Yankees Sign Yonauris Rodriguez

Well, yesterday we reported that it would happen, and sure enough it has.

The Yankees have signed Yonauris Rodriguez for $575,000. That leaves the team just over $1.3 million in order to try and sign fellow Dominican, outfielder Leonardo Molina. Unless, of course, the team is able to trade for more pool money.

New York Yankees @ Minnesota Twins 7/2

The New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins play the second game of a three game set at Target Field in Minnesota tonight. Phil Hughes will take the mound for the Yankees and he will face off with Samuel Deduno. Which Phil Hughes will show up tonight? I don't think even Phil Hughes knows so you will just have to tune in to find out. The game will be televised at 8:10 pm ET on YES and MLB TV.

Giants & Braves Interested In Joba

George King of the NY Post is reporting that the Braves and Giants have shown interest in Joba Chamberlain. The Braves sent scouts to watch Joba pitch against the Orioles last weekend, and the Giants had people on hand to see him last night against the Twins. Thankfully, Joba had a clean inning that included a strikeout against the Os, while he did give up a walk but no hits or runs last night against the Twins. Before those two appearances, Chamberlain hadn't appeared without giving up at least 1 hit since June 3rd against Cleveland.

Joba is having his worst season, as his ERA is at a career-high 5.75, and he's walking nearly two more batters per 9 innings than he did in the previous three years. But our chubby little middle reliever does miss bats, as evidenced by his 9.7 K/9, and he's throwing harder than he has since 2008.

I can't imagine Chamberlain would get the Yankees much of anything in return, but saving nearly $900,000 while getting even a C-level prospect may be better than keeping him around.

UPDATE: It turns out that the Giants scouts were in Minnesota to check out the Twins bullpen... not Joba.

Lineup 83 Lineup: Yankees @ Twins

So Yankees! Can we make it two in a row?! Here's your starting lineup!

Brett Gardner CF
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Robinson Cano 2B
Travis Hafner DH
Zoilo Almonte LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Chris Stewart C
David Adams 3B
Alberto Gonzalez SS

Phil Hughes RHP

 

Tweeters Say The Damndest Things

@GreedyStripes I would say we should trade the likes of Arod and Jeter before they retire and get some good young pieces and rebuild
— Alex (@robson1alex) July 1, 2013

Say What?

Exclusive Interview W/ 11th Round Pick Kendall Coleman

The Yankees used their 11th round pick in the 2013 MLB First Year Players Draft on Kendall Coleman out of Rockwall High School. We were blessed enough to have an exclusive interview with Kendall as he enters the Yankees organization and would like to share it with you now. Enjoy!

The Greedy Pinstripes: Describe your draft experience for us? Stressful? Who did you speak with in the Yankees organization? etc

Kendall Coleman: The draft was good, I knew what to expect coming in. I knew the Yankees would treat me fair when it came down to it. And Mike Leuzinger was my Area Scout.

TGP: In honor of Ian Clarkin we have to ask who your favorite team was growing up?

KC: I was a huge Ranger fan growing up.

TGP: Did you play any other positions coming up? 

KC: I played first base a good amount in the summer.

TGP: Why has been your biggest inspiration in baseball??

KC: My biggest inspiration has been my family, I want to make everyone proud and represent The Lord and my family well, my dad especially.

TGP: What is your best asset you think you bring to the table?

KC: My work ethic is definitely my best asset. No matter what happens, ups or downs, no one will ever out work me.

TGP: What do you think you will specifically work on this year? 

KC: My approach to the plate will be a big thing to work on this summer, going from Texas High School baseball to professional baseball is a huge difference.

TGP: Where will you be starting your Yankees career? 

KC: I'm on the GCL East Yankees

TGP: As a player how do you feel about the new draft rules and the slot recommendations for salary?

KC: The new draft rules and slots aren't a real big deal to me. At the end of the day, I'm here to play baseball for the love of the game, not a couple extra dollars.

TGP: What made you want to pass up your commitment to Iowa and sign with the Yankees?

KC: Honestly, I just wanted to get my pro career started as fast as I could. Don't get me wrong, I loved Iowa but when you get the opportunity to start your professional career, with the New York Yankees, you can't pass it up.

TGP: What current major league player would you compare yourself and style of play to?

KC: I hear a lot of Domonic Brown comparisons.

TGP: How does that short porch in right field of Yankees Stadium look to a left handed batter like yourself?

KC: The short porch? Lefty's dream!

TGP: Do you think you will stick in center field or do you think you will grow physically into a corner outfielder?

KC: I do believe one day I will develop into a bigger body, I would like to stay in center if possible, but I would play anywhere the team needs me to help win ball games.

TGP: Most famous person in your cell phone?

KC: Benji Gil's number are the most famous digits in my iPhone.

TGP: Any embarrassing songs in your iPod?

KC: Hollaback Girl by Gwen Steffani on my iPod!

We want to thank Kendall for taking the time to do this interview for us and we wish him nothing but the best of luck in his future endeavors. Follow Kendall on Twitter @_KendallColeman

Andy Pettitte Becomes Yankees All Time K Leader

Congratulations to Andy Pettitte who has become the Yankees all time strike out leader passing Whitey Ford. Congratulations to him and his family.

Morning Bits

Good morning everyone!

The Yankees ended their losing streak last night with a 10-4 victory over the Twins.

Andy Pettitte had an awful first inning which should have been far worse because of a clearly blown call at first base on a ground ball hit by Justin Morneau. Morneau was incorrectly called out and that call helped Pettitte escape from the first earning having only allowed three runs.

Pettitte still has won only two games since April 19th.  Joba Chamberlain got the win in relief for the Yankees.

Robinson Cano and Zoilo Almonte lead the way for the Yankees offensively. Cano crushed two home runs en route to going 3-4 with three RBI's.  Almonte continued his hot start in the big leagues going 3-5 with two RBI's.

Every Yankee except David Adams had a hit or an RBI in a true team performance. Adams went 0-5 and stranded four RISP with two outs in another dismal performance that saw his average drop to .178.

The Yankees and Twins will play the second game of this four-game series tonight at 8:10 PM ET.   Phil Hughes(3-7, 4.82 ERA) will face Samuel Deduno(4-2, 3.32 ERA).  The game will be televised by YES.

Now on to today's news links:

Joel Sherman of the New York Post says that too many young players have failed to work out with the Yankees.

Wally Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com  thinks the Yankees might overpay for Cano because the thought of the team without him is scary.

David Waldstein of the New York Times has this article about Alex Rodriguez being cleared to start his minor league rehab assignment tonight.

Have a great day everyone!

 

Spotlight On Dominican OF Prospect Leonardo Molina

I've seen enough, sign this kid. The international spending spree has officially begun and the Yankees are the heavy favorites to sign Leonardo Molina. Here is a showcase from the best Dominican prospect in the entire international pool.

This Day In New York Yankees History 7/2

On this day in 1941 Joe DiMaggio would belt a three run home run and pass Wee Willie Keeler for the longest consecutive hit streak in Major League history.

On this day in 1978 Ron Guidry beat the Detroit Tigers to start the season 13-0, the best start in franchise history. The Yankees would beat the Tigers 3-2 on this day.

On this day in 2007 Roger Clemens would win his 350th career game becoming only the eight player in Major League history to do so. Joe Torre was the manager of Clemens that season which is significant because he caught Warren Spahn's 350th career win making him the only player to achieve the feat.