Rangers Sign D Troy Donnay

While the Yankees seem to have wisely away from trades at the deadline, the Rangers went ahead and signed Troy Donnay, a 6'8" 185 pound defenseman who impressed them at as an invitee to their prospect camp earlier this month.   Obviously, the kid needs to fill out, but they must have liked something.   Also, they are getting awfully tight on contracts, which seems like even more evidence that they have a trade coming up.

Yankees At the Deadline

Today is the trade deadline.    Of course, trades can still be made after the deadline if the involved players can make it through waivers.   But, what hurdle at the time.   The Yanks don't appear to be hot on anything this morning, and let's hope it stays that way.   They've already traded a promising young pitcher for an old Sori.  Enough of that.   If' anything, I'd like to see them trade Joba for more international pool dough.   But doing nothing would be perfectly acceptable.  

MZA Signs

Today, the Rangers avoided going to arbitration with Mats Zuccarello by signing him to a one year contract worth 1.15M.    Earlier in the process his agent thought they were close to a three year deal, but this is what got done.    It will be interesting to see what the Rangers can do now to get Derek Stepan signed to a long contract like McD's.  They'll probably have to make a trade.  

Yanks Promote Luis Severino

The Yanks, today, promoted dominant GCL rhp Luis Severino to Charleston of the Sally League.   This move may be because they need an emergency starter tonight and Luis is starting or they're showcasing him for a trade, or they got tired of watching him toy with just signed players.

The timing is curious because the deadline is Wednesday, and because they've been weird about promotions lately.   Seriously, what does Greg Bird have to do?   What does Gary Sanchez have to do?   It's ponderous.   Especially since farm wisdom has since the days of Ed Barrow was to push hitters and go slow with pitchers.   That's why I'm a little concerned about a trade or a spot start.  This promotion leap frogs SI.  

Yankee Magic!

I almost never do in season game reviews for the Yanks, Rangers or Knicks anymore... but there was Yankee Magic for the first time in awhile at Yankee Stadium today, and why not note it?   On a dayy where they honored Hideki Matsui, and their legendary owner Colonel Jacob Ruppert was inducted into the Hall of Fame;  the Yanks erupted for three in the first on a combination of a homer by Derek Jeter in his first game back and hits by Cano, Soriano and Ichiro.  

 Phil Hughes struggled, giving a run back in the second, then giving up the lead on a three run bomb in the third.   The Yanks re-took the lead when Sori hit his first Yankee homer since 2013, driving in Jeter to make it 5-4.   Hughes then gave up another homer and the game was tied at 5 until the Yanks rallied in the 9th and won the game on a Sori walk-off single that scored Brett Gardner.    Big day for Jeter and and Sori, who had 4 hits.   And it was a little bit of Yankee Magic in the Bronx.   Nice.

This Week on the Blog

Could be an eventful week.

Yanks:  Today they welcome back Derek Jeter, later in the week they could get Grandy back.   And Wednesday is the trade deadline, let's hope they stand pat.   On Thursday, August first they can sign Leonardo Molina, the IFA who's 16th birthday they've been waiting for.

Giants:  Training Camp is open.   So we could have updates everyday.  We'll see who's stepping up and who needs to.   Remember: uneventful is good.

Knicks:  They're still riding the cray-cray train.   The latest has them talking to Delonte West for that last roster spot.   They're going about their business like the `70s era Oakland Raiders.   I hope it works out.

Rangers:  It would seem that they have to sign Stepan at some point.   Also, they probably do need to make a trade or two to clear up the the 4th line backlog.

So it looks like a pretty busy week.   The major concern around here is that Randy Levine and ownership will keep making trades, instead of the baseball people.   That could bring about a worst case scenario for the Yanks short and long term.    Literally, they could destroy the team this week.

Giants Open Camp!

The Giants opened their annual training camp and though Day One was nice and uneventful.   Before the first practice an unusually animated Jerry Reese spoke to the press and put everyone, including himself, and maybe even the fans on notice because the Giants have only made the playoffs once in the past four years.  Of course, the one time they did they won the Superbowl.

Frankly, as boring as that can make January, the higher picks we got from not making the playoffs, like JPP,  sure seemed to make it easier for us to go all the way in the playoffs.    Of course the Giants have been good at drafting again since about 2003, so while they can really take advantage of not making the playoffs, they still got playmakers like David Wilson, Reuben Randle and Jayron Hosley after they did win their latest Super Bowl.   In any event it's easier to reload or stay loaded if you don't make the playoffs every year.    And we've won more Super Bowls with our Manning doing it our way, than the Colts, who did make the playoffs every year with their Manning, did.

On the field, Hakeem Nicks was back doing his thing, which is always good news.   Jerry said they want him to be a Giant for a long time, so let's hope something gets done.   Also, there was more buzz about Rueben Randle.   The concept that he has stepped up has been one of the big themes of the offseason.   Let's hope he has, because we really didn't have as much help as we could have used at WR last year when Hakeem was missing time and less than 100%. Also, having a viable third, like we did with Mario Manningham just opens things up for Nicks and Cruz and whoever that is.

Let's go ahead and win it all again this year.  

