New York Yankees News and Notes

Good morning, Pinstripe Alley readers. Yesterday's Brian Cashman quotes made an off-day relatively eventful, but thankfully, we have baseball tonight, as Bartolo Colon will take the ball at home against the A's. Now, on to your usual morning news.

Yankees' 1-2-3 Punch: Pick Your Poison - New York Times

David Waldstein takes a look at how good Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, and Robinson Cano have been for the Yankees this season. Waldstein discusses their production, and wonders about who the team's MVP is before coming to the easy conclusion: Curtis Granderson.

Nick Swisher agreed, saying: "It's a great competition, but lately, Grandy's kind of blown the doors off it." I agree Swish, and Grandy might even be my league MVP right now.

Wild Card Not Enough for Yankees - The Record

Bob Klapisch discusses Joe Girardi's decision last season to hand the Rays the AL East, and wonders what he will choose to do this season. If the Yankees win the AL East, they will most likely get the Tigers in the ALDS, who boast a serious short series weapon in Justin Verlander. If they ease back to obtain the Wild Card, the Rangers would, in all likelihood, be on tap. 

But, the final nine games on the schedule this season are against the Red Sox and the Rays, six of them being at home, and six of them being against Tampa. It's also important to remember that there is only one day off after September 9th. 

It'll be interesting to see what the Yankees do, and how they decide to play out their final 37 games.

Work With Old Coach Helped Jeter Find Swing - Yankees.com

Derek Jeter's time on the disabled list put his chase for 3,000 hits on hold, but now, that time looks like a blessing in disguise. While rehabbing, Jeter used his time off to work on his swing with instructor Gary Denbo, Jeter's first professional manager back in 1993. Denbo has worked with Jeter for nearly twenty years, and knows Jeter's swing as well as, if not better than, anyone in the organization. 

Kevin Long has been impressed with Jeter's turnaround, noting his comfort in the batter's box: 

Since he's been back, he's been incredibly consistent. He’s staying back better than he was earlier in the season. His strike-zone discipline has been much, much better. He's just locked in. We talked about it, as far as a guy getting locked in, he hasn't been locked in all year. And he said, 'If I can come back and just get locked in for a month or two, my numbers are going to look a lot better.' And they do.

Let's hope Jeter keeps it up.

Montero, Yanks Roll - The Times Leader

Yankees top prospect Jesus Montero had a massive day at the plate during yesterday's partial double header.

Jesus Montero exploded offensively leading Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to two wins against Rochester last night at PNC Field. He was 5-for-9 on the night with two home runs and seven RBI as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre won the first game 11-2 and the second 9-4.

He also doubled twice, and his two homers gave him 15 on the season. His time is now. Call up Jesus Montero.

Links:

• Mariano Rivera is ten saves away from breaking the all time saves record.
• Wallace Matthews writes that Ivan Nova's spot in the rotations should be secure.
• Bob Nightengale discusses the increase in demand among MLB pitching.
• Daniel Barbarisi discusses the left fielder with a center fielder's glove: Brett Gardner.
• Nick Swisher recorded a 12-song children's album in support of his charity, Swisher's Wishes.