|
|
Post by inger on Oct 9, 2021 12:09:02 GMT -5
We can easily get Carl Schwarber. I don’t think a single team will be interested. In fact, I’d be surprised if anyone has even heard of him.  Could be one of those under-the-radar pickups Cashman is famous for. The guy I want is Mort Scherzer. Maybe not as good as Max, but much more affordable. We once had one of the district managers who was name Richard Scherzer. With a sour personality he was assigned the nickname of “ “Rick the Dick”… |
|
|
|
Post by kaybli on Oct 9, 2021 13:20:32 GMT -5
First base. The future looked bright several years ago with Judge, Sanchez, Bird, Andujar, and Torres as the next core of what would surely produce multiple championship rings. The sound you just heard was that of a crash and multiple-car pileup. When healthy, Judge is an MVP candidate. But, this season would mark only his second truly healthy season. And, he was an old rookie, and no one knows how a guy his size will age because there has never been a 6'7" 282 pound gold glove caliber right fielder who can also play centerfield. Will he eventually need to move to first base? A cerebral athlete and hard worker, Judge could probably become quite serviceable at the position and a tough target to miss. Of course, this is likely four or five years down the road, but other than Teixeira, the Yankees have had a turnstile of inadequate first basemen ever since the acquisition of Jason Giambi twenty years ago. Either they can hit and not field, field and not hit, or cannot stay healthy. Freddie Freeman can hit and field and is left handed. Seemingly around forever, he just turned 32, having started his career in MLB at just 20 years old. He's more durable than Rizzo (same age), who has been losing playing time and power to a chronically bad back. Is it realistic that the Braves would let Freeman walk? Seemingly, no, but they are reportedly far apart in negotiations. For me, the Yankees' greatest position of need is shortstop, and the Yankees' brass has apparently given up on Torres, who has cemented himself at second base due to his play at short. Of course, that leaves LeMahieu without a position, which was the scenario when the Yankees first signed him as an everyday utility man. If the Yankees make the big splash at shortstop (Correa, Seager), I expect LeMahieu to become the everyday first baseman. Will the Yankees wait on Peraza, who is supposedly only a year or two from becoming the everyday shortstop? Evidently, his defense at the position is already major league ready (I read that on another Yankee forum yesterday from someone supposedly plugged into the minor league system - T. Marino?), and barring an injury or a collapse, Volpe will likely begin converting to second base because while his defense is okay at shortstop, it apparently is not on the same tier as Peraza. As I have said elsewhere, I like Rizzo a lot. But, he's probably looking at his last big payday, while his back holds up. Unless he really enjoyed Pinstripes, I doubt he forgoes the highest bidder, which is not likely to be the Yankees, especially with a hole at short and too many second basemen currently on the roster (Torres, LeMahieu, Wade, Odor). One thing is certain. The Yankees need to be more athletic defensively and on the bases, and since you cannot get out of the contract for Stanton without his permission, bulkheads like Sanchez and Voit need to go. If I am the GM, I pencil in LeMahieu at first base next season, Torres at second, and land a difference maker at shortstop. Is an infield of LeMahieu at third, Urshela at shortstop, Torres at second, and a true first basemen like Rizzo or Freeman the best way to go? LeMahieu is not a natural third baseman, Urshela is not a natural shortstop, and Torres is not gold glover caliber at second like LeMahieu or Wade. That's a serviceable infield, but being out of their best positions, is it special? Not likely, but it would be a more inexpensive option while Peraza and Volpe near the wall of success or failure between AAA and The Show in a year or two, rather than signing Correa at 7 years and 250+ million dollars. Would the Yankees pay 100 million for only three players (Correa, Cole, Stanton) with Judge needing to be signed after next season? Great post, rizz. Intriguing option between acquiring a shortstop or a first baseman. I'd probably lean toward getting a SS just for the better defense, having more players at their best position. DJ can handle first. That does mean Volpe/Peraza are blocked though but they are not guarantees anyway. They can be moved to another position if needed. |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Oct 9, 2021 15:21:01 GMT -5
