|
|
Post by inger on Jan 11, 2024 13:52:37 GMT -5
This top prospect has lofty goals for '24 www.mlb.com/yankees/news/austin-wells-aiming-for-breakout-2024-seasonThis story was excerpted from the Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox. NEW YORK -- Going into the 2024 season, catcher Austin Wells is ranked the No. 7 prospect in the Yankees’ farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. He is expected to be in Tampa, Fla., when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training on Feb. 14. During his time in the Minor Leagues, Wells was considered an offensive-minded receiver. Last season, he had a combined slash line of .240/.333/.442 with 17 homers between Single-A Tampa, Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, earning him his first September callup. After a slow start in the big leagues, the 24-year-old ended the year on a high note, going 11-for-32 (.355) with four home runs and nine RBIs in his final eight games. Before Wells' nice run, opposing pitchers were starting him off with breaking balls, as he was known to chase those pitches while falling behind in the count. By late September, however, he learned to be patient and was consistently getting on base. “Once I was able to figure that out -- at least a little bit -- I was able to click and be a little more patient, and I got a lot more pitches to hit,” Wells said via telephone. “[The Yankees] gave me the confidence to go out there in that last month and … be successful. Having the information that we get from the hitting department, [the team] showed me the numbers and made me tighten up my zone -- get my pitch that I’m looking to hit.” Austin Wells' first career RBI Sep 2, 2023 · 0:30 Austin Wells' first career RBI Wells is working hard this offseason to remain consistent in the batter’s box, spending most of the time at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. His goals are to build relationships with the pitching staff while continuing to work on his blocking, throwing and receiving skills. “Those [last] three aspects of the game are what catchers are judged on these days,” Wells said. “I want to continue to build off the work I’ve had since I got drafted, really. It has been a three-, four-year process to get where I’m at. I want to continue to build off it in every area. I’m trying to get one percent better in all those areas. That’s all I can really do and I’m looking forward to having an opportunity to build upon it this year.” On the Yankees’ depth chart, Wells is listed as the No. 2 catcher behind Jose Trevino. However, Wells’ sights are set high. He hopes to battle for the starting job as well as help New York win its first World Series since 2009. He is already thinking like a Yankee. “If you are trying to be a backup, you are in the wrong sport,” Wells said. “Baseball is definitely one of the more competitive sports when it comes to trying to have a job. Going in trying to be the starter, believing you should be the starter and working to be a starter is really the only mindset and choice that you can have if you are a baseball player. “A player’s success is measured in a lot of different ways, but for us, being successful is ending up with the ring. That is going to be the focal point of the year for sure. Personally, I want to contribute to that in any way possible. Whatever the team needs is what I’m going to do … to help us reach our goals.” Thanks for posting this. I had just read the article and couldn’t find a title page to provide a link… |
|
|
|
Post by chiyankee on Jan 11, 2024 21:32:17 GMT -5
The Yankees have been busy today.
|
|
|
|
Post by jiminy on Jan 12, 2024 10:36:09 GMT -5
New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: The Yankees made a minor “major” splash too by signing Luke Weaver to a major league contract. The one-year deal comes with a $2 million base salary and a team option on a second year, with performance bonuses that could push Weaver’s total earnings to $8.25 million over the next two seasons. Pitching coach Matt Blake has praised Weaver’s pitch mix in the past, noting that the right-hander has added a cutter, and that “[his] changeup’s always been really good,”
|
|
|
|
Post by jiminy on Jan 12, 2024 10:36:45 GMT -5
Yankees roster moves incoming:
The Yankees deepened their pitching staff yesterday, adding right-hander Luke Weaver on a major league deal in the afternoon before signing veteran righty Marcus Stroman to a two-year pact last night. Stroman, in particular, is a significant boost to the rotation behind Gerrit Cole, filling out a staf that also includes Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt. Deepening the rotation mix has left something of a roster crunch in the Bronx. The club already had a full 40-man roster, so they’ll need to clear two spots for Weaver and Stroman in the coming days. The club could accomplish this simply by designating two players for assignment, though an alternative solution could be working out a minor trade with another club to acquire non-roster talent in exchange for players towards the back of the club’s 40-man.
