Aaron Judge is a Yankee...

 

Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Team’s best player chooses to remain in Pinstripes…

Yankees to Sign Aaron Judge

As totally and completely expected, Aaron Judge signed a new contract to play for America’s greatest baseball team. Yeah right. Although I believe there are those of you who never wavered in your confidence he would re-sign, I suspect more people were like me who had our moments of doubt.

Credit Judge for playing his free agency as great as a man who hit the American League single season home run record.  Clearly, at his age (nearly 31), Judge was at a disadvantage compared to guys like Bryce Harper and Manny Machado who cashed in while still in their late 20s. I remember reading an article a few years ago that said Judge would never get the ‘big money’ because of his age. Nine years and $360 million later, I say Judge is doing alright. He has the highest annual average value ($40 million) for a position player, helping to set a precedent for future players to achieve and exceed. No doubt the New York Department of Taxation and Finance loves that Judge, AAV leaders Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, plus Gerrit Cole, work in New York State. 

I was watching Twitter for news on Tuesday afternoon when MLB Insider Jon Heyman posted the now infamous “Arson Judge appears head to Giants” tweet.

My heart sunk. I literally saw life without Judge as a Yankee, and it was a gloomy thought. I think the release earlier in the day by Time Magazine naming Judge as the 2022 Athlete of the Year set us up for the harder fall. In the magazine article, Judge had predicted his future when he recalled a statement he had made in 2010, “I said, in 10 years, I’ll be married to Sam and playing for the San Francisco Giants.” Congrats to Judge for the recognition as Athlete of the Year, but the words in the magazine certainly detracted from the joy of the award.

Although Heyman’s tweet was retracted within minutes, Susan Slusser, the noted Giants beat reporter, continued to tweet that word on the street through insiders and team executives that Judge was, in fact, likely to sign with the Giants.

Later in the day, with reports that Judge was flying to San Diego, GM Brian Cashman claimed no knowledge of Judge’s trip during an interview on the YES Network. It struck me as odd at the time. In retrospect, Cash was telling the truth. Judge was traveling to Hawaii but had chosen to stop in San Diego to meet with the San Diego Padres for a few hours before resuming his flight to Hawaii to celebrate his first wedding anniversary with his lovely wife, Samantha.

Going to bed Tuesday night, I was very pessimistic about the Yankees’ chances to retain Judge. 

I never tried to look at Judge’s free agency as I would have in his shoes. A homegrown superstar with records as good or better than the legends of the organization, a fanbase that truly loves him, the chance to play his entire career for the most storied franchise in baseball history, the possible captaincy of the team, and so on. There are so many countless reasons to stay. But I do not know Judge personally. I do not know his personal ambitions and motivations. We know his professional ambitions…to be the best, a champion, and a tremendous supporter of his teammates. Yet personally, Judge holds everything close to the vest. We did not know how strong the pull to return home to California would be.

If you have ever been to San Francisco, it is a wonderful city with a beautiful ballpark. The city has a charm that few cities can match. The team has history with some of the greatest names to have ever played baseball. Hey, I love New York but I live in California. I get the attraction to the Golden State.  I believed it was possible that Judge could decide to play for his childhood team despite the overwhelming reasons to stay in New York.

When word had surfaced the Giants were offering nine years at $360 million while the Yankees were allegedly holding at eight years, there were rumors the Giants were prepared to go higher. The Giants were motivated to make Judge the centerpiece for their franchise, despite an earlier signing of former Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger, another Northern Californian coming home.  True or not, the Padres were prepared to offer as much as $400 million over fourteen years.  There is some believability in what the Padres would offer given their pivot to lure free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts from Boston for 11 years and $280 million. 

To Judge’s credit, and probably with a huge assist by Manager Aaron Boone who had called Judge on Tuesday night to let him know what he meant personally and professionally for Boone and the team, he called Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner, who was vacationing in Italy. Not-so-shallow Hal asked Judge if he wanted to be a Yankee and what it would take. Judge conveyed his desire to remain in Pinstripes but needed the ninth year to match the Giants offer. Hal agreed, and Judge accepted. Despite being on the West Coast, I was awake early Wednesday morning when I saw Ken Rosenthal tweet that Judge had decided to stay with the Yankees. Huge relief!

Hold right there. At that point, Aaron Judge could have turned around and called the Giants and Padres and they would have sweetened their offers. He did not and this is where I have the most respect for Judge in how he handled these negotiations. People scream about the money but if the Yankees did not pay it, another team would have. Judge could have used the Yankees to leverage the other teams to commit to even greater dollars. I do not feel that Judge used the Giants or the Padres. I believe he and his wife legitimately listened to the conversations with the other organizations to gather as much information as they could in making the most critical financial decision/commitment of their lives. Once the Yankees met what he was seeking, Judge was satisfied and the decision to stay with the Yankees was made.

We routinely knock Hal Steinbrenner but without his personal involvement, I am not entirely sure we would have reached a favorable outcome. The Yankees cannot stop here, however, bringing back Judge was the biggest move the team had to make this year and they did it. I am confident the Yankees will find another starting pitcher, a left fielder and perhaps another bullpen arm. Today, I am happy and relieved Aaron Judge will be playing for the New York Yankees on Opening Day 2023 when they play the San Francisco Giants. I really did not want to see Judge trot out to right field in the bottom, rather than top, of the first inning. 

