The Indians Offense Against CC Sabathia

The Cleveland Indians drafted CC Sabathia before trading him to the Milwaukee Brewers in the midst of a playoff run. CC finished his tenure with Milwaukee and promptly took the team off his back before heading back to the American League and to the New York Yankees via free agency where he has been since the 2009 season. That has given these Cleveland Indians hitters ample time and opportunity to see what the Yankees big left-hander has and here is that particular stat line. Shout out to ESPN for the stats and the picture below.

Can CC limit the damage and keep the Yankees close in the latter innings of the contest or will the Indians offense be too much for New York’s veteran southpaw? Over/under Sabathia giving up three runs tonight inside Progressive Field. Leave your thoughts and comments below in the comments section or mention us on twitter by tweeting @GreedyStripes. 

Looking Ahead to 2018: Potential Free Agent Offensive Additions

So we saw who the Yankees could be potentially losing via free agency this coming offseason so let’s once again look ahead to 2018 and see who the team could potentially fill those holes with. Let us first take a look at the potential offensive upgrades that the Yankees could add this coming offseason and at a later time we will look at the pitching. Keep in mind that this is all hypothetical and as it stands today, everything is subject to change in a moment’s notice.

Remember when I, and many Yankees fans, clamored so hard for Justin Upton in Yankees pinstripes? Well that didn’t happen but the beating of the drum could happen again in 2018 if the Tigers outfielder opts out of his six-year deal with Detroit with four-years and $88.5 million remaining. The Tigers are looking to rebuild and Upton has continued to produce which means even if he doesn’t get a pay raise the right-hander would get on a better team and that alone is worth its weight in gold. I don’t think the Yankees need an outfielder though so cross Upton off the list for New York.

Greg Bird is the first baseman of the future but let’s just assume that Bird isn’t healthy heading into the offseason and let’s assume the Yankees want a bit of insurance at the position for the 2018 season. It isn’t really all that far-fetched since the team signed Chris Carter this past offseason to platoon with Bird so who is to say the team won’t again in 2018? There’s many free agent first baseman expected to be available including Yonder Alonso, Lucas Duda, Logan Morrison, Mitch Moreland, Mike Napoli and Mark Reynolds to name a few. Presumably the Yankees would prefer a right-handed option to compliment Bird meaning that Reynolds, a former Yankee, and Napoli move to the front of the line. Neither are ideal, Reynolds strikes out a lot and his defense is mediocre while Napoli is aging and is more of a DH-or-bust at this point in his career, but the Yankees have been dealing with a less than ideal situation at the position all season long anyway. Could it get much worse? You could also throw Todd Frazier into the mix here although I believe the third baseman will prefer to stay on the other side of the diamond as he hits free agency this offseason.

Sticking with the first base position but looking in areas that will likely exceed what the Yankees are willing to pay you find the bats of Carlos Santana of the Cleveland Indians and Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals. Santana has taken a step back in 2017 after posting 34 home runs and a 3.7 WAR in 2016 but his walk rate has been steady and his stats this season have been in line with his career norms. The problem is Santana is going to want to cash in after that strong 2016 season, even if 2017 hasn’t gone exactly according to plan, and even in a stacked free agent pool there should be plenty of money to go around for Santana. Meanwhile Hosmer is not someone who has ever really impressed me much. Sure his bat is nice and he is just 28-years old but advanced metrics show Hosmer as a very limited fielder and his -0.2 WAR in 2016, a season in which he made the All-Star team for the first time in his career, doesn’t exactly make me want to run home screaming to mom about him. Hosmer is durable and Hosmer can hit but his career wRC+ (109) is lower than Lucas Duda’s (124) who can also be had on the free agent market and if I were a betting man I’d say Duda gets significantly less than Hosmer in 2018 in terms of both years and dollars respectively.

The final player I want to showcase here is a bit of a “Get Greedy” kind of player. This player isn’t a player that the New York Yankees necessarily need but is a player that could rotate in and out of the outfield as well as the soon-to-be vacant DH position. J.D. Martinez has somehow flown under the radar for years now and that was never more evident than when the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired the outfielder from the Detroit Tigers without giving up a single blue-chip prospect. Since the start of the 2014 season only Mike Trout, Nolan Arenado and Giancarlo Stanton have put up higher slugging percentage numbers than Martinez, and keep in mind that Martinez was doing this inside Comerica Park in Detroit which is historically a pitcher’s park, yet somehow still Martinez is not what I would consider a household name. Now the teammate of another player, Paul Goldschmidt, who isn’t really a household name but should be, Martinez is gearing up to cash in on the free agent market in 2018. If anyone notices that is. If no one does notice it would behoove the Yankees to not make a run at him on a shorter term deal in my opinion to see if they could snag a great free agent option for less. Dare I say, Ninja Cashman. Martinez is not going to win you a Gold Glove out there in the outfield, hence why I said he could split time as the DH as well, and has been a bit injury prone throughout his career but he is just 30-years old and would likely only command a three-or-four year deal while having the same wRC+ (145) as Miguel Cabrera has had over the past three seasons.

Get Greedy and get Martinez if you can. If not and if the team wants a platoon and an insurance option at first base then sign a Mike Napoli and call it a day. Either way it looks like there won’t be much offensive help coming or much heavy lifting to be found in the Bronx before the 2018 season on the free agent market. Or I could be completely wrong, that’s happened more than once. 

52 Games To Go, Let's Do This!...

Credit:  Jeff Chevrier-Icon Sportswire

Enjoyed An Off Day...

Monday, Monday.  I am glad it's in the books but it was nice having an off-day while the Yankees enjoyed their free time in Toronto.  But it's now Tuesday and back to work.

Last month, I was in favor of a trade for a proven first baseman like Yonder Alonso (then with the Oakland A’s) or Lucas Duda (then with the New York Mets).  Alonso’s bat cooled about the time Chase Headley started heating up so Headley probably blocked any potential deal that would have brought Alonso to New York as either part of the Sonny Gray trade or a separate trade.  There’s also speculation that the Mets had a similar offer from the Yankees to one they accepted from the Tampa Bay Rays for Duda which showed the only way the Mets would work with the Yankees would be in an “overpay” situation.  

