The Toddfather and the Triple Play...

Credit:  John Munson-NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Yankees 4, Reds 2...

Todd Frazier's Yankee Stadium debut will be hard to forget.  I am not talking about the 500 or 600 people that traveled up to the game from Tom's River, New Jersey.  With the bases loaded and no outs in the second inning, Frazier came to bat and promptly hit into an inning-ending triple play.  Fortunately, the Yankees squeezed one run out of it but not exactly a stellar debut.  Nevertheless, thanks to a magnificent Jordan Montgomery and 2 later RBI's from  the third out of the triple play (Didi Gregorius), the Yankees prevailed over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night.

The second inning started so nicely for the Yankees.  Matt Holliday, Didi Gregorius, and Chase Headley all singled to load the bases with no outs against Reds starter Luis Castillo.  It set the stage for Todd Frazier's Yankee Stadium debut.  I was thinking Grand Slam.  How beautiful that would have been.  But it was not meant to be as Frazier hit a grounder to shortstop Jose Peraza on a 3-1 hitter's count.  After erasing Headley and Frazier, the Reds had Didi hung up between second and third.  He had broken for third base and then had second thoughts and ended up running out of the base path for the third and final out but not before Holliday had crossed the plate with the game's first run.

The Yankees picked up another run in the 4th inning.  Aaron Judge singled to right off Castillo and worked his way to third base courtesy of a Matt Holliday broken bat groundout and then balk by the pitcher.  Didi Gregorius scored Judge with a sacrifice fly to right field.

Another run came the next inning when Todd Frazier, shaking off the triple play, led off with a single to left.  Tyler Wade hit into a fielder's choice which eliminated Frazier at second.  Austin Romine, a high school teammate of Colorado's great third baseman Nolan Arenado, doubled to the right field corner with Wade motoring around to score the Yankees' third run. The Yankees loaded the bases after Romine's double but were unable to cash in when Matt Holliday grounded out to end the inning.

Credit:  John Munson-NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Jordan Montgomery was amazing.  He had a no-hitter going until the top of the 6th inning when Scott Schebler led off with a double to the wall in right center.  Schebler ended up scoring when he moved to third on a fly out and came home on a ground out.  Monty pitched into the 7th inning and had two outs before he was pulled after giving up a single to Adam Duvall.  Tommy Kahnle came on to secure the final out.  Montgomery settled for a two-hitter over 6 2/3 innings, allowing the single run and walking a batter, while striking out 6.  We've been watching Monty "grow up" this season before our very eyes and it has been fun.  He does not pitch like a rookie and is showing that he can be an arm to rely upon down the stretch.  

Credit:  Frank Franklin II-AP

With the Yankees holding the slim 3-1 lead, things got a little too interesting in the 8th.  Dellin Betances, showing that his struggles are not behind him, got into trouble.  He walked the first batter, Devin Mesoraco, to immediately start in the hole.  After striking out Scott Schebler, he walked Jose Peraza.  Zack Cozart pinch-hit for Arismendy Alcantara and hit a grounder into a fielder's choice, forcing Peraza out at second.  Mesoraco moved to third, with Cozart at first.  Billy Hamilton doubled to right, scoring Mesoraco and moving Cozart to third.  Manager Joe Girardi had seen enough and pulled Betances in favor of Adam Warren.  Meanwhile, the Reds replaced Cozart after he aggravated a quad injury running to third base with pinch-runner Robert Stephenson, a starting pitcher (the Reds were down to catchers on their bench).  Fortunately, Stephenson, representing the tying run, was left stranded at third when Warren struck out Eugenio Suarez.

In the bottom of the 8th, the Yankees added a much-needed insurance run when Didi Gregorius homered to right center, a solo shot.  

Credit:  Charles Wenzelberg-The New York Post

The Yankees took a 4-2 lead into the 9th inning for closer Aroldis Chapman.  Chapman, unlike Betances, had no command issues as he easily dispatched the three Reds he faced for his 12th save of the season.  Yankees win!

