Saturday, January 31, 2015

Yankees Sign LHP Anthony Marzi

Anthony Marzi with the UConn Huskies (Hartford Courant)



According to Pinstriped Prospects:

The New York Yankees have signed left-handed pitcher Anthony Marzi to a minor league contract.  Marzi, 22, pitched the last four years for the University of Connecticut Huskies where in 2014 he was 5-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 16 games, 15 starts, and 92.2 innings pitched.
Marzi’s signing comes after working out in front of professional scouts at Port Chester, NY this past January.  He possess a four-pitch arsenal that features a fastball that sits in the 89-90 MPH range and will go to Tampa to work out at the Yankees minor league complex.


Scout.com Releases Their Top 100 Prospects List


It's just about Prospects Month time on The Greedy Pinstripes and just in time it seems like everyone is releasing their Top Prospects lists around baseball. Keith Law stole the show earlier in the week and today Scout.com takes center stage showcasing their list. Three Yankees in total made the list including Luis Severino, Aaron Judge and Greg Bird, surprise surprise.

Severino - #51
Judge - #57
Bird - #96

Severino also ranked as the 23rd best pitching prospect overall while Judge came in as the 14th best outfielder after just one professional season. Bird surprisingly is the 3rd best first baseman in the league which makes you wonder why his ranking is so low overall. Also it is worth noting that Eric Jagielo clocked in as the 13th best third baseman in all of Major League Baseball's farm systems although he did not make the list.


Yankees Manager Girardi still on good terms with A-Rod

Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez's numerous off-the-field issues this offseason have certainly seemed to hurt his public image, but team Manager Joe Girardi apparently still gets along with him.

The 50-year-old Yankees skipper and Rodriguez still have a "good" relationship despite all that's happened with the latter over the last few months, Girardi said during an autograph signing Saturday. Rodriguez, coming off a 2014 season in which he never played due to a suspension for steroid use, has garnered attention this past week for he and the Yankees' disagreement over the veteran's home run bonuses, but Girardi maintains it isn't a problem that includes him. 

"I don't worry about that," Girardi told The New York Daily News' Justin Tasch. "My job is to put our team in the best postion every day to win a game. That's my job. I don't worry about contracts, I don't worry about bonuses for players, I don't want to know them. All I want to worry about is putting our guys in the best postion to win games."

Rodriguez's contract with the Yankees rewards him with $6 million bonuses each time he reaches a major home run milestone, but the Yankees no longer seem willing to give him the cash after his involvement in the recent biogenesis scandal. Rodriguez, who currently has 654 career home runs, will earn the first of those disputed payments with at least six long balls in 2015, an achievement that would tie him with Willie Mays for fourth all-time.

Whether Rodriguez is granted the money or not, though, it's a safe bet he will have to deal with an eager media when he returns to the diamond this April, something Girardi says he isn't that concerned about. 

"When hasn't there been a lot of attention around Alex when he's been in our clubhouse?" Girardi said. "It's gonna be a lot that we've dealt with and there will probably be some new things that maybe we've never seen before, but we'll deal with them and we'll get through it." 

The Yankees' first spring training game is scheduled for March 3 in Clearwater, Florida, the home of the Phillies. It's probable Rodriguez will see a decent amount of action next month as he prepares for his first Opening Day since 2012, and it's definite he will spend time at multiple positions. 

That's according to Girardi. 

"We're gonna DH him, we're gonna play him at third base and see where he's at there, and we'll talk about maybe playing him at first base a little bit," Girardi said. 

Yankees Make "Most Interesting Trade" List


As many of you know The Greedy Pinstripes is a member of the BYB Hub who's mission is to get the smaller and less known blogs free exposure. The BYB Hub is run by Robert Casey of Bleeding Yankee Blue so if you want to check out his hard and generous work be sure to click HERE. Another member of the Hub is "In the Mitt Baseball" and they published a very detailed and well thought out article showcasing the most interesting trades of the offseason. CLICK HERE to read the entire lengthy article but one trade the Yankees made was on the list and I will share that in an excerpt below. Enjoy!

  1. Nathan Eovaldi Garrett Jones and Domingo German to the Yankees for David Phelps, Martin Prado and Cash

Why it’s interesting: One of the rare future-minded moves made by the Yankees. Eovaldi is a young inning eater with upside. Phelps is depth and flexibility. Prado is also a flex-player and a productive, veteran teammate renowned for his clubhouse presence.

Notable QB’s Drafted in the MLB Draft


With the Super Bowl looming tomorrow night between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots I thought this would be a good time to go over the notable quarterbacks that have been drafted by, and turned down, Major League Baseball teams. The most notable on the list is last year’s Super Bowl winner and this year’s Super Bowl leading QB Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks. Let’s take a look at what could have been for MLB and in one case the New York Yankees.

Russell Wilson – Texas Rangers (Seattle Seahawks)
Johnny Manziel – San Diego Padres (Cleveland Browns)
Colin Kaepernick – Chicago Cubs (San Francisco 49ers)
Jake Locker – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Tennessee Titans)
Matt Moore – Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Miami Dolphins)
Dennis Dixon – 2003 Cincinnati Reds, 2007 Atlanta Braves (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Brandon Weeden – New York Yankees (Cleveland Browns)
Michael Vick – Colorado Rockies (Atlanta Falcons)


Did Ichiro Just Diss the New York Yankees?


As we learned earlier in the week the Miami Marlins lured former New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki with a one year deal worth $2 million plus a load of incentives. Miami, as we learned yesterday on the blog, actually flew all the way out to Ichiro’s native Japan to introduce the 41 year old in a press conference. During that press conference Ichiro was quoted as saying the following:

"When I met (Miami) team executives yesterday, I felt incredible enthusiasm," Suzuki said at a press conference on Thursday. "So I wanted to respond to their enthusiasm and I believe that is something I have been looking for the last two years."


