The Power of Lefties...

  

Photo Credit: Eric Espada, Getty Images

Busy Trading Deadline for Yanks…

This was the type of trading deadline I had hoped for in 2019 that didn’t come to fruition. The Yankees were heavily involved this year, adding all left-handers. We’ve been screaming for lefty bats (a glaring weakness since the departure of guys like Didi Gregorius) and were gifted two of the most powerful lefty bats on the market. The long-anticipated bat of Joey Gallo and the surprise acquisition of Anthony Rizzo. The moves on the pitching side lacked the substance of the offensive additions but the Yankees also acquired lefty pitchers Joely Rodriguez and Andrew Heaney.

I know the complaints about Gallo (too much like other hitters in the lineup, strikes out too much) but he is a good baseball player. The batting average doesn’t mean anything. His ability to crush baseballs and get on base, to go with excellent baserunning instincts and Glove Glove level defense make him a tremendous addition. The fact he’s not a rental is that much sweeter. I’d rather have Joey Gallo playing for me than against me. For as much talk as I’ve heard how he’ll like the short porch in right at Yankee Stadium, I was a little surprised when I heard that he has not hit a home run at Yankee Stadium. I looked it up and he has one career homer against the Yankees. It was a second inning home run off Masahiro Tanaka at the old Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas on May 21, 2018 (Yankees won that game, 10-5).

As much as I am excited about the addition of Anthony Rizzo, I am less enthused about a rental for this year’s team. If I felt better about the team’s chances this year, it would be one thing, but I do not. Kevin Alcantara was my favorite outfield prospect outside of Jasson Dominguez and I feel he has tremendous potential. I was excited about a future outfield featuring Alcantara and Dominguez. Not trying to “prospect-hug” but sacrificing such a promising player for 2-3 months of Rizzo seems like a huge risk. If the Yankees surprise me and win the World Series this year, no doubt it will have been worth it. But if not, it will be tough to watch Alcantara achieve future Major League success. Nevertheless, now that Rizzo is a Yankee, I am happy. I love superior defense at first base…something that has been missing since Mark Teixeira retired. I’d love to see the Yankees find a way to re-sign Rizzo in the off-season, but not sure if that’s in the cards. Now that the Los Angeles Dodgers have shortstop Trea Turner, it seems like there is a good chance they might let Corey Seager walk at the end of the year. I’d love to see either Seager or Trevor Story take over shortstop to push Gleyber Torres back to second base. This of course would push D.J. LeMahieu to first base and he obviously needs to play. I suppose the Yankees could trade Torres for pitching, sign either Seager or Story AND Rizzo, keeping LeMahieu at second. After one game and listening to Rizzo talk, he seems like he could become such a fan favorite in the Bronx like he was in Chicago. Team chemistry is so important and Rizzo is clubhouse glue.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

There’s no question the Yankees will need to reconstruct the team this off-season. Good for them to stay below the luxury tax penalty but they need to use the savings to help rebuild a team that can be a force in the AL East and not a marginal Wild Card team like they are now. 

I was probably more excited about initially speculated reliever John King as part of the Gallo trade than I was the pitcher who was actually acquired, Joely Rodriguez. The Yankees saw something in the medicals for King (shoulder issue) which caused the restructure of the trade. On the bright side, the step down from King to Rodriguez meant the Yankees were able to hang on to outfield prospect Everson Pereira, another one of my favorites. I am sure the Yankees did their homework on Rodriguez and I am hopeful he’ll find success in the Yankees bullpen.

Photo Credit: Smiley N. Pool, Staff Photographer, The Dallas Morning News

I think all of us wanted the Yankees to acquire former Minnesota Twins ace Jose Berrios. It was a little disappointing a division rival (Toronto Blue Jays) acquired him, but I can’t fault the Yankees. The Blue Jays gave up two top five prospects. Not sure I’d want to see the Yankees pay that price. Given the strength of Toronto’s farm system, the bright side is they depleted some of it. Sure, I’d rather have Berrios than not, but it’s not the end of the world. 

It felt a little underwhelming when it was announced the Yankees had acquired former Los Angeles Angels starter Andrew Heaney. I know he has become a journeyman pitcher, but there was a time when he was considered one of the best left-handed pitching prospects in the game back during his days in the Miami Marlins organization. Perhaps the Yankees can find something in him to help position him for great rotation depth as the team’s “sixth” starter, pushing Nestor Cortes, Jr back into a more traditional bullpen role. 

