Not much to say about our 2012 postseason

I'm not happy but I'm also not mad. The Yankees basically finished in 4th in the MLB this year making it to the ALCS. Thats a good accomplishment and I believe people don't realize it because of the high expectations every year with the Yankees. Also winning the AL East this year was great especially battling a lot of key players getting injured during the season.

The #1 problem during the postseason was EVERYONE was in a slump except Raul Ibanez who made most of the games very exciting. It wasn't just A-Rod who couldn't hit but seemed like he was put in the spotlight because of his high expectations and low performance every postseason.  This year he hit a .120 during the postseason.  After Derek Jeter got injured would have liked to see A-rod get moved to short. A-Rod is was of the best shortstops to play the game. I feel as if making that move might have changed his play and might have been enough to get him out of the slump.

Going into the postseason this year I was thinking the Yankees would have been struggling with the pitching but getting help from a strong offense. It was the exact opposite the Yankees just couldn't hit and the pitching was good.

KEYS for the offseason:

1. Try to get Ichiro Suzuki back
2. Say goodbye to Nick Swisher - My sister and brother in law called this move a year ago and I always backed Swisher but my breaking point was the error in right field during ALCS with the line drive on his glove side he completely missed. Its about a 98% chance he isn't returning next year in pinstripes.
3. If no Ichiro and with Swisher gone the Yanks need a right fielder. Many options that will be available. Wouldn't mind seeing Torii Hunter or even Melky Cabrera.
4. Keep Granderson
5. Keep Martin even with his .211 avg this year / very reliable behind the plate
6. Keep Ibanez
7. Re-sign Andy Pettitte
8. figure out what to do with A-Rod keep or trade
9. Get ready to win number #28

2012 American League East standings 7/20/2012

Love to see these standings.
1. Yankees
2. Baltimore
3. Rays
4. Boston
5. Toronto

The Yankees have a big lead in first but that can always change. Before the Yankees late game tonight they are 8.5 games ahead of Baltimore. Toronto has been a disappointment this year. I had high hopes for Toronto this year.

In the East
The Yankees have the lowest runs allowed with 373. They also have 452 runs scored which is third. 1st Boston 469, 2nd Toronto 454 Keep it up Bronx Bombers!!!

10 Player trade by Jays and Astros

Houston is sending three pitchers Lyon, J.A. Happ, and David Carpenter to Toronto. In exchange for outfielder Ben Francisco, reliever Francisco Cordero, four Minor League prospects, and a player to be named later. The Jays are improving their bullpen and adding to the starting rotation which will help in the long run. The Astros best part of the deal is Cordero and the Minor League prospects (two are former first round draft picks).

NO need to trade for an outfielder

There has been a lot of talk lately about options the Yankees have for outfielders since Gardner has been hurt and Ibanez is an older player. Well Ibanez has played in at least 134 games each year for the past seven seasons. With his big hits like the game winning grand slam in mondays win over the Jays what else could you want? He has 12 homers on the year. Then when he isn't playing you have Andruw Jones hitting long balls. Jones also has 12 homers on the year with only 138 at bats. Don't forget about Dewayne Wise. The Yankees outfield is fine. The big concern is the starting rotation. Can this pitching staff win a World Series??

Mariano Rivera says he will return!!!

Mo doesn't want to end his amazing career with an injury. "I love to play the game," Rivera said. "I don't think, to me, going out like this is the right way." He's coming back for 2013! The greatest closer of all time is not done. Enter Sandman

Mariano's future in doubt after tearing ACL

Mo tears ACL during batting practice on 5/03/12 in Kansas City. It was a hard thing to watch seeing Mo fall at the warning track and grab is knee. You could see the pain in his face. It was even harder watching him talk about it in the club house. Will this be the last of Mo? He was talking about retiring after this season but I don't think this is how he wants to go out. I hope he can have a quick recovery and maybe get back on the field this year.  This is a guy that truly loves the game of baseball and has changed the game of baseball.
Link to Mo talking about torn ACL
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21135519&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_21135519&v=3

Analysis of Yankees 2012 start

The Yankees are 8-6 and tied for first place with Baltimore in the AL East. Its a good start for the Yankees but there are always some negatives and positives.

Positives:

- Derek Jeter is playing like he is 27 again. Batting .359 with 4 HRs, 10 Runs and 11 RBIs.  Lets hope he can keep this up because he is carrying the team right now.

- Nick Swisher leading the team in RBIs with 14 and is really seeing the ball well. Swisher has a lot of power so when he does make contact look for a long ball.

- Granderson has a 5/5 day on 4/19/2012 with 3 HRs in the first three at bats
Can be seen through this link
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20768853&topic_id=&c_ide best pitcher =nyy&tcid=vpp_copy_20768853&v=3

- Yankees beat the Red Sox on 100th Anniversary of Fenway

Yankees get first win of 2012 season

Its about time! The Yankees win their first game of the season advancing to 1-3. The Yankees beat the Orioles 6-2. Not exactly how the bombers wanted to start the season. The offense looks good but the pitching seems to be the problem so far. I wouldn't worry to much. Look for CC and Kuroda to make adjustments before their next starts. Once the starting pitching is under control the Yankees will be unstoppable. Look what happened tonight with a good outing from Nova. Also Phil Hughes looked pretty good in his last start. I liked how he was pitching and seemed to have some good velocity. I can't wait for Andy Pettitte to make his return. He has been very sharp and has had good location in bullpen sessions. Things are looking up for the Yankees and their is no reason to worry.

2012 American League East Prediction

1. New York Yankees
2. Tampa Bay Rays
3. Toronto Blue Jays
4. Boston Red Sox
5. Baltimore Orioles

There it is boys and girls. Now I need to learn how to master this ability so I can pick the winning lottery numbers.

Yes the Boston Red Sox finish behind the Blue Jays that is not a typo. The Jays are legit this year and will give the Red Sox a run for their money in the standings. The Jays are a young team that has a bright future. I think those young players will start connecting the dots in 2012.

The New York Yankees having everything they need as long as they can stay healthy. Their is not one spot on the team where their is a hole. The pitching staff is a loaded gun. Look for Andy Pettitte to join the team late and have a huge impact. Martin and Swisher have been raving about how good he looks so far in the spring.

The Rays have great starting rotation that will keep them at the top the standings.

The Orioles will be the Orioles.

Spring Training Leaders

The yankees are looking good just a few days before opening day. Here are your leaders this spring

AVG - Mark Teixeira .292 (good sign for Tex as he normally has a slow start)

HR - Ibanez 3 (surprise with how bad he started during the beginning of spring training)

R - Granderson 12 (look for this during the season also)
RBI - Cano 14 (Cano is a monster)
SB - Gardner 7 (its his job)

Ivan Nova chance for rotation spot

Ivan Nova has had a weak spring. He has a five game 6.86 ERA in the Grapefruit League this spring. This puts him in last among the others fighting for the five spots in the starting rotation for 2012. It doesn't look good for Nova but he did have 16 wins last year. Looking on last year's performance he should be with the club. I personally like him and hope he makes the rotation. It will be a tough decision for Joe Girardi. I think it will be CC, Kuroda, Phil Hughes, Michael Pineda, and Freddy Garcia. The reason for this is Nova can play in Triple A until he is needed for any reason such as an injury or if someone is under performing. 

Andy Pettitte is back for 2012

Pettitte comes out of retirement to join the yankees for 2012. The Yanks...
(click read more for video of Girardi on Pettitte's return)

Cano's X-rays come back negative

Cano was hit in the left hand by a pitch from Troy Patton the Orioles' pitcher. This would have been horrible if Cano would have sustained an injury in spring training. Cano is an amazing second baseman and is a monster at the plate. We need this guy in the line up everyday. It will be sore for a few days and shouldn't miss much time. This is always a scary sight when a player gets hit in the hand.

Yankees win first game of 2012 Grapefruit League

The Yankees pick up a win today against the Philadelphia Phillies 8-5. Some positives to take away from this game are:
1. Granderson continues playing like he did last year. He went 2/2 with a HR and 2 Runs
2. Yankees lefty Manny Banuelos (Top Prospect) had 2 scoreless innings but gave up two walks with no strikeouts. He didn't have

Yanks give up $20 million to have Burnett not pitch for them

This is when you know your bad. Your team is giving up $20 million so you wont be on the team. Pittsburgh will be responsible for only $13 million of the remaining $33 million on Burnett's contract. To make it more of a low blow the two Minor Leaguers the Yankees are receiving are not listed among the Bucs' Top 20 Prospects. The two Minor Leaguers are right-handed reliever Diego Moreno and outfielder Exicardo Cayones.

Burnett was 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA in 32 starts last year and posted a 5.26 ERA in 2010.

The city of New York should be throwing a parade right now. Finally getting rid of the disease in their starting rotation. The biggest reason the Yankees did this was to save some money to be able to go deeper into the free agent list for a DH. They have serious interest in Raul Ibanez, and maybe re-signing corner infielder Eric Chavez. I am not crazy about Ibanez but we will see what happens.

picture from SILive.com

Burnett utilized his limited no trade clause

Bobby Abreu for starter A.J. Burnett. Sounds like a fair trade for both teams to bad A.J. Burnett is an idiot. The first reason he is an idiot is that he declined to move west because his wife is afraid of flying. What? Have they heard of a car? Second reason turn down an offer to play for another ring with the suddenly free spending Angels or get mired in mediocrity with The Pittsburgh franchise that has been historically bad for 18 seasons.

I think for the Yankees this is for the good. Bobby Abreu is an ok player but not the right guy for what we need in New York.(My good friend Josh Horab most likely wont agree as he likes Abreu) I would much rather see Matsui or Damon back in pinstripes.

PLEASE get rid of Burnett!!!! Can't we get some new bats or a season's supply of sunflower seeds for him?

picture from NYDailyNews

Boom goes the Dynamite!

The Yankees explode with some big moves tonight! The Yankees get some fire power in the rotation by getting right handers Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda.

Getting Michael Pineda wasn't easy, as the Yankees had to give up top prospect Jesus Montero to Seattle in a four player trade. There has not been an official announcement by both teams but Seattle will give up Pineda and minor league pitcher Jose Campos in return for Montero and right hander Hector Noesi.

Just after the trade became public, the Yankees also completed a one year deal with Kuroda worth $10 million.

Now for the Yankees rotation they have some big decisions to make with already having Sabathia, Pineda and Kuroda. This leaves Burnett, Garcia, Hughes and Nova competing for starting jobs.

It was a Good night for the bombers finally getting some much needed pitching. The only down fall was losing Montero. This guy was a power house with a big bat. Montero is ranked 6th on the Top 50 Prospects list. montero had a .328 average with 4 home runs and 12 RBIs in 61 at-bats last year. He was supposed to be the starting DH in 2012 while backing up Russell Martin. It will be interesting to see who fills the role of Montero in 2012.

Jorge Posada Will Retire

Posada is planning on announcing his retirement within the next two weeks. This is the perfect time for Jorge to retire due to his struggles in 2011. He could go to another team and play DH but he values retiring as a Yankee. "I will always be a Yankee," Posada said in November. "The New York Yankees, for me, is my second family." Jorge Posada deserves a lot of respect as a ball player and a man. There are nothing but good things to say about him. He will be missed. Especially his success in the playoffs. In 2011, Posada was 6 for 14 which is a .429 average in the AL Division Series loss to the Tigers. So now the core four is down to two. There is no need to worry about who will play catcher or DH. Russell Martin will continue as the starter catcher (who I think did a great job last year) and have top prospect Jesus Montero play DH. This will work out really good for the yankees. Martin is great behind the plate and Montero has some power at the plate. Also when Martin needs a day off Montero can jump in at catcher to get some practice behind the plate. Montero is a great hitter but he is bad defensively. Jorge Posada is a great player and I believe he should make it into the Hall of Fame. I will never forget the no batting gloves and the great moments of cheering Jorge on.
One last time... HIP, HIP! JORGE!

Andruw Jones is back for 2012!

Andruw Jones agreed to a one year contract of $2 million plus a possible $1.4 million in performance incentives. Finally the first good move the Yankees have made this offseason. This guy has power and can hit lefties. Jones has 420 career home runs and has 10 gold gloves.

Alex Rodriguez has Experimental Knee and Shoulder Therapy

Last week Alex Rodriquez went to Dusseldorf, Germany for experimental therapy on his right knee and left shoulder. This was recommended by Kobe Bryant. In 2011 A-Rod only played 99 games due to injuries and is trying to rebound from last season. Last season he hit .276 with only 16 HRS and 62 RBIs. Rodriguez is supposedly 100% and has been doing offseason training. Will A-Rod produce this upcoming season or will he disappoint like most of the time?