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New York Yankees Rumors: David Phelps Future In Pinstripes

Posted by on 22 June 2011, 11:18 pm
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees

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David Phelps is a name New York Yankee fans should start to get familiar with.

The 24-year-old prospect is a right-handed pitcher who could provide some depth in the middle innings, which will be necessary with the Yankees depleted bullpen.

Before the Yankees signed journeyman minor leaguer Brian Gordon, Phelps was in contention to be Bartolo Colon’s substitute, who is on the 15-day DL with a right hamstring injury.

David Schoenfield over at ESPN’s the SweetSpot reported that GM Brian Cashman went as far as scratching Phelps from his last start on June 14, just so he could be ready for a call that never arrived.

Now with Star-Ledger’s Mark Craig reporting that Colon played long toss from a distance of 120 feet, the chances of Phelps, or any other prospect getting promoted prior to the All-Star break is unlikely. This applies even if Gordon stinks because it looks as if Colon will return soon enough, so no need to create havoc.

Down the stretch, Phelps could be a big help. He features four pitches, a two-seamer that clocks around the low 90’s, a change-up, a curve ball, and a slider. In November of 2010, Baseball America named Phelps as having the Best Slider of all Yankees minor-leaguers.

Phelps is a contact pitcher, so expect a lot of ground balls. With his deceptive delivery, Phelps keeps batters on their toes and he is comfortable throwing all his pitches at anytime. Phelps is a workhorse with no injury history, as he has yet to miss a start in the minors except when Cashman forced him to sit.

Phelps has grown with each step taken in the minors, as he is confident and throws strikes. When he gets ahead in the count hitters have a .137 average and this season is posting a 4-6 record, with a 3.38 ERA, 74 strikeouts and 85.1 innings pitcher, in the 14 starts he has made for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

Even though the Yankees lack an effective lefty arm for the bullpen, having a solid long-man to come in and help when a starter has a bad outing is vital. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees Rumors: David Phelps Future In Pinstripes’ »

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MLB Trade Rumors: Adios Boone Logan Hello Hughes, K-Rod Or Lil Manny

Posted by on 22 June 2011, 3:41 am

MLB’s trade deadline is creeping up fast and the New York Yankees, like most teams need to remedy a few ills before the clock runs out on July 31st.

The Yankees are not in dire need for a starter much to the dismay of the sports media/Yankee-Haters. Even though the Bombers are riddled with injuries they continue to win and hopefully this will avoid any desperate move to deal one of out talented prospects, but don’t hold me to that.

Shockingly the Yankees biggest problem started out as the team’s biggest strength and vice versa. As the bullpen fell apart, while the starting rotation has been unbelievable.

The bullpen still has the greatest closer in MLB history, Mariano Rivera who already has 18 saves and is defying all odds at 41 years old.

Setting up for Mo is David Robertson, who has literally been a savior especially after Joba Chamberlain went down. Robertson is posting 47 strikeouts, with a 1.23 ERA and has isolated 19 of 25 collected base runners, in just shy 30 innings pitched.

These two are obviously not the problem, but lefty Boone Logan is a big one.

Bottom line is Logan not getting the job done as the sole LOOGY (Left Only One Out Guy) in the Yankees bullpen.

Logan is not on the roster by choice, but by chance and he is only getting worse. Logan’s 3.94 ERA is masking how bad he has been this season. He has allowed 16 hits, seven earned runs, one home-run, eight walks, pitching 16 innings and facing 25 batters in total.

In his latest outing, Logan threw just one pitch that plunked Reds Joey Votto in the back, leaving skipper Joe Girardi little choice but remove him.

The last thing any team can afford is a relief pitcher that jeopardizes winning games and that is Logan in a nutshell. He has to go, where doesn’t matter as much as when. As the last thing the Yankees need is Kyle Farnsworth part two.

THE POSSIBILITIES:

Well, the overall trade market looks limited this season, as there are a lot more teams still in playoff contention. Even the long shots that are flirting with collapse are not throwing in the towel just yet.

The go-to teams of the last two seasons, like the Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals are all still in contention in the race for October.

The New York Mets are listening to offers, as they have the talent and need to slice some money off their high payroll but my guess is that they would rather pay-up than help the Yankees get better.

