Registration open for Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium

Source: LoHud by Chad Jennings

This has very little to do with the Yankees, but it’s a nice event for a wonderful cause, and it’s certainly worth mentioning on this off day. Good work by the Yankees organization to be involved with something like this. Here are the details — as provided by the folks running the event — about this year’s Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium.

On the morning of August 18, thousands of baseball fans, runners, walkers, cancer survivors, and their friends and family will gather at Yankee Stadium to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium. One of New York’s most unique summer events,

A-Rod a budding real estate mogul?

Source: Yardbarker

Injured Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez already rakes in more dough than any player in baseball, earning $30 million a year for playing -- or, this year, not playing -- like a shell of his former self. And as it turns out, A-Rod also has a pretty good real estate racket going, too. According to TMZ , the 37-year-old Rodriguez, who has been on the DL all season following January hip surgery, recently sold his nearly-20,000 square foot Miami mansion for a whopping $30 million, netting himself a profit of $15 million. Rodriguez reportedly purchased the sprawling estate for $7.4 million in 2010. Then after putting in $7.6 million into renovating it, Rodriguez listed the nine-bedroom, 11-bath palace for $38 million in August. (It's a shame he had to settle for such a lowball offer.) Here are a few photos, via TMZ , of what you could have gotten for the equivalent of one year of A-Rod's salary: It's currently not known who the buyer is -- TMZ says it's a celebrity from Palm Beach -- but acc

Teixeira could join Double-A Trenton for rehab assignment next week

Source: River Avenue Blues by Mike Axisa

Via Erik Boland: Mark Teixeira could join Double-A Trenton for an official rehab assignment as soon as next Tuesday. He’s been hitting in the cage and in simulated games down in Tampa, and I assume he’ll squeeze in a few Extended Spring Training at-bats before joining the Thunder.

Teixeira, 33, has been out with an injury to the tendon sheath in his

Team Report - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Chavez an offensive revelation for D-backs

Prolific baseball scout Epy Guerrero dies at 71 (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Blue Jays held a moment of silence before Thursday night's game against Baltimore to mark the death of prolific scout Epy Guerrero.

Yankees Fans: Play Name Your Yankee Edition Four To Test Your Knowledge

Source: Yanks Go Yard by Dan Dechenaux

Okay, so you think you are an expert on the New York Yankees? Well, here we go with the fourth installment of “Name Your Yankee,” presented by Yankee Fan Dan. This is where the real Yankees fans step up to the plate and show their knowledge. (more…)

Mariners send slumping C Montero to minors (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle Mariners sent slumping catcher Jesus Montero to the minor leagues Thursday, a year after acquiring him in trade full of potential that hasn't panned out for either side.

Yankees still determining their four-man outfield rotation

Source: LoHud by Chad Jennings

Six days ago, Curtis Granderson was out of the starting lineup. The next night, it was Ichiro Suzuki. The night after that — before that game was rained out – it was Brett Gardner.

Then the Yankees came to Baltimore, and Vernon Wells was on the bench Monday, Ichiro was back on the bench Tuesday, and Gardner wasn’t starting on Wednesday.

That’s a lot of shuffling, and it’s to be expected with four guys for three spots, but Joe Girardi said he has yet to talk to his outfielders about his plans for dividing playing time going forward.

“No,” Girardi said. “Because I haven’t exactly figured out

Thursday Night Open Thread

Source: River Avenue Blues by Mike Axisa

The Yankees are enjoying a much-needed off-day today, their first true off-day in over two weeks. They open a three-game series with the Rays on Friday, a team that really isn’t a good matchup for them on paper. Then again, it’s a three-game series and anything can happen. That’s the best part of baseball.

Here is tonight’s open thread. MLB Network is airing a game tonight, though who you see depends on where you live. There’s also some NHL playoff action, including the NY Rangers trying to stave off elimination. Talk about any of those games and more here. Have at it.

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

Off Night Open Thread: How much credit does Kevin Long deserve?

Source: Pinstriped Bible by Greg Kirkland

In case you haven't read Jason's article like bad boys & girls, the Mariners demoted former Yankees prospect Jesus Montero down to Triple-A Tacoma. He was not demoted to work on his catching or his ability to pitch. That leaves his hitting which, back in the old Pinstripe Alley days, was heralded. Montero has not been the offensive power the Mariners have been looking for. Neither has Justin Smoak. Neither have most Mariners really.

