Pinstripes, Pa. - A Scranton and New York Yankees Blog

Moving to Bronx Baseball Daily, WasWatching

2010-01-17T19:00:00.006-05:00

Earlier this month, Rob Abruzzese asked me to join Bronx Baseball Daily. A week later, Steve Lombardi from WasWatching asked me to write for his blog as well. I accepted both offers, so you'll now be able to read my work at both sites. I won't be shutting Pinstripes, Pa. down any time soon, but the majority of my posts will now be on other the other two blogs. Thank you for your support and readership over the years.

Outfield Options

2009-12-30T15:44:00.006-05:00

The Melky Cabrera/Javier Vazquez trade created a hole in left field for the Yankees, and the options are somewhat limited thanks to a budget restriction. Now that Mark DeRosa, Jason Bay Matt Holliday and Marlon Byrd are virtually off the market, only a handful of options remain in the free agent pool. Let's take a look at the remaining options for left field:

Rick Ankiel
2009 Stats: .231 AVG/11 HR/38 RBI (STL)
2009 Salary: $2.8 million
Comments: Ankiel actually makes some sense for the Yankees in terms of ability and price. He'd slide nicely into the bottom of the batting order and his career 1.7 UZR in left field suggests he would not be a complete embarrassment in the outfield. He's likely to post better numbers in 2010 but I wonder if he has the makeup to play in New York.

Johnny Damon
2009 Stats: .282 AVG/ 24 HR/ 82 RBI (NYY)
2009 Salary: $13 million
Comments: The Yankees negotiated with Damon earlier this winter, but the outfielder's demands were too high. The affable Damon remains unsigned but if he was willing to take a one-year deal, the Yankees would likely bring him back. He'd serve as a major boost to the offense, but would he cause problems because of his reduced pay?

Jermaine Dye
2009 Stats: .250 AVG/ 27 HR/ 81 RBI (CHW)
2009 Salary: $11.5 million
Comments: Although the Yankees have been linked to Dye, I can't see them pursuing a 3X year-old Type-A free agent who is a defensive liability in the field. Dye would likely take a one-year deal, which helps his case, but the Yanks will probably look elsewhere.

Jonny Gomes
2009 Stats: .267 AVG/20 HR/51 RBI (CIN)
2009 Salary: $1.275 million
Comments: Gomes was obviously helped by Cinergy Field in 2009, but he could also serve as a cost-effective option for the Yankees. Gomes would add some power to the lineup and thanks to a career .307 AVG against lefties, Gomes could serve as a platoon partner for Brett Gardner. Mark down Gomes as a solid pick. Especially considering Shelley Duncan is no longer on the team.

Eric Hinske/Jerry Hairston Jr.
Hinske's 2009 Stats/Salary: .242 AVG/8 HR/25 RBI (PIT/NYY) - $1.5 million
Hairston's 2009 Stats/Salary: .251 AVG/10 HR/39 RBI (CIN/NYY) - $2 million
Comments: Both Hinske and Hairston were a great additions to the Yankee bench and performed well at the plate in limited appearances. Either player could act as a serviceable outfielder while splitting time with Gardner and Hoffman, but I worry about Hinske's defense and Hairston's durability.

Reed Johnson
2009 Stats: .255 AVG/4 HR/22 RBI (CHC)
2009 Salary: $3 million
Comments: The Yankees have already been connected to Johnson, and he'd be a good fit in the outfield thanks to his glove. If the price was fair he would be a good addition, but Brett Gardner could probably match Johnson defensively while adding speed to the lineup and at half the cost. Johnson would make a solid platoon option for Gardner.

Xavier Nady
2009 Stats: .286 AVG in 28 AB (NYY)
2009 Salary: $6.55 million
Comments: Nady has allegedly priced himself out of New York, which really raises a few questions. Firstly, how little are the Yankees looking to spend on an outfielder? Secondly, how much could a player who missed the 2009 season honestly ask for? Either way, there does not appear to be a match here, which is probably for the best. Nady would have been an injury concern going into 2010 anyway.

Scott Podsednik
2009 Stats: .304 AVG/7 HR/30 SB (CHW)
2009 Salary: > $1 million
Comments: Podsednik would be another excellent fit for the Yankees, adding speed to the bottom of the order and a solid glove in the field. He's basically Brett Gardner with more power and experience, but with a career .370 batting average against the Red Sox, the Yankees would be dumb to not take a look.

Randy Winn
2009 Stats: .262 AVG/2 HR/51 RBI (SFG)
2009 Salary: $9.6 million
Comments: Winn had an extremely down year in 2009, which could help the Yankees get him at a discount price. He's always had a solid glove and will likely post better numbers next season. The Yankees have shown interest in Winn in the past, so it would not surprise me if they went after him. Still, there are better options available.

Merry Christmas from Pinstripes, Pa.

2009-12-25T12:06:00.008-05:00

It was another enjoyable year for Yankee fans, from the signing of Mark Teixeira to a World Series victory. I wish you a happy and healthy holiday, and I thank you for visiting and supporting this blog. Merry Christmas.

Yankees close with an outfielder?

2009-12-22T19:24:00.003-05:00

I've gotten a few e-mails about this, so I figured it deserved a post. Apparently, Brian Cashman announced on the MLB Network's Hot Stove Show that the Yankees are close to signing a right-handed outfield bat. No word yet on who it is, but Jermaine Dye and Mark DeRosa are the logical options. My money is on DeRosa.

Acquisition Roundup: Johnson, Vazquez

2009-12-22T16:13:00.008-05:00

The Yankees have made two significant moves since my last update: the signing of designated hitter Nick Johnson to a one-year, $5.5 million contract and the acquisition of pitchers Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan from the Atlanta Braves. The Yankees traded Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino for the aforementioned pitchers. Let's break down each of the deals on these former Yanks:

Nick Johnson: .291 AVG/.426 OBP/.405 SLG in 133 G
Comments: Although the Yankees will seriously miss Hideki Matsui's bat in 2010, Johnson is a fine replacement and will slide into the batting order nicely thanks to his keen eye and high on-base average. His durability remain a concern, but at $5.5 million, the Yankees are not investing much in the former first baseman. Thanks to Johnson's unique talents and knack for getting on base, he can bat in the two-hole behind Derek Jeter, or anywhere in the second half of the lineup. He'll also be able to give Mark Teixeira the occasional day off.

Javier Vazquez: 15-10/2.87 ERA/5.4 K:BB ratio in 219 IP
Boone Logan: 1-1/5.19 ERA/1.1 K:BB ratio in 17 IP
Comments: I could not be happier with this trade. Although I'm sad to see Cabrera go, the (re)addition of Vazquez adds serious depth to the Yankee rotation at a minimum cost. Vazquez has posted three consecutive 200+ strikeout seasons and proved to be one of the more durable pitchers in the game. On most teams, he's a number two starter, but with the Yankees he's likely a middle or bottom of the rotation pitcher. He'll likely perform much better than his initial stint with the Yankees, when a shoulder injury and pinkeye destroyed the second half of his season. The 25 year-old Logan could compete for a bullpen role, but will likely start the year with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He's not the best prospect, but he does have the potential to be an average left-handed reliever in the future.

Now, the loss of Cabrera means the Yankees will need to add a left fielder, and it appears as though Jermaine Dye, Mark DeRosa and Johnny Damon are the front-runners. Although, I would prefer to shift Curtis Granderson to left field and use the speedy Brett Gardner in center.

Alternatives to Johnny Damon

2009-12-16T12:37:00.008-05:00

According to reports, negotiations with Scott Boras and outfielder Johnny Damon are becoming difficult and the 36 year-old is planning to investigate other destinations. Per George King of the New York Post:

“I am going to start looking around. Teams are getting better and there are teams interested,” Damon told The Post yesterday. “I can’t wait forever and I am sure [the Yankees] are trying to figure things out. I have to be ready.” (source)

Damon reportedly wants a three or four year deal with an annual salary of $13 million. Thats right. A 36 year-old outfielder with shoddy defense and a noodle for an arm is searching for a four-year, $52 million contract. Now, Damon was a terrific hitter in three of the four years he spent with the Yankees and he adds serious depth to the lineup, but to think that he can continue to perform at peak level after the age of 35 is a bit ridiculous. But, this is the way Scott Boras negotiates and he's damn good at his job.

Should Damon actually find a team that will give him the three or four year deal, the Yankees will likely search for an alternative. Let's take a look at some options:

Free Agents: Rick Ankiel, Jason Bay, Marlon Byrd, Jermaine Dye, Matt Holliday, Xavier Nady.
Comments: Any of these players could make sense for the Yankees at the right price. If Dye, Byrd or Ankiel were willing to take a one-year deal with a base salary of $7-8 million, they could be an inexpensive alternative. Matt Holliday is obviously the best player of the group, but he'll command top dollar. As I said yesterday, few teams have the space and money to sign Holliday, so I still think there is a chance he could end up with the Yankees.

Trade Targets: Pat Burrell, Gary Matthews Jr., Juan Rivera, Jayson Werth, Milton Bradley.
Comments: Not many solid options here, aside from Rivera and Werth, and I think the Angels would rather move Matthews. That leaves Werth as the best choice, and trading for the 30 year-old actually makes a lot of sense for both clubs. With a combined $54 million committed to Roy Halladay, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley in 2010 and the upcoming free agency of shortstop Jimmy Rollins, Philadelphia will need to cut some payroll. The club has a viable backup option in Ben Francisco and may need to add some young arms after the recent trade. Perhaps a package of Zach McAllister, Melky Cabrera and Mike Dunn could land the outfielder and J.C. Romero or Jamie Moyer. That would trim more than $10 million off the club's payroll.
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The Suitors for Holliday

2009-12-15T21:51:00.002-05:00

Yesterady, the Red Sox signed both John Lackey and Mike Cameron, adding a projected $25 million to the payroll for 2010. The additions also took the Red Sox out of the bidding for both Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. Although some reports state that the Yankees are not interested in either outfielder, I think that the Bombers will still go after Matt Holliday. They have an open spot in left field and they have money. That makes them a logical destination for the 29 year-old slugger.

The other teams that could logically fit and (or) afford Holliday? The Jays, Mariners Braves, Cubs, Reds, Rockies, Mets, Giants, Padres and Cardinals. Out of that list, only the Mets, Cardinals and Yankees make sense. I expect yesterday's flurry or transactions to inspire the Mets and Mariners to intensify their pursuit of Jason Bay. If either team signs him, it leaves the Mets, Yankees and Cardinals as the most logical destinations for Matt Holliday.

Now, the Cardinals probably need him more than the Yankees for several reasons. Firstly, it'll help persuade Albert Pujols that the team is committed to winning. It will also boost the lineup and solidify the outfield. The Mets are also in dire need of a corner outfield bat. The Yankees can easily get by without Holliday, but with so few teams able to afford and fit the outfielder, expect the Bronx Bombers to be in the mix.

Hot Stove Roundup: 12/15/09

2009-12-15T17:34:00.002-05:00

In what will probably be the most exciting day in the 2009-1009 offseason, the Red Sox signed pitcher John Lackey to a five-year deal, the Angels inked outfielder Hideki Matsui to a one-year contract and most importantly, the Phillies acquired ace left-hander Roy Halladay in a three-team deal with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Somewhere in there, the M's got Cliff Lee and the Red Sox signed Mike Cameron.

Although the Mets have not shown any renewed interest in Jason Bay, I expect yesterday's moves to inspire the club to make a strong offer for the outfielder's services. I also think the market for Matt Holliday will heat up once Bay signs. According to some reports, the Yanks have shown interested in both players, but Buster Olney cites an insider that thinks the club has no chance of going after either outfielder. I remember several outlets that reported that same thing about Mark Teixeira last offseason.

The Yankees non-tendered Chien-Ming Wang, who later rejected a contract offer from the Yankees. He'll explore free agency for the first time in his career, but I think he'll end up in the National League. The Dodgers seem like a logical choice, given Wang's rapport with Joe Torre. Before his injury, Wang was the most reliable starter on the Yankee staff, and helped cement the Yankees' youth movement in 2005.

The Yankees are one of several teams interested in pitcher Matt Capps. After three solid seasons from 2006-2008, the 25 year-old reliever struggled in 2009. He'd be a wonderful addition to the bullpen if the Yankees can straighten out his issues.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees have also shown interest in starting pitcher Ben Sheets. I've already stated why Sheets should be the Yankees primary target going forward, and this seems to be a pretty good sign. Hopefully they can sign the right-hander soon, but he's in no rush to sign, according to Rosenthal.

Yankees Notes: Hoffman, Gardner Sheets, Damon

2009-12-11T00:04:00.005-05:00

The Yankees took Dodgers outfielder Jamie Hoffman with the first round pick in the Rule V Draft. The 25 year-old Hoffman will likely compete for a bench role in spring training, but the Yankees can now trade Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner, should the opportunity arise. Hoffman posted a .291/.390/.466 line in 97 games split between Double and Triple-A last season, and hit .182 with a home run in 14 major league games with the Dodgers. Hoffman is a strong defender with the ability to play all three outfield positions. The former NHL-draftee has some power, a decent eye and solid baserunning skills.

Both the Royals and White Sox have asked the Yankees about outfielder Brett Gardner. I'm not sure what the team could get in return for the speedy center fielder, but with the addition of Hoffman, I'd prefer to trade Melky Cabrera. That way the Yankees will have a versatile player in Hoffman and terrific pinch-runner in Gardner.

According to Marc Craig of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Yankees have spoken with the representatives for pitcher Ben Sheets. I wrote yesterday that Sheets is the best option for the Yankees because of his high ceiling and possibly willingness to take a short-term deal. Let's hope the Yankees take a hard look at the right-hander.

ESPN is reporting that the Yankees are working on a deal to resign outfielder Johnny Damon. Damon is one of the better options on the market, and the Yankees have some leverage in negotiations thanks to the Curtis Granderson acquisition. Adding Damon on a short-term contract would be ideal for the Yankees.

The Next Moves...

2009-12-09T20:52:00.007-05:00

Now that the Yankees have Curtis Granderson and Andy Pettitte in the fold, the Yankees have made serious headway in sculpting the 2010 roster. Here is what I think the team should do, going forward:

1. Sign Ben Sheets
There are plenty of starting pitchers to chose from this winter, but Ben Sheets should be the Yankees top priority. Roy Halladay would obviously be a great addition to the rotation, but the Blue Jays demands are very high. John Lackey will also be expensive and his declining strikeout rate and elbow issues worry me. Joel Pineiro and Jason Marquis are better suited for the National League. That leaves Ben Sheets as the best option, now that Randy Wolf and Rich Harden have been signed.

Sheets has the highest ceiling of the free agent class, and possibly the best stuff. Yes, his durability should be a cause for concern, but the Yankees won't ride him like an ace and there will be no pressure to go deep into games. Throw in the fact that he is a year removed from elbow surgery and has spent the past few months rehabbing his pitching arm, and you have a low risk/high reward pitcher. Especially if he can be had for an incentive-laden contract with a low base salary.

2. Sign Matt Holliday
Holliday is the bigger name player, and should probably be listed first, but I think the rotation is more important than another bat. Johnny Damon and Mike Cameron are both good options to plug into left field, but Holliday is a truly special player who may want to be a Yankee. He'll add even more right-handed power to the lineup and is a definite upgrade over Damon's defense. Minus the speed, he's an upgrade on the offensive side of things too. If the Yankees can get Holliday on a four or five year deal, they should do so. He'd be a perfect fit behind Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson in the batting order.

Update (12:51 pm): The more I think about it, the more Johnny Damon makes more sense for the Yankees. I'll have to put a bit more thought into it, but adding Damon on a cheap two year contract would certainly help roster and payroll flexibility down the line.

