Yankees News
10-1-14: For the second year in a row, the Yankees won't be taking part in October baseball. That's not a good look for a club that dished out massive contracts to Brian McCann, Masahiro Tanaka, Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury in the offseason. Injuries to the starting rotation played a big role as to why the Yankees are going home early this season. One would expect them to be a player in the free agent crop this coming offseason.
9-30-14: The New York Yankees welcomed back starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka late last week and in a corresponding roster move designated relief pitcher Chaz Roe for assignment. Roe, 27, was acquired from the Miami Marlins at the August 31 trading deadline after posting a 3.66 ERA in Triple-A in Miami’s farm system. New York also claimed outfielder Eury Perez off waivers from the Washington Nationals this week. In a corresponding roster move the Yankees designated lefty specialist Josh Outman for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster for Perez. Derek Jeter played his final game in Yankee Stadium on Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles and played his last game of his career in Boston on Sunday ending his 20 season major league career. Ichiro Suzuki and Hiroki Kuroda have likely played their last games as well in Yankee Stadium and in a Yankee uniform as both are free agents at the end of this season. Hiroki pitched a remarkable eight innings in his final start while Jeter hit a walk off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to win his final game in the Bronx. Jeter played in the final two games of the season in Boston and left after an RBI single in Game 162 to conclude his great Hall of Fame 20 season career. #RE2PECT. New York finished the 2014 season with a 84-78 record and will not be in the 2014 postseason.
9-25-14: New York still has some life as they’re five games back of the No. 2 AL wild-card spot. Masahiro Tanaka took the mound Sunday for the first time since rehabbing from a partially torn UCL. He looked good, throwing 70 pitches and allowing five hits in 5.1 innings of work. That’s a positive sign for Yankees’ fans heading into next season. The Derek Jeter farewell tour wraps up this week. His final game in Yankee Stadium scheduled for this Thursday against the Orioles before the Yankees close out the season against the Red Sox at Fenway.
9-23-14: The New York Yankees finally got ace starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka back this week as he has been resting and rehabbing a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament since July 8 of this season. Tanaka faced off with the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. The Yankees line of thinking on bringing Tanaka back this season is to determine whether a Tommy John surgery is necessary. If Tanaka needs the surgery the Yankees would rather get it done in October and not March or April of 2015 essentially saving six or seven months of rest and rehab time. Tanaka was one of Brian Cashman’s best signings of the offseason but one signing that Cashman originally did not want to make was that of former Mets outfielder Chris Young. Cashman had initially passed on Young before being convinced by the Yankees statistical analyst team to make the signing and Young has responded well in pinstripes. Young has had multiple clutch hits and home runs in the month of September as a member of the Yankees.
9-18-14: The Yankees are six games back for the second AL wild-card spot with three teams to pass. It's fair to say their playoff hopes are slim at best with two weeks to go. New York has done a nice job of holding things together through all the injuries. However, missing the playoffs for a second straight season after spending nearly a half a billion dollars in the offseason will not cut it. They will shore up the starting rotation in the offseason with reliable arms.
9-16-14: The New York Yankees rookie sensation Masahiro Tanaka was named the most impactful rookie for the 2015 season in a poll conducted by MLB.com, results that speak volumes to the importance of Tanaka since he won the vote and has missed two months while trying to avoid Tommy John surgery. Speaking of Tanaka he threw a minor league game this week and may be activated before next weekend’s games as he continues to rest and rehab his ulnar collateral ligament. The Yankees are close to getting Tanaka back and have gotten David Phelps back as a relief pitcher after he missed closed to two months with elbow inflammation in his right throwing elbow. New York would not have time to properly stretch Phelps out as a starter so the team is going to bring him back as a reliever for the rest of 2014. One player the Yankees are very likely to get back in 2015 is Alex Rodriguez and he may have to learn a new position. Many bloggers and insiders are wondering if the Yankees should ask Rodriguez to learn first base over the winter and join a rotation that could see him receiving playing time at first base, third base, and DH next season allowing the Yankees to retain Chase Headley’s services as well going forward.
9-12-14: The Yankees continue to be on the fringe of contention, as they have gone 12-13 in their last 25 games played and currently sit 5.5 games back for the second AL wild-card spot. For all the moves this team made last offseason, it’s been the acquisitions of Martin Prado and Brandon McCarthy that have been the two best additions to this roster, Their contributions have been a big reason the team has managed to stick around.
9-9-14: The New York Yankees acquired relief pitcher Chaz Roe from the Miami Marlins just before the August trading deadline passed but the team did not have to make a roster move to place the righty on the team’s 40 man roster until Tuesday when they Masahiro Tanaka was transferred to the 60 day DL. New York also designated outfielder Zoilo Almonte for assignment and released RHP Matt Daley while transferring Slade Heathcott to the 60 day DL making room for outfielders Antoan Richardson and Chris Young, and called up RHP Chase Whitley, Bryan Mitchell, and Preston Claiborne. Lefty Rich Hill was brought back to the team for the bullpen and John Ryan Murphy was called up to be the Yankees third catcher on the roster. These call ups along with acquisitions like Brandon McCarthy, Martin Prado, and Chase Headley may have ultimately saved Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s job as the team announced this week that they were interested in bringing Cashman back on a new contract for the 2015 season. None of this were even on the same playing field as when the Yankees held an amazingly fitting ceremony for Derek Jeter on Derek Jeter Day to end the week.
9-4-14: Series losses to the Tigers and Blue Jays on the road last week have hurt the Yankees playoff
chances a bit. New York finds themselves five games out of the second wild-card spot heading
into the final month of the season. Any thoughts of Masahiro Tanaka returning were put on hold
when he was shut down over the weekend due to arm soreness. The Yankees have been finding
ways to win as of late so I would not count this team out come the postseason.
