Sonny Gray Out, Lance Lynn In

I guess that will maybe wipe that smug smirk and smile off your face, huh? Enjoy the bullpen, or the bench in the bullpen, while Lance Lynn takes your turn in the rotation every fifth day, ass hat.

An Unforgettable Day in the Yankees Universe...

I’d Like to Forget Yesterday’s Game but Thurman Munson was a bigger loss…

This is always a tough day as I am sure it is for any Yankees fan who grew up with the Bronx Zoo Yankees.  It has been 39 years since the death of my favorite Yankee, a day that I can still so vividly remember. One of those ‘you know exactly where you were’ moments in life.  I’ve had many favorite ball players over the years but none have matched the intensity and passion that drove Yankees Captain and star catcher Thurman Munson. It’s not to say that guys like Jorge Posada or Don Mattingly or Derek Jeter weren’t passionate or intense, they were, but there was something about Thurman that set him apart. Looking back, the early George Steinbrenner Era was so chaotic.  It’s what I grew up with so changing managers every year was the norm. Signing the most glamorous superstars in the off-season was expected. The polarization of players like Reggie Jackson was simply daily life in the Bronx. The one constant was the strength (mentally and physically) of the team’s legendary catcher. I loved that guy and miss him to this day.

My first Yankees jersey was number 15. I wish I still had it even if it had been a child’s size. 

My biggest fear in the late ‘70’s was the eventual departure of Munson from the Yankees. I remember the days when he was talking more and more like a guy who wanted to play for the Cleveland Indians so that he could be closer to home. It was clear how much family meant to him. I selfishly wanted him to stay but in retrospect, I would have gladly taken his presence on the Indians roster for the later years of his career over his early demise.

Thurman, we are thinking of you. We miss you. Your spirit and memory continue to run strong through the fabric of Yankee Stadium even if the current one was not yet built in 1979. I remain forever grateful that you were and always will be a Yankee. You stand tall among the Yankee Legends.

How do you transition from ‘GREAT’ to, as Mike Axisa of River Ave Blues would put it, not so ‘GRAYT’? Sadly, that’s what comparing today to yesterday brings when talking about certain players (specifically excluding the tragic death of one of the most beloved Yankees). 

I am done with Sonny Gray.  He had already reached ‘Sonny Gray Sucks!’ status for me earlier this year, but I foolishly bought into the last couple of starts which were somewhat decent.  I had been hopeful that he was finally turning the corner and headed down the path of promise we once felt he was destined for.  Then he blows up against one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball. By the time Lance Lynn entered the game to calm the troops, the damage had been done.  Gleyber Torres tried to bring the team back with his two home runs but an inability of others to create opportunities when the bases were loaded was too much.  Lots of negatives in the game.  Gleyber’s fielding, the whiffs with run scoring opportunities, the third base coach going off on the team in the dugout for their lackadaisical effort, etc. It was not a good game from any aspect, but at the heart was the pathetic performance delivered by one Sonny Douglas Gray. His smile walking off the mound (regardless of his explanation) was horrific.  Ed Whitson couldn’t pitch in the Bronx, nor could Javier Vazquez. A.J. Burnett flamed out. Following in their footsteps is Gray. I firmly believe that Gray would thrive in a place like Pittsburgh or Milwaukee, but he’ll never be the man in the Bronx. He is incapable of rising to the occasion on Major League Baseball’s Main Stage.  He prefers to be a less pressurized side show in a small community theater. 

The Yankees shouldn’t give up Gray for nothing but they should try to do the humane thing and re-home him to a family that can love and support him. If he stays in the Bronx, I am in favor of euthanasia. Alright, that might be a little harsh, but he’s reached the end of the line for rotation opportunities in my mind. I know the Yankees need to try to rebuild some value before he is traded away (Brian Cashman should have flipped him at this year’s trading deadline), but the time to live or die with Sonny Gray in the starting rotation is over for this season.  I wasn’t excited about the addition of Lance Lynn, but I firmly believe that Lynn should be the starter over Gray for the duration of the season. Make Gray the rotation’s sixth man, with an occasional spot start. Even that scares me to a degree. He’s become the guy I’d want pitching with a ten-run lead but of course he’d still have me pacing the room. 

