Yanks Get Klubered by the Indians...

Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Indians 6, Yankees 2...

In a potential play-off barometer, the Yankees showed they are not quite ready to compete with the big boys.  The Tribe used four home runs to turn back the Yankees on Monday night.

This was destined to be a low scoring game for the Yankees with AL Cy Young contender Corey Kluber on the mound.  The hope was that Luis Severino would be able to make him pitch-for-pitch.  Unfortunately, it didn't happen.  The top six hitters in the Yankees lineup went combined 0-for-22 with seven strikeouts and Aaron Judge wasn't even in the lineup.  

After Luis Severino cruised through the game's first two hitters, Jose Ramirez took him deep to right center for a quick 1-0 lead. Sevy had tried to challenge Ramirez on a full count and lost.  

Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd when Chase Headley led off with a homer to right. "There it goes...see ya!" (courtesy of Michael Kay).

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

Gary Sanchez showed off his powerful arm in the top of the 4th.  After Jose Ramirez walked and stole second.  A subsequent Sevy pitch got away from Sanchez.  Ramirez broke for third.  Sanchez grabbed the ball and fired it to third.  Todd Frazier cleanly applied the tag as the runner was sliding into the base for the out.  Sevy walked the next two batters before striking out Carlos Santana to end in the inning, but if Sanchez hadn't made that play on Ramirez, it could have been much worse.

Todd Frazier put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the 5th.  Jacoby Ellsbury doubled to left with two outs, a high fly which bounced on the warning track to the wall.  Frazier's single past diving shortstop Francisco Lindor into  left field scored Ellsbury.  Frazier took second on the throw but he was left stranded when Brett Gardner struck out.

In the top of the 6th, Jose Ramirez clubbed his second home run of the night off Severino, a solo shot deep into the second deck in right field.  The game was tied again.

The Indians got the separation they needed in the 7th inning.  With one out, Carlos Santana took Sevy deep to the second deck in right to give the Indians a 3-2 lead.  

Credit:  Bill Kostroun-Associated Press

The next batter, Bradley Zimmer, singled to center.  Sevy struck out Yan Gomes for the second out, but that would be all for the Yankees' ace.  Joe Girardi made the call to the bullpen and brought in Adam Warren.  With Giovanny Urshela at the plate, Zimmer stole second and got up and raced to third when Starlin Castro failed to catch the throw from Gary Sanchez for an error.  A wild pitch by Warren got past Sanchez and allowed Zimmer to run home for the Tribe's fourth run.  Urshela ended up grounding out after watching The Zimmer Show on the bases. 

Meanwhile, the Yankees couldn't muster anything against the dominant Corey Kluber.  

Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

In the top of the 8th, the Indians added to their lead when Austin Jackson belted a solo homer to left.  The Yankees challenged the call when replay showed the ball hit the hands of a fan in the first row and bounced back onto the field but the HR decision was upheld.  5-2, Indians.

Credit:  Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Chasen Shreve replaced Warren in the top of the 9th.  Like Warren, Shreve has looked very hittable in his last few outings and the trend continued.  After striking out Jay Bruce, Shreve walked Carlos Santana.  Big mistake.  Bradley Zimmer hit a liner to the center field wall for a double to score Santana.  Zimmer later reached third on a wild pitch but he was unable to score this time.  The Indians didn't need the run with the four-run lead heading into the bottom of the 9th.

Indians closer Cody Allen came on in relief of Corey Kluber and set the Yankees down in order, striking out Starlin Castro to end the game.

The Yankees (70-60) lost ground in the AL East with the loss.  The Boston Red Sox held off the Toronto Blue Jays, 6-5, so the Yankees are now 3 1/2 games out of first.  The Baltimore Orioles won their fifth consecutive game, 7-6 over the Seattle Mariners, to move within 4 1/2 games of the Yankees.  The Tampa Bay Rays, 12-0 victors over the Kansas City Royals, are 5 1/2 games behind New York.  The Minnesota Twins had the night off so they were able to shave a half-game off the Wild Card Standings and trail the Yankees by 3 games.

I can't say that I am very excited about the prospect of pitching Jaime Garcia tonight against Cleveland in a must-win situation.  No, it's not the end of the world if the Yankees lose but I'd feel so much better about the team's chances if Jordan Montgomery was the starter (despite the innings cap).  I hope I'm wrong and that Garcia delivers his best performance in Pinstripes. 

