Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Yankees rally again for another big win over the Orioles, 5-4

Thanks to a solid, 6.1 innings of three-run ball from Andy Pettitte, and three solo home runs from Granderson, A-Rod, and Cano, the Yankees were able to comeback late to win tonight's game in Baltimore, 5-4. Being able to win these past two games is definitely big for the Yankees, who are now just two games behind the Rays for the final AL Wild Card spot. I wish I could say we could sit back and enjoy these last few wins for a few moments, but we can't. Because tomorrow, the fourth game of this series will be played, and after that, a trip to Boston. So while these last two comeback wins have been great, they aren't that big of the deal. The job is still not nearly done. 

Arizona Fall League Roster Is Complete


The New York Yankees have announced their final rosters for the Arizona Fall League. Earlier we reported that Vidal Nuno would be heading down to play for the Scottsdale Scorpions to join Mason Williams, Tyler Austin, and Peter O' Brien. Now we learned that RHP Brett Gerritse, LHP Fred Lewis, and LHP James Pazos will be joining them in Arizona. Should be a fun fall league to watch especially with some of our bigger name prospects down there.

Game Thread: Yankees @ Orioles 9/11


The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles play game three in their four game set this week in what will probably be the deciding factor for the Yankees and their 2013 playoff hopes. The Yankees look to be spoilers at the very least for their AL East rivals in Baltimore tonight as the Orioles continue to try and chase down the Tampa Bay Rays. The pitching match up will be Andy Pettitte for the Yankees and Scott Feldman for the Orioles and it can be seen at 7:05 pm ET on the YES  Network and MLB TV. The Yankees need to win basically every game left in the season to clinch a 2nd wild card and playoff spot so while it is looking pretty bleak right now the Yankees are too good to not have a run or two left in them in my opinion.


Here is the Yankees lineup:

Brett Gardner CF
Alex Rodriguez DH
Robinson Cano 2B
Alfonso Soriano LF
Curtis Granderson RF
Mark Reynolds 3B
Lyle Overbay 1B
Brendan Ryan SS
Chris Stewart C

Follow us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes. Go Yankees!!!

Vidal Nuno Headed To The Arizona Fall League


According to Vidal Nuno himself on his Facebook page, yeah I have Vidal as a friend on my Facebook so be jealous, that he is officially heading to the Arizona Fall League this year. He will be joining the likes of Mikey O'Brien, Mason Williams, Tyler Austin, and a few more unnamed pitchers yet to be determined. Vidal looks to be a big part of the Yankees 2014 plans after a strong, yet cut short, 2013 season.

New York Yankees Wild Card Update


Up to the minute...

Yankees Send Yoely Bello To Complete Nelson Trade


The Colorado Rockies sent The Chris Nelson to the Yankees earlier in the season for a player to be named later and that player is Yoely Bello. The Yankees sent Bello to the Rockies completing the deal after he was designated for assignment by the Rockies. The Yankees later DFA'd him which makes it nice that we only gave up a no named pitcher from the Yankees Gulf Coast League team. Bello put up a 6.29 ERA in 24+ innings in his age 22 season. Bello will turn 23 this off season and has only split time between the Dominican Winter League and the Yankees GCL so this is not much of a loss whatsoever.

New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles Meme


#Truth

WFAN To Host Yankees Games In 2014


UPDATE: It is official! We can all talk about it, even you Michael Kay, and not jinx it.

Just a few days after I pissed off @YankeesWFAN Sweeny Murti the Yankees announced that they will be moving their radio broadcasts to WFAN beginning in 2014. The Yankees have had a good relationship with CBS since moving over to 880 AM in 2002. This move would move the Yankees broadcasts to the very powerful 660 AM station as well as the FAN on 101.9. This deal could be worth an estimated $15,000,000 to $20,000,000 in added revenue for the next ten years for the suddenly penny pinching Yankees.

While nothing is final or official yet I wonder what this means for the future of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman. You would have to think that the Yankees would like to bring them both along to the new station but then again I did not see Kim Jones leaving either so you never know. If one of them leaves or is not brought back it is much more likely to be Waldman and not Sterling in my opinion.

Yankees To Pay $29.1M In Luxury Tax Penalties In '13

"Cut Payroll NOW!"

