COULD THIS SLEEPER STEAL A STARTING JOB?

Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

I remember spring training 2017 like it was just yesterday. I was tracking Jordan Montgomery and was amazed by him. It was like he came out of nowhere and he kicked butt. He made it impossible for the Yankees not to give him a starting job. It was unexpected and completely thrilling but now I have to wonder is another young kid about to do it again?

I know some people are going to say "don't get ahead of yourself here. Calm down" but Domingo German may be pulling a Montgomery. If he is, that is absolutely epic. At the end of last season I had my money on Chance Adams being the next young kid to get a shot. I still think he will get one this season but if German keeps this up will he beat Adams to the punch?

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

I feel like we have so much talent right now anything is possible. Anyone could come up and pull off the unthinkable and German's start on Wednesday against the Mets was very impressive. The two unearned runs over 2 2/3 innings in the Yankees' 11-4 come-from-behind victory was nice on its own but I really felt like he attacked hitters and most of all he executed his pitches. My favorite part of his outing was when he struck out former Yankee Todd Frazier, Adrian Gonzalez and Jose Reyes in a 1-2-3 inning.

Photo: NJ.com

German did well in the minors last season. He had an 8-6 record with a 2.88 ERA in 19 games between Double-A and Triple-A. Scouts credit his improvement in both his command and also his secondary pitches. It sounds like he is making all the right improvements and when you can strike out the big name big league guys it's going to give the Yankees and German confidence going forward.

Photo: Getty Images

I'm liking what I see so far from German. I won't get overly excited yet but it certainly feels a little like last season. The Yankees have been so focused on finding another starter for some more depth. You can never have enough pitching, but if the Yankees can't add that affordable starter before the start of the season we just might have enough depth to wait for the affordable option to present itself. If the Yankees can't add a guy like Lance Lynn now, maybe German can be the bridge until it does happen. It's good to have options and not be in panic mode.

I'm loving the hype in camp right now. Can German pull a Montgomery and steal a spot after all? Could it be Montgomery's role or does he steal Luis Cessa's emergency starter role? Who knows....but it certainly is fun to watch!

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

MATT HARVEY & THE NEW YORK MESS

Photo: Kathy Willens AP

The "Dark Knight" has fallen again. Yes, I say again because it's not the first time that he has screwed up. This time he has earned himself a three game suspension and potentially a fine. You can read that HERE. You would think that by now he would've learned his lesson. I guess not. Apparently, after a third mistake the Mets have finally had enough of his crap, and it really is long overdue.

I will be the first to admit that I do not care for Matt Harvey. I never have. For the record, it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the fact that he plays for the Mets. None. I've had that thrown at me a time or two since I have been writing for this blog. Truth is, I'm not a Mets hater. I intensely dislike two teams....and they aren't the Mets. Harvey could be pitching for the Miami Marlins and I would still feel the same exact way. The guy has a character issue, plain and simple.

I lost all respect for Harvey when he turned himself in a target back in September of 2015. The prima donna wouldn't commit to pitching beyond the 180 innings limit he had even with a playoff berth in sight. Yes, he just had Tommy John surgery and he was trying to protect his future with three years to go before free agency.....blah blah blah. We remember it well. We also remember him writing THIS on Derek Jeter's website trying to redeem himself. It's all just a bunch of Matt Harvey drama that nobody wants to hear about anymore. That inspired us to write NO ONE CARES ABOUT MATT HARVEY...EXCEPT MATT HARVEY and it didn't end there.

It went from bad to worse when Harvey made his another big mistake by missing a team practice when the Mets were preparing for the playoffs back in October of 2015. First he said he lost track of time "doing some things" and then he couldn't get his alibi straight and later said he got stuck in traffic, read that HERE. It's sad when you can't remember what you said to keep up with your lies. Give me a break.

Now here we are in a young 2017 season and now Matt Harvey doesn't show up to a game. Clearly, he had something better to do. Unprofessional much? He gets paid to pitch every fifth day, and even when it's not his turn he still has to be there just like everyone else. In fairness, the exact details for his failure to appear at Citi Field on Saturday are not known, and Mets Manager Terry Collins seems determined to keep details out of the media. We do know that he was suspended for "a violation of club rules" but it is rumored he missed the game due to a migraine (!) and the Mets aren't messing around anymore. When Harvey showed up on Sunday he was sent home, his start skipped and the rookie who filled in for him at the last minute didn't give them a win.