 Did Ichiro just diss the New York Yankees? Ichiro has been with the Yankees the last two years as he was earning a cool $13 million. I am not sure if I am simply reading too much into the comment and he is speaking of HIS enthusiasm lacking in New York or if that was a little jab against the Yankees organization.


What say you?

TGP Daily Poll: I Will Snag Five Interviews for Prospects Month



Prospects Month is officially upon us as soon as the calendar turns to February on the blog. I succeeded in getting an interview a day last year, this year I think I will get at least five as we head into a different direction in 2015.


Vote in our prediction poll on knoda. 

Keith Law's Top 10 Yankees Prospects List


Keith Law proved to the world that he was not very high on Yankees prospects Luis Severino, Greg Bird or Gary Sanchez earlier in the week when he released his Top 100 prospects list and ranked the Yankees farm system as a whole. The Yankees had two players that ranked in the Top 100 in Bird and Aaron Judge while Severino and Sanchez were notable omissions from the list. Law ranked the Yankees system the 20th best in Major League Baseball and yesterday evening he ranked the Top 10 Yankees prospects.

1. Aaron Judge, OF
2. Greg Bird, 1B
3. Gary Sanchez, C
4. Luis Severino, RHP
5. Tyler Austin, OF
6. Jorge Mateo, SS
7. Domingo German, RHP
8. Ian Clarkin, LHP
9. Luis Torrens, C
10. Eric Jagielo, 3B

This Day in New York Yankees History 1/31: Prospects Month Eve


On this day in 2007 Major League Baseball announced that the 2008 All Star Game would be played at Yankee Stadium. The announcement was made at New York's Gracey Mansion and would mark the fourth time that the All Star Game would be played in the Bronx, the other three times in 1939, 1960, and 1977. This was also especially special because this would be the final season of Yankee Stadium before it was torn down for Yankee Stadium III.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Yankees Sign Scott Baker to Minor League Deal

The New York Yankees have added a bit of starting pitching depth to stash in Triple-A today when they signed Scott Baker to a minor league deal. Baker will receive an invitation to Spring Training camp this year but is likely nothing more than insurance at the lower levels for New York.

Baker is not going to win you 15 games like he did in 2009 but there might be something left in the tank and there is no such thing as a bad minor league deal. Welcome to the family Scott.

Miami went all out for Ichiro


The Miami Marlins announced their one year deal with Ichiro Suzuki this week making the one year and $2 million deal official. Miami went all out to make their new 41 year old fourth outfielder feel welcome as the team made an 18 hour journey to Japan to announce the deal.

Five team executives made the 18 hour flight to Japan in an effort to make a strong first impression to Ichiro and to welcome him to their family. Ichiro was said to be humbled and energized by the gesture and was quoted as saying “I feel incredible enthusiasm. My feeling then was that somehow I really wanted to respond to their enthusiasm. That’s also a very good driving force to be a good player for this team. Now what I needs to do is prepare for this great season I’m anticipating.”

Ichiro will be the first Japanese born player in the Marlins franchise history after starting his career off in Seattle with the Mariners before being traded to the New York Yankees in 2012. Suzuki is a 10 time All-Star and a mere 156 hits away from the 3,000 hit mark in the United States.


Suzuki will join Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna in the Marlins outfield and will join an ever growing list of newcomers to the team including Dee Gordon, Michael Morse, Mat Latos, Dan Haren, David Phelps and Martin Prado. 

Would it be better to cut your losses?


Would it be better for the New York Yankees to simply cut their losses, write Alex Rodriguez a check for $61 million and ask him to go away quietly? This circus that is surrounding the team right now, which will only get worse if the team flat out refuses to pay Rodriguez his $6 million bonus for tying Willie Mays, may be worth writing the check and cleaning their hands of the situation.

New York is sliding down a slippery slope, and you know it’s true when the MLB Players Association is willing to back Rodriguez even after he sued them last season, when refusing to pay a player for something that is stipulated in their contract. This not only hurts the team fiscally but it hurts the team on the field, A Rod doesn’t need any more distractions in his life right now, and it hurts their image across the league and with the fans.

The Yankees biggest advantage is definitely fiscal as the team seemingly has more money to spend, if they so choose, than anyone else in the league. The Yankees brand is bigger than any other brand in the world and for the team to stoop down to this level does not look good for the current fans, future fans or the brand.


Cut your ties, write the check and let him go. Open the roster spot for Jose Pirela or Robert Refsnysder and continue to get younger, more versatile and overall better. 

The Need for a “Defined” Closer


Here we are just two days away from the beginning of February, and Prospects Month on the blog in case you needed a reminder, and the New York Yankees still don’t know who the team’s closer is going to be. Gone is David Robertson after signing with the Chicago White Sox this offseason and gone into the sunset are the days of Mariano Rivera. What the team is now left with is Andrew Miller, probably the team’s biggest free agent signing this winter, and Dellin Betances. Neither of these men have much closing experience, although Robertson didn’t have much before 2014 and pitched admirably in the role, so would the Yankees be better off signing a defined one inning closer? In a word, yes.

The good news for the Yankees is that even this late in the game there are more than a few capable closers out there on the free agent market. Both Rafael Soriano and Francisco Rodriguez have shown that they can handle the market and the fans in New York with the Yankees and the Mets respectively and both could be had for cheap(er) one year deals.

The thing that makes both Betances and Miller special, besides the fact that they absolutely dominate any and every batter that the opposing teams puts up to the plate, is that they can pitch anywhere in the game and for multiple innings. Sometimes a game can be “saved”, whether the statistics reflect it or not, or “held” in the bottom of the sixth, the top of the seventh, or the bottom of the eighth inning. Taking away the “fireman” role from these two men would be the equivalent of taking our fastest runner or best defender, Brett Gardner or Mark Teixeira respectively, and making them the DH for the upcoming season.

New York has made it their goal to have the best and deepest bullpen in the game in 2015 and it is a great plan but the plan is not complete without a defined 9th inning closer in my opinion. 

TGP Daily Poll: Ichiro Will Not Reach 3,000 Hits in 2015



Ichiro Suzuki signed a one year deal with the Miami Marlins for the 2015 season. Barring a major injury in the Miami outfield early in the season there is no way Ichiro will reach the 3,000 hit mark this season. Ichiro is 156 hits shy of the record.


Vote in our prediction poll on knoda. 

RiverDogs Announce Four Special Packages for Valentine’s Day

Here is the press release:

Romantic dinner-date for two at The Joe highlights the holiday bundles in 2015



CHARLESTON, SC – Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember and surprise your sweetheart with a very special delivery from Charlie T. RiverDog.

Cupid’s big day is right around the corner and with that the Charleston RiverDogs announce their special Valentine’s Day packages.

“Love is always in the air this time of year,” said General Manager Dave Echols, “these packages allow everyone, whether in love with someone else or themselves, to bring that love to the ballpark this season.”


During this time of love, the RiverDogs are providing their fans four distinct packages from which to choose, highlighted by the new “Deferred Date Package.” For $75, this bundle includes two box seats to a Tuesday RiverDogs game and a three-course feast at The Joe ordered from a romantic menu of ballpark cuisine put together, with love of course, by Food and Beverage Director Josh Shea. Note that the dinner is NOT on Valentine’s Day, but on a specified Tuesday “Date Night” game at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The lovebirds will choose from items such as the Out of the Ball Park Garden Salad, Sassy Jerk Chicken Sausage and Deep Fried Oreo Churros listed on the special menu.

Other bundles offered include “For Him,” and “For Her” packages which come with four upper reserved vouchers and two gifts for $50 and a special “Lonely Heart’s” package with one upper reserved voucher, one frozen dinner, and one pint of ice cream for $20.

Loveable mascot Charlie T. RiverDog will once again deliver all of the Valentine’s Day packages ordered by the end of the day on Tuesday, Feb. 10 to their Valentines throughout the Lowcountry. Packages will be delivered on Thursday, Feb. 12 and Friday, Feb. 13, pending availability.

For more information and to order your special Valentine’s Day Specials, please contact the RiverDogs at 843/577-DOGS (3647) or online atwww.riverdogs.com.

This Day in New York Yankees History 1/30: The Yankee Years


On this day in 2009 Joe Torre was on CNN's Larry King Live answering questions about his new book "The Yankee Years." The book caused a firestorm of reaction from former players, fans, and the Yankees organization just a week after its release.


Also on this day in 2007 The Yankees agreed to help establish baseball academies in China and sent coaches, scouts, and player development staff over to give a hand. Randy Levine, the Yankees team President, committed the Yankees to help the Chinese Baseball Association develop young talent while also trying to promote baseball to a community that does not know baseball.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Yankees hoping to see Drew improve in 2015

The Yankees' re-signing of Stephen Drew earlier this month certainly didn't seem to be their most popular move, but that doesn't mean they're backtracking on it. 

"Hopefully, he can put last year behind him and be the player he was before then," Yankees GM Brian Cashman recently told The New York Daily News. "He has a history of being a really good player prior to a season that didn't play out the way anybody expected."

Drew indeed had what was likely the worst year of his career in 2014, batting just .162/.237/.299 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 85 games with the Red Sox and Yankees. He wasn't even acquired by Boston until May 21, and struggled well through his July 31 trade to the Pinstripes. 

But he has shown the ability to produce in the past, hitting .253 in 2012 and above .260 each year from 2008-2010. 

"[Last year] was just something that's so far out of the norm for his capabilities," Cashman said. "The contract refllects that and we're certainly hopeful he can revert back."

The Yankees inked Drew to a one-year/$5-million deal January 5, probably clinching for him the 2015 starting second base job. Before New York decided to give Drew another shot, it was assumed by many a youngster like Rob Refsnyder or Jose Pirela would get the role instead, seeing as the team had already rid itself of its other veteran candidate in Martin Prado. 

Still, the Yankees are confident Drew will contribute for them this season, in one way or another.

"At very least, he can play multiple positions and he's a hell of a defender," Cashman said. 

Keith Law Talks Yankees Farm System


Keith Law had a lot to say about the New York Yankees farm system and their players but unfortunately it is all insider material. I personally do not have the subscription to be an insider, and I apologize for that, so I will try and do my best to recap what went down today.

First and foremost Law posted his Top 100 Prospects list and two members of the Yankees made the list in Aaron Judge and Greg Bird. Law is apparently very high on Judge as he was ranked #23 while Bird clocked in at the #80 slot. I am pretty surprised at least Luis Severino did not make the list and it makes me question Law's knowledge of the Yankees farm, especially when he ranked the farm.

Here is what Law had to say about these two Yankees prospects:

Judge:

“He showed outstanding plate discipline and ability to make contact in his first full year in pro ball while giving glimpses of the huge raw power you’d expect from someone of his build…
… He’s an above-average defender in right, faster than you’d expect, with the arm to profile there and the potential to post strong triple-slash numbers if he can make that one big adjustment.”

Bird:

“Bird’s swing is very short to the ball, and he accelerates his hands quickly for hard contact to all fields, rarely putting the ball on the ground because he squares it up so frequently. He’s a high-IQ hitter with outstanding plate discipline and understanding of how to work a pitcher, giving reason to think he’ll continue to post high OBPs even though he’ll probably hit only .250-260 with a lot of strikeouts.”

Remember Kylie McDaniel ranked the Yankees farm the 10th best in the league but Law had a much different opinion ranking the farm in the #20 slot.

Tanaka's elbow feeling good with spring training less than a month away

When Masahiro Tanaka went down with a partial tear in his right UCL last season, the entire Yankees' universe seemed to hold its breath.

