Notable performances from the Yankees 8-3 defeat at the hands of the Phillies earlier today:
1) Brian Bruney continued his putrid spring, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, on of which was a home run by Mat Stairs, in one inning. He also notched two strikeouts, and thankfully was able to avoid the base on balls. According to Pete Abe, Bruney’s job is not in danger, but Joe Girardi has mentioned that Brian really needs to get it going. Bruney may be assured of a roster spot, but I could see him losing his hold on the 8th inning if he does not string together some decent performances.
2) Nick Swisher was not thrilled with Girardi’s decision to go with Xavier Nady in right field, but he seems to have a good attitude about the whole thing:
“This is a great team and we have an opportunity to do some wonderful things this year. I want to be a part of that; I want to win. Coming over here, that was the biggest thing, I want to win. But I also want to be a part. I’ve played every day pretty much my whole career. I think there’s going to be a lot of at-bats out there for me. I’ve got to be ready when I’m told I’m ready to play.
“I don’t know how to put it. I don’t know how I’m feeling or whatever. I just know I want to be in there everyday. That’s it, that’s what I can say.”
As Nick rightly noted, I am sure that he will get in excess of 400 at bats, as the Yankees will need to use him liberally to account for age and injuries in their outfield.
3) John Rodriguez went 1-1 with an RBI, and is hitting .350/.480/.500 this spring in a pinch hitting role. He is unlikely to break camp with the club, but he may get a shot as a lefty bat off the bench at some point in 2009. He has a 110 OPS+ in 332 career MLB AB’s, making him a decent option to fill in for a few weeks in case of injury at a corner outfield spot.
4) Dan Giese pitched poorly again, allowing three runs, including a HR by immortal Miguel Cairo, in just one inning of work. In contrast, Brett Tomko supplied a shutout inning, dropping his spring ERA to 1.46. If the Yankees decide to take a long man north, it would be hard to justify taking anyone but Tomko, even if it will take some maneuvering of the roster.
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Giese is looking like a one year wonder. No surprise. Bruney just doesnt seem to have his location down yet. The strikeouts tell us that he can still make people miss when he makes his pitches. I am wondering Giese or Aceves?
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BTW, both Melky and gardner seem to be hitting but Gardner has to collapse to lose the starting job.
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Maybe Tomko will make me change my mind on taking him north…damn, that hurt!
He has been doing the job asked of him and better then most. Maybe the hard choice is going to be with Cash and Joe G., whooooo, gets the long mans’ job? Who is the guy dropped from the forty man?
Gardner seems to be the missing part of this team, a guy that gets into the head of a pitcher/catcher. We do need someone like him and A-Jax (not now) to be running around the OF catching and covering the large expanse of LF/CF. If they could get on base enough (I still think Brett can, looks good for Jackson too), they would drive the other team crazy.
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I wonder if John Rodriguez would be a better bench option than Melky at this point. Rodriguez has proven he can get on base, which is really all that matters from a pinch hitter.
Swish and Damon can cover CF in a pinch so there are no issues there.
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