YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TO ZOILO ALMONTE

The Yankees have designated Zoilo Almonte for assignment.  In addition to that, Matt Daley has been released.  Once again, Bleeding Yankee Blue writer Jeana Bellezza will be aggravated and ask, "Why?" and with that, I'm sure her next piece will include names like Brandon Laird and Ronnier Mustelier and once again pushing the youth movement in the Bronx. I agree with her. 

It's just madness. I believe in Almonte. I also believe Almonte will be a big help for the Yankees one day. They just need to keep the guy with the big club long enough so he can blossom.

Zoilo designated, Matt Daley released
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) September 2, 2014

But look, the reality is, Zoilo and Daley moves have to do with the fact that September call ups are here and with that, the following names have been called up:

Preston Claiborne
John Ryan Murphy
Chase Whitley
Bryan Mitchell
Antoan Richardson
Chaz Roe
Rich Hill
Chris Young

Yanks call up: Chris Young, John Ryan Murphy, Preston Claiborne, Bryan Mitchell, Chase Whitley, Rich Hill, Antoan Richardson and Chaz Roe.
— David Waldstein (@DavidWaldstein) September 2, 2014

All the youngsters listed should have an invite, plus I believe Almonte shouldn't have moved anywhere. But I guess for the argument of moving around personnel, logically, moving down someone like Almonte makes sense in that regard.  I don't get Rich Hill... I don't think I ever will. I thought by now he would have been released.  Roe could help, and no... Chris Young doesn't belong there either.

That being said... don't get crazy, it will all work out.  I promise... maybe.

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MOTOWN CATS TAKE LAST BITE

The Tigers are the Motown Cats here on BYB.  Enjoy that, and thank Mike O'Hara when you see him.

The Yanks were in it until the end tonight... literally.  We lost on an Alex Aliva homer in the 12th... we couldn't come back after that.

In fact, the Yankees only were able to score 3 runs off of David Price and company.  Price has always been a tough nut to crack and now, with the rotation the Tigers have, they are a tricky group.  That being said, we held our own until the very end.

Hiroki Kuroda started and pitched well tonight.  7 innings pitched, 6 hits allowed, 3 runs given up.  After that the Yankee pen was pure dominance holding the Tigers bats silent until Matt Daley gave up the Avila homer in the 12th.  It was a true disappointment.

The Yankees runs happened like this:

In the bottom of the 2nd, Brian McCann homered.  Jacoby Ellsbury doubled in the 3rd and Brendan Ryan scored.

In the 5th, Martin Prado homered. Then, nothing... the well went dry.

It was a nice game, but not the ending we wanted.  There's only one thing to do... win tomorrow.  Forget this one, come back tomorrow.. and win.  That's it.

Final: Motown Cats 4 - Yankees 3

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THE CAPTAIN CARRIES THE YANKS ON HIS BACK

You can tell me that Masahiro Tanaka the story of the day because he's now 7-1, and sure, I guess you can say that. But to me, watching today and then reading tonight, the story is Derek Jeter.

You know, leadership is an important thing.  The Yankees have been struggling and Derek Jeter is a different player these days. He's older and he's going day by day giving it his all, but, well, it doesn't always work out.  Don't worry though, I'm not down on the guy, I love him.  Today though, one thing was clear... the Yankees needed to win and they needed a leader. They also need a streak at this very moment.  Well, Jeter was there to help right the ship.

Today, our Captain, along with help from Masahiro Tanaka showed Yankeeland that we will be OK. The troops followed and the Yanks did well. Today, the Yankees won 2 in a row.

Jeter carried the Yankees on his back. He had 4 hits, one of which was a triple.  He knocked in 2 runs and scored 1. Overall, the Yankees had 10 hits to the Chisox 7, and add in, a mix of a trusty Tanaka and there was nothing we couldn't accomplish today.

Tanaka pitched well going 6.2 innings allowing 5 hits and 1 run.  He struck out 6.  He was followed by a very reliable pen who held down the Chisox. Adam Warren and Matt Daley did good.

The Yankee runs went down like this:

In the second inning, Brett Gardner singled knocking in 2. Shortly after that, Derek Jeter knocked in Brian Roberts. Then Jacoby Ellsbury knocked in Gardy.

