Hall of Fame Tracker – Catchers

In this investigation, we will rank Hall of Famers, future eligible Hall of Famers, and active players at each respective position through generating a formula that captures how talented a particular player is relative to the other best players in that specific era. 

Numerous conditions will be in effect:

• HOF members who played solely in the NL (Negro Leagues) will be excluded from the comprehensive rankings because it would be illogical/imprecise to compare numbers from one league (NL) to another (MLB)

• PED/Steroid users Javy Lopez, Jim Leyritz, and Benito Santiago will be excluded from the 5 year interval averages (which will be explained below)

• Player must have played at least 5000 innings at primary position in order to be eligible for the list
• Player must have amassed at least 4000 career PA in order to be eligible for the list
• If a player is no longer eligible for the list (was not voted into the HOF), he will be excluded

• When a player accumulates less than 150 PA in a season, stats from that year will be excluded.
• If a player registers less than 250 PA in his penultimate season, offensive stats from that year will be factored out so long as he accrues less than 250 PA in his final season (in which case stats from that year would also be ruled out)

• When a player plays less than 300 innings at his primary position, stats from that year will be excluded.
• If a player plays less than 500 innings at his primary position in his 5th to last season (of playing his primary position – in this case catcher), defensive stats from that year will be factored out so long as he accrues less than 500 innings in each of his final 4 seasons (in which case stats from those years would also be ruled out)

• If a player plays less than 10% of their games at a secondary position, the defensive stats he accumulated at that position will be unaccounted for
• If a player qualifies for a secondary position, their stats (during a particular season) at that position will never be excluded (even if they play less than 300 innings at that secondary position)
• Under the circumstances that a player’s secondary position is the OF — and the OF position he played is not listed — the positional adjustments (see below) for the 3 OF spots will be averaged

• If a player plays his last year before 2002, TZ will be used as the fielding metric
• If a player plays his first year after 2001, Fielding Value (which is based on UZR and can be found on FanGraphs) will be used (a player’s UZR at secondary positions will be subtracted from his overall Fielding Value)
• If a player plays his first year before 2002 and his last year after 2001, Fielding Value (based on TZ before 2002) will be used (once again, a player’s TZ and/or UZR at secondary positions will be subtracted from his all-encompassing Fielding Value)

The following positional adjustments will be instituted (using FanGraphs’ Positional Adjustment tool as a basis tool) in regards to secondary positions:

• DH: -2.5 (per 162 games)
• 1B: +1 
• LF and RF: +2.5
• CF, 2B, and 3B: +5
• SS: +7.5
• C: +10

To view the “Hall of Fame Tracker – Catcher” spreadsheet (which I highly recommended viewing), click here

The equation used to calculate a player’s FINAL HOF SCORE (blue cells in spreadsheet) incorporates the following:

• OFF-DEF Score – compares Player A’s AVG, OBP, HR, RBI, SB, and TZ/UZR/FIELDING VALUE to the ^average of a top 10 player in each category (in 5 year intervals) for the duration in which Player A played, plus any regular season MVPs, World Series MVPs, and/or AL/NLCS MVPs Player A won

^ = the averages (which are outlined in the left side of the spreadsheet) are calculated within 5 year intervals (the first one being 1880 – 1884 and the most recent one being 2015 – Present — 2019 will be the 5th year of the latter interval) 

• Preliminary HOF Score – Player A’s OFF-DEF Score * (0.01 * PA)

• Adjusted HOF Score – Player A’s Preliminary HOF Score / (&Average Preliminary HOF Score / &Average fWAR)

& = the average of all the catchers that are in the HOF (who played in the MLB)

• Final HOF Score – (Player A’s Adjusted HOF Score + Player A’s fWAR) / 2

Here are the Final HOF Score rankings (KEY: Italicic = in the HOF; Bold = active player; Italic and Bold = retired player who is HOF eligible)

