WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS... YOU MUST ANSWER

Source: Mike McGinnis/Getty Images North America

Can you believe we are officially two weeks away from Opening Day? Time flies! Pretty soon the games will officially count and the Yankees will kick off their "Chase for 28" starting in Toronto. The time for some of these guys to impress and earn their way onto this team is running out. So who is going to make the cut?

Source: Mike McGinnis/Getty Images North America

Neil Walker: The Yankees just signed him on Monday and he is already getting some action. He went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and played six innings in a minor-league inter-squad game in Tampa. Walker's primary position is second base but he played four innings at third base and two innings at first base. A versatile player like Walker is exactly what the Yankees need. He can play most of the infield, switch-hit, doesn't strike out a ton, gets on base ad he can hit a few home runs too. The Yankees got a versatile player for a bargain price of $4 million dollars which is a fraction of what he is really worth. The Yankees get a lot of options and save a lot of money for upgrades later if needed. It sounds like the Yankees infield may be set with Walker, or is it?

Source: Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images North America

Tyler Austin: They say when one door closes another opportunity opens and maybe that is true for Austin. If the Yankees hadn't signed Walker I would've said Austin would be the favorite for second base after the Yankees released Adam Lind. Adding Walker may complicate him getting onto the big league roster but he could still give the Yankees an interesting option to platoon at first base. Walker is a switch-hitter but is less effective against left handed pitchers. Austin could still offer another option to Aaron Boone if he wants to give Greg Bird a day off against a left hander. If Walker wasn't in camp right now I would say Austin probably earned a spot....but this is the second year the Yankees have signed a low cost veteran to compete for a bench spot at first base. Last year it was Chris Carter, this year will it be Walker?

Photo: Getty Images

Chance Adams: A lot has gone wrong for Adams this spring and he may have blown his chance. Wednesday's start against the Orioles was bad....really bad. He gave up two home runs and five runs in 1 2/3 innings and now has an 11.67 ERA. His command was all over the place and his velocity was down. It was just the outing where nothing went right and now scouts are doubting if he is even starter material now. After dominating High-A ball in 2016 he went on to continue pitching well in both Double-A and Triple-A last year. Scouts and baseball experts all expected to see Adams late last year but it never happened. We thought this was his year, and now scouts are wondering if he should actually pitch in a relief role instead. Despite all of his recent struggles the Yankees are still high on Adams but does he still fit into the rotation and if so when?

It will be interesting to see where all of these guys will end up as the last two weeks of spring play out. The Yankees are a team with a ton of talent and the possibilities for this team seem endless. There are a lot of guys out there fighting for a spot right now on this rebuilt and powerful team. There is minimal room for error now.

So if these guys want to be in the Bronx they better seize that opportunity now. It may not be there tomorrow. What do you think happens to these guys? Comment and tell us.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

2018 YANKEES: MORE TALENT THAN THE CORE FOUR

Source: Newsday

Many have compared the potential of this 2018 Yankee team to other teams in Yankee lore including the 1998 team (for which we will celebrate its 20th anniversary this season) and even the 1927 Murderer's Row team.  But Willie Randolph, the New York Yankees spring training special instructor and 1977-78 World Championship second baseman took this premise one step further.  “I really can’t say I’ve seen anything like it,” Randolph said Saturday. “I was around when the Core Four was here. I saw that mix. And I think there’s more overall talent here than when that team was coming together," reported the NY Daily News.  Now that's taking it up a notch.

Source: NJ.com

“It’s impressive. And with some of the established guys to take the pressure off, I really like the mix of this team. They’re going to be fun to watch," said Randolph.  So, if the anticipation for the start of the season wasn't enough after this long winter's drought, we have Randolph giving us even more of a reason to be excited.

Source: KIM KLEMENT/USA TODAY SPORTS

Last year's team, which wasn't supposed to do much, scored 858 runs, second only to the Houston Astros and this was without powerhouse Giancarlo Stanton.  Let your mind wander how many runs we could potentially score in 2018 with Stanton, Aaron Judge, Miguel Andujar, Brandon Drury, Gleyber Torres and newly acquired Adam Lind.  The Yankees are stacked, so opponents beware. The 1998 team scored 965 runs and the 2009 team 915 runs.  The belief is that the 2018 team could score more runs than each of these two teams.  They were both young teams that worked together cohesively and weren't "me"kids but rather "us" kids, something that Randolph pointed out with the 2018 team.