In the 4th, on a wild pitch, Derek Jeter scored. In the 6th, Jeet singled knocking in Alfonso Soriano.  In the 8th, Brian Roberts homered... there are your 7.

With the Captain continually involved in today's run scoring, I sense an energy.  Yes, I understand Jeter is always there, but today was significant. 4 hits is a big deal.  I loved what I saw from my captain and I hope the rest of the club takes note... we got this!

Final: Yankees 7 - White Sox 1

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SHUTTING DOWN THE BUCS: GAME 1

The Yankees won another today and this one happened in Game 1 of the single admission double header at the stadium.  I was there with my oldest boy. It was a last  minute decision based on my buddy calling me and saying "I go 2 tickets for you and one of your sons. You in?" We were.  The deal was I was driving... and off we went.

We got there later because of the last minute call, but we were there just the same.  The stadium was gorgeous today for Game 1 and the Yankees were up 4 to 1 when we showed up.  Then, as we were gobbling our hot dogs and brews, it was suddenly 4-3.  Hiroki Kuroda, who always pitches well, we getting into trouble in the 5th and I didn't expect to see him in the 6th, but sure enough, he came out and got out of it.  That was followed by Matt Daley, Matt Thornton and Adam Warren, all who held the Pirates down.  Then in came DRob and he shut the door.

In the end, Kuroda pitched 6 innings, struck out 7 and gave up 3 runs.  He is now 3-3.  I trust he'll keep it up in the next outing.

The Yankees run scoring went like this:

In the bottom of the first, Mark Teixeira singled and knocked in 2... Brett Gardner and Derek Jeter.  Then Brian McCann singled knocking in Jacoby Ellsbury.  In the bottom of the second, Brett Gardner doubled knocking in Kelly Johnson.  Those are your 4... and those are all that was needed.

Final Game 1: Yankees 4 - Pirates 3

Overall, it was a great time with friends and the Yankees today. Loved game 1... and as I write this, I am sitting in the area right in front of the Lobel's butcher.  Damn... I love blogging, I can do it from anywhere!

Go Yanks... Now let's come back and beat the Bucs in Game 2! 

Time for a pulled pork sandwich... Carolina style bitches...

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PIRATES WALK THE PLANK IN YANKEELAND

I know, what a lame title, right?  I think I have heat stroke or I'm delirious.  It's been a crazy day at my house.  Alot of baseball games and mulching and I was a filthy mess for most of the day and smelled like dirty sweat.  Not too attractive, but I did finally see the game and I love my Yankees right now, do you?

I like when the Yanks win with what they have and not wait for the superstars to return. I mean, there is no doubt we've been dealt a bad hand with our pitching lately, but we're handling things pretty well, aren't we? Today we were homer happy! I mean, think about it, we won 3 in a row. I like this alot. Can we win 4? Hell, can we win the double header tomorrow? I say, why not!

David Phelps started for the Yankees tonight.  I was underwhelmed until I saw how great he did.  5 innings pitched today. He allowed 5 hits and struck out 5. Damn, play that number! Dellin Betances followed and continued his dominance striking out 3 and giving up 1 run. Adam Warren and Matt Daley completed the pitching puzzle for the Yankees.  We held the Pirates to 1 run.  Not too shabby at all.

The Yankees hitting and scoring went like this:

Mark Teixeira hit a 2 run homer in the 1st.  Mike O'Hara is about to write an apology piece to Jeana Bellezza. That's one BYB writer who is not to jazzed about Tex, to another who is obsessed.  Let's see how that goes... anyway, I just got side tracked...

In the bottom of the 3rd, Zoilo Almonte homered.  Almonte is #24.  That's right, Cano's old number. In other words, Cano left and the Yankees won't be remembering him in the years to come.  Trust me, that's how it's going down.  Forget Yankeeography... forget it all.

In the 6th, Brett Gardner cranked one out... his 3rd. Then in the 7th, another home run. This one by Alfonso Soriano. In the 8th, Brian McCann hit a 2 run shot. 

It was a home run fest.  It was the explosion Yankeeland has been waiting for.  Now, we need it to happen all the time, then once the pitching comes back heatlhy and ready to roll... we'll pull ahead and win the division.  That's my thinking at least, what about you?

