What Next For The New York Yankees by Mybookie.ag

Dominican player Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees
seek another AL title, photo by Keith Allison on Flick

The New York Yankees are excited and relieved in equal measures with the return of Alex Rodriguez at a very crucial stage of their campaign. Rodriguez will be looking to help his team equal the season’s longest winning streak when they face the struggling Oakland Athletics on Thursday night. Just last week, Hal Steinbrenner, the owner, said that Rodriguez is a great asset, although not everyone in New York is as thrilled about his return after he was suspended the whole of last season for using a banned substance. The designated hitter, at 39 years of age, was instrumental in the three game sweep of Kansas City who are the reigning AL champions. He hit a three run shot on the 4-2 victory on Wednesday for his 11th homer of the season. He marked an impressive 1,995 RBIs to overtake Lou Gehrig 1,993 RBIs to record the most in the history of AL. It is also a great opportunity for those who wish to get involved in the betting battle. Check it out, the MLB odds in this betting preview to make the best decisions.

In the 2013 season, Rodriguez featured in only 44 appearances for his team after being sidelined with a hip surgery. In an interview, he admitted that despite being out of any baseball action for 2 years, he feels like he is in a good place, happy and having fun. He saw the spell as an opportunity to rest and get his energy back; the reason why he saw this spell as a blessing in disguise. He feels explosive as he seeks to build on his .375 average in the last 13 encounters with the A’s, but he hasn’t faced them since 3 years ago. Strong pitching is the other thing that places New York in a better position to match its season’s best four-game winning streak.

The other player on our radar is CC Sabathia. This season, he has had his worst performance ever, despite going for nine straight years without injury. Sabathia was responsible for six of the 10 Texas’ 10 runs on Saturday’s 15-4 loss. However, the six-time all-star has won his previous two road starts where he owns a 3.48 ERA after six starts compared to the 11.77ERA at home. After losing his two starts in 2013 against the A’s he has a 6.00 ERA.

Out of the 8 on road matches, the Yankees have dropped seven of them and nine of the 10 matches in Oakland. However, the A’s still hold the worst record at home at 6-16 given that they have lost six of the seven home games after the 3-2 loss on Wednesday to Detroit. Kendall Graveman will be the man that Oakland will be turning to after he has impressed since he was recalled from Triple-A Nashville. The right-hander has never faced the Yankees, but he featured on the opening day roster, although he went 1-2 in four starts before he was sent down with an 8.27 ERA. Graveman was impressed with his performance as he told the MLB official website that he felt comfortable in the game. His movements were good, he located the fastball impressively and whenever he was required to change his speed, he did it well.

MLB team to sign Dominican baseball player Manny Ramirez? Pelotero Dominicano va a jugar en MLB este año?

So, I am the Dominican Baseball Guy (DBG), not the "Manny Ramirez Guy," even though we have seen tons of Manny Ramirez posts recently.  With that said, any news on Manny Ramirez is news to the Dominican Baseball Guy.  Manny is, after all, one of the most beloved Dominican Baseball players of all-time.

ESPN first reported and the Big Lague Stew blogged that Manny Ramirez wants to return to MLB this year.  Well bloggers are coming out of the woodworks saying they want him on their team.  One article makes a convincing case that there is no downside to signing Manny Ramirez.  Basically he will have to serve a 50 game suspension in the minor leagues, so any team that signs him can send him to the minors and if he does not perform well in triple A then he will not get the call up to the big league squad.  And in the case that he stays in the minors, he will also earn a minor league salary.  So, the article seems to be right on point, not much risk for a big league club in signing him.

Indians bloggers are calling for Manny to return to the Indians.  Mets bloggers want him for their team.   And how about Manny Ramirez with the Yankees?  The Pinstripe Alley bloggers say bring Manny Ramirez to the Yankees.

As the Mets blogger says in a final point, "If nothing else, Manny will provide daily news."  Not exactly an argument a GM wants to hear.  But for a blogger such as the Dominican Baseball Guy, that is a great reason to have him on your team!

Manny Ramirez es de Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana.  Here's hoping he lands somewhere for the upcoming season.

Manny Ramirez rounding the bases with the Red Sox, by Keith Allison  on Flickr