Could Hoffmann still be in the Yanks plans?

From Mark Feinsand:

Hoffmann heads back to the Dodgers for now, but don't be surprised to see him back in the Yankees organization at some point. There have been plenty of whispers in recent weeks about the Yankees sending either Chad Gaudin or Sergio Mitre to Los Angeles for Hoffmann, who the Yankees could then send to Triple-A. As a Rule 5 pick, Hoffmann had to stay on the 25-man roster or be returned to the Dodgers.

I'm sure the Yankees would have loved to keep Hoffmann and start him in Triple-A, but thanks to the Rule-5 rules that wasn't possible. Trading for him would open up that possibility, and since we've already heard that Gaudin or Mitre will almost certainly be traded before the season this would make sense.

Hoffmann Headed Back To LA

According to Chad Jennings, Jamie Hoffmann has cleared waivers and is headed back to the Dodgers. I guess this just backs up George King's article from Saturday about Marcus Thames making the roster regardless of his spring performance. Prior to today, I really thought Hoffmann's defense would carry him onto the roster, but I guess the Yankees saw more value in having a better bat in that spot than a better glove.

King: Expect Thames To Make Opening Day Roster

From George A. King III:

When the Yankees inked Marcus Thames to a minor league contract, they believed his ability to hit lefties would enable him to make the club and play left field against southpaws. Nothing has changed, even if Thames is batting .120 (3-for-25) and leading the team with nine strikeouts.

"He has had good at-bats," manager Joe Girardi said "I don't get caught up in the numbers. It's a small sample."

King goes on to say that Thames "likely will make the club no matter how low his average dips." His numbers can't dip much further, he's now hitting .107/.107/.167 with a grand total of zero RBIs this spring, and has struck out 11 times.

Based on what his manager and coaches are saying about him, King might not be so off.

“He hasn’t had any luck whatsoever,” Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long said.

...

In Tampa, both Long and manager Joe Girardi say they’ve been pleased with Thames, despite the strikeouts and lack of hits. But the manager wants to see production during the final 10 days of camp.

Long may have a point, results are not the only thing that matters in the spring. If a player is taking good swings and making good contact, hits will eventually start to fall, and that's what Long is talking about when he talks about luck. Maybe if Jamie Hoffmann was doing anything I might complain about this, but he's not so I won't. I like what Hoffmann can do defensively, but so far this spring he's hitting just .130/.174/.259, and also hasn't driven in a run. At least Thames should provide the Yankees with a little bit of pop off the bench.

Thames Looking To Impress

Via Mark Feinsand:

“I know what I’m coming in for and what’s ahead of me, so I’ll give it 100 percent and see what happens,” Thames said. “My last six years have pretty much been the same way. Nothing has been guaranteed, so I’ve gone into spring training with one goal: do what I can do, open some eyes up and whatever happens after that, happens.”

...

“I was 23 the last time I was in this camp, so it’s a whole lot different,” he said. “I’ve played against a majority of guys in here, I’ve played with Jeter, Mariano, Posada and some guys, so all of that makes it easier to relax, play well and have fun.”

I'm still trying to figure out what the Yankees truly need out of that final roster spot. Do they need the better defensive player with more speed (Hoffmann) or do they need the guy with more pop who has proven he can hit major league pitching (Thames)?

Earlier this week, I predicted Jamie Hoffmann was going to get the final spot on that roster, and I still feel that way. But you never know, it all depends on what the Yankees needs are.

Thames Can Opt Out If He Doesn't Make Roster

From Chad Jennings:

Thames signed a minor league contract, but he can opt out if he doesn’t make the major league roster.

“He was brought in to compete for a spot on the 25-man roster,” general manager Brian Cashman said. “And at the end of camp, if he makes it, great. If he doesn’t make it, he’s free.”

I'm sure this has been reported on somewhere else but this is the first time I'm hearing about it. It makes sense and it's the fair thing to do. They probably wouldn't have been able to sign him with out the opt out option.

Like Jennings says in his post, it will come down to either Thames or Rule 5 pick Jamie Hoffmanm. I'm not sure who the favorite is, but here's what Cash had to say about Hoffmann:

“It’s his spot to lose,” Cashman said. “Hoffmann is on the 25, with restrictions. He’s like an out-of-options guy. He either makes it or he loses it.”

That certainly sounds like he's the favorite, but in the end it performance will dictate this decision. Whichever player impresses the most this spring will make the team, Joe Girardi made that clear in this article from Bryan Hoch:

Girardi said that outfielder Jamie Hoffmann's Rule 5 Draft status will not affect his chances to make the team. "Maybe in some other camps, it might work one way or another, but here we're going to take what we feel gives us the best team," he said.

Who would you take as your 25th man?

USA Today's 100 Names You Need To Know For 2010

For the 14th time, USA came out with their list of 100 names you need to know for the upcoming baseball season. They describe the players on the list as

the next wave of players heading into the major leagues who, in our view, could make the biggest impact in 2010.

These aren't necessarily baseball's 100 best prospects because many top prospects are too far down in the minor leagues to contribute in the majors this season. Others are stuck behind established major leaguers.

Not all of the players on our list have rookie status, either, but our standard for inclusion is that a player must have had more innings (for pitchers) or at-bats (for hitters) in the minor leagues in 2009 than he has had during all of his major league time.

The Yankees who made the list include Mark Melancon (#52), Zach McAllister (#56) Jamie Hoffman (#58), and Jesus Montero (#66). Here's what they had to say about each:

Melancon:

Next in line to continue the run of success the Yankees had last season with young pitchers setting up in front of closer Mariano Rivera, Melancon, 24, should fill one of the openings. He's a hard thrower with a sharp-breaking curve. Groomed as a reliever since turning pro in 2006, he has bounced back well from missing 2007 after Tommy John elbow surgery.

McAllister:

He's a sinkerballer who induces plenty of ground balls and can pitch himself into the mix as a 22-year-old this spring. Major league bullpen work is a possibility, but McAllister would be among the first to be considered if there's a need for a major league starter. His chances would improve if the Yankees decide to keep Phil Hughes in the bullpen.

Hoffman:

Hoffman, 25, is a strong defender who can play all three outfield positions, has plenty of speed and is a consistent contact hitter. That's why the Yankees believe he someday will be an everyday player. In the meantime, Hoffman must be good enough to make the roster because he was a Rule 5 draft selection from the Dodgers and must be offered back to Los Angeles before he can be sent to the minors.

Montero:

His power is his biggest asset, but the fact that he's a catcher and there's no other obvious successor to Jorge Posada could have Montero, just 20, in the major leagues this season. Barring an emergency, his initial stay won't be long because he has had only a half-season at Class AA and needs to continue developing his defensive game.

Former Yankees prospects, Austin Jackson (#19) and Jose Tabata (#86) also made the list.