He's earned a spot at Scranton and time to shake the rust off without any pressure. Andujar's cooling off a bit too. Neither of them have forced their way onto the roster, IMO. Wade, I think, has a decent shot to beat Torreyes out for the utility gig. But even he could get sent down if they want him to get at bats.
I’m not one to get panicked about ST stats, but when you parlay the years-of-control element with the fact that Torres has struggled mightily this spring, having him start in AAA makes a ton of sense.
makes no sense to me. one dimensional, slow, injury prone Â
simply because Torres missed almost all of last year. He needs to play. He's obviously been pressing at the plate, and his immaturity in the field has shown. He needs to be allowed some time to grow and adjust in AAA.
understand keeping Andujar and Torres in the minors to get that extra year of control. However, Wade who has had a very good spring( yeah I know stats in spring training don't mean shit)I thought could at least hold the position until Torres is ready to come up. Signing a guy who has a bad back?
If short term, i love this signing. proven vet, very solid defensively and can swing it a bit.
as ppl above have mentioned, this also gives cashman a bit more firepower to ship out an INF prospect. i may have had lil too much Cashman koolaid over the years, but i tend to think this means a bigger move IS likely now.. also wouldnt be surprised to see him swoop in on another one of these proven guys still unsigned.
we've been moving away from these guys, but this is a 1 year deal, believed to be worth around $5M.
At worst, he blocks one of the kids for a year, but in reality I think Torres takes the 2B job by the All Star break, moving Walker to the bench. This is a team with WS aspirations, and this signing makes the Yankees a better team THIS year. This just raises the floor of our 2B production while Torres shakes off the rust in AAA.
He's a switch hitter with 20 HR power, and with all the competition in the infield, if he gets injured, we have the pieces to swtich directions. How deep is a lineup like this come opening day:
Gardner
Judge
Stanton
Bird
Sanchez
Gregoirus
Hicks
Walker
Drury
That's 15-20 HR pop up and down that order.
RE: makes no sense to me. one dimensional, slow, injury prone Â
just the type of player they have systematically been purging from the organization.
Torres isn't ready and health is still a concern. We already knew Torres was starting in minors for control. Wade is ok and Torreyes is replaceable. Hard to criticize the move yet. Let's see how much the deal is for and how long.
Switch hitting vet 2B that can play 3B and even serve as a backup 1B. The Yanks have done a good job in exercising patience with their young players. Now they can send Andujar and Torres down and continue their development. Nothing preventing them from playing their way up during the season. Wade will either push Torreyes out and be the utility/super sub or go down and play SS every day until needed. Also possible that Cashman is covering his bases and could have a deal in the works.
In comment 13859771 ManningLobsItBurressAlone said:
Quote:
has a minor league option left I believe, so this all but guarantees Andujar/Torres in AAA to start the year, and accrue the extra year of team control.
This middle infield glut is also something to keep in mind when we look to trade for pitching depth over the course of the season. Andujar, Wade, Estrada, all guys that could be dealt. We traded from our glut of outfield prospects to get Grey and his 2.5 years of team control, in Rutherford, Fowler, and Mateo, and this season might be no different.
What is interesting here is that the Yanks could now play "the long game."
I am assuming that the Walker deal will be for one year. So long as he stays healthy, he is still starting level offensively- defensively has always been the issue, as has health. As a switch hitter with a good OBP, he could anchor the bottom third of the order.
The Yanks could keep Torres and Andujar in AAA for most, if not all of the whole season now. Torres in particular, could probably use the time. Andujar can probably rehab his defensive rep with a solid season.
Then, next spring, you keep Torres and Andujar in the minors long enough (mid April), and delay their FA even more.
I am a little worried about the move from the viewpoint that Cashman now appears to be in "must win now mode" as opposed to developing the young players and building a developmental monster. Does this mean that Cashman will feel immense pressure to make a deadline trade for a big SP instead of looking at internal options (German, Adams, Sheffield, etc.)?
