A few quick thoughts on Hump Day…
Joe Girardi wants
Gary Sanchez to bat second in the lineup.
Say what? Maybe it’s
just me but I think the Yankees are better served by placing Sanchez in the
third or fourth spot in the lineup. I
could even buy into fifth, but second? Girardi must have a lot of faith in the bottom
of the order. Otherwise, it sounds like
Sanchez is going to have to count on his own feet for runs batted in. Seems like a waste for a multi-base hitter
like Sanchez.
And Jacoby Ellsbury might bat fifth? What, was Siberia out of the question?...
Adam Warren, sit
down.
Adam Warren has been told by the Yankees that he is slated
for bullpen duty, thereby, knocking him out of the competition for the
rotation. So, that means we are down to
Luis Severino, Bryan Mitchell, Chad Green and Jordan Montgomery. No surprise, but glad to see Girardi is
reducing the competition. I've felt all along that Warren's greatest value is as the designated swingman.
Jon “Arnold
Schwarzenegger” Niese.
"I’ll be back…"
As expected, Niese has re-signed a minor league deal to
remain in the Yankees organization. This
will allow Niese more time to regain fastball velocity and eventually snag a
role in the crowded Yankees bullpen if he is successful. Or he could represent rotation
insurance. If not, it was a low risk
signing.
He’s just a Rookie.
Congratulations to former Yankee Rookie Davis. Traded to the Cincinnati Reds in the Aroldis
Chapman deal, the tall young right-hander has made the Reds starting rotation. Davis spent most of last year in AA, with
some time logged at the AAA level. I
wish him much success in the Show! He
has a chance to be the Rookie of the Year although I am sure his mom has been
giving him that award every year since birth.
Dustin time...well, maybe
not.
Former Yankee Dustin Ackley failed to make the Opening Day
roster for the Los Angeles Angels and will head to AAA. Baseball has been a tough sport for the
one-time second overall draft pick.
Another Rule 5
Returnee.
While I am still waiting to see if C Luis Torrens (Padres)
or Tyler Webb (Pirates) come back, the Chicago Cubs returned another left-hander
to the Yankees. Caleb Smith, 25, saw
limited action this Spring (6 1/3 innings, 8 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, and
7 strikeouts). Presumably, he’ll head
for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. I guess
you can never have too many lefties…
Future Yankees
Captain?
As the new face of the Yankees, could Gary Sanchez be named
as Captain at some point in the future?
Although he uses an interpreter with the media, he has learned English
and is able to converse with his pitchers.
He the leader of the new Core and should continue to expand his
influence on the team as he moves forward.
If no Captain is named over the next couple of years, I could see
Gleyber Torres eventually in consideration.
But at this point, there’s no question this is Gary’s team.
All Good Things Must
End…
Masahiro Tanaka’s Spring scoreless streak ended with
yesterday’s 6-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers.
Tanaka allowed two runs (one earned) in the first inning before settling
down to allow no more runs through five innings of work. He gave up three hits and two walks, while
striking out six. He finishes the Spring
with a 0.38 ERA. I think he’s ready (in
a statement of the obvious).
Aaron Judge hit a long solo homer in the 7th
inning.
Ernesto Frieri gave up two runs and now has a 9.00 ERA
through four innings of Spring work. I
doubt he makes the Opening Day roster and will most likely take the Jon Niese
route to the minor leagues for extended spring training.
Jordan Montgomery takes the mound for the Yankees (22-8-1)
today in his final Spring performance and long-shot bid for the starting
rotation. The Yankees will be at Florida
Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, FL to face the Toronto Blue Jays. Here’s hoping that Montgomery gives Joe
Girardi an offer he can’t refuse.
Have a great day!
