Written by Greg Fertel | 09 January 2007

Ohlendorf on the experience of being traded: 

"It's been pretty exciting," said Ohlendorf, who officially became a Yankee when the long-awaited Randy Johnson trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks was announced. "The last several days have been strange, but it does feel really good to know that I'm going to New York and that there is closure. I always had to stop and think that it wasn't for sure (yet), so I'm feeling very excited about everything." ... Featuring a sinking two-seam fastball, slider and a developing changeup in his repertoire, Ohlendorf spent the majority of last season with Double-A Tennessee of the Southern League. In 27 starts, he was 10-8 with a 3.29 ERA, allowing 180 hits in 177 2/3 innings with 125 strikeouts and 29 walks. "We're excited about the potential of these guys," Cashman said. "Ohlendorf is ... big, he's physical and he eats innings." Though he projects to begin the season in the Yankees' Minor League system, Ohlendorf said that Cashman gave him a report on the team's training facilities in Tampa, Fla., and told him to be ready for Major League Spring Training when pitchers and catchers report to Legends Field on Feb. 13. ... "I'd like to pick up where I left off last year and continue to improve," Ohlendorf said. "If I'm going to make it to the Majors, I need to work on several things -- getting my off-speed over for strikes more, and being more consistent with my off-speed and fastball. That's really what I'm focused on -- trying to get better." ... "I'm hoping that they're real happy with what I'll bring to the table on the field," Ohlendorf said. "I'm real excited about getting to go back to the Northeast for a while, and the Yankees are such a storied organization. "It seems like they were excited to have me, and I'm excited to be here, too. I think it's going to be a good fit."

He seems like a bright kid, though kids from Princeton tend to be like that.  I dunno about you, but I can't wait to see how the Triple-A and Double-A rotations shake out, just to see who ends up where. My guess is on Scranton's rotation is (in order) Karstens-Rasner-Hughes-White-Sanchez, and Trenton's (again, in order) is DeSalvo-Clippard-Ohlendorf-Jones-Horne. Yes Hughes is twice the pitcher as anyone else, but the Yanks tend to be loyal to the guys who've "been there before" when it comes to Opening Day assignments, hence top spots going to Karstens and Matty DeSalvo. Here's some more on the 3 prospects picked up in the deal.

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