TGP Trivia and Fact of the Day for February 26th, 2019

Good morning Yankees family!

Did you know that Roger Maris, Alex Rodriguez and Aaron Judge are the first three players in the Yankees storied history to have 30 or more home runs going into the All-Star break? Maris had 33 in 1961, Rodriguez had 30 in 2007 and Judge had 30 entering the break in 2017. Three times by a team nicknamed the "Bronx Bombers" is kind of shocking if you ask me.

And to my beautiful wife, you "bomb" and rock my world. I love you. Always have, always will.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Joe Harvey

Man, it was not easy to find information on Yankees right-handed pitcher Joe Harvey, but we did the best we could. In all actuality, I am glad that this was a challenge and that there wasn’t the plethora of information on the web about him like there was with others, that means when others head out looking for information on him later in the spring and throughout the season that maybe they will stumble upon the site and stay awhile. Let’s meet the man, the myth, and hopefully soon-to-be the legend, Mr. Joe Harvey.

Joe Harvey, 27-years old, is a right-handed relief pitcher currently in the New York Yankees organization. Harvey is a large, intimidating presence on the mound standing 6’2” and weighing in at 235 lbs. Harvey throws a mid-90’s fastball with a high spin rate to go along with a curveball that he worked on for much of the winter trying to improve. Harvey also throws a changeup that he has also dabbled with a lot this winter in search of improvement.

Joseph Robert Harvey was born on January 9, 1992 in Audobon, Pennsylvania and attended high school at Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School in Norristown, PA. After graduating High School, Harvey moved on to play baseball at the collegiate level for the University of Pittsburgh where he caught the eye as a pitcher of the New York Yankees. The New York Yankees drafted Harvey in the 19^th round of the 2014 MLB First Year Players Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh and immediately assigned him to the GCL Yankees. Harvey spent time there and with the Staten Island Yankees in 2014 before being promoted to the Charleston Riverdogs for the 2015 season.

Harvey took a step back in 2016, heading back to the GCL to play for both Yankees affiliates there as well as the Staten Island Yankees. Harvey was promoted to the Tampa Yankees in 2017 before finally reaching Double-A, and then Triple-A during the 2018 season. Harvey was added to the Yankees 40-man roster prior to the 2019 season and also participated in the Dominican Winter League as well as he prepared for the possible call to the Major Leagues this season.

Good luck to you, Joe. You already struck out Troy Tulowitzki in a simulated game this spring, and that’s not nothing if you ask me. Injuries slowed Harvey’s path towards the majors, the right-hander was limited to just 41 games as a reliever from 2014-2016 and just 18 games in 2017 but took off and showed glimpses of what he could become for the Yankees in 2018.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Luis Cessa

I know all 5000+ of my Twitter followers just rolled their eyes when they saw this post go live and get tweeted on Twitter but hear me out. Love him or hate him, I have to support Luis Cessa. Why? Because he wears Yankees pinstripes. Not every player on the team every single season will win you over, and that’s Cessa for me, but you still have to support the player and the team. Let’s meet the man that has a lot of “winning me over” to do, Luis Cessa.

Luis Cessa, 26-years old, is a right-handed starter and reliever currently within the New York Yankees system. Cessa possesses a 95 MPH four-seam fastball, an 84 MPH slider, an 86 MPH changeup, and a rarely thrown 81 MPH curveball. Cessa creates a lot of ground balls with his fastball as well as with his changeup. His slider has a 12-6 movement and has some two-plane movement.

Luis Enrique Cessa was born on April 25, 1992 in Cordoba, Mexico where he was signed as an international free agent by the New York Mets back in 2008. The Mets signed Cessa as a shortstop and watched him in his first two professional seasons at the position before transitioning him to a pitcher in 2011. Cessa continued his work as a starter with the Mets until July 31, 2015 when New York traded Cessa and Michael Fulmer to the Detroit Tigers for Yoenis Cespedes. By the end of the 2015 season, Cessa was on the move again, this time back to New York. On December 9, 2015 the Tigers traded Cessa along with Chad Green to the New York Yankees for lefty Justin Wilson.

