Thursday, August 15, 2013

Yankees Sign Mark Reynolds To Major League Deal


I believe I predicted this a week or so ago but it is finally a reality now that the New York Yankees have signed Mark Reynolds to a major league deal today. The Yankees are only on the hook for a pro-rated portion of the league minimum for the rest of the season which is somewhere below $200,000. The Yankees have been searching for a right handed power bat to compliment Lyle Overbay and, strike outs and terrible defense and all, they found it with Reynolds. Reynolds has put up a .207/.315/.373 triple slash with the Indians this year including 16 home runs. Welcome to the team Mark!

Mike Zagurksi Opts Out & Becomes A Free Agent


Yankees minor league left handed pitcher Mike Zagurski has used his opt out clause to become a free agent in search of a major league opportunity. The 30 year old lefty has allowed 10 runs in six innings with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season but has dominated AAA batters with a combined 2.66 ERA and a 14.3 K/9 ratio in 47 innings this season between the two clubs. The problem is he has not limited lefties enough to be a true LOOGY, left handed batters have a triple slash of .244/.310./321, but is not good enough to be more than a one or two batter kind of pitcher in the majors. Hopefully he latches on with a team that will give him a shot at a major league deal and good luck to Mr. Zagurski.

Derek Jeter Unlikely To Come Off The DL Sunday


Derek Jeter is eligible to come off the disabled list this Sunday when the Yankees travel to Boston to take on the Red Sox but it seems unlikely that the Yankees will activate their captain and short stop. Derek Jeter is taking batting practice and playing catch but has yet to run at full speed which is going to be the obvious test for Jeter's calf and it's health. Jeter has been on the disabled list three times now this season all with lower leg injuries so I cannot see the Yankees being anything but overly cautious this time around so do not expect to see Jeter before our series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

David Huff Promoted, Dellin Betances Sent Down


David Huff, as everyone probably saw today, was promoted to the major leagues from AAA Scranton to be part of the Yankees suddenly think bullpen. The 25 man roster move would be to send Dellin Betances back down to the RailRiders after getting lit up in his season debut earlier in the week. The Yankees needed a starter for next Tuesday's double header against the Toronto Blue Jays so I guess that is where Huff factors in. To make room on the 40 man roster David Phelps was transferred to the 60 day DL from the 15 day DL while fighting another forearm strain on his pitching arm.

Yankees lose series finale to Angels despite a good start from Hughes

Phil Hughes gave up just 3 earned runs over six innings of work today as the Yankees lost this series' finale to the Angels, 8-4. While a win today would've been nice, it's not all that bad that the Bombers finally lost a game. You have to lose a few of those. 

With this loss, Hughes 2013 record is now a very bad, 4-12. This season just hasn't been his season. He is either so bad that the Yankees can't out-score the opponent or he's good but loses in a pitcher's duel. Either way, he's been bad with a dash of unlucky. 

Yankees Sign Mark Reynolds

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Yankees have reached an agreement with corner infielder Mark Reynolds on a contract.

Reynolds hit .205/.307/.373 with 15 home runs before being released by Cleveland. Reynolds was hot early in the season, as he hit .291/.367/.645 through May 9th, but has only hit .177/.277/.240 since.

Reynolds was probably signed to play first base against lefties, as the Yankees have been forced to use Lyle Overbay against most lefties because they have not had a platoon partner for him. Reynolds has a 111 wRC+ and a .330 wOBA againt lefties this year, which are solid numbers and a big upgrade over Overbay's 50 wRC+ and .250 wOBA against lefties this season.

Hughes Willing To Relieve In 2014


According to Andy Martino of the Daily News, Phil Hughes is willing to sign as a reliever when he becomes a free agent after the season. When asked if being a reliever was off the table, Phil responded with the following...
“No. I mean, I feel like pitching at this level is a blessing in any way. So if teams value me as a starter, that’s great. If not, and that’s their opinion, we’ll see what happens. We will see how it shakes out.”
Hughes hasn't appeared in a game in a relief role since 2011, but his numbers in that spot are stellar. He has a 1.44 ERA and 0.905 WHIP in 56.1 innings out of the bullpen. Seeing that the Yankees will certainly be looking at bullpen help this offseason, the news that Hughes could go there greatly changes things.