Giants Open Camp Tomorrow

The Giants reported and went through their physicals and tests today.  Only one guy, who's name has not been released, was overweight.   That's actually a very good sign.   When you look back, particularly at Giant history, it's the "uneventful" training camps that often lead to the best seasons.   Not sure why, but extreme focus might have something to do with it.

JPP, Snee and Hynoski will be rehabbing during camp and could end up on the PUP list.   So, the Giants signed Ryan D'Imperio, the former Rutgers Fullback.   This will make that intersection of Giant and very fervent Rutgers fans happy.  I don't expect much and hope Hynoski's back soon.  

Other than that, the Giants have to use camp to figure out the OL, and who the 5 best are.   I'm a believer in making your 5 best the line.  This year, it will be a very good sign if Dave Diehl isn't in the top 5.

Keeping Nicks and Cruz healthy and hoping to see development from Randle and some of the other young wr's is another big key.   As will be the development of the new TE's.

The RB's look like our fastest group is quite some time.   We'll see if they can pick up blitzes as well as add to the passing game as receivers.   Not having easy passes to his RB's has hurt Eli's %'s over the years.   We'll see if David Wilson can not only be a big play back, but a franchise back as well.

At QB, we'll see if they let Nassib beat out Carr.   Then we'll see if he does.

On Defensive, I'm more concerned with the coordinator than with the players.   They just seem disorganized too often.   And I wonder if Fewell is a good enough game planner or teacher.   I though he should have been replaced this past offseason, but he's back and has more to prove than anyone else on the D,

If they have plans, the questions will be - can they generate enough passrush if JPP is on the shelf to start the season.   The run D should be improved with Jenkins and the other loads they've added.

Will the young, no-name LB's step up?

And finally, will the secondary gain cohesion in man and zone and stop getting gashed.

Finally, will we have any players just breakout and electrify us during camp?  Have we found any new core from among the undrafteds and street FA's?  

The answers will start developing tomorrow.   Enjoy the pre-season!

Soriano Returns

Homeruns and strikeouts.   And Grandy should be back soon, too,   This is another deal where the Yanks go the other team to eat a ton of dough, but they did it at the cost of Corey Black, an undersized starter who has hit 100 on the gun.  Sure his secondary pitches could use work, but when you throw that hard, you don't really have to learn anymore pitches till you hit the pros.   Ron Guidry was an undersized reliever who learned a slider from Sparky Lyle one Spring and went on to be a Yankee great.   Anyway, the Yanks should have made them take someone else.  They don't have enough plus velocity in the system to throw what they have into trades for old players who can;t lay off pitches away and never take walks.   I wonder if Well will return Sori's number.

Knicks Bring Back KMart

Yesterday, the Knicks re-signed Kenyon Martin on what must have been a league minimum contract.  This adds even more veteran toughness and savvy to a team that is full of veteran toughness and savvy. And they have just enough cray-cray guys to get in a fight at some point.   In any event, he makes them deeper and better and they should be pretty good again this year, if they don't all get injured or suspended for fighting.    It looks like the Knicks have room to add one more player.

Soriano On The Way?

Overnight, rumors of an Alfonso Soriano return to the Yanks have been hot and heavy.   There have been rumors like this for years, but this time all the twitter news sources are reporting it.   Of course, the devil will be in the details, and with the Cobs necessarily picking up a lot of the money, we may lose some prospects, while we get even older with Sori.    The papers and much of the media has no sense whatsoever of prospect value, so if they're saying mid-level we should probably be concerned till we see the actual bill.  I really didn't want to add anything.

This Week on the Blog

This week on the blog looks a little slow...

Yankees:  We'll see if anyone comes back, if they can get extra international pool money, and perhaps get an inkling if they'll be buyers (bad), sellers (also bad) or stand pat at the deadline.

Giants:  They're getting ready for camp.  Justin Pugh should sign any day now, and we'll see if they make any more player moves or give out anymore camp invites.

Rangers:  They still have to sign Stepan and MZA, thus a trade of some of the chuffa is still in order.

Knicks:  After adding Metta World Peace last week, the Knicks could still make some smaller moves to fill out their roster.    Good thing they brought in more old after they traded Camby.

Or maybe something unexpected will happen.   We'll see.

Will Hill Suspended

Cheeses, the Giants sometimes find core pieces in the scrapheaps of undrafteds or or street free agents.   Think Victor Cruz.   Well. after watching how instinctive Will Hill looked last year, it appeared that they'd done it again, and that he not only had a chance to contribute but to be part of the young defensive core along with JPP and Prince moving forward.   But today broke that he'd be forced to sit out 4 games for the second time in two season because of a substance violation.

Now, that's just ridiculous, and it's also silly that no one has taken him aside and taught him how and when to cheat.   Let's face it, too many would be suspended to have a normal schedule if there weren't ways around the testing and seasons for proper use.    Thankfully, the Giants have added some depth there so they should whether it, but he needs the development and this is a big disappointment.

Here Comes Pineda

Michael Pineda continued his comeback tonight by using sharp secondary stuff to K 8 of the 14 outs he recorded.   It's starting to sound like he could come all the way back. And that could make him a Yankee stalwart for the foreseeable future.    Useful.   We'll see what happens.  