Final: Yankees 7 - Pirates 1

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BUM KNEE

I found it to be incredibly insulting and embarrassing for both the New York media and fans to insinuate that CC Sabathia "lied" about his knee injury today.  I read Andrew Marchand's Tweet about how CC and Girardi both said CC was healthy, almost like he was piecing together an investigation into the "When did the knee hurt... and who knew about it?"  Guess what? Injuries happen, and sometimes there are no signs when they're about to occur.

After previous start, Girardi & CC both said CC was perfectly healthy.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) May 11, 2014

I like Marchand, and perhaps he was just throwing it out there because dumb guys like me would bite, but I just found it to be silly...and I bit.

Here's the drill... CC Sabathia is on the 15 day DL for knee inflammation.  Maybe he was working through it and it got bad yesterday, maybe it just happened, whatever the case, the Yankees needed to recall Matt Daley, hardly a driving force for the Yankees starting rotation.  And now we are literally left with 5-0 Masahiro Tanaka and a whole lotta nothing.

What fans should be doing is wishing CC well, not bashing the guy for getting injured... for Christ sake... he's not Carl Pavano for crying out loud.

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NOT-SO-FUNNY BONE!

Sometimes you just need to laugh.  Actually, sometimes you need to get pissed by a bad, bad loss, but sometimes, you have to give a bad situation levity.  If you're just clicking on BYB right now, I warn you... just laugh. There isn't a reason to get angry, it's just nuts what happens to the Yankees and their players sometimes. Many times there's bad luck, injury and heartbreak.  Sometimes you should just grin and bear it.  Ivan Nova is hurt... wait... do NOT throw your computer!

Ivan Nova pitched 4 innings, giving up 8 hits and 8 runs.  It was then that Nova had some discomfort in his right arm. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, "The Yankees announced that Nova has soreness in the elbow and will undergo further diagnostic tests. Nova was replaced by right-hander Matt Daley, who joined the club from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Saturday; he allowed six runs (four earned) in 1 1/3 innings."

To say the Yankees bullpen troubles are not a problem would be ridiculous.  We have big problems and it's not just about missing Mariano Rivera. This is about bridging to the setup and closer.  Matt Daley is not the Yankees answer. Neither was Cesar Cabral from the night before.  There is no question, we need confidence in the pen. We just haven't found that yet. Luckily for us... it's April.

The Yankees run scoring was simple tonight.  In the 5th inning, Kelly Johnson knocked home Alfonso Soriano. That was it.  The Rays knocked 5 homers tonight. They were dominant. We weren't, plain and simple. Be it an injury to Nova or just plain good hitting from the Rays, it doesn't matter, a win is a win and they won. 

Now, the Yankees will have a question mark in the rotation, and more questions in the pen.  Sure, it sounds so horrible, you just need to laugh about it... but it's not so funny... is it Yankee fans?

Final: Rays 16 - Yankees 1

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MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS SO DAMN GOOD!

I had the fortune of being able to attend the Syracuse Chiefs Opening Day in Syracuse last Thursday.  It was special for me not because the local minor league team was beginning its season (the Washington
Nationals are the parent club), but because it was the opener for our “baby bombers” – the Scranton / Wilkes Barre RailRiders – who happened to be the Chiefs’ opponents.

It was a golden opportunity to watch the guys who didn’t make the Major League team and see what kind of potential would be on display.

I wasn’t disappointed.

As the game progressed, it became clear to me that our minor league system isn’t as barren as some would lead you to believe (perhaps our organization is scrutinized more heavily because of our success?).  Several stars emerged, and while it was only one game, it was still evident that the Yankees have a number of players with the talent to make it to “the show”.

Among those that most impressed were Scott Sizemore, one of the odd men out (with Eduardo Nunez) in the battle for the Yankees backup infielder spots.  He went three-for-three with three singles and a walk.

Russ Canzler, playing first base, showed good power in hitting two doubles during successive at bats and drove a long fly to right in his final time at the plate.

Zelous Wheeler, the shortstop, had a single and double in four trips to the plate and looked solid in the field.

