Source: USA Today
As the clock struck 12, and New Years revelers popped open champagne to ring in 2020, there's another group of guys who are looking forward to ringing in a new era, and perhaps dynasty in 2020. The New York Yankees have been in 40 World Series, winning 27 of them, and as they embark on the journey to toward 41 and potentially 28, I ask this question, "What's left for the Yankees to do before spring training 2020?"
Source: Newsday
According to Bryan Hoch via MLB.com, "General manager Brian Cashman said that he remains open to anything that makes sense, but after adding Cole, the Yankees’ heavy lifting appears to be done. If Torres begins the season as the everyday shortstop, as anticipated, the Yanks may look for someone capable of pushing Thairo Estrada and Tyler Wade for the backup infield role." If I am being honest, I have no interest in Wade and if I am being really honest, the Yankees need to be in the hunt for a catcher.
As Eli Manning said good bye to the NY Giants this past weekend, he said very bluntly to the media, "I don't want to be a back up." Perhaps that is what Austin Romine said, as he exited that role earlier this month for a chance as starting catcher for the Detroit Tigers. But I cannot feel comfortable without having a serious back up and potential replacement for Gary Sanchez, who is simply not fit enough or agile enough to stay healthy for an entire season.
Source: NY Times
"Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman believe Kyle Higashioka can fill the vacant position with ease, and he did impress at times in 2019. Still, the depth at the position isn’t substantial, and Sanchez, when battling through inconsistent play, is a different player entirely," reported Empire Sports Media last week. I think the Yankees are taking a tremendous risk going with Higashioka as their primary backup. There are no real standout catchers available (peruse the list if you will), but they did pass on JT Realmuto last year, which could have helped them immensely, particularly when Sanchez's bat went cold and he visited the injured list multiple times in 2019.
What's left for the Yankees to do? Sign Josh Hader and somehow groom a catcher to take on the reigns as needed when Sanchez goes down and he will go down. He will head to the IL at least twice next season and I guarantee you that his bat goes cold or does not warm up all that quickly as the Yankees begin their 2020 season in Baltimore on March 26th.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
I am not sold on Higgy as a backup unless you can guarantee Sanchez won't get hurt.
ReplyDeleteSanchez struggled from June on after getting off to a hot start.His swing changed to an all or nothing and his average dropped like a rock.
Not sold on lettung Betances and Didi walk on 1 year contracts basically. All we did was bring Cole in and over pay for Gardy when we coukd had brought back Maybin for 1/3 of that.We could had signed Didi , Dellin , Ryu and Kole Calhoun and Rich Hill and have money left for what we paid for Gardy and Cole.No point in signing Cole if you stop there.
Should had went for the knockout because every trip to the WS almost pays for the luxury tax bill if we play 4 home games.