Monday, August 31, 2015

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox 8/31


The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are ready to kick off their three game series this week at Fenway Park with everything on the line for New York and nothing left to play for in Boston. The Yankees have their eye's on the top spot in the American League East Division race and the playoffs for the first time in three seasons while the Red Sox are ready for another long winter after a last place finish. The Yankees will send Ivan Nova to the mound to face off against the Red Sox rookie Eduardo Rodriguez. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, ESPN and MLB TV.

The Yankees are three games away, including tonight's, from the team returning home to the Bronx and Yankee Stadium so be sure to click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog to buy yours now. Also be sure to give us a follow on Twitter, @GreedyStripes, to root for the home team for the remainder of the 2015 season.

Nova is ready to turn things around and hopefully the offense saved some runs for tonight after slaughtering the Braves this weekend. Go Yankees!

Twitter Poll: What About Nathan Eovaldi in One Game Playoff Game?

Nathan Eovaldi earned his 14th victory of the season yesterday afternoon in Atlanta against the Atlanta Braves despite only lasting five innings. Eovaldi had pitched better of late, although yesterday was not his ideal start that he wanted at this point in the season, and has added strikeouts and length to his game. With the Toronto Blue Jays leading the American League East Division and with the likelihood that the team may never lose again, slight exaggeration.. very slight, the Yankees may have to settle for hosting a one game playoff in the American League Wild Card Round. Who would the Yankees start? Would it be the rookie, Luis Severino? Would it be the ace, Masahiro Tanaka? Or could it be their winning-est pitcher, Nathan Eovaldi?









The Yankees offense never seems to take a night off with Eovaldi on the mound but I honestly think Eovaldi should not start that game. If the days of rest lines up that way I can't say I'd be less than confident along with the Yankees bullpen and short leash from Joe Girardi but if everyone is rested that start has to go to Severino or Tanaka. Eovaldi has been good, sometimes great, but his 14-2 pitching line may be a little deceiving when you look at it in the rear view mirror.

To be involved in our next Twitter Poll head over and give @GreedyStripes a follow.

ICYMI: Does Brian Cashman Hate Rob Refsnyder?



By Bran Van Dusen:




By now you've all seen that the Yankees plan on calling up Rob Refsnyder once rosters expand. I'm sure many people, including Daniel, are really happy. Although, they would have been happier had this happened a month ago. Two months ago? *shrugs*
I have no idea what makes some of you happy.

Yesterday Daniel wrote about Brian Cashman, particularly a quote he made before the season. In it, Cash basically talked about the team's desire to not only build the future, but also build a team that could win the World Series.

It didn't take long for somebody to bring up the fact that Rob Refsnyder is still in the minors, and use that as an example of how Cashman is full of it. On the surface that's a great point. If the team isn't calling up Refsnyder, then it looks like the whole "build for the future" thing is nothing more than lip service.

But there's a problem with this thinking....

What has Rob Refsnyder done to push for a promotion?

Don't get me wrong. I hate Stephen Drew, just like many of you. Nor do I think Brendan Ryan is the answer. But you can't tell me that a triple-slash of .269/.360/.396 in AAA is something to salivate over. Therefore, I totally understand not wanting to lose Stephen Drew or Brendan Ryan, as one of them would likely be designated for assignment to make room for Refsnyder to be added to the active roster. If Rob was tearing the cover off the ball that would be a different story, but he's not. His on-base percentage is good, but his batting average is "meh" and his slugging percentage is poor.

And it's unlikely to expect him to improve on those numbers in Major League Baseball. I understand the promotion might be the kick in the butt he needs, but when you're trying to win now it's not a gamble you really want to make until you have to.

The fact that no trade was made for a definite starter at second base should tell you that Cashman and the Yankees are not giving up on Refsnyder. Which is a good thing. Sure, his numbers currently are far from spectacular, but that doesn't mean he should be considered a bust. It looks as though they still believe in him, but do not feel it necessary to make the move now. However, Rob is being called up in September, so he will get a shot.

Rob Refsnyder may not become a regular starter this season, but it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that he's the starting second baseman for them on Opening Day next season. I know it's hard for a lot of Yankees fans, but you must be patient.

David Robertson Back In Pinstripes?


