Welcome Back Chapman! Aroldis back for 5 years, $86MM and we get Torres for a loaner!

How desperate were the Cubs to get a WS win after 108 years? So desperate they gave up someone that is being called the next Derek Jeter (Gleyber Torres, who hit .403 in the AFL at age 19 and was the Arizona Fall  League MVP) for just a few months of Aroldis Chapman.

Chapman is bringing his 104 MPH fastball back to the Yanks, signing a 5 year, $86 MM deal to return to the Bronx.

This will move Dellin Betances back to the 8th inning and set up Tyler Clippard for the 7th. The two setup guys are righty pitchers, so don’t be surprised if the Yanks make a play to bring lefty Boone Logan back (even though I did like the job Tommy Layne did after the Yanks acquired him last year).

Chapman was 3-0, 2.01 in his limited time with the Yanks in 2016, with 20 saves.

Best of all, he doesn’t cost the Yanks a draft pick, and for “loaning” him out to the Cubs for a few months and a WS title, the Yanks get Torres, and reacquire Adam Warren.

Baseball Winter Meetings.

No more action on the Yankees front since the signing of Matt Holliday.

They are rumored to be in discussions with Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen. Chapman is said to want a six-year deal, which is probably a bit much for a closer, although the Yanks did give a six-year deal to the Goose (1978-1983).

There also have been rumors of reuniting with Boone Logan for the bullpen, and of maybe going after Luis Valbuena as a utility man.

There are other relievers the Yanks are looking at also.

A couple of teams did make some moves.

Mark Melancon to SF. 4 yrs., $62MM.

Joaquin Benoit to the Phillies on a 1 yr. deal. $7.5MM

Steve Pearce to Toronto.2 yr. $12.5MM

Washington is still a rumor hotbed regarding them getting Andrew McCutchen, Chris Sale or both.

 

 

 

Game 64. T-time. Tanaka, Teixeira lead Yanks to 4-2 win.

Masahiro Tanaka had a shutout for 8 1/3, and wound up with a 4-2 complete-game victory. He improved his record to 10-1, and his ERA remained at 2.02.

Tanaka’s bid for a shutout was ruined when Robbie Cano hit a 2-run HR with one out in the 9th.

Tanaka went 9, 2 R, 6 H, 1 walk and 11 K.

Tanaka leads the majors in wins (10) and winning pct. (.909). He leads the AL in ERA (2.02), CG (2), and WHIP (.940).

He became the first Yanks’ rookie to win 10 in a season since El Duque in 1998.

The Yanks offense didn’t help much, but just enough. For the twelfth consecutive game, the Yanks’ offense scored fewer than five runs.

The Yanks got a run in the third on an Ellsbury single, and then the big blow, a 3-run HR by Teixeira in the fifth.

Teixeira’s HR was his 11th of the season and #352 of his career.

The win improved the Yanks’ record to 33-31. They are tied with the Orioles for 2nd in the AL East, 4 1/2 behind Toronto. They are 1/2 game out of the last WC spot.

Derek Jeter got two hits and is now at 3374 for his career.

Before the game, the Yanks DFA’d Wade LeBlanc and brought back David Huff from SF for cash considerations. They activated Shawn Kelley off the DL and sent down Matt Daley.

I must admit, I don’t understand the Huff move. He was there last year, and was 3-1, 4.67 in eleven games (ERA+ 87). He wasn’t doing that well with SF either, 1-0, 6.30 in sixteen games of relief. For his career, 22-27, 5.38, ERA+ 75.

For what it’s worth, Boone Logan is struggling with Colorado. 1-1, 5.87, ERA+ 74.

Ex-Yankees destinations.

So Boone Logan goes to the Rockies, $16MM over 3 years. Hughes Twins, Joba Tigers. Cano Seattle. Granderson Mets.

David Adams went to Cleveland after the Yanks non-tendered him.

As for 2B, forget about Infante. He goes to KC, 4 years, $30.25MM.

Since when is Robbie Cano Rodney Dangerfield?

So Robbie Cano at his press conference insinuates that he didn’t get any respect from the Yankees?

$170 MM over 7 years is no respect? Since when did Robbie Cano turn into Rodney Dangerfield?

I wish I was shown such disrespect.

Eat my shorts, Robbie.

Meanwhile, apparently Boone Logan is close to signing with Colorado.

Game 157. Yanks shut out 7-0, on the brink.

The Yanks managed just four hits in getting shut out by Tampa Bay 7-0 last night and are on the brink of being eliminated from the playoffs.

They are now five out of the last wild card spot with five to go.

Hiroki Kuroda gave up a HR to the first batter of the game and three in the first.

He went 5 2/3, 5 R, 5 H, 2 walks and 5 K. (L, 11-13, 3.31).

