Tuesday, November 26, 2013

The Importance Of A Farm System


Courtesy of our new friend Larry Lambert at LameStage

Yankees Interested In Nate McLouth


The New York Yankees added one more free agent to their Christmas shopping list today when they announced an interest in Baltimore Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth. McLouth is obviously going to be a back up plan for Carlos Beltran, Curtis Granderson, or Corey Hart but the interest is still there nonetheless. The chances that McLouth actually comes to the Yankees is probably slim, and the Orioles are monitoring him on free agency as well, but the Yankees are definitely keeping tabs.

Japanese Officials Met Today With MLB


Officials from the Nippon Professional Baseball League met with officials from Major League Baseball to try and hammer out a deal that would make changes to the posting system for Japanese players. Masahiro Tanaka continues to be dangled out there as leverage for the Japanese as he will presumably not be posted until a deal is struck. The Yankees seem willing to go all in on Tanaka so they have to be watching these meetings, and The Greedy Pinstripes (I kid), very closely.

Yankees Met With Robinson Cano's Representatives


According to multiple sources the New York Yankees met with representatives for free agent Robinson Cano today. The two sides are obviously still far apart on contract talks but the fact that they are meeting has to stand for something. Plans are that the two sides will talk again tomorrow before taking off for the Thanksgiving break. The Yankees are playing hardball and low balling Cano while saying they would be okay with him walking away and Cano is sticking to his guns so we will see where this gets us.  The fact that the Yankees signed Brian McCann cannot sit well with Cano though you would think so maybe a deal gets done before Christmas.

Hall of Fame Ballot Announced For This Season


Not a single member was inducted into the Hall of Fame last time around so this year we will see an exciting new crowd, 19 new members on the ballot, mixed in with a bunch of holdovers including all 17 from 2013. More than 600 members will be receiving their ballot in the coming weeks from the Baseball Writers Association of America.

The impressive list of  new players up for election include Greg Maddux, Tom Galvine, Eric Gagne, Frank Thomas, and Jeff Kent. These members join the likes of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Craig Biggio, Jack Morris, Jeff Bagwell, Mike Piazza, and Tim Raines.

Players must receive at least 75% of the vote to gain admission into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Here is the complete ballot courtesy of Lohud and Chad Jennings:

Moises Alou, Jeff Bagwell, Armando Benitez, Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Sean Casey, Roger Clemens, Ray Durham, Eric Gagne, Tom Glavine, Luis Gonzalez, Jacque Jones, Todd Jones, Jeff Kent, Paul Lo Duca, Greg Maddux, Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, Jack Morris, Mike Mussina, Hideo Nomo, Rafael Palmeiro, Mike Piazza, Tim Raines, Kenny Rogers, Curt Schilling, Richie Sexson, Lee Smith, J.T. Snow, Sammy Sosa, Frank Thomas, Mike Timlin, Alan Trammell, Larry Walker.


Brian McCann 2013 HD Highlights


Here are the 2013 highlights in HD from our newly acquired catcher Brian McCann.

What I Am Thankful For: The Yankees Depth


Continuing our look at what we are thankful for we showcase the Yankees depth that is being addressed this offseason. The Yankees had no depth last year and it showed on the field and in the win column when half the team went down with injuries. This year the Yankees do not seem like they will be left flat footed if one or two of their infielders go down.

The Yankees have already traded for Dean Anna from the San Diego Padres who can play all over the infield and has played in the outfield as well. The Yankees also signed Yamaico Navarro who can also play the hot corner, short stop, and a few places out in the outfield. The Yankees have brought back Brendan Ryan and already have David Adams and Corban Joseph, among others, on the roster for back up. This is before we even mention guys like Jayson Nix and Eduardo Nunez who are both non tender candidates.

The Yankees have already brought back David Herndon for a shot at the bullpen and are not going to be quiet in the pitching department, whether it be for the starting rotation or the bullpen. The Yankees know they did not have the depth last year and they know they didn't have the impact type youth last year and this year they will not make the same mistake twice, and for that I am thankful.

Spread Some Holiday Cheer With The Trenton Thunder


(Trenton, NJ) - This might be the easiest way to spread some "cheer" this holiday season.

The ninth annual Trenton Thunder Gift of Baseball program begins today, giving fans the chance to share the experience of cheering on the hometown team with underprivileged families in our community. For each Season Ticket, Pic-A-Plan and Mini Plan purchased between November 25 and December 20, the Thunder will provide tickets for families in the Holiday Gift Outreach program run by Children's Home Society to attend a 2014 Thunder game.

"Our fans and corporate partners deserve a big "thank you" for supporting this initative every year," said Thunder General Manager Will Smith. "We're hoping even more families can visit ARM & HAMMER Park next season because our fans do some holiday shopping with us."

In its first eight years, the Gift of Baseball program has allowed the Thunder to donate a total of 5,712 tickets to the Children's Home Society.

2014 Trenton Thunder Mini Plans went on sale today. Mini plans include five or six of the most popular games on the schedule, free food at each game, a Trenton Thunder hat, a complimentary ticket to Opening Night and start as low as $55. More information about Mini Plans can be found here: MINI PLANS

Pic-A-Plans allow fans to choose any 10 or more games and like Mini Plans include free food, a free hat and a free Opening Night ticket. More information about Pic-A-Plans can be found here: PIC-A-PLANS

Season Tickets are available as either a full (71 games) or half (36 games) and include a lot of perks such as early entry, special events and more. More information about Season Tickets can be found here: SEASON TICKETS

The Children's Home Society of New Jersey provides at-risk children and their families with a range of services that empower them to achieve their potential. They are child-oriented, family focused, community based, and outcome-oriented.
The Thunder will begin the 2014 season at ARM & HAMMER Park on Thursday, April 3. Season tickets, group outings, Pic-A-Plans, and Mini Plan renewals are on sale now. Single game tickets will go on sale on March 1, 2014. For more information about tickets, fans should call 609-394-3300 or visit trentonthunder.com.

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

This Day In New York Yankees History 11/26


On this day in 1962 the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers hooked up for a trade when the Yankees sent first basemen Bill Skowron to Los Angeles for pitcher Stan Williams. Williams was coming off of a 14-12 season with a 4.46 ERA and Skowron was coming off of a season in which he hit .270 and slugged 23 home runs while knocking in 80 RBI's. In Game 2 of the World Series "Moose" Skowron will hit a home run against his former team as revenge.


On this day in 1986 the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates hooked up in a trade where the Yankees sent prospects Doug Drabek and others for Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante, and Pat Clements. I haven't heard much out of the three we got in return but I do remember Drabek winning the Cy Young Award for the National League in 1990 after posting a 22-6 record.