Meet A Prospect : Ichiro Suzuki

Ichiro Suzuki, or more commonly known as just Ichiro, was born on October 22nd, 1973 in Kasugai, Japan where he went to High School at Aikoudai Meiden High School in Nagoya, Japan. With a frame a little on the smaller side at 5'11" and 170 lbs Ichiro has made his mark by slap hitting and wreaking havoc on the base paths as he marches towards hitting 3000 hits in the Major Leagues after having 1,278 hits while playing in Japan. We have Ichiro for two more years as he marches towards 3K so we may as well get to know him, wouldn't you think?

Ichiro started his High School career in Nagoya Japan as a pitcher, not an outfielder, which would explain why he has such a strong and accurate arm. He still did hit the cover off the ball even in High School compiling a .505 batting average with 19 years in his High School career. That was not enough to be drafted until the final round of the Japanese Amateur Draft mainly because of his small frame in 1991. From 1992-1993 Ichiro spent his time in the Japanese League team Orix Bluewave's farm system and finally got his shot in 1994 at age 20 and responded by setting a Japanese League record 210 hits in the lead off spot becoming the first ever Japanese player to ever hit more then 200 hits in a season. He also hit .385 that season en route to his first of seven consecutive Japanese League batting titles while hitting 13 home runs and stealing 29 bags. Ichiro would win his first of three consecutive Pacific League MVP Awards that season as well. He followed up the rookie campaign in 1995 by leading his Bluewave team to their first pennant in twelve years hitting 25 home runs with 80 RBI's and stealing 49 bases. Ichiro was posted by his Bluewave team in 2000 even though he was still a year away from free agency and the Seattle Mariners won the rights to negotiate with him with a bid of $13 million. In November of that year Ichiro signed a three year contract worth $14 million ending a nine year career in the Japanese League that included 1,278 hits, a .353 career batting average, and seven Gold Glove awards.

Ichiro made his Major League debut in the states with the Mariners in 2001 but not without a little controversy as the Mariners issued him the #51 jersey which was previously worn by Randy Johnson. Ichiro made Mariners fans say "Randy Who?" when he hit a rookie record 242 hits in the season with a .350 batting average while stealing 56 bases. He also had two separate hitting streaks of 23 games and 25 games respectively in his rookie campaign. Ichiro also became the first rookie to ever lead all players in voting for the All Star Game and later added a Rookie of the Year award and a Most Valuable Player award. In 2002 Ichiro compiled 208 hits and followed that up in 2003 with 212 more hits becoming the first Mariners player to ever have consecutive seasons of 200 hits. Ichiro broke a 84 year old record held by George Sisler when he hit 262 hits in a season passing Sisler's 257 hit campaign. Ichiro followed up the 2005 campaign with his second worst season in his career only getting a meager 206 hits becoming the first player in Major League history to get 200 hits in each of his first five seasons in the majors.

2006 started off well with Ichiro as he got to represent his home country Japan in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March. Ichiro's Japanese team would win the World Baseball Classic by beating Cuba 10-6 in the finals. Ichiro finished the WBC with twelve hits, one home run, seven runs, and four stolen bases. Ichiro would ride that momentum into the 2006 Major League season when he hit a Major League leading 224 hits pushing his career total to 1,354 hits in his six year career topping Wade Bogg's previous record for highest hit total in a six season span. Ichiro signed a five year extension in 2007 with the Mariners, his final year before free agency, worth a staggering $90 million with payments deferred through 2032(no that is not a typo). Ichiro collected 218 more hits in 2008 making that his eight consecutive season with at least 200 hits tying a 107 year old record set by Wee Willie Keeler. On July 29th Ichiro hit his 3000th hit with his Japanese League and Major League careers combined being the  youngest player to ever do it surpassing Ty Cobb.

2009 started off with the second World Baseball Classic and Ichiro was once again representing his homeland of Japan. Ichiro struggled a lot in this tournament but did deliver the game winning hit in the championship game against Korea in a 5-3 Japan win for their second World Baseball Classic title. A bleeding ulcer put him on the disabled listed for the first time in his career to start the 2009 season and in September of that season hit his 2000th Major League hit becoming the second fastest player to ever do it behind Al Simmons. He also hit his 9th consecutive 200 hit season when he ended up with 225 hits in 2009 while leading the Major Leagues in hits once again. Ichiro would finish the 2012 season with 214 hits making that the 10th consecutive season reaching that plateau, which has never been done in Major League history. Ichiro also won his 10th consecutive Gold Glove that season tying Ken Griffey Jr, Andruw Jones, and Al Kaline and only trailing Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente with twelve for the most Gold Gloves for an outfielder in Major League history. Ichiro broke a Mariners all time record in 2011 when he hit his 2,248th career hit passing long time DH Edgar Martinez for the team record. 2011 was not a great season for Ichiro as it was the first time in his career that he did not make the All Star team, hit for a .300 average, and did not get the 200 hit plateau. The decline of Ichiro begins.

Ichiro hit his 2500th career hit with the Mariners in 2012 but later requested a trade mid season and was traded to the New York Yankees. Ichiro responded by hitting safely in his first 12 games as a Yankee including his first at bat as a Yankee against his former Seattle Mariners team in his former home, Safeco Field. In 67 games for the Yankees Ichiro batted .322 with a .340 OBP with 28 runs scored, 27 RBI's and  5 home runs. The Yankees recently re-signed Ichiro to a two year deal for 2013 and 2014 worth $13 million and will be chasing 3000 hits in pinstripes through his age 41 season.

Andy Pettitte Undecided About 2014

Andy Pettitte quickly made a decision to come back for his age 40 season in 2013 after an injury riddled season in 2012. Andy has not yet made up his mind about what he will do beyond the 2013 season though even though I think that everyone just assumed that this would be his last go at it. Andy does not sound like a man who is ready to hang the cleats up just yet but a productive and strong 2013 season may change that. Nobody wants to go out after a horrible season or after a season sitting on the bench due to injuries so I guess we will just have to enjoy him while we have him and play the "will he, won't he" waiting game next off season.

Yankees Spring Training Notes 2/13

Phil Hughes threw a bullpen today of 40 pitches and told reporters that he had thrown six bullpens already before today. That seems to be quite unusual for a pitcher but in his contract year I guess he is trying to go out and make a big impression in 2012. Clay Rapada also seems to be ahead of schedule as his bullpen consisted of 35 pitches. Clay joked with reporters that he was going to be the Yankees long man reliever this season. David Phelps, Adam Warren, and Chase Whitley have all already faced live batting competition down at the Yankees minor league complex. David and Adam both have legitimate shots at making the big league club so it is a good sign to see them both ahead of schedule.

Andy Pettitte wanted to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic but the Yankees talked him out of it. As much as I would have liked to see Andy pitch for Team USA I can understand keeping a 40 year old key member of the rotation out of a game that doesn't mean anything, especially after his injury riddled season in 2012. Andy told reporters that he knows he will be limited this season by manager Joe Girardi but wants to and expects to make 30 starts, pitch 200 IP, and win 20 games. I could handle a farewell tour for Andy that involved him winning 20+ games and a World Series ring.

Mariano Rivera Should Announce 2014 Plans Soon

Mariano Rivera was toying with the possibility of retiring after the 2012 season but ultimately decided to come back for another season in 2013. When asked about his plans after this season Rivera tells reporters that he has made up his mind and will not share with the rest of the class until a later time, some time before the beginning of the season starts. Mariano Rivera will be entering his age 43 season and coming off of an ACL surgery you have to wonder how much Mo really has left but I have never been one to doubt the right hand of God and I do not plan on starting now. My gut says that there is no way Rivera comes back for an age 44 season in 2014 but stranger things have happened I guess.

Rivera threw a bullpen today of about 25 pitches which is odd for him on the first day but after missing much of the 2012 season I can see why. Rivera will undoubtedly throw more then he normally does this Spring to knock the rust off his delivery and mechanics but still plans on sticking to about 8 IP of regular Grapefruit League games. Shockingly Rivera still plans on shagging fly balls before games to stay in shape according to what he told reporters today which makes me cringe just thinking about it.

Here's to hoping Mariano has a healthy and effective 2013 season and maybe saves his farewell tour for after the 2014 season.

Yankees Acquire Middle Reliever Shawn Kelley

The New York Yankees have acquired middle reliever Shawn Kelley from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for outfielder Abraham Almonte. The Yankees have added Alex Rodriguez to the 60 day DL to make room for Kelley on the 40 man roster which is currently at full capacity. Kelley will be entering his age 28 season after posting a 2-4 record with a  3.25 ERA in 44.1 IP while striking out 45 batters in 47 appearances last year for the Mariners. Kelley also made 14 appearances for Seattle's AAA team last year going 2-0 with six saves and and 0.90 ERA in 20 IP with 25 strike outs. I am not sure we need another reliever to be honest but with a blog named The Greedy Pinstripes how can I complain, right?

Player Hurt Already

This season, more than any other, keeping players healthy is of the utmost importance. Losing even one of the regular players could mean the difference between playing in the postseason and making plans on where to watch them. Well here we are just one day after pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training, and we've already lost a player for the rest of Spring Training.

Okay, I'm not talking about Derek Jeter or CC Sabathia, but that doesn't make things a whole lot better. It turns out that Dave Adams, a second basemen that hit .306/.385/.450 in 86 games with AA Trenton last year, will not report to Tampa due to a back injury. Chances were slim that Adams would have made the big club anyway, but he likely would have started out in AAA Scranton, and could be key in the future.

