Random Thoughts...

A few quick thoughts on Hump Day…

Joe Girardi wants Gary Sanchez to bat second in the lineup.

Say what?  Maybe it’s just me but I think the Yankees are better served by placing Sanchez in the third or fourth spot in the lineup.  I could even buy into fifth, but second?  Girardi must have a lot of faith in the bottom of the order.  Otherwise, it sounds like Sanchez is going to have to count on his own feet for runs batted in.  Seems like a waste for a multi-base hitter like Sanchez.

And Jacoby Ellsbury might bat fifth?  What, was Siberia out of the question?...

Adam Warren, sit down.

Adam Warren has been told by the Yankees that he is slated for bullpen duty, thereby, knocking him out of the competition for the rotation.  So, that means we are down to Luis Severino, Bryan Mitchell, Chad Green and Jordan Montgomery.  No surprise, but glad to see Girardi is reducing the competition.  I've felt all along that Warren's greatest value is as the designated swingman.  

Jon “Arnold Schwarzenegger” Niese.

"I’ll be back…"

As expected, Niese has re-signed a minor league deal to remain in the Yankees organization.  This will allow Niese more time to regain fastball velocity and eventually snag a role in the crowded Yankees bullpen if he is successful.  Or he could represent rotation insurance.  If not, it was a low risk signing.

He’s just a Rookie.

Congratulations to former Yankee Rookie Davis.  Traded to the Cincinnati Reds in the Aroldis Chapman deal, the tall young right-hander has made the Reds starting rotation.  Davis spent most of last year in AA, with some time logged at the AAA level.  I wish him much success in the Show!  He has a chance to be the Rookie of the Year although I am sure his mom has been giving him that award every year since birth.

Dustin time...well, maybe not.

Former Yankee Dustin Ackley failed to make the Opening Day roster for the Los Angeles Angels and will head to AAA.  Baseball has been a tough sport for the one-time second overall draft pick.

Another Rule 5 Returnee.

While I am still waiting to see if C Luis Torrens (Padres) or Tyler Webb (Pirates) come back, the Chicago Cubs returned another left-hander to the Yankees.  Caleb Smith, 25, saw limited action this Spring (6 1/3 innings, 8 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts).  Presumably, he’ll head for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.  I guess you can never have too many lefties…

Future Yankees Captain?

As the new face of the Yankees, could Gary Sanchez be named as Captain at some point in the future?  Although he uses an interpreter with the media, he has learned English and is able to converse with his pitchers.  He the leader of the new Core and should continue to expand his influence on the team as he moves forward.  If no Captain is named over the next couple of years, I could see Gleyber Torres eventually in consideration.  But at this point, there’s no question this is Gary’s team.

All Good Things Must End…

Masahiro Tanaka’s Spring scoreless streak ended with yesterday’s 6-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers.  Tanaka allowed two runs (one earned) in the first inning before settling down to allow no more runs through five innings of work.  He gave up three hits and two walks, while striking out six.  He finishes the Spring with a 0.38 ERA.  I think he’s ready (in a statement of the obvious). 

Aaron Judge hit a long solo homer in the 7^th inning.

Ernesto Frieri gave up two runs and now has a 9.00 ERA through four innings of Spring work.  I doubt he makes the Opening Day roster and will most likely take the Jon Niese route to the minor leagues for extended spring training.

Jordan Montgomery takes the mound for the Yankees (22-8-1) today in his final Spring performance and long-shot bid for the starting rotation.  The Yankees will be at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, FL to face the Toronto Blue Jays.  Here’s hoping that Montgomery gives Joe Girardi an offer he can’t refuse.

Have a great day!

