Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Revisiting The Idea Of Carlos Lee In Wake Of Teix Injury


Back in the off season I posted an article pleading with Brian Cashman to look at signing Carlos Lee for our then vacant designated hitter spot. Since then we have obviously filled that spot with Travis Hafner but with the Mark Teixeira wrist injury and the middle of our lineup severely lacking power and pop I wonder if it is worth looking back into Carlos Lee. Carlos Lee would surely accept a minor league deal or a one year deal this late into the spring if I had to guess and he makes more and more sense for the Yankees. With Dan Johnson throwing away, literally in this case, any chance of making this team I think we may need to look outside the organization to replace Mark. Even if we had to DFA Carlos when Teixeira came back it is not like we would be losing out on much fiscally. Here is the original article making my case for Carlos Lee to don pinstripes in 2013.



Carlos Lee is a contact hitter who rarely strikes out, something that is overlooked in the day of the long ball in my opinion, with a strike out rate of only 8.0%. To go with this strike out rate is a pretty nice 89.5% contact rate from the right side. Carlos Lee, in a pinch of course, can also play first base and a little bit of left field which makes him much more versatile then say Raul Ibanez was last season, not that I would want Carlos in the field any more then we would have to. Entering his age 36 season (turning 37 in late June) I would also think that he would be willing to accept the one year deal that the Yankees seem to be only throwing out this off season, which makes him make even more sense for the Yankees. Now while I admit that his 2012 season was a horrible season where he only hit 9 home runs between two teams he did play in 147 games, get on base a respectable 60 points higher then his batting average (.264/.332/.365), managed 77 RBIs for two terrible teams the Marlins and the Astros, 145 hits, 27 doubles, and even managed enough outfielders to fall down in one play for him to get a triple. While he will not be a stolen base threat, 3 stolen bases and wasn't caught stealing in 2012, he could really fill out and balance the lineup in the Yankees 6th or 7th slot in the lineup.


Carlos Lee is durable, more flexible then any of the DH options we had last year or could have this year barring a trade, is right handed, can still hit for power regardless of his 2012 numbers, would probably take a one year deal, and would make us one step closer to being competitive in my opinion. This makes too much sense to me at this point in the game. I will note that I am not a fan of having Carlos Lee on the team but he is the best of what is left and would help the team the most in my opinion so I think Cashman should get it done now.

Mark Teixeira Out Until Mid-May

I just read on ESPN.com that Joe Girardi said that Mark Teixeira will miss 8-10 weeks due to his injured wrist. Due to missing a chunk of Spring Training and the WBC, this means Teixeira may not be able to return to the team until mid-May.

Just shoot me now.

Dominican Republic Beats Up On The Yankees


The Yankees played Team Dominican Republic today and Robinson Cano and it did not bode well. The Yankees did not have a hit headed into the 7th inning. Robinson Cano went 1-3 with an RBI against his big league team. Yankees minor leaguer Vidal Nuno pitched four scoreless innings with 4 K's and a walk. Another Yankees minor league Juan Cedeno pitched a scoreless inning with a walk against his big league club as well. Former Yankee Jose Veras also pitched a scoreless inning with a K for Team Dominican Republic. Team DR would win the game 8-2.

"Ha! You Guys Suck!!"
The Yankees pitching struggled outside of starter Hiroki Kuroda against this powerful Dominican Republic team.  Kuroda pitched three scoreless innings with two hits allowed and while striking out four. It was all downhill from there when Cody Eppley allowed the first run while allowing two hits and a walk in one inning pitched. Clay Rapada came in and pitched 1/3 of an inning while allowing two hits, a run, and walked two batters. Jim Miller would replace Rapada and in his 1.1 IP of work he was charged with three runs allowed on two hits while walking three and striking out one. Tommy Kahnle came in to finish the bottom of the 6th and then start the 7th inning and allowed a run on two hits with a walk and a strike out in his 1.1 IP.


The Yankees offensive round up should be pretty quick. Francisco Cervelli, Dan Johnson, and Melky Mesa both drew a walk each for the only runners on base before Zoilo Almonte hit a two run home run in the bottom of the 7th for the Yankees first hit of the game. Bobby Wilson followed with the next at bat with a double that looked like it could have gotten out but a fan interfered with it in right field. Dan Johnson has continued to prove that he cannot play third base with yet another throwing error and he let another ball eat him up at the hot corner. Between him and Corban Joseph I do not see Kevin Youkilis getting much time off in a meaningful game this season. Team DR would win the game 8-2.

Former Yankees Update: Derek Lowe


The Texas Rangers are reportedly close to a deal with long time Red Sox player and Yankees bullpen pitcher from 2012 Derek Lowe. Derek is entering his age 39 season and spent most of the winter looking for a job as a starting pitcher and a major league deal but now settles for a minor league deal with Texas. Lowe is a Scott Boras client but this late in the spring I guess Lowe went wherever the deal was I am just glad that deal did not come from the Yankees.

Cano, Granderson & A Rod To Be Suspended For PED's?


