ROB MANFRED & THE PLAYER'S ASSOCIATION AREN'T PLAYING NICE

"My preferred path is a negotiated agreement with the players. But if we can’t get an agreement, we are going to have rule changes in 2018, one way or the other." - Rob Manfred

Photo: Getty Images

And my preferred path here is for Rob Manfred to NOT act unilaterally and not make drastic changes to the game but....we can't always get what we want according to Manfred it would appear.

So the pace of play has been a concern for awhile now. Personally, I don't have a big issue with how long the games last. Would it be nice if they went a little faster? Sure. Does it make me more or less inclined to watch an entire game? No. I love the game. I will watch it from start to finish even in extra innings and it won't bother me. If I know I can't watch the game from start to finish I have it waiting for me on my DVR. It's really not a big deal.

Photo: Getty Images

Manfred's newest proposal both a 20 second pith clock would be enforced and there would be a limit to the number of mound visits in each inning. Granted, the minor leagues already uses a pitch clock and don't seem to have many discrepancies using it big leaguers aren't sold on it. The proposal says the pitch clock would start when the pitcher gets the ball on the mound (important note: not on the rubber) and would allow for 20 seconds between each hitter. If a pitcher or batter violates the rule a warning would first be issued but another violation would result in added balls or strikes, ESPN has a breakdown of this HERE. As far as mound visits are concerned, those would be limited to one visit per pitcher, per inning whether it is from player, coach or manager. A second visit means there is a pitching change.

This seems like something both sides should be able to negotiate yet Manfred and the Player's Association can't come to an agreement and if that's the case Manfred is ready to flex his muscle and act unilaterally....which I think would be a mistake. It creates a standoff and brings extra tension to the game. It also makes Manfred look like an a-hole on a power trip.

Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America

I found an interesting piece by the Star Tribune HERE where Brian Dozier has a lot of strong opinions on the proposal that the Players' Association rejected. “We don’t want to damage the integrity of the game and change the game completely. If this does go through, it definitely changes the integrity of the game, and we are all against it. There’s so much gray area in the proposal, it just didn’t sit well with us.”

It's a reasonable concern. Baseball is a game of strategy and it has a lot of human error. We recently had the addition of instant replay and the intentional walk. The change to the intentional walk certainly makes a small change to the pace of play but I still can't say I'm in love with the idea. It changes the real time dynamic of a game. And what about instant replay? That can really slow the game down, yet it was added to help improve accuracy.

Armando Galarraga, anyone?

As for the gray areas in the proposal....that is a legitimate concern in any matter baseball related or not. If Manfred is going to unilaterally enforce his proposal he is going to have to really remove uncertainty and subjectivity from the new rules. I think Dozier's extreme example of a walk-off bases loaded home run after a batter takes too long to get into the batter's box is something that obviously needs to be addressed. "Say it’s the bottom of the ninth, full count, bases loaded, and a guy needs to take a deep breath or gets the hiccups or something. Is that a walk off? Come on."

Photo: Chicago Tribune

Dozier's example seems wild, but if Manfred wants the players to stop fighting the proposed changes he needs to address the wild and far fetched as well as the more realistic. Baseball is America's Favorite Pastime so changes need to have structure. If Manfred does act unilaterally he needs to figure it out now, Spring Training is around the corner.

I guess we'll see what happens when MLB owners meet at he end of the month. They play a big part in this too since they have to approve of the changes. I wonder what they will say. Some people are ready for some changes. I'm not one of them but I understand the concern. I'm good with the game just how it is but I guess it really doesn't matter because changes are coming.....

What are your thoughts? What, if anything do you want to see changed? Comment and tell us.

-- Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj 

MLB NEEDS TO FIX THE "BAD UMPIRES" PROBLEM!

Photo: New York Daily News

I have always shared in the opinion that there is a human-error element to the great game of baseball. No one is perfect, umpires are going to make mistakes now and then. That doesn't make them incompetent....unless you are talking about Angel Hernandez. In that case, I say he is incompetent for many reasons but that is just my opinion of course. Now that Instant Replay has come into baseball it shows us a whole other side to the drama.

The past week has shown me now more than ever the MLB doesn't have a problem with blown calls so much as BAD UMPIRE BEHAVIORAL issues. Yes, I said it. The terminology may not be the best but I will stand by it. I get that umpires are going to blow some calls and make mistakes and some will admit their mistakes and I am okay with that.

