The Daily Dozen - July 10, 2014

THE DAILY DOZEN
(Twelve Takeaways from Tonight's Game - July 10th, 2014 Edition)

I must preface this edition with the fact that I just got home from the game and it's 1:45 am Eastern Time.  Good thing I take notes during the games!  No pictures tonight to speed up my entry into bed hopefully by 2:00 am to get up in 5 hours to start it all over again.

1. Michael Brantley does not strike out much.  I failed to mention it in last night's game but his streak of plate appearances without a K ended at 64 in his 1 for 6 performance on Wednesday.  Well he rebounded tonight and went 2 for 4 getting robbed of a base hit by Ellsbury in the 7th.  Brantley was nowhere close to the league record of which Joe Sewell of the same Cleveland Indians went 115 GAMES without a strikeout from May 17 through September 19, 1929.

2. Speaking of Jacoby, I officially nominate him to be the next Yankees Captain.  I know, it's only his first year of a 7 year contract, but seriously I think this guy has what it takes to drive and lead the Yankees for the next decade.  Call me crazy, but I've been called worse.

3. Mustard should be banned from stadiums.  During the first inning my buddy who shall not be named since he is an Indians, sorry...Native Americans...fan proceeded to drop his hot dog through his #DollarDogNight bun onto his lap.  His shorts were promptly covered with mustard, not ketchup mind you, but mustard.  Since there were no females with us, there were not any napkins amongst the four of us.  Here is a snippet of what was going on at that time via twitter:

4. Dollar Dog Nights are a good yet bad idea.  I ate 6 hot dogs before the end of the 4th inning.  My son had 5, which he says is a record.  Consequently, once we stopped eating hot dogs, the Yankees also stopped scoring runs.  #KneppersFault  They announced in the 7th inning that over 36,000 hot dogs had been sold, which was approximately 8,000 more than the fans in attendance.

5. Asdrubal Cabrera's antics on the basepath last night were hilarious.  Jeter got a kick out of it but also probably realized how old he was since he could barely bend over to tag him out on his 2nd slide within the basepath to avoid the tag.

6. Cervelli has got to have a magnet in his knee or something?  Did he say something bad about the Native Americans or post something awful on twitter...twice in 4 days now.

7. How is Chris Dickerson an above .400 hitter against the Yankees?  For real, I want to know...this is just ridiculous.

8. I saw a lot of LeBron jerseys at the game tonight.  Almost more than I saw for Michael Brantley.  I thought everyone in Cleveland burned their jerseys 4 years ago?  Anyways, I had a great time yelling out updates about the #LebronWatch2014...obviously everything I was saying to people were lies, but I found it hilarious.

9. McKKKKan...he tried to join the Golden Sombrero ranks last night with Brendan Ryan and he did!  Great job on the accomplishment Brian...I wonder what his stats are as a DH.  I believe that Jorge Posada was the only catcher in recent memory that did well when not planted behind the dish...I could be wrong, but that doesn't happen often.

10. I saw a shirt outside of Jacobs Field (I refuse to call it Progressive since I'm a Libertarian) that angered me.  It read "Lonnie Baseball".  Are you serious?  Hit well for 2 months and they are already calling you the next Don Mattingly!?! Get right out of town.  Not funny.

11. In a span of 10 minutes my night was ruined.  Word about Tanaka's partially torn UCL was released and then the Yankees promptly gave up 4 runs via a bases-clearing triple to Asdrubal that hit the University of Toledo logo (my alma mater, golden and blue) on the right field wall and a sac line drive to knock in another run by Brantley.  The game was basically over by then, because we all know that THE YANKEES CANNOT SCORE AFTER THE 5TH INNING!

12. Derek Jeter has now amassed 1,000 multi-hit games.  Unbelievable.  That's a lot of freaking gift baskets El Capitan!

Thornton Ruins Phelps' Great Start in Finale Loss to Indians

During the course of a season, a team suffers many tough losses.

Usually, those defeats consist of close games that couldn't quite be finished, but sometimes a whole different kind of story emerges.

That is, when a starter's gem is ruined by a bad bullpen.

Unfortunately, that exact scenario played out for the Yankees tonight, with Matt Thornton and Jim Miller combining to give up seven earned runs in just two innings of work as the Yanks dropped a heartbreaker to the Indians, 9-3.

For the first 2/3 of the contest, things didn't look like they could get much better for the Bombers, who knocked Cleveland's T.J. House out after just 4.2 frames thanks to a 2-run homer from Zealous Wheeler and an RBI Single from Yangervis Solarte.

During that time, the Pinstripes also got 6 shutout innings from David Phelps, setting up what looked like an easy W heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Too bad that didn't happen.

To start off the turning-point at-bat, Phelps surrendered a pair of hits to Chris Dickerson and Roberto Perez, causing him to be removed. 

At that point, the desperate and worn out Yanks had nobody too reliable to put in, forcing them to go with the aforementioned Thornton, a veteran who not only misplayed what should've been a routine double play on the first guy he faced to load the bases but also gave up a game-tying triple to Asdrubel Cabrera, followed immediately by a Michael Brantley sac fly to cost the Bombers their lead.

And if things weren't already bad enough, Miller took the liberty of allowing another five members of the Tribe to circle the bases in the next frame, pretty much ending the contest, as the once full of promise Pinstripes now trailed by six.

To put it simply, the Yankees, now 46-45, should've won this one easily, but instead ran out of gas, something we should expect to happen throughout the year as long as their starters struggle to get past the sixth.

The Daily Dozen - July 9, 2014

THE DAILY DOZEN
(Twelve Takeaways from Tonight's Game - July 9th, 2014 Edition)

1a. I had this mostly written during the long stretch of non-scoring between both teams.  

UPDATE: Ellsbury wins with a HR in the 14th! Boy was that last out scary!  I am getting too old for 14 inning games that last until Midnight.

1b. Nick Swisher continues to kill the Yankees. His 2-run single in the 1st virtually knocked McCarthy out of the game.  But for once the Yankees were able to score past the 3rd inning.  How about that strikeout in the 10th with the bases loaded though?  Weren't we all expecting him to at least get a sacrifice fly to win the game?

"Come on! You know you love me!"

2. How many times have Yankees opponents scored with 2 outs?  No seriously I want to know this...I tweeted during the game to the crack staff at the YES Network but as of yet haven't heard back.

3. The Yankees are really just losing to lesser teams to keep more teams in the playoff race.  They are all about making things competitive and ensuring that EVERY game counts! Heavy Sarcasm...

4. Welcome Back to the American League Brandon McCarthy!  After a rough 1st inning against (once again) a very good Indians offense, he was able to settle down only giving up only 1 more run the rest of his outing.  With the news of Tanaka heading to the DL, the Yankees can use every decent start they can get.  Of course Nuno pitched lights out for Arizona last night in his debut...

"Really glad to be on a playoff contender...wait, what? Tanaka is on the DL?..."

5. If Ichiro bats the ball to 3rd base...it's over.  Don't even attempt to throw the ball to first.  Seriously..don't.

6. Tanaka joins an ever-increasing list of Yankees on the DL.  Literally the entire starting rotation sans Kuroda is on the DL.  This is starting to look like 2013 all over again.  Gardner is hurt, Beltran is ailing, who's next? (Please no one...)

7. Having 2 players with first names starting with 'Z' is not as intimidating as it sounds.  Could the offense besides Teixeira have any less pop?  #BronxBombless

He needs to go back to Staten Island...

8. I am convinced that the Indians got Chris Dickerson to mess with the Yankees.  I'm predicting he will be leaving town when the Yankees do.  He is the new #YankeeKiller.  Furthermore, I fully expected Jason Giambi to come out and pinch hit a walk-off home run.  Former Yankees are killing them this season.

9. I think it's time for a new direction.  It has been stated on here before, but Kevin Long needs to go.  The situational hitting stinks on this team and they have no POP.  Maybe a guy like TINO MARTINEZ could do something about it.  I am still convinced that the Yankees, even with the 09 World Series title made a mistake by not hiring Don Mattingly by the way...Just Saying...

Bring Back Tino AND Mattingly!

10. Is Teixeira's home run output worth his lofty contract.  After tonight I would instantly react with YES...he now has 17 home runs, on pace for another 30 HR season...probably closer to 35 HR as he starts out badly every year.  The thing that used to make his contract worth it, however, is his defense.  His defense isn't what it used to be...could be old age, could be all the nagging wrist injuries...

