Rangers Announce Their Traverse City Roster

The Rangers have released their roster for next month's Traverse City Tournament.  And for the first time in year's it features young first rounders: Lias Andersson and Filip Chityl. Both players are teenagers and Filip won't even turn 18 until September 5.  Both play C, and both have shined in International Play this year.  Rounding out the Forwards are Tim Gettinger, Ty Ronning, Gabe Fortaine, Vinni Lettieri, Kyle Pettit, Robin Kovacs, Ryan Gropp, Malte Stromwall, Dawsone Ledahl, Luc Smith, Adrian Carbonara and Ryan Moore.  So a mix of some recent picks as well as a few tryouts.

On D, they have no recent 1's, but they have Sean Day, Alexi Berzgalov,  Neal Pionk, Brandon Crawley, Brendan Kotyk, Vince Pedrie and Sergey and Zborovskiy.  Day and Pionk are playmakers, while Berzgalov with be in the mix for the 3rd pair.  I think he can go back to Russia if he doesn't make the team.

In Goal, the Rangers will have Chris Neill and Alexander Georgiev. So their college guys like Wall and the rest will probably be attending classes during the tourney.

By the time the Tourney starts, the teams age will range  from 18 to 23.

This Week on the Blog

After two ridiculous losses in a row, the Yanks have finally re-called the red hot Greg Bird.  So let's see if some order can be re-established in Yankee land.  Also, the Giants play again today, the Knicks made a interesting omission and the Rangers got into some bidding and lost.  Let's take a look at this coming week.

Yankees:  The Yanks are getting Bird back today - at the foolish cost of Tyler Austin - but by Friday the roster will expand and most of the guys on the 40 will be up, plus Eddy Rodriguez or some other catcher who can fill in for the Sanchez and Romine when they serve their suspensions. While things are tough in the micro ( Girardi not getting a review of Didi safe at 3rd in the bottom of the 8th) in the macro, things are great and should get greater as they add Ronny Rojas and more young talent and young pitchers keep popping up.  Even with Bird back and hot, remembe we are a year ahead of schedule.

Giants: Valentino Blake left camp the other day.  So they replaced him with a CB who had just been cut.  So the Giants will play again later today, and Eli should should start, to OBJ is still on the shelf.  And we will prorbably see more side to side rather than down the field passes. Or maybe they'll finally have Engram run a seem or a go. This team hasnt scored a TD in preseason and that wouldn't be a big thing coming off of `15, but it is coming off of `16.  Let's pray health luck.  Also, the Giants will start making mass cuts this week, but let's hope they can also make a trade or two.

Knicks:  MSG has a new "blog" feature on their site.  Yesterday, Princeton's own Steve Mills used it to tout KP, Willy, Frank, THjr, and Rockin' Ron Baker, while never making mention of Melo anywhere for the `17-`18 Knicks.  Here's hoping he knows something, because the waiting for the Knicks to move Melo and Lee has been a drag.

Rangers: The Rangers lost out of Kerfoot this week. But they're not asleep at the wheel, and we'll see if they do anything else between now and the the start of the Travers City Tour.  Btw, Filip Chytl scored again in some international game. We might really have gotten a couple of ringers in the first have not having first round picks since we took Skjei, who's looking like an excellent pick.

Okay, go teams and have a great week!

Yanks Stuff

Ugh, the Yanks have caled up Castro instead of Bird.  I guess we're facing a lefty or something, or Girardi continues to favor vetness and former Cubness over on baseness. For Twitter, it looks like Garrett Cooper is back, too.  So sounds like the plan is to send waves of righties up.  That always works, right? Suspensions will be announced later today - probably.

In other news Domingo Acevedo has been shut down for the season on innings limit issues.   But that doesn't mean there aren't still exciting starters to follow.  Tonight Freicer Perez goes, as does Trevor Stephan.  Earlier Justus Sheffield threw 2 scoreless 1 hit, 4K innings in GCL rehab.  Tate's had his best AA start, and Albert Abreu is off the DL.  But as of right now, the two most exciting arms on the farm belong to Jorge Guzman and Luis Medina.  Guzman came over with Abreu in the McCann deal and Medina is a Yankee signing. Both average about 99 with their fastballs and touch triple digits, and both keep improving their secondary stuff. Guzman's in SI and Medina's in Pulaski, but both could be promoted for playoffs.  And next year, both could start moving really fast. Also, Domingo German goes again for SWB tonight.