“These young guys have all been brought up in the organization in a way where I don’t hear a lot of “me," said Randolph.  This type of collaborative culture is evidenced by Judge's humble presence and the team's thumbs down cheer in 2017.

Could the 2018 Yankees be better than the Core Four who were much more than hitting, but stellar pitching too?  The talent and potential are there.  All that's left is execution.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof 

YANKS SNAG ADAM LIND!

It's not the worst move in the world, and yes, you read that correctly.

Source: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images North America

Adam Lind is a New York Yankee.

Newsday, along with many other publications have the story:

Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

"The Yankees have signed Adam Lind to a minor-league contract, the team announced Friday...The veteran first baseman/outfielder slashed .303/.362/.513 with 14 home runs, 59 RBIs and 39 runs in 116 games last season with the Nationals. In 12 seasons in the majors, Lind, 34, has slashed .272/.330/.465 with 200 home runs, 723 RBIs and 588 runs."

Source: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images North America

Will we see Lind at some point? I bet we will... and look, sprinkling in a few veterans with the youngsters has always been my thing.  And so, I accept this deal. 

Let's see what happens next!

THE BUST

Remember when Jesus Montero was the next big thing for the New York Yankees? Then he was traded for Michael Pineda.  Then Montero did a few little things here and there for the Seattle Mariners, including getting alittle chubby.

Well... he was just placed on waivers:

jesus montero has been placed on waivers by the mariners

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 28, 2016

The Olympian writes:

"Montero was battling (Dae-Ho) Lee and Stefen Romero for duty as a right-handed-hitting complement to first baseman Adam Lind, a left-handed hitter. While Romero has an option remaining, Montero does not. Club officials remained non-committal on Montero, but his locker in the clubhouse was empty, and he did not participate in Sunday’s workout...

That suggests that Montero is currently on waivers, and the Mariners are waiting to see whether another club claims him. If he clears waivers, he can be sent to the minors, presumably Triple-A Tacoma, on an outright assignment."

Just wanted to keep you in the loop on this guy.  He used to be the Yankees future.  Now it looks like he just needs more time in the Seattle minors, but perhaps a team will snatch him up before he's sent down.  Who knows. I wish the guy well.  I never really give up on players, and I'm not about to give up on Montero, but you gotta wonder if Cashman saw the future on this one.

Anyway... Enjoy your Monday.

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THANK YOU HEDY, THANK YOU! ...IT'S HEADLEY!

That title is loosely based on a scene from Blazing Saddles featuring Harvey Korman and Mel Brooks.  Whenever I think of Chase Headley, for some odd reason, I think of Hedley Lamarr.  I'm weird like that... go figure.

I've become fond of Chase Headley on the New York Yankees.  He makes me smile.  He's been a joy to watch, both defensively and offensively.  Tonight was big for Headley, his third walk-off game as a New York Yankee and it was thrilling, because as you know, every game counts now.

Shane Greene started and was magnificent.  You gotta love this kid and I'm excited about his future with the Yankees.   Greene went 6.2 innings, he gave up 3 hits and 0 runs.   He did not get the win.

The Yankees scored 2 runs tonight mid game.  One came in the 5th when Stephen Drew doubled and knocked in Chase Headley. 

In the 6th, Derek Jeter hit a solo shot to the leftfield seats. The stadium went nuts and they should have!

When Shawn Kelley came in, he gave up a 2 run homer to Jose Bautista to tie it up.  Unbelievable.  But something big happened in the 9th, and alot of it won't be publicized because the story was the walk-off tonight... but this is important;  The Yankees manufactured a run to win! SERIOUSLY! I know, right???

When Chris Young singled, he was replaced with speedster Antoan Richardson. Richardson then stole second and Brett Gardner bunted with 2 strikes moving the runner to 3.  Beautiful sacrifice.

