Good Morning unhappy Yankees fans. The non-hitting Yankees team showed up last night as did the non-ace Cole. I left early last night because I could see that Cole was bad and they were not hitting. Nothing worse than getting agitated before going to bed. I see in the box score that Loaisiga and Severino did not acquit themselves well, either.
To be fair, aside from losing to the Red Sox, it did not change anything - the Rays probably beat them in 4 games at most.
Long post...
So as we do best on BBI, let's tear this down and give our views on what needs to be done in our own POVs.
Cashman needs to go. His product is stale. Look back over the last decade and aside from 2017, the hitting on this team disappears for large periods of each season. How many times have we wondered how a team with that much talent can simply go into a slump with every player in it at the same time. He does not develop starting pitching, even though he is pretty good at finding RPs.
Boone and staff. Keep Harkey, Blake and Cressey and the rest go. I have no idea who to get, but a yes man is not the answer and neither are Girardi or Showalter. This was an inept staff. The start of the season with all the baserunning and fielding mental errors is unforgiveable. The handling of the pen was subpar. The rigid dictum on never throwing a pitcher on more than two days is ok as long as there are exceptions. Boone's whole feel for when to push a pitcher and when to pull him was just off. He was not as bad as Joe Torre in handling the pen to be honest.
Players - as most had noted, starting with an all right handed order was whimsical and defiant. Cash believing he could bully other teams with the Yankees power. Well by trade deadline he figure out that he needed a couple lefty bats and they improved. After some injuries and COVID forced them to hit SWB for players, players with speed and defense, they started playing exciting winning baseball. August was one of the best months and fun months in since 2017.
First Base:
Rizzo/Voit - I would let Rizzo go back to Chicago. I was impressed with his fielding but not the bat. He'll want too much money for what he will give and he is over 30. Unfortunately Voit is a walking IL player, bring him to ST and see if he can be traded.
I move DJLM to 1st. He is much better than Voit in the field, but not quite as good as Rizzo. He will probably improve with experience. We know he can hit. It was clear that his injury hurt his bat and I'd bet it was for most of the season.
Second Base:
It is clear that Torres is much better and more comfortable at 2nd. Everything about him improved when they moved him back where he belonged. They control him for a while. Leave him at 2B and see how he responds. He will have value.
SS:
I think I stick with Velazquez until Peraza is ready unless they can find a glove guy with a better stick than Velazquez. But Velazquez is a high energy switch hitter with above average baserunning skills. Nothing wrong with a lower cost guy playing for a contract that will not hurt you in the field or on the bases.
Third Base:
No problem with Gio staying put. He had an off year with leg issues that I think plagued him the whole season. He toughed it out and his game suffered for it.
I'd keep Tyler Wade, when given a chance to play he batted better than we thought he could and he can competently play 2nd, 3rd and SS as well as OF if needed. He is a demon on the bases and was close to passing Gardy as the best baserunner on the team.
Catcher:
They need to replace Gary. His fielding is atrocious and his bat does not cover his fielding problems. Pitchers should not be subjected to that level of incompetence behind the plate. Gary has tried and tried to get better. He lost weight the past two seasons. He has done everything they asked and he worked very hard. His bat has also gone away. I wonder if the analytics non-sense ruined his swing. He used to go oppo to drive the ball, but now all I see is uppercut pull swing.(Same could be said for Voit, fwiw).
Higgy, I was never a Higgy guy. Yes he can block pitches in the dirt and he has decent power occasionally. I suppose as back up he is ok except he has a noodle arm.
Outfield:
RF - Judge - enough said. Pay the man
LF - Stanton - let him play the field. He gets more engaged when playing the field
CF - Now we have an issue. Hicks will be back, but he is another IL card holder. Yes he can run down flies and I would bet his arm will be better. His bat is mediocre at best. I think he has one season left. Just prepare for him missing half the season.
Gardy - love the man. Nobody plays harder. Nobody gives better at bats. But it is time. I think Greg Allen can play the backup roll while keeping the baserunning that Gardner gives.
Florial - they either need to find him a spot in the Bronx, or move on.
