The primary line of thought is that the Yankees pitcher that loses the fifth starter battle will be used as the primary eighth inning pitcher.
This is likely to be the case, but is that the right decision? Could Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes use more development against Triple-A hitters?
With Hughes, I think the answer is an obvious no. He has a ton of minor league experience and has already dominated the Triple-A level. I don't think Hughes has anything to learn in the minors.
With Chamberlain, on the other hand, I'm ...
Denny Kewsinitch has rooted for Whitey Ford ever since he signed his autograph book in front of the real Yankee Stadium at the end of the 1950 season.
Denny considers Whitey to be one of the top clutch pitchers of all time.
Whitey Ford was a great clutch pitcher, who was instrumental in the New York Yankees winning 11 pennants and six World Champions from 1950-64.Whitey missed the 1951 and 1952 seasons, serving the causes of freedom during the ...
Brett Gardner started in centerfield for the second straight day for the New York Yankees. Today, Gardner also hit leadoff as the Yankees lost to the Phillies 6-2.
Gardner had a great game, with two hits in three times at bat, including a triple. He also scored a run. He raised his average for the spring to .240. He also stole one base.
In yesterday's game against the Astros, Gardner started in center and hit in the nine hole. He went 1-for-3 at the plate
The game against the Astros featured what was reportedly ...
When coming up with a list of the top 10 pitching performances in Yankees history, I stuck to a six-pack of very specific ground rules:
1) A perfect game is a free pass
There have been only 16 in the modern era, and the Yankees have three of them. It's the holy grail for a pitcher, and that's good enough for me.
2) Timing matters
A regular-season no-hitter is an amazing accomplishment, but is it more impressive than a lights-out performance in the postseason? Not necessarily.
3) Transcendence is rewarded
Did the pitcher dominate his opposition ...
We'll call this a brief cameo, thanks to Bill Madden:
Like everyone else in baseball, the Yankee high command is watching with keen interest how the Joe Mauer negotiations with the Minnesota Twins play out this spring.
Unlike most other teams, however, the Yankees have both the financial resources to afford the MVP catcher as well as the surplus of talent it would take to acquire him should the contract talks reach an impasse and the Twins elect to put him on the trade market.
Indeed, if there is one area where the ...
Former Tampa Bay prospect Elijah Dukes was released by the Nationals today.
Supposedly, this had nothing to do with off-the-field concerns, of which there have been many over the years.
According to The Washington Post, it was simply about baseball:
Manager Jim Riggleman said it was a strictly baseball decision. “We like some of our other options in right field, really,” Riggleman said. “Elijah was great.”
To be honest, that’s hard to believe. Dukes is entering his age 26 season. Last year, he batted a mediocre .250/.337/.393, good for an OPS+ of 93. ...
Good morning and Happy St. Patrick’s Day BBD readers.
When I was just a bit younger I often worked in the service industries in various bars and restaurants where St. Patrick’s Day was just another work day. I didn’t celebrate or get drunk because it’s a busy day when I was relied upon.
Fortunately for me that wasn’t the case last year and I went out and had a blast celebrating alongside a good portion of NYC and I intend on doing so again this year.
With that in mind, this will ...
According to Mike Ashmore of the Hunterdon County Democrat , Yankees minor league catcher Kyle Anson has retired. Chad Jennings of the Journal News also passes along information that right handed pitcher JB Cox is also contemplating retirement.
Ashmore on Anson:
Anson had spent all four years of his career with the Yankees organization, and all of 2009 as a backstop for the Thunder. Set to turn 27-years-old on April 21st, he hit .227 with two home runs and 24 RBI in 57 games for Trenton last season.
Kyle ...
Talent is overrated.
Derek Jeter is not the most talented baseball player since 1980. In fact, he shouldn't even be in the conversation.
However, talent can be improved upon with practice; excellence cannot.
That's is really the only word we can use to describe Derek Jeter's career: excellent.
Derek Jeter has been blessed with this excellence since the day he learned to grip a baseball, but nobody, including Jeter himself knew of it.
They say, "There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who ...
The New York Yankees are usually one of the teams where most, if not all, the 25-man roster spots are already accounted.
But, as is the case with a team based in New York, the hype does follow the younger players. Many times this hype is unwarranted.
In the case of these young Yankee players, it might be justified.
This list is not predicated on which Yankee farmhand is the best prospect or will make the most impact on the major leagues.
Jesus Montero is the best prospect and will make the most impact.
But ...