Dellin Betances: New York Yankees’ Future Ace, Or Next Hype-Machine Failure?

Dellin Betances is yet another young fireballer in the New York Yankees suddenly heralded farm system. A once barren and rightfully mocked prospect pool has now jumped as high as fourth among MLB franchises (courtesy of Frankie Piliere, formerly of MLB FanHouse).

This rise has been largely accredited to Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, and Andrew Brackman—otherwise dubbed the “Killer B’s”. Betances in particular is the arm that is dropping the most jaws to the floor across scouting circles.

This awe inevitably begins with his size, as “BEASTances” (thanks Twitter family) is cautiously listed at 6’8” and 245 pounds. As expected, this frame produces a dominant fastball that has been known to reach 96-97 MPH at times—though typically sitting at 93-95.

Betances’ breaking ball is essentially untouchable when at its best, however that inconsistency is one of the primary faults in an otherwise dynamic arsenal. Refining his fastball command is the other key factor in determining how far he can go at the next level.

The Yankees can feel very fortunate to claim the gentle giant as one of their own. Although drafted in the eighth round of the 2006 MLB Draft, Betances was a first round talent—dropping due to severe signability concerns.

The New York City high school star held strong leverage over any team willing to draft him, as a scholarship from respected baseball factory Vanderbilt University rested in his back pocket. An above-slot $1 million bonus from his childhood team was enough to lock him up, and NY knew the risk would pay off long-term.

Now Betances and his surgically reconstructed pitching elbow are quickly rising up MLB prospect lists.

In 17 starts split between Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton, he compiled an 8-1 record and 2.11 ERA. He recorded 108 strikeouts in just 85.1 innings pitched, and also boasted a 0.88 WHIP and 5.6 H/9.



Betances has shown flashes of that dominance this spring in striking out seven in four and two-thirds innings, but has likewise shown his weaknesses in command and consistency.

One curve will send a hitter ducking out of the way in fear, only to see it snap back over the inside corner. The next will hang up in the zone. One fastball will explode past a late-swinging bat for a strikeout, and the next will miss its spot by two feet.

All of the elements for stardom are already in place, and now the Yankees have to teach him how to harness that power and be more disciplined in his mechanics.

While Betances’ size benefits him in many ways, it also makes it far more difficult to repeat his delivery and gets all parts moving in perfect synchronization. Pitching downhill is a very important weapon for tall pitchers, and is a skill all young prospects have to learn.

He has the stuff to be the next intimidating mound star in MLB, but that could leave him spinning in place below his potential like AJ Burnett, or spiraling out of control like former Orioles stud Daniel Cabrera.

Just a few weeks short of his 23rd birthday, Betances has plenty of time to reach his ceiling. He could likely be a bullpen weapon as early as June or July, but he needs to log the necessary minor league innings to develop correctly.

In my eyes, Betances is a tick below Banuelos in MLB-ready command, but his upside is a tick above Man-Ban in long-term projection.

I will always take the prospect who understands pitch sequences and the importance of command before the off-the-leash flamethrower.

That said, it’s hard to resist thinking about a composed version of Betances ducking his head while exiting the dugout on his way to the Mound.

The “potential” is limitless, but like many prospects the question is will he ever reach it? My gut feeling is that he will fall somewhere below stardom yet far above inconsistent frustration.

Regardless of his progression over the next 12-18 months, the Yankees have every right to feel confident about their rejuvenated farm system. Whether or not they don pinstripes or are traded for established stars is anyone’s guess, but expect Betances to stick around.

Wealthy Yankee Rotation Needs to Prove Its Bite is as Big as Its Bark

The Boston Red Sox have once again arrived at Yankee Stadium for a crucial four game series between division foes, and any and all excuses have been thrust far out of the window.
It is finally time for the cream of the Yankee rotation to rise to the top, and fly high like the countless home runs hit at the new ball park.

AJ Burnett and CC Sabathia were paid a king’s ransom to come to the Bronx, and they need to show they are prepared to take the throne.

Burnett has undoubtedly been the Yankees best starter thus far in 2009, but he has failed miserably at his most important task: win the big game.

Somehow earning the “big game” moniker without ever pitching a postseason inning, Burnett was 5-0 with a stellar 2.56 ERA in 8 starts against Boston during his Blue Jay career. They hit just .212 against him in those games.

This season, however, it has been a far more painful and less encouraging tale for Burnett.

In his first two introductions to the game’s most heated rivalry, he is 0-1 with a nauseating 12.91 ERA, 2.74 WHIP, and a .382 batting average against.

The man brought in to be Boston’s kryptonite has instead been its Lois Lane—someone to use and abuse and toss to the side when the sun rises and duty calls.

The question is, when will “Clark Kent” Burnett emerge from the telephone booth (locker room) with an “S” on his chest?

Is it finally time to discard the glasses, pen and notepad, and unconfident stammer in favor of an intimidating force to be reckoned with?

The same can be said for CC Sabathia, who is currently the highest paid starting pitcher in all of MLB.

Brought in to be a reliable and unquestionable “ace,” Sabathia has been pitching much more like a 10 of hearts. A steady card, sure, but not worth pushing in as many chips into the pot as New York did on his free agent contract.

Sabathia has given up four or more runs in 10 of his 23 starts, and five or more in four of his last seven. His ERA is floating around 4.00, and he has had just one month with an ERA below 3.75.

Problems have resulted from the inability to get on top of his changeup, displaying a lack of fastball command early in the count, as well as difficulty finishing his slider down and in to right-handed hitters.

