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MLB Baseball is back, baby! …

Finally, the MLB Lockout has ended, and Spring Training is here.

99 days of drudgery and apathy, brought to you by Major League Baseball. It was a frustrating time for all of us. If the MLB Owners and MLB Players Association had started negotiations when the lockout began in December, we might have been able to enjoy a routine off-season. Yet, egos were at play and there is little question the MLB Owners wanted to crush the union.  At the end of the day, the collective bargaining agreement is simply a mechanism for the owners to protect themselves from themselves. Regardless of how we got here, I am glad the lockout is over, and the players are enroute to Steinbrenner Field in advance of Sunday’s reporting date.   

The longer the labor dispute dragged on, the greater potential to drive fans away. I think Major League Baseball hurt itself in more ways than they can imagine, and they will probably feel the repercussions for years to come. I am ready to jump back in to follow the Pinstripes, but the pain of the past three months will not be easily wiped away. Maybe time will help. Five years can pass like a snap of the finger so we could be headed down this path again in 2026.

Not trying to single out Daniel Burch, co-founder (along with Bryan Van Dusen) of The Greedy Pinstripes, but his tweet yesterday summed up the feeling of many fans across the nation:

 

I would be lying if I said that I did not harbor these same feelings. The fans were the least considered party in the labor dispute in the battle for our money.  I am hopeful once the games begin, the fans who left will come back. It would help if the MLB Owners showed some empathy for us, but at least some of the players care.

Luke Voit, who could soon be ex-Yankees first baseman, summed it up best when he said, “They locked us out and took a while for us to get discussions going, which I think was frustrating on our end, but we were ready to go at any point”. Voit went on to say, “The fans are everything in the game and we represent what they want. We put the priority or the product on the field, so we just want to be there for them and I just didn’t want to lose fans”. Luke understands, and players with his mindset will help bring back the forgotten fans. 

Luke Voit / Photo Credit: Cary Edmondson, USA TODAY Sports

The roller coaster of the week was a challenge. Wednesday started with optimism but it was full-scale pessimism by the end of the day which ended with more cancellation of games by the MLB Commissioner. As an outside observer, it appeared the two parties could easily drift apart, which would have brought the tremendously contentious topic of backpay for lost games into the equation. I truly felt if the negotiations had derailed Wednesday night, the labor dispute had the potential to extend into the summer. Fortunately, the two sides kept trying and were finally able to come to an agreement on Thursday. I was concerned when it was reported the eight-member MLBPA executive committee, which includes Yankees Zack Britton and Gerrit Cole and former Yank Andrew Miller, had unanimously voted no against the agreement. Fortunately, it was presented to the team player representatives and passed by majority vote. Including the unanimous player executive subcommittee dissent on the agreement, only four team player representatives voted no as the final vote was 26-12.

The clear winner is Jackie Robinson. April 15^th is Jackie Robinson Day, and his widow, Rachel, is 99 years old. Wiping out the celebratory day would have been such an injustice that could have never been repaired. Honestly, my first thought when it was announced the new CBA had been agreed to, was the protection of Jackie Robinson Day.   

Photo Credit: Harry Harris, AP

While I am glad they will play a full 162-game schedule, I seriously would have preferred the old standard of 154 games for this season rather than try to make up for the lost games with the revocation of days off and addition of double-headers. The shortened Spring Training heightens the risk for injury, and there is little doubt the Yankees will be leaning hard on Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for reinforcements this year. Adding a three-game series at the end of the season (moving Season’s end from Sunday to mid-week), while maintaining the dates for the World Series, will squeeze the expanded 12-team playoffs into a tighter window. Buckle in, players…no rest for the wicked.

The owners rightfully agreed to increase the luxury tax threshold which elevates from $210 million to $230 million for the 2022 season. It will escalate to $244 million by 2026, the final year of the new CBA. Although there was a fourth tier added for the most extreme penalties ($60 million above the initial threshold, or $290 million for 2022), there is no chance Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner will exceed the threshold by that much. It was clearly a shot fired across town at billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen.  I have mixed feelings. I do not want a hard salary cap like other sports (the creative contracts in the NFL to get under the cap is insane). But I understand the need for competitive balance, which is why the changes to help discourage tanking are important. There is still a chance to reset penalties every few years, so you know that is Hal’s game plan and he is not going to play near the highest tier.  As for Cohen, how can you fault a billionaire who wants to spend to help his team? I wish we had one of those type owners. I jest of course because Hal does spend…just not with the same passion his father did.

