Bronx Bomber Ball

In the wake of sought-after free agent pitcher Patrick Corbin signing with the Washington Nationals today, the Yankees need to pivot quickly, and the best option might just come in the form of an old friend.   Photo Credit: Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sports Nathan Eovaldi, after being acquired by the Boston Red Sox this past Summer, put the entirety of his skillset on display as he was a key cog in the Red Sox’s rotation as they went on to win the World Series.   After being acquired from Tampa Bay at the non-waiver trade deadline in July, Eovaldi went 3-3 in 12 games (11 starts) with a 3.33 ERA.   Where he shined the most, however, was in the postseason. In his first ever career postseason start, against our New York Yankees no less, Eovaldi dazzled over seven innings of one run ball.   He would make another start in the ALCS against the Astros, again picking up the win over six strong innings, allowing only two runs, before making four rel...

For the third straight day, the Yankees put together an embarrassing and lifeless performance in Boston, falling 4-1 to the Red Sox at Fenway. It's almost hard to believe that a team with as much talent as this Yankees group could look this pathetic in the most important series of their season, but here we are. With today’s season-high fourth straight loss, New York is now a season-high 8.5 games out of first place in the AL East. If you weren’t pressing the panic button regarding the Yankees division standing before today, you should be now. Photo Credit: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

Following their rain-shortened two-game series split against the Mets at home this past weekend, the Yankees head down South for three days to face the Rays in Tampa Bay.  Tropicana Field has, in a way, been a house of horrors for New York, having gone just 4-9 at The Trop since the beginning of 2017 including an ugly three-game sweep just a month ago. The Yankees will begin play today at 63-34, five full games behind the first place Red Sox.  Tampa Bay comes in at 50-49, 19 games out of first and 9.5 games back of Seattle for the second Wild Card position. With trade rumors swirling for both squads and the teams headed in opposite directions, this series provides a key opportunity for the Yankees to get back on track and put pressure on Boston to once again close up the AL East race.

The Yankees are a league best 23-10 at home this season, and they will look to add to their win total when the Rays enter town for a four-game set. The Yankees are coming off a two-game split with the Washington Nationals, and are 7-3 over their last 10 games. The Rays just swept the Blue Jays at home but are a measly 4-6 over their last 10. The Rays offense has struggled all season, so look for the two young Yankee starters to go out and compete in the first two games of this series. This will be just the second series this season between the two clubs.

Now, I started writing this article before the injury to Masahiro Tanaka, so the Yankees’ need for a starting pitcher has changed in the last few days. When Domingo German originally joined the Yankees’ starting rotation back in early May, it was believed that he would have around two months to show what he could do as a fulltime starter before the return of Jordan Montgomery. That return is obviously not going to happen until next season and following the injury to Tanaka the Yankees need to acquire a starter appears greater than ever. That need may not be quite as great though thanks to an arm that they already have in the fold.  Credit: Wendell Cruz/USA Today Sports As we get closer to the trading deadline, we will all likely get caught up in rumors and speculation of who the Yankees could and should trade for, but before we get too deep into that, I think it would be a good idea to take a closer look at German. While he may be overshadowed by more highly touted pros...

For years, I've heard about Larry Rothschild's supposed ability to turn struggling pitchers around. Since he's arrived in New York, however, Rothschild has not been able to live up to such expectations. Whether it be Michael Pineda, Nathan Eovaldi, or any one member of the current circus of relievers, the pitching coach has continuously failed to help his struggling pitchers effectively address the source of their problems. Before I go any further, I must emphasize that I believe Joe Girardi is the root of the problem, and Rothschild is an extension of his manager, but the fruit does not fall far from the tree. Rothschild has been in New York since 2011, and the results have not improved. It is now time for the Yankees to bid farewell to Mr. Rothschild. Photo Credit: John Munson/The Star-Ledger

