RANT: MLB Players Union Hints at Work Stoppage

I want to preface this rant/post with a little message. These thoughts are my own and not a reflection of everyone here on the site. I understand what posturing is and I fully understand what negotiation is, I do it every day in my 9-to-5. I understand how the use of the media, social media and the fans backlash can affect a decision that is about to be made or a stance that a certain group has. I get it, but I don’t necessarily agree with that sort of “click bait” type attitude and use of the media. Nor do I agree with a potential work stoppage in Major League Baseball, and here is why.

Major League Baseball wants to start discussing rule changes that will potentially combat decreased offense, longer games, and the general thought process of some that baseball is a “boring” game. The MLB Players Union would rather discuss declining free-agent prices among other things and have already hinted at a work stoppage after the 2021 season. Not only do I believe that will be one of the biggest mistakes that Major League Baseball could ever make, I also find that to be the most disgusting, selfish and egotistical thing that they could do in my lifetime as a fan of the sport.

I was eight-years old when the New York Yankees and Montreal Expos, among other teams, had their playoff and World Series aspirations dashed with the work stoppage and eventual cancellation of the World Series in 1994, so I knew that it happened, but I didn’t truly understand why, or what it meant to the game. Now as I stand here at 32-years old I fully have a grasp of what it could mean, and I fully understand just how damn selfish some people are if it were to happen. I am not one of those fans that merely dismiss the fact that players should be happy with what they are paid because they are “playing a kid’s game” or whatever other excuse non-fans of the sport throw out there to try to be hip, trendy and controversial just for the sake of it. If the Yankees are making $100 million off of you I truly believe you are entitled to a good chunk of that, and I have no issue with anyone asking for it and getting it. There comes a point though where it goes into what the players are entitled to and turns into a true sense of entitlement, in all the worst ways.

Major League Baseball has a great thing going right now. Fans are flocking to the ballpark at record numbers, the game has been injected with an exciting group of young players that fans young and old are drawn to, most every team has their own television network that is driving profits and revenue to unseen heights, and there have been significant movements under Rob Manfred, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball, to find new homes and new ballparks for teams like the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays. Baseball has never been more fun to watch with 105 MPH fastballs being thrown every other night, home runs being hit at a record pace, youthful energy being exerted in the field, at the plate, and in the dugout, and excitement around the game for even the most casual of fans… yet the Union wants to throw this all in the toilet because of greed, pettiness, and in my opinion… bullshit. NSFW warning, whoops.

What are these two sides arguing about? From the league’s side Rob Manfred spoke after the All-Star Game this week and specifically touched on issues like pace of play, the number of strikeouts in the game, the lesser number of home runs being hit by every team but the New York Yankees, the significance of the defensive shift in the game, and the use of relief pitchers and how that use is affecting starting pitchers among other things.

Shifts are up, 20,587 of them have been employed through the first half of the season which is good for a 29.8% increase from the 2017 season along. In 2013, the league saw just 6,882 shifts all season long. The game is changing defensively, and with it are the batting averages of some of these star hitters. See Bryce Harper and his .214 batting average in his “contract year” for an example of that. Strikeouts are up and may even exceed the number of hits in the 2018 season, the league sees this as alarming, but I merely see it as an influx of quality talent that has made its way to the game. Why? Because the game is as attractive and more fiscally beneficial to players than it has ever been. Not because of work stoppages, but because of increased labor peace and the influx of money into the game. More pitching talent because more young players are choosing baseball instead of football and basketball will lead to lower batting averages. Adding in shifts will lower batting averages even more while increasing strikeouts. It is because the game is at its peak, not because the league needs a work stoppage.

Tony Clark, the head of the MLB Player’s Union, stated that the players themselves are reluctant to change and are “stewards of the game.” In a word, no. I doubt that, and I don’t buy that. Shifting defensively did not come about until recently, for example, so if the players were reluctant to change then they would want to ban or limit shifting, like the league does, because shifting is change. Nobody shifted on the greats like Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig or Mickey Mantle, so if the players don’t want change as much as Mr. Clark would lead us to believe then the point would be a non-issue for the players, and yet it is. Contradictory is the word that comes to mind. The real stickler for the players is money, it always has been, it always will be, and frankly it should be… to a point. Yes, I do realize that more than 100 free agents remained unsigned when spring training began including Neil Walker, who eventually signed a deal with the Yankees, and yes, I do realize that those players took a fraction of what they thought they were worth both in terms of dollars and years when they did eventually sign. That isn’t something that the league is going to be able to change and it certainly isn’t the league’s fault that there has been an increase in the need and appeal of young and exciting players. It is the Mike Trout’s and the Aaron Judge’s of the world that bring the fans, young and old, to the ballpark… not the 38-year old veteran who thinks he can still play at the same level he could when he was 28-years old and thinks he should be paid accordingly for it as well.

