Trader Lee takes over the Yankees

[nyy26wc]

"Trader Lee" is now starting his 2013 season.

"Trader Lee" took over the Yankees in 2000 and won the World Series. Then, Trader Lee won 3 World Championships in 4 years--2004, 2006, 2007.

There were also 2 other World Series appearances. In 2012, the Yankees went to the World Series and faced the defending champion Cardinals. The Yankees were almost swept, losing the 1st 3, before losing the series in 5. And, there was the collapse that Yankees fans never want to talk about. It's too painful for me to talk about it.

OK, OK. I'll tell you what it was. It was 2003. The Yankees had a 3-0 lead in the World Series against the hated Dodgers. And, then, the Yankees became the only team in baseball history to lose a 3-0 lead in a series. Actually, they are no longer the only team. The Twins took a 3-0 lead over the Phillies in the 2010 World Series, before losing 4 in a row.

In the past 5 years, the Yankees have won 100+ games 4 times, including a 100 win season in 2012. But, the fans are not happy, as the Yankees have yet to win the team's 30th World Championship.

Trader Lee, year by year--

YEAR  PLACE   W    L   PCT   GB      TITLE
2000  1st     89   73  .549   +3     WORLD CHAMPIONS
2001  1st     99   63  .611   +7     AL EAST CHAMPIONS
2002  2nd     95   67  .586    6     WILD CARD
2003  1st    105   57  .648  +10     AL CHAMPIONS
2004  1st     99   63  .611  +13     WORLD CHAMPIONS
2005  2nd     93   69  .574    4     WILD CARD
2006  1st    121   41  .747  +25.5   WORLD CHAMPIONS
2007  1st    103   59  .636   +3     WORLD CHAMPIONS
2008  2nd    103   59  .636    8     WILD CARD
2009  1st    104   58  .642   +2     AL EAST CHAMPIONS
2010  1st    107   55  .660  +13     AL EAST CHAMPIONS
2011  3rd     93   69  .574   16   
2012  1st    100   62  .617   +7     AL CHAMPIONS

Yearly World Series results--

2000--Yankees beat the Cardinals
2001--A's beat the Cardinals
2002--Cardinals beat the Red Sox
2003--Dodgers beat the Yankees
2004--Yankees beat the Dodgers
2005--Astros beat the White Sox
2006--Yankees beat the Phillies
2007--Yankees beat the Brewers
2008--Angels beat the Astros
2009--Phillies beat the Mariners
2010--Phillies beat the Twins
2011--Cardinals beat the White Sox
2012--Cardinals beat the Yankees

[nyy26wc]

2013 YANKEES

LINEUP
2B--Derek Jeter
CF--Mike Trout
1B--Albert Pujols
RF--Giancarlo Stanton
3B--Alex Rodriguez
DH--Jesus Montero
LF--Johnny Damon
C--Miguel Montero
SS--Brendan Ryan

BENCH
C--David Ross
2B--Corban Joseph
INF--David Adams
OF--Zoilo Alomte
OF--Craig Gentry

ROTATION
Roy Halladay
C.C. Sabathia
Johan Santana
Michael Pineda
David Phelps

BULLPEN
Mariano Rivera
David Robertson
Steve Chisek
Phil Coke
Boone Logan
Jason Grilli

[nyy26wc]

2013 YANKEES--HOW ACQUIRED

Special situations--RF Giancarlo Stanton, CF Mike Trout

Yankees farm system--2B Derek Jeter, DH Jesus Montero, 2B Corban Joseph, INF David Adams, OF Zoilo Almonte, Ps David Phelps, Mariano Rivera, David Robertson, Phil Coke

Albert Pujols--Acquired in the 21st century's Trade of the Century. The Yankees traded 2B Robinson Cano for Pujols on 11/12/07.

Alex Rodriguez--Signed to a 10 year, $250 million contract, 12/19/01. Re-signed to a 5 year, $100 million contract, 11/19/10. Is coming off a TERRIBLE 2012 year and is owed $20 million a year through 2016.

