New York yankees

Yankees’ starting pitching rotation earns surprisingly impressive grades via Fangraphs

by
yankees, gerrit cole

All the New York Yankee post-season news has been centered around picking up that star shortstop to fill the gap from the failed experiment with Gleyber Torres. Still, General Manager Brian Cashman has been vocal about acquiring a one-two punch in the pitching rotation that is now missing with the departure of 2 times Cy Young Award-winning Corey Kluber.

Cashman has done next to nothing to accomplish the needs of the club before MLB instituted the CBA lock-out.

Fangraphs has issued their projected WAR for MLB’s pitching rotations, and it shows that if the Yankees fail to upgrade the rotation for the new season, they still come in with the 8th best rotation in baseball.

Unfortunately for the Yankees, their cross-town rival New York Mets come in at number one on the list. However, with the acquisition of Max Scherzer, they now have two bonafide aces leading their pitching staff. Jacob deGrom and Scherzer should give them the edge in the NL East.

The Mets’ rotation looks like this: deGrom, Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, Taijuan Walker, and David Peterson. Marcus Stroman is presently a free agent. This Mets lineup is a game-changer in the National League.

Meanwhile, the New York Yankees have one of the best pitchers in the game leading their lineup with Gerrit Cole. But they lack that one-two punch they will need if they reach the post-season. Cashman knows that at the end of the CBA lock-out, he will be actively looking for that missing piece, as evidenced by his try for 2 time Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander. Verlander ended staying with the Astros.

 

1.) Gerrit Cole will lead the lineup and be the opening day starter. Cole last year was 16-8 in 30 starts with an ERA of 3.23. His record should have been much better, but he got poor support with the poor hitting 2021 Yankees. The Yankees only scored 3.03 runs per innings he pitched.

 

2.) Number two for the Yankees at this point will be Luis Severino. Yes, Severino will be a question mark, not pitching an entire season since 2018. Severino, if he can come back to his 2018 from can be that number two man. In 2018 he was 19-8. In a few games in 2019, he had an ERA of 1.50. He didn’t pitch at all in the shortened 2020 season. Last season after coming off rehab, he threw four games with a perfect .000 ERA.

 

3.) Jordan Montgomery: Monty had the second-best WAR after Cole. Last season, he went 6-7 with an ERA of 3.83. Montgomery was the bad luck kid for the Yankees last year, getting the least run support of any pitcher. He had over a half dozen of his starts with absolutely no run support and another six games with less than two runs of support.

 

4.) Jameson Taillon: As the 2021 season progressed, Taillon found his form that made him a star pitcher with the Pirates. Taillon was 8-6 in 29 starts with an ERA of 4.30. He pitched much better in the second half than the stats would suggest. He, like other Yankees pitchers, would have liked better run support.

 

5.) Nestor Cortes Jr.: Cortes Jr. turned out to be the pitching story of the 2021 season, replacing Kluber for three months. Cortes Jr. pitched in 22 games for the Yankees going 2-3 with a tiny 2.90 ERA in his 14 starts. Without a blazing fastball, Cortes confused hitters with his never-know-what’s-coming pitching style and delivery.

The Yankees, in addition to this starting rotation, have some other qualified pitchers in the bank, including Domingo German, who can be dominating at times, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt. But make no mistake about it, Cashman will be looking to improve the starting rotation.

Interestingly, according to Fangraphs, none of the Yankees East rivals came in ahead of them as far as the pitching rotation is concerned. The Toronto Blue Jays came in two positions behind the Yankees at number ten. However, they have Jose Berrios, newly acquired Kevin Gausman, and Hyun Jin Ryu leading their rotation.   

What an A+ off-season for the Yankees would look like

by
trevor story, new york yankees

If the New York Yankees want to have a successful off-season, general manager Brian Cashman has to be aggressive coming out of the lockout. Hal Steinbrenner instructed Cashman to wait patiently for the luxury tax threshold to reset during negotiations with the Players Union, which could affect their spending.

Before the lockout, teams spent over $1 billion on players on the market, leaving the Yankees in their dust as they scooped up the majority of talent. Nonetheless, there are still quality players available, notably Carlos Correa, Carlos Rodon, and Trevor Story. They could also set their sights on a player like Freddie Freeman if he’s willing to part ways with Atlanta after winning a championship this past season.

Let’s take a look at what an A+ off-season might look like for the Yankees, addressing multiple positions of concern.

An A+ off-season for the Yankees might look like this:

-Trevor Story

If the Yankees are looking for a stopgap at shortstop, Trevor Story could fit the bill perfectly over a two-year contract. Cashman has indicated they prefer to wait for Anthony Volpe to reach the majors, which will likely be in about two years. There are concerns with Story’s degrading arm strength, and if they overpay him a bit to settle on a short-term deal, The Yankees will get a solid offensive piece with power and a good defender to hold them over (moving him to 3rd on a long-term deal wouldn’t pan out).

Story had a down here in 2021 compared to his previous seasons. He hit .251 with 24 homers and a 23.4% strikeout rate. He still recorded a 3.5 WAR and 20 stolen bases, showcasing his athleticism. A two-year deal with a third-year club option would be ideal, but he would likely cost $20+ million per season over a contract of that length, which is necessary given the team’s weakness.

-Seiya Suzuki

The Yankees were one of Seiya Suzuki’s aggressive pursuers before the lockout, and they will likely continue chasing after his signature in the future. Suzuki has been compared to former Yankee Hideki Matsui, and their statistics coming out of Japan were eerily similar. Suzuki finished the 2021 season with a .317 average and 38 homers.

It is expected that Suzuki will land a deal in the five-year, $55 million range, and given his excessive power, the Yankees would have no problem paying him with the potential for massive upside. He would likely take over in right field, moving Aaron Judge to center, leaving Aaron Hicks in a reserve role.

-Carlos Rodon

At some point, the Yankees are going to have to spend on a starting pitcher, and they had $25 million on the table for Justin Verlander before the lockout. They could pursue an option by Carlos Rodon, who represents one of the better names on the market currently after the top pitchers were scooped up early on. Rodon posted a 2.37 ERA in 2021 over 132.2 innings.

Given his inconsistencies throughout his career, Rodon likely wouldn’t garner a long-term deal, but rather a short-term contract with incentives and an option if he performs well enough. The biggest difference for Rodon was his velocity last year, seeing a 3 mph increase with his fastball, which he used 58.6% of the time. With an increase in velocity and spin rate, Rodon has become an adequate starter and someone that could slot behind Gerrit Cole and provide the Yankees with more quality.

-Trade for Matt Olson

At some point, the Yankees need to understand that trading prospects for established players is a recipe for success. Considering they failed to develop Gleyber Torres, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino, utilizing some of their existing talents in the minor leagues could be useful to acquire a player like Matt Olson.

Olson is an incredible talent at 27-years-old. The Oakland Athletics still have team control over Olsen until 2024, giving him two more years of cost-efficient play at first base.

This past season, Olson hit .271 with 39 homers and a 16.8% strikeout rate. He took the jump to superstar, and injecting a lefty who can hit 40+ homers at Yankee Stadium into the lineup would be astronomical. Now, the deal would likely force the Yankees to part ways with some notable names, but a player like Olson gives your team a chance to compete offensively at a level beyond what we’ve seen the past few seasons.

Altogether, this grouping of players upgrades multiple spots of need for the Bombers and will undoubtedly put them in a position to make a run at the World Series in 2022.

How would you grade this prospective off-season? Comment here!

Yankees: MLB insider has three potential trade proposals to improve the team

by
New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres

The New York Yankees have a lot of work to do when MLB and the Players’ Association agree on a new CBA deal and the lockout is finally lifted. Negotiations aren’t expected to pick up until January, so a resolution won’t come in 2021.

The need to upgrade (or find replacements) several positions on their roster, including shortstop, first base, center field, and starting pitching. They failed to address most of these needs before the lockout and now are expected to be active when it ends.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post (link to the NJ Advance Media article here) offered some hypothetical trade proposals to keep fans engaged.

One of them involves acquiring first baseman Matt Olson and shortstop Elvis Andrus from the Oakland Athletics, while another one has the Yankees getting second baseman/outfielder Ketel Marte from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Center fielder Trent Grisham, catcher Austin Nola, and utilityman Jurickson Profar would wear pinstripes in the third proposal.

Here is each trade, detailed:

Oakland Athletics: Jasson Dominguez, Luis Gil and Chad Green for Elvis Andrus and Olson.

The Yankees’ prized prospect Jasson Dominguez is said to be untradeable, but it could be the only way to get Olson. Gil and Green are further incentive for Oakland to let its star first baseman go.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Gil and Oswald Peraza for Ketel Marte.

Oswald Peraza, the second-best shortstop prospect in the Yankees’ system after Anthony Volpe, would change teams here. Marte has a lot of value, because he is good, versatile, and controllable for the next three years on the cheap.

San Diego Padres: Joey Gallo, Gil, Green, Gleyber Torres and Luke Voit for Trent Grisham, Austin Nola and Jurickson Profar.

It seems like a lot to give up for a Grisham-centered package, but factoring in his elite defense at a premium position (center field) it could make sense. It seems unlikely to happen, though, because Torres’ value isn’t terribly high right now.

Yankees ink former top Nationals outfield prospect to minor-league deal

by
blake perkins, yankees

The New York Yankees are still unable to pursue Major League talent due to the lockout, but they have been active in the Minor League category, bringing on several players this past week to bolster their depth.

After the Yankees signed Ender Inciarte to a contract, they recently brought in former top outfield prospect from the Washington Nationals, Blake Perkins.

Perkins is 25-years-old and was once considered the No. 11 Prospect in Washington’s farm system back in 2018, but he has since struggled to develop into a prominent player.

The versatile outfielder is known for his defensive efficiency and patience at the plate but lacks power and slugging ability, which is something the Yankees hyperfocus on with their players.

Here’s a look at Blake Perkins’s scouting report from 2019:

Drawing multiple comparisons to major league outfielder Jon Jay, Perkins best fits the profile of a fourth outfielder if he can make a significant improvement at the plate. He’s a glove-first player, a plus defender in center field with mature instincts, excellent routs and an above-average arm. He controls the strike zone well, as evidenced by his 15 percent walk rate, but his 22 percent strikeout rate indicates that he needs to make more contact in order to take advantage of his above-average speed. He has no power.

This past season, Perkins featured with Northwest Arkansas, a Kansas City Royals affiliate. Over 72 games, he hit .202 with seven homers and 30 RBIs. Historically, he’s a lackluster offense threat, but his great arm strength in centerfield and solid defense make him at the very least a serviceable player.

It is highly unlikely Perkins ever features for the Yankees but given their injury issues the past few seasons, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pop up in the future. Nonetheless, the Bombers have a few prospects of their own they want to elevate, including Estevan Florial, who’s due to a legitimate opportunity in the bigs.

The Yankees have a truly special talent rising through the minor league system

by
anthony volpe, yankees

One of the main reasons the New York Yankees are potentially looking to find a stop-gap solution at shortstop is the presence of young infielder Anthony Volpe in their minor league system.

General manager Brian Cashman and the coaching staff have gushed about his qualities as an offensive threat, but he’s also a solid defensive player with elevating attributes.

MiLB.com awarded Anthony Volpe as the best shortstop in the Yankees’ minor-league system, which was expected despite the presence of Oswald Peraza.

However, the way Volpe was described should prick a few ears:

Volpe, 20, had the type of season that really makes a club ponder its own future.

Given how great he’s played, passing on an option that Carlos Correa will likely be the case if the Yankees believe Volpe will be ready to make the jump in no more than two years.

Correa wouldn’t enjoy the idea of moving from shortstop. If you’re paying a player over 10 seasons, you don’t have much flexibility in the matter.

However, it seems the Cashman is quite confident Volpe will make a successful transition in the coming years. This past season, he slashed .294/.423/.604 with 27 homers, 33 stolen bases, 86 RBIs, 35 doubles, 113 runs scored, and 170 wRC+.

“I think the biggest thing for me was to see how he impacted the game every single night in every way,” Renegades manager Dan Fiorito said. “With the bat — his consistency, his sense of timing, his feel for the barrel, his ability to drive the baseball to all fields was the first thing that stood out, and the power numbers this year were certainly there.”

Not only has Volpe displayed incredible hitting, but also elite bass running abilities, something the Yankees have lacked within their batting order. Having a player who can hit for power but also display incredible athleticism is rare, which makes the minor-league prospect that much more excited. For that matter, it also brews a bit of excitement with Jasson Dominguez.

The question is, do they have enough faith in him to pass on an elite shortstop on the free-agent market? If there was ever an opportunity to upgrade the SS spot, the market this year provides that solution, and passing on it in hopes of Volpe developing into a top player is risky.

Do you think they should stick with their confidence in Volpe and sign a stopgap or go for a big gun like Carlos Correa? Comment here!

Yankees: Clint Frazier details ‘serious’ mental health problems last season

by
New York Yankees, Clint Frazier

The New York Yankees ex-outfielder Clint Frazier has finally come out and discussed his last and final season with the Yankees. He admitted that mental stress affected his play. The once magical player with a quick bat went from a bright future to one of the Yankees’ most disappointing players while being immature and mysteriously having health issues.

Weeks after the Yankees parted ways with Clint Frazier and days after Frazier had more snarky comments about the Yankees, throwing the club under the bus, he has opened up and has explained his side of the story.

First, we should go back to 2018 when Frazier started the season on this disabled list due to a head-first concussion suffered during spring training when he crashed into an outfield wall. Then, fast forward to 2021, the Yankees got a scare in spring training when Clint Frazier slammed into the left-field wall going after a Willi Castro homer in the bottom of the fourth at Joker Marchant Stadium. I point out these two incidents because they may have something to do with his 2021 struggles.

Frazier’s time with the Yankees has been a roller coaster ride, taking him from being a heralded future Yankee star to being released by the Yankees and signing with the Chicago Cubs. Frazier’s ability to hit with his quick bat mainly was never a question, but his defense in the outfield dogged him throughout his Yankee career, causing him to be riding on the Yankee’s shuttle more than he should have been. His defensive abilities went from sub-par to sound, even to being considered for a Gold Glove Award and back down to questionable at best.

Frazier’s lack of maturity also dogged him throughout his time with the Yankees. Frazier refused to talk to reporters after one poor game in the outfield. After poor play and being sent down to Scranton on one occasion, Clint had some not-so-nice things to say about the team, even going to the point of scrubbing images and any mention of the Yankees from his social media accounts.

In 2021, Frazier played in only 66 games, batting .186. Frazier removed himself from a game on June 30, 2021, complaining of dizziness, and two days later was placed on the Yankees’ injured list. He underwent neurological testing in July and was sent on a minor league rehab assignment in August; there, he suffered another setback complaining of vision issues. These mysterious, undiagnosed health issues would lead him to sit out the remainder of the season. Some analysts believed he might never play the game again. On November 19, he was designated for assignment and released on November 23. A week later, he signed a one-year contract with the Cubs.

More recently, Frazier had some parting shots for the Yankees but said during an appearance on Barstool’s Short Porch podcast that it wasn’t until recently that he faced struggles with his mental health. It affected his quality of life, and he knew he needed to take it seriously.

“I was severely symptomatic with some of these past issues that I was having,” Frazier said. “I was like, ‘We gotta pick the pace up. I need help. I need serious f—in help.’’

As the 2021 season progressed, Yankee fans were confused and perplexed with the health issues affecting Frazier. It was first diagnosed as vertigo, then dizziness, vision problems, and depth perception problems; with most ruled out, it left fans and the Yankees wondering what exactly was going on. Frazier now admits it may have just been stress affecting his play.

“When people were all over me for diving, I was just trying to catch the ball,” Frazier said. “I thought the ball was right here, and it was right there.”

He also admitted that feeling these symptoms prior to spring training, he never revealed them to the Yankee training staff. He said the team was never aware that he was “fighting for my life.” When the season started, those feelings came back, and even the crowd noise or lights affected his play.

“I showed up to spring training and started to feel better, and then it kind of, like, came back because I had an instance where I bumped the wall again,” he said. “I went into the whole season feeling that exact way.”

Frazier admitted not having a diagnosis for his problems made things even worse. But, he said, regardless of me leaving the Yankees, I had cordial relations with manager Aaron Boone and felt he was friends with GM Brian Cashman, who “always had my back.” In closing, he said he hoped to have face-to-face conversations with some when he returned to the stadium with the Cubs.

The New York Yankees and their fans wish Clint nothing but the best with the Cubs. 

Yankees make a depth outfield signing, but certainly not the one they need

by
ender inciarte, yankees

News for the New York Yankees is slow, for obvious reasons. The Players Union and team owners are preparing to meet and discuss about core economic values in January, but a prolonged lockout seems like it’s all be guaranteed. With that being the case, we can expect plenty of irrelevant storylines, gossip, trade prospects, and mock deals, which are always fun until they’re not.

However, the Yankees did land a player recently via the transaction wire that went under the radar. According to Lindsey Adler of The Athletic, the Bombers signed Ender Indiarte to a minor-league deal, replacing a few weaker depth pieces that have since been let go this offseason.

Inciarte was once a respectable player, but at 31-years-old, his best service comes in the form of depth and last-resort situations. The veteran outfielder started off his career in Arizona with the Diamondbacks, posting intriguing numbers, including a .278 average in 2014 and .303 in 2015.

Arizona proceeded to send him to Atlanta, where he’s stayed since this most recent campaign, earning a Championship with the Braves. Bringing players over from successful teams is always ideal, whether they bring reserve talent or leadership mentalities.

What Ender Inciarte brings to the Yankees:

Inciarte only featured in 52 games this past season, posting a .215 average with two homers. He’s far from slugger and his best days are undoubtedly behind him, but he can serve as a valuable defender and decent enough hitter where he wouldn’t represent an automatic out. Ender was once a base-stealing monster, but his services in that department have simmered to single-digits.

This isn’t the big signing the Yankees imagined at this point in the off-season, but these are the depth pieces that eventually supplement injuries and make an impact. Considering Ender featured in 52 games for Champions this past year, we can expect to see him with the team in 2022 given he can make it through Spring Training.

Yankees News and Rumors: Does first baseman Anthony Rizzo know something we don’t?

by
anthony rizzo, yankees

The New York Yankees finished the 2021 season with Anthony Rizzo manning first base after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. The lifelong Cub made the transition successfully from Chicago to New York with ease, saying he loved playing in the Bronx. He started out with a bang at the plate but quickly cooled off, although his stellar defense at first base continued. At the end of the season, he became a free agent for the first time in his life, leaving the Yankees without an everyday first baseman.

Before the MLB imposed lock-out, the Yankees did little to improve the team with several holes to patch up if they want to build a championship team for 2022. The Yankees made it known immediately after the World Series that their number one priority was getting a star-like shortstop to replace the failed experiment with Gleyber Torres, the everyday second baseman. They also acknowledged that they needed to address not having a valid number two starting pitcher, with the exit of Corey Kluber, a first baseman, and help in center field to back up the often unhealthy Aaron Hicks. 

The Yankees have options at first base; they held over former first baseman Luke Voit putting him on the 40 man roster. They also are considering Matt Olson, Freddie Freeman, among others, including bringing back Anthony Rizzo, but in the usual manner, the Yankees have been tight-lipped about any pending moves. General Manager had stated that they had contacted Rizzo’s agent, although it is unclear if ongoing talks before the lock-out had advanced.

Rizzo has a history of freely buying homes and selling them, most recently selling a Parkland, Florida $2.5 million mansion in favor of an upgraded $4.5 upscale property in Fort Lauderdale. The two homes are just 30 minutes apart. But now news has surfaced (unverified) that the superstar first baseman has purchased a new home in southeast Connecticut. Rizzo has made it clear he wants to stay playing in New York. Does he know something we don’t?

During a recent podcast, Rizzo had this to say about living in New York:

“Our time in New York was great. We loved it,” Rizzo said. “We lived in the Upper West Side. Lived near (Central Park). Took Kevin (his dog) to the park pretty much every day in the morning, a nice stroll through Central Park. Got to basically live in the city for two or three months and enjoy New York City for those two or three months and then playing baseball for the Yankees, it was a good time. We really enjoyed it …”

“You put that uniform on for the first time, it’s definitely special. … There’s only a few jerseys around this league that when you put them on, it’s different, and the Yankees are definitely one of them.”

“It was great,” Rizzo told “The Compound Podcast” with Ian Happ. “You go from playing at Wrigley Field and the Cubs to New York (and) Yankee Stadium. What more can you ask for?”

Anthony Rizzo came to New York in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. Rizzo has spent his entire major league career with the Cubs, where he was one of the most beloved players on the team. He played a big part in the Cub’s first World Series win in 107 years. The eleven-year veteran player has a 36.8 WAR with 244 home runs and a career batting average of .269. During his Yankee debut, he walked, had two hits, and hit his 15th home run of the season.

Rizzo turned 32 last season. He is a native of Parkland, Florida, and attended the same school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2007 draft by the Boston Red Sox. Rizzo’s minor league career started at 17 in 2007 in the rookie class with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. He was an immediate success.

In December of 2010, Rizzo was traded to the San Diego Padres. After not making the team in spring training to start the 2011 season, he was assigned to the Tucson Padres. Rizzo was called up to the majors after hitting .365 with an OPS of 1.159 and 16 home runs and 63 RBI in 200 at-bats over 52 games in Tucson. He hit his first major league home run on June 11, 2011.

During the winter of 2012, he was scheduled to be the Padres starting first baseman because of his excellent play, but the Padres acquired Yonder Alonso, who ended up getting the job. Shortly thereafter, Rizzo was traded to the Chicago Cubs.

Rizzo started the 2012 season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. His results with the Cubs were the same as with the Padres. He batted .342 with 23 home runs and 62 RBIs. The Cubs promoted him to the big team, where it was hoped he could help the teams’ struggling offense. He became the first player in Cubs history to have three game-winning RBIs in his first five games. In July, he was named Rookie of the month. He ended his first season with the Cubs with a .285 batting average and 15 home runs.

In 2013, Rizzo cemented himself as a great player and fan favorite. Fans learned that not only was he a good player but a really nice person. In 2014, he earned his first All-Star game and came in 10th in the MVP voting. He would be an All-Star for the next three years and an MVP candidate for the next five years. He was also a Silver Slugger and a four-time Gold Glover. In 2016, he helped the Chicago Cubs win their first World Series in over 107 years, the longest World Series drought in baseball history.

He was an integral part of the last three victories over the Los Angeles Dodgers. He led the team to their first World Series appearance since 1945. He would have 5 RBIs in the World Series and would score 7 runs that led the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series win since 1908. That year he would also win the Esurance MLB Award for the best media personality. He also won the defensive award saving 11 runs for the Cubs and led all first baseman getting him his first Fielding Bible Award. He was also nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award. He also got his third MLBPAA Cubs Heart and Hustle Award.

On September 2, 2017, Rizzo became the fourth Cubs player to hit at least 30 home runs, 30 doubles, and 100 RBIs in three or more seasons. For the season, he batted .273/.392/.507 with 32 home runs and 109 RBIs. Unfortunately, he also led the major leagues getting bonked 24 times. On October 27, Rizzo was named the 2017 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award for his charity’s work to find a cure for childhood cancer. Of winning the award, Rizzo said, “This is amazing. The greatest award you can win. It will go front and center in front of anything I’ve ever done.” In 2018 he had another 101 RBIs. In 2019 he had the highest batting average of his career (.293) with 27 home runs.

The shortened 2020 season was a disappointing season for Rizzo, as it was for many players. He hit only .222 on the season. But he still got the equivalent of 23 home runs and earned his fourth Gold Glove Award at first base. This season he has bounced back with 14 home runs for the Cubs and a batting average of .248. The Cubs offered Rizzo a five-year $70 million extension earlier in the season, which he refused.

With the extension refusal and becoming a free agent in 2022, the Chicago Cubs made the difficult decision to let loose of their long-time favorite player and trade him to the New York Yankees. Anthony Rizzo is probably not the player he was in his prime, but he could help the Yankees to their first World Series since 2009. The Cubs were so appreciative of Rizzos’ time with the Cub, and for the man he is, they produced a short video honoring and thanking him.

With the Yankees last season he hit 249 while hitting 8 home runs in just 49 games. Not only does Rizzo produce at the plate, but he also gives the Yankees defense at first base that they have not seen since Mark Teixeira. However, questions still are unanswered as to if he will return in pinstripes. Although the home purchase in Connecticut can’t be verified, Rizzo has said he sold his home in Chicago.

Yankees might have a secret ingredient with new pitching coach hire

by
New York Yankees, Gary Sanchez, Gerrit Cole, Aaron Boone

After an inconsistent year with the starting rotation, the New York Yankees are looking to bolster the unit this off-season via free agency or trade. They still have quality arms to utilize during the 2021–22 season, including Gerrit Cole, Jordan Montgomery, Jameson Taillon, and the return of Luis Severino. I’d be remiss not to mention Domingo German signing a short-term extension to stick with the team, but the Yankees desperately need more support, and they’re going to have to spend to get it.

General manager Brian Cashman had $25 million on the table for Justin Verlander over one season, but he elected to stick with a Houston Astros on a two-year, $50 million deal with a player option for the second year.

However, the Yankees aren’t only focused on adding players, they also elevated a fantastic young coach to the Major League roster after spending time in the minor-league system.

Desi Druschel is being elevated from the team’s minor-league manager of pitch development to an assistant pitching coach under Aaron Boone’s revised staff.

Druschel will join Matt Blake and Mike Harkey as the team’s primary pitching coaches, and given his work ethic and knowledge, it is entirely possible he becomes a secret ingredient for their success moving forward.

Brendan Kuty of NJ.com spoke to Rick Heller, the University of Iowa head baseball coach, regarding the elevation of Desi Druschel to a top pitching role within the Yankees’ organization:

“His work ethic is off the charts,” Heller said. “An elite level. He’s brilliant. He’s got savvy. He’s going to constantly keep pushing the envelop to learn more and be on the cutting edge that’s out there with his job.

“He’s constantly searching for something that is going to help his team and help the players get better, the best way possible. He’s never going to sit back and just think he knows it all. That’s the beauty of what Desi does. He’s constantly trying to learn and get better.”

Heller’s comments describe a forward-thinking coach that is on the cutting edge of technology and modern knowledge of pitching. Whether it be velocity or spin rate, Desi is clearly ready to take the leap to the Major League system or he can make a significant impact on a group of players with immense potential.

However, Cashman is still likely to bring in another quality arm to bolster the rotation, giving the trio of coaches even more talent to work with.

Yankees’ trade deadline acquisition loved his time in New York: Will he come back?

by
anthony rizzo, yankees

In more than a few ways, first baseman Anthony Rizzo was a solution for the New York Yankees when he came over from the Chicago Cubs right before the trade deadline. The team wasn’t getting any production from the first base position, as Luke Voit spent a lot of time on the shelf, and they needed some offensive and defensive stability, a left-handed hitter, and a veteran presence.

For the most part, Rizzo delivered, even if his offensive numbers were underwhelming. With the Yankees, he hit .249/.340/.428 with eight home runs and a 113 wRC+: it was far from the 145-155 wRC+ he used to have at peak, but age and decline come for all of us, and the 32-year-old slugger isn’t the exception. His best years do seem to be behind him.

Despite the somewhat disappointing offensive output, Rizzo was a worthwhile addition for the Yankees. He was a veteran leader, a clubhouse darling, he got on base, and played some very good defense, as always. Most importantly, he apparently had a good time in the Bronx.

The Yankees could still bring back Rizzo

“The time in New York was great. We loved it,” Rizzo said on Jomboy Media’s Compound Podcast (link to SI.com article here). “We lived in the Upper West Side. Lived near (Central Park). Took Kevin (his dog) to the park pretty much every day in the morning, a nice stroll through Central Park. Got to basically live in the city for two or three months and enjoy New York City for those two or three months and then playing baseball for the Yankees, it was a good time. We really enjoyed it.

“You put that uniform on for the first time, it’s definitely special. … There’s only a few jerseys around this league that when you put them on, it’s different, and the Yankees are definitely one of them.”

Voit’s future with the Yankees is uncertain, and there is a fair chance the team brings back Rizzo for 2022, depending on their pursuit of fellow first baseman Matt Olson (via trade) and Freddie Freeman (via free agency).