Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated |
The Machado Rumor Mill Runs
Rampant…
According to “Anthony in White Plains”, today is the day for the
announcement Manny Machado is signing with the Yankees for an alleged 8-year
deal worth $240 million. In a previous post, I had picked this date as the day
Manny signs but admittedly as I write this post now, I am very skeptical there
will be any news at all. Until someone
like Ken Rosenthal, Jon Paul Morosi, or Buster Olney says it’s happening, I am
not going to believe it. I am certainly not going to take the word of Anthony
in White Plains or Dan Clark in Australia.
I do know that I am so ready for the Manny Machado and Bryce Harper
talk to end. This is as divided as I’ve ever seen the Yankees fan base. While I’ve
wanted the Yankees to sign Manny despite others’ preference for Bryce, I am
nearing the point where I just want them to sign somewhere…anywhere…even if it is not with the Yankees. Let’s move on with our
lives. Sadly, that won’t be happening until Manny and Bryce know where they
will be playing in April. Until then, we have to ride the roller coaster of
rumors.
I was saddened to see David Robertson sign with the Philadelphia
Phillies yesterday. D-Rob has arguably been the most consistent reliever in
baseball for the last decade. He was magical in critical jams, hence the “Houdini”
nickname. I enjoyed having confidence on the mound in bases loaded jams because
somehow you knew D-Rob would work his magic. With some guys in the pen, you
know when they let a few guys on base, we’re going to have flashbacks of Tyler
Clippard on the mound. That wasn’t the case with Robertson.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated |
I did bother me a
little yesterday when Robertson said that he had talked with GM Brian Cashman
this winter but Philadelphia was where he wanted to be. He says all the right
things about a willingness to pitch anywhere in the late innings but no doubt
the greater potential to close in Philly or at least have a job share with
Seranthony Dominguez was more appealing than setting up Dellin Betances and
Aroldis Chapman. I also read that something had changed with Robertson during
his time away in Chicago and he was not as beloved in the clubhouse his second
time around. Specifically, it was mentioned he was not popular with the younger
players. Considering the team is mostly comprised of younger players, that didn’t
sound very good. I had never heard of any locker room dissension but of course
we’ve all heard the role D-Rob played in the team vote that cost certain
members of the organization, like assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere and
traveling analyst Zac Fieroh, money from the distribution of the team’s playoff
shares. I’ve defended D-Rob’s role as he didn’t force other players to vote for
limiting shares but as a leader of the vote, there was a negative perception of
his involvement. We may never know what exactly transpired (well, not until a
book is written one day) but it does seem a parting of the ways was mutually
beneficial. Thanks for the memories, D-Rob. We do wish you well in Philly
unless they happen to be playing the Yankees in the World Series. It does kind
of stink that the Phillies have now snagged two valuable members of the Yankees’
2018 playoff team, having previously inked OF Andrew McCutchen, and could
potentially steal Machado away from the Yankees.
With relievers Robertson and Andrew Miller off the board, Zach Britton
and Adam Ottavino are the most desirable options available. Reports show the
Yankees focusing on Britton and we know the player enjoyed his time in the
Bronx and was amiable to returning so I am hopeful the two sides can come together
on an agreement soon. NJ Advance Media for NJ.com was reporting this morning
the Yankees have not been as engaged with Britton as other teams in recent days
so I am hopeful this is a ‘get back to us with your best offer and we’ll see if
we can match it’ situation. I like Ottavino, but I’d rather have Britton among
the two. It’s rumored Britton wants a four-year deal. It seems like the Yankees
could come up with a solid three-year contract with vesting option for the
fourth year to entice Britton to return. If Britton wants four years, he should
have some skin in the game to ensure the fourth-year option is exercised. My
biggest disappointment will be if the Yankees fail to sign either player. Regardless of what happens, the Yankees need
a strong rebound season from Tommy Kahnle. As it stands right now, he is one of
the most crucial pieces in the pen. Another year like last year would be
detrimental to the team. As for free agent Craig Kimbrel, thanks but no
thanks.
Apparently, Troy Tulowitzki took his physical yesterday so the official
announcement of his signing should be imminent. Once it happens, someone will
lose his place on the 40-man roster. The most logical candidates appear to be
infielder Hanser Alberto and outfielder Tim Locastro. Position-wise, Alberto
appears to the odd man out but player-to-player, I’d probably keep Alberto over
Locastro. Locastro is not going to beat out Brett Gardner, Clint Frazier, or, gasp, Jacoby Ellsbury and appears to be
more of a depth piece for Triple A. Not that I think Alberto is going to make
the Major League roster, but he’s had a good winter and offers infield
versatility. I’d like to see what he can do in the organization. The only thing
that I’ve really heard about Locastro is that he is fast. That’s nice. Next.
As for Tulo, I really wish I could get excited about his addition. But
honestly, we don’t know what we are getting. He could be the starting shortstop
on Opening Day or he could be released at the end of training camp. It’s not
like he was a huge investment. The guy hasn’t played in a year and a half and
has not shown an ability to stay healthy for the last few years. He may have
looked great in the tryout that preceded his signing with the Yankees but
playing the game will be the true test. Until then, I want a strong plan in
place for shortstop/second base should Tulo fail. Sorry Tyler Wade, you are not
a strong plan.
Inevitably, the departure(s) of Sonny Gray, Luis Cessa and/or A.J.Cole
will free up space but I don’t think those are moves made yet. Could be wrong.
I am far from having any inside knowledge of the situation.
Ken Rosenthal is reporting Cleveland’s chances of trading either Corey
Kluber or Trevor Bauer are diminishing by the day so it doesn’t look like the
Yankees will be in play for another starter until potentially the trading
deadline in July unless it is some random (i.e., bargain bin) arm they decide
to bring into camp.
Well, let’s see what today brings. Manny Machado could be exciting the
Yankees Universe by day’s end or we could be listening to the continued chirp
of crickets emanating from Yankee Stadium. Hal, please loosen the wallet. We
know you can afford to make Yankee fans very happy. What’s good for us is good
for you.
As always, Go Yankees!
Sad to see DRob go again , like Bernie Williams he didn't get any respect from Cashman.
ReplyDeleteTulip is a low risk gamble but really would you take Tulo and Machado over Machado and Andujar .
Everyone is so ready to trade Andujar , I watched every game he played last year and you know what I would take him as my 3B because he looked pretty good.He has a strong arm and a couple of times dropped his angle but let's face it those errors he got throwing to 1B a lot of those plays should had been made by the 1B.
His bat was tremendous, not only hits home runs but runs of doubles .
I am not sure if we should be in such a quick hurry to trade Gray with CC's health .
We need to sign Machado or extend Didi , I think Machado will be better offensively but Didi is better defensively at SS .
There is no sure thing Didi will return after next year with the Way Hal has been low balling FA on years and or money.
We have not been very good at drafting middle infielders who become impact starters on a MLB team.
So we need to open the checkbook and sign impact FA not gut reaction FA( see Ellsbury, Beltran and McCann)
Also still waiting on Roy White to have his day the stadium , he deserves it.