Yankees Trade Partners: The Pittsburgh Pirates

The New York Yankees should be in full sell mode right now and they should be shopping anything and everything that is not bolted down. Brian Cashman, the team's general manager, says the team is having both discussions, both about buying and potentially selling, but if the Boston Red Sox series taught us anything it is that the team is spinning their wheels and any talk about buying (unless it is for controllable, young and cheap players that are under contract beyond 2017... which should be common sense at this point and is NOT talking about of both sides of your mouth) is simply a waste of time. The Pittsburgh Pirates have already begun discussing a trade involving starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, what are we waiting for?

Pittsburgh and New York and their GM's Neal Huntington and Brian Cashman have a working relationship and have hooked up on multiple trades over the years including deals involving AJ Burnett, Chris Stewart, Francisco Cervelli and others.There aren't many GM's that will seemingly work with Cashnan or help the Yankees so with that obstacle cleared let's make a deal.

Pittsburgh needs starting pitching but they also need bullpen help as well. Jonathan Neise was traded from the Mets to Pittsburgh for Neil Walker this offseason and he has bombed while pitching for Pittsburgh leaving gaping holes in the Pirates rotation. Eovaldi would fill those holes well having to face eight batters and a pitcher every night rather than some of the best hitters on the planet fresh because they are playing the DH position. Throwing in a rental like Aroldis Chapman could spell a blockbuster for New York.

I'm no expert in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system but I know it is a heavily stocked system that could really help the Yankees. Pittsburgh has six players ranked in the Top 100 according to Baseball America and Eovaldi has a year-and-a-half of team control left in a weak market for pitching. New York could land one or even two of them, albeit the players closer to 100, for Eovaldi alone I would think so adding Chapman may allow New York to land three of them. Pittsburgh isn't known for trading top prospects, especially for rentals and veterans like Chapman, but they aren't used to having a fan base that expects to win and isn't again either.

Ya never know. Well you never know until you ask.

It Has Begun, Chase Headley Sucks

Ladies and gentleman it has begun. I thought we could go a whole season without donning a new Stephen Drew, which used to be a Sergio Mitre and used to be a Chris Stewart and used to be an Andruw Jones and used to be a whole plethora of people, but we were not that fortunate. Ladies and gentleman, Chase Headley sucks.

When the New York Yankees acquired him at the trading deadline in 2014 I have to admit that a big part of me was ecstatic. Yangervis Solarte had ridden his hot streak and wave and had been at the low point in the tide for the better part of a month at the time of the trade while Chase brought a clutch switch-hitting bat and some stellar defense with him. His defense was immediately compared to that of the great Graig Nettles and after some research I salivated over his clutch hits and huge seasons he had in an even huger ballpark in San Diego. What New York got in return though was a shell of that man with throwing problems and a bad back.

I’m not making this personal and I’m trying not to be down on the guy but something has got to give. New York gave him a huge contract over four seasons and the first year the Yankees got in return was littered with throwing errors and a total zap of any sort of power. This season, and yes I am still preaching the small sample size, he has somehow found new ways to get worse with the bat. The defense has been solid, maybe even great, but he’s making Stephen Drew look like a .300 hitter right now, hence the honor of my “Chase Headley Sucks” tweets.

I’m rooting for Headley, I truly am and I truly mean that, and I’m borderline hoping that this can be used as motivation to get better or do whatever it is you have to do to get better. I don’t want to tweet four or five times a night that he sucks, I don’t I want Headley to have the monster seasons he had inside Petco Park and I want him to lead the Yankees back to the promised land but as a fan that not only supports the Yankees from afar but a fan that buys the merchandise, purchases tickets when they are close, purchases this television subscription and that television subscription to see them etc. I feel like I have the right to at least say something.

And this is what I say. Chase Headley Sucks. Prove me wrong. I like being wrong.

And the 2016 TGP Andrew Jones Award Goes To….