Don’t Worry, Jon Niese Will Be Back

The New York Yankees released former New York Mets relief pitcher Jon Niese over the weekend in a bit of a surprising move…. Or was it a surprising move? According to that guy that has us blocked over at the New York Post because we broke a news story before he did and simply asked for credit the New York Yankees organization feels like Niese is a bit behind after having knee surgery and may pull the old “bait and switch” like they have in years past with their prospects and minor league players. Many times over the years the Yankees have signed players to deals or had these players on their 40 man roster only to release them or designate them for assignment late in the spring. A week later these players are right back on the roster and in the organization on a new minor league deal. It’s a new Meta and the Yankees are doing it again with Niese in my opinion.

The need for Niese on the Yankees roster is obvious as the former Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates product has spent time almost exclusively as a starter in his career although he does have some experience as a relief pitcher as well. Both positions are areas that the Yankees have obvious and glaring needs and the Yankees will undoubtedly want him back but the ultimate decision comes down to Niese. He already stated he was shocked this offseason that he could not find an MLB deal this winter so I wouldn’t be surprised to at least see him weigh his options. Undoubtedly that’s why the Yankees released him now rather than in two weeks as a good faith gesture and to give him a shot at finding a guaranteed deal elsewhere, because you know… evil empire and all.

Good luck Jon even though I have a sneaking suspicion that we will be seeing you again real soon…

The Final Days of Spring…

Although Spring does not officially end until Tuesday, June 20th, it is coming to an end for Major League Baseball.

Today is the final day off for the Yankees during the Spring Training schedule which concludes Friday at Sun Trust Park in Atlanta, GA, the new home for the Atlanta Braves.  After returning to Tampa after the Georgia trip, the Yankees will have an off day on Saturday before they embark on the bus trip down I-275 to St Peterburg to kick off the 2017 season next Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays.

This means there are only four exhibition games left to decide the future of the starting rotation or at least the one leads off the season.  Manager Joe Girardi has stated the team could skip the fifth spot in the rotation early in the regular schedule due to the number of planned days off. While the Yankees have two days off during the first week of the season, they’ll also need to push Masahiro Tanaka’s second start by a game to allow him to pitch the home opener at Yankee Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, April 10th.  This most likely means that both CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda will make their second starts of the season on short rest.  

Prior to yesterday’s game against the Rays, the Yankees announced that they have released Jon Niese.  Niese was never under consideration for the starting rotation, but his release means that he is out for bullpen consideration.  This probably enhances the chances for reliever Ben Heller to make the Opening Day roster.  Heller has done a fine job this Spring and certainly deserving of the opportunity.  Ernesto Frieri hasn't shown me enough to warrant the creation of a spot on the 40-man roster.

It’s possible that Niese stays with the organization.  He’ll have a couple of days to see if he can find another major league opportunity or he could stay with the Yankees for extended spring training as he continues his rehabilitation from last year’s season-ending knee surgery.

This should be a very active week on the transactions wire.  There have already been a few opt-out’s like outfielder Drew Stubbs, formerly with the Minnesota Twins, and pitcher Ross Detweiler, formerly with the Oakland A’s.   Former Yankees outfielder Austin Jackson, who could have opted out, elected not to, a potential sign that he has made the Cleveland Indians roster in a bench role.  There will be much more activity in the coming days as teams begin their final cuts.  I am sure that there will be a surprise or two along the way.  Probably nothing that will bring help to the Yankees but there’s always the chance the team swings a minor trade to open up some room on the 40-man roster.  

I do not expect the Yankees to make a trade for a replacement shortstop to fill-in while Didi Gregorius is out.  I think they’ll go with the in-house options for now.  The question remains who but Tyler Wade or Pete Kozma seem like the most obvious choices (assuming the Yankees don’t slide Starlin Castro over from second).  Ronald Torreyes slots in only as a platoon at best.  I don’t see him as the full-time starter in any scenario.  But then again, I am not the manager of the team and stranger things have happened.

It has been reported that the Tampa Bay Rays have interest in Rob Refsnyder.  Although none of us really want to see Refsnyder go, it would be tough to watch him traded within the AL East  We’d then be reminded of the trade 19 times a year.  It could certainly be a trade that we’ll eventually regret.  