No.	Player Name	Primary/Current Team	Final HOF Score
1	Johnny Bench	Cincinnati Reds	81.5
2	Ivan Rodriguez	Texas Rangers	76.1
3	Yogi Berra	New York Yankees	75.5
4	Gary Carter	Montreal Expos	60.4
5	Carlton Fisk	Chicago White Sox	59.6
6	Gabby Hartnett	Chicago Cubs	56.3
7	Bill Dickey	New York Yankees	55.6
8	Mike Piazza	New York Mets	52.9
9	Mickey Cochrane	Philadelphia Athletics	48.3
10	Joe Mauer	Minnesota Twins	46.6
11	Roy Campanella	Brooklyn Dodgers	45.9
12	Buck Ewing	New York Giants	42.5
13	Yadier Molina	St. Louis Cardinals	37.7
14	Ernie Lombardi	Cincinatti Reds	35.4
15	Buster Posey	San Francisco Giants	34.6
16	Russell Martin	Los Angeles Dodgers	34.2
17	Brian McCann	Atlanta Braves	34.1
18	Roger Bresnahan	New York Giants	32.9
19	Ray Schalk	Chicago White Sox	31.7
20	Victor Martinez	Cleveland Indians	30.6
21	Rick Ferrell	Boston Red Sox	23.6
22	A.J. Pierzynski	Chicago White Sox	22.9
23	Jonathan Lucroy	Los Angeles Angels	20.3
24	Matt Wieters	St. Louis Cardinals	18.4
25	Kurt Suzuki	Washington Nationals	18.2
26	Chris Iannetta	Colorado Rockies	14.8

1. Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds 

Photo: Baseball Hall of Fame

• Career Duration: 1967 – 1983
• Induction Year: 1989
• Stats (factoring out excluded offensive and/or defensive seasons (except for TZ/UZR/FIELDING VALUE at secondary position[s] for all players when pertinent)
  • PA: 8576
  • AVG: .268
  • OBP: .343
  • HR: 388
  • RBI: 1370
  • SB: 68
  • TZ at primary position: 97
  • MVPs: 2
  • WS MVPs: 1
  • Final HOF Score: 81.5
    • fWAR: 75.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 87.9

2. Ivan Rodriguez, Texas Rangers

• Career Duration: 1991 – 2011
• Induction Year: 2017
• Stats 
  • PA: 10133
  • AVG: .297
  • OBP: .335
  • HR: 308
  • RBI: 1313
  • SB: 127
  • TZ at primary position: 161.3
  • MVPs: 1
  • AL/NLCS MVPs: 1
  • Final HOF Score: 76.1
    • fWAR: 68.7
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 83.5

3. Yogi Berra, New York Yankees 

• Career Duration: 1946 – 1965
• Induction Year: 1972
• Stats
  
  • PA: 8168
  • AVG: .285
  • OBP: .348
  • HR: 348
  • RBI: 1398
  • SB: 29
  • TZ at primary position: 29
  • TZ at secondary position (LF) + positional adjustment (per 162 games): 1.1
  • MVPs: 3
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 75.5
    • fWAR: 61.8
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 89.2

4. Gary Carter, Montreal Expos

• Career Duration: 1974 – 1992
• Induction Year: 2003
• Stats
  
  • PA: 8990
  • AVG: .262
  • OBP: .335
  • HR: 323
  • RBI: 1219
  • SB: 37
  • TZ at primary position: 106
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 60.4
    • fWAR: 68.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 52.0

5. Carlton Fisk, Chicago White Sox

• Career Duration: 1969 – 1993
• Induction Year: 2000
• Stats
  
  • PA: 9617
  • AVG: .271
  • OBP: .343
  • HR: 370
  • RBI: 1299
  • SB: 125
  • TZ at primary position: 34
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 59.6
    • fWAR: 67.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 51.3

