FIRING UP THE #BYB HOT STOVE

The free agency market is lighting up BYB Hot Stove on this first day of December and the Yankees are in the middle of the discussions with Luis Severino in the mix.  According to Jon Heyman, the Atlanta Braves have 25-year-old pitcher Shelby Miller on the auction block with a pretty hefty price tag, and they have asked "the Yankees for top young righthander Luis Severino in their talks. Severino was merely a request and there is no evidence the Yanks are considering that. The Braves are also said to expect young outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who's available, plus more from the Marlins." This is so not a good idea...I mean, we have been grooming Severino for years in the farm system and we have not even given him a full season up in the majors.  Move on...

Next up is the prospect of Yankee catcher, Gary Sanchez, who turns 23 this week, to make a difference in the Yankee lineup possibly in 2016 now that John Ryan Murphy has left the building. According to ESPN Insider's Eric Longenhagen:

"Sanchez's tools and overall profile have remained unchanged for a number of years; big power but approach issues that lead to an untenable strikeout ratio, and elite arm strength but a slow, clumsy body that struggles with movement and some basic aspects of catching, making it likely he ends up at first base or DH. In the Fall League, Sanchez looked a bit quicker, less apt to drop pitches and be slow to balls in the dirt."  Not sure what to make of this, but I think this is positive news.

Finally, there's been some chatter on Twitter and blogs about the possibility of now free agent Alex Gordon heading to the Bronx, perhaps filling the void left by Brett Gardner if of course, he leaves the Yankees, despite begging to stay.  Gordon is a 32-year-old outfielder who predicted a dominant year prior to the season and he got just that.  How will that cockiness play out in the Bronx?  Not very well, fortunately and I am hoping this will show he just isn't a fit for our 2016 team.  Peter Gammons says there is more of a possibility of Gordon heading to the Cubs.  Anything could happen once the Winter Meetings begin in less than a week.  We will keep you posted as these and other rumors develop.

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



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