Credit:  John Munson-NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Yankees (52-46) moved to within a game of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East Standings with the victory.  The Red Sox lost another game in Seattle, this time a 6-5 loss in 13 innings (after the Mariners rallied in the bottom of the 13th trailing the Red Sox, 5-4).  The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles, 5-4, to remain 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees.

Ironically, although he has no official RBI as a Yankee, Todd Frazier has driven in two runs with a double play and now a triple play during his brief Yankees career.  Hopefully, he'll start mixing in a few official ribbies.

Credit:  Anthony J Causi-The New York Post

After the game, Joe Girardi said that it was his intent to avoid using David Robertson in the game.  He continues to have confidence in Dellin Betances, as do we, but there's no question that he needs to work his way out of this funk sooner rather than later.

Sonny Gray Watch...

Okay, I admit it.  I am 'all in' on the Sonny Gray rumors.  He was probably the most scouted major league player during last night's match-up between Gray's current (soon to be former) team, the Oakland A's and the AL East's very own Toronto Blue Jays.  I have to admit that I was channel flipping between games.  It was actually a 'two-fer' watch with Yonder Alonzo starting at first base.  

Credit:  Mark Blinch-AP

I am still expecting the Los Angeles Dodgers to pull a desperation move but hopefully they are more focused on Yu Darvish assuming the Texas Rangers can be persuaded to sell.

Gray's outing against the Blue Jays didn't go so well.  Although he didn't allow any earned runs, the Jays scored four runs against him courtesy of his own throwing error which extended the second inning in the A's 4-1 loss.  His final line:  6.0 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO.  He took the loss, dropping to 6-5 while his ERA was lowered to 3.43.  

A number of teams were present to scout Gray at Rogers Centre in addition to the Yankees.  They included the Cubs, Dodgers, Brewers, Pirates, Indians, and Royals.  Although they were not present, the Houston Astros remain a frontrunner to acquire Gray according to A's beat writer Susan Slusser.  

Here's hoping that GM Brian Cashman is able to ensure that Gray's next start will be in pinstripes.

Odds & Ends...

Ex-Yankee relievers seem to be in high demand.  Last week, we saw David Phelps traded from the Miami Marlins to the Seattle Mariners and saw him over the weekend.  Yesterday, the Chicago White Sox, having already divested themselves of former (and now current) Yankees David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle, shipped ex-Yankee reliever Anthony Swarzak to the Milwaukee Brewers.  Swarzak had just picked up his first save on Monday after Tyler Clippard failed to close the previous game.  I guess it is a curse to effectively close a game for the White Sox this year but I am not complaining.  Justin Wilson is probably the next former Yankee reliever on the auction block.  

Speaking of ex-Yankees, the Boston Red Sox felt they needed one.  They acquired infielder Eduardo Nunez overnight from the San Francisco Giants for a couple of minor league pitchers.  Thwarted in their attempt to acquire Todd Frazier from the Chicago White Sox, they had recently called up top prospect Rafael Devers to man third base.  The Red Sox press release referred to Nunez as a utility player so he'll presumably provide insurance for the 20-year-old Devers if the Red Sox opt to continue with plans with the youngster at the hot corner or possibly platoon with him.

Triple A outfielder Jake Cave has been named the International League's Player of the Week for the week ending July 23rd.  Cave was 15-for-26 (.577) with 2 homers and 8 RBI's. His on-base percentage was .607 and his slugging percentage was .885.  He hit safely in all seven games played, with multiple hits in all but two of the games.  Since his promotion from Double A, Cave has the most hits (47) of any player in the International League over that period of time.  I know that the 24-year-old Cave is desperately seeking a MLB opportunity.  If he can't get it with the Yankees, I hope that he is included in a deadline deal that will allow him to make his MLB debt.  He's earned it.

Have a great Wednesday!  One more with the Reds and then bring us the Rays!  Let's Go Yankees!

ICYMI: A Few Bullpen Moves

From Bryan Van Dusen seen originally HERE:

Blake Parker, Kirby Yates, and Anthony Swarzak are no longer with the Yankees

Parker and Yates were claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of The United States of... you get the joke, and it's not a good one anyway.

Swarzak elected free agency instead of accepting an outright assignment to the minors.

