Swisher Missed Badly

What kind of player do the Yankees need the most right now? A switch hitting, patient and versatile outfielder who can backup first base would be a really good answer to that question. Didn't the Yankees used to have somebody like that for the last four seasons?

It was quite fitting that as Nick Swisher returned to the Bronx last night for the first as a Cleveland Indian the Yankees were experimenting with Lyle Overbay in right field.  Swisher signed a four-year contract worth $56 million with Cleveland this past winter, and he was one of the first casualties of the Yankees $189 million budget plan. The Yankees valued saving money over production in not bringing back Swisher and have paid for that decision in a big way this season.

The Yankees move to put Overbay in right field last night was a desperate attempt to get an average bat in the lineup. While Overbay performed as well as the Yankees could have hoped for with Mark Teixeira on the DL, he is not exactly lighting the world on fire this season with a slash line of .249/.294/.459/.752.

A lot of that has to do with his performance against lefties, but still Overbay is not the kind of bat the Yankees would have to go to this kind of lengths to get into the lineup in recent years. However, with the loss of Swisher, Ichiro Suzuki looking finished, and Vernon Wells regressing, it is hard to blame the Yankees for giving it a shot. Of course, if Swisher were still around it would not be an issue.

If the Yankees had adequately replaced Swisher his loss might not have been felt as hard as it has been this season. Giving a two-year contract to Suzuki was a disaster and it was mostly likely done for marketing reasons, as upper management thought Suzuki had a shot to get to 3,000 hits in a Yankees uniform. They willing took a lesser player in right field because of monetary reasons and are paying for it, which is something that would have been hard to imagine a few years ago with the Yankees. The same can be said for catcher as well, as Russell Martin is enjoying a very nice season in Pittsburgh.

Swisher was a model of consistency for the Yankees in his four years in the Bronx. He had an OPS+ ranging from 120 to 129 in all four years and wouldn't you know he is at 127 this year, which would rank second on the Yankees this season. Before Mark Teixeira returned last week the Yankees had not had an at-bat by a switch hitter all season. They often have had to run a bunch of lefties stacked in the lineup on most nights because they have  had no righties to balance their lineup out. Also, even with Teixeira and Youkilis back, their lineup only runs about six deep with black holes in right field, shortstop and catcher. The Yankees have always been known for having a balanced and circular lineup, which certainly has not been the case this season, and a lot of that is because of Swisher’s absence.

Swisher is a great example of fans not being able to appreciate a player until he is gone. The same way fans used to complain about how the Yankees scored runs, even though they had one of the best offenses in MLB. Obviously, Swisher’s postseason struggles were well documented, but how much will that matter if the Yankees do not even make it there this season? He loved being a Yankee and had a very positive influence on the clubhouse, which was evident in the joy he showed in his return last night.

“It’s super exciting to be back here a couple of days,” Swisher told Howie Kussoy of the New York Post. “Just that atmosphere, that was a great thing to be a part of. Just being part of the whole tradition, obviously winning the World Series in ’09 was pretty cool. I think the mystique of being a Yankee was so great and something I was so proud to be a part of.”

The Yankees only rank 11^th in the AL in runs, 10^th in OPS, 11^th in wOBA, and 13^th in wRC+ as a team. Obviously, a lot of that has to do with injuries, but also willing playing lesser players for financial reasons at catcher and right field is a huge reason as well. Yankees right fielders this year have a -.5 WAR, .116 ISO, .262 wOBA and 70 wRC+, which is simply pathetic. As, the Yankees try to experiment a career first baseman in right field they can look across the field the next two nights and wonder what if.

MLB Announced All Star Game Voting Thus Far

Major Leauge Baseball has announced their first set of updates in the All Star Game voting and Robinson Cano leads all second basemen in baseball. Cano has the second most votes behind only the Tigers Miguel Cabrera. Derek Jeter is also fifth among all short stops in baseball although he is obviously not going to be playing in the game. Kevin Youkilis is fifth among third basemen in the league although I cannot see him making the team either. Ichiro is ranked 15th in the outfield and is the highest rank Yankees outfielder.

