Ex-Yankees update: Chien-Ming Wang, Arodys Vizcaino, tons more

This blog has been starving for an update on ex-Yankees, and I thought there would be no better time than today to revive this blog’s old periodic feature.

Why today? Well, that’s easy. Haven’t you seen the Nationals box score from last night?! If you were too lazy to click through that link, I’ll just go ahead and tell you that old friend Chien-Ming Wang picked up his first win since beating the Mets on June 28, 2009, while wearing pinstripes. Wang had a no-hitter through five innings, lost it in the sixth, but left without allowing a run. Although it may hurt some of you to see him back to his winning ways, I feel really good for him. It’s been a long journey for him, and I guess he needed a fresh start.

Another reason to bring back the ex-Yankees feature today is due to some news out of Braves camp. Atlanta called up  pitching prospect Arodys Vizcaino, who went from the Yankees to the Braves in the Javier Vazquez deal in the 2009 offseason.

Without further ado, below are updates on some more old friends.

Guest Post: The Yankees’ non-existent strategy of keeping top prospects

Hey, I’m Ryan Kantor. I write a blog with my friend Tommy. Our blog is about sports, music, and politics, but we’re both Yankee fans and Lenny was nice enough to let me make a guest post on his wildly well-read Yankees Blog. So first of all, I want to thank Lenny for letting me do this and then I want to correct an incorrect perception.

You probably know about a lot of the young talent we’ve moved over the years (Mike Lowell, Ted Lilly, Jake Westbrook) but since we decided not to trade Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain for Johan Santana (great decision) there has been a perception that Brian Cashman is keeping all of our top prospects and aggressively building the farm season, and that just isn’t so.

In 2008 the Yankees moved a big package of talented prospects for just a little bit of major league talent. New York shipped talented outfielder Jose Tabata, and right-handed pitchers Daniel McCutchen, Jeff Karstens and Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh. Tabata is now Pittsburgh’s young productive No. 2 hitter, and Ohlendorf has been a consistent arm in their rotation (I’d take him over A.J. Burnett and save the $16 million). The Yankees received Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady. Marte is currently on the DL while Nady is now on the Cubs.

This offseason, we moved another group of talented prospects in Phil Coke, Ian Kennedy, and most notably Austin Jackson for Curtis Granderson. Granderson’s struggles in New York and Jackson’s torrid start to the season have made some wonder if this was a wise move for the Yankees.

The point is not that Cashman is making bad trades and giving away prospects for nothing. Rather, it’s quite the opposite.

They gave up quite a lot for Marte and Nady. Nady only played in 66 games for New York, while Marte contributed a 5.40 ERA in 2008 and a 9.45 ERA in 2009. That being said, do you remember when Coke stopped getting people out in the 2009 postseason? Joe Girardi turned to Marte and he came through for them time and time again. Would we have won the World Series without him? Maybe, but who knows. Does the shiny set of rings justify the trade? Absolutely!

The Granderson trade looked pretty bad when Granderson was struggling and Jackson was raking, then Granderson went on the DL and it looked even worse. That said, would you rather have a rookie center fielder with two home runs and the AL lead in strikeouts or a 29 year old with some pop up at the plate in a meaningful October game?

The Yankees are at a point with their roster where it’s time to go all in. Exactly as the Los Angeles Lakers seem to recognize, Cashman and the Yankees know their core can only win 100+ games and add to the Yankees collection of World Series flags for another year or two. With Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriquez, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte at the end of their primes and CC Sabathia, Burnett, Mark Teixeira, and Nick Swisher already deep into their primes, what will this team look like in three years?

A lot goes into being a great GM, knowing what your team needs is critical, but knowing when they need it most may be just as important. This could be their last shot to win it all before entering rebuilding mode, so Cashman is going all in and I applaud him. The Yankees are placing their bet on themselves, and giving it one or two more shots with Jeter, Posada, Rivera, and the classic Yankees we have come to know and love.