None of these three will be missed by the Yankees or their fans. That's not to say they weren't good guys or teammates, but Parker's ERA was 4.96 in 16 games, Yates' was 5.23 in 41 appearances, and 5.52 in 26 games.

Yankees Offseason Week in Review

What happened this week during the Yankees offseason? Let's recap what went down:

 -- CC Sabathia will undergo a routine knee surgery this offseason. CC will have his knee cleaned up a bit and this was considered to be scheduled and not a big deal, and I believe the team this time.

 -- Larry Rothschild was the Yankees only free agent to be in the coaching department and the team has already signed him to a new deal for the 2017 season.

 -- Blake Parker and Kirby Yates were claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim while Anthony Swarzak and Eric Young Jr. elected free agency.

 -- James Kaprielian was officially added to the Arizona Fall League roster for the Yankees.

 -- George Steinbrenner has been added as a finalist for the Hall of Fame.

A Few Bullpen Moves

Blake Parker, Kirby Yates, and Anthony Swarzak are no longer with the Yankees

Parker and Yates were claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California of The United States of... you get the joke, and it's not a good one anyway.

Swarzak elected free agency instead of accepting an outright assignment to the minors.

None of these three will be missed by the Yankees or their fans. That's not to say they weren't good guys or teammates, but Parker's ERA was 4.96 in 16 games, Yates' was 5.23 in 41 appearances, and 5.52 in 26 games.

2017 Yankees Auditions Needs to Include Relievers

The youth movement has begun in the Bronx with the explosions onto the scene of Tyler Austin, Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and others but there is one part of the Yankees team that could use a little youth infusion. That part of the Yankees team is the bullpen. If the Yankees are really committed to this whole rebuilding thing and they are auditioning for the 2017 season now then they need to go all in and include relievers into the mix as well. No more Anthony Swarzak, who has been terrible and has been since been placed on the 15 day DL, no more Richard Bleier and no more Kirby Yates. Prospects and power arms only.

I get it that the Yankees haven’t had much in terms of pitching depth proving themselves this season but I would rather watch Nick Goody, James Pazos, Jordan Montgomery and others get their feet wet right now than to watch Swarzak and company blow another lead for this team. You can’t sit here with a straight face and tell me that this team and this manager is trying to win games despite the youth movement as Anthony “All I Do Is Win  Give Up Home Runs No Matter What” enters the game a few times a week. And if you can you’re a good liar.

Blake Parker, Tyler Clippard, Adam Warren, Dellin Betances and Tommy Layne likely have futures with the club beyond the 2016 season but an argument could be made against both Layne and Parker. Either way guys like Ben Heller, Chasen Shreve, Nick Goody, Johnny Barbato and others who don’t currently occupy a 40 man roster spot need to get their work in now. Get their feet wet now without all the bright lights and expectations on them. The Yankees need to go all-in on this youth movement and scrap what the standings say because beyond this year they won’t matter but what all these young guys learn and gain in terms of experience does.

Make the moves Cashman. Rosters expand in less than a week and I expect the Yankees to have to rent a party bus to get them all here. 

Pineda Makes Start on Thursday, Why?

The New York Yankees have an odd way of going about things in my opinion when it comes to roster management and such. The Yankees will seemingly, and this is my opinion as a lifelong fan and as someone who watches almost every single game every single season, call up a young guy and wait on him to fail while they sign a veteran that stinks up the joint and keeps his job. Luis Severino is down and will likely stay down once he's healthy, my speculation as nothing has been confirmed, yet Michael Pineda (who has a minor league option remaining) and his almost 7.00 ERA will make his next scheduled start on Thursday against Toronto. Why?

Pineda has the worst ERA in all of Major League Baseball among qualified starters. The worst. Worse than Luis Severino and much worse than the whipping boy of the rotation heading into the season in Mr. CC Sabathia. The real answer to the question is this though, who would the Yankees call up to replace him?

Sure I realize that any of Luis Cessa, Chad Green, Brady Lail, Severino (who threw three scoreless innings in his first rehab start since a triceps injury), Layne Somsen, Anthony Swarzak or others could go out and post a 7.00 ERA or lower and technically make the Yankees better there are a few saving graces for Mr. Pineda. Pineda is actually striking out 10.0 batters per nine innings and his velocity is sitting right around where it always has been throughout his career. Pineda seems healthy he just needs to get out of his own way.

