Yankees Acquire IF/QB Russell Wilson...

Photo Credits: Getty Images

How about Aaron Judge at Tight End?...

Admittedly, I was surprised when I saw the news that the Yankees had acquired infielder Russell Wilson from the Texas Rangers. Wilson, better known as the starting quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks, is nothing more than a guy who likes to experience Fantasy Baseball in a Major League Camp. He has no plans to play two sports and really only wants to maintain his connection to baseball, which is obviously one of his loves.  

Even more surprisingly was the negative reaction of many Yankees fans. Personally, I had no issue with Wilson’s desire to achieve a dream of playing with the Yankees. His late father was a lifetime Yankees fan, and Wilson himself was a Yankees fan during his childhood and perhaps still is. I guess I see the positives of Wilson’s addition. He is an inspiration for the players and I view him as a great motivational speaker for the few weeks he will spend in Tampa. The Yankees have said that he’ll participate in pre-game workouts and will be in the dugout, but it doesn’t really sound like he’ll see much, if any, action on the field during games. So, I have no problems with Wilson’s presence. I am not a Seahawks fan, but Wilson has played his sport at the highest level and can share insights from his experiences as a very good, quality professional player.  

Photo Credit: Associated Press

The Seattle Times speculates that while Wilson may not be using Baseball as leverage, it is possible that he is sending a signal to Seahawks ownership that there is life outside of Seattle. What's better than going to one of the most recognizable teams in Sports in the biggest city in the country? Wilson is sure to draw a huge crowd when he makes his first appearance at Steinbrenner Field sometime during March. The paper indicated when Wilson last participated in Spring Training for the Texas Rangers (2014 and 2015), he was in negotiations for an extension with the Seahawks. It led to a four-year deal that expires in two years.  At the time of the contract signing, Wilson was the second highest paid QB behind Aaron Rodgers (although he wanted to be the highest paid).  However, since that time, he will fall to the tenth highest paid at the position once Alex Smith's new deal with the Washington Redskins becomes official and Jimmy Garrapolo re-signs with the San Francisco 49ers.  Wilson hasn't played professional baseball since 2011 when he appeared in 61 games at the Class A level for the Colorado Rockies organization.

I did like CC Sabathia’s tweet that the Yankees were going to win the World Series and the Super Bowl this year. And the various memes that said the Yankees now have the best quarterback in New York, poking fun at Eli Manning, and, yes, Tim Tebow.  

This is a total publicity ploy for both sides. No one has any illusions that Wilson has suddenly decided to embark upon a professional baseball career like Tebow. He'll be back on the field for the Seahawks this fall when they try to rebound from a lost season. But when he does take the field, he'll do it knowing that, for a few days or weeks, he was a New York Yankee. Life is good.

FlavaFraz21 gets his number back...

It was tough watching Todd Frazier with a Mets cap and a NYM jersey bearing his number #21 that he was unable to wear with the Yankees, thanks to Paul O'Neill, at his introductory press conference. Listening to him talk only reaffirmed what an incredibly positive voice he is for a clubhouse.  

Photo Credit: Associated Press (Kathy Willens)

Based on reports, the Yankees were never willing to offer more than a one year deal. I know it’s not my money, but I would have gone two years with Frazier like the Mets did. Even if the Yankees acquire Manny Machado next off-season, Frazier could have provided backup support for both first and third bases, with some pop for DH. Or, based on the team-friendly contract that Frazier signed with the Mets, if the Yankees had signed him for the same approximate dollars, he would have had some trade marketability for the teams that strike out in their bids for free agents-to-be Machado and Josh Donaldson.

I hope that not signing Frazier does not come back to haunt the Yankees.

If at third you don't succeed...

As stagnant as the free agent market has been, I still do not see Mike Moustakas taking a one-year "pillow" contract. I am intrigued by the thought of the damage that Moose Tacos could do with the right field porch and his lefty bat would be a very healthy addition to the predominantly right-handed Yankees lineup. I don’t know where he’ll end up, but I don’t envision Moustakas in Pinstripes regardless of how greedy the Yankees decide to get (or not). 

