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NFT: Yanks talk 3-23 Congrats to Greg Bird on winning 1b job

superspynyg : 3/23/2017 12:23 pm
I was afraid of him being very rusty after having last year off due to injured shoulder. He looks real good.

Final 2 rotation spots still in question. But it looks like Warren will make the roster based on his ability to start or pitch out of the pen.

Also Yanks have some interest in trading for SS Ahmed from Arizona to fill in for Didi while he is out and then to be a bench player.
link to pitching article - ( New Window )
I'm  
DanMetroMan : 3/23/2017 12:29 pm : link
very high on Bird. As long as the shoulder holds up the guy should be a very good MLB 1b. Top 10 MLB 1b upside.
Yankee Youth  
ny2plano : 3/23/2017 12:32 pm : link
Bird, Sanchez, and Judge. Torres, Frazier, and several pitchers knocking on the door. With some luck, could turn out to be another great Yankee run in a few years.
If I had to guess right now  
bceagle05 : 3/23/2017 12:41 pm : link
I'd go with Sanchez, Bird and Torres as the "franchise" guys - perennial All-Stars who are among the best in baseball at their positions. Not that I'm giving away any big secrets, as they've all been highly-touted prospects. Amazingly, if Rutherford, Mateo, Frazier and Judge were our top prospects, there would STILL be plenty of reasons for optimism.
Only real negative to the spring  
mfsd : 3/23/2017 12:43 pm : link
is none of the guys competing for the back of the rotation have really stepped up yet. Still plenty of time, I expect it will be May or June before that is really solidified

Curious about the lineup Girardi will use...he's talked of splitting up Gardy and Ells at the top...so who hits second? Sanchez? Feel like we'd want more guys who can get on base in front of him, but we don't really have a lot of high OBP guys anymore
If only Severino was a stud pitcher  
superspynyg : 3/23/2017 12:45 pm : link
Then I would be in young corp heaven. As he is still struggling we need an Ace under team control. Tanaka will def opt out this coming offseason.
Yankees  
DanMetroMan : 3/23/2017 12:51 pm : link
have to keep Tanaka (assuming he has a good year). Losing him would be an absolutely massive blow to the rebuild. He's a top 10-20 SP in baseball, guys like that do not grow on trees.
Talking about splitting up Gardner and Ellsbury?  
Greg from LI : 3/23/2017 12:54 pm : link
I wish he were talking about exiling Ellsbury to St. Helena.
really happy to see  
Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy : 3/23/2017 12:55 pm : link
Bird bounce back like this.
Lineup?  
Keith : 3/23/2017 12:56 pm : link
Ellsbury
Holliday
Sanchez
Bird
Judge
Didi
Castro
Headley
Gardner
RE: Talking about splitting up Gardner and Ellsbury?  
mfsd : 3/23/2017 1:00 pm : link
In comment 13403954 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
I wish he were talking about exiling Ellsbury to St. Helena.


Why? .260/.330/.375 injury prone outfielders in their mid 30s who can't steal anymore don't grow on trees you know. $21 million per year for the next 4 years is a bargain...

/sarcasm off
I was concerned about the transition  
dune69 : 3/23/2017 1:00 pm : link
from Teixeira to Bird defensively. Yesterday, Bird made two terrific plays with his glove in the fifth inning which reminded me of Teix. I'm not suggesting that Bird has that defensive ability, few do, but he looks pretty comfortable. He could be in for a very productive year.
I don't think I've sufficiently prepared myself  
bceagle05 : 3/23/2017 1:00 pm : link
for another season of Headley and Ellsbury. I don't even see a light at the end of the tunnel with Ellsbury. Gardner's the first one out of here if Judge and Frazier earn regular playing time, and Rutherford and Mateo (if he takes to CF) - or even Bryce Harper - are a couple of years away.
RE: I don't think I've sufficiently prepared myself  
mfsd : 3/23/2017 1:10 pm : link
In comment 13403972 bceagle05 said:
Quote:
for another season of Headley and Ellsbury. I don't even see a light at the end of the tunnel with Ellsbury. Gardner's the first one out of here if Judge and Frazier earn regular playing time, and Rutherford and Mateo (if he takes to CF) - or even Bryce Harper - are a couple of years away.


The worst part of both deals is they have each had a grand total of one season in their careers worthy of that kind of money, both about 6 years ago when they were 27 or 28 - outside of that they've been consistently average. Please let those be the last of these awful contracts.
Bird had two round dingers yesterday  
Beer Man : 3/23/2017 1:20 pm : link
including one that was a moon shot that cleared the back wall.
RE: Bird had two round dingers yesterday  
YAJ2112 : 3/23/2017 1:21 pm : link
In comment 13404012 Beer Man said:
Quote:
including one that was a moon shot that cleared the back wall.


round dingers?
RE: RE: Talking about splitting up Gardner and Ellsbury?  
Beer Man : 3/23/2017 1:23 pm : link
In comment 13403969 mfsd said:
Quote:
In comment 13403954 Greg from LI said:


Quote:


I wish he were talking about exiling Ellsbury to St. Helena.



Why? .260/.330/.375 injury prone outfielders in their mid 30s who can't steal anymore don't grow on trees you know. $21 million per year for the next 4 years is a bargain...

/sarcasm off
Agree with you. If not now, then by season's end these guys need to moved out or to the side, and let the young guys (who are the future of the team) take over
RE: RE: Bird had two round dingers yesterday  
Beer Man : 3/23/2017 1:25 pm : link
In comment 13404014 YAJ2112 said:
Quote:
In comment 13404012 Beer Man said:


Quote:


including one that was a moon shot that cleared the back wall.



round dingers?
Old baseball term dude.
Think the hitting will be much  
terz22 : 3/23/2017 1:28 pm : link
Better than what we saw last year. I think the biggest is clearly the rotation. Who has the leg up on the last 2 spots of the rotation ?
RE: RE: RE: Bird had two round dingers yesterday  
YAJ2112 : 3/23/2017 1:28 pm : link
In comment 13404024 Beer Man said:
Quote:
In comment 13404014 YAJ2112 said:


Quote:


In comment 13404012 Beer Man said:


Quote:


including one that was a moon shot that cleared the back wall.



round dingers?

Old baseball term dude.


Dingers and round trippers are old baseball terms.
RE: Lineup?  
Del Shofner : 3/23/2017 1:36 pm : link
In comment 13403962 Keith said:
Quote:
Ellsbury
Holliday
Sanchez
Bird
Judge
Didi
Castro
Headley
Gardner


Close, but I don't think Holliday is a #2 type hitter. And Joe likes to alternate L/R batters. My guess:

Ellsbury
Sanchez
Bird
Holliday
Didi
Judge
Headley
Castro
Gardner
RE: Lineup?  
giants#1 : 3/23/2017 1:38 pm : link
In comment 13403962 Keith said:
Quote:
Ellsbury
Holliday
Sanchez
Bird
Judge
Didi
Castro
Headley
Gardner


Swap Holliday and Bird. Bird's a high OBP guy and you want the vet 'protecting' Sanchez. Though you then get three straight righties in Sanchez-Holliday-Judge, so that might be unlikely.
With so few lefty hitters,  
Keith : 3/23/2017 1:40 pm : link
he's not going to be able to alternate, but we both kept the lefties separated except for Gardner/Ellsbury.

I also happen to think Holliday is a great option to hit second. The guy has a career .382 OBP and he's a professional hitter.
Don't see Didi as a 5 hitter.  
Giant John : 3/23/2017 1:42 pm : link
Doubts about Sanchez at the 2 spot.
Bird is not hitting second. We have 4 lefty hitters  
Keith : 3/23/2017 1:43 pm : link
and that will put 3 in a row(Garnder, Ellsbury, Bird).
A few thoughts  
Matt M. : 3/23/2017 1:52 pm : link
1) If they are interested in trading for a SS, I think the prognosis for Didi is more serious than they have let on. Personally, I wouldn't make a deal. Teams will want decent prospects in return. I don't think it's worth it given that we already have decent talent that can play SS and serve as utilitymen when Didi is back. This is assuming Didi is back in May.

2) I don't know who I am more annoyed at for being in our regular lineup, Ellsbury or Headley.

3) Montgomery is pitching today for a shot to be considered for one of the 2 rotation spots. He has pitched well this spring and was very good across AA and AAA last year. In fact, his numbers were better at AAA. Given that he wasn't really in the running initially, if he ends up in the rotation, it will be because he earned it, which is great.

4) I don't love the suggested lineup above because I'm not sure I want Bird hitting cleanup. I don't want him or Sanchez thinking like a cleanup hitter (i.e. looking for HRs). They both have good eyes, good discipline, and good power. They don't need to press, which hitting cleanup might cause.