Again, yes, I realize that the invention of the luxury tax threshold and the subsequent penalties that each team have to think about when spending on these free agents, the loss of draft picks or international signing money for an example, would lead to more teams wanting to build their teams from within with young, cheap and controllable players and contracts, but the players themselves agreed to these implementations to stop teams like the New York Yankees from outspending everyone. The players and the leagues wanting parity and they got it for the most part, but with parity and the control of the flow of money being spent on the players come situations like we saw this winter. Mike Moustakas got a raw deal, no one would disagree with that, but he got a raw deal not only because the league and their rules got him the raw deal, Tony Clark and the Players Association had their hand in that pot also, whether they want to admit it or not. Hence the greed, hypocrisy, and downright disgusting behavior that led the league to hint at a work stoppage. Attendance is still up despite players having to take lesser deals, or no deals at all, and at the end of the day Major League Baseball is not only a game, but it is a business first and foremost.

Since we are on the topic of attendance, I am fully aware that MLB attendance as a whole is down as we entered the All-Star Break here in 2018. The average attendance for the league is 28,568 which is down from 30,159 at this point last season, another point that both Clark and Manfred touched on in their speeches to the media over the break. Manfred blames bad weather for the drop in attendance and responded to criticisms by saying that at one point the league average attendance was down by 9% this season, but now sits at 5.5% down which was grounds for optimism. Clark, though, was quick to remind us all that three teams were on pace to lose at least 100 games with five others on pace for 90 or more losses here in 2018. Clark filed a suit against teams this winter because of their lack of spending and willingness to put a winning team on the field, two of the teams being the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics who are looking for new ballparks with the third team being the Pittsburgh Pirates who just began a total rebuild. The attendance will be there, this I am not worried about. I tend to side with Manfred on this topic, the Yankees seemed like they were rained out every other day at one point this season while playing in a few other games that were at least questionable in terms of weather. I don’t know about you, but if the forecast says rain I am not going to make that spontaneous decision to go out to the ballpark, and I think most wouldn’t either. As the weather heats up and as the rains begin to stay away we have seen the attendance climb back up, not even Clark can argue against that.

Major League Baseball has run all 162 games, weather permitting, and every World Series since the 1995 season. It was a slow process and build up to get the fans back to the ballpark after the work stoppage in 1994, and it will be equally as destructive to do it again after the 2021 season. It will be the epitome of greed, it will be disgusting, it will be disheartening to a lifelong fan, and it will be destructive to the game. Swallow your pride, adapt to change like the rest of the damn world, put on your big girl panties (and your cup), and shut up long enough to get back on the field without a work stoppage in 2022. Unless you want to kill the game we all, players… the league… and the fans, have built back up since the last time your fat pockets weren’t fat enough in 1994.

You know what the worst part about it all is? Even if they did strike and stop working after 2021 I would still come back and watch, and they know that. Not everyone is as dedicated as me though, and hopefully the league and their representatives are aware of this. A work stoppage will gut the game and it will show just how truly vile, greedy, and unaffectionate that Tony Clark and some of these players really are. It is only 2018 and 2021 is a long way away, so you guys have plenty of time to think about it and make the right decision. Not only do your futures, and your pockets that you are so damn concerned about, rely on it, but so does the game’s future. Think and choose wisely.

Game Thread: 2018 MLB All-Star Game

And just like that it is game time here inside Nationals Park between the American League All-Stars and the National League All-Stars. Congratulations to all players, managers, and coaches involved with a special bit of congratulations to the players representing the New York Yankees; Gleyber Torres, Luis Severino, Aroldis Chapman and Aaron Judge.

Enjoy the game and get out healthy. Go American League and go Yankees!!

