Rain: The Bringer of Donaldson...

  

Josh Donaldson / Photo Credit: John Minchillo, AP

Rain Postponement of Opening Day sets stage for Donaldson…

For as excited as I was for Opening Day to arrive (delayed by one day due to the rain forecast), it certainly started poorly with the pre-game announcement that the Yankees and star outfielder Aaron Judge were unable to agree on terms for an extension. More thoughts on Judge later, but the mood seemed to carry through to the start of the game. Gerrit Cole, apparently flustered by a four-minute delay for first pitch, was roughed up for three runs in the first inning. Three runs with no outs. For a moment, it had seemed like Billy Crystal must have stayed on the mound after tossing the opening pitch. Fortunately, Cole was able to stop the bleeding and held Boston in check through four innings.

Gerrit Cole / Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post

The Yankees quickly made it a one-run game in the bottom of the first when Anthony Rizzo blasted the first Yankee home run of 2022 following an Aaron Judge single. Giancarlo Stanton tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning with an ‘only in Yankee Stadium’ home run blast to the right field bleachers.

The Red Sox broke the tie in the top of the sixth inning. With Clay Holmes on the mound, Xander Bogaerts led off with a double. He moved to third on a ground-out by J.D. Martinez and scored when Alex Verdugo singled. The Red Sox looked to be mounting a huge threat in the inning. After a fielder’s choice and a single had men at first and second, Holmes was pulled in favor of new Yankee Miguel Castro. The former Mets reliever walked the first batter to load the bases. However, the threat was snuffed out when Castro struck out Christian Vásquez. No doubt it was an incredibly positive first Yankee moment for him.

Boston reliever Garrett Whitlock took over starter Nathan Eovaldi in the bottom of the sixth inning, and the former Yankees prospect shut down the Yankees offense into the eighth. GM Brian Cashman was taking his usual beating on social media for allowing Whitlock to slip through via the Rule 5 Draft to the Red Sox prior to the 2021 season until DJ LeMahieu answered the bell. His home run shot to right center tied the game once again and quieted the social media talk about Whitlock.

Everyone wanted the Yankees to win the game in the bottom of the ninth. No one wanted to see the ghost runner at second base in extra innings. The moment was set up for Giancarlo Stanton to be the hero with Aaron Judge on second base and two outs. Unfortunately, it was not one of Stanton’s better at-bats and he struck out swinging to push the game into the tenth inning, complete the dreaded ghost at second.

Both teams scored a run in the tenth to keep the game going. Michael King, who had given up a cheap run in the tenth, was masterful in the eleventh inning. Two strikeouts and a groundout as Boston failed to advance their ghost runner. In the bottom of the eleventh, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, having made the final out of the preceding inning, took second base. Josh Donaldson, wasting no time for his signature Yankee moment, hit a single up the middle through Boston’s two “shortstops.” IKF raced around to score the winning run, 6-5 Yankees. Que Frank Sinatra and New York, New York.

  

Josh Donaldson, the Bringer of Rain, is our kind of “idiot.”

Photo Credit: Jim Davis, Boston Globe Staff

To point out a few of performances, I thought Jonathan Loaisiga looked terrific, picking up where he left off from last season. The closer-in-waiting seems ready to ascend to the throne currently held by Aroldis Chapman. Aaron Judge deserves credit for getting a hit in his first at-bat after the failed extension distraction earlier in the day. He made the plays he needed to make today. Yankees catchers did a superb job behind the plate. First Kyle Higashioka and later Jose Trevino. I cannot remember how long it has been since I had total confidence in catching defense after living through the Gary Sanchez era. Watching two expert framers is artwork in motion. I missed Higgy’s Spring Training bat but the defense more than made up for it. Someone tweeted that the Yankees would have lost today if Gary Sanchez had been the catcher. I believe it.

King picked up the win with his strong two innings effort.

Michael King / Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post

It is important to get off to a good start. I know this is only one game, but a win is better than a loss. Even after the game, Anthony Rizzo said one game could be the difference at the end of 162 games. So true, one more win last season and the Wild Card game would have been held at Yankee Stadium rather than Fenway Park. With so many consecutive days without a day off and a shortened bench (due to sixteen pitchers), extra-inning games are particularly brutal this month. The shortened Spring schedule leaves the starting rotation still trying to ramp up, meaning an earlier hook in most games until they are fully stretched out. Therefore, I have no issue with sixteen pitchers even if I would have preferred fifteen and extra legs on the bench (specifically, Tim Locastro). My team goal this month is to stay healthy, win more games than losses, and have the team running on all cylinders by May 1^st when rosters reduce from 28 to 26 and pitchers are capped at thirteen.

It is hard to believe that Friday’s Opening Day walk-off was the first for the Yankees since before most of us were born. In 1957, Yankees third baseman Andy Carey scored Yogi Berra to win Opening Day and it has not happened since…until now.

The 2022 Yankees do seem to have a vibe that has been missing for the last few years. I am sure Josh Donaldson is a big reason, but it is not just him. This team seems more focused and ready to prove they are better than last year’s roller coaster team. I like it.

