[MLB The Show] NY Yankees Magazine

[DJ Rhude]

Currently at the end of year 5 in my Yankees franchise in MLB 13. Wanted to drop some updates that would be quick, so this will be mostly picture driven with key updates as a way I can document a franchise I intend to run for 30 years. Lets go.

[DJ Rhude]

2013 SEASON

INJURIES COME IN THREES FOR YANKS
Granderson, Texiaria and Rodriguez all expected to miss significant time

CF Curtis Granderson, 1B Mark Teixeira and 3B Alex Rodriguez all won't be in the opening day lineup for the Yankees. Lets start with Curtis Granderson.

Considering the amount of power the New York Yankees lost over the offseason, the last thing they needed was for their leading home run hitter to get hurt during spring training.

Evidently, they've done something to anger the baseball gods.

Curtis Granderson, he of the career-high 43 homers in 2012, took a fastball to his right forearm from Toronto Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ during an exhibition game on Sunday. X-rays revealed a fracture, and the prognosis, via the Yankees' official website, is that he'll need 10 weeks to recover.

That puts Granderson's return somewhere in late-April/early-May territory. He certainly won't be ready by Opening Day, anyway. That means the Yankees are going to field an Opening Day lineup that will be even more unimpressive than it was already projected to be, for in place of Granderson's 40-homer power will be a great big pile of "meh."

"It's a tough break literally and figuratively for Grandy," said manager Joe Girardi. I feel bad for him because he was looking forward to building on last season. We're going to have to find a way to replace his power production."

If that wasn't bad enough the news just came out that Mark Teixeira says he has a partially torn tendon sheath in his right wrist and didn’t rule out missing up to two months of the regular season. The first baseman rejoined the New York Yankees at spring training Sunday after getting hurt March 5 while with the U.S. team at the World Baseball Classic. The injury initially was announced as a strained wrist.

“The tendon is fine,” Teixeira said. “That’s the good thing. It’s the sheath that holds the tendon over. ... It’s the little covering that holds the tendon in place. When you rotate your wrist, that tendon will snap in and out if the sheath is gone, and so the tendon sheath just got damaged a little bit, and we just want to make sure that the tendon is sitting in the groove right and it’s stable. If that doesn’t heal, then the tendon has a chance to get damaged, and you really don’t want that.”

Add in the fact that Alex Rodriguez could possibly miss the entire 2013 season and the Yankees are looking at one of their worst starting lineups in about 21 years. In 1992—the year before Bernie Williams, Wade Boggs and Paul O'Neill found their way into the club's lineup on Opening Day—the Yankees' Opening Day lineup looked like this:

Randy Velarde, SS
Don Mattingly, 1B
Roberto Kelly, CF
Mel Hall, LF
Danny Tartabull, DH
Matt Nokes, C
Jesse Barfield, RF
Charlie Hayes, 3B
Pat Kelly, 2B

Trust me when I tell you that was a terrible lineup. One inside source said they think Rodriguez's career as a Yankee is done. "They (the Yankeees) don't want anything else to do with A-Rod especially with the new steroid allegations swirling around him," said the source who requested anonymity. Factor in the fact that he may not even play this year because of the hip surgery, don't be surprised if they cut ties with him at the end of the season." GM Brian Cashman already indicated in a radio interview that Rodriguez could possibly miss the season.

“I think because (of) the serious nature of the surgery and the condition that he’s trying to recover from, you know, there is that chance,” Cashman told WFAN. Rodriguez's Jan. 16 operation repaired a torn labrum and impingement. It was arthroscopic and was similar to the surgery he had on his right hip in 2009.

After the surgery, the Yankees said A-Rod's recovery time was projected to be six months, meaning he likely would be sidelined until after the All-Star break. But “there’s no guarantees in this stuff," Cashman said.

In any event with no major trades on the horizon, the Yankees are said to be looking in house for replacements. It's a good chance that rookie outfielders Zoile Almonte or Melky Mesa could break camp with the team. Rookie infielder David Adams also has the chance to make the team as he has shown off a decent bat. Adams if you remember was almost traded to to the Mariners in the aborted deal for Cliff Lee. The Mariners organization backed out after they examined Adams injured ankle and deemed it still unhealthy. The 26 year old could always hit but has been dogged by injuries during his minor league career.

[DJ Rhude]

2013 SEASON

DEREK JETER HEADED FOR DL
Troublesome ankle shelves Jeter for season opener

TAMPA, FLA. — Derek Jeter will likely join Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson on the New York Yankees’ star-studded disabled list for the season opener against the Boston Red Sox on April 1.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman says it is “more likely than not” Jeter will start on the DL because of a sore left ankle, still recovering from surgery last October.