First base. The future looked bright several years ago with Judge, Sanchez, Bird, Andujar, and Torres as the next core of what would surely produce multiple championship rings. The sound you just heard was that of a crash and multiple-car pileup. When healthy, Judge is an MVP candidate. But, this season would mark only his second truly healthy season. And, he was an old rookie, and no one knows how a guy his size will age because there has never been a 6'7" 282 pound gold glove caliber right fielder who can also play centerfield. Will he eventually need to move to first base? A cerebral athlete and hard worker, Judge could probably become quite serviceable at the position and a tough target to miss. Of course, this is likely four or five years down the road, but other than Teixeira, the Yankees have had a turnstile of inadequate first basemen ever since the acquisition of Jason Giambi twenty years ago. Either they can hit and not field, field and not hit, or cannot stay healthy. Freddie Freeman can hit and field and is left handed. Seemingly around forever, he just turned 32, having started his career in MLB at just 20 years old. He's more durable than Rizzo (same age), who has been losing playing time and power to a chronically bad back. Is it realistic that the Braves would let Freeman walk? Seemingly, no, but they are reportedly far apart in negotiations. For me, the Yankees' greatest position of need is shortstop, and the Yankees' brass has apparently given up on Torres, who has cemented himself at second base due to his play at short. Of course, that leaves LeMahieu without a position, which was the scenario when the Yankees first signed him as an everyday utility man. If the Yankees make the big splash at shortstop (Correa, Seager), I expect LeMahieu to become the everyday first baseman. Will the Yankees wait on Peraza, who is supposedly only a year or two from becoming the everyday shortstop? Evidently, his defense at the position is already major league ready (I read that on another Yankee forum yesterday from someone supposedly plugged into the minor league system - T. Marino?), and barring an injury or a collapse, Volpe will likely begin converting to second base because while his defense is okay at shortstop, it apparently is not on the same tier as Peraza. As I have said elsewhere, I like Rizzo a lot. But, he's probably looking at his last big payday, while his back holds up. Unless he really enjoyed Pinstripes, I doubt he forgoes the highest bidder, which is not likely to be the Yankees, especially with a hole at short and too many second basemen currently on the roster (Torres, LeMahieu, Wade, Odor). One thing is certain. The Yankees need to be more athletic defensively and on the bases, and since you cannot get out of the contract for Stanton without his permission, bulkheads like Sanchez and Voit need to go. If I am the GM, I pencil in LeMahieu at first base next season, Torres at second, and land a difference maker at shortstop. Is an infield of LeMahieu at third, Urshela at shortstop, Torres at second, and a true first basemen like Rizzo or Freeman the best way to go? LeMahieu is not a natural third baseman, Urshela is not a natural shortstop, and Torres is not gold glover caliber at second like LeMahieu or Wade. That's a serviceable infield, but being out of their best positions, is it special? Not likely, but it would be a more inexpensive option while Peraza and Volpe near the wall of success or failure between AAA and The Show in a year or two, rather than signing Correa at 7 years and 250+ million dollars. Would the Yankees pay 100 million for only three players (Correa, Cole, Stanton) with Judge needing to be signed after next season? Great post, rizz. Intriguing option between acquiring a shortstop or a first baseman. I'd probably lean toward getting a SS just for the better defense, having more players at their best position. DJ can handle first. That does mean Volpe/Peraza are blocked though but they are not guarantees anyway. They can be moved to another position if needed. I don’t think that we should rule out trading Torres. His bat had been well below average for two years. His station to station base running has bordered on atrocious. He has no baseball instinct. If we trade