Top Posts from 2014 on The Greedy Pinstripes

It's been a good year for the blog so there is no other time to look back and be appreciative then one Day One of a new year. Well I slacked, slept late and didn't get to this until Day Two.... whoops. It's officially 2015 but one last time we're going to look back at 2014 and not so much at what the Yankees were doing as much as what we on the blog were doing. Hope you enjoy.

The most viewed post this season was far and away the one that showcased another possibility to terminate the contract of Alex Rodriguez. The hate of the centaur continues....

Dan Pfieffer broke Twitter without a champagne glass when he reported that the New York Yankees had offered Max Scherzer a contract. That was on November 29th, FYI. 

For some reason our third highest viewed post of the calendar year reported the news that the Yankees had sent Chase Whitley down to the minors and called up Zelous Wheeler in a corresponding roster move. Weird but okay, we'll take it. 

By far my favorite post, maybe of all time, was my George Steinbrenner and the Ghosts of Yankees Past Christmas themed post I did on Christmas Eve. It didn't do nearly as well as a quick two minute Zelous Wheeler post which was discouraging but it was still far and away my favorite. 

Just a day earlier another very time consuming post was posted showcasing every single significant trade of the Brian Cashman tenure in pinstripes. 

Yankees Sell Zelous Wheeler to Japan

The New York Yankees have announced the selling of the rights to infielder Zelous Wheeler to the Rakuten Golden Eagles, Masahiro Tanaka's former team. Wheeler likely wanted to play in Japan and asked the team for the sale so the Yankees clear a 40 man roster spot and save some cash while Zelous gets what he wants. Win-win for everybody.

Possible 40 Man Cuts for the Yankees

We looked at the Yankees Rule 5 Draft eligible players that will need to be protected by being added to the 40 man rosters and we looked at potential impact players off the 40 man roster but we haven't mentioned the players that could be non-tendered contracts or ultimately cut,released, or designated for assignment off the 40 man roster. Until today, anyway.

I believe Ivan Nova will start the season on the 60 day DL as he continues to rehab his Tommy John surgery so there is an immediate open roster spot until at least May or June at the best.

Preston Claiborne struggled in 2014 and fell out of Joe Girardi's circle of trust. He also missed much of the 2014 season battling a shoulder injury. He will be there for the Yankees if a batter option does not present itself but could easily be one of the first to go if the team decided to break camp with a Tyler Webb or Jacob Lindgren. Esmil Rogers and David Huff fall into the same category as Claiborne in my opinion although Rogers comes with a much heftier price tag than Claiborne does.

With the Yankees carrying five catchers on their 40 man roster and Gary Sanchez sniffing Triple-A one of the catchers is likely to be moved or traded. When I say I moved I mean, for example, moving Austin Romine to first base to act as a backup for Mark Teixeira. Obviously he or John Ryan Murphy could be traded as well as Francisco Cervelli. I cannot see a scenario where the Yankees carry five catchers again with such a 40 man roster crunch this season.

Zelous Wheeler seemed like a lock to at least attend spring training with the Yankees in 2015 before Jose Pirela made an immediate impact in the majors. Now Wheeler could easily be released for DFA'd to make room for the soon to be minor league free agent Pirela.

Eury Perez, Antoan Richardson, and Ramon Flores all fall into the light hitting speedy outfielder that come into games to steal bases and play defense category. Why keep all three? Or any of them to be honest? We have Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner and could retain Ichiro Suzuki if we chose to. I don't personally see a need, or not a bigger need than a right handed power bat off the bench.

Capuano's Gem Leads Yankees to Low-Scoring Win Over Red Sox

Chris Capuano gave up no earned runs in 6 2/3 innings and Francisco Cervelli reached base three times tonight as the Yankees took the opener of this season-ending series, 3-2, with a nice effort against the Red Sox.

In his start this evening, likely his last with the team, Capuano had arguably his best outing since coming over from the Rockies, surrendering just four hits while striking out five for his third win of the year.

Still, after a Chris Young fielding error helped Bryce Brentz get an RBI in the bottom of the second Capuano and the Yankees trailed 1-0 early, a deficit they'd quickly erase in their half of the third.

Facing Boston knuckleballer Steven Wright with Eurey Perez on second in that frame, the aforementioned Cervelli lined one off the Green Monster for a run-scoring single, a clutch knock that was followed by a Mookie Betts bad throw two batters late to plate the former.

So, thanks to those plays and the recurring dominance of Capuano, New York led 2-1 until after Wright's removal before the sixth, when Zelous Wheeler drove John Ryan Murphy home with a sac fly that provided the bullpen with all the support they needed.

Granted, the first pitch Shawn Kelley threw to Rusney Castillo with two outs in the seventh was hit into the left field parking lot, but since the Adam Warren/David Robertson duo was able to pick up the slack in the last two innings things still worked out for the visitors in the end, with the save by Robertson going down as his 39th.

Young's Ninth Inning Homer Lifts Yankees to Thrilling Win Over Rays

Alex Cobb surrendered just a hit and an earned run in 7 1/3 innings and Michael Pineda gave up four times that in as many frames, but thanks to a late rally headed by Martin Prado and Chris Young the Yankees found a way to win tonight's rubber game over the Rays, 5-4, in what can only be described as amazing fashion.

Now as you can see by Cobb's final stats, the inconsistent Yanks' bats struggled for a good majority of this one, trailing 4-0 going into the last two innings due to a pair of home runs by Tampa Bay's Yunel Escobar.

Still, once Young doubled off Cobb with one out in the eighth frame (the Yankees' first hit of the game) to knock the right-hander out and Prado followed him with a two-run shot off Brad Boxberger the excitement began to go the home team's way, with New York's offense suddenly catching fire in their half of the ninth.

And yes, it was cool. 

After Rays' reliever Jake McGee hit Chase Headley in the mouth to start that at-bat, Ichiro laced a clutch double into the left-center field gap, moving pinch runner Austin Romine to third for Zelous Wheeler. 

No, Wheeler didn't get on base, but since his strikeout did still keep him out of a triple play the red-hot Young got another chance to hit, taking advantage of it by lining a fastball into the left-field stands.

In other words, in a thirty-minute span this evening things went from the-Yankees-are-going-to-get-no-hit to playoffs?, a strange happening I'm sure they'll happily take. 

McCann Hits Walk-Off Homer in Tenth as Yankees Complete Weekend Sweep of White Sox

Chris Capuano surrendered three earned runs in six innings and David Robertson blew a 4-3 lead in the ninth, but since the Ichiro Suzuki-led offense was able to rally from a 3-0 deficit against Chris Sale and Brian McCann took Jake Petricka deep for a PH three-run shot in the tenth the Yankees found a way to complete a sweep of the White Sox today, 7-4, in the finale at The Stadium.

Going into this one's bottom of the sixth, as expected, the Yanks were struggling at the plate against Sale, collecting just two hits while never getting to third.

Nonetheless, after Martin Prado reached second on a missed catch error by Dayan Viciedo and Mark Teixeira drove him in with double New York's bats found their swing, rallying for three more to take the advantage when Sale walked a pair, Zelous Wheeler got hit in the leg with the bases loaded, and Ichiro lined a two-run single to right.

Interestingly, each of those four trips around the bases was actually scored as unearned on Sale's final line, a fact that really shows the Yankees' ability to take advantage this afternoon.

Unfortunately, though, that at-bat still wouldn't end up being enough for the Yanks to get the W, as the usually-reliable Robertson surrendered a game-tying solo homer to Avisail Garcia in the top of the ninth.

No, that mistake didn't end things by any means, but yes, it certainly sucked the life out of the crowd, who went quiet the second it hit the seats.

Be that as it may, the Yanks eventually prevailed later on, with McCann winning the contest with two on and two out in the aforementioned tenth.

