1. Tanaka vs. Colon. Will it be the 'Good Tanaka' or the 'Bad Tanaka'?
2. Greg Bird joins AAA-SWB today, may return to the Yanks later this week
3. Red Thunder optioned back to AAA-SWB. Evidently Hicks' awesome weekend at the plate was enough to send Clint down where he can continue to get his at bats while waiting for his shot.
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and Hicks is starting to hit, plus the best defensive CF option they have. Frazier deserves to be in the bigs, but there simply isn't room.
I love what Gardy brings to the team, but sometimes its better to let a player go a year too early than a year too late. Clint has been getting on base and ripping the cover off the ball for AAA-SWB. If Gardy stays in this slump, seems like they will have to give the kid his shot.
He's a strong defensive OF, he can still run, and he's a year removed from a fine all-around season. I think they can (and should) make him a 4th OF before they release him.
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In comment 13969805 Dunedin81 said:
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and Hicks is starting to hit, plus the best defensive CF option they have. Frazier deserves to be in the bigs, but there simply isn't room.
I love what Gardy brings to the team, but sometimes its better to let a player go a year too early than a year too late. Clint has been getting on base and ripping the cover off the ball for AAA-SWB. If Gardy stays in this slump, seems like they will have to give the kid his shot.
He's a strong defensive OF, he can still run, and he's a year removed from a fine all-around season. I think they can (and should) make him a 4th OF before they release him.
They haven't yet announced who is taking his spot
Sanchez: 43 ABs, .279/.429/.674, 5 homers
agree. I don't like having just 2 bench players to begin with.
They arent going to pay him just for his leadership. If Frazier is ready and they dont trade him, they're going to let Gardner walk regardless of what leadership he brings to the clubhouse
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discounted either, this is a very young team. He’s not going anywhere this season
They arent going to pay him just for his leadership. If Frazier is ready and they dont trade him, they're going to let Gardner walk regardless of what leadership he brings to the clubhouse
Disagree...they want to win a world series this year, Gardy is a proven veteran playoff performer. I just don't see them releasing him mid-season
...not great from hereon in, we're rooting for a 100+ win team.
Maybe way over 100+ wins.
Now, neither of those things are set in stone. Maybe Stanton IS kind of a rental, as Rich has theorized, or maybe he's more open to DHing than he's let on. We won't know any of that for a while yet.
That way the team can move on from Gardner next year while solidifying the rotation. Cashman won't rush into such a deal, but wait until the right one comes along.
And I can see us signing Harper next year, with Stanton remaining the primary DH. That would solve our need for a leadoff hitter, I suppose. ;-)
I don't want to watch him go 1-48 and find out later he still has something lingering from his previous foot injury or the recovery from surgery, etc.
i firmly believe we should be looking to make a deal for top end of rotation guy. whether ells or gardner are a part of that deal is up in the air. dont rush into anything but def explore as IMO we are one top end guy away from being a SERIOUS favorite to win it all
And if Stanton doesn't want to DH much, he can opt out of his contract after 2020. But until then I expect that we'll give him, Judge and Sanchez DH starts whenever we think it best for the team.
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I don't see them getting rid of Walker. Professional hitter, switch-hitter, plays at least two positions. Sucks for Austin but I think he's sent down. That said, Bird had better be completely ready before they do that.
They haven't yet announced who is taking his spot
It's the infield that is most interesting to me.
Didi and Torres are obviously everyday guys now. At 1B, we'll have Bird (in a week) and Austin. I don't see the value in playing anyone else there once Bird is back.
So Walker's on an island with a contract that won't be very attractive in a trade, and Andujar, Torreyes and Drury are to be considered at 3rd.
If I'm Cashman, I'm not trading Torreyes. He's way too valuable a utility guy and beloved in the clubhouse.
So do you trade Drury or Andujar? I think Cash has masterfully positioned himself to trade Andujar. He reportedly kept Andujar off the table in trade discussions for more than a year. Then he went and stockpiled infielders, including Drury. I didn't understand why at the time, laughing at the Yanks' effusive praise of Drury and writing it off as a stopgap move to allow Andujar to take more time to develop. But if that was the case, you'd think Drury would have been called back up immediately when he returned from his injury and started raking in the minors (that was before Andujar had reached 130 ABs, too).
I'm not sure what Andujar will become. He's played great so far, but his defense is suspect and I worry his swing will keep him a high SO kind of guy. I'm probably looking too much into this, but maybe Cashman thinks the same and now just happens to find himself in the perfect position where he can leverage that perceived unavailability and these surprisingly good numbers in a deal soon. If that were the case, it would make sense to keep Andujar up and Drury down until Andujar's bat cools off.