Then, Headley came up and reached on a fielding error by Adam Lind and scoring was Antoan Richardson.  The Yankees win... The Yankees win!!!

It was a nice win and a necessary one.  And then I got to thinking. As I watched Derek Jeter hit a home run tonight, I made a statement in my head which I'll relay to you now;  I won't be mad about this season any more.  It is what it is.  

There is a very slim chance we make the wild card this year, and even if you do, and possibly make it to the World Series and win the whole thing or not... It doesn't change the fact that Jeter's retiring.  Watching that Gatorade ad today really hit home.


Even non-Yankee fans tweeted me about it:

I’m a grown man and not a @Yankees fan but that @Gatorade ad saluting Derek Jeter brought a tear to my eye. @BleednYankeeBlu #MANUP
— Vic Garcia (@MrVicGarcia) September 18, 2014

The fact of the matter is, Jeet is hanging it up. While it's sad, and while the Yankees didn't play up to their potential this year, the anger needs to disappear now. We need to honor the Captain.  Let's be grateful for the opportunity we had to see the Captain play all these years.  It was a joy.

So the anger stops on BYB.  We move forward. We celebrate the Captain from now until the season ends.  Hopefully that's through the playoffs and World Series, right?

Cross your fingers...

Final: Yankees 3 - Blue Jays 2

I leave you with this:



Go Yanks!

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FEARING THE BEARDS? NOT REALLY

Over the weekend, I was jonesing for some baseball and flipped on MLB Network, which happened to be carrying a Blue Jays game. Sure enough Adam Lind was at-bat. The director got a nice close up of Lind and it got me thinking; “Fear the Beard”! “Fear the Beard” is derived from whatever that growth on Brian Wilson’s face is and started during the Giants last championship run. It was also stolen, that’s right I said ‘stolen’, by the Red Sox last year. Looking at Lind, I fear it; I fear the beard!

Critics rankle the Yankees all the time for their clean-cut, no facial hair policy. “The Yankees are very corporate,” they say. “It’s all business in New York” and “Why are they taking the fun out of it?” Here’s what’s up. Baseball may be a game, but millionaire professionals play the game. Part of the requirement is to look the part. What’s wrong with dressing nice and being clean cut? Am I a “square” for thinking this? Part of “the establishment”? If an organization is trying to uphold an image, there is nothing wrong with asking your employees to uphold that image.

It's been reported here at Bleeding Yankee Blue that Wilson chose his beard over the Yankees. (Read NO BRIAN WILSON? NO PROBLEM.) I think that’s an easy excuse. Brian Wilson is a laid-back, West Coast guy who probably would crack under the scrutiny of the New York media. The beard is part of his shtick. Move on.

Adam Lind and for the most part, the Red Sox, the beard is a gimmick to bring the team closer together and to “rally around”. Really? The whole beard-tugging thing is dumb. It ranks up there with the Rally Monkey. Why do you feel the need to look like a bunch of homeless guys? Damon, Ellsbury, even Big Papi look more professional and respectful when they’re well groomed.

I’m sure I’m going to get killed in the comments section. Am I jealous because at 30-something many Eastern European women have thicker beards than I do? Maybe a little, but come on, buy a razor! You want to make top dollar? Look the part.

--Lem Allen, BYB Contributor

Email me at:  bybcurmudgeon@gmail.com

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THE NOVA TRAIN IS BROKEN

I have always given a positive review of Ivan Nova.  I know he's a young kid with alot of potential and we saw that potential back in 2011 when he was 16-4.  But there's one problem... it's now 2013 and that potential hasn't catapulted him into the next big thing... like wins.

Ivan Nova struggled today and he's been struggling.  I can't explain what happened, but he lost control today and with that, the Yankees lost.  As the New York Times (HERE) reported it, "He was trying to protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, but he walked the leadoff batter, Adam Lind. He then gave up a double to J. P. Arencibia on a fastball that got too much of the plate.

It was the last pitch Nova threw. The Blue Jays scored four runs in the inning and took the finale of the three-game series, 8-4, at Rogers Centre."

