Welcome to Spring Training 2018...

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

Now arriving at Steinbrenner Field…everybody!  

Today is the full reporting date for the New York Yankees with the arrival of all remaining position players. It’s an exciting day for the Yankees Universe as the Pinstripers begin preparations for what hopefully will lead to the 28th World Championship for MLB’s most storied franchise and our favorite team.

Even though the Yankees were not in the news, it was a very active Saturday night around Major League Baseball last evening. 

The evening started with news that the Tampa Bay Rays had acquired first baseman/DH C.J. Cron from the Los Angeles Angels. The Cron move, from the Angels perspective, makes sense.  Shohei Otani is expected to take DH time away from Albert Pujols, which will force Pujols to play more first base than he did last year (143 games at DH, 6 games at first). Luis Valbuena has the ability to handle both infield corners, whereas Cron was strictly 1B/DH, making the latter the more expendable of the two. I honestly do not understand the move from the Rays perspective. They have a need at first base given that Lucas Duda and Logan Morrison, last year’s first basemen, are both currently free agents and not expected to re-sign with the Rays. But to make room for Cron, they designated outfielder Corey Dickerson, the Rays’ sole representative on last year’s AL All-Star team, for assignment.  Dickerson hit .282 last season with 27 home runs and 62 RBI’s (carrying a respectable .815 OPS). The Rays either have a specific trade in mind or they know they have good trade alternatives to consider for Dickerson who will never see the waiver wire.  

The Rays weren’t finished. They followed the Cron trade by sending starter Jake Odorizzi to the Minnesota Twins for shortstop Jermaine Palacios. While I did not want a fly ball pitcher like Odorizzi pitching for the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, I was surprised by the low cost for Minnesota to acquire the pitcher. Zack Littell, one of the prospects that the Yankees sent to the Twins in last year’s head-scratching trade for Jaime Garcia, is rated significantly higher among prospects in the Twins organization than Palacios. Good move by the Twins, but apparently, Tampa Bay Rays GM Erik Neander was drunk-dialing his friends last night. His first words this morning probably were, “OMG, I did what?”  Maybe Yankees GM Brian Cashman should have called Neander last night to ask about Chris Archer.

The evening was capped by the long-awaited and much-anticipated free agent signing of first baseman Eric Hosmer by the San Diego Padres. Hosmer joins the now bearded former Yankee Chase Headley in lovely San Diego.  Hosmer’s deal has two components. 5 years guaranteed for $105 million, with an opt-in for an additional 3 years and $39 million after 2022. Agent Scott Boras ensured that the contract was front-loaded for his client in what has been a very stagnant free agent market. The Hosmer signing has ramifications for several other players.  Hosmer was viewed as a potential fall-back for the Boston Red Sox if they are unsuccessful in their stare-down with free agent outfielder J.D. Martinez. The move also increases the likelihood Mike Moustakas re-signs with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals preferred Hosmer over Moustakas but now that Hosmer is off the table, the Royals will most likely attempt to bring back Moose Tacos, eliminating any thoughts that the third baseman might accept a one year pillow contract with the Yankees.  

It’s only been a few days but I am very impressed with how Gleyber Torres has handled himself this spring. He’s so young (21) but he shows maturity beyond his years. He has made a very strong effort to converse in English which is never an easy thing to do. Most of us raised with English as our primary language struggle with it. Torres wants to make the Opening Day roster but he has stated he would understand if he has to go to the minors to start the season.  His words, from what I’ve seen, are team-oriented and not selfish like some players. He is my favorite to be the Yankees starting second baseman, either on Opening Day or within a few weeks after the season has started. Even though the Yankees have publicly stated that service time will not be a consideration, I am convinced the Yankees, given a choice, would wait to start Gleyber’s service time clock to delay free agency by a year. He is an exciting player and once he grabs second base, he’ll be a long-term fixture in the Bronx.  

Photo Credit: New York Post (Charles Wenzelberg)

It may be inevitable that Manny Machado and the Yankees join forces after the season, but I have reservations. Manny will head into the season as Baltimore’s starting shortstop, his preferred position, and is making comments that he expects to player there for a very long time. According to Machado, “This is where my heart has always been, this is what I’ve wanted to do.  This is what I’ve always wanted to do. This what I came into this world to do — to play shortstop at the big league level. Finally, Buck and the Baltimore organization are giving me the opportunity to go out there and do what I can at that position and show myself. That’s been my dream all along. I’m really looking forward to it.” Machado added, “Once I do it this year, it’s not something that’s just switching off. I’m making the transition. Hopefully, I want to stay there and continue doing it. This is where my heart has always been. Finally getting an opportunity to do it for a full season. I’m looking forward to it, and hopefully I can continue playing [shortstop] for a long time.” I’ve seen comments say the Yankees would/should move Didi Gregorius to third base to accommodate Machado. I am sorry but that’s not a price I think the Yankees should pay. Didi has earned the right to be the team’s starting shortstop. He’s such a team guy that I am sure he’d make the move if asked, but why should he? I like Machado but there are other options. I really hope that Miguel Andujar grabs third base this year and runs with it, eliminating the need for Machado. The plan for next offseason should not be ‘Machado or Bust’ unless he recognizes that the only path to the Bronx is and should be third base. Andujar has the ability to make this entire issue moot.

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Jonathan Daniel)

Here are the number assignments for the Yankees coaching staff (thanks to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com):

17-Aaron Boone, Manager

59-Josh Bard, Bench Coach

60-Mike Harkey, Bullpen Coach

64-Carlos Mendoza, Infield Coordinator/Quality Control Coach

53-Phil Nevin, Third Base Coach

63-P.J. Pilittere, Assistant Hitting Coach

58-Larry Rothschild, Pitching Coach

62-Marcus Thames, Hitting Coach

50-Reggie Willits, First Base Coach/Outfield Instructor

It’s going to be fun to watch the coming days at Steinbrenner Field. Granted, it will be a disappointment if this year’s team falls short of its quest for a World Championship, but the ride is going to be magnificent. Welcome Yankees, one and all!  Let’s get to work.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Go Yankees!

All Talk But No Action...

Waiting for Santa Claus in the Yankees Universe…

My thoughts that this could be a busy week took a hit yesterday when it was very quiet in the Yankees Universe and around baseball.

One of The Greedy Pinstripes co-owners (Bryan Van Dusen) took it as an opportunity to make a compelling argument for the acquisition of Danny Duffy of the Kansas City Royals. I personally do not feel that the Kansas City Royals will trade Duffy. The organization actually received somewhat good news on Monday when the Boston Red Sox re-signed first baseman Mitch Moreland to a two-year, $13 million deal. The signing presumably removes the Red Sox from the first base market (they had been rumored as the favored destination for Royals free agent Eric Hosmer). There is now actually optimism in Kansas City that the Royals could re-sign Hosmer. The San Diego Padres have been mentioned as a possibility for Hosmer but they would have to move Wil Myers back to the outfield (defensively-speaking, Myers has been better at first than in the outfield) and they’d give up a second round draft pick as compensation since Hosmer received a qualifying offer from the Royals. The New York Mets and the St Louis Cardinals remain possibilities for Hosmer too, but if the Royals are successful in bringing Hosmer back to KC, they are not going to “tank it” for a major rebuild. This means they are not going to give up one of their best young pitchers in Duffy who is under team control for the next four years.  Duffy is also on record saying “Bury me a Royal” on Twitter in response to trade rumors. There’s no reason for the Royals to trade Duffy at the moment. Once they do trade Duffy, if they do, it will be a signal the team is ready to lose for the short term.  I don’t think they are at that point yet so I don’t see Duffy as a present alternative for the Yankees.  

The other TGP owner, Daniel Burch, has repeatedly said that the longer trade rumors persist about the Yankees acquiring Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates, the less likely it will actually happen. I agree with that assessment as GM Brian Cashman has a reputation for striking quickly in stealth mode. Hence, the Ninja reputation.  

Michael Fulmer does not presently appear to be an option since the Detroit Tigers are not motivated to make a deal. I am sure that every call between Tigers GM Al Avila and Cashman begins with “Are you ready to deal Gleyber Torres?” which abruptly ends the conversation.

So, at the moment, the frontrunner for rotation help appears to be Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

The D-Backs would love to re-sign outfielder J.D. Martinez (who remains the primary target for the Red Sox) but they would need to move some salary to make it happen. It’s funny how every Yankees move is somehow tied to the Red Sox.  Corbin is arbitration eligible for his final year before free agency. He will get more expensive so now is the time for the D-Backs to make a move to ensure they do not lose the pitcher for nothing next off-season. He made a hair under $4 million last season. The D-Backs have a number of arbitration eligible players this off-season so moving Corbin would help control escalating costs while bringing back quality prospects. Corbin was terrific after the All-Star Break last year when he went 8-4 with a 3.26 ERA in his final 15 starts. MLB Trade Rumors is projecting that Corbin’s 2018 salary will be $8.3 million. The 28-year-old lefty would certainly represent an upgrade for the Yankees rotation and the cost shouldn’t involve the team’s best prospects. 2B/3B Brandon Drury has been frequently mentioned with Corbin’s name and he’d provide some help for the Yankees at those positions. Drury made $559,300 last season and is not arbitration eligible until 2019. The 25-year-old righty hit .267 with 13 HR and 63 RBI in 445 AB’s in 2017.  

However, this trade rumor has been hanging out there since the Baseball Winter Meetings so the “Burch Rule” is probably in play (less likely to happen with each passing day).  

