CHASEN SHERVE IS ON THE MOVE!

In a move that feels like finding a twenty in an old pair of jeans, Chasen Shreve is heading to the Atlanta Braves. Why? Cause I always like Shreve and I wish him the best!

Jon Heyman of the New York Post broke the news on January 20, tweeting, "Chasen Shreve to Braves. Minors deal. $1.3M if in Majors. Spring invite." And just like that, the Braves scored themselves a solid bullpen veteran.

Shreve, a left-handed reliever with a knack for clutch performances in my opinion. He was the Yankees' secret weapon from 2015 to 2018. Over 180 appearances in pinstripes, Shreve posted a 14-6 record with a 3.92 ERA, racked up 201 strikeouts, and even snagged a couple of saves. He was the guy who quietly got the job done, making him a real asset to the Yankees’ bullpen arsenal.

But as baseball stories often go, Shreve's time with the Yanks came to an end on July 29, 2018, when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Luke Voit and future cash considerations. While Voit blasted his way into the spotlight, Shreve kept doing what he does best—being that reliable arm every team needs.

The Yankees couldn’t quite shake their fondness for Shreve, though. They brought him back on minor league contracts not once, but twice—first in August 2022 and again in June 2024. Unfortunately, the reunion didn’t result in a big-league comeback, but the love story was still there.

Shreve has since been the baseball equivalent of a well-traveled passport, pitching for the Mets, Pirates, Tigers, Rockies, and Reds. Now, he’s packing his bags for Atlanta, where the Braves are ready to give him, yet another shot at the majors. And why not? Shreve’s a seasoned pro with the grit and grace to give any bullpen a boost.

So, here’s to Chasen Shreve, the bullpen journeyman who’s always ready for the next challenge. From being a quiet hero in New York to chasing new dreams in Atlanta, he’s the kind of player who reminds us that baseball is as much about resilience as it is about talent.

Good luck, Shreve! The Braves just got themselves a gem.

WOW! MANNY BANUELOS IS A YANKEE...

Again!

I'm always a fan of adding more useful arms but this news made my head turn pretty quick. We were raving about the "Killer B's" 11 years ago, who remembers them? It feels like a lifetime ago, but back then I had pretty hopes for one of them who was only a young 19 year old.

My have times changed. Who remembers Manny Banuelos? He was one of a trio of young pitchers nicknamed the "Killer B's" who was full of promise, but didn't pan out. Well....now he's reuniting with the Yankees according to CBSSports.com HERE.

Banuelos was invited to Spring Training back in 2011 and Mariano Rivera even said he was one of the best pitching prospects he had seen. He struggled through injuries during the 2012 season and then underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2013 season and then pitched for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2014. Then in January of 2015 the Yankees traded him to the Braves in exchange for Chasen Shreve and David Carpenter who I had a love-hate relationship with and started calling him CRAPenter when he consistently failed to get the job done.

Since then Banuelos has bounced around to several teams until he had brief contracts with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in 2020 and then the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Mexican League last season where he finished with a 2.94 ERA.

Once this lockout ends and the season finally starts, Banuelos will be 31 years old. It will interesting to see if he can make it back to the big leagues and be effective. His last MLB appearance was disastrous and the Red Sox released him after one inning....a really bad one.

It's an interesting homecoming for Manny, he will make an appearance at Spring Training and I am rooting for him. I hope he proves that he has learned a lot and can be a good arm for our pitching staff. You can never have enough arms, right?

Welcome home, Manny.....now show us what you've got!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

EVERY TIME SONNY GRAY PITCHES I GET HEARTBURN

Source: MLB.com

I can't help it. I just despise giving up games to the Boston Red Sox, especially if I can predict ahead of time that it is going to happen.  As soon as I confirmed that Sonny Gray would pitch against Red Sox Ace Chris Sale, I knew we were surrendering.  Am I the only one that gets heartburn when Gray takes the mound, particularly in Yankee Stadium?

