THE FOOLS OF QUEENS

The Mets are ridiculous. Who the hell is driving the bus over there in Queens? They are morons.

I was trying to figure out the reason why a team would want a 36 year old, broken down, PEDs using, second baseman that can now only play first base in Robinson Cano... and you know what? The only reason is because he's a name and a team is desperate.

The Mets are the freaking dumbest team in baseball. I hope this goes through. 5 more Cano years to mock them.

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) November 30, 2018

I'm utterly shocked that the Mets would torment themselves with a player like Robinson Cano.  I'm not sure why they'd continue to beat themselves up and pay out more money to this aging star with barely anything left in the tank.

It's like signing Jason Bay after he was good... it's over and now you have to pay for it.  Hey, I wonder if they'd take Jacoby Ellsbury too? They'll never learn.

Look, the deal is "close" as I've been reading.  Maybe they are trying to get the Mariners to pay for Cano, or at least a chunk of it.  But what a disaster.  Jeff Passan tweeted this:

The blockbuster trade that would send Robinson Canó and Edwin Díaz to the New York Mets for Jay Bruce, Anthony Swarzak and at least two top prospects is expected to be completed by Friday, league sources familiar with the deal tell Yahoo Sports.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 30, 2018

That's really the latest. And let's keep it real, this is not a "blockbuster".  Passan is being kind. This is an exchange of a bunch of broken down players.  The big get will be the prospects.

The Mariners will win in this trade.

The Mets are fools.  That is all.


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PATRICK CORBIN HAS A MEETING WITH THE YANKEES!

Next stop on the Patrick Corbin meet-and-greet tour is in the Bronx, TODAY! Finally! It's hard not to get excited here, read it HERE. I would like to see Corbin on our team, but then again so would twenty nine other teams.

This feels like a destined marriage. Corbin the lifelong Yankee fan from Cicero, New York will finally get to see what Yankee stadium is all about in his meeting today. Then he can compare and contrast what he saw when he met with the Nationals on Wednesday and also the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. I'm sure Philly is nice, I've never been there personally but there is nothing to compare with the awe of Yankee stadium, especially if you grew up watching it. Hopefully that makes him realize that this is where he wants to be.

Photo: USA Today Sports

Corbin has spent the first six years of his career with the Diamondbacks and has only faced the Yankees once in 2013 where gave up a run, two hits, struck out seven and walked three in a 6-2 Diamondbacks victory that went 12 innings.

I never want to count any other team out. We may have a sentimental advantage here but money is also a great motivator. Philly has a lot of their own money to spend and have a lot of young talent. They are also looking for a starter, a closer and an outfielder at the least. They aren't likely to wait for big names like Manny Machado or Bryce Harper to sign before spending any money. They are looking to make the upgrades whenever and however they can get them.

The most prized pitching free agent this season is definitely Corbin, but there are other teams out there that are willing to listen to offers on some of their aces. The Yankees already pulled off one trade last week with James Paxton, now can they sign Corbin and for how much? Market estimates think that Corbin could get a five year deal anywhere between $100-$125 million.

I wouldn't consider Corbin an "ace" but he is still a damn good pitcher, and one that adds new life to this team. I know a lot of people are focused on Machado, I get it. He's a big name and he's got talent but I am all about the pitching right now. As good as we were last season this team gets even better with reliable arms like Corbin and Paxton in the same rotation as Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka. I think Brian Cashman was right on the money when he said he was looking for "multiple" starters this season. It's a huge upgrade already with or without Machado on the roster.

I'm excited for this visit today. I hope Corbin gets to see what he's been imagining his whole life as a fan and then realizes he doesn't want to play for any other team. I hope the Yankees see what they like also and a deal can be made here. I still think pitching, pitching, pitching is the answer for the Yankees....and Corbin would be the correct answer.

Now, we wait and see.....

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

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TORREYES IS OFF TO CHICAGO

Such a damn shame, and you know the Yankees feel bad about it because they actually tweeted this out yesterday when it happened.

Thank you for everything, Big Toe! pic.twitter.com/l4cjkJRBiS

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 28, 2018

How often do they do that for a utility player that played half the season in the minor leagues? You know what I mean?

Yes. It's true, Ronald Torreyes is off to the Chicago Cubs. That came from the Yankees PR Department. Sad day.

Earlier today, the Yankees traded INF Ronald Torreyes to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later or cash consideration.

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) November 28, 2018

But look, this is business, and even Torreyes knows this. Who we getting? A player to be named... or 2 dollars.

I'm not kidding...


You can't make this up.

Good luck Toe. We loved you in New York!

WHAT DO OKGs MEAN FOR THE YANKEES?

Source: Sporting News

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to listen to a veteran college basketball coach and wise leader share out his mission and vision for teaching players to be good people both on and off the court during a podcast entitled Educational Leadership and Beyond.

John Thompson has been the head coach at North Carolina Wesleyan College for the last 24 years.  He recruits players for his team based on multiple measures which not only include talent but how well they treat their teammates after losses, if they say please and thank you when they visit the concession stand and how they speak to their parents whether they win a game or lose a game.  He's looking for the whole package and he calls this package Our Kind of Guys (OKGs).  You see Our Kind of Guys are the ones we want around the clubhouse, around our fans and around our players.  They are the good guys who glow for their talent second and graciousness first.  What do OKGs mean for the Yankees?  Let me tell you...

Source: NJ.com

Earlier this week, the Yankees designated Ronald Torreyes for assignment.  Besides being a fan favorite, he is OKG.  "Torreyes, 26, was a popular and productive utility infielder during his three seasons with the Yankees. His fielding at shortstop, third base and second base was solid. The 5-foot-8 Venezuelan also proved that he can hit big-league pitching, as he's a career .281 hitter. He was beloved by his teammates and a fan favorite too," according to NJ.com.  The Yankees picked up a right handed pitcher and dropped Torreyes, just like that.  I have no idea if Parker Bridwell, who the Yankees claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels when they DFGed Torreyes, is OKG, but that's not the point.  OKGs are irreplaceable.  That's why losing Torreyes is such a jolt to the system.

Source: NY Post

Brian Cashman mentioned in a number of quotes that he vets players to ensure they are Our Kind of Guys.  "Every year you’re charged with determining with the available markets who would be a good fit for your club and who you want to move forward with and who you don’t," Cashman said. "We’ll make or have made those determinations, and act accordingly,"reported NJ.com.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Then there are guys like Manny Machado and Robinson Cano who are the polar opposite of OKG.  They play with arrogance versus humility, unlike OKGs Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius, Brett Gardner and Luke Voit.  Yea, the Yankees aren't sold on Voit but he is OKG.  He brings an ambitious heart and an uncanny spirit which lifts the Yankees a lot further than Machado or Cano could ever.

Losing Torreyes is like losing your best friend, it's painful because he is Our Kind of Guy.  Thompson called OKGs those guys who come back after they graduate and give back to the team that helped mold them, relating to the players despite the difference in age or background.  This week we lost on of those guys.  And hopefully, Cashman and crew are serious about only bringing on players who are OKGs.  The Yankees need them to thrive because they are the lifeblood of a team.  Thompson said it right, Our Kind of Guys are one of a kind.  Never underestimate their worth or you will lose more games than you will win.

-
-Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE YANKS MAY LIKE PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT. WHAT CAN I SAY?

Photo: USA SI

I don't know if this would ever happen, but I like where their heads at. Plus anything Yankee news that doesn't have to do with Bryce Harper, Manny Machado or Nick Cafardo's theory of why Giancarlo Stanton would be traded is refreshing to me.  Bottom line.

New York Metro writes this... and it comes originally from Buster Olney. But I'm not a big fan of Olney. I'm a big fan of Metro's commentary about Olney's rumor:

"According to ESPN's Buster Olney, rival evaluators believe that the Arizona Diamondbacks intend to trade six-time All-Star Paul Goldschmidt. Arizona is on the cusp of a rebuild as rumors have already swirled this offseason that ace Zack Greinke is also on the trade block. 

They also are on the verge of losing top-tier starter Patrick Corbin, another southpaw linked to the Yankees. With Goldschmidt entering the final year of his deal, it makes him a prime trade candidate. The quicker they do so, the higher the return will be. "

So look... here's the deal.  The Yankees like Corbin too, but Corbin is a free agent.  Goldschmidt means you need to flip over talent to the Diamondbacks.  While the Yankees have had made those deals with Arizona before, I'm just not sure who they would send over?  We have a really good farm.  We even just gave away Justus Sheffield to the Mariners for James Paxton, and no one really wanted to part with Sheffield, but we had to make a deal. Now rumors are flying that the Yankees offered Sheffield to the Diamondbacks for Goldschmidt. I guess nothing happened.  Hey, we got a major league pitcher from the Mariners.  I'm happier with that.

Now we're faced with the latest rumors that the Yankees aren't thrilled with Greg Bird and Luke Voit. I find pitching to be the real priority here. Get another starter, via free agency. Roll the dice with Voit or Bird at first, and forget someone like Goldschmidt.

But hey, it's the rumor season, and while I'm no fan of Olney, this idea of the Yankees perhaps trying to snatch up Goldschmidt makes a helluva lot of sense.

Whatever the case.  Stay tuned about this one. It's interesting.

WHY GETTING CANO BACK IS DUMB AF

I'm not gonna take a lot of time on this because when I read the "Robinson Cano for Jacoby Ellsbury swap" stories and tweets today.... I laughed out loud and watched all you guys fall over each other.  This is the dumbest thing I've read in a long time. Here's why...