Imaging a Healthy Yankees Lineup w/ Manny Machado

The longer this goes on the more and more I find it likely that the New York Yankees will acquire All-Star starting shortstop Manny Machado from the Baltimore Orioles. The All-Star Game is tonight, but other than that baseball will shift its entire focus to the hot stove before games resume at the end of the week. Let’s take this time to have some fun and just play around with a hypothetical lineup or two. Let’s take a moment to assume that New York proves me wrong and does in fact acquire Machado from the Orioles, what would a healthy Yankees lineup with the right-hander in it look like? Scary, that’s what it would look like, but in a good way for the Yanks.

Brett Gardner – LF

Aaron Judge – RF

Manny Machado – 3B (deal with it)

Didi Gregorius – SS

Giancarlo Stanton – DH

Gary Sanchez – C

Aaron Hicks – CF

Greg Bird – 1B

Gleyber Torres – 2B

If Machado wants a ring and wants a trade to the Yankees he is going to have to accept the third base position, hence the “deal with it” comment above. If he doesn’t, enjoy Philadelphia. This lineup doesn’t really have a hole in it from top to bottom, the ultimate “Get Greedy” lineup. I know the Yankees don’t need Machado, but damn it would look good if they had him. What are your thoughts?

Yankees Statistical Leaders Through the First Half

The Yankees Offense

At Bats:

Giancarlo Stanton – 371

Games:

Giancarlo Stanton – 94

Hits:

Giancarlo Stanton – 103

Doubles:

Miguel Andujar - 27

Home Runs:

Aaron Judge - 25

RBI:

Aaron Judge - 60

Batting Average:

Gleyber Torres - .294

Miguel Andujar - .279

Giancarlo Stanton - .278

Aaron Judge - .276

The Yankees Pitching

Wins:

Luis Severino – 14

Losses:

Sonny Gray – 7

ERA:

Starters:  Luis Severino - 2.31 ERA

Bullpen:  Aroldis Chapman - 1.35 ERA

Strikeouts:

Starters: Luis Severino – 144 K’s

Bullpen: Dellin Betances – 72 K’s

Saves:

Aroldis Chapman – 26

Shutouts:

Luis Severino – 1

All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference

Another Day of “Trading Manny” Speculation…

Machado prepares to say goodbye to his O’s uniform…

It’s the All-Star Break and Manny Machado is still a Baltimore Oriole. A few more days anyway. If you believe the reports, the Philadelphia Phillies would seem to be the frontrunner, closely followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. I’ve seen one (most likely fictitious) report that has the Phillies sending third baseman Maikel Franco, shortstop J.P. Crawford, and top pitching prospect Adonis Medina to Baltimore. If that’s the level of talent on the table for Manny, I don’t see why the Yankees can’t beat it. I don’t think they will, but any way you look at it, Manny would make any team’s offense and defense better. For the Yankees, it only works if he is willing to move back to third base, but I’d gladly take the legitimate superstar over the young rookie at third (with no offense to Miguel Andujar who has done a fine job).

It is exciting to think about Manny Machado as a Yankee. The images of him wearing Pinstripes have been tremendous and then there was yesterday’s Instagram pic posted by Aroldis Chapman showing Manny sitting among Chappy, Luis Severino and Gleyber Torres. 

I continue to believe that the Orioles will not trade with the Yankees (even though we routinely seem give them quality arms with guys like Richard Bleier and Yefry Ramirez). But for all the excitement about Machado, it will be a letdown if the July trading deadline passes and we end up with only a pedestrian rental like J.A. Happ or Cole Hamels. 

If he does not come to the Bronx, I’d like to see Machado end up with the Dodgers. Play him at short this year to free up Chris Taylor to roam positions again. The Dodgers would have a great chance to re-sign Manny if he likes LA. He can hang out with LeBron. Next year, if they are successful in signing him, the Dodgers could move him to third when Corey Seager returns, push Justin Turner to first base, play Max Muncy at second, and keep Cody Bellinger in the outfield.  I certainly feel the Dodgers would have a much better chance at signing Manny to a long-term deal than either the Phillies or the Brewers. I’d still rather see Manny with the Yankees, but having him on the Dodgers would be a nice consolation prize (for me anyway). Sorry, it’s not about you, it’s all about me. Kidding…

The Boston Red Sox may hold a 4 ½ game advantage on the Yankees, but the Yankees have the farm system to make significantly greater moves than the Red Sox can make. Boston has the much weaker farm system and as baseball’s top spender, they are maxed out on salary unless they want to encroach into the highest tax penalty category. If we do nothing, it will be a lost opportunity.  Same if we come away with an arm that has difficulty keeping runners off home plate. We already have one of those with Sonny Gray.  We don’t need to add to our collection. 