Starting Pitching:
Cole - bad end of the season. I think we will find his hammy never fully healed and that is why his control was missing in September. Not really worried about him just disappointed.
Montgomery - I think he proved he is no better than a 4 or 5. But there is nothing wrong with that and I have no real issues with him. I get the impression he is a worker and still improving along with his repaired arm.
Cortes - keep this guy as a backend starter. He seems too good to be a long relief guy.
Severino - who is this guy? Is he the near ace we expected? There is little doubt as to his physical ability. I think being with Cole, he will learn pitching.
Taillon - He had a rough start, got really good midseason and then faded a bit. I have no problem with him. Another guy that will benefit by listening to Cole and being another year removed from surgery.
German - I think he has #3 to maybe #2 stuff. As do many pitchers, he has one inning that he forgets what he is doing and gets tagged.
Kluber - I really enjoyed watching him pitch. Technician with supreme control. Would need to be re-signed but at 35 y/o pushing 36 I would pass because of what he would likely want to stay. For $6-$8 mill, I would be tempted.
King - it appeared to me that King gained a lot of control as the season wore on and when he returned from his finger injury. It might very well be in their plans(or whomevers)to stretch him in ST and let him start. If not, it is quite apparent he is a strong BP arm.
Gil - do they commit to a youth movement? I think I would give this guy a serious, serious look in ST. He maybe another half season away
Schmidt - so far I have not seen it from him. Seems always injured.
Nelson - likewise, I do not see it with him. Has great stuff, can't throw a strike
My choice:
Keep Cole, Severino, Taillon, Montgomery, German and King. Cortes remains with team as spot starter and long relief. Have Gil pitch at SWB.
Let Kluber sign elsewhere.
Bull Pen:
This could be where there is some turnover.
Chapman - not sure what to think. I am pretty certain the days of constant 100 mph+ are over. I do like that he has developed the splitter and slider into good pitches.
Loaisiga - the heir apparent to closing. Looked like he had a bad night last night, but it happens
Green - 30 years old. FB down a tiny bit from consistent 97 to steady 95/96. IMV, his control was off by midseason. He has always been a bit streaky from unhittable to a gopher ball machine. He may be worth keeping another season or maybe it is time to move on.
Peralta - guy can pitch. He has balls. Right demeanor for the bullpen. Important lefty reliever that is also effective against righties.
Holmes - another keeper. Whatever they corrected with his control issues turned him into a near unhittable pitcher.
Luetge - he pitched remarkably well until late in the season. I think scouting reports caught up as well as innings. I bring him back
Rodriguez - not sure what he is, but a lefty arm.
Abreu - need to work with him. I think this is another power arm with good off speed stuff that need to be brought up
Others
Deivi Garcia - lost man of the team. What is he? Why did he lose his control? Perhaps if they want to start a youth movement, bring him up and make him a bull pen pitcher.
I keep:
Chapman, Loaisiga, Holmes, Peralta, Abreu. I think hard about Green, but lean toward keeping. Likewise Luetge, but I think they can find a younger arm.
I would think about Garcia as a BP arm to at least get him to the Show.
I'd bring Rodriguez to camp as an arm, but he is another I just do not see helping.
There are players that will be released, there will be trades made.
The most important thing this offseason will be moving on from Cashman and Boone. I hope Hal can see that. It is quite apparent the status quo will lead to continued status quo.
That is my two cents. I will check in later today to see what the BBI Yankees brain trust has to say. I am sure this will not be the last of these.
The glaring issue I see is that the team lacks a Gardner-10-years-ago guy who is a disruptor on the bases and can scratch out a run. That's why I like Velazquez as a place-holder at SS for next year.
I also think Urshela has kind of turned back into a pumpkin. I think he's about league-average at 3B, which is still pretty good, but he's not the guy he was in his first year with the Yankees.
The catcher situation is depressing. So is Hicks for another 6 years or whatever it is. Chapman too.
And Gallo.