Number 1. Everyone was bitching and moaning since the playoffs about how Manny Machado doesn't hustle.  We collectively decided that during the playoffs we didn't want the guy any more.  We didn't like his attitude and we didn't his lack of hustle and we gave up on the dude... and he wasn't even in pinstripes yet.  But let's not forget. Cano was a non-hustler.

He didn't bust it down the line as a Yankee. He appeared lazy, lackadaisical at times and when he went to Seattle, while sad because he was home grown... many of us were kind of happy.    But now what... Cano doesn't hustle but getting him back is better?  Give me a break.

Second. We don't need him. Robinson Cano is no better than Jacoby Ellsbury.  He's slower than he was, he's not as productive as he once was, and you know what? He's a cheater.  We don't need a reunion... we need to move forward.

Finally this… why even attempt to swap one bad contract for another.  It's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.  The Yankees should be giving Ellsbury away for a bag of balls and eating that contract and NOT get Robinson Cano in return. That, my friends is the ultimate upgrade.

There is ZERO upside to a move like this.

OK... enough.

I'm done.

THE TOE IS GONZO

Photo: NJ.com

It's sad.  I don't like the move at all, but baseball is a business.  Ronald Torreyes is now gone.  Designated for assignment, and it sucks.

In a corresponding move, the Yankees signed Parker Bridwell.  They announced it on Twitter earlier tonight:

Roster Move: The Yankees have claimed RHP Parker Bridwell off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. To make room for Bridwell on the 40-man roster, INF Ronald Torreyes was designated for assignment.

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) November 26, 2018

And this is exciting... Bridwell tweeted this:

Excited to say the least to be a part of the @Yankees organization! I think every kid dreams of playing in the pinstripes! Can’t wait to get to work!!

— Parker Bridwell (@PBrid91) November 26, 2018

I like Bridwell. I'm looking forward to this.  But look, in the end, we all move forward as a fan base and as a team.  For Aaron Judge... there's no question he'll be sad.

Loved these 2 together.

IAN CLARKIN IS BACK WITH THE CHISOX

I can't make it up if I wanted to.  Last week I told you this in IAN CLARKIN'S ON THE MOVE AGAIN...

"Clarkin was on the Chicago White Sox topping out at Double A last season. But now... he's on the Cubs claimed off waivers. "

Well... now he's back with the White Sox, as he was just claimed off waivers from the Cubs.  MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"The White Sox announced that they’ve claimed left-hander Ian Clarkin off waivers from the Cubs. It’s a quick turnaround move by the ChiSox, who only last week lost Clarkin on waivers to the Cubs."

I shit you not.

Carry on.

THE YANKEES HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT BIRD & VOIT

Photo: NJ.com

Interesting turn of events here. So before the Yankees traded top prospect Justus Sheffield to the Mariners for James Paxton, the Yankees may have had their eyes on a completely different prize, read more HERE. Pitching is Brian Cashman's focus, but the Yankees are also looking for another upgrade.

So it makes sense that the Yankees turn their attention to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Yankees have put their faith in Greg Bird for awhile now, and it hasn't panned out for them. Then came Luke Voit who had an impressive 39 game audition so to speak. He had some huge moments for us, but either the Yankees aren't sold on Voit as an everyday first baseman, or the Yankees saw a good opportunity to pounce on a bigger fish named Paul Goldschmidt.

We first wrote about Goldschmidt earlier this month in THE YANKEES HOT STOVE IS FIRING UP! We said he would be an interesting name to watch, and he could've been an interesting name that the Yankees traded for. He's an All-Star, powerful bat and a much better defender then Bird or Voit. The Yankees were "pushing" Sheffield's name in trade talks and were hoping he would be a centerpiece to get Goldschmidt in pinstripes. The Yankees have options at first base, but but there is no denying Goldschmidt would be an upgrade, and Cashman knows it too.

"Obviously we had a first baseman that we acquired late in the year that played really well for us. He's currently manning that position. Voit will have a chance to reclaim his spot, or reinforce that that's his spot. And Bird will have a chance to try to take it from him. We'll see," said Cashman.

The Diamondbacks are reportedly "intent" on trading Goldschmidt who is one year away from free agency. It sounds like a rebuild is on the way in Arizona now that Patrick Corbin and A.J. Pollock are free agents this year. The Yankees saw the opportunity and went for it, but it sounds like the Cardinals and the Astros are front runners.

So what does this say about everyone involved?

Photo: New York Post

It sucks to lose Sheffield because we have been following him for so long. He was projected to be a starter for us, but obviously there is still work to be done. The command needs work. The Yankees are in "win now" mode for the next two seasons. They went with the more sure-fire bet with Paxton. He's definitely not a guarantee, there is some risk there but he is a damn good pitcher that makes the Yankees rotation better.