The expansion of the playoffs to twelve teams would have allowed the dangerous Toronto Blue Jays to make the playoffs last season. The Yankees failed in a one-game matchup against the dreaded Boston Red Sox, but I think the outcome would have been the same against the Blue Jays. This screams to why GM Brian Cashman needs to build the right lineup before Opening Day.  It takes talent to beat talent.  It is more than that obviously, but the right pieces must be placed in the jigsaw puzzle to maximize the talent of the roster. I am sure some owners will take the stance of why build for a division championship when you can do less and still make the playoffs. I hope that mindset never enters Yankees ownership.

The draft lottery for the first six picks will help, but MLB needs to do more to prevent teams from tanking.

It did seem odd that the topic of an international draft became such a sticking point at the end, but I am glad they were able to kick the can down the road by a few months. The two sides will continue to talk about the international amateur system and direct draft-pick compensation (referred to as the qualifying offer). If the players want the elimination of the qualifying offer which can discourage teams from paying certain high-ranked free agents due to the draft-pick compensation, they will need to agree to an international draft by July 25^th. If not, the qualifying offer remains in place. The Yankees have benefited from no international draft the last couple of years when they spent most of their international pool allotments to sign the highest rated international prospects (Jasson Dominguez and Roderick Arias).  Yet, the international system is fraught with corruption and abuse, and an international draft would help level the playing field. I know the Yankees have benefited in the international market, but I think their ever evolving and improving scouting system will help uncover the gems despite the implementation of a draft.

I expected more of a free agent frenzy on Friday, so it was a bit underwhelming when the first Major League free agent signing was former Tigers reliever Drew VerHagen by the St Louis Cardinals. It was a bit of a gut punch when I saw the San Francisco Giants had signed LHP Carlos Rodon. I had thought he would have been a sneaky good pickup by the Yankees, but I cannot fault the Yankees for not making the two-year, $44 million investment in Rodon.  I suspect Cashman is closely monitoring the pitching market and will swing a trade to bring at least one additional starter into camp. The happiest free agent signing yesterday was when I saw that the Chicago Cubs had signed the most frequently mentioned Yankees “stopgap” shortstop target Andrelton Simmons. Off the market! Nice. I did not want any part of Simmons and would gladly accept a young Oswald Peraza over him. I do not think the Yankees will go into the season with Peraza or Anthony Volpe as the starting shortstop, so it remains to be seen what the Yankees do. 

I try not to think about the potential of adding free agent shortstop Carlos Correa, but the stars do seem aligned for him to sign with the Yankees. The Cubs were the only other team frequently mentioned with Correa and their addition of Simmons seemingly removes them from the equation. New YES Network analyst and former Yankee Cameron Maybin recently said, “If anyone could handle the extra weight the pinstripes carry its @TeamCJCorrea”. Maybin added, “He is really built for the biggest stage and what bigger stage than the boogie down baby!” There is much to be said about the ability to play in New York. It is not for everybody, and New York loves its stars. I know the baggage that comes with Correa (his association with the Astros cheating scandal and his disparaging remarks about Derek Jeter’s defense), but if the Yankees choose to sign Correa, I would be down with it. He is a great player and I feel if he is on your team helping you win, his past indiscretions can be forgiven if he shows remorse. 

Carlos Correa / Photo Credit: Chris Unger, Zuffa LLC

As much as I would love to see Freddie Freeman as a Yankee, it seems like the Los Angeles Dodgers are winning the race to sign the star first baseman. There really has not been any chatter that I have seen to connect the Yankees to Freeman. I probably still prefer Oakland A’s first baseman Matt Olson even if the cost is much greater than simply money. Olson is younger, and he fits the Yankees lineup as well as Freeman would.  But if the Yankees were to make an investment in either Correa or Trevor Story at shortstop, I would be totally down with resigning Anthony Rizzo for first base. Everybody keeps wanting to pencil in DJ LeMahieu at first base and that is such a waste of his talent.  He is a better play at second or third.  If Gleyber Torres struggles again this year, make LeMahieu the starting second baseman until Anthony Volpe is ready. I would play LeMahieu at third base for now and include Gio Urshela in a trade to help improve other areas of the team.

