Friday, July 4, 2014

Whitley's Struggles Backed Up By Offense in 6-5 Win Over Twins

For the last couple of weeks, it's no secret that the Yankees' offense has been pretty terrible. 

The expensive bats, who scored 5+ runs just once this week prior to last night, have four big names hitting in the .220 range, a stat that simply shouldn't be there.

Fortunetaly, so far in Minnesota those guys and others are beginning to pick things up, crossing home six times in the first two innings today as the Yanks beat the Twins 6-5.

In the top of the first, after Brett Gardner led off with a triple, the Bombers took an early lead off opposing starter Kyle Gibson (2 IP, 6 ER), crossing home three times thanks to a pair of RBI Doubles from Brian Roberts and Mark Teixeira as well as a Sac Fly from Carlos Beltran.

In the very next frame, three more runs would also come in for the suddenly-hot Pinstripes on another Sac Fly from Brendan Ryan and a two-run single from Jacoby Ellsbury, making it 6-1 and appearing to hand Chase Whitley a free W.

Unfortunately, that wouldn't be the case, as the rookie would allow three guys to score in the next two frames to end his day after just nine outs.

At that point, what looked like a laugher was suddenly close, although it wasn't exactly stressful, as David Huff would retire each of the nine guys he faced in innings 4-6 to keep the Yanks ahead.

Later on in the bottom of the eighth, as expected, somebody (this time Dellin Betances) did have some issues, putting the tying runs in scoring position with just one out.

Still, that somebody did eventually escape the jam, inducing a duo of groundouts (one of them did bring a run in) that kept the Yanks ahead and allowed David Robertson to collect a save in the ninth.

No, Robertson's performance wasn't perfect, but in the end, it was good enough to maintain the lead, the 20th time this season that has been the case.

I've Got Til 5! - Spending Woes

Not too long ago I was way into contracts. I would constantly write about players' contacts and the Luxury Tax. I don't know if it got too depressing, or if I was just bored of the whole subject, but I eventually stopped caring so much about money and just looked at what the Yankees should do in order to win.

Although it seemed silly to sign a soon-to-be 37 year-old to a three year contact, as long as the Yankees had a better chance of winning, I didn't care... do it. If the team had to eat a lot of money later then so be it.

That doesn't mean I wanted spending to get ridiculous, but when you think about the fact that the Yankees are worth over $2 billion, a few extra million in order to contend for just one season sounded like a pretty good trade-off to me.

But I couldn't help thinking about the money some players are making this season, compared to their contributions to the team. On top of that, the Yankees seem to get more out of those that are making less. So I decided to take a look, and the results are kind of sad...

The kiss between Wall-E and Eve was more of a happy-sad thing. I'm thinking more sad-sad. But in each case tears come to my eyes.

1. Brett Gardner has an OPS+ of 119, which is 2nd to Mark Teixeira's 124. At the same time, Brett will make $5.6 million, which is only the 11th most on the team.

2. CC Sabathia will make $23 million this season, which means he's made approximately $11.5 million so far. However, CC has only been worth $1.1 million in 2014. Talk about taking a loss.

3. While David Robertson, Matt Thornton, and Shawn Kelley will make a combined $10.39 million in 2014, the reliever with the highest WAR on the Yankees... Dellin Betances... will only make $504,100.

"'Only?' Really? At my current job, it would take me approximately 20 years to make that much."

4. Carlos Beltran is batting .222, which is the lowest among Yankee regulars. That .222 average includes 49 hits. Seeing as how he's made about $7.5 million this season, that works out to $153,061.22 per hit.

5. Alfonso Soriano has an OPS+ of 71, which is the lowest among Yankees players with at least 30 plate appearances. At the same time, Alfonso will make $19 million this season.

Not too long ago haters used to complain that the Yankees just bought championships. Those five things above, along with some other stuff (*cough*ARod*cough*), has pretty much killed off that idea.

Before I go, I'll leave you guys with a little bonus...

Even though Alex Rodriguez was suspended for the entire 2014 season, he will still make $3,155,738. Which is more than Kelly Johnson, Brian Roberts, Brendan Ryan, Shawn Kelley, and 23 more players that are or were on the Yankees' 40-man roster.

CC Sabathia May Need Micro Fracture Knee Surgery

Make sure you guys don't read this until after you have had your family BBQ's and attended fireworks displays because this is going to depress you. CC Sabathia may need micro fracture surgery on his degenerative right knee, although nothing is set in stone. Dr. James Andrews looked at CC today as he was the doctor who did the stem cell injection after an MRI just showed a swollen knee.

This has the potential to hurt the Yankees as he has $23 million on the books for this season, around $11 million left, $23 million next season, and one more season at $25 million before a vesting option goes into effect for 2017. Unfortunately I think technically the option would vest for 2017 since it vests if he does not end the 2016 season on the DL with a left shoulder injury or spend more than 45 days on the DL with a left shoulder injury. The option also specifies that he does not make more than six relief appearances due to a left shoulder injury in 2016 it would also vest. This would cause the Yankees to buy out their injured starter for $5 million for 2017.

Ouch.

Game Thread: Yankees vs. Twins July 4th Baseball


Welcome to today's open thread and game thread for all you not watching fireworks tonight. The New York Yankees will play in Minnesota's Target Field to face the Twins in the second of a four game set. The Yankees will send Chase Whitley to the mound to face off with Kyle Gibson of the Twinkies. The game will be played at 3:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, ESPN2, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN. 

Get your Yankees tickets to see the home team live as they get ready for the All Star Game next week, click HERE. If you're not currently located in Minnesota you can join us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes or you can search for The Greedy Pinstripes on Facebook to chat during the game. The comments section of the site has picked up the last few days, which I love, so keep the momentum going there as well.

Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy those fireworks tonight, Happy Birthday 'Merica!

New York Yankees July 4th On The Field Cap


Just a quick preview before the game of the hat the New York Yankees will be sporting this afternoon as Major League Baseball celebrates America's birthday on July 4th. Like? Dislike? Personally I kind of like it and I generally don't like much more than my old school navy and white hat. I might have to get me one of these...

McCann: Tanaka's Pitches "Were Just Up" in Yesterday's Win

For the first time in his major league career last night, Yankees' Ace Masahiro Tanaka didn't look sharp.

The $155 million rookie, 12-3 with a 2.29 ERA, gave up 4 earned runs in 7 innings, his first non-quality start of the season.

Yes, for pretty much all contest, the Twins were getting men on base, something that still doesn't seem to concern his battery mate Brian McCann, who told The Journal News' Chad Jennings after the win that Tanaka just left some pitches up.

“I think his pitches were just up,” McCann said. “His split was up. But at the same time, you look up there in the seventh inning and he’s at 75 pitches, so it’s hard to say it was tough. I thought his sinker was great tonight, he got a lot of early pitch outs.”

In the W, the right-hander's MLB-leading twelfth of the year, Tanaka struck out just 3, a career low.

Still, the fact that the Yankees won has got to be considered here, as #19's first bad game did come on a night he finally got a good amount of run support, something that hasn't really happened since May 25's blowout in Chicago.

Yankees Game Preview vs. Minnesota Twins 7/4/14


The New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins will celebrate this great nation's birthday by playing at Target Field head to head this afternoon. The Yankees will send Chase Whitley to the mound to face off with the Twins Kyle Gibson. The game will be played at 3:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, ESPN2, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Whitley was solid through his first seven starts of his major league career but has struggled in his last two, although he did improve last time out. Whitley has allowed 13 runs and 19 hits in his last two starts, his first two losses of his career, in only 7.1 innings combined against the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Gibson gave up two runs and struck out three in eight innings last time out against the Texas Rangers in a 3-2 win for the Twins. Gibson improved his record to 7-6 and improved his ERA to 3.77 for the 2014 season. Gibson has not shared that success against the Yankees though as he has a career 1-1 record with a staggering 8.71 ERA against New York.

