Romine Improving

When Austin Romine first came up to the Yankees after Francisco Cervelli's injury it was thought that he would split time with Chris Stewart and be given an opportunity to supplant him.

However, Romine did absolutely nothing to warrant playing time, and Stewart ended up taking the full time job. At the end of June, Romine's slash line was .145/.159/.194/.352. Now the tide has turned, and Romine should be getting more playing time than Stewart. Stewart just seems to have completely worn down, as he hit .148 with a .416 OPS in July.

Meanwhile, over his last 28 plate appearances, Romine's is hitting .416 with 4 doubles and a home run. His approach has looked great and Romine is hitting a lot of balls back up the middle where they came from. Very few of his hits have been cheap, so he is making some hard contact. He has looked very good behind the plate as well, as he has thrown out 30% of runners trying to steal this season.

Obviously, this is a small sample size, but with the fact that the Yankees chances of making the playoffs are slim to none, and Stewart is terrible, the Yankees should see what Romine can do as the starting catcher over the last two months.

 

All that's really left for this season is to evaluate for next season, and the starting catchers spot is wide open. It would be ideal if the Yankees signed Brian McCann in the offseason, but if that does not happen Romine could be considered a cheap option if he does well through the end of the season. The Yankees need to see what they have in him.

Romine's career minor league slash line of .280/.334/.414/.748 indicate that he probably does not have a good enough bat to be considered a good starting catcher. However, at this point the Yankees really have nothing to lose and stranger things have happened.

With Joe Girardi giving Romine a second consecutive start tonight he might agree that it is time to give Romine a shot for the rest of the season. If that is the case, he will definitely be a player to watch to see if his success is just a flash in the pan or if it's sustainable.

It Is Time To Sell: Hiroki Kuroda

I want to start off by saying that, before this article and the ones that are likely to follow this start a war on Twitter, I understand this may be all a dream. I do fully understand the waiver trade deadline and understand there is a great possibility that Hiroki Kuroda and others would likely be claimed rather quickly and would not clear waivers. I get it, I do, but I also would have thought that Adrian Gonzalez would have been claimed last season with or without that monster contract. Maybe it is wishful thinking that guys like Kuroda would clear waivers but even if he didn't we could still trade him to the team that claimed him albeit losing some advantages and leverage at the negotiating table but at this point what choice do we have?

Hiroki Kuroda will be a free agent after this season and does not seem willing to sign with anybody after this season not named the Yankees, the Dodgers, or his former team in Japan so he would be a true rental player. Kuroda would be eligible to play on the post season roster of any team he is acquired by as long as he is acquired by September 1st so I decided to look at playoff teams, whether contending or pretending, as the only possible suitors for Kuroda.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are selling off pitchers, see Ian Kennedy, the St. Louis Cardinals are content standing pat and relying on their farm system, eff the Texas Rangers, and it would be extremely painful to see us trade Kuroda within our division. That leaves one contender and possible suitor for Kuroda in a perfect world and that is the Cleveland Indians. Kuroda could give them an ace to go with Justin Masterson and may be just what they need to get them over the hump we call the Detroit Tigers (or just Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera because they are a set of pretty big guys). I do not claim to be an expert on the Cleveland Indians system but they have had a nice run of developing players lately, perfect example being an Asrubal Cabrera or a Carlos Santana for instance, and should have a nice two or three players we could acquire.

Again I realize this is probably just a pipe dream but at this point so is the chances that the New York Yankees will make the playoffs this season so don't judge me. Get it done Cash, or something, hell get anything done. Anything would be an improvement at this point. 

Yankees Won't Accept Losing

Daniel Barbarisi reported that the Yankees held a closed-door meeting on Monday, in which they basically said they will not accept losing.

Although things don't look good for the Yankees, and fans such as myself are coming to terms with the strong possibility that the team misses the playoffs for only the second time over the past 19 years, I'm really happy that the Yanks are not about to lay down and take it.

