The Alex Rodriguez Suspension & The 2014 Payroll

With reports coming down that Major League Baseball expects to hand out all suspensions that have to do with Biogenesis it got me thinking about the 2014 season. I know a lot of people are thinking of the ramifications to the 2013 season if we are without Alex Rodriguez and Francisco Cervelli but I am always thinking ahead and this is no different. If Alex Rodriguez gets suspended for the 2013 and 2014 seasons this week as expected the Yankees will have right around $25,000,000 to spend this off season to improve the team. How should the Yankees spend this money if the suspension does in fact come down and we are out from under the A Rod contract, at least temporarily, you ask? I am glad you asked...

Brian McCann will probably be a top five free agent this coming off season and fills a ton of needs for the New York Yankees. The Yankees have an anemic offensive attack coming out of the catcher position this season and have severely lacked in the power department overall in 2013. Brian McCann and that sweet left handed swing  knocking balls out to the short porch in right field would solve both of those issues in one player in 2014. McCann does not give up all that much defensively or in the run game either so the only downfall to acquiring McCann would be that the Atlanta Braves, his current team, are surely to offer him a qualifying offer.

McCann entering his age 30 season would get a 4 year deal worth $64,000,000 (AAV $16,000,000)

Mark Reynolds may not be the most ideal pick up for the New York Yankees to replace Alex Rodriguez at third base next season but he may very well be the best option. Mark is a right handed power bat that can play third base and also fill in at first base giving Mark Teixeira some time off. Also I would think that Reynolds would be willing to sign a one year deal or two year deal tops after somewhat of a down season in Cleveland in 2012. Also Reynolds would be entering his age 30 season so it is not exactly like he is out of his prime or over the hill either.

I would give Mark Reynolds a one year deal with a mutual option for 2015 and a base salary of $8,000,000.

David Aardsma was released this past season because of his inability to go multiple innings and I really think that was a huge mistake for the New York Yankees. With us losing Mariano Rivera and possibly Joba Chamberlain and Boone Logan I can see a guy like Aardsma with closing experience and veteran leadership welcomed back to the Bronx. We can build from within all we want to but you still need a "Plan B" to go to just in case and that plan should be a fully healthy and recovered David Aardsma. Aardsma will surely sign a one year deal which makes him extra attractive for the New York Yankees.

Aardsma gets a one year deal worth $1,000,000 and gets his second shot at the pinstripes. 

That is exactly the $25,000,000 that Alex is set to make in 2014 spent in three players that could help our team win next season. We rebuild the pen, get a replacement for Alex, and improve our biggest holes all in one fell swoop. With these moves, in my very humble but bias opinion, we get younger, more versatile, and overall much better and all because Alex Rodriguez skipped the classes while in school that said "Say No To Drugs," Thanks Alex!

Yankees Have Received Zero Offers For Phil Hughes

The Yankees, unsurprisingly, have received zero offers for their starting pitcher Phil Hughes. With Hughes' home and road splits to go with the fact that he is a fly ball/home friendly pitcher you can understand why the Yankees have not received any offers. The Yanks are said to be aggressively shopping Hughes for a bat but so far it seems like a no go.

