ICYMI: My Take on the Matt Holliday Signing Before It Happened

EDIT: This is dated as Matt Holliday signed last night but here was my take before this was a reality and when it was just a possibility. Enjoy.

I have to admit that ever since the very beginning of free agency I have been against the idea but I feel like it would be irresponsible of me to not at least make the case for and against Matt Holliday in pinstripes. Holliday wanted to be a Yankee, he was very vocal about it, before signing with the St. Louis Cardinals and now that the 37-year old (in January) is a free agent once again the rumors that he could be Bronx bound are gaining traction once again. Let’s explore.


The New York Yankees have at least been rumored to be interested in the likes of Carlos Beltran and Edwin Encarnacion but you would have to think, especially considering the Yankees newfound sense of austerity, that Holliday would come far cheaper than either of those two DH candidates. Holliday, unlike Beltran, could spell Greg Bird against left-handed pitchers as well and play some first base while also getting some at bats as an outfielder as well. Holliday has played a whopping 1,698 games in left field but his defensive days, and definitely his better defensive days, may already be behind him.





I know I’ve preached for much of this young offseason that I wanted a player to DH that could also be counted on in the outfield and at first base, and Matt Holliday checks all those boxes, but I have also preached seeing the youth movement through until the end. Signing a 37-year old Matt Holliday does not do that, even if he does have a little bit left in the tank. I wouldn’t jump up and down and threaten to boycott the team if Holliday is signed but if you’re asking me if I personally want him, well that answer has to be no.

Most Popular Article of the Week: A Plan for the DH Position & The Youth Movement

EDIT: Well this has been settled, it won't be Aaron Judge, but it's the most popular article nonetheless. Happy Monday all. 

You guys know me by now, I don’t go into anything without a plan. Now whether my plans are good plans are not is another discussion for another day but rest assured, I have a plan. My plan for the DH position is simple, cost effective and it fits in with the current Yankees youth movement as it involves relying once again on the Yankees farm system. In a rotation the Yankees young hitters should go in and out of the DH position but one man should be listed as the “every day DH” and that man is Aaron Judge. So who plays right field you ask? Well between Tyler Austin, Aaron Hicks and/or Mason Williams the Yankees should have that covered but just in case it may be a good idea to call up the Yankees top prospect Clint Frazier as well.


I know what you’re thinking, I’m nut. Well, I am but that isn’t the point. I know Frazier is young and has less than a full season at the Triple-A level and believe me that I am well aware that he struggled some in his limited time there. I get it. I also get that Judge has struggled with MLB pitching, again in a small sample size, but Judge focusing on hitting only can only help him in my eyes. Frazier on the other hand is talented and would step into a right field that doesn’t come attached to a “World Series or bust” type expectation level. The Yankees aren’t planning on competing in 2017 so why not let Frazier get his feet wet?


Frazier is the Yankees top prospect and the 15th best prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com and he comes with raw power and the ability to play any of the three outfield positions and do it well. That’s the kind of versatility and talent the Yankees need at the MLB level. Frazier could slowly get his feet wet and get acclimated to the Major Leagues by the team having that outfield rotation we discussed earlier while gaining invaluable experience and knowledge at the MLB level. Plus I think Judge would be helped as well as he can work with Marcus Thames, one of the Yankees hitting coaches, more one-on-one this winter.





It likely won’t happen because the Yankees are seemingly against rushing their prospects but it makes a bit of sense in my eyes so I presented it. What say you? Leave it below, thanks.

Position by Position Comparisons: New York Yankees vs. Baltimore Orioles

The New York Yankees sat at home and watched as three of their fellow AL East Division mates made the 2016 postseason. Boston won the division, Toronto took home the first Wild Card and a home playoff game and the team they faced off with is also the team the Yankees face off with in this comparisons post, the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles were one-and-done in the 2016 postseason but I feel like they may put up more of a fight this afternoon against the Yankees. Stay tuned and keep reading.

First Base: 

Greg Bird vs. Chris Davis

Second Base:

Starlin Castro vs. Jonathan Schoop

Shortstop:

Didi Gregorius vs. JJ Hardy

Third Base:

Chase Headley vs. Manny Machado

Catcher:

Gary Sanchez vs. Caleb Joseph

DH:

Matt Holliday vs. Trey Mancini

Left Field:

Brett Gardner vs. Hyun Soo Kim

Center Field: 

Jacoby Ellsbury vs. Adam Jones

Right Field: 

Aaron Judge vs. Joey Rickard

"Winner" in my opinion is bolded.