Tanaka, the team's most consistent starter, was in danger of having to undergo Tommy John surgery, not to mention experiencing recurring issues throughout the remainder of his career. Tanaka's impressive numbers alone probably should have been enough to cause a significant stir amongst the Yankees' fanbase, but when one remembers his $22 million annual salary, the need for him to stay on the field becomes that much more dire. 

So the news Thursday that Tanaka's elbow is doing alright should definitely be welcomed by the club's followers, especially considering that pitchers and catchers are set to report to Spring Training in less than a month. 

"So far so good, including (the elbow)," Tanaka told The Japan Times during a visit to the country. 

Prior to suffering the injury last July, Tanaka had been cruising with the Yankees, going 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA in 129 1/3 IP. He didn't record a non-quality start until July 3, and had six outings in which he surrendered no more than two earned runs while lasting 7+ innings. 

But Tanaka isn't reflecting on what could've been last year, instead looking forward to contributing to the Yankees however he can in the future. 

"Whether I'm the ace or I'm used in different roles within games, I'm thinking I'm going to win," he said. "So I'm not going to change anything I do."

Tanaka will likely serve as the Yankees' no.1 hurler again this season, but should have a healthier group behind him than he did in 2014. After spending most of last year on the disabled list, CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda are all expected to return, joined by newcomer Nathan Eovaldi. 

Tanaka, staying consistent with his past statements, is hoping that group will be enough to get the Yankees to the World Series. 

"This year I hope to have the shortest offseason among all 30 big league clubs," the 26-year-old, referring to the Yankees' missing the playoffs last season, said.

BOOKMARK ME: Late Additions to Your Fantasy Draft


Baseball season is right around the corner so that means Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball is as well. I say it every year, and I will say it again this year, I really expect and intend to actually pay attention to my team(s) this year. I have been doing some research and I wanted to bring you guys a couple primers and bookmarks for the draft. I have specifically been looking at getting that top notch talent in the last five or so rounds to put your team over the edge in certain categories. I hope this helps and I hope you all enjoy the post.

If you need speed Alcides Escobar, BJ Upton, Dalton Pompey, Norichika Aoki, Anthony Gose and Emilion Bonifacio should add plenty of stolen bases to your team in 2015.

If you need a closer it may be wise to pick up one of Joe Nathan and Joakim Soria from Detroit along with Ken Giles, Tyler Clippard and Luke Gregerson.

Speaking of pitching there is usually an abundance at the end of a draft and the names of Marcus Stroman, Drew Smyly, Carlos Martinez, Nathan Eovaldi, Kevin Gausman, Tony Cingrani, Jake Odorizzi, Trevor Bauer and Yusmeiro Petit will likely be left on the board this time around.

If you need hitting late look at Javier Baez, Adam Lind, Allen Craig, Yasmany Tomas and Gregory Polanco. I have seen Joc Pederson make a lot of these lists but I cannot see him making THAT much of an impact in LA at the bottom of the order. I was wrong once though.


If you need power you should definitely take a look at Ryan Howard, Jedd Gyorko, Josh Reddick, Khris Davis, Travis d’Arnaud and bigger seasons from Josh Hamilton and Pedro Alvarez. 

Don’t Get Your Hopes Up for David Price


When Max Scherzer signed his seven year deal worth $210 million he may have essentially set the market for the 2016 season already. There is a nice batch of starting pitchers set to hit the market including Jordan Zimmerman, Doug Fister and Scherzer’s former teammate David Price. I have heard rumblings and comparisons of New York passing on Johan Santana before the 2008 season only to acquire CC Sabathia before the 2009 season and ride his left arm to the Promised Land. Many think New York passed on Scherzer this offseason and will instead go after two of the three top free agent starting pitchers in 2016, especially Price. Wrong.

Price was essentially acquired last trading deadline to be insurance if and when Scherzer left Detroit and much like his predecessor Price may become too expensive to keep around beyond 2015. Scherzer won the American League Cy Young Award in 2013, a year after Price won his in 2012, and may become too expensive for Dave Dombrowski to keep around past this season. Naturally Detroit will try and lock up Price to a long term deal but after what Scherzer turned down and what Scherzer got in free agency who expects him to stay in Detroit? Nobody.

So what does this mean for New York? Unless the team is willing to push their payroll to $250 million or so it doesn’t mean much. The only free agents New York currently has entering the 2016 season is Stephen Drew, Chris Capuano and Chris Young. The money is not coming off the books after this season and if you believe Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman the money is not there to add any more. Price is already making $19.75 million for the 2015 season and with another year of being a left handed workhorse he is going to want much more than that in 2016. As much as I hate to say it don’t get your hopes up on Price in pinstripes Yankees family, he may be a little too rich for our blood. 

Updated MLB First Year Players Draft Order



First Round

  1. Diamondbacks
  2. Astros 
  3. Rockies
  4. Rangers
  5. Astros
  6. Twins
  7. Red Sox
  8. White Sox
  9. Cubs
  10. Phillies
  11. Reds
  12. Marlins
  13. Padres
  14. Rays
  15. Braves
  16. Brewers
  17. Yankees
  18. Indians
  19. Giants
  20. Pirates
  21. Athletics
  22. Royals
  23. Tigers
  24. Cardinals
  25. Dodgers
  26. Orioles
  27. Angels

Supplemental First Round

Rockies (for losing Michael Cuddyer)
Braves (for losing Ervin Santana)
Blue Jays (for losing Melky Cabrera)
Yankees (for losing David Robertson)
Giants (for losing Pablo Sandoval)
Pirates (for losing Russell Martin)
Tigers (for losing Max Scherzer)
Dodgers (for losing Hanley Ramirez)
Orioles (for losing Nelson Cruz)


Second Round

  1. Diamondbacks
  2. Rockies
  3. Rangers
  4. Astros
  5. Cubs
  6. Phillies
  7. Reds
  8. Marlins
  9. Padres
  10. Rays
  11. Mets
  12. Braves
  13. Brewers
  14. Blue Jays
  15. Yankees
  16. Indians
  17. Mariners
  18. Giants
  19. Pirates
  20. Athletics
  21. Royals
  22. Tigers
  23. Cardinals
  24. Dodgers
  25. Orioles
  26. Nationals
  27. Angels

Predicting the Non-Roster Invitees


Any day now the New York Yankees should be announcing the list they compiled of all the non-roster invitees that are coming to Spring Training camp 2015. I’m bored, the news is slow and there is not much going on so I figured I would take a stab at it and see how close I can get to the completed list.

Catchers- John Ryan Murphy and Gary Sanchez are on the 40 man roster along with Austin Romine so those three are locks along with Eddy Rodriguez who signed a minor league deal this month. No other catcher is considered especially close although I could see a fifth or sixth catcher brought along simply to catch those early spring workouts like Francisco Arcia and Juan Graterol

Infielders- Nick Noonan and Cole Figueroa have already been announced as minor league deals with invites to Spring Training and joining them of course will be Robert Refsnyder, Jose Pirela, Rob Segedin, Jonathan Galvez, Greg Bird and maybe Kyle Roller. I cannot see anyone like Eric Jagielo getting the call just yet in the infield.

Outfielders – The Yankees system is stocked with outfielders so it should be crowded out there this spring with possibly Aaron Judge joining Ramon Flores, Tyler Austin, Taylor Dugas, Robert Hernandez, Ben Gamel, Jake Cave and Slade Heathcott to name a few. Adonis Garcia and Mason Williams are likely to be heading to spring as well since Garcia was there last year and Williams was added to the 40 man roster this winter.


Pitching – There is only one mound and there will be a slew of pitching including, but not limited to, Branden Pinder, Danny Burawa, Bryan Mitchell, Domingo Germen, Jose Campos, Joel De La Cruz, Caleb Cotham, Nik Goody, Nick Rumbelow, Jaron Long, Matt Tracy, Zach Nuding, James Pazos, Tyler Webb, Chase Whitley, Chasen Shreve, Jose De Paula, Johnny Barbato and Luis Severino.

TGP Daily Poll: Another Loss in Fantasy Baseball



I have been playing Fantasy Baseball on Yahoo! Since around the 2005 season and I have never once won my league. That streak will continue in 2015.

Vote in our prediction poll on knoda. 

RICHMOND COUNTY SAVINGS BANK TO CONTINUE ITS SUPPORT OF STATEN ISLAND YANKEES


Here is the press release from the team:

RICHMOND COUNTY SAVINGS BANK TO CONTINUE ITS SUPPORT OF STATEN ISLAND YANKEES
Second extension of ballpark naming rights demonstrates commitment to the development of the St. George Community


Who: Michael F. Manzulli, Chairman, Richmond County Savings Bank Division of NYCB

Guy V. Molinari, Director, Richmond County Savings Bank Division

Joseph Masi, First Senior Vice President, CMO- New York Community Bancorp

Gina Laine, First Vice President, Marketing Director - New York Community Bancorp

Glenn Reicin, Co-owner, Staten Island Yankees

Nick Tiller, Co-owner, Staten Island Yankees

Steven Violetta, CEO, Staten Island Yankees

Jane M. Rogers, President and General Manager, Staten Island Yankees

Richmond County Savings Bank will continue its relationship with the Staten Island Yankees as it extends the agreement for the naming rights of the ballpark located in St. George, Staten Island.            

Richmond County Savings Bank has been the only naming rights partner of the ballpark and the Staten Island Yankees.  This new agreement will mark 20 years (1999 – 2019) of the stadium being called “Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George”.   

Said Michael F. Manzulli, Chairman of Richmond County Savings Bank Division of NYCB, “The extension of this agreement represents our continuing commitment to the SI Yanks and the development of the St. George community. We are proud to have been the first and only naming rights partner for the Staten Island Yankees and the Ballpark. The fact that we will be able to continue this relationship in the coming years and participate in the exciting development of the St. George area is particularly gratifying

Said Guy V. Molinari, Director, Richmond County Savings Bank Division and former Borough President of Staten Island, “Bringing the Staten Island Yankees to St. George was a proud moment for me.  Working closely with the NY Yankees, the Mayor of the City of NY and Richmond County Savings Bank we were able to make this happen. Helping to form a relationship between the Staten Island Yankees and Richmond County Savings Bank just made sense.  I am happy to see this partnership continue and flourish as well as to see the continuing development of the St George community. 

Said Steven Violetta, CEO, Staten Island Yankees, “I want to thank the leadership of the Richmond County Savings Bank for their continued support of the Staten Island Yankees.  In this era of ever   changing alliances, it is truly special for two organizations to have a relationship that spans twenty    years.  The Staten Island Yankees and Richmond County Savings Bank are a perfect fit.  I look forward to all the wonderful things we will do together in the coming years.” 

Where:  Richmond County Bank Ballpark Suite 19 – 75 Richmond Terrace, St. George, Staten Island

When: January 30, 2015  Noon

About Richmond County Savings Bank:
Richmond County Savings Bank - a division of New York Community Bank (NYCB) - Member FDIC has been serving the needs of the Staten Island Community since 1886. Today, as the Island’s most convenient bank, they operate 22 full service branches on Staten Island.  

The NYCB Family of Banks is comprised of the following community banking leaders; Queens County Saving Bank, Roslyn Savings Bank, Richmond County Savings Bank, Roosevelt Savings Bank, Garden State Community Bank, Ohio Savings Bank and AmTrust Bank, as well as New York Commercial Bank and it’s Atlantic Bank Division.

Operating in 5 states with over 270 branches, NYCB ranks among the largest thrift institutions in the nation.

As a true community bank, NYCB recognizes its commitment to its communities and has provided millions of dollars in donations and thousands of hours of community service to local civic, social and charitable causes.

