Yankees Trade Brian McCann to Houston

The New York Yankees are not done trading away high-priced veterans for prospects this offseason as the team has sent their catcher Brian McCann to the Houston Astros for a pair of right-handed pitching prospects. Houston will send Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman to the Yankees in return for McCann along with $5.5 million in salary in both 2017 and 2018.

Abreu and Guzman were the Astros 5th and 8th best pitching prospects at the time of the trade. More to come as we get it.

Yankees Also Show Interest in Derek Holland

Earlier this morning we reported here on the blog that the New York Yankees had shown early interest in former Chicago Cubs 15-game winner Jason Hammel since he has reached the free agent market but Hammel is not the only arm that is at least intriguing the Yankees somewhat. New York along with the San Diego Padres have reportedly also been poking around in the Derek Holland free agent pool as well.

The Texas Rangers declined their option on Holland for the 2017 season after three consecutive seasons of battling injuries for the now veteran left-hander and now, presumably anyway, the Yankees smell a low risk and high reward type deal for the 30-year old southpaw.

This was confirmed by Holland who also went on to say that he has shown some interest in pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017 after having his $11 million option declined by Texas. Holland pitched to a 7-9 record and a 4.95 ERA in 22 appearances this season for the Rangers but he once again battled shoulder injuries throughout the year which limited him to just 16 appearances over the previous two seasons.

Is it due diligence or is there true interest here? That’s anybody’s guess and half the beauty of the hot stove season. I guess you’ll have to just stay tuned. 

IBWAA SELECTS KLUBER, SCHERZER IN CY YOUNG VOTE

IBWAA SELECTS KLUBER, SCHERZER IN CY YOUNG VOTE

Los Angeles – The Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) announced the winners in its Cy Young category Wednesday, with the Cleveland Indians’ Corey Kluber winning the group’s American League award, and Max Scherzer, of the Washington Nationals, being selected in the National League.

Scherzer received 81 first-place votes (45.76%) and 850 points while being named on 169 of 177 ballots (95.48%). Others receiving first-place votes include Jose Fernandez (30), Kyle Hendricks (20), Jon Lester (19), Clayton Kershaw (12) and Noah Syndergaard (10).

Kluber received 56 first-place votes (31.82%) and 727 points while being named on 163 of 176 ballots (92.09%). Others receiving first-place votes include Rick Porcello (55), Justin Verlander (22), Zach Britton (21) and Chris Sale (19).

Election results are as follows:

AL Cy Young:

1st Place: Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians – 727 points
2nd Place: Rick Porcello, Boston Red Sox – 719
3rd Place : Justin Verlander, Oakland A’s – 454
4th Place: Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox – 383
5th Place: Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles – 314

NL Cy Young:

1st Place: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals – 850 points
2nd Place: Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs – 454
3rd Place: Kyle Hendricks, Chicago Cubs – 442
4th Place: Jose Fernandez, Miami Marlins – 378
5th Place: Noah Syndergaard , New York Mets – 251

Ballot tabulations by Brian Wittig & Associates, using the Borda Method.

The IBWAA was established July 4, 2009 to organize and promote the growing online baseball media, and to serve as a digital alternative to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Voting for full season awards takes place in September of each year, with selections being announced in November. The IBWAA also holds a Hall of Fame election in December of each year, with results being announced the following January.

Among approximately 460 others, IBWAA members include Jim Bowden, Jim Caple, Schoenfield and Mark A. Simon of ESPN.com; Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports; Craig Calcaterra, NBC Sports Hardball Talk; Bill Chuck, GammonsDaily.com; Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Jon Heyman, Today’s Knuckleball; Danny Knobler, Bleacher Report; Kevin Kennedy; Kostya Kennedy, Sports Illustrated; Will Leitch, Sports on Earth; Bruce Markusen, Hardball Times; Ross Newhan; Dayn Perry and Matt Snyder, CBSSports.com; Tom Hoffarth and J.P. Hoornstra Los Angeles Daily News; Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times; Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com; Ken Rosenthal, FoxSports.com; Eno Sarris, FanGraphs, Jesse Spector, Sporting News; and Bill Arnold.

Association membership is open to any and all Internet baseball writers, with a lifetime fee of $75. Discounts for groups and scholarships are available. Members must be 18 years of age to apply.

Reminder: The IBWAA is distinct from the BBWAA, which will announce the official Cy Young Award winners on the MLB Network at 3:00 p.m. PT today.

For more information please visit www.ibwaa.com.

Predicting the AL & NL MVP Award Winner

We’re back ladies and gentleman and the biggest ticket on the menu for today is the American League and National League MVP awards being announced on MLB Network. The Baseball Writers Association of America picked these players before the end of the regular season so keep in mind that, and not that they need it whatsoever, the heroics of the postseason for players like Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo were not a factor in these votes. Before these votes and winners are announced I wanted to take a stab at predicting who I thought would win the award, not necessarily who I think should and shouldn’t win the award mind you.

American League Finalists
Jose Altuve, Astros
Mookie Betts, Red Sox
Mike Trout, Angels

In the American League this is, has been and looks like it will be the Mike Trout show for the foreseeable future. I believe Mookie Betts of the Boston Red Sox will give Trout a run for his money in another close vote but I think Trout takes it home for the last place Angels.