Too bad the Oakland A’s do not have a return policy for defective merchandise. I’d like my money back. Heck, I’d gladly take Dustin Fowler (demoted to Triple A yesterday by the A’s) back in exchange for Gray.  Let them keep James Kaprielian and Jorge Mateo as “profit”. 

For today’s game in Boston, we know that first baseman Luke Voit and Luis Cessa have been called up.  While outfielder Shane Robinson goes down for Voit, there hasn’t been word yet this morning about who’s spot Cessa will take. The obvious solution is the placement of J.A. Happ, currently battling Noah Syndergaard disease, on the 10-day DL retroactive to three days ago. I’d argue the demotion of Sonny Gray (according to Roster Resource, he has two options left). Losing Gray makes more sense to me than Happ who should be healthy again within a few days.

I kind of feel bad for Luke Voit.  He was a hometown St Louis kid fighting to reach his Major League Dream with his favorite childhood team, but it was extinguished when he was dealt to the Yankees, along with international bonus pool money, in the trade that sent relievers Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos to the Gateway City. Of course there are worse places to go than the Bronx and I am hopeful that the history and the tradition of the organization appeal to the Missouri kid. Maybe we can get Tino Martinez to stop by and express the advantages of playing for the Yankees over the Cardinals. Seriously, I hope Voit thrives in New York and becomes Brian Cashman’s latest gem. This is a great opportunity for him even if he is destined to return to Moosic, PA in the not-so-distant future. With no offense to Robinson, I am much happier with Voit on the Major League roster. 

This is a big series for the Yankees.  Four games against Boston in the very heart of Red Sox Nation. Mike Francesa tweeted this morning, “We are all going to learn something about this Yankee team this weekend”.  No doubt.  If they play like they did yesterday, the Red Sox will be clearing shelf space for their 2018 AL East Championship trophy. The Yankees need to make a statement and take at least three of four from the AL East leaders. They have the talent to do it. We’ll soon see if they have the heart. They certainly did not yesterday. Red Sox fans are loving life today.  If they are feeling miserable and uncomfortable on Sunday, it will have been a successful weekend. 

Thank God Sonny Gray will not be pitching.

Pinstripers, your mission should you choose to accept it…  Let’s do this. Time to make noise in the AL East.

Go Yankees! 

Fan Time Returns

Hello there Fans today I sit down with my Friend and Men’s league Softball Teammate Matt Toglia of New Rochelle. Matt is a Left Fielder with an amazing glove, superb defense skills, a solid bat, and all around great knowledge for the game.  

Matt How are you Today ? 

Matt: Doing real well man ready for this Red Sox series!

That is awesome! Before we we get started any thing the Fans should know about you? 

Matt: I’m extremely passionate, love to travel, played ball my whole life and I live breathe, eat, sleep, and drink yankee baseball.

Jay: With that being said and the fans now knowing a little about yourself, let’s jump right into it with this weekends series. 

The Bombers play the Boston 4 games this weekend, how do you see this series going ? Specially with Chris Sale Out. 

Matt: Sale being out is big time and is a game changer. I believe the Yanks will rise to the occasion offensively and have some stellar pitching this series, hopefully Happ won’t miss his start Saturday. I got yanks taking 3/4.

Jay: I tend to agree I see the Yanks garbing 3 of the 4 if not taking all 4. 

How long have you been a Yankee Fan ?

Matt: For as long as I can remember, probably right when I came out the womb. Being a diehard Yankee fan is a lifestyle. You try and watch as many games as you can, you’re locked in during the season and you go through up’s and downs as a fan too, between the excruciating losses and the uplifting, dramatic wins. 

Jay: I’m right there with you. Myself I’ve been a fan since birth, and definitely can relate to gut wrenching loses and those huge uplifting wins. 

First Yankee memory you remember ??

Matt: hmmm.. probably just watching the 1996 world series 

Biggest Yankee memory you have?

Matt: Aaron Boone’s walk off home run. I was on the verge of falling asleep, my father was in the living room, while I was in my room watching the game. When Boone hit the home run we ran towards each other and hugged. Just a great father-son Yankee moment. 

