THE TALE OF AUSTIN JACKSON

I remember when Austin Jackson was the serious future for center field for the New York Yankees.  And then, in a flash he was shipped off to the Detroit Tigers and that was the end of it.

Baseball-Reference.com has his early timeline:

"June 7, 2005: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 8th round of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed June 22, 2005. 

December 8, 2009: Traded as part of a 3-team trade by the New York Yankees with Phil Coke to the Detroit Tigers. The Detroit Tigers sent Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees. The Detroit Tigers sent Edwin Jackson to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The New York Yankees sent Ian Kennedy to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Arizona Diamondbacks sent Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth to the Detroit Tigers. "

Well, it's been years, and the dude's been a successful player, and by the way, I still like the dude as a player. I like that he was always nimble, humble, hardworking and a solid athlete. And now he's been around, but he's looking to get back in the game, which, I didn't even realize he was out for a bit.

MLBTradeRumors.com has this nugget about him:

"Long-time MLB outfielder Austin Jackson is open to offers to get back on the field, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports on Twitter. 

He says he has remained in playing shape and is interested in a potential return. Jackson only recently turned 33, so he’s not that long in the tooth. But he didn’t appear in the professional ranks in 2019 after nine consecutive MLB campaigns. As he contemplates a comeback, Jackson says he’s looking for the “right situation” — not just any opportunity, evidently. 

There’s obviously no chance he’d command a big-league contract at this point, so he’d surely be looking for a minors arrangement of some kind."

I applaud this. Always liked him. And much like a Ty Hensley, if you still have a passion to play... then get back out there!

I'd love the Yanks to give Jackson another shot. I just think it ain't happening at this point. But one can hope.

Look luck Austin!

COKE DFA'D AND OTHER YANKEES COME UP

Quick note about alot of stuff that happened tonight before the Yankee game started.

For one, Phil Coke was Designated for Assignment.  With that move, there were others. CBS Sports has the story:

"(Rob) Refsnyder was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, Josh Norris of Baseball America reports. Refsnyder has been impressive with the Triple-A club thus far, batting .293 with 10 RBI and six stolen bases, so the Yankees decided to reward him with a callup."

And there were a few pitchers called up as well. The New York Daily News writes:

"...lefthander James Pazos and righthander Luis Cessa were all summoned from Triple-A, replacing righthanders Chad Green and Conor Mullee, who were optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre..."

So there you have it.  Moves... more moves... when will the moves we make actually take shape for the team? I'm kind of looking for that right about now.

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IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN

I didn't expect much, and I was right.

Chad Green took the mound last night for the New York Yankees.  Whatever man... we weren't gonna see Cy Young last night... it was a filler spot and we were just hoping for a win.  We didn't get one, life goes on.

Green went 4 innings, gave up 8 hits and 6 runs.  Then came the other cast of middle relief characters.  Goody, Mullee and Phil Coke gave up the other 6 runs. 

Ultimately, the DBacks tee'd off on the Yankee pitching.  Meanwhile the Yankees only scored 2 runs on 8 hits.  In Arizona... it was kind of a disaster.

Again, I expected nothing from our pitching last night.  I think the Yankees needed to fill a hole and did it, and if there was success.... we live another day.  If not, this was the outcome.  The outcome was ugly.

Final: Diamondback 12 - Yankees 2


 

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IT WOULD BE FOOLISH FOR THE YANKS TO NOT BE IN ON LINCECUM...

The Yankees are definitely in on Tim Lincecum, despite what Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com says.  The question is, would they do anything? Who the hell knows. 

I do know this, with the Yankees woes are currently on every back page of every sports publication in New York City, for them to NOT be looking at Tim Lincecum's work out on Friday would be stupid, and so, this is Jon Heyman's way of just annoying everyone. 