Johnny Damon--The Yankees traded Ps Javier Vazquez, Ernesto Frieri, Jake McGee, Dylan Axelrod and cash to the Rangers for Damon, Milt Olt and Martin Perez, 11/8/12. Olt is starting the year on the DL and, when he comes back in a few days, will share LF with Damon and also could see time at 3B.

Miguel Montero--The Yankees traded OF Gerardo Parra to the Reds for Montero, 11/8/11.

Brendan Ryan--The Yankees traded 2B David Eckstein and C Francisco Cervelli to the Cubs for Ryan and C Brayan Pena, 11/10/09.

David Ross--Signed a 1 year, $1 million free agent contract, 1/8/12. Re-signed to a 2 year, $2.5 million contract, 11/11/12.

Craig Gentry--The Yankees traded P Phil Hughes to the Rangers for Gentry, 11/8/11.

Roy Halladay--The Yankees traded 1B Todd Helton to the Blue Jays for Halladay, 11/1/05.

C.C. Sabathia--The Yankees traded OF Brett Gardner and Ps Joba Chamberlain, Tyler Clippard and Brad Lidge to the Indians for Sabathia, 12/9/08.

Michael Pineda--The Yankees traded CF Austin Jackson to the Mariners for Pineda and P Shawn Kelly, 12/13/10.

Steve Chisek--The Yankees traded 2B Mark Ellis and P Carlos Marmol to the Diamondbacks for Cishek, INF Mark Grudzielanek and P Ivan Nova, 7/15/11.

Boone Logan--The Yankees traded INF Josh Harrison to the Tigers for Logan, 10/29/11.

Jason Grilli--Signed a 1 year, $1.75 million free agent contract, 2/10/13.

[nyy26wc]

Stanton and Trout are the controversial players on my team.

I took over the team in 2000. The league only had a AAA league until the 2012-13 offseason, when the OOTP world expanded to have full minor leagues, as well as the real minor league players added. Other a few token players who were re-assigned to their original teams if traded as prospects, everybody debuted in OOTP with their original teams. So, esentially, that gave me no control at all over what minor league prospects debuted with and came up through my system.

To compensate for the fact that I wouldn't be able to go out and draft/sign the HR hitters that I love so much, I gave myself 1 token additional player. When Giancarlo Stanton debuted, I gave him to me. I compensated the Marlins for their loss by giving them an exact clone of Stanton and the random name generator named him Thomas Moseley. But, I imposed several penalties on myself as the price for getting Stanton. The Rays weren't in good shape, so they got a brand new owner who was eager to spend, some increases in their market size and media contract and were given Stu Phillips (a Dwight Gooden clone, who was given Gooden's 1984-85 ratings for his 1st 2 years and then allowed OOTP to develop him). The Red Sox got some boosts to Manny Ramirez and a guarantee that David Ortiz's season starting ratings will not be allowed to go downhill until he's 40. Only those 2 division rivals were compensated.

I also can't stand how close the Yankees supposedly came to drafting Trout. Supposedly, the Yankees would have taken him with their 1st round pick, after scouting him when he was so close to them growing up in NJ, but the Angels took him 1 pick earlier than the Yankees in the 2010 draft. So, I also gave myself Trout. But, he came at a huge price.

For Trout, everybody in the division, as well as the Angels, were compensated.

Everyone in the division got a HOFer generated by a random number generator. That HOFer was imported from the historical database in his rookie form and would then develop according to OOTP's development. There were a couple of caveats. If the player would have been blocked by an incumbent starter good enough that the team wouldn't replace him with a highly regarded rookie, then a new random number is generated until a suitable player is found. And, if it's one of the HOFers who wasn't even a good player, then the team will not be given such a liability and a new random number is generated until an acceptable player is found. Also, if the player debuted with a cup of cookie season (which would result in reduced ratings for his rookie year) or had a couple of bad years at the start of his career (thus leading to bad rookie ratings, even though he'd have good potential ratings), I'll have his 1st real life good season as his rookie ratings.

