Looking Ahead to 2019 & the Trevor Rosenthal Showcase

Let me be clear and let me be as frank as possible, my entire focus is here on the 2018 team. I am in no way conceding the playoffs, or even the division, and in no way am I counting against or rooting against my team, yes this is MY team in my heart and in my mind, here in 2018. Just because I am “all-in” on 2018 doesn’t mean that this has to be Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman’s only focus though. His focus should be on this season and beyond, and the beyond part of that statement may begin with Trevor Rosenthal and his pitching showcase that he will put on this October.  

Rosenthal has decided to sit out the 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in late August of 2017 with his eyes on a return to the Majors in 2019. While some pitchers, Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda for a couple Yankees-related examples, have decided to sign modest two-year deals while still rehabbing from the ulnar collateral ligament replacement surgery, others, Greg Holland for example, have decided to simply sit out the season in hopes of getting a larger contract when they are physically able to pitch again. It is risky, but it is sometimes a risk worth taking if you look at it from a simple financial outlook. Eovaldi signed a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays after being released from the New York Yankees worth $4 million total, $2 million in each season now that the team option was picked up by the club this season. Meanwhile, Holland signed a one-year deal worth $7 million with a load of incentives and a vesting player option which, unless they have changed math since I have been in school, is at least $3 million more than Eovaldi will receive, and Eovaldi is a starting pitcher throwing 100-200 innings a season while Holland is a reliever that will likely throw less than 80 IP here in 2018.

Rosenthal will have youth on his side if and when he decides on a new home for the 2019 season as he was just 27-years old when he underwent the surgery and will be still just 29-years old when the 2019 season begins. If Rosenthal shows that he is healthy in October when he has his showcase and can replicate his 2017 success that saw the right-hander toughing 98 – 99 MPH with a 15.9% swinging-strike rate he would be a welcomed addition to any club, especially to a Yankees club that is presumably losing David Robertson to free agency.

Rosenthal will not likely sign a deal with a club to be their closer, so he could be the perfect and the most economical fit for the Yankees aside from calling up another young and talented arm from their farm system. It all depends on the health of his right elbow and how his showcase looks in October. I am not looking ahead too far right now, but Brian Cashman certainly should. Maybe he can even get a brownie point or two from Hal Steinbrenner if he books his flight now and saves the organization some money, money that could be then filtered to Rosenthal and back into the on-the-field product. Stay tuned.

New York Yankees 2018-2019 International Spending Pool

All 30 Major League teams have received notification of their spending pools for the 2018-2019 international free agent signing period according to Baseball America’s Ben Badler, and the New York Yankees have $4,983,500 to spend beginning on July 2, 2018. Teams are allotted into their respective pools based on revenues and market size and their allotment is considered to be a hard cap on how much teams can spend on international prospects who are under the age of 25 and have played six seasons or less in an international professional league.

$6,025,400 bonus pool: Athletics, Brewers, Marlins, Rays, Reds, Twins

$5,504,500 bonus pool: Diamondbacks, Indians, Orioles, Padres, Pirates, Rockies, Royals

$5,004,500 bonus pool: Cardinals

$4,983,500 bonus pool: Angels, Astros, Blue Jays, Braves, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Mariners, Mets, Nationals, Rangers, Red Sox, Tigers, White Sox, Yankees

$3,949,000 bonus pool: Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies lost money from their draft pool after signing both Carlos Santana and Jake Arrieta while the St. Louis Cardinals also lost money after their signing of closer Greg Holland, all three of which rejected qualifying offers from their former teams. Also, just as a reminder, the Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox are still limited to signing players for no more than $300K each under the old international rules that penalized teams for going over their spending pool limits.

With the penalties on these eight teams mixed in with the fact that any team can acquire up to 75% of their international pool limit in trades we could see a lot of teams trading away international money this summer. Bonus pool money can be traded away in $250K increments.

If at First You Don't Succeed...

Photo Credit: Associated Press (Winslow Townson)

Ty, Ty, Tyler Again…

On a wing and a prayer. Unfortunately, that’s life with Greg Bird as your first baseman.

The Yankees Universe collectively groaned a sigh of disappointment when Bird was pulled before the start of an exhibition game with the Atlanta Braves in Lake Buena Vista, FL at the Walt Disney Resort yesterday with an apparent foot injury. He underwent an MRI and a CT scan yesterday afternoon and it was determined that he had right foot inflammation. It is in the same general area where he had ankle surgery last summer to remove excessive bone growth. The reason for the inflammation is not currently known. 