9-2-14: The New York Yankees started this week by signing former New York Mets outfielder Chris Young to a minor league deal. This started a dominoes effect on the minor league roster as outfielder and potential September call up Adonis Garcia was also activated off the disabled list. The Yankees released RHP Alfredo Aceves and second baseman Corban Joseph as the corresponding roster moves for the Triple-A Scranton RailRiders. The Yankees are also hinging their playoff hopes on the right elbow of Masahiro Tanaka as he inches towards returning to the mound in the Bronx. Tanaka threw a 45 pitch simulated game this week and will need at least two or three more simulated games before returning to the majors according to manager Joe Girardi. This was announced before Tanaka was sent back to New York with general arm soreness and essentially shut down for a week by the team. The Yankees ended the week by acquiring relief pitcher Josh Outman from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Rich Hill was designated for assignment to make room for Outman on the active roster.
8-27-14: After losing a series to the Astros, the Yankees managed to salvage last week by sweeping the Chicago White Sox. They opened up a three game series with the Tigers Tuesday in which they were defeated 5-2. They are now 3.5 games back in the AL wild-card hunt. Brandon McCarthy had a tough start Tuesday against the Tigers. McCarthy allowed five runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings. He did strike out five and walk two during the outing. Prior to that, McCarthy has been brilliant and has made a strong case of being re-signed in the offseason.
8-26-14: The New York Yankees may be looking toward 2015 a little bit with this week’s signing of relief pitcher Wilking Rodriguez. Rodriguez was recently designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals after the Royals acquired Josh Willingham from the Minnesota Twins. Rodriguez is 24 years old and fresh off two scoreless innings in his major league debut with the Royals earlier this season. Rodriguez has split time between Double-A and Triple-A this season and has posted a 2.36 ERA with a 9.1 K/9 ratio in 26.2 innings in 2014. This comes after the Yankees lost yet another star to injury after Carlos Beltran felt another spike of pain go through his elbow after taking a swing against the Houston Astros this week. The Yankees are looking everywhere for replacements and upgrades and have been claiming everyone on revocable waivers but have not been able to work out a deal for any players as of yet.
8-20-14: Believe it or not, the Yankees are currently just four games out of the second wild-card spot in the NL. They lost to the lowly Houston Astros on Tuesday but finish off the week playing the Chicago White Sox. They have a great chance to erase some of that deficit this week. Masahiro Tanaka continues to make progress toward a possible September return, which is excellent news for Yankees’ fans.
8-19-14: The New York Yankees welcomes back Michael Pineda off the 60 day disabled list this week and he pitched well against the Baltimore Orioles before the bullpen imploded. The Yankees are getting closer and closer to getting Masahiro Tanaka back as well as he has progressed to throwing fastballs and throwing off a mound while trying to rehab a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right throwing elbow. Tanaka is not expected back before September but the Yankees are more worried about their 25 year old avoiding Tommy John surgery. Chris Leroux was designated for assignment to make room for Pineda on both the 25 man and 40 man rosters. Matt Daley was also designated for assignment for the third time this season by the Yankees and will once again be stashed down in Triple-A with the Scranton RailRiders.
8-13-14: The additions of Brandon McCarthy, Chris Capuano, Chase Headley, Martin Prado, Stephen Drew and Esmil Rogers may not have grabbed many headlines like the Tigers and A’s did, but the Yankees are a better team than they were a month or so ago. They currently sit just 2.5 games out of the second wildcard spot in the AL. Their game Tuesday versus Baltimore was postponed due to rain. The game will made up on Sept. 12 as part of a split doubleheader.
8-12-14: The New York Yankees had a mixed bag of news come their way this week as they lost yet another starting pitcher when David Phelps was placed on the 15 day DL with elbow inflammation. The Yankees are closer to getting Michael Pineda back as he has made two rehab starts for New York and expects to be in the Bronx next week to essentially replace Phelps in the rotation. The loss of Phelps has hurt the bullpen some but no more than the loss of Matt Thornton. Thornton was placed on revocable waivers and claimed by the Washington Nationals and New York allowed Washington to acquire the lefty for the price of his contract, roughly $4.5 million through this season and next. The Yankees immediately purchased the contract of Rich Hill to act as the LOOGY in the bullpen to replace Thornton. The Yankees also placed three other players on waivers and they all cleared waivers in Brett Gardner, Martin Prado, and Stephen Drew.
8-6-14: The Yankees are in the midst of facing Detroit's three CY Young Award winners. They edged Max Scherzer on Monday, fell to David Price Tuesday night and will next see Justin Verlander on Wednesday night. Brian McCann and Martin Prado each homered for New York, who saw their three game winning streak snapped Tuesday 4-3 in 12 innings. This was the Yankees' 16th straight game decided by two or fewer runs. They're 9-7 in that span and it's the longest such streak in the majors since a 16 game stretch by Baltimore in 1975. New York is six games back of AL East leading Baltimore and just one game back in the ultra-tight wildcard race.
8-5-14: The New York Yankees continued to make subtle improvements at this year’s trading deadline as the team made multiple moves before the 31st deadline. The Yankees started the day by trading Kelly Johnson to the Boston Red Sox for Stephen Drew in a straight swap of players. This was a rare occurrence as the Yankees and Red Sox have not gotten together on a trade since the Mike Stanley trade of 1997. New York also claimed right handed relief pitcher Esmil Rogers off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays and released Triple-A infielder Scott Sizemore to make room on the 40 man roster. The Yankees snuck in one last trade before the deadline as they traded Peter O’Brien and either a player to be named later or cash considerations to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Martin Prado. Prado will bounce around the field for the Yankees but is likely to get the bulk of his playing time in the outfield for the pinstripes.
