As Carlos Beltran Continues to Struggle, is it Time to Explore Other Options?

Entering 2015, the New York Yankees were planning to rely on Carlos Beltran being the No. 3 hitter they believe they signed to a three-year, $45-million contract two offseasons ago. But his 2014 season was a complete disaster. Plagued by a bone spur in his right elbow, Beltran turned the worst full-season performance of his nearly 20-year career, hitting .233 with 15 homers and 49 RBI in 109 games.

Image Credit: USATODAY.com

The Yankees' manager Joe Girardi doesn't seem too concerned about Beltran's struggle. 

"There's nothing that I see that's necessarily (wrong)," Girardi said. "Does his bat speed look different to me? No. Just he's gotten off to a slow start and hopefully the consistent at-bats will get him going."

While Beltran entered Sunday night's game against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium among many Yankees underperforming at the plate, his numbers were particularly ugly.

In 22 at-bats, the 38-year-old right fielder was hitting .100 with no homers and two RBI. He had walked once and struck out six times.

The Yankees have only played five total games, but it's worth noting that Beltran only has two hits through 20 plate appearances. Both of those hits were doubles. At this point, Beltran is one of many bounce back candidates filling up the Yankees lineup, but there are other options that can be explored to fill right field. Chris Young and Garrett Jones can both play outfield, and in more limited playing time, both have looked better than him at the plate.

Image Credit: John Bazemore AP

What do you think the Yankees should do with Beltran? Let him ride the bench? Keep him in the lineup and hope he improves?

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Kanye West Swims With Fans At Free Concert In Armenia

During his visit to Armenia with the Kardashians, Yeezy hosted an impromptu free concert in Swan Lake in Yerevan on Sunday night. After running through a short greatest-hits set, Kanye started performing "Good Life" and decided to take a quick swim. People posted video of the stunt on Twitter.

Image Credit: Kim Kardashian / Instagram

It didn't take long for fans to join him in the water. After just a few seconds, there was a swarm of people around Kanye and police ended up shutting down the concert. The fans followed Kanye into the water for a soggy mosh pit – and so did the police, who cut the power to the show and escorted him from the lake.

Kim Kardashian West took to her Instagram to share her thoughts on the performance: "What a crazy night! Kanye wakes me up & says he’s doing a free concert in Yerevan, Armenia! I throw on sweats & we head out! Thousands of people were there! Kanye jumped in swan lake to be closer to the crowd on the other side & so many people jumped in too! It was such an exciting crazy night! So happy I got to rock out with everyone in Armenia on our last night here!!!!"

And one Kanye fan now has a new prized possession – a bag of Yeezy water. New merchandise idea?

Image Credit: twitter.com/AbdxlA

Watch the performance here!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7EPuNpdxQuU&feature=youtu.be

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Fabolous "Quiet Storm" Brings Back The True Essence of Freestyle Fridays!

If you're not in good grace with the Young OG, then it just might be over for that! According to this freestyle that the Brooklyn New York native Fabolous dropped, he's not playing any games and giving you the real! 

PHOTO CREDIT: www.audiomack.com

For the past five Friday's, Loso has been religiously teaming up with DJ Clue to drop some lyrical knowledge! The rapper has been in tune with his roots while free styling over beats from the infamous Dr. Dre, Wu Tang Clan, and many more! Although, this is only the beginning, Fabo really wowed viewers with his latest Freestyle Friday banger. 

This time, Fab raps over this Mobb Deep original track, Quiet Storm. Fabolous turns all the way up, and expresses his storm that has yet to come! This track begins with rambunctious sounds of thunder, and follows the distinctive voice of the Def Jam artist. 

From sending major shots towards females that can no longer spare lyposuction--(the irony), and calling out played out rapper(s), I'd say he's coming on stronger than before. This 3:54 freestyle is full of surprises and with his unique style, who knows where he is going with this! 

After this track, you'll definitely be left on the edge of your seats wanting more, and  begin "wildin' out when you bump this" track. Check it out here! 

https://m.soundcloud.com/myfabolouslife/quiet-storm-freestyle 

Having this said, I think it's safe to say that this is "Loso in case you didn't no so," applying some pressure to the rap game, and you just might want to be on the lookout for new projects, because hip-hop isn't dead--just yet!

-Alexis J. Robinson

@Alexisjanaiformayor 

When Will Stephen Drew's Time as a Starter Run Out?

Yankees fans are well aware of the Yankees lack of offense over the past two seasons. Even if Stephen Drew provides a boost on the defensive side, it's time to stop starting him in the every day lineup.

Image Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bryan Hoch of Yankees.com reports that 25-year-old Jose Pirela, after suffering a concussion during spring training, has resumed baseball activities. Pirela would be a front-runner to replace Drew in the starting lineup. 

In his 24 major league at-bats last season, Pirela hit .333. Meanwhile, in Drew's 46 at-bats with the Yankees last year, he hit a mere .150 (while also hitting .111 in this shortt season). 

Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball last season, Drew had a .970 fielding percentage, while Pirela had a .917 fielding percentage. Even if Drew has the defensive edge, the difference in offense is just too big to ignore. Even in spring training, Pirela hit .370 and Drew hit .259, which actually isn't a low number for him. Also in 2014, Drew's OBP was only .237, while Pirela had a .351 OBP. It's clear as day that on the offensive end, Pirela has a much higher value than Drew.

