Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
What the hell is the 13th man, some of you are probably wondering right about now?! Basketball has a sixth man, hockey has a third-man-in, and baseball has a 10th man, so what exactly is the 13th man? With 12-man pitching staffs becoming the norm throughout the major leagues today, teams generally now have 13 position players from which to fill out their lineup and bench. That figures to be the case with the Yankees, who will carry a four-man bench in support of their regular nine-man lineup.
Barring injury, 11 of the 13 slots have been decided. They include two catchers (Jorge Posada and Jose Molina), five infielders (Jason Giambi, Wilson Betemit, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez) and four outfielders (Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Bobby Abreu, and Hideki Matsui). That leaves two open slots. One of those will likely be filled by Shelley "Slam" Duncan, who is off to a riveting start in the Grapefruit League. Yankee management, from the front office down to the coaches, loves Duncan’s work ethic (he took 200 grounders a day in the early part of spring training), enthusiasm, and raw power from the right side of the plate. Let’s face it, they want Duncan to make this team. Heck, I want Duncan to make the team. Only a brutal spring performance would ruin Duncan’s bid, and right now, it doesn’t appear that Slam will crash. So Duncan figures to be the 12th man.
That leaves us with one open spot for a position player—the aforementioned 13th man. Although the Yankees are publicly keeping an open mind, let’s rule out young first baseman Juan Miranda, who will likely start the season at either Trenton or Scranton. We’re left with an intriguing battle featuring four non-roster players and a minor league prospect who received a cup of coffee in 2007. With that in mind, let’s examine the five candidates and their worthiness.
Morgan Ensberg: He has the most impressive resume of the contenders, but is also the oldest at age 32 and is learning to play first base for the first time in his career. A solid defensive third baseman, Ensberg should be able to handle first base with little trouble, but the question lingers: will he start to hit again? He had big years for the Astros in 2003 and 2005, and emerged as a huge component of Houston’s World Series club in ’05, but hasn’t been the same hitter since injuring his shoulder in the middle of the 2006 season. Instead of hitting like Morgan, he’s been hitting more like Morganna. Ensberg is also one of those rare players who sometimes becomes too patient at the plate. Like former big league outfielder Rich Becker, Ensberg can look so passive that he creates the impression that all he wants to do is work out a walk, which may be a sign that he lacks confidence in the strength of his shoulder.
Still, Ensberg ability to draw walks and hit home runs fits in with the general Yankee gameplan. He has also hammered left-handed pitching throughout his career, to the tune of a .405 on-base percentage and a .530 slugging percentage in 686 plate appearances against southpaws. Considering that his primary role would consist of playing first and DHing against lefties, and backing up A-Rod at third, Ensberg seems like a solid fit.
Jason Lane: Like Ensberg, Lane is learning to play first base and also provides the potential for right-handed power on a left-hand dominant club. At 30, he’s two years younger than his former Astros teammate, and brings the added benefit of being able to play all three outfield positions. Unfortunately, that’s where his advantages end. Lane has had only productive season in the major leagues; that was in 2005, when he slugged 26 home runs and came within a whisper of slugging .500. He has been positively brutal the last two seasons, including a failed late-season tryout with the Padres. Unlike Ensberg, Lane hasn’t hit left-handers especially well, so he may not fill the need for lineup balance. He’s also not your prototypical fourth or fifth outfielder. Defensively, Lane is OK, but nothing special, and doesn’t have enough speed to give the Yankees a pinch-running option. In order to make the Yankees’ roster, Lane will have to hit exceptionally well this spring; even then, the Yankees would be wise to take a pass and try to send him to Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre. Or perhaps trade him to the Mets, who could use a warm body from the right side of the plate.
Chris Woodward: Like Lane, the 31-year-old Woodward has had one big year. That was way back in 2002, when he pounded out 13 home runs in semi-regular duty as the Blue Jays’ shortstop. Since then, he hasn’t put up a slugging percentage of even .400 and hasn’t reached base at anything better than a .337 clip. So what does Woody do? Well, versatility is his particular claim to fame. He played seven positions for the Mets in 2005, then showed up at six positions in 2006. A shortstop by trade, Woodward can play all four infield positions and has experience in all three outfield slots. There is some value in carrying a jack-of-all-trades, but the Yankees already have a versatile infielder in Wilson Betemit, who is a much better hitter, can switch-hit, and happens to be five years younger than Woodward.
In the old days (I’m thinking of the seventies and eighties), teams often carried two utility infielders as part of a contingent of 15 or 16 position players. So under that structure, there would be room for both Woodward and Betemit. But in today’s game, with only 13 position player slots, that kind of arrangement doesn’t make sense—unless both utility guys can hit like Tony Phillips or Cesar Tovar. Woodward is clearly not that kind of player, meaning the Yankees should take a pass and try to stash him at Scranton Wilkes-Barre.
Nick Green: He’s a lot like Woodward, only he’s a little better defensively and doesn’t play the outfield, outside of three career games in right field. He’s never had a big season offensively, which puts him behind Woodward, Lane, and Ensberg on the depth chart. Frankly, the 29-year-old Green needs the other contenders to flop and needs some veterans (like the ailing Hideki Matsui) to hit the disabled list to have any chance of making the team.
Alberto Gonzalez: Having been acquired as part of the Randy Johnson trade, Gonzalez is the only one of the five contenders who’s already on the 40-man roster. That won’t help much; he clearly has only an outsider’s shot of making the team—and that’s only if the Yankees decide that Derek Jeter needs a late-inning caddy. Given how the Yankees treat Jeter with ultra-sensitivity, it’s unlikely they would insult him by suggesting he needs to be lifted for defensive reasons. The 24-year-old Gonzalez does have his plusses, however. He’s a brilliant defensive shortstop in the Andre Robertson mold and has the kind of athleticism that should allow him to learn second and third base quickly. He also has just enough speed (38 steals in 57 minor league attempts) to serve as a pinch-runner. But his inability to hit and his lack of experience will probably doom him to start the season at Scranton Wilkes-Barre, where he’ll wait for an injury –or to be traded somewhere else.
So those are the five choices for the 13th man. I’ll take Ensberg, but could see the Yankees, who don’t seem to value good offensive players on the bench, opting for either Lane or Woodward. Who would you choose?
***
I heard the best possible baseball news on Wednesday—and it had nothing to do with who won or lost an exhibition game, the latest trades or free agent signings, or the most recent steroid updates on Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds.
The results of Bobby Murcer's biopsy show no recurrence of the brain cancer that first struck him a year ago. Yes! as Marv Albert might be tempted to exclaim. The potential abnormality that had concerned his doctors was merely the development of scar tissue, which can be a normal occurrence after the kind of brain surgery that Murcer underwent last year.
This is good news no matter who it might concern, but it is an especially pleasant development because it happens to involve Murcer. Simply put, Bobby Murcer is one of the nicest gentlemen in all of baseball, a man who treats everyone he comes in contact with as if he were a long lost teammate. He is a man with an easygoing nature, a self-deprecating sense of humor, and an eagerness to look first and foremost at the good side of people. Several years ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Murcer for MLB Radio; it remains one of the highlights of my broadcast career.
And, oh by the way, Murcer was a pretty good ballplayer in his day, a star during the first half of the 1970s before an unwanted trade led to some unpleasant summers at Candlestick Park and Wrigley Field. At his peak, Murcer was a legitimate five-tool talent who played center field to a Gold Glove level while tailoring his sweet left-handed swing to the friendly right-field fences at Yankee Stadium.
According to a baseball cliche, spring training is one of the best times of the season. That was especially true this week, as we heard some good news about a terrific guy named Bobby Murcer.
