THE BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE NEWSSTAND VI

Hideki Matsui: According to NBC Sports (HERE), Godzilla appears to be struggling in the minor leagues of the Tampa Bay Rays.  According the Aaron Gleeman "Matsui has hit just .121 with zero homers in nine games for Durham, striking out six times while drawing just one walk.  Matsui’s contract is worth a prorated share of $900,000 if he’s called up to the majors, but until that happens he’s earning around $10,000 per month in the minors after being paid approximately $83 million during the past nine seasons."

Wow. Looks like the Yankees may have made the right choice with Raul Ibanez.  Even if you looke at someone like Johnny Damon this season, he's batting .156 with no home runs.  Ibanez is batting .263 with 9 home runs and 26 RBIs. Just sayin'.

Bill Hall: You know I'm a Hall fan and wrote WHY I LIKE WHAT I SEE FROM BILL HALL back in March. Let's face it, I was set, I thought for sure Hall would make the Yankees. When he didn't and then left us to sign a minor league deal with the Orioles, I wished him well, but now it turns out Hall was designated for assignment.  Read the Washington Post HERE on that.  You have to wonder if he'll pass through waivers or if someone will pick up Hall.  He's actually a pretty reliable defender with pop in his bat. I wish Hall well.

Chad Curtis: This is disturbing and I debated even writing about it.  But according to CBS News (HERE), "Former major league outfielder Chad Curtis has been charged with sexual misconduct after two teenage girls accused him of touching them at a Michigan high school where he volunteered... The charges are based on complaints from two teenage girls who are students at Lakewood High School, according to Barry County Prosecutor Tom Evans. He told WZZM-TV that he authorized the charges against Curtis." When we know more, we'll bring it to you.

Snoop Dogg: Did Snoop sign a major league contract? No, but he's actually threw out the first pitch at Chicago White Sox game on Thursday night, according to the Chicago Tribune.  Read the Tribune's piece HERE.  What do you make of that?

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WHY BILL HALL SHOULD HAVE STUCK AROUND

I’m just a fan, but when Eric Chavez went down, I started to think, what if Bill Hall didn’t get impatient and just waited it out.  Wouldn’t he have been up right now? Instead, he signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles, a team that will have a spectacular April and most likely a horrendous finish…history shows that at least.

Eric Chavez fell to yet another injury, whiplash and a possible concussion while diving for a ground ball at third base. Read HERE. The Yankees needed to do some juggling and did, putting him on the new 7-day DL for concussion injuries.  In a corresponding move, Joba Chamberlain was put on the 60-day DL, to make room on the 40-man roster for…wait for it…Jayson Nix?  Man, that could have been Hall’s spot.
In a situation like that, I wished we still had Bill Hall. Not that I have anything against Nix, but I just think that Hall is a better player and he’s seasoned.  Maybe I just like his enthusiasm or maybe I just want Hall to whack some HRs or make a great play or something against the Boston Red Sox where he played in 2010.  There is no denying that I did like the fact that Hall was so excited about being a Yankee. Even Bleeding Yankee Blue showed their positive review on Hall in WHY I LIKE WHAT I SEE FROM BILL HALL.

Ironically, when Hall found out that he was going to start in the minors, on a rotating home field team, he asked for his release.  So yeah…now Hall is playing for Baltimore’s AAA affiliate in Norfolk.  I wonder if he is kicking himself right now, knowing he could have had a shot with the Yankees. Instead, all the glory goes to a guy named Jayson Nix, who just wants to play baseball and is happy to play whenever and wherever the Yankees need him. As Casey says… I guess the timing was wrong.