Pirela is not the only option to replace Drew. Fellow minor-league infielder Rob Refsnyder was one of the final cuts in this past spring training. In his 2014 season in the minors, Refsnyder hit for a .300 average and an OBP of .389. The downfall with Refsnyder is on the defensive side of the ball, as Cashman is noted as saying that the defensive side of the game was why Refsnyder did not make the big leagues out of camp. Along with Refsnyder being a final cut, Nick Noonan was also among them. Noonan's 2014 offensive season was average, hitting .237, while his OBP was just .282. While Pirela seems like the best replacement for the struggling Drew, Refsnyder and Noonan are not far behind.

On a team that struggles terribly with their offense, the Yankees could use someone like Pirela or Refsnyder to help pick up the slack, even if that does compromise some defensive skill. 

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Have The Angels Have Turned Their Back on Josh Hamilton?

Angels owner Arte Moreno told reporters on Friday that Josh Hamilton's contract contains language that prohibited him from using drugs or alcohol, according to the Orange County Register.

Prior to the start of the 2015 season, Hamilton admitted to Major League Baseball that he relapsed. Hamilton has battled drug and alcohol addiction for the majority of his professional career.

If Hamilton is in violation of his contract, the Angels could potentially get out of owing the outfielder the remaining $83 million he's under contract for.

“It's not about money, nothing about money,” Moreno said. “In our contract, there's language that he signed and that his agent approved that said he cannot drink and use drugs. So, we have specific language in the agreement. We have a couple other players who have the same language.”

The Angels were surprisingly critical of the MLB's decision to not suspend or punish Hamilton, who hit .263 with 10 home runs in 89 games in 2014.

It's terrible that the Angels are clearly just trying to rid themselves of a problem contract, without showing any compassion for the player. They knew what they were signing, and they went ahead with it — Moreno and Josh Hamilton shook hands in the introductory press conference.

All in all, it’s a really ugly situation on a number of different levels that’s being made worse and worse by Moreno every time he opens his mouth. The entire Angels organization is handling this as poorly as possible in terms of public relations, managing the clubhouse, and - most importantly - being decent human beings. There is a way to handle this unfortunate moment in Hamilton’s life, and this isn’t it. For the sake of everyone involved, I hope this is resolved quickly and quietly, but it appears this is going to get worse before it gets any better.

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO

Lil Wayne to Drop Lawsuit Against Birdman & Cash Money Records

From the looks of things, it seems like Lil Tunechi has backed up the dates and stopped the lawsuit from moving forward–for now. Though there have been several allegations and rumors leading up to this $51 million suit, Rollingstone.com, has confirmed that Lil Wayne will NOT proceed to drop the lawsuit on Cash Money, but will file for a new one in New Orleans!

PHOTO CREDIT: www.rap-up.com

While dubbing the original lawsuit filed in the native land of New York for both Cash Money Records and Universal Music Group, these parties have decided to re-file the lawsuit in New Orleans, where Wayne had originally signed his Cash Money contract. "The claims previously asserted by Lil Wayne and Young Money LLC against Cash Money for substantial monies owed and breach of fiduciary duty have not been settled and will be prosecuted in Louisiana as expeditiously as possible,” Weezy’s camp told The Rolling Stone.

Unfortunately, this fiasco came upon us when the Stuntin’ Like My Daddy rapper took to social media that he wanted off of his label, Cash Money Records in December. He accused Cash Money and it’s CEO Bryan Birdman Williams of refusing to release his new album The Carter V, and pay him the $8 million advance that was reportedly promised to him. Alongside of social media rants, he expressed his concerns on his latest mixtape Sorry For The Wait 2, Coco Freestyle. Yes, shots were definitely fired, and at this point Lil Wayne has no words for Birdman, according to The Rolling Stone.

Although the artist was not able let his hair down on the Carter V album, Wayne has not slowed down a bit with his up-and-coming project titled Free Weezy. As Wayne has been out promoting his album at clubs, and many other events, Birdman has been doing a little self promo while rekindling the old flame with the Leather So Soft throwback at a few of the Young Thug concerts. The feud between these two seem to be getting quite steamy with club appearance shade and more!

We can only hope for the best in this situation, because who would have ever imagined the day of Birdman and Birdman Jr. coming to a close! Stay tuned for more updates on this story.

-Alexis J. Robinson

Derrick Rose Starts vs. Magic

"I've been putting a lot of work in, busting my ass to get back," Rose said before shoot-around Wednesday morning. "I'm just happy that I’m able to come back to a team where I think we're playing all right basketball. I think defensively we're playing good. Offensively, I shouldn't have to worry about it, just come back and play the way I normally play."

Image Credit: Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The original timetable for Rose's return was 4-6 weeks, and his latest comeback Wednesday night would put him a couple of days ahead of the worst-case scenario. The procedure was minor compared to a repair of the right knee meniscus he underwent last season, causing him to miss all but 10 games.

Of course, no procedure on any body part belonging to the 2010-11 MVP can be characterized as minor at this point. His latest recovery gives him five regular season games to get his conditioning and rhythm back before the postseason begins.

The Bulls were 10-10 during Rose's latest absence and find themselves in a tight struggle to hang onto the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With five to play, the Bulls have a one-game lead on Toronto and a two-game lead on Washington for the third spot, which would give them a first-round matchup against Milwaukee.

The Bulls are 15-4 when using their regular starting lineup this season.

Thibodeau downplayed expectations for Rose. The Bulls went 10-10 in his absence.

“Him just being there is a plus for our team,” Thibodeau said. “I'm not expecting him to play 35 minutes, score 30 points. Play to your strengths, cover up your weaknesses, make your teammates better. That's all I want him to do.”

The Bulls own a one-game lead over the Raptors for the East’s third seed, though the Raptors hold the tiebreaker. Kirk Hinrich, who has missed two games with a hyperextended left knee, also will play.

Christine O'Connor

@christineeeeO