Mets fans have redefined being out through the ringer, and I trust the new Mets brass is well aware of this. So, don’t totally get your hopes up for K-rod, but removing the $18 million he is owed in 2010 is going to make it tempting for GM Sandy Alderson to move him. Continue reading ‘MLB Trade Rumors: Adios Boone Logan Hello Hughes, K-Rod Or Lil Manny’ »

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New York Yankees: Injury Updates Are Just Alright

Posted by on 21 June 2011, 2:59 am

With the recent way they are playing, it is easy to forget that the New York Yankees are riddled with injuries.

Minus the great Mo, Robertson and technically Boone Logan, the entire bullpen, along with the Captain Derek Jeter, two top starting pitchers Colon and Hughes, and Yankees new bench player, Oakland A’s legend Eric Chavez all are on the disabled list.

The updates on the Yankee injured are just all right; with no official return dates know for any yet.

HERE ARE THE RECENT REPORTS FROM THE YANKEES DL:

One positive report from Daniel Barbarisi at the Wall Street Journal, that skipper Joe Girardi said Jeter’s rehab is going smoothly down in Tampa, FL. The Captain is right on track to be back at the end of the month, which is the end of his 15-day DL stint.

The latest on surprise Yankee ace Bartolo Colon, who is out with a strained left hamstring was not good. Colon has supposedly not even begun to throw yet, which is not a good sign considering his absence is about to hit the two-week mark.

On the Phil Hughes front, ESPN New York reports that Hughes clocked 95 mph in his rehab start with the Staten Island Yankees. Hughes threw 61 pitches, 41 for strikes in a 4 1/3-inning start, fanning seven and issuing just one walk. It is said that the Yankees want Hughes to make at least three to five more rehab starts, with his next in Double-A Scranton on Friday.

The Associated Press had the latest on Eric Chavez, reporting that Chavez took batting practice on the field for the first time since breaking his left foot May 5. Chavez has already been out way longer than expected, but it is good news that he is out of the walking boot and on the field again.

Oh and Yankee fans need not worry about Andruw Jones being hurt on his run to first-base against the Reds on Monday. Jones was just being lazy, no thanks to Russell Martin sliding into second hard with the intent of helping Jones get to first safely. Brett Gardner should start against all pitchers for a while. I was in shock that Jones pulled this crap, as it is unacceptable and you would think that a player of his stature would give his all. It makes you remember that at just 33, Jones is already burnt out and that he gave-up about three seasons ago.

NOTABLE INJURIES FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE:

The only team now in worse shape than the Yankees is the St. Louis Cardinals, who just lost arguably the best player in baseball, 1B Albert Pujols.

Reported on St. Louis Today the Cardinals will be without Pujols for a minimum of six weeks, after being diagnosed with a fractured wrist after a collision with Kansas City Royals and ex-Yankee Wilson Betemit. That is just terrible and heart-breaking news for the Cardinals and their fans.

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New York Yankees: Super Nova Not Letting Phil Hughes Steal His Spot

Posted by on 21 June 2011, 12:49 am
CINCINNATI, OH - JUNE 20: A Cincinnati Reds fa...

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The New York Yankees have not been void of injuries this season, with almost the entire bullpen, the Captain and two starting pitchers all currently sitting on the Disabled List.

Well, you certainly wouldn’t know it, as the active Yankees are cruising right along on the road and packing in the crowds during the first week of Interleague Play.

Over the weekend, the Bombers won two of three in Wrigley Field, the famous home of the Chicago Cubs. Also, according to ESPN Chicago the Cubs set a new attendance record during this three-game series with 126,283 fans in total to see them play the Yankees.

After the Sunday finale, they flew to Cincinnati and beat the Reds in the first of three with a score of 5-3.

This Monday night belonged to rookie pitcher Ivan Nova, who irrefutably flaunted how vital he can be in the starting rotation.

Nova pitched eight innings of one-run ball, fanning seven Reds, throwing 70 of his 105 pitches for strikes and didn’t issue one walk. He was locating his sinker to both sides of the plate, and he established a strikeout curveball early.

Closer Mariano Rivera had to come in and save the game, after lefty non-specialist Boone Logan hit 2010 MVP Joey Votto in the back with his first pitch. Logan got pulled after that one, and Mo posted his 18th save on the season.