So, where does that leave us with the latest speculation that Jay Bruce would be a good fit for the Yankees?  Primarily an outfielder, he has played 11 games at first base this year making him at least as experienced at the position as Headley.  He is left-handed and has mashed 29 homers this year to go with 75 RBI’s.  He is batting .260/.324/.528.  The 30-year-old is a free agent at the end of the year so he’d be a true rental.  Admittedly, I’ve never been a big fan of Bruce as he has seemed too much like a feast-or-famine type of hitter.  But, like Duda, he might have the swing for Yankee Stadium.   So, I’d have to say that I am intrigued by this one to say the least.  With so much uncertainty around Matt Holliday and Greg Bird, Bruce would bring a big stick to first base/DH for the rest of the year. 

Credit:  Laurence Kesterson-Associated Press

Nevertheless, if the Mets insist an overpay because it’s the Yankees, then it is not worth it.  The Yankees are also included in Bruce's limited no-trade clause but that's nothing $$$ couldn't solve.  I am skeptical that the Mets would ever give the Yankees a player that could potentially help them make the play-offs and risk losing market share as a result.  

I am not sure what I think about rumors the Yankees should pursue Mike Napoli.  He is a proven winner.  His numbers in his age 35 year are down from last year but he still has some thump in his bat with 22 HR's albeit with a batting average that is south of the Todd Frazier line.  Napoli's contract carries a 2018 club option that can be bought out for $2.5 million.  A costly measure, unless the Texas Rangers pay some or all the freight, to add the potential for a few late season bombs.  If only Chris Carter had done what he was paid to do.

Credit:  Ashley Landis-The Dallas Morning News

I hate to see any more prospects shipped away for a six-week need unless it is for someone that can truly be the difference-maker at this point in the season (a player with the potential to help for an October push).  I want to see what Aaron Hicks and Tyler Austin can do, and then there's, hold your breath, Greg Bird at the end of the month.  Okay, maybe don't hold your breath.  I suspect that unless Matt Holliday is able to come back after his DL stint to resemble the player we saw in the first half (unlikely), the DH position is going to be very fluid on a day to day basis with player rotation.

More than anything, the Yankees need Gary Sanchez to step up and deliver the promise he showed us last August and September.  At the moment, he's the most maligned Yankee.  The key will be how he responds to the criticism.  The Yankees are a better team with El Gary in the lineup but he needs to make the defensive plays and wait for his pitches at the plate.  The Yankees play 6 of the next 13 games against the Boston Red Sox and will face Chris Sale twice.  Between the two Red Sox series, the Yankees play a home and away set against the New York Mets for four games.  This is a very crucial two weeks that could go a long way toward deciding the eventual AL East winner.   

According to Baseball America, the Los Angeles Dodgers have released former Yankees LOOGY Tommy Layne.  The Dodgers also removed former Yankees prospect Peter O'Brien from the 40-man roster and outrighted him to Triple A.  The Los Angeles Angels signed former Yankees reliever Branden Pinder, who was released earlier this summer by the Bombers.  I am sure that Angels GM Billy Eppler is relying upon past information about Pinder to take a chance.  I hope it works out for Pinder.  

Next Up:  Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada...

The Toronto Blue Jays may be the AL East cellar dwellers but they always play the Yankees very tough.  The Yankees will see old friend Rob Refsnyder who is currently on the Blue Jays active roster as a backup infielder.

Credit:  Richard Lautens-Toronto Star

The scheduled pitching match-ups are:

TODAY

Yankees:  CC Sabathia (9-4, 3.81 ERA)

Blue Jays:  J.A. Happ (4-8, 3.92 ERA)

WEDNESDAY

Yankees:  Masahiro Tanaka (8-10, 4.93 ERA)

Blue Jays:  Cesar Valdez (1-1, 7.63 ERA)

THURSDAY

Yankees:  Sonny Gray (6-6, 3.41 ERA)

Blue Jays:  Marco Estrada (4-7, 5.12 ERA)

I am not trying to look ahead but it's a bummer that we won't have Sonny Gray for this weekend's series against Boston at Yankee Stadium.  The Red Sox have gone out of their way to ensure that Chris Sale gets three starts against the Yankees in the coming weeks.  

Farewell to #25...

Former Yankee Don Baylor died Monday at age 68 from cancer.  Baylor was American League MVP for the then California Angels in 1979 and he won a World Series with the Minnesota Twins at the end of his 19-year playing career, but I remember his toughness as the Yankees DH from 1983 to 1985, playing along side Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield. He was a magnet for baseballs with 267 HBP's.  I wasn't a fan of the March 1986 trade that sent Baylor to the Boston Red Sox for Mike Easler.  Rest in peace, Mr Baylor...

Have a great Tuesday!  Let's turn a two-game win streak into three!  Go Yankees!

My Thoughts on Edwin Encarnacion Heading to Cleveland

Another slugger off the board as the dominoes may finally begin to fall in the 2016/217 free agent offseason. The Cleveland Indians got probably the top slugger over the weekend and on a steep discount in my opinion as the team agreed to terms with Edwin Encarnacion on a three-year deal worth $65 million with a $25 million option for the fourth year. Now for a team like the Cleveland Indians that sounds like an absolute ton of money but when you remember what Encarnacion has done to American League pitching over the last few seasons he may be worth every penny, and more. Here are my thoughts on the signing.

The Toronto Blue Jays offered Encarnacion, reportedly anyway, a four-year deal worth $80 million at the beginning of free agency to keep him and the first baseman/ designated hitter rejected it in search of a $100 million contract on the open market. Obviously Encarnacion fell well short of that with this deal with Cleveland and honestly it’s not surprising to me. Encarnacion is so limited defensively that he should be advertised as a first basemen only, although he did play a lot of first base out of necessity last season in Toronto. Even with that said Encarnacion, who will be replacing Mike Napoli, is a huge upgrade for Cleveland at $100 million, the $65 million guaranteed to him or the $90 million he could receive if the team option is picked up on the right-hander.

