NFT: Yankees Wrap Up: What’s Next?

and if you could get Corbin on a 5 year deal, I'd be OK with the gamble given his injury history. Question is whether he would take a 5 year deal.

In comment 14117355 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

At the time of the trade with Houston, Verlander was 10-8. 3.82, 4.07 FIP. Sonny Gray had much better numbers in Oakland and is seven years younger. There was absolutely no reason to think he'd magically rejuvenate himself in Houston. I don't know how they do it, but Houston works miracles with pitchers.

Same with Cole. A good but not great pitcher in Pittsburgh with filthy stuff, but didn't really put it together even with a consensus top 2 or 3 pitching coach in baseball. He goes to Houston and he's a legit Cy Young candidate. Does that happen here? Who knows?

He's had a very up and down career.

obese Gary Sanchez takes this offense to the next level. I really really hope he gets it this offseason. He might have the best combination of power and hitting ability on the team. It would be a damn shame if his lack of discipline keeps him from being the 280-300, 40 home run guy he can be.

We have no idea what Cole would have done with the Yankees. I find it hard to believe that he would have had the same success, for the simple reason that Houston now has a pretty firmly established track record of turning pitchers around and the Yankees don't.

Besides, he's a scumbag who screwed the Yankees.

the ability of their pitching staff might be the biggest competitive advantage in baseball right now.

-the yanks don’t need to move on from Didi (I wouldn’t criticize them for doing it), but I really don’t like having such an OBP-constrained bat in the dead heart of this order.

-I don’t think that moving Stanton to the Dodgers is as far-fetched as some here might make it sound. They have a lot of money rolling off this offseason, with decent chunks more coming off the next two. Doesn’t make it a given or “likely”, but if the yanks feel Harper is the better long-term asset and wants to come, there very well might be a way.

-Hyun-Jin Ryu is a bit of an under-the-radar FA option that I find intriguing. Some injury history with groin injuries, but he’s done some really nice things when healthy. He looks to finally be 100%. (Certainly not suggesting that this is a panacea for the pitching situation)

-I’m a hard pass on bringing either of Gardner or CC back. Money better spent elsewhere. Will always appreciate those guys, but I don’t think I’d appreciate watching them in pinstripes in 2019.

despite losing their 4th starter, their 5th starter being Sonny Gray, and both Tanaka and CC missing significant time (and Sevy going south in the 2nd half). I don't think Rothschild gets the credit he deserves. But that's not the same as turning Gerrit Cole and JV into elite pitchers and Charlie bleeping Morton into a first-half Cy Young candidate.

In comment 14117355 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

At the time of the trade with Houston, Verlander was 10-8. 3.82, 4.07 FIP. Sonny Gray had much better numbers in Oakland and is seven years younger. There was absolutely no reason to think he'd magically rejuvenate himself in Houston. I don't know how they do it, but Houston works miracles with pitchers.

You may be right but I also think part of it was Verlander was on a team that had become perennial losers & the most exciting thing that happened to the Tigers was the brawl with the Yankees. But,he would have come under the tutelage of Larry Rothschild who has managed to screw up the pitching staff under 2 different managers.

But I agree,the Astros take pitchers,analyze what they have been doing,make subtle changes to their delivery/pitch selection & turn out a new & improved version!

In comment 14117378 bigbluehoya said:

Quote:

-the yanks don’t need to move on from Didi (I wouldn’t criticize them for doing it), but I really don’t like having such an OBP-constrained bat in the dead heart of this order. -I don’t think that moving Stanton to the Dodgers is as far-fetched as some here might make it sound. They have a lot of money rolling off this offseason, with decent chunks more coming off the next two. Doesn’t make it a given or “likely”, but if the yanks feel Harper is the better long-term asset and wants to come, there very well might be a way. -Hyun-Jin Ryu is a bit of an under-the-radar FA option that I find intriguing. Some injury history with groin injuries, but he’s done some really nice things when healthy. He looks to finally be 100%. (Certainly not suggesting that this is a panacea for the pitching situation) -I’m a hard pass on bringing either of Gardner or CC back. Money better spent elsewhere. Will always appreciate those guys, but I don’t think I’d appreciate watching them in pinstripes in 2019.

Stanton to the Dodgers--if possible--is a move we need to think about seriously. We've got a lot more leverage than Miami. We can keep him if we want. That said, if LAD offers some attractive talent, especially young arms, it would be worth exploring a trade.

I'm not accusing him of using PED's but he went from Clemens in Boston to Clemens in Toronto.

But man, that would be a leap of faith because he's hurt almost every year.

Gun to my head, I do prefer Harper to Stanton, but pulling all that off would be tricky. You can't sign Harper unless you deal Stanton, and if you do deal Stanton then you need to be pretty damned sure that you will sign Harper, or else you've created a pretty big hole in the lineup.