A little surprised we haven't had more news this week.

The Missing Peace?

So Metta World Peace cleared waivers yesterday, and many reports have the Knicks as his first choice for a new team, with the Clippers second and China third.   There is a surprising proportion of Knicks fans that have thought Artest/Peace was the Knicks' missing piece since his draft year: a no brainer that never happened.   Well it might now, and I guess it will be interesting to see what he can still bring.  At one time, he was a stout defender who could board a little and score some.   Now he can throw in corner threes, but I'm not sure where his D is or his other abilities, and would probably be more comfortable with KMart coming back.

That said, Woodson, seems to want him, so it will probably happen.   Hope he can help.

UPDATE:  It happened.   Says he has blue and orange blood.   We'll have to see what he has left and what else the Knicks can do.    They seem to giving out farewell tours around Melo.

This Week on the Blog

Well, no Giants camp hasn't opened yet, the Yanks get their all star break, and the Knicks and Rangers are still rounding out their rosters.

So, Yanks - Their draft pick signing window is shut.   They're on their all-star break till Thursday.   Let's hope they don't make any trades unless they are for international pool money.   They just aren't worth adding to, this season, and the sooner they confront that issue the sooner they can learn from it and start fixing it.

Giants - Cruz is signed.    They may or may not screw around with roster more before camp opens.   Pugh still has to sign.   I wouldn't be shocked if the Nicks extension came now or soon, but I think it will come a little later.  

Rangers - we should hear about Derek Stepan's new deal.   It should be 6 years.   I'm also expecting a trade or two to clear up the 4th line logjam, and some cap space.   Brooks says that the buyout window that will open up if MZA goes through the process doesn't allow amnesty buyouts, so who knows?  But we do need cap space.

Knicks - they'll probably add another big.   The Shumpert at PG experiment is apparently over.   I think Einstein and others would have stuck with it a little longer.  Maybe they'll add another PG.   The team looks athletic if not good in Vegas.

So, not expecting anything big on the four teams front.   Maybe we'll look at the Yankee minors a bit.

So the Yankees are Looking for a Bat

So word has gotten out that the Yanks are looking for a bat or bats.    I really wish they wouldn't and that they'd stand pat at the deadline.     But if they are gonna do this, I hope they can find an under 30 bat, ideally under 25.    We all know they've been putting off rebuilding for years, so if they make a move here, I hope it's not just a Xavier Nady patch for now, but a guy they can plug in and even build around in the short, medium and long term.

Doing it now will be more expensive than doing it after the season, and there's no point in doing anything for this current Yankee team.   They keep getting hurt, and or , suspended.  And there's too much to do.

I would like to see them call up JR Murphy, though.   He's a good hitter and a catcher, and can at least add some youthful energy to the team.    Too bad, none of the AA OF's have torn it up yet.   In general they should be patient, and not aggressive.  But if they're gonna be aggressive, get someone worthwhile, and not another Xavier Nady or old guy like Abreu was (though he was a great fit and did give us a good year or two).

Shumpert To The Point?

Glen Grunwald said today that they want to see Iman Shumpert play point guard in the Vegas Summer League games that start tomorrow, I think.   As I recall, he played some at college and the Knicks drafted him as one, before playing him everywhere else.   This is a really interesting time for Shump who has somehow not been traded.   In the playoffs, he looked like the sort of exciting young CORE player we encourage the Giants, Yanks, and Rangers to lock up and build around.

I also seem to remember Shump, who is a great athlete when healthy, to have gone off during the ball handling drills at the combine during his draft year.   So it should be interesting.   Hope we get to see some of it.   Go Knicks!

Jeter Returns, Wins, Now Needs and MRI

And this is yet another reason why the Yanks should stand pat at the deadline.    Even when they get the real players back, they can lose them again, see Granderson,  Teix, and now, possibly, Jeter.   They all got dinged right away.   ARod may be heading for a suspension.   So just let this season play out as is.   Trade Joba for international pool money and be done with it.

Judge is a Yankee

As expected when he flew to Tampa yesterday for a physical, Aaron Judge and the Yanks have come to an agreement and the potential power bat is now part of the farm.   Remember, his power is prodigious but it hasn't played up in games yet.    The Yanks have helped other guys with that.  He does take his walks, and hopefully they will balance the K's.   Remember, Giancarlo Stanton, who is just an inch short out was a K machine in low A.  

Unless something late breaks, this concludes the Yankee class of 2013.   I sort of reviewed it right afterward, but might take another look later, if you'd like.

Nova Stays Super

Ivan Nova had a shutout going with two outs in the 8th, then walked a bad hitter, who took 2nd on defensive indifference, then scored on a Hosmer double.   Nova then got the third out. So it was another terrific performance for Nova, and once again he had a sick curveball.  Overall he gave up 5 hits, 1 run, 6Ks and 2bb's.   Just fantastic for the second time in a row.  If he can become this kind of pitcher -- and he's had that kind of talent -- he could be a long term solution.    Let's see if he's stepped up to another level.  It does happen.

The Captain Returns Friday

The latest news is that Derek Jeter (pictured) will make his return to the Yankees this Friday.   That will make them seem more like the Yankees, at least.  It will be interesting to see how he finishes the season and if he can give the team a lift.   I want them to stand pat.  So I hope any boosts they get come from the system or returning players.

Yankees Sign Dustin Fowler

According to our pal KLF, the Yanks have come to terms with 18th round draft pick Dustin Fowler.   This is that kid whose dad made the goofy country music video of his son's exploits on YouTube.  Thus, they had to sign him.   Seriously, it looked like he had a stadium swing on the tapes and the Yanks themselves compared him to Jake Cave, another player in the system who's toolsy, rough and finally healthy this year.   Nice pick up!  They got him for 278K.

Now it will be interesting to see what happens with Aaron Judge.   Time is running out for him to take sign and take his physical before the deadline Friday.   If he doesn't sign, the Yanks get the pick back.  Would having that pick allow them to go 10% over allotment and blow next year's first?   We'll see.   I don't think it will come to that, though, unless Judge has poor judgement.

UPDATE:  Aaron Judge is now on a plane to Tampa.  Presumably, it's too take his physical and sign his deal.

Trading Joba

Word came out this morning from sort of decent sources that the Yankees are aggressively marketing Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain for trades.   Of course, if we knew how horribly they'd be mishandled years ago, we could have gotten a hell of a lot more than we'll get now, but that's what it is.  

As we wrote yesterday, the Yanks suck as sellers, and would be best served playing the arb game with Hughes.    Joba is unlikely to merit a pick because of all of his lost time and nebulous role.    But he should bring back something.   And one of the things he must bring back is traded in International Pool money.   Several teams have already been able to expand their abilities in his year's market with trades. So why not the Yanks?  I have no faith in their ability to find a useful future Yankee in any Joba player trade, but I do believe they're more likely to fine a future Yankee in the IFA market.   So jump back in, Yanks.  

We wish  Joba well, and do hope he goes to a team where he'll be stretched out and allowed to compete for a starting job next year.  We were  against using him as a bullpen patch back in the day, and our worst fears were born out.  But Joba's still in his 20's and has the kind of bulldog build that could be durable, so Happy Trails and Oh, What Could Have Been.

Rangers Sign Falk

Justin Falk. who was acquired from the Wild on the first day of the draft, agreed to a one year deal with the Rangers today.   This is sort of a tryout year for Falk who was a Risebrough pick when he was GM of the Wild.    The deal is only for 975K, so it didn't chew up too much of the remaining cap room.

The Rangers are said to still be negotiating with MZA and Stepan.  Of the two, Stepan is probably in line for a 6 year deal, and MZA is the only one left who is arb eligible, unless Mashinter is, but that's unclear.

People are asking why the Rangers would want to amnesty Richards is a second window opens.  I would have to think it would be because someone has become available by trade that they didn't think would be there.   Otherwise, why bother?  I don't  think Hank's extension will kick in till next season anyway.

UPDATE:  MZA filed for arbitration.  If he actually goes to it, the amnesty window re-opens.   This seems odd, since MZA's agent all but announced to new 3 year deal last week.

Carl Hagelin Signs

The news has just broken that Carl Hagelin has signed his new deal with the Rangers.  No details have been released, but it won't be a 6/26 or whatever McD got.  The reason is that he's an important role player but he's not exactly core cause his replacements are already in the system.  I suspect a two year deal.

Derek Stepan should be next and it will be interesting to see if anyone goes for arbitration today - Step can't - which would eventually reopen our buyout window.

UPDATE: Yup, it's a 2 year deal for 4.5 (2.25 annual value)

Yankees at the Deadline

No, I'm not talking about Friday's deadline to sign their pick, but the trade deadline at the end of the month.   When they recently won 6 in a row, it was great, but it was also a little scary.   If the Yanks stay in the race, they are likely, once again, to be buyers at the deadline.    Cash will justify the moves by saying the guys really battled and deserved a chance to keep competing.  Or something like that.  But the Yanks should not be buyers at the deadline.   They should either stand pat or start selling.

If they think that this year's spate of injuries to their aging stars is a coincidence: it's not.  Aging players are always more injury prone than younger players.  We're in for a few more years of declining or missing regulars at the rate we're going.

If they stand pat, they will be getting Jeter, Arod and Granderson back.   Plus adding Pineda for the first time. and possibly introducing JR Murphy as the first part of the solution at catcher.  Who knows how this team would finish?  They could make a charge.  But the higher they finish the lower their own picks will be next year.

Now, if the Yanks decide to sell, which I don't think they will, they could probably get a lot for Cano, Hughes, Joba, Kuroda, etc.   They would also be punting on resigning Cano.

I don't think they will do this for two reasons.   First, I think they fear trading Cano would kill attendance.   But the second and real reason why they shouldn't be sellers is that thet are AWFUL TRADERS!    Ever since the Yanks got absolute crap when they traded Mike Lowell, they have had terrible luck offloading talent for "prospects."   Look at the horrible return for Gary Sheffield and Randy Johnson.    Their luck has been atrocious!    So the main reason why they shouldn't be sellers is they flat fricking suck at it.

Thus, I don't believe the Yanks should be buyers or sellers at the deadline.   I think they should stand pat.