I am disappointed in Aaron Judge and the Yankees. I do not understand why the Yankees released the amount of their offer to Aaron Judge other than to make Judge look bad, but I do acknowledge that the seven years, $213.5 million extension proposal is fair and generous given Judge’s injury history and age (he turns thirty on April 26^th). When you factor in 2022, it brings the total value to $230.5 million. The average annual value of the extension proposal is $30.5 million. If the demands for nine or ten years from the Judge camp is true, the Yankees are correct to pass and allow Judge to walk after the season. I say this loving Judge as a Yankee.

Probably the greater disappointment is how the Yankees have passed on elite free agents over the past few years with Judge’s extension looming. I am hopeful the Yankees and Judge can find common ground, but the rift seems too large. Judge’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for June. If they do not settle before then, an arbitration hearing will make the relationship even more contentious. In July, if the Yankees see the impossibility of an extension, they should seriously consider moving him before the trading deadline to at least get something of value before he departs.

Hopefully, we never reach worst-case scenario and the two sides come together. It would be great to see Judge as a Yankee for at least seven more years.

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: John Minchillo, AP

Welcome to the newest Yankees.

Catcher Jose Trevino arrived last weekend in a trade that sent pitchers Albert Abreu and Robert Ahlstrom to the Texas Rangers. I feel bad for Ben Rortvedt, given he had a clear path to a Major League job before the trade. However, his oblique injury (right oblique muscle strain) has clouded his return and the Yankees needed a somebody better than Rob Brantly to pair with Kyle Higashioka. Like Higgy, Trevino is an elite framer, giving the Yankees two extraordinarily strong defensive catchers. Rort is in the same mold, but who knows when he will be ready. On the bright side, when he does return and goes to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he will be only a phone call away if one of the two primary catchers is injured. It is kind of funny how Trevino’s availability started with the Rangers acquisition of catcher Mitch Garver from the Minnesota Twins which of course led to the Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela trade to the Twins. A case of catching musical chairs between the Rangers, Twins and Yankees.

The Yankees and Mets hooked up for a rare trade that saw lefty reliever Joely Rodriguez head to Queens for righty reliever Miguel Castro. I never fully understood the Yankees move to re-sign Rodriguez so quickly in November, but in retrospect, I am glad it led to Castro’s acquisition. He is a welcome addition to the bullpen. A rare trade that helps both teams.

Marwin Gonzalez, in camp on a minor league contract, officially headed north with the big-league club when he was added to the 40-man roster after recent acquisition outfielder Jeisson Rosario was designated for assignment. A few years ago, I would have been incredibly happy to have Gonzalez. I may not be as excited today, but I do believe he can help until the best utility prospect (Oswaldo Cabrera) is ready for the Show. So long Rosario, we hardly knew ye.

As strange as it was to see the Yankees and Mets involved with a trade, it was weird hearing the Yankees had acquired a reliever from the rival Tampa Bay Rays. David McKay was added to the 40-man (when the Yankees moved reliever Stephen Ridings to the 60-day IL) and sent to Triple A. There, he will become part of the bullpen shuttle between New York and Scranton. We later found out that McKay had forced the trade. He had been signed to a minor league contract, but when he realized he would not make the Rays, he exercised his opt-out. The trade with the Yankees involved $1 to the Rays. I am sure it was tough for Hal Steinbrenner to part with that dollar.

The last new Yankee is an old face. First baseman Greg Bird, who will begin the year with the RailRiders. Bird had been in camp with the Toronto Blue Jays and was having his usual Spring Training success. He even homered off the Yankees this Spring with his then long-haired, bearded look. I thought he was going to make the Blue Jays roster but when he did not, he chose to opt-out. From there, he came back to his original organization where seemingly a path to first base behind Anthony Rizzo is not quite as daunting as Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. I thought it was funny to see Bird wearing #45 for the RailRiders, the number worn at the time by Luke Voit when Bird and Voit were engaged in the battle for Yankees first base a few years ago. Voit won that battle, but in a way, Bird gets the last laugh, at least with the Yankees. I am not counting on Bird like I once was, but I hope he does well. I hope Rizzo stays healthy, yet Bird offers some insurance. I always did love his beautiful left-handed swing at Yankee Stadium.

Greg Bird / Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post

Congratulations to CC Sabathia for his appointment as a special assistant to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. Sabathia will focus on player relations, diversity, equity and inclusion, social responsibility, youth participation, and broadcasting. CC is such a great ambassador for the game, and his new role will play a huge part in the continued evolution and growth of our favorite professional sport.

CC Sabathia / Photo Credit: Andy Marlin, USA TODAY Sports

Lastly, congratulations to Tampa Tarpons (Low-A) Manager Rachel Balkovec who picked up her first minor league victory in last night’s 9-6 Opening Day win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Balkovec, 34, is the first full-time female manager in the history of affiliated baseball at all professional levels.

Rachel Balkovec / Photo Credit: AP

As always, Go Yankees!

Stretch Run to Opening Day...

 

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Mike Stobe, Getty Images

The dawn of 2022 Regular Season is upon us…

Winter is leaving. I know, it already left, but the upcoming week will feature the official return of the 2022 MLB regular season with Opening Day scheduled for Thursday. It has been a long, difficult road through the atypical and frustrating off-season that included 99 days of the owners’ lockout. I am glad it is over, and happy Spring Training is nearing an end. I know we had hoped for more notable upgrades, yet the 2022 Yankees as presently structured can and will compete hard in the AL East.