Bird will see noted New York Orthopaedic Surgeon Martin J. O’Malley in the Upper East Side on Monday to determine the cause of the inflammation.  

Every year, it seems like it is something with the talented but fragile first baseman. He missed the entire 2016 season following shoulder surgery. Then last year, the foot injury at the end of training camp led to the eventual ankle surgery in July which limited him to 48 games although he did have a memorable post-season.  

If Bird is forced to the disabled list, Tyler Austin appears to be the beneficiary. GM Brian Cashman has indicated that the Yankees will use in-house options. Neil Walker has been mentioned as a possibility, but it’s hard to envision the second baseman as the regular first baseman. Backup or platoon maybe. Brandon Drury played first base in the minors but he is firmly planted as the third baseman. The Yankees always seem to be looking for alternatives to Austin (for whatever reason), so it is not a given that Austin will make the roster if Bird cannot.  

When Austin was forced to move from DH to first base to replace Bird for the game against the Braves, the Yankees pulled first baseman Ryan McBroom out of the minor league camp for DH duties. McBroom, the return when the Yankees traded Rob Refsnyder last year, responded with a home run and a run-scoring single (the latter hit produced two runs but the second one was courtesy of a throwing error). McBroom will be 26 in a couple of weeks but he has never played above Double A. Another option surfaced on Saturday when the Seattle Mariners returned Rule 5 draftee Mike Ford to the Yankees. He was assigned to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Ford batted .259 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 54 at-bats for the Mariners this Spring, but regular first baseman Ryon Healy returned from hand surgery sooner than expected and Daniel Vogelbach won the backup job as the team’s hottest hitter in camp. So Ford didn’t do a bad job for the M’s…it was just a numbers game. Between Trenton and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last year, Ford batted .270/.404/.471 with .875 OPS to go with 20 home runs and 86 RBIs. The guess is that Austin gets the job if Bird is not ready, but Ford looms as a potential option.  

Photo Credit: Associated Press (Chris Carlson)

I really like Greg Bird as a player and his swing is a thing of beauty. But the succession of injuries is taxing to say the least. I will continue to hope for the best and I am trying to be optimistic that the latest inflammation is not a sign of much deeper problems. Let’s hope that Bird receives positive news from Dr O’Malley tomorrow and the foot inflammation is solved with treatment and rest.  

With Ford’s return, the Yankees have recaptured two of the four players taken in last December’s Rule 5 Draft. Anyelo Gomez was previously returned to the Yankees by the Braves.  The Baltimore Orioles designated Jose Mesa, Jr for assignment on March 21st when they signed free agent Alex Cobb. If Joe Table, Jr clears waivers, he’ll be offered back to the Yankees. Nestor Cortes, Jr remains in Orioles camp and is the scheduled starter in today’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies.  

Photo Credit: Baltimore Sun

I’ve seen a lot of negative reaction from the Yankees fan base over the decision to give RHP Jonathan Holder the final spot on the Opening Day roster over Domingo German. I don’t get it. With the RailRiders, German can continue to start and will be stretched out if/when the Yankees need an emergency or extra starter. I’d prefer that to German sitting in the bullpen waiting for opportunities. Some fans seem to think the Opening Day roster is etched in stone.  If we’ve learned anything, the final spots on the roster are very fluid with movement aboard the Scranton Shuttle.  

Baseball is tough.  It’s hard to believe that closer Greg Holland has been unable to find a job.  He had 41 saves in 2017 for the Colorado Rockies. He turned down an off-season offer from the Rockies and their money went to new closer Wade Davis. I keep hearing that teams continue to stay away from Holland due to his asking price. At what point does Holland say ‘uncle’ and accept an offer simply to play? Same with Mark Reynolds who hit 30 home runs last season for the Rockies. I feel bad for the guys who can still play the game at its highest level but can’t find a job. The next few days will be even tougher as teams make the necessary cuts to reach their 25-man rosters. You wonder if it is the end of the line for older players like Jayson Werth, Jose Bautista and Matt Holliday. Scott Kazmir, part of the salary dump that sent outfielder Matt Kemp to the Los Angeles Dodgers, was released by the Braves yesterday. He had exited the game against the Yankees with left arm fatigue (after reportedly having thrown 90-100 pitches in a bullpen session last Wednesday). Despite on the hook for $16 million, the Braves opted to part ways with the left-hander who missed the 2017 season with injuries. Now, Kazmir is one of many on the unemployment line (although I am fairly confident the $16 million will help him pay bills while he looks for a new job).  

Today is the final day in Florida for the Yankees. After today’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, the Yankees will head for Atlanta, GA to play the Braves at SunTrust Park on Monday. Then, MLB camp is done. The Gang of 25 will head to Toronto and the Aaron Boone Era will officially begin with Opening Day on Thursday against the AL East rival Blue Jays. It’s almost time.  

To borrow words from the great John Sterling, let’s give the team a “Stanton ovation”! It’s going to be a very exciting season. Go Yankees!

Now Begins the Time to “Get Greedy”

Earlier this morning on the blog we took a look at the complete list of 161 MLB free agents for the 2018 season so now begins the process for every team, especially the New York Yankees, to “get greedy” and sign up some of these free agents. We have the list in hand so let’s take a look at it and see if any of these players will and should fit into the Yankees plans here in 2018.  

We will start high here and then taper off I guess as there are quite a few notable bullpen additions that the New York Yankees could conceivably look at this winter. Greg Holland declined his 2018 option with the Colorado Rockies, Wade Davis is a free agent with the Chicago Cubs, Brandon Kintzler was an All-Star with the Minnesota Twins before being shipped away prior to the deadline and is now hitting free agency and there are a couple notable left-handed arms as well. The two arms I would like the Yankees to take a long and hard look at, because let’s be real… none of the names I mentioned above are coming to the Bronx with the plethora of former closers and arms the Yankees pen already has, are left-handers Tony Watson and Oliver Perez. Perez would obviously be a Plan B or even a Plan C, I may trust Chasen Shreve and company more at this point than Perez although I do realize that Perez could be a useful LOOGY, but Watson has been on my radar for a long, long time. Watson is a tough left-handed arm that spent time recently with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates and is an arm that would fill an area of need for New York, the LOOGY position. I doubt Watson would command a terrible amount in terms of years and dollars as well which only helps the Yankees case to sign him.  

New York went into last season with a full-time DH in Matt Holliday and a part-time first baseman in Chris Carter and there is no reason to believe that the team couldn’t do that with at least one of those positions again here in 2018. Now the options on the free agent market aren’t all that appealing to be honest with names like Jay Bruce, Pedro Alvarez and Carlos Santana out there but I truly believe at least two of these options could be better than either Holiday or Carter were in 2017. Although I will admit I am leaning towards not filling the DH position and letting a rotation of outfielders fill the slot all season long if New York can sign a big-time free agent, but more on that later. 

Finally, the Yankees may look at adding a starting pitcher this winter. Obviously, it is highly unlikely that the team will do so after Masahiro Tanaka decided to not opt-out of his contract, but I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the fact that Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish are free agents at the time of this writing. The Yankees have a lot of star power in Japan already with Tanaka and their presumable pursuit of Shohei Otani will only add to that, but could you imagine a rotation with both them and Darvish? It would be insanity in Japan and everyone in the country would be wearing Yankees apparel, oh and the Yankees would be good as well. Is it unlikely? Sure, the Yankees may only add Otani and that’s it, but the team should at least go through the motions and check in with both Darvish and Arrieta. That’s a general manager’s job after all, now get greedy! Bring me somebody! 

Yankees Should Still Get Greg Holland

Okay, so the apologies are done. The luxury tax threshold and penalties are paid and Brian Cashman is (should be) frantically working the phones to fix the starting rotation after reading my article earlier in the day. Now it’s time to finish off the bullpen. Enter Greg Holland. Yes, the Yankees should still get Greg Holland. Even after acquiring Aroldis Chapman and even after having Dellin Betances, Adam Warren and Tyler Clippard in the fold. It’s time to go old school, get greedy and get Holland. Now.

The New York Yankees were one of 18 teams that sent representatives and scouts to watch Greg Holland throw in early November at the winter meetings and the former Kansas City closer was thought to be New York’s back up plan if they didn’t sign Chapman to a new deal. But why not get Plan A and Plan B? It’s not like Holland would cost anything but money and it’s not like, as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, teams are going to be bidding against themselves to give him any sort of financial package like the Yankees just did to Chapman. Holland would likely come on a one-or-two year deal with a lower base salary and a load of incentives attached to his contract. Something very manageable and doable for the Yankees in my opinion.