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports (David Richard)

I am not opposed to Miguel Andujar as the starting third baseman but I do want a solid Plan B in place. Ronald Torreyes filled in capably at third last season but he’s not my preference for a starter if Andujar proves that he needs more seasoning in the Minor Leagues. Torreyes is best served as the team’s utility player.  

Shane Spencer, he is not...

The Yankees signed former Los Angeles Angels outfielder Shane Robinson to a minor league deal with a training camp invitation. I am not sure that I really understand the addition of another outfielder given the plethora of outfielders participating in training camp. Robinson has played for the St Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins and Angels over his 8-year career, playing in 436 games. He doesn’t offer much with his bat (.226 lifetime batting average with six career home runs). He only played 20 games last year for the Angels, batting .194 with no homers and one RBI.  

Photo Credit: Getty Images

I’d say this is a depth move for Triple A, but even the outfield at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is overflowing. Robinson will make $950,000 if he makes the Major League roster but at face value, it seems so unlikely. If he does not make the MLB roster, he can opt out of his contract on June 15th.

5 more days until Pitchers and Catchers report...I cannot wait.

Go Yankees!    

My way to early Lineup

Hey folks it’s that time of year again. My 1st full year here with the Greedy Pinstripes.  

I would love to hear from you all and get a nice mailbag going tried once already not much luck. Any way JamesCPalma @ Gmail dot Com is where you can reach me.  

Today I want to quickly go over my idea on what I feel the line up should look like more days then not. This does not take In account the opposing pitcher being a lefty or righty. Just having a little fun before the season starts. Also keeping in mind as much as I’d like to add Mike The Moose this is the lineup with what we have as have now......

Gardner Of 

Longest Time as a Yankee. Brings something to club house still a good defender specially In Left. 

Judge Of 

Rookie of Year 2nd in MVP race. 52 Homers should I keep going. 

Stanton Of  

NL MVP. 59 Dingers. One can only fathom how many are coming in Yankee Stadium. 

Bird 1b  

You are hearing it 30 plus long balls. 100 plus RBIs great protection for Stanton. You have to pitch to some one.  

Sanchez C

35 homers easy. Maybe even 40

If he doesn’t miss a month this year.  

Didi SS

Like bird 30 plus dingers if healthily all year.  

RBIs won’t be as much. Because of all the pop above him in lineup. But look for Sir Didi to be around 200 hits.   

Torres 2b

Calling it right now Yankees go back to back with Rookie of the Year Winners. as Torres surprises and adds 20 steals to the 20 HRs 

Maybe even 25/25. He doesn’t have much Raw Power but his numbers will be there because of him being a great hitter. In my eyes a future Hall of Famer.   

Hicks Dh/CF 

For me has a lot to prove. He is there CF but unless he is hot rather see the Big Boys on the corners and Gardner and Frazier split between Cf and Dh.  

Andujar 3b

If he is there 3rd baseman all year. 

He will finish behind Torres for ROF 

25-30 HRs would not shock me. This kid is worth watching.    

This club should sit around 250-300 home runs this is going to be fun. Even with the 2 rookies playing every day.  

James C Palma is a writer for the Greedy Pinstripes reach me at 

JamesCPalma@Gmail dot com 

One Last Call to Get Greedy Before Spring Training

Ladies and gentlemen, we are about a week away from pitchers and catchers reporting to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida to kick off spring training camps for the 2018 season. As the New York Yankees roster stands now the team is likely to have a pair of rookies on either side of Didi Gregorius by the time we reach June baseball in Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres, but the good news for Brian Cashman and company is that there is still time to make a splash. The free agent market is bleak, and players have to be getting antsy as they await their agents finding them a new home for the 2018 season as players like Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, Eric Hosmer, Alex Cobb and JD Martinez are still available on the free agent market. One would think that the longer this goes on the more likely the asking price, both in terms of dollars and years, would have to go down the closer we get to spring camps and the beginning of the regular season so with that thought process in mind here is one last shot at getting greedy and improving the team for the 2018 season.

