If his rehab stays on track, he should return from Tommy John surgery around June. What can the Yankees expect and where does he fit on the team?
During the offseason, there's typically a general lack of information available about players who are rehabbing injuries, and this offseason has been no different. Although we've heard numerous statements from CC Sabathia saying that his knee is fine, it took months before we heard anything about Carlos Beltran's elbow or how Masahiro Tanaka's elbow is feeling as he prepares for spring training. Since he's been out of commission the longest, I've been most curious to hear about how Ivan Nova is doing, and we finally have an update. Nova spoke to reporters outside of the Yankees' training complex on Tuesday and said that he was "feeling great." All signs indicate that his rehab is right on track, so what can the Yankees expect from Nova this season?
Nova had Tommy John surgery in April 2014 and it takes the average pitcher about 12-15 months until they are ready to return to game action. When asked when he would return, Nova said he didn't know. Pitching coach Larry Rothschild also avoided giving any sort of timetable, and simply said that he first needed to progress through a series of steps. Since he's only throwing on level ground at the moment, the soonest Nova might be ready to return could be late May or June. He'll need to face live batters and get through some minor league starts first, unless he somehow is ready to pitch in spring training games.
There's no way of predicting how Nova will pitch when he's done with the rehab process. Since breaking into the majors in 2010, Nova's performance level has been all over the place. He was actually off to a very rocky start last season before his elbow blew out (20.2 IP, 8.27 ERA, 6.91 FIP, 1.84 WHIP). Now add in the fact that every pitcher's success post-Tommy John will vary and it becomes obvious that the Yankees shouldn't expect much from Nova in 2015. If he makes it through the rehab process and is pitching well, where does he fit in on the team? The current rotation is Sabathia, Tanaka, Michael Pineda, Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Capuano, and if it stays this way come Opening Day, then a healthy Nova would probably replace Capuano who is the fifth guy at this point. On the other hand, if it's June and Sabathia has been consistently struggling, Nova could even replace CC. If the Yankees are actually pursuing James Shields and happen to sign him, then Nova could replace whoever was struggling more between Sabathia and Eovaldi. This is all assuming that the entire rotation has stayed healthy though, so it may be that someone like Bryan Mitchell has already filled the fifth spot, which would make it easier for Nova to step in. Then again, if Nova's rehab takes on the longer side or runs into any complications, the Yankees might not even need to worry about how he will fit in.
What do you think is a realistic expectation for Nova this season, and where will he fit when he finally comes off of the disabled list?
Yankees nearly broke MLB's intentional walk record in 2014; Ten notable prospects who didn't receive an invitation to spring training; Arguments for and against James Shields.
NJ.com | Ryan Hatch: What was one of the many cons of having an anemic lineup last season? The Yankees tied for third-lowest amount of intentional walks in MLB history. Just 16 total for the season.
Newsday | Eric Boland: Despite rumors that circulated earlier in the week, Yankee insiders say that their stance on James Shields hasn't changed and that they are not pursuing him.
Yankees LoHud Blog | Chad Jennings: Yesterday the Yankees revealed their list of non-roster invitees who will be at spring training. Here are ten notable players who failed to receive an invitation.
The youth movement has begun but its success may hinge on these three prospects panning out.
The Yankees have invited their top three prospects in Luis Severino, Aaron Judge, and Greg Bird to spring training as non-roster invitees. It will be exciting for fans who don't follow the minor leagues as closely to see some of the top talent from the farm in action before the team heads north for the start of the year. Putting any real stock in spring training stats is pretty foolish, but seeing how Severino, Judge, and Bird look against tougher competition is important because they are really the keys to the Yankees' new youth movement being a success.
It isn't a surprise to anyone that the Yankees have needed to get younger for a while now. With aging players weighing down the roster over the last few seasons the team has finally tried to infuse some real youth on the roster by trading for Didi Gregorius and Nathan Eovaldi while depending on Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda to carry the rotation. Working towards getting a younger roster is important, but it can't all come at once. The Yankees need some help from their farm system to really turn things around, and hopefully Rob Refsnyder and Jacob Lindgren, among others, can begin to infuse the big league team with homegrown talent as soon as this season.
Then there is the trio of prospects in Severino, Judge, and Bird. They appear on nearly every big prospect list out there, and for good reason. They had highly productive seasons down on the farm in 2014 and seem primed to be able to compete for a big league job before too much longer. Severino has the ceiling of a frontline starter, Judge could easily make for a powerful addition to right field, and Bird brings impressive plate discipline and power at first base that could ease the blow of a declining Mark Teixeira. None of the three are ready to be on the big league team today, but they aren't too far off if they can put together another impressive season in 2015. Each of them could very well be knocking on the door by this time next year.
For the Yankees to effectively get younger, these three may very well be the key. A quality starting pitcher and two strong offensive talents to add to the roster would go a long way toward the team being able to avoid expensive free agent contracts for declining players. Prospects don't always pan out, no matter how promising they may see, and these three are no exceptions. Even two of the three turning out to be special would be fantastic. How they perform this spring training won't make or break their futures by any means, but it will give fans a chance to see some potential pieces of the future. It's been a while since there was something on the farm really worth looking forward to, but all the hype surrounding these three prospects makes it feel like there may legitimately be something here worth keeping an eye on. Inviting them to spring training is just the first step in seeing if they can truly be big players in what the team is currently trying to do to turn itself around. Hopefully Severino, Judge, and Bird can prove that they can be what everyone hopes they will be in the near future.
It's Friday. On Friday's, the Yankees usually like to do something. Hopefully that something they do is something we like. Pitchers and catchers report in "Sweet Lou" Pinella days.
It's Friday, which means the Yankees might actually do something. That something might still be signing James Shields or Yoan Moncada. Or perhaps Brian Cashman will use his ninja skills and pull off a trade of some kind. There's also the possibility that nothing happens and we go about our day with the Yankees staying quiet.
Comments of the Day
Michael Brown beating the Mike Stanley drum. Perhaps it's a Mike thing.
Admittedly, when I think of underrated Yankees I think of Willie Randolph.
Seriously, what is it with the Yankees and second baseman?
We gots jokes!
Flash. AHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHH.
GIF of the Day
There were no blue'd GIFs yesterday. Sorry everybody, it looks like there will be no Christmas this year.
Admittedly, I was tempted to put the Simpsons version, Talkin' Softball, as the Song of the Day. Oh look, I linked it anyway. Oh well! As always, please link us your Song of the Day.
Feel free to use this as your open thread for the day. Hopefully you have some fun plans for the weekend.
It's well known that starters are taking on smaller workloads than in previous seasons, but the same also applies to individual relievers.