Severino (11-6) looked very strong early, but the three home runs were too much for him.  He finished with 6 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and four runs (three earned) with 108 pitches thrown.  He walked three and struck out nine.  With Corey Kluber holding the Yankees to three hits and two runs over eight innings, Sevy didn't have a chance.

Odds & Ends...

Manager Joe Girardi has announced that right fielder Aaron Judge will take a seat for several games in an attempt to help the young slugger break out of his slump.  It always makes me think of Mark Grace's infamous slumpbuster quote about finding the most hideous looking member of the opposite sex and taking one for the team.  Hopefully Judge doesn't have to go to those extremes to find his first half swing.

Credit:  Phil Long-Associated Press

Another candidate for the "have a seat" approach is Aroldis Chapman.  The Yankees need an effective Chapman in September.  If that means some time away from the team to clear his head, so be it.  I think Chapman's problems are more mental than physical.  He did have a MRI on Sunday but the results came back clear.  I want to see him reclaim his closer's job so whatever it takes to get him back to elite status.

Have a great Tuesday!  It's a wonderful day for a win!  Go Yankees!

Former Yankees Update: Jose A. Ramirez

The New York Yankees had a ton of right-handed relief pitching options last season and they let one go when they acquired utility player Dustin Ackley from the Seattle Mariners last season. When New York acquired Ackley they sent outfielder Ramon Flores to the Mariners along with right-hander Jose A. Ramirez. Ramirez was not long for the Mariners organization though as the Mariners flipped him to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations or a player to be named later this offseason and Ramirez's journey back to the majors continued in Atlanta... until recently.

The Atlanta Braves have decided to designate Jose Ramirez for assignment giving the righty the chance to hit free agency. Ramirez is just 26-years old and appeared in two games for the Braves this season after winning a job in spring training and he struck out four batters in two innings of work. That's the good of it all, there always comes a bad though and that bad included six runs allowed, five hits and four runs despite a 95 MPH fastball.

Will the Yankees bring him back for more bullpen depth after losing Bryan Mitchell and Nick Rumbelow to injuries already this season? Possibly, I guess we'll just have to all stay tuned as it works itself out.

Quick Hit: Dustin Ackley Begins a Rehab Assignment Tonight!

The New York Yankees acquired seemingly a damaged product before the July 31st trading deadline when they sent Ramon Flores and Jose Ramirez to the Seattle Mariners for utility player Dustin Ackley. Ackley was expected to come in and essentially fill the role of Garrett Jones except with a few more positions in his back pocket. Just as soon as Yankees GM Brian Cashman began pushing the envelope for a change of scenery from Ackley the new Yankees bench piece was gone with a back injury. After just five days and three at bats, all outs, the Yankees were left scrambling trying to get Jones back as Ackley was added to the disabled list.

Ackley's lumbar strain was originally diagnosed as possibly season-ending but Ackley, like last night's starter Michael Pineda, worked his way back ahead of schedule and will began a rehab assignment tonight. Ackley is being assigned to the Double-A affiliate the Trenton Thunder. There is no timetable for how long he will need before returning to the Bronx and Yankee Stadium but it is not expected to be before rosters expand from 25 players to 40 players on September 1st.

You never want to wish an injury on anyone so I'm glad to be able to report this news this morning. Here's to hoping that Ackley can be the 2015 version of Jerry Hairston Jr. from 2009 and leap high in the sky after scoring a run that eventually led to a World Series victory.

Quick Hit: Checking In W/ Dustin Ackley

Dustin Ackley lasted just five days and three at bats with the New York Yankees before being placed on the disabled list with a lumbar strain. Ackley was acquired from the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Ramon Flores and right-handed pitcher Jose Ramirez and was held hitless in three at bats before potentially undergoing season ending back surgery. Ackley is not simply willing to give up on the season though and is at least going to attempt to work his way back to the club.

Ackley started baseball activities this week for the first time since the injury. Ackley played catch which is not much but any progress is still progress in my opinion. Ackley was expected to also swing off a tee sometime yesterday and could start swinging at balls thrown from his coaches as soon as today.

Ackley is reportedly pain free and is eyeing a September comeback with the club. Get well soon Dustin!