 

--Travis Lincoln, BYB Guest Writer





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WHY THE YANKEES MIAMI VICE BEAT THE MARLINS

I don't even know what that title means, I do know this though, I just won $5 from my buddy Joe who told me there was no way I could work in Miami Vice into a title during the Yankees / Marlins games... pay up bro, I win. The Yankees won today against the Marlins in a pretty exciting game at the new Marlins ball park. The score was 10-8. You can read about it HERE. Highlights include the following:CC Sabathia allowed 4 hits and 3 runs in 4 innings. Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher each hit...they had 2 hits each actually and Robinson Cano had 2 RBIs. One of Swisher hit's was a homer. I love when Swish homers,and I hope he has a big season. Mariano Rivera gave a run...I know, shocking...and it was in his only inning today. It happens, don't get worried.Ricky Nolasco was pitching for the Marlins and pitched 5 2/3 innings, but gave up 7 earned runs on 8 hits. Jeter hit a double off of him on the game's first pitch which was nice. The Marlins tied the game in the 7th inning, but in the ninth inning, Bill Hall hit a double of Chad Gaudin and then Eric Chavez doubled. Oh Chad, gotta love the guy, he's still out there working year after year, you have to respect that. Overall, you can see the Yanks clicking now as they are really looking like a ball club! God, I love the Spring...and to think, Opening day is on April 6th in Tampa Bay. I can't wait for baseball! 

WHAT IF JEET ACTUALLY DID TWEET?

It’s amazing how many sports figures are on Twitter and how many of them communicate with their fans. It’s fun. Bill Hall is on there all the time, Joba Chamberlain is as well and Phil Hughes is constantly on there explaining to people that he’s not the Phillip Hughes who plays Cricket, he’s the New York Yankee Phil Hughes. (In Photo: Phillip Hughes, Cricket Player)
It’s all hilarious. I even thought I noticed Curtis Granderson tweeting the other night again...and I thought it was during the game. Is that possible? Who knows...Since we started BYB, we’ve received some really nice tweets from David Robertson in reference to the interview we did with he and Erin, his wife and that was sweet, read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: HIGH SOCKS FOR HOPE, plus, Laura Posada is always wonderful to us at Bleeding Yankee Blue. We in turn have been huge supporters of anything "Posada" and so there you go!

Of course, throughout all of this, Derek Jeter still has not signed up to Twitter and will never do it as far as I'm concerned. I have this debate all the time about Jeter and how I know the dude’s never going to Tweet. I believe many feel eventually, the guy's going to give in and sign up to Twitter. But, can you imagine? You worry about freaks on Twitter now, can you imagine if Jeet actually DID tweet? I picture the guy just totally giving in and being sarcastic on that social network, I mean, why not? Here...here are some examples of just how fun Jeet could be:

Of course,at that moment #theCaptainhasspoken would be trending, I mean, why wouldn't it? I clearly picture Jeter as a jokester...Here's another example:

At that point Swisher would retaliate with something sarcastic and then every Yankee fan out there would RT and try to include themselves in the conversation. Here's another one:

All in good fun Nunez, all in good fun. Look, no doubt Jeter’s a leader, but I would almost assume he’s a ball buster too and if Derek Jeter ever decided to join Twitter, clear the way I see it, it would be his new hobby and outlet. If I saw these tweets, trust me, I’d welcome it and I'd follow him. For now though, we all just need to imagine it and laugh. Believe me, Jeter will never tweet!

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WHY THE BILL HALL TRAIN'S ROLLING & PINEDA LOOKS GOOD

The Yankees won today and it had everything to do with the Bill Hall audition. Hall signed a minor league deal with the Yankees and has played hard to be noticed among a group of superstars. It was my feeling just a few short days ago that the way Bill Hall is playing is significant in the decision making when cuts come for the Yankees. I want Bill Hall to make the pro team. I like his bat, I like his ability and I love his guts. He’s played hard everywhere he’s been throughout his career and he’s the perfect piece for the Yankees bench. Read WHY I LIKE WHAT I SEE FROM BILL HALL.

That being said, let's get to today’s Spring Training game, a game the Yankees won over the Nationals 8-5. Read the story HERE. Highlights included Michael Pineda pitching 3 and 2/3 innings and striking out 4. Pineda no doubt did not think about media reports that he’ll start in the minors… that speculation about him gets us nowhere right now… let’s give it a week or 2 before we start having that discussion, right? Read Marchand HERE.

Chien-Ming Wang pitched for the Nationals and it was good to see him but this poor guy cannot get a break. He was fielding a Russell Martin ground ball running toward first and fell down and apparently is now hurt. What a shame. Later on, John Lannan was in for the Nationals and the Yankees scored 4 runs off of him.