3. Draft Chad Tracy
For a team like the Yankees, the Rule V draft is usually a good time to pick up a bench player or relief pitcher to try out in spring training. Most of the time, they'll get sent back, but in this case, the Yankees could benefit from having the first-round pick in the draft. They should take Chad Tracy with that pick. The 23 year-old catcher hit .279 with 26 home runs for Double-A Frisco last season and has the ability to play first base and left field. He'd make a fine third string catcher, pinch hitter and defensive replacement.

Hot Stove Notes: Holliday, Chapman, Gardner

2009-12-09T20:43:00.002-05:00

The Yankees are very interested in outfielder Matt Holliday, according to Yahoo! Sports' Steve Henson. He adds that Johnny Damon is the fallback option should the Bombers not secure Holliday's services. I'm not sure what kind of money the former-Rockie is asking for, but we do know that his father wants him to play for the Yankees.

It was reported yesterday that the Yankees would not invest more than $15 million on Cuban pitching phenom Aroldis Chapman, and now Ken Davidoff is reporting that the Yanks do not even consider him an option for the 2010 rotation. He'd be a nice pickup if the price is right. The Yankees will watch his upcoming workout session, along with the Red Sox.

According to Jayson Stark, the Royals checked on the availability of outfielder Brett Gardner after the Curtis Granderson trade. Now that there are three center fielders on the roster, one of them is going to have to leave. My money, is unfortunately on Gardner.

The Newest Yankee

2009-12-09T17:46:00.004-05:00

The three-way blockbuster trade that brought Curtis Granderson to the Yankees has been made official, per Chad Jennings. Brian Cashman told reporters that he started discussing the trade before Thanksgiving, and things intensified when the Diamondbacks showed interest in Edwin Jackson. According to Cashman, Detroit had no interest in low-level prospects, they wanted major league ready talent, and they certainly received three players with the potential to spend the 2010 season the Tigers' 25-man roster. Cashman acknowledged how difficult it was to give up Jackson, but he is very happy with the return. He also said that Johnny Damon and (or) Hideki Matsui are still possibilities. With the White Sox and Angels interested in Matsui, I think Damon has the better chance of coming back.

(photo credit/mlb.com)

Hot Stove Notes: Halladay, Lackey, Johnson

2009-12-09T15:24:00.003-05:00

According to Jon Heyman, the Blue Jays want uber-prospect Jesus Montero and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain and possibly an additional prospect in return for pitcher Roy Halladay. That's an extremely steep price, especially considering the Yankees just gave up Austin Jackson yesterday. This type of posturing happened two years ago when the Twins put Johan Santana on the block. If Toronto moves Halladay, there is no way they'd get a package with the talent of Hughes, Montero and another prospect. If I had to place a bet, I think it'll cost the Yankees Chamberlain, Austin Romine, Melky Cabrera and Zach McAllister. But then again, I don't see the Yankees getting the lefty. I also did not see them getting Granderson, so I'm pretty good at making predictions.

Meanwhile, Brian Cashman has scheduled a meeting with John Lackey's agent. I'm not a huge fan of Lackey because of his personality and injury concern, but he is the best free agent pitcher on the market right now. He'd slide into the rotation nicely between Burnett and Pettitte.

Jayson Stark is reporting that the Yankees are one of several teams interested in first baseman Nick Johnson. I guess they'd like to bring him in to serve as the designated hitter, and he'd fit pretty well there. Especially if he contract demands were not too high.

Winter Meeting Roundup: Day 3

2009-12-09T13:41:00.004-05:00

Now that the Yankees have bolstered their rotation and outfield, they only need to add another starter and a corner outfielder to cap the offseason. I'd personally like to see Rich Harden or Ben Sheets and Johnny Damon return on a one-year deal. Throw in a DH that can play the infield (Hank Blalock, Russel Branyan, Chad Tracy) and the Yanks should have another strong team going into 2010.

The Yankees, along with several other teams, have inquired on pitcher Joel Pineiro. Under the tutelage of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, Pineiro had a career year in 2009, going 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA in 214 innings.

According to Jon Morosi of FoxSports, Rich Harden may be willing to sign an incentive-laden one-year deal. Harden has always been an injury concern, but the Yankees really need to take a long look at the 27 year-old pitcher.

The Yankees are shopping their first-round Rule V Draft pick, according to Jayson Stark. I've heard that the crop is pretty thin this year, but Steve Henson thinks they'll take Arquimedes Caminero. He has an awesome name, so I'd be fine with that move, but they could be better off drafting a guy like Matt McBride who would add depth to the bench and could serve as a third catcher.

Despite dealing one of their best chips in the Granderson trade, the Yankees are still very much in the hunt for Roy Halladay, according to Joel Sherman. Sherman also thinks that Cashman will approach this situation like he did with the Mark Teixeira signing. As long as the Yankees don't give up Joba Chamberlain or Jesus Montero, I'm fine with trading for Halladay. The club would be foolish to trade their three best young players in the same offseason.

Ken Rosenthal confirms that the Yankees are still suitors for outfielder Mike Cameron, but the club is also interested in Marlon Byrd. I assume both players are backup options for left field should Damon reject the Yankees' offer.

Yanks ink Pettitte to $11.75 million deal

2009-12-09T13:24:00.006-05:00

On the heels of the Curtis Granderson trade, the Yankees resigned left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte to a one-year, $11.75 million contract today. Of course, that's a steep price for a 37 year-old pitcher, but Pettitte fits well into the middle or back-end of the rotation and is a great clubhouse guy. Plus, he's been a very dependable starter since rejoining the Yankees so this works out quite well on both ends.

Update: Joel Sherman is now reporting that the deal is official. Now the Yankees just need to sign Rich Harden and the 2010 rotation should be ready to roll.

Evaluating the Granderson trade

2009-12-09T12:53:00.009-05:00

Well, I was wrong. The Tigers lowered their asking price, and the Yankees actually traded for outfielder Curtis Granderson yesterday in the biggest Bomber trade since the acquisition of Randy Johnson.

The Trade:

To the Yankees: Curtis Granderson
To the Diamondbacks: Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy
To the Tigers: Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Max Scherzer , Daniel Schlereth

The Good:
The Yankees have an established, polished, inexpensive All-Star outfielder for the next four seasons. Granderson can hit anywhere in the batting order, has a great personality and is another athletic, energetic and charismatic player on the Yankee roster. He'll be an instant fan favorite. He'll patrol the outfield for the prime of his career and could put up big power numbers at Yankee stadium. The deal also gives the Yankees leverage against Johnny Damon and Hidkei Matsui, who will lose a bit of money thanks to the acquisition.

The Bad:
The Yankees essentially got Granderson for Austin Jackson. Phil Coke was merely a throw-in, and is easily replaceable. It would have been nice to have Kennedy as rotation depth, but it's not hard to find a replacement starting pitcher for the back-end of the rotation. It hurts to lose Jackson, but there are two ways of looking at this. You have to give up talent to get talent, and in this case

While Granderson is a terrific player, his career batting average against left-handed pitchers and in the clutch is a cause for concern. So is the fact that he strikes out 150 times for season. He makes up for a lot of his offensive shortcomings with great range and a strong arm in the outfield, but you have to hope he'll learn to take more pitches in New York.

The Winner(s):
On paper, the Yankees and Tigers won this trade, but Edwin Jackson could end up as the 2010 NL Cy Young. I've seen stranger things happen. That said, the Tigers got a boat load of inexpensive talent: a possible future All-Star outfielder in Jackson, and adding Scherzer to the staff gives Detroit one of the best young rotations in baseball. Coke will slide into the Tiger bullpen, and Schlereth could join him by the end of the year.

The Yankees also did really well here. I would have preferred to keep Jackson, but he was the only real piece lost in the trade, and the team got a toolsy, dependable player in return.

(photo credit/AP)

Yanks, Tigers, D-Backs Working on Blockbuster Trade

2009-12-08T13:21:00.005-05:00

A rumored three-way trade between the Diamondbacks, Tigers and Yankees surfaced last night and picked up steam this afternoon. According to multiple sources, the deal is very close and could be completed within the hour. The initial trade had Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy going to Arizona, Curtis Granderson and a prospect heading to the Yankees and the Tigers getting Austin Jackson, Phil Coke, Mike Dun and Max Scherzer. Terrific deal for the Tigers, solid deal for the Yankees and the D-Backs look like losers here.

Either way, it appears that Detroit and Arizona have signed off on the deal and are waiting on the Yankees. Supposedly, Mike Dunn or Phil Coke will be left out of the deal, which makes it somewhat more tolerable. Especially if they can land a prospect from Arizona and can get their hands on a decent player in the Rule V Draft later this week.

I can't say I'm a huge fan of the deal, mainly because the Yankees will lose Austin Jackson. I suppose you have to give up talent to get talent, but I rather the Yankees package Jackson in a trade for Toronto's Roy Halladay than an outfielder who barely hit .250 last season. Granderson is a tremendous player on both sides of the field, but the Yankees may be sacrificing a lot in moving Jackson. Only time will tell, but as of now it appears as if this deal is going down.

Now, if the team signs Matt Holliday, Rich Harden and Andy Pettitte to compliment the trade, I won't complain.

Winter Meeting Recap: Pitchers, Damon, Cervelli

2009-12-07T22:21:00.004-05:00

Pitching will obviously be a top priority for the Yankees this offseason, and we already know that there is interest in Andy Pettitte and Roy Halladay, but the team has been connected to several other pitchers as well.

They'd bid on Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman, but will draw the line at $15 million. They've checked in on Kelvim Escobar, and have shown interest in John Lackey, Rich Harden, Joel Pineiro, Randy Wolf and Jason Marquis. I like the aggressive approach Brian Cashman is taking with the pitching market, but out of that list I'd only be comfortable with Rich Harden or Randy Wolf. I'd give Brett Myers or Jon Garland a shot if they were willing to take one-year contracts, especially if Chien-Ming Wang returns. That being said, Harden and Lackey are the best picks.

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Yanks will likely offer outfielder Johnny Damon a two-year, $20 million contract. If they can't sign Damon, Heyman thinks they'll go after a pitcher like Wolf or Pineiro and an outfielder like Jermaine Dye or Mike Cameron.

Brian Cashman told reporters that the club would probably not bring in a new backup catcher, so the job is likely Frankie Cervelli's going forward. I'm a big fan of Cervelli's energetic style of play, and he's certainly an inexpensive option. He's certainly an offensive upgrade over Jose Molina.

Winter Meeting Recap: Bruney, Granderson, DeRosa, Pettitte

2009-12-07T21:23:00.006-05:00

I assumed the Yankees would remain quiet during this year's edition of the Winter Meetings, but they actually had a busy day. Surprisingly, they've been connected to several players and could end up making a few more transactions in the coming days. I'll try to update as much as possible, but I don't have the time to do 24/7 coverage this year. Fortunately there is Chad Jennings and MLB Trade Rumors for that.

The Yanks sent pitcher Brian Bruney to the Washington Nationals for a PTBNL, which ended up being a Rule V Draft pick. The Yankees could end up getting a decent bench player, so the deal won't end up as a total wash. With Mark Melancon nearly ready for the majors, Bruney had no real place in the New York pen. Especially with the emergence of David Robertson. I actually have a source with the Nats, so I'll be sure to update you on how he likes pitching for Washington. He's already campaigning for the closer job, and he cuts down on the walks he'd probably do fine in that role.

A Curtis Granderson/Edwin Jackson to the Yankees rumor picked up some serious steam today, but it was pretty much unfounded. This kind of stuff happens all the time in the off season, and I think the Tigers will go into the 2010 season with Granderson in center field, mainly because their asking price is astronomically high. Still, the Yankees remain interested in the outfielder but they would probably prefer to trade Phil Hughes and Austin Jackson for Roy Halladay, not guy who strikes out 150 times a year and can't hit lefties.

The agents for Mark DeRosa have supposedly met with the Yankees, but I can't see how the infielder would fit with the team. The New Jersey native would make a tremendous utility player, but based on the previous two seasons, I can't see him accepting a backup role.

Lastly, there have been conflicting reports regarding Andy Pettitte, but the consensus is that the Yankees have made him their first target of the offseason. Early reports suggested that Pettitte turned down the Yankees' initial offer but it was later revealed that an offer had not yet been made. Buster Olney, Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman are all reporting that the Yankees will offer the lefty a one-year deal worth more than $10 million.

Hot Stove Roundup: 11/12/2009

2009-11-12T22:05:00.003-05:00

Time for another serving from the hot stove. There are plenty of rumors that connect the Yanks to superstar players, but its way to early in the off-season for anyone to honestly know what plans the Yankees have made. Regardless, let's take a look at what the papers are saying:

According to reports, the Blue Jays will attempt to trade pitcher Roy Halladay this winter, and the right-hander supposedly wants out of Toronto. Jon Heyman is also reporting that the Yankees will kick the tires on the 32 year-old pitcher. I can't see the Blue Jays dealing one of the best pitchers in the game to a division rival, but both the Yankees and Red Sox have plenty of players that could interest Toronto. Heyman also notes that the Yankees will look at free agent John Lackey as well.

The Yankees may have some trouble resigning Johnny Damon, according to Joel Sherman. Damon's agent, Scott Boras is reportedly seeking a long contract for his client and compared the outfielder to Derek Jeter. I'll admit that Damon really helps boost the Yankee offense, but he's not worth a three or four year commitment. The Giants have already shown interest in the outfielder.

If Damon does sign elsewhere, the Yankees may look to replace him through trade, and the now-available Curtis Granderson could be a primary target for the Bombers. Granderson posted a posted a .780 OPS last season while playing a very solid center field. He'd be a tremendous upgrade over Melky Cabrera, but that would still leave a void in left field. Xavier Nady on a discount, anyone? It would not be the best offensive outfield, but with Cabrera and Gardner filling in, Nady would make sense until Austin Jackson is ready. That is, unless the Yankees give him up to get Granderson. Ken Rosenthal thinks Chone Figgins or Mike Cameron could make sense for the Yankees. I'd prefer Cameron because of his willingness to take a short contract.

If the Yankees do not resign Hideki Matsui, you can expect the Angels, Orioles and White Sox and Rays to be interested. For some reason, the Mariners are not are not a likely destination. Unless the Yankees get desperate for a bat, I can't see the World Series MVP returning to the club.

Infielder Mark DeRosa is reportedly a target of the Yankees. Several clubs are interested in the utility player's services, and I can't really see how he'd fit into the Yankees plans. Either way, the New Jersey native would likely be a fan favorite at Yankees Stadium. Unless they want him for left field, there is no real fit here. They Yankees could sign three bench players for the price of one DeRosa.

Heating The Stove

2009-11-10T23:58:00.004-05:00

Now that the Yankees have been crowned World Series champs, the hot stove season can begin. The 2009 General Manager meetings are currently taking place in Chicago, and the rumor mill has been ripe with information on what the Yankees plan on doing this winter:

Pitcher John Lackey is supposedly on the Yankees radar, although GM Brian Cashman has already denied any interest. Analysts are speculating that the Yankees will try to offer the right-hander a contract similar to the one they offered A.J. Burnett last year. The 30 year-old Lackey went 11-8 with a 3.83 ERA last season, but missed the first month of the season with an injury. If the Yankees could bring in Lackey on a three or four year deal, he'd certainly make the rotation even stronger.

The Yankees will try to retain Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Andy Pettitte, although Pettitte is their primary target and Damon's agent has stated that the outfielder will not accept a hometown discount to return to New York. There have not been many rumors connecting Matt Holliday to the Yankees yet, but one has to assume he'll be the priciest player on the market. If Damon and Matsui don't return, I expect the Yankees to go after Type B players like Mike Cameron or Marcus Thames, Rick Ankiel, but Damon is really the best fit for the Yankees right now.

Chad Gaudin and Sergio Mitre will also be top priorities for the Yankees, who like the versatility both pitchers have to offer. They may not exercise the $1.25 MM option on Mitre, but they intend to bring him back. The same goes for Gaudin, and also Chien-Ming Wang. The team appears to be stockpiling pitchers, which is always a solid plan.