When the news first broke that the Yankees had claimed David Robertson I thought nothing of it. Claims like that happen all the time, and nothing happens. I figured that the White Sox are simply going to pull back Robertson, and everybody will go on their merry ways.

I mean, this isn't a case of a player making more money than they're worth. D-Rob has an ERA of 2.60, and WHIP of 0.855, so far this season. His walk percentage is a career low 1.9%, and his strikeout rate of 12.3 per 9 innings is a tick above his career average. To sum it up, I highly doubt the White Sox are having buyer's remorse here.

But then I thought about it, and although the chances of Robertson making a return to the Yankees are closer to "nil" than "slim", it could happen.

The White Sox are currently in fourth place in the AL Central, only a game and a half ahead of the last place Detroit Tigers. So this season is all but over with for them. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals will surely be picked to win the division again next year, and for good reason.

And don't forget that even though the Yankees already have an incredible one-two punch in the bullpen, they tried hard to deal for Craig Kimbrel a month ago. So I'm sure they'd be willing to make a deal for Robertson.

Another thing to consider is that Craig Kimbrel has one less year remaining on his contract (if you ignore his team option) than D-Rob, and is also three years younger. So even though Robertson is having a better season, the cost to acquire him shouldn't be any more than it would have been for Kimbrel.

So while I'm not counting on the Yankees and White Sox agreeing on a trade for Robertson, it's not silly to think it could happen.

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Boston Red Sox 8/31


The New York Yankees got back on track this weekend in Atlanta with a great series against the Atlanta Braves that saw New York sweep the Bravos. New York will look to continue their hot play tonight as they make the trip to the team that occupies the last place spot in the American League East Division, the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees will send Ivan Nova to the mound tonight inside Fenway Park to face off with Eduardo Rodriguez for the home team. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network, ESPN and MLB TV.


  • Nova has been disappointing for the Yankees recently and was especially off against the Houston Astros in a game that quickly got away from him. Nova allowed seven runs on seven hits in just four innings in a 15-1 loss to the Astros. That start marked the fourth consecutive time that Nova has allowed three runs or more in a start. 




  • Rodriguez will head into tonight's start fresh off seven days of rest from manager Torey Lovullo. The Red Sox are attempting to limit the innings of Rodriguez as the 2015 season begins its final stretch run. Rodriguez is making his third start of the season against the Yankees and will look to improve upon his 1-1 record with a 2.70 ERA.



The New York Yankees aren't getting any help from the rest of the league as they continue to trail the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East Division making every winnable game and series all that more important. The Red Sox tend to bring their "A" games against the Yankees so let's hope New York brings their "A+" game to the ballpark tonight. Go Yankees!


Recapping My Eventful Night at Turner Field


I may never go back to Turner Field as long as I live.

Well, I think we both know that this is an absolute lie but I had quite the eventful night on Saturday night when I took my family to Turner Field to see the New York Yankees face off with the Atlanta Braves. First and foremost, and I posted this on my Facebook page, that traffic though. We barely got to the game before first pitch after leaving my house at 3:00 pm in the afternoon. Granted we stopped at the gas station and Steak and Shake for lunch but still, four hours to make an hour and a half trip is ridiculous. I cannot wait until the new stadium opens up in Cobb County, about 30 minutes closer to my home from the current stadium. Also did I mention that I went to a game earlier this season and paid $10 to park in the same parking lot that I paid $40 to park in last night?

So we went to the game and it was pretty uneventful until the Alex Rodriguez pinch hit for Luis Severino. This was when the season ticket holder and Braves fan fell from the upper deck after leaning over the rail to yell at Rodriguez. The man died and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends but it really makes you wonder if your hate for a man that did nothing to you nor anything that affected you is worth your life.

Game over, Yankees win and start spreading the news. Let's get the hell out of here and go home. You have your normal traffic, cars cutting you off etc. going home but the line is moving well enough until a 10 car pileup happens on Highway 75 north. It literally took over two hours to go three miles, two hours to go three miles with a five year old in the back seat that has a question for everything. With me halfway knowing the area I had the great idea to get off on an exit, go down a few exits and see if I can get around it but after sitting in traffic well over three hours now I stop to get a drink and some gas at the gas station.