Welcome back, Aaron! All rise and celebrate!

Aaron Judge (Artwork by noted and brilliant American painter/illustrator Graig Kreindler)

Hot Stove continues to boil

It seemed like all the talking head insiders were touting Carlos Rodon to the Yankees this week. Nothing has materialized…yet…but I am hopeful the Yankees make this level of commitment. The years scare me (seven, if true). Rodon is only 30 so it is possible he can still be an effective pitcher at the end of his contract, health-permitting. As the best starting pitcher on the open market, he makes the most sense.

Carlos Rodon (Photo Credit: Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Last offseason, the fan base was focused on Luis Castillo, Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea. Granted, the Yankees got Montas at the trade deadline, but he was hurt and the drop-off from Castillo was huge. I really do not want to settle for the second, third or fourth options available. I want to see the Yankees sign the best free agent starting pitcher which is Rodon. The Miami Marlins are not trading NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, and their other pitchers are not as good as Rodon. The other free agent options, like Nathan Eovaldi, Chris Bassitt, and Sean Manaea are not as appealing either. I have even heard the names of Noah Syndergaard and Drew Smyly. No thank you.  Rodon or bust.

For some reason, the Carlos Correa rumors linking him to the Yankees have re-surfaced. I am not convinced the Yankees would add another $300+ million contract so Correa seems unlikely. I have not forgiven him for his role in the cheating scandal, but I would not be opposed to having him on the Yankees. He is a good player and I do believe everyone deserves a second chance. Correa has not committed any sins (that I am aware of) since the trash cans were drummed.  I think the major appeal of adding Correa or Dansby Swanson is to free up Oswald Peraza and/or Anthony Volpe for a trade to Pittsburgh as part of a deal to snag outfielder Brian Reynolds. Although I continue to believe Volpe needs more time in Triple A, he will be the Yankees’ second baseman by next summer if he is not traded. I am happy and content with the thought of Volpe at second and Peraza at shortstop if the Yankees can get the right guy for left field. Andrew Benintendi or Michael Conforto can be added without giving up prospects. They may not be as good as Reynolds, but they are better than your average outfielders. There is also an abundance of young outfielders in Arizona (the names of lefties Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy being the most frequently mentioned) available through trade.   

Brian Cashman must find a way to eliminate Josh Donaldson, Aaron Hicks and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. I think their departures are key to improving other areas of need. Not that they would bring anything in return, but the elimination of their contracts or at least most of the dollars involved would be huge.

It does seem like the longer rumors of the Carlos’s to the Yankees persist, the less likely they will happen.

If I had my preferences, sign Rodon and Benintendi, keep Volpe and Peraza, and eliminate Donaldson, Hicks, and IKF. There would still be room for other tweaks, but I would be content for Spring Training 2023 to open with the improved roster. Granted, this is probably not the outcome, but I am hopeful Team Cashman makes the right moves to take advantage of the best years of Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole. 

Tommy Tightpants

I was pleased to see the free agent signing of former Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle. Kahnle has long been one of my favorite players. I liked him as a prospect, was saddened when he was taken by the Colorado Rockies in the 2013 Rule 5 draft, and excited when he was re-acquired in the 2017 trading deadline deal with the Chicago White Sox that brought him back to New York along with Todd Frazier and David Robertson. I understood it when the Yankees did not re-sign him after the 2020 season because of the Tommy John surgery. It was difficult to watch him pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season when he made his return from rehab. I did not think the Yankees would pursue him when he became a free agent after the season, but it was a delight when I saw that he had signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with the team. 

Tommy Kahnle (Photo Credit: SI.com)

I briefly thought it might be cool to also bring back David Robertson, but he signed with the crosstown Mets. Whatever happened between Robertson and the Yankees a few years ago with D-Rob’s role in cutting out certain guys from playoff shares, it seems like their differences are irreconcilable. Adam Ottavino anyone? I did not think so. 

It will be fun watching Tommy run around the bullpen again, in addition to his solid work on the mound, but I am hopeful the Yankees bring in at least one more solid reliever to match with the current crew. I am grateful Aroldis Chapman is no longer a Yankee. 

The Rule 5 Draft

Speaking of the Rule 5 Draft, it is always the worst moment of the Winter Meetings for me. The Yankees routinely get poached every year. Too much talent in the organization…a nice problem to have. The Red Sox seem to grab a Yankee every year. I guess they believe more in the Yankees farm system than their own.

In the Major League phase, the Yankees were not hit as hard as I thought they might be. The Cardinals selected 32-year-old RHP Wilking Rodriguez with the 25^th selection in the first round, and the Mets took RHP Zack Greene. Both players, selected for $100,000, must stick on the Major League rosters for the entire season or be offered back to the Yankees for $50,000.

