Strange report coming out of CBS News and who knows how much weight it truly has. Treat it as a "rumor" and draw your own conclusions from it... that's what BYB does.
CBS News Local writes that this report came from the Boston Globe first. No doubt it's from Nick Cafardo who likes to throw names at the wall just to see what sticks and you know what? That's the rumor season... that's how it works. But to be honest with you, I canot find the Boston Globe article they say it came from. They don't even link to it. Strange.
Again, be skeptical, but it's interesting at least: "...Then on Sunday, there was a Boston Globe report mentioning New York’s
apparent fondness for both Clay Buchholz of the Red Sox and White Sox
right-hander Jeff Samardzija. While the idea of Buchholz seems far-fetched considering the rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees, Samardzija, a free agent to be, makes a
lot of sense. The Bombers liked him last year before he was traded
by the Cubs to the A’s prior to the deadline only to eventually sign
with the White Sox over the winter."
That the last time they mention Buchholz in their article. That's why I really don't think this is a serious rumor, and just bluster to get clicks. That being said, I wanted you all to see it.The fact is, we've talked about Shark a lot here and the idea of Samardzija in pinstripes makes a helluva lot more sense to me than Buchholz, but I guess we have to see what this CBS News/Boston Globe rumor is all about and if there will be traction.
Read everything... the rumors out there are nutty. But there's the truth in some of them. Enjoy this one... it's prime rumor material. You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store! Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook! Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!
Look, until it's absolutely necessary, the Yankees are not gonna move CC Sabathia to the bullpen. The reason is simple. It's out of respect. You don't take a guy who's clearly working through his issues and succeeding at times, and just throw him in the pen to now re-adjust again. And so, for at least alittle longer, Sabathia will be a starter this season... maybe even the whole season. Get over yourself.
Many asked me if Sabathia should move to the pen, instead of say Adam Warren, who we just wrote about in ADAM WARREN IS MOVING TO A NEW ROLE. My answer is simple; I love the big lug, but I too would do what the Yankees are doing. Eventually though, and I'm being honest here, to help the team, to help CC's confidence, he should move to the pen. It could be an incredible new life for CC after a successful career as a starter. Nothing wrong with reinventing himself at this point in his career.
"...Are there any solutions to this problem? If you’re Joe Girardi and
the Yankees your solution is just to say that he looked pretty good out
there compared to how he’s been lately, say he’s your horse and that
he’ll come around. Which makes sense given who Sabathia is and that he
makes $23 million a year to start games.
But if you look at his numbers and divorce them from his paycheck and
reputation, you realize that the big lefty in the Yankees uniform is
basically a relief pitcher at this point. Check out his splits per
number of pitches in a game:
Pitches 1-15: .234/.294/.404
Pitches 16-30: .317/.339/.426
Pitches 31-45: .318/.333/.523
Pitches 46-60: .333/.357/.718
Put differently, once Sabathia gets past 45 pitches, everyone he
faces turns into Lou Gehrig who gets on base a bit less but hits for
more power than the Iron Horse did."
However, he will start July out of the starting rotation and back in the bullpen.
As earlier reported by the New York Daily News, Warren was informed by the Yankees following their 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels that
he would not make his scheduled start Wednesday in the finale of this
three-game series, but would instead report back to the bullpen, where
he is likely to work as the setup man to interim closer Dellin Betanceswhile the Yankees wait for Andrew Miller to come off the disabled list."
Now look, the move makes sense, but it's gotta be disappointing for a kid like Warren who has really held his own, even better than CC Sabathia at times. Whatever the case, we're about to enter July, players need to do anything at this point to help their team win.
As a kid, you want to be Mike Trout. As his opponent, you want to beat Mike Trout. As a manager, you want Mike Trout on your team. Why? Because he's good, he's everywhere and for the love of Trout, he always beats you. Last night we lost because of Mike Trout... and now, it's becoming frustrating.
CC Sabathia went 7.1 strong only giving up 4 runs. For some odd reason, we could not score off of CJ Wilson. We usually do... we couldn't do a thing last night, and some of that had to do with Trout.
That single Yankee run happened when ARod knocked in Brett Gardner on a single. At the time, it was 1-1. Then Mike Trout hit his solo homer to make it 2-1.
"Trout twice robbed Chris Young of RBI opportunities, helping Angels starter C.J. Wilson
pitch six innings of one-run ball. In between, he drove in the winning
run with his 20th homer. And in the end, he picked up his first stolen
base since May 22. 'He showed his tools tonight, no doubt,' Angels manager Mike Scioscia..."
Soon enough, the Angels scored more and it was 4-1... and the Angels won.
Not much more to say... we look like crap and we need to turn it around now. This game we left 9 on base and were 1-10 with Runners in Scoring Position. That can't happen.
Up until about 8 years ago the only thing I knew about Biloxi Mississippi was the great lined uttered by Matthew Broderick in “Biloxi Blues”. After arriving on a troop train for basic training Broderick, exceptional in his role as Private Eugene Jerome, contemplates the brutal, southern heat and frankly states, “It’s like Africa hot. Tarzan couldn’t take this kind of hot.”
He was right. It is that hot in Dixie.
In the years since my initial visit to the Gulf Coast I’ve developed a soft spot for the little city. I’ve seen it rebuild itself after being decimated by Hurricane Katrina. Make no mistake New Orleans got the media coverage, but Biloxi took the brunt of that terrible storm in 2005. Lives, homes, businesses and historical landmarks were washed away over the course of 24 hours. Think about that. Imagine spending the night in a storm shelter and coming back to your home to find it completely gone. Not just damaged, but gone, nothing but the foundation remaining. As the weeks and months passed in the aftermath the people of Biloxi slowly put the pieces back together. But lost were family pictures and keepsakes that couldn’t be replaced. Things like a baby’s first blanket or Christmas ornament gone forever. Although the homes and storefronts are rebuilt, the city of Biloxi wears a scar the way a fighter would. That scar serves as reminder of a hurt that will never fully heal.
The great thing about baseball is that it always seems to help us when we need it. That’s why we love it so much. For those of us here in New York the tragedy of September 11th 2001 will forever haunt us. But it was New York Baseball that helped us feel like ourselves again…if only for a few magical nights that emotional autumn.
The same thing has happened in Biloxi Mississippi. Now, if you listen to the suits and politicians in the news, they will tout themselves as the force that brought a minor league baseball club to the city by the Gulf. However, I happen to know that it was a born and bred Biloxi boy who was truly the engine that helped give his hometown the gift of the American Pastime.
I first met Barry Lyons in 2011. He was at an event in New York for B.A.T. (Baseball Assistance Team).
For those of you not familiar with Mr. Lyons (or Mr. Barry as he’d be known in the South) he was a catcher for the New York Mets, and backed up Hall of Famer Gary Carter in the early to mid 1980s. Mr. Lyons lost everything in the hurricane and was in desperate need of help. It was our own David Cone, a former teammate and close friend, who encouraged Lyons to get in touch with MLB’s Baseball Assistance Team.
The organization helps former players when they are most in need and they were able to get Barry back on his feet.
During his playing days it has been said by former Mets that Lyons was a great teammate. After the storm Barry Lyons proved to be that not only on the field but off as well. His teammates, the people of Biloxi, needed help. Bringing a baseball club to city would bring in jobs, help tourism and show that Biloxi Mississippi had made a comeback.
Today, with the popular Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino over the left center field wall, and just a block from the majestic Gulf of Mexico, the Biloxi Shuckers now have a home. The play to sold out crowds of locals and visitors to the area. The people come for the history, the scenery, the Southern hospitality, the seafood…and Baseball.
Barry Lyons is an example of someone who never forgot where he came from. He is a kid from the Mississippi Gulf Coast who loves the game and the place he calls home. That makes him a heck of a player in the game of life if you are keeping score. Congratulations, Barry. And Let’s Geaux Shuckers!
** Thanks to a local boy who made good they are “Talkin’ Baseball” in Biloxi Mississippi. **
We could have had a win. We probably should have... but the reality is, we didn't look like a very good team in Houston at all this series.
Michael Pinedalooked great yesterday. He threw 8 innings, giving up 7 hits 3 runs, 2 of them earned and struck out 8. He was cruising. Here's the issue...