How does one get out of their own way? Trust Brian McCann and throw what he calls. Something is not right with Pineda. Usually a control freak, literally and figuratively, Pineda is walking 2.5 batters per nine this season while walking just 0.8 and 1.2 batters per nine in his previous two seasons in New York. Limiting base runners makes his 1.9 HR/9 ratio look a little better as well as that ugly 6.92 ERA.

So why won't the Yankees demote Pineda to figure it out in the minor leagues? Because they can't. They should, but they can't.

New York Yankees Spring Training Open Thread 3/30

EDIT:

Chip fracture in Miller's wrist. First Julio Teheran hits Jacoby Ellsbury in the wrist and now this. Damn the Atlanta Braves.

So what happened down at Yankees spring training camp today? Let's get caught back up!

Bryan Van Dusen was Johnny on the spot this afternoon with the spring updates but just in case you missed it Ronald Torreyes will be on the Yankees bench and the final spots in the Yankees bullpen come down to Luis Cessa, Kirby Yates, Johnny Barbato and Anthony Swarzak. Only two will make the team.

Bryan Mitchell hurt his toe covering first base and will undergo some tests while Andrew Miller's X-ray on his wrist came back negative. He still needs to pass a CT scan to make the Opening Day roster.

The Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves 2-0

The Final Four Bullpen Spots, That Should Be Final Three

He's a starter until proven otherwise.

I've always been a firm believer in that statement, and I thought about it yet again when reading about the final two bullpen spots available on the team.

Two of Johnny Barbato, Anthony Swarzak, Kirby Yates, and Luis Cessa, will join the Yankees on Opening Day.

In his five minor league seasons, Johnny Barbato has appeared in 179 games, however he's only started 20 of them. And more than half of those starts (13 to be exact) happened back in 2011, his first professional season after being drafted by the San Diego Padres the year before. Johnny actually hasn't started a game since 2013, and he wasn't too successful at it.

Anthony Swarzak started four games for the Minnesota Twins in 2014, however he came into 46 other games that season as a reliever. In 2015, Anthony gave it a shot in the Korean Baseball Organization, starting in 17 out of 20 games appeared in, however a 5.26 ERA in the KBO didn't "wow" anyone. Swarzak returned to the States last season, and appeared in ten games of relief for the Cleveland Indians

Kirby Yates has been a professional baseball player for seven years. In those seven years he's appeared in 285 games, and started just 18 of them (only one of them coming after 20111).

It's safe to say that these three men are relief pitchers. They were given a shot as starters, but those experiments didn't pan out.

Then we come to Luis Cessa. Luis has appeared in 95 professional baseball games, and started 86 of those. And the nine games he appeared as a reliever all came back in 2011.

I think it's safe to say that Luis Cessa's career as a starting pitcher are not over with yet.

Therefore I believe it would be best for the Yankees to send Mr. Cessa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to continue work as a starter.

Last season ten different pitchers started at least two games for the Yanks, and seven of those started in 11 or more. The point being that the five pitchers to be awarded spots in the starting rotation on Opening Day, along with the next guy in line... Ivan Nova, will not be enough to get the team through the season.

Meet a Prospect: Anthony Swarzak

The New York Yankees continue to stockpile pitchers for the arms race that the American League East is about to turn into and the latest mercenary to join the squad is former Minnesota Twins starter and relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak. Swarzak was playing in Korea as recently as the 2015 season as a member of the Doosan Bears and is said to be grateful for a second chance after signing a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. The minor league deal will come with an invitation to spring training camp so before we officially meet him down at George Steinbrenner Field let’s meet him today. This is Meet a Prospect: The Anthony Swarzak Edition.