The Minor League phase is more painful. Players chosen are lost forever. The Minor League phase is anyone not protected on the big league or Triple A roster. The Yankees lost the following players:

• Orioles (Rd 1): RHP Alfred Vega
• Dodgers (Rd 1): RHP Yon Castro
• D-Backs (Rd 2): RHP Denny Larrondo
• Red Sox (Rd 2): RHP Ryan Miller
• Rays (Rd 3): RHP Nelson Alvarez
• Phillies (Rd 7): 2B Oliver Dunn

In Round 1 of the Minor League draft, the Yankees chose LHP Pablo Mujica from the Kansas City Royals. He was the Yankees’ only selection of the day. 

I do not know what their futures hold, but I was glad to see the Yankees retain C Josh Breaux, LHP Edgar Barclay, 3B Andres Chaparro, C Antonio Gomez, OF Ryder Green, RHP Matt Sauer, C Anthony Seigler, and SS Alexander Vargas. Who knows if any of these guys ever make it to the Majors, but I hope a few of them do.

As always, Go Yankees! 

Sonny Gray Trade? Hold, Please...

And We Continue to Wait for Gray’s Departure…

I had two wishes for Sunday and neither one materialized for me. Sonny Gray is still a Yankee and the New England Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl. Some sports days really suck. Well, I guess it could be worse. It wouldn’t be fun to be a New Orleans Saints fan today but aside from their pain, yesterday was quite forgettable all things considered. Nevertheless, today is a new day and another opportunity to rip the Pinstripes off Sonny Douglas Gray. Please, Brian Cashman, work your magic and make it happen.

The hang up with the Cincinnati Reds appears to be their desire to sign Sonny, a free agent after the season, to an extension. Reports indicate the Reds have until later today (the conclusion of a 72-hour window) to see if they can get Sonny to put pen to paper.  MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch is reporting the deadline is sometime this evening.  Until the deal is finalized, there is a chance it could break down and the Yankees would need to pivot to other opportunities to unload young Mr Gray. 

Jon Heyman’s tweet yesterday that ended with “…or keep him” was rather jarring to me. Look, I want Sonny Gray to do well at his next destination. I hope the dude recaptures the luster he once had in Oakland and puts himself into Cy Young consideration in future years. But, and that’s a very BIG but, I do not want him on the 2019 New York Yankees. I’ve seen enough shades of Gray at Yankee Stadium. 

Photo Credit: AP (Julie Jacobson)

Despite Great American Park not being known as a pitcher’s park, Cincinnati seems to have everything that would appeal to Sonny. It’s approximately 275 miles from his home in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s a young team that has added some interesting pieces this off-season with Tanner Roark, Alex Wood, Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp. They have Joey Votto and a sound closer in Raisel Iglesias. A quick check of the current Reds roster shows that his old Oakland number and the number previously worn in Cincinnati by Aroldis Chapman (54) is available. The pitching coach is Derek Johnson who happened to be Sonny’s pitching coach at Vanderbilt. Cincinnati is considered a less-pressurized small market but a team with some history and tradition. I am sure that Yankees manager Aaron Boone could give some great insight into life in Cincinnati. Oh, wait a minute, Sonny has not heard from the Yankees since the off-season began. Scratch a talk with Boonie. The Reds offer a rotation that would not put any undue pressure on Gray.  He could be the best starter or he could be the worst. It’s really up to him and I think Reds fans will be more forgiving than us. 

Cash, get the Gray trade closed! We have faith in you.

I still don’t get why there is resistance among the fanbase for Adam Ottavino to be the first Yankee to wear the number 0. I am not sure if it is because “0” is not really a number, the fact no Yankee has ever worn the number or a preference for Derek Jeter to be the one to last wear a single digit number. Maybe there are other reasons but I really have no reason to believe Otto should not wear the number. Give it to the man. He’s a native New Yorker and he’s going to wear the Pinstripes proud. 

Emily Waldon of The Athletic recently reported the Yankees will attend a showcase for RHP Rookie Davis and LHP Adam Libertore on January 31st. Libertore, a 31-year-old former Dodgers reliever who was cut last August, does not really interest me, but I’d like to see the Yankees bring back Davis for an opportunity to kick start his career again. Davis was part of the deal that originally brought Aroldis Chapman to New York. Davis was one of four Yankees who went to Cincinnati, and he probably had the most success which really isn’t saying much since none of them panned out for the Reds. Davis underwent hip surgery in October 2017 and missed most of 2018 on the disabled list.  Davis appeared in seven games for the Reds in 2017 with six starts. The numbers were awful: 1-3, 8.63 ERA, giving up 38 hits, 23 earned runs, and 7 homers in 24 innings pitched. However, he was once a bright prospect and will only be 26 in late April.  Not sure if anything is there, but why not. I wouldn’t bring him in on a Major League deal but a minor league contract to allow him to rebuild value works for me assuming it works for him. 

Photo Credit: Cincinnati Enquirer (Zach Buchanan)

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr Day so let’s honor and remember one of the greatest men in American history. He may be gone but his voice is heard loudly today and will continue to resonate through many tomorrows to come.

  

As always, Go Yankees!

A Week Closer to Spring Training...