5 innings, 7 hits and 4 runs.  You can blame the bullpen for blowing the Yankees lead, but you really need to blame Nova for not keeping control here.  The Blue Jays obviously were riding on momentum and they took advantage. That's my opinion anyway.

But as far as the game and Yankee highlights, it's all you really need to know.  I mean sure, the Yankees scored 4 today, but there was nothing overly dramatic that I prefer to report about.  Chris Stewart homered and it was a solo shot. Fine.  There were 2 moments in the 5th where 2 runs came in on bases loaded walks. OK. And there was a sacrifice fly by Brett Gardner to score Jayson Nix... but that was it. 

Not exactly a powerful bat day for the Yanks, you know what I mean?

So that's it.  The final today: Blue Jays 8 - Yankees 4. Hey, we won the series against the Blue Jays, an AL East division rival.  I'll take the series, but we should have won and swept.  Life goes on...

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MIRROR IMAGES, BUT JAYS SHATTER YANKEES' NIGHT

The New York Yankees were back in Yankee Stadium after a sub-par road trip to face a familiar division foe, the Toronto Blue Jays.  The game and series marked the beginning of a stretch of division games that the Yankees face as they work to re-establish some level of comfort in their pennant race against Tampa Bay and Baltimore.  The Toronto game on Monday night was the first of 22 consecutive games against AL East Division foes on the Yankee schedule as August slides into September.

The game was dead even for three and a half innings.  Both teams hit a HR into the Yankee bullpen and each side had an infield single.  Robinson Cano homered for the Yankees and Adam Lind did the same for Toronto.  The game was tied at 1-1 headed into the bottom of the fourth inning.  In the Yankee half of that fourth, New York struck for three runs.  Cano hit his second HR of the game to make the score 2-1.  Mark Teixeira walked and Eric Chavez singled.  Teixeira scored on a on a Russell Martin RBI single to right and Chavez scored on an RBI fielder's choice by Raul Ibanez.  

Martin's single to right ricocheted off the leg of Toronto starter Henderson Alvarez into right field, and Alvarez was forced to leave the game.  The Yankees lost Mark Teixeira to injury in the same inning.  In an odd occurrence, Teixeira was forced to leave the game due to a left leg contusion.  The injury occurred during an at bat when Tex walked.  He limped home on the Martin single and immediately left the game.

In the fifth, once again the teams mirrored one another.  The Jays scored two on a Kelly Johnson walk and an opposite field HR by Yorvit Torrealba.  The Yankees scored two on a Derek Jeter walk and a Nick Swisher 2-run HR to left field.  The score after five was New York 6 and Toronto 3.  The Jays added a run in the seventh on a single by Torrealba and an RBI single by Adeiny Hechavarria.  The Yankees still held the 6-4 lead after eight innings.

The ninth was a Yankee disaster. Rafael Soriano blew a save opportunity.  As he had in the recent past, Soriano lived on the edge as he allowed two singles to Moises Sierra and Rajai Davis.  Soriano also recorded two outs and two strikes on Colby Rasmus.  He could not retire Rasmus.  In fact, he allowed a three-run HR to Rasmus that gave the Jays their first lead at 7-6.

Derek Jeter homered to lead off the bottom of the ninth to tie the score at seven, but that blow only prolonged the Yankee agony.  Derek Lowe relieved Clay Rapada in the 10th and in the 11th inning, he allowed a lead-off single to Torrealba.  Mike McCoy came on to pinch run.  Lowe unleashed an errant pick-off throw to first that rolled down the right field line.  McCoy went to third on the play with nobody out.  He eventually scored the winning run on a ground ball to third by Hechavarria.  Even with the infield drawn in, the Yankees could not keep McCoy from scoring the winning run as Nix inexplicably threw to first to retire Hechavarria.

Cashman's spare parts (Nix and Lowe) failed the team tonight, and Rafael Soriano picked an inopportune time to blow a save.  The Yankees not only failed to solidify their meager lead in the AL East, but lost a full game in the standings to the victorious Orioles.  New York continues down the path of mediocre baseball as the fall to 22-21 since the All-Star Game. Believe me, there is worry in the air.  Sure, we can win the next 2 to win the series from the Blue Jays, but the Blue Jays played like competitors tonight...and they're in last place.  Come on Yanks... let's do this!

