As spring training rolls on for the New York Yankees, there is optimism to be had. Although the 2012 season ended in a disappointing series sweep by the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS, 2013 is a new year. And with a new year comes a new outlook. During the offseason, New York made few moves to bring in new players, and aside from re-signing a few players, only brought in one new everyday player—Kevin Youkilis. Even with New York’s quiet offseason and recently tight pockets, the 2013 season is looking ...
The New York Yankees followed Brian Cashman's image of a strong, sustainable organization in approximately 2006, reverting to player development over blockbuster deals. The front office began to devote time, funds and effort toward improving its farm system and grooming players for the Bronx limelight.For much of the 1990s and early 2000s, George Steinbrenner used his minor league teams like a shop, with a set price for each player for any team interested. He had no patience for allowing minor leaguers to develop into major league talent. Instead, he traded ...
By February 18 the Yankees usually have their roster more or less set. There may be a position battle for a bench spot or two, but generally it's known who will get the lion's share of at bats and innings pitched come Opening Day.But 2013 is different. There are legitimate position battles to be waged in spring training on both the offensive and pitching sides.Here's a look at the three most intriguing battles of the spring, at catcher, right-handed outfielder/designated hitter and fifth starter. CatcherFor the first time since Joe Girardi ...
The days when Alex Rodriguez could single-handedly put a team on his back are over. After two hip surgeries sandwiched between two steroid controversies, A-Rod is no longer the player he used to be.In the eyes of some, A-Rod is washed up; in the eyes of others, his storied career has been one big lie; but in the eyes of the Yankees, he is the key to another postseason berth.Yankee fans may cringe at the thought of their season depending on a fallen star coming off of major hip surgery, ...
The New York Yankees are going into the season as underdogs in a division they’ve owned since Derek Jeter arrived in the Bronx. Age has caught up with them and we’re beginning to see some competition from teams other than the Boston Red Sox. Remember the days when it was just Boston and New York battling for the division? This season, Toronto might have the best team in the history of their franchise, on paper at least. Many are saying the Blue Jays are the team to beat. Still with ...
The wait to get spring training going finally ended this past Tuesday.The Yankees reported to Tampa, Florida on Tuesday for their preparation for the upcoming 2013 season.One year ago, the Yankees won the American League East, knocked off the Baltimore Orioles in the American League Division Series but then were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series.The Bombers will look to get back to October for the fifth straight time, but they will have some new faces that will be donning the pinstripes.They will also have ...
Derek Jeter claims that he is on pace to return to the field by the season opener. This will be extremely important if the New York Yankees want to reach the postseason.After telling the media at a press conference that this offseason was "absolutely terrible," he responded to questions about returning in time for the April 1 opener (via Andrew Marchand of ESPN):Why wouldn't it be realistic? I broke my ankle in October. It has been quite some time. I'm right where I'm supposed to be up until this point. ...
The 10-year, $275 million contract Alex Rodriguez signed in 2007 is one of the biggest mistakes in the history of the New York Yankees. The only good thing that can be said about it is that it has taught the Yankees precisely where they should draw the line when it comes to long-term contracts.Hence the reason they must proceed with caution with star second baseman Robinson Cano.Cano is due to hit free agency at the end of the 2013 season, and the word from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com is that ...
The last time Yankee fans saw Chien-Ming Wang in pinstripes was almost four years ago.After suffering a severe injury in 2008, Wang's 2009 season was marred with inconsistency and ended with season-ending shoulder surgery.After missing all of 2010, Wang has tried to get his career resurrected with the Washington Nationals, the team whom Wang has been pitching for since 2011.According to George King of the New York Post, the Yankees are "keeping tabs" on Wang, as he threw off a mound for Billy Connors, the Yankees V.P. of player personnel.Wang is ...
If you’re one of the many players in a major league spring training camp, whether a young player on the 40-man roster or a veteran or kid who scored an invitation to the big club’s camp, the battle to earn one of those coveted opening-day roster spots can be harder with some teams than it is with others. Case in point is the New York Yankees. A veteran club with many spots already locked up, barring injury or some sort of catastrophic drop-off in performance, making the Yankees is a ...