For more information about Richmond County Savings Bank and NYCB visit NYCBfamily.com 

About the Staten Island Yankees:     
The Staten Island Yankees are the Single A-Short Season Affiliate the New York Yankees and play at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011). For more information, visit siyanks.com

This Day in New York Yankees History 1/29: Jimmy Key hangs it up


On this day in 1999 Jimmy Key decided to call it a career after suffering from multiple shoulder injuries. The 37 year old appeared in the playoffs with every team he played for including the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees, and the Baltimore Orioles.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Yankees Minor Leaguer Suspended for Amphetamine Use

A member of the New York Yankees farm system has been suspended for 50 games without pay after testing positive for amphetamine use. Tyler Palmer, 21, spent the 2014 season splitting time between two of the team's rookie ball affiliates and hit .262 with three home runs and 24 RBI.

Palmer played shortstop, second base, third base and some right field last season after being the Marlins fourth round pick in the 2011 MLB First Year Players Draft. Palmer also failed his second test for drugs with the test so we hope that this can open his eyes and get him back on track.

We're rooting for you Tyler!

Yankees Announce 2015 Game Times


The league has announced the official game times for the upcoming season. Obviously some of these times are subject to change, especially those potential Sunday Night Baseball games on ESPN, but here they are as they stand today.


Fangraphs: Yankees Top 10 Prospects List


I really respect what Fangraphs brings to the baseball community, especially to the New York Yankees community since Kylie McDaniel is involved in a lot of the material that goes up, so when they speak I tend to listen. This week McDaniel posted in-depth scouting reports for an absolute ton of prospects in the Yankees farm system and ranked them. While I won't go over all of them I will list Fangraphs.com 's Top 10 Yankees prospects here on the blog a mere three days before Prospects Month here on The Greedy Pinstripes.

1. Luis Severino
2. Aaron Judge
3. Greg Bird
4. Jacob Lindgren
5. Jorge Mateo
6. Ian Clarkin
7. Robert Refsnyder
8. Eric Jagielo
9. John Ryan Murphy
10. Luis Torrens

The Alex Rodriguez Milestone HR Nugget We Missed


The nugget, a term that Robert Casey of Bleeding Yankee Blue taught me, is a little bit of information that is thrown into an article that is sometimes missed or purposely overlooked. On Monday we reported that the New York Yankees were looking to void the home run milestone bonuses associated in a marketing contract that Alex Rodriguez signed with the team in 2007. While writing the article, in between eye rolls anyway, I thought of the circus that Rodriguez was going to bring the team over this but when I jumped on the USA Today this morning I feel like my sarcastic eye rolls may have been directed in the wrong direction. The way the USA Today is wording it and reporting it the team may flat out refuse to pay the money to Rodriguez whether an agreement or termination of the contract comes first.

A team flat out refusing to pay a player the terms of their contract, player contract or marketing contract, would probably not be allowed by the league and the MLB Players Association. Rodriguez’s contract states that each $6 million payment is due within 15 days after the home run milestone in exchange for rights such as Rodriguez’s name and image in licensed goods. The team is arguing that nobody will be lining up to pay for these goods and merchandise, and they are right, and may flat out refuse to pay and break the contract.


This is going to get ugly and this will head to an arbitrator after a grievance is filed. Yay, another summer of the Bronx is Burning Part III. 

MLB.com's Top 10 Second Baseman


MLB.com is at it again releasing their Top 10 lists per position after covering right handed pitching and first baseman. This week's showcase will cover second baseman and the Yankees have one player that made the list in Robert Refsnyder. CLICK here to see the entire Top 10 list but as an excerpt I will post the Refsnyder write up here.

7. Rob Refsnyder, Yankees: Named the Most Outstanding Player at the 2012 College World Series, Refsnyder made a smooth transition to the professional ranks and adeptly handled a change in positions, moving from the outfield to second base. After reaching Triple-A last year, he's expected to make his big league debut sometime this season.

TGP Daily Poll: Yankees Will Pay A Rods $6 Million



The New York Yankees are strong arming Alex Rodriguez right now over his $6 million bonus he will get if and when he hits six more home runs to tie Willie Mays on the all-time home run list. New York will talk a big game but the MLBPA will not allow him to not get paid what was agreed to in his contract. He will get is $6 million if he hits six more home runs.


Vote in our prediction poll from knoda. 

The Mendoza Line Movie to be Screened in NY


Sometime last year I was privileged enough to get an advanced screening of the indie film The Mendoza Line, a baseball film that follows an illegal immigrant in the minor leagues. Next month the Mendoza Line movie will be shown in New York City at the Anthology Film Archives as a part of the VIVA Latino Film Festival.

If you want to check out the movie, which I highly recommend because I enjoyed the movie thoroughly, head out to 32 2nd Ave NY, NY 10003 on February,22 at 3:00 pm ET. You can also see the movie on the web by clicking THIS LINK. 

I don't get a dime for you clicking the link or by showing up for the screening I just truly want to spread the word about the movie because it truly was a labor of love type film. Also the man who made the movie is a fellow member of the IBWAA. Check it out if you want or wouldn't mind!

This Day in New York Yankees History 1/28: Nothing but a Bold Prediction



There was absolutely no history or news to report on this day in New York Yankees history so I will instead start the day off with a bold prediction, the Yankees will sign James Shields today. I know I’ll be wrong but why not, you have to be in it to win it.


Also enjoy this new song from Fallout Boy called “Centuries” off their new album American Beauty/American Psycho.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

New Yankees reliever Carpenter looking forward to seeing bullpen in action

After taking a quick look at its new pieces, it's tough for anyone to ignore the Yankees' bullpen's potential. 

Anyone including its own pitchers, apparently, as new Yankees' right-hander David Carpenter is also impressed with the group's talent. He said so during a conversation on Tuesday, just under four weeks since he was dealt from the Braves. 

