Saturday, July 21, 2012

Yankees @ A's 7/21/12

Cano's hit streak ends at 23 games

Yankees have lost 3 straight to the A's.
The sky is falling..

3-2 A's


Phil Hughes looks to stop the bleeding and a two game losing streak tonight in Oakland against the Oakland A's. Hughes will be on the mound for the Yankees and will be facing Jarrod Parker. The game will be televised at 9:05 pm ET on YES

Lineups

Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Mark Teixeira 1B
Raul Ibanez LF
Eric Chavez DH
Russell Martin C
Dewayne Wise RF

Go Yankees!!!

Mock Trade : Shane Victorino For DJ Mitchell


The Yankees need an outfielder, no if's and's or but's about it. Brett Gardner is more then likely gone for the year and now Swisher is out with his third or fourth leg injury this season including Spring Training. Shane Victorino is having his worst season of his career hitting a triple slash of .253/.316/.390. Granted, in limited time, Raul Ibanez only has a triple slash of .242/.301/.458 but Victorino is a speedy base stealing defensive first kind of outfielder... kind of like Brett Gardner. Add on top of that his $9.5 million salary, which will obviously be pro rated, and it seems like the last place Phillies would be willing to move him for cheap. That is where DJ Mitchell comes in.

DJ Mitchell , just for the record, is one guy that I absolutely love having on this team. He reminds me so much of Ramiro Mendoza in the Yankee Dynasty with that sinker, that composure, that small frame, etc. He has pitched well above his head this season in very limited action in the big leagues. If it were up to me I would rather give up SP Adam Warren then DJ but Warren is a starter and the Phillies may not be looking for one of those.The Phillies need a ton of help but I think they think that their major concern is the bullpen. DJ Mitchell is young and has 6 years of team control and is cheap, something a lot of Phillies cannot say right now, and could be attractive for the Phillies. 

Would the Phillies make this trade? I cannot say obviously. Would the Yankees and should the Yankees make this trade if it becomes available to them? Unfortunately I say , because I would rather a long term plan with Upton and save Mitchell, they have to.

Joba Chamberlain Shaky In 4th Rehab Appearance



Joba Chamberlain made his 4th rehab appearance, this time in High A Tampa. Joba allowed 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk in 2 IP. I do not guess that the stats really matter as long as the velocity and location look good and he comes out of it healthy. 19 of his 32 pitches were strikes and nothing has been released about his velocity but if it was down we would have heard about it, and beat it like a dead horse, by now so in closing.. color me NOT concerned. Get your work in Joba and we will see you in August.

UPDATE:


Joba was clocked in "the mid 90's" in his rehab appearance and there is a chance he will be activated before the end of July. He will throw a bullpen session, probably Monday, and then be tested in back to back games. If he comes through this ok he could be activated a few days later. Chad Qualls is on suicide watch.

Meet A Prospect : Austin Aune


The New York Yankees selected SS/CF Austin Aune with their second overall pick in the MLB First Year Player's Draft, the 89th overall pick. Austin spent his high school days playing for Argyle High School in Austin Texas. Austin signed an above slot deal of $1 million which was nearly double the $548K slot recommended by MLB. So much for the new CBA keeping teams like the Yankees from flexing their financial muscle and getting who they want.

Austin Aune was a two sport star in Argyle High School playing both football and baseball in Austin Texas. Aune is considered a potential five tool player who bats left handed with plus power. He has more then adequate speed, which helps him both at short stop and in the outfield, and has a Jeff Francouer type arm. Aune is considered a bit raw but his upside is encouraging for the Yankees who again took a guy they could afford to take a risk on and be patient with. It is noteworthy that Austin passed up a scholarship to TCU to sign with the Yankees. 

Austin's bat, although I am getting WAY ahead of myself, will translate fantastically in the New Yankee Stadium. If his speed and arm really do translate into being a Center Fielder then that would make the deal all the sweeter. Although their are not as many power hitting short stops anymore so either way he could be a double threat guy for the team. I am in love with this signing and pick so I will personally be watching Austin in his minor league career. 

Austin is already playing in the GCL for the Yankees and in 48 at bats (at the time of this being written which is a little in advance) is batting .292 with 10 RBIs. He has 14 K's but already has 2 doubles and a triple to his stat book.