It seems like every single season I am a little harder on a member of the Yankees than I probably should be. Last season it was Stephen Drew, I can remember being especially hard on Andruw Jones, Esmil Rogers, Sergio Mitre, Chris Stewart and Travis Hafner. I can remember even getting down on Mark Teixeira and I can remember stating that if he stepped on a crack and broke his mother’s back that he would need a day to recover. I’m hard on these guys because it’s my God given right to be as a fan and I’m hard on these guys because I’m passionate. I mean no ill-will in what I say and I try to point that out every chance I get while writing so who will I be doing that to in 2016 and who will win the award that nobody wants to win, the “TGP Andruw Jones Award?? I have a sneaking suspicion that player is going to be Chase Headley.

Even though NJ.com reported that the Yankees “located” the error, yes pun intended, in Headley’s way defensively this spring it may not take long for him to find his way back to throwing the ball where they ain’t in 2016. I hope I’m wrong, truth be told I want to be wrong because I like Chase a lot, but he seems like he is the most likely to take a step back in 2016. His power is seemingly gone, he doesn’t hit for a particularly high average from either side of the plate and if he can’t play defense he may become a problem child for the team in 2016.

Problem child is a term I am using loosely here. He is a great clubhouse presence and I’m sure he is a great person but when you’re not producing sometimes you can be your own worst enemy. You can spend more time in your head than outside of your head, you can lock yourself in the video room watching tape rather than getting advice or help from your teammates and coaching staff. Negativity is contagious and negativity is poison. And no, I don’t have access to the players so no I’m not saying this is going to happen, write it down in stone. I’m simply using my judgement, my opinion and my experiences to determine what could happen.

I’m rooting for you more than anyone Chase because I know you can do it. You have to believe it first. 

While We Wait: The Legacy of Determination

The Legacy of Determination: Chris Scandaglia’s fight against ALS

The original post can be seen HERE

Baseball has always been a game of passion and hard work. On the field, players defy the human imagination with their feats of glory. However on the field accomplishments can only go so far. Life off the field brings about greater challenges and often even greater outcomes.


Chris Scandaglia of Staten Island is one of the great human beings whose work off the field is greater than the mind can comprehend. Scandaglia, an insurance professional for Allstate, has dedicated the better part of eight years to charity work. The charity he fights for is ALS, (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) commonly known to the world as Lou Gehrig’s disease. However to Scandaglia, the disease is commonly known as the illness that took his grandfather’s life nearly 23 years ago.

Alex Rodriguez , widow Joanna Chiarulli , baby Nicholas, Robinson Cano, and Chris (Courtesy of Chris Scandaglia)

“I was nine when it happened,” said Scandaglia, referring to his grandfather’s death on December 26th1990, the day after Christmas. “I looked up to my grandfather and always wanted to honor him. This charity is the perfect way I can honor his legacy.”


Scandaglia began the charity in 2006 after discussing with his boss at a previous job ways to improve sales.


“I suggested that for a month, we donate one dollar of every insurance quote made to raise money for ALS,” said Scandaglia. “My boss said go for it and we did it.”


Many of Scadaglia’s co-workers got involved that year and an ironic amount of money was donated.

“We earned $2130 in 2006, the same number as Lou Gehrig’s 2130 consecutive games played streak,” recalled Scandaglia.

From there the charity grew. Scandaglia wanted to do more for ALS research and came up with the idea to help families in need. In 2010, Scandaglia continued his work by holding a fundraiser dinner in honor of his grandfather. It was then he got the idea to make the dinner as popular as possible. He began to contact different agents, including those from the New York Yankees, to see if they would be willing to attend the dinner. As it turned out, the Yankees brought their 2009 World Series trophy to the event. However that wasn’t the only time the Yankees contributed to Scandaglia’s event.


“I made calls and ended up getting some great responses,” said Scandaglia. “Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano came to the dinner in 2012. It was an amazing experience I’ll never forget.”


How does someone get famous Yankees like Alex Rodriguez and Robinson Cano to attend a fundraiser? According to Scandaglia, it takes “a lot of hard work and patience.” Scandaglia said Alex Rodriguez wouldn’t attend at first under he convinced A-Rod’s agent that it would be a good PR move to come.


It doesn’t matter how Rodriguez got there. What matters is the hard work Scandaglia puts into this charity. He does it by himself every year with no help from anyone.


