BASEBALL IS MY LIFE: THE ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

I wanted to introduce you to my friend Mike.  Mike & I recently had a discussion about the Yankees and baseball.  I asked him to write about something baseball related that I could never see in New York City. His answer was simple... the Arizona Fall League.  That was followed by a "Got me." Next thing you know, Mike's convincing me to post a piece on his experience at the AFL. And here it is.  Enjoy this, I did.  Hey Mike... you're published! Congrats... 

Baseball is my life and the New York Yankees are what keep my heart beating. 

Living out here in Arizona, it does not allow me to see them too often. They come and play the Diamondbacks every so often, and when that happens, trust me, I'm there. When the Yanks are here, downtown Phoenix turns into a mini-version of the Bronx.  Being such a storied franchise with national exposure helps that.  For me though, a die-hard Yankee fan in Arizona, it's just not enough. Sure, I have MLB Extra Innings so I can get the games, but somehow, it's just not the same as stepping into Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.  

Opening day is the day I live for. I live for the first pitch, the first hit, the first run, the first stolen base and all the other firsts that happen as a new season begins.  Once the last out of the World Series hits, alittle part of me dies. Though, much like you, it's a little easier when my beloved Yankees are the Champs! 

So, you're wondering... what's the point of all this? Right?  Bleeding Yankee Blue's Robert Casey asked me if I would like to write about something that he would not get to experience if only living in New York. Well, there is something, and it's fantasic! It's probably the best month and a half of my year. It's a little thing called the Arizona Fall League. 

The Arizona Fall League starts at the end of the regular season in early October and runs till Mid-November. There are 6 teams filled with prospects from every Major League team. Each teams chooses 7 kids to send to refine their skills and get extra playing time. The six teams each have a roster of 35 kids or so, from all teams and they play together on one. I've been going to these games on a steady basis for about the last 5 years. It costs me $85 for a season pass. The season pass allows me to go to as many games as I want at any of the 6 stadiums. 

Since I've been going to these games, I've gotten to meet many notable players in today's game. A couple years ago I got to see Mike Trout and Bryce Harper take the field together on the same team. It's allowed me an up-close look at Aroldis Chapman and Yasiel Puig. 

Last year, the top prospect in all of baseball, Byron Buxton was here. I'm not here to write about players from other teams though. I'm here to share my experience with the kids the Yankees have sent. 

Within the past couple of years, I've gotten to see Preston Claiborne, Dellin Betances, David Phelps and Austin Romine. Some of the notable prospects that have been here in the last couple years have included Slade Heathcott, Mason Williams, Manny Banuelos and Tyler Austin. 

 (In Photo: Former Yankee, Vidal Nuno)
Players that are not on the Yankees anymore but on other teams rosters have included Ian Kennedy, Vidal Nuno, Phil Hughes, David Adams and Brandon Laird. 

Any time I can chat with the Yankee kids, I do. I love the opportunity because I can get to know these guys more closely.  Most are really good kids within this low pressure situation. It's a good give and take with the fans for the most part, until of course some ass wants to get 20 autographs in 1 meeting.  Not only is that ridiculous, it's rude, to the players, to the fans.

I get one ball a year and have the kids from the Yankees sign it, then let them go to do their thing with the occasional "Hi, How you doing?" thrown in. You treat these kids with respect.  That's key.

The Arizona Fall League is a great time, and I highly recommend it if you're ever in Arizona during it's season. In addition to watching these kids play, meeting them, shaking hands in a fun atmosphere, some of the legends come out too.  Last year I got to meet some guy named Joe Torre. A couple years before, I met Don Mattingly. 
 

I've even met Reggie Jackson. You never know who you'll meet, and that's one of my favorite parts. 

If you've never seen the kids perform in the Arizona Fall League, I encourage you to check it out.  There is terrific talent, a great time at the parks, the weather's great and the memories last forever.  It's extra baseball after the season ends.  It's the AFL, and it's awesome.

