The Yankees just acquired Cristian Perez from the Kansas City Royals. I just read it on Twitter while I was Christmas shopping:
The @Yankees announced today that they have acquired minor league infielder Cristian Perez from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-handed pitcher Chance Adams.
This is a good move. Chance wasn't lighting it up enough for them to truly give him a shot and the Yanks are always looking for every infield help, and so, this works out great.
Sorry about that Chance... but it just wasn't happening. Merry Christmas.
I was just reading Manny Gomez of Call to the Pen. I do from time to time because he's good. There's been so much talk about the Yankees and the possibility of them trying to get Josh Hader, but there's so much garbage out there about who they'd give up to get him. This is a trade I can get on board with and something that I would hope the Brewers would too. Check out this trade proposal from Gomez:
Photo: Luis Gil
"The New York Yankees would love to acquire Hader from the Milwaukee Brewers, but the price will have to be much lower than Torres, Severino, and Gil, one of the top pitching prospects on the team.
A trade between the Yankees and Brewers will have to look something more like this:
And to be honest, I would even throw if a Chance Adams to make this happen. Yes, the Yankees would be giving up probably a little more than we should, but Hader is elite.
The one factor that always comes into play with is if these elite players can perform in the Bronx. It's a chance we have to take. Who knows what Gerrit Cole will give us for instance? Sure, we're a better team with him on paper, but when they get on the field, CAN THEY PERFORM?
And that would be a big question for Hader. if we were to get him. Although... I'm willing to take that chance.
What a marathon of a game in London, the first of two for the Yankees and the Red Sox. By now you know that the Yankees took Game 1, 17-13, albeit in almost five hours. It was a long game, that carried a high price tag for the Yankees.
Source: AP
"I have no excuse for that. I just wasn't efficient and I was not able to do my job," Masahiro Tanaka said in the post game interview. He didn't have an explanation for his poor pitching except to say that it was on him for this performance. He did not blame the venue in what has been his shortest start of his career. A lot of good hitters took advantage of the poor pitching on both sides as Rick Porcello also left after in the first inning after giving up six. Because Chad Green stepped in after Tanaka, he is not available for today's game, another costly outcome of yesterday's game on this series.
Source: NY Post
The YES Network discussed that CC Sabathia and J.A. Happ both have extra days rest, but they believe the Yankees will go with another opener, perhaps a Luis Cessa and Chance Adams combo instead of leveraging their veteran starters.
Also costing the Yankees in this London Series is the possibility that Luke Voit will likely spend some time on the injured list following his stint in stretching his single into a double. Not sure if this is a core injury or a hamstring, but the Yankee first baseman left the game wincing in pain after going 4-4.
Source: NY Post
"The injury comes just hours after the Yankees revealed Luis Severino had been shut down after experiencing soreness while rehabbing his right lat," reported the NY Post.
Voit will be checked out by the team's doctors again today; he says the pain is coming from the left side in his core or quad. He appeared to be a good spirits in his post game interview with reporters. Hopefully a few days rest will help the Yankees star first baseman heal without going on the IL.
Game 2 is at 10:00 a.m. on ESPN. Let's have a quick sweep and head home.
The Yankees don't have a lot of pitching depth now that Justus Sheffield and Sonny Gray are no longer on the team. It's something that I continue to think about because we all know how important pitching is and it's true....you can never have enough of it.
We already know the Yankees have familiar faces of Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga as possible call ups if needed. At some point Jordan Montgomery will be back also, but we still don't have a good timetable on that either. The Yankee also still have Chance Adams who has fallen from grace and could be facing a "make or break" year. There is another name out there that could be a potential call up his season and you may not have heard about him.
Right hand pitcher Michael King is ranked as the Yankees fifth best prospect according to Baseball America. He's also one of 21 non-roster players that received an invitation to spring training on Friday. King has flown under the radar, but his talent seems legit and he could be a productive player for the Yankees going forward.
King hasn't had a lot of attention on him until recently, and given what he has been able to accomplish it is no wonder why the Yankees are really starting to take notice. The Yankees acquired him in 2017 from the Marlins. He was part of a deal that sent international bonus money as they pursued Shohei Ohtani. The Marlins didn't score with Ohtani, but the Yankees may end up scoring with King.
Last season King jumped all the way from Class-A Tampa to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with impressive numbers.
Here are his numbers just in Triple-A: 4-0 record with a 1.15 ERA in 39 innings.
Here are his numbers between all three levels: 1.79 ERA, 152 strikeouts, 29 walks in 161 1/3 innings.
