Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Mark Melancon

Melancon Rips Yankee Stadium Crowd

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Apparently Mark Melancon doesn’t think the Yankee Stadium crowd was very supportive during his short stint. Melancon told the Houston Chronicle the big difference with the crowd at Minute Maid Park is that “you feel like (the fans) have your back.” I am sure this isn’t a big deal to Yankees fans as Melancon only […]

A Low Risk/High Reward Deadline For Yanks

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Although the Yankees didn’t get Cliff Lee, Dan Haren, or Joakim Soria they still addressed their needs with the acquisitions of Lance Berkman, Austin Kearns, and Kerry Wood. Although I don’t believe Berkman will have all that much impact, the trade is the prototypical low risk/high reward for Brian Cashman unless Mark Melancon develops in […]

Why Berkman Agreed to the Yanks Trade

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Hearing a couple of things about why Lance Berkman agreed to the Yankees trade. - Andy Pettitte is a good friend and helped convince him to waive the 10 and 5 to come to New York. Remember, Berkman turned down a trade to the White Sox earlier in the process. - There are rumblings that […]

Joba Still the Best Option for Eighth

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Joba Chamberlain’s performance as the Yankees’ primary eighth-inning reliever has been unacceptable. Look, I know the man and am in his corner as much as anyone.  However, the fact remains his 1-4, 5.79 mark with three blown saves in 39 appearances is not what is needed in this role. So what should  the Yankees do.  […]

The 2006 Yankees Draft All Over Current Roster

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

I was talking with baseball writer Joe Delgrippo yesterday about the Yankees. A point he has made on the show in the past was how solid the Yankees 2006 amateur draft was. This was early on when Brian Cashman wrestled control of the team. The organization decided to not only spend on free agents, but […]

DeJesus A Good Fit for Yanks But is there Room?

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Back in early December I brought up Kansas City outfielder David DeJesus as someone that could be a “value player” available in the marketplace. DeJesus is actually a local product that was born in Brooklyn and played for Rutgers University. He was drafted by the Mets in 1997, but did not sign. Yesterday, Jon Heyman […]

Where’s The Relief?

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

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: […]

Sublett Getting Hits in Some Key Spots

Monday, April 19th, 2010

During spring training, 24-year-old Damon Sublett knew what he had to accomplish. Play well enough to earn a roster spot with the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees’ Double-A Eastern League farm team. The native of Wichita, Kan., who was taken in the seventh round of the 2007 draft after starring at hometown Wichita State, made it […]

NYBD Staff Yankees Predictions

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

Here are some predictions from some members of NYBD: Mike Silva Final Record: 95-67 Finish: AL East, AL Champions, Lose in World Series Team MVP: A-Rod Biggest Disappointment: Curtis Granderson Player not on Roster that Will Make an Impact: Mark Melancon Jed Weisberger Final Record 98-64 Finish: AL East Champion; AL Champion; World Series Champion […]

Girardi Might Not Take Two Lefties

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

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 […]

Melancon and Whelan Need to Step Up

Monday, January 11th, 2010

With lefties Phil Coke and Michael Dunn heading to Detroit and Atlanta, respectively, righties Mark Melancon and Kevin Whelan will be given chances to fill bullpen spots in spring training. If they can accomplish that, and lefty Damaso Marte is healthy and flashes the form he did in the postseason – and fellow southpaw Boone […]

Trades Don’t Mean Yanks are Downplaying Development

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Yankees fans seemed pleased with the acquisition of pitcher Javier Vazquez, a perfect No. 4 starter for the club. Mets fans, who sit waiting for a move that is at least similar, wish their team had the resources to accomplish that. Those “resources’’ are prospects and major-leaguers, not stars, such as Melky Cabrera.  The Yankees […]

Factors Dictate Joba Needs To Stay in the Bullpen

Monday, October 19th, 2009

As many, I have had my fill of the “Joba Rules’’ discussion and what it means to Joba Chamberlain himself. If his work in this year’s postseason doesn’t demonstrate why he belongs in the bullpen – and the top in-house option to succeed Mariano Rivera as Yankees closer in a few years – what will? […]

Betances TJ Surgery Creates Questions

Sunday, August 30th, 2009

Mike Ashmore gives the details about the injury to Dellin Betances who is the fourth Yankees pitching prospect to require major surgery this year. Ian Kennedy, Christian Garcia, George Kontos, and now Dellin Betances have gone down. Kontos, just like Betances, needs Tommy John surgery. Betances was having a horrible year at Tampa with a […]

Saturday Evening Thoughts

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

Friday night’s walk-off homer by Robbie Cano was a great start to the Chicago series. The Yanks needed to get off to a good start this weekend and they did just that. I know a lot of people hate games like Saturday’s 10-0 blowout, but I’m not one of them. I love it when the […]