Yankees Bring Back Prospects, Lose Prospects

Just a quick catch me up regarding what the Yankees are doing down on their farm system this offseason.

 - New York has re-signed minor league free agent Ali Castillo for at least one more season. Castillo has been playing shortstop in Double-A Trenton and has been lighting up the ball in Winter Ball this season.

 - Fellow shortstop Walter Ibarra left the Yankees and has signed on with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a minor league deal. Yeah, like they need more shortstops.

 - Zoilo Almonte has signed a major league deal with the Atlanta Braves. World War Z is local for me now. Chien Ming Wang will be joining him in Atlanta on a minor league deal.

 - Russ Canzler has been in the Yankees system for two straight seasons but now finds himself with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Luis Severino Promoted, Russ Canzler Released

The New York Yankees have announced that Charleston RiverDogs right-handed pitcher Luis Severino has been promoted to the Single-A Tampa Yankees. Severino joins outfielder Aaron Judge as the second Yankees prospect in as many days to earn a promotion from the RiverDogs.

There is no corresponding move and the RiverDogs will have an active roster of 24 players, one below the maximum of 25.

According to Baseball America and MLB.com, Severino is the best right-handed pitching prospect in the Yankees system and is second overall behind RiverDogs southpaw Ian Clarkin. The Sabana Del Mar, Dominican Republic native won each of his last two starts for a 3-2 overall record while also compiling a 2.79 earned run average. Severino also picked up 70 strikeouts compared to only 15 walks in 67.2 innings pitched for Charleston.

In other news the Yankees released first basemen Russ Canzler from his minor league contract today making him a free agent. No big loss there. 

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/27

Jacoby Ellsbury worked out but did not play in a minor league game today. The plan is to have him play Friday and Saturday in hopes of having him ready for Opening Day on Tuesday.

Zoilo Almonte, Scott Sizemore, and Russ Canzler have been assigned to minor league camps and will not make the Opening Day roster. With Almonte going down the Yankees apparently have found no suitors for Ichiro Suzuki in a trade making him safe, for now.

Seven pitchers were also optioned to minor league camps today with Preston Claiborne going to AAA, Chris Leroux, David Herndon, Jim Miller, Yoshinori Tateyama, Danny Burawa, and Fred Lewis were assigned to minor league camps.

With basically two bullpen roster spots up for grabs the remaining men vying for them are Dellin Betances (lock in my opinion), Cesar Cabral, Vidal Nuno, Matt Daley, and Shane Greene. I think the other spot could go to Daley who has pitched his butt off this spring but should go to Cabral or Nuno.

Chad Jennings with the assignments from the day:

Batting practice groups in Tampa:
Group 1: Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano
Group 2: Francisco Cervelli, Brett Gardner, Kelly Johnson

· Today’s second string: C Jose Gil, 1B Corban Joseph, SS Carmen Angelini, LF Ben Gamel, CF Antoan Richardson (other positions have no backup listed)

· Today’s scheduled relievers: Cesar Cabral, Fred Lewis, David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, Adam Warren, Dellin Betances

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/21

Brendan Ryan may not be ready for Opening Day due to upper back spasms, hello Dean Anna! Ryan went for tests on the back today and if he is not in a game by Tuesday it is highly unlikely he will break camp with the Yankees.

Adam Warren and Vidal Nuno pitched six innings each yesterday in minor league games. They are keeping their arms stretched out just in case but it looks like both are headed for the bullpen or AAA this season.

Russ Canzler is back in a game for the first time since his hip gave him issues after running into a rail. Canzler had an outside shot at making the team but now seems destined to be the everyday first basemen for the RailRiders.

Ivan Nova threw a bullpen sessions to Austin Romine. Michael Pineda threw a bullpen to Francisco Cervelli. Jim Miller threw a bullpen session to Jose Gil.