It's the infield that is most interesting to me.
Didi and Torres are obviously everyday guys now. At 1B, we'll have Bird (in a week) and Austin. I don't see the value in playing anyone else there once Bird is back.
So Walker's on an island with a contract that won't be very attractive in a trade, and Andujar, Torreyes and Drury are to be considered at 3rd.
If I'm Cashman, I'm not trading Torreyes. He's way too valuable a utility guy and beloved in the clubhouse.
So do you trade Drury or Andujar? I think Cash has masterfully positioned himself to trade Andujar. He reportedly kept Andujar off the table in trade discussions for more than a year. Then he went and stockpiled infielders, including Drury. I didn't understand why at the time, laughing at the Yanks' effusive praise of Drury and writing it off as a stopgap move to allow Andujar to take more time to develop. But if that was the case, you'd think Drury would have been called back up immediately when he returned from his injury and started raking in the minors (that was before Andujar had reached 130 ABs, too).
I'm not sure what Andujar will become. He's played great so far, but his defense is suspect and I worry his swing will keep him a high SO kind of guy. I'm probably looking too much into this, but maybe Cashman thinks the same and now just happens to find himself in the perfect position where he can leverage that perceived unavailability and these surprisingly good numbers in a deal soon. If that were the case, it would make sense to keep Andujar up and Drury down until Andujar's bat cools off.
I agree with all of this. I see Andujar as a solid Starlin Castro type of guy - a very nice player with good tools and capable of showing BIG flashes, but a bit too aggressive of a swinger for Cashman's liking.
I don't even mind the strikeouts, I think the lack of walks is the bigger issue (3 walks this year in 152 plate appearances), but some team would be more confident that he could turn it around.
** This totally worked last time
With the way Machado is playing this year, he’ll be too good to pass up. NYY’s biggest advantage will always be $, and this is one of the few free agent opportunities where you see a generational talent at a premium position hitting free agency at the age of 26.
Machado plays third while Didi plays out his arb year.
Next year, the org decides whether to sign Didi (Machado stays at 3B earning SS dollars) or let him go and slide Machado to SS.
If Andujar is still in the org in the latter scenario, maybe he’s the long-term 3B. I suspect he’s traded by then. The hit tool is nice, but the approach needs a good bit of work. As impressive as it feels like he’s been, he’s sub-.800 OPS whose probably been more lucky than unlucky (not by a lot, but .330 BABIP with no speed). I don’t dislike his future at all, but selling him at his current market value (as in, this season...not a firesale this week) may make the most sense for the org.
Second, Andujar is not a burner but he is plenty quick. He could stand to be more patient but the pitch recognition and the swing and miss should improve with time. He hits the ball hard and he plays a strong defense with the potential for improvement. For a couple weeks he was our second best hitter, after Didi. I'd rather keep him up if possible. Drury has to get right, and there isn't an obvious timetable for when that will happen.
In the field, he's got plenty of arm and is reasonably athletic enough to be at least average. If he's got a good work ethic, and I've never heard otherwise about him, he can learn the footwork necessary to improve.
AJ's only mistake is that Walker's contract is very tradeable. $4.5 mill is dirt cheap for a player of Walker's ability. Yanks can trade him in a heart beat.
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The Andujar/Drury situation will have to be resolved at some point. Yes, it's a "good problem to have," but it's still a problem. Neither are AAA players, and neither have played anywhere but third base for the Yankees. Doesn't appear Drury is being groomed for a utility role of some kind.
AJ's only mistake is that Walker's contract is very tradeable. $4.5 mill is dirt cheap for a player of Walker's ability. Yanks can trade him in a heart beat.
Minor mistake- Walker is only making $4.0M million this season- and now that the season is at the one-quarter mark, there is only $3.0M left on the deal- VERY tradeable.
Actual contract numbers - ( New Window )
With the way Machado is playing this year, he’ll be too good to pass up. NYY’s biggest advantage will always be $, and this is one of the few free agent opportunities where you see a generational talent at a premium position hitting free agency at the age of 26.
Machado plays third while Didi plays out his arb year.
Next year, the org decides whether to sign Didi (Machado stays at 3B earning SS dollars) or let him go and slide Machado to SS.
