Teixeira & Gardner Out w/ Injuries

The New York Yankees are facing a tough pitcher in James Shields tonight in Kauffman Stadium as the Yankees and Royals make up a previously rained out game from June. New York will not have Mark Teixeira and Brett Gardner in the lineup tonight as both are battling "nagging" injuries.

Teixeira has terrible numbers against James Shields in his career, who doesn't, and has been battling a nagging hamstring injury over the past couple of days. No word on whether he would be available in Detroit this coming week but if history is any indicator I would say Teix would at least miss the Tuesday night game just to be sure.

Gardner has been battling a sore ankle and will get at least one more day to rest it. This one I agree with as Gardner's biggest asset is his legs. He can't hit without his legs, he can't run without his legs, and he can't field without his legs. Not that I think Teixeira should play through a hamstring injury, I'm just saying.

Last Time the Kansas City Royals Made the Playoffs

But Kansas City looks to break this streak in 2014. Let's make that a little more difficult tonight. Go Yanks!

Robertson Frustrated But Alright After Blowing Save

When the usually-reliable David Robertson blew the Yankees' lead in yesterday's top of the ninth, it was clear to everyone who saw it happen that the event wasn't one he enjoyed. 

For the first time since June 1 against the Twins, as you probably already know, Robertson had failed to convert a save opportunity, a fact that fortunetaly didn't end up mattering thanks to Brian McCann's walk-off homer in the following frame.

Nonetheless, whenever a man on a contending team fails to do his job like that you have to imagine he'll be a little dissapointed, something #30 freely admitted to The New York Daily News after the victory.

“It’s frustrating because I really wanted to help us out at the end of the game,” he said. “Other guys had to go in. But it all worked out. It’s easier to shake that one off when you win a ball game.”

In the aforementioned June 1 disaster, interestingly, Robertson also surrendered a solo shot on the first pitch he threw, a mistake that eventually led to five more Minnesota runs.

Thankfully, though, those kind of struggles didn't transpire again Sunday, an overall unimpressive feat that's still definitely worth our acknowledgement.

8/25 Yankees Game Preview vs. Kansas City Royals

The New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals will makeup their rained out game from 6/9 in a quick one game set at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. The Yankees will send Michael Pineda to the mound looking to get back another game from a team they are potentially chasing and the Royals will counter with James Shields. The game will be played at 7:10 pm ET and can be seen on the MY9, ESPN, MLB TV, and can be heard on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman on WFAN.

Pineda is coming off a start in which he pitched six more solid innings and gave up two runs and four hits while getting a no decision against the Houston Astros. Pineda will be making his third start for the Yankees since coming off the disabled list tonight in Kansas City.

Shields is coming off a tough start in Colorado in which he allowed nine hits in seven innings only allowing two runs. Shields received some help from his defense against the Rockies and had more than a few well timed double plays that kept the Royals and Shields in the game.

The Yankees are on the road for the rest of the month before returning home to Yankee Stadium to host the rival Boston Red Sox in September. Get your tickets now as Derek Jeter's season and career are winding down to the wire. For this season only we offer no fees and no shipping on our tickets. Get yours now.

Go Yankees!!

Will a Six Man Rotation Effect The Yankees Free Agency?

I myself wrote just last week about the possibility of a six man rotation for the rest of the season in the Bronx and Joel Sherman reiterated my thoughts later in the day. What Sherman did that I didn't was he looked at the Yankees wanting to attempt the six man rotation in 2015 as well, something that pitching coach Larry Rothschild is behind and agrees with. Then this weekend my friend Bryan Van Dusen took the same approach as Sherman but looked deeper into the numbers and came to the conclusion that it made even more sense for the Yankees, and not necessarily other teams, to go ahead with the idea next season. My initial response was "great" but my initial question is how will this affect our approach heading into free agency?

It is no question that the Yankees will at least be interested in the likes on Jon Lester, Max Scherzer, and James Shields to replace Hiroki Kuroda and to improve the team but will a six man rotation keep them out of the discussion for these key free agents? The problem is your guess is as good as mine, this is truly uncharted territory for us all. Will getting five days rest and messing with a pitchers schedule keep free agent starting pitchers from wanting to come to New York?

While some pitchers have actually benefited from the extra rest others will tell you that they feel a little bit of rust while pitching with five days of rest. Another question is if it would even matter this season? Would the Yankees be willing to take on a third contract worth $20 million a season or more joining Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia?

New York will presumably have CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Shane Greene, Masahiro Tanaka, and Michael Pineda already in the fold for next season before you consider the possibilities of David Phelps being in the rotation or Brandon McCarthy returning to the club. I honestly don't think a six man rotation effects the Yankees free agency plan because I don't believe the team has room for one or two of the big three. Not that the Yankees couldn't or shouldn't make room for a Jon Lester or equivalent in the rotation but I don't believe they will have to unfortunately.

Who Needs Rusney Castillo When You Can Have Yasmani Tomas?

The New York Yankees may have missed out on Rusney Castillo but that may be okay as Yasmani Tomas will presumably be a free agent after the 2014 season. Tomas is closer, projection wise, to the Yoenis Cespedes', Yasiel Puig's, and Jose Dariel Abreu's of the world than Castillo could ever dream about being. Could Tomas, and not Castillo, be the replacement for Ichiro Suzuki next season?