During February there is rarely a great deal of major MLB news, but one of the biggest stories right now is the continued unemployment of James Shields. Whether one defines Shields as a "true ace" or dismisses the importance of that moniker, it's abundantly clear that he is an excellent pitcher.
The 33-year-old has produced a 3+ WAR season in seven of the last eight years and would be a useful contributor to any rotation, perhaps with the exception of the Washington Nationals super staff. While there's an argument to be made that his calling card is his changeup or command, the reality is that above all Shields is known as a workhorse.
Over the last four seasons Shields has 932.2 innings pitched to his name, the highest total in the league by almost twenty innings. That total is impressive in an era where pitchers are not working as deep into games as they have in years past. The term "workhorse" used to describe Shields is a relative one, as he excels compared to his direct peers, but in the context of baseball history his innings totals are not particularly outstanding.
However, phrases like "workhorse" are bound to change with the times, and there's no better way to judge a players performance than by comparing him to his contemporaries. It's common knowledge that pitchers just aren't piling up the innings totals of their predecessors, but what exactly does that look like?
As it turns out, over the past 50 years there has been a moderate decline in the number of 200 inning starters, but it's mainly the higher totals that are becoming unattainable.
Time Period
200+ IP Starters
250+ IP Starters
300+ IP Starters
1960-64
173
71
5
1965-69
230
90
19
1970-74
282
129
27
1975-79
282
90
12
1980-84
203
51
1
1985-89
262
56
0
1990-94
195
18
0
1995-99
212
15
0
2000-04
210
6
0
2005-09
203
1
0
2010-14
185
2
0
It has become incredibly rare for starters to throw 250 innings, and 300 innings pitched in a season may be a thing of the past barring some kind of breakthrough in keeping pitchers healthy or replacing them with cyborgs.
None of what appears on this chart comes as a surprise to most baseball fans. The decline in starters' workloads in recent years has been well documented and often moaned about.
What has been less discussed is the decline in relievers putting together seasons with high innings totals. The idea of a 100 inning reliever is intriguing - especially as a role for oft-injured starters/Tim Lincecum - but there hasn't been one since the Yankees' squeezed 102.1 frames out of Scott Proctor in 2006.
Even if the benchmark is reduced to a very attainable 75 innings fewer and fewer relievers have managed it in recent years.
Time Period
75+ IP Relievers
100+ IP Relievers
125+ IP Relievers
1960-64
73
27
7
1965-69
122
40
9
1970-74
103
38
9
1975-79
160
62
21
1980-84
178
63
13
1985-89
218
52
5
1990-94
171
20
1
1995-99
145
10
0
2000-04
177
5
0
2005-09
123
1
0
2010-14
62
0
0
The drop off in the last five years is particularly noticeable. In order to avoid swingman confusion I've included only players that pitched 100% of their innings in relief in the chart above. That led to some omissions, but it kept the waters from being muddied. All the players here were seen by their teams exclusively as relievers and deployed as such.
Bullpen specialization has been blamed for baseball's offensive downturn, slowing pace, and the dreaded strikeout scourge, and it is a player in all of these trends. Another of its effects is creating a climate where individual relievers aren't putting up the kind of innings totals they have in the past.
As teams try different methods of keeping their prize arms healthy it's possible that could change, but for now the definition of a workhorse reliever is changing by the season, just like it is for starters.
The only difference is it's doing so more quietly.
With all the injury concerns in the rotation, Ivan Nova's recovery is more important than ever.
Ivan Nova is recovering nicely from Tommy John surgery, and has recently been quoted as saying he feels "great" and that his rehab "is going good." Nova tore his UCL in April of last year, becoming the first starter to go down in what would be a long year of injuries and setbacks for the Yankees. Now, he's eyeing a mid-season return, although nothing is set in stone by any means.
The Yankees injury concerns with the rotation have been well-documented. We've all heard (and written) about Masahiro Tanaka's elbow, CC Sabathia's knee, and Michael Pineda's shoulder. All this just serves to show that, more likely than not, the Yankees will find themselves in need of some rotational reinforcement next season.
This is where Nova comes in. As Caitlin pointed out yesterday, it's probably not fair to expect much from Nova. However, that doesn't mean that the Yankees won't need him at some point this season. If Nova can return during May or June, he'd basically serve as the ideal mid-season acquisition for a Yankee team lacking in rotational depth (except they won't have to give up anyone to get him!). Either he steps in for an injured starter, or he makes the Yankees rotation even more formidable. But let's be frank - if the Yankees get through next season without a major injury in the starting rotation, it'll be quite a surprise to everyone. Since someone will likely have gone down by June, if Nova can step in at that time and pitch up to his potential, the Yankees might not miss a beat.
Of course, Nova has never been a sure thing. He's been quite inconsistent during his tenure with the Yankees. In what was just his first full season of action, Nova posted a 3.70 ERA and a 4.01 FIP in 2011, relying on inducing a lot of ground balls (52.7% ground ball rate) and limiting home runs (0.71 HR/9). While he took a step back in 2012 (he posted an ERA of 5.02 and a FIP of 4.60 as his ground ball rate dipped to 45.2% and his HR/9 more than doubled, climbing to 1.48 HR/9 - the sixth highest rate in the majors that year), he regained his formidable form again in 2013. He may have started that season off rocky as well, but after a DL stint and a stretch in Triple A, Nova returned and posted a 2.70 ERA and a 3.55 FIP in 116 innings from June 23rd on, by far the best marks of his career.
It's impossible to say which Nova will show up in the middle of 2015 - the plus starter from 2011 and much of 2013, or the struggling young gun from 2012 and early 2014. More than likely, we'll get a taste of both. Still, Nova's been worth 2.1 fWAR per season on average from 2011-2013. He's shown he can be a good major league pitcher. The Yankees will need him to perform at some point next season. When, not if, someone goes down in the rotation, Nova could be a terrific fill-in. And on the off chance that everything goes right, a rotation of Tanaka, Pineda, Nova, Sabathia, and Nathan Eovaldi would probably be the best in the division.
In fact, how Nova performs when he returns might just determine if the Yankees can stay in the playoff hunt. If he can stabilize the rotation and help soften the blow of one injury (if 80% of the rotation goes down again, Nova could be Clayton Kershaw and the Yankees still wouldn't make the playoffs), Nova just might be the reason the Yankees make the playoffs. If anything, he'll give the Yankees the depth that almost any successful team needs to withstand the rigors of a long season. While it's not exactly fair to expect much from Nova this season, the fact remains that when he returns - and how well he pitches upon that return - will likely have a big impact on the Yankees' chances.
