Saturday, December 28, 2013
Yankees Miss Another Free Agent To Kansas City
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Predicting Who Will Not Be Called Up
Earlier we gave you the list of players that we expected to be called up this September as the rosters expand to 40 players now here is my list of players that are on the 40 man roster that I cannot see coming up this season.
Michael Pineda should be called up but I really don't think they will. The Yankees were babying him with pitch and limit innings before he experienced shoulder stiffness in his surgically repaired shoulder that has kept him out nearly a month now. I can't see the Yankees letting him get any work in while we are in the middle of a pennant race.
Vidal Nuno pitched well before suffering a groin injury that will likely end his season. While he may try and rehab the groin I cannot see him being called up again this season. Nuno does not have any place to play in rehab assignment games or get any kind of real action outside of simulated games and that will keep him on the shelf for the season in my eyes.
Manny Banuelos has missed the entire season with Tommy John surgery and has begun throwing off flat ground, playing catch, etc but is still too far away from real game situations. I only included him because he has started throwing again and is not on the 60 day DL.
Jose Ramirez pitched well in AA this year but the Yankees are in the middle of a pennant race and I cannot see them letting Ramirez get his feet wet this September. Next year for sure though as I can see him getting the bump to Scranton next season.
Nik Turley will not be called up, especially not right away, because his Trenton Thunder team looks poised for a playoff spot and a playoff run. The Yankees would surely like that second left handed pitcher in the bullpen but I cannot see them forcing the issue at the expense of the Thunder's playoff run.
Ramon Flores has played pretty well for the AA Trenton Thunder team but his biggest hurdle to jump may be the fact that he is an outfielder. The Yankees already have five outfielders that they are struggling to get at bats for and I cannot see them making even more a log jam by calling up Flores. I guess he could be called up for late game pinch running or such but I don't see it.
Melky Mesa's hamstring injury will prevent him from being called up the first week or so and with an injury as tricky as a hamstring I believe the Yankees may just shut him down for the season. No reason to rush him back and risk it especially with no minor league affiliates to rehab and test the hamstring with.
Zoilo Almonte was a 60 day DL candidate not too long ago so the ankle must be a bigger issue then we are being led to believe. If he is healthy I can see the Yankees call him up but I have not heard anything from Almonte as far as running bases, rehabbing etc and with the minor league systems ending their seasons Zoilo would have no place to rehab. I see him as a winter league candidate after a strong showing in the Bronx this season in limited action.
*Obviously we did not count the people who were already on the 60 day DL and/or are down with season ending injuries like Corban Joseph, Jayson Nix, Mark Teixeira, Kevin Youkilis, and David Phelps.
Melky Mesa Released, Jayson Nix To 60 Day Dl
To make room for September call ups JR Murphy and Cesar Cabral the Yankees made two roster moves today to make room on the 40 man roster. Jayson Nix was added to the 60 day DL and Melky Mesa, who was thought to be a September call up himself until he suffered a significant hamstring injury, has been designated for assignment or released depending on where you read it. While some are shocked by the DFA or unconditional release of Mesa you have to consider that he will probably clear waivers and be outrighted to AAA at this point anyway so no harm no foul. If the release is the true story then it is possibly that Mesa will sign another minor league deal with us this off season. Either way the Yankees reinforcements are here for the playoff run and it's time to win and win now.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Looking At The September Call Ups
September baseball is less than two weeks away where rosters expand from 25 man rosters to 40 man rosters. Everyone that is already on the 40 man roster is eligible to come up to the majors without a roster move or using a minor league option. If a player is not on the 40 man roster they can be added to the roster and come up but will not be eligible for the playoff roster if they have not made the roster before September 1st of this year. With that said let's look at the people on and off the 40 man roster that will probably be up within the first week of September.
Derek Jeter
I think he will be held out until September while rehabbing this latest leg injury not only to make sure he is healthy but to also save Eduardo Nunez or Jayson Nix from being designated for assignment.
Dellin Betances
Dellin got his feet wet with a couple strike outs, four runs given up, and a lengthy rain delay in his season debut. With Dellin already on the 40 man I can see him being a day one call up especially with Scranton's playoff hopes dwindling.
Preston Claiborne
Preston was sent down to make room for Mark Reynolds with the promise that he will be back on September 1st and he will be. He has earned his spot on the roster and in the bullpen and he will be there as soon as he can be without losing anybody.
Michael Pineda
At this point any kind of innings that Pineda can get is a step ahead for him in his 2014 season so why not call him up to the majors? If he gets his feet wet in mop up duty I cannot see the harm in it.
JR Murphy
Murphy is our best catcher not named Gary Sanchez in the system but the only problem is he is not on the 40 man roster. A roster move will need to be made to accommodate Murphy but that is as easy as a Corban Joseph transfer to the 60 day DL away.
Nik Turley
Nik is left handed and has a fresh arm and both of those are something that the Yankees are in need of this season. While Nik only has one appearance in AAA and has an ERA north of four while pitching for the Trenton Thunder but he is on the 40 man roster so why not.
David Adams
David has had a couple cups of coffee in the majors this season and while he has not had much success in the majors I can see him being a September call up. He is already on the 40 man and can give the Yanks some much needed depth at third base, second base, and first base.
Melky Mesa
Melky can play all three outfield positions and be a late inning base running replacement while already on the 40 man roster. This would be his second cup of coffee this season and while he is very strike out prone he looks to be the only outfielder we have to call up this September unless Zoilo Almonte gets healthy fast.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Melky Mesa Sent To AAA, Thomas Neal Designated
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Alberto Gonzalez Designated For Assignment Again
The Yankees have designated infielder Alberto Gonzalez for assignment for the second time this season to make room for Thomas Neal and Melky Mesa to come up to the majors. Alberto has played all over the Yankees infield, outfield, and pitching this season but it has not been enough to guarantee him a roster spot. With Brent Lillibridge being called up along with having Luis Cruz the Yankees had one too many utility infielders on the roster.
Zoilo Almonte Headed To The DL With An Ankle Sprain
Zoilo Almonte is headed to the disabled list with an ankle sprain after leaving last nights game in the fifth inning. X Rays were negative but the left ankle will still send Zoilo to the DL. Words is that both Thomas Neal and Melky Mesa have left Scranton and headed to Boston which doesn't make a lot of sense but it is what it is.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Flurry Of Minor League Roster Moves Announced
The Yankees announced a flurry of roster moves last night that I apparently missed so I will share them with you now.
Corey Patterson has signed a minor league deal with the Yankees and has been assigned to AAA Scranton Wilkes Barre Railriders. I cannot see him as anything other than minor league depth to replace the promotion of Zoilo Almonte and the injuries to Brennan Boesch and Melky Mesa.
Zach Nuding and Fred Lewis, both right handed pitchers from the Trenton Thunder, have been promoted to Scranton to play for the Railriders. Zach was brought up to make a spot start for Ivan Nova after he was scratched, presumably to make a start for the big league Yankees.
Caleb Cotham and Jose Ramirez, both right handed pitchers from the Scranton team, have been sent down to the AA Trenton Thunder. Both were presumed to be there temporarily, especially Ramirez, and are now sent back down to AA. I do not expect Jose to be down there much longer but the log jam is growing more and more in Scranton so who knows.
Infielder Josh Bell has been placed on the disabled list retroactive to June 19th. No word just yet on what is wrong with him.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Yankees Acquire Former NY Met Fernando Martinez
The Yankees have acquired former New York Mets player Fernando Martinez from the Houston Astros today for minor leaguer Charles Basford. Martinez is not on the Astros 40 man roster after being outrighted to AAA so he will presumably be sent to Scranton to play with the Railriders for now. The 24 year old left handed hitting outfielder will replace Zoilo Almonte and Melky Mesa in the Scranton outfield and does not figure to be part of the big league clubs plans.