Meet a Prospect: Dustin Ackley

Dustin Ackley has been a target for the New York Yankees and Brian Cashman for more than a few trading deadlines now and much like with most targets of Cashman, he eventually gets his man. Cashman has made it a habit of getting his man just a few seasons too late, Carlos Beltran and Ackley come to mind immediately, but he got his man nonetheless. New York sent outfielder Ramon Flores and right-handed starting pitcher Jose Ramirez to Seattle in exchange for Ackley who has one more season of arbitration eligibility after the 2015 season. Where will Ackley play, who will he replace and how will he fit in with the team? That’s anybody’s guess but let’s meet him anyway. The Man, the Myth, the Brian Cashman led Legend, Mr. Dustin Ackley.

Dustin Michael Ackley was born on February 26, 1988 to John and Joy Ackley in Winston-Salem, North Carolina where he spent his High School and College days playing baseball.  Ackley attended South Stokes High School in Walnut Cove, North Carolina for his first three seasons playing baseball for the school’s team before transferring to North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem. Ackley helped South Stokes win North Carolina 1A state titles in 2003 and 2004 before transferring where he pitched and played third base there as a senior in Winston. Ackley’s High School playing career and the fact that he was a straight A honor roll student garnered enough attention for him to attend the University of North Carolina on a full baseball scholarship.

Ackley wasted no time etching his name in the record books as a Tarheel as he set UNC’s single-season record for hits in a season, 119, at bats in a season, 296 and games played, 73, as a rookie and teammate of the Yankees RHP Adam Warren. Ackley led the team to the 2007 College World Series fial round before losing to the Oregon State Beavers. Ackley and UNC were back in the College World Series in 2009 with Ackley named an All-American after hitting over .400 for the second straight season and setting another school-record for runs scored in a single season with 82. Ackley slacked off a bit in his junior season hitting just .399 although he did hit 20 home runs for the club leading to be named the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of the Year. Ackley once again participated in the College World Series in 2009 which prepared him for everything that was about to come in his career, including the MLB First Year Players Draft of 2009.

The Seattle Mariners came calling with the second overall pick in the 2009 Draft handing him a five-year deal worth $7.5 million with a $6 million signing bonus with another $2.5 million possibly based on how quickly he made it to the major leagues. Ackley immediately won the Arizona Fall League MVP Award in his first season and just like that his Mariners career was underway. Ackley wasn’t long for the minors though as in June of 2011 he was promoted to the big leagues to face the Phillies starter Roy Oswalt where he collected his first hit, a single. Ackley played second base for Seattle until the Mariners brought former Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano in via free agency to man the position and has basically been an everyday outfielder since the beginning of the 2014 season. Ackley played third base, first base, pitcher and shortstop as a member of the UNC Tarheels and adjusted to the constant position moving well while in Seattle.

Ackley was acquired before the deadline by the Yankees and will bring his .215 average at the time of the trade with six home runs and 19 RBI to the Bronx. How he will react under the bright lights, exactly where he will play and what role he will fill remains to be seen but I am somewhat intrigued to watch it all play out. Welcome to the family Dustin, let’s go get a ring. 

BREAKING: Yankees Acquire Dustin Ackley

Yankees just acquired Dustin Ackley from the Seattle Mariners, source said.

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 30, 2015

The New York Yankees have made a trade with the Seattle Mariners that will bring second baseman Dustin Ackley to New York in exchange for RHP Jose Ramirez and OF Ramon Flores. More details to come as they are released.

Why Is This Team So Damn Frustrating?

Why is this team so damn frustrating and so damn inconsistent? The team sweeps a good team and then almost gets swept by a last place team. The pitching is superb for a week and then couldn’t hit the strike zone if Stevie Wonder was calling the games the next week. The team comes up with big hit after big hit and home run after home run against a pitcher like Felix Hernandez only to get three hit by a guy that I hadn’t heard of before he started against the team this week. The struggle for consistency is real and this team is so damn frustrating.

Monday night against the Miami Marlins really painted the picture of what this season is going to be like. Tommy Koehler, who is the pitcher I alluded to never hearing about before Monday, allowed three hits and one run in seven innings against the Yankees on Monday night. The one run was a home run by Mark Teixeira and the other two hits came off the bat of Didi Gregorius, that’s it. Then you see Matt Capps come in with his semi-illegal mechanics and the closer comes in for the 9^th and closes the book on a close and tough Yankees loss. That contest was only close and tough because of Sergio Santos retiring the Marlins with two strikeouts and a ground ball after Jose Ramirez loaded the bases with nobody out.