Aaron Hicks is turning up the heat on Aaron Judge in the fight for right field.  I still want and expect Judge to win the battle, but Hicks was the man of the day in yesterday’s 7-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Grapefruit League action.  He hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning and drove in a total of 3 RBI’s for the game.  Bryan Mitchell was the starter and winner, but it was a less than impressive outing for the young right-hander.  He went three innings, struggling in the third.  He allowed six hits and three runs, while walking two.  His struggles, combined with those of Adam Warren on Saturday, could very well open the door for Jordan Montgomery to snag a spot in the rotation.

With the win, the Yankees improved their Spring record to 22-7-1.

On Tuesday, Masahiro Tanaka will make his final Spring appearance at Steinbrenner Field against the Detroit Tigers as he tunes up for Opening Day.  Only Tiger batters stand between Tanaka and his impressive Spring 0.00 ERA.  Hit now or forever hold your peace.

Jordan Montgomery will start Wednesday, with Luis Severino slated for Thursday in their respective final auditions for the rotation.  The odds favor Severino if for no other reason than he is already on the 40-man roster.  But Montgomery is everyone’s sentimental favorite.  Cashman, make room!  

Have a great Monday!

Predicting the Yankees Opening Day Roster Halfway Through Spring Training

The New York Yankees passed the halfway point of spring training this week according to their Grapefruit League schedule so halfway through I am going to make some roster predictions for Opening Day 2017. The Yankees recently cut down 11 players over the weekend dropping their roster to 53 players. New York has to have their roster down to 25 players by April 2^nd and while there are some obvious cuts to be made with top prospects there are still some decisions to be made regarding the rotation, the bullpen and the bench. Here’s my decisions on those important positions as it stands today. Obviously these are subject to change in the next coming weeks. If you disagree with my assessment then please leave it below in the comments section or give us a follow on Twitter (@GreedyStripes) and we can discuss it there. Thank you.

The Offense:

C: Gary Sanchez

1B: Greg Bird

2B: Starlin Castro

SS: Didi Gregorius

3B: Chase Headley

LF: Brett Gardner

CF: Jacoby Ellsbury

RF: Aaron Judge

DH: Matt Holliday

The Bench:

BN: Chris Carter

BN: Aaron Hicks

BN: Ronald Torreyes

BN: Austin Romine

The Rotation:

SP: Masahiro Tanaka

SP: Michael Pineda

SP: CC Sabathia

SP: Luis Severino

SP: Chad Green

The Bullpen:

LR: Bryan Mitchell

RP: Jon Niese

RP: Tommy Layne

RP: Adam Warren

RP: Tyler Clippard

SU: Dellin Betances

CP: Aroldis Chapman

Finally, Something Yankees Related Today!!!

Yes, what a concept. A Yankees blog talking about something Yankees related. Weird, I know but we finally got there today as we will look at the remaining free agents that are still left out there on the market and see if any of them matchup with the Yankees this season. I will primarily focus on the bullpen and pitching department as a whole because I feel like those are the most wide open positions on the team but if you feel there is a positional player and/or bench piece that needs some extra love and attention then leave that below in the comments section. Thanks.

I was a bit disappointed when I saw that Joe Blanton went to the Washington Nationals. Not that I wanted to give the right a guaranteed $4 million deal but part of me had hoped that the more spring training dragged on the more likely that Blanton was to sign a smaller guaranteed deal or even a non-guaranteed deal. The same thought process is going through my mind with former Kansas City Royals bullpen arm Luke Hochevar. Over the last two seasons, and keep in mind these were his first two seasons removed from Tommy John surgery so he should theoretically get stronger and better the farther away from the surgery that he gets, Hochevar has posted a 3.78 ERA with strong and impressive strikeout and walk rates that should play well inside Yankee Stadium.