Now before this even catches fire I want to point out that I know how reliable an anonymous source can be especially in the twitter world but this guy has a little bit of a track record. Joe Bisceglie reports that Yaknees stars Curtis Granderson, Alex Rodriguez, and Robinson Cano will all be suspended for failing steroid tests along with Brewers star Ryan Bruan. Before we shoot the messenger let's remember that Joe reported the Melky Cabrera suspension a month before it happened and we all laughed at him and how did that work out for us? Lord I hope this is not true because, besides the obvious repercussions to their legacy's and baseball and their names and all that, this absolutely decimates our team.  

Yankees Sign Chris Bootcheck To Minor League Deal


The New York Yankees have signed right handed pitcher Chris Bootcheck to a minor league deal. Bootcheck will be entering his age 34 season and has not pitched in the majors since the 2009 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bootcheck pitched in the Detroit Tigers AAA minor league team last season putting up a 4.06 ERA with a 3.00 FIP and almost 11 K's per 9. Chris will be nothing more then veteran bullpen depth for AAA but you can never have too much pitching especially with all these injuries that we already have this early in the season.

More Yankees Injuries Updates


David Robertson was scratched from his appearance in last nights game against the Atlanta Braves because he could not get loose in the bullpen. Robertson said his shoulder was not sore and he is definitely not injured he just felt like he slept on it wrong the night before. He was removed for precautionary reasons but fully expects to pitch today against Team Dominican Republic.


Curtis Granderson had another X-ray yesterday and the doctors were happy with how his forearm was healing. Curtis has been cleared to start doing some core and lower body exercises to keep his body in shape. Curtis expects to need longer than expected because he did not start in any Spring Training games really but still expects it to be in the ten week time frame.


Mariano Rivera could possibly get into today's game against Team DR but Joe Girardi says it is more then likely going to happen on Saturday. The Yankees play the Braves at home on Saturday at 1:05 pm ET on YES Network.


Slade Heathcott has been out of action since spraining his thumb in an outfield collision with Ronnier Mustelier. He began taking batting practice for the first time since the injury yesterday and is expected to play in the game Saturday against the Braves.


Adonis Garcia broke his hamate bone in his left wrist during batting practice on Sunday. As much as I hate to say this because of what Mark Teixeira is currently going through but wrist injuries are usually pretty bad and lingering so I hate to hear this. Adonis is scheduled to have surgery on the wrist tomorrow and will miss six to eight weeks.

Team Dominican Republic vs. New York Yankees 3/6


The Yankees may be getting a glimpse into the future today as their all star second basemen Robinson Cano will be on the opposing team today as the Yankees take on Team Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic. This will be a tune up for Team Dominican Republic before the games get started at the end of the week. The game will be televised at 1:05 pm ET on YES and on MLB Network.

Eduardo Nunez SS
Jayson Nix 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Juan Rivera RF
Francisco Cervelli C
Matt Diaz LF
Melky Mesa CF
Luke Murton 1B

Happy 27th Birthday Francisco Cervelli


Happy 27th Birthday goes out to Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli. He will be catching Hiroki Kuroda today against Team Dominican Republic as a present. Cervelli seems to have taken the lead in the Yankees starting catcher competition so maybe this will be the year he finally gets a legitimate shot. Happy Birthday Cervelli I hope it is the best yet.

Yankees Announce Latest Roster Cuts


The Yankees have announced their latest round of roster cuts this spring and it includes Gary Sanchez, Tyler Austin, David Adams, Cito Culver, Rob Segedin, Francisco Arcia, and Kyle Higashioka. None of these men had a legit shot at making the team so with all the competition going on I can understand them all going down. I just hate to see the future like Austin and Sanchez go down.

Injury Updates

A couple of updates regarding injuries...
  • While he was standing at third base during drills for the Dominican Republic WBC team, Robinson Cano was hit by a foul ball. He's okay and all, but do the Yankees really need another player going down for any amount of time with an injury?
  • CC Sabathia threw two innings in a simulated game and came out of it with no issues, and will throw another sim game on Sunday rather than facing the Blue Jays.
  • It's not a sure thing, but there's a chance that Mariano Rivera will see some in-game action tomorrow. If he doesn't, and since Rivera doesn't travel, then Sunday would be his next chance.
  • Phil Hughes will start throwing from 90 feet, rather than the 60 he's been doing. Phil believes he could throw from a mound, but the team is being cautious... and rightfully so.
  • Manny Banuelos is still a few weeks away from throwing from a mound, but his return from Tommy John surgery is going well. He started playing catch last month, and continues to do so from flat-ground today.
  • Curtis Granderson's broken forearm is healing nicely, but the center fielder has said he'll need longer than normal to return from the injury since he will basically need to do his Spring Training upon return.
Updates are thanks to Matt Gelb, Chad Jennings, Andy McCullough, Sweeny Murti, and George King.

Spring Training 3/6/13 Lineup

Eduardo Nunez SS
Jayson Nix 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Juan Rivera RF
Francisco Cervelli C
Matt Diaz LF
Melky Mesa CF
Luke Murton 1B

Hiroki Kuroda P

Start Time: 1:05 p.m.
T.V/Radio: YES Network