This has been the “M.O” of the Yankees team all season long. This is the team that beat the Detroit Tigers three games out of four after the Tigers grabbed the best record in baseball. This is also the team that beat the New York Mets, who also had the best record in baseball at the time, the series before and is also the team that took six of the first seven games against a tough Tampa Bay Rays team. Then you have series where the Yankees almost get swept by the Oakland Athletics who hadn’t won a home series all year long before New York came to town.

Brian Cashman said if the team can stay close and stick around at the trading deadline that he would get the team to the playoffs and possibly the World Series. It’s June 17^th Cashman and the Yankees have held first place for much of the season….. Your move. 

Bryan Mitchell Called Up, Jose Ramirez Sent Down

Bryan Mitchell called up from AAA adding fresh arm to the pen. Jose Ramirez corresponding move #yankees

— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) May 16, 2015

Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 Prospects List: #23

Prospects Month is in full swing and we're already up to our 23rd best prospect in the farm system, Jose A. Ramirez

Here is the write up from Kyle McDaniel on Ramirez:

Jose Ramirez, RHP Video: Ramirez is one of the most exciting players on this list; in the linked video, he hit 100 mph with a 70 changeup and an inconsistent slider that flashes average to slightly above. His problem has been like Heathcott; he’s can’t stay on the field, but Ramirez was big league ready at least a year ago. None of Ramirez’s injuries have been to his arm, but to his oblique, caused by a lack of body fat and his quick-twitch movements on the mound. The big league staff has been fighting to take him north with the team the last two seasons, so if the training staff can keep him healthy, this is relief phenom-level stuff.

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23. Jose Ramirez
24. Ramon Flores
25. Gosuke Katoh
26. Chasen Shreve
27. Taylor Dugas

28. Johnny Barbato

This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race

The New York Yankees bullpen is absolutely stacked for the 2015 season and beyond. Usually I don't like to post these posts that simply list players and make you scroll four or five times down the screen to read a single article but I think that sort of post emphasizes my point here. Brian Cashman has essentially stock piled a ton, an absolute ton, of bullpen arms for Joe Girardi's disposal and use for the foreseeable future. These are the men that could make impacts in 2015 and beyond, the list is impressive.

Dellin Betances
Andrew Miller
David Carpenter
Esmil Rogers
Gonzalez Germen (if he clears and returns)
Justin Wilson
Chasen Shreve
Adam Warren
Danny Burawa
Chris Martin
Branden Pinder
Jose Ramirez
Chase Whitley
Jacob Lindgren
Nick Goody
Nick Rumbelow
Tyler Webb
Mark Montgomery
James Pazos
Chris Capuano
Jose De Paula
Bryan Mitchell
Ivan Nova
Luis Severino

*PS: The title is a Fallout Boy reference.

State of the Yankees Bullpen without Shawn Kelley

The New York Yankees threw a bit of a curveball to their bullpen earlier in the week when they traded Shawn Kelley to the sleepless AJ Preller and the San Diego Padres for a RHP prospect. This leaves the Yankees 40 man roster at 39 players and potentially opens the door for a Jacob Lindgren, Tyler Webb, Danny Burawa, Branden Pinder or equivalent.

Set in stone right now seem to be the positions, in no particular order, of Dellin Betances, Andrew Miller, Adam Warren, Justin Wilson and Esmil Rogers. Rogers is cheap enough to where his spot is pretty fringy at best but without Kelley in the 7^th inning his spot looks to be more secure than ever.

Presumably New York will use one of those spots on another long man and that job will likely go down to either Bryan Mitchell or Manny Banuelos. The last spot looks to be wide open with the above aforementioned players and a few others like Jose Ramirez. Either way with the trade the Yankees continue to get younger, cheaper and more flexible while still trying to compete in a watered down version of the AL East. I guess I can see the logic in that.

2015 Yankees If I Were GM: The Bullpen

The biggest strength of the New York Yankees since manager Joe Girardi has taken over has been the bullpen. Girardi has been able to adjust on the fly and mix and match well enough to keep the Yankees bullpen at the top of the league in terms of effectiveness. Girardi got away from this philosophy a little much this season when he relied heavily on the strikeout factory of Adam Warren, Dellin Betances, and David Robertson and also used Shawn Kelley a little too much but overall it was another successful season for the bullpen. Now with the impending free agency of Robertson and his 39 saves the bullpen may be a weakness for the first time in ages.