11. The name Asdrubal is the spanish version of the name Hasdrubal, which according to BehindTheName.com means God Helps...maybe the Yankees should really go after him in the offseason to replace Jeter...

12. Tomorrow night may be the last time that I get to see Derek Jeter play live.  VERY SAD.

Unless they make the playoffs...

The Daily Dozen - July 8, 2014

THE DAILY DOZEN
(Twelve Takeaways from Tonight's Game - July 8th, 2014 Edition)

1. The young Indians...excuse me Native American hitters just didn't realize how good Tanaka is tonight.  Kipnis, Brantley, and Santana were constantly laying off the splitter and waiting for pitches up in the zone or for a flat slider.  One advantage of being young is you just don't know any better.

2. #TanakaTime is real but Masahiro Tanaka has proven to be human.  After a blistering start in his Major League career, Tanaka has come back to earth in the last couple of starts, which was bound to happen.  The only thing I am really worried about is the cultural clash between the styles in Japan and here in the States.  When is he going to learn to trust McCann's call and stay away from the dead-red fastball on an 0-2 count.  Swisher ate him up tonight as did Brantley.  The Indians hitters amassed 10 hits and 5 runs all in 6-2/3 innings, which was the best offensive performance to date against Tanaka.

#TanakaTime This!

3. Jacoby Ellsbury was 4 for 23 coming into this game tonight but has been absolutely drilling the ball..unfortunately he has been absolutely drilling the ball to players that keep stealing hits (i.e. Santana twice last night).  He finally got a hit in his first at-bat and later scored.  The strange thing is that the Indians had 3 errors tonight and each one involved Ellsbury.  Is it the threat of his speed?  However, all for naught as the turning point in this game was when Jacoby decided to steal 3rd base with the hot bat of McCann at the plate...didn't make any sense...and the rest is history.

"Yeah, sorry about blowing that one guys..."

4. Michael Brantley took all of 1 inning to prove why he's an All-Star.  He will be an All-Star for years to come and should be the player the Indians build around.  In the 1st inning alone he drilled a double off of Tanaka and stole a double away from El Capitan.  He would later add another double and a security home run late in the game to chase Tanaka.  This guy is for real people.  Get Greedy...Get Brantley...we could only wish!

"Here's a Gift Basket for ya Jete!"

5. Dickerson and Swisher came up big last night to get the first 2 hits off of Greene, but tonight they contributed to the Yankees scoring early with two vital mistakes that should have sealed the game for Tanaka.  Swisher would later have his #BucknerMoment, but that wouldn't matter as he made up for it with a 2-run blast to put the Indians ahead.  There will be an attempt to persuade Cashman to bring Swish back to the Bronx here on TGP, so keep your eyes and ears open...

Who wouldn't want this guy in the clubhouse? Wait...is Damon still available?

6. Where would the Yankees be without Japanese players?  While Tanaka showed cracks tonight, the mainstays keeping the Yanks afloat in the past month or so have been Tanaka, Kuroda, and Suzuki.  The last 2 are aged veterans on their last legs, the former is hopefully the ace for years to come.

7. The hit-and-run is a lost art.  What with the shift being employed on 75% of the hitters in the league, the hit-and-run seemingly is no longer a viable option.  I really don't get it.  Stay out of double plays, become better situational hitters and for Christ's Sake--bunt every once in awhile Teixeira!  I'm guessing Girardi doesn't have any stats available about the H-A-R since the Yankees have been the "BronxBombers" for so long now.

8. The commercials during the Indians' broadcasts are freaking boring.  I'm probably DVR'ing tomorrow night's game.  Just Saying.

9. Baseball announcers know how to beat a dead horse.  How many innings do you need to talk about the fact that Masahiro Tanaka is from Japan and went 24-0 and he needs to adjust to major league hitting and he's used to 6 days rest instead of 5 and that Masaniro Murakami was the first Japanese-born player to make it to the big leagues for San Francisco in 1964.  Actually that last part was pretty interesting, but you get my point.  Don't they realize that Yankees fans that watch nearly every game get the same prep and fill stuff from each out of town broadcaster?  Would they make such a big deal over all of the Canadien-born baseball players...seems a bit racist to me...just a thought.

