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Get Jesus Montero Back? Forget About It

Dan Dechenaux — Fri, 24 May 2013 22:48:56 +0000

Now that the Seattle Mariners have reassigned Jesus Montero, should the New York Yankees try to get him back? Would a change in scenery jolt him into fulfilling the promise he once held as the jewel of the Yankees farm system?

In one word-no! In three words-forget about it! The most important attribute the Yankees need from their catcher is the ability to handle the pitching staff. They need a coach on the field, a captain to steer the ship.

Montero is neither of these. At the plate, he is stumbling, as well. In 164 games with the Mariners, he is batting .252 with 18 home runs. The home run total is misleading, since it has come over two seasons. The physical wear and tear of the catching position make it unlikely that he could maintain that pace over a single-season, even if he were able to stay healthy.

Of the three catchers the Yankees have turned to this season, only Austin Romine has a lower batting average than .252. Francisco Cervelli is batting .269. Chris Stewart is hitting .265. Romine is at .129. But he has batted only 31 times. While he may never cause pitchers to tremble in their socks, give him a chance to play consistently and you will really find out what he can do.

Montero’s chances of hitting well in the majors will only come if he improves at handling the curve ball. He owned the fourth- lowest slugging percentage against the curve in the majors during the last two seasons at .119. This is more than 200 points below the MLB average.

An improvement against the curve may only happen if he switches positions, allowing him to shed the responsibilities of catching and concentrate on his stroke. First base is an option. Many catchers have made this transition to extend their careers, Montero needs to make it to have one. Of course, designated hitter is a viable option.

All of this removes Montero as an option for the Yankees. Instead, they should look forward to the return of Michael Pineda and the value he can offer to the pitching staff. If Pineda can return to his 2011 form, when he was an All-Star and finished fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, the Yankees will certainly have a rotation that can carry them in the postseason.

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees Must Get Rid Of Jayson Nix

Hunter Farman — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:29 +0000

Okay, I’ll admit it: it has been hard to find a weak spot on this team so far. Everything and everyone just seems to mesh really well together. I’ll even go as far as to say that I haven’t had this much fun watching a New York Yankees team in many years. But if I had to pick one player, who time and time again makes me want to pull my hair out, it’s Jayson Nix. The Yankees have so many better options, and the time has come to let him go. (more…)

YGY Series Preview Show: Yankees-Rays (5/24-5/26)

Ricky Keeler — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:00:25 +0000

The New York Yankees (28-18) suffered a minor setback in Baltimore earlier this week as they lost two of three to the Baltimore Orioles. Even though Travis Hafner and Vernon Wells saved the day in Game 1, the Yankees got walked off on Tuesday by Nate McClouth in the 10th inning and then suffered a huge injury scare to one of their premiere starting pitchers on Wednesday. Fortunately, Hiroki Kuroda should be able to make his next start in the Subway Series after taking a line drive off of his calf in the 3rd inning. As far as the positives in this series, Adam Warren was solid in relief once again, Curtis Granderson had three hits and a home run on Wednesday out of the lead-off spot, and third baseman David Adams had two home runs in the series. Now, the Bronx Bombers head down to Tampa where their home away from home hasn’t been friendly to them as of late.

Matt Moore will try to continue to pad his Cy Young resume on Saturday as he tries to dominate the Yankees for the 2nd time this year. (Photo Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports)

For the Tampa Bay Rays (24-22), the season so far has been what the record indicates. Last year’s AL Cy Young award winner, David Price, is on the disabled list due to a triceps injury. Plus, the bullpen has been inconsistent with Fernando Rodney blowing four saves and having more walks than he had all of season. That being said, the team has seen a healthy Evan Longoria all season (9 home runs), a re-vitlalized James Loney (.350 batting average), and the emergence of a future Cy Young Award winner in Saturday’s starter, Matt Moore (8-0, 2.29 ERA). Joe Maddon‘s team seems to always gives the Yankees fits in Tropicana Field and there’s no reason to think it will be different this weekend even with the Yankees giving CC Sabathia an extra day of rest.

On this episode of the Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show presented by BaldVinny.com, I recap the Orioles’ series and discuss why the Yankees should still be a little bit careful with the Kuroda injury. Plus, I talked with David Hill from RaysColoredGlasses.com about Tampa’s season thus far. This includes the move by Maddon to start Alex Cobb Sunday ahead of Jake Odorizzi, the emergence of Loney, and who could be next-in-line to be the Rays’ closer. Finally, we discuss the surprises that both of us have seen in the AL East so far as we head near Memorial Day.

CLICK HERE FOR THE YANKEES-RAYS SERIES PREVIEW SHOW!!!

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

Dan Dechenaux — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:35:29 +0000

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…)

Yanks Go Yard Recap: Kuroda Injured As New York Yankees Fall In Baltimore

Jason Evans — Thu, 23 May 2013 02:50:40 +0000

Hiroki Kuroda had been the most consistent New York Yankees’ starter. Tonight was his first bad game with a calf injury to boot. Kuroda left early after the Orioles hit him hard, as they took the rubber game of the series 6-3. (more…)

Remembering Bernie Williams

Dan Dechenaux — Thu, 23 May 2013 01:32:43 +0000

Bernie Williams is perhaps remembered most for his ability to come through in the clutch. The big home run, the great catch, the knack for finding a way to get the job done were all part of his mystique.

But those who followed him closely all remember his smile. It is such a part of his character, that it seems as if it is a permanent part of his body. The rest of us were created with a mouth, Williams was given a smile. (more…)

I Was Wrong About Vernon Wells

Alex Pugliese — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:57 +0000

One of the greatest things about writing for a blog like Yanks Go Yard is the ability to put your opinion out there about the dealings of all things Yankees. However, an important aspect of writing like this is that a person needs to take accountability for what is written, particularly if what was written turns on to be wrong. With that said, here it is: I was totally and completely wrong about Vernon Wells. And I couldn’t be happier about that.

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Yanks Go Yard Recap: McLouth’s 10th Inning Blast Beats New York Yankees

Jason Evans — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:57:36 +0000

The New York Yankees bullpen has been a huge strength of the team this year. They wouldn’t be 28-17 without them. Sometimes, they will give up a run in a big spot. That’s what rookie Vidal Nuno did in the 10th inning, as Nate McLouth‘s walk-off homer led the Baltimore Orioles to a 3-2 victory. (more…)

Why Would Joe Girardi Sit Vernon Wells?

Dan Dechenaux — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:27:24 +0000

Joe Girardi’s decision to leave Vernon Wells out of the starting lineup in the New York Yankees’ 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles Monday left many fans dumfounded. In his last 10 games, Wells is batting .313 with three home runs and eight runs batted in. That is nearly a run per- game of production sitting on the pine. (more…)

Yanks Go Yard Recap: New York Yankees Use Late Inning Magic Again

Jason Evans — Tue, 21 May 2013 03:25:35 +0000

Even when your ace doesn’t have his A stuff, the good teams find a way to win those games. The New York Yankees have had a ton of fight all year long and tonight was anothe display of that. Even though CC Sabathia couldn’t hold two leads, the Yankees found a way to come back and beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-4. (more…)