First and foremost Robertson is getting a qualifying offer for one year and $15.3 million. If Robertson wants the stability of a long term contract over the huge payday and almost a tripled salary then I almost have to hand him a contract and tell him to fill it out, sign it, and get back to me. Many around the blogosphere are ready to hand the reigns over to Betances but I am not ready just yet. That is not meant to be a knock on Betances whatsoever it just goes to show you how valuable Robertson has been. Sure Robertson is replaced by Betances as the 9^th inning guy but do we really want to rely on Adam Warren in the 8^th inning? Kelly in the 8^th? Robertson gets replaced but who replaces Betances? There is no Betances on the free agent market and there is no Betances in the farm system unless Jacob Lindgren lights up the place.

Speaking of Lindgren after I secure Robertson for the 9^th, slide Betances back to the 8^th, and hope that Warren and Kelley can hold down the 7^th I call up the young lefty as a LOOGY and multiple inning reliever. I would also give Jose Ramirez an extended look in spring training along with Bryan Mitchell to see if either are ready to take the next step.

The final bullpen slots will likely be filled by the players who miss out on the starting rotation, namely David Phelps and Shane Greene. I would love to have both of them starting but realistically, unless the Yankees uncharacteristically go against the grain and go to a six man rotation, one of them seems destined for the bullpen without even signing a single free agent. If a James Shields or Jon Lester was signed it is extremely likely that both would head to bullpen.

That’s it, I stick to the plan and I keep the homegrown talent in the bullpen. Between Robertson, Betances, Kelley, Warren, and Lindgren there may not be enough strikeouts to go around and that makes for an exciting and effective bullpen. 

Looking at the 40 man Roster for 2015 Help

When you take just a quick look at the 40 man roster you see that the New York Yankees could potentially fill more than one slot this season with homegrown talent from the minor leagues. This is not to say that I think the Yankees should fill these slots with these players this was more of a post to show that the lack of Yankees depth from the minor leagues may finally be over. Let's take a look.

Pitching:

Manny Banuelos seems healthy, stretched out, and finally rehabbed and ready to start pitching after his Tommy John surgery. While I think New York will give the lefty every chance in the world to be a starter the bullpen is always a viable backup option for the southpaw.

Bryan Mitchell falls into that same category as Banuelos as he can start or head to the bullpen. Mitchell did both for the Yankees in 2014 in limited opportunities and pitched extremely well when given the chance. Mitchell could be the next David Phelps, Shane Greene, or Adam Warren.

Chase Whitley finishes out the "could be a starter, could be a reliever" category as he also did both for the Triple-A team and the big league Yankees in 2014. Whitley was impressive as a starter for the Yankees before seemingly hitting an innings wall on his arm. Whitley will build arm strength all season long I'm sure and be back better in 2015.

Jose Ramirez is a relief pitcher only these days and has struggled to stay healthy in his minor league career but I remain optimistic that he will put it all together before long, maybe next season. Ramirez could become especially important if David Robertson leaves via free agency.



Infielders:

Francisco Cervelli/John Ryan Murphy/Austin Romine one of these three men will be the Yankees backup catcher for Brian McCann, one will head to Triple-A, and one is very likely to be traded. If I had to guess Cervelli would backup McCann, Romine would head to Scranton, and Murphy would be traded since he seemingly has the most value.

Jose Pirela is a minor league free agent but he could be back and in the major leagues after his short audition in the Bronx in September. Martin Prado's flexibility will give GM Brian Cashman plenty of options for the infield and Pirela may squeak into the fold with a strong spring training.



Outfielders:

Ramon Flores/Eury Perez/Antoan Richardson the Yankees will need a fourth outfielder, and even carried five in 2014, in 2015 and one of these three men could be good off the bench. All three have a lot of speed but the problem is none of them can hit much, Flores being the best hitter of the three by a lot. Flores does have the fact that he is left handed working against him in an already lefty heavy outfield.