If Andujar is still in the org in the latter scenario, maybe he’s the long-term 3B. I suspect he’s traded by then. The hit tool is nice, but the approach needs a good bit of work. As impressive as it feels like he’s been, he’s sub-.800 OPS whose probably been more lucky than unlucky (not by a lot, but .330 BABIP with no speed). I don’t dislike his future at all, but selling him at his current market value (as in, this season...not a firesale this week) may make the most sense for the org.
I fail to understand people who continue to assume that Machado is going to play 3B. He won't.
Machado is a SS- and has made it clear that this is going to be an issue with whomever signs him. In addition to the $$$, it is going to come down to who guarantees him the right to play SS.
If it comes down to Did vs. Machado, I don't think Cashman would hesitate for one second to sign Machado and trade Didi. Not. One. Second.
I doubt many here even know that Machado is TWO MONTHS YOUNGER than Judge. In other words, he "fits" the age profile the team is looking for. He's also more than 2 years younger than Didi.
Machado is also simply better than Didi with the bat. Machado has a career OPS+ of 120- including a ridiculous 190 this season to date. Machado has just two seasons with an OBP below .320 in his career- his first full season (2013 at age 20) and last year.
Didi has a career OPS+ of 97, with a 126 this year. he has just 2 seasons of OPS+ over 100- last year at 105 and this season. The only seasons Didi had an OBP above .320 was his first full season (.332) and this season (.335).
Look, Didi has been VERY good. But Machado is better- and will be better longer.
This team is constructed to be a championship level team for a VERY long period of time. Machado would age together with Judge, Sanchez and the others.
Didi is also a FA after the 2019 season. Machado won't be cheap- likely to score over $300M- though maybe we should scale back FA expectations after last winter. But he will last longer.
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In comment 13970230 bceagle05 said:
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The Andujar/Drury situation will have to be resolved at some point. Yes, it's a "good problem to have," but it's still a problem. Neither are AAA players, and neither have played anywhere but third base for the Yankees. Doesn't appear Drury is being groomed for a utility role of some kind.
AJ's only mistake is that Walker's contract is very tradeable. $4.5 mill is dirt cheap for a player of Walker's ability. Yanks can trade him in a heart beat.
Minor mistake- Walker is only making $4.0M million this season- and now that the season is at the one-quarter mark, there is only $3.0M left on the deal- VERY tradeable. Actual contract numbers - ( New Window )
exactly...
It's the infield that is most interesting to me.
Didi and Torres are obviously everyday guys now. At 1B, we'll have Bird (in a week) and Austin. I don't see the value in playing anyone else there once Bird is back.
So Walker's on an island with a contract that won't be very attractive in a trade, and Andujar, Torreyes and Drury are to be considered at 3rd.
If I'm Cashman, I'm not trading Torreyes. He's way too valuable a utility guy and beloved in the clubhouse.
So do you trade Drury or Andujar? I think Cash has masterfully positioned himself to trade Andujar. He reportedly kept Andujar off the table in trade discussions for more than a year. Then he went and stockpiled infielders, including Drury. I didn't understand why at the time, laughing at the Yanks' effusive praise of Drury and writing it off as a stopgap move to allow Andujar to take more time to develop. But if that was the case, you'd think Drury would have been called back up immediately when he returned from his injury and started raking in the minors (that was before Andujar had reached 130 ABs, too).
I'm not sure what Andujar will become. He's played great so far, but his defense is suspect and I worry his swing will keep him a high SO kind of guy. I'm probably looking too much into this, but maybe Cashman thinks the same and now just happens to find himself in the perfect position where he can leverage that perceived unavailability and these surprisingly good numbers in a deal soon. If that were the case, it would make sense to keep Andujar up and Drury down until Andujar's bat cools off.
I disagree with the long term assessment of Andujar. Remember that Judge had strike zone issues his first year. So did Austin and Bird. So did Frazier last year. Heck, even Trout had a miserable half season to start his career.
It is part of being a rookie. In most cases, what you got away with in the minors doesn't work in the bigs. You have to spend the off-season making adjustments and fixing flaws.
I would note that his K rate is way off his minor league averages. He was generally in the 2:1 ratio of K's to walks- even in AAA. Eventually, when he learns to lay off the breaking ball away and the junk at the bottom of the zone, his walk totals will come around. That's what rookies do.
I am actually impressed with Andujar's defense. Many advertised him as a butcher in the field- he has been quite good, with a great arm. His footwork on the long throws can use some work, but that will come in time.
I don't think Andujar will win any Gold Gloves and probably won't win any batting titles. However, he IS a legitimate starting 3B in the majors.
I don't think people should be rushing to the conclusion that Drury is the 3B in waiting and Andujar is trade bait.