World Champs!

2009-11-05T00:03:00.005-05:00

The Yankees captured their 27th World Series title in a 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. It's been a long time since the last championship season, but after a nine year wait, the Yankees are again the best team in baseball. It took a mixture of seasoned veterans, pricey guns-for-hire and a talented group of rising stars to secure the title, but the Yankees finally did it. Congratulations to the 2009 World Series Champs and congratulations to Hideki Matsui, World Series MVP.

Aroldis Chapman present at Game 6 victory

2009-10-27T21:39:00.002-04:00

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees invited highly touted Cuban pitching prospect Aroldis Chapman to watch Game 6 of the ALCS at Yankee stadium, and the 21* year-old lefty was in attendance to watch the Yankees clinch the American League Pennant. Seems like a pretty good negotiation tactic to me.

The invitation is a not-do-subtle way of gaining an advantage in talks for the talented left-handed pitcher. Word is that Chapman is seeking a deal worth $40-60 million, and the Yankees and Red Sox could be gearing up for a battle. (source)

Heyman went on to list the Cubs, Blue Jays, Rangers, Mets, Orioles and White Sox as teams interested in Chapman. The Tigers are also supposedly interested. $40 million is quite a bit of money for an unproven player, but the pitching market is quite thin this winter and the Yankees may decide to use Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen going forward. If they do, they may want to get their hands more young pitching talent. This should be one of the more exciting stories of the winter.

2009 World Series Preview: Yankees vs. Phillies

2009-10-27T16:41:00.018-04:00

The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies will kick off game one of the 2009 World Series tomorrow night in the Bronx. Except for Jimmy Rollins, many are predicting a long series, mainly because both teams are pretty evenly matched. In the end, I'll give the edge to the Yankees because of their superior bullpen and slightly better offense - but the 2003 Yankees were supposed to trounce the Marlins, and look what happened. Anyone can win this series, and its sure to be a good one.

Offense:
The Yankee and Philly offenses are pretty evenly matched, but the Yanks are a bit more threatening with the bats. The team hit for a better average and notched 20 more home runs than the Phils, but some of the Bronx bats have been cold lately; while the Phillies have hit extremely well in the postseason. Playoff performances aside, I'd still give the edge to the Yankees thanks to Alex Rodriguez and the fact that the New York will likely have a better DH than Philadelphia. If the Yankee bats don't heat up, the Phils will win the series.
Edge: Yankees
Difference Makers: Hideki Matsui, Ben Francisco.

Defense:
Mark Teixeira has saved many runs with his superb glove work at first base, but the entire Philly infield is much better defensively than what the Yankees have to offer. Jimmy Rollins, Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz are all better defenders than their Yankee counterparts, but the Yanks have a better defensive outfield than the Phils. Melky Cabrera surprisingly posted a better UZR than Shane Victorino, but Johnny Damon is a much weaker defender than Raul Ibanez.
Edge: Phillies
Difference Makers: Chase Utley, Robinson Cano

Bench:
The Phillies have elected to carry pitcher Brett Myers over infielder Miguel Cairo, so their bench will likely consist of catcher Paul Bako, infielders Eric Bruntlett and Greg Dobbs and outfielders Ben Francisco and Matt Stairs. Francisco will likely serve as the designated hitter while playing at Yankee stadium, so that gives the Phils a four-man bench for now. The Yankees announced that they will carry Eric Hinske, and Jerry Hairston, Brett Gardner and Jose Molina will likely join him on the bench. That's a much better bench than what the Phillies have to offer.
Edge: Yankees
Difference Makers: Eric Hinske, Matt Stairs

Starting Pitching:
These two teams are very evenly matched in terms of starting pitchers. Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia are almost even in terms of numbers, and the Yankees and Phillies both have a starter with questionable consistency in A.J. Burnett and Cole Hamels. Pedro Martinez and Andy Pettitte are evenly matched. Some analysts have said that the Yankees offer a deeper rotation, but as of now both teams are even, even with Sabathia being slightly better than Cliff Lee.
Edge: Even
Difference Makers: A.J. Burnett, Cole Hamels

Relief Pitching:
The Yankees have a clear advantage over the Phils in this department. Mariano Rivera, albeit overused in the playoffs, is a much better closer than Brad Lidge. If Phil Hughes can perform better in tight situations and Joe Girardi learns to manage a bullpen, the Yankees will have a serious edge over the Phils in the later innings.
Edge: Yankees
Difference Makers: Chad Durbin, Scott Eyre, Phil Hughes

Prediction: Yankees in six
Series MVP: Alex Rodriguez

Yankee News and Notes: 8-20-09

2009-08-19T10:41:00.006-04:00

Another solid win for CC Sabathia and the Yankees last night. The Big Ace has been excellent this month, going 4-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 6.2 K/BB ratio in 30.2 innings. With the pitching staff throwing as well as it has, the Yankees have a great shot to dominate in the post season. Let's hope they keep up the good play and Gaudin throws a good game.

Anyway, there is lots going on in Yankeeland:

The Yankees signed their top two draft picks this week, giving outfielder Zach "Slade" Heathcott a $2.2 million contract and catcher JR Murphy a $1.25 million deal. The Yankees signed 27 of their 50 draft picks, and nine of their first 10. I don't know much about Heathcott, other than the fact that he is a very competitive and toolsy outfielder. I did get a chance to speak with Murphy after the draft, and it sounds like he's a professional hitter who needs time to adjust to catching duties. Either way, the Yankees added some talented players to the farm system this year. Both Murphy and Heathcott will likely play in the Florida GCL.

Ian Kennedy will likely pitch in the Instructional League next month, which will mark the pitcher's first appearance since his surgery on May 12. Kennedy is doubtful that he'll return for a minor-league outing this year, but he has been throwing fastballs and changeups during bullpen sessions.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees asked the Reds about the availability of pitchers Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo. The Reds refused to include money in a deal, so the Yankees backed off. Rosenthal does not think the club will trade for a pitcher prior to the Sept. 1 roster expansion deadline. I think Harang would be a great addition to the bottom of the rotation. Especially with Joba likely heading to the pen in September.

The Yankees won't be able to count on Russ Ortiz for September innings anymore. The right-hander exercised his right to become a free agent after going 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. The Yankees had asked him to stay, but because they were unable to find a spot for him on the major league roster, Ortiz opted out of his contract.

Designated Hitter Hideki Matsui appears to have made a full recovery after getting fluid drained from his left knee on Sundday. Matsui made his first appearance in the lineup last night, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Brett Gardner will wear a splint on his broken thumb for another week, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. He probably won't be cleared to play until after Sept. 1, but he'll return to the major league roster in time to make a difference down the stretch. I wonder how much playing time he'll get now that Melky has blossomed into a productive player.

Damaso Marte has missed the majority of the 2009 season, and has helped make the Xavier Nady/Jose Tabata trade look quite foolish on the Yankees part. He may be ready to rejoin the team on Friday, but I would not trust him against the Bosox. I'd be much more comfortable with Zach Kroenke, who has completely dominated the International League.

Yankees promote Pena

2009-08-07T17:51:00.004-04:00

Peter Abraham is reporting that the Yankees have recalled infielder Ramiro Pena and sent pitcher Anthony Claggett to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Pena was demoted in early July in order to gain some outfield experience in Scranton. He hit .250 with two home runs and seven RBI in 33 games for the Triple-A Yankees. He'll join infielder Jerry Hairston, outfielder Eric Hinske and catcher Jose Molina on one of the better benches in recent Yankee history. That will definitely come in handy against the Bosox tonight.

A's cut Giambi, Twins acquire Pavano

2009-08-07T17:34:00.002-04:00

A couple of minor moves resulted in former Yankees buying plane tickets today. The Oakland A's released Jason Giambi, who has yet to be activated from the disabled list after his latest injury. Due to the injuries, the 38 year-old slugger has struggled at the plate. I'm sure he'll find a job somewhere, but it might not be at the major league level.

In other news, the Indians traded Carl Pavano to the Twins. I still can't believe that the Rajah of Rehab has recorded more than 100 innings this season.

Yanks acquire Chad Gaudin

2009-08-06T23:25:00.003-04:00

Michael Kay first reported during tonight's game that the Yankees acquired pitcher Chad Gaudin from the Padres, but Bryan Hoch confirmed it via Twitter, noting that PTBNL will be sent to the Padres to complete the deal. Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger is reporting that the right-hander will work out of the bullpen before getting a shot at the rotation, but you can figure that Sergio Mitre will have a pretty short leash going forward. Gaudin went 4-10 for the Padres, notching a 5.13 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 105 innings.

Yankees DFA Ransom, promote Claggett and sign Russ Ortiz

2009-08-05T19:25:00.004-04:00

Brian Cashman had a busy day, designating infielder Cody Ransom for assignment and calling up pitcher Anthony Claggett to take his spot. You'll remember Claggett from his first big league stint when he gave up eight runs off nine hits in only one and two-thirds innings. The Yankees likely promoted him as insurance for Sergio Mitre's start tonight. Joe Girardi backs up that claim:

"We just wanted to make sure that we were protected pitching-wise," manager Joe Girardi said."We wanted to make sure that we had depth in our bullpen.

"We know that this could be a tough series with teams that really like to work pitchers. We wanted to make sure that we don't wear anyone out."(source)

It seems like Claggett will be back in Scranton tomorrow night and Ramrio Pena will return to New York as a Jerry Hairston-like utility man that can play the middle infield and outfield. He's a much better bench player than Cody Ransom, so I have no problem with that move.

Claggett will join the newly signed Russ Ortiz in Triple-A. The Yankees signed the former D-Back, who was released by the Astros last week, to a minor league contract to add rotation depth. If Mitre falters tonight, you can bet Ortiz gets a shot. He went 3-6 with a 5.57 ERA in 23 games for the Astros this year.

(Photo Credit: James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle)

Indians DFA Jose Veras

2009-08-04T22:46:00.004-04:00

The Indians designated former Yankee reliever Jose Veras for assignment earlier tonight to make room for Jess Todd. Veras posted a 7.62 ERA in 13 innings for the Tribe. If he goes unclaimed, maybe the Yankees will take another look at him. He does have a terrific arm, he just needs to recapture the control that helped him to a successful season last year.

Cashman was aggressive at deadline

2009-08-03T22:01:00.003-04:00

Yankee fans seemed upset when Brian Cashman failed to acquire an arm prior to the trade deadline, but according to Ken Rosenthal, the Yankee GM tried very hard to add a pitcher:

Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Rosenthal that he was "very aggressive" going after pitching help, whether it be high-end starters, low-end starters, or relievers. "I was on all of it," Cashman said. (source)

Cashman also told Rosenthal that he targeted Jarrod Washburn, but the Mariners asked for Austin Jackson in return. Smart move. The Yankees also showed interest in Felix Hernandez, but they'll probably have to wait until he reaches free agency to add him to the roster.

Cashman also targeted Padres' closer Heath Bell with the intention of using him as a setup man and shifting Phil Hughes or Alfredo Aceves to the rotation. The Yankees were also connected to Bronson Arroyo and Brian Bannister.

Although I would have liked to see Washburn in the Yankee rotation, I'm glad Cashman refused to deal Jackson for a rental pitcher. The lefty would have certainly helped strengthen the pitching staff, but Jackson has the chance to be a legitimate star in the future. Fans were upset when Cashman passed on Johan Santana, but now we have CC Sabathia. Building a championship club takes time and patience. Sometimes it takes a while to move all of the pieces into the right order.

Now that the trade deadline has passed, the Yankees will have a slightly more difficult time adding a starter, but according to Marc Craig of the Star-Ledger, they are still in the market for a pitcher. My money is on Brian Bannister.

Could Josh Towers or Jason Hirsh make a difference?

2009-08-03T21:35:00.005-04:00

Sergio Mitre has yet to record a quality outing for the Yankees in his first three starts, and based on his numbers, the trend will likely continue. Once Joba Chamberlain is moved to the bullpen, the team will need another quality pitcher to eat innings. With Chien Ming-Wang out for the season and Alfredo Aceves struggling, Phil Hughes could serve as a solution, but shifting him to the rotation will significantly weaken the pen.

The Yankees need to find lightning in a bottle and form a strong rotation to make a run at the playoffs, and the best way to do that is to test out a few arms. Right now, Josh Towers is one of the better pitchers on the Triple-A Scranton staff with a 3.42 ERA and a 2.6 K/BB ratio. He's been very effective in his last five starts, notching a 2.40 ERA . Towers has not been a quality major league pitcher since 2005, but he could strengthen the Yankee rotation until a better option comes along. He'll probably have to reconcile with Tony Pena before getting a crack at the rotation, however.

Yankees acquire Eric Hinske

2009-06-30T19:41:00.004-04:00

The Yankees acquired infielder/outfielder Eric Hinske from the Pirates earlier today, giving up two minor league pitchers in the process. The 31 year-old hit .255 in 54 games, seeing time at first, third and right field. Ramiro Pena was demoted to make room for Hinske on the 25-man roster. Hinske will likely add versatility and some left-handed power to the bench. The Yankees traded pitcher Casey Erickson and outfielder Eric Fryer in the deal.

Unconfirmed list of 2003 PED users

2009-06-30T18:57:00.003-04:00

Rotoinfo.com has posted an unconfirmed list of 103 steroid users that failed a PED test during the 2003 season. I'm not sure how accurate the list is, or how they got it, but many of the names make sense:

1.Nomar Garciaparra
2.Manny Ramirez
3.Johnny Damon
4.Trot Nixon
5.David Ortiz
6.Shea Hillenbrand
7.Derek Lowe
8.Pedro Martinez
9.Brian Roberts
10.Jay Gibbons
11.Melvin Mora
12.Jerry Hairston
13.Jason Giambi
14.Alfonso Soriano
15.Raul Mondesi
16. Aaron Boone
17.Andy Pettitte
18.Jose Contreras
19.Roger Clemens
20.Carlos Delgado
21.Vernon Wells
22.Frank Catalanotto
23.Kenny Rogers
24.Magglio Ordonez
25.Sandy Alomar

Read the rest of the list here. Odds are, this is completely fabricated and many of the names listed are based purely on speculation. That being said, more than half of the names make sense. It'll be interesting to see if this story gets picked up.

Yanks looking at Huston Street

2009-06-28T18:30:00.004-04:00

With only a month until the trade deadline, expect to hear plenty of rumors. According to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger, the Yankees have expressed interest in Colorado reliever Huston Street.

A major league source, who requested anonymity because he isn't authorized to comment on other teams, told me that the Yankees' reported interest in Street was serious.
The source said that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman approached the Rockies about a deal as early as the middle of May, as the Yankees' bullpen struggled. Meanwhile, the source said the Rockies had already begun combing through the Yankees' minor league system, mining for possible trade targets. (source)

The Rockies went 20-7 after manager Clint Hurdle was axed, and are currently unsure about where they stand in the market, but if they make Street available the Yankees will certainly explore a trade. In my opinion, they'd be better off looking for a more affordable option, but Street would be a great fit for the long term. Especially if he reverted back to his 2007 form.

There are plenty of other options, and if the Yankees are going to upgrade any part of their club, it'll be the bullpen. They could look into guys like Rafael Betancourt, Chad Qualls, Chris Sampson, Octavio Dotel, Kiko Calero or Kevin Gregg.

Yanks DFA Veras

2009-06-17T08:03:00.005-04:00

In order to activate Brian Bruney, the Yankees designated Jose Veras for assignment yesterday. Veras posted a 5.96 ERA and held opponents to a .235 AVG in 25.2 innings this season. Veras is out of options, so if he goes unclaimed for 10 days, he'll will likely rejoin Triple-A Scranton. The Yankees will need Bruney to stay healthy, but I can still see them dealing for a reliever sometime before the trade deadline.