All these spots could conceivably be filled from within and I didn't even mention the players off the 40 man roster in Jacob Lindgren, Tyler Webb, James Pazos, Danny Burawa, Kyle Roller, and Robert Refsnyder to name a few.

The David Phelps Bullpen Audition Could Mean the End of David Robertson in Pinstripes

With David Phelps on his way back from elbow inflammation and being sent to the Yankees bullpen this could be serving as an audition of sorts for the 2015 season. You guys know me by now, I’m always thinking about next season whether we’re in the thick of things or not, and I believe the Yankees may be as well.

The Yankees current closer David Robertson is set to hit free agency after this season in his age 30 season and if Phelps can show he is capable of pitching out of the bullpen it may spell the end of Robertson in pinstripes. Much like after the 1996 season when the Yankees let 30 year old John Wetteland walk away via free agency and immediately plugged Mariano Rivera in as the closer after he burst onto the scene as a failed starter turned reliever. Dellin Betances would be Mariano in this situation and could slide into the ninth inning role for New York to replace Robertson.

If Robertson leaves and Betances moves up from the eighth inning then the Yankees would have to fill the void with either Shawn Kelley or Adam Warren. Phelps could conceivably earn his way into the 8^th inning but knowing Joe Girardi and his tendencies like I think I do then Phelps would likely replace Warren in the pen and everyone else would take a step up leaving a glaring hole in the back end of the pen. Obviously New York could once again catch lightning in a bottle and throw Jose Ramirez into the bullpen and actually use him this time and you also have to remember that Jacob Lindgren is also expected to get a real look at spring training next season and could also help fill the gaps in.

For Phelps sake and the Yankees sake I hope he either gets bombed in the bullpen or shines, nothing in between. I don’t want the Yankees to have any excuse to keep moving the guy back and forth between the rotation and the pen a la Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. I would like to see Phelps either become a mainstay in the starting rotation or a mainstay in the bullpen, not both. 

Are More Reinforcements On The Way?

When September 1^st comes around teams around Major League Baseball have the ability to call up an additional 15 players to their active roster when rosters expand from 25 players to 40. The Yankees called up eight players before their first game of September this Tuesday which begs the question, are the Yankees done or are more reinforcements on the way?

The quick answer is I believe New York may be done. None of their minor league affiliates are eligible for postseason play except for the GCL teams (and they may be done by the time this comes out, I’m not sure) so it’s not like the team is waiting for seasons to wrap up to call up other players. Also the list of players that could come up are far from “sure things” which also complicates things. The Yankees are facing a serious 40 man roster crunch and to make a move prematurely for a guy like Tyler Austin (who has to be protected this winter anyway), Jacob Lindgren, or Robert Refsnyder just don’t make sense from a business standpoint.

As much as I would like to see Kyle Roller, who also has to be protected this winter from the Rule 5 Draft, Austin, Refsnyder, Jose Pirela (another Rule 5 guy and potential minor league free agent), or Jacob Lindgren I just can’t see it happening. Also with injuries to Jose Ramirez, Slade Heathcott (who is on the 60 day DL), Jose Campos (who the Yankees don’t want earning service time), and Manny Banuelos still working back from Tommy John surgery I think the Yankees called up what they could and that’s going to be it.

New York could conceivably call up an Austin Romine, who deserves to be here anyway, or a Ramon Flores but the idea is pretty unlikely. This is all the team is going to get to its time to put up or shut up when it comes to the division and second wild card race. 

Discussing a 2015 Contract for David Robertson

David Robertson has only been the closer in New York for one season but has been one of the game’s best set up men in all of baseball while setting up for the great Mariano Rivera. Robertson has gone through arbitration and will be a free agent for the first time in his career after the Yankees season ends in a month or so. What kind of contract will D Rob want after being willing to give the club a hometown discount this winter only to not receive any interest from New York?

Robertson is finishing out his arbitration years by making $5.2 million before racking up any meaningful saves in his career. The Yankees, Robertson, and everyone around baseball expect that to double if not more for 2015. Robertson is in his age 29 season and will be 30 early in 2015 meaning he will look to get the biggest contract of his career this winter, both in dollars and in years.

I wouldn’t have to look twice if Robertson asked for a four year deal from New York or longer and an AAV of $12 million and you know what? He deserves it. Sure the Yankees have Dellin Betances waiting in the wings but even with Robertson “replaced” in the pen next season you still have to find a way to replace Betances which will be no easy feat. The Yankees bullpen would take a huge hit by letting Robertson walk next season and may have to bite the bullet and give into Robertson’s demands.

If this was the Yankees of even 2013 or earlier with loads of “failed” starting pitchers waiting in the wings that could be power bullpen arms New York may be inclined to pull a John Wetteland circa 1996 and let Robertson walk for the multi-inning fire baller in Betances. Manny Banuelos is a starting pitcher and so is Luis Severino while Bryan Mitchell, Mark Montgomery, Jose Ramirez, etc. don’t exactly instill a whole lot of faith in the bullpen going forward for me.

The Yankees had a chance to lock up Robertson to a team friendly and well deserved extension much like they did with Brett Gardner this winter and passed up and may have to pay for it in the end. The end being this winter. Four or five years and around $12 million a season sounds right for Robertson, what say you?

The Daily Dozen - August 9, 2014

The Daily Dozen - August 9th, 2014 Edition
(Twelve Takeaways from Today's Game vs. the Cleveland Not-to-be-named)

1. Paul O'Neill became the 29th person to get a plaque in Monument Park before the game.  "The Warrior" won 4 World Series Championships as a Yankee between 1996 and 2000 and had a very memorable moment at Yankee Stadium during Game 5 of the 2001 WS in his last game there.  Paul is originally from Columbus, Ohio, so his enshrinement is rather special to yours truly being an Ohioan myself.

Congratulations Paulie! (Photo Credit: Anthony Grupuso/USA Today Sports)

2. Of course the guy batting .174 hits a 2-run home run!  Jose Ramirez took Brandon McCarthy deep for his first big league homer to make it 2-0 in the 2nd.  He also went 3 for 4 on the day.  Here are some interesting stats about the Yankees and Native Americans when it comes to the 1st big league home runs.  Derek Jeter's first homer came off of "El Presidente" Dennis Martinez on April 2, 1996 at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.  There have been 3 other Cleveland players that hit their first homer at Yankee Stadium including Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez (from Washington Heights, NY).  I wonder if Ramirez will end up as successful as those two?

3. Kluber induces a ton of groundball outs.   The ratio of ground ball to fly ball outs was 6 to 2.  He would have had more than 6 of them if he didn't strike out so many Yankees.

4. The Native Americans got 2-out hits in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings.  Quite the conundrum.  If the Yankees want to make the Playoffs this year they are going to have to close out innings when there is no one on and 2 outs.

5. During the broadcast of game as seen on Fox Sports 1 by those of us in Ohio, Paul O'Neill told a great story about Joe DiMaggio.  I will paraphrase here, but basically after being traded to the Yankees from Cincinnati, he had requested the bat boy to get Joey D to sign a bat for him during the Old Timer's Day festivities in 1993.  The bat boy returned saying that Mr. DiMaggio had refused to sign one for him.  Well, Paul O'Neill won the AL batting title in 1994 so at the 1995 Old Timer's Day, Joltin' Joe shows up at Paul's locker and asked him if he still wanted that autograph.  Pretty cool.

What a weird looking bat boy!

6. Nothing like breaking up a perfect game with a HBP!  Great job Cervelli! I bet it hurt though.

7. Corey Kluber goes 3-1/3 with a no-hitter before Ellsbury breaks it up.  What's with pitchers lately and no-hitters or perfect games into the middle portion of the game?  Justin Verlander went 3-2/3 innings the other day against the Yankees.  This time however, Kluber got the win.  A few outings ago, Kluber threw a complete game against the Mariners throwing only 85 pitches total.  Today he was at 85 pitches in 4-2/3 innings.  That would seemingly show that the Yankees were getting walks, hits, and runs, but NAY...it was not so...in fact Kluber over his last 31 innings has only given up 1 earned run. Impressive!

8. #3,431 was an infield hit for Jeter.  I unfortunately watched the game on DVR so was a little bit behind everyone else in the celebration of the Captain taking over 6th place on the all-time hits list surpassing Honus Wagner, but I managed to grab a screen capture of my TV during the event.  Jeter has been entering the hallowed zone of Major League Baseball surpassing the likes of Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, etc...  One notable about Wagner is that he was one of the original inductees to the Baseball Hall of Fame along with Walter Johnson, Christy Matthewson, Ty Cobb, and Herman "Babe" Ruth.

