Sports

Friday, January 13, 2012

ANALYSIS: YANKEES SEND MONTERO TO SEATLE FOR PINEDA

The Yankees just made their offseason splash, as they acquired pitcher Michael Pineda for prized catching prospect Jesus Montero. The other two players involved were relief pitcher Hector Noesi and pitching prospect Jose Campos. Here's my analysis of this trade:

Mariners side:

Jesus Montero: Montero has an amazing bat with the potential to be a .300 hitter with 35-40 home run power and has tremendous ability to hit to all fields. The only problem with Montero is that he's not a very good defensive catcher and has trouble throwing runners out. I think if Seattle uses him as a first baseman or as a DH, he will thrive.

GRADE: A

Hector Noesi: Noesi did well in limited Major League time in 2011 as he pitched to a 4.47 ERA out of the bullpen. He doesn't throw hard but has a great sinker and good control. He will probably do well in Seattle in a large ballpark which will give him more breathing room in terms of giving up fly balls.

GRADE: B-

Yankees side:

Michael Pineda: Through the first half of 2012, Pineda was the leading Rookie Of The Year candidate. Overall, he went 9-10 and posted a 3.74 ERA in 2011. The highest batting average against him for a single month was .235, .209 overall for the season. His fastball velocity tops out in the upper 90's and he has a changeup in the mid 80's. This combination will help him be a solid number two starter behind CC Sabathia in the Yankees pitching rotation in 2012.

GRADE: A

Jose Campos: Though he's only 19, Campos is already drawing comparisons to Pineda. In 14 starts at A- ball last season he posted an ERA of 2.32, averaged over a strikeout per inning, and held opponents to a .210 batting average. I wouldn't be surprised if he winds up being a solid big league pitcher for a longtime to come.

GRADE: B+

Sunday, January 8, 2012

5 GREATEST JORGE POSADA MOMENTS

Reports of Jorge Posada's impending retirement got me thinking about his great career.  Here are my top five greatest Posada moments during his 17-year career with the Yankees:


5. August 13th 2011: Posada was making his triumphant return to the Yankee lineup after being benched on August 7th, and he came back with a huge bang. He drove in six runs -- including a grand slam in the 5th inning.  We now know that this would be his last moment of glory.

4.  Game 3, 2009 ALDS: In the seventh inning of a 1-1 tie, Posada hit a go-ahead solo home run, helping the Yankees finish off a sweep of the Minnesota Twins. The Yankees would go on to win their 27th Championship less then a month later.


3. Game 3, 2001 ALDS: With the Yankees on the brink of being swept by the Oakland A's, Posada played a big role in keeping the series alive. He accounted for the game's only run with a solo home run in the 5th inning, and he used his quick reflexes to tag Jeremy Giambi out on Derek Jeter's unforgettable flip play. This win helped the Yankees beat the A's in 5 games, as the Yankees then steamrolled the Mariners and went on to the World Series for the fourth straight season.

2. April 16th 2009: This was a special day in Yankee history as it was the first game at the new Yankee Stadium, and Jorge Posada hit the first home run in the new Stadium's history in a 10-2 Yankee loss to Cleveland.

1. Game 7, 2003 ALCS: Trailing the Red Sox 5-3 in the bottom of the 8th inning, Posada blooped a two-run single into center field off of Pedro Martinez. This set the stage for Aaron Boone's dramatic 11th inning walk-off home run to send the Yankees to the World Series for the 39th time.

As you can see Jorge Posada had a great career, filled with many great moments. I wish him the best in retirement.