THE YANKEES PLAY THE RAZZING GAME & ARE WINNING

I'm not saying the Yankees weren't poking the bear... I'm saying it wasn't as calculated as the Rays thought... but now it's game on.

Everyone who has seen Albert Abreu pitch knows the guy doesn't have great control.  The fact that yesterday's bench clearing brawl all happened because Randy Arozarena thought Abreu did it on purpose is silly.  The truth is the Yankees are fighting for their life, not for first place and when that happens, teams often fall apart. The Yanks are in a spiral, mentally as well as physically. Yesterday's game against the Rays was simply about survival, not winning.  

If you don't know what I'm talking about read this from ESPN:

"Benches and bullpens emptied twice in the eighth inning after one of five hit batters, but no punches were thrown, and the Yankees lost their eighth straight series rubber game....

"I think it was on purpose," Arozarena said through an interpreter. "If you look back at [the] previous series, he's hit me before. I've been hit in previous series before that. They hurt Yandy [Diaz] the other day, they hit [Isaac] Paredes in the head, so I think it probably was an issue for them."

Benches cleared TWICE in the Rays-Yankees game 😳

(via @BallyRays) pic.twitter.com/VRkva1Zj4A

— Yahoo Sports MLB (@MLByahoosports) August 27, 2023

But when it comes to Abreu and his control, CBS Sports writes this:

"Abreu is not blessed with good control -- he's walked 13.3% of the batters he's faced this season -- though Sunday was the second time he's hit Arozarena this season, and the third Rays player he's hit this year overall. If you keep plunking players on the same team, that team is not going to be happy. "

Now look, getting hit is part of the game. You're gonna hit a guy in the stomach, the ass, go for it, but the truth is Abreu was just trying to pitch.  Hey, maybe he looked at Arozarena and said, "I hate this prick", but whatever... again for the Yankees it's about survival. They literally can't fight their way out of a paper bag. It's terrible.  To make matters worse... the Rays keep chirping about it.

Brandon Lowe of the Rays was quoted as saying this:

"Looking at it in a different view, it's a last-place team... We don't need to worry about it. We need to focus up on what we need to do down the stretch. If they lose a guy, it's not going to be quite as big of a deal as if we're losing one of our guys. We're focused up on kind of a bigger picture."

But you are worrying about it, Brandon.  Arozarena worried about it and so are you! How about STFU?

Look, the Rays are rarely in a position like this where they can rip on the Yanks. They are rarely in a position where they actually have a shot at winning and I applaud them, but you're worried about Albert Abreu.  Are you kidding?

The best quote came from gamer Ian Hamilton of the Yanks who wants more Rays:

"You understand their anger?" Hamilton said. "I understand it. But at the same time, if they want to come over here, they can come over here, I guess. Wish we had another game against them."

This isn't over folks. We're in their head. And at this point of the season for the Yankees who are playing for nothing... maybe the razzing game is the way to go.

YANKEES GRAB A NEW CATCHER FOR MORE DEPTH

Source: Paul J. Bereswill NY Post

And just like that...the Yankees make another deal with the Texas Rangers. This time they pick up another catcher to add more depth to the position. Jose Trevino, a 29-year-old from the Rangers, heads to the Bronx in exchange for once-promising right-hander Albert Abreu and minor league lefty Robert Ahlstrom, a 2021 draft pick. I can't argue with more depth in a position where this team had none, but with Kyle Higashioka playing the way he is and Ben Rortvedt in tow, should we have invested in this kind of trade when we really need starting pitching?

"Trevino and Higashioka are both right-handed hitters, making for more of an imperfect platoon fit than the Higashioka/Rortvedt combo, yet the first priority still seems to be defense considering Trevino’s lack of offensive pop. Over his 516 career plate appearances with the Rangers, Trevino has batted only .245/.270/.364.  Framing-wise, Statcast considered Trevino to be among the best in baseball last season," reported MLB Trade Rumors. Rotvedt is out with an oblique strain and will likely start the season in Triple-A with a trajectory toward the MLB Club. As far as starting pitching, where are the Yankees in that camp?

According to SI.com, "There's still a possibility that New York could make some sort of trade in the next six days, addressing their pitching staff. Boone said he is focused on this organization's internal options, though." The Yankees standout pitching-wise this spring has Manny Bañuelos. Bañuelos was stellar against the Blue Jays on Wednesday night, throwing three scoreless innings. In addition, the confident 31-year-old is up to six scoreless innings this spring with seven strikeouts, giving up only two hits.

