tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Yankee, Leaf Notes

Yankee Notes

Well things are beginning to percolate down in Tampa.  It's apparent that Ivan Nova will be the No.4 starter.  Nova has pitched very well this spring and showed some promise last year.  I'm good with this decision and its hoped that Nova can get 12 wins this year.

It appears that with the trade of Sergio Mitre, the Yankees will be going north with both Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon.  I think it makes sense to slot Garcia in as the 5th starter.  Garcia was solid last year with the White Sox.  He gave the Pale Hose a lot of innings and I believe 12-13 wins.  He may not be able to crack 90mph on his fastball but he knows how to pitch.  Putting Colon in the bullpen is probably the best move since he has got his fastball up to 93-94 mph during the spring.  Also, because he's out of shape there would be less strain on his frame.

The signing of Kevin Millwood is interesting.  Millwood had a down year last year.  The previous seasons, Millwood gobbled innings up while pitching fairly well on some bad teams. It's not a bad move in that if Millwood doesn't make the team by May 1, he could opt-out and he probably would since I've heard that Millwood has no intention of staying in the minors all year.  It's rather depressing that the Yanks are looking at Garcia, Colon and Millwood to round out their pitching staff.  A couple of things are clear:  Cashman knows that his cavalier approach to Lee in the winter has put the Yankees in a difficult position and would indicate that they will have to make a deal before the end of July.  And secondly, the youngsters down on the farm are not ready for prime time yet.

The acquisition of Chris Dickerson is a good move in that it provides the Yanks with outfield depth.  But this move also shows that the Yankees have not done a good job in developing  outfield prospects particularly left-handed hitting prospects.  With that right field porch, they need to start doing it.  It appears that the Cashman regime focuses on developing pitchers and not so much with outfield prospects.  It's a failure as far as I'm concerned.  Hopefully, Curtis Granderson will be able to play sooner rather than later.

Leaf Notes

Last night dealt a big hit to the Maple Leaf playoff hopes.  Buffalo and Carolina both won leaving the Leafs 5 points behind the Sabres and 2 points behind the Hurricanes with both teams having a game in hand on the Leafs.  As a result, tonight's game against Detroit is a must win.  With Buffalo playing at home against the Devils, there is a fairly good chance the Sabres will be victorious.  Reports out of New Jersey indicate that the Devils seem to realize that last night's 1-0 loss to the Penguins may have ended their remarkable run to try to make the playoffs.  With that mind set, who knows what Devils team will show up tonight.

If the Sabres win and Leafs lose tonight, the Leafs would be 7 points out and the Sabres still would have a game in hand.  Even with a win on Tuesday against Buffalo, the Leafs would pretty much be done.  After the Devils and Leafs, the Sabres have games against the Rangers, Hurricanes, Lightning, Capitals, Flyers and Blue Jackets.  It's possible they could stumble.  But it won't matter if the Leafs fall 7 points behind.

Tonight's Original Six contest starts at 7pm at the Joe Louis Arena.