Bronx Bomber Ball

As the July 31 trade deadline is near, it’s been reported that A’s scouts have been scouting the Yankees Low-A affiliate, the Charleston RiverDogs. They’re noted to be keeping an eye on top outfield prospect Blake Rutherford, shortstop Hoy Jun Park, outfielder Estevan Florial, and right-hander Freicer Perez. Photo Credit: Martin Griff | Pinstriped Prospects

Today it was announced that the Yankees once again have DFA’d 1B Chris Carter in a move which isn’t overly surprising. Carter has been less than stellar this season and has shown no improvement since being brought back to the major league roster after his previous DFA in late June, which lasted just a week before his replacement, Tyler Austin, hit the DL. Over his time with the Yankees this season, Carter has hit .203, with 37 hits overall in 182 AB, resulting in only 14 XBH and 26 RBIs this season. Carter’s main attraction last season with the Brewers was his power, and now that’s no longer a part of his game with only eight long balls through 61 games played. More specifically, in the four games since he was brought back on to the big league squad, Carter has hit just a measly .200 with 3 hits in 16 PA. In those 16 PA, Carter has also struck out six times and walked once. Therefore, his DFA should be no surprise to anyone who has witnessed him play over this recent stretch. ...

Grade: B+   Not expected to play any significant role on the 2017 Yankees at the beginning of the season, Aaron Hicks quickly turned into an impact player for the Yankees this season  before hitting the disabled list with a strained oblique on June 26th.  After a dreadful 2016 season, Hicks began the season as the fourth outfield, but quickly made a case for more regular at-bats with his strong first half performance.  He saw every day playing time after Jacoby Ellsbury went down with a concussion, but Hicks isn't expected to be back in pinstripes until last June.   Photo Credit: Kathy Willens/AP Photo

Following a hard loss which saw the Yankees hardly fall to the Astros, the Yankees looked to secure a huge series win over a formidable AL opponent. However, despite the recent success of Luis Severino in his last start against the White Sox, Severino fell victim to the explosive offense of the MLB leading Astros and the bats provided no support either, as hitter after hitter was unable to produce in the 8-1 loss. Photo Credit: David J. Phillips | AP

The New York Yankees had a late night in Chicago but they'll have to put that series behind them as they open a three-game set against the Houston Astros on Friday night. The Astros are currently the best team in the American League and have shown little signs of slowing down. Their 54-26 record has built them a double-digit lead in their division while the Yankees are looking to reclaim a hold on their own. New York is still in free fall as they haven't won a series in over two weeks. This series will be a difficult test on an injury riddled team. Game One (Friday, June 30 | First Pitch: 8:10 PM ET) Michael Pineda (7-4, 4.12 ERA) vs. Lance McCullers Jr. (7-1, 2.53 ERA)  Photo Credit: MLB.com Michael Pineda has regressed in his last few starts, putting the Yankees in dire situations before they have a chance to set the table. Despite this he is still 7-4 and has shown signs of recovery after rough patches to deliver innings. His last start against the Texas Ranger...

The Yankees have been forced to make a ton of moves lately due to fluke injuries, and that continued to be the case on Thursday afternoon. All in all, they made a total of five roster moves: Photo via The Times-Tribune

Grade: F The third installment of the BBB’s Midseason Report Cards features former Yankees first baseman Chris Carter.   Carter was signed just before the start of Spring Training, after a long free agency provided unfruitful for the big slugger, despite coming off a year in which he led the National League in home runs.   His time in pinstripes was certainly one to forget as the big righty did little to nothing before being designated for assignment on June 23rd. Photo Credit: Seth Wenig / AP Photo

The Yankees were unable to get a winning streak going against the Rangers in an 8-1 loss on Saturday. The bats were quiet all game long, and the Bomber's bullpen continued to struggle. Tyler Clippard stunk up the place, and the sole RBI of the game was a homerun by, you guessed it, Aaron Judge. Photo Credit: Frank Gunn | AP Luis Cessa got the ball as the Yankees looked to build on a walk-off win last night in the Bronx. Cessa’s last start wasn’t very good, so the pressure was definitely on him to perform. He got into a little bit of trouble in the top of the first, as Elvis Andrus singled to plate a run for the Rangers. Cessa would get out of a first and third, two out jam, though, striking out Rougned Odor and Carlos Gomez. The Yankees offense was silent from the start, but the lineup looked a little different than usual. Gardner and Sanchez were given days off, while Headley remained out with back spasms. Mason Williams played centerfield, moving Hicks to left. Rom...

After getting off to a dreadful start at the plate, the Yankees finally announced that they were designating Chris Carter for assignment, and recalling Tyler Austin from Triple-A. The move seems like a long time coming for a Yankees team desperate for some first base production. Photo Credit: Brad Penner | USA TODAY Sports

Masahiro Tanaka took the mound against the Rangers looking to get back on track. He did just that as he battled his former Japanese league competitor Yu Darvish in their first matchup against each other in the MLB. In a game blown by both bullpens, the Yanks prevailed thanks to Ronald Torreyes’ walk-off single in the 10th. Photo Credit: Julie Jacobson | AP

Coming off their first win in a week, the Yankees looked to continue their success from Wednesday, where they beat the Angels 8-4. With their ace, Luis Severino, on the mound opposing Jesse Chavez, the Yankees looked like they were in a good position to possibly win the series. However, due to sloppy defense, plus no offense after the third inning, they were unable to pull away with a win against the Mike Trout-less Angels. Photo via Kathy Willens of AP

During the few years I've had the pleasure to write for and help grow the BBB, I've been a consistent critic of manager Joe Girardi. I believe that his in-game mismanagement has cost this team numerous games over the past few seasons. Up until last week, the Yankees were on top of the world. Now, the Bombers find themselves in the midst of adversity. Much of the blame for the imploding bullpen and overall decline in production falls on the shoulders of the Yankees' manager. For example, despite clear and quantifiable data that would recommend a move to the contrary, Mr. Girardi refuses to abandon bullpen roles and continues to call on Tyler Clippard in close games. The results have been the same: narrow Yankees defeats. If the Yankees end up missing the playoffs this season, the time will have FINALLY come for Girardi to pack his bags and leave New York. Photo Credit: John Hefti/USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees were back at it on Friday night after a deflating extra inning loss the night before, with Luis Severino on the hill looking to put his team back on track. The Yankees spotted themselves an early four run deficit, but eventually came back to take a 6-4 lead. However, for the fourth game in a row, the bullpen would give up late runs resulting in a loss as the Yankees dropped the second game of this series by a score of 7-6. Photo Credit: Ben Margot | AP Both teams were set down in order in the first, but the A’s offense exploded in the second, as they sent all nine men to the plate and scored four runs on four hits. Severino threw 39 pitches in the inning, and could not finish hitters while ahead in the count early on. Severino would settle in after his difficult second, not allowing a hit from that point on,keeping his team in the game. The Yanks broke through in the third, as their MVP front runner Aaron Judge hit yet another home run, a three run shot, his 23...