7-30-14: The New York Yankees started the week by acquiring Chase Headley from the San Diego Padres for Yangervis Solarte and 23 year old right handed starting pitcher Rafael DePaula. Headley paid immediate dividends in the Bronx as he got a walk off single in his first game as a Yankee. The Yankees lost Kelly Johnson in that same game to a strained groin muscle and placed him on the 15 day DL. With the corresponding roster move the Yankees called up Chris Leroux for a fresh arm in the bullpen and designated Bruce Billings to clear the 40 man roster spot for Leroux. Leroux was not long for the team though as the Yankees acquired Chris Capuano from the Colorado Rockies for cash considerations and immediately designated Leroux for assignment. Capuano was immediately placed in the starting rotation and Chase Whitley was bumped to the bullpen.
7-28-14: The Yankees, who have been very active as they approach the July 31 trade deadline, have been one of the league’s best teams since the All-Star break. They acquired Chase Headley and Chris Capuano this past week, and they checked in on John Danks. Even without Mark Teixeira in the lineup, the Yankees moved their winning streak to four games with a 6-4 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
7-24-14: Chase Headley, who made his Yankees debut Tuesday, hit a game-winning single in the 14th inning to give New York a 2-1 victory against the lowly Texas Rangers. Texas’ J.P. Arencibia snapped a scoreless tie with a leadoff homer in the 13th against New York reliever David Huff, but the Yanks responded with Brett Gardner's leadoff double and Jacoby Ellsbury's tying single off Joakim Soria in the bottom half. Derek Jeter broke Lou Gehrig's franchise record for doubles in the game as well. New York is four games back of Baltimore in AL East play.
7-21-14: The New York Yankees designated Alfonso Soriano for assignment last week and began this week by releasing the struggling outfielder. The Yankees are on the hook for the rest of the $5 million they owe him for this season and any team that signs him will only be on the hook for the prorated league minimum of $500K, or roughly $200K for the rest of the season. Soriano has speculated and contemplated retirement over the last week and may decide to hang up his spikes rather than try and latch on with another team. The Yankees watched their All Star shortstop play in his final All Star Game and collect two hits before being removed to a standing ovation in Target Field in Minnesota. To end the week the Yankees learned that CC Sabathia would not require microfracture knee surgery that would likely end his career but will require a minor clean up type knee surgery that will end his 2014 season.
7-19-14: After Major League Baseball celebrated Derek Jeter in his final All-Star Game, the Yankees got back to business as they moved back to above .500 with a 4-3 victory on Friday. Even before it was announced that CC Sabathia was having season-ending surgery, Brian Cashman said that the organization will have to find some more pitching to help the team compete soon.
7-17-14: The Yankees split a series with the Indians to kick off last week before dropping a series to the Orioles in Baltimore over the weekend. The big news from the week, however, was the loss of rookie phenom Masahiro Tanaka. Tanaka was found to have a partial tear in his UCL, and while he has opted for six weeks of rehab in order to avoid Tommy John surgery, the odds are stacked against him. The Yanks have already acquired Brandon McCarthy from Arizona, and picked up left-hander Jeff Francis from Oakland, but there's no one on the market that can replace Tanaka.
7-17-14: A pair of walk-off wins against the Chicago White Sox and a series win against the Houston Astros over the weekend have the Red Sox entering the break on a positive note. They sit 9 ½ games out in the AL East, though, and have not had the look of a contender at any point. A.J. Pierzynski was designated for assignment, and more veteran pieces could be on the way out in the weeks to come. Right-hander Jake Peavy should be dealt, and the team could entertain offers for John Lackey and Jon Lester.
7-15-14: The New York Yankees got the worst news they could have imagined this week when Masahiro Tanaka gave up a career high 10 hits and a career high five earned runs in a loss to the Cleveland Indians. Tanaka was leading the league with 12 wins and still had a respectable 2.51 ERA before the Yankees placed him on the 15 day disabled list with what the team is calling right elbow inflammation. If any man deserves a “Most Valuable Player” award it is Tanaka because he has had the team on his right arm and shoulders all season long. The Yankees have already lost three of their original five starting pitchers this season and losing Tanaka for an extended period of time after getting the news of his partially torn ulnar collateral ligament may end up burying the Yankees. Four doctors, including Dr. James Andrews, have recommended rest and rehab over surgery so that is encouraging for the 25 year old and the Yankees.
7-14-14: Even with the Yankees falling back to .500 with a 3-2 extra-inning loss on Friday at Baltimore, New York has been hanging around in the American League East. Unfortunately, Joe Girardi’s rotation is going to be short-handed for more than a month as Masahiro Tanaka has a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. The Yankees attempted to fill in their rotation as they acquired Brandon McCarthy and Jeff Francis.
7-10-14: Masahiro Tanaka's bid to become the major league's first 13-game winner failed Tuesday night in Cleveland as the rookie All-Star righty allowed season worsts of five runs and 10 hits in 6 2-3 innings as the Yankees fell to the Indians 5-3. New York couldn’t get much offense going throughout the game as the Yankees were held to just four hits, none after Brian McCann's one-out single in the third. Brian McCarthy, who was acquired from Arizona on Sunday, will make his Yankees debut Wednesday.
7-7-14: The Yankees had a difficult time with the American League East the last couple of weeks, but they have been happy thus far in Minnesota. After being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays, Joe Girardi’s squad took the first two games from the Twins. On Thursday, Masahiro Tanaka earned his league-leading 12th win of the season. Then on Friday, Brian Roberts went 4-for-5 and led New York to the 6-5 victory.
7-3-14: David Price and James Loney were the difference as the Rays downed the Yankees 2-1 Tuesday night. New York has now dropped eighth of their last 10 games played. Loney hit a go-ahead home run off starter Hiroki Kuroda in the sixth inning. Derek Jeter tied Lou Gehrig's team record for doubles, but the loss equals the Yankees worst skid this year with four consecutive losses. Despite all that, New York is only 3 ½ games back of Toronto for the AL East lead.