Get well soon, Ivan! When injury strikes, the Yankees are going to need you.
Tanya, Jason, and I return to discuss the Pinstripe Alley's top 20 prospects list. There may be some discussion of Greg Bird.
On the heels of releasing the Pinstripe Alley Top 20 Prospects the other day, Tanya, Jason, and I decided to make a new podcast wherein we discussed the list in addition to other Yankees prospects. AlsoGREG BIRD. Lots of Greg Bird. So much Greg Bird.
[0:28] Presenting: Audio listicle [2:55] Luis Severino or Aaron Judge #1? [10:36] GREG BIRD GREG BIRD [16:18] Extolling the virtues of Robert Refsnyder [19:52] Obligatory Gary Sanchez discussion :-( [25:43] Quick thoughts on Ian Clarkin's high floor [28:12] Super-awesome-baby Jorge Mateo! [32:10] Enter the Strikeout Factory [36:43] Luis Torrens: New-new-new catcher of the future... but this one can play defense! [39:49] Eric Jagielo needs to catch up to his friends [44:20] Tyler Austin: Alive? More alive than Carlos Beltran, anyway. (Also, we reveal what "Carlos Beltran surgery" is.) [49:53] Domingo German: Mystery man [52:10] Is Jake Cave another Brett Gardner type? [54:43] Can someone please grant Ty Hensley some luck? [56:27] Dear Bryan Mitchell: Please become the next Shane Greene. Thx. [59:19] Going through the rest of the list [1:17:00] Tweetbag: Greg Bird, Refsnyder's call-up, borderline Top 20 prospects, and the first of the non-Refsnyder Top 5 to be recalled. Also did you know Greg Bird once hit three home runs for Tanya? She told the story. It had never been been told, ever.
Yesterday John Beck took a look at some of the more underrated Yankees of the last 25 seasons or so. Bernie Williams was not on that list, with good reason. After all, Williams was a five-time All Star, four-time Gold Glover (despite negative defensive metrics) and Most Valuable Player of the 1996 American League Championship Series. Williams was highly regarded throughout his career, and ultimately earned his way onto the Hall of Fame ballot where he remained for two seasons. Underrated may not seem to be the right word to describe a player who will be honoured in Monument Park at some point in 2015.
Perhaps the right word should simply be great. Bernie posted a .297/.381/.477 career slash line over sixteen seasons with 287 HR, good for 126 wRC+ and contributing to 44.3 fWAR. He had almost another full season worth of postseason plate appearances at 545, where the higher level of competition didn't seem to faze him in the slightest. His October line: .275/.371/.480, 22 HR, 118 wRC+. Statistics alone don't quite encapsulate the impact Williams had on the organisation. Bernie Williams made his way up to major leagues at a time when the New York Yankee organisation was closer to the top of the draft order than the top of the baseball world. The first of the young, talented players to break through in the early 90's, his presence allowed Gene 'Stick' Michael to trade centerfielder Roberto Kelly for Paul O'Neil, one of the most valuable players of the dynasty run.
As Williams began to assert himself as a credible starter by 1993 and a star on the 1994 team which would have likely made the postseason barring the players strike, the fortune of the New York Yankee franchise lifted along with his performance. As the Yankees became a dynasty during that golden stretch from 1996 to 2001 - right up to the ninth inning of Game 7 anyway - Bernie Williams was the most valuable player on the team in those six seasons. He would be even if we excluded 2001 and focused on the five year span that brought four titles.
Bernie Williams hit .319/.404/.525 from 1994-2002.
It is often argued that the term 'Core Four' neglects the impact of Williams and certainly I agree with this. Going further though, I think if anything Bernie was more valuable to the dynasty teams than any individual member of the Core Four. Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera had a longer run of success, and so were probably more valuable overall to the organisation, particularly with them being a part of a fifth championship in 2009. It is worth remembering of course that the two most valuable players on the 2009 championship squad were Alex Rodriguez and CC Sabathia, players of the quality not found on the early years of Bernie's tenure with the organisation. Which isn't to say that Wiliams is necessarily a sure-fire Hall of Famer the way Rivera and Jeter are. Jay Jaffe takes a look at Bernie's case for induction, and ultimately concludes that Williams falls just short, even when accounting for his postseason success.
However, even if Williams is ultimately destined for the 'Hall of Very Good', one might be forgiven for thinking him underappreciated by the New York Yankee organisation. The dynasty teams in that 1996-2000 stretch defined legacies and earned recognition for several key contributors, from the retirement of Joe Torre's jersey to the plaques honouring Paul O'Neil and Tino Martinez. Some of these honours can be debated, but on the balance of it I'm personally happy to err on the side of issuing plaques to members of the dynasty. I find it difficult to apply perspective to those teams winning four championships in five seasons as those Yankee teams did, in the era of competitve balance and expanded postseasons. Suffice to say it was truly incredible, and it's entirely reasonable to imagine that it will not be repeated by any team in our lifetimes. I think that entire team deserves an honorary event but if the Yankee organisation wants to continue giving individual players their days in the sun I won't argue. Only, how has it taken this long to honour the most valuable player of that incredible stretch?
Those great teams were not about any one player, and that was perhaps the biggest part of the reason why they were so great. If they were about any one player, though, they would be about Bernie Williams. More so than Andy Pettite, Mariano Rivera, or even Derek Jeter. He deserves more than to share in the legacy of those championships with a plaque and a honorary day, he deserves to be at the head of it. Ultimately the Hall of Fame has been about narratives almost as much as performance, it was partly the narrative of those great Atlanta rotations that carried Tom Glavine and John Smoltz into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot even as Mike Mussina and Curt Schilling wait their turn. It was the narrative of Jim Rice as a feared hitter that earned him a spot while Alan Trammell and Tim Raines might never be inducted. The narrative of supposed PED use has made Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell wait for at least one more go-around. It's impossible to know if Williams could have made more of a show of his time on the ballot with a bit more perceived support within the Yankee organization, but it certainly seems likely that it would have helped. Consider the way Bernie was let go, as he was looking for a role as a fourth outfielder but offered only a non-roster invitation to spring training. Contrast it to the farewell tours that Jeter and Rivera got.
Perhaps it was the right decision not to give playing time to a declining franchise star as a reward for career effort, but it does hint at the internal perception of Williams's legacy with the Yankees that it doesn't even appear to have been considered. As does making him wait to 2015 for his day when other members of the dynasty years got their day ahead of him. I find it entirely believable that should the Yankees have been more vocal to media about positively valuing Bernie during and just after his career, he would be regarded differently by both the public at-large and the Hall of Fame voters. Being the most valuable member of arguably the greatest baseball dynasty in the last half-century could have been an easier sell than this.