Boone Logan 1/3, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 1 K. 3.23.

Cesar Cabral 1/3, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 0 K. 3.38.

Adam Warren 1 2/3, 0 R, 2 H, 0 walks and 3 K. 3.62.

Shawn Kelley 2/3, 2 R, 2 H, 1 walks and 2 K. 4.39.

Dellin Betances 1/3, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 0 K. 15.43.

Price vs. Hughes tonight. Stick a fork in them, they’re done.

Game 142. Yanks set ignominous record in 13-9 loss.

The Yanks set a record today in a 13-9 loss, and not one they are proud of.

They became the first AL team ever to lose 3 straight at home in which they scored 8 or more runs themselves in each game.

For those who clamored for Huff to replace Hughes in the rotation, reality set in. Huff isn’t as good as Hughes (and even though Hughes hasn’t been good, I warned that Huff would be worse). Huff stunk today.

Huff lasted 3 1/3, 9R, 8 H, 0 walks and 2 K. He goes to 2-1, 6.45. Lit up like a Christmas tree.

Then it was garbage time. Two SWB pitchers finished up.

Jim Miller 1 1/3, 3 R, 3 H, 1 walk and 0 K. ERA 20.25.

Then Brett Marshall. 4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 1 walk and 3 K. 5.40.

An important September game to play, just 2 1/2 out of a playoff spot and who are your pitchers? Three guys who spent the year at AAA: Huff, Miller and Marshall. Speaks volumes.

Meanwhile, Robertson has shoulder tendonitis and will be shut down a week. Kelley and Logan have trouble and will each be shut down also. Like I wrote in a previous post, stick a fork in them, they are done.

Gardner had 2 H, 2 RBI. Jeter left the game early, 1 for 4 (Hit 3316, 3 behind Molitor) b/c of problems w/the ankle he broke last year.

Prediction: Jeter exercises his player option for 2014. He has problems and retires mid-2014. He passes Molitor for 8th on the all-time hit list. He does NOT pass Yaz’s 3419. Right now Jeter is at .190 and looking bad.

Game 141. Bullpen implodes in 12-8 loss.

Stick a fork in them, they’re done.

If you thought the loss Thursday night was bad, where Mo blew a save when he was one strike away, last night’s loss was worse.

Andy Pettitte handed an 8-3 lead to the bullpen in the 7th. Andy had gone 6, 3 R, 5 H, 3 walks and 8 K. ERA 4.03.

The Yanks got a 2-run HR from Soriano (30, combined Cubs/NYY), an RBI triple by Nunez, and a 2-run triple by Gardner (10) in staking their 8-3 lead.

So much for Phil Hughes giving you an inning or two out of the bullpen. 1/3 IP,  4 R, 3 H, 1 walk and 0 k. ERA to 5.11.

Logan came in and struck out Big Papi with the bases loaded. But then Girardi left him in to face Napoli, a righty hitter. WHY? He got his guy. Where was a righty to face Napoli? Napoli hit a 3-2 pitch (one strike away again) for a grand slam to tie the game.

Logan 1/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 walks, 1 K. 3.26.

In came Claiborne, who was so bad the night before, when he gave up 3 runs without getting anyone out.

He was just as bad. 2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 0 walks and 1 K. (L, 0-2, 3.86). The rookie had a good year, but in the last two games, in the heat of a pennant race, he gave up 6 R in 2/3 of an inning. In those two very important games, in the midst of a pennant race, Claiborne’s ERA went from 2.74 to 3.86.

And why a rookie in the heat of a pennant race? Because Hughes was bad and Joba can’t be trusted. Because Claiborne passed Joba on the depth chart. Because Joba came in after Claiborne and was bad again. 2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 3 walks and 1 K. 4.54.

Matt Daley, who had spent all year in the minors (5-3, 2.02, mostly at AA & AAA) finished up. 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 2 K.

An ugly loss. Right after a heartbreaking loss.

Now David Huff starts against Boston today.

The Yanks are still just 2 1/2 back of that second wild-card slot, but now fell behind Baltimore and Cleveland by 1/2 a game in trying to get it.

But the way they’ve played the last two nights, …

Stick a fork in them.

Game 140. Great comeback ruined. Yanks lose 9-8 in 10.

Down 7-2 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Yanks scored six runs to take an 8-7 lead. They watched Mariano Rivera get the first two outs in the top of the 9th. They watched him get to one strike away from ending the game.

Then they watched the game get away. Mo blew the save and the next inning Joba blew the win (with help from Cowboy Joe West, umpiring at first) and the Yanks lost 9-8 in 10 innings.

Ivan Nova started and Boston worked him over. He gave up two in the third but the Yanks tied it in the bottom half on a Cano 2-run double.

But Nova gave up a HR to Middlebrooks in the fourth. 3-2 Boston.

Nova only lasted 4 innings,  3 R, 5 H, 2 walks and 3 K. But he threw 96 pitches. ERA to 3.02.

Here, and later, is where I question Girardi. Hughes was demoted to the bullpen, so why didn’t Joe use him for an inning or two? Instead, he brought in the rookie Claiborne, who has had a good year, but who hasn’t ever experienced this type of pennant-race pressure before. 0 Ip, 3 R, 4 H, 1 walk and 0 K. ERA to 3.33.

Joe said he “didn’t want to put Hughes in that situation” after he didn’t pitch out of the B/p all year. BS. You are 2 1/2 out of the last wild card spot. You have to go with your best, and… we’ll get to that in a bit. But here is one spot where he could have used Hughes for 2-3 innings and didn’t and the game got away.

He brought in Cesar Cabral. Boston/Yankees, pennant-race, September, and the kid’s 2nd major league game. Cabral did strike out the only batter he faced. 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 1 K. 0.00.

Adam Warren for 2 2/3. 1 R, 3 H, 1 walk and 4 K. 3.65.

7-2 going into the bottom of the 7th. Ichiro walked, Wells PH for Stewart & singled. Gardner singled in a run and then Wells stole 3rd (getting a favorable call, replays suggested he may have been out). Why Gardner didn’t go as well, I don’t know. Jeter walked to load the bases. Cano grounded into a force. 7-4. Soriano singled in a run, 7-5. Granderson doubled to make it 7-6. After A-Rod struck out, Overbay singled in two to give the Yanks an 8-7 lead.

Robertson had a 1-2-3 8th, 2 K. 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 2 K. 1.85.

Mo the 9th. He got a lineout and groundout and had 2 strikes on Napoli. One strike away from save #650. Napoli singled, left for PR Berry, who stole second and went to third on Romine’s throwing error. Drew tied it with a single.

1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 walks and 0 K. 2.19.

In the bottom of the 9th, Soriano walked and was picked off first but the throw wasn’t good and he made it to second. SB. But then he was picked off second.

So for the 10th, in comes Joba, and you just KNEW the Yanks would then lose. Why not Hughes? (Kelley has a triceps issue and couldn’t pitch).

Joba 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 walks and 0 K. It appeared as if Shane Victorino went around for strike three but Cowboy Joe West, umping at first (bet he loved the nice long game) said Victorino held up. He singled in the game-winning run on the next pitch. Joba (L) 2-1, 4.38.

Logan finished. 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 walk, 0 K. 3.05.

Joba said something to West upon being removed and was ejected.

A tough loss. Had they hung on, and they were one strike away, they’d be only 1 1/2 back of the Rays for the last wild card spot b/c the Rays lost last night. Instead it remains 2 1/2 with 22 to go, and they are only 1/2 game ahead of the Orioles and Indians.

Once again, Derek Jeter didn’t look good to me, but looked tentative on those legs.

The Yanks stole six bases, even one by Overbay on the back end of a double steal.

Game 138. 5 in 8th give Yanks 6-4 win.

The Yanks need to win every game they can right now. Going into this evening, they were 2 1/2 behind for the last wild card spot, 25 games to go and they have to jump over a couple of teams.

Which is why losing 4-1 in the bottom of the 8th to the White Sox looked so bleak. But the Yanks got five in that inning to pull out a BIG 6-4 win.

Chicago got a run in the first, and the Yanks tied it in the 2nd on a double steal. Nunez swiped second while Wells stole home.

Chicago got a 2-run triple by Alexei Ramirez in the fifth to go up 3-1. De Aza’s HR made in 4-1 in the 7th.

In the 8th, after Gardner struck out, Jeter got hit #2 of the night and #3315 of his career. MLB states that he passed Eddie Collins on the all-time list. BaseballReference has him tying Collins. Those old-time (Collins 1906-1930) players stats have discrepanices. Boxscores weren’t that accurate back then. Anyway, Jeter is now 4 behind Paul Molitor on the all-time list. MLB has Derek 9th on the hits list and soon he’ll pass Molitor for 8th.

Cano doubled. Soriano singled to make it 4-3 and A-Rod singled. Granderson’s PH single tied it up and after Reynolds struck out, Nunez doubled in two to make it 6-4.

Kuroda 6 1/3, 4 R, 7 H, 2 walks and 7 K. 2.99.

Claiborne (just back) 2/3, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 0 K. 2.74.

Logan 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks, 1 K. (W, 5-2, 3.08).

Mo the save. #40 on the season, #648 for his career. 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 2 K. A 1-2-3 inning that lowers his ERA to 2.12.

It is the 9th time in his career that Mo has saved 40 games in a season. And this year, at age 43… and he is only a few months away from 44 years old.

The Yanks go to 74-64 and jump over the O’s.