Holland is still building arm strength, at last check in the righty was still just throwing around 90 MPH with his fastball, but he looked healthy from all accounts that I’ve read online from people who saw his showcase. Holland should be much stronger and much more ready once spring training comes along and should be as close to 100% as he is going to get when the 2017 season starts later on next season. Holland is willing to pitch in a non-closer role according to his agent Scott Boras, which is great news to hear since the Yankees have Chapman, and if healthy could be the best 8^th inning man in baseball once again.

The Yankees had a great bullpen in 2016 with “No Runs DMC” but somehow as a whole the bullpen could be even better this year with Chapman, Betances, Holland, Clippard, Warren and the rest of the crew down in manager Joe Girardi’s Circle of Trust. All Cashman has to do is get it done. It’s a one-year deal, what’s the harm?

Yankees Scouting Greg Holland

I write about it and the Yankees read and listen. You’re welcome. On a more serious note though late last month I did discuss the possibility and the desire for the Yankees to scout former Kansas City Royals closer Greg Holland and this week that same exact news was released to the fans.

On Monday the former World Series bound closer threw for scouts in Scottsdale, Arizona and the New York Yankees were present for the showcase. The Yankees need bullpen arms and late inning reliever specifically in the worst way after trading away both Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller at the trading deadline this summer and Holland would be a good start depending on the type of contract he ultimately signs for.

You would think the Yankees would be more inclined than most teams to guarantee money on a one-year deal as they have their eyes on getting under the luxury tax threshold before 2018 which could be enticing for both teams. A one-year deal with a high base salary could give Holland the opportunity to showcase his health and allow him to build value for next year’s free agent class that won’t include Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, Mark Melancon and others. It also gives the Yankees a stop gap type player that they can potentially trade in July if they are out of the playoff race again or even offer a qualifying offer to after the season.

If Holland is healthy this is a win-win for the Yankees. If he doesn’t succeed, designate him for assignment and move on. But if he does…. And if the Yankees can add Chapman along with him which has already been rumored and discussed the Yankees just won the offseason. 

Bring Me Greg Holland

I said this last September when he threw his last pitch in the Major Leagues. I said it again sometime this season when the Yankees were struggling. I’ll say it again today. Bring me Greg Holland. If you don’t remember the name Greg Holland let me remind you. Holland was the closer for the Kansas City Royals that underwent Tommy John surgery after being one of the most dominant relievers in all of Major League Baseball from 2012 through 2015. Holland is not quite back yet after his September, 2015 surgery but will likely be ready for at least spring training 2017. Should the Yankees take a waiver? I say yes.

As much as it’s fun to dream about the Yankees signing Kenley Jansen or Aroldis Chapman I find it unlikely that Brian Cashman will want to or be allowed to give a pitcher in the neighborhood of $15 million this offseason as long as Hal Steinbrenner still owns the team. With that said Cashman may have to get creative this winter and that may bring him to the man that had a 2.42 ERA, 12.1 K/9 ratio and 145 saves from 2012 to 2015.

Holland is a proven closer, a veteran arm and an arm that has led a team to the World Series. Being postseason proven is a big thing in New York, especially with the Yankees, and a stat nor a number can be put on that sort of experience. Well in my opinion, Holland will likely try to put a number, more so a dollar amount, on that experience if and when he decides to sign this winter. It’s anyone’s guess how much he would sign for or where he would sign but I’m guessing a base salary of a few million ($5 million is likely pushing it but the base salary may separate teams like the Yankees from the team he is familiar with in Kansas City) with incentives may get the job done. Add a second year mutual option to sweeten the pot if necessary.

The Yankees have done similar deals with David Aardsma, Andrew Bailey, Jon Lieber and others in the past and they do so again this offseason with Holland. Get it done Cash, get it done.

The "Andrew Bailey" MiLB Deal for Greg Holland

The New York Yankees have never been afraid to take a chance on an injured or aging veteran pitcher in hopes of getting a little lightning in a bottle out of them. We've seen it many times and a few examples of this are the Aaron Small signing, the Bartolo Colon signing, the Freddy Garcia signing and others and New York most recently did it with former Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey. Bailey was signed with the thought that he would not pitch in the first season of his deal but would presumably be ready for the second year, why wouldn't that work with former Royals closer Greg Holland?

Holland will miss the entire 2016 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and will attempt his comeback during the 2017 season. Holland is a free agent currently and may be looking for one of those two year minor league deals we have been seeing over the years. Why can't the team that gives Holland that deal be the Yankees?

