Mo plans to hit the road
It’s a running joke of Spring Training that Mariano Rivera doesn’t need to hang any gray pants in his locker. Why would he? The Yankees aren’t about to put him on a bus and have him trekking all over the Sunshine State; even trips across the Courtney Campbell Causeway to play the Phillies in Clearwater are a little bit too much of an inconvenience.
But Rivera indeed has been issued a pair this spring, and what’s more, he plans to use them. I wouldn’t go looking for Rivera when the Yankees visit Fort Myers or Kissimmee, but he confirmed today that he does plan to be with the team for the April 1 and 2 exhibitions against the Marlins at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium.
Of course, that’s a little different situation than rolling over to Dunedin or something; Rivera still won’t have to ride the bus, since the Yankees are booking a charter flight from Tampa to Miami on March 31.
This could be Joe Girardi’s only decision
Clay Rapada held lefties to a .104 batting average last year with Baltimore (5-for-48), but righties smoked him at a .692 clip (9-for-13).
With Eric Chavez now taking the backup corner infield spot, the truth is that unless someone gets hurt this spring — fearless prediction: someone will, eventually — most of Joe Girardi’s decisions seem to be pretty much locked in.
One area where that’s not the case is in the bullpen, as the Yankees will again ponder whether they need a second lefty behind Boone Logan. They were going to have Hideki Okajima competing for that job, but Okajima flunked his physical due to a shoulder issue and had his contract voided.
So the competition will have Clay Rapada, Cesar Cabral, Mike O’Connor and Juan Cedeno all trying to get noticed. Will any of them break camp with the team, or will the Yankees take another Luis Ayala-type (Manny Delcarmen, perhaps) as their final bullpen arm?
OK, I’ll admit that it’s not the sexiest debate the Yankees have ever had in Spring Training, and on top of that, it’s impossible to say for sure right now. But Girardi will think about it. Cabral and Rapada might be the most interesting options on paper, though Rapada really should only be used to face lefties.
“I think you could use it,” Girardi said. “You look at our guys in the late innings, you’re going to go to them and probably not worry about the second left-hander. I don’t think it’s a necessity, but if you find a lefty that can give you a little distance or you’re not afraid to use against right-handers, I think it’d be valuable.”
They did get through most of 2011 with Logan as the lone lefty, but Girardi said he could have used another choice.
“At times I think it would have been helpful, especially when [Rafael] Soriano was out or when Joba [Chamberlain] was out,” Girardi said. “I don’t think it’s a necessity because our right-handers get left-handers out.”
Lou Piniella officially joins YES
The YES Network officially announced today that Lou Piniella has joined the broadcast team as a special contributor.
According to a press release, Piniella will provide Yankees game and studio analysis on YES, will be involved in the network’s Spring Training and potential post-season coverage, and will contribute to YES special event programming.
“I’m honored and excited to join the Yankee network and be part of the Yankees family again,” Piniella said. “I left there in 1989 and it’s a thrill to be involved with the New York Yankees again and go back to my roots. I played on some great teams there and managed some great teams as well.”
Piniella was reported by the New York Daily News to be in negotiations with YES back in December. ‘Sweet Lou’ will also be in Yankees camp this spring as a guest instructor.
Good morning from Steinbrenner Field
A quick landscape shot of Steinbrenner Field to get the day started… a very pleasant 66 degrees and cloudy this morning here in Tampa.
K-Long: Ibanez “a perfect fit” for Yankees lineup
Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long knows Raul Ibanez well from their days together in the Royals organization, and after the team officially announced Ibanez’s signing on Tuesday, Long said that he is excited about the acquisition.
“He’s a perfect fit for us,” Long said. “His professionalism, the way he goes about it, he’s an RBI machine. He can hit. It’s a nice addition. What he brings to the table, he’s just a terrific human being who brings a professionalism about him that you don’t find out there every day. I’m glad we got him; glad we picked him up. He’s going to be a big help.”
The Yankees see Ibanez as their regular designated hitter against right-handed pitching, with Andruw Jones hitting mostly against lefties. Long said that he believes Ibanez has enough left in the tank to help the Yankees.
“He’s 39, he’s getting older, but there’s plenty of bat speed there,” Long said. “That’s what you look for, first and foremost. I haven’t seen him up close and personal, and we’ll see what he’s got when he gets here, but I fully expect him to be a big part of our offense.”
Whoops: Girardi mentions Chavez on his roster
This was a funny moment today in camp. Not that it should be a big surprise to anyone, but Joe Girardi had to backpedal a little bit this afternoon after accidentally mentioning Eric Chavez as one of his backup first base options.
“We don’t have him, but there has been talk about him,” Girardi said, smiling, as someone pointed out the goof. “That’s not official.”
Indeed, the Yankees have no agreement yet with Chavez, but it seems extremely likely they’ll hammer one out before position players hit camp on Friday.
“I’d like to have him back,” Girardi said. “I thought he was productive for us and he gives me flexibility.”
Raul Ibanez’s signing is now official, so the Yankees’ roster is at 40 players.
Robertson: Mariano could “Brett Favre us”
David Robertson isn’t ready to think about a Yankees clubhouse without Mariano Rivera.
In fact, he said that he’ll believe it when he actually sees it, and noted of Rivera’s closer role, “Those are big shoes to fill. I don’t think anyone can fill those shoes.”