And here is my secret fear: they call up JR Murphy this month and he hits.   That will creep out Girardi, but it might also make them willing to throw Gary Sanchez, along with the rest of our top prospects into a trade for Giantcarlo Stanton.  Now he's a great young bat, but we're gonna need to start filling multiple positions, hopefully with non-castoffs in the relatively near term, and we can't afford the to send the top of our farm for anyone that even might be available.

Hopefully, they stand pat and let the injured guys return and give the kids more chances.

Locking Up Core

Coincidentally, or not so, the Rangers and Giants locked up 2 big pieces of their respective cores by extending Ryan McDonagh and Victor Cruz for 6 more years apiece.   While this has been sop for the Giants since the days of George Young - and sometimes even to the extreme (matching SF's Hampton deal, giving Corey Widmer a second contract) - it represents the totality of the sea change the Rangers have made in the past few years with regards to their young players.    Remember Tyutin for Zherdev or Korpikoski for Lisin?   Yikes!

Now the Giants have won 4 championships using this recipe.   The Yankees even more, and it doesn't apply to basketball as much because of their crazy cap rules and cap prisons and what have you.   In the NBA core kids - unless they are superstars right out of the gate - are trade chips waiting to be moved. That's all they are.   But in hockey, like in football and baseball. keeping a core together is not only defensible but mandatory if you have any intention at all of being consistent winners.

There are two things you need to do if you want to keep a winning core together, first is draft and scout well, second is manage your cap.   The Giants were at the mercy of their cap, which George Young refused to sort of recognize and blew up `94 Giants to show as a demonstration of disdain.   Ernie was in the same hell, early, but once Kevin Abrams joined the Giants, things seemed to right themselves.   Guys like Osi started getting locked up early.   By the time Jerry Reese took over it was a smooth running operation with the ability to patiently wait out the resolution of holdouts like they did today with Victor Cruz, who is a game changing playmaker.

Btw, one of the big rules of the keeping your young core together game is to refuse to part with them unless draft picks or prospects you valued but couldn't pick are coming back.    For instance, the Giants are going to have a decision to make on Linval Joseph pretty soon.  To make it easier, they drafted Hankins in April, so perhaps the decision has already been made, but they will get a comp pick for Linval if he signs elsewhere.

In baseball, the only ways to get comp picks is to lose free agents or have early draft picks not sign and go back into the draft pool.   Unfortunately, you can only trade for those FA comp picks and no other picks.   The Yanks are just figuring this out.   Of course, the Red Sox under the old rules, made a habit of flipping guys for first round comps all the time.   Under Hal, the Yanks have only done it with any gusto under the new rules, because it was too scary for Hal under the old way.  And of course, the Yanks never took advantage of the old rules while they could have, but at least they built up their scouting staff.

The Rangers have really figured it out lately.  Remember, they didn't have a cap until the first lockout, so their learning curve has been a little faster than the Giants' curve had been under Young and Ernie.  And the Rangers have changed the way they have done business, even before the second lockout.   They are no longer swapping their successful draft picks for indifferent Euro guys who "need" a change of scenery.   In fact, they have only moved prospects for either prospects they liked better (Lindberg), prospects that are further along (Kristo) or for Rick Nash.   And not long after that they swapped Gaborik for two young former first rounders who could be core, along with Dorsett who certainly has a role to play.

It's unclear what it was that changed the Rangers approach.   I think the elevation of Clark and Gorton can't be overstated.   I think the gold they had found in Hank has been something they wanted to build around.  And I believe Sather realized that Ranger fans would rather watch a young team lose as it's growing together than watch an old team of hired guns aimlessly skating around for bloated paychecks.

Next up for the Giants, lock up Nicks and JPP.   Next up for the Rangers sign Stepan and the other RFA's.   Next up for the Yankees sign a few more draft picks, and don't budge on Judge.    Next up for the Knicks, summer league.  Today they signed Hardaway Jr. and CJ Leslie.   Under different rules they could be future core, but in today's NBA they are just tradable goods.

Cruz Makes His Deal

As we hinted last week, Victor Cruz came to his senses and accepted one of the Giants' offers.   The deal adds 5 more years to this year, so it's new money on top of his signed tender for a total of 6 years.   This brings up the slight possibility that Cruz will be on the team after Eli has retired.   That would be surreal.   Anyway, the guaranteed money is over 15 and early, which has never been a problem for the Giants.   Also, since it was one of the Giants ideas, their probably is a way for them to keep Hakeem Nicks, and that would be optimal.

Report: Rangers to Announce New McDonagh Deal Today

Aaron Ward of TSN is reporting McD will have a new 6 year deal today.  This clearly indicates the Rangers have identified him as core and are willing to lock him up and buy out his first UFA years.   Strong move for the Rangers.  Now do the same for Stepan!

UPDATE:  It's done!   6 years at 4.7 per.   That's a fantastic deal for the Rangers.   Now get Stepan, and Hagelin!

This Week on The Blog

Could be a pretty busy week for the teams.

On the Yankee Side, they're down to their last week of being able to sign this year's draft picks.  Judge, Fowler, and White still haven't signed.    On the big league side, I wouldn't be surprised to see a trade or two.