The Yankees love having a super bullpen and they had one in 2015 with Justin Wilson, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller and look to have one in 2016 as well with the trade of Wilson and the acquisition of Aroldis Chapman. What about the 2017 season after Chapman presumably leaves via free agency? Holland could step into the 7th or 8th inning, eventually, for the Yankees while Miller slides back into the 9th inning role for New York.

Even with a growing tear in his right throwing elbow Holland had 32 saves as we entered September of 2015 after refusing to get an MRI or sit down during the season. Holland is a gamer and a champion and wanted to be a part of the first World Series championship team in Kansas City in 30 years. Would he be worth the wait? Absolutely, especially if he comes back from the Tommy John surgery throwing darts the way he did in 2015 and 2014.  Will the Yankees do it? Who knows, but if Holland is willing then they should.

43 New Free Agents, Any Destined for Pinstripes?

The deadline has come and gone and now all 30 Major League teams have decided whether they are going to tender a contract to their non-tender candidates and players. When the smoke cleared 43 players were added to the free agency pool after being non-tendered and about half as many trades, signing and moves went down before the deadline. 43 more warm bodies for all 30 teams to choose from but will the Yankees take a waiver on any of them?

The field of 43 is highlighted by former Houston Astros slugger Chris Carter, former Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez and Kansas City Royals former closer Greg Holland. None of these three likely intrigue the Yankees much, Carter is a first baseman and hit just .199 with 24 home runs last season while Alvarez is a first baseman only out of necessity. He can’t field at third base and he’s barely marginal defensively at first base after falling out of grace with the Pirates. Holland had Tommy John surgery late in the 2015 season and will almost 100% miss the entire 2016 season as well while rehabbing the injury.

Other not-so-notable names to join the free agency frenzy includes Oakland A’s first baseman Ike Davis, former Giants World Series start Yusmeiro Petit, injured Miami Marlins pitchers Henderson Alvarez and Aaron Crow, relief pitcher Cesar Ramos, Padres third baseman and former Boston Red Sox player Will Middlebrooks, Neftali Feliz, Al Albuquerque, catcher Tyler Flowers, Jacob Turner and Atlanta Braves left-handed starter Mike Minor.

Minor league deals could be handed out to many of these players if they were willing to sign, especially Alvarez, Middlebrooks (the Yankees have almost zero insurance at third base for Chase Headley), and Minor (because, duh, he throws left-handed). Nothing really intrigues me on this roster although I do wonder if Cashman is intrigued by Tyler Flowers. Flowers could give Yankees backup catcher Gary Sanchez more time to fine-tune his development in Triple-A. No way to tell so you’re just going to have to stay tuned. 

Recap: Yankees 14, Royals 1

The Yankees' offense scored 11 times in the first two innings, forcing an early removal for Jeremy Guthrie and helping the the club easily beat the Royals, 14-1, on Monday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

A Good Start: The Yankees broke out for eight runs in the bottom of the first alone, essentially deciding the game before their third out was even recorded. Chase Headley kicked off the onslaught with a two-run blast to right-center, followed later by momentum-grabbing three-run shots from Brian McCann and Brett Gardner.

Just How They Drew it Up: Stephen Drew's season has certainly taken a dark turn during the last few weeks -- his batting average has dropped to just .176 due to numerous slumps -- but at least in this one, the infielder showed some promise. He crushed an 0-2 fastball high into the right-field upper deck in the third, another three-run bomb to put the Yankees up 11-0.

Evo-lution: Nathan Eovaldi logged his first win since May 7, surrendering just eight hits over seven one-run innings while walking one and striking out four. Eovaldi looked to be in for a mediocre outing when two Royals reached base in the first, but was able to escape trouble after a Kendrys Morales flyout.

Hopefully the First of Many: Slade Heathcott continued his impressive week with a man on in the seventh, drilling a Greg Holland offering well past the right-field wall for his first career home run. It was a no-doubter off the bat, a moment the youngster will always remember. 

The Strikeout Factory Debuts: Prized Yankees reliever Jacob Lindgren made his much-anticipated debut in the eighth, quickly inducing an Eric Hosmer double play to erase an inherited runner. Lindgren then went on to strikeout two in the ninth, officially sealing the victory.