More importantly, if the Yankees were so sure that Sheffield was going to be front of the rotation type guy....they wouldn't have been so eager to trade him for a one-year rental at first base that they could just sign if they waited for one more year. They valued one year of Goldschmidt over Voit, Bird and Sheffield. Tough to hear, but true.

Photo: Sports Illustrated

It sounds like the Yankees are ready to give Voit a chance to steal the everyday first baseman job that Bird previously won, but not been able to hold for a while now. He earned the opportunity, but it's not unreasonable to see why the Yankees would be uneasy about his ability to effective the entire season. Voit had an impressive six weeks, but he was a 27 year old minor leaguer that got hot at the right time. Was he just a late bloomer? Can he be the everyday guy?

We love Voit here at BYB. We also loved Sheffield, but this just goes to show that the Yankees are willing to make upgrades anywhere they can. Would you have preferred Sheffield for Goldschmidt over Sheffield for Paxton?

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

YOU WANT SYNDERGAARD? FORGET IT

Photo: Sports Illustrated

I don't even like the guy. I know, I'm in the minority, but anyone who takes on a persona of someone else that's fictional really must be self-conscious or something.  Ridiculous.

That being said, he's good. Great? No... but good. But I think he looks better surrounded by a crappy team of Mets.  That's just me.

Anyway.  This is a great report, and it's brought to us by Sports Illustrated...

"The Yankees are not expected to pursue Mets SP Noah Syndergaard, if the Mets do decide to trade him..."

That was expanded on by Andy Martino of SNY:

"Trading Syndergaard -- which is no sure thing to happen, even though the Mets are exploring it -- would only be one piece in a larger strategy. The Mets could obtain a package of prospects and major leaguers for Syndergaard, then replace him with a free agent such as Patrick Corbin, J.A. Happ, Dallas Keuchel, or Nathan Eovaldi. 

Those pitchers are all in the mix for the Yankees, too; Happ and Corbin are particular targets in the Bronx. The Yankees, by the way, do not expect to pursue Syndergaard, per sources."

And it all goes back to the idea that the Mets wants a boatload of prospects, which, the Yankees have. But they already gave away Justus Sheffield for Paxton. And so, now the idea is to just sign a free agent.  They don't want to give away the farm... the Yankees want to keep it intact the best they can. And so... Syndergaard's future in the Bronx? It ain't happening.

I hate Thor anyway... what a stupid superhero.

GIANCARLO STANTON COULD BE THE ODD MAN OUT?

Source: The New York Times

No one is safe and no contract guaranteed.  Despite putting up a .266 batting average, 100 RBIs, and 38 home runs, Giancarlo Stanton's performance in his first year in pinstripes was lackluster. But this nugget from NESN casts a darker shadow on Stanton's underwhelming numbers this season.

Source: SNY

“Obviously it’s a massive contract, but if the Dodgers ever felt they needed to do something splashy, Stanton isn’t that far-fetched, since that’s one team to which he would likely approve a trade. Nor would it be far-fetched if the Giants wanted a big hitter to give their staggering offense a jump start, or if the Phillies decided to include Stanton on their list of superstars to acquire. Stanton has about $260 million remaining on his contract over the next 10 years. That would be cheaper than acquiring Machado or Bryce Harper," reports Nick Cafardo from the Boston Globe via NESN on Saturday.

Source: The New York Post

Stanton, criticized for his late start and his quiet bat with runners in scoring position as the season matured, seemingly could not contribute in the field and his price tag was not cost effective considering the Yankees' inability to move past the Red Sox in the American League Division Series.  But if you asked me, NESN and The Globe both think that we're angry about losing to the Sox and that's why they think we want to move Stanton.  Actually, Stanton's numbers were not that bad at face value but because he's Giancarlo Stanton, and he plays for the winningest team in baseball, he's held to a higher standard as are the Yankees themselves.  So no, Boston, we're not angry, it's baseball and you were the better team last year.  

Source: NJ.com

Yet, NESN wrote this, "Still, with the Yankees clearly angered over the Boston Red Sox winning another World Series championship, fans should expect a busy offseason from the “Evil Empire.” New York reportedly already has its sights set on star free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper." 

Source: WBGH

The Yankees want to win.  And clearly they need more than Stanton to do it, so yes, they are going to be active this off season so they can win.  If the Sox are contending and in their way, then yes, they will try to push them out of the way, but make no mistake, it's not personal, like Boston makes it out to be, it's baseball and it's business.

Source: The New York Post

Could Stanton be the odd man out? Anyone is dispensable.  One man does not make a team and with or without Stanton, the Yankees are going to make a run for it next year.  So Boston can suck on an egg and continue to be cry babies.  It's not personal, it's baseball.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof