The Red Sox Offense vs. CC Sabathia Career

All stats and imagery credit go to ESPN and Baseball Reference. 

Neil Walker to Seattle Makes Some Sense

The countdown to the return of Greg Bird is imminent as the Yankees young first baseman could be activated as early as this week. While it seems like a foregone conclusion that Bird will be making his 2018 debut soon it is unclear how the Yankees will deal with the best problem to have, too many good players and not enough positions to play them all at. The Yankees have not only survived, but flourished, without Bird using the combination of Neil Walker, Tyler Austin, Gleyber Torres, Brandon Drury and Miguel Andujar in their infield, but it seems like when Bird is activated off the disabled list that at least one of them will have to go. You can’t really send down Andujar or Torres in my opinion, Drury is already biding his time at Triple-A and Austin has earned his spot here on the roster in my opinion leaving just one man, the former New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers product. You know what they say around baseball when you have these impending roster crunches, these things tend to work themselves out, and this situation in the Bronx may have been worked out last week due to an old friend.

Robinson Cano, former New York Yankees player and 2009 World Series champion, was suspended by the league for a failed PED test leading Seattle to be without their second baseman for at least 80 games, although most of those games the Mariners would have been without him anyway due to a broken bone in his hand. That is another rant for another day. The Mariners are said to be scouring the trade market either for a second baseman to replace Cano during the suspension or a center fielder to replace Dee Gordon, a former second baseman and the Mariners current center fielder who will be filling in for Cano at least temporarily. It has been speculated that the Mariners and the Boston Red Sox may be willing to make a deal involving Jackie Bradley Jr., Eduardo Nunez or Brock Holt, but could the Yankees swoop in and steal a prospect or two from Seattle instead?

Neil Walker seems like he will be the odd man out of the Bronx when Greg Bird returns so you have to think the Yankees would like to get something for Walker in return for his services rather than designating him for assignment, right? Walker is a natural second baseman that could fill in for Cano now at the position while he could also help the team march towards the postseason in the second half when Cano returns. Walker to the Mariners makes a whole lot of sense for the Yankees and for Seattle right now, so let’s make a deal. The Yankees should send Walker to Seattle for a prospect or two, I don’t know much about the Mariners system to name a name but presumably it would not be a Top 10 prospect in my opinion, while the Mariners take on the remaining part of Walker’s $4 million salary.

The Yankees clear a spot for Bird and they clear some money to spend at the July 31^st trading deadline while staying under the luxury tax threshold. The team can also add a good prospect or two, this seems like a win-win for New York and for Seattle. Make it happen, Cashman.

Wishing We Were at Steinbrenner Field...

Photo Credit: New York Post (Charles Wenzelberg)

It's Stanton Time...

It is hard to believe (still) but Giancarlo Stanton is close to taking the field as a member of the New York Yankees. I've enjoyed seeing the early camp photos of Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius, Gary Sanchez, Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar, Greg Bird and other position players ahead of Sunday's reporting deadline, but clearly, the appearance I've been waiting for the most is the arrival of Giancarlo Cruz Michael Stanton.

Photo Credit: Patrick Hennessy, via Twitter @TrueHennessy

Stanton indicated that he arrived early to take everything in and adjust to the time zone since he's a "West Coast Guy". Regardless of his reasons, I am ready to see him on the field with his new teammates sooner rather than later.  

Based on his words, Stanton understands the goal in the Bronx. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com on the expectation of winning, Stanton said "It's huge. I've never been able to experience that at this level. This is a level I've worked toward my whole life and never been able to experience that, so I'm really excited for that aspect." Yes, we are too.  Hoch went on to say Stanton added there is curiosity about how many homers he and Judge can hit, but "We can't worry about expectations when the main goal is to win. If our expectations help us win, then it doesn't really matter what the numbers are." But c'mon, all of us want to see massive numbers between these two. Triple-digit homers traveling many, many miles will be just fine. 

Good times in the Yankees Universe!

Other Spring Notes...

Now that pitchers and catchers have reported to all camps, we're starting to see movement in the free agent market.  

