Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tanaka To Make His Spring Debut On Saturday


Masahiro Tanaka will make his spring debut in a real game this Saturday but will not be starting that game against the Phillies. CC Sabathia will start the game and will be followed by Hiroki Kuroda and Tanaka in the game this weekend. All three pitchers are expected to go two innings or 35 pitches, whichever comes first.

After Saturday those three pitchers will obviously be separated. The Yankees want to give Tanaka extra rest so expect him to see a few more days off than Sabathia and Kuroda. Either way our shiny new toy will be on display soon, even if it is just an exhibition game.

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 2/25


As we all know the Yankees beat the Florida State Seminoles Baseball team today 8-3 but we did have some spring training news, notes, and workouts to bring to you from this morning.

Alfonso Soriano was able to hit and workout this morning after missing a few days due to flu like symptoms. Soriano is feeling much better, great!

Chad Jennings as usual with the assignments:

Early morning live batting practice:
Facing Jose Pirela, Corban Joseph, Eduardo Nunez and Jacoby Ellsbury
Shawn Kelley (to John Ryan Murphy)
Yoshinori Tateyama (to Francisco Arcia)
Matt Thornton (to Austin Romine)
Dave Robertson (to Brian McCann)
· Today’s second string: C Gary Sanchez, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Corban Joseph, SS Dean Anna, 3B Jose Pirela, LF Antoan Richardson, CF Mason Williams, RF Ramon Flores, DH Pete O’Brien
· Today’s scheduled relievers: Brian Gordon, Shane Greene, Bryan Mitchell, Francisco Rondon (with just-in-case backups listed as Chase Whitley, Fred Lewis and Dan Burawa)
· Tomorrow’s travel squad:
Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Bruce Billings, Cesar Cabral, Preston Claiborne, Matt Daley, Chris Leroux, Ivan Nova, Jose Ramirez, Chase Whitley
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, Brian McCann, John Ryan Murphy, Pete O’Brien, Austin Romine
Infielders: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Corban Joseph, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Pirela, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ramon Flores, Adonis Garcia, Antoan Richardson, Mason Williams
· Batting practice groups:
Group 1: Russ Canzler, Brett Gardner, Kelly Johnson, Francisco Cervelli
Group 2: Adonis Garcia, Brendan Ryan, Yangervis Solarte, John Ryan Murphy
Group 3: Zoilo Almonte, Dean Anna, Corban Joseph, Gary Sanchez
Group 4: Jose Pirela, Antoan Richardson, Mason Williams, Jose Gil
Group 5: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Ichiro Suzuki, Brian McCann
Group 6: Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Alfonso Soriano, Mark Teixeira
Group 7: Eduardo Nunez, Scott Sizemore, Zelous Wheeler, Austin Romine
Group 8: Tyler Austin, Ramon Flores, Francisco Arcia, Pete O’Brien

Yankees Are "Monitoring" Joel Hanrahan & Ryan Madson


Okay it is now 100% official, Brian Cashman or SOMEONE inside the Yankees organization reads The Greedy Pinstripes and my posts, they have to. If you look HERE when I spoke about dumpster diving I mentioned the Yankees taking a waiver on the likes of Andrew Bailey, who recently signed with the team, Ryan Madson, Kevin Gregg, Oliver Perez, and Joel Hanrahan. Today news breaks that the Yankees are continuing to "monitor" Hanrahan after signing Bailey and are also looking at Madson. Are they simply signing up any former Boston Red Sox they can or am I next in line for a position inside the Yankees organization? Interesting...

Andy Martino broke the story on The Daily News that the Yankees recently sent scouts out to watch Ryan Madson throw. While the Yankees were impressed with his showcase they seem to think his price is "excessive" which means in Hal talk that he wants a Major League contract.

Hanrahan had Tommy John surgery last season and seems ready to contribute now or as late as May, not at mid season or later, and the Yankees and Mets are watching him closely. Hanrahan is entering his age 32 season and had the surgery in May so he is still nine months out from that surgery and also getting some bone chips cleaned up and getting his flexor tendon repaired. Hanrahan is already throwing off a mound and may be the best free agent option left that could be had for little to nothing and the Yankees need to pounce and pounce now.

Johan Santana Less Than Impressive In Workout


Johan Santana had a public workout with the Yankees and six other teams today according to George A. King and was less than impressive to say the least. Santana held the workout at a Florida high school and was topping out the gun at a blistering 81 MPH. Santana was mostly in the 77-78 MPH range with his fastball after a second shoulder capsule surgery, one is usually the end of a pitchers career. It is worth noting that his bugs bunny changeup was described as "impressive" by those in attendance.

Santana is entering his age 35 season in 2014 and is still considered to be in rehab mode after his surgery last April. It is not surprising that his arm strength and velocity are down now with Santana probably not available to pitch until mid season anyway. There is no such thing as too much pitching and there is definitely no such thing as a bad minor league deal so I think the Yankees should pounce on this. If Santana can teach that changeup to players like Mariano Rivera taught David Robertson and others his cutter I think that alone would be worth the investment.




Thunder Spring Training Starts Friday


(TRENTON, NJ) - The 2014 Trenton Thunder roster will begin to take shape this Friday as New York Yankees Minor Leaguers report to Spring Training in Tampa, Florida. The first Spring Training game for the defending Eastern League Champion Trenton Thunder will take place on Friday, March 14 against the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
2014 Spring Training Schedule:
DateOpponentSiteTime
    
February 28NYY MiLB Players report to Tampa, FL  
    
March 3First Full Workout  
    
March 14Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh) Bradenton, FL 1:00 PM
    
March 15Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh)Tampa, FL1:00 PM
    
March 16           New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto) Tampa, FL  1:00 PM
    
March 17           New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto)   Dunedin, FL         1:00 PM
    
March 18           New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto) Tampa, FL         1:00 PM
    
March 19           Camp DayTampa, FL                                       
    
March 20           Reading Fightin' Phils (Philadelphia)Clearwater, FL       1:00 PM
    
March 21           Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh)Bradenton, FL         1:00 PM
    
March 22           Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh)Tampa, FL            1:00 PM
    
March 23           Camp DayTampa, FL           
    
March 24           Reading Fightin' Phils (Philadelphia)   Clearwater, FL   1:00 PM
    
March 25        Reading Fightin' Phils (Philadelphia)   Tampa, FL           1:00 PM
    
March 26         Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh)   Bradenton, FL        1:00 PM
    
March 27         New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto)   Tampa, FL         1:00 PM
    
March 28        Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh)             Bradenton, FL     1:00 PM
    
March 29        Camp DayTampa, FL            
    
March 30        Break Camp (post workout)  
*Game times & opponents are subject to change
The Thunder's spring home is at the New York Yankees Minor League Complex in Tampa, FL. All requests for player interviews and credentials while the team is in Florida should be coordinated through the New York Yankees.
It was previously announced that Tony Franklin will return to ARM & HAMMER Park to manage the Thunder for an eighth consecutive season. Franklin, already the longest tenured skipper in the Thunder's 20 year history, is coming off his third Eastern League championship. He will be joined in the dugout once again by pitching coach and former Major Leaguer Tommy Phelps who returns for a sixth season, as well as Strength and Conditioning Coach Orlando Crance who returns for a second year in Trenton. The coaching staff will include new additions Hitting Coach Marcus Thames, Coach Orlando Mercado and Trainer Lee Meyer. 
The 2014 Trenton Thunder season will begin on Thursday, April 3 vs. New Hampshire to start a seven-game homestand at ARM & HAMMER Park. Season tickets, mini plans and hospitality areas are available by calling (609)394-3300 or online at trentonthunder.com.  
Single game tickets for the 2014 season of Trenton Thunder baseball will go on sale this Saturday, March 1 at 9:30am. Tickets may be reserved online at trentonthunder.com/tickets, by phone at 609-394-3300 or in person at ARM & HAMMER Park between 9:30am and 2:30pm. 

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

Yankees beat FSU easily in Spring Training opener, 8-3

Thanks to two scoreless innings from starter Vidal Nuno (W, 1-0), RBI Doubles from SS Brendan Ryan and DH J.R. Murphy, and an RBI Single from 2B Corban Joseph, the Yankees were able to easily win their 2014 Spring Training opener today over Florida State, 8-3. Going into this one's bottom off the fourth inning, the Yanks led just 2-0, before breaking the game open in that at-bat by scoring 3 runs.

So yea, while this victory was just over a college team, I'd say it was a good way to start the season. I mean, scoring 8 runs against anybody in February has to be considered good, doesn't it?

Keith Law's Top 11 Yankees Prospects



Here are Keith Law's Top 10 11 Yankees prospects. If you have a subscription to ESPN Insider, you can read the the whole thing here.
  1. C Gary Sanchez (68th overall)
  2. OF Tyler Austin (85th overall)
  3. OF Mason Williams (87th overall)
  4. C J.R. Murphy
  5. OF Slade Heathcott
  6. OF Aaron Judge
  7. LHP Ian Clarkin
  8. 3B Eric Jagielo
  9. RHP Luis Severino
  10. 1B Greg Bird
  11. RHP Jose Ramirez (Law said he is #11 in the write-up)
How important was last year's draft to the Yankees? Whew.

Injuries hit the Yankees pretty hard, and not just at the pro level. Austin, Williams, Heathcott, Judge, Clarkin, and Gabe Encinas all missed time due to some ailment. However, Heathcott is the only one of that group with true injury concerns. 

JR Murphy and Gosuke Katoh both had great seasons. I'm guessing Katoh was kept off the list since he's not only young, but his upside isn't as high as the other three from last year's draft that did make the list. 

Although he's #5 on the list, Law doesn't think Heathcott will make it. Slade has had all sorts of injury concerns, and had work done on his knee after trying to play on it all season. Keith notes that not only can't Heathcott run, but his reads in center were poor. He even quotes one Yankees scout as saying Slade is a "crazy person".

Law picks a sleeper for each team, and the guy he chose for the Yankees was Luis Torrens. Torrens was signed in 2012 and turned into a catcher, where he's done very well. He has great hands, and great overall defense. He may not hit for much power, but Torrens' looks like he'll hit well for average and on-base percentage.

Hopefully the Yankees do well in their international spending, which they've said they're going to spend big on. The farm could definitely use the boost, that way the big club doesn't have to go and spend another half a billion dollars in the offseason.

Florida State Seminoles & New York Yankees 2/25


Wow we are already doing game threads for real live New York Yankees baseball, doesn't seem right with pitchers and catchers reporting less than two weeks ago. Today the Yankees and the Florida State Seminoles baseball team, Jameis Winston and all, will face off at George M. Steinbrenner field.

Vidal Nuno will get the start for the Yankees and we will likely see Winston pitch sometime in this game. Enjoy real live New York Yankees baseball, even if it is just an exhibition game.

Meet A Prospect: Brian Cashman


Brian McGuire Cashman was born on July 3rd, 1967 in Rockville Centre, New York. Cashman was raised as an Irish Catholic with his family in Washingtonville, New York before moving to Lexington, Kentucky where his father, John Cashman, managed a farm and raised standard bred horses for harness races. There Brian attended Lexington Catholic High School before moving to Washington, D.C. and attending Georgtown Preparatory School. Cashman would graduate from Georgetown Prep in 1985 and would go on to The Catholic University of America to earn a bachelor's degree in 1989 where he was a four year starter, lead off hitter, and second basemen for the Cardinals baseball team. Cashman set the school record for most hits in a season, which has since been broke, and set himself up to being a member of the New York Yankees organization in 1986 as an intern and full time in 1998.

In February of 1998 Brian was named Senior Vice President and General Manager replacing Bob Watson and found himself in the middle of the Yankees dynasty. During Cashman's tenure as assistant GM, which will run at least into the 2014 season, the Yankees have won seven American League Pennants, five World Series Championships, was selected as the Major League Baseball Executive of the Year in 2009 by the Boston Chapter of the Baseball Writer's Association of American, was named to the Crain's New York Business 40 under 40 list in 1999, had his hand in developing the video game MLB Front Office Manager, and had one broken ankle skydiving for a good cause.


Cashman currently lives in Darien, Connecticut with his family. We all heard the stories last year of Mary Cashman, his wife, filing for divorce in February of 2012 for whatever reason, whether it be an affair or not. Really it is not my place to speculate because it is none of my business as long as Brian keeps bringing World Series rings home to the Bronx. While I have lost a lot of respect for Brian the way he handled certain things recently, see the comments to Alex Rodriguez, that can all be forgiven quickly with a 2014 ring to boast.


Love him or hate him Brian Cashman has enjoyed more success, whether on the coattails of someone else or not, than most people will have in their life. For every bad trade Cashman has found a way to make up for it with a good trade or key acquisition. Cashman is signed through the 2014 season and will likely make it all season to see this $189,000,000 luxury tax threshold through so haters get used to it.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #34 Don Larsen


While Don Larsen's 1956 season was not one for the record books, although he did set a career best in wins with 11 and had a 3.26 ERA, his Game 5 start in the 1956 World Series was. On 10/8/56 against the Dodgers at Yankee Stadium the Indiana native became the first and only pitcher to ever throw a no hitter in the World Series.

34 days until Yankees Opening Day


Baseball is here!

Today, the Yankees will take on Florida State University in their first exhibition of the spring. With that being said, many young rookies and possible impact players will get a chance to get some at-bats in. Here is who will get those chances according to Chad Jennings of the LoHud Blog:


Prospects Month: Top 28 Yankees Prospects List #4


Continuing our look at The Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 prospects list as a part of Prospects Month we name our #4 prospect, Slade Heathcott!

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.

1.
2.
3.
4. Slade Heathcott
5. Tyler Austin
6. Mason Williams
7. Ian Clarkin
8. Eric Jagielo
9. Greg Bird
10. Manny Banuelos
11. Jose Campos
12. Gosuke Katoh
13. Shane Greene
14. Jose Ramirez
15. Peter O'Brien
16. Aaron Judge
17. Ty Hensley
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 w/ Yankees Angelo Gumbs


Today's exclusive interview for The Greedy Pinstripes is Greedy Pinstripes follower on Twitter Angelo Gumbs. I think Angelo may be the one of the most underrated prospect that we have in our entire minor league system because all the guy has done since we drafted him at age 17 is play hard and impress on both sides of the ball. Follow Mr Gumbs on twitter @AGumbs21.

The Greedy Pinstripes: Was your dream as a child always to be a baseball player? If not then what did you want to be when you grew up?


Angelo Gumbs: I had three dreams when I was a child baseball art and animals, but at the age of 4 years old I promised my mother I would be a professional baseball player. 

TGP: What team did you root for growing up as a kid?


AG: I had no favorite teams 

TGP: Favorite player(s) growing up?


AG: favorite players such as all time great Garret Anderson, Gary Sheffield, David Eckstein, and since the third grade I have always admired Roberto Clemente. 

TGP: Your biggest inspiration when it came to baseball?


AG: My biggest inspiration playing baseball was my great grandfather George Osmond Fahie who I had always strives to be great for so he can watch me play one day but unfortunately he passed before all this, but at times I feel his presence and know he's here with me. 

TGP: Favorite moment as a Yankees prospect?


AG: My favorite moment as a Yankee prospect was seeing all the hard work I put in come together this season and I feel as though it was just a little sample of more to come as I see and feel my self getting bigger and better. 

TGP: How awesome was it winning the NYPL Staten Island Championship?


AG: It was an indescribable feeling, but the drive of my son Andruw's birth made it all worth it and feel that much better to bring a ring home to him. 

TGP: Getting drafted at only 17 and without a true position must have been tough and/or scary for you I would think, was it?


AG: It was a little tough 

TGP: Do you like playing 2B or would you rather play another position?


AG: my prime position out of high school was center field and I found my self asking to be moved to the outfield at times, but I stuck threw it and now I see my self as a better second baseman than out fielder, and I love everything about playing second base turning double plays is awesome and there are a lot more challenges that make it fun.  

TGP: Do you feel over shadowed and over looked when you put up great numbers on both side of the ball and do not get mentioned as much as guys like Mason Williams and Tyler Austin?


AG: Those guys have showed what they have consistently these past few years so I would think they would be mentioned more, and I'm not focused on that because either way all of our goals are to get to the big leagues but I feel confident that the work I'm putting in will class me along with players who carry those names. 

TGP: We did an interview with Tyler and we love the guy here. How is he off the field?


AG: He's a good guy and an even better teammate on and off the field always looking to help someone or just relax and have a good time, we found ourselves playing each other a lot in games of PGA world tour on our time off the field in Charleston so I'm sure your views on him are very similar to mine. 

TGP: Who was the best prospect in the Yankees system that you ever played with?


AG: Mason Williams. 

TGP: Do you keep in touch with any other current or former Yankees prospects or coaches?


AG: I stay in touch with Taylor Morton, Mason Williams, Connor Mullee, our old hitting coordinator J Ro, and our defensive coordinator Torre Tyson. 

TGP: Hardest part of being a prospect?


AG: The hardest part of being a prospect is just putting in work to be better I'll never be satisfied no matter what any one says I still will strive to be better. 

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?


AG: Justin Upton. (We need that number to set up an interview, lol)

TGP: Most embarrassing song/artist in your ipod?


AG: Weird Al. 

I want to thank you Angelo for taking the time out of your schedule and life to do this interview for us. We appreciate everything that you do on and off the field and I do not think I speak only for myself when I say that we cannot wait for your arrival in New York. You are a special talent and a special person and the stereotypical Yankee. Keep up the great work and, again, we appreciate the interview!

This Day In New York Yankees 2/25


On this day in 1994 the Veterans Committee elected Phil Rizzuto to the Hall of Fame along with Leo Durocher. The former infielder and then current television broadcaster, which caused much debate given his borderline stats, because important to his supporters when Pee Wee Reese, a similar player, was inducted in 1984 as a Brooklyn Dodger.