Heck, Jim Joyce admitted he made a mistake when he blew the final out of Armando Galarraga's perfect game. He even got emotional about it after he saw the video and you could tell he was sympathetic when he apologized. But not all umpires are like Jim Joyce.

Look, the fiasco with the Tigers is still on my mind. The series with the Mariners has come and gone and I am still stuck on the brawl with the Tigers. Am I the only one who still remembers all of the drama started weeks ago when the Tigers played at Yankee stadium? Sure, there were no bench clearing brawls but it set up everything that happened days ago. The Yankees hit Mikie Mahtook twice in the game although unintentionally it still made Michael Fulmer grow a pair and intentionally throw at Jacoby Ellsbury in the hip.

Photo: Getty Images

So fast forward to Thursday. Once again Fulmer is on the mound and he plunks Gary Sanchez in the hip. Really? Another throw to the hip and at the Yankees hottest hitter. THAT MOMENT right there is where the umpires should have stepped in and warned both sides. The same guy throws at us again and the umpires don't realize that no matter if it was intentional or not (whatever you choose to believe) that this could get both sides fired up?

So of course, Tommy Kahnle has to defend his team and decides to throw behind Miguel Cabrera and then Kahnle is immediately ejected from the game and so is Joe Girardi. So no warnings, but let's just eject players. It was the wrong call from the start and the umpires let this get out of control.

So on Sunday there was no brawl, but there was another major blunder by the umpires who ruled against a clear interference play. With one out and a runner on first base, Robinson Cano grounded to Chase Headley at first base. He tried to start a double play by forcing Jean Segura out at second but Segura got in the way of shortstop Didi Gregorius and he was unable to turn the double play. Replays showed he clearly was out of the baseline and was in fact running on the grass (see the play HERE) so Girardi challenged Segura interfered with Gregorius.

Photo: New York Daily News

The call wasn't reversed and when Girardi came out of the dugout to get an explanation crew chief Mike Everitt threw him out. All he wanted was an explanation, instead he got tossed out of his fifth game.

Now I happen to have a lot of respect for Everitt, but the quick reaction to just eject Girardi is ridiculous. MLB has a problem to correct here. The players have codes of conduct to abide by and the umpires should be no different. Fans CAN forgive an umpire for admitting they were wrong but being unprofessional is just inexcusable.

The Yankees have consequences they will have to pay for their behavior against the Tigers last week with their fines and suspensions.....but why not the umpires? Think about it.



--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

THE YANKS JUST HIRED ARMANDO GALARRAGA

Great story here and much like when BYB broke news about Clay Rapada, who's currently playing baseball for the Philippines in the World Baseball League, when he returns from Australia, he will be an assistant pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants Low-A club in Augusta. Read CLAY RAPADA IS NOW A PITCHING COACH! for more on that.

Anyway...Now comes word that the Yankees have hired their own pitcher to be an instructor.  That's right, it's Armondo Galarraga.

Newsday's Eric Boland just tweeted this:

Armando Galarraga, he of the perfect game that was but suddenly wasn't, has joined the Yankees as a minor league pitching instructor

— Erik Boland (@eboland11) February 11, 2016

We love Boland here at BYB.  He's got a good nugget here.  NJ.com writes of the Galarraga:

"...Galarraga, 34, pitched six years in the big leagues (his last season was 2012) and finished with a 26-34 record and a 4.78 ERA. He bounced around a few international leagues before officially retiring last December. "

Now Galarraga will wear pinstripes as a coach for the New York Yankees. Pretty freaking cool.




Thank you for your loyalty to Bleeding Yankee Blue. 
Please shop at the BYB store!  
On Twitter: @BleednYankeeBlu 
On Facebook, LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue!
Don't forget to check out the BYB Hub.

AFTER FURTHER REVIEW...

Baseball will expand instant replay for the 2014 season…wait, let me rewind that. Yep. “After further review that statement stands.” My only hope is that Major League Baseball hires NFL referee Ed Hochuli to announce every reviewed call for the next year.

This is not a cut and dry issue for me. I am really of two minds about instant replay in the American Pastime. On one hand I long for the day when, self proclaimed Country Music singer and terrible ump, “Cowboy” Joe West has to eat a big plate of crow when one of his ridiculously blown calls is overturned.