Welcome to the Yankees family, Joey, Anthony, Joely, and Andrew!  Your mission is simple…get us to October baseball and just win.

Yankees fans have been calling for Kyle Schwarber for years. I guess we’ll painfully see that swing in Yankee Stadium more often now that he is a member of the Boston Red Sox. I am glad Boston was unable to make any significant pitching upgrades at the deadline. I would have hated to see them get Max Scherzer although that was never realistic given Max’s geographical preferences. Unfortunately, the Red Sox will soon get a pitching upgrade in the form of a healthy Chris Sale, but Boston is far from our worry right now. As Buck Showalter said last night, the Yankees may be 3 ½ games out of the Wild Card chase, but if you look at the loss column only, they are two games out. I say this from a biased point of view, but I do feel strongly the Yankees are a better team than the Oakland A’s or Seattle Mariners. Now that they have balance in the lineup, and will soon get help from Luis Severino and Corey Kluber, there is a very strong chance that the team will get hot and go on an extended winning roll with the newly improved roster.

The jury is still out on Aaron Boone. If the Yankees do fail to achieve the playoffs or make the Wild Card game and bow out, his time as Yankees manager must end. Let’s not waste the best years of Gerrit Cole’s career with poor managerial decisions. Time for a pro to handle the reigns. 

As always, Go Yankees!

Ready, Set, Wait...

 

 Slow-Moving Off-Season continues…

We are now into the new year, yet it’s been nothing but crickets at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees really are making it tough for bloggers. Throw us bone, please!

Yes, we’ve acquired the speedy Greg Allen (Triple A depth) and journeyman starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin  (who kind of feels like the latest iteration of Gio Gonzalez) on minor league deals. No noteworthy news at the Major League level has been transacted or at least anything of substance. The Yankees Universe continues to wait for news on D.J. LeMahieu who continues to solicit offers from other teams before hopefully allowing the Yankees a chance for their final offer. True or untrue, I heard the Los Angeles Dodgers are unwilling to go a fifth year in their bid for LeMahieu which would seem to aid the Yankees. As much as I like D.J., I’d be unwilling to go a fifth year too if for no other reason than his current age.  Sorry, when it comes to baseball, I do have age discrimination. We simply get old and our athletic performance declines. It sucks but it’s life.  As long as the Yankees can get D.J. on a three or four year deal, I am hopeful and optimistic the two parties can come together on a mutually rewarding contract. 

With the drawn-out process for LeMahieu, I did expect the Yankees to be more aggressive in pursuing alternative plans. Sure, I wanted Francisco Lindor and would have loved to have placed him at short in Yankee Stadium, with the move of Gleyber Torres back to second base. But realistically, I never thought it would happen. I am little bummed the Mets grabbed Lindor to give them another star player but if the Yankees bring back LeMahieu, he (Lindor) simply was not a need. Now that he is no longer an option, I hope more than ever the Yankees can come to an agreement with Le Machine. It’s been my preference all along but it just feels like Plan B is starting to dissipate. LeMahieu or bust. I do wonder if LeMahieu does leave, would the Yankees quickly pivot to bring back fan favorite Didi Gregorius? Love Didi, but it does not feel like an improvement.

I remain convinced, despite his personality, Trevor Bauer can be a force for the Yankees if he were to sign. He has the proven ability to be a solid number two behind Gerrit Cole and represent a strong hedge for the return of Luis Severino at some point next season. I appreciate Trevor’s intensity and he is clearly one of those guys you may hate on other teams, you’d love him on yours. I guess it’s debatable if he could co-exist with Gerrit Cole, but if they are fighting for a common goal, you’d think they could find harmony. The idea of placing your bets on a comeback by Corey Kluber seems like a flawed strategy if the Yankees are waiting to see if he has anything left. His injury history in recent years alone is enough for me to say thanks but no thanks. I am not willing to go the ’lightning in a bottle’ approach with a team that has World Series ambitions.

The Tampa Bay Rays might not be as strong in 2021 as they were in 2020, but that does not mean the Yankees should let up on the gas pedal. There are other teams actively getting better. You must beat them if you want the end prize.