Heyman writes:

23 teams have now reached out with interest in tim lincecum. neither ny team to this point. most everyone else tho.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 4, 2016

Now don't forget it, Bleeding Yankee Blue wrote this nice nugget a while back... a nugget none of these baseball insiders had: SOURCE: "LINCECUM COULD BE THE FINAL PIECE"was from February. That was when the guy was minutes away from auditioning.  Then, it was pushed back and pushed back and since then, the Yankees have been stinking up the joint ever since.  Meanwhile, Lincecum has not been showcased yet.

Logically, it now makes more sense than ever that the Yankees would look at every moving part available to see if they could use them.  That's why a guy like Nick Swisher signed a minor league deal.  That's why Phil Coke signed a minor league deal. Trust me, if Lincecum's possibly available, the Yankees are looking and they should be.

We wrote this back in February:

"I checked in with my bud yesterday just asking him to sniff around for me.  He was totally honest with me, telling me that he probably wouldn't be able to find out much, but he did reveal to me that he did hear from one individual with knowledge of the upcoming Tim Lincecum showcase and said if Lincecum can offer enough and can prove that he can still throw, Lincecum 'Could be the final piece.'"

The info is solid, and I guess some of these baseball insiders just don't have it.  It's fine. I never claimed to be one of them. I did promise that if I had something solid, I'd present it to my audience.  This is legit.  Whether or not the Yankees actually pull the trigger is another story. Plus, you have to believe that the Giants will ultimately resign Timmy. 

Whatever the case... Stay tuned.





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PHIL COKE IS BACK! NOW WE'RE CONTENDERS!

Quick note about a former lefty that I always loved when he was in New York, but he was traded away to the Tigers a while back and we got Curtis Granderson.  His name was Phil Coke.

Well Phil Coke's back.  It's being reported by several, but we'll choose CBS Sports on this:

"The Yankees signed Coke from the Atlantic League on Monday, Mike Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports. The left-handed reliever will report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre."

Now I just find it funny because no question Nick Swisher and Coke will be crapping around out there in Scranton, talking about old times, winning it all in 2009 and all that.

Can Coke help us? Well, much like Dan Lucia wrote in SOMETIMES SHOTS IN THE DARK HIT THEIR TARGET , a team takes a chance on certain players to see if they have anything left.  Sometimes it works out, sometimes not, but you don't know unless you try.  Plus, if the Yankees are going to pool all their money for the Bryce Harper free agency day, then they gotta do stuff like this.

Anyway.  Welcome back Phil. I didn't want you to go in the first place.  I hope to see you up in the Bronx soon!

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DO THE NEW YORK YANKEES HAVE A SHOT?

The answer is yes.

I was listening to Alex Rodriguez talk, I think it was in the clubhouse during champagne time the other night and he was explaining how the Yankees haven't swung the bats well at all.  In essence... they know they are stinking up the joint.  But he also said that they could very likely have a run like they did earlier in the season... maybe 9 straight, who knows.  I smiled as I was brushing my teeth.  It's that never say die mentality that I've always been in love with when it comes to my New York Yankees.  And so, as I got ready for the train, I threw on my Yankee jacket with pride, for today is a new day and a new 1 game season so to speak against a team featuring star pitcher Dallas Keuchel.

Hey... it will not be easy, but we have Masahiro Tanaka.

Tanaka held on all season.  I didn't expect it.  I thought his arm would break down at some point and he wouldn't even be around by the post-season.  He surprised me, and for that, I'm excited.  We'll be playing at home, which, if you've ever been at a post-season game at Yankee Stadium, it's electric and insane and I wish I was there tonight... it's huge. It gives me hope.

But it's also a 1 game playoff.  Winner of this game moves on. The loser will end their season tonight.  I have had alot of negative feels about the Yankees this season, you've read about it extensively, and I'm happy to express my true feelings when things go wrong, but it's a clean slate today.  This team not only has the chops to win this game... they also have a more important reason to do it... they're gonna do it for their brother... CC Sabathia.

Now I don't need to get into massive details about the importance of what Sabathia did and when he did it when it came to his drinking.  It's personal and I applaud him.  This game in his personal life is just not important.  He's gotta fix some stuff... and he will.  The timing of this demonstrates the urgency of the problem. For those of you that "cannot believe he's doing this now"... you're perfect and you'll never understand.