Lastly, I am grateful to hear Miguel Andujar was not seriously injured when he was beaten and robbed of a $7,000 gold chain at his home in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday. There were apparently three shots fired but Andujar was not hit.  He is scheduled to arrive in Tampa this weekend, so I hope he is 100% despite the ordeal. Very scaring news and it certainly could have been much worse. We look forward to your safe arrival in Tampa, Miggy!

Miguel Andujar / Photo Credit: Corey Sipkin, The New York Post

As always, Go Yankees!

Optimistic for a Spring Breeze...

 

MLB Owners & MLBPA dance together again today…

Will today’s planned MLB Owners’ core economics pitch to the MLBPA represent the first significant and fair proposal made or will it just be their latest attempt to cast shade on the players? I am choosing to be optimistic and hopeful today brings a sense of optimism that can yield momentum toward reaching an agreement for a new collective bargaining agreement. I am not expecting resolution today (any agreement must be ratified by the owners and players), but for once, I want to hear positive, proactive statements emanating from both sides.

Everyone had expected MLB Commissioner (fire) Rob Manfred to announce Spring Training would be delayed on Thursday, but he chose to kick the can down the road a couple of days. The announcement of the delay could come today. Realistically, I am not expecting Spring Training to start until the first of March, but every meeting that ends with contentious remarks has the potential to delay it even further.

Manfred’s words this week that MLB franchises were bad investments was humorous. Steven Cohen just paid $2.4 billion for the New York Mets. George Steinbrenner paid $10 million for the New York Yankees in 1973, and the Yankees are worth much more than the Mets. The Wilpon family, despite their mismanagement of the Mets, are undoubtedly extremely grateful for their “bad” investment. Forbes Magazine last year placed the value of the Yankees franchise at $5.25 billion. I doubt Harold Zieg Steinbrenner is walking around his Florida mansion saying, “Woe is me….”

I am not sure if it means anything but the rise in minor league free agent signings this week could be an indicator that teams are starting to feel forward movement. Or maybe it is nothing. It was interesting to see the Oakland A’s sign former Brewers first baseman Eric Thames to a minor league deal. I realize everyone expects the A’s to trade first baseman Matt Olson, but Thames is a slight acknowledgement of their plans. Or it is not. Time will tell.

I would love for the Yankees to acquire Olson, but there are other teams that would drool over the prospect of Olson in their lineups. A team like the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the strength of their farm system and their financial might, could easily overwhelm the A’s with an offer. There were reports of interest by the Texas Rangers this week, joining teams like the Atlanta Braves. Freddie Freeman remains available for only the cost of money. It seems almost a given if the Yankees trade for Olson, they will lose their most advanced shortstop prospect, Oswald Peraza. Sign Freeman and keep Peraza and other high-level prospects? Sign me up.

Freddie Freeman / Photo Credit: Carmen Mandato, Getty Images

Word of the universal DH in Major League Baseball surely enhanced the trade value of Luke Voit. I would say Miguel Andujar too, but his value is so low right now, I am not sure anything would help. If the Yankees are successful in getting Olson or Freeman, or even re-signing Anthony Rizzo, it seems a foregone conclusion that Voit will be playing elsewhere in 2022. To a degree, I am sad. I do not like his glove at first base, but he has been a good hitter and I love his football mentality on a baseball field. As they say, attitude is everything and Voit has that swagger. If he is, in fact, traded, I hope it is to a National League team so that we do not have to see him on a regular basis. The AL West (Oakland?) would be fine.

Speaking of Oakland, I would like to say I am deeply sorry to hear the news of Jeremy Giambi’s passing. I realize his death was his choice (suicide), but it shows the severity of depression. He is clearly a man who left us too soon. I always liked the younger Giambi. Sadly, most Yankee fans think of him for the famous Derek Jeter flip play, but he was more than that. I cannot imagine the pressure of playing in the shadow of a much better brother. I am not saying Jeremy was a bad player, he was a talented player in his own right. He persevered and produced a quality Major League career. I forgive him for his time wearing the dreaded Red Sox uniform. I am sorry his demons were too much for him to bear and I wish he had been able to find help before it was too late.