Position by Position Comparisons: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox

The New York Yankees hate missing the playoffs, obviously I am presuming this as I am not inside the clubhouse but I feel safe in saying so, but the team hates it even more when their oldest and most bitter rivals, the Boston Red Sox, make the playoffs. When you want to add salt into the wound, like in 2016, the Red Sox win the division but thankfully for the Yankees they saw Boston's season end in the 2016 ALDS at the hands of the Cleveland Indians. Will Boston get their revenge this afternoon in this comparisons post? Keep reading.

First Base: 

Greg Bird vs. Hanley Ramirez

Second Base:

Starlin Castro vs. Dustin Pedroia

Shortstop:

Didi Gregorius vs. Xander Bogaerts 

Third Base:

Chase Headley vs. Pablo Sandoval/Travis Shaw

Catcher:

Gary Sanchez vs. Sandy Leon

DH:

Matt Holliday vs. Travis Shaw/Pablo Sandoval

Left Field:

Brett Gardner vs. Andrew Benintendi (for now, not in a year or two)

Center Field: 

Jacoby Ellsbury vs. Jackie Bradley Jr.

Right Field: 

Aaron Judge vs. Mookie Betts

"Winner" in my opinion is bolded.

Position by Position Comparisons: New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Continuing with our preliminary look, position by position, at how the New York Yankees stack up against the rest of the American League East we will take the time this morning to compare the Bronx Bombers to one of the three playoff teams from the division, the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto beat the Baltimore Orioles in the AL Wild Card Game and also beat the Texas Rangers in the ALDS before falling to the Cleveland Indians in the 2016 ALCS. Will they beat the Yankees this morning in our comparison without Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion?

First Base: 

Greg Bird vs. Justin Smoak

Second Base:

Starlin Castro vs. Devon Travis

Shortstop:

Didi Gregorius vs. Troy Tulowitzki (this is going to cause a discussion but Tulo doesn't impress me as much as he used to aside from his power output)

Third Base:

Chase Headley vs. Josh Donaldson

Catcher:

Gary Sanchez vs. Russell Martin

DH:

Matt Holliday vs. Kendrys Morales 

Left Field:

Brett Gardner vs.Melvin Upton Jr.

Center Field: 

Jacoby Ellsbury vs. Kevin Pillar

Right Field: 

Aaron Judge vs. Ezequiel Carrera

"Winner" in my opinion is bolded.

Position by Position Comparison: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays

Most of the big named free agents are still on the board so I wanted to take this opportunity to take a before and after look, position by position, at the New York Yankees and how they stack up against the rest of the American League East Division. This is obviously subject to change, and will change, so keep in mind that this is the "before" and not a look into the 2017 season just yet. With that said let's look at how the Tampa Bay Rays stack up with the Bronx Bombers.

First Base: 

Greg Bird vs. Brad Miller

Second Base:

Starlin Castro vs. Logan Forsythe (could have been a push but the tie goes to the Yankee)

Shortstop:

Didi Gregorius vs. Matt Duffy

Third Base:

Chase Headley vs. Evan Longoria

Catcher:

Gary Sanchez vs. Luke Maile

DH:

Matt Holliday vs. Nick Franklin

Left Field:

Brett Gardner vs. Corey Dickerson

Center Field: 

Jacoby Ellsbury vs. Kevin Kiermaier

Right Field: 

Aaron Judge (sample size ladies and gents) vs. Mikie Mahtook

"Winner" in my opinion is bolded.

This Day In New York Yankees History 12/5: Yankee Stadium and Citi Field

On this day in 2001 mayor Rudy Giuliani announced that he wanted to get new stadium deals in place for both the New York Yankees and the New York Mets before he left office. This was coming off the heels of the September 11th attacks on New York and Washington and was thought to boost morale and finances for New York.

Also n this day in 1984 the Yankees acquired Rickey Henderson and pitcher Bert Bradley from the Athletics for pitchers Jay Howell and Jose Rijo along with outfielder Stan Javier and minor league players Tim Birtsas and Eric Plunk. The Yankees, in a separate deal, also acquired pitcher Brian Fisher for catcher Rick Cerone.

Finally on this day in 1975 the Yankees hired Yogi Berra as their manager after he was fired unexpectedly by New York in 1964 following a 99-63 record and an American League pennant. Billy Martin was also hired to be Yogi's bench coach this season.