With the season winding down and the Yankees playoff hope slimming by the day, some 40-man roster spot decisions will have to be made in the near future. While some roster spots will open up because of impending free agents and retirements (Mark Teixeira, Billy Butler, etc.), some roster spots will be needed to protect players from the Rule 5 Draft (Tyler Webb, Kyle Hishioga, etc.). Because of these moves some roster spots may be up in the air this offseason, let’s take a look at some players whose 40-man roster spots may be in limbo. Photo Credit: Kim Klement

There is a specific person behind the scenes that, in my mind, does not get enough credit and recognition.   Although, I feel most front office personnel and general managers hide within the depths of their respective stadiums (unless you are Theo Epstein).   Brian Cashman is one of those general managers that quietly pulls the logistical strings in the background as he looks to put a winning product on the field.   Sometimes he pulls the correct strings and sometimes he doesn’t.   The past fiscal year has proven to be a particular combination of good moves and bad moves depending on your opinion.   But I think it is safe to say that moves made in recent weeks have solidified Cashman once again as a top five general manager in Major League Baseball. Photo Credit: Kim Klement | USA TODAY Sports

I know I may be getting ahead of myself here, but like many of you, I’m just simply excited for the future. That includes our pitching staff. Now I won’t delve into the bullpen because other than Dellin Betances, Tyler Clippard and Adam Warren, who knows what the rest of it will look like. I would, however, like to take a look at the rotation and how it may shape out and what options the Yankees have. Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso, USA TODAY Sports

In this podcast, BBB writers Steven Eareckson and James Grande discuss a plethora of Yankee-related concerns. Beginning with their takes on the ceremonial sendoff of Alex Rodriguez, and the events leading up to it, and concluding with their opinions on the Yankees recent youth movement, Steven and James touch upon a number of issues on the minds of Yankees fans. Though the two may not have agreed on much in the past when it comes to the Yankees, Steven and James surprisingly found some common ground on the current state of the ball club.

In the second game of this rivalry, the Yankees came from behind to win 9-4 at Fenway. The story of this game early on was starter Nathan Eovaldi leaving after just one inning with discomfort in his right elbow, as they had to use seven relievers after his exit. Gary Sanchez also hit his first career bomb in the win. Photo Credit: Jim Rogash | Getty Images

The Yankees will head to Boston Tuesday night for a three game series with their longtime AL East rivals. The two teams have met nine times this year with the boys from the Bronx victorious in three of those games. New York is coming off an impressive series win against the Cleveland Indians taking two of three games. Since the Yankees decided to sell the team has become so much more exciting to watch. Over the weekend the Yankees had two huge events happen: Mark Teixeira announced he would retire after the 2016 season and on Sunday the team announced that DH Alex Rodriguez would play his last game this Friday and then take on a special advisor role with the team thus effectively ending his playing career. As if times weren’t exciting enough the rivalry is renewed again, the Red Sox are in the thick of the playoff hunt though they have struggled as of late and the Yankees are not quite out of things yet as they could sneak back into contention with a good series against Boston.

Thursday’s game marked the end of the 2016 Subway Series and Nathan Eovaldi took the hill looking for the 3-1 series win. Eovaldi had come into Thursday’s game on a bit of a roll, pitching well in all three of his starts since returning to the rotation. With a win, the Yankees and the Mets would both be 55-53, which is interesting as one team sold at the deadline while the other were considered buyers. However, the Yankees offense struggled mightily to hit with runners in scoring position as they dropped the series finale to spit the Subway Series at two games apiece. Photo Credit: Kathy Willens | AP

As a New York baseball fan, this is one of the best times of the year, the Subway Series between the Yankees and Mets. Although neither team will probably win their respective divisions, the Mets are still within reaching distance of a Wild Card spot, as they sit just 2.5 games behind the Marlins.  Last season was just the fourth time that both made the playoffs, as the Mets ended up losing in the World Series. This season, the Yankees have entered sell-mode and the Mets have struggled with their offense and key injuries. Entering this series, both teams have really struggled lately. The Yankees have lost four straight, including getting swept against the lowly Rays this past weekend. The four-game skid has dropped them back to a .500 record at 52-52. The Mets were also on a four-game losing streak before yesterday’s comeback victory, as they head in with a 54-50 record.