Also, each new player will have his name generated by the random name generator button. It would look way too suspicious if, for example, almost 40 years after he died, Roberto Clemente debuts with the Blue Jays.

The Rays got C Robert Phillips (based on Gabby Hartnett).
The Blue Jays got SS Bob Edwards (based on Ernie Banks).
The Red Sox got C Will Cannon (based on Johnny Bench).
And, the Orioles got SS Ricky Lowe (based on Cal Ripken). It's not really a coincidence that the Orioles get a player based on one of their icons. The random number generator said they were supposed to get Whitey Ford. But, I just couldn't give them a Yankees icon. So, I gave them one of their own.

For the Angels, to make up for them not getting Trout, they got Steve Thomas, based on Mel Ott.

Additionally, Trout was pretty useless to me in his debut year of 2011, but each of these teams got the full benefit of their rookie stars. Well, the Orioles didn't really benefit from Lowe, who had a bad rookie year, but took over in 2012. And, the Angels got a MVP award from Thomas in his rookie season.

Then, for 2013, an additional penalty was just imposed. Each of the rest of the division got a fictional player created via the random player generator. They each got a very young (18-21), development stage: above average (75%), player quality: legend. The Red Sox got RF Don Graves. The Rays got RF Antonio Sanchez. The Orioles got SP Gary Miller. The Blue Jays got SP Mike Hamilton.

I could very easily end up being burned badly by how much compensation I have given to my division competition.

I am also thinking of giving them financial boosts, if necessary, to be able to afford to keep these players, if they end up as face of the franchise players but the team struggles to keep them. But, I'll jump off that bridge when I get to it.

[nyy26wc]

4/1--Opening Day.

Roy Halladay takes a pounding (6 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO). Steve Chisek gives up 3 HR in 2/3 IP. Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter don't waste any time erasing the 0 in their season stat line for Es, Rodriguez doing it in the very 1st inning. David Ortiz hits 2 HR (3 hits), while Jacoby Ellsbury has 3 hits (1 HR) and Adrian Gonzalez hits a HR. Ortiz's 2 HR allows him to first tie, and then pass, Lou Gehrig on the HR list, with 494. The Red Sox had a field day running on Halladay/Montero, stealing 5 bases. Red Sox 9, Yankees 2.

Record: 0-1, last place all alone, 1 GB the Red Sox

ATM (around the majors)--Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw had 16 SO and combined for a SHO.

[nyy26wc]

4/2--Day off, but some roster moves.

The Yankees claimed INF Ronny Cedeno off waivers from the Cardinals and sent INF David Adams to the minors. Adams had gone 0 for 1 on Opening Day, in his major league debut.

TRADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Yankees traded minor league INF Nick Green to the Diamondbacks for minor league INF Yamaico Navarro.
(Trade #95. Trader Lee is closing in on 100 career trades.)

Record: 0-1, T3rd (last), 1 GB behind Red Sox and Orioles

ATM--Cardinals SS Alcides Ecobar has 5 hits.

[nyy26wc]

4/3--The game was tied, 1-1, until a 3 run rally in the top of the 8th put the Red Sox up, 4-1. The Yankees scored a run in the bottom of the 8th and Mike Trout delivered a 2 run double to tie the game, 4-4, in the 9th. In the 10th, Asdrubal Cabrera led off with a 3B off David Robertson (who was trying to pitch his 2nd inning), who was immediately relieved by Boone Logan, who threw a WP to give the Red Sox a 5-4 lead. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and 2 outs, David Ortiz was intentionally walked for the 2nd time in the game and Adrian Gonzalez made the Yankees pay with a 2 run single to make it 7-4. The Yankees loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th, but Ronny Cedeno flied out to shallow right and Derek Jeter grounded out, 5-3, to end the game. Derek Jeter was 0 for 6, Alex Rodriguez was 0 for 4 and the 2 of them have combined for 0 hits so far this season. Ortiz hits another HR for the Red Sox. C.C. Sabathia was having a good outing (7 IP, 4 H, 3 R/ER, 3 BB, 5 SO) until he couldn't get any outs in the 8th. Josh Beckett had a good start for the Red Sox--7 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 5 BB, 6 SO.
Red Sox 7, Yankees 4

