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Yankees Notes: 10th Best Farm System, AJ Burnett Rumors, Branyan Reaction

By Justin Bopp

Keith Law released his farm system rankings today and has the Yankees ranked 10th overall, the Yanks may be willing to eat some cash on a A.J. Burnett trade, and Pinstripe Alley asks if Russell Branyan is a good fit with the club in today's Yankees Notes:

  • Yankees Have the 10th Best Farm System - Keith Law | ESPN (Insider)
    "I might be jumping the gun here, but I see a lot of star potential on their bottom few affiliates, including new acquisition Jose Campos from Seattle, to go with the two power arms from their Scranton club (Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances). The flaw in the system is the lack of near-in talent, especially position players, who could either help the big club soon or provide more fodder for trades."
  • Yankees Quietly Trying to Trade AJ Burnett - Joel Sherman | NYPOST.com
    "This is why the Yankees are quietly — but diligently — still working to trade A.J. Burnett. They know no team will take all of Burnett’s remaining two years at $33 million. But if they could save, say, $4 million this year and next year, it would provide some wiggle room to finish off their roster heading into spring training."

Russell Branyan Signed, Does He Fit? - Pinstripe Alley
Looking at his statistics, when his BABIP stays around his average, he puts up consistent numbers. If his BABIP hovers around .300, the Yankees could be getting a player that can really hit righties, maybe even along his 2009 and 2010 lines - seasons where his BABIP hovered around his average from 2004-2010.

If his BABIP doesn't return, or if his 2011 struggles were age-related, then it doesn't really matter because the deal is non-guaranteed. Branyan would simply get DFA'd and we'd be done with it. In signing Russell Branyan, the Yankees have given themselves a high-upside, low-risk option that has shown the ability to hit right-handed pitching very well.

  • Yankees invite 27 players to Spring Training (Includes Official Release)
    The New York Yankees today announced that they have signed 13 players to minor league contracts with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, including INF Russell Branyan, RHP Manny Delcarmen, INF Bill Hall, LHP Hideki Okajima and OF Dewayne Wise. The club has also invited 14 additional players to 2012 Spring Training bringing the total number of invites to 27 (14 pitchers, five infielders, five catchers and three outfielders). The total number of players now scheduled to report is 67.

Daily Links - Stuff 'n Things Edition - Over the Monster
We'll begin with something that is not a joke. The Yankees will release both a perfume and a cologne. Seriously. They are doing this because, presumably, they think people will buy them. And no, they don't smell like sweat, an Italian sub, resentment, old hot dogs, a swimming pool full of gold doubloons, anything having to do with George Costanza, anger, any personal drippings from Derek Jeter, entitlement, or barbecued centaur meat.

The one for men is called "New York Yankees" which is a name I feel like I've heard before somewhere. This is a little like Ford calling their new car "Ford Car", NASA naming a new planet "Planet" or Oprah starting her own TV network and calling it "Oprah." I mean, it just isn't done! The one for women is called, and this is subtle so be prepared, "New York Yankees For Her." I assume the "For Her" refers to a woman you happen to be pointing at while reading the title.

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