Probably the only moves that would be more meaningful to me than Manny Machado would be a frontline starter like Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Blake Snell, or Madison Bumgarner. Unfortunately, I think the chances of landing one of those guys is about as good as Peter Angelos warming up to the Yankees. 

So, this leaves me with the opinion that I am going be disappointed come July 31^st. Whether it will be a lot or just a little, I don’t know but I sense that disappointment is headed my way. If there was ever a time for GM Brian Cashman to deliver one of his golden stealth moves, now is the time. 

The Yankees have played 95 games so there are only 67 games left. I am excited about the impending returns of both Gary Sanchez and Gleyber Torres which provide immediate upgrades, especially if El Gary can start hitting like we know he can. He has homered the last couple of games for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders so hopefully his timing is coming around quickly. 

The next couple of weeks will be very crucial for the Yankees as they attempt to chase down the Red Sox. They don’t have to be in first place by August 1^st but they need to make the necessary moves now to ensure that they are properly positioned for the impending sprint to the finish line.  Don’t let us down, Cash. This is your time.

Congratulations to Bryce Harper for the hometown Home Run Derby championship over Kyle Schwarber at Nationals Park last evening, but I must admit that I didn’t watch. There was just no drama or intrigue for me with this year’s participants.  I admire Rhys Hoskins and I think Mad Max Muncy is a great story but something was missing without Pinstripes.  I don’t blame Aaron Judge for passing on it, but without any Yankees, there was simply no motivation for me to watch.  I don’t really expect Harper to sign with the Yankees in the off-season so I didn’t have the urge to watch him take swings. Maybe if Manny Machado had been a participant, it would have carried a little more significance. Or even the great Mike Trout. Oh well, next year. 

It’s been great to see the pics of Gleyber Torres at the All-Star Game festivities. I’ve missed that guy. I look forward to having his energy back in the Yankees lineup very soon. 

Don’t look now, but LHP Nestor Cortes, who spent spring training with the Orioles, is a man on fire. In yesterday’s 5-0 win by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders over the Toledo Mud Hens, Cortes (4-3, 3.11 ERA) threw a one-hitter over six innings while striking out ten. Over his last 38 1/3 innings, Cortes has only allowed three earned runs. This is how I wish Chance Adams was pitching but sadly it is not. 

Here’s another shameless plug for Kurt Sutter’s new TV show Mayans MC which makes its premiere on Tuesday, September 4^th. The first season (set in a post-Jax Teller/Sons of Anarchy world) will feature ten episodes and tells the story of young Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes, played by JD Pardo. Reyes is fresh out of prison and a prospect in the Santo Padre charter of the Mayans MC, located on the Cali/Mexi border. According to the storyline, EZ must carve out his new identity in a town where he was once the golden boy with the American Dream in his grasp. The show also stars Clayton Cardenas, Edward James Olmos, Sarah Bolger, Michael Irby, Carla Baratta, Antonio Jaramillo, Raoul Max Trujillo, Richard Cabral and Danny Pino. Sons of Anarchy star Emilio Rivera returns as Marcus Alvarez, El Padrino of the Mayans MC.  I am looking forward to the ride.

We are still a few days away from the next Yankees game (Friday night at Yankee Stadium against the cross-town Mets) but at least we’ll get to see Luis Severino and Aaron Judge in action tonight (and maybe some shots of Aroldis Chapman and Gleyber Torres as spectators). 

As always, Go Yankees!

Game Preview: 2018 MLB All Star Game

Tonight inside Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, the 2018 MLB All-Star Game will take place between the American League and the National League. With nothing but bragging rights and a few extra dollars added to the paycheck for the winner on the line tonight I don’t expect the same flare and drama that we have seen in years past, and I am totally okay with that. Here are the complete rosters for both squads, let’s get to it, weather permitting, here in Washington!