Mike, we enjoyed your piece about the Arizona Fall League. We appreciate it.  Oh, and to our BYB audience, be sure to thank Mike. 

If you'd like to see some past BYB posts on the Arizona Fall League, be sure to click and read:

 YANKEES IN THE ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
 HANGING OUT AT THE ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Good job, Mike. Thanks - Casey

--Mike Kirk, BYB reader & Guest writer for Bleeding Yankee Blue





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YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TO ZOILO ALMONTE

The Yankees have designated Zoilo Almonte for assignment.  In addition to that, Matt Daley has been released.  Once again, Bleeding Yankee Blue writer Jeana Bellezza will be aggravated and ask, "Why?" and with that, I'm sure her next piece will include names like Brandon Laird and Ronnier Mustelier and once again pushing the youth movement in the Bronx. I agree with her. 

It's just madness. I believe in Almonte. I also believe Almonte will be a big help for the Yankees one day. They just need to keep the guy with the big club long enough so he can blossom.

Zoilo designated, Matt Daley released
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) September 2, 2014

But look, the reality is, Zoilo and Daley moves have to do with the fact that September call ups are here and with that, the following names have been called up:

Preston Claiborne
John Ryan Murphy
Chase Whitley
Bryan Mitchell
Antoan Richardson
Chaz Roe
Rich Hill
Chris Young

Yanks call up: Chris Young, John Ryan Murphy, Preston Claiborne, Bryan Mitchell, Chase Whitley, Rich Hill, Antoan Richardson and Chaz Roe.
— David Waldstein (@DavidWaldstein) September 2, 2014

All the youngsters listed should have an invite, plus I believe Almonte shouldn't have moved anywhere. But I guess for the argument of moving around personnel, logically, moving down someone like Almonte makes sense in that regard.  I don't get Rich Hill... I don't think I ever will. I thought by now he would have been released.  Roe could help, and no... Chris Young doesn't belong there either.

That being said... don't get crazy, it will all work out.  I promise... maybe.

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OH NO. NOT NUNEZ! SERIOUSLY?

In case you haven't heard....Eduardo Nunez was designated for assignment yesterday. It could mean his days in New York are numbered, and it could mean absolutely nothing. My magic ball skills have sucked for a long time now so I won't bet on how this plays out....but I have a gut feeling of why this happened and where it could end up ultimately.

(In Photo: Yangervis Solarte)
Designating Nunez for assignment essentially frees up a 40-man roster spot for Yangervis Solarte who we took notice of very quickly early on in spring training. He gave Nunez a run for his money and now he has a spot. The Yankees have 10 days to figure out what they are going to do with Nunez, they can trade him, pass him through waivers, or just flat out release him. Considering how there are very slim pickings right now in the middle infield market right now there are teams out there who could use the help. I wouldn't be surprised if some team out there decides to take a gamble.

Honestly though, I really think the Yankees just got tired of Nunez. Think about it, for the longest time we have been hearing that he is supposed to be the successor to short stop once Derek Jeter retires. Every single time I heard that I would bite my tongue. I have always hated that association. First of all, Jeter is my childhood icon. He is everything I associate a Yankee to be. Second of all, Nunez does not have the same skillset as Jeter, so that alone makes me cringe. Last but not least, we all know this is Jeter's last year. It's fact but I am still having a hard time coming to terms with reality.

Nunez has done many memorable things on the field, sometimes they haven't been so good. He can make things happen when he is running the bases, but if he is on defense the glove is a liability. I just think the Yankees got tired of being patient and waiting around. Otherwise, I don't know how else you can explain all of the other infielders that were invited in to Spring Training. Look at previous years, there weren't so many other guys like Solarte, Dean Anna and Scott Sizemore in the mix. After awhile, if there is no improvement you have to make a change, which is why I think the Yankees made this move.