“Sometimes my family thinks I’m crazy for spending the amount of time I do on this event,” said Scandaglia. “I know it’s worth it. I’m doing something that helps a lot of people.”


In 2012, Scandaglia decided to raise money for a family who suffered due to ALS. He found out Joanna Chiarulli of New York had lost her husband to ALS and sought to dedicate his fundraiser dinner for them.


“In 2012, we raised $10,310 for Joanna and her six month old son Nicholas,” Scandaglia said with a lot of pride in his voice. “It made me happy that the fundraiser was able to help them.”

Genevieve Morton, model Bill Hill husband of ALS wife who died, Yankee Lyle Overbay, Kelly daughter ALS, Scott son, ALS, Chris Scandaglia last 3 on right NY Yankee players Boone Logan, David Phelps, Chris Stewart (Courtesy of Chris Scandaglia)

A good amount of Yankees came to the 2013 event, including Boone Logan, Lyle Overbay, David Phelps and Chris Stewart. The 2013 event was in honor of the Hill family. Bill Hill lost his wife to ALS in on December 29th 2012. Scandaglia was thrilled the 2013 event raised $4612 and hopes the 2014 event will go just as well. There is a special reason why Scandaglia has high hopes for the upcoming event.


“The event for 2014 will be held on May 25, my grandfather’s birthday.” said Scandaglia. “I picked the day to honor hm because he was the reason I started this charity in the first place.”


Long Island Baseball Magazine encourages all of it’s viewers to attend this year’s fundraiser dinner on May 25th 2014 at Da Noi restaurant in Manhattan. More details on the event will be posted on Long Island Baseball Magazine’s website. The cost of the event is $125, with all proceeds going to families who have suffered from ALS. Long Island Baseball Magazine thanks Chris Scandaglia for his efforts and hopes all of the New York community will attend and support this great cause!


For anyone who wants to attend the event or has questions on the event, please contact Chris Scandaglia at CSFGEHRIG@aol.com or on twitter @ChrisScandaglia

I Feel Bad for This Player: 2015 Edition

Earlier in the week I wrote an article about the superstition I had concerning the players I put on my desktop of my PC at home. It seems that every season since 2009 whoever is on my desktop has a healthy and productive season from AJ Burnett in 2009, Derek Jeter in 2012 and Masahiro Tanaka for 2015. There also, and I don’t purposely go out of my way to do this, seems to always be a player that I just harp on and harp on and beg to get lost coming to the stadium so Joe Girardi doesn’t put them into the game. It was Chris Capuano last year, it was Andruw Jones for a couple years, Chris Stewart comes to mind and for much of the 2009 season it was Damaso Marte. Who will it be in 2015? If I’m guessing, and I am, it’s going to be Stephen Drew.

Mark Teixeira is going to need a day here and there when he rips the skin around his fingernail fixing his hair but I have come to expect it at this point. Ivan Nova is going to have growing pains coming back from Tommy John surgery and the only consistent part of his game is going to be his inconsistency, you expect that as well. Alex Rodriguez is going to show at times that he basically hasn’t played for two seasons, has two bum hips and is a 40 year old player at the bat and in the field, he didn’t offer himself that ridiculous contract and would have been a fool to turn it down. Drew though won’t have that “I missed half the season because I turned down a huge qualifying offer because I have an idiot for an agent named Scott Boras” excuse and will have to produce and produce right away.

Like I said I don’t go out of my way to pick a player every single season and go after them, it just happens. It usually happens when there is a much better, much younger and much cheaper alternative in the farm system that I have admittedly grown attached to over the year. His name is Robert Refsnyder (not Robert Paulson….). 

The 2013 “Hal Cap” Is To Blame For The 2014 Season Struggles

The New York Yankees were one of the most oft-injured teams during the 2014 season and that in itself was to blame for much of the Yankees struggles this season, among other things. Star players that come over to New York in free agency generally need a season to adjust to the market, the fans, the environment, etc. so while the down years from Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran specifically received some of the blame as well I think those worries should be behind the team as well. The injuries will heal or be repaired this winter and the middle of the order should be better but the “Hal Cap” and the 2013 offseason is going to come back to haunt this team for a long, long time.