As it stands now many fans are worried about having Miguel Andujar out there at third base because of his shaky defense, which I understand after being spoiled by solid defense from Chase Headley and Todd Frazier in recent years, but Brian Cashman and company seem confident and willing to let Andujar win the job in spring and learn on the job throughout the season. If the Yankees are fine with questionable defense then it makes me wonder if the team should offer a contract to another third baseman available out there on the free agent market who also has questionable defense, former Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas.

Now I know the idea of offering the man they call “Moose Tacos” isn’t exactly an original idea of mine, but everywhere I have read that has suggested this has stated they wanted to give Moustakas a one-year deal. Now just yesterday I voiced my displeasure with the club for letting Todd Frazier go to the New York Mets on a two-year deal and I want to reiterate those sentiments here this morning with Moustakas. I am sure many teams have thought to offer Moustakas a one-year deal with the idea of him building value for next season’s presumable spending spree on the free agent market that could include free agents like Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw and others, but in my opinion that may be the exact reason why Moustakas will NOT take a one-year deal. Sure, Machado is playing shortstop this year, but I think his true value and eventual landing spot will be the third base position next offseason, so why would Moustakas want to compete against that? Wouldn’t it make more sense for Moustakas to take a two-year deal and presumably be the big-ticket item at third base all by his lonesome before the 2020 season? I think so.

You have to think that having a patient, yet powerful bat like Moustakas in the middle of the Yankees lineup in the left-handed friendly Yankee Stadium would not only make the Yankees happy, but would make Moustakas a better player as well, at least stats wise. Moustakas hit 38 home runs and drove in 85 RBI last season for the Royals, a team that was struggling to scratch runs across the plate, so could you imagine what Moustakas could do with a combination of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Giancarlo Stanton protecting him in the lineup? Can you imagine having that kind of lineup protection with that kind of left-handed swing with 81 games a year coming inside Yankee Stadium? Moustakas may hit 50 home runs for all we know.

You will sacrifice average with Moustakas and you will also sacrifice defense with Moustakas, but I cannot see you getting much more in either category with Andujar out there for 162 games. That’s not a knock on Andujar, and yes before you ask I am still comfortable with having Andujar out there on Opening Day as the Yankees starting third baseman, but I have always said along the way this offseason that if the team could get better without going over the luxury tax threshold that they should. New York has roughly $20 million to spend this offseason without going over the cap and signing Moustakas to a two-year deal worth $30 million keeps the team under the cap while making them better across the board, in my opinion. Remember, MLB Trade Rumors predicted Moustakas to sign a five-year deal worth $85 million before the season with an AAV of $17 million so I may not be that far off.

Moustakas is American League and postseason tested, Andujar is not. That alone could be worth the investment for a team that is playing once again for their ultimate goal here in 2018, a World Series Championship. The team could win it with Andujar, but in my opinion it could be done a lot easier with a veteran presence like Moustakas out there wearing pinstripes here in 2018. One last call, get greedy… sign Moustakas to a two-year deal worth $30 million.

Did the Yankees Miss the Boat w/ Todd Frazier?

The biggest struggle for me right now in this slow free agent market as a writer is differentiating in my posts my opinions as a rabid fan that wants the Yankees to “Get Greedy” and my opinions as the sensible sports fan that I believe myself to be. I want the Yankees to get greedy and I want the Yankees to make the big splash, but I also want the Yankees to make the under-the-radar type signings as well that solidify the team for years to come. The moves like the David Ortiz signing by the Boston Red Sox come to mind, I can remember being a huge advocate for signing him and I can also remember being in the minority on the topic. I felt like I was in the minority as well when I stated that I would like Todd Frazier back with the Yankees, and that I didn’t mind it even if it was on a two-year deal so obviously I was none-to-pleased when the Toddfather signed with the crosstown New York Mets on a two-year deal worth $17 million.