The problem with Encarnacion though, and one of the reasons he likely didn’t get the contract he was searching for this winter, is that he will be 34-years old on Opening Day and is entering the 2017 season looking to cut down on a career high strikeout rate from 2016. Even with that Encarnacion is still a 4.0+ WAR type player year in and year out and while the Indians have to give up a draft pick to acquire Encarnacion the team is in a win-now mentality. With Encarnacion the team is an automatic favorite once again in the AL Central and in the American League for 2017.

The Indians reached the World Series in 2016 and took the Chicago Cubs to extra innings in Game 7 of the World Series. Now the team just got better. This makes the Blue Jays weaker, which helps, but it makes the Cleveland Indians much better. The Yankees weren’t getting him so I guess this is a good deal for New York, they see Cleveland much less in a season than they do the Blue Jays, so I call it a win. Congrats to Cleveland and to Encarnacion. 

World Series 2016: Jon Lester vs. the Indians Offense

Jon Lester gets the ball in Game One for the Chicago Cubs against a tough Cleveland Indians offense. Who has the upper hand on paper tonight? Let's find out. All stats and photos courtesy of ESPN.com

Mike Napoli Actually Makes Sense for the Yankees?!

You don’t title a post with about fifteen exclamation points and question marks if you’re not looking for a few clicks or two that you normally wouldn’t get. Mike Napoli, or who I personally refer to as “Nappy Beard” on Twitter in fun, is set to hit free agency this season after a rollercoaster ride of a 2015 season. Should the Yankees take notice and would Napoli actually help the team in 2016? Honestly, as much as the Yankees vs. Red Sox rivalry doesn’t want me to say it, yes. Yes, maybe.

Napoli had been struggling mightily with the Red Sox before Boston looked to dump his salary and his 40 man roster spot at the trade deadline this season. Napoli was sent to the Texas Rangers where the former catcher and Red Sox first baseman added some versatility to the second chance that is now his career. Napoli played in 78 games for the AL West Division winning Rangers batting .295 with five home runs and 10 RBI in a return to form. Napoli’s .908 OPS was a sight for sore and un-expecting eyes in Arlington and even managed to add left field to his repertoire before it was all said and done. For Napoli to interest the Yankees though he is going to have to return to a position rather than add a new position, and that position is catcher.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe there is at least some discussion about Napoli, albeit as a part time player, adding the catcher position back to his bag of goodies for the 2016 season. In the team’s constant search for right-handed power, check, and a right-handed backup and compliment to Mark Teixeira at first base, check, Napoli could intrigue the Yankees this offseason on a one-year deal in a bench role. Why catcher though you ask? Well, Gary Sanchez was immediately named the team’s backup catcher by many after John Ryan Murphy was traded to the Minnesota Twins for Aaron Hicks but that talk may be a bit premature.

Sanchez, although he has done well in Double-A, Triple-A and Arizona Fall League this season, is very inexperienced and young to be handed the reigns in the Bronx. Sanchez could undoubtedly handle the position, and in my opinion he could do well at the position, but the New York Yankees are going to want Sanchez to play in more than 35 games in Triple-A before giving him the job. New York is rarely aggressive with their prospects and for that reason alone either Austin Romine or a one-year stop gap that can be easily designated for assignment in July like Napoli will be backing up Brian McCann come Opening Day 2016 in my opinion. I have been wrong though, once. 

Recap: Yankees 4, Red Sox 2

Nathan Eovaldi tossed 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball and the Yankees beat the Red Sox again, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park.

Evo's Exceptional Outing: Eovaldi held the Red Sox to just seven hits and a walk during his time on the mound, striking out two while throwing 111 pitches. The only inning in which he really had trouble was the fourth, when he escaped a two-on, one-out jam with a double play from Mike Napoli. 

Gardner Gets it Done: Heading into this one on a bit of a cold streak, Brett Gardner drove in three with a pair of hits off Boston's Wade Miley -- an RBI double in the second and a clutch two-run single in the fifth. The latter of those knocks broke a 1-1 tie with two outs in the frame, immediately following an unproductive groundout from Jacoby Ellsbury. 

Young and Hot: One of just three Yankees currently hitting above .300, Chris Young gave his club some much-needed insurance with a solo shot in the ninth -- extending their lead to 4-2 with the Red Sox last chance approaching. It wasn't a bomb necessarily -- just reaching the first row of the monster seats -- but it counted all the same for Young's sixth long ball of the year. 

Betances Faces Four, Fans Four: Upon entering with a man on and two outs in the eighth, Dellin Betances went right to work against a quartet of Red Sox hitters -- striking out each on fewer than five pitches to seal the Yankees' victory. The dominant performance earned Betances his first save of the season, and should keep usual closer Andrew Miller available for Sunday.

We Need Better Sunglasses: Losing balls in the sun hasn't proved to be an issue for the Yankees so far in 2015 (snow has actually been a bigger problem), but at least in this contest's bottom of the first, the most underrated obstacle in the game cost the team an out. Indeed, on a seemingly-routine pop-up from David Ortiz, Chase Headley failed to track down the little white thing -- resulting in a gift single to end Eovaldi's no-hitter. 

Next Up: The Yankees go for the sweep on Sunday when they battle the Red Sox in the series finale -- beginning at 8:05 p.m. ET and airing live on ESPN. Adam Warren (1-1, 4.35 ERA) will take the hill for the Yankees looking for his second win, opposing inconsistent Sox right-hander Joe Kelly (1-0, 4.94 ERA). 

The Daily Dozen (Plus): The Night The Lights Went Out in the Bronx Edition

The Daily Dozen: The Night the Lights Went Out in the Bronx Edition

Twelve (Nineteen)Takeaways from Tonight's Yesterday's This Morning's Game:

1. Yankees vs. Red Sox Eternal...as in the games last forever.  Extra innings seem to be made for this rivalry.  And once again, this one goes LATE into the night...and the next day.  I can't tell you how many times I fell asleep watching my ESPN App since I don't have The MLB Network.  Okay, I can...3 times...

2. Pace of Play.  MLB has begun to inform its players by way of snail mail as to their disdain for players taking too much time in the batter's box and that they are serious about penalizing players.  I wonder if David Ortiz will receive as many letters from MLB as supposed drug tests?