Aaron Boone said that pitcher Michael King with also be with the team as they head north in just about a week as spring training wraps up. He has been having a good spring as well. With Luis Severino still not 100% it will be interesting to see how the team handles the first week of the season. 

Source: NY Daily News

So the Yankees addressed the catching and shortstop positions this offseason with trades with the Texas Rangers. It is still are unclear how their starting rotation will play out. I mean everyone is sort of in the same boat. Even the team across town who has a stacked rotation has seen the likes of uncertainty as Jacob deGrom suffered a stress injury in his right shoulder, making him questionable this season. We will see new faces and hopefully exciting baseball this coming week. Let's hope the moves are enough to give the Yankees a chance to make some positive noise early this spring. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THESE ARE THE GAMES THE YANKEES HAVE TO WIN

 Do you think it's easier in the playoffs?

No. It's not.

With the last 3 games against the Tampa Bay Rays, you as a fan knows just how important these games are. And last night, despite how close they were... they didn't win and that sucks.

MLB.com writes:

"Should the Yankees handle the next two items on their to-do list, securing entry to the American League Wild Card Game and then winning that contest, their reward will be a best-of-five showdown against the Rays in the American League Division Series.

Friday’s performance served as a reminder of how challenging that task will be. Their bats cold after the first inning, Joey Gallo and Brett Gardner delivered run-scoring hits in the ninth, but the rally fell short as the Yankees opened their final regular-season homestand with a 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium."

Challenge in this game is the most difficult thing a team will have to deal with in their season.  And the Rays are a powerhouse. Bryan Hoch is right... it doesn't get easier after this last series of the season.  The Yankees have to strap in, lock in and do damage.

I have said this all season... the Yankees have the ability on paper.  The season has been a streaky struggle, but they have still managed to have a pretty great run this season.  But the playoffs are a different animal with any streaky team and the reason is simple... you never know what you're gonna get with this Yankee team. Will the Yankees go on a tear and win several straight or will they be on the losing streak side? These playoff series' are too short and the better Yankee team needs to show up!

But there's something more and that's Aaron Boone. You have to wonder what the hell he was doing in the 9th inning yesterday. I mean it's decisions in critical moments that can be the undoing of this team and he is at the helm and that scares the hell out of me.

Yahoo Sports writes:

"German continued into the ninth, starting off by sitting Wendle down on a three-pitch strikeout. After walking Mejia and Kiermaier, though, Boone called on RHP Albert Abreu. The move did not pay off -- Abreu nearly got a 3-6-1 double play, but Arozarena beat out the throw back to first. Arozarena stole second and Franco deposited a two-RBI single up the middle, putting the Rays up 4-1 entering the bottom half.

Hindsight is 20/20, but not going with LHP Aroldis Chapman -- the Yankees' closer, who was warming up -- to start the inning or at least follow German rather than Abreu was a head-scratching decision."

It's moments like this that shows inexperience and uncertainty with this team. Boone will be the downfall of this team if they don't get to the World Series. No question about it.

2 more games this season with a hell of a team in the Tampa Bay Rays. We need to win these games. We need the taste of champagne and we need to reset for the playoffs. Every game is a must win now.  Anything less just makes the playoffs more difficult.

Come on Yanks, let's go.

YANKS HAVE 6 PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 100!

You can't beat it!

(Zachary Lucy/Four Seam Images via AP)

You really can't beat what Brian Cashman and the Yankees have done.  The New York Daily News has this report about the Yankees having 6 prospects in Baseball America's top 100.  It's great news actually... check out who they are:

Photo: Miguel Andujar / Charleston River Dogs

"They included Gleyber Torres (No. 6), Estevan Florial (No. 38), Justus Sheffield (No. 41), Miguel Andujar (No. 59), Albert Abreu (No. 77) and Chance Adams (No. 81)..."

And I found this nugget very interesting...

(Mark LoMoglio/Yankees)

"Abreu, the 21-year-old righty, is considered more advanced than Luis Severino at this stage of his development, according to Brian Cashman, though the GM noted that doesn't guarantee future success."

More advanced? I mean, Sevy is already good. Are you telling me there's someone better down there?  I mean, think about it... everybody is talking about guys like Torres, Sheffied and Andujar lately.  But reality is Abreu was a huge pick up and don't forget, we got him when we traded Brian McCann to the Astros.  McCann got a World Championship, but we got a hot prospect for future championships!

Look, it's just good stuff.  I had to share this.  It's an exciting time to be a Yankee fan.

OUR YANKEE PROSPECTS ARE RIDONKULOUS!