As for third base options, I keep hoping that the Yankees can find a way to bring back Todd Frazier. A one-year contract with an option for one or two more years seems like the best team fit, but the player may feel that he can get more years elsewhere. Buster Olney floated the idea on Twitter yesterday that the Yankees would be a great fit for Mike Moustakas on a one-year deal which of course was met with laughter that Moose Tacos would actually accept one year (his agent is Scott Boras after all). But in theory, I love the idea for the player to build more value in the stacked Yankees lineup and an opportunity to exploit the right field porch before hitting the free agent market next off-season. It will never happen but it’s fun to think about.

Last Star out of Miami, Please Turn Out the Lights…

I feel bad for Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly who remains one of my favorite people in baseball. After the Giancarlo Stanton trade, he publicly made comments about his excitement for the youth movement in Miami. The Marlins have since traded Marcell Ozuna to the St Louis Cardinals and a couple of their remaining young stars (Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto) have expressed desires to leave. Mattingly will soon be fielding a team of minor leaguers at the Major League level. He deserves better. It’s a tough situation for the former Yankees captain regardless of the smile and positive words that he gives publicly.

Credit:  Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post

Well, let’s see what today brings. Go Yankees!

The Yankees and the Big Decisions Looming

The New York Yankees have built an amazing foundation for years to come here in 2017 and that team and foundation has far-exceeded any expectations put on the team this season, and it’s not even close. The 2018 season was always “the” season for the Yankees and with the 2018 season, either way, coming front and center in about a month for New York the team has a ton of big decisions looming. While we wait for the Orioles and Yankees game this afternoon let’s take a look at some of those potential big decisions and decipher how the Yankees will go about making those big decisions. Will we be talking about these decisions as the deciding factor in the 2018 World Series like many of the fans planned? Or will all be collectively back to screaming “Fire Cashman” even if he isn’t the GM of the team anymore when it all goes down?

CC Sabathia set to be a free agent and while many Yankees fans, myself included, have been counting down the days until the big left-hander hits free agency the craziest ideas are starting to pop up. Many are wondering if it would be in the Yankees best interest to bring back Sabathia on a one-year deal for insurance purposes and honestly, it’s a good idea if you ask me. If Sabathia’s knee finally gives out or if he pulls a Roger Clemens and “misremembers” how to pitch then a simply DFA or a Mark Teixeira or Alex Rodriguez type handout could easily be in order. This is all dependent on a lot of things but none of them bigger than the Masahiro Tanaka opt-out that’s looming, the Shohei Otani potential signing and the emergence and development of Chance Adams and others. If you ask me here on September 16 though I say give the big man a one-year deal worth $10 million or so.

Speaking of starting pitching and the Tanaka opt-out clause the Yankees have another big decision regarding that. Obviously the decision making process is all in Tanaka’s hands but the big decision for the Yankees comes if Tanaka decides to opt-out. Do the Yankees offer Tanaka a bigger, and presumably longer contract to come back to the Bronx? I would personally advise against that honestly but if history is any indicator of the future then the Yankees will at least entertain the idea. Will the team shift their focus to Shohei Otani instead? Honestly I think the team will be all-in, or as all-in as they can be, for Otani regardless of the Tanaka decision. Will the team simply plug the hole via free agency? I don’t see any slam dunks there and the Yankees will be trying to get under the luxury tax threshold anyway so I can’t see the team splurging for much if Tanaka were to opt-out and not come back. Could we be seeing the last of Tanaka in pinstripes? Stay tuned.

The final starting pitching decision for the Yankees this offseason will be the decision on what to do with Michael Pineda after a Tommy John surgery in July likely ended any chances of the right-hander pitching in 2018. The Yankees faced a similar situation with Nathan Eovaldi recently and let the flamethrower head to the Tampa Bay Rays but the team could conceivably sign Pineda to a two-year deal loaded down with incentives with the purpose of keeping him under contract for the 2019 season. With the roster crunch the Yankees have going on and all the young players the team has coming through the pipeline it seems unlikely that the Yankees would do so but Pineda has a talent and a right arm that is worth taking a chance on in my opinion. If I were a betting man though I’d say he will likely be wearing another uniform here in 2018 though and not the Yankees pinstripes.

I know I’m crazy and I know I’ll probably catch a lot of flak for this but I really, really want to bring back Todd Frazier for the 2018 season. Of course if Frazier is looking for an astronomical contract then my opinion would change but Frazier just doesn’t seem like that kind of player to me. Frazier, set to be a free agent at the end of the season, is a great clubhouse guy and he is versatile as hell. Now I know what many are thinking, what about Miguel Andujar? What about Gleyber Torres? Why would I want to block the third base position from either of those two players? First of all either of them making the Major League roster and contributing is a guarantee but New York has a backup plan if either or both of them do, first base. Frazier can be more than adequate at first base defensively and can also be counted on in the DH position as Matt Holliday hits free agency. I can see a young team like the Yankees will have in 2018 putting those thumbs down every time Frazier hits a home run or knocks in an RBI all year long next season.

Speaking of Matt Holliday the 37-year old slugger is likely seeing his final at-bats inside Yankees pinstripes as we sprint towards the end of the 2017 season. The signing of Holliday was great in theory and was working out marvelously until Holliday got hit with the Epstein-Barr virus that has seemingly and presumably zapped him of all his power and stamina. Holliday has served his purpose here in the Bronx both on the field and off the field as he worked with Aaron Judge, Brett Gardner and others and the Yankees need to realize that. Thank him for his services and wish him luck on his next stop and for the 2018 season.

Now I know what you’re thinking, why bring back Todd Frazier when you have somewhat of a mirror image of him already under contract in Chase Headley? Because Frazier is better, that’s why. Now all of this is contingent obviously on the contract demands of Frazier but if the Yankees can bring back the Toddfather then the team can immediately start looking for trade partners for Headley. According to the Yankees GM Brian Cashman the team discussed moving Headley last offseason and could presumably rehash some of those conversations with just one-year and $13 million remaining on the Headley contract in 2018. If not Headley can split time between first base, third base and DH until Gleyber Torres and/or Miguel Andujar is ready to take over the position at third base permanently.

Speaking of first base the final decision the Yankees have looming is what to do at first base. For the second consecutive season the Yankees “first baseman of the future” Greg Bird has not been able to stay on the field due to injuries leaving the Yankees not only scratching their heads, but frustrated. With so many options on the roster, albeit less than ideal and not natural options, for the first base position and a player hitting free agency that the Yankees really like in Eric Hosmer could we be seeing the end of Greg Bird? Could the Yankees package Bird and Headley, plus prospects, in a deal to fill a hole or to bring in more prospects after trading away quite a few in July and August this season? Honestly I think Hosmer will be too rich for the suddenly austerity-driven Yankees which only works in Bird’s favor but weirder things have happened here in the Bronx. Especially with a Steinbrenner running the show and writing the checks.

So what will the Yankees do? Honestly I think the team brings Sabathia back for the 2018 season, the thought of the partially torn ulnar collateral ligament and a less-than-stellar 2017 campaign keeps Tanaka in pinstripes, the team makes a serious run at Otani but loses out to a National League team which allows him to hit every fifth day, and the team runs Bird back out there for Opening Day 2018. The Frazier and Headley situation will be an interesting one to watch but the Yankees will likely see Headley as a sunk cost, if they trade him the team will likely have to eat some of his salary after a couple down seasons in the Bronx, and let Frazier walk via free agency if I were to guess. Again though, weirder things have happened with a Steinbrenner running the show though so you will just have to stay tuned. 

Looking Ahead to 2018: Potential Free Agent Offensive Additions

So we saw who the Yankees could be potentially losing via free agency this coming offseason so let’s once again look ahead to 2018 and see who the team could potentially fill those holes with. Let us first take a look at the potential offensive upgrades that the Yankees could add this coming offseason and at a later time we will look at the pitching. Keep in mind that this is all hypothetical and as it stands today, everything is subject to change in a moment’s notice.

Remember when I, and many Yankees fans, clamored so hard for Justin Upton in Yankees pinstripes? Well that didn’t happen but the beating of the drum could happen again in 2018 if the Tigers outfielder opts out of his six-year deal with Detroit with four-years and $88.5 million remaining. The Tigers are looking to rebuild and Upton has continued to produce which means even if he doesn’t get a pay raise the right-hander would get on a better team and that alone is worth its weight in gold. I don’t think the Yankees need an outfielder though so cross Upton off the list for New York.

Greg Bird is the first baseman of the future but let’s just assume that Bird isn’t healthy heading into the offseason and let’s assume the Yankees want a bit of insurance at the position for the 2018 season. It isn’t really all that far-fetched since the team signed Chris Carter this past offseason to platoon with Bird so who is to say the team won’t again in 2018? There’s many free agent first baseman expected to be available including Yonder Alonso, Lucas Duda, Logan Morrison, Mitch Moreland, Mike Napoli and Mark Reynolds to name a few. Presumably the Yankees would prefer a right-handed option to compliment Bird meaning that Reynolds, a former Yankee, and Napoli move to the front of the line. Neither are ideal, Reynolds strikes out a lot and his defense is mediocre while Napoli is aging and is more of a DH-or-bust at this point in his career, but the Yankees have been dealing with a less than ideal situation at the position all season long anyway. Could it get much worse? You could also throw Todd Frazier into the mix here although I believe the third baseman will prefer to stay on the other side of the diamond as he hits free agency this offseason.

Sticking with the first base position but looking in areas that will likely exceed what the Yankees are willing to pay you find the bats of Carlos Santana of the Cleveland Indians and Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals. Santana has taken a step back in 2017 after posting 34 home runs and a 3.7 WAR in 2016 but his walk rate has been steady and his stats this season have been in line with his career norms. The problem is Santana is going to want to cash in after that strong 2016 season, even if 2017 hasn’t gone exactly according to plan, and even in a stacked free agent pool there should be plenty of money to go around for Santana. Meanwhile Hosmer is not someone who has ever really impressed me much. Sure his bat is nice and he is just 28-years old but advanced metrics show Hosmer as a very limited fielder and his -0.2 WAR in 2016, a season in which he made the All-Star team for the first time in his career, doesn’t exactly make me want to run home screaming to mom about him. Hosmer is durable and Hosmer can hit but his career wRC+ (109) is lower than Lucas Duda’s (124) who can also be had on the free agent market and if I were a betting man I’d say Duda gets significantly less than Hosmer in 2018 in terms of both years and dollars respectively.

The final player I want to showcase here is a bit of a “Get Greedy” kind of player. This player isn’t a player that the New York Yankees necessarily need but is a player that could rotate in and out of the outfield as well as the soon-to-be vacant DH position. J.D. Martinez has somehow flown under the radar for years now and that was never more evident than when the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired the outfielder from the Detroit Tigers without giving up a single blue-chip prospect. Since the start of the 2014 season only Mike Trout, Nolan Arenado and Giancarlo Stanton have put up higher slugging percentage numbers than Martinez, and keep in mind that Martinez was doing this inside Comerica Park in Detroit which is historically a pitcher’s park, yet somehow still Martinez is not what I would consider a household name. Now the teammate of another player, Paul Goldschmidt, who isn’t really a household name but should be, Martinez is gearing up to cash in on the free agent market in 2018. If anyone notices that is. If no one does notice it would behoove the Yankees to not make a run at him on a shorter term deal in my opinion to see if they could snag a great free agent option for less. Dare I say, Ninja Cashman. Martinez is not going to win you a Gold Glove out there in the outfield, hence why I said he could split time as the DH as well, and has been a bit injury prone throughout his career but he is just 30-years old and would likely only command a three-or-four year deal while having the same wRC+ (145) as Miguel Cabrera has had over the past three seasons.

Get Greedy and get Martinez if you can. If not and if the team wants a platoon and an insurance option at first base then sign a Mike Napoli and call it a day. Either way it looks like there won’t be much offensive help coming or much heavy lifting to be found in the Bronx before the 2018 season on the free agent market. Or I could be completely wrong, that’s happened more than once. 

July 31st Trade Deadline Countdown: First Base

EDIT: The Gleyber Torres mention was written before his Tommy John surgery prognosis.

The countdown until the July 31^st trading deadline in Major League Baseball has officially begun. Why? Because we said so. In years past, and this year will likely be no different, it seemed like teams were jumping the gun earlier and earlier thus grabbing the best talent before the hot stove even had time to reach its optimal baking temperature. With the news that Greg Bird is, according to Bryan Van Dusen anyway, not ready to fly the Yankees may look at first basemen before the deadline. Or they may not and may opt to stay within the organization to fill the void, we will touch on both possibilities in this blog post this morning.

Brian Cashman himself has said that the Yankees would stick with what they have while they wait on Greg Bird to return, which means more Rob Refsnyder, Matt Holliday and Chris Carter, but who really trusts anything that Brian Cashman says at this point? Remember when Bubba Crosby was the team’s starting center fielder? Johnny Damon does. I did find it interesting though that Cashman did not at least mention or seem to entertain the idea of bringing Tyler Austin back to the Major Leagues to give him a shot. Austin would be a defensive upgrade over any of the three players mentioned above and he can also play the outfield making him versatile and all the more useful in my opinion.

Obviously the Yankees aren’t going to sell the farm for a first baseman so maybe a rental that could easily be designated for assignment would be the best course of action for New York. The team is still sold on Bird, he is just taking longer to heal than expected and honestly the team probably didn’t truly believe they would be in first place right now either. Eric Hosmer is out there but he would be expensive, even as a rental, so it makes you wonder if a Pedro Alvarez, a James Loney or even a Ryan Howard could make sense. I’m not looking for a guy that is going to set the world on fire with a .300 average and 30 home runs in the second half but someone who will take his walks and man the position adequately. The Yankees first base defense is horrendous right now and with players like Chase Headley who already struggle with their throwing arms the team may give away more runs with a Chris Carter at first base than he will ever drive in.

This question is not easily answered in my opinion. It all depends on Bird and how he bounced back from fouling that ball off his knee and whether his bruised ankle is healthy. If it is then the Yankees can survive with Carter, Holliday and Refsnyder. If it isn’t healthy then the Yankees may need to make a move or three like, and here is something to think about as we end the post, moving Chase Headley to first and bringing up Gleyber Torres for third. Again, just a thought. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below. 