Less Than a Month for the Road to Tampa…

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner but for pitchers and catchers when it arrives, it will mean they’ve reported to Spring Training in Tampa one day earlier. Very appropriate considering our love for America’s favorite Pastime. Flowers and chocolates for the loves in our life? No, grab a glove and bat and let’s get after it! I know that I am anxious to see the guys back at Steinbrenner Field so that we can talk about baseball activities as opposed to this dreadful offseason of rumors and rare free agent signings (or as I like to call it, the roller coaster of hope).  

The Yankees were busy last week collecting former Colorado Rockies. I like DJ LeMahieu and was surprised his signing was met with much negativity among the fan base. Maybe it’s because I live in Denver, Colorado but I saw firsthand how much DJ meant to the Rockies and their fans. He has such a strong reputation for being an excellent fielder and is very highly thought of by his teammates, and we know he hits for average even if he didn’t accumulate power numbers at the hitter’s friendly high altitude of Coors Field. Even if the Rockies didn’t make DJ an offer, I know the fans and his teammates were disappointed to see DJ leave. For the Rockies, it’s well known that they are saving their pennies for Nolan Arenado. Despite the trade rumors that surfaced late in the week, the Rockies still hope to hang on to their franchise player who can be a free agent after the upcoming season. I feel that we need to give DJ a chance. He wants to win as much as anybody and he seems excited to be a Yankee even if it wasn’t his childhood dream. There’s other infield moves that I might have preferred but I still think LeMahieu is an outstanding addition.   

Photo Credit: MLB.com 

Later in the week, the Yankees signed former Colorado reliever Adam Ottavino, another fan favorite. I’ve never been a very big fan of the Rockies, kind of hard when your favorite NL team is the Los Angeles Dodgers, but I know that whenever Ottavino was giving an interview, I’d listen. He is well spoken and offers great insight into baseball anytime he talks. He is frequent guest on MLB Network and always makes himself accessible to the media. After his disappointing 2017 season which included his omission from the playoff roster, he didn’t sulk. He took office space in Harlem to build an indoor pitching facility and reinvented himself which led to a highly successful campaign this past year. The native Brooklynite maintains his home in NYC with an apartment in Manhattan and seems such a natural fit to pitch for the Yankees. My hope going into the off-season was for the Yankees to sign at least two of Zach Britton, David Robertson, and Ottavino. While I would have liked to have seen D-Rob return, I can’t say that I am disappointed he has been replaced by Otto.  

Ottavino’s signing means the Yankees need to make room on the 40-man roster before the trade can be made official. The flurry of Sonny Gray trade rumors are intensifying which seems to imply the Yankees will be looking to trade Gray for prospects rather than proven MLB talent that might occupy 40-man roster space. It was kind of funny yesterday when Jack Curry of the YES Network fell for a false tweet by the fake Jon Heyman to send out a report Gray had been traded to Cincinnati for a player to be named later and cash. By all accounts, the Yankees are still talking with the Padres and Giants in addition to the Reds. I’ve quit trying to  speculate who the Yankees might get in a Gray trade. I am sure that GM Brian Cashman will acquire the best possible talent. There’s been some talk a reliever like Tommy Kahnle or Jonathan Holder could be included to sweeten the pot, but I’d hate to sell Kahnle low as I feel he’ll be closer to his 2017 version this year. Holder was the breakout arm last season and as a young cost-controlled pitcher, he carries too much value in terms of both cost and talent to trade (unless you are convinced Stephen Tarpley and other minor league arms are ready to ascend to the Bronx). I’d prefer to see Holder and Tarpley as the last men in the pen, aside from long relief/spot starter which I anticipate to go to Jonathan Loaisiga if Gray is traded. It’s very possible that a Gray trade could go down this weekend or early next week. The Yankees should be in position to make Otto’s signing official by Monday or Tuesday so you’d think Gray will be gone before then, although I’d have no problem, personally, in severing ties with Luis Cessa.

Jon Heyman, the real one I think, is reporting the Gray trade is expected to happen this weekend. Per his tweet on Twitter this morning: “Yankees and Reds are getting closer on a Sonny Gray trade. Teams are talking about two prospects and a draft pick going for Sonny. One of 2B prospect Shed Long and C prospect Tyler Stephenson may go. Giants, Braves, Brewers are on periphery. A deal should happen this weekend.” I liked a tweet yesterday when the commenter said that if he saw Sonny Gray was traded for a shed, he wouldn’t blink an eye. I know, I feel the same way but it would be nice to get a value return.  

Congratulations to Brian Cashman for at least getting a young prospect for outfielder Tim Locastro who was designated for assignment when LeMahieu was signed. Locastro was traded to Arizona for 17-year-old LHP Ronald Roman of the Dominican Republic.  Roman had been signed by the Diamondbacks last summer as an international signee and is set to make his professional debut this year in the lower levels of the farm system. Could not really find any information on him. He’s a lottery ticket, for sure, but you can’t win if you don’t take a chance.   