In other news, I got a chance to speak with J.R. Murphy last week after the draft. It sounds like the Yankees will use him as a catcher. Murphy thinks that he'll develop into a Pudge Rodriguez-type player in a few years. In other words, an energetic catcher with a strong arm and gap power. It's usually difficult to project minor league players when they are this young, but he should develop into a solid player in the future.

Yankees take Murphy in second round

2009-06-10T00:09:00.004-04:00

The Yankees drafted catcher/outfielder John "JR" Murphy out of Florida's Pendleton High with their second-round pick. Murphy is a recently converted catcher, and I could see the Yankees shifting him to another position in the future depending on how his bat develops. Fortunately, he was one of the better offensive prospects in Florida this past season, hitting .627 with 11 homers in 102 at-bats, only striking out four times.

According to the New York Post: Scouts grade his hit tool ahead of his power, though he's expected to produce average power with wood. He's also athletic, having made a shift from outfield (and occasionally third base) to catcher. He's shown he's more than capable of handling catcher, showing plus arm strength, solid receiving ability and a quick transfer.

Murphy has already committed to the University of Miami, but the Yankees could still sign him. At some point in the next day or two, I'll talk with him in order to do an article for Pinstripes Plus.

Murphy is already a polished hitter with power potential, so you should probably look into doing some sports betting on this guy in the near future.

(photo from IMG Baseball Acadamy Blog)

Yankees take Heathcott in first round

2009-06-09T23:56:00.002-04:00

The Yankees drafted outfielder Slade Heathcott out of Texas High School with their first round pick in the 2009 amateur draft. Heathcott, one of the top high school talents in the draft, is projected to be future a five-tool player in the mold of Grady Sizemore. Here's what Baseball America has to say about Slade:

Heathcott is an enigma for scouts. He's a legitimate second-round talent as both an outfielder and a lefthanded pitcher, but he has DHed for most of the spring. He was out until mid-March recovering from November surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, then jammed his throwing shoulder diving for a fly ball in his second game back.

When healthy, he's an athletic outfielder with five-tool potential. He swings a quick bat from the left side and has strength and power in his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame. He earns plus grades for his hitting and his speed, and he has good range and above-average arm strength in the outfield.

Heathcott was selected for the Aflac All-American Game last summer as a pitcher, and some clubs like him more as a lefty with an 88-92 mph fastball that touches 94 and a promising curveball. There's effort in his delivery because he approaches pitching like he does everything else: full speed ahead. Heathcott hasn't pitched this spring because of the shoulder injury, however. His makeup also is a concern for several clubs, so it's uncertain where he'll fit in the draft. He's committed to Louisiana State. (source)

The Yankees made a smart pick here, and also made it obvious that their goal was to focus on position players with signability in mind. Heathcott will likely sign for under $3 million, which will give the Yankees more money to play with in the later rounds of the draft.

I could see Heathcott as a corner outfielder with power and speed potential in the future. As a left-handed hitter, he's suited to the dimensions of Yankee stadium. If he develops properly and stays healthy, he could end up being a very valuable player. He has tools across the board, so lets hope he can keep non-baseball issues in check.

Bruney throws 20 pitches without pain

2009-06-06T10:49:00.003-04:00

Good news for a Yankee pen that needs another dependable pitcher: Brian Bruney reported no pain after throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session before the game last night:

"I threw 20 pitches, all fastballs," said Bruney, who is on the disabled list for the second time this season with a flexor tendon problem. "I didn't feel anything, I hope that's a good sign."
Bruney does not know when he will rejoin a bullpen missing an eighth-inning arm, his job before he got hurt, but hopes it's not more than a week and a half. Bruney doesn't want to set a specific date.(source)

Bruney is not entirely sure when he'll be able to return to the roster, but this news is certainly encouraging enough to suggest that he'll be back in a few weeks. Yankee relievers has been throwing better of late, but they will still need a few more efficient arms before matching the strong Bosox bullpen. I wonder if the Yankees will explore using George Kontos in a relief role if Jose Veras continues to struggle. Kontos has a gone 4-3 with a 2.60 ERA and 2.3 K/BB ratio in 55 innings split between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton.

Pinstripes, Pa. is back in action

2009-06-06T10:44:00.004-04:00

After a tumultuous month of sickness, graduation and tons of work (some baseball related, some not), I am finally healthy, graduated and free of most obligations. That means the blog will enjoy regular content again. Thanks to those of you who sent e-mails about what was going on, I appreciate the support. I'll be covering some of the draft for Pinstripes Plus next week, so expect a few tidbits on some of the picks as well.

Manny Ramirez tests positive for PEDs

2009-05-07T11:52:00.004-04:00

via Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:

Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended 50 games starting today, The Times has learned. The test result and suspension is expected to be announced later today. The Dodgers informed triple-A outfielder Xavier Paul this morning that he was being promoted to Los Angeles.

Normally I would not report on this, but it actually helps the Yankees. With Alex Rodriguez returning tomorrow, this takes a tremendous amount of pressure for him.

Posada to DL, Cervelli promoted

2009-05-05T16:18:00.003-04:00

According to WFAN and the Journal News, Jorge Posada was placed on the disable list with a hamstring injury. The Yankees are saying that Posada will be out for two or three weeks, but Peter Abraham is hearing rumors that he'll be out for 3-5 weeks. Francisco Cervelli was called up from Doulbe-A Trenton to replace the injured Posada. Despite his .190/.266/.310 line this season, Cervelli is actually a pretty decent player with a solid glove and strong arm. He'll be a decent backup, and maybe Kevin Long can improve his swing.

Also, Alfredo Aceves was called up to replace Anthony Claggett prior to last night's game. He allowed two runs and struck out seven in four and one-third innings. That is a pretty impressive outing, considering that it was the first time this year he faced major league talent. I'm glad the Yankees finally have a long-man.

SWB Yankees: April 2009

2009-05-04T00:50:00.004-04:00

After one month of play, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees have an International League leading 19-4 record. They also lead the IL in batting average (.309), runs (170), hits (262), homers (27), doubles (52), RBI (161) and nearly every other offensive category. The pitching staff is also leading the league innings pitched and are second in saves (8) and strikeouts (184). Needless to say, it will likely be another special season for the Scranton Yankees, who are primed to repeat their 2008 success and capture another IL title. Let's take a look at the three best hitters and pitchers after one month of play:

Hitters:
1. Shelley Duncan - .356/.431/.711 with 9 HR and 28 RBI in 90 AB
2. Todd Linden - .361/.434/.608 with 4 HR and 24 RBI in 94 AB
3. Austin Jackson - .389/.464/.486 with 0 HR and 7 SB in 72 AB

Comments: Interestingly, all three of the best Scranton hitters are outfielders. Duncan has put up very impressive numbers this season and has cut down on his strikeout rate. If a big league corner outfielder goes down with a major injury this season, Duncan could get the call. Linden has been an extremely versatile player while juicing the offense. He won't finish the season with a .360 batting average, but he'll be a major part of the offense going forward. Don't be discouraged by Austin Jackson's lack of home runs, the power will come eventually. He's leading the team in batting average and stolen bases while playing excellent defense. In my opinion, he could win a gold glove in the majors one day if he hits enough.

Pitchers:
Ian Kennedy - 1-0/1.59 ERA/25 K/7 BB in 22.2 IP
Alfredo Aceves - 2-0/3.80 ERA/18 K/5 BB in 23.2 IP
Brett Tomko - 1-0/0.75 ERA/15 K/4 BB/3 SV in 12 IP

Comments: Mark Melancon and Phil Hughes were the two best pitchers for Scranton in the first month of play, but now that they are both with the big league club, I'm not going to count them. Going forward, Ian Kennedy and Alfredo Aceves will anchor the rotation, along with George Kontos. Kennedy has looked great in all of his starts and much will depend on how he rebounds from injury, but I think he'll be fine. After two awful starts, Aceves has turned his season around and has put up very impressive numbers in his past two outings. Tomko has been great as the closer and will likely be the most important member of the pen going forward.

Five Players to Watch:
1. George Kontos (RHSP)
2. Austin Jackson (CF)
3. Jose Valdez (RHRP)
4. Kevin Russo (INF)
5. Eric Hacker (RHSP)

Yankee News and Notes: Hacker, Marte, Nady, Kontos, Chacon

2009-05-03T19:18:00.009-04:00

Sorry about the lack of posts lately, I've been doing a lot of work for Pinstripes Plus and just finished a magazine feature on Eric Hacker. With the Scranton Yankees on the road this week, I'll have a bit more time for posts.

I'm not sure if this is typical procedure, but there were at least six scouts on hand at the S/WB Yankees game on Thursday night. Some of them had been there all week. I talked to one of them about Eric Hacker, and he was really impressed by his curveball and demeanor on the mound. He thinks Hacker will end up as a spot-starter or reliever in the big leagues.

Left-hander Damaso Marte was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. He's been replaced in the bullpen by Anthony Claggett, who gave up eight runs in his major league debut. Marte had an MRI on Friday and will visit a doctor tomorrow. Let's hope he can come back soon and turn around his season.

Xavier Nady will undergo a revolutionary surgery that could allow him to return to the Yankees sooner than expected. Nady told the Journal News that doctors will inject platelet-rich plasma directly into the torn ligament in his right elbow. Red Sox reliever Takashi Saito avoided Tommy John surgery by undergoing the same procedure. Getting a healthy Nady back will really help the Yankees, epically if he can play the field.

George Kontos was promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre over the weekend and will join the starting rotation, replacing Joseph Stephens. Kontos has posted a 2.66 ERA in 21 innings for Double-A Trenton. The right-hander boasts a four-seamer that maxes out at 93 MPH, a hard-breaking slider, and an above-average curve. His changeup could be better, but his fastball and breaking pitches are all very impressive. He'll likely stick around for a while with Scranton.

Former Yankee Shawn Chacon recently signed a contract with the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League. He'll join the likes of Jay Gibbons, Pete Rose Jr., Carl Everett, Keith Foulke and Armando Benitez. I had no idea how many former major leaguers were on the Bears' roster. I'll have to go watch a few games this summer.

Also, be sure to check out Die Hard Yankees Fan, a new blog authored by Robert Hansen. He'll post game updates, commentary and plenty of engaging thoughts on the New York Yankees.

Casey Fossum joins Scranton, will start today

2009-05-02T11:39:00.003-04:00

via Chad "The Man" Jennings of the Scranton Times:

Casey Fossum will start Saturday's Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees game. I don't have contract details or a corresponding move, but I know Fossum is the guy.
The 31-year-old lefty opened the season with Triple-A Buffalo, had a 0.82 ERA through two starts and was called up to the New York Mets on April 19. He allowed one run in three outings out of the Mets bullpen before being designated for assignment on Monday. Fossum has pitched in 237 major league games, 120 of them as a starter.

I really thought George Kontos would have gotten called up, but I suppose the Yankees want to add another veteran arm to the Triple-A staff, especially considering that Jason Johnson could be out for a while with a labrum tear. Fossum was one of the four players traded by the Red Sox for Curt Schilling back in 2003.

Could Jackson get the call this year?

2009-04-27T23:55:00.005-04:00

No, I don't mean Steven Jackson, who has been on the 25-man roster for over a week and has yet to pitch. This is bigger. According to ESPN (hat tip to SitH), the Yankees could use uber-prospect Austin Jackson in center field:

A source with knowledge of the Yankees' thinking tells 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand that Austin Jackson could be the Yankees' starting center fielder at some point this summer. Jackson is dominating at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre right now, hitting .354 with a .429 OBP. (source)

Apparently the Yankees are getting frustrated with Gardner's lackluster offensive production and are not sure that Melky Cabrera can continue his hot hitting. Promoting Jackson does make sense. The outfielder is hitting at a .340/.410/.453 clip while playing solid defense. I got a chance to watch him shag fly balls last week, and I assure you that he is a better fielder than both Cabrera and Gardner. He'll improve the offense at the bottom of the order, should Cabrera stop hitting.

Berroa, Melancon on their way to Boston

2009-04-25T12:18:00.005-04:00

Here's some bittersweet news for Yankee fans. Word on the street is that Mark Melancon is on his way to Boston in order to join the bullpen. While this is great news for Melancon, it has to suggest that Brian Bruney may miss a significant amount of time due to injury. Berroa will also join the club, and will likely man third base until Alex Rodriguez returns from the disabled list. This could mean that Humberto Sanchez will be designated for assignment. David Robertson will also join Melancon in the pen.

Ransom, Wang to the DL

2009-04-25T00:55:00.002-04:00

via Peter Abraham, the Yankees have made several roster moves:

Brian Bruney was sent back to NY to get his elbow checked. It was bothering him on Wednesday which is why he didn’t pitch. Then he felt it again today.
Cody Ransom has a strained right quad. There’s a tear to some degree. He’s going on the DL. The Yankees will get an infielder here tomorrow and will need to make a 40-man move to do so.

As for Chien-Ming Wang, the Yankees are claiming he has an issue with his hips that is related to his foot injury and that accounts for his velocity and command issues. Cashman said he would need two weeks of physical therapy but would continue throwing. I would think Wang is gone for a month and once he gets a few minor-league games under his belt, he’ll be back. (source)

David Robertson will join the Yankees tomorrow, but Phil Hughes will likely replace Wang in rotation. Angel Berroa is probably the best candidate to replace the injured Ransom. He's done a tremendous job at short for Scranton and deserves a promotion.

Bruney's elbow is certainly a cause for concern, but hopefully he'll just need some rest. Mark Melancon could easily replace him in the pen, but Bruney has thrown quite well so far. The Yankees need him to be healthy.

Holliday would play in New York

2009-04-22T14:42:00.002-04:00

According to Ken Davidoff, outfielder Matt Holliday is open to playing in New York and will consider both the Mets and Yankees when he reaches free agency after the season. There is a chance that he could be traded by the Athletics, but he'll definitely test the market come November.

"Yeah, I would play here," Matt Holliday told Midweek Insider Tuesday night, before his A's 5-3 loss to the Yankees. "I'd have no problem playing here."

"I just try to focus on what I can do today," he said. "But I have a wife and two kids. I'd like to provide some stability and a location for more than a couple of months here and there." (source)

Holliday is a Scott Boras client, but with Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady likely freeing up the outfield and checkbook afte the season, the Yankees may explore adding an outfiedler. The Yankees and Mets both make sense for Holliday, but it should be noted that his father would prefer the former. Can you imagine an outfield of Nick Swisher, Austin Jackson and Holliday?

Another look at the Nady/Marte trade

2009-04-21T22:35:00.012-04:00

13 games into the season, both the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates have an identical 7-7 record. I'm sure the Yankees will end up with a better overall record than the Bucs, but I think it would probably be a good time to revisit the trade that brought Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Bronx. Most fans felt that the deal favored the Yankees, especially considering that they were able to keep Phil Coke. Let's look at the players involved, and how they've performed thus far:

The Yankees received:

Xavier Nady:
.270/.319/.469/12 HR/42 RBI in 66 games with the Yankees
Originally tabbed as the starting right fielder, Nady never really contributed at the plate before suffering an elbow injury on April 14. Fortunately, the outfielder will be able to return later on this season, but he'll need several weeks of rehab and nothing is definite. He's a free agent after the season.

Damaso Marte:
1-3/7.59 ERA/25 K/11 BB in 21.1 innings for the Yankees
Desperately needing a left-hander in the pen, the Yankees finally traded for Marte, a pitcher they had long admired. After signing him to a three-year, $12 million contract over the winter, most fans assumed Marte would form a strong bridge to Mariano Rivera. He's struggled thus far.

The Yankees gave up:

Ross Ohlendorf:
1-5/4.87 ERA/21 K/15 BB in 40 innings for the Pirates
Ohlendorf never found his stride in the bullpen for the Yankees in 2008, and after some struggles in the Pirate rotation at the end of the season, he's finally seemed to have found a groove. So far this season, the tall right-hander has posted a 3.00 ERA in 18 innings with the Bucs.

