But, But, But, We Need Pitching, not Machado or Harper!!!

Someone call the damn waaaaambulance, because New York Yankees fans are at it again (just a joke, having some fun with it). This week I have touched on two main topics, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. I have detailed why both players are luxuries in the 2019 Yankees lineup, but I have explained in depth why both would help the Yankees going forward on the field. The responses have been great on Twitter, Facebook and on the blog, but some of the responses have just been downright ignorant. Now, before you get your panties in a bunch go look up the definition of the word ignorant. It is not and was not meant as an insult, but it really annoys me when 2/3 of the comments say, “Don’t sign Machado/Harper, we need pitching.” Or this gem, “Can Haper/Machado pitch? I’ll wait.” Well, Mr. condescending Yankees fan, they probably could… Austin Romine did, and did quite well actually. The thing is though, and the thing that a LOT of Yankees fans are missing, is that the Yankees could sign BOTH Machado and Harper, and STILL have money and prospects left over to address the pitching.

As it stands right now, pre-free agency and pre-arbitration, the Yankees have $86,342,857 in total payroll for the 2019 season. Alex Rodriguez’s deferred payments eat up $4 million of that while Giancarlo Stanton ($26 million), Masahiro Tanaka ($22 million), Jacoby Ellsbury ($21,142,857 million), and Aroldis Chapman ($15 million in salary, $2.2 million signing bonus) use up the rest. That leaves roughly $114 million in salary before the team even goes over the luxury tax threshold, something the team did not do in 2018, thus resetting any penalties for going over in 2019.

Now, of course the Yankees have an expensive arbitration period coming up this winter with nine players eligible for arbitration this season. Those nine include Didi Gregorius ($12.4 million), Sonny Gray ($9.1 million), Dellin Betances ($6.4 million), Aaron Hicks ($6.2 million), Luis Severino ($5.1 million), Austin Romine ($2.0 million), Tommy Kahnle ($1.5 million), Greg Bird ($1.5 million), and Ronald Torreyes ($900K). Using the MLB Trade Rumors projected salaries in parenthesis, which are usually scarily spot on, the Yankees would end up spending $45.1 million, bringing their grand total to $131,442,857. Adding in pre-arbitration players like Miguel Andujar, Luis Cessa, AJ Cole, Clint Frazier, Domingo German, Chad Green, Ben Heller, Kyle Higashioka, Aaron Judge, Jordan Montgomery, Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit and Tyler Wade and that brings the total up another $7.215 million, totaling $138,657,857.

Let’s just throw a number out there and say that Bryce Harper gets $30 million a season for however long. That would bring the Yankees salary to $168 million and change. Adding Patrick Corbin for another $20 million a season (I don’t think he will cost that much, but it’s just a number to throw out there) brings the total to $188 million.

The Yankees, according to reports, would have another $20 million to spend on one or more of JA Happ, Matt Harvey, Dallas Keuchel, Charlie Morton, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Zach Britton, David Robertson, Adam Warren, and a slew of other relievers. That’s before mentioning the possibility of, although all are extremely unlikely, players like Clayton Kershaw, David Price (LOL), Carlos Carrasco, Cole Hamels, Jason Hammel, Ervin Santana, and James Shields joining the free agent frenzy.

Oh, and did we mention that the Yankees still have all their top prospects at their disposal in any trade this winter? Not to mention the fact that Justus Sheffield and others could also make their way to the 25-man roster this season at any point.

The Yankees could, and will certainly look to, trade away the salaries of Sonny Gray and at least some of Jacoby Ellsbury’s current salary, thus opening up more money, while the team could also, although I personally advise against it, non-tender Didi Gregorius after his Tommy John surgery and sign him to a new deal. Didi being non-tendered is unlikely, but it is still a possibility if his rehab from the ulnar collateral ligament surgery does not go according to plan. If the Yankees keep trading away salaries they could easily make more money to add a player like Machado, if they wanted.

The payroll is wide open right now for the Yankees, and signing either Harper or Machado, or both, will not prevent the Yankees from solidifying their starting rotation and pitching needs. So, stop saying it, and stop waiting to hear if Machado and Harper can pitch. It doesn’t matter.

Yet Another Unofficial World Series...

