Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes and Brett Gardner Sitting in a Tree

W-A-I-T-I-N-G. The MLB free agency market for the outfielders has been slow to develop this winter despite the fact that Jason Heyward, the top overall free agent and far and away the top outfield free agent on the market, signed with the Chicago Cubs for $23 million annually. Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes are far and away the best remaining free agents in the outfield on the market and they will likely have to be signed before the New York Yankees can even think about trading one of their own, Mr. Brett Gardner.

I believe that the Yankees and their GM Brian Cashman have made both Brett Gardner and Andrew Miller available for trade this winter and I believe that the Yankees are likely to move Gardner, but not for a while it seems. The way the market is shaping up many teams are waiting for the top-tier free agents to sign before the secondary market begins to take shape. Gardner, as much as we love and adore him as Yankees fans, may lead the secondary market as the best outfielder available but I find it hard to place him in the upper-echelon of outfielders with Upton and Cespedes.

When we begin to see Upton and Cespedes come off the market teams will begin to scramble for talent, we have seen it many times over the years. The dominos always fall and those dominos are holding up much of the market right now. If the Yankees really want to get the ball rolling they can sign one of them themselves, preferably Upton over Cespedes for obvious reasons, but Cashman is not one to get in a hurry during the offseason. Cashman will continue to wait the market out and then pounce, or not, with Gardner. The price is only going to go up on him the closer we get to January and February.

New York has made trades that shocked many as late as spring training, they really don’t mind making additions to the club at any point in the season, so I’m not getting impatient and I’m far from worried yet. I’m just going to sit back, relax and wait for the bigger chips to fall before I start planning my new 25 man roster predictions and lineup predictions without Brett Gardner. 

Miller, McCann Abbott Thurman Munson Award Honorees for 2015

This year’s Thurman Munson Award honorees were announced this week and three either current or former members of the New York Yankees were honored. Those three men were former Yankees pitcher Jim Abbott as well as current Yankees Andrew Miller and Brian McCann. This will be the 36^th annual Thurman Munson Awards and they will take place February 9, 2016 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City.

Abbott was nominated because of his work and inspiration for people with disabilities. Abbott was born with only one hand and still managed to pitch in the Major Leagues and even threw a no-hitter while wearing a Yankees uniform. The awards and benefit help with children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York City. This organization and benefit was started by Dian Munson, Thurman’s widow, and she has attended all 35 award ceremonies prior.

Other men who will be nominated are New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia and 1986 World Series champion Jesse Orosco from the Miracle Mets. The “Voice of the Yankees” Michael Kay will be the Master of the Ceremonies at the event. For tickets call 212-249-6188, email jennifer@emgbenefits.com or jump online at 222.ahrcNYCfoundation.org/events.

How awkward would it be if Miller were to return for the awards as a member of the other team?

This Day in New York Yankees History 12/18: Roger Clemens Plays Defense

On this day in 2007 Roger Clemens went on the defensive when it came to his name being mentioned in the Boston Red Sox loving, Bud Selig loving, Mitchell Report. As you probably remember Clemens trainer Brian McNamee stated in the report that he injected Roger with performance enhancing drugs at least 16 times from 1998 with the Blue Jays to 2000 and 2001 with the Yankees.


Also on this day in 2001 Yankees legend Tino Martinez would leave New York after being replaced by free agent Jason Giambi when he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. Tino signed for three years and $21 million.


Finally on this day in 1973 the Yankees announced the signing of manager Dick Williams. The Yankees would keep their manager for two days before American League president Joe Cronin voided the deal since the Yankees were in the middle of a legal showdown with Charlie Finley.

Pete Kozma & Girlfriend Added To Wives & Girlfriends!

You know us here at The Greedy Pinstripes, we like to do things a little bit different here. We don't recycle the same old news stories with the same old ideas, we at least try and be original. We try and be social and we try to set the trends, not follow them. With that said that was one of the first ideas we had when we started the blog, post the players wives and girlfriends on the site. Other sites have followed suit a bit but none have been up to date like we have been and I take a bit of pride in that.

With that said we announce that we have added Pete Kozma and his girlfriend, Ciarra Adkisson, to the wives and girlfriends section of the site. Check it out HERE and enjoy.

Predictions for the Yankees 25 Man Roster: Pitching

Earlier we took a stab at predicting the 25 man roster for the offense after the Starlin Castro trade with the Chicago Cubs but the pitching took a hit as well. Not only did the Yankees trade Adam Warren to Chicago in the trade that brought Castro back to the Yankees but New York also made another trade during the winter meetings. Yankees GM Brian Cashman sent left-handed relief pitcher Justin Wilson to the Detroit Tigers for a pair of pitching prospects while his bullpen and roster shakeup continued. How will that affect the Yankees in 2016?

SP: Masahiro Tanaka

SP: Luis Severino

SP: Michael Pineda

SP: Nathan Eovaldi

SP: CC Sabathia

CP: Andrew Miller

SU: Dellin Betances

RP: Chasen Shreve

RP: Jacob Lindgren

RP: Branden Pinder

RP: Bryan Mitchell

LR: Ivan Nova

The Brandon Pinder and Jacob Lindgren positions are subject to change and are likely to be a revolving door in 2016. Caleb Cotham, Nick Rumbelow or Nick Goody could easily pitch there instead of Pinder while Tyler Webb or James Pazos could make strides and pass up Lindgren in Spring Training to secure the spot. The other spots seem pretty much etched in stone, even Andrew Miller's spot in my opinion. At some point trading too much bullpen help will become a thing and New York just about there. Miller stays and the youth movement continues while the team tries to contend next season.

GOLDKLANG GROUP REVEALS NEW CAMPAIGN ‘TAKE ME OUT WITH THE CROWD’

FANS AND SPONSORS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY AWARD-WINNING UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AT THE BALLPARK

FLORHAM PARK, NJ (December 14, 2015) - It’s a singular and seemingly innocuous  line from the most recognized song in all of sports, yet it perfectly captures the ballpark experience. Whether spending time with family and friends, participating in the festivities, or simply buying some peanuts and cracker jacks, the phrase ‘Take Me Out With the Crowd’ resonates with every fan.  The Goldklang Group, a sports entertainment ownership and consulting firm, announced the rollout of the new campaign, effective immediately, to be utilized throughout its team advertising and marketing, engagement, communications and digital platforms.  

“Our teams will have a chance to customize their experiences, placing their own spin on this iconic phrase,” said Senior Vice President, The Goldklang Group, Tyler Tumminia.  “The integration of ‘Take Me Out With The Crowd,’ in the footsteps and spirit of ‘Fun Is Good’ and ‘Be Your Own Fan,’ will continue to allow our fans and sponsors the opportunity to create an a la carte experience at our ballparks.”  

The Goldklang Group, Ballpark Digest’s Organization of the Year in 2015, continues to excel at providing top notch, affordable first class entertainment.  Experiences may be specific to each fan and their family and friends, but the atmosphere at the ballparks remains special and unique due to the energy and engagement of the crowd as a whole.  

About the Goldklang Group: The Goldklang Group is a sports entertainment consulting and management firm. The Group provides operational consulting and management services in all areas relating to sports franchise and event acquisition, promotion and operation. The Goldklang Group owns and operates the following organizations: Charleston RiverDogs, Charleston, SC. Hudson Valley Renegades, Fishkill, NY, St. Paul Saints, St. Paul, MN, Pittsfield Suns, Pittsfield, MA. (www.goldklanggroup.com)

If the Cubs Start Selling...

We have done quite a few of these "if the (fill in the team name) start selling) posts here on the blog and today we throw you readers a little bit of a curveball. Instead of showcasing teams that are preparing for rebuilding processes and instead of showcasing teams that are selling off any and every arbitration eligible player or beyond player they have on the team I figured we could also look at a team that now has a bit of a surplus at one position. The Chicago Cubs grabbed the best free agent on the market in Jason Heyward and may not start selling off an outfielder or two, specifically Javier Baez or Jorge Soler. Should the Yankees be interested?

Of course they should. Once the outfield position and their best free agents start to fall the second tier guys will begin to come off the board. That's when you will get optimal value out of a 32-year old Brett Gardner in a trade. Essentially cornering the market and making a trade for either Baez or Soler only to trade Gardner for a substantial haul later makes sense on paper but do the Yankees have the pieces to get it done, and are they willing to give them up?

If you're looking at Baez I think the Yankees are a bit of a stretch in the running for him. The Tampa Bay Rays have been discussing a trade for either Matt Moore or Alex Cobb to get Baez back and unless the Yankees are willing to part with one of their better starting pitchers in an already weak and question mark ridden rotation they are not going to get Baez. What about Soler?

