Sunday, March 30, 2014

Officially The New York Yankees 25 Man Roster


This will be the Yankees 25 man roster on Tuesday when they open their season at the Houston Astros.

Catchers:

Brian McCann
Francisco Cervelli

Infielders:

Mark Teixeira
Brian Roberts
Derek Jeter
Kelly Johnson
Dean Anna
Yangervis Solarte

Outfielders: 

Brett Gardner
Jacoby Ellsbury
Carlos Beltran
Ichiro Suzuki

Designated Hitter:

Alfonso Soriano

Starting Pitchers:

CC Sabathia
Hiroki Kuroda
Ivan Nova
Masahiro Tanaka
Michael Pineda

Bullpen:

David Robertson
Dellin Betances
Shawn Kelley
Matt Thornton
David Phelps
Adam Warren
Vidal Nuno

Minor League Assignments

Before Girardi beats us to it, should we just start calling him "Jaggy" now?

With the fact that we got nearly 3 inches of snow in mid-Ohio last night (thankfully very little of it stuck) it's hard to believe that not only is Tuesday opening day for Major League Baseball, but the minor leagues start on Thursday. 

With that said, thanks to Josh Norris and Nicholas Flammia, we have information regarding some of the rosters for the Yankees minor league affiliates. Of course, these are unofficial, as the team has yet to announce these things, but here's what we got so far...

Triple-A Scranton: OF Zoilo Almonte, RHP Danny Burawa, OF Ramon Flores, IF Corban Joseph, C John Ryan Murphy, and C Austin Romine. RHP Al Aceves, RHP Bruce Billings, RHP Brian Gordon, RHP Shane Greene, and RHP Chris Leroux will be in the starting rotation, although the order is unknown. RHP Chase Whitley is a possibility for the rotation as well.

Double-A Trenton: RHP Bryan Mitchell, 2B Rob Refsnyder, C Gary Sanchez, and OF Mason Williams. 

High-A Tampa: LHP Manny Banuelos, OF Jake Cave, SS Cito Culver, RHP Rafael DePaula, 2B Angelo Gumbs, 3B Eric Jagielo, and C Peter O’Brien. 3B Dante Bichette Jr. looks to be part of this team too.

Low-A Charleston: 3B Miguel Andujar, SS Abi Avelino, RHP Rookie Davis, OF Aaron Judge, RHP Brady Lail, RHP Luis Severino, C Luis Torrens, and SS Tyler Wade. It's being reported that RHP Jordan Cote will also be there.

Extended Spring Training: RHP Domingo Acevedo, RHP Manolo Reyes, RHP Simon De La Rosa, LHP Ian Clarkin, OF Alex Palma, and OF Leonardo Molina. OF Tyler Austin (wrist), OF Slade Heathcott (knee), 1B Greg Bird (back), and RHP Jose Campos (being cautious) will be here as they are being slowed down to start the year.

After a down year in the minors in 2013, I'm really hoping 2014 is a good one. I'm not much of a prospect humper like some people around here, but I can't wait to see what guys like Eric Jagielo, John Ryan Murphy, Gary Sanchez, Mason Williams, Manny Banuelos, Aaron Judge, Jose Campos, Ian Clarkin, Slade Heathcott, and Tyler Austin will do. Chances are, the Yankees will need to do something about their middle infield, and having these young guys step up would really help (directly or in a trade).

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #2 Mickey Mantle


The New York Yankees were the class of the Major Leagues in the 1950's appearing in eight World Series. One of the brightest stars on those clubs that decade was Mickey Mantle who stood out on a bunch of absolutely stacked teams. Was Mantle the first ever six tool player? I have heard some call him that. Mantle won back to back MVP awards in the American League in 1956 and 1957 and slammed 280 home runs in the 50's while leading all of Major League Baseball with 994 runs scored.

We are now just two off days from Yankees Opening Day!

Quick Hit: My Favorite Yankees In 2014


Many people don't know this about me but I like to play favorites, and especially like to pick favorites when it comes to my Yankees. The people who knew me, Bryan Van Dusen my co-owner specifically, before The Greedy Pinstripes knows how much of a hard on I had for AJ Burnett when he was in Yankee Pinstripes. This year is no different as I always pick a couple positional players and pitchers to especially root for in a season. The votes are in and the results are as follows:

Dellin Betances
Alfonso Soriano
Jacoby Ellsbury
Michael Pineda

You didn't think I was going to pick Derek Jeter did you? I love Jeter, who doesn't, but Jeter has never made one of these lists for me and I don't know exactly why. There is just something about what Soriano and Ellsbury bring to the club and to the lineup that intrigues me, especially the finger point from Alfonso. Betances is a guy guy and can intimidate and overpower everyone on the field, plus he is a good guy to have around in a Yankees and Red Sox brawl.

This Day In New York Yankees History 3/30


On this day in 1984 the San Diego Padres obtained Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles for pitcher Dennis Rasmussen and prospect Darin Cloniger.


On this day in 1991 the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles played an exhibition game at Joe Robbie Stadium which drew 67,654 fans, a new spring training attendance record. The two day series between the two teams was a part pf South Florida's efforts to get a National League expansion team, soon to be named the Florida Marlins.


On this day in 2001 former Yankee Dwight Gooden announced his retirement from baseball. Doc finished with a 194-112 record playing for the Mets, Yankees, Indians, Astros, and Devil Rays and won a World Series and pitched a no hitter with the Yankees.