Friday, September 12, 2014

Mitchell Solid, But No Offense Again Dooms Yankees in Game 2 Loss

Rookie right-hander Bryan Mitchell gave up just 2 earned runs in 5 innings and Chris Young connected on a single to extend his current hitting streak to five, but since the offense only collected four total knocks and Bud Norris looked like an All-Star the Yankees again lost to the Orioles tonight, 5-0, helping the latter complete a sweep of the doubleheader. 

Overall in his first career start this evening, Mitchell, who went 4-2 with a 3.67 ERA with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, looked alright, surrendering just six hits while striking out two to keep the Yanks in the game.

Nonetheless, after a pair of RBI extra-base hits by Ryan Flaherty and Alejandro De Aza broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth the contest essentially ended, with the aforementioned Norris striking out ten in his 7 shutout frames. 

Indeed, Baltimore seemed to control every aspect of this contest, although since New York did still only trail by two going into the bottom of the seventh the possibility remained there that they'd eventually find a way to rally, something that unfortunately didn't come to fruition due to David Phelps' giving up of two more runs in that at-bat.

Young Homers Again, But Warren's Blown Save Gives Orioles 2-1 Win Over Yankees

Brandon McCarthy tossed 7 shutout innings and Chris Young hit a go-head solo home run in the top of the eleventh, but since that shot to left was all the bats would do in the contest and Adam Warren blew the save the Yankees crushingly lost the first game of today's doubleheader, 2-1, to the first-place Baltimore Orioles.

For the Yanks, unfortunately, the defeat was their first since Tuesday, snapping a mini-two game winning streak.

And no, it wasn't pleasant to watch.

To start off the day of disappointment, New York stranded two in the top of the fifth when Jacoby Ellsbury lined out to right, before also leaving the bases loaded in the seventh when John Ryan Murphy flew out in foul territory.

Still, due to the escape acts of Dellin Betances and David Robertson in the eighth and ninth things eventually went to extras, where Young would connect on the aforementioned homer off Brad Brach.

No, things weren't over at that point, but considering the O's had looked pretty bad prior to their final at-bat it seemed safe to say Warren would get the last three outs.

Instead, though, the usually-reliable Yanks' reliever had arguably his worst outing of the season, walking two and hitting one to set up a walk-off two-run single by PH Jimmy Paredes, one that heartbreakingly landed just inside the right-field line.

9/12 Game Thread vs. Baltimore Orioles Game Two


If it feels like we've already done of these today there is probably a good reason for it, we have. Welcome to the second open thread of the day for the second game of the day between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees will send Bryan Mitchell to the mound for the night cap and he will face off with the Orioles Bud Norris. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

The Yankees return home next week for more crucial games against AL East foes so make sure to have your tickets in hand in advance by buying now off the blog. Also make sure you follow us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and like our page on Facebook by searching for The Greedy Pinstripes.


It’s a Friday night so let’s chat on the blog in the comments section, it’s an open thread so the floor is open to whatever. Enjoy the game Yankees family, Go Yankees!

Mark Newman, VP of Baseball Operations, To Retire


Mark Newman is the vice president of baseball operations with the New York Yankees and is believed to be retiring after this season. Newman has been with the Yankees for 26 seasons and has spent the last 15 seasons as the head of the team’s minor league development system. Whether this was a forced retirement or Newman’s decision remains to be seen as if you remember last offseason Hal Steinbrenner vowed to review all aspects of the Yankees minor league system after a disappointing 2013 season. With the Yankees likely headed towards their second straight season without a playoff berth, although the Yankees system produced many more MLB caliber players this season than last, the heat may have been on Newman and company.

With Newman retiring the Yankees system may be in for a bit of a shake up with Newman being the first domino to fall. It’s no secret that since the 2009 World Series Championship team, the team that had the highest percentage of homegrown talent on the active 25 man roster, the Yankees have struggled to produce much in the way of MLB talent out of their system. That 2009 stat is also a little skewed as that included much of Gene Michael’s work with the Core Four and Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, and Andy Pettitte on the team. That team, and about every team since then, has relied heavily on the free agent market and international market and news rules in the Collective Bargaining Agreement have changed the game and affected the way the Yankees do business.

No longer can teams just spend heavily and expect to win as free agents in their prime are not hitting the free agent market anymore. A definite importance has been placed on the farm system and cost effective full time players and the Yankees are not producing many of those outside of the plethora of bullpen arms they have shot to the Bronx over the last few seasons. This and other factors may have led to Newman’s retirement, although his contract was set to expire at the end of the season anyway.