Actually, after doing some searching, I apparently am not alone in my grief.  During the game last night baseball analyst and Yankee beat report Bryan Hoch tweeted, "Last Sonny Gray stat. Avert your eyes. Highest home ERA by a Yankee, min 13 starts:

Sonny Gray 7.10
Carl Pavano 6.12
Jaret Wright 5.93
Jeff Johnson 5.85
Dave Eiland 5.56
Jeff Weaver 5.46
Hideki Irabu 5.20
Tim Leary 5.19
Richard Dotson 5.13
Scott Sanderson 5.08"

Source: Abbie Parr/Getty

Those stats are ugly.  How about these?  Gray lasted 2 and 1/3 innings, allowed six runs on seven hits and got booed off the mound at the end of the first inning.  Oh yea and he was trending on Twitter ahead of the World Cup and not in a good way.  And he thinks the whole Star Wars thing is overrated.  Guess what, so are you, Sonny! By the way, did I mention, fans want you out of pinstripes? You can #SonnyGray on Twitter for all of the gory details.

Source: NY Post

"The Yankees have a major problem here and at some point probably will be forced to trade a highly touted prospect like Clint Frazier for starting pitching help because of Gray’s inability to be the pitcher the Yankees thought they were getting when they acquired him from the Athletics last year at the trade deadline," reported the NY Post in May.

A tweet last night even suggested wrapping up Gray and Chasen Shreve in some kind of trade before the deadline.  I absolutely agree, if we could pull that off.  Another tweet suggested dropping Gray from the rotation after Masahiro Tanaka returns, choosing to keep Jonathan Loaisiga, who no-hit the Phillies into the sixth inning during his last outing in Philadelphia. Gray on the other hand couldn't get out of the first inning without throwing a grand slam.  Talk about opposite sides of the spectrum! It's time Aaron Boone stopped throwing his hands in the air in frustration in the dugout and did something proactive about the situation. 

Source: Sporting News

Today is July 1st, and we are just 30 days from the trade deadline.  No doubt we need a pitcher, but honestly at this point, the Yankees can't afford another Sonny Gray start.  It's time to take some action, Boone.  Rip off the band aid and stop the madness.  We should not have to break our momentum every time Sonny Gray starts; it's taxing on the team and it's giving more than just me heartburn.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

SOMEONE IS ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR JOB!

I wonder who it will be?

The Yankees have some tough decisions to make very soon. Aaron Hicks started a rehab assignment with Triple A last night and will be back in the Bronx soon....thank goodness. When he comes back someone is going to demoted and the Yankees have a tougher decision to make. I didn't think it would be THIS tough to make several weeks ago.

Photo: Times Leader

I'm excited to get Hicks back. He could be back as soon as the next home stand if all goes well, read more HERE. I just hope he gets back into the swing of things sooner rather than later and puts up some good numbers for us like he did before he got injured. We really need another bat right now. As nice as it will be to have him back, someone else has got to go. So who could it be? There are a few options:

1) Send down a pitcher

Photo: Getty Images

But who? The Yankees currently have six starters and seven relievers on the roster. The easy answer here is to send down the extra pitcher and get back to a normal four man bench. It's tough to say who goes here. The Yankees could send down Chasen Shreve to get rid of that extra reliever. Or, the Yankees could decide to send Jordan Montgomery back down until rosters expand in September.

2) Send down Clint Frazier

Photo: Getty Images

Bad idea. Actually, horrible idea but it is an option. Brian Cashman was hinting to sending Frazier back down to Triple-A recently, but sounded like he may have had a change of heart in an interview with WFAN HERE. To say that fans would be upset with sending Frazier back down would be an understatement. He has done everything the Yankees have asked him to do since being called up. He's been productive and had some big hits. No one expected him to be THIS good. He's turned Jacoby Ellsbury into an expensive bench warmer. He's earned a place on this team going forward.

3) Mix and match all outfielders

Photo: Newsday

Once Hicks returns Joe Girardi would have four outfielders who deserve regular playing time. He could platoon them letting Brett Gardner sit against lefties and Aaron Judge or Clint Frazier sit against righties. Hicks could get some time off too but as a switch hitter he can fill in whenever needed. Girardi could also give Matt Holliday a day off at DH and plug in one of these guys as a fill-in which may be a good idea if Holliday continues his terrible slump.

