The Story of the Week...

Trevor Story and DJ LeMahieu

Linking Trevor to the Yankees…

A new year, the same old toxic relationship between MLB Owners and MLB Players Association as the MLB Lockout continues with no resolution in sight. The longer this goes on, you really must wonder how much time the Yankees will have to improve their roster before the season starts…correction, if the season starts.

The New York Post’s Ken Davidoff released his updated free agent predications this week and has the following players signing with the Yankees after the Lockout ends.

Shortstop Trevor Story

Davidoff originally had Story signing with the Houston Astros to replace Carlos Correa for five years and $110 million. He now sees the Yankees for less money. I entered the off-season under the belief that Corey Seager made the most sense with his strong left-handed bat, and pivoted to Correa, after Seager took big money in Texas, because a great young all-around elite shortstop is a valuable commodity regardless of his past misdeeds. It seems weird to see that we may have to ‘settle’ for Story (some have even referred to him as a stopgap) when, in reality, the guy is really good. I took the position after the season ended that I would be happy with any of the three top free agent shortstops so if the Yankees sign Story, I certainly will not be disappointed. During my years living in Denver, Colorado, Story was a joy to watch at Coors Field. He routinely received huge applause from the home crowd.

First Baseman Anthony Rizzo

Davidoff continues to believe Rizzo will be back in the Bronx on a two-year, $32 million deal. No doubt most of us would prefer Oakland’s Matt Olson via trade, but if the Yankees do not grab a “big fish” (i.e., Olson or free agent Freddie Freeman), Rizzo is better than nothing or in this case, Luke Voit. I do like Voit and his football mentality, but he is more of a DH. Rizzo showed us last season how much great defense at first base can be, and that’s just not Luke’s game. I will truly be disappointed if the Yankee first baseman next season is not Olson, Freeman or Rizzo.

Outfielder Seiya Suzuki

Davidoff originally had Suzuki joining Team Derek Jeter for three years and $21 million. He has pivoted to Suzuki becoming the second Suzuki to play outfield for the Yankees. Ironically, he has Brett Gardner going to the Miami Marlins to rejoin Jeter. Recent speculation elsewhere has Suzuki signing with the arch-rival Boston Red Sox when the Lockout ends. Despite Boston’s re-acquisition of CF Jackie Bradley Jr, they could certainly use some help in the outfield. I would not mind seeing the Yankees sign Suzuki, but I do feel it is more likely he goes to Boston. As for Brett, thanks for the memories. You were a great Yankee.

If this is the Yankees’ 2021-22 off-season, it would be slightly underwhelming if they do nothing else. The Yankees need to improve center field and catching and could use another topflight starter. I like Aaron Hicks when he is healthy, but the reality is that is not very often. Keeping Hicks as the fourth outfielder would make more sense. Although Brett Gardner routinely started as the team’s fourth outfielder because of the injury-prone Hicks, a healthier starting option might help to keep Hicks fresh and less susceptible to injury.

While I keep wanting to support Gary Sanchez, I am slowly realizing that his time as a Yankee has run its course. I wish the Yankees had done something before the Lockout to improve the position, but there is still hope for action once the Lockout is lifted. It seems like Willson Contreras is the most obvious option in a potential trade with the Chicago Cubs, but there are other catchers that would be an improvement over Gary (Austin Nola and Mitch Garver to name a few). Gary, right now, is my top ‘guy in need of a change of scenery.’ If the season starts and Sanchez remains the Yankees catcher, I will support him but if he continues to struggle, the toxic situation is only going to get worse. It is best to clear the slate and start anew.

I like Anthony Rizzo. I know he is not on the same level as Olson and Freeman, but it is not like he is a shlep. I admire his baseball acumen, the defense he provides at first base, and the team-first mentality he brings every day. A great clubhouse leader, he helps bond team chemistry. I still want Olson, but I will not be disappointed if Rizzo returns.

Reports about Jameson Taillon’s recovery and Clarke Schmidt’s health have been positive, but the Yankees must improve the starting rotation. Just as I would not bet the future on shortstop prospects Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza by only signing a true stopgap shortstop (an Andrelton Simmons type), I am reluctant to hedge the future on the emergence of Schmidt, Luis Gil, Luis Medina and/or the disappointing Deivi Garcia. When they are ready, the Yankees will make room. Until then, decisions should not be based on the hope they emerge. I want the young guys to succeed but meanwhile we are wasting the best years of Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Judge if we continue to wait for the youngsters to develop. Win now means we need players ready to contribute to a championship today, not tomorrow.

If only MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the MLBPA could set aside their differences and come to an agreement for the good of the game. I am ready for some actual baseball activity to take place and end the incessant speculation about how to improve the 2022 New York Yankees.

It was disappointing to hear this week that brief Yankees Assistant Hitting Coach Eric Chavez has chosen to join Buck Showalter and the New York Mets as their hitting coach. I had really been excited to have Chavez on the Yankees staff and could have seen him as a viable option if the Yankees ever decide to part ways with fan-not-so-favorite Aaron Boone. But I do not begrudge Chavez for taking a promotion to join the Mets. As excited as I was when I heard he was joining the Yankees as an assistant hitting coach, I was little surprised that he would take an “assistant” role in any capacity. His name had been mentioned in a few managerial rumors for other teams recently. Boone’s analogy that he would be a “Swiss Army knife” made sense but in retrospect, they should have created a title that better fit the position or expectations. I knew once the Mets hired Billy Eppler as their GM, they would be a desirable spot for Chavez given his lengthy association with Eppler. He left the Yankees before to join Eppler in Anaheim, so the precedent was there. For a guy with managerial aspirations, collaborating with Buck Showalter seems to be the better play so I wish Chavez the best and we move on.