Jason Giambi and Jeremy Giambi (R)

There was also a death in the Yankees family with the passing of former Yankees outfielder Gerald “Ice” Williams. Any fan of the 1990’s Yankees is well familiar with Williams. He was part of the early 90’s rise of the Yankees, and when he was traded away in 1996, his return (reliever Graeme Lloyd) brought a crucial piece for the Yankees’ championship bullpen during dynasty years. Williams’ death was reported by his close friend, Yankees legend Derek Jeter.

Rest in peace, Jeremy and Ice. Thank you for the memories. `

Back to brighter topics, the experts are predicting a crazy 48-72 hours when the MLB Lockout is lifted. With so many free agents available and potential trades that have been simmering for months, we will see a wild game of musical chairs. The flurry leading up to the Lockout will probably pale in comparison to the post-Lockout activity. The postponed Rule 5 Draft has yet to take place and the Yankees routinely lose players due to the depth in their farm system. I am expecting to lose RHP Matt Sauer, 23, who was taken in the second round of the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft, among others. It seems like someone will take a chance on catcher Josh Breaux even if he does not stick. Losing Breaux is not a big deal. Mike Axisa, in his RAB Thoughts post this week, referred to Breaux as “upside is Kyle Higashioka with less defense.” The Yankees took six catchers in the 2018 draft, and the Yankees’ first two picks, Anthony Siegler and Breaux, have been disappointments. Kind of funny that the sixth catcher taken, in the 35^th round, who did not sign that year, is now a top Yankees prospect. Austin Wells may not stick at catcher, but his bat will be coming to Major League stadiums soon. Not sure if it will be New York or elsewhere through trade, but he seems to be a surefire Major Leaguer. The MLB Amateur Draft can be such a crap shoot.

The Yankees should sign Aaron Judge to an extension, but they should not go crazy with the number of years. I feel bad for Judge that he does not hit free agency until after the 2022 season, when he is 30 years old, but a ten-year contract for him would be out of the question. I love Judge as a player and clubhouse leader. I want him to stay in Pinstripes, but I have no desire to see if he can still be a quality Major Leaguer in his late 30’s…at least not yet. Those are decisions for later years. Four years, five years at the most. We have no idea how the big man will age in his later years. The decline could be more rapid than smaller, compact players like Brett Gardner.

I am glad to hear that Luis Severino is ready and can part of the Yankees starting rotation from the start of the season. We know he has the potential to be second to Gerrit Cole in the starting rotation. 

However, I hope it does not deter the Yankees from seeking another top starting option. I am glad Jordan Montgomery is in the rotation, but Jameson Taillon will be delayed. Corey Kluber now pitches for the rival Tampa Bay Rays. Nestor Cortes, Jr was a fun story last season and one of the Yankees’ most reliable starters, but I think he is better suited for long relief/spot starts. Domingo German, Luis Gil, Mike King, and Clarke Schmidt will be back, but this rotation screams for a strong #2 starter, even with Severino. They need a hedge for the health questions in the rotation. 

Ideally, the post-Lockout flurry will bring a quality starter to the Yankees in any trade packages. Luis Castillo is always every fan’s favorite target, but there are other starters that can help. No doubt Mike Fishman and his staff have done a deep dive into the analytics of all potentially available starters so I have confidence GM Brian Cashman will bring in the needed reinforcement. I would not be opposed to the return of Sonny Gray. I think he would fare better under Matt Blake than he did with Larry Rothschild. Heck, even Javier Vazquez got two chances with the Yankees even if the results were unspectacular.

Finally, it is Super Bowl weekend. Here is my shout-out for the Los Angeles Rams. I hope they are successful in their quest for a championship while playing on their home field. The Joe Burrow story has been fun to watch but the fairy tale ‘worst-to-first’ story ends on Sunday. Hopefully, the post-game celebration features Rams offensive coordinator (and Minnesota Vikings head coach-in-waiting) Kevin O’Connell swimming in champagne. Go Rams!