Jacoby Ellsbury hit on the field today and took outfield defensive drills, great news. Manager Joe Girardi says that Ellsbury could be in a game as early as Sunday, and if not then Tuesday.

Chad Jennings with the daily assignments:

Today’s second string: C John Ryan Murphy, 1B Russ Canzler, 2B Yangervis Solarte, SS Dean Anna, 3B Zelous Wheeler, LF Zoilo Almonte, CF Antoan Richardson, RF Adonis Garcia

· Today’s scheduled relievers: David Herndon, Matt Thornton, Shawn Kelley and Dave Robertson (with Danny Burawa, Shane Greene and Fred Lewis available if necessary)

· Batting practice groups:
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Brian McCann, John Ryan Murphy
Group 2: Carlos Beltran, Brett Gardner, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki
Group 3: Kelly Johnson, Mark Teixeira, Francisco Cervelli, Austin Romine
Group 4: Dean Anna, Russ Canzler, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Group 5: Zoilo Almonte, Eduardo Nunez, Scott Sizemore, Jose Gil
Group 6: Adonis Garcia, Antoan Richardson, Casey Stevensen, Pete O’Brien

· Tomorrow’s travel squad to Fort Myers:
Pitchers: Danny Burawa, Shane Greene, Fred Lewis, Masahiro Tanaka, Yoshinori Tateyama
Catchers: Francisco Cervelli, Jose Gil
Infielders: Dean Anna, Kelly Johnson, Eduardo Nunez, Scott Sizemore, Yangervis Solarte, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Adonis Garcia, Brett Gardner, Antoan Richardson
Pitchers from minor league camp: Aaron Dott, Mark Montgomery, Jeremy Bleich, Pat Venditte
Position players from minor league camp: Wes Wilson (C), Raybell Herrera (C), Francisco Arcia (C/1B), Ali Castillo (INF), Carmen Angelini (INF), Mason Williams (OF), Ramon Flores (OF)

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/19

Adam Warren and Hiroki Kuroda three bullpen sessions today to Francisco Cervelli. Cervelli mentioned more about learning how to speak Japanese and less about the hitting, which is fine by me because I think his stat line speaks for itself.

Speaking of Warren he will be pitching in relief on Friday in relief of CC Sabathia, a sign of the fifth starter decision? Vidal will also pitch in relief tomorrow of David Phelps, all signs point to Warren and Nuno headed to the minor leagues or the bullpen and not to the fifth starter position.

Brendan Ryan, Russ Canzler, and Scott Sizemore all took full batting practice outside today while trying to come back from injuries. Ryan is penciled in to start tomorrow while it will likely be Friday before we see Sizemore at the earliest. No word on when Canzler will get back into action after a sore hip sidelined him.

Preston Claiborne was scratched from today's spring training game and instead pitched two innings in a minor league game. You should have said the two innings part before you said the scratched part, scared me a little, but what can you do.

Chad Jennings with the assignments from Yankees camp today:

Today’s second string: C John Ryan Murphy, 1B Casey Stevenson, 2B Dean Anna, SS Yangervis Solarte, 3B Eduardo Nunez, LF Zelous Wheeler, CF Antoan Richardson, RF Zoilo Almonte, DH Austin Romine

· Scheduled relievers: Danny Burawa, Dellin Betances, Cesar Cabral and Shane Greene (with Yoshinori Tateyama and the minor league guys also making the trip)

· Tomorrow’s travel squad to Fort Myers:
Pitchers: Matt Daley, Chris Leroux, Fred Lewis, David Phelps, Yoshinori Tateyama
Catchers: Francisco Cervelli, Jose Gil, John Ryan Murphy, Austin Romine
Infielders: Dean Anna, Eduardo Nunez, Brendan Ryan, Scott Sizemore, Yangervis Solarte, Mark Teixeira, Zelous Wheeler
Outfielders: Zoilo Almonte, Adonis Garcia, Antoan Richardson, Ichiro Suzuki
Minor league pitchers: Branden Pinder, James Pazos, Manny Barreda, Caleb Cotham
Minor league hitters: C Tyson Blaser, 2B Jose Pirela, SS Carmen Angelini, UT Ali Castillo, LF Ben Gamel

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 3/14

Jame Pazos was assigned to the Yankees as an extra relief pitcher just in case today. Pazos is likely headed back across the street to the minor league complex down in Tampa tomorrow.