With rosters expanding to twenty-eight players until May 1^st, the Yankees are contemplating carrying 15 to 16 pitchers on the active roster until the May restoration of the maximum of thirteen pitchers (and thirteen non-pitchers). Between now and Opening Day, the Yankees will need to create room on the 40-man roster. I would like to see LHP Manny Banuelos make the team but then it becomes a question of who loses their spot on the 40-man to make it happen. Aaron Boone has given assurances that Albert Abreu and Mike King will be on the roster. Abreu is out of options. Boone’s assurance of a player’s spot, lately, has proven to be a precursor to a trade. I like Abreu but he seems to be a candidate to be moved if necessary.

Albert Abreu / Photo Credit: John Minchilli, AP

If I felt strongly about the other arms for the bullpen, I would consider trading Chad Green. He has been a good reliever for the Yankees, but if you could get a decent return, it would potentially be worth it. Considered one of the better relievers in the game, he is a good ‘sell high’ candidate if you feel he is replaceable. Not saying Banuelos is better than Green but looking at the composition of all the pitchers who could potentially step up, there are impact arms waiting for an opportunity. There are certainly plenty of internal options available and pitching coach Matt Blake has proven to be extraordinarily successful in his role, along with the other “new-thinking” pitching instructors in the organization. Plus, there are always guys like Clay Holmes who can be poached from other organizations.

I do not envy GM Brian Cashman for his upcoming roster decisions. The bench guarantees only one player…DJ LeMahieu. From there, it becomes a deeper shade of grey. Infielder/outfielder Marwin Gonzalez has seemingly done everything possible to make the Opening Day roster. As a non-roster minor league invitee, moves must be made a clear a spot for him. If the Yankees carry sixteen pitchers, then it seems Tim Locastro could be the odd man out. The Yankees need a backup catcher, expected to be Rob Brantly, until Ben Rortvedt is ready to play. It almost appears the Yankees must pick the worst of their available catchers for the backup role because whoever it is will most likely be designated for assignment when Rortvedt returns. Here is hoping Kyle Higashioka’s fabulous Spring carries over into the regular season. I have seen many fans projecting 20-23 homers and 70 RBIs for him. I am a little skeptical, but if he reaches those numbers with his excellent defense, it will be tremendous.

Kyle Higashioka & Gerrit Cole / Photo Credit: Tony Dejak, AP

Circling back to Locastro, it seems if the Yankees do carry an additional outfielder, besides Gonzalez, the choice will be between Locastro and NRI Ender Inciarte. I have to say it, the third option could be the return of Brett Gardner. Never rule out the Gardy Party until the party is over. Locastro seems to be favorite since he holds a spot on the 40-man. I have really liked Inciarte over the years and he might be my personal preference but either guy will be fine. Their Spring stats are oddly similar, slightly tilted toward Inciarte. Probably not enough to make a difference so I see Locastro retaining his spot. Speed plays.

Triple A games start on Tuesday so yesterday saw the following players re-assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre: RHPs Matt Bowman and Ryan Weber, INF/OF Phillip Evans, INF Jose Peraza, 1B Ronald Guzmán, and OF Ryan LaMarre. I liked what I saw from Guzmán. I would love to see him crush it in Triple A. The former Rangers farmhand may forever be one of those 4A type of players, but I am still pulling for him.

Ronald Guzmán / Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, The New York Post

Hopefully, the next few days will bring an announcement the Yankees have signed Aaron Judge to an extension. The rumors circulate about $30 million average annual value, with the number of years being the point of contention. Judge turns thirty later this month and it seems his camp wants six or seven years. Judge is the face of the franchise. He is the most visible player since Derek Jeter. Pay the man. I get the rub of multiple guys with heavy contracts into their late thirties (Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton), but Judge is the franchise player. If there is a single player on the team that I could never see (or rather never want to see) playing for another team, it is Judge. Do the right thing, Hal.

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Adam Glanzman, MLB Photos

After Manager Aaron Boone had said Luis Severino was dealing with “general soreness” last week, thoughts of worst-case scenario began seeping in. It proved to be nothing as Sevy was able to throw a bullpen session the next day after a cancelled start.

I am ‘cautiously’ excited about Severino’s return this season. I know he was back late last year, but it was a limited relief role. It has been several years since he was a force in the rotation. Yet, any excitement is tempered when we hear words like ‘general soreness.’ I am hopeful it is nothing and the season represents a full return for Sevy. We need a strong #2 and he can be that guy. He is not today, but he CAN be if health proves to be his friend.

When I heard yesterday that Mets ace Jacob deGrom has been shut down for four weeks due to “a stress reaction on his scapula that has caused inflammation in the area,” it brings up fears we could get the same kind of news about Severino. Sevy is scheduled to make sixty pitches today in his last Spring start. I will be crossing my fingers that all goes well. As for deGrom, I am sorry the best pitcher in the game has suffered a setback. He will undergo another MRI in four weeks. Not that I care about the Mets, but I wish deGrom well in his recovery and hope he is back sooner than later.