Now, I hate to go back to this again BUT I am going to.....if there is ANY sort of potential trade here and if the Yankees can get something in return from Nunez I hope they do. I realize Nunez isn't going to bring in anyone spectacular but I hate to waste a player, especially when he has been in high demand in the past. I still think back to THIS rumor back in 2011 and think about what could be now. There are teams that need a middle infielder, and there isn't a lot of shopping to do out there.

So if the Yankees don't want him and can actually get something for him, they need to. Don't pull a Brandon Laird on me again. If you don't remember, read it in FIRST BRANDON LAIRD, NOW DAVID ADAMS.

PLEASE Yankees....don't do that to me again. Once was hard enough. So what will happen to Nunez? Only time will tell. If this is the end of the road for Nunez, I have to say thanks for all of the times you made me laugh when you would lose your helmet. I will always like to relive those memories. Of course, we will let you know as soon as anything happens. Stay tuned, it's about to get really interesting....





--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ



 
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IS TEIXEIRA ON TARGET?

I hope so. All signs are pointing to "yes" right now but of course, anything can happen and I am not about to put all of my eggs in one basket yet. Mark Teixeira has had a long road back since last year. We need him, and we need him bad. So far it looks good, and I am going to continue to hold onto those good vibes.

Tex says this is business as usual and says that this is "pretty close" to his usual routine, but he is still using certain treatments, read that HERE. Naturally once opening day hits I hope he is feeling stronger and ready to go but I think he makes a good point. During the off season he could do everything at his own pace without any pressure. That's not so much the case now that Spring Training is in full swing. Sure, he isn't exactly competing for a spot, but he does need to show that he is going to be ready. We need that stability at first base and we need him to bring in those 100+ RBIs and have that pop in his bat again. The power will come eventually, I think we all know that. I just hope he doesn't push himself too quickly.

Again, I am going to stick to the good vibes here. I think it was a good sign that he played back-to-back games last week. I think that is a big step so once the Yankees open the regular season in Houston he will have a regular routine and that won't effect his start to the season. We all know that Tex is a slow-starter, so to not be ready could not only give the Yankees a rough start but also put him at more risk for additional injury. I try not to think about that, Joe Girardi seems to be very optimistic so maybe I shouldn't wait for the other shoe to drop so to speak. That whole 2-for 12 stat isn't important right now.

This season is already going to look a lot different. Mariano Rivera is gone. The last time we saw Andy Pettitte will be where the Yankees start the 2014 season. This is the last hurrah for Derek Jeter. I can usually adapt to change pretty easily. I'm ok with it, but I don't know about this year. Some of the familiar faces won't be around this year, so we need everyone ready to go, and that is especially true for Tex.

We are just over two weeks away until the season officially starts. I know I am ready to see Tex back in action and I will probably be a little more tense when something happens to him. I just hope that nothing does happen because let's face it....there is no obvious backup for him *cough*Brandon Laird is gone *cough* but we all know how that rant goes, right?

Anyway.....Welcome back Tex!





--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ



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BRANDON LAIRD IS ON THE MOVE & JEANA BELLEZZA'S PISSED

Bleeding Yankee Blue readers know we love the kids on the Yankee farm and we have written extensively about it here.  Actually... Jeana Bellezza, one of our senior writers loves Brandon Laird and much like me, wanted him playing on the Yankees team eventually.  This season for instance would have been perfect for Laird, a first and third baseman and hungry to impress.

Jeana Bellezza once wrote of Laird, " I have watched Brandon Laird for years now and I am sad to see him go. I know, the common argument is “he has no future as a Yankee,” and yes….I can see that. The life of a minor league infield prospect is not an easy one with Cano, Jeter, Tex, and ARod standing in the way and realistically, the only playing time on the big stage would come in a bench role or as a fill-in during an injury. However, Laird has been solid for the Yankees..."  Read HELLO PEARCE, GOODBYE LAIRD from back in August 2012. In short, she loved Laird, she believed in him, but the Yankees didn't and eventually he went away.