Record: 0-2, T4th (with Blue Jays), 2 GB behind the Red Sox and Orioles

[nyy26wc]

4/4--Jesus Montero hit a 2 run HR in the bottom of the 7th, to break up a 5-5 tie, as the Yankees finally won a game, 6-5. Montero had 3 hits in the game. Derek Jeter homered, for his 1st hit of the year (he got 2 today), and Alex Rodriguez finally got 1. C Will Cannon hit 2 HR for the Red Sox and LF Manny Ramirez was 0 for 5. Both starters took a pounding. Johan Santana--6 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO. Felix Doubront--3 2/3 IP, 6 H, 5 R/ER, 4 BB, 4 SO.

record: 1-2, T3rd (with Blue Jays & Rays), 1 GB behind Red Sox & Orioles

ATM--Everybody's played 3 or 4 games. The only undefeated teams are Astros & Mets, who are both 3-0. The only winless teams are the Rangers and Padres, both 0-3.

[nyy26wc]

4/5--Albert Pujols hit a 3 run HR (#1) in the top of the 5th, to help lead the Yankees to a 6-5 win over the Tigers. Giancarlo Stanton also homered (#1) for the Yankees. Michael Pineda's year didn't off to a good start, as Tigers CF Dexter Fowler homered off Pineda's 1st pitch of the season. Tigers LF Alex Gordon (#2) and DH Todd Helton (#2) also homered, RF Andy Dirks had 3 hits, Fowler reached base safely 4 times (2 H (1 HR), 2 BB, 1 SB) and 1B Paul Konerko was 0 for 5. Tigers P Drew Smyly took a pounding--4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 6 R/ER, 0 BB, 5 SO.

record: 2-2, T3rd (with Rays), 1 GB behind Red Sox & Orioles

ATM--The 4-0 Mets are the only undefeated team.

[nyy26wc]

4/6--The Yankees had a couple of rallies, to beat the Tigers, 6-5. The Yankees scored 2 in the 1st and 3 in the 3rd. Alex Rodriguez hit a solo HR (#1) in the 8th for an insurance run. Albert Pujols had 3 hits (1 2B). Tigers LF Alex Gordon hit 2 HR (#1 & #2) and CF Dexter Fowler was 0 for 5. Tigers P Rick Porcello took a pounding--7 1/3 IP, 8 H, 5 R/ER, 2 BB, 9 SO. David Phelps made his 1st career start for the Yankees. With this being a day game after a night game, 2B Derek Jeter was given the day off and Corban Joseph collected his 1st career hit, in his major league debut.

The win could be very costly, as RF Giancarlo Stanton had to leave the game, due to an undisclosed injury.

record: 3-2, T2nd (with Rays & Red Sox), 1 GB behind Orioles

ATM--The Mets lost, so there are no more undefeated teams. Giants P Tim Lincecum pitched a SHO against the Cardinals.

[nyy26wc]

Unfortunately, the 1st week of the season had to be expunged, due to the game crashing. DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nyy26wc]

4/1--Roy Halladay pitches a SHO, to lead the Yankees to a 2-0 win over the Red Sox. Halladay's line--9 IP, 2 H, 0 R/ER, 0 BB, 12 SO. Miguel Montero homered (#1) for the Yankees. Jon Niese had a good start for the Red Sox--7 IP, 8 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 SO.

record: 1-0, 1st place, 1/2 game ahead of everyone in the division except Red Sox (who are 1 GB)

ATM--Padres SS Ian Desmond hits for the cycle.

4/2--Day off.

The Yankees claimed INF Ronny Cedeno off waivers from the Cardinals. INF David Adams was sent to the minors.

record: 1-0, T1st (Orioles), 1 game ahead of Blue Jays, Rays, Red Sox

[nyy26wc]

4/3--A 2 run HR by Adrian Gonzalez (#1) in the top of the 7th gave the Red Sox a 6-2 lead over the Yankees. But, a 3 run rally in the bottom of the inning cut the deficit to 6-5. In the bottom of the 9th, Mitchell Boggs came in to pitch for the Red Sox. Johnny Damon made his Yankees debut, pinch hitting for Brendan Ryan, by doubling. Derek Jeter grounded out, 4-3, sending Damon to 3rd. Mike Trout then tied the game with a triple. Albert Pujols was intentionally walked. Giancarlo Stanton flied out to CF, with Trout easily scoring the winning run. Yankees 7, Red Sox 6. Albert Pujols hit his 1st HR of the year for the Yankees. Red Sox DH David Ortiz was 0 for 5. Both starters took a pounding. Sabathia--6 2/3 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO. Jon Lester--6 2/3 IP, 5 H, 5 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 SO.

record: 2-0, 1st, 1 game ahead of Blue Jays, Rays, Orioles

[nyy26wc]

4/4--Before the game, the Yankees made a couple of moves.

TRADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Yankees traded minor league INF Nick Green to the Diamondbacks for minor league INF Yamaico Navarro.
(Trade #95. Trader Lee is closing in on 100 career trades.)

The Yankees also claimed C Francisco Cervelli off waivers from the Cubs. The Yankees also placed Cervelli on waivers. Cervelli is out of options, so the Yankees will see if they can send him to the minors.

Johan Santana had a terrible season debut for the Yankees, giving up 3 in the 1st, 3 in the 2nd and 2 in the 3rd. The Red Sox took a 8-1 lead and held on for a 8-6 win. David Ortiz had 3 hits (1 2B, 1 HR (#1)) after going hitless in the 1st couple of games of the season. Ortiz's HR was #493, tying him with Lou Gehrig on the all time HR list. Manny Ramirez hit his 1st HR. Santana's line--4 IP, 10 H, 8 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 SO. Alex Rodriguez had 3 hits (1 2B), while Albert Pujols (#2) and Jesus Montero (#1) homered. Josh Beckett took a pounding--2 2/3 IP, 5 H, 5 R/ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.

record: 2-1, T1st (with Blue Jays & Orioles), 1 game ahead of Red Sox & Rays

[nyy26wc]

4/5--The Yankees got HRs from Giancarlo Stanton, Brendan Ryan, Derek Jeter and Mike Trout in a 13-4 rout over the Tigers.

4/6--David Phelps pitched 6 shutout innings in his 1st major league start, as the Yankees beat the Tigers, 9-0. Jesus Monero, David Ross, Albert Pujols and Zolio Almonte (1st MLB HR) all homered. Brendan Ryan had 4 hits (1 2B).

But, Johnny Damon tore his quadriceps and will miss a month.

4/7--The Yankees activated OF-3B Mike Olt from the DL and placed LF Johnny Damon on the 15 day DL.

After pitching a 2 hit SHO on Opening Day, Roy Halladay pitched a 2 hit SHO over 8 innings, as the Yankees beat the Tigers, 5-0. Giancarlo Stanton and Jesus Montero homered.

ATM--Rockies rookie C Matt McBride (almost 29) had 5 hits.

end of 1st week: 5-1, 1st place by 1 over Red Sox & Orioles

[nyy26wc]

Once again, the league crashed at the end of the 1st week. The season will have to wait for that to be resolved before it can resume.

[nyy26wc]

The bug that made the league crash has been fixed. So, the season is able to start again.


4/1--The Yankees beat the Red Sox, 11-6, in an Opening Day slugfest.