Former Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman is being considered for the job as well as Damon Oppenheimer, the team’s vice president and director of amateur scouting. One member of the organization that does not seem likely to succeed Newman is Pat Roessler, the director of player development, as his job is likely to be vacant soon as well. 

Why Not Start David Phelps In Game Two?


The New York Yankees were undecided for much of the week on who would start the second game of today’s double header with the Baltimore Orioles before finally deciding on Bryan Mitchell. Manager Joe Girardi even mentioned the possibility of having a bullpen game, which makes sense with expanded rosters and September call ups. With David Phelps being activated today off the disabled list why not just let Phelps start the game?

If the team is willing to throw multiple relief pitchers at the Orioles in the nightcap anyway then what do you have to lose? I like the idea of Phelps testing out the elbow starting off a clean inning without being behind runs, etc. I like the idea of the pressure being off of Phelps so he can simply go out there and air it out and test out the injury. There really isn't much of a difference between him starting the first inning and starting the sixth inning, I get that and understand that, but Phelps is less likely to overthrow and try too hard to make the perfect pitch or blow someone away when the score is 0-0 then it is if New York is behind.


It’s a minor gripe, I know, but it was just on my mind before this double header today so I figured I would share. What say you?

9/12 Game Preview vs. Baltimore Orioles Game Two


The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles will play the second game of the double header tonight at Oriole Park in Camden Yards as the two continue to fight for the AL East division crown, a race that appears to be over in many eyes. There should be plenty of pitchers throwing in this game as it’s the second game of the day so maybe all you “prospect humpers (patent pending) , myself included, will get to see a name or two that you normally wouldn't.  For the second game the Yankees will send Bryan Mitchell to the mound to face off with the Orioles Bud Norris. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Mitchell will be making his first start of his major league career. 

Norris is coming off a tough start last time out against the Tampa Bay Rays in which he allowed four home runs . If Norris wants to look on the bright side three of the home runs were solo home runs and the other was of the inside the park variety. Let's hope the Yankees can Bronx Bomb Norris tonight in Baltimore.



Go Yankees!!

Yasmani Tomas Cleared, Awaits Free Agency


The New York Yankees may have missed out on Rusney Castillo but that may be okay as Yasmani Tomas will presumably be a free agent after the 2014 season. Tomas is closer, projection wise, to the Yoenis Cespedes', Yasiel Puig's, and Jose Dariel Abreu's of the world than Castillo could ever dream about being. Could Tomas, and not Castillo, be the replacement for Ichiro Suzuki next season? Especially now that Tomas has been cleared by the United States and awaits free agency?

Tomas has already defected from his native Cuba and is trying to establish residency so he can become a free agent this winter. Tomas is 23 years old, to Castillo's 27 years old, and has played in parts of five seasons in the Cuban Serie Nacional making him exempt from the spending cap on International players, not that this will matter to the Yankees much after already breaking the bank in that department.

Tomas has spent time at both corner outfield spots, center field, first base, and third base in his career and put on a show in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Tomas was 6-16 with a .412 batting average with two home runs, a double, a walk, and four strikeouts in the tournament.

Tomas rates as a 70 in the power department on a scale of 20-80 and can hit some towering home runs with his 6'1" and 230 lb frame. Tomas is right handed and has a very short and compact swing that helps him in the power department. Tomas is probably a corner outfielder in the Major Leagues thanks to his below average speed in the outfield and on the base paths. Tomas' arm rates as a 55 on that same 20-80 scale and the slugger projects to 30 home run power in the major leagues with below average defense.

Cespedes received four years and $36 million, Alex Guerrero received four years and $28 million, Erisbel Arruebarruena received five years and $25 million, Rusney Castillo received seven years and $72 million, Jose Abreu received a six year deal worth $68 million, and Yasiel Puig received a seven year deal worth $42 million, and Jorge Soler received a nine year deal worth $90 million. What will Yasmani Tomas receive? Looking at those numbers you're guess is as good as mine.

9/12 Game Thread vs. Baltimore Orioles Game One


Welcome to the afternoon edition of the open thread for the first game of the day and night double header between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. If we wanted to name this thread appropriately we should name it the “Stop Reading This & Get To Work….. With Your Headphones On” thread but I don’t like long thread titles. Anyway, the Yankees will send Brandon McCarthy to the mound this afternoon to take on Kevin Gausman for the Orioles. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Get your Yankees tickets now, time is running out on the 2014 season and our special no fees or shipping costs promotion through Ticket Monster. Go ahead and give us a follow on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and Like our page on Facebook while you’re at it by searching for The Greedy Pinstripes.