Kevin O'Connell (L) and Matthew Stafford / Credit: AP Photo-Ralph Freso

And as always, and more importantly, Go Yankees! 

All I Want For Christmas Is Baseball...

  

MLB Lockout with no end in sight…

If life were fair, we would have been analyzing the free agent signings and trades of the last week during Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings. But alas, no meetings this year thanks to the greedy MLB owners. They live up to the name of The Greedy Pinstripes blog but for all the wrong reasons.

I think if there is one singular topic, I would like to see resolved is the pay inequity between the superstars (the clear minority of professional baseball players), who get their money and then some, and the minor leaguers and others trying to find their way while living on peanuts. The superstars will always get paid, but Major League teams should be more financially responsible for the care of the younger players in their organization. Obviously, there are multiple other prominent issues that require resolution, and I am not trying to marginalize any of them. It just stands out to me that while owners pocket billions, there is room to help everyone in the game, especially those who struggle to live the dream.

Nearly two weeks into the MLB Lockout, it feels like there has been no progress. It is unfortunate to me that we are heading into 2022 without resolution which most likely means the standoff will be present in February when it is normally time for pitchers and catchers to report for Spring Training. Why cannot grown men lock themselves into a room and settle their differences? For the good the game, they need to work harder to find compromise, and re-open the sport for its fans. The best Christmas present would be a surprise announcement the two sides have been secretly meeting and have come to a fair and mutually beneficial agreement to present to the owners and players for final approval. Yeah, that is not happening.

MLB, please get your shit together. Love, the Fans.

December and the biggest Yankees news is the free-agent minor league re-signing of catcher Rob Brantly. With teams actively signing minor league contracts, maybe the Yankees should sign Carlos Correa to a $350 million minor league deal. Okay, I jest but I am concerned about how much time the Yankees will have to improve their roster once the Lockout ends. Also, on a side note, I have cooled to the idea of handing out $350 million to Correa, an incredibly talented player, when you can sign a gifted Trevor Story and improve other areas of the rosters for less money. I think a stopgap shortstop would be a mistake since it does nothing to improve the roster, but Story would be a good enhancement. Corey Seager would have been a better fit, but Story plus a potential trade for first baseman Matt Olson or re-signing Anthony Rizzo makes more sense at this point. I try not to think about Freddie Freeman as I still think he will go back to Atlanta or at least he should for how much he means to that organization. Would I take Freeman if I had the opportunity? Yes, in a New York minute.

Freddie Freeman, Photo Credit: Carmen Mandato, Getty Images

I respect both CC Sabathia and Jeff Nelson, two former great Yankees, for speaking out this week against the immature comments made by former Yankee Clint Frazier. Nellie’s tweet (@NYnellie43) on December 9^th read: “Here is something for you. You can talk the talk but, you have not walked the walk. Love the confidence but, you have to do something on the field.” My feeling about Frazier is simply that he needs to turn the page. I wish him no ill will and hope he finds the success that has eluded him in Chicago. He needs to focus on his new team and opportunity and take the high road when he looks back on his failed time with the Yankees. I am tired of the infamous attention Frazier has received and feel it is time everyone moves on.

For as mad as Yankee fans were when the Yankees traded outfielder Mike Tauchman, it is funny the guy the Yankees acquired, Wandy Peralta, is the only current Major Leaguer involved in the April 2021 trade. Tauchman started his Giants career with a bang (a homer and four RBIs in his fourth game with San Francisco), but it was all downhill from there as he eventually found himself off the 40-man roster by the end of July. Tauchman has signed a $1 million contract ($300K bonus and $700 salary) with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization. For his sake, I hope it is a path that will lead Tauchman back to the Major Leagues although I do not pine for his return to the Yankees.

Welcome to the new newest members of the Yankees organization. During last week’s Minor League Rule 5 Draft, they selected 49-year-old outfielder…checks notes…sorry…22-year-old RHP Manny Ramirez from the Astros organization and 22-year-old RHP Steven Jennings from the Pirates organization. The only loss was 27-year-old RHP Brian Keller. He was chosen by the Boston Red Sox as they attempt to find gold in the Yankees organization like they did last year with Garrett Whitlock. Even though Keller is not the prospect Whitlock was, I hate the continued poaching by the Red Sox.

Congratulations to the former players who were elected to the MLB Hall of Fame by the Early Baseball Era Committee. All the names were HOF-worthy…Gil Hodges, Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva, Jim Kaat, Bud Fowler and Buck O’Neil. Kaat, a one-time Yank, was nice but I am most excited for the late John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil, Jr.

O’Neil was a special player and manager in the Negro Leagues. He was a first baseman for the Kansas City Monarchs for 10 years and managed them for 8 years. He was a two-time Negro American League batting champ and won four Negro American League titles as manager from 1948 to 1955. He became the first black coach for the Chicago Cubs in 1962. He was later a scout for the Cubs and the Kansas City Royals. His career in baseball spanned 70 years. Famed Big Red Machine second baseman, the late Joe Morgan, once said “Buck was similar to Jackie Robinson. There was more to him than just baseball.” Morgan also said, “He was probably the greatest ambassador the Negro Leagues had ever had.”

O’Neil is credited for scouting former Yankee Oscar Gamble while working for the Chicago Cubs organization in 1968. I never had the opportunity to meet O’Neil, but I did meet Gamble earlier in my life, and it remains one of the greatest baseball memories of my lifetime (all made possible because O’Neil saw the talent in Gamble). Gamble remains one of the kindest and most genuine players I have ever met, and I can only imagine O’Neil was even more so. O’Neil is credited for scouting Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Lou Brock, Lee Smith, and Joe Carter.

For years, I have felt O’Neil deserved a place in the Hall of Fame. Like many, I became aware of O’Neil through Ken Burns’ baseball documentary in 1994. Honestly, it saddens me that it took that long to discover the legend the O’Neil. O’Neil passed away in 2006 at the age of ninety-four. It is unfortunate he did not live to see his induction into Cooperstown, but we will never forget his greatness and enormous impact on the game of baseball.

Buck O'Neil, Photo Credit: Associated Press

As always, Go Yankees!

My 2020 IBWAA Awards Votes for AL and NL MVP

Good morning everyone and welcome back to the blog. With the regular season now over and with the 2020 MLB Postseason beginning tomorrow, Tuesday the 29th of September, we here at the IBWAA are scrambling to get our award ballots filled out and cast. Here is a preview of mine:

AL MVP: DJ LeMahieu (NYY)

I know many people may not agree with this decision, and I know that DJ probably will lose out on this award to either Jose Ramirez, Jose Abreu, or his teammate Luke Voit (who I voted for 2nd place begrudgingly because in my opinion he deserves the award as well), but I truly believe that DJ is the most VALUABLE player to his team on the list. The Yankees may not be in the postseason without LeMahieu at the top of their lineup, especially when the team faltered with injuries and lack of production. DJ has been a steady presence in the Yankees lineup and ,in my opinion, is the only reason the team is headed to October baseball. Voit held down the fort while many of the Yankees top guys were hurt, but the winning ways stopped, and returned, along with DJ. 

NL MVP: Freddie Freeman (ATL)

I am not sure there is even really a discussion to be had here. Freddie Freeman should, and will in my opinion, win the National League's Most Valuable Player Award, period. Juan Soto was interesting to talk about, and may have actually won the award had he not missed the beginning of the season with COVID-19, and Mookie Betts is right there in the discussion, but ultimately I just think that this is Freddie's year. I had Soto and Betts filling out the Top 3 and I had teammate Marcell Ozuna sixth overall. 

2018 MLB Home Run Bore

Boy, do I hope I am wrong about this, but my first impression after looking at the field for the 2018 State Farm Home Run Derby is… what a bore this is going to be. Again, I hope I am wrong and, again, this is just a first impression… but wow. I guess we have been spoiled over the years with the likes of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Giancarlo Stanton in the event, but the names we will go over below just do not excite me right off the bat. I’m sorry but they don’t, and I can’t be the only one.

(#1) Jesus Aguilar – MIL

(#8) Rhys Hoskins – PHI

(#4) Alex Bregman – HOU

(#5) Kyle Schwarber – CHC

(#2) Bryce Harper – WAS

(#7) Freddie Freeman – ATL

(#3) Max Muncy – LAD

(#6) Javier Baez – CHC

So, who wins? I guess I will go with Max Muncy, just because. I may not even watch it, truth be told.

