Injuries are Un-a-Voit-able…

Injured List claims Luke Voit, opens door for Bruce…

Hopefully, it is a not a case of “here we go again”, but the first major injury of the year occurred when the Yankees announced several days ago that Luke Voit would undergo surgery for a meniscus tear in his left knee. He had been dealing with swelling in the knee after games and decided it was better to take care of the issue now, rather than later in the season. With no baseball activity for the next three weeks, he is expected to be out until May…possibly into June, depending upon how his rehab goes. 

The beneficiary of the Voit news is obviously Jay Bruce who had exercised his opt-out on Thursday and was within the 48-hour window for the team to decide their plans for the veteran outfielder/converted first baseman. If Voit had been healthy, I fully expected Bruce to be handed his walking papers. There was no way the team was going to trade Mike Tauchman (versatility plays, versatility pays). If Tauchman had stunk it up this spring, I would have been all in favor of his trade, but he showed enough flashes of his 2019 version. If he can prove 2020 was the fluke and not 2019, he will play a very vital role for the Yankees this season even if first base is not one of his positions. Maybe he should pick up Luke’s glove. Just kidding…maybe. Meanwhile, Bruce is the one trying to prove he can get better as a first baseman with regular playing time, at least for the foreseeable future. Let us hope Bruce’s defense does not make us miss Voit’s glove, who is not exactly in Don Mattingly’s realm as a superior defender.

Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, New York Post

It is anybody’s guess what happens when Voit returns. Given his linebacker’s mentality, I’d bet the under for his return. If Bruce is playing well, it will be extremely difficult to cut him. I guess that is a question the Yankees will have to address when the time comes. Other injuries will certainly determine present and immediate needs. 

To make room for Bruce on the 40-man roster, the Yankees moved Clarke Schmidt (right elbow strain) to the 60-day injured list.

The loser of the Voit news is Mike Ford. As a choice for Luke’s replacement, he will instead start the season with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Granted, he will be the first option for help if Bruce has any difficulty at first or gets hurt.  Ford cannot just sit back and wait for the phone call. He has Chris Gittens breathing down his neck. Not that I ever try to read too much into spring stats, but Gittens certainly represents a first base option for the future based on the past few weeks. He played more games this spring than Ford even if he did not get as many overall at-bats. He hit three homers and drove in 7 runs in 20 games while Ford had one home run and 3 RBIs in 11 games. Gittens delivered 6 hits in 19 ABs, while Ford had only one more hit despite 8 more at-bats. At 27, Gittens is a year younger and four inches taller. Not that either factor is meant to imply Ford cannot do the job or that Gittens is better, but Chris has shown flashes he may be ready to help.

I had really wanted Derek Dietrich to make the team, but he has not played well enough to justify it. After his opt-out Thursday, the Yankees gave him his release. I certainly have no issue with the Yankees’ decision. I am only disappointed Dietrich did not show or do more. I suppose there is a chance he could sign a new minor league deal with the Yankees to be a phone call away, but I think it is more likely he will try to catch on elsewhere. 

Lucas Luetge, 34, has certainly proved dreams come true. With improved spin rates, he appears to be a lock for the Yankees bullpen during the absence of the injured Zack Britton. In 10 1/3 innings, Luetge has given up only two runs and two walks while striking out 18.  The strikeouts lead the relievers and are second most on the team behind Gerrit Cole. I have my doubts Luetge will be able to sustain his spring training performance over the course of a long season but for now, he will get to experience life in Pinstripes on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. That is something no one can ever take from him. 

The clear loser is Tyler Lyons. While Lyons has struck out 13 batters in 7 1/3 innings, he has also given up six runs. Not that the Yankees need to replace a lefty with a lefty, but Lyons goes down as a camp disappointment and lost opportunity as a result.

Of the right-handed relievers, I thought Kyle Barraclough had some potential to open eyes, but he appears to be just bullpen depth to be stashed away in Eastern Pennsylvania. Maybe that is all he ever was. I just try to be a little more optimistic than I should at times. 

I am glad to hear Justin Wilson is making his first steps to return. Despite an unimpressive spring, he will be counted on as a high leverage reliever this season and we need him to round into form. 