Photo: New York Post

Gleyber Torres is something else.  So is Estevan Florial.  Baseball America ranked 10 Yankee prospects and Torres and Florial are 1 and 2.

Here's Baseball America:

Photo: CBS Sports

"1. Gleyber Torres, SS/3B
2. Estevan Florial, OF
3. Justus Sheffield, LHP
4. Chance Adams, RHP
5. Miguel Andujar, 3B

Photo of: Albert Abreu

6. Albert Abreu, RHP
7. Jorge Guzman, RHP
8. Luis Medina, RHP
9. Thairo Estrada, SS/2B
10. Domingo Acevedo, RHP"

SNY writes this about our boys:

"Torres, who was ranked Baseball America's No. 3 overall prospect in its midseason top-100 list, was limited to 55 games with Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery last spring.

A 20-year-old shortstop with 15 games at third base and 18 games at second base, Torres hit .287/.383/.480 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs last year. He entered last season having been ranked MLB.com's No. 3 prospect, Baseball America's No. 5 prospect and Baseball Prospectus' No. 15 prospect.

Photo: Brad Nettles/Post & Courier

Florial, 20, hit .298/.372/.479 with 13 home runs, 57 RBIs and 23 stolen bases in 110 games for Low-A Charleston and High-A Tampa in 2017. Baseball America considers him to be the best athlete in the organization, as it says he is the fastest baserunner and has the best arm among outfielders."

I can't wait to see these kids up in the Bigs. I'm especially excited about Sheffield.

Anyway... there you go.


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BIG RESULTS FROM OUR YANKEE PROSPECTS!

Well, that's all she wrote! The curtain has closed on yet, another Arizona Fall League season.

Unfortunately, there would be no Championship in the cards for the Scottsdale Scorpions and the Yankee prospects. Led by current Tampa Yankees manager Jay Bell, the Scorpions finished the AFL season with a 12-17-1 record. Though the record was not too great, I personally did get to see some good things from the Yankee prospects as I was able to attend a few games this season. In fact, this list of the top breakout prospects in the league this year highlights some of the Yankee prospects I was impressed by most. Check this out from MLB.com:

(Zachary Lucy/Four Seam Images via AP)

"Albert Abreu, RHP, Yankees' No. 7 prospect: If he's in New York's top 10, he obviously wasn't completely off the radar, and he was a big part of the Brian McCann deal. But after just 53 1/3 innings in his first season with the organization due to a shoulder issue, all in A ball, there were questions. Abreu still needs to work on his command, but a 2.60 ERA and .219 batting average against in 27 2/3 IP with premium stuff certainly answered some of them this fall.

(Zachary Lucy/Four Seam Images via AP)

Cody Carroll, RHP, Yankees' No. 25 prospect: The 25-year-old reliever took off in 2017 with a full-time move to the bullpen, pitching well in Double-A. With a fastball up to 98 mph and a slider, both coming from a hard-to-pick-up delivery, Carroll didn't give up a run in 11 2/3 AFL innings, allowing only two hits and striking out 18...

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Thairo Estrada, SS, Yankees' No. 17: After hitting .301 in Double-A at age 21, perhaps Estrada should be more on the map. Hitting .342 this fall won't hurt, nor will his outstanding defense at shortstop for Scottsdale. "

While those 3 were not the biggest names of the Yankee prospects, they each showed a lot of promise and a glimpse of the future.

Speaking of the biggest names the Yankees assigned to the AFL... Justus Sheffield, Estevan Florial and Billy McKinney all looked solid.

In 5 starts Justus Sheffield had a record of 2-2 with an ERA of 3.10. In all, he pitched a total of 20.1 innings recording 22 strikeouts and issuing only 3 walks. While I only got to catch a couple of his starts, he left quite an impression. I could definitely see Justus pushing to make it to the Bigs in the very near future.

Kim Contreras photo | @cu_As

Estevan Florial finished the season batting .286 with 5 doubles and 2 triples while collecting 4 RBI's. While he is a top prospect, you could tell he still has some developing to do. His main issue was the strikeout, as he whiffed 29 times in 70 at-bats. The kid just turned 20 though... so there is plenty of time. He may be the centerfielder of the future, but the Yankees seem alright in the outfield right now, so there is no real reason to rush the kid.

Photo: Baseball America

Billy McKinney. We love him here at BYB. McKinney batted .279 hitting 5 doubles, 1 triple, and a home run while collecting 20 RBI's. Billy was sent to the AFL to get some work at first base. Besides playing some first, Billy also played some in left field and handled the DH spot as well. Billy could be in the Bronx as early as next season. It's exciting.