Red Sox Advance to Fall Classic to Play Dodgers or Brewers…

Sadly, the Boston Red Sox are returning to the World Series. I was hopeful that the defending champion Houston Astros would end their season, but unfortunately, the Astros were a no-show. I still feel the Yankees and the Astros were the better teams, but for whatever reason(s), fate sided with Boston. The Red Sox, from April forward, have consistently found ways to win, en route to 108 victories over the course of the long season. They are not in the World Series by some fluke. Growing up as a kid with the Curse of the Bambino alive and well, it does kind of suck that the Red Sox have played in and have won more World Series than the Yankees this century. 

Speaking of my childhood, I have never forgotten an illustrator for The Des Moines (Iowa) Register by the name of Frank Miller who used to say that it wasn’t an official World Series if the Yankees weren’t playing in it.  I know it’s something that I’ve mentioned on this site before, but I think about it every year so my apologies for the regression.

I am already lining up a wager with a long-time friend and die-hard Red Sox fan. We’ve had numerous wagers over the years involving the Yankees and the Red Sox, but this year, since the Yankees are home for the holidays, I am riding the Los Angeles Dodgers (assuming they can get past the Milwaukee Brewers, of course). If the Dodgers make it to the World Series, the bet is on. The loser must post a picture of the winning team’s celebration as their cover photo on Facebook for seven days following the World Series, and the loser must read a book about the winning organization (as selected by the winner) and write a 500-word essay about the ten things they learned about the winning organization they did not know before. The essay must be posted on Social Media.  For my friend, I have chosen Brothers in Arms: Koufax, Kershaw, and the Dodgers’ Extraordinary Pitching Tradition by Jon Weisman should the Dodgers win the World Series.  

My friend will choose a Red Sox book for me to read if Boston wins the World Series. Of course, if the Dodgers stumble in Milwaukee and end their season prematurely, the wager is moot. I have no interest in a Brewers-Red Sox World Series and my baseball season will be officially done.  I wanted to pick a Yankees book for my friend to read, but Boston beat the Yankees fair and square in the ALDS, proving that, for this year anyway, they are the better team. Dodgers, please do not let me down. You’re my last hope for bringing down the mighty Red Sox.

I know that Manny Machado has taken much heat over the past week for not hustling and dirty play but I have not wavered in my desire for the Yankees to sign him in free agency after the season. He remains a young, special and talented superstar player who will help any team that he plays for. He has a desire to play in New York and he can handle New York.  He’s hated in Boston which is perfectly fine by me. Nothing Machado has done has deterred my wish for seeing him in Pinstripes. If the Yankees go after Bryce Harper instead, that’s fine.  I’d be stoked to have Harper as a Yankee. If Cashman and Company decide neither player is worth the investment, then so be it. Clearly, the greatest need is finding help for the starting rotation and filling in the potential holes in the bullpen. If the Yankees do nothing in the off-season but focus on pitching, I’m fine with it. But regardless, I wanted to get it out there that I continue to support Manny Machado and he’ll continue to be one of my favorite players next season, no matter what uniform he is wearing. Well, if he signs with Boston, that might hurt.

Photo Credit: AP (Matt Slocum)

I really wish the Yankees could find a way to unload Jacoby Ellsbury. I am dreading the thought of his presence at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL next Spring. I know, when healthy, he’s a decent player.  But his history has proven he cannot be relied upon. He may be healthy in March, but, no doubt, it will not be an injury-free year. The certainties of life…death, taxes, and Jacoby Ellsbury on the disabled list. I am tired of the guy and I wish he’d resume his career elsewhere. 

Has Sonny Gray been traded yet? Another player that I am anxiously awaiting to see place the word “former” in front of “Yankee”. I like the suggestions of Gray to Arizona in a package to get Arizona’s Robbie Ray or Paul Goldschmidt or to San Francisco for second baseman Joe Panik. I am sure that Gray will prosper in a less pressurized environment and I am confident GM Brian Cashman will get the best possible return despite Gray’s struggles in the Big Apple. Now if he could just do something about Ellsbury, too. 

For those who say that Houston’s Marwin Gonzalez fits in with the Yankees, I agree. If the Yankees decide to pass on the big ticket purchases in free agency, I think Gonzalez could help this team. Or even if they do sign Machado or Harper, I think Gonzalez would be a good Yankee. I don’t like the Astros but I do like Marwin and his versatility. I know 2018 was a bit of a down year for him, or maybe it is his norm and 2017 was an unusual year, but either way, I like the character of the guy and the winning attitude he exudes. He certainly helps fill some holes with the ability to play first base, shortstop and left field. 

