Brian Cashman

New York Yankees head back to Tampa soon, and continue the COVID-19 fight

by

Could spring training start as early as next week?

The New York Yankees mull no less than a dozen plans to get the boys of summer back on the field.  It should be noted that MLB has no starting time for a season to begin, but it does appear to be getting closer.  The plans for a regular-season includes two different geographic plans, A situation that would involve all games for all 30 teams played in Arizona seems to be losing support.

One of the newest plans is to realign teams to play in three divisions regardless of league affiliation.  For the New York Yankees that would mean they would be playing against all AL East coast AL teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays.  It also means they would be playing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Washington Nationals, and the Florida Marlins of the National League.  The teams in the center of the country would be banded into the Central League, and the West coast teams with the addition of the two Texas teams would make up the West League or division.

The latest plan seems to be gaining favor.  There is also a plan out there that would have spring training start at home stadiums.  This writer feels that is unlikely as major baseball hubs like New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles are still dealing with many new cases of the coronavirus daily and are still under stiff restrictions.  Although Bob Nightengale of USA Today said this is possible, NYC Major de Blasio said Yankee Stadium will not be used until August at the earliest.  It is more likely that as spring training starts, teams will find themselves in the traditional Florida and Arizona locations.

There are several reports that the New York Yankees may be headed to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida as early as this weekend. Some half dozen or so Yankee players are already in the area.  We know that at least Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Luis Severino are at the facility. The Yankees may be looking at starting some spring training activities sometime next week.

At present, the general consensus is that a regular-season could start as soon as the last week of June or early in July.  But that timeline is dependant on a reduction in new cases of the virus and the availability of wide-spread testing.  When the season actually starts will be up to MLB and health officials, and will likely start with no fans in the stands.  A more concrete plan to start baseball should be forthcoming in the next two weeks.

More Yankees take part in coronavirus relief

The latest New York Yankee to step up to the plate and provide for coronavirus relief is none other than General Manager Brian Cashman.  Cashman is no stranger to causes such as efforts to keep children from going hungry to bringing attention to the needs of the homeless.  Cashman on May 14 will have a virtual experience at the Family Center. The minimum $25 dollar participation fee with go to the Family Centers’ Emergency Family Assistance Fund.  The organization has turned their efforts to aid hard-hit Fairfield County, CT, residents most affected by the coronavirus.

Yankee outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is working with Voodoo Manufacturing to supply health workers in California and New York with hard reusable face shields.    The original shipments will be 6,000 new shields to both locations and an additional 3,000 to follow.  Stanton in addressing the needs of the health field said that this is not the end, he will continue to investigate needs and will act as he evaluates needs.

“Obviously we’ve never seen anything like this. It just seems like every new notification on our phones, or however we get our information, isn’t positive. You’ve got to keep moving forward, see what you can do while staying at home.” Stanton said.

Many other New York Yankees players have made donations and giving aid in many ways to lessen the impact of the coronavirus.  Aaron Judge has recently empowered Bronx, New York children in need, as they adapt to classes online.  Judge has donated thousands of headphones to help with those classes.

 

 

 

 

New York Yankees: Yankee Stadium workers get relief and the latest on COVID-19

by
New York Yankees

Baseball to help unemployed stadium workers

The New York Yankees ownership is donating $1 million to help Yankee Stadium workers that will not be working due to the delay in the baseball season.  The donation is part of a plan by MLB that will involve all 30 baseball teams as MLB tries to lessen the economic blow to stadium workers across the county.

“Motivated by desire to help some of the most valuable members of the baseball community, each club has committed $1 million,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “The individual clubs will be announcing more details surrounding this support effort in their local communities. The timing of these announcements will vary because of the need to coordinate with state and local laws as well as collective-bargaining obligations in an effort to maximize the benefits realized by each group of employees. I am proud that our clubs came together so quickly and uniformly to support these individuals who provide so much to the game we love.”

The COVID-19 coronavirus is causing a complete change in how we conduct our daily lives, and of course, that includes all of the sports and, more specifically, baseball.  Without games taking place at Yankee Stadium, all types of workers from food service workers to the security staff will be without paychecks.  The can apply for state unemployment benefits, but those benefits fall far short from a healthy paycheck.  The MLB donations are meant to augment those payments.

COVID-19 continues to create questions about the baseball season.