He is in the 1st base section. I think they should let Rizzo go, keep DJLM at 1st base and hold Voit through ST to see if they can trade him. My point was He already has a big contract for the next 5 years. He is almost as good as Rizzo at 1st(much better than Voit), a better hitter and it let's them keep Torres and 2nd and Urshela at 3rd.
I am not for going after a big name SS with Peraza and then Volpe on the way up. Keep Velazquez at SS or find a slick fielding SS with a slightly better bat. I just like Velazquez with his aggressive base running and attitude.
Moving DJ to 1st and playing stopgaps would mean we are essentially coming back with the same team. SS is an obvious hole, coinciding with a stacked free agent class, but none of us thinks it's a good idea with Volpe on the horizon. Cashman is not known for allocating resources though so this may represent his one shot at revamping this roster. That's why I don't want him making changes this offseason. Plus where is the money if Judge is to get his extension?
Gallo is coming back, we need lefty bats and there is no way we let him go after trading four prospects for him. Rizzo apparently likes playing for the Yanks but I don't think he fits in the budget. So who else can we add? Hicks is a subtraction by addition (is there such a thing) as far as I'm concerned. Sanchez needs to go, period. Do we let Sands and Higashioka battle it out? I wouldn't mind Velazquez for half a year until Peraza is ready. So then where is the improvement?
Moving DJ to 1st and playing stopgaps would mean we are essentially coming back with the same team. SS is an obvious hole, coinciding with a stacked free agent class, but none of us thinks it's a good idea with Volpe on the horizon. Cashman is not known for allocating resources though so this may represent his one shot at revamping this roster. That's why I don't want him making changes this offseason. Plus where is the money if Judge is to get his extension?
Gallo is coming back, we need lefty bats and there is no way we let him go after trading four prospects for him. Rizzo apparently likes playing for the Yanks but I don't think he fits in the budget. So who else can we add? Hicks is a subtraction by addition (is there such a thing) as far as I'm concerned. Sanchez needs to go, period. Do we let Sands and Higashioka battle it out? I wouldn't mind Velazquez for half a year until Peraza is ready. So then where is the improvement?
Why is DJLM at 1B a stop gap? He is excellent at the plate and a good glove in the field. He is also on the books for 5 more years. Yes, he lacks ideal corner IF power, but Rizzo only hit 21 HRs. The move opens up the infield so Torres and Urshela can play their positions.
Gallo is going no where, but he needs to revamp his approach at the plate - 38 HRs or not. Hard to say that he will be able to do so, but just getting to .240 would be a huge difference.
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I don't necessarily want a 270M payroll, but their roster is 3X better than ours. It's outrageous to think we were considered co-favorites coming into the season.
Moving DJ to 1st and playing stopgaps would mean we are essentially coming back with the same team. SS is an obvious hole, coinciding with a stacked free agent class, but none of us thinks it's a good idea with Volpe on the horizon. Cashman is not known for allocating resources though so this may represent his one shot at revamping this roster. That's why I don't want him making changes this offseason. Plus where is the money if Judge is to get his extension?
Gallo is coming back, we need lefty bats and there is no way we let him go after trading four prospects for him. Rizzo apparently likes playing for the Yanks but I don't think he fits in the budget. So who else can we add? Hicks is a subtraction by addition (is there such a thing) as far as I'm concerned. Sanchez needs to go, period. Do we let Sands and Higashioka battle it out? I wouldn't mind Velazquez for half a year until Peraza is ready. So then where is the improvement?
Why is DJLM at 1B a stop gap? He is excellent at the plate and a good glove in the field. He is also on the books for 5 more years. Yes, he lacks ideal corner IF power, but Rizzo only hit 21 HRs. The move opens up the infield so Torres and Urshela can play their positions.
Gallo is going no where, but he needs to revamp his approach at the plate - 38 HRs or not. Hard to say that he will be able to do so, but just getting to .240 would be a huge difference.
I don't think Gallo will revamp anything. The track record id too long. He is what he is. I'd let him go.
Scott Thompson
Wed, October 6, 2021, 2:03 PM
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With two players approaching the bigs, I would not tie myself to a big contract at SS unless they think Peraza and/or Volpe are not legit or can be moved to 2nd or 3rd. These 5 FA guys are looking at long term big paydays.
