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MLB Trade Rumors: Oh No Yankees Bring Back Sergio Mitre

Posted by on 30 June 2011, 12:41 am
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: (L-R) Robinson Cano #2...

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The New York Yankees are playing some darn good baseball, posting a 17-26 record in the month of June.

The Bombers just won their sixth series in a row tonight after taking the second game vs. the Milwaukee Brewers 5-2 and will go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon in the Bronx.

The Brewers are one of the better teams in baseball, sitting in first place in the NL Central. Maybe they are star-struck, but I have watched a few Brew-Crew games this season and they are no doubt out of sorts. Basically, I expected this series to be the highlight of playing the NL teams.

Not that I am taking away anything from the Bombers, as they look indestructible as of late. Fact is the Yankees don’t have the best record in Interleague Play (153-106) for nothing, and the trend continues on.

So understand my dilemma when in Wednesday’s post-game skipper Joe Girardi said something to the tune of getting back a pitcher that had helped the team in the past. Then I thought I heard the name Sergio Mitre come out of his mouth.

My first thought was something was wrong with my hearing, or maybe I was asleep and having a nightmare?

Well, neither came true once I heard my phone bleep. I grabbed it, only to see a Yankees update as I get them sent to my phone.

This one was from MLB Trade Rumors:

YANKEES ACQUIRE SERGIO MITRE.

Sergio Mitre is heading back to the Bronx. The Yankees acquired the right-hander from the Brewers for cash considerations, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (on Twitter). Milwaukee designated Mitre for assignment Monday and he has since drawn interest from other teams.

My first thought was that was so funny…an April Fools on the Fourth of July?

Unfortunately that is not the case because it is June 29th. So, why not celebrate America’s Birthday by wasting a roster spot on an injury prone, righty who stinks?

Also, don’t forget when Mitre was suspended for 50-games in 2009 after testing positive for androstenedione, the same “stuff” Mark Maguire took.

Obviously none of the above has phased Girardi. The Yankees skipper clearly has a thing for this guy off the field, because Mitre has caused about as many headaches as Javier Vazquez and Kyle Farnsworth when he is on it.

I would love to ask GM Brian Cashman, how many games does Mitre have to blow for the Yankees to realize he is useless?

You can’t ask Girardi because he is evidently whipped after seeing his expression when he talked about Mitre coming back to “help out”. Personally, I would rather have Nick Swisher pitching any day of the week over Mitre.

Let me put it this way, I hate booing individual player’s but I have no problem screaming “You Suck” at Mitre.

Girardi’s pet is a poor man’s version of Chien Ming Wang that the Brewers designated for assignment because he apparently couldn’t get the job done, again.

The Yankees just can’t ever be normal, as when it seems like everything is flowing they throw out B.S. like this.

Let’s just pray someone drops the hammer on Girardi when he decides to give Mitre a chance in the starting rotation, and I am dead serious.

This announcement didn’t just ice the cake, as that happened when the Yankees resigned Mitre this past off-season; this time it knocked the darn thing onto the floor.

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New York Yankees: Double Trouble In The Bronx As Bombers Lose To Rangers

Posted by on 16 April 2011, 3:44 am

A lot of things happened with the New York Yankees Friday night, other than losing 5-3 to the Texas Rangers, the first game of this weekend’s three game set.

Yankee fans should not panic but there some substantial things to take note of, so to make it easier here are a few you can print:

PRE-GAME TROUBLE:

Prior to the game, Phil Hughes officially moved to the 15-day DL with dead arm cited as the reason.

The hope is that getting on a daily long-toss program will build his arm strength and presumably he will work on his curveball to have a third pitch to use too. Whether this will be enough time for Hughes’ to work is up to genius and new pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

Hughes is understandably disappointed, but he seems to have come to grips that this had to happen and is confident it will work.

As unfortunate as the situation is, it had to be done. I was shocked, but relieved that happened to Hughes so soon, as Skipper Joe Girardi is infamous for giving endless chances to struggling pitchers.

Finally, Girardi made the right move, at the right time to avoid the possibility of jeopardizing any games outcomes by getting Hughes out.

To be honest, I was vey worried that because the team won the game that Hughes had started on Thursday night, that it might have been earned him another go. Blame it on me being on Girardi autopilot, but if Sergio Mitre had that identical performance, he would have won a rotation spot. Whatever, hopefully we can turn that page thank goodness and with no other ex-Marlins on the team I think Girardi can too.

Obviously Bartolo Colon, who has been dynamite coming in from the bullpen in long relief, will take over for Hughes. Colon has impressed everyone, which admittedly proves my theory completely wrong. As the 2005 CY Young winner can still dominate, which the Yankees desperately need Colon to continue to do.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Colon remains in the rotation from here on out, and Freddie Garcia gets moved to the bullpen by the time Hughes gets back.

GAME TROUBLES AND NEW AL RECORD SET:

The Texas Rangers are in the Bronx for the first time this weekend since they beat the New York Yankees in the 2010 ALCS; and not much changed as Texas won the first game of this three game set 5-3.

Well the Yankees had everything working in their favor heading into this rematch…playing at home, sans Cliff Lee, and 2010 AL MVP Josh Hamilton, obviously the Rangers best player is out for at least eight weeks with a broken shoulder. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Double Trouble In The Bronx As Bombers Lose To Rangers’ »

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New York Yankees: 2011 Pitching Rotation Is All Set

Posted by on 26 March 2011, 10:37 pm

New York Yankees skipper Joe Girardi has announced the starting pitching rotation that will begin the 2011 season. 

Starters: (1) CC Sabathia, (2) AJ Burnett, (3) Phil Hughes, (4) Ivan Nova, (5) Freddy Garcia

Bullpen: Bartolo Colon, Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson, Boone Logan, Pedro Feliciano, Raphael Soriano, Mariano Rivera (closer)

Mike Wallace at ESPN claims:

“The team with a longer history of excellence than any in the history of professional sports opted for mediocrity.”

Don’t know if I would put it in the same context as Wallace, but here is why I think Girardi made the right choices.

This was no easy decision as Nova, Colon and Garcia all pitched well enough to keep them in this competition right till the end.

Nova clearly earned himself the fourth spot, throwing a 1.80 ERA in four starts and five exhibition games this spring. In 2010, Nova was called up mid-pennant race and made seven starts for the Bombers, posting a 4.50 ERA, over 10 games to finish with a 1-2 record.

Garcia did not have as good a spring as Colon, but reputation and reliability is a factor. Considering Garcia won 12 games for the White Sox, while remaining healthy last season; and Colon hasn’t pitched in the regular season since September of 2009.

Colon’s also came to camp un-physically fit, about 25 lbs. overweight and a history of injuries on his resume. This surely benefited Garcia into being the logical and more dependable choice.

Shockingly, I am happy that Colon is staying after projecting flashes of his previous 2005 CY Young winning self. Colon will be as solid as any team could hope for in the long relief role out of the bullpen. Trust me Colon will be needed more then he probably realizes, and that I would live to admit.

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New York Yankees: Finally Say Adios To Sergio Mitre

Posted by on 25 March 2011, 11:50 am
Sergio Mitre

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Ex-New York Yankees Sergio Mitre is a phrase I have been waiting to hear for two years.

Well, according to a tweet from ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick, this is now fact, as the Brewers are bringing the talents of Mitre to the city of Milwaukee.

What talents did the Brew Crew just acquire?

Not quite sure, but the Brewers are currently missing their two aces Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum so presumably Mitre would be used as a filler.

The Sporting News reported that Marcum should be ready to go at the start of the season, but Greinke’s broken ribs are a few weeks away from returning.

So, Mitre will replace Greinke temporarily in April or be used as a long man, but who cares not soenthing Yankee fans need to worry about any longer. The Brewers will face the Reds, Phillies, Braves and Cubs in the month of April, which is tough bunch of NL hitting teams. Well, I guess the Brewers are hoping for a speedy recovery because if it is the Mitre Yankee fans grew to know he will get slammed by these hard hitting clubs.

This means the Yankees rotation is almost set with Sabathia, Burnett, Hughes, Nova and Colon/Garcia/Millwood. Garcia said he will take a bullpen job and he is a way better option then Mitre.

This move gets two thumbs up and a snap, as Mitre should have been let go way before this.

Hopefully skipper Joe Girardi will not be too heartbroken by the break-up, but I just hope Mitre doesn’t let the door hit him on the way out.

Six days and counting till the regular season….

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2011 Spring Training: Pitching Audition Rumors You Are Not Going To Like

Posted by on 18 March 2011, 2:05 pm

Entering 2011 Spring Training, the New York Yankees had no back end in their pitching rotation, as the four and five spots were wide open.

GM Brian Cashman decided to go with the motto of quantity over quality, which was far from comforting. Names like Bartolo Colon, Mark Prior and Freddie Garcia were the solutions that felt like you had swallowed something and it went down the wrong pipe.

Let’s not forget about Sergio Mitre, who is getting his millionth chance at a starting spot.