Yanks IFA Stuff

Today is Domican SS Ronny Rojas's 16 Birthday, and it could be very revealing as to why the Yanks traded for all that IFA dough.  First, let's take a moment and realize Otani would have to be an absolute imbecile to take short, pool restricted money this year when he can take 8 digits next year just by spending another year pitching and hitting in a place that absolutely adores him.  So I really don't think that's a consideration for the IFA "super fund."  I think it's far more likely to be spread among a number of later birthday kids, starting with Ronny Rojas today.  He's a switch hitting shortstop, or at least has been trained as one.   Eduardo Nunez was a swich hitting SS when we signed him, too, but it didn't last.  In fact, unless Abe Almonte is still switch hitting, I think Melky Cabrera is the only guy the Yanks have allowed to stay a switch in the last 15 years or so.

Anyway, there were some other notables from this year's IFA class who remained unsigned, so the money might be for them.  Additionally, the Yanks have been having some success signing overaged IFA pitchers lately, Sevy, Domingo, Fiercer, etc.  So they could be bonusing some big 18,19, 20 year old power arms, too.

Giants Tonight

The Giants will play their second pre-season game tonight, this time against the Browns.  The biggest issue with the team, other than the still ignored OL situation, is depth.  When you start looking at it, you realize they needs backs ups everywher or a 4th CB or 4th LB, 4th WR, etc, etc.  So it would be a good time for some of the kids from the past two drafts and draft classes to take those steps and ziplock some postion groups.  The Giants' 1's, other than the OL, should be pretty awesome, but after that, there are a ton a questions.  We don't want to be like the old Manning Colts, that were terrific starters, but absolutely no depth.   One place where we do have great depth is DE, where we might even be able to trade a guy or two during cutdowns.

Brooks: Rangers a Finalist for Harvard C Alex Kerfoot

Brooks is reporting that the Rangers are in the final 2 or 3 for 24 year old Harvard C Alexander Kerfoot.  Kerfoot had 45 point as a senior, and like Jimmy Vesey, doesn't want to sign with his draft team, in this case, the unsavory Devils.  Of course, the Rangers could use another viable C, and already having Vesey on board could help, with what would be another great pull for the Blueshirts.  Glad to see their wide awake.

This Week on the Blog

This past week saw some refreshing wins against the Mets, and more heartbreaking blow saves by the vaunted relief crew.  The Giants swapped out injured relievers with guys who'd already been cut.  Kristaps Porzingas ingnited the internet with a driving lefty hook shot, and looking bigger and more mature, in international play. And the Rangers did nothing. Let's take a look at this week.

Giants:  The Giants play their second preseason game, and it looks like the starting O will debut and maybe play the first two quarters.  The Giants are still looking to straighten the DE and DT rotations, find the best starting 5 for the OL, find LB depth, corner depth, and 4th safety, and on an on.  No crazy needs other than OL consistency, but lacking depth in some crucial places.  They probably will be able to trade a DE or two as the preseason shakes out.

Yanks:  Sonny Gray's going to try to get the Yanks a series win in about half an hour.  Meanwhile, Greg Bird has been hitting the ball hard in rehab and should be back this week.  That's as big a bat as anyone is getting before the waiver trade deadline.  They're still sort of jammed up on the 40 so we'll see what they do.  Down on the farm,  the pitching has been really impressive, especially Trevor Stephan who threw 5 or 6 no-hit innings last night.  He's a very intriguing college arm who needs a promotion. Guzman has also been great, as have most of them.  The long term outlook is great.

Rangers: The Rangers may or may not need another C, and may or may not trade for one at any minute.

Knicks: Great seeing KP looking so good in international play.  They still have to make some trades to get rid of Courtney Lee and Carmelo, we'll see if the new crew can do it.

So there it is.  We want no injuries for the Giants and for Greg Bird to comeback and re-ignite the Yankee offense, as he is capable of doing.  And we could hear of a Knick or Ranger trade at any time now.  Should be a great week.