Jeff Karstens:
3-6/3.97/27 K/20BB in 61.1 innings for the Pirates
Karstens gave Pirate fans something to cheer about by tossing 15 scoreless innings in his first two starts. He was average for the remainder of the season, but he's talented enough to be a solid bottom of the rotation pitcher for the Pirates. Karstens held the red-hot Marlins to one run over six innings today in his second start of the 2009 season.

Daniel McCutchen:
3-4/ 4.20 ERA/54 K/12BB in 60 IP for the Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
You read that right; 54 strikeouts and 12 walks. The Pirates' "other" McCutchen has always had pinpoint control, but his competitive attitude and aggressive approach make him one of the better pitching prospects in the organization. He could easily break into the Pirate rotation sometime this season.

Jose Tabata:
.312/.376/.477/3 HR/17 RBI in 32 games for the Altoona Curve (AA)
Tabata was rated as one of the best outfield prospects in the Yankee system before getting traded to the Pirates. He dealt with some issues off the field during the 2008 season, but the 20 year-old has plenty of time to develop into an All-Star outfielder. When Tabata finally does mature, he'll be a household name in Pittsburgh.

Evaluation: Given the current state of Nady and Marte, it's easy to see that the Pirates are the clear winner in this deal.

The Pirates received four solid players, but only Tabata has a chance of become an above-average player. Karstens, Ohlendorf and McCutchen will all get a chance in the Pirate rotation, and they will all likely perform a few ticks above league average, but none of them will anchor the staff. If anything, McCutchen will end up as an excellent setup man, while Ohlendorf and Karstens form the back-end of the rotation.

Damaso Marte will eventually rebound, and Xavier Nady could come back and platoon with Hideki Matsui. He won't hit well enough to net the Yankees a draft pick, but he could rejoin the Yankees on a cheaper contract. At this point, Marte will likely give the Yankees the better return, if he can find a groove on the mound.

Either way, the Pirates have four players that they can control for a number of seasons. The Yankees have Damaso Marte, who will need to pitch better to rightfully earn his $3.75 million this year. As of now, and probably the future, the Pirates got the better deal here.

Nady won't need surgery

2009-04-21T15:37:00.004-04:00

According to Jon Heyman, Xavier Nady may not need Tommy John surgery after all:

Nady has been diagnosed with a partially torn ligament in his right elbow, but he will avoid surgery, SI.com has learned.
The Yankees feared originally Nady could be lost for the season with a completely torn ligament, but a review of multiple X-rays revealed that the ligament is only partially torn. He will likely need to rehab the injury for a period of weeks, perhaps a month.Club sources are saying he is feeling much better. (source)

Heyman suggests that the Yankees could use Nady as the designated hitter once he returns, but having two players that can't field will probably hurt more than it will help. The bench needs to be flexible, and with two designated hitters, the Yankees will be at a disadvantage in tight game situations.

Either way, a lot of what happens depends on his rehab timetable, so there is no sense worrying about what the Yankees should or should not do.

Alright, I'm off to PNC Field in a bit to do some interviews. Check my Twitter to see if anyone has been promoted or demoted.

Scranton still perfect

2009-04-20T13:25:00.004-04:00

With the Visalia Rawhide's loss over the weekend, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and Fort Wayne Tincaps remain as the only undefeated teams in professional baseball. The Yankees 11-0 start is the best International League start in the past 30 years. With the team facing off against the Red Wings today and the last place Buffalo Bisons later on this week, Scranton may be able to pick up a few more easy wins. If the team can earn 21 wins without a loss, it will be a professional baseball record.

MLBN on Wang's mechanics

2009-04-20T13:14:00.008-04:00

Check out the MLBN's analysis of Wang's possible mechanical issues:

The leg lift and arm placement definitely have an impact on his delivery, but I wonder if his injury last season is causing the change in delivery. The Yankees may skip Wang's next start, which is probably a good move, but they are limited in terms of where they can put him. I think the best choice may be to let him work out of the pen until he regains his confidence and fixes his delivery.

Yankees remain positive about Nady's elbow

2009-04-20T10:31:00.001-04:00

via George King of the New York Post:

The Yanks were privately a lot more optimistic by Sunday that Xavier Nady could avoid Tommy John surgery and that he might be able to return in June and form a righty-lefty DH platoon with Hideki Matsui. Of course, that would mean the Yanks were carrying two players who did not play the field, which hurts roster construction. Also, that is assuming that Matsui's fragile knees could last.

King has it right. The Yankees should not have two designated hitters on the roster. I'm sure more details on Nady's status will be revealed this week. I still think he'll end up getting surgery and will miss the year, but I'm wondering if the Yankees will think about calling up Austin Jackson to replace Brett Gardner in order to add more power to the lineup.

Wang needs a demotion

2009-04-18T18:23:00.005-04:00

After waking up early to get my interviews done at PNC Field, I really needed a nap but I wanted to catch the first inning of Wang's start. I was satisfied after a single hitless inning and went to sleep. I can understand how Anthony Claggett, a rookie who has hardly pitched at the Triple-A level could give up eight runs, but there is something seriously wrong with Wang. The Yankees will need to send him down to regain his confidence and refine his mechanics. Phil Hughes will probably get the call.

Update: Looks like that can't happen, according to Peter Abraham.

King: Yanks could look into Kearns, Repko

2009-04-18T14:06:00.002-04:00

According to George King of the New York Post, the injury to Xavier Nady could force the Yankees to explore trading for a corner outfielder. King notes that the Dodgers' Jason Repko and Washington's Austin Kearns could both make sense for the Yankees. Nick Swisher has a firm grasp on the right field job, but the team likely wants to strengthen their bench.

Here's a thought: Eric Duncan. He's in tremendous shape right now, comfortable at first, third and left field and is hitting .346 in seven games for Triple-A Scranton. If he can hit this way for another two weeks, I'd say the Yankees should add him to the 40-man and give him a shot. He's worked very hard over the years and deserves a shot.

Claggett promoted

2009-04-18T11:41:00.003-04:00

Anthony Claggett was promoted to the big leagues. I got to the S/WB clubhouse early this morning in order to interview the right-hander, but his locker was nowhere to be found. Eric Wordekemper was called up from Double-A Trenton in order to replace the pitcher. I'm not sure how long Claggett will stay in the majors, but he'll likely work as a long reliever thanks to his ability to throw a changeup and pitch for more than two innings.

Yanks demote Robertson, call up Miranda

2009-04-17T12:46:00.006-04:00

via Marc Craig of the Star-Ledger

Mark Teixeira feels "ten times better" after his cortisone shot on Thursday. Hideki Matsui does not. He's out of the lineup with fluid on his left knee. That's why Juan Miranda has been called up. He's an insurance policy if Teixeira suffers a setback and if Matsui's damaged knees get worse.Hard-luck David Robertson was sent down.

With Matsui hurting and Xavier Nady down for the count, the Yankees did need another semi-reliable bat on the bench and backup for Teixeira. In eight games, Miranda is hitting at a .361/.425/.667 clip with three homers and 13 RBI. Miranda is kind of stiff around first base, but he's a solid hitter and capable backup. With Teixeira reportedly feeling "ten times better,"
I think the Yankees should have kept Robertson and demoted Jon Albaladejo, but the Yankees need a long reliever more than a middle man.

I'll be at the S/WB opener tonight, but for pleasure. With my luck, they will finally lose. Tomorrow morning I'm going for interviews.

Nady to the DL

2009-04-15T18:29:00.002-04:00

Xavier Nady will require surgery and will be placed on the disabled list, according to the Daily News.

Nady underwent an MRI on his right elbow Wednesday morning in Tampa, and while the Yankees didn't release any official diagnosis, both Nady and manager Joe Girardi said the results were not encouraging.
Although nothing is official, Nady told several teammates that he was likely headed for Tommy John reconstructive surgery, the same procedure he underwent in Sept. 2001. That would knock him out for the rest of this season, leaving the start of 2010 in doubt for the free agent-to-be.
Nady will be examined by team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad before Thursday's home-opener, at which time a final diagnosis will likely be released.
"I've been down this road before and I was hoping not to do it again," Nady said. "We'll see what he thinks tomorrow. Surgery wasn't fun years ago. I would prefer not to go down that road again, so hopefully tomorrow will be some decent news." (source)

The hot-hitting Nick Swisher will patrol right field for the Yanks going forward, and I could see Juan Miranda getting promoted to first base. He's been hitting well in Scranton and is already on the 40-man roster, so it really makes the most sense. I suppose the Yankees won't get a draft pick for Nady now, but at least they have a solid player in Swisher to take over.

Nady will likely need surgery

2009-04-15T13:05:00.010-04:00

Peter Abraham is hearing that Xavier Nady may need surgery. What a week for Nick Swisher. He went from bench player, to first basemen, to pitcher, to starting outfielder. If Nady does need surgery, the Yankees could add another infielder to the 40-man roster and promote Angel Berroa. Shelley Duncan could also be another possibility.

Update 2:00 p.m. -Via Peter Abraham, Nady confirmed that he'll likely need surgery due to the slight tear in his elbow.

Update 2:19 p.m. - Pete Caldera is reporting that Nady will be placed on the DL. Also, Austin Jackson and Kevin Russo have been taken out of the Scranton lineup. Russo has the glove to play third base, and he is the more likely candidate for a promotion. Unless Jackson is used everyday, he really should stay in Triple-A.

Update 2:26 p.m. - A reader asked via e-mail if the Yankees would consider signing Frank Catalanotto to play some infield and backup the outfielders. The New York native would fit well with the club, but I don't think he can be counted on to play anything but first base and right field. He'd probably be pretty cheap too.

Update 5:41 p.m. - Xavier Nady is out for the season. No word yet on a promotion from Scranton, but I assume it will happen within the next day or two. Nick Swisher is now the everyday right fielder.

Nady injured

2009-04-14T22:45:00.002-04:00

According to Peter Abraham, Xavier Nady was taken out of tonight's game because of a "sharp pain in his elbow." Nady underwent Tommy John surgery in 2002, so let's hope that this is nothing serious. An MRI is scheduled for tomorrow, but Nick Swisher will likely get the majority of the playing time in right field for the time being. Thankfully, the Yankees have a player like Swisher at their disposal.

Mark Melancon dominates Triple-A

2009-04-14T17:45:00.002-04:00

Mark Melancon was arguably one of the best pitchers in the Yankees system last season, going 8-1 with a 2.37 ERA in 95 innings, split between Tampa, Trenton and Scranton. The right-hander struck out 8.3 batters per nine innings and was especially effective in tight situations. Melancon is continuing his domination of Independent League Batters this season, striking out 11 in five and two-thirds innings. If he continues to punch out batters as this rate, he'll be with the big league club beore Alex Rodriguez.

In case you were wondering...

2009-04-11T12:39:00.004-04:00

Beer is ridiculously expensive at Yankee Stadium II. That's right. $11 per beer. As opposed to the $5 fee at PNC Field. Gotta love the Scranton Yankees.

The view from section 239

2009-04-10T16:04:00.009-04:00

My pal Bobby was kind enough to upload the photos I took at the stadium last week, so now I can finally give you an idea of what the obstructed view is like from section 239. I was in the fifth seat in Row 9, so my view was actually decent, but if I was one of the fans in the last seat in the first row, I'd be pretty upset. Anyway, here are the photos.

Bonus: The most die-hard Yankee fan I have ever seen. He did not seem happy that I took his picture, but his tattoo is great. I wonder if A.J. Burnett will ever get one like this:

Game 2: Another bad outing for the Yankees

2009-04-08T22:29:00.006-04:00

Chien-Ming Wang was easily out-dueled by his Asian counterpart, Koji Uehara, en route to a 7-5 loss for the Yankees. Following CC Sabathia's Monday performance, Wang allowed nine hits and seven runs over three and two-thirds innings. Thus far, the Yankee pitching has been quite embarrassing, but I don't think this trend will continue. There is just too much talent on the staff for the club to continue pitching this poorly, and the bullpen's performance made that evident.

After issuing a walk to Aubrey Huff, Edwar Ramirez settled down to retire the next three batters. Ramirez finished the night with two walks and a strikeout over one and one-third innings. Jon Albaladejo and Jose Veras combined to toss three scoreless innings.

As Steve from WasWatching pointed out earlier this week, this type of two-game performance has been a trend in Yankee-land for several years. Let's hope that A.J. Burnett can lead the Yankees to a win tomorrow afternoon.

The Yankees were pretty much forced to play "catch up" after Wang's disastrous fourth inning, but Robinson Cano was the only player to drive in a run until the last inning. Derek Jeter hit his first homer of the season in the ninth inning, making the score 7-4. Mark Teixeira finally got his first hit as a Yankee, doubling in Johnny Damon to come within two runs of the Orioles. If the pitching had just been a little better, the Yankees might have had this one.

Be sure to check back tomorrow night for the summary of Triple-A Scranton's first game of the season. The Yanks take on the Iron Pigs at 7 p.m.

Dan Giese claimed by Oakland

2009-04-08T17:48:00.003-04:00

According to Peter Abraham, the Oakland A's claimed right-hander Dan Giese and optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento. Giese went 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA during a very forgettable spring, but he was a very important part of both the Triple-A and big league pitching staff last season. Prior to his promotion, Giese started the season in Scranton's pen.

When Alan Horne got injured in early May, Giese stepped into the rotation, even though he had never made a start in his 10-year career. Against the Durham Bulls, he scattered three hits and one run over four and two-thirds innings, striking out two. For the next month, he led the International League with a 1.01 ERA. Eventually, his strong performance warranted a promotion and Giese did not disappoint. Working mostly as Joba Chamberlain's personal reliever, the right-hander went 1-3 with a 3.53 ERA in 20 games. Good luck in the future Dan.

Evaluating the Triple-A pitching staff

2009-04-08T14:14:00.006-04:00

Pitching will certainly be a strength of the Triple-A Scranton roster this season, as the staff boasts one of the most potent rotations and deepest pens in the International League. While the team lacks the speed and defense it had in previous seasons, the pitching will surely make up for any other shortcomings.

Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy form an extremely strong 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation, and could win a lot of games if they remain in Triple-A throughout the whole season. Kennedy posted a 2.59 ERA in 69 innings last season, and while Hughes did struggle at the Triple-A level in 2008, he has the talent to be the ace of this staff.

When Kei Igawa, arguably the most dependable pitcher for Scranton last season, is third in the rotation, you know the staff is deep. Igawa went 14-6 with a 3.45 ERA last season, and led the team in strikeouts with 117.

Alfredo Aceves and Jason John will form the back end of the rotation. Aceves rocketed through the farm system last year, compiling a 8-6 record and 2.62 ERA and 4.2 K/BB ratio in 140 innings split between Tampa, Trenton and Scranton. Journeyman Jason Johnson went 11-5 with a 3.85 ERA last season for Las Vegas 51's.

If Hughes can improve on his 2008 season and the rest of the starters can duplicate their previous season, the Scranton rotation could be the best in the IL. While the bullpen does lack the star-power of the rotation, it could end up being just as deep. With Brett Tomko, Mark Melancon, Steven Jackson and David Robertson closing out games, the starters won't have much to worry about.

According to Chad Jennings, Brett Tomko will be used as Scranton's closer at the start of the season, which makes plenty of sense. Scott Aldred, the new Triple-A pitching coach will want to regulate the ammount of innings thrown by guys like Mark Melancon and David Robertson. In the previous two seasons, Jim Brower and Scott Strickland successfully closed out games for the Yankees, so I don't think Tomko will have a problem. Especially if he pitches the way he did this spring. Perhaps the role will also entice him to stick around past his opt-out date.

Future closer Mark Melancon will likely work as the setup man. The former Arizona Demon went 8-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 95 innings split between Tampa, Trenton and Scranton. He'll need a bit more time to mature, but he should make his big league debut sometime this season.