Masanori Murakami was the first Japanese player in the Majors for the SF Giants in 1964...
Congratulations you learned something today in the Daily Dozen!

10. Why did the Yankees let Swisher go again? Two nights...two home runs...the Yankees could have used a late one tonight.

11. Do people really think that yelling at a MLB outfielder while waiting on a fly ball to come down will make them drop it?  I mean come on...you're just annoying.

12. The Yankees cannot score past the 3rd inning.  They better score 6 or 7 tomorrow in the first 3 innings or they are toast. #BronxBombless

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. 

Yankees Had Interest In Free Agent Chris Dickerson

"Still no, Chris."

Chris Dickerson, former Yankees outfielder, signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates today and the Yankees were reportedly interested in a reunion with a similar deal. As you remember Andruw Jones held, speculation here, naked pictures of Joe Girardi's wife and that kept him in the lineup over an obviously better Dickerson. The outlook would not look much better for C Dick this time around either with about 27 outfielders ahead of him on the depth chart, so I am glad that he signed with a team that he may get some big league time with, but the nostalgia would have been nice for a big Dickerson fan.

Pittsburgh offers a right field spot and the Yankees offer a 5th outfielder spot only if they can unload the likes of Ichiro Suzuki and/or Vernon Wells so it makes sense for Dickerson. Good luck to him and maybe next time, again.

Is It Time To Reunite With Chris Dickerson?

Chris Dickerson was designated for assignment yesterday by the Baltimore Orioles and could soon become a free agent. If Dickerson clears waivers he can accept a minor league assignment or he can elect free agency and become a free agent. If Dickerson is claimed then the Orioles can either trade him or they can basically give him away for his salary. Either way should the Yankees be interested with having a reunion with Chris Dickerson?

Dickerson batted .245/.274/.412 in 106 plate appearances with the Orioles this season after signing a minor league deal with Baltimore shortly after being DFA'd by the New York Yankees. Chris Dickerson is a left handed outfielder and 31 years old but would he give us even a marginal upgrade over what we currently have? I cannot say so because I would not say that C Dick would be an upgrade over any of Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki, Curtis Granderson, or Zoilo Almonte. He may be an upgrade over Vernon Wells but Vernon bats right handed and gives him an obvious edge over Dickerson.

"Still a NO Chris..."

In the end as much as I would love to have Chris Dickerson back with the Yankees as I am a member of the C Dick fan club I cannot see it happening. Unless it is on a minor league deal it just does not make sense for Dickerson to sign on with the Yankees. I can see a team like the Atlanta Braves jumping all over this deal to temporarily replace their injured Upton brothers and Jayson Heyward.

Finding Gems Late In The MLB Draft

With the MLB First Year Players Draft being held this week June 6th - June 8th the Yankees will once again look to find some gems  for cheap in the later rounds of the draft. The Yankees have made a killing, which we will highlight here, finding absolute gems in the later rounds of the MLB draft. Granted we haven't drafted a Albert Pujols type but who has besides the St. Louis Cardinals, you know? Let's hit the high spots of the gems in the rough that the Yankees have found in recent drafts.

This is more of a prospect hugging homer type beginning but the Yankees originally drafted outfielder Chris Dickerson back in the 2000 draft in the 32nd round. Dickerson did not sign but it makes you think what could have been (and what should be for that matter) had he signed and we had an extended look at him in our minor league system.

Phillip Humber was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the 29th round of the 2001 draft. This was all obviously before his perfect game with the Chicago White Sox, not that he has done much since. Still worth noting that the Yankees originally drafted a guy who has thrown a perfect game.

Tyler Clippard was drafted by the Yankees in the 9th round of the 2003 draft and quickly became the Yankees #1 prospect before Phil Hughes came along. Not given his fair shot in the majors until he made a name for himself in the Washington Nationals bullpen but has had quite the career since being traded for some guy named Jonathan Albaladejo. The Yankees also drafted David Purcey, Jeff Karstens, Daniel Bard, and Daniel McCutchen in this draft. Obviously Bard and Purcey did not sign but Karstens and McCutchen all had careers in the major leagues before falling victim to pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates and basically ending their careers.