I was also a bit disappointed last season when the Yankees did not solidify their starting rotation with a Doug Fister signing so why not right a wrong in 2017 by signing the right-hander. Now before you scroll down to send hate mail in the comments section I am merely suggest Fister on a minor league deal. While Fister’s ERA continues to climb while the MPH on his fastball and sinker continue to fall I still feel like he would make for incredible depth at Triple-A at the very least. I would slide Colby Lewis into this mold as well but for some odd reason I cannot see Lewis pulling a Jon Niese and signing a minor league deal. It doesn’t hurt to ask though, hint hint Brian Cashman.

There’s others out there that are worth waivers including Henderson Alvarez, Jordan Walden, Alfredo Simon and Charlie Furbush but only on minor league deals because there’s no such thing as a bad minor league deal so they say. Well so I say anyway. 

Meet a Prospect: Jon Niese

Over the weekend the New York Yankees added Jon Niese to their minor league camp after signing the former New York Mets product to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. The left-hander can start or he can relieve and will look to latch on in either spot in the Yankees starting rotation in 2017 so now is a good a time as any to meet him, don’t you say? This is Meet a Prospect: The Jon Niese Edition.

Jonathan Joseph Niese was born on October 27, 1986 to Jeffrey and Annette Niese in Lima, Ohio on the same day that the New York Mets won their second, and last to date, World Series. It only seemed like fate that Niese went on to later spend time with those same New York Mets as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates in his MLB career before recently joining the Yankees on his minor league deal.

Niese attended Defiance High School in Defiance, Ohio where he was brought up where he played soccer all four years as well as baseball. While at Defiance High the left-hander was teammates with former Los Angeles Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley before being drafted in the 2005 MLB First Year Players Draft by the New York Mets in the seventh round.

Niese began his professional career with the Gulf Coast League Mets that same year before getting all the way to Triple-A by the 2008 season pitching seven innings allowing just one run for the Zephyrs. Niese impressed so much in that start that he was promoted to the Major Leagues in September of 2008 and he even made his MLB debut on September, 2 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Niese promptly gave up a home run to the first batter that he faced, Rickie Weeks, becoming the first pitcher in Mets history to achieve the feat. Niese bounced back and forth between the minor leagues and the Major Leagues in 2009 before his first full season as a major league starter came during the 2010 season.

Niese finished his first campaign as a starter with a 9-10 record with a 4.20 ERA in 173.2 innings pitched. Niese’s best start came on June 10 against the San Diego Padres when he threw a complete game one-hit shutout in a Mets victory. Niese remained in the Mets rotation for the 2011 season where he finished with another unimpressive 11-11 record with a 4.40 ERA in just 157.1 innings pitched. Niese saw his season come to an end prematurely when a rib cage muscle ended his season on August 23^rd. That was enough for the Mets though as they signed Niese to a five-year deal worth $25.5 million on April 4^th of 2012. Niese would finish the season with his best performance to date posting a 13-9 record with a 3.40 ERA including his first season where he did not completely fall apart and break down once the calendar turned to September.

Niese was named the New York Mets Opening Day starter for the 2013 season after Johan Santana suffered an injury but Santana wasn’t the only Mets lefty to miss some time due to injury that season. Niese missed several starts in 2013 due to a rotator cuff injury and the 2014 season didn’t start out much better for him either. Niese began the 2014 season on the disabled list due to elbow inflammation in his pitching elbow. Niese would return from the injury only to last a whole 66 innings before being forced back on the disabled list later on in the season. Niese did finish the season with 30 starts and a 3.40 ERA but the injury bug had hit him multiple times that season leaving many inside the organization to wonder if this was a sign of what’s to come.

Niese has a relatively uneventful, although it was healthy after making adjustments to his pitching motion during spring training in order to take some of the strain off his pitching elbow, season in 2015 but that did not stop the Mets from trading him to the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 9^th for Neil Walker. Niese spent time in the Pirates rotation until the All Star Break when the Pirates placed Niese in their bullpen. Niese was not long for the Pirates though as the team then traded him back to the Mets on August 1^st in exchange for Antonio Bastardo. Niese lasted a whole one start before being placed back on the disabled list after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

The Mets declined their option on the contract after the 2016 season paying him a $500,000 buyout and thus granting him free agency. Niese spent the winter looking for a guaranteed job and even told the New York Daily News that he was shocked he could not find a MLB guaranteed deal this offseason before he signed the minor league deal with the Yankees. It doesn’t matter how he got here or what happened before though, especially on a minor league deal, as long as he makes the most of the opportunity while he is here. So here’s our best wishes and hopes going out to Niese, I hope you make the team if you can truly help the team compete in 2017 and beyond.