|
|
|
|
Post by jiminy on Jan 12, 2024 10:41:15 GMT -5
A look at the Yankees’ starting rotation after the Marcus Stroman signing empiresportsmedia.com/new-york-yankees/a-look-at-the-yankees-starting-rotation-after-the-marcus-stroman-signing/The Yankees Projected Starting Rotation: Gerrit Cole: Coming off an AL Cy Young award, Gerrit Cole is 33 years old and posted a 2.63 ERA across 209 innings this past season. Cole remains one of the best pitchers in the game and is worth every penny. He has an out in his contract after next season, but the Yankees can trigger an additional year to his deal in 2029 that would void the out. Cole will likely exercise it just to guarantee he will earn $36 million in the final year of his contract, but for now, he remains the team’s ace and an extremely effective starter. Carlos Rodon: The Yankees’ 2024 season could hang in the balance depending on how Carlos Rodon bounces back from an injury-riddled campaign last year. At 31, Rodon is heading into the second year of a six-year, $162 million deal and the Yankees desperately need him to be their number two unless they go out and land Snell. The lefty starter finished with a 6.85 ERA last season across 64.1 innings, watching his strikeouts dip below 9 per nine innings, hosting a 60.5% left-on-base rate and 27.1% ground ball rate. Rodon holds the keys to the rotation and his bounce back would be a massive deal for a Yankee team that has already made significant moves to support their offensive endeavors. Marcus Stroman: As stated, Stroman signed a two-year deal with the Yankees on Thursday evening, coming off a year where he pitched 136.2 innings and recorded a 3.95 ERA. Stroman has the upside to be a solid starter for this team, considering he produces a significant amount of ground balls and limits home runs. He did have a few issues walking batters last season, especially during the second half of the year, but he has plenty of upside and the Yankees are willing to take a short-term deal. It is clear that general manager Brian Cashman doesn’t want to overspend on any pitchers over 30 years old, and while the rumors continue to bubble, he could wait until next year to make a run at Corbin Burnes in free agency, let alone spend big on a Juan Soto extension. Nestor Cortes: Of course, Nestor Cortes running back his 2022 All-Star season would be fantastic. Now 29 years old, Cortes settled in arbitration on Thursday at $3.95 million but battled left rotator cuff issues in 2023. He tossed only 63.1 innings, logging a 4.97 ERA, 69.1% left-on-base rate, and 26.3% ground ball rate. After tossing 158.1 innings in 2022, the Yankees know he can be extremely effective, they just need him to stay healthy. Clarke Schmidt: Having Clarke Schmidt slotted into the last spot in the rotation is ideal since his upside could carry him into the middle of the pack. At 27 years old, Schmidt enjoyed his first season as a starter last year but recorded a 4.64 ERA across 159 innings. Schmidt had a few good stretches but was rather inconsistent, recording a 70.2% left-on-base rate and 43.8% ground ball rate. |
|
|
|
Post by qimqam on Jan 12, 2024 13:14:38 GMT -5
I didn't post worst case scenerios ??? I posted actual scenerios Last time we saw Rizzo . 170 over 200 ABs (We have no idea if he is going to recover) Last time we saw Peraza he was batting .190 over 200 ABs Last time we saw Cabrera he was batting .211 with a .500 OPS in 300 ABs DJL is going to be 35 and coming off the lowest BA of his Career Vivas has 100 Career ABs in AAA and they werent good .225 BA Kevin Smith is a . 173 hitter in over 300 ABs Gleyber is a FA after the season and could leave Im not making this stuff up ??? 4 of our infielders batted .211 or worse with OPS in the .600 for extended periods of time 1 Batted .225 in AAA 1 Is going to be 35 and has been declining 1 Is going to be a free Agent None of that has to do with the 2024 season. Players get hurt, there's also a laundry list of good players who's MLB career got off to a slow start.
I dont know why you are having such a hard time understanding this? 3 unproven players - batting below .211, .190 and .173 at the MLB level 1 unproven Minor leaguer - batting .225 in AAA 2 Aging, declining and now injury prone players 1 Free Agent in 2024 (the only IFer without age or talent question marks) That is not quality depth ... thats bodies and questions marks |
|
|
|
Post by qimqam on Jan 12, 2024 13:37:01 GMT -5
They arent stockpiling infielders ... they are trying to add depth in AAA because they dont have any. This is the 2024 version of LF ! The Yankees as constructed have 4 good infielders. 2 of them have been declining and 1 of them will be a free agent. The have 1 backup/util inf that so far has disappointed with a .190 but he is the next best thing that they have Would you feel comfotable with Cabrera or Kevin Smith starting at any position ??? Do you think they are the answer if Peraza is traded, DJ or Rizzo goes down and Gleyber leaves after 2024?
In my opinion, the are adding depth/stockpiling infielders just in case they trade 1 of their MLB infielders. The Yankees already have Caberea and Peraza. Then they added Smith and Jeter Downs. Rice should be at Triple A. Peraza needs at bats it makes no sense to keep Peraza on the Yankees 26 man roster if he's not going to start. That makes Peraza another candidate to start the season in Triple A.
Again with the worst case scenarios?...For example, what makes you think that if the Yankees are going to let Torres walk after the season and they would also trade Peraza if such a trade didn't include getting an infielder in return?
The jury is still out on Cabrera. And no, I wouldn't want Smith to be an everyday player. But I also realize that the Yankees can't have all star backups either, and I also realize the Yankees would be stupid to trade Peraza while Torres is still unsigned for the 2025 season.
Especially since there hasn't been any talk that I know of the Yankees reaching out to try to sign Torres to a contract extension. At this point in his contract the Yankees did reach out to try to re-sign Judge, so far that hasn't been the case with Torres.
Jeter Downs is a .202 hitter in AAA (900 ABS) The Jury is not out on Cabrera ... The Veridct is in ... He stinks! He is a well below average player .574 OPS -1.5 WAR (330 Plate Appearances) Why would the Yankees trade from what you call "Infield Depth" to add an infielder when they have huge Starting Pitching issues??? |
|
|
|
Post by qimqam on Jan 12, 2024 13:55:10 GMT -5
In regards to the Yankees 2024 infield being like the Yankees 2023 LF situation. There are big differences. OC didn't workout in LF, but he's not as highly rated as Peraza and Volpe. The rest of the LFers the Yankees had were role players and journeymen. Rizzo, DJ, and Torres shouldn't be confused with being journeymen. But Rizzo is going to turn 35 this season, averages 123 games over the last 3 seasons and batted .170 over the his final 200 ABs, and this may be his last season as a Yankee - That's 1 player with 3-4 question marks (age, Injuries, performance and contract) DJL is going to turn 36 this season , averages 130 games over the last 2 seasons, his avg has declined for 3 consecutive seasons to a career low .248 Torres will be a free agent and everyone but me and bob wants to see him traded Everyone of those Journeymen were more proven then Cabrera, Peraza, Smith, Downs, and Vivas |
|
|
|
Post by posadafan24 on Jan 12, 2024 14:19:19 GMT -5
In my opinion, the are adding depth/stockpiling infielders just in case they trade 1 of their MLB infielders. The Yankees already have Caberea and Peraza. Then they added Smith and Jeter Downs. Rice should be at Triple A. Peraza needs at bats it makes no sense to keep Peraza on the Yankees 26 man roster if he's not going to start. That makes Peraza another candidate to start the season in Triple A.
Again with the worst case scenarios?...For example, what makes you think that if the Yankees are going to let Torres walk after the season and they would also trade Peraza if such a trade didn't include getting an infielder in return?
The jury is still out on Cabrera. And no, I wouldn't want Smith to be an everyday player. But I also realize that the Yankees can't have all star backups either, and I also realize the Yankees would be stupid to trade Peraza while Torres is still unsigned for the 2025 season.
Especially since there hasn't been any talk that I know of the Yankees reaching out to try to sign Torres to a contract extension. At this point in his contract the Yankees did reach out to try to re-sign Judge, so far that hasn't been the case with Torres.
Jeter Downs is a .202 hitter in AAA (900 ABS) The Jury is not out on Cabrera ... The Veridct is in ... He stinks! He is a well below average player .574 OPS -1.5 WAR (330 Plate Appearances) Why would the Yankees trade from what you call "Infield Depth" to add an infielder when they have huge Starting Pitching issues??? Its garbage depth and that includes weaver . The dude has an era of over 5 . I just dont see how much he can possibly help as s starter |
|
|
|
Post by qimqam on Jan 12, 2024 15:46:55 GMT -5
Jeter Downs is a .202 hitter in AAA (900 ABS) The Jury is not out on Cabrera ... The Veridct is in ... He stinks! He is a well below average player .574 OPS -1.5 WAR (330 Plate Appearances) Why would the Yankees trade from what you call "Infield Depth" to add an infielder when they have huge Starting Pitching issues??? Its garbage depth and that includes weaver . The dude has an era of over 5 . I just dont see how much he can possibly help as s starter I agree ... Rather see Warren, Beeter, Gil, and Gomez get the opportunity than Weaver |
|
|
|
Post by posadafan24 on Jan 12, 2024 15:50:06 GMT -5
Its garbage depth and that includes weaver . The dude has an era of over 5 . I just dont see how much he can possibly help as s starter I agree ... Rather see Warren, Beeter, Gil, and Gomez get the opportunity than Weaver Me too but i will be surprised if gil is even brought up to the majors before the all star break since he is still coming back from tjs |
|
|
|
Post by Max on Jan 12, 2024 16:17:20 GMT -5
And a much bigger list of bad players who got off to slow starts and are no longer MLB players.