RE: RE: RE: RE: Bird had two round dingers yesterday  
Beer Man : 3/23/2017 1:57 pm : link
In comment 13404028 YAJ2112 said:
Quote:
In comment 13404024 Beer Man said:


Quote:


In comment 13404014 YAJ2112 said:


Quote:


In comment 13404012 Beer Man said:


Quote:


including one that was a moon shot that cleared the back wall.



round dingers?

Old baseball term dude.



Dingers and round trippers are old baseball terms.
Today you learned a new one
I wouldn't make any deals. That would be a George-esque panic  
Victor in CT : 3/23/2017 2:04 pm : link
move. Let the expectations be a little lower early. SO what. They can fill in at SS with Castro, Wade, Torreyes.

This season is about the hot MLB ready prosepcts like Sanchez and Bird establishing themselves as long term cornerstones, the high minors guys like Frazier showing they are ready to make the jump and the younger ones like Torres and Mateo foricng their way up the ladder.

And unless Pineda is deecnt, and Severino and 1 other pitcher establishes himsef as a major league starter, they aren't going to win anyway. Tanaka can't pitch everyday.
RE: I wouldn't make any deals. That would be a George-esque panic  
Beer Man : 3/23/2017 2:09 pm : link
In comment 13404093 Victor in CT said:
Quote:
move. Let the expectations be a little lower early. SO what. They can fill in at SS with Castro, Wade, Torreyes.

This season is about the hot MLB ready prosepcts like Sanchez and Bird establishing themselves as long term cornerstones, the high minors guys like Frazier showing they are ready to make the jump and the younger ones like Torres and Mateo foricng their way up the ladder.

And unless Pineda is deecnt, and Severino and 1 other pitcher establishes himsef as a major league starter, they aren't going to win anyway. Tanaka can't pitch everyday.
Agree. For the 2 to 4 weeks that Didi will be down, why waste talent on a rental; particularly when the farm is well stocked with high-end SS prospects.
The Yankees  
PaulN : 3/23/2017 2:45 pm : link
Can still fuck this up, remember if it were not for an injury Jeter would not have started the 1996 season on the team. Gene Michael has already said that Torres is ready now, and if they are so fucking paranoid of starting with him because it opens them up for criticism, they have Wade here who they could give a shot to with Torreyes here to help, who is an excellent fielder, they also have Tejada here. If they make a trade I am officially nervous about these paranoid fucks, who have no real commitment or conviction, the only one in the organization who I trust is Michael.

They already fucked things up by bringing in Carter, a total waste of a roster spot who is blocking a young player just as I said when they got him. I don't see Hank as a problem so this is Cashman. They need to go with what they have, give Wade a shot, you have Torreyes, then you have 2 guys that can play anywhere on the field except catcher or pitcher. They still have Gardner and Headley here also, I don't even want Hicks here who will never be a player, he will always be the guy with the speed, arm, and Power who never became anything, I would have McKinney here instead. They need to stop being so paranoid and go all in.
Love Bird's swing  
mavric : 3/23/2017 2:51 pm : link
Some people have compared Bird's sweet swing to Mattingly and / or Will Clark, but I see him and his swing looking more like John Olerud, only with more power. If that is the case, he's going to go far and will be a fan favorite for the next decade
RE: Love Bird's swing  
Beer Man : 3/23/2017 3:00 pm : link
In comment 13404167 mavric said:
Quote:
Some people have compared Bird's sweet swing to Mattingly and / or Will Clark, but I see him and his swing looking more like John Olerud, only with more power. If that is the case, he's going to go far and will be a fan favorite for the next decade
Agree. Mattingly had more of a compact swing (Frazier's is similar to Mattingly, only from the right side of the plate)
Isn't Didi out until May?  
B in ALB : 3/23/2017 3:15 pm : link
.
Pretty good interview by Cashman  
Eli Wilson : 3/23/2017 3:20 pm : link
..
Cashman interview - ( New Window )
RE: Isn't Didi out until May?  
Greg from LI : 3/23/2017 3:22 pm : link
In comment 13404213 B in ALB said:
Quote:
.