It does kind of suck that after waiting for years to get out from under the heavy contracts of Alex Rodriguez and Jacoby Ellsbury, we are, similarly, now in waiting with Giancarlo Stanton. It is seemingly always one contract that prevents the Yankees from being the best they can be.

I know the Yankees have a plan and I am sure they’ll field a team this year that will be playing in October, but admittedly, my faith and confidence in Brian Cashman is eroding. I do see life after Cash. Not sure who should be the next general manager but it is something I think Hal Steinbrenner needs to consider at some point. In many ways, I think the loss of Hank Steinbrenner was devastating. He may not have been a good “face” for the Yankees like his more diplomatic brother has been, but, with his aggressive, George-like personality, he was a good counter-balance for the conservative, professional bean-counting Hal. You know behind closed doors, Hank and Hal probably had some very spirited conversations. Without Hank’s voice, Hal is free to be as conservative as he wants to be. I doubt the Steinbrenner sisters bring the ghost of their father into a room like Hank did. I don’t know the Steinbrenner family personally, but from the outside looking in, the sisters have never appeared to be very vocal. At least not in public settings I’ve seen.

Not sure what I think about the Gerrit Cole text message issue yet. I need to see more evidence and how this plays out. Cole reportedly sent a text message to fired Angels visiting clubhouse assistant Brian “Bubba” Harkins which stated, “Hey Bubba, it’s Gerrit Cole. I was wondering if you could help me out with this sticky situation (winky face emoji). We don’t see you until May, but we have some road games in April that are cold weather places. The stuff I had last year seizes up when it gets cold…”.  The text was sent in January 2019 while Cole was still a member of the Houston Astros. It certainly doesn’t show Cole in good light, but Harkins is clearly motivated to negatively portray MLB in his battle with the Los Angeles Angels. I am not going easy on Cole just because he is a Yankee. I’d feel the same if Harkins was echoing the same message about star pitchers on other teams. We need to understand all the facts before we pass judgment. No doubt MLB will be investigating the allegations and they’ll take the appropriate action.

I just saw the Washington Nationals have signed Kyle Schwarber. I was indifferent to his possible signing with the Yankees although I thought he could be effective in Yankee Stadium. However, I still want to see Clint Frazier succeed and there was simply no room for Schwarber on the Yankees. Yet, I am sure many Yankee fans will be groaning about another player lost while the Yankees remain inactive.

Lastly, I’d like to say farewell to one of Major League baseball’s greatest legends…former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda. I remember how much I disliked Tommy back in the 1977 and 1978 World Series, yet over time, I began to appreciate and love his personality. I have always enjoyed his stories about the great 1988 World Series year for the Dodgers, and other tales from his career. He was good for the game and he remained such a valued treasure in the Dodgers organization. At 93, it was a good run. Many of us will not make it that far. It was a good life, and he can leave proud of his accomplishments. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, Tommy…

As always, Go Yankees!

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.

Could the Yankees Buy-Low on Kyle Schwarber Like They Did With Starlin Castro?

When the New York Yankees acquired Starlin Castro to be their second baseman from the Chicago Cubs there were more than a few upset Yankees fans among the ranks. Who could blame them? Some Yankees fans are still spoiled from the late George Steinbrenner who acquired the best of the best at any costs and Castro, at the time, was far from that. Castro was having trouble defensively and had fallen out of grace in Chicago due to lessened playing time and subsequent production shortcomings as well. Needless to say Castro has woken up since coming to New York and the deal acquiring him looks to be one of Brian Cashman’s best as we stand here today at the end of June which makes me wonder if Cashman couldn’t swindle the Cubs and Theo Epstein once again by buying low on 24-year old outfielder Kyle Schwarber.

Since Schwarber was demoted to Triple-A recently, and for good reason mind you, you have to wonder if the Cubs are at least considering moving the outfielder for something at this year’s July 31^st trading deadline. Schwarber was hovering around the Mendoza line at the time of his demotion and although he was hitting for power he just wasn’t doing much else, period.

The Yankees have a first base problem with Greg Bird injured and Chris Carter stinking up the joint and the team may also need an outfielder in the coming years with the contracts of Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury coming off the books eventually so could the Yankees acquire Schwarber now not with the 2017 season in mind but maybe the 2018 season and beyond in their plans? It’s an interesting plan and proposition but obviously, like anything, it comes down to the price. The Yankees could use Schwarber as they continue to rebuild and the Cubs need pitching so theoretically these two teams could match up in a trade.