If the Royals Begin a Fire Sale…

If I had to choose one single word to describe the Kansas City Royals this season it would be the word “terrible.” Now I’m not trying to talk trash or be malicious in anyway but their record supports my word of choice and so does their play on the field. Generally, especially with a team who has a fast closing window to compete, a team that is struggling right around the July 31^st trading deadline has what we like to call in the business a “fire sale.” If the Kansas City Royals do indeed have a fire sale then I can think of at least one member of their team I’d like the Yankees to take a look at. Maybe two. Maybe more, because I’m greedy.

First base has been a thorn in the side of the Yankees all season long and the Royals have a pretty nice first baseman in Eric Hosmer, could these two teams match up for a trade this July? Hosmer isn’t hitting for much power this season, just five home runs at the time of this writing, but the Yankees first baseman haven’t been hitting at all this season. Period. Hosmer is hitting over .300 with an adequate on-base percentage of .360. The Royals are in last place in the American League Central Division and Hosmer is a free agent at the end of the season making him likely available and likely “cheap” in terms of prospects.

Hosmer is just now entering his age 27 season and if the Yankees were to acquire him and then retain him past the 2017 season he could be a huge part of the Yankees team for easily the next 5-10 seasons. There’s an argument that could be made because Greg Bird is being donned as the first baseman of the future here in the Bronx but at the same time Hosmer comes with no guarantees attached to him beyond this season. The Yankees already have Chris Carter who is splitting time at first base, and he would have to likely be traded or designated for assignment to facilitate a Hosmer trade, so it is not out of the realm of possibilities of having a platoon type situation at first base with Hosmer and Bird.

I am of the mindset that the players that make the team the best that they can be should be here. It is not on me to figure out how to make the pieces work once they get here, that’s Joe Girardi’s job. I just want a player of the caliber of Hosmer here, especially if it fills a huge hole and void on the team this season. If the Royals are selling I am definitely listening and if the price is right, which is what it always comes down to, I’m buying as well. Where do I sign?

No Rentals!

"Yankees GM is too tough. I think I should go back to being a bartender."

Yes, we all want the Yankees to win, so it makes sense that some people want the Yankees to make a big trade. But, and I've said it numerous times on many different platforms, the 2017 season is about a lot more than just the 2017 season. 2017 is, first and foremost, about preparing for the future. It's about guys like Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino. It's about prospects such as Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier, and Chance Adams. 2017 is about building a dynasty... not going all in for a shot at one World Series title.

1996 was incredible. 1998 was unreal. 1999 was great. 2000 was... just pick another synonym please. But what made being a Yankees fan so much fun was all those years put together. It was looking back at four World Series titles in just five years. Heck, even though they lost in 2001 and 2003, it's still amazing to look back at all those teams accomplished.

And those titles didn't occur because of mid-season trades. Sure, they helped, but it was a strong core of players that allowed the Yankees to add a piece here or there to make a championship happen.

Do you realize that Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius (1095 and over 531 games played, respectively) will be part of the Yankees' veteran leadership next season? For reference, Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge, and Greg Bird have played a combined 226 games.

Of course, we may still have guys like Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Chase Headley next year. Yeah... "may". The Yankees are reportedly already looking to replace Headley at 3B, and I would be surprised if both Gardner and Ellsbury were still in pinstripes by Opening Day 2018.

So you have to take that information into account when talking about trades. The Yanks are doing a great job of implementing what I think is an outstanding plan. I'm not going to anoint anybody as part of the new Core Five, but we're already seeing a strong core of young players that the team can build around for a long, long, time. Don't mess that up by bringing in somebody to block Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier, or Chance Adams.

And they sure as hell better not mess that up by trading away a top prospect for somebody that would likely be wearing a different uniform a year from now.

Rentals, at least good ones, do not come cheap. Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Yu Darvish... those three, and others like them, are not going to be acquired for a handful of B and C-level prospects. If you really want those guys on the Yankees, then you better be prepared to lose something of value. You better be prepared to look back on that trade and wonder "what if".

I, for one, hope like hell that I don't have to prepare myself for something like that.

What About Danny Duffy and/or Eric Hosmer?

The New York Yankees are building towards the future while one other team in the American League has their future in mind for an entirely different set of reasons. While the Yankees don’t plan on putting the World Series or bust mantra back on the team’s shoulders until at least the 2018 or 2019 season the Kansas City Royals are headed in an entirely different direction. While one window opens, the Yankees window, another one closes and that closing window belongs to the Kansas City Royals. Can and should the Yankees take advantage of that?

After the 2017 season the Royals will have three integral parts of their team, barring extensions between then and now of course, hitting free agency in outfielder Lorenzo Cain, first baseman Eric Hosmer and LHP Danny Duffy. Kansas City, being the small market team that they are, presumably does not want to lose these guys for nothing in return so I wonder if it’s worth making the phone call to see if they could be had not rather than wait until July.