Back to the bullpen, the Yankees have certainly built what should be the premier pen in the league. But we know that even the best of bullpens give up a few runs now and then. I like the Yankees’ chances in the late innings, but there will be breakdowns. We can’t expect perfection but all things considered, I’d rather take my chances with the Yankees’ pen over any other team in Major League Baseball. I am surprised the Boston Red Sox have not done anything to fill their holes in the bullpen. I still think they’ll eventually get Craig Kimbrel back. I know the Sox don’t want to pay Kimbrel’s current asking price but I’d still be surprised if they let him walk away. I really thought they’d snare one of Britton, Robertson or Ottavino and I am so glad it did not happen. Given Otto’s relatively affordable contract of 3 years for $27 million, I was even more surprised the Sox didn’t make a play for him despite carrying MLB’s highest payroll. If the Red Sox do lose Kimbrel, I’d expect Dave Dombrowski to make a trade to bring in a proven closer unless they are convinced Tyler Thornburg is healthy and ready to pitch at the level he did a couple of years ago for the Milwaukee Brewers. Thornburg had 13 saves for the Brewers in 2016, with 2.15 ERA after being named their closer midway through the year. He had thoracic outlet syndrome surgery in 2017, and wasn’t really able to do anything last summer  after his return (5.63 ERA over 24 innings) before being shut down early in September. I am sure the Red Sox will figure out their current bullpen mess but it’s clear they do not value the importance of a super bullpen like the Yankees do. If I ran the Sox, I’d probably sign Dallas Keuchel and move Nathan Eovaldi to the pen. No doubt Keuchel’s asking price is dropping.  

As it stands right now, I like the current composition of the 2019 Yankees and certainly believe they have the talent to take down the Red Sox. There are other moves the team could make to improve the roster but if they don’t, this is still a damn good team. I am so ready to watch the baseballs flying in Tampa and seeing Aaron Judge’s grin as he arrives at Steinbrenner Field. It’s almost time for the Yankees fan base to reunite and cheer for MLB’s best team.

As always, Go Yankees! 

I Was A Yankee For A Day...

12/19/2018, A Day in Pinstripes for Manny Machado...

Yesterday was Manny Day and I have to admit, after weeks of angry and very bitter comments on Social Media, I am still surprised how divided the Yankees fan base is over the potential signing of shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado to a lengthy and very lucrative contract to wear the famed Pinstripes. I personally have supported Manny from the start. When he was first traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers last summer, I bought a Dodgers cap with Manny’s signature etched into the side while walking The Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. It remains a staple in my hat collection.  

Blogger's Note: Not my hat.

Manny spent 90 minutes at Yankee Stadium early Wednesday afternoon which Yankee fans, of course, immediately dissected as both good and bad. I didn’t really read much into it. Of the three teams chasing Machado, Manny is most familiar with Yankee Stadium and the team is very familiar with him.  One doesn’t really need to sell the other. They just have to address the concerns raised during the past post-season about Machado’s “Johnny Hustle” comments. I am sure Manny got a tour of Yankee Stadium from an insider’s perspective, but really, I don’t see why the meetings should have taken all day. I doubt contract negotiations took place which would have been the most time-consuming element.  

Jon Heyman later reported that Manny and his wife, Yainee, and his agent, Dan Lozano, had dinner in a Manhattan restaurant with the Yankees last night. I guess the Taco Bell near Yankee Stadium was out of the question. No names about who attended the dinner were mentioned but you’d assume that both Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone (and his lovely Playmate wife) were there.  I didn’t see any reports of Hal Steinbrenner’s presence but it would be understandable for him to miss the meetings since his family is preparing for his mother’s funeral on Friday in Tampa.   

The Manny Caravan moves to Philadelphia today to talk with the Phillies. It’s being reported that Manny’s consideration lies solely with the White Sox, Yankees, and Phillies, and no potential mystery teams as previously reported. In the end, it’s going to come down to money. It doesn’t matter that Manny’s brother-in-law is a first baseman for the White Sox, Carlos Beltran is a special adviser to Brian Cashman, or that the Phillies front office includes a few ex-Orioles employees. The team that is willing to pay Manny the most money will be the winner. Perhaps if all offers are equal, the tie goes to the Yankees, but I am prepared for this to go either way. I would love for Manny to pull on the Pinstripes and I’d love to see Alex Rodriguez give his blessing for Manny to wear Number 13.  

Bryan Van Dusen wrote a great piece yesterday on The Greedy Pinstripes blog about why the Yankees should sign Bryce Harper instead of Machado. I do not disagree with Bryan. There are many reasons why Harper would be a great fit for the Yankees, most notably his left-handed bat in a predominantly right-handed lineup. What’s exciting about Harper and Machado is the upside of both young superstars. The best is yet to come. If the Yankees sign Harper instead of Machado, rest assured I’ll be very excited. My support of Machado in no way means that I would not gladly accept Bryce’s presence on the Yankees roster. The Yankees can easily find an interim second baseman/shortstop type to help cover Didi’s absence as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and I have no problem with Miguel Andujar continuing to work on his defensive skills at third base. While many fans do not want the Yankees to sign Machado for his potential adverse impact on Andujar, my main overriding factor is I want Didi Gregorius on this team beyond 2019. If signing Manny means the Yankees do not pursue an extension with Didi, I think my desire to sign Manny lessens considerably. Didi is my shortstop and that’s not going to change regardless of who is standing at short on Opening Day. If Manny told the Yankees yesterday that he is only going to play shortstop, it’s a hard pass for me. I am not interested. Manny would have to be willing to move to third base. I don’t care what it means for Andujar. Manny is the better player. Either Andujar learns another position like first base or left field or moves to DH or is traded in a package for an elite starter. I like Andujar but when you have an opportunity to get better, you do it. We have a World Series window in front of us right now. Do what it takes to get better. I am so ready to end Boston's reign in the AL East.

