Saturday, November 29, 2014

Sheffield Unsure of His HOF Chances


He batted .292 with 509 home runs and 1,676 RBIs with eight teams over 22 years, but will ex-Yankees OF Gary Sheffield get into the Hall of Fame?

He apparently doesn't know, admitting Wednesday that he has "no idea" if he'll be selected. Sheffield was solid when he played for the Yankees from 2004-2006, appearing in two All-Star games as the club won three straight division titles.

Nonetheless, he isn't sure if his career numbers will be good enough for the honor, as impressive as they seem to be.

"The bottom line is that there is no question about my numbers and what I have done and how long I have done it,’’ Sheffield told The New York Post. “I was never voted the MVP, so I don’t speculate on anything.’’

He was, however, the NL Batting Champion in 1992, one of two seasons he spent with the Padres. 

Sheffield also collected a Silver Slugger Award that year, but that wasn't too unusual for him. He had nine of those in total, two of which came with the Yankees. 

“When I look back at it, for what I did and the injuries I had, I am proud of my accomplishments,’’ he said.

This is Sheffield's first time up for the accolade. He will have fifteen chances to get inducted as long as he's on at least five percent of the Baseball Writers Association of America's (BBWAA) ballots each year, and will become a permanent member of Cooperstown if he's ever on 75 percent.

Sheffield is one of ten former Yankees vying for the coveted accomplishment this winter, with Randy Johnson, Mike Mussina and Roger Clemens being a few of the notable others. 

Buy Alex Rodriguez's Used Mercedes Benz


This is not a joke, Alex Rodriguez must be seriously hurting for some cash right about now. Up until recently the man with the largest contract in Major League Baseball is selling his used Mercedes Benz CLK Class two door Cabriole convertible.... on Ebay. Just a day left so be sure to get your bids in now. CLICK HERE.

The thing retailed at just a shade over $95,000 and you may find a hypodermic needle or something stashed in the seats for an added value. Makes you wonder how bad Alex is off financially right now and it really confirms the fact that he will be in uniform in 2015, 2016, and 2017 so he can make that $61 million.

BREAKING: Yankees Up Offer to Max Scherzer

UPDATE: Fantasy Alarm is saying the deal is close although no credible sources have confirmed. CLICK HERE. 

According to multiple sources on Twitter, one that I especially trust in Dan Pfieffer from the Trenton Thunder, have reported big offers to Max Scherzer from the New York Yankees. One "baseball insider" claims New York has offered while Pfeiffer is hearing more of a six year offer for the former Tigers right hander. Stay tuned.

Signing Jung-Ho Kang is a Necessity for New York


With the shortstop market drying up quicker then the rolls at your Thanksgiving party on Thursday the New York Yankees may be on the outside looking in this hot stove season. That is unless the team heeds my warnings and my suggestions and signs Jung-Ho Kang at all costs.

Let's face it the shortstop free agent market sucks this season with the best option being a guy that hit under .200 last season in Stephen Drew. Looking ahead, and granted a lot can change between now and then, the free agent market sucks next season for shortstops as well making a pillow contract or one year deal a band-aid rather than a solution to New York's problems. To compound the problem the Yankees best shortstop prospects are all in the lower levels of the farm system and, at best, two years away if not more. Signing a youthful 27 year old like Kang to a three or four year deal may be in the Yankees best interests now and for the future.

Kang is not going to bring New York a Canyon of Heroes parade, I get that, but he will play more than adequate defense and give the team a boost offensively over Drew and incumbent Brendan Ryan. The KBO, or Korean Baseball Organization, is more of a AAAA system them a major league system but the Yankees don't necessarily need Kang to slash the career .298/.382/.503 he did in Korea and the team doesn't need him to hit the 137 home runs in seven full seasons he did with the Nexen and the Woori the Yankees just need him to be a slick defender and a solid #7, #8 or #9 hitter in the lineup. Check and check.

Kang will not bring the team a World Series alone and will not solve all the Yankees problem but he will not cost as much as Hanley Ramirez did and he will not gut the farm system like Troy Tulowitzki would. Where do I sign?

Throw Another Yoan on the Pile


According to MLB Trade Rumors there is another Yoan coming out of Cuba this winter and the New York Yankees are said to be interested in his services as well. Cuban right handed pitcher Yoan Lopez has drawn strong interest from several teams including the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lopez is just 21 years old standing 6'4" and 190 lbs. who has recently showcased for scouts and will showcase again next week in the Dominican Republic.

Lopez has three seasons in Cuba's Serie Nacional meaning he would fall under the 2014/2015 international signing budget that the Yankees have already blown out of the water. While Lopez has not been unblocked from the U.S. Department of the Treasury Major League Baseball has already declared him a free agent which helps speed up the process. Many around the league thought that Yoan Moncada would be the last notable free agent to count against the IFA spending cap this season but Lopez may also be in the mix for New York.

Lopez throws a cutter, a changeup, a curve ball and a slider while pitching but relies heavily on his 93-95 MPH heat. Lopez has hit 100 MPH on the gun three times since beginning to work out for teams and he is only 21 years old. Where do I sign?


TGP Daily Poll: Yankees Will Sign Yoan Moncada


I predict that the New York Yankees will sign Cuban defecting free agent Yoan Moncada.

Vote in our poll!

This Day In New York Yankees History 11/29: Drinks, Prepared to be Stirred


On this day in 1976 the Yankees got their drink stirred when they signed Reggie Jackson to a free agent contract worth five years and $3.5 million. Reggie would help the Yankees win four division titles, three American League pennants, and two World Series championships in his tenure thus becoming Mr. October.

Also on this day in 1966 the Yankees traded third basemen Clete Boyer to the Braves for outfielder Bill Robinson and a player to be named later.

Finally on this day in 1965 the New York Yankees traded Phil Linz to the Phillies for infielder Ruben Amaro. Over the next three seasons Amaro got famous for playing the harmonica on the team bus and playing in only 165 games before retiring after seven major league seasons.