Yes, he's supposed to miss all of April.
RE: Pretty good interview by Cashman  
Del Shofner : 3/23/2017 3:31 pm : link
In comment 13404220 Eli Wilson said:
Quote:
.. Cashman interview - ( New Window )


That is a good interview ... pretty candid comments by Cash, not just the usual team-speak.
Now this is funny...  
bceagle05 : 3/23/2017 3:42 pm : link
Quote:
Cashman: No, I don't. But I do know Theo's getting there without question. He's obviously had a tremendous run. I told Goose [Gossage], "I hope Theo's plaque lines up right next to you; that Ivy League GM." (laughs)
RE: RE: Pretty good interview by Cashman  
rich in DC : 3/23/2017 4:00 pm : link
In comment 13404241 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
In comment 13404220 Eli Wilson said:


Quote:


.. Cashman interview - ( New Window )



That is a good interview ... pretty candid comments by Cash, not just the usual team-speak.


The most interesting thing in that entire interview was his comments about developing starting pitchers. In this thread alone, we see people advocating for adding Montgomery to the rotation right out of spring training- which would go against what Cashman is indicating.

For one, Montgomery has never exceeded 140 IP in any season of his career. Now, since he did throw 139 last year, he COULD be expected to throw in the range of 170-180 IP in 2017- but that would almost certainly require skipping starts and pulling him out of games early.

Cashman clearly indicated a preference to get the SP innings counts to a ML level- and cited to a number of disappointing SP in recent years who were rushed to the bigs before their development was done. I think this indicates that while there is a very real chance that Montgomery may spend a majority of the 2017 season in NY, he probably won't start the season there.

There is a bigger factor that the Yanks have not had to confront in about 2 decades, since they have been such veteran laden teams- arbitration and free agency clocks. If the Yanks held Montgomery back in AAA until sometime in June, the Yanks could not only delay his FA until after the 2023 season, but likely delay his arbitration eligibility until after 2020.

This is important because to be blunt- the Yanks are not likely to be a playoff team in 2017. So, why waste a year of team control and cost control on a year that is focused on development and not contention?
Mckinney's had an awesome spring, why no love???  
Dave in Buffalo : 3/23/2017 4:07 pm : link
Seems to be another guy to have some excitement about.
I'm glad the Yankees have seemed to learn their lesson about  
Greg from LI : 3/23/2017 4:14 pm : link
rushing pitchers. I posted a comparison a few years back between the Yankees' pitching prospects and the Rays' prospects back when they were churning out young starters with regularity. With one major exception (Price), the Rays' young pitchers consistently threw more minor league innings than the Yankees. That's why I'd rather see Severino trying to work out his off-speed problems in Scranton rather than being consigned to the pen in the Bronx.
RE: I'm glad the Yankees have seemed to learn their lesson about  
Matt M. : 3/23/2017 5:16 pm : link
In comment 13404307 Greg from LI said:
Quote:
rushing pitchers. I posted a comparison a few years back between the Yankees' pitching prospects and the Rays' prospects back when they were churning out young starters with regularity. With one major exception (Price), the Rays' young pitchers consistently threw more minor league innings than the Yankees. That's why I'd rather see Severino trying to work out his off-speed problems in Scranton rather than being consigned to the pen in the Bronx.
Agreed, although at some point soon (this season?), if he can't improve his secondary pitches, he really has to start being viewed as a reliever.
RE: The Yankees  
Matt M. : 3/23/2017 5:20 pm : link
In comment 13404158 PaulN said:
Quote:
Can still fuck this up, remember if it were not for an injury Jeter would not have started the 1996 season on the team. Gene Michael has already said that Torres is ready now, and if they are so fucking paranoid of starting with him because it opens them up for criticism, they have Wade here who they could give a shot to with Torreyes here to help, who is an excellent fielder, they also have Tejada here. If they make a trade I am officially nervous about these paranoid fucks, who have no real commitment or conviction, the only one in the organization who I trust is Michael.

They already fucked things up by bringing in Carter, a total waste of a roster spot who is blocking a young player just as I said when they got him. I don't see Hank as a problem so this is Cashman. They need to go with what they have, give Wade a shot, you have Torreyes, then you have 2 guys that can play anywhere on the field except catcher or pitcher. They still have Gardner and Headley here also, I don't even want Hicks here who will never be a player, he will always be the guy with the speed, arm, and Power who never became anything, I would have McKinney here instead. They need to stop being so paranoid and go all in.
I agree on all counts, although I can live with Torres starting in the minors. But, Carter and Hicks on the roster really serve no purpose at this point. This is especially true with so many young guys having very strong springs. But, if you are rebuilding, neither is in the long term plans. If you consider yourselves contenders, neither does an awful lot to help. These guys belong on middling teams.
RE: RE: RE: Pretty good interview by Cashman  
Matt M. : 3/23/2017 5:22 pm : link
In comment 13404290 rich in DC said:
Quote:
In comment 13404241 Del Shofner said:


Quote:


In comment 13404220 Eli Wilson said:


Quote:


.. Cashman interview - ( New Window )



That is a good interview ... pretty candid comments by Cash, not just the usual team-speak.



