Phil Hughes named 5th Starter

I am sorry that I didn't get to post the lineups or pregame information for today but here is what is going on. Chad Gaudin met with the beat reporters this morning to announce he has been released. Brian Cashman said he tried to trade him but there was no match and if they sent him to AAA they would have had to pay his full salary, right now they only owe him 1/4 of his salary. Phil Hughes was announced as the fifth starter and will start tomorrow on short rest so he can line up behind Javier Vazquez. Joe Girardi said a key to choosing Hughes was the development of his changeup this spring. They expect his innings limit to be slightly higher then Joba Chamberlains were last season, about 170. There was no announcement on when he will actually make his first start of the season but the Yankees don't need a 5th starter until April 17th and they only need one twice in April, they have every Monday off so this is a way to keep his innings down. There is audio of Joe Girardi today on the Lohud Yankees Blog at http://yankees.lhblogs.com Not that it matters but Aceves got knocked around pretty good today, he gave up 4 runs and didn't even get through the 3rd inning, he also gave up 6 hits. I will have a lot more later on this afternoon and evening regarding the days events and also the game recap.

Yanks avoid arbitration

The New York Yankees have come to terms with Chad Gaudin and Boone Logan. They settled and won't have to go to arbitration with these 2 players. Boone Logan got $590,000 and Chad Gaudin got 2.9 million. Chad Gaudin could have a role on this team, i think as a longman or maybe even 5th starter. I think the Yankees would like Phil Hughes to be the 5th starter and Joba in the pen but you never know how it shakes out. It is also possible that Gaudin gets traded, having him and Mitre is basically having 2 similar guys for one role. Boone Logan will compete for the second left hander out of the bullpen, I would say he is the frontrunner to make the team with Damaso Marte right now but we will see how the spring goes and if any of the youngsters make a good impression.

Yanks take series and ready for Boston

The New York Yankees defeated the Oakland A's by the score of 3-2 last night. Chad Gaudin got the start and looked good going 4 1/3 shutout innings. He gave up 1 hit with 5 walks and also struck out 5. He could of got through the 5th but an error by Cano cost him. Alfredo Aceves relieved him with the bases loaded and 1 out and got out of it with a 1-2-3 double play. Aceves pitched the next two innings giving up a couple of runs. Phil Hughes came on in the 8th inning and gave up a walk and hit before getting a double play and popup. Hughes has been great in the 8th inning but all these pressure situations and it now always being so easy is really going to help him as a starter moving forward. Mariano got the save and the Yankees look forward to Boston starting tomorrow night. The offense was once again led by Derek Jeter who had 2 hits making it 4 straight games with multiple hits. Johnny Damon also had a couple of hits and Mark Teixeira had a hit and 3 rbi's. Nick Swisher had the only other hit for the Yankees, their offense wasn't great again but they did enough to win and that is the key. Andy Pettitte will be on the mound tomorrow against Brad Penny. This series will be the Red Sox last stand, the Yankees only need to win 1 but it would be nice to take 2 or 3 and pretty much bury them for the division. Boston is 1 game ahead in the wildcard but the Rays are also lurking only 3 games out and they will play Boston more games coming up. Today is an off day so get some rest and enjoy it before another crazy Yankees/Boston weekend.