Steven Jackson and David Robertson will likely be two of the more dependable cogs in the 2009 pen. Jackson's 0.87 ERA after the All-Star break made him one of the reasons that the club made it to the playoffs. Robertson was a strikeout machine prior to his big league promotion in June, averaging 12.5 K/9 and holding batters to a .133 AVG.

The rest of the bullpen will consist of Anthony Claggett, J.B. Cox, and left-hander Zach Kroenke. Claggett, possibly the only chance of a return from the Gary Sheffield trade, posted a 2.15 ERA in 58 innings for Double-A Trenton. If he's able to maintain an agressive approach on the mound and induce grounders, he'll find success this year. Especially if his changeup develops into a pitch he can use all the time. Kroenke will likely work as the situational lefty after notching a 2.85 ERA in 53 innings last year. J.B. Cox wore down during the 2008 season, but if he cut down on the walks we'll see a big improvement in his peripherals.

Pitchers to Watch: Mark Melancon, Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes
Promotion Possibility: Ian Kennedy, Alfredo Aceves, Steven Jackson
Team Ace: Phil Hughes
Closer: Brett Tomko
Future Closer: Mark Melancon
Situational Lefty: Zach Kronke
Most Reliable Reliever: Steven Jackson
Triple-A Veteran: Kei Igawa
Best fastball: Phil Hughes, Mark Melancon

Yankees announce Triple-A roster

2009-04-07T20:27:00.003-04:00

The Yankees officially announced their minor league rosters today, and and they were pretty similar to what I listed yesterday. Here they are, courtesy of Peter Abraham:

Pitchers:
Alfredo Aceves, Anthony Claggett, J.B. Cox, Dan Geise, Phil Hughes, Kei Igawa, Steven Jackson, Jason Johnson, Ian Kennedy, Zach Kroenke, Mark Melancon, Dave Robertson, Brett Tomko

Catchers:
Kevin Cash, P.J. Pilittere, Chris Stewart

Infielders:
Doug Bernier, Angel Berroa, Eric Duncan, Justin Leone, Juan Miranda, Kevin Russo.

Outfielders:
Shelley Duncan, Austin Jackson, Todd Linden, John Rodriguez.

There are actually 26 players listed, and only 24 can be on a minor league roster. The team has interestingly decided to carry three catchers, but I think one of them will be sent down prior to opening day. I can also see the Yanks sending Zach Kroenke to Double-A.

Predicting the 2009 S/WB Yankees Roster

2009-04-07T00:43:00.005-04:00

The Yankees have already released the rosters for Double-A Trenton and Single-A Charleston, but have yet to confirm who will be on the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre roster. We'll probably find once the fate of Dan Giese is decided, but just for fun I'll take a stab at predicting the 24-man roster:

Pitchers:
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy
Kei Igawa
Alfredo Aceves
Jason Johnson

Mark Melancon
Steven Jackson
David Robertson
J.B. Cox
Anthony Claggett
Brett Tomko
Dan Giese

Catchers:
Chris Stewart
Kevin Cash

Infielders:
Juan Miranda
Kevin Russo
Angel Berroa
Doug Bernier
Eric Duncan
Justin Leone

Outfielders:
John Rodriguez
Austin Jackson
Todd Linden
Shelley Duncan

Once the roster is actually released, I'll evaluate it. The team has a very strong pitching staff, but is much slower than last year. Also, Kevin Russo and Austin Jackson are the only players that could be considered above-average on defense. The rest of the infielders and corner outfielders are average to below-average. Once Ramiro Pena is sent down, I'm sure the look of the infield will change a bit.

Game 1: O's bash Yanks as CC falters

2009-04-06T23:15:00.006-04:00

CC Sabathia was simply horrendous in his Yankee debut, allowing six runs in four and-one-thirds innings of work. Sabathia failed to strike out a single batter in the 10-5 loss to the Orioles, which hasn't happened since July 25, 2005 against the Oakland Athletics. In that outing, Sabathia gave up eight runs in two and-one-third innings.

Jon Albaladejo kept the O's at bay for one and-one-third innings, but Phil Coke and Brian Bruney allowed a combined four runs in three innings.

Mark Teixeira and Cody Ransom failed to record a hit in the loss. Derek Jeter went 3-for-5 at the plate, while Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui both hit their first home run of the season.

Podcasting with The Bronx View tonight

2009-04-06T14:47:00.002-04:00

Scott and Ian from The Bronx View are recording the latest edition of their podcast tonight, and I'll be joining them to talk about the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees and my impressions on the new stadium. Be sure to subscribe, or send in some questions.

You can e-mail your questions to feedback@thebronxview.com or leave Scott and Ian a voicemail question at 801-286-4918.

Evaluating the opening day roster: Part 2

2009-04-06T11:45:00.004-04:00

Earlier today, I evaluated half of the 2009 roster, and made stat predictions for every position player. Now we'll take a look at the pitching staff, which looks to be very impressive:

CC Sabathia (SP)
The Yankee ace has always been a workhorse, but he'll need to stay healthy for the team to be successful this year. He appears to be in better shape this year, and had a decent spring - but that doe not erase the fact that he's thrown 512 innings over the previous two seasons. A strong season from Sabathia will significantly increase the chance of a championship season for the Bronx Bombers.
2009 Prediction: 18-5 / 3.23 ERA /226 IP

Chien-Mang Wang (SP)
Wang is a very durable pitcher, and arguably one of the better no.2 starters in the American League. I can see the Yankees going light on the innings with Sabathia at the start of the season, and therefore counting on Wang to eat innings in order to keep the bullpen fresh. His slider worked well in strikeout situations last season, but inducing ground balls will be the key to success for the Wanger.
2009 Prediction: 15-8 / 3.94 ERA / 212 IP

A.J. Burnett (SP)
Burnett may have some of the best stuff on the team, but he'll need to stay healthy in order to help the Yankees. If Burnett can stay healthy and duplicate the season he had in 2008, he'll likely be one of the best middle of the rotation starters in the American League. Burnett's reputation could be on the line this season. Each of his 200-inning seasons have been followed by either free agency or surgery. The Yankees really need him, and he needs to prove that he can stay healthy. Either way, I'm very excited about his potential.
2009 Prediction: 15-6 / 3.95 ERA/193 IP

Andy Pettitte (SP)
Thankfully, Pettitte and the Yankees were able to agree on a contract, because the team really needed another experienced starter. Pettitte looked pretty good in spring training, and now that he's at the bottom of the rotation, he's a much more serviceable. If Hughes has a big year for Triple-A Scranton, this may be the final year for Andy Pettitte.
2009 Prediction: 11-8 /4.35 ERA /170 IP

Joba Chamberlain (SP)
In his first major league season as a starter, Chamberlain was extremely impressive until going down with rotator cuff tendinitis. His velocity was a bit of a concern earlier in the spring, but his latest outings have been encouraging. The Yankees will again limit his innings, but he'll need to stay healthy this season if he wants to stay in the rotation.
2009 Prediction: 10-6 /4.04 ERA /145 IP

Mariano Rivera (CL)
Rivera had a tremendous 2008 season, and is definitely one of the best closers in baseball history. He had off season surgery, but it probably won't be a cause for concern. Rivera will probably not have many more seasons like he did last year, but he is still one of the better closers in the game today.
2009 Prediction: 2-1 /2.34 ERA /60 IP

Bruany Bruney (SU)
Bruney did not have the best spring, but he's good enough to be the setup man for Mariano Rivera. After fighting back from a Lisfranc injury last season, the right-hander put up great numbers and earned Joe Girardi's trust. If he stays healthy, he'll likely continue that success.
2009 Prediction: 4-1 /3.85 ERA / 52 IP

Damaso Marte (RP)
The Yankees finally got their hands on Marte, who dealt with elbow soreness while pitching for the Yankees. Marte was actually more effective against right-handed batters last season, but if he can avoid elbow issues - he'll be the left-handed setup man the Yankees have lacked for years.
2009 Prediction: 4-2 / 3.78 ERA /58 IP

Jose Veras (RP)
Veras missed 2007, opened 2008 as the S/WB closer and pitched his way to the bigs last year. Despite some control issues, the right-hander put up impressive numbers while serving as one of the more trusted cogs in the pen. If he can cut down on the walks, Veras will again be one of the table-setters for Rivera.
2009 Prediction: 5-2 / 3.60 ERA / 74 IP

Edwar Ramirez (RP)
The rail-thin Ramirez has one of the best changeups on the team, but he's still somewhat unproven despite his solid 2008 campaign. He's been streaky during his major league career, so 2009 could be the make-or-break season for Edwar. He'll need to cut down on the walks and work in his secondary pitches to be successdfull.
2009 Prediction: 5-2 /4.13 ERA /71 IP

Phil Coke (RP)
The left-hander climbed up the organizational ladder last season, right into the graces of Joe Girardi. He's was very impressive during his brief big league stint, and boasts a great fastball/slider combo. I think he'd be over matched as a starter, but he has the chance to be a very good reliever - and maybe one of the best in the pen.
2009 Prediction: 7-2 /3.94 ERA / 89 IP

Jon Albaladejo (RP)
The former Nat's spring performance must have really impressed Joe Girardi if he convinced the manager to not carry a long reliever. Albaladejo is a very hard thrower who had success over the winter as a closer in the Puerto Rican Winter League. I don't see him sticking around the in the majors all season, especially with Mark Melancon waiting in the wings.
2009 Prediction: 2-1 / 4.68 ERA/41 IP

A-Rod could be back in April

2009-04-06T11:37:00.004-04:00

According to ESPN, Alex Rodriguez could possibly return to the club by the end of April. Multiple sources have said that his rehab is going well,

Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long told the New York Post that Rodriguez has begun to hit and "feels 70 percent." Long speaks with the third baseman daily, the Post reported.
The three-time AL MVP has been rehabbing and working out in Colorado and eventually will move his workouts to the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa, Fla. A firm date for the switch is not set, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said last week. April 13 would be the latest date, Cashman said. (source)

I don't think rushing A-Rod will be an issue here, but I wonder if the Yanks will force him to take it slow if Cody Ransom does a good job at the plate. Also, I'm wondering if A-Rod's rehabilitation will put him in even better shape. Either way, if he returns by the end of April, it will really help the Yankees out. No matter which way you shake it, A-Rod is tremendously better than Ransom and the team needs him.

Evaluating the opening day roster: Part 1

2009-04-05T22:51:00.005-04:00

Ramiro Pena has won the final roster spot and the roster has officially been set. Let's take a look at each of the 25 players that make up the 2009 New York Yankees, and make a few predictions.

Jorge Posada (C)
Posada has already shown that his arm can handle throwing out runners, so the only thing left to worry about is his offensive production. There is no way he'll ever repeat his 2007 numbers, but his presence in the middle of the batting order will certainly help the club.
2009 Prediction: .278 AVG - 18 HR - 75 RBI

Jose Molina (C)
The light-hitting backup will probably not get as many at-bats as he did in 2008, but if he manages to hit .240, it'll help the team. Molina is a decent secondary catcher because of his steady glove and ability to throw out runners, but the Yankees should let him walk after the season. Francisco Cervelli is the backup backstop of the future.
2009 Prediction: .220 AVG - 2 HR - 18 RBI

Mark Teixeira (1B)
Teixeira is traditionally a slow starter (.259 career AVG in May) but the Yankees will depend on him to power the batting order in A-Rod's absence. Even if he gets off to a slow start at the plate, he'll help improve the infield defense. Based on his performance against the Cubs this weekend, he could have a career year.
2009 Prediction: .290 AVG - 38 HR - 140 RBI

Robinson Cano (2B)
The second-baseman appears to have improved his work ethic over the winter, but will still need to improve his walk rate to have a solid season at the plate. Cano is a decent fielder with a strong, accurate arm entering the prime of his career. It's time for him to string together a few strong seasons.
2009 Prediction: .292 - 15 HR - 80 RBI

Derek Jeter (SS)
Derek Jeter has been on a steady decline for the past three seasons, so he'll have to prove he can still handle both sides of the ball if he wants to avoid becoming a designated hitter once his contract expires. Now that he's batting leadoff, Jeter will probably hit into less double plays and score a few more runs.
2009 Prediction: .280 AVG - 12 HR - 58 RBI

Cody Ransom (3B)
If Ransom can maintain a .250 AVG with an occasional homer, he'll be a fine replacement for Alex Rodriguez. Once A-Rod returns, the 33 year-old infielder will likely stick around as the utility infielder. The Yankees never really had a player like Ransom, who can play every infield position, during the Torre era.
2009 Prediction: .255 - 7 HR - 34 RBI

Ramiro Pena (INF)
The slick-fielding youngster banished Angel Berroa to Scranton, and will likely join him there once Alex Rodriguez returns to the team. Pena is an extremely weak hitter, but makes up for his paltry bat with sparkling defense. Girardi will also use Pena as a pinch-runner. I still think it would have better to use Berroa as the backup and let Pena develop in the minors.
2009 Prediction: .250 - 0 HR - 6 SB

Johnny Damon (LF)
Damon is entering the final year in his four-year, $52 million contract, and start the season as the no. 2 hitter behind Derek Jeter. Damon's bat will likely begin slowing as he enters the final years of his career.
2009 Prediction: .284 - 14 HR - 60 RBI - 20 SB

Brett Gardner (CF)
The speedy outfielder will spark the bottom of the order while playing solid defense. His arm is on the weaker side, but Gardner makes up for that with his blazing speed. If he can cut down on the strikeouts and get on base as often as he did in Scranton, Gardner could be a huge asset to the team.
2009 Prediction: .267 AVG - 1 HR - 48 RBI - 34 SB

Xavier Nady (RF)
Nady had a career year in 2008, but reverted back to his career norms after getting traded to the Yankees. He'll balance the lineup by adding some right-handed pop to the bottom of the order, but he's not the best defensive outfielder. Either way, Nady is a very serviceable player who has already gotten used to playing in New York.
2009 Prediction: .278 - 22 HR - 88 RBI

Nick Swisher (OF/1B)
Swisher had a horrible 2008, but some of that could be blamed on bad luck. The former first-round pick will backup Xavier Nady and Johnny Damon in the outfield and Mark Teixeira at first. He's an above-average fielder and decent athlete with 30 home run power. Girardi needs to make sure Swisher gets at latest 500 at-bats.
2009 Prediction: .256 AVG - 19 HR - 60 RBI

Melky Cabrera (OF)
Cabrera will serve as the fifth outfielder, but will probably get the majority of his starts in center field. Cabrera really is the ideal backup outfielder; he has a strong arm, passable defense and some power. If Gardner excels, I can see the Yankees trading Melky.
2009 Prediction: .262 AVG - 5 HR - 22 RBI

Hideki Matsui (DH/LF)
Matsui appears to be completely healthy, but he still won't play the field. He's still a terrific offensive player, but he cannot be depended on in the outfield. Hideki is entering the final year of his contract and likely won't return next year, but for the time being he is the power from the left side of the plate.
2009 Prediction: .280 - 16 HR - 88 RBI

Tomorrow we'll tackle pitchers.

A-Rod to the DL, Yanks go with Pena

2009-04-05T01:02:00.004-04:00

According to Peter Abraham, Alex Rodriguez has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to March 27. The rehab appears to be going very well, and A-Rod should enter the second phase soon:

The Yankees rarely give any updates on his rehab. He’s supposedly still in Colorado under the care of Dr. Marc Philippon and Dr.Mark Lindsay, a rehab specialist. He is expected in Tampa any day now to start doing baseball stuff. (source)

Sounds like he'll be back in no time, and hopefully with a hot bat. The Yanks are swinging really well of late, and a healthy A-Rod can only make the offense more potent. The only thing to worry about now is a re-injury.

In other news, the Yankees have deiced to keep Ramiro Pena as the utility man, meaning Angel Berroa will likely play shortstop for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Personally, I felt that Berroa was the better option, albeit the more expensive one, because of his experience and offensive upside.