him, DJ can stick at 2B. I don’t know if he’s still a gold glover there, but he’s still steady and capable…. Sign or trade for an innings eating starting pitcher. Too many 4 inning pitchers on the staff. Fire Boone and turn the 4.2 innings pitchers into 5.2 innings pitchers. Pipps is suggesting Zack Davies? Okay. Him or someone similar. Never trust all your pitchers to be healthy. Any year you don’t add pitching, you’re losing by attrition… Signing or swapping for a two way first baseman. Or settle for Voit. The man has only had about two years worth of AB in his MLB career. Freeman would be the ideal, if we can get him. At 32, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down any. Let’s get a real SS, Gio gets another shot at 3B. Centerfield upgrade. Won’t take a lot. Probably not getting Mullins. There are several in between him and our current situation. Catching? Actually a perceived down grade there might be an upgrade. Then, there’s SS. We might be growing a good one. What if we sign Freddy Galvis for 2, even 4 years? He’ll be 33 next year. A magician with the glove, has a bit more pop than you expect. Nice little stop gap without going ape at the position. Can play third base also. We don’t have to have super short stop with a huge financial commitment… And we can view Galvis as a utility man should Cabrera grow up and snatch the position at any time. |
|
|
|
Post by anthonyd46 on Oct 9, 2021 15:29:55 GMT -5
Great post, rizz. Intriguing option between acquiring a shortstop or a first baseman. I'd probably lean toward getting a SS just for the better defense, having more players at their best position. DJ can handle first. That does mean Volpe/Peraza are blocked though but they are not guarantees anyway. They can be moved to another position if needed. I don’t think that we should rule out trading Torres. His bat had been well below average for two years. His station to station base running has bordered on atrocious. He has no baseball instinct. If we trade him, DJ can stick at 2B. I don’t know if he’s still a gold glover there, but he’s still steady and capable…. Sign or trade for an innings eating starting pitcher. Too many 4 inning pitchers on the staff. Fire Boone and turn the 4.2 innings pitchers into 5.2 innings pitchers. Pipps is suggesting Zack Davies? Okay. Him or someone similar. Never trust all your pitchers to be healthy. Any year you don’t add pitching, you’re losing by attrition… Signing or swapping for a two way first baseman. Or settle for Voit. The man has only had about two years worth of AB in his MLB career. Freeman would be the ideal, if we can get him. At 32, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down any. Let’s get a real SS, Gio gets another shot at 3B. Centerfield upgrade. Won’t take a lot. Probably not getting Mullins. There are several in between him and our current situation. Catching? Actually a perceived down grade there might be an upgrade. Then, there’s SS. We might be growing a good one. What if we sign Freddy Galvis for 2, even 4 years? He’ll be 33 next year. A magician with the glove, has a bit more pop than you expect. Nice little stop gap without going ape at the position. Can play third base also. We don’t have to have super short stop with a huge financial commitment… And we can view Galvis as a utility man should Cabrera grow up and snatch the position at any time. Michael Kay is pretty in with the Yankees and knows what's going on and as I said the other day he said three players were untouchable and that was Judge Stanton and Torres so the Yankees must see something we don't. |
|
|
|
Post by rizzuto on Oct 9, 2021 16:33:50 GMT -5
I don’t think that we should rule out trading Torres. His bat had been well below average for two years. His station to station base running has bordered on atrocious. He has no baseball instinct. If we trade him, DJ can stick at 2B. I don’t know if he’s still a gold glover there, but he’s still steady and capable…. Sign or trade for an innings eating starting pitcher. Too many 4 inning pitchers on the staff. Fire Boone and turn the 4.2 innings pitchers into 5.2 innings pitchers. Pipps is suggesting Zack Davies? Okay. Him or someone similar. Never trust all your pitchers to be healthy. Any year you don’t add pitching, you’re losing by attrition… Signing or swapping for a two way first baseman. Or settle for Voit. The man has only had about two years worth of AB in his MLB career. Freeman would be the ideal, if we can