Granderson & Phelps To Rehab In Trenton Tomorrow

	Press Release - July 28, 2013 GRANDERSON REHAB ASSIGNMENT STARTS TUESDAY; PHELPS STARTING PITCHER (TRENTON, NJ) - Three-time All-Star and current New York Yankees outfielder Curtis Grandersonis expected to begin a rehabilitation assignment in Trenton on Tuesday, July 30 at 7:05 p.m. as the Thunder face the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals).  In addition, Yankees Pitcher David Phelps is expected to make the start for the Thunder, his second rehab start in Trenton this season.  Granderson was acquired by the Yankees in the 2009-2010 offseason in a three-team trade involving former Trenton Thunder outfielder, Austin Jackson.  In 10 seasons, the three-time All-Star is a career .262 hitter with 211 HR and 592 RBI in 1,134 games.  In 2011 Granderson became the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs, 10 triples and steal 25 bases in one season.  In just 8 games this season, Granderson is batting .250 (7-for-28) with 1 HR and 1 RBI. Granderson was placed on the Disabled List after fracturing his forearm during his first Spring Training game.  The injury forced him to miss nearly two months of the regular season.  He eventually returned to the Yankee lineup on May 14 but his return was cut short just 10 days later when he was hit by a pitch and fractured his pinky on May 24.  The injury required surgery and has caused him to remain away from the Bronx ever since.   It has not been determined how long he will play for the Thunder.   David Phelps was a 2010 Eastern League All-Star as a member of the Thunder. That season, he went 6-0 with a 2.04 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 88.1 IP (14 GS).  He also made a start for Trenton in 2012, working 6.2 scoreless, one-hit innings while striking out 11 against the Portland Sea Dogs. Phelps began his rehab in Trenton on Tuesday July 23 against Altoona (Pirates), and received a no-decision while giving up two earned runs in 3.2 IP and striking out six on just 61 pitches. Phelps made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 2012 and has a career record of 10-9 with a 4.10 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 182.1 IP over 51 games (23 GS).  Prior to his injury, Phelps posted a 6-5 record with a 5.01 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 82.2 IP over 18 G (12 GS) in 2013. Phelps was diagnosed with a right forearm strain following his start against the Twins on July 4. He was placed on the 15-day Disabled List on July 6.   Granderson will become the eighth player to play for Trenton as part of a major league rehab assignment joining Mark Teixeira (May 29 and 30), Kevin Youkilis (May 29 and 30), Cesar Cabral (May 31-June 8), Michael Pineda (June 25 and 30), Eduardo Nunez (July 4 and 5), Alex Rodriguez (July 15 and 16) and David Phelps (July 23).  The 2013 season marks the first time in team history the Thunder have hosted at least 7 MLB rehab assignments in one season.   Tickets can be purchased with the links below . TUESDAY, JULY 30 (7:05pm) TICKETS ALL TICKETS   All requests for credentials should be directed to Bill Cook at bill@trentonthunder.com. --THUNDER-- Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE.

No Suspensions Announced Today

How much longer will this guy haunt us?

Steven Marcus of Newsday tweeted that MLB is not expected to announce the suspensions involving the Biogenesis investigation today.

You may be thinking that the timing of the suspensions is a bit fishy, seeing as how the trade deadline is on Wednesday. Well, Jon Heyman of CBSports reports that the deadline is "no factor when it comes to the timing of announcements related to the case." Personally, I don't think MLB would screw over teams by announcing suspensions at this time on purpose. This entire ordeal is bad for baseball, and Selig & Company probably just want to get it done ASAP. Either way, this is shaping up to be a crazy week for baseball fans.

As for how things are shaking out in regards to Alex Rodriguez, multiple people at The Daily News are saying that MLB will offer ARod a plea deal, in which he'd be suspended for the remainder of this season, and all of next season. If Alex does not accept the plea deal, MLB will attempt to have him banned for life.

Chances are the suspension would fall somewhere between  "rest of 2013 and all of 2014" and "life", which seems to happen whenever a third party is brought in to settle things. Sort of like arbitration cases. It would be great if ARod were banned for life, as the Yankees would not only be off the hook for the remaining 4+ years and way-too-much-money, but be rid of the drama. But a 150 game ban, which seems to be the worst-case scenario, would save the team over $30 million in terms of the Luxury Tax, which would be huge when it comes to getting under the Luxury Tax threshold.

Meanwhile, the Yankees continue to look for help at third base, which is a smart thing to do as Rodriguez has said he'll appeal any suspension handed down to him. Although first-time offenders are allowed to play during an appeal, it's believed that MLB would challenge that in this case. That means the Yankees may not get ARod back, and could be stuck with what has been the worst production out of third basemen in the American League (going by wOBA and wRC+).

Trenton Thunder Game Recap For 7/28

	Press Release - July 28, 2013 Thunder Split Another DH In Binghamton, Win Series (Binghamton, NY) – A four-hit shutout between four hurlers propelled Trenton to an opening-game win, but Binghamton’s Noah Syndergaard dazzled on the mound with six brilliant innings in game two as the Mets earned a doubleheader split with the Thunder Sunday night at NYSEG Stadium.  Trenton won the opener 1-0, while Binghamton took the nightcap 6-1. The Thunder (55-53) won three times in the five-game series against the first-place Mets (66-41) and held Binghamton to just 11 runs and 23 hits in those five contests.  Trenton pitching recorded two shutouts in the series.  The teams will not meet again in the regular season. Carmen Angelini’s RBI double provided the only run in game one, coming with two outs in the second inning against Mets starter Logan Verrett (9-6).  Verrett and reliever Chase Huchingson limited Trenton to only five total hits in the contest in a losing effort. Thunder starter Fred Lewis was brilliant for 3.2 shutout innings, striking out a season-high six before being removed because of a blister on his pitching hand.  After Aaron Dott and David Herndon (2 IP, 2 H, 0 R) kept the lead into the seventh, Tommy Kahnle recorded the save (13) with two strikeouts and a game-ending pickoff. In game two, Syndergaard (4-0) dominated Trenton’s offense, retiring 18 of the 19 batters he faced including eight strikeouts and no walks.  Slade Heathcott’s first-inning home run (7) gave the Thunder their only runner against the 20-year-old righty. Binghamton scored two runs in the second and third innings against Zach Nuding (5-11), then added two more in the fifth when reliever Cesar Cabral allowed a two-run double to Rhyne Hughes, his third two-base hit of the game.  Nuding was charged with five runs in 4.1 innings of work. After a day off on Monday, the Thunder return to ARM & HAMMER Park for a six-game homestand beginning with a three-game series against Harrisburg. The series with the Senators begins at 7:05 pm on Tuesday.  Trenton has not named a starter, although media reports have right-hander David Phelps (0-0, 4.91) scheduled to make his second rehab start for Trenton against righty Rob Gilliam (3-4, 3.98).  Limited tickets are available through the Thunder box office at (609) 394-3300 or online at www.trentonthunder.com.  Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and also streaming online begins at 6:45 pm. --THUNDER-- Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original post can be seen HERE.