That's sarcasm, but I don't have the time to explain it.  If you don't get it, you never will.  But back to the Yankees and CC.  There's a bigger picture here.  Sure, win the first round for not only the fans and their team, but for CC.  It's very noble. It's a brotherhood. It's beautiful actually.

The Yankees have the tools and they have the ability.  If Joe Girardi plays to strengths and not to over-resting players and changing players too much and at the wrong time, we have a huge opportunity.  The sprinkling of youth with veterans is a formula that has worked for the Yankees for years...

There are Cecil Fielder and Andy Pettitte type players on this team (1996). There are Shane Spencer and Tino Martinez type players on this team (1998).  There are Phil Coke and Jorge Posada type players on  this team (2009).

The point is with guys like Greg Bird and Luis Severino mixed in with the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann...kids and veterans... things could turn out pretty great. But as you know, there's 1 thing that definitely needs to happen. 

The Yankees need to hit.  It goes back to what ARod said.  The Yanks have stunk up the joint leaving many runners on base all season and not hitting.  They need to be smart. They need to execute in a way to get the runs home.  They need timely hits. No easy task for this team, but as we have seen during their hot moments... they truly have the ability.. they just gotta do it!

Tonight's the night ladies and gentlemen.  I believe in this team, despite my annoying, negative rants.  But they need to believe in themselves tonight, BIG TIME.  Trust me... they CAN!

Go Yanks! Make us proud tonight.

 

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REMEMBER PHIL COKE? ME NEITHER

I'm kidding Phil Coke, don't get mad at me, it's a joke!

Quick note about former Yankee Phil Coke, who was a member of the Chicago Cubs.  Well... not anymore.

According to Chris Cotillo of SBNation, Coke was just released:

Source: Phil Coke placed on release waivers. Will become a free agent on Thursday afternoon, and already has interest from six teams.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 27, 2015

Hardball Talk wrotes of Coke:

"Coke signed a one-year, $2.25 million deal with the Cubs this offseason and quickly pitched his way out of their bullpen plans by allowing seven runs in 10 innings despite good secondary numbers."

Now here's the good news for Coke. Phil's a lefty. There is no question he will get picked up quickly and good for him. 

I always liked Coke. I liked him alot as a Yankee and was sad to see him go, but that's baseball, what are you gonna do?

Anyway... that's that.  Good luck to Coke.

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BYB HOT STOVE VOLUME: LUCKY XIII

Here we are in week 13 of BYB's Hot Stove column and the truth is, there are a number of free agents who remain unsigned.  There's only 61 days until the 2015 season begins and 24 days Spring Training.  Despite the cold temperatures in the Northeast, the stove is hot with prospects for those who want some last minute additions to ramp up their teams before pitchers and catchers report in a couple of weeks.

According to Paul Hagen of MLB.com, "The biggest name, of course, is Big Game. That would be right-hander James Shields, who was considered one of the top three starters on the market going into the offseason. The other two, Jon Lester and Max Scherzer, cashed in with huge deals with the Cubs and Nationals, respectively."  Could the Yankees be in contention for Shields?  Not if he wants a big contract for big bucks.  We will not dish out that kind of time or money.  Not sure he will be in Yankee pinstripes, but according to Hagen, the Padres, Marlins, Blue Jays and White Sox have expressed interest.  According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cardinals seem to have the pulse on Shields.  I would say he will find a home within the week.

Three other starting pitchers to keep an eye on are Kyle Kendrick, Chris Young and Roberto Hernandez.  None are particularly impressive, but 29-year-old Young was named AL Comeback Player of the Year, if that accolade means something and it might for the right price and right team.

There are some familiar relief pitchers still available as well.  Joba Chamberlain is on the outskirts looking in, as is Francisco Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano.  We will pass on all of these guys, all have who have played in New York.  Another New York alum out there is hard throwing Phil Coke.