One of the names mentioned to replace Chavez as Yankees assistant hitting coach is former Baltimore Oriole Mark Trumbo. I cannot say his name excites me. Right or wrong, I cannot shake the ‘swing and miss’ association I have with Trumbo’s name. The Yankees are apparently looking for someone with strong Major League experience so it seems unlikely the Yankees will do the sensible thing like promoting the deserving Rachel Balkovec. Someone such as Carlos Beltran would be fantastic but there is absolutely no way in hell he would take an assistant role. This is where it might make sense to bring Brett Gardner back unless he is determined to continue playing. Jorge Posada has always seemed like a desirable choice although he might be too joined at the hip with Derek Jeter in Miami, and I am a little uncertain how his intensity would play at a coaching level. I have always liked Tino Martinez, but his partial season run as hitting coach with the Miami Marlins ended in July 2013 when he resigned amidst allegations of physical and verbal abuse of players.

The other big news this week involved Yankees broadcasters David Cone and Michael Kay. David Cone will be joining ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, along with Karl Ravech and Eduardo Perez. They replace Matt Vasgersian, who has left ESPN, and Alex Rodriguez, who has been reassigned. Cone will reportedly maintain his role with YES Network albeit a reduced schedule. This is one of those happy/sad moments. I am happy Cone will gain a broader national audience, but sad for us as we lose the exclusivity of Cone breaking down Yankee games for us. This was a great move by ESPN.

Michael Kay will be joining Alex Rodriguez on ESPN2 for eight of the Sunday Night baseball games. Their format will be like football’s Manningcast which features Peyton and Eli Manning in a sports bar style setting for a less formal discussion of the game, with frequent special guests. While Kay will retain his role on YES Network, I am in favor of any move that can get Ryan Ruocco into the YES Network booth more often. With Ken Singleton’s retirement and Cone’s reduced schedule, it will be interesting to see who joins the YES Network lineup. I would love to see David Wells in an expanded role although I have no idea his level of interest.

Rob Manfred, please get off your ass and kickstart the negotiations. This ‘wait until the last minute’ shit sucks.

As always, Go Yankees!

Frazier, Odor, and Wade, You're Fired! ...

  

Trio designated for assignment, while Nelson and Sands head to Philly…

With so much buildup and anticipation among the Yankees Fan Base, yesterday’s Rule 5 40-man roster deadline was a bit underwhelming.

I think while many of us expected potentially huge deals to clear roster space, none came to fruition for the Yankees or anybody else. Trades can still happen, but the upcoming week (Thanksgiving) tends to be fairly quiet due to the holiday. The following week brings the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement and, as most experts predict, a lockout by the MLB owners. So, potentially, there may not be any major trades for the Yankees until a new CBA is in place. If the two sides cannot come to agreement until next Spring, it makes you wonder how much time the Yankees will have for roster construction.

For me, I would like to see resolution of the shortstop vacancy prior to any lockout. There is so much to do, yet so little time. I guess we will have to be patient and wait to see how GM Brian Cashman can bring more athleticism and diversity to the team despite the upcoming challenges and roadblocks.

The players cut were Clint Frazier, Rougned Odor and Tyler Wade. Wade probably surprised me the most. As one of the few shortstops on the roster, it seemed he was safe. Speed and diversity are generally strong traits for roster protection. As we have learned with Cashman over the years, no move is made without an eye toward another deal, so he most likely made the decision to part with Wade with a future deal or two in mind.

I wanted Clint Frazier to succeed in New York. When he was announced as the starting left fielder last season, it felt like he had finally arrived. Unfortunately, it turned out to be another lost year, and the concussion issues continued to play a huge part in his inability to get back on the field. A polarizing player, I now feel he will benefit playing in a lesser pressurized environment if he is able to overcome his health challenges. It is tough to see what his future holds. He could become a consistent MLB player, or he may be facing the end of the road. With such extremes, there was no point in saving a 40-man roster space for him. It is clear his time as a Yankee had ended. I am hopeful the Yankees can get something, anything…like a low-level minor-league prospect…for Frazier rather than an outright release. Same with Wade.

While designating Odor for assignment makes all the sense in the world, I will miss the energy he brought to the team. It is always nice to have that ‘Nick Swisher’ type of guy on the team, in terms of outgoing personalities. Considering the Texas Rangers will continue to pay Odor’s large salary in 2022 except for MLB’s minimum salary, you would have thought Hal Steinbrenner would have been a huge proponent to keep the Odor in the Yankees Clubhouse.

I half expected the Yankees to cut LHP Zack Britton since 2022 will be a lost year due to Tommy John surgery, much like the way the Yankees parted ways with Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda. There is some belief that Britton could be back by the end of the year. Not sure if that saved him or the impending free agency of Aroldis Chapman next off-season. If I had to guess 2022 will be Chapman’s final year with the Yankees.

