Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Alex Rodriguez Stifled In Latest Rehab Game


Alex Rodriguez made his Tampa Yankees home debut tonight and went hit less going 0-3 with two strike outs. Alex played five innings at third base and had one ball hit his way which he fielded cleanly. Alex is slated to play in the next two games making this the first time he has played in three consecutive games since the hip surgery. Alex only has twelve days left on his 20 game rehab assignment so getting him to play as much as we can has to be a priority.

Yoenis Cespedes Added To 2013 Home Run Derby


Oakland Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has been added to the 2013 State Farm Home Run Derby by team captain Robinson Cano. The Home Run Derby will be held at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN next Monday July 15th. Cespedes will join Robinson Cano, Prince Fielder, and Chris Davis.

Yankees Sign Jose Gil


The Yankees have signed Jose Gil to a minor league deal and he will report to AA Trenton to play for the Thunder. Probably not the Yankees acquiring a catcher news that you all were hoping for but it is what it is these days. If the name sounds familiar it is because he was in the Yankees minor league system from 2006-2012 after leaving for the Baltimore Orioles this season. He struggled with the Yankees but either way he is back and provides some minor league depth for us, nothing more.

Game Thread: Royals @ Yankees 7/9


The Yankees and the Royals play their second game of their four game series at Yankees Stadium tonight on YES, MLB Network, and MLB TV. CC Sabathia is fresh off winning his 200th game of his career last time out and looks for win #201 tonight. James Shields has a 6.48 ERA with a win and two no decisions in his last three starts so we may be seeing him at just the right time. Go Yankees!

Here is the Yankees lineup

1. Gardner CF
2. Suzuki RF
3. Cano 2B
4. Hafner DH
5. Almonte LF
6. Overbay 1B
7. Nunez SS
8. Cruz 3B
9. Stewart C


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Alex Rodriguez Likely To Be Suspended After Break


According to ESPN and Outside the Lines Major League Baseball is likely to suspend Ryan Braun, Alex Rodriguez, and up to 20 other players after the All Star Break next week after the Biogenesis clinic fallout. Bud Selig is even considering 100 game bans for Braun and A Rod although I can see that igniting a war with the MLB Player's Union and that is not a war I think Selig can or will win. This is going to start a war of appeals and uproar from the fans and Donald Fehr since neither player has received a first suspension which would equal 50 games, not 100 games. Between the appeals and the arbitrator ruling over the suspensions this could take the rest of the season for all we know.

Just as a reminder the players linked to Anthony Bosch and Biogenesis in the original report were Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Braun, Nelson Cruz, Francisco Cervelli, Everth Cabrera, Jhonny Peralta, Jesus Montero, and Bartolo Colon to name a few. Many of the players have been interviewed by MLB including Ryan Braun who reportedly refused to answer any of the lines of questioning. Reportedly A Rod has not been interviewed yet but is set to be interviewed later this week or early next week.

I plan on watching this extremely close because I think what MLB is trying to do is absolutely wrong in every way. If you come out and make rules, ie the new collective bargaining agreement, and have both sides agree to them then you have to go by them. You cannot make rules and suspensions by the seat of your pants and expect them to fly. I am not just saying that this is because A Rod and Cervelli are Yankees because I am fighting for the rights of Ryan Braun as well. If the new CBA says that you need to fail two tests to be suspended for 100 games then that is the way it should be, bottom line.

Alex Rodriguez and 20 Others To Be Suspended

Several sources have told TJ Quinn of ESPN.com that Alex Rodriguez, as well as players like Ryan Braun and Jesus Montero, will be suspended by Major League Baseball some time after the All Star break.

ARod is looking at a 100-game ban, which is normally reserved for players that have failed a second drug test, even though he hasn't tested positive since MLB created The Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program in the spring of 2006. It is being said that ARod is looking at a 100-game ban since the allegations against him, that being that he purchased PEDs through Tony Bosch's clinic and lied about it, cover multiple rules violations.

However, due to this possibly going through the appeals process, it could be months until suspensions are actually carried out. Meaning players like Rodriguez could be playing even after the suspensions are announced.

