Luis Cessa

New York Yankees: Too Many Long Relievers And Not Enough Space

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The New York Yankees have a surplus of arms in the bullpen, and that is super beneficial when it comes to injuries. But, the team may have too many long relievers and not enough space for all of them.

Get Rid Of Cessa And Adams

Luis Cessa and Chance Adams are starting pitchers turned long relievers, but over the last few seasons the once highly touted prospects have not lived up to expectations.

Cessa has a career 7-12 record with a 4.50 ERA over 232 career innings. He has always struggled to perform under pressure and his best outings are always in low leverage situations. The 27 year old righty out of Cuba has spent part of four seasons on the 25 man roster, and spent the entire 2019 season in the MLB. He was one of the few Yankees to stay healthy all season.

Chance Adams has a much smaller Major League sample size compared to Cessa, but hasn’t performed well recently at any level. Adams kinda leveled out in AAA, and may be nothing more than a minor league pitcher. He has a 1-2 record with an 8.18 ERA in 33 major league innings.

Both players hurt the Yankees and need to let them go.

Enter Jordan Montgomery

With the starting pitching situation, Jordan Montgomery will likely shift into the long reliever role. The team will for sure have Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, Luis Severino, and JA Happ as starting pitchers if they all stay healthy. They may have Domingo German if he isn’t banned, and they will likely sign a pitcher in free agency.

Montgomery came back in late 2019 after Tommy John Surgery, only starting six games in 2018. He had a 3.88 ERA in 29 starts in 2017, his rookie season.

Jordan Montgomery has a great arm, and the Yankees should push him into the long relief role and push Luis Cessa and Chance Adams out of the picture.

New York Yankees: It’s Time To Move On From Luis Cessa

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New York Yankees, Luis Cessa

Luis Cessa has been in the New York Yankees bullpen for a few years now, even making occasional starts. However, he hasn’t performed and the Yankees need to move on from him.

They’ve given him a lot of chances, and by a lot I mean that he has no minor league options remaining. He would have to be traded, released, or waived to get off the Yankees roster.

The 27 year old righty from Mexico was on the roster and healthy all season, appearing in 43 games. He had a 4.11 ERA in 81 innings, striking out 75.

On paper, that doesn’t look bad. But, anytime he was put in a high leverage situation of any type, he fell apart. In blowout games that he pitched in, he was really good and that skewed his stats. His ERA in high leverage situations is probably around six.

Cessa also gives up a lot of home runs. He served up 14 this year and 16 in 2016, and that’s a lot for the amount of innings he pitched in both years.

His K/BB ratio is 2.4:1, which is not good at all. You would want it to be around 5:1 or 6:1 to be effective.

His Replacement:

Jordan Montgomery would be a likely replacement if Cessa left the team. With the hunt for starting pitchers, it’s very likely that Montgomery would be in the bullpen. You already have at least four other starters before free agency (Paxton, Severino, Happ, Tanaka, and maybe German if he doesn’t get banned?)

Montgomery would also easily be able go start games if he needed to because of injuries, and would provide much longer relief than Cessa out of the bullpen.

The Yankees have been giving Luis Cessa a shot for four years, but now it’s time to move on from him.

New York Yankees: Who will be the most influential bullpen arm during the playoffs?

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New York Yankees, Jordan Montgomery

The New York Yankees are heading towards the playoffs and require more pitching support, which is where Dellin Betances and Jordan Montgomery will make their mark.

Montgomery, who has missed the entire season up to this point, will be a massive addition for the playoffs given his ability to feature as a bullpen arm and supplement the injury to CC Sabathia. With the veteran suffering from knee inflammation, Jordan will provide the Yankees value in regards to injuries and fatigue.

You could make the argument that Betances will be even more impactful, despite suffering from a shoulder impingement injury. With a 2.70 ERA last season, the Yankees relief pitcher could be exactly what they need in the bullpen to grind out wins and help the starters finish games.

However, I believe that Montgomery will be the more valuable player given his diversity and the multiple roles he can play. He also adds a lefty arm to the grouping. Recovering from Tommy John surgery will limit his usage, essentially ruling him out as a consistent starter, but he could serve as a potential opener.

How the New York Yankees could use their injured pitchers differently:

Both Mongomery and Luis Severino could be utilized in the opener role, similar to Chad Green in the regular season, minimizing their usage and allowing them to take the team two/three innings before bringing in a starter. While experimenting with that utilization might not be the best idea during the playoffs, it could certainly work, unless the Yankees feel that they’re better of suited for the bullpen.

