Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Nuno, Greene struggle as Yanks get shutout by Phillies

Vidal Nuno and Shane Greene each gave up 2 earned runs in their individual innings of work (Nuno - two solo homers, Greene - two singles and a double) tonight as the Yankees lost their second straight game to the Phillies in frustrating fashion, 6-0. Throughout this ball-game, the Yankees offense constantly threatened the Phils pitching staff, but in the end they somehow just didn't score a single run. 

So yea, long story short this contest couldn't have gone much worse. The offense never did anything and the pitching, besides relievers David Robertson and Matt Thornton, just wasn't the slightest bit consistent. 

Staten Island Yankees to Receive LED Video Display


TS Sports chosen to improve Richmond County Bank Ballpark
Dallas, TX. – March 25, 2014 – The Staten Island Yankees have selected TS Sports to install a brand new video display for Richmond County Bank Ballpark. TS Sports is a cutting edge audio/video integration company that specializes in complete high resolution video solutions.
TS Sports is installing the following technology at Richmond County Bank Ballpark:
  • Primary Video Display – Fv20 (20mm) – 6.3’ (h) x 188.89’ (w)
  • Total Number of LED’s on the Project: 829,440
“TS Sports is excited to work with the Staten Island Yankees on a new LED video display for Richmond County Bank Ballpark. The new system will create a dynamic game day atmosphere for Yankee fans for years to come,” spoke TS Sports VP Sales/Marketing, Matt Ritter.
“With post-Sandy ballpark damage now firmly behind us, there’s great excitement to roll out our new state-of-the-art LED Board for the 2014 baseball season. The Staten Island Yankees have teamed with industry leader TS Sports on this 200’ long by 6’ high entertainment wall. With new animation capabilities and enhanced visual impact, fans attending games at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark will enjoy our LED on a whole new level - as will our advertisers on the LED,” spoke Staten Island Yankees CEO, Steven Violetta.
TS Sports is a high-end electronic video board systems integrator that specializes in light-emitting diode (LED) technology. Founded in 1997, TS Sports’ innovate video boards are of the highest quality in the industry, and prides itself on being a unique “one-stop-shop” for its customers. In addition to LED video boards, TS also installs and services scoreboards, advertising panels, electronic message centers, sound systems, and control rooms. For more information about TS Sports, please visit www.ts-sports.com.

Being posted with permission from the Staten Island Yankees organization. 

New York Yankees vs. Philadelphia Phillies 3/25


The New York Yankees are fresh off an off day and heading into their final five spring training games locked and loaded for the regular season. Tonight the Yankees host the Philadelphia Phillies in the latest Grapefruit League game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on the YES Network, MLB Network, and MLB TV.

Adam Warren will make the start for the Yankees tonight after losing out on the fifth starter competition to Michael Pineda. Here is the Yankees lineup:

Brett Gardner LF
Derek Jeter SS
Carlos Beltran DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Brian McCann C
Alfonso Soriano RF
Kelly Johnson 3B
Brian Roberts 2B
Ichiro Suzuki CF

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/25


Jacoby Ellsbury played in a minor league game today and went 1-4 with a single, two walks, and a strike out. Jacoby was the DH but said the calf feels fine after the game. Jacoby expects to play tomorrow, possibly in a Major League game and will "no doubt" be ready for Opening Day in his words.

Joe Girardi has a tough bullpen competition decision ahead of him. These players showcased below are in addition to Dellin Betances, Shawn Kelley, David Robertson, and the three men that lost out on the fifth starter competition.

John Ryan Murphy has been sent down to AAA and has been assigned to minor league camp ending his backup catcher competition. Girardi has not announced that Cervelli is the backup, and Austin Romine is still in camp, but it's only a matter of time.

Yoshinori Tateyama: This spring: 7 IP, 0.86 WHIP, 10 K
Jim Miller: This spring: 7.2 IP, 0.78 WHIP, 4 K
Chris Leroux: This spring: 10.2 IP, 0.37 WHIP, 9 K
David Herndon: This spring: 5 IP, 0.80 WHIP, 4 K
Matt Daley: This spring: 7.1 IP, 0.55 WHIP, 7 K

Chad Jennings with the assignments from a quiet day at Yankees camp:

Today’s bullpens:
Cesar Cabral (to Roman Rodriguez)
Masahiro Tanaka (to Francisco Cervelli)
CC Sabathia (to Austin Romine)
Hiroki Kuroda (to Jose Gil)
· Tomorrow’s travel squad for Dunedin:
Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Danny Burawa, Preston Claiborne, Matt Daley, Shane Greene, David Herndon, Chris Leroux, Fred Lewis, Jim Miller, Yoshinori Tateyama
Catchers: Francisco Cervelli, Jose Gil, John Ryan Murphy
Infielders: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Derek Jeter, Kelly Johnson, Eduardo Nunez, Brian Roberts, Scott Sizemore, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Carlos Beltran, Adonis Garcia, Brett Gardner, Antoan Richardson, Alfonso Soriano
· Today’s second string: C Austin Romine, 1B Russ Canzler, 2B Eduardo Nunez, SS Dean Anna, 3B Scott Sizemore, LF Yangervis Solarte, CF Adonis Garcia, RF Zoilo Almonte, DH Zelous Wheeler
· Today’s scheduled relievers: David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, Matt Thornton, Shawn Kelley, Dave Robertson, Matt Daley, Fred Lewis, David Herndon and Shane Greene (with Jim Miller, Danny Burawa and Yoshinori Tateyama available in case that huge group can’t get through all nine)

Michael Pineda Is Our 5th Starter In 2014


Manager of the Yankees Joe Girardi announced that the decision for the fifth starter competition winner would be announced today and Joe is a man of his word, announcing that Michael Pineda would be our fifth starter to start the 2014 season. Pineda will start the fifth game on the season next Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays. This will be Pineda's first Major League start since 2011 and will be a day after Masahiro Tanaka makes his Major League debut.

David Phelps, Adam Warren, and Vidal Nuno are now in the midst of a bullpen competition with Warren and Phelps likely to be locks for 25 man roster spots.

Quick Hit: New York Yankees Minor League Link Party


Chad Jennings went absolutely crazy covering the minor leagues yesterday that everyone who loves the prospects should read. Jennings touches on everyone from Ronnier Mustelier, Tyler Austin, the Opening Day assignments, spring standouts, and so much more.

Click HERE to see the entire post and give it a read. It's a lengthy one but it's a good one. Enjoy.

Predicting The Cy Young Award Winners In 2014


In the era of the pitcher, I am coining that now since the "steroid era" is all but over, there is an emphasis on young, effective, and power pitching. The Cy Young Award voting is getting harder and harder, less obvious every year, and tougher and tougher to call. The era of the pitcher is upon us and here is who I think will be the Cy Young Award winners for this coming season.


In the American League the winner of the Cy Young Award winner will be Felix Hernandez. King Felix finally has a little bit of offense behind him and is still probably the best pitcher in the AL. It may not be enough for the Seattle Cano's to make the playoffs but should be enough to net Felix 15-18 wins and a minuscule ERA once again.


If you pick against Clayton Kershaw, no offense, but you are a moron. I do not consider myself to be a moron so I pick Clayton Kershaw to win the award in 2014. The guy is the best in the game right now and while he had a ton of mileage on his arm from 2013 I do not think we see the effects of that just yet. The highest paid player in the history of Major League Baseball, AAV wise, is going to earn his money in 2014 and take home the award.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #6 Bob Meusel


Bob Meusel was a career .309 hitter over his 11 Major League seasons and jumped right into the mix for the New York Yankees in 1920 by batting .328 with 83 RBI's as a rookie. Meusel continued to drive in runs throughout the 20's knocking in 136 runs in his second season and then led the American League with a career high 138 RBI's in 1925.

The New York Yankees are a Joe Torre, 6 days away, from playing on Opening Day

Quick Hit: Tanaka "Officially" The Fourth Starter


Joe Girardi has basically lineup up his rotation for Opening Day announcing that CC Sabathia would start this Thursday, lining him up for Opening Day (and has already been announced as the Opening Day starter). Hiroki Kuroda has been named Friday's starter, which lines him up perfectly for Game Two, and followed by Ivan Nova Saturday for a Game Three start. This essentially makes Masahiro Tanaka the fourth starter, unless of course Michael Pineda or David Phelps is the fourth starter than Tanaka becomes the fifth but I am being realistic here, and I am not quite sure I agree with it.

Obviously the Opening Day rotation order means absolutely nothing and will not be the same in May or June that it will be in April, I get that. I also get that you want to get Tanaka's feet wet slowly but still, the fourth starter? Who pays a guy $155 million plus $20 million just to talk to the guy to pitch the fourth game of the season?

I am not entirely upset about it but I can't say I understand it either. I don't necessarily see an issue with having Tanaka and Kuroda pitching back to back, but maybe it's just me. Tanaka will be the best fourth starter in all of baseball though, I will tell you that. Write it down.

This Day In New York Yankees History 3/25


On this day in 1935 the Chicago Cubs sold Pat Malone to the New York Yankees. The right hander will go 12-4 in 1936 for New York but will only post a 19-13 record in his three years in the Bronx.