The most interesting thing in that entire interview was his comments about developing starting pitchers. In this thread alone, we see people advocating for adding Montgomery to the rotation right out of spring training- which would go against what Cashman is indicating.

For one, Montgomery has never exceeded 140 IP in any season of his career. Now, since he did throw 139 last year, he COULD be expected to throw in the range of 170-180 IP in 2017- but that would almost certainly require skipping starts and pulling him out of games early.

Cashman clearly indicated a preference to get the SP innings counts to a ML level- and cited to a number of disappointing SP in recent years who were rushed to the bigs before their development was done. I think this indicates that while there is a very real chance that Montgomery may spend a majority of the 2017 season in NY, he probably won't start the season there.

There is a bigger factor that the Yanks have not had to confront in about 2 decades, since they have been such veteran laden teams- arbitration and free agency clocks. If the Yanks held Montgomery back in AAA until sometime in June, the Yanks could not only delay his FA until after the 2023 season, but likely delay his arbitration eligibility until after 2020.

This is important because to be blunt- the Yanks are not likely to be a playoff team in 2017. So, why waste a year of team control and cost control on a year that is focused on development and not contention?
It's not a huge jump to the 175 inning range. As a #5 starter with some skipped starts from off days, you really only need to skip him once in a blue moon to keep innings under control. #5 starters generally aren't in danger of throwing much more than 175 innings as it is. The kid earned a spot and more importantly nobody else from the group really did enough to make a claim.
RE: RE: RE: Pretty good interview by Cashman  
Matt M. : 3/23/2017 5:24 pm : link
In comment 13404290 rich in DC said:
Quote:
In comment 13404241 Del Shofner said:


Quote:


In comment 13404220 Eli Wilson said:


Quote:


.. Cashman interview - ( New Window )



That is a good interview ... pretty candid comments by Cash, not just the usual team-speak.



The most interesting thing in that entire interview was his comments about developing starting pitchers. In this thread alone, we see people advocating for adding Montgomery to the rotation right out of spring training- which would go against what Cashman is indicating.

For one, Montgomery has never exceeded 140 IP in any season of his career. Now, since he did throw 139 last year, he COULD be expected to throw in the range of 170-180 IP in 2017- but that would almost certainly require skipping starts and pulling him out of games early.

Cashman clearly indicated a preference to get the SP innings counts to a ML level- and cited to a number of disappointing SP in recent years who were rushed to the bigs before their development was done. I think this indicates that while there is a very real chance that Montgomery may spend a majority of the 2017 season in NY, he probably won't start the season there.

There is a bigger factor that the Yanks have not had to confront in about 2 decades, since they have been such veteran laden teams- arbitration and free agency clocks. If the Yanks held Montgomery back in AAA until sometime in June, the Yanks could not only delay his FA until after the 2023 season, but likely delay his arbitration eligibility until after 2020.

This is important because to be blunt- the Yanks are not likely to be a playoff team in 2017. So, why waste a year of team control and cost control on a year that is focused on development and not contention?
Also, this is a better offensive team than last, which competed for a WC spot right to the end. So, why is it crazy for them to be a playoff team this year? It's not something I would necessarily expect, but also not something I would easily rule out before the season even starts.
RE: If I had to guess right now  
dpinzow : 3/23/2017 6:35 pm : link
In comment 13403935 bceagle05 said:
Quote:
I'd go with Sanchez, Bird and Torres as the "franchise" guys - perennial All-Stars who are among the best in baseball at their positions. Not that I'm giving away any big secrets, as they've all been highly-touted prospects. Amazingly, if Rutherford, Mateo, Frazier and Judge were our top prospects, there would STILL be plenty of reasons for optimism.