Photo Credit: AP (David J Phillip)

Here’s hoping the Dodgers take care of business tonight in Milwaukee. Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-3, 1.97 ERA in 15 regular season games), one of the Dodgers’ best starters down the stretch, gets the ball.  He’ll be opposed by the resurgent one-time Red Sock Wade Miley (5-2, 2.57 ERA). Miley lost 15 games for the Baltimore Orioles last season and now he’s charged with extending the post-season for the Brewers, probably throwing to former Yankee Erik Kratz. Life is funny. No offense to those guys, but I hope their season ends tonight. The Dodgers have a date with the Red Sox and I don’t want anything to mess it up.

Tonight (and possibly tomorrow), it’s Go Dodgers.  

But as always (and a lot more), Go Yankees! 

Is It Okay to Jump on the Bryce Harper Bandwagon?

Another beard bites the dust...

The New York Yankees enter this offseason in a place where the team is not really used to being. The team is entering the offseason with money to spend after getting under the luxury tax threshold, and it seems like the owner and GM are willing to spend a lot this offseason as well. The Yankees have already been linked to top-notch free agents like Manny Machado and Patrick Corbin, among others, but one free agent I have kind of been skeptical about is Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. Is it okay for me to now jump on the Harper bandwagon?

I will preface this by saying the same thing I said about Machado when I wrote about him. Harper, I feel, is a luxury for the team. The New York Yankees don’t NEED Harper, but I truly think the team could benefit from his services next season and beyond. It is not every day that a 26-year old hits the free agent marker, and it is even more rare to see one with such immense talent as Harper has hit he free agent market, period.

Look mom, I hustle...

Harper checks a lot of boxes for the Yankees. He bats left-handed, something that the Yankees are suddenly lacking with the loss of Didi Gregorius to Tommy John surgery, and he plays a position, outfield, that the Yankees could look to upgrade this offseason. Brett Gardner is a free agent at the end of the World Series and may not be back with the club for the 2019 season. I can remember the Yankees were ecstatic about having Gardner in left field because of his speed and ability to play center on any given day. The team stated that having a center fielder in left field inside Yankee Stadium was ideal, and the team would have that once again if Harper were to be signed. Harper’s defense is more than adequate with the ability to play all three outfield positions. Plus, the left field position is not completely foreign to the left-hander. Harper has only played 194 games in left field out of the 911 games he has played in the outfield, his last time coming in 2014, but I don’t think the transition would be that difficult for him to make.

It doesn't hurt that I already have two #34 Yankees jersey's. 

One major box that Harper checks for the Yankees is his offensive capabilities. Harper’s batting average may have plummeted to .249 in 2018, down from .319 in 2017, but he almost doubled his walks taken from 68 in 2017 to a whopping 130 in 2018, which lead the National League. Harper’s 162 game average, according to Baseball Reference, has him drawing 102 walks per season with a .388 OBP. That’s all before you mention his slugging percentage, OPS, and 30-40 home run per season power.

To put these walk numbers into a comparison, the Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge walked 76 times in 2018, albeit in a partial season, after walking 127 times in 2017. Having Judge hitting second, Harper hitting third, and presumably having someone like Aaron Hicks hitting leadoff (90 walks, .366 OBP) the Yankees would, by the numbers, have someone on base for Giancarlo Stanton and/or Miguel Andujar in the cleanup spot pretty much every single game in the first inning. That is how you extend innings, that is how you keep the line moving, that is how you make starting pitchers work, and that is how you get into the opposing team’s bullpen earlier. These are all recipes for success, and all things that the Yankees struggled with at times here in 2018.

I'm going to be here one day...

And if that doesn’t work, having Hicks, Judge, Harper, Stanton, Andujar, etc. etc. etc. means you can just slug your way to a few victories along the way as well.

I say again, Harper is still a luxury and not a need for the New York Yankees, but he is a luxury that makes a whole lot of sense for the Bronx Bombers this offseason, and beyond. Even more so than signing Manny Machado, if I am being honest. Get Greedy… Get Bryce. Doesn’t have the same ring to it, but it could likely result in a ring at the end of the 2019 season.