You are playing with fire the longer you wait to make a serious phone call and have a serious discussion with Dayton Moore and company in my opinion because Kansas City may actually compete in 2017. If the team competes and is in the hunt for an American League Central Division title, which will be likely with the Chicago White Sox selling off pieces and the Detroit Tigers at least vocal about their willingness to sell off pieces, they will not be trading these players before the July 31^st trading deadline. If you ask their GM now though he may be willing to move one or two of them, preferably Hosmer and/or Duffy in the Yankees case, now rather than risk it later.

I don’t pretend to know what the exact needs of the Royals is when it comes to their minor league system and their farm teams but I know they would want salary relief and prospects in return and that is two things the Yankees have plenty of at this point in the game. Now would I give up Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier or anyone in the Top 10 for one year of either Hosmer or Duffy? I wouldn’t personally, Brian Cashman might, but would I give them one or two prospects from the #11 - #20 spots? Sure, in a heartbeat I would. I would also try and extend a guy like Duffy as well but that’s another discussion for another blog post.

So should the Yankees and Royals begin talking? In my opinion, yes. It doesn’t hurt to ask because like the New York Lottery “hey, you never know.”

Fantasy Baseball: So You Need a First Baseman?

So you want to build a snow… wait, wrong blog. Sorry about that. So you want to build a strong fantasy baseball team this year but you’re not quite sure who to choose as your first baseman? Don’t fret and keep reading as I try to rank and educate on the first baseman across the league much like we ranked the catchers around the league earlier this month. First baseman are usually a lot easier to find than catchers are but the right first baseman can give your offense and team the lift it needs when facing tough competition in a close week. 

Obviously at the top you have the Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt but if you’re not lucky enough to have one of the top two or three picks (FYI he should never fall to three) then you may want to consider, in this order, Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs, Edwin Encarnacion of the Toronto Blue Jays, Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers and Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox. Rizzo is something special and may be playing with one of the best offensive teams in the league giving him plenty of RBI and runs scored opportunities while the same can be said for Encarnacion. Encarnacion was fantastic last season and may only be the third best hitter on his team, let that sink in. Meanwhile I like Abreu better than Cabrera if I am building an All-Star team but Cabrera has the better offense and more protection around him while Abreu will get his fair share of intentional walks in 2016. For those reasons these are my Top 5 first baseman in the league.

To take that list one step further I would have to with Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles sixth, especially since he’s hitting in Camden Yard again, Eric Hosmer of the Kansas City Royals seventh, Joey Votto of the Reds eight, Adrian Gonzalez of the Los Angeles Dodgers ninth and Brandon Belt of the San Francisco Giants 10^th. I like Votto, I like him a lot actually, but he has nothing around him in Cincinnati and will likely receive a lot of the same treatment Jose Abreu will receive in Chicago. I also wanted to put Freddie Freeman on this list somewhere in the Top 10 but could not justify it for the same reasons leaving me to add Belt, Hosmer and A-Gon. 

If you miss out on any of these Top 10 or 11 first baseman there are still true options out there but the risk factors start to show their ugly heads. Players like Albert Pujols, Carlos Santana and Lucas Duda always have injury concerns following them around while Mark Trumbo of Baltimore and Byung-Ho Park of Minnesota come attached to huge question marks and unknowns. And then, for the Yankees fans reading, there is Mark Teixeira. Who knows what to expect out of Teixeira? Will he need a DL stint or three? Will he push for 40 home runs again or will he miss more games than he hits home runs? I have no idea so unless you just need a first baseman and need to take a chance it may be wise to stay away from Teixeira unfortunately.

And there you have it, your first baseball rankings from across the league. If you are unsure of what first baseman to take in your draft then keep this bookmarked as a point of reference. I hope it helps, enjoy!

No Yankees Win a Gold Glove Award

Mark Teixeira, Brett Gardner and Didi Gregorius were up for the American League Gold Glove Awards for their respective positions and none of them won the award. Here is the complete list of Gold Glove Award winners for the American and National League's.

CATCHER

AL: Salvador Perez, Royals
NL: Yadier Molina, Cardinals

FIRST BASE

AL: Eric Hosmer, Royals
NL: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

SECOND BASE

AL: Jose Altuve, Astros
NL: Dee Gordon, Marlins

SHORTSTOP

AL: Alcides Escobar, Royals
NL: Brandon Crawford, Giants

THIRD BASE

AL: Manny Machado, Orioles
NL: Nolan Arenado, Rockies

LEFT FIELD

AL: Yoenis Cespedes, Tigers/Mets
NL: Starling Marte, Pirates

CENTER FIELD

AL: Kevin Kiermaier, Rays
NL: A.J. Pollock, Diamondbacks

RIGHT FIELD

AL: Kole Calhoun, Angels
NL: Jason Heyward, Cardinals

PITCHER

AL: Dallas Keuchel, Astros
NL: Zack Greinke, Dodgers

When Did Bat Flipping & Showing Up Your Opponent Become Okay Again?