Austin Jackson was taken in the 8th round of the 2005 draft and has become one of the best center fielders and lead off men in the game. Granted the Yankees also took Brett Gardner earlier in this draft but still I think I would rather have A Jax at this point in their careers. Another notable Yankees draft pick in this draft was Doug Fister in the 6th round before making his career in Detroit with the Tigers.

David Robertson was taken in the 17th round of the 2006 draft out of Alabama and has made a name for himself as the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera's closing job when he hangs up his cleats after 2013. Other notable picks in this draft were Daniel McCutchen (again), Zach McCallister who has pitched well in Cleveland, and Dellin Betances and Mark Melancon who once were considered to be big time Yankees prospects.

Pat Venditte, the ambidextrous pitcher we have stashed in AAA, was drafted in the 45th round of the 2007 draft. While Pat has not made the majors yet he has still drawn some attention to himself and the Yankees for throwing from both sides of the rubber and I thought that was worth mentioning. Most 45th round picks do not even make it for AAA so there is always that. The Yankees also got current minor league hitting coach Eric Thames in the 39th round in this draft as well as Nationals closer Drew Storen in the 34th round. Astros 3B Brandon Laird was drafted in the 27th round of this draft and current catcher Austin Romine in the second round.

David Phelps signed with the Yankees in 2008 after being drafted in the 14th round of the draft and that signing has worked out pretty well for the Yankees in the last two seasons. David Adams is the current Yankees 3B and has done nothing but impress since coming up and was drafted as well in this draft in the 3rd round.

The 2010 draft brought the Yankees a couple interesting pieces as we saw the Yankees grab current bullpen guy Preston Claiborne in the 17th round and current top prospect Tyler Austin in the 13th round.

The Yankees may have three picks in the first round in this years draft but it is the later rounds where it seems like Brian Cashman and crew really do their best work. Granted all of these were pre-draft slot recommendations and we could highly overpay high school players out of their commitment to colleges but still. The Yankees have shown that they and their scouts and recognize talent when a lot of teams obviously did not see it and they have really benefited from it. I do not expect this season to be any different and I may not know many of the names picked on day two or day three of the draft this week but I have a sneaking suspicion that in two or three seasons I probably will.

Former Yankees Update : Chris Dickerson

As much as this saddens me to report former Yankee outfielder, and personal favorite of us at the Greedy Pinstripes, Chris Dickerson has signed a minor league deal with the rival Baltimore Orioles. This does not make much sense to me because he could have just signed another minor league deal with the Yankees and not be stuck behind fellow lefties Nick Markakis, Xavier Avery, Nate McLouth, and switch hitter Trayvon Robinson but what do I know?

Yankees Release Chris Dickerson

The Yankees have released outfielder Chris Dickerson making him an unrestricted free agent. This is good news and bad news because the good news is he was not claimed and can be re-signed to another minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. The bad news is he could go to another team and we could get absolutely nothing for him, which seems like the most likeliest of the scenarios. The Yankees designated Chris for assignment on January 4th to make room for the recently claimed Russ Canzler.

Trading Chris Dickerson

It's not an exciting question, but it's something...

Are the Yankees going to trade Chris Dickerson?

As we reported, Dickerson was designated for assignment last Friday, giving the team about a week to trade him before Chris is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. If you don't remember, Dickerson was DFA'd last spring, but cleared waivers so that he could be sent to AAA. This time, however, he'll be given the choice to become a free agent instead of accepting an assignment to AAA... which he'll surely take. And knowing what we know about Chris, and the fact that many teams are interested in adding an outfielder, he'll be signed to a MLB contract by somebody.

So instead of just letting him go, the Yankees can work out a trade instead. But don't expect a large haul, because the DFA thing is forcing the Yanks hand, so another team is not going to offer a whole lot. Not that the player the Yankees could get in return would be meaningless, because when the Yankees DFA'd Chase Wright  in 2009 they traded him for Eric Fryer, who they flipped for Eric Hinske at the trade deadline.

For news-starved fans such as myself this isn't huge, but it's something to look forward to.

Yankees Designate Chris Dickerson For Assignment

You heard it here first on The Greedy Pinstripes and now it is official as the Yankees have designated Chris Dickerson for assignment to make room for newly acquired Russ Canzler. There is absolutely no way that he will clear waivers so this is the official goodbye to C Dick! I really wish you had those same pictures of Girardi's wife that Andruw Jones seemed to have had last season and got to see more playing time.