Shots fired, three to be exact. Needless to say I am getting out of that parking lot in a hurry. The shots were off in the distance, not at the gas station, but they were close enough to know this was not the place I needed to be. When I finally got on the highway and saw the 10 car pileup I was amazed, someone stopped short and caused the domino effect. One person's front bumper was actually attached to the car in front of him and no longer on the car believe it or not, he must have hit hard.

Needless to say I was done after that. My GPS told me it should have taken 1:22 minutes and I was home and in my driveway in 58 minutes.... yeah.... what a night. I had to share that with you guys, hope you enjoy because I sure didn't.

Quick Hit: August Trade Deadline End Today!


If the New York Yankees are going to add a player that will not only help the team reach the playoffs but help in the playoffs they will have to add him before the trade deadline comes today. Keep in mind that the Yankees can make trades up until the final game of the season but any player acquired after the trade deadline today will not be eligible for postseason play. There are a few notable players that we know have cleared waivers and probably a slew that we won't ever hear about until/unless they are traded. See my mini-list below, does anyone on it strike your fancy? Leave a comment in the comments section or drop us a tweet on Twitter @GreedyStripes.


  • RHP James Shields
  • 2B/SS Jose Reyes
  • 2B/SS Starlin Castro
  • OF Ichiro Suzuki
  • OF Jay Bruce
  • OF Alejandro De Aza
  • RHP John Axford
  • OF Austin Jackson
  • OF Dexter Fowler

Weekly Check In: Tyler Wade


The New York Yankees have a ton of shortstop depth all of a sudden with Saturday's check in Jorge Mateo, Sunday's check in Kyle Holder and this morning's candidate, Tyler Wade. Wade may be the closest of any of the Yankees shortstop depth as he will likely play his final game in 2015 with the Double-A Yankee affiliate, the Trenton Thunder.

Wade has about three week's worth of games down in Trenton and has struggled mightily since his promotion, not unlike Holder who has struggled in Staten Island. Wade, like Robert Refsnyder, needs work on the defense side of the ball and had 24 errors at shortstop while with the Tampa Yankees forcing the team to give him some time at second base in Trenton.

Is his future at second base or shortstop? Keep checking into these posts and we'll find out together because honestly I have no idea.

Year Lev G PA R H 2B HR RBI SB BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS
2015 A+-AA 118 498 56 115 14 3 31 32 41 79 .258 .323 .333 .655
2015 A+ 98 418 51 103 11 2 28 31 39 65 .280 .349 .353 .702
2015 AA 20 80 5 12 3 1 3 1 2 14 .156 .188 .234 .421

Most Popular Article of the Week: The Quote That May Haunt Brian Cashman for the Rest of his Yankees Tenure


Let’s end the night with something to think about when you go to bed tonight, the one quote that may define and ultimately haunt the Yankees GM Brian Cashman for the remainder of his Yankees tenure. This quote came in the offseason when the Yankees were being second guessed about their free agent strategy and the decision to pass up the likes of David Robertson, Hanley Ramirez, James Shields, Pablo Sandoval and other big named free agents. Cashman may be hoping right about now, as the Blue Jays continue their aggressive play while the Yankees simply look tired out and ready for another winter of hibernation, that this quote could forever be forgotten and lost in the web that is the internet but I remember it and I remind you all of it today.


“Playoffs and then beyond,’’ GM Brian Cashman told The Post. “Be a good enough team to get to the playoffs, allow me to tweak in-season to make it good enough to win a World Series.’’


http://nypost.com/2015/03/09/what-must-go-right-for-yankees-to-hit-world-series-expectations/


Has Cashman lived up to this “promise” or did he let the team down? I’m truly asking because I know the responses will be a mixed bag of opinions. Some, including myself, are okay with the prospects being relied on more (although if you’re going all in on prospects where the hell is Robert Refsnyder?) while others are not. Leave your thoughts in the comments section or let us know on Twitter by following and tweeting @GreedyStripes.

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/31: Indians 22 Yankees 0

The New York Yankees have had a very storied history including a ton of blowouts on both sides of the ball but none bigger than the whooping the Cleveland Indians put on the New York Yankees on this day in 2004. This actually tied the largest shutout margin in the history of Major League Baseball, but set the record in Yankees history, when the Indians beat the Yankees 22-0 in Yankee Stadium. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs by the same margin way back in 1975 at Wrigley Field to set the original record.

Also on this day in Yankees getting clobbered history Omar Vizquel had six hits in that same 2004 game. Vizquel would become the first player in the 81 year history of Yankee Stadium to get six hits in one game.

Finally on this day in 1997 Don Mattingly Day was held at Yankee Stadium where his #23 jersey was retired in Monument Park. Mattingly was the Yankees captain from 1991 to 1995 and becomes the first Yankee to have his uniform number retired without reaching the World Series.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Weekend Finale Open Thread


While this has been one of your run of the mill weekends for most this has been an absolutely crazy weekend for myself. The Yankees came down to Atlanta and I made the two hour trek to Turner Field with my wife and my son and made the two hour trek back to my home on Saturday which really wore me out. When I was younger and it was just me and the wife going to a game and staying out all night was nothing, we even went to work the next day, but now not so much. You don't merely sit in your seats for nine innings with a curious five-year old. You walk around the park, you go to the bathroom about 14 times, you go and get hot dogs, you go  and get drinks, you go see the sites and the museum's inside the ballpark and you're up by 7:00 AM the very next morning because you got two hours of sleep on the way home and you're a kid.

And it was all worth it....

Needless to say I'm beat so I leave you with this open thread to finish off the weekend here on the blog. I may stay up to watch Fear the Walking Dead but I doubt it so just in case I nod off I wanted to leave you here with this music recommendation out of my personal collection. It's my son's favorite song and I think we listened to it like 14 times on the way down to Atlanta Saturday and another nine times on the way home before he finally fell asleep. America's Suitehearts, the remix, by Fallout Boy. Enjoy!

Transactions: New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves


As the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves finish up their three game set inside Turner Field this weekend I got to thinking, could the roster shuffle and revolving door that the Yankees have done in 2015 happen with a National League ball club? That's probably a harder question to answer than I have made it out to be but I decided to check out the team's respected transactions page from MLB.com and compared the sheer amount of transactions each team has made from month to month. I asked the question earlier in the week and I will finish the weekend by attempting to answer it, is the roster shuffle and roster manipulation the new meta?



Some of these transactions include draft signings, minor league free agent signings, injuries etc. but I wanted to include them because this post is about roster shuffling and manipulation as a whole and less about moving players in and out of a bullpen every ten days. The list above is far from perfect but it does go to show you, at least in my opinion, that this kind of roster manipulation can happen with a National League team. This may have been a bad comparison since the Braves are in the middle of rebuilding their franchise, and honestly I'm not entirely sure what I was trying to prove here, but the numbers are interesting enough to speak for themselves in my opinion.


Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Atlanta Braves 8/30


The New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves are ready to finish off their three game set this weekend inside Turner Field in what has been a bittersweet weekend for me. I was born in the Bronx, New York and was forced to move down to Atlanta, Georgia when I was 13 years old and it kills me not to be able to see my Yankees but once every three years but at the same time it makes the whole ballpark experience and being able to share it with my family all the more special. The experience comes to an end this afternoon as the New York Yankees send Nathan Eovaldi to the mound to face off wit the Braves ace Julio Teheran. The game will begin at 1:35 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

Thank you for all your kind words and the support this weekend not only on the blog but on our Twitter account as well. The support you give to us here on the blog and on the @GreedyStripes twitter account is truly humbling and amazing to me, especially when you consider the fact that I didn't even want a blog three years ago when we started this thing. Thank you, and Go Yankees!

An Open Letter to Joe Girardi

Joe,

I hate to be the "I told you so" guy but I did kind of tell you so in a Twitter Poll and in a separate post that I thought the team should have placed Mark Teixeira on the 15 day disabled list the day he fouled that pitch off his leg and bruised his bone. I pointed out that the Yankees were in the middle of an American League East Division race and a race for one of the two available American League Wild Card spots and the team could not afford to give Teixeira "a day" once or twice a week because the leg was sore and not fully healed. I also mentioned that Teixeira was probably the most indispensable player on the entire team not only offensively but defensively and pleaded with you and the Yankees organization for a backdated DL stint, to no avail.

Someone, not saying you necessarily Mr. Girardi, decided in their infinite wisdom that Teixeira should start one of those games against the Houston Astros eliminating a week's worth of retroactive DL time. Teixeira was obviously uncomfortable at the plate and could not run the bases but the team decided his right-handed bat was needed against Houston's ace Dallas Keuchel despite the repercussions for the decision, those repercussions being that the Yankees played with a short bench in the American League parks and have played this weekend in Atlanta with just a two man bench.

Talent has bailed you out of a lot of your decisions in your Yankees tenure, not to say I think you have been a bad manager or that you should be perfect when nobody walking this Earth is, and it did again this weekend inside Turner Field. You could have a zero man bench when your team is leading by ten or more and it won't matter but that doesn't and shouldn't excuse you or the decision maker on their bad decision.

The decision to insert Teixeira's bat for that one game in Houston could have crippled this team and sent it into a whirlwind downward that could have spelled doom, or worse than that a missed playoff season in 2015. You're an extremely intelligent man Mr. Girardi but that decision, in my opinion, was stupid and uninformed.

Daniel Burch

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Atlanta Braves 8/30


The New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves will finish off their three game set this afternoon in Turner Field before the Yankees make the trip to Fenway Park for a three game set. The Yankees offense exploded in the first game of the contest which marked the return to Atlanta for Brian McCann while the pitching matchups sent to the mound by New York have done the Braves no favors. The pitching matchups for Atlanta doesn't get any easier today when the Yankees send Nathan Eovaldi to the mound to face off with the Braves starter Julio Teheran. The game will be played at 1:35 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.


  • "Eovaldi gives up too many hits" so he has been correcting that lately giving up less and less hits per start. "Eovaldi can't go deep into games" so he threw eight shutout innings last time out against the Houston Astros and has been pitching later and later into his starts the longer the season has gone on. Let's try this, "Eovaldi can't improve on his 1-0 career record and 0.90 ERA in three career starts against the Atlanta Braves this afternoon." Bet you won't!




  • Teheran has pitched well during the month of August and may be the Braves best pitcher at the time of this start. Teheran has posted a 2.73 ERA in five August starts and has held opposing offenses to just a .210 batting average against after a change in how he approaches at bats and opposing hitters. Unfortunately for the Yankees the Braves were able to squeeze out one more August start from Teheran, let's hope New York can turn those stats around this afternoon. 


New York needed a little break in their schedule and they are seemingly getting in with this series and their series with Boston. The team is not getting any favors done for them by Toronto as the team cannot seemingly lose with any consistency this season so it's more and more imperative that New York wins every game they are supposed to win, that includes this afternoon's game. Go Yankees!

Former Yankees Update: Hiroki Kuroda


Hiroki Kuroda spent a total of three seasons as a member of the New York Yankees after spending his first four professional seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kuroda came over from Japan where he started his career, and will likely end his career, with the Hiroshima Carp of the Japanese League. Kuroda always said he would like to finish his pitching career where it began back in Japan and he did just that in 2015 leaving the Yankees with a glaring hole in their starting rotation. New York has another glaring hole in their starting rotation as Ivan Nova struggles, Michael Pineda continues to be given extra rest despite his stats while pitching on extra rest and with the struggles and subsequent injuries to CC Sabathia, could Kuroda be helping right now?

Looking at his stats from the Hiroshima Carp, seen below, absolutely. If this is how Kuroda wanted to go out I am ecstatic that he's going to get his wish. Going out with the team that gave him his first shot, going out on his own terms and going out on top. Congratulations to Mr. Kuroda.


YearAgeTmWLERAGIPHRERHRBBSOWHIPH9HR9BB9SO9
201540Hiroshima752.8917112.01114036622721.1888.90.51.85.8

Weekly Check In: Kyle Holder


Kyle Holder, the Yankees second pick in the first round of the 2015 MLB First Year Players Draft, was recently promoted to Staten Island where he will likely finish his first professional campaign inside Minor League Baseball. Holder is sneaking up on the 50 game plateau as this post goes live and the beginning to his professional career, at least offensively, has not gone according to plan for the San Diego State product. Holder is hovering right around the Mendoza Line this season, although many including myself don't put much stock into the half a season they play after being drafted, but there are encouraging stats.

Holder is taking his walks which is evident by his on-base percentage being 60 points higher than his batting average and the Yankees shortstop is also getting his work in. Holder was considered a raw product offensively when he was drafted, and 50 games in Staten Island isn't going to change that, but where the concern comes in has been with his defense. Holder already has seven errors in 50 games putting him on a Robert Refsnyder-ian year defensively.

