Former Yankees Update Matt Diaz

Apparently I missed this about a month ago but former Yankee Matt Diaz continued the trend of former Yankees players signing with the Miami Marlins this season. Matt signed a minor league deal with the Marlins and was assigned to their AAA New Orleans team before being called up to the big league club earlier this month. Matt is batting .167/.211/.222 in 19 plate appearances for the Miami Marlins this season so apparently we made the right choice in releasing him. Good luck Matty!

Matt Diaz Released

After hitting .200/.250/.200 in Spring Training, which wasn't enough to make the team want to keep him around, Matt Diaz has been released. It already looked like a long-shot that Diaz would make the big-league squad, even before the team brought in Ben Francisco and Brennan Boesch, so this isn't much of a surprise. Even if you were to say Matt just had a bad spring, that doesn't make up for the fact that he only hit .220/.280/.333 in 118 plate appearances with the Braves last season, and .263/.302/.323 in 268 plate appearances in 2011.

Yankees Beat Up On Phillies

Ben Francisco wasted no time getting acclimated with being a New York Yankees player as he hit a two RBI double off the center field wall in his first at bat against Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee. Welcome to the Yankees Ben, do that a few more times and you will make Matt Diaz shake in his boots a little bit more.

Ichiro Suzuki added the third Yankees run in the 2nd off of Cliff Lee with an RBI single after he walked Gil Velazquez and Derek Jeter. I know it is spring training but that cannot be a bad sign for the Yankees offense, no?

Melky Mesa improved his chances of winning the temporary center field spot by driving in Juan Rivera with an RBI single in the 3rd inning to put the Yankees up 4-1. Mesa also got lucky on the wild pitch by Cliff Lee that allowed him to get to second base and allowed Matt Diaz to score the 5th run because the ball did not bounce away from Quintero enough to justify him running.

Mariano Rivera would pitch a quick and perfect inning shattering a bat. Andy Pettitte allowed a run in his 3+ IP and struggled with command but looked good overall. David Aardsma allowed a home run and then a hard hit single but settled down to limit the damage to just the one run thanks to a great running play by Melky Mesa.

The Yankees would win the game 6-2

Yankees Spring Training In Pictures Part 7

A member of The Greedy Pinstripes family has been spending his time down in Tampa at George M. Steinbrenner Field watching the Yankees Spring Training. Our friend, @RobbinsDynasty, has recently started his own blog Draft 2 Dynasty so click the link and give his site a view and follow him on twitter @Draft2Dynasty. We want to thank him for these pictures of the Yankees Spring Training and hope that we see many more from him to share with out readers.

Spring Training In Pictures - Outfielders Edition

Brett Gardner 

Brett Gardner proving that speed kills

Ichiro at the plate

Ichiro in the field

Ichiro in the field 

Matt Diaz fighting for a spot

Ramon Flores

Tyler Austin

Tyler Austin at the plate

Tyler Austin in the field

Happy 35th Birthday Matt Diaz

Happy 35th birthday to Yankees outfielder (@Diazfoundation) Matt Diaz. Hope it is a good one!. Follow Matt on twitter and read about his family foundation that helps less fortunate family in the Florida area @diazfoundation.

Replace Curtis Granderson With Eduardo Nunez In OF

The Yankees love the bat of Eduardo Nunez and would like for him to get 500 at bats this season if possible. With Curtis Granderson now out for the next 10 weeks with a fractured forearm the Yankees are probably scuffling to find a replacement even though Curtis should be back in May. The Yankees already have that replacement if you ask me and it is Eduardo Nunez. Nunez has enough speed and range to play left field with the Yankees and his right handed bat that is capable of power would be better than anything that Matt Diaz or Juan Rivera could give us. Also, let's face it, the Yankees can hide people in left field at Yankees Stadium, see Johnny Damon and Raul Ibanez. Before the Yankees go out and make a knee jerk reaction or lose someone on the 40 man roster for a temporary replacement why not give the at bats to Eduardo Nunez? Makes too much sense not to if you ask me.

Spring Training Notes 2/12/13: State Of The Yankees Address

[caption id="attachment_14794" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Photo taken by Mark Feinsand of the Daily News[/caption]

Today may be the State Of the Union Address for the United States of America, but today was the State of the Yankees Address live from the minor league complex by none other than the Yankees manager Joe Girardi (who might I add is in the final year of his contract). Girardi covered a plethora of topics but one of the biggest topics that Girardi covered was Alex Rodriguez. Here's some notes and news from today.

Girardi on Alex Rodriguez:

"There really isn't a lot to talk about. My concern is for him to get healthy. This club is used to having what people might call distractions."