Stretching out two pitchers who haven’t tossed pitches at all this season at the top level is not a good idea, which leaves the Bombers with only two options — opening or coming in as relief options. Manager Aaron Boone could surely use the help in that facet as Nestor Cortes Jr., Tommy Kahnle, Chad Green, and Luis Cessa have struggled at times. Adding Jordan to the group would make them dangerous, heading into the elimination rounds.

New York Yankees to make deal for starting pitcher before the trade deadline

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Are the New York Yankees interested in trading for Blue Jays pitcher, Marcus Stroman?

It’s only a matter of time before the New York Yankees strike a deal to bring a starting pitcher to the Bronx, it’s just a matter of who. Rumors of options like Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, Marcus Stroman and more have plastered headlines the past few weeks.

July 31st marks the trade deadline which is three weeks away and at some point, the Bombers should bring in another pitcher to add to a rotation that seems to be constantly affected by injuries.

What are the New York Yankees going to do?

General manager Brian Cashman commented on the current state of the rotation and if snagging a pitcher would be beneficial, according to his interview on MLB Network:

“Our interest is improving our pitching,” Cashman said. “Certainly the target would be to continue to reinforce the rotation because obviously that’s where the majority of your innings are going to have to come from, and we have a long way to go. Those innings are vitally important. We’re going to target starting pitching, and if not, we’re going to continue to reinforce the bullpen. Bottom line is just trying to add quality to what we already have.”

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The Yankees have been supplementing the loss of pitching with mid-inning relief pitchers. Nestor Cortes Jr., Luis Cessa, Adam Ottavino, and Tommy Kahnle have been leaned on heavily to pick up the slack.

Still surviving without Luis Severino, who went down with shoulder inflammation during spring training, has succumbed to multiple setbacks. The Yanks rushed him back and it ultimately backfired setting his timetable for return back several months.

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However, he could begin throwing again this weekend, which would begin a long road to a return. Late August seems to be a possible time frame.

CC Sabathia, James Paxton, and Domingo German are all currently dealing with individual injuries. Finding another starter to help fill the gaps has become a necessity.

A Comeback Only Capable By The 2019 New York Yankees

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Entering the top of the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, things were looking bleak for the New York Yankees. JA Happ struggled again, giving up six runs in less than four complete innings.

Trailing 6-1, a new life emerged in the Yankees. By the ninth inning, the Yankees had taken a 10-7 lead.

How it happened

Starting with first and second with nobody out in the sixth, Gary Sanchez picked up an RBI single and Kendrys Morales scored a run on a grounder to short.

Luis Cessa would give up a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Yankees came back with two more in the seventh. DJ LeMahieu had an RBI single and Hicks brought in a run on a flyball.

The Yankees only scored one in the eighth, but it was a big one, putting them within one. Gleyber Torres hit his second solo-shot of the game, the other coming in the second.

Trailing 7-6 entering the ninth, the Yankees needed a final push, and they scored four to take a three run lead. They took advantage of a few defensive miscues, including a misread pop-up to Baltimore catcher Pedro Severino that landed in foul territory.

After Aaron Hicks hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game, Luke Voit was walked before Gary Sanchez teed off on an inside fastball for a three-run homerun.

Only 2019

What a comeback! This is something only capable of the 2019 New York Yankees. With the amount of injuries sustained, they Yankees are using it as motivation to keep winning.

It’s also a great way to start off the road trip. Starting out a road trip with a win builds momentum, especially in a tight division. The Red Sox won on Monday, and the Rays were off.

With three games left against the Orioles, the Yankees have a one game division lead that they will try to increase. The more breathing room the better.

Go Yankees!

 

New York Yankees: Time For Cessa To Go

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Time and time again, the New York Yankees go to Luis Cessa and he never seems to come through.

After a positive spring, Luis Cessa is back to struggling, especially in tight situations. On Saturday, he was put in to pitch the 11th inning instead of Adam Ottavino with the game tied at one. Well, Cessa gave up a home run to Austin Meadows as the Yankees went on to lose that game 2-1.

Why the Yankees have held onto him

Right once Cessa begins to struggle, it seems he does just enough for the Yankees to not get rid of him.