Is it rust from sitting out so long after the college seasons came to a close? nerves? Human nature? Who knows, we won't know for sure until 2016. As long as Holder continues to get work in this season and stays healthy that's a step in the right direction despite what the stat line below says.

YearLevGPARH2BHRRBISBBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
2015A-48219204040941528.202.264.232.496

Recap: Yankees 3, Braves 1

Luis Severino tossed six scoreless innings and the Yankees again beat the Braves, 3-1, on Saturday night at Turner Field.

The Real Deal?: Aided by nice defense from Chase Headley and Greg Bird, Severino logged his first career win on the road -- holding the Braves to just four hits while walking three and striking out five. The Yankees' rookie allowed multiple runners to reach in the first, fourth and sixth, but escaped each jam with good utilization of his fastball and slider.

A Gift: The Yankees were on the verge of blowing a golden scoring opportunity in the first, but were bailed out when a Matt Wisler wild pitch plated Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury had doubled to begin the frame, but after Carlos Beltran fanned with the infield back, found himself stuck at third with two down.

Needed That: The suddenly-hot Didi Gregorius lined an RBI double to right in the seventh, finally giving the Yankees some breathing room. The team had led 1-0 ever since the first, only logging one hit in innings 2-6.

Not What You Want: Normally reliable, Justin Wilson just did not have his stuff when he went out for the seventh, quickly surrendering a pair of singles before committing a missed catch error that broke up the shutout. The run, scored when Wilson dropped the return throw to first on an attempted double play, forced the Yankees to turn to Dellin Betances for a four-out hold -- something that might be worth remembering considering the righty had to use 26 pitches. 

He Must Like Atlanta: Brian McCann continued his great weekend with a double to right-center in the eighth, driving in Chris Young to hand the Yankees some insurance. McCann, a former Brave, has now gone 2-for-5 with five RBI and four walks over the last two games, his first in Georgia's capital since 2013.

Next Up: The Yankees and Braves wrap up this series with a matinee on Sunday, the Yanks sending Nathan Eovaldi (13-2, 4.00 ERA) to the hill verses RHP Julio Teheran (9-6, 4.29 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:35 p.m. ET, airing live on YES and WFAN. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/30: A Rod Hits 40 Home Runs


The New York Yankees are also well known as the Bronx Bombers but in their long storied history they have only had two right handed batters that have ever hit 40 home runs in a single season, Joe DiMaggio and Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez joined DiMaggio, who hit 46 home runs in 1937, on this day in 2005.

Also on this day in 1961 a computer named Casey was used to predict the chances that Yankees outfielder Roger Maris would surpass Babe Ruth's single season home run record of 60 within 154 games. The IBM 1481 predicted that Maris had a 55% chance of hitting 61 home runs in 154 games to establish the new mark for home runs but ultimately Maris hit his 61st home run in the Yankees 161st game of the season.

Finally on this day in 1939 the Yankees Atley Donald throws a recorded 94.7 MPH pitch to establish a new record for the fastest fastball in Major League Baseball history. Donald would also win 12 straight games that year to set an AL record for most consecutive victories by a rookie starting pitcher.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Atlanta Braves 8/29




Greetings from Turner Field ladies and gentleman as the contest between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves is set to kick off. I cannot put into words how excited I am to be seeing my boys in Yankees pinstripes tonight live for the first time since the 2012 season. I also cannot put into words how excited I am to be watching Luis Severino make his fifth start of his Major League career tonight against Matt Wisler for the Braves. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on Fox Sports One and MLB TV.

New York has one more game inside Turner Field tomorrow afternoon before making the trip to Boston to face off with the Boston Red Sox for three games inside Fenway Park. After another off day and the conclusion of this road trip the team returns home to Yankee Stadium to continue their push for the playoffs and the American League East Division crown. Watch it all unfold this season in the Bronx by clicking the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog and getting your seats reserved for the remainder of the season. You can also follow us Twitter, although it may be a little slow tonight with me and my son in the ballpark tonight, by following @GreedyStripes.

Ellsbury and company are ready to hit some home runs and lead New York to another victory and I’m ready to become Atlanta’s own version of Zack Hample. Let’s get to it, Go Yankees!

