The Yanks will have hard decisions to make in a few weeks if they want to compete against the best - Orioles, Dodgers, Phillies, etc.
It is clear that Jasson Dominguez will have to be brought up if he keeps hitting .450 at SWB.
Not sure what Rizzo's issue is, but his fielding has cratered and he looks lost at the plate. Ben Rice is not an answer. He needs a full year at least to convert to 1B. Also, no way the Yanks disrespect Rizzo plus he is Judge's best friend. Doubt there is a change here.
Stanton while he has been decently productive this year(and faired better against heat than given credit for here) but....split time with Dominguez???
Gleyber Torres - is there a replacement in house - Peraza? Cabrera? His fielding is questionable/unreliable while alternately spectacular. His bat has been absent most of the year.
DJLM - needs to be given until at least the AS break to get through a late "spring training" period. So far the fielding has been good - the bat non-existent.
Luis Gil - at some point they will need to curtail his innings.
Nestor Cortes - weakest starter, perhaps more BP in the future or split with Gil as an innings limit looms. You could do far worse than Cortes as your #5 starter.
BP - step one was release of Santana. I think Ferguson is no better. Hamilton has been shaky and Kahnle is a thrill per inning. Oddly Tonkin has been pretty decent, but should be no more than a mop up or lower leverage guy.
IMHO, Grisham might possibly be gone as soon as Dominguez rehab period is over - a few more days? I think he is a better player than we have seen because of his limited play time. Some team will be able to use him better.
Of the position starters, Torres could be traded for BP help in the AS break area or more likely at the trade deadline unless his bat comes around.
Don't see Stanton going anywhere this season.
Stanton is terrible. only thing worse than watching him hit is watching him run.
I feel bad for Rizzo. He's clearly diminished since the concussion.
I was skeptical going in about Volpe but boy has he shown he has it. Matured over night, making the adjustmensts at the plate, playing a fine SS.
Gil a revelation. Nestor a disappointment so far.
Soto everything we hoped for and more.
Looking forward to Cole coming back.
The corners are the real problem. Rizzo and LeMahieu both look finished, and Cabrera just isn't much of a hitter. You can't have total zeroes hitting at both corners and still contend. They're going to have to make a move there.
They are already below their mean at the plate.
The corners are the real problem. Rizzo and LeMahieu both look finished, and Cabrera just isn't much of a hitter. You can't have total zeroes hitting at both corners and still contend. They're going to have to make a move there.
Yet, they still are at the top of the heap with those same conditions. But it is a dilemma. At least one of the corner spots needs to step up.
I am almost more concerned with Rizzo's fielding. Think they have lost 4 or 5 games directly because of Torres and Rizzo booting balls that are routine.
There is little doubt on Dominguez being here very soon. Jones cannot be far behind - he actually looks blocked and may be a high end trade piece.
Rice should be given intensive instruction at 1st because Rizzo is not likely to be resigned and/or he may retire.
The other guys just need solid years at MiLB and then brought to camp.
1) Rizzo/DJ - I think they get more slack due to history and no real replacement on the horizon. Ben Rice needs more time. DJ is a Hal S favorite.
2) Torres - I'm almost happy to replace him with a better glove whether it is Peraza or Vivas and trade him for BP help or prospects.
3) Stanton - will get his ABs because he has been ok this season, is a good postseason hitter and has just missed a few more HRs.
4) Dominguez - probably should be brought up, but Verdugo/Judge/Sosa is not the issue with this team
5) Bullpen - Clay Holmes is a heart attack each time out, would not mind a deal for a closer to move Holmes to setup and Weaver to 7th inning.
6) Starting Pitching - Cole's return helps, Potite is not bad, Cortes is still better than 50% of the SPs out there. Gil was one Mookie Betts double away from 5 or 6 more shutout innings.
I would not rule out a trade for a guy like Ryan McMahon of the Rockies to play 1B, 2B or 3B.
Durbin hits well in the minors but with his lack of power, MLB pitchers won't be afraid to challenge him. He's not going to draw a ton of walks as he does in AAA.
Durbin hits well in the minors but with his lack of power, MLB pitchers won't be afraid to challenge him. He's not going to draw a ton of walks as he does in AAA.