While he wasn't the only one that spoke at the meeting, Derek Jeter once again showed everybody why he's the Captain, and why his mere presence around the team is worth so much (Joe Girardi and Robinson Cano
also spoke).

"This meeting yesterday, it was to make sure that we're all together, working toward that goal, and not getting off track and saying, '[losing] is going to be how it is,'" one veteran player said. "If we start thinking bad thoughts, we're not going to be successful. I think we kind of got a little bit of that, where we started feeling sorry for ourselves, and we can't do that, because then it doesn't work."

Even though there are few people who are happy to see Alex Rodriguez, his presence in the lineup is a good thing. Even if he's not the MVP-caliber player he was years ago, he'd actually have to try and be as bad as Yankee third basemen have been this year (they've hit .216/.272/.288 this season).

Curtis Granderson should also provide the team with a little extra something. His batting average since returning isn't great by any means (.231), but he's getting on base at a good clip (.412), and one of his three hits is a home run. So it shouldn't be a surprise at all if he betters Vernon Wells batting line so far in 2013 (.240/.285/.365).

Then we have the addition of Alfonso Soriano. Since he became a Yankee a little under two weeks ago, Al hasn't done a whole lot (.211/.231/.316 with one home run), but he is a threat to send one out of the park (he has 18 home runs this season). That power hitter was something this team sorely lacked before.

Even though I'm not expecting much from now until the end of the regular season, the team is set to do so damage. So I'm glad they aren't going to just lay down and accept losing.

Like how Michigan accepts losing to Ohio State.

BURN!

Hiroki Kuroda Appreciation Thread

Hiroki Kuroda has been the ace of the Yankees staff since joining the bombers before the 2012 season. I have to say I was leading the "skeptical because he is coming from Japan" and "also skeptical because he is coming from the NL West" bandwagons and Hiroki has done nothing but prove me wrong ever since. Hiroki has continued to get better with the switch of leagues and is seemingly getting better with age. Hiroki has not had the ace title or even position in the starting lineup but he has undeniably been the Yankees best starter not only in 2012 but this season as well. I am truly going to miss Hiroki Kuroda whenever it is he decided to hang it up or return to Japan because pitchers like him do not come along often, especially in a big market like New York. Thank you for putting us on your back Hiroki and trying to lead us to the promised land and the ultimate goal every season, a World Series Championship. Thank you Hiroki!

Francisco Cervelli Will Not Need Surgery On Elbow

Not that it matters much at this point anyway but Francisco Cervelli saw Dr. James Andrews about his nagging elbow injury that he had a stress reaction in and will not need surgery. His season is over anyway with his 50 game suspension due to Biogenesis but at least he doesn't need surgery, there is always that.

RiverDogs Blinded by the Light

RiverDogs Blinded by the Light

Savannah squeaks by with a 1-0 win

SAVANNAH, GA – A pop fly lost in the lights led to a double and the only run of the game as the Savannah Sand Gnats eked out a 1-0 win on Tuesday night over the Charleston RiverDogs at Historic Grayson Stadium in South Atlantic League play.

With their seventh straight loss, the RiverDogs fall to 22-23 in the second half and 61-52 overall. Savannah improves to 23-18 in the second half and 65-45 overall with the win. Charleston has yet to score a run in this series.

Pitching dominated the game and it was scoreless all the way until the bottom of the sixth inning. After facing just one over the minimum in five scoreless frames, righty Brett Gerritse got the leadoff man in the sixth Albert Cordero to hit a lazy fly ball to center. Charleston centerfielder Jake Cave lost the ball in the lights and it landed for a double, just Savannah’s third hit of the night.

A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to third base, and then with the infield drawn in, Jorge Rivero was able to push the ball past a diving attempt by third baseman Ty Afenir and score Cordero to make it 1-0 Sand Gnats. That was the only run they would need.

The RiverDogs had a golden opportunity to score first in the second inning, but they could not cash it in. After a single and an error put runners at first and third bases with only one out, Reymond Nunez grounded into an inning ending double play and stranded the man at third base. Charleston never got closer despite out hitting the Sand Gnats 6-4.