So now, Harvey has a mess to dig himself out of. Fans are even more upset with him (if that is possible), his organization is making an example out of him, and even his team mates like Jose Reyes are voicing their frustrations. It's gone too far when someone on your team gets vocal. Now Harvey has filed a grievance against the Mets and this soap opera only gets worse.

Here is a bit of advice for Harvey....not that he listens to anyone but himself because he is the great Matt Harvey and he only cares about Matt Harvey....do not file your grievance. It is time to stick your tail between your legs and say you are sorry (again). This time when you do, you give a SINCERE apology and show your team mates that you can be that guy they count on. You have the same goals as they do and you will be there for them. Next, give that same apology to Terry Collins, the rest of the coaching staff, Sandy Alderson and the fans (again).

Photo: Getty Images

After you give your apology tour start acting like you mean it. Grow up, get over yourself, SHOW UP and be thankful that you get to play a kids game and get paid for it. Remember why you are here and why people know who you are, it's because you have talent - not because you are dating supermodel Adriana Lima. Stop making a spectacle of yourself!

It must be hard to be a Mets fan right now. The pitching rotation is supposed to be their strength, but when you have a headcase like Harvey on your team it turns into a giant weakness. It's guys like this that make me sick. He pisses away what he has and doesn't care....what a waste.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

BYB Stack Merchandise (2017)

NOW JOSE REYES GETS SUSPENDED

And hot damn, it's about time.

You remember this off season there was a report about how Yasiel Puig, Aroldis Chapman and Jose Reyes were being looked at for Domestic Violence "charges" or fines or suspensions or whatever.  After all, MLB made some pretty significant updates to their Domestic Violence policy and under that, it was clear, there may be some violations in each of these dude's cases.  Puig case was reviewed and he was cleared.

Chapman served his 30 game suspension.  We kind of waited on Reyes... until now.

According to MLBTR: "Major league baseball has announced that Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes has been suspended without pay through May 31st. He’ll be credited for the time he’s already missed in calculating the suspension. Reyes will not contest the ban."

And as the dude in Goodfellas says starring at Tommy's body in a pool of blood after he's tricked into getting made...

"...That's that."


 

 
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REYES PUT ON LEAVE. IS CHAPMAN NEXT?

Quick note about Jose Reyes.  As you know he, Yasiel Puig and Aroldis Chapman are being looked at by MLB over alleged domestic violence incidents.  Well, it turns out Reyes has been put on paid leave by the Colorado Rockies.

According to Hardball Talk:

"MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced that Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes has been placed on paid administrative leave “pending completion of his criminal proceedings in Hawaii, pursuant to Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.” 

According to the announcement, once Reyes’ trial is completed Manfred “will make a decision whether to impose discipline.” Reyes’ trial is scheduled to begin April 4, which is the same day the Rockies’ season begins."

There is now speculation from a few baseball folks that I spoke with that believe that Chapman may have a very similar situation.  The reason is because of Joe Torre's involvement with MLB, but also the founder of the Safe at Home Foundation, a foundation built to combat domestic abuse in homes and get the proper care for people with unpleasant upbringings due to violence in their homes.  Obviously, that thread makes sense.  How do you look at each investigation objectively and run a foundation on that.  Now look, I'm not forming any opinion here.  This is info from a source with an opinion on the matter.  Not BYB. We are passing it along.

Whatever the case, we wanted to give you info on Reyes and offer you that nugget.  We will continue to keep you updated on all of this.  Keep checking back at BYB. 

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TULOWITZKI TRADED. YANKS STAY. IT MAKES SENSE.

Well, Troy Tulowitzki was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays and it might be the strangest move I've seen in a long, long time. Not only because the Jays swooped in and got Tulo and the Yankees didn't, but for the personnel attached.   It's very strange to me.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the trade indeed happened:

BREAKING: Tulo traded to #BlueJays.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2015

And yes, I love the BREAKING on the tweet... so dramatic Kenny.

Here's trade info:

The Blue Jays get Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins.  The Rockies get Jose Reyes and minor leaguers, one being righty pitcher and prospect Miguel Castro and the other is righty pitcher Jeff Hoffman.

And here's why I don't get it.  The Rockies essentially got nothing out of this except for a few prospects that are guesses at this point and more years of rebuilding and trying to become a contender.  The Blue Jays I assume were concerned about the Yankees making a blockbuster deal for Tulo or some top starting pitching and now the Jays will attempt to try and take the AL East with Troy Tulowitzki.