Yankees Claim Russ Canzler

The New York Yankees announced today that they have claimed first basemen and corner outfielder  Russ Canzler off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. Russ is a right handed bat that will compete with Matt Diaz to win the right field platoon job. Russ is only 27 years old and held his own in AAA and in a short stint with the Indians so I am excited for this signing. The Yankees will have to make a 40 man roster move to make room for Russ and unfortuntely I see that move being Chris Dickerson. Check back later for updates.

Yankees Interested In Matt Diaz

The Yankees continue to search for a right handed bat in the outfield to compliment Ichiro and they are reportedly interested in long time Braves player Matt Diaz. Matt has battled some injuries but is reportedly regained his health to 100% and would be willing to sign a one year deal. His batting line against left handed pitching really intrigues me as well with a triple slash of .324/.364/.498 to go with what one would think would be a very inexpensive base salary. I would welcome Matt to New York although I fear that it would mean a loss of Chris Dickerson on the 40 man roster and the team all together.

I'm Sick Of Andruw Jones

See the look on Andruw's face? That smile? Chances are this isn't the first time you've seen it. I'm sure you've seen it after every one of his 46 hits this season. Which is great. I love seeing players have fun playing baseball, which is one reason I love Nick Swisher*. But the thing that bugs me the most about Andruw Jones is we've seen that same look, that smile, another 71 times... the number of strikeouts he has.

*Yes, Swish has been seen smiling after striking out, but I've seen Nick mad at himself as well. Whereas Andruw always seems amused by his failures.

Although I've seen Andruw fail a number of times before, it was Saturday that really pushed me over the edge. It was the top of the 3rd inning, and the bases were loaded with one out. Jones had worked the count full. On the 6th pitch of the at bat, Ricky Romero reared back with his nearly 6.00 ERA and threw a 4-seam fastball, Jones swung and... whiffed. And what look did he have on his face as he started walking back to the dugout?

Not exactly like this, but not too far off either.

Like I said, it was only in the 3rd inning, so it's not like the Yankees lost due to that strikeout. But after seeing the Yankees, as a team, fail over and over again with runners in scoring position, it really ticked me off that the Jays were one out away from getting out of a bases-loaded no-out situation (which they did after Eduardo Nunez lined out one pitch later). The fact Andruw smiled afterwards made me want to jump in my car, drive to Toronto, find Mr. Jones, and beat the ever-loving **** out of him. He didn't have to break his bat over his knee, a la Bo Jackson, but being just a tad upset over striking out in that situation would have sufficed.

It doesn't help that Andruw's batting line this season is .198/.295/.409, including .202/.294/.411 against left-handed pitchers. Oh, and Andruw's only reason for having a job is to hit left-handed pitching, so that batting line against them doesn't fly with me at all.

It also doesn't help that Andruw Jones' fielding leaves a ton to be desired. His fielding percentage in RF this season, where he's played 131.2 innings, is .963. Compare that to a league average of .985. Which is crazy since his fielding percentage in LF, where he's played 321 innings, is a perfect 1.000.

Don't get cocky about that, because I'd still much rather have Brett Gardner out there.

I think my biggest problem with Andruw is the fact that the team has an option... Chris Dickerson. Not that Chris crushes lefties, but his MLB career line of .253/.344/.316 is better than Jones' (sans the power). Looking at his minor league numbers, I'm not really sure why he has only gotten 94 MLB plate appearances against lefties, as opposed to 503 PA vs. RHP. Chris hit .289 against left-handers in 90 AAA at bats. 

It would be one thing if Andruw Jones was having a good season, and therefore holding Dickerson back, but that's not the case. To be frank, Andruw has stunk. And I, for one, can't wait to be rid of him. I don't even think Joe Girardi would want this guy back, and that's saying a lot seeing as how the current Yankee manager seems to have some sort of man-crush on the guy.

Chris Dickerson in 2013

Earlier today Chris Dickerson went 2-4, with 2 RBI and 2 runs, including a home run in the 6th inning. Not only was it a great game for the "kid" (in quotes since he's actually 30 years old), but his first hit of the game came off left-hander Brian Duensing. Which is something as Chris has been criticized due to his ineffectiveness versus same-side pitching (in 592 plate appearances in MLB he's hit .270/.354/.419 against right-handed pitchers versus .244/.337/.308 against lefties).

