Monday, November 24, 2014

Kuty: Locking Up Headley Might Now Be Yankees' Biggest Concern

With Pablo Sandoval now guaranteed to be a member of the Red Sox for multiple seasons, re-signing Chase Headley may become the Yankees' main concern, NJ.com's Brendan Kuty argues.

According to Kuty, Sandoval coming off the table makes Headley this offseason's most desirable third baseman. He is coming off a 77-game stretch with the Yankees in which he batted a solid .262, and is likely not going to ask for the money Sandoval did.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean inking Headley will be easy for the Yankees, as another coastal contender could soon begin to compete for his services.

From Kuty's report: 

"It’s likely Headley will want a deal that guarantees him at least three or four years, considering Sandoval’s reported $90-million haul will come over a five-year span. And there are several teams who could give Headley what he wants.

The Yankees have been in contact with Headley’s agent, Casey Close, general manager Brian Cashman has said. The Giants, Sandoval’s old team, could also emerge as serious contenders, considering their sudden need at third base and that Headley has spent almost his whole career in California."

That the Giants didn't push harder for Sandoval after he helped them take home three championships in five years is definitely strange, but nonetheless, that doesn't mean they'll just go away.

They are still looking to improve their team, while the Yankees seem to just be trying to keep theirs together. That being said, it's very important that the Yankees find a way to keep Headley in their uniform, as no other reliable options appear to be available at the position. 

Headley, 30, is a career .265 hitter, and was well known for his defensive talent during his recent time in pinstripes.

Yankees Announce 2014 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Ticket Deals


Yankees Press Release:

The New York Yankees today announced special holiday on-sale opportunities exclusively for MasterCard cardholders to purchase tickets for select 2015 New York Yankees home games in April, May and June.
Beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET on Black Friday (November 28) and continuing through 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, all fans using their MasterCard may purchase specially priced individual game tickets to select 2015 New York Yankees home games in April, May and June as part of the “MasterCard Preferred Pricing” program, which offers discounts of up to $15 per ticket in select seating categories when purchasing using a MasterCard.
Select MasterCard $5 and Half-price Games will be available for purchase during the above on-sale.
Additionally, from 10:00 a.m. ET on Black Friday (November 28) through 11:59 p.m. on Cyber Monday (December 1) only, there will be a special “Buy 2, Get 2” offer. Fans can save up to 50 percent off select seats with this opportunity by using their MasterCard and the code MCB2G2. The “Buy 2, Get 2” offer is valid for four games during the 2015 season (May 8, May 22, May 26 and June 18).
Fans interested in taking advantage of the above special single-game MasterCard on-sale opportunities may purchase tickets by visiting www.yankees.com/priceless or www.yankeesbeisbol.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at (877) 469-9849 or (800) 943-4327 (TTY). This on-sale opportunity will not be available at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office or Ticketmaster outlets.
Existing Yankees Season Ticket Licensees using their MasterCard will have special advanced access to all of the above ticket specials during an exclusive pre-on-sale from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET on November 28.
Also on sale on www.yankees.com beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET on Black Friday (November 28) will be 16-game, 12-game and nine-game value plans for the 2015 regular season. The 16-game, 12-game and nine-game plan offers are available for all fans regardless of the form of payment. Nine-game plan offers are available starting at $90. Existing Yankees Season Ticket Licensees, regardless of the form of payment, may begin purchasing these value plans at 8:00 a.m. on November 28.
The specifics of 2015 regular-season ticket specials (eg: Senior Citizen, Student, Youth, Military Personnel), as well as the 2015 regular season promotional schedule, will be announced at a later date.
The on-sale for all other 2015 individual game tickets will be announced at a later time.
Select Yankees season ticket plans are now available on both a full-season and partial-season basis. For complete season-ticket information, please visit yankees.com or yankeesbeisbol.com, contact the Season Ticket Sales and Service Department via email at seasontickets@yankees.com, or call (212) YANKEES [212-926-5337].
For group tickets for individual games during the 2015 regular season, a Yankees group sales representative can be reached at groups@yankees.com or by calling (212) YANKEES [212-926-5337]. Individual-game suites are available by contacting the Yankees Premium Sales and Services department at premium@yankees.com or (718) 508-3955.

Most Popular Article of the Week: Justin Upton to the Yankees


First and foremost I want to start this post by explaining that this is pure speculation. I do not have any inside sources, I did not read anywhere that a deal is being discussed or even a possibility, etc. It's the offseason and it's the time to dream, live in a Playstation sort of world, and have fun. Let's do it.

Whether or not the Atlanta Braves are in full sell mode or not remains to be seen but the Tommy La Stella and Jason Heyward trades made you wonder what's going on in the ATL. I understand the team is "starved" for starting pitching but at what point does one begin to scratch their heads and wonder what John Hart's ultimate plan is. Does he know more then you or I, yes he does by the way, and will the Braves exceed expectations in 2015 or are these two deals simply a precursor to a bigger deal, a deal involving Justin Upton?

If the latter is true the New York Yankees need to pick up the phone right now and make this happen. One thing the Yankees have been lacking for over two seasons now is right handed power and Upton has that as evident by his 29 home runs in 2014. The problem is where do you play the aforementioned Upton brother? He plays left field in Turner Field, why not left field in Yankee Stadium?

Atlanta is looking towards the now and the future so while Upton has one year left on his deal Gardner still has four at a very team friendly price. Gardner makes the Braves lineup more dynamic while the Yankees offense gets better ten fold in my opinion. Add in a Bryan Mitchell (or Shane Greene although my preference is to hold on to Greene) and Austin Romine who is out of options and a viable backup for Christian Bethancourt and I think a deal gets done.

So what say you, do you pull the trigger? Let us know in the comments section.

ICYMI: Yankees Sign Jonathan Galvez To Minor League Deal


According to the transactions page on Yankees.com the New York Yankees have signed minor league second baseman Jonathan Galvez to a minor league deal. Galvez was most recently in the San Diego Padres organization and posted a .280/.354/.449 slash with 10 home runs and 52 RBI in Triple-A this season. 

Galvez's career minor league line in seven seasons is .280/.366/.427/.793 with 54 home runs, 331 RBI, 144 doubles, 17 triples, and 114 stolen bases (37 as his career high in a season) in 2,309 minor league at bats. Can you say the next Yangervis Solarte?

TGP Daily Poll: Raul Ibanez the Next Rays Manager


Raul Ibanez will be the next manager of the Tampa Bay Rays. What say you?

Vote in our poll!

This Day In New York Yankees History 11/24: NOTHING


Nada, Rien, ingenting, ei mitään , niente, nihil, niets, nashim, nai, gar nichts, nothing.

Not a single MVP Award, Rookie of the Year award, free agent signing, trade, death, just another day in Yankees land.

Carry on.