Have to admit Semien intrigues me quite a bit.
The FA carousel has to end sooner or later. It is nice to plug in a guy here or there, but it cannot be used all the time locking the team into never ending contracts.
He had knee and leg issues all year, IMHO. I agree with you that he played through them as best he could. Together with DJLMs sports hernia(better then the speculation of a hip labrum issue) it weakened the lineup.
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If you pay the man big bucks you probably could have him. The Dodgers can’t pay everyone big bucks and they still have Trevor Bauer’s 40 million dollar contract to deal with. Plus they have decisions to make on Scherzer, Jansen, and Chris Taylor who are all free agents. I’m not sure Corey Seager is their top priority seeing they have Trea Turner who can play SS as well as Gavin Lux.
With two players approaching the bigs, I would not tie myself to a big contract at SS unless they think Peraza and/or Volpe are not legit or can be moved to 2nd or 3rd. These 5 FA guys are looking at long term big paydays.
Have to admit Semien intrigues me quite a bit.
The FA carousel has to end sooner or later. It is nice to plug in a guy here or there, but it cannot be used all the time locking the team into never ending contracts.
You don’t not improve the team now when you have a chance to win for a guy two years out. Figure it out when the time comes.
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In comment 15401872 5BowlsSoon said:
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If you pay the man big bucks you probably could have him. The Dodgers can’t pay everyone big bucks and they still have Trevor Bauer’s 40 million dollar contract to deal with. Plus they have decisions to make on Scherzer, Jansen, and Chris Taylor who are all free agents. I’m not sure Corey Seager is their top priority seeing they have Trea Turner who can play SS as well as Gavin Lux.
With two players approaching the bigs, I would not tie myself to a big contract at SS unless they think Peraza and/or Volpe are not legit or can be moved to 2nd or 3rd. These 5 FA guys are looking at long term big paydays.
Have to admit Semien intrigues me quite a bit.
The FA carousel has to end sooner or later. It is nice to plug in a guy here or there, but it cannot be used all the time locking the team into never ending contracts.
You don’t not improve the team now when you have a chance to win for a guy two years out. Figure it out when the time comes.
Yes you do. How many big contracts will they need? How many more promising minor leaguers will be traded off or left in AAA to waste away. They have been doing this crazy FA buying spree for a decade and all it got them is expensive contracts. Other teams bring their minor leaguers up early. Perhaps the Yankees should do so too. Gil and Abreu came up early and should stay with the team. They are plenty experienced to learn the last little bit in the Bronx.
IMHO, getting a finishing piece is fine. I'd be ok with a FA SS if they feel that Peraza or Volpe could move to 2nd or 3rd if Urshela or Torres do not recover next year. Of course Urshela and Torres are still cheap so they can easily be moved.
The first and most important decision is to sign Judge. That is priority #1, #2 and #3.
I hope that Peraza and Volpe are the goods, too - and if they are we can find a spot. But there both at least a year away.
It may have made sense to give Cole the huge contract when it was believed that he was the one guy who could put us over the top, but now its obvious even to Cashman and Hal that this team needs a lot of work.
The Yanks need to extend Judge. As for money coming off the books there's very little. Kluber will be gone or sign for far less. Other than that I don't see where any savings are coming from.
Agreed.
How about this blockbuster trade?
Gary Sanchez
Gleyber Torres
Clint Frazier
Domingo German
Deivi Garcia
Michael King
Zack Britton
FOR
Yasmani Grandal
Tim Anderson
Lucas Giolito
Spend some money on the SP staff, let the Gallos/Rizzos/Voits go, and get working on a smarter plan to build an offense. Yuck.
Agree with this. Letting Didi go changed the dynamic in the lineup. We need different kinds of hitters. Being one dimensional sucks the life out of a team. We have DJ and then a bunch of power guys. Get rid of Gary. And bring in some contact hitters.