Manny Banuelos made his second spring appearance of the year in today's loss to the Twins. Banuelos was rusty and rocky again walking two batters, giving up two singles, and only getting one out ( a strikeout) but coming through it healthy is all that matters at this point for him and for the team.

Hiroki Kuroda and Shawn Kelley threw bullpen sessions today to Peter O'Brien and Francisco Arcia respectively.

Russ Canzler was scratched today due to hip stiffness. He was a long shot to make the team anyway but this was the first time he was going to get an opportunity to play something other than first base and maybe make an impression. Bad timing Russ.

Speaking of injuries Brendan Ryan was able to hit and field ground balls for the first time since his oblique/lower back injury derailed his spring about a week or two ago. Ryan is expected to do more infield drills tomorrow and could be in games as early as next week, although that's what they said last week too.

Chad Jennings as always with the assignments from today's spring camp:

Today’s second string: C Austin Romine, 1B Francisco Arcia, 2B Rob Refsnyder, SS Carmen Angelini, 3B Rob Segedin, LF Ben Gamel, CF Jake Cave, RF Taylor Dugas

· Today’s scheduled relievers: Manny Banuelos, David Herndon, Fred Lewis, Dellin Betances (with Dan Burawa, Mark Montgomery, James Pazo, Aaron Dott and Branden Pinder available if necessary)

· Batting practice groups:
Group 1: Jacoby Ellsbury, Eduardo Nunez, Brian Roberts, Brian McCann, Austin Romine
Group 2: Russ Canzler, Ramon Flores, Scott Sizemore, Mark Teixeira, Mason Williams
Group 3: Carmen Angelini, Jake Cave, Rob Refsnyder, Francisco Arcia, Pete O’Brien
Group 4: Ali Castillo, Taylor Dugas, Ben Gamel, Rob Segedin, Wes Wilson

· Tomorrow’s travel squad to Sarasota:
Pitchers: Danny Burawa, Brian Gordon, Shane Greene, Mark Montgomery, Vidal Nuno
Catchers: Francisco Arcia, Pete O’Brien, Austin Romine
Infielders: Russ Canzler, Kelly Johnson, Brian Roberts
Outfielders: Ramon Flores, Ichiro Suzuki, Mason Williams
Minor league pitchers: Diego Moreno, Joel De La Cruz, Graham Stoneburner, Manny Barreda, James Pazos, Branden Pinder
Minor league hitters: Wes Wilson, Rob Refsnyder, Cito Culver, Carmen Angelini, Rob Segedin, Ali Castillo, Dan Fiorito, Ben Gamel, Jake Cave, Taylor Dugas

Meet A Prospect: Russ Canzler

With the Yankees signing Russ Canzler to a deal for the second straight offseason now seemed like a good as a time as any to meet one of the many guys vying for a spot in the infield and on the bench this season, Mr. Russ Canzler.

Russell Michael Canzler was born on April 11th, 1986 in Berwick, PA where he went to High School at Hazelton High School in Hazelton, PA. Coming in at 6'2" and 220 lbs Russ made an immediate impression with his coaches while on the Hazelton High baseball team. He made enough of an impression on the Major League scouts as well because the Chicago Cubs drafted him straight out of High School in the 30th round in the 2004 MLB First Year Players Draft.

Russ would stay in the Chicago Cubs minor league system from the 2004 season all the way up to the 2010 season before leaving for the Tampa Bay Rays via free agency before the 2011 season. He was named International League MVP in 2011 for the Rays after hitting .314/.401/.530 with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs in 131 games played. Canzler was called up to the majors on a day he, or anybody else, will ever forget on September 11th, 2011. Russ would stay with the Rays until he was traded to the Cleveland Indians before the 2012 season for cash considerations. He would spend the 2012 season in the Indians minor league system before being designated for assignment to make room for the Mark Reynolds. The Toronto Blue Jays claimed him off waivers only to put Russ back on waivers a mere twelve days later. The Indians would reacquire Canzler from the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers only to designate him for assignment again to make room for  Nick Swisher. That led the Yankees to sign Canzler only to, like so many others, designate him for assignment. Long, less confusing, story short is that Canzler bounced around a ton in 2012.

 The Yankees scooped up Canzler again for the 2014 season as he looks to battle everyone and their mothers for spots on the infield and on the Yankees bench. Good luck to Russ as I am a big time fan and advocate for the guy and wish him nothing but luck and success both on and off the field. Welcome to the family Russ. 

Meet A Prospect : Russ Canzler

Russell Michael Canzler was born on April 11th, 1986 in Berwick, PA where he went to High School at Hazelton High School in Hazelton, PA. Coming in at 6'2" and 220 lbs Russ made an immediate impression with his coaches while on the Hazelton High baseball team. He made enough of an impression on the Major League scouts as well because the Chicago Cubs drafted him straight out of High School in the 30th round in the 2004 MLB First Year Players Draft.

Russ would stay in the Chicago Cubs minor league system from the 2004 season all the way up to the 2010 season before leaving for the Tampa Bay Rays via free agency before the 2011 season. He was named International League MVP in 2011 for the Rays after hitting .314/.401/.530 with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs in 131 games played. Canzler was called up to the majors on a day he, or anybody else, will ever forget on September 11th, 2011. Russ would stay with the Rays until he was traded to the Cleveland Indians before the 2012 season for cash considerations. He would spend the 2012 season in the Indians minor league system before being designated for assignment to make room for the recently acquired Mark Reynolds. The Toronto Blue Jays claimed him off waivers only to put Russ back on waivers a mere twelve days later. The Indians would reacquire Canzler from the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers only to designate him for assignment again to make room for newly acquired Nick Swisher. This time the Yankees scooped him up off waivers a day later and will give him an opportunity to make the team out of Spring Training this year.

Yankees Sign Russ Canzler To A Minor League Deal

The New York Yankees have announced that they have signed Russ Canzler to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. If this name sounds familiar it is because last season we signed Canzler only to designate him for assignment later. This time he will not require a 40 man roster spot so the stock piling of minor league infield depth continues. I am actually pretty excited about this because the guy can hit and has to be given a shot eventually one would think. Canzler kills lefties, albeit at AAA, and plays primarily first base and left field but has also seen some time at third base as well. He gives us unlimited flexibility and roster depth and saves money, considered me extremely excited much like I was last year when we signed him and almost brought him back.

So Much For A Russ Canzler Reunion Huh?

Well apparently the New York Yankees did not have the same kind of interest in recently designated for assignment Russ Canzler. The Orioles DFA'd Canzler earlier in the week and the way this works is every team, ranked by best record to worst, gets a shot to acquire him in the American League (his home league) before the National League gets a shot. If he clears waivers then any team can acquire him if he does not accept a minor league assignment. Looks like the Yankees passed on him and the Pittsburgh Pirates jumped on the opportunity to acquire the 27 year old acquiring him in a trade today with the Baltimore Orioles.

Very, very disappointing.

My Plan To Navigate This Years Trading Deadline

We need an upgrade at catcher and Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann seems to be available and makes a ton of sense for the Yankees. With the Yankees seemingly getting zero production from their catchers this season this seems like an obvious place to begin the upgrading at. Francisco Cervelli just had a set back that will keep him out until at least August and with this whole Biogenesis mess looming and a possible 50 game suspension for Cervelli it might not be a bad idea to get ahead of the curve here. The Braves have three catchers and seemingly have to trade one you would think and McCann makes the most sense for them to trade. McCann makes the most money and is a free agent at the end of the season so we can still give Cervelli his spot back next season.

