Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Alex Rodriguez Hit-Less In Second Rehab Game


Alex Rodriguez is still 0 for his rehab assignment when he wen't 0-2 again tonight in three innings at third base for the Charleston Riverdogs. Alex had two ground outs and started a double play while playing in the field in what was another uneventful night in his rehab. Alex is now scheduled to return to Tampa, which is now rain free, to continue his rehab with the High A Tampa Yankees starting tomorrow. If Alex uses the entire 20 game rehab assignment window he will be eligible to come off the DL the first game after the All Star break.

Game Thread: Yankees @ Twins 7/3


CC Sabathia and the Yankees look to get another victory over these Minnesota Twins tonight on YES in the third game of their four game series at Target Field. Sabathia carried a no hitter into the 6th inning against Baltimore last time out only to lose the game so he looks to rebound tonight. PJ Walters is coming off of a three inning start against the Royals so maybe we can build off of that too. Go Yankees!

Here is the Yankees lineup

Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Zoilo Almonte LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Chris Stewart C
Luis Cruz SS
David Adams 3B


Follow us on Twitter @GreedyStripes to keep up with the Yankees all season long!

Former Yankees Update Chien Ming Wang


The Yankees signed Chien Ming Wang to a minor league deal before the season and watched him dominate AAA hitters all season long while he spent time with the Scranton Wilkes Barre Railriders. Wang opted out of his deal to sign a major league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays last month and has not seen his 2006 success come back. Wang was designated for assignment last night by the Blue Jays after a terrible start, his second consecutive bomb, against the Detroit Tigers. Wang finished his Blue Jays career with a 7.13 ERA and a 5.31 FIP. He did get ground balls at a career high of right at 63% but that was the only bright spot in what was a disaster for Wang. Will the Yankees bring him back? I would not be against it personally.

Get Greedy... Get Manny? No Thanks


As many of you probably do not know the name of this blog was essentially hatched way back in 2009 when the Yankees wen't on a spending spree signing CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Mark Teixeira, and acquiring Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox. I, myself, and dm23HOF were all members of a forum that will remain nameless where I started the, albeit sarcastically, "Get Greedy...Get Manny" campaign. I campaigned for the Yankees to get greedy, blow the payroll up, and sign Manny Ramirez. I pointed out that he was right handed power bat that we could use, would easily solve our clutch hitting problem, would bring in millions in merchandise sales and all that jazz, and could easily be hid in left field. Thankfully, hindsight being 20/20, the Yankees did not sign him and the "Get Greedy" campaign ended. When we decided to leave the forum world for the blog world we decided we had to include the "Get Greedy" campaign somehow in the blog and it's title and thus the Greedy Pinstripes was born.

Now I said all that to say this, Manny Ramirez has signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers. After opting out of his contract while playing professionally in Taiwan there was some speculation that the Yankees might look at Manny but they never seemed to show any interest. We're not getting greedy and we're definitely not getting Manny, oh well. Yankees tickets will be sold nonetheless.

Luis Cruz Added To 40 Man Roster, Jayson Nix To DL


Remember everything that I said about the Yankees signing Luis Cruz to a minor league deal and hoped that it was just AAA depth? Well I was wrong, scratch that, and forget it. Luis Cruz has been signed to a major league deal and is in the lineup tonight against the Minnesota Twins. Jayson Nix has been added to the 15 day DL with a hamstring strain to make room for Cruz on the 25 man roster. No word yet on the 40 man roster move but I am expecting it to happen soon.

Yankees Appear On Alex Rios No Trade Clause


Alex Rios is probably a Yankees trade target this trading deadline but a deal could be complicated between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox involving Rios. Rios has a no trade clause which can allow him to block trades to the Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, and Oakland Athletics.

The Rockies, Diamondbacks, Astros, and A's seem unlikely to make a move for an outfielder but this could really affect the Yankees and the Royals specifically. Not to say that a deal could not be done, because it could, but it would need Rios' approval first.

Yankees Sign Luis Cruz To Minor League Deal


The New York Yankees have announced that they have signed former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Luis Cruz to a minor league deal. Cruz was designated for assignment last Friday by the Dodgers after appearing in 45 games including 30 starts, 20 at third base and 10 at short stop, for the Dodger big league club. Cruz is considered to be a defensive first infielder and, hopefully, AAA Scranton Railriders depth and insurance and not in the big league clubs plans.

New York Yankees @ Minnesota Twins 7/3


The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins play the third game of their four game series tonight at Target Field in Minnesota. CC Sabathia will pitch for the New York Yankees and will face off with PJ Walters for the Twins. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on YES and MLB TV.