7-2-14: The New York Yankees have battled the injury bug this season but a couple key components are either back or working their way back. CC Sabathia made his first rehab assignment start for the Tampa Yankees and threw 37 pitches allowing two runs. On the same day Michael Pineda started a throwing program in an effort to try to get back on the mound this season for the Yankees. Shawn Kelley is back after a back injury and has been inconsistent, although healthy. The Yankees are looking at upgrading the team in the trade market and are looking at the likes of Martin Prado for third base and the infield and Brandon McCarthy, Ian Kennedy, David Price, Cliff Lee, or a Jason Hammel on the pitching side. Also the Yankees are getting ready for the opening of the International signing period that begins this Wednesday.
6-30-14: June has been a month of streaks for the Yankees. With their two wins on Wednesday and Friday, they look to begin yet another winning streak. Before their most recent four-game losing streak, they had a couple four-game winning streaks. Both Hiroki Kuroda and Fidel Nuno pitched well for the Yankees, who have not had strong pitching this year.
6-26-14: Yangervis Solarte costly error as he threw away a bunt was all Toronto needed as they beat New York 7-6 Tuesday night. Solarte picked up the ball and threw it past second baseman Brian Roberts covering first. The ball went into foul territory down the right-field line and Jose Reyes practically walked home for the win. Credit New York for battling back though. The Yankees trailed 6-0 before tying it in the seventh inning. The Yankees sit 3 ½ games back of the Blue Jays for the AL East lead.
6-24-14: The New York Yankees have exclusively been asking about starting pitching in their preliminary trade discussions but have also reportedly sent scouts to watch the Phillies John Mayberry Jr. Mayberry is listed as an outfielder but has dabbled in the infield as well and could be a better option as a first basemen’s backup than Kelly Johnson at this point. The Yankees surprisingly have a lot to trade including Dellin Betances, Adam Warren, and recently demoted catcher John Ryan Murphy. Murphy has garnered a ton of trade interest from other teams and could be moved to bring in a key piece and clear the logjam that the Yankees have behind the plate now and in the future. In a bit of disappointing injury news Michael Pineda had an MRI on his throwing shoulder and still has some inflammation which will shut him down at least another week or so, delaying his return to the Bronx once again.
6-18-14: Mashiro Tanaka’s leadoff home run to Toronto’s Jose Reyes on the first pitch of the game was his only blemish of the night as he earned his major league-high 11th victory as the New York Yankees beat Toronto 3-1 this past Tuesday night. This was the Yankees 14th straight home win over their rivals to the north. Tanaka (11-1) struck out 10 batters in six innings of work and left with an AL-best 1.99 ERA. The Japanense right-hander has made 14 starts this season and has gone at least six innings in every outing. In those games he’s never permitted more than three earned runs. Safe to say, Tanaka is the early favorite to take home the AL CY Young Award.
6-17-14: The New York Yankees have had a revolving door in the bullpen this season and it continued this week. Wade LeBlanc was claimed from the Los Angeles Angels and only pitched one inning for the club before being designated for assignment again. LeBlanc was outrighted to Triple-A after clearing waivers and will now decide whether to accept his minor league assignment or elect free agency. The Yankees needed to DFA LeBlanc after acquiring David Huff from the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations. This is the second time Huff has been on the Yankees this season and was designated for assignment this winter to make room for early Cy Young Award favorite Masahiro Tanaka. The Yankees also finally got Shawn Kelley off the disabled list after spending over a month on the DL with a back injury. In the final bullpen moves of the week the Yankees released 35 year old Brian Gordon and signed second round pick Jacob Lindgren to a slot recommended deal.
6-10-14: The New York Yankees added some bullpen and Triple-A depth this week by claiming Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Wade LeBlanc off waiver. The Yankees transferred Michael Pineda to the 60 day DL to make room on the 40 man roster for LeBlanc. LeBlanc is only 29 years old and has pitched just 6.1 Innings this season after spending much of his time this season in Triple-A as a starting pitcher. LeBlanc will add a second left hander to the bullpen that the Yankees and manager Joe Girardi covet so much and an obvious upgrade over mop up man Alfredo Aceves. Aceves cleared waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A while the Yankees look primed to get Shawn Kelley back in the fold after a back injury took over a month of his season. The Yankees also drafted Mississippi State’s ace relief pitcher Jacob Lindgren with their first pick, 55th overall, and is expected to sign him quickly. The Yankees also drafted Mariano Rivera III in the 29th round of the draft out of Iona College.
6-3-14: The New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is third overall in the American League in All Star Game voting and leads all shortstops in baseball in the voting. Jacoby Ellsbury is third among outfielders in the voting, Brian McCann is second among catchers, Carlos Beltran is fourth among outfielders, Mark Teixeira is fifth among first basemen, and Alfonso Soriano is fourth among DH’s in the American League. The Yankees injury big is still alive and well as Mark Teixeira continues to have trouble with his surgically repaired wrist and Michael Pineda had a setback after feeling some soreness and suffering from inflammation in his back and shoulder. There has been good news to come on that front though as relief pitcher Shawn Kelley is throwing off a mound as he tries to rehab a back injury and to date Carlos Beltran has avoided surgery on his elbow spur through rest and cortisone shots.
