THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE PITCHING BOX

The Yankees have made a lot of smaller moves this off season, but the starting rotation has not been one of those areas of improvement. There are still a lot of question marks out there. The lack of of a consistent starting rotation once again makes the Yankees look like the underdog, but it doesn't have to stay this way.

The Yankees have one of the best bullpen's on paper. I would argue to say that the Yankees could have one of the best bullpen's for the season. The problem here is the Yankees need to be able to get to these guys with a lead and not burn them out. Last year, Masahiro Tanaka was not the ace we were expecting and CC Sabathia just isn't healthy anymore and he is the only lefty we have so that means even more pressure. The Yankees could (and should) look at some starters that are still out there that could be good insurance for the Yankees.

There are some guys available that are still looking for a new team that have flown under the radar and are looking for a rebound year.

•  Doug Fister

In 2014, Fister had his best full season of his career posting a 16-6 record and a 2.41 ERA for the Washington Nationals. Last year was not so kind to him as he lost a lot of his mechanics and was eventually demoted to the bullpen for the last 10 games of the season. Everyone goes through a rough patch, and the Yankees could help remold Fister and his mechanics. The fact that he was demoted to the bullpen last year would help the Yankees get him for a cheap price and....let's face it, he is durable which is already a big plus for the Yankees. I really think the Yankees could bring him back to his 2014 form.

•  Mat Latos

Last year Latos bounced around from team to team playing for three different teams. He spent most of his time with the Miami Marlins but also played with the Dodgers and the Angels. He finished the year with a 4-10 record and a 4.95 ERA. On paper that looks ugly, but with so much of that time with the Marlins I don't weigh in on that too much. The Marlins did not score a lot of runs, and finished with a horrible 71-91 record. Not to mention that this was the first year that he has had an ERA over 3.5 since his rookie year, so this year isn't typical for him. He is due for a bounce back year, and he is still a young pitcher so I doubt that he is regressing.

•  Kyle Lohse 

Sure, he is 37 and getting up there in age, but he has been durable the last five years of his career which would be great for the Yankees. Four of the past five seasons he pitched 180 innings or more and had a respectable ERA. Last year was not his best, he finished with a 5-13 record and a 5.85 ERA but maybe this is a sign that he is ready to get out of Milwaukee.

The Yankees could still make a relatively cheap, single year deal here and maybe with one of these pitchers. They may not be lefties, or a big name splash but these guys could still make a difference for the Yankees. It could be worth the gamble....if Hal wants to open up his purse strings. After all you never know what could happen, right?

Will the Yankees make a move? Who knows, but it is always fun to speculate. Is there someone out there that you would like the Yankees to look at? Comment and let us know.


   
--Jeana Bellezza, 
BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ 
 

THE SHIELDS DRAMA

There is more talk about James Shields almost as if it's the ultimate puzzle.  Bigger than Rubik cube... bigger than Jenga.  We're talking the ultimate... Which baseball analyst, sports guy, blogger will figure out the landing spot and amount of James Shields next contract first!  Here's my answer... who cares?

I do know this, if Jon Morosi of FOX Sports is correct, the Yankees are "in", despite what Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman of the New York Post say.  Here's Davidoff from his piece:

"The Yankees, with their payroll close to last year’s number, don’t seem very interested."

Here's Sherman:

Like with Scherzer, I continue to hear #Yankees are not in play for significant fr-agt SP such as Shields
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 4, 2015

Maybe the Yankees weren't interested before. But with a price drop, I can guarantee you they are in now. Oh, and for the record... it doesn't matter.  As I've stated here numerous times, everyone has different sources, and the truth is, no one is right, until it's over.  That's usually when Jon Heyman shows up and Tweets, 'Look at me, I have the right answer!" That would then be followed up by a Ken Rosenthal tweet who then "tweaks" Heyman a bit, but is always courteous to give "bragging rights" credit.  He's nice.

Here's the thing, being a Yankee fan and reading Morosi, I knew it would be a risky story to put out last night.  After all, it's a comment from a "rival GM" and you know what? That's the rumor season. When it comes to us, the blogs, we try to be smart at what we put out there.  Truth be told though, the past 24 hours on BYB have been madness because of our report titled REPORT: YANKEES ARE IN ON SHIELDS.

Why madness, you ask? I'll tell you why; Because say what you will about James Shields... when he was first on the market, the idea of signing him for $110 million was silly and obnoxious.  Now, weeks later, Shields price has dropped. The asking price now is $60 million over 3 years, a Davidoff report. That makes more sense to us fans, but it's damn appealing to Yankees right now.  That's in the ball park. Having James Shields at that price... and Yoan Moncada too, will complete the winter and we can definitely look forward to Spring.

Davidoff writes more:

"Morosi mentions San Diego as a possible suitor, and signing Shields would make the Padres’ winter even more electric than it already has been. Milwaukee seems like an obvious candidate: Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has a history of late-offseason free-agent signings such as Matt Garza last year and Kyle Lohse two years ago.

 
The third-highest contract signed by a starting pitcher this offseason is the four-year, $55 million contract Ervin Santana signed with Minnesota. Santana is 32, just one year younger than Shields, and nowhere as consistent or accomplished.

So let’s set that number, $55 million, as the bar for Shields’ free-agency legacy. If he and his little-known agent Paige Odle can’t exceed that, Shields should join Reed in the annals of all-time Hot Stove underachievers."

In the end, and while I like Davidoff. I don't get it.  Is he talking to the fans because here's the thing... fans don't care about Hot Stove busts. All they care about is getting good players and having their team do it any way they can.  Some fans don't care if we spend high, and for us Yankee fans, if cheap is the way to go these days, so be it. 

Plus... look... the Yanks are in, and I guess there's amnesia. I guess certain reporters don't remember the Yankees and their stealth tactics when it comes to Free Agents. The Yanks are in... I'll put money on it.  In the back of Brian Cashman's mind, he is fully aware that the Yankees starting rotation isn't as solid as it may appear on paper.  One of the big reasons is uncertainty.  The other is injury.  If Cashman can sure up the rotation with a guy like Shields at the discount price, it's not only smart, it's borderline brilliant.  But they gotta do it right... they can't overpay.

We'll see what happens with the Yankees and James Shields.  Maybe nothing will happen, but remember one thing in this whole saga... it's only baseball.  Remember, James Shields prefers the west coast. But if the right deal and a chance to make it to the World Series and play for a big time franchise pops up, guess what else he'll prefer. Never count the Yankees out.

In the meantime, just chalk up the "baseball insiders" stumbling over each other as comedy.  And when the story comes out... we'll report it for you correctly. 

That IS why you come to BYB... right?

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YANKEE PITCHING PROSPECTS: WHO CAN IT BE KNOCKING AT MY DOOR?

Can’t believe I am quoting Men at Work but I am.  "Who can it be knocking at my door? Stay away, don’t come around here no more…"  Yes, it’s crazy and yes it’s true, but the injury door is flying open every five minutes, so I have to once again take a sip from the confidence potion and start thinking about our future pitching staff. 

(In Photo: Manny Banuelos)

Manny Banuelos, Jose Campos, Michael Pineda, Chien-Ming Wang, David Phelps and Ivan Nova- a motley crew of Pinstripers in training.  Senior ESPN baseball writer Keith Law ranks Yankee farm system 10^th in the league.  Incidentally, according to Law’s 100 top prospects, catcher Gary Sanchez is ranked 18^th and three of our outfield prospects are also ranked.  But what about pitching?  Who’s going to be the 5^th starter, frankly who is going to take Phil Hughes’ spot, at least temporarily?  