4/2--The Yankees claimed INF Ronny Cedeno off waivers from the Cardinals.

4/3--The Red Sox scored 3 in the top of the 9th off Mariano Rivera, to beat the Yankees, 4-3.


ATM--A couple of trades around the majors. The Indians traded CF Brett Gardner to the Reds for minor league OF Shade Heathcote. Gardner, a former Yankee, was traded to the Indians as part of the C.C. Sabathia deal in December 2008. He is coming off a .398 OBA season. Heathcote was traded by the Yankees during the 2012-13 offseason for prospect Tony Cingrani. The Rays traded OF Curtis Granderson to the Reds for INF Wilson Betemit and minor league OF Yorman Rodriguez. Granderson has hit 35+ HR 3 consecutive years and 4 out of the last 5. The Reds are moving him to DH.

4/4--A 3 run rally in the bottom of the 8th allowed the Yankees to beat the Red Sox, 4-3.

The Yankees claimed C Francisco Cervelli off waivers from the Cubs. He's out of options, so the Yankees placed him on waivers, to see if he will clear and be able to be sent to AAA. If not, he will be lost.

4/5--HRs by Albert Pujols and Alex Rodriguez helped the Yankees beat the Tigers, 6-4. But, the victory was costly. CF Mike Trout had to leave the game in the 1st inning, due to hamstring cramps and is expected to be day to day for the next 3 days.

TRADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Yankees traded minor league INF Nick Green to the Diamondbacks for minor league INF Yamaico Navarro.

4/6--The Yankees activated OF-3B Mike Olt from the DL and sent OF Zoilo Almonte to the minors.

Rick Porcello pitched a CG SHO, as the Tigers beat the Yankees, 7-0. David Phelps had a bad outing in his 1st MLB start.

4/7--Two big innings (4 in the bottom of the 3rd and 6 in the 7th) gave the Tigers a 10-9 win.

record: 3-3, T1st, everyone in the division is 3-3, except the 2-4 Blue Jays

ATM--The White Sox (6-0) are undefeated. The Royals (0-6) are winless.

[nyy26wc]

4/8--C.C. Sabathia pitched 7 SHO innings and Giancarlo Stanton homered, to lead the Yankees to a 4-1 win over the Indians. The Indians scored in the 9th, off Mariano Rivera, to end the shutout.

ATM--Red Sox DH David Ortiz won AL Player of the Week. Phillies 1B Allen Craig won NL Player of the Week.

4/9--The Yankees took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the 8th, before a 3 run HR by former Yankee Juan Rivera gave the Indians a 4-3 lead. The Yankees tied the game in the top of the 9th. The Yankees scored 2 in the top of the 12th and the Indians could only get 1 in the bottom of the inning off Rivera. The Yankees win, 6-5.

Rivera has a 11.25 ERA in his 1st 4 appearances and has given up a run in 3 of them.

4/10--Rain out. (Yes, I know OOTP doesn't have rain outs. But, I decided I'd add the IRL 2013 Yankees's rain outs to my league.)

4/11--Rain out. David Phelps will go to the bullpen for now. With the 2 rain outs and a day off on the 15th, the 5th starter won't be needed until April 20.

4/12--The Yankees scored in every inning except the 7th, in a 13-7 rout over the Orioles. Mike Trout had 4 hits (1 2B, 1 HR) and Albert Pujols, Jesus Montero and David Ross also homered for the Yankees.

4/13--Mike Trout hit 2 HR, to help lead the Yankees to a 8-4 win over the Orioles.

ATM--Phillies 3B Scott Rolen collected his 2500th career hit, all with the Phillies. Mariners P Brandon Morrow pitched a SHO.

4/14--Giancarlo Stanton hit 2 HR and C.C. Sabathia gave up 1 R in 7 IP, to lead the Yankees to a 8-2 win over the Orioles.