5-28-14: The New York Yankees missed out on the Stephen Drew sweepstakes as he came off the board and re-signed with the Boston Red Sox. The Yankees had some degree of interest in the Scott Boras client but seem content with the rotation of Yangervis Solarte, Derek Jeter, Brian Roberts, Brendan Ryan, and Kelly Johnson. Michael Pineda has been progressing in his rehab from his teres major muscle strain and will face live hitters in the coming days. If Pineda can come through this weekend pain free and trouble free he will move on to a minor league rehab assignment before coming back to the Bronx sometime in the middle of June. For every good injury update the Yankees get they get two not so good updates including the setback of Shawn Kelley while trying to rehab his back injury. CC Sabathia may also miss the rest of the season with a degenerative knee condition and Carlos Beltran may need in-season surgery to clean up a bone spur in his elbow that would keep him out at least two months.
5-21-14: The New York Yankees found out recently that they will be without their ace starting pitcher CC Sabathia until at least July with lingering degenerative knee conditions. Sabathia got stem cells injected into the knee to either try and reverse the condition or at least slow it down so he can continue to pitch. Even through all the injuries the Yankees still find themselves at the top of the American League East with huge contributions from rookies Dellin Betances, Adam Warren, Yangervis Solarte, and the undefeated Masahiro Tanaka. Including his time in Japan Tanaka has not lost a decision in his last 42 starts and is the only pitcher since 1900 to start his first eight starts of his major league career with six victories and 60 or more strikeouts.
5-15-14: The New York Yankees starting rotation is an absolute mess right now after CC Sabathia was placed on the 15 day DL with fluid buildup in his right knee. The Yankees hope that CC can get the knee drained, throw two bullpen sessions, and be back in 15 days. The Yankees definitely need CC back as two fellow starting pitchers are already on the disabled list and the rotation and bullpen is starting to look like a MASH unit. Despite the injuries the Yankees just keep winning and staying in the discussion for the American League East division and one of those Wild Card slots. The Yankees are still hoping to make the playoffs so they can send Derek Jeter off the way they hoped to have send Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera into retirement in 2013, with a World Series victory.
5-7-14: The New York Yankees injury bug is at it again as first Ivan Nova went under the knife with Tommy John surgery and now Michael Pineda has a strained teres major muscle in his back. Pineda was throwing a simulated game while on suspension for the use of illegal pine tar when the injury occurred and is now likely to miss at least a month with the injury. To make matters worse the Yankees offense is struggling, specifically Derek Jeter, leaving manager Joe Girardi with the tough decision of managing a farewell tour for the Yankee captain or managing a World Series contender. Right now for New York one does not look like it will lead to the other. The Yankees also welcomed Brendan Ryan back to the club as he is set to make his season debut after missing most of spring training and all of the first month with a back injury.
4-28-14: The New York Yankees may have had one of the most roller coaster beginnings to the 2014 season of any team across the league. New York lost both Mark Teixeira and David Robertson, both key components, to injury and enjoyed the unlikely emergences of Yangervis Solarte and Adam Warren to replace them. The Yankees pitching has been fabulous, especially Masahiro Tanaka and Michael Pineda, pine tar and all. Pineda has been suspended for ten games and will not appeal after using pine tar against the Boston Red Sox for the second time in less than two weeks against them. The suspension came at the worst possible time as the Yankees lost Ivan Nova to Tommy John surgery after a partial tear of his right ulnar collateral ligament. The Yankees do not seem to miss a beat though and are leading the American League East division in the early goings of 2014. Vote for Derek Jeter and his teammates for the MLB All Star Game as voting opens up this week.
4-24-14: The Yankees will be one man down in their starting pitching rotation. Michael Pineda has been suspended for 10 games after being caught using pine tar to improve his grip on the bal during last night's game vs the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The two teams will conclude the series tonight.
4-22-14: After leaving last Saturday's start with soreness in his elbow Ivan Nova was placed on the 15-day DL. He was diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament and likely headed for season-ending Tommy John surgery. TJ Surgery comes with a 12-18 month rehab, so the Yankees likely won't see their sinker-ball throwing right-hander until the middle of the 2015 season. Vidal Nuno will take his place in the rotation, at least for now.
4-14-14: Derek Jeter’s final ride isn’t off to an amazing start, yet his New York Yankees are still somehow in a first place tie atop the AL East with a 7-6 start. They got the past week started on the wrong foot with a 2-1 series loss to the Baltimore Orioles, but seemed to get back on track by taking three of four games against bitter rivals, the Boston Red Sox. Carlos Beltran has been the man making the offense go for the Yanks, tying for the team lead with three homers and also contributing eight RBI’s.
4-7-14: The New York Yankees had an up and down start to the 2014 MLB season, going just 3-3 in the first week. The Yanks dropped their first two games of the year to the Houston Astros before preventing a sweep with a 4-3 win in Houston, then capped week one by claiming two of three contests with the Toronto Blue Jays. New York has struggled out of the gates on offense, knocking out just one homer through the first six games, while shortstop Derek Jeter has gotten his final season off to a sluggish start, batting just .250.
4-2-14: Derek Jeter started his final season in pin stripes with a loss, as the New York Yankees struggled to generate offense in a 6-2 defeat by the hands of the Houston Astros. Jeter himself managed a hit, but the rest of the team connected on just five thanks to six solid innings from Astros starting pitcher, Scott Feldman. C.C. Sabathia was rocked in New York’s season opener, giving up eight hits and all six of Houston’s runs in just six innings.
3-27-14: The New York Yankees are once again trying to trade future Hall of Fame outfielder Ichiro Suzuki and his $6.5 million contract. The Bronx Bombers are willing to eat some of the money owed to Ichiro in order to get a better prospect in return in the deal no deal is imminent. Michael Pineda has beaten out David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, and Adam Warren in the team's fifth starter competition with the races for the bullpen and last two bench spots, with the back injury to Brendan Ryan keeping him from being on the Opening Day roster, still up for grabs. Yangervis Solarte, Dean Anna, Eduardo Nunez, and Scott Sizemore all seem to be the finalists for the bench jobs while Preston Claiborne, Dellin Betances, Cesar Cabral, and the losers of the fifth starter competition, among others, are vying for the bullpen slots. The Yankees have clinched a winning spring, have Jacoby Ellsbury playing in minor league games with Opening Day in his sights, and are playing out their time hoping to be healthy heading into 2014.