Still, there was just one paramount performance and goes without saying that the Great American Ballpark is known to be a batting heaven, but not with Nova on the mound.

Nova clocked his third win in a row, certainly making the possibility of plunking Phil Hughes into the bullpen more realistic.

The Yankees have won nine of 11 and maybe the Boston Red Sox are to thank for this surge.

The Yankee players are sans their Captain for the first time since 2003, as Derek Jeter is in Tampa rehabbing his left calf. Even without Jeter, the players’ determination is undeniable and for the first time all season they look unstoppable.

As YES announcer Michael Kay says:

“Put that one on the left side!”

The Yankees are certainly showing that they can do that, at least away from Yankee Stadium.

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New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez Injury Revealed

Posted by on 20 June 2011, 2:37 am

ESPN New York’s Wallace Matthews revealed that New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has been suffering from a left shoulder injury; or as skipper Joe Girardi called it, “a small shoulder issue” for weeks now.

Wallace got this information from a clubhouse source, who asked that his identity not be revealed. This anonymous source referred to A-rod’s injury as a shoulder “strain” and said it had been lingering for weeks.

Without a doubt A-rod’s power numbers are at an all time low, posting just 13 home-runs on the season. Even so he is unquestionably producing posting 43 RBIs and a .289 batting average.

A-rod and the Yankees brass was forced to acknowledge the injury, but claim he is fine to play, as it hasn’t hindered him from partaking in 66 of the 70 games played so far this season.

Should Yankee fans be concerned?

Well, I would definitely keep an eye on the situation but not obsess over it.

The Yankee brass is not exactly forthright when it comes to the truth or extent of player’s injuries; so if it got worse don’t be surprised.

Remember that at this point in the season, with the All-Star game just two weeks away most players are beat-up and probably icing some area of their bodies.

A-rod has been doing this a long time, as this is his 18th seasons and I trust he knows when to quit and when to play.

The Yankees took two of three from the Chicago Cubs over the weekend, and in Sunday nights 10-4 victory. A-rod went 3-4, with three runs, a RBI, and a walk.

The only noticeable difference is that A-rod is not hitting home-runs, as he has only four in June so far. This should quiet the critics a little as the Yankees are certainly not in need of anymore home-runs, as they lead the Majors with a whooping 105 and behind them is the Boston Red Sox with just 85.

Let’s hope that this injury just gets blown out of proportion in the press, and that A-rod’s treatment on his “sore” shoulder helps it feel better.

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MLB: Interleague Play Debate Continues

Posted by on 20 June 2011, 1:07 am

There has been a continuing debate between media, fans, players etc. whether MLB should change the rules that apply during Interleague Play about the Designated Hitter and strength of schedule.

Just in case let’s look at the factors:

What is interleague play?

Interleague play is a Major League Baseball term that indicates when regular season games are played between teams that live in different leagues, so American League Teams play National League Teams.

  • Started in 1997 but was limited to divisions playing their counterparts in the opposite league only. (i.e. AL West vs. NL West; flip-flopping home field site)
  • Five seasons later, in 2002 the rules expanded which allowed for the divisions to rotate playing each other. This meant that one year the NL West would play the AL Central teams, the next year the AL East and then the AL West.
  • All interleague games are played in June, but the scattered series between cities with more than one team. (i.e. Chicago, New York, Los Angeles etc.).
  • The rules used during Interleague regular season games are the same as the World Series and the All-Star game that is, the home team’s league rules apply. So, when an AL team visits an NL Stadium, there is no designated hitter and the pitcher bats, as National League rules dictate.
  • The scheduling for Interleague Series is very unbalanced due to the unbalanced in the two leagues, with 14 in the AL and 16 in the NL; and the inter-city rivalries each are featured to play six games (or two series) against each other.

What is the Interleague Play debates or biggest complaints?

There are two issues that are complained about year after year, but both are relevant and have legit reasoning on either end:

1) The scheduling is very unfair, as it is lopsided. ESPN reporter Jayson Stark sums up the scheduling issues, which are quite complicated in an article written called Interleague play’s greatest problem. It has to do with the AL West having just four teams and the NL Central having six ball-clubs; as well as making sure city’s with two teams, in opposite leagues play each other six times for fans, which makes sense.

