It’s Not Too Late to Add ….

Pitchers and catchers have reported to New York Yankees spring training camp as well as a few positional players, the rest of the positional players are required to be in camp by tomorrow morning, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to add talent to this team. It wouldn’t be the first time a nice complimentary piece was added to a team during spring training either via the free agent market or via trade and this year would be no different if the team were to add a starting pitcher to the rotation, a veteran catcher behind the dish or a left-handed reliever to compliment Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances and company in the bullpen.

The New York Yankees were linked to Jose Quintana all offseason long and as of the time of this writing the left-hander is still sporting a Chicago White Sox uniform. Reportedly talks took place between the two clubs but if I were a betting man I’d say the Chicago White Sox, who don’t tend to lose out on trades like these very often, are simply asking for too much or more than the Yankees are willing to give up. The closer we get towards though the more likely the price tag is to come down for Quintana which could work out in the Yankees favor. The White Sox want to maximize their return for Quintana so trading him now rather than in July could be the difference in a good prospect or two. Is a good prospect or two worth taking a little less than what they originally asked for or wanted? Well unless you have a crystal ball we will have to stay tuned for that one.

If Quintana does remain in Chicago a pitcher from that other Chicago team is still sitting out there on the free agent market in Jason Hammel. Now Hammel, unlike Quintana, is not going to be a game changer at the top of a starting rotation and the signing of Hammel would not leave many Yankees fans planning their 2017 World Series Champion tattoos just yet but he would be a solid pickup for the back-end of the rotation if healthy. The Yankees have a ton of question marks in their rotation, and admittedly adding Hammel likely adds another question mark to the pile, but if Hammel is healthy he can add a ton of stability and 200 innings out of the fifth spot that the team simply just doesn’t have right now with their current crop of players.

Finally the team may not be completely sold on having Austin Romine as the team’s backup catcher and the good news for the Yankees is that even this late in the offseason there is always a veteran catcher or two just sitting around hoping to get a call for a try out. Some of those names include Matt Wieters and AJ Pierzynski most notably. I’ll be completely honest here when I say that Wieters is not going to come to New York to be a backup, or anywhere for that matter, so it’s looking like it’s going to be Romine, Pierzynski or bust. I am about as excited by the idea of adding Pierzynski to the club as the next guy, the guy is a total tool bag if we’re being honest, but the amount of knowledge and experience he would bring with him you simply cannot overlook. What Pierzynski would do on the field is irrelevant when you consider what he could do for Gary Sanchez’s development. I’m about as excited as you are about the idea but for that reason alone I’d at least consider it.

Would any of these moves turn the Yankees into instant contenders in 2017? Well aside from Quintana, who absolutely would, I honestly don’t think so. Would it make the team better not only next year and beyond though? Well that’s hard to argue against. 

While We Wait: The Legacy of Determination

The Legacy of Determination: Chris Scandaglia’s fight against ALS

The original post can be seen HERE

Baseball has always been a game of passion and hard work. On the field, players defy the human imagination with their feats of glory. However on the field accomplishments can only go so far. Life off the field brings about greater challenges and often even greater outcomes.


Chris Scandaglia of Staten Island is one of the great human beings whose work off the field is greater than the mind can comprehend. Scandaglia, an insurance professional for Allstate, has dedicated the better part of eight years to charity work. The charity he fights for is ALS, (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) commonly known to the world as Lou Gehrig’s disease. However to Scandaglia, the disease is commonly known as the illness that took his grandfather’s life nearly 23 years ago.

Alex Rodriguez , widow Joanna Chiarulli , baby Nicholas, Robinson Cano, and Chris (Courtesy of Chris Scandaglia)

“I was nine when it happened,” said Scandaglia, referring to his grandfather’s death on December 26th1990, the day after Christmas. “I looked up to my grandfather and always wanted to honor him. This charity is the perfect way I can honor his legacy.”


Scandaglia began the charity in 2006 after discussing with his boss at a previous job ways to improve sales.


“I suggested that for a month, we donate one dollar of every insurance quote made to raise money for ALS,” said Scandaglia. “My boss said go for it and we did it.”


Many of Scadaglia’s co-workers got involved that year and an ironic amount of money was donated.

“We earned $2130 in 2006, the same number as Lou Gehrig’s 2130 consecutive games played streak,” recalled Scandaglia.

From there the charity grew. Scandaglia wanted to do more for ALS research and came up with the idea to help families in need. In 2010, Scandaglia continued his work by holding a fundraiser dinner in honor of his grandfather. It was then he got the idea to make the dinner as popular as possible. He began to contact different agents, including those from the New York Yankees, to see if they would be willing to attend the dinner. As it turned out, the Yankees brought their 2009 World Series trophy to the event. However that wasn’t the only time the Yankees contributed to Scandaglia’s event.


“I made calls and ended up getting some great responses,” said Scandaglia. “Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano came to the dinner in 2012. It was an amazing experience I’ll never forget.”


How does someone get famous Yankees like Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano to attend a fundraiser? According to Scandaglia, it takes “a lot of hard work and patience.” Scandaglia said Alex Rodriguez wouldn’t attend at first under he convinced A-Rod’s agent that it would be a good PR move to come.


It doesn’t matter how Rodriguez got there. What matters is the hard work Scandaglia puts into this charity. He does it by himself every year with no help from anyone.


“Sometimes my family thinks I’m crazy for spending the amount of time I do on this event,” said Scandaglia. “I know it’s worth it. I’m doing something that helps a lot of people.”


In 2012, Scandaglia decided to raise money for a family who suffered due to ALS. He found out Joanna Chiarulli of New York had lost her husband to ALS and sought to dedicate his fundraiser dinner for them.


“In 2012, we raised $10,310 for Joanna and her six month old son Nicholas,” Scandaglia said with a lot of pride in his voice. “It made me happy that the fundraiser was able to help them.”

Genevieve Morton, model Bill Hill husband of ALS wife who died, Yankee Lyle Overbay, Kelly daughter ALS, Scott son, ALS, Chris Scandaglia last 3 on right NY Yankee players Boone Logan, David Phelps, Chris Stewart (Courtesy of Chris Scandaglia)

A good amount of Yankees came to the 2013 event, including Boone Logan, Lyle Overbay, David Phelps and Chris Stewart. The 2013 event was in honor of the Hill family. Bill Hill lost his wife to ALS in on December 29th 2012. Scandaglia was thrilled the 2013 event raised $4612 and hopes the 2014 event will go just as well. There is a special reason why Scandaglia has high hopes for the upcoming event.


“The event for 2014 will be held on May 25, my grandfather’s birthday.” said Scandaglia. “I picked the day to honor hm because he was the reason I started this charity in the first place.”


Long Island Baseball Magazine encourages all of it’s viewers to attend this year’s fundraiser dinner on May 25th 2014 at Da Noi restaurant in Manhattan. More details on the event will be posted on Long Island Baseball Magazine’s website. The cost of the event is $125, with all proceeds going to families who have suffered from ALS. Long Island Baseball Magazine thanks Chris Scandaglia for his efforts and hopes all of the New York community will attend and support this great cause!


For anyone who wants to attend the event or has questions on the event, please contact Chris Scandaglia at CSFGEHRIG@aol.com or on twitter @ChrisScandaglia

BREAKING NEWS: Cervelli Traded to Pittsburgh for Justin Wilson

Francisco Cervelli has been traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for relief pitcher and left handed throwing Justin Wilson. Wilson is a hard throwing lefty that touched the mid 90's with his four seam fastball, two seam fastball, and can touch the 90's with his cutter. Wilson's biggest problem is his control as he has struggled with that for much of the 2014 season before falling out of Clint Hurdle's circle of trust.

Wilson has just two years of service time meaning the Yankees have at least four seasons of team control for the lefty. The Boone Logan comparisons started as soon as the trade went down and I can't say I wouldn't mind having another Logan in the pen. Wilson can face lefties and righties and actually gets righties out a little more often then he does lefties.

The Yankees had to trade a catcher this offseason as Austin Romine is out of options, Gary Sanchez is sniffing Triple-A, and John Ryan Murphy is Major League ready. Cervelli will presumably get the opportunity to catch every day in Pittsburgh replacing Russell Martin, Murphy will get the back up job unless Romine simply steals it, and Wilson will likely fight for a bullpen spot in spring training.

Yankees Sign Left Hander Matt Thornton

It must be a trend this offseason to acquire guys four or five years too late as it started with Carlos Beltran, continued with Brian Roberts, and now extends to left handed reliever Matt Thornton. Thornton received a two year deal worth $7 million to replace Boone Logan and be our LOOGY.

Thornton has been pretty durable in his career only spending two disabled list trips since suffering a herniated disc back in 2003 so that is good news for the Yankees. The bad news is that Thornton's strikeout numbers have dipped, down to 6.2 K/9 last season, but he saw his numbers against right handers go from bad to awful so the LOOGY role may be the best thing for Thornton and for the Yankees.

News & Notes From The Past Week

I can't wait for this movie. Even if it's coming way too late.

It's been a while since I've written anything around here. Not that I haven't wanted to, but I can't seem to find a topic worth discussing. At least something to discuss at length. But the bug is biting pretty darn hard, so I decided to simply touch upon some of the recent happenings with the Yankees.

• Yankee fans were all atwitter, and they tweeted a lot too, regarding Robinson Cano saying he wasn't shown any respect by the Yankees. I don't think this is a case where Robbie felt that he was actually disrespected, like Brian Cashman wouldn't return his calls or laughed at him for some reason. I think this was a case where Cano simply didn't think the Yankees offered him what he was worth. Personally, I think the Yankees did offer him what he is worth. Face it, Robbie has never won an MVP, and never led the league in any batting category. So why pay him close to A-Rod money? The fact is... the Mariners overpaid.
• The Yankees lost out on Omar Infante, who was easily the best free agent second baseman. That's too bad, but it's hardly a big deal. Sure, I wanted to see the Yankees sign Omar, but he's hardly a guy worth shedding tears over losing. It's highly unlikey that he repeats his 2013 season, as his triple-slash of .318/.345/.450 was way higher than his career marks. Not to mention that the team seems to be putting together a pretty good offense. So avoiding a four-year contract for a player over 30 is okay with me. Besides, the Yankees have some trade chips, so acquiring a second or third baseman (with Kelly Johnson taking the other spot) could very-well happen.
• Boone Logan and Joba Chamberlain signed with the Colorado Rockies and Detroit Tigers, respectively. Yeah, this is as close to non-news as it comes. While I'm happy to see Joba gone, there are three reasons I'm okay with the loss of Boone Logan... David Huff, Cesar Cabral, and Vidal Nuno.
• Thank you, Mr. Cashman, for not dealing away Brett Gardner for Brandon Phillips. Phillips is an A+ defender, but his bat has gone down in each of the last three seasons. Having a 32-year old for another four years and $50 million is not awesome. Actually, Phillips has been on my fantasy baseball team for the past couple of years, and if I kept him again I'd have another Yankee on the team. That would be cool... I guess.
• Speaking of Gardner, I would only deal him if the team got something good to great back. I've heard a #4 starter or higher, but even that wouldn't be enough for me. Not because I think Gardy is worth that a ton, but because the team has plenty of guys that could fill the #4 spot. They should be looking to acquire a #2 or #1 starter, not a bottom of the rotation one. And if a young second or third baseman could be had for Gardner, then so be it.
• I didn't see the press conference when he said it, but knowing how playful Curtis Granderson can be, I'm sure he was joking when he said that real New Yorkers are Mets fans. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised to find out it was a backhanded complement, since being a Mets fan is so hard since the team stinks.
• The Rule V Draft happened and... I don't care. Knowing how few Rule V Draft picks actually do something in MLB, I've probably already spent too much time discussing it.
• Major League Baseball is moving towards banning home plate collisions. While some baseball purists are up in arms over this, saying that home plate collisions are part of the game, I say "balderdash". Well, I would actually use word other than "balderdash", but this is a family website. Player safety should be rule #1, no matter what level of sport you're in. We've seen too many former athletes suffer from head injuries. Even if this rule only prevents one player from suffering due to getting a serious concussion, then it's a good one. 
• I can't help but laugh at some of the people figuratively standing up and applauding Joe Torre for being elected to the Hall of Fame. It's not because he doesn't deserve it, it's that I remember a ton of Yankee fans and writers saying he was overrated due to having great teams to manage. As if anybody could do what Torre did. It's a lot of the same people that used to bash George Steinbrenner for meddling too much in baseball operations, only to say they wish he was around today.
• Finally, I think it's incredible that the Yankees are going to honor Nelson Mandela by giving him a plaque in Monument Park. Some may wonder what he has to do with the Yankees, well Mr. Mandela gave a speech in Yankee Stadium back in 1990. Either way, if Jackie Robinson deserves one for what he did for blacks in Major League Baseball, Mr. Mandela deserves one for what he's done for humankind. Whether it was baseball, or life in general, the lessons he taught people will live on forever.

I don't know if this will become a weekly thing, but I'd really like to write more than I have lately. Of course, if enough people comment, perhaps I'll be forced to continue this. Not that I'm begging for comments or anything. LOL

Have a good one, Yankees fans!

Boone Logan Signs With The Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies have announced that they have signed Boone Logan to a deal pending a physical. The exact contract details are not known right now but it is looking like a multi year deal for Logan. Logan had offseason left throwing elbow surgery to remove bone spurs and has not even started throwing yet so that shows you where the market is for left handed relievers right now. This is also coming off of an announcement that Boone wants to be a set up man and not a LOOGY, something that probably turned the Yankees off. Set up men get paid a whole lot more then LOOGY's do and the Yankees are still flirting with the $189 Hal cap.

Yankees Remain In Contact With Boone Logan

The New York Yankees are being active in the reliever market as well as every other market and have kept in contact with their own free agent Boone Logan. Logan recently had bone spurs removed from his left throwing elbow and is expected to start throwing again sometime in January. Logan is said to be looking for a set up man job and not a LOOGY, something that I cannot see the Yankees handing him, so that may count his former team out of the running. The Hal Cap of $189 million may also keep the Bronx Bombers on the back burner for Logan's services.

Javier Lopez Comes Off The Yankees LOOGY Board

Just a few days ago the New York Yankees and left handed reliever Javier Lopez expressed mutual interest in each other but it looks like Lopez is now officially off the Yankees board. Lopez and the San Francisco Giants are said to have agreed on the years on a mutli year deal and the money and are just finalizing everything now. Lopez will stay with his Giants and the Yankees will have to look elsewhere if they want to replace Boone Logan.

Lopez is 36 years old and is coming off of a season where he pitched to a 1.83 ERA with a 8.5 K/9 ratio and a 2.7 BB/9 ratio in 39.1 innings pitched in 2013. Lopez is basically the equivalent of Joba Chamberlain against right handed hitters but is the equivalent of Mariano Rivera to same handed batters and would have been nice to have but not on a multi year deal.

Yankees & Javier Lopez Have Mutual Interest

To say the Yankees are interested in someone this offseason is like saying do you want a chocolate glazed donuts fresh from Dunkin Donuts, hell yes I do and hell yes we are interested. Today the Yankees and Javier Lopez expressed mutual interest in a deal for the 2014 season to bring the lefty to the Bronx. If the name sounds familiar it is because Lopez has been with the San Francisco Giants for the last few seasons and has been pretty dominant the last three seasons.

According to Javier's agent, Barry Meister, their goal is to make sure "Javy plays with a winner, and plays with a team that's a contender. That's the most important thing to him, he wants the innings to be meaningful."

Lopez is 36 years old and has dominated same hand batters for the last few years to the tune of a .156/.208/.222 triple slash in 2013. Lopez strikes out enough guys which is evident by his 25.4% ratio the last three seasons and gets a ton of ground balls, 63.5% over the last three season, which will surely help him in Yankees Stadium. Lopez also has two World Series rings and all the experience and all that jazz that comes along with the deep playoff runs.

Lopez sports a mid 80's fastball and a high 70's slider that is his out pitch. I would not expect Lopez to get all that much money in the offseason market with Boone Logan, Eric O'Flaherty, etc already out there but you never know. If he comes cheap sign him up, if not let's go with Cesar Cabral and Vidal Nuno and call it a day.

Washington Nationals Interested In Boone Logan

The General Manager meetings are going on in Florida and there are sure to be a ton of these little blurbs coming your way this week. Today we learned that the Washington Nationals are showing early signs of interest in left handed relief pitcher Boone Logan. Logan spent the last four seasons in Yankees pinstripes and posted a combined 3.38 ERA with 202 strike outs in 176 innings pitched. That is saying something as Boone was used against right handed batters as well as left handed batters, although Washington seemingly wants him for a LOOGY type role with the Nationals. Boone is coming off of surgery in his throwing elbow to repair and clean up a bone spur that cost him some time at the end of last season and it remains to be seen whether that will affect his free agency status so stay tuned.

Do I Stay Or Do I Go Now? - Yankees Edition

Joe Girardi is back in the fold and while the Yankees try and finalize some deals with the rest of the coaching staff I thought it would be a good opportunity to look ahead to free agency. The Yankees have a number of free agents leaving this season, some will stay and some will go, so let's see who will be donning pinstripes in 2014 and who will not.

Phil Hughes - Goes

I hope he goes and goes to a land far, far away and never comes back, not even as a visitor. Well scratch that he loves to give up home runs in Yankees Stadium so as a visitor would be okay.

Hiroki Kuroda - Stays

Yes he has fizzled out the last two seasons now in late August and through September but that is something the Yankees can monitor and control by limiting him a tad during the season. All told he has still been our best and most underrated pitcher on the team in the last two seasons and we are in trouble without him in 2014.

Robinson Cano - Stays

Robinson kind of priced himself out of everyone's budget besides the Yankees when he asked for 10 years and $310,000,000. Also I think he loves being a Yankee and the Yankees love him so I think this deal gets done eventually and I think this is all posturing to make a name for Jay Z as a sports agent.

Curtis Granderson - Stays

I think ultimately Granderson does not want to leave the Yankees after missing 101 games due to injury. He is a proud man and a loyal man and I think he takes the one year qualifying offer that the Yankees are rumored to be entertaining and builds free agent status for the 2015 offseason.

Kevin Youkilis - Goes

Buh.Bye

Travis Hafner - Goes

See Kevin Youkilis

Brendan Ryan - Stays

Defensive wizard at short stop, gives us a more than capable backup for Derek Jeter entering his age 40 season, and allows us to move Eduardo Nunez over to third base if and when Alex Rodriguez is suspended.

Derek Jeter - Stays

I think in the end Jeter exercises his players option for the 2014 season and makes his $9,500,000 before riding off into the sunset after the year. At the very least I see Jeter going year to year after a season that saw him placed on the disabled list four times.

Boone Logan - Goes

I think with Cesar Cabral finally healed and healthy along with the Yankees attempt at getting under the $189,000,000 luxury tax threshold we will see the end of Boone's time in pinstripes. While Boone pitches his butt off for us we just do not have the room on the roster for another $4,000,000 reliever, especially one coming off of elbow surgery.

Joba Chamberlain - Goes

Goodbye. Adios. Say it in as many languages as you want, just go.

Andy Pettitte - Goes

This is it, there is no Brian Cashman talking him out of it. End of an era and it ends in 2014.

Mariano Rivera - Goes

Same as Andy, I cannot see Mo coming back for one more year, even if God tells him to.

Alex Rodriguez - Meh

I can see Alex getting suspended but I see no way that the arbitrator keeps a 211 game suspension with no failed test, no previous suspension, and proof coming from a guy who just got $5,000,000 given to him in a restaurant by major league baseball. At this point Alex would be lucky to get 50 games, although I find that to be the likeliest of options.

Boone Logan To Resume Throwing In December

Boone Logan had surgery on his left throwing elbow to remove bone spurs and is set to resume a throwing program in December. This is great news for the soon to be free agent as he will have some time to showcase his arm is healthy before Spring Training begins in 2014. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery down in Florida in case you were curious about the 29 year old relief pitcher. Logan has been slowed down with the injury since Spring Training and it really affected him all season, limiting the number of sliders that he could throw by 11%, but the ligament is fine and that is the good news. No news or rumors on whether the Yankees will be interested in bringing him back or not, too early in the game, but if they are serious about the $189 million luxury tax threshold I would bet money against it. Logan is looking at a deal in the two to three year range worth anywhere from $4,000,000 - $5,000,000 range.

Boone Logan Will Have Elbow Surgery Thursday

Boone Logan has been pitching with bone spurs in his left throwing elbow and will get the surgery to fix those spurs this Thursday before officially becoming a free agent for the first time in his career. Boone is expected to be ready for Spring Training for 2014 and does not think the surgery will affect his free agent market whatsoever. I disagree with Boone, especially after CC Sabathia has elbow surgery to clean up a few things and struggled for whatever reason all season long, but I like his confidence so we will leave it at that.

Logan will be entering his age 30 season in 2014 and is coming off of a year in which he pitched to a 3.23 ERA in 39 innings with a 3.81 FIP. Logan was considered to be a LOOGY coming into the season holding same side hitters to a .215/.274/.377 with a 40% strike out rate.

We have not heard whether the Yankees would be interested in bringing back Boone for what would probably be a three or four year deal or would rather roll the dice on a Oliver Perez, Eric O'Flaherty, Matt Thornton, etc so this will be filed under the "wait and see" category.

Boone Logan Available Tonight Out Of Pen

The last time we saw Boone Logan he had his hands above his head after giving up a huge grand slam that allowed the Boston Red Sox back into the game and killed any chance we had at making the playoffs. Well I know technically that he came in and almost got hit by a come backer before being lifted with a then mystery injury but nobody is going to remember that. Anyway Boone has visited with Dr. James Andrews and was told that he has bone spurs in his left elbow that will not be worsened by pitching. Boone has thrown a few side sessions and bullpen sessions and came through everything as pain free as he is going to get so the Yankees have made him available tonight in Yankees Stadium. Boone has nine games left to improve his free agent stock as much as he can before he hits free agency fresh off of a left throwing elbow surgery.

Boone Logan Open To Returning

So Boone Logan is open to returning to the Bronx.

In 60 appearances this season, Logan has an ERA of 3.26, and same-sided batters are hitting .244/.312.379 against him. So bringing Boone back next season seems like a good idea. Except for a couple of things...

1. The going rate for left-handed relievers is around 3 years and $13.5 million. Meanwhile, Logan hasn't been worth more than $2.7 million in any of his 8 MLB seasons (per Fangraphs' Dollar Values). 
2. The Yankees have two left-handers that have yet to reach their arbitration years (Cesar Cabral and Vidal Nuno), and another who will be arbitration eligible for the first time (David Huff). So the team does not have to spend $4-$5 million a season for another one. 

On top of those two things, if the Yankees are going to spend money on the bullpen they should do so on a set-up man for David Robertson. Although I'd rather they use that money to improve the offense (*cough*Brian McCann*cough*), as well as add a starter like Matt Garza or Masahiro Tanaka. If the team decides to bag the austerity budget then by all means bring Logan back, but if $189 million is still the goal then a LOOGY is one place I'm perfectly okay with them cutting back.

Boone Logan Needs Off Season Elbow Surgery

After seeing Dr. James Andrews yesterday it has been determined that Boone Logan needs an off season elbow surgery but not the surgery we all feared. Boone has a bone spur in his left throwing elbow that may end his New York Yankees career. He was told that he would not make it any worse by pitching through it so there is the off chance that he may be ready to pitch by the weekend but it is all up in the air at this point. Terrible timing for the soon to be free agent entering his age 29 season in 2014. Boone is still expected to be ready for Opening Day of 2014 but this will surely drop his stock just a little. Hey Cesar Cabral, no pressure.

Boone Logan To See Dr. James Andrews

Boone Logan left the team today to fly down to Florida to see Dr. James Andrew about his inflamed elbow. I called BS when Boone was diagnosed with inflammation, the same as David Robertson, but has not even gotten close to returning to the team and it looks like I may be right unfortunately. Boone played catch a couple times this weekend and manager Joe Girardi said that he played "better catch" but Boone will still see the Tommy John sentencing doctor sometime tomorrow.

Looking Ahead To 2014: The Yankees Bullpen

The Yankees 2014 Free Agents In The Bullpen

LHP Boone Logan

RHP Joba Chamberlain

RHP Mariano Rivera

The Yankees bullpen should be set for next season and will probably be built from within but I still see a couple of veteran options that the Yankees should at least take a look at. Here is the complete list of 2014 free agents but I will hit the high spots and realistic options for the Yankees in this years free agency period.

