Quick Hit: Imagining The Yankees Lineup w/ Headley

The New York Yankees acquired Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres about two seasons too late yesterday afternoon in case you missed it and have been living under a rock. Headley adds some legitimate infield defense to a team that is severely lacking in that department and a switch hitting bat that could be a big upgrade over Kelly Johnson.

Let's take a look at the lineup I think manager Joe Girardi will put out with his newly acquired third baseman:

LF Brett Gardner

SS Derek Jeter

CF Jacoby Ellsbury

1B Mark Teixeira

C Brian McCann

DH Carlos Beltran

3B Chase Headley

2B Brian Roberts

RF Ichiro Suzuki

This is not exactly the lineup that I would put out there but this is my guess for what the binder would spit out tonight against Yu Darvish if Teixeira were healthy. Personally I think I would bat Headley a little higher in the order, maybe behind Teixeira, and switch Ellsbury and Gardner but maybe it's just me.

Whitley's Six Scoreless Innings, Headley's Walk-Off Single Lift Yankees to 14-Frame Win Over Rangers

To many fans, myself included, a player doesn't officially become a Yankee until he wins a game with a big hit.

No, that thought process isn't completely fair, although it is fun to use, as it somewhat accurately measures how exciting someone is.

For example, in tonight's contest against the Rangers, the newest guy on the team helped put together a much-needed 2-1 W, one that didn't get entertaining for a while.  

After nobody scored in frames 1-12, both sides finally crossed home in the thirteenth, as J.P. Arencibia took David Huff deep to left center and Jacoby Ellsbury singled home Brett Gardner, costing Texas' Joakim Soria a save. 

Following those long-awaited thrillings, Jeff Francis, making his Bomber debut, tossed the bullpen's seventh scoreless inning, setting up what would be a very memorable bottom half.

To start off the significant at-bat, Ichiro grounded out, Brian Roberts doubled, and Francisco Cervelli moved him to third with another knock, bringing the recently-acquired Chase Headley to the plate.

Having replaced Zelous Wheeler in the bottom of the eighth, Headley quickly worked the count to 1-1 against the Rangers' Nick Tepesch, before suddenly lining one into shallow left field.

Originally, the ball looked like it might get caught, something that fortunetaly didn't end up happening, with it eventually short-hopping into Jim Adduci's glove to bring home Roberts. 

The hit, Headley's only on the night in four at-bats, brought more meaning to Chase Whitley's six shutout frames, and ended what was a marathon of a contest.

What is necessarily pretty? No (the Yankees blew a lot of chances throughout), but since it did end up finishing positively you can't help but like what happened, as it brought the Pinstripes' record to 51-48 and their number of games back in the wild card standings to 1.5, a respectable amount. 

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/23: Gehrig's First Grand Slam

Last season Alex Rodriguez became the All-Time leader in career grand slams in Major League Baseball when he hit his 24th grand slam of his career. Rodriguez tied fellow Yankee Lou Gehrig with his 23rd grand slam of his career in June of the 2012 season against the Atlanta Braves. Gehrig had been the All-Time grand slam leader for over 60 seasons before Alex tied and passed him. It all started way back on this day in 1925 when Gehrig hit his first grand slam of his career.

The Yankees would beat the Washington Senators 11-7 on this day with Gehrig's grand slam as the difference. Gehrig would hit 22 more grand slams during his 17 year tenure as the Yankee's Iron Horse.

Open Game Thread 7/22 Yankees vs. Rangers

Welcome to tonight's open thread for the game between the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Chase Whitley will head to the mound for the Yankees and will face off with Nick Martinez for the Rangers. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on MY9, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with WFAN.

Remember to get your Yankees tickets HERE rather than a Stubhub or a Yankees ticket exchange and avoid the pricey shipping costs and fees associated with getting a ticket printed out on your printer at home. With Ticket Monster you get an actual ticket in hand for your scrapbook. If you can't make it to the game during this home stand then give us a follow on Twitter by following @GreedyStripes or find us on Facebook by searching for The Greedy Pinstripes to chat during the game.

It's an open thread so use the comments section of the site to chat during the game with Yankees fans across the country. Enjoy the game Yankees family and enjoy the rest of your evening. Go Yankees!