One thought - if they did do that, and had an everyday outfield of Harper-Hicks-Judge, do you make Andujar a DH? I know they don't like having a young guy DH, but I want to keep his bat in the lineup and I don't think he will ever be even average at third.

Harper for Stanton switch if we could swing it. It would bring greater balance handedness wise to the lineup, probably cost roughly around similar money, and would make us a bit more athletic in the outfield.

Andujar's defense is a serious concern Greg. It's a shame since he's got such a wildly talented bat.

Pitching coach. To have not one player hit .300 this year? Andujar hit .297 and judge .278, gleyber .271... we have way too many games getting shut down by shitty pitching and that's not a knee jerk reaction from this series

And Rothschild has to go. We need to learn how to develop pitching. I credit Pedro for sevy's improvement. We have too many pitchers come here and fall apart, meanwhile seeing guys leave to suddenly perform.

but some of these suggestions are off the wall. They're not trading Gary Sanchez, Gleyber had a great rookie year and is locked in at 2B for the future, and I'd be very surprised if they moved Stanton. I think he finds more consistency in his second season here. On the whole he had a good season and they gave up peanuts to get him. I know everybody is frustrated with the ABs in games 1 and 4 but don't overreact to a few ABs. The slider Kimbrel gave him 1-2 was his best pitch of the inning

I think the big questions this offseason surround Andujar. Love the kid, love the bat, but the Yankees were rightly terrified of his defense in the playoffs. Do they try to work through that with him? Do they start working him at a new position? Or is he trade bait?

Pitching is obviously the priority but the free agent options are good, not great. We only have two starters we can say for sure that are locked into the rotation for next season in Tanaka and Sevy, the latter of which has his own questions to figure out this offseason. So Corbin alone isn't going to cut it.

With Machado available and seemingly in a flirtation with the Yankees all season, and a potential need to trade for pitching, I do wonder what the future holds for Miggy.

for pitching coach.

had an average of .300 or better, right? Andujar was 10th in the AL in hitting. The NL was identical, just 8.

The next year he was the MVP.

In comment 14117413 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

The next year he was the MVP.

It's not even Stanton having a "down year". Just given the opportunity to exchange him for Harper, I wouldn't think twice.

ELLSBURY IS BACK NEXT YEAR!!

In comment 14117413 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

The next year he was the MVP.

I was thinking the same thing. I think Stanton could be heading for a great season. Piling on him as the scapegoat, when the entire lineup did not hit outside of Judge, simply isn't fair.

Now as you guys were saying, if you're asking me would I prefer Harper or Stanton for similar money, I'd go Harper slightly. But pulling that off is easier said than done. I think Stanton is here for the long haul and I'm happy about that.

Like I said, I'd make that exchange too. Just not sure it's realistic.

At the periphery - there’s talk of Arizona leaning into a rebuild a little bit.

They’re set to pay-big-or-lose some big talent over the next 2 offseasons, their payroll is higher than they’d like it to be, and their farm system isn’t considered to be strong.

If Goldshmidt is out on offer, might be something to consider. Does taking the final 3 years ~$100m on Greinke raise or lower the price? Is NYY on his block list? Would he waive? (All rhetorical / unknowns).

Obviously some far-fetched scenarios here - but highlights that there may be many options to improve the club beyond the limited number of big ticket FA names we’ll hear ad nauseum.

where he'd approve a trade and can afford him. The Dodgers. Without the DH they already have a relatively crowded OF. Not sure they'd see the value at that price. They also won the waiver claim on Harper in August. They may just see fit to pursue him again instead of Stanton.

I'm not sure I can see a Stanton trade working out. We have more pressing issues anyway.

Yankees and Manny have been flirting with one another for quite some time. I think they try to sell him hard on moving back to 3B, and deal Miggy for pitching.

Goldschmidt may also be on the block. I don't really care for rentals, but man he'd look good at 1B. Even with that slow start he had an OPS+ of 139 and he does everything well.

Honestly I'd be pretty surprised if Machado isn't a Yankee. It just makes too much sense. I hope there's a way to get him and still find room for Andujar. But we started Neil Walker at 3B in the biggest game of the season. That says a lot.

I'm all for trying to swing a trade with the Dodgers in order to unload Stanton's contract, but they can still sign Harper regardless.

1. Hicks CF
2. Judge RF
3. Harper LF
4. Stanton DH
5. Sanchez C
6. Gregorius SS
7. Andujar 3B
8. Voit/Bird 1B
9. Torres 2B

Given his deficiencies at third?

250M payroll because the tax threshold has been reset? If not, how are we going to manuever for more talent around that contract? And 5 years from now when Judge is getting paid you are not going to be crying Stanton is being paid 35M to hit .240 and 30 HR, no production against good pitching, at age 33 to 38? It’s one thing to look at his stats in a vacuum but it’s totally different to see him every game and see how pathetic he looks against good pitching.

If Dodgers want to take on that contract, we should do it.

that per available defensive metrics, he would have provided more value this season as a DH.