Tomas has already defected from his native Cuba and is trying to establish residency so he can become a free agent this winter. Tomas is 23 years old, to Castillo's 27 years old, and has played in parts of five seasons in the Cuban Serie Nacional making him exempt from the spending cap on International players, not that this will matter to the Yankees much after already breaking the bank in that department.

Tomas has spent time at both corner outfield spots, center field, first base, and third base in his career and put on a show in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Tomas was 6-16 with a .412 batting average with two home runs, a double, a walk, and four strikeouts in the tournament.

Tomas rates as a 70 in the power department on a scale of 20-80 and can hit some towering home runs with his 6'1" and 230 lb frame. Tomas is right handed and has a very short and compact swing that helps him in the power department. Tomas is probably a corner outfielder in the Major Leagues thanks to his below average speed in the outfield and on the base paths. Tomas' arm rates as a 55 on that same 20-80 scale and the slugger projects to 30 home run power in the major leagues with below average defense.

Cespedes received four years and $36 million, Alex Guerrero received four years and $28 million, Erisbel Arruebarruena received five years and $25 million, Rusney Castillo received seven years and $72 million, Jose Abreu received a six year deal worth $68 million, and Yasiel Puig received a seven year deal worth $42 million, and Jorge Soler received a nine year deal worth $90 million. What will Yasmani Tomas receive? Looking at those numbers you're guess is as good as mine.

ICYMI: Joe Torre Day on Saturday

In case the site continues to dislike iframes for whatever reason HERE is the direct link to the video. Here's Mr. Torre's induction speech in case you missed it. Enjoy the day Yankees family.

ICYMI: McCarthy Open To Returning To Bronx In 2015

In case you missed it Brandon McCarthy pitched a complete game shutout gem against the Houston Astros on Thursday and was asked about his 2015 plans after the game. McCarthy is in his age 31 season and has posted a 1.90 ERA while wearing pinstripes after struggling mightily in Arizona with the Diamondbacks. McCarthy is also in the second season of a two year deal he signed with Arizona worth $18 million.

Here is the exact quote from McCarthy:

“Yeah. There wouldn’t be a question in my mind about that,” he said when asked about returning to New York. “I feel like it’s a great fit for me here. The guys here have been fantastic, everybody associated with the club. And it’s living in New York — there’s so many great aspects.”

I don't think anyone can expect McCarthy to be the absolute ace he has been in his 52 innings with the Yankees but his veteran presence and sinking fastball and cutter he may be a great signing for the Yankees in 2015. If McCarthy could be had on another two year deal worth $25 million-ish I wouldn't be terribly upset with that to essentially take Hiroki Kuroda's spot in the rotation next season.

This Day In New York Yankees History 8/25: Three Grand Slams In One Game

Never in the history of Major League Baseball had one team hit three grand slams in one game before the New York Yankees accomplished the feat in 2011. The Yankees would beat the Oakland Athletics 22-9 with Robinson Cano, Russell Martin, and Curtis Granderson all going deep with the bases loaded in Yankee Stadium.

Also on this day in 1996 Mickey Mantle joined Miller Huggins, Babe Ruth, and Lou Gehrig as Yankees greats that have a monument in Monument Park. Mantle died of liver cancer last year and is the first new monument to be dedicated by the team in 47 years.

Also on this day in 1968 Yankees outfielder Rocky Colavito pitched 2.1 innings of relief giving up just one hit in a victory for the Yankees 6-5 over the Tigers. The Yankees outfielder, who also hit a home run in the game, will be the last position player to get a win by pitching until Colorado Rockies Brent Mayne would win a game in the year 2000.

Finally on this day in 1956 the Yankees general manager George Weiss and manager Casey Stengel hold a closed door meeting with shortstop Phil Rizzuto. The meeting discussed who should be let go since the team had acquired Enos Slaughter off waivers from the Atheltics. Rizzuto made several suggestions on who he thought who should be released from the Yankees before Weiss informed Scooter that he would be the player to be let go. Shady.

McCann Hits Walk-Off Homer in Tenth as Yankees Complete Weekend Sweep of White Sox

Chris Capuano surrendered three earned runs in six innings and David Robertson blew a 4-3 lead in the ninth, but since the Ichiro Suzuki-led offense was able to rally from a 3-0 deficit against Chris Sale and Brian McCann took Jake Petricka deep for a PH three-run shot in the tenth the Yankees found a way to complete a sweep of the White Sox today, 7-4, in the finale at The Stadium.

Going into this one's bottom of the sixth, as expected, the Yanks were struggling at the plate against Sale, collecting just two hits while never getting to third.

Nonetheless, after Martin Prado reached second on a missed catch error by Dayan Viciedo and Mark Teixeira drove him in with double New York's bats found their swing, rallying for three more to take the advantage when Sale walked a pair, Zelous Wheeler got hit in the leg with the bases loaded, and Ichiro lined a two-run single to right.

Interestingly, each of those four trips around the bases was actually scored as unearned on Sale's final line, a fact that really shows the Yankees' ability to take advantage this afternoon.

Unfortunately, though, that at-bat still wouldn't end up being enough for the Yanks to get the W, as the usually-reliable Robertson surrendered a game-tying solo homer to Avisail Garcia in the top of the ninth.

No, that mistake didn't end things by any means, but yes, it certainly sucked the life out of the crowd, who went quiet the second it hit the seats.

Be that as it may, the Yanks eventually prevailed later on, with McCann winning the contest with two on and two out in the aforementioned tenth.