I am anxious for Machado and Harper to sign so that we can end the excessive speculation and over-analysis about the young superstars. Frankly, I am getting a little tired of their names. I’d also like to see the Yankees move onto other pressing matters, like filling the voids in the bullpen. It was reported the Cleveland Indians are still talking Corey Kluber in potential trades, but the Yankees have not been connected with the latest rumors. I’d still love to see the Yankee re-engage the Indians to see if there is a fit, although Cleveland’s ability to shed payroll in recent trades has lessened the need for them to part with a member of their starting rotation. At this point, it’s looking like any potential upgrade for the current starting rotation will be a trading deadline decision next July. 

On one more Harper-Machado note, it's too bad that Bryce's wife Kayla is not named Laurel. I would have really loved to have seen the Yainee versus Laurel debates. 

Yesterday morning, TGP’s Daniel Burch was tweeting his interest in Troy Tulowitzki as a potential infield solution, given the Blue Jays are paying the freight on the $38 million owed to Tulo and he can picked up for minimum wage. While I may or may not agree with his opinion, it was funny to see many beat writers picking up Daniel’s mantra throughout the day. I know it was spurred by Tulo’s showcase this week in front of multiple teams, but credit to Daniel for being a step ahead of a few others who, unlike Daniel, are paid to do this for a living. 

By now, we all know the Yankees designated pitcher Parker Bridwell for assignment when they re-signed LHP J.A. Happ and added him to the 40-man roster. No disposition has yet been given for Bridwell, but it's a little bit sad that his recent waiver claim by the Yankees cost Ronald Torreyes his job. In retrospect, it wasn't really worth it to claim Bridwell, particularly given there is nothing in his numbers that suggests anything special. Perhaps the plan, all along, was to try to sneak Bridwell through waivers since he is out of options to send him to Triple A for depth, but still, it seems like there were other and better sacrificial lambs on the roster, like Luis Cessa and A.J. Cole. At this point, I don't really see a trade of Sonny Gray until closer to or during Spring Training. Despite some who have started to write that they'd like to see the Yankees retain Gray, I think he'll be gone by Opening Day. I've certainly seen enough of him to last a lifetime.

I was a little underwhelmed by the Yankees' decision to sign lefty Rex Flowers on a minors deal. I know it was just a depth move but I don't see him adding any value at the Major League level. I probably liked Boston's addition of righty Zach Putnam on a minor league deal better.  Putnam hasn't pitching any significant innings since 2016 due to Tommy John surgery early in the 2017 season, but he was once an effective reliever for the Chicago White Sox. I think he has more upside for the Sox than Flowers has with the Yankees. While Boston is still without a closer, they've quietly been collecting minor bullpen pieces with Putnam and others like Colten Brewer, who previously spent a season in the Yankees' farm system, and former Seattle pitcher Erasmo Ramirez. The Sox also grabbed former Yankees prospect RHP Anyelo Gomez in the Triple A Rule 5 Draft which means that Gomez is theirs for good. Gomez still has the potential to be a breakout for the bullpen. Hopefully, GM Brian Cashman begins looking at the Yankees bullpen soon. I remain fearful that we'll lose David Robertson to the Red Sox and would really like to see him return to the Bronx.  

Well, today's a new day. Let's see what it has in store for us.  

As always, Go Yankees!

Jacoby Ellsbury, His No-Trade Clause and Terrible Journalism

I feel a bit of rant coming on, you have been warned.

Remember back around Christmas when many writers and bloggers were reporting that Jacoby Ellsbury would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to a few teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Francisco Giants? I would link that original article written by Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports by conveniently and coincidentally that article is now nowhere to be found on the web. Interesting, huh? Not for me, but I don’t believe in coincidence and I definitely don’t think it was convenient that the post just disappeared, especially after Ellsbury himself said that he was never approached by the New York Yankees or asked about waiving his no trade clause.

Come on, Jon. I know the offseason was a slow one and you have to justify your position at Fan Rag Sports because that’s what you do to make a living, but you’re making all the writers and journalist out there look bad when you downright lie, and then downright cover up your lie by making the article simply disappear. Just because you used the word “might” and other vague terminologies doesn’t mean you’re reporting anything, it means you’re baiting for clicks and you’re lying. It is journalism like this that made me even want to get into writing. On the other side of the equation though it is journalism like this that makes me want to just throw my hands up and quit as well.