Just before the momentous occasion. (Photo Credit: ME)

9. The ball hit by Jeter was kept in play for the next batter.  Jacoby Ellsbury promptly got a bloop single.  After that I believe the Native Americans wanted to get the ball to Jeter to get rid of the luck.

10. Brandon McCarthy still pitched well.   Any other day he probably would have gotten a win...but not on a day in which Corey Kluber was pitching.

11. Why won't the Yankees listen to me and just walk Brantley????  I'm getting a little frustrated quite frankly.  He once again goes 3 for 4 with a monstrous home run that hit the top of the fair pole.  Sigh.

12. The Yankees were 0 for 9 with Runners in Scoring Position.  That's pretty pathetic.  What's even worse is that 6 of those were the way of strikeouts.  They were struck out 10 times by Kluber and 15 total.

Offense Nonexistent in Middle Game Loss to Indians

Brandon McCarthy surrendered just 2 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings and Derek Jeter passed Honus Wagner on the all time hits list, but since Indians' Starter Corey Kluber threw a gem and the Yankees went 0-for-9 with RISP the latter's three game winning streak was snapped, 3-0, today at Yankee Stadium.

In this one, as you can see by that score, the Yanks pitching was pretty good, once keeping Cleveland off the board for five consecutive frames.

Nonetheless, after Jose Ramirez knocked a two-run home run to right in the top of the second the contest would never again be tied, with Michael Brantley adding a solo shot off Chase Whitley in the eighth.

No, those three trips around the bases shouldn't have been enough for the Indians to emerge victorious, but due to the expected dominance of the aforementioned Kluber (6 IP, O R) they unfortunetaly were, with New York never reaching third on the afternoon despite putting multiple men on base in the fourth, sixth, and eighth.

Interestingly, in that bottom of the sixth the Yankees actually had first and second with nobody out, but again, since Kluber was able to escape the jam with trio of strikeouts the Yanks failed to ever cross home, the first time that's happened since June 22.

Jim Miller Called Up, Jose Ramirez Sent Down

The New York Yankees have called up relief pitcher Jim Miller from Scranton and will send down Jose Ramirez to make room for Miller in the Yankees pen. Ramirez had struggled this season for the Yankees and threw a ton of pitches yesterday and the Yankees needed a fresh arm for tonight after losing in extra innings last night. CC Sabathia was transferred to the 60 day DL to make room for Miller on the 40 man roster. Sabathia's 60 day DL trip is obviously retroactive and will be long up before he is eligible to come back to the big league club.

Miller has actually pitched well this season to the tune of a 2.85 ERA in 41 innings for Scranton and the call up is well deserved, even if he is 32 years old.

Roberts' 9th Inning Homer Wasted in Extras as Yankees Drop Third Straight to Rays, 4-3

Going into this season's trade deadline, it's common knowledge that the Yankees have a lot of holes to fill. 

With Michael Pineda set to miss most of summer and the entire infield struggling to hit above .250, it's obvious that a solid starter and a reliable bat would be much appreciated, although after tonight the Yanks just might have one more kind of player to acquire.

A long reliever.

Yes, that notion sounds a little dumb, but after Jose Ramirez blew another game this evening it just might become legitimate, as the Bombers fell to the Rays again, 4-3.

To start off his top of the twelfth outing, Ramirez actually retired the always-dangerous Evan Longoria and James Loney, a success that quickly went for nothing, as the youngster would go on to walk Brandon Guyer and surrender an RBI Single to Logan Forsythe that broke the tie.

That sudden and painful collapse wasted a pair of scoreless innings the Yankees had gotten from the struggling Shawn Kelley, as well as a huge, game-continuing solo home run from Brian Roberts in the bottom of the ninth. 

Prior to those seemingly momentum-shifting occurrences, David Phelps also gave the Bombers 5.2 frames of two-run ball (solo homers from Matt Joyce and Kevin Kiermaier), almost matching the line of the Rays' Chris Archer, who, besides an Brett Gardner triple and Derek Jeter groundout in New York's half of the third, was great in his 21-out performance.

Still, as I said earlier, everything the Yanks did in this one ended up being worthless, as they dropped to an ugly 2-7 in their last nine contests, 2.5 games out of the division lead, and 3 games out of the second and final wild card spot, again proving that things are not actually getting better for them.