(In Photo: Vidal Nuno)

Who will the Yankees bring up periodically to fill in Clay Rapada in the bullpen and perhaps get some real time mentoring with Mo?  Lots of questions and lots of speculation, but let’s take a closer look at our farm system pitching prospects who may make a trip to the Bronx this year and perhaps stay for a while making way for some interesting combinations in 2014. 

Now I have to throw out one disclaimer- I am always about the farm prospects and I fight for their opportunity in my tweets and posts quite often, but I would like to say that I am slightly disgusted that the Yankees did not pick up former Cardinal pitcher now Brewer Kyle Lohse. (Read about Lohse HERE.) 

He would have made a solid addition to our club.  Again, it was not to be and Scott Boras got his man 33 million for three years with Milwaukee.  Maybe next time Brian Cashman- story of our lives this off-season. 

Onto the our farm prospects- Coming off of Tommy John surgery, Manny Banuelos was once thought of as next big pitcher for the Yankees.  But as we all know, nothing is a guarantee.  Banuelos is optimistic throwing three days a week now and is holding onto his dream to pitch for the major league club. “Every time I throw, it feels better,” said Banuelos, who will remain in Tampa for the rest of the year with an eye on pitching in 2014,” according to a New York Times article published last month.  The Yankees have protected their young pitching prospect by keeping him on the 40-man spring training roster.  There is still a lot of hope for him.  

His buddy, 6 foot 8 pitcher Dellin Betances is also fighting for a spot in the show.  “Betances will start this season in Class AAA, a litmus test of no small significance after he took what Cashman described as “a radical step back” last season. Larry Rothschild, the Yankees’ pitching coach, said Betances shortened his stride over the winter with the goal of making his delivery more consistent. “Being that tall, sometimes it takes time,” Rothschild said.”  Cashman is watching closely at his two stinging B’s and hopes to see some progress from both of them this year. 

(In Photo: Jose Campos)

Jose Campos, the added player in the Michael Pineda deal last season could be make good on a deal that many are calling sour grapes.  RHP Campos could be a Mariano Rivera in the making with his continuity and efficiency.  He is slated as a starter but he may have some possibilities beyond that post.  Unfortunately, because of injury, he will start the season with Charleston and look to move up to Double A Trenton sometime this season.  If he stays healthy and makes progress this season, we could see him late next season or in 2015. 

Finally, Michael Pineda- almost scared to utter his name as I am as sleepless as you when I think of Jesus Montero in Seattle.  What is going on with this guy?  There’s not much to tell.  Cashman keeps feeding us some little lines about him throwing off of the mound now and his velocity is coming back.  According to the New York Times article (HERE) Yankees Practice Patience With Pineda’s Return, the Yankees are hopeful that Pineda will begin a rehab assignment in June.  “Since that blockbuster deal, the Yankees have gotten nothing out of Pineda, who turned 24 last month. Last year he reported to camp 20 pounds overweight and wrecked his shoulder. Surgery ended his season before he threw a single major league pitch. A drunken-driving arrest in Tampa last August, after the police pulled over Pineda’s Nissan S.U.V. at 2:35 a.m. with the headlights off, hardly endeared him to Yankees management,” states, the Times.  The Yankees believe that investing in Pineda is the right thing to do based on great comebacks from injured pitchers like Curt Schilling and Chris Carpenter.  God, I hope they are right.  But I am not holding my breath.  

 I like what I see coming out of Trenton this year who by the way announced their starters for the season just this week.  And Scranton has the organization’s pitcher of the year in Mark Montgomery who we may very well see this season.  Keep an eye out for him!

Lots to anticipate this spring for pitching and sure we have our veteran staff but don’t give up on David Phelps, Ivan Nova and anyone of these rookies- we may see the likes of Montgomery, Zach Nuding (Trentonian HERE) and maybe even Betances this season.  Hopefully, anyone of these guys will knock on the clubhouse door with something to prove this season- might just be what we need to keep the Yankees in it this year!

