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Yankees: Secret stopper Kuroda

Hiroki Kuroda

Hiroki Kuroda (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When an MLB team’s roster features Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, CC Sabathia, Alex Rodriguez, Andy Pettitte and Robinson Cano getting overlooked is not uncommon.

The New York Yankees roster, or current DL is littered with stars that have all rightfully earned their popularity over the years.

But if I had to name the Yankees most valuable player this season, Hiroki Kuroda would be on the top of the list.

Gazing at his numbers (stats courtesy of baseball-reference.com), Kuroda has actually been the Yankees most dependable starter since he joined the team in 2012. Continue reading ‘Yankees: Secret stopper Kuroda’ »

Yankees: Teixeira causing an Overbay problem

No one hypothesized that the New York Yankees would be anything less than joyful and relieved to get back their wounded superstars.

Mark Teixeira on the basepaths during a game b...

Mark Teixeira on the basepaths during a game between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles on August 26, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Of course, no one assumed this haphazard army of reserves would be winning enough games to be atop of the AL East either. You can check out available MLB future odds to see that the Yankees are now one of the favorites to win the 2013 World Series, a spot this team was far from just six weeks ago.

Everyone getting this team wrong doesn’t change the fact the Yankees are now in a pickle. Some might even call it a catch-22, as their pricey stars start getting healthy.

Curtis Granderson came off the DL earlier this week, which gives skipper Joe Girardi some relief in the outfield.

Granderson has played his whole career in centerfield but was started in left.

This essentially would put Vernon Wells out of a job he has done superbly.

Luckily for Girardi, Wells’ hot bat gets to stay since DH Travis Hafner is suffering from a sore shoulder, which buys the skipper some extra time.

Looking at the bigger picture, Girardi might not get the same courtesy when first baseman Mark Teixeira returns.

As, where is Lyle Overbay going to go? Continue reading ‘Yankees: Teixeira causing an Overbay problem’ »

Yankees: 4 reasons the Bronx Bombers are proving everyone wrong

Yes, we are a quarter of the way through the 2013 MLB season and to say the New York Yankees have surprised everyone is the understatement of the year.

Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After beating the Mariners 4-3 last night, the Yankees are 25-13 on the season, which is tied for the best record in baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Here are five things I’ve learned about the Bronx Bombers at the quarter mark.

1) GM Brian Cashman is good at his job.

It is time to give credit where credit is due, and Cashman merits much praise.

Coming under heavy fire during the off-season from pretty much everyone, it seems that Cashman actually knows what works for the Yankees.

It is easy to overlook the fat that this guy has been the team’s General Manager and Senior Vice President since 1998. So I think it is time we all give Cashman the benefit of the doubt, don’t you?

So far this season cannot be chalked up to Cashman finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

2) Vernon Wells is not done just yet. Continue reading ‘Yankees: 4 reasons the Bronx Bombers are proving everyone wrong’ »

Yankees: Granderson is back so who do you think goes?

Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The first of the New York Yankees walking wounded super stars, OF Curtis Granderson returns tonight in the Bronx vs. the Seattle Mariners.

So far this season, the outfield has been occupied with Vernon Wells in left; Brett Gardner in center; and Ichiro Suzuki in right.

That means someone has to go to make room for the Grandy-man.

Today’s lineup, given by skipper Joe Girardi has Wells as the DH (designated hitter) and Granderson playing left field, not center.

Do you think that Wells should be the odd man out as things go forward?

Or should Ichiro or Gardner sit?

Personally, I think Wells has earned an everyday spot in the outfield, but could be moved to the right. And either keep Gardner in center, and Granderson in left. Continue reading ‘Yankees: Granderson is back so who do you think goes?’ »

Yankees: I told Hughes so

Photograph of Phil Hughes taken on April 29, 2...

Photograph of Phil Hughes taken on April 29, 2008 at Yankee Stadium. 04:50, 1 May 2008 . . Mandalatv . . 1,272×954 (691 KB) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Is Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes irrevocably becoming what everyone touted him to be? 

After six seasons of being a source of utter frustration, it seems like Hughes has finally gotten it.

And I hate to say I told you so, but I did.

Countless times in the past, I have pointed out that Hughes lived and died by the speed gun. His fastball’s velocity went hand in hand with his confidence level.

At first, Hughes got away with primarily throwing his fastball when it clocked in at 93+ mph.

Like in his infamous All-Star 2010 season when he won 18 games, a number masked by the Yankee bats providing a ton of run support.

As expected this charade didn’t last long, as big league hitters eventually figured out Hughes’ love affair with his four-seamer. And it did not matter anymore whether Hughes was throwing 96 or 89 mph.

One time through a lineup, and then the home run parade usually started. Continue reading ‘Yankees: I told Hughes so’ »

Yankees Rumor: Do you want to know prospect David Adams?

Finally, New York Yankees fans might just get their wish granted this coming Wednesday according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.

Yankees David Adams.

Yankees David Adams.

Feinsand says sources told him that the Yankees would promote 25-year old prospect David Adams to be the everyday third baseman.

No doubt, the Yankees could use some relief in the hot corner.

Right now, Jason Nix is the team’s only legitimate filler for both the injured Kevin Youkilis at third, and Eduardo Nunez at shortstop. So bringing up a prospect is really a must at this point.

Regardless of the reason, Adams is a homegrown position player is getting a shot so Yankee fans should get to know him.

Here are five facts I dug up about Adams:

1) Do you recall the excuse the Mariners used for not trading Cliff Lee to the Yankees back in 2010?

Yes, it was David Adams according to Joel Sherman of the NY Post.

At the time, Adams had a sprained ankle until Seattle found it was actually fractured, which caused concerned.

After losing Lee to the Rangers, the Adams excuse seemed like more of a stall tactic used by the Mariners to hear from Texas at the last-minute. Continue reading ‘Yankees Rumor: Do you want to know prospect David Adams?’ »

Yankees: Alex Rodriguez vs. David Ortiz

Since coming off the DL on April 20th, Red Sox David Ortiz (aka. Big Papi) has had one of the hottest bats in baseball.

David Ortiz, mid warm up, turns back to the crowd.

David Ortiz, mid warm up, turns back to the crowd. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To quote CBS Boston’s Dan Roche:

There were some out there who didn’t think Big Papi would return (because his Achilles was so bad) or even should return (because of how well the Sox were doing without him).

They were wrong on both cases.

David Ortiz is simply amazing.

It is extraordinary that at 37-years old, Big Papi is putting up career numbers at the plate.

Remember that Ortiz’s only success has been as a designated hitter, as the extent of his defense since 2005 is playing first base 46 times.

Here are his numbers from this season: Continue reading ‘Yankees: Alex Rodriguez vs. David Ortiz’ »