While Collin McHugh pitched similarly, the Astros were able to help their pitcher out. The Yankees scored 1 run and only had 2 hits all game. By the way, that run came in the 3rd when Brett Gardner singled to knock in Stephen Drew. That was it for the Yanks.
The Astros eventually scored 3...once in the 4th, once in the 7th and once in the 8th and that was it. The worst part was a ball falling in the outfield on a "miscommunication" between Gardy and Garrett Jones. That play is amplified today, but the real story isn't that play as much as it is the Yanks just aren't consistently scoring runs.
Not much more to say. Not a great series... now we move on to the Angels. We can do better.
Many of you, our faithful readers at BYB, know my passion (good or bad) for our favorite team. Those of you who have read my articles know that in addition to being a Yankees fan, I have a family that I’m even more passionate about. In fact, my very first article for Robert Casey was about a Spring Training trip I took with my son, Matt. He was in the sixth grade at the time – my how time flies. So, now I ask that you forgive, and indulge me while I briefly remove my pinstripes gear and write a little more on the family side.
I said goodbye to my son yesterday for pretty much the remainder of the summer. He’s off doing life things and will only be back briefly at the end of July before heading into his senior year at Syracuse University (like I said, time flies). I realize that this is probably it for him as far as living at home goes, and honestly this house will never be quite the same.
All three of my kids bring a little different angle to the family. Sarah, our oldest, is probably the most driven person I’ve ever encountered. When she sets her mind to something, stay out of her path and just watch in amazement while she achieves it. She also happens to share my passion for the Yankees, and in June of 2013 I wrote an article about my trip with her to see the Yankees play.
Kristen, our youngest, has an “old soul”. She’s beyond her years and, like Sarah, focuses on a goal and does not stray from it. She has a brilliant wit about her, and I wrote about her first trip with me to Yankees Stadium in April. To her credit (and I didn’t mention this in the article), she was the only one of my three kids to NOT throw-up in the Stadium.
That brings us to Matt, the middle child. As much of a hard-worker as the other two, he brings a sensitivity and passion into everything he does. As long as he’s been alive, it seems that his peers have always looked to him as a leader. Whether it is baseball, soccer, or something academic-related, Matt has not just assumed, but has been thrust into, a leadership role. It just comes natural to him and fits well. He adds a somewhat raunchy sense of humor (and what college-age kid doesn’t have that?) and a style all his own to everything he does. He is very protective of his sisters and is generous to a fault to those he loves. The house is always buzzing when Matt is home, and I think that is why I say it’s not going to be the same.
But, as I go through the roster, there remains a Stephen Drew,Chris Capuano, and yes, even Carlos Beltran who continue to get significant playing time, but add virtually nothing. All three are merely caulk filling holes in the roster simply because our GM Brian Cashman and Manager Joe Girardi refuse to allow potential stars like Mason Williams,Slade Heathcott, Jose Pirela, Rob Refsnyder, and Luis Severino their chance to shine in the Bronx - except when an injury dictates that one of them be utilized.
As a result, our team lacks an “edge” that clubs like the Houston Astros and Kansas City Royals (defending AL Champs) have. During Saturday’s broadcast of the game against the Astros, the YES Network highlighted the “25 and under” lineup that the ‘Stros feature. I couldn’t help but think that we could be doing the very same thing if we didn’t have the unimaginative GM and manager that we do.
I’ll continue to cheer the Yankees every win, but I’ll also know that this squad could be so much better. Like our family with Matt and Sarah home, the team wouldn’t be perfect with the Baby Bombers I listed above. There would be missteps, and yes even slumps. But, as with the full Skinner family, there would be an added energy and much higher ceiling to what it could accomplish with those future stars on board. Each of them has given us a glimpse as to what they can do. They just now need the chance to be full-time pieces to the puzzle.
I look forward to the next time Matt and Sarah are home. It makes us the complete package – a winning one. The same could be said for the Yankees if they’d allow their youth to make a name for themselves. It’s time to make this team complete once again and give it an opportunity to have something really special.
It was important and necessary. The Yankees needed this win, but they needed a big moment, or moments as well. Tonight, Brian McCann hit a Grand Slam that wasn't only big... it was huge. Mark Teixeira putting us back in the lead was just as huge. Let's talk about it...
Masahiro Tanaka started for the Yanks. He gave up 6 runs tonight. 6 runs on 5 innings. Guess what? It was not a great outing. The Yankees scored first tonight. Brian McCann's grand slam was in the first. In the second, Chris Young hit a 2 run homer.
But by the end of the 5th, it was 6-6 with the Astros tying it. Luckily for us, the Yankees had more fight.
In the 8th, Mark Teixeira doubled and knocked in 2. Then, in the 9th, Chase Headley homered. At that point... 9-6 Yanks... Dellin Betances shut down the 'Stros with the Save... his 6th of the season.
Overall, a Yankee win in the books, regardless of how it happened, but there is no question... without that McCann Grand Slam, without that Tex double, the Yanks aren't winning this one, that's for sure.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote a terrific piece the other day about which pitchers could be a target if the Yankees run into trouble with they're starting pitching.
As we saw, Masahiro Tanaka hasn't been truly consistent, CC Sabathia isn't exactly lighting it up. Some would say he's getting lit up. Chris Capuano was recently sent to the bullpen. Michael Pineda is hot and cold. Recently... he's been cold. Nathan Eovaldi is decent, but you gotta wonder if it will last. It's alittle nutty.
Sherman writes: "...For now, sources tell me, the Phillies have not lowered their heavy
prospect demands, and the Yankees remain firm that they are not giving
up big prospects and paying the salary freight for Hamels...
...the Yankees have had eyes on Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake,
but that is due diligence for both the trade deadline and the fact both
are free agents after the season. Top Reds officials Kevin Towers and Rick Williams both recently worked
for the Yankees — Williams was, for example, among the most trusted
scouts when it came to pitching. Both know the Yankees’ system well and
have strong relationships with the front office...
If I were making an educated guess — and that is all it is — the White
Sox’s Jeff Samardzija is as likely to continue to titillate the Yankees
as anyone. He was drafted to the Cubs by one of Brian Cashman’s current
top lieutenants, Jim Hendry.... Keep in mind a well-run organization, the Rays, had to face market
realities at the deadline last year and took Drew Smyly, Nick Franklin
and low minor league shortstop Willy Adames from Detroit for a year and
half of David Price. Is that package much different from, say, Warren or
Eovaldi plus Rob Refsnyder and Tyler Wade?"
Fascinating stuff and while it's speculation, you have to understand that someone like Sherman is in the know and these points make excellent sense. So do the names.
I for one like the idea of Samardzija in pinstripes. I always have. The White Sox are in the cellar, despite what David Robertson thought. Shark is a gamer, a good pitcher and exactly what the Yankees could use.
We'll see what happens with all of this. I just really enjoyed the Sherman piece and I wanted you all to check it out.
So I was curious. I was watching the game the other night and Jones went up to fix his helmet and there it was... a bracelet. Me, being an ego maniac (hardly) thought, "Hey, is that a BleedingYankeeBlue.com bracelet?" I knew the Jones family had a stack of them. But the lighting wasn't quite right and it looked black to me.
So I did something that I sometimes feel funny doing, but I did it because she's a cool chick and I figured she'd either ignore my question... or tell me the dirt. Cassie Jones delivered.
"AJ Burnett passed those out to the Bucs one year and he's worn it ever since, " she said... "I believe it reads 'Unstoppable'."
I was taken by that. Unstoppable. As you know from reading BYB... we believe in the Believer, meaning, whatever works to make you as an individual thrive to be the best at you... we rally behind that. If it's practicing off a tee every day, or showing up early at work to get ahead in your career... or even wearing a bracelet that reads "Unstoppable"... something you can look at every morning when you wake up and remind yourself to push to the next level... hey... I'm board with that.
I think that's why I've been a fan of Garrett Jones for a while now... mostly with the Pirates, and definitely with the Yankees now. I like the drive. I like that his role, while perhaps smaller than what he's used to, is still approached the same way... get out there and hit the crap out of the ball and do the best you can. That's why I'm a fan... that's why we interviewed he and Cassie in EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: GARRETT & CASSIE JONES.
