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 […]

Just a week ago we saw Hideki Matsui get a nice ovation when returning to Yankee Stadium to receive his championship ring. On Tuesday, Edwar Ramirez and Chad Gaudin received their rings when the Yanks visited Oakland. The best story yet was the unexpected visit by Brian Cashman to Citi Field last night to present […]

There are rumors of the Mets having interest in former Yankees pitcher Chad Gaudin. In reaching out to NYBD contributor Frank Russo, he told me there were some concerns around the Yankees that Gaudin’s health may not have been 100%. Of course, that is unconfirmed and we have to assume the any team that signs […]

It seems the Yankees will look to get something from Sergio Mitre or Chad Gaudin this spring. Rumors are abound the Arizona Diamondbacks would be interested in one for their rotation. Right now Jamie Hoffmann has not been lighting the world on fire this spring. Although Marcus Thames and Randy Winn haven’t either, they have […]

I had Yankees beat reporter for Newsday Erik Boland on Sunday’s show. We talked, among other things, about the Yankees bullpen. An interesting bit of information from Boland was that Joe Girardi will not necessarily take two lefties north. Both Boone Logan and Royce Ring have been pitching ok, but the crowded Yankees bullpen, even […]

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 […]

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 […]

Brian Cashman was on with Mike Francesa yesterday in a must listen interview for Yankees fans. Of course, the topic of the fifth spot came up and Cashman talked about the need to balance the team needs with the future development of Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes. One thing is for sure, Cashman doesn’t show […]

It appears my post regarding radio talk speculation about Alfredo Aceves going to the minors has started some dialogue. The good folks at River Avenue Blues discussed both sides of this debate earlier today. Both Joe Pawlikowski and Mike Axisa both make points about why sending Aceves and Hughes respectively to the minors would be […]

Last night Chad Jennings joined me on the weekly Sunday podcast. We talked about the young players in camp specifically Jamie Hoffmann, Kevin Russo, Ramiro Pena, Juan Miranda and Reegie Corona. When talking about the bullpen, Jennings speculated about a scenario that Chan Ho Park could send Aceves to the minors. Right now the Yankees […]

The Yankees made an early spring training signing inking Chan Ho Park to a 1 year deal worth $1.2 million dollars with another $300k worth of incentives. Park spent last years with the Phillies. Last week I broke down the Yankees bullpen I had five locks (Mariano Rivera, Damaso Marte, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves and […]

In a very unscientific, but telling poll at NoMaas, 57% of fans voted in favor of Phil Hughes starting over Joba Chamberlain. When first seeing this poll up I thought it would be evenly split, after all, the venom I get anytime I question the ceiling, role, or mental toughness of Chamberlain made me think […]

The Yankees bullpen, like most other positions, appears to be pretty much set going into spring training. However, there are some interesting decisions that Joe Girardi will have to make before opening day: Locks: Mariano Rivera, Damaso Marte, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain Competition: Boone Logan, Chad Gaudin, Sergio Mitre, […]

As we near the reporting date for pitchers and catchers I will be looking at the major battles for both New York teams. Let’s start off with really the only big question mark for the Yankees: Who will be the fifth starter? Locks: Sabathia, Vazquez, Burnett, Pettitte Competition: Chamberlain, Hughes, Mitre, Gaudin Long Shot: Romulo […]