On the Knicks Side, they can start making their deals official on the 10th and start playing Summer League games featuring Shump and Hardaway late in the week.

On the Ranger Side, they still have to sign the RFA's and I wouldn't be surprised to see them make another trade or two gain cap space.  Btw, if any of their RFA's take them to arbitration, they get a new three day buyout window to get rid of Richards once the arbitration award has been made.   Could happen with Mashinter.

Finally. on the Giants side, camp is still three weeks away.   The Cruz news could become official.  Pugh still needs to sign.  And somebody should drive down to Philly and bailout Dan Connor.

Pineda Getting Close?

Yesterday, in what was officially his final rehab start, Michael Pineda was impressive.   He gave up 2 first inning runs, but then settled down and shined, using a knockout slider to compile 7K's in a 5 innings.  They're gonna send him to Scranton to keep stretching him out, but it looks like he's gonna make it all the way back from his shoulder procedure.   And that's good for him and the Yanks,     Cashman has reaffirmed that he will stay a starter, so when he's ready, there will be an odd man out.  I hope Nova keeps pitching like he did the other night, and makes it impossible to take him out of the rotation.  He's had everything but a consistent out pitch but he was using his curve for that the other night and hopefully that's something he can build on.

In other Yankee news, Nunez returned and Jeter and ARod are getting closer.   There are reports that the Yanks are scouting Marlin hitters and that they are also trying to trade for more IFA pool money.  It won't be from the Marlins, though, who have already sent pool money to the Rangers and the Dodgers.  

Yankees Sign Drew Bridges

As Ivan Nova pitches a gem that he may lose, the Yanks did not let a possible gem get away today when they signed their 20th round pick, power hitting corner guy Drew Bridges.   Apparently he got 6th round money, but this was a lefty swinging power hitting prep they had to take a shot at.   Hopefully, they are not done with the late signs, but this was one I thought they needed.   Not enough lefty power in the system given the dynamics of the new stadium.

Rangers Add More Grit

Apparently, the Rangers aren't done sticking their toes in the pool.  They just came to terms with big FA LW Benoit Pulliot, most recently of the lightning. This is another guy who can fight.   And probably a sign that some of those spare parts I just talked about are on the way out.

UPDATE: though the first stuff that came up in my search were his fights, he's only fought like 8 times between AHL and NHL, though against guys like Krecji and Ferrence.   What he was at one time was a 4th overall pick in 2005.  Another one of those power forwards who have taken their time developing.  So he could have some upside, as it is he's a very good skater for his size and hits a lot.  The Rangers gave him 1.3 so they're even tighter against the cap at the moment.  Though the summer cap is !0% higher, I'm now sure they have a trade in the works to alleviate both the roster and the cap.

Rangers: What Else is Possible?

Been an interesting first day of UFA for the Rangers.   So far they've re-acquired Dominic Moore, and added another lefty AHL/NHL D as well as ex-Blue Jacket in Aaron Johnson.   I think we now have a bit of a clue as to why they didn't amnesty Richards.   And that's that it's a crappy market.   If they had wanted to give Clowe or Clarkson a ridiculous deal, they would have amnestied Richards.   Bobby Ryan was the only really great fit for the Rangers that went anywhere today, and that would have been a trade.  So, they elected to stay out of the market and are now making little moves to shore up some areas, and accommodate the new system AV will be installing.

Other than some big deal where Staal or MDZ gets traded for a big part or two, I think we'll see them start trading off spare parts like Boyle, Pyatt, and Asham for prospects or pick, or better fitting parts.   I think Powe can only be a throw-in in the trade market, but that's about what they have left to do.

They seem a little energized by the idea of giving chances to some of the young forwards on the team, and it will be good to clear out any clutter in front of them.   Still would have rather amnestied Richards, but I'm glad we are not in this UFA market.

Rangers Sign D Aaron Johnson

And just like that, here's some toughness.  The Rangers have apparently come to terms with yet another left handed defenseman, Aaron Johnson, though he's probably known more for his left hooks then left shots.  Check out HockeyFights.com or YouTube.    Probably a two way contract.   Details still emerging.

Yup, They Brought Back Dom Moore

As we suspected, the Rangers have brought back Dominic Moore to be their 4th line C for 1 year and 1 million bucks.  Hopefully, this allows them to pull the trigger on a deal that gets Brian Boyle off the roster.   We don't need to be paying any 4th liners 1.7.  Also, the Ryan McDonagh deal is rumored to be done, but hasn't been announced.   Nobody claimed Powe or Asham so we're still up against it cap-wise.   The teams looks like it lacks a little toughness right now, but it's a long time before our first game.   McIlrath, apparently impressed everyone with his conditioning and game during the prospect camp and a big summer from him could suddenly make us much tougher.

