New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli was optioned down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday after a trade that helped New York to acquire Chris Stewart from the Giants for George Kontos.The news is quite a shock as fans remain stunned from the move. Some wondered if Cervelli may have been a trade option, but no one saw this coming, including Cervelli.Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that Stewart will be on the Opening Day roster as a backup catcherCervelli was called up from the minor leagues in 2009 and quickly ...
When the doors of spring training opened, newly acquired pitcher Michael Pineda had been whispered as a possible No. 2 starter in the New York Yankees rotation. After an up-and-down year in his rookie affair in Seattle, the Bombers had high hopes for the 23-year-old right-hander in 2012. When his first few March starts yielded lower-than-expected velocity ratings settling in the downside of 90 mph, the results caught the attention of all concerned. Soon thereafter the once-hyped “great stuff” of Pineda’s was suddenly deemed not as great as advertised. Eventually word ...
It was a busy day for the Yankees today, as several moves were made in an effort to bolster the team's minor league depth and finalize the Opening Day roster.The Yankees first traded minor league pitcher George Kontos to the Giants for catcher Chris Stewart.Stewart, who will be on his second stint with the team, is more of a defensive-minded catcher.Last season, he threw out 39 percent of potential base stealers while hitting just .204/.283/.309 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 162 at-bats.In Buster Posey's absence last season, ...
The New York Yankees finally announced their 25-man roster for Opening Day 2012, and while there were plenty of certainties on it, injury problems have created some surprises sprinkled in. Some of these players will be key as role players to help the Yankees reach the ultimate goal of World Series No. 28. Here are the most unexpected players on the Bombers' 2012 roster. Chris Stewart-C In a late move right before the season, GM Brian Cashman decided to help his depth at the catcher position after Austin Romine's ...
So much of the spring has revolved around the New York Yankees pitching staff that it's easy to lose sight of the fact that these are the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees are built for the long ball. Six players hit 16 home runs or more in 2011, and that doesn't count the 14 homers hit by Jorge Posada and 13 by Andruw Jones as a part-time designated hitter. And this season, Raul Ibanez, another 20-homer-plus addition to the lineup, makes the Yankees more imposing. This kind of power makes pitchers pay for their ...
The Los Angeles Angels were the winners of the off season, signing Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson (arguably the two best free agents). The Miami Marlins made a huge splash, bringing Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, Carlos Zambrano, Heath Bell and Ozzie Guillen on board. The Detroit Tigers broke the bank for Prince Fielder. The Rangers went all in with Yu Darvish.
All major acquisitions for those teams, but the New York Yankees have put together the best team that can beat them all.
The once shaky starting rotation has been reinforced with ...
In his first start since the ALDS of October 2010, Andy Pettitte took the mound in a game situation for the New York Yankees and didn't miss a beat.He certainly didn't look like a guy who hasn't played since 2010.Pettitte completed the one inning he was assigned when he entered the game in the sixth.In that one inning of work, Pettitte held the Mets scoreless and allowed one hit. He got a little help from his catcher when Russell Martin threw out a base runner trying to steal after a ...
Joba Chamberlain of the New York Yankees certainly has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It was just five short years ago that he burst onto the scene—seemingly out of nowhere—and struck out 34 batters in 24 innings for the "Bronx Bombers." The stuff he exhibited—high 90s fastball and sharp, devastating breaking balls—gave everyone hope of a bright future for the young star.Since then it has been "rocky" to say the least.In 2008, Joba began the season in the Yankee bullpen, but early in the year was ...
Baseball season is almost upon us, and as they do every year, the New York Yankees will be looking to make an impact.Offensively, the team looks the same as it has the past couple of years. Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixeira will continue to provide in their respective spots on the lineup. Curtis Granderson had a breakout year last season and will be looking to do the same in 2012.Alex Rodriguez looks to rebound from an injury-plagued 2011, while Russell Martin and Nick Swisher enter contract years and ...
Even though the 2012 MLB season has technically started, I deemed it appropriate to give my 2012 MLB preseason power rankings on Opening Day stateside. So, here is how all 30 teams ranked in order heading into the 2012 baseball season. Enjoy!
RANKING TEAM COMMENTS
1 LA Angels of Anaheim Pujols plus the pitching staff.
2 Philadelphia Phillies Pitching can hold till Howard and Utley get back.
3 New York Yankees Loaded and hungry after 2011 early exit.
4 Texas Rangers Three times is a charm, and team is good.
5 ...