Bruce Markusen writes "Cooperstown Confidential" for MLB.com and can be reached via e-mail at
I would like to see either 1] a LH thumper off the bench, or 2] maybe a speedy guy, for late inning defense and PR. In either case, I would prefer an additional OF (right now its 4.5 with Duncan) or an additional middle IF (if A-Rod doesn't fill in for Jeter, who plays BU SS...and who is the BU 2B? Betemit, I guess).
pinch runners are fairly useless in the regular seasons. I mean by using it for a full year you miiiight get like 2 to 3 extra base gained by running . that's really pretty worthless. espically if he's not a worthwhile bat. I'd definately take a guy who won't throw away 5 PA into the water if they get a start
and that's a really overlooked fact. how many PAs actually going to the guys outside of your starting 9. in any given year (factoring in some injurys and stuff) you'll most likely give almost 1000 PA to those guys... that's A LOT. and the difference between Cario / Phillips / Nieves / random crappy player to Betemit / Duncan / Molina / Ensberg could likely be HUGE.
Besides, Ensberg's 3B skills provide the flexibility to replace two infielders in case of emergencies (Cano/Betemit/Ensberg, Betemit/Jeter/Ensberg, Betemit/A-Rod/Ensberg).
In summary, Ensberg provides
a) the possiblity of a formidable righty-laden lineup
b) an additional backup infielder without sacrificing offense
Of course, in my old-fashioned universe the team would carry 11 pitchers and 14 players: that is, carrying the seldom used PR instead of the seldom used LOOGY.
I'd go with Ensberg, and I'm hoping that's Girardi's choice too. I don't think he'll go with Green or Woodward. They seem very redundant when Cano, Jeter, and A-Rod are among the healthiest players in MLB.
But with the limits on the Big Three, I don't see the Yanks taking only 11 pitchers north.
Ensberg and Giambi are both DH options, so I believe that that the Duncan/Ensberg plan provides maximum offensive depth without leaving any glaring defensive gaps.
"Lane is an avid fisherman in the off season with his longtime partner, Big V" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Lane
What the hell is this?!? Who, or what, is "Big V"?!? If it was a nickname, shouldn't be in quotations?!? Is it some fat woman named Vivian?!? Is it his big gay boyfriend?!? Is it the crappiest named giant dog ever?!? Is it the lamest "clever" name ever given to a small dog?!? Someone please help before I have a stroke or something.
6 would be nice to find a way for gardner at some point. maybe when some one goes on the dl.
regardless of all of our manuevirings to get jeter off ss, it doesn't seem to be on the horizon. cano is not going anywhere - so gonzalez is blocked. why not give him some time in lf and maybe cf while in the minors -so he could be a super-sub. if his glove and athleticism is that good, he should pick it up quickly. (he would essentially be the bizarro shelley - not that good with the bat but a great defensive replacement for 2b, ss, 3b and cf, lf).
Nice :-)
11 on jason lanes' player file he is married to "his wife kasey," so i think we can rule out his big gay boyfriend unless it is his secret big gay boyfriend
http://tinyurl.com/2peqc8
and funny comments about kk on the previous thread, sliced.
Yaayyyy!!!
Bobby Meacham coaching third for us.
Everything old is new again.
He's looking awfully sharp.
Seriously, he has some reserver outfielder value, just not to the Yankees, who are already imbalanced to the left side.
Damned shame, mp.
Hockey, schmockey.
27 Pett left a curveball on the table. He's just going through his paces. Appears to be working at about 70% intensity. Still he looked a little pissed walking off the field.
Nice stroke by the third baseman to get the inning started. Ripped a first pitch double, for those who didn't see it.
Previously, Molina dug a pitch out of the dirt to dunk it into left.
Melkman at the bat, two out, second and third, all tied up at 2.
Come on, Derek!
as for Gardner , one thing you need to remember is that pure speed no power guys tend to not translate well to the majors. look no further to Joey Gathright's minor league line to major league line. or the best player of this type... Juan Pierre's translation to the majors.
Gardner does have "a little" more power then those two. but that's very faint praise. but it's easy to seriously speculate how he'll translate to the major leagues. he walks in the minors but also strikes out A LOT for a no power guy. that usually suggest he's just waiting for a walk. but that rarely works in the majors. where as a slap hitter with no power at all we'll probably see a ton of jam pitches and pop up a ton ...
it's not impossible that he makes the translation better than most guys these type. but its definately not a good idea ot bank on it
Gardner is such an interesting player, but as I have mentioned above, he plays in the wrong era. It seems to me that valuable bench players fall into two categories. They are pretty good at a number of things, so they can be plugged in here or there, different positions, and not hurt the team too much. Or they are are very good at one or two things, but don't have the overall talent to start on a regular basis (think Daryl Strawberry at the end of his career).
