Most Popular Article of the Week: Justin Upton to the Yankees

First and foremost I want to start this post by explaining that this is pure speculation. I do not have any inside sources, I did not read anywhere that a deal is being discussed or even a possibility, etc. It's the offseason and it's the time to dream, live in a Playstation sort of world, and have fun. Let's do it.

Whether or not the Atlanta Braves are in full sell mode or not remains to be seen but the Tommy La Stella and Jason Heyward trades made you wonder what's going on in the ATL. I understand the team is "starved" for starting pitching but at what point does one begin to scratch their heads and wonder what John Hart's ultimate plan is. Does he know more then you or I, yes he does by the way, and will the Braves exceed expectations in 2015 or are these two deals simply a precursor to a bigger deal, a deal involving Justin Upton?

If the latter is true the New York Yankees need to pick up the phone right now and make this happen. One thing the Yankees have been lacking for over two seasons now is right handed power and Upton has that as evident by his 29 home runs in 2014. The problem is where do you play the aforementioned Upton brother? He plays left field in Turner Field, why not left field in Yankee Stadium?

Atlanta is looking towards the now and the future so while Upton has one year left on his deal Gardner still has four at a very team friendly price. Gardner makes the Braves lineup more dynamic while the Yankees offense gets better ten fold in my opinion. Add in a Bryan Mitchell (or Shane Greene although my preference is to hold on to Greene) and Austin Romine who is out of options and a viable backup for Christian Bethancourt and I think a deal gets done.

So what say you, do you pull the trigger? Let us know in the comments section.

ICYMI: Yankees Sign Jonathan Galvez To Minor League Deal

According to the transactions page on Yankees.com the New York Yankees have signed minor league second baseman Jonathan Galvez to a minor league deal. Galvez was most recently in the San Diego Padres organization and posted a .280/.354/.449 slash with 10 home runs and 52 RBI in Triple-A this season. 

Galvez's career minor league line in seven seasons is .280/.366/.427/.793 with 54 home runs, 331 RBI, 144 doubles, 17 triples, and 114 stolen bases (37 as his career high in a season) in 2,309 minor league at bats. Can you say the next Yangervis Solarte?

TGP Daily Poll: Raul Ibanez the Next Rays Manager

Raul Ibanez will be the next manager of the Tampa Bay Rays. What say you?

Vote in our poll!

This Day In New York Yankees History 11/24: NOTHING

Nada, Rien, ingenting, ei mitään , niente, nihil, niets, nashim, nai, gar nichts, nothing.

Not a single MVP Award, Rookie of the Year award, free agent signing, trade, death, just another day in Yankees land.

Carry on.

Video: High Socks for Hope Helps Veterans

Please come back to New York David, you are the walking and talking model of the New York Yankees.

Astros Reportedly Showing Interest in David Robertson

With over 10 teams currently looking to upgrade their bullpens, it wouldn't be strange if David Robertson received a lot of interest this offseason.

But are the Astros the ones making the first move?

It certainly appears so, with Kevin Davidoff reporting Saturday that Houston has already communicated with Robertson's agent.

Davidoff also wrote that the Astros are intrigued by Andrew Miller and Sergio Romo. Miller and Romo, who most recently played for the Orioles and Giants, aren't asking for as much as Robertson, who wants a four-year deal worth $52 million.

Nonetheless, the Astros like him.

From Davidoff:

"Whether the Astros are willing to go hard enough to give Robertson the four-year contract he desires, for roughly $13 million per season, is unclear. What is clear is Houston has expressed a willingness, through its actions this offseason, to elevate its payroll after fielding some bargain-basement squads, and it also desperately needs relief help if it is to climb back into relevance."

The Astros certainly haven't been a contender lately, not winning more than 70 games since 2010. Each year from 2011-2013, they collected less than 57 victories, and finished last in their division.

But Yankees GM Brian Cashman has said that re-signing Robertson is his top priority, so it's likely New York won't lose rights to their reliever without a fight. Robertson converted 39/44 save opportunities for them last season, and was a proven set-up man beforehand. 

Expect them to get more involved with Robertson soon, as expensive as he may be. 

Rays Having a Fire Sale?

"I'm taking your spot bro." - Evan Longoria

I made a semi-sarcastic comment on Twitter a few weeks back when I said that I felt like the Tampa Bay Rays were going to have a fire sale and I got absolutely killed by a few (presumably) Rays fans. This was shortly after the team traded relief pitcher Cesar Ramos, like I said I was being sarcastic, and were in talks of trading Jeremy Hellickson. Since then the team has saved a couple million by designating Jose Molina for assignment, saved a couple more million by trading away relief pitcher Joel Peralta to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and have made names like Matt Joyce available in trades. Kind of sounds like the beginnings of a fire sale, no?