Game 84 Lineup: Yankees @ Twins

So Yankees fans, we got bad news...but I'll get to that after I post the lineup. Here it is.

Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Zoilo Almonte LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Chris Stewart C
Luis Cruz SS
David Adams 3B

CC Sabathia LHP

Some Notes:

-- I know you're wondering...who the heck is Luis Cruz and where is Jayson Nix? Once Upon A Time, Jayson Nix had a tight hamstring. He thought he could play yesterday but Girardi sat him down. Today Nix went for an MRI and revealed he had a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He was forced to go on the DL and the Yankees signed Luis Cruz to take his place. The End. I know, it's not a good story about how another Yankee is on the DL.

-- Hiroki Kuroda went to get an MRI last night on his hip after feeling discomfort. His MRI came back clean but he's not starting on Friday. Ivan Nova is.

Potential Yankees Trade Targets


The calendar has turned to July, which means summer is in full force and we are under a month away to the MLB trade deadline. The Yankees (44-39) currently sit six games behind Boston in the AL East and are three games behind Oakland and Baltimore in the wild card.

The Yankees need to be looking for offensive help immediately before they fall out of the race. 3rd base, shortstop, catcher, and 1st base are the biggest Yankees needs. Even if the Yankees fell out of the race they do not have many pieces to sell. Nobody will want the contracts of Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia. Hiroki Kuroda has a no-trade clause and Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Curtis Granderson have either under performed or been injured this year. Here are the players I think the Yankees should target in trades:

Jonathan Lucroy C Brewers:
The Brewers are big time sellers and the Yankees should certainly place a call to them about Lucroy. Lucroy, 27, is still in his prime and has a great contract that would have him under team control through 2016, so he is more than a rental. He has a slash line of .267/.313/.432/.745 this season, which is down from last year (.320/.368/.513/.881), but still very solid for a catcher. Lucroy has shown much more power this year, as he has hit 12 home runs already this year and he hit 12 all of last season. He is 8th among MLB catchers in wOBA (.321) and wRC+ (103). Lucroy would represent a huge upgrade for the Yankees.

Kendrys Morales 1B Mariners:
Morales is having a solid season for the Mariners and he would be a good player for the Yankees to get on a rental. He would be a big upgrade over Lyle Overbay, who has been terrible recently. Morales’ slash line this year is .277/.334.433/.768. He has nine home runs, but Safeco Field probably has kept that total lower than it should be. Morales is a switch hitter, which is always great and the only current switch hitter on the Yankees is Zoilo Almonte. He hits lefties and righties effectively, but he has crushed lefties (147 wRC+ and .378 wOBA), and the Yankees really struggle against lefties. Morales would be a perfect fit at first base for the Yankees.

Michael Young 3B Phillies:
Alex Rodriguez started his rehab yesterday, but it is still hard to count on him coming off of major hip surgery. Even when he does come back he will have to DH a ton and David Adams has been dreadful. Young would fit perfectly in the number two hole in the Yankees lineup behind Brett Gardner. Young’s fielding is not good, but the Yankees really need the offense right now. His slash line is .287/.344/.409/.753 with 108 wRC+ and a .328 wOBA. Young has little power and is up there in age, but he is a considerable upgrade over what the Yankees have.

Mike Morse 1B/OF Mariners
Morse was somebody I wanted the Yankees to trade for over the winter, but he went to Seattle. Morse is currently on the DL with a quad injury, so he will have to prove to be healthy before the Yankees trade for him. If healthy, his versatility and right handed power would be a good fit for the Yankees. Morse‘s slash for the season is .251/.313/.454/.767 with a .332 wOBA and 115 wRC+. He is an intimating presence at 6-5 and 245 pounds that would bring some much needed pop to the lineup. With his injury and his impending free agency he will not cost a ton.

Chase Utley 2B Phillies
Obviously, Utley would not be playing second base on the Yankees. However, he has 24 career starts at first base in his career, so he is familiar with that position. Utley just returned from the DL last week and injuries are always a concern with him. Yet, when he is on the field you know he is going to produce. Utley has hit to the tune of a .284/.348/.517/.866 slash line. His 2.5 WAR, 138 wRC+ and .371 wOBA are also very solid. Utley is a lefty, but lefties do not give him a lot of trouble, as he has a .816 OPS against lefties this season. Utley would instantly become the second best hitter on the Yankees.

