GUESS WHERE THOMAS NEAL JUST SIGNED?

We like our former Yankee outfielders here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.  Last night we gave you an update on Greg Golson in GUESS WHERE GREG GOLSON JUST SIGNED?...he signed with the Brewers.

Now, tonight I am happy to report that former Yankee Thomas Neal has officially signed with the Cincinnati Reds.  He Tweeted it...

I'm officially apart of the Cincinnati @Reds family. #Excited #Blessed
— Thomas Neal (@TdaddyNeal) January 13, 2014

I'm a Neal fan. He takes nothing for granted, he works hard and for him, this is big.  I applaud him and appreciate that. Success is earned, and Neal earned it.

Good luck Thomas, go get'um kid.

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THE YANKEES LOST AN OUTFIELDER NOW

Just because I know you've been following Thomas Neal on that rare occasion that he's been up with the Yankees this season, I have an announcement...  It appears that when Neal was placed on waivers the other day, something followed.

The Chicago Cubs have claimed the 25 year old off waivers and so, buh-bye to Thomas Neal, your career in Yankee pinstripes is apparently over. You can read the Chicago Tribune's piece on that HERE if you'd like. It appears he has gone the way of Greg Golson and Justin Maxwell before him.  It happens alot in Yankeeland merely because of the fact that they already have bigger money and bigger contracts invested in guys like Vernon Wells, Ichiro Suzuki, Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner.  The idea of using Neal wasn't going to happen.  If they were able to keep him in the minors until they needed him, that would have been great, but he's gone now.

I wish the guy well, I like Neal.

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GUESS WHO WAS DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT NOW?

Just a quick note to keep you in the loop on "Yankee activity" as I like to call it.  When the Yankees activated Curtis Granderson yesterday, they had to make a roster move, so they did.  Thomas Neal was designated for assignment, according to Bryan Hoch at MLB.com in his tweet below:

Curtis Granderson activated by Yankees, batting fifth. Melky Mesa sent to AAA and Thomas Neal DFA.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) August 2, 2013

It went like this;  First, Alfonso Soriano was traded for and Thomas Neal was sent down the AAA. Then the Yankees activated Grandy and Melky Mesa was sent to AAA and that left Neal as the guy to be DFA'd.

Roster moves are never easy, I hope we're able to hang onto Neal, I like the guy. Good luck Thomas!

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THOMAS NEAL & THE GAME OF MUSICAL CHAIRS

I wanted to tell you about the Yankees shell game that took place today.... follow me:

Melky Mesa and Thomas Neal arrived today to meet our Yankee club in Boston.  Why? Because Zoilo Almonte was put on the disabled list because of that sprained ankle from last night's loss to the Red Sox.

(In Photo: Alberto Gonzalez with Zoilo Almonte)
The team then designated Alberto Gonzalez for assignment and they did that because they already had called up Brent Lillibridge from Scranton.  As Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger HERE wrote: "Gonzalez’s presence here was redundant."

McCullough also writes: "... Girardi intends to use Mesa, a toolsy switch hitter who has struggled to produce in Triple A this season, as a backup outfielder. Neal will be the team’s designated hitter against left-handed pitchers. That role shifts Vernon Wells back into the outfield on those days. Neal is a liability in the field."

So there you have it... musical chairs.

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YOUKILIS, CABRAL, KATE UPTON & SOMETHING FOR THE LADIES

Some news out of Yankeeland and a few other things that I need to get off my chest... and yes, one that has to do with Kate Upton. Don't get crazy ladies... keep reading...