The New York Yankees set a major league record today but not one they probably wanted to be a part of as they set the new record for the highest luxury tax payment. The Yankees got slapped with a $29,100,000 luxury tax penalty this season after once again leading all of the major leagues in payroll with a $236,200,000 budget this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the only other team to be stuck with the luxury tax penalty with a $9,900,000 payment.

These numbers are not set in stone as the numbers are calculated after the season so if the Yankees acquire or call up any more players this number is likely to go up. The Yankees are taxed 50% on every dollar spent over the $178,000,000 luxury tax threshold for 2013. All told since 2003 when this was implemented the Yankees have paid, using the $29.1M number which is subject to chance, just over $253,000,000 in penalties while the rest of baseball combined have paid somewhere around $32,000,000. Hey Pittsburgh, Tampa, Miami, Kansas City, etc.. you're welcome!

Jim Miller Designated For Assignment


The Yankees have announced that they have designated relief pitcher Jim Miller for assignment today making room for Brendan Ryan on the 40 man roster. Kind of a waste of a move since Derek Jeter was only a 60 day DL transfer away from making room for Ryan but what do I know. Miller appeared in one game for the Yanks this season as he was a late season addition to a tired bullpen and now he is seemingly out of the organization.

Derek Jeter Placed On The DL Ending His 2013 Season


The New York Yaknees have decided to shut down Derek Jeter for the rest of the season and place Derek on the 15 day DL for the fourth time this season. Jeter was limited to just 17 games this season with a multitude of injury problems that started with the ankle and worked its way up the calf and now back down to the ankle.

I don't get it they pull him out of the game because of the way he is running and call it precautionary at the time and now his season is over? The CT scan came back clean and I am sure every little test since then has or we would have heard about it by now and his season is over? I am not disagreeing with it I am just perplexed by it. Not the way I or Jeter envisioned 2013 going, not at all.

New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles 9/11


The New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles continue their four game set this week at Oriole Park in Camden Yards. Have the Yankees been reduced into a spoiler role at this point in the season with so few games remaining or do they have a real shot at making the post season in 2013? The answer to that question looks a little bit clearer to us all after tonight. The Yankees will send Andy Pettitte to the mound to face off with Scott Feldman for the Orioles. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on the YES Network and MLB TV.

The Greedy Pinstripes & Yankees Fans Unite Are Merging


Many of our readers, myself included, enjoy multiple blogs for multiple opinions and insight. Well you guys I regret to inform you that you have one less blog to visit and get opinions from. Everyone here at The Greedy Pinstripes are very happy to announce that Yankees Fans Unite have decided to merge into our site here to make one big blog. We believe that this acquisition brings us one step closer to bringing you guys the most complete and deep Yankees blogging experience on the web. We're not there yet, don't take that from that post, but in my opinion we are definitely getting there.  We want to thank everyone over at YFU for their help in making this transition as smooth as possible. Bear with us as I get everything merged, all the kinks worked out, the YFU writers brought over, etc. Bear with us because it will be well worth the wait.

Hafner Finishes Yankees Career Making $3 Million Plus

Travis Hafner signed a one year deal with the Yankees worth $2,000,000 on February first with a ton of incentive kickers that could increase the deal to being worth $6,000,000.  With Hafner being added to the 60 day DL yesterday his season, and thus his Yankees career, is over and not a game too soon. Let's take a closer look at Hafner's performance bonuses and how much he earned this season by staying in the Yankees lineup:

$100,000 for reaching each plate appearance plateau

150
155
170
185
200
215
230
245
260
275

$125,000 for reaching each plate appearance plateau 

290 *
305
320
335
350
365
380
395
410
425

$175,000 for reaching each plate appearance plateau

440
455
470
485
500
515
530
545
560
575

*BOLDED DENOTES PLATEAU REACHED

Travis Hafner will finish his Yankees career, presumably anyway, making a whopping $3,125,000. Not bad for a .200 hitter with no power, no position in the field, or seemingly any skill whatsoever. I am in the wrong business...

Levine Says Cano Is Not "Sign At All Cost" Free Agent


Randy Levine has opened his mouth up once again and inserted his foot.

Robinson Cano, as we have heard all season long, is set to be a free agent after this season and it remains to be seen whether or not he returns to the Yankees after this season. Surely the Yankees will be interested in his services and even more surely Cano will be interested in the Yankees money but is there going to be a marriage again? In my opinion the Yankees should play hard ball but at the end of the day hand Cano whatever he wants within reason. Randy Levine obviously does not share in my beliefs when it comes to retaining their All Star second basemen.

