TEAM WOUNDED - HURRY UP, JULY

With the amount of injuries, sometimes I feel like the Yankees are playing the 2013 season all over again - although, no year has ever reached the pinnacle of last year’s injury list in the Yankees’ history.   Now, I understand that every team has injuries, but how many teams have had three-fifths of their starting rotation injured all at once while also having their 8^th inning setup man and their 3^rd and 4^th hitters injured?  No team could ever be successful with those consequences.

Most baseball fans will say it’s their age, because that’s what they've been brainwashed to believe whenever it comes to the Yankees, but the injury bug has hit all layers of age thus far.   The aforementioned key injuries in respective order are:  CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Michael Piñeda, Shawn Kelley, Carlos Beltran, and Mark Teixeira.  The good news is that Teixeira has just returned (for the 2^nd time) and Beltran is scheduled to return tomorrow; however, both are questionable to sustain their health for any length of time, due to the severity of their fragile conditions.

Again, every team has their injuries, but the significance of such key contributors leaves the Yankees no choice but to look for alternatives if they want to compete in October.  I would begin by attaining Kendrys Morales.  He’s been a free agent for half a year and is one of those who currently has a penalizing draft pick attached to him until June 7th, after the baseball draft (which begins tomorrow).  Hence, the Yankees (or any other team) will not lose a draft pick and, thus, only have to pay money towards the player - a perfect situation for a team that’s always ready and willing to spend.  He could help enhance some of the offense.

From a pitching standpoint, the Yankees just released Alfredo Aceves which is a good thing, but they made a mistake by picking up Wade LeBlanc who was just rightfully released on waivers by the Angels.  Typically, real value is rarely available until after June, when teams have the opportunity to perform a half-season evaluation and the weak teams look to trade high-priced players for youthful and/or cheap replacements.   The Yankees made some other minor moves here and there relating to their farm system over the last few months, but they (like most teams) don’t just simply have 3 starting pitchers ready in the wings to jump into the major leagues abruptly.  Additionally, they are determined to leave one of their optional starters, Adam Warren, in the bullpen due to his relieving success.

I believe the Yankees will be very active with transactions in the next few weeks for pitching and offense, so stand by and enjoy the show.  Hopefully, it will be more positive and entertaining than their recent games have been.