Kevin Youkilis: First off, Kevin Youkilis.  Youk was placed on the Disabled List yesterday and with that, it forced the Yankees to call up Thomas Neal and Chris Bootcheck. Both played in last night's 5-2 loss against Anaheim, read HERE.  According to Lou DiPietro of YESNetwork.com HERE, the reaccuring lumbar strain problem won't go away, "Youkilis spent nearly five weeks on the disabled list earlier this season because of a similarly-termed lumbar spine strain... Neal, who was signed to a Minor League deal with a Spring Training invite last winter, has spent the entire season at triple-A, hitting .339 with two home runs and 24 RBI in 47 games for the RailRiders. The 25-year-old has nine games of previous Major League experience... Bootcheck, a former first-round draft pick of the Angels who made his MLB debut with the Halos in 2003, was 5-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 11 starts for the RailRiders this season, and has a 3-7, 6.54 line in 90 career MLB appearances with the Angels and Pirates from 2003-09."

Maybe we see Youk soon... maybe we don't. I like David Adams right now anyway. I think I'm over Youk.

Cesar Cabral: Lou DiPietro of YESNetwork.com is the hardest working writing ever... next to me (I kid, I kid... or maybe I don't.)  Anyway, according to Lou (HERE), "The Yankees have outrighted LHP Cesar Cabral to Double-A Trenton, and the 24-year-old lefty joined the Thunder’s active roster on Friday night...The southpaw just finished a 30-day rehab assignment, one that saw him make five appearances at Class-A Advanced Tampa before finishing up with three more in Trenton. Overall, he allowed nine earned runs in 12 innings, striking out 10 but also walking 10."

There you go.

Kate Upton: This is a picture of Kate Upton.  I only revisit Kate because recently I was accused of being a chauvinist pig.  Wow. I'm not. Upton's a model and sometimes I like to get your attention here at BYB.  If you think I'm being over the top, go search the other blogs.  We're just having fun here. We're not changing.  I'm sorry if you feel that way and I hope you understand that I have never taken myself too seriously, but the reality is, sometimes in the Internet world, you need to be provocative... please understand that. It's all in good fun.

Channing Tatum: There is no absolutely NO news about Channing Tatum. In fact, the only real news is  that I didn't know who he was until about a month ago. Sorry, I'm busy... I'm busy putting up pictures of Kate Upton apparently.  Clearly the ladies know him and so here you go... I gave the ladies one... You female chauvinists... I'm joking. 

Beautiful people at Bleeding Yankee Blue. We're 1 big happy family.

Enjoy your Saturday...and stop yelling at me.

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YANKEES ARE STUMBLING THROUGH ANAHEIM

Sorry for the late post this morning... I needed to sleep... sue me.

The Yankees are a mess, aren't they?  What was once a dominant offensive team is suddenly having trouble fighting there way out of a paper bag.

Look, I'm not looking for them to win 162 games, but I'd like some consistency.  Sure, you can joke and say "Well Casey, their consistently losing!" You're a freaking riot...funny.  I just mean get a 4 game winning streak going, then maybe we lose 2 and come back and win another 4.  We should be playing better than we are.

Andy Pettitte was not vintage Andy Pettitte.  He went 7 innings, he gave up 11 hits and 4 runs.  It wasn't a good outing and the Yanks can easily get 4 or 5 runs in this spot, but suddenly, they can't. Andy Pettitte isn't the only one out on the field here, come on.

The hitting and fielding went like this: David Adams knocked in Robinson Cano and Vernon Wells. The end. Seriously.  That was the 4th inning.

Wells was 1-4 and is currently batting .229. He needs to turn it around.  The other lousy news was the Yankees only had 6 hits all night.

The good news, Thomas Neal was called up and went 1-2. Good for him.  I really like Neal. We did a piece on him a while back titled...HUGE PROPS TO YANKEE THOMAS NEAL. Read it.

Final: Angels 5 - Yankees 2.

Come on Yanks... wake up!

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HUGE PROPS TO YANKEE THOMAS NEAL

Many of you may not know who Thomas Neal is, but I do.  I liked what I saw out of Neal this Spring and currently he is on the roster of the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Railriders.  He's also a guy I've been watching on Twitter for a while.  Neal has confidence. Neal believes. Neal pushes himself and feels blessed to be playing the game of baseball.  You need to applaud this guy for sending a positive vibe through the Twitter world every day and not only that, the guy plays hard.