In moves that indirectly impact the Yankees, the Boston Red Sox re-signed infielder Eduardo Nunez (pending a physical) and the Toronto Blue Jays signed lefty Jaime Garcia. Nunez might have been a nice cog to use for support in transitioning the rookies at second and third, but he's not a great defender and seems somewhat injury prone so it was no loss to the Yankees in my opinion. I never heard any interest with the Yankees bringing back Garcia but no doubt I would have preferred him in a spot start over Luis Cessa. While Garcia is an average starter at best, I'm sure he'll throw a no-hitter against the Yankees now. Seriously, I wish him well in Toronto but I am okay with the Yankees decision to let him go. The only negative is the loss of the pitching prospects that the Yankees sent to the Minnesota Twins (Zack Littell and Dietrich Enns) last year for Garcia. I liked the work Littell had done in the minor leagues last year prior to the trade.  

At this point, the only veteran free agent infielder that appeals to me is Neil Walker. I'd love for Mike Moustakas to sign a one-year "pillow" contract but realistically it is not going to happen. The Yankees are committed to keeping payroll under the $197 million threshold and I think the loss of $1 million in international bonus pool money represents a bigger detriment to the Yankees than the loss of the second and fifth round draft picks. Last month, Baseball America named the Yankees as one of three teams favored to sign  soon-to-be free agent outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez from Cuba. If the Yankees truly have interest in Martinez, they won't sacrifice international bonus pool money for a one year of Moustakas. The Yankees have limited space available for the current 2017-18 signing period so they'd be looking at July 2nd for the next signing period once Martinez is declared a free agent by MLB. The only way the Yankees could justify losing the draft picks and the international bonus pool money would be a long-term contract for Moose Tacos and that's simply not going to happen as we await the eventual expected landing of Manny Machado in the Bronx.

We are just one week away from the first Spring game. The Yankees open the Grapefruit League schedule with a 1:05 pm EST matchup at Steinbrenner Field next Friday against their "fight opponent" from last July, the Detroit Tigers. No doubt that the players will be much calmer than their last meeting and the managers involved are long gone. Boonie, please be sure to hand Giancarlo a bat next Friday. We need some action photos of the big guy going deep in Yankees gear.  I am tired of these Marlins pics...

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Drew Hallowell)

My thoughts for Opening Day Starting Pitcher

Last year, we knew almost immediately when training camp began who would get the Opening Day pitching assignment. New manager, new coaching staff, and a down year from the 2016 staff ace leave the decision a little more up in the air this year.  

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Tom Szczerbowski)

Let's break down the candidates:

Luis Severino

The unquestioned (and surprising) leader of the 2017 Yankees Rotation. Sevy shared the team lead of 14 wins with CC Sabathia (he had a 14-6 record with 2.98 ERA in 31 games started covering 193 1/3 innings pitched).  Severino also struck out 230 batters. He finished third in the AL Cy Young voting behind Corey Kluber and Chris Sale. If the decision is based solely on stats, Sevy is your man.

Masahiro Tanaka

The "recognized" staff ace had an uncharacteristic 2017 compared to prior seasons. His record was 13-12 with 4.74 ERA, however, he finished the year strong and was 2-1 with 0.90 ERA in the post-season against the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros. His body of work for his four-year Yankees career (52-28, 3.56 ERA, 668 1/3 innings pitched, 30 starts) attests to his stature and continued rank as a leader of the staff. Personally, I feel that we'll see a more normalized Tanaka in 2018, pitching closer to his pre-2017 numbers.  

CC Sabathia

Okay, if we go solely on the basis of the body of work, Sabathia is the clear and undisputed leader as the most tenured member of the pitching staff. 120-73 in nine years as a New York Yankee, with a 3.75 ERA in 1,657 2/3 innings pitched. In 2017, CC was 14-5 with 3.69 ERA in 27 games started (148 2/3 innings pitched). If the decision for Opening Day starter is Lifetime Achievement Award, Sabathia is the choice. This is probably a sentimental choice as it could be Sabathia's final year in Pinstripes depending upon how the season goes.  

Sonny Gray

While it is possible that Gray may someday be an Opening Day starter for the Yankees, this is not the year. Sonny appeared in only 11 games for the games following the trading deadline deal that brought him to New York last year. He was 4-7 with 3.72 ERA over 65 1/3 innings. Granted, he didn't get much run support but he also did not help his own cause as he pitched better in Oakland than he did in the Bronx. Gray's goal for this year will be to set himself up Opening Day in a future season.