Not sure why Brian Cashman mentioned 2017 again this week. Look, we were all wronged. It was a bad situation, but it is water under the bridge. There is nothing that can be done about it, and the Yankees are not going to be anointed a mythical World Series champion as a result. It seems like the Yankees are trying to deflect attention from the impending release of the “Yankees Letter” which the Yankees intend to appeal…again. I have no idea if the two are related but the timing of Cashman’s words is odd. If the Yankees Letter unfairly portrays the Yankees in bad light (singles them out for actions taken by other team as well), I can see the team’s resistance to its release. But if they singularly violated the rules, the letter should be released.

Final Word: I am incredibly happy and excited for the return of Derek Jeter. Jeter will be honored with Hall of Fame Induction Tribute Night on Friday, September 9^th at Yankee Stadium. 

If Jeter had still been the Miami Marlins CEO, this night might not have been possible. Selfishly, I am glad he is free from his loyalty to the Marlins and can make the high-profile appearance at Yankee Stadium. His long absence from Yankee Stadium has been difficult. He helped bring the twins, Mystique and Aura, from the old to the new Yankee Stadium. I will love seeing him back in the Bronx. Hopefully he brings the magic back home. 

As always, Go Yankees!

These Are Your New York Yankees...

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Adam Hunger, AP

For better or worse, the Yankees roster is solidifying…

While it feels like the Yankees could have done so much more this interrupted and abbreviated off-season, it is hard to not have some excitement for the 2022 New York Yankees as they are presently structured. I know many of us wanted Matt Olson or Freddie Freeman and one of the elite shortstops, but it was not meant to be. It most certainly does not mean that the Yankees will not be good…they will be exceptionally good.

• 1B           Anthony Rizzo
• 2B           Gleyber Torres/DJ LeMahieu
• SS           Isiah Kiner-Falefa
• 3B           Josh Donaldson
• C             Kyle Higashioka (and Ben Rortvedt when healthy)
• RF           Aaron “Pay the Man” Judge
• CF           Aaron Hicks
• LF           Joey Gallo           
• DH          Giancarlo Stanton

A bench that will most likely include the versatile Marwin Gonzalez and the speedy Tim Locastro.

This is a better lineup than the one featured on Opening Day 2021 which featured Jay Bruce at first base and Clint Frazier in left field. I know we will miss the fun associated with Gio Urshela but clearly IKF and the Bringer of Rain are improvements. Gary Sanchez, well Gary, have fun in Minnesota before you hit free agency.

I had thought the Yankees would acquire an additional starting pitcher before returning north next month. For a while it seemed like they were hot after either Sean Manaea or Frankie Montas, but those talks appear to have cooled. The Yankees always seem to be hot after some pitcher, only to see the guy get traded elsewhere. With Opening Day less than two weeks away, I think the Yankees will revisit the starting pitching market in July when asking prices lower. The front office is expecting holes to be filled by the younger Yankees talent waiting for their opportunities in the Show, like Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil and, if he has shaken off the disastrous 2021, Deivi Garcia. Schmidt is 26, Gil will be 24 in August, and Garcia will be 23 in May. Their time is now, and the Yankees do need to see what they have with these guys. Michael King pitches today, but he is better for the bullpen.

Clarke Schmidt / Photo Credit: AP

If Cashman makes any move between now and Opening Day, I fully expect him to address catching. Willson Contreras seems to be the most mentioned name, along with Oakland’s Sean Murphy. I feel we will see a new catcher before starting pitching or center field help if any trades are made. Two defensive catchers seem a bit underwhelming even if I am grateful defensive catching is no longer the liability it was just a season ago.

I doubt the Yankees trade him, but if there was one guy on the roster, I would trade today it is Aroldis Chapman. There is no chance the Yankees re-sign him when he hits free agency this fall. He is not the elite flame-throwing reliever he once was, and Jonathan Loaisiga has proven he is up for the challenge. I would love to eliminate Chappy’s salary to free up room for other areas and start Loaisiga’s run at the back end of the bullpen. No doubt we will see a transition this season. With Aaron Boone’s stated intention to use Chapman more consistently, even if that means bringing him in earlier in games, Loaisiga will be the safety net to potentially close out games.

Photo Credit: Adam Hunger, Getty Images

We have much to be excited about with this Yankees team. Toronto may be getting stronger, but they are not perfect. Although they have made some nice recent acquisitions, it can be argued they are not upgrades over the guys they lost. Boston clearly overachieved last year. They are making a huge financial commitment that Trevor Story does not show reduced production through the Coors Field effect and that he can successfully transition to second base. Just because DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado have been successful outside of the Mile High City, it does not automatically mean Story will be. I think he will, but it is not guaranteed. Nothing against former Yankee Nathan Eovaldi, but when he is your best starter (due to Chris Sale’s latest injury), there are challenges in the rotation from top to bottom. Tampa always finds a way, but there are no clearcut favorites and the Yankees can beat any of these teams.

It is time to get excited about our team, the Six Billion Dollar Men. Let’s Go Yankees!