Ramiro won't be on the roster for a long time, but he certainly will get a chance to show off his tools. Michael Kay has probably already informed you that Pena can "really pick it," but that is almost an understatement. He has the footwork, reflexes and arm to perfectly field any position on the left side of the infield, and above-average speed to boot. My only concern is that the promotion will negatively affect his development. The selection does show that the organization is truly committed to fielding a young, energetic and defensively-sound team.

Initial thoughts on the new Yankee Stadium

2009-04-04T23:40:00.005-04:00

*** Updated - I forgot about the two photos I took with my cell phone. Both have been added.

Now that I've had time to organize my thoughts, have a good meal and unwind, I think I can properly express my feelings about the new stadium. I don't actually own a digital camera, and have yet to figure out how to post pictures on Twitter, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow for photos. There are some good ones of my obstructed view section in the bleachers.

Also, if you heard my two-man roll call for Melky Cabrera, Nick Swisher and John Rodriguez in the eighth inning, let me know. I got a wave from all of them, but J-Rod was the most stubborn.

Parking:
I'm not sure if anyone else experienced this, but parking was extremely simple. Before settling on the new Yankee Garage, I pulled into one of those "pay-per-hour" open lots, and the tenant tried to charge me $30 when the sign said $15 for 10 hours. Remembering Peter Abraham's post on parking fees, I decided to give the stadium a try - and it worked out very well. The attendants were all polite, and it was quite easy to find a spot. I managed to get one close to an elevator as well. $19 is a bargain when you split it amongst four people. On that same hand, it was also easy to enter and exit the garage. Nice job on this one, Yanks.

Seating
The best tickets I could afford were in Section 239, where the view is obstructed by the Bleachers Cafe. My particular seat (#7) was in a terrific spot and allowed for superior visibility, but I was unable to see any balls hit to deep center field. That means I missed Kosuke Fukudome's drop.

For future reference, the key to getting a good spot in this to aim for a seat number between 1-10 and in a higher row. Anything higher than the eighth row should suffice. I'm kind of aggravated that the Yankees decided to put a giant concession stand in between the bleachers, but it was certainly handy once hunger stuck.

The three LCD television screens mounted on the wall to the left of me were actually useful, because you can't see the scoreboard at all from this section of the bleachers. The Yankees need to get bigger screens for the fans sitting further away, but I'm glad they had enough forethought to incorporate them in the first place.

Otherwise, I honestly didn't get a chance to explore the stadium too much. There was a bad car accident in Clifton, and the rubbernecking from my side of the road caused delays, so we got in later than we wanted. I did manage to take a lap around the lowest level, and I can see how some fans can complainin about the overhangs affecting their view.

Concessions:
There is an extremely large variety of food in the stadium, but I could only really afford a $5 slice of pizza. When I took the lap, I managed to peek at what everyone else was eating and ask a few questions.

Hot Dogs - I asked several fans about the taste and overall quality; every fan approved. One even had a toasted bun.

Cracker Jacks - Why are they $5.75. I know its a large bag, but come on.

*Pizza - Sucked. But I'm particular about pizza.

Johnny Rockets - The burgers looked decent, and people seemed satisfied. There was a tremendous line here, and at the Moe's Southwest Grill. It can be kind of a pain to get around it, so try to not get seats in this area. Also, I can't imagine eating baked beans at a baseball game. At least not in New York.

Noodle Bar - The food here actually looked good, and the Sushi is a healthy alternative to the traditional ballpark food. If you can afford it.

Tommy Bahama's Bar - The length of this line was equal to the one for Monument Park. That puzzled me, but I did not get a martini or see the plaques.

While there is a wide selection of food, half of me wants to say "only baseball food should be here." Stuff like hot dogs, burgers, fries, pretzels, nachos and beer. Then logic takes over, and I realize that we're not in that kind of society anymore. Ah well, the variety is nice.

Overall Notes:

The Yankees went all-out on this stadium, and it's obvious. The wide selection of food, state-of-the-art bathrooms, spacious seating and technologically advanced displays make this park one of the classiest in the majors. However, the inclusion of an art gallery, fancy restaurant and cocktail lounge irritates me and saps some of the "baseball feel" of the stadium. If there is a Yankee fan serious enough to by Yankee art, I'm sure they are smart enough to not get ripped off at the stadium. If you really need a cocktail during the game, maybe your in the wrong place.

From what I understand, there are some other visual obstructions because of the facade and support structures. The Yankees really should have planned things out better and there is no excuse for this. They included plenty of fancy stuff, but seemed to have forgotten about the fans. We don't need an art gallery, we need good seats with a good view. Oh, and affordable food. A working sound-system would be nice too.

Also, the city of New York needs to seriously invest in making the area surrounding Yankee stadium a bit nicer. Part of what makes Camden, Fenway and Wrigley so nice is the clean, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. I'm talking about bars, restaurants, fan shops and things of that nature (Yankees take note - this is where the gallery goes). Making sure the streets are a bit cleaner in that area would be a good start.

The bottom line: I really did not feel at home, but I know it will take time to get used to this.

That being said, I do feel that this state-of-the-art park lacks the Yankee vibes, and I almost felt like I was watching an away game. I also really miss the light blue color scheme from the old stadium, but that is a relatively minor issue. There is plenty to love here, and in time most fans will accept this stadium, but it needs to develop something unique. It'll take more than the facade now, which ironically stops at the bleachers.

Heading to Yankee Stadium

2009-04-04T08:36:00.001-04:00

I'm glad I went home to New Jersey this weekend, its only an hour drive from here to the Bronx. In a few minutes, I'll be heading to the new Yankee stadium, and I'll update via Twitter as much as possible. I'm in the obstructed view 239 section of the bleachers, so you can get a review of the stadium from a fan who does not have much money.

Either way, I'm really looking forward to it. As fans of the sport, we live for baseball. An obstructed view means nothing when you feel at home. Let's home the New Stadium makes us feel like that.

I'll be back later tonight. Enjoy the game everyone.

Some Housekeeping Notes

2009-04-02T16:57:00.006-04:00

You can now follow Pinstripes, Pa. on Twitter, but I can't promise my "tweets" will be baseball-related. I'm still tinkering with the overall design of the page, but I promise that the content will be good. Go on, follow me. You can read my updates on the sidebar.

I'll be attending the Yankees/Cubs game on Saturday. If you see anyone with a Scranton Yankees cap and Mark Teixeira shirt in the bleachers, say hello. Check out StubHub! for cheap tickets. I got mine for (Section 239) for $19.

Starting next Monday, I'll be doing a podcast with Scott from The Bronx View. We'll discuss the Triple-A roster, among other Yankee-related topics.

BaseballBoss.com is offering a free simulation game for fans of the sport. Visitors can simulate the 2009 season for free with their "Baseball Boss" cards. Fans of fantasy baseball, stat-heads and the casual fan can all find something to enjoy here. I've heard nothing but good things about the site, so be sure to check it out if you are a fan of MLB simulation games.

Author Peter Hadrinos is holding a "meet the author event/cocktail reception" at the Borders Books at Park Avenue & 57^th Street in Manhattan at 7 pm tonight. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by. Peter will talk about his new book, The Truth About Ruth (And More): Behind the New York Yankees’ Greatest Myths, Legends, and Lore. I can't wait to read this one.

Could Lamb be an option at third?

2009-03-31T19:38:00.005-04:00

Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel is reporting that the Brewers have opted to keep Casey McGehee over Mike Lamb, and the infielder will be placed on waivers. He'll have the option of becoming a free agent or accepting a minor league assignment:

Macha said there was an 11 a.m. waiver deadline of some sort tomorrow involving Lamb. I'm guessing he'll have the option of taking free agency or reporting to the minors after clearing waivers. The Brewers are paying Lamb only $400,000 this season, with Minnesota picking up the remainder of his $3 million salary.

"There are two avenues he can go," said Macha. "He'll let the club know." (source)

The Yankees traded for Lamb before acquiring Alex Rodriguez, but traded him to the Astros a month later. Lamb went on to hit .280 with 49 homers in four seasons with Houston, usually playing the infield corners. He struggled with the Twins and Brewers, but did manage to post a .250 AVG and two homers in 52 at-bats this spring.

He's not the best defensive player and had a horrible 2008 season, but Cashman would definitely be able to get Lamb on the cheap. I don't think he'll hit the way he did for the Astros, but he could end up being a better option than Cody Ransom, should Alex Rodriguez suffer any setbacks while rehabbing.

Albaladejo gets final bullpen spot

2009-03-31T11:24:00.005-04:00

It looks like Phil Coke will be the longest reliever on the Yankees come opening day. Bryan Hoch is reporting that Jonathan Albaladejo has made the Yankees, so Dan Giese, Alfredo Aceves, Brett Tomko and Kevin Cash have been demoted to Triple-A. Albaladejo missed most of the 2008 season with a stress fracture in his pitching elbow, but he appears to be healthy now. The right-hander had a solid spring, tossing 9 2/3 innings, striking out eight and walking one. The Yankees have a tough decision to make now, and Dan Giese might be DFA'd by the end of the day to make room on the 40-man roster.

Hoch also noted that no decision has been made on the Pena vs. Berroa battle.

Cashman announces Scranton rotation

2009-03-31T11:08:00.005-04:00

via Peter Abraham:

The rotation at Scranton, Cashman said, would be Hughes, Kennedy, Igawa, Aceves and Jason Johnson. They plan to use Brett Tomko out of the bullpen.
Tomko was crushed, saying the news came as a shock. But he doesn’t have an out in his deal until June. “I don’t have any options,” he said. “I’m trying to be rational about it and look at the big picture. But it’s tough because I had a great spring.”

Scranton will certainly have a very strong pitching staff this year. Kei Igawa was arguably one of the best starters in the International League last season, going 14-6 with a 3.45 ERA and 6.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The fact that Igawa is the third starter, and Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy make up the top of the rotation suggests that the S/WB squad could be looking at another solid season - unless someone in New York gets injured.

I'm really hoping Kevin Russo and Ramiro Pena get the nod at second base and shortstop. The defense and pitching on this team could help lead them to another IL title.

The mandatory 2009 MLB prediction post

2009-03-30T21:21:00.002-04:00

Last year, I made the "Annual Preseason Prediction" post, and could not have been more wrong about the AL West, Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees. I did manage to predict that the Tampa Bay Rays would be the "surprisingly good" AL team and that Evan Longoria would nab the Rookie of the Year Award. Let's see what I can luckily get right this season:

American League:

AL East:
1. New York Yankees
2. Boston Red Sox*
3. Tampa Bay Rays
4. Baltimore Orioles
5. Toronto Blue Jays

AL Central:
1. Chicago White Sox
2. Cleveland Indians
3. Minnesota Twins
4. Detroit Tigers
5. Kansas City Royals

AL West:
1. Los Angeles Angels
2. Seattle Mariners
3. Texas Rangers
4. Oakland Athletics

National League

NL East:
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. Florida Marlins
3. New York Mets
4. Atlanta Braves
5. Washington Nationals

NL Central:
1.Chicago Cubs
2. St. Louis Cardinals
3. Cincinnati Reds
4. Houston Astros
5. Milwaukee Brewers
6. Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Arizona Diamondbacks*
3. Colorado Rockies
4. San Fransisco Giants
5. San Diego Padres

Post Season:
ALDS: Yankees over White Sox; Angels over Red Sox
ALCS: Angels over Yankees

NLDS:
Cubs over Diamondbacks; Phillies over Dodgers
NLCS: Cubs over Phillies

World Series:
Cubs over Angels

Awards:
American League
MVP: Grady Sizemore, Indians
Cy Young: CC Sabathia, Yankees
RoY: Matt Wieters, Orioles

National League
MVP: David Wright, Mets
Cy Young: Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks
RoY: Colby Rasmus, Cardinals

Surprise AL Team: Seattle Mariners
Surprise NL Team: Florida Marlins

Angel Berroa vs. Ramiro Pena

2009-03-30T14:34:00.008-04:00

Now that Xavier Nady and Brett Gardner have won their respective battles, the final bench spot is up for grabs and the Yankees need an additional middle infielder. With Cody Ransom likely the opening day third baseman, Angel Berroa and Ramiro Pena will compete for the aforementioned bench spot. Let's take a look at what both players bring to the table:

Angel Berroa: .365/.377/.596 in 53 AB's this spring.
The 2003 Rookie of the Year has seemingly been on the decline since his breakthrough season, but Berroa adds experience and a solid bat to the bench. Berroa has only played shortstop and is not the greatest fielder, but he can definitely handle second and third base. He's good enough on the base paths to be used as a pinch runner, but Berroa's veteran presence and possible offensive upside make him the better choice.

Pros: Experience, Better offensive player
Cons: Weaker defender, strikes out too much

Ramiro Pena: .320/.370/.400 in 50 AB's this spring.
Pena was signed by the Yankees because of his glove, and he truly is one of the best middle infielders in the organization. The 22 year-old has excellent range, footwork and reflexes, not to mention an arm strong enough to play third base. He's always been an offensively weak player, but Pena ha great patience at the plate and plenty of room for growth. I love players in this mold, but the Yankees need to let Pena develop more in the minors. He could end up being a very good player. Think Cesar Izturis at worst, Omar Vizquel at best.

Pros: Extremely proficient defensive player, solid base runner
Cons: Little to no power, needs more time to develop

Verdict: Angel Berroa.
The Yankees need to let Pena develop, and Berroa's veteran presence, strong spring performance and average defensive and base running ability makes him a solid option for the time being. Pena clearly has more upside, but the Yankees would be making a mistake by letting him rot on the bench.

Gardner named center fielder

2009-03-29T18:00:00.010-04:00

Great news out of Yankee camp; speedy Brett Gardner was given the starting center field job by manager Joe Girardi, according to Peter Abraham. Girardi also said that the current plan is to keep Melky on the team, but I would not rule out a trade sometime this season if Gardner ends up playing very well. Girardi has this to say of the decision:

“Both of them played great. Melky had a tough year last year but he came into camp, was ready to go and played very well. Gardy finished up strong (last season) and had a great camp and we’re just going to go with Gardy.” (source)

Girardi made the right choice here. While Cabrera did end up playing pretty well toward the end of spring training, but Gardner is the better choice because of his strong play and superior tools. I don't see him as a long-term option, but he's more than capable of doing a solid job this season.

Scout: Yankees might need better stopgap at third

2009-03-29T15:52:00.007-04:00

Ed Price recently spoke with a scout who has followed the Yankees this spring and kept a close eye on infielder Cody Ransom. According to the scout, the Yankees may need to deal for a better stopgap:

"If (Ransom) plays on an everyday basis, he's going to get exposed," the scout said. "I see him struggling with sliders and off-speed stuff." (source)

Ransom hit .255/.338/.482 with 25 homers in 116 games for Triple-A Scranton, so he can handle regular playing time without getting embarrassed, but that was in the minors. He had a hot September with the Yankees where he hit .302 with four homers in 33 game but that seemed liked a fluke.

If the Yankees wanted to acquire a better player, they should look into someone like Mark Teahen from the Royals or Brandon Inge from the Tigers. Both of those players can play third, first and the outfield. Inge can also catch, which is something the Yankees may need should Posada hit a snag with his shoulder. The Royals are crowded on the corners anyway, and the Tigers could move Carlos Guillen back to third if they choose to move Inge.

Pitching mathups for series vs. Cubs

2009-03-29T07:28:00.003-04:00

Here's how the pitching matchups will shake out for the exhibition series against the Cubs next week. I might be going to Saturday's game. I have not been to a professional ballpark since the 2008 Futures Game last season - and that did not even feature major leaguers. Anyway, here's the breakdown:

Game 1
Friday, April 3 at 7:05 p.m.
Ted Lilly vs. Chien-Ming Wang

Game 2
Saturday, April 4 at 1:05 p.m.
Rich Harden vs. A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte.

Both games will be televised on YES and broadcasted on WCBS.