Mitre would be the Kyle Farnsworth of the rotation, as he shouldn’t be even considered with his track record.

Luckily for Mitre, his love affair with Joe Girardi has completely blinded the skipper to his true lack of effectiveness as a starter. Over his seven-year career, Mitre has a 13-29 record, with a 5.27 ERA over 64 starts total. Translation is when Mitre is not stinking it up on the mound; he spends an ample amount of time on the DL.

The highlight of the Spring was getting introduced to the Yankee youngsters, who Cashman should feel very good about after all the hard work gone into revamping the team’s farm system since 2004.

Yankees have a herd of talented arms stockpiled in the minors who most fans just got a taste of these last few weeks, watching Andrew Brackman, Delin Betences and the crown jewel Manny Banuelos shine.

Come mid-season Cashman’s phone will be ringing off the hook if the Yankees are in need of a trade but my guess is these three will not be on the table.

This is where rookie Ivan Nova, the best pitcher by a landslide this spring comes into play. Nova is a step ahead of the other three as he pitched nicely in the bigs at the tail end of 2010. Continue reading ‘2011 Spring Training: Pitching Audition Rumors You Are Not Going To Like’ »

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New York Yankees: Manny Mania, Manny Rules

Posted by on 16 March 2011, 6:38 am
I took this picture of Joba Chamberlain on 8/1...

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By now, most of baseball has heard or witnessed New York Yankee pitching prospect Manny Banuelos.

Facing the Red Sox a-lineup this past Sunday night, Banuelos maintained such poise, considering skipper Joe Girardi told him just hours before that Sergio Mitre was scratched with stiffness.

Even though Banuelos gave up three walks against Boston’s best, the 20-year-old looked good. Banuelos didn’t allow a run to score and struck-out two batters. He throws mid-90’s and has a sick change-up.

Banuelos has left quite an impression this Spring Training, and not just with Yankees. Here are a few quotes about Banuelos:

“That guy’s 20 years old? He’s really good, and he seems to have an idea. Shoot, when I was 20, I was swinging with an aluminum bat.” - Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia NY POST

“I like everything about him. The makeup and how he keeps his composure. I notice situations and how you react in situations. Where you make your pitches in tough situations, where you spot your pitches, he has the ability to do that.” - Yankees closer Mariano Rivera ESPN

“I think for this young man’s future they should go slow with him, very slow,” - Red Sox manager Terry Francona said with a smile NY POST

It is confirmed from GM Brian Cashman that Banuelos will start in Double A. He has only made three starts total with Trenton, so it makes sense not to rush him.  Banuelos needs to pitching more innings, but it would seem impossible that the Yankees can resist not letting him into the Bronx at all in 2011. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Manny Mania, Manny Rules’ »

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New York Yankees: Manny Banuelos Update

Posted by on 15 March 2011, 4:17 pm

Thanks to the YES Network, the New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox game was blacked out in New York despite being advertised to be showing on ESPN2.

This was ridiculous of YES to blackout one of the most relevant games of Spring Training and one that fans were very excited to watch. YES had the Nets vs. Celtics game on and ESPN ran SportsCenter for two straight hours.

So, Yankee fans missed watching prospect Manny Banuelos pitch against Boston’s A-line-up. This was announced last yesterday after slated starter Sergio Mitre couldn’t go due to stiffness in his left oblique. The injury is not of any concern according to the Yankees.

Skipper Joe Girardi decided to start Banuelos in place of Mitre, which means the Yankees have faith in this kid. Banuelos is  something for fans to definetly be excited about, as the just turned 20-year-old has been impressing throughout Spring Training.

Will we see Banuelos in the Bronx during 2011?

Knowing the Yankees it would be doubtful because of he needs more innings in the minors.  Post-All-Star break it would not surprise me if that sentiment changes because Banuelos is that talented and keeping him in the minors is wasting his talents.

Since I could not watch the game here is the NY Post writer Brian Costello’s article of how Banuelos outing went.

Yankees prospect Banuelos hangs tough vs. Red Sox regulars

FORT MYERS, Fla. — With all the hype around Manuel Banuelos, you expected the Yankees prospect to levitate to the mound, turn the water in the cooler into wine and throw lightning bolts from his left hand against the Red Sox last night.
He didn’t quite do all that, but Banuelos was impressive in his first start of the spring. The 20-year-old left-hander struggled with his control, but showed poise when he got into jams and gave glimpses of a filthy fastball and a nasty changeup. He allowed two hits in 2 2/3 shutout innings, striking out two and walking three.

Read the rest of article HERE….

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