4) Just dump Ellsbury already!

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Sounds good, but not practical. Until the Yankees can find a team that actually wants him even if they eat most of that salary it's not likely during the season. If it happens, it would be in the off season when they can pull off a salary dump trade. Once Hicks returns, he is likely a bench warmer with occasional pinch running appearances or spot starts.

Things always have a way of working themselves out so we will see what happens.....but please Cashman, don't send Frazier down!



--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

ALL THE OFFENSE IN ONE NIGHT

Source: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America

After long day of work, and then a meeting right after, I came home to an 8-0 Yankee lead.  Now, I am not unhappy about it.  I am elated.  But why does all of the offense have to come about all in one night?  It is not like it has to be Scrooge and all of the spirits getting it done in one night.  We need to spread the wealth.  We need to do more on nights when our pitching is less.

 Source: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images North America

"Thanks to stellar work from relievers Jonathan Holder and Chasen Shreve, the Dead Bat Society had a chance to make amends late in the game, but didn’t in a 3-2 loss to the reeling Orioles in front of 40,242," reported the NY Post after the game on Monday.  "It looked like we were just missing some pitches, whether that was late movement or a little ride on his part,’’ said Girardi, whose team has scored 37 runs in the last 11 games, going 5-6 during that stretch."

Source: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America

But on Tuesday, the bats lit up proving that the there is life even if they were silenced for one day. By the bottom of the seventh inning the Yankees had 12 hits and lead their AL East rival Orioles by seven runs.  Jordan Montgomery had a good outing on Monday, but the bats didn't support it.  Then Luis Severino had an equally good start and the bats came to life.  You can't figure it out.  And the Orioles don't have stellar pitching by any shakes.  They are okay, much like ours.  But some nights both teams have some kind of pitching genius.  And they get it done all in one night.

 Source: Matt Hazlett/Getty Images North America

So as we move into Wednesday's game against the O's, the rubber game, we have to hope that the bats are on the upswing and we can win this series as we head into Toronto this weekend for a four game stretch against the Division rival Blue Jays.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

Save on the Perfect Gifts for Dad at the SteinerSports.com Father's Day Gift Guide!

A SLEEPY GOOD MORNING TO THE BEST TEAM IN BASEBALL

Photo: David Banks / Getty Images

Here's a quick Monday morning pop quiz.

Staying up for  the end of what turned out to be an 18-inning six-hour ballgame being played in the Central Time Zone makes me:

A) An aficionado of early 20th Century stadium architecture.

B) A horticulturist with an ivy fetish.

C) An obsessive compulsive nut-bar Yankee fan in desperate need of sleep but lacking adequate time to get enough before work in this morning.

If you guessed C,  have a cup of Joe on me.

After watching this team of ours finish sweeping the World Champs a little while ago, I'm here to tell you this crazy team of ours isn't  merely content finding ways to win anymore.

(Photo: Caylor Arnold, USA TODAY Sports)

Not by a long shot. Now they're  inventing entirely new ways to win out of thin air.

With nine of their 19 wins going into their last tango at Wrigley of the come-from-behind variety, another run-of-the-mill comeback rally somehow just wouldn't do for our boys.  Oh no.

I mean, when you're hot you're hot. But this is getting ridiculous.

Aroldis coughed up three runs in the 9th Sunday night to blow his first save since the World Series  -- and we win?

Photo: Getty Images

Four Yankee relievers not named Aroldis or Dellin (Clippard, Warren, Holder and Shreve) were pressed into service to pitch the equivalent of another complete game -- and we win?

A franchise worst 22 strikeouts and 22 runners stranded from our lineup-- and we win?

Starlin, the league's top hitter, along with Didi, Chase and Austin all go a combined 0-for-30 -- and we win?