Gabriel Ynoa threw 6.2 shutout innings for Savannah and allowed only three hits plus collected five strikeouts en route to his league leading 13^th win of the year. He’s now 13-4 this season. Tim Peterson and Hunter Carnavale combined to toss 1.1 scoreless innings to bridge the gap to the ninth when Beck Wheeler shut down the Dogs and collected his 14^th save of the year.

Gerritse got tagged with the very tough luck loss to fall to 8-6. He gave up just one run on four hits, no walks, and six strikeouts. Derek Varnadore threw two perfect innings of relief for the RiverDogs.

Offensively, Ericson Leonora had another multi-hit game for Charleston going 2-4. Wes Wilson, Ty Afenir, Jake Cave, and Cito Culver each chipped in with singles as well.

The finale of this three game series in Savannah is Wednesday night at 7:05. It will be a battle of the Camarena’s with LHP Daniel Camarena (3-6, 4.56 ERA) on the mound for Charleston and RHP Marcos Camarena (5-1, 1.85 ERA) tossing the first pitch for Savannah. Fans can listen to the game live locally on ESPN Radio AM910 or online at www.riverdogs.com.

Box Score: http://atmilb.com/198Tlea

--RIVERDOGS--

Being posted with permission from the Charleston Riverdogs organization. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Erie’s Two-Out Rally In Ninth Stuns Thunder, 3-2

(Erie, PA) – Trailing by a run and down to a final strike in the ninth, Erie recorded back-to-back singles to plate the tying and then winning runs as the SeaWovles dropped the Trenton Thunder, 3-2, in heartbreaking fashion Tuesday night at Jerry Uht Park. 

Gary Sanchez had the final out in his glove on Jamie Johnson’s single to left when Ramon Flores made a perfect throw to the plate, but the catcher had the ball dislodged by Erie’s Marcus Lemon for an error that allowed the tying run to score.  The next batter Eugenio Suarez singled home Johnson, as that time Flores’ throw from left sailed over Sanchez’s head. 

The Thunder (59-56) dropped the opener of the three-game series but still maintained a three-game lead for the Eastern Division Wild Card spot over third-place Portland, which lost to Richmond 8-2 on Tuesday.

Trenton led 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth, and Danny Burawa (4-3) sandwiched a walk in between a strikeout and a groundout to leave Lemon at first base with two outs in the frame.  The next batter was Johnson, who fell behind 0-2, but then took two out of the strike zone including a wild pitch that advanced Lemon to second.

That set the stage for Johnson’s single to left on a 2-2 pitch, with Sanchez’s subsequent missed-catch error plating Lemon and allowing Johnson to move to second.  Suarez then singled on a 2-0 pitch to win the game and give Trenton its first loss all season after leading through six innings (47-1).

The Thunder scored two runs in the sixth against Erie starter Ramon Garcia.  After Flores led off with a single, Slade Heathcott tripled to center to tie the score at 1.  The next batter was Sanchez, who doubled to center on a 3-0 pitch to give Trenton the lead.

Nik Turley (5.0 innings pitched, one run), David Herndon (2.0 innings, no runs) and Diego Moreno (1.0 inning pitched, no runs) held the lead for the Thunder until Erie’s two-out rally in the ninth.

Game two of the series is slated for a 7:05 pm first pitch on Wednesday night. Thunder left-hander Jeremy Bleich (1-1, 2.72) will pitch against former Trenton right-hander Kelvin Perez (1-0, 3.32). Radio coverage on 91.3 FM (WTSR) and also streaming online begins at 6:50 pm.

--THUNDER--

Being posted with permission from the Trenton Thunder organization. The original article can be seen HERE. 

Spikes blast past Staten Island Yankees

Spikes blast past Yankees

By Courtney Nunes

Staten Island, NY – August 6th – After allowing four home runs to the State College Spikes, the Staten Island Yankees were defeated 7-3 at home on Tuesday night.