Robertson was responding a day after Rivera strongly insinuated that 2012 could be his final big league season.
“He may have hinted, but you never know,” Robertson said. “He may Brett Favre us.”
- Andruw Jones reported to camp and will take batting practice today. He said that he feels “great” after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after the season, and believes he will be ready to play the outfield without any issues.
- Jones said that he received no financial compensation from Hiroki Kuroda for surrendering uniform No. 18, saying that it’s “a Japanese thing” — in Japan, No. 18 is an honor typically reserved for the ace of the staff. Jones is now wearing No. 22.
- Eric Chavez may not be a lock to rejoin the Yankees, telling MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez this week that it’s still “50-50,” but the clubhouse staff is prepared for his return. Chavez’s spring locker next to Nick Swisher remains unassigned, as does his No. 12.
- The YES Network’s Jack Curry reports that Raul Ibanez will wear No. 27 when he reports. I would guess that Ibanez will receive Bernie Williams’ old corner locker, which remains available. Also, while we’re on the topic of lockers, Francisco Cervelli has grabbed Jorge Posada’s corner spot.
Here are today’s pitching/catching assignments, with workouts set to begin at 10:30 a.m. ET:
Group 1: Manny Delcarmen (Russell Martin), George Kontos (Francisco Cervelli), Michael O’Connor (Austin Romine), David Phelps (Gustavo Molina), Adam Warren (Jose Gil).
Group 2: Adam Miller (J.R. Murphy), Brett Marshall (Gary Sanchez), Justin Pope (Kyle Higashioka), Clay Rapada (Gil), Kevin Whelan (Molina).
Group 3: Dan Burawa (Cervelli), Juan Cedeno (Murphy), Graham Stoneburner (Sanchez), Chase Whitley (Higashioka).
Girardi: I’m a better manager today
Good morning from Steinbrenner Field, where Day 2 of workouts for Yankees pitchers and catchers are about to begin.
We’ll lead off today with Joe Girardi, as the Yankees manager was asked yesterday if he feels like he’s grown in his position since taking over Joe Torre’s chair in 2008. Girardi first jokingly asked if he looked older than then — it’s not for us to say, the reporter responded — and then agreed that he has found a better feel for his day-to-day duties.
“I think I’m much different,” he said. “I think you have a much better understanding of how it works here and the expectations of the job. It’s one thing to say you know what it’s like because you watched someone else do it, but it’s another to actually do it.
“I think the relationships with the players are stronger. I think there’s a better understanding of my players. I think there’s a better understanding of managing an American League game as opposed to a National League game. So I do think I’ve improved.”
Back with more updates in just a bit.
Mariano Rivera has made a decision
(… And he doesn’t want to say what it is … but he might have anyway.)
Mariano Rivera just spent about nine minutes talking to the media at Steinbrenner Field, saying that he has made a decision about whether or not he will continue to pitch in 2013.
Rivera danced around it as much as he could, saying several times he wouldn’t reveal the decision, but it was impossible not to come away from that chat thinking that Rivera has already decided 2012 will be his final season.
In fairness, Rivera has hinted at retirement before, but he said that nothing – “Even if I save 90 games. Even if they want to pay as much money as they want to,” he said at one point — can change this particular decision. So what else could it be?
“How many times have I told you guys that this is my last year?” Rivera said. “Seven, eight years? I keep telling guys, after this year, I’m not going to play [any] more. Then there it is, I play two more years, a contract for three more years. Then another three more years. Yes, I have. … But this one is different. This is it. This one is my decision. When I let you guys know what it is, you guys will know.”
Rivera was asked if he sees himself staying in baseball after he does retire. He said that he does, but not at the big league level – he’d prefer to be in the Minor Leagues working with younger players. And managing? That’s completely out, he said.
“No, no, no,” Rivera said. “If I wanted to be a manager, I’d continue playing until I can’t [any] more. Because you have to do the same things, traveling and traveling, doing all that stuff. I’d have to come to Spring Training. No, no managing. That’s out.”
Spring is here: First Yankees workout today
Yankees pitchers and catchers begin workouts this morning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The guys will hit the field around 10:30 a.m. after a brief video meeting in the clubhouse.
Since there’s only pitchers and catchers here, the Yankees are generally limited on what they’ll be doing. Pitchers will pitch, catchers will catch, and catchers will hit a little before calling it a day. Rehabbing position players David Adams and Justin Maxwell are also here to do some hitting.
In the main bullpen, here’s who will be throwing early, followed by who’s catching them:
Phil Hughes (Jose Gil), Ivan Nova (Austin Romine), Michael Pineda (Russell Martin), Dave Robertson (Gustavo Molina), CC Sabathia (Francisco Cervelli).
And later today:
Freddy Garcia (J.R. Murphy), Hiroki Kuroda (Cervelli), Boone Logan (Kyle Higashioka), Cory Wade (Gary Sanchez).
Manny Banuelos (Martin), Dellin Betances (Higashioka), Cesar Cabral (Molina), D.J. Mitchell (Gil).
After being delayed for one day by travel troubles, Joe Girardi will meet the media following the workout. Mariano Rivera has arrived in camp, just one day behind schedule.
Bryan Hoch
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