Before I get too far into the Todd Frazier signing I will say this, I was one of the first to say that I was completely comfortable with heading into spring training camp with both rookies Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar competing for the second base and third base jobs respectively. I still stand by that, but I did also state that I wanted the Yankees to do their due diligence and try to find a veteran stop gap for one of the two positions as well, and Frazier was a name that I mentioned more times than not. Frazier makes sense for a lot of reasons to the Yankees which was why I was so comfortable with going to a two-year deal for the Toms River, New Jersey native. Frazier thrived in New York and in the American League East last season, albeit in a small sample size, and seemingly loved the atmosphere and the team. I know this isn’t something that is really quantifiable, but in my opinion, you cannot put a price tag, a number or a stat on the comfort level of a player in a big city like New York and you cannot put a price tag on someone who actually WANTS to be a New York Yankee. Frazier wants to be a New York Yankee, and it showed in my opinion on and off the field last season in the Bronx.

Frazier signed a two-year deal with the New York Mets worth $17 million with the right-handed third baseman making $8 million in 2018 and $9 million in 2019. With the Yankees ultimate goal of getting under the $197 million luxury tax threshold and with reportedly $20 million left to spend for New York and Brian Cashman signing a player like Frazier would have fit into the budget perfectly for New York. Having Frazier on the team to mentor young players like Andujar and Torres would make Frazier worth the $8 million he would make this season alone, that is before any production on the field. Frazier could be a stop gap until Andujar is considered to be ready defensively splitting time with Miguel there at third base, with Greg Bird at first base as a right-handed compliment to Bird’s left-handed bat, and the designated hitter position. Frazier would have gotten enough opportunities and at-bats to make it worth bringing him onto the team this season in my opinion, especially considering the lack of a true backup first baseman currently on the 40-man roster.

While Frazier makes a lot of sense for the Yankees I can see both sides of the argument. Many people will say that Frazier blocks Andujar and that Andujar doesn’t need two years of seasoning to get his defense up to snuff, and those people are right. Andujar doesn’t need two seasons, again I said I would be fine with Andujar being the Opening Day starting third baseman and I said that immediately after Chase Headley was shipped off to the San Diego Padres in a salary-clearing trade earlier this offeason, but I also don’t think it would be counter-productive either to give him a little more time in Triple-A this season either. So, what do you do with Frazier once Andujar is deemed ready? You have multiple options actually including the plan I outlined earlier letting him split time at three different positions including third base, first base and DH. The ability to trade Frazier wouldn’t be out of the question either as I highly doubt, although at the time of this writing it hadn’t been reported either way, the third baseman received a no-trade clause. What contending team or team on the bubble, a team like the New York Yankees in 2017, wouldn’t take on a veteran presence like Frazier for a year-and-a-half at basically $11 million total? Frazier would be an incredible trade asset in June or July given the fact that the likes of Bird, Andujar and Torres are healthy and contributing.

I won’t lie, I am extremely disappointed in the fact that Frazier went to the New York Mets. The fan in me hates the fact that Frazier went to the New York Mets specifically, and the fan in me hates the fact that Frazier went anywhere else other than the Bronx in general. I hate the fact that he was the perfect match for this team budget wise, player personnel wise on the field, and personality/clubhouse wise off the field. I don’t like this, and I’m not happy about it. I am still comfortable with having both Andujar and Torres (after 20 games) on either side of Didi Gregorius in 2018, I just hope that the team didn’t miss out on a potentially important asset because of one year on a contract in an extremely slow market. This is my opinion, what’s yours? Leave it below in the comments section.

Thumbs Down for the Todd Frazier News...

End of Short Yankees Reign for the Toddfather…

I know, we need to embrace the new era and accept that Miguel Andujar will be the starting third baseman this year. It’s been said that the Yankees are very high on Andujar and the Yankees apparently resisted including Andujar in the failed talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates for Gerrit Cole, who was subsequently dealt to the Houston Astros.