In comment 14117450 Jim in Hoboken said:

Quote:

250M payroll because the tax threshold has been reset? If not, how are we going to manuever for more talent around that contract? And 5 years from now when Judge is getting paid you are not going to be crying Stanton is being paid 35M to hit .240 and 30 HR, no production against good pitching, at age 33 to 38? It’s one thing to look at his stats in a vacuum but it’s totally different to see him every game and see how pathetic he looks against good pitching. If Dodgers want to take on that contract, we should do it.

I don't think the Yankees ownership has said they are immediately going back to 250, but they have said they will spend over the cap in the coming years.

move on from CC, with that knee and age, it's time.
Would like to see them bring back Happ, and maybe sign
a Corbin. Britton will be a closer elsewhere next year,
he was a rental coming off an injury. D-Rob a maybe?
I don't see Machado playing 3B here, he has already said
he wants to play SS, with his new team in the future.
Maybe they just try and sign Didi, he is a free agent after the 2019 season.
I don't see Harper, with Stanton's contract here as well.

It was a disappointing ending to the season, losing both games at home, you don't pitch and you don't hit...

His postseason was certainly disappointing and for some reason his defense deteriorated during the season, but he will be ROY with a great arm. Let’s work on his defense and enjoy his production at a bargain basement price for the next 5 years. Why pay Machado 70X more for maybe 30% more production and better defense?

We collected stars for all those years and had 1 world series ring to show for it. Let’s stay with home grown talent and plug holes instead of creating a glut with a high price tag unnecessarily.

I mean, it sucked that Frazier was hurt all year. Because of Stanton, Sanchez and Andujar couldn’t DH, Frazier would’ve been blocked had he been healthy, and Ellsbury had to be stashed on the IR all year.

on Gardner, don't think they pick up his option.
I think they do the 2 million buyout instead, time to move on there.

on Monday night. They just happened to be in a game where the rest of the offense did nothing and every thing the Red Sox hit found a hole. Those two hits happen last night, and suddenly people are heaping praises upon the guy.

Baseball is a game of crazy fluctuations and in the postseason, timing is everything.

that paying Manny and trading Miggy for some cost-controlled #3 pitcher will help the team more than keeping Miggy and overpaying a guy like Corbin.

Obviously Hal doesn't want the payroll to balloon too much, but there's a lot of money coming off the books this winter and the end of Ellsbury's contract is starting to come into view. Not sure Bird and Sanchez are going to earn monster contracts down the line either. There's a way they could swing this without having a $280 million payroll.

but we also have money coming off the books. CC, DRob and potentially Gardner (though he has a buyout) could all be shed. Now balance that with raises for Didi, Sonny Gray (barf) and Dellin and it's probably a wash at best, but we'll see.

.

Aside from the rational that he’s been around and once was a manager so he must be good. I haven’t seen any tangible evidence that he helped any of our pitchers. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if they promoted Borrell from the minors.

If players are solely at fault for their poor performances, how do we actually judge the effect of a pitching coach? Pedro turned Sevy around. Holder came up with his slider/change in the minors. The rest are all horror stories, from Gray being a mental midget, to Kanhle shitting the bed, to Green not coming up with a secondary pitch and regressing, to Betances being wildly inconsistent. Were Eovaldi and Pineda under Rothschild? How many relievers from the minors sucked while they were here and only to blossom elsewhere?

I am not saying Rothschild is bad, cause I don’t know, but where is the evidence that he’s a good pitching coach?

So every success story is due to something else but every failure is on Rothschild? Doesn't seem very fair.

In comment 14117482 Dunedin81 said:

Quote:

but we also have money coming off the books. CC, DRob and potentially Gardner (though he has a buyout) could all be shed. Now balance that with raises for Didi, Sonny Gray (barf) and Dellin and it's probably a wash at best, but we'll see.

.

Sonny Gray will be moved to other pastures, why would the
Yanks bother giving him a raise in arbitration?
He can't handle NYC, need to get him out of here!

I agree, he's nothing special. Don't understand why it's so important to Cashman to keep him around.

Maybe then people will stop this silliness about how great he is. "Evolution" my ass. His ERA was 4.26 when Boston traded for him, and most of why his numbers with them look good is because of the Yankees and their bizarre inability to hit that sack of shit. Baltimore pounded him. Tampa pounded him. Cleveland pounded him.

but the hitters say he's a tougher at-bat since he's added a couple of pitches to his repertoire. Such things are the domain of the pitching staff.

In comment 14117497 bceagle05 said:

Quote:

I agree, he's nothing special. Don't understand why it's so important to Cashman to keep him around.

Eovaldi's evolution began before his injury under the tutelage of Rothschild.

.

and now that they are playing the Red Sox, I can actually enjoy watching them play.

for the next ten days.

worried. If there are serious doubts he ever becomes even an average defender at third, we need to think about what we do with him. Having bad defense at both corner positions is not a great place to be.