Outfielder Ryan Ludwick is a free agent up for grabs.  According to Hagen, "Ludwick has dealt with shoulder problems since he posted an .877 OPS for the Reds in 2012, but he still showed some power last season with nine homers in 357 at-bats."  For the right price, maybe.  According to Jon Heyman in a late evening tweet, Cleveland is looking for a late "cost-effective right bat."  Ludwick could be the guy for the Indians.  Also note that Andruw Jones is looking to make a comeback too and could be somebody the Indians considers.

That's Hot Stove Volume Lucky 13!  Here's to hoping we sign somebody next week!  Maybe we will have a shot at the young Cuban athlete Yoan Moncada, who is free to negotiate!  Keep an eye out for that breaking news!

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof



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2009 SEEMS LIKE A MILLION YEARS AGO

It’s no secret that I am a runner and I have often written about the work ethic correlation between training for a marathon and becoming physically fit to compete successfully in Major League Baseball.  The other morning, I jumped on the treadmill and found my eyes fixed on a metal sign from the 2009 World Series hanging across the way and I thought to myself, wow 2009 seems like a million years ago.  And in my heart, it was because so much has happened in the years since our last championship that I almost forget how it felt when we won.

Derek Jeter had a healthy ankle, Mark Teixeira was on the Mark, and AJ Burnett was stellar.  Hideki Matsui gave us the Godzilla of a lifetime, earning the series MVP and Raul Ibanez was a Phillie.  We were winners- riding high and relishing every moment of the magical ride to the Fall Classic. 

"It's a great feeling, with what these guys (the 2009 New York Yankees) did and how hard they worked. They never gave up, even when we went through some tough times, they were there. They kept fighting back. Our team has showed a lot of character." - New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi on MLB.com.

(In Photo: Phil Coke)
We had Robertson, Aceves, Coke and Rivera all in action.  Hughes showed his value in the bullpen as well and Joba won a game.  We had Melky, Damon, Hairston and Molina with us- sounds like a museum exhibit.  We had energy and we had heart.  I miss having heart in the batting order.  As a student reminded me today at the university “heart is what keeps us alive as well as what allows us to connect with others.”  We have written about connection a lot here at Bleeding Yankee Blue and I guess this is what I am saying; 2009 seems like a million years ago because the connection is just so weak.  We are missing the cohesiveness that other teams seem to exemplify in more recent years.  The Tigers, Pirates, Cards, and Sox all have it.  And the Sox, who went from worst to first, have it in their leadership as well.  We just don’t have it- not in our veterans, leaders and not in our rookies.  And with Mo out and Jeter beaten down by the game, I wonder from where the connection and heart will come.

The unknown is killing me quiet frankly.  There is no heart in greed.  There is no heart in “testing the free agency market” and there is no heart in turning your back on the team that home grew you.  That last comment is for you Cano, who I straight up called a jackass this week on Twitter.

Seriously, Cano, Granderson & Kuroda want to test the free agent market? Well, we don't need them so test away jackasses! #Yankees #MLB
— Suzanne (@suzieprof) November 12, 2013

So as early November quickly turns to end of November and we are asked to reflect on thankfulness and gratitude, I thank God for making me a Yankee fan but I ask him to help them regroup and find their heart.  2009 should not be a distant memory in the archives of my brain and lost in the metal sign in my basement.  It should serve as a reminder of what we had and what we can have again if we only had heart.

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




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MAYBE THE GROOMING OF YOUNG YANKEE TALENT AIN'T WORKING

I'd love to tell you that I'm still "all-in" with the idea of young Yankee talent being trained and groomed to one day be New York Yankee superstars, but it's my opinion that the days of a goldmine grouping of Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera are long gone. That happens once in a lifetime...and guess what? It happened.

This is not as much as a criticism as an analysis. The Yankees have over-hyped talent since their historic run from 1996 to 2000. We've heard every big name youngster be mentioned as "the next best thing." Then, like clockwork, something happens, be it a trade, or they get hurt and are never the same, or, they just disappear.

