Many Yankees headed to Tampa over the past few days as spring training gets underway. Here are some news and notes from early on in Yankees camp.
"Man, I can't wait."
– Aaron Boone⚾🚨SPRING TRAINING STARTS THIS WEEK🚨⚾ pic.twitter.com/22hAHJR1EB
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 10, 2019
Neither can we Booney.
#Yankees RHP Luis Severino just talked to writers for 3 minutes from car after a pre-spring training workout. He’s made changes to routine in hopes of keeping him more fresh later in season and will work on avoiding tipping pitches, if he finds out for sure he’s done it.
— Randy Miller (@RandyJMiller) February 11, 2019
Luis Severino (@LuisSeverino94) said that he changed his workout to avoid late-season fatigue… he isn’t sure if he was tipping pitches, but he saw the Jackie Bradley Jr. video and is ready to make whatever changes are needed. pic.twitter.com/ilhcyeDVcD
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 11, 2019
This is great news. It’s unclear whether Sevy was tired, injured, or tipping pitches in the second half last year, but he posted a 4.1 fWAR in the first half of 2018, good for fourth in the AL among qualified starters, and then the wheels fell off in July and Severino posted a 5.57 ERA the rest of the way. New York still won 100 games despite Sevy’s drastic dropoff, so imagine what they can do if he is able to be the Cy Young pitcher we know he can be all year long.
Luis Severino on last year and the frustration of the 2nd half: “I had great 1st half and then all that (bad 2nd half) happened. I know the pitcher I am, I know I can go back (to the pitcher of the 1st half). I know I can pitch well again.”
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) February 11, 2019
Sevy knows what he needs to do. Let’s hope he can execute.
Didi Gregorius started a throwing program today, per @eboland11. Great news. #Yankees pic.twitter.com/pScdEsGYnw
— Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRourke) February 11, 2019
More great news. Didi is the heart of this current Yankees team and the quicker he regains his health, the better off the team is.
Aaron Judge playing catch with Clint Frazier #Yankees pic.twitter.com/sItLwTkDrf
— Brendan Kuty (@BrendanKutyNJ) February 11, 2019
Could this be the Bronx Bombers’ opening day corner outfield tandem? At various points during this offseason I’ve argued the Yankees should sign Bryce Harper, but if they don’t, Clint Frazier should see a lot of time in Left Field.
Andujar and Torres shagging in the outfield pic.twitter.com/bZ0ZcgR54p
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) February 11, 2019
The two youngsters fresh off of there top three finishes in rookie of the year voting look to avoid sophomore slumps.
.@zbritton says that he could have closed elsewhere, but the @Yankees offered his best chance to win a #WorldSeries. pic.twitter.com/NXQeikkyFM
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 11, 2019
Zack Attack is Back! Love the tenacity. Exactly the type of attitude we want at the back end of the bullpen. New York had one of the best bullpens in recent memory last year, hopefully, they can repeat what they accomplished.
.@TheJudge44’s first round of BP at #Yankees camp: pic.twitter.com/dxdTVEz29f
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 11, 2019
Looks ready after 4 swings. If Judge is healthy all year he will challenge Trout for AL MVP.
#Yankees CF prospect Estevan Florial tracking flyballs in Tampa at spring training complex. pic.twitter.com/Ek8OALupMC
— Randy Miller (@RandyJMiller) February 11, 2019
Yankees top prospect Estevan Florial should see a cup of coffee towards the end of this season. With Aaron Hicks in the last year of his contract, could Florial be the Yankees centerfielder of the future?
J.A. Happ signing after a workout this morning in Tampa pic.twitter.com/ub3slp2i2J
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) February 8, 2019
J.A. Happ went 7-0 in 11 starts for the Yankees after being acquired midway through last season. The Yankees rewarded the 35-year-old with a two year $34 million dollar deal with a vesting option for a third year. Like Britton, Happ re-signed with the Yankees to win a World Series.
James Paxton on now being with a club that has such high expectations: “I feel like playing with the Yankees you’re expected to win. It’s kind of World Series or bust for Yankees fans, and I’m excited about having that pressure and just being on a team so committed to winning.”
— Erik Boland (@eboland11) February 7, 2019
The Big Maple was the Yankees biggest acquisition this offseason. Will the big lefty be able to perform in the Bronx? Let’s hope so. He’ll have two other big lefties in CC and Happ to guide him.
James Paxton said that Gary Sanchez volunteered to catch his bullpen tomorrow … they’re looking forward to getting to know one another this year.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 7, 2019
Reports are that Gary Sanchez has dropped some weight and now he’s working to build a relationship with the Yankees newest starter. Last season he was plagued by injury, but it looks like he is taking the steps he needs to stay healthy. Sanchez has the talent to be the best catcher in the league and if he remains healthy and continues to work on his craft, he really can be a great catcher.
Luke Voit makes @RealMichaelKay feel terrible about himself. pic.twitter.com/X1efSbDbmO
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 9, 2019
Voit burst onto the scene after the Yankees traded for him and slashed .333/.405/.689 with 14 home runs in 148 PAs. No one is expecting Voit to maintain those numbers over the course of a full season, but we’ve seen what he is capable and he does have a great work ethic.
Miguel Andujar reflects on his stellar rookie season & the ongoing rumors about Manny Machado's free agency. pic.twitter.com/wUT2bvxnZQ
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 10, 2019
Great attitude here from Andujar. He was excellent on offense in his rookie campaign, setting the Yankees rookie record for doubles, however, he was absolutely dreadful on defense. His poor defense prompted speculation that the Yankees would sign Manny Machado and trade Andujar. Even if the Yankees do sign Machado, there’s room at DH for Andujar. So far, Miggy is the starter at third base, but could that change?
Manny Sweepstakes Update
The Yankees are now the betting favorites to land Manny Machado https://t.co/27X1hORFn9 pic.twitter.com/rK7zW0YmQe
— SNY (@SNYtv) February 11, 2019
Uhhhh, what does Vegas know that we don’t?