I LOVE THAT TEAM IN SCRANTON!

Photo: Times Leader

For my next and final installment on the Yankees farm, I head to Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania... the home of the Triple-A Railriders.

Led by manager, Al Pedrique, the Railriders finished the season with a record of 86-55. Unfortunately, they fell short of a repeat championship, losing to the Durham Bulls.  Check this out from MILB.com:

Photo: Times Leader

"As they did all season, the SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) fought to the bitter end on Friday night at PNC Field, but fell short, 6-4, against the Durham Bulls in Game Four of the International League Governors' Cup Championship Series."

Here's the good news though; When the end of the year awards were announced, the Railriders had 2 guys bring home some nice hardware.  Tyler Wade and their manager in Pedrique.

Photo: Martin Griff

"The International League announced its end-of-year awards today and the SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/ New York Yankees) had two names included. Infielder Tyler Wade was named to the postseason All-Star Team at shortstop and Al Pedrique was voted Manager of the Year for the second straight season."

But after that award for Pedrique came new opportunity for him. After not receiving an interview shot for the managerial role for the Big Yankees this offseason, Pedrique bailed, leaving the organization for greener pastures. Pedrique is now the first base coach for Oakland A's. Not a bad gig.

Photo: Pinstriped Prospects

In response, the Railriders updated their coaching staff, naming Bobby Mitchell the new manager.

2018 will be a good year for the Railriders.  You just have to assume that momentum will help guide them again, and with the team they have, I have no doubt they can climb their way back to the championship... possibly even winning this time.

I have faith!

--Mike Carnesi
BYB Writer
Twitter: @sevn4evr

THOSE GIRARDI REPLACEMENT CANDIDATES

Photo: Getty Images

Wow, that took no time at all! The Yankees season ended less than a week ago and already they have declared that Joe Girardi will no longer be the team manager, read GIRARDI'S TOAST.

Speculation has already begun as to whom shall be his replacement. There are many candidates out there, but as you and I know... this is not a job for just anybody. Along with the managing of a baseball team, when taking the job of being the New York Yankee manager you're also taking on the task of managing an entire fan base and city.

Photo: New York Post

So while there are many managers out there, the options really are limited.  So, in the immortal words of Men at Work, I can't help but wonder "Who can it be now?" Of all the possibilities out there, is there really one that could step in and do what Joe Girardi has done for the last 10 years?

As with any situation like this, there are a lot of names being thrown around as to who could be the next man up. It's hard to tell which ones actually may be in the running. Our leader here at BYB, Robert Casey, asked me to write a piece as to who might actually be the next Yankee manager.

With the youth movement in full effect, I really don't think it would be wise to shake things up too much. I believe the new manager will come from within the organization. Someone who knows the strengths and weaknesses of the kids already. 

The first candidate that I would think fits this mold is current bench coach, Rob Thomson. He has been in the organization since 1990 and knows how things work within its confines. Though he does have limited managerial experience, 75 games for the New York/Penn League Oneonta Yankees, this is a hire that could end up working out just fine.

Another in-house guy could be current manager of the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Railriders, Al Pedrique.

Photo: Getty Images

Pedrique has managed and had success at every level within the organization. He has managed a lot of the kids currently on the big league roster and knows what they can and cannot do.

Photo: NJ.com

A third and final in-house candidate could be current third base coach Joe Espada. As with the previous names, Espada has been around the organization for a few years now. Though, much like Thomson he has little to no managerial experience, if you surround him with the right coaches, he could end up being decent. 

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

A fourth option is Tony Pena.  He is loved by the players, has been around the game forever and could be the perfect fit with the New York Yankees.

Look, I have no idea what it takes to be a good manager, but my feeling is that you simply need to continue molding our youth, and I believe that if you keep it inside the family, it may be a smart start.

What do you think? Should we keep it in the family? Or should we go bigger?  Dusty Baker? Raul Ibanez? 

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @sevn4evr 

THE MAN WITH THE TOUGHEST JOB IN YANKEELAND!

If there was ever a manager whose job I wouldn't have wanted for all the money in the world, it would've been Al Pedrique's. If there was ever a manager whose job I envy this year though... it would be his.

  
If you don't know, Pedrique is the manager of the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders.

In 2016, his first season as manager of the Scranton/Wilkes Barre RailRiders, Pedrique led the Yankees' Triple A affiliate to its most successful season in history, setting records in winning percentage and shut outs, winning both the Governors' Cup as International League champions and the Triple-A National Championship and Manager of the Year honors.

Photo: Pinstriped Prospects

And he somehow accomplished all of that while navigating a lineup card that was constantly twisted, folded and mutilated by the demands of a Bronx Zoo dealing with a historic collision of its aging past and under-performing present. By the way, only 7 of the 26 position players who played for Al appeared in at least half his games and 16 different pitchers made at least two starts for him. Incredible!

Last year may have been tough to top for Al, but I think he's going to have a front-row seat to a new chapter in Yankee history the fans will be talking about for years to come. Why? Because as good as his club did last year, I believe you ain't seen nothing yet. 

There's going to be a different kind of collision this season in the Bronx, between talented players who can play and talented players who can play, BUT have to wait their turn. And the best of them are all going to have to wait in Al's lineup playing for the RailRiders.

Last week, Brian Cashman reiterated the big club's intention to hang onto all their top prospects they've been collecting and developing and allow them all to compete for a variety of positions in Spring training...be it first base, outfield, the rotation and bullpen.

And regardless of how legit those competitions turn out, that's going to leave a big bunch of big-time muscle with nowhere to go but Moosic, Pennsylvania where Pedrique and his staff will be charged with keeping them all motivated, hungry and ready! And the talent log-jam coming Al's way won't just be backing up from River Avenue. Check out this nugget...







This past weekend, MLB.com reporter Bryan Hoch suggested in a video that top infield prospect Gleyber Torres could start the year with the Trenton Thunder, but then move up quickly if he continues swinging the same bat he did in the Arizona Fall League, winning him the batting title and MVP award.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Between the talented prospects already expected to be pushing up from the lower levels and the ones we already know, there isn't room for in the Bronx on Opening Day. I figure by the All-Star break there's a good chance Al Pedrique may be managing one of the most loaded International League rosters anyone has seen in many years. Pretty cool.

I'll tell you what; If I was a kid in living in Moosic, PA... I'd try to fit as many RailRiders autographs I could onto a baseball this year. 

And the one that goes on the sweet spot I'd reserve for Al Pedrique.

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore