Opening Day Game Thread: Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees 3/28

Opening Day 2019. The lines have been drawn on the field, the stadium is packed, the vendors are running their tails off, and the players are on the field. Let’s do this!!!!! In the start this afternoon the Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka to the mound to face off with Andrew Cashner for the Orioles. The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and can be seen on the YES Network, ESPN and MASN 2 in the Baltimore area. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV and on WFAN with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Enjoy the game. Go Yankees!!

Opening Day Game Preview: Baltimore Orioles @ New York Yankees 3/28

It’s here, it’s finally here, and we finally made it. Opening Day 2019. The New York Yankees will begin their quest for the 2019 World Series Championship this afternoon in the Bronx against the Baltimore Orioles. Game one, where everyone is in first place. The Yankees will start Masahiro Tanaka this afternoon in the opener while the Orioles will counter with Andrew Cashner.

Tanaka will make his fourth career Opening Day start for the Yankees this afternoon after Luis Severino was not quite ready to start the season due to a shoulder issue. Tanaka has not earned a victory in these starts, posting an 0-2 record with a 9.49 ERA on Opening Day, so the Yankees, and Tanaka specifically, will look for better results this afternoon in the Bronx.

Cashner also makes the Opening Day start this afternoon due to injury. Cashner will make his second career Opening Day start after the Orioles learned that Alex Cobb could not make the start due to a strained right groin that he suffered in his final spring training start. Cashner was 4-15 last season with a 5.29 ERA.

The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET inside Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and can be seen on the YES Network, ESPN and MASN 2 in the Baltimore area. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV and on WFAN with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Enjoy the game. Go Yankees!!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles 7/10

And just like that it is game time here in Baltimore as the Baltimore Orioles play host to the New York Yankees in the third of a four-game set this week inside Oriole Park and Camden Yards. After the double-header last night these two teams are back at it again tonight with the return of Masahiro Tanaka to the Yankees rotation. Opposing Tanaka tonight will be Andrew Cashner for Buck Showalter’s fighting Orioles. The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Oriole Park and Camden Yards and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB Network. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV, with the MLB At-Bat app and by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast on WFAN with the legendary Yankees duo of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Follow us on Twitter, @GreedyStripes, and “Like” us on Facebook, The Greedy Pinstripes, to keep up with us and the team all season long. Enjoy the game, give Showalter another reason to cry about the Bronx Bombers, and go Yankees!!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Baltimore Orioles 7/10

In the third game of the four-game set between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles the Yankees will watch as a key piece returns to the starting rotation. Happy Tanaka Day everyone. The Yankees will activate Masahiro Tanaka before the game to make the start for New York while the Orioles will counter with Andrew Cashner. How are the hamstrings, Tank? Let’s find out as we get to it here in Baltimore.

Tanaka sustained two strained hamstrings in his last start against the New York Mets on June 8^th. Tanaka tagged up from third base on a sacrifice fly and immediately exited the game. Tanaka made his last rehab start on July 4^th down in Triple-A and will be activated tonight after throwing 69 pitches in the contest.

Cashner has been solid in his last six starts posting five quality starts in that span, but the Orioles and their offense have done their right-handed starter no favors in terms of run support. Cashner has a 3.18 ERA over that six start span but also sports an 0-3 record to go along with it due to lack of run support.

The game will be played at 7:05 pm ET inside Oriole Park and Camden Yards and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB Network. You can also follow along with the game on MLB TV, with the MLB At-Bat app and by tuning into the Yankees radio broadcast on WFAN with the legendary Yankees duo of John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Enjoy the game, why not… predicting a perfect game tonight, and go Yankees!!

Shohei Says No Way to New York, Now What?

The Shohei Otani ship has sailed Yankees fans but that does not mean this offseason has to be a disaster for Brian Cashman and company. The Yankees have a plan and a young stable of starting pitchers ready to start the 2018 season including Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, Sonny Gray and Jordan Montgomery with the likes of Justus Sheffield, Chance Adams and others waiting in the wings down in the minor leagues. The Yankees need one more starter, if at all, next season and that one starter will likely be CC Sabathia. Just for fun though, and for the sake of not assuming that it will simply be Sabathia just because of old loyalties and such, let’s take a look at the free agent class of starting pitchers to see if any other arms should entice the Yankees.

First and foremost, you can erase any ideas of expensive arms like Jake Arrieta, Jeremy Hellickson or Yu Darvish joining the Yankees staff in 2017. Those three arms will look to cash in big time this offseason via free agency and neither will likely fit into the austerity plans the New York Yankees have going forward leaving a lackluster list of potential arms. Just some of the arms available for New York include Anibal Sanchez, John Lackey, Ubaldo Jimenez, Ricky Nolasco, Chris Tillman, Andrew Cashner, Jason Vargas, Hector Santiago, Lance Lynn, Clay Buchholz, Jaime Garcia, Miguel Gonzalez, Alex Cobb and Bud Norris to name a few.

Out of that group of names obviously Alex Cobb is the most intriguing, the problem with Cobb though is that he is tied to draft pick compensation after being offered a qualifying offer this winter by Tampa Bay. That should in itself rule him out in my book, although the Yankees do have a great farm system and may be willing to part with a first-round pick for Cobb’s services. Who knows. All I know is I want no part of any other name on that list. It is either Cobb and the first-round draft pick, CC Sabathia or bust if you’re asking me. If not, then I would be more than comfortable with letting the Yankees ride with who they currently have and bringing up another young kid from the minor leagues to battle it out during spring training camp.

Also, don’t forget about Michael Pineda even though he is likely to miss the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June of 2017. He may be back in August or September of this coming season but to bank on that would be foolish for New York. Pineda may be an absolute steal for the 2018 season though, so a two-year deal is and should always be on the table in my opinion. 

No Hits For You -- Well, Maybe One!...

Credit:  Richard Rodriguez-Getty Images

Yankees 3, Rangers 1...

Luis Severino was spectacular on Saturday as he combined with two relievers to one-hit the Texas Rangers. Sevy didn't get the win, but he was masterful a day after Masahiro Tanaka's implosion. Manager Joe Girardi went with the "A" team for the bullpen, using David Robertson (the winner) and Aroldis Chapman (the save).  

Brett Gardner kicked off the game with a single to left.  However, the Yankees came up empty when Chase Headley hit a sharp fly to center that Gardy thought was going to drop in.  He took off for second and thinking the ball would fall, he accelerated for third. Unfortunately, Rangers center fielder Carlos Gomez made a great catch. There was no chance for Gardy to get back to first so the Rangers were able to complete the easy double play.  Gary Sanchez popped out to short so it was time to start the Luis Severino Show.

The Yankees came up with a great defensive play of their own in the bottom of the first when Jacoby Ellsbury, echoing shades of his younger self, recorded the final out with a diving catch to rob Elvis Andrus of a hit.  The play received an ovation from Severino on the mound.

In the bottom of the 2nd, the Rangers' Carlos Gomez had to be helped off the field during an at-bat when he rolled his right ankle after hitting a grounder to second and suffered a high ankle sprain.

Through the early innings, Severino was cruising but unfortunately so was Rangers starter Andrew Cashner.    The Yankees threatened again in the top of the 3rd when Brett Gardner hit a two-out single to left.  Chase Headley singled to right to put the runners at the corners, but Gary Sanchez went down swinging to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 5th, with the Rangers still searching for their first hit against Severino, Joey Gallo walked to start the inning for the Rangers.  Will Middlebrooks hit into a fielder's choice at third and the Yankees erased Gallo at second but they were unable to turn the double play.  Rangers backup catcher Brett Nicholas, starting in place of Robinson Chirinos who had the day off, doubled to the right field corner to score Middlebrooks.  It was the only hit the Rangers would get off Severino and the Yankees bullpen for the duration of the game.  

Luis Severino pitched through the 7th inning but the Yankees still trailed 1-0.

In the top of the 8th with Andrew Cashner still on the mound for the Rangers, Todd Frazier was hit by a pitch.  That would be all for Cashner, who did a magnificent job.  The Rangers brought in Alex Claudio to replace Cashner.  The Yankees sent up Matt Holliday to pinch hit for Greg Bird.  Holliday singled to right and Frazier moved to third.  Tyler Wade replaced Holliday at first.  After Brett Gardner fouled out to the catcher, Chase Headley hit a sacrifice fly deep to center to score Frazier. The game was tied.  Gary Sanchez singled to left past shortstop Elvis Andrus, moving Wade to second.  However, the Yankees were unable to capitalize when Didi Gregorius grounded out to the defensive shift at short/second to end the inning.

David Robertson pitched a clean bottom of the 8th to send the game to the 9th.

With Alex Claudio still pitching for the Rangers, Starlin Castro led off the 9th with a single to right. Aaron Judge hit a grounder to third and the throw erased Castro at second.  The Rangers were unable to turn the double play when the relay to first pulled Joey Gallo off the bag so Judge was safe.  Jacoby Ellsbury lined a single to right which advanced Judge to third.  The Rangers replaced Claudio with Ricky Rodriguez.  Todd Frazier was hit by pitch, again, so he took first and Ellsbury moved to second.  The bases were loaded.  Tyler Austin, who had entered the game in the bottom of the 8th to replace Bird, singled to left on a hard hit ball which brought Judge home with the go-ahead run.  

Credit:  Larry W Smith-EPA

Brett Gardner was unable to advance the runners when he popped out to short.  It brought Chase Headley to the plate with the bases still packed.  He patiently took a walk which brought Ellsbury home with the second run of the inning.  The Yankees led 3-1. The Rangers made another pitching change to bring in Nick Gardewine. Gardewine ended the Yankees rally by getting Gary Sanchez to hit into a fielder's choice which forced Headley at second.  

Bottom the 9th and the heart of the Rangers order due up.  It was time for the return of Aroldis Chapman to his endeared role as the Yankees closer.  He did not disappoint.  After Elvis Andrus grounded out to second (Starlin Castro's brilliant throw to first just beat the runner as confirmed by the challenge replay), Chapman struck out both Nomar Mazara and pinch-hitter Mike Napoli to end the game.  The Yankees win!

Credit:  Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees (76-65) were unable to make up any ground on the Boston Red Sox.  The Red Sox, behind Chris Sale, dismantled the Tampa Bay Rays, 9-0, and maintained their 4 1/2 game lead over the Yankees.  The Cleveland Indians won their 17th game in a row.  Their 4-2 victory over Baltimore pushed the O's 5 1/2 games behind the Yankees.  

It was an incredible effort by Luis Severino.  He pitched seven innings, allowing only the single hit and run.  He walked three and struck out ten.  The outing lowered his season ERA to 2.96.  David Robertson (7-2) picked up the win and Aroldis Chapman captured his 17th save.  

For the Yankees offense, they had nine hits but all were singles.  Brett Gardner (2-for-5) was the only hitter with multiple hits.  Chase Headley had 2 RBI's and Tyler Austin had the crucial game-winning RBI in the 9th.  

Odds & Ends...

The Yankees have a change in the pitching match-up for today's game.  Jordan Montgomery (7-7, 4.14 ERA) will start in place of CC Sabathia, who was moved to Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citi Field in Queens.  A.J. Griffin (6-5, 5.09 ERA), who had originally been scheduled to pitch on Saturday until Andrew Cashner was moved up, will start for the Rangers.  The Minnesota Twins lost so they are 2 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the Wild Card Standings (holding the 2nd spot).  The Los Angeles Angeles and Texas Rangers are 2 and 2 1/2 games behind the Twins, respectively.

The Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders won Game 3 of their Governor's Cup best-of-five first round series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Phillies).  The 6-1 win, behind the arm of Brady Lail, gives the RailRiders the 2-1 series advantage. Donovan Solano was 3-for-4 with 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored. Mason Williams was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Billy McKinney homered for the second time in the series with a two-run shot in the 6th inning.

Credit:  Fred Adams-for Times Leader

Game 4 is scheduled for today at 1:05 pm at PNC Field in Moosic, PA.  Nestor Cortes (2-4, 1.49 ERA) takes the mound in the potential series-clinching game.  he'll face Jacob Waguespack (9-7, 3.42 ERA in A-Adv and AA this year).

The Double A Trenton Thunder crushed the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets), 9-1, in Game 4 of their Eastern League Division Series to win the series and advance to the Eastern League Championship Series.  They'll face the Altoona Curve (Pirates) with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, NJ.  

As expected, the Yankees signed 16-year-old Dominican shortstop prospect Ronny Rojas.  The Yankees have long been tied to the youngster but he didn't turn 16 until August 23rd.  Rojas was rated as the eleventh best unsigned international prospect earlier this summer by MLB.com.  He is the highest rated Yankees signing behind OF Everson Pereira, who was rated fourth.

Have a great Sunday!  Let's take this series and head for NYC!  Go Yankees!

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers 9/9

Now that I am done ranting about Aaron Judge and the hate he is receiving for his second-half slump let’s get back to baseball. The New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers are just about ready to kick off the second game of their three-game weekend set inside Globe Life Park at Arlington with a pitching matchup that screams Comeback Player of the Year. Both starting pitchers this afternoon, Luis Severino for the Yankees and Andrew Cashner for the Rangers, bounced back in 2017 after struggling in 2016 giving the fans of each team a feel-good story to follow all year long. The game this afternoon will be played at 1:05 pm ET and can be seen on FOX. You can also follow along in your cars and on the radio by tuning into the WFAN broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Follow us on twitter by following @GreedyStripes and enjoy the game. Need a win, get a win, and go Yankees!

Prediction: Yankees win 8-3

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ Texas Rangers 9/9

The New York Yankees keep on chugging along today as the team makes the trip back to Globe Life Park at Arlington for the second of a three-game weekend set between the two clubs. The Yankees and Rangers will be showcased nationally for all to see this afternoon after playing well into the night last night in Arlington. In the words of Joe Girardi, that’s not what you want. Especially in September. Both clubs will have to power through it though because that’s what you do during September baseball, especially if you’re in the middle of a playoff chase. The Yankees will send arguably their best pitcher in Luis Severino to the mound this afternoon looking to take another step towards a postseason berth while the Rangers will counter with Andrew Cashner. Enjoy the game!

Severino was absolutely dominant in his last start against the Boston Red Sox at a time when the Yankees absolutely needed a gem. Severino allowed just one unearned run on two hits in six innings of work in an eventual 9-2 victory for the Yankees in the Bronx. Severino didn’t walk anyone and only took 87 pitches in the start that included nine strikeouts.

Cashner was impressive as well in his last start, albeit against the Atlanta Braves, allowing just two earned runs in a victory for the Rangers. Cashner has been great since July 5 allowing just 19 earned runs in 65.1 innings pitched which has been huge for the playoff hopeful Rangers.

The game will be played at 1:05 pm ET inside Globe Life Park at Arlington and can be seen on FOX. I am pretty sure when the games are nationally broadcast on FOX that even MLB TV is blocked out but I cannot confirm that 100% at this time. If it is though you can always follow along with the game in your cars and on the radio by tuning into the WFAN broadcast with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.

Enjoy the game, keep the good times rolling, need a win and get a win. Go Yankees!

Selling Pieces Now Can Help in 2017?

The New York Yankees seem to be in sell mode before this year’s August 1^st trading and while we may not be seeing a fire sale by any stretch of the imagination we could see a few key pieces moved before it’s all said and done. This is important not only for the 2016 season with eyes on the 2018 season and beyond but there is one key component that many are missing in regards to the 2017 season as well. The Top 10 picks every season are protected when offering contracts to players who received qualifying offers and if the Yankees fall a bit more they could potentially get one of those protected picks and get a free pass this winter in free agency.

Entering play on Monday 13 teams have records worse than the Yankees record right now and one team, the Seattle Mariners, have an identical record as the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees had the 14^th worst record in Major League Baseball with the dominating bullpen of No Runs DMC, a resurgent season from Carlos Beltran and great performances from the likes of CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Brett Gardner, Brian McCann and others. If some of these players fall by the wayside and/or get traded this month or next month that record could fall, and fall fast.

Now looking at the potential free agent class for the 2017 season you can see if it’s even worth it to “tank” the season for one of those protected picks. Thanks to MLB Trade Rumors you can see that the cream of the crop as far as the 2017 free agency market goes are Jonathan Lucroy (he has a club option for 2017 that will likely be exercised), Wilson Ramos (like we need another catcher), Edwin Encarnacion, possibly Yoenis Cespedes if he opts out of his contract with the Mets, Ian Desmond (see my above comment about needing a catcher), Jose Bautista (we need guys who can throw punches, not take them), Andrew Cashner and a plethora of relievers you can read about at MLB Trade Rumors. Oh and Stephen Drew. Stephen Drew sucks.

I don’t know about you but that list doesn’t necessarily intrigue me all that much. There are only a handful of players who are under that magical 30-year old mark and only a handful of players that I would actually want on the Yankees going forward. Mark Melancon would be nice and would definitely be worth the second round pick that New York would have to give up presumably if Pittsburgh offers him a qualifying offer but aside from that I’m just not blown away.

So would selling now help not only the 2017 season but also the 2018 season and beyond? No, I don’t think that it would. Right now it looks like there is no helping this 2016 club or the 2017 club either unfortunately and in my opinion. 

Game Thread: New York Yankees @ San Diego Padres 7/3

The New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres are set to kick off this finale of their three-game set with an afternoon game in southern California. In the finale the Yankees will send Chad Green to the mound for his second MLB start while the Padres counter with Andrew Cashner who is making his first start since coming off the disabled list. The game will be played at 4:10 pm ET inside Petco Park and can be seen on the YES Network and MLB TV.

No sales pitches, just bring me a victory. For America. Follow us on Twitter to interact during the game, our handle is @GreedyStripes. Go Yankees!

Game Preview: New York Yankees @ San Diego Padres 7/3

The New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres will finish off their three-game set this afternoon in sunny San Diego and most on the East Coast will actually be able to see it. The Yankees and Padres are playing in a day game after a night game so the Yankees can getaway after the contest. In the finale the Yankees will send Chad Green to the mound and not CC Sabathia who will be pushed back a day while the Padres will counter with one of their best pitchers in Andrew Cashner. This has all the makings of being another frustrating contest for New York.


Green will make the trip from Triple-A to the Major Leagues for this spot start which makes you wonder what is going on with CC Sabathia, more on that later. The Yankees hope the Green that has been dominating with a 1.54 ERA in 14 starts in Triple-A makes the trip and not the guy who struggled in his MLB debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Cashner has been on the disabled list since early June with a strained neck and draws the Bronx Bombers who have been struggling offensively (aside from the 9th inning when down) lately in his first start.


The game will be played at 4:40 pm ET inside beautiful Petco Park and can be seen locally on the YES Network and on MLB TV wherever you are. The Yankees need to get this game out of here so they can make the long trip back to Chicago to prepare for an old face and foe in James Shields inside U.S. Cellular Field so let's get on with it and let's get a victory. Go Yankees!

If the San Diego Padres Start Selling.... Part II

We have done quite a few of these "If the fill in the blank team starts selling" posts this offseason including one for the San Diego Padres already. The thing about the offseason is this though, you have to constantly keep up on these things. Things are constantly changing and so are team's directions and plans as moves are done and plans are revealed. Many probably thought the San Diego Padres would go for it again in 2016 much like they did in 2015 but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. The Padres have already traded Yonder Alonso and others while the team is also losing Ian Kennedy, presumably, to free agency leaving many to wonder who is next?

We've already written a post wondering if James Shields would make sense for the Yankees but honestly I cannot see that happening anymore. The Yankees have added payroll in the Aroldis Chapman trade and the Starlin Castro trade meaning that Hal Steinbrenner's checkbook is tucked away in his purse for the winter making the deal unlikely. The good news for New York is that San Diego has the young pitching that the Yankees desire this winter, and they may be selling.

It would make sense for San Diego to sell. They aren't a complete team, far from it in fact, and teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks have surpassed them in the division. San Diego should look at trading the likes of Yangervis Solarte, Dustin Norris, Matt Kemp, Will Myers, James Shields, Odrisamer Despaigne and the two that would interest New York the most, Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross.

New York would not be able to pull off a four "C" type prospects for either Cashner or Ross but I don't believe they would cost the team Jorge Mateo, Aaron Judge or Luis Severino types either. Ross is just 28-years old and would be under team control for the 2016 and 2017 seasons while Cashner enters the 2016 season in his age 29 season with just one year left of team control. Cashner would come cheaper for obvious reasons and could be offered a qualifying offer after the season to counteract the price tag but Ross is obviously the more ideal candidate. He's under team control for longer, he's younger and truth be told he's probably the better pitcher of the two.

Cashner is coming off a 16 loss season to be honest, although his peripherals are much better than his traditional stats, while Ross continued to struggle with his command. Ross walks a lot of guys and throws a lot of wild pitches but with a 2.98 FIP (in 2015) and 212 strikeouts you can live with that. If the Yankees give up a lot they should also find a way to get the once promising Brett Wallace in the deal as well. Wallace was once a top prospect that can play both first base and third base, both needs for the Yankees, despite the fact that he hits left-handed.

San Diego is probably selling, maybe not as aggressively as they were buying at this time last season, and the Yankees need to take advantage of that. They want young and cheap starting pitchers that can be controlled beyond this season and San Diego has at least one of them. Make the call, get the job done and don't give up too much. Sounds easy, right?

Most Popular Article of the Week: Brace Yourselves: A Robert Refsnyder Trade is Coming

Brace yourselves Yankees fans because more trades are coming and one of those trades will likely include Yankees second base prospect Robert Refsnyder. The New York Yankees acquired Starlin Castro from the Chicago Cubs for Adam Warren and Brendan Ryan at the Winter Meetings leaving the Yankees with their second baseman for at least the next four years, five years if the Yankees pick up a very team friendly option for the 2020 season. New York has concerns about Refsnyder’s defense and are not going to let him play a bench role on the team unfortunately, eventually he will have to be traded.


Refsnyder is Major League ready now despite what a lot of fans say. His defense is adequate and his bat is getting better all the time. Refsnyder looked poised and relaxed in his small shot in the big leagues in 2015 and teams would be heavily interested in his services I would think. But who would New York send Refsnyder to in a hypothetical trades? There are a few teams actually.


The Cincinnati Reds come to mind immediately as they are shopping their third baseman Todd Frazier, first baseman Joey Votto, outfielder Jay Bruce and second baseman Brandon Phillips. Frazier would interest the Yankees the most at third base and would cause the team to make yet another trade involving Chase Headley but it could work with Refsnyder and a whole lot more. Frazier is a pipe dream, I know, but what Brian Cashman is doing right now goes to show you that even a pipe dream is a possibility at this point.


The second base market is quickly coming together with Ben Zobrist going to the Cubs and the Mets getting Neil Walker so many teams are now scrambling for former Met and postseason hero Daniel Murphy. All the teams that lose out on Murphy’s services could be interested in Refsnyder as a backup. Another option could be a team like the San Diego Padres or Atlanta Braves who are seemingly rebuilding and would be willing to send either Julio Teheran or James Shields, Tyson Ross or Andrew Cashner back to the Bronx.



If the Yankees don’t trade Refsnyder, and they will eventually, he will begin the season back in Triple-A and back at second base for the RailRiders. Rest assured though, a trade is coming and Refsnyder will be a part of it. It may be this winter or it may be in July, but it is coming!

Brace Yourselves: A Robert Refsnyder Trade is Coming

Brace yourselves Yankees fans because more trades are coming and one of those trades will likely include Yankees second base prospect Robert Refsnyder. The New York Yankees acquired Starlin Castro from the Chicago Cubs for Adam Warren and Brendan Ryan at the Winter Meetings leaving the Yankees with their second baseman for at least the next four years, five years if the Yankees pick up a very team friendly option for the 2020 season. New York has concerns about Refsnyder’s defense and are not going to let him play a bench role on the team unfortunately, eventually he will have to be traded.

Refsnyder is Major League ready now despite what a lot of fans say. His defense is adequate and his bat is getting better all the time. Refsnyder looked poised and relaxed in his small shot in the big leagues in 2015 and teams would be heavily interested in his services I would think. But who would New York send Refsnyder to in a hypothetical trades? There are a few teams actually.

The Cincinnati Reds come to mind immediately as they are shopping their third baseman Todd Frazier, first baseman Joey Votto, outfielder Jay Bruce and second baseman Brandon Phillips. Frazier would interest the Yankees the most at third base and would cause the team to make yet another trade involving Chase Headley but it could work with Refsnyder and a whole lot more. Frazier is a pipe dream, I know, but what Brian Cashman is doing right now goes to show you that even a pipe dream is a possibility at this point.

The second base market is quickly coming together with Ben Zobrist going to the Cubs and the Mets getting Neil Walker so many teams are now scrambling for former Met and postseason hero Daniel Murphy. All the teams that lose out on Murphy’s services could be interested in Refsnyder as a backup. Another option could be a team like the San Diego Padres or Atlanta Braves who are seemingly rebuilding and would be willing to send either Julio Teheran or James Shields, Tyson Ross or Andrew Cashner back to the Bronx.

If the Yankees don’t trade Refsnyder, and they will eventually, he will begin the season back in Triple-A and back at second base for the RailRiders. Rest assured though, a trade is coming and Refsnyder will be a part of it. It may be this winter or it may be in July, but it is coming!