3-20-14: The New York Yankees have had some competition this spring with a wide open bullpen, four pitchers vying for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, and a plethora of infield options fighting for one bench spot making the spring fun to watch. Dellin Betances has dominated big league hitting as well as Masahiro Tanaka since coming to the United States from Japan. Michael Pineda has shined with his slider and has all but won the fifth starter competition beating out David Phelps, Vidal Nuno, and Adam Warren. The Yankees have struggled recently getting no hit against the Miami Marlins in the first game of the Legend Series in Panama honoring Mariano Rivera and have either lost or tied several games in the Grapefruit League. Jacoby Ellsbury has been sidelined with what is being described as a precautionary right calf injury, conveniently missing two games against his former Boston Red Sox team, and is looking to be ready for Opening Day on April 1 at the Houston Astros.
3-13-14: The New York Yankees have plenty of new shiny toys to show off and showcase this spring in Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann, and Masahiro Tanaka to name a few. New York also got the news that 2014 would be the final year of Derek Jeter's storied career. Mix that in with the return of Mark Teixeira from a wrist injury, Ichiro Suzuki continuing his march towards 3,000 hits in the states in a part time role, Tanaka making his state side debut and making batters look silly with his splitter, the return of Michael Pineda to the mound after two years off, and all the prospect depth and competitions going on and it has been a fun and interesting spring for all Bronx Bombers fans.
3-5-14: The Yankees made a ton of noise this off-season in terms of free-agent spending and they seem boys for a strong season. Coming into the spring outfielder Brett Gardner signed a four-year contract worth $52 million. Masahiro Tanaka struck out three batters in his United States debut. And first baseman Mark Teixeira, who has not played since his brief stint last season is on track to begin spring-training games. Also a slimmed-down CC sabathia you look sharp in his first spring-training outing.
3-4-14: Tanaka will get his first spring training start for the Yankees this Thursday as the Yanks visit Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater, Florida vs the Phillies. Tanaka pitched 2 scoreless innings for the club earlier this weekend against the same Phillies squad. The current cheapest ticket available behind home plate is $18.
3-3-14: Big money pitcher Masahiro Tanaka had a stellar spring training debut, striking out 3 in two scoreless innings over the Phillies. Tanaka is expected to make his first start for the team this Thursday vs the Phillies. Tickets for the game currently average $45 on the secondary market, with cheapest seat costing $18.
2-28-14: Derek Jeter made his Spring Training Debut yesterday in an 8-2 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jeter, who will be retiring at the end of this season, went 0 for 2 on two ground outs. Jeter was plagued by injury last season and missed all but 17 games during the Yankees 85-77 season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
2-27-14: The Yankees will hope for the best when Masahiro Tanaka makes his pitching debut for the team this Saturday in a Spring Training game vs the Philadelphia Phillies. Tanaka will pitch for 2 innnings, along with CC Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda. Tanaka signed a massive $155 million contract with the team this past off-season.
2-26-14: The Yankees faced Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston during their 8-3 exhibition victory vs Florida State. Winston was substituted in left field and went 0 for 2 with a strikeout and groundout. Ramon Flores homered for the Yanks in the 8th inning. The Yankees begin a 2 game set with the Pirates this afternoon.
2-25-14: The Yankees will take the field for a Spring Training exhibition against the Florida State Seminoles this Tuesday. Expected to close the game is Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. The two-sport student athlete lead the 'Noles to a national championship this past season. On the mound, he's only allowed 1 hit over 4 innings in 2014.
2-13-14 @ 9 AM:
- The current average ticket price for Jeter's last game is $1,112.93, which is up 265.05% since the time of the announcement ($304.87)
- The current get in price is $306 which is up 1,076.92% since the time of the announcement ($26)
- In the same time period above the Yankees home average ticket price increased from $206.97 to $236.48
- Single Game pre sale begins on 2/18
- By about 2:55pm Wednesday most tickets had been bought or pulled down by brokers and have since been relisted at higher prices
Below is the price movement for the last game of the Yankees regular season in Boston, which might be his final game of his career:
- The current average ticket price is $650.80, which is up 160.69% since the time of announcement ($249.65)
- The current get in price is $298, which is up 192.16% since announcement ($102)
2-12-14 @ 6 PM:
- The current average ticket price for Jeter's last game is $1,153.01, which is up 43.49% since 3:17pm EST ($803.54), up 176.08% since 2:46pm EST ($417.64), up 278.20% since 2:08pm EST ($304.87)
- The current get in price is $278 which is up 348.39% since 2:46pm EST ($62) and 969.23% since 2:08 PM ($26)
- In the same time period above the Yankees home average ticket price increased from $206.97 to $224.94
- The Yankees 12 game pack with the home finale sold out shortly after the announcement. They also have a single game presale on 2/18
- By about 2:55pm most tickets had been bought or pulled down by brokers and have since been relisted at higher prices
Below is the price movement for the last game of the Yankees regular season in Boston, which might be his final game of his career:
- The current average ticket price is $509.90, which is up 104.25% since the time of announcement ($249.65)
- The current get in price is $265, which is up 159.80% since announcement ($102)
Below is some price data on Mo Rivera's final home game last season:
- At its peak average price on 3/9/13 tickets for his final home game were $467.06 and fell to a final average of $237.89 on the day of game (-49.07%)
- At its peak get in price on 3/11/13 ticket for his final home game were $143 and fell to a final get in of $59 (-58.74%)
2-12-14: New York Yankees tickets have skyrocketed since the announcement, here's a graph showing the price changes in the last four hours:
2-12-14: Derek Jeter has announced via Facebook that the 2014 season will be his last.