Yankees reassign eight

2009-03-28T17:21:00.011-04:00

According to Peter Abraham, the Yankees optioned eight players to minor-league camp: Todd Linden, Shelley Duncan, John Rodriguez, Doug Bernier, Justin Leone, P.J. Pilittere, Chris Stewart and David Robertson. Most of those players will make up the Triple-A Scranton roster, but the key move here is the demotion of Robertson, which suggests that Edwar Ramirez will make the club.

Joe Giardi told reporters that the team may not break camp with a long releiver, but after today's strong performance from Brett Tomko (three scoreless innings against the Braves), I'm inclined to think that he could get the nod as the long man/spot-starter.

Yanks acquire Notle from Twins

2009-03-28T16:02:00.007-04:00

The Twins picked up right-handed pitcher Jason Jones from the Yankees in the 2008 Rule V draft, but Minnesota recently offered the pitcher back to the Yankees, but they did not seem to want him back. Perhaps his public criticism of the organization had something to do with it. Either way, the Yankees agreed to acquire pitcher Charles Nolte in exchange for the rights to Jones:

The Twins acquired the right-hander in a trade with the New York Yankees on Saturday, dealing Charles Nolte, a right-handed reliever at Class A Beloit, for the right to keep Jones.
The right-hander was the Twins' lone selection in last winter's Rule 5 draft, but the Yankees were allowed to reclaim the pitcher if he didn't remain on the Twins' 25-man roster all season. Rather than exercise that right, since Jones is not expected to break camp with Minnesota, the Yankees agreed to take Nolte instead. (source)

Notle, a 24th-round pick of the 2007 draft, went 4-3 with a 2.05 ERA and 2.14 K/BB ratio for Single-A Beloit last season. Aaron Gleeman had this to say of the reliever:

Nolte has served up a grand total of one homer while facing 417 batters, which is what happens when 71.3 percent of your balls in play are on the ground. To put that stat into some context, consider that no MLB pitcher had a ground-ball rate of even 70 percent last season and no Twins pitcher was above 60 percent. Nolte has induced over five ground balls for every fly ball as a pro and that alone would make him someone to watch even without the low-90s fastball and strong strikeout rate.

Most relievers who dominate in the low minors eventually fail to pan out and Nolte is a long way from Minnesota, but his combination of velocity, missed bats, and ground balls is much tougher to find than just another sparkling ERA at low Single-A. His lack of college experience suggests that Nolte could be a late bloomer and also means that his arm hasn't accumulated much mileage since the surgery four years ago, so if healthy he has a chance to move pretty quickly through the Twins' system. (source)

Seems like a pretty good find. He needs time to develop, but with his ability to induce ground balls, he could make it as a solid reliever one day.

Jeter to bat leadoff

2009-03-26T13:04:00.010-04:00

The top of the Yankee batting order is going to look a bit different going forward. According to Kat O'Brien, Derek Jeter is set to replace Johnny Damon as the leadoff hitter. Damon will now bat second:

Manager Joe Girardi said the reason for the switch is because the team likes how Damon has looked batting second in spring training games. As long as the Yankees like what they see over the final week of spring training games, the team will bring this lineup into the regular season.
The new look at the top of the batting order also is an indication that the Yankees will use Brett Gardner as their everyday centerfielder. Gardner figures to be the ninth hitter, and if Damon was batting leadoff opponents would likely bring a lefthanded specialist to face both hitters. Putting Jeter first splits the two lefthanded hitters. (source)

Despite his fast decline, Jeter still got on base at a .363 clip in 2008 and will be fine at the top of the order. I have a feeling (as does O'Brien) that this move is an indication that Brett Gardner will make the team, and will be the starting center fielder come opening day.

A-Rod's rehab going well

2009-03-24T12:18:00.002-04:00

via the New York Post:

Hitting coach Kevin Long talked to Alex Rodriguez yesterday and reported the rehabbing third baseman has added weight lifting to his program.
"He said he was doing good, (with) exercise bike, pool and lifting," Long said.
Joe Girardi doesn't believe he will see Rodriguez, who is rehabbing in Vail, Colo., before the Yankees head home April 1.

Brian Cashman mentioned that there could be a slight possibility that A-Rod could finish his rehab in Colorado before April, and some think he could return earlier than expected. It'd be great if A-Rod could come back early, the offense would surely benefit.

Projecting the Opening Day Roster

2009-03-24T12:07:00.003-04:00

Now that Xavier Nady has been named as the right fielder, it could be a good time to take another crack at projecting the opening day roster. Let's take a look:

Lineup:
LF - Damon
SS - Jeter
DH - Matsui
1B - Teixeira
2B - Cano
C - Posada
RF - Nady
3B - Ransom
CF - Gardner

Bench:
C - Molina
2B/SS/3B - Berroa
LF/CF/RF - Cabrera
LF/RF/1B - Swisher

Comments: Ransom is probably the best internal option for third base, and it appears that A-Rod could be back earlier than expected. Even though Joe Girardi has yet to confirm it, Brett Gardner has won the center field job, and he'll serve as a serious spark for the bottom of the order while playing solid defense. I think we can expect big things from Cano this season too. Berroa will probably be the first to go once A-Rod comes back, unless Ransom does a terrible job.

Rotation:
Sabathia
Burnett
Wang
Pettitte
Chamberlain

Bullpen:
Rivera
Marte
Bruney
Veras
Coke
Ramirez*
Tomko

Comments: The order of the starting pitchers does not really matter, but it seems like Burnett or Pettitte could make the first start at the new stadium. Thanks to a strong spring, Brett Tomko will likely win the long relief job. Edwar Ramirez could push David Robertson back to Scranton, but the later is the better option.
Edit: After seeing Edwar dice up the Bosox lineup, I'd have to say that he'll get the nod now. His stuff looked real good.

2009 Yankee Mug Shots

2009-03-24T11:45:00.004-04:00

The Yankees recently updated their player profile pages, and that means the new photos are up. Check out the smiles on the newest Yankees:

I'd have to say that Mark Teixeira looks the most natural in pinstripes. Swisher's smile suggest that the photo was taken before Xavier Nady was given the right field job. Also, Kanekoa Texeira really needs to learn how to break in a hat.

Yankee New and Notes: 3-23-2009

2009-03-23T22:04:00.002-04:00

Plenty of news today in Yankee-land:

Xaiver Nady is the favorite to win the right field job, according to Bryan Hoch. While Nady's play has been somewhat underwhelming, Girardi apparently feels that he "has more in the bank because of his play last year." Swisher seemed disappointed with the news, but I think he'll eventually end up as the starter sometime this season. Despite Nady's better 2008 numbers, Swisher is the better overall hitter, fielder and runner. It'll only be a matter of time before Girardi sees that.

ESPN's Rob Neyer also feels that Swisher should patrol right field for the Yanks, mainly because of his superior defense, plate discipline and base running ability. I'm inclined to agree that he is likely the better candidate and should at least start the first game of the season - Swisher has a .444 career average against the likely Baltimore starting pitcher, Jeremy Guthrie.

According to Peter Gammons, the Yankees have shown interest in Mark Teahen of the Royals and Gary Matthews Jr. of the Angels. Teahen makes a load of sense for the Yankees, who need a third baseman, and could always use an extra corner outfielder. The team would be smart to avoid taking on Mathew's ridiculous contract, especially when they already have a logjam in center field. The Yanks could probably get Teahen for Ian Kennedy.

The Yankees reaquired catcher Chris Stewart from the White Sox for a PTBNL. Stewart spent the majority of the 2008 season behind the plate for Triple-A Scranton, but got a cup of coffee with the club. Stewart hit .279 with two homers for the Scranton Yankees last year, and will likely split time with Kevin Cash this season.

The Yankees released their concessions lineup for the new stadium today, and many new delicacies adorn the list of old favorites. I don't know how anyone can eat soup at a ball game, but there appears to be many tasty treats on the menu that will destroy your wallet come April.

Jorge Posada reportedly feels "100 percent" and appears to be ready for the start of the season. That's great news; the Yankees need production from their catcher this season to make up for the early loss of A-Rod. Plus, I really don't want Jose Molina to hit the first home run in new Yankee Stadium history.

Chien Ming-Wang is slated to start the first exhibition game against the Cubs at the new Yankee Stadium. A.J. Burnett will star the second game. I'm actually pretty excited for this, mainly because I root for a Yanks/Cubs World Series every year. Maybe this will be a preview of October?

Phil Hughes, Kei Igawa, Steven Jackson and Anthony Claggett, were optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, while Humberto Sanchez was optioned to Double-A Trenton. Sergio Mitre and Jason Johnson were also reassigned to minor league camp. Hughes and Igawa will likely make up the Triple-A rotation, and Jackson could be a candidate to work as the setup man thanks to his strong 2008 season.

Now that Hughes and Igawa have been sent to Triple-A Scranton, Dan Giese, Alfredo Aceves and Brett Tomko will compete for the long releif role. According to Peter Abraham, Tomko is leading the race. As of now, I'd have to say the pen could look like this: Rivera, Bruney, Marte, Veras, Robertson, Coke and Tomko. Personally, I think Giese can do a better job, but Tomko has certainly excelled this spring.

Gardner/Cabrera battle still close

2009-03-20T11:31:00.002-04:00

Despite Brett Gardner's superior play, Joe Girardi still feels that the battle for center field is just too close to call:

Manager Joe Girardi said he's pleased with the play of candidates Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera and expects the evaluating process to continue right up to the end of the Florida portion of spring training - if not beyond.

"They've both played at a very high level," Girardi said last night before the Yankees beat Toronto, 7-4. "I'm of the belief that we can carry both and get production out of both." (source)

Based on what I've seen - Gardner is the clear winner here. He brings tools to the table that other players don't have, and has done a much better job than Cabrera this spring. The only real advantage Melky has is his arm - and Gardner makes up for his own weak arm by taking better routes and using his speed. By the time the season starts, we'll be wondering what the Yankees should do with Cabrera.

Aaron Boone to have heart surgery

2009-03-18T19:09:00.003-04:00

Aaron Boone, the man responsible for my greatest Yankee-related memory (and bringing A-Rod to the club) will miss the 2009 season due to open-heart surgery:

Boone made the announcement Wednesday, saying he has known about his heart condition since college but tests done after his routine physical determined he needed surgery. It is not an emergency, but doctors indicated the procedure was needed.
He said doctors told him he could play baseball when he recovers, but he's not sure if he will.
An emotional Boone delivered the news flanked by general manager Ed Wade and manager Cecil Cooper and in front of a somber room filled with teammates and Astros officials.
"It definitely hits home, but I'm doing well with it," Boone said. "I feel like I'm fairly educated on it now. I have a strong faith and a great family and friends and teammates. I really am doing well and I'm ready to tackle this thing and get it behind me and get on with life." (source)

Boone currently has a heart condition that now requires immediate surgery. I hope he's able to eventualy return to the game. He's been a solid bench player for a few years now, and will go down in Yankee infamy because of this. Best of luck on the recovery.

Aren't you glad the Yankees didn't sign him?

2009-03-18T18:55:00.004-04:00

Before the Yankees signed Andy Pettitte to a one-year deal, they briefly courted right-hander Freddy Garcia, who ended up with the Mets. Garcia was set to compete with Tim Redding and Livan Hernandez for the final spot in the rotation, and has had an utterly terrible spring training. He's been so bad, the Mets may just release him:

We haven't spoken to Jerry Manuel yet, but it's probably safe to say Freddy Garcia won't be long for the Mets' camp. The veteran right-hander's already slim odds of winning the No. 5 starter job appeared to fly out the window here today with his disaster of a four-run, four-hit first inning of work against the Braves. (source)

Yes, its only speculation, but because of his incentive-based salary, the Mets will likely cut ties with the pitcher. I'm sure if the Yankees had signed Garcia, Pettitte would have ended up somewhere else and the team would be looking at Phil Hughes or Brett Tomko to pick up the pieces. Thanks again, Andy.

Matsui won't play the field till June

2009-03-18T18:38:00.003-04:00

We really haven't heard much about Hideki Matsui lately, and it appears as though he'll be limited to designated and pinch hitting duties until June:

"The earliest we would need him in the outfield would be interleague, and that's a ways off," Girardi said Wednesday. "That's why we envision him as our everyday DH. We need him. He's a great RBI guy. He's very important to our lineup."
"I think the fact my body, knee are getting used to it is a good sign," Matsui said through a translator. (source)

I don't think he'll see much glove-time this year anyway, but the Yankees need to make sure Matsui can stay healthy. He's actually an extremely important part of the offense this year. This could eventually make Girardi's job a bit more difficult by limiting his DH options, but I don't see it as a huge problem.

Cano and Marte not seriously injured

2009-03-16T20:33:00.004-04:00

Good news from Marc Craig of the Star-Ledger: Robinson Cano and Damaso Marte's results are in, and they have no serious issues:

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and reliever Damaso Marte underwent magnetic resonance imaging exams on their injured throwing shoulders on Monday. The exam showed Cano has bursitis in his right shoulder while it confirmed the original diagnosis of left shoulder inflammation for Marte. (source)

Both players will likely be listed as day-to-day, and Cano could return to the field by Friday. He'll take anti-inflammatory medication and begin a weight-lifting program to strengthen his shoulder. It appears as though Marte may need a bit more time to recuperate, but both players should be fine. In any event, the Yankees have Phil Coke to fall back on if they need a lefty. I'm sure we'll hear an announcement on Damaso within the next day or two. Let's hope Jeter does not return from Team USA with any sort of injury, otherwise we'll have a rough time watching Jesus Montero lead Venezuela to a WBC win in 2013.

Marlins return Kroenke

2009-03-16T19:20:00.006-04:00

According to Juan Rodriguez of the Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Marlins returned left-handed pitcher Zach Kroenke to the Yankees earlier today. Kroenke failed to impress the Marlins after an outing where he failed to retire any of the seven batters he faced.

The Yankees will now have to give the Marlins half of the $50,000 draft fee back. In 10 innings for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees last season, the lefty posted a 1.80 ERA while striking out 10 and walking two. He'll likely split time between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton this year.

Yankee News and Notes: 3-16-2009

2009-03-15T23:57:00.002-04:00

I hope everyone had a nice weekend. The annual "Scranton Parade Day" was quite the blast. With spring training winding down, players are getting reassigned and we're able to get a better idea of who will make the big league club and who will open up the season in The Electric City.

The Yankees may be interested in Oakland infielder Bobby Crosby, according to the Boston Globe. The 200X Rookie of the Year recipient has struggled to stay healthy since his breakout season, but the A's have played him on the corners to boost his marketability. He'd make sense for the Yankees, but only if the price was right. Crosby hit .261 with seven homers and 61 RBI last season. (Thanks, Yanksblog).

Jorge Posada caught four innings in a spring training game today, and told Newsday's Kat O'Brien that he felt "surprisingly good." Apparently Jorge was only scheduled to spend three innings behind the plate, but wanted to stick around to catch Phil Coke for an inning. That's encouraging on two fronts. Firstly, it appears that Posada will be fine going forward. Secondly, Phil Coke must really be impressing the team. In five innings, Coke has a 1.80 ERA and four strikeouts this spring. With Damaso Marte hurt, Coke is a lock to make the team, but he probably was regardless.

According to Bryan Hoch, the Yankees assigned pitcher Ian Kennedy to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The organization also reassigned Jesus Montero, Kyle Anson, Kevin Russo, Mark Melancon and Christian Garcia to Minor League camp. Brian Cashman still seems to be high on Kennedy, but he could be attempting to boost the right-hander's image.

Releiver Mark Melancon was optioned to Triple-A earlier this week, but that does not really come at a surprise. Word around the Scranton clubhouse last season was Melancon still needed a bit more time to mature (in terms of pitching - not makeup).

Brett Tomko has been lights out this spring. In 10.1 IP, the former Giant has posted a 1.74 ERA while striking out 10 and walking one. A.J. Burnett has also been terrific this spring, not allowing a run in six innings.