Monday, August 19, 2013

Dodgers Not In On Cano

Bob Nightengale, of USA Today, passed along some very interesting news earlier.

It turns out that the Dodgers will not be in on Robinson Cano this offseason, when he's set to become a free agent.

Everybody thought Los Angeles would be all over Cano, as they not only have a hole to fill at second base, but they've spent a ton of money and seemingly have more to go around. Not only did they take on the contracts of Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, Carl Crawford, and Josh Beckett, but they also spent a lot on Zack Greinke ($147 million), Yasiel Puig ($42 million), Hyun-Jin Ryu ($36 million), and Brandon League ($22.5 million). Not to mention the $6 million they took on when they dealt for Ricky Nolasco, as well as the contract extension they gave to Andre Ethier last spring ($85 million).

The reason the Dodgers won't be in on Cano is due to the fact that they don't want to give out any large contracts beyond a player's age 36 season. Seeing as how Robbie will be 31, and will likely get a contract at or above seven years, he doesn't fit LA's philosophy.

To be honest, I'll believe it when I see it. The Dodgers have a lot of money to spend, have a big hole at 2nd, and Cano is the biggest free agent available this offseason. He's not the type of player you put a limit on.

Win A Gazebo On A Pole From The Greedy Pinstripes


I know that this is not New York Yankees related but this is an off day so we tend to be a little more relaxed on the site during off days and today is no exception. I was contacted by a fan of TGP and us on twitter, @GreedyStripes, giving us a very unique opportunity. They are giving away a gazebo on a pole for free which is retailed at $1,295.00 and all you have to do is go to THIS SITE and upload a picture of you and/or your family at a gazebo. Gazebos can be found at parks, schools, etc so it is easier then you would think to find one. Also they give you the opportunity to enter for a free $50 gift card for amishfoods.com by sharing the giveaway on Facebook which is pretty cool. Go check out the link, SEEN HERE, and upload those pictures before the winner is drawn on September 30th. Good luck!

MLB Asks Permission To Release Evidence Against ARod


Major League Baseball has formally asked permission to release all the evidence that they are holding against Alex Rodriguez and the whole Biogenesis scandal. Why even ask permission at this point when everything that we know was leaked illegally anyway? What's new now? A Rod and his camp, even though they say MLB's evidence will not stand up to a single inning of suspension let alone 211 games, have said no to the releasing of the information. Usually when you have nothing to hide you would not care but at this point this is so stupid I can't even care anymore. Release it, don't release it, I'm so indifferent at this point it's not even funny.

Alfonso Soriano Named A.L. Player of The Week


Alfonso Soriano has been named the American League Player of the Week award for the week ending on Sunday August 18th. Major League Baseball made the announcement earlier today on MLB Network. Soriano went .484 with a double, five home runs, 18 RBI's, and nine runs scored over the seven Yankees games. The Yankees got right back into the playoff discussion in those seven games with the Yankees going 5-2 last week against the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Derek Jeter Runs! Just Not On The Base Paths


Derek Jeter played in a modified simulated game today down at the Yankees minor league complex down in Tampa, modified because he did not run the bases at all. Jeter took at bats against a right handed pitcher today but, again, did not run the bases afterwards. Instead Jeter did sprints in the outfield so he is still testing the ankle before the big test on the base paths.

Jeter showed increased mobility and what looks like a healed calf today while fielding ground balls making two "Jeterian" type leaping throws from the hole in short stop to first base. Jeter also made a coupel of spin and throw moves on balls that were hit up the middle. Manager Joe Girardi says that Derek will likely need a couple more simulated games like this before thinking of a rehab assignment, let alone a return to the Bronx. Derek is not expected to be activated tomorrow before the home game with the Toronto Blue Jays and there is no time table for his return at this point.

A Rod May Not Serve Any Of The 211 Game Suspension


Alex Rodriguez's attorney Joseph Tacopina was on the Today Show this morning and had some interesting things to say about the medical grievance between A Rod and the New York Yankees. Tacopina even went as far as to say the Major League Baseball's evidence against A Rod is so weak that he may not serve a single game of his 211 game suspension due to the Biogenesis fallout.

Tacopina states that the clinics owner Anthony Bosch has no credibility and MLB's case will never stand up in front of an arbitrator or in court. Tacopina knows the evidence more than you or I probably but I cannot see the entire suspension going by the wayside. Stay tuned for the next episode of the Bronx is Burning Part II.

New York Yankees Off Day Video Game Recommendation


I know we have already had one of these today but I have been absolutely stuck on this game for three or four days now and surely I am not the only one, right? The very popular Plants vs. Zombies has a sequel FINALLY and here is some game play from Plants vs. Zombies II.

New York Yankees Off Day Video Game Recommendation


The New York Yankees are off today before they host a double header tomorrow against the Toronto Blue Jays so I am spending the off day playing videos. Check out the multi-player reveal for the upcoming Call of Duty: Ghosts game. Everyone buys the game for the multi-player so this is a big release so check it out and enjoy.

Another Reason To Like Joe Girardi

“It can’t happen. You can’t just start taking pot shots because you disagree with the way the system is set up. … I want (the players) to come out (of the dugout). As I’ve said all along, you may not agree with the way Major League Baseball is handling this or that — that’s everyone’s opinion, and I respect that; I’m OK with that — but that’s your teammate, and we don’t allow people just to get plunked.”
A lot of Yankees fans hate Joe Girardi. While a lot of it is unwarranted, there are some valid criticisms as well. His penchant to go "by the binder" being one of them. Although, Joe gets bashed for not going by the book a lot of times too, which goes to show that you just can't win with some people.

Anyway...

That quote at the beginning of this post is from the Joe Girardi at the press conference last night, and hearing that makes me really happy. In fact, it's something that should make every Yankee fan stop and say "even though I don't always agree with him, Girardi is a good manager".
“Ryan Dempster has hit six guys in the last 320 innings. He threw the first ball behind (Alex Rodriguez), intentional. He threw the next one inside, he didn’t hit him, intentional. At some point Brian O’Nora has got to give him a warning. And he should’ve thrown him out of the game is the bottom line. Everyone knows it was intentional and I don’t understand why he’s left in the game and then to give us a warning? Brian and I have a long history together back in A ball, Double A, and I respect him. But that was wrong. 
“And the one thing you can’t do is you can’t start changing the system because maybe you don’t like it. Ryan Dempster has been a player rep and has been very involved in the union. He knows these guys, this is what they decided to do, so you can’t change it just take your pot shots. And you’d have to have your head in the sand with the comments that came from the other side not to know that something might be up. I thought it was handled very poorly and I was upset about yesterday because calls went against us that changed the complexion of the game. Then you have this. It’s just flat wrong.”
You've surely already seen what happened, with Ryan Dempster clearly trying to hit Alex Rodriguez (if not, go here). One of the things a good manager does is back his players, and Girardi clearly showed that he'll go to bat for any of his.

The Yankees' front office has made it clear that they are not fans of ARod. And I'm sure ARod is not a fan of them either. I'm also sure there are plenty of players, and possibly coaches, that would rather not have Mr. Rodriguez on the team. But he is a Yankee, and that means he's part of the family. You know, like that cousin that everybody knows is a piece of garbage, but he's still invited to family events. Joe Girardi understands this, and will fight for his family.

Again, love him or hate him, you can see why I have defended Joe a number of times. I don't like everything he does, but I didn't like everything that Joe Torre did either. However, just like I felt lucky to have Torre around all those years, times like last night remind me that we're all lucky to have Joe Girardi running the Yankees.

One last quote from Girardi last night...
“You can’t start throwing at people. Lives — people have had concussions — lives are changed by getting hit by pitches. Whether I agree with everything that’s going on, you do not throw at people and you don’t take the law into your own hands. You don’t do that. We’re going to skip the judicial system? It’s My Cousin Vinny.”
"Everything that guy, Bryan, just said is NOT bull****. Thank you."

Looking At The Rest Of The Yankees Schedule


The Yankees are trying to jump right back into the wild card and playoff discussion with good series against the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim followed up with a statement making series against Boston Red Sox. Is it realistic for the New York Yankees and their fans to think they have a shot at making the playoffs? Well let's take a look at the remaining schedule for the rest of the season and see if we can reach that 93 win plateau that manager Joe Girardi seems to think is enough to get us into the playoffs.

Here is the remainder of the Yankees schedule:

HOME:

4 games vs. Toronto Blue Jays 8/20-8/22
3 games vs. Baltimore Orioles 8/30-9/1
3 games vs. Chicago White Sox 9/2-9/4
4 games vs. Boston Red Sox 9/5-9/8
3 games vs. San Francisco Giants 9/20-9/22
3 games vs. Tampa Bay Rays 9/24-9/26

AWAY:

3 games @ Tampa Bay Rays 8/23-8/25
3 games @ Toronto Blue Jays 8/26-8/28
4 games @ Baltimore Orioles 9/9-9-12
3 games @ Boston Red Sox 9/13-9/15
3 games @ Toronto Blue Jays 9/17-9/19
3 games @ Houston Astros 9/27-9/29

The Yankees have 20 games left at home and 19 games left on the road so there will not be any home field advantage helping the Yanks for the rest of the season. The good news is the Yankees will be facing three of the teams ahead of them in the Boston Red Sox seven times, the Tampa Bay Rays six times, and the Baltimore Orioles seven times. It also helps that the Yanks are facing the two worst teams in the major leagues in the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox for a total of six games along with facing the worst team in the AL East Toronto Blue Jays 10 more times. Throw in a three game set with the offense punch-less San Francisco Giants and we may have a real shot at this. The Yankees will need a lot of help, no doubt about it, but looking at the schedule the Yankees should at least make this thing interesting as we race towards a wild card or 2nd wild card berth.