It's probably too late for the New York Yankees to truly shape Bernie's legacy, but it's not too late to make an effort. Retiring #51 would be a good start.
USA Today | Dan Martin: After winning the prestigious Thurman Munson Award for his charity work, Dellin Betances says he and the team will welcome A-Rod back with "open arms."
ESPN New York | Andrew Marchand: The Yankees should be willing to part with up to 100 million dollars for the Cuban dynamo Yoan Moncada.
It would be an unlikely turn of events, but could a shift to the bullpen do the final chapter of CC's career a resurgence?
In David Schoenfield's recent position-by-position breakdown of the Yankees and Mets for ESPN, he assessed that the Yanks have "as wide a range of possible outcomes as any team in the majors." He's right, because at this point heading towards the 2015 season a World Series victory seems equally plausible as a last-place finish in the AL East. The reason for this? Variables. With every 25-man roster comes a certain degree of uncertainty, but this current assemblage of Yankees players causes fans' optimism for health and productivity to collide with pessimism based on recent history. But unforeseen circumstances are far from a death knell on a season. An organization's ability to have a plan and react accordingly are equally as important as knowing how to field or hit. So what's the plan if the reigning ace, CC Sabathia, continues his alarmingly rapid decline?
We've all been witness to Sabathia's steep and steady drop off, going from serving as a dominant workhorse for the duration of his first dozen seasons to having a lackluster 2013 and an injury-abbreviated 2014. It would only make sense to have some kind of contingency plan should his performance continue to dwindle, so why not consider a transition to the bullpen? Far-fetched? A bit, yes. Unlikely? Very. However, the Yankees are in no position to throw away a start every fifth day in the name of good will, even if he did give them all they could ever ask for during his first four seasons in pinstripes.
When looking at the team on paper, there is no obvious replacement for his spot in the rotation, and the bullpen isn't exactly desperate for another arm at the moment (though a lefty-righty-lefty combo of Miller-Betances-Sabathia sounds enticingly lethal), but this isn't about making room for someone more deserving, it's about maximizing what's left in the arm of a once-great pitcher. A-Rod's fat contract won't make him a starter by default, and neither should CC's.
It could be a move based in proactivity, even if it reeks of desperation. Even as Sabathia's fastball become more and more hittable, his craftiness and his stuff has still been there, striking out hitters at a rate of 7.8 per nine innings over the past two seasons. A move to the 'pen for CC would be more akin to the role changes of John Smoltz or Kerry Woods, which weren't necessarily based on inability to get the job done but more an inability to stay on the mound. If you're wondering how Sabathia's fared in any previous relief appearances in his career, the sample size is quite low. He's done it only once in his career, coming out of the 'pen in game 5 of the 2011 ALDS. He struck out four in 1.1 innings, but walked two and surrendered the go-ahead run.
A necessity for any ace of a pitching staff, CC has made a habit of getting hitters out more and more after his first time through the order. However, over the course of the past six years he's been trending in the wrong direction, with opponents batting averages rising higher and higher against him in their second and third times through the order. So, with heat that's easier to sit on and stuff that yields diminishing returns as opponents make their third and fourth trips to the plate, it's only sensible to consider placing him in a role that allows him to rear back on his fastball to compensate for his long-lost MPH and keep hitters guessing by only giving them one look at him.
We can only hope it doesn't come to a place where this has to be seriously considered, but if he enters June or July and is pitching more like a fifth (or sixth) starter and the rotation is otherwise healthy, it wouldn't hurt to consider other roles for the big man.
The Yankees did nothing yesterday. Meanwhile, the Carribean Series and the Australian Baseball League Championship Series are all the baseball we've got right now. Pitchers and catchers report in A-Rod days.
While we patiently await Yankee Baseball to return to us, there is some baseball actually being played right now. The Caribbean Series and the Australian Baseball League Championship Series are both currently going on. That's right, you can see singles, doubles, dingers, strikeouts, and everything that make baseball awesome. I'd really like if the Yankees did that whole dingers thing this year, even though it's the wrong way to play baseball.
Comments of the Day
I'm still really happy for Phil Hughes. I hope he continues to shine on the Twins.
Still don't miss those meatballs though.
This might give "rain delay" a whole new, horrific meaning.
Harlan pretty much hits the nail right on the head here.
GIF of the Day
Bernie had one sexy bat flip.
Honorable Mod Mention
Two HMMs to give out today.
The first goes to Harlan, because he's right. There really is no middle ground with a lot of Yankee fans out there.
The second goes to Tanya, Andrew, and myself. For as Tanya reminded us, it's been quite the ride since the three of us were hired on. Thank you all for continuing to read our stuff to this very day.
I figured this would be a great way to end Sports Theme week. While it's not a sports theme so much, it's still an awesome song from one of the best baseball movies there is. As always, please link us your Song of the Day.
Feel free to use this as your open thread for the day. Starting tomorrow, we're definitely back to love week with Valentine's Day coming up.
Heroes get remembered but legends never die, follow your heart kid, and you'll never go wrong.
Luis Severino could be closer to joining the majors than you think; Masahiro Tanaka's approach towards spring training and season goals; What can we expect from Garrett Jones?
The Wall Street Journal | Brad Lefton: A look at some of Masahiro Tanaka's goals for next season and how he plans to approach his second spring training as a Yankee.
Newsday | The Associated Press: Reliever Chris Martin's journey to the majors was a very long and interesting one, including shoulder surgery, juggling two jobs, and ultimately giving up the sport before he eventually came back to it and ended up being traded to the Yankees.
At 19, Andujar's very far away from big league action. But the potential is there for him to develop into a big league third baseman.
Background
The Yankees signed Miguel Andujar for a $700,000 bonus out of the Dominican back in 2011, and immediately put him on the fast track. While most international signees spend their first professional season in one of the foreign rookie leagues, the Yankees brought Andujar stateside as a 17-year-old, assigning him to the Gulf Coast League Yankees. Andujar predictably struggled in 2012 during his first go-around in the GCL, but seemed to find his power stroke while repeating the level in 2013. In 34 games, he belted four homers and 11 doubles, while also cutting down on his strikeouts.