My concerns with Andujar echo the sentiments of other fans who feel that Andujar’s glove is not quite Major League ready and that he’ll be an average defender at best with improvement. I am not opposed to Andujar at third, but I wanted a strong backup plan. That’s why it was a gut punch for me yesterday when Todd Frazier signed a two year deal with the New York Mets. What’s worse is that the contract he signed is team-friendly (2 years for $17 million) which the Yankees could have matched without impairing their current salary position and objective to keep 2018 total payroll under the $197 million threshold for luxury tax purposes.  

It made me sick to see Noah Syndergaard using the Yankees-themed ‘thumbs down’ emoji on Twitter in reaction to Frazier’s signing.  

I guess part of my frustration is that the Yankees will make a run at Manny Machado this fall when he becomes a free agent. Machado, regardless of the Baltimore Orioles plan to play him at short this year, would be the team’s starting third baseman if the Yankees are successful in signing him. So, Andujar would be a one season experiment at the position, learning on the job at the Major League level. For one year, I’d rather have a strong experienced third baseman who is a clubhouse leader. Frazier helped solidify team chemistry after last year’s trading deadline and he was a fan favorite.  

Maybe Andujar takes the job and runs with it, becoming a candidate for this year’s Rookie of the Year. Great for him (and us) if it happens. It is certainly within the realm of possibility. But it doesn’t mean that I have to like the fact that Todd Frazier is a Met.  

I saw someone post that the Yankees’ apparent lack of interest in Frazier to be a sign that the team is either fully committed to Andujar or that GM Brian Cashman has something else up his sleeve. There’s no way the Yankees sign free agent Mike Moustakas. Aside from the cost it would take sign the former Royals third sacker, the Yankees would forfeit their second-highest and fifth-highest draft picks in this summer’s MLB Draft plus $1 million in international bonus pool money since Moustakas received a qualifying offer from Kansas City and the Yankees are a competitive balance tax payor. Neil Walker, who can play second or third, is certainly an alternative that has been discussed by some. Walker wouldn’t block the younger kids so he might be the best case scenario. Otherwise, we could be trotting out the no-bat Danny Espinosa when the season opens.  

I wish Todd Frazier the very best with his new team. I am glad that he achieved his goal of staying in New York even if he now calls the wrong stadium home. The Mets are getting a great guy for their team.  

Move over, Mystique and Aura, here comes Smart and Confident…

The Yankees made Aaron Boone’s coaching staff official yesterday. The names are exactly as we expected:

Bench Coach:  Josh Bard

Pitching Coach:  Larry Rothschild

Bullpen Pitching Coach:  Mike Harkey

Hitting Coach:  Marcus Thames

Assistant Hitting Coach:  P.J. Pilittere

Third Base Coach:  Phil Nevin

First Base Coach/Outfield Instructor:  Reggie Willits

Major League Quality Control Coach/Infield Instructor:  Carlos Mendoza

Also, the following supporting roles:

Catching Coach:  Jason Brown

Coaching Assistant/Bullpen Catcher:  Radley Haddad

Coaching Assistant/Instant Replay Coordinator:  Brett Weber

It’s great to hear that guys like Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius, Gleyber Torres and Ronald Torreyes are already in Tampa and working out at Steinbrenner Field. The sound of Spring is nearly upon us.  

First-time World Champions:  Philadelphia Eagles…

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Eagles for winning the 2018 Super Bowl. I am sure that there are a lot of disappointed New York Giants fans, but for me, I am glad that the team from Boston was not successful. I am sure that Aaron Boone and Tommy Kahnle, avowed Eagles fans, were very happy. I am hoping they experience the joy of championships from beginning to end this year.   

Go Yankees! 

Roll Call for Tampa...

The Smell of Spring…

Spring Training is just around the corner, with pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to Tampa within the next ten days (no later than Tuesday, February 13th). First workout will be on Valentine’s Day.  Yes, we love those pitchers and catchers, especially when they wear Pinstripes.  