We have all heard about the putrid postseason numbers for Sabathia, as he is 2-3 with a 7.92 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in 5 starts—two of which were against these very Red Sox in 2007 (0-2, 10.45 ERA, 2.32 WHIP).

In order for Yankee fans, players, and management personnel to truly believe in the possibility of a World Series run, Sabathia and Burnett are going to have to prove that they can handle the spotlight in the biggest of games.

They will have to out-pitch star hurlers in a pennant race, and stand tall on a mound that has made so many before them appear small and unprepared.

These games will provide as close to an October atmosphere as can be replicated in regular season baseball, and will go a long way in determining how these two infinite bank accounts will respond to a pinstriped playoff run.

It is time to unhook the leashes on New York’s two biggest dogs, and find out once and for all if their bites are truly as damaging as their barks would suggest.

Though it doesn’t have to be perfect, it has to make a clear statement that they can last 12 rounds in a ring with their most passionately despised enemy.

Armed with off-speed pitches as jabs and 95 MPH fastballs as a powerful uppercut, these two hired guns need to deliver a knockout blow.

Blue corner, are you ready? Red corner, are you ready? Ding. Ding. Ding.

Yankees Pummel Johan: No Miracle on 161st Street for Santa-na and Mets

The Yankees were faced with the harsh realization that they deserved to be riding a five-game losing streak entering Sunday’s afternoon matchup with the ace of aces—Mets starter Johan Santana.

Alex Rodriguez had failed in the clutch once again on Friday, awaiting a chorus of boos to inevitably crescendo from all corners of the new Yankee Stadium.

Mets 2B Luis Castillo became the most unlikely of heroes for the Yankees that night, as we all know what happened next—“Luis, the Bad News Bears are on line two for you.”

A Saturday loss almost certainly left the Yankees staring at a disappointing series loss at the hands of their cross-city rivals, as Santana was sure to put his best foot forward in a pressure-packed moment.

The Yankees would counter with high-priced AJ Burnett—a hurler who had just fell on his face in the biggest start of his young Yankee career in Fenway Park.

The characteristically patient and savvy Yankees lineup turned to the game plan that had frustrated opposing aces on many occasions in years past. They would simply wait him out and attempt to create a bloated pitch count in early innings.

This slow death philosophy, coupled with Santana’s reduced velocity and inconsistent command, resulted in the worst performance of his Major League career.

In just three hapless innings in Yankee Stadium, his ERA would instantly transform from Cy Young favorite (2.39) to “quality No. 2 starter territory” in the National League (3.29).

The Yankees would humiliate the Mets 15-0, putting a stamp on a series they were never worthy of winning in the first place. The only team that could have saved New York (AL) from unraveling was the Mets—a franchise dedicated to breaking the hearts of its loyal fan base.

In fact, I believe “the choking man” from all of the Heimlich maneuver instructional posters in restaurants is actually wearing a Mets jersey. (Ok, that was harsh and unnecessary—but I couldn’t resist)

It was an imperative series victory after the mini Boston Massacre at Fenway Park earlier in the week, and the schedule now weakens for a bit until a trip to Citi Field on June 26.

New York (AL) will now receive a first person view of the Mets daily life in the NL East, as the Nationals, Marlins, and Braves are in consecutive order on the upcoming schedule.

It is rather remarkable that the Yankees and Red Sox are in the process of facing 15 consecutive NL East opponents. I am a very strong proponent for interleague play, but this is a rather absurd set of circumstances.

Joe Girardi’s return to Florida will likely add some competitive flavor to an otherwise dull meeting, and New York will hopefully channel the rage and fire flowing through their manager’s veins.

If the Yankees go 6-3 in the upcoming pre-Mets stretch, they will stand at 42-30 on the season. It would put them on pace for between 94 and 95 wins.

This win total would more than likely be enough to earn a playoff spot and get back to October baseball—a month that once felt like home for an annually dominant and feared franchise.

Dismantling the National League’s best pitcher in a rivalry game was an impressive stepping stone into a stretch of games the team should dominate.

Until Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, and the bi-polar bullpen are stabilized, however, it appears that nothing is a given—especially not the always coveted “consistency.”

AJ Burnett vs. Derek Lowe: Why the Yankees Yearn For Shot at Time Travel

The Yankees endured a long and eventually expensive offseason of courting free agents and subsequently flirting with their representation and entourages.

Primary targets on the pitching front included a “no-brainer” in CC Sabathia, as well as two hurlers in their 30s on completely different sides of the mound spectrum.

The first was AJ Burnett—a hard-throwing ball of electricity and intimidation—blessed with stuff that only could be sent down directly from the baseball gods.

In the other corner was former Red Sox nemesis Derek Lowe, a crafty veteran who possesses a sinker even the deepest burrowing of worms has nightmares about.

Both hurlers had won about 53-54 percent of their decisions entering the 2009 season, and their earned run averages were also strikingly similar. The decision would come down to other factors—ranging from age to injury history to American League transitional ability.

New York had to choose between a flashy glove-popping fastball and a stern grass-burning sinker. The decision is an easy one, right? It appears to be, especially considering the similarity in stat lines.

What if I told you that the glove-popping fastball belonged to a pitcher who only once won more than 12 games in a season, has never pitched a postseason game, has a turbulent injury history, and has been known to let innings explode like a Ford Pinto?

What if I included that the grass-burning sinker was released from the hand of a veteran who won the clinching game of each and every series on Boston’s way to breaking the curse in 2004? Or that he has a career 1.15 WHIP and 3.33 ERA in 21 postseason games?

Now that we can agree that the choice is obvious and blatant, let’s take a look at who the Yankees chose to trust the hopes of a World Series run in—the glove-popping fastball.

