Bronx Bomber Ball

In the leadup to an otherwise very boring trade deadline (so far), the speculation around Yankee land was where would the help come from. After seeing their top target Luis Castillo head to the Mariners for a steep price, the Yankees needed to shift. They have been in rumors for weeks about seeing help for their starting rotation as well as their bullpen. After weeks of nothing but rumors, the Yankees finally struck Tuesday, agreeing to a deal for Oakland A’s ace Frankie Montas. Also included in the deal is A’s reliever Lou Trivino. The return for Montas and Trivino is not insignificant, the Yankees sent back LHP JP Sears, INF Cooper Bowman, RHP Luis Medina and LHP Ken Waldichuk. Waldichuk would seem to be the headliner in the deal for the A’s, as he’s been a rising star and strikeout machine in the Yankees minor league system; Medina has flashed great potential and has decently high upside as well. The Yankees paying a price like this in a deadline deal represents a change from rece...

Minutes before the Yankees took the field for their first spring training game, Brian Cashman struck a trade that, at this point, became inevitable. Luke Voit is headed to the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Justin Lange. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman was first with the news. Photo Credit: AP Voit became expendable after the Yankees re-signed Anthony Rizzo to a two-year, $32 million deal late Tuesday night, so it was only a matter of time before a move came to fruition. This brings an end to Voit’s tenure in the Bronx that few could’ve predicted just a year ago, after he led the league in home runs (22) and finished ninth in AL MVP voting during the shortened 2020 season. 2021, however, was not as kind to the Missouri product, as he battled a multitude of injuries and a loss of playing time down the stretch en route to a .239/.328/.437 slash. With the National League adopting the designated hitter as part of baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement, th...

  After a week or so of speculation who the team would negotiate with for it’s first base opening for the 2022 season, the Yankees finally have their man.   Late Tuesday evening, the Yankees re-signed free agent Anthony Rizzo to a two-year contract.   Rizzo, who was acquired at last year’s trade deadline, was a fine first baseman for the ballclub in 2021, but with higher end options available this offseason – namely Matt Olson from Oakland via a trade, or Freddie Freeman in free agency – this feels like a disappointment.

  Early Saturday morning, the New York Yankees agreed to terms with the #1 International Prospect , 17-year-old shortstop Roderick Arias. Per sources, the deal will be for $4 million – a huge chunk of the club’s $5.18 million International Signing Bonus Pool – but one necessary to land a prospect as highly touted as Arias.  The Yankees were rumored to be the favorites as early back as last summer, but the deal was reported on the 15th. The Yankees have not formally announced the deal yet. Per MLB Pipeline, using their 20-80 scale, Arias has a 60-hit grade and 55 grade in all other categories (power, run, arm, fielding).   He is a true five-tool player and a dangerous asset for the Yankees to add to the pipeline along with other top prospects Jasson Dominguez and Anthony Volpe.   At just 17 years of age, Arias is not considered a threat to make the Major League club any time soon, so his addition should not block Volpe’s path to the Bronx, or perhaps the additi...

  The New York Yankees have acquired IF Rougned Odor from the Texas Rangers for outfield prospects Antonio Cabello and Josh Stowers.   The news was first broken by ESPN’s Jeff Passan this afternoon.   Passan also notes that the Rangers will be assuming the majority of the money owed to Odor ($27 million) through the 2022 season plus a buyout on a 2023 option.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post was the first to report the prospects going to Texas in the deal.  Photo Credit: Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News

  The New York Yankees have seemingly filled out their starting rotation after acquiring Pirates right hander Jameson Taillon in a trade today.   News that the Yankees were first pursuing Taillon broke last night from MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand .   The Yankees, up against Major League Baseball’s luxury tax line with little room to spare, were looking to add to their starting rotation at a lower AAV than would be available on the free agent market.   Today, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Yankees were able to complete the deal for Taillon, sending minor league prospects Miguel Yajure, Roansy Contreras, Maikel Escotto and Canaan Smith to Pittsburgh to complete the deal.

This morning it was announced that Aaron Hicks and the Yankees have agreed to a seven-year, $70 million extension. The deal was first announced by Jack Curry of the YES Network.  Hicks had previously agreed to a one-year deal of $6 million to avoid arbitration, but this new deal will begin this season, per Bryan Hoch.   Aaron Hicks has agreed to a 7-year, $70M extension with the Yankees. The team will announce the extension later today. — Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) February 25, 2019 Aaron Hicks’ seven-year, $70 million extension will begin this season, per source. — Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 25, 2019 Breakdown for Hicks: $2M sign. 2019-$6M. 2020-23: $10.5M. 2024-25: $9.5M. 2026 team option $12.5M or $1M buyout #Yankees — Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) February 25, 2019 Hicks is coming off arguably his best season where he was able to stay healthy (he has had some issues with this in the past) and in 137 games was able to slash .248/.366/.467 wit...

