Meet Your 2007 NY Yankees

Joe Torre has finalized his roster: Josh Phelps wins the backup 1b roll over Andy Phillips, Wil Nieves beats out Todd Pratt for the backup catcher slot, and Sean Henn lands the final bullpen spot over Ron Villone. Sorry to see Pratt lose this battle, but I've got 5 bucks that says Wil Nieves doesn't make it until the All-Star break as Jorge's #2. Also, as we all knew, Pavano starts opening day.

Comments

[Triskaidekaphobia]

Great day! Joe cut ties with 2 of his favorites, Phillips and Villone and added some new blood. I am with you YF, Nieves will be gone by ASB! But he's servicable for now. Overall, I like these moves.

[Tyrel SF]

Isn't Villone hurt? Is he just on the DL, or is he cut?

[yankeemonkey]

Villone didn't make the cut....

[sf rod]

does damon's ST .193 avg have anyone worried? i know coco's taking alot of heat for his .233.

[Andrew]

Haha, Damon's a much more proven player than Coco. But I haven't really heard anyone other than a few over-worried Sox fans talk about Coco, the story is with Varitek and if he can ever hit well again.

This is good, ALSO Josh Phelps takes the opening day start at first against Kazmir, proof that Joe Torre reads blogs (or is using his head and trying a platoon, which I think is awesome).

Hope springs eternal!

[walein]

It probably doesn't hurt that Phelps has hit 400 during spring training--you know how Torre loves the "hot hand."

[Tyrel SF]

Schilling on Hughes -

"Q- I was wondering what your thoughts are, if any, on the Yankees prospect RHP Phil Hughes. The veteran catcher Todd Pratt has compared him to a younger version of yourself, and I was wondering if you could comment on Phil and the comparison that has been drawn.

A- I actually saw where Pratty made those comments. I HOPE he was being complimentary since he and I have been friends and teammates over the past 19 years since playing together in New Britain. I’ve heard massive amounts of talk about this kid and I hadn’t seen him until about halfway through this spring. First thing I realized is that he’s huge. Big kid, which is a great thing. Second thing, and I saw him during an outing he didn’t do well, was just how good his stuff is. At only 20 I think it’s a safe bet to say he’s light years ahead of where I was at 20. He’s got true power pitchers makeup, physically, and I’ve heard he’s off the charts from a mental makeup standpoint. Obviously he needs to stay healthy, because he’s a future top of the rotation arm if he can keep running out there every 5th day. He’s also got to contend with ‘maturing’ in the NY spotlight, which can be an entirely different animal. But from everything I have heard he has more than enough makeup that it won’t be an issue. I love watching kids like that progress because when you can see them enough you can see them making tangible physical changes in progress, both physically and mentally. The AL East is setting itself up to be the home of some incredible arms over the next decade."

[john]

I always knew Schilling was a smart guy and shrewd judge of talent.

[Brad]

Just got back from the Philly weekend, and had a blast. I swear the Phils are Boston's personal whipping boys. They're terrible.
I saw DMat and the Orc pitch. Both were okay, but not great. DMat gave up one hit, but again, walked too many.
On another note - JD Drew hits the ball harder and further than anyone on the Red Sox, and that includes Willy MO or Manny. Some of his balls (including the embarassing jack of Cole Hammels) were hit well into the night.
Pedroia looks like a ten year old boy, but he jacked one pretty good last night.
Overall, it was a great time. If you can handle the Philly fans, it's a great place to catch a game.

[Brad]

edit, I forgot about the Burell HR.

[Tyrel SF]

Why "the Orc"?

[Paul SF]

It's a reference to the otherwordly creature to which Tavarez bears an eery resemblance, Tyrel.