GONZO! SO LONG, ANDUJAR

No big surprise here, but Miguel Andujar is officially gonzo!

Andujar got a new home, just like he wanted. Maybe not exactly like he wanted, it took quite a while but it did finally happen. His most recent request to be traded happened back in June and honestly I wanted him to get his wish which is why I wrote I'M TEAM ANDUJAR BECAUSE THE YANKEES MAKE BAD DECISIONS! It was sickening to watch Andujar get passed over for worthless scrubs like Joey Gallo and Aaron Hicks but things have a way of working themselves out.

So now Andujar is a Pittsburgh Pirate and I hope it works out for him. He deserves to get some playing time ad not be stashed away in the minors as a 27-year old infielder / outfielder fill in. Is he the greatest baseball player? No, hardly. He's a far cry from where he was back in 2018 but he's not getting any younger and he has no opportunity as a Yankee. 

It's funny to look back now and think about how the Pirates asked the Yankees to include Andujar and Clint Frazier in a trade to get Gerrit Cole and the Yankees said NO. The Yankees considered Andujar to be untouchable at the time, and here we are four years later and the Pirates got him for free.

Now Andujar gets to reunite in Pittsburgh with several other ex-Yankees including Manny Banuelos, Greg Allen and Ben Gamel just to name a few. Hopefully this is the only similarity that Andujar sees on his new team because he deserves a clean slate.

So this is it....it is finally the end. It was a long time coming, too. I really think the Yankees should've cut the strings sooner and it is only being done now to free up roster space because it's just another thing the Yankees can't seem to manage properly. Andujar can finally pack his bags, get a fresh start and stop thinking about the Yankees.

Good luck to you, Andujar. I am sorry it didn't work out for you here, but best of luck to you in Pittsburgh.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

WE JUST LOST BEN GAMEL, FOLKS!

 Bad news coming out of Yankeeland.  Ben Gamel is gone.  MLB Trade Rumors tweets:

The Mariners have acquired OF Ben Gamel from the Yankees. Not sure about the rest of the deal.

— timdierkes (@timdierkes) August 31, 2016

Now this sucks because we were all pretty excited about one day seeing Gamel in pinstripes.  After all, the kid just named the International Player of the Year and he was really starting to break out. LoHud writes:

"Today, Gamel was named the Player of the Year in the International League. He was the league's top rookie last year, and this year he leads the League in runs scored (78), he's third in hits (148), fifth in stolen bases (19) and sixth in batting average (.309). He's a leadoff hitter who can play all three outfield spots, and the league's announcement of his selection notes his overwhelming consistency. His average average left-handed pitchers (.314) and right-handed pitchers (.307) is remarkably similar. Same for his batting average at home (.310) and away (.308). He hit .306 before the All-Star break, and he's hitting .314 since."

(In Photo: Jio Orozco)

In return for Gamel, the Yankees get 2.  According to MLB Trade Rumors: "Shortly after Dierkes’ report, the teams announced the trade, adding that they’re sending right-handed pitchers Jio Orozco and Juan De Paula to the Yankees in return."

So there it is, Gamel is a Mariner.  Unbelievable, huh? I guess that's the joy and sorrow of the baseball waiver wire.

TYLER AUSTIN DESERVES THE CALL!

Now that the non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone, the Yankees are on a different path than we are accustomed to. Guys like Luis Severino, Chad Green and Ben Gamel (briefly) and Gary Sanchez have all been called up to fill the voided roster spots as the youth movement seems to really begin.

One name that has come up as of late has been the Yankees 2012 Minor League Player of the Year, Tyler Austin. Austin, a 13th round draft pick in 2010, has been red hot as of late. He has played primarily first base but can also play third and the outfield and his versatility could be very valuable to the Yankees if he continues to play a high level.

After having a terrific season in 2012, a year in which he was promoted from rookie ball all the way to Double-A, Austin regressed from 2013-2015 and was demoted in 2015 from Triple-A Scranton down to Double-A Trenton and eventually designated for assignment at the end of the season, before being resigned.

Going from top prospect status to losing his job was tough for Austin, but it wasn’t the first tough battle he has had to fight. Shortly before the 2010 Amateur Draft, the 17 year-old high school senior was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Austin underwent surgery and just a week later competed in a high school showcase helping him get drafted that June.
 