Tonight's final:  Toronto 8  New York 7  

--Frank Gentry, BYB Writer

Twitter: @yankeefrank23

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THE ROAR OF THE YANKEE ACE IS BACK IN THE BRONX

On a night when the Yankees acknowledged, but did not celebrate, the seventy-first anniversary of the end of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, fans and teammates did celebrate the return of CC Sabathia to the Yankee rotation.  Sabathia lasted 6+ innings, threw 87 pitches, 66 for strikes, and allowed only four hits and a walk.  Manager Joe Girardi took a conservative approach with Sabathia, removing him from the game in the 7th inning following a lead off single to right by Adam Lind.

Sabathia's performance ensured the Yankees a chance for victory without relying on another miraculous late inning rally.  His only real trouble of the night came in the second inning following a lead off double by Edwin Encarnacion.  Sabathia escaped further damage in the inning by inducing a line out to third by Lind, a foul ball pop out to Mark Teixeira by Yunel Escobar, and a weak fly out to center field by Ben Francisco.  Francisco was playing right field for the Blue Jays by as a result of a wrist injury to Jose Bautista. Bautista was placed on the 15-day disabled list following the injury he sustained in yesterday's game.  Sabathia did allow a two out double in the third inning to Rajai Davis, but he was left stranded when CC struck out Colby Rasmus.

(In Photo: Edwin Encarnacion)

Sabathia faced yet another slight scare in the sixth, when Edwin Encarnacion was able to extend his at bat following a two out walk to Brett Lawrie.  Eventually CC was able to secure the strikeout when Encarnacion took a called third.  The bullpen provided mixed results in releief of Sabathia.  Cody Eppley and Boone Logan were solid in support of the starter's effort, following a 22-day layoff thanks to a stint on the disabled list and the All-Star Game break. Chad Qualls was less than impressive in his 1.1 innings of relief allowing a walk, two hits, and the lone Blue Jay run. 

 Clay Rapada and Rafael Soriano finished up, with Soriano securing his 24th save in 25 chances.  Soriano escaped further damage by inducing an unassisted double play off the bat of J.P. Arencibia.  Mark Teixeira flagged his line drive and was also able to tag Anthony Gose as he scrambled back toward first base, completing the double play and thus preserving the Yankees 6-1 victory.

Unlike the end of Joe DiMaggio's hitting streak on July 17, 1941, the Yankee offense was there when needed on this night.  Three quick runs scored in the second when Robinson Cano extended his 19-game hit streak to 20 games with a single to center field.  Following a walk by Nick Swisher, Andruw Jones lifted a three-run home run to left field and the Yanks had all they would need offensively.  The Yankees did add three more runs in the sixth inning, this time without the help of the ubiquitous home run ball.  

Jayson Nix, who was three for three on the night, scored on a double down the left field line by Chris Stewart.  Stewart then scored on a double to right by Jeter, and the final run came home when Jeter scored from third on an Alex Rodriguez fielder's choice.  Jeter had advanced to third in the inning following a sing by Curtis Granderson.

A note on Cano's hitting streak, Robinson is now 32 for 79 during the 20-game hit streak.  On a night when the Yankees remembered DiMaggio, it is fitting to recognize Cano's .405 batting average during his run.

Again, the final, Yankees 6 - Blue Jays 1.

The Yankees and Blue Jays square off again tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium in the conclusion of this three-game series.

--Frank Gentry, Contest Winner & BYB Writer






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THE YANKEES GUIDE TO THE AL EAST

It’s almost time again, Opening Day is around the corner and I can hardly wait! The Yankees made a lot of moves during the off season, and now it is time to see Cashman’s plan put into motion. The AL East is always a tough division, which also makes it so exciting to watch every year. You can find it all here from fierce rivalries to some of the best hitters in the game. This year will be no different, the Yankees aren't the only one to make changes and it is about to get interesting….so let’s break out the scouting report!

