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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DAVID ADAMS JUST WENT TO DOUBLE A

Quick hit and news about a former Yankee player.  Just wanted to keep you in the loop...

David Adams, a player the Orioles claimed off waivers was just outrighted... to Double A ball in the Orioles organization!

Zach Links of MLB Trade Rumors writes: "The Orioles announced that they have outrighted infielder David Adams to Double-A Bowie. Adams... batted .214/.295/.371 with two homers in 21 games for Triple-A Norfolk this season...With the move, the O’s now have 39 players on their 40-man roster."

OK then. Good luck to Adams.

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REMEMBER DAVID ADAMS? GUESS WHO JUST SIGNED HIM...

Yankeeland liked David Adams.  But last season, the Yankees cut ties with him.  You remember right? "The Yankees made him a free agent on Dec. 2 when they non-tendered him." He was quickly snatched up by the Cleveland Indians... and just like that, another Yankee youth with talent was gone.

The idea from the Indians perspective was that Adams would be a protection at third base or first base for them. But now, there is new news...

According to MLB.com Jordan Bastian, the Orioles have have Adams. He writes on Twitter:

Indians INF David Adams was claimed by the Orioles on outright waivers.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) March 22, 2014

OK then. So there you have it, Adams is now back in the American League East and on the Baltimore Orioles... we wish him well.

More importantly though... have you seen Jordan Bastian's avatar lately?

He look's bad ass, I won't mess with him...

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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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PLAYING THIRD BASE... KELLY JOHNSON ?!?

“Who’s on first? I don’t know – third base!”

Okay, we have all heard that a million times, one of the greatest comic routines of all time. But that line is starting to make you believe in the Oscar Wilde quote, that life really does imitate art more than the other way around, as you look at who is playing third base for the Yankees.

If you look at the playbook, Kelly Johnson is the guy at the top of the list to take over the hot corner. Can he play third base? We don’t know. As that line of reasoning goes through my head, I do the mental equivalent of Lou Costello letting out a high-pitch squeal of frustration, as this does not look like the best plan possible for the Yankees. In many ways, we are repeating some of the same mistakes we made last year.

We knew that Alex Rodriguez’s injury was going to keep him out for at least the first half of last year. Therefore, we signed Kevin Youkilis to take over at third. Then Mark Teixeira was injured, and Youkilis became the first baseman, before Youkilis had a season-ending injury himself. That left third base to the likes of David Adams, Mark Reynolds, and a cast of characters that made third base look like extended spring training for anyone who could fill the void. Does today’s roster sound familiar?

Maybe you are a Kelly Johnson fan, and you are wondering why I am being so hard on this choice. Don’t get me wrong – I do not dislike the guy. I just wonder why the Yankees would sign a 32-year old with a career .253 batting average and put him at third base where he has only played 16 times in his career. That’s right – sixteen career games at third base. To put it in perspective, Mark Teixeira has played more games in his career in right field (18) than Johnson has at third. To add to the comedy, Tex’s fielding percentage in right is higher than Johnson’s fielding percentage at third. So what am I missing?

What nobody is admitting to is that there is no plan for third base. The guy they signed to be the backup at second if the Yankees could not swing an Omar Infante deal, he is the guy who drew the short straw. It makes you wonder why an organization like the Yankees cannot do better. I know we cannot sign All-Stars to every position, and we have certainly put a few in the outfield, behind the plate, and the starting rotation. However, we should be able to do better than this.

We are all die-hards here at BYB, and we pull for our players. Kelly Johnson is no exception. I will be the first to admit to my error if he turns into a superstar. Nevertheless, the numbers do not indicate that.

The hope here is that he can perform decently. If he hits in the .260 range with good coverage on defense, and I think we dodge the bullet. Otherwise, we may see another rookie experiment or mid-year trade to bring some talent in. Let’s hope for the former.

 
--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fasted growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

THE YANKEES WIN, BUT NO ONE CARES

The Yankees are knocked out of the playoffs and it almost seems ridiculous to be playing anymore at this point.  Now, I know what you're thinking... at least play to win and take 3rd place ahead of the Baltimore Orioles... I get that. But I didn't really watch last night.  With that farewell to Mariano the other night... it cemented the end for me.  I was satisfied.  I was happy. It was bittersweet... Last night was just gravy.

It was evident Joe Girardi was just trying to get through the season as well, starting Adam Warren.  He did well for 5 innings and gave up 2 hits. He struck out 4.  He was followed by David Phelps, Joba Chamberlain, Preston Claiborne and David Robertson.  DRob got the save.