After the high-highs and low-lows he has experienced over the past six years, Austin has found a home in Scranton and has made the most of this opportunity. After 50 games in Double-A Trenton this season where he slashed .260/.367/.762 with four home runs and 29 RBI, Austin was called up to Scranton where he has been on a tear. Through just 51 games in Triple-A, Austin has slashed a staggering .320/.421/1.067 with 13 long balls and 46 RBI!

If now is not the time to call him up, I’m not sure when is!

The Yankees still have some road blocks this season in Mark Teixeira, although retirement is coming (Read TEIXEIRA & REACTION TO HIS ANNOUNCEMENT).   Alex Rodriguez is also in the way, but the bench appears to be his friend these days.  The brass is going to have to make some tough personnel decisions over the next eight weeks and into the offseason. Tex and ARod are not part of the Yankees future, this is clear. That’s obvious with their lack of performance and their age. 

Since they made the decision to have their fire sale, perhaps the Yanks find a way to get Tyler Austin, Aaron Judge, Clint Frazier and Ben Gamel on the roster for the rest of the season.

And who the hell knows, maybe these guys will help the Yankees win and push for a wild card berth like they’ve helped the 70-43 Railriders! And if not in 2016, how about in 2017? How fun would it be for the youngsters to get in the mix? Regardless of if they make it to October or not this season, the experience could be extremely beneficial to the boys.

For now, Tyler Austin has to be the next name called with Aaron Judge right behind him. They deserve their shot in front of the Bombers coaching staff for the rest of the season.

Tyler Austin definitely deserves ‘The Call’.

--Dan Lucia, BYB Senior Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @DManLucia

  

WHOOSH! THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS ARE A BLUR

I sat down in the conference room for a late morning meeting and began settling into my large cushioned seat when I locked eyes with a Yankee fan across the table.  "How are you doing?" said the voice.  "I'm OK," I said.  But I really wasn't.  It was a hard couple of days and it is not something I am used to when it comes to the Yankees.

We did the right thing.  We moved players. Andrew Miller's gone. Chapman. Beltran... Gone. Nova. Gone.

We began to rebuild for our future with a deep farm system that will pay large dividends.  I get all of that.  I am on board.  But, at the end of the day, I am in a daze.  I'm not used to being out of the thick of things the first week of August.  I'm used to being in the hunt.  And watching the Yankees right now is challenging.  Even when it's a Subway Series. In the scheme of things, it doesn't matter.  2016 doesn't matter.  But it will go down as a memorable year because of the seeds that have been planted down on the farm.

"For once, the Yankees might end up paying players for what they will do, not what they had accomplished for previous organizations. It represents a sea change in their thinking, prompted in no small part by the changing economics of a game they once dominated simply by throwing their wallets on the table," reports ESPN following the trades and shifts made by the Bombers.

Seeds of change in the Bronx and some of the young guys may make their way onto the roster as sooner rather than later.  "Over the past four days, the Yankees have added outfielder Ben Gamel and brought pitcher Luis Severino from their Triple-A affiliate in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and catcher Gary Sanchez, the top-rated hitting prospect in their farm system, is expected to join the team Wednesday," reports ESPN.  All that happened, except Gamel went back down when Sanchez came up.  Again though... change.

Despite trying to remain optimistic, I still have this fuzzy disposition with regards to the trades and the emotion of giving up 2016 for better days in the future.  Better days seem so far away as the dog days of summer approach with the notion that the Yankees will go quietly come the end of September giving other teams, like the Cubs, Texas and even the Indians the ability to make their mark in 2016.

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

GARY SANCHEZ GETS THE CALL

And so you wondered if the Yankees were gonna do anything to try and get more wins... maybe change things up a bit, bring in new, young energy.  Well, in addition to Aroldis Chapman coming off suspension and Yankee fans getting a 'taste' of Ben Gamel, the Yankees have called up Gary Sanchez.

According to Shane Hennigan of the Scranton Times Tribune, the Yanks made that move:

Gary Sanchez has been promoted to New York.

— Shane Hennigan (@RailRidersTT) May 13, 2016

No idea is that means Austin Romine gets cut, but one would assume that Tyler Olson would now go down and the Yankees would hold onto 3 catchers for the time being.  Who the hell really knows... I know I've lost track of alot of personnel moves recently.