Jordan Montgomery

He was just a rookie.  No offense to Monty but he is the fifth starter until proven otherwise. He finished 8-7 with 4.07 ERA in 29 games started over 155 1/3 innings pitched. He did an admirable job as the fifth starter; much better than Luis Severino did the year before.  

This is a tough decision. I think that any of the top three (Severino, Tanaka and Sabathia) would make an excellent choice for Opening Day starter. Severino is probably viewed the current staff ace by most, but Tanaka has put up good numbers collectively over the past four years. Sabathia would be a wonderful choice to recognize how much the man has meant to the Yankees. For me, I'd probably go with Severino as the future face (or ace, however you want to look at it) of the rotation but with all sincerity none of the three would be a bad choice in my humble opinion.

Go Yankees! 

Seriously? It Was Only Doug Friggin' Fister...

Credit:  Paul J Bereswill-NY Post

Red Sox 4, Yankees 1...

For Friday's starters, the Yankees previously sent three of their top prospects to the Oakland A's for their ace while the Boston Red Sox picked up their's off the scrap heap.  Nothing against Doug Fister but there's no way he should look like Corey Kluber or Chris Sale on the mound.  However, for yesterday's game, the listless Yankees made him appear to be one of the game's aces as the Red Sox easily got past the Yankees.

Credit:  Corey Perrine-Getty Images

When the Yankees scored first, on Aaron Judge's first RBI against the Red Sox since April, it looked like it might be the start of something good with Sonny Gray on the mound.  But after that point, the Yankees didn't have to worry about their problem with runners in scoring position because they couldn't get any.  

After Gray breezed through the Red Sox in the top of the first, the Yankees got to business in the bottom of the inning.  Brett Gardner led off with a double to deep center, bouncing on the warning track and off the wall.  Aaron Judge followed him with another double to the wall in left center to score Gardy with the game's first run.  Sadly, at that moment, the Yankees forgot that it was only Doug Fister on the mound.  The next three hitters grounded out and the Yankees had seen their last RISP when Judge was left standing at second.

The Red Sox erased the Yankees' lead in the top of the 3rd.  After striking out Sandy Leon, Gray walked Brock Holt.  Eduardo Nunez made him pay for it with a two-run shot to left. Brett Gardner could only watch as the ball sail into the stands.  From there, the Red Sox tacked on a couple of unnecessary insurance runs in the form of solo home runs.

Andrew Benintendi, doing to the Yankees what I can only wish Aaron Judge would do to the Red Sox, pounded a Gray pitch into the right field stands (nearly into the Judge's Chambers) in the top of the 5th.

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Hanley Ramirez, having a down year against any team not called the Yankees, drilled a shot to right center in the top of the 7th.  

I'd like to find a positive in the game but unfortunately I can't.  Both Gray and Fister went seven innings with 98 pitches.  Gray only gave up one more hit than Fister (five to four) but the three home runs were the difference maker.  We needed Gray to have his finest moment in Pinstripes but instead it was the Red Sox partying on the field after the game.  

Credit:  Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Aroldis Chapman pitched the eighth inning.  He gave a hit (a single to Mookie Betts) but recorded all three outs by strikeout. Velocity didn't seem to be a problem with Chapman hitting nearly 105 mph on a pitch that Dustin Pedroia fouled off.  Adam Warren also pitched an inning of one-hit, scoreless relief.  

I'm sorry, there was one positive in the game.  Bernie Williams did a great job of playing the National Anthem on his guitar during pre-game ceremonies.  I will always appreciate #51.  

This was a very winnable game.  Instead, the Yankees (71-63) are back to 5 1/2 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East standings.  The Baltimore Orioles won, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 in extra innings, so they are just 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees.  New York maintained its one game lead in the Wild Card standings thanks to the Minnesota Twins' 7-6 loss to the Kansas City Royals, but there are seven AL teams within striking distance (3 1/2 games or less).  

The Yankees need to take care of business. If they go down fighting, it's one thing.  When they go down meekly, it is unacceptable.  

Odds & Ends...