If the Atlanta Braves Keep Selling…. Again

We have been doing a series of these posts showcasing the teams that are seemingly selling off players in hopes of a rebuild. Teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves have been showcases already and I feel the need to come full circle and showcase the Braves specifically once again. The first post was focused around a possible acquisition of RHP Shelby Miller, who ultimately went to the Arizona Diamondbacks for an absolute haul that the Yankees were not going to touch, so this time around I figured we’d focus on the pitching side of things. What about Julio Teheran?

The Braves don’t have much more they can really sell at this point. Andrelton Simmons is gone, Miller is gone, Cameron Maybin is gone, Mike Minor is gone and I’m sure I’m missing a few from this offseason. Left are recognizable names like Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis and Nick Swisher but the man that may intrigue the Yankees the most would be Teheran. Teheran is a 24-year old right-handed starting pitcher with four years left of team control. Teheran has shown flashes of brilliance in his young MLB career and may have ace written all over his forehead in the coming years.

I can’t see a Nick Swisher reunion making much sense for the Yankees now, especially without a Brett Gardner trade. Swisher can play the outfield and first base adequately and is a switch hitter but absolutely does not fit into the mold of the team getting younger or less expensive. The same can be said for Freeman, especially the expensive part. Freeman is obviously younger than incumbent first baseman Mark Teixeira but would only block up-and-coming prospect Greg Bird from taking over the position full time in 2017 making a trade for him both redundant and unnecessary. Markakis fits the mold of Swisher as well, the Yankees could use a younger right fielder but without a clear “out” for Carlos Beltran I just can’t see it happening. Even if New York did trade Gardner or Beltran I could see Aaron Hicks getting the shot with Dustin Ackley serving as the 4^th outfielder before I’d see another trade or free agent signing. Teheran it is then!

Teheran would slip into the #2 hole behind Masahiro Tanaka quite well in my opinion and would give the Yankees one of the best starting rotations in all of the American League. I can’t think of, off the top of my head anyway, a better 4^th and 5^th starter than Michael Pineda and Nathan Eovaldi plus Luis Severino makes a damn good #3 pitcher at this point in his career. It may not work for New York, mind you, because it seems like Atlanta could trade their bat boy for two top prospects right now (how in the world are they getting so much for everyone in every single trade?) but it’s worth the phone call in my opinion. 

If the Braves Keep Selling...

Nobody knows what the Atlanta Braves are doing over there these days. Living in Atlanta, and owning a baseball related blog, I'm often asked what I think the direction is for the organization. For a long time I would say something along the lines of the team is rebuilding towards the 2017 season when their new stadium in metro Atlanta opens but now I'm not so sure. I don't think Atlanta is going towards the 2017 season, it seems like it's going to take a lot longer to recover from this. After trading Andrelton Simmons and anything and everything not tied down should the Yankees make the phone call to Atlanta and see what they can work out?

What names would the Braves be willing to trade that would interest the Yankees? Shelby Miller, despite his stat line in 2015, is the first name that comes to mind followed by Julio Teheran. Freddie Freeman is likely going to be traded as well, despite what they say, although the Yankees don't need another left-handed hitting first baseman on a long-term deal. Well unless a potential blockbuster could be in the works that includes Greg Bird for both Freeman and Miller.

Miller is entering arbitration eligibility for the first time in his career in 2016 and will not be a free agent until the 2019 season at the earliest. Miller, statistically speaking, had his best season in 2013 when he went 15-9 with the St. Louis Cardinals and possibly had his worst season in 2015 leading the league with 17 losses. If you look at the peripherals though stats like his FIP, WHIP, ERA+, ERA, H/9, HR/9, BB/9 and K/9 among others were either comparable or better in 2015 than 2013. Miller is the ultimate buy-low candidate and could fit the mold for what Brian Cashman is trying to build right now in the rotation.

Freeman and Teheran are likely long shots without giving up Aaron Judge, Bird, Robert Refsnyder and others but I will say this, I would at least considering giving up Bird in a deal that brought Freeman AND one of those pitchers. I would. Would you?