(Zachary Lucy/Four Seam Images via AP)

Others Yankee prospects to compete in the Fall League this year were infielder Kyle Holder and relief pitcher Andrew Schwaab. Holder appeared in 11 games batting .333, collecting 3 doubles, a triple, and a home run collecting 6 RBI's. Kyle also only struck out 4 times in 45 at-bats.

(Zachary Lucy/Four Seam Images via AP)

Schwaab pitched a total of 11.1 innings striking out 8 and walking 7. He ended the season with a 6.35 ERA surrendering 8 earned runs. All stats can be found here on the Arizona Fall League site.

The Arizona Fall League is an incredible experience.  Something I love watching being out here in AZ.  If you ever get a chance, you should come check it out.  You never know... you may be looking at a future Yankee All-Star!

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Twitter: @sevn4evr

SHEFFIELD SHINES IN AFL DEBUT & THAT'S NOT ALL

Photo: MLB.com

In the Arizona Fall League, the Scottsdale Scorpions are off to a great start and a lot of it has to do with a couple of Yankee prospects. I know... many of you are watching the playoffs, and you should be.  Well, that's why BYB is here... to fill you in on the stuff you might be missing.

Getting the start on opening night was Justus Sheffield, and he looked unhittable. In fact, on October 10th in the first inning, Sheffield struck out the side on 12 pitches. He finished his night going 5 innings giving up just one hit 0 runs allowed with six K's and 0 walks. Read more HERE.

(Reinhold Matay | USA TODAY Sports)

Let's not forget, Justus Sheffield missed the bulk of two months with an oblique injury and was sent to the Arizona Fall League to make up innings. Luckily for us, he began doing so in dominant fashion on Tuesday night.  Sheffield is the Yankees' No. 4 prospect, so it was great to see him get the win last week in that 7-4 game.

Photo: Charleston RiverDogs

On the fielding/hitting side of the game, the Yankees started a trio of players. Thairo Estrada got the start at short, while Estevan Florial manned RF and Billy McKinney handled the DH duties.

Estrada finished the game going 2-4 with an RBI and 2 Ks while Florial went 1-4 with 2 Ks. The big at-bat came as McKinney hit a 3 run home run bomb in the bottom of the 3rd. He finished the game going 1-4 with the 3 RBIs, 1 run scored and 1 K.

At end of the Scorpions Opening night, the Scottsdale Scorpions had Yankee farmhand Cody Carroll come in the 8th inning. He ended up recording a 2 inning save. He gave up 1 hit and a walk while getting 3 Ks.

Photo: Bryan Green. Pinstriped Prospects

Oh yeah, and side note... Dillon Tate who was supposed to be part of the Scorpions again this season, was removed. HIs replacement... Albert Abreu.

Look, over all, there's so much going on in the AFL.  I was excited to bring the info from Opening night, as the world is watching the playoffs.  Once we get through the ALCS and World Series... we'll have more to talk about in the minor leagues.  For now though... just a taste of what you're missing.

   

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

STATUS OF YANKEE PITCHING & THE PROSPECT GIVEAWAY

Photo: Getty Images

The Yankees need pitching... and everybody knows how to fix it, even if it means giving all the prospects away. Come on, man! Stop!

Not a fan. Never been a fan, and that's on me.  Maybe I'm wrong, but Cashman didn't collect all these prospects just to blow his load on a few starting pitchers in 2017.  We need them to develop.  It's important to the franchise. Bottom line, this is two-fold.  There's a way to report rumor from a journalist standpoint that's responsible, and there's a way to be responsible from a Yankee standpoint and not undo what you did in 2016 to help a team win... not immediately, but over time. 

Photo: Getty Images

The latest comes from this ongoing rumor that the Yankees are attached to Sonny Gray of the Oakland Athletics.  Now we've heard it a lot. We've even written about it here on BYB. (Read READY FOR SONNY GRAY? for more.)

Here's the Sporting News:

"Could that big move be for the Athletics' Sonny Gray?

Brad Penner | USA Today Sports

It's possible, and the Yankees are certainly interested, but they are hesitant to move their top prospects to get him. Guys like Clint Frazier, Gleyber Torres and maybe even a Justus Sheffield may be untouchable, but to get Gray it's likely going to take at least one of them to get Oakland's ace who tossed six innings of one run ball Friday night....