To clear space, the Yankees also traded RHP Nick Nelson and C Donny Sands to Club Joe Girardi for a couple of not-highly-regarded, low level prospects (3B T.J. Rumfield and LHP Joel Valdez). Losing Nelson did not surprise me, but Sands did. As a recent addition to the 40-man roster, he seemed primed to fill the Triple A shuttle depth behind Yankees backup catcher Kyle Higashioka after a breakout season. Now, he gets a chance to fill a Major League role behind Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Many fans were surprised the Yankees protected Miguel Andujar, but his trade value may benefit if the NL adopts the designated hitter rule. While he certainly would not be a centerpiece, first baseman Chris Gittens could be a player in a potential trade to Oakland for first baseman Matt Olson. Or if Luke Voit is traded, he would become the backup depending on how the off-season plays out.

The Rule 5 eligible prospects added to the 40-man roster were SS Oswaldo Cabrera (who potentially becomes the new Tyler Wade); OF Everson Pereira (who almost went to Texas in the Joey Gallo trade); RHP Stephen Ridings; RHP Ron Marinaccio; and LHP JP Sears. Of the players, only Cabrera (eighth) ranks among the Yankees’ top ten prospects according to Baseball America. Cabrera only ranks 16^th on the Yankees’ Top 30 list of prospects, according to MLB.com. Pereira is 13^th on the MLB.com list.

The biggest surprises of players not protected were C Josh Breaux (18^th best prospect, according to MLB.com) and OF Brandon Lockridge (19^th). You can probably add RHP Matt Sauer (27^th) to this list.

Yankee prospects are chosen in the Rule 5 Draft every year and this year, if there is Rule 5 draft, should prove to be no different. The odds of sticking with another MLB club are low. The Garrett Whitlock success stories are exceedingly rare, but I always fear the teams that decide to tank and have open roster spots to fill. If MLB passes a minimum salary floor to protect against tanking, maybe it will help. I would hate to lose Breaux. I know he has not performed as expected and remains a project at age 24, but catching depth is important. At this point, 20-year-old Antonio Gomez is probably more important than Breaux, but he has not played above A ball. Anthony Siegler, drafted ahead of Breaux, has really fallen off the map. Maybe 2022 is the year the 22-year-old can re-establish some prominence in the Yankees’ farm system. I guess like pitching, you can never have too much catching, especially when the big-league starter is a disappointment.

It has been reported that the Yankees offered RHP Justin Verlander a one-year, $25 million deal (according to Jon Heyman of MLB.com). Verlander subsequently got the second year from the Astros which lead to his return to Houston. I am glad he did not take Hal’s money. I am sure that Verlander will make a successful return from Tommy John surgery despite his age, but c’mon, there are simply some players who should never wear the famed Pinstripes. If Verlander is not at the top of the list of guys who should not pull-on MLB’s greatest jersey, he is near the top. The Yankees need another strong starting pitcher, but there are other, better options.

Despite all Yankee fans love of Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo, this will probably be another one of those years where GM Brian Cashman goes with an under-the-radar trade to bring in young, talented starter on the verge of blossoming.

I wish former Angels GM and Yankees Assistant GM Billy Eppler all the best in his new role as general manager for the New York Mets. For as many people who passed on the job, the Mets did surprisingly good with hiring Eppler. I always liked Eppler and before he left the Yankees, I had really wanted the team to promote Brian Cashman to President of Baseball Operations and make Eppler the GM. Kind of makes me wonder if that is how it plays out in Flushing Meadow after Cashman’s contact expires after the 2022 season. I fully expect Hal Steinbrenner to bring Cashman back, but if the 2022 season does not meet minimum expectations, you never know what might happen.

As always, Go Yankees! 

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!

The Rivalry Resumes Tonight in the Bronx...

Baseball’s Greatest Rivalry, sorry Dodgers-Giants, is back…

Yankees-Red Sox.  It doesn’t get any better than this. The two teams open tonight for a three-game set at Yankee Stadium in the continuing battles for the AL East. The season series is currently tied at three games apiece. The Sox took two of three at Fenway Park in April, and the Yanks countered with two of three in the Bronx during May. After this series, the teams will meet ten more times with the next series a four-game set in Boston which starts on the 39^th anniversary of the death of legendary Yankees catcher Thurman Munson (August 2^nd). I still miss Munson’s intensity in these Yankees-Red Sox games. 

I am disappointed in former Yankees Assistant General Manager Billy Eppler. The Los Angeles Angels GM has arguably the best baseball player in the World on his team and he can’t put other guys talented enough around Mike Trout to beat the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox enter tonight’s series in the Bronx with a one-game advantage on the Yankees in the AL East. Boston swept their six-game season series with the Halos, thanks to a 4-2 win at Fenway Park yesterday. If the Angels could have taken just one of those games, the Yankees and Red Sox would be tied atop the AL East. I know, it’s still June. Don’t get worked up about the Standings. But, hey Billy, thanks for nothing. That’s literally what you gave us.

I don’t know what I was more disappointed about. The lack of effort by the Angels against the Red Sox or the “throwaway game” that Aaron Boone served up on Wednesday when he started the underwhelming Luis Cessa against the Philadelphia and inserted the legendary hitless bat of Kyle Higashioka in place of the much better Austin Romine and also sat Aaron Judge even though the Yankees had Thursday off with a very short commute from Philly back to New York. I know that Cessa only let one hitter beat him but the three-run homer by Rhys Hoskins was all the Phillies needed to take down the Yankees on a night the offense was a no-show. In my opinion, Cessa is better used in limited relief appearances. I really wish the Yankees would quit giving him spot start assignments. He is no Domingo German or Jonathan Loaisiga and never will be.

