The Yankees try to even the series against the San Diego Padres after last night's crushing loss. They send out Ivan Nova to hopefully make up for CC Sabathia's disappointing start. Derek Jeter is out of the lineup for the next two games as he deals with a calf injury, so here's the lineup we have to live with:
Request Denied Lineup: Gardner 8, Cano 4, Soriano 7, Granderson 9, Overbay 3, Nunez 6, Lillibridge 5, Stewart 2, Nova 1. #yankees
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) August 3, 2013
Tonight's lineup is a little different. Brett Gardner bats first, but then Robinson Cano and Alfonso Soriano bat second and third with Curtis Granderson finally bats cleanup. After Lyle Overbay the lineup drops off, of course, so we're treated to Eduardo Nunez, Brent Lillibridge, Chris Stewart, and Ivan Nova. Out of that lineup only Soriano, Cano, and Overbay have an OPS over .700.
Chris Stewart has played every game since the start of the Rays series on July 26, before that Austin Romine got off to a hot start in the first half, hitting .333/.385/.500 over 10 games. It looked like he was finally breaking out and could be in line to get increased playing time, but now it doesn't look like he'll be playing much at all. The fact that Stewart has only hit .212/.293/.250 during the same time in twice the amount of games makes Girardi's decision inexcusable.
Mike Axisa has identified several players that could be made available as August waiver trade candidates. Michael Young, Carlos Ruiz, and Alex Rios could all be available for the Yankees. The money owed to Rios and Young could allow them to slip through waivers, and Ruiz's sub-par season might not make him someone worth claiming. Brian Cashman had previously tried to acquire Ruiz and Young from the Phillies at the trade deadline, but Ruben Amaro wouldn't budge. Acquiring any of these players for the right price would greatly benefit the offense.
He says that the Yankees could trade Phil Hughes if they can't make up any games in the standings in the next few weeks. He's a mediocre starter, but in the right ballpark, or in the bullpen, he could be a great asset to have for an already deep team. If the price is right, as in anything that is more valuable than organizational filler, the Yankees should make a deal.
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- Alex Rodriguez approached Yankees about possible buyout, per New York Daily News
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- Yankees Prospects: Whatever happened to Cody Johnson, Shaeffer Hall, Charles Basford
- Yankees prospects: 2013 mid-season #6-10