Well, yesterday when I wrote TY HENSLEY & DROB STEP UP BIG FOR OKLAHOMA, I forget to mention Thomas Neal.  Well, I don't run from my mistakes,  I correct them. I apologize Thomas, I should have mentioned what your doing now for the people of Oklahoma, because, it's pretty great.

Thomas Neal tweeted this yesterday and it can't be overlooked:

Sure, it's not millions of dollars, that's not the point, it's something, it's helping, it's giving to people in need.  That not only gives him incentive to hit better at the plate, it sends a message to everyone...Help Oklahoma.  Do the right thing. He's also asking for big businesses to match his pledge which is awesome.

Hey Thomas Neal... I just became a fan.  Bravo.

You can follow Thomas Neal on twitter at @TdaddyNeal, who simply puts in his description on Twitter the following: "New York Yankees .. Living the Dream while keeping God 1st. There's so much power in Believing"   Believing, you gotta love it.

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DITCH BEN FRANCISCO FOR RONNIER MUSTELIER

There... I said it.  In this world of Yankee injury, something needs to be done.  Let's do what we've wanted to do for months here, as fans.  Let's bring up the kids and get alittle energy going!

This post will be short and simple.  I want action. You need to wonder when Kevin Youkilis will now be officially back.  We only have 3 outfielders.  Derek Jeter's out. Mark Teixeira is out.  Curtis Granderson is at least 2 weeks away.  Francisco Cervelli broke a hand.  Ivan Nova has elbow soreness and Alex Rodriguez is somewhere on an island healing.  In other words, we are falling apart.

Top that off with Ben Francsico, who's batting .103 and compare that to Ronnier Mustelier, who dazzled everyone in Spring Training and why is this so difficult to understand? Or, here's an idea.  Bring up Thomas Neal? Sure, he's not a household name, but either is Ben Francisco, you know what I mean? Plus, Mustelier can play the outfield and third base.

I'm sure Francisco is a nice guy and he's made a noble effort, but he's not cutting it, not like the others at least and with all the injuries, a change is needed... it's just my opinion and the opinion of many of the other Yankee fans as well.

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THE REASON JUAN RIVERA WAS RELEASED

Juan Rivera had a good run this spring hitting .305. Juan Rivera is a nice guy and Juan Rivera could have been put on the 40 man roster by the Yankees, but according to Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News (HERE), the Yankees chose to release Juan Rivera instead.

Look, it's business. The real story on why this happened is easy to understand. Trust me, as a fan, you can understand why Rivera was released. The biggest thing was Juan Rivera was not a true first baseman and Lyle Overbay is, and has better experience there. Rivera was the square in a round hole at first base for the Yankees.  Overbay is round... you know what I mean?

Also, you need to understand that signing Vernon Wells pretty much starts to eliminate a spot for Rivera in the outfield as well. I mean, how many outfielders can the Yankees actually have? We already have Vernon, Ichiro Suzuki and Brett Gardner. Then, Ben Francisco, who is solid. You also have Thomas Neal  who I believe will be with us in our minor league system and Brennan Boesch can play the outfield too.  I just don't know if we really need more.

 (In Photo: Ronnier Mustelier)
And, if we did, then we'll call up Melky Mesa or Ronnier Mustelier. In a nutshell, what seemed like a sure thing for Juan Rivera turned into a guy underwater breathing out a straw. He's was suffocating and eventually got snuffed out with the Yankees last minute moves in acquiring Wells and Overbay.

I like Rivera and he did well for us, but it's clear the Yankees have other plans and the timing worked out when first baseman Lyle Overbay showed up.  Rivera ended up losing out to lack of experience at first and overcrowding in the outfield, that's it!  One thing that sucks is Rivera put in his time. Unfortunately though, he ran out of time and with Ben Francisco and Lyle Overbay making the club, again... Juan Rivera is replaceable.

