Thursday, March 14, 2013

Derrek Lee To Stay Retired, Not Join Yankees


Derrek lee has told the New York Yankees that he will stay retired and will not be joining the New York Yankees in 2013, thank goodness.  Lee has not played since 2011 and has not played well in a few years prior to that so I could not see this working out well for us. The Yankees were interested in Lee to temporarily replace the injured Mark Teixeira but the search will continue.

WBC: Team USA vs. Team Dominican Republic


Both Team USA and Team Dominican Republic won their opening pool games in the second round of the World Baseball Classic so one team will leave Miami tonight in the drivers seat and one will take a step back. Team USA beat up on Team Puerto Rico 7-1 behind David Wright's offensive explosion and Team Dominican Republic and Yankees star Robinson Cano beat Team Italy 5-4. Team USA will send RA Dickey to the mound and the game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on MLB Network.

After Facing Hitters, Hughes Is Okay

Phil Hughes faced hitters this morning, which was the first time he's done so since he was diagnosed with a bulging disc on his back. The plan is for him to throw a simulated game on Monday, and then it's possible he'd be ready to make his Spring Training debut, and then be ready for his first start of the regular season. However, I wouldn't get my hopes up on that quite yet. When it comes to pitching, unlike batting, the Yankees would be okay if Philthy missed his first regular season start.

New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays


The Yankees will travel to play the Toronto Blue Jays in their latest spring training game as a part of Grapefruit League play. The game will be televised on MLB TV at 1:05 pm ET.

Spring Training 3/14/13 Lineup

Brett Gardner CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Travis Hafner DH
Ben Francisco LF
Jayson Nix 3B
Francisco Cervelli C
Thomas Neal RF
Corban Joseph 2B

RHP Jose Ramirez

Start Time: 1:05 p.m.
T.V: None
Radio: Toronto Blue Jays Radio (MLB.com)

Looking Around The AL East - Toronto Blue Jays


The Toronto Blue Jays had their third consecutive fourth place finish in 2012 when they finished with a 73-89 record in the AL East. The Jays reloaded this off season with a monster trade with the Miami Marlins and another notable trade with the New York Mets for the 2012 reigning National League Cy Young Award winner RA Dickey. Will it be enough to finally topple the usual suspects in the very deep American League East? Let's take a look an analyze the Blue Jays off season and how it should affect their 2013 on the field product.


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

Additions:
  • Melky Cabrera (4.7)
  • Maicer Izturis (0.1)
  • Henry Blanco (-0.2)
  • Mark DeRosa (-0.8)
  • Darren Oliver (1.9)

Subtractions:
  • John Buck (0.4)
  • Travis d'Arnaud (minor leagues)
  • Jeff Mathis (0.8)
  • Kelly Johnson (1.4)
  • Yunel Escobar (2.5)
  • Adeiny Hechavarria (0.0)
  • Mike Aviles (2.0)
  • Scott Cousins (-1.0)
  • Henderson Alvarez (0.1)
  • Jason Frasor (0.3)
  • David Herndon (0.0)
  • Brandon Lyon (1.2)
  • Scott Maine (-0.3)
  • Carlos Villanueva (1.2)

Notable Trades:
  • Acquired Mark Buehrle (3.2)
  • Acquired Josh Johnson (3.1)
  • Acquired Jose Reyes (2.8)
  • Acquired John Buck (0.4)
  • Acquired Emilio Bonifacio (0.5)
  • Acquired RA Dickey (5.6)


The Toronto Blue Jays went all in this off season while taking advantage of yet another Miami Marlins fire sale and a fiscally troubled Mets team to improve their team. The AL East, no matter who says what, is still the most competitive division in all of baseball and I do not expect the Blue Jays to finish in fourth place of it AGAIN. With all the big time additions already being added to a fantastic core of Brett Lawrie, Ricky Romero, etc this team could be special if everyone lives up to expectations. I obviously do not see RA Dickey replicating his 2012 season and I am not entirely sold on Josh Johnson because he has not given anyone any kind of consistency in his career, especially in the health department, but this team still has the ability to go far. According to WAR they added around 15 wins to their total from last season but 15 wins would only improve them to a 89-73 record so it will be interesting to see just what happens in 2013 up in Toronto.

2013 Predictions: 91-71 record 3rd place finish