New York Yankees Off Day Music Recommendation


Wow dude is back and coming back hard and firing on all cylinders. Check out the latest track from Eminem off the Call of Duty: Ghosts soundtrack.

Boston Fans Is Smart!


Yes I know about the obvious grammatical error in the title of this post but it goes well with the picture above from a fan from the Yankees and Red Sox game last night. Apparently A Rod is a looser although I am pretty sure he mean't loser but what do I know. Stay in school kids.

Eduardo Nunez Out With A Tight Hamstring


I thought we were over the hill, no pun intended, when it came to all these injuries but apparently not. Eduardo Nunez left last nights game with a tight hamstring after stealing his second base of the game. He will be evaluated today with the off day by team doctors and the Yankees will make the decision whether to sit him or place him on the DL. Derek Jeter here's looking at you, we need you.

The Ryan Dempster "Being A Pussy" GIF


Here is a gif from last night that will be the talk of all the major sports outlets this morning. Ryan Dempster continuing to try and hit Alex Rodriguez last night and when he finally did on the fourth pitch nothing happened but both sides were warned. No ejections other than Joe Girardi who gets a 9/10 for neck vein popping. Go Joe!

Rome Braves Squeak By Charleston RiverDogs


Rome Squeaks By RiverDogs
Braves win rainy, one run game to take 2-1 series lead

ROME, GA – On a cool, rainy night in Northwest Georgia, the Rome Braves took a wet ballgame from the Charleston RiverDogs 5-4 on Sunday night at State Mutual Stadium in South Atlantic League action. There were two delays that combined for 1:51 minutes that affected the contest.

With their second straight loss, the RiverDogs fall to 28-28 in the second half and 67-57 overall. Rome advances to 28-28 in the second half and 63-62 overall with the victory.

Greg Bird paced Charleston offensively again going 3-4 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored.
After Bird’s RBI double in the top of the first inning, Rome got a two-run homer from Edison Sanchez in the bottom of the first to go up 2-1.

Sanchez had a huge night for the Braves finishing 3-3 with a homer, two singles, a walk, three RBI, and two runs scored.

Ericson Leonora tied it for Charleston in the top of the third inning with an RBI single that scored Bird. But, again Rome responded in their half of the inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Chase Anselment lined a base hit to right field that scored two runs and put the Braves back on top 4-2.

The game stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth inning when Sanchez was at again knocking in another run to put Rome up 5-2.

Both starters factored in the decision. Derek Varnadore made the spot start for the RiverDogs and allowed four runs, only two earned, on five hits, and walked three in four innings to earn the loss and fall to 1-6. Rome’s starter Frank Lafreniere limited Charleston to two runs, one earned, on four hits, one walk, and fanned three over six solid innings to improve to 6-12 with the victory.

Charleston added two runs in the eighth inning on RBI’s by Bird and Leonora, but wouldn’t get any closer.
After the game’s second rain delay occurred in the top of the eighth inning, Alex Wilson came out of the bullpen for the Braves and got the final six outs. He gave up no runs on two hits and struckout two.

The finale of the four game series is Monday night at State Mutual Stadium in Rome. Charleston will send out RHP Brett Gerritse (8-6, 3.43 ERA) for a spot start, and the Braves will counter with RHP Mauricio Cabrera (2-7, 3.91 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for7pm on Monday. Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio 910AM or online at www.riverdogs.com.

--RIVERDOGS--

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

Gardner's big triple lifts Yankees to statement win over Red Sox

Despite CC Sabathia giving up 6 earned runs in just 5.1 innings of work, Joe Girardi being ejected in the second inning for a BS reason, and Mariano Rivera looking awful in the ninth again, the Yankees offense was able to score enough runs tonight as they rallied to beat the Red Sox and take this series, 9-6. Now this win was stressful, but it was worth it. Tonight, we really did see how good this Yankees team CAN be despite all their injuries, but it's still a shame that this isn't how their season has been. 

Trailing 6-3 in the top of the sixth inning, the Yankees were able to take the lead in thrilling fashion after Alex Rodriguez took Ryan Dempster deep to center field and Brett Gardner hit a triple with the bases loaded. After those two big hits, the Yankees would score additional runs in the seventh and ninth innings before Mo closed it out. As mentioned earlier, Rivera was terrible in that last inning, but at least he got out of it without a scratch. In other words, being good enough is good enough. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/19


On this day in 1997 Wade Boggs made his pitching debut throwing a scoreless eight inning giving up no hits, a walk, and a strike out of Todd Greene. Boggs came out throwing 16 knuckle balls and one fast ball in a 12-4 loss against the Angels.


On this day in 2000 for only the third time in major league history, and the second time this season, a team finished an inning with three sacrifice flies in a single inning. Jorge Posada, Scott Brosious, and Clay Bellinger joined Jose Vizcaino, Tino Martinez, and Bernie Williams as players to achieve the feat in this season. The White Sox were the first team to do this in major league history.