The hitting went like this... in the 4th, Mark Reynolds singled in Robinson Cano.  Immediately after, David Adams doubled and knocked in Alfonso Soriano and Reynolds.  There are your 3.

There was one point where we were up 3-0 and Girardi opted to pull Phelps for Joba. On the first pitch Joba gave up 2 runs, credited to Phelps.  I knew at that point that Joba's days in pinstripes were over.  Look, I love the big lug, but relievers come in to stop the hitting, not help it.  Joba is a liability at this point.  Sure, we didn't lose, but with a Yankee team that is literally crawling to the finish.... we just need stability... something the Yankee fans have been bitching about all year.

Final: Yankees 3 - Astros 2

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MELKY MESA IS GONE & OTHER BIG MOVES

Well, that was fast.  Remember Melky Mesa? He was one of the kids the Yankees really had high hopes for. Well, he's gone, released by the Yankees. They announced it on Twitter:

Jayson Nix transferred to 60-day D.L. and Melky Mesa unconditionally released to make room on the 40-man roster for Cabral and Marshall
— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) September 1, 2013

He'll land on his feet somewhere, the kid has potential. According to Madison.com HERE,other things happened too today!: "The New York Yankees have expanded their roster with September call-ups, adding infielder David Adams and three pitchers. The Yankees promoted right-handers Dellin Betances and Brett Marshall and lefty Cesar Cabral from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. They also signed catcher J.R. Murphy and selected him from Triple-A before Sunday's game against Baltimore."

On a side note and because I like Clay Rapada, I'm happy to announce that Clay was called up by the Indians! Good job bro! Now take a picture in your Bleeding Yankee Blue T-Shirt and send it to us!!!

Good luck to all the boys! September is here!

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AN UPDATE ON THE BABY BOMBERS

(In Photo: Ronnier Mustelier)
I got a chance to see the Baby Bombers visit the "Pawsox" here in Pawtucket 2 night ago! I also wanted to take the opportunity to bring you, the readers, an update on the farm club! Sorry no Derek Jeter sightings as I hoped for. But I did get to see a good ball game and some familiar faces. You heard the names, David Adams, Bobby Wilson and Ronnier Mustelier?

Scranton took an early lead scoring in the first. The Pawsox answered back in the bottom of the 1st with a run to tie it. Bobby Wilson crushes a 2 run shot in the top of the 2nd giving SWB the lead 3-1. Scranton scores a run in the top of the 3rd and 4th taking a 5-3 lead. Pawtucket ties it at 5 a piece on a two run double by Jonathan Diaz. Pawtucket's Brock Holt goes deep to right to take the lead 6-5. David Adams went 1-4, he had a single and a walk. Ronnier Mustellier and Bobby Wilson both went 2-4. Pawsox win it 6-5. But it was a gorgeous night for baseball, I got a 2013 Topps Yankees team card set. 

Don't ask why they sell that at a Red Sox affiliated park but they do. My son got an autograph from Brett Marshall and Chris Bootcheck, and my daughter was promoting BYB to her best friend who came along with us. 

I couldn't ask for a greater night at the ballpark with my family. At least the New York club pulled off a win earlier in the day. I just can't get enough of this sport or this team.

-- Rudy Laurens, BYB Writer
Facebook: House of Champions


 

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WITH A HUFF & A PUFF... THE YANKEES WIN!

In a game that had all the earmarks of an extended battle, Alfonso Soriano put to rest any thoughts of extra innings with an eighth inning blast to the left field seats off Blue Jays hurler RA Dickey that gave the Bombers a 4 – 2 win.

In the first four innings of the contest, Adam Warren limited the Toronto offense to four hits and two runs, yielding two walks and striking out four.  But, after giving up a lead-off home run to Josh Thole (his first of the season) and then hitting Kevin Pillar with a pitch in the fourth, Joe Girardi brought in 28 year-old left-hander David Huff.  From that point on the Blue Jays would manage just one hit off Huff – a chop over the mound by Brett Lawrie. 

The value of what Huff gave the Yankees bullpen cannot be put into words as the group had been worked heavily in yesterday’s double-header sweep.

The blast by Soriano was his ninth as a Yankee (this season) and ruined an otherwise brilliant pitching performance by Dickey who remained sitting in the dugout until well after the game’s finish.

An early highlight of the game for the Yankees was Ichiro Suzuki’s 4,000^th hit (MLB and Japanese baseball combined).  Following a signature single to left, the game was halted to recognize the great hitter’s accomplishment.