Hurricane Michael, Former Yankees Prospects, & Alan Horne is an Amazing Person

I have been writing and blogging about the New York Yankees for as long as I can remember, but The Greedy Pinstripes began back in January of 2012. We set out with the mission of being different and with the mission of doing things our own way. Over the years we made a lot of friends, both in terms of players and fans alike, and one such friend is former Yankees prospect Alan Horne.

Horne was a first-round draft pick for the Indians out of High School, but he instead opted to head to Ole Miss, and eventually the University of Florida for his collegiate career. Horne had Tommy John surgery after two seasons at Ole Miss and eventually, after transferring to Florida, became an 11^th round pick for the New York Yankees in the 2005 MLB First Year Players Draft. Horne remained with the Yankees minor league affiliates through the 2008 season before injuries once again derailed his path to the Major Leagues. Horne eventually retired from professional baseball and moved to a town about 15 minutes away from where I currently reside down here in Georgia. Horne is now a business owner owning and operating his own State Farm insurance facility and seems to be genuinely happy, unless his Gators lose of course. I think a lot of Horne’s happiness stems from the old saying, “You get out what you put in.” Horne was a great talent on the field, but he is an even more amazing person. He probably doesn’t want the credit for this, if I know him like I think that I do, but he is going to get the credit and recognition for it anyway… because he deserves it.

When Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida coast Alan was quick to respond. Alan announced on his Facebook page that he was en route to the panhandle and to South Georgia with generators, water, chainsaws, and as much gas as he could hold in his truck. When it was all said and done, Alan had 50 gallons of gasoline, four chainsaws, three generators, oil, extension cords, cases of water, tons of bread, and lots of snacks for anyone and everyone who needed it. Alan gave out his cell number many times and even gave out his Zello, which could be used to radio him. What did he ask in return? Absolutely nothing. Well, he asked that his Facebook friends shared his post to reach as many as he could, but other than that he didn’t want a damn thing in return.

Many shared the post, many thanked him and congratulated him on his efforts, but he never responded. Sure, he “liked” the posts as recognition, but he has never beat his own chest or said a word. Alan has been and continues to truly help out of the kindness of his own heart.

Alan has continued to be giving since the storm in any and every way possible. With supplies, with suggestions or the sharing of his knowledge of the insurance industry, or just with his insightful and positive words on Facebook that continue to pick people up.

As of yesterday, Alan was still in Florida helping anyone and everyone that he could. His family was also hit in the storms, but at last check in he said that there was damage, but that they were very fortunate.

I just want to get the word out to anyone and everyone about what is going on down in Florida, and what some amazing people throughout the country, not just Alan, are doing. Continued prayers and thoughts go out to not only the people in Florida and South Georgia, but also to the fine individuals, former Yankees prospects or otherwise, that are doing everything that they can to help the cause. Thank you.

Sonny Gray, Paul Goldschmidt, and a Match Made in the Bronx

Late Monday evening I received a text on my phone from a person that I trust. This person was a friend of a friend that works within the Yankees organization that gives us a bone whenever he or she can. They told us about Johnny Damon coming to the Bronx in 2005 a few days before it happened, although I was not big on social media or blogging then, and they dropped other information to us including the New York Mets signing Curtis Granderson (we had the exact years and dollar amounts, Joel Sherman, so unblock me and give credit where credit is due) and others. Long story short, when this person talks… we listen. This person talked again this week and let us know that the Yankees are already actively talking to opposing GM’s about right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray, and they state that Cashman has already had discussions regarding Gray with the Atlanta Braves, the Arizona Diamondbacks and other National League teams.

The source made it very clear that Cashman’s intention was to shop Gray to National League team’s first, which makes sense. Gray is a good pitcher, but he just can’t get out of his own head. Some people aren’t made for New York, and Gray seems to be one of them. Gray is going to figure this thing out if and when he is traded this offseason, and the Yankees would rather him figure it out with a team that would not see the Yankees all that often going forward.

So, with that said, let the speculation begin. What would the Yankees potentially get back from either of these teams, and ultimately what are their needs? It is hard to say, but we will pretend like the trade is imminent and keep the Yankees current needs in mind. This could obviously change the deeper into the winter and the hot stove season gets, but we will cross that bridge when we get there if this trade stuff goes that long. The Yankees don’t NEED another outfielder, and they don’t NEED a first baseman, and it is unlikely that they will trade Gray for the starting pitching help that they so desperately need, leaving just the bullpen and the farm system as potential areas to upgrade with the trade.