Sonny Finally Wins

It took him three tries and on his third, Sonny Gray outpitched the Mets's Jacob DeGrom, who is tough to beat. Thanks to 6 great innings, Sonny managed. He got a big boost from a Jacoby Ellsbury blast, and then another big bop from Gary Sanchez. Gary's ELITE, btw.  He later had a big sac fly to score Judge which provided Chapman a much needed cushion as he tried to close.  Both Gray and Chapman were snakebit by two run homers.  Sonny gave his up in the 7th, when maybe he should have been out, and Chapman's happened as he tried to close. Fortunately he was able to get the "save" after giving up the two run bomb, but he should not be closing now.   Big win just the same.

Signs of Life

Okay, the Yanks just won a game, which is always nice.  But more importantly, after looking perplexed again against another bad pitcher, Judge, Hicks and Sanchez all homered and it no longer made a difference.  Judge also walked.  Sanchez also had a hit and sac fly.  Hicks had two hits.  Green, Robertson and Betances were all sharp in relief of Cessa, who seems to have left with an injury.  Judge's homer was to right, so he might be getting his groove back.  As of right now, Judge and Sanchez both have 40 career homers.  Which is a great way to start their respective careers.

UPDATE: Cessa has a right rhomboid injury, and will get an MRI tomorrow.

This Week on the Blog

The Yanks just put Tananaka on the DL with shoulder inflammation.  Yikes.  They've called up Gio Gonzalez, who has been pretty unimpressive in his previous appearances.  So this week is ending unpleasantly.  So let's take a look at the one coming up.

Yanks: The Yanks are playing the Red Sox and Mets for awhile.  Last night's comeback win was HUGE, but they have to keep it going today with their ace on the mound.  I think the Sox will try to load up on first pitch fastballs, so I hope the Yanks recognize that and adjust if that happens.  Montgomery is back up for CC and will pitch tomorrow.  We'll see if they recall another starter, for Tanaka in the coming week. Now would be a good time for a winstreak, or to at least start winning all series for awhile.

Giants: the Giants first team D looked great last night, and Goodson showed some promise at the MIKE.  The OL didn't look good, although Bisnowaty did look solid with the 2's and 3's.  Wheeler was beaten badly twice, but also showed so athletecism.  Engram was used mostly for blocks and did catch the one ball thrown his way for a first down. The other two presumptive roster TE's looked good.  Shane Smith had a big block on a 4th and one, and caught a pass, so maybe they will go with 3 TE's and an FB, afterall.  But it's early, and everything was mostly vanilla, so who knows. None of the good WR's played, and none of the WR's who played were good.  Johnson was horrible,   Geno was solid, but had a bad pick, and Davis Webb was impressive, but was playing with scrubs.

Rangers: Rangers don't seem to be up to much.  If they don't make a trade for C, we probably won't hear much from them till the Traverse City Tournament.

Knicks: The Knicks announced the signings of Sessions and Beasley and are apparently communicating with Houston but still hoping Melo will expand his list.  KP is playing C for Latvia, and had 24/12 and two blocks against Poland.  Wasn't playing really playing with his back to the basket in the clips I saw.  So let's hope, KP, Willy and Kuz stay healthy through their international adventures.

So there it all is.  Have a great week, and let's go Yanks!

UPDATE: Jordan Montgomery was hit in the side of the head by a baseball while signing autographs earlier today.  This is according to RAB.  He's supposed to pitch tomorrow, but we'll have to see if that's still the plan.

Huge Win for the Yanks!

After a typically muddy start from Garcie that saw the Yanks down 3-0 going into the bottom of the 8th, the Yanks pulled it out based around a huge two run shot by Aaron Hicks, and then an throw out by Aaron Hicks in in the top of the 9th to save it.  Sanchez had two hits, and Judge walked twice.  Didi and Todd Frazier had huge hits in the 8th inning rally and Toe had a huge sac fly.  Yanks win 5-4.  And, yeah, Chapman was as bad as Garcia.

Giants Tonight

The Giants start their preseason shcdule at home against Pittsburgh. The first preseason game is always the most exciting because we haven't seen them in so long.  After that, the games become a drag and we can't wait for the real thing.  Tonight, I doubt that Eli and Odell will play, and what I'm really looking forward to seeing is Even Engram, Davis Webb, and the the other young playmakers. And of course I'm praying for no injuries. Go Giants!

Clint Frazier DL'd, Aaron Hicks Back

As we guessed, Clint Frazier was put on the 15 Day DL, and recalled Aaron Hicks a day early.  Clint has an oblique, so who knows if we'll see him again this year.  But we get a 5 tool guy back, who was also showing the walk gene before he went back.  Let's see if he can kick this O into high gear again.