Spring Training Notes 2/13/13: Cervelli, Pettitte, Rivera

Day two of Spring Training has come to an end and there were interviews from three different Yankees: Francisco Cervelli, Andy Pettitte and of course Mariano Rivera. Let's cover Francisco Cervelli first and then go from there.

Francisco Cervelli

As we all know, Cervelli's names were handwritten on the Biogenesis report which meant that Cervelli at least visited the Miami clinic after his foot injury.

"When I got my foot injured in 2011, I checked with doctors and someone recommended me Biogenesis. I went there for maybe suggestions, and that's it. I walked away without nothing in my hands. I just went there and talked, that's it." Cervelli said during the 11 minute press conference.

"Right now, I realize that it was a mistake to go there, but it already happened so what can I do?"

Cervelli wouldn't say who recommended him to go to the Miami clinic but he did say that it wasn't a player (and it wasn't Alex Rodriguez). Cervelli went to Biogenesis once and he met with Anthony Bosch during that one visit.

"Sometimes when we've got injuries, we get a little desperate to come back quick and we always want a second opinion. I went there. Someone told me. I take my responsibility. Nobody put a gun to my head to go there. And that's it."

Andy Pettitte

Now, let's move on to a non-controversial topic: Andy Pettitte. Pettitte threw a bullpen session today and then met with the media about how he's feeling along with if he plans to retire in 2014.

"I feel like I'm better than I am at age 30. Heck, I want to win 20 games. That's it." Pettitte said during his 11 minute press conference. Joe Girardi even spoke about Pettitte during another press conference this morning in Tampa.

On the topic of whether Pettitte will retire in 2014, Girardi said "I think Andy still loves to compete." To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised to see Andy Pettitte return in 2014. That's a true competitor right there.

Mariano Rivera

And last but definitely not least, everyone's favorite closer: Mariano Rivera. Mariano Rivera said that he made a decision on whether or not he will pitch next season--but he's not telling anyone just yet. However, he did say that he was going to reveal whether he planned to retire or not before the season begins.

"You guys have been patient enough." Rivera said during his press conference. When it came to rating how his knee was doing, he said it was a 9 out of 10 but by the time Opening Day rolls around, Rivera plans to feel 100%. He's doing agility drills and threw a bullpen session his first day of camp, which is out of the norm for Rivera since he doesn't throw bullpen sessions his first day.

Now, the main question that came from Rivera's press conference: will he shag fly balls this season even though he tore his ACL doing what he loved last season? Yes. He will. He will just have to be careful about it when he's in the outfield. It didn't take much convincing for Joe GIrardi to let him shag again.

"I don't want to take it away from him." That's the verdict from Girardi--but with one small, tiny exception. "Just not in Kansas City."

Courtesy of Bryan Hoch from MLB.com, here are some pictures from today's Spring Training's events:

[gallery type="slideshow" ids="14807,14808,14809,14810,14811,14812"]

Yankees teammates double up jersey numbers

With Spring Training entering it's second day, the roster for everyone who was invited to Spring Training was released. Here are the jersey numbers for all players. Keep in mind, some of them doubled up numbers since there were more people at camp this year than previous years.