I was a little bummed when the Boston Red Sox grabbed Yankees pitching prospect Garrett Whitlock in last December’s Rule 5 Draft and probably a little more disappointed that he has been a camp surprise who has ensured a place on Boston’s Opening Day roster. I guess it is good for him given he probably would not have achieved similar success with the Yankees. At least not right now.  The likelihood the Red Sox will be a division bottom feeder this year probably means Whitlock will be able to stay on the roster for the duration of the season. Perhaps it is just a testament to the strength of arms the Yankees have in their system. It is simply not possible to keep all of them. I would never begrudge Whitlock opportunity to play in the Major Leagues. This is what he has played for, even if he is now wearing the wrong uniform.

Speaking of the Red Sox, the COVID-19 diagnosis for Matt Barnes probably means Boston will open the season with Adam Ottavino as their closer. Look, I loved Otto as a Yankee, but I am glad he is not my team’s closer. When he is on, he is unhittable. But when he is off, balls are going everywhere except into the catcher’s mitt. Good luck with that, Alex Cora. 

Last off-season, I wanted the Yankees to re-sign Masahiro Tanaka. Instead, the team made the decision to use Masa’s money to sign Corey Kluber and trade for Jameson Taillon. It seemed a bit risky given the recent health history for the latter two pitchers. Yet, the healthy pitchers this spring have been Kluber and Taillon. As for Masa, a calf injury will sideline him and delay his return debut for the Rakuten Golden Eagles. For Masa’s sake, I am glad it is just a calf injury and nothing to do with his arm or shoulder. Hopefully, he will be back soon and ready to show Rakuten fans what they have missed while he was away in New York.

It is always tough when former Yankee greats pass. The latest is 96-year-old Dr Bobby Brown. At 96 years, he had a good run. I primarily remember him as the President of the American League, but he did have a successful post-playing career as a cardiologist in Texas. I would say it was a life well served. As a third baseman, Brown won four World Series titles with the Yankees and was the last surviving member of the 1947, 1949 and 1950 World Series champions. Brown was noted for his post-season success. In 17 World Series games and 46 plate appearances, he hit .439/.500/.707/1.207, with five doubles and three triples. I like the story of when he told his wife during their courtship prior to marriage and before he had met her parents. “Tell your father I’m a third baseman for the Yankees. Tell your mother I’m in medical school.” Dr. Brown, thank you for your accomplishments, for your memories, and for your service. You will be missed but never forgotten. Rest peacefully.

As always, Go Yankees!

Ready, Set, Wait...

Photo Credit: AP

Continued waiting game for possible MLB Season…

I had been hopeful MLB would resolve the plan to return for the 2020 season by now but so far, it’s been a stand-off. Meanwhile, the NBA and NHL in what seemed to be peaceful and easy negotiations from afar, are preparing for their modified seasons.

I thought the proposal by the players association for a 114-game season was a bit aggressive with October seemingly right around the corner, but the owners’ idea of a 48 to 54 game season makes even less sense. Personally, as much as I would like 100 games, a season of 82 games seems reasonable and possible if we can get Spring Training restarted soon. Probably the one thing I do not like about the NBA’s plans is the season extending to December 1st which delays the start of their 2021 season. I’d rather see season modifications made for this year, without impacting next. If MLB is still playing baseball in December, next season would have to be delayed. Honestly, the thought of baseball past Halloween is bone-chillingly cold.  

It seems like in what could have been (should have been?) a championship year for the Yankees, we’ll somehow get cheated out of watching this talented team perform at its highest level. A random team will get hot and ride it to short season success. No doubt a reduced schedule will help teams like the Boston Red Sox as their flaws can be masked over a shorter collection of games. The cheaters win again. However this season plays out, I am ready to begin and finish it so that we can move on to, hopefully, 162 regular season games next year. 2020, despite the numbers, has not been a good year to see clearly.  

I do think the longer this drags out, the more I am in favor of scraping the entire season. I never thought I’d say that, but I am tired of the MLB owners using their own self-serving agendas in an attempt to get far-reaching concessions from the players. I know the players may be guilty of their own selfishness but if the two sides wanted to play baseball as soon as possible, it would happen…particularly the greedy owners.   

I know it’s easier for the NBA and NHL to put together plans for their respective post-season schedules since they’ve both already played the bulk of their regular season games this year whereas MLB is just trying to get started. That’s a big difference and surely accounts for some of the delay in the two sides coming together for the greater good. I think what bothers me more is that a labor dispute is right around the corner when the current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2021 season. There is potential for more disruptions in play regardless of what happens this season. The next couple of years are going to be rocky. I wish MLB had a better, stronger commissioner in place than Rob Manfred. As they say, it is the difficult times that define us. Manfred faces the biggest challenges that have been encountered by his office in years. Good or bad, he will be remembered for how he handles this path and the success (or lack thereof) emerging from his choices and decisions. 

Photo Credit: John Raoux, AP

I think there is still some optimism for a 2020 season but honestly I think it’s anybody’s guess.  This could easily go either way. You’d think eventually the almighty dollar would be the winner for bringing back baseball but when you have billions like a many of the MLB owners, it’s easy to move on to other play things.  

Thinking about a potential season, I know I am, like many, anxious and excited to see Gerrit Cole in Pinstripes but I am equally excited to see the potential of young players who will get their first significant opportunities for the Show, like Michael King, Deivi Garcia, and others. 

I can still remember when Don Mattingly was in the minors and referred to as “just a singles hitter”. The excitement of opportunity and changing perceptions is the beautiful aspect of our favorite sport. Mike Ford surprised many people last year. Going into the season, it appeared he was just another name on a long list of prospects that would probably need a change of scenery for any hope to accomplish his Major League dreams. A Ryan McBroom type of dump on the Kansas City Royals (no disrespect to McBroom…just making the point that the door of opportunity never opened for him at Yankee Stadium). I want to see what Ford can do now that his stock has been raised in the eyes of the Yankees. I like the current combo of Ford and Luke Voit, certainly more so than the previous Voit/Greg Bird duo. I liked Bird but you couldn’t trust him to stay healthy. Ford seems more durable. They may not be Mattingly, Tino Martinez, Jason Giambi or Mark Teixeira, but they can be World Series champions.   

Photo Credit: AP

Is Gio Urshela for real? This remains a valid question. I am glad the roster includes Miguel Andujar, defensive shortcomings and all, as a fallback plan if Urshela proves to be a one season wonder. Ideally, I hope Gio builds upon last season and is even better, with greater consistency, this season. There’s a role for Andujar on this team regardless of what happens with Gio.  

If I have one big concern, it has to be the mystery of Aaron Judge’s health. We really need Giancarlo Stanton to stay healthy so that he can be the monster bat if Judge is not ready for whatever reason. It seems weird that I am more concerned about Judge’s health than Stanton’s but it is what it is. I think Judge is such an important part of the team and I don’t want to see injuries derail his luster in the Bronx and lead to an eventual premature exit. For Stanton, I would just like to see a strong beginning to end with no or minimal time on the DL. I may be asking for a lot but the lineup is better with one or both of these guys in it. 

While I think Aaron Boone has really grown into a great manager, I am interested in seeing how the dynamics of a new bench coach play out with Carlos Mendoza taking over for the departed Josh Bard. We didn’t really get to see much of the relationship during the shortened Spring Training in late February and early March. I am excited for Mendy and I think he’ll be successful in his new role. He certainly has the command and respect of the players. A bench coach is a bit of an unsung role but the power of in-game decisions is hugely important and Boonie needs as much input as possible to make the best possible decisions. I know Bard is a smart guy but from the outside looking in, Mendy seems to be more of a players coach. I could be wrong on that one since I don’t have any insight into the relationships but from my outside view, there seems to be better trust in the new bench coach.  

Lastly, but most importantly…

Photo Credit: Adam Berry, Getty Images

This week has been a very challenging time for our Nation. I am not a political person and I don’t want to use the blog as a soap box, but I would be remiss for not saying anything. I believe George Floyd was a good man and I believe his death was wrong, so very wrong. I am grateful his killer has been charged with second degree murder but I want more, I want a conviction with the maximum sentence. I am glad his accomplices, the other Minneapolis police officers who stood by doing nothing, have also been charged. 

