Monday, December 7, 2015

Yankees Said to be Interested in Asdrubal Cabrera a Year Too Late


This would be just the kind of dumb shit move that Brian Cashman would make, wouldn’t it? Excuse my language and excuse my bluntness but this rumor has me heated. The New York Yankees are reportedly interested in shortstop/second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera. Of course the team reiterated that their budget is stretched about as thin as it’s going to get so a deal could be unlikely but the interest is there nonetheless.

So let me get this straight. You want to take an older, more expensive switch-hitting version of Robert Refsnyder and sign him to say a one or two year deal on the cheap and once again block and demoralize Refsnyder himself? And for what? Average offense, average defense and a switch hitter to balance out a lineup that will continue to either strikeout or hit a home run, nothing more.


I don’t get it. I don’t. These better be just rumors and we better not be bracing ourselves for another Stephen Drew at second base next season. I can’t even right now. I’ll flip. I’ll lose it. Cashman, don’t do it. I mean it, don’t!

Yankees Reach Out to Miami About Jose Fernandez


The New York Yankees are one of many teams, and when I say many I likely mean somewhere around the 29 other teams mark, that reached out recently to the Miami Marlins regarding ace starting pitcher Jose Fernandez. According to Jon Morosi the asking price is said to be sky high, and it should be, and it seems unclear whether the Yankees will meet it.

I am one of the biggest prospect humpers around and easily the biggest on this website but if the Marlins asked for Aaron Judge and one of Ian Clarkin or James Kaprielian (plus more obviously) I wouldn’t blink an eye when I accepted. If you start adding Gary Sanchez and others that actually create holes on the team rather than fill holes, Robert Refsnyder also comes to mind but he could be replaced rather easily via free agency, that’s where I become a little more skeptical.

No words on what Miami is asking for, whether these GM’s are just doing their due diligence or if Fernandez is truly available, or whether New York would be willing to meet it. I guess you’re going to have to stay tuned.


Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. It was this day in 1941 that the Japanese bombed the port in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. With that act of war the United States was forced into a war they didn’t really want to be a part of, World War II. We all know the stories, the movies and the history behind Pearl Harbor and the war and I don’t know about you but I’d like to not remember the day. Let’s remember the people, the people that died, the people that lived and shot those Japanese planes into the Pacific Ocean and the people who were survived by the decease.

I can’t say it enough, thank you. Remember the people, remember the day just don’t remember the event.


Most Popular Article of the Week: Yankees Could Release CC Sabathia This Offseason?


The New York Yankees are doing something that a lot of other teams do, they aren’t letting contracts dictate playing time and their space on the 40 man roster. This is a sight for sore eyes if you ask me, especially when you consider the youth infusion that we see currently on the squad. It would truly irk me as a fan to see someone like Adam Warren or Luis Severino not getting their fair shake in the Bronx while someone like CC Sabathia, who I respect the hell out of but the back of his baseball card doesn’t show him as being one of the best five or six starting rotation options right now, struggles and keeps the team down. With that said I’m not sure how reliable the Latin Post is but they have an article, SEEN HERE, which made me turn my head. The article showcases a scenario where the New York Yankees actually cut or designate CC for assignment this winter and get him off the roster all together.


CC is a fiery clubhouse leader and veteran but his 9-14 record and 4.85 ERA over the past two seasons may not be enough to justify keeping him on the roster, especially with all his injuries that keep on piling up. Sabathia is owed $25 million for each of the 2016 and 2017 seasons, assuming he does not spend too much time or end the season on the disabled list with a left shoulder injury, before finally coming off the books before the 2018 season. With the likelihood of putting Sabathia into the bullpen about as likely as the Yankees signing a David Price or Johnny Cueto this winter Sabathia may be stuck between a rock, a hard place and unemployment.


The Yankees youth movement is well underway with Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Pineda, Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino and Adam Warren all under 28-years old with Severino entering just his age 21 season. Sabathia does not fit into this movement. That doesn’t mean he’s going to be cut, designated for assignment or even traded. That’s all up to Hal Steinbrenner I guess.

