Happy Pitchers and Catchers

The New York Yankees pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday February 14^th.  The first official workout was today and the position players will be reporting in five days with the first full squad workout in six days.  There really isn’t much news to report on the first couple of days but I will write some stuff and then as we move along to the first spring game which will be on February 24^th we will have more. 

Masahiro Tanaka was named the Opening day starter already which isn’t a surprise it is just surprising how

early the manager Joe Girardi named it.  Last year he did the same thing but didn’t announce it until March

31^st.  There will be the World Baseball Classic this spring which will bring more opportunity to see the young

guys which a lot of them will already be in camp but they will get to play more with some of the veteran guys

leaving for the WBC.  Dellin Betances didn’t report as he has an arbitration hearing on Friday and the Yankees

approved of it.  He is working out alone in Tampa and then will report after the hearing is over.  The Yankees submitted a number of 3 million and he is seeking 5 million. 

The Yankees will have both Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher in camp as instructors to go along with Goose Gossage, Willie Randolph, Hideki Matsui, Ron Guidry etc.  Arod will still be receiving 21 million from the Yankees this year and has a job as a consultant with the team especially working with the minor leaguers.

The Yankees will have an interesting camp as so many young guys are around.  There are some position

battles like first base between Greg Bird, Tyler Austin and Chris Carter.  Right field between Aaron Judge and

Aaron Hicks.  Gary Sanchez has already earned being the starting catcher, they trust him so much they traded

away Brian McCann and have Austin Romine as the backup.  There are of course rotation battles for the last

two spots.  It would appear that Chad Green, Luis Cessa, Luis Severino, Adam Warren

are all battling for those last two spots but are their others.  Could Chance Adams be a factor, how about other guys in the organization.  If not at first what about at some point this season. 

On the first day of official workouts which was today we heard from owner Hal Steinbrenner who is pretty confident in his team and says the expectations are the same.  He says the kids have a good chance and now need to prove that they are good and ready for the opportunity. 

CC Sabathia threw today and so did Aroldis Chapman, nothing exciting just getting early work in.  Steinbrenner talked about Arod possibly having an expanded role with the organization.  It sounds like they are very happy with his work with the younger players and want him to stick around with the organization.  That was an interesting development, he also said he loves Joe Girardi and the job he has done but won’t talk extension until the end of the season.