2) The rule that AL teams cannot a DH in NL stadiums, which in turn means the pitcher has to bat. It makes injuries are a major concern because AL pitchers do not take BP (batting practice) and are not used to running the bases, something NL pitchers are accustomed too. The All-Star Game and the World Series play by the rules of the hosting team, so why should Interleague Play be any different?

What is your opinion on Interleague Play?

Do you think it should stay as is, or that changes need to be made?

Should the DH be implemented in National League Parks during Interleague games? Basically, should AL rules be used across the board?

Should MLB Commissioner move one of the NL Central teams into the AL West? Or what is the alternative to keeping it unbalanced?

Opinions From Around The League:

Mark Gonzales of Chicago Tribune reported that White Sox slugger Adam Dunn had this to say about Interleague Play:

“It does suck, yes. But that’s another reason why I’m anti-interleague. It’s not fun … The interleague thing is just awful. It just ruins everything. Especially if you look at Boston. People like Ortiz. He’s having a great year, but now he’s going to have to sit a couple of games and screw up the mojo.”

Detroit Tigers skipper Jim Leyland made his opinion clear to Tom Gage of the Detroit Free Press:

“It has run its course. I just don’t like it. First of all, at some point we have to get baseball back to the same set of rules. I don’t know why more people don’t talk about it. No other sport plays different rules (regarding the DH). I don’t care what they do. Whatever way they go is fine with me, but the rules should be the same.”

 

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MLB Trade Rumors: Could The Yankees New Pitching Project Be Scott Kazmir

Posted by on 17 June 2011, 4:08 am
Scott Kazmir

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MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman is planning to take a look at Los Angeles Angels outcast and ex-Tampa Bay Ray pitcher Scott Kazmir.

On June 16 2011, Kazmir was officially released by the Halos following a disastrous start in Tripe-A where he was 0-5, with an ERA north of 17.

Kazmir only made one start for the club this season before being demoted to Triple-A, but since arriving in Anaheim via trade back in 2009, Kazmir has been on a steady decline.

He first surfaced back in 2004 as part of the Devil Rays where he remained until the Angels traded for him in 2009.

In his five plus seasons in Tampa Bay, Kazmir had a 55-44 record, posting a 3.92 ERA in 144 starts. Kazmir was good, named to two All-Star Teams in 2006 and 2008; and in 2007 he lead the majors in strikeouts, fanning 239 batters that season.

Since the beginning, Kazmir had continuously agonized from strains in his elbow and shoulder due to lacking a consistent release point. My guess is the Angels thought his mechanics were fixable, as Kazmir was only 6 feet tall, short by MLB pitching standards but easier to tweak. Also, being 25-years old at the time and a lefty didn’t hurt either.

Well, the relationship between Kazmir and the Halos resembled an arranged marriage that seemed doomed from the start.

Incoming with hurt feelings that the Rays let him go, Kazmir hasn’t been able to recover and has been so ineffective it is mind-boggling.

First Kazmir’s velocity went south; then he lost total command of his pitches and was accused for his lack of work ethic.

Who really knows, but fact remains that in 2010 things got ugly. As Kazmir finished with a 9-15 record in 28 starts, posting a 5.94 ERA, giving up a career high 99 earned runs, 25 home-runs and he only pitched 150 innings in total.

This season, the Halos gave him another shot to get it together. Kazmir imploded in his first outing and was sent down to Triple-A immediately, where he as been up until a few days ago.

Kazmir is now only 27-year-old, and without question has exhibited consistent dominance for long enough periods that will leave him with options, but it is now or never.

So, presumably you can bet the Yankees are not the only team thinking about inking him to minor league deal.

Dan Martin from the NY Post reports the New York Mets have shown interest, ironically the team drafted Kazmir before handing him over to the Devil Rays. Maybe a welcome homecoming of familiarity would work?

No doubt all the factors of a good comeback story are certainly here.

Whether Kazmir wants to pitch for the remainder of 2011 on a Minor League contract is what no one can verify. The Halos still owe him a $9 million dollar paycheck for the remainder of the season, so if he does sign somewhere it is not cause he needs the money.

As for what I think regarding the Yankees signing Kazmir on as their new project?

Well, whether Kazmir can get better depends on whether he can turn his bitterness into motivation.

So, my opinion is that I don’t really care because Kazmir would only be seen in the Bronx if he righted himself, and who doesn’t love a good bargain buy.

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