I get wanting to push CC Sabathia back so that he could open the Boston series tonight but with Cessa’s loss, it didn’t really seem worth it. Sabathia draws a tough opposing pitcher this evening in the form of Eduardo Rodriguez who brings a 9-2 record into the game with a 3.86 ERA. It doesn’t get any easier for the Yankees tomorrow when they’ll throw out Sonny Gray (Sucks!) against Boston ace Chris Sale. The only pitching match-up that favors the Yankees this weekend is Sunday when Luis Severino (12-2, 2.10 ERA) takes on David Price (9-5, 3.66 ERA).

After Wednesday’s game, the Yankees optioned Cessa to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and will be recalling Brandon Drury today. Yay! I am very excited to see the Triple-A All-Star back in the Bronx. I like the options to use both Drury and Miguel Andujar at third and move Drury around the infield bags. I hope Drury is here to stay but I think he has at least one more trip to Scranton before he finishes his minor league career. If it was up to me, I’d pat Neil Walker on the back, thank him for his efforts, and send him on his way with bags in hand. Drury has greater long-term value for the Yankees and can easily meet or exceed current production.

The Boston Red Sox have baseball’s highest payroll and a decimated farm system thanks to Dave Dombrowski trades but it didn’t stop the Sox from trying to get better yesterday. They made a deal to acquire 35-year-old infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce from the Toronto Blue Jays for an infield prospect (Santiago Espinal) and cash considerations.  Toronto is apparently contributing $1.66 million toward Pearce's contract to keep the Red Sox from entering the top tier of tax penalties. Pearce is effective when healthy, but health has been the issue. He has only played 26 games for the Blue Jays this season.  He had a memorable 2017 season when he blasted two walk-off grand slams within a week. He also provided the Jays with a walk-off homer against the Angels earlier this season. When Pearce puts on the Red Sox uniform, he will have worn the uniform for every AL East team  (he appeared in a dozen games for the Yankees early in the 2012 season). Everyone keeps saying the Yankees have the advantage over the Red Sox with a much deeper farm system to deal from, but it doesn’t seem to be holding back the Red Sox. Brian Cashman, your move.

Photo Credit: Associated Press (Bill Kostroun)

There’s talk that the Texas Rangers could move Cole Hamels before the All-Star Game which will be held on Tuesday, July 17^th, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The Yankees continue to be mentioned as a possible destination, along with Hamels’ old team, the Philadelphia Phillies. I think I still prefer J.A. Happ but I certainly would not complain if Cashman drops Hamels into the Yankees rotation. I know the Yankees have long been connected to Michael Fulmer of the Detroit Tigers but despite the youth and controllable years for the former Rookie of the Year, Fulmer just does not excite me. The Yankees had a scout present for his last start yesterday in Detroit against the Oakland A’s. Fulmer took the loss, pitching eight innings, giving up nine hits and four runs, in the A’s 4-2 victory. For the season, Fulmer is 3-7 with a 4.20 ERA for the 36-46 Tigers. Detroit is apparently asking for the moon and the stars in any trade for Fulmer. I do not feel that he is worth the price of Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, Albert Abreu and others. I am okay with short-term options to buy time for the young arms in the system to mature. I’d make an exception for Jacob deGrom but despite the noise that the Yankees and Mets are talking, I don’t think they’ll make a deal. It would be very hard for the Mets to watch their ace excel in the Bronx without getting top flight, Major League-ready talent in return.

Okay, Yankees. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to win at least two of the next three games this weekend, and start next week in a dead heat with the Red Sox. If you want to sweep the Sox, please, by all means, go ahead. Good pitching and good hitting (plus some solid D). Let’s bring it. All I want to hear this weekend is Michael Kay yelling, “There it goes…see ya!” and to watch Aroldis Chapman shake hands with Austin Romine at the end of the games.     

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Elsa)

Go Yankees! 

The Changing of the Guard...

Thoughts While We Wait for the Press Conference…

Aaron John Boone officially takes the reins as the 33rd Manager of the New York Yankees today at Noon ET. I continue to see so many opinions, both strongly tilted toward the pros and the cons. Being upset or taking a strong position that Boone is not the right guy serves no purpose. Regardless of how you feel, Boone will be the guy delivering the lineup card on Opening Day, March 29th, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. There is nothing that you can do or say that will change Boone from taking that walk. So, it is in our best interests to unite and support the next manager of the Yankees.  

Credit:  Sporting News Archive/Getty Images

Personally, I am excited to see what Boone can do. Admittedly, I wasn’t crazy about the lack of managerial or coaching experience but Boone has so many other positive attributes.  We’ve heard about his unique ability to relate with everyone, his sense of humor, his immersion into Major League Baseball as a youngster due to his grandfather, Ray Boone, and father, Bob Boone, both Major Leaguers.  Boone has said that he has prepared for 44 years for this job. Boone’s predecessor, Joe Girardi, won a Manager of the Year Award in his first season as a manager with no coaching or managing experience (2006 with the then-Florida Marlins). Granted, he was fired after the season, but still, there’s no reason that Boone can’t reach the same accomplishments (excluding the end of the year firing).  