It’s an open thread so talk about whatever you would like. Enjoy the game Yankees family, Go Yankees!

Twitter Results: Should Alex Rodriguez Play First Base in 2015?

Along with out TGP Daily Poll we also went to Twitter and asked if the New York Yankees should let Alex Rodriguez learn the first base position in 2015 and we got some interesting responses. Check out just a few of what the fellow Yankee fans think about the situation.


Gotta love conspiracy theories...


He does have a strong throwing arm... interesting.

The true motive for any potential move in my opinion.


I literally laughed, probably because he was serious.


I love optimism.


Speaking of optimism...

These are just a few of the answers we got. What do you think? Leave us a comment in the comments section of the site and let us know. Also be sure to follow us on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes and we may include your tweet next time!

9/12 Game Preview vs. Baltimore Orioles Game One


The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles will play two today at Oriole Park in Camden Yards as the two teams make up a rained out game from earlier in the season. The good news for both teams is that with expanded rosters and September call ups there should be plenty of arms to go around in this day and night double header. In the first game the Yankees will send their new de-facto ace Brandon McCarthy to the mound to face off with the Orioles Kevin Gausman. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

McCarthy is not coming off a great start last time out but the veteran still battled and won the game for the Yankees. McCarthy finished with a line of 6.2 IP and two earned runs allowed against the Kansas City Royals to improve his record with the Yankees to 8-4. McCarthy has a 2.70 ERA in his last 13 starts dating back to his time with Arizona. 

Gausman is coming off a start in which he allowed just two runs in seven innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in an Orioles victory. This was the second consecutive game that Gausman had pitched at least seven innings and also struck out seven Rays in the game.



Go Yankees!!

The “New” Has Worn Off Chris Capuano


When the New York Yankees acquired Chris Capuano this summer from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later or cash considerations the team thought they were getting a veteran pitcher who could eat some innings. While until two starts ago Capuano had far exceeded expectations in the Bronx I think the new is starting to wear off the veteran left hander. Capuano has had two consecutive starts where he has been hit hard and has failed to throw a quality start. With the Yankees seemingly out of the playoff hunt it may be time to do some inventory and see what the team has in starting pitcher Bryan Mitchell or Manny Banuelos.


The Yankees had no idea what they had in Shane Greene until they were forced to see what the young righty had when the starting rotation was decimated by injuries but have refused to use Banuelos in the majors or Mitchell in a meaningful situation or game. In Capuano’s last two starts he has gone a combined 4.2 IP and has allowed a combined eight earned runs. At this point, with the standings looking the way they do and Capuano’s stats looking the way they do, what does the team have to lose?

Alex Rodriguez and First Base In 2015


I have seen this thrown around a ton this week in the Yankees blogosphere so what better place to ask this then in the TGP Daily Poll right? Should the Yankees let A Rod learn first base in 2015 so he can rotate in at DH, first, and third base next season? Honestly, it can't hurt and it really helps a guy with his range and two bad hips. I like the idea, what say you?

Vote in our poll at knoda.com.

David Phelps Expected To Be Activated Today


David Phelps is expected to be activated today before the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles start their double header. Phelps has been sidelined with elbow inflammation and has worked his back to the Yankees bullpen, not the starting rotation, for the rest of the season. There simply is not enough time to get Phelps back the right way and get him stretched out before the season is over.

I'm not a fan of bringing Phelps back and forth between the bullpen and the rotation but what do I know. The Yankees know more than me. It will be good to get him into a game or two either way to test out the elbow now rather than next spring training.

Welcome back Phelpsy.

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/12: Bernie Williams 8 RBI Game


Not much has happened on this day in New York Yankees history surprisingly but Bernie Williams did have a week of it on this day in 1996. Bernie had two home runs and a single as he went on to knock in eight RBI helping the Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers by the score of 12-3.

Other notable happenings on this day in Major League Baseball history was on this day in 1979 the Red Sox Carl Yastrzemski collected his 3,000th hit of his career in a victory over the Yankees in Fenway Park. Also Sammy Sosa became the fourth player in major league history to hit 60 home runs in a single season on this day in 1998 as he joined Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, and Mark McGwire as McGwire and Sosa attacked Maris' single season home run record.