Now, with ARod absent at 3rd, and the Yankees needing a back-up for Tex at first, it would have been smart to have a kid like Laird hanging around.  But it didn't happen.

Now we get word that Laird just signed with the Washington Nationals. The Royals gave him up, read HERE.  I first read about it from William Ladson of MLB.com:

The #Nats have acquired infielder Brandon Laird. #Nationals #MLB I said catcher -- my bad.
— William Ladson (@washingnats) March 16, 2014

Well, there you go...

And BYB writer Jeana Bellezza is still pissed...

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DO WE WANT GREGORIUS OR A FARM SYSTEM?

It appears to be a struggle from within the Yankee organization and Yankee fans. So often the fans yell to "let the kids play" and so often Brian Cashman will suggest that they "see a future" for one of our kids... only to trade them away 2 days later.  Most recently, and it wasn't recent, it was Jesus Montero for Michael Pineda, but that turned out to be a dud on the Montero side of it. The jury is still out on Pineda.  But there's an example... one of our youngsters with a future in pinstripes... and then, gone.  There were other youngsters who the Yankees wanted to "hold onto", only to eventually see them disappear from Yankeeland.... Brandon Laird, David Adams, you know the drill. 

Why? Is it because ESPN came out to blast the Yankees farm system recently? (Read A TEN YEAR DROUGHT PLAGUES OUR FARM.) Who really knows, but the point is, if people want the Core Four so badly... if they want to see players blossom like Bernie Williams or David Robertson or Robinson Cano, then why are the Yankees trading them away?

Enter a "suggestion" from the Arizona Republic that the Yankees may have a trade partner with the D'Backs. Not a rumor, not anything fact based... a suggestion.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a shortstop that will most likely become available.  The Arizona Republic, writes: "Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius is officially underway with Cactus League play starting on Wednesday... we should also keep in mind a third outcome – that the Diamondbacks end the competition by making a trade at some point during spring training. 

'It’s been pretty quiet of late,' General Manager Kevin Towers said of the trade market. 'With Stephen Drew still out there right now, I haven’t had much trade discussions.' 

But Towers didn’t shoot down the idea of a trade. In fact, he spelled out what the Diamondbacks probably would be looking for in return if they were going to trade one of their shortstops. 

'For us, it would have to be the right deal,' Towers said."

Then came the leap:

"...Several teams are known to be in the market for a shortstop – or at least were during the winter – including the Mets, Yankees..."

Now to trade for a shortstop, you need to give away one of your guys... most likely a farm guy and here we go again... Who?  And why do we "hurry up" just to then release our guys that we are "trying to develop" at the same time? I mean, didn't Brian Cashman say he wanted to try and fix up the farm system?

“I understand why people are bringing that up, and it’s something we’re going to be looking at...”

That was Cashman speaking of the farm system in a Bob Klapisch piece from late last season. Meanwhile, Gary Sanchez was just listed 35 on Baseball America's 100 Top Prospects.  Not outstanding, but he cracks the 100 list... so, which is it? Are we just going to give away our good talent for a possible backup to Derek Jeter and future Yankee shortstop or are we going to be more creative with our packages?  

I understand the Yankees need a shortstop, but in the same breath, this is Jeter's Farewell tour, he doesn't want to say goodbye as the DH all season. Jeter has too much pride... he wants to be the Yankees shortstop in his last year.  I mean, we also have Brendan Ryan as our back up right now, have we forgotten?  He's a great defender and solid backup if Jeter can't handle it.  But trust me... he will be a fine replacement for now.

It's my opinion that the solution is not trying to be trade partners with the Diamondbacks for Owings OR Gregorius.  The solution is to try and lock down Stephen Drew for the next 3 years at a reasonable rate and that will buy us time for a full time replacement and possible prospect.