6. Gabby Hartnett, Chicago Cubs

Photo: wgntv.com

• Career Duration: 1922 – 1941
• Induction Year: 1955
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6949
  • AVG: .299
  • OBP: .373
  • HR: 229
  • RBI: 1138
  • SB: 26
  • TZ: 12
  • MVPs: 1
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 56.3
    • fWAR: 53.5
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 59.2

7. Bill Dickey, New York Yankees

• Career Duration: 1928 – 1946
• Induction Year: 1954
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6889
  • AVG: .314
  • OBP: .383
  • HR: 200
  • RBI: 1197
  • SB: 37
  • TZ: 19
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 55.6
    • fWAR: 55.3
    • Adjusted HOF: 56.0

8. Mike Piazza, New York Mets

• Career Duration: 1992 – 2007
• Induction Year: 2016
• Stats
  
  • PA: 7745
  • AVG: .309
  • OBP: .378
  • HR: 426
  • RBI: 1328
  • SB: 17
  • TZ at primary position: -36.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 52.9
    • fWAR: 63.7
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 42.1

9. Mickey Cochrane, Philadelphia Athletics

• Career Duration: 1925 – 1937
• Induction Year: 1947
• Stats
  
  • PA: 5902
  • AVG: .322
  • OBP: .417
  • HR: 115
  • RBI: 803
  • SB: 63
  • TZ at primary position: -2
  • MVPs: 2
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 48.3
    • fWAR: 48.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 48.4

10. Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins

• Career Duration: 2004 – 2018
• Eligibility Year: 2024
• Stats
  
  • PA: 7838
  • AVG: .306
  • OBP: .388
  • HR: 137
  • RBI: 906
  • SB: 52
  • TZ at primary position: -3.6
  • TZ at secondary position (1B) + positional adjustment: 21.8
  • MVPs: 1
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 46.6
    • fWAR: 48.0
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 45.2

11. Roy Campanella, Brooklyn Dodgers

Photo: roycampanella.com

• Career Duration: 1948 – 1957
• Induction Year: 1969
• Stats
  
  • PA: 4816
  • AVG: .276
  • OBP: .360
  • HR: 242
  • RBI: 856
  • SB: 25
  • TZ at primary position: 17
  • MVPs: 3
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 45.9
    • fWAR: 38.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 53.6

12. Buck Ewing, New York Giants

• Career Duration: 1880 – 1897
• Induction Year: 1939
• Stats
  
  • PA: 5668
  • AVG: .304
  • OBP: .352
  • HR: 71
  • RBI: 860
  • SB: 349
  • TZ at primary position: 51
  • TZ at secondary positions (1B and OF) + positional adjustments: 18.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 42.5
    • fWAR: 47.7
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 37.4

13. Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

• Career Duration: 2004 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 0.282
  • AVG: .282
  • OBP: .334
  • HR: 146
  • RBI: 859
  • SB: 60
  • TZ at primary position: 82.0
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 37.7
    • fWAR: 37.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 37.6

14. Ernie Lombardi, Cincinnati Reds

• Career Duration: 1931 – 1947
• Induction Year: 1986
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6231
  • AVG: .306
  • OBP: .359
  • HR: 186
  • RBI: 969
  • SB: 8
  • TZ at primary position: -21
  • MVPs: 1
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 35.4
    • fWAR: 41.5
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 29.2

15. Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants

• Career Duration: 2009 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 4691
  • AVG: .306
  • OBP: .375
  • HR: 133
  • RBI: 635
  • SB: 23
  • TZ at primary position: 18.4
  • TZ at secondary position (1B) + positional adjustment: 7.1
  • MVPs: 1
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 34.6
    • fWAR: 39.1
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 30.1

16. Russell Martin, Los Angeles Dodgers

Photo: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

• Career Duration: 2006 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6399
  • AVG: .249
  • OBP: .349
  • HR: 185
  • RBI: 751
  • SB: 100
  • TZ at primary position: 27.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 34.2
    • fWAR: 37.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 30.6

17. Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves

• Career Duration: 2005 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6534
  • AVG: .263
  • OBP: .338
  • HR: 270
  • RBI: 714
  • SB: 25
  • TZ at primary position: 15.8
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 34.1
    • fWAR: 36.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 31.3

18. Roger Bresnahan, New York Giants

• Career Duration: 1897 – 1915
• Induction Year: 1945
• Stats
  
  • PA: 5231
  • AVG: .278
  • OBP: .385
  • HR: 25
  • RBI: 512
  • SB: 208
  • TZ at primary position: -1
  • TZ at secondary position (OF) + positional adjustment: 2.8
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 32.9
    • fWAR: 38.5
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 27.2

19. Ray Schalk, Chicago White Sox

• Career Duration: 1912 – 1929
• Induction Year: 1955
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6112
  • AVG: .253
  • OBP: .340
  • HR: 11
  • RBI: 583
  • SB: 174
  • TZ at primary position: 47
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 31.7
    • fWAR: 22.0
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 41.4

20. Victor Martinez, Cleveland Indians

• Career Duration: 2002 – 2018
• Eligibility Year: 2024
• Stats
  
  • PA: 8130
  • AVG: .295
  • OBP: .360
  • HR: 245
  • RBI: 1173
  • SB: 7
  • TZ at primary position: -13.7
  • TZ at secondary positions (1B and DH) + positional adjustment: -6.6
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 30.6
    • fWAR: 28.3
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 33.0

21. Rick Ferrell, Boston Red Sox

Photo: Baseball Hall of Fame

• Career Duration: 1929 – 1947
• Induction Year: 1984
• Stats
  
  • PA: 6957
  • AVG: .281
  • OBP: .378
  • HR: 28
  • RBI: 722
  • SB: 29
  • TZ: -4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 23.6
    • fWAR: 27.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 20.0

22. A.J. Pierzynski, Chicago White Sox

• Career Duration: 1998 – 2016
• Eligibility Year: 2022
• Stats
  
  • PA: 7680
  • AVG: .280
  • OBP: .318
  • HR: 186
  • RBI: 894
  • SB: 14
  • TZ at primary position: -27.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 22.9
    • fWAR: 22.2
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 23.6

23. Jonathan Lucroy, Los Angeles Angels

• Career Duration: 2010 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 4240
  • AVG: .277
  • OBP: .337
  • HR: 100
  • RBI: 509
  • SB: 30
  • TZ at primary position: 17.8
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 20.3
    • fWAR: 22.7
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 17.9

24. Matt Wieters, St. Louis Cardinals

• Career Duration: 2009 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 4092
  • AVG: .249
  • OBP: .314
  • HR: 130
  • RBI: 501
  • SB: 8
  • TZ at primary position: 34.9
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 18.4
    • fWAR: 16.6
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 20.1

25. Kurt Suzuki, Washington Nationals

• Career Duration: 2007 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 5319
  • AVG: .258
  • OBP: .315
  • HR: 114
  • RBI: 619
  • SB: 19
  • TZ at primary position: -1.1
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 18.2
    • fWAR: 18.9
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 17.4

26. Chris Iannetta, Colorado Rockies

• Career Duration: 2006 – Present
• Stats
  
  • PA: 3996
  • AVG: .229
  • OBP: .346
  • HR: 133
  • RBI: 471
  • SB: 11
  • TZ at primary position: -16.4
  • MVPs: 0
  • WS MVPs: 0
  • Final HOF Score: 14.8
    • fWAR: 18.0
    • Adjusted HOF Score: 11.7

1. Josh Gibson, Homestead Grays

Photo: Baseball Hall of Fame

• Career Duration: 1930 – 1946
• Induction Year: 1972
• Stats
  • PA: 2119
  • HR: 113
  • RBI: 361
  • SB: 26

2. Biz Mackey, Hilldale Giants

• Career Duration: 1920 – 1947
• Induction Year: 2006
• Stats
  • PA: 3969
  • HR: 57
  • RBI: 403
  • SB: 72

3. Louis Santop, Hilldale Daisies

• Career Duration: 1911 – 1926
• Induction Year: 2006
• Stats
  • PA: 1312
  • HR: 16
  • RBI: 208
  • SB: 33

Yankees' Front Office Enjoying Time Off (Allegedly)...