For a majority of the game Dickey seemingly owned our boys in pinstripes, but from the fourth inning on Huff matched scoreless innings with the 2012 Cy Young winner.  Both Huff and Warren proved that the Yankees have depth at starting pitching should they need it.

In spite of working both games yesterday, the great Mariano Rivera took the mound in the ninth inning and struck out Mark DeRosa before giving up a double down the left field line to Rajai Davis. 

Mo responded by picking Davis off second, then striking out Edwin Encarnacion to end the game.

Also having a big night – yet again – was Robinson Cano.  The second baseman went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs scored.

The excitement of tonight’s win is tempered by the fact that the team lost Jayson Nix for an extended period with a broken hand.  He was hit by a Dickey pitch in the second.  What move the Yankees make to fill in the hole that is left with the loss of Nix is yet to be determined, but David Adams might want to stay by his phone.

The Yankees hope to finish a sweep of the Blue Jays tomorrow at 1:05 when Andy Pettitte takes the mound.  For now, the team is on a roll and has won its fourth consecutive series. 

Final: Yankees 4 - Blue Jays 2

Anyone else feeling 1978-ish?


    
--Steve Skinner, BYB Guest Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

 

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THE POSADA CLOSED DOOR MEETING THAT MAY BE TOO LATE

Whenever the Yankees were in a funk in years past, there were always reports about a Jorge Posada "Closed door meeting."  Then, with motivation and confidence, the Yankees would win and understand that it really didn’t matter that their backs were against the wall… they HAD to win, because they were Yankees and because the silent leader Jorge Posada said so.

I would love to have Jorge visit the Yankees right now, although, after being away from the game, enjoying retirement, the fire may not be in his belly like it once was, although, I tend to doubt that. I envision him still being fierce and direct and while we will never see it happen, it may go something like  this:

Jorge: “You need to suck it up gentlemen! Are you men or mice?”

(Grumbling)

Jorge: “Wake up! You’re 10 and a half games out of first place!  That’s not bad, it’s pathetic!  You think Mr. Steinbrenner would stand for that? You think the fans do? You! What’s your name?”

David Adams: “David Adams sir.”

Jorge: Call me Jorge. Sir is my dad, son. You think this is a vacation being in the pros?”

David Adams: “No sir”

Jorge: “Vernon!  You hit like you take it up the ass. Focus! If Paul O’Neill were here, he’d be all over you! You’re a veteran, a leader, act like it!”

Vernon Wells: “You’re right Hip.”

Jorge: “Sorry Derek and Mo and Andy can’t carry you!  You’re going to have to do it for them now and you can’t ride on our old championships either! (Jorge Yells) GO GET YOUR OWN!”

Lyle Overbay: “Yeah!”

Jorge: You want it? You want it Chris?”

Chris Stewart: “Yeah George”

Jorge: “Then go get it! You can't win if you don’t grind it! No one gives you anything. You want it... go get it! Success is earned! Push yourself like it’s the last game you’ll ever play.  Focus! Pay attention to what this team is! Wake up! And Robbie... Do you want it? DO YOU ROBBIE? Because you run down the line like your running in quick sand! They should fine you for that shit! Lack of hustle and lack of leadership gets you benched! Know it! That’s not how you were raised… don’t pull that shit here!”

Robinson Cano: (Straight faced and looks away.)

Jorge: “We are the Yankees! You are the Yankees! Act like a Yankee! Before you, there were guys like Mickey and Gehrig and Thurman and Yogi!  If you don’t want it, there are hundreds of kids who will gladly come in here and give 110%.  So tell me… are you champions, or are you a bunch of losers?”

Yankee Players in the meeting: “Champions!”

Jorge: “Are you?”

Crowd: “Yes!”

Jorge: Are you?

Crowd: Yes! (Derek Jeter starts clapping rally)

Jorge: Who are you?

Crowd: the Yankees!

Jorge: who?

Crowd: the Yankees!

Jorge: You’re damn right you are! Now go get it if you want it and don’t ever let go!

Crowd: Yeah!!!! (Clapping high fives.)

I don’t know, maybe it's over the top… I guess I miss Jorge.  He was a motivator, a believer, and a worker that provided results every time he was out there. But most of all, I’d want him pumping up my Yankees because there is 1 thing he had to do that many in a Yankee uniform didn’t.  He had to prove to every doubter out there that he could be a champion. He did it, Yogi Berra did it and now, the Yankees need to reach back and do it too.  Can they come back? I’m not so sure right now, but I’d rather have them believing they can rather than thinking they can’t.

That’s my take… I hope Jorge reads this. I hope the Yankees read this… Go Yanks!

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