After a disappointing 2018 season that ended up with him having a 5.24 ERA, there was a lot of doubt whether he would stay with the team in 2019. Remember, he is out of options. He must be traded or DFA’d to make it back to the minors.

In spring training, he was absolutely dominant with an ERA of 0.98 in 18 and 1/3 innings. It was obviously enough for him to make the roster.

Then, it didn’t take long for him to struggle. He gave up two runs in his first appearance of the season, and in a game a few weeks ago against the Giants, he gave up four runs.

But now, it really may be time for him to go. In my opinion, Cessa is the Tyler Wade of the pitching staff. He has good springs and plays well in the minors, but can’t do much of anything in the MLB.

New York Yankees Lose To Diamondbacks Despite Out-Hitting Them

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New York Yankees, Brett Gardner

The New York Yankees only allowed five hits, but it was enough for the Diamondbacks to hold off a late Yankee rally and win, 3-2.

Voit does it again

Luke Voit hit another home run to lead the limited Yankee offense on Wednesday. His home run was a 398 foot shot to left for his ninth of the season. This came in the sixth inning, and put the Yankees on the board.

Mike Tauchman was responsible for scoring the second and final run, an RBI single in the eighth to make it a 3-2 game.

Gardner, Sanchez, Torres, Urshela, and Maybin also had hits for the Yankees. Nobody had multiple hits, but Voit, Tauchman, and Maybin each reached multiple times. Voit’s on-base streak was extended to 41 games.

A short afternoon for Tanaka

Masahiro Tanaka was a bit off on Wednesday, and with the NL rules only lasted four innings. Mike Ford pinch-hit for him in the fifth, and drew a walk.

Tanaka allowed five hits and three runs over four innings, striking out six. He walked one and gave up one home run.

Tanaka got three ground-balls and three fly-balls, also getting first pitch strikes to 12 of the 18 batters he faced. He also got 11 swings and misses, which is really good for four innings.

But now, Tanaka can get a bit of rest for his home start in about a week. A short outing Wednesday added with two off-days this week will help him in the long run.

The bullpen stepped up

The bullpen had a really good showing on Wednesday in relief of Tanaka. They didn’t allow a hit over four innings.

Luis Cessa pitched the fifth and sixth, walking one and picking up three strikeouts. Cessa is an entirely different pitcher than last year, which is very helpful with all of the injuries.

Tommy Kahnle and Adam Ottavino each followed with 1-2-3 innings. Kahnle is also having a great year so far. His velocity is back, and he is looking like he did in 2017. I just wish that Aaron Boone would pitch him in higher leverage situations.

After an off-day on Thursday, the Yankees head home to take on the 17-10 Minnesota Twins in a 7:05PM start. As usual, the game will be televised on YES and Fox Sports Go.  James Paxton (3-2, 3.38 ERA) gets the ball for the Yankees against Kyle Gibson (2-0, 4.88 ERA) of the Twins. Gibson has won his last two starts, both against Baltimore.

New York Yankees: Sanchez Hits Grand Slam to Lead Yankees Past Giants

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New York Yankees, Gary Sanchez

Gary Sanchez hit a fifth inning grand slam to lead the New York Yankees past the Giants, 6-4. The Giants made an attempt to come back, scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Happ’s best start

JA Happ undoubtedly had his best start of 2019 against the Giants.

Over seven scoreless innings, he gave up just five hits without a run crossing. He didn’t allow any walks, but struck out just two.

Happ got six swings and misses, also getting 13 fly-outs to just six ground-balls. He threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of the 26 batters he faced.

But, it didn’t go well after Happ was removed.

After Luis Cessa pitched a scoreless eighth, Boone wanted to keep him out for the ninth but only could do so by letting him hit. So he did (well, he tried), and after taking two balls he took three hard cuts to be retired.

In the bottom of the ninth, Cessa gave up home runs to two former Yankees.

Yangervis Solarte hit a three run home run, and Erik Kratz followed with a solo shot. That was enough for Aaron Boone to pull Cessa, and he was forced to use Aroldis Chapman in a one out save situation. Chapman successfully got the final out for the win.

The big blast

Without Gary Sanchez hitting that home run, the Yankees likely would of lost Saturday’s game.

With Happ, LeMahieu, and Voit on-base, he belted a 1-2 sinker to left-center, well over 460 feet. He saw all sinkers during the at-bat, and picked one and crushed one. It currently sits as the fourth longest home run of the season.