1-24-14: The Yankees missed the playoffs for only the second time since 1995 this past season and went into the offseason looking to make sure that won’t be the case next year. The Bronx Bombers did this by overhauling their lineup and signing some key free agents such as P Masahiro Tanaka, C Brian McCann, OF Jacoby Ellsbury and OF Carlos Beltran. They still have questions to be answered as 3B Alex Rodriguez is suspended for the entire 2014 season due to PED use but expect them to make a trade as they have five quality outfielders for three positions.
1-22-14: The Yankees have landed Masahiro Tanaka. Tanaka and the Yankees have agreed on a seven-year $155M deal. The deal includes an opt-out after fourth year.
1-7-14: The New York Yankees of already done a lot of spending this off-season but are prepared to do a lot more once the bidding war for Japanese picture Tanaka begins. Yankees have short update outfield through free agency still have a week starting rotation. The outcome of the Alex Rodriguez case will have huge implications as to how much they're willing to spend on Tanaka.
12-9-13: After missing the playoffs last season and watching the rival Red Sox win the World Series the Yankees have begun spending spree this off-season. Unfortunately for the Yankees they will not have second baseman Robinson Cano anymore who left via free agency to the Seattle Mariners but they have attempted to replace his offense of production with solid pieces. Yankees signed outfielder Jacoby Elsberry to a seven year deal worth over $150 million. They also short I was a weakness for them last season at the catcher position by signing former Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann. Carlos Beltran is always flirted with the Yankees during his free-agent. But now has finally come and sign with them. The Yankees gave the 36-year-old veteran outfielder a three-year deal with $45 million hoping that hecan continue being an effective offensive player that he has been for the past three seasons in San Francisco and St. Louis. Another key loss for the Yankees is outfielder Curtis Granderson left for the Mets with the signing of Jacoby Elsberry the Yankees should not miss him very much at all. The Yankees continue to search the free-agent and trade market for pitchers.
11-25-13: The Yankees said they were going to be active this offseason and have made their first major move. The Yanks and all-star catcher Brian McCann have agreed on a five-year, $85 million contract.
10-23-13: In a report released today by Bloomberg, the Yankees estimated value is $3.28 billion, the most in the major leagues.
10-21-13: According to reports, the Yankees are working on a plan to spend big money this offseason. The main targets are resigning 2nd baseman Robinson Cano, along with Japanese starter Masahiro Tanaka, Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran. The spending spree could add up to $300 million.
10-21-13: The Yankees announced 2014 primary market ticket pricing today. Here is an overview below:
| Location |
2013 Full-Season Licensee Price per Game |
2014 Full-Season Licensee Price per Game |
Change |
| Field MVP Club Seat Level (Rows 12-21: 116-124) |
$260 |
$235 |
Decrease |
| Field MVP Level (Rows 22-26: 116-124)* |
$220 |
$255 |
Decrease |
| Field MVP Level (Rows 22-26: 120A-122)* |
$210 |
$195 |
Decrease |
| Field Level (Rows 12-21: 115) |
$225 |
$200 |
Decrease |
| Field Level (Rows 12-14: 114A, 114B)* |
$210 |
$190 |
Decrease |
| Field Level (Rows 22-30: 115; Rows 12-21: 125; Rows 12-14: 126, 127A) |
$210 |
$190 |
Decrease |
| Field Level (Rows 22-30: 125; Rows 15-30: 114a, 114b, 126)* |
$175 |
$160 |
Decrease |
| Field Level (Rows 15-30:127A; Rows 12-14: 112, 113, 127b, 128) |
$150 |
$150 |
No Change |
| Field Level (Rows 1-14: 111,129; Rows 15-30: 112, 113, 127b, 128)* |
$120 |
$120 |
No Change |
| Field Level (Rows 2-14: 108-110, 130) |
$100 |
$100 |
No Change |
| Field Level (Rows 15-30: 111, 129; Rows 5-14: 103-107)* |
$90 |
$90 |
No Change |
| Field Level (Row 7-29: 131; Rows 15-30: 110, 130)* |
$80 |
$80 |
No Change |
| Field Level (Rows 15-30: 105, 106, 107, 108, 109)* |
$75 |
$75 |
No Change |
| Field Level (132)* |
$65 |
$75 |
Increase |
| Field Level (Rows 15-30: 103, 104)* |
$70 |
$70 |
No Change |
| Field Level (133-136)* |
$65 |
$65 |
No Change |
| Main Level (Rows 1-22: 216, 217, 223, 224)* |
$125 |
$120 |
Decrease |
| Main Level (Rows 1-22: 215, 225)* |
$110 |
$120 |
Increase |
| Main Level (Rows 1-22: 213-214b, 226-227b)* |
$80 |
$80 |
No Change |
| Main Level (Rows 1-22: 211, 212, 228)* |
$70 |
$70 |
No Change |
| Main Level (Rows 1-22: 205-209)* |
$50 |
$50 |
No Change |
| Main Level (210, 229)* |
$70 |
$50 |
Decrease |
| Main Level (230) |
$55 |
$50 |
Decrease |
| Main Level (Rows 1-22: 231-234)* |
$45 |
$45 |
No Change |
| Terrace Level (Rows 1-10: 322, 323) |
$80 |
$80 |
No Change |
| Terrace Level (Rows 1-10: 315, 316, 324, 325) |
$65 |
$65 |
No Change |
| Terrace Level (Rows 1-8: 313, 314, 326, 327) |
$55 |
$50 |
Decrease |
| Terrace Level (Rows 1-10: 308-312, 328-332A) |
$40 |
$40 |
No Change |
| Terrace Level (Rows 1-10: 305-307, 332B-334) |
$40 |
$28 |
Decrease |
| Grandstand Level (Rows 1-14: 414-426), Terrace Level ADA* |
$28 |
$28 |
No Change |
| Grandstand Level (Rows 1-14: 405-413, 427-434B), Terrace Level ADA* |
$20 |
$20 |
No Change |
| Bleachers (Rows 1-24: 201-239) |
$20 |
$20 |
No Change |
| Bleachers (Rows 1-24: 201/239 Obstructed View)* |
$12 |
$15 |
Increase |
9-30-13: With the New York Yankees on the verge ofelimination from playoff contention they have no one but themselves to blame. The season was marred with injuries the entire way with the likes of Mark Teixeira Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez all missing significant amounts of time. In the end it was subpar performance is on the mound from CC Sabayhia and Hiroki Kuroda. Kurodawas good all season until the tail end when he lost seven of his last nine decisions. The Yankees will have many off-season decisions to make but the biggest one is for second baseman Robinson Canal will be an unrestricted free agent. Represented by Jay-Z's company Robinson Cano will certainly look for a max deal. Should the Yankees decide to retain the 30-year-old second baseman they will probably have to spend in the ballpark of $180 million. With just five games left the Yankees will finish the last two home games against the Tampa Bay rays and then travel to Houston over the weekend to face the Astros to close out the season.
