STANTON LOOKS GREAT IN PINSTRIPES!

Mike Mazzeo/New York Daily News

It was a big deal to see Giancarlo Stanton in pinstripes today.  None of us really thought this would happen.  I mean, it was mapped out.  Stanton had a 'framework' in place with either the Giants or the Cardinals. And then... suddenly, he didn't and the next thing we knew the Marlins and the Yankees were making a deal.

First things first. I loved Starlin Castro on the Yankees.  He was a lot of fun to watch, it looked like he really liked being a Yankee and it was great when he was in the Bronx.  But after the Marlins traded Dee Gordon, it was the right move and helped us too.  They got Castro, Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers, and we got Stanton.  I was hoping for Martin Prado too, but hey, you can't always get what you want.

Stanton passed his physical and was introduced to the media today. He spoke fondly of the team that he can now call his own.  Here's some of that brought to you by the New York Post:

“'Watching them from afar, their young, dynamic group and the way they flow together,' Stanton said. 'The atmosphere, storied franchise. There’s not much reason why I wouldn’t want to be there.'

Stanton and Aaron Judge both play right field, and new manager Aaron Boone will have to come up with an outfield rotation that right now also would include Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks, with Clint Frazier on the outskirts.

Stanton said he and the team have not discussed what the plan will be, but he is open to whatever would help the team. Stanton said he did speak with Judge over the weekend after it became clear Stanton to the Yankees was happening.

'We respect each other’s game and had fun at the Home Run Derby,' Stanton said. 'We spoke a couple of days ago, excited to work together, learn from each other and make each other better.' "

It's exciting guys, it really is.

Merry Christmas.


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A STATEN ISLAND SENSATION

People have been talking for quite a while now about how good the Yankees farm system is.

Photo: MLB.com

We hear a lot about certain prospects... you know, what's going on with them and how they're doing. It's great. But what we don't hear too much is the individual teams and how they're doing. I mean sure, you might catch a snippet of Michael Kay talking about them during a game, but they're usually vague and short descriptions. Unless you live close to one of the teams, there really isn't much coverage of the team's and games, especially at the lower levels of the system. And so, I spoke with Casey about it, and with the minor league seasons being completed, I have decided to do a series about the individual teams, from Class-A SS to AAA. With that being said, let's get started with the Class-A SS Staten Island Yankees of the New York-Penn League. I hope you enjoy this!  

Look, overall the Staten Island Yankees had a good season. Led by manager Julio Mosquera, they finished their season with a record of 46-29, winning the New York-Penn League's McNamara division. In fact, with a .613 winning percentage, they had the best record in the league. Unfortunately, they were knocked from the playoffs in the semifinals by the Hudson Valley Renegades. The Renegades became champs.

(Ashley Marshall/MiLB.com)

During the season, Staten Island had a few guys step up and surprise us. One of the best stories was Jorge Guzman, a pitcher acquired in the Brian McCann trade and has emerged as the staff ace. For a better perspective on Guzman and the 2017 Staten Island Yankees, check out this nugget from Pinstriped Prospects.  

Photo: Pinstriped Prospects-Robert M. Pimpsner)

"Guzman finished the season with a 5-3 record, 2.30 ERA, and a 1.04 WHIP in 13 starts. Over that span he threw 66 2/3 innings where he gave up 17 earned runs, 18 walks, and struck out a league-high 88. Guzman consistently threw his fastball in triple-digits (hitting a season-high 102.7 mph velocity), while also showcasing a low-90s change-up and a knee-buckling curveball that averaged 86 mph. What was probably most impressive about this 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic though was his stamina and demeanor on the mound. Guzman’s fastball rarely lost a tick in the later innings of his starts, and he usually found a way to pitch himself out of trouble and avoid “the big inning.” It will be interesting to see what level the Yankees decide to start him next season."

Personally, I'm excited about Guzman, and I really love to keep up with minor league system. I sometimes wish I lived closer to one of these teams so I could be able to cover the games for BYB and share my own perspective. For now, I wanted to share something about this kid... he's something special.

More soon... 

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @sevn4evr 

BYE BYE, McCANN!

(Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America)

That title was like the text that came my way from BYB Managing Editor Jeana Bellezza just alittle while ago.  In between me informing the BYB community that Brian McCann could get traded but no idea when (Read HOT STOVE CRAZINESS: McCANN & CHAPMAN), and then me helping my kiddies with their homework... in came that text.  Brian McCann was traded to the Astros, and life goes on in Yankeeland.

The deal is done, and involves the following. The Yankees will pay $5.5 million of that McCann contract while the Astros will handle the remaining $17 million. 

(June 18, 2016 - Source: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images North America)

The Yankees also receive 2 prospects in the deal... Jorge Guzman and Albert Abreu.

MLB Trade Rumors gives us alittle flair about these kids:

(Source: MLB.com)

 "...the Yankees were no doubt intrigued by the two player they received. Abreu is the more highly regarded of the two; as J.J. Cooper of Baseball America explains, he throws a live fastball that occasionally nears the triple-digits. With a four-pitch arsenal, he perhaps has a chance to stick as a starter. Still, he only just turned 21 and struggled with his command last year at the Class A and High-A levels.

(Source: MiLB)

Guzman, meanwhile, has even more velocity, with his heater ticking up to 102-103 mph at times. Cooper notes, though, that he’s more effective when he’s operating at a slightly lower velocity (in his case, the upper-nineties). While the long-term outlook suggests that Guzman will end up in the pen, he is said to have a promising slider and also a change-up that’s in the works. The 20-year-old has yet to move past Rookie ball, but showed big strikeout ability (12.2 K/9) in his time in the Gulf Coast and Appalachian leagues last year."

While it is sad to see McCann go, you have to really and truly appreciate what the Yankees are doing with these young players.  Hats off to Cashman for sure.

(July 14, 2016 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)

 Good luck to Brian McCann.