Knicks Retain Clarence Gaines

In a bit of good news the Knicks just announced that Clarence Gaines Jr. will stay on as a scout.  He is the finder of Kristaps and some of the other young guys on the roster.  Earlier they had brought back Zeke's top scout, so they now pretty much have their two best scouts of the past 20 years looking for Knicks.  Not bad.

Yanks Promote Dillon Tate to Trenton

Dillon Tate had been smoking them in High A since his activation from the DL.  The other day I think he went 7.2 on 98 pitches and 9 K's, or something.  Anyway, it was getting suspicious so now they've fixed it.  I sat next to his cousin when the Yanks were playing the Angels, and he told me Dillon's problem had been the hammy, but his other problem had been his over reliance on his slider and his back pocketing of his big fastball. I think that's what's been corrected and why he is starting to fly.  You really can't have enough power arms.  Also, Trenton should get Sheffield back toward the end of the month and ready for the playoffs.

This Week on the Blog

Alright, sorry for the delay.  This past week we saw the Yanks two new starters go 0-2, Rangers Lias Andersson kicking international ass, the Knicks hire some front office guys, and the Giants get halfway through their training camp practices, withouth major issues.  Let's see what's coming p.

Giants: The Giants will play their first preseason game on Friday. It will be interesting to see if Eli plays at all. If not we should be competition between Johnson and Smith, and maybe a touch of Webb if there are enough reps. One think to look at will be the wide receiver battles,  both Darius Powe, who is big and fast, and Kevin Snead, who is not as big but may be the fastest guy in the league, have been making plays with some regularity.  Both Shepard and King have "ankles" so they may not go, though Sterling returned to practice today.  We should also get out first look at Evan Engram, and that could be interesting, unless they keep it too vanilla, like TC used to during the preseason.   The D is healthy and we should see the competition at DT and MLB, thogh it looks like Darian Thompson has already one the FS competition.  Let's hope he and the rest of the teams can stay healthy through these meaningless games.

Yanks: Isn't it nice to have a 23 year old ACE? The Yanks lost 4 in a row until their two 23 year olds shutdown the Cleveland Indians.  And of course, they then sent down Montgomery, who's innings they might be trying to manage.  He's having a better season than Garcia.  But we're long since believing there is meritocracy at work.  Hicks is playing his rehab games and will probably be activated when they return to NYC. Cooper was called up when Holliday was DL'd instead of DFA'd, but Cooper will probably be DFA'd to make room for Hicks and add another player to the 40 man roster.  Judge is showing some signs of breaking out of it, and that would really help, since Girardi isn't willing to consistently play our other great power hitter.

Knicks: The Knicks seem no closer to trading Melo, who is holding to his Houston or bust trade stance. Today, they hired Craig Robinson for a front office position.  Robinson has a lot of experience and was previously with the Bucks.

Rangers:  The Rangers may not need to trade for a C, afterall.  Lias Anderson has been toying with the kids his age in international play, and has been the best player on the ice in every game.  Fellas, we may have a Ranger Ringer!

Have a great one!

Yanks Begin Post Deadline Promotions

After the deadline, ever year, worthy players start getting promoted.  Today was no exception.  Dermis Garcia will have to give up his condo in Pulaski, and so will his buddy, Steven Sensley because they are just both promoted to the Charleston RiverDogs, in full season Low A.  Dermis is still 19, and thus young to be playing for the Dogs. This gets his age/level more in line with what you'd expect from him.  He's had a couple of injuries, but he also just homered 4 games in a row.  Sensely who was picked in June, may be proving himself to be the ringer we suspected he is.

In other news, Estevan Florial and SS Hoy Park are headed to the Tampa Yanks in High A.  All of Dermis, Florial and Park are from that big 2014 class, and Florial is also still 19 and inline with where a star might be in his development.

Finally, (so far, there will be more) Nick Solak and Jeff Hendrix were promoted to Trenton.  Solak is a pure 2B with pop, and Hendrix is a fast guy who's finally put it together at the plate.  This is an appropriate age for steady college climbers.   Exciting stuff, but this time of year will also probably produce a few releases.

Anyway, Pulaski needs more guys, and interestingly, no one, yet has been promoted from SI, which is usually the feeder for Charleston.

Update: Just heard Austin Aune was released.  Former 5 tool hopeful and second round pick everyone was excited about.