Now with a second known case of the virus has affected another Yankee minor league player at the minor league complex in Tampa, Florida, the pushback to March 26th to begin minor league training again is in question.  Early in the week, Yankee Charleston River Dog player Denny Larrondo was announced as testing positive for the disease.  The second player’s identification remains unknown as he has asked that it remain anonymous.

On the major league front, the start of the regular season still remains a mystery due to the progress and spread of the disease.  As of right now, MLB has said that it will follow CDC recommendations to lessen the spread of coronavirus.  The would put the start date somewhere around Memorial Day.  With the situation in flux, a further delay may be necessary.  It also remains a question as to if and when the season starts, if it will be played in front of empty stands.

Many major-league players remain at George M. Steinbrenner Field, continuing to condition for the start of the season.  New York Yankee management has also stated that players who wish to go home may do so.  If workouts on the field do take place, they will likely be broken up into squads so that no more than ten will workout together at the same time.  Field Manager Aaron Boone has left camp and returned home to Greenwich, CT, to assist his four children with their online classes.

New York Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman remains at the Tampa training complex.  He has been in and out of meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.  He is coordinating the organizations’ responses to State and CDC requirements and suggestions to limit both exposure and spread of the virus.   He said that he would remain at the complex:

“I’m not going anywhere,” Cashman said, standing outside of Steinbrenner Field. “The only way I’m leaving is if things are OK. If they’re not OK, I’m not going anywhere.”

Meanwhile, there are more questions than answers involving the virus and when and if a baseball season will actually start.  The uncertainty of the situation has both players and fans without the sport they love and suffering from baseball separation anxiety for the second time in just six months.  This adds to the concern for their health and that of family and friends.

 

 

 

 

 

New York Yankees: 2 week late start in the rear-view mirror, when will the season start?

by
New York Yankees, Zack Britton

The New York Yankees, along with the rest of MLB, are wondering the same question.  When will baseball season start, or will it start at all?  The answer to that question really depends on how the COVID-19 progresses and how many people will be affected.  The other big question is, will the virus subside like the common flu and not become an even bigger problem.

As it stands now for the Yankees, minor league players at the training complex near the major league spring training complex in Tampa, Florida, are hunkered down in quarantine as now two minor league players have tested positive for the coronavirus know as COVID-19.  Earlier in the week, Charleston River Dog player Denny Larrondo was diagnosed and is already recovering while being quarantined.  Now a second unknown player has tested positive.

As far as the major league New York Yankees players, they have not come in contact with any of the minor league players who typically don’t take part in any workouts at George M. Steinbrenner field where the Yankees work out and train.  At this point, most of the major league team is in place at the complex.  However, the Yankee front office has said that players should be where they are most comfortable.

New York Yankees players, however, voted unanimously to remain in Tampa and conduct informal workouts.  This writer feels that this makes no sense.  The season is at least eight weeks away.  If players remain working out and training, they will be tired out before the season really starts.  Players can go home if it’s safe to do so and return two weeks ahead of the season to get ready.

Yesterday Aaron Boone loaded into his silver Mercedes and headed back to his home in Greenwich, CT, to be with his children as they adapt to schooling online.  He that he wanted to be part of that and be with his family.  On the other hand, General Manager Brian Cashman said that he will remain in Tampa along with the training and conditioning staff.  Pitcher, player representative Zack Britton said:

“We have a shot at a World Series title,” Yankees pitcher Zack Britton, the club’s player rep, told MLB.com. “We want to be prepared to seize that opportunity. Guys aren’t panicking about this thing. We understand that it’s serious, but the Yankees have a ton of resources in the area. We feel like this is a good place for us to be.”

From the training complex in Tampa Brian Cashman reported on the uncertainty of the unprecedented situation said;

“The players have been fantastic,” Cashman said. “There’s no script here that we can all fall back on and rely upon. I think there’s a recognition of that there’s a lot of unknowns, so there’s a lot of really cool conversations about suggestions. There’s a lot of collaboration.

“We’ve tried to map out the best next steps, and we all recognize it’s going to take a lot of give and take, with understanding and compassion and empathy along the way.”

Meanwhile, the Yankee fans wonder when and if the game they love will restart, and if it does, will it be in front of empty stands?  Will it be in foreign parks away from coronavirus clusters?  There is so much that we don’t know about the virus and how it will affect the baseball season.  For the time being, anxious fans will just have to bide their time and hope for the best.  Both for baseball and their family, friends, and neighbors as we negotiate this difficult time in our nation.

Meanwhile, if you want to be more a part of the Yankee family, join me on Facebook in the Yankee Fans R US!! group.  There you will find a friendly, respectful group of Yankee fans, the latest information, and Yankee chat.  Come join me there by clicking on this link.  Yankee Fans R US!!

New York Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman tells us the injury news we want to hear

by
New York Yankees, James Paxton

As the days go by and baseball seems like a distant memory, the New York Yankees must find a way to stay in shape and regular season-ready. Holding informal workouts in Tampa has been one way the squad has found ways to exercise, but with players looking to head home in the meantime, injured players will continue to rehab.

This offseason, Aaron Judge, who had been feeling discomfort for several months, was diagnosed with a stress fracture in a rib. Doctors informed him that he was about halfway through the healing process, and he would require a few more weeks to heal.

Giancarlo Stanton, on the other hand, endured a grade 1 calf strain and was set to miss the start of the regular season as well. The expected 7-10 day recovery timeline for a grade 1 calf strain seemed to avoid Stanton, who had missed two weeks before the MLB shut down operations.

James Paxton, who had a cyst removed from his lower back a few weeks ago, had a projected return date of mid-May, but he could be in line to miss minimal time after the regular season was pushed back, potentially for two months.

MLB.com’s Byan Hoch spoke with Brian Cashman, who stated that Judge, Stanton, and Paxton could all return for Opening Day.

Who is the most critical loss for the New York Yankees?

The Yankees managed just fine in 2019 without Stanton, as they gathered 103-wins in their quest toward a playoff birth. Judge was more impactful but missed significant time as well. Luckily, the Yankees had a stellar reserve corps that took over with ease — Cameron Maybin, Brett Gardner, and Mike Tauchman had career years in their own respect.

The most substantial loss would have to be Paxton, who pitched to a 3.82 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 2.2 WAR over 150 2/3 innings. With Luis Severino scheduled to miss the entire 2020 campaign, Paxton’s presence will be crucial toward the Yankees’ success moving forward. The reduction in games missed for “Big Maple” is the silver lining in the push back of the regular season.

Yankees news/updates: Injuries, suspensions, informal practices, more

by
New York Yankees, Domingo German

With the start of the regular season being pushed back and formal training suspended, the New York Yankees have dug in camp at their Tampa facilities, preparing for the eventual start of baseball activities.

The Yankees held their first informal practice on Saturday after unanimously voting to remain in Florida while other sports leagues dispersed back to society.

George A. King III reported that the entire team elected to remain practicing and committed to entering the regular season in the best shape possible, especially with a World Series trophy as their goal. However, the MLBPA and league reached an agreement to allow players to return back to their families if they desire, but nobody on the Bombers elected to take that route.

Consider this a boost of morale against a viral contagion — a hopeful decision after spring training started off poorly with injuries to Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, James Paxton, and Luis Severino.

More New York Yankees news/updates:

Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German, who was suspended for the first 61 games of the season, will not have the length of the suspension decreased, according to Brian Cashman.

“The suspension is in games, so the bottom line is until those games come off the board, that’s how long his suspension is going to last,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Friday.

Given the season started on time, German would have returned on June 21, but that date will be pushed into July with ease.

Yanks Go Yard:

As for Judge and Stanton, they’ll continue to rehab their injuries although it’s unclear where. Judge told reporters after the announcement on Thursday that he might return from his fractured rib in mid or late April, but also made it clear he didn’t have an exact timetable. The good news is his rib is healing so it seems like he won’t need surgery. Judge joked that he wouldn’t mind a couple more weeks to recover even though he doesn’t want the season to be delayed.

Empire Sports Media:

Brian Cashman states:

“Once the temperature rises, obviously we monitor it and get them over to our internist,” Cashman said. “And just as in prior years, they go through the protocols. If the internist thinks he might have influenza – whether it’s a player or a staff member, front office member, coaching staff (member) – they go through the process.

“Does he have strep? Does he have influenza? All that stuff. We’ll continue to act accordingly on both sides … the major-league camp and the minor-league camp.

 

Report: A look at how the Yankees are dealing with sick individuals inside the organization

by
New York Yankees, Brian Cashman

With Corona Virus forcing major league teams to halt operations and postpone live-action games, the New York Yankees are taking all precautions to ensure their staff is safe from any exposure.

The Yankees, however, are staying in Tampa to continue informal practicing while the league shuts down in an effort to remain healthy and fit for the start of the regular season. The additional time off should contribute toward the recovery process for Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and James Paxton.

General manager Brian Cashman expressed his confidence in their protocols to monitor players, as per NJ.com:

“Once the temperature rises, obviously we monitor it and get them over to our internist,” Cashman said. “And just as in prior years, they go through the protocols. If the internist thinks he might have influenza – whether it’s a player or a staff member, front office member, coaching staff (member) – they go through the process.

“Does he have strep? Does he have influenza? All that stuff. We’ll continue to act accordingly on both sides … the major-league camp and the minor-league camp.

Remaining together seems like the best move for the Yankees, considering the viral spread of the infection could have reached immediate family. For teams like the Yanks who play in New York, staying away from the Bronx is essential, with the number of infected people tripling since Wednesday in the city.

“There’s no script here that we can all fall back on and rely upon,” Cashman said. “I think there’s a recognition of there’s a lot of unknown.”

With nearly every sports league and event canceled for the next month, at least, all we can do now is speculate and evaluate the team/players before the start of the regular season. We will be providing updates and reports in the coming weeks to ensure you’re caught up on all baseball-related activities.

New York Yankees: Aaron Judge injury continues to look bad, could miss extended time

by
New York Yankees, Aaron Judge

The original words that New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone used to describe Aaron Judge’s injury were “crankiness” and “soreness.” So far, those descriptive words seem to be far from the reality of the current situation Judge is facing.

After participating in light practice drills and indoor hitting, Judge began to feel discomfort in his pec muscle and the back of his right shoulder. It seems as if new locations on his body are beginning to show symptoms of fatigue or other concern.

On Wednesday, Judge underwent a battery of tests to attempt a diagnosis, which has evaded the Yankees as of late. Both Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman have been at a loss for words regarding their slugger. The number of exams he has undergone in the past few weeks are considered a “carwash,” according to Cashman.

“I’ve got nothing more to give, other than the fact that he’s still getting the tests,” Cashman added.

“It’s not like one or two (tests),’’ Cashman said. “It’s a number approaching seven to 10 total, so they can make sure they have a full evaluation and determine what ails him.

“And when they’re complete, we’ll either be able to tell you we’re in the clear…or that we have a full diagnosis and the timeframe and everything else.’’

The New York Yankees were confident…and then they weren’t:

Last week, it seemed as if Judge was making a return to full-time participation, albeit slowly. However, he began to experience pain in his right pectoral area, which force the Yankees to shut him down once again. Every time they attempt to ramp up his production, he seems to slip right back into the previous injury revolution with additional discomfort.

Boone is confident that the Yankees are close to finding the problem that is restraining Judge from joining his team in Grapefruit League play:

“But we feel like we’re getting close to that,” Boone said. “For Aaron, you know, it’s been frustrating. I think for all of us. We want to get to the bottom of it and get answers.”

The reality of the situation is apparent — the Yankees have on clue what’s going on with Judge and a new injury to his pec muscle doesn’t indicate anything positive. Unless they’re conjuring up this entire story to confuse people (unlikely), arguably their best offensive player is in the midst of a medical mystery.

Recently, Judge and Boone had a “great conversation” regarding the injury. As to how conversing about his shoulder discomfort could make a difference is beyond me, which only makes me more concerned about the timetable for recovery.

New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman proved us all wrong this offseason

by
New York Yankees, J.A. Happ

When the beginning of the 2020 offseason began, everyone knew the signing of an ace starting pitcher would be in the near future. General manager Brian Cashman made it known that the New York Yankees wouldn’t go quietly into the night. Unloading $324 million on Gerrit Cole sent a vibration throughout the MLB that shattered records.

Cashman made Cole the highest-paid pitcher in league history, but one of his better decisions came toward the end of the starting rotation. While most clamored on about J.A. Happ and why he should be released/traded effective immediately, Cashman stood his ground, likely informed of the discomfort Luis Severino had been facing this offseason.