(May 6, 2017 - Source: David Banks/Getty Images North America)    

Hicks, who struck out four friggin' times, was the friggin' hero.

In a win.

“It’s a gritty performance by our guys because we had the 4-1 lead and we weren’t able to hold it,” Joe Girardi said, following his team’s three-game sweep in what was the longest game in the history of Interleague play. “But we got some brilliant performances out of guys out of the bullpen because they were stretched further than they had to go. It’s a crazy game. It gives our guys confidence.”

Confidence?

After a series like that ending with a game like that -- a game in which so much went wrong on the road against the reigning World Champs and still ended so right --  they've got to feel like the best dang team in baseball.

And if you look at the standings this morning, that's exactly who they are.

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore

A YANKEE NO-HITTER TODAY

Photo: New York Post

Look, this game is meaningless and is merely there because we need to work out the kinks and get into season form. That's what Spring Training is.  Nothing counts. While it will be print in the papers and here on BYB... 'it don't mean nuttin'' as they say.  But... it is exciting.

The Yankees beat the Tigers 3-0 today, and the Yankee pitchers threw a combined no-hitter.

Photo: Getty Images

Masahiro Tanaka threw 4.1 innings, gave up 2 walks and struck out 6

Chasen Shreve threw 0.2 of an inning and struck out 1

Photo: USA Today Sports

Jordan Montgomery threw 4 innings and struck out 2

And when it was all said and done, the Yankees won, and the no-hitter happened.

It's cool.  Trust me, I'm not downplaying it other than to say it doesn't count.  But hey... gotta love it!

Final: Yankees 3 - Tigers 0

SWEET LORD... WHO CARES

Sometimes Yankee writers disappoint me.  The latest comes from Brendan Kuty on NJ.com who is otherwise developing into a decent sports writer.  But this isn't even blog worthy today...

Photo: Getty Images

He writes about whether or no Bryce Harper would ever cut his hair to be a New York Yankee.  I'm not kidding...

"With the team's strict hair policy back in the news this spring -- from prospect Clint Frazier chopping his long red locks to the line of conformity and CC Sabathia's beard living in unchecked defiance -- would Harper have a problem with shaving his beard and corralling his hair to join the Yankees someday?

Photo: Getty Images

Not at all, his friend said.

'Bryce is kind of guy who loves his team, whoever he's playing for,' lefty Yankees reliever Chasen Shreve said. 'So I don't think it would be a problem for him to shave his beard. I think his hair would be fine here, but sometimes it's gets long and out of control. I think he would have no problem with it if he signed here.'"

Photo: Getty Images

Yup... this is what we're doing now, which begs the question, why not just call Bryce Harper up and ask the guy if it's that important... OR, maybe don't write it, because this is dumb.

If you are in a contract, and that contract dictates a hair policy, the players need to abide by it. And any player who doesn't sign a multi-million dollar contract because they like their hair long, might be dumber than that Kuty article.

Sweet Lord.

THE SQUEAKER THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN

The Yankees should have never been in that close of a situation last night almost blowing that game. But it's the Royals and they are relentless. It was a tough game, but in the end, Jacoby Ellsbury was the star and Dellin got the win.

I'm not getting into an in-depth recap, but it was a long, long game due to the rain delay.  Thank God for Bob Lorenz and Jack Curry, because they make delays wonderful. I had to express my gratitude last night:

I never care when the Yanks are in a rain delay because @boblorenz and @JackCurryYES are simply the best! Love the sad sax bump too! #BYB

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) August 31, 2016

Jack Curry liked it... what a stand up guy!

Here are a few highlights last night:

The Yankees were up 4-1 by the bottom of the 2nd. But the Royals kept chipping away until it was tied in the bottom of the 8th.  By the 9th, it was still tied.  Then, in the 10th, Jacoby Ellsbury knocked in the winning run.  Chasen Shreve got the Save, and like I said, Dellin Betances got the Win.

Ellsbury was 4-6 with 2 RBIs.

Aaron Judge, while slowing down, cranked out a 2 run home run. The kid will be fine, I have no doubt.