Yankees Call Up Zelous Wheeler, Demote Chase Whitley

The New York Yankees have called up Zelous Wheeler for an extra player on the bench and have sent Chase Whitley down to Triple-A. The Yankees have been going with a short bench in recent weeks and Whitley has been struggling coming out of the bullpen so the move makes some sense. Considering that Beltran’s elbow is barking again it also makes sense to have a guy that can play both in the infield and the outfield like Wheeler can.

I am somewhat surprised that the Yankees didn’t call up the other “Z man” Zoilo Almonte to help replace Beltran but Wheeler is more versatile and flexible than Almonte is. 

Quick Hit: Possible September Call Ups For Yankees

Here is a short list of possible September call ups for the Yankees next month. To be a September call up obviously you must be on the 40 man roster, not that players cannot be added after the fact so keep that in mind when you read this list. It's also a total guess at it, anyway I digress, but here you go with the list:


100% coming up:

Jacob Lindgren - LHP
Zoilo Almonte - OF
Zelous Wheeler - INF
John Ryan Murphy - C

Maybe coming up:

Ramon Flores - OF
Austin Romine - C
Jose Ramirez - RHP
Bryan Mitchell - RHP

Not likely to come up:

Slade Heathcott - OF (DL)
Gary Sanchez - C
Preston Claiborne - RHP
Jose Campos - RHP
Manny Banuelos - LHP

Jose Pirela or Kyle Roller may be added to the 40 man roster as they both seem major league ready but that would be pure speculation at this point. Lindgren could easily help out the bullpen right now and Zoilo, Zelous, and Murphy helps New York on the bench. Heathcott, Campos, and Banuelos are hurt or still technically rehabbing injuries and are also unlikely to come up.

The Daily Dozen - July 27, 2014

THE DAILY  DOZEN
(Twelve Takeaways from Today's Game - July 27th, 2014)

1. Toronto jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on Shane Greene.  Mr. Greene responded well though holding Cabrera at 3rd base with only 1 out.  Impressive, most impressive.

2. Chase Headley came into the game batting .368 as a Yankee.  He went on to put the first Yankee run on the board with a solo blast in the 5th inning and is now batting .348...wow, what a slacker.  Let's hope he can continue producing and play a good hot corner.

3. I "watched" the game on Yahoo.com today.  It is amazing the different ways that an out can be made and the descriptive words that shape what you and I see in our mind as playing out.  For instance, Derek Jeter lines out to right field sounds much more impressive than Jeter pops up to second base.  Isn't technology great?

4. Congratulations to Mr. Joe Torre.  One of the all-time great Yankees Managers up there with Casey Stengel, John McGraw, Miller Huggins, Joe McCarthy, and dare I say Billy Martin.  Joe Torre entered the Hall of Fame with the 2014 Class along with other managers Tony LaRussa and Bobby Cox.  I saw an interesting stat today as well--the 2001 Diamondbacks team defeated LaRussa's Cardinals in the NLDS, Bobby Cox's Braves in the NLCS and Joe Torre's Yankees in the World Series...how cool is that?  Does that mean Bob Brenly is destined for the Hall?  To be the BEST, you have to BEAT the best.  The Hall of Fame also announced changes in their voting today only allowing for players to be on the ballot for 10 years if they get 5% of the vote each year.  Don Mattingly and 2 others are grandfathered in and Donnie Baseball will have his 15th season on the ballot next year.  I will write in depth about that in the offseason I'm sure.

Welcome to the Hall Mr. Torre! (Source: MLB Twitter)

What a Hall of Fame Class! (Source: NY Post)

5. The Yankees and Wheeler's base running mistake made J.A. Happ look like Cy Young through 4 innings. What does J.A. stand for anyways?  James Anthony...there you go...I wonder if he and J.R. Murphy...errr...John Murphy ever hang out.

6. Zelous Wheeler made up for his mistake in the bottom of the inning.  Playing right field can't be that hard, can it?  I mean Mr. Wheeler gunned down perennial Yankee Killer Dan Johnson at the plate to end another Blue Jays threat.

7. Mr. TULOWIZKI Troy Tulowitzki was seen at Yankee Stadium today.  The funny thing is that the Rockies aren't in New York playing the Mets...in fact they were at home playing Pittsburgh.  Interesting...interesting indeed.

"Please trade for me...pretty please!!!!!  Man...
I kind of look like Money Manziel in this picture..."

8. There were some unlikely Bombers in the 5th inning.  Back-to-back, belly-to-belly, we got home runs from Headley and Cervelli! I'm a poet and didn't even know it.

9. David Huff = White Flag.  I would be interested to know how many games the Yankees win when Mr. Huff makes an appearance.  I'll get the TGP Research Dept right on figuring out that stat.  May have to make a new dictionary entry for the Huffster.

10. Scoring on Betances is hard work.  Today it was easy for the Blue Jays as he did all of the work for them.  A walk, followed by a throwing error allowing the baserunner to get to third, and a sacrifice fly in the 8th inning.  The pesky Blue Jays just wouldn't go away today.

11. The Yankees have battling back lately.  Not only that but they have been actually scoring late in games.  They are starting to remind me of the 2009 Yankees team...I know I've said it before, but these guys really have fought hard.  Everytime the Jays scored, the Yanks came right back at them...except for in the 9th...but this type of effort bodes well for the team.  They have lost 2 in a row but both losses had comebacks.

Well...sans this guy...

12. The Blue Jays had not won a game in 17 going back to August of 2012.  They erased that streak yesterday.  They had not won a series at Yankee Stadium since the same time in 2012.  They erased that mark today and are now a game ahead of the Yankees in the 2nd Wild Card position.  That's okay, the Yankees see the Jays 7 more times this season to get them back.

The Daily Dozen - July 22, 2014

THE DAILY   DOZEN
(Twelve Takeaways from Tonight's Game - July 22nd, 2014)

1. Both teams started with singles and neither pays off.  These teams may be the worst offensive teams in the history of the game.  Yes I am exaggerating, but when is the last time that both of these organizations were this poor at scoring runs or hitting home runs for that matter?

2. Leonys Martin robbed McCann in the 2nd inning.  Just filthy.

YOINK! (Photo Courtesy of MLB.com and My9)

3. Who is this Daniel Robertson guy that keeps getting singles?  I really don't recognize the Texas lineup what with Adduci, Martin, Chirinos, Odor, and Robertson...where did Hamilton and Cruz go? Wink, wink...

4. El Duque was on the My9 broadcast tonight.  Good ol' Orlando Hernandez.  Who wouldn't give their left arm for a pitcher like him in the rotation right now? Or Mike Mussina? I bet either one of those guys could still give the Yanks more than some of these current guys.

Bring Back El Duque!

5. Somehow Chase Whitley became Cy Young since his last start.  Over 6 innings he struck out 6 and gave up 6 singles (and 1 double).  Then Matt Thornton relieves him after a base hit in the 7th after he shut the Rangers out and had the opportunity to lose the game (re: Thorntoned).  Whitley must be pitching out of his mind to protect his place as the best Chase on the team (re: Chase Headley trade).

6. Wheeler is so slow that the ball can bounce off of Beltre and go to Andrus and he will still be out.  In all seriousness that was a great 5-6-3 put out by the left side of the Rangers infield.

7. Paul O'Neill brought up a good point about specialization.  Kids are playing baseball year round and I believe it is resulting in more Tommy John surgeries.  By the time kids make the major leagues they have literally YEARS of wear and tear on those ligaments throwing sliders, curveballs, and cut fastballs.  They don't play other sports and give their arms a rest.

8. I hate the shift...and so does Brian McCann.

9. Isn't it strange how certain players are going on or just coming off the DL?  Guys that the Yankees have reported interest in or that the blogosphere reportedly reports that the Yankees have interest in...Cliff Lee, Troy Tulowitzki...just a thought.

Tulowitzki on the DL with a strained mullet...

10. Who tries to bunt with 2 strikes?  The Texas Rangers that's who!  But seriously, you have to be pretty handy with the stick if you know what I mean...earn your keep...FOUL! Out...Texas is 5-24 in their last 29 games for a reason.  Of course they are 1-0 in their last 1 against the Bronx Bombless.

11.  August 7, 2009.  According to Michael Kay, that was the last date that there was a scoreless game going into the 7th inning at Yankee Stadium.  I can confirm that since I was at that game...it was a Friday night to remember in the Bronx...the kind of night that said "Hey--this team might just win the World Series".  Of course that Yankees team was 67-42 after the win and by the way...Alex Rodriguez was 2 for 7 that night with a walk-off 2-run homer in the bottom of the 15th knocking in Robinson Cano...anyone miss them yet?

Here's Proof (Screenshot Courtesy of ESPN.com)

12. Derek Jeter eclipses Gehrig once again.  He recorded his 535th double in his career surpassing Lou Gehrig for 1st on the Yankees all-time list.  He didn't have an extra base hit in his last 68 at-bats.  Why is he retiring again?

Couple of First-Ballot HOFers!

The Daily Dozen - July 9, 2014

THE DAILY DOZEN
(Twelve Takeaways from Tonight's Game - July 9th, 2014 Edition)

1a. I had this mostly written during the long stretch of non-scoring between both teams.  

UPDATE: Ellsbury wins with a HR in the 14th! Boy was that last out scary!  I am getting too old for 14 inning games that last until Midnight.

1b. Nick Swisher continues to kill the Yankees. His 2-run single in the 1st virtually knocked McCarthy out of the game.  But for once the Yankees were able to score past the 3rd inning.  How about that strikeout in the 10th with the bases loaded though?  Weren't we all expecting him to at least get a sacrifice fly to win the game?

"Come on! You know you love me!"

2. How many times have Yankees opponents scored with 2 outs?  No seriously I want to know this...I tweeted during the game to the crack staff at the YES Network but as of yet haven't heard back.

3. The Yankees are really just losing to lesser teams to keep more teams in the playoff race.  They are all about making things competitive and ensuring that EVERY game counts! Heavy Sarcasm...

4. Welcome Back to the American League Brandon McCarthy!  After a rough 1st inning against (once again) a very good Indians offense, he was able to settle down only giving up only 1 more run the rest of his outing.  With the news of Tanaka heading to the DL, the Yankees can use every decent start they can get.  Of course Nuno pitched lights out for Arizona last night in his debut...

"Really glad to be on a playoff contender...wait, what? Tanaka is on the DL?..."

5. If Ichiro bats the ball to 3rd base...it's over.  Don't even attempt to throw the ball to first.  Seriously..don't.

6. Tanaka joins an ever-increasing list of Yankees on the DL.  Literally the entire starting rotation sans Kuroda is on the DL.  This is starting to look like 2013 all over again.  Gardner is hurt, Beltran is ailing, who's next? (Please no one...)

7. Having 2 players with first names starting with 'Z' is not as intimidating as it sounds.  Could the offense besides Teixeira have any less pop?  #BronxBombless

He needs to go back to Staten Island...

8. I am convinced that the Indians got Chris Dickerson to mess with the Yankees.  I'm predicting he will be leaving town when the Yankees do.  He is the new #YankeeKiller.  Furthermore, I fully expected Jason Giambi to come out and pinch hit a walk-off home run.  Former Yankees are killing them this season.

9. I think it's time for a new direction.  It has been stated on here before, but Kevin Long needs to go.  The situational hitting stinks on this team and they have no POP.  Maybe a guy like TINO MARTINEZ could do something about it.  I am still convinced that the Yankees, even with the 09 World Series title made a mistake by not hiring Don Mattingly by the way...Just Saying...

Bring Back Tino AND Mattingly!

10. Is Teixeira's home run output worth his lofty contract.  After tonight I would instantly react with YES...he now has 17 home runs, on pace for another 30 HR season...probably closer to 35 HR as he starts out badly every year.  The thing that used to make his contract worth it, however, is his defense.  His defense isn't what it used to be...could be old age, could be all the nagging wrist injuries...

11. The name Asdrubal is the spanish version of the name Hasdrubal, which according to BehindTheName.com means God Helps...maybe the Yankees should really go after him in the offseason to replace Jeter...

12. Tomorrow night may be the last time that I get to see Derek Jeter play live.  VERY SAD.

Unless they make the playoffs...

Dean Anna Claimed By Pittsburgh

Breaking in with the yanks was great. Now I get to try with the Pirates. #IndyBound #bucs
— Dean Anna (@DinoBaseball247) July 5, 2014

From the man himself the New York Yankees shortstop Dean Anna will be heading to Pittsburgh to become a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Yankees designated Anna for assignment after calling up Zelous Wheeler after struggling at the major league level and in Triple-A this season. I knew he wouldn't clear waivers and I knew we would lose him for nothing, and we did. Not a major loss but I hate to lose depth to keep an overpaid veteran that is not performing in a job.

Yankees Call Up Zelous Wheeler

Could Brian Cashman and the Yankees be back to reading The Greedy Pinstripes? The Yankees offense has struggled mightily over the last few weeks, well all season if you want to be downright honest, and may get a shot in the arm from within. The Yankees called up Zelous Wheeler and will have him in Minnesota before tonight's game. No word yet on the corresponding roster move but a 40 man and 25 man roster spot must be cleared to accommodate Wheeler. Kelly Johnson DFA?

Wheeler is 27 years old and has put up a triple slash of .300/.368/.469 this season. Wheeler has played left field, right field, shortstop, and third base this season giving the Yankees added flexibility while clubbing nine home runs. 

Should have been Jose Pirela, and a Wheeler isn't the kind of guy to save us all, but it's going to be an upgrade and that works for me. 

Eat This, Not That: The Yankees Edition

Eat this: 

Adonis Garcia, outfielder: .312/.349/.460 in 232 PA

Not that:

Alfonso Soriano, outfielder: .232/.256/.391 in 219 PA

Eat this:

Kyle Roller, first basemen: .286/.366/.476 15 home runs

Not that:

Kelly Johnson, first base backup: .222/.294/.389 4 home runs

Eat this:

Jose Pirela, second basemen: .319/.358/.447 and 24 years old 

Not that:

Brian Roberts, second basemen: .244/.326/.344 and 36 years old

Eat this:

Zelous Wheeler, third basemen: .317/.369/.482

.

Not that:

This whole Yankees offense not named Mark Teixeira, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner, and Carlos Beltran.

Tanaka okay as Yanks clinch winning spring

Masahiro Tanaka gave up 3 earned runs in 5.2 innings and Scott Sizemore, Zelous Wheeler, and Roybell Herrera all drove in runs today as the Yankees impressively completed a 7-0 week with a road win over the Twins, 5-4. So yea, as you can see by that line, Tanaka was good here, but just not great. He struck out 6, but also gave up a not-so-pleasant 5 hits.

And to be honest, I'm a little concerned about this guy. Sure, he's still getting adjusted to having just 5 days of rest, but that doesn't mean that he has excuses for not looking sharp. I mean, he's getting paid $155 million, isn't he?

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 2/27

As we all probably know by now the Yankees dropped another game to the Pittsburgh Pirates today in the Grapefruit League. Probably not the way the Yankees wanted to start Derek Jeter's farewell tour, he made his spring debut today, but it's just spring. On to the other news and notes from the day.

Eduardo Nunez ate some bad salmon and blamed that on why he was not feeling well yesterday, Nunez says he is now feeling 100% after his 24 hour stomach bug. Eating some bad fish is better than the flu any day.

The Yankees have added Addison Maruszak to their spring camps and have got him a locker with his name above it. It was thought that Addison was just up for the day after being called up to replace the sick Nunez but he seems to be here to stay, at least for now.

David Herndon threw a simulated game today pitching to Jose Gil and facing Antoan Richardson and Zelous Wheeler.

Chad Jennings once again with the assignments for the day

Today’s bullpen sessions
Brian Gordon (to Francisco Arcia)
Bryan Mitchell (to Roman Rodriguez)
Shane Greene (to Pete O’Brien)
Vidal Nuno (to Jose Gil)
Matt Thornton (to Austin Romine)

· Batting practice groups (starts at 10:15):
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Ichiro Suzuki, Francisco Cervelli
Group 2: Russ Canzler, Brett Gardner, Kelly Johnson, Mason Williams
Group 3: Adonis Garcia, Jose Pirela, Brendan Ryan, Austin Romine
Group 4: Ramon Flores, Corban Joseph, Zelous Wheeler, John Ryan Murphy
Group 5: Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Alfonso Soriano, Brian McCann
Group 6: Eduardo Nunez, Scott Sizemore, Mark Teixeira, Pete O’Brien
Group 7: Zoilo Almonte, Dean Anna, Antoan Richardson, Gary Sanchez
Group 8: Yangervis Solarte, Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, Addison Maruszak

· Today’s second string: C John Ryan Murphy, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Corban Joseph, SS Brendan Ryan, 3B Zelous Wheeler, LF Jose Pirela, CF Ramon Flores, RF Adonis Garcia.

· Today’s available relievers: Jim Miller, Chris Leroux, Mark Montgomery, Robert Coello, Yoshinori Tateyama

· Tomorrow’s travel squad for Lakeland
Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Bruce Billings, Dan Burawa, Preston Claiborne, Matt Daley, Brian Gordon, Shawn Kelley, Fred Lewis, Adam Warren, Chase Whitley
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, Brian McCann, Pete O’Brien, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez
Infielders: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Corban Joseph, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Pirela, Brendan Ryan, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ramon Flores, Adonis Garcia, Antoan Richardson, Mason Williams
From minor league camp: Addison Maruszak, Caleb Cotham, Zach Nuding, Diego Moreno

Yankees Winter Ball Playoffs Update

Last month we gave you all an update from the various Winter Leagues that Yankees prospects were taking part in and now those same players are playing in the playoffs, time for another update.

Zoilo Almonte:

.262/.295/.333 and six RBI's in 10 playoff games

Jose Pirela:

.269/.321/.269 in six games, all in the outfield. Pirela is normally a middle infielder

Adonis Garcia:

.313/.371/.438 through seven playoff games all that third base. Garcia is normally an outfielder

Ronnier Mustelier:

.286/.375/.286 in only four games with zero power

Zelous Wheeler:

The new guy on the block posted a .318/.400/.500 through seven games

Yankees Sign Infielder Zelous Wheeler

The New York Yankees have signed infielder Zelous Wheeler to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training for 2014. Wheeler will provide the Yankees some much needed depth on the infield in AAA with Scranton this year and could be a a possible call up mid season if the need comes up. Wheeler is currently 27 years old and has made his name playing mostly third base but has also seen significant time at second base and some time at short stop as well  in the Baltimore Orioles system so he is a good guy to have around.

Wheeler put up a triple slash of .275/.354/.414 in 2013 and put up a seven year minor league career triple slash of .271/.366/.414 so he is not exactly a slouch with the bat. Granted all of these numbers are in the minor leagues as Wheeler has never had a cup of coffee in the major leagues but he was signed for Scranton, not the Yankees. A lot has to go wrong for us to have to use Wheeler this season but it never hurts to have him around just in case.