Happ had a tumultuous 2019 campaign, finished with a 12-8 record, 34 homers allowed (career-high), and a 5.57 ERA through August. The Yankees barely used him in the postseason due to his inefficacy on the mound.

The New York Yankees might be getting the old J.A. Happ back:

This spring has told a different story for Happ and his lack of confidence from last season. His fastball has been excellent, painting corners and generating easy outs.

“I really wanted to throw strikes from the get go,” Happ told reporters after his outing. “I’m better when I do that. So that’s my main focus … attacking.

Happ threw 30 strikes out of 40 total pitches, which he was happy with. The lone run J.A. allowed on Thursday came by a pop-fly that sneakily landed right before the right-field foul line, allowing a double and a run scored. However, the other nine hitters that walked up to the plate were retired. He forced six ground-outs, two strikeouts, and a fly ball.

“The crispness on his fastball, which we saw return kind of return to that J.A. Happ level late last season, I feel it’s carried over into this spring so far,” Boone said.

The Yanks desperately need Happ to return to his 2018 form, as losing Severino for the entire season and James Paxton for months will undoubtedly hurt the efficiency of the rotation.

New York Yankees: GM Brian Cashman says Astros had “distinct advantage”

by
New York Yankees, Brian Cashman

Over the past few days, the New York Yankees have expressed their frustration over the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, and on Friday, GM Brian Cashman voiced his opinion. Earlier this week, the Astros and their players addressed the scandal but downplayed the significance of the consequences. Cashman believes that their actions had a direct impact on the Yankees and the MLB as a whole.

 “I definitely think it had an effect on things, without question,” Cashman said Friday. “The Houston Astros were dealing with a distinct advantage moreso than their opponents. That’s a fact. I don’t think anybody can disagree with that, although they may try.”

The Yankees faced off against the Astros in the 2018 and 2019 ALCS. It is assumed that they utilized their tactics in both series’, as well as many others. While hitters weren’t directly impacted, the cost it had on pitchers was significant.

Who knows how many pitchers were sent back down to the minor leagues due to a poor performance against the Astros at any given time? While punishments have been dealt, players across the league have begun expressing their opinions.

New York Yankees’ Cashman sees this as an opportunity to vent:

“There’s a bit of a therapeutic side to this thing,” Cashman said. “I think everybody has the right to speak to this subject matter, speak their truth, and then find the time — sooner than later — to move forward. Because that’s all you can do at this point. This was a very noteworthy story, and we’re all gathering in our various camps now and being asked a lot of questions on a daily basis.

“It’s an unhealthy dynamic for our game to be dealing with, and I’m looking forward to getting back to normal despite the frustrations about what occurred back in ’17 — at the very least. Ultimately, that was then, this is now. And we have an exciting opportunity with the personnel we have here to focus on what’s ahead of us, rather than what’s in the past.”

The events that took place this offseason will remain a part of history forever, and hopefully, the teams and players have learned from the Astros’ mistakes.

 

New York Yankees: Brian Cashman has full faith in Giancarlo Stanton

by

Giancarlo Stanton has faced quite a lot of adversity since joining the New York Yankees in 2018. Between his big contract and frequent injuries, Yankee fans get on him a ton. Despite the haters on Stanton, general manager Brian Cashman still believes that Stanton can do what they signed him for and he’s still an elite ballplayer.

“I know what he’ll do if he stays healthy,” Cashman said. “When he’s healthy, he’s going to produce. He’s one of the game’s better players and that’s exciting. Like any player, let’s keep him healthy.”

The last season that Stanton was healthy and had a full year was in 2018 when he slashed .266/.343/.509 with 38 home runs and 100 runs batted in. The year prior to that, he had a career season blasting 59 home runs and knocking in 139 batters which led him to win the National League MVP award that season.

“He obviously hasn’t had a chance to declare himself in the New York Yankees world yet,” Cashman said. “All those things will come in time. People forget that in 2018 he led us in home runs and RBI and it wasn’t even a Stanton-like season for him, with injuries.”

Cashman believes that this is the season that Stanton will finally show the Yankee world what he’s there for. “I think he’s looking forward to re-establishing the legacy he’s been creating,” Cashman said. “Injuries have denied him that. Not that he needs more motivation — he’s a very motivated person — but I think he’s looking forward to letting everyone know who he is and what he’s really capable of.”