The immediate decisions that face Boone is the composition of his coaching staff. Larry Rothschild is returning as the team’s Pitching Coach but so far, that’s the only official announcement. The bench coach will be a critical hire and needs to be someone with strong managerial experience. The Yankees lost very strong in-house candidates when Josh Paul, Rob Thomson, and Al Pedrique left to join the coaching staffs of other MLB teams. Eric Wedge’s name has been thrown out as a possibility but so far, there have been no strong indications who might take the role. Yankees minor league coaches Reggie Willits and Carlos Mendoza have been cited as possibilities for the staff but neither has the experience to serve as bench coach. I am expecting the return of Alan Cockrell, Hitting Coach, and Marcus Thames, Assistant Hitting Coach, although they could just as easily walk away. It’s been mentioned that Mike Harkey, the bullpen coach and a Girardi buddy, could return. That one does surprise me a little since he was a Girardi friend and hire. Tony Pena is someone the Yankees should bring back. He’s certainly qualified to serve as bench coach despite his years as the first base coach.  

Perhaps Boone addresses the coaching staff during today’s press conference or the staff is assembled over the next few weeks. Either way, I will be watching and listening with interest.  

Al Pedrique’s departure (to join the Oakland A’s as first base coach) creates an opening at Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. A replacement has not been named but I could easily see the elevation of High A-Tampa Yankees Manager Jay Bell to the position. I really hated to see Pedrique go. I felt he would have been the ideal bench coach…an experienced manager who has strong relationships with the younger Yankees. The A’s denied the Yankees permission to talk to their manager, Bob Melvin, but then stole one of the Yankees’ best coaches. Almost immediately, the A’s fans talked about the excitement of a coach who could help mold Dustin Fowler, Jorge Mateo and James Kaprielian based on his past experiences with them. Ouch!  He could have been doing that with the Baby Bombers.

Credit:  Jason Farmer, Scranton Times-Tribune

It was sad to see Rob Thomson take a lateral position with the Philadelphia Phillies, leaving the Yankees after 28 years in the organization. He will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge for Phillies rookie manager Gabe Kapler. Thomson must like sitting next to very physically-fit managers. It’s too bad he won’t be there for Aaron Boone but it’s probably hard to stay with an organization when you are passed over for a job you felt should be yours.  

It’s a tough time to fill a coaching staff considering most other teams have finalized their respective staffs. I keep half-expecting Bret Boone to added. No idea what qualifications he has other than being a former Major Leaguer but like Aaron, he obviously grew up in a baseball family. His recent jokes about sexual harassment probably nixed the possibility he’d join his brother’s team.  

Credit:  Alan Berner, The Seattle Times

The Yankees have cash to spend on the international market ($3.5 million) with the rejection by Shohei Otani but so far, the Yankees have been idle while Billy Eppler and the Los Angeles Angels have been very aggressive. Yesterday, the Angels signed two former Braves prospects including the top-rated shortstop Kevin Maitan and another shortstop, Livan Soto. The Yankees need to bring in more catching prospects but the Phillies grabbed former Braves catching prospect Abrahan Gutierrez.  

Baseball activity seems to be picking up in general. The minor free agent signings are picking up so there should be major movement with the free agent market over the coming days.  The Baseball Winter Meetings start Sunday in Orlando, Florida so next week should be a wild ride. Clint Frazier’s latest tweet (@clintfrazier) was “my cat has been staring at my shower drain for three straight hours and i’m freaking out”. We really need more excitement with the Yankees!  

Today should be a fun day. Welcome (back) to the Bronx, Aaron Boone! Go Yankees!

Mike Trout Isn’t Coming to New York

Click bait and you all just fell for it. No not this article, this is the farthest thing from click bait, but the real click bait came from reputable news sources claiming the Yankees are the front runners for Mike Trout. First and foremost when was Mike Trout even made available and where was I when it was announced that he was made available?

See this is what major news articles do to get you to click their posts, buy their papers and generally just give them attention. The difference between what they do and what I have personally set out to do is they have to do this, and I don’t blame them for needing to feed their families, and I don’t I will tell you like it is. Mike Trout isn’t coming to New York. Trout isn’t leaving Los Angeles, California, San Diego, Anaheim, or anywhere else for that matter unless Mike Trout wants to. It doesn’t make sense for any parties involved to move him, struggling and losing or not.

Mike Trout is just 24-years old and is under team control for four more years after the 2016 season. If the Angels are truly concerned with rebuilding this is someone you rebuild around, not use to begin a rebuild. Now if Trout had a season or two left on his deal after this season then you absolutely make the trade 100 times out of 100 but four years plus of team control is simply too much to trade away. It doesn’t make sense. Plus, if we’re being honest, no one is going to want to meet that prospect and salary demand. No one is going to want to gut five or six of their top ten prospects and pay a guy over $34 million a season for the next four seasons. There’s money in baseball right now but that just doesn’t make sense and it’s unlikely to happen.

So Trout isn’t getting traded but for the sake of this blog post let’s assume the Angels made him fully available today. Would the Yankees have enough and would they give up the same five or six top prospects for four-plus years of Trout? If history is any indicator the answer is no. History shows us a reluctance for Brian Cashman to trade his top prospects, even for what is widely considered to be a sure thing and a huge draw in Trout. The Yankees logic is they would rather wait on Bryce Harper and throw just money at the problem than their top prospects and top money to Trout.

