Opening Day today, Yanks DFA Rapada

Clay Rapada was supposed to start the season on the DL with bursitis in his throwing shoulder. Instead, to make roster room, the Yanks DFA’d him.

Opening Day is today. The Yanks take on Boston this afternoon. CC goes against Jon Lester.

Update: Today’s Yankees lineup:

Brett Gardner CF
Eduardo Nunez SS
Robinson Cano 2B
Kevin Youkilis 1B
Vernon Wells LF
Ben Francisco DH
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Jayson Nix 3B
Francisco Cervelli C

LHP CC Sabathia

What a difference a few weeks make

The Yanks made a bit of a surprise move today, DFA-ing David Aardsma. Instead, Shawn Kelley, Cody Eppley and Adam Warren make the team. My guess is that once Phil Hughes comes off the DL, Warren will be sent down to AAA.

But think of this. A month ago, it looked like Aardsma was a lock. You didn’t expect Warren to be on (and frankly, I’d have taken Nuno over Warren).

Not only that, a month ago, Boesch, Wells, Francisco and Overbay were trying to win jobs WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

You didn’t expect them to be going north with the Yankees.

What a crazy month.

S.T. Game 31. Yanks tie Houston, finalize Wells deal, give Overbay a shot.

The Yanks went against Houston tonight and finished in a 4-4 tie. Their record (after 31 games, and I include [most don't] the game against the D.R. WBC team) is 12-18-1. Maybe this is why Buster Olney and Jayson Stark are predicting the Yanks to finish last in the A.L. East. Of course on Monday they start the season at 0-0.

CC struggled, giving up 3 in the first. He lasted 5, 4 R, 6 H, 3 walks and 4 K. He’s next scheduled to start the opener against Boston at the Stadium next Monday.

Mo went 1, his usual. Scoreless. It’s rare when some team touches up Mo in spring training, 43 or not 43 years old.

Robertson, Joba, Logan and Nuno each pitched a scoreless inning.

Down 4-0, the Yanks got a run in the fifth on a Nunez walk, SB and a triple by Gardner.

The Yanks tied it in the sixth. Cano led off with a single and Youk doubled him home. Hafner singled and Hafner advanced on an error. Vernon Wells groundout plated a run. A few batters later, Stewart singled in a run to tie it while Juan Rivera was gunned down at the plate.

Gardner was 2 for 3 with an RBI. Travis Hafner, who was having a bad spring, went 3 for 4.

The Vernon Wells deal was finalized. The Yanks will pick up about $13MM of the $42MM Wells has left on his deal. In return the Angels get two low level minor leaguers who really didn’t do much or seem to have too much of a future with the Yanks: OF Exicardo Cayones, 21, who was in A- (short season) ball with Staten Island last year (.228-1-15 in 47 games) and LHP Kramer Sneed, 24, who was 0-7, 5.37 at High-A Tampa last year.

The Yanks also “dumpster dived” for 1B Lyle Overbay and will see what he has left. The lefty hitting 1B is 36 and was just released by Boston. The lefty hitter averaged 145 g., .270-16-68, OPS+ 110 from 2004-2011 for MIL/Tor/Pit/Az. For his career, a .270 hitter, OPS+ 108. Pop, but not a lot of it. .259-2-10 in 116 AB last year.

As Olney and Stark mentioned, some of these moves smack of desperation and patchwork. It doesn’t seem like the Yankees doing this. Which is why each predicted the Yanks to finish last in the A.L. East. It smacks of 1965 or 1966. Aging and/or injured greats (think of Mantle, Howard, Ford, Maris and compare them to Jeter/A-Rod/Teix/Granderson) with no farm system coming up. Ugh.

Once promising, the Yanks released IF Dave Adams. They signed RHP reliever Dan Otero (0-0, 5.84 in 12 g. w/SF last year).

Jeter finally admits that he won’t make Opening Day.

 

 

News on an off-day.

We still don’t know who is going to the Angels as part of the Vernon Wells deal. All we know is that the Angels will pick up at least $29MM of the $42MM due Wells in 2013-2014. The Yanks will allocate most of their $13MM this year to avoid going over the cap in 2014.

Hopefully, the 3x GG and 3x AS Wells will get back to what he was (but for the price, wouldn’t it have been better to keep Swish? After all, he could have played 1B while Teix was out and go back to the OF when Teix was healthy).

Wells, 34, will most likely go to LF with Gardner remaining in CF. But Wells is coming off .218-25-66 (OPS+ 84) in 2011 and .230-11-29 (OPS+ 91) in 2012. Two bad years in Anaheim. He did have a good 2010 with Toronto (.273-31-88, OPS+ 125).

His 162 g. average for his career is .273-26-92. OPS+ 106, slighty better than average. He has 259 HR. He has mostly hit 3rd or 4th in his career but  most likely won’t here. 6th or 7th seems more likely.

But you hope he can get back to what it was. His last two years have been lousy. The Yanks are picking up $13mm of the $42MM. You wonder where that $$ was when they let Chavez, Swish, Martin or Ibanez go.

The Yanks say that they have the $$ because the WBC is picking up the tab on Teix, since Teix got hurt for the WBC (as with the Dodgers, the WBC and Hanley Ramirez).

Still, the move looks like a desperation move because of the fact that Chavez, Ibanez, Martin and Swisher are opening the season in other cities while Granderson, Jeter, A-Rod and Teix are opening the season on the DL.

Details to come, but Vernon Wells coming to the Yanks

Vernon Wells is a 3x GG (Gold Glove), 3x AS (All-Star) but also an OF who after leaving Toronto had two bad years with the Angels.

The Yankees are hoping they get the Toronto version of Wells. For Wells is coming to the Yankees to hopefully replace power lost through injury and free agency.

Wells, 34, has played mostly CF in his career, a bit of LF and RF. It will be interesting to see if he plays CF with Gardner going back to LF or if he plays LF with Gardner in CF (I prefer the latter).

Wells is a .273 hitter with 259 career HR and a career OPS+ of 106 (100 is average). His last good year was in 2010 for Toronto, .273-31-88, OPS+ 125. Since then in two seasons with the Angels, he’s put up (2011) .218-25-66. OPS+ 84 and (2012, in 77 g., 1/2 a year) .230-11-29, OPS+ 91.

The Yanks are hoping they get the Blue Jays version of Wells, 2002-2010 who averaged .279-25-89, OPS+ 109.

They could use a power bat. On Opening Day, Chavez, Swisher, Martin & Ibanez will be on other teams, and A-Rod, Granderson, Teixeira and most likely Jeter, will be on the DL. That’s a lot of missing offense.

Wells is owed $21MM for this year and next. The Angels are apparently picking up $29MM of the $42MM with the Yanks responsible for the rest.

Wells has had a good, comeback spring so far. 11 for 36 with 4 HR. The Yanks hope it continues. That way when Granderson comes back, Wells could fill in for the Grandy Man, Gardner or Ichiro or DH to give Hafner a rest.

There is a minor leaguer going to the Angels in the deal, but no confirmation. Rumors are it could be Slade Heathcott, 22, who in 65 games (GCL/A+) hit .302-5-29 with 19 SB last year. Many have compared Heathcott’s style of play to Lenny Dykstra’s.

If Heathcott goes, then Mason “Classical Gas” Williams must deliver and become the Yanks CF of the future. Williams, 21, was in low and high A ball last year, and and 91 games hit .298-11-35 with 20 SB.

Meanwhile, the Yanks (for now) say they aren’t interested in Yunieski Betancourt, released by the Phils today. Betancourt, 31, is a SS with some pop, but he doesn’t walk enough. His 162 g. average is .266-11-65, but only 21 walks for those 162 g. OPS+ 82. Good pop, not selective. Mostly SS, some 2b (55) and 3B (8) games. Given Jeter’s woes, you wonder if the Yanks will eventually become interested, or with Jeter out they are committing to Eduardo Nunez.

You also wonder if the recent setbacks for Jeter are a harbinger of the end.

S.T. Game 30. Yanks walk-off with 7-6, 10 inning win.

Ronnier Mustelier, fighting for a place on the team, hit a walkoff HR leading off the bottom of the 10th as the Yanks won 7-6 over the Rays to increase their S.T. record to 12-18. Mustelier may have trouble sticking despite a good spring because apparently the Yanks are making a deal for Vernon Wells from the Angels (see the next post).

Long-time readers of this blog know I wanted Mustelier up last year and wanted Andruw Jones cut. Jones hit .197-14-34, OPS+ 88 and his D (10 GG) diminished. Mustelier’s D is a “?” but he did hit .314-15-69 in 114 games between AA and AAA.

Kevin Youkilis hit two two-run HRs in the game, but also made an error that led to four unearned runs. Travis Hafner, having a rough spring, also homered.

Eduardo Nunez was 2 for 3 with an RBI triple.

Adam Warren started, went 3 2/3, 5 R, 1 ER, 6 hits, 2 walks, 2 K. Vidal Nuno 1/3, 0 R, 2 H a walk, no K (the out was on Cervelli catching a runner trying to steal. Cervelli nabbed two runners today).

Eppley, Mo, Joba and Logan combined for four shutout innings (one each) before Aardsma allowed the Rays to tie it in the top of the 9th (1 IP, 1 R).

Josh Spence (1/3) and Preston Claiborne (2/3, W) combined for a scoreless tenth before Musty’s walkoff.

John Sterling is a bit over-the-top, but his HR call of Play Musty For Me is a good one.

Yuniesky Betancourt has been released by the Phils. You wonder, given Jeter’s problems, if the Yanks may take a flyer. More on Wells and Betancourt in the next post.

 

S.T. Game 27. Yanks get just one hit in 6-1 loss to Twins, Jeter “shut down”

The Yanks lost 6-1 to the Twins today and most disappointingly, managed just one hit (a single by Cano).

This, on top of being 2-hit by the Phils earlier this week.

The offense worries me. This offense looks weak. Puny weak.

Derek Jeter won’t play in any more MLB S.T. games this spring. This is because if the Yanks need to backlog dates for him being on the D.L., they can backlog to 3/22 if he only plays in minor league games from 3/22 but they cannot use that date for MLB spring games. It is still unknown whether Derek can be ready for the 4/1 Opening Day game. I think not.

So on Opening Day we may see this: No Derek, Teix, Granderson and A-Rod (DL) as well as no Chavez, Swish, Martin or Ibanez (Free Agency).

This may be the weakest Opening Day lineup since say, 1989-1992 (the Green/Dent/Merrill/early Buck days, when the lineup included Alvaro Espinoza, Balboni, Sax, Pat Kelly, Barfield, Hall, Nokes, Geren, Brookens, etc.). Ugh.

Dave Phelps appears to have lost the #5 spot to Nova what with his effort today. He had a great spring up to the last two starts. Today: 5 R in 3 2/3. Juan Cedeno a scoreless 1/3. Mo went 1, a hit, then 3 K. Robertson and Aardsma a scoreless IP each. Logan 1 R in 1 IP, Claiborne a scoreless inning.

Meanwhile, our friends at BBD (Bronx Baseball Daily) report that Joba could be dealt for a young bat. I would love to keep Joba, but the lineup needs help.

S.T. Game 24. Yanks outslug Pirates, 11-9

Melky Mesa had a grand slam, and Kevin Youklis homered while going went 2-3 with 3 RBI as the Yanks outslugged the Pirates today, 11-9.