This is why I don’t care if I ever get big, famous, well known, or anything like that. I’d rather be the king of the trailer park then the servant in a mansion, and I like doing things my own way. I don’t want to have to force or create content, and I never have, and I never will. I want to do things the right way, and I want to do things my way. Period, end of discussion.

If there are any publications out there looking for a writer who tells it like it is, does things differently than everyone else, and wants to actually make a difference in journalism… let me know. Until then, please stop emailing me asking me to write for this site and that site. The day I leave or write for another website not named The Greedy Pinstripes is the day I feel like I can be the change I wish to see in the world. Gandhi. Thanks for listening.

And Now We Wait...

Credit:  Kevin Hagen, for The Wall Street Journal

The Dawn of a New Year…

The expiration date for 2017 is rapidly approaching. Soon, we’ll flip the calendar to 2018 and await the arrival of the latest Bronx Bombers in Yankee Stadium.  

As expected, the end of the year has been very quiet for the Yankees after their acquisition of slugger Giancarlo Stanton earlier this month. Gerrit Cole is still in Pittsburgh and Yu Darvish remains on his free agent tour.

In the words of both Yankees GM Brian Cashman and President Randy Levine, there is still work to be done. At this point, we’ll see what January brings. Honestly, I am tired of the Gerrit Cole rumors and wish the Yankees would end the speculation by saying there will be no deal. Same for the Darvish rumors. The Yankees are not going to sign him. I feel badly for guys like Clint Frazier who continue to twist in the wind wondering what the new year will bring for them and where they should report for Spring Training…Tampa, Florida or about 45 miles south via I-275 to Bradenton or some unknown destination.

With no deal in place for free agent slugger J.D. Martinez, the Boston Red Sox are starting to show up in rumors for a possible trade with the Baltimore Orioles to acquire Manny Machado. While you’d think the same intra-division challenge would face the Red Sox as it does the Yankees, Orioles GM Dan Duquette is a former Red Sox general manager and he used to work with current Red Sox President Dave Dombrowski years ago in the Montreal Expos organization. I’d really hate to see Machado go to Boston. Of course, the rumors could be Red Sox-originated to apply pressure on Martinez who appears to have limited options in the stagnant free agent market.  

One year after signing the most lucrative contract in history for a MLB reliever, Aroldis Chapman’s annual salary has been eclipsed by former Chicago Cubs closer Wade Davis. While the contract signed by Davis with the Colorado Rockies is only for three years, the average annual salary is $17.33 million whereas Chapman only makes a paltry $17.2 million. Chapman still holds the mark for most total contract compensation but it’s crazy how much relievers have been getting this off-season. The Rockies are using the Yankees formula of building a super bullpen (they previously signed Cleveland Indians reliever Bryan Shaw and re-signed their own Jake McGee to join holdovers Adam Ottovino, Chris Rusin and Mike Dunn). If unsuccessful, they should be able to trade relievers for a stable of quality prospects. 

For the San Diego Padres, what’s old is new again. After re-acquiring their former third baseman, Chase Headley, they’ve re-signed two former starting pitchers, Tyson Ross and Chris Young. Maybe free agents Andrew Cashner, Alexi Amarista, and Cameron Maybin should check in with Padres GM A.J. Preller.

Congratulations to Yankees GM Brian Cashman for being named as Baseball America’s 2017 MLB Executive of the Year!

Credit:  Reinhold Matay, NY Post

I felt bad for Yankees manager Aaron Boone yesterday. His beloved USC Trojans lost the Cotton Bowl to the Ohio State Buckeyes, 24-7, in Dallas, Texas. As an Iowa Hawkeyes fan, I have no love for the Buckeyes so I was disappointed to see Boonie’s team lose.  Hopefully, 2018 will be much more victorious for Boone’s “favorite” teams.

Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports Network reported yesterday that Giancarlo Stanton’s decision to join the Yankees will cost him an additional $29 million in taxes on the balance due for his contract if he decides to live in one of the five boroughs of New York. That’s a huge financial commitment on Stanton’s part to join the young and hungry Yankees. He can lessen his tax burden by living in New Jersey, but c’mon, if you are 28 and single, you gotta live in the City!

I am not a New Year’s Resolution kind of guy so I’ll leave it to others. Pete Caldera, staff writer for NorthJersey.com, has offered his 2018 New Year’s resolutions for the Yankees. It is worth checking out.  I think he nailed it.  

Not that I want to promote other sites, but Bronx Pinstripes ran a great story on Justus Sheffield and his path to Pinstripes yesterday that’s worth the time to read. I was already excited about Sheffield’s potential and this only fires me up more. I love Cody Carroll’s quote that Sheffield is “like a closer that starts”. Some guys have great stuff and some guys are just winners. Sheffield is a combination of both.  Excellent work by BP's Dom Muccilo.

I don’t know about you, but I am very anxious to see Tampa's Steinbrenner Field humming. Baseball can’t get back soon enough. Happy New Year to Everyone! It’s going to be a fantastic year for the Yankees and their fans…

Go Yankees! 

Is Total Domination by the Yankees Asking Too Much?...