 

The arrogance and incompetence that he displays proves that the game has past him by and he needs to go cover some Waylon Jennings. I also think back to when Jimmy Joyce got it wrong and cost Armando Galarraga a Perfect Game. In that case, Joyce, always a class act, could have used the help of review.

He was heartbroken and apologized profusely to the Tiger’s pitcher and the fans. The bottom line is the umps need help. There is no earthly way they can be 100% right all the time. We now live in an age where we can provide the “Eye in the Sky” to make sure we save games from the scourge of human error…but should we?

Being a Yankee fan I have heard the angry tale of Jeffery Maier from countless people. I have many friends from the Baltimore area and I absolutely understand their feelings on what happened that night in 1996. It WAS a blown call. The kid reached over the wall, snatched the ball and handed Derek Jeter a big Post Season dinger.

Would it have changed the outcome of the series? I don’t think so. I feel that Yankee team was better than the O’s…but I can’t say for sure. The mishap went New York’s way and they went on to be World Champions. Yes, it is still an open wound for the Camden Yards’ Faithful, but it is also part of Baseball History.

That is where my heart still belongs to the game without computerized help. I like that we rely on the umpires to be as involved as possible. Yes, they will get it wrong and be showered with venomous heckling and boos…but that’s a part of the game too in my opinion. I look at blown calls and remember the great TV spot starring Bob Uecker screaming, “HE MISSED THE TAG! HE MISSED THE TAG!!” from the cheap seats. These mistakes are almost woven into the very fabric of baseball. It is almost not supposed to be perfect 100% of the time. I worry that sooner or later we won’t need on-field umps at all. We all watch the virtual strike zone on FOX, ESPN and TBS broadcast. Why do we need Dan Iassogna standing behind Brian McCann? The computer laser beams called it a strike…I’ll take R2D2’s censors over your “20/20”, Dan. Sorry.

 It would make the game much more accurate, but it would take away the chess match of an ump squeezing or expanding the zone on a pitcher. That adds to the drama of the game. It’s one of the reasons why we watch. I love to see the Ace of the staff have to bare down and adjust because Blue isn’t calling the outside corner. It just draws me in. Now, I realize that that isn’t on the table as part of this decision. The umps still own the plate, but I worry that a pebble will start the avalanche to a field of cameras and drones.

Overall I see Major League Baseball’s move to a game with a digital fail-safe system as a good thing. Baseball, like other major sports, is ever changing. We have the technology to help the umps get it right, so we should give them a hand. I just hope they strike a solid balance between droids and the humans. The game has to be able to maintain it’s tradition while still allowing for overall improvements…but I may read this back and see that I got it wrong. Stay tuned.




--Mike O'Hara, MLB Fan Cave Host, Season 1
   Twitter: @mikeyoh21
"Paulie was always my favorite player."



Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

TEIXEIRA ROBBED IN BALTIMORE; LEAVES YANKEELAND REELING

No one knows what would have happened if Jerry Meals, the first base umpire, called Mark Teixeira safe tonight in the top of the 9th inning.  My feeling is the momentum would have went the Yanks way and they probably pull that game out and win.  That didn't happen though and it should be noted that it may have been the worst call I've seen since Armado Galarraga lost out on his perfect game from umpire Jim Joyce back in 2010.

You know why I know this call was a shot in the heart to Yankeeland tonight? Because Mark Teixeira is one of the most poised, professional guys in the clubhouse after any game. Tonight, he was spitting bullets and spoke to the media voicing exactly just our stupid that call was.  Believe me, he needed to.  Jerry Meals should be ashamed of himself, but more on that in a moment.

Tonight was another heart breaker.  Sometimes scoring first means nothing these days if you're the New York Yankees. Look, the Yankees did the right thing, they struck first and "grinded it" to the very end, but the Yankees could not stop the Orioles and Mark Reynolds from hitting in runs and winning yet another game.  I'm puzzled by the Mark Reynolds hot streak.  This is a guy that's just OK, he's nothing spectacular. In fact, there was a great video of him a while back on Deadspin of his strikeouts, 100 strikeouts in 2 minutes, it was brilliant.  Why can't the Yankees get this guy out?  His swing has plenty of flaws, anyone can see them with the naked eye, yet, the Yankees are serving up a nice pitch to this dude every time.  It's unbelievable and because of it, Reynolds is riding high on the confidence train and so are the Orioles.

