Cashman Talks Jeter, A-Rod And More

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was on ESPN New York 98.7, joining The Michael Kay Show to discuss some of the many storylines happening around his club. He talked about everything from Jeter to A-Rod, to Granderson and trade talks. Here's just some of what he had to say:

* Cashman talked about Derek Jeter and the decision to place him on the DL.

Cashman on Jeter: "We did an MRI last night and it showed some healing." #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

Cashman on Jeter: "He's been able to walk around without pain ... he's done nothing but get treatment" #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

Cashman also said that Jeter had wanted to take the week off and see how things felt, but clearly it just didn't get good enough to play. He has no regrets over bringing back Jeter last Thursday, saying that he was going to play shortstop for the Yankees on Friday and was going to DH in Scranton on Thursday, so having him DH in the Bronx made no difference.

* Cashman was asked about A-Rod, how he was doing and what we could expect to see from him.

Cashman on A-Rod: " In the first week (of rehab), he was going through the motions, but now he's fully submerged." #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

Cashman on A-Rod: "(his return) has already been decided if he's healthy ... right now it's Monday ... it's full steam ahead." #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

Cashman on A-Rod: "We really look forward to him coming back on Monday." #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

Cashman on A-Rod: "We need to improve in every way and Alex Rodriguez will help us." #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

Cashman was also asked what type of player we should expect A-Rod to be, he said that it would be really hard to tell. He said that some days we might see something close to the old Alex Rodriguez and others we might see someone who's lost his touch.

But overall, he stated that he couldn't wait for A-Rod to come back and hopefully provide some production at third base, a position that the Yankees haven't had much coming from this season.

 * Cashman was asked about Curtis Granderson and he gave us an update on his recovery.

Cashman on Granderson: "Hopefully in the next two week, we'll get him out into a rehab assignment." #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

Granderson has started to take batting practice and Cashman said that the hope is within the next 10 day or so, they'll be able to get him into some game action. There is nothing to update on Francisco Cervelli at this time, according to Cashman.

* Next up, Cashman gave us some information on Michael Pineda and what his future might hold with the Yankees.

Cashman on Pineda: "He look really good (in his last outing)... he's healthy he looks good." #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

He added that as of right now, Pineda has been on a pitch count, but he's still looking very good in his outing, according to the scouts he's had at the games. He said that it's possible Pineda could join the Yankees bullpen at some point in time and maybe even a starting role if a position opens up.

But right now, he helps out the Yankees in giving them some pitching depth in the minors. Cashman really likes the way the Ivan Nova has been throwing and with Phelps on the DL, he doesn't know when Pineda will get a chance to pitch in the Bronx.

* Cashman talked about Mariano Rivera and his All-Star Game moment for the ages.

Cashman on Mo's All-Star entrance: "It was very touching to see ... it was a good tribute to him as a person." #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

Cashman on Mariano: "I've asked him (to come back), but he's not changing his mind." #Yankees
— Gavin Ewbank (@GavinEwbank2013) July 19, 2013

Cashman was asked whether he would try asking Mariano come back for another season after 2013 is over and he said that they have discussed it, but as of right now, Mariano has no intention to not retire. He said that if he decided the play another season, the Yankees would be the first to know.

Well, that's all for now. Jeter is expected to speak to the media at some point before the game, so follow me on Twitter to keep an eye out for that. Until then, you can also read tonight's game preview with lineups and much more.

Follow @GavinEwbank2013 on Twitter.

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Mid-Season Yankees Awards

We're half-way through the 2013 season and for the Yankees, it hasn't been the best of years, but it also hasn't been the worst. While injuries have plagued the Yanks at every position imaginable, including even Brian Cashman, who broke his ankle while sky-diving during Spring Training.

But before the Yankees kick-off the second half of the season with a huge series in Boston, I thought I'd give out my midseason Yankee awards.

Most Valuable Player: Robinson Cano

Absolutely no surprise here. Cano is the on regular position players from the Yankees last season that hasn't landed on the disabled list at some point. With Jeter, Teixeira, A-Rod and Youkilis all on the DL, there hasn't been much competition for Robbie.

Cano leads the Yankees in batting average (.302), homeruns (21), RBIs (65), on base percentage (.386) and OPS (.917). Apart from Mariano Rivera, he was the teams only All-Star, and he's inclined to get paid big time this offseason.

The Yankees enter the second half at six games behind the Red Sox in the AL East, and if they have any hope of making the playoffs, then Cano will be a huge part of the process.

Cy Young: Mariano Rivera

Now this decision was a little more tough because there was a couple pitchers deserving of taking home this hardware. But edging out Hiroki Kuroda by the slightest of margins, I've decided that Mo has been the best pitcher on the Yankees roster this season.

At 43-years-old, and in his final season, Mariano is having a season that even the biggest and best Hollywood writers couldn't come up with.

Mo's 1.83 ERA is the best among all Yankee pitchers, and his 30 saves in 32 chances is almost beyond what many would have expected from a guy coming off major knee surgery. He baseball's greatest closer, he's having a great season and he's the top pitcher on the Yankees.

Best Moment: Mo's All-Star Entrance

Now I know this isn't specifically tied to the Yankees and the games that they've played, but Mariano 8th inning entrance into the All-Star Game Tuesday night was one of the most spectacular moments I've ever witnessed as a baseball fan and as a sports fan.

In New York, in his final Midsummer Classic, it was a moment that could only be applied to a player as respected among his peers like Rivera is.

For about a minute, Mariano stood alone on the field as over 45,000 Citi Field spectators, joined by all players from both sides, cheered and paid their respects to arguably the greatest closer in the history of Major League Baseball.

Best Walk-Off: Vernon Wells vs the Orioles

The Yankees haven't exactly been known to be the comeback over the past couple months since the offense flew south, but on July 5th against the Baltimore Orioles, the Yankees turned in one my favorite moments from the season thus far.

It wasn't that a walk-off single from a cold-hitting Vernon Wells is why this wins the award, but because of the context of the situation.

Trailing 2-1 in the bottom half of the 9th inning, facing one of the game's best closers in Jim Johnson, the Yankees pulled off a comeback that not only won the game, but gave Ivan Nova that he so desperately deserved for his rock solid pitching performance.

Nova was making a post start for Kuroda, who was skip because of some concern over his hip-flexor, and didn't fail to make the best of his opportunity. Nova held the O's to only two runs on three hits, the only runs came off a two-run homerun by Matt Wieters, while striking out 11 in the complete game effort.

I look forward to covering the rest of the season and hope you continue to read along. Follow @GavinEwbank2013 on Twitter.

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Yanks and Mets battle in the Subway Series.

The Yankees weren't able to capture a rare sweep of the Rays Sunday in Tampa, so now they'll pack their bags an head back to the Empire State for an inter-league battle with the New York Mets.

With the new scheduling format this season the Subway Series will endure a new twist. The first two games of the series will take place in the Queens at Citi Field on Monday and Tuesday. Then the two team will move on to the Bronx for the final two games on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Yankees will send out Phil Hughes in the series opener on Monday as he hopes to continue to build off his last outing in Baltimore when he allowed only two runs over six innings.

Jon Niese will take the hill for the Mets, coming off a start on Tuesday in which he took the loss even after not allowing an earned run in the game. But that's just the way things have been going for the Mets starters this year.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Vernon Wells, as he prepares for his first Subway series. "Obviously, being in New York now, you're either a Yankees fan, a Mets fan or you just hate the Yankees, period. It'll be a fun atmosphere."

Mariano Rivera will be making his final appearance to Citi Field during this trip. Against the Mets Mariano has encountered many memorable moments from recording the final out of the 2000 world series, to notching his 500th save on June 28th, 2009.

"It's more for the fans," Rivera said of the Subway Series. "They've become like another team in our division because we play them every year. It becomes another division game for us. It's good, no traveling. Twenty minutes travel, and we have an escort. Fans love it. I think they get good joy out of it."

Even if the Mets claim a sweep this week they'll still have quite a ways to go before catching up to the Yankees, who lead the all-time series, 54-36.

Probable starters:

Mon: Hughes (2-3, 5.51 ERA) vs Niese (3-5, 4.80 ERA)
Tues: Kuroda (6-3, 2.67 ERA) vs Harvey (5-0, 1.93 ERA)
Wed: Phelps (3-2, 3.96 ERA) vs Hefner (0-5, 4.76 ERA)
Thur: TBD vs Gee (2-6, 6.34 ERA)

Follow @GavinEwbank2013 on Twitter.

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