Fourteen Yankees MiLB Players Become Free Agents

Thursday night we learned that Zoilo Almonte, Antoan Richardson, and Scott Sizemore all elected free agency and became free agents rather than spend another season in the Yankees minor league system. Today we learn that 11 other members of the Yankees farm systems have also become free agents this week.

Joining Almonte, Richardson, and Sizemore are Carmen Angelini, Jeremy Bleich, Francisco Rondon, Nik Turley, Ramon Benjamin, Jose Toussen, David Herndon, Andrew Bailey (who has already been re-signed), Jairo Heredia, Jose Gil, Reymond Nunez, and switch pitcher Pat Venditte. 

We wish these 14 young men good luck and hope they latch on with another organization soon. 

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/5

Anyone notice Francisco Cervelli's incredibly early and probably meaningless batting average this spring after last night's home run and walk? If you didn't it's .556, chew on that for a minute. That's nothing though when you remember that Yangervis Solarte is batting .778 with two home runs heading into today.

I missed it but Tyler Austin resumed baseball activities yesterday after a sore wrist has derailed his spring to date. He took dry swings and played catch and said the wrist felt better than expected, no soreness at all. Great news.

Mark Teixeira took live batting practice against David Herndon today on the one year anniversary of hurting his wrist in the World Baseball Classic.

Chad Jennings as always with the assignments from today:

Batting practice groups in Tampa:
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Francisco Cervelli, Brian McCann, Alfonso Soriano
Group 2: Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brendan Ryan, Scott Sizemore, Mark Teixeira

· Bullpen sessions in Tampa:
Jose Campos
Manny Banuelos
Ivan Nova
Dave Robertson
Shawn Kelley

· Today’s second string: C Pete O’Brien, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Corban Joseph, SS Dean Anna, 3B Zelous Wheeler, LF Antoan Richardson, CF Mason Williams, RF Adonis Garcia, DH Jose Pirela

· Today’s available relievers: Dellin Betances, Matt Daley, Yoshinori Tateyama, Robert Coello, Jim Miller

· Tomorrow’s travel squad to Clearwater:
Pitchers: Bruce Billings, Dan Burawa, Cesar Cabral, Preston Claiborne, Brian Gordon, Chris Leroux, Fred Lewis, Mark Montgomery, Masahiro Tanaka, Chase Whitley
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, Brian McCann, John Ryan Murphy, Pete O’Brien, Gary Sanchez
Infielders: Derek Jeter, Kelly Johnson, Corban Joseph, Jose Pirela, Brian Roberts, Brendan Ryan, Scott Sizemore, Yangervis Solarte, Mark Teixeira
Outfielders: Carlos Beltran, Ramon Flores, Adonis Garcia, Brett Gardner, Antoan Richardson, Alfonso Soriano, Mason Williams

More Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/2

We brought you a few spring training news and notes earlier this morning and we have a bunch more to bring you now that we are a little closer to game time. I am excited because due to work, my wife and her need to shop, and all that grownup stuff this will be the first spring game I have been able to watch live and in it's entirety.

Michael Pineda threw another simulated game today to Scott Sizemore and Zoilo Almonte with Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild calling balls and strikes. Pineda got rave reviews from the players who talked of the movement on Pineda's pitches and a velocity that was estimated in the low 90's. Not bad for a guy that is coming off shoulder surgery two years ago.

Pineda will make his spring debut on Friday going three innings. Mark Teixeira is expected to make his spring debut either Thursday or Friday next week. Alfonso Soriano is expected to make his debut early to the middle of next week.

Masahiro Tanka will pitch next on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. CC Sabathia is expected to throw a simulated game that day. Hiroki Kuroda will pitch again on Friday splitting time with Pineda and is expected to throw three innings as well.

Nik Turley has been shut down with arm soreness but is expected to begin throwing again tomorrow, probably just catch. Scott Sizemore slid into bases in the dirt today with no problem which was the last obstacle before being cleared to get into games after a second ACL surgery, good news for a guy fighting for the last bench spot.

David Herndon threw a simulated game today against Zoilo Almonte and Scott Sizemore, breaking one of Sizemore's bat. Herndon threw to Francisco Arcia.

Chad Jennings as always have the assignments from this morning:

Today’s bullpens:
Adam Warren (to Brian McCann)
Preston Claiborne (to Francisco Cervelli)
Brian Gordon (to Roman Rodriguez)
Chase Whitley (to Jose Gil)

· Today’s batting practice groups (in Tampa)
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki
Group 2: Francisco Cervelli, Brett Gardner, Brian McCann
Group 3: Zoilo Almonte, Kelly Johnson, Scott Sizemore

· Today’s second string: C Gary Sanchez, 1B Francisco Arcia, 2B Corban Joseph, SS Yangervis Solarte, 3B Jose Pirela, LF Zelous Wheeler, CF Antoan Richardson, RF Addison Maruszak

· Today’s scheduled relievers: Bryan Mitchell, Shane Greene, Bruce Billings, Fred Lewis, Matt Daley (Dan Burawa, Chris Leroux and Mark Montgomery are also making the trip)

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 2/27

As we all probably know by now the Yankees dropped another game to the Pittsburgh Pirates today in the Grapefruit League. Probably not the way the Yankees wanted to start Derek Jeter's farewell tour, he made his spring debut today, but it's just spring. On to the other news and notes from the day.