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A SS, a catcher, a starter. Maybe a CF. I don’t think it’s factored in enough that a lot of guys had bad years. With a shortstop, a catcher plus DJ hitting like he did in 2020, this team is fine
Agreed.
How about this blockbuster trade?
Gary Sanchez
Gleyber Torres
Clint Frazier
Domingo German
Deivi Garcia
Michael King
Zack Britton
FOR
Yasmani Grandal
Tim Anderson
Lucas Giolito
Terrible trade. I like the salary dump, but the rest is nutso.
Meh. Besides White Sox not doing that.
But some people believe that since the Yankees reset the luxury tax and adhered to the Hal Doctrine of "competing" every year with their HOF GM for life, that now they'll go over the tax for a year. Of course the CBA is expiring and who knows what the next cap will be, what the penalties will be or if there will even be a tax cap or just a hard cap like the other major sports leagues..
124 million committed for 8 players in 2022. No CF, No catcher. 1 Starter who makes 36 million a year for 7 more years with nothing proven behind him 2-5. Best player on the team 30 years old and entering his walk year and the GM has a job for life. Nice gig.
But some people believe that since the Yankees reset the luxury tax and adhered to the Hal Doctrine of "competing" every year with their HOF GM for life, that now they'll go over the tax for a year. Of course the CBA is expiring and who knows what the next cap will be, what the penalties will be or if there will even be a tax cap or just a hard cap like the other major sports leagues..
124 million committed for 8 players in 2022. No CF, No catcher. 1 Starter who makes 36 million a year for 7 more years with nothing proven behind him 2-5. Best player on the team 30 years old and entering his walk year and the GM has a job for life. Nice gig.
Well informed.
In case you missed it, Hick is still on the team. Like him or not, he is CF. I also think German is pretty good and Taillon was getting better with his new delivery. Neither is a #2.
They need more contact hitters.
I do not disagree on Cashless. He and Boone need to go.
As far as 2-5 go in the starting rotation, there are options but all of them come with big question marks.
Dune good to see you.
Sanchez is a severe defensive liability. He is so bad they would not start him in the biggest game of the year, even if it was Cole. If he cannot start in the biggest game of the year, then why is he on the team? His bat is questionable(marginably streaky at best) and does not out weigh his defensive short comings.
Perhaps you are right about the lack of viable catchers. But between Higgy and Gary this team is sad at catcher. I cannot see he is worth $8 mill or whatever his arb hearing will say it is.
If they change the staff and Marcus Thames leaves, then maybe he will start to hit like he used to.
The only people I want back are Blake, Cressey and Harkey. The rest should be just let go.
My only problem with Hicks is his .230 BA. He simply is not much at the plate. And I will grant you that without the rocket arm he is merely mortal. Now I wonder if two years down the road and the wrist repair the arm will be back.
As far as Florial, bring him up and play him or trade him. What is the point of eating a 40 man roster spot if he cannot play in the Bronx; move him and keep looking.
1) Cashman leaves and Hal brings in someone from the outside.
This is what a lot of people would like to see even though its very unlikely, but we have to ask ourselves; is that what we want ? The Yankees are not a shitshow like the Giants or the Mets. This team still makes the playoffs every year and they still finished 22 games over .500. This team does not need to be blown up, they need to change the way they construct this roster and they need a competent field manager.
2) Cashman stays and nothing really changes. This is what everybody here fears but I don’t think thats likely either. Owners, whether its Hal or Mara look at empty seats and season ticket sales. In the case of Hal, they also look at a team in their division with a third of the payroll running rings around them. Hal may be quieter than George, but he won’t accept this.
3) Cashman stays, but Hal insists on hiring a senior experienced field manager that will have a voice in roster construction. There are somethings that Cashman does well ( aside from winning every year and going to the playoffs ) He’s assembled a strong minor league system. He has routinely made good midseason trades while giving up little or nothing and he acquires and develops relief pitchers probably better than anybody in baseball. What he has done badly is his pig headed devotion to players that are no damned good. Obviously Sanchez is exhibit A, but it also includes the Jay Bruce’s, Joey Gallo’s and Rougned Oder’s.