A few new rules were announced this past week. Active rosters will be expanded from 26 to 28 players until May 1^st due to the shortened Spring Training. The maximum thirteen pitchers will not be enforced during the month of April. In a rule favoring Shohei Ohtani, if a team uses a starting pitcher as the DH, he can remain the DH after being pulled from the mound. Makes me wonder if we will start to see more players attempt to become two-way players with this rule and the universal DH. Lastly, in the return of a pandemic rule that has left many fans aghast, there will be a ghost runner at second base in extra innings. Too bad we cannot sign the ghost of Lou Brock or the phantom of Rickey Henderson’s younger days. I am indifferent to the rule. I have never been a huge fan of extra-inning games going beyond the tenth or eleventh innings. The longer games make players more susceptible for injury, and with fewer off days (and more double-headers) this season, it will be all hands-on deck for nine inning games. From a traditionalist view, it seems a bit janky to put an unearned runner at second base. Oh well, it is what it is.

A "younger" Rickey Henderson

These changes were agreed to by MLB and the Players Association but need to be ratified by the MLB Owners this upcoming week (through a simple majority vote).

I had been concerned about twelve arbitration eligible cases for the Yankees this year, but they successfully signed all but one, Aaron Judge. Judge filed for $21 million, while the club countered with $17 million. I am grateful the Yankees are not a ‘file and trial’ club. The Dellin Betances arbitration case a few years ago remains on my mind for how ugly this process can be. I simply cannot imagine going into a room to hear your employer tell an arbitrator how much you suck at your job. Human emotions surely come into play. As for Judge, I did not really expect them to agree on 2022 compensation since they are actively discussing a long-term extension. I am hopeful they can work it out before Opening Day. I am all in favor of retaining Judge and making him the team captain. I have no idea how Judge will age into his late thirties but that is not a concern for today. He is a great Yankee and a guy who can help win the elusive championship(s).

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Daniel Shirey, MLB Photos

Speaking of Dellin Betances, whatever happened to him? I think of him every time Manny Banuelos, his former Killer B teammate, runs out to the mound as a Mini Me #68. I know Betances has had his struggles the last few years, but I would love to see the Yankees sign him to a minor league contract. As for Banuelos, I am quietly hoping he makes the team. Good health has not been his friend (the Yankees seemingly have too many of those kind of guys) but watching Banuelos in pinstripes again has rekindled thoughts of how much I had wanted him to succeed when he, Betances and Andrew Brackman were the great trio of hope in the farm system.

Manuel Banuelos

It is kind of funny that so many fans did not want the Yankees to sign Carlos Correa due to his participation in the 2017 Houston Astros cheating scandal, yet it did not stop the Yankees from signing his former Astros teammate Marwin Gonzalez. I had thought Oswaldo Cabrera would inherit the utility role this year from Tyler Wade, but I like Gonzalez better (for now). He may not be the player he once was (when garbage cans assisted him), but he can help. With an ability to play both infield and outfield, he provides Aaron Boone an ingredient to field stronger lineups. Maybe he only proves why the Boston Red Sox cut him last summer, maybe he is something more. With the expansion of the rosters to twenty-eight, I view his signing as ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ If he does not work out, cut him. It is not like the Yankees are making a huge financial commitment with him. He needs a spot on the 40-man roster, but I am sure Brian Cashman will figure it out.

Lastly, Eli Fishman (@elifishman on Twitter) reported this week that George Steinbrenner IV has joined the Low-A Tampa Tarpons as an advanced scouting analyst. Young George is the 25-year-old son of late Yankees co-owner Hank Steinbrenner. He mostly likely holds an ownership interest in the Yankees with his three siblings. I saw many fans cry nepotism at the news, but I like seeing a young Steinbrenner take an interest in learning the baseball side of the business from the ground up. Considering that neither Hank nor Hal exhibited strong interest in the Yankees when they were in their twenties, I like the ambition of Hank’s son. He seems driven to succeed and of course he carries a great name. For those who wish George Steinbrenner were the owner of the Yankees, maybe they will get their wish again one day.

George Steinbrenner IV

Speaking of the Tampa Tarpons, here is wishing a speedy recovery to their manager, Rachel Balkovec, who was struck by a baseball during hitting drills.

Rachel Balkovec (via Instagram)

As always, Go Yankees!

Cashman's Swings and Misses...

 

The Week of Questionable Moves…

A week into the return of Major League Baseball and I think some fans were ready to go back into the Lockout. I generally try to stay positive, but the week has been puzzling to say the least.

I get it...these are no longer George Steinbrenner’s Yankees. The days of a passionate owner who wants to win at all costs are over and have been over for more than a decade. The Boss died in 2010 but he had been phased out the last few years of his life. Outside of 2009, Hal Steinbrenner has never been “all in”, at least not to me. I know, the Yankees generally spend more on payroll than most other teams and are consistently at or above the luxury tax threshold. The criticism is mainly how those dollars have been allocated and the times when spending more money made sense, but the team choose the status quo. 

The biggest surprise of the week was the end of the Gary Sanchez era in New York. I had grown frustrated with Gary like most Yankee fans, but I recognized he was well liked among his teammates, and he carries a reputation as a hard worker, so it was not like he was not trying. Many fans have been screaming all winter for Gary’s ouster, and there was frustration each time a speculative catching target was traded elsewhere (such as Cincinnati’s Tucker Barnhart to the Tigers). El Gary remains an offensive threat, a rare quality among catchers. I was ready to support Gary for the coming season despite his defensive lapses. While I thought it was possible the Yankees might move Gary, I was surprised at the news he and Gio Urshela had been traded to the Minnesota Twins for Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt. I think my first reaction was ‘why?’