This won't be a Florida Marlins fire sale, I can't see Tampa trading Evan Longoria, but I think we are in the beginning stages of it. If Tampa makes Ben Zobrist available, which they are expected to, and even consider listening on guys like Alex Cobb or Matt Moore my suspicions will be confirmed correct in my eyes. I can't say I'm disappointed that Tampa is possibly gearing up for a fire sale either, sell, sell, sell if you ask me.

New management, new GM, possibly a rookie manager in Raul Ibanez, if it looks like a duck...

Cashman to Rappel for Stamford Holiday Event

Here's the press release as Yankees GM Brian Cashman once again prepares to rappel down a building in the Stamford holiday event:

On Friday morning, December 5 from 6:00 to 9:00 am (ET), Rick Reichmuth, FOX News Channel’s Meteorologist, Brian Cashman, General Manager of the New York Yankees and Bobby Valentine, Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University will rappel from the one of Stamford, CT’s tallest buildings, the Landmark Building. Santa’s Elf, Brian VanOrsdel will be on hand, strapping Brian and Bobby in and guiding them down the 22 stories of the building, all the while broadcasting live on the FOX News Channel, “FOX & Friends” morning newscast.

The event marks the start of Rappelling Santa’s arrival in Stamford and is a good practice run for the rappelling crew for Sunday’s Heights & Lights program.

On Sunday, December 7 at 5:00 pm, Brian Cashman, Bobby Valentine, Santa and friends are scheduled once again to make their daredevil descent down the 22 stories of the Landmark Building, for Reckson, A Division of SL Green Realty Corp’s Rappelling Santa. After the rappel, Santa’s busy holiday schedule will take him straight up Bedford Street to Latham Park where he will join the Stamford Community for music with The Cast of Peter Pan Jr. from Saxe Middle School and the lighting of the Holiday Tree, donated by Bartlett Tree Company.

WHEN:

Practice Rappel: Friday Morning, December 5, 2014 from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Heights & Lights Rappel: Sunday, December 7, 2014 at 5:00 PM

WHERE:

Rappel at Landmark Square, Broad Street;

Tree Lighting at Latham Park, Bedford Street, Stamford Downtown

Heights & Lights is presented by Reckson, A Division of SL Green Realty Corp. and sponsored by The Advocate, 95.9 The Fox, Star 99.9, WEBE 108, Bartlett Tree Company, Happyhaha.com and The First Congregational Church of Stamford and brought to you by Stamford Downtown and The City of Stamford. Free Cocoa at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation. THIS EVENT IS FREE!

Francisco Rodriguez For The Yankees Pen In 2015?

The Yankees at least for now are without their closer in David Robertson for the 2015 season thus weakening New York's bullpen.  Now while I am a huge advocate for Joe Girardi and his ability to build a bullpen on the fly, especially with prospects, I think everyone would like a little more certainty. Francisco Rodriguez signed a minor league deal in 2013 with the Milwaukee Brewers and a major league deal in 2014 as well and has done nothing but lock down games since leaving the Mets. 

Every pitcher comes with pros and cons obviously. Rodriguez strikes out guys, has closing experience, doesn't walk many batters, has not given up many home runs in his career and gets almost enough ground balls to survive in Yankee Stadium. He has also pitched in the New York market before with him time with the New York Mets which while it probably does not compare it cannot really hurt.

The cons are painfully obvious especially looking at his half a season in the AL East in 2013. While K Rod finished with a 2.70 ERA in 2013 he also had a 4.50 ERA while in an Orioles uniform. He gave up over twice the home runs in the AL as he did in the NL, and was average according to WAR.

Should the Yankees take the plunge and the chance? Absolutely! As much as I love David Robertson he could sign elsewhere and having a suitable back up plan is never a bad idea. Who cares if he beat his father in law, can he get batters out with consistency? I wouldn't mind finding out...

This Day in New York Yankees History 11/23: Steve Sax

On this day in 1988 the New York Yankees signed free agent Steve Sax to a three year deal worth $3.75 million. The fan favorite Willie Randolph was the player that the former NL Rookie of the Year Sax would be replacing which came with a whole new set of responsibilities. The Yankees signed Sax to replace Randolph and the Dodgers countered by signing Randolph to replace Sax.