It was on this day in 1961 that commissioner Ford Frick suggested that "a distinctive mark" would be placed on a new home run record if a player eclipsed Babe Ruth's then-record of 60 homers in more than 154 games (the length of Ruth's season in 1927). Though no such notation ever used in any sort of official record, it was still popularly believed that Frick and Major League Baseball had asterisked Roger Maris' 61-homer season.
Here's the latest from Yankee Stadium…
- The Yankees don't have interest in Juan Pierre or Rick Ankiel, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter links). The Bombers' search for outfield help will intensify with the news that Brett Gardner will undergo arthroscopic elbow surgery, though Gardner's agent Joe Bick says Gardner still hopes to return this season, reports Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger.
- Wandy Rodriguez is "not even on [the Yankees'] radar," a source tells Marc Carig (Twitter link). The Yankees reportedly had scouts on hand to watch Rodriguez pitch on Wednesday.
- The Yankees have released right-hander Nelson Figueroa, according to Donnie Collins of the Scranton Times-Tribune (passed on by Mike Axisa of the River Ave Blues blog). Figueroa, 38, signed a minor league deal with New York in April and had a 3.96 ERA in 17 Triple-A games, nine of them starts.
- Darnell McDonald has cleared waivers and been assigned to Triple-A, reports Collins. The Yankees designated McDonald for assignment on Tuesday to create roster space for C.C. Sabathia's return from the disabled list.
I doubt it took the drubbing at the hands of the *potent* Padres lineup to disuade Cashman from even contemplating giving up anything for Wandy, much less paying paying any of the well over 20m (counting the 2014 option that becomes player) they would have been saddled with.
Wandy pitches, on the auctioneers table with lights flashing and a huge **Buyer beware** sign brightly lit.
I really don’t think they need him, pettitte will be back in a month. So then is wandy really an upgrade over 1 of Hughes, garcia, or phelps? (plus the extra significant cost. If they didn’t have depth he would bea potential piece, but they have enough arms to get through the season, and for the playoffs wandy wouldn’t be in their top 3-4 starters anyways.
I honestly do not think the Yankees need to make a trade this deadline. They are stacked in every sense of the word, are getting production from every single person on their bench (Even Dwayne Wise has a .841 OPS!) have guys like Joba and Feliciano on their way back to their already dominant bullpen from the DL, and are on pace to have a platoon tandom in Left Field that will hit 40 + homeruns. Maybe a small move here and a little move there, to add depth in case on injury, but with CC healthy and on pace for another 19 win season and Pettitte on his way back by the times the Playoffs roll around, These Yankees are locked and loaded for a serious playoff run just the way they are.
I thought tey would possibly need an arm in the bullpen since you don’t know what to expect out of Joba and Feliciano for that matter. I don’t think they need to make a serious move either.
I’m confident that a healthy Joba or a healthy Feliciano will offer more than Qualls and Wade who occupied the last spot in the bullpen. We don’t have to trade anything to get those two arms back either which is great!
I think they gave Qualls a shot because he has been able to get righties out over his career. He is another reliever they picked off the scrapheap. They really have no investment in him so once one of the other relievers gets healthy he will be cut unless he turns it around. I don’t mind seeing him unless it is a tight game. Maybe he turns it around and they have extra arms, which never hurts.
Joba has been pretty strong in his rehab assignment…keep in mind that his elbow is long healed.
True. I’m not all that worried about Joba, but I’m just saying I don’t knwo what to expect. Not saying I have no confidence or anything. Feliciano, different story.
Feliciano really would be a luxury though, especially since Clay Rapada has been that second lefty the Yankees had been looking for in the bullpen. Joba would really spell David Robertson on some nights.
Agreed, their bench has really been a lifesaver. Jones and Chavez have really filled in nicely with ops both over .840. They have weaknesses but they have really shown they have the depth especially with several former stars that have contributed. Although it does hurt to have lost gardner for the rest of the season.
Just heard Gardner will get arthroscopic surgery and his season is likely over. Maybe they need an OFer with speed again and can play defense. Unless they just hold on to Wise.
And they don’t want Pierre, why?
I guess cause he’s not that good? If they get anyone I prefer Victorino if the Phillies don’t ask for a whole lot.
If Brett Gardner was having a .312/.349/.379 season and was 21/25 in SB attempts we would be singing his praises. Look….he sucks defensively for the most part. But I don’t think he sucks any more than Ibanez right now. Going into the playoffs I would lovvvveeee to have an element of speed and a player that can help us play small ball because of their speed and ability to bunt a player over. I assume the cost for Pierre would be significantly less than what it would be for Victorino. I see no reason not to add someone like JP.
Pierre is making less money than Victorino ($800,000 to $4+ million) and is having a better season, both FA’s I believe next year. I don’t see why you think Victorino would cost a lot more.
Vic is earning $9.5 mil this year and JP is earning $800k. Victorino is a “star” and “fan favorite” . I suspect he will require more in terms of prospect talent.
Are you saying Gardner sucks defensively?
No. I was saying that JP might suck defensively but he’s hitting well enough and is cheap enough that the Yanks should be in on him.
Ok I was confused a little by your wording, but i completely agree. I think he is a perfect addition and he isn’t going to break the bank.
Unless it’s for a true upgrade I would be hesitant to even consider dealing any midevel prospect or beyond for a rental like Victorino.. Much rather see the Yankee go out there and get Span for a package of midlevel prospects.
Lots of good stuff going on in this post.
1. No to Wandy2. Released Figeroa3. Dropped McDonald4. CC is back
For sure. All of you NYY fans Know I like Boston, but plain common sense is common sense.. Wandy and mcDonald are and were not going to help.
CC got a little break, NY still has a huge lead. Never hurts to give the ‘top dog” a break anyway half way thru. Forget grabbing another SP, unless can get them reasonable. Only Texas could be a problem and for at least another year or 2 the Yanks should be fine without looking for a lot of outside help.
Not to mention they have Pineda coming back next year, who if he is what he can be, would be like acquiring a front-line starter.
Yep, which is why I think this team does not need a top tier starter anytime for the next few years, although 2 key things would have ot happen, and that would be for Hughes to be the pitcher the Yankees have wanted since he came up, and Pineda to be the pitcher he was when he left Seattle (easier said than done, especially in YS). If Hughes and Pineda are efficient, the Yankees would have a pretty good rotation regardless of who the 5th man would be.
The only thing the Yankees may need is one or two more bullpen arms, but I wouldn’t be surprised or even disappointed if Cashman chose to stay pat, especially since Joba Chamberlain should come back sometime in August and Pettite probably after the rosters expand to 40. The real battle will be in the bullpen as to who makes the postseason roster.
The Yankees really have no holes to fill…even what I said is a need could be filled in through players on rehab assignments.
There is no need for the yanks to make any minor moves…. The only thing that makes sense is to go for broke and empty out the farm and make a run for Cole Hamles….. The team is getting old and this may be there best chance to win a WS for the next few years… Rotation of CC, Hamels, Andy, Nova would look pretty good.. Add Joba and Hughes to the bullpen and it becomes even more dominant.
Not sure why Cash wont go after Pierre, as a just in case move.
Maybe because he’s comfortable with Wise. Wise, while not as fast as PIerre (not many are anyway), plays much better defense. Wise even has a better BsR (0.7 to 0.2)
I like to see the Yanks go after Headley of the Padres if he is available.