Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Brett Gardner Wearing Protective Thumb Cover


Brett Gardner is wearing a new fiber glass protective device on his thumb while he runs the bases this year as a preventative measure. Gardner broke his thumb in 2009 and missed some games in 2012 because his thumb was sore so he does not want this to become a reoccurring theme. Brett will be entering his age 29 season in 2013 and will use this protective device for when he steals bases and uses the head first slide because the Yankees need him on the field more than ever in 2013.

Agent For Carlos Lee Reads TGP, Contacts Yankees


Okay so maybe the agent for Carlos Lee does not exactly read The Greedy Pinstripes even though I have been clamoring for him to be in pinstripes for months now but he did contact the Yankees today about their vacant first base position. Carlos Lee did block a trade last year with his no trade clause that would have brought him to the Yankees but now apparently he is willing to play for the Yankees, I guess not having a job in mid March will do that for a guy. Carlos Lee will be entering his age 36 season and while he sucks in the field, lets not mince words here or sugar coat it, and has basically lost all of his power he is still a decent option for a stop gap. Carlos is a right handed hitter that can play the outfield, first base, can be a designated hitter, will sign a one year deal for very little money, and can easily be designated for assignment when Mark Teixeira comes back. I do not see the Yankees making this happen because they would have before reaching out to Scott Rolen or Chipper Jones because I guess it makes too much sense.

Cesar Cabral & Michael Pineda Throwing Sliders


Injured pitchers Cesar Cabral and Michael Pineda both threw bullpen sessions today while throwing sliders for the first time since their respected surgeries that cost them their 2012 seasons. Michael Pineda had major shoulder surgery and Cesar Cabral had a micro fracture in his left pitching elbow. Both players are on the same pitching rehab schedule so they both threw 35 pitches today which is their longest bullpen sessions since their injuries. Progress for both pitchers is a good sign.

WBC: Team Puerto Rico vs. Team USA


Team USA and Team Puerto Rico will start their second round World Baseball Classic pools in pool 2 tonight in Miami. Team USA will send Washington Nationals star Gio Gonzalez to the mound to face off with the Puerto Ricans. The game will be televised at 8:00 pm ET on MLB Network.

New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays 3/12


The New York Yankees will travel 100 mils to play against the Tampa Bay rays this afternoon. The Yankees will send Ivan Nova to the mound who looks to continue a very impressive spring while competing for the 5th spot in the Yankees rotation. The game will be televised at 1:05 pm ET on MLB.TV.

Spring Training 3/12/13 Lineup

Eduardo Nunez SS
Jayson Nix 3B
Travis Hafner DH
Juan Rivera 1B
Francisco Cervelli C
Melky Mesa CF
Thomas Neal LF
Zoilo Almonte RF
Corban Joseph 2B

RHP Ivan Nova

Start Time: 1:05 p.m.
T.V: None
Radio: Tampa Bay Radio (MLB.com)

Morning Bits: Calling all retired players, Romine to start season in AAA, Nova on mound today

mug3Who is happy about the new addition of Francisco?  Not me at all!!!!  Let's get going with the links....

-- Daniel Barbarisi of The Wall Street Journal writes that if you are old and retired the Yankees are interested.

-- If you thought Austin Romine would start in the Bronx this year than you were wrong.  D.J. Short of NBC Sports reports that he has been assigned to the AAA Roster.

-- Andrew Marchand of ESPN NY writes that it's Nova's turn today to stay on par with Phelps in the showdown for the 5th spot in the rotation.

Looking Around The AL East - Tampa Bay Rays


The Tampa Bay Rays had yet another successful season under manager Joe Maddon off of the back on 2012 Cy Young Award winner David Price. The Rays finished 2012 with a 90-72 record and just missed out on the second Wild Card spot to the Texas Rangers. The Rays have been busy this off season and are looking to once again rebuild on the fly with their very talented farm system. Let's take a look at what the Rays may look like in 2013.


I have put each players WAR from 2012 in parenthesis next to their name.

Additions:
  • Luke Scott (0.1)
  • Kyle Farnsworth (0.0)
  • Kelly Johnson (1.4)
  • Roberto Hernandez (-0.5)
  • James Loney (-0.3)
  • Joel Peralta (0.5)
  • James Shields (2.2)
  • Fernando Rodney (3.7)
  • Jose Molina (0.8)

Subtractions:
  • Carlos Pena (0.4)
  • Brooks Conrad (0.1)
  • Jeff Keppinger (2.4)
  • Ben Francisco (-0.1)
  • BJ Upton (2.6)
  • JP Howell (0.8)
  • Elliot Johnson (0.5)
  • Reid Brignac (-0.3)

Notable Trades:
  • James Shields Traded 
  • Wade Davis Traded
  • Acquired Wil Myers
  • Acquired Yunel Escobar



I have James Shields added as an addition but obviously he was later traded to Kansas City so he should cancel himself out as a subtraction as well. Between James Shields and Wade Davis being traded the Rays lost 3.6 games according to WAR alone there although they gain 2.6 back with the acquisition of Yunel Escobar. Not to mention that the additions of Luke Scott, Fernando Rodney, Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, and Jose Molina are just replacing themselves from 2012. For everything they loss they have immediate replacements already in place like Desmond Jennings and Wil Myers ready to lead the charge in the outfield for the Rays in 2012.  Lots of negative WAR's added and lots of games lost according to WAR by free agency but Joe Maddon and his staff still manages this team and it still has a deep farm system, Evan Longoria, and David Price and that is enough for me. 

2013 Prediction : 92-70 2nd Place Finish