tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Yankee Issues Begin Early At Training Camp

As the New York Yankees begin their 2013 training camp, issues have already started to creep up as it was announced that Phil Hughes will be shut down for 2 weeks with a bulging disk. Hughes was to be one of the constants of a pitching staff that needs to be the team's strength if the Yankees are to make the playoffs. Moreover, with an aging starting rotation, losing Hughes for any amount of time would be a huge problem. The Yankees are optimistic that this won't effect Hughes' ability to be ready for Opening Day but with backs one has to wonder.

ESPN New York is reporting that Yankee owner Hal Steinbrenner is freaking out about the reaction from fans and the media as it relates to his edict to reduce payroll to $189 million in 2014. The fear of a half-empty stadium and declining YES ratings may have something to do with Hal's concerns. Maybe he has come to the realization that the farm system is not ready to bring up young cheap talent that is going to keep the Yankees competitive.

There is a report that the deep bone bruise that Derek Jeter suffered late in the 2012 season was actually a stress fracture. If that was the case, how did the Yankees allow Jeter to play in the playoffs?? It would be obvious that this is what caused the Yankee Captain to break his ankle. Something is terribly wrong. They didn't know which hip was bothering ARod and we don't know what they knew about Jeter's ankle. Whether they knew about Jeter's ankle or not, it doesn't look good on the team.

Joe Girardi's claim that Eduardo Nunez does not have a guaranteed spot on the Yankee opening day roster better be a way to motivate the young Yankee because if Nunez is not on the roster Brian Cashman needs to be held accountable. Remember Cashman's refusal to include Nunez in the deal to bring Cliff Lee to the Yankees is what killed the trade with Seattle. The Yankees inability to find a place for Nunez has been a failure and as a result the best thing that could happen to Nunez may be that he is moved to another team.