If New York had opened up the purse strings things would have been a lot different in New York. The Yankees had Russell Martin as their everyday catcher in 2012 before letting him walk away to Pittsburgh on a very team friendly two year deal. If the Yankees had been willing to give Martin that second year and a reasonable salary we as fans would not have had to endure Chris Stewart as an everyday catcher in 2013 and the team may not have Brian McCann for the next four or five seasons in the Bronx.

Torii Hunter was the same sort of situation as he wanted a multiyear deal from New York and the Yankees held on to their “one year only” philosophy. Hunter ended up signing with the Detroit Tigers for two years and, again, a very team friendly salary. In turn the Yankees signed Ichiro Suzuki to a two year deal and ultimately signed Carlos Beltran to a three year deal this winter. If the team had Hunter manning right field not only would the offense and defense have been better but Ichiro wouldn’t have received a two year deal and Beltran may be in Kansas City right now and not the Bronx.

The pitching I won’t nitpick with because overall the pitching was solid the last two seasons but one huge nitpick I will mention is the loss of Robinson Cano. If the Yankees don’t give mega million contracts to McCann, Beltran, and others then I truly believe Cano would still be in the Bronx. That may be the biggest factor into why the Yankees were not great this season and are likely to not be great, although they could be good, for the considerable and foreseeable future.

All this because Hal Steinbrenner wanted to clip a few coupons one season….

Yankees Tried To Eat $4.5 Million To Trade Ichiro

According to those anonymous sources and leaked information and all those easy cop outs the New York Yankees tried to trade Ichiro Suzuki to the Houston Astros before this season and were willing to eat $4.5 million of his $6.5 million in salary owed to him in 2014. The Yankees also reportedly tried to trade Chris Stewart to Houston before shipping him off to Pittsburgh for little to nothing, his worth.

The Astros have acknowledged the leak of information, seen HERE, and the FBI is supposedly on the case. Scary stuff but wow would I love for the Yankees info to be released.

Yankees fail to complete sweep; drop finale to Pirates, 5-3

A sweep would've been nice. 

Despite getting a solid 6 inning, three-run start from Vidal Nuno and a long home run from Yangervis Solarte, the Yankees failed to complete a sweep of the Pirates this afternoon at Yankee Stadium, falling 5-3.

In today's bottom of the second, the Bombers, after commiting two errors in the top half of the frame that led to an RBI Single from ex-Yank Chris Stewart (who also had a run-scoring sac fly in the game), scratched across a pair to take an early lead, as Solarte scored from first on an outfield error and Brendan Ryan bunt-singled home John Ryan Murphy.

At that point, the Pinstripes were ahead 2-1, and appeared to be on their to way another W. 

They weren't, however, as the Pirates would take the lead in the sixth thanks to a two-run shot from Starling Marte. 

After Solarte's homer tied the game in the bottom of the frame, Pittsburgh would again take the lead in the seventh, when Josh Harrison put an Alfredo Aceves pitch into the left field stands.

That play pretty much ended this contest, and the veteran Aceves went on to take the loss, his second already this season.

Austin Romine Said To Be Available In Trades

The New York Yankees have made Austin Romine available in trades after singing Brian McCann and announcing that Francisco Cervelli would be tendered a contract. JR Murphy is slated to start the season at AAA Scranton even though he may have the most trade value of all the Yankees catchers, including McCann. 

Romine is 25 years old and is coming off of a .205/.255/.296 season and has some troubles behind the dish as Chris Stewart's back up last season. Romine was never given many at bats, 148 plate appearances all season, and was never given consistent at bats so I really think we have not seen all that RoRo has to offer. 

Unless we miss out on Masahiro Tanaka and/or Romine can fetch us either a big piece at the back end of the bullpen or in the rotation I say hold on to the young catcher. Having too much catching depth is not a bad problem to have and I don't wanna see the Yankees give up on yet another prospect, a la Mark Melancon, one or two seasons too soon.