#BlackLivesMatter

Too many men and women have died unfairly for the color of their skin. White supremacy or privilege must end. We are all people with genuine feelings and emotions who love our friends and family. We’re all capable of accomplishing great things in this world and making it a better place for our children. I support the peaceful protests staged around the country, while separating the looting and violence as acts of ignorance and greed. I tend to be an eternal optimist but I hope the tragedy that befell George Floyd can be used to exact the necessary change from our country to make this a safer world for everyone and eliminate racial injustice forevermore. The realist in me knows this will be an ongoing fight but I truly hope we can make positive advances in the right direction and the end of wrongful injuries and death and police brutality are near. When we’re dead and gone, we’ll just be a collection of bones or ashes. The time to make a difference is now. Together, we can bring unity to the United States and make this a better place for everyone.  

As always, Go Yankees!

Ford v Voit...

Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

The Battle for First Base…

I guess you could call ‘Ford v Voit’, the prequel or sequel to the upcoming movie, Ford v Ferrari, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. The only difference is that the stars of Ford v Voit are Mike Ford and Luke Voit. I know, when the playoffs start, D.J. LeMahieu will be the first baseman for the New York Yankees. Undoubtedly, Voit will be on the playoff roster but the question on every Yankee fan’s mind is whether Ford is more deserving.

Since he returned from the Injured List on August 30th, Luke Voit has hit 2 home runs with 8 RBIs. He has 16 hits in 90 plate appearances with .208 batting average, .322 OBP, .351 SLG, .297 wOBA, and 83 wRC+. His strike-out percentage is 30.0%.

Given Mike Ford has not had the same number of plate appearances over the same time period due to limited play, let’s take Ford’s view back to August 11th, which gives him 91 plate appearances for comparable comparison. Since that time, Ford has 26 hits, 9 home runs and 17 RBIs, and has scored the same number of runs as Voit (11).  His batting line is .310 batting average, .363 OBP, .690 SLG, .427 wOBA, and 171 wRC+. His strikeout percentage is only 14.3%. 

Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez, AP

Based on numbers alone, Ford seems to be the guy. He has shown a knack for the big hit and I don’t think I’ve seen many guys who are as appreciative of being a big leaguer as Mike Ford. I suspect the Yankees will go with Voit over Ford based on the larger body of work, but there’s no doubt in my mind they would be better off with Ford, especially with his proven ability to pinch hit successfully. I am not convinced Voit is completely healthy. Look, I wish Voit was tearing the cover off the ball and making the first base competition a non-issue like he did with Greg Bird. But he’s not, and right now, at this moment in time, Ford is the better player. Regardless of the choice made by the Yankees, I am glad we have LeMahieu to cover first. Gio Urshela at third is better than having Voit or Ford at first, allowing the Yankees to use D.J. at the position of need. I don’t envy the Yankees for the upcoming roster decisions. I am sure they will make the right choices to put the Yankees in the best possible situation as we move into October.  

Like many, I was disappointed with the lackluster play by the Yankees this past week when they dropped both games of the two-game set in Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, FL to the Tampa Bay Rays. I bet the Cleveland Indians were disappointed as well as it gave the Rays the Wild Card advantage and set the stage for the Rays to eliminate the Indians last night when the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland fell to the Bryce Harper-less NL Wild Card Washington Nationals. With their pitching staff, the Indians would have been a threat in a short series but now we’ll never know. Meanwhile, there could be playoff baseball at the ugly warehouse known as Tropicana Field. The Oakland A’s lost last night so the Rays and A’s have the same record at 96-64. The A’s hold the tie-breaker with the season series advantage, but with two games left, the Rays have the potential to top the A’s by at least one game which would bring post-season baseball to the junk tank that no one attends. If for no other reason than the teams’ respective fans, I hope the Oakland A’s beat the Rays in the Wild Card game next week. I think the A’s have the best chance of defeating the Houston Astros which, if the Yankees can advance past the ALDS, would give them home field advantage.  

Despite the hate he receives on Social Media from Yankee fans, I am glad Giancarlo Stanton is a Yankee. He’s finally healthy, and was 3-for-3 last night with a monster home run and a couple of walks. He can be an October difference-maker. We should appreciate what Stanton can be for this team. The one-time NL MVP can carry a team on his back. His presence helps those around him. There’s nothing wrong with a guy that can force pitchers to throw better pitches to Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. I am content watching Stanton’s bat shut up the haters. He remains one of the game’s best and most feared players.

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

I was a little concerned when the Yankees pulled James Paxton after an inning last night but the team doesn't seem concerned about the tight glute that caused the Yankees to protect their ace. Hopefully this won't be a recurring problem as the Yankees clearly need Paxton to be successful.

Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez, AP

The Yankees took the team home run lead over the Minnesota Twins last night, with six bombs compared to Minnesota’s two dingers in a weather-shortened game. The Twins had entered the day with 301 home runs, and the Yankees were two behind at 299. The day ended with the Yankees ahead, 305 to 303. This is probably a stat the fans want more than the players, but still, it’s fun to watch. It seems like when the Twins extend the current MLB record for team homers, people act like the Twins won the seventh game of the World Series. When the Yankees surge ahead, it is the quiet rumble of a late March spring training game. It’s amazing to think when the Minnesota Twins travel to Yankee Stadium next week, the ALDS will feature teams that have combined for over 600 home runs.  

I admit I was one of Brett Gardner’s biggest detractors last off-season. I was ready to move on and give the backup outfield role to younger players. I certainly never expected Gardy to hit 28 home runs. He’s been so invaluable this season with the plethora of injuries. As a result, I’d like to see the Yankees bring Gardy back next year on another one-year deal. As a team leader, he brings so many intangibles to the clubhouse. There’s no way to expect another 28 home runs next season, but his leadership is invaluable, especially with CC Sabathia soon stepping away. Last off-season, I was ready for Clint Frazier to be the fourth outfielder. This off-season, I will be anxiously awaiting the deal that puts Frazier in another uniform. Moving forward, I do feel Mike Tauchman will be the fourth outfielder but there’s room on the team for Brett Gardner too, especially with active rosters increasing from 25 to 26 next season.  

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

Maybe when the Yankees ship Frazier away, they should include Chance Adams. He’s been such a disappointment. He was handed an 11-run lead last night in the bottom of the 9th, and he proceeded to give up four runs on a couple of homers until he was mercifully replaced by Nestor Cortes, Jr, who only needed three pitches to record two outs and close out the game. I have no trust in Adams and I think I’ve seen enough. Hopefully the Yankees have too. I feel much better with Michael King and Deivi Garcia as the arms of the future. Adams has had his chance and he’s failed.   

It’s hard to believe that this is the final regular season weekend of the year. It seems like we were just in Spring Training with Troy Tulowitzki pimping the home run off his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays. But 103 wins later, the regular season is over in less than 48 hours. I can’t say that I would have ever envisioned how this season would play out or that the Yankees would have more than 100 wins with the record-setting number of injuries the team has suffered. But here we are. Last season, our social media feeds were overflowing with Red Sox posts but they’ve been largely silent for most of this season. Note to the last man out of Fenway Park tomorrow, please shut out the lights. The stadium’s services are no longer needed this year and that feels great to say. 

I am very proud of the 2019 New York Yankees, and I look forward to next week’s ALDS against the Minnesota Twins. I don’t buy the claims the Yankees own the Twins. All bets are off, and I am sure the Twins will come to play. Hopefully the Yankees emerge from the series with three wins and an invitation to play the Houston Astros, Oakland A’s or Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series. But first, Mission Beat Minnesota is the focus. Hopefully the Twins continue the Minnesota tradition of my beloved Vikings, the failure to win the big games.   

Let’s Go Yankees!

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!

On A Clear Day, I Can See Toronto...

The Dog Days of Spring…

One week to go until the games become “real”. The thought of Toronto, Canada on a day in late March gives me a rather chilly feeling but watching the Yankees play brings the necessary warmth. The current weather forecast calls for cloudy skies with an expected high of 47 degrees and a 20% chance of precipitation. Nevertheless, the temp inside the Rogers Centre should be very comfortable for the away team. Let the homers begin!

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

It sounds like Manager Aaron Boone intends to have his 25-man roster in place by the weekend. I was surprised to see that first baseman Tyler Austin didn’t make the cut. I assume that places Neil Walker and Austin Romine as the backup first basemen. The speculation is that the Yankees will carry 13 pitchers and 12 position players. We know that Tyler Wade has made the team as the second baseman and Brandon Drury will be the starter at third. So, the bench appears to be Austin Romine, Neil Walker, and Ronald Torreyes as it appears that neither Jacoby Ellsbury nor Clint Frazier will be ready. Under this scenario, the Yankees won’t carry a fifth outfielder with Ellsbury expected to open the season on the disabled list. The outfield rotation would be limited to the four outfielders currently in play (Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton) using the DH slot primarily for Stanton and Judge. This is where multi-position versatility is very helpful. Although Drury has only played third base for the Yankees, he was the starting second baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks last year and he has also seen time in the outfield for the Snakes. Torreyes as the emergency catcher is funny but it makes sense. Walker will be all over the infield except shortstop and catcher. 

Photo Credit: MLB.com

So it appears the critical decision with be the 13^th pitcher.  Luis Cessa simply no longer has my trust or support. I do not want him as the rotation’s “sixth man” and after a good Spring, I feel much better about Domingo German in that role. I thought this would be the breakout year for Ben Heller but he had a few rough outings recently and has found himself with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. There is still time for him to shine but it won’t be at the start of the season. I really like Jonathan Holder. He blazed through the Yankees farm system until struggling last year. I am convinced he will be much stronger this year. So, for me, I’d like to see either German or Holder get the last spot on the 25-man roster. German would be a true long man, but if the Yankees need an emergency starter, there’s always the Scranton Shuttle. I’d probably go with Holder to start the season but like last year, the final spot on the roster will be very fluid. 

I was surprised to see the return of Rule 5 draftee Anyelo Gomez from the Atlanta Braves.  We know that the Braves will be bad this year. I thought they’d bite the bullet and keep Gomez on the MLB roster all season to keep the talented young pitcher. But Gomez’s performance spiraled downward as the MLB-caliber competition in exhibition games increased and it led to Atlanta’s decision to offer Gomez back to the Yankees. Similarly, Jose Mesa, Jr has struggled with the Baltimore Orioles and he was designated for assignment this week when the O’s signed free agent pitcher Alex Cobb. If Mesa clears waivers, the O’s will have to offer him back to the Yankees. So, this leaves only Nestor Cortes, Jr (Orioles) and Mike Ford (Mariners) as the only Rule 5 draftees still with the teams that selected them from the Yankees in December. I remain convinced Cortes will make the O’s Opening Day Roster despite the three-run homer that he gave up to Aaron Judge in yesterday’s exhibition game. I still expect Ford to be offered back to the Yankees by the Mariners in a numbers crunch at first base. 

Photo Credit: MLB.com

Speaking of the Mariners, I was saddened to learn that former Yankees reliever David Phelps will miss the upcoming season with a torn UCL that requires Tommy John surgery. I thought it was cool that Ichiro Suzuki had followed Phelps to the Yankees, Miami Marlins and then back to Seattle. Now, it appears their reunion on the active regular season roster will be delayed assuming that Ichiro continues to play for the M’s beyond this year. We wish David the very best with his surgery and recovery.  Hope to see him back in the Mariners’ bullpen sometime next year and as good as ever (except when he pitches against the Yankees, of course).

Photo Credit: Seattle Times (Ken Lambert)

If you have a subscription to The Athletic, you should be sure to check out Marc Carig’s piece this morning on Brandon Drury entitled “Brandon Drury brings a serious edge to Yankees clubhouse”. Drury has become one of my favorite players in a short period of time. I love his quiet intensity. Like many believe including Yankees GM Brian Cashman, I feel very strongly that Drury’s best days are ahead. I think he’ll be a force at third base and will make us forget we ever knew Chase Headley or Todd Frazier. I am very pleased to see Carig covering the Yankees again after a few years away on the Mets beat. He’s an excellent writer and very insightful. Solid work, once again, by Carig.

It’s been tough with no televised Yankees games for the last few days. Fortunately, the Yankees will be on ESPN2 this afternoon against Jake Cave and the Minnesota Twins. I haven’t seen the lineups for the game yet but hopefully we’ll see Cave. I haven’t been following the Twins so I assume that Cave is remains in the Major League camp. The scheduled starter for the Twins will be former Yankee Phil Hughes. 

7 Days to Toronto. I’m ready. You’re ready. They’re ready. Let’s Go Yankees!

Giancarlo Stanton vs the Miami Marlins...

Looking Forward to Today’s Game…

Today’s Spring Game featuring the Miami Marlins at Steinbrenner Field is one I’ve been looking forward to all Spring. When the Yankees traveled to Jupiter, FL last Sunday, Giancarlo Stanton didn’t make the trip and the game was not televised. That’s not the case today. Stanton is in the lineup and the game will be on TV (YES Network). 

For the game starting at 1:05 pm Eastern, here is the scheduled lineup:

Brett Gardner, CF

Aaron Judge, RF

Greg Bird, 1B

Giancarlo Stanton, LF

Gary Sanchez, C

Didi Gregorius, SS

Neil Walker, 2B

Brandon Drury, 3B

Tyler Austin, DH

The starting pitcher will be Luis Severino. The starter for the Marlins will be a familiar face (Caleb Smith). Another former Yankee (Garrett Cooper) will be the starting right fielder for the Fish. It’s always good to see the great Don Mattingly even if he is tasked to lead the Stanton/Ozuna/Yelich-less Marlins for CEO Derek Jeter.

It would be fun to see Stanton go yard against his old club today. It would have been nice to see old friend Starlin Castro but as with most veterans, he did not make the road trip. Nevertheless, as noted above, there is no shortage of former Yankees in the park.  

Photo Credit: Bryan Hoch, via Twitter

By Order of Aaron Boone…

The Yankees announced the order of the starting rotation on Saturday. Luis Severino gets the Opening Day assignment at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada on March 29th against the Blue Jays. I thought the honor would go to Masahiro Tanaka as the recognized ace of the staff but there’s no disputing that Sevy was the Yankees’ best starter in 2017 when he finished third in the AL Cy Young voting behind elite starters Corey Kluber and Chris Sale. 

1.  Luis Severino

2.  Masahiro Tanaka

3.  CC Sabathia

4.  Sonny Gray

5.  Jordan Montgomery

At first, I was surprised when I saw that Gray was penciled in behind Sabathia but it does make sense to break up Sabathia and Montgomery. You can also insert short jokes about Sonny Gray here while stating he gives hitters a different look between the two left-handed six-foot-sixers. Admittedly, I am a little concerned about Sabathia pitching on the turf at Rogers Centre with his balky knee. Boone had better get the bullpen up early in that game.

Jordan Montgomery draws the assignment for the home opener at Yankee Stadium on Monday, April 2nd against the Tampa Bay Rays.  

Congratulations to Severino for his anointment as the King of the Pitching staff. I suspect it will be many years before he is ready to relinquish the crown. Hard to believe the guy is only 24 years old. Unless the Yankees sign Clayton Kershaw next off-season (very unlikely), Severino should have an extended reign.

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

The Rule 5 Draft Revisited…

2017 Rule 5 Draft - Major League Phase - Yankees Lost

Round 1, 7th Selection:  RHP Anyelo Gomez, Atlanta Braves

Round 1, 9th Selection:  LHP Nestor Cortes, Baltimore Orioles

Round 1, 11th Selection:  1B Mike Ford, Seattle Mariners

Round 3, 18th Selection:  RHP Jose Mesa, Jr, Baltimore Orioles

Last year, the Yankees lost catcher Luis Torrens when he stuck on the MLB roster for the San Diego Padres all season long despite batting .163/.243/.203 with .446 OPS. He didn’t have any home runs and only 7 RBI’s in 56 games and 139 plate appearances. The Padres can now send the 21-year-old to the Minors for more seasoning with no fear of losing him.

As prospects continue to season in the Yankees farm system, there will be more significant losses in the years ahead. You cannot protect everyone on the 40-man roster when they become Rule 5 eligible and this figures to get more challenging over the course of the next few seasons.

Anyelo Gomez, Braves

Spring Stats:

1-1, 10.80 ERA, 7 games, 8.1 innings pitched, 10 hits, 10 runs (earned), 4 BB, 6 SO’s

Gomez was having a good Spring for the Braves until he got hammered by the Toronto Blue Jays last Tuesday, giving up four runs over two innings. However, MLB.com is still projecting that he’ll make the Braves Opening Day roster despite the hiccup. Expectations are low for the Braves this year so they can afford to take their chances with the talented young right-hander.

Photo Credit: Atlanta Braves

Nestor Cortes, Jr, Orioles

Spring Stats:

0-1, 4.35 ERA, 4 games (3 starts), 10.1 innings pitched, 12 hits, 5 runs (earned), 3 BB, 9 SO’s

Cortes is getting a long look in O’s camp as he is second on the team with most innings pitched. Given the dearth of pitching for the Orioles, it is a certainty that he’ll break camp with the big league club. He is under consideration for the rotation and even if he is not successful, he’ll be moved to the bullpen for now. I am not expecting Cortes to come back.

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Rob Carr)

Mike Ford, Mariners

Spring Stats:

.182/.321/.341, .662 OPS, 20 games, 44 at-bats, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 8 walks

When training camp first opened and Ford started strong for the Mariners, I thought he was a lock to make the Mariners (especially when it was announced that new starting first baseman Ryon Healy had surgery to remove a bone spur in his right hand). But Ford has cooled off and Healy is not expected to miss much time, if any. Daniel Vogelbach (.400, 4 HR, 10 RBI) has had a much stronger Spring than Ford and appears to be the leader for first base behind Healy. If Healy starts the season on the DL, Ford could make the Opening Day roster but I doubt he sticks for the entire season. Healy feels that he will be ready for Opening Day. He made his first appearance of the Spring yesterday against the Los Angeles Angels and was 1-for-3 with a RBI double. More than likely, Ford will be back to take his place as the starting first baseman for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.

Photo Credit: The Seattle Times (Ken Lambert)

Jose Mesa, Jr, Orioles

Spring Stats:

3-1, 5.87 ERA, 5 games, 7.2 innings pitched, 10 hits, 5 runs (earned), 7 BB, 5 SO’s

Looking a pure numbers, it would seem unlikely that Mesa would stick on the Orioles roster but then again, we’re talking about the Orioles and their underwhelming cast of pitchers. While I think it’s unlikely they would carry two Rule 5 pitchers on the active roster, it is a strong possibility that both Cortes and Mesa will make the Opening Day roster. Whether Mesa remains there all season remains to be seen. 

Of these players, I think Ford and Mesa are the players most likely to be returned to the Yankees. Dependent upon performance (or maybe not as Luis Torrens showed), I think that Gomez and Cortes are gone for good.

Photo Credit: AP (Chris O'Meara)

2017 Rule 5 Draft - Triple A Phase -Yankees Lost

These players were lost and will not be returning to the Yankees organization.

Round 1, 18th Selection:  RHP Yancarlos Baez, Minnesota Twins

Round 2, 32nd Selection:  C Sharif Othman, Miami Marlins

I guess it’s a good problem to have when your team has so many strong prospects that good players are lost (“the cup runneth over”) but it’s still painful to see these guys that we’ve cared for thrive in other uniforms with no return for the Yankees. I know, that’s a bit of a ‘prospect-hugging’ statement. Seriously, I do hope they find MLB success. I just hope it isn’t against the Yankees.  

Finally...

As we begin the last full week before the start of the regular season on Thursday, March 29th, the answers for the Yankees’ Opening Day Roster seem to be taking shape. However, the one question I am already tired of is ‘will Jacoby Ellsbury begin the season on the DL?’ Of course he will…next question. Regardless of whether or not Ellsbury is ready, I don’t really care. The guy has become an afterthought for me. If he helps the team this year, fantastic. But let’s just say that I am keeping expectations low…very low. A good player “when on the field”, but that’s not a bet I’d want to make. He becomes a greater injury risk with each passing year and he was already the King of the DL dating back to his Red Sox days (with no intended offense to Troy Tulowitzki who certainly has every right to lay claim to the throne).

Danny Espinosa was 4-for-4 with a RBI in his Spring debut with the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday. Where was that bat during his few weeks with the Yankees this month? That’s the right way to make a good impression for his new club. The odds are against him making the Blue Jays’ MLB roster to open the season but days like yesterday certainly help. Jake Cave’s debut for the Minnesota Twins didn’t go so well. He started in center field and was 0-for-3 with a strikeout in a game that saw former Yankee Phil Hughes get hammered for 9 runs (5 earned) in 3 1/3 innings.

It will soon be game time for Yankees-Marlins. Let’s Go Yankees!