"I think it can be really, really strong," Carpenter told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. "There have been multiple people talking about it throughout baseball, the potential that our bullpen has. It can be one of the best in the Major Leagues."

The Yankees have certainly made it a priority to strengthen their relief core this offseason, a rather unsurprising happening given their unsure offense and rotation. Aside from trading for Carpenter January 1, the Yankees signed set-up man Andrew Miller and acquired lefty Justin Wilson from the Pirates this winter, moves they seem to expect will fill the void left by David Robertion.

Indeed, the Yankees are holding their 2015 backup arms to a high standard, and will likely need them to perform well if they want to achieve success. Maybe that's why they were so willing to cut ties with former top prospect Manny Banuelos in order to get a hold of Carpenter, knowing of the latter's relationship with catcher Brian McCann. 

"To be reunited with [McCann], it's going to be really, really special," Carpenter said. "The kind of words he shared with the front office, wanting to pull the trigger on trying to get me, it really boosts your confidence for sure."

Carpenter and McCann were teammates with the Braves in 2013, and appeared to work nicely together.

Not that that's an unusual occurance with McCann, who has a reputation for helping pitchers improve. With the Yankees last year, McCann helped two rookies, Dellin Betances and Adam Warren, record sub-three ERAs, often jogging to the mound in the middle of games when they or anybody else looked to be having trouble. 

Factoring in all of that, the Yankees' bullpen definitely strikes one as promising, and Carpenter is admittedly excited about it with the season nearing. 

"I'm really excited to get down there to Tampa, just get started and see where we end up," he said. 

What Bud Selig Really Left the Game


Bud Selig is no longer the Commissioner of Major League Baseball but will stick around in an advisor and consultant’s role for Rob Manfred and company after retiring at age 80. Whether you love Bud or hate Bud, I find myself somewhat in the middle and leaning towards the latter, the mark he left on the game today is undeniable. For the sake of argument, and to more honor the man than spit on his name, we are going to ignore the 1994 strike, cancellation of the World Series and the years leading up to the “cleanup” of the game.

Selig has brought the game two decades of labor peace with no real end in sight thanks to new collective bargaining agreements and a great working relationship with the MLB Players Union. Selig has expanded the game to a three division format from two divisions, a wild card team, then a second wild card team, 22 new stadiums and ballparks, attendance records each and every year, MLB.com, MLB Network, MLBTV, instant replay, the harshest and hardest steroid and drug testing program in the game, the World Baseball Classic, explosions of money due to lucrative television deals and billions and billions of dollars in revenue for everyone with the additions of the luxury tax, profit sharing etc.


Say what you will about Bud but you cannot deny the simple fact that the game is a better place today than it was in 1992 when Selig was merely just an owner of the Milwaukee Brewers. For that, one last time, I thank Mr. Selig for everything he did and brought to this great game of Major League Baseball. 

Could the Game Truly Go International?


Could Major League Baseball truly go international and have a team outside of the United States? This may be harder to answer than I make it out to be but truly I believe the game could with a little creativity and lots of security. Already Major League Baseball has a team in Canada and with the growing love for the game in South American countries such as Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico to name a few a team could end up there in the near future in my opinion.

Revenue in MLB rose to just under $9 billion during the 2014 season without tapping many potential markets outside of the United States and around the globe. The move outside the United States would have to start slow and start small with a team right over the border in Mexico, Monterrey maybe or even Mexico City, and security would be a nightmare to begin with but if MLB could make this work then the sky is the limit for the league. With the popularity of baseball in countries like Japan, Korea, Cuba, Australia, Columbia, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and even smaller countries like Curacao the game could explode internationally and truly set itself apart from the rest of the sports world.


It’s a dream now as we stand here in 2015 but this, in my opinion, is and should be the long term goal and vision for the game. Call me progressive and call me a dreamer but its coming ladies and gentleman so prepare yourselves for it. 

Yankees Do NOT Have to Wait for Moncada to Be Cleared to Sign Him


The best news that could have been released for the New York Yankees regarding Cuban defecting stud Yoan Moncada may have been released today via sanctionlaw.com. In the article SEEN HERE new amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations will make it easier for Cuban players to sign with Major League teams.

In years past the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (or OFAC if you’re lazy) has had to unblock these players before they could be declared free agents by Major League Baseball and sign with major league teams. The player also had to establish residency in another country beforehand and take care of any visa and traveling documentation paperwork before coming to the states, see Rafael DePaula and his two lost seasons due to visa issues for the Yankees. The whole unblocking situation started because of the Trading with the Enemy Act which made Cuban citizens blocked persons in the United States and prevented US citizens to engage in any sort of transactions with them including their ball players.

On January 16th, 2015 amendments were made to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR). Instead of feeding you a bunch of legal terms that you can read by clicking the link above I will instead dumb it down for everyone. Instead of establishing residency and filing this paperwork and that paperwork all a Cuban citizen has to do is take an oath to never return to Cuba, which obviously we all know can be rescinded, and that player is unblocked. New regulations do not even require official documents of said oath. If the Yankees wanted to sign Moncada right now and really upset and anger the rest of Major League Baseball all they legally have to do is get a cocktail napkin, write on it that Moncada swears to never return to Cuba, have him sign it and then have him sign a contract.


This is not a well-known loop hole just yet on the US side and will likely lead to more and more Cuban players defecting from their native lands to come to the United States. Those players won’t know about the new rules and laws until the first player gets around the rules and signs a contract. Make that Moncada and make that with the Yankees, please. 

Should the shift go? How will this effect the Yankees?

By Eddie Sapienza
MLB's new commisoner Rob Manfred may want to ban the shift. In this article I will explain if the shift should stay in baseball or not and how it will effect guys on the Yankees. So in 2014 we saw way more shifts than we did in 2013 and previous years.