Jay: Great moment indeed. My I was up late watching that game.  I think my dad passed out. Needless to say I woke up the whole house.  

Favorite all time Yankee and Why?

Matt: Bernie Williams is my all time favorite Yankee. I loved how he played the game with class, always hustled, came up in big spots and said all the right things in the media. He was a very likeable player, and ultimately he’s the main reason why I decided to start playing outfield in little league. I always tried to get #51 in little league for Bernie, he set a great example for fans. Sterlings home run call for Bernie was also a classic. 

Jay: Bernie Goes Boom! Burn Baby Burn!!! 

Do the Yankees win the division or Wild Card? Why? 

Matt: Truthfully I believe we win the wild card. While the Red Sox are smoking hot, I do feel like there will be some regression at some point. Even with a little slide they may go on, it will still be incredibly hard for the Yankees to make a comeback. They haven’t beat up on teams they should beat up on and that’s pretty alarming and could have cost them the division. However, still a lot of baseball left to be played and crazier things have happened so I also wouldn’t be surprised if my prediction is wrong.  

Jay: Personally I feel with a Sweep or 3/4 this weekend the Yanks will catch the Sox’s in the final series of the season. Love the dramatics!!! 

In your opinion what’s the Best trade deadline move the Yankees made ?  

Matt: I’d have to say Zach Britton. While you could make the case Happ was just as good because we did need to add a starter, adding another elite bullpen arm ( A lefty nonetheless) will only greater your chances of shortening games in the playoffs with a lead. It’s a luxury not many teams have. Other teams have very solid bullpens, The Yankees have an outstanding bullpen when all those guys are on their game. Britton could slide into pretty much any bullpen role and get outs and will be a huge factor down the stretch. 

Jay: Agreed. While Happ may be big the bullpen is now even stronger. 

How much does the Aaron Judge injury hurt us?  

Matt: Is it a devastating blow? I wouldn’t go as far to say that..but it most definitely hurts us. Arguably our most consistent player all around, and a leader in the clubhouse. Not having his presence on the field is a loss, that’s a big power bat in the number 2 spot. But hopefully once Frazier recovers from reoccurring migraines he can slide into one of the outfield spots and get consistent at bats finally. He’s had some tough luck, but I think we the internal depth the Yankees have we should make out okay in the upcoming weeks. Hope for a speedy recovery for Judgey. 

Jay: What was your initially reaction to the Giancarlo Stanton trade?  

Matt: Shocked. I honestly thought the whole Stanton trade talk was a pipe dream given the fact that I was thinking we would have to give up top prospects like Gleyber or Andujar at the time which would be ridiculous. Because in essence we didn’t really need Stanton. However, realizing the package the Yankees sent for Stanton, it pretty much fell into our laps and it’s a deal you make 10/10 times. So I was incredibly shocked by what we gave up, and I woke up on a Saturday morning ecstatic on a snowy day. I had followed everything on the internet the night before then woke up and heard the deal was about to be final. It was a day I’ll never forget that’s for sure.

Jay: Shock wouldn’t be mine. In a old post before this trade even happened or was thought of I predicted he would become a Yankee. So I was extremely more happy than normal after a trade.  

Who from next years free agent class do you sign ? Why ?  

Matt: If you asked me this question in 2016 I would of told you Harper no question. A LOT has changed since then, the emergence of Judge and the future of outfield seems to be pretty set. While you can’t completely rule Harper out, or Machado for that matter.. I do think we go after a top tier pitcher because we need one to compete in the playoffs. With the way teams are setup these days, you need 2 aces. Maybe someone like Keuchel, or Patrick Corbin who has stated he’s always wanted to be a Yankee. 

Jay: I am still after Bryce Harper!!!! Not just for the player he is, but the Marketing that will come along with Bryce Harper being a Yankee. Also thou I think management is in love with Manny Machado, so I wouldn’t rule that out either. However I don’t see Machado’s right handed bat fitting in unless we sign Bryce or another Lefty. Andújar has been solid in our line up and deserve to stay. I would love to see Corbin in pinstripes. (hint hint Cash)

What is your all time Yankee team using only players you have seen play ? (Tv or live) lineup and all.  Full 25 man roster.....players can’t play out of position.  