Anthony Ray Swarzak was born on September 10, 1985 in Florida where he attended Nova High School in Davie, Florida. While at the school as a pitcher Swarzak earned two High School All-American titles in 2003 and 2004 which led to the Louisiana State University Tigers to offer him a full ride for college. The scholarship promises were enticing but the Minnesota Twins offer of $575,000 after drafting him in the second round of the 2004 MLB First Year Players Draft was even more enticing and Swarzak accepted the Twins offer to begin his professional career.


Swarzak entered his first professional season ranked the 15th best prospect in the Gulf Coast League according to Baseball America while on his way to a Midwest league All-Star Game. Swarzak moved up the list and moved up the Twins ladder in 2005 and 2006 but in 2007 his stock and his development took a bit of a hit after a drug suspension handed down by Major League Baseball. On April 20, 2007 Swarzak failed a drug test for marijuana and received a 50 game suspension. Swarzak took a step back after being reinstated from the suspension and stumbled into the finish line in 2007.


In 2008 Swarzak was promoted to Triple-A and took off for Minnesota posting a 5-0 record with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts leading the Twins to add him to their 40 man roster. Swarzak was invited to the club’s spring training camp in 2009 although he did not make the club and was sent back down to Triple-A to begin the season. Swarzak was not long for the minors though as the team called him up on May 20, 2009 and he made his Major League debut three days later against the Milwaukee Brewers. Swarzak pitched seven innings of shutout baseball earning his first MLB win. For every high though for Swarzak was another low.


Swarzak missed a lot of the 2010 season after shattering his foot on a line drive and spent the entire season either on the disabled list or in the minor leagues rehabbing the injury. Swarzak entered 2011 looking to rebound from a 6.21 ERA the previous season and looked to do so while pitching both in long relief and as a spot starter for the Twins. Swarzak would continue to be a swingman for the team not only in 2011 but in 2012 as well as he became an asset for Minnesota. Another high for Swarzak and another low ad he began the 2013 season back on the disabled list with fractured left ribs while what he described as “wrestling around a little bit.”


Swarzak spent the remainder of the 2013 season as a long relief pitcher and appeared in 48 games posting a 3-2 record with a 2.91 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 96 innings. That was not enough to stick around with the Twins though after the 2014 season as the team outrighted him off the 40 man roster and allowed him to hit the free agency market. Rather than try to latch on with another team Swarzak went to the Korean Baseball Organization to rebuild his value with the Doosan Bears. Swarzak must have done something right while over in Korea because the New York Yankees came calling on a minor league deal that will pay him $750,000 if he makes the Major League roster this season.


Welcome to the team, welcome to the organization and most of all Anthony, welcome to the family.

Meet a Prospect: Anthony Swarzak

The New York Yankees continue to stockpile pitchers for the arms race that the American League East is about to turn into and the latest mercenary to join the squad is former Minnesota Twins starter and relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak. Swarzak was playing in Korea as recently as the 2015 season as a member of the Doosan Bears and is said to be grateful for a second chance after signing a minor league deal with the New York Yankees. The minor league deal will come with an invitation to spring training camp so before we officially meet him down at George Steinbrenner Field let’s meet him today. This is Meet a Prospect: The Anthony Swarzak Edition.

Anthony Ray Swarzak was born on September 10, 1985 in Florida where he attended Nova High School in Davie, Florida. While at the school as a pitcher Swarzak earned two High School All-American titles in 2003 and 2004 which led to the Louisiana State University Tigers to offer him a full ride for college. The scholarship promises were enticing but the Minnesota Twins offer of $575,000 after drafting him in the second round of the 2004 MLB First Year Players Draft was even more enticing and Swarzak accepted the Twins offer to begin his professional career.

Swarzak entered his first professional season ranked the 15^th best prospect in the Gulf Coast League according to Baseball America while on his way to a Midwest league All-Star Game. Swarzak moved up the list and moved up the Twins ladder in 2005 and 2006 but in 2007 his stock and his development took a bit of a hit after a drug suspension handed down by Major League Baseball. On April 20, 2007 Swarzak failed a drug test for marijuana and received a 50 game suspension. Swarzak took a step back after being reinstated from the suspension and stumbled into the finish line in 2007.

In 2008 Swarzak was promoted to Triple-A and took off for Minnesota posting a 5-0 record with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts leading the Twins to add him to their 40 man roster. Swarzak was invited to the club’s spring training camp in 2009 although he did not make the club and was sent back down to Triple-A to begin the season. Swarzak was not long for the minors though as the team called him up on May 20, 2009 and he made his Major League debut three days later against the Milwaukee Brewers. Swarzak pitched seven innings of shutout baseball earning his first MLB win. For every high though for Swarzak was another low.

Swarzak missed a lot of the 2010 season after shattering his foot on a line drive and spent the entire season either on the disabled list or in the minor leagues rehabbing the injury. Swarzak entered 2011 looking to rebound from a 6.21 ERA the previous season and looked to do so while pitching both in long relief and as a spot starter for the Twins. Swarzak would continue to be a swingman for the team not only in 2011 but in 2012 as well as he became an asset for Minnesota. Another high for Swarzak and another low ad he began the 2013 season back on the disabled list with fractured left ribs while what he described as “wrestling around a little bit.”

Swarzak spent the remainder of the 2013 season as a long relief pitcher and appeared in 48 games posting a 3-2 record with a 2.91 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 96 innings. That was not enough to stick around with the Twins though after the 2014 season as the team outrighted him off the 40 man roster and allowed him to hit the free agency market. Rather than try to latch on with another team Swarzak went to the Korean Baseball Organization to rebuild his value with the Doosan Bears. Swarzak must have done something right while over in Korea because the New York Yankees came calling on a minor league deal that will pay him $750,000 if he makes the Major League roster this season.

Welcome to the team, welcome to the organization and most of all Anthony, welcome to the family. 

Yankees Add Anthony Swarzak on MiLB Deal

The New York Yankees continue to add minor league depth and plenty of options for the 2016 season and they did a bit more of that today. The Yankees announced that relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak has been signed to a minor league deal and will receive an invitation to spring training. Swarzak will make $750K if he makes the big league roster at any point this season.

Swarzak joins Vinnie Pestano as former top end relief pitchers to come to Yankees camp looking for a deal. Swarzak is 30 years old and has experience both starting and relieving. When Swarzak did relieve he pitched multiple innings at a time, a la Adam Warren.

We'll meet Swarzak the way we always do later this week.

Yankees' Bats Get Good Again in Series-Clinching Win Over Twins

In this weekend's series at Target Field, the Yankees' offense has been many things.

On Thursday, it was lazy for the contest's early going, before becoming a dominant force on Friday and a point of frustration on Saturday.

In other words, over these last few days the Yanks' bats have been inconsistent, something further proven this afternoon, with them taking an early 9-0 lead to eventually beat the Twins, 9-7.

Going into the game, it seemed likely that the Bombers would win due to their obvious pitching advantage, although you have to imagine that no one out there predicted this, with the suddenly-hot Pinstripes knocking Minnesota's Ricky Nolasco out after just 2 innings. 

And they didn't exactly do it in a merciful way.

To start things off, Mark Teixeira made it 1-0 with a top-of-the-first single to right, followed immediately by a long RBI Double from Brian McCann.

On that two-base knock from McCann, Teixeira was actually thrown out at the plate, but considering that the score was still 2-0 I'm sure that mistake can be forgiven. 

In their very next turn, similar to what they did Friday, the Yankees also got the best of Nolasco, crossing home four more times on a Derek Jeter Sac Fly and a Jacoby Ellsbury three-run home run, his fifth of the season. 

At that point, the up-by-six Yanks were in complete control, a positive sign they would add onto yet again in their half of the fourth, scoring another trio on a hit and a forceout from the aforementioned Jeter and Ellsbury as well as a balk by Twins' Reliever Anthony Swarzak.

As you probably expected, those nine runs ended up proving to be more than enough for team Starter Hiroki Kuroda, who evened up his record at 6-6 with a 5 2/3-frame, 4-run performance.

Yes, the Bombers' bullpen (consisting of Adam Warren, Jim Miller, and David Robertson - who got save #21 with a one-run outing in the ninth) did have some trouble in the contest's later moments, but since the team did still win to take the series you can't help but be happy with them right now, as the W got the now 44-43 club back over the .500 mark.