Here’s a trade proposal and this is purely based on my own mindset and speculation. Would the Yankees trade both Domingo German and Domingo Acevedo for Schwarber? I would. Would the Yankees do Chance Adams for Schwarber? I wouldn’t, but they might. More on him later. At this point all of this is just pure speculation but at the same time this is the time to dream. It’s the time of the July 31^st trade deadline so you may as well dream big. Stay tuned.

So it Seems…. KARMA

Good morning everyone and Happy Tuesday. Let’s start the day out with a little bit of breakfast, coffee and a side of karma, shall we? Remember the British-born woman who admitted to blackmailing Yankees general manager Brian Cashman not too long ago? Well Louise Meanwell, 41-years old, is not in federal custody and is facing possible deportation. Whoops.

Meanwell claimed to be Cashman’s mistress before pleading guilty to grand larceny, extortion, perjury and criminal impersonation back in December of 2015.

Karma. More people need it. Maybe then there wouldn’t be so many assholes in the world.

But you, you are the farthest thing from one. You are the sweetest and most kind-hearted person I’ve ever had the HONOR of meeting, knowing and loving. Hey you. I love you.

Quick Hit: Most Popular Jersey Sales & Gary Sanchez

The most popular jersey’s to be sold in Major League Baseball have been released from the league recently and the New York Yankees have a player in the Top 10. In less than a year Gary Sanchez has gone from a prospect to the leader of the Yankees which has equated to his #24 jersey being the ninth most popular jersey sold in all of Major League Baseball and the highest selling jersey in all of the American League. Congratulations to him.

Here is the complete Top 10 List:

Kris Bryant, Cubs

Anthony Rizzo, Cubs

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

Javier Baez, Cubs

Kyle Schwarber, Cubs

Noah Syndergaard, Mets

Corey Seager, Dodgers

Buster Posey, Giants

Gary Sanchez, Yankees

Mike Trout, Angels

World Series 2016: Corey Kluber vs. Cubs Offense

Jon Lester and the Cleveland offense had their fair share of trash talking this morning when we looked at what Michael Brantley and company had done against Lester in their career's so it's only fair that we take a look at what Corey Kluber has been able to muster up in a small sample size against the explosive offense of the Chicago Cubs. All stats are courtesy of ESPN.com.

Most Popular Article of the Week: Imagining Kyle Schwarber in a Yankees Uniform in 2016/2017

The New York Yankees are playing hard to get when it comes to trading one or all of their three-headed monster that they have deemed “No Runs DMC.” D stands for Dellin Betances, M stands for Miller and C stands for Chapman and the Yankees will likely ask the world for any of the three. We already know that to be the case with the Chicago Cubs and their interest in Andrew Miller as the team has informed the Cubs that they would want Kyle Schwarber in return for the lefty set up man in the Bronx. Could you imagine a bat like Schwarber’s hitting inside Yankee Stadium 82 times a season?


Forget the fact that Schwarber has no position to play for a minute and use recent examples of why the Yankees could make this work. They have a 39-year old right fielder with bad knees currently out there coming off the books after the 2016 season, a 41-year old DH coming off the books the season after next, a third baseman who isn’t going to win a Gold Glove or a Silver Slugger any time soon and a wide open position at first base that is dependent on the health of Mark Teixeira’s knee and Greg Bird’s shoulder. The Yankees could find a spot for him if they wanted to and they could hide him defensively, they have done it before and you definitely do it again for a talent liker Schwarber.


The Cubs have said “no” to trading their 23-year old stud but of course a team doesn’t show their best hand right off the bat. It’s still early and the market has yet to really define itself. The tone has not been set and the top guys have not started coming off the board yet making other teams desperate. And the Cubs may stick to their “no” and that’s fine because I’m sure some team will sell a bit of the future for multiple years of Miller and if not, that’s fine too. Keep him. But seriously, can you imagine Schwarber in a Yankees uniform?





Looking at a potential and totally hypothetical 2017 roster with Schwarber in it and a healthy Greg Bird makes me salivate. An outfield of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Schwarber and the addition of his big bat to the middle of the lineup finally giving the Yankees a true clean-up hitter that could hit 40-50 out of Yankee Stadium is exciting. Make it happen Cashman. Now.