The Braves had pitching woes of their own here in 2018, so the only pieces of value that Atlanta will be able to offer the Yankees in return for Gray is a couple players out of their farm system. Pick the names, it doesn’t really matter at this point to be completely honest. Gray is a lost trade for Cashman and company and anything that he gets back will help lessen the hit. The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, could think outside the box with a trade since their farm system is pretty barren right now. Arizona has already discussed the possibility of trading first baseman Paul Goldschmidt this winter, could this be the very early stages of a trade package between New York and Arizona?

Obviously, the Yankees would have to include a lot more than just Sonny Gray to pry away Goldschmidt from the Diamondbacks, but with Arizona presumably losing Patrick Corbin to free agency they may value Gray and his upside more than the Yankees, or most teams for that matter, do. The window for winning in Arizona is closing and Gray may give the team one more shot at going deep into the postseason with this current team. Who else would be in the package from the Yankees? Again, take your pick. Arizona’s farm system is barren, and I am sure they would merely take the best available prospects rather than a specific need, like a shortstop for example. If the Yankees don’t have enough or are unwilling to part with everything the Diamondbacks would ask for in a Goldschmidt trade, bring in a third team. The Yankees and Diamondbacks have done it before with the Tampa Bay Rays just last season, there is no reason they couldn’t do it again. Maybe even bring in the Braves, who knows? The specifics are left up to someone a lot smarter than me, but at least on paper this could potentially be the beginning of a match made in the Bronx.

The Yankees don’t NEED Goldschmidt, but damn it would be nice to have some stability at first base for once. Get Greedy, Get Goldy? It has a nice ring to it…

An Article for the All the Miguel Andujar’s Defense Haters by Daniel Burch

Good morning Yankees family and welcome back to the blog. The New York Yankees fans are the worst, at least that is what I wrote earlier this offseason, and since the elimination from the postseason they have not gotten much better. The hottest topic of them all appears to be the possible acquisition of Manny Machado, Miguel Andujar’s defense at third base, and a potential move for the 23-year old next season. There have been many doom-and-gloom posts about his “historically bad” defense this season, but here is a post giving Yankees fans everywhere a little hope regarding Andujar and his potential future as a Major League third baseman.

When looking at prospects and young players the scouts, analysts, and fans always look to other players to compare these young players to. How about this comparison for Andujar, how about Adrian Beltre? Beltre is highly respected around Major League Baseball both on and off the field and is considered to be one of the best third baseman defensively in the game. This was not always the case for the former Texas Rangers third baseman and soon-to-be free agent. When Beltre broke into the Major Leagues he was 19-years old, granted that is a lot younger than Andujar who is 23-years old, playing in 77 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Beltre’s bat left much to be desired, and so did his defense, and it wasn’t until the 2004 season that the Dodgers finally saw his true potential come to fruition.

As a rookie, Beltre committed 13 errors. In his first full season in 1999 the right-hander committed 29 errors which was good for a .932 fielding percentage. In 2000, Beltre committed another 23 errors. From 2001 – 2003, Beltre committed 16, 20, and 19 errors respectively. It was not until the 2004 season, the same season that Beltre began to find his groove at the plate as well, that we started to see the defensive wizard that we have seen over the past decade or so. Yet, for whatever reason, some writer at another publication writes an article that we cannot just assume that Andujar’s defense will improve, and everyone loses their mind. Everyone is preaching that article like it is the gospel, yet history (and common sense) would say otherwise.

Just as an FYI, for those who need a reminder, Andujar committed just 15 errors for a .948 fielding percentage in 2018. If you want to compare apples-to-apples, Andujar had a better defensive season than Beltre in his first two-or-three seasons. Beltre improved drastically on the defensive side, yet Andujar can’t according to many Yankees fans, writers, and journalist? I call bullshit. The numbers don’t lie. Be patient, and root for your team… or go root for the Mets.

Too Many Damn Right-Handed Hitters?