Matt: The 1998 Yankees. 

Jay: Lol Good One.  

True or False 

Sonny Gray deserves another start? FALSE

Jay: LMAO

Stanton Hits 50 HRs?  False 

Judge still Hits 40 HRs? False 

The yanks break the record for team Home Runs?True 

Yankees have 4 players with more then 30 Home Runs? False 

Yankees Win the World Series?  False

Jay: 😰

Greg Bird hits 25 Home Runs? False

Sevy Wins CY Young? False

Brett Gardner is a Yankee next Year? False

Jay: Any Final thoughts on the Yankees this year or next ? 

Matt: It’s going to be a tough playoff run this year. There are some great teams that we will have to go up against, the Yankees are a great team and it’s hard to appreciate it at times because they were supposed to be this good. Expectations really change the narrative throughout the course of the season. Last year we were the little engine that could, playing with house money because everyone picked the Yankees winning no more than 84 games. They won 91 and came within 1 game of the World Series. You add Stanton in the offseason, pairing with a Judge and plenty other power bats, and to top it off you add a rookie manager..the stakes couldn’t be higher this year. Pressure is at an all time high to deliver a championship back to the city. The fans get spoiled at times, this is the best Yankee team we’ve seen in 20 years but since were still trailing the red sox in the division it’s hard to appreciate the excellence. What I do know is that the Yankees are setup to be a great team for a very long time. The scary part is, they will be even better in years to come. They keep rebuilding the pipeline in the farm by dipping into the International Market which has already paid off immensely for them. With guys like Sanchez, Andujar, and Severino. They are great at developing players so this team will be great for years to come and will make multiple runs at championships. 

Jay: That about wraps things up. Matt thank you for your time it has been a pleasure. 

Matt: no problem Thanks for having for me!

Jay: It has been my Plesusre. Your Welcome! 

Well Fans there you have it another Fan Time in the books, but don’t worry there is more to come. As always I look forward to hearing from you. I can be reached at JamesCPalma@Yahoo.Com or leave your comments below.  

Thank You! Let’s Go Yankees!!!! 

How Much Longer....

How much longer do we Yankee fans have to put up with the dark clouds that have become Sonny not so Sunny Gray. Up and down up and DOWN. 2.2 Innings 7 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks. Absolutely horrible and down right unacceptable. There is no way the Yankees are going to catch Bostonwith performances like that. There was one bright and sunny part of today’s game however , the newest Yankee Lance Lynn was on the money. 4.1 Innings with 5Ks 0BBs and no runs allowed. He did give up 5 hits but I’ll sign up for 0 runs any day of the week. The Yankees just need to bite the bullet and put Lance Lynn in the rotation and move Gray to mop up duty. If Gray plays well out of the pen maybe he can earn coming in in tight spots , however with the way he looked today and how he walked off the field I wouldn’t bet on it.    

If the Yanks don’t want to add Lynn to the rotation there is also the other option waiting in Triple A and no I’m not talking about Luis Cesa......... I am talking about the man that has C.C. Sabathia Drooling.......Justus Kane Sheffield.Sheff is 5-5 with a 2.34 era in 18 games between AA and AAA and may be a huge spark to the Yankees rotation. Justus is a left handed pitcher 22 years old and part of the next wave of Baby Bomber just waiting for his shot to prove it. The Yankees may be wise to give him a shot sooner rather then later it may just add a flare to the whole team. Anyways as far is Gray goes as far as I’m concerned the time is now. Give is Lynn Give is Sheff or Hell let’s see if Chance Adams can give us something. Please I beg you Please just no more Sonny Gray!  Walking off the field with that smile almost says......Yeah I got shelled but who cares I’m still getting paid. Which to me is a sign Sonny Gray is never going to improve. Which goes back to my original question, How Much Longer do we have to put up with Sonny Gray? 

As always I can be reached at JamesCPalma@Yahoo.Com I look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions.Have a Awsome night Yankees fans and Bless You All.  