Hunch: Dominic Moore is Coming Back or is Already Back With the Rangers

Larry Brooks reported that the Rangers are interested in bringing back Dominic Moore, who would be a cheaper 4th line C than Brian Boyle, who could then be disposed of some other way to regain the cap room.   Here's why I think it it might already be true:  yesterday, during his chat with Jim Cerny about the Kristo trade on Blueshirts United, Gordie talks about how how some players need 4 years of college.   He listed Hagelin, Kristo and Moore.   John Moore didn't go to college.  So who could he possibly talking about?    Check it out at right around 3:12 of the video.  He says Moore.

http://blueshirtsunited.com/videos/3672/clark-talks-kristo-trade#.UdbjkxYTbpg

Rangers Free Agency

NHL free agency opens at 12pm est. tomorrow.   This isn't going to be one of those years where they travel to some remote outpost in Europe to present an offer like they did with Gaborik, or just take off the top of the market, like they did with Drury and Gomez.   Nope, they'll be happy to re-up their 5 RFA's, and maybe get Hank's extension done.    This is not because of a new era of better judgement by the Rangers.   It's because they'll be pressed up against the cap cause they didn't buy out Richards.  

Earlier today they waived Asham and Powe, but that might just be so they can get a little more room for McDonagh and Stepan.   I'm hoping we hear those two are done today, because someone might just be crazy enough to give one of the future all-stars an offer sheet.

As expected, Gordie Clark did reveal the Ranger scouts had been on Danny Kristo even after he was drafted and all during his time in college and international play.   They also consulted Derek Stepan, who played with Kristo on the 2010 world junior championship team.   He also revealed that the impetus for doing the trade was that they felt he was ready and could step in for Cally or Hagelin if they are not when the season starts.  

I don't know if we'll see anymore trades from the Rangers, though they've made three already in the past week.   The MDZ rumors have been around all year, but if they weren't willing to move him during the draft, they might as well see what he can do in the new system.   Sather also seemed to indicate that he wanted to give kids the first crack at jobs during training camp, so we could hold off on more trades till then if the kids to seem ready.

The Rangers will finally have some contract space and guys become UFA's tomorrow.  And it will interesting to see if they use any of those spaces to sign invitees from this week's prospect camp.   We should know if  the next few days.   Meanwhile, I'm not expecting any fireworks tonight or tomorrow from the Rangers.

Pablo a Knick for 3 More Years

On a surprisingly busy sports business day for a holiday, the Knicks announced they've agreed on a new three year deal with Pablo Prigioni.    I like Pablo, because he does a lot of things right.  Hopefully, this year he will not forget his shot when they give it to him.    It's good that the Knicks recognize his value.   I still don't' know what they're doing with Bargnani.

Smith Apparently Staying

The Knicks are said to be finalizing a new contract for JR Smith.    Seems like they might as well.  Hopefully, we'll be getting the player who had seemed to turn a corner last year, and that he doesn't lose that intensity and focus now that he's got the new deal.   Pablo Prigioni is also said to be close to a deal.  It's unclear if the Knicks will be able to make any more moves because of their cap situation.

Rangers Trade Christian Thomas for Danny Kristo

Yesterday, while I was away, the Rangers pulled off a prospect swap, by sending Christian Thomas to Montreal for Danny Kristo.   Now, I was a big fan of Christian Thomas, but this trade is perfectly in line with what the Rangers have been doing and that's collecting players with international experience and ties to Team USA, Team Sweden, Team Russia and what have you.   Also, by sending Thomas for Kristo, they added more speed   Kristo is a jef and joins guys like Kreider, Hagelin, Fast and Nieves as really great skating Ranger forwards.    Today the Rangers said that they felt Kristo was more versatile than Thomas whom they had come to view a sniper.  He's also bigger, which is nice.

The Rangers can really only have 1 or 2 small players at a time, and with MZA coming back, and St. Croix on the way, that made 3, though St. Croix has grown a bit.   So rather than developing a smurf line, they traded Thomas.

They might even be getting the better of this deal.   Kristo dinged his value by getting suspended from his North Dakota team twice for his involvement in a party where some freshmen players got alcohol poisoning - or what we used to call a learning experience.    Anyway, we were able to get him, and it will no doubt turn out that we wanted him before and were big fans of his from those tournaments, but Gordie hasn't commented yet.  

Apparently It's Ulf and Arniel

Well, it looks like we now know who AV's assistant coaches are.   They are former Ranger Ulf Samuelsson and former Blue Jacket coach, Scott Arniel,

Ulf is already hanging at the prospect camp.   He says he'll work with the defense and penalty killers, and we'd also assume he'll be a handy ear and voice for the growing number of Swedish Rangers we'll be seeing over the next few years.

Arniel is a different story.    There was apparently friction between he and both Brassard and Nash back in Columbus.   But I guess he's worked for AV before.  Let's hope he's gained some perspective on why he was available and doesn't grudge any of the best players on the Rangers roster.   If he can keep that in check, he should be a fine assistant.

Brad Richards is still a Ranger.

Cruz

Seems like this is starting to leak.   Victor  Cruz  and the Giants will be completing his new deal by training camp.   The big question is, will there now be a way to also keep Nicks.  I think if he's accepting the Giants previous high offer there probably is.   I hope no one has been sweating this,

Rangers Acquire D Danny Syvret

While I was reviewing their draft, the Rangers made another trade acquiring yet another lefty defenseman, Danny Syvret from the Flyers for Kris Newbury.  Now as much as they are saying they need the depth, they've picked up two lefty D's two days in a row.   Something could be up with one of their other lefty D's, either a trade or an undisclosed injury.     This is suspicious.