Cessa made the Yankees Opening Day roster in 2016 and made his MLB debut on April 8, pitching two innings and allowing two hits, including a home run, with two strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers. Cessa bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the Bronx for the remainder of the 2016 season before starting the 2017 season back in Triple-A. Cessa bounced back and forth again in 2017 and 2018 with the Yankees, mainly as a spot starter, but may have found his niche with the team as a relief pitcher during the 2018 campaign.

Listen, Cessa isn’t my favorite Yankee of all-time, I am on record of thinking that many, many times, but I still support him. I think Cessa could be more than serviceable as a relief pitcher, but in no way do I ever want him starting games for the New York Yankees again. His stuff just doesn’t translate in my opinion, but again… I will still support him regardless. I support my Yankees, and you should too.

Yankees Sign Hicks to 7-Year Deal Worth $70 Million

The New York Yankees have signed Aaron Hicks to a new seven-year deal worth $70 million that will begin in 2019 and keep the switch-hitter in Yankees pinstripes through his age 35 season. There is also a club option for an 8th season. The deal runs from age 29 until Hicks is 35, 36 if the club option is exercised.

Here is a breakdown of what the deal looks like:

2019 - $6 million salary, plus $2 million signing bonus
2020- $10.5 million
2021 - $10.5 million
2022 - $10.5 million
2023 - $10.5 million
2024 - $9.5 million
2025 - $9.5 million
2026 - $12.5 million club option or $1 million buyout

Hicks does not receive a no-trade clause, but gets $1 million in bonus money if traded

FYI, according to Fangraphs and their "value" stat, Hicks was worth a $26.4 million contract in 2017 and worth a $39 million contract in 2018... and the Yankees just got him for $10 million a season.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Thairo Estrada

For whatever reason it feels like Thairo Estrada has been around forever with the New York Yankees. It is hard to believe that Thairo is still just 22-years old, but it’s true. It’s also hard to believe that Thairo survived a gunshot wound in the hip during a robbery attempt in January of 2018, but that’s another story for another blog post. Let’s meet the man that will look to finally crack the Major League roster here in 2019, Mr. Thairo Estrada.

Thairo Estrada, 23-years old with a Happy Belated birthday from us here at TGP, is a right-handed throwing and batting infielder that has experience as a second baseman, shortstop, and third baseman as a professional player. Estrada has a small frame, standing just 5’10” and weighing just 185 lbs., but he will take his walks and hit for average if he’s healthy and right, physically.

Thairo Jose Estrada Villegas was born on February 22, 1996 in Bejuma, Venezuela where he was signed as an international free agent back in August of 2012. Estrada made his professional debut with the club’s Gulf Coast League team in 2013 and spent the whole season there. Estrada returned to the GCL Yankees in 2014 but was quickly promoted to the Staten Island Yankees. Estrada returned to the New York-Penn League and the SI Yankees in 2015, but again earned a promotion to the Charleston Riverdogs and the Tampa Yankees by the time the 2016 season came along.

Estrada was promoted to the Trenton Thunder in 2017 and was an Eastern League All-Star in Double-A, finishing the season with a .301 batting average with six home runs and 48 RBI. Estrada was added to the Yankees 40-man roster following the season.

Estrada was shot in the hip during a robbery attempt before the 2018 season and was limited to just 18 games and 78 at-bats between Triple-A and the Tampa Yankees of A+ ball. Estrada also went to the Arizona Fall League following the 2018 season and played in 19 games there with Glendale. 

Estrada will look for another productive and healthy season in 2019 and will also hope for his ultimate shot at the Major League level. Estrada is ready, make the call.

TGP Trivia and Fact of the Day for February 25th, 2019

Good morning Yankees family!

Name the Yankees player who holds the club record for pinch-hit home runs in a career:

Highlight below for the answer, but before you do... leave your guesses and answer below. No cheating!