Baltimore Orioles

(In Photo: Brian Matusz)
Buck Showalter has a very young team that has a lot of potential but depends heavily on a few key players. Last year, the Orioles young and promising pitching staff did not pan out as they had hoped. This year, Brian Matusz is likely headed back to AAA and and Jake Arrieta is looking for a bounce back year after having shoulder surgery. Showalter has already named Arrieta as his opening day starter, so all eyes are on him. The Orioles are also going to count on Mark Reynolds to make more contact with the ball than he does with thin air since the Orioles do not have a lineup rich in offense. Another key to the offense will be Brian Roberts. Although he is currently on the disabled list with a concussion, he is the best lead-off hitter they have, and if his bat is out of the lineup it is noticeable. Matt Wieters is also crucial to the lineup, and while he is pretty solid defensively he has a hard time batting from the left side. The Orioles are still going through some growing pains, but they have a lot of potential.

Toronto Blue Jays

(In Photo: Ricky Romero)
The Blue Jays become even more dangerous with every year, if the Blue Jays were in the AL Central, they might be division winners. This team has a lot of young talent including a strong starting rotation and two closers. Ricky Romero has turned into the ace of a young staff, who has inexplicably managed to induce ground balls at an amazing ratio but has a higher than average fly ball ratio to go with it. Somehow, he keeps batters guessing and it works for him. The bullpen is also going to be a strength for them with two potential closers Francisco Cordero and Sergio Santos both capable of shutting down the game. Offensively, the Blue Jays have a big question mark with Adam Lind who is very streaky but can hit for power. Of course, Jose Bautista knows how to hit for power. After putting up similar numbers in both 2010 and 2011 there is no reason to think his numbers will be any less impressive.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have one of the strongest starting rotations in the entire league along with a productive offense to back it up. David Price is back again along with James “Big Game” Shields who are one of the most dangerous 1-2 pitching combinations in the game. Last year’s Rookie of the Year award winner Jeremy Hellickson is also back after working on some adjustments. One notable difference this year is Wade Davis transitioning to the bullpen, which will only make the bullpen bridge to Kyle Farnsworth even stronger. Offensively, the Rays may not hit for as much power but BJ Upon, Evan Longoria and newly reunited Carlos Pena (yes, again) can come in and deliver during a clutch situation. One of the biggest strengths that the Rays have is their defense, which is fundamentally sound. It will be interesting to see how the lineup changes without Johnny Damon this year, but make no mistake, this is a dangerous lineup.

Boston Red Sox

Oh can you feel the rivalry? The team has gone through a drastic makeover. Goodbye Theo, Francona, Captain Jason Varitek, Tim Wakefield, and Jonathon Papelbon….and hello change. After an epic collapse, it is time to see what Bobby Valentine brings out of the announcers box and onto the field. The starting rotation is still a big question mark with Daniel Bard taking on a starting position, Matsuzaka still out and John Lackey missing all of 2012. New closer Andrew Bailey is now dealing with a thumb problem which makes things even more complicated. The Red Sox have options, but they could use some depth. The offense is still as lethal as always, but it will be interesting to see how the lineup changes now that Marco Scutaro is not on the team, can Nick Punto handle a starting role at shortstop? Carl Crawford is still injured and will be looking for a comeback, but the Red Sox still have a lot of power in Adrian Gonzalez, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Dustin Pedroia. It’s a new look to an old rivalry and I can’t wait to watch the drama unfold!

On Friday the long 162 game season starts and I can’t wait to see how the Yankees new roster stacks up against everyone else. The battle for the AL East is always exciting, but this year it is going to be even more intense. It is hard to predict anything, but you can count on one thing…..it will be a fight to the finish. PLAY BALL!

--Jeana Bellezza --BYB Writer and Editor

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WHY THERE HAVE BEEN WORSE YANKEE SPRINGS

In the real world, a regular season, this losing streak would be a nightmare…this is Spring ladies and gentlemen, trick your mind not to care. You can’t care because if you do, you will drive yourself absolutely mad. It's headlines like this in the spring that I often wonder why Wally Matthews even bothers writing anything...Ivan the Terrible. Really? REALLY? It's his second start of the Spring and who's to say Nova wouldn't have locked it down after the second inning if this was a real game. It's ridiculous... everyone just breathe.