"So You're Saying We Are on Some List...?" (Photo Credit: NY Times)

3. The 2015 Red Sox Resemble the 2004 New York Yankees.  Remember when the Yankees organization began to OVERSPEND on talent that was past its prime (Giambi, Johnson, Rodriguez).  Well, it seems that Boston is now filling that role what with its lineup of All-Stars from 2012 in Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez, Pablo Sandoval, Mike Napoli, and Shane Victorino.  Heck Ramirez was traded BY the Red Sox in his prime to the Marlins in return for guys named Josh Beckett (still hate that guy) and Mike Lowell (former Yankee)...in 2005.  The Yankees are now trying to the be the Red Sox of old staying away from the big free agents past their prime.  Okay...so they still were doing it last year with...AHEM...Beltran and McCann...but they totally redeemed themselves with Ellsbury and re-signing Gardner along with getting cheaper alternatives such as Headley, Gregorius, and Garret Jones...all while allowing their prospects evolve.

4. Extra Innings Games Sap Your Stats.  Just a quick look at the stat lines for both teams through THIRTEEN innings reveals the following:  only 6 players total had over a .300 average for the night and only five guys had multiple hits.  Perennial consistent hitter Dustin Pedroia was 2 for 6, the Panda was 2 for 6, Nava was 2 for 3 before being replaced by Victorino.  Gardner was 2 for 6, Gregorius was 1 for 3 as a late replacement, and Alex Rodriguez...2 for 5.  The Binder probably wishes he would have left him in the game right about now (12:00 AM).  The remaining players for the Red Sox were 4 for 33.  The remaining players for the Yankees were 3 for 31.  Update: as the teams roll into the 18th, the stats keep on going down, but on a sidenote they are the only ones still playing as the West Coast games just ended (1:33 am EDT).

5. #NAPPYBEARD.  Since The Greedy Pinstripes adopted the hastag last season, Napoli hasn't been the same player.  We here at TGP are glad this has happened and take full credit.  As of this typed No. 5 in the Daily Dozen he was 0 for 6 through 14 innings with 3 strikeouts...although he did get a walk in the 6th and scored one of Boston's 3 runs.  His batting average for 2015 is a stellar .000.  Interestingly, I actually typed the 0 for 6 with 3 strikeouts before he actually struck out...Fear the #NAPPYBEARD  Update: 0 for 8 through 18 innings.

"....mabye I should shave...?"

6. Chase Friggin' Headley.  What more can be said about Chase?  I mean sure he's mired in a .188 batting average, but like I said a couple of days ago...he seems to be clutch when it matters most.  What a huge Home Run to tie the game back in the bottom of the 9th off of Mujica (who coincidentally is on my Fantasy Baseball team...arrgh).

This may never get old... (Photo Credit: Newsday)

7. Fantasy Baseball Hint.  Just a word to the wise...NEVER draft guys from the team you like onto your fantasy squad...right now after almost a week's worth of games I am firmly atop the leaderboard of my Rotisserie league with 3 Boston players on roster with only Brett Gardner from the Yankees (auto-draft).  Either way I win...if the Boston guys suck it up...GOOD...if for some reason they don't...STILL GOOD (for me).  Having Pedroia is also a good idea...the guy just flat out rakes, like WICKED HAAAD.  Update: Mujica is on my bench tonight...shoo!

8. How many buckets of balls could the Yankees get for Stephen Drew?  This is subject to change if he somehow miraculously wins the game in the Bottom of the 14th as I type this, but WHY did the Yankees not afford Refsnyder a shot at second base again?  Oh that's right, to make room for the .071 hitting juggernaut Stephen Drew.  At least he has company down there with Beltran (.071).  Update:  Drew flew out to right to lower that stellar average to .067.  Update 2:  I'll give him another chance as he gave the Yankees a chance in the bottom of the 16th to win it and he's now at a SCORCHING .125!!!

9. Who is leading the team in batting average you ask?  Why that would be everyone's favorite villain, Alex Rodriguez at .286.  I mean sure he had 3 strikeouts...but did you see the smash double he had in the bottom of the 11th...that should have netted the Yankees a win since he was on 2nd with only 1 out?  Yeah, I think Mr. A-Rod is welcome in that clubhouse right about now.

10. To play shortstop in this rivalry you have to have a crazy name.  Xander Bogaerts.  Didi Gregorius.  Nuf' Said.  Pretty much the only normal name at short has been Derek Jeter...I mean, come on...Nomar Garciaparra?  Nomar is Ramon spelled backwards for the kids playing at home.  And yes, I realize that Stephen Drew also played SS...but I don't care.  Update: Bogaerts, crazy name and all is 4 for 8 through 19 innings and  hitting a crisp .421 on the early season.

More Like Nomar Hamm! Fogedaboutit

11. Pitchers, Batters, and Strikeouts.  Through 14 innings the Yankees pitchers faced 60 Red Sox hitters.  The Red Sox pitchers faced 53 Yankees hitters.  The teams combined used 16 pitchers.  It's too bad the game devolved into such a bullpen affair as both Wade Miley and Nathan Eovaldi pitched decently; Eovaldi in his Yankees debut with a final line of 5-1/3 innings and only 3 earned runs against such a good hitting Red Sox squad (ESPN will tell you that...just wait).  Miley gave up 1 less earned run in the same timeframe.  So how many strikeouts in the game (as I type this..they are in the top of the 15th)...?  24 strikeouts total -- 12 for each team.  The Indians pitchers got 16 on Thursday in a regulation game, but still 24 is a lot.  Update: top of the 16th...now at 26 Ks, 13 each.  Update 2: 17 pitchers as Wright entered for the Red Sox in the bottom of the 15th.  Update 3: 28 Ks...15 for BOS, 13 for NYY in Top 19th

12. The Didi-Ells-Gardy Show.  I'm predicting the game will end in the 15th with a manufactured run by the speedsters.  The lineup was set in order to do just that...get Gregorius on base and turn over the lineup to Ellsbury and Gardner to wreak havoc on the basepaths.  If you can't beat 'em with power, beat 'em with SPEED!  Update: Didi struck out, Ellsbury lined out to short, and Gardner walked...1 for 3 ain't bad!  Update #2: Garrett Jones promptly lined out to center to send the game to the 16th.  Anyone wish that A-Rod was still in the game yet???