Gary Sanchez / Photo Credit: Nathan Mayberg, Cape Coral Breeze

Josh Donaldson is 36, has had injury challenges in recent years, and is owed $50 million for the next two years which includes a $6 million buyout option in 2024.  Generational free agent talent is available, and the Yankees choose to provide the Minnesota Twins with financial relief. Money that helped the Twins sign the top available free agent shortstop, Carlos Correa, last night. Funny, the Yankees could have used an elite shortstop.

I will start this by saying I like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, the team’s new starting shortstop. He possesses a great attitude and has the ‘I loved the Yankees as a kid’ pic that the fan base always appreciates.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa (right)

The Yankees, one of the wealthiest teams in Major League Baseball, are counting on Kiner-Falefa to be the answer at short until either Oswald Peraza or the prized Anthony Volpe are ready for their Major League debut. The Texas Rangers thought so highly of Kiner-Falefa, they signed Corey Seager to a ten-year, $325 million contract to play shortstop and Marcus Semien, a noted shortstop, to a seven-year, $175 million deal to play second base. Kiner-Falefa, an oft-mentioned name for the Yankees offseason rumor mill, seemed like he would stay in Texas to play third base when their top third base prospect and potential starter Josh Jung had surgery in February to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder. Jung is expected to miss six months. Yet, it did not keep Texas from shipping Kiner-Falefa to the Twins for catcher Mitch Garver when they had the chance. After acquiring Kiner-Falefa last Saturday, the Twins received a financial gift from the Yankees who took the entirety of Donaldson’s and gladly handed them Kiner-Falefa as part of the deal less than 24 hours later.

Kiner-Falefa was easily moved within the past week by two lesser valued teams to be the starting shortstop for the most storied franchise in baseball history. I am sorry but I view Kiner-Falefa as a super utility guy at best. Betting the farm on top prospects who are still a couple years away does not seem to be a sound baseball decision, especially when you are wasting the prime years of Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.  If Kiner-Falefa turns out to be more, like Didi Gregorius did when he took over for Derek Jeter, I will gladly eat my words. It just seems to be heavy risk to me, especially when free agents Carlos Correa and Trevor Story were still available. Rather than pay Donaldson, I would have preferred to use the money toward shortstop and keep Gio Urshela as the starting third baseman (or DJ LeMathieu at worst).  Correa is now a Twin, and the Red Sox seem to be potentially connected to Story. 

I hope this decision does not backfire on GM Brian Cashman but unfortunately, I feel there is strong potential for it.

The Rangers grab Mitch Garver, one of the better catchers in baseball and a proven successful student of Yankees catching coordinator Tanner Swanson, and the Yankees get a young catcher with limited Major League experience with Ben Rortvedt. Despite having some serious guns, Rortvedt is better known for his defense, and presently slots into a catching platoon with Kyle Higashioka.

Ben Rortvedt

The days of loving offensive production from the catching position are over (Jorge Posada spoiled us). It is well recognized that Higgy is not a starting caliber catcher. Maybe he performs better in a platoon. I am sure Gerrit Cole will prefer the new catching tandem, but I am underwhelmed. Rortvedt is possibly an uncovered gem, but then again, it is a little bit of a pipe dream to expect more than what he is. 

In the end, I wanted the Yankees to go big at either shortstop or first base. They did neither. I like Anthony Rizzo and I am glad he is back with the Yankees. However, I had really wanted either Matt Olson or Freddie Freeman, both far superior players, but the Yankees had to get at least Rizzo with no disrespect to Luke Voit. The Atlanta Braves shocked baseball by trading for Olson, who was born in Atlanta, and signing him to a huge long-term contract. The jilted Freeman ended up going home too, returning to his Southern California roots to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers. I get Freeman’s decision to play closer to home, but Olson was a clear missed opportunity. Yes, I would have included Anthony Volpe in a trade for Olson if that is what it took. Olson is a young established Major League superstar. I will take that over prospect potential any day. I am not calling for the trade of Volpe, I am excited to see him play for the Yankees one day, but when the championship window is right now, you make decisions for today, not tomorrow. 

It was a little bittersweet to see Luke Voit leave yesterday. Clearly, the handwriting was on the wall that his days in Pinstripes were numbered. When Rizzo was re-signed, keeping Voit, the 2020 home run champion, seemed pointless. He could have played DH, but it would have been a job share with guys like Josh Donaldson and Giancarlo Stanton. I always appreciated his football mentality on a baseball field. Luke should be thankful the Yankees found a good home for him in San Diego, a team that has the potential to rise above the Dodgers in the NL West with its strong young talent base.  There was never any chance the Yankees would score Blake Snell in the Voit trade despite the wishes of many Yankee fans. San Diego needs every one of their elite arms to overcome their hated rival to the north. Many fans scoffed at the actual return; a single A pitcher who has been clocked at 102 mph (20-year-old Justin Lange). I am okay with the trade. Luke needed a change of scenery and the reason he was expendable (health questions and defensive concerns) limited his trade value. Lange was rated as the eighth best prospect in the strong Padres farm system by MLB.com.