Imagining Kyle Schwarber in a Yankees Uniform in 2016/2017

The New York Yankees are playing hard to get when it comes to trading one or all of their three-headed monster that they have deemed “No Runs DMC.” D stands for Dellin Betances, M stands for Miller and C stands for Chapman and the Yankees will likely ask the world for any of the three. We already know that to be the case with the Chicago Cubs and their interest in Andrew Miller as the team has informed the Cubs that they would want Kyle Schwarber in return for the lefty set up man in the Bronx. Could you imagine a bat like Schwarber’s hitting inside Yankee Stadium 82 times a season?

Forget the fact that Schwarber has no position to play for a minute and use recent examples of why the Yankees could make this work. They have a 39-year old right fielder with bad knees currently out there coming off the books after the 2016 season, a 41-year old DH coming off the books the season after next, a third baseman who isn’t going to win a Gold Glove or a Silver Slugger any time soon and a wide open position at first base that is dependent on the health of Mark Teixeira’s knee and Greg Bird’s shoulder. The Yankees could find a spot for him if they wanted to and they could hide him defensively, they have done it before and you definitely do it again for a talent liker Schwarber.

The Cubs have said “no” to trading their 23-year old stud but of course a team doesn’t show their best hand right off the bat. It’s still early and the market has yet to really define itself. The tone has not been set and the top guys have not started coming off the board yet making other teams desperate. And the Cubs may stick to their “no” and that’s fine because I’m sure some team will sell a bit of the future for multiple years of Miller and if not, that’s fine too. Keep him. But seriously, can you imagine Schwarber in a Yankees uniform?

Looking at a potential and totally hypothetical 2017 roster with Schwarber in it and a healthy Greg Bird makes me salivate. An outfield of Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Schwarber and the addition of his big bat to the middle of the lineup finally giving the Yankees a true clean-up hitter that could hit 40-50 out of Yankee Stadium is exciting. Make it happen Cashman. Now.  

Cubs Scouting "No Runs DMC" & Could Trade Jorge Soler

According to George A. King of the New York Post and Baseball America the Chicago Cubs were in town over the weekend to scout the Yankees three-headed monster in their bullpen. The Yankees sport "No Runs DMC" but this trio is more commonly referred to as Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances but regardless of their name the team with the best record in Major League Baseball this season has taken notice. The Cubs reportedly want at least one of the three-headed monster and may be willing to trade outfielder Jorge Soler to do it.

Kyle Schwarber would not be included in any potential deal nor would Javier Baez according to the Chicago Sun Times, and why would they since Hector Rondon is 11-for-11 in save opportunities this season, but the name Jorge Soler continues to pop up in trade rumors and talks.

The Yankees would be buying low on Soler who is in the third year of a nine-year deal worth $30 million that pays him no more than $5 million in any season but for a rental like Chapman that may be the perfect match for both clubs. Soler is currently on the disabled list right now but if any trade went down he would bring an immediate 20 home run power threat and right-handed bat to the Yankees outfield. Can you say bye-bye Aaron Hicks?

Nothing is imminent, these are all rumors and speculations at this point, but this is something we will and we all should keep a very close eye on.

Most Popular Article of the Week: Do the Cubs and Yankees Matchup in a Trade?

The New York Yankees have clawed from the basement and the cellar of the American League East and while the team is still far behind the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles in the division a playoff spot is not completely out of the question. Now if the Yankees played in the National League Central where the Chicago Cubs rule the land right now that may be a different story which got me to thinking would the Cubs and Yankees make good trade partners? Both if the Yankees fall out of playoff contention or if they stay in it you would have to think either way the answer is yes. Right?


If the Yankees fall out of contention they have a lot that they could offer to a team stockpiled with talent and prospects. The Chicago Cubs are the same team that was ready to put Kyle Schwarber in left field despite defensive concerns simply to get his bat into the lineup, you don’t think Chicago would take a rental of Carlos Beltran (assuming he accepts and waives his no trade clause) if the price was right? You don’t think Chicago would jump at the opportunity to acquire one or both of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller? I sue do.


If the Yankees continue to compete can they hook up in a trade as well? I don’t see why not but it obviously becomes far less likely. The Yankees still have a ton of outfield depth, Mason Williams should be back to join a stable of outfielders including, but not limited to, Slade Heathcott, Ben Gamel, Jake Cave and others, and they should be better equipped in the bullpen depth department as well. In this case the deals would be smaller and likely only involve Cubs prospects but a trade could be struck nonetheless in my opinion.


