Yankees @ Mariners 7/24/12

I do not know if you guys have heard yet but the Yankees acquired Ichiro Suzuki to play Left Field for the remainder of this season from the Seattle Mariners yesterday. Those same Seattle Mariners that we have now hooked up with twice for a high profile trade in less then a year are who we are playing tonight in Safeco Field. On the mound for the Yankees, looking to start a win streak, is Freddy Garcia but his job will not be easy... Tonight the Mariners send future Yankee King Felix Hernandez to the mound to even the series. The game will be televised at 10:10 pm ET on the YES Network.

Lineups

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Raul Ibanez LF
Eric Chavez DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Chris Stewart C

Go Yankees!!!

2012 Trades Around The League 7/24/12

The impending Marlins fire sale is something that I personally want to keep a VERY close eye on. The Marlins keep falling farther and farther out of contention behind the streaking Braves and Nationals and look to be ready to unload some of their over paid talent on other teams. Do not get me wrong though even if it is over paid the Marlins still have TALENT.

The Marlins started yesterday by sending Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez to the rival Detroit Tigers for MLB 10th best ranked prospect Jacob Turner and two other prospects.  This is just the tip of the ice burg in my opinion. In the hours following the trade we are already hearing whispers of Hanley Ramirez to the Red Sox (which I think is probably going to happen and that scares me), Heath Bell could be on his way out, Carlos Lee, Josh Johnson (Texas Rangers anyone?), Ricky Nolasco, Randy Choate, and others.

This could make the stretch run VERY interesting depending on where these guys end up. The Marlins claim they are not having a fire sale and will only make moves that make the team better but I am sure they have said that the last few times as well...

Meet A Prospect : Corey Black

The New York Yankees used their fourth round pick, 157th overall, on right handed college starting pitcher Corey Black. Corey has spent his college career with Faulkner University in Montgomery Alabama. Corey signed for a measly $215K.

Corey Black has good fastball with good movement that sits in the upper 90's consistently. Black, which is not odd for college pitchers, has good secondary pitches to go with his fastball. Being from such a small University in Alabama a lot is not really known about him but the Yankees have obviously seen something that intrigues them in Black. He is kind of a small guy only being 5'11" so that always seems to point guys like this towards the bullpen in the future. 

Corey Black is still considered raw even though he is a college pitcher. What Black lacks in polish though he more then makes up in upside and projections. You absolutely cannot teach velocity and reminds me a ton of Joba Chamberlain. I truly think we could see him as early as next season if the bullpen needs an arm in September or earlier. 

Black started one game in the GCL before being promoted to the NYPL and being sent to Staten Island. He has a modest 3.38 ERA in the Penn League while starting three games and holding batters to a .211 BAA at the time of this writing. His biggest problem has been his 5 walks to go with his 8 K's. 

Follow Corey Black, a Greedy Pinstripes Follower (@GreedyStripes), on Twitter @CblackEagle12