Here in the jolly ol' land of Pinstripes, the (before injured) combo of Defensive Warlock Chris Stewart and Francisco Cervelli was quite serviceable. Lyle Overbay,

Yankees getting a boost from baby Bombers

Source: NY Daily News

Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay and Travis Hafner have done more than the Yankees could have hoped, but the rejuvenated veterans haven’t been the only surprises for the Yankees this season. Instead, it’s been youngsters such as Austin Romine, Preston Claiborne, David Adams and Adam Warren doing their part to lift the Yankees to the top of the AL East. 

Epy Guerrero — super scout who helped open Dominican baseball pipeline — dies at 71 (Big League Stew)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

In 1989, baseball scout Epy Guerrero was profiled in People magazine . Yep, the same People magazine that does the "Sexiest Man Alive" lists and keeps the world up to date on Angelina Jolie. That should tell you that Epy Guerrero wasn't just any ol' baseball scout. People's 1,900-word feature story sums him up perfectly in the third paragraph : They say now that Epifanio "Epy" Guerrero has "the eyes"—that he can see the future major leaguer in a young ballplayer the way the visionary poet claimed to see a world in a grain of sand. Guerrero, whose claim to baseball immortality was opening a baseball pipeline to the Dominican Republic, died Thursday at age 71. He opened the Dominican Republic's first baseball academy in 1973 and worked as a scout for the Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays. In Toronto, specifically, he was revered for bringing the Jays stars such as Tony Fernandez, Carlos Delgado and George Bell. It is believed, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of Ultimate Astros , that Guerrero signed more amateur players who reached the majors than any other scout. Among them: Cesar Cedeño, Kelvim Escobar, Alcides Escobar, Alfredo Griffin, José Mesa and José Uribe. Blue Jays blog Bluebird Banter relays just how important Guerrero was:

Pineda goes five innings in extended spring game

Source: MLB.com by AJ Cassavell

Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda, who missed all of last season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum, tossed five innings on Thursday at the club's Minor League complex Thursday.

Mariano Rivera and the impossible expectations of future closers

Source: Pinstriped Bible by Andrew Mearns

Mariano Rivera is some kind of superman, and I don't think that's a stunning revelation to any baseball fan. His longtime success defies the normal shelf life of dominant closers, even on the best teams. Think of all the different closers the great Braves teams of the 1990s and 2000s used, all while Rivera was in pinstripes: Mark Wohlers, Kerry Ligtenberg, John Rocker, John Smoltz, Kyle Farnsworth,

Cashman's prayers are answered: Seattle scorns Jesus, as Pineda resurrection looms

Source: Yardbarker

Well - as Steve Jobs said to Bill Gates - you never what to believe when you cut a deal with somebody from Seattle.All last year, the Jesus Montero trade - (I believe I called it "the debacle") - looked like a long range Yankee death and the reason to - as Hunter Thompson would say - stuff Brian Cashman into a bottle and put him out with the Japanese tide.  Today, vindication - maybe? The Mariners sent Montero to Triple A, where he increasingly looks like the ghost of Sam Horn, the man, not the website. The guy wasn't hitting or playing well at catcher. He'll now DH, play 1B and try to forget the seven years of idolitry that was bestowed upon him by the Yankiverse, while he climbed through the system, apparently neglecting the finer points of defense, despite the warnings by his coaches. Hector Noesi, a disaster last year for Seattle, recently shut us down for several innings in a Mariner victory. He is now Seattle's jewel of the trade.Michael Pineda - aka &quo...

Yankees 1B Teixeira, LHP Pettitte improving (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Injured New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira could soon start playing in minor league games.

Overbay makes case to stick when Tex returns

Source: MLB.com by Bryan Hoch

First baseman Lyle Overbay is quite literally wearing a Yankees uniform only because Mark Teixeira is not, and now the 36-year-old veteran wonders if there might be a place for both players to fit on the roster.

Pineda progressing while Montero hits minors

Source: NY Daily News

While the Mariners were sending Jesus Montero to the minors Thursday, the man the Yankees traded him for more than a year ago was taking another step toward a return.  

Should We Believe In David Adams’ Bat?

Source: It's About the Money by Michael Eder

At the beginning of every season, we bloggers tend to have some fun with bold predictions. Not to toot my own horn, but I did pretty well in 2012. I had Zack Greinke being traded and headlining the free agent market for starters in the fall over Cole

Pineda averaged 93 mph today; close to official rehab assignment

Source: River Avenue Blues by Mike Axisa

Via Joel Sherman & Andy McCullough: Right-hander Michael Pineda averaged 93 mph during today’s five-inning Extended Spring Training start according to team officials. I would take that with a grain of salt considering

Injury updates: Pineda, Teixeira, Youkilis, Nova

Source: LoHud by Chad Jennings

I didn’t get to Tampa early enough to actually see any of today’s action over at the minor league complex, so it’s a good thing Brian Cashman is still taking my calls. Here are the basics…

MICHAEL PINEDA
Threw five innings in an extended spring training game. His fastball averaged 93 mph, and Cashman said the reports on his slider and changeup were also positive.

“I heard everything looked good today,” Cashman said. “It’s a good day.”

For a guy coming back from shoulder surgery, averaging 93 mph certainly seems to be a good sign. It’s actually not all that far from what Pineda’s

Mo Better

Source: Bronx Banter by Alex Belth

Mariano on E:60.

[Picture by Walter Loos for Sports Illustrated]

Michael Pineda takes another step toward eventual Yankees debut

Source: NJ.com by Andy McCullough/The Star-Ledger

Pineda could start rehab stint after one more appearance

Off-day boredom: What would your Starbucks name be?

Source: It's About the Money by Stacey Gotsulias

In case you missed it, there's a picture of Derek Jeter making the rounds which shows him leaving a local Starbucks with a cup that has the name Philip written on it. (Image courtesy of the New York Post) This is how boring off-days are here in New York. Derek Jeter walking out of a Starbucks with the wrong name on a cup of something - because who knows if it's coffee or some sort of tea - is big news. And I know coffee snobs will be horrified that Jeter goes to Starbucks but I can tell you from

Daily News Fifth Yankees Podcast: David Adams and Ken Singleton

Source: Blogging the Bombers

On this week's Daily News Fifth Yankees Podcast, Mark Feinsand sits down with rookie third baseman David Adams to discuss his first week in the majors, what it's like to round the bases after hitting your first home run and adapting to life with the Yankees. Mark also chats with Ken Singleton of ...

 

Comings and Goings

Source: Bronx Banter by Alex Belth

 

From Hardballl Talk, here’s some off-day news on Michael Pineda and Jesus Montero.

[Photo Credit: Sam Falk/The New York Times]

Jesus Montero demoted: What does it all mean for the Yankees?

Source: Pinstriped Bible by Jason Cohen

It's a sad day for an ex-Yankees prospect now that Jesus Montero has been demoted to Triple-A after struggling mightily in his short major league career. The once-star of the Yankees' farm system has hit .252/.293/.377 since last season with the Mariners and was hitting just .208/.264/.327 in 110 plate appearances in 2013. He has also struggled behind the plate, leaving many to determine that he's just not a catcher. Apparently he has trouble throwing out runners, receiving the ball and blocking balls in the dirt. He had shown some promise in 2012, hitting 15 home runs, but other than that his baseball career

BGS: Leroy’s Revenge

Source: Bronx Banter by Alex Belth

Here’s a tough, griping story by Gary Cartwright. It appears in his fine collection Confessions of a Washed-Up Sportswriter:Including Various Digressions about Sex, Crime and Other Hobbies and was originally published in Texas Monthly. It appears here with the author’s permission.

Quick hit: Pineda’s looking good

Source: It's About the Money by Stacey Gotsulias

According to Joel Sherman, Michael Pineda's fastball was averaging at 93 m.p.h. today in an extended spring training start. He will have one more start then go on a 30-day rehab assignment after which the Yankees will decide whether or not to bring Pineda up to the big club or to keep him in Triple A. This comes on the heels of the news that

The Yankees and the Ewing Theory

Source: ESPN New York

Are the 2013 Yankees an example of the Ewing Theory, made famous by Bill Simmons? The theory, devised by Simmons' friend Dave Cirilli, has two elements: 1. A star athlete receives an inordinate amount of media attention and fan interest, yet his teams never win anything substantial with him (other than maybe some early-round playoff series). 2. That same athlete leaves his team -- either by injury, trade, graduation, free agency or retirement -- and both the media and fans immediately write off the team for the following season.

Chris Davis and Mark Teixeira: the changing fortunes of two former Texas first basemen.

Source: Pinstriped Bible by Mason Stark

Here is the combined box score for Chris Davis against the Yankees from the just completed series: AVG .546, 3 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI. His rise to effectiveness last year and league dominance this year is rare, but not unheard of. Davis had almost 1,000 at-bats with the Texas Rangers, producing a .248 AVG and a .755 OPS. However, his last two years in the Texas heat were his worst. He's always had big league power, but the improvement in the rest of his hitting abilities is significant. I couldn't help but notice the inverse trajectory of his underlying

Yankees-Rays Preview (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The New York Yankees have played nine straight series at Tropicana Field without winning any of them.

Derek Jeter utilizes ‘Phillip’ alias for coffee order at Starbucks (photos)

Source: Yardbarker

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter may not have taken the field yet along with his teammates as he continues his rehab following his ankle surgery earlier this year, but that does not mean he can gallivant about town without being recognized. That must be why Jeter opted to go with the alias of “Philip” [...]The post Derek Jeter utilizes ‘Phillip’ alias for coffee order at Starbucks (photos) appeared first on Sportress of Blogitude.

Derek Jeter Appears to Use Fake Name ‘Philip’ to Get Coffee at Starbucks (Photo)

Source: Yardbarker

Could a grande blonde French Vanilla get Derek Jeter back to baseball before the All-Star break? Who knows what Jeter’s favorite coffee is, or how his rehab from his broken ankle is progressing. There is now photographic evidence, however, that Jeter stopped by Starbucks the other day, and he walked off with a coffee designated for “Philip.” Whether Jeter was stealing some unsuspecting patron’s hot beverage, taking a treat back to teammate Phil Hughes or accidentally revealing his secret name will be tough to figure out. But if you’re ever in New York and see a dead ringer for Derek Jeter that answers to Philip, move in for an autograph, OK? Check out Jeter grabbing his drink in the photo below, with a hat tip to BuzzFeed. Photo via Twitter/alsboringtweets

Yankee great Bernie Williams helps Little Ferry baseball player who lost equipment in Hurricane Sandy

Source: NJ.com by Dan Ivers/NJ.com

The former slugger ensured Michael Odeh can take the field for Ridgefield Park High School this season

Injury roundup: Nova first, Youk, Joba later

Source: ESPN New York

The Yankees have so many players injured, resting, rehabbing and healing that it's difficult even for their GM to keep track of it all. In case you've forgotten, the Yankees have six players on the 60-day disabled list (Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Francisco Cervelli, Michael Pineda and Cesar Cabral), five on the 15-day DL (Andy Pettitte, Ivan Nova, Eduardo Nunez, Kevin Youkilis and Joba Chamberlain) and two, Chris Stewart and Hiroki Kuroda, who are banged-up and listed as day-to-day.

Five Years Later: The 2008 Draft

Source: River Avenue Blues by Mike Axisa

I think teams get a pretty good idea of what they have after three years, but the old saying says you need five years to evaluate a draft class. So, with the 2013 draft just two weeks away, it’s time to take a look back at the Yankees’ draft haul from June 2008. Unlike the 2007 draft, the team’s 2008 draft has been sneaky productive despite a high-profile first round blunder.

(AP)

UCLA over NYY
Scouting director Damon Oppenheimer has been on the job since before the 2006 draft, and he has not

Outplayed and Outclassed by the Cincinnati Reds, Things Could Get Even Worse for the New York Mets (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | Before the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds played their three-game series at Citi Field this week, anyone who follows baseball already knew who the better team was.

The ongoing debate of Montero and Pineda

Source: LoHud by Chad Jennings

In the days immediately after the Jesus Montero/Michael Pineda blockbuster, every email, text message and phone call seemed to be a part of one endless conversation. With scouts and executives, with outraged fans and excited fans, with my own editors and other beat writers. It was a prospect-for-prospect swap, which meant it was all potential and no promises.

Which meant the conversation was endless.

The debate could and would rage on for years, but for some reason, it seemed that everyone wanted to have the entire conversation — from start to finish — right then and there.