I wish Rivera the best. The timing was wrong, but he'll land on his feet somewhere. Unfortunately there won't be a sequel to the "Juan Rivera is a Yankee" flick anytime soon.

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THE VERNON WELLS TRADE IS BIZARRO

As the Yankees and Angels wait for the acquisition of Vernon Wells is approved, read HERE, There is no doubt, I have questions.

Look, as a Yankee fan, I just don't get the Vernon Wells trade.  Sure, you can look Wells and his Spring Training numbers, like my bud Travis Willis commented to me late last night, and tell me just how important this trade is, and I see the numbers, I get the point, and you know what? I understand and I respect that opinion, believe me. Willis wrote this below:

Love that opinion on Wells, and trust me, if those numbers translate to the rest of the Yankees season, I'm the first guy at the gate. But from my own perspective, it's the Spring, and it's 14 games and I am not so sure a small batch like that matters. I could be wrong... and I hope I am, but that's me.

(In Photo: Ben Francisco)But the Yankees confuse me... that's all.  Let me tell you what does matter in my opinion.  What does matter is what the fans think, and many of us, the majority of us are scratching our heads wondering why guys like Melky Mesa, or Ronnier Mustelier, or even a Ben Francisco or Juan Rivera or Thomas Neal or Brennan Boesch aren't being used?  Players, that are trying to earn a spot all spring who will soon either be released or moved to the minors to make room for Vernon Wells.  It's strange, it really is.

In other words, if the Yankees plan was to go on the cheap and get the best bang for our buck, then why are the Yankees now willing to pay $13 million for a 34 year old outfielder? Is it because they don't have to pay $42 million and it's a steal? I guess.  Again, I'm asking, I'm not pissed, I'm not angry... I'm just confused... it's Bizarro, much like the bad guy Superman used to fight in the comics... it's backwards.

The Yankees and Brian Cashman are continually keeping us on our toes.  The Yankees and Brian Cashman have made it pretty clear that they were going on the cheap to make it under the $189 million, 2014 cap.  Hal also mentioned that they weren't "done yet" and I guess this is what they meant. But Vernon Wells is not the Vernon Wells that I used to love with Toronto.  Vernon Wells is not a franchise player anymore.  Vernon Wells is a 34 year old outfielder that can't move around as well as a Melky Mesa, or even a Thomas Neal.

What Wells has done in his career is rake, but can he do it these days? An important question. Can he contribute when we really need it? If he can't, are you really going to go out and get a Vernon Wells Yankee jersey? Is he the merchandise player the Yankees really need? Will we rally if he can't do his job?

Again, I'm a fan with questions. I'm saying this move is bizarre. I am saying it's weird and under the radar, and a surprise and all of that.  If Wells comes over and the deal is done and he fits in nicely, I'm "Team Wells", believe me. No one wants the Yankees to win more than me, but I just can't wrap my head around this move... can you?

Comment and tell me.

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VERNON WELLS TO THE YANKEES IS INEVITABLE

 Update from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports HERE: The Yankees will pay less than $10 million over 2 years of the money owed to Wells.  Angels will pay $32 million of his $42 million contract.

This thing is moving quickly...

Here's a question... Why couldn't we just stick with Melky Mesa? Just asking.

I know you've read it all over the Internet, but it's worth me reporting it on BYB right now. The Yankees are close to a deal to acquire Vernon Wells, a 34 year old outfielder from the Los Angeles Angels. You heard me right.  Look, my opinion on this is simple. If the Yankees didn't sign Ben Francisco or Juan Rivera or Thomas Neal, I would understand this... but now, just 1 week before the 1st game of the 2013, I don't get it.  That being said... it's going to happen and soon.