The New York Yankees hit too many damn home runs, and now apparently, they have too many damn right-handed hitters as well. This was the common theme yesterday and for much of the offseason every time that Manny Machado is linked to the Yankees as a free agent this offseason. Many fans are quick to point out that not only does the team need more pitching, which I agree with wholeheartedly, but that the team has too many right-handed hitters for it to make sense signing Machado. The former I can agree with, and I think this will ultimately be addressed whether Machado dons pinstripes next season or not, but the latter I cannot. It is nice for a team to be able to alternate left-handed and right-handed batters to keep an opposing manager on his toes in terms of pitching changes and strategies, but it is even better when your right-handed heavy offense can handle right-handed pitching just as well, or better than they can handle left-handed pitching. Do the Yankees have this? Baseball Reference has the answers.

Gary Sanchez:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	256	844	751	120	193	36	51	131	72	200	.257	.331	.509	.839
	vs LHP	123	286	246	44	58	13	20	54	38	72	.236	.339	.533	.872

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Gary hits better against RHP than he does LHP)

Miguel Andujar:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	143	438	418	63	130	33	20	72	15	68	.311	.338	.538	.876
	vs LHP	83	176	162	20	44	16	7	24	11	29	.272	.318	.512	.831

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Miguel hits better against RHP than he does LHP)

Gleyber Torres:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	120	350	313	37	87	13	13	51	28	83	.278	.341	.444	.785
	vs LHP	65	134	118	17	30	3	11	26	14	39	.254	.336	.576	.912

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Gleyber hits better against RHP than he does LHP)

Didi Gregorius:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	716	2218	2027	281	547	101	81	269	140	303	.270	.320	.453	.773
	vs LHP	418	820	745	89	192	30	13	87	44	125	.258	.311	.358	.669

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Didi hits better against RHP than he does LHP, granted he is a LHB)

Aaron Judge:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	284	955	800	172	228	37	67	163	138	301	.285	.391	.588	.978
	vs LHP	142	316	239	43	56	11	16	28	74	101	.234	.421	.490	.910

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Judge hits better against RHP than he does LHP)

Aaron Hicks:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	524	1551	1329	197	307	51	43	159	190	306	.231	.328	.380	.708
	vs LHP	313	680	598	86	147	28	27	81	75	146	.246	.329	.431	.761

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Aaron Hicks is a switch hitter that hits lefties better overall)

Giancarlo Stanton:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	1085	3694	3225	502	837	166	223	572	407	1086	.260	.347	.523	.870
	vs LHP	488	1122	960	175	285	70	82	200	150	263	.297	.393	.634	1.027

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(Finally, a RHB on the Yankees that doesn't hit better against a lefty)

I have included Manny Machado for informational purposes only. I know Machado is not a Yankee, and I know there is no guarantee that he will be. Let’s assume that he becomes a Yankee for the sake of this post, although even without him the Yankees numbers as right-handed batters against right-handed pitching are good enough to prove my point without Manny. But still… Get Greedy… Get Manny.

Manny Machado:

I	Split	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
	vs RHP	882	2963	2710	376	763	141	137	400	209	509	.282	.333	.491	.824
	vs LHP	453	1111	1010	146	287	70	38	113	87	160	.284	.342	.474	.816

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table

(case closed)

So, in closing. Do the New York Yankees have too many damn right-handed batters, and would they if they added Manny Machado to third base while moving Miguel Andujar to first base? The stats don’t usually lie, so the consensus has to be simple. No, they don’t. If their right-handed batters continue to hit right-handed pitching they could have nine right-handed batters every single time out there and it just wouldn't matter. Are more balanced lineups ideal? Sure, no one would argue that. Should the Yankees add a left-handed bat to the lineup if they can and if it makes sense? Absolutely. But, if they cannot should the team stay away from a potent right-handed bat like Machado knowing that he, and many others in the lineup, hit RHP just as well or comparable to how they hit LHP? Absolutely not. Get Greedy, Get Manny. 

Please, people. It is a long offseason already, don’t make it even longer by speaking without at least doing a little bit of research. I had one guy claim yesterday that he was right about Andujar’s defense at third base after reading an article on another Yankees blog. The writer wasn’t a scout, a manager, a coach, or even a member of the Yankees organization. Nope, just another nerd (and I mean that in the best way possible) like myself in front of a computer putting his opinions, speculations, and research out there for all to read for free. His opinion does not prove your “theory” that Andujar sucks defensively and will never improve, get over yourself before I have to write a part two to my “Yankees Fans are the Worst” article. Stay classy, stay informed, and thank you all for reading.



* all stats are career stats and are courtesy of Baseball Reference.