Jorge Soler is right-handed, something the Yankees are looking for, he's young, another check in the box for the Yankees, and he's cost-controlled for the next five seasons. Soler signed a nine year deal with the Cubs worth $30 million that will keep him under team control through the 2020 season. Soler is just 23-years old and projects to be a 15-20 home run guy, or more, at the peak of his MLB career. Truth be told he may not be a huge offensive or defensive upgrade over Gardner but he is nine years younger and much cheaper. Soler fits the mold of what the Yankees are trying to do, rebuild on the fly but still compete in 2016.

I don't pretend to be an expert on the Chicago Cubs needs or farm system but you would have to think they would want pitching back for Soler. Either in the starting rotation or in the bullpen. The Yankees match up decently here with one of Ivan Nova, Bryan Mitchell, Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda available with a plethora of bullpen arms that are MLB ready and that could be included. I'm not saying a deal will be made but this would be the perfect deal for the New York Yankees, Brian Cashman... are you listening?

Predictions for the Yankees 25 Man Roster: Offense

The offense got a little bit of a shakeup during this year's winter meetings as the New York Yankees acquired Starlin Castro to play second base. The Yankees, unofficially, sent their utility man Brendan Ryan to the Cubs along with relief pitcher Adam Warren in the deal. Also Dustin Ackley will likely be sent to the bench while Robert Refsnyder is probably destined for the minor leagues on Opening Day. What does that leave the Yankees, offensively speaking, on the active roster for Opening Day 2016?

C: Brian McCann

1B: Mark Teixeira

2B: Starlin Castro

SS: Didi Gregorius

3B: Chase Headley

LF: Brett Gardner

CF: Jacoby Ellsbury

RF: Carlos Beltran

DH: Alex Rodriguez

BN: Gary Sanchez

BN: Pete Kozma

BN: Dustin Ackley

BN: Aaron Hicks

Those are my predictions and there aren't likely many predictions that are going to make you turn your head. I don't see Brett Gardner being traded with all the talent available on the free agent market, specifically outfielders, and the bench will likely be made up of Hicks, Sanchez and Ackley. The only surprise I guess you could say is Pete Kozma making the roster but it shouldn't. Kozma can play shortstop and third base and was called a Brendan Ryan clone when acquired. Why wouldn't he take his roster spot now that he's traded? Especially since the Yankees have two open spots on the 40 man roster.

Those are mine, what are yours?

Congratulations to Robert Refsnyder!!

#monicagotrobbed pic.twitter.com/Gne9YbWrYW

— Aaron Judge (@TheJudge44) December 12, 2015

We want to start out this morning by wishing one of my very favorite players and one of the Yankees top prospects Robert Refsnyder a big congratulations. Refsnyder married his fiance this past weekend and while he stayed quite about it for the most part Aaron Judge was there to keep us fans in the loop. Judge, Mason Williams, Greg Bird and others were in attendance while Refsnyder married. Cool and congrats to Refsnyder!

#monicagotrobbed pic.twitter.com/79qN7yv2iv

— Aaron Judge (@TheJudge44) December 13, 2015

This Day in New York Yankees History 12/17: Hip Hip Jorge, Rivera, A Rod and Pettitte

On this day in 2007 the Yankees continued their offseason of resigning their own free agents as they signed 38 year old closer Mariano Rivera to a new three year deal. The deal was worth $45 million and came on the heels of the Yankees resigning Alex Rodriguez to a 10 year deal worth $275 million, Jorge Posada for four years and $52.4 million, and Andy Pettitte for one year and $16 million.


Also on this day in 2004 a three way deal involving the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Arizona Diamondbacks fell through when the Dodgers backed out at the last second. The deal would have brought Randy Johnson from Arizona and Kaz Ishii from the Dodgers to the Yankees, Shawn Green and Brad Penny being sent to the Diamondbacks from the Dodgers, and Javier Vazquez and prospects going to the Dodgers.


Also on this day in 2003 the Yankees finalized a three year deal with Gary Sheffield worth $39 million. Sheffield was coming off of season where he put up a .330 batting average with 39 home runs and 132 RBI's. There was also a team option for $13 million for the 2007 season that brought Sheffield to New York after he made his name with the Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, and the San Diego Padres.


Finally on this day in 1924 the New York Yankees traded three pitchers to acquire Urban Shocker from the Browns. Shocker is coming off of four consecutive 20 win seasons after the Yankees traded him to St. Louis in 1918.