Girardi hasn't spoken to Alex Rodriguez about the PED topic and has confirmed that Alex Rodriguez will not be in camp this spring. Instead, Rodriguez will rehab in New York.

Girardi on the 2013 team:

"We're going to have to find a different way to score runs. Our offense is going to be different but I believe [we're going to score runs]."

Girardi also believes that the Yankees are going to win 95 games and the World Series. "There's a lot of talent in this room. If we play up to our capabilities, I believe we're a very good team."

Girardi's biggest concern:

Girardi's biggest concern is finding a right-handed DH bat before the actual season begins.

Girardi on Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Ichiro Suzuki:

As of today, Brett Gardner will be in LF, Curtis Granderson will be in CF and Ichiro Suzuki will be in RF. There's no plans on moving Gardner and Granderson as of yet, but it could change as he discusses it with his coaches.

Girardi on concerns of Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera:

He doesn't have any concerns on both Yankees who are coming off of injuries.

MORE AROUND YANKEES CAMP

-- Austin Romine came into camp thirteen pounds lighter and his back in very good shape. He believes he sees an opportunity.

-- CC Sabathia is also 100% after having elbow surgery over the winter. He says that the surgery was a relief and he now has complete mobility of his elbow. Sabathia also lost a lot of weight, now weighing in at 290. His first bullpen session will be on Thursday.

-- We also have new locker arraignments and numbers in Yankees camp. Here they are:

-Travis Hafner takes Nick Swisher's old number and will now wear #33. Hafner's locker is now next to Youkilis, formerly vacated by Eric Chavez.
-Francisco Cervelli will now wear #29, formerly worn by Rafael Soriano.
-David Phelps changed his number to #35. Mike Mussina used to wear #35 back in the day as did Michael Pineda last season (who we never saw during the season).
-Michael Pineda will now wear #43. His previous number was #35.
-Kevin Youkilis wears #36 and now has Nick Swisher's old locker.
- David Aardsma will now wear #34.
- Matt Diaz will now wear #22.
- Dan Johnson will now wear #27.
- Juan Rivera will now wear #54.

Looking Back At The Free Agency Predictions

A few months back I took a stab at predicting the rest of the free agency class, seen here, and here are the results. Spoiler alert, I am terrible at this game. The BOLDED are correct predictions and the incorrect predictions are crossed out like THIS with the correct team out to the side. Some guys have not signed yet but with pitchers and catchers reporting tomorrow I figured we would go ahead and look at the results anyway. 

Catchers
Rod Barajas (37) - New York Yankees Arizona Diamondbacks
Henry Blanco (41) - Retirement  Toronto Blue Jays
Jesus Flores (28) - Pittsburgh Pirates Los Angeles Dodgers
Miguel Olivo (34) - Detroit Tigers Cincinatti Reds
Ronny Paulino (32) - Miami Marlins Seattle Mariners
A.J. Pierzynski (36) - Chicago White Sox Texas Rangers
 

First basemen
Lance Berkman (36) - Houston Astros Texas Rangers
Miguel Cairo (39) - Retirement
Jason Giambi (42) - Retirement Cleveland Indians
Aubrey Huff (36) - Tampa Bay Rays
Dan Johnson (33) - Houston Astros New York Yankees
Casey Kotchman (30) - Pittsburgh Pirates
Adam LaRoche (33) - Washington Nationals
Carlos Lee (37) - New York Yankees
Carlos Pena (35) - Cleveland Indians Houston Astros
Nick Swisher (32) - Cleveland Indians
Ty Wigginton (35) - Baltimore Orioles  St. Louis Cardinals

Second basemen
Yuniesky Betancourt (31) - Los Angeles Dodgers Philadelphia Phillies
Kelly Johnson (31) - Arizona Diamonbacks Tampa Bay Rays
Ryan Raburn (32) - Detroit Tigers Cleveland Indians
Ryan Theriot (33) - San Francisco Giants

Shortstops
Jason Bartlett (33) - San Diego Padres
Stephen Drew (30) - Oakland Athletics Boston Red Sox

Third basemen
Miguel Cairo (39) - Retirement
Mark DeRosa (38) - Retirement Toronto Blue Jays
Chone Figgins (35) - New York Yankees Miami Marlins
Placido Polanco (37) - Chicago White Sox Miami Marlins
Scott Rolen (38) - Cincinnati Reds 
Ian Stewart (27) - Colorado Rockies Chicago Cubs
Ty Wigginton (35) - Baltimore Orioles St. Louis Cardinals 