Here’s to #28!

Thanks, Ryan! Great stuff. Make sure to check out Ryan’s blog for more of his commentary.

Ex-Yanks season update No. 4

Here’s another regular season update on some of the key Yankees who left the team this offseason.

Hitter (team)	AB	H	AVG/OBP/SLG	HR	RBI
Johnny Damon (DET)	388	108	.278/.361/.425	7	39
Austin Jackson (DET)	436	132	.303/.355/.401	1	25
Hideki Matsui (LAA)	370	93	.251/.331/.416	15	59
Melky Cabrera (ATL)	349	94	.269/.329/.381	4	31
Xavier Nady (CHC)	169	39	.231/.304/.349	4	23
Jose Molina (Tor)	122	30	.246/.313/.377	4	9
Eric Hinske (ATL)	232	49	.254/.336/.461	9	42

Pitcher (team)	G	IP	ERA	K	WHIP
Ian Kennedy (ARI)	24	146	4.38	124	1.25
Phil Coke (DET)	56	49.1	2.55	42	1.32
Brian Bruney (WAS)	19	17.2	7.64	16	2.32
Chien-Ming Wang (WAS)	--	--	--	--	--

Notes on notables:
Melky Cabrera: Melky has finally picked up the pace for the Braves after an awful start. Since the last update, the Melk-Man is hitting .304 with a homer and seven RBIs.

Jose Molina: Slow-Mo-lina is in the midst of a rough stretch for the Blue Jays. All three of his averages dipped around 30 points since my last update.

Ian Kennedy: Kennedy has been a fairly steady presence in the D’Back rotation. But in his last six starts, only two have been quality.

Brian Bruney: Bruney hasn’t pitched for the Mets’ Triple-A team since July 27. He has a 3.18 ERA in 11-1/3 IP for the Bisons.

Chien-Ming Wang: The latest report on Wang is he’s scheduled for a side session this Friday, but recently the Nationals manager said he “isn’t counting on Wang” to return this season. Wang has pitched in just 27 games since 2008.

Ex-Yanks season update No. 3

Here’s another regular season update on some of the key Yankees who left the team this offseason.

Hitter (team)	AB	H	AVG/OBP/SLG	HR	RBI
Johnny Damon (DET)	292	80	.274/.362/.421	6	28
Austin Jackson (DET)	313	94	.300/.354/.403	1	20
Hideki Matsui (LAA)	294	74	.252/.334/.398	10	47
Melky Cabrera (ATL)	270	70	.249/.312/.330	2	15
Xavier Nady (CHC)	138	31	.225/.295/.348	4	19
Jose Molina (Tor)	85	24	.282/.351/.400	2	6
Eric Hinske (ATL)	175	48	.274/.337/.480	6	34

Pitcher (team)	G	IP	ERA	K	WHIP
Ian Kennedy (ARI)	18	111.1	4.12	100	1.40
Phil Coke (DET)	42	36.1	2.48	30	1.32
Brian Bruney (WAS)	19	17.2	7.64	16	2.32
Chien-Ming Wang (WAS)	--	--	--	--	--

Notes on notables:
Hideki Matsui: Godzilla has cooled down since the last update, going six for his last 34. He hasn’t hit any homers in that span, and has just one since June 6.

Melky Cabrera: The Melk-Man is on a bit of a run since the last update. He even had a game-winning homer against the Mets just last week. But with Javier Vazquez pitching the way he has the past couple of months, nobody has second-guessed Brian Cashman’s trade since April.

Ian Kennedy: He’s thrown just one quality start in his last five starts after throwing eight in his first 13. His ERA has also increased in each of his last five starts.

Brian Bruney: He was signed by the Mets last week and is pitching for their Triple-A affiliate.

Ex-Yanks season update No. 2

Here’s another regular season update on some of the key Yankees who left the team this offseason.