FYI: Complete List of Arbitration Eligible Players


The non-tender deadline has come and gone and the next major milestone, aside from the General Manager Meetings and the Rule 5 Draft, is the arbitration process. All told there are 162 players eligible for salary arbitration eligible this season including seven for the New York Yankees. Some players will sign new deals before they are eligible to officially file for arbitration on January 12 and many will avoid the entire arbitration court process altogether. Here is the complete list with the most important players, the Yankees players, listed first for your information.

NEW YORK (7) — Dustin Ackley, 2b-of; Nathan Eovaldi, rhp; Didi Gregorius, ss; Ivan Nova, rhp; Michael Pineda, rhp; Adam Warren, rhp; Justin Wilson, lhp.


AMERICAN LEAGUE

BALTIMORE (8) — Brad Brach, rhp; Zach Britton, lhp; Ryan Flaherty, 2b; Miguel Gonzalez, rhp; Manny Machado, 3b; Brian Matusz, lhp; Chris Tillman, rhp; Mark Trumbo, of-1b.

BOSTON (3) — Joe Kelly, rhp; Robbie Ross, lhp;Junichi Tazawa, rhp.

CHICAGO (4) — Avisail Garcia, of; Dan Jennings, lhp; Nate Jones, rhp; Zach Putnam, rhp.

CLEVELAND (6) — Cody Allen, rhp; Lonnie Chisenhall, 3b-rf; Jeff Manship, rhp; Zach McAllister, rhp; Bryan Shaw, rhp; Josh Tomlin, rhp.

DETROIT (3) — Jose Iglesias, ss; J.D. Martinez, of; Andrew Romine, inf.

HOUSTON (6) — Jason Castro, c; Josh Fields, rhp; Evan Gattis, dh; Marwin Gonzalez, inf; Dallas Keuchel, lhp; Luis Valbuena, 3b.

KANSAS CITY (7) — Drew Butera, c; Lorenzo Cain, of; Louis Coleman, rhp; Tony Cruz, c; Danny Duffy, lhp; Jarrod Dyson, of; Mike Moustakas, 3b.

LOS ANGELES (4) — Kole Calhoun, of; Garrett Richards, rhp; Fernando Salas, rhp; Hector Santiago, lhp.

MINNESOTA (6) — Eduardo Escobar, ss; Casey Fien, rhp; Kevin Jepsen, rhp; Tommy Milone, lhp; Eduardo Nunez, inf; Trevor Plouffe, 3b.

OAKLAND (7) — Yonder Alonso, 1b; Brett Lawrie, 3b; Jarrod Parker, rhp; Josh Reddick, of; Fernando Rodriguez, rhp; Evan Scribner, rhp; Danny Valencia, 3b.

SEATTLE (3) — Anthony Bass, rhp; Charlie Furbush, lhp; Leonys Martin, of.

TAMPA BAY (10) — Alex Cobb, rhp; Hank Conger, c;Logan Forsythe, 2b; Brandon Guyer, of; Desmond Jennings, of; Jake McGee, lhp; Logan Morrison, 1b; Erasmo Ramirez, rhp; Rene Rivera, c; Drew Smyly, lhp.

TEXAS (7) — Robinson Chirinos, c; Jake Diekman, lhp; Mitch Moreland, 1b; Jurickson Profar, 2b-ss; Tanner Scheppers, rhp; Shawn Tolleson, rhp; Tom Wilhelmsen, rhp.

TORONTO (8) — Brett Cecil, lhp; Jesse Chavez, rhp; Steve Delabar, rhp; Josh Donaldson, 3b; Drew Hutchison, rhp; Aaron Loup, lhp; Ben Revere, of; Michael Saunders, of.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

ARIZONA (6) — Welington Castillo, c; Patrick Corbin, lhp; Rubby De La Rosa, rhp;Randall Delgado, rhp; Daniel Hudson, rhp; A.J. Pollock, of.

ATLANTA (3) — Shelby Miller, rhp; Arodys Vizcaino, rhp; Chris Withrow, rhp.

CHICAGO (6) — Jake Arrieta, rhp; Chris Coghlan, of; Justin Grimm, rhp; Hector Rondon, rhp; Pedro Strop, rhp; Travis Wood, lhp.

CINCINNATI (3) — Aroldis Chapman, lhp; Zack Cozart, ss; J.J. Hoover, rhp.

COLORADO (4) — Nolan Arenado, 3b; Charlie Blackmon, of; DJ LeMahieu, 2b; Adam Ottavino, rhp.

LOS ANGELES (6) — Luis Avilan, lhp; Yasmani Grandal, c; Chris Hatcher, rhp; Kenley Jansen, rhp; Justin Turner, inf; Scott Van Slyke, of.

MIAMI (8) — Carter Capps, rhp; Jose Fernandez, rhp; Dee Gordon, 2b; Adeiny Hechavarria, ss; Tom Koehler, rhp; Bryan Morris, rhp; David Phelps, rhp; A.J. Ramos, rhp.

MILWAUKEE (3) — Wily Peralta, rhp; Jean Segura, ss; Will Smith, lhp.

NEW YORK (8) — Lucas Duda, 1b; Josh Edgin, lhp; Jeurys Familia, rhp; Matt Harvey, rhp; Jenrry Mejia, rhp; Addison Reed, rhp; Ruben Tejada, ss; Carlos Torres, rhp.

PHILADELPHIA (3) — Freddy Galvis, ss; Jeanmar Gomez, rhp; Jeremy Hellickson, rhp.

PITTSBURGH (8) — Francisco Cervelli, c; Jared Hughes, rhp; Jeff Locke, lhp; Mark Melancon, rhp; Jordy Mercer, ss; Chris Stewart, c; Tony Watson, lhp; Neil Walker, 2b.

ST. LOUIS (4) — Matt Adams, 1b; Seth Maness, rhp; Brandon Moss, of-1b; Trevor Rosenthal, rhp.

SAN DIEGO (4) — Andrew Cashner, rhp; Derek Norris, c; Drew Pomeranz, lhp; Tyson Ross, rhp.

SAN FRANCISCO (2) — Brandon Belt, 1b; George Kontos, rhp.


WASHINGTON (5) — Danny Espinosa, 2b; Wilson Ramos, c; Anthony Rendon, 2b-3b; Drew Storen, rhp; Stephen Strasburg, rhp.

Bryce Harper and the First $400 Million Contract


So if David Price is supposedly worth $31 million a year for 31 starts, for simplicity sake, and $217 million over seven seasons at age 30 then when Bryce Harper hits free agency after the 2017 season he’ll be worth what? A billion over 15 seasons? $500 million over 13 seasons? More realistically though, would Harper be the first $400 million man in Major League Baseball? In a word, yes.

I say yes, a lot can happen in two seasons of baseball, but what I really mean is that he could be. Price is making basically a million bucks a start, $31 million annually for roughly 31 starts not including the postseason, at 30-years old so how valuable does that make Bryce Harper? Let’s just throw out a number and say that Harper plays in 155 games per season and plays for all nine innings, does that not make him five times more valuable than a starting pitcher that starts every fifth day? Price is 30, Harper will be just 26-years old when he hits free agency.

According to traditional stats and metrics Jason Heyward isn’t all that great, it’s the sabermetrics and his defensive WAR that make him valuable, and he’s still projected to get a 10-year deal worth $20 million plus annually. Harper is already an MVP, a middle-of-the-order hitter and a leader in the outfield. If Harper doesn’t get at least $400 million the system is severely broken.

In 2015 Harper, according to Fangraphs “value” calculation, was worth $76 million according to his production, that makes $40 million almost look like a bargain at this point, no?


The stars are aligning. The Yankees have a ton of money coming off the books the same offseason as Bryce Harper is a free agent and are losing an absolute ton of money the two offseason prior as well. New York loves their big names and recognizable stars about as much as they have shown to love young players in recent years, this is the best of both worlds for the Yankees. Am I okay with the Yankees giving Bryce 10-12 years and $400 million? If you ask me today, yes. Although a lot can change in two seasons of Major League Baseball…. So stay tuned. 

Market for Ivan Nova Heating Up?


The New York Yankees have made it no secret that they are willing to wheel and deal this winter, but only if the deal makes sense for Brian Cashman. Cashman has already traded away his backup catcher for a fourth outfielder and a utility infielder for a Double-A starting pitcher and he may not be done there. Cashman has also begun fielding offers for his left fielder, closer and many of his starting pitchers including Ivan Nova. Last week we covered Nova specifically and begged the question, Who Would Be Interested in Ivan Nova? Well today we learn that the market for Nova may begin heating up soon and it begins in Chicago.