Instead of a yes man like Boone, he needs someone to tell him what while good left handed hitters are helpful, bad left handed hitters do this team irreparable damage. He needs someone to tell him that in 2022 you need players that can play their position. You need a real catcher, a real shortstop and real outfielders. You can’t hide butchers in the field because they hit a few home runs.
Most of all he needs to be reminded that no matter how well Judge and Stanton do and even if DJ, Torres and Urshela revert to from, you cannot round out your lineup with a bunch of .200 and .180 hitters that can’t run the bases and expect to beat good teams.
As far as making the playoffs, when they spend that much money they had better reach that low hanging fruit.
Personally, I am just tired of the bats disappearing for long stretches every season. Cannot go weeks on end scoring 2,3,4 runs. They had a very good pitching staff this year and could not score enough to win well pitched games.
Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater assumes you don't have other babies to choose from. I have zero interest in watching a team compete to make the playoffs next year.
I might too. But Judge puts fannies in the seats and Cressey seems to have Judge and Stanton training properly for their body types. I think he will stay healthier.
I do not think they let him go.
Sure, if we fielded a 400M roster, then Boone or I could manage this team. The fact is we won’t, so there is no reason we should play at a distinct disadvantage when our rivals have Cash and Cora.
Maybe Cashman will realize how arrogant he was putting Boone at the helm. Now that he’s on the hot seat, let’s see if he continues to throw everyone else under the bus even though he’s the one that orchestrated it all. At the very least, Fishman should be let go, his brand of analytics just do not work. It’s not surprising that Gallo has a high launch angle when all he hits is pop-up’s to the LF or SS, if he makes contact that is.
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Aaron Judge is not perfect, he gets hurt too much, but if they let him walk I might rethink how much I care about this team.
I might too. But Judge puts fannies in the seats and Cressey seems to have Judge and Stanton training properly for their body types. I think he will stay healthier.
I do not think they let him go.
Extending Judge to a massive deal is basically going to double down on everything wrong with the team. And I love Judge. But we are going to have $55-$60m tied up in him and Stanton each year, 2 guys that can break down at any moment and certainly won't last into their mid-late 30s.
As long as we get a great haul i'm completely fine dealing Judge.
Extending Judge to a massive deal is basically going to double down on everything wrong with the team. And I love Judge. But we are going to have $55-$60m tied up in him and Stanton each year, 2 guys that can break down at any moment and certainly won't last into their mid-late 30s.
As long as we get a great haul i'm completely fine dealing Judge.
I think that the proper training methods will keep Judge(and Stanton) on the field and lessen any injuries they may get.
Yes, it sucks having to cough up the money that will be required to keep Judge. And there is precedence for trading off a top 10 player when the Red Sox traded Mookie Betts. I would not trade him, but if you are going total change of direction, Judge would get a huge haul.
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Aaron Judge is not perfect, he gets hurt too much, but if they let him walk I might rethink how much I care about this team.
I might too. But Judge puts fannies in the seats and Cressey seems to have Judge and Stanton training properly for their body types. I think he will stay healthier.
I do not think they let him go.
Agree. Judge should be kept although the rest of the outfield needs to be addressed with a new bat (or two).
I think the Red Sox winning would chafe Hal more, the fact that the team hasn’t done or announced anything probably doesn’t bode well for Boone, or even Cashman. Who knows?
I think the Red Sox winning would chafe Hal more, the fact that the team hasn’t done or announced anything probably doesn’t bode well for Boone, or even Cashman. Who knows?
Jim the eternal question, how much is too much? For Cole, Stanton, DJLM(you forgot that one) and soon Judge it is not the next 4 or 5 years it is the 6th and later.
Giving a SS a 30M contract to me is out of the question. I have confidence in Torres, Volpe, Peraza and Cabrera filling out 2B/SS/3B in 1-2 years. Cabrera was voted best defensive 3B in AA according to the BA survey.
I know the upcoming CBA strike will prevent trying to get Judge signed, but I would love to put a feeler out to see what he/his agent is thinking. They cannot afford to have 6 guys at 36/37 on the team at the same time.