National League Starters                                                              American League Starters

Wilson Contreras – C – CHC                                                         Wilson Ramos – C - TB   

Freddie Freeman – 1B – ATL                                                        Jose Abreu – 1B - CHW

Javier Baez – 2B – CHC                                                                   Jose Altuve – 2B - HOU

Brandon Crawford – SS – SFG                                                      Manny Machado – SS - BAL

Nolan Arenado – 3B – COL                                                            Jose Ramirez – 3B - CLE

Nick Markakis – RF – ATL                                                               Aaron Judge – RF – NYY

Matt Kemp – LF – LAD                                                                    Mookie Betts – LF - BOS

Bryce Harper – CF – WAS                                                              Mike Trout – CF – LAA

DH – TBA                                                                                             J.D. Martinez – DH - BOS

National League Reserves                                                            American League Reserves

Buster Posey – C – SFG                                                                  Salvador Perez – C - KC

J.T. Realmuto – C – MIA                                                                 Mitch Moreland – 1B - BOS

Joey Votto – 1B – CIN                                                                     Gleyber Torres – 2B - NYY

Paul Goldschmidt – 1B – ARI                                                        Francisco Lindor – SS - CLE

Scooter Gennett – 2B – CIN                                                         Alex Bregman – 3B- HOU

Ozzie Albies – 2B – ATL                                                                  Michael Brantley – OF - CLE

Trevor Story – SS – COL                                                                  George Springer – OF - HOU

Eugenio Suarez – 3B – CIN                                                            Mitch Haniger – OF - SEA

Lorenzo Cain – OF – MIL                                                                Shin-Soo Choo – DH - TEX

Christian Yelich – OF – MIL                                                           Nelson Cruz – DH - SEA

Charlie Blackmon – OF – COL                                                       Jedd Lowrie – 2B - OAK

Yadier Molina – C – STL                                                                  Jean Segura – SS - SEA

Jesus Aguilar – 1B – MIL                                                                Yan Gomes – C - CLE

National League Pitchers                                                             American League Pitchers

Max Scherzer – SP – WAS                                                             Justin Verlander – SP - HOU

Jacob deGrom – SP – NYM                                                           Corey Kluber – SP - CLE

Jon Lester – SP – CHC                                                                      Chris Sale – SP - BOS

Aaron Nola – SP – PHI                                                                     Luis Severino – SP - NYY

Patrick Corbin – SP – ARI                                                               Gerrit Cole – SP - HOU

Mike Foltynewicz – SP – ATL                                                        Jose Berrios – SP - MIN

Miles Mikolas – SP – STL                                                                JA Happ – SP - TOR

Josh Hader – RP – MIL                                                                    Trevor Bauer – SP - CLE

Kenley Jansen – RP – LAD                                                              Edwin Diaz – RP - SEA

Sean Doolittle – RP – WAS                                                            Aroldis Chapman – RP – NYY

Brad Hand – RP – SD                                                                       Joe Jimenez – RP - DET

Felipe Vazquez – RP – PIT                                                             Craig Kimbrel – RP - BOS

Zack Greinke – SP – ARI                                                                 Blake Treinen – RP - OAK

Jeremy Jeffress – RP – MIL                                                            Charlie Morton – SP - HOU

Ross Stripling – RP – LAD                                                               Blake Snell – SP - TB

Both leagues will employ the designated hitter, even in the National League park, enjoy the game.

Hello… All-Star Break

Good morning everyone and welcome to the All-Star Break. Last night we watched the American League and the National League go head-to-head in the 2018 Home Run Derby, and tonight we watch as these two league’s face off in the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. With nothing but bragging rights and a few thousand dollars at stake let’s see how the game unfolds tonight inside Washington’s Nationals Park. Enjoy the game!

And to you my baby, I love you and you are an absolute All-Star in my books. You always have been, and you always will be.

This Day in New York Yankees History 7/17: The Streak Snapped at 56 & The Bronx is Burning

Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin was the epitome of the Bronx is Burning era and on this day in 1978 the feud only got worse as Jackson was suspended for five games by the New York Yankees. In a Yankees loss the future Hall of Fame outfielder was told to swing away by Martin and instead struck out while attempting to bunt.

And finally on this day in 1941 Joe DiMaggio's record streak of hitting in 56 straight games ended as the Indians third baseman Ken Keltner robbed DiMaggio more than once. DiMaggio batted .408 during the streak and would start another 17 game streak after this game hitting in 73 of his last 74 games.