Sam Demel, Ronnier Mustelier, & Melky Mesa To DL
A trio of Scranton Wilkes Barre Railriders have been added to the AA DL. Melky Mesa has been added retroactive to June 13th after his right shoulder was injured after a collision in the outfield with the wall. Ronnier Mustelier was added retroactive to June 15th after experiencing some tightness in his groin muscle. Sam Demel was added retroactive to June 16th but the reason has not yet been released to the media and the fans. Adam Warren was activated finally to take Demel's spot while Randy Ruiz will rake Mustelier's spot and Caleb Cotham will take Melky Mesa's spot on the roster. The roster shake up continues for the New York Yankees on all levels huh?
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thomas Neal Added To AAA Disabled List
Thomas Neal has been added to the disabled list by the AAA affiliate the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Railriders. Thomas injured his hamstring running out a double in a 5-4 loss in the first inning against Columbus. Trenton Thunder utility man Kevin Mahoney will get the call up to take his place on the roster for the time being. This leaves Scranton in a bit of a mess because they now only have two true outfielders in Zoilo Almonte and Melky Mesa but the Railriders are hoping Addison Maruszak can stopgap for the next two weeks.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Flurry Of Roster Moves Before The Season Starts
The Yankees have announced that they have sent outfielder Melky Mesa and pitcher Sam Demel to Triple A Scranton Wilkes-Barre.
The Yankees have reassigned Jim Miller, Preston Claiborne, Brandon Pinder, Juan Cedeno, Vidal Nuno, Josh Spence, Bobby Wilson, Dan Johnson, Jose Pirela, Gil Velazquez, and Thomas Neal to minor league camps.
The Yankees have officially added Ben Francisco and Jayson Nix to the 40 man roster so they both apparently have made the team.
The roster begins to shape up for the Yankees
1. The Yankees optioned Melky Mesa to Triple-A Scranton along with newly acquired pitcher Sam Demel.
2. Lyle Overbay officially made the team today. Overbay's defense impressed Joe Girardi enough that he will be the 1B against right handed pitchers while Kevin Youkilis plays third base.
3. Ben Francisco and Jayson Nix also made the team as the 4th OF and a utility guy off the bench.
4. David Aardsma was designated for assignment by the Yankees today. The reason behind it was that Girardi felt the Yankees already felt that they had enough one inning pitchers. Didn't seem the need to carry another one.
5. Shawn Kelley made the team. Girardi liked his approach on the mound as well as the fact that he's a strikeout pitcher.
6. Vidal Nuno along with a handful of other players were reassigned to minor league camp. I guess winning the Dawson Award didn't mean much in the Yankees eyes.
7. Before the game today, Joe Girardi and Mark Teixeira were watching Brennan Boesch do first base drills while Teixeira was giving him pointers. It seems as if the Yankees plan on carrying Boesch as the emergency first baseman although the Yankees didn't officially announce that as of yet.
8. After the Yankees released David Adams, he became a free agent today and the Yankees re-signed him. Seemed like a lengthy process to get him off the 40-man roster and back into the organization.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Predicting The New York Yankees Opening Day Roster
Obviously a lot can change between now and the Yankees opener on April 1st at home against the Boston Red Sox because a lot has changed since the last time I typed up this post. I had Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira penciled into the middle of the line up, had Dan Johnson winning a bench spot, Clay Rapada winning a bullpen spot, and Brennan Boesch was no where to be found. Let's try this again, shall we?