Eduardo Nunez had 2 hits and 2 SB, Brennan Boesch 2 hits, a SB and an RBI, and Mesa also had a SB as did Thomas Neal.

Ivan Nova tossed 3 scoreless innings before losing his effectiveness. He went 5, 4 R, 6 H, 1 walk and 4 K. David Robertson pitched a scoreless inning.

Branden Pinder gave up 1 r in 1 IP, Matt Tracy 4 R in an inning of work and Chase Whitley pitched a scoreless inning.

Earlier in the day, the Yanks released Matt Diaz. It’s looking like Clay Rapada may not make the Opening Day Roster (shoulder bursitis) but that doesn’t mean (per LOHUD) that Girardi would automatically take a lefty like Nuno. Instead it could be another righty like Jim Miller, Chase Whitley or Shawn Kelley.

The way Dan Johnson is going, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is released soon.

S.T. Game 21. CC starts for 1st time, goes 5, Yankees win, sign Boesch.

CC Sabathia made his first S.T. start and gave up 2 R in 5 IP as the Yanks beat the Marlins today 7-3.

Francisco Cervelli and Travis Hafner HR’d. Hafner had 2 RBI. Jose Pirela had 2 H and an RBI.

Ronnier Mustelier suffered bruised legs while going for a foul pop-up. He hit the railing rather hard.

Thomas Neal once again contibuted to his strong spring, going 1 for 1 with an RBI, but you wonder if the recent signings of Francisco and Boesch (which I will get to in a moment) will hurt his chances of making the team.

After CC went 5, giving up 2 R, Joba gave up 1 R in his 1 IP. David Robertson pitched a scoreless inning, as did Mark Montgomery and Vidal Nuno.

Nuno, with a 1.08 ERA this spring (after a 2.54 High A/AA last year) is really making a name for himself.

After signing Francisco a few days ago, the Yanks signed Brennan Boesch (just released by the Tigers) today. The lefty-swinging OF will be 28 in April. Over the past three years he has averaged 127 games a year, .259-14-58, OPS+ 96. Slightly below average, but at this stage of S.T. you can’t expect to find much better. Boesch had an awful 2012, hitting .240-12-54, OPS+ 77. He has only played RF/LF in his career. He looks to be a platoon OF (with Francisco) until Granderson is ready. Meanwhile, it looks more and more like Juan Rivera will be at 1B with Youk at 3B (with Mustelier going to AAA, where he would be one of the first callups).

As for catcher, it looks like Cervelli and Stewart. Romine needs to go to AAA for more experience (of course, depending on Sanchez’ progression, Romine could be bypassed by Sanchez soon, or, for that matter, J.R. Murphy). Where Bobby Wilson fits in, who knows.

Moves and maybe moves

The Yanks sent some players down today.

Heading to AAA: Austin Romine (seems to guarantee Cervelli starter and Stewart backup, but Bobby Wilson is still in camp), Francisco Rondon, Brett Marshall and Dellin Betances.

Heading to AA: Jose Ramirez (who had a GREAT spring), Manny Banuelos (out for the year with TJ surgery), Nik Turley and Ramon Flores.

Reassigned: Chase Whitley, J.R. Murphy and Luke Murton. Murphy had a decent spring, going 4 for 11.

The Yanks signed Ben Francisco to a minor league deal. Francisco hit .240-4-15, OPS+ 83 for three teams (Tor/Hou/TB) in 2012. He is a .257 career hitter, OPS+ 101. He mostly plays LF/RF but has played a little in CF too. The righty hitter has a 162 g. average of .257-15-56. He went 2 for 19 in the postseason for the Phillies, 2009-2011, with 1 HR and 3 RBI. He is 31.

The Yanks are apparently trying to lure Derrek Lee out of retirement. Lee didn’t play in 2012. In 2011 he hit .267-19-59, OPS+ 109 for Balt/Pit. He’s 37, and has a career line of .281-28-90, OPS+ 122 for 162 games. He has 331 career HR.