The Greedy Pinstripes

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Carl Pavano To Retire

Carl Pavano is ready to jump in his Ferrari and ride off into the sunset into retirement after scrapping a comeback bid. No one reading this is likely to remember the 1,788 innings pitched or the 4.39 ERA in his career but will remember the four years of inactivity that he had wearing a Yankees uniform. All kidding aside though good luck to Mr. Pavano in his future endeavors. Last word goes to Carl himself addressing the retirement decision:

"Despite my strong desire to compete and hard work in preparing for the upcoming season," said Pavano. "I feel that the amount of time lost from my spleen injury, coupled with the recovery from my complications from that injury, preclude me from continuing to compete at my highest level, which is necessary to perform in the major leagues." He went on to add that "three months of rigorous training have failed to produce the results that I was looking for to allow me to continue my major league career."

Yankees To Monitor Rickie Weeks & Possible Trade Partner Found In Chicago?

According to George A. King the Yankees will continue to monitor Milwaukee Brewers second basemen Rickie Weeks this spring just in case he loses his starting job to rookie Scooter Gennett. I guess this is what GM Brian Cashman mean't today when he said that any upgrades that were to be made had to be done on the cheap.

Rickie Weeks is not what he used to be, and probably never will be, as he is entering his age 31 season in 2014 coming off a major hamstring injury that required surgery in August of last year. Weeks is set to make $11 million this season and if Gennett, who filled in quite well for Weeks last season, wins the job Weeks could be had as a simple salary dump one would think. The problem is the Yankees already have Brian Roberts for second base, would Weeks want to ride the bench four or five days a week?

The Yankees may have also found a trade partner in the Chicago White Sox who are searching for catching help. Reportedly the White Sox had scouts down to watch the Yankees while they played the Florida State Seminoles baseball team yesterday. The Yankees have a definite surplus in catchers right now with Brian McCann, Francisco Cervelli, Austin Romine, John Ryan Murphy, and Gary Sanchez to name a few. Cervelli, Murphy, and Sanchez all played in yesterday afternoons game if that means anything, which it probably does for Murphy. Would the Yankees want Gordon Beckham or Jeff Keppinger in return though? I sure hope not.

Baseball Prospectus: Yankees Have 23rd Best Farm

Baseball Prospectus has released their annual rankings of all 30 Major League Baseball's farm systems and the Yankees came in at #23. Ouch! You don't need a subscription to read the article, SEEN HERE from BP, that has the Minnesota Twins with Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano at the top spot followed by the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Much like every other list the Los Angeles Angels are the last team on the list followed closely by the Milwaukee Brewers and surprisingly the Oakland Athletics.

Here is the Yankees write up from the article:

23. New York Yankees
Farm System Ranking in 2013: 14
2014 Top Ten Prospects: Link
State of the System: The Yankees have talent in the minors—which helps separate them from the poorer systems in baseball—but down years from key prospects caused the system to yo-yo from middle of the pack to the bottom third.
Top Prospect: Gary Sanchez (85)
Breakout Candidates for 2014: Luis Severino and Luis Torrens
Prospects on the BP 101: 1
Must-See Affiliate: Short-Season Staten Island
Prospects to See There: Luis Severino, Luis Torrens, Ian Clarkin, Gosuke Katoh, Thairo Estrada
Farm System Trajectory for 2015: Up. In a talented yet schizophrenic system, all it takes is a return to form from some of the more heralded names on the farm and the Yankees will shoot back up the org rankings.

New York Yankees Spring Training News & Notes 2/26

As we all probably know by now the Yankees lost their first real exhibition game against a Major League team today when they fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's no big deal, especially in February, but it was still worth mentioning that the Yankees got that first loss out of the way and can now win out without the pressure of an undefeated spring. I took this beginning paragraph about as seriously as I took today's loss and Nova's struggles, on to the news.

Eduardo Nunez was scratched today with a stomach bug. Have to wonder if he is going to be out tomorrow with flu like symptoms and if Alfonso Soriano is passing that stuff around. Nunez pleaded with the training staff to make the road trip anyway but Steve Donahue shut him down for the day, maybe it won't be serious or lingering. Yangervis Solarte started at shortstop today and Addison Maruszak was called up from a minor league camp to come off the bench to replace Nunez for the day.

Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Brian McCann all got their first action in Yankees pinstripes, well spring training uniforms anyway, and we will see the season debut of Derek Jeter tomorrow at home against the Pirates. Alfonso Soriano is slated to get into his first game on March 2, this Sunday, after being told the Yankees would hold him out of games for five days of workouts. Since he has been sick this is only his second day of workouts. Mark Teixeira will probably start in a game late next week but no date was given exactly by manager Joe Girardi.

