Yankees Sign Pair to Minor League Deals, Phelps Scratched From Start

by Brandon C. on Jun 13, 2011 7:25 PM EDT in New York Yankees News

Lots of news breaking about the Yankees.

The New York Yankees have agreed to minor league deals with RHP Cory Wade and LHP Greg Smith and the two have been sent to AAA Scranton.

Wade, 28, last pitched for the Rays AAA affiliate, the Durham Bulls. For more on Wade, here is an article written by Steve Slowinski.

Wade is a 28-year-old relief pitcher and while he's no longer a "prospect", he looked like a player that could help in the Rays' bullpen this season. After having shoulder surgery last season, Wade was doing very well in Triple-A this year, striking out 8.4 batters per nine, while walking a miniscule 1.5 batters per nine. He'd allowed four homeruns over his 36 innings pitched, but still, he had a 1.23 ERA and 3.34 FIP -- he was darn good. Not only that, but Wade had frequently worked two innings at a time.

Wade definitely has a good chance of making it to the MLB quickly with the Yankees.

Smith, 27, is a former Athletic and Rockie. You may remember him as being a piece of the Matt Holliday trade. Lefties hit .224 against Smith in his short MLB career.

In other news, David Phelps was scratched from his Triple-A start tonight. This caused many to believe that he is going to start on Thursday, but Brian Cashman says not to be so sure about that -

We will see - just preserving all options.

The Yankees will use Phelps if Noesi pitches in relief before Thursday, but if Noesi isn't used it is up for interpretation. Noesi can pitch 75-85 pitches if he does start.

Russell Martin sat out today with back stiffness, but Jesus Montero was back in the AAA lineup.

Free. Jesus. Montero.

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Yay David Phelps!

Unless you're a pitcher or Gustavo Molina, kindly SWING THE BAT and ignore the Binder's bunt signal.

Here's how to post pictures in threads

by Andrew GM on Jun 13, 2011 7:28 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t call it a given that he will start.

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by Brandon C. on Jun 13, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

but Noesi knew about Chato clubbing the dog while Montero watched

Cashman deems this equals guilt, but only partial, so he can be on the roster but never a starter

Remember when I was Lance Pendleton's biggest fan? Back to reality.

by ZigKitsune on Jun 13, 2011 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Good, I hope Phelps is called up

by Yankees10 on Jun 13, 2011 7:48 PM EDT reply actions

If the choice to replace Colon is between Noesi and Phelps,

I hope its Noesi. He is already on the roster and has pitched well in every oppertunity he has been given. Thats the same way that Colon got himself into the rotation earlier when Hughes got hurt.

Plus, Noesi has about 5 pitches in and throws all of them for strikes. I still don’t get what it is with some of you guy. Why do you guys prefer someone who you have never even seen pitch over a guy already on the team that and has pitched well for us? Also, makes some of you think that Phelps is coming up and will pitch well just because he is on our team? For all you know Phelps could just be another fringe prospect on the level of guys like Matt Desalvo, Chase Wright, Darrell Rasner or other wasted rotation filler from the past.

by mkrozansky on Jun 13, 2011 9:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

For all you know Phelps could just be another fringe prospect on the level of guys like Matt Desalvo, Chase Wright, Darrell Rasner or other wasted rotation filler from the past

Well we are not going to know unless he starts some major league games first….

by Yankees10 on Jun 13, 2011 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats true but...

I just think the spot should go to the more deserving pitcher and that is Noesi. He is already on the team, has been groomed to be a starter and has done nothing up here to show that he doesn’t deserve the oppertunity.

by mkrozansky on Jun 13, 2011 9:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Oh come on, Phelps has never been regarded that poorly.

Unless you're a pitcher or Gustavo Molina, kindly SWING THE BAT and ignore the Binder's bunt signal.

Here's how to post pictures in threads

by Andrew GM on Jun 13, 2011 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Do you really think Wade and Smith are the answers to any problem the Yankees have right now?

If they were major league pitchers they would have been pitching in the Major Leagues for the last 2 1/2 months.

I really don’t understand the Noesi business. "If we need him today or tomorrow to relieve he won’t start Thursday’ has never made an ounce of sense to me. If we want Noesi to start, we should call up someone else for long relief. If we never want him to start, we should say so and announce Phelps.

I reluctantly finally agree that Montero’s time is finally upon us.

by designatedquitter on Jun 14, 2011 9:27 AM EDT reply actions