The Yankees made the first of their September call-ups with names you'd expect to see:  DH Matt Holliday, C Erik Kratz (acquired solely to back up Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine while they serve their staggered suspensions), RHP Bryan Mitchell, LHP Jordan Montgomery, and RHP Ben Heller.  To make room for Kratz on the 40-man roster, the Yankees moved RHP Luis Cessa (ribcage injury) to the 60-day DL.  I am glad to see that the Kratz move didn't result in a "forced" DFA.  I didn't see an easy candidate to dump.  There will be other names to follow but the Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders will begin play in the International League play-offs next week so it may be a few weeks before we see guys like Miguel Andujar or Jake Cave.  

I thought CC Sabathia getting upset about Eduardo Nunez's bunt in the first inning of Thursday's game was a little over-reactionary (why not exploit an opponent's weakness?).  But Hall of Famer Jim Rice's comments about CC's weight were, in my opinion, out of line.  

Tyler Clippard must think he won the lottery.  A couple of months ago, he was pitching like the worst reliever in baseball for the Yankees.  Now, he finds himself with a vital role in the bullpen for a team poised to make a World Series run with starting pitchers led by Justin Verlander and Dallas Keuchel.  

Credit:  Christian Petersen-Getty Images

Have a great Saturday!  Here's hoping that Masa washes those dirty Sox.  Go Yankees!

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!

Quick Hit: Miguel Sulbaran Suspended Under Drug Prevention Program

Photo courtesy of Robert Pimpsner and Pinstriped Prospects

The New York Yankees saw one of their own suspended this week as left-handed starting pitcher Miguel Sulbaran was suspended for 25 games under the league’s minor league drug prevention and treatment program. If the name Sulabran sounds familiar it is because he was the pitching prospect that the Yankees got from the Minnesota Twins when they traded utility infielder Eduardo Nunez there a few seasons back.

Sulbaran was slated to begin the season in Double-A this season with the Trenton Thunder after going 3-5 with a 4.77 ERA there last year in 14 starts. Sulbaran also pitched for Triple-A Scranton last season as well pitching five scoreless innings for the RailRiders before heading back down to Trenton.

Here’s the MLB.com press release in its entirety:

The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that five Minor League players have been suspended following their violations of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

San Francisco Giants Minor League right-handed pitcher Jose Dominguez has received a 142-game suspension without pay after testing positive for metabolites of Stanozolol, his second positive test for a performance-enhancing substance in violation of the program.  The suspension of Dominguez, who is currently on the roster of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League, is effective immediately.

New York Yankees Minor League left-handed pitcher Miguel Sulbaran has received a 25-game suspension without pay following a violation of the program.  The suspension of Sulbaran, who is currently on the roster of the Double-A Trenton Thunder of the Eastern League, is effective immediately.

The following three players, all of whom are on their respective Club's rookie-level Dominican Summer League roster, have each received suspensions for performance-enhancing substance violations, effective at the start of the 2017 DSL season:

Seattle Mariners Minor League right-handed pitcher Frank Encarnacion has received a 72-game suspension without pay after testing positive for metabolites of Stanozolol.

Detroit Tigers Minor League right-handed pitcher Jose Ramirez has received a 72-game suspension without pay after testing positive for metabolites of Stanozolol.

Mariners Minor League right-handed pitcher Andy Taveras has received a 72-game suspension without pay after testing positive for metabolites of Stanozolol.

Official All-Star Game Rosters for Tonight’s Contest

Tonight the American League and the National League square off head-to-head in the 2016 Edition of the MLB All-Star Game. The starting pitchers have been named, the starters have been voted on and the final vote candidates’ campaigns are done. It’s time for baseball so here are the rosters for tonight’s contest inside Petco Park.

Yankees Send Eight to the All Star Game, Current & Former

The New York Yankees will send three of their own to the 2016 MLB All-Star Game tonight inside Petco Park in San Diego. The trio that the Bronx Bombers will send to the mid-summer classic are Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller and Carlos Beltran but they won’t be the only familiar faces at the game to a Yankees fan tonight. New York is also sending five former members of their team and organization to the game as well. 