Photo Credit: Newsday (J Conrad Williams, Jr)

Here is the complete list of the Yankees' 40-man roster plus non-roster invitees (identified below as “NR” in lieu of numbers). The numbers are according to the Yankees website through MLB.com. It appears that Austin Romine has taken Joe Girardi’s old number, thanks to his loss of #27. Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar have been given high numbers which means nothing will be handed to them, although, as it stands right now, both are projected to be on the MLB Roster on Opening Day or shortly thereafter.

PITCHERS

87 Albert Abreu

88 Domingo Acevedo

NR Chance Adams

68 Dellin Betances

NR Cody Carroll

NR Cale Coshow

85 Luis Cessa

54 Aroldis Chapman

NR Raynel Espinal

NR J.P. Feyereisen

62 Giovanny Gallegos

63 Domingo German

55 Sonny Gray

57 Chad Green

NR David Hale

61 Ben Heller

65 Jonathan Holder

48 Tommy Kahnle

NR Brady Lail

NR Wade LeBlanc

89 Jonathan Loaisiga

47 Jordan Montgomery

30 David Robertson

52 CC Sabathia

40 Luis Severino

NR Justus Sheffield

45 Chasen Shreve

19 Masahiro Tanaka

NR Dillon Tate

43 Adam Warren

NR Taylor Widener

CATCHERS

NR Francisco Diaz

38  Kyle Higashioka

NR Erik Kratz

NR Chace Numata

28 Austin Romine

NR Jorge Saez

24 Gary Sanchez

INFIELDERS

67 Miguel Andujar

26 Tyler Austin

33 Greg Bird

NR Danny Espinosa

90 Thairo Estrada

18 Didi Gregorius

NR Kyle Holder

NR Jace Peterson

NR Nick Solak

81 Gleyber Torres

74 Ronald Torreyes

39 Tyler Wade

OUTFIELDERS

66 Jabari Blash

70 Jake Cave

22 Jacob Ellsbury

NR Estevan Florial

77 Clint Frazier

11 Brett Gardner

31 Aaron Hicks

99 Aaron Judge

71 Billy McKinney

27 Giancarlo Stanton

There is still time for these 60 names to change and there probably will be some tweaks before camp actually opens. At any rate, it will be very exciting to see many of these players on the field in the not-so-distant future. Position players must report by Sunday, February 18th, with the first full workout scheduled for the next day. The Yankees open their Spring Schedule in 20 days against the Detroit Tigers at Steinbrenner Field (1:05 pm EST, February 23rd).

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports, via Reuters (Kim Klement)

It was sad to read this weekend that Matt Holliday, who would still like to play, has received no offers. Hopefully somebody gives him the opportunity for his Swan Song. He was a tremendous force on the Yankees last year until he was derailed by the Epstein-Barr virus. Unfortunately, I see no room for him on the Yankees but he’d be a tremendous player/coach/mentor for a team wiling to give him the opportunity.

Photo Credit: New York Post

I won’t lie…there is a part of me that hopes the Yankees find a way to sign Yu Darvish. Bryan Van Dusen (@BryanV_TGP) posted the following question on Twitter this morning:  “Does Yu Darvish want to be a Yankee so bad that he’s willing to wait as long as possible, just in case they free up enough money? Or is this a ridiculous question by a desperate #Yankees fan?”  Logic tells me that it will never happen. Even if the Yankees freed up more salary space, there’s probably other areas of greater need than handing a multi-year contract averaging more than $20 million annually to a thirty-something pitcher. Plus, there are young, talented (and cheap) pitchers on the immediate horizon with Chance Adams, Justus Sheffield, Albert Abreu and others. But still, it’s nice to think about what Darvish would look like in the Yankees rotation. I have no problem with the Yankees getting “Greedy”.  TGP, forever.  