Believing in Andujar's tools, the Yankees challenged him once again by pushing him to Class-A Charleston as a 19-year-old. Although he got off to a rocky start, he really seemed to turn the corner around midseason. After hitting a dismal .219/.274/.332 in his first 69 games, he started hitting the ball with much more authority, which propelled him to an impressive .320/.367/.469 showing from June 26th on. All things considered, Andujar did a pretty fine job in 2014. Sure, he looked horribly overmatched at times early on, but he managed to make adjustments despite facing pitchers two or three years older than him on average. Andujar's defense still leaves a lot to be desired, however. He committed a whopping 26 errors in 120 games at the hot corner, which was good for a .919 fielding percentage. That's Eduardo Nunez territory. Still, despite all of the errors, scouts attest that Andujar has the tools to stick at third. Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs says he has "an easy plus arm" with "a chance to be at least average defensively at third."
KATOH, my prospect projection system, isn't crazy about Andujar, giving him just a 54% chance of even cracking the majors through age 28. This unexciting projection has everything to do with the fact that Andujar is still years away from big league action. This is KATOH's standard stance on non-elite players in Low-A. The unfortunate truth is that most players in A-ball never even make it to the majors, let alone make any meaningful impact. But Andujar did some things last year that gives KATOH hope that he might rise above the rest. Despite being young for his league, Andujar did a decent job of both putting the ball in play (16% K%) and hitting for power (.130 ISO) -- the two metrics that are most predictive for players in the low minors. Here's a look at Andujar's odds of reaching certain WAR thresholds through age 28:
2015 Outlook
Andujar showed signs of life in last year's second half, but is still very far away from big league action, and will likely spend all of 2015 in High-A Tampa. In addition to his bat, one factor to keep an eye on going forward will be his defense at the hot corner. Although he has the range and arm strength to stick at the position long term, he really needs to cut down on the errors to be an acceptable big league third baseman. He still has plenty of time to work out the bugs on defense, but a move to first base or an outfield corner would dramatically reduce his odds of being anything more than a bench bat. Andujar's still rough around the edges, but there's plenty to like. His physical tools give me reason to suspect his late-season breakout will carry over into 2015.
The Yankees were being honest about not being interested in James Shields, as he will be taking his pitching talents to the Padres. Pitchers and catchers report in Gritty Gutty Brett Gardner days.
Looks like we will see Shields in San Diego.
It's better if you read what I just type above to the tune of the Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? theme song by Rockapella. Last night, the San Diego Padres reportedly agreed to terms with James Shields. The deal is for four years, supposedly in the $72-$78 million dollar range. Perhaps more info will be revealed before this post goes up. In any case, Shields will not be coming to the Yankees.
Comments of the Day
A possible tagline: "This spring, you'll smell a lot more than romance!" Perhaps you can come up with a better tagline!
There is still hope for CC Sabathia. Perhaps just a fool's hope though.
GIF of the Day
T'was no GIF yesterday, ladies and gentlemen.
Honorable Mod Mention
Harlan won the only two COTD awards yesterday, so he earns the HMM award for a second day in a row.
Fun Questions
If you were running the Yankees, would you have given James Shields that kind of deal?
I'm not gonna lie, I cannot resist singing this song. Especially around the end of it. I've definitely gotten some looks when people drive past me on the highway. As always, please link us your Song of the Day.
Feel free to use this as your open thread for the day. How do you feel now that Shields is in San Diego?
The Yankees farm system is not at the very top of the organization rankings but it has improved over the last couple of years, should continue to improve, and certainly rates as an upper-tier system. The large amount of Grade C+ talent gives depth and since much of that talent is quite young and projectable with potentially higher grades to come, there is a lot to look forward to.
The list and grades are a blending of present performance and long-term potential. Comments are welcome, but in the end all analysis and responsibility is mine. Full reports on all of players can be found in the 2015 Baseball Prospect Book. We are now taking pre-orders for the book, so order early and order often!
All of these grades are preliminary and subject to change.
QUICK PRIMER ON GRADE MEANINGS
Grade A prospects are the elite.In theory, they have a good chance of becoming stars or superstars. Theoretically, most Grade A prospects develop into stars or at least major league regulars, if injuries or other problems don’t intervene. Note that is a major "if" in some cases.
Grade B prospects have a good chance to enjoy successful careers. Some will develop into stars, some will not. Most end up spending several years in the majors, at the very least in a marginal role.
Grade C prospects are the most common type. These are guys who have something positive going for them, but who may have a question mark or three, or who are just too far away from the majors to get an accurate feel for. A few Grade C guys, especially at the lower levels, do develop into stars. Many end up as role players or bench guys. Some don’t make it at all.
Finally, keep in mind that all grades are shorthand. You have to read the full comment in the book for the full analysis about a player, the letter grade only tells you so much.A Grade C prospect in rookie ball could end up being very impressive, while a Grade C prospect in Triple-A is likely just a future role player.
1) Luis Severino, RHP, Grade B+/Borderline A-: Age 20, posted 2.46 ERA with 127/27 K/BB in 113 innings at three levels, finishing well in Double-A. Fastball up to 97, very good change-up, slider has improved, breakout season looks genuine, knows how to pitch. Possible number two starter if he holds up to full workload.
2) Aaron Judge, OF, Grade B+/Borderline A-: Age 22, Fresno State product hit .308/.419/.486 with 17 homers, 89 walks, 131 strikeouts in 467 at-bats at two levels of A-ball. Big raw power from 6-7 frame but has solid hitting/OBP skills to go with it, profiles as classic power-hitting right fielder. 3) Greg Bird, 1B, Grade B+/Borderline B: Age 22, hit .271/.376/.472 with 14 homers, 63 walks, 97 strikeouts in 369 at-bats in High-A and Double-A, sound strike zone judgment to go with power. Not a terrific athlete or fielder but projects as Nick Swisher-type hitter.
4) Rob Refsnyder, 2B, Grade B: Age 23, hit .318/.387/.497 with 38 doubles, 14 homers, 55 walks, 105 strikeouts in 515 at-bats between Double-A and Triple-A. Former University of Arizona outfielder making progress at second base without losing any offensive momentum. Strong plate discipline and surprising pop, plays above his tools
5) Gary Sanchez, C, Grade B: Age 22, hit .270/.338/.406 with 13 homers, 43 walks, 91 strikeouts in 429 at-bats in Double-A. Effective at throwing out runners but defense remains rough otherwise, continues to produce above-average numbers for context without truly breaking through. Stock down somewhat, far from a lost cause but needs a clean transition to Triple-A.
6) Jacob Lindgren, LHP, Grade B: Age 21, second rounder out of Mississippi State in 2014 draft finished his first summer in Double-A, rapid rise on strength of fastball up to 94 and a killer slider. Could see majors in 2015 and not merely a LOOGY, has closer potential.