There were hits from Justin Maxwell, JR Murphy Jose Gil and Bill Hall who drove in 2. Look, I’m not saying Bill Hall’s a superstar, I’m just telling you he needs to be strongly considered…that’s it.

Fun game today…more to come. Look for it here. Also, if we haven’t reminded you enough, let’s remind you again, you can buy Bleeding Yankee Blue T-Shirts by going to the home page of our website and clicking on the Buy Now button right under the picture of Mikey’s Dad. It’s a fun shirt and I know you want one.

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WHY I LIKE WHAT I SEE FROM BILL HALL

Let me be the first to say that I hope Bill Hall makes the New York Yankees roster. OK, let me actually be the second…Hall himself is the first and is Twitter happy and writes constantly about his love for this Yankees team he’s on. By the way, Hall is a good reason to get on Twitter if you’re not already, he’s constantly interacting with fans…it’s a lot of fun. The other reason is Jose Canseco who’s emotions on Twitter are like a roller coaster on steroids… read WHY BASEBALL STILL NEEDS JOSE CANSECO and sense me being truly sarcastic in my title.

Bill Hall has a good bat and Bill Hall is a good fielder and I hope that he makes my New York Yankees roster this year. He’d be a good addition and so far, while he hasn’t done anything Jeremy Lin-like, he has been consistently decent. Hall could be a huge asset off the bench come Opening da especially if you take into account that Eduardo Nunez is temporarily on the shelf with a bruised right hand, that may give Yankee brass a reason to give Hall a hard look. You know my feelings about Nunez and his fielding any way and to be honest, I feel like defensively, Hall is an upgrade. He has the Major League experience and he can play second base as well as the outfield.

Am I actively rooting or Bill Hall over Eduardo Nunez? Not necessarily, but I am suggesting a nice bench guy in Hall. Nunez will develop into a nice ballplayer for the Yankees, I love his bat and I love his speed, but you know me, I like focus and Nunez lacks that at moments. Can that improve? Sure it can, but for the time being, if I had to choose between someone like Nunez or Hall to fill the final spot in the rotation, I’m going with Hall to start things off. This way, you can work with Nunez in Scranton Wilkes-Barre for a bit, heal the wrist slowly and bring him up when needed... all the while sharpening his skill and focus. Remember, Nunez is still young and Bill Hall is a veteran, gritty and seasoned. I like what I see from this guy.

In the end, the Yankees don’t listen to me anyway and they’ll do what they think is right and I trust that, but Hall’s a good choice and I just hope he makes the club, that's my take anyway.

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IMAGES OF YANKEELAND IN TAMPA: PART 4

Here are some more photos of all of our Yankee favorites. People can’t seem to get enough of this, me neither, love watching these guy work out the kinks. Enjoy this batch.

Here’s Dellin Betances pitching his heart out with a hope to get called up this year, or better yet, get a job in April. Only he can make that happen, I am rooting for this kid.

Great action shot of Derek Jeter and Ramiro Pena warming up in the warm sunshine. Yes, pena is still with the Yankees and is a soldier for them, doing whatever the Yankees need. He’s a decent backup but he’ll be competing against other guys like veteran Bill Hall and Eric Chavez. It’s not going to be easy.

Raul Ibanez looks confused, like he just realized he’s platooning with Andruw Jones for the first time or something. Yes Raul, it’s a platoon role with Jones. Just go out there and do what you do best at 39, have a decent system. In all seriousness, I expect Ibanez to hit well in Yankee stadium.

CC Monster throws in front of Yankee great and my childhood hero Ron Guidry. It really doesn’t get much better than this. Whenever you have guys like Guidry, Gossage and Berra at camp, you really start to realize just how special it is to be wearing pinstripes.

Here’s Phil Hughes proving to the world that he truly is the Yankees Golden Boy. No doubt he needs to get his velocity up and get back to 2010 form or we may be seeing Hughes in the Yankees pen or the minors for a bit. I believe in King Phil. Do you?

Nick Swisher is always smiling. If you read that LoHud article HERE, you know this guy just loves what he does for a living and feels blessed. You can’t help but want to root for this guy. I am hoping for a huge year for Swish as he enters the free agent market at the end of the season.