Hitter (team)	AB	H	AVG/OBP/SLG	HR	RBI
Johnny Damon (DET)	218	64	.294/.395/.431	3	18
Austin Jackson (DET)	250	77	.308/.352/.412	1	14
Hideki Matsui (LAA)	223	60	.269/.343/.444	9	39
Melky Cabrera (ATL)	185	46	.249/.312/.330	2	15
Xavier Nady (CHC)	92	23	.250/.330/.424	4	17
Jose Molina (Tor)	52	15	.288/.373/.327	0	4
Eric Hinske (ATL)	117	37	.316/.386/.556	4	24

Pitcher (team)	G	IP	ERA	K	WHIP
Ian Kennedy (ARI)	13	82.1	3.17	71	1.12
Phil Coke (DET)	30	27	3.33	20	1.37
Brian Bruney (WAS)	19	17.2	7.64	16	2.32
Chien-Ming Wang (WAS)	--	--	--	--	--

Notes on notables:
Austin Jackson: It seems he’s the only one the Yankees are really missing. He’d be an upgrade over Curtis Granderson right now, but only slightly, as Granderson has been great since returning from the DL. A-Jax added only four RBIs since the last update a month ago.

Hideki Matsui: He’s picked it up since the last update, adding five homers and 24 RBIs. He’s been a big part of the Angels’ offense since Kendry Morales’s freak injury.

Ian Kennedy: He continues to be a solid starter for Arizona. A 3.17 ERA is solid even for the National League. He has a 3-3 record for the last-place D’Backs.

Chien-Ming Wang: He still hasn’t pitched yet this year. He should be ready at some point in July.

Yankees draft preview: Not all about the first round

Tonight is the MLB draft. Yes, tonight. If this were a New York Giants blog, I’d be discussing the draft a few months ahead of time.

But this is baseball. It’s still important, just not nearly as hyped. The MLB Network is paying more attention to it than any television network has before, and it still doesn’t have close to the same hype as the NFL or NBA draft.

There will be a one-hour draft preview show tonight at 6 p.m. ET before airing the first round and Compensation Round A. The Yankees won’t make their first pick until around 8 p.m., as they have the 32nd (last) pick in the first round. They do not have any compensation pick, and will follow with the 82nd, 112th and 145th picks.

MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch says the Yankees will take the best player available — pitcher or position player. GM Brian Cashman is putting all the picks in the hands of Damon Oppenheimer, the Yankees’ amateur scouting director.

To the right is a look at the Yankees recent first-round picks. It’s not a great track record, except for Ian Kennedy who has found some success with the D’Backs this season. Go back one more year to 2004 and you have Phil Hughes. He’s been decent this year (understatement of the century).

But it’s not always the first round that has the gems. Let’s not forget Andy Pettitte (1990, 22nd round), Jorge Posada (1990, 24th round), Joba Chamberlain (2006, 2nd round) and Brett Gardner (2005, 3rd round).

Bottom line: Do not expect the Yankees to draft a player to help them this year and probably not the next year either. There’s no telling whether Oppenheimer will pick a teenager or a college graduate. It all depends on who is available when their time is called.

---
Yankees blog River Ave. Blues will be liveblogging the draft for all three days. Head over there for more in-depth coverage. I will make a post tonight with a day 1 draft summary.

Ex-Yanks regular season update No. 1

Here’s the first of many regular season update on some of the key Yankees who left the team this offseason.