Spend America's birthday at the ballpark watching your New York Yankees live in Target Field by clicking HERE to get your Yankees tickets. We offer great prices without those hefty fees and shipping costs. 'Merica!

Go Yankees!!

Derek Jeter Owes Mark Teixeira Two Gold Gloves


It's an amazing stat when you think about it but since Derek Jeter has broken into the big leagues in 1995 he has only played with four full time first baseman, Don Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi, and Mark Teixeira. Of course there was the Richie Sexson's, Nick Johnson's, etc. of the world involved as well but these were the main guys. Now Jeter has never been known for his defensive prowess but quietly Mark Teixeira has turned Jeter into an average defender surprisingly.

Don Mattingly - 1995

Jeter had two errors in 15 games

Tino Martinez - 1996 to 2001

Jeter had 102 errors in six seasons

Jason Giambi - 2002 to 2008

Jeter had 101 errors  in seven seasons

Mark Teixeira - 2009 to present

Jeter has (to date including the 2014 season) 44 errors including a career low (for a full season) six in 2010 in six seasons.

Jeter won a Gold Glove Award in 2004, 2005, and 2006 with the help of Jason Giambi and won two more in 2009 and 2010 with Mark Teixeira. In most opinions Jeter did not deserve the first three awards, and who could blame them with a fielding percentage of .981, .979, and .975? Jeter deserved his in 2009 and 2010 with a fielding percentage of .986 and .989 and much of that can be attributed to the defense of Mark Teixeira.

Too many times have we seen Teixeira save a ball thrown high or pick a ball out of the dirt, and not just for Jeter, and not get enough recognition for it. I thank you Mark and Jeter should be too.

The Luckiest Man On The Face Of The Earth


As you already know, and saw earlier, Major League Baseball is honoring the 75th anniversary of Lou Gehrig's "luckiest man" speech. Here is the speech done by Gehrig and Gehrig alone. Enjoy.


Also here is some unseen footage of Gehrig playing in a Yankees uniform. Great to see, even if it is in super speed and the running looks downright silly.

Happy Birthday America


Happy Birthday America and Happy July 4th Yankees family. Above is the video that will be broadcast at every major league stadium today as Major League Baseball honors Lou Gehrig. 75 years ago Gehrig gave his "luckiest man" speech and MLB has gotten every first baseman around the league to say a line or so of his speech. This video gave me chill bumps... enjoy. Have a great day Yankees family and we'll be back to work tomorrow.

Thank a veteran for allowing us to have this freedom and thank your family for being there for you. That's what it's all about today.

This Day In New York Yankees History: The Boss Is Born


First and foremost the greatest owner in Major League Baseball history, and especially of the New York Yankees, George Steinbrenner was born on this day in 1930. Baseball is America's past time and George Steinbrenner loved baseball more than anyone on this planet, and I'm hard to beat in that category, and baseball lost a great man and a great mind, albeit an impatient one, when they lost Mr. Steinbrenner.

Moving on to this day in 1925 the Yankees Herb Pennock and the A's Lefty Grove had themselves a good old fashioned 15 inning pitchers duel. The Yankees would win in Yankee Stadium 1-0 on this day behind Pennock retiring the first 18 batters he faced and the last 21 batters he faced.

On this day in 1939 the Yankees held Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at the stadium and Gehrig gave his "luckiest man" speech that we will cover in detail later in the day. Gehrig's #4 uniform was the first to ever be retired on this day. Originally Gehrig was too moved to speak but manager Joe McCarthy encouraged Gehrig to address his fans, and the rest is history.

On this day in 1983 Dave Righetti no-hits the Boston Red Sox to become the first Yankee left-hander to throw a no hitter since George Mogridge did it in 1917. The Yankees would win 4-0 and would throw the first New York no hitter since Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

On this day in 1984 the Yankees Phil Niekro reached the 3,000 strikeout milestone when he struck out the Rangers Larry Parish. Niekro would become the ninth major league player to reach the mark in history.