13. Oh you thought this would end at Twelve?  I mean a dozen is twelve, but since the Yanks and Sawx can go extra innings, so shall I!  How many times have you watched a Yankees game when the stadium lights went out?  That was the title of this edition of the Daily Dozen and you read all the way to this point, so I'll tell you...I can't remember a time that the game was delayed due to the lights going out at Yankee Stadium.  This game was delayed 16 minutes in the bottom of the 12th as fans attempted to illuminate the field with their mobile devices.

Is this a baseball game or a Bon Jovi Concert?

14. Of course Ortiz would homer off of Rogers in the 16th.  What kind of name is Esmil anyways...arrghhh.  Rogers' first hit given up this season is a big one as in David Ortiz' first home run of the season.  I hope I didn't stay up until 1 am just to see (by see I mean watch the game via ESPN Gamecast probably 30 seconds after it actually happened) Big Papi win another game at the Stadium with a big home run.  Update:  Esmil Rogers gave up another run in the 18th...and has given up 3 ERs in 6.1 innings while the rest of the bullpen has surrendered only 1 ER in 18.1.  Update 2: Make it 4 ERs in 7.1...arrgh!

"Man...the guy at GNC told me it was just Orange Juice..."

15. The Panda Express.  Any time you give Pablo Sandoval eight at-bats, he'll probably find a way to hurt you.  Through 16 innings he was 3 for 8 raising his season average to .250.  While he isn't likely the player he was with San Francisco, he can still hurt you if you give him enough chances.

16. Steven Wright! You're So Wrong!  I imagine that was the call by John Sterling when Mark "Teix-Message" Teixeira launched the game-tying home run to start the bottom of the 16th.  If it's not, then he should have said it.  And by the way...Mr. Marky Mark waited until his birthday (April 11th) to do the damage.  Happy Birthday Teixeira!  You're on the MARK!  Update:  A colleague of mine has just informed us all via the Twitterverse that Mark is 35...which makes him the same age as me (he's hitting home runs in Yankee Stadium while I am blogging in my basement watching a "live" feed on the intranet  internet).

You gotta love A-Rod's reaction to the home run by the way: See A-Rod React Like a Little Leaguer

17. Mark Teixeira came up to the plate once again in the bottom of the 17th against Steven Wright.  He is now .500 against him with 1 HR in his career.

18. Baseball is a fickle game.  Teams can go SIX whole innings without scoring...and then boom they both score on solo home runs in the 16th.  Gotta love it...or hate it??  No runs in the 17th as both teams threatened.  Then in the 18th...the Red Sox score 1 and the Yankees promptly score again tying it 5-5.  And they did it with McCann and Beltran doubles no less...guys that were a combined 1 for 10 previously.

19. It's the small things.  Caught stealing, a pick off, allowing a stolen base, a passed ball...all of these were instrumental in the Red Sox scoring runs and ultimately led to their demise.  Well...that's it folks...hopefully you stuck with this post as long as I did with the game!

Rogers Willing to Replace Phelps if Need Be

New Yankees' Reliever Esmil Rogers said that he is willing to take over David Phelps' spot in the rotation if the latter is unable to pitch. 

The 28-year-old, who joined the Yanks Thursday when they called him off waivers from the Blue Jays, made his team debut last night in Boston, impressively striking out both Mike Napoli and Yoenis Cespedes while retiring nine of the ten hitters he faced. 

No, that line doesn't guarantee any future success, but since it is obviously likable some are beginning to speculate that Rogers could be the next guy to begin a game, something he further pondered to The Star Ledger's Brendan Kuty after New York won.

"I'm going to do everything I can," the youngster said. "I don't want to go back (to the minors). Everything that I can do to help the team win, I'm going to do it because I'm healthy and I'm here to help the team."

During last night's first two innings, the usually-good Phelps surrendered 5 earned runs, an unfortunate occurrence that now appears to have happened because of a shoulder problem.

Earlier today, though, Yankees Manager Joe Girardi did tell reporters that the severity of a Phelps' injury isn't yet known, making whether or not #41 will be okay in five days a mystery.

What The Hell Was Koji Euhara Celebrating Last Night?

I know it's hard to tell the difference but this was NOT taken after last night's game, this was at home for Boston in Fenway Park. My point is what the hell was Koji Euhara doing after he struck out Brian McCann to save last night's win for Boston? He acted like he just shut down the Yankees in the playoff game and acted like the Red Sox weren't still five games behind us in FOURTH place in the division. Stay classy Koji, that's all we ask.

If you want to celebrate come up with something entertaining like shooting an arrow in the sky, or really shoot one at Mike Nappybeard (h/t Brian Knepper) and make the world a better and more hygienic place.

Red Sox 1B Napoli Called Tanaka an "Idiot" After Hitting Home Run Yesterday

After hitting the game-winning home run in last night's top of the ninth, Red Sox First Basemen Mike Napoli could be heard saying "what an idiot" in reference to Yankees Starter Masahiro Tanaka, the NYDN's John Harper reports. 

In his two at-bats prior to the go-ahead shot, Napoli had struck out on Tanaka's signature splitter, making the fact that the latter went with his fastball on the 1-2 pitch strange.

Still, insulting a guy who'd got the better of you multiple times is something that doesn't sit well with many Yankee fans, forcing Napoli to release this statement after the contest.

"Nothing towards him," Napoli said to the aforementioned Harper. "I thought he would throw me a splitter in the dirt."

While that excuse does seem to work, Tanaka supporters everywhere are probably not going to buy it, as Napoli is obviously a Red Sock.

Because of that, this event looks like it will revive this rivalry in 2014, and definitely make tonight's rubber game much more interesting, even if it doesn't involve the Bombers' ace.

In case you don't already know, this evening's matchup won't begin until 8:05 pm ET, due to it being nationally televised on ESPN. 