Believe me, there are other things to be worried about… David Robertson NOT being Houdini-like and instead, he not escaping injury and getting hurt on the stairs in his house...that’s a concern. The Yankees losing in Spring Training looks really minor now, right?

The Yankees lost 6-1 against the Blue Jays today read HERE. The first inning, Nova got the Jays 1,2,3. Adam Lind got Ivan Nova pretty good in the second inning starting things off with a double. Then Brett Lawrie singled and Colby Ramsus drove Lind in. Then, JP Arencibia homered and suddenly the Yankees were in a hole. Later on the Blue Jays scored 2 more. Look, it happens. Don’t read into it. The only thing you need to know is it’s now Rothschild and Girardi’s job to figure out what the hell happened to Ivan Nova so it doesn’t keep happening. The good news…Nova touched 95 on the gun. Not too shabby.

If you think I’m being too calm about these Spring Training games, sure, maybe I am, but I will not allow myself to get crazy yet. It’s way early and there’s a lot of baseball to be played. Everyone take a deep breath and blow it out…. There… don’t you feel a little better?

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WHY YANKEE FANS NEED LEADERS NOT LOSERS

The Blue Jays played like champions tonight. The Yankees, well, that's another story. Yes, we started strong, but when you fold like a house of cards, there's really no excuse. I'm a broken record at this point, you can never, EVER lose to a division rival this close to the playoffs...but we did and now we have to move on and win tomorrow as well as the rest of this series without a doubt.
CC Sabathia is my guy, but one thing is happening right now, and this is just a hunch; too much rest for the big guy may not be a good thing. Look, this is simple for me to understand and I think I'm right. In the Yankees haste to make sure we have a 6 man rotation to give them time to figure out what pitchers are strong enough, we have left 1 very important pitcher's opinion out of the equation, and that's CC Sabathia. CC doesn't like a rest longer than normal and he's voiced his opinion. I found this nugget that I spoke about a week ago brought to you by the Bergen Record:

"Sabathia prefers to work on four days' rest, but manager Joe Girardi is mindful that his ace left-hander has thrown 239 pitches over his past two starts." Read the full piece HERE.

This may offer nothing to you, but it offers a lot to me. Joe, while trying to help CC may be hurting him. Yes, we need Sabathia strong for the playoffs, but if our ace is messed up with extra rest and he can't pitch effectively, hey, we'll be losing and won't be IN the playoffs. My suggestion? Joe needs to give CC what he wants and it's time to make a rotation decision so we can narrow it to 5. It's getting late early.

But enough about my educated guess, the Yankees lost tonight, and that does not make me happy. CC went 5.2 innings tonight. He allowed 10 hits, and 4 runs and struck out 8. Was he incredible? No, but he grinded hard, but again, you need to question his rest schedule. Sabathia left the game with the bases loaded in the 6th and Luis Ayala was able to get out of the inning. Thank God.(Photo: Getty)
Rafael Soriano pitched the 7th inning tonight and had 3 strikeouts. That, my friends was definitely the pitching highlight of the night for me.

Boone Logan got the loss tonight... what else is new? He left the game in the 9th inning after Adam Lind hit a double off of him. Adam Lind is a lefty. Boone Logan is a lefty. I'm just making a point here... this is ridiculous already. Anyway, Cory Wade came in. Jose Molina, the former Yankee was the guy who killed us all tonight. Molina drove in the winning run in the 9th off Wade, a heart breaker if you will.
(Photo: Getty)
Offensively, Nick Swisher and Eric Chavez did some great work tonight, but it wasn't enough. Swisher had a single and a double tonight with 2 RBIs. Chavez crushed a homer to center and had 2 RBIs.

Final Score: Blue Jays 5 - Yankees 4

I'm not happy, in fact, I'm aggravated. The Yankees need to win, especially against a 4th place team. Next up is Bartolo Colon and Lord knows, I am uneasy about him pitching. The last win Colon has is from July. That says a lot. I'm getting worried Ladies and Gentlemen, please soothe me.

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