Yankees Acquire Kyle Haynes For Chris Stewart

The New York Yankees have acquired prospect Kyle Haynes from the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the Chris Stewart trade. I thought we would simply get some cash so getting an actual player is quite the surprise for me. Haynes is a right handed pitcher that pitched to a 2.38 ERA last season in A Ball. Haynes misses a lot of bats, as showcased by his 9.2 K/9 ratio and his 3.9 BB/9 ratio, and got a total of 83.1 innings pitched last season. Haynes is 22 years old and started his career as a reliever but switched to a starting pitcher the final eight starts of the season and posted a 1.93 ERA with 39 strike outs and 18 walks as a starter. Haynes did not crack the Pirates Top 30 prospects list or any top lists but his switch to a starting pitcher may make him worth something before it is all said and done. Welcome to the family Kyle.

A Goodbye To Chris Stewart From The Greedy Pinstripes

I wrote this back in September of this season and I figured this would be a good article revisit to say our farewells to Chris Stewart and wish him luck in his time in Pittsburgh with the Pirates.

The 12 Days Of September Baseball W/ Chris Stewart

On the first day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, a victory for the other team.

On the second day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

On the third day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

On the fourth day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, four easy outs, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

On the fifth day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, five unearned runs, four easy outs, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

On the sixth day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, six throwing errors, five unearned runs, four easy outs, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

On the seventh day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, seven wasted months, six throwing errors, five unearned runs, four easy outs, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

"Put Me In The Lineup Or Else Joe!"

On the eight day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, eight naked pictures of Joe Girardi's wife which keep him in the lineup, seven wasted months, six throwing errors, five unearned runs, four easy outs, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

On the ninth day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, nine innings of disaster, eight naked pictures of Joe Girardi's wife which keep him in the lineup, seven wasted months, six throwing errors, five unearned runs, four easy outs, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

On the tenth day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, ten rallies killed, nine innings of disaster, eight naked pictures of Joe Girardi's wife which keep him in the lineup, seven wasted months, six throwing errors, five unearned runs, four easy outs, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

On the eleventh day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, eleven National League pitchers that can hit better than him, ten rallies killed, nine innings of disaster, eight naked pictures of Joe Girardi's wife which keep him in the lineup, seven wasted months, six throwing errors, five unearned runs, four easy outs, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

On the twelfth day of September Chris Stewart gave to the Yankees, twelve aneurysms, eleven National League pitchers that can hit better than him, ten rallies killed, nine innings of disaster, eight naked pictures of Joe Girardi's wife which keep him in the lineup, seven wasted months, six throwing errors, five unearned runs, four easy outs, three passed balls, two better catchers a day off, and a victory for the other team.

"Eff You Guys, I'm Going Home"

Brendan Ryan Deal Becomes Official

The deal between Brendan Ryan and the New York Yankees is official with the announcement today and Ryan being added to the 40 man roster. The 40 man currently sits at 39 after the Chris Stewart trade as we wait for Brian McCann to officially become a Yankee and steal that last spot. Ryan signed a deal for two years worth $4 million with a club option for a third year and another $2 million. If the club option is declined then Ryan has a $1 million players option for 2016 for an overall AAV of $2 million $1.67 million. Ryan will be the ultimate insurance policy for Derek Jeter and will be a Yankees short stop for at least the next two seasons.

Pirates On Verge Of Dealing For Chris Stewart

The Pirates are on the verge of acquiring catcher Chris Stewart from the Yankees.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 2, 2013

UPDATE: The deal is for cash considerations or a player to be named later for New York and Stewart heading to the Pirates. Deal is done. Adios Stewy.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the verge of acquiring Chris Stewart from the New York Yankees according to Buster Olney of ESPN. This continues the path from New York to Pittsburgh that also includes Russell Martin, AJ Burnett, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, and another hundred guys I am probably forgetting. The important part is we got something for Chris Stewart and that is a blessing right there.