Hitter (team)	AB	H	AVG/OBP/SLG	HR	RBI
Johnny Damon (DET)	123	36	.293/.405/.439	2	15
Austin Jackson (DET)	148	51	.345/.390/.466	1	10
Hideki Matsui (LAA)	124	28	.226/.307/.371	4	15
Melky Cabrera (ATL)	107	21	.196/.283/.234	0	8
Xavier Nady (CHC)	43	8	.176/.327/.301	1	6
Jose Molina (Tor)	28	6	.214/.333/.250	0	3
Eric Hinske (ATL)	39	13	.333/.409/.538	0	13

Pitcher (team)	G	IP	ERA	K	WHIP
Ian Kennedy (ARI)	7	44	3.48	35	1.11
Phil Coke (DET)	18	17.1	3.63	14	1.50
Brian Bruney (WAS)	18	16.2	6.48	16	2.22
Chien-Ming Wang (WAS)	--	--	--	--	--

Notes on notables:
Austin Jackson: He’s still the league-leader in at-bats and hits. However, he also leads the league in strikeouts and hasn’t shown much production and/or power (as expected by Brian Cashman).

Hideki Matsui: He’s gone downhill ever since Opening Day. He’s got four hits in 36 at-bats in May. This comes as a surprise to me, as I expected his bat to stay consistent. Also: he has played four games in left field so far — his first time in the field since June 15, 2008.

Ian Kennedy: The numbers don’t lie, he’s been a quality starter for Arizona this year. What’s his worst is Curtis Granderson, the player he helped acquire, has been resting on the DL this month and is off to a slow start.

Chien-Ming Wang: He hasn’t pitched yet this year. The latest update came yesterday afternoon from the Washington Post. The Nationals are targeting a July debut for Wang.

Ex-Yankee spring training stats

Here’s a look at how some of the Yankees that were traded away this offseason fared during spring training. Will the numbers have any bearing on the regular season? Who knows.

Hitter (team)	AB	H	AVG/OBP/SLG	HR	RBI
Johnny Damon (DET)	60	17	.367/.415/.550	2	9
Austin Jackson (DET)	73	26	.356/.434/.616	3	8
Hideki Matsui (LAA)	46	12	.261/.352/.348	1	9
Melky Cabrera (ATL)	70	20	.286/.342/.357	0	5
Xavier Nady (CHC)	34	6	.176/.222/.353	1	3
Jose Molina (Tor)	31	5	.161/.257/.290	1	5
Eric Hinske (ATL)	49	19	.388/.475/.551	2	12

Pitcher (team)	G	IP	ERA	K	WHIP
Ian Kennedy (ARI)	6	25	2.88	17	1.12
Phil Coke (DET)	11	11.1	6.35	6	1.50
Brian Bruney (WAS)	10	10	3.60	6	1.20
Chien-Ming Wang (WAS)	--	--	--	--	--

I’ll be keeping tabs on these players every once in a while this season.

Also, here’s a link to the current Yankees spring training stats.

Poll Results: Yankees better than last year even without Damon

In my latest poll, the fans voted the 2010 Yankees will be a better team than the ‘09 Yanks. My first thought was the third answer — “With Damon it is.” But let’s take a closer look.

Key additions:

• Curtis Granderson
• Javier Vazquez
• Nick Johnson
• Randy Winn
• Francisco Cervelli
• Boone Logan

Key losses:

• Johnny Damon
• Hideki Matsui
• Melky Cabrera
• Austin Jackson
• Phil Coke
• Ian Kennedy
• Chien-Ming Wang
• Jose Molina

If you only compare the big names, Granderson and Johnson replace Damon and Matsui, but then the Yankees also got Vazquez. I think Damon and Matsui would have been a better tandem, but Vazquez should be a great No. 4 and make the Yankees better overall in 2010.

Next poll: Which addition will be the most valuable in 2010?

The Arizona Fall League has begun!

The Yankees have seven players participating in the Arizona Fall League, specifically the Surprise Raftors. Chad Jennings reports:

The Yankees have Ian Kennedy, Mike Dunn, Zach Kroenke, Grant Duff, Colin Curtis, Brandon Laird and Austin Romine playing for the Surprise Raftors.

Sounds good to me. Remember, there is still the Winter League, so that’s where you will be seeing Jesus Montero when the snow starts to fall in the northeast.

Surprise beat Peoria Javelinas in a big way today, winning 17-4. Laird went 4-for-6 with 3 RBI and two runs, Romine went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run, and Curtis went 3-for-6 with 2 RBI and a run.