Game Thread: Angels @ Yankees 8/15


The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim finish their four game set at Yankees Stadium today at 1:05 pm ET. The pitching match up is Phil Hughes for the Yankees trying to keep the line moving and CJ Wilson for the Angels trying to salvage a game in the series. The game can be seen on the YES Network, MLB network, and MLB TV so tune in to watch the Yankees attempt a sweep of the Angels and get back into this playoff race for the Wild Card.

Follow us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes. Go Yankees!!

Los Angeles Angels @ New York Yankees 8/15


The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the New York Yankees finish off their four game series this afternoon in a getaway game at Yankees Stadium. The Yankees will send Phil Hughes to the mound looking for the sweep of the Angels and will be matched up with CJ Wilson for the Halos. The game will be televised at 1:05 pm ET on the YES network, MLB Network, and MLB TV.

Delmon Young Released But Is He A Target?


The New York Yankees are suddenly creeping right back into the wild card race and the playoff hunt with a strong series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and a little help from the league. The Yankees may now consider some upgrades on the roster, especially if they only require money and not players in trade, and a intriguing player just became available on the free agent market. The Philadelphia Phillies released Delmon Young yesterday after he refused an assignment to AAA after being designated for assignment. Young is a right handed bat with some power and has put up a stat line of .260/.301/.397 in 291 plate appearances this season after signing a one year deal worth $750,000 in the off season.

If the Yankees were to sign Delmon we would only be on the hook for around $180,000 for the rest of the season and he would become a free agent at the end of the season. Delmon is really a DH only kind of player but has dabbled some right field and other outfield spots in his career. Delmon has a career 162 game average triple slash of .283/.316/.423 with 16 home runs but would he be a fit for the Yankees?

If Delmon could play first base and finally give the Yankees the right handed platoon partner with Lyle Overbay I think he would already be signed but do the Yankees really need another outfielder and DH type to rotate into the lineup? We honestly need another outfielder like we need another injury or another prospect to bust. Also I cannot see the Yankees clogging up the DH spot so it seems likely that the Yankees will pass on Young whether he is an upgrade to the lineup or not.

Game 120 Lineup: Angels vs. Yankees

Yankees are going for the series sweep! Angels are trying to salvage at least one game! Here is the starting lineup!

Brett Gardner CF
Alfonso Soriano LF
Robinson Cano 2B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Vernon Wells RF
Curtis Granderson DH
Eduardo Nunez SS
Lyle Overbay 1B
Austin Romine C

Phil Hughes RHP

News and Transactions:

-- The Yankees have called up LHP David Huff to join the team. In a corresponding move, Dellin Betances has been optioned to Triple-AAA Scranton. Betances gave up four runs on five hits during  Tuesday's 14-7 victory over the Angels.

-- Joe Girardi said that it's unlikely that Derek Jeter will return with the Yankees on Saturday. Girardi does think that Tuesday will be more likely.

-- David Phelps has been transferred from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL, most likely ending his season if the Yankees don't make the playoffs.

Soriano drives in 7 as Yankees again blow out Angels, 11-3

Alfonso Soriano, who had two home runs and 6 RBIs Tuesday night, hit two more long balls last night (a grand slam and a solo shot) and had an overall 7 runs batted in as the Yankees took a huge lead early and ended up blowing out the helpless Angels, 11-3. The Yankees scored 4 runs in each of the first two innings in this one, giving them an 8-0 lead before the game really got going. 

Last night's New York starter, Ivan Nova, had an another nice game as he lasted 7.1 innings while giving up just those 3 Angel runs. Of course, two of them came on singles by Mike Trout, who's always having nice games. But nonetheless, the Yankees did win easily. They'll go for the sweep tonight. 

Charleston Named 11th Best Minor League Market


Charleston Named 11th Best Minor League Market in America
SportsBusiness Journal Includes RiverDogs, Stingrays & Battery

CHARLSTON, SC -- Fans of the Holy City have known for a very long time that Charleston is one of world’s great destination cities.  Now one of the nation’s premier authorities on the business side of sports lists the Port City as a top-15 minor league market.

SportsBusiness Journal (SBJ) has named Charleston the 11th best minor league market in the country for 2013. 
Toledo, Ohio, grabbed the top spot out of the 235 communities nationwide in its biennial Top Minor League list since its inception in 2005.  In 2011, Charleston was rated No. 7 and Hershey-Harrisburg, Pa., was the No. 1 spot.

According to SBJ, the ranking is determined by fan base, tenured clubs and the economy. This year, researchers analyzed 235 markets, 47 leagues, 408 teams, 249.8 million in total minor league attendance, and 2.64 billion in construction at 50 new or extensively renovated venues.