Gardner is the latter, I think. He can get on base (.380 OBP in MiL), he is blazing fast (114 SB v. 22 CS), and can play great defense by all reports. In a the days before LOOGYs, even the Yankees could find room for a guy who could play late inning D, draw a walk, or go in to run. Heck, the OBP even suggests that he could PR in 6th or 7th inning, and not kill the team with the bat if his spot comes up again later.
Unfortunately, teams would rather carry crummy relievers with often very little value, than marginal benchers who possess some tactical value.
===
BTW, I know you were kidding, but Gardner seems to lack Juan Pierre's primary skill, which is making outs.
Inning over.
Kay says A-Rod was sporting what appeared to be the beginning of a goatee. He went into the clubhouse and shaved after learning the game was going to be televised.
The exciting things you learn during ST.
I like his charactor though. but the Astros are in for a loooooong summer if Chacon is they're starter for much the season
Gardner to Molina.
Not a very good throw, but it got the job done.
Andy comes out, Edwar (the only major leaguer who weighs less than I do) comes in.
Gardner skims a five bouncer to Molina.. Molina with the tag... he's out!
Gonna win ugly today, I can feel it.
the issue here is that guys with this sort of skill set just isn't a good bet to translate thier minor league numbers to the major leagues. Gardner might actually translate significantly WORSE then Juan Pierre because he strikes out a lot more. strike outs are overrated in terms of it's effect in the majors. but it's often a good indicator on wether the prospects can translate to the majors
Ball was hit hard, though, I didn't expect him to get so close to it.
Gardner, on the other hand, has shown the consistent ability to draw lots of walks. His MiL BA is .288 and his SLG is .374. That suggests that he has a little more pop when he does hit the ball, than Pierre did in MiL. But really not that much, as you say.
The Gathwright comparison is much more appropriate, though.
This one was clean.
Reyes probably gets to it, but most don't.
That physique of his.
Ooooh!!
Mo's coming up!!!
Yaaayyy!!!
Look at him wave at that 0-1!!
Haha hahah!!!
Strike three.
Thanks for playing.
Two out,
Oh my God.
Strike three looking, outside corner.
Painted it twice in a row.
God, how I love this man.
37 If Gardner turns into Gathright - who didn't even slug .350 last year in the bigs - then yes, he's pretty much useless with the bat.
But, and I can't believe I'm typing this, if Gardner turns into Juan Pierre, that's not so bad. Before Pierre stopped having OBPs over .330, he was a valuable player: 36.6 VORP in 2004 on a .326/.374/.407 line; 30.8 VORP in 2003 on a .305/.361/.373 line; 29.3 VORP in 2001 on a .327/.378/.415 line. Oh, and of course he stole a ton of bases during that time, with a good success rate.
And, FWIW, Pierre was and is not known for his glovework; Gardner is highly regarded as a CF.
I would not write Gardner off yet; even if he never slugs over .307 in the bigs, with a great walk rate, high OBP, and plenty of steals, he could still be a very valuable player.
Again, if the spots open up I'd definately give Gardner a shot . but I'm just pointing out why quoting his MILB # is not a very good idea.
again, if a guy whiffs a plenty without power and walks quiet a bit in a minors. I have the feeling that he's probably looking for a walk instead of actually being a good strike zone judgement player (say ... like Pedroia ) and that's a very bad recpie for major league translation. as major leauge pitcher usually won't give you a free pass if they know your not much of a threat with the bat. and if they have even better command theyll just throw up and in on you and you'll never be able to do a thing with it except maybe pull a lazy fly ball or something.
Minor league stats are a reasonable way to evaluate talent, but you need to consider what your looking at and the potential translation implication involved in the majors.