I don’t pretend to be a Cubs expert nor do I know a whole lot about their system and their needs and strengths but I believe a deal could be struck between these two teams at some point. They already have a working partnership and have made trades in the recent past so why not? We just have to wait and see how the cookie crumbles before we define what kind of trade this will be for the New York Yankees because it looks like either way the Cubs are going for it in 2016.

Do the Cubs and Yankees Matchup in a Trade?

The New York Yankees have clawed from the basement and the cellar of the American League East and while the team is still far behind the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles in the division a playoff spot is not completely out of the question. Now if the Yankees played in the National League Central where the Chicago Cubs rule the land right now that may be a different story which got me to thinking would the Cubs and Yankees make good trade partners? Both if the Yankees fall out of playoff contention or if they stay in it you would have to think either way the answer is yes. Right?

If the Yankees fall out of contention they have a lot that they could offer to a team stockpiled with talent and prospects. The Chicago Cubs are the same team that was ready to put Kyle Schwarber in left field despite defensive concerns simply to get his bat into the lineup, you don’t think Chicago would take a rental of Carlos Beltran (assuming he accepts and waives his no trade clause) if the price was right? You don’t think Chicago would jump at the opportunity to acquire one or both of Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller? I sue do.

If the Yankees continue to compete can they hook up in a trade as well? I don’t see why not but it obviously becomes far less likely. The Yankees still have a ton of outfield depth, Mason Williams should be back to join a stable of outfielders including, but not limited to, Slade Heathcott, Ben Gamel, Jake Cave and others, and they should be better equipped in the bullpen depth department as well. In this case the deals would be smaller and likely only involve Cubs prospects but a trade could be struck nonetheless in my opinion.

I don’t pretend to be a Cubs expert nor do I know a whole lot about their system and their needs and strengths but I believe a deal could be struck between these two teams at some point. They already have a working partnership and have made trades in the recent past so why not? We just have to wait and see how the cookie crumbles before we define what kind of trade this will be for the New York Yankees because it looks like either way the Cubs are going for it in 2016.

My Thoughts Following a Week of MLB Baseball

The New York Yankees almost have a week under their belts as well as all the other 29 MLB teams in the league so here are my thoughts on the first week of a wild 2016 MLB Season.

• The Yankees were one blown call and one pitcher not wanting to drill Carlos Correa away from a sweep of the Houston Astros in the opening series of the season. They say you can't win a division in April but you sure can lose it, keep this one game in the back of your heads come September. 

• The umpires were told to strictly enforce the new slide rule. Jose Bautista was called for it once this season on a perfectly legal slide, legal until he grabbed the second baseman's ankle that is. When did Bautista become such a dirty player?

• After the start to the season that Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story got we may never see Jose Reyes in a Rockies uniform again. 

• Robert Refsnyder who? Starlin Castro looks like an absolute steal in the first week of the season. 

• Kyle Schwarber is done for the season. You have to think that will affect the Chicago Cubs this season. They are deep, deeper than most, but he is a big bat to lose. 

• Carlos Correa is showing off and Carlos Gomez is a show off. One has every right to be and the other has no right to be. You choose which is which. 

• It's still early and it's still cold. I'm not worried about the starts from the Yankees staff yet nor am I worried about the lack of offense at times or the bullpen. Talk to me again in a few weeks, then I may start worrying. 

• David Ortiz is not going to go out in his final season quietly.

USA Today’s Top 100 Names You Need to Know Features Four Yankees

The Top 100 names that you need to know in Major League Baseball this season brought to you by the outstanding crew over at the USA Today. We brought this list to you last season and it has just one Yankees prospect or player on it, Luis Severino, and this time around New York boasts four players on the list. Those players are Luis Severino, Gary Sanchez, Robert Refsnyder and Aaron Judge. Surprise, surprise right?

The Top 10 list is pretty impressive with Corey Seager (Dodgers), Kyle Schwarber (Cubs), Byron Buxton (Twins), Steven Matz (Mets) and Luis Severino of the Yankees filling out the Top 5 followed by Aaron Nola (Phillies), Michael Conforto (Mets), Ketel Marte (Mariners), Byung-Ho Park (Twins) and Stephen Piscotty of the Cardinals rounding out the Top 10.