In many ways this game encapsulated the story of the Yankees' season. Nathan Eovaldi pitched well enough to win, but the Yankees offense couldn't provide him with enough support. Five of the Rays six runs came way of the long ball. Decent starting pitching, inconsistent offensive production, and awful middle relief have been three defining aspects of the 2016 New York Yankees, all of which were featured tonight. It's even more sad that the Yankees couldn't take advantage of facing a pitcher who entered the game with a 2-11 record. With the deadline only two days away, this series loss to the Rays may be the final nail in the coffin for this Yankees team. Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

The New York Yankees (52-49), will begin a three game set on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays (39-61), the final series before the trade deadline. Winners of seven of their last ten games, the Yankees will look to continue their hot streak and (unfortunately) not sell at the deadline. This series could ultimately decide the Yankees future. If they lose two of three or get swept, they will almost definitely become full-blown sellers. But if they win two of three or sweep the Rays, they will most likely stand pat at the deadline.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas | USA TODAY Sports As this season draws closer and closer to the postseason, the Yankees will start building for next season as they appear to be headed home after the regular season. Trade rumors have been a hot topic in the Bronx, as Carlos Beltran, Andrew Miller, and Nathan Eovaldi have been among the names thrown around, along with the team already trading away Aroldis Chapman for a plethora of young talent. In the last year of his mega contract, Mark Teixeira’s name hasn't really been thrown around as a potential trade option, but the Yanks front office has reportedly discussed cutting him, along with fellow teammate Alex Rodriguez. His disastrous season thus far leaves his future in the Bronx in severe doubt. If not released in the next month, it’ll be interesting to see what happens in the offseason. Here's options the Yankees have with Teixeira and which one I feel is the best move for the future of this team:

Join Steven Eareckson and Chad Raines as they discuss the Aroldis Chapman trade rumors that took the internet by storm last night. This podcast focuses heavily on the Chapman discussions, however we devote an ample amount of time to some of the other rumors surrounding the Yankees. Andrew Miller, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Pineda, and Carlos Beltran have had their names circulated in trade talks. Whether it be a blockbuster with the Chicago Cubs, as many reports have indicated, or another team, the Yankees look to be a busy seller this deadline. It's impossible to know when the trade will break, but we provide our listeners with some hypothetical trades that we can realistically envision the Bombers engaging in. Needless to say, keep up with our Twitter for the latest Yankees news and rumors! Follow Steven:  @SteveTheScholar Follow Chad:  @Chad_Rain Follow the BBB:  @BronxBomberBlog

Taking two out of three from a premier team like the San Francisco Giants was not something the Yankees were supposed to do, if you want them to sell. But, for now, that sell mentality will once again be put to rest after a 5-2 victory over the Giants on Sunday afternoon. Finding himself in the middle of trade rumors, Nathan Eovaldi (9-6, 4.80 ERA) tossed 7.2 innings of two-run ball, allowing seven hits, striking out six and walking two. Today’s start coupled with his strong start against Baltimore last week have increased his trade value, and it should be interesting to see if a team makes a deal for him in the days leading up to the deadline.

With the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline rapidly approaching, the Yankees front office of general manager Brian Cashman, team president Randy Levine, and owner Hal Steinbrenner are in a power struggle. While Cashman wants the team to sell and get younger, Levine and Steinbrenner want this team to make a playoff push (most likely to sell tickets and make money), and buy at the deadline. However, at 49-47, seven games behind Boston in the AL East and five and a half out of the second wild card spot behind Toronto, it looks as though the Yankees are better off playing for 2017 and beyond. So with that, let’s take a look at potential trade bait players for the New York Yankees if they do become sellers. Photo Credit: Getty Images