NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- Now that A-Rod has come through his surgery successfully, Yankee fans can breath more easily. Chances are very promising that A-Rod will not only be available for about 120 games this season, he will be in a lot better shape to mash in the new stadium when he returns.
Hip doctor Mark Phillipon (not to be confused with a non-hip, nerdy doctor) told reporters: "There were no surprises. It was exactly what we were prepared for."
The Yanks best (read least disruptive) option for 3B for the first 40-odd games is right in-house with Cody Ransom. The Yanks are plenty fortified to withstand the diminished offense for the first month or so.
The reality is Ransom’s value over replacement is not significantly different than the names that are being bantered about – such as Mark Teahan and Bobby Crosby, among others. In most cases it is higher. There is no reason for the Yanks to surrender a prospect over this. Cody has shown ample range at 3rd. He can handle the hot corner for now and he will return to the utility infielder’s role when A-Rod returns. Although Angel Borroa has shown some punch with his bat, his poor range and clunky hands make him unqualified for 3rd base.
Dave Pinto over at Baseball Musings ran his annual series on team offense, and he came up with the following from his research: “Ransom's projection is pretty good, .351 OBA, .450 slugging. Most teams would be happy to get that from a third baseman. The Yankees best lineup drops to 5.52 runs per game with Cody, and with him batting sixth it would be 5.44. So the Yankees would drop 0.2 runs per game with Ransom instead of Rodriguez, but they would still score a high number of runs per game.”
With a rejuvenated Jorge Posada, and a Robinson Cano that can manage to stay awake, the Yanks should dramatically improve over their 4.87 runs per game in 2008, even with A-Rod on the shelf for a spell. As always, this is contingent on the other players staying healthy.
GM Brian Cashman told reporters, ““I’m not optimistic about doing anything. “I’m not going to be proactive in trying to do something. If something represents itself that makes sense, then maybe it will be different. I think our answer is here in camp.”
Elsewhere in Yankee camp, Brett Gardner continues to shine. He is clearly outplaying Melky Cabrera in the position battle for Centerfield. He actually leads the Yanks with Spring Training homers with 3, and is hitting at a sizzling .417 clip. Now, it’s true that Spring Training numbers usually don’t matter much for a veteran secure in his position, but if one is a youngster fighting for a starting role, they mean the world.
Melky is out of options and can not be sent down without clearing waivers, but that won’t matter since he will stay on the 25-man roster as a reserve outfielder.
For those who were worried about Joba Chamberlain after his last horrendous spring start (he walked four and gave up a hit), there is no need to fret. Joba rebounded last night with 3 superb innings against the Reds. He struck out three and did not walk a batter. Joba was never too worried. He told reporters after his last start that his issues were mechanical and he had worked them out.
Here’s one for the “what-if” department. Baseball fan and mad blogger Fidel Castro made his thoughts known on the World Baseball Classic. After praising the technical aspects of the Japanese squad, he jumped ugly with the Cuba team. According to the Digital, newspaper of Sancti Spiritus province, Cuba, Castro says.:
“Both Olivera and Paret were left stunned at first base and Michel Enríquez gave away an out with an irrational advance towards second base after batting a hit, possible too agitated during his run from the base by the order of the coach.”
One wonders how the 20th century would have shaken out if the Pirates had listened to Don Hoak when he suggested the Bucs sign the rebel righty. Another scout said in a Western Union Telegram back to Pittsburgh, ““The kid Castro has some command of breaking pitches (stop).”
Would Fidel have left the revolution behind and signed for some American greenbacks?
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