 

Who Wants to Join the Yankees?...

Trading Deadline May Bring More New Faces…

I am not sure which time is more important today…4 pm Eastern when the Non-Waiver Trading Deadline ends or 7:05 pm Eastern when the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles get after it on the Yankee Stadium turf. This is always one of my favorite days of the year and there is generally a flurry of activity. Whether or not our favorite team decides to play remains to be seen but I am sure it will be thrilling to the finish. Then, let’s go out and beat the Orioles. 

Friggin’ Boston won last night, unfortunately. The Philadelphia Phillies took the Red Sox into extra innings before Blake Swihart won it with a walk-off ground rule double in the bottom of the 13^th inning, scoring Eduardo Nunez with the winning run. So, the Yankees begin play tonight six games behind the Red Sox in the AL East. Boston also plugged a hole at second base last night when they acquired the hard-nosed Ian Kinsler from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to fill in for the injured Dustin Pedroia. Thanks for nothing, Billy Eppler. 

I was very surprised with yesterday’s moves by the Yankees. After the dust settled, the Yankees had replaced reliever Adam Warren with a better swingman pitcher, Lance Lynn, and they were able to do it without adding payroll. The news of Adam Warren’s trade to the Seattle Mariners struck first. Maybe I am not so surprised that Warren was traded (we eventually have to make room for Tommy Kahnle, and A.J.Cole, though seldom used, has proven valuable in long relief). However, I was surprised the Yankees traded him to the Seattle Mariners, a team the Yankees are likely to face in a Wild Card elimination game if they are unsuccessful in catching the Red Sox. The Yankees seem to be on a mission to rebuild the bullpens for both the Orioles and the Mariners. Warren, a free agent after the season, will join former Yankee James Pazos in the Mariners pen. David Phelps is also a Mariner but he’s on the disabled list after undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier this year.To the Yankees’ credit, they didn’t trade Phelps to the Mariners but Pazos and outfielder Ben Gamel were ‘roster-crunch’ deliveries to the Great Northwest. Warren was not flashy but it always seemed like the guy did his job. I will miss his consistency in the pen. For Warren, the Yankees acquired more international bonus pool money. You can’t blame GM Brian Cashman for looking ahead to the future while making his ‘right now’ moves. 

Later, the Warren trade became clearer when the Yankees swung a deal with the Minnesota Twins for starter Lance Lynn. The cost was first baseman Tyler Austin (which explains why the Yankees acquired first baseman Luke Voit from the St Louis Cardinals) and minor league pitcher Luis Rijo.  Lynn (7-8, 5.10 ERA) does not excite me as a starter but I recognize he fills a void as the rotation’s sixth man.  Lynn has also started two games against the Boston Red Sox this year and fared well both times. In his most recent game last Friday, Lynn held Boston to two runs over six innings but did not factor into the decision (a game the Twins lost 4-3). On June 20^th, Lynn was the winner when he held the Sox to only one run (none earned) and three hits with five innings of work. Lynn walks too many guys (62 batters in 102 1/3 innings or 1.632 WHIP, Yikes!) but maybe Cashman is right that Lynn’s stuff plays up in the bullpen. We’ll see. I am a little sad to see Tyler Austin go.  The guy loved being a Yankee and I had felt he should have been the one to get the call when Aaron Judge was placed on the DL. I will miss his attitude on the team even if he never really delivered the results that warranted his place on the roster. Maybe he was never given enough of a chance. Regardless, I hope he prospers in Minneapolis when he gets his opportunities. A good guy that I am sorry to see leave.   

I am not sure what today will bring. With the Yankees so close to the luxury tax threshold, I honestly do not see any major moves of significance. If the Yankees do make a trade or two, they’ll most likely have to shed some payroll as the team needs money for September callups and any other necessary roster additions between now and the end of the season. So, as much as Yankees fans would love it, there’s no scenario where I see the Yankees making the bold decision to shed high level prospects for the great Bryce Harper. If there’s anything about this afternoon’s deadline that excites me, it is the end of the ‘Harper to the Yanks’ rumors. Team Hal is not going to pay (prospects or money) to bring Harper to New York regardless of how we may feel.   