Yankees Not Interested In Miguel Olivo


Miguel Olivo was recently released from the Miami Marlins, which should tell you something, and thankfully the Yankees reportedly do not have interest in signing the catcher. Now I know that Olivo asked to be released from the Marlins because he was not getting the playing time that he thought he deserved but still if you cannot crack it as a starter for the Marlins then you have no business on the Yankees, just my opinion. Olivo is in his age 34 season and has only mustered a .203/.250/.392 with four home runs this season and is known to be a defensive catcher first but he just doesn't make sense right now for us. He may be better than Austin Romine at this point but you have to factor in that we have to send down Romine to split time with JR Murphy, hurting both players, and we have to make a 40 man roster move to accommodate the move. Not worth it in the end if you ask me so thankfully the Yankees seem willing to pass on Olivo.

Yankees HOPE Week Presents Pillows Of Love


In the second day of the Yankees HOPE Week they visited 10 year old Autumn Blinn who has dedicated herself to helping those in need through her "Pillows of Love" movement.


Yankees manager Joe Girardi, Robinson Cano, David Robertson, Jayson Nix, and Vernon Wells attended her event at the Ronald McDonald House on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Autumn was surprised to see the Yankees players walk through the door as she was handing out her homemade pillows to the sick children at the hospital. The players spent time with the patients, Autumn, and Autumn's family by handing out pillows, playing games in the game room, and by having a pizza party. Autumn and her family were invited to Yankees Stadium tonight to watch the Yankees take batting practice and be part of an on the field ceremony before they take on the Kansas City Royals at 7:05 pm ET.

Click the link to see Chad Jennings write up about Pillows of Love and young Autumn Blinn.



Kansas City Royals @ New York Yankees 7/9


The Yankees and the Kansas City Royals will play game two of their four game set tonight at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx. The Yankees will send their big man in CC Sabathia to the mound to face off with "Big Game" James Shields for the Royals. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on YES, MLB Network, and of course MLB TV.

Phillies Show Interest In Chamberlain, And Willing To Deal Young/Ruiz

According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the Philadelphia Phillies are interested in Joba Chamberlain. It's not a surprise that the Phillies are looking for bullpen help, as their relievers currently have the highest ERA in the National League (4.63).

Although this is the second team (it was reported that the Braves were looking into him a couple of weeks ago) that's shown interest in Chamberlain, I still can't believe they are serious. While Joba's shown glimpses of great stuff, it's rare that he doesn't put at least one man on base. Since April 26th, spanning 13 appearances, Joba has only once not put at least one runner on base. So until a deal moving Joba elsewhere happens, I'm taking these reports with a rather large grain of salt.

Speaking of the Phillies, it's Feinsand also said that Philly is willing to trade Michael Young and Carlos Ruiz, two players that would fill needs that the Yankees currently have. Although it's strange that Mark says Philly is looking to move them in a salary-dump, because it's not as if Philadelphia is strapped for cash. I would imagine they'd want somebody in return that could help them down the road. Maybe that's where Chamberlain fits in.

Game 90 Lineup: Royals vs. Yankees

Here is game two of this four game set vs. the Royals!! 

Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Zoilo Almonte LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Eduardo Nunez SS
Luis Cruz 3B
Chris Stewart C

CC Sabathia LHP

Some Notes:

-- With it being July and all, there are trade rumors. The latest one involves the Philadelphia Phillies and Joba Chamberlain. There's rumors the the Phillies are interested in Chamberlain. If that's the case, they can just take him.

2013 All Star Game Uniforms Released


Major League Baseball has released the American League and National League uniforms for this years 84th annual Major League Baseball All Star game and they are hideous. I am not pulling any punches but I am being honest too and they are hideous. Anyway here they are love them or hate them.

Staten Island Yankees Game Recap 7/8

JONES DELIVERS WALK-OFF SINGLE AS YANKEES DOWN TIGERS 7-6

By COURTNEY NUNES

Staten Island, NY – July 8th – First baseman Bubba Jones knocked in the winning run with a single in the ninth on Monday night as the Staten Island Yankees walked off with a 7-6 victory over the Connecticut Tigers.

The Tigers were first on the board, picking up a run in the top of the first inning. Steven Negron led off the frame with a walk before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Raphael Rhymes.

That lead did not last long, however, as Staten Island tied the game in the bottom half of the frame. Mike O’Neill hit a one-out triple to right and later crossed the plate when Kale Sumner hit a sacrifice fly to right field.