New York Yankees Off Day Music Recommendation

The Yankees have a couple of off days this week and a couple interleague games thrown in this week as well so kick back and enjoy the day off with this tune.

Charleston Riverdogs Game Recap For 7/28

Greensboro Hops Past RiverDogs in Finale

Grasshoppers score seven unanswered runs to route Charleston

CHARLESTON, SC – After trailing 3-1 following one inning of play, the Greensboro Grasshoppers bats awoke to the tune of seven runs in the final eight frames to defeat the RiverDogs by a final of 8-3 Sunday evening at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in front of 4,052 fans.

With the loss, the RiverDogs fall to 20-13 in the second half and 59-42 overall and remain in second place behind the Lexington Legends. With the victory, Greensboro improves to 17-18 in the second half and 50-54 overall.

The game got started with a bang Sunday evening as Greensboro’s leadoff batter Juancito Martinez swung at the first pitch of the game from RiverDogs starter Daniel Camarena and deposited the ball over the left field fence for a leadoff solo homer, his first of the year.

Martinez ended his night a double shy of the cycle going 4-for-5 at the plate with two RBI’s and two runs scored.

Charleston responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first inning. Danny Oh drew a leadoff walk and later stole second base. Greg Bird drew a walk two batters later and then Jake Cave was hit by a pitch two batters after that to load the bases for Reymond Nunez. Nunez delivered with a big two RBI single. Daniel Aldrich then loaded the bases by drawing a hit by pitch for Wes Wilson. With Wilson batting, Austin Brice tossed a wild pitch that scored Jake Cave from third.

Following the first inning, it was all Greensboro from there on out. The Grasshoppers scored one run in the third inning, three in the fourth, one in the seventh and two more for good measure in the ninth inning.

Greensboro starter Austin Brice (7-7) picked up the victory with his five innings of work that saw him allow three runs on three hits with eight strikeouts and three walks. Blake Logan picked up his tenth save of the season as he nailed down the final six outs of the night. Logan allowed just one hit and recorded three strikeouts and walked one.

RiverDogs starter Daniel Camarena (3-5) took the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits with two strikeouts in his six innings of work.

BALLPARK FUN: Sunday was Daddy Daughter Princess Day at The Joe. All the little princesses had their chance to meet Prince Charming.

COMING UP: The RiverDogs will now welcome in the Hickory Crawdads for four games in three days starting Monday night at 6:05pm. Monday’s contest will be a doubleheader because of a game that was rained out back on Sunday June 30^th. RHP Cesar Vargas (4-3, 2.96 ERA) will be on the mound for Charleston in game one and Hickory has yet to name their starter. Game two's starters are TBD. Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score:    http://atmilb.com/18HK5df

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original post can be seen HERE. 

Derek Jeter's Home Run Sent A Statement To Us All

Derek Jeter said something yesterday with this home run but in true Derek Jeter fashion he did not say it with his mouth but rather he did it with his actions. You could tell that just having Jeter in the lineup changed this lineup and relaxed EVERYONE. What Derek Jeter said with this home run was to get on his back and let's ride the wave all the way to the playoffs. This is an announcement to all Yankees fans on this day off.... either jump on the bandwagon NOW because if your not a fan now you have no right to be one in October.

UPDATE: Jump On The Bandwagon Now Yankees Fans

Yankees record since predicting the comeback has started in the AL East

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This Day In New York Yankees History 7/29

On this day in 1969 Joe DiMaggio was named the greatest living player in Major League Baseball history. He would keep that crown until his eventual death in 1999.