Anyway, Chad Jennings brings up a good point as to why Sanchez is up:

"With Chris Sale and Jose Quintana starting for the White Sox on Friday and Saturday, it makes sense for the Yankees to add an extra right-handed hitter. Sanchez has been red-hot lately. He has a nine-game hitting streak with three homers in his past eight games. He had two more hits tonight. The Yankees lost a key right-handed bat when Alex Rodriguez was hurt, and Sanchez replaces some of that right-handed power potential. The Yankees had previously faced only one lefty since the Rodriguez injury. "

Good enough for me. Give the kid some at bats and experience in the Bigs, and we actually are making an effort to win here. Wow. 

Anyway, I'm happy with this move.




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THE YANKEES AND A LOT OF JUGGLING

Small note but important one because everyone's a fan of Ben Gamel these days.  Gamel was just sent down.

CBSSports.com writes:

"The Yankees optioned Gamel to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday. Gamel started games Tuesday and Wednesday but went just 1-for-8 in five games with the Yankees, so the team decided to send him down to open up a spot on the roster for reliever Tyler Olson."

All good, Yanks need an arm, and they also liked what they saw, and so, Gamel will be back. Don't panic.





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BEN GAMEL CALLED UP

Quick note about a minor league hopeful many of us Yankee fans are falling into deep like with.  It's Ben Gamel and many of us, including the Yankees liked what they saw this spring.

Well, the word is the Yankees have called up the outfielder and have optioned James Pazos, the same guy they called up yesterday when they put Alex Rodriguez on the 15 day DL with a hammy.

Here's the report by YES Network:

"Yankees have called up outfielder Ben Gamel from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and he will be in uniform for the Yankees for Thursday night's series finale in Baltimore.

To make room on the 25-man roster, the Yankees optioned LHP James Pazos back to Triple-A.

Gamel, 23, was hitting .286 with one home run, nine RBI, seven stolen bases and a .709 OPS in 23 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season."

I'm happy for Gamel, and I'm happy we all get to see him again!

Grind kid.



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IT'S NOT A DEMOTION. IT'S JUST 'MORE TIME TO WORK'

Look, if you know anything about the Yankees, you know they don't just force their youth up to the Bigs right away.  They try and mold them. They try to make sure they're extra ready.

And when it comes to the cuts, or the new assignments of the youth after their time in Spring Training, they're not out of work or anything. They just need to keep working. They know it and understand it.

James Kaprielian was "disappointed" with his move back to the minors but he is about setting goals just like so many of these kids.  Brendan Kuty of NJ.com has some quotes from him:

"...he was grateful for the experience.

'It was an unbelievable time over there,' he told reporters at the organization's minor league complex Monday, while those in major league camp were off. 'I was really fortunate and thankful for the chance to get to go over there in the first place.'"

Kap was sent to the minors a week ago.  Read YANKEE CUTS ARE HERE!

(In Photo: Ben Gamel)
The Yankees made a second round of cuts too.  The seven that went down this time are Ben Gamel,  Mark Montgomery, Vinnie Pestano, Tyler Cloyd, Richard Bleier, Donavan Solano and Jonathan Diaz.

But look, there is no question the Yankees are liking what they see from guys like Kaprielian and Gamel.  So, don't consider these demotions... they're more like "more time to work".

I predict we see a few of these guys this season at some point.  It's the Yankee youth movement... and it's exciting.


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BEN GAMEL IS GETTING FOLKS EXCITED

We mention alot of great young prospects that we are excited about here at BYB.  Ty Hensley. Aaron Judge. Luis Severino. Jorge Mateo. Slade Heathcott. We rarely mention Ben Gamel... and that's my bad.  I will assign a writer to cover Gamel a bit. The reason why I bring it up is because he's opening eyes in the minors and in Spring Training.

(Photo Credit: Fred Adams, Times Leader)

According to Hardball Talk:

"Gamel, 23, is on the Yankees’ 40-man roster after hitting .300/.358/.472 with 10 home runs and 64 RBI in 551 plate appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season."

Not only that... he made a catch that needs to be celebrated.  Yesterday, on a ball hit to deep right center, Gamel laid out just before the warning track to make the catch.  It appeared to be out of his reach... it was not.



Gotta love grinding it!

Keep an eye on this kid.

 










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CHASE WHITLEY... GONZO

Word spread today that Chase Whitley was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays.  Newsday writes:

 "...righthander Chase Whitley, who underwent Tommy John surgery last May 19, has been claimed off waivers by the Rays."

Eric Boland also writes that the Yankees added 3 players to their 40 man roster.

"...righthanders Johnny Barbato and Rookie Davis and outfielder Ben Gamel.