Nate Schierholtz OF Cubs
The Yankees tried to acquire Schierholtz this winter, but he went to the Cubs and the Yankees really could have used him. Schierholtz is having an outstanding season and his swing would fit great at Yankee Stadium. Outfield is not the biggest need on the team, but the Yankees need bats any way they can get them. Schierholtz has showed great pop this year with 11 home runs and a .536 slugging percentage. Schierholtz is another rental so he would have no effect on next year’s payroll.

 

Leonardo Molina International Signing Update


I did not originally know this somehow and learned it recently and wanted to bring this new found information to you guys. Until late last night I did not know that Leonardo Molina could not sign with the Yankees, or anyone for that matter, until his 16th birthday on August 1st. I was expecting to come home from work yesterday seeing the signing and was confused when I did not and now I know why. It's going to be a long month as all these guys come off of the board and we wait and hope we sign Molina. The Yankees must know something that we do not or I do not think we would be waiting.

Hiroki Kuroda Scratched From Start On Friday

Add yet another member to the walking wounded Yankees team.


Hiroki Kuroda will be scratched from his start on Friday with what is being described as a sore left hip flexor. The MRI came back fine but Kuroda reported some tenderness while warming up on Sunday and I think the Yankees are just going to be a little cautious with their ace, yeah I said it. Ivan Nova will make his start against the Baltimore Orioles.

Staten Island Yankees Game Recap For 7/2

Staten Island, NY – July 2nd – Yeicok Calderon hit his fourth home run of the season as the Baby Bombers defeated the Brooklyn Cyclones 5-2 at home on Tuesday night.

In the bottom of the first, third baseman Kale Sumner hit a one-out single to left before centerfielder Brandon Thomas drew a walk. Up next, Calderon blasted a shot over the right field wall to give Staten Island a 3-0 advantage.

The Yankees tagged on another run in the third. Derek Toadvine led things off, reaching first base on a fielding error by third baseman Anthony Chavez. Toadvine then stole second, and later came around to score when Brandon Thomas hit a line drive single to right.

Three innings later, Isaias Tejeda doubled to left before scoring on an RBI single by Jose Rosario, extending the Yankees’ lead to five runs.

The Cyclones remained scoreless until the seventh when an RBI single and a couple of Staten Island errors led to a couple of Brooklyn runs. James Roche began the inning with a walk, before moving to second on a balk by relief pitcher Cale Coshow. Roche later stole third. Chavez then singled to plate Roche. Chavez also scored on the play after a missed catch two-base error by left fielder Mikeson Oliberto and a throwing error by shortstop Jose Rosario.

Staten Island starter Giovanny Gallegos earned his second win of the season after pitching 5.0 scoreless innings with six hits and three strikeouts. Cale Coshow threw 3.0 innings of relief, surrendering two runs (one earned) on four hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Sam Agnew-Wieland came in to pitch the ninth and picked up his first save.

The Yankees will travel to Brooklyn tomorrow for a 7:00PM start. RHP Philip Walby (0-0, 4.15 ERA) will toe the mound for the Yankees, while LHP Carlos Valdez (0-0, 4.82 ERA) is expected to get the ball for the Cyclones. The Yankees will return home to Staten Island on Thursday, July 4th to face the Hudson Valley Renegades. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00PM, and there will be post-game fireworks. Tickets are on sale now by calling 718-720-9265, or visiting the box office at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.


Morning Bits

Good morning everyone!

The Yankees took their second straight game from the Twins last night by a score of 7-3.

Phil Hughes remains enigmatic, pitching his second straight gem after a series of poor outings. Hughes allowed only one earned run in seven innings to get the win and lower his ERA on the season to 4.55.

For all of the criticism leveled at Hughes, his ERA is almost identical to Andy Pettitte's and is much better than David Phelps.

The ageless Mariano Rivera came on in the ninth inning to earn his 27th save of the season.

Robinson Cano went 2-4 with 3 RBI's, including his 20th home run of the season to lead the Yankees offensively.

The Yankees and Twins will meet again tonight at 8:10 PM ET with C.C. Sabathia(8-6, 4.15 ERA) facing P.J. Walters(6-4, 6.03 ERA).  The game will be broadcast by YES.

Now on to today's news links:

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News has this article about a very clever gift that the Twins gave Mariano Rivera.

TMZ says that A-Rod's future could be determined by a whistle blower.

David Schoenfield of ESPN.com reminds us of a great deadline deal in Yankee history.

Have a great day everyone!

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/3


On this day in 1932 the Boston Red Sox played the New York Yankees on what was a Sunday in Fenway Park. What made this significant is the fact that Boston law outlawed games played within 1000 feet of a church. The Red Sox would lose 13-2 on this day.