If Cashman is just attempting to delay the INF transition for a year and getting some extra development time, I am ok with that. But if we are going back to the "win-at-all-costs" mentality, that would not be a plus, IMO.
In comment 13859771 ManningLobsItBurressAlone said:
Quote:
has a minor league option left I believe, so this all but guarantees Andujar/Torres in AAA to start the year, and accrue the extra year of team control.
This middle infield glut is also something to keep in mind when we look to trade for pitching depth over the course of the season. Andujar, Wade, Estrada, all guys that could be dealt. We traded from our glut of outfield prospects to get Grey and his 2.5 years of team control, in Rutherford, Fowler, and Mateo, and this season might be no different.
What is interesting here is that the Yanks could now play "the long game."
I am assuming that the Walker deal will be for one year. So long as he stays healthy, he is still starting level offensively- defensively has always been the issue, as has health. As a switch hitter with a good OBP, he could anchor the bottom third of the order.
The Yanks could keep Torres and Andujar in AAA for most, if not all of the whole season now. Torres in particular, could probably use the time. Andujar can probably rehab his defensive rep with a solid season.
Then, next spring, you keep Torres and Andujar in the minors long enough (mid April), and delay their FA even more.
I am a little worried about the move from the viewpoint that Cashman now appears to be in "must win now mode" as opposed to developing the young players and building a developmental monster. Does this mean that Cashman will feel immense pressure to make a deadline trade for a big SP instead of looking at internal options (German, Adams, Sheffield, etc.)?
If Cashman is just attempting to delay the INF transition for a year and getting some extra development time, I am ok with that. But if we are going back to the "win-at-all-costs" mentality, that would not be a plus, IMO.
In comment 13859771 ManningLobsItBurressAlone said:
Quote:
has a minor league option left I believe, so this all but guarantees Andujar/Torres in AAA to start the year, and accrue the extra year of team control.
This middle infield glut is also something to keep in mind when we look to trade for pitching depth over the course of the season. Andujar, Wade, Estrada, all guys that could be dealt. We traded from our glut of outfield prospects to get Grey and his 2.5 years of team control, in Rutherford, Fowler, and Mateo, and this season might be no different.
What is interesting here is that the Yanks could now play "the long game."
I am assuming that the Walker deal will be for one year. So long as he stays healthy, he is still starting level offensively- defensively has always been the issue, as has health. As a switch hitter with a good OBP, he could anchor the bottom third of the order.
The Yanks could keep Torres and Andujar in AAA for most, if not all of the whole season now. Torres in particular, could probably use the time. Andujar can probably rehab his defensive rep with a solid season.
Then, next spring, you keep Torres and Andujar in the minors long enough (mid April), and delay their FA even more.
I am a little worried about the move from the viewpoint that Cashman now appears to be in "must win now mode" as opposed to developing the young players and building a developmental monster. Does this mean that Cashman will feel immense pressure to make a deadline trade for a big SP instead of looking at internal options (German, Adams, Sheffield, etc.)?
If Cashman is just attempting to delay the INF transition for a year and getting some extra development time, I am ok with that. But if we are going back to the "win-at-all-costs" mentality, that would not be a plus, IMO.
good post. agreed
i dont agree with the "win-now" mentality is universally a negative thing. it made me so angry last year when everyone wrote of the season before it even started and we all know how that happened.
there is a difference between "mortgaging the future" and "win-now". We were 1 game away from WS last year and then added the NL MVP... screw that, the iron is hot and now is the time to strike. This past season has proven to us that Cash can make the team better now while not giving away too much of the future, i fully expect the same from him now.
On a one year deal. He isn't blocking anyone. If Andujar or Torres mash in AAA, they will be up and starting this year... unless Walker is already hitting up here. In which case, we are in great shape. This move impacts Torreyes, as he is the last INF on the depth chart. But he has minor league options left as wel.
and while I agree, I don't think Cash is going to play the long game in regards to Torres. I think he'll be there as long as he needs for the rust to shake off then will get his chance to compete. I more think the long game may be for Andujar, and he may be the big trade piece discussed throughout the year
I will disagree a bit with Cash moving to "must win-now" mentality. I feel he's always in that mode, but he's not mortgaging the future in his more recent deals If anything, his more recent trades have acquired young building blocks, that are cheap, and have team control. Drury, Gray, Gregorius, even the add-in of Kahnle in the deal last year.
Walker is a discounted 1 year place-holder piece, who has averaged 18 HR's a year since 2013, and is a league average/above average offensive piece. The more guys at the bottom of the lineup who get on base, gives our heavy hitters more run producing opps each time the lineup turns over. If he gets hurt, which has been his MO, we have the pieces to insure the loss, without missing a beat hopefully.
I wonder if this has anything to do with Wade leaving the game Â
They said he was fine and it was precautionary (he was flexing his left hand and wrist). Torres and Andujar seemed destined to at least start the season in AAA anyway.
RE: I wonder if this has anything to do with Wade leaving the game Â
They said he was fine and it was precautionary (he was flexing his left hand and wrist). Torres and Andujar seemed destined to at least start the season in AAA anyway.
Was just going to post the same. Wade rolled his left wrist. The reports this morning are that he is fine. Maybe just a little insurance.
Andujar has to work on defense and hitting a curveball or slider or cutter. he is lost on those pitches so far and that could be a problem because MLB can throw that book on him once its easy known ( some did in spring training already).
Both get to improve. Cynically, both now get to have a upside book on them at AAA where they will shine statistically and so they are still be trade-able
Lastly, if rich is right and Machado is on his way mid season or next as a SS, then we don't know what position we want Torres to play just yet do we? ( I doubt this fourth derivative optionality entered their thinking).
I also point out that the back up for the oft injured Byrd is Wade. Hence Walker and Drury and Wade.
Cashman has made another great move, I do agree with everyone wondering about these kids now, but they will probably be ready to step right into the jobs come trade deadline, then if needed Cashman can move things around to win it this season.
Anyone that thinks the yanks aren't in win now is nuts, they have been in win now ever since last season happened, and if you doubt it after adding Stanton, Drury, and Walker to this team then you will never be convinced. Just because they are in a win now mode does not change anything for the future. Adding these two players really has strenthened the team now and allowed for them to further develop players and control the money so the Steinbrenners get richer and Cashman even more valuable.
were almost certainly heading back down even before this signing. This is more a bummer for Wade, who was having a nice spring training and would have been fun to watch as sort of a young, infield version of Gardner towards the bottom of the lineup. Not sure if this had anything to do with his recent wrist injury (which by all accounts was not serious), but he's really the guy most affected by the signing.
All that said, Walker is a bargain at this price and he will probably make the Yankees better this year while serving as another veteran/mentor presence in a young clubhouse (with a green as grass manager), and not at the expense of compromising the path of any of the "near ready" guys beyond this season or their ability to make deadline trades. Solid move.
I think I remember Wade having a tough time with MLB pitching in his initial exposure last year. I think the expectation is he'll improve at the plate and then his speed and fielding will win him the 2nd base job to start the season. If Wade does hit better the team can use a switch hitting utility guy like Walker I guess. Can Walker place SS? If not, Wade can fill in if Didi needs a break and Walker or Toe plays 2B.
Andujar looked very good at 3rd. Cleanly fielded balls hit his way and has a very strong arm. But, I think he swings way to hard at everything.
I do not like this move with Walker. And frankly, Espinosa and Peterson suck. So maybe Walker replaces them. Wade has looked better than both.
BTW, Montgomery bounced so many balls in front of the plate that Sanchez was getting beat up. Probably took two in a row in the cup. Whatever Montgomery was trying to throw (couldn't tell if change or slider) it never reached the plate. Bet Sanchez has bruises all over his inner thighs. Montgomery was brutal yesterday.
Also, Brady Lail is awful. I've seen him twice and he gets hit hard. He has way to much body motion in his delivery - like he is trying to throw as hard as he can.