7) Ian Clarkin, LHP, Grade B/Borderline B-: About to turn 20, posted 3.21 ERA with 71/22 K/BB in 71 innings in Low-A, good control of low-90s fastball, curve, change-up, new cutter. Good pitchability, mid-rotation upside depending on stamina.
8) Luis Torrens, C, Grade B-/Borderline B: Age 18, hit .270/.327/.405, threw out 42% of runners in the New York-Penn League. Outstanding defensive skills are a no-brainer, projects well offensively but could still develop in any number of directions, we’ll have to see how hitting balances out. Could be at the top of this list a year from now if he maximizes offensive output.
9) Miguel Andujar, 3B, Grade B-: Age 19, hit.267/.318/.397 with 10 homers, 35 walks, 83 strikeouts in 484 at-bats in Low-A. Very hot in the second half, projects to hit for both power and average, needs defensive polish but has arm strength and range to manage third base with more experience. Stock on the rise.
10) Jorge Mateo, SS, Grade B-: Age 19, hit .276/.354/.397 with 11 steals in 58 at-bats in rookie ball. Excellent tools but missed most of the season with broken wrist. Would rank higher on pure tools alone but I’d like to see how they translate to higher levels. Power/speed potential and a good chance to remain at shortstop.
11) Tyler Austin, OF, Grade B-/Borderline C+: Age 23, hit .275/.336/.419 in Double-A but .336/.397/.557 in the last month of the season, as long-standing wrist/hand injury finally receded in the background. Maybe that is just cherry-picking stats but he hit well in Arizona Fall League, too. Still has a shot at being a solid player.
12) Eric Jagielo, 3B, Grade B-/Borderline C+: Age 22, hit .259/.354/.460 in Florida State League, which is strong production for context (wRC+132). Power is real, but platoon issues and defense could make him more of a role player than long-term regular.
13) Domingo German, RHP, Grade C+/Borderline B-: Age 22, acquired this winter from Marlins, posted 2.48 ERA with 113/25 K/BB in 123 innings in Low-A. Low-90s fastball, good change-up, throws strikes, breaking stuff draws mixed reviews and will be main focus of improvement as he moves up. Mid-rotation upside if that comes together.
14) Jose Ramirez, RHP, Grade C+: Age 25, amazing pure stuff with mid/upper-90s heat but command issues and nagging injuries hold him back, 1.46 ERA with 16/10 K/BB in 12 innings in Triple-A, 5.40 ERA with 10/7 K/BB in 10 big league innings. Middle relief profile with closer possibilities if he can develop more consistency.
15) Bryan Mitchell, RHP, Grade C+: Age 23, 4.37 ERA with 94/45 K/BB in 103 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. Another low/mid-90s arm, sometimes higher, curve, change-up, and cutter all have potential but shaky command gives him an erratic track record. Mid-rotation slot possible if command improves, if not he’ll head to the bullpen. 16) Jake Cave, OF, Grade C+: Age 22, hit .294/.351/.414 between High-A and Double-A, something of a tweener perhaps without huge power or speed but featuring decent pure hitting skills, hustle, outfield versatility. Fourth outfielder profile.
17) Angel Aguilar, SS, Grade C+: Age 19, hit .311/.373/.536 with eight steals, 14 walks, 28 strikeouts in 151 at-bats in rookie ball. Small sample but tools are here for Venezuelan with a reasonable chance to stay at shortstop..
18) Alexander Palma, OF, Grade C+: Age 19, hit .305/.318/.451 with four homers, nine steals in 213 at-bats, just 15 strikeouts but only three walks in rookie ball. Observers report impressive bat speed and power potential, good use of speed on the bases, makes contact, unusually low strikeout rate for a guy with power. Very aggressive approach, however, and miniscule walk rate is a caution flag for higher level adjustment. If he transitions well to full-season ball will advance up the list quickly.
19) Ty Hensley, RHP, Grade C+: Age 21, first round pick from 2012 has been slowed by hip labrum injuries but performed well in 31 innings in short-season ball last year, 2.93 ERA with 40/11 K/BB. Can hit mid-90s with strong curveball, needs innings to solidify his change-up and overall sense of command but has one of the highest ceilings in the system. Mid-rotation potential or maybe a bullpen option if durability remains an issue.
20) Austin DeCarr, RHP, Grade C+: Age 19, third round pick in 2014, posted 4.63 ERA with 24/7 K/BB in 23 innings in rookie ball. Sturdy 6-3, 220 build with low/mid-90s fastball, impressive curve. Cold-weather arm understandably needs polish with change-up and command but like Hensley he has mid-rotation possibilities.
OTHER GRADE C+: Abiatal Avelino, SS; Gosuke Katoh, 2B; Nick Rumbelow, RHP; Chasen Shreve, LHP; Tyler Wade, SS; Tyler Webb, LHP. These guys could be slotted in the 15-20 range.
OTHERS: Dante Bichette, 3B; Danny Burawa, RHP; Dan Camarena, LHP; Taylor Dugas, OF; Ramon Flores, OF; Michael Ford, 1B; Slade Heathcott, OF; Brady Lail, RHP; Jaron Long, RHP; Leonardo Molina, OF; Jordan Montgomery, LHP; Michael O’Neill, OF; Mark Payton, OF; Brandon Pinder, RHP; Jose Pirela, UT; Caleb Smith, LHP; Miguel Sulbaran, LHP; Mason Williams, OF.
While the Yankees farm system is not at the very top of the organization rankings,it has improved over the last couple of years, should continue to improve, and certainly rates as an upper-tier system. The large amount of Grade C+ talent gives depth and since much of that talent is quite young and projectable with potentially higher grades to come, there is a lot to look forward to.
The big news in 2014 was massive investment in the international market. The Yankees broke through the bonus limits to sign a highly-impressive class including shortstop Wilkerman Garcia, catcher Miguel Flames (great name), shortstops Diego Castillo and Nelson Gomez, and outfielders Juan De Leon, Bryan Emery, Antonio Arias, and Jonathan Amundaray. Those guys haven’t played yet and given the historic volatility of international signees it is best to be cautious at this point.. Many times the big bonus guys bust while lower bonus players develop unexpectedly.
For example, the best prospect in the system is right-hander Luis Severino, who got a $225,000 bonus in 2011. Impressive shortstop prospect Jorge Mateo got the same money, $225,000 in 2010. The Yankees have not eschewed lower bonus players of course and the 2014 signings do show their renewed commitment to farm development.