Next Up: The Yankees will try to keep this momentum going on Tuesday when they host the Royals again in the Bronx, beginning at 7:05 p.m. ET and airing live on PIX 11. Adam Warren (2-3, 4.26 ERA) will get the nod for the Yanks aiming for a third straight quality start, facing recently-activated Royals lefty Jason Vargas (3-1, 5.26 ERA).

Hypothetical Yankees Team After 2016: Spending Spree

The New York Yankees and owner Hal Steinbrenner have already put the bug in the ear of Yankees GM Brian Cashman that the team would once again attempt to get under the luxury tax threshold either after the 2016 or 2017 season. Let’s have a little bit of fun here and pretend that the Yankees actually gets under the cap and still finds a way to have a bit of a spending spree. What would that team look like you ask?

Keep in mind that these rosters are for fun, I don't expect all these free agents to be signed. 

SP: Masahiro Tanaka

SP: Michael Pineda

SP: Nathan Eovaldi

SP: Luis Severino

SP: Stephen Strasburg

C: Brian McCann

1B: Adam Lind

2B: Robert Refsnyder

SS: Didi Gregorius

3B: Chase Headley

LF: Brett Gardner

CF: Jacoby Ellsbury

RF: Carlos Gomez

DH: Jose Bautista

BN: Jose Pirela

BN: Gary Sanchez

BN: Alex Rodriguez

BN: Adrian Beltre

RP: Justin Wilson
RP: Adam Warren
RP: Aroldis Chapman
RP: Jacob Lindgren
RP: Greg Holland
RP: Dellin Betances

CP: Andrew Miller

IBWAA SELECTS KIMBREL, HOLLAND IN RELIEF PITCHER VOTE

Los Angeles – The Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) announced the winners in the relief pitcher category Sunday, with the Atlanta Braves’ Craig Kimbrel winning the group’s National League Hoyt Wilhelm Relief Pitcher of the Year Award, and Greg Holland, of the Kansas City Royals, being selected as the American League Rollie Fingers Relief Pitcher of the Year.

 

The IBWAA established the relief pitcher awards in 2010. Kimbrel wins for the fourth consecutive year; Holland for the second straight year.

 

Election results are as follows:

 

AL Relief Pitcher

 

1^st Place:                  Greg Holland , Kansas City Royals
2^nd Place:                 Dellin Betances, New York Yankees

3^rd Place:                  Wade Davis, Kansas City Royals

 

NL Relief Pitcher

 

1^st Place:                  Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
2^nd Place:                 Aroldis Chapman, Cincinnati Reds
3^rd Place:                  Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers

 

Ballot tabulations by Brian Wittig & Associates.

 

Below is the remaining IBWAA Awards announcement schedule:

 

Rookie, Monday, November 10, 2014, 11:00 a.m. PST.

Manager, Tuesday, November 11, 2014, 11:00 a.m. PST.

Cy Young, Wednesday, November 12, 2014, 11:00 a.m. PST.

MVP, Thursday, November 13, 2014, 11:00 a.m. PST.

 

The IBWAA was established July 4, 2009 to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as a digital alternative to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Voting for full season awards takes place in September of each year, with selections being announced in November. The IBWAA also holds a Hall of Fame election in December of each year, with results being announced the following January.

 

Among others, IBWAA members include Jim Bowden, Jim Caple, Mike Petriello, David Schoenfield, Mark A. Simon and Dan Szymborski, ESPN.com; Kevin Baxter Los Angeles Times; Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports; Craig Calcaterra, NBC Sports Hardball Talk; Bill Chuck, GammonsDaily.com; Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; King Kaufman, Bleacher Report; Kevin Kennedy, Kostya Kennedy, Sports Illustrated; Jonah Keri, Grantland; Vlae Kershner, SFGate.com; Chuck Culpepper and Will Leitch, Sports on Earth; Jill Painter Lopez, FoxSportsWest.com, Bruce Markusen, Hardball Times; Ross Newhan; Dayn Perry and Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com; Mark Purdy, San Jose Mercury News; Eno Sarris and Wendy Thurm, FanGraphs; Tom Hoffarth and J.P. Hoornstra Los Angeles Daily News; Pedro Moura, Orange County Register; Neil Payne, FiveThirtyEight.com, Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com, Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com, Dan Schlossberg, USA Today and Jesse Spector, Sporting News.

 

Association membership is open to any and all Internet baseball writers, with a yearly fee of $20, or $35 lifetime. Discounts for groups and scholarships are available. Members must be 18 years of age to apply.