Following their victory against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, the Yankees announced a minor trade in the wee hours of Saturday morning. With several minor leaguers likely to join the big club in the coming days, the Yankees further bolstered their depth by acquiring SS Adeiny Hechavarria from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. To make room for Hechavarria on the 40-man roster, LHP Ryan Bollinger was designated for assignment. The Yankees have been stretched thin due to injuries in recent weeks and Hechavarria will give the team an experienced big leaguer to add to their bench. Credit: Justin Berl/Getty Images

As we close in on the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline on July 31st, it's about that time of year where we start analyzing potential trade targets as well as which prospects might be on the move as part of those deals.  Our own Maxx Hotton recently completed a series of pieces in which he previewed potential trade packages for  Jacob deGrom ,  Cole Hamels , JA Happ , and  Madison Bumgarner .  However, the trade deadline (as well as the weeks immediately following the conclusion of the World Series) are also a time for teams to starting thinking about future roster constructions and get their 40-man rosters in shape.   Left to Right: Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams, Dillon Tate Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

The New York Yankees, having recently lost both Jordan Montgomery for the season to Tommy John Surgery and Masahiro Tanaka for a few weeks due to cramps in both of his hamstrings, are set to call up electric right-hander Jonathan  Loaisiga  to make his Major League debut on Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, per YES Network's Jack Curry. Boone said Jonathan Loaisiga will start for the Yankees on Thursday. He started the season at Class A Tampa and has been at Class AA Trenton, where he's 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in 4 starts. He has 26Ks and 1 walk in 20 innings. — Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) June 12, 2018 *Per Boone's update after last night's game, Loaisiga will start Friday night, not Thursday night* Loaisiga , New York's 12th best prospect per  MLB[ dot]com,  had an impressive showing in A-ball before a quick promotion to double-A Trenton where he made his last six starts.  Over ten starts across both levels of the minors this season,  Loais...

The Yankees have announced that Tommy Kahnle has been activated and has rejoined the team in advance of Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. Kahnle has been on the Disabled List since April 17 th with tendonitis in his right shoulder. Credit: Getty Images Before heading to the DL, Kahnle pitched to a 1-0 record with an unsightly 6.14 ERA. His velocity was noticeably down to start the season and Kahnle struggled as a result. Kahnle began a rehab assignment in Low A Charleston on May 21 st and progressed to Triple A on May 23 rd . The activation of Kahnle this afternoon was the final of a rash of moves the team made to prepare their roster for Kahnle's return today, and in all likelihood, Greg Bird's tomorrow.  Earlier today, the Yankees traded AAA catcher Erik Kratz to Milwaukee and released Adam Lind.  The team already vacated the necessary spot on the 25-man roster for Kahnle after calling up and then immediately sending down LHP Ryan Bolling...

The New York Yankees have purchased the contract of Wilkin Castillo, a catcher from the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Castillo played a total of 22 MLB games between 2008-2009 with the Cincinnati Reds. This season, he has hit .314 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 20 games with the Ducks. Credit: Getty Images

Well, it's finally happening.  After waiting out the required 20 days in order to gain an extra year of team control on their top prospect, the Yankees have announced they will promote 2B/3B  Gleyber  Torres to the Major League roster.  Having some of the league's worst production at the second base positions  through  the season's first three weeks, Torres is expected to slot in immediately and give the New York offense a jolt they were missing from Tyler Wade and Neil Walker.   Photo Credit; Getty Images This news is courtesy of YES's Jack Curry who tweeted this on Saturday evening: Source: Gleyber Torres will be promoted and will join the Yankees on Sunday. So the Gleyber Era will begin. — Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) April 21, 2018 Torres, of course, was cut down in the middle of a strong season last year after tearing his Ulnar Collateral Ligament in his left (non-throwing) elbow, which required Tommy John Surgery, and was sent t...

Prior to the series finale against the Marlins, the Yankees have placed Tommy  Kahnle  on the 10-day DL with right shoulder tendonitis. In response, the Yanks recalled right-handed journeyman Luis  Cessa  back up from Triple-A.   ROSTER MOVES: Prior to tonight’s game, the @Yankees placed RHP Tommy Kahnle on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to 4/16) with right shoulder tendonitis and recalled RHP Luis Cessa from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. — Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) April 17, 2018   Kahnle  had been struggling lately and overall this season including a noticed drop in velocity, which is now explained. In six outings accumulating 7.1 innings, the righty has a 6.14 ERA while giving up eight walks. His WHIP of 1.64 has concerned Yankee fans and the reason of his struggles has now came out.  Hopefully just a minor injury,  Kahnle’s  presence will certainly be missed in the already struggling bullpen.  Cessa’s ...

After another New York Yankee was injured in today's loss against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Yankees have called up Spring Training standout Miguel Andujar to replace outfielder Billy McKinney on the 25-man roster, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com . Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg Last season, Andujar batted .315 with 16 home runs and 82 RBI while playing for the Yankees’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. Andujar only played in 15 games this spring, but during those games he slugged four home runs, batted .267, and had a tremendous .928 OPS. Critics of Andujar questioned whether he was ready defensively for the MLB; he struggled in the minors with consistency in the field, and while he has a very strong arm, he needs to work on his throws’ accuracy. Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke to NJ.com about Andujar’s defensive ability before Spring Training began, “I think he has the skills to be a major league third baseman defensively… There's no question in my mind th...

**Update 1:00 PM** The minor leaguers #Marlins are getting are Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers, who is Rafael Devers' cousin. — Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 9, 2017 Source: #Yankees taking $265M of $295M owed Stanton. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 9, 2017 Sherman reports the Yankees will part with minor leaguers Jorge Guzman (acquired in the Brian McCann trade last Winter) and Jose Devers. Guzman is a RHP flamethrower who can touch as high as 105 miles per hour with his fastball and Devers is an 18 year old shortstop international free agent signing from the Dominican Republic (and cousin of Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers). Rosenthal confirms that Miami will be contributing $30 million in the deal (Heyman had previously reported $35 million). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Update 12:00 PM** Per FanRag's Jon Heyman, the deal is now official. Th...