Rangers Draft Review

So the Rangers stayed put and made 5 picks yesterday.   It was a far more sensible approach than they are taking with Brad Richards.   Still, even though they didn't have a first or second rounder, or a 5th or 7th, it was a reassuring draft.     It was reassuring because they took exactly the same types of players they've been taking during the Gordie Clark Draft Revolution.

With their first pick of the 3rd round, they took Adam Tambellini.    This was as typical bloodlines pick along the lines of Thomas, Bourque, and Andersson.   Some people are suspicious of bloodline picks, but I would argue that hockey is such a part of life in some areas that talent is not only going to be present in multiple generations, but it's going to be apparent which kids have it and want to see how far it takes them.   So I think there's a screening process along the way that thins the herd of second generation prospects before they ever get to the draft.  

Adam is reminiscent of Fogarty and Boo as a kid who is a talented, skillsy playmaker who's body needs to catch up with his talent and may need to get a little tougher.  He's a North Dakota commit and should grow his game there.   We now have kids in 4 of the best college programs in the country.

Next they took Pavel Buchnevich, who is a bit of a gamble given the lack of a KHL agreement, and because it is especially tough to figure out which of the Russian kids who look like the absolute goods, will grow into NHL stars.   But, this kid does look like the absolute goods.  He has great speeds, hands and vision and outplayed some of the kids drafted ahead of him in international competition.    He's gott two more years on his KHL contract and needs that time to build his body more.   That said he would have been an absolute first rounder if there was a KHL agreement.  And he is at the prospect camp where he has looked like the best skater in a camp with some very impressive skaters.

Their third third rounder was used on Anthony Duclair.   Anthony may or may not be 6ft tall right now, but he is a jet in the mold of the Kreider, Fast, Nieves and Buchnevich picks.    He's got some crazy highlights on youtube and is a threat to take any loose puck to the goal.    He was injured this year and had a bit of a down season - that also featured a disciplinary suspension - after lighting it up as a rookie in the Q.   That's why he was still there when the Rangers picked.

The Rangers did a really nice job of getting upside with their three third rounders.


In the first round of drafts, teams are looking for studs.  Kids who have NHL talent and NHL bodies.  In the following rounds some kids already have an NHL body but need to develop their games, while other kids have NHL talent and need to develop their bodies.

Smart drafting teams - and I am proud to say - like the Rangers and Redwings, hit on so many mid rounders because they don't get fooled by NHL bodies, but keep placing the higher value on NHL talent.    Dumb teams stock up on NHL bodies and pray that the talent will come.   That's probably a big chunk of where the "power forwards take longer" meme comes from.     So yesterday, the Rangers took three talented kids in the third and are hoping that their bodies come along.

In the fourth, the Rangers took D Ryan Graves.  He came on late in the year and does have or is close to having an NHL body already.   He's a lefty shot who's willing to play physically and fight, if not at the level of McIlrath and Noreau, just yet.  He's well ahead of where Noreau was as a skater and player when we drafted him, though Noreau has really progressed since then.  So this kid's gonna have a shot. He likes to play a simple game and big guys who can do that and hit are always gonna have jobs in the NHL.

Finally, they took Makenzie Skapsi, a goalie who was a late riser with some helium.   Goalie seems to be the hardest position to scout sort of like QB's.   There are a few different styles that work, and though every team needs two, there are not enough real ones for every team.  We'll see if this guy's a real one.   We'll probably be picking G's every year until we do, starting yesterday.

In all, given the weirdness of the past few weeks, on things like naming assistants, Messier leaving and the Richards decision, it was an island of sanity and a reassurance that they are, at least, sticking with their draft plans and drafting intelligently.

This Week on The Blog

This week on the blog is actually pretty interesting considering we only have baseball being played.  

On the Yankee side: Tomorrow they can start signing IFA's.   Ben Badler reports the Yankees are trying to trade for more room to sign kids under the strange new rules. but don't be surprised if they have no big announcements tomorrow.   The kid they are most associated with, CF Leonardo Molina, doesn't turn 16 till August 1.   So they won't be able to sign him till then.   If they get the pool money figured out, they might sign 3B Rafael Devers, who they have recently been associated with, though the Sox and Phillies are said to be in on him, too.

Beyond that, we could see some of the bigger named prospects get promoted.  

On the Knicks side:  Free agency opened last night, and they already traded for Andrea Bargnani.  They are trying to get JR to re-sign, and are said to also be interested in Monta Ellis, which I guess would be their backup plan if they can't get JR.   I think we could see more trades from them.  I don't think Summer League starts till next week.

On the Rangers side:   This week is prospect camp.   Hopefully we'll see no more big injuries like the one we saw with Dylan McIlrath (great kid!)  last summer.   As a result of the camp we could see some signings on the invite side.  Also, the Rangers could announce their new assistants.  One seems to be Ulfie.  And they could also make a trade or two to free up cap space since they are holding onto Richards.

On the Giants side:  They're in the 6 week chill out before camp starts.   They probably won't sign any other players till later this month.   And I don't think the supplementary draft is for another week or so.  

So there'll be stuff to write about.