Gearing Up for the Final Hot Stove Push

The 2018 trading deadline for Major League Baseball is just around the corner and the hot stove season is in full swing. Will the New York Yankees land a top starter like Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard? Or will the team have to settle for a second-tier pitcher like Cole Hamels or Nathan Eovaldi? Will the team call up Justus Sheffield on August 1st like they did with Luis Severino back in 2015? Or will the team even still have Sheffield on their roster in order to trade him by then? There are many sites out there that are covering the trade deadline and everything around Major League Baseball but if you're looking specifically for how the odds change before and after the trade deadline for the Yankees, there are sites that offer resources like that and some of these sites have apps, which is pretty convenient when you're on the go.

MLB Trade Rumors is the best in the business for all your hot stove rumors, whisperings, trade proposals, etc. and they even have a forum and an active comments section to discuss every potential move and rumor. Twitter is also a great tool to use as many of the reporters that break the news when a deal has been made are on there tweeting all day long, just look for the blue check and while you’re there give us, @GreedyStripes, a follow.

If I were a betting man I would say that the Yankees get a starter not named deGrom, Syndergaard, Chris Archer or Madison Bumgarner and instead either go with what they have already on the team and in the minor league system, or the team acquires a pitcher like Nathan Eovaldi that is a true rental.

The July 31^st trade deadline is looming, stay tuned to see who the Yankees pick up en route to their 28^th World Series championship.

Weird Win is a Win, I'll Take It...

Photo Credit: AP (Ron Schwane)

Yankees survive Tribe on odd play and stellar bullpen…

If it takes a little league homer to beat the Cleveland Indians, so be it. A day after a Yankees rally fell short by one run against the Tribe, I had no issue with the deciding run in yesterday’s tilt being decided on Austin Romine’s lead-off double in the seventh inning that resulted in a run thanks to a couple of errors. Romine’s hit to the gap in the right center was bobbled by Brandon Guyer for the first error as Romine slid safely into third. The relay throw ended up bouncing past Jose Ramirez at third and Mike Clevinger back up the play into the dugout and the umpiring crew awarded Romine home plate for the go-ahead and eventual winning run.   

Photo Credit: Getty Images (David Maxwell)

For two teams with great hitters and defenders, it was an odd way for a game to be decided. The win allowed the Yankees to go up two games to one in the current series, putting them in position to take the series today before most of the players head for their homes and families for a few days of rest and relaxation.  

It wasn’t the greatest outing for CC Sabathia, giving up four runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings against his original team but credit him for keeping it close. Didi Gregorius had staked CC to an early lead with his three-run homer in the first inning. It was Didi’s 17th home run of the year.  

The Indians chipped away at the Yankees’ lead, tying the game at four in the bottom of the sixth when Brandon Guyer, who entered the game with a .162 batting average, hit a two-out infield single to third to score runners at second and third. Miguel Andujar's wide throw pulled Greg Bird off the bag at first to allow Guyer to reach base safely and Bird’s subsequent throw home glanced off the glove of Austin Romine, allowing the second and tying run to score. The hit chased Sabathia, but David Robertson came in to restore order. He walked the first batter he faced but then struck out Yan Gomes to end the inning.  

D-Rob pitched a clean seventh inning and Dellin Betances did the same in the eighth.  

The ninth inning was filled with a bit of drama. It started when Brandon Guyer led off the bottom of the inning with a pop up in foul territory. Austin Romine went back for the ball and Miguel Andujar came charging in and neither player came up with the ball, with an error charged on Andujar. It looked like it should have been Romine’s ball but the ball drifted toward Andjuar who couldn't get out of the way.

Photo Credit: NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It didn’t matter when Guyer grounded out to short, but then Aroldis Chapman walked Cleveland’s top prospect Francisco Mejia, who represented the tying run. Mejia had just been recalled earlier in the day to make his 2018 MLB season debut.  After striking out Yan Gomes, it set up a rematch of the 2016 World Series with Chapman facing Rajai Davis. As the announcing crew reminded us again and again, Davis had homered off Chapman to tie that game, the seventh and deciding game, although the Chicago Cubs eventually won it and the series with Chappy picking up the win. There would be no Davis home run this time around. His fly out to right field ended the game, giving the save to Chapman, his 26th of the season, and the win to David Robertson (7-3). With seven wins, D-Rob has as many wins as Masahiro Tanaka and more than any other Yankees pitcher not named Luis Severino.  