Meanwhile, the Rumor Mill runs rampant…

As 2018 winds down to a close, all is quiet in the Yankees Universe except for Yankee Twitter and the endless possibilities expressed, again and again, by Yankee fans. The Yankees still have holes to fill in the bullpen and no confirmed plan at this moment in time to use anybody other than Tyler Wade and Gleyber Torres at shortstop to cover for Didi Gregorius. It does not appear these answers will be provided in 2018 and must wait until the calendar year changes. 

Although Manny Machado has indicated he will not make his long-awaited decision until after the first of the year, I don’t think anybody knows what that really means. I think some Yankee fans and industry experts think we’ll have his choice on New Year’s Day or worst case, the next day. I honestly do not think this will be resolved that quickly. To account for some of the inevitable back and forth between teams (if that hasn’t already happened), I’ll predict we have Manny’s decision by Tuesday, January 8^th. I think the first week of January will be trying to elicit the best possible offers from the interested teams. As much as I want the Yankees to sign Machado, it remains my belief he’ll take more money to play in the City of Brotherly Love or the Windy City. I heard Larry Bowa on MLB Network yesterday talking about how the Phillies can overcome Machado’s childhood fascination with the Yankees by adding a few more zeroes to the check. If this goes into an all-out bidding war, I have no doubt the Yankees will come in third to the Phillies and White Sox. At that point, Manny has to decide what is best for him and his family.

Manny Machado and wife, Yainee Alonso

The sooner Manny decides, the sooner we can move on to Plan B.  I am ready to close the door, one way or the other. I am mentally prepared. If we have to settle for Freddy Galvis at shortstop, so be it. Let’s move on. At this point, pitching remains the team’s most critical need. 

MLB Network’s Jon Paul Morosi is reporting the Los Angeles Angels are interested in David Robertson.  Despite D-Rob’s expressed interest in playing close to his Rhode Island home, Morosi notes that Robertson would have the opportunity to close for the Angels and of course he knows Angels GM Billy Eppler well from their time together with the Yankees. It makes sense to me. I’d rather see D-Rob go to Anaheim versus pitching at Fenway Park for the Red Sox. I personally love Southern California so, in my opinion, it’s a no-brainer.  I think it would be fun to play on the same team with Mike Trout.  Eppler is trying to squeeze a few more wins out of his team with the recent signings of Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill. He needs to protect those investments by getting a reliable reliever to close out games. Robertson will be a much cheaper option than guys like Zach Britton and Craig Kimbrel and he’d fit well under new manager Brad Ausmus. Not that I am wishing D-Rob to the Angels. I’d still like to see him come back to the Bronx, but if that doesn’t happen, Anaheim is a preferred destination over division rivals.   

Angels GM Billy Eppler

Gumby had a birthday yesterday. Jordan Montgomery turned 26 as he continues to work his way back from last summer’s Tommy John surgery. No doubt we’ll see the former Gamecock somewhere around the time Didi Gregorius returns (or maybe a little later in the season if Didi is somehow ready to go by June or July). Not expecting much out of Montgomery next season but I am looking forward to seeing him in Pinstripes again. Happy Belated Birthday, Jordan!

