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New York Yankees: Fifth Starter Competition Looks To Be A Dogfight

Posted by on 27 January 2012, 3:16 am

A. J. Burnett

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman took the words “Pitching is a priority,” right out of ex-Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks mouth this off-season.

Cashman has left skipper Joe Girardi and Co. with a tough decision to make come Spring Training, as seven starting pitchers cannot fit into five spots.

The situation is as follows, CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Michael Pineda and Ivan Nova look to be the locks to start the 2012 season, pending no extenuating circumstances say otherwise.

This leaves AJ Burnett, Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes all fighting for the one remaining spot left in the starting rotation.

So, the question is who should be the Yankees fifth starter out of the above three?

Ok…. before you all unleash on me, please note that I based purely on who out of the three would be the most effectively to start the 2012 season in the rotation.

So, I decided to use a process of elimination to see who looks best on paper. It was the only legit option for now, as no one knows who shows up in what shape yet etc.

First, I looked at Burnett, Garcia and Hughes basic stats for the first-half of 2011. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Fifth Starter Competition Looks To Be A Dogfight’ »

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New York Yankees: You Want Answers I Got 3 Questions

Posted by on 26 January 2012, 4:12 am

In a few days it will be February, which means Spring Training is right around the corner as pitchers and catchers report on the 19th.

English: A-Rod batting in 2007.

Image via Wikipedia

So, while baseball fans are ready to end another long off-season, team’s front offices are scrambling to get everything in order.

As for the New York Yankees, this off-season got started uncomfortably late but in the end trading for Michael Pineda and signing Hiroki Kuroda were well worth the wait.

Still, the fate of the 2012 Yankees hinders on getting the right answers to some lingering questions.

So, here are 3 substantial subjects to keep your eye on as things get started:

1.     Can Alex Rodriguez stay healthy?

When A-rod is healthy, he is hitting and without question makes the Yankees tougher to beat. It is no secret that A-rod is 36 years old and entering his 19th MLB season, but he is a true competitor with a lot of talent. There is no lack of effort on his part either, as A-rod works harder than most athletes and this off-season was no different. A-rod piggy-backed the 2009 team straight to a World Series, and the Yankees could use 30 homers and 100 RBIs out of him. Solid production from A-rod would be a difference maker; but that entails staying off the DL.

2.     Seven starters for a five-man rotation? Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: You Want Answers I Got 3 Questions’ »

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New York Yankees: Detroit Tiger-ees Want To Win Now Too

Posted by on 25 January 2012, 9:02 am
Prince Fielder This image was moved from File:...

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Guess another team, the Detroit Tigers, finally got the memo, since Prince Fielder will be waving goodbye to the Brew Crew as the slugger is heading to the Motor City.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reported agent Scott Boras got the Tigers to agree to a nine-year, $214 million contract for Prince’s talents.

Once the news broke that catcher/DH Victor Martinez would be out for all of 2012 after tearing his ACL in a pre-season workout, the Tigers had to go big to stay relevant in the AL.

And answering with Prince Fielder certainly does just that.

Actually, I was a tad stunned that Detroit made such a Yankee-esque move to fix things. The Tigers now join a handful of teams that have started recklessly spending money and handing out monster contracts, just like the Yankees have done for years.

YOU’RE WELCOME TIGERS:

In my opinion, it is about darn time that MLB owners started spending some dough because win or lose, it sends a clear message that they are invested in winning.

New York fans understand this concept because the Yankees wrote this memo and it went out a long time ago.

This remains very much today, as clear from Hal Steinbrenner’s press release after the Yankees early 2011 ALDS exit:

“I personally share in our fans’ disappointment that this season has ended without a championship. That is, and always will be, our singular goal every season. I assure you that this disappointment will strengthen our resolve to field a team in 2012 that can bring a 28th championship to the Bronx. That work starts now.”

This offseason, the Yankees were slow out of the gate but in the end the Boss’s son remained true to what his father always promised.

As what could comfort a fan-base more than to know the owners will go above and beyond to put the best possible team on the field everyday with only one goal, to win.

TIGERS IN 2012: Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Detroit Tiger-ees Want To Win Now Too’ »

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New York Yankees: Introducing Prospect Jose Campos

Posted by on 24 January 2012, 11:04 pm

Jose Campos will have his personal cheering section this week. (Shari Sommerfield/MiLB.com)

In the midst of all the hysteria surrounding the Michael Pineda-Jesus Montero trade, the name Jose Campos might have gotten lost in the shuffle.

Campos was the other pitcher the New York Yankees received from the Seattle Mariners in the blockbuster trade.

The 19-year-old righty has only been in the minors for two years, and so far the reports are mixed about Campos’s potential.

POSITIVES:

  • Campos has the perfect pitcher’s frame at 6’4 and 200 lbs.
  • He throws a low-mid 90’s fastball, which he can locate; it can reach almost 100 mph.
  • Has a decent slider that is getting better and is developing into another plus pitch.
  • Has mound presence and displays confidence in tough situations at a very young age.
  • Seattle fans were not stoked to let this kid go.
  • Works hard and continues to take solid steps forward.

NEGATIVES:

  • Will Campos keep working hard on improving; and is he able to adapt easily?
  • Some scouts say he doesn’t use his legs and throws too much from his arm. This can cause rotator-cuff issues, and a build up of shoulder scar tissue.
  • His curveball is a mess, and needs to either get a different pitch or fix it so hitters actually swing at it.

Last year, Campos made 14 starts for the Mariners in Single-A ball. He posted a 5-5 record, with a 2.32 ERA, giving up 21 earned runs, four homers and walked 13 batters. Campos also struck out 85 batters and pitched a total of 81 innings in 2011. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Introducing Prospect Jose Campos’ »

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New York Yankees: You Won’t Want To Miss This Event

Posted by on 23 January 2012, 9:52 pm
English: Jorge Posada (#20, left) with Mariano...

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Tomorrow New York Yankees fan will have to say goodbye to Jorge Posada, as according to MLB.com he will officially announce his retirement from baseball in a press conference at the Stadium.

Personally, saying goodbye to another piece of the infamous Yankees Core Four will numb my joy for the New York Giants trip to Super Bowl XLVI for a moment.

Ironically, when I think about it Posada actually personifies this Giants team because he played old school baseball.

Jorge was tougher than nails, and brought a go hard or go home attitude that subconsciously motivates others to win.

So now, after 17 seasons, of going to a Yankee game to see Posada and chant “Hip, Hip Jorge” has to come to an end tomorrow. Even knowing that this day was coming still doesn’t change the fact that feels way to soon.

For now, let us all wish Jorge Posada the best in his future endeavors but I hope he knows the joy he brought everyday to his fans, this city and the Yankee pinstripes. And say Thank You.

“Saying goodbye doesn’t mean anything. It’s the time we spent together that matters, not how we left it” – Trey Parker, creator of South Park. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: You Won’t Want To Miss This Event’ »

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Move Over Yankees, New York Giants Rule This City

Posted by on 23 January 2012, 5:24 am

Wow, is all I can say.

Anyone who saw the NFC Championship Game featuring the New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49ers game would be hard pressed to say any different.

In the end the Giants won in OT 20-17, but the game was so inspiring because both teams fought with so much heart as it was a literal blood bath.

Undoubtedly it is easier as a Giants fan to say congratulations are in order for both teams, but that is the truth.

When you think about where the Giants were a few weeks ago, to now being crowned the NFC Champions and are Super Bowl bound; it is unbelievable.

It reminded me back on December 22 before the Jets game Giants DE Justin Tuck said:

“We got a lot of catching up to get to, what is it … 27 rings now the Yankees got? They run New York if you want to talk about running New York.”

Well, let me tell Justin Tuck that, as his Giants get ready to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on February 5th that statement is starting to get old.

The New York Yankees might be the most decorated, but for now this town is all Giants because they earned it proudly. Continue reading ‘Move Over Yankees, New York Giants Rule This City’ »

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New York Giants: Tribute To The Blue And Red

Posted by on 21 January 2012, 8:39 pm

The New York Giants are in San Francisco to take on the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.

The winner will play in the Superbowl XLVI against either the New England Patriots or Baltimore Ravens in Indianapolis on February 5th with kickoff time scheduled for 6:30EST.

First, for the Giants to continue on riding down Super Bowl Highway 46, they have to get past the 49ers tomorrow night with kickoff at 6:30PM ET in Candlestick Park.

New York City will be cheering on their Giants like crazy, so here is something to get fans going: Continue reading ‘New York Giants: Tribute To The Blue And Red’ »

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