Look, I know it's ideal, but the Yankees have to chew gum and walk at the same time right now. That means they have to secure their future at the same time they're looking for replacements.  Just giving away all we have, just because they're ranked low, doesn't exactly make much sense.  Sometimes kids need a break.  Sometimes kids blossom... looking at a ranking and reacting by trading them away isn't always best.  Sometimes players need to grow... we've done it before... we can do it again.

I was curious to why Yankeeland was so interested in being trade partners with the Diamondbacks, but I just had trouble finding the source.  Well, I found it, and all it was, was a suggestion from the Arizona Republic.  Not a rumor, not an official conversation, not a hard fact.  In other words... people on jumping on anything to make the Yankees look more interesting than they already are. 

All I'm saying is, there may be better options than Sanchez for Gregorius... that's all.

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FIRST BRANDON LAIRD, NOW DAVID ADAMS

I am scratching my head right now. I'm even twitching thinking about what just happened because I thought we were on this quest to get younger, and we were going to rely on the kids on the farm to help us in the foreseeable future. It makes sense. What doesn't make sense to me is letting David Adams go, read that here. I am trying to look at this from all sides, but we have already gone down this road before and it didn't work out.

I understand that the Yankees needed to make room on the 40 man roster once we officially acquired Vernon Wells. Someone has to go, but I am noticing a pattern here and it just doesn't make sense to me. I understand if the Yankees don't have faith in someone, fine. Go with your gut and make some changes, but do it smartly. I don't think just cutting David Adams was smart.

We've been down this road before. Think back to last year when we wrote about it here at BYB in a piece called HELLO PEARCE, GOODBYE LAIRD! It was the same situation, we picked up Steve Pearce to help fill in for Mark Teixeira (deja vu, right?) and we just cut Brandon Laird. CUT him. We didn't even bother trying to trade him and he had a good glove and a pretty good bat too. We wasted him. Now he is on the Houston Astros and could have a bright future on a team that is rebuilding. Good luck to him. It just sucks that we just released him and then by September we let Pearce go. I still don't see the sense in it.

Now if we look at this situation, the Yankees have just decided to release David Adams. We didn't even try to trade him. I understand he has had his issues in the past, and had some in spring training with his back but look at what he did last year in Trenton. He had a good year! He had a .306BA and he had a ton of hits. What team wouldn't like to see 23 doubles in 86 games? He makes contact and he drives in runs. He's not a power hitter, but at least if there are guys on base he is a good situational hitter. In the end we wasted him too.

 

(In Photo: David Adams)

I may be a little biased here. I have been able to watch David Adams play in quite a few games so I have seen how the stats translate in person. I know what he does and I know what he has to offer. The Yankees could try to resign him to another minor league deal, but I just don't see it happening. I wouldn't blame David Adams for taking an opportunity somewhere else either.

I know I have said this before but, even if the Yankees don't see the value in our youth here, they definitely have value somewhere else. It's frustrating to hear the media hype up the kids so much and make us feel like they are going to be the next big thing and then just cut them. What is the point in drafting and developing these kids if we aren't going to get anything back for it? Instead, we send them packing for the older superstars. What is the point in drafting these kids and spending a lot of time and money to develop tools that we can't even get a return investment on? I just don't think we are going about this the right way. There has to be a better way.

I know we won't use every prospect in our system. Some get traded, it is a big part of the game.Sure, some get cut too. Right now I really wish the Yankees would give our kids the chance to develop into superstars, especially if we are going to rely on them in future years if the Steinbrenners are really going to stick to this salary cap.

Can you imagine what our history would look like if the Yankees did trade Robinson Cano when he was playing for Staten Island? Or what if they did dump Mariano Rivera? I don't want to think about that. These kids deserve the opportunity to develop into those superstars, and the Yankees just aren't doing that right now.

In the end what's done is done. It can't be changed but I hope the Yankees do re-evaluate for the future. Until the kids get their shot I am going to sit here and continue to be a big supporter of theirs.   Welcome to pinstripes Vernon Wells. I wish you luck as well David Adams, and if this is goodbye just know that you will
be missed.