No Offense Ruins Tanaka's Great Start in 2-1 Loss to Red Sox

Back on June 8, the Yankees went for 1-for-17 with RISP in an embarrassing loss to the Royals.

In the game, the Yanks' offense, probably the most inconsistent in baseball, had plenty of chances to score or take the lead, but didn't due to a lazy effort.

Well, that kind of frustrating performance unfortunately happened again tonight, as the Bombers wasted a dominant start from Masahiro Tanaka in a tough, 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Red Sox.

In the outing, Tanaka wasn't the slightest bit inconsistent, although he did surrender a pair of homers to David Ross and Mike Napoli, with Napoli's coming with two outs and two strikes in the top of the ninth. 

Interestingly, that blast from Napoli happened in his fourth and final plate appearance, following his striking out on the splitter in two of the first three.

Still, Tanaka (9 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs, 7 H, 1 BB, 8 K) inexplicably didn't go with his signature pitch on the ball the Sox First Basemen hit into right field's first row, costing him the contest, as the Yanks' unsurprisingly didn't score off Koji Uehera in their last at-bat. 

That trend of not crossing home when it matters was recurring for Bombers in the loss, with them collecting just one run over 8 innings off Jon Lester.

That circling of the bases, not earned due to an error by Boston SS Stephen Drew, came in the bottom of the third, when Derek Jeter grounded out routinely to drive in Brian Roberts. 

Besides that, as you can see by the final score, the Pinstripes' bats just couldn't do anything, going 0-for-5 with men on second and third while also grounding into a rally-killing double play in the bottom of the eighth, wasting what looked like a very promising lead-off walk from Brett Gardner.

Tanaka's 2-run start leads Yankees past Red Sox

Masahiro Tanaka gave up just 2 earned runs in 7.1 innings and three starters managed to collect multiple RBIs tonight as the Yankees surprisingly blew out the Red Sox at Fenway, 9-3. In this one, Tanaka was overall good, walking none while striking out 7, but in the end back-to-back fourth inning home runs from David Ortiz and Mike Napoli somewhat tainted his performance. 

Anyway, the Yanks offense scored a lot off Sox starter Jon Lester this evening, pushing across pairs of runs in the first and third thanks to duos of RBI Singles and Doubles from Derek Jeter, Carlos Beltran (who also homered in the eighth), Mark Teixeira, and Brian McCann. After those knocks, the Bombers went ahead and ran around the bases four more times in the top of the fifth, when Napoli committed an error, Jacoby Ellsbury drove in two with a double, and Jeter connected on his second run-scoring hit of the night to make it 8-2. 

Besides those guys, Ichiro Suzuki and Brian Roberts also played pretty well in this one, going 2-for-4 with a walk and 2-for-5 with a run respectively. Neither of those lines really helped the Pinstripes win the game, but since they were still pretty good I guess they're worth acknowledging. 

2014 MLB Free Agency Predictions

The 2013 Major League Baseball season is over and now the Hot Stove season begins for all the teams in the MLB. This can be a very interesting and fun time for teams or it could be a pretty boring and frustrating time for teams, see the Yankees 2013 off season hot stove for example. Annually I take my best shot, which has never been a good shot mind you, at predicting where every single free agent will go before the 2014 season starts and this year will be no different. This will be kept updated and then reviewed right before spring training is over so bookmark this and keep checking back to see just how little I really know about baseball, GM's, free agency, and baseball in general.

BOLDED names denote an accurate pick
If the team name is crossed out, like this, then I was wrong and put the correct team out beside it

Catchers

Henry Blanco (42) - Retirement
John Buck (33) - Oakland Athletics

Jesus Flores (29) - Tampa Bay Rays
Hector Gimenez (31) - New York Yankees
Ramon Hernandez (38) - Retirement
Brian McCann (30) - Texas Rangers
Jose Molina (38) - Baltimore Orioles
Dioner Navarro (30) - Kansas City Royals
Wil Nieves (36) Miami Marlins
Miguel Olivo (35) - New York Mets
Brayan Pena (32) - Chicago Cubs
A.J. Pierzynski (37) - Philadelphia Phillies
Humberto Quintero (34) - Chicago White Sox

Ronny Paulino (33) - Detroit Tigers
Guillermo Quiroz (32) - Washington Nationals
Carlos Ruiz (35) - Philadelphia Phillies
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (29) - Boston Red Sox
Kelly Shoppach (34) - Cleveland Indians
Geovany Soto (31) - Seattle Mariners
Kurt Suzuki (30) - $8.5MM club option with a $650K buyout - Oakland Athletics
Taylor Teagarden (30) - New York Yankees
Yorvit Torrealba (35) - Cincinnati Reds

First Basemen

Jose Dariel Abreu - Chicago White Sox

Todd Helton (40) - Retirement

Jeff Baker (33) - New York Yankees

Mike Morse (32) - Texas Rangers

Eric Hinske (36) - Kansas City Royals

Xavier Nady (35) - Miami Marlins

Yuniesky Betancourt (32) - Los Angeles Dodgers
Corey Hart (32) - Milwaukee Brewers
Paul Konerko (38) - Chicago White Sox
Casey Kotchman (31) - Baltimore Orioles
Brandon Laird (26) - Houston Astros
Adam Lind (30) - $7MM club option with a $2MM buyout - Toronto Blue Jays
James Loney (30) - James Loney
Casey McGehee (31) - Milwaukee Brewers
Kendrys Morales (30) - New York Yankees
Justin Morneau (33) - Baltimore Orioles
Mike Napoli (32) - Boston Red Sox
Lyle Overbay (37) - New York Mets
Carlos Pena (36) - Seattle Mariners
Mark Reynolds (30) - Tampa Bay Rays
Kevin Youkilis (35) - Cleveland Indians

Second Basemen

Robinson Cano (31) - New York Yankees
Alexi Casilla (29) - Toronto Blue Jays
Jamey Carroll (40) - Retirement
Alberto Gonzalez (31) - New York Yankees
Alexander Guerrero (27) - Los Angeles Dodgers
Mike Fontenot (34) - Miami Marlins
Mark Ellis (37) - $5.75MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Arizona Diamondbacks
Omar Infante (32) - Detroit Tigers
Kelly Johnson (32) - Baltimore Orioles
Nick Punto (36) - Minnesota Twins
Brian Roberts (36) - Tampa Bay Rays
Ryan Roberts (33) - Atlanta Braves
Ramon Santiago (34) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Skip Schumaker (34) - Miami Marlins
Chris Valaika (28) - New York Mets
Josh Wilson (33) - San Diego Padres
Ben Zobrist (33) - $7MM club option with a $2.5MM buyout - Tampa Bay Rays

Shortstops

Robert Andino (30) - Boston Red Sox

Clint Barmes (35) - St. Louis Cardinals
Willie Bloomquist (36) - Los Angeles Dodgers
Jamey Carroll (40) - Retirement
Alexi Casilla (29) - Toronto Blue Jays
Stephen Drew (31) - St. Louis Cardinals
Yunel Escobar (31) - $5MM club option - Tampa Bay Rays
Rafael Furcal (36) - Boston Red Sox
Alex Gonzalez (36) - Colorado Rockies
Nick Green (35) - Minnesota Twins
Cesar Izturis (34) - Los Angeles Angels
Derek Jeter (40) - $8MM+ player option with a $3MM buyout - New York Yankees
John McDonald (39) - Miami Marlins
Jhonny Peralta (32) - Detroit Tigers
Brendan Ryan (32) - New York Yankees

Third Basemen

Yuniesky Betancourt (32) - Los Angeles Dodgers
Wilson Betemit (32) - $3.2MM vesting option - Los Angeles Dodgers
Jamey Carroll (40) - Retirement
Eric Chavez (36) - New York Mets
Mark DeRosa (39) - $750K club option with a $25K buyout - Toronto Blue Jays
Jerry Hairston Jr. (38) - Baltimore Orioles
Brandon Inge (37) - Retirement
Brent Lillibridge (30) - Oakland Athletics
Casey McGehee (31) - Milwaukee Brewers
Placido Polanco (38) - Retirement
Mark Reynolds (30) - Tampa Bay Rays
Juan Uribe (34) - Chicago White Sox
Kevin Youkilis (35) - Cleveland Indians
Michael Young (37) - Arizona Diamondbacks

Left Fielders

Jeff Baker (33) - New York Yankees
Jason Bay (35) - Chicago White Sox
Mark DeRosa (39) - $750K club option with a $25K buyout - Toronto Blue Jays
Raul Ibanez (42) - Retirement
Reed Johnson (37) - $1.6MM club option with a $150K buyout - Atlanta Braves
Austin Kearns (34) - Miami Marlins
Jason Kubel (32) - $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Cleveland Indians
Darnell McDonald (35) - Oakland Athletics
Nate McLouth (32) - Seattle Mariners
Mike Morse (32) - Texas Rangers
David Murphy (32) - Texas Rangers
Laynce Nix (33) - Philadelphia Phillies
Juan Pierre (36) - Minnesota Twins
Grady Sizemore (31) - New York Yankees
Delmon Young (28) - Seattle Mariners

Center Fielders

Rick Ankiel (34) - Milwaukee Brwers
Coco Crisp (34) - $7.5MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Oakland Athletics
Rajai Davis (33) - Tampa Bay Rays
Jacoby Ellsbury (30) - Seattle Mariners
Curtis Granderson (33) - Chicago Cubs
Franklin Gutierrez (31) - $7.5MM club option with a $500K buyout - Seattle Mariners
Andres Torres (36) - Boston Red Sox
Chris Young (30) - $11MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout - Oakland Athletics

Right Fielders

Jeff Baker (33) - New York Yankees
Carlos Beltran (37) - New York Yankees
Roger Bernadina (30) - Washington Nationals
Marlon Byrd (36) - Cincinnati Reds
Shin-Soo Choo (31) - New York Mets
Tyler Colvin (28) - Chicago Cubs
Nelson Cruz (33) - Texas Rangers
David DeJesus (34) - $6.5MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout - Tampa Bay Rays
Mark DeRosa (39) - $750K club option with a $25K buyout - Toronto Blue Jays
Jeff Francoeur (30) - St. Louis Cardinals
Corey Hart (32) - Milwaukee Brewers
Mike Morse (32) - Texas Rangers
Grady Sizemore (31) - New York Yankees
Casper Wells (29) - New York Mets

Designated Hitters

Lance Berkman (37) - $12MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Houston Astros
Shelley Duncan (34) - Cleveland Indians
Jason Giambi (43) - Retirement Cleveland Indians
Travis Hafner (37) - Retirement
Raul Ibanez (42) - Retirement
Kendrys Morales (30) - New York Yankees
Luke Scott (36) - Tampa Bay Rays
Delmon Young (28) - Seattle Mariners
Michael Young (37) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Jose Dariel Abreu (26) - Chicago White Sox