Eduardo Nunez ate some bad salmon and blamed that on why he was not feeling well yesterday, Nunez says he is now feeling 100% after his 24 hour stomach bug. Eating some bad fish is better than the flu any day.

The Yankees have added Addison Maruszak to their spring camps and have got him a locker with his name above it. It was thought that Addison was just up for the day after being called up to replace the sick Nunez but he seems to be here to stay, at least for now.

David Herndon threw a simulated game today pitching to Jose Gil and facing Antoan Richardson and Zelous Wheeler.

Chad Jennings once again with the assignments for the day

Today’s bullpen sessions
Brian Gordon (to Francisco Arcia)
Bryan Mitchell (to Roman Rodriguez)
Shane Greene (to Pete O’Brien)
Vidal Nuno (to Jose Gil)
Matt Thornton (to Austin Romine)

· Batting practice groups (starts at 10:15):
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Ichiro Suzuki, Francisco Cervelli
Group 2: Russ Canzler, Brett Gardner, Kelly Johnson, Mason Williams
Group 3: Adonis Garcia, Jose Pirela, Brendan Ryan, Austin Romine
Group 4: Ramon Flores, Corban Joseph, Zelous Wheeler, John Ryan Murphy
Group 5: Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Alfonso Soriano, Brian McCann
Group 6: Eduardo Nunez, Scott Sizemore, Mark Teixeira, Pete O’Brien
Group 7: Zoilo Almonte, Dean Anna, Antoan Richardson, Gary Sanchez
Group 8: Yangervis Solarte, Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, Addison Maruszak

· Today’s second string: C John Ryan Murphy, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Corban Joseph, SS Brendan Ryan, 3B Zelous Wheeler, LF Jose Pirela, CF Ramon Flores, RF Adonis Garcia.

· Today’s available relievers: Jim Miller, Chris Leroux, Mark Montgomery, Robert Coello, Yoshinori Tateyama

· Tomorrow’s travel squad for Lakeland
Pitchers: Dellin Betances, Bruce Billings, Dan Burawa, Preston Claiborne, Matt Daley, Brian Gordon, Shawn Kelley, Fred Lewis, Adam Warren, Chase Whitley
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Jose Gil, Brian McCann, Pete O’Brien, Austin Romine, Gary Sanchez
Infielders: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Corban Joseph, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Pirela, Brendan Ryan, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Ramon Flores, Adonis Garcia, Antoan Richardson, Mason Williams
From minor league camp: Addison Maruszak, Caleb Cotham, Zach Nuding, Diego Moreno

What I Am Thankful For: The Yankees Depth

Continuing our look at what we are thankful for we showcase the Yankees depth that is being addressed this offseason. The Yankees had no depth last year and it showed on the field and in the win column when half the team went down with injuries. This year the Yankees do not seem like they will be left flat footed if one or two of their infielders go down.

The Yankees have already traded for Dean Anna from the San Diego Padres who can play all over the infield and has played in the outfield as well. The Yankees also signed Yamaico Navarro who can also play the hot corner, short stop, and a few places out in the outfield. The Yankees have brought back Brendan Ryan and already have David Adams and Corban Joseph, among others, on the roster for back up. This is before we even mention guys like Jayson Nix and Eduardo Nunez who are both non tender candidates.

The Yankees have already brought back David Herndon for a shot at the bullpen and are not going to be quiet in the pitching department, whether it be for the starting rotation or the bullpen. The Yankees know they did not have the depth last year and they know they didn't have the impact type youth last year and this year they will not make the same mistake twice, and for that I am thankful.

Yankees Bring Back Three Minor Leaguers

The Yankees have brought back three of their minor league players from 2013 signing them to new minor league deals today. These deals are as follows:

David Herndon is a 28 year old right handed pitcher that was signed last year in the spring coming off of Tommy John Surgery in 2012. Herndon will get a second shot to prove he is healthy in pinstripes as he has re-upped for the 2014 season. Herndon pitched the second half of last season and will undoubtedly get a shot in spring training to win one of the last bullpen spots. Herndon is Rule 5 draft eligible and I do not see the Yankees protecting him so there is always that possibility but that is not a very likely scenario in my opinion.

The Yankees also signed a couple of organization utility players in Jose Pirela and Jose Toussen which are both infielders by trade. Jose Pirela will be 24 when the 2014 season starts and have more value then Toussen as he can play second base, third base, left field, and short stop while being a part of the AA Trenton Championship team.