I do think the Yankees will pick up a bat today. I was sorry to see the Cincinnati Reds trade outfielder Adam Duvall to the Atlanta Braves because I thought Duvall would have fit nicely in the Bronx. More than likely, we’ll see a reunion with someone like former Yankee Curtis Granderson, which clearly does not exactly excite me. He is a wonderful character guy, one of the best, great for the clubhouse. But the skills have faded with age. I’d prefer to see a player with a greater ceiling added. 

I am keeping my expectations low for today. I’d love for Brian Cashman to shock the World but I don’t think it is going to be that kind of day. I think 2 pm will come and go quietly for the Yankees.

The Yankees acquired RHP Sonny Gray a year ago today. It will be interesting to see if he is still a Yankee at the conclusion of the day. Happy Anniversary…don’t let the door hit you on the way out. If the Yankees do somehow pry Chris Archer from the Tampa Bay Rays (improbable if you ask me), I think it is a certainty Gray will be wearing a different uniform tomorrow.

As for other transactions, the acquisition of closer Roberto Osuna by the Houston Astros was shocking to say the least. Osuna has been a brilliant closer (the Yankees certainly have not been able to hit against him), but for a team that is so concerned about character, the addition of a player who has missed the majority of the season due to a 75-game suspension for violating MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy, it is alarming. I was saddened to see Ken Giles leave Houston since the Yankees seem to do so well against him but I guess we’ll have better opportunities now with the Blue Jays pen. From a talent-standpoint, Osuna was probably a great addition for Houston but you wonder what it will do to clubhouse chemistry. Osuna is eligible to return next week.

Okay, I will go ahead and dream a little…

It’s not going to happen but like Manny Machado, it is certainly fun to think about.

If anything, the flurry of Yankees activity over the past week has freed up some good numbers. 26, 29, 43, 45. Lately it has seemed like the last guy on the roster always gets 38. If I was A.J. Cole, I’d trade in 67 quickly before a newcomer snags one of the lower numbers. Or I wouldn’t blame Miguel Andujar for cashing in his pitcher’s number 41 for a more appealing one like 26. Chasen Shreve was unable to keep his number 45 with the St Louis Cardinals, thanks to some guy named Bob Gibson. Shreve opted for Luis Severino’s number. I had to wonder if it was a nod to Sevy.   

To go off topic, I am very glad to see the Minnesota Vikings re-sign wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the recipient of the Minneapolis Miracle catch last fall in the play-off game against the New Orleans Saints. When the Vikings paid huge money in the off-season to free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, I was fearful there would be severe ramifications on other spots on the roster. Since then, the Vikings have signed key players to extensions like LB Eric Kendricks and DE Danielle Hunter, among others. The Vikings still need to find a way to secure LB Anthony Barr, but the nucleus of the its core is in place. A few years ago, wide receiver was such a troublesome spot for the Vikings. They failed miserably a few with former first round pick Cordarrelle Patterson and there were no apparent bright spots on the horizon. Now, Diggs and Adam Thielen have developed to give the Vikings a great catching duo, one of the best in the NFL, for Cousins, and the three will be in place at least through the 2020 season. Vikings EVP-Football Operations Rob Brzezinski is a master with the salary cap. He doesn’t get enough credit and recognition for his value to the Vikings. Diggs’ five-year extension is expected to be worth around $14 million per year. I am very glad to see the Maryland product back in the fold. Like the Yankees, the Vikings are a good, young team with lots of promise. 

Let’s see what this day and Brian Cashman have in store for us. Wins both on and off the field would be nice. We don’t want much. Total domination and annihilation of the American League is fine.

Go Yankees!

This Just In!!! Must Read News!!!

I was going to wait until after the trade deadline to grade the Yankees trade deadline moves. However with the news I just received I couldn’t wait! The Yankees must act now otherwise all their moves in my mind me nada!!! From a inside source I have gotten word that the Nats have made Bryce Harper Available!!!!! I can care less he is a Rental! 