Throw in a Chance Adams, Jorge Mateo and an Albert Abreu and the deal might possibly have some legs. It just depends on if the Yankees want Gray enough, and right now they certainly need help considering the recent injury to Michael Pineda..."

Photo: Getty Images

You know, just give them all away for a kid like Gray who is clearly talented, but not worth the farm. I don't like it!

Look, there is no question the Yankees need help, but we have a plan in place now.  Why ruin it?  No one said this was the season to win the whole thing.  No one.  While we want to win the whole damn thing every year, we need to be realistic.

Giving away the farm for a young starter who could or could not be good for the New York Yankees? I'll pass.  In fact, let's let Cashman handle it.

YANKEE PROSPECT WATCH: KAPRIELIAN & ACEVEDO

Photo: USA Today

After breaking into the Top 10 last week in BYB’s Yankee Prospect Watch with #11 Dillon Tate and #10 Albert Abreu, we continue with two more young hurlers making their way through the Yankees farm system.

Coming in at #9, according to MLB.com rankings, is RHP James Kaprielian, followed by fellow RHP and #8 Yankees prospect, Domingo Acevedo.

Scout.com

At this time last year, James Kaprielian was seen as a guy who could possibly make his way to the Bronx in short order after being drafted 16th overall in the 2015 amateur draft. Unfortunately for James, his season was cut very short after making just three starts for High-A Tampa in April with elbow inflammation. The rest of the spring and summer did not go much better as he was diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain while rehabbing in June.

Photo: Los Angeles Times

Coming out of UCLA in 2015, Kaprielian was one of the most polished pitchers in the draft commanding three plus pitches, his fastball, curve and change up to go with an average slider. At UCLA Kaprielian’s fastball sat between 88-92 but after being drafted in 2015 was able to average 94 mph and even maxed out at 99.

As I mentioned earlier, the Yankees had big plans for him in 2016 and he got off to a hot start striking out 22 over 18.0 innings with a 1.50 ERA over his outings in Tampa. The injury bug put a damper on 2016 but as James has said it was a setback that will only strengthen him mentally.

The Yankees added Kaprielian to the Arizona Fall League roster where over 27.0 innings, James struck out 26 while allowing 22 hits and posting a 4.33 ERA. The most important part of the fall for James though was being able to get back on the bump, get some work and compete again as he prepares for 2017.

Kaprielian has the kind of stuff to be a number three starter and maybe more if his velocity and command hold up in the mid-90’s range he showed in 2015. This summer James could again find himself in position to make his way to the House That Jeter Built if he can keep moving in the right direction with his development and obviously maintain his health.

Drafted the highest out of any college arm in Yankees history, once James makes it to the Bronx, we should expect him to be there for a while. It very well could be as soon as this summer.

Coming in one spot ahead of Kaprielian is fellow RHP, and flame thrower, Domingo Acevedo. With a fastball that has touched 103 and regularly sits between 96-100, Acevedo is one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the minor leagues. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, the 22 year-old didn’t even start pitching until he was 16!

Armed with a fastball with a scouting grade of 80 (the top possible score) and a plus change up, Acevedo has a very, very high ceiling, one that the Yankees are very excited about. Vice President of player development, Gary Denbo, believes Acevedo will move quickly through the organization and so far there is no reason to think he won’t.

In 2016, Acevedo made eight starts in A-ball for Charleston in the South Atlantic League posting a 1.90 ERA, striking out 48 over 42.2 innings before quickly being promoted to the high-A Tampa. While in the Florida State League Domingo made another 10 starts striking out 54 over 50.1 innings while posting a 3.22 ERA. For the course of the season, Acevedo fanned 102 over 93.0 innings while posting a 2.61 ERA.

One other great skill that Acevedo has is his fairly good command. While he averaged 9.9 strikeouts per nine, he only averaged 2.1 walks per nine.

Acevedo will likely end up in either Tampa briefly before being promoted to Double-A Trenton or go directly to Trenton where he will face his most difficult test yet. Double-A is the level that makes or breaks many a good ball players but Acevedo has the tools to be a frontline starter if his slider develops into a plus pitch and with his velocity, he could end up a closer as a backup plan.

As we continue our march toward the top Yankee prospect, next week we will cover #7 prospect, 3B Miguel Andujar, an exciting young infielder who is quickly working his way up the minor league ladder.

We are now inside of six weeks from the day pitchers and catchers report and the excitement will continue to build as we approach Spring Training.

Stay up to date with everything Yankees here at #BYB and keep following the Yankees Prospect Watch.

It’s only getting better.

--Dan Lucia,  

BYB 'Series' Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @DManLucia