Yankees get Brian McCann

Braves get David Adams, Brett Marshall, and Francisco Rondon

Russ Canzler was designated for assignment and released for the 19th time this season, obvious exaggeration, and is now a free agent that the Yankees would sign if I were running the show. Russ can give us an obvious upgrade offensively at first base over both Lyle Overbay and Travis Ishikawa. Russ also gives us an enormous upgrade over the David Adams, Luis Cruz, and Jayson Nix show we have all been watching at third base although his defense is considered to be suspect over there. Russ also has experience in the outfield making him a better back up option than Vernon Wells and guys like Brennan Boesch if and when he comes back. The best part is he does not require us giving up anything but money which is always a plus.

My deal is a two year deal for Canzler worth $1,000,000. Russ is going to have suitors and flock to a guaranteed major league deal not only for this season but next as well. This gives him plenty of at bats this season and a utility role a la Eric Chavez next season. 

This may be a dream ultimately but the Philadelphia Phillies may or may not be, depending on what report you believe, interested in Joba Chamberlain and we are interested in Michael Young so why not do a swap? The Yankees get another aging veteran and the Phillies get a 28 year old reliever that has closer potential if he can keep guys off the bases. The Phillies save money and have the opportunity to sign Joba long term an we get closer to competing this season, win win for everybody. 

Phillies get Joba Chamberlain

Yankees get Michael Young

I am literally pulling this trade out of my behind here admittedly because we have not been linked to Addison Reed or Matt Thornton and the Chicago White Sox seem ready to sell off and rebuild but hear me out. Addison Reed is young and is someone we can build around replacing Joba Chamberlain after this season. Matt Thornton gives us that second left hander that we seem to covet and gives us the opportunity to compete this season. Also we get a little bit of international spending money for this season allowing us to pick somebody up. The Chicago White Sox have the ability and the cash to build around Hughes and sign him to a long term deal. I know the Angels are interested in Hughes supposedly but for some reason I am scared and reluctant to trade him to an already stacked, albeit struggling, Angels team. 

Chicago White Sox get Phil Hughes

Yankees get Addison Reed, Matt Thornton, and International Spending Money

If we make these four trades or acquisitions and get back a healthy Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Curtis Granderson we could go into August and September baseball with a competent looking roster. Not to mention a bullpen that can match or beat any bullpen in the league not only for this season but beyond. 

C Brian McCann

1B Lyle Overbay

2B Robinson Cano

SS Derek Jeter

3B Alex Rodriguez

LF Curtis Granderson

CF Brett Gardner 

RF Ichiro Suzuki

BN Chris Stewart

BN Russ Canzler

BN Michael Young

BN Vernon Wells

BN Zoilo Almonte

1. Gardner

2. Jeter

3. Cano

4. Rodriguez

5. McCann 

6. Granderson

7. Hafner/Canzler

8. Overbay/Canzler

9. Ichiro Suzuki

Countdown To Russ Canzler To The Yankees Redux

The New York Yankees briefly had Russ Canzler on the team after claiming him off waivers only to designate him for assignment after signing Travis Hafner. Yesterday Russ was designated for assignment again by the Orioles and has become a free agent. Russ made a ton of sense for the Yankees then and he makes even more sense for us now. Russ is a right handed hitter that can play first base, outfield corner spots, and could fill in at third base in an emergency. Russ, albeit in the minor leagues, has absolutely crushed left handed pitching this season to the tune of a .415/.531/.815 in 82 plate appearances.