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tweets HERE that the deal "will get done."  I am dying to know who the hell the Yankees are going to give up.  Let's hope I'm not going to be heartbroken.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.com HERE, tweets that this all depends on a physical.

So, stay tuned... if and when a deal happens, we will report it here on BYB.

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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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GUESS WHERE CHRIS DICKERSON JUST SIGNED...

So news broke earlier today that Chris Dickerson has signed a deal with the Baltimore Orioles.  Good for him.  You can read about it HERE. The deal is a minor league deal and an invitation to Spring Training.

For all of you that suddenly hate Dickerson for going to the enemy... think again.  This is a guy that was let go by the New York Yankees so we could sign guys like Thomas Neal and Matt Diaz.  Confused yet? I am.  Dickerson did what he needed to do, look for a job and you know what? He got one because he's actually a good ballplayer. I knew he'd latch onto a team! Look, we all knew what Dickerson brought us as a player and while I have nothing against Diaz and Neal, from my personal standpoint, Dickerson deserved a shot.

I wish Chris well.  On Twitter he was personable, he always interacted with the fans, and he even announced it today and thanked us who rooted and supported him while he was in pinstripes.  That Tweet is below.

Take a minute, congratulate the dude, and we'll probably see him this season.

Good luck Chris, you are the man!

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JUAN RIVERA SIGNS WITH THE YANKEES

It's true, that right handed bat that Brian Cashman wanted?? Juan Rivera apparently is it. I'm not kidding.  It is being revealed by Andrew Marchand of ESPN that Juan Rivera has signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, read HERE. According to Marchand, "It is a minor league deal, allowing Rivera to compete with Matt Diaz and Russ Canzler to be a right-handed-hitting outfielder for the Yankees."

No surprises here from me, I'm defeated.  Look, it's always nice to have a Yankee reunion of course, and you all remember Juan right?  He had a nice short visit with us and also had a good run with teams like the Angels and Dodgers.  He's a decent hitter, not a great fielder, but hey, this must have been what the Yankees were talking about when they wanted a right field outfielder with alittle pop.  Rivera has that and he's cheap. 

Look, who knows who's going to come out of this outfielder competition between Diaz, Canzler, Thomas Neal and Rivera, but I'm at peace with the Yankee penny pinching and I'm not gonna get nuts about it.  It's not worth it.  And yes, I understand Neal's a left fielder, but they are collecting all these guys to compete, that's it.

I will tell you something. I understand why so many people are nuts with the Yankees off season, me included at timed.  It's shows in BYB's readership today.  A ton of fans read  "I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE" and it really resonated with a lot of you. I know you're all feeling the same way. I just have to say, hang in there.

Fans are truly disappointed with the Yankees lack of movement.  I am too, but my New Year's resolution was to not be angry anymore.  There are more important things going on in life, I can't get upset...besides, "Pitchers and Catchers" is 16 days away.  I can't wait!

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YANKS MAKE THOMAS NEAL OFFICIAL... THANK GOD

Sarcasm drips from my title...

The Yankees have made the signing of Thomas Neal official signing him to a minor league deal.  Neal is a corner outfielder. Ironically, this is the guy that was designated for assignment when Nick Swisher was added to the Indians roster, read HERE.

So now it appears the Yankees will throw Neal into the mix and we can Frankenstein our way toward a championship this season.  Why do I say that? Because according to Brian Cashman, he told Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News (HERE) that a right handed outfielder is an important thing. He said: "Obviously, we need a right-hander because we have all these outfielders who are left-handed... You can get them through trades and free agency, but it’s a limited market and it might not define itself anytime soon.”

OK Then. Truth be told, we don't NEED a right handed outfielder, but I'm holding Cashman to what he said.  Read WE NEED TO HOLD YANKEE BRASS TO THEIR WORD for my thoughts on that.

By the way... Thomas Neal has 1 year of pro experience and is a .217 hitter with no home runs and 23 at bats... just saying.

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