Many times I find myself not watching the MLB Playoffs or the World Series if the New York Yankees aren’t in it, I can’t help it but the games just aren’t as interesting for me without a vesting personal interest. This season I decided to go against the grain a bit and watch as much playoff baseball as I could, although obviously I’ve missed more than my fair share, and I see a trend developing that I find to be pretty disturbing, the bat flip and showing up your opponent apparently is okay again.

I saw it happen in the American League Wild Card Game when the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros faced off head-to-head. Carlos Gomez is known to be a confident player, I call it cocky but whatever, and had a bat flip while Colby Rasmus did as well on what turned out to be the game-winning home run off Masahiro Tanaka. I didn’t like it as a fan and I’m sure the Yankees players and Tanaka specifically didn’t appreciate it either, just a hunch. The bat flipping didn’t stop there though as Jose Bautista did one as well in Game 5 of the ALDS. I understand that was the biggest postseason home run since Joe Carter’s walk-off home run against the Philadelphia Phillies but there is a higher purpose at stake here, it’s called respect.

In Game One of the 2015 World Series the Kansas City Royals came from behind to beat the New York Mets on a walk-off sacrifice fly by Royals star Eric Hosmer. Naturally when the winning run crossed the plate in front of his home crowd an emphatic bat flip and helmet toss came along with the victory once again. Celebrating is one thing, disrespecting the opposing team, pitcher and fan base is another and there is a fine line. Bat flips, in my opinion, are crossing that line.

Come to think of it… the Astros lost the series after their bat flips. The Blue Jays lost their series against these same Royals after the Jose Bautista bat flip seen round the world. Are the Royals the next victim of some instant karma? Guess you’ll have to stay tuned. 

Recap: Yankees 5, Royals 1

CC Sabathia logged his second consecutive win, hurling seven solid innings of one-run ball to help the Yankees beat the Royals, 5-1, on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium.

CC Impresses: Sabathia surrendered just six hits and an earned run in his seven frames, walking none and striking out five. He loaded the bases with no outs in the third, but prevented a crooked number with K's of Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer.

Headley is Deadly: The Yankees broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth with a three-run home run from Chase Headley, a line-drive to left on a changeup up in the zone. Mark Teixeira and Carlos Beltran had singled prior to the blast, Headley's second already this week.

No Location: Royals starter Danny Duffy issued three bases-on-balls in the Yankees' half of the third, setting up the suddenly-hot Beltran for an early sac fly. The Yankees had a chance to do more damage against Duffy in the inning -- they had two on with two out after Beltran's RBI -- but Headley ended the threat with a pop to center.

They Have Returned: Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller haven't pitched back-to-back since last Friday, so it was a welcome sight for Yankees fans when the duo relieved Sabathia in the eighth. Betances retired the Royals 1-2-3 in that at-bat, and Miller did the same in the ninth to seal the victory.

An A-Bomb: The Yankees also got some insurance in the ninth courtesy of an Alex Rodriguez solo shot, a high fly to right-center the Royals' outfield could only watch. It was A-Rod's tenth long ball of the season, giving him 664 for his career.

Next Up: The Yankees will try to take this series on Sunday when they battle the Royals in the finale in KC, beginning at 2:10 p.m. ET and airing live on the YES Network. Chris Capuano (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will start for the Yankees in his 2015 debut, facing surging Royals right-hander Edinson Volquez (2-3, 3.19 ERA).

Yankees' Offense Gets Shutout Again in Finale Loss to Royals

Shane Greene surrendered no earned runs in five innings and the bullpen followed him by getting the last twelve outs, but since the offense continued to not do anything the Yankees embarrassingly lost to the Royals today, 2-0, in the rubber game at Yankee Stadium.

Because this contest happened on Derek Jeter day, logically, it was expected the Yanks would put up a solid fight, the least they could do to honor the legend's career.

Nonetheless, for the second time in three days their bats couldn't cross home, a fact only made worse by their recurring defensive struggles.

To start off the day of frustration, the aforementioned Greene side-armed a Nori Aoki grounder into right field with two on and two out in the top of the second, bringing Josh Willingham home to give Kansas City an early lead.

Then in the third, following a drop of a routine flyball by Carlos Beltran and a steal, KC circled the bases again to double their advantage, scoring when Eric Hosmer blooped one into shallow right field to drive in Alex Gordon.

On that play, interestingly, Gordon actually stumbled while rounding third, but since Brian McCann failed to realize his doing so the star third basemen did get in easily, a misfortune that summed up the Yankees' day pretty well.