Breaking: Chase Headley Will Wear #12 For Yankees

Breaking news out of Yankeeland the newly acquired Yankee Chase Headley will wear #12 for the team. The Yankees have had a few guys wear #12 in their history that have done pretty well. Anyone ever heard of Alfonso Soriano, Roger Clemens (for one season), Billy Martin, Jim Leyritz, or Wade Boggs? Welcome to the club Chase, follow Chase on Twitter by following @ChaseHeadley7.

Texas Rangers: Bandwagon Fans Since 2010 Meme

I think you can thank Cliff Lee, Ron Washington, and Nolan Ryan specifically for that...

Yankees, White Sox Discussing John Danks Trade

Brian Cashman has already turned less than stellar players Yangervis Solarte and Vidal Nuno into rentals of Brandon McCarthy and Chase Headley and he may not be done. The White Sox and the Yankees are reportedly talking a trade that would send starting pitcher John Danks to New York. Nothing is imminent but it's exciting that the Yankees are giving this a real shot this season.

Danks is only 29 years old and left handed but had a torn shoulder capsule in 2012 and hasn't pitched well since. His velocity is down since the surgery and has a 4.35 ERA and 4.70 FIP this season in 124 innings. Danks is still owed $35 million through the 2016 season which makes me think the Yankees should stay away. If they make the trade it had better come cheap, even then I might still disagree.

Stay tuned.

Yankees Game Preview 7/22 vs. Texas Rangers

The New York Yankees will host the Texas Rangers tonight in the second of a four game set this week at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will send Chase Whitley to the mound to face off with the Rangers Nick Martinez. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET and can be seen on MY9, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Whitley has not made it past the fourth inning in his last three starts for the month of July, a scary trend for the Yankees. Whitley lasted just 68 pitches and 3.2 innings last time out against the Baltimore Orioles and took the loss on the game before the All Star break. Whitley will look to push his ERA below five with his first start of the second half and on eight days rest.

Martinez is being activated off the disabled list for tonight's start after being on the shelf since his July 1st start against the Baltimore Orioles. Martinez had discomfort in his left side but his pitched in two bullpen sessions since and has checked out okay.

Get your Yankees tickets for tonight's game and be a part of the Yankees cap night giveaway right here on the blog. You can also get in for any game during this 10 game home stand for some awesome promotions and giveaways. Get your tickets HERE on the blog. 

Go Yankees!!

Yankees Trade Solarte, Pitching Prospect to Padres for Headley

Over the last few years, many Yankees fans have dreamt of the team one day acquiring Padres Third Basemen Chase Headley.

The 30-year-old infielder, who hit .289 and .286 in 2011 and 2012, used to be considered every club's quick fix to their offensive problems, obviously making New Yorkers drool over the possibility of him wearing Pinstripes.

However, in the last two seasons Headley's numbers have decreased significantly, a fact that apparently doesn't bug the Yanks' front office, with YES Network's Jack Curry reporting today that GM Brian Cashman has acquired the veteran and cash in exchange for Yangervis Solarte and Pitching Prospect Rafael De Paula. 

So far in 2014, Headley hasn't been his usual self, batting just .229 with 7 home runs and 32 RBI. 

Still, it's tough to say he and his .329 average in July isn't an upgrade over the struggling Solarte, whose production has practically disappeared in recent months.

As for when Headley will make his debut, Curry also tweeted this afternoon that the Bombers are "hopeful" he'll be able to play tonight, as the Padres are currently in Chicago.

Either way, this deal is an exciting one to see happen, mainly because it'll probably end Kelly Johnson's time in the lineup.

Some Yankees Fans Really Continue To Dissapoint Me

The fans of the New York Yankees really disappoint me sometimes, especially when you make videos like this. Funny or Die posted a parody of the Derek Jeter "RE2SPECT" tribute only this time it was geared towards Alex Rodriguez and it was named "FL13K You." If funny or die are my only two options I guess I am going with the latter. How disrespectful and petty do you have to be to do something like this to kick the guy while he is down? This wasn't done by a Yankee fan, I don't believe a true Yankee fan would do this.

If you want to watch the video click the link, http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/9306. I know it was probably meant to be funny but it wasn't and it wasn't appreciated. Stay classy, stay respectful, and believe in Karma. Just imagine what you could accomplish if you put your obvious talent and resources to good use. Be the bigger and better person and get over it. He's human. When you go to church your sitting in a room full of sinners, not a room full of saints, and you and I and the guy down the road making pizza is no different than Alex.

You're better than this Yankee family, act like it.