Now look, if CC Sabathia was on tonight, we win this game. But CC Sabathia is not healthy.  That's what I'm thinking... there's no other explanation for him not being able to hold teams down in his last 3 starts as well as something Fangraphs brought up and that's CC's fastball numbers... they're down to 92 mph from 93 mph last season.  Kind of weird, something's up.  Tonight CC went 6.1 IP, allowed 8 H, 5 R and only struck out 5.  He also gave up 3 home runs which is totally not like CC.  I'm telling you, CC wants to be out there pitching because he's a gamer, but I have a strange suspicion that something  is not right.  He may be hurt, he may be grinding through it because that's what we expect or maybe he's just putting that extra pressure on himself because he wants the team to win, who knows? But guess what, we'll never know, because CC's tough as nails and he wants to be on the mound every 5th day. What are you gonna do, tell him not to get out there? Then who do we have as our ace, a bunch of inconsistent pitchers? I take my chances with CC every time, I just hope he's OK.

Alex Rodriguez looked good again tonight hitting #17 on the year.  I've said it a few times now, Alex is back and he's contributing, you gotta love that.  Derek Jeter had 3 more hits today and his average is up to .323. The Captain is just leading this team so well, now we just need him to have a "Posada" type closed door meeting to light a fire under the asses of the rest of our club! Ichiro Suzuki was 2-4 tonight.

The "heart and guts" award goes to Mark Teixeira and Russell Martin.  I love the way these guys are playing and Martin, while batting .203, seems to really be in the ballgame lately, I love the passion. Keep it up Russ.

Again, that 9th inning final out call by Jerry Meals was absolutely horrible.  It's not only a tough way to lose a ball game, but if the Yankees weren't battling before that out, they sure as hell will be full of anger tomorrow and will treat tomorrow's game as a must win. Meals blew it and he should, much like Jim Joyce did, come out and say as much. It's ironic that many are suggesting that Mark Teixeira may get fined to talking trash about Meals and his terrible calls. I would suggest Meals should get fined a few bucks for not doing his job...just a thought.

Look, the Yankees need to win tomorrow, not only do they then split the series against the Orioles, they leave Baltimore with their heads high as they head to Boston and try to sweep the Sox.

Final Score: Orioles 5 - Yankees 4

Tomorrow, the ONLY goal the Yankees have is to win. That's it. That's a must.  After that, the Yankees play the Rays and Athletics, both with winning records and the rest of the teams have losing records, like the Red Sox, the next series they play.  That was courtesy of Michael Kay. That brings hope because if the can get some confidence for the rest of September, we will make the playoffs.  If we implode...well, let's just say I won't happy.

Go Yanks!

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

BRYCE HARPER NEEDS TO LEARN FROM A REAL LEADER

Bryce Harper made history Wednesday in the Nationals' game against the Marlins when he hit two home runs, surpassing Mickey Mantle's record (13) for home runs by a teenager, read HERE.  He is two away from tying Ken Griffey, Jr. for third most all-time.  While these achievements are noteworthy themselves, he also helped Washington snap a five-game losing streak.

Had he left the game as is, we may have viewed him as the poised superstar and wunderkind that he's been advertised as.  Instead, when he grounded into a double play in the bottom of the ninth inning in Florida, he angrily threw his helmet on the ground, which almost struck umpire C.B. Bucknor, and was immediately ejected.  Harper then had the nerve to walk back to Bucknor, get in his face and question him.

A Nationals assistant coach was forced to come between them until manager Davey Johnson took to the field and defused the situation.

After the game, Johnson spoke about the incident (Read HERE) and his post-game discussion with the rookie outfielder:

"Bryce couldn't control his emotions again. I had a little chat with him. He'll get over it. He's just a hundred-percenter. He expects great things out of himself. He breaks bats, throws his helmet, and he's just got to stop it. Can't afford to be losing him in a ballgame with that. He'll learn. He's young. He'll learn."

Harper told reporters afterwards:

"I just need to stop getting pissed off and just live with it. I just need to grow up in that mentality a little bit. Try not to bash stuff in and things that I've always done my whole life. Those need to change."