Left fielders
Bobby Abreu (39) - Retirement
Endy Chavez (35) - Baltimore Orioles
Johnny Damon (39) - Kansas City Royals
Mark DeRosa (38) - Retirement Toronto Blue Jays
Matt Diaz (35) - Atlanta Braves New York Yankees
Kosuke Fukudome (36) - Miami Marlins
Scott Hairston (33) - New York Mets Chicago Cubs
Bill Hall (33) - Philadelphia Phillies
Josh Hamilton (32) -Texas Rangers Los Angeles Angels
Raul Ibanez (41) - Seattle Mariners
Ryan Raburn (32) - Detroit Tigers Cleveland Indians
Cody Ross (32) - Seattle Mariners Arizona Diamondbacks
Delmon Young (27) - Tampa Bay Rays Philadelphia Phillies

Center fielders
Rick Ankiel (33) - St. Louis Cardinals Houston Astros
Michael Bourn (30) - Seattle Mariners
Josh Hamilton (32) - Texas Rangers  Los Angeles Angels
Nyjer Morgan (32) - New York Mets
Grady Sizemore (30) - New York Yankees Will Sign Mid-Season

Right fielders
Endy Chavez (35) - Baltimore Orioles
Mark DeRosa (38) - Retirement Toronto Blue Jays
Kosuke Fukudome (36) - Miami Marlins
Scott Hairston (33) - New York Mets Chicago Cubs
Nyjer Morgan (32) - New York Mets  Japanese Baseball League
Ryan Raburn (32) -Detroit Tigers Cleveland Indians
Cody Ross (32) - Seattle Mariners Arizona Diamondbacks
Ryan Sweeney (28) - Kansas City Royals Boston Red Sox
Nick Swisher (32) - Cleveland Indians

Designated hitters
Bobby Abreu (39) - Retirement
Johnny Damon (39) - Kansas City Royals
Travis Hafner (36) - Cleveland Indians New York Yankees
Raul Ibanez (41) - Seattle Mariners
Hideki Matsui (39) - Retirement
Jim Thome (42) - Tampa Bay Rays
Delmon Young (27) - Tampa Bay Rays Philadelphia Phillies

Starting pitchers
Erik Bedard (34) - Baltimore Orioles Houston Astros
Dallas Braden (29) - Chicago Cubs
Ryan Dempster (36) - Boston Red Sox
Freddy Garcia (37) - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim San Diego Padres
Rich Harden (31) - Chicago Cubs Minnesota Twins
Roberto Hernandez (32) - Miami Marlins Tampa Bay Rays
Edwin Jackson (29) - Baltimore Orioles Chicago Cubs
John Lannan (28) - Colorado Rockies Philadelphia Phillies
Francisco Liriano (29) - Cleveland Indians Pittsburgh Pirates
Kyle Lohse (34) - St. Louis Cardinals
Derek Lowe (40) - Cleveland Indians
Shaun Marcum (31) - Kansas City Royals New York Mets
Daisuke Matsuzaka (32) - Seattle Mariners Cleveland Indians
Jamie Moyer (50) - Retirement
Brett Myers (32) - San Diego Padres Cleveland Indians
Roy Oswalt (35) - Retirement
Carl Pavano (37) - Kansas City Royals
Mike Pelfrey (29) - New York Mets  Minnesota Twins
Anibal Sanchez (29) - Detroit Tigers
Jonathan Sanchez (30) - Colorado Rockies Pittsburgh Pirates
Joe Saunders (32) - Baltmiore Orioles Seattle Mariners
Chien-Ming Wang (33) - Washington Nationals
Carlos Zambrano (32) - Arizona Diamondbacks

Closers
Matt Capps (29) - Toronto Blue Jays Cleveland Indians
Brett Myers (32) - San Diego Padres Cleveland Indians
Rafael Soriano (33) - Detroit Tigers Washington Nationals
Jose Valverde (35) - Milwaukee Brewers
Brian Wilson (31) - Los Angeles Dodgers

Right-handed relievers
Mike Adams (34) - Milwaukee Brewers Philadelphia Phillies
Jose Contreras (41) - Retirement
Kyle Farnsworth (37) - Kansas City Royals Tampa Bay Rays
Francisco Rodriguez (31) - Texas Rangers
Takashi Saito (43) - Retirement Japanese League Baseball
Jose Veras (32) - Milwaukee Brewers Houston Astros
Cory Wade (30) - New York Yankees Chicago Cubs

Left-handed relievers
Pedro Feliciano (35) - Washington Nationals New York Mets
Mike Gonzalez (35) - New York Yankees Milwaukee Brewers

Meet A Prospect : Matt Diaz

Matthew Edward Diaz was born March 3rd, 1978 in Portland, OR but spent most of his childhood growing up in Lakeland, FL.  While in Lakeland Matt attended Sante Fe Catholic High School until his college days where he attended Florida State University. A right handed outfielder standing at 6'0" and weighing in at 215 lbs I'd like to introduce you to one of the newest New York Yankees.

