THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO WRITE THAT HEADLINE...

I don't like when the media writes a headline that's overly provocative to get you in the door and then you realize that it was kind of JV. That's how I felt about it at least.  Don't know what I mean? This...

NJ.com had a headline: Ex-Mets prospect with steroid past impressing Yankees

In other words, the dude they're talking about, Cesar Puello, was linked to the Biogenesis scandal.  Now he's passed that, but the media and crappy headlines like the one above won't let the dude move on.   NJ.com could have done it so much better:

Ex-Met Puello is opening eyes in Yankee Spring Training  or how about Yankee new comer starts a new chapter

Why do we continually hit the negative? Is it necessary? It's not actually.

Here's some background on Puello:

"Before the scandal, Puello was one of the brightest spots in the Mets' organization. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, the Dominican Republic native projected to provide right-handed power and a strong arm in right field.

Puello's breakout season came in 2013, when he hit .326 with 16 homers and 73 RBI at Double-A. But it's been mostly downhill since. After the suspension, Puello had a down 2014, hitting just .252 with seven homers in 104 games at Triple-A. And he spent most of 2015 on the disabled list with a stress fracture in his back.

But he showed enough to Yankees scouts in the Dominican winter league to warrant an invitation to major-league spring training."

I guess Alex Rodriguez redeemed himself and the media needs to bash other alleged users.  It's sad actually.   That headline, while factual, almost seems wrong. My opinion of course.

Root for Puello. It looks like it could end up being a nice story.  We're going with the 'nice story' here.  Sorry NJ.com. You blew that one.

 

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THE FORCE AWAKENS...YANKS SHOW SIGNS OF LIFE

Well, it is a breath of fresh air that the Yankees served up some gifts under the Christmas tree this late December week.  No, I am not giving away the baby with the bath water or the Jedi with the movie, but I am sharing some happy thoughts about the latest signings which provides me with a little hope as we head into 2016.

As we reported IN YOUR CHRISTMAS HURRY, THE YANKS SIGNED FOLKS, we signed five young men to our minor league roster; guys who we can groom and help realize their dreams and ours as our force awakens.  We have always said we have to grow our farm in order to be a force again.  With two pitchers, a catcher and two fielders, we are off to a great start.  But, we are not done yet.

According to Baseball America's Matt Eddy, we picked up a 24-year-old former Mets prospect named Cesar Puello the day after Christmas.  "The 24-year-old batted .252/.355/.393 in hitter-friendly Triple-A Las Vegas in 2014," reports Eddy.  The only wrinkle in the addition is that he had a back injury back in August, which lead to the Mets' release of Puello.  I am willing to take a chance on some young talent.

According to Ken Rosenthal, "The Yankees seemingly are waiting for some of their big contracts to expire," which could be why signing these minor leaguers may be the way of the future for us this 2016.  Yet, Rosenthal also warns that there is more to come. "Patience - the pace will pick up. Bargains are coming, but so are more big signings."

So as we wait for more moves to increase the capacity of our 2016 team, I say we must remain realistic, hopeful and yes a little patient.  We have opportunity to grow and we have signs of life.  Our force is awakening this year...I can feel it.

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




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CIRCUS ALERT: NO SUSPENSION ANNOUNCEMENT YET FELLAS

Just so you are aware, there is still no announcement despite what every media outlet is reporting. There is a list of suspected names, and these names have apparently agreed to their suspensions. The list you see below is the list that will most likely come out soon.  Other than that, there is NOT OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT YET.

When it happens, we will bring it to you official.

Fernando Martinez     New York Yankees

Francisco Cervelli     New York Yankees

Jesus Montero     Seattle Mariners

Antonio Bastardo     Philadelphia Phillies

Cesar Puello     New York Mets

Everth Cabrera     San Diego Padres

Fautino De Los Santos     San Diego Padres

Jhonny Peralta     Detroit Tigers

Jordan Norberto     Free Agent

Jordany Valdespin     New York Mets

Nelson Cruz     Texas Rangers

Sergio Escalona     Houston Astros

Evan Longoria just Tweeted this:

Today is a sad day for MLB,the fans of this great game, and all players who may have been negatively affected by others selfishness...
— Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria) August 5, 2013

Ultimately, although today will be a day of infamy for MLB, it is a tremendous step in the right direction for the game we love.
— Evan Longoria (@Evan3Longoria) August 5, 2013

This is a freaking circus... brought to you by Bud Selig.  Just awful.

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MY KIND OF TOWN, CHICAGO IS...

Alex Rodriguez is going to Chicago.  He guarantees it. According to USA Today, HERE, "He plans on flying to Chicago, where the Yankees open a three-game series against the White Sox on Monday.
When pressed on whether he would possibly postpone rejoining the team if Major League Baseball were to announce a suspension against him before Monday, Rodriguez curtly insisted his plans won't change. "I'm flying to Chicago," is all Rodriguez would announce as far as his plans for the near future."

Give ARod an award for the biggest balls in Major League Baseball.  You need to assume whatever "suspension" is about to come down is coming at any moment, but for Alex, it's business as usual.

I take exception to 1 thing I did read about this suspension, Biogenesis mess... the suspension lengths and who gets what and for how long.  I was reading the Associated Press and it said, "Major League Baseball told the New York Yankees that Alex Rodriguez will be suspended Monday for his links to a clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs but can play while he appeals the penalty..."

Meanwhile, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, "Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta, Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera and Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli are among major-leaguers expected to be suspended, as are minor leaguers Fernando Martinez, Jordan Norberto, Fautino de los Santos and Cesar Puello. Three other players whose names haven't become public are believed on the suspension list as well. All or almost all of the other 12 players are expected to accept 50-game penalties."  

But there's more... "Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon and Yasmani Grandal will not be suspended in connection with Biogenesis, as they all served 50-game penalties already. Neither will Nationals pitcher Gio Gonzalez, whose name was in earlier news reports but is not linked to Biogenesis PEDs."

So, in other words, this IS a witch hunt.  If I'm Alex, I want to see whatever evidence they have on me, because I already admitted to using before MLB put their drug policy in place and now, they are reportedly wanting to suspend Alex for the rest of this season and the entire 2014.  But here's what I don't get:

 

Melky Cabrera, Bartolo Colon and Yasmani Grandal all were caught while the drug policy was already in place, admitted it, and now they are also connected to the Biogenesis scandal with Alex... but they don't need to serve any more because they already served their 50 game suspension. But Alex is out for over 200 games when suspended.  Well... they better have video of Alex shooting it in his ass because I just don't get it.

If ARod is suspended, we'll write about it and we won't ignore it, but my God... does anyone else think this is absolutely ridiculous now? Truth be told, I'm no fan of Bud Selig and I find how he's handling this absolutely wrong. I also know that ARod is no saint... but if I'm ARod, I throw everything I can at Selig and make sure he's bruised and battered when he leaves as commissioner, because there is no doubt in my mind at this point... they are making Alex an example and nothing more.  Hey, my opinion could easily change if and when I see the evidence... but right now, I'm Team ARod. Print that!

As my kids would tell me... and now I say it to Bud... "You're doing it wrong."

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