No. 2 — SS Derek Jeter
No. 11 — OF Brett Gardner
No. 13 — 3B Alex Rodriguez
No. 14 — OF Curtis Granderson
No. 17 – UT Jayson Nix
No. 18 — RHP Hiroki Kuroda
No. 19 — C Chris Stewart
No. 22 — OF Matt Diaz
No. 24 — 2B Robinson Cano
No. 25 — 1B Mark Teixeira
No. 26 — SS Eduardo Nunez
No. 27 — 1B Dan Johnson (listed as INF/OF)
No. 28 — Mgr. Joe Girardi
No. 29 — C Francisco Cervelli
No. 30 — RHP Dave Robertson
No. 31 — OF Ichiro Suzuki
No. 33 — DH Travis Hafner (listed as strictly a DH)
No. 34 — RHP David Aardsma
No. 35 — RHP David Phelps
No. 36 — 3B Kevin Youkilis
No. 38 — RHP Cody Eppley
No. 39 — LHP Clay Rapada
No. 40 — RHP Matt Daley
No. 41 — RHP Jim Miller
No. 42 — RHP Mariano Rivera
No. 43 — RHP Michael Pineda
No. 45 — C Bobby Wilson
No. 47 — RHP Ivan Nova
No. 48 — LHP Boone Logan
No. 50 — 1BC Mick Kelleher
No. 52 — LHP CC Sabathia
No. 53 — LHP Josh Spence
No. 54 — HC Kevin Long
No. 54 — OF Juan Rivera 
No. 55 — RHP David Herndon
No. 56 — BNC Tony Pena
No. 57 — BPC Mike Harkey
No. 58 — PC Larry Rothschild
No. 59 — 3BC Rob Thomson
No. 60 — OF Thomas Neal
No. 61 — RHP Adam Warren
No. 62 — RHP Joba Chamberlain
No. 63 — OF Melky Mesa
No. 65 — RHP Phil Hughes
No. 66 — C Austin Romine
No. 67 — LHP Manny Banuelos
No. 68 — RHP Dellin Betances
No. 70 — RHP Brett Marshall
No. 71 — LHP Cesar Cabral
No. 72 — RHP Jose Ramirez
No. 73 — 3B David Adams
No. 74 — LHP Francisco Rondon
No. 75 — LHP Nik Turley
No. 76 — C J.R. Murphy
No. 77 — 2B Corban Joseph
No. 78 — OF Zoilo Almonte
No. 79 — OF Ramon Flores
No. 80 — C Gary Sanchez
No. 81 — RHP Chase Whitley
No. 82 — RHP Ryan Pope
No. 83 — C Kyle Higashioka
No. 84 — RHP Matt Tracy
No. 85 — INF Gil Velazquez
No. 86 — OF Abe Almonte
No. 87 — C Francisco Arcia and RHP Corey Black
No. 88 — OF Tyler Austin and LHP Juan Cedeno
No. 89 — 1B Greg Bird and RHP Preston Claiborne
No. 90 — SS Cito Culver and RHP Nick Goody
No. 91 — OF Adonis Garcia and RHP Shane Greene
No. 92 — OF Slade Heathcott and RHP Tom Kahnle
No. 93 — SS Walter Ibarra and RHP Bryan Mitchell
No. 94 — 1B Luke Murton and RHP Mark Montgomery
No. 95 — OF/3B Ronnier Mustelier and RHP Zach Nuding (Mustelier is listed as an OF)
No. 96 — SS Addison Maruszak and LHP Vidal Nuno
No. 97 — 2B/OF Jose Pirela and RHP Mike O’Brien (Pirela is listed as an INF)
No. 98 — 1B Kyle Roller and RHP Kelvin Perez
No. 99 — OF/3B Rob Segedin and RHP Branden Pinder (Segedin is listed as an INF)

Morning Bits: Swisher, Can this team win a title?, Cutting of payroll

Good morning all.   Day 2 of spring training is here.  Stay here with us for the latest.  Now let's get right to the links....

-- Andrew Machand of ESPN NY writes that Swish is not missed.

-- Bryan Hoch of MLB.com writes that the Yankees feel they have pieces in place to win a title.

-- Paul White of The USA Today writes that the Bombers are trying to stay a cut above, despite lowering payroll.

Meet A Prospect : Clay Rapada

Clayton Anthony Rapada was born on March 9th, 1981 in Portsmouth, VA where he went to High School at Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake, VA. With his 6'5" 200 lb frame he took him and his left handed throwing arm to Virginia State University for his college days. The Chicago Cubs can be credited with finding Rapada as they signed him as an amateur free agent in 2002. After a strong and somewhat unlikely season in 2012 for the Yankees allow me to reintroduce to you Mr. Clay Rapada.

Clay would spend parts of six seasons in the minor leagues with the Cubs before making it to the majors. It was not until the 2004 season that the Cubs suggested he try his now custom side arm delivery that has worked so well for him. In June of 2007 Rapada would make it all the way to the Majors with the Cubs facing former Yankee and teammate Raul Ibanez, inducing a line out to Cliff Floyd. He would be sent down after that one batter and would not make another appearance for the Cubs in the majors.

In August of 2007 the Cubs traded Clay to the Detroit Tigers for Craig Monroe as a player to be named later. On September 9th of 2007 Clay would be called up and once again would only face one batter and once again that batter was Raul Ibanez. This time Raul would get the best of him by hitting a three run home run and ending Clay's season in the majors with the Tigers. He would spend time in and out of the minors with the Tigers until he was traded before the 2010 to the Texas Rangers for cash considerations. Rapada would be called up to the majors as a September call up that season and was even listed as an alternate during the Postseason and the World Series, the first one in the teams history, that the Rangers would eventually lose to the San Francisco Giants.  The Rangers released Rapada before the 2011 season and he stuck on with the Baltimore Orioles and essentially won a job off of a Spring Training invite. He would be designated for assignment twice by the Orioles before leaving Baltimore.

The New York Yankees signed him in February of 2012 with another invite to Spring Training and this time Rapada would win the job and be on the Opening Day roster as the Yankees second left handed reliever and LOOGY. Rapada looks to be written in ink for the 2013 Yankees bullpen once again as a second left handed reliever and LOOGY.