C - Francisco Cervelli
1B - Juan Rivera
2B - Robinson Cano
SS - Derek Jeter
3B - Kevin Youkilis
LF - Brett Gardner
CF - Melky Mesa
RF - Ichiro Suzuki
DH - Travis Hafner
BN - Chris Stewart
BN - Brennan Boesch
BN - Eduardo Nunez
BN - Jayson Nix
SP - CC Sabathia
SP - Hiroki Kuroda
SP - Andy Pettitte
SP - Phil Hughes
SP - Ivan Nova
LR - David Phelps
MR - Boone Logan
MR - Joba Chamberlain
MR - David Aardsma
MR - Jim Miller
SU - David Robertson
CL - Mariano Rivera
Jim Miller has pitched well enough to earn a spot, albeit not a huge spot, in the Yankees roster. Joe Girardi has already said that he plans to use a veteran righty in place of Clay Rapada so I think that guy will be Jim Miller. Cody Eppley and Shawn Kelley are also vying for that spot but they have minor league options remaining where Jim Miller does not and I think that is the ultimate decision maker.
Brennan Boesch was basically guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster when he signed a minor league contract last week. He will platoon with Ichiro Suzuki in right field if I had to guess and will fill in whenever Melky Mesa is not playing and Brett Gardner is in center field.
No other big surprises here if you ask me. It is a forgone conclusion that Juan Rivera will win the first base job, Melky Mesa will win the center field job, and I think the Yankees will carry both Jayson Nix and Eduardo Nunez out of camp. This is not a common occurrence in Yankees camp having a prospect and a guy on a minor league job winning big spots out of spring but I guess when injuries pile up the depth is tested. I just hope the Yankees can survive a touch early schedule with a 25 man roster like this...
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Yankees Beat Up On Phillies
Ben Francisco wasted no time getting acclimated with being a New York Yankees player as he hit a two RBI double off the center field wall in his first at bat against Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee. Welcome to the Yankees Ben, do that a few more times and you will make Matt Diaz shake in his boots a little bit more.
Ichiro Suzuki added the third Yankees run in the 2nd off of Cliff Lee with an RBI single after he walked Gil Velazquez and Derek Jeter. I know it is spring training but that cannot be a bad sign for the Yankees offense, no?
Melky Mesa improved his chances of winning the temporary center field spot by driving in Juan Rivera with an RBI single in the 3rd inning to put the Yankees up 4-1. Mesa also got lucky on the wild pitch by Cliff Lee that allowed him to get to second base and allowed Matt Diaz to score the 5th run because the ball did not bounce away from Quintero enough to justify him running.
Mariano Rivera would pitch a quick and perfect inning shattering a bat. Andy Pettitte allowed a run in his 3+ IP and struggled with command but looked good overall. David Aardsma allowed a home run and then a hard hit single but settled down to limit the damage to just the one run thanks to a great running play by Melky Mesa.
The Yankees would win the game 6-2
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Predicting The 25 Man Roster Two Weeks Into Spring
I have proven by my Free Agency Prediction post that I should not be buying any lottery tickets any time soon but two weeks into Spring Training I wanted to take a stab at predicting the 25 man roster. We have a general idea of what is going to happen after seeing who Joe Girardi has been using and where Joe Girardi has been playing them. This is obviously subject to change.
Obviously Melky Mesa would not be listed if Curtis Granderson was not injured and set to miss the first month of the season. Mesa has proven he can play all three outfield positions, has enough defense and speed to suffice, and can hit and drive the ball for power. It is going to be a close competition between him and Zoilo Almonte to be honest but I like Mesa more in this situation.
Obviously Eduardo Nunez was not on this list and he originally was until I heard he was working on a new throwing motion. When teams do things like this to players with minor league options it almost always seems like they are destined for the minor leagues. Dan Johnson will be the 2013 version of Eric Chavez being a left handed hitter that can fill in at third base and first base when needed.
The pitching should be no surprise but I ALMOST put Jim Miller in instead of Clay Rapada after a strong start to the spring. Joe Girardi seems like he has a sort of obsession with having a second lefty in the bullpen though especially considering all the miles that are on Boone Logan's arm lately.
Juan Rivera seems to be outshining Matt Diaz in the 4th outfielder competition so I put him in there as the early winner. He is seeing the ball better and hitting the ball better and is not a slouch out in the field. I really like Matt Diaz especially considering that I live in Atlanta, Georgia and have been watching him for years but he is just not getting it done right now.