ATM--Cardinals LF Matt Holliday has a wrist injury and is expected to miss about a month.

record: 8-3, 1st place by 1/2 game over Red Sox

[nyy26wc]

I forgot to include my roster move--

4/8--C Francisco Cervelli cleared waivers, so he was sent to AAA.

[nyy26wc]

4/15--Day off.

4/16--A 4 run rally in the top of the 6th led the Diamondbacks to a 6-5 win over the Yankees. The win was costly for the Diamondbacks, as LF Carl Crawford suffered a separated shoulder and is expected to miss a month.

ATM--Blue Jays P Matt Garza and White Sox LF Will Venable were each suspended for 6 games, for a bench clearing brawl.

4/17--The Yankees took a 6-1 lead over the Diamondbacks in the 2nd, before things apart the Diamondbacks went on for a 8-6 win.

Michael Pineda suffered a torn abdominal muscle and is expected to miss about 3 weeks.

Suzyn reports that the Yankees have put P Phil Coke on the trading block.

4/18--The Yankees placed Pineda on the 15 day DL, called up P Mike Ekstrom and designated minor league P Dan Otero for assignment.

Ekstrom is only being called up until Pineda's spot in the rotation comes up again, at which time, Adam Warren is expected to get the call. Trader Lee was tempted to make that be Manuel Banuelos. Banuelos is off to a fast start at AAA, with a 1.32 ERA and 17 SO in 13 2/3 IP in his 1st 2 starts. But, Trader Lee wants him to get some more AAA seasoning before he gets the call up. Otero was DFA'd to make room on the 40 man roster for Ekstrom.

In other minor league news, Dellin Betances is off to a 12.38 ERA start in his 1st 2 starts in AAA. There are rumors that the Yankees may move the former highly regarded prospect to the bullpen.

TRADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Yankees traded minor league 1B Brett Pill to the Braves for minor league 3B Brandon Hicks.
(trade #96)

With 1 out in the bottom of the 12th, Mike Trout singled, stole 2nd and scored on Derek Jeter's walkoff double. The Yankees beat the Diamondbacks, 3-2, to avoid a 3 game sweep. Mariano Rivera continues to turn his season around, with his 3rd consecutive scoreless outing.

4/19--The Yankees claimed minor league P Tony Sipp off waivers from the Indians. The Yankees sent Sipp to AAA and, to make room on the 40 man roster, designated minor league OF Luis Terrero for assignment.

Suzyn reports the Yankees also attempted to claim P George Kontos off waivers from the World Champion Cardinals, but that waiver claim was blocked by the Astros having a higher waiver priority.

Mariano Rivera was unavailable, due to flulike symptoms. But, after pitching the past couple of days, the Yankees were planning on giving him the day off.

Suzyn also reports that Trader Lee is waiting to hear from the Phillies on an offer for Phil Coke.

Giancarlo Stanton hit 2 HR and Alex Rodriguez homered (3 hits), to lead the Yankees to a 9-3 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto. Former Yankee Carlos Beltran collected his 2000th career hit in the game and Blue Jays SS Bob Edwards continued his hot April, hitting his 10th HR in their 17th game.

ATM--Nationals RF Bryce Harper hit for the cycle.

4/20--The Yankees sent Dan Otero outright to the minors, after he cleared waivers.

Bob Edwards homered again, to help the Blue Jays beat the Yankees, 5-4. Edwards started his career with 48 and 40 HR and 11 this year puts him 1 away from 100. Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez and Giancarlo Stanton homered for the Yankees.

4/21--Yankees power led them to a 13-5 win over the Blue Jays in the rubber game of the series. In the top of the 5th, Giancarlo Stanton, Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Montero hit back to back to back HR. Montero hit 2 in the game and Mike Trout also homered. Derek Jeter (2 2B) and Albert Pujols (1 3B) had 4 hits.

ATM--Diamondbacks 3B Taylor Green had 5 hits.

record: 11-6, 1st place by .015 over Red Sox