I wouldn't worry about Andujar and Torres, I'd worry about Bird Â
Could it be that Bird is hurt again and that's what propelled this deal ? Not much has been said about it but Bird has had a terrible spring. He did finally get his second hit of the spring yesterday, but before that he had an O'fer with 3 K's. He's batting under .100 for the spring and I find it strange that he's not in today's lineup against a right-hander. Walker can play first as well as second.
back to the "must have a veteran at every position" type of operation? Even if you are worried about Bird, you have Austin, Lind, Drury as options. And I don't get the service time talk, how about let's not have any prospects so we don't have to worry about arbitration years at all? If prospects are ready, you play them.
Does this mean the 10M we had to play with is now 5M only?
back to the "must have a veteran at every position" type of operation? Even if you are worried about Bird, you have Austin, Lind, Drury as options. And I don't get the service time talk, how about let's not have any prospects so we don't have to worry about arbitration years at all? If prospects are ready, you play them.
Does this mean the 10M we had to play with is now 5M only?
Where are you getting $10MM? Last I read, the Yanks had $22MM under the threshold, so that would be down to $17MM now.
I could definitely be wrong about the room under the threshold, but I've never heard it as low as $10MM for this year.
RE: RE: Ugh, what's the point? So it's a cheap deal, so what? Are we going Â
back to the "must have a veteran at every position" type of operation? Even if you are worried about Bird, you have Austin, Lind, Drury as options. And I don't get the service time talk, how about let's not have any prospects so we don't have to worry about arbitration years at all? If prospects are ready, you play them.
Does this mean the 10M we had to play with is now 5M only?
Where are you getting $10MM? Last I read, the Yanks had $22MM under the threshold, so that would be down to $17MM now.
I could definitely be wrong about the room under the threshold, but I've never heard it as low as $10MM for this year.
You are correct - was $22 mill. Supposedly they are saving $10 mill for midseason deals.
as ppl above have mentioned, this also gives cashman a bit more firepower to ship out an INF prospect. i may have had lil too much Cashman koolaid over the years, but i tend to think this means a bigger move IS likely now.. also wouldnt be surprised to see him swoop in on another one of these proven guys still unsigned.
At worst, he blocks one of the kids for a year, but in reality I think Torres takes the 2B job by the All Star break, moving Walker to the bench. This is a team with WS aspirations, and this signing makes the Yankees a better team THIS year. This just raises the floor of our 2B production while Torres shakes off the rust in AAA.
He's a switch hitter with 20 HR power, and with all the competition in the infield, if he gets injured, we have the pieces to swtich directions. How deep is a lineup like this come opening day:
Gardner
Judge
Stanton
Bird
Sanchez
Gregoirus
Hicks
Walker
Drury
That's 15-20 HR pop up and down that order.
Torres isn't ready and health is still a concern. We already knew Torres was starting in minors for control. Wade is ok and Torreyes is replaceable. Hard to criticize the move yet. Let's see how much the deal is for and how long.
I'll trust Cashman as this point.
This middle infield glut is also something to keep in mind when we look to trade for pitching depth over the course of the season. Andujar, Wade, Estrada, all guys that could be dealt. We traded from our glut of outfield prospects to get Grey and his 2.5 years of team control, in Rutherford, Fowler, and Mateo, and this season might be no different.
What is interesting here is that the Yanks could now play "the long game."
I am assuming that the Walker deal will be for one year. So long as he stays healthy, he is still starting level offensively- defensively has always been the issue, as has health. As a switch hitter with a good OBP, he could anchor the bottom third of the order.
The Yanks could keep Torres and Andujar in AAA for most, if not all of the whole season now. Torres in particular, could probably use the time. Andujar can probably rehab his defensive rep with a solid season.
Then, next spring, you keep Torres and Andujar in the minors long enough (mid April), and delay their FA even more.
I am a little worried about the move from the viewpoint that Cashman now appears to be in "must win now mode" as opposed to developing the young players and building a developmental monster. Does this mean that Cashman will feel immense pressure to make a deadline trade for a big SP instead of looking at internal options (German, Adams, Sheffield, etc.)?