Joba the Hutt is working he way back and hopefully he’ll be in the pen by May. That’s me being hopeful. It’s tough to say, but Joba tweets often about how he’s making progress. Hopefully everything is working for him and he feels good.

More images on the way, Spring Training is getting me excited for the season. Keep checking here at Bleeding Yankee Blue for more and if you haven’t seen them yet, check out:

IMAGES OF YANKEELAND IN TAMPA: PART 1, PART 2 AND PART 3. You’ll have the time of your life.

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REPORT: DICKERSON OUTRIGHTED OFF 40-MAN ROSTER

Don't panic. This is just a quick note for everyone who loves Chris Dickerson. MLB.com's Bryan Hoch has the report HERE. that says the Yankees' Chris Dickerson has cleared waivers and was outrighted off the 40-man roster to AAA but will stay with the pro camp. It could be worse I guess.

No doubt it's going to be tight, there is a lot of talent and not a lot of room on the Yankees club. The Journal News had a nice piece on it, read HERE and basically maps out whether or not guys like Bill Hall and Russell Branyan can do damage to stay in the Bronx this spring and beyond. Ironically, Chris Dickerson was also mentioned.

Girardi has a nice quote and it makes sense about the whole thing: “They’re going to get a fair shake to try and make this club, I don’t see why someone couldn’t play their way on. Do you have to make some moves if that’s to happen? Yeah, but I don’t see why they couldn’t.”

OK then...may the best man win.

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WHY IT'S THE MAKING OF ANOTHER YANKEES CHAMPIONSHIP

You can look at what we have and make a very very good argument for a future World Championship Yankees club...2012 style. It's true. We have the tools and as far as I'm concerned, that combination of veterans and youngsters sprinkled in with the reliables and a Captain like Derek Jeter in the new Yankee Stadium... well, let’s just say it gives me goosebumps.

We have "the ace", the guy that literally can set the tone every 5^th day. CC Sabathia is better than anyone ever anticipated, and it’s happening in front of our eyes. We have our veteran closer in Mariano Rivera to shut the door when we need him but more importantly, we need to get to him, and we do with pitchers who can eat innings and a bullpen that will once again be touted as the best in major league baseball. I didn’t just make that up, they’ll live up to that hype. I have no doubt.

David Robertson by far is the hungriest of our bridge to Mo, and let me also state that I never had a “favorite” relief pitcher before Mo, but he set the tone and I find myself rooting hard for Robertson now because you can see it in his eyes... he never wants to lose. Any chance they’re selling Robertson shirts this year? If so, I’ll need to pick one up.

The Yankees are inviting 27 players to Spring Training and it’s a crew made up of guys as young as 18 that probably won’t have a shot, to older guys like Russell Branyan who has enormous power. Branyan needs to make the club first, after all he signed a minor league deal and received and invitation to Spring training, but assuming he does make it, he will be there strictly for home runs at Yankee stadium.

He, Andruw Jones, Bill Hall Manny Delcarmen, Dewayne Wise, Hideki Okajima… sure, the names seem random but there is talent there. It’s actually a very nice makeup and I applaud Cashman for his patience, his weeding through the fat to find the diamonds in the rough…hopefully at least.

Alex Rodriguez is supposed to be healthy and ready to do damage, and Yankeeland needs to get behind this guy, he’s overdue. Mark Teixeira needs to put the criticism behind him and mash the ball. He needs that average to rise dramatically or he will get the rep of being the next Jason Giambi, high home runs, low average. No one wants that for Tex, we want the guy to succeed.

Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson will hopefully continue their assault and put up sick numbers. Granderson is a new man ever since Kevin Long helped get his swing on track. The relationship with Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher and he is tight knit and there will no doubt be pure dominance this season in GGS…speed and power, it’s the perfect combination. Hopefully Curtis and Brett will run more, speed helps a ball club dramatically.

Sure, it all looks great on paper, but now comes the hard part, winning 95 + games and getting to the playoffs again. Girardi needs to make smart choices this year. If he does that with Kevin Long and Larry Rothschild by his side, there is nothing this guy can’t do. In the end, it comes down to team, the New York Yankees, the greatest franchise ever… it’s my team and I cannot wait for the smell of fresh cut grass and the crack of the bat…baseball is just about here Ladies and Gentlemen… I can smell it.