Morning Bits

Good morning everyone! The Yankees finally shook themselves out of their offensive doldrums last night and defeated the Indians 7-4.  Mark Teixeira hit a grand slam off of Justin Masterson and Travis Hafner also homered to the lead the way for the Yankees.

Now on to today's news:

Wally Matthews of ESPNNY has this article on the Yankees being disappointed with Alex Rodriguez.

Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News talks about the Yankees keeping Overbay on the roster.

The Yankees host the Indians in the second game of their three games in the Bronx tonight.  Game time is 7:05 and it will be shown on YES.  Scott Kazmir(3-2 5.13) takes the mound for the Indians while David Phelps(3-3 4.65) tries to bounce back from a disastrous outing last time for the Yankees.

Have a great day everyone!

This Day In Yankees History 6/4

Not really Yankees news as much as it is a former Yankees update but on this day in 2009 Randy Johnson won his 300th game of his career. Randy Johnson beat the Washington Nationals as a member of the San Francisco Giants becoming only the second player to win his 300th victory in his first try. The other member of the 300 win club to do so was Tom Seaver when he beat the Yankees.

Jonathan Gray Tests Positive For Banned Substance

With the MLB First Year Players Draft this Thursday June 6th a former Yankees draft pick may be in a bit of trouble after a failed test for a banned substance. The Yankees drafted Jonathan Gray in the 10th round of the 2011 draft only for Gray to go to Oklahoma and pitch two years of college ball. Gray looks to be the first overall pick of the Houston Astros on Thursday but news dropped today that Gray failed a test for a banned substance. Gray has been caught taking the drug Adderall, usually prescribed to those with ADD and ADHD, without a prescription. This banned substance does not look like it will bring a suspension with it but it could hurt Gray's negotiations when it comes to money with the Astros. FYI this is the same drug that Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz failed his test for and received a 25 game suspension for. Gray still looks to be the number one overall pick but this has to hurt his character and bring up issues on his decision making which both should hit him in the wallet on Thursday.

Game Thread CLE @ NYY 6/3

The Yankees will look to get back into the win column tonight against the Indians ace Justin Masterson who shut down the Yankees last time out with a complete game. The Yankees welcome back Andy Pettitte off the disabled list tonight to try and get the Yankees back to their winning ways. Watch the game on YES network or on ESPN's Monday Night Baseball. 

Here is the Yankees lineup 

1. Brett Gardner CF

2. Robinson Cano 2B

3. Mark Teixeira 1B

4. Travis Hafner DH

5. Lyle Overbay RF

6. Ichiro Suzuki LF

7. David Adams 3B

8. Reid Brignac SS

9. Austin Romine C

Follow us on Twitter @GreedyStripes to chat with us during the game and chat with us all season long.

Extension In The Works For Joe Girardi?

Ian O'Connor of ESPN New York has reported that the Yankees, Brian Cashman, and Hal Steinbrenner have confirmed an interest in bringing back manager Joe Girardi after the 2013 season. Girardi is a free agent after this season and the Yankees plan to bring their manager of the past six seasons back to New York if he is willing. Joe Girardi has been the Yankees manager for six seasons, including this season, now winning the AL East three times, making the playoffs four times, and winning a World Series. I fully expect Joe Girardi to sign yet another three year deal after this season ends, no matter how the season ends.

Wang Named International League Pitcher Of The Week

Chien Ming Wang has been named the International League Pitcher of the Week after going 2-0 without allowing a run in 14 innings. Wang has a batting average against of a minuscule .167 average last week as well to win the honor.

Cleveland Indians @ New York Yankees 6/3

The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians will start a three game series tonight in Yankees Stadium as the Yankees welcome back Andy Pettitte to the big league club. The Indians will send out their ace in Justin Masterson to welcome Andy back to the Bronx. The game will be televised at 7:05 pm ET on ESPN unfortunately.

Brennan Boesch Sent Down To AAA

Joe Girardi has confirmed that it is indeed Brennan Boesch that has been sent down to make room for Andy Pettitte. Andy is officially activated off the DL and Brennan has been transferred to Scranton with the Railriders. Lyle Overbay is our new 4th outfielder.