Yankees’ starter Conner Kendrick retired the first seven batters in order before giving up a home run to catcher Luke Voit in the third, giving State College a 1-0 advantage.

Staten Island took the lead in the fifth. Kale Sumner led off the frame with a walk before Jose Rosario and Isaias Tejeda both singled. Sumner was plated by Tejeda; and then Jacob Booden replaced Jimmy Reed on the mound. Derek Toadvine then reached on a fielding error by first baseman David Washington. Rosario and Tejeda both scored on the play.

In the top of the seventh, Luis Perez reached on a fielding error by shortstop Jose Rosario before Washington walked. Then, Carson Kelly hit a first-pitch fastball over the centerfield wall to make it 4-3.

Sam Agnew-Wieland came into the game in the eighth and surrendered a leadoff home run to Steven Ramos to extend the Spikes lead. Three batters later Washington hit a two-run shot to make it 7-3.

Dillon McNamara suffered his second blown save and third loss after tossing 2.0 innings and allowing three runs – two earned. He walked three and struckout one. Booden picked up his third win for State College. He hurled 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, giving up just one hit.

Toadvine and Rosario both had multi-hit games. Toadvine went 2-for-5 with two singles, while Rosario went 2-for-4 and scored a run.

The Yankees will take on the State College Spikes again tomorrow at 7:00PM. RHP Rookie Davis (2-2, 2.48 ERA) will toe the mound for the Yankees, while RHP Andrew Pierce (0-2, 3.28 ERA) is expected to get the ball for the Spikes. Tickets are on sale now by calling 718-720-9265, visiting the box office at Richmond County Bank Ballpark or www.siyanks.com.  

Being posted with permission from the Staten Island Yankees. The original post can be seen HERE. 

RiverDogs 2013 Ring of Honor Candidates Announced

RiverDogs 2013 Ring of Honor Candidates Announced

Four names on the ballot for fans to choose from for prestigious group

CHARLESTON, SC - Throughout the years, there have been literally hundreds upon hundreds of baseball players call Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park “home.” Charleston fans have had the opportunity to cheer on future Major League All-Stars, World Series Champions and even an American League MVP in Josh Hamilton.

Each and every season, Charleston fans get to vote on the player they think most represents that year’s team. In the past, names like Aubrey Huff, Josh Hamilton, Delmon Young, and BJ Upton have been inducted into this very select group of players.

This year, another worthy RiverDog star will be lucky enough to join the prestigious club.

The nominees for the 2013 RiverDogs Ring of Honor are (in alphabetical order):

·         1B Greg Bird

·         RHP Rafael De Paula

·         LHP Dietrich Enns

·         C Peter O’Brien

Each one of these young men has made an indelible mark not only on this season’s Charleston roster, but also on the history of the organization and the legacy of baseball in the Holy City.

De Paula, Enns, and O’Brien were named First Half All-Stars for the South Atlantic League’s Southern Division. All three were also rewarded with a promotion to High-A Tampa immediately following the completion of the first half.

Bird continued his solid first half with an otherworldly second half which saw him turn in some of the best single-game and weeklong performances in RiverDogs history.

“Our Ring of Honor is something that we as an organization and our fans look forward to every season,” said RiverDogs General Manager Dave Echols. “It is also something that the players who are elected should take a great amount of pride in. This year we are excited to induct another bright young star that played right here at Riley Park. All four are very worthy candidates.”

Each of the four players is certainly worthy of induction into the RiverDogs Ring of Honor. Which one of the four is elected is entirely up to you, the fans. Voting is currently being conducted on www.riverdogs.com. Voting ends September 2. 

--RIVERDOGS--

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/7

On this day in 1983 the Yankees honored Bobby Murcer on Bobby Murcer Day at Yankees Stadium. Murcer played 13 seasons for the Yankees before becoming a long time broadcaster for the team.

On this day in 2009 the Yankees and the Red Sox went into the bottom of the 15th inning at Yankees Stadium with the score tied 0-0. Alex Rodriguez hit a walk off two run home run in the bottom of the 15th to win the game for the Yankees 2-0.