Gio Urshela had three hits in four tries, raising his average to .327.

LeMahieu, Torres, Maybin, and Estrada each had Yankee hits. Luke Voit was hit by a pitch to keep his on-base streak alive, but his hit streak ended at 13.

The final game of this three game set concludes on Sunday at 4:05PM (ET) on YES and Fox Sports Go. Domingo German is expected to get the ball for the Yankees against Dereck Rodriguez of the Giants.

 

 

Voit’s Two Home Runs Lead New York Yankees Past Angels

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New York Yankees, Luke Voit

Luke Voit had two solo home runs to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and his on-base streak to 34 games as the New York Yankees took down the Angels 7-5.

Milestones for the young fellas

Mike Ford and Thairo Estrada each had milestones at the plate on Tuesday.

Ford hit his first career home run in the fifth, over the high wall in right-center at Angel Stadium. Estrada collected the first two hits of his career, going 2-for-4.

Despite no RBI’s, Brett Gardner went off for a huge four hit night. His first hit came in the third inning, a triple to right-center. In the fifth, he singled to left before doubling to left-center in the seventh. In his final at-bat, he was just a home run away from the cycle, but instead singled for a second time.

Gleyber Torres also added two hits and an RBI, and Mike Tauchman and Tyler Wade each had a hit.

Green needs to go

Chad Green is struggling. A lot.

He managed to load the bases, then proceeded to give up a grand slam on a change-up right down the middle to Justin Bour. His ERA is now 16.43. Green needs to work out his problems in AAA, because he keeps getting put in low-leverage situations then quickly makes them high-leverage situations b y giving up runs. He continues to have an inability of getting outs.

Luis Cessa relieved Green and pitched the remainder of the eighth scoreless, and Zack Britton pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the year.

Chad Green came in for German, after he pitched 6 and 2/3 great innings.

He gave up just four hits and walked one, giving up a lone run. He threw 99 pitches and struck out five, throwing first pitch strikes to 14 of the 25 batters he faced.

German got nine swings and misses, and worked seven ground-balls and eight fly-balls. The young right-hander picked up his fourth win of the season, and sits near the top of the American League in ERA at 1.75.

Jonathan Loaisiga was brought up Monday night and was expected to start Tuesday, but was pushed back and will start on Wednesday.  Felix Pena will likely start for the Angels. Game time is at 10:05PM (ET) on MLB Network, YES, and Fox Sports Go.

 

New York Yankees: Tanaka Allows Fourth Inning Grand Slam as Yankees fall to White Sox

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New York Yankees, Masahiro Tanaka

After Masahiro Tanaka allowed a double and two walks, the New York Yankees’ Japanese righty gave up a grand slam to White Sox shortstop Tim Beckham. The Yankees couldn’t recover from it, losing yet another series to a poor team.

A good start turned bad quick

Masahiro Tanaka started off his fourth start of the season pretty well, but it changed quickly with the grand slam. He allowed just one hit through the first three innings.

To start the fourth, Yoan Moncada hit one to Aaron Judge for a single, but Judge threw him out at second with ease as Moncada tried to test him. But right after, Jose Abreu doubled and two straight walks to Yonder Alonso and Eloy Jimenez set up Anderson for his grand slam.

In the fifth, a single, double, and a walk by Tanaka loaded the bases again. That was enough for Boone to pull him, putting Luis Cessa in. He allowed a sacrifice fly that scored a run, but got out of it without further damage.

In 4+ innings, Tanaka allowed five runs, seven hits, and struck out six but walked three. His ERA rose to 3.22.

Cessa pitched 1 and 1/3 scoreless innings to his name, then Kahnle came in for the final two outs of the sixth. Adam Ottavino, Joe Harvey, and Chad Green followed with scoreless innings.

Terrible offense

The Yankee offense scored two runs on Sunday, and those didn’t even come easy. They had just four hits.

Luke Voit started it early with an RBI double in the first, and Aaron Judge had an RBI single in the third. That was it.

The four hits came from Judge, Voit, Torres, and Urshela who each had one. Giovanny Urshela is showing he belongs on the Yankee roster, showing off his glove whilst batting .313 so far.

After a day off on Monday, the Yankees begin a two game series with our good friends from Boston. Game one begins on Tuesday at 6:35PM on YES Network and FOX Sports Go. James Paxton gets the ball for the Yankees against Chris Sale for the Red Sox.