In the third, Connecticut took a two-run lead. Dominic Ficociello singled on a fly ball to right before Rhymes walked. Back-to-back singles by Ben Verlander and Duncan McAlpine allowed Ficociello to come home. Rhymes then scored on a fielding error by right fielder Mikeson Oliberto.

Two innings later, the Yankees pick up a run on another sacrifice fly hit off the bat of Jose Rosario. Derek Toadvine, who singled on a bunt ground ball to third, scored on the play.

Both teams tacked on one run in the sixth. McAlpine started the top half of the frame with a line drive double to right and scored on a ground ball single by Austin Schotts. For the Yankees, Bubba Jones led off with a single and was plated by Derek Toadvine when he grounded into a force out.

Connecticut took a 5-3 lead in the eighth when Tyler Gibson scored as Ficociello reached on a fielding error by shortstop Jose Rosario. But in the bottom half of the inning, four errors cost the Tigers the lead as the Yankees pulled ahead, 6-5.

Daniel Lopez began things for Staten Island, reaching on a fielding error by shortstop Steven Negron. Jones then walked. With Mikeson Oliberto batting, a throwing error by Austin Green on the pickoff attempt, allowed Lopez to score and Jones to move to third. Then, Jones also came home on a throwing error by centerfielder Austin Schotts. Up next, Oliberto struck out swinging for the first out of the innings before Radley Haddad singled to plate Jones. Haddad advanced to third on another Connecticut throwing error – this time by third baseman Duncan McAlpine. And finally, Haddad scored when Toadvine hit a sacrifice fly to center.

In the ninth, Ben Verlander scored the last run for the Tigers on a wild pitch by Yankees’ reliever Nick Rumbelow. Staten Island then pulled ahead for good in the bottom of the ninth when Bubba Jones singled on a ground ball to plate Eric Jagielo, who had also singled earlier in the inning.

Yankees’ starter Caleb Smith went 4.0 innings and allowed three runs – two earned – off four hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Reliever Nick Rumbelow blew the save in the ninth, but also earned the win. Rumbelow threw just the one inning and gave up one unearned run. He allowed no hits and no walks, and fanned two batters.

Andrew Harrison suffered the loss for Connecticut after going just 0.1 innings. He surrendered one earned run off one hit with two walks.


The Yankees will take on the Connecticut Tigers again tomorrow at home. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00PM. RHP Jairo Heredia (1-1, 2.33 ERA) will toe the mound for the Yankees, while RHP Jonathon Crawford (0-1, 2.45 ERA) is expected to get the ball for the Tigers. Tickets are on sale now by calling 718-7-9265, or by visiting www.siyanks.com or the box office at Richmond County Bank Ballpark. 

Jeter Plays 5 Innings At Short Stop In Rehab Game


Derek Jeter played 5 IP at short stop in his latest rehab game going 0-2 with a walk and a run scored. Jeter also had three attempts at short stop that he made cleanly on all. Jeter also reached on an error and ran the bases well with a first to third on a single and scoring from second base on another single. The plan is to have Jeter take tomorrow off and be back at short stop on Wednesday.

Morning Bits

Good morning everyone!

The Yankees fell to the Royals last night by a score of 5-1.

The Yankee offense was again MIA with the only run provided by a solo shot off the bat of Lyle Overbay.

Phil Hughes allowed two runs over four innings before being removed after a rain delay to take the loss for the Yankees.

Tonight at 7:05 PM ET in a game that will be broadcast by YES, C.C. Sabathia(9-6, 4.05 ERA) will face James Shields(3-6, 3.23 ERA).

Now on to today's news links:

Peter Botte of the New York Daily News reports that Derek Jeter is pleading with Yankee GM Brian Cashman to bring him back to the Bronx now.

Peter Kerasotis of ESPNNewYork.com writes about the "other side" of A-Rod's rehab assignment.

Kevin Kernan of the New York Post thinks that without going out and adding some offensive help that the Yankees will run out of luck this season.

Have a great day everyone!

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/9


On this day in 1937 Yankees slugger Joe DiMaggio would hit for the first of his two career cycles when he went 5-5 with two home runs, a triple, a double, and a single in a 16-2 victory over the Washington Senators.


On this day in 2011 Derek Jeter became the first Yankees player ever to reach the 3,000 hit mark. He would hit a home run off of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price in the third inning. Jeter is only the 28th player to ever reach 3,000 hits in his career.