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Elsa)

Searching for things to watch on TV last night, I settled on the original version of A Star Is Born (1937) starring Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. Of course, it made me think of the 1937 Yankees. They won the ninth World Series in franchise history that year, finishing 102-52 to win the AL Pennant by 13 games over the Detroit Tigers. They defeated the New York Giants in five games to claim the World Series championship. What a year for Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig! The 34-year-old Gehrig, within two years from being forced from the game due to ALS, had 37 home runs and 158 RBIs. He batted .351/.473/.643 and had an OPS of 1.116. He took 127 walks to only 49 strikeouts. 22 year-old Joe DiMaggio had staggering numbers for such a young player. 46 homers, 167 RBIs, .346/.412/.673 and 1.085 OPS. He took fewer walks than Gehrig (64), but only struck out 37 times. Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey, Tony Lazzeri at second, Frankie Crosetti at short, Red Rolfe at third and a pitching staff anchored by Lefty Gomez and Red Ruffing.  Collectively, Gomez and Ruffing won 41 games as both pitchers reached the 20-win mark. Gomez threw six shutouts in 34 starts, pitching 278 1/3 innings, allowing only 72 earned runs for 2.33 ERA. Total Yankees domination. I love it! I know I left out some other great Yankees for the 1937 team but it must have been grand watching the Yankees annihilate their opponents year by year in the late 1930’s. 

Final Out, 1937 World Series at the Polo Grounds, Gehrig to Gomez

Moving back into current times, I felt kind of bad for Tyler Austin yesterday. When the Twins elected not to retain Logan Morrison after one year and Twins great Joe Mauer decided to retire, it appeared that Austin had a clear path to playing time for Minnesota next season. Then, the Twins acquired first baseman C.J. Cron from the Tampa Bay Rays and yesterday they inked former Seattle Mariners slugger and DH Nelson Cruz to a one-year deal with an option. Austin’s path to playing time appears to be blocked once again like it was with the Yankees. I was surprised Cruz went with Minnesota. I had really expected him to end up with the Houston Astros. He would have been a deadly bat in that lineup.  I guess it’s better for the Yankees he went with Minnesota but of course he adds a weapon if the Twins can get a Wild Card rematch with the Yankees to avenge their loss in 2017. Cruz may be 38 but he has that David Ortiz knack for smashing huge home runs at the best times (or worst times, depending upon your perspective). I guess Ronald Torreyes will have plenty of opportunities for his Toe Night Show at Target Field next season.

I was reading one blog the other day that talked about trades the Yankees wish they could undo. The blogger listed the Brandon Drury trade as his first choice. I know that trade didn’t work out, but I don’t look at it as one I’d undo.  I really liked Drury’s acquisition at the time of the trade. I liked the player and the potential that I thought he could bring to the team. A solid defender with some pop. I know it cost the Yankees several really good prospects (second baseman Nick Solak, currently rated as the eleventh best prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays by MLB.com and pitcher Taylor Widener, who ranks as second best prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks) but I can’t say I’d undo the trade. It was a risk worth taking. It didn’t work out. Drury had the undisclosed migraines and never really performed for the Yankees before losing his job to Miguel Andujar and subsequently getting traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in the J.A. Happ deal. I thought then and I still feel that when healthy and given the opportunity, Drury is going to help a team. Not sure the Blue Jays are that team since 2019 should bring the emergence of top prospect Vladimir Guerrero, Jr to the Show at some point during the season to place a stranglehold on third base for years to come but Drury will make good on his promise one day. Look, I’d love to have Widener back but I wouldn’t undo the Drury trade even with the benefit of hindsight. You have to take those types of chances to get better and I’d never want to see GM Brian Cashman get “gun shy” and start holding onto prospects longer than he should. Some trades work, some trades don’t. That’s how it goes.

Not that I am trying to wish the new year to get here any faster, but I am looking forward to getting to next Wednesday so that the Hot Stove League can resume activity. The days of nothingness are long and boring on the baseball front. I am anxious and excited for pitchers and catchers to report to Tampa, FL on February 13^th but there is still so much work to be done. We need to ensure that Aaron Boone, in 2019, knows what it must have felt like to be Joe McCarthy in 1937. No pressure, Cash. Talk to your boss and get it done.

As always, Go Yankees!