Of all the players in the lineup, the one that stood out for me was Ramon Flores, the right fielder.  He had two hits during the game, one of which was a triple where tore around the bases at a speed that Secretariat would envy.  However, the play that I’ll remember isn’t one where Flores was batting.


It was the bottom of the fifth and the RailRiders led 4 – 1.  The Chiefs had runners at the corners and no one out.  Our starter, Bruce Billings, was beginning to labor and Syracuse’s Will Rhymes was at the plate.  The second baseman hit a fly ball of medium depth to right field.   Flores first started back on the ball then stepped forward towards it, and without hesitation made the catch and fired a throw on a line to home plate.  It took one bounce and settled perfectly into catcher JR Murphy’s glove a half-second before the runner arrived.

If you are an outfielder, it’s the type of play you dream about.

The hitters and fielders weren’t the only ones to leave their mark on Opening Day.  While our big league club has had a great start from its bullpen, the Triple-A relief corps wasn’t going to be outdone.

25-year-old Danny Burawa struck out two of the three batters he faced in the seventh, Mark Montgomery retired the Chiefs in order in the eighth, and Matt Daley struck out the side on 13 pitches to close out the game.

One couldn’t help but be impressed with the RailRiders from top to bottom.

As I left the stadium that day, I felt confidence in the future of our club.  Each of the players I have mentioned is at the cusp of their career in pinstripes, and I’m excited for their arrival in the Bronx.

Should our parent club need reinforcements during the season, I’ll have no problem with the powers-that-be reaching from within to fulfill their need.

The next time you hear someone tell you how thin the Yankees’ farm system is, just give a smile and walk away knowing that we are far better off than they think.  Take my word on it.



    

--Steve Skinner, BYB Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1




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MATT DALEY GETS A NEW DEAL WITH THE YANKEES

This post gets thrown into the "Just keeping you in the loop" file.

Yankees pitcher Matt Daley was non-tendered by the Yankees back in early December. For all of you that don't know what "non-tendered" means, it's this:

"Non-tendered means that an arbitration-eligible player was not offered a contract by their team. A non-tendered player becomes a free agent available to sign with any team. There is a non-tender deadline which means that teams must tender contracts to those arbitration-eligible players by that date & time or effectively release them to become free agents."

That's from WikiAnswers.

Now, the news is that Daley has signed a new minor league contract with the Yankees.  Read about that HERE.

It's also important to point out that the Cubs claimed Brett Marshall off waivers the other day.  You remember when the Yankees DFA'd him right? Read BELTRAN ADDED TO ROSTER & MARSHALL DFA'D from December 19th.

Again... just wanted to keep you in the loop.

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest 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.

BIG INVITES FOR YANKEES SPRING TRAINING

The Yankees have invited 44 players to Major League Spring Training camp. Now I'm starting to get psyched.    

Here's the list of the Yankees' spring invitees:

Pitchers: 

RHP Corey Black

LHP Juan Cedeno

RHP Preston Claiborne

RHP Matt Daley

RHP Shane Greene

RHP Nick Goody

RHP David Herndon

RHP Tom Kahnle

 

RHP Jim Miller

RHP Bryan Mitchell

RHP Mark Montgomery

RHP Zach Nuding

LHP Vidal Nuno

RHP Mike O'Brien

RHP Kelvin Perez

RHP Branden Pinder

 

RHP Ryan Pope

LHP Josh Spence

LHP Matt Tracy

RHP Chase Whitley

Catchers: 

Francisco Arcia

Kyle Higashioka

J.R. Murphy

Gary Sanchez

Bobby Wilson

Infield: 

Greg Bird

Cito Culver

Walter Ibarra

Dan Johnson

Addison Maruszak

Luke Murton

Jayson Nix

Jose Pirela

Kyle Roller

Gil Velazquez

Outfield: 

Abraham Almonte

Tyler Austin

Matt Diaz

Adonis Garcia

Slade Heathcott

Ronnier Mustelier

Thomas Neal

Juan Rivera

Rob Segedin

2 players I am curious about.  Why wasn't Russ Canzler and Mason Williams invited? Not sure I know the answer, but I would have loved to have seen them compete for a spot.  It would have been fun. I must have missed something. 

Congrats to the guys who got a spot! I can't wait...

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