“April 1 is unrealistic in my mind now,” Cashman said Sunday. “There’s nothing new going on other than growing pains as he gets through these final hurdles of his rehab.”

Eduardo Nunez, known for his bat more than his glove, would fill in at shortstop for the 13-time All-Star, who broke the ankle Oct. 13 during the AL championship series opener against Detroit and had surgery a week later.

The 38-year-old, who has repeatedly vowed to be ready for opening day, played in his first big league spring training game on March 9 as a designated hitter. He returned to shortstop four days later, then played consecutive games on March 15 and 16 before inflammation kept him out of the lineup.

He received an anti-inflammatory injection Wednesday and had four at-bats as a designated hitter on Saturday in a minor league game.

“I know Derek extremely well, and I can read his face,” Cashman said. “And his face today tells me that the reality of his circumstances is starting to sink in, and the disabled list might be necessary. I told him what I think, and he didn’t fight me on it. That’s reality.”

Cashman wants Jeter to be available to play the field when he is on the active roster.

Jeter has not been on the DL for opening day since 2001, when he missed the first four games after straining his right quadriceps during a spring training game that March 16.

Two years later, he dislocated his left shoulder in the opener during a collision at third base with Toronto catcher Ken Huckaby, who was covering the bag. Jeter was sidelined until May 13.

[DJ Rhude]

2013 SEASON

Mustelier Makes His Mark
Though Ronnie Mustelier came to spring training to compete for a job primarily as an outfielder, Joe Girardi worked him out at third base on Saturday. And if Mustelier can play an adequate third base, he will offer Girardi another option in completing the jigsaw puzzle created by the injuries to Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira.



Ronnier Mustelier shows hustle as well as hot bat that could land him third base job

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Considering the circumstances and the advanced age of their roster this season, it's pretty fitting that the Yankees would have a 28 year old rookie vying for a job.

The search is on for emergency help in Yankee camp, and the most unheralded candidate to emerge so far is a 5-foot-7 Cuban defector named Ronnier Mustelier, whom baseball people describe as a natural-born hitter.

“This kid’s going to hit, you can see that,” hitting coach Kevin Long was saying on Sunday. “The ability is there.”

Brian Cashman put it in more artistic context.

“He’s got a gift,” said the Yankee GM. “He impacts the ball with the bat differently than others do.”

Mustelier’s bat has the Yankees intrigued, to say the least. As a result, though Mustelier came to spring training to compete for a job primarily as an outfielder, Joe Girardi worked him out at third base and played him there for 31/2 uneventful innings.

“We’re going to see what he looks like there,” said Girardi. “In talking to him, third base is where he played the most in Cuba.”

With that, Girardi paused, then echoed the sentiment of Long, Cashman and seemingly everyone who has seen him this spring: “The kid can hit, no doubt about it.”

First things first: At age 28, Mustelier isn’t really a kid. And for that matter, he’s not small, either. Short, yes, but at 210 pounds, he’s built like a tank, and hits with power, as he showed with an opposite-field home run to right-center field on Saturday. In any case, if Mustelier can play an adequate third base, he will offer Girardi another option in completing the jigsaw puzzle created by the injuries to Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira. Filling those openings is fast becoming the focal point of this spring training for the Yankees, especially now that Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter have come back from their respective 2012 surgeries to play again. Filling Teixeira’s spot is trickier because the backup is third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

Youkilis won a Gold Glove at first base in 2007, but moving him obviously creates an opening at third. And since the Yankees seem determined to play Eduardo Nunez only at shortstop, that leaves journeyman Jayson Nix. And now, perhaps, Mustelier.
So who is this guy, anyway? He says he defected by boat from Cuba in 2009 with 20 people, leaving behind a son, now 5 years old, that he hasn’t seen since then.

“I’m doing this for him,” Mustelier said recently through a translator.

The Yankees signed him for $50,000 going into the 2011 season, and since then he has created a buzz among hard-core fans who have followed him as he has hit impressively at every level of the minor leagues.

Playing in Double-A and Triple-A last year, Mustelier hit .314 with 27 doubles, 15 home runs, 10 stolen bases. He had an .859 OPS in 449 at-bats. In the Mexican Winter League he hit .284 with nine home runs and nine steals in 55 games.

“He’s got a real good idea what he’s doing at the plate,” said Long. “He’s got some pop to the opposite field and he’s able to recognize pitches. I’ve heard that his strike zone gets a little big at times, that he can get too pull-conscious, but I haven’t seen that. He’s been perfect so far.”

Perhaps more significantly, Long feels strongly enough about Mustelier’s bat to suggest he could be a legitimate option for the Yankees at third base.

“If he can show defensively that he can play, that’s going to be the key,” Long said. “I don’t think there’s a question about whether he’ll hit or not.”

Mustelier’s only chance with the glove on Sunday was a foul pop-up that he handled, but there will be more opportunities. Girardi said he is going to take his time trying to piece this puzzle together as he looks for players who can help the Yankees survive their injuries.

Mustelier has caught the manager’s eye. If he can catch ground balls as well, who knows?

[albidnis]

Oooooohhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! Snaaaappppp!!!!!!!!!!

[DJ Rhude]

TRANSACTIONS

[DJ Rhude]

YANKEES PROJECTED 2013 LINEUP AND ROTATION

The Yankees will break camp with two rookies who will probably see significant time. 26 year old David Adams will be the utility infielder and 28 year old Ronnie Mustelier will split time at 3B and spell all three outfielders.

NY's starting rotation will lean on Sabathia and hope Pettitte and Kuroda can turn back the clock and turn in good years. Nova looks to rebound from a so-so 2012 campaign and Phil Hughes will be looking to prove he can finally be consistent. Yanks don't expect Michael Pineda to be back until mid June, the good news is he has been begun throwing again. Bullpen wise the Yankees are praying the 43 Rivera can comeback from that ACL tear and be his old dominant self. Outside of Robertson and Phelps the rest of the bullpen is a question mark.

[DJ Rhude]

SERIES PREGAME: YANKEES VS REDSOX
Yanks kickoff the 2013 season opening against the Redsox

[DJ Rhude]

Yanks Bash Lester To Take Opener Over Sox
Yankee win is highlighter by rookie Ronnie Mustelier's first major league hit which was a 3-run HR off Lester||Sabathia gives Yanks 8 innings allowing 3 runs||Mariano Rivera makes his first appearance since tearing his ACL and successfully closes Boston out


Rookie Ronnie Mustelier points to the sky after hitting a 3-run HR off Lester, his first major league hit


It was a struggle early on for Lester and NY took advantage


Enter Sandman....


....and Mo closes out the game by getting Gomes to whiff at his trademark cutter

[DJ Rhude]

It Was Over When The Sox Bombed Kuroda
This one was over quickly as Clay Buchholz dominated in a complete game shoutout||Bosux offense came alive sparked by Mike Napoli's 5 RBI


Yanks couldn't touch Buchholz who went the distance rather easily


Cano bobbles the grounder hit by Ellsbury before recovering to throw him out at first


Pedrioa celebrates the blowout win with his teammate

[DJ Rhude]

Dempster Blanks Yanks, Redsox Take Rubber Match
Dempster pitches complete game as Yanks get shutout for second straight game||Ellsbury's 3-run HR off David Phelps in the 8th inning blows the game open


Jacoby Ellsbury is locked on to Phelps' pitch and launches a 3-run HR


Sox skipper John Farrell apparently doesn't like David Ortiz because incredibly he had the old stiff man playing first base


Ortiz would come up lame after diving for that ball and had to leave with a bruised hip. He'll be out for about 4 days

[DJ Rhude]

DOWN ON THE FARM

B-Squared Claps Thunder in Sea Dogs Rout
Red Sox outfield prospect Bryce Brentz smacks 2 HRs, drives in 5||Yanks pitching prospect Nik Turley gets hammered giving up 7 hits and 5 runs in 3 innings||Dogs' Brian Johnson shuts down Thunder over 8.2 innings


Bryce follows the flight of the first of 2 homers he would hit


Outfielder Adonis garcia can't make the play as he hits the wall


Johnson gets congratulations in the Sea Dogs dugout after the victory

[DJ Rhude]

SERIES PREVIEW: YANKEES @ TIGERS

[DJ Rhude]

Hunter's 3 RBI Day Helps Tigers Claw Yanks
Torii Hunter bashes 2 HRs and knocks in 3||Yanks offense punchless again as Anibal Sanchez becomes latest pitcher to shut them down


Sanchez had his way with NY


Yanks clubhouse isn't a happy one right now as they continue to falter

[DJ Rhude]

Yanks Offense Finally Awakens, Edge Tigers
Yanks bats finally find the ball as they get 11 hits in the 6-5 win||Yanks reliever Boone Logan huge down the stretch as he strikes out the side in the 8th


Hughes gets Fielder to whiff


Brett Gardner flashes some leather and makes a nice diving catch