 --Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer and Editor

Twitter: @NyPrincessJ



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THE YANKEE FARM IS THE FUTURE

Put your money where your mouth is… I used to hear that a lot growing up; and I know I am not alone. It’s cliché, and maybe a little cheesy but now the Yankees are going to have to be more careful with their money. Some fans may be more upset about this goal of the Yankees cutting payroll to $189 million by 2014, but I like it. It’s time to start playing a little differently and if it helps us to stop overpaying for baseball’s established superstars, then we could be even stronger for it. I want our kids on the farm to get a chance to shine for us, and now they may get their big break.

Yankee fans expect to have a winning team on the field every year. We are passionate, vocal and dedicated to putting the best team together. Usually, that means going after the big names whether it is signing them as a free agent… or trading for them. It has worked well for us in the past so I’m not suggesting we stop spending money completely, but we need to spend our money wisely. It’s time to stop signing players to these long term deals that keep them around past their prime. I really believe our farm system is the best resource we have.

Our farm system is strong and I am protective of them. Sure, some people may believe that they haven’t worked out the way we had hoped but I have to wonder if the Yankees didn’t give them a fair shot and sold them prematurely. When we do sell them, there are times we dismiss them for a short term rental that does not position us to be more successful and I have an example for you: Brandon Laird.

Yes, I am going to go back to this again. In August, we designated Brandon Laird for assignment to clear a roster spot for Steve Pearce and I wrote about that in HELLO PEARCE, GOODBYE LAIRD. I still understand the logic behind it, but now I look at the final results in the end and I think I am even more upset. Once we designated Laird for assignment he was claimed by the Houston Astros and he could be on their roster for 2013 and helping them make an impact. 

So you may be asking… What is the big deal? Pearce was a short term rental, and I still don’t think he was worth it. He didn’t stick around long or make any lasting impacts. Yes, he had some good moments, but I think Laird will have more good moments for his new team. In the end, Steve Pearce is gone! He is no longer with us because the Yankees put him on waivers at the end of September. Once we did, the Orioles snatched him up and we gave up a young player who had great value that we did not take advantage of. We wasted Laird!

Again, you could make the argument that Brandon Laird didn’t have a future here….but now there is a new piece of the puzzle to consider here, the impending luxury tax. The Yankees are already thinking about 2014, and after I did some number crunching it is going to be a real challenge to meet this $189 million goal. Looking at the players we currently have for 2014 we have committed about $70 million which doesn’t sound bad, right?   But then I start thinking about names like Derek Jeter, or Robinson Cano (assuming they come back) and about 15 other people. We already have a large amount of money spent on just a few players. If the Yankees are serious about this number it is time to look in house.


Knowing this, Brandon Laird could have been a possible solution. He has already helped this team out when called upon and he did what was asked of him. Brandon Laird has many traits that make him desirable, including outfield experience. I look at what our needs are right now and think about the idea of putting him in left field. He can and does play that position and that would allow us to move Brett Gardner to center field. We already considered moving him there when we picked up Curtis Granderson, so why not now?

Even if the Yankees didn’t like this option, I can’t help but look back at this trade and others and feel like we don’t use our farm system to our advantage. We have a lot of kids that could be our next superstars. 

 

(In Photo: Dellin Betances)

I’ve spent a lot of time watching the talent we had this year at the Arizona Fall League, and I left every game feeling excited about the talent we have. Our kids are going to be the future…and I want to see them be part of OUR future, not on another team. Who knows, maybe a few of them will be a new Core Four someday.

You can read another take on BYB by reading: MAYBE THE GROOMING OF YOUNG YANKEE TALENT AIN'T WORKING. Another take, but not mine. 

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Writer and Editor

Twitter: @NyPrincessJ



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THE SIMPLE REALITY OF ALEX RODRIGUEZ

su·per·star  [soo-per-stahr]
noun
1. a person, as a performer or athlete, who enjoys wide recognition,
is esteemed for exceptional talent, and is eagerly sought after for
his or her services.
2. any very prominent or successful person or thing.