According to reports and news rumors, so take that with a grain of salt, the Chicago White Sox were interested in both Nova and the Oakland Athletics right-hander Jesse Chavez earlier this winter. Chavez has been since traded to the Toronto Blue Jays while Nova remains inside a Yankees uniform. With the Winter Meetings now underway Chicago’s interest is said to have “spiked” on Nova.

Nova turns 29-years old in January and is coming off a somewhat disappointing 2015 campaign where he posted a 6-11 record and a 5.07 ERA in 17 starts. I say somewhat disappointing because it was his first season removed from Tommy John surgery and the first year is more about the health of his elbow and actually getting the work in, something Nova did not struggle with, more so than his stats and his command, something Nova did in fact struggle with.

Before the Tommy John surgery Nova had posted a 37-18 record from 2011 to 2013 including a 16-win season and has two more years of team control through the arbitration process. Nova is projected to make $4.5 million in arbitration in 2016.


Nova was mentioned in a potential Johnny Cueto trade, although obviously he would not be the headliner or center piece, with the Cincinnati Reds in July before the right-hander ultimately went to Kansas City so it could be worth revisiting those trade talks as well this week in Nashville. Either way Nova may be spending his final weeks inside a Yankees uniform. 

Welcome to the Winter Meetings


Ladies and gentleman, good morning and welcome to the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings. General Managers from all 30 franchises, many of the top tier free agents from around the league and regular ole people like you and I will begin to flock to Nashville, TN this week for the meetings. Many of the largest deals every offseason get done during this week either via the free agency market or the trade market and the Rule 5 Draft basically caps off the week and some MLB rosters before everyone packs up for the long winter ahead.

The problem with being a blogger as a hobby and not as a professional is that I have to hold down a 9-to-5 in order to survive and keep the blog up. For that reason the news may be a little late here, and for that I apologize, but one thing I can guarantee. It will be right. I grow ever so tired of the “get it first, who cares if it’s right” mentality from some writers and bloggers but that’s another post for another day.


Enjoy the day and enjoy the week, hopefully I have plenty to write about when I get home tonight. 

This Day in New York Yankees History 12/7: Enter Jacoby Ellsbury


On this day in 2013 the New York Yankees signed Jacoby Ellsbury to a seven year deal worth $153 million to join Brian McCann as the second new member of the Yankees this week. Ellsbury turned down offers from his former team the Red Sox, the Tigers and the Mariners to patrol center field in the Bronx.

Also on this day in 2001 the Yankees and the Mets made a rare trade as the Yankees acquired third basemen Robin Ventura for outfielder David Justice. This is only the sixth time these two teams have made a trade in the 40 years the Mets have been around and the first time since the 1992 trade of Kenny Tanaka to the Yankees for Kenny Greer.

Also on this day in 1995 the Yankees acquired a couple former Seattle Mariners players. First New York signed Tino Martinez to a deal worth $20.25 million on the same day his wife gave birth to replace Don Mattingly at first base. Also the Yankees swung a trade to acquire relief pitcher Jeff Nelson for Sterling Hitchcock and Russell Davis.

Also on this day in 1973 the Yankees acquire outfielder Lou Piniella from the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Ken Wright and pitcher Lindy McDaniel. The Yankees definitely won this trade as Piniella would hit .295 in 11 seasons as a Yankee including four trips to the World Series. McDaniel would only win six games in his two seasons in Kansas City

Also on this day in 1962 the Yankees rookie short stop and left fielder Tom Tresh would win the Rookie of the Year award from the BBWAA. The 24 year old got 13 of the 20 votes from the voters to win the award

Also on this day in 1939 the owners voted on a new rule that would prevent the team who won the pennant the previous year from buying, selling, or trading players the next season. Boy the efforts to hold the Yankees down have been going on forever. The Yankees would finish in third place the next season due to this winter meetings decision.

Finally on this day in 1939 the Yankees Iron Horse Lou Gehrig was elected into the Hall of Fame. The five year waiting period was waved for Gehrig, who played his final game on June 30th of 1939, because of Gehrig's diagnosis of ALS.