Christmas week in the baseball world is usually a pretty slow one, but there was some recent Yankees news and notes to be grateful for this holiday season.
As we get a step closer to Yankees pitchers and catchers reporting in mid-February, inklings of information have begun to creep out about the impending season.
A portion of the Yankees promotional schedule has been released, detailing two different bobblehead days – one for Gary Sanchez, and the other for Reggie Jackson. June 10 will see youth fans receive a plastic bat and ball — then a day later it will officially be bat day for the kiddos.
ESPN released a portion of their Sunday Night Baseball schedule – which sees the Yankees slated for four games before the end of July. The one date to circle on your calendars above all else would have to be May 14 versus the Houston Astros.
True, Brian McCann makes his first return to the Bronx, but the honor of the day goes to Derek Jeter, who will have his legendary No. 2 retired, in addition to a plaque dedication prior to the game.
The other three contests on Sunday night include an interleague affair against the Cardinals on April 16, the reigning World Series Champion Cubs on May 7, and a trip to Boston on July 16.
According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN, the Yankees have received several buy-low offers on starting pitcher Michael Pineda. The oft-injured Pineda threw a career-high 175.2 innings in 2016 while contributing to some of the clubs success with a 10.61 K/9. Though Pineda will be a free agent following the 2017 season, the Yankees are counting on him to help stabilize the top of the rotation, before any tangible thoughts about trading the 27-year-old come to fruition.
Former Yankees starter Ivan Nova inked a 3-year/$26M deal to return to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 64.2 innings pitched for the Pirates in ‘16, Nova held steady with a 3.06 ERA – while only allowing three walks and four home runs. Many within baseball felt Nova would secure a contract pushing $35M-$40M, but lukewarm interest from other clubs drove that price down significantly.
Yankees special instructor Alex Rodriguez held his annual holiday party at the Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade’s Ocean Bank Teen Center. Housed in the Alex Rodriguez Educational Center building, A-Rod continues to give back to the Hank Kline Club he was a part of as a youth.
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