Justin Lange

If Rizzo has a strong bounce back year, he could opt out of his contract after the season so we might be looking for a new first baseman this fall but that is not a concern for now. 

So far this off-season, Brian Cashman has seemingly made the wrong moves. I have been waiting for the huge, brilliant move to make the team better, but we have only served to help make other teams better. Meanwhile, there is a beast growing north of the border in Ontario.  The trade rumors for potential pitchers (primarily centered on A’s pitchers Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas) continue to swirl but we have yet to see any trades involving the Yankees. The Yankees, for the most part, seem content to run it back with last year’s squad who were beaten last October by the over-achieving Boston Red Sox. 

Whether it is true or not, the ‘World Series or Bust’ mentality of Yankees Ownership seems to have left the building. Build enough to make the playoffs as a Wild Card entrant and then play the roll of the dice seems to be the new mantra. If the Yankees finish third or fourth in the AL East this year, Brian Cashman should be fired. It is time for change. If Hal Steinbrenner is worried about paying his creditors and partners, maybe it is time for the Steinbrenner family to cash in their chips. I am sure there are plenty of billionaires that would love to hold the most valuable franchise in Major League Baseball and would be willing to provide a very generous retirement package for Hal and his sisters. 

I miss the old Evil Empire days. Oh well, at least Hal can pay his bills. 

As always, Go Yankees!

Coming Soon: Your New York Yankees...

Photo Credit: Getty Images

MLB Baseball is back, baby! …

Finally, the MLB Lockout has ended, and Spring Training is here.

99 days of drudgery and apathy, brought to you by Major League Baseball. It was a frustrating time for all of us. If the MLB Owners and MLB Players Association had started negotiations when the lockout began in December, we might have been able to enjoy a routine off-season. Yet, egos were at play and there is little question the MLB Owners wanted to crush the union.  At the end of the day, the collective bargaining agreement is simply a mechanism for the owners to protect themselves from themselves. Regardless of how we got here, I am glad the lockout is over, and the players are enroute to Steinbrenner Field in advance of Sunday’s reporting date.   

The longer the labor dispute dragged on, the greater potential to drive fans away. I think Major League Baseball hurt itself in more ways than they can imagine, and they will probably feel the repercussions for years to come. I am ready to jump back in to follow the Pinstripes, but the pain of the past three months will not be easily wiped away. Maybe time will help. Five years can pass like a snap of the finger so we could be headed down this path again in 2026.

Not trying to single out Daniel Burch, co-founder (along with Bryan Van Dusen) of The Greedy Pinstripes, but his tweet yesterday summed up the feeling of many fans across the nation:

 

I would be lying if I said that I did not harbor these same feelings. The fans were the least considered party in the labor dispute in the battle for our money.  I am hopeful once the games begin, the fans who left will come back. It would help if the MLB Owners showed some empathy for us, but at least some of the players care.

Luke Voit, who could soon be ex-Yankees first baseman, summed it up best when he said, “They locked us out and took a while for us to get discussions going, which I think was frustrating on our end, but we were ready to go at any point”. Voit went on to say, “The fans are everything in the game and we represent what they want. We put the priority or the product on the field, so we just want to be there for them and I just didn’t want to lose fans”. Luke understands, and players with his mindset will help bring back the forgotten fans. 

Luke Voit / Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports

The roller coaster of the week was a challenge. Wednesday started with optimism but it was full-scale pessimism by the end of the day which ended with more cancellation of games by the MLB Commissioner. As an outside observer, it appeared the two parties could easily drift apart, which would have brought the tremendously contentious topic of backpay for lost games into the equation. I truly felt if the negotiations had derailed Wednesday night, the labor dispute had the potential to extend into the summer. Fortunately, the two sides kept trying and were finally able to come to an agreement on Thursday. I was concerned when it was reported the eight-member MLBPA executive committee, which includes Yankees Zack Britton and Gerrit Cole and former Yank Andrew Miller, had unanimously voted no against the agreement. Fortunately, it was presented to the team player representatives and passed by majority vote. Including the unanimous player executive subcommittee dissent on the agreement, only four team player representatives voted no as the final vote was 26-12.

The clear winner is Jackie Robinson. April 15^th is Jackie Robinson Day, and his widow, Rachel, is 99 years old. Wiping out the celebratory day would have been such an injustice that could have never been repaired. Honestly, my first thought when it was announced the new CBA had been agreed to, was the protection of Jackie Robinson Day.   

Photo Credit: Harry Harris, AP

While I am glad they will play a full 162-game schedule, I seriously would have preferred the old standard of 154 games for this season rather than try to make up for the lost games with the revocation of days off and addition of double-headers. The shortened Spring Training heightens the risk for injury, and there is little doubt the Yankees will be leaning hard on Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for reinforcements this year. Adding a three-game series at the end of the season (moving Season’s end from Sunday to mid-week), while maintaining the dates for the World Series, will squeeze the expanded 12-team playoffs into a tighter window. Buckle in, players…no rest for the wicked.