Kennedy tossed four innings of one-run ball, Kroenke gave up a run in an inning and Duff pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

Game 153: Yankees notes

The Yankees hung on to a 3-2 victory over the Angels yesterday, giving them their first series win in Anaheim since 1994.

Here are some other important notes from the win:

• Ian Kennedy made his season debut, pitching the eighth inning with a one-run lead. With nobody else available in the bullpen, he walked two and hit one to load the bases. Fortunately, he induced a pop up from Erick Aybar to escape the jam.
• Jerry Hairston Jr. felt a pop in his left wrist in his fifth-inning at bat. He will undergo an MRI today, which will most likely determine whether he is a go for the playoffs or not.
• A.J. Burnett struck out 11 in 5-1/3 innings pitched. That’s his second-highest total for a game this season, and third time striking out 10 or more. CC Sabathia has two more strikeouts than Burnett for the season, but has one more start under his belt.
• Joe Girardi pulled off his typical using-three-different-pitchers-in-one-inning strategy in the seventh, and it paid off. Damaso Marte allowed a single, and then got Bobby Abreu to ground into a double play. Jon Albaladejo replaced him, allowed a double and was replaced by Phil Coke. Coke struck out Kendry Morales.
• Freddy Guzman, a September call-up for the Yankees, showed off his speed by swiping second base in the eighth inning. He didn’t score, but he showed the Yanks what he can do. I posted earlier this month about Brett Gardner equaling Dave Roberts. Well, Guzman might equal Roberts too.

Ian Kennedy called up

After throwing three perfect innings in his last outing in Triple-A, Ian Kennedy has been called up to finish the remainder of the season with the Yankees.

"This is crazy," Kennedy said. "I didn't dream of this happening. After not pitching all year, this seemed crazy. When he called me and told me it was going to happen ... I'm still in shock."

He sounds really happy to be back. Almost too happy…

Kennedy has always been dominant in the minors (19-6, 1.95 ERA, .985 WHIP), but the numbers didn’t translate last year (0-4, 8.17 ERA, 1.92 WHIP).

Most of the beats believe he could play a similar role to Phil Hughes this season next year. That would be a huge bonus to the Yankees for someone who has left some people’s radar.

Good luck, Kennedy!

Yanks split up to defeat Astros and Pirates

The Yankees divided into two groups to defeat the Astros and the Pirates today.  Even though the talent was split up evenly, the Yanks beat the Astros 3-1 and the Pirates 13-10.

A.J. Burnett actually no-hit the Astros through four innings, but was relieved by Dan Geise.  Johnny Damon supplied the power for the Yanks homering in the first inning.  - Box score

Phil Hughes gave up two runs over three innings against the Pirates, but Ian Kennedy held them to one unearned run over three innings.  Austin Jackson tied the game up at three in the sixth inning with a two-run homer, and Jesus Montero's grand slam in the seventh led a seven-run rally.  Mark Melancon's performance was less than spectacular, as he gave up five runs and only recorded two outs in the ninth inning.  - Box score

Where do Hughes and Kennedy belong?

Last season, when Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy both started out in the rotation, they combined for an 0-8 record and a 7.45 ERA.  This season, it's not likely that either will open up in the rotation.

Hughes has more potential than Kennedy because of his pitching mechanics alone.  Whenever I watch Hughes pitch, I get excited because his pitches look amazing, especially his curveball.  I love his mechanics because he makes it seem so effortless to throw 95 mph.  Hughes has not been the same after he injured his quad during his bid for a no-hitter in 2007.  However, he told Bryan Hoch:

"I cleaned up some things mechanically and got my arm strength up," Hughes said. "I feel like I was in good shape last spring, but I've put on some good weight and worked on my changeup. My curveball is back to where I'd like it to be from 2006 and early '07, so I feel confident."

If this is the case, I am excited to see what he can do for us this season.  But the question remains, where does he belong?