The way the shift works is against left handed hitters all the infielders move closer to first base. So what happens is the third baseman is at shortstop the shortstop is at second base and the second baseman plays in the start of the outfield grass.

This shift has worked with the Yankees and against them and no matter what way it works I think it ruins the game of baseball. The shift has caused many left handers to dip their batting average. A solution to the shift is to hit the other way. Although that is hard for some hitters like Mark Teixeria and Brian McCann.

McCann has tried to go the other way but Teixeira puts no effort into that and keeps pulling the ball as usual. So now I'll say if the shift should stay or not.

No I don't think the shift should stay in the Major Leagues because it ruins the game of baseball completely and makes offenses not hit well. Previous MLB commisoner Bud Selig never thought or at least said anything about banning the shift. One thing I'm wondering if the shift is prohibited and a team just ignores the rule what would happen?

Now I'll move onto how this will effect the Yankees. The shift works in both ways when in effect and works both ways when it's out of effect.  So if their is no more shift expect to see better seasons from McCann and Teixeira.

Although the Yankees will give up more hits. I rather have the Yankees give up more hits instead of them hitting less and by banning the shift more hits from guys on the Yankees. These are my thoughts on the shift and if it should be banned or not.

A Plan to Acquire Troy Tulowitzki


It’s the offseason and it’s the slowest part of the offseason right before pitchers and catchers report and right after all the big named free agents have picked new homes for 2015. Let’s have some fun and throw a hypothetical out there and iron out a plan for the New York Yankees to acquire troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies either in July 2015 or next offseason before the 2016 season.

Tulowitzki will remain in Colorado through at least July mainly because he has to prove that his surgically repaired hip is healthy and healed. In my opinion New York, had it not been for the surgery, would have been all over acquiring Tulo this offseason but instead acquired Didi Gregorius from the Arizona Diamondbacks basically for Shane Greene in a three team trade.

Gregorius is under team control for quite a long time, all six years if I am not mistaken, and could be quite attractive in a trade if he were to rebound or breakout in 2015. That also gives New York a year to evaluate Tulowitzki and his surgically repaired hip to see if a trade would even be worth it. The Yankees could essentially flip Gregorius to Colorado to replace him at shortstop for much cheaper contract wise and five years of team control. Naturally New York would have to throw in a few more prospects but that would also give the team another year to bring along the plethora of young talent they have at the lower levels of their farm system making a trade realistically possible.


It’s a dream, I admit, but it may not be as farfetched of a dream as one may think.  This time next year we may be talking about how Tulowitzki is the true replacement for the great Derek Jeter, his idol, and that Gregorius was merely a stopgap and all a part of Brian Cashman’s evil plans. 

TGP Daily Poll: Manfred will Reinstate Rose in 2015


The MLB All Star Game is being held in Cincinnati this season and Bud Selig already gave MLB hit king Pete Rose permission to be there. Rob Manfred needs to make a name for himself in his first year as Commissioner of Baseball and will reinstate Rose from his banishment from the game in 2015.


Vote in our predication poll on knoda. 

Teixeira/McCann’s Reaction to Rob Manfred & the Shift


I think the gif above explains the direction that this quick hit of a post is going. Rob Manfred, the new and official Commissioner of Major League Baseball, announced among other things that he is at least considering eliminating defensive shifting in the game. His reasoning behind this is to increase offense in the game, and honestly I think that would help even if it was marginally, and the news would especially help a couple member of the Yankees if this came to fruition.


Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann easily, just going off an eye test estimate, lost 20 or more hits (probably more in McCann’s case) to the shift last year after showing an unwillingness to go the other way or at least fake a bunt the other way. The Yankees offense needs all the help they can get and all the bounce back that they can get and if Manfred eliminates the shift I think we see a totally different middle of the Yankees lineup in 2015. 

This Day in New York Yankees History 1/27: Giants play in Yankee Stadium


On this day in 1956 the New York football Giants switch their NFL home games to Yankee Stadium. This fueled tons of speculation that the baseball Giants would also be leaving the Polo Grounds.


The team also signed relief pitcher Chris Leroux on this day in 2014 but I didn’t figure many people cared about or cared for that signing much. Carry on. 

Monday, January 26, 2015

Yankees Trying to Void HR Milestone Triggers in A Rod's Contract


This time last year many around the league as far as fans go were stuck rolling their eyes at every new lawsuit that was coming out of the Alex Rodriguez camp. Turn the calendar to 2015 and to the best of my knowledge Rodriguez has not sued anyone, although he has been sued by his former brother in law, but this time the Yankees are going after him. New York is trying to void the "milestone home run" triggers that are built into his contract that includes an extra $30 million for tying and passing some of the games greats.

New York does not believe they are on the hook for these five different milestone triggers worth $6 million each because the deal was signed as a part of a marketing deal. The marketing deal as a part of the 10 year and $275 million contract was meant to be profitable for both sides. The Yankees organization no longer feel the deal is profitable to them, and honestly they are right. The Yankees also, naturally, brought up his performance enhancing drug suspension and allegations for reasons to void the triggers.

Rodriguez will earn $6 million each for tying Willie Mays 660 home runs, tying Babe Ruth's 714 home runs, tying Hank Aaron's 755 home runs, tying Barry Bonds 762 and passing Bonds for the all time leader in home runs.

Here are the quotes from those associated with the team:

The Yankees, however, now view the marketing bonuses as worthless and invalid, according to sources, the result of Rodriguez's suspension for violating the game's collectively bargained drug policy and his scorched-earth attack on baseball and the Yankees. The club plans to do battle with its onetime superstar over paying the bonuses, and is prepared to fight Rodriguez if he files a grievance with the Players' Association.

Now, the Yankees will argue that Rodriguez signed the agreement under false pretenses and has rendered the marketing opportunities worthless based on years of lies, deception and, finally, admission to DEA agents last year that he had paid $12,000 a month to Anthony Bosch for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs.