hot stove

News Around The New York Yankees Empire

by
New York Yankees, Aaron Boone, Gerrit Cole

If you’re aNew York Yankees fan, things have been more busy the last 48-72 hours. So here’s a quick rundown on everything that happened in that time span:

Welcome to New York New Guy!

Gerrit Cole was officially introduced today. A lifelong Yankee fan, he seemed to understand all that was to be expected of him, and seemed to relish at the prospect of pitching meaningful games in September/October. Oh, and it was revealed that he was going to wear 45.

Honor Thy Brother

So what does that mean for Luke Voit, the Yankees first baseman who wore 45 the last year and a half? He announced on social media that he was going to change to 59. The significance? That was the number his brother wore playing football for West Point.

Second Chance Elsewhere

In order to make room for Gerritt Cole, Chance Adams was designated for assignment. Not to kick a guy when he’s down, but a career minor leaguer who’s been mediocre at best on the big league level (1-2 with an ERA over 8 on the big league schedule, as opposed to 39-16 with 3.12 in the minors), he was an obvious choice. Now, if only they can only move JA Happ with some expediency, all would be right in the world.

Hello Old Friend

The New York Yankees have resigned Adam Warren for his third go around in the Bronx. He hasn’t started much since 2015, but he’s a long inning reliever with a history of starting games. Stretching him out in spring training would be no problem whatsoever.

Oh The Trade Rumors

It’s hard to keep in check the number of trade rumors and free agent signings the Yankees are involved in. So a brief rundown of the rumors involving the Yankees:

Francisco Lindor is still linked to the New York Yankees in trade rumors. The package that the Yankees would need to surrender for Lindor would be astronomical.

Brock Holt is rumored to be in talks with the Yankees. The free agent utility player would be overkill for a team already with Thairo Estrada and Tyler Wade.

The Yankees are still in talks with the Brewers over Josh Hader. You know my stance. Next.

The Rangers are interested in trading for Miguel Andujar. The Rangers have no one to offer. If you decide to trade Andujar, wait for the deadline.

And that’s a quick rundown of all the things happening in the Yankees universe.

The New York Yankees Aren’t Worried About Their Left Handed Hitters, So Why Are Their Fans?

by
New York Yankees, Tyler Wade

If Brian Cashman made decisions about the New York Yankees based on fan’s social media imprint, the team would be focused on 3 things right now. First is resigning Dellin Betances and signing Martin Maldonado. The New York Yankees are trying to move JA Happ to make room for Gerrit Cole’s contract. Betances would be expecting more than the $7.1 million he made last year, and Maldonado’s agent will be getting him more than $5 million, bringing the combined salary total to over $12 million. Plus, the team is all in on Kyle Higashioka, so neither is going to happen (while I think letting Betances walk is a mistake).

The last is signing/trading for left-handed hitters. The team is not worried about it, why are the fans?

The Yankees Don’t Need Left Handed Hitters

When I was in little league, I was a pure lefty. With the Yankees projected lineup for next year, we’ll be just fine with just Gardner in the lineup. Torres, DJ, Stanton, Judge, and Luke Voit all have the regular capability of going deep to the right field. Also, it’s only 314 to the left field. It’s the same distance to the right. So we have 6 guys in the lineup with the capability of going deep to right field. 5 of them are right-handed hitters.

Where Would We Play Them?

Kyle Shwarber is a left fielder/first baseman who’s a defensive liability. Voit and Stanton are better defensively than Shwarber, so where would you play him? Josh Bell is the first baseman. You got Voit, DJ, and Ford at first. Why would you trade for Bell? Yankees fans want to sign Jason Kipnis. He’s a second baseman/outfielder. He’s not going to play over DJ, Gardy, Judge or Stanton. So why waste money on him?

We Gotta Be Smarter Than This

Getting left-handed bats just for the sake of having left-handed bats means you have to sacrifice. It will mean giving up all our best prospects in January for someone who can bust as a Yankee before spring training starts. Yes, we haven’t won since 2009, but our team as constructed can win 5 championships in the next 7 years. Don’t screw it up because you’re scared there aren’t too many lefties in the lineup. Just calm down everyone. Pitchers and catchers haven’t even reported yet.

Is Josh Hader Even Viable for the New York Yankees?

by
New York Yankees, Josha Hader

Rumors are running rampant about whether the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers will finalize a deal for the Yankees to acquire left handed relief pitcher Josh Hader. The deal makes some sense, as the Yankees seem to think that they need to bolster their already strong bullpen with a lefty to compliment Zack Britton. But does it truly work?

Hader’s Stats and the Brewer’s Needs

Hader has put on a strong showing in his 3 years pitching pro ball. But how much more time does he have before he’s completely found out as a relief pitcher? His ERA has been steadily climbing each of the last 3 seasons, his hits allowed are rising, he gave up 15 home runs last season, walked 20, and allowed 22 ER. Did I mention that this guy is the Brewer’s closer? It’s a completely different animal coming in during the 6th inning than the 9th. Even with Chapman’s inconsistencies in October, you’re not trading Hader for his skill set late in games. (baseball-reference.com)

The New York Yankees have players the Brewer’s need. Frazier isn’t needed on the Yankees, and with Yellich’s injury last season, and Braun’s age, the Brewer’s can utilize Clint Frazier brilliantly. I think giving up Miguel Andujar now would be a mistake, as he can be used for a later season trade for someone like Corey Kluber. But after losing Mike Moustakas to rival Cincinnati, getting help at third is something the Brewers would need. Not to mention Tyler Wade/Thairo Estrada can be used to sweeten the deal. But no doubt questions will be asked about Chance Adams, Devi Garcia, or any number of other pitching prospects we have. 

Yes… this is the package the Yankees will need to put together for a 26 year old reliever who’s letting the league catch up to him.

Is It Worth It?

Remember all the racist, homophobic and sexist tweets from Hader’s youth we discovered in 2018? Why pursue someone with that kind of baggage when we could just simply, say, offer Dellin Betances a one year contract to bolster the bullpen? And the package of prospects that the Brewer’s will be demanding, on top of Hader’s seemingly obvious decline, it doesn’t seem worth it now before pitchers and catchers even report. This should be a January deal, at the utmost earliest, if it gets done at all.

The New York Yankees May Not Be Done Shopping For Pitchers

by
New York Mets pursuing Dellin Betances.

A lot of what I’ve been saying in my writing “The New York Yankees should do this”, is starting to come true. I told them they need to forget about the luxury tax and buy a starting pitcher, they did just that and got Cole. I told them they should try shopping JA Happ, they’re doing that now. I told them they need to sign Brett Gardner, they do that. So when I saw this rumor on Twitter, and it was corroborated by our own Alexander Wilson, I thought “Let’s see if they keep listening”.

This Would Be THE BEST Rotation In Baseball

Through the grapevine, the New York Yankees are looking to acquire one more arm, who would automatically move Sevy, Paxton, and Tanka to the 3, 4, and 5 spots in the rotation respectively. That arm is a three-time World Series champion this decade. And that is the left arm of Madison Bumgarner.

Now I know a lot of you are saying “He’s too old,” “he’s on the decline”, so just hold up. The guy is turning 30 next season, pitched over 200 innings, had a sub 4 ERA on a TERRIBLE Giants team, struck out over 200, and is on the comeback from back to back injury-shortened years by making all 34 starts he was scheduled to make for the Giants.

Yes, he gave up 30 home runs. And I already talked about how Cole will have to adjust to bring his fly-ball rate and home run totals down as well. But how could you not salivate at the prospect of your front 5 being Cole, MadBum, Sevy, Big Maple, and Masahiro Tanaka?! This would be baseball’s best starting rotation.

Why It Won’t Happen

It seems to be common knowledge that MadBum has no intention of leaving the national league. We all know the dude loves to hit, and that would be taken away from him pitching in the Bronx. And considering the success he has seen on the west coast, it seems more than likely that he’ll sign with the Dodgers.

Why It Could Happen

Bringing Andy Pettitte to talk to Cole did a lot to help persuade him to sign. MadBum is from North Carolina, recently retained Brett Gardner is from South Carolina. I think you all see where I’m going with this.

New York Yankees: Why Trading Gio Urshela May be the Smarter Play

by
New York Yankees, Gio Urshela

Recently, ESM writer Nathan Solomon asked on our site if the Yankees should trade Gio Urshela. Now, you know I’ve made the argument the New York Yankees ought to make room in the lineup for both players. And there seems to be far more interest for Andujar on the market than Urshela. But after reading the article, here’s why Nate’s onto something.

Baseball is What Have You Done For Me Lately

Think about how Andujar got his start in 2018. Brandon Drury was acquired to be our third baseman. But he had health problems forcing him to start the season on the IL. Andujar was called up. By the time Drury got well enough to play, Andujar had taken his job.

Fast forward almost 2 years. Gio has now usurped Andujar as the opening day third baseman with Cashman arguing “It’s Gio’s to lose”. And who could blame him? Urshela put up a great 2019 season, despite my noticing his deficiencies in the field.

Why Gio’s Trade Value is at its Highest Now

Look at Justin Verlander before getting traded to Houston, and after getting traded to Houston. He’s, basically peaks Justin Verlander, a la 2009-2012. It’s no wonder the Astros gave him a 2-year extension at 36 years old.

Urshela has played no more than 81 games in a season since coming up in 2015. He was a defensive whiz kid, but an offensive liability. Now, in his first full season as a pro, his defense can bounce back from double-digit errors he was charged with and has an opportunity to prove his 2019 was no fluke offensively.

What plays to Andujar’s disadvantage on the trade market is he is coming off of having his labrum in his shoulder surgically repaired. Last Yankee to do that, after putting up a good showing in his debut in the majors, was the recently DFAed Greg Bird.

Should They Trade Either Now?

No. It’s basically those two for your depth at third. But, if the right offer comes for one or the other, and the trade drastically improves the deficiencies the New York Yankees have in their rotation, shortstop, or center field… they need to jump at it. Either way, I don’t see both men being on the team come October 2020. One will be traded, I’m certain enough to place an uncomfortable about of money on it.