"Don't get a big head, Chris."

Lately I've been screaming for Dickerson to get a shot, at least in the outfield, over Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones. Which is due more to the poor play of Raul and Andruw, and less about the potential that Chris possesses. The idea of playing a guy with better defense, who's a pest on the basepaths, was attractive thanks to the rest of the lineup being so potent offensively. However, I'd be lying if I said I had Chris penciled into my plans for the team in 2013.

Brett Gardner should be ready to go, as he was activated today and was in the field for the final out of the today's win. Other than him, though, next year's outfield is up in the air. Nick Swisher will be a free agent, Ichiro Suzuki is a free agent, and Curtis Granderson's deal is technically up at the end of the year... although the Yankees do hold a club option on him for another season.

"Sitting here watching sucks, I want in."

Since it's something I'll talk about more in-depth during the offseason, here's a quick synopsis of what I see happening...

Looking at Fangraph's dollar value, Granderson has been worth over $18 million a season since joining the team in 2010. Making that club option of $13 million seem like a bargain. Even if you see Fangraph's dollar value as inflated it doesn't matter, as $13 million for a guy coming off a season with 40 HR truly is a bargain. Regardless of how many times he strikes out. You can bet on him being in pinstripes next season.

Nick Swisher is looking at his final "big" contract, as he turns 32 in November. On top of being able to bat .265, get on base 36% of the time, and hit 25 or so home runs a season, he's also a switch-hitter that can play RF and 1B. There are going to be a number of teams, including the Red Sox, that would love to bring him to their team. All that without bringing up his great attitude. I love Nick, especially since he played college ball at Ohio State, but I can easily see another team offering him more, meaning he won't be back.

That leaves one more spot in the starting outfield. So what will happen? Will they bring back Ichiro, who has hit .326/.350/.474 in his 59 games since being dealt to New York? What about Cody Ross, regardless of the fact he's a right-handed pull hitter, which doesn't play well in Yankee Stadium? I don't know, but I'll tell you one thing that won't happen... they won't give the starting gig to Chris Dickerson.

This is how I imagine some fans are reacting to what I just said.

Dickerson is 30 and has only started in 36 MLB games the last three years, and only played in 100 MLB games the last 3 seasons too. But the main reason I don't see him starting for the Yanks in 2013 is the fact he only had a little over 2 years of MLB service time coming into this season, meaning he won't be a free agent. The team has no reason to press him into playing time, since it's not like he can take a job elsewhere as a starter, like what Jerry Hairston and Jose Molina did after 2009.

And let's face it... injuries are going to happen. Chances are the 4th outfielder is going to see quite a bit of playing time, so Dickerson will play a role with the team next year regardless of whether it's as a starter or a bench player.

So who is the 3rd starting outfielder going to be for the Yankees? Who will join Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson out there? I'm going to save that post for the offseason.

My cliffhanger is better.

Thinking About 2013 : 4th Outfielder

We will not have to go far on this one because I have already written about this one time. Andruw Jones will not be back with the Yankees next season, not if Brian Cashman is half as smart as I think he is anyways. We will need a replacement, preferably one who is young, not a defensive and base running liability, and can, oh I don't know, actually hit the ball. The great thing about it is we will not even have to go outside the organization because we already have Chris Dickerson.

Chris Dickerson has never been given a fair shake for the Yankees in the majors and that is a damn shame. Chris has done nothing but rake in the minor leagues and helped fill in quite well when needed due to injuries. He is now out of options so the Yankees have to keep him with the big club all season long and they finally have an actual spot for him. He can play all three outfield positions including center field more then adequately, something we have not had much of here lately when Granderson has needed time off. He is a left handed hitter, which tend to flourish in Yankees Stadium, but can hit both righties and lefties equally as well. He has 20 SB speed and a positive UZR, not that this is a great stat for defense, in the field to go along with his batting average, slugging, on base, and OPS. I think it is finally time for Chris Dickerson to shine for the New York Yankees in 2013.

"Nope... Binder Still Says No Chris"

This man, who seems to be slowly transitioning into Joe Torre 2.0, is the only man standing in the way of Chris Dickerson and his dream.