Discussing a Potential 2016 Contract for Chris Young


In separate posts we have already discussed potential contracts for the 2016 season for both Stephen Drew, who got a “yay,” and Chris Capuano, who got a “nay,” and this evening we will discuss the potential future of Yankees fourth outfielder Chris Young. Young was signed in September of 2014 after having a horrendous season with the New York Mets and came across town to the Bronx with his big bat and glove in hand. Young did nothing but have clutch hit after clutch hit and walk off heroics in his month with the team earning him another contract for the 2015 season. Has he done enough and will he be fortunate enough to do the same in 2016?

If you would have asked me a month ago I would have said absolutely without blinking an eye but right now I’m not so sure. Young is the only true right handed outfielder the Yankees have since Carlos Beltran switch hits and both Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner bat left-handed which is a fact that is hard to ignore. That’s hard to ignore much like his ability to come in as a defensive replacement in right field, as a pinch runner late in games or his ability to hit home runs off the bench when all the spotlights are on him. What’s also hard to ignore is the imposing figure standing in the shadows patiently waiting his turn in Triple-A, Mr. Aaron Judge.

Sure, Judge has looked overmatched a bit since moving up to Triple-A leaving many to believe that he isn’t ready but that’s not what I took from it all. Judge may be scuffling a little but he also battled a back injury in Scranton that has coincidentally, or not coincidentally whatsoever, flared up right around the time his stat line went down steadily. A full offseason mixed in with a full spring training could do wonders for Judge, so could a trip to the Arizona Fall League, leaving him ready to make a difference on the ball club and in the lineup in 2016.

If the Greg Bird situation has taught me one thing it’s that the Yankees can mix and match and move players in and out of a lineup to keep everyone fresh almost as well as anyone around the league. With two center fielders on the team in Ellsbury and Gardner the Yankees could easily move Judge in and out of the right field, left field and DH position next season getting him enough at bats to justify his development while keeping the legs of Gardner, Ellsbury and Beltran fresh and healthy for the entire season.


If the Yankees allow Judge to be the next Bird and allow him to lead the charge of the next wave of Yankees prospects then I think the team has to wave goodbye to Mr. Young. If the team thinks Judge needs a full season, or at least another half season, in Scranton then I guess a new deal for Young wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world as long as the AAV was kept relatively low. New York could always designate Young for assignment in June or July and bring up the Judge I guess. 

UPDATED: Predicting the Yankees September Call Ups


The New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman spoke on many things this week including the team's playoff chances, August trade rumors and September call ups. We did one of these posts already this season with a promise that the post would likely be updated once we got closer to September and I am a man of my word. I am more or less confirming what Cashman said in his interview, that Aaron Judge would not come up and neither would Jacob Lindgren because of health while Robert Refsnyder was coming up on September 1st, but here is the list regardless.

Outfielders:

Rico Noel
Slade Heathcott


Infielders:

Robert Refsnyder
Jose Pirela



Catchers:

Gary Sanchez (assuming health, left game this week w/ hamstring injury)
Austin Romine (if Sanchez is deemed unhealthy on September 1st)


Pitchers:

Branden Pinder
Nick Rumbelow
Caleb Cotham
Nick Goody
Chris Martin
Andrew Bailey
Johnny Barbato

On this list we added Johnny Barbato, the team has to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft anyway, and Andrew Bailey that finally seems healthy for the first time in almost three years. We also added the possibility of Austin Romine finding his way back onto the 40 man roster assuming that Gary Sanchez and his injured hamstring are done for the 2015 season. Cole Figueroa was removed from the list because he is a DFA candidate to make room for Barbato, Bailey or who Mixe Axisa from River Ave Blues called "the designated pinch runner" Rico Noel. Noel fits the mold of Antoan Richardson from 2014 and many players in years past whose job is to solely come off the bench and steal a base late in a game. 

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Atlanta Braves 8/29


The New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves continue their three game set tonight inside Turner Field with Mr. Greedy Pinstripes myself in the building. The Yankees have done well against the Braves in their short list of Interleague head-to-head matchups and New York looks to keep that going tonight with another key victory. The Yankees will send Luis Severino to the mound tonight looking for his second career victory while Atlanta counters with Matt Wisler. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on Fox Sports One and probably MLB TV.

  • Severino heads into his fifth start of his Major League career tonight looking for his second victory of his young career. Severino earned his first win in his last start against the Cleveland Indians where he went six innings allowing just one run and three hits on August 22. Severino threw a career high 107 pitches last time out and could be good for more if needed tonight inside Turner Field.


  • Wisler has been as home run prone as they come this season giving up eight home runs in just 22.2 innings pitched during the month of August. Wisler is in the midst of his rookie campaign with Atlanta and has struggled commanding both his fastball and his slider thus far which could be a recipe for disaster tonight against the Bronx Bombers.



I’m sitting in the right field outfield just over the fence and the Yankees are facing off against a guy that is giving up a home run every three innings or so, I may pull a Zack Hample tonight. With Mark Teixeira expected to be ready for tonight’s matchup and Jacoby Ellsbury hopefully back in center field as well it should be a great matchup for the Yankees tonight. I hate to say this out loud but in my 29 years of Yankees fandom I have never seen the team lose while I was in the stadium, never. The streak is on the line, Go Yankees!

Discussing a 2016 Contract for Chris Capuano


Yesterday I probably shocked over 90% of our readers and Twitter followers, shameless plug alert... follow @GreedyStripes on Twitter, when I actually defended a 2016 contract for the Yankees second baseman Stephen Drew. Yes, that Stephen Drew and no he doesn't have naked pictures of me or dirt on me that I am trying to keep from my wife and off the internet. Could I possibly do the same thing for Chris Capuano? In a word, nope.

While I appreciate Capuano taking one on the chin more than once this season I think the need for his veteran arm in 2016 is quickly deteriorating. The New York Yankees learned and proved this season that where the team lacks in producing positional players and starting pitchers they more than make up for it in the bullpen department. The Yankees have a shuttle bus running back and forth from Yankee Stadium to Scranton/Wilkes Barre this season bringing up and sending back viable relief pitcher after viable relief pitcher. Capuano's only saving grace has been his ability to give the team multiple innings, something he may lose the more he loses his routine and starting job.

I'm not going to bad mouth Capuano, he's given his all for the Yankees and continually taken his DFA's quietly and come right back to the team when he could easily elect free agency and latch on elsewhere. That doesn't mean I'd rather the Yankees waste another 25 man roster spot on him for 2016 thus sending one of Nick Goody, Nick Rumbelow, Caleb Cotham, Branden Pinder, Bryan Mitchell or another back to Triple-A.

There's no such thing as a bad minor league deal, mind you, but if the deal comes with a 40 man roster commitment I would have to pass. Sorry Cap.

My Son’s First Yankees Game is Tonight!


Tonight is the night that my first born, Evan, gets to see the New York Yankees live for the very first time. He was a little young to see them live the last time they came to Atlanta in 2012 in my opinion but he’s a big boy now, he’s started Kindergarten and he’s ready. We went to an Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals game at the end of last season just to make sure he could sit through a game without going wild just to be sure and tonight is the night he sees a real team.


So every time a Yankees player hits a home run over the right field fence tonight in Atlanta and you see a little five year old jumping up and down you’ll see me right beside him. I can’t wait. Go Yankees!

Weekly Check In: Jorge Mateo


The New York Yankees minor league affiliates will see their season’s end here in just about two weeks meaning many of the Baby Bombers have just a few weeks left to leave an impression on their clubs. That list includes the Yankees best shortstop prospect Jorge Mateo who has a very outside shot at stealing over 100 bases in one minor league season after eclipsing the 80 stolen base plateau earlier in the week.

With the August revocable trade waivers deadline ready to expire in a couple of days Mateo has to be holding his breathe a little. After being dangled at the last minute to San Diego for Craig Kimbrel and Jedd Gyorko as a player you always have to worry about the team revisiting the deal later on before the deadline. I can’t see it happening though, the Padres seem content with standing pat and Brian Cashman seems content with watching his young 20-year old shortstop flourish and blossom inside the Yankees system.


Just as a side note, do you think the Yankees would or could eventually move Mateo, Tyler Wade, Abi Avelino or Kyle Holder to second base since the team is now so stacked at the position? May be something to think about. 

YearLevGPARH2BHRRBISBBBSOBAOBPSLGOPS
2015A-A+1164986612523240824398.280.346.394.740
2015A96409519818233713680.268.338.378.716
2015A+2089152750711718.329.382.463.845