Levine was quoted as saying the following:


“Robinson Cano is a great player,” Levine told Bloomberg Television. “We will sit down and talk to him. Hopefully he’s a Yankee. Nobody is a re-sign at all costs, but we want him back and we feel good about negotiating something with him. But nobody is a re-sign at any cost.”
The Levine showed just how much he has been paying attention with this quote:

“The fact of the matter is, the reason this season has taken some bumps is because we have had an incredible amount of injuries,” Levine said. “When our players are together and they’re playing, which has been very rare, the team has been very successful. Since the All-Star Game, we have had one of the best records in Major League Baseball.”

The Yankees have a 25-24 record since the All Star Break just as an FYI but I don't think I needed to tell anyone who is reading this that. They may have had one of the better records in August but that is another quote for another day.

Randy... please shut up.

Michael Kay Goes Off On "Jinxing" Perfect Games


@RealMichaelKay. For some reason I was living under a rock the day this was recorded because this was the first time I listened to this and I had to share. Michael Kay absolutely goes off on a caller, and he is right FYI, about jinxing no hitters and perfect games. He makes a great point, a point that I brought up in my DM conversation with Sweeny Murti on Twitter the other day, about how it is not his job to root for the Yankees but is his job to report about the game, which is what he is doing. Anyway give it a listen as Kay destroys the caller and notice the absolute silence and what sounds like a cricket chirping when Kay mentions his doubts about a god... my jaw dropped, wow.

September 11th -- The New York Yankees Never Forget


On this anniversary of the September 11th attacks I remind you all that we must never forget all the men and women who lost their lives on that day and all those who have given their lives for our freedom since. Thank you and never forget!

Should We Believe In Ivan Nova

Thanks to Brooks Baseball, for the following information...

As good as Ivan Nova has been this year, I haven't been able to believe in him. Keep in mind that this is a guy that had an ERA of 3.70 in 2011, and then came back in 2012 and had an ERA of 5.02. And that poor pitching in 2012 carried over to March/April of this season, when Ivan's ERA of 6.48 forced the team to demote in to AAA to try and figure things out.

"I wonder if I can find a reason why Nova was good in 2011, bad in 2012, and good again in 2013."

So is that 2.48 ERA since his June 23rd start, his first start after being brought back up to the Majors, to be believed?

For starters, Ivan decided to ditch the slider. In 2012, from July through September, the slider was being hit for a line drive almost 38% of the time. So that seems to be a good decision.

In place of the slider, Nova has started to throw a sinker. And seeing as how that pitch has been hit for a line drive less than 30% of the time (since his return to the MLB rotation in June, that is), I'd say it was another good choice.

Besides ditching one pitch for another, let's take a look at the rest of Ivan Nova's repertoire...

Fastball
Let's start with his fourseam fastball. The velocity of this pitch is pretty much unchanged. Last season it averaged 93.8 mph, while this season it's averaged 94.43 mph.

As for the movement of Nova's fastball, the differences are fairly minor as well. In 2012 it would move 5.38 inches, while in 2013 it's moving 4.51 inches. As for the vertical movement of the pitch, that's changed by a small amount too, going from 7.79 inches in 2012 to 8.28 inches in 2013.

There's a lot of muscle under that shirt sleeve.

Changeup
Nova's changeup is a bit slower than last year, but nothing drastic. It averaged 87.05 mph in 2012, and 86.1 mph in 2013.

While the horizontal movement of the pitch is almost the same, from -8.20 inches in 2012 to -8.06 inches in 2013, the vertical movement has changed quite a bit. In 2012 Nova's changeup would rise 6.79 inches, but in 2013 it's only risen 5.55 inches.

Curveball
When it comes to velocity, Nova's curveball is pretty much unchanged as well. Last season Ivan threw it 81.14 mph, while it's averaged 81.68 mph this season.

But the movement of the curveball is what's key, and that's where we find another real difference. It's not so much in the horizontal movement, which has gone from 5.21 inches in 2012 to just 5.00 inches in 2013, though. The difference is really seen in the vertical movement of Nova's curve. In that case it's gone from moving -6.59 inches to only -5.08 inches.

So to recap, what has changed?

  1. Nova's changeup isn't moving as much vertically, which has allowed him to control it better.
  2. Ivan is able to control his curveball a bit better, too, as it isn't moving as much vertically.

