Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays 9/26

Here we are on a Monday morning and the four-game set that has put the nail in the Yankees coffin finally comes to an end. Finally. It's probably not a coincidence that the Toronto Blue Jays all but ended the Yankees chance at a AL East title last year with a big series and now the Blue Jays may have ended the Wild Card hopes of the Baby Bombers as well with a similarly huge series in 2016. Oh well, let's get on with it  and get it over with so we can head back home to the Bronx to finish this season. In the finale the Yankees will send Luis Severino to the mound who will be taking Masahiro Tanaka's turn in the rotation while the Blue Jays will counter with JA Happ.

Severino makes the start tonight in place of the injured Masahiro Tanaka after allowing just one run in 15 innings this month as a reliever. Severino has pitched like a man with newfound confidence since entering the bullpen so hopefully that confidence carries over tonight.


Happ is set to be in some elite company in Toronto Blue Jays history with another win, we're just hoping that win doesn't come at the expense of the Yankees tonight. With one more victory Happ would surpass David Wells for the most wins in a Blue Jays uniform by a left-handed pitcher while last time out he became just the sixth Blue Jays pitcher in the history of the franchise to reach the 20 win plateau.

The game will be played at 7:07 pm ET inside the Rogers Centre and can be seen on the YES Network, MLB Network and MLB TV. I bet when the MLB schedule makers had this game on the calendar they didn't think the Yankees would be in the state they are both in terms of roster and in terms of standings. I know I didn't. Gotta keep fighting though, even if the playoffs will not be happening. It's still Go Yankees regardless!

Meet a Prospect: Jose Fernandez

Wow, talk about taking a punch to the gut yesterday morning when I woke up to the news that the Miami Marlins had lost their 24-year old pitching ace to a boating accident. 24-years old. Talk about the whole immortality thing hitting you like a ton of bricks. I wanted to say something that could put some at ease while really honoring and showcasing what Fernandez had been able to do in such a short time in Major League Baseball and I kept coming back to a Meet a Prospect post. It's the only way I know how to honor someone like this so that's what I'll do, and I hope I do well with it. This is Meet a Prospect: The Jose Fernandez Special Edition.

Jose D. Fernandez was born on July 31, 1992 and died on September 25, 2016. Fernandez was a Cuban American professional pitcher who spent his entire career with the Miami Marlins after defecting from Santa Clara, Cuba where he was born. Fernandez tried to defect from Cuba three times before successfully making it to the states before the 2011 MLB First Year Players Draft.  While still in Cuba though Fernandez lived on the same street as MLB shortstop Aledmys Diaz and even played on the same youth baseball team as the St. Louis Cardinals star. Conveniently, Diaz faced Fernandez in his first MLB at-bat and wouldn't you know it he hit a home run. Maybe Fernandez gave him that one?

Fernandez failed to defect from Cuba three times before finally leaving Cuba in 2007, but not without issue. Fernandez's mother fell off the boat during the trip and Fernandez had to dive into turbulent waters to save his mother's life. Fernandez was a hero, and not for anything he ever did on a MLB pitching mound. When Fernandez reached U.S. soil he attended Braulio Alonso High School in Tampa, Florida although not without issues. Before Fernandez's senior season the Florida High School Athletic Association ruled that Fernandez was ineligible to play since he entered ninth grade while in Cuba back in 2006. Fernandez appealed, while the Cincinnati Reds prepared to sign him as an international free agent with a $1.3 million signing bonus, and won his appeal allowing him to pitch during his senior year. Fernandez threw two no-hitters as a senior and went 13-1 with a 2.35 ERA.

What Fernandez did as a High School pitcher was enough for the Miami Marlins who took him 14th overall in the 2011 MLB First Year Players Draft. Fernandez signed for $2 million and was immediately assigned to the New York Penn League. Fernandez finished 2011 there before receiving a bump up to Class-A ball in the SAL League in 2012 where he started a combined no-hitter, won SAL Pitcher of the Week twice and represented the Marlins in the 2012 XM Futures Game. Fernandez finished the season in High-A Ball where he finished 2012 as the Miami Marlins Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Fernandez was on his way.