I dont know why you are having such a hard time understanding this? 3 unproven players - batting below .211, .190 and .173 at the MLB level 1 unproven Minor leaguer - batting .225 in AAA 2 Aging, declining and now injury prone players 1 Free Agent in 2024 (the only IFer without age or talent question marks) That is not quality depth ... thats bodies and questions marks What aren't you comprehending that every team has question marks if you're going to look at worst case scenarios, and that there comes a time when teams have to trust their highly rated prospects. The Yankees must also disagree with you, because I haven't heard anything about them offering Torres a contract extension like they did with Judge. |
|
|
|
Post by posadafan24 on Jan 12, 2024 16:27:05 GMT -5
How many of those bad players you speak of were rated as high as Peraza and Volpe? What aren't you comprehending that every team has question marks if you're going to look at worst case scenarios, and that there comes a time when teams have to trust their highly rated prospects. The Yankees must also disagree with you, because I haven't heard anything about them offering Torres a contract extension like they did with Judge. All i know is that anything short of volpe being the next jeter , will be a disappointment . As for peraza he doesnt have much value now either .and still has a lot to prove |
|
|
|
Post by jiminy on Jan 12, 2024 16:29:14 GMT -5
Projected 2024 starting pitcher WAR (via FanGraphs, after Stroman signing): 16.1 - Braves 15.5 - Phillies 15.4 - Dodgers 13.6 - Marlins 13.3 - Blue Jays, Reds, Mariners 13.2 - Twins, Yankees 13.0 - Astros 12.8 - Brewers 12.2 - Tigers 12.1 - Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Giants, Cubs 11.6 - Rays 11.5 - Red Sox 11.4 - Mets 11.2 - Padres 10.7 - Royals, Rangers 10.5 - Angels 10.1 - Guardians 9.9 - Orioles 8.8 - Pirates 7.8 - Nationals 7.3 - White Sox 6.9 - Athletics 5.9 - Rockies
|
|
|
|
Post by Max on Jan 12, 2024 16:31:47 GMT -5
In my opinion, the are adding depth/stockpiling infielders just in case they trade 1 of their MLB infielders. The Yankees already have Caberea and Peraza. Then they added Smith and Jeter Downs. Rice should be at Triple A. Peraza needs at bats it makes no sense to keep Peraza on the Yankees 26 man roster if he's not going to start. That makes Peraza another candidate to start the season in Triple A. Again with the worst case scenarios?...For example, what makes you think that if the Yankees are going to let Torres walk after the season and they would also trade Peraza if such a trade didn't include getting an infielder in return?
The jury is still out on Cabrera. And no, I wouldn't want Smith to be an everyday player. But I also realize that the Yankees can't have all star backups either, and I also realize the Yankees would be stupid to trade Peraza while Torres is still unsigned for the 2025 season.
Especially since there hasn't been any talk that I know of the Yankees reaching out to try to sign Torres to a contract extension. At this point in his contract the Yankees did reach out to try to re-sign Judge, so far that hasn't been the case with Torres.
Jeter Downs is a .202 hitter in AAA (900 ABS) The Jury is not out on Cabrera ... The Veridct is in ... He stinks! He is a well below average player .574 OPS -1.5 WAR (330 Plate Appearances) Why would the Yankees trade from what you call "Infield Depth" to add an infielder when they have huge Starting Pitching issues???
Downs was a depth signing, as already explained. OC's 330 scattered plate appearances isn't enough to judge. I didn't say that the Yankees would trade their infield depth to add an infielder. Try re-reading what I wrote. I gave an example why the Yankees wouldn't trade Peraza if they weren't going to re-sign Torres. |
|