The Yankees, most likely, have made their final moves for 2017… 

Granted, we only have a couple of days left but it’s been all quiet in the Yankees Universe.  Rumors continue to swirl and the Yankees are always linked to, seemingly, everybody.  

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported today that the Yankees continue to eye free agent pitcher Yu Darvish. Regardless of the cost, that one makes no sense to me. The money it would take to sign Darvish would erode the remaining dollars under the luxury tax threshold of $197 million. There’s no way that Darvish will settle for $5-$10 million in annual compensation at this point in his career when he should command more. The pitcher needs to rebuild value after his disastrous World Series performances for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but at the end of the day, teams look at his body of work and not a couple of ill-fated starts with accusations that he was tipping his pitches.  

Credit:  Associated Press

Yesterday, TGP’s Bryan Van Dusen made the argument that the Yankees should stand pat with their starting pitching staff. To a degree, I concur but ultimately GM Brian Cashman is on record saying the Yankees want to acquire another starting pitcher. There are questions about every starter in the Yankees rotation and Cash obviously has more information and insight into each pitcher that we are not privy to. So, from my perspective, while I may believe another starter is not necessary, the powers-that-be feel otherwise so our opinion is irrelevant.  

I don’t really want to give up Clint Frazier, Chance Adams, and/or Miguel Andujar in a trade for Pittsburgh’s Gerrit Cole. I am a little frustrated that Frazier’s current predicament is a direct result of an outfield glut hurt by the presence of Jacoby Ellsbury and his massive contract. In a perfect world, I’d trade away both Ellsbury and Brett Gardner to make way for the younger guys. I want to see room made for Frazier but equally I’d like to see Billy McKinney and Jake Cave get opportunities. McKinney can hit and he showed last year why he was once a top draft pick.  

I am a fan of Chance Adams but the presence of Justus Sheffield and Albert Abreu give me comfort the Yankees have other young viable starters on the immediate horizon.  

I recognize that not every Yankees prospect has a future in Pinstripes. There is great value in prospects as trading chips for contending teams. I am prepared for a trade for a proven Major League starting pitcher. I may not like it, but it is the cost of doing business for a team that is prepared to win NOW. I am not sure who will be the fifth starter for the Boston Red Sox at the start of the upcoming season since Edwin Rodriguez is recovering from knee surgery (Steven Wright perhaps?) but the Red Sox still have arguably the best staff in the division with a front four featuring Chris Sale, David Price, Drew Pomeranz, and Rick Porcello. The Toronto Blue Jays are probably not too far behind with Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, J.A. Happ, Marco Estrada and Joe Biagini. Admittedly, both of those teams have injury concerns. With the Red Sox, it is David Price who has struggled both mentally and physically in Boston. For Toronto, it is Aaron Sanchez who missed most of last year with right middle finger issues. Sanchez is the latest example of a young starter who threw a career high in innings pitched the preceding year, only to follow up with an injury plagued season. I am not saying that Luis Severino is going to get hurt but he did pitch a career high with innings pitched last year including the play-offs. Many experts have forecasted some regression in his 2018 performance. If either Boston or Toronto are able to overcome their injury concerns, they will be very formidable. If the Red Sox add a power bat like J.D. Martinez, they’ll be tough to beat. So, if Brian Cashman feels that we need to add starting pitching, I am not going to argue with him.

For what it is worth, Bob Klapisch is currently reporting that the Yankees are “nowhere” on a possible deal for Gerrit Cole and have never been close in talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates. As Klapisch tweeted today: “NYY rotation is set for now”.

My biggest concern heading into 2018 is second and third base. I am 'all in' for making Gleyber Torres the starting second baseman or going with Tyler Wade/Ronald Torreyes to start until Torres is ready. Third base troubles me the most. I am not convinced that Miguel Andujar is ready (offensively, yes, but I feel that his defensive skills are lacking). I prefer Torreyes as the utility player and not in a dedicated starting position so he is not really who I want at third base day in and day out.  

I’d love to see the return of Todd Frazier but I am not optimistic at all. Everyone talks about the Yankees signing Manny Machado after the 2018 season as a free agent, but I really feel that if the Chicago Cubs or St Louis Cardinals make the investment to acquire Machado this off-season (which could very well happen), they’ll make very strong efforts to sign Machado to a new deal. It is easy to say the Yankees should just sign Frazier or Mike Moustakas to a one-year deal, but in reality, the market will dictate otherwise. The Yankees need a hedge for 2019 if Machado (or someone like Josh Donaldson) is not an option. I’d be a proponent for a two-year deal for Frazier. I really like what he brings to the team with his play and attitude. It is infectious. He may not hit for average, but he’ll give you some bombs and will play a great third base. Plus, he’ll keep the clubhouse loose in the pressurized New York environment.  Trade him next year if the team is successful in signing Machado. But regardless of my preferences, I’d like to see the Yankees get experienced help at third base to ease the transition we’ll face at second. Poor Didi Gregorius if he has to play with rookies on both sides.  

Credit:  Seth Wenig, AP

All indications are that 2017 will end quietly for the New York Yankees. We’ll soon see what 2018 has in store for everybody’s favorite team.  Exciting times in the Bronx.

Go Yankees!