While Matt was at college for FSU as a two year starter he helped lead his team to two College World Series appearances including the title game against the University of Miami in 1999. He was named the Sporting News Man of the Year in 1998 and a First Team All American in 1999. The then Tampa Bay Devil Rays drafted Matt in the 17th round of the 1999 MLB First Year Players Draft and spent parts of the next seven seasons in the Rays minor league system. After struggling for parts of two years in the Majors with the Rays Matt found him released by Tampa and signing a one year deal as back up for the Kansas City Royals.

Matt would finally find a stable and consistent home when the Atlanta Braves scooped him up in a trade before the 2006 season. Matt would spend the next four seasons with Atlanta including his ten consecutive hit explosion in 2006, tying a National League record. Diaz signed a two year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates before the 2011 season but was ultimately traded back to Atlanta in August of the same season for a player to be named later. Diaz would stay in Atlanta until his thumb surgery in August of 2012 would cause him to miss the rest of the season. Now Matt has signed a one year minor league deal with the Yankees with an invite to Spring Training this season and has a great opportunity to make the big league club.

Matt Diaz has a lovely wife and three kids, Nathan, Anna, and Matthew Jr keeping him motivated. He also has a great organization that I fully support in the Diaz Family Foundation which was set up to help orphans and disadvantaged children in Polk County, Florida and around the world. Follow Matt on twitter and keep up with his foundation @diazfoundation. Welcome to the club Matt!!

2013 Minor League Options & The Yankees

Chad Jennings over at Lohud had an interesting article earlier discussing who has options left for the 2013 season, who is out of options, and who has certain clauses in their contracts allowing them to opt out of minor league deals. I will direct everybody over THERE for the full write up but I wanted to touch on a few things that I thought were interesting.

Eduardo Nunez, Francisco Cervelli, Cody Eppley, and Ivan Nova all have one minor league option remaining and guys like Clay Rapada and Chris Stewart do not have any options left. David Phelps obviously still has options left and is a no brainer along with the rest of the guys on the 40 man that have not seen major league time outside a September call up. Theoretically the Yankees could start Nunez in the minors to work on being an every day short stop again, the Yankees could start Cervelli in the minors one more time if they decide to trade for a serviceable catcher, Cody Eppley could be sent down to make room for a guy like Mark Montgomery, and if Ivan Nova continues to forget how to pitch he can be sent down to Scranton as well. If the Yankees decide to upgrade either of Rapada's or Stewarts positions those two would have to clear waivers, and they probably wouldn't, before accepting a minor league assignment.

Matt Diaz and Juan Rivera, due to a clause in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement based on their MLB service time, can both opt out of their minor league deals at the end of Spring Training if they are not put on the 40 man roster. Obviously as it stands right now one of these two guys are going to make the club and the other will probably opt out so the competition should be interesting to watch this spring. Dan Johnson has a set opt out date that Brian Cashman would not recollect but if I had to guess I would say it is in late May as they usually are in that time frame. Dan Johnson is all but going to Scranton to start next season due to the Yankees 40 man roster crunch and the delay in the opt out. Thomas Neal, Bobby Wilson, and Gil Velazquez signed your run of the mill minor league deals and can and probably will be assigned to Scranton after Spring Training. Jayson Nix, Jim Miller, and Josh Spence were all designated for assignment and either outrighted to AAA or signed a split contract and can be sent down to the minors after Spring Training as well without having to clear waivers.

Cesar Cabral was the Yankees Rule 5 draft pick last season and a stress fracture kept him from making the big league club out of Spring Training last year so the same Rule 5 draft pick rules apply for 2013. If Cabral does not get added to the 40 man roster when he is activated off the 60 day DL then he will have to go back to the Boston Red Sox. The good news is he can be assigned to the minor leagues under a 30 day rehab assignment barring any set backs or new injuries. This will complicate things because unless a Boone Logan is traded or we decide to carry three left handed pitchers we will lose Clay Rapada or Cesar Cabral once the calendar turns to May 2013.

Yankees Still Looking For RH Bat

Matt Diaz may bat from the right side, but his signing is not keeping the Yankees from searching for another option. According to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post, the Yankees are still interested in Scott Hairston.

Although I'm interested in seeing what Diaz can do after having thumb surgery in August, the thumb which has been ailing Matt the past three seasons (he hit .313/.390/.488 in 2009), I like to hear that the team isn't done looking for better alternatives. Honestly, though, I doubt we'd hear the 100% truth anyway.

Yankees Sign Matt Diaz

The Yankees have finally filled their right handed bat in the outfield problem when they signed long time Atlanta Braves player Matt Diaz today to a one year minor league deal. The deal will let Matt earn $1.2 million plus incentives if he makes the big league club, which he should.