Greg Bird continued his recent hot hitting with a sixth inning solo blast off Indians starter Mike Clevinger that had briefly given the Yankees and Sabathia a two-run cushion. It was Bird’s eighth home run of the year.  

The game also featured the ejection of Manager Aaron Boone who showed some fire in the top of the sixth inning. After Giancarlo took a called third strike on a ball that hit his hands as he swung, Boone argued that the ball should have been ruled foul but to no avail. The umps were right but it was fun to see Boone fired up. It was Boonie’s second ejection of the season. 

Photo Credit: AP (Ron Schwane)

There was some good defensive play by second baseman Tyler Wade in the game (can we DFA Neil Walker already?) although he was unable to make a difficult play in the bottom of the sixth that led to the first baserunner who would eventually score on Brandon Guyer’s two-run single.  

The Yankees (62-32) remained 3 1/2 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. The Toronto Blue Jays took the Red Sox into extra innings before losing the game in the 10th on a walk-off grand slam home run by Xander Bogaerts.  

With the Manny Machado rumors subsiding, it appears most likely that he’ll be traded to a National League team which, all things considered, is probably for the best. The rumors involving the Philadelphia Phillies seem the most fervent at the moment, but the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers remain in the chase. It does seem odd to me that some teams would be willing to part with top prospects for a player they may have no chance to re-sign in the off-season. But then again, if you think you have a chance for the World Series, it might be worth it if you feel that Machado is the difference-maker. I am sure the Dodgers would hate to see Machado end up in Philly. My biggest fear is Machado being traded to the Red Sox so I am anxious for the O’s to send their star shortstop to the NL as soon as possible. Given how much Orioles owner Peter Angelos hates the Yankees, I could see him sending Machado to Boston just to spite the Yankees even if the return for their team was less.  

We may soon see Joe Girardi back in a dugout. The St Louis Cardinals surprisingly fired their manager, Mike Matheny, yesterday. Matheny was expected to be dismissed in the off-season but apparently the Cardinals organization became impatient (an uncharacteristic trait for them) as Matheny seemingly lost control of his clubhouse. Joe Girardi has emerged as a favorite to replace Matheny. The Cardinals are currently 47-46 and 7 1/2 games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and six games behind the second-place Milwaukee Brewers. they are just four games out in the Wild Card hunt. The last time the Cardinals fired a manager during the season was Joe Torre in 1995. I’ve seen the names of Jose Oquendo, Carlos Beltran, and even Jason Giambi mentioned, but Girardi would seem to make the most sense for a team trying to rebound from first half turbulence. Mike Shildt, the Cardinals bench coach, has been named interim manager. Girardi has some connection to the team as he finished his playing career in 2003 with the Cards.  

While I realize the sexy names like Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Madison Bumgarner, and Blake Snell are beyond reach for the Yankees, the most likely names that are available just plain scare me (not in a good way). Michael Fulmer, a name that has been connected to the Yankees for months, has been awful this year. I’ve tried to rationalize his performance by the fact that he plays for a bad team, but he was hit hard by the Houston Astros yesterday.  He failed to complete five innings, giving up ten hits and seven runs, as his season record fell to 3-9. There’s no way that I’d want to see the Yankees give up Clint Frazier and/or other top prospects for Fulmer despite his youth, potential and cost-controlled status. Cole Hamels and J.A. Happ have been awful. TGP’s Daniel Burch cites Zack Wheeler as a possibility but that one doesn’t excite me. Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney of the Los Angeles Angels are the most recent names mentioned. There is a very real possibility that the Yankees are unable to find a match for a top starter or two. Other teams are willing to overpay but the Yankees are not. I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I want to see Frazier, Justus Sheffield and Estevan Florial thrive as Yankees, but on the other hand, something needs to give if the Yankees intend to catch the Red Sox in the second half. Boston shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.  

Hopefully the Yankees can win today to send us into the All-Star Break on a positive note. Masahiro Tanaka (7-2, 4.68 ERA) makes the start against Trevor Bauer (8-6, 2.23 ERA). It should be a good game and a great day for a victory.  

Go Yankees!