Nothing to see here, move along.
Fat, straight fastball up in the zone.
He seems to miss low and then throw meatballs up.
But .320 SLG or so and the initials M.C. gets you about 1000 ABs.
I gotta go, just checking in -- but man, that Rivera kid looks good.
No kidding.
Yeah, he's all right, that Rivera kid.
He's all right.
Hmmm...out pitch?
3-2 fastball up and in, seemed to break the guy's bat, but it rolled slowly to Betemit's left. He couldn't make the play, but threw a lollypop to first all the same.
No replay because they're too busy schmoozing with Goose.
They need to end this inning and get Goose off the air, he's quickly becoming a pain in the ass.
I didn't really notice how he used the slider or whatever it was, but he usually missed low with the fastball.
That pitch up and in to whoever that was that hit it to Betemit was a very good pitch.
But they'll go with a 12-man pitching staff, and it sill still be missing one crucial piece. This team really needs an old-fashioned swing man, someone who can pitch long relief and make spot starts without killing you; that would be the most effective way to limit the kids' innings. They haven't had someone like that since Ramiro Mendoza, and basically the role doesn't exist nowadays. But it should.
Little fly ball the other way that just kept carrying.
Dude's on third bae.
I can't believe no one caught that ball.
Yay, Melkman!
Is that his first hit of the season?
not a great setupman or anything, but should be a fairly competent inning grubbing RP.... much like Vizcaino
boy Gardner is very very very fast
especially with the kids' innings limits. they have to be discussing this at some level. i'd hope. of course, they might think igawa is the answer.
I think that's the sort of thing Gardner can provide. They played him shallow in left (based on the stats no doubt :-)) and he ripped it well the other way and used his wheels to turn a double into a triple. We haven't had that dimension in years.
Two away, Cano planted at first.
Duncan...
I most certainly do not doubt it.
A little high on the throw, there!
:)
If Cabrera can avoid having those 2 utterly attrocious months in the start and rear he's actually more than adequet at CF
With judicious use he could be effective. His stuff is certainly good enough, if he can command it.
I'll keep him.
And that's "through," not "threw," btw.
That was one weak throw just there.
That's really funny.
No, not Robby, Betemit!
Laced it over the right field wall.
(They actually look very similar at the plate. Stance, swing, everything.)
Anyway, nice, nice hit.
That's something.
But whatever.
141 I'm not familiar with Dave Parker's swing, but yes, it was a very, very nice cut.
delivers high and tight, 2-2.
97mph high and tight again.. but gets Diaz swinging at the hot stuff!
2 away
152 Twiggy. Exactly. :)
Eiland's seen enough of Bruney.
then swings through one...
works the count to 3-1...
opposite field pop up to right.
nuttin' doin'. good looking kid though, Kay and Singleton agree.
c'mon Banterers... rally time!
Not CAno, not Parker, but Woodrow Enrique Wilson Betemit.
if that doesn't stick, i don't know what will.
(Fun game, eh? How high can we go?)
Oh, of course, he was the RBI guy, wasn't he?
Or no, the 254 hits guy.
God, I don't know what I'm talking about.
It felt like old times at the Banter today, can't wait for the season! :-)
Go TANKEES!!!!!
Either way I'm aging myself.
ha ha hah ah ah!!
Me too, ws, me too!
Nice rhyme, btw.
ha ha hah ah ah ah!
http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wilsoha01.shtml
haa hahah!
Derek-Jeter Flip Wilson.
Veras' mechanics lok different then I remembered... Ensberg's throw to home have looked pretty bad.
Damn, 191 RBI?
Somehow I thought the record was 184.
Where'd I get that from?
Indeed.
(God, this is so much fun! Thank the Lord Above for Baseball--at Long Last.)
He didn't start because he was sore or something, but then he comes in for Alex and stays in for three ab?
I get it, he's not behind the dish, but still.
Kind of odd.
YFB, et. al., thanks for the game, see you guys tomorrow.
Moose on the hill!
That was fun, all.
189 is Po a few at-bats behind the pack? Only reason I can think of.
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