The numbers are certainly impressive, but so is the confidence according to minor league pitching coordinator Danny Borrell. "Every time he moved up, he seemed to get better. He wasn’t fazed by the better competition and he knows how to pitch. I could see him in New York this year if he pitches like he did last year. I don't see him regressing," read more HERE.
It's nice to see a new face making a path toward the majors, especially ones we tend to overlook. Who knows, maybe we will see him in the Bronx this season. I like the sound of that!
We really need Aroldis Chapman and Aaron Judge, like... right now. Like in this series coming up, one of the most important series in our season. We need to win all, but if we can get 2 of 3, I would very much like that. Plus you have a Red hot A's team that wants our spot. Forget catching up the mighty Red Sox, they are too good and will probably celebrate in our home if they win. It's the way it is... tip your cap.
"The Yankees are off on Monday, but both Aaron Judge and Aroldis Chapman made strides toward their respective comebacks with simulated games at Yankee Stadium.
Judge, who was activated off the 10-day disabled list on Friday, took live at-bats against right-handers A.J. Cole and Chance Adams and Minor League lefty Phillip Diehl, and Chapman threw a 22-pitch session to Tyler Wade and Kyle Higashioka.
Both Judge and Chapman completed their workloads without issues, the Yankees announced."
And so now we really need to get moving with our top shelf players. Let's go Yanks. Big month here... we need wins, like, a lot.
We need all the damn help we can get right now. This is crazy. Can the Yankees make the playoffs? I'm not so sure. The division is out of the question. The wild card? Hey, I wouldn't put it past us if we didn't make it. Let's keep it real. There's alittle concern here.
Anyway... that being said, the Yankees have brought up Chance Adams. Maybe he can help. NJ.com writes this:
"The Yankees called up Chance Adams for the third -- and final -- time this season before a game with the Twins at Target Field on Wednesday.
Photo: USA Today/SI
Why he's here: Yankees manager Aaron Boone will use Adams out of the bullpen, though he's not going to be there for good. The team moved him to relief for two reasons: They wanted to watch his innings and because they wanted to see if he'd be a viable September/playoff option there. Now, he'll get an opportunity to prove himself."
I hope it helps. I hope for a lot of things.
Can we please get some wins? That's what I really hope for.
If you are celebrating the end of summer where you live (I'm not in the desert, it is almost never-ending) please take a moment to reflect on all of the hard work and sacrifice of the labor movement that made this weekend and many other of life's pleasures possible.
I love this time of year! I get excited to see rosters expand and the Yankees reward their promising up and coming talent with a month long audition for next year. It's like a sneak preview of a movie coming soon that you are just dying to see! We have so much talent, it's always fun to try and predict who is about to come up.
1. Domingo German
I'd say it is highly likely that we will see German again. He was on the Triple-A disabled list since July 27 with inflammation of his ulnar nerve, but he started playing again recently. German had two rehab starts for Tampa since being reinstated on Aug. 25 and worked three shutout innings each time. The Yankees are pretty high on German. They did give him a few starts as a fill-in number five starter this season. He has some big league experience so it wouldn't be surprising if the Yankees gave him another shot some time this month. If Lance Lynn continues to struggle it may make even more sense to give him another try.
Photo: Getty Images
2. Chance Adams
If I were a betting woman, I'd say it's 100% likely the Yankees call Chance up again. Remember, we recently saw Adams for a spot appearance when CC Sabathia went down. He's had two call ups this season. He's had his struggles and he may not pitch much but getting some one on one time with Larry Rothschild could really help. His last few appearances have been in relief roles so clearly the Yankees are prepping him for some bullpen help. Maybe this will finally help the Yankees decide on whether to keep him around long term or package him in a trade during the off-season.
Photo: Getty Images
3. Jonathan Loaisiga
Johnny Lasagna is back in action! I've just heard too many mixed rumors on whether or not he will be back in the Bronx again this year. Loaisiga was on the disabled list from July 7th to August 11th with shoulder inflammation. There were rumors the Yankees may want to shut him down due to his recent shoulder issues, but he's made four appearances since coming off of the disabled list and he really hasn't pitched much this season. I think the Yankees do call him up, but they wait awhile longer. The Yankees have limited options here. One, send him to Instructional League in Tampa for more innings and more work on a set schedule which he could get since Trenton Thunder have already snagged a postseason spot. Or two, call him up and put him in the big league bullpen which would still be a huge benefit for the Yankees. Unless a catastrophe happens and we see more injuries, I don't see the Yankees giving him a big league start....until next year. Maybe next year we see him win a starting role.