"Is he a superstar at that position? No. But I think when anybody signed that contract, expecting him to be at that level at that age would be unrealistic also."

"He's still an above-average third baseman. ... That means despite the contract that we had committed to him, that he's an asset at this stage still. I don't see us doing anything there. I don't anticipate it. If someone wants to make phone calls, we're more than willing to do all that stuff with any of our players, and that's fine. You can run into something that way." 
  - Brian Cashman, (ESPN Radio 10/21/12)

And what? If you just glance over ESPN.com you'd think Brian Cashman called out ARod and said he sucks. And if you think that, you'd be WRONG.

There is nothing wrong with what Cashman said. Anyone with eyeballs will tell you Rodriguez is old and his skills are declining and that his bloated contract makes him a target for high expectations. That doesn't mean he's still not an asset. Everyone is all over him, but honestly what are you going to do? You still need to pay him. What other team in their right mind is going to take on his contract. Also, who are you going to replace him with?

(In Photo: Eduardo Nunez)
Eduardo Nunez can barely play shortstop so I wouldn't trust him at third. Eric Chavez is a hangnail away from another DL stint. Brandon Laird never seemed to be Major League ready, which may be why they let him walk to the Astros. And with all considered, ARod's played pretty good defense this year.

So, there it is; ARod is going to be our third baseman for the foreseeable future. Joe Girardi obviously has no qualms about sliding him down in the lineup. Everyone needs to get over it and move forward. He's only human and is trying to do the best he can!

--Lem Allen, BYB Contributor

Email me at: bybcurmudgeon@gmail.com

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5 YANKEES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

Mark Teixeira: Eric Boland of Newsday (HERE) has the story of Tex.  Yes, he's rehabilitating in Tampa and yes, there is a chance we could see him this season still.  Boland writes: "Teixeira (left calf strain) continued his rehab in Tampa, taking BP and fielding grounders, but not running the bases, though not because of a setback. “It was a planned day of no jogging,’’ Joe Girardi said. “He’ll go back at it [Wednesday]"

David Aardsma: The Animal has been activated. According to the Washington Post (HERE), "Aardsma has not pitched since 2010 with Seattle. He had Tommy John surgery last year. Manager Joe Girardi says he will be cautious with how he uses Aardsma out of the bullpen with the Yankees in a tight division race."

Brett Gardner: Gardy was also activated. I know you gotta love this. According to ESPN (HERE), Joe Girardi said of Brett, "We feel that Gardy can help us on the basepaths... I don't know how realistic it is that he could do more." Look, I love speed and if Gardner is a pinch runner here and here when we need him, there is no doubt he will help the team. I'm really glad he's back.

(In Photo: Justin Thomas)
Justin Thomas: Thomas was one of the guys designated for assignment.  He's a lefty so I wasn't sure if I like this, but we have Boone Logan and Clay Rapada, so we'll deal.  While Thomas was with the Yankees, here was his line: 4 G, 9.00 ERA, 3 K, 1 BB. Read about Thomas and the rest of the moves HERE.

(In Photo: Steve Pearce, right)
Steve Pearce: Pearce was also designated for assignment along with Thomas.  Now, I find that interesting because much like BYB has said, if the Yankees were truly high on Pearce, they would have kept him around. Instead, they released Brandon Laird, a young kid with huge potential, they resign Pearce and then, when Brett Gardner and David Aardsma are ready to come up, they DFA him. Meanwhile, we'll never know what it would have been like for a guy like Laird. Anyway, read about what Jeana Bellezza said about that in HELLO PEARCE, GOODBYE LAIRD, it's a smart and interesting piece. For the record, Pearce's line looked like this in New York: 4-25, 1 HR, 4 RBI. Laird's line in Houston looks like this: 7-23, 1 HR, 4 RBI.

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