Of all of

RAB Live Chat

Source: River Avenue Blues by Matt Warden

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

RAB Live Chat

Say Cheese

Source: Bronx Banter by Alex Belth

Just to show you that some people are more awesomer than others please enjoy the following photo gallery of our pal Matt B through the years.

Waiver Wired: Liriano Revival? (Rotoworld)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

In this week's Waiver Wired, D.J. Short discusses the hot-hitting Jedd Gyorko and a possible resurgence for Francisco Liriano.

Jeter uses 'Philip' alias for Starbucks order

Source: Yardbarker

I can't quite put my finger on it, but this "Philip" character looks familiar. According to the New York Post, Derek Jeter was spotted leaving a Greenwich Village Starbucks with the name "Philip" on the side.  Which means one of three things...the New York Yankees captain is still using a pseudonym when in public (he used to go by "Johnny Drama" while on the road), the barista on duty got his name wrong or, simply, dude walked out with someone else's brew. And Yankees fans, don't think that just because Jeter is out walking around bootless in New York getting a warm beverage, the shortstop is ready to head back to the diamond.  Last anyone reported, there is still no timetable set for his return. Perhaps "Philip" is available.

MLB Power Rankings: Cards at top of the deck (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

St. Louis is getting its kicks as it rises to No. 1 in the Power Rankings.

2013 Draft: Dustin Peterson

Source: River Avenue Blues by Mike Axisa

The 2013 amateur draft will be held from June 6-8 this year, and between now and then I’m going to highlight some prospects individually rather than lump them together into larger posts.

(Photo via AzDiamondReport.com)

Dustin Peterson | SS

Background
Peterson attends Gilbert High School in the Phoenix suburbs, and he has his brother D.J. to thank for his prospect stock. D.J. will come out of New Mexico as a fringe first rounder this year after going undrafted in 2010, leading a lot of teams to believe they dropped the ball while scouting him in high school. That has led to

Mariners To Demote Jesus Montero

Source: MLB Trade Rumors by Tim Dierkes

Mariners catcher Jesus Montero will be sent to Triple-A Tacoma today, reports Ryan Divish of The News Tribune.  Catcher Jesus Sucre will be selected to join the

Quick Hit: Mariners send Montero down to AAA

Source: It's About the Money by Stacey Gotsulias

Just in case you hadn't heard the news, the Seattle Mariners will be sending Jesus Montero down to their triple-A affiliate in Tacoma. The Mariners have just finished up a 2-7 road trip - their two wins came here against the Yankees, of course - and along with sending Montero down, they're recalling catcher Jesus Sucre to replace him. Yes, there are two Jesuses and they're

Montero sent down by M's

Source: ESPN New York

The Michael Pineda trade is improving. Slightly. Jesus Montero, who is batting .208, has struggled to the point he is being sent down by the Seattle Mariners. From the Herald Tribune: Catcher Jesus Montero will be sent to Triple-A Tacoma, while catcher Jesus Sucre will be selected from the Rainiers. Double-A back-up catcher Brandon Bantz, who was serving as the starter in Jackson after John Hicks suffered a groin injury and went on the DL, is already headed to Tacoma to serve as Mike Zunino's backup.

RAB Live Chat Reminder

Source: River Avenue Blues by Matt Warden

It’s not the weekend.  Hell, it’s not even Friday!  But it is Thursday, which means you get another Thursday afternoon RAB Live Chat with yours truly (it’s hard to decide which of us is the bigger glutton for punishment, eh?) — anyway, the party kicks off at at 2 PM EST.  Bring yourself.  Bring your friends.  Bring your baseball banter.  See you all there!

Post from: River Ave. Blues A New York Yankees blog

RAB Live Chat Reminder

New York Yankees: In Praise of Brian Cashman's Genius

Source: Bleacher Report

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would seem to be the Rodney Dangerfield of Major League Baseball, despite all of the wins and all of the rings he's achieved in over a decade with the team. Anybody can win with that payroll, right?

Missing the playoffs even once should be a fireable offense when you can simply buy your way to a winning team. 

Yes, New York can spend its way through a lot of its issues, even in a season where they were resolved to cut back. But Cashman has been dealt far worse hands than people realize, and he's managed to create contenders out of a scrap heap multiple times.

The Alex Rodriguez contract will hang over