If Cashman is just attempting to delay the INF transition for a year and getting some extra development time, I am ok with that. But if we are going back to the "win-at-all-costs" mentality, that would not be a plus, IMO.
i believe team hopes one of the young guys wins the starting spot still, 5 mill for vet bench presence and switch hitter is no brainer.
Quote:
has a minor league option left I believe, so this all but guarantees Andujar/Torres in AAA to start the year, and accrue the extra year of team control.
This middle infield glut is also something to keep in mind when we look to trade for pitching depth over the course of the season. Andujar, Wade, Estrada, all guys that could be dealt. We traded from our glut of outfield prospects to get Grey and his 2.5 years of team control, in Rutherford, Fowler, and Mateo, and this season might be no different.
What is interesting here is that the Yanks could now play "the long game."
I am assuming that the Walker deal will be for one year. So long as he stays healthy, he is still starting level offensively- defensively has always been the issue, as has health. As a switch hitter with a good OBP, he could anchor the bottom third of the order.
The Yanks could keep Torres and Andujar in AAA for most, if not all of the whole season now. Torres in particular, could probably use the time. Andujar can probably rehab his defensive rep with a solid season.
Then, next spring, you keep Torres and Andujar in the minors long enough (mid April), and delay their FA even more.
I am a little worried about the move from the viewpoint that Cashman now appears to be in "must win now mode" as opposed to developing the young players and building a developmental monster. Does this mean that Cashman will feel immense pressure to make a deadline trade for a big SP instead of looking at internal options (German, Adams, Sheffield, etc.)?
If Cashman is just attempting to delay the INF transition for a year and getting some extra development time, I am ok with that. But if we are going back to the "win-at-all-costs" mentality, that would not be a plus, IMO.
good post. agreed
Quote:
In comment 13859771 ManningLobsItBurressAlone said:
Quote:
has a minor league option left I believe, so this all but guarantees Andujar/Torres in AAA to start the year, and accrue the extra year of team control.
This middle infield glut is also something to keep in mind when we look to trade for pitching depth over the course of the season. Andujar, Wade, Estrada, all guys that could be dealt. We traded from our glut of outfield prospects to get Grey and his 2.5 years of team control, in Rutherford, Fowler, and Mateo, and this season might be no different.
What is interesting here is that the Yanks could now play "the long game."
I am assuming that the Walker deal will be for one year. So long as he stays healthy, he is still starting level offensively- defensively has always been the issue, as has health. As a switch hitter with a good OBP, he could anchor the bottom third of the order.
The Yanks could keep Torres and Andujar in AAA for most, if not all of the whole season now. Torres in particular, could probably use the time. Andujar can probably rehab his defensive rep with a solid season.
Then, next spring, you keep Torres and Andujar in the minors long enough (mid April), and delay their FA even more.
I am a little worried about the move from the viewpoint that Cashman now appears to be in "must win now mode" as opposed to developing the young players and building a developmental monster. Does this mean that Cashman will feel immense pressure to make a deadline trade for a big SP instead of looking at internal options (German, Adams, Sheffield, etc.)?
If Cashman is just attempting to delay the INF transition for a year and getting some extra development time, I am ok with that. But if we are going back to the "win-at-all-costs" mentality, that would not be a plus, IMO.
good post. agreed
i dont agree with the "win-now" mentality is universally a negative thing. it made me so angry last year when everyone wrote of the season before it even started and we all know how that happened.
there is a difference between "mortgaging the future" and "win-now". We were 1 game away from WS last year and then added the NL MVP... screw that, the iron is hot and now is the time to strike. This past season has proven to us that Cash can make the team better now while not giving away too much of the future, i fully expect the same from him now.
I will disagree a bit with Cash moving to "must win-now" mentality. I feel he's always in that mode, but he's not mortgaging the future in his more recent deals If anything, his more recent trades have acquired young building blocks, that are cheap, and have team control. Drury, Gray, Gregorius, even the add-in of Kahnle in the deal last year.
