New York Yankees Zone

Hughes gets lit up again, this time by the Angels

Yankees News — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:35:23 +0000

A lot was expected of Phil Hughes this season. After a spectacular season in 2010, Hughes struggled last year. Those struggles continued in his first start of this season against Tampa Bay and he added to those woes Saturday afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels always seem to have his number and they torched him early for 6 runs in just over 3 innings. At that point, the Yankees were out of the game before it even started. They would go on to lose it 7 – 1 and Hughes’ record would fall to 0 – 2. If he continues like this, he will be back to the bullpen once Andy Pettitte is up to strength. At the plate, the Yankees were as bad as Hughes was on the mound. The Yankees would get a run on 6 hits but that only run wouldn’t come until the 5th inning. Robinson Cano’s only hit, a single, would account for that run. Mark Teixeira continued his slow start by picking up just one hit. Alex Rodriquez would wear the collar, going 0 for 4. Andruw Jones and Curtis Granderson would join him as they went hitless also. Derek Jeter had a decent day going 2 for 5. The Yankees have got to wake up those bats. They started the season 0 and 3 but managed to go on a four game win streak before Saturday’s loss. It’s good that the season is still young. There is plenty of time to improve.

Yankees lose Chamberlain for the season

Yankees News — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 04:04:08 +0000

The New York Yankees strange offseason continued to get stranger. It has been an offseason where they went from making no moves to making a few interesting moves. It has also been an offseason dominated by news away from the diamond, such as the bizarre marital drama of General Manager Brian Cashman. But the strangest news so far was the injury to reliever Joba Chamberlain. While playing with his children on a trampoline, Chamberlain dislocated his right ankle. The injury was so severe that the bone had actually pierced the skin and caused a great deal of blood loss. There was also the risk of infection and he had to be attended to immediately. For a few moments there was some concern that Chamberlain might not survive.

The injury is expected to cost Joba Chamberlain the entire 2012 season. Most medical experts agree that the dislocation will have Chamberlain on crutches and in a boot for at least 4 to 6 weeks. After that, there will be extensive rehab to strengthen the ankle again. Only then would he be cleared to begin running and then pitching. He was already expected to be unavailable until midseason due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery in June. Now that recovery will have to take a back seat to his latest injury.

Yankees Off Season Drama Continues

Yankees News — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:51:17 +0000

In an offseason that was short on baseball related news, the New York Yankees continued to make news on other fronts. The Bronx Bombers have apparently traded Yankee Stadium for Broadway as they starred in another grand drama. This week it was the infidelity of general manager Brian Cashman. Cashman is embroiled in a scandal involving an apparently mentally unstable woman who claims that they had a yearlong affair. She also attempted to extort money from him. This is the second time that Cashman has been accused of cheating on his wife. Another woman was suspected of having a fling with Cashman in 2009. After this alleged affair, Mary Cashman decided that it was time to file for divorce. A divorce won’t be cheap for Cashman as his wife is seeking permanent alimony. One has to wonder if Brian Cashman thought that he was just like his millionaire playboy Yankees, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. While that type of behavior is expected from athletes, it is not acceptable from a general manager of a professional baseball team. A sideshow like this is only a distraction as we approach the beginning of spring training. Cashman should focus on the business of the Yankees, instead of monkey business.

Yankees Finally Give Fans Something To Cheer About

Yankees News — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:04:27 +0000

Many Yankee fans were asking the same question – Are the Yankees doing anything this offseason? Considering the lack of movement from the Yankees front office, this is a valid concern. In the past, the Yankees have always made big moves in the offseason. This year was completely different. With big name free agents like Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes on the market, the Yankees did nothing. It’s one thing to let Reyes go to the Florida Marlins, but to let Pujols go to the Anaheim Angels is something different. A better Angels team is not good for the Yankees. Even if they didn’t want to join the Pujols sweepstakes, they could have at least shown interest. Yankee fans are not used to uncertainty. They are used to seeing their beloved team do whatever it takes to field the best team in baseball. After all, the Yankees still have the highest payroll in baseball. But does that payroll guarantee success? So fans were resigned to the fact that the Bronx Bombers were going to stand pat. But the Yankees didn’t. They traded top prospect catcher Jesus Montero and right-hander Hector Noesi to the Seattle Mariners for young pitching phenom Michael Pineda and right-handed pitcher Jose Campos. The trade immediately bolstered the starting rotation giving them a solid pitcher for the future. They also picked up former Los Angeles Dodger Hiroki Kuroda. The two moves addressed the glaring need for more pitching that the Yankees couldn’t afford to ignore.

Yankees Continue Offseason Moves In More Than One Way

Yankees News — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:01:09 +0000

The New York Yankees continued to make news in this offseason. Some of it was even baseball related. They agreed to terms with outfielder/designated hitter Andruw Jones. Jones signed a one-year deal worth $2 million dollars plus performance related bonuses. The bonuses hinge on the number of plate appearances that Jones has this season. It’s a good signing as he can give the Yankees a steady right handed outfielder off of the bench.

The other news in Yankee land was less baseball related. Yankee captain Derek Jeter appears to have reunited with his former girlfriend, Minka Kelly. The star and the actress were spotted in Paris looking more like a couple again as they toured various art museums in the romantic “City of Lights”.

Meanwhile his teammate and fellow playboy, Alex Rodriguez was not to be outdone. He was spotted in Boise, Idaho with former Playboy centerfold Torrie Wilson. This was the third time that they have been spotted together in recent weeks. They were last seen vacationing in Mexico with George Clooney and Stacy Keibler. It also seems that A-Rod has been doing something else too. Sources say that he travelled to Germany to undergo the controversial Orthokine treatment for his right knee and left shoulder. The Orthokine treatment is when blood is taken from the arm, spun in a centrifuge and then injected into the area that needs treatment. Although it is not banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, it is illegal in the United States. Some have compared the treatment to blood-doping. Yankee fans can only hope that it improves A-Rod’s performance before it is potentially banned.

Nova Trade?

Sports Writer — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:12:20 +0000

Right in the middle of all of the trade discussion surrounding various parts of the Yankees roster, a question looms; what should the Bronx Bombers do with Ivan Nova? With players in value from Robinson Vano to Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett being proposed as trade bait in possible deals, it is completely feasible to believe that Nova may be next on the trading block of discussion. With massive contracts remaining on Hughes and Burnett, there is substantial sentiment for trying sell Nova when his stock is so high after establishing himself as the Yankees number two starter at the end of the year. This is where trades in baseball are so difficult, how on earth can you tell whether Nova is still progressing or has possibly peaked in 2011 and should be cashed in while he still has a lot of value and can bring talent to New York? These questions and more will be worked on in the weeks to come…

Move With Atlanta?

Sports Writer — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:35:36 +0000

In talks with the Atlanta Braves, a swap deal involving Eduardo Nunez who was desperately held onto when a Cliff Lee deal fell through last summer might be moved now to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Jair Jurrjens. General Manager Brian Cashman claims he has never regretted clinging tightly to the infielder, but the question will have to be pondered again to help the Yankees out in acquiring better pitching; which seems to be the crux of their issues in the postseason. The Braves think very highly of Nunez’s potential, and have considered trading their all-star pitcher to build their future infield around Nunez; who is relatively unproven in the major leagues. Quoting sources near the situation, “They need offense, they need a shortstop because they don’t want to bring Alex Gonzalez back, and they like Nunez a lot.” Time will tell what happens here, but this smells like a classic Yankees raid.

A-Rod News

Sports Writer — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:45:17 +0000

The injuries that Alex Rodriguez suffered this year for the Yankees are highly concerning going into the future; especially since he still has such a hefty contract to be paid. Moving that pile of money isn’t an option, especially after A-Rod only played less than 100 games and had a .276 batting average, 62 RBIs, and 16 home-runs; and significantly less power than years past. That being said, he certainly is not short on confidence, recently being quoted as saying, “The Yankees made two big moves this offseason, keeping CC and I expect to be who I have been in the past.” If true, that’d be fantastic news for Yankees fans across the country, but I personally won’t believe it until I see it. Age happens, power decreases, and A-Rod just simply isn’t the player he used to be; nor does he command the kind of respect (or money) that he used to. Let’s hope he can find a way to improve.

CJ Wilson

Sports Writer — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:59:16 +0000

The Yankees have begun the process of looking to bolster their pitching staff for the upcoming season by looking at CJ Wilson, the Texas Rangers’ ace pitcher. GM Brian Cashman says a phone call that was placed earlier this week was “just reaching out to all agents” who represent free agents on the market this offseason, but one has to believe that Wilson is one of the Yankees primary targets. The 30 year old had impressive stats this year and last, going a combined 31-15 with a 3.14 ERA and is far and away the best available prospect on the market for the Yankees. That being said, they will have to compete with the Rangers who have performed better in the post season as of late and other teams such as the Red Sox and Cubs who have money to burn. It’s good to see that the Yankees are addressing their most pressing need this offseason.

Moves Begin

Sports Writer — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 21:59:26 +0000

And here we go again; the offseason in baseball has started only a day after the Cardinals won the World Series in dramatic fashion. The Yankees made two excellent moves on the first day, keeping second baseman Robinson Cano and outfield Nick Swisher on board for the 2012 season. These are great moves that will provide offensive and defensive prowess long into the future. Cano really has a future with the Yankees; any true fan can tell you that. His numbers speak for themselves, with a batting average of .308 and a fielding percentage of .985 over his seven seasons in the Bronx. Swisher on the other hand has produced 3 solid years with a high upside looking forward; hitting around .250 and producing a whole lot of runs. His average for home runs is 27, around 85 RBIs, and can hit all over the order where the Yankees need him. These are great signings, and should keep the young nucleus of the team intact.