Photo: Getty Images
4.Justus Sheffield
This one is a no-brainer. It's inevitable. I am excited to see Sheffield in action. He's definitely had success as a starter down in the minors. This year he has given up two or fewer earned runs in 16 of his 20 starts, 12 of 15 of those starts were in Triple-A. Towards the end of August Aaron Boone confirmed that Sheffield was shifted to the bullpen down in the minors to prepare him to work out of the bullpen for the Yankees in September. We've all been waiting to see Sheffield in action. Earlier this ear Brian Cashman hinted that Sheffield would be called up, now Boone has and he's pitching in relief. He's groomed, the question is how much longer until he gets the call up?
Photo: Getty Images
5. Clint Frazier
Well....possibly....maybe? If he continues to progress from his migraine and concussion symptoms? He did start a rehab assignment, so let's hope it is one step closer to a return. He would definitely be a big addition especially if Aaron Judge doesn't come back. I don't even want to think about that right now though. Let's just keep our fingers crossed.
I love this part of the season. It's time to get some fresh blood and energy into this team for the final stretch. Who do YOU want to see get a call up?
Yea, pitching seems to be what we're lacking big time. We get J.A. Happ and he gets Hand, Foot and Mouth disease. So we scramble. We decide we're gonna make Luis Cessa a starter for Saturday against the Sox following CC's Thursday night appearance. Cessa's all happy about the opportunity (Yankee fans were not) and then Aaron Boone makes the dominoes fall. CC Sabathia, probably one of the most seasoned Yankee pitchers against the Sox is pulled too early in that game Friday night (We were up 4-2) and Jonathan Holder comes in and gets his tits lit up.
Photo: Getty Images
That threw the entire rotation into a tizzy and I would even suggest the momentum of bad vibes, bad body language and just a really amazing Sox offense which then leaves Luis Severino a shell of himself.
Photo: Getty Images
What I'm trying to say is everything that has happened has become a domino effect to something else this weekend. There is no back up plan, that is clear. It's walking into a game saying... "We have this, but if this doesn't work, we HAVE to do this because we have no other plan, and THIS isn't a good idea but we have no choice."
Photo: Getty Images
That's why we saw Chance Adams... a desperate move by the Yankees in the most important series of the season... and while he did OK... we still lost and that's the most important thing. We need to start winning, not scotch taping a shaky rotation together in the hopes that we can pull out a win. Who PULLS out a win in a pennant race? Have a plan!! This is the pros... it's doesn't work that way.
Now we were forced to get more pitching... and the name is familiar. The New York Daily News has the story about George Kontos and the Yankees most recent acquisition...
Photo: Getty Images
"With their pitching being stretched thin, the Yankees acquired right-hander George Kontos from Cleveland for cash considerations on Saturday.
Kontos had been demoted to Triple-A on July 9. The Indians had picked him up after the Pirates released him in May. Kontos will report to Triple-A Scranton.
In 27 big-league appearances this season, Kontos pitched to a 4.68 ERA, striking out 13 and walking seven over 25 innings."
And this move is simple and maybe OK, but not a fix. In a nutshell it back fills the problem... it doesn't fix it.
I like Kontos, but with those numbers I'd pick my 15 year old son over him. It's a "Lightning in a bottle" move.... and you better hope there's lightning. You know what I mean?
Bad game again. They all seem like bad ones lately, don't they?
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Red Sox are good. Very good, but they aren't as good as the Yankees all the time. Lately however, they are making us look like a BAD high school team. And I don't mean all high school teams are clueless and without baseball I.Q. I'm saying really, really bad high school teams are. And the Yankees look a few steps down from the major league level lately. A lot of it is energy. A lot of it is just bad play... oh and pitching. And yes, it does come from the top.
Photo: Getty Images
I like Aaron Boone. I believe a change in the Yankees managerial ranking was a good thing. I think Joe Girardi got complacent and that a change of the guard was good for the team. I really do.
But I am sick and tired of hearing people say that Aaron Boone grew up in baseball... like that means something. I'm sick of hearing that his grandfather played and his dad played and was a manager... and his brother played and Aaron played at the major league level. Let me be crystal clear when I say this... and get a pen and paper and write this down... SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT TRANSLATE.
Aaron Boone is a big contributor to these losses. I don't care what people say... he is. He is in charge. He makes the decisions. It really doesn't matter the personnel he has in the dugout, he needs to navigate wisely and put the best team on the field. AND THEN... they need to play the damn game HARD. We look like this...
(What movie? Day of Thunder. That's right, I've been dying to use that in a post...)
The point is we need to reel in the sloppiness, get down to business and beat this team that we are so good at beating, because right now... we are not.
"Porcello pitched a one-hitter, retiring his final 21 batters and striking out a season-high nine in leading the Red Sox over the New York Yankees 4-1 victory Friday night."