Tomorrow Is The Non Tender Deadline

Tomorrow is the non tender deadline for contracts and the Yankees 40 man roster is currently sitting at 39 players. This list of 39 players does not include Brendan Ryan or Brian McCann so at least one roster move will have to be made tomorrow to make room for one of these men. Who will it be you ask? Here are a few of the options:

Chris Stewart is an obvious non tender candidate if he is not traded before then because he is a catcher and clears a spot for a catcher in McCann. The Yankees have five catchers on the 40 man roster before McCann is added so at least one of them are going to have to go. Both JR Murphy and Austin Romine have minor league options so they could be sent down to AAA to split time but at the same time these men have more trade value then any of the other options. Both Francisco Cervelli and Stewart are out of minor league options and would make suitable backups but Cervelli may be the better option. I know we can designate another young guy for assignment that will clear waivers and accept a AAA assignment but at least one catcher has to go anyway so why not make the move now right?

Depending on what happens with Alex Rodriguez would have a lot to do with the battle between Jayson Nix and Eduardo Nunez. Both are considered utility infielders with Nunez getting the edge with the bat and Nix getting the edge in defense and versatility. The problem is we already have Brendan Ryan signed as a back up player and we only have so many 40 man roster spots. If Alex is suspended then I could see the Yankees letting Nunez start and keeping Nix or signing an Eric Chavez but the problem with this is we won't know what happens with Alex until well after Christmas. If one of these guys got non tendered it would be Nix but right now I don't see either getting the cut just yet. Nix did agree to being sent off the 40 man roster and signed a minor league deal with us last year though so maybe that can happen again.

Matt Daley and David Huff are also on the brink with both being out of minor league options and fringe players. Huff and Daley could either start or go into the bullpen and relieve, one from the left side and one from the right side, and both players are making the league minimum. We could hold onto them now and DFA them later too so no need in making a move unless we absolutely have to so I see them both staying for now.

Ramon Flores is way behind on the organizational depth chart, especially with the emergence of Zoilo Almonte, and would not be a non tender candidate as much as he would be a DFA option. FLores plays primarily left field and hits for zero power and would not be a substantial loss if say we signed a Corey Hart or Carlos Beltran.

Chris Stewart Drawing Trade Interest From Teams

Chris Stewart is drawing trade interest from more then one unnamed team before Monday's non tender deadline for the Yankees. Stewart is going through arbitration for the first time and is expected to earn somewhere in the neighborhood of $1 million. The Yankees are also discussing a contract with Stewart to be the backup for Brian McCann so this reports seems to be all over the place.

Stewart is definitely the odd man out on the Yankees 40 man roster it is just whether we will get something for him or not at this point. Personally if we got an A Ball type pitcher to replace Ben Paullus for Stewart I would jump for joy. We have this weekend to send Stewart off so let's hope someone takes him off our hands as a capable backup catcher.

Brian McCann Contract Details

First off I want to say that the Yankees handed down a great free agent deal to free agent catcher Brian McCann last night to give us a huge offensive upgrade at the plate. Good catchers never hit the open market, period, which is why we have been stuck with Chris Stewart the last couple of years, so the Yankees may have actually got a bargain here if you can believe that.

McCann's contract details include a five year deal worth $85 million with a 6th VESTING option for $15 million to bring the entire contract up to a possible $100 million. I predicted he would get a five year deal in the neighborhood of $80 million so I was not all that far off. As much as I wanted him I figured the Texas Rangers would acquire him, obviously before they got Prince Fielder, and I am glad the Yankees got him.

Brian gets a full no trade clause, which could be fun in years four, five, and six, but we have the designated hitter spot just waiting for him. Also Mark Teixeira is all but gone after the 2016 season so we could also work Brian out at first base if we had to.

This is the third highest contract ever given to a catcher followed by Joe Mauer's eight years and $184 million and Mike Piazza's seven year deal worth $91 million. Also this is the biggest free agent catching contracted handed down since the Yankees gave Jorge Posada a four year deal worth $52.4 million, thus proving good catching does not hit the open market.

AAV impact is $17 million per season before the 6th season vests.