Fernandez was named the Marlins best prospect before the 2013 season and was named the fifth best prospect in all of baseball according to Baseball American but Miami opted to send Fernandez back to the minor leagues out of spring training. Injuries to Nathan Eovaldi and Henderson Alvarez though led Fernandez to starting the season with the club on their 25-man roster and Fernandez did not disappoint despite being on a pitch limit. See Fernandez was promoted by owner Jeffrey Loria as a goodwill gesture to the fans who just went through another fire sale the previous season and Fernandez had the organization, and the city of Miami, on his right shoulder. Fernandez had to be a hero once again.

Fernandez was selected to represent the Miami Marlins at the 2013 All-Star Game after being donned one of the best young pitchers in the game. Fernandez pitched a perfect sixth inning in that game getting outs from Dustin Pedroia, Miguel Cabrera and Chris Davis. Two of them were via strikeout while Miguel Cabrera popped out for his out. Fernandez finished the season with a 4.2 WAR and a 174 ERA+ which are both Top 10 stats for pitchers 21-years and younger in the history of Major League Baseball since 1900. Fernandez hit his first career home run on September 11, 2013 and finished the season 3rd in the NL Cy Young Award vote behind Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers and Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals.

Fernandez was the Marlins Opening Day starter in 2014, the youngest in MLB history since Dwight Gooden in 1986, but on May 12 Fernandez was added to the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow sprain. An MRI revealed a torn ulnar collateral ligament and on May 16th Fernandez went under the knife with Tommy John surgery after making just eight starts that season and posting a 4-2 record with a 2.44 ERA and 70 strikeouts. Fernandez was out until July 2nd of the 2015 season but when he returned it didn't look like he skipped a beat. Fernandez struck out six in six innings of work while also hitting a home run in the start.

Fernandez entered the 2016 season looking to help with his recovery from Tommy John surgery and vowed to throw less fastballs this season. Amidst offseason trade rumors both before 2016 and with potential trade talks already circulating for after the 2016 season Fernandez went out and simply did what Fernandez always did, he pitched and he pitched well. Fernandez finished the season, and his career, with a 16-8 record with a 2.86 ERA and 253 strikeouts in 182.1 innings pitched. At the time of his death the Miami Marlins were still in the discussion for the National League Wild Card, although were facing elimination early in the final week of the season.

Fernandez loved pitching in Miami which was evident by the fact that he was the first modern era pitcher to win his first 17 career home decisions as well as going 24-1 in his first 25 home decisions. Fernandez was a National League All-Star in his first season in 2013 while also notching the NL Rookie of the Year Award in the same year. Fernandez finished third in the Cy Young Award voting that season. Fernandez was 24-years old. Rest, young soul. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his friends, family, the Miami Marlins organization and their fans.

Playoff Scoreboard Watching for 9/26

As we enter the final week of the 2016 regular season it's time to start scoreboard watching for certain teams. Seven more games to go for most including today, seven games that will tell the story for the entire offseason. Let's see what's going on.

AL East Race:

Boston Red Sox - OFF
Baltimore Orioles - OFF
Toronto Blue Jays @ New York Yankees

AL Wild Card Race: 

Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians
Seattle Mariners @ Houston Astros
Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners
New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays
Kansas City Royals - OFF

National League Wild Card: 

New York Mets @ Miami Marlins
San Francisco Giants - OFF
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Reds
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets

* If your favorite team is missing or your division race is not listed it's because those races are over entering the final week of the season.

This Day in New York Yankees History 9/26: Roger Maris #60 in '61

Also on this day in 1961 Roger Maris tied Babe Ruth for the single season home run record with his 60th home run of the season. Maris accomplished the feat in his 159th game of the season. Ruth’s record came in his 154th game of the season which was the reason for the asterisk that was behind the record for so many years.


Finally on this day in 1954 Yankees manager Casey Stengel fielded a new look lineup on the final game of the season as New York was eight games behind Cleveland for the pennant. Yogi Berra played third base without an error, Mickey Mantle played shortstop with any miscues, and Moose Skowron made one error at second base.

All Gary Sanchez's 2016 Home Runs Open Thread

Gary Sanchez became the first rookie in Major League Baseball history to hit 19 home runs in his first in his first 45 games to start his career. This has shot him into the discussion, and maybe the forefront, of the AL Rookie of the Year Award so let's check out all 19 of those home runs tonight in this open thread for the night. Hope you all had a good weekend and I hope you all enjoy the video as much as I did. See you all tomorrow for the finale in Toronto. Gary is so good.