The Yankees watched Robinson Cano’s sweet swing wreak havoc on American League pitchers from 2005 through the 2013 season before the second baseman left for Seattle via free agency. The Yankees signed Cano as an international free agent and developed him through their system as a third baseman before switching him to second base due to Alex Rodriguez manning his position in the Bronx. 

Possibly and potentially playing beside Cano in this game is another former Yankees product in Minnesota Twins shortstop Eduardo Nunez. Nunez was maybe best known for all the times he ran to first base, routine ground ball or not, while losing his batting helmet in the process. Nunez spent parts of the 2010 – 2013 seasons in the Bronx before being traded to Minnesota before the 2014 season. 

Jose Quintana was a former Yankees prospect and heads to the game to replace Cleveland Indians ace Danny Salazar who cannot make the game due to a minor elbow issue. Quintana was allowed to walk by the Yankees as a minor league free agent and found his niche and his third pitch in Chicago. The rest, as they say, is history. 

Mark Melancon has become one of the better closers in all of Major League Baseball and all of the National League but that honor and prestige came after a trade to the Houston Astros and eventually the Pittsburgh Pirates and not in the Bronx. If you can remember Melancon would come up only to sit on the bench for two-to-three weeks at a time and then catch flack and criticism because he didn’t look sharp ultimately leading to his trade. Well duh! 

Bartolo Colon is defying the odds right now in Major League Baseball but you have to wonder if he would have been given a shot had it not been for the Yankees. Back in 2011 the Yankees gave Colon a shot after sitting out the 2010 season and after receiving a controversial injection in his elbow that may have rejuvenated his career. Brian Cashman was called a fool then, he wasn’t being called one by the end of the season though. Don’t worry he was back to being called a fool again by 2012. 

The Yankees also drafted Clayton Kershaw… and then I woke up.  

And who says the Yankees can’t draft, sign and develop talent? They can, the problem is just that most of the time that talent found their own and found the opportunity to flourish elsewhere. This is something I hope the Yankees can see as well and this is something I hope the Yankees are at least trying to get away from. Hopes in one hand, dreams in the other. Which fills up first? Stay tuned. 

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Minnesota Twins 6/16

The New York Yankees must be glad to get out of the rarified air in Colorado and into an environment where a lazy fly ball doesn’t go 500 feet off the bat. New York left Colorado yesterday and will be inside Minnesota’s Target Field tonight for the first of a four-game set between the two clubs. The Yankees will send their 5^th starter CC Sabathia to the mound fresh out of the fountain of youth to take on Kyle Gibson for the Twins.

Sabathia has been nearly untouchable since coming off the disabled list with a strained groin and has easily been the Yankees best pitcher during that stretch. Whether it’s a healthy groin muscle, a clear mind, a new knee brace or all the work on his cutter with Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte that is to blame for this renaissance who knows but I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Gibson has made all of one start since returning off the disabled list with a shoulder strain and as you can imagine he struggled in that outing against a tough Red Sox offense. Gibson did go 5.2 innings in the start but he allowed five runs and seven hits in a Minnesota loss. Not bad after missing 42 games with the injury I guess.

The game will be played at 8:10 pm ET inside Target Field and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV. No Phil Hughes this series and no John Ryan Murphy but we can always pass the time by placing bets on how many times Eduardo Nunez’s batting helmet will fall off. That’s always fun, I’m going with 12 spread across the four games. Leave your predictions in the comments section. Oh, and go Yankees!

BREAKING: Bryan Mitchell Hit in Face w/ Line Drive

Bryan Mitchell exited the game tonight between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins after taking a line drive to the face. The line drive came off the bat of Eduardo Nunez in the second inning and clearly hit Mitchell right in the face, possibly right above his right eye. Mitchell was taken out in the second inning and Caleb Cotham came in to relieve him.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mitchell. Hopefully this is one of those that looked a lot worse than it really was.

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Minnesota Twins 7/25

What better way to spend a Saturday night then sitting at home and watching the New York Yankees face off against the Minnesota Twins inside Target Field. We will be doing just that tonight as these two teams continue their three game set this weekend in Minnesota as the Yankees look to put even more distance between them and everyone else in the AL East while the Twins try and stay close in the two Wild Card chases. The Yankees will send CC Sabathia to the mound tonight to face off against another left-hander in Tommy Milone for Minnesota. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on WPIX Channel 11 and MLB TV.

