IT'S NOT A DEMOTION. IT'S JUST 'MORE TIME TO WORK'

Look, if you know anything about the Yankees, you know they don't just force their youth up to the Bigs right away.  They try and mold them. They try to make sure they're extra ready.

And when it comes to the cuts, or the new assignments of the youth after their time in Spring Training, they're not out of work or anything. They just need to keep working. They know it and understand it.

James Kaprielian was "disappointed" with his move back to the minors but he is about setting goals just like so many of these kids.  Brendan Kuty of NJ.com has some quotes from him:

"...he was grateful for the experience.

'It was an unbelievable time over there,' he told reporters at the organization's minor league complex Monday, while those in major league camp were off. 'I was really fortunate and thankful for the chance to get to go over there in the first place.'"

Kap was sent to the minors a week ago.  Read YANKEE CUTS ARE HERE!

(In Photo: Ben Gamel)
The Yankees made a second round of cuts too.  The seven that went down this time are Ben Gamel,  Mark Montgomery, Vinnie Pestano, Tyler Cloyd, Richard Bleier, Donavan Solano and Jonathan Diaz.

But look, there is no question the Yankees are liking what they see from guys like Kaprielian and Gamel.  So, don't consider these demotions... they're more like "more time to work".

I predict we see a few of these guys this season at some point.  It's the Yankee youth movement... and it's exciting.


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THE YANKEE BENCH ISN'T COMPLETE

" The Yankees aren't totally convinced the man who will fill their final bench spot is in camp. " --Brendan Kuty, NJ.com

That's the first line to Kuty's article on the Yankees and the trade market HERE. And what it means is the Yanks are not done.

According to Kuty: "...Cashman said he'll keep up with other clubs, searching to make sure he can't find something better than what he's already got. 

'A lot of meetings with the staff, a lot of discussions of ways to go,' he told the YES Network's Meredith Marakovits on Saturday afternoon. 'Engaging other clubs about potential castoffs...'"

Sound good? I think so. There should always be the intent to upgrade.

The biggest concern right now is the back up at 3rd base.  They are not 100% sold that Headley can handle the entire season at 3rd. Plus, that same player would need to be ready for ANY spot in the infield when called upon.  Citing Kuty here, "Refsnyder appears the leader for the spot, Girardi has also named Ronald Torreyes, Pete Kozma, Jonathan Diaz and Donovan Solano as possible solutions."

We'll keep an eye on this for you.



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THE YANKEES 'LITTLE' MOVES ARE ADDING UP

(In Photo: Tyler Olson)
The Yankees have made a bunch of under the radar, unimpressive moves over the past couple of weeks leading to some of us fans cracking jokes at their expense. Comments like "Another game changer" or "Look out, the Yankees are making moves!" have come up. I'd have my fair share of laughs reading some of these comments, which are mostly made in fun, but what they are doing is beneficial to the organization as a whole.

(In Photo: Kirby Yates)
The Yankees made trades to obtain LHP Tyler Olson and utility man Ronald Torreyes from the Dodgers and RHP Kirby Yates from the Indians, plus signed RHP Anthony Swarzak, INF Donovan Solano and Jonathan Diaz to minor league contracts. They even snagged Lane Adams.

(In photo: Anthony Swarzak)
I honestly had never heard of any of these guys! But what they do bring is depth to minor league system. Plus you never know, one of these guys could be a diamond in the rough! I'm not holding my breath but you never know!

(In Photo: Donovan Solano)
As important as it is to obviously add depth to the Major League roster, it's equally as important to add depth to the upper echelons of the minors. By doing so they can leave some of the younger players still developing at the level they belong rather than promoting them out of necessity.

I know it's tough for us to swallow as Yankees fans that they aren't making blockbuster deals day in and day out. In the back of our minds we are awaiting the breaking news of the blockbuster trade or the big time free agent signing but that's not the way they are operating now. I've mentioned in several other pieces that we very well may have to wait a year or two for the large contracts to begin to expire.

With that being said, there are still several free agents that could fall into the Yankees laps. Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes, for example, remain unsigned and teams seem unwilling to offer them long-term deals. Several outlets have speculated that they could be signed for a one-year deal with the hope that next year's slimmer free agent class would allow them to earn their pay day.

So for you fans hoping for that big name to come through, there is still hope!!!

What Brian Cashman has done however is created one of the league's best bullpens, added a young Aaron Hicks, who has some big upside, brought in some young power arms to the minor leagues via trades and not spent much money at all. These moves will all allow the organization to continue to get stronger as a whole, even though the Big League club shows modest improvement from last year, minus Aroldis Chapman and Hicks.

I am excited for the future and also excited to continue to watch the youth movement develop. The off season is not over and I'm sure Brian Cashman is still taking calls regarding trades. Maybe they'll surprise us, maybe not.

But all in all, these little moves add up and the Yankees organization, from top to bottom, is stronger now than it was this time last year.

As I wait out the winter, I'll (impatiently) take it.

 
 --Dan Lucia
BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia




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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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