get him. At 32, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down any. Let’s get a real SS, Gio gets another shot at 3B. Centerfield upgrade. Won’t take a lot. Probably not getting Mullins. There are several in between him and our current situation. Catching? Actually a perceived down grade there might be an upgrade. Then, there’s SS. We might be growing a good one. What if we sign Freddy Galvis for 2, even 4 years? He’ll be 33 next year. A magician with the glove, has a bit more pop than you expect. Nice little stop gap without going ape at the position. Can play third base also. We don’t have to have super short stop with a huge financial commitment… And we can view Galvis as a utility man should Cabrera grow up and snatch the position at any time. Michael Kay is pretty in with the Yankees and knows what's going on and as I said the other day he said three players were untouchable and that was Judge Stanton and Torres so the Yankees must see something we don't. The Yankees won’t actively look to trade Torres, who still has three seasons before he’s a free agent, until they see him at second base for a full season again. Would some other team want him in a trade? Sure, just not as fiercely as two years ago. |
|
|
|
Post by rizzuto on Oct 9, 2021 16:48:50 GMT -5
Great post, rizz. Intriguing option between acquiring a shortstop or a first baseman. I'd probably lean toward getting a SS just for the better defense, having more players at their best position. DJ can handle first. That does mean Volpe/Peraza are blocked though but they are not guarantees anyway. They can be moved to another position if needed. I don’t think that we should rule out trading Torres. His bat had been well below average for two years. His station to station base running has bordered on atrocious. He has no baseball instinct. If we trade him, DJ can stick at 2B. I don’t know if he’s still a gold glover there, but he’s still steady and capable…. Sign or trade for an innings eating starting pitcher. Too many 4 inning pitchers on the staff. Fire Boone and turn the 4.2 innings pitchers into 5.2 innings pitchers. Pipps is suggesting Zack Davies? Okay. Him or someone similar. Never trust all your pitchers to be healthy. Any year you don’t add pitching, you’re losing by attrition… Signing or swapping for a two way first baseman. Or settle for Voit. The man has only had about two years worth of AB in his MLB career. Freeman would be the ideal, if we can get him. At 32, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down any. Let’s get a real SS, Gio gets another shot at 3B. Centerfield upgrade. Won’t take a lot. Probably not getting Mullins. There are several in between him and our current situation. Catching? Actually a perceived down grade there might be an upgrade. Then, there’s SS. We might be growing a good one. What if we sign Freddy Galvis for 2, even 4 years? He’ll be 33 next year. A magician with the glove, has a bit more pop than you expect. Nice little stop gap without going ape at the position. Can play third base also. We don’t have to have super short stop with a huge financial commitment… And we can view Galvis as a utility man should Cabrera grow up and snatch the position at any time. Mullins isn't arbitration eligible until 2023, so Baltimore would want a team-changing ransom for him. He's exactly the type of player the Yankees need. Not even the Orioles are that dense, are they? Who is Cabrera? Davies is interesting to me because of his repertoire, unfortunately, his ERA was above 8.00 in the second half last season, and he's no Jack Morris in terms of length. Galvis won't be as cheap next season, but you know what you're getting with him. Wasn't he hurt for most of the second half? |
|
|
|
Post by kaybli on Oct 10, 2021 11:32:58 GMT -5
Continuing with meandering thoughts of next season, the position of catcher must be addressed. Higashioka is a solid defensive back-up who can run into a fastball over the plate and deposit it into the bullpen. But, Higgy ain't a starter. He just doesn't have the swing or the eye to be more than a once or twice per week player. Gary Sandwich has returned to his interstate numbers of a batting average. Except for a wonderful June, Sanchez was awful offensively. His second half numbers: .183/.273/.373/.646. Nearly identical to his 2018 numbers, when everyone thought it was just a bad year: .186/.291/.406/.697. Compare that with Higashioka's numbers: .181/.246/.389/.635. Even without