The Yankees have one more game in Minnesota this week followed by seven more road games against the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers leaving you with at least another week to click the Yankees Tickets link at the top of the blog to get your Yankees tickets in hand for when the team returns to the Bronx. Until then jump on Twitter and give @GreedyStripes a follow to root for the home team while they are away with us, we’d love to interact with each and every one of you reading this right now.

CC is taking the mound and for the first time in quite a few years that makes me happy and excited, go CC and go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Minnesota Twins 7/24

Tonight an old foe and an old nemesis face off head-to-head tonight in Minnesota as the Minnesota Twins play host to the New York Yankees. This will be an entertaining matchup tonight as former Yankees top prospect and pitching star Phil Hughes takes the mound to face off with current Yankees pitching star Michael Pineda. The game will be played in Minnesota’s Target Field at 8:10 pm ET and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

• Pineda has alternated quality dominating starts with mediocre starts ever since the Yankees started messing around with his routine. New York has skipped starts of Pineda’s to limit his innings and pushed him back days with a sixth starter and Pineda has suffered since his 16-strikeout afternoon on May 10^th, Mother’s Day 2015. Pineda has been good against Minnesota in his career sporting a 1.64 ERA so maybe tonight we’ll be treated to a dominating start and not a mediocre one.

• Hughes makes his first start against his former team this season after two lackluster performances in 2014 against the Yankees. Hughes owns a career 5.65 ERA against New York in two starts but he does own a very respectable 3.13 ERA over his last eight starts. Whether “Homer Hughes” of “Philthy Phil” shows up tonight is anyone’s guess but I am definitely hoping for the former and not the latter.

This should be an interesting series for both clubs because both teams are contending in 2015. The Minnesota Twins have long been like the little brother that always gets picked on and beat up to the New York Yankees but Minnesota is in that stage now where they are growing up and getting old and mature enough to defend themselves. New York needs another series win and no win would be sweeter than top get one against their former teammate in Hughes. We may also see Eduardo Nunez lose a helmet or 12 while running down the baseline which always makes for good television. Go Yankees!

Robertson Surrenders 5 Ninth Inning Runs as Punch-Less Yankees Fall Again to Twins, 7-2

It's contests like today's that really make you question why you love the sport.

The Yankees, though terrible on offense, led 2-1 for pretty much all game, yet surrendered six ninth inning runs in an embarrassing 7-2 loss to the Twins. 

For the first three frames, the Yanks didn't even get a hit off ex-teammate Phil Hughes (Win; 8 IP, 2 ER), yet rallied in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a lead-off triple from Brett Gardner, a pair of singles from Derek Jeter (RBI) and Jacoby Ellsbury, and a go-ahead sac fly from Ichiro.

From then on, the Bombers amazingly didn't even record a base runner, but due to 5 innings of one-run ball from Chase Whitley, a perfect six-out performance from Dellin Betances, and a scorless eighth from Adam Warren they were in good shape.

Or, at least they thought so.

Going into the top of the ninth, there was no reason to doubt that David Robertson would get the job done, a belief that now seems extremely misguided.

On the first pitch Robertson threw in the frame, Minnesota's Josh Willingham tied the contest with a homer to left, #30's second blown save in 14 opportunities this season.

At that point, things didn't look like they could get much worse for Mariano's successor, although they eventually did, as the Twins would tack on five more in the at-bat thanks to an RBI Double from Brian Dozier, a 2-run Double from Eduardo Nunez, and another 2-run hit from Oswaldo Arcia. 

Of those 6 runs, 5 were charged to Robertson, whose ERA has now skyrocketed from the low-twos to a terrible, 4.50.

As for his record, it obviously didn't get any better either, as it is now 0-2 while the team's in games started by Whitley is 3-1.

Three Home Runs Hurt Nuno, Yankees in 6-1 Loss to Twins

After taking two of three from the Cardinals earlier this week, the Yankees looked invincible.

The Bombers, who came into tonight's game against the Twins 4-1 over the last five days, had gotten the injured Mark Teixeira back in their lineup, to go along with a weak opposing starter in Ricky Nolasco.

