Sometimes You Can't Go to the Wells Once Too Often

"Brooks" Wells

Vernon Wells was a one man wrecking crew in the Yankees 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies last night. Wells homered, singled twice, stole a base, and scored what proved to be the winning run. All of that might not have mattered if Wells hadn't grabbed an infielder's glove and manned the hot corner in the bottom of the 9th inning.

The game was tied at two apiece in the top of the 9th after Wells and the Rockies' Todd Helton hit 2-run home runs earlier in the game. Wells led off the inning with his third hit of the game and then stole second base.

With everyone thinking bunt, closer Rafael Betancourt walked Lyle Overbay. The bunt was on for sure after that and Ichiro Suzuki complied with a perfect sacrifice bunt.  Jayson Nix was intentionally walked to set up a force at any base and led to a big decision by Joe Girardi.

With Chris Nelson due up, the Yankees manager sent up Travis Hafner to pinch hit, despite the fact that the Yankees were out of available infielders. (Eduardo Nunez was still unable to play due to strained rib cage.) Hafner struck out for the second out of the inning, which left things up to Brennan Boesch, who stepped in for pitcher David Robertson.

Boesch hit a ball in the whole between shortstop and third base that third baseman Nolan Arenado made a diving stop on. But Arenado's throw to first base was late and Wells crossed home plate to give the Yankees a 3-2 lead. The Yankees might have gotten more, but Nix was caught off of second bag and tagged for the final out of the inning.

"The ball will find you" is a long time, proven cliche that came to fruition in last night's game. Wells never played anywhere other then the three outfields spots in his 15 years in the big leagues and 549 minor league games.  With Mariano Rivera on the mound for the save, Carlos Gonzalez hit a one-out chopper to Wells' left side.  The third baseman deftly moved to his glove side, snared the ball out of the air, and made a perfect throw to first base. (Anyone else have horrible visions of Gary Sheffield filling in at his old position for the 2004 Yankees?) Michael Cuddyer reached on a single and stole second base, but Rivera retired catcher Wil Rosario on a fly out to earn the Yankees a 'W'. You can bet Wells was breathing a little easier after that.

Notes

Rivera was honored by the Rockies prior to the game in an on-field ceremony and also met with some of their employees earlier in the day. The only other time Rivera pitched in Colorado was a 1995 exhibition game.

David Phelps did a great job of saving the bullpen, which was short-handed, with seven gritty innings. he looked like he wouldn't make it past the 6th, but hung tough.

Ivan Nova could be activated to face the Cleveland Indians in one of Monday's twinbill with the Tribe.

Curtis Granderson has reported to Triple-A Scranton to continue his rehab from a broken forearm. There's a possibility he could be activated next week, by which time Girardi has to decide whether to put him in center or move him to left field and leave Gardner in the middle.

Girardi's lineup on Wednesday was Tony LaRussa style - he hit Phelps in the 8th spot and catcher Austin Romine 9th.

Chavez, Keppinger Off the Table

Go West moderately old man

Two of the options to fill in for Alex Rodriguez at third base during his recovery from hip surgery are no longer available. Eric Chavez, who spent the last two seasons with the Yankees, and Tampa Bay Rays utility man Jeff Keppinger have signed elsewhere.

Chavez was a Godsend for most of the 2012 season until too much playing time took a toll on his performance.  The former All-Star and Gold Glove third baseman was able to play more than 100 games for the first time since 2007, which was also the last time he produced  as well offensively. He inked a one year, $3MM deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday pending a physical.

While Chavez was great guy to have in the clubhouse, the rigors of playing showed up in his numbers the last month of the season (five RBI in 22 games) and in the playoffs (hitless in eight at-bats). Though options are limited, Chavez is 35 and I felt it was time to let him go anyway. The Yankees need to get younger, healthy players.

Keppinger was high on the Yankees list because of his ability to play second and third base, as well as shortstop. The 32-year old has been fairly successful at several stops in the big leagues and hit a career highs last season with a .325 average and nine home runs in 115 gamesn.

He reportedly inked a three year, $12MM deal with the Chicago White Sox and could see regularly playing time if the team doesn't bring back Kevin Youkilis. Keppinger could also see playing time at second base if Gordon Beckham does not improve offensively or is dealt.

The Yankees continue talks with Youkilis and have been in contact with the agent for Baltimore Orioles free agent third baseman Mark Reynolds. Though some fans and media may feel Reynolds would be a good fit, I disagree. He's wildly inconsistent and caught attention last year merely for killing the Yankees with his bat. But the big downside is the all or nothing part of his game. The Yankees suffered with the HR/Strikeout players last year and really don't need to add that type of player again.

Reynolds' numbers were mediocre last year  despite playing in a hitter's ballpark (Camden Yards) and they were no better on the road. Like Youkilis, he does give a team the ability to play him at both corner positions.