I just wanted to share that with you guys. I thought it was a nice nugget and a cool treat. And speaking of treats... both Cassie and Garrett are gonna do something for us here at BYB real soon. Know what it is? You will... soon enough!
Last night, it appeared as though the Yankees just wouldn't win another. They looked sluggish. They looked lost and they looked like they were about to be shut out for the second night in a row. Earlier in the day I was coming home from work, in my car, and I just couldn't find music I wanted to hear. I was too... in my own shut out. It seemed that no music on the radio or on my iPod could make me happy. When I pulled over to the gas station, I had a weird, unusual idea. I opened the hatch and for the hell of it, checked the trunk for an old CD or something. What I came up with was gold. I found a cassette, that's right, my car is old and still had a cassette player.
And so, I popped in "Better of the Bunch 1990" and suddenly I was remembering where I was when I heard these songs. Now, I'll be honest with you, I don't quite know why I listened to some of these groups, but I'm happy to say I know every word and it put me in a good place for the rest of my ride home. I should have known that it would be a sign of good things to happen in the Yankee game last night.
Nathan Eovaldi went 6 innings and struck out 6. He gave up the only 2 runs that the Astros would score. The rest of the bullpen held the Astros from scoring again.
But it wasn't the pitching that made me happy last night... it was the rally.
In the 7th, Chris Young hit a 3 run homer to put the Yankees ahead. Carlos Beltran scored. Garrett Jones scored. Just like that, we were ahead and just like that, we won...
And just like that, Better of the Bunch 1990 is now in the rotation... for a alittle bit at least. Yup...I'm a pretty simple dude. I like music and I like wins. Bottom line... I can live on that.
I’m all for one and no so much for the other. Coleslaw? It’s great! There is nothing better then a nice side of good coleslaw with corn on the cob, string fries and a lobster this time of year! I dig it. It completes the meal. Look, if you’re not a seafood person, a little slaw on a pulled pork sammie, or with your burger at the weekend cookout…you can’t strike out on that deal. Long story short, coleslaw makes things better in my culinary opinion. It is a nice complement to the overall plate.
Now let’s talk the other Cole…Hamels. It is being widely speculated that he may soon join the New York Yankee starting rotation. They say that his latest start in the Bronx was an audition of sorts for a deal in the making…for the LOVE OF COLESLAW I HOPE NOT! There was a top scout from the Dodgers also checking in on Hamels during the matinee tilt recently. Well, Magic, you can have this guy. 31 years old, not shy about finding himself injured and call the cardiologist…this guy is missing a heart. Don’t buy it?
Ask Uncle Charlie Manuel about young Mr. Hamels. Yes, his answer may take the better half of an afternoon (Charlie tends to trip over his vowels and syllables), but there is no doubt that he’ll bring up the 2009 World Series and the temper tantrum #35 pulled when the chips were down on the Phightin’ Phils.
A friend of mine recently compared picking up Cole Hamels to when the Yankees went out and signed Mike THE MOOSE Mussina…NOT. EVEN. CLOSE. Yep, the Moose wasn’t warm and fuzzy with the media, but the Moose was a killer. He was there in the clutch and was FLAT OUT a better pitcher. Hamels, you ain’t the Moose.
I don’t think this deal will happen. I think although Ruben Amaro is going to do a clearance sale on the way out of the City of Brotherly Love, he’ll still ask for Judge, RR, Murph or others who are in the system and ready to go. I wouldn’t give him a single Triple A player for Cole. Hell, I wouldn’t even call Trenton! I’d give the Phillies scout directions to the Staten Island Yankees’ field and tell him to pick 3 and I’d toss in De Paula. Now, that sounds crazy I know. And I am kidding…to an extent. But this deal won’t help the Yankees.
Cole Hamels isn’t our guy. I’d Aim for Mike Leake. He seems to get it. I could go into why CC needs to be moved and how Severino’s time has come…but I won’t. As of now, all I am saying is HOLD THE COLE…not the slaw, the Hamels!
** Here you go Yankee fans! Happy summer to ya! – Love Mikey O’**