Still, nothing went their way in the contest, causing them to fall in overall non-competitive fashion, 6-1.

For Yanks Pitcher Vidal Nuno, the game started out well, but with one out in the top of the second things began to fall apart.

At that time, Oswaldo Arcia homered on an 0-2 pitch, giving the Twins an early 1-0 lead.

It wouldn't last long, as Jacoby Ellsbury would tie the game in the bottom of the third with an RBI Double, but from then on it was all Minnesota.

To lead off the fourth, Josh Willingham homered to left-center, immediately followed by a bloop single from Arcia and another, two-run shot to Monument Park from Trevor Plouffe, quickly making it 4-1.

That would be all the Twins would get off Nuno on the night, although it was more than enough, knocking #57 out after 6.2 frames to drop his record to 1-2.

At that point, the game was over, although the Twins weren't quite done scoring yet, knocking in another two late off Preston Claiborne thanks to a duo of RBI Singles from former Yankee Eduardo Nunez and new Catcher Kurt Suzuki. 

Nunez, who was traded from the Bombers to Minnesota back in April, hit eighth and DH'd in this one, unsurprisingly not getting any cheers or jeers when he stepped up to the plate for the first time. Overall, Jeter's former replacement went 1-for-4 in the W, bringing his 2014 batting average down to a low .256.

Yankees Traded Eduardo Nunez To Minnesota

The New York Yankees have traded recently designated for assignment infielder Eduardo Nunez to the Minnesota Twins for left handed pitcher Miguel Sulbaran. Sulbaran is 20 years old and was recently acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the trade that brought them Drew Butera. Sulbaran is not a highly touted prospect, especially after coming to Twins camp overweight this spring, and posts a career 3.15 ERA with a 8.4 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in his 239.2 career innings pitched. Better to get something for nothing when it came to Nunez but this goes to show you any chance of Nunez being involved in a deal that brought Ike Davis was just a pipe dream at the end of the day.

Eduardo Nunez Asked To Be Released

In the past 10 years of my career I had good and bad experiences with the Yankees. Now it's time to go ahead and begin a new chapter.
— Eduardo Nunez (@EduardoNunez15) April 1, 2014

All those fans who feared Eduardo Nunez coming back to the New York Yankees on some sort of minor league deal, fear no more. Newsday broke the news that Nunez asked the Yankees to release him after he was not awarded the last bench spot on the final day of Spring Training. When you think about it I guess Yangervis Solarte won the last spot by default, but I think he would have won the spot in the end anyway.

Now the 26 year old Nunez will look for a "fresh start" elsewhere and is not without his suitors. The Houston Astros get the first crack at him in a trade since the Yankees have 10 days to release or trade him from the DFA. The Blue Jays and the Cubs are also said to be interested in the infielder so this whole Nunez mess should be sorted out soon.

Good luck Eduardo!

Yankees Release Addison Maruszak

The Yankees have released utility man Addison Maruszak. Was originally slated to start the season at Trenton.
— Donnie Collins (@RailRidersTT) April 2, 2014

The New York Yankees have announced that they have released infielder Addison Maruszak making him a minor league free agent. This just a day after the Yankees designated Eduardo Nunez for assignment leaving the question, who will play shortstop this year in AAA for the Scranton Wilkes Barre RailRiders? Your guess is as good as mine, maybe Zelous Wheeler?

Yangervis Solarte Arrested For Armed Robbery

Yangervis Solarte has been arrested for armed robbery, April Fools. No really, he should be though. Not only did Solarte steal the 40 man roster spot and last bench spot from Eduardo Nunez but today announced that he would be wearing his old #26 also. Too soon bro?

Eduardo Nunez Designated For Assignment

More when I am not texting and driving down the highway but the Eduardo Nunez experiment is over. Nunez has been designated for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster for Yangervis Solarte.

Yangervis Solarte Gets Final Roster Spot, Nunez To AAA

Yangervis Solarte has made the Opening Day roster and will be added to the 25 man roster, Eduardo Nunez is headed down to AAA to start the 2014 season. The Yankees do not have to make the 40 man roster move until sometime Tuesday so stay tuned on how the Yankees will give Solarte a 40 man roster spot.