JP Howell (31 years old)

Boone Logan (29 years old)

Eric O'Flaherty (29 years old)

Jesse Crain (32 years old)

Joba Chamberlain (28 years old)

David Aardsma (32 years old)

Grant Balfour (36 years old)

Ryan Madson (33 years old)

Fernando Rodney (37 years old)

Boone Logan has been an integral part of the Yankees bullpen since 2010 after being acquired along with Javier Vazquez from the Atlanta Braves. Boone has seen his relief appearances, innings, and unfortunately his ERA go up in every season with the Yankees and battled an arm injury in spring training this season sending question marks all over Yankees land. Boone is also injured right now and shut down with an MRI heading over to Dr. James Andrews but that is for another post and another discussion. Boone bounced back and healthy for the most part this season but I wonder if it will be enough to bring back Boone and his $3,150,000 salary, assuming he is healthy of course. An obvious choice for his replacement internally is Cesar Cabral who deserves his shot at being the LOOGY he should have been in the 2012 season before a stress fracture in his pitching elbow ended his season.

Jesse Crain is coming off of a strong season for the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays which probably prices him out of our range as nice to have as he would be. Fernando Rodney and his arrow shooting may not go over well in New York especially the first time he blows a lead or a save plus the Yankees need to get younger anyway and they don't do that with a 37 year old former closer. Joba Chamberlain, even only as a 28 year old, has worn out his welcome in New York not only on the field but off the field after "sshh'ing" the greatest closer of all time among other idiotic maneuvers. Grant Balfour is not going to want to come to New York either to set up when he could easily get a closer's job after his successful career in Oakland with the Athletics.

That leaves David Aardsma and Eric O'Flaherty and I want both of them in my bullpen. Aardsma is healthy finally and has come all the way back from Tommy John surgery after bouncing around from team to team in 2012. Aardsma has closing experience and got his feet wet in New York and the media with the Yankees and the Mets last season so the transition should not be a huge deal either. Aardsma would essentially replace Joba Chamberlain in a 7th inning role or so for me and I would offer him a one year deal worth $1,500,000. Eric O'Flaherty has been magnificent for the Atlanta Braves from the left side of the pitching rubber since coming up to the majors and would be a welcomed addition to the Yankees bullpen replacing Boone Logan. O'Flaherty would get a three year deal on my team worth $18,000,000. With these additions our bullpen would look like some kind of combination of this roster.

CL: David Robertson

SU: Shawn Kelley

SU: Preston Claiborne

RP: Eric O'Flaherty

RP: David Aardsma

RP: Dellin Betances

LR: Adam Warren

Boone Logan MRI Being Sent To Dr. James Andrews

The Yankees have announced that they are sending the MRI on Boone Logan's left throwing elbow area to Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion. Obviously there is more than just inflammation if the Yanks are sending it to Dr. Andrews but they are not showing their cards just yet. With the signing of Mike Zagurski today to go with Cesar Cabral I think there may be a little more to this then they are letting on but we will just have to wait and see. Boone is set to be a free agent after this season so this is a major second opinion for both the Yankees and the future free agent.

Boone Logan Leaves Game With Biceps Issue

UPDATE: Boone had a cortisone shot in his left throwing arm and is unavailable until Friday at the earliest. So much for the three days off and being back in the bullpen on Tuesday. Hello Cesar Cabral.

The MRI revealed inflammation near, but not in, the left pitching elbow for Boone Logan. The Yankees are expected to give Boone the "three days off plan" before resuming a bullpen session and a return to the pen. We will not see Boone before the second game in the Baltimore series at the earliest.

I am just going to pretend that this is why Boone Logan was terrible last night and gave up that grand slam to the bearded Mike Napoli. Boone left last nights game with a biceps issue where he was complaining of soreness and felt it for a few pitches before leaving. Boone is getting an MRI today but it is never good to have soreness in the pitching arm. Hopefully it is just inflammation and will require a couple days off like the rest of the Yankees bullpen lately and it will not be something serious that will end his season.