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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WHO SHOULD BE THE YANKEES 5TH STARTER?

So far we pretty much know what our starting rotation should be going into the 2013 season. CC Sabathia is the Opening Day starter. Hiroki Kuroda at #2, Andy Pettite at #3 with Phil Hughes in the 4 spot. And, the 5th starter is, well... hmmm, I'm not sure exactly...

 OK, so we know who hold the first 4 spots. The 5th spot for the Yankees is wide open for a proven candidate.  Now, two guys come to mind as possible options. Ivan Nova and David Phelps. But what if there was someone else still lingering outside the club?   Chien-Ming Wang? Kyle Lohse? Anyone else?

(In Photo: Kyle Lohse)
If you haven't read it already, take a moment to read TIME TO BRING BACK CHIEN-MING WANG? by fellow BYB writer Carlos Gee for instance.  Or, check out this piece HERE from Ken Rosenthal about the Yankees possible connection to Kyle Lohse.  Or, how about the latest from BYB involving the possibility of Roy Oswalt, HERE.

My take is much like the way the Yankees intended to find our starting catcher... we should do it internally. Which brings us back to Nova and Phelps.

Both are fair choices. If it were my sole decision, I would give the job to Ivan Nova.  Don't forget, he was the Number 2 at one point in his career. So far in Tampa, he is showing consistency and a more confident poise.  In 4 starts, he's 1-0 with a 3.21 ERA, 2 BB's and 9 Ks.  To me, he is also demonstrating better command of his mechanics. Look, I said it before in my first BYB piece NOVA SAYS: "I'M GOING TO BE THERE!", I like Nova. He knows very well he is in a make or break scenario, where, if he does fail, he will lose a spot in the rotation for sure. At that point Phelps could very well fit into the rotation slot.  I just think it's too soon to turn away from Nova without seeing him work to getting back to what he used to be.

Let's also not forget, it's a whole new season, a clean slate, and Nova can not only prove that being the 5th starter was a good choice, but the right choice too. Look, we all remember his terrible 2012 season. It's one we all want to forget, including him. That's what I believe this will and determination can certainly push Nova into the 5th spot in the rotation.  No one's more ready than Nova to put a lousy 2013 behind him... the time is now to shine.

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



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BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE PLAYER TRACKER #11

Andy Pettitte: If you ask Joel Sherman of the New York Post, it seems as though Andy Pettitte will come back to the Yankees.  Read HERE.  Let's also warn that when family is involved, you just really don't know what's in a player's head.  I can tell you this though and I've said it all along, Andy has unfinished business and I believe in my gut that Andy comes back for another season.  I also think 2013 will be his last.

Stephen Drew: What's an offseason without the Yankees and the Red Sox fighting over the same player?  According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.com, HERE, they are both checking in on free agent Stephen Drew, a shortstop.  It makes sense for the Yankees to do this, because who truly knows if Derek Jeter will be 100% by Opening day and they clearly don't have much faith in Eduardo Nunez and his fielding ability.

Kyle Lohse: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox have called about the availability of Lohse.  Boston would like to add a starter. Read about it HERE.

Ryan Raburn: Raburn was released by the Tigers yesterday.  Joe Frisaro of MLB.com says Raburn could be a good option for the Miami Marlins HERE. The tweet about the release is HERE.

Chone Figgins: Figgins was designated for assignment yesterday by the Seattle Mariners. Read HERE.  The dude is 34 years old and I just remember he was one of the hottest players with the Angels.  Then he signed that contract in Seattle and just died.  Look, Figgins is a utility guy and as a part time bench player, maybe he could be an interesting fit for the Yanks. Of course the price has got to be right.

Robert Andino: Finally, Andino was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Trayvon Robinson, read HERE.  Andino was a great player in the American League East and handled the Yankees and Red Sox with ease.  For me, I like this becasue it gets him out of here, but truth be told I wish Andino luck in Seattle.

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