What About Edinson Volquez for 2017?

The 2016 season is all but over at this point and there's nothing left but putting in the work as far as the players are concerned. As far as upper management and Yankees GM Brian Cashman is concerned it's time to start planning for the 2017 season and while the positional players look to be better than they've been in quite some time the pitching will need some work, especially the starting pitching. The free agent market as it stands right now looks to be bleak with none other than Ivan Nova quite possibly left as the best available starter. Well, unless somehow Edinson Volquez of the Kansas City Royals finds his way to the free agent market.

Volquez has a $10 million mutual option for the 2017 season and while he has expressed an interest in returning to Kansas City next season he has also announced his intentions to decline his side of the option. If he does the Royals have to decide whether to buy-out his contract for $3 million, pick up the $10 million tag, decline the option and offer him a qualifying offer or simply let him hit free agency for any and all to have. Let's look at why the Royals more than likely want to keep him and why the Yankees would want him.

PROS:

-Volquez is a durable, veteran innings-eater that has American League, playoffs and World Series tested.

- Volquez would make an ideal 3rd, 4th or 5th starter on the Yankees. Especially if he returns to his first half form from this season in 2017.

- Volquez is a ground ball pitcher who gets over 52% of his outs via the grounder. Pitching in a home park like Yankee Stadium this could be the difference between being that 3rd starter or being that 5th starter.

- If he hits the free agent market it likely won't be after being attached to draft pick compensation as I see him accepting the option if it's offered.

- Volquez could mentor some of the younger guys along with CC Sabathia.

CONS: 

- His second half pitching has left much to be desired. Is it fatigue? That's hard to say but while sabermetrics paint a different story his ERA, BABIP, line drive percentage and other stats have not been pretty lately.

- In a weak starting pitching market and free agent market in general Volquez will command a butt-load of money. A butt-load.

- Volquez barely strikes out over six batters per nine innings.

- Volquez has also seen his walks slowly creep up lately and in this season.

- Did I say a butt-load of money? Ivan Nova wants $70 million. What would Volquez get? $100 million? Probably and without the team blinking an eye.



Should the Yankees sign Volquez if the right-hander hits free agency? Honestly it depends on the number of years in the contract. He's 33-years old and the Yankees are in the midst of a rebuild and youth movement so giving Volquez even four years may be a bit counterproductive. Yes, Michael Pineda is set to hit free agency and so is Nathan Eovaldi and CC Sabathia while Masahiro Tanaka could opt out of his contract after the 2017 season but the way I see it those are merely roster spots for more youth and an ace. Volquez for three years? Yes. Volquez for four years? Honestly, I probably would but I wouldn't exactly be happy about it. Volquez for five seasons? No thank you.

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays 9/26

Here we go ladies and gentleman, the first meaningless game of the season for the New York Yankees. The team had a great run in them with their infusion of youth but the team just couldn't get it done. That's fine though because the amount of experience in a pennant race that this team got you absolutely cannot put a number on or a stat to. So today we play like we have every other day just without the expectations or pressure. New York will send Michael Pineda to the mound while the Jays counter with Marco Estrada. The game will be played at 1:07 pm ET inside Rogers Centre and can be seen on the YES Network, TBS and MLB TV.

Nothing snazzy here. Season is over. Go Yankees!

Yankees to Hold Fan Appreciation Day Next Sunday

Here is the press release from Yankees.com:

Yankees to hold Fan Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium

Final regular season homestand to feature other highlights and promotions

Press Release | September 22nd, 2016


The New York Yankees will return home on Tuesday for their final homestand of the year. The stretch will feature a three-game series vs. the Boston Red Sox (Tuesday-Thursday, September 27-29) - in David Ortiz's final career regular season appearances at Yankee Stadium - and a three-game set vs. Manny Machado and the Baltimore Orioles (Friday-Sunday, September 30-October 2).

Fan Appreciation Day will take place on Sunday, October 2, when the Yankees also honorfirst baseman Mark Teixeira in a ceremony prior to their 3:05 p.m. game vs. Baltimore. In honor of Teixeira's final regular season game, fans may receive up to 25% off the price of tickets for this game when using the promo code TEX25 and a MasterCard atwww.yankees.com, www.ticketmaster.com or at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office. Please note that all ticket specials are subject to availability.