regular playing time, the numbers are strikingly similar. Did I already mention that Higgy isn’t a starter? Sanchez actually stands to have a salary increase next season through arbitration, which would be north of 6.35 million dollars he made this season. The only reason Sandwich has an OPS+ of 99 is that one good month of June. Unfortunately, there are not many catchers on the market who can catch and hit. But, what of Sanchez' catching? Our eyes tell us that Higashioka is superior defensively. There is a reason Cole wants Higgy behind the plate. The Yankees have Sandwich on one knee, which was supposed to help his pitch framing. Sandwich finished in the 17th percentile in pitch framing this season. According to Baseball-Savant, Sandwich was 55 out of 59 catchers in assisting pitchers with close pitches becoming strikes. Higashioka, even with far fewer innings and pitches received, was 13th out of 59. And, Sandwich's caught stealing percentage - once a strength - was a career low 17 percent. (Granted, Higgy's percentage was also abysmal). If Sanchez cannot be traded - and the Yankees should try really hard to do so - they need to think about releasing him; however, I have this vision of the Red Sox picking him up and balls launching over the Green Monster - albeit with a .200 batting average. Realistically, Sanchez will likely get another chance next season in Pinstripes before being released. If it were me, I'd trade him for whatever I can get, but I would hesitate to pay him to play for someone else. Evidently, one good month will still allow a catcher to be no worse than right at league average these days. Throw away the juiced ball 2019, and this is who Gary Sanchez is offensively and defensively since 2018, heading into 2022.  |
|
|
|
Post by rizzuto on Oct 10, 2021 11:56:52 GMT -5
Continuing with meandering thoughts of next season, the position of catcher must be addressed. Higashioka is a solid defensive back-up who can run into a fastball over the plate and deposit it into the bullpen. But, Higgy ain't a starter. He just doesn't have the swing or the eye to be more than a once or twice per week player. Gary Sandwich has returned to his interstate numbers of a batting average. Except for a wonderful June, Sanchez was awful offensively. His second half numbers: .183/.273/.373/.646. Nearly identical to his 2018 numbers, when everyone thought it was just a bad year: .186/.291/.406/.697. Compare that with Higashioka's numbers: .181/.246/.389/.635. Even without regular playing time, the numbers are strikingly similar. Did I already mention that Higgy isn’t a starter? Sanchez actually stands to have a salary increase next season through arbitration, which would be north of 6.35 million dollars he made this season. The only reason Sandwich has an OPS+ of 99 is that one good month of June. Unfortunately, there are not many catchers on the market who can catch and hit. But, what of Sanchez' catching? Our eyes tell us that Higashioka is superior defensively. There is a reason Cole wants Higgy behind the plate. The Yankees have Sandwich on one knee, which was supposed to help his pitch framing. Sandwich finished in the 17th percentile in pitch framing this season. According to Baseball-Savant, Sandwich was 55 out of 59 catchers in assisting pitchers with close pitches becoming strikes. Higashioka, even with far fewer innings and pitches received, was 13th out of 59. And, Sandwich's caught stealing percentage - once a strength - was a career low 17 percent. (Granted, Higgy's percentage was also abysmal). If Sanchez cannot be traded - and the Yankees should try really hard to do so - they need to think about releasing him; however, I have this vision of the Red Sox picking him up and balls launching over the Green Monster - albeit with a .200 batting average. Realistically, Sanchez will likely get another chance next season in Pinstripes before being released. If it were me, I'd trade him for whatever I can get, but I would hesitate to pay him to play for someone else. Evidently, one good month will still allow a catcher to be no worse than right at league average these days. Throw away the juiced ball 2019, and this is who Gary Sanchez is offensively and defensively since 2018, heading into 2022.  You are starting to take these to another level! |
|
|
|
Post by BillyBones on Oct 10, 2021 16:46:30 GMT -5
Referencing the post above about the future looking bright a few years ago, and players not developing as expected.