8-22-13: Infielder Jayson Nix fractured his hand yesterday after being hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 2nd inning by Blue Jays starter R.A. Dickey. There is no timetable for his return but he could miss the rest of the season.
8-21-13: Ichiro Suzuki becomes just the third player (Ty Cobb and Pete Rose) in history to get 4,000 career hits in professional baseball. Ichiro had 1,278 hits over nine seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball as a member of the Orix Blue, and now has 2,722 total hits in his time in America. The Yankees went on to win the game 4-2, their fourth win in a row.
8-20-13: With all the drama swirling around the club the New York Yankees have not let it affect them on the baseball field. Ironically Alex Rodriguez has been in the middle of their recent success. The Yankees won three straight series against the Angels Tigers and Red Sox. This week they will play four games against the Toronto Blue Jays starting with the doubleheader on Tuesday. Alfonso Soriano has been on a tear recording 18 RBIs in four games a Yankee record. Currently the Yankees are in fourth place eight games out of the division and 6.5 games back from the wildcard.
8-16-13: The Yankees have signed Mark Reynolds after the Indians designated the slumping infielder for assignment last week. In his first game for the Yankees, against the Red Sox, Reynolds went 2-for-5 with a homer and 3 RBI as the Yankees defeated the Red Sox 10-3.
8-15-13: The Yankees defeated the Angels 11-3 on Wednesday night to increase their winning streak to 4 games in a row, and 5 out of 6. Alfonso Soriano has driven in 13 RBI and hit three homers over the last two games to carry the offense. The hot two days make him just one of three players in Major League Baseball history to drive in at least six runs in consecutive games. The Rangers' Rusty Greer in 1997 and the Brewers' Geoff Jenkins in 2001, were the other two.
8-6-13: The Yankees have struggled out of the All-Star break and are in fourth place in the American league east division. Currently they sit 8.5 games out of first place in the division. Alex Rodriguez has also been suspended through the 2014 season, but will be able to play with the team until the appeals process is complete. He made his return against the White Sox on Monday, going 1-for-4 with a bloop single in an 8-1 Yankees loss.
Francisco Cervelli and minor-league outfielder Fernado Martinez were also suspended for 50 games for PEDs as part of the Biogenesis investigation.
7-26-13: Alfonso Soriano to the Yankees is a done deal. Of the estimated $24.5 million Soriano is owed through the end of next season, the Cubs will have to eat about $17.7 million of the contract, with the Yankees covering the remaining $6.8 million. In return, the Cubs will get a low-level pitching prospect.
7-23-13: The Yankees are close to trading for Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano. If the deal goes down the Yankees would give up a midlevel prospect. This would be Soriano's second stint with the Yankees.
7-19-13: The rough year for Derek Jeter continues as the Yankees once again place him on the DL. This time for a quad injury.
7-18-13: After coming out of the gate fast the Yankees have struggled as of late. Dealing with injuries to several key players including Derek Jeter has caused the Yankees a lot of problems. The Yankees are currently six games out of first and sitting n 6th place in the AL East division. Last week Derek Jeter return to the lineup only to re-injure himself Forcing him to miss more time. Jeter is expected to be out until at least after the All-Star break. Mark Teixeira is out for the season and will have wrist surgery. The Yankees are 51 – 44 With the team ERA of 3.74. Offensively the Yankees are led by soon-to-be free-agent Robinson Cano. I know is batting .302 with 21 home runs and 65 RBIs. The Yankees will head to Boston to face the Red Sox after the All-Star break.
7-7-13: Robinson Cano was voted in as a starter for the 2013 American League all-stars. This will be Cano's 5th all-star game appearance. Mariano Rivera was also selected for the team. David Robertson can still make the team as part of MLB's Final Vote, but currently is only in third place in the voting.
7-6-13: With their 5-4 over the Orioles on Saturday the Yankees extended their winning streak to a season-long six games. The win also moved the Yanks into sole possession of 2nd place in the AL East, 5.5 games behind the Red Sox.
Derek Jeter also made his return to the field with his first rehab game with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Captain went 0-for-2 with a walk, and played 5 innings at shortstop.
6-12-13: With almost $100 million on the DL nobody thought the Yankees would do as well as they have. Without the likes of Derek Jeter Mark Teixeira Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez The Yankees have managed to spend almost 2 weeks in first place and currently sit in second place in the AL East division. As their veteran starters come back it will be interesting to see how the fill-in players adjust. Last year, the Yankees were swept by the Tigers in the ALCS.