I would almost take the diminished offense or hope they hit better here for a better glove at 2B. Torres makes too many errors and has a hard time turning the DP.
1) Rizzo/DJ - I think they get more slack due to history and no real replacement on the horizon. Ben Rice needs more time. DJ is a Hal S favorite.
DJ absolutely yes. Rizzo has stunk from the moment he has gotten here outside of a few spurts. Besides being Judge's best friend, I am not sure what he brings to this team from a hitting perspective and his fielding as others have said has cratered. We need a replacement ASAP
The ruthless thing to do is trade Verdugo. He has done much better than I expected. I doubt they deal him unless it is for some ridiculous offer. He is part of that locker room now.
Grisham will go, yes, should they decide to bring up Dominguez.
Since then, .255 BA, .740 OPS, 5 HRs.
Nothing spectacular but above MLB average and pretty close to what Verdugo has been doing for the year, by way of comparison.
Other than Torres, there has been very little else going on in the second half of the Yankees' batting order for quite a while now. Rizzo's troubles are well known; Trevino has tailed off to .213 over the last month; Wells still has to get over .200; Cabrera has a .503 OPS since April 20, even with last night's HR (slash line of .198/.239/.264).
Yanks can't afford another hole in the swiss cheese. Torres at least gives pitchers something to think about.
me too. nor should they. he needs to play.
Yes they do need to monitor and adjust. He is coming off TJS. Never pitched near 150 innings. If they go to somekind of 6 man rotation, that may help. But do you want to limit Cole and Rodon or Nestor?
As mentioned earlier, he’s played well defensively so there’s at least something to hang your hat on with him.
Rizzo is cooked. His numbers since sustaining the concussion are horrendous. The answer for next season is to move Judge to first base. For the moment, there are no good answers.
But they can’t just sit there and let El Marciano tear up AAA when half of this lineup is mediocre at best. I don’t think that they’re ready to make the really tough decisions.
We need at least one person hitting at a corner infield spot. If DJLM can't rebound to a .270-.280 hitter, it will need to be a trade. (I've given up on Rizzo, but you never know, I guess.)
Peraza can't hit so there's no reason to bring him up for Gleyber. If Gleyber hits like he has recently, he should be our 2B for the rest of the season.
We should either go 6 man rotation or have one of Schmidt or Nestor spelling guys who need to keep their innings down.
There will likely be room for Jasson. It's unlikely that Judge, Soto, and Stanton will all be healthy for the rest of the year. Once there's an injury, that's his spot. I don't expect Grisham to be kept around.
Maybe, they eventually platoon Verdugo and Stanton, otherwise, no idea.
2) Dominguez shouldn't come up and platoon with Stanton. He needs to be playing every day. I don't think they are willing to make the tough choices to make that happen this year.
3) I go back and forth on Gil. On one, he will pitch more innings, by a wide margin, than ever before with no limit. On the other hand, if they limit him, they essentially lose their best starter for the post season and relegate him to the bullpen.
4) Unless they make a big move, I don't see Torres going anywhere. Boone has been touting his defense of late, outside of the botched play the other night. I wouldn't mind to see him go, though.
5) 3B is a problem. DJLM is not hitting at all. He may be done. Cabrera is hitting a little after a hot first 2 weeks.
2) Dominguez shouldn't come up and platoon with Stanton. He needs to be playing every day. I don't think they are willing to make the tough choices to make that happen this year.
3) I go back and forth on Gil. On one, he will pitch more innings, by a wide margin, than ever before with no limit. On the other hand, if they limit him, they essentially lose their best starter for the post season and relegate him to the bullpen.
4) Unless they make a big move, I don't see Torres going anywhere. Boone has been touting his defense of late, outside of the botched play the other night. I wouldn't mind to see him go, though.
5) 3B is a problem. DJLM is not hitting at all. He may be done. Cabrera is hitting a little after a hot first 2 weeks.
I'm basically in agreement. The corner IF positions are the biggest problem right now. Those positions either need to hit well or be ace defenders, and while I like both Rizzo and DJLM, their times have passed. Not sure we have a solution this year. Verdugo, Judge or Stanton at 1B are all bad ideas, for somewhat different reasons. And that still leaves 3B.
I also agree that they are going to stick with Torres at 2B this year, and worry about 2B after the season. Kind of sucks given his defensive indifference but I'm not sure there's a better solution there, so status quo for now.
I don't know what's going to happen with Gil. If Cole comes back healthy and in form, there will be options with the starting pitching. I'm more worried about the pen and agree with those who say moves will be made.
We should all hold off on judgement on Rizz for now(especially after Judge's start), but he just has declined at both the plate and in the field and it is obvious. I really expected a rebound this season from the concussion.
Overall though, I have the least trust in the BP. Hamilton has come back to earth. Ferguson I wouldn't trust with a 5 run lead. Tonkin looks reliable, but still...Kahnle is nowhere near where he used to be - probably one step above Ferguson(well maybe 1 1/2).
Weaver and Holmes are about it. Weakest BP in years.
Last night I thought it was funny when Ruocco said something about the Yankees tired pen. This team's starters lead the league in getting deep into a game. If the Yanks BP is tired, what about the rest of the league?
1B is a different story, and I don't know the move. I think Judge is really too valuable defensively in the OF to move him to a non-premium defensive position (future years is a different story). He's a weapon whether in CF or the corners with his arm. Stanton doesn't have the mobility, and I don't see Soto or Jasson picking that up at all. Internally, there's Ben Rice who's been doing well in AAA, and is playing a combo of C and 1B, who knows how ready he is, as he's only been in Scranton for a week. TJ Rumfield is also down in Scranton, and has been the 1B there for about 50 games now. Batting .284 with 4 HR-29 RBI, and a .768 OPS, not exactly tearing it up, but could be an option should they want to try.
1B is a different story, and I don't know the move. I think Judge is really too valuable defensively in the OF to move him to a non-premium defensive position (future years is a different story). He's a weapon whether in CF or the corners with his arm. Stanton doesn't have the mobility, and I don't see Soto or Jasson picking that up at all. Internally, there's Ben Rice who's been doing well in AAA, and is playing a combo of C and 1B, who knows how ready he is, as he's only been in Scranton for a week. TJ Rumfield is also down in Scranton, and has been the 1B there for about 50 games now. Batting .284 with 4 HR-29 RBI, and a .768 OPS, not exactly tearing it up, but could be an option should they want to try.
There is no way in hell the Yanks pull the rug on Rizzo. He is Judge's best friend. They may platoon him with DJLM, but that locker room comes apart if Rizzo is let go.
Ben Rice is not yet ready(IMHO) for the Bronx. I do not think he is even in the conversation with Cash and Boone - perhaps September if he fairs well in SWB. Need to keep an eye on how they handle him. If he moves exclusively to 1B for the remainder of the season that will give a clue as to next season...
May be too big a leap to expect him to stay healthy and productive all season, but I liked him at 1B over Rizzo the last couple days.
Rizzo unfortunately looks like he'll never return to pre-concussion form. In addition to being terrible at the plate, he's turned into edward scissorhands in the field
I'm not sure they bail on Gleyber until after the season...he's been more productive lately.
We need another late reliever big time
No rebuilding team is going to want a guy headed to free agency, and if he would be attractive to a contender then the Yankees would just keep him. Hopefully the bat keeps coming around.
No rebuilding team is going to want a guy headed to free agency, and if he would be attractive to a contender then the Yankees would just keep him. Hopefully the bat keeps coming around.
The other issue is finding a replacement who represents an upgrade. There isn't anyone in-house who seems like a good bet to do so, and second base is a pretty thin position league-wide. Who are the star second basemen today? Ketel Marte, Altuve, Marcus Semien, anyone else? Ozzie Albies is OK, but nothing special.
I spent the weekend with a friend who's a Giants fan, and he thinks they're going to try to make the Wild Card unless they go into a huge slump and it's not feasible.
The Angels might trade Rengifo just because they're nowhere close to contending. We would probably have to give up real prospects, unfortunately, but I think it would be worth it if there's no other option.
He got off to a horrendous start at the plate, but has snapped out of it in a major way over the last month.
The watered-down playoffs mean the Astros aren't out of it even at 7 games under .500, but, if they continue to struggle to the deadline, maybe they'll want to ditch salary.
