Kevin Youkilis In Yankees Gear For First Time

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and if you do not believe it just ask any Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees fan that just looked at this picture...

Does Cervelli Have A Minor League Option Left Or Not?

A few weeks back we heard that Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman confirm, or so I thought, that Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli has one minor league option remaining and could be sent down to the minor leagues this season. Chad Jennings from Lohud reported this in an interview with Brian Cashman, seen HERE, and one would think that Brian Cashman would know better then anyone but I read a conflicting story from another source that I highly trust. MLB Trade Rumors posted their list of players that are out of options and out of curiosity I went and looked at the Yankees players, seen HERE, and saw Francisco Cervelli listed as a player OUT of minor league options. Again, I trust Brian Cashman more then I do Tim Dierkes over at MLB Trade Rumors but that does not mean that I am not now thoroughly confused concerning whether Cervelli has an option left or not.

Francisco Cervelli Withdraws From WBC & Team Italy

Francisco Cervelli has told the manager of Team Italy that he will be withdrawing from the World Baseball Classic. Cervelli is going to use the time to good use and fight for the starting catcher job for the New York Yankees. The Yankees gave their permission for Cervelli to play in the WBC this year but has decided that competing with Austin Romine, Chris Stewart, and others like Bobby Wilson. Also I am sure the Biogenesis clinic down in Miami had something to do with it. Either way I am glad to see Cervelli taking this Spring Training seriously.

New York Yankees Spring Training Notes 2/16

CC Sabathia threw his first bullpen session since having elbow surgery in the off season which consisted of 29 pitches, all fastballs and change ups. Sabathia said that he felt nervous when he started to throw but immediately felt good and comfortable after throwing a few pitches. Great news that he was pain and complication free because in a season that is going to be filled with question marks we need CC Sabathia to once again be the rock of the rotation.

Joe Girardi said that both CC Sabathia and Mariano Rivera will be skipped during the first time in the Yankees Spring Training rotation. Girardi said that neither are likely to throw their first Grapefruit League pitches until at least March.

Speaking of Mariano Rivera he threw roughly 30 pitches today in a bullpen side session. He also came through it pain and complication free so the Sandman looks to be healthy and back for the 2013 season after losing most of the 2012 season to an ACL surgery.

Meet A Prospect : Zoilo Almonte

Zoilo Almonte was born on June 10th, 1989 in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, Dominican Republic. Zoilo has been in the Yankees system since 2007 when he signed as an International Free Agent at age 16. He has consistently flown under the radar for the Yankees in their system being overshadowed by a deep outfield class but had a coming out party in the 2011 season, his age 22 season. In that 2011 season Zoilo put up a triple slash of .298/.373/.522 and has instantly put himself on the Yankees radar as far as potential bench players and mid season call ups as soon as this season. 

Almonte is considered to have a plus arm with a very athletic build at 6'0" and 200 lbs and has been called a great defender. He is also a switch hitter who has shown great plate discipline for such a young player and is considered to be mature beyond his time when it comes to his baseball skilss. He has great BB% and power numbers in his career despite his smallish frame. This will be Zoilo's second season on the 40 man roster and under Rule 5 Draft protection and will start the season in Scranton after playing over 100 games in Trenton last season putting up a .277/.322/.487 to go with his .808 OPS. 

ETA : Late 2013 - Mid 2014