Yogi Berra, who has nine. 



Good morning my amazing wife. I love you so very much.

Way to Early Opening Day Roster!

Well 2 games in to spring training it’s still very early, but both Voit and Bird are hitting the ball. It seems the Yanks are determined to carry 8 pitchers, which would make you think that one of the two will not make the team. What if they both rake all spring? I for one think Bird will finally turn the corner, and be the man everyone within the Yankees upper office thinks he is. That being said here is my way to early starting lineup for the season opener.   

1. Aaron Hicks.....CF 

2. Aaron Judge.....RF  

3. Greg Bird.....1B

4. Giancarlo Stanton.....LF 

5. Gray Sanchez.....C 

6. Miguel Andújar.....3B 

7. Gleyber Torres.....2B 

8. Luke Voit.....DH 

9. Troy Tulowitzki.....SS 

Maybe Bird goes to 5 just for a little more balance. Boy can we use Didi for that balance. However maybe they can lead off Gleyber, slide Hicks 5th or 6th and that helps the lefty righty balance. On to the pitching the starting 5 would line up......

1. Luis Severino 

2. James Paxton 

3. Masahiro Tanaka

4. JA Happ 

5. C. C. Sabathia 

The bullpen is where the Yankees have many weapons and should be one of the best pens of all time. There is at least 5 closers on any other team in this loaded pen.   

Closer: Aroldis Chapman

Setup Men: Dellin Betances & Zach Britton 

Middle Relievers: Chad Green, Adam Ottavino, Jonathan Holder, and Danny Farquhar (yes he will make the team, and make this pen even better).  

Long Man: Please Please don’t be Luis Cessa.   

Most likely will be.    

That leaves only 3 bench players. 

Being both Voit and Bird make the team that most likely means Red Thunder is in Triple A to start the year. Unless they go with 7 relieves.   

Bench: 

Bret Gardner.....4th Outfielder 

D.J. LeMahieu.....Utl Infielder 

Austin Romine.....Back Up Catcher 

Well that’s my 25 man roster to open the season. Let’s see how the spring shakes out and who steps up and earns their spots.   

As always Let’s G⚾️ Yankees!! 

James C. Palma.  

The Greedy Pinstripes 

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Albert Abreu

One of the top pitching prospects in the New York Yankees system is Albert Abreu. Abreu was brought over to the Yankees from the Houston Astros in a trade for Brian McCann back in 2016. Abreu is slowly, due to injuries, working his way towards the Major Leagues, so let’s meet him and his uber-talented right arm.

Albert Abreu, 23-years old, is a right-handed starting pitcher inside the New York Yankees organization and a RHP that sits at or near the top of the Yankees top pitching prospects in their system. Abreu stands 6’2” and weighs 175 lbs. and possesses a 95-96 MPH fastball that tops out at 99 MPH, as well as a slider, curveball and changeup that he can throw consistently for strikes. Abreu’s changeup is probably his most consistent pitch in his repertoire with its steep drop late in its path.

Albert Enmanuel Abreu was born on September 26, 1995 in Guayubin, Dominican Republic where he was signed by the Houston Astros as an international free agent in 2013. Abreu was 17-years old at the time and signed with Houston for $185,000. Abreu spent time in the Astros organization until November 17, 2016 when he was traded along with Jorge Guzman for the Yankees starting catcher, Brian McCann.

Abreu made stops with three affiliates in 2017, starting with the GCL Yankees and ending in A-Ball with the Charleston Riverdogs, finishing the season with 53.1 innings pitched. New York saw enough in those 53 innings to add Abreu to their 40-man roster after the 2017 season.

Abreu pitched for the GCL Yankees again in 2018, as well as the Tampa Yankees and the Double-A Trenton Thunder before heading down to the Dominican Winter League following the season. Abreu was hampered by injuries once again in 2018 and was limited to just 17 games, plus another six games in the DOWL.