The move has undeniably backfired, as Lowe stands at 7-3 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, while Burnett is floundering at 4-3 with a 4.89 ERA and nearly 1.50 WHIP.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman has been seen frantically searching for plutonium, a restored flux capacitor, and a used DeLorean in order to attempt to travel back in time to Dec. 12, 2008—the day he signed an $82.5 million check over to a lifelong tease.

When Cashman was pulled over for speeding down Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, he tried to explain to the NYPD that he was merely pushing his car to “precisely 88 MPH”—the suggested speed for time travel in Back to the Future.

Making things worse, the Yankees passed up a ground-ball pitcher built to throw in “hitter’s parks” in favor of a fly ball pitcher destined for failure in the newly constructed homer haven of the Bronx.

An extra year and $22.5 million separates the contracts of the two pitchers, and the Atlanta Braves are more grateful every day for losing out in the Burnett sweepstakes.

The Yankees won championships because of men taking the mound who knew how to pitch regardless of how hard they may have thrown.

They won with Jimmy Key, Orlando Hernandez, David Cone, and Andy Pettitte—none of which would be confused with possessing a 95+ MPH fastball at that point of their careers.

Lowe fit the exact mold New York needed for an October playoff run, while also not compromising success and consistency during the regular season. He is durable, dependable, poised, and fearless—the perfect compliment to Sabathia in what could have been a flawless winter game of Monopoly.

Burnett may have helped to loosen and otherwise tight locker room atmosphere, and has implemented an interesting celebration following walk-off victories.

As the season begins to wear on, however, it appears as though the Yankee hierarchy and Burnett himself are the ones left with pie on their faces.

The Yankees Can Forget About Chien-Ming, Right? “Wang!”

Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang has had much more than just a tumultuous season in pinstripes.

A 0-3 record and 34.50 ERA turned a former ace into a rejuvenation project filled with fear and uncertainty.

The unexpected and full-fledged collapse left the Yankees organization stirring for answers—only to find more questions the deeper they dug.

Would Wang ever again regain the form of years past? Had he simply had his confidence forever shattered like the sad story of Rick Ankiel?

Did compensations for a recurring foot injury ultimately lead to overexertion of his pitching shoulder and elbow?

Golf enthusiasts refer to the persistent nightmare as “the yips,” describing the sudden and complete inability to perform even the most simplistic of mechanical tasks.

It usually starts with a missed putt or a wayward drive of the tee, but before long a golfer is left praying for a way to simply make decent contact.

In the midst of a battle with “the yips,” a golfer would rather wind up and throw the ball down the fairway than even attempt to address it with a golf club in hand.

Wang was experiencing the baseball version of the psychological phenomenon, suddenly prevented from utilizing the pitch that single-handedly paved the road for his success—a painfully heavy sinker.

Virtually nothing could be done to rediscover or repair mechanics “gone rogue,” as mental anguish seemed to be at the epicenter of the pitching issues.

New York released a very rational and sensible explanation for the happenings, highlighting Wang’s incapability of driving off the mound with his formerly injured foot.

Subsequent compensations in mechanics put added pressure on his hip joints, while also preventing him from getting on top of his patented sinker.

Whether or not the story is 100 percent true will remain a mystery, but it was far too logical to bother questioning.

After all, an injury is much more comforting for a fan base to hear than “he may need time in a mental health facility.”

On Wednesday night, Wang finally delivered a sense of optimism to Yankees Universe that all hope was not lost for his 2009 campaign.

It finally appeared as though it would be Wang’s fastball that would be rapidly sinking, as opposed to the prospects of his Yankees career.

Wang pitched two strong innings in relief against a very talented Rangers lineup, and closed out the game without allowing a single baserunner.

He struck out two Rangers, including one of the hottest hitters in MLB in Nelson Cruz. Cruz had recently produced 5 HR, 10 RBI, and a .462 AVG during a seven-game hitting streak.

Wang also generating two ground balls, proving that the depth and tilt on his sinker are beginning to round back into form.

There is a lot to still be concerned about, and two innings clearly is not enough of a sample size to deem Wang “cured.”

Yankees fans were looking to anything as a sign of progress, however, and this certainly qualifies as such.

Wang’s importance has been downplayed slightly in the recent past, as Phil Hughes has pitched dominantly over his last two starts.

Do not be a strictly nearsighted fan, and do not disregard how vital Wang is/could become to the Yankees ultimate successes.

In the event that Joba Chamberlain is forced back into the bullpen or AJ Burnett suffers an injury, Wang could be the difference between a playoff birth and scheduling tee times.

Let’s hope the result is not the latter…as Wang’s “yips” would likely worsen if he was lead onto a golf course.

A.J. Burnett vs. Roy Halladay: When Pupil is Forced to Face Professor

Yankees starter A.J. “don’t call me Carol” Burnett credits the Jays Roy Halladay for completely altering his pitching style.

Halladay’s tutelage has ultimately refined Burnett’s consistency, as well as allowed him to be placed on the “dominant list” more times than the disabled list.

The implementation of a sharp two-seam fastball and a conservation of velocity have taken Burnett’s pitching prowess to levels much closer to his mountain-high potential.

Burnett will now be forced to face his savvy teacher and many former teammates, while also pitching in the ‘dome he called home’ for three years of his career.

In many master-pupil battles, such as the father and son dynamic, the pupil ultimately overcomes the master when he is far past his athletic prime.

The day that a son embarrasses his father in one-on-one basketball, or snaps off a curveball too nasty for his old hands to handle, it is both a proud and degrading moment in his life.

It is bad enough that he is going through a mid-life crisis, but now his son has officially evolved from the primordial soup into a far superior physical machine.

Dr. Frankenstein has created a monster that he no longer can control.

The only recourse is to now live vicariously through the son, suddenly arrogant that his seed and teachings have created such a phenom.

Unfortunately for Burnett, however, he must face Halladay near the peak of his physical existence. He is on pace for an illogical 29 wins this season, and currently stands at 6-1 with a 3.29 ERA.

It is ironic that Halladay sports the “Doc” moniker, as he has taught Burnett everything he knows about pitching as opposed to throwing.

“Doc” is named after the Arizona gunslinger Doc Holliday, though the nickname should reflect all the hitters he makes sickly after facing him start to start.

Hitters have not been sprinting up to the batter’s box to face Burnett this season either, as he has pitched very well outside of one lowly performance in Fenway.

When excluding the Boston start, Burnett is 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 2.5 K/BB ratio in five starts. He pitched at least six innings in four of those five starts, minimizing the early exits which once plagued his career.

It will be interesting to see how Burnett approaches facing his former team, as he normally has a knack for elevating his performance against division rivals.

New York will hope for a much better result than C.C. Sabathia’s reunion with Cleveland, as a bullpen implosion left nothing but bruised egos and a 10-2 slaughter.

Burnett pitched admirably against the Rays in his last start, but will need better command of his breaking ball to shut down a potent Jays offense.

Toronto is currently first in all of MLB with 204 runs scored and a .294 team batting average. They are also sitting third with 44 home runs. Their bats are one of the many reasons they sport the best record in the American League.

During his tenure as a Blue Jay, Burnett was 21-8 while pitching at home in the Rogers Centre. Perhaps his familiarity and past dominance in the park will help to fuel his fire on the mound.

“Doc” is one of the most respected and classy hurlers in the league, but this is one day that I hope he gets dosed with a little bit of his own medicine.

Frustration, Concern, Anger: Emotions Still Guide Me to the Stadium Tonight

I will be heading into the Bronx tonight; though it is against my better judgment.

The past few days have resulted in an 0-5 start against the rival Red Sox, as well as continued ineptitude from the bullpen and starting rotation.

A desperate begging process for clutch hits was ultimately ignored, and yet another crushing injury to a Yankees star was realized.

The demons of the disabled list came calling for catcher Jorge Posada, landing him in baseball purgatory for anywhere from 2-5 weeks.

Jose Molina is the best backup catcher in all of baseball. Unfortunately for New York and its already anemic offensive attack, he is not quite known for his potent swing.

The Yankees now limp into a short two-game series with Tampa Bay, the reigning American League Champions. A.J. Burnett will be on the bump for New York against Tampa's Andy Sonnanstine.

Tampa Bay's young and aggressive lineup should help Burnett to expand the zone and pick up strikeouts, but the "shoulds" of baseball are less dependable than any other major sport.

The forecast calls for rain near the latter third of the game. If I am attending a Yankees game, this trend is easier to bet on than a Notre Dame-Navy football game (before 2007).

Hopefully I can help turn inconsistencies into victories with my attendance, but we shall see. Talk to you all tonight or tomorrow morning.

Yankees Awake to See May 1: Players Feel Differing Emotions

As the clock struck midnight on Friday morning, the calendar had officially flipped over to the month of May.

The Yankees awoke from a fulfilling night’s sleep, basking in the positivity of their recent three-game winning streak.

Currently sitting at 12-10 in the standings, New York has climbed back into striking distance of the leaders in the American League East.

The team’s record is rather remarkable considering the turmoil and misfortune that suffocated the Bronx during March and April.

The Yankees have won 54.5 percent of their games, on pace to finish 88-74 over a full 162-game season.

Virtually identical to New York’s 2008 finish of 89-73, it has done so without the luxury of even one at bat from Alex Rodriguez.

It seems more impressive when reflecting on the additional losses of Xavier Nady and Brian Bruney to elbow injuries, as well as the incompetence of the Yankees bullpen and high-priced free agent acquisitions. Chien-Ming Wang did not quite succeed as a No. 2 starter this season either.

Mark Teixeira, Damaso Marte, and Wang feared becoming the stars of their own version of Groundhog Day, unable to escape the nightmare of a never-ending April.

Many other Yankees, including Robinson Cano, Nick Swisher, and Melky Cabrera, would have leaped at the opportunity to avoid the arrival of May 1.

Swisher and Cano combined for 12 HR, 35 RBI, 21 BB, and 39 R in just 22 April games. Cano had added 34 hits and a .366 AVG to his list of accolades.

Cabrera, on the other hand, has entirely rejuvenated his Yankee career. In hitting .327 with 4 HR, he has won back the starting center field job in the Bronx, and subsequently rediscovered his confidence and swagger.

While assuming the reasonable statistical comebacks of Teixeira, Burnett, and Sabathia, it is easy to see why Yankees fans have reason for optimism and hope.

The ultimate success of Wang, A-Rod, and the bullpen are still in doubt. The simple return of A-Rod to the lineup, however, should help the team’s overall lineup depth. Teixeira should also feel more comfortable and assured at the plate with legitimate protection behind him.

If “April showers bring May flowers,” then perhaps the Yankees will be purged of their troubles; once again able to perform at the highest of levels.

May will almost certainly “come in like a lion” in terms of scheduled opponents, as the month’s first seven games are against the Angels, Red Sox, and Rays. A three-game series with the World Champion Phillies also looms later in the month.

The Yankees will be tested early and often in the season’s second month, but can feel very fortunate to be in their current position.

April “showered” the Bronx with controversy, injuries, underperformance, boos, and even a strange wind current dilemma.

I’m sure those players sad to see May’s arrival will be willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. I, for one, am not waiting until Cinco de Mayo on May 5 to start celebrating.

The Man of “Steal”: Ellsbury Sends Yankees Season into a Tailspin

The Yankees had just suffered two of the more demoralizing defeats of their young season at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.

Making things worse was the fact that the losses mimicked the emotional and physical collapse of the 2004 ALCS. Worst of all, New York lost each game in a new and different manner.

Game one was supposed to display the ability of the Yankee lineup to grind out at bats, forcing Jon Lester off of the mound innings earlier than he had hoped.

It was supposed to be an uplifting and slightly ho-hum victory, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend.

Instead, even the most bulletproof member of the Yankee bullpen was not immune to a contagious disease debilitating the pitching staff arm by arm. Mariano Rivera was just one poorly thrown cutter away from handing over a win neither team ultimately deserved.

Although it didn’t seem possible, game two managed to shake the Yankees confidence even more so than a heartbreaking ninth-inning collapse.

New York’s roster could live with Rivera having a bad day. They could keep telling themselves that it was a fluke loss, and they did everything in their power to earn a road victory.

Game two, however, had an entirely different dynamic. After building a 6-0 lead in the early innings off of Yankee nemesis Josh Beckett, New York was well on its way to a convincing rebound.

A.J. Burnett was equally as potent a Red Sox killer in recent years, and the offense had shown every facet it lacked in going 4-19 with runners in scoring position the night before.

Eight runs later, Burnett was in the dugout asking for the license plate number of the truck that had just run over him. A Yankee comeback was thwarted after eight additional Sox runs, and nothing but embarrassment remained.

Game three was a whole different species of loss. It was a perfect example of the proverbial “throwing of salt onto an open wound.” The symbolic “salt” was named Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury.

Already respected as one of the fastest players in all of Major League Baseball, Ellsbury always needs to be accounted for. Apparently even the game’s best pickoff artist, Andy Pettitte, underestimated his skill.

Ellsbury not only stole second base off of Pettitte; he later forced fans to reminisce about the 1955 World Series played between the Dodgers and Yankees.


Realizing he was again going unnoticed, Ellsbury broke from third in an attempt to steal home off of the crafty lefthander. He slid in safely, and subsequently put the final nail into an already buried Yankee coffin.

Though not as significant as Jackie Robinson's theft in the aforementioned 1955 Series, Ellsbury’s feat was nearly as unsettling to New York. To this day, Yogi Berra still contends that he tagged Robinson in time.

Ellsbury’s 10th steal of the season left the Yankees in a state of flux, completely unsure of what lies ahead of them. New York will have to do some serious soul-searching in attempts to right the ship, and may be forced to rely on Phil Hughes and Mark Melancon more heavily than anticipated.

When the Red Sox were done putting away their brooms, they had swept the Yankees right out of Fenway. Their 10-game winning streak has once again established themselves as the team to beat in the American League.

Joe Girardi will have to figure out a contingency plan quickly. If Alex Rodriguez is not the cure to what ails him, Tony Pena may be the one running out the team’s scorecards by the All-Star break.

Lucky Number 13: Yankees Avoid Scalping at the Hands of Indians

A string of bad luck and unfortunate breaks for the Yankees finally subsided on Sunday afternoon.

Ironically, it occurred during the team’s 13th game of the season.

While Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett struggled with his curveball all start long, he was able to perform his best Houdini impersonation.

Two home runs and seven walks later, the Yankees still only trailed 3-1.

On the other side of the pitching matchup, Carl Pavano ensured that his return to the Bronx was a successful one. He pitched six innings of excellent baseball, and was able to keep hitters off balance with a quality changeup.

After a failed rally in the bottom of the sixth inning, New York appeared to be hanging its head. The Yankees had now become “The Pacifists,” unwilling to put up a fight for most of their stadium’s opening series.

Robinson Cano was not prepared to give up so easily, as New York’s hottest hitter ripped an opposite field double to start the seventh inning.

A clutch single by Hideki Matsui brought the Yankees within one, when Cody Ransom’s failed bunt attempt brought a familiar face off the bench as a pinch-hitter.

Jorge Posada was summoned to save the Yankees from the jaws of defeat, and he was certainly up to the task.

Thanks to a home run call reminiscent of Jeffrey Maier’s 1996 postseason heroics, Posada gave New York a lead it would never relinquish.

He launched an offering from Rafael Betancourt toward the right field wall, where two fans ruined any hopes of a play being made by RF Trevor Crowe.

A long deliberation and subsequent replay review by the umpires confirmed the Indians fate. They ruled the video evidence inconclusive, which resulted in the original call of a home run to stand.

The Yankees good fortune did not end there, as three undeserved runs scored with a little help from our galaxy’s closest star. A broken bat fly ball by Cody Ransom in the eighth was lost amidst the sunshine, and New York’s lead bloated to 7-3.

Mariano Rivera was called on to finish off the win like he has done so many times before, and New York escaped with a much needed series split.

The win was not at all pretty, nor did it help to answer many of the questions still surrounding the franchise. The Yankees awoke when they needed to most, however, and were able to creep back above .500 on the season.

New York now needs to regroup against an inferior Oakland Athletics team in a three-game series beginning tomorrow night. A difficult battle with the Boston Red Sox is on the horizon in Fenway, and the Yankees cannot afford to hit the road lacking in confidence.

The Yankees dodged a bullet on Sunday, but will need to elevate their play in order to enter the next stretch of the season’s schedule.

A.J. Burnett Nearly Stung by Rays: No-Hitter Quickly Becomes Nail Biter

There was a quiet intensity surrounding A.J. Burnett before taking the mound on Tuesday night, and it was clear that it could develop into a special evening.

No one truly anticipated just how special it almost became in Tampa Bay.

Burnett vowed that he would pitch deep into his second start in pinstripes, almost going as far as to guarantee a night’s rest for his exhausted teammates in the bullpen.

Not only did Burnett follow through on that guarantee, he came just nine outs away from giving virtually his entire team a night off.

Armed with a 93-95 MPH fastball and knee-buckling curveball, Burnett added impeccable control in order to manipulate a potent Tampa Bay Rays lineup.

As innings quickly disappeared into the rearview mirror, a bright white zero remained on the scoreboard in the Rays’ hits column.

Burnett collected strikeout after strikeout with seemingly effortless velocity, and brought a mental approach to the mound which rivaled that of a perfectionist.

At one point during the game, Burnett was seen scolding himself for bouncing a curveball on a full count. He went as far as to call himself “stupid” for not relying on his two-seam fastball in that situation.

Aside from his electrifying stuff, Burnett brought an even more important asset to the starting rotation. It has not been witnessed in the Bronx since Roger Clemens left town with his tail between his legs.

Earlier in the game, Yankees OF Nick Swisher was buzzed up around his chin by a lively Matt Garza fastball.

As if Swisher’s subsequent home run was not enough payback, Burnett offered the same intimidating treatment to Rays superstar Evan Longoria.

The ability to fearlessly stand up for your teammates is a quality in a pitcher that earns immeasurable respect throughout the clubhouse.

Burnett carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, with the Yankees poised for a simplistic victory in a game exhibiting a playoff atmosphere.

After three consecutive singles by Rays hitters to begin the inning, however, Burnett was left wondering if he had lost the game along with his no-hitter.

This often happens to pitchers who lose no-hitters late in ball games.

Burnett was in an unbreakable rhythm throughout his performance, and exerted a confidence and conviction most athletes refer to as “the zone.”

Once a pitcher is shocked back to reality after allowing his first hit, he is forced to try to regain the focus he had just seconds earlier.

Burnett was now forced into the stretch for only the second time in the game, which helps to breed a pitcher’s sudden discomforts.

With runners on first and third and no outs, Burnett was given an early Christmas present by Pat Burrell.

Burrell was given a green light on a 3-0 fastball, and hit a lazy fly ball to right field. Though the out lead to the game’s tying run, it helped to calm Burnett’s nerves.

Five outs later, Burnett had finished off a masterful eight-inning pitching performance.

The Yankee offense resurrected itself in the latter innings, ensuring that a win could not escape Burnett for a second time.

The game ended in a 7-2 Yankees victory, and improved Burnett’s early season record to 2-0.

Though the final score looks convincing and uneventful, countless viewers began popping blood pressure medication at around 9:30 PM EST.

The Yankees have improved to .500 in the standings, and are right where they had hoped to be. They are staring eye-to-eye with Tampa Bay, and looking down at the Red Sox below them.

Surprisingly, the Yankees still lie in third place in the league’s toughest division behind the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles.

April baseball…you have to love it.

The Yankees Are 'High' on Coke: May Need a Trip to Rehab

Yankees relief pitcher Phil Coke was left pinching himself on Sunday night, hoping to awake from an early season nightmare.

After allowing three hits and two runs in just one-third of an inning pitched, Coke’s current ERA has ballooned to 13.50.

More importantly, his failures represented the Yankees first blown save of 2009.

One of the true “darlings” of the Yankee bullpen, Coke earned the respect and trust of manager Joe Girardi following a sterling 2008 rookie campaign.

In his first Major League season, he went 1-0 with a 0.61 ERA in 12 September appearances.

After throwing nearly 136 innings of minor league baseball as a starting pitcher, Coke was moved to the bullpen to attempt to stimulate a late run at the AL Wildcard.

Coke was nothing short of dominating, and consistently reached 94-96 MPH on the radar gun. The ability to throw all of his pitches for strikes simply elevated his worth.

While his control has remained strong in his sophomore season, his velocity has experienced a noticeable drop-off.

The Yankees originally told Coke to prepare to be a starting pitcher in 2009, potentially competing throughout spring training for the team’s fifth starter role.

Upon acquiring both C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett in free agency, the plans were quickly revised. Coke was now being thrust back into the Yankees late-inning bullpen mix.

Part of the problem lies in his offseason preparation.

This does not at all discount Coke’s work ethic or dedication to his craft, but instead highlights the limitations that his new role placed on his initial arm strength.

By entering the season as a reliever, Coke was unable to build up power and lasting stamina in his pitching shoulder.

In the minor leagues, he was consistently throwing six to seven innings per game. This allowed him to regularly approach 100 pitches.

Coke could then make a seamless transition into the Yankee bullpen, as his previously mentioned control allowed him to jog onto the mound throwing strikes.

Due to his increased and established arm strength from his innings as a starter, Coke could now let loose for an inning instead of conserving energy and velocity.

The same does not hold true in 2009, as Coke has been generally clocked between 88-92 MPH.

It is likely that Coke will gradually regain his velocity as time wears on, but there should be concerns in the season’s initial months.

Coke earned an important role in this year’s Yankee bullpen, but he may have to regain Girardi’s trust in order to find himself on the mound in a meaningful eighth inning again.

The Yankees have always been high on Coke.

I just hope that they do not suffer a painful relapse before he can figure out his problems.

C.C. Apparently Stands for "Chilled to the Core"

During C.C. Sabathia's Yankee debut in Baltimore on Monday afternoon, cameras captured an alarming sight.