National League Finalists
Kris Bryant, Cubs
Daniel Murphy, Nationals
Corey Seager, Dodgers

In a not-so-close vote in the National League the Chicago Cubs will have another MVP and his name is Kris Bryant. Bryant is one of the best players on the planet right now and he will be seen with his World Series ring in one hand and MVP trophy in the other tonight on MLB Network. Stay tuned. 

Yankees Show Interest in Jason Hammel

The New York Yankees need pitching, this much we know, and with free agency now in full swing the team and their GM Brian Cashman have already begun kicking tires and beginning conversations with a few key arms that are available this winter. One such arm the Yankees have shown early interest in is former Chicago Cubs right-hander and 15-game winner in 2016, Jason Hammel. Hammel had a $12 million option declined by the Cubs this offseason after missing the entire postseason with an arm injury and now the right-hander will spend the winter looking for a job in a very thin class for free agent starting pitchers. Will the Yankees swoop in and grab him up?

To be honest I think they won’t and here’s why. Any good GM touches base with or at least contacts about every major free agent on the market. Some players you have serious interest in, others you don’t. Every GM should be doing their due diligence though and I truly believe that’s all this is with Hammel and the Yankees. That’s not meant to be a dig or a slap in the face to Hammel but the last thing the Yankees need is another injury-riddled pitcher and question mark in their rotation, especially after the debacle that was the 2016 season.

Hammel finished the 2016 season with a 15-10 record and a 3.83 ERA giving him his third straight season with double-digit victories and an ERA under 4.00 but the fact that the 34-year old missed the entire postseason with an injury is probably enough to keep a lot of teams away. There is a lot to like about Hammel and what he brings to the table but there are some teams who can afford to take the risk here and other teams who can’t and the Yankees are definitely the latter and not the former. 

Weekly AFL Check In: Tyler Wade

As the Arizona Fall League season begins its final push and nears completion the New York Yankees have to feel good about what they’ve seen this season. Gleyber Torres is likely going to win the AFL MVP Award while Brody Koerner, James Kaprielian and Greg Bird all made it out alive. The team got to see more of what they had in additions like J.P. Feyereisen and Dillon Tate while the team also got to see players like today’s check in showcase Tyler Wade learn a new position. All in all it was a good winter for the Bronx Bombers and their Baby Bombers.

Here is the stat line for Wade that he is working with as a center fielder instead of a shortstop prospect:

This Day in New York Yankees History 11/17: MVP Munson

On this day in 1976 Yankees catcher Thurman Munson received 18 of the 24 first place votes to capture the American League MVP award.George Brett finished in second place and was no match for Munson's .302 average with 17 home runs and 105 RBI's. Munson is the first Bronx Bomber to be selected as the MVP and the Rookie of the Year, as Munson won the ROY in 1970.

Also on this day in 1964 the New York Mets signed former Yankees star Yogi Berra to a player/manager deal on a two year contract. The Yankees had recently just fired Yogi as a manager for them and will have to watch Yogi collect two more hits in nine National League at bats.

RiverDogs Honored with Inaugural Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award by MiLB

RiverDogs Honored with Inaugural 

Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award by MiLB

Club honored for their continued efforts to support Armed Forces

CHARLESTON, SC – With a vibrant military community right in their backyard, the Charleston RiverDogs have consistently expressed their gratitude to the service men and women in the Lowcountry. Through their continued efforts, the RiverDogs have been awarded the inaugural Charles K. Murphy Patriot Award recognizing an individual or club for its outstanding support of the military branches and engagement with veterans as announced by the Minor League Baseball office.

As the South Atlantic League’s nominee for the newly minted award, the RiverDogs continued to go beyond paying their respects to the Lowcountry’s strong military family in 2016. The club hosted three Military Appreciation nights during the season where all active and retired service members enjoyed complementary tickets. The club also continued their support of the Wounded Warrior Corps on “Red Shirt Fridays” where fans wore red in their support of the military along with a portion of the ticket proceeds benefitting the nonprofit.

“With the strong military community that we have in Charleston, recognizing both veterans and active service members has always been a focal point for us as an organization,” said RiverDogs President and General Manager Dave Echols. “This award is as much recognition of our efforts as it is to the fantastic support we have had from the Charleston community to show solidarity with our men and women in uniform.”

In addition to hosting several Military Appreciation Nights, the RiverDogs also honored a Military Family of the Game with the featured veteran at each home game receiving complimentary tickets, food, and merchandise along with an in-game recognition of their service.

The RiverDogs were also an instrumental part in the founding of the Palmetto Military Support Group, a civilian organization focused on the backing of the extended military family in the Lowcountry. Echols currently serves as the Vice President on the PMSG board.

“It is exciting to see the RiverDogs nationally recognized for their outstanding support to our military. It comes as no surprise to those of us who serve at Joint Base Charleston who have been the focus of their support. I'm glad to see it recognized by others,” said Colonel Robert Lyman, Commanding Officer of Joint Base Charleston and the 628th Air Base Wing. “The RiverDogs have continuously supported our Joint Base Charleston active duty, reservists, retirees and their families. We are grateful, and excited to see them recognized.”

