- I'm not really worried about Posoda's health. I think we have an extremely deep catchers rotation.

Im excited to see the team take the field, cause even though we got superstars like CC and Tex... They are extremely good team players and work horses. Tex will prob be a more productive Tino, which is good news for us.

[nykgeneralmanager]

I'm gonna sticky this. Pitchers and catchers are there and the rest are filing in everyday.

This is definitely an interesting spring training for the Yankees with a number of guys fighting for spots (Melky, Gardner, Swisher, Nady, the entire bullpen, etc.) and the newcomers getting adjusted. Also we have a ton of young top prospects that are trying to make an impression.

Post whatever you guys want whether its pictures or battles for spots or anything else.

[Wade2k6]

Some pictures from over at NYYFans

[Pharmcat]

i never understoood the fashion of wearing big chains while playing ball....i mean chains are hot, and i have couple myself, but playing sports in them? i dont get it


regardless, im really excited right now, nothing but + bout CC, AJ, etc

[nykgeneralmanager]

The potential of this rotation is tremendous. For years we were always excited about the offensive potential and it never failed us until last season, but never have we gone into a season with this type of rotation where there are 4 possible aces. Our #5 is Joba, who as a starter last season showed that he has some serious cy young potential should he remain healthy throughout his career.

The only question is injuries, as all 5 may be risks and Joba is going to have to have his innings limited and some starts skipped. This shouldn't be a problem because it will only provide Hughes, Kennedy, and Aceves another opportunity to prove themselves as one of them will likely be replacing Pettitte next season. Should be a fun year.

[Pharmcat]

The potential of this rotation is tremendous. For years we were always excited about the offensive potential and it never failed us until last season, but never have we gone into a season with this type of rotation where there are 4 possible aces. Our #5 is Joba, who as a starter last season showed that he has some serious cy young potential should he remain healthy throughout his career.

The only question is injuries, as all 5 may be risks and Joba is going to have to have his innings limited and some starts skipped. This shouldn't be a problem because it will only provide Hughes, Kennedy, and Aceves another opportunity to prove themselves as one of them will likely be replacing Pettitte next season. Should be a fun year.

yep, a team can never have enough SP depth....we got plenty, and thats good cuz injuries are unpredictable....however, if each SP has a good yr, this is a easy 100 win season (knock on wood)

[CR Reina]

Depending on how the new Stadium plays, I'm expecting a combined ERA for the starters of about 3.70, which assumes there aren't any injuries or that the replacements pitch at roughly the same level.

Toronto had the best ERA in this department last year with a mark of 3.72, while the Yankees were 19th with an ERA of 4.58.

That's clearly a big jump, but adding CC and Burnett right off the top, plus healthier seasons from Joba and Wang and it's not an unrealistic expectation.

[Pharmcat]

its 48 degrees and team is outside training in tampa...shouldnt they be kept inside? wouldnt want some1 to strain anything so early

[Wade2k6]

Ehh, if it's around 50 they should be fine.

[Pharmcat]

pete said melancon looking good

[Wade2k6]

Well the first ST game was today. Yankees win 6-1.

Montero hit a single. Austin Jackson and Cano doubled. Arod and Gardner both hit HRs. Roberston closed the game out with 2 Ks and a pop-out.

[cmaff051]

Depending on how the new Stadium plays, I'm expecting a combined ERA for the starters of about 3.70, which assumes there aren't any injuries or that the replacements pitch at roughly the same level.

Toronto had the best ERA in this department last year with a mark of 3.72, while the Yankees were 19th with an ERA of 4.58.

That's clearly a big jump, but adding CC and Burnett right off the top, plus healthier seasons from Joba and Wang and it's not an unrealistic expectation.

I hope you're right, but I'm not really that concerned about the collective ERA that the starting rotation will have. I am more concerned about how many starts our Top 5 starters will make... one would hope that we will see close to 140 games started by Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Pettitte and Joba. We can fill in the rest.... Hughes will undoubtely get a few starts, as will Kennedy. But I would prefer not to see garbage like Aceves, so it is important that our Top 5 gives us close to 140 starts, or it will be a long year...

[nykgeneralmanager]

Depending on how the new Stadium plays, I'm expecting a combined ERA for the starters of about 3.70, which assumes there aren't any injuries or that the replacements pitch at roughly the same level.

Toronto had the best ERA in this department last year with a mark of 3.72, while the Yankees were 19th with an ERA of 4.58.

That's clearly a big jump, but adding CC and Burnett right off the top, plus healthier seasons from Joba and Wang and it's not an unrealistic expectation.

I hope you're right, but I'm not really that concerned about the collective ERA that the starting rotation will have. I am more concerned about how many starts our Top 5 starters will make... one would hope that we will see close to 140 games started by Sabathia, Burnett, Wang, Pettitte and Joba. We can fill in the rest.... Hughes will undoubtely get a few starts, as will Kennedy. But I would prefer not to see garbage like Aceves, so it is important that our Top 5 gives us close to 140 starts, or it will be a long year...

Aceves is no worse, maybe even better than Kennedy.

[Wade2k6]

At least they actually have the game on YES this afternoon.

[nykgeneralmanager]

At least they actually have the game on YES this afternoon.

All games at Steinbrenner Field will be on YES, all "road" spring training games won't be.

[Pharmcat]

joba got pummelled

put him back in the pen


/rant