Tuesday, February 11, 2014

ICYMI: The Masahiro Tanaka Press Conference


In case you missed the Masahiro Tanaka introductory press conference today like myself or you just want to watch it again here are the videos courtesy of YES.

Two Years Later Michael Pineda Is Finally 100%


Two years after the New York Yankees gave up their top prospect Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda from the Seattle Mariners, one major shoulder surgery later, and two missed seasons later Pineda says he is finally 100% and ready to go. Just in the nick of time if you ask me because the Yankees need him now more than ever with so much change and transition happening with the team right now.

Pineda spoke to the Associated Press and said this:

I’m feeling 100 percent right now, and my body is in perfect shape. Everything is in the past. I’m ready to go.” 


If Brian Cashman Wants To Dumpster Dive, Do It Right!


The Yankees addressed their needs in the starting rotation, in the lineup, and somewhat touched on the infield but what about the bullpen? That same bullpen that lost Mariano Rivera, Boone Logan, and Joba Chamberlain and has done nothing to replace them. The Yankees have gone over the luxury tax yet again and are now content to dumpster dive to fill the roster and provide the team with depth. If the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman want to dumpster dive for the bullpen they at least need to do it right, pay attention. The longer the offseason goes on and the closer we get to the pitchers and catchers reporting, which is Friday February 14 by the way, the more likely it is that the Yankees can steal a couple of guys on cheap deals or minor league deals. I can't wait to see how these new acquisitions will affect the odds on the different betting sites listed at MyTopSportsbooks.com

Ryan Madson is 33 years old and, although two years removed from it due to arm injuries, has closing experience with the Philadelphia Phillies. During Madson's last full healthy season in 2012 he put up 32 saves, posted a 2.37 ERA, and pitched in 60 games. Madson is said to be hitting 93 MPH on the gun this offseason and finally looks healthy again.



Kevin Gregg closed games for the Chicago Cubs last season and although his ERA was high, 3.48, he still saved 33 saves in 62 innings pitched. Gregg is also 36 years old so he comes with experience closing with many teams including AL East teams the Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles. Gregg also only allowed six home runs in 2013 in a very home run friendly Wrigley Field in Chicago so he could translate well into Yankee Stadium in a 7th or 8th inning role. Plus he punched David Ortiz in the face, how could that hurt?

The Yankees don't necessarily need another left handed option with Cesar Cabral, Matt Thornton, and Manny Banuelos already in the fold but Oliver Perez has revitalized his career as a left handed specialist in the bullpen the last couple of seasons. Perez has a 2.93 ERA the last two seasons in 82.2 IP and has only allowed seven home runs, albeit in a pitcher friendly park. If we brought Perez to camp though I could see the Yankees dumping Thornton all together, here's to wishful thinking.



Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan can be combined here as they are both former closers, both former Red Sox players, and both coming off injuries to their arms. Bailey is still only 29 years old and Hanrahan is still 32 years old which means neither are old or have too many miles on their arms. Bailey, before coming to Boston, had 75 saves in his first three seasons and a 2.18 ERA before he became the heir apparent to Jonathan Papelbon. Hanrahan had 76 saves the two seasons before he was a Red Sox with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hanrahan was acquired to replace the injured Bailey only to lose his 2013 season to injury.

All of these men could come on minor league deals with invitation to spring training or very low risk one year deals with incentive laden contracts thus making them all attractive. With the closers role still technically up in the air and the Yankees bullpen looking rather thin on paper we could also offer interesting and attractive offers to these men. If Brian Cashman wants to dumpster dive sign more of men like these and less Cole Kimbal's please.

Staten Island Yankees Announce 2014 Coaching Staff


Hello, my name is Masahiro Tanaka


A few moments ago the New York Yankees officially introduced japenese sensation Masahiro Tanaka. The Yankees signed Tanaka to a 7 year/$155 million dollar contract in January. Tanaka seemed to be soaking in the attention and took questions from reporters for several minutes. It's certainly going to be interesting to see how he plays out this season.

Reminder: Masahiro Tanaka Press Conference Today


Just as a friendly reminder the Yankees are introducing their new toy Masahiro Tanaka today on YES. The press conference is sure to be on MLB Network and maybe even ESPN if they can stop stroking the Boston Red Sox long enough as well if you do not have YES. The press conference will take place at the Legends Club at Yankee Stadium at 1:00 pm ET, be there. I will not be there, I am having to work, so enjoy it without me.

The Yankees and their fans finally get to see what $155 million and a $20 million posting fee will get them.

Meet A Prospect: Russ Canzler




With the Yankees signing Russ Canzler to a deal for the second straight offseason now seemed like a good as a time as any to meet one of the many guys vying for a spot in the infield and on the bench this season, Mr. Russ Canzler.

Russell Michael Canzler was born on April 11th, 1986 in Berwick, PA where he went to High School at Hazelton High School in Hazelton, PA. Coming in at 6'2" and 220 lbs Russ made an immediate impression with his coaches while on the Hazelton High baseball team. He made enough of an impression on the Major League scouts as well because the Chicago Cubs drafted him straight out of High School in the 30th round in the 2004 MLB First Year Players Draft.


Russ would stay in the Chicago Cubs minor league system from the 2004 season all the way up to the 2010 season before leaving for the Tampa Bay Rays via free agency before the 2011 season. He was named International League MVP in 2011 for the Rays after hitting .314/.401/.530 with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs in 131 games played. Canzler was called up to the majors on a day he, or anybody else, will ever forget on September 11th, 2011. Russ would stay with the Rays until he was traded to the Cleveland Indians before the 2012 season for cash considerations. He would spend the 2012 season in the Indians minor league system before being designated for assignment to make room for the Mark Reynolds. The Toronto Blue Jays claimed him off waivers only to put Russ back on waivers a mere twelve days later. The Indians would reacquire Canzler from the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers only to designate him for assignment again to make room for  Nick Swisher. That led the Yankees to sign Canzler only to, like so many others, designate him for assignment. Long, less confusing, story short is that Canzler bounced around a ton in 2012.


 The Yankees scooped up Canzler again for the 2014 season as he looks to battle everyone and their mothers for spots on the infield and on the Yankees bench. Good luck to Russ as I am a big time fan and advocate for the guy and wish him nothing but luck and success both on and off the field. Welcome to the family Russ. 

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #49 Chris Chambliss (Again)


Chris Chambliss was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1971 with the Cleveland Indians. Chambliss joined the New York Yankees midway through the 1974 season and solidified the middle of the Bronx Bombers lineup. The left handed hitter knocked in 90 RBI's for three straight seasons starting with a career high 96 RBI's in 1976.

49 days until Yankees Opening Day.

Prospects Month: Top 28 Yankees Prospects List #18


Continuing our look at The Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 prospects list as a part of Prospects Month we name our #18 prospect, Luis Severino!

Here is the complete up to date list. Check back every day as the list fills out and we continue our look at the prospects in the New York Yankees system during Prospects Month here on TGP.

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8.
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10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18. Luis Severino
19. Abiatal Avelino
20. Rob Refsnyder
21. Nik Turley
22. Cito Culver
23. Ramon Flores
24. Mark Montgomery
25. Rookie Davis
26. Jake Cave
27. Ben Gamel
28. Angelo Gumbs

Exclusive Interview With Joe Girardi's Binder


Prospects Month just got really interesting here on The Greedy Pinstripes as I pulled some strings and landed our latest interview with the true manager of the New York Yankees, Joe Girardi's binder. As we all know the binder holds all the secrets to the world and the inner workings of Girardi's mind and we got to spend a few hours picking it, what a pleasure it was I add. If you ever wanted to know why Joe and the Yankees remain so successful keep reading this very entertaining interview. 



The Greedy Pinstripes:  Wow I think we are the first to ever get an interview with Joe Girardi's Binder, no? How are you today? We'll wait while you have to look it up. 

Girardi's Binder: Thanks so much for having me guys. I'm excited to be able to "turn the page" toward the 2014 season. So many new faces, so many stats.

TGP: Does Joe have a clever nickname for you? Like Ellsbury has Ellsy, etc. 

GB: You know, as much as he carries me around, Joe doesn't really have a nickname for me. I do, however, have a chapter full of Joe's nicknames. We've got one ready for Tanaka, but we won't spoil that just yet. So far we've added Canny, Tranny, Ellsy, Thorny, and Robby

TGP:  Did you come with Joe Girardi? Or did Joe just make you famous (or infamous, whichever you prefer)

GB: I came with Joe Girardi. Joe created me in Florida, and ownership didn't like me. No one knows, but I'm the reason Joe won Manager of the year in '06 but still got fired.

TGP: Can you confirm that Derek Jeter says "yeah Jeets" while making love or in his home alone?

GB: That I can't confirm, but gosh, I'd like to find out. If I hear him saying it in the shower in Tampa, I'll report back on that.


TGP: Vernon Wells or Ichiro Suzuki? Who would you have cut?

GB: We'll let you know if we made the right move. Wellsy had to go, even though my pages kept telling Joe to bat him fourth against lefties. I've already told EECHY to send Tanaka some text messages and snap chats with HIROK. Hoping they work.

TGP: What did Joe get you for Christmas?

GB: Joe got me some new dividers and a brand new plastic cover. I seem to get the same crap every year. If I accidentally spill on the way to Spring Training, you'll know why.

TGP: How upset are you about not being the #FaceoftheYankees on MLB Network? You had my vote.

GB: I've got to thank all of my fans for voting for me as the face of the Yankees. Most people don't realize that the bulk of Yankee I've got to thank all of my fans for voting for me as the face of the Yankees. Most people don't realize that the bulk of Yankee.

TGP:  Are you big on prospects or would you rather trade them all for the veteran "sure thing" types?

GB: I'd rather trade prospects for the sure thing. The Yankees need to win now so Joe stays in New York for a long time. Imagine being the first school supply ever immortalized in Monument Park! Rebuilding is for the birds.

"Still NO Chris, and NOW you know why!"

TGP: Why would you not play Chris Dickerson in 2011 and 2012? 

GB: Chris Dickerson once spilled water all over me during the summer of 2011. That was the end of him.

TGP: Tell us the truth, did Andruw Jones have naked pictures of Joe's wife? Or of Joe?

GB: JONESY had great splits against left-handers, just like WELLSY. Both were tremendous successes toward a Yankee championship. Wait...

TGP: Why would you not let Dellin Betances pitch last season?

GB: DELI has great stuff, but his fastball is so wild, he sometimes hits scouts in the stands, putting THEIR binders in danger. THOSE ARE MY COUSINS, MAN!


TGP:  Did you tell Joe to go out and defend Alex Rodriguez last season after being hit by Ryan Dempster?

GB: That was all Joe on that one. I was so proud of him. I thought he might pop a blood vessel. However, I do have a chapter that indicates the Yankees' OUTSTANDING record when Joe gets ejected from a game. And we won that one too.

TGP: Turn to page 47 in the binder, what does it say?

GB: Page 47 says that Boone Logan needs to pitch in 100 games this coming season. Unfortunately, he's in Colorado. So insert "Thornton" everywhere you see "Logan" and we're up-to-date.

TGP: What is your plan to navigate the Yankees bullpen this season?

GB: See above answer.

TGP:  What in the world are you going to do without Joba Chamberlain, Boone Logan, and Mariano Rivera to lean on this season?

GB: We're going to call up some old pals to help fill the gap this season: Wetteland, Nelson, Stanton, Quantrill, Proctor, and Sturtze. It's always best to go with guys who have experience. We haven't heard back yet from Pedro Feliciano's agent.

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?

GB: Bill Clinton. He keeps asking if I'm a binder full of women. I don't follow politics.

TGP: Can you hook us up with a Joe Girardi interview?

GB: I can try, but Joe's day usually consists of work-outs, work-outs, reading, and then more work-outs. Maybe when he's in between sets of push-ups I can get him on a phone call for you, but no promises.

TGP: Any embarrassing songs in your iPod?



GB: The soundtrack from "Lord of the Rings." See what I did there?

TGP: Have you been approached about a movie deal yet?

GB: No movie deal, but John Sterling and I are working on a Yankeeography as we speak. Once the Carl Pavano episode airs, I'm on!

TGP: We'll finish with this one, where do you see yourself in five years?

GB: If I retire this year, Cooperstown.

Perfect answer to finish a perfect interview...




We want to thank Joe Girardi for relinquishing his binder for a few minutes to do this interview and we want to thank the binder for finding the time to do this interview for us. You can follow Girardi's Binder on Twitter by following @BinderGirardi to see his always entertaining tweets. At least now we have a face and a voice behind all those first inning intentional walks, questionable pinch hitting moves, and all the wins and losses due to the binder. Also if I have to tell you that this is a spoof then I am not entirely sure I want you reading my material, I kid. Thank you for reading and thank you again to Girardi's Binder for taking the time and letting us have a sneak peek of the most important document in New York Yankees history. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 2/11


On this day in 1915 New York Giants president Harry Hempstead rejected the International League's request to put a team in the Bronx. The shift of the International League's Jersey City to the Bronx, already home of the New York Yankees, was going to be a way to prop up a failing minor league franchise. This was also attempted to try and keep the invasion of the Federal League out of New York.