For more information please visit www.ibwaa.com.

’14 Royals Are Reason Why Yankees Should Keep Robertson

The Kansas City Royals went into the postseason as the second Wild Card and ultimately came from behind to beat the Oakland Athletics in the Wild Card Playoff round. Their reward was the top ranked and best record holding Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Kansas City swept the Angels. Their reward was the second best record in the American League and the AL East champion Baltimore Orioles. Kansas City swept them too. Kansas City has done it off timely hitting and a completely and utterly dominant bullpen, a strategy that the Yankees should employ if they intend to contend in 2015. This philosophy and way of thinking makes David Robertson more and more valuable with every victory the Royals get.

The three headed monster in Ned Yost’s bullpen in Kelvin Hererra, Wade Davis, and Greg Holland. The three are the only relievers on the same team to ever have pitched at least 60 IP and had an ERA below 1.50. Hererra had a 1.41 ERA, Davis had a 1.00 ERA, and Holland had a 1.44 ERA as the team’s closer. Herrera has pitched 8.1 IP and allowed just one run this postseason, good for a 1.08 ERA, while Davis has allowed just one run in 9.1 IP, good for a 0.96 ERA, while collecting two wins in the ALCS. Holland had four saves against the Orioles and has allowed just one run in 8.0 IP, good for a 1.13 ERA. Holland has six saves overall in the Royals eight wins this postseason and sits just one save behind the all-time postseason record for saves by a closer.

While the Yankees cannot expect to match or exceed this talent they are pretty close with Robertson closing games, Dellin Betances setting up, and a combination of Adam Warren and Shawn Kelley pitching in the 7^th. If the Yankees want to match or emulate this performance they have to upgrade over Warren and Kelley not let one of the best closers in the game walk away. Brian Cashman better be paying attention and taking notes because a team can make the postseason and a team can make it to the World Series without the bigger names, the bigger contracts, the home run ball, etc. All they need is timely hitting, the ability to manufacture runs, and a dominant back end of the bullpen. New York is two thirds of the way there with the bullpen they just need to keep Robertson and add a piece, not let him walk. 

All Star Game Snubs: New York Yankees Edition

Every single season we have All Star Game snubs and we have fans that think their guy should be on the squad over this guy or that guy. I'm here to tell you that this is probably going to be another one of those posts but not without merit and stats to back me up. Brett Gardner should be on the American League All Star squad if the likes of Alex Gordon are. Yoenis Cespedes is not having a great season either, although he is helped by the "sexy numbers" of home runs, RBI's, etc.

Gardner has a higher batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+, stolen base total, hit total, runs scored total, less errors, and a better fielding percentage than Gordon. On top of that Gardner has comparable WAR, home run, and RBI totals to Gordon.

Greg Holland is already on the club representing Kansas City so it's not like they had to choose Gordon and they both bat left handed so that is not the issue either. The Yankees only sent three to the game and Masahiro Tanaka will be ineligible due to pitching on the last day before the All Star Break anyway so the team is not flooded with Yankees like it is with six Oakland Athletics.

Red Sox manager John Farrell really dropped the ball on this one. It's a good thing this game doesn't count for anything, oh wait...

Girardi Explains Why He Didn't Have Roberts Bunt in Today's Ninth Inning

After a lead-off single and a wild pitch, the Yankees looked to be in pretty good position in today's ninth inning.

Facing the Royals' Greg Holland, a closer known for his triple-digit fastball, the Bombers had the tying run in scoring position, with Brian Roberts, Mark Teixeira, and Brett Gardner due up.

At first thought, most would probably want to have the weak-hitting Roberts bunt to try to give Teixeira a chance for a routine sac fly, although Manager Joe Girardi didn't think so, instead letting Roberts swing.

Eventually, Roberts would unproductively fly out, followed shortly by a Tex groundout and a Gardner strikeout.

After the loss, Girardi explained to the New York Post's George A. King III why he let the .240-batting Roberts hit, claiming that since Holland's dominant it'd be tough to bunt off of him.

“You got a strikeout pitcher and also a guy who gets ground balls,’’ Girardi said. “It’s not an easy guy to bunt [off] throwing 97-98 if you ever tried it.’’

Despite that, you have to think that sacrificing in that situation would've been the smart thing to do, especially since the offense had struggled throughout the game.

Yes, doing so would have been kind of risky, but if it didn't work the result would've still been the same, something that, let's be honest, was likely to happen in the first place.