There is no question though that the Yankees are not willing to give up Judge, Severino and Bird, and you and I both know that's what Rockies wanted for Tulo.  That's why nothing happened with the Yankees... bottom line.   If you are pissed the Jays got Tulo, don't be.  Cashman has another plan... plus he preserved our youth.  Applaud that.

And finally...here's the biggest question.... LaTroy Hawkins is still playing????

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TANAKA RAISES EYEBROWS...IN THE WORST WAY

Let’s not beat around the bush. Masahiro Tanaka’s Opening Day start was eye-opening and pretty dreadful. He lasted just four innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits. It was the shortest Opening Day start for a Yankees pitcher in 30 years. Tanaka, to say the least, was not the pitcher the Yankees inked to a seven-year $155 million contract last winter. Something has got to give, and it looks like it could be a ligament that has to go.

He said recently he was going to pitch differently and was not going to have the same velocity he did last season. He showed that Monday with his 89-90 MPH fastball, which he threw just 26, a 32% fastball rate. Not exactly what the Yankees dreamed of when they signed the ‘next best thing’ throwing 94 MPH out of Japan.

He started his outing well. He went curve ball, splitter, splitter to Jose Reyes for a quick strikeout to begin the top of the first. All the pitches were down in the zone with significant movement. He worked through the first two innings with relative ease before the wheels fell off in the third. The error by Chase Headley on a Jose Reyes bunt didn’t help the cause, but sure wasn’t the only problem. The five run inning was capped by an Edwin Encarnacion blast to left off a very pedestrian 90 MPH fastball thrown by Tanaka.

Since I mentioned the home run, I need to get this off my chest. I despise Encarnacion’s home run trot with his right arm in the air like he does. What in the hell is that all about?? Just a pet peeve, but one of the worst home run trots ever. He looks like a complete dumb ass. But he can hit the ball a mile, so who am I to judge?

I don’t see how Tanaka can get by with the stuff he has right now. Sure, his off-speed stuff is fantastic. Lots of movement and more often than not down in the zone. That’s all well and good. But he is not throwing. As a baseball coach you tell your players to throw the ball, not aim it. Let it rip!! Tanaka has admitted he will not ‘let it rip’ and that is no good. Let me present my first piece(s) of evidence… Every fastball he threw on Monday! 

Guys have been successful by pitching with a below average, well located fastball and good breaking stuff. In 2015 though, not many guys do. This is the era of if you don’t thrown 92 MPH or higher, you’re not a top prospect and you’re rarely given a shot. When a pitcher does throw 89-90, he better NEVER make a mistake because, guess what, Major League hitters CRUSH mistakes. When the threat to blow a fastball by you is gone, you’re relaxed and you can sit on breaking stuff. Unfortunately, Tanaka was nowhere near perfect and never will be. Nobody is.

When Tanaka takes the hill, he is going to be a Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde type pitcher. He is going to make some guys look foolish with his terrific breaking stuff, proven by his six strikeouts on Monday, but he is going to give up some rocket line drives and moon shots when he makes mistakes. The Blue Jays players, following their Opening Day victory, said that Tanaka was more than hittable and noticed his obvious loss of velocity. Jose Reyes even showed empathy saying: 

As a baseball player, it’s hard,’’ he said. “For me, when I have some problem with my leg, I feel like when I play the game it’s not me. I’m not able to play my game. I guess for pitchers it’s the same way when they’re not able to throw a 93, 94 [-mph] fastball.’’

Now, I think we all feel for the guy. Tanaka wants to go out and compete and help his team win. That’s admirable. But at what point does wanting to help, turn into impacting the team in a negative way? We appear closer and closer to that fine line.

So where do Tanaka and the Yankees go from here? With his obvious concern and acknowledgement that he will pitch ‘differently’, that leads me to believe that he is afraid to let loose and re-injure the elbow. The young man is just not comfortable. There must be serious discussion among the Yankees brass, sooner rather than later, about a further course of action…

He is just 26 years old. If he undergoes the dreaded procedure now, he will be good to go come June, 2016 or so and ready for the stretch run. He will still give the Yankees 4 ½ years of solid production as well. It just makes the most sense for him and the organization.