The owners rightfully agreed to increase the luxury tax threshold which elevates from $210 million to $230 million for the 2022 season. It will escalate to $244 million by 2026, the final year of the new CBA. Although there was a fourth tier added for the most extreme penalties ($60 million above the initial threshold, or $290 million for 2022), there is no chance Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner will exceed the threshold by that much. It was clearly a shot fired across town at billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen.  I have mixed feelings. I do not want a hard salary cap like other sports (the creative contracts in the NFL to get under the cap is insane). But I understand the need for competitive balance, which is why the changes to help discourage tanking are important. There is still a chance to reset penalties every few years, so you know that is Hal’s game plan and he is not going to play near the highest tier.  As for Cohen, how can you fault a billionaire who wants to spend to help his team? I wish we had one of those type owners. I jest of course because Hal does spend…just not with the same passion his father did.

The expansion of the playoffs to twelve teams would have allowed the dangerous Toronto Blue Jays to make the playoffs last season. The Yankees failed in a one-game matchup against the dreaded Boston Red Sox, but I think the outcome would have been the same against the Blue Jays. This screams to why GM Brian Cashman needs to build the right lineup before Opening Day.  It takes talent to beat talent.  It is more than that obviously, but the right pieces must be placed in the jigsaw puzzle to maximize the talent of the roster. I am sure some owners will take the stance of why build for a division championship when you can do less and still make the playoffs. I hope that mindset never enters Yankees ownership.

The draft lottery for the first six picks will help, but MLB needs to do more to prevent teams from tanking.

It did seem odd that the topic of an international draft became such a sticking point at the end, but I am glad they were able to kick the can down the road by a few months. The two sides will continue to talk about the international amateur system and direct draft-pick compensation (referred to as the qualifying offer). If the players want the elimination of the qualifying offer which can discourage teams from paying certain high-ranked free agents due to the draft-pick compensation, they will need to agree to an international draft by July 25^th. If not, the qualifying offer remains in place. The Yankees have benefited from no international draft the last couple of years when they spent most of their international pool allotments to sign the highest rated international prospects (Jasson Dominguez and Roderick Arias).  Yet, the international system is fraught with corruption and abuse, and an international draft would help level the playing field. I know the Yankees have benefited in the international market, but I think their ever evolving and improving scouting system will help uncover the gems despite the implementation of a draft.

I expected more of a free agent frenzy on Friday, so it was a bit underwhelming when the first Major League free agent signing was former Tigers reliever Drew VerHagen by the St Louis Cardinals. It was a bit of a gut punch when I saw the San Francisco Giants had signed LHP Carlos Rodon. I had thought he would have been a sneaky good pickup by the Yankees, but I cannot fault the Yankees for not making the two-year, $44 million investment in Rodon.  I suspect Cashman is closely monitoring the pitching market and will swing a trade to bring at least one additional starter into camp. The happiest free agent signing yesterday was when I saw that the Chicago Cubs had signed the most frequently mentioned Yankees “stopgap” shortstop target Andrelton Simmons. Off the market! Nice. I did not want any part of Simmons and would gladly accept a young Oswald Peraza over him. I do not think the Yankees will go into the season with Peraza or Anthony Volpe as the starting shortstop, so it remains to be seen what the Yankees do. 

I try not to think about the potential of adding free agent shortstop Carlos Correa, but the stars do seem aligned for him to sign with the Yankees. The Cubs were the only other team frequently mentioned with Correa and their addition of Simmons seemingly removes them from the equation. New YES Network analyst and former Yankee Cameron Maybin recently said, “If anyone could handle the extra weight the pinstripes carry its @TeamCJCorrea”. Maybin added, “He is really built for the biggest stage and what bigger stage than the boogie down baby!” There is much to be said about the ability to play in New York. It is not for everybody, and New York loves its stars. I know the baggage that comes with Correa (his association with the Astros cheating scandal and his disparaging remarks about Derek Jeter’s defense), but if the Yankees choose to sign Correa, I would be down with it. He is a great player and I feel if he is on your team helping you win, his past indiscretions can be forgiven if he shows remorse. 

Carlos Correa / Photo Credit: Chris Unger, Zuffa LLC

As much as I would love to see Freddie Freeman as a Yankee, it seems like the Los Angeles Dodgers are winning the race to sign the star first baseman. There really has not been any chatter that I have seen to connect the Yankees to Freeman. I probably still prefer Oakland A’s first baseman Matt Olson even if the cost is much greater than simply money. Olson is younger, and he fits the Yankees lineup as well as Freeman would.  But if the Yankees were to make an investment in either Correa or Trevor Story at shortstop, I would be totally down with resigning Anthony Rizzo for first base. Everybody keeps wanting to pencil in DJ LeMahieu at first base and that is such a waste of his talent.  He is a better play at second or third.  If Gleyber Torres struggles again this year, make LeMahieu the starting second baseman until Anthony Volpe is ready. I would play LeMahieu at third base for now and include Gio Urshela in a trade to help improve other areas of the team.

Lastly, I am grateful to hear Miguel Andujar was not seriously injured when he was beaten and robbed of a $7,000 gold chain at his home in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday. There were apparently three shots fired but Andujar was not hit.  He is scheduled to arrive in Tampa this weekend, so I hope he is 100% despite the ordeal. Very scaring news and it certainly could have been much worse. We look forward to your safe arrival in Tampa, Miggy!

Miguel Andujar / Photo Credit: Corey Sipkin, The New York Post

As always, Go Yankees!