Among talents who have played, Severino is the best overall pitching prospect though he could be beaten to the majors by 2014 second rounder Jacob Lindgren. Jose Ramirez and Bryan Mitchell bring quality stuff to the cusp of the majors as well as questions about their roles. There are some potential four/five starters and other arms looking for bullpen work. The Yankees always seem to have a group of steady C/C+ type prospects, often from the college ranks, looking to slot in as Shane Greene or David Phelps (both since traded) style useful utility arms. Trade acquisition Domingo German could be a steal.
Offensive depth is provided by Aaron Judge, Greg Bird, and the very intriguing Rob Refsnyder. Gary Sanchez is rather enigmatic but if he can’t break through Luis Torrens is the next big catching prospect and should provide a better balance of offense and defense based on the early returns. There are a large number of potential role players and as mentioned the 2014 international class could provide a lot of firepower if even a third of those guys reach their upside.
Overall, this is an impressive aggregation of talent that should just get better in the coming year.
So the Yankees released their list of non-roster invitees to spring training and it seemed like the team would be set at that point. They didn't bring much in the way of rotation depth, assigning Chris Capuano as the de facto fifth starter and Bryan Mitchell being the only pitcher capable of usurping him. Now they've added another guy into the equation by signing right-handed pitcher Kyle Davies to a minor league deal.
You might remember Davies as the pitcher who surrendered Alex Rodriguez's 500th home run back in 2007. He's been an above-average starter over the length of his seven-year MLB career exactly one time and has not reached the majors over the last three years. Clearly he isn't very good. He missed the 2012 season with a shoulder issue and spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons in the Twins and Indians organizations. Now at 31 years old, the Yankees must see him as a potential Triple-A rotation option, given his ability to eat innings (183.2 in 2010, 154.1 in 2014) because there's no way he has a chance to make the major league team.
It remains to be seen whether he will also receive an invite to spring training, but it likely won't make a difference. The Yankees already have Scott Baker, and since he's always been a better pitcher than Davies with a higher upside, he will likely get a shot first. If Kyle Davies ends up pitching for the 2015 Yankees, it means something very terrible has gone wrong, or it could be similar to the Jeff Francis cameo from last year and then he's gone. I hope you're all ready for that Sporcle quiz.
The deal actually raises the question about whether or not the team is actually done at this point. There aren't many game-changing options left with James Shields signing with the Padres, but several top free agents remain unsigned. I have to wonder whether the likes of Dayan Viciedo, Everth Cabrera, Brandon Beachy, Kevin Correia, Matt Guerrier, Matt Lindstrom, Dustin McGowan, Brian Wilson, Franklin Morales, or Joe Thatcher could possibly find their way into the organization via minor league deals before the start of spring training. The Yankees showed great restraint this Winter, so every little bit is going to be needed to help fill the holes that are still apparent.
Life for a cable cord cutter might get simpler soon.
I've moved around a lot, and while baseball has been a constant, the "how" of my baseball consumption has been in flux.
I lived in Binghamton and Scranton from '05-'08, with access to the Yankees and YES Network on cable. In 2008, I moved to North Carolina, where I made do with the various cable games of the week and the Yankees through MLB Radio. Then in 2009, I moved to northern New Jersey, where I once again enjoyed the YES Network and its terribly small loop of advertisers as the Yankees romped through the AL East and the postseason.
In the spring of 2011, I moved to Maryland's Eastern Shore, where I still live. When my wife and I moved here, we cut the cord. Cable was just too expensive considering how little we watched it. Do I really want to pay another $500 or so every year so I can see the Yankees play the Orioles thirty times a year? I'd rather take half that money and go to Camden Yards a few times (speaking of which, PSA road trip #31?).
But then, in the wake of ESPN's decision to sign on to launch SlingTV, word is starting to go around the MLB and FOX Sports (the broadcaster of more than 40% of MLB's regional networks) are working on a deal of their own:
According to sources, the economics of the deal between MLB and FOX are in place, but challenges remain.
Reportedly, MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) is seeking to control all the streaming of the games, while FOX also wishes to be in on the action. MLBAM, the digital media company of Major League Baseball, would offer the games on MLB.TV, which would require users to authenticate through their pay-TV provider.
Of course, I'd love to get to watch Yankee games for (what I'd consider to be) a reasonable price. I'm not quite that naive.
But I'm interested in seeing what sort of deals fans get offered as we stand on the precipice of debundling. SlingTV sets an interesting bar; on the one hand, $20 per month is my idea of reasonable, but on the other hand, even $20 per month might be high considering all baseball programming takes place in the same 6 hour window each day.
What do you think Yankee fans? Do you depend on the YES Network to see your team play? Would you cut the cord if you could get Yankee games for a few hundred bucks?
ESPN's David Schoenfield predicts the Mets to win 85-87 games this year, so where does this leave the Fish in the NL East?
The Marlins and the New York Mets are two teams on the rise in the NL East, with both organizations having aspirations of playing baseball deep into October. The Mets were recently pitted against the Yankees in a debate over which New York team has the better season, with the Mets coming out on top. In that same article, David Schoenfield predicts the Mets to win 85-87 games in 2015 and compete for one of the two National League Wild Card spots.
But where does Miami factor into the postseason race with all of the additions they have made this offseason? Ideally, the Fish will want to finish ahead of the Mets in order to have a chance of challenging the Nationals for the division crown or winning the first Wild Card (and having home-field advantage for the playoff game). So will the Marlins be able to win more than 87 games and finish ahead of the Mets? Let's breakdown the matchup by every position (with 2014 statistics).
In his first year with the Marlins, Saltalamacchia disappointed quite a few people with his offensive production. However, his numbers should improve in 2015 after having a full season to adapt to the National League. His batting average should return to around his career figure of .242. Travis d'Arnaud put up fairly impressive numbers in his first full season in the majors, especially his .990 fielding percentage. He has lots of room to grow and develop in his age-26 season, and his potential puts him slightly ahead of Salty.
1-0 Mets
First Base:
Michael Morse - 131 G/ .279 AVG/ 16 HR/ 61 RBI/ .336 OBP/ .991 FPCT (43 games at 1B)
Morse was a fantastic addition for the Fish as they desperately needed a first baseman with an offensive upside. His home run and RBI totals should increase this season as his playing time will increase. Not only can Morse be a leader with his bat, but his veteran presence in the clubhouse will also make him a leader for the club as well. Duda is coming off a breakout season in which he clubbed 30 home runs and drove in 92. His production levels may not be quite the same in 2015, but he will have an imposing presence in the Mets' lineup nonetheless.
2-0 Mets
Second Base:
Dee Gordon - 148 G/ .289 AVG/ 2 HR/ 34 RBI/ .326 OBP/ .981 FPCT
Dee Gordon will be a spark plug for the Marlins. He evokes memories of Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo and he will likely wreak havoc on the basepaths. His ZiPS projections weren't too complimentary, but 50 stolen bases will still create many chances for the team to score. Daniel Murphy was more productive in 2014 with 57 RBIs, but Gordon should have much more of an impact in 2015.