In addition, 25 fans wearing apparel with Teixeira's No. 25 at the game on October 2 will be randomly selected to receive special prizes and 25 other fans will have the opportunity to be randomly selected for a lucky seat upgrade. All fans in attendance will also receive a voucher valid for two tickets to select 2017 Yankees regular season home games.

Fans can also take part in the festivities on social media. One lucky fan in attendance at Yankee Stadium on October 2 who shares their game experience on Twitter or Instagram will be randomly selected during the game to win the "Ultimate Game Day Experience," which includes an upgrade in the Legends Suite seating area and a gift bag. One other lucky fan will be randomly selected during the game to win the "Ultimate Game Day Experience" for any 2017 home game of their choice. The package will include 4 Legends tickets, a scoreboard message, and a gift bag.

During the entire homestand, the first 75 fans that check-in daily at Yankee Stadium on Facebook can redeem a seat upgrade by showing their check-in to the staff at the AT&T Fan Zone located on the Main Level behind home plate. For further details on all of these promotions, please visit www.yankees.com/fanappreciation and follow the Yankees' official Twitter and Instagram accounts - @Yankees.

Roger Maris Bobblehead Day will take place on Saturday, October 1, on the 55th anniversary of his record-setting 61st home run of the 1961 season. The first 18,000 Guests in attendance will receive a bobblehead, courtesy of AT&T. The bobblehead is part of a limited-edition series of collectible player bobbleheads, presented by AT&T - the fourth series in a collection of Yankees bobbleheads. Additionally, Maris' son Randy will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game.

For the sixth consecutive year, the New York Yankees will join with NewYork-Presbyterian - the official hospital of the New York Yankees - Columbia University Medical Center, Weill Cornell Medicine and Ed Randall's Fans for the Cure (fans4thecure.org) to help save lives from prostate cancer during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month by offering a free screening.

Prior to and during the 7:05 p.m. game against the Red Sox on Wednesday, September 28, ticketed fans, game day employees and media members 40 years of age and older are encouraged to visit the area near Main Level Section 220, where medical personnel under the direction of Dr. James McKiernan, Urologist-in-Chief, NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, will be standing by to administer quick and simple PSA blood tests to all who request one.

Youth Game ticket specials will run on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2, subject to availability. For a complete list of ticket specials, including game dates, seating locations, and terms and conditions, fans should visit www.yankees.com/ticketspecials.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.yankees.com, www.yankeesbeisbol.com, at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, via Ticketmaster phone at (877) 469-9849, Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327 and at all Ticket Offices located within Yankees Clubhouse Shops. Fans with questions may call (212) YANKEES [926-5337] or email tickets@yankees.com.

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Toronto Blue Jays 9/25

Good morning everyone and Happy Sunday to you all. This could possibly be the first meaningless game of the Yankees season this afternoon inside the Rogers Centre after the New York offense has made it a habit of disappearing at the worst possible times here down the stretch. So here we go as the New York Yankees send Michael Pineda to the mound to face off with the Blue Jays starter Marco Estrada.

Pineda looked much better than he had in his last start where he struck out 11 Tampa Bay Rays batters while allowing just two runs on five hits in 5.1 innings of work. Pineda also pitched well against Toronto last time out against them as well throwing five scoreless innings on August 16th in the Bronx. 

The game will be played at 1:07 pm ET inside the Rogers Centre and can be seen on the YES Network, TBS and MLB TV. I said this on Twitter yesterday but it's worth repeating again today. It's funny how teams say you can't win a division in April or May but if you can't win one how come you can lose one? The Yankees started out this season 9-17, swap those records and the Yankees are in the postseason. Even out the records at 13-13 and the Yankees are four games closer to the Wild Card and the division. Check the standings and do the math. Depressing, isn't it? Go Yankees!

The Finale Weekly Prospects Check In: Clint Frazier

Started from the bottom now we're here. The final weekly prospects check in for the 2016 regular season ends with the Yankees top prospect in the system, Clint Frazier. Frazier came over in a mid-season trade with the Cleveland Indians and immediately got acquainted with Triple-A and more importantly got acquainted with winning.

The season is over the Triple-A Champions are the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders. Clint Frazier was a part of that team so let's end this regular season showcase with a bang. A redheaded bang.

Year	Age	Aff	G	PA	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2016	21	CLE-NYY	119	520	75	122	27	16	55	13	48	122	.263	.335	.447	.782

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table