I think Hughes has done enough in the minors.  He needs to be in the bullpen for the Yankees this season and I think the long-relief role is perfect for him.  Let's face it, Joba Chamberlain is not going to make 33 starts for us this year.  I definitely see Hughes making a few starts in place of Joba this season.

As for Kennedy, I strongly believe he needs another year to develop in Scranton.  Out of all the long-reliever/spot-starter pitchers we have, Kennedy ranks at the bottom of my list:

1. Hughes

2. Alfredo Aceves

3. Brett Tomko

4. Phil Coke

5. Dan Giese

6. Kennedy

This is a good sign coming from Kennedy though:

"I feel like I grew as a pitcher, just as far as maturity and making in-game adjustments rather than postgame or post-inning," Kennedy said. "This offseason, knowing that every other day someone signed, it still didn't change my mentality.

"I knew if I wanted to make any part of the rotation or have a spot, I'd have to work really hard and come to Spring Training ready. All I can do is work hard and show them that I want this, that I want to have the chance again."

Still, there's no way he should start the season in the majors.  I see him being a frequent call up this season if and when our bullpen arms get tired.  However:

Why do I love CC Sabathia for the Yankees?  Save his first four wretched starts of 2008, CC pitched seven-plus innings in 24 out of 31 starts, including 10 complete games.  Just think how much he is going to save our young arms this season.

Photos from Newsday and New York Post

Gardner's homer not enough against Blue Jays

Brett Gardner hit his third home run of the spring and went 2-for-3 in the 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays.  

After Andy Pettitte made his first appearance of the spring, Ian Kennedy got rocked for five runs, allowing four extra-base hits.

Mark Teixeira is quietly on a 7-for-14 hitting spree, but ironically has zero RBIs.

Full box score here.

Yankees' bats quieted by Braves pitching

An RBI-triple from Johnny Damon and a Xavier Nady's run scored after his triple were the only two runs the Yankees squeaked out off the Braves pitching today.

As for pitching, Ian Kennedy gave up two doubles and two runs in the first inning, but after that he shut down the Braves in the second and third innings.  Dan Giese followed with three innings of his own, only allowing Martin Prado to score in the fifth after he doubled.  Andrew Brackman and Mark Melancon (Me-lann-son) each added scoreless innings.

The Braves won 3-2.

Gardner shining in leadoff spot

Brett Gardner has two hits in the first three innings of the game today against the Twins.  He has a double and a single with a run scored and a stolen base so far.

Don't say I never told you so.

Gardner is now 3/7 this spring (.429)

The Yankees hold a 3-0 leading behind Ian Kennedy's strong two-inning start, striking out three Twins allowing just a hit and a walk.

Stay posted on the game for live updates.

The only thing I have against Gardner is his striking resemblance to Red Sox second basemen, Dustin Pedroia...They are both very scrappy players too, but are good at what they do.

Photo from thetandd.com

Strong hitting and pitching continues

The Yanks beat the Rays today 5-1.  Jorge Posada's solo homer and RBI double and a Shelley Duncan's three-run bomb supplied all the offense for the Yankees.  

J.B. Cox was the only negative for the Yanks as he gave up three hits and the lone run in the seventh inning.

The Phil's (Hughes and Coke) both put up zeroes in two-inning performances.

The victory today plus yesterday's 6-1 victory are good signs for the Yanks, but it is still just spring training.

Ian Kennedy will start for the Yankees tomorrow against the Twins at 1:05 p.m.

Spring training rotation revealed

Peter Abraham reports that Brett Tomko will start the 2009 spring training off, pitching against Toronto on Wednesday.  Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain are slated for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

If you are lucky enough to have YES network, you will get to see Hughes on Thursday and Chamberlain on Saturday, both games at 1:15.

I can't wait to see us back in action, especially since this is the first time I have full access to YES network...I LOVE QUINNIPIAC!!!