I can care less who we have or don’t have atm! It’s time to pay up !!!!!!!! Forget the tax blow that right out of the water!!!! Hit the Grand slam! Go get one of the best players in the game now! Don’t wait to sign him in the off season!!! I REPEAT!! Go get him now!!!! Before another team does and it haunts us Later in this season. Bryce wants to be a Yankee! We should want him! He is Available !!!!!! Don’t wait Cash go get our man!!!!! Greed Greed Greed!!!!!! 

As always you can reach me at JamesCPalma@Yahoo.Com 

Have a great night folks!!! 

This Just In!!! Must Read News!!!

I was going to wait until after the trade deadline to grade the Yankees trade deadline moves. However with the news I just received I couldn’t wait! The Yankees must act now otherwise all their moves in my mind me nada!!! From a inside source I have gotten word that the Nats have made Bryce Harper Available!!!!! I can care less he is a Rental! 

I can care less who we have or don’t have atm! It’s time to pay up !!!!!!!! Forget the tax blow that right out of the water!!!! Hit the Grand slam! Go get one of the best players in the game now! Don’t wait to sign him in the off season!!! I REPEAT!! Go get him now!!!! Before another team does and it haunts us Later in this season. Bryce wants to be a Yankee! We should want him! He is Available !!!!!! Don’t wait Cash go get our man!!!!! Greed Greed Greed!!!!!! 

As always you can reach me at JamesCPalma@Yahoo.Com 

Have a great night folks!!! 

Tyler Austin Traded to Minnesota Twins

According to Jon Heyman on Twitter the New York Yankees have traded Tyler Austin to the Minnesota Twins. Who did the Yankees get back? Stay tuned...

UPDATE:

Tyler Austin and Luis Rijo for Lance Lynn.

Lynn is 7-8 with a 5.10 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP, and he is set to make $12 million this season before hitting free agency at the end of the season.

SECOND UPDATE:

MEH

Yankees Trade Adam Warren to Seattle for IFA $

The New York Yankees have agreed to send RHP Adam Warren to the Seattle Mariners for international free agent money. With the deal the Yankees have acquired $3.75 million in IFA spending money, which one would think has to be the max that the team can acquire in one signing period. Teams can acquire up to 75% of their international cap from other teams and the Yankees had a shade over $4 million to spend when the IFA market opened on July 2, 2018.

This has to be a precursor to a couple moves, one being the signing of Victor Victor Mesa off the international market, and a second move for one or more of an outfielder, reliever and a starting pitcher. Stay tuned...

Meet a Prospect: Osiel Rodriguez

The international signing period opened up on July 2^nd like it does every single season, and much like every single season the New York Yankees were linked to and have signed many of the top available international free agents on the market including the focus of today’s post, Osiel Rodriguez. Rodriguez was ranked as the 5^th best IFA available by Baseball America while MLB.com had Osiel ranked as the 9^th best prospect in the class, either way the Yankees have potentially a great new arm to add to their farm system, so let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The Osiel Rodriguez Edition.

Rodriguez is a 6’3”, 205 lb. 16-year old right-handed starting pitcher out of Cuba that the New York Yankees have signed with the start of the international signing period for the 2018-2019 season. Rodriguez is a raw talent, obviously as most teenagers are, and may have to work on his “unorthodox” and “violent” delivery, but if he can harness his potential and drop his repertoire to about three or four pitches he could be an ace going forward. Currently the right-hander possesses a fastball that can touch 97 MPH, a plus slider, a curveball, changeup and splitter.

Here is what MLB.com had to say about Rodriguez:

The right-hander’s fastball has been clocked at 97 mph and the pitch usually hovers in the low to mid-90s. There is some concern about a drop in velocity at times, but evaluators attribute the decrease to normal fatigue or being overworked on the showcase circuit. A strike-thrower, Rodriguez has a good mound presence and demeanor. He changes his arm slot and throws several different pitches at different angles, which has proven to be both a blessing and a curse as far as scouts are concerned.

Rodriguez has signed with the Yankees for $600,000 so let’s welcome him not only to the organization, but to the Yankees family as well. I look forward to seeing you grow and prosper as a minor league player with the Yankees. The Yankees just got the top pitcher in the international market guys, get excited!