In the interests of objective journalism, it should be noted that the call was extremely close, although on replay, Harper was, in fact, out, and the correct call was made.  Also, Bucknor is regarded as one of the worst, if not, the worst umpire in baseball.  Despite over 15 years' experience in both leagues, he is routinely named the worst:

• In a 2003 Sports Illustrated survey of 550 active major league players, Bucknor was voted as the worst umpire in MLB, with 20.7% of the vote. 
• In an updated 2006 SI survey, Bucknor was again voted MLB's worst umpire, with 21% of the players' votes.

• Most recently, a 2010 ESPN survey of 100 active players (taken after Jim Joyce's blown call that cost the Detroit's Armando Galarraga a perfect game), Bucknor was once again named the worst umpire in baseball (while Joyce was named the best).

By the way, it wasn't Harper's first childish temper tantrum:

• May 11: In a game against the Reds, Harper went 0 for 5 with 2 strikeouts. In his 4th at bat, wherein he grounded out, he disappeared into the clubhouse and reemerged with a bloodied face after going berserk with a bat.  His lacerations required 11 stitches.

• July 15: After Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen had something to say to umpiring officials about the amount of pine tar on his bat, Harper felt the need to point a (clean) bat at Guillen during his at-bat.  Despite going 0-for-4 that day, the Nationals won behind Stephen Strasburg.

• July 16: Harper snaps a bat over his knee after a fly out.

• August 5: Harper breaks a bat over home plate after a strikeout.  A piece of the bat hits the home plate umpire, for which Harper apologizes.

• August 20: Harper breaks another bat over home plate.

In his entire 18-season career, Derek Jeter, the shortstop for the Yankees, the team's captain and a future guaranteed Hall of Famer, has NEVER BEEN EJECTED.  He is poised, dignified and humble.  If Harper wants to last more than 5 years in this game, he needs to take a page out of Derek Jeter's playbook.  He needs to learn humility and civility, otherwise, he will be the talented young phenom that no one wants to work with.  Think it only affects his performance?  Umpires, who I agree are already flawed, will remember his attitude when making those close calls.  The Harper jerseys could start really seeing some slumping sales.  Most importantly, his trade stock will go down, something that is not written about enough.  He will be "all dressed up", with nowhere to go.

The key to longevity and to hitting over .320 at age 38 in your 18th season is dedication to the craft, not yourself. If Harper does not begin to put his team ahead of himself, drag his head out from between his own legs and cut the childish crap, he will deteriorate. Derek Jeter is not just another player, he is a role model for leadership. Harper needs to find the right person to emulate and learn from.  A good start would be ruling out the most undesirable candidate: himself.



--Fox Luu, BYB Guest Writer
 Twitter: @foxthechicken



Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

DON'T MAKE MARTIN ANGRY...YOU WOULDN'T LIKE HIM ANGRY

I usually don’t have a problem with the umpires.  I know the job sucks and for the most part they handle the job great, after all, they don’t have that replay that we see on our television every night.  They go by the naked eye and they have other umpires to help him out if there are questions or concerns.  That being said, bad calls sometimes happen. I will never forget that near perfect game by Armando Galarraga a while back. 

The poor guy was denied a perfect game because the umpire just botched it.  At least Jim Joyce realized it and admitted it.

All that said, I also don’t think that disrespect among players and umpires is needed either. I hated what I saw from Roberto Alomar years ago when he literally spit on the umpire. Plus, in my mind, anytime players argue balls and strikes, well, it just can’t happen, you're bound to get booted.

That being said, I have to say, Laz Diaz last night in Anaheim was the height of belittling a ballplayer and believe it or not, if the story about what Diaz did to Russell Martin is true, I believe there needs to some type of fine enforced. You can call me ridiculous but I’ll tell you why.  The officials treat everything like they are superior, “Our call is law” and that’s all fine, they're the ump after all, but what happened to respecting human beings? Look, we all know that we need to respect the umpire, but I was curious so I looked through the rules of umpires in the MLB rules.  Rule 9.05, section C actually has a section called General Instructions of Umpires and reads "Umpires on the field should not indulge in conversation with players." There's also a sentence that reads "Be courteous, always to club officials",  you can read it HERE. Look, I'm not some detective that found the silver bullet, I'm just making a point, if the players need to respect the umpires, shouldn't Umps respect some of the rules too?  