With now, once this is official, five catchers on the 40 man roster the Yankees have some work to do. Gary Sanchez was just protected and looks to be ready by the time McCann will be ready to DH or play first base most of the time so he is safe. Francisco Cervelli is a good right handed compliment and backup if he is truly tendered a contract so I see him being safe as well. Chris Stewart is all but a goner here and he may even be the roster move that clears a spot for McCann when that time comes. The fate of JR Murphy and Austin Romine may be trade bait for the Yankees to acquire that starting pitcher, closer/set up man, right fielder, third basemen, etc. Bad news for them is though I cannot see a scenario where the Yankees carry four catchers on the 40 man roster so they both WILL go.

Cashman:Yankees Plan To Tender Contract To Cervelli

The New York Yankees and Brian Cashman reportedly plan to tender a contract to Francisco Cervelli for the 2014 season after losing 50 games due to a steroid suspension. Cervelli was one of the players linked to the Biogenesis fall out and missed much of the 2013 season due to a broken hand, the steroid suspension, and a stress fracture in his arm.

This is interesting as the Yankees would have four catchers on their 40 man roster before they add Gary Sanchez to be protected by the Rule 5 draft so this cannot be good news for Chris Stewart or Austin Romine. Cervelli is only expected to earn about $1,000,000 in arbitration this season so that may be the end of the discussion right there but either way I believe Cervelli can build on his 2013 season, the healthy part of it, and be a decent catcher for us so I am glad to be reporting this news.

Poll Results: Starting Catcher For 2014

On Wednesday we continued our polls for the week by asking our readers who they thought the New York Yankees should have as their starting catcher for 2014 and the results are in. HERE is the original post and HERE is the results page. The overwhelming results were for Brian McCann with 41% of the votes with the top four being filled with Austin Romine, Francisco Cervelli, and JR Murphy in that order. Surprisingly Chris Stewart did not receive a single vote. Thank you for all who voted!

Poll: Yankees Starting Catcher For 2014

Yankees Starting Catcher For 2014?
	Austin Romine
	Chris Stewart
	Francisco Cervelli
	JR Murphy
	Carlos Ruiz
	Brian McCann
	Other -- Please Specify
pollcode.com free polls

Who do you think the Yankees starting catcher should be when Opening Day comes around in 2014? Should it be Austin Romine? Should we forgive Francisco Cervelli and give him another shot at it? Should we go out and get a big named free agent like Brian McCann or Carlos Ruiz? Or should we, no never mind on Chris Stewart. Go ahead and vote and the results are to follow. Thank you for your participation. 

Comparing New York Yankees Arbitration Numbers

MLB Trade Rumors released their predictions for the arbitration eligible Yankees this week predicting what each player will likely command this year. MLBTR is usually pretty spot on or within a few percentage points so everyone around the baseball world does, or should, take what they have to say to heart since they are rarely ever wrong. Earlier in the offseason I took my own stab at predicting the Yankees arbitration numbers with a varying degree of success. HERE is the original post of mine back at the beginning of October and below is my predictions with MLBTR's predictions. See how they stack up, did I do good?

Brett Gardner (3rd time)
2013 salary - $2,850,000
Prediction: $7,000,000
MLBTR - $4,000,000

David Robertson (3rd time)
2013 salary - $3,100,000
Prediction: $5,000,000
MLBTR - $5,500,000

Shawn Kelley (2nd time)
2013 salary -$935,000
Prediction: $1,500,000
MLBTR - $1,500,000

Jayson Nix (2nd time)
2013 salary - $900,00
Prediction: $1,750,000
MLBTR - $1,400,000

Ivan Nova (1st time)
2013 salary - $575,600
Prediction: $850,000
MLBTR - $2,800,000

Michael Pineda (1st time)
2013 salary - $528,475
Prediction: $650,000
MLBTR - Not Arbitration Eligible?

Francisco Cervelli (1st time)
2013 salary - $515,350
Prediction: $1,000,000
MLBTR - $1,000,000

Chris Stewart (1st time)
2013 salary - $515,100
Prediction: $1,115,000
MLBTR - $1,000,000

David Huff (1st time)
2013 salary - $494,000
Prediction: $900,000
MLBTR - Not Arbitration Eligible?