El Titan de Tampa?

[Wolf Hopper]

http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nyy/news/nyy_news.jsp?ymd=20030419&content_id=281513&vkey=news_nyy&fext=.jsp

He was informed by manager Joe Torre on Saturday morning that he was being sent to Triple-A, a move Contreras said he expected. Left-hander Randy Choate will join the team on Saturday to take his place on the roster.


"I had a feeling it was coming. It wasn't a surprise," Contreras said through his interpreter. "I think it's going to help me to be able to pitch regularly every five days. Of course I'd like to be here with this team, but unfortunately I don't have the opportunity right now to pitch consistently. In Columbus, I'll be able to pitch consistently, get my form, and hopefully come back and help the team."

"He obviously needs to pitch more than he has here. He just needs to get his confidence back and get in a groove," said pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre. "Then he'll be ready to do what we think he can do here."

Contreras has struggled with his control, allowing 10 hits and five walks in his five innings. In five appearances, he is 1-0 with a 10.80 ERA.

"My strength has always been my control, and that's what I haven't had since I've been here," Contreras said. "In Cuba, I'd pitch every five days and usually throw a complete game, so I didn't have to work on my control. I think that's what I haven't had, and what I'm going to work on."


What do you think - bust or rust?

[JamesI]

Its too early to say bust, but if he is a bust, I won't be terribly shocked.

Once a starter gets hurt (bound to happen) and he gets to start regularly, then we'll see if he's worth how ever much he's getting paid.

[satchel]

Originally posted by JamesI
Once a starter gets hurt (bound to happen) and he gets to start regularly, then we'll see if he's worth how ever much he's getting paid.

That's exactly what I was thinking. When the Yankees signed Orlando Hernandez - who I think had a bigger reputation in Cuba than Contreras - he spent a good portion of his first season pitching for Columbus. It was only when Mendoza got a boil on his behind and David Cone got bit by a Jack Russell terrier in the same week that he came up to the Yankees (you can't make this stuff up) and was so good that he never went back.

We don't know what Hernandez would have looked like if he started that season with the Yankees like Contreras did. Give Contreras a month or two to acclimate in AAA, and then we'll get a better view of what he can do in the majors. I think it's a good move.

He may still be a bust, but it's too early to say.

[LeGrandOrange]

Andy Morales he's not. But still, you gotta love the fiscal responsibility shown by the Boss, 32 million for a guy who gets a demotion. Red Sox nation might be made a little happier by this if it weren't for their bullpen. :) But that's another post.

Is it just me, though, or is this a quick hook? It's only 5 appearances, he hasn't pitched all that much.

[satchel]

Originally posted by LeGrandOrange
Is it just me, though, or is this a quick hook? It's only 5 appearances, he hasn't pitched all that much.

No, it isn't just you, but that was kind of my point. He shouldn't have started with the big club in the first place. He should be pitching in the rotation in Columbus until he gets his land legs, so to speak.

('course, he shouldn't have been given $32M in the first place, but ... :willis: )

[SmedIndy]

I wouldn't surprise me if he's back up soon, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's Ariel Prieto, the sequel!

[LeGrandOrange]

Or more accurately, the Cuban Irabu. Granted, Contreras will run to first unlike the fat ----- toad but that's not important.

[LeGrandOrange]

Columbus is apparently overestimating Contreras:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0420/1541669.html

Apparently, he's heading to extended spring training and could even pitch in Single-A.

Pretty good 32 million dollar investment, no!? Contreras is apparently the Cuban Eddie Whitson now...

[Wolf Hopper]

Torre is pissed over this - - he told him it would be Columbus - - because the Front Office left it up to Joe and his call was AAA.

When Torre was told that it was Tampa, after the fact, because they wanted Billy Connors to work with him in Tampa, Joe replied with something like "If Billy is that great, why isn't he here so that we could all benefit from him?"

Connors is a known Steinny suck-up.

This will be the headlines in all the NY sports pages tomorrow. Stay tuned.

[JamesI]

Thats how to get your 32 million man going, demoralize him and lie to him. Good going.

[Wolf Hopper]

Somewhere, Theo Epstein is breaking a chair in celebration............

[LeGrandOrange]

Suffice it to say, George Steinbrenner has not only dropped the ball on his handling of Contreras, but picked it up and threw it away.

I can't fgure out whether is the whole situation is pathetic or humorous...but suffice it to say, it says a lot about how important he is according to George when Jason Anderson gets to stay by pitching worse. No offense to the resident Jason Anderson fan. I don't care if Jose needs minor league seasoning or help from Billy Connolly, erm, from Billy Connors (whatever), can't Mel Stottlemyre give just as much?

[satchel]

Originally posted by LeGrandOrange
I can't fgure out whether is the whole situation is pathetic or humorous...

A little of both. Wolf is right, the papers are going to have a field day. This is going to be a disaster ...

[Wolf Hopper]

Very unlike Torre to call the press around and openly dish at George - - - at least he didn't call him a convicted liar.............. ;)

But, I think he's sending the message here - he's pissed over this.