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
1 hit. Porcello 1 hit the Yankees. Now, Porcello is good, but not 1 hit good. There's inconsistency in this guy... he's off one year, on the next. You don't know what you're gonna get sometimes. But there is one thing he IS... that's confident.
We don't look confident. We look worried.
There is no rivalry folks. None. And now we put all this pressure on a kid like Chance Adams that the organization once touted the next big thing... UNTIL, he came out in spring training, got his tits lit up and suddenly he disappeared into the abyss until this moment happened.
Butch Dill / USA Today Sports
This isn't "Hey, we need you to pitch today, you earned it." No... this moment is "Hey, we need arms and we're desperate." I hope Chance kicks butt today!!!
The Yankees shouldn't be desperate... they should be dominant. This isn't a weekend to be unsteady. We knew it was coming, it was on the calendar. We needed to be prepared. We are not... again, what is Yankee brass and Aaron Boone doing? It's like tip-toeing through a field of landmines. Not cool and unfair to us fans that pay their hard earned money to see victory... ESPECIALLY IN THIS SERIES.
When the game happens today, I will be front and center rooting for my guys like I always do, but we are disgusting right now. Blame is all over the place.
Not a lot to talk about here because let's face it... all of it is rumor and when baseball insiders get together it's unbelievably confusing and the info is never correct until it's over. But I like this tweet none the less. Bob Nightengale tweets:
The Los Angeles #Dodgers, Milwaukee #Brewers and New York #Yankees have separated themselves from the pack of teams who have inquired about #Orioles All-Star shortstop Manny Machado, with no clear-cut favorite at the moment.
"...the Yankees have told the Orioles they refuse to deal top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield for Machado, a 26-year-old four-time All-Star who will be a free agent at season's end. It's unclear whom the Yankees are considering trading for Machado. They have talked in the past about dealing highly touted outfielder Clint Frazier and Triple-A starter Chance Adams."
And yes, we have heard the same rumors about Clint Frazier. While many believe that Red Thunder is the next to replace Brett Gardner... I have always believed that Frazier, when he's playing in the Bigs, is merely a showcase for another big league team ready to make a deal. Like the Orioles perhaps. Frazier appears to be a player without a home in the Bronx right this second...much like Rob Refsnyder was before him.
Whatever the case... let me be clear. Who really knows what's going to happen. As you know... it's a rumor season.
Let's wait and see what happens next though. Stay tuned.
That Cole Hamels guy is back in Yankee headlines again so we are writing about him....again. Will Hamels ever become a Yankee? Do we even want him to be at this point? Depending on which news source you picked up over your holiday you could be hopeful or skeptical.
So now what? Back in May we wrote HAMELS TO THE YANKS? HE SEEMS INTRIGUED and so were a lot of fans. The trade deadline is coming up fast, and some sources still say that Hamels will be a Yankee. Former Mets and Orioles GM Jim Duquette thinks Hamels becomes a Yankee with a very interesting trade package, read more HERE.
Source: NJ.com
Now assuming that Cole Hamels doesn't veto a trade to the Yankees thanks to his no trade clause I think the package Duquette suggests is strange. He picks Brandon Drury as a trade piece but he doesn't make any sense for the Rangers. Drury is a very versatile guy and could play second or third base for them but the Rangers already have s roster crunch at those positions. They don't know what to do with the guys they have now so it makes no sense to add Drury and make it even more complicated.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Then there is the addition of either Chance Adams or Justus Sheffield which is an interesting either/or scenario there. Adams has definitely regressed since last year so we aren't talking about the same guy that the Yankees were considering packaging to acquire Gerrit Cole. Sheffield on the other hand is a top prospect and even if the Rangers ate all of Hamels salary (which is a lot to get the deal done) seems like a long shot. I don't see Hamels playoff experience a great reason to deal him for Sheffield.
But maybe none of this will even matter because if you read Jon Heyman yesterday it sounds like Hamels could possibly be heading home.
Maybe he is headed for a reunion in Philly. He started his baseball career there and he helped them win a World Series there in '08. He was an NLCS and World Series MVP and he finished is time in Philly by pitching a no-hitter against the Cubs.
Maybe Heyman is right, he as roots there and memories. It could be too good to pass up. If he had an opportunity to go home again....why wouldn't he? The Phillies have rebuilt and are going to be a dangerous team going forward. Why not go back and have a chance to do it all over again? It could be a story book ending.
Photo: The Sporting News
Who knows if either Duquette or Heyman are right at all. It's been many years of waiting to see if Hamels will ever wear a Yankee uniform. I guess we will wait and see if it happens this time....we will have our answer soon enough.
