BYB HOT STOVE: VOLUME VII

Replacing Derek Jeter is a ridiculous goal but yet many in the media speak these words when referring to the Yankees apparent rebuild of their middle infield.  Yes, the Yanks invested four years in 24-year-old Didi Gregorius but there is still talk that Troy Tulowitzki could still be in play.  We called it a hoax earlier this week, TRICKING YOU INTO THE TULOWITZKI RUMOR, but hear me out.  With Martin Prado in Miami and the Mets willing to move some of their pitching around, could it still happen?  I'm reporting only what I'm hearing and frankly, Tulo, who has had his share of injuries, could be another money pit for us, but there is buzz. Could Gregorius play second base and Tulo at short?  Anything could happen but, according to ESPN's Andrew Marchand, there are six reasons why the Yankees won't consider the Rockies' short stop:

1) He just had hip surgery.
2) He is owed $114 million.
3) He has averaged only 88 games per year during the past three seasons.
4) They acquired Didi Gregorius to be their shortstop, possibly in a platoon.
5) They want to get younger and healthier. Tulo is 30 and has a bad hip.
6) Unless the Rockies are going to give him away, the Yankees would have to sacrifice top-end talent from a farm system they are attempting to rebuild.

Let's end the rumors here... no go on Tulo.

But, let's begin some rumors on 28-year-old Jordy Mercer, short stop for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Now we wrote about him last winter, HEY JORDY MERCER, HOW'D YOU LIKE TO PLAY IN PINSTRIPES,  just because we like him and he did hit a modest .255 last season with a career .263. Since coming up to the majors in 2012, he's played 294 games, playing 149 last season.  My point, he is healthy, he is young, he is developing and with the Pirates winning the bid on Korean infielder Jung-ho Kang, Mercer could be sidelined or used as a utility player, a role he may not like or deserve.  According to MLB Rumors' Steve Adams, "The Pirates have plenty of infield depth as is, with Neil Walker entrenched at second base and Josh Harrison set to man third base in 2015 and beyond. Jordy Mercer played a solid shortstop in 2014, but he seems the most likely to be displaced if Kang is signed and the looks the part of an everyday shortstop." Now let's talk moving Gregorius to second and slide Mercer in at short.  I like the idea of that.

Next up, the San Francisco Giants could be in the market for a middle infielder like Mercer or Tulo. According to Giants, GM Brian Sabean announced yesterday that their regular second baseman Marco Scutaro has undergone back fusion surgery on Sunday.  This does not sound good at all for Scutaro who I have always admired when he played for the Blue Jays years back.  Look for some possibilities here.

One final note, pitching.  Max Scherzer remain the last big free agent pitcher on the market and word is that Detroit may just sign him.  Many have speculated that the Yankees would not come in at the 11th hour to swoop him up, but with the Padres and Red Sox eyes on Phillies ace Cole Hamels and Detroit showing some interest in James Shields, could the Yankees make a miracle deal? Hard to say, but I think the Tigers will probably sign him.  Bah Humbug!

That's it for BYB Hot Stove.  See you one more time before the New Year!  Have a great holiday and keep the rumors and chatter coming!

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @suzieprof




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