(In Photo: Johnny Barbato)
Barbato, 23, who came to the Yankees from the Padres last Dec. 29 in exchange for reliever Shawn Kelley, went 6-2 with a 2.67 ERA in 40 relief outings between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Gamel, 23, was named the International League Rookie of the Year after batting .300 with 10 homers, 14 triples, 28 doubles and 64 RBIs in 129 games with Scranton.

Davis, 22, went 8-7 with a 3.86 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) between Class A Tampa and Double-A Trenton."

So there you have it.

I should have named my kid "Rookie". Kidding, Rookie's first name is actually William. Oh well.

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KEEPING UP WITH THE YANKEE PROSPECTS: MAY EDITION

As the month of May comes to an end, we will take another look at how some of the Yankees top prospects are doing down in the minors. We've seen Slade Heathcott and Jacob Lindgren make their Major League debuts and both were successful. While Lindgren could be here to say, it's more than likely Heathcott will be sent back down once Jacoby Ellsbury returns, but it is great to see the potential the young man has for the future!

Let's start with top pitching prospect Luis Severino who was just promoted to Triple-A Scranton! After tearing it up through all the lower levels of the minors, Severino will hopefully make his final promotion before be called upon to help out the big club! Severino has started eight games this year for the Yankees Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder, throwing 38 innings, striking out 48, walking just ten and sporting a 3.32 ERA. The 21 year-old Dominican native is expected to be a fixture in the rotation for the foreseeable future.

The big man down in Trenton, Aaron Judge, has continued to hit the ball very well for the Thunder. Over 43 games, Judge is batting .295 with seven home runs, 27 RBI, 12 doubles, a triple and 24 runs scored. He has struck out 49 times in 196 plate appearances, which is quite a bit, but is rather common for power hitters, especially young ones. Judge is considered the Yankees top position prospect and if he continues to produce, I'd expect him to head to Triple-A Scranton soon enough and make a run at a roster spot in 2016.

Considered by some to be the most hitting-ready Yankees prospect, first baseman Greg Bird has struggled some in Trenton after an impressive spring. He has missed the last three weeks with a right shoulder injury and is rehabbing down in Tampa, but prior to the injury Bird was hitting just .226 with three home runs and 12 RBI over 25 games. There is still a lot of baseball to be played this summer so hopefully Bird gets healthy and back on track.

Rob Refsnyder has righted the ship some at second base after committing five errors through 11 games, he has made just six over the last 28. Not outstanding, but a step in the right direction! He has also swung the bat better as of late and now boasts a .277/.348/.386 slash line with two home runs, 17 RBI, 12 doubles and 18 runs scored. He has only struck out 29 times over 185 plate appearances and has added 18 walks. With Stephen Drew still batting well below his listed weight (.162 over 148 plate appearances) we are all wondering when the young talented hitter is going to be given his shot.

After a slow start over the first two weeks of the season, catching prospect Gary Sanchez has been producing down in Trenton. Sanchez has produced a .261/.312/.430 slash line with six home runs, 22 RBI and six doubles. The young talented backstop has hit 18, 15 and 13 home runs over the last three seasons and right now is on pace to eclipse those marks and hopefully make another jump up to Triple-A by years end. He could very well be the catcher of the future, I for one am hoping the 22 year-old will be!

Eric Jagielo has been tearing it up down in Trenton with a .301/.380/.564 slash line to go with nine long balls and 32 RBI. Those numbers are outstanding in Double-A, or any level for that matter! Plus Jagielo is in just his third season in professional baseball, having played in just 114 games over the first two years. The third base prospect, along with Judge, Sanchez and Mason Williams had led the Thunder offense over the first two months. Dante Bichette Jr. has also contributed a home run and 23 RBI over 42 games, but is batting just .222.

In Scranton, OF Ben Gamel is off to a nice start in his first Triple-A action hitting .338 with two home runs, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored. Bryan Mitchell, is sporting a 3.80 ERA over nine starts and has struck out 37 over 42.2 innings, while Jose Ramirez has a 2.31 ERA over 16 relief appearances.

There are a lot things I'm seeing that I like in the minor leagues and it appears the Yankees will have some guys Major League ready over the next 12-24 months. Just in time for some of their aging veterans long ass contracts to come to an end! If all the stars align, I see a new core of Yankees moving their way up the organization and ready to make an impact at the Major League level.
(WRITTEN 5/30)


 
Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia

 


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