Three Yankees Minor Leaguers Elect Free Agency

It's that time of the year again when minor league players are designated for assignment and outrighted to minor league camps and off 40 man rosters. Three members of the New York Yankees minor league system elected free agency tonight rather than spend another season in the Yankees farm. Antoan Richardson, Zoilo Almonte, and Scott Sizemore are now all free agents and will presumably be looking for major league deals or minor league deals with better chances to make the big show.

Good luck to these three men and thank you for the memories while you were here in New York.

Possible 40 Man Cuts for the Yankees

We looked at the Yankees Rule 5 Draft eligible players that will need to be protected by being added to the 40 man rosters and we looked at potential impact players off the 40 man roster but we haven't mentioned the players that could be non-tendered contracts or ultimately cut,released, or designated for assignment off the 40 man roster. Until today, anyway.

I believe Ivan Nova will start the season on the 60 day DL as he continues to rehab his Tommy John surgery so there is an immediate open roster spot until at least May or June at the best.

Preston Claiborne struggled in 2014 and fell out of Joe Girardi's circle of trust. He also missed much of the 2014 season battling a shoulder injury. He will be there for the Yankees if a batter option does not present itself but could easily be one of the first to go if the team decided to break camp with a Tyler Webb or Jacob Lindgren. Esmil Rogers and David Huff fall into the same category as Claiborne in my opinion although Rogers comes with a much heftier price tag than Claiborne does.

With the Yankees carrying five catchers on their 40 man roster and Gary Sanchez sniffing Triple-A one of the catchers is likely to be moved or traded. When I say I moved I mean, for example, moving Austin Romine to first base to act as a backup for Mark Teixeira. Obviously he or John Ryan Murphy could be traded as well as Francisco Cervelli. I cannot see a scenario where the Yankees carry five catchers again with such a 40 man roster crunch this season.

Zelous Wheeler seemed like a lock to at least attend spring training with the Yankees in 2015 before Jose Pirela made an immediate impact in the majors. Now Wheeler could easily be released for DFA'd to make room for the soon to be minor league free agent Pirela.

Eury Perez, Antoan Richardson, and Ramon Flores all fall into the light hitting speedy outfielder that come into games to steal bases and play defense category. Why keep all three? Or any of them to be honest? We have Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner and could retain Ichiro Suzuki if we chose to. I don't personally see a need, or not a bigger need than a right handed power bat off the bench.

Jeter Drives in Three, Walks Off With Single in Last Home Game Win

Derek Jeter capped off a three-RBI performance with a bottom-of-the-ninth single and Hiroki Kuroda gave up just two earned runs in 8 innings of work tonight as the Yankees beat the Orioles, 6-5, in the former's final home game.

In this victory, which clinched a winning season for the Yanks, Jeter went 2-for-5, knocking in the team's first run in the first with a double before scoring a tying run on a Brian McCann groundout.

Despite that good start, though, things did remain in a draw this evening until the bottom of the seventh, when a Jeter fielder's choice with the bases loaded, a J.J. Hardy throwing error, and a deep sac fly by McCann gave New York a three-run lead.

Now when that happened, considering Kuroda was in the midst of a sixteen-straight retired streak and David Robertson was due to pitch Baltimore's half of the ninth, this one looked over, and with it the Pinstripe part of the Captain's career.

Nonetheless, after Adam Jones clocked a two-run shot into left field's upper deck and Steve Pearce followed him with another blast two batters later the Yankees found themselves even with another at-bat about to take place, one that'd soon prove to be memorable.

Because in that frame, Jose Pirela led off with a single before his Pinch Runner, Antoan Richardson, took second on a sac bunt, bringing Jeter to the plate for what would be the last time, with #2 lacing the first Evan Meek offering he got into right for a walk-off hit. On the play, which involved a strong throw home by Nick Markakis, Richardson actually had to dive head first, but since he still got in without a tag the knock will definitely be immortalized, even if a relatively-large advantage had to be blown just for it to happpen.

Yankees Claim Eury Perez from Washington

The New York Yankees have claimed center fielder Eury Perez from the Washington Nationals today. In a corresponding roster move lefty specialist Josh Outman was designated for assignment after pitching quite well for the Yankees. Perez is a right handed bat that can play all over the outfield and seems to be more of a speed first type guy than a power threat. I am thinking Perez relates more to Antoan Richardson than he does Carlos Beltran in his prime. Either way I don't have any issues with the move.

Bullpen Escapes Multiple Jams to Help Yankees Sneak Past Orioles

Shane Greene threw 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball and Brian McCann hit his nineteenth home run of the season today as the Yankees bounced back nicely from yesterday's doubleheader sweep to beat the Orioles, 3-2, in game three at Camden Yards. 

In this one's top of the first, strangely, the inconsistent Yanks' offense went down on just five pitches, a frustrating inconvenience that appeared to make them in for a long day.

Instead, though, a few timely hits in the top of the second off Miguel Gonzalez (6 IP, 3 ER) eventually led them to victory, with the aforementioned homer by McCann starting, but not ending, the scoring.

Because after McCann went deep, surprisingly, Mark Teixeira worked a walk and the red-hot Chris Young doubled him to third, setting up a clutch RBI Single by Antoan Richardson and an intelligent double-steal that plated Young.

No, from that point on the Yanks' bats didn't continue to threaten, but due to the solid performance of the recently-lousy Greene in which nine O's struck out and a trio of escape acts by Josh Outman, Shawn Kelley, and David Robertson in the last three frames New York found a way to retain their lead, a fortunate happening that brought them to within 4 1/2 of the second wild card spot.

Yankees Outright Zoilo Almonte To Triple-A

Zoilo Almonte has cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and has been outrighted to Triple-A with the Scranton RailRiders. Correct me if I am wrong but I don't believe Zoilo can deny his assignment and cannot elect free agency so he is with the Yankees at least until the end of the season. This is better than losing the switch hitter for nothing (yes I realize and agree that Antoan Richardson is nothing).

Can't Predict Baseball: Scranton Gets No Hit

Over the weekend the Scranton Wilkes Barre RailRiders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, got no hit by the Durham Bulls. The Bulls are a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate and Mike Montgomery, no relation to the Yankees Mark Montgomery that I am aware of, was on the mound with Rays GM Andrew Friedman was watching from the stands. Looks like we have a new Yankee killer on the way.

I just thought it was interesting because 10 months earlier Montgomery had a no hitter going only to give way to the bullpen and lost his shot at history. Not only did the bullpen lose the no hitter but they also lost a five run lead and the game. This time Montgomery pitched 8.1 IP of no hit ball and had to watch as the Bulls bullpen had to close out the no hit bid again.

This time Brad Boxberger did the job having Antoan Richardson ground out and striking out Jose Pirela in a 5-0 Bulls victory. You can't predict baseball.

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 2/27

As we all probably know by now the Yankees dropped another game to the Pittsburgh Pirates today in the Grapefruit League. Probably not the way the Yankees wanted to start Derek Jeter's farewell tour, he made his spring debut today, but it's just spring. On to the other news and notes from the day.

Eduardo Nunez ate some bad salmon and blamed that on why he was not feeling well yesterday, Nunez says he is now feeling 100% after his 24 hour stomach bug. Eating some bad fish is better than the flu any day.

The Yankees have added Addison Maruszak to their spring camps and have got him a locker with his name above it. It was thought that Addison was just up for the day after being called up to replace the sick Nunez but he seems to be here to stay, at least for now.

David Herndon threw a simulated game today pitching to Jose Gil and facing Antoan Richardson and Zelous Wheeler.

Chad Jennings once again with the assignments for the day

Today’s bullpen sessions
Brian Gordon (to Francisco Arcia)
Bryan Mitchell (to Roman Rodriguez)
Shane Greene (to Pete O’Brien)
Vidal Nuno (to Jose Gil)
Matt Thornton (to Austin Romine)

· Batting practice groups (starts at 10:15):
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Ichiro Suzuki, Francisco Cervelli
Group 2: Russ Canzler, Brett Gardner, Kelly Johnson, Mason Williams
Group 3: Adonis Garcia, Jose Pirela, Brendan Ryan, Austin Romine
Group 4: Ramon Flores, Corban Joseph, Zelous Wheeler, John Ryan Murphy
Group 5: Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Alfonso Soriano, Brian McCann
Group 6: Eduardo Nunez, Scott Sizemore, Mark Teixeira, Pete O’Brien
Group 7: Zoilo Almonte, Dean Anna, Antoan Richardson, Gary Sanchez
Group 8: Yangervis Solarte, Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, Addison Maruszak

· Today’s second string: C John Ryan Murphy, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Corban Joseph, SS Brendan Ryan, 3B Zelous Wheeler, LF Jose Pirela, CF Ramon Flores, RF Adonis Garcia.

· Today’s available relievers: Jim Miller, Chris Leroux, Mark Montgomery, Robert Coello, Yoshinori Tateyama

· Tomorrow’s travel squad for Lakeland
Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Bruce Billings, Dan Burawa, Preston Claiborne, Matt Daley, Brian Gordon, Shawn Kelley, Fred Lewis, Adam Warren, Chase Whitley
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, Brian McCann, Pete O’Brien, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez
Infielders: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Corban Joseph, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Pirela, Brendan Ryan, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ramon Flores, Adonis Garcia, Antoan Richardson, Mason Williams
From minor league camp: Addison Maruszak, Caleb Cotham, Zach Nuding, Diego Moreno

Yankees Sign Antoan Richardson To Minor League Deal

The New York Yankees have made their first official signing of the free agency frenzy when they signed Antoan Richardson to a minor league deal. Not a big deal obviously but you have to get that first one out of the way, gotta crawl before you can walk. FYI for you guys chomping at the bit free agency had not opened when we signed Derek Jeter. Richardson gets an invite to Spring Training this year along with his deal and will compete for one of the outfield spots that are said to be up for grabs.

Richardson in 30 years old, a speedy base stealer, a switch hitter, and has had some major league experience with the Atlanta Braves working for him. He boats a career .381 on base percentage in AAA so that never hurt either. This is just a depth move I am sure but it never hurts to have too much of that, see 2013 for example.