Greg Bird might lead that list. What happened there, anyway? Yeah, he had injuries, but even when he was cleared to play, it seemed that the pitchers had found his weaknesses, and he was handled pretty easily. Someone here said he had holes in his swing, but if so, why was that not corrected in the minors, or was the Yankee brass evaluation of him distorted? It just seems that so many developing players become far less on the field for the Yankees than fans are led to expect.
|
|
|
|
Post by inger on Oct 10, 2021 16:53:04 GMT -5
Referencing the post above about the future looking bright a few years ago, and players not developing as expected. Greg Bird might lead that list. What happened there, anyway? Yeah, he had injuries, but even when he was cleared to play, it seemed that the pitchers had found his weaknesses, and he was handled pretty easily. Someone here said he had holes in his swing, but if so, why was that not corrected in the minors, or was the Yankee brass evaluation of him distorted? It just seems that so many developing players become far less on the field for the Yankees than fans are led to expect. I think that to be true in all of MLB. Jurickson Profar. He was THE prospect at one point. Couldn’t miss, but he did. I just think more fail than succeed. The hype machine is there to keep us excited as well as to create value within the trade market… |
|
|
|
Post by Renfield on Oct 10, 2021 21:07:12 GMT -5
You guys just couldn’t let ONE little thing go, could you? It’s so obvious that I wanted us to sign Carl Sagan… 😂 Sagan could replace Marcus Thames as hitting coach. He wrote an entire book about Contact. Of course, being dead and all poses certain limitations. |
|
|
|
Post by inger on Oct 10, 2021 22:28:34 GMT -5
You guys just couldn’t let ONE little thing go, could you? It’s so obvious that I wanted us to sign Carl Sagan… 😂 Sagan could replace Marcus Thames as hitting coach. He wrote an entire book about Contact. Of course, being dead and all poses certain limitations. Yes, certain limitations, some of which might actually be deemed as uncertain qualifications. This might be time for him to so called “step up to the plate” to reveal some truths. If he could simply work in a posthumous capacity, the Yankees could make donations to his foundation or estate to continue his other works. He may become more productive in death than he was in life. Especially if he can get Gallo to make contact… |
|
|
|
Post by desousa on Oct 11, 2021 6:58:52 GMT -5
Referencing the post above about the future looking bright a few years ago, and players not developing as expected. Greg Bird might lead that list. What happened there, anyway? Yeah, he had injuries, but even when he was cleared to play, it seemed that the pitchers had found his weaknesses, and he was handled pretty easily. Someone here said he had holes in his swing, but if so, why was that not corrected in the minors, or was the Yankee brass evaluation of him distorted? It just seems that so many developing players become far less on the field for the Yankees than fans are led to expect. Bird did hit 27 homers this past season playing for Colorado's AAA team in Albuquerque. We all had such high hopes for him, but he may be just a AAAA player. The more I watch the way the Yanks handle their prospects, the more I scratch my head. They are loaded a Low and High A, it will be interesting to see how they screw up these kids. |
|
|
|
Post by BillyBones on Oct 11, 2021 21:21:05 GMT -5
Referencing the post above about the future looking bright a few years ago, and players not developing as expected. Greg Bird might lead that list. What happened there, anyway? Yeah, he had injuries, but even when he was cleared to play, it seemed that the pitchers had found his weaknesses, and he was handled pretty easily. Someone here said he had holes in his swing, but if so, why was that not corrected in the minors, or was the Yankee brass evaluation of him distorted? It just seems that so many developing players become far less on the field for the Yankees than fans are led to expect. Bird did hit 27 homers this past season playing for Colorado's AAA team in Albuquerque. We all had such high hopes for him, but he may be just a AAAA player. The more I watch the way the Yanks handle their prospects, the more I scratch my head. They are loaded a Low and High A, it will be interesting to see how they screw up these kids.
Absolutely. I don't know how some fans can dismiss the Yankees record in this regard under the screen of it being just like other teams. Of course other teams prospects fail too, but few do so the abject level the Yankees seem to fail. Your comment raises the thought that I do not know the answer to..Are they truly loaded with good prospects, which they will somehow screw up, or are these Bird-like prospects who are not really ML quality? This organization has become mystifying in what they develop. We can only hope things change, but I am weary of that hope. Sorry for the pessimism. |
|
|
|
Post by anthonyd46 on Oct 12, 2021 2:49:08 GMT -5
|
|
You are starting to take these to another level! 