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WHY BRANYAN BRINGS BENCH STABILITY

Joe Girardi was right, we did need a lefty bat in the Yankees lineup, one with power to crank it out of, or in Russell Branyan’s case, crank it OVER that short right field deck. We got that lefty today and you can read about it here in YANKEES SIGN 1ST BASEMAN RUSSELL BRANYAN. Branyan’s deal is a minor league deal and they did it just 1 day after Bill Hall signed his minor league deal with the Yanks. Now things are starting to take shape.

Back in December I wrote WHY THE YANKEE BENCH WILL BE A FACTOR and while I’m no expert, I knew certain players would make good moves stabilize the bench. Now while Hall and Branyan were mentioned as good options, and the Yanks went for it today, it's still early. What I mean is, they still need to make the big team, which they probably will and they still would need to deliver.

Honestly, we need to assume Hall and Branyan make the big club. There is more of an incentive for them to fight for spots on the Yankee roster and being former pro ballplayers, there is no doubt they make the team, unless, they become unlucky like Ronnie Belliard of last season, read HERE.

Mixing Hall and Branyan in with guys like Eduardo Nunez offers a great bench of strength, speed and late inning defense. But now that raises a much bigger question... something Yankeeland has been shouting for for many months… do these signings impact the potential signing of Eric Chavez? After all we’ve been through with the guy, the want and need and the “interest”, is it all over now for Eric and the Yankees?

Look, it is very very possible the Yankees make a run, sign Eric Chavez to a similar contract to 2011 and just move into Spring Training with everything they wanted. That would be great. But right now they have their lefty bat (Branyan hit 31 home runs in 2009... that’s no fluke), and if you platoon him with Andruw Jones, you really have a powerful DH platoon. So, at this point, why in the world would we look at Johnny Damon, Raul Ibanez or Hideki Matsui? You see what I mean? Again, I believe the Yankees and Damon can work it out, many do, but the window’s closing fast, it’s almost Spring Training and we’re running out of money.

At the end of the day though, you need to applaud what the Yankees did the last few days, the additions of Bill Hall and Russell Branyan are smart signings, low risk and if they make the Bigs roster, that’s only a plus, trust me. One has to wonder though, are the Yankees finished shopping? Stay tuned.

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WHY I HAVE THE YANKEES SPRING TRAINING INVITES LIST

Just a quick note. Here's the list of the 27 guys invited to Spring Training. In this list they have invited 13 minor leaguers which is always fun to watch, as well as some of the guys they just signed like Manny Delcarmen, Bill Hall and Russell Branyan. Check it out... this is in no particular order:
DeWayne Wise: Wise is a terrific outfielder. He'll be a good asset to the Yankees outfield if he makes the Bigs again. The problem with Wise is he has a horrendous career average of .211 in 9 seasons.Russell Branyan: Great lefty power. He was signed yesterday, read HERE. He had 31 homers in 2009. With the Yankees short right field porch, this season could be fun for Branyan and the Yankees.

Manny Delcarmen: A former Red Sock but don't hold it against him. He could be helpful in the pen if he makes the big club. Read all about his signing HERE.Hideki Okajima: I've always like Okajima but it appears that batters have figured him out. In 5 years he has a career 3.11 ERA. Read about his signing HERE.

Doug Bernier: Bernier is an infielder that played for Scranton Wilkes Barre in 2011. He batted .237 last season with 13 doubles and 29 RBIs. He's 31.Manny Banuelos: What can we say about Banuelos other than we can't wait to see him again. I expect to see him up this season at some point. Read about him in THE GUMPTION OF MANNY BANUELOS.

Juan Cedeno: The New York Daily News has this on Cedeno: "has not pitched during the regular season in each of the last three seasons, appearing only in the Dominican Winter League. In 2011, he made 15 relief appearances with the Tigres de Licey and went 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA (8.2IP, 1ER)."