Let me project what I feel could happen if he plays through this, and remains healthy this season. I could see him winnings 10-12 games, striking out 150 batters or so with his high quality off-speed stuff, but having an ERA that doesn’t reflect his true talents. Perhaps he finishes with a 5.00 ERA or so and leads the league in home runs allowed. Just a hypothesis, but I see it as realistic. And it sure is not a good return on investment for the Bombers.

I suppose we are just ONE start and ONE game into the season, but following two solid innings, there was not a lot to like about what we all saw. It’s time to sit down and talk and figure out what exactly the best course of action for Tanaka is. It doesn’t seem like the current plan is going to pan out quite as we all want.

AND THAT REALLY SUCKS!


 
Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia




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HOMEGROWN IS NOT FOREVER

The Northeast has been cold and windy and depending on what part of the Northeast you reside, non-stop rain, snow, ice, flooding and just pre-winter awfulness.  The weather is symptomatic of how I feel about homegrown players seeking other avenues to live out their baseball dreams. Cold- body cold and disposition cold.

The other day, I woke up to a middle of the night text from my friend from Staten Island, NY, Hammer. His words were intentional and blunt: "Robertson to White Sox." This on the heels of Orioles franchise player Nick Markakis jetting down south to the Braves' organization. My student worker @KennyMac1985 expressed his dissatisfaction with the move with these words, "not sure why they would do that."  They, as in the Orioles. My Yankee informant who woke me with the news of DRob's flight to the Windy City said, "The Yanks could have afforded that contract." Sure, they probably could have but they obviously didn't want to or maybe DRob nor Markakis wanted to stay in the neighborhood.

Jacoby Ellsbury gave up his homegrown Red Sox where he was groomed through the minor leagues up through Pawtucket, RI, to play in the Bronx. David Wright stayed in Flushing and invested in the Mets but his counterpart Jose Reyes has been hopping from team to team. My point is this, the one team for life era is truly over and it has this coldness about it.

Honestly, I never thought Robertson was all that. He has promise and maybe he will find more success in Chi-town than he did in New York, but frankly, why leave?  Money?  New signing Andrew Miller left money on the table in Houston in order to play for the Yankees.  So, what else? Big fish in small pond syndrome?  Perhaps.  

I am a marathon runner and I recently completed two marathons in three weeks.  They were big market marathons, not in the woods with trees and squirrels marathons.  They collectively welcomed close to a million spectators to energize runners from across the world.  That's the kind of marathon I want to run.  So, why go to a small market team, or even a team with no winning history to spend the rest of your life as a player?  To spend your days with fair weather fans, empty ball parks and gimmicky give aways?  Two words: dollars and cents.  Frankly, the Yankees were right in not signing Robinson Cano and David Robertson.  You don't want to be here badly enough, don't be. Enjoy Seattle and Chicago, guys.

Homegrown as in Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, Cal Ripken, Jr. and perhaps one day Dustin Pedroia, is just about finished.  Gone are born and raised in pinstripes or orange or whatever your team's color is.  Homegrown does not mean forever.  And with the looks of the free agency market these days, homegrown is pretty much gone.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @suzieprof


 




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HEY BITCHES! 3 WINS IS A WINNING STREAK!

Good for us. But more to go.  We just need to hope that the Yankees can do it, right?  The walls are closing in and time is running out.  As I told my friend Daniel today, "Nose to the grindstone and keep working." That's in life... that's in Yankeeland right now. It's all the Yankees can do. And as fans, we need to just put our rooting faces on... maybe we hope and pray and who knows what else... and the Yankees maybe, MAYBE snag a Wild card spot. We're 4.5 out right this moment.  Holy Crap... talk about pressure.

Hiroki Kuroda pitched tonight. 6.2 innings pitched, he allowed 7 hits and just 3 runs, 2 of them earned. I liked what I saw tonight and Kuroda always keeps us in the game. The pen followed gracefully and I was impressed by Josh Outman. I freaking LOVE the stirrups. Throwback... I dig it.

(In Photo: Josh Outman)
I wasn't sure how Adam Warren would handle it tonight, but he did OK and got his 3rd save of the season.

The Yankee run scoring went like this:

In the first inning, Brian McCann singled and knocked in Jacoby Ellsbury. 

In the 3rd, Ellsbury hit a 2 run homer. Then in the 4th, and as MLB.com reported it, "Jacoby Ellsbury grounds into a force out, second baseman Munenori Kawasaki to shortstop Jose Reyes. Stephen Drew scores. Chase Headley scores. Ichiro Suzuki out at 2nd. Jacoby Ellsbury advances to 1st, on a throwing error by shortstop Jose Reyes." There was alot going on there... I couldn't explain it as well as them. 3 RBIs for Ellsbury tonight. Nice!

Look, I promised you yesterday that I was done with the bashing and doom and gloom scenarios of the Yankees stinking up the joint.  The reality is, we have about a week left of baseball. Derek Jeter is retiring. It's happening people.  I've decided to not get mad at the outcome of this season. I've decided to take it all in and enjoy the games... all because of the Captain. 

Yes, we won 3 in a row... I'd love to now win another 7 straight, but I'm not getting ahead of myself. It's baby steps and baseball. It's also very bittersweet. I remember 1996 when Jeet played his full season. I remember it like it was yesterday and we won the whole damn thing!  Suddenly it's 2014... and look where we are now and Derek Jeter is now hanging it up.  It's a damn shame. Cross your fingers.

Nice win tonight. 3 games is a winning streak. I leave you with this:



Go Yanks!

Final: Yankees 5 - Blue Jays 3

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THE PHELPS SEE-SAW STRIKES AGAIN

David Phelps is the new Phil Hughes, because outing to outing, I don't know what we're getting.  6 runs on 5 innings pitched is no way to start a ball game.  I know the Jays are tough, and the Yankees made a mediocre effort to get some runs home, but for the love of God, and I've said this plenty... if you dig a hole, you can't always dig out quickly.  3 runs I can see... 5?  Not so much.

Run scoring has become tricky territory, especially in Toronto and especially against Mark Buehrle.  The Yankees need a chance and some nights their pitching isn't giving them one.  And yes, before I continue, let me be repeat, I know the Yankees can't score runs, Phelps isn't the only goat here, but when you stand on the mound, you command respect.  It's been damn hard for Phelps and the Yankees all season, but they need to try harder now... with all their freaking might at this point. Seriously.

The Yankees pitching consisted of Phelps who gave up 6 and the other thorn in my side lately, Adam Warren, who gave up that extra run on an error. That allowed the Jays to win it in the bottom of the ninth. More on that is a sec. My point with Phelps and Warren is,  it's the Joba and Hughes show all over again, at least that's what I think.

Anyway, the Yankee run scoring went like this:

The Yanks didn't start scoring until the 6th and that was when Derek Jeter hit a solo shot.  In the 7th, the Yankees rallied. Brian Roberts hit a 2 run shot. Jacoby Ellsbury singled and  that knocked in Brett Gardner. The Mark Teixeira reached on a throwing error and Jacoby Ellsbury scored.

Then, Melky Cabrera got his payback and singled in the bottom of the 9th for the Jays knocking in Jose Reyes. Solarte committed an error right when we needed him not to.  It's a walk off... and we were on the wrong side of it.

Final: Blue Jays 7 - Yankees 6 

Oh and check this out:
Brian McCann, while 2-4 tonight is still only batting .223.
Alfonso Soriano is batting .231.
Carlos Beltran, is batting .216. I mean... are you kidding?

 
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YANKS BEAT JAYS & ALL IS RIGHT IN THE WORLD...

for the moment at least...

The Yankees needed this win. Not only for the win, but for the win against the Blue Jays. I don't like them. Lately, they've been on the my nerves.  That's because they're good. Luckily we had Masahiro Tanaka on the hill... that makes things better in Yankeeland.

Tanaka went 6 innings tonight.  He struck out 10 giving up 5 hits and only 1 run.  It was the only run given up in the game. After that first inning homer to Jose Reyes, he settled down pretty nicely.  After that, the pen locked it down. Kudos to Dellin Betances and David Robertson. They, and the rest of the pen have been really outstanding all year, especially with the starting pitching turmoil. Damn good.

The Yankee run scoring tonight went like this:

In the bottom of the 3rd, Brett Gardner hit a 2 run shot. Then in the 5th, Mark Teixeira singled knocking in Jeter.  Sure, it wasn't 8 runs, but 3 worked tonight.  I'll take it.

Final: Yankees 3 - Blue Jays 1

Yanks are 3.5 out of first, ladies and gentlemen. Can we make a decent run against the Jays? How about a sweep? Let's hope so.

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