Those changes, along with adding a good sinker ball, has made Ivan Nova a better pitcher, and one we should be able to depend on to hold down teh #3 spot in the starting rotation.

"Yes, I've changed my underwear since 2012 as well."

Looking Ahead To 2014: The Yankees Bullpen

The Yankees 2014 Free Agents In The Bullpen

LHP Boone Logan
RHP Joba Chamberlain
RHP Mariano Rivera

The Yankees bullpen should be set for next season and will probably be built from within but I still see a couple of veteran options that the Yankees should at least take a look at. Here is the complete list of 2014 free agents but I will hit the high spots and realistic options for the Yankees in this years free agency period.


JP Howell (31 years old)
Boone Logan (29 years old)
Eric O'Flaherty (29 years old)
Jesse Crain (32 years old)
Joba Chamberlain (28 years old)
David Aardsma (32 years old)
Grant Balfour (36 years old)
Ryan Madson (33 years old)
Fernando Rodney (37 years old)


Boone Logan has been an integral part of the Yankees bullpen since 2010 after being acquired along with Javier Vazquez from the Atlanta Braves. Boone has seen his relief appearances, innings, and unfortunately his ERA go up in every season with the Yankees and battled an arm injury in spring training this season sending question marks all over Yankees land. Boone is also injured right now and shut down with an MRI heading over to Dr. James Andrews but that is for another post and another discussion. Boone bounced back and healthy for the most part this season but I wonder if it will be enough to bring back Boone and his $3,150,000 salary, assuming he is healthy of course. An obvious choice for his replacement internally is Cesar Cabral who deserves his shot at being the LOOGY he should have been in the 2012 season before a stress fracture in his pitching elbow ended his season.

Jesse Crain is coming off of a strong season for the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays which probably prices him out of our range as nice to have as he would be. Fernando Rodney and his arrow shooting may not go over well in New York especially the first time he blows a lead or a save plus the Yankees need to get younger anyway and they don't do that with a 37 year old former closer. Joba Chamberlain, even only as a 28 year old, has worn out his welcome in New York not only on the field but off the field after "sshh'ing" the greatest closer of all time among other idiotic maneuvers. Grant Balfour is not going to want to come to New York either to set up when he could easily get a closer's job after his successful career in Oakland with the Athletics.

That leaves David Aardsma and Eric O'Flaherty and I want both of them in my bullpen. Aardsma is healthy finally and has come all the way back from Tommy John surgery after bouncing around from team to team in 2012. Aardsma has closing experience and got his feet wet in New York and the media with the Yankees and the Mets last season so the transition should not be a huge deal either. Aardsma would essentially replace Joba Chamberlain in a 7th inning role or so for me and I would offer him a one year deal worth $1,500,000. Eric O'Flaherty has been magnificent for the Atlanta Braves from the left side of the pitching rubber since coming up to the majors and would be a welcomed addition to the Yankees bullpen replacing Boone Logan. O'Flaherty would get a three year deal on my team worth $18,000,000. With these additions our bullpen would look like some kind of combination of this roster.

CL: David Robertson
SU: Shawn Kelley
SU: Preston Claiborne
RP: Eric O'Flaherty
RP: David Aardsma
RP: Dellin Betances
LR: Adam Warren

Baseball Cards: Derek Jeter, The Mick, & George Bush


I just thought this was a cool picture for a baseball card. I know it is probably not worth any money or anything like that but it has Derek Jeter at bat and has President George W. Bush in the stands and Mickey Mantle in the dugout. Pretty cool and when I saw it I just had to have it. Enjoy!

Ivan Nova Left Game With Triceps Tightness


And the year of the injury is not over yet as Ivan Nova left last nights game after six innings of work and only 79 pitches due to triceps tightness. Nova already missed about a month due to the same injury this season but has been dealing with this new batch for about a month now as well, including his complete game shut out. The move is considered to be precautionary and there is no reason to believe that Nova will miss his next scheduled start.

Austin Romine Leaves Game In The 8th Inning


UPDATE: Joe Girardi announced that Romine "probably" has a concussion which would end his season. Brain injuries are nothing to mess with and I hate to see Austin's season end like this but this is one instance where I can agree with the Yankees being safe rather then sorry.

Austin Romine has also left tonight's game against the Baltimore Orioles and was replaced by rookie JR Murphy. Romine took a hard foul ball off of his catchers mask and seemed to be a little shaken up by the play. In the world of concussions and such there is no reason to take any chances so he is being tended to by the training staff. Hopefully this is just precautionary and Romine is okay. Stay tuned.

Alex Rodriguez Leaves Game In 7th Inning


UPDATE: Alex was lifted due to hamstring tightness. Joe Girardi played this off as just precautionary and not a huge deal and said that no tests were planned. If Alex plays at all tonight it will be as a DH but I expect him to be babied much like all the other Yankees this season.

Alex Rodriguez scored a run from first base in tonight's game in Baltimore and made an awkward slide at home plate. Alex was seen walking slowly to the dugout and was taken out of the game for the next half inning and replaced at third base by David Adams. No news on if this is an injury or not but I saw many people on twitter report that he was pointing to his leg. Not a good sign, not a good sign at all. Stay tuned.

Yankees Acquire Brendan Ryan From Seattle


The New York Yankees have announced that they have acquired short stop Brendan Ryan from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later. Ryan will provide the Yankees with some much needed depth at the short stop position although this cannot be good news for Derek Jeter. I am beginning to wonder just what are they not telling us this time about the 39 year old captain?

Ryan will not be eligible for the Yankees post season roster if they were to get that far but I am a firm believer in worrying about that once you get there. Ryan has absolutely zero bat putting up a .192/.254/.265 with three home runs but has an excellent glove at short stop. Eduardo Nunez should be scared after his throwing problems have seem to have resurfaced lately.

Thunder Win Game 1, 8-2; Series 1-0

Thunder with eight unanswered runs lead series

TRENTON, NJ - Trenton used a five-run third inning to erase an early 2-0 deficit against the Harrisburg Senators en route to an 8-2 win in Game 1 of the Eastern League Championship Series Tuesday night at ARM & HAMMER Park.
After allowing single runs in the 2nd and 3rd innings, Trenton's offense responded with an explosion off Harrisburg starting pitcher Blake Treinen that knocked him out of the game. Treinen, who pitched only 2.2 innings, ran into trouble after retiring all six batters he faced in the first two innings.
The inning started with a pair of walks to Ben Gamel and Reggie Corona which brought Ali Castillo to the plate attempting a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Instead, his bunt at the third baseman came to a stop just past the pitcher's mound for a base hit that loaded the bases with no outs. Mason Williams' two-run single and Jose Pirela and Tyler Austin's RBI singles brought home additional runs to make it 5-2 Thunder.
Trenton scored two more runs in the 4th inning on an RBI triple by Ali Castillo and a sacrifice fly by Williams, before Gary Sanchez's RBI double in the 7th inning capped the scoring for the night for both teams.
Thunder starting pitcher Nik Turley settled into his outing after allowing five baserunners in the first three innings by posting scoreless frames in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings. He fanned a career-high 10 batters including recording five of his final six outs via a strikeout. The La Canada, Calif. native earned the victory by allowing two runs over six innings on five hits and three walks.
Zach Nuding (2.0 innings) and Branden Pinder (1.0 innings) combined to retire nine of the final 10 Harrisburg batters to close out the win. With the win, the Thunder lead the best-of-five series 1-0.
Trenton and Harrisburg continue the ELCS at ARM & HAMMER Park with Game 2 Wednesday night. RHP Bryan Mitchell (0-0, 1.93) is scheduled to start for the Thunder against RHP A.J. Cole (4-2, 2.18) for the Senators. Limited tickets are available for Game 2 by going to www.trentonthunder.com/tickets or by calling the Thunder Ticket Office at (609)394-3300. Radio coverage of Wednesday's game on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and online begins at 6:45 p.m.

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE

This Day In New York Yankees History 9/11


On this day in 2001, I think this affects everyone especially the New York Yankees, the terrorists attacked New York City, Washington DC, and other attempted hijacks across the East Coast. All MLB games were cancelled and the Yankees evacuated Yankees Stadium as a precaution. Almost 3,000 people lost their lives on this day and we will never forget them.


On this day in 2002 Phil Rizzuto and Whitey Ford unveil a monument in Monument Park for the victims of the September 11th tragedy. The Yankees also planted a tree to honor the lives lost one year prior on this day.


On this day in 2009 Derek Jeter became the Yankees all time hits leader when he passed Lou Gehrig with his 2,722nd hit of his career. Gehrig held the record for over 70 years before Jeter broke it in this game against the Baltimore Orioles.