Frazier is knocking on the door to that list. Think he could be an All-Star caliber player too
As for Gleyber Torres  
dpinzow : 3/23/2017 6:39 pm : link
no problem at all starting him in AA. The cream always rises to the top and if he destroys AA and AAA he could be in the Bronx by midseason
Montgomery threw  
blue2 : 3/23/2017 9:31 pm : link
152 innings last year.
RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Bird had two round dingers yesterday  
section125 : 3/23/2017 10:03 pm : link
In comment 13404084 Beer Man said:
Quote:
In comment 13404028 YAJ2112 said:


Quote:


In comment 13404024 Beer Man said:


Quote:


In comment 13404014 YAJ2112 said:


Quote:


In comment 13404012 Beer Man said:


Quote:


including one that was a moon shot that cleared the back wall.



round dingers?

Old baseball term dude.



Dingers and round trippers are old baseball terms.

Today you learned a new one


Been watching for over 50 years, never heard of round dingers. As yaj said round trippers and dingers, but hey it might catch on...
RE: RE: Pretty good interview by Cashman  
mfsd : 3/23/2017 10:23 pm : link
In comment 13404241 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
In comment 13404220 Eli Wilson said:


Quote:


.. Cashman interview - ( New Window )



That is a good interview ... pretty candid comments by Cash, not just the usual team-speak.


Yup really good interview, especially his honest comments about mistakes they've made rushing guys to try and win now.

Interesting too about how they brought back the same team in 97 minus Wetteland, but they didn't have the same chemistry, and there was some infighting - I don't really remember that, anyone recall who/what the issues were?
The only thing that could make  
B in ALB : 3/23/2017 10:44 pm : link
my dick harder about this season would be to see Randy Levine run over by the 4 train.
I vaguely remember Cecil Fielder complaining about playing time.  
bceagle05 : 3/23/2017 10:54 pm : link
He came in during the '96 season and just fit in, but I guess he wasn't so accommodating in year two.
RE: I vaguely remember Cecil Fielder complaining about playing time.  
mfsd : 3/23/2017 11:16 pm : link
In comment 13404590 bceagle05 said:
Quote:
He came in during the '96 season and just fit in, but I guess he wasn't so accommodating in year two.


Yeah that could be it. Didn't Boggs also grouse about giving up playing time to Charlie Hayes? And if memory serves something weird was up with Strawberry that season, didn't we let him go, only to bring him back in 98, where he was a key bench guy
Yep, I know Boggs was obsessed with 3,000 hits  
bceagle05 : 3/23/2017 11:20 pm : link
and didn't want to platoon with Hayes. I remember Straw leaving and coming back, but I don't remember the circumstances. The only real '97 memory I have is O'Neill's great slide into second base in the ninth inning of Game 5, when the Yanks were down a run.
Bird hit his 7th bomb today  
mavric : 3/25/2017 4:07 pm : link
He's on fire
Glowing review for Jordan Montgomery  
Heisenberg : 3/27/2017 11:30 am : link
Quote:

Every game I watch as a scout is a treat. There are some games, however, when I see a position player or pitcher that makes me want to scream, “Hey, look at this guy! Do you see what he’s doing?”

That happened to me in a recent spring training game in Port Charlotte, Florida.

The Tampa Bay Rays were hosting the New York Yankees in a meaningless spring training game. They are meaningless perhaps for the veterans just trying to get in shape and work toward opening day. But spring games are mega meaningful for prospects on the cusp of earning a place on the team’s 25-man roster.

Long and lankly lefty Jordan Montgomery took the mound as the starting pitcher for the Yankees. I had never seen him pitch. I had never heard any buzz about him at all.

It didn’t take long for Montgomery to make me sit up in my seat and take notice. Here’s what I saw: He filled up the strike zone with fastballs, sliders and changeups. He used a very solid repertoire of outstanding pitches and kept the Rays off-balance. In his 4.1 innings, Montgomery struck out eight and walked none. His command and control were impeccable.

Montgomery threw his fastball between 91 and 93 miles per hour with terrific late movement on the ball. He would mix in a very solid 85 mph slider and a changeup that would greet the hitter at 84 miles per hour and buckled their knees. His curveball is another offering that he throws at 71 mph.

Montgomery knows how to pitch. He uses all quadrants of the plate and certainly isn’t afraid to work inside. He has excellent mound demeanor. He is very savvy and cool on the mound and doesn’t get rattled or distracted.

Montgomery has the ability to be a dominating pitcher.

Link - ( New Window )
regarding 1997, IIRC Gooden had a lot of gripes about usage too  
Greg from LI : 3/27/2017 11:34 am : link
.
Bird  
Rover : 3/27/2017 12:07 pm : link
Is the word.
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