I remember JB Cox was the next closer for the Yankees back in 2005. Cox is still in the minor leagues years later. He's 28. I'm tired of waiting, when are we going to see this guy?

(In Photo: Jose Tabata)
Jose Tabata was "untouchable", until we traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady, some veteran help.  Tabata was also traded with Jeff Karstens and Ross Ohlendorf.  2 other prospects that were supposed to be the Yankees future.

Chase Wright had a future in pinstripes. He's currently employed by the Somerset Patriots in an Independent League. But back when he came up for New York, he gave up 4 straight Red Sox home runs in 2007, read HERE. That cemented his fate. That was his 1 and only season in the Major Leagues.

Remember when Phil Hughes was supposed to be the next Roger Clemens? I do, read HERE. Hughes is just a regular pitcher these day...not lights out, and it's been a long and sometime impatient road.  I like Hughes and out of all of these stories, he and Joba are dudes I truly want to stay with us, but once you see the Yankee track record, you will understand where my doubt comes from.

Speaking of Joba Chamberlain, he was messed with alittle too much. Ian Kennedy, he was traded away and Tyler Clippard's now a bad ass closer for the Washington Nationals.

Phil Coke beat us in the ALCS after we traded him away to the Tigers. And remember Colin Curtis? I barely do... That's because he was over-hyped and the was released this season after a long time in our farm system, read HERE.

(In Photo: Andrew Brackman)
Oh and the Killer B's story was both dynamic and highly anticipated. But Andrew Brackman eventually went to the Cincinnati Reds, and I don't even think he has a job right now.  Manny Banuelos is recovering from Tommy John surgery and Dellin Betances, while a decent pitcher, will never be the greatest pitcher the Yankees have ever had in their farm system... He's just not ready.

(In Photo: Kevin Russo)
We had Kevin Russo who never had a chance to be a major leaguer, despite what the Yankees said and he's now a minor league Free Agent. And Brandon Laird went to the Astros this season, read HERE. Remember him? The kid who had a future in New York?  Oh and what about Eduardo Nunez?  He's an infielder who can't field, yet, he's the guy the Yankees believe in.

(In Photo: Jesus Montero)
And then there is Austin Romine, a kid catcher with a bad back and Jesus Montero, another catcher and the only kid in our farm system that Yankee fans truly fell in love with, yet, we traded him away for a possible lemon.

(In Photo: Ty Hensley)
And sure, we have guys like Gary Sanchez and Slade Heathcott, Mark Montgomery, Dante Bichette Jr and Ty Hensley down there, and it's exciting to see these guys grow up in the Yankees system, but sometimes I wonder just how much time I should invest emotionally in these guys given the track record of the Yankees and the handling of these kids.  Sometimes I get discouraged, that's all.

Look, no one can predict the future, but the Yankees minor league system in recent memory is a joke and us fans need to stop falling into the trap of wanting these guys up so we can search for our next Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, because, the reality is, I don't think it's going to happen the way it did when Jeet, Bernie and the rest roamed the field at the same time. We can all agree that that was a special time, but with all those minor leaguers I mentioned above, it's the perfect script for a 4th "Major League: Broken down in the Minors" movie.

I can see it now,  Michael Keaton plays Brian Cashman and he's constantly on the phone making deals, but he can't because everyone's hurt or there's no trade value with the guys they have. Then, with a big veteran bat available, he trades off the top guy we've been developing. No thanks, I've seen that movie before...

Look, I love my Yankees, but the kids thing doesn't seem to work anymore. We're all so used to big spending and winning and it seems that we get too impatient with groom the kids. On a personal note, I tried to stick with my Yanks when they talked about grooming young talent and keeping the payroll down to $189 million, but we need to get back to the way it was, and if the Core Five surfaces again like it did in the 90's, I welcome it. But let's face it, I'm tired of forcing it and I'm tired of being disappointed.

That's my take anyway.

By the way, be sure to read Jeana Bellezza's piece THE YANKEE FARM IS THE FUTURE which will be posted tomorrow. It's another take on our farm system you'll need to read.

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.