Matt Daley: We got Daley from the Colorado Rockies and he's played in the minors with them. He's 29 years old. In 92 games with the Rockies (MLB) he is 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA.
Colin Curtis: Colin is a solid outfielder and I expect to see him at some point this season. The Yankees are holding on to him believe it is my opinion they believe in him. He did have an injured shoulder in 2011, but in 2010 he has 11 hits in 59 at bats with 3 doubles and a home run.

Kyle Higashioka: Kyle was drafted in the 7th round of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft. He's a 21 year old catcher, one of many in the Yankees farm system.

Brett Marshall: The New York Daily News has this on Brett Marshall, "played the entire 2011 season with Single-A Tampa and went 9-7 with a 3.78 ERA (1401.IP, 59ER) in 27 games (26 starts)."
Jayson Nix: We wrote about Jayson Nix HERE when the Yankees signed him. Nix is an infielder who is better defensively than he is with his bat. Maybe he can be useful for the Yanks at some point this season.

Daniel Burawa: a 23 year old right handed pitcher with a lot of potential. Between Charleston and Tampa he was 5-4 with a 3.64 ERA.

Cole Garner: Garner was with the Colorado Rockies minor league system and has 76 home runs in 7 years in the minors. He has a career .286 AVG and is 27 year old outfielder.

Jose Gil: A catcher for the Yanks. The New York Daily News has this on the 25 year old catcher: "has appeared in 506 career minor league games, all in the Yankees organization, hitting .240 (405-for-1,691) with 98 doubles, 34 home runs and 224 RBI over 8 seasons."
Bill Hall: A strong second basemen and outfielder with some pop in his bat, I believe Bill Hall is a low risk pickup the Yankees will be thrilled to have signed down the stretch. Read about Hall HERE.

Adam Miller: We got Adam Miller this winter and he is a former Cleveland Indian. He's never gone pro. His minor league career with the Indians is 33-30 with a 3.71 ERA.
Gustavo Molina: Molina was helpful last season in the beginning of the year when we needed him. He is a solid catcher and a likable guy. Last year he batted .253 with 4 home runs and 21 RBIs for Scranton Wilkes Barre.


JR Murphy: Many expect big things from this kid, another catcher in the Yankees organization. He's only 20 and has a career .274 AVG. Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft.

Mike O'Connor: O'Connor is a lefty pitcher from the Mets organization. I believe we'll see him this season to help out our lone lefty in the pen, Boone Logan. Read about Mike O'Connor HERE.Ryan Pope: The New York Daily News has this on Pope: "combined to go 2-3 with a 5.12 ERA (45.2IP, 26ER) in 40 combined relief appearances with Single-A Tampa, Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2011."

Gary Sanchez: BYB likes Sanchez but we don't care for his attitude and there has been plenty written about it. We just wrote a recent piece about Sanchez and you need to check it out HERE. In Charleston this year, he had 17 homers and 52 RBIs. There is no doubt he could be a star, but I'd prefer that he lose the attitude and become a team player.

Adam Warren: Warren was in Scranton the entire season and racked up a 3.60 ERA and a 6-8 record. He's only 24 and I will bet we see Warren at some point this season, even if it's brief.

Graham Stoneburner: The Daily News has this on the 24 year old righty pitcher: "owns a career 10-13 record with a 3.03 ERA (234.1IP, 79ER) in 45 combined minor league games in the Yankees organization since 2009. In 2011, he combined at three different levels (GCL, Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton) to go 1-5 with a 4.04 ERA (91.1IP, 41ER) in 18 games (16 starts)."

Jorge Vasquez: We love Vasquez and his bat and we believe he can do a lot of damage, but his strikeouts are incredibly high and we wonder at Bleeding Yankee Blue is there is a way for fix that. We wrote about Jorge back in December...read HERE.
Kevin Whelan: Whelan had 23 saves and a great 2.75 ERA in Scranton this season...that was in 45 appearances. He can improve but that's not bad, he's 28. We recently wrote about Whelan HERE.

Chase Whitley: The New York Daily News has this in Whitley: "has appeared in 72 combined career minor league games (one start) with the Yankees since 2010, going 7-7 with a 2.17 ERA (128.1IP, 31ER). In 2011, he went 3-5 with seven saves and a 2.47 ERA (91.0IP, 25ER) in 42 combined games at Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton."

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