Here is the write up for Severino:

5. Luis Severino, LHP, Yankees: After bursting onto the prospect radar with a brilliant 2014 that saw him pitch his way to Class AA ball, Severino seized an opportunity to join the Yankees’ big-league rotation in early August. The right-hander will be 22 on opening day, and his three-pitch mix built around a mid-90s fastball bodes well for his future. 

And the write up for Sanchez:

40. Gary Sanchez, C, Yankees: A long-heralded prospect on a slow journey through the minors, Sanchez re-established himself as the Yankees’ catcher of the future with a strong 2015 season split between Class AA and Class AAA and a great performance in the Arizona Fall League. Sanchez, 23, has hit at nearly every level and reputedly has a great arm, but some mechanical kinks behind the plate and the presence of veteran Brian McCann mean he is likely ticketed back to Class AAA. 

It’s Refnsyder’s time to shine: 

57. Rob Refsnyder, 2B, Yankees: The addition of Starlin Castro blocked Refsnyder’s route to steady big-league playing time, but the 24-year-old likely has a major league future as a platoon bat or a reserve infielder. Though Refsnyder doesn’t particularly excel in any one facet of the game, his good on-base skills and improving defense suggest he’ll earn a role with the Yankees in the not-too-distant future. 

And finally it’s Judge’s time to rule:

90. Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees: Judge, 23, stands at 6-7 and 275 pounds and boasts shocking athleticism for a man of his stature. In his second year as a pro player in 2015, Judge struggled against Class AAA pitching and has yet to turn his massive size into massive power numbers, but his smooth swing and imposing frame get scouts excited.

This Top 100 names you need to know list began way back in 1997 and is still going strong today in 2016 so be sure to CLICK HERE and check out the original post and give those guys a click or two for their hard work. There are – other names to read as well that are not Yankees related and it’s a long read so it will give you something to do while we wait for pitchers and catchers to report to spring camps. 

Fantasy Baseball: So You Need a Catcher?

If you have played Fantasy Baseball one time or 100 times you know one thing for sure, there are certain positions you have to get a little bit early or you won’t get them at all. One position that immediately comes to mind is the closer position as there is basically a finite amount of them (unlike an outfield that has three per team and a total of 90 outfielders not counting bench pieces) and another one of them is the catcher position. There just aren’t that many run producing offensive catchers that you can snag for fantasy purposes so you may want to grab them early if you want a good one. Everyone knows the Buster Posey’s of the world as he sits atop the position but what about below him? That’s where I come in, hopefully.

Buster Posey is the best catcher in real life and in fantasy but if I were to fill out a Top 5 list behind him I would have Salvador Perez, Yadier Molina, Kyle Schwarber and Jonathan Lucroy in some order behind him. Brian McCann comes to mind as well only because he possesses 20-25 home run power and plays inside Yankee Stadium where the runs and RBI opportunities are as plentiful as the beer and the suits in the stands. If McCann is 6^th on my list then in some order behind him Matt Wieters, who should be better in his second year removed from Tommy John surgery, Travis d’Arnaud, Russell Martin, for his power only, and Yan Gomes probably fill out my Top 10.

I know many will call me crazy but if I had to stretch the list to a #11 I may go with Francisco Cervelli of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Yes I know I am ignoring the likes of Yasmani Grandal, Devin Mesoraco (little protection behind him and no reason to pitch to him), Derek Norris (Petco Park), and Stephen Vogt (see Derek Norris) to name a few but they all have legitimate reasons to worry about their offensive production. Plus I like Cervelli and the player he has become since leaving New York and heading to Pittsburgh, I admit though that I may be higher on him than most. I think I’m also pretty high on Yadier Molina as well and that’s okay.

If you don’t grab one of these catchers you are taking a true risk in your league. You may get something out of J.T. Realmuto in Miami, especially with the fences drawn in a bit, or John Ryan Murphy in Minnesota over the course of a season but if you have to rely on a Wilson Ramos of Washington, Miguel Montero of Chicago, Nick Hundley of Colorado or Blake Swihart of Boston to name a few you may be in trouble just a tad. My strategy over the years, for better or worse, was to grab a catcher early so I knew that I had one. That’s the best advice I can give you, reach for Posey and settle for a guy in the Top 5. If you miss then you’re in trouble. Don’t miss.