I’m not say I would or wouldn’t trade for Trout, depending on the package I absolutely would because he is a once in a generation type talent, but I am saying I just can’t see the Angels trading him right now. I also can’t see the Yankees being involved, today as it stands anyway, if the Angels were to make him available. Leave the whole Billy Eppler and Brian Cashman link alone because all that goes out the window. This is Mike Trout and this is once in a lifetime. 

ICYMI: Are the Yankees & Angels Now Trade Partners Again?

Just a quick hit and a little bit of me thinking out loud here. The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were thought to be potential trade partners for much of the winter with zero trades getting done when all the ink was dry. Are these two teams potentially trade partners again just a few weeks into their spring training schedules?


All winter long many of the fans wondered if the Angels would part with some of their young starting pitching to acquire the Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner. The Angels were looking for some outfield help to replace the traded Josh Hamilton and were able to find it elsewhere leaving Gardner back in the Bronx presumably for another season. Now the Yankees, who looked for starting pitching much of the winter, may have an extra starter or two on their hands while the Angels are stuck looking for at least one heading into the season.


The Angels have already lost a pair of starters this spring in Jered Weaver, who is dealing with chronic neck pain, and C.J. Wilson, who is struggling with his shoulder after injuring it last season. There is no word on when Weaver will continue throwing this spring but all signs point to Wilson being on the disabled list on Opening Day 2016 so is it time to make a deal?


The Yankees seem extremely impressed with what Luis Cessa has been able to do this spring and it almost seems like the ultimate “hype him up and sell him high” scenario that Brian Cashman is becoming known for. Would the Angels GM, and former Yankees assistant GM, Billy Eppler bite on Cessa or would he rather a commodity that he is already familiar with. A commodity like Ivan Nova or Bryan Mitchell perhaps?


I don’t pretend to know what the state of the Angels system is, their strengths and weaknesses, but if New York could turn Cessa into a nice prospect or two that would go a long way in making the Justin Wilson trade not hurt so bad. If the Yankees could sell even higher on Nova, who has also looked great this spring by the way, and fetch two or three starting prospects in his contract year then even better. If not then it may be another season without the postseason for the Angels and frankly, either would suit me just fine.

Are the Yankees & Angels Now Trade Partners Again?

Just a quick hit and a little bit of me thinking out loud here. The New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were thought to be potential trade partners for much of the winter with zero trades getting done when all the ink was dry. Are these two teams potentially trade partners again just a few weeks into their spring training schedules?

All winter long many of the fans wondered if the Angels would part with some of their young starting pitching to acquire the Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner. The Angels were looking for some outfield help to replace the traded Josh Hamilton and were able to find it elsewhere leaving Gardner back in the Bronx presumably for another season. Now the Yankees, who looked for starting pitching much of the winter, may have an extra starter or two on their hands while the Angels are stuck looking for at least one heading into the season.

The Angels have already lost a pair of starters this spring in Jered Weaver, who is dealing with chronic neck pain, and C.J. Wilson, who is struggling with his shoulder after injuring it last season. There is no word on when Weaver will continue throwing this spring but all signs point to Wilson being on the disabled list on Opening Day 2016 so is it time to make a deal?

The Yankees seem extremely impressed with what Luis Cessa has been able to do this spring and it almost seems like the ultimate “hype him up and sell him high” scenario that Brian Cashman is becoming known for. Would the Angels GM, and former Yankees assistant GM, Billy Eppler bite on Cessa or would he rather a commodity that he is already familiar with. A commodity like Ivan Nova or Bryan Mitchell perhaps?

I don’t pretend to know what the state of the Angels system is, their strengths and weaknesses, but if New York could turn Cessa into a nice prospect or two that would go a long way in making the Justin Wilson trade not hurt so bad. If the Yankees could sell even higher on Nova, who has also looked great this spring by the way, and fetch two or three starting prospects in his contract year then even better. If not then it may be another season without the postseason for the Angels and frankly, either would suit me just fine. 

The Ultimate Debate: Analytical vs. Traditional

The ultimate debate and battle has been raging on for years now and there is no middle man or gray area. You’re either on the side of sabermetrics or you’re on the side of traditional baseball and the eye test. Just like politics you can have conservative liberals and liberal republicans who hang around closer to the middle than to either the right or the left but in baseball there is no Independent Party and there are no Libertarians. You’ve either seen Moneyball 100 times or you refuse to watch because either you hate advanced metrics or stats or you can’t stand Brad Pitt. Either way, the line in the sand has been drawn and by now you’ve picked a side.

I find it interesting to see which side each of the 30 MLB teams have taken in this ongoing debate and battle and thankfully for us Nick Cafardo tackled this recently releasing this graph showing all 30 MLB teams and how their GM’s, managers and organizations stand in the analytical vs. traditional battle. As you can see by the graph a whopping 16 teams, including the entire AL West, lean towards analytical while 14 teams, including the entire NL East, leans more towards advanced scouting and tradition means of building and running a team. It’s almost an even split, and that is surprising.

	Analytical	Traditional
AL East	Yankees, Blue Jays, Rays	Red Sox, Orioles
AL Central	Indians	Tigers, White Sox, Twins, Royals
AL West	Astros, Angels, Mariners, Rangers, A's
NL East		Braves, Nationals, Mets, Marlins, Phillies
NL Central	Cardinals, Brewers, Cubs, Pirates	Reds
NL West	Dodgers, Padres, Rockies	Giants, Diamondbacks

So who is winning? Major League Baseball, that’s who. Well, and the fans. 