Sabathia was seen stuffing what appeared to be a heating pad into his jacket while in the dugout.

Speculation immediately surfaced that he had tweaked a muscle somewhere in his midsection, and was attempting to stimulate blood flow to the area through direct heat.

Had Sabathia injured his rib cage or oblique muscles, it could result in a lengthy stint on the disabled list.

The fact that it was not an exceptionally cold day fueled speculation, especially when taking into account Sabathia's time spent in Cleveland's frigid Aprils.

Fears were quieted following Sabathia's explanation of desiring extra heat in order to keep his core loose and warm.

The only thing that could derail the Yankees season after Opening Day would be losing a member of their wealthy rotation for any extended period of time.

Manger Joe Girardi and his team can breathe a collective sigh of relief, as they do not need to entertain the possiblity or fear of that happening quite yet.

After all, A.J. Burnett does not pitch until Thursday (just a little DL joke that I could not resist).

UPDATE: Pettitte, Burnett Pace Yankees' Muscle-Flexing

The New York Yankees clearly meant business today, and were able to provide many souvenirs for the fans that battled the cold and wind.

The Yankees received two home runs from Mark Teixeira, as well as blasts by Derek Jeter and Shelley Duncan to ensure a 10-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Andy Pettitte pitched into and out of trouble throughout the afternoon, harnessing the skill he has always mastered in his seasons in pinstripes.

It may not have been pretty, but it helped to pave the way for a convincing exhibition victory.

In probably his sole relief appearance of 2009, A.J. Burnett dominated the Cubs in four innings of work. He struck out six while surrendering just three baserunners.

The Yankees could not be happier heading into Monday's Opening Day matchup with the Baltimore Orioles, and appear to be firing on all cylinders.

The recovery from and threat of injuries seems to be the only foreseeable kryptonite for the Yankee ball club.

Here We Go Again: A.J. Burnett Tears Elbow Ligament

After A.J. Burnett was roughed up Sunday by the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates in his last spring start, the Yankees coaching staff was looking for answers.

Fans, players, and Yankee employees were seeking a catalyst to explain such a glaring deviance from an otherwise dominant spring.

On Wednesday night, an MRI result has unfortunately brought the Burnett picture into focus.

After surrendering 10 hits and 7 runs (6 earned) in just 4 1/3 innings, Burnett’s ego was not the only thing left in need of a repair.

Burnett has been diagnosed with a torn ligament in his pitching elbow.

The injury requires immediate surgery, and shatters the hopes of an otherwise promising 2009 campaign.

Burnett has already been a victim of Tommy John surgery in past years, and has earned the reputation as a frail pitcher.

He has his orthopedic surgeon’s phone number programmed on his speed dial.

This news sends a shockwave through the Yankee Universe, and essentially throws $16 million down the drain from the team’s 2009 payroll.

Phil Hughes will undoubtedly be called upon to stop the bleeding, but what can really be expected from the young replacement?

Burnett has left the Yankees in a very difficult spot, and could result in a trade in the coming weeks.

The absences of Alex Rodriguez and Burnett could cripple New York’s playoff dreams, as they are now sure to get off to a slow start.

A setback of this magnitude leaves me virtually speechless.

All I can say now is…APRIL FOOLS!!

I’m very sorry everyone who actually read this far without knowing my intentions of a hoax.

I simply could not resist.

A.J. Burnett Nearly Perfect Against Red Sox

In a game that may be forgotten before writers' heads hit their pillows tonight, A.J. Burnett showed Boston no spring training mercy.

Consistently pounding the strike zone with an eye-popping breaking ball and 95 MPH heater, Burnett made sure that the Red Sox lineup will not sleep quite as soundly.

Boston's socks began to take on a shade of green by the end of Burnett's outing, as they became envious of the Yankees new flamethrower.

Tim Wakefield was equally as impressive for the Red Sox, whose knuckleball is the hardest pitch to center during the spring.

This is of no concern to New York, as they have historically roughed up Wakefield over the years.

Burnett's 2008 dominance over Boston has spilled over into another masterful performance on Tuesday night.

Though I have stated countless times that spring results are as useless as the Atkins diet, Burnett has been as consistently solid as any starter in the league.

He was able to spot fastballs on either corner, bend his curve against the laws of gravity, and keep all of his pitches down in the zone.

Burnett tired as his pitch count rose up to and above the night's anticipated total of 75, but he did everything expected of him and more over the first 5+ innings.

If he was able to stay healthy for 30+ starts in 2009, it is easy to see why the Yankees are so excited about their rotation.

A pitching staff is as strong as its weakest links, and the Yankees only potential speed bump may be ligaments and tendons as opposed to ERA and WHIP.

In case you were wondering, center field candidate Brett Gardner continued his scorching spring by collecting yet another triple.

Gardner went first to third like he was shot out of a cannon, and reminded yet again of what his speed brings to the Yankee lineup.

Seconds later, he read a chopper off the bat of Johnny Damon in order to score from third base. Virtually any other Yankee would have been gunned down by 15-20 feet.

It is truly a shame that it is only March 24. The Yankees are playing fantastic baseball, and appear ready to start the games that count.

Hughes Gives Minnesota Twins Their “Phil”

In cementing his place as the opening day starter for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in AAA, Phil Hughes gave Minnesota all they could handle and more.

Hughes lowered his spring ERA to an impressive 2.19, while limiting the Twins to just four base runners in 4 1/3 innings pitched.

Though he has struggled with the command of his fastball for much of the spring, the results and progression have been exactly what the Yankees have been waiting for.

Touted as the unquestionable “Ace” of the future, Hughes showed nothing but frailty and control problems in 2008.

It is nearly impossible to commit to memory that Hughes is just 22 years old. His name has been on the tip of all our tongues for seemingly a decade.

There is plenty of time to develop into what his vast potential foreshadows, but I wonder how long the impatient New York demographic will be willing to wait for him.

If Hughes is able to master his improving changeup, there is no telling how high his ceiling can rise.

His velocity may never reach the 95-96 that caused fans to salivate after reading internet reports, but it may not have to.

If he can spot a 91-92 MPH fastball on the corners while throwing his above-average curveball for strikes, he can blossom into a No. 3 starter.

Mixing in the command of a deceptive changeup could make the difference in Hughes eventually becoming a top of the rotation starter.

If nothing else, Yankee fans can have confidence in their current No. 6 starter. In the event that AJ Burnett or Andy Pettitte misses a string of starts, Hughes could fill in without a major drop-off in production.

Hughes may not be ready to pitch a full season at the Major League level, but he seems more than adequate to act as an injury replacement for a handful of turns.

Another highly-regarded Yankee prospect had a memorable moment on Friday. Center Field prospect Austin Jackson crushed his second home run of the spring.

He average currently stands at .303, and he has started to show why New York thinks so highly of him.

Like any young hitter, Jackson has struggled with pitch selection and top-notch breaking pitches. He added two strikeouts to his team leading 11 thus far this spring.

Jackson has struck out in one-third of his plate appearances, while also working only two walks.

He has a lot of work to do, but has shown the tools to develop into a solid everyday player by 2011.

The media will focus on the big names and even bigger contracts associated with them, and rightfully so.

However, it is exciting to see the minor league pipeline begin to tease us all with its talent pool.

Burnett NOT a Control Freak After All

AJ Burnett had not walked a batter during spring training entering Thursday night's action.

That all changed once he was forced to pitch against his former Toronto Blue Jay teammates, as he walked three batters and ran deep counts to many others.

Burnett struggled mightily with his location all night, managing to escape jams with fortunately placed ground balls.

He ran his pitch count up early, forcing himself out of the game after just 3 1/3 innings.

He has always been a pitcher with a solid strikeout/walk ratio, though it was due to his typically impressive strikeout totals more than his control.

Burnett was typically a pitcher that was described as "wild within the strike zone". This is a phrase usually reserved for pitchers with great stuff that never figured out how to spot their fastballs.

Alterations to his mindset and mechanics have changed that stigma, and he has been much more effective at hitting corners.

Burnett had been displaying pinpoint accuracy reminiscent of David Wells and Mike Mussina thus far as a Yankee.

Every pitcher has a bad day.

Burnett's was minimized by some leftover Irish luck and a decimated Blue Jay lineup. The middle of their order is without Alex Rios, Scott Rolen, and Vernon Wells, unquestionably their three best hitters.

Burnett was able to struggle and work on adjustments without the embarrassing finale of walking off the mound to a 6-0 deficit.

It is very rewarding to keep your team in the game without dominating stuff. Some pitchers will say that they are the most rewarding victories of all.

Burnett may not be a control freak, but he will be fine in NY as long as he manages to control his unpredictable injury history.

Joe Girardi Is Learning from the Tom Coughlin Instruction Manual

Two seasons ago, Tom Coughlin sat in a dark office, wondering what he could possibly do to save his job.

He had ultimately lost his locker room, and the veteran presence was beginning to shut him out.

The implementation of a leadership council, coupled with the brightening of a stern personality only a soldier could love, eventually paved the Giants path to a Superbowl title.

After similarly losing touch with the countless stars in the Yankee dugout, Girardi watched as his team finished six games out of the AL Wildcard race.

Even more concerning were reports of Derek Jeter’s displeasure with the locker room and coaching situation in the Bronx.

Permanently stuck within the league’s strongest division, Girardi knew that cosmic changes were necessary during this past offseason.

While $423.5 million of expenditure seems cosmic enough in itself, it has been the changes Girardi has made with his own attitude that may loom even larger.

Enter Tom Coughlin playing the role of Socrates, and Joe Girardi trying out for the role of his finest pupil Plato.

Actually, with as much talent as is present within the Giants and Yankees locker rooms, it is more so a revised copy of Coaching for Dummies.

Girardi’s job is even more simplistic than Coughlin’s. Coughlin needed to show a team’s core how to win, while Girardi needs to remind his core how to win.

Girardi’s “leadership council” has already been in power for fourteen years. By allowing Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera to handle their business, the Yankees will be far better off.

This is what Joe Torre always did best. He knew that he had the keys to a Ferrari, and he set it on cruise control. He never belittled his players, nor attempted to fix the unbroken.

Girardi has cancelled practices for team social gatherings, attempting to create a unified dugout. His relaxed demeanor has also been very well received by his players.

Aside from Girardi’s own behavioral changes, the Yankees have brought in an excellent compliment of personalities to the clubhouse.

Nick Swisher has already been dubbed the Yankee jester, making sure there is never stale air in the room.

He also works as hard as anyone on and off the field, showing a normally businesslike roster how to work and play. Damon will finally have a partner in crime.

CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira are two of the true fun-loving players in the league as well, and will deliver as many smiles and laughs in the dugout as they will victories on the field.

Even AJ Burnett has already made an impact on the Yankee roster. His relentless recruitment of Andy Pettitte during his contract negotiations made him realize how important he could become as one of the final pieces to the puzzle.

The likes of Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom will bring a toughness and gritty intensity from its role players that have been missing since the dynasty years.

The Yankees are a long way from following the Giants road to a championship. However, it appears Girardi has learned some important lessons in dealing with a big market sports franchise.