Walker is a discounted 1 year place-holder piece, who has averaged 18 HR's a year since 2013, and is a league average/above average offensive piece. The more guys at the bottom of the lineup who get on base, gives our heavy hitters more run producing opps each time the lineup turns over. If he gets hurt, which has been his MO, we have the pieces to insure the loss, without missing a beat hopefully.
Andujar has to work on defense and hitting a curveball or slider or cutter. he is lost on those pitches so far and that could be a problem because MLB can throw that book on him once its easy known ( some did in spring training already).
Both get to improve. Cynically, both now get to have a upside book on them at AAA where they will shine statistically and so they are still be trade-able
Lastly, if rich is right and Machado is on his way mid season or next as a SS, then we don't know what position we want Torres to play just yet do we? ( I doubt this fourth derivative optionality entered their thinking).
I also point out that the back up for the oft injured Byrd is Wade. Hence Walker and Drury and Wade.
one more SP is still the key for 2018. imo
Anyone that thinks the yanks aren't in win now is nuts, they have been in win now ever since last season happened, and if you doubt it after adding Stanton, Drury, and Walker to this team then you will never be convinced. Just because they are in a win now mode does not change anything for the future. Adding these two players really has strenthened the team now and allowed for them to further develop players and control the money so the Steinbrenners get richer and Cashman even more valuable.
All that said, Walker is a bargain at this price and he will probably make the Yankees better this year while serving as another veteran/mentor presence in a young clubhouse (with a green as grass manager), and not at the expense of compromising the path of any of the "near ready" guys beyond this season or their ability to make deadline trades. Solid move.
The Yankees have made the following additional roster moves:
•Released INF Danny Espinosa.
•Reassigned INF Kyle Holder to minor league camp.
INF Neil Walker will wear jersey #14.
Jake Cave was also designated for assignment.
I do not like this move with Walker. And frankly, Espinosa and Peterson suck. So maybe Walker replaces them. Wade has looked better than both.
BTW, Montgomery bounced so many balls in front of the plate that Sanchez was getting beat up. Probably took two in a row in the cup. Whatever Montgomery was trying to throw (couldn't tell if change or slider) it never reached the plate. Bet Sanchez has bruises all over his inner thighs. Montgomery was brutal yesterday.
Also, Brady Lail is awful. I've seen him twice and he gets hit hard. He has way to much body motion in his delivery - like he is trying to throw as hard as he can.
Does this mean the 10M we had to play with is now 5M only?
Well, Wade is playing tonight and is 2 for 2.
Did Moustakas sign for $5 mill one year?
Quote:
Moustakas for the money
Did Moustakas sign for $5 mill one year?
I thought he signed for 6.5 for one year with a mutual option for a second year.
Quote:
In comment 13860785 xman said:
Quote:
Moustakas for the money
Did Moustakas sign for $5 mill one year?
I thought he signed for 6.5 for one year with a mutual option for a second year.
Correct, plus $2.2 mill in incentives....
and we know there is almost no risk that Walker blocks Torres/Andujar/Wade if they really step up. With Moose there was some risk that he might have.
Sorry - incentives that could bring him up to 4.5 (not 5).
Does this mean the 10M we had to play with is now 5M only?
Where are you getting $10MM? Last I read, the Yanks had $22MM under the threshold, so that would be down to $17MM now.
I could definitely be wrong about the room under the threshold, but I've never heard it as low as $10MM for this year.
Quote:
back to the "must have a veteran at every position" type of operation? Even if you are worried about Bird, you have Austin, Lind, Drury as options. And I don't get the service time talk, how about let's not have any prospects so we don't have to worry about arbitration years at all? If prospects are ready, you play them.
Does this mean the 10M we had to play with is now 5M only?
Where are you getting $10MM? Last I read, the Yanks had $22MM under the threshold, so that would be down to $17MM now.
I could definitely be wrong about the room under the threshold, but I've never heard it as low as $10MM for this year.
You are correct - was $22 mill. Supposedly they are saving $10 mill for midseason deals.