Bring Me Alex Anthopoulos

I have written a lot of these “Being Me so and so” posts before regarding free agents but I cannot say that I have ever written one about a member of a front office before, until now. News broke earlier this week that the Toronto Blue Jays offered an extension to their GM Alex Anthopoulos but the extension was ultimately turned down making Anthopoulos a free agent of sorts. The Yankees have an assistant GM position open, think Anthopoulos would bite on it?

This is a long shot, so was signing Don Mattingly to be the team’s bench coach (with some maneuvering) or hitting coach, and a demotion of sorts but the Yankees absolutely have to make the call. New York tried to lure Ben Cherington to the dark side after he stepped down as the GM of the Boston Red Sox and they absolutely have to do the same with Anthopolous. Anthopoulous is the man that is credited with building and developing the Toronto Blue Jays as they stand today. Anthopoulos, like Dave Dombrowski, has never shied away from trading big time prospects for established veterans and basically emptied the Blue Jays farm this summer for basically an ALDS championship but would not have that sort of power and pull here in New York.

Anthopolous could work under Cashman and presumably take over as the GM for the Yankees whenever Brian decides to hang it up or move on to another era in his lifetime. I have said many times that I personally thought that Anthopoulos was the best GM in Major League Baseball, and this was before he pulled off deals for Troy Tulowitzki, David Price and Josh Donaldson, and I personally would love his will to win here in New York.

It is a long shot, why would he turn down an extension with a team that is expected to be a power house once again in 2016 to take a position with a team with widespread change on the horizon, but it’s a shot worth taking in my opinion. I’m not holding my breath for Anthopoulos but I’m jumping for joy if the Yankees bring him into the organization.

Revisiting the Omar Minaya to the Yankees Idea from 2014

Just around this time last year the World Series was just ending and the long winter before Spring Training was beginning with little in the way of news. The New York Yankees had missed the postseason for the second straight season despite spending in excess of $500 million the offseason before in trades, signings and extensions and the fans and the organization were hungry for a new voice and vision. That vision and voice was thought to be of Omar Minaya, the former New York Mets GM, but for some unreported reason Minaya never joined his close friend Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees organization, could he before the 2016 season though?

Say what you will about Minaya but the New York Mets are not in the World Series right now without him. Minaya whiffed, and sometimes he whiffed badly, with the Mets but when he hit on a deal he usually struck it big. The problem was he was not given enough time to see some of those deals and his ultimate plan come to fruition.

Minaya is responsible for drafting Daniel Murphy in 2006 and Mike Pelfrey, Bobby Parnell and Jon Niese in 2005. In fact many of the Mets young pieces that are either being utilized now or were used in trades to acquire other pieces were drafted and signed internationally by Minaya including Lucas Duda and Steven Matz. This in no way is meant to discount what Sandy Alderson has done for the club, many of the young aces you see now were signed and developed under his tenure, but he had a little help building a World Series caliber team by Minaya in my opinion.

The Yankees have basically given one of their top scouts Tim Naehring the vacant job left behind by Billy Eppler but they fell short of mentioning him as the team’s assistant GM. Could Minaya fill that void? As long as he’s bringing another Steven Matz with him then I’d have to say yes. What could it hurt when Hal Steinbrenner likely makes the final decision anyway? 

Mark Teixeira Isn’t “OK” With Anything

When I saw the now “infamous” article and tweet stating that the New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira would be “OK” with waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate a deal this winter I can’t lie, I got a little bit excited. I didn’t bother to check the source, I thought maybe a responsible site like Yanks Go Yard would have done that for me (and that was not tongue in cheek, the site is responsible and a friend of The Greedy Pinstripes) but after doing some research and digging around one thing is clear, at least to me, and that is that Mark Teixeira isn’t “OK” with anything.

This is slowly becoming old news now, the story broke late in the week last week, but I wanted to wait this one out before I began to write about it. Why? Sometimes the little guys, no matter how much Joel Sherman doesn’t want to admit it, get the news first. I bring up Sherman specifically because we here at TGP had the Curtis Granderson to the Mets deal not only first, but 100% correct, days before Sherman stole the show. Sherman was credited for it and when I linked him to my blog post and tweets day before asking for accountability I was blocked and I am still blocked on his Twitter to this day. So with this instance I wanted to wait around to see if anyone would pick up on it, maybe even speculate on it, but I have seen nothing. Absolutely nothing. When you see smoke there is usually fire but in this case there isn’t a stick of wood to be found.

When no one is talking about something or none of the beat writers or experts are even talking about, trying to confirm, trying to fact check etc. that usually means it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and sounds like a duck. This is a duck! Mark Teixeira did not give the Yankees the green light to trade him and he definitely isn’t going to follow Billy Eppler to Los Angeles to play for the Angels alongside the monster contracts of CJ Wilson, Albert Pujols (who is also a first baseman) and Josh Hamilton (who is playing for the Texas Rangers).

This is a duck and it’s not happening. 

Yankees Replace Billy Eppler, Sort Of

The New York Yankees lost their assistant GM to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Billy Eppler this offseason but the team has wasted zero time in replacing him, sort of. Eppler was the assistant GM to Yankees GM Brian Cashman and will be replaced by former Major League player Tim Naehring. Naehring will likely sit at the same desk that Eppler sat at but he will not have the fancy plaque with the title of assistant GM attached to his name.

