TRENTON, N.J. – What are the odds Alfredo Aceves and Orlando (El Duque) Hernandez would find themselves in Waterfront Park on a Friday night in August? In that unpredictable world known as Minor League Baseball, it can happen. Aceves, 27, was in Thunder attire, starting a five- or six-day rehab with the Yankees’ Double-A farm [...]

Our main Yankees source down in Tampa informed us on Tuesday morning that the team has had second thoughts in regards to the bullpen, and are having internal discussions in regards to acquiring possible help in that area. “Because of the Aceves injury, (he’s out indefinitely), they’re looking at both short and long relief help. If anything, they will look to bring up some [...]

That unexpected bite the ‘pork chop on a stick’ took in Minnesota last week to the shock and awe of Kim Jones was the perfect image for the Yanks in May. While the Bronx wasn’t ‘burning’, it was bumbling as the DL and walking wounded continued to expose the age and rust on the back [...]

When I saw Boone Logan enter the Yankees game this afternoon I started to fumble through the box score because I didn’t think Joba Chamberlain had pitched. As the game went from 7-3 to a precarious 7-5 first Boone Logan, then Alfredo Aceves, was summoned to save the day. I could say this is a [...]

I said in spring training the Yankees might have the best bullpen in baseball. As we near the end of April the bullpen has some concerns in every inning outside of the ninth. Here are the key Yankees relievers not named Rivera so far: David Robertson: ERA+ of 39 and ERA of 10.80 Damaso Marte: [...]

After watching Javier Vazquez Sunday afternoon, there is reason to believe, after four starts, he should be pulled from the Yankees starting rotation for awhile. This is not because I am one of the many who remember what he did in 2004. It’s because both his velocity and command are not where they need to [...]

I am tired of the debate about the Yankees fifth starter. As I predicted, the Yankees fifth starter competition would blow up due to a boring training camp. This is what happens when you spend money, win a championship, and have good soldiers (including A-Rod) on your team. Instead of debating who should get the [...]

I thought something was fishy about Chamberlain pitching in the intrasquad game tomorrow, but earlier tonight on Twitter Jon Heyman said that Joba “is out of the Yanks rotation derby.” Does this mean Phil Hughes has won the competition or is this down to Aceves and Hughes? Whatever the case Joba appears headed back to [...]

Joe Girardi spoke to reporters about Joba Chamberlain’s outing tomorrow and said how “he’s got to pick it up. We’ve told him, you’ve got to pitch now. We gave you those couple of starts to get under your belt, now you’ve got to show us. You’ve got to pitch.” According to Chad Jennings, Girardi said [...]

I am becoming more of an Alfredo Aceves fans each day. Not only is he racking up the zeroes in Yankees camp (0.90 ERA), but he has a great perspective on success: no thinking. Aceves is no airhead, however, as Tyler Kepner noted in a piece from last summer. He thinks plenty as he devours [...]

I really don’t know what to make of the Yankees fifth starter competition. None of the participants, with the exception of Alfredo Aceves, has looked particularly good. Joba Chamberlain did his usual one inning meltdown, although Sam Borden said he was told to work on his pitches. Personally, I am tired of even talking about [...]

NYBD contributor Frank Russo reached out to his Tampa connections and passed me along some interesting tidbits: – There is actually a competition for the #5 spot and Alfredo Aceves has made a great impression on the Yankees brass. What does this mean for Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain? Both would go to the bullpen, [...]

I always enjoy reading Rob Neyer’s Monday Mendozas but this one stood out to me: Ian Kennedy‘s a former first-round pick who throws five pitches and has a 1.95 career ERA in the minor leagues. Here’s a prediction for you: He’ll finish 2009 with a better ERA than whoever winds up being the Yankees’ No. [...]

If you were looking to fill a hole in your rotation and gave you this scouting report would you be interested in the pitcher? PITCHES: Throws fastball 90-92mph (47% of all pitches), cutter 87-90 (14%), curveball 77-82 (20%), changeup 80-85 (19%). FB is most effective, cutter least effective. 1,232 total pitches (62% in the strike [...]

Today was only the beginning of the battle for the fifth spot in the Yankees rotation. Our good friend Ari Kaplan from the Ariball Scouting Service broke down all the candidates with his scouting reports take a read: Alfredo Aceves: PITCHES: Throws fastball 90-92mph (47% of all pitches), cutter 87-90 (14%), curveball 77-82 (20%), changeup [...]