Won't come cheap but Ryan McMahon would be a big upgrade at 3rd and his contract is quite reasonable
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I'm not seeing anyone likely to be available who represents much of an upgrade at the corners. The Angels are terrible but I don't know why they'd trade Rengifo. Maybe Matt Chapman at third? The Giants are going nowhere, he's not young, and this is the last year of his contract. Not quite the sensational 3B he used to be, but still very good with the glove and an okay bat.
Won't come cheap but Ryan McMahon would be a big upgrade at 3rd and his contract is quite reasonable
I've heard his name thrown around by fans as well. It makes sense, but as you correctly noted, it would be a high cost.
Wow, I did not realize the splits were that bad. Hard pass unless we're giving up JAG prospects.
CA - Trevy and Wells have performed better than expected. No change.
1B - Rizzo/Cabrera - we need better and may still get better from both. Patience.
2B - Torres - he started crazy cold but has been better. I think he will get it going. Is Jones ever going to get to play here? No change.
SS - Volpe - the kid's a star. No Change.
3B - LeMahieu/Cabrera - DJ is just recently back. Patience.
LF - Verdugo - best defender and surprisingly good with the stick. Good dugout ups. No Change.
CF - Judge - can he pull a Harper and start thinking about a position change? I want that bat in the lineup. No Change.
RF - Soto - No change.
DH - Stanton - love him. hate him. contract as insane as his batspeed means he isn't going anywhere. No change.
Rotation has been amazing. With Schmidt out, Cole slides back in soon.
Holmes isn't going anywhere. What we absolutely could use are at least two relievers that can be trusted in high leverage situations. We don't have anywhere outside of Holmes that I trust right now. I don't think Effross, Trevino or Brubaker are going to change the math here.
Good thing to be fielding these sorts of problems at this point in the season.
Bottom line - The Orioles are fucking legit. We will need to keep improving to stay even with them this season.
CA - Trevy and Wells have performed better than expected. No change.
1B - Rizzo/Cabrera - we need better and may still get better from both. Patience.
2B - Torres - he started crazy cold but has been better. I think he will get it going. Is Jones ever going to get to play here? No change.
SS - Volpe - the kid's a star. No Change.
3B - LeMahieu/Cabrera - DJ is just recently back. Patience.
LF - Verdugo - best defender and surprisingly good with the stick. Good dugout ups. No Change.
CF - Judge - can he pull a Harper and start thinking about a position change? I want that bat in the lineup. No Change.
RF - Soto - No change.
DH - Stanton - love him. hate him. contract as insane as his batspeed means he isn't going anywhere. No change.
Rotation has been amazing. With Schmidt out, Cole slides back in soon.
Holmes isn't going anywhere. What we absolutely could use are at least two relievers that can be trusted in high leverage situations. We don't have anywhere outside of Holmes that I trust right now. I don't think Effross, Trevino or Brubaker are going to change the math here.
Good thing to be fielding these sorts of problems at this point in the season.
Bottom line - The Orioles are fucking legit. We will need to keep improving to stay even with them this season.
Call me crazy but I think I trust Weaver. But I do agree the bullpen needs more.
And I've been banging the drum on the Orioles--they're really, really good, and have a legitimate ace in Burnes and #2 in Grayson. Gunnar and Adley are a potent 1-2 in their lineup, which is also deep, and awaiting many prospects that could potentially come up. Their downfall may be Kimbrel, but nothing is stopping them from adding to their pen.
Call me crazy but I think I trust Weaver. But I do agree the bullpen needs more.
And I've been banging the drum on the Orioles--they're really, really good, and have a legitimate ace in Burnes and #2 in Grayson. Gunnar and Adley are a potent 1-2 in their lineup, which is also deep, and awaiting many prospects that could potentially come up. Their downfall may be Kimbrel, but nothing is stopping them from adding to their pen.
Weaver is one of the good RPs out there. Gonzales is pretty good too. Glad Marinaccio is back - if his control is there he is quite effective.
As for the Orioles - absolutely legit. But who cares about the minor league guys - you can only have 26 on your active roster. If the guys in the Minors were so good, they'd be in Baltimore. The only thing those guys are worth is trade bait to strengthen a position near the trade deadline and that is a reality.