Naehring was hired as a scout by the team in 2007 and has been one of Cashman’s most trusted advisors on players the Yankees should look at acquiring. Naehring recommended Didi Gregorius to Cashman this winter and has been involved in other top tier signings and trades for the Yankees in his nine seasons with the team.

Naehring, 48-years old, played eight Major League seasons with the Boston Red Sox from 1990-1997 and retired at only 30-years old due to injury. Naehring entered the Cincinnati Reds organization after retiring as a director of player development before being moved to minor league field coordinator. Naehring was let go after a shakeup in Cincinnati following the 2007 season and has been with the Yankees ever since. Now he’s taking the next step to the top, congratulations to him. 

The Yankees New Trade Partner: The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

I have said this numerous times in my blogs because I truly believe it, I think teams have a “screw the Yankees” policy when it comes to trading players. Some teams presumably think the Yankees have enough resources because of their financial powers that they just flat out refuse to deal with Brian Cashman which leads to either no activity at the July 31^st trade deadline or trades with the same teams over and over again. That list of teams is the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Seattle Mariners, the Detroit Tigers under Dave Dombrowski, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves. With the addition of Billy Eppler as the team’s new GM, Brian Cashman’s former assistant general manager in New York, could the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim join that list for the Yankees?

The bad news for New York, and the good news for Eppler, is that the Angels are a win now team that are unlikely to send some of their aging veterans or best players over to the East Coast in the type of trade that the Yankees like to make. New York hasn’t made a blockbuster trade probably since the Alex Rodriguez trade and don’t look like they will be putting together a deal for Mike Trout anytime soon but could a trade for an infielder or a fourth outfielder potentially be in the works?

Who knows, you may just have to stay tuned… 

Yankees Lose Billy Eppler to Anaheim

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were one of many teams entering the final month of the regular season and were the latest team to finally get their man, that man was Brian Cashman’s assistant general manager Billy Eppler. Eppler, 40-year old, will take over the Angels personnel decisions after Jerry Dipoto resigned earlier this season due to conflicts with management and team manager Mike Scioscia.

Eppler was a finalists for the Angels GM job back in 2011 before Angels owner Arte Moreno hired Dipoto and will finally get the opportunity to run his own team in Los Angeles. Eppler spent 11 seasons inside the Yankees organization spending time as a scout, the assistant director of baseball operations and the assistant GM where he has spent his last four seasons. Eppler is a San Diego native who was long thought to prefer a job on the West Coast near his home town and he finally has it in Los Angeles.

Yankees May Lose Assistant GM Billy Eppler to LA

Source: #Angels have spoken to #Yankees about interviewing Billy Eppler for GM job. No surprise here. Eppler was finalist for job in 2011.

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) September 4, 2015

The New York Yankees have one of the hottest commodities in all of Major League Baseball when it comes to potential and future general managers around the league. Last season we heard the name of Billy Eppler, the assistant GM to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, come up in almost every GM job opening discussion and that has carried over to the 2015 season as well. The New York Yankees were fortunate enough to hold onto Eppler last season but they may not be as lucky this time around, especially with GM vacancies in Milwaukee with the Brewers, Detroit with the Tigers and especially with the vacancy left behind with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim when the organization decided to relieve Jerry DiPoto of his duties.

The Angels have already asked for permission to talk to Eppler although it is unclear whether the Yankees granted them that permission. Eppler is a great and progressive mind so it would be tough to lose him but the Yankees seem content with Cashman so it's hard to blame a guy for wanting to further his career.

#Yankees executive Billy Eppler is emerging as a strong candidate for #Angels GM job. http://t.co/Alx5l8j51d

— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) September 4, 2015

Yankees prospect Lindgren making progress with second pro season nearing

Yankees left-handed pitching prospect Jacob Lindgren might not be major league ready yet, but the youngster is nonetheless making progress.

Lindgren's development over the past year has impressed the Yankees much, team assistant general manager Billy Eppler told The New York Daily News Friday.

Lindgren -- the Yankees' top pick in the 2014 Draft -- is coming off a solid first professional season that began with the Yankees' Rookie Gulf Coast League squad and finished with Double-A Trenton, one in which his combined ERA was just 2.16 and his opponents batting average .135. 

And the Yankees were apparently watching him as he advanced through their system at the fast pace he did, and are more than content with what they saw. 

"I don't think you could be more pleased as an organization with the progress he made," Eppler said.

It's currently unknown whether or not Lindgren will be with the Yankees for spring training this season, but his name has been thrown around recently as a possible bullpen piece.

If Lindgren does indeed get that kind of job, he would join a group already including the likes of Justin Wilson and David Carpenter -- so it's a guessing game as to where he would go. The eighth and ninth inning roles are likely reserved for Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller, and Adam Warren is also probably due for a spot. 

But, Lindgren says, it's just neat that that speculation exists. 

"It's pretty exciting just that people are talking about me and the situation," Lindgren said. "I'm just happy to be here."

Lindgren's true potential seemed to be shown during his college days at Mississippi State, where he dominated from 2012-2014. Besides putting together a 12-6 record and a 2.64 ERA over all three years, Lindgren kept his 2014 ERA to an amazing 0.81 -- helping earn him a $1.1 million signing bonus with the Yankees. 

But Lindgren's maturation isn't complete, and Eppler says the Yankees are still going to keep an eye on him as he continues to grow.

"You just look to see continued progress," Eppler said.