Masahiro Tanaka went 5 innings, gave up just 4 hits and 2 runs. He struck out 4 and gave up a home run.

In the end, it was a squeaker, but it didn't have to be.  That being said, I'm proud of my Yankees last night.  They stayed in it knowing good and well they had to win that game.  Here's the downside; my 14 year old who should be going to bed earlier these days as school is about to happen, was up way too late.  Mainly because he's obsessed with baseball lately and loves when the Yankees play the Royals.

I drank a few too many homemade Margharitas... that's on me.

Stop! Jalapeño Margharita time! #GoYanks #BYB pic.twitter.com/M6J0SIwwF5

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) August 31, 2016

But it makes us being tired today better when the New York Yankees win.  Good work boys...good times.

Final: Yankees 5 - 4

WOULD THE YANKS TRADE AWAY ONE OF OUR MONSTER 'PEN?

Interesting article from Joel Sherman of the New York Post you need to read. While I just reported late last night about how the Yankees pen is unstoppable... read ON YANKEES PEN: "THOSE GUYS ARE RIDICULOUS", Sherman believes that yes, they are truly great but you gotta wonder if that greatness will help get them traded by the trade deadline... especially if the Yankees are in the thick of it and want a solid starter like they wanted this off season:

"You might remember that during the offseason, the Yankees were willing to listen to offers for any of their big relievers, notably Andrew Miller, but also Dellin Betances and even Chapman after he was obtained. Their focus was to find a high-end starter with less than three years of service time...

More interesting, if the Yankees are contending, should they still consider dealing Chapman to try to fix an area of weakness (assuming they shop Chapman rather than Miller or Betances, whom the Yankees control into the future)?"

Very interesting theory, and of course, it makes alot of sense, but I believe Cashman is smart when it comes to our pen, and to be honest, as good as Chasen Shreve and Johnny Barbato have been to get to the Yankees 3 headed monster, I don't expect them to last super long.  In essence, the Yankees need their starters to give them alittle more some days.  If they do, they may not need another starter.  But of course, stockpiling arms is never a bad thing either.

Look, it's just another interesting story about the Yankees plans down the road.  There are options, and while Cashman has stated he has no intention of trading away Betances, Miller or Chapman... you just don't truly know what Cashman is thinking... he never shows his hand.

Anyway... nice piece from Sherman, be sure to check it out.



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WELL, THAT WAS ANNOYING

Last night's game aggravated the crap out of me.  I mean, the reality was Nathan Eovaldi actually pitched really well, even getting into the 7th, but he made a few minor mistakes that cost us the game. And when you make a mistake off of Josh Donaldson, you will get murdered.  There's a reason why my oldest son idolizes Donaldson... he's freaking awesome.

But there was more to it.  The Yankees only had 3 hits all night.  Technically 2 because that Blue Jays bobble was not a hit, but for some reason they gave it to Brian McCann.  Whatever the case, Blue Jays pitching, namely Marcus Stroman was outstanding.

Eovaldi went 6.2 innings, gave up 7 hits and 4 runs.  Barbato relieved him and in 1.1 he only gave up just a hit.  I am liking Johnny Barbato, but I can already tell that much like Chasen Shreve last season, Joe Girardi will over use Barbato until the dude gets wiped out.  It's just the way it goes when it comes to Joe and his pitching toys.

Bottom line, the Yankee hitting could not crack the Stroman pitching code.  In the fourth, Beltran grounded out and in the process, Alex Rodriguez scored.  Shortly after, there was a wild pitch with Starlin Castro up and Tex scored.  Our lead off men, Ellsbury and Gardner... 0-8. In comparison, Pillar and Donaldson in their respective 1 and 2 positions in the line up were 4 for 8.  That's significant.

Yankee offense was lame.  Bottom line.

Final: Blue Jays 4 - Yankees 2

Tonight we face Robinson Cano and the Seattle Mariners at the stadium.  Can we please have a nice weekend and get a sweep against those M's? I was not impressed with the Yankee series against the Jays.  Geez.
 

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