Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Last week, the Yankees were all about action, trading away two of their players in order to gain outfield and minor league depth. This week, the Yankees had to make a decision on who to add to the 40-man roster as protection from the Rule 5 Draft. The start time for Opening Day was announced, the Yankees have some new yet familiar faces on their coaching staff and there were more rumors surrounding Brett Gardner and Andrew Miller. Here is your week in review.
— The Yankees announced their 2016 coaching staff, and there are some new yet familiar faces joining Joe Girardi as the team attempts to chase for their 28th World Series Championship:
Manager
Joe Girardi
Bench Coach
Rob Thomson
Hitting Coach
Alan Cockrell
Assistant Hitting Coach
Marcus Thames
Pitching Coach
Larry Rothschild
First Base Coach
Tony Pena
Third Base Coach
Joe Espada
Bullpen Coach
Mike Harkey
Mike Harkey rejoins the Yankees after a two-year stint with the Diamondbacks as their pitching coach. Tony Pena resumes his coaching position at first base and is also the new catching instructor. Marcus Thames and Alan Cockrell are the new hitting coaches for the Yankees and Joe Espada will resume his third base coaching position.
— Andrew Miller’s name has surfaced a lot on the trade market, and his name popped up against this week when the Detroit Tigers asked about acquiring Miller. The Yankees set a high asking price which forced the Tigers to look elsewhere.
— Another popular name that has been on the trade market is outfielder Brett Gardner. The Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs have had preliminary talks with the Yankees involving the All-Star outfielder, but the Yankees shot down a rumor which would have sent Gardner to the Cubs for infielder Starlin Castro. If the Yankees were to trade Gardner, and there’s no certainty that the Yankees will, it would be for starting pitching. Not an infielder.
— Friday was the deadline for teams to set their 40-man rosters to protect minor league players from the Rule 5 Draft, and the Yankees opted to add RHP Johnny Barbato, RHP Rookie Davis and OF Ben Gamel to the 40-man.
— One name that won’t be with the Yankees next season is RHP Chase Whitley. Whitley was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, after he sat out majority of the 2015 season due to Tommy John Surgery. Whitley’s departure opened a 40-man roster spot which was promptly given to Barbato, Davis and Gamel.
— Major League Baseball announced the start time for Opening Day will be at 1:05 p.m. The Yankees are scheduled to take on the Houston Astros in a AL Wild-Card rematch game.