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it had everything to do with Russell Martin “not being allowed” to throw any new balls back to the Yankee pitchers.  According to Martin, Diaz said Martin needed to “earn” the privilege. Read it HERE. I know, it sounds like a joke. Now, last time I checked, Russell Martin doesn’t work for the umpire, he works for the Yankees and “earning” privileges to me would have to do with anything involving his employer and nothing to do with the umpire.  Not only that, how does that kind of denial affect Martin’s confidence and psyche behind the plate after that? I’m sure his mind was racing thinking “What the hell is going on right now?” 

(In Photo: Laz Diaz)

Martin later said “Now thinking back, I should have shown him the gold Rawlings sign on my glove.” My response to that is simple; Sure Russell, you can do that…proving that your somebody, but this is simple thinking. This is not only human respect, it’s a double standard.  Sure players can’t disrespect umpires but let’s use the respect thing all around, both ways.  Message to Laz Diaz, your power trip was ridiculous, get over yourself.

ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

WHY JOHN MAINE? INSURANCE

It appears according that the Yankees have signed former Mets pitcher John Maine to a minor league deal. You can read this Tweet HERE. Clearly this is just a move to stock pile arms. Apparently he's been working out for the Yankees and good for him, but this move is nothing more than just a look-see, meaning, let's see what this 31 year old still has and maybe he can help us out...and maybe not. Don't panic Yankee fans. 

Maine last pitched in the majors in 2010.  His record then was 1-3 with a 6.13 ERA. After that, he needed shoulder surgery.  In 2011 he was with Colorado in their minor league system and went 1-3 with a 7.43 ERA. 3 days ago the Red Sox released him from their minor league deal.  Read about that HERE.  Now it appears the Yankees may have him and believe me, they're just seeing if this guy has anything left to offer.

The Yanks do that once in a while and they have for years, a cheap alternative and an opportunity to watch these guys work...just in case.  Don't forget, a few weeks ago it was reported that the Yankees were looking at Armando Galarraga at their facility in Tampa. Read HERE.  Galarraga ended up signing a minor league deal with the Astros shortly after that report. Read HERE.

Whatever the case, teams do this, they get a look-see at pitchers and stock pile arms if they think these pitchers have something to offer in the minors. Then, if they dig them, they bring them up to the Bigs.  Maybe Maine does, maybe Maine doesn't.  We will see.

ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

REPORT: RHP ARMANDO GALARRAGA WORKING OUT WITH YANKS

A very interesting tweet floating around today.  Augustas Cardenas who is a sportswriter from Venezuela tweeted this morning that RHP Armando Galarraga "is training with the NY Yankees in Tampa.  He might sign with the team soon."

Of course, Galarraga is most famous for pitching the "perfect game" that was not to be.  Remember when Jim Joyce, somehow, botched what would have been the last out of a perfect game for Galarraga against the Cleveland Indian in 2010? 

Casey will have an opinion piece on this potential signing tonight so be sure to check back this evening for that.

--Mikey Blue, BYB Senior Writer
Email: DonnieBaseball2323@gmail.com
Twitter: @MikeyBlu23

ORDER A BYB SHIRT NOW, DROB WEARS ONE! Also, Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

WHY I HAVE YANKEE NUGGETS

Some tid-bits coming out of Yankeeland:

• The New York Yankees have avoided arbitration with Joba, Boone Logan and Phil Hughes. So what does that mean? It means that they all agreed on a 1 year deal.

Phil Hughes will make $2.7 million, Joba Chamberlain will make $1.4 million, Boone Logan will make $1.2 million. It was the first time for arbitration for both Phil and Joba, it was the second time for Logan.

• Jon Heyman from SI tweeted that the Yankees and Andruw Jones are still talking but no deal yet.


• Rafael Soriano is scheduled for his physical with the Yanks today. We are all anxiously awaiting the announcement of Soriano in pinstripes. Speculation it's tomorrow if all goes well.


• Pinstripe Alley is reporting an interesting angle to the Yankees pitching rotation. How about Armando Galarraga for the Yankees’ 4th or 5th spot. He was designated for assignment today by the Tigers. They write “whether it is a straight waiver pickup, or a trade, he would be better than Mitre.” I guess I’m not the only one who doesn’t like Mitre.

Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.