Welcome to the organization and, more importantly, welcome to the family. 

The Early Days of Spring...

After a day to think about it, I am warming up to the signing of former New York Mets pitcher Jon Niese to a minor league deal.  With a base of only $1.25 million and incentives that could boost the overall compensation to $2 million, Niese represents a low risk signing and is a hedge if any of the young arms falter. 

Credit:  Jeff Roberson, AP

Per Manager Joe Girardi, Niese will compete for a bullpen spot but if healthy, he is also insurance for the rotation.  I ripped Niese yesterday, but admittedly, I am never too excited when a former Met shows up in Yankees gear (Darryl Strawberry excluded). 

Niese tried to play through an injury last year and finally succumbed to arthroscopic surgery (for a torn meniscus) in August.  Whether or not the injury was a factor in giving up 25 home runs last year remains to be seen.  He did give up 20 homers the year before.  Nevertheless, he has a history of being a dependable back-end starter.  If he can return to what he was, he’ll have value on this Yankees team.

The contract contains several opt out clauses.  If the team does not offer a $100,000 retention bonus by the end of spring training, he can opt out.  If the retention bonus is offered and accepted, Niese will have another opt-out in mid-May.

It was fun watching video of the new first base crew (Greg Bird and Chris Carter) smashing monster home runs at training camp yesterday even if the pitches were soft tosses down the middle of the plate. 

It was good to see that the Yankees added outfielder Billy McKinney (acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade) as a non-roster invitee to training camp.  Only 22, he’s already been traded for Chapman and veteran major league pitcher Jeff Samardzija in separate deals.  McKinney has hit in all levels of the minor leagues and could eventually, at worst, platoon in left field.  I had been surprised he was left off the original non-roster invitees list. 

Now that training camp is fully underway, I am looking forward to the first exhibition game which will be Friday at Steinbrenner Field against the Philadelphia Phillies.  Let’s get this 2017 season going, even if it is only fake box scores for now…

Yankees Add Jon Niese on Minor League Deal

The New York Yankees added another arm into the mix this spring when they signed former New York Mets product Jon Niese to a minor league deal Sunday night. Naturally the minor league deal comes with an invitation to spring training as Niese will look to latch on with the Yankees either as a starting pitcher or as a reliever.

We were just saying the other day on the blog that the Yankees needed a left-handed relief pitcher in their bullpen just in case Chasen Shreve were to struggle and it seems like the team got their man. Niese, who told the New York Daily News that he was surprised he could not find a Major League deal this winter, struggled in 2016 with the Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates posting a 5.50 ERA while giving up 25 home runs in 121 innings pitched.

Will Neise make the team and will it be as a starter or a reliever? Who knows… stay tuned.

Rummaging through the Bargain Bin...

So, the Yankees are finally bringing a veteran pitcher into camp to compete with the kids…  

Yesterday, reports circulated that the Yankees have signed former Mets starter Jon Niese pending a physical.  I had long anticipated a move as I didn’t really expect the Yankees to hold the audition for two open spots in the rotation with only guys barely old enough to legally drink.  

Back in the days of George Steinbrenner, the veteran pitcher would have been a big name, someone who had reached the height of his glory and was now being over-compensated as performance was on a rapid downward slide.  Under Hal Steinbrenner, Niese represents a low-cost, under the radar signing.  I do not really expect Niese to win a spot in the rotation but he certainly brings healthy competition to the mix.  Still only 30 years old, Niese has seen major league success.  His presence should have a positive impact on guys like Luis Severino, Chad Green, Luis Cessa, and Bryan Mitchell.  

I am not sure how Niese fits with the 2017 Yankees.  With a number of left-handers in camp, I expect Tommy Layne and Chasen Shreve are the favorites for LOOGY.  Perhaps Niese slots in long relief if he fails to win a spot in the rotation.  My early prediction is that he’ll be a camp casualty when the team pares down its roster for Opening Day unless Bryan Mitchell or Adam Warren fail miserably this spring.

Niese was traded from the New York Mets to the Pittsburgh Pirates in late 2015 for second baseman Neil Walker when the Mets surprisingly let Daniel Murphy walk.  Niese ended up back with the Mets on August 1st, but 2016 was a miserable year for him.  He finished 8-7 with a 5.50 ERA.  For the Mets, it was a disaster as he finished with a 11.45 ERA and 0-1 record in 6 games.  He hasn’t been good for a few years, and his best year was 2012 when he was 13-9, 3.40 ERA in 190 innings.  

The Mets moved on when they opted against exercising Niese’s $10 million option in the off-season, and instead paid $500K to buyout the contract.

Niese’s departure from the Mets the year before was rather comical.  He was critical of the Met’s defensive play after his trade to the Pirates.  When he returned, he had to scramble to explain his words and was met (no pun intended) with boos when he made his first appearance at Citi Field in relief of Jacob DeGrom against, ironically, the Yankees.  While the Mets won the game, Niese did ruin DeGrom’s shutout by allowing a homer to Didi Gregorius.  

At this point, I’d prefer to take the inexperience of the younger arms over Niese.  He is not going to suddenly become the next Jake Arrieta at this point in his career.  He is what he is, and that’s not a good pitcher.

Next…

Game Thread: New York Yankees vs. New York Mets 4/26

Excuse me while I go over my check list for tonight's game real quick. Popcorn, check. Phone with Twitter app, check. Ear plugs to keep from hearing John Kruk and Curt Schilling, check. It looks like I am all ready for the finale of the Subway Series inside Yankee Stadium between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets. The game will be played at 8:05 pm ET and can be seen on ESPN as a part of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

Get your Yankees tickets for tonight's game because shockingly it is not too late or get a pair for the upcoming series with the Tampa Bay Rays by clicking the Yankees Tickets link at the top of our blog. If you'd rather stay home on this Sunday night then be sure to jump on Twitter (@GreedyStripes) to interact with us during the game or use our comments section to talk with your fellow Yankees family.

Mr. Eovaldi will take it from here because I'm done talking. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees vs. New York Mets 4/26

Tonight is the finale of the Subway Series as far as inside Yankee Stadium is concerned when the New York Yankees play host to the New York Mets. We have been entertained with some great pitching matchups this series and tonight's face off will be no different. Tonight on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball the Yankees will send Nathan Eovaldi to the mound to face off with the Mets LHP Jon Niese. The game will be played at 8:05 pm ET and will be seen on the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball broadcast.

• Eovaldi comes into the start tonight fresh off his best start of the season for the Yankees against the Detroit Tigers. Eovaldi pitched into the 8th inning and allowed one run against a strong Detroit lineup. Eovaldi picked up his first victory of his Yankees tenure and heads into tonight's start with a 1-3 record and a 4.62 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets. 

• Niese improved his 2015 season record to 2-0 with a victory over the Atlanta Braves last time out. Niese threw 6.2 innings of one-run ball against the Braves with rookie catcher Kevin Plawecki behind the dish. The Yankees offense will look to end Niese's shot at a perfect season in 2015 tonight in the Bronx.

We won't see these Mets again until September when these two teams travel to Citi Field so enjoy the last remnants of the Subway Series while you can. The Yankees stay home tomorrow to begin hosting the team they swept a couple weeks back in the Tampa Bay Rays while nobody reading this probably cares what the Mets will be doing. So with that said, Go Yankees!

#BeatTheMets