It is still really early in spring and all of this is still scheduled to change obviously but if I am Joe Girardi this is what I am penciling in for Opening Day.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Melky Mesa Backs Out Of WBC
Melky Mesa has told Team Dominican Republic that he plans on backing out of the World Baseball Classic. The Yankees did not urge Mesa to back out and actually encouraged it but Mesa instead wants to use the time to try and win the starting left field job for the Yankees. Much like Francisco Cervelli putting the starting catching job ahead of an exhibition tournament Mesa is putting the big league club before the WBC.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Cervelli has good game, but Yanks fall to Phillies 10-5
The more we chant "It's Just Spring Training", the more frustrated we become. Why? Because the Yankees last (and only) win came one week ago, tomorrow. Now, the fans don't like to see the Yankees lose, but the Yankees are playing sloppy baseball. That's what summed up today's 10-5 loss against the Phillies. Sloppy.
There was more bad than good that came out of the game, a game that was plagued with four errors. Now, let's try to look at the bright side, because that's all that we can do at this point.
Francisco Cervelli: Francisco Cervelli is seemingly pulling himself away from the catchers competition, going 2-for-2 with a walk, and throwing out yet another runner. Chris Stewart hasn't played since the second inning of yesterday's game, where he was ejected for allegedly pointing at the umpire after the umpire warned him not to point, so it gives Cervelli an edge so far this Spring.
David Robertson: D-Rob came into another tight jam, relieving Hiroki Kuroda who only went 1.2 IP and allowing 4 runs (1 earned). In five pitches, Robertson got out of the jam and stopped the game from further damage at that point. I said it once and I'll say it again: D-Rob is in midseason form.
Hiroki Kuroda: Now, some people will argue that Kuroda had a bad outing, but when you watched the game, the numbers don't translate to how he actually pitched. He actually got the ground-balls when he needed them, unfortunately, the infielders were unable to field the ball and their positions, allowing three unearned runs to score. Was Kuroda sharp? No. But did he look decent for his first time on the mound? Yes.
Melky Mesa: If the Yankees are looking for someone to take Curtis Granderson's spot for the next 4-6 weeks, then I strongly suggest Melky Mesa. He played the entire game, and hit another home run. He hit one yesterday vs. the Astors as well, making his total 2 HR's and 4 RBI's in the last two days. His bat's on fire, and just in time too. He's planning on going to the World Baseball Classic.
What's Next:
-- The Yankees will try again to get their second win of the Spring tomorrow against the Detroit Tigers, who are coming from Lakeland to Tampa. Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira are both slated to play their last game with the Yankees before heading off to their separate teams for the World Baseball Classic. That game will be at 1:05 p.m. on YES Network.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
New York Yankees Spring Training Notes 2/28
Mariano Rivera threw a simulated game today which included 18 pitches. Rivera also did some fielding drills and did some running and the knee came through just fine. CC Sabathia also faced lived hitters today and made Ronnier Mustelier look silly on a few pitches. No word on when either of them will be in a Spring Training game but it is expected in the next two weeks.
The Yankees played a couple split squad games against the Toronto Blue Jays at home and against the Houston Astros on the road today and dropped them both.
Ichiro and Brett Gardner both seem locked in after getting hits again today against the Toronto Blue Jays. Chris Stewart was ejected from the game today after a bang bang play at first base where he was safe and called out, which is probably not going to help his cause to be the every day starting catcher. David Phelps final pitching line was 3 IP 2 H 1K 1 BB in the loss.
Melky Mesa made his case once again to replace the injured Curtis Granderson today against the Houston Astros while going 2-3 with 3 RBI's. Francisco Cervelli helped his cause to win the Yankees starting catcher job today when he threw out two would be base stealers. He wen't 0-3 at the plate but the Yankees don't seem to mind, especially in February. Brett Marshall's final pitching line in the loss was 3 IP 1 H 3 K's 0 BB's.
Yanks drop both split squad games vs. Blue Jays, Astros
Ir seems to me that things aren't turning out the way the Yankees planned during Spring Training. However, we have to remember a couple of things before we get crazy about the standings (which we shouldn't be doing).
1. The Yankees Major League starting pitchers haven't even been in a game so far.
2. The Yankees hitters have only went about 5-6 innings before getting taken out.
3. It's Spring Training. Almost everyone's rusty.
However, it would be nice to see the Yankees win a game or two. Let's break down the good (and bad) that came out of each game. That seems like an easier way to recap the split-squad games.
Blue Jays vs. Yankees
Gardner & Ichiro are locked in: If the season started today, Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki wouldn't mind. At all. Both of them as of right now are easily the best hitters on the team, with both of their batting averages over .500. Gardner went 1-for-3 today, now successfully hitting in four-straight games. Ichiro also had a 1-for-3 day, extending his hitting streak. It's nice to know that out of the gate the two speedsters are ready for the 2013 season. Now if everyone else behind them can catch up, that would be great.
Clay Rapada is unstoppable (and undefeated): Clay Rapada had the quickest 1-2-3 inning, that if you went to the kitchen to get a glass of water and come back, the inning would be over due to his sheer brilliance on the mound. There's also an interesting fact that YES gave about Rapada: He's been in 148 games and his overall record is 8-0 in the Majors. That means that Clay Rapada has never lost a game in his Major League career. Never. Ever. Just judging by today's game, I would already have a nice roster spot for Mr. Rapada. He looked in mid-season form.
Chris Stewart ejected: Chris Stewart only had one at-bat. And that one-at bat would be the last at-bat that he would have on the day. He hit into a bang-bang play at first base. YES instant replay showed Stewart's foot touched the bag before the ball went into the first baseman's glove. However, Marty Foster called him out. Stewart said something and then was ejected from the game, making him the first ejection of the Spring. Just so you know, Spring Training ejections don't happen very often, so that must mean Marty Foster in in mid-season form.
David Phelps pitches strong: David Phelps had another strong outing, going 3 innings, giving up 2 hits, 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Phelps' future with the Yankees could be either one of two things at this point: he could either be in the rotation, taking the 5th spot from Ivan Nova, or he could be in the bullpen, helping out in later innings. I don't see him going back to the minor leagues, at all.
Yankees vs. Astros:
Melky Mesa has great game: The young CF looks to be in the front running of who could take Curtis Granderson's job for the next 4-6 weeks after the big day he had at the plate. The young CF went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI's on the day. I wonder what John Sterling's HR call would be for the young OF if he ever had a chance to play on the big league club--and if he homered.
Nunez helmet won't stay on: Another day, another chance to see Eduardo Nunez's helmet fall off his head. Just as I had hoped that Nunez would be able to keep the helmet on while running down the first baseline, it came off when he hit a lead-off single in the first inning. Maybe someone should add a chin strap or get him a helmet like Francisco Cervelli's. That way it can't come off.
Cervelli's strong day behind the plate: Speaking of the young catcher, Cervelli had a great day behind the plate, throwing out two runners who were attempting to steal. Offensively, he went 0-for-3. Maybe it didn't help that Chris Stewart was ejected because judging by what happened today, it looks like Cervelli took the lead in the catching competition.
Marshall has a good start: Another Brett on the Yankees ball-club had a great day as well, and his name is Brett Marshall. Through three innings, he struck out three and only allowed one hit. Now that is some impressive numbers from the young starter, who is one of the few players actually impressing this Spring Training.
WHAT'S NEXT:
-- The Phillies will take the drive from Clearwater to Tampa in order to play the Yankees at GMS Field tomorrow. Robinson Cano is expected to be in the lineup tomorrow and Saturday before leaving on Sunday for the World Baseball Classic. The game will be at 1:05 p.m. on the YES Network.