New York Yankees Injury Update For 8/13

Derek Jeter took batting practice today for the first time since he went on the disabled list for the third time this season. His calf is being called a day to day decision but all indicators point towards him running any day now. Regardless of when he starts to run he will be heading down to Tampa over the weekend when the Yankees travel to Boston. By my unofficial count Jeter is eligible to come off the DL on Friday, August 16th.

AAA Scranton Wilkes Barre RailRiders closer Mark Montgomery is back on the DL for a third time this season as well with an unknown injury. David Herndon has been called up from AA Trenton to take his spot on the roster. This was supposed to be Montgomery's break out season and it has been a huge disappointment for us all with all these DL trips.

David Herndon Promoted To Trenton Thunder

The Trenton Thunder, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, announced Thursday that right-handed reliever David Herndon has been promoted to the team from Class A-Advanced Tampa.  The former Major League hurler joined the team in Binghamton before Thursday night's contest.

Herndon, 27, was claimed off waivers by the Yankees last offseason after spending the previous three seasons as a reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies.  He made 97 career appearances with Philadelphia and went 2-8 with one save and a 3.85 ERA.  

Herndon underwent Tommy John surgery in 2012.  He has made 10 appearances with the GCL Yankees and Tampa combined and gone 1-2 with a 5.17 ERA.

--THUNDER--

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. 

The Rule 5 Draft & The Yankees

The Yankees head into this mornings Rule 5 Draft with a full 40 man roster so I do not expect to be selecting anyone but we have 6 guys that are unprotected this year. The Yankees could always just designate someone for assignment if a real option fell in their laps but I will not get my hopes up in that department. Here is a list of the Yankees players that are left unprotected for this mornings draft:

Abe Almonte
Luke Murton
Addison Maruszak
Vidal Nuno
David Herndon
Juan Cedeno

I fully expect Juan Cedeno to get pickef after great numbers in AAA and in Winter Ball this season. Add on top of that the fact that he is left handed adds to the possibility of him sticking somewhere.

David Herndon will probably get taken because of the fact that he can be hidden on the 60 day dl after his Tommy John surgery.

Vidal Nuno is another left handed starter that sat at the top of the AA Trenton Thunder rotation for most of last season and pitched extremely well. At almost a K/9 with 100 k's in 114 IP I think that SOMEONE will take the chance.

Abe Almonte may be hidden on someones 40 man roster because of his speed, versatility, and ability to play all three outfield positions well. Add 30 steals to his resume and he may be an attractive Dewayne Wise type signing.

List Of Yankees 2012 Arbitration Eligible Players

It is that time of the year where the Yankees, and all other clubs for that matter, have to go through the arbitration process with their eligible players. This season the Yankees have 8 players that they will go through the process with and a couple of them will not be cheap. Let's take a look at the list and MLBTR's projected salaries.

Boone Logan RP (4th time eligible) $2.8 Million

Phil Hughes SP (3rd time eligible) $5.7 Million

Joba Chamberlain RP (3rd time eligible) $1.8 Million

Brett Gardner OF (2nd time eligible) $2.8 Million

David Robertson RP (2nd time eligible) $2.7 Million

Eli Whiteside C (2nd time eligible) $600 K

Jayson Nix UTIL (1st time eligible) $900K

David Herndon RP (1st time eligible) $600 K

I do not know if we should be thankful or not for injury riddled seasons by Joba Chamberlain and Brett Gardner but the past is in the past now and MLBTR does not expect a raise for either of these men due to missing so much time in 2012 so that helps. I know Joba made $1.675 million in 2012 and to go up to $1.8 million is obviously a raise but I did not think it was noteworthy. Boone Logan would be getting around a $1 million raise after making $1.875 million in 2012 which is not much at all if he pitches like he did in the first half of 2012. Phil Hughes made $3.2 million in 2012 so he would get a $2.5 million raise for 2013 which is pretty significant for someone who pitched like a 4th starter for most of the season. David Robertson made a bargain $1.6 million in 2012 so the jump to $2.7 million seems like a bargain for us looking at the Boone Logan jump. Eli Whiteside is a non tender candidate and will not be receiving a raise from his 600 K salary of last season and David Herndon would only be receiving a $125 K raise from 2012. Overall if MLBTR is close on these numbers I think they are very much in the Yankees favor so let's hope for the best.

Yankees Claim David Herndon

It's not Joakim Soria or Ryan Madson, but the Yankees acquired a reliever rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. They claimed David Herndon off of waivers from Toronto.

Herndon isn't expected to return until midway through the 2013 season. David is 27 years old, and has spent the last 3 seasons with the Phillies, where he threw to a 3.74 ERA. He threw 7.2 innings this past season before going to the DL, and struck out 8 batters while walking only 1.

I wouldn't expect Herndon to contribute much to the Yankees, but at this point why not take a shot?