Last night on 1240 AM WGBB, NYBD contributor Joe Delgrippo and I talked Yankees baseball during the last 30 minutes of the show. We chatted about the Brian Cashman/Steinbrenner feud, the Andrew Jones signing, and Tampa’s recent acquisition of Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon. Joe also brought up a sleeper candidate for the starting rotation that […]

Yesterday I wrote how the Yankees could use an infusion of versatility and power on their bench. Last year they acquired Eric Hinske and Jerry Hairston Jr. to provide power, versatility, and depth. This year, thus far, the results haven’t been as good as Randy Winn, Marcus Thames, Juan Miranda, and Kevin Russo have all […]

Maybe it’s not surprising, but Austin Romine has certainly moved ahead of fellow prospect Jesus Montero in the Yankees’ pecking order of catchers. Not only is Romine better mechanically, he is also developing the type of rapport with pitchers that is needed. “We’re real pleased with how Austin is maturing, offensively, defensively and how he […]

During spring training, 24-year-old Damon Sublett knew what he had to accomplish. Play well enough to earn a roster spot with the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees’ Double-A Eastern League farm team. The native of Wichita, Kan., who was taken in the seventh round of the 2007 draft after starring at hometown Wichita State, made it […]

Over the winter and throughout spring training, scouts kept talking about Yankees farmhand and infielder David Adams. “Watch this kid,’’ an AL scout said. “If he’s at Trenton this season, he’ll open some eyes. His bat is really coming around.’’ Adams’ play the first week of the Eastern League season has echoed those words. He […]

The Yankees made a good decision by sending Jesus Montero to Triple-A Scranton and Austin Romine to Double-A Trenton for the 2010 season. Both played at the same level – at Class A stops Charleston and Tampa – before Montero was promoted to Trenton at mid-season last summer. Now that I’ve seen both play, the […]

When I discussed the bullpen battles last week Kei Igawa was throw in, but never taken seriously as having a chance to make the team. It’s pretty clear that Joe Girardi will take 12 pitchers North, maybe even eight relievers for a week until a fifth starter is needed. If that is the case could […]

These two pitchers might be of great service to their respective local teams. Romulo Sanchez Very little was made out of the deal that sent Eric Hacker to Pittsburgh for Sanchez. I actually didn’t understand it since Hacker drew raves during spring training. In any event, Sanchez started 13 games for Scranton after the deal […]

Let’s turn the clock back to 2002, focusing on the week before spring training ended. The Mets made a minor trade, sending infielder Lou Collier to the Montreal system for a young outfielder with potential named Jason Bay. He was only in the Mets system for a few months, going to the San Diego Padres […]

Since the Yankees claimed Chris Carter off waivers from Boston this September Mets fans were unable to get a glimpse of the “booty” from the Billy Wagner trade. Carter seems like a good player that is stuck in the wrong organization. Instead of talking about Jack Cust, Aubrey Huff, Russell Branyan, and Jose Guillen perhaps […]

Shelley Duncan has always been one of my favorite players. He’s also the subject of one of my favorite stories, as the recipient of one of those “instant’’ spring-training callups – that of being pulled out of a minor-league game at the Himes Avenue complex in Tampa, Fla., and quickly being shuttled the few blocks […]

The Yankees announced seven additions to their 40 man roster yesterday. The one surprise for me was the exclusion of Zach Kroenke. Last December Kroenke was selected by the Florida Marlins in the Rule V draft. He got very little playing time in spring training, and when he played was ineffective, and was offered back […]

Butch Wynegar was runner up to the late Mark “The Bird” Fidrych for Rookie of the Year in 1976. Later on he would catch Dave Righetti’s no hitter as well as Phil Niekro’s 300th win and 3,000 strikeout. Today he helps mentor the top Yankees prospects as the hitting coach of the Scranton Wilkes Barre […]

Hear my Sunday night show which was live from the studios of 1240 AM WGBB During the first half hour I spoke with Butch Wynegar the hitting coach for the Scranton Yankees. We talked about his 77′ rookie campaign where he finished runner up to Mark Fidrych for rookie of the year, catching Dave Righetti’s […]

Buffalo’s Fernando Martinez is really heating up. Over his last 10 games he is batting .382 with 2 home runs and 9 RBI. He also had 4 doubles, which bring his International League lead in doubles to 12. Buffalo’s Brandon Knight had a great week. He started two times, and threw 15 innings. He allowed […]