Abreu will look to continue his path towards the Major Leagues in 2019, likely starting the year with the Trenton Thunder. If healthy, it won’t be long before Abreu is in Triple-A with Scranton… and then eventually the Bronx.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Domingo Acevedo

I have personally donned this man the next Dellin Betances, and for more than one reason. Both men are really big, intimidating figures on the mound. Both men can throw right at or in excess of 100 MPH. Both men struggle with control, and ultimately for that reason both men may be destined to share the same Yankees bullpen in the future. For now, though, Domingo Acevedo is a starter within the New York Yankees organization, so let’s meet him.

Domingo Acevedo, 24-years old for a few more days, possesses a 96 MPH four-seam fastball, an 87 MPH slider, and an 88 MPH changeup that he mixes in to keep opposing batters off of his heater.  

Domingo Antonio Acevedo was born on March 6, 1994 in Los Almacigos, Dominican Republic where he was signed as an international free agent by the New York Yankees in 2012. Acevedo signed with New York for just $7,500 and began his professional career with the Dominican Summer League Yankees. Acevedo worked his way through the Yankees organization, reaching as high as Double-A and Triple-A in 2017 as well as participating in the 2017 All-Star Futures Game.

Acevedo’s biggest hurdles that he faces is his struggle with command and control, as well as his seemingly inability to stay healthy. In six minor league seasons, Acevedo has made just 92 appearances for the Yankees various minor league affiliates.

Acevedo was called up to the Major Leagues on July 21, 2018 but was optioned back to Double-A in just a few hours, not making an appearance for the big-league club. Will 2019 be the year that Acevedo finally puts it all together for a full, healthy, and productive season? Stay tuned.

Meet the 2019 Yankees: Tyler Wade

Every year, for whatever reason, the odd man out of the Yankees 25-man roster always seems to be Tyler Wade. Now, granted, Wade has not done himself any favors offensively at the Major League level, but his defense remains versatile and above league average at multiple positions. Versatility sometimes isn’t enough, and it likely won’t be enough this year as well with the additions of DJ LeMahieu, Troy Tulowitzki and others. Wade may find himself either on the Yankees bench at the beginning of the 2019 season, or he may find himself back at Triple-A with the Scranton RailRiders. Here’s to the former, and not the latter, as we meet the man with a very active Instagram account, Mr. Tyler Wade.

Tyler Wade, 24-years old, is listed as a right-handed throwing and left-handed batting shortstop and second baseman but has the ability to play all over the infield and all over the outfield as well, including in center field. The only position that Wade hasn’t really played professionally is the catcher and first base positions. Wade, listed at 6’1” and just 185 lbs., has excelled at the Triple-A level only to struggle with the bat at the Major League level for whatever reason.

Tyler Dean Wade was born on November 23, 1994 in Murrieta, California where he attended Murrieta Valley High School. Wade had committed to attending San Diego State University after his High School years were complete, but the New York Yankees came calling in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft. Wade ultimately decided to forego his commitment and signed with the Yankees for a $371,300 signing bonus.

Wade spent the 2013-2015 seasons in the minor leagues with New York, leading the Yankees to invite Wade to their spring training camp before the 2016 season. Wade did not make the team out of spring and spent the entire 2016 season down in Double-A with the Trenton Thunder. Wade was back in Yankees camp in 2017 and was competing for a starting job after New York learned that Didi Gregorius would start the season on the disabled list, but ultimately began the season down in Triple-A with the RailRiders. Wade was promoted to the big leagues on June 27, 2017 and was optioned and recalled multiple times throughout the season. In 30 games with the Yankees, Wade finished with a .155/.222/.224.

Wade was invited to camp with the Yankees once again in 2018, and this time made the team on Opening Day wearing Chase Headley’s recently vacated #12 jersey. Wade struggled with the Yankees out of the gate and was optioned back to Triple-A on April 22, once again bouncing back and forth between Scranton and the Yankees. Wade will look to make the team once again here in 2019, but this time he will look to stick on the roster for much of the season. Good luck Tyler!!