Photo Credit: Getty Images (Tim Bradbury)

This weekend represents the official end to the NFL season with Super Bowl 52 on Sunday. Nothing against Tom Brady and his eventual path to the NFL Hall of Fame, but I’ll have to go with the underdog Philadelphia Eagles. I have no desire to back any team from Boston. It probably helps that I am not a New York Giants fan so I am not opposed to backing the Eagles. There’s probably a lot of truth in the statement that only Patriots and Giants fans want to see New England win (although I am sure there are a few Cowboys and Redskins fans in that category too). So, on Sunday, I’ll be cheering for Tommy Kahnle…

Photo Credit: MLB.com

Go Yankees!

Exit January; Enter February and Yankees Baseball...

Sad Goodbyes...

It is being reported that former Yankee Oscar Gamble, 68, has passed away. If true, this is a very sad loss. I thoroughly enjoyed Gamble as a Yankee and, no, it was not because of the 'fro.  He was a very good ball player, in my opinion. He hit 200 home runs over the course of his 17-year career that included stops with the Cubs, Phillies, Indians, White Sox, Padres and Rangers in addition to the Yankees. He finished his career with the White Sox in 1985, and was a .265 lifetime hitter. Certainly not Hall of Fame numbers, but you could always count on Oscar for a homer when you needed it. I loved watching his left-handed swing in the old Yankee Stadium.  

During the winter prior to the 1981 season, I met Gamble in Montgomery, Alabama. He gave me his autograph and I vividly remember our conversation about the upcoming season. He was excited to play with the big free agent that the Yankees had just signed (David Mark Winfield). He came across to me as an incredibly humble and kind man. I was a nobody yet he took the time with me. It's a meeting that I'll never forget, and I am very saddened to hear the news of his passing.

Photo Credit:  NY Daily News (Martin)

It was also sad to see the news about the passing of former Padres and Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers yesterday. During his time in San Diego, he was a frequent trading partner for Yankees GM Brian Cashman and he spent some time in the Yankees front office (2010 season) after his departure from the Padres before getting his next gig in Arizona. Most recently, he had been a special advisor for the Cincinnati Reds.  Towers had been diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer in 2016. The survival rate for this form of cancer is very low so Towers must have known his time was limited. Still, it was a shock to the Baseball world. As they say, Cancer Sucks!  Towers was a great force in Major League Baseball and his loss is significant. May he rest in peace…

Photo Credit: Associated Press (Ross D Franklin)

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like there have been too many deaths already this year.

Baseball Happenings...

On to 'less grim' topics...I'd say positive but that doesn't really seem to apply.   

The Yankees lost a potential upgrade for backup catcher when free agent catcher Alex Avila signed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Although there were no indications the Yankees were ever connected to Avila, many Yankees fans called for the signing of Avila as an upgrade for the offensively-challenged Austin Romine. Instead, Avila will represent the offensive side of a platoon with defensive-specialist Jeff Mathis in the Sonoran Desert. The D-Backs had a void at catcher when last year’s starter, Chris Iannetta, recently signed a free agent contract with his original team, the Colorado Rockies. Arizona also has Chris Hermann and former Yankee John Ryan Murphy in the catching mix. 

The Yankees added a veteran infielder this week when they signed second baseman/shortstop Danny Espinosa to a minor league contract with a training camp invitation. This was one of those signing that brought a “meh” from me. I didn’t like the way Espinosa expressed his displeasure with the Washington Nationals in December 2016 when the team acquired outfielder Adam Eaton, pushing the young and talented Trea Turner from center field to shortstop, and Espinosa to the bench. The Nats ended up trading Espinosa to the Los Angeles Angels, one of three teams he played for in 2017.  

Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports (Troy Taormina)

Espinosa is a poor hitter. Although he did have 24 home runs in 2016, his batting line was close to the Mendoza Line (.209/.306/.378). He had 174 strikeouts in 516 at-bats (601 plate appearances).  In 2017, his line was worse in 295 plate appearances. He had 6 home runs, batting .173/.245/.278. He was released by all three teams he played for in 2017 (Angels, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays). The final release came a few weeks before the season was over.  