Starting Pitchers

Alfredo Aceves (31) - Cleveland Indians
Bronson Arroyo (37) - San Diego Padres
Scott Baker (32) - Chicago Cubs
Erik Bedard (35) - Cincinnati Reds
Jorge De La Rosa (33) - Colorado Rockies
A.J. Burnett (37) - Pittsburgh Pirates
Chris Capuano (35) - $8MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout - Los Angeles Dodgers
Chris Carpenter (39) - St. Louis Cardinals
Bruce Chen (37) - Kansas City Royals
Bartolo Colon (41) - Oakland Athletics
Scott Feldman (30) - Baltimore Orioles
Gavin Floyd (31) - Chicago Cubs
Jeff Francis (33) - Houston Astros
Freddy Garcia (37) - Miami Marlins
Jon Garland (34) - Chicago White Sox
Matt Garza (30) - Texas Rangers
Chad Gaudin (31) - San Diego Padres
Roy Halladay (37) - Toronto Blue Jays
Jason Hammel (31) - Kansas City Royals
Aaron Harang (36) - $7MM+ mutual option with a $2MM buyout - New York Mets
Dan Haren (33) - Kansas City Royals
Roberto Hernandez (33) - Minnesota Twins
Tim Hudson (38) - Atlanta Braves
Phil Hughes (28) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Philip Humber (31) - Colorado Rockies
Ubaldo Jimenez (30) - may void $8MM option for 2014 - Cleveland Indians
Josh Johnson (30) - New York Yankees
Jeff Karstens (31) - Pittsburgh Pirates
Scott Kazmir (30) - Toronto Blue Jays
Hiroki Kuroda (39) - Japan/Retirement
John Lannan (29) - Milwaukee Brewers
Wade LeBlanc (29) - San Francisco Giants
Jon Lester (30) - $13MM club option with a $250K buyout - Boston Red Sox
Colby Lewis (34) - Texas Rangers
Ted Lilly (38) - Retirement
Tim Lincecum (30) - San Francisco Giants
Paul Maholm (32) - Atlanta Braves
Shaun Marcum (32) - Atlanta Braves
Jason Marquis (35) - Colorado Rockies
Daisuke Matsuzaka (33) - Seattle Mariners
Randy Messenger (32) - Houston Astros
Ricky Nolasco (31) - Atlanta Braves
Sean O'Sullivan (26) - Chicago Cubs
Roy Oswalt (35) - Retirement
Mike Pelfrey (30) - Minnesota Twins
Wandy Rodriguez (35) - $13MM player option with a $2.5MM buyout - Pittsburgh Pirates
Ervin Santana (31) - Toronto Blue Jays
Johan Santana (34) - $25MM club option with a $5.5MM buyout - Washington Nationals
Joe Saunders (33) - mutual option - Seattle Mariners
James Shields (32) - $12MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Kansas City Royals
Masahiro Tanaka (25) - acquired via posting system for Japanese players - New York Yankees
Jason Vargas (31)  - Philadelphia Phillies
Ryan Vogelsong (36) - $6.5MM club option with a $300K buyout - San Francisco Giants
Edinson Volquez (30) - San Diego Padres
Tsuyoshi Wada (33) - $5MM club option - Baltimore Orioles
P.J. Walters (29) - Minnesota Twins
Jake Westbrook (36) -- $9.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout - St. Louis Cardinals 
Chien-Ming Wang (34) - Tampa Bay Rays
Suk-Min Yoon (27) - Minnesota Twins
Barry Zito (36) - $18MM club option with a $7MM buyout - Washington Nationals

Closers

Grant Balfour (36) - Oakland Athletics
Joaquin Benoit (36) - Boston Red Sox
Rafael Betancourt (39) - $4.25MM mutual option with a $250K buyout - Colorado Rockies
Kevin Gregg (36) - New York Mets
Joel Hanrahan (32) - Philadelphia Phillies
Casey Janssen (32) - $4MM club option - Los Angeles Dodgers Toronto Blue Jays
Ryan Madson (33) - Baltimore Orioles
Edward Mujica (30) - Chicago Cubs
Joe Nathan (39) - $9MM club option with a $750K buyout, Nathan may void - Toronto Blue Jays
Fernando Rodney (37) - Detroit Tigers
Jose Veras (33) - $3.25MM club option with a $150K buyout - Detroit Tigers
Brian Wilson (32) - New York Yankees

Right Handed Relievers

David Aardsma (32) - Tampa Bay Rays
Matt Albers (31) - Chicago Cubs
Hector Ambriz (30) - Colorado Rockies
Luis Ayala (36) - New York Mets
Matt Belisle (34) - $4.25MM mutual option with a $250K buyout - Colorado Rockies
Michael Bowden (27) - Houston Astros
Shawn Camp (38) - Arizona Diamondbacks
Joba Chamberlain (28) - Tampa Bay Rays
Jesse Crain (32) - Chicago White Sox
Octavio Dotel (40) - Minnesota Twins
Kyle Farnsworth (38) - Retirement
Frank Francisco (34) - Miami Marlins
Matt Guerrier (35) - New York Mets
LaTroy Hawkins (39) - New York Mets 
Phil Humber (30) - Colorado Rockies
Matt Lindstrom (34) - $4MM club option - Chicago White Sox
Kameron Loe (32) - San Diego Padres
Brandon Lyon (34) - Miami Marlins
Jeff Manship (29) - Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim
Carlos Marmol (31) - Houston Astros
Nick Masset (32) - Washington Nationals
Zach Miner (32) - Phialdelphia Phillies
Peter Moylan (35) - Atlanta Braves
Brett Myers (33) - club option - Arizona Diamondbacks
Juan Carlos Oviedo (30) - club option - Tampa Bay Rays
Chad Qualls (35) - Cincinnati Reds
J.C. Ramirez (25) - Boston Red Sox
Francisco Rodriguez (31) - Cincinnati Reds
Joe Smith (30) - Baltimore Orioles
Jose Valverde (36) - New York Mets
Jamey Wright (39) - Retirement

Left Handed Relievers

Tim Byrdak (40) - Retirement

Scott Downs (38) - Texas Rangers

Mike Gonzalez (36) - Philadelphia Phillies

Rich Hill (34) - Cincinnnati Reds

J.P. Howell (31) - Chicago Cubs

Boone Logan (29) - Chicago White Sox

Javier Lopez (36) - Milwaukee Brewers

Eric O'Flaherty (29) - New York Mets

Hideki Okajima (38) - Retirement

Darren Oliver (43) - Retirement

Manny Parra (31) - Seattle Mariners

Oliver Perez (32) - Atlanta Braves

Rafael Perez (32) - New York Yankees

Matt Thornton (37) - 2014 Option - Boston Red Sox

Scott Downs (38) - Texas Rangers
Mike Gonzalez (36) - Philadelphia Phillies
Rich Hill (34) - Cincinnati Reds
J.P. Howell (31) - Houston Astros
Boone Logan (29) - Chicago Cubs
Javier Lopez (36) - Milwaukee Brewers
Eric O'Flaherty (29) - New York Mets
Darren Oliver (43) - Retirement
Manny Parra (31) - Seattle Mariners
Oliver Perez (32) - Atlanta Braves
Matt Thornton (37) - $6MM club option with a $1MM buyout - Tampa Bay Rays