Matt Daley was scheduled to pitch today but was kept out due to a sore calf. Doesn't seem like a big deal, hopefully it's not. If it is one of my good friends who is a writer here and comments in our comments sections, Patrick Walsh, will likely jump off a bridge. Please be okay Matt.

Speaking of injuries Nik Turley has been shut down for seven days of rest even though all the test results on his sore throwing arm came back negative. Jim Miller is back to full health and Tyler Austin's wrist was to be examined today by team doctors.

Speaking of injuries, again, add Jose Ramirez to the list of injured guys as he felt his back grab during a bullpen session. Ramirez's tight back will be reevaluated tomorrow by team doctors.

Chad Jennings with the assignments from this morning:

Morning live batting practice:
With Scott Sizemore and Ramon Flores hitting
Fred Lewis (to John Ryan Murphy)
Dan Burawa (to Pete O’Brien)
Michael Pineda (to Francisco Cervelli)
Manny Banuelos (to Gary Sanchez)

· Bullpen sessions at Steinbrenner Field
Adam Warren (to Pete O’Brien)
Masahiro Tanaka (to Francisco Cervelli)
Hiroki Kuroda (to Gary Sanchez)
CC Sabathia (to John Ryan Murphy)

· Batting practice groups at Steinbrenner Field
Group 1: Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki
Group 2: Francisco Cervelli, Brett Gardner, Mark Teixeira
Group 3: Gary Sanchez, Kelly Johnson, Brendan Ryan, Scott Sizemore

· Today’s second string: C Austin Romine, 1B Jose Gil, 2B Jose Pirela, SS Addison Maruszak, 3B Adonis Garcia, LF Antoan Richardson, CF Mason Williams, RF Zoilo Almonte, DH Francisco Arcia

· Today’s scheduled relievers: Bruce Billings, Dellin Betances, Jose Ramirez, Chase Whitley (Matt Daley was listed but he’s now hurt; Chris Leroux, Preston Claiborne and Cesar Cabral listed as emergency backups. Assume one of them could pitch in Daley’s place)

Tony Clark Returning To Trenton On May 9

(TRENTON, NJ) - The Trenton Thunder announced several new additions to the 2014 Promotional Schedule including an appearance by former Thunder standout and Major League Baseball All-Star Tony Clark for the 20th Anniversary Game on May 9 against Reading.

With giveaways, fireworks or special offers now scheduled for 55 of the team's 71 home games, fans will have a lot of choose from when single game tickets are available for the first time this Saturday, March 1. Ticket sales will begin at 9:30am online at trentonthunder.com, by phone 609-394-3300 and in person at ARM & HAMMER Park (9:30am to 2:30pm).

When the Thunder face the Reading Fightin' Phils on May 9 it will be the 20th Anniversary of the first Trenton Thunder game played in Trenton. For the special occassion, the Thunder will give away mini bobblehead dolls featuring Trenton Thunder legend, Tony Clark (1st 2,000 fans ages 14 and older). The night will be a celebration of 20 years of Thunder history, with Tony Clark himself on hand to take part in pre-game ceremonies, throw a ceremonial first pitch and sign autographs for fans.

Clark, a 15 year Major League veteran and newly named Executive Director of the MLB Players Association, was an Eastern League All-Star for Trenton during the team's inaugural 1994 season. Clark was the team's first post-season EL All-Star, his number 33 was the first number to be retired by the team and he was the first former Thunder player to be selected to the Trenton Baseball Hall of Fame. During Clark's 15 years in the Major Leagues, he owns the distinction of playing for all three of Trenton's Major League affiliates - Detroit (1995-2001), Boston (2002) and New York (2004). The 2001 American League All-Star had a career batting average of .262 with 251 HR and 824 RBI in 1,559 Major League games.

The Thunder have added two giveways to the 2014 Promotional Schedule since it was released last fall. The first 1,000 fans ages six and over will receive Magnetic Schedules thanks to MCIA on April 7. On June 6, fans will receive Pink & Navy Hats (1st 1,500 fans ages 18 and older) thanks to RAI. June 6 will also be one of three times that the team will wear special jerseys - this time they will be Pink Camouflage Jerseys for Breast Cancer Awareness and will be auctioned off to benefit charity.
On May 3, the team will sport special Super Hero Jerseys for Super Hero Night and on August 7 they will wear special Irish Jerseys in honor of Irish Heritage Night.

The game on July 2 will be a celebration of the life of original team bat dog, Chase. Fans may bring their well behaved dog to the game and Chase Photo Montages will be given to the first 2,000 fans ages six and over thanks to VSEC.

Three new theme nights have been added to the schedule: Medical Professionals Appreciation Night (May 8), Hometown Heroes Appreciation Night (May 22) and Jewish Heritage Night (August 20).

The previously announced "Player TBD" Replica Jersey giveaway thanks to TD Bank on April 6 will feature the name and number of former Thunder and current NY Yankees pitcher Ivan Nova.

All fans should note that the distribution of promotional items is for fans in attendance only. Promotion dates, items and distribution quantity is subject to change and/or cancellation. Please visit trentonthunder.com for quantity and age restrictions specific for each giveaway/promotion.

PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

The Thunder will begin the 2014 season at ARM & HAMMER Park on Thursday, April 3. Season tickets, group outings, Pic-A-Plans, and Mini Plan renewals are on sale now. Single game tickets will go on sale on March 1, 2014. For more information about tickets, fans should call 609-394-3300 or visit trentonthunder.com.

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE.

Nova struggles as Yankees fall to Pirates, 6-5

Ivan Nova gave up 2 earned runs in just 1.1 innings of work today as the Yankees lost their first game of the spring to the Pirates, 6-5. For the majority of this contest, the Yanks were actually ahead, as they led 5-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, but still, obviously, they did eventually blow that advantage.

Anyway, offseason signees Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, and Jacoby Ellsbury all made their team debuts in this one, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout, 1-for-2 with an RBI Single, and 1-for-1 with a single and two walks respectively. So yea, while this game was a loss, I'd say it went pretty well. The starters scored 4 runs in just 2 innings, and the bullpen was, for the most part, decent.

Which Yankees Prospect Makes The Biggest Impact?

As you probably know by now it's Prospects Month here on the blog and while it's almost over we're not done working just yet. I got to thinking, after the Yankees went out and spent over $500 million this offseason, will any Yankees prospect get a chance to showcase what he has this season? If so which prospect will make the biggest impact for the team in 2014?

Enter the poll... tell us what you think:

Meet A Prospect: Hank Steinbrenner

Henry George "Hank" Steinbrenner III was born April, 2 1957 in Culver, Indiana to parents George and Elizabeth Steinbrenner. Hank is the older son of former Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner and is currently involved in the day to day operations as owner of the Yankees today. Steinbrenner's little brother Hal is the other half of the Steinbrenner duo that inherited the team when The Boss passed away in 2010 and Hank also has two sisters in Jessica Steinbrenner and Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindall. Henry, or Hank, was named after his grandfather, Henry George Steinbrenner II, who made the family fortune in the shipping business.

From 2007 to the present George Steinbrenner stepped down from the day to day operations of the New York Yankees and the job was left to both Hank and Hal Steinbrenner. It would take until November, 8 of the 2008 season before Major League Baseball owners approved the shift of power to the Steinbrenner Brothers. Hank is more like his father in the fact that he is the more outspoken Steinbrenner brother and is considered to be a bit of a hot head. He also likes to talk without speaking a lot as seen below in this quote from Hank in a 2008 interview:

"Red Sox Nation? What a bunch of bullshit that is...That was a creation of the Red Sox and ESPN, which is filled with Red Sox fans...Go anywhere in America and you won't see Red Sox hats and jackets, you'll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We're going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order."

Hank would receive a Red Sox nation membership card a few days later from Red Sox owner John Henry and also received team newsletters, bumper stickers, pins, Green Monster seats, and a Boston Red Sox hat autographed by none other than David Ortiz. I have to say that is a pretty awesome gesture by the Red Sox and even generated a laugh from a Yankees fan, good work.

Yankee Stadium Legacy: #33 Whitey Ford

Whitey Foird was a 15 game winner 10 times in his career and twice won 20 or more games in a season. In 1963 Ford went 24-7 and in 1961 he went 25-4 en route to a Major League Cy Young Award. Over his 16 year Major League career, all with the New York Yankees, the left hander had a .690 winning percentage, which is fourth best in Major League Baseball history.

33 days until Yankees Opening Day

Prospects Month: Top 28 Yankees Prospects List #3

Continuing our look at The Greedy Pinstripes Top 28 prospects list as a part of Prospects Month we name our #3 prospect, JR Murphy!

Here is the complete up to date list. Check back every day as the list fills out and we continue our look at the prospects in the New York Yankees system during Prospects Month here on TGP.

1.
2.
3. JR Murphy
4. Slade Heathcott
5. Tyler Austin
6. Mason Williams
7. Ian Clarkin
8. Eric Jagielo
9. Greg Bird
10. Manny Banuelos
11. Jose Campos
12. Gosuke Katoh
13. Shane Greene
14. Jose Ramirez
15. Peter O'Brien
16. Aaron Judge
17. Ty Hensley
18. Luis Severino
19. Abiatal Avelino
20. Rob Refsnyder
21. Nik Turley
22. Cito Culver
23. Ramon Flores
24. Mark Montgomery
25. Rookie Davis
26. Jake Cave
27. Ben Gamel
28. Angelo Gumbs