So let me get this straight we need a right handed platoon guy to match up with Lyle Overbay. We need a guy that can hit left handed pitching and hit for power. We need a guy that is young, cheap, and can play multiple positions to increase versatility. We need a guy willing to accept a bench role because having both Luis Cruz and Alberto Gonzalez on the same bench is sickening from an offensive standpoint, especially with Eduardo Nunez back. All of this is solved with the signing of Russ Canzler and he is not a Yankee yet?

Orioles Claim Russ Canzler

When the Yankees signed Travis Hafner they had to clear room on the 40-man roster, and it was Russ Canzler that was designated for assignment. Which meant that Russ would have had to clear waivers in order to be sent to AAA Scranton. However the Baltimore Orioles claimed him, making it the 4th team to do so for Canzler this offseason.

Meet A Prospect : Russ Canzler

Edit: Yes I know that Russ was designated for assignment yesterday so that is why I went ahead and posted this today since he is still technically a part of the Yankees organization for a day or two.  Enjoy, meet him, and then say goodbye. 

Russell Michael Canzler was born on April 11th, 1986 in Berwick, PA where he went to High School at Hazelton High School in Hazelton, PA. Coming in at 6'2" and 220 lbs Russ made an immediate impression with his coaches while on the Hazelton High baseball team. He made enough of an impression on the Major League scouts as well because the Chicago Cubs drafted him straight out of High School in the 30th round in the 2004 MLB First Year Players Draft.

Russ would stay in the Chicago Cubs minor league system from the 2004 season all the way up to the 2010 season before leaving for the Tampa Bay Rays via free agency before the 2011 season. He was named International League MVP in 2011 for the Rays after hitting .314/.401/.530 with 18 home runs and 83 RBIs in 131 games played. Canzler was called up to the majors on a day he, or anybody else, will ever forget on September 11th, 2001. Russ would stay with the Rays until he was traded to the Cleveland Indians before the 2012 season for cash considerations. He would spend the 2012 season in the Indians minor league system before being designated for assignment to make room for the recently acquired Mark Reynolds. The Toronto Blue Jays claimed him off waivers only to put Russ back on waivers a mere twelve days later. The Indians would reacquire Canzler from the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers only to designate him for assignment again to make room for newly acquired Nick Swisher. This time the Yankees scooped him up off waivers a day later and will give him an opportunity to make the team out of Spring Training this year.

Yankees Designate Russ Canzler For Assignment

The Yankees have announced that they have designed former Indians player Russ Canzler for assignment after making their contract with another former Indians player, Travis Hafner, official today. This will be the fourth time that Russ has been designated for assignment this off season. Entering his age 26 season I really had high hopes of him making the team and making a big splash, especially with the 2014 plan looming, but what can you do. No way he clears waivers so this is officially goodbye to Russ Canzler.

Yankees Release Chris Dickerson

The Yankees have released outfielder Chris Dickerson making him an unrestricted free agent. This is good news and bad news because the good news is he was not claimed and can be re-signed to another minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. The bad news is he could go to another team and we could get absolutely nothing for him, which seems like the most likeliest of the scenarios. The Yankees designated Chris for assignment on January 4th to make room for the recently claimed Russ Canzler.

Yankees Designate Chris Dickerson For Assignment

You heard it here first on The Greedy Pinstripes and now it is official as the Yankees have designated Chris Dickerson for assignment to make room for newly acquired Russ Canzler. There is absolutely no way that he will clear waivers so this is the official goodbye to C Dick! I really wish you had those same pictures of Girardi's wife that Andruw Jones seemed to have had last season and got to see more playing time.

Yankees Claim Russ Canzler

The New York Yankees announced today that they have claimed first basemen and corner outfielder  Russ Canzler off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. Russ is a right handed bat that will compete with Matt Diaz to win the right field platoon job. Russ is only 27 years old and held his own in AAA and in a short stint with the Indians so I am excited for this signing. The Yankees will have to make a 40 man roster move to make room for Russ and unfortuntely I see that move being Chris Dickerson. Check back later for updates.