Don't let David Wright's number deceive you, as he played through the 2014 season with a shoulder injury which limited his ability. Although Prado was an upgrade at third for the Marlins, Wright should return to being a top ten third baseman.
Hechavarria receives a lot of criticism, but he made major leaps in improving his offensive game in 2014 and although his .979 fielding percentage doesn't look that impressive, he did save a lot of runs last year with his highlight-reel plays. Due to these facts, he should give the Fish an edge over Flores.
Gold Glover Yelich was one of the Marlins most consistent and exciting players to watch in 2014, and he will likely continue to impress in 2015. His on-base percentage is exactly what the Marlins will need to be competitive in 2015. Granderson is nearing the end of his career, whereas Yelich is just starting to blossom.
Ozuna is a break-out candidate for 2015. The power is developing nicely and his outfield assists are a joy to watch. Lagares had a nice 2014, but Ozuna is primed for greater things as a staple in the middle of the batting order.
Even with Cuddyer's batting average way above .300, Stanton is a superstar. If there are no lingering issues from his facial injury, look for Stanton to hit around 40 bombs and be right in the thick of the MVP race again.
Getting Matt Harvey back is a huge boost for the Mets. His rookie season was outstanding, and if it wasn't for Jose Fernandez, they would have two rookie of the year pitchers in their rotation after deGrom received the award in 2014. The Marlins will have a strong rotation as well with Alvarez and Cosart being joined by Latos and Haren (possibly). The Mets rotation will be better before June, but the Marlins rotation will be better once Fernandez returns.
Still 5-3 Marlins
Bullpen:
Overall, the Marlins' bullpen was a strength for the team last year, especially Bryan Morris who was lights-out after he came to the Fish from the Pirates. This is what Schoenfield has to say about the Mets bullpen:
The Mets had the eighth-best bullpen ERA last season, but had the 24th-best strikeout-to-walk ratio (they were 28th in walk rate). It's a mediocre pen at best and potentially a bad one.
6-3 Marlins
As you can see, on paper at least, the Marlins are a better team than the Mets. As long as the Fish stay healthy and Fernandez returns to his usual spectacular self, the Marlins should finish ahead of the Mets in the standings. This is not to be interpreted as an sure-bet though, since it will be a season-long battle. The Marlins are aiming for 88 wins, which is achievable with some repeat performances from last year (and a little luck).
Which player do you want to fall madly in love with the Yankees?
Baseball is largely a business. As much as we think that players are totally following their hearts in choosing which team to sign with, it would be tough to argue with a giant pile of money. But if there was a way to override that giant pile of money and get any player you want on the Yankees, who would you want? I asked that question to the PSA staff in a Valentine's Day-themed edition of Pinstripe Q&A
Q: This coming Saturday is Valentine's Day. Which available, or possibly soon-to-be-available, player do you wish Cupid could strike with an arrow, causing him to come to the Yankees?
Arun
Yoan Moncada, naturally. Wouldn't mind if Mike Trout or Clayton Kershaw decide to demand trades to the Yanks either.
Martin
I just took a look at the impending free agents for next year, and I think i want them to go after Doug Fister. I've always liked the way he pitches, and he'll be 32, so probably not going to get a ton of years.
Andrew
Everyone will say Moncada, so instead I will say Bryce Harper. Hey, he's a free agent... in a few years. What? No, YOU'RE being unreasonable.
John
Could we strike a group of wealthy and competitive billionaires to become silent partners instead, with a stray arrow or two for the director of the farm system? Give me a Mike Ilitch level of investment in the major league roster with an Andrew Friedman talent for building the minor league pipeline, plus a little willingness to lower ticket prices in the grandstands.
Harlan
I'll go international on this one and say Shohei Otani, the 20-year-old Japanese pitcher who had a 2.61 ERA and 179 K's in 155 innings for the Nippon Ham Fighters last year. Oh and he also played the outfield and had an .842 OPS in 200 plus at bats. His comments in 2012 suggested that he sees NPB as a springboard to MLB, so hopefully he'll push getting posted sooner rather than later.
Nikhil
Moncada is the obvious answer, but a less boring idea is Brady Aiken, who the Astros drafted with the top overall pick of the 2014 MLB Draft. He didn't sign because they basically found out that his UCL (the ligament for which a tear requires Tommy John surgery) was smaller than usual, thus making him a health risk. The Yankees have a compensation pick from the White Sox, so I say they should take a chance on Aiken with one of their picks if he is still available. With the other pick they should be more conservative and take the best defensive shortstop on the board.
Scott
I'd love for the Yankees to somehow end up with Johnny Cueto. He'll be a free agent next offseason, and he'd give the Yankees a great young top three of Cueto, Tanaka, and Pineda. The only problem is he'll probably cost a lot, but I'll just hope Cupid hits him with an arrow and he signs up with the Yankees for a huge discount. Hey, the offseason is for dreaming, right?
Matt F.
This week, I would like an arrow to hit the already mentioned Moncada. If we're talking for the long term, I would be okay with David Price getting hit with an arrow and falling madly in love with the Yankees. And if that love leads him overboard and he's willing to sign a contract for like $12 and a pizza, that would be cool too. I just hope that Cupid is accurate, because we don't need it hitting Joe Nathan and him demanding a trade to New York.
Those are our answers and now it's your turn. Tell us in the comments what player you would like to fall madly in love with the Yankees.
Yanks add some minor league rotation depth; Breaking down Cashman's offseason; Larry Rothschild is feeling good about Tanaka
NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: The Yanks have signed former Royals SP Kyle Davies to a minor league deal. Davies last pitched in a major league game in 2011, and his biggest claim to fame may be that he surrendered A-Rod's 500th home run in 2007.
ESPN NY | Associated Press: Pitching coach Larry Rothschild gives good news on the status Masahiro Tanaka's elbow. He also expresses cautious optimism regarding CC Sabathia's health.
LoHud Yankees Blog | Chad Jennings: The Yankees are loaded with "if's" going into 2015, and Chad Jennings lays out the top ten factors that will gauge how successful Brian Cashman's offseason was.
In Pursuit of Pennants | Dan Levitt: Mark Armour and Dan Levitt, authors of a new book about baseball front offices, are counting down the 25 greatest general managers in baseball history. Their number 5 is George Weiss, who was behind ten pennants and seven World Series wins for the Yanks over the course of thirteen years.