The listing includes the Lowcountry’s minor league teams that include the Charleston RiverDogs, the South Carolina Stingrays and the Charleston Battery.

"This project measures what market best supports its minor league teams through thick and thin," said SportsBusiness Journal research director David Broughton, who has spearheaded this study since creating it in 2005. 
“We know we live in a great sports area and this SportsBusiness Journal article confirms it,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols.  “While the City of Charleston and our facility (Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park) rank high in a multitude of polls, we, as the RiverDogs, take pride in that we listen intently to our fans and try to provide them with a wholesome, family atmosphere.

“I also believe that our successful social media efforts possibly aided in these ratings,” he added.
The RiverDogs’ records in attendance (nearing 4 million since opening in 1997) remain impressive, but it is the fun in the stands that helps keep fans coming back to The Joe.

“We have a passionate and loyal fan base, one that appreciates the fun we present, but also good baseball,” Echols added.  “And we take great pride in the fact that all three professional teams – the RiverDogs, Stingrays and Battery – not only enjoy a tremendous working relationship but strive to represent the Lowcountry in a positive manner.” 

The RiverDogs are in their ninth year as the Class A affiliate of the 27-time World Series Champion New York Yankees.

The top 15 markets include:  

1.      Toledo, Ohio
2.      Rochester, NY
3.      Hershey-Harrisburg, PA
4.      San Bernardino County, CA
5.      Springfield, MA
      6.   Syracuse, NY
      7.   Fort Wayne, IN
      8.   Des Moines, IA
      9.   Spokane, WA
     10. Sioux Falls, SD
           11. Charleston, SC
                       12. Providence/Pawtucket, RI
                       13. Portland, ME
                       14. Modesto, CA
                       15. Appleton, WI
--RIVERDOGS--

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. 

Yankees Calling Up David Huff?

There is speculation that the Yankees will call up left hander David Huff from Scranton before the series with the Boston Red Sox. Unless there is an injury to one of Andy Pettitte, Hiroki Kuroda, or CC Sabathia this does not make a ton of sense since he requires both a 40 man and 25 man roster move to accommodate him. Huff would be available on three days rest if he were to start this weekend unless the Yankees wanted a second lefty in the pen for the Red Sox. Huff has a 3.84 ERA this season in 68 IP for the RailRiders.

Thunder Hang-on for 6th Consecutive Win, 4-3


TRENTON, NJ – The Trenton Thunder (65-57) move to eight games above .500 for the first time this season with a nail-biting, 4-3 win over the Harrisburg Senators.

Closer Tommy Kahnle entered the 9th inning with a 4-2 lead. After Kahnle struck out the first two batters, he walked Billy Burns and Sean Nicol, then allowed a bloop RBI double to Justin Bloxom to score Burns and advance Nicol to third base. With two runners in scoring position and Harrisburg within a run, Kahnle then blew three pitches past Ricky Hague to end the ballgame and secure his 15thsave of the season.

Harrisburg starting pitcher Nathan Karns entered the game with a 7-5 record and 3.27 ERA with 126 strikeouts in 107.1 innings. Despite those numbers, Trenton batters were undaunted as they notched 11 hits and four runs off the righty.

Already winning 2-0 in the 4th inning, Cody Grice (1) and Jose Pirela (9) connected on a pair of solo homers to double the Thunder lead and make it 4-0 through four innings.

Mikey O’Brien gets the victory for the Thunder and moves to 7-6 on the season. O’Brien tossed a scoreless first five innings before running into trouble in the 6th inning. He allowed two runs on four hits in the frame before being replaced by Danny Burawa. Burawa stranded the two inherited runners so Trenton avoided allowing the Senators to draw even.

The win is the sixth consecutive win for the Thunder and their eighth consecutive win at ARM & HAMMER Park.

The Thunder return to the field for the final game of a three-game series against the Harrisburg Senators Thursday at 7:05 p.m. RHP Shane Greene (6-3, 3.11) pitches for the Thunder against Harrisburg RHP Rob Gilliam (3-6, 4.50). Limited tickets are still available atwww.trentonthunder.com.tickets. Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and streaming online begins at 6:45 p.m.

--THUNDER--

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/15


On this day in 1995, at the request from Mickey Mantle's family, Bob Costas spoke at Mickey's funeral delivering a eulogy. Bob would describe Mantle as "a fragile hero to whom we had an emotional attachment so strong and lasting that it defied logic" and you can see that eulogy above. Enjoy.