Service men and were also frequent performers of the National Anthem at The Joe and the club had honorary commander participation to the annual “Citadel Night” where the famed Summerall Guards perform and the Cadet Chorale sings “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Additionally in 2016, the RiverDogs strengthened their ties with the local military community through the hiring of Alfonso Rogers, a recent sport management graduate of The Citadel who previously earned an associate’s degree in Aviation / Airway Management and Operations from the Community College of the Air Force in 2014, as a sales executive. Rogers also served as president of the Student Veterans of America while at the Military College of South Carolina.

The Patriot Award is named in honor of the longtime Florida State League president and U.S. Army veteran who passed away Feb. 21, 2015, at the age of 83. Murphy retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years in the U.S. Army, broke into professional baseball in 1975 and led the Florida State League from 1990 until his passing. He received the Warren Giles Award for outstanding service as a league president in both 2011 and 1991, and the Friends of Baseball Chapel Award in 1994.

RiverDogs season tickets, half-season ticket packages and mini plans are now available for the 2017 campaign. The RiverDogs begin the season on April 6 when they host the Lexington Legends at Joseph P Riley, Jr. Park. Ticket information can be secured by contacting the box office at (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or online at www.riverdogs.com

Staten Island Yankees release 2017 season schedule

STATEN ISLAND YANKEES RELEASE 2017 SEASON SCHEDULE

Opening Day scheduled for Monday, June 19, against Brooklyn

STATEN ISLAND- The Staten Island Yankees are excited to announce the team's 2017 season schedule. The Baby Bombers kick off another action-packed summer at home for a 16th season at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George on Monday, June 19, against cross-bridge rival the Brooklyn Cyclones. See the attached document for the entire 2017 schedule.

For the first time since 2013, Staten Island will open the season at home on a Monday (June 19) against Brooklyn. The team then returns to the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George on Saturday, June 24, for their first three-game series of the season as they take on division foe the Aberdeen IronBirds.

While fans will have to wait until early 2017 for the promotional schedule, dates such as July 4 vs. the Hudson Valley Renegades and the regular season home finale on Sept. 6 vs. Brooklyn should be games to mark in your calendar.

More information regarding our rebranding efforts will be available in the coming weeks.

Fans can reserve season tickets and partial plans for the 2017 season by contacting a Staten Island Yankees ticket rep at (718) 720-9265 or by email at tickets@siyanks.com. Contact us today to reserve your tickets or for more information about the 2017 season.

The Staten Island Yankees are the Single A-Short Season Affiliate of the New York Yankees and play at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The Staten Island Yankees are six-time New York-Penn League Champions (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2011). For more information, visit siyanks.com.

Arizona Fall League MVP’s and the Future

Earlier this morning I discussed the possibility of the New York Yankees having a second MVP award winner from the Arizona Fall League in the last three seasons as Gleyber Torres seems to be the early candidate for the award in 2016. Greg Bird won the award in 2014 with a monster fall and we all watched as he burst onto the scene in 2015 in a big way with the big league club, could we be seeing that soon with Torres? Also, is there a direct correlation, at least lately, with Arizona Fall league success and success at the Major League level shortly thereafter?

To discuss this we have to see the list of recent AFL MVP’s. For simplicity sake we will go back to the last ten seasons of the Arizona Fall League and look at who won the MVP Award and what they did the following season to see if there is a pattern emerging.

2015 – Adam Engel

Reached AAA in 2016. Should make his MLB debut in 2017.

2014 – Greg Bird

We all watched as Bird burst onto the scene and became the “Birdman of New York” in 2015 taking over for the injured Mark Teixeira. His defense was good, his power was great and his poised was unmatched by anyone as a rookie since some kid named Derek Sanderson Jeter came up through the system. He was truly impressive in his short tenure before a shoulder injury derailed his 2016 campaign.

2013 – Kris Bryant

Can you say burst onto the scene in a big way, again? Bryant has been nothing but spectacular since reaching the Major Leagues and will likely have an MVP Award to sit beside his World Series trophy tomorrow night when the major awards are announced.

2012 – Chris McGuiness

2011 – Nolan Arenado

Arenado may be one of the best, if not the best, offensive third baseman in all of Major League Baseball right now. Sure he plays 81 games inside of Coors Field year in and year out but his splits are impressive on the road as well. Arenado should probably be a perennial MVP candidate in the National League for the foreseeable future.

2010 – Dustin Ackley

Ackley was a solid player in Seattle although he never shared the same successes as Arenado and Bryant. Ackley was doing well as a Yankee before another shoulder injury derailed his 2016 campaign as well. Ackley can still be a super utility player on any MLB team right now assuming the health of that shoulder.

2009 – Grant Desme

2008 – Tommy Hanson

Hanson pitched well for the Atlanta Braves before meeting an untimely demise as a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Hanson was never an ace but he was a solid pitcher in Atlanta that had his entire career ahead of him before the injury bug hit him.

2007 – Sam Fuld

2006 – Chip Cannon