If Espinosa breaks camp as the starting second baseman, it will mean that Plans A and B went horribly wrong. Alright, that might be a bit too strong. I still expect Gleyber Torres to take the position after spending the first few weeks in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. But I strongly prefer the tandem of Tyler Wade and Ronald Torreyes as the interim solution over Espinosa. I suppose if Wade fails miserably in Tampa over the next couple of months, it is possible that Espinosa partners with Torreyes to cover second until Torres is ready. But Espinosa’s selfish behavior at the end of his time in Washington really soured me on the player.  

While it looks like the Yankees will go to training camp with rookies Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar as the front-runners for second and third base, respectively, I still expect the Yankees to sign a veteran third baseman.  It may not be a starting type, but it will be someone who can act as a safety net for Andujar. Oh boy, here comes Yunel Escobar. Regardless of who the Yankees sign, they will sign somebody. They've added second base bodies (Jace Peterson and the aforementioned Danny Espinosa) so I have no doubts they'll do the same for third base.  Admittedly, my hope for Todd Frazier's return is starting to fade.  

Gladly Accepting Jeter Rejects...

I haven't seen his exact title yet, but it appears that the Yankees have added former Miami Marlins VP of Player Development Marc Delpiano to their Scouting department. Delpiano was fired by Derek Jeter (well, Jetes made the outgoing President David Samson deliver the news) when he took over the team.  Delpiano's position was replaced when the Marlins added former Yankees executive Gary Denbo.  Delpiano is a highly respective baseball executive who drew much praise when he was hired by the Marlins a few years ago. He has experience working for both Neal Huntington and Theo Epstein. Good hire by GM Brian Cashman. Welcome to the Yankees family, Marc!

Despite the deathly slow off-season (no pun intended), training camp is almost upon us. We'll soon have the opportunity to see Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton putting on daily home run displays instead of wearing tuxedos...

Photo Credit: Marquee NY (Chris Lavado)

Go Yankees!

New York Yankees Star Aaron Judge Named Topps Card No. 1 for 2018

New York Yankees Star Aaron Judge Named Topps Card No. 1 for 2018

The Annual Topps® Baseball Card Set Arrives January 31

(New York, N.Y., January 29) – New York Yankees star Aaron Judge continues to earn accolades as the reigning American League Rookie of the Year was voted to be Card No. 1 in 2018 Topps® Baseball Series 1 by thousands of fans as revealed exclusively on MLB Network today.

Baseball fans can get the newest Topps Judge card when the Major League Baseball season kicks off with 2018 Topps Baseball Series 1 hitting the stores on January 31. They can also find rookie cards, autograph cards of their favorite players, and an interactive sweepstakes that will last all baseball season with Home Run Challenge.

“Aaron Judge transcended baseball during his record-breaking rookie season,” said David Leiner, Topps Global General Manager. “Fans from across the league were excited to see him play so it comes as no surprise they voted for him to be Card No. 1 for this year’s set. We are thrilled to add him to the list of great players that have been featured on the first card of the year.”

Judge joins players such as Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Mike Piazza and Derek Jeter as those who have claimed Card No. 1. Mike Trout and Kris Bryant were voted to the top spot the last two seasons, respectively, through an online vote.

Topps, the exclusive trading card partner of Major League Baseball, provides an experience unlike any other. Baseball fans and collectors can’t replicate the fun they have when opening a pack of cards.

Collecting and trading baseball cards has become a hobby that crosses generations with longtime collectors and newcomers alike getting in on the action.

“Collecting baseball cards is a great family activity from the moment you open a pack to getting your favorite player and then putting them in a binder,” Leiner said. “Baseball cards resonate with fans, which you see at the ballpark with fans asking players to sign their Topps cards or in stores where people get together to share in a special hobby.”

This year’s annual release looks at memorable moments and milestones including Jackie Robinson Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, and special throwback nights depicting unique uniforms worn. Topps is also honoring MLB’s award winners from 2017 with special cards made for the Most Valuable Players, Rookie of the Year award winners, Comeback Player of the Year and more.

Baseball fans can find the newest Topps baseball product in hobby shops, mass retailers and at Topps.com.