WEDNESDAY COULD BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR SANCHEZ

The Yankees current drama with the catching situation is driving me crazy. I'm tired of talking or even thinking about Gary Sanchez. He's been awful for the last three seasons now and now the Yankees are diving deeper into the starting catcher problem and it's terrible timing. 

I understand the drama with Sanchez. It's hard to walk away from a young catcher that is cheap. The Yankees want to believe in him again. They want him to redeem himself and still be a core part of this team, but it's just not working and it can no longer be ignored. The Yankees also don't want to think about cutting Sanchez loose and him rebounding with another team, which could happen. Meanwhile, the bigger issues on my mind right now is getting DJ LeMahieu signed back and figuring out the starting rotation. The Yankees have three major issues to deal with after a season with large revenue losses.

So all of these ties to Yadier Molina make it more complicated. I do think the Yankees have genuine interest in signing Molina. I don't think the Yankees are just looking to drive up the price for other teams but I also think the Yankees are going to tender Sanchez a contract by Wednesday's deadline. So if the Yankees are trying to sign Molina, what's going to happen with Sanchez?

I don't know, exactly. What I do know is the Yankees are not signing Molina if they are keeping Sanchez because there's no point. Molina won't be cheap and the Yankees are looking to shed payroll. They aren't going to carry two catchers who could cost upwards of $18 million before even factoring in Kyle Higashioka, and the Yankees aren't going to get rid of him. Higashioka took Sanchez's job at the end of the season and he's proven to be the more consistent and a cheaper option.

The only real option I see here is if they really are serious about Molina is that Sanchez gets then is traded. Since we all know Sanchez has very little trade value, the Yankees would have to be willing to trade him with no real expectations on what they back in return for him even if it is for a bucket of balls and a pack of Big League chew.

The timing just sucks and it leaves a lot to figure out later. I'm ready to move on from Sanchez, honestly. I'm tired of worrying about him and what happens with him behind the plate. I'm just ready for the resolution on this either way I don't care. We let this problem get out of hand for too long.

It's time to cut the cord, wish Sanchez well wherever he plays in 2021 (even if it is with us) and get down to business. The Yankees put themselves in this position and now it is time to make a decision and move forward. This team has other needs outside of just a catcher and we can't afford to waste more time and miss out on other opportunities.

Wednesday can't come fast enough for me....that's when we start getting some answers.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

WILL THE YANKEES FIND THEIR WAY?

Source: The San Diego Tribune

The Holidays are a time for reflection, for traditions, for new beginnings. Some people lose their way and the holidays some how get them back on track. The Yankees know all about losing their way; and it has been a long time since they have been on the right track toward a championship. But will this off season be the one that snaps the Yankees back in sync? Will they finally find their way back to the World Series in 2021?

Famed sports writer, Mike Lupica, wrote a column on Friday that centered on the Yankees storied droughts since their beginnings. "The longest the Yankees have gone without winning a World Series -- since they really became the Yankees just over 100 years ago when Babe Ruth showed up in the Bronx -- was 17 seasons. That drought lasted from 1979-95, before Joe Torre’s Yanks finished the Yankee Century in baseball in style. Prior to that it had been 15 years, from '62-77. Their third longest stretch without winning a World Series is happening now." He gave a number of reasons for the Yankees droughts and defended them as reasons vs. excuses.

"Both Stanton and Cole were seen to be game-changers and difference-makers in the Bronx, Cole especially. But you saw what happened in a short season. Too many Yankees got hurt again, they ended up finishing second in the division to the Rays and at one point looked as if they might not make even the expanded postseason at all, before ultimately losing another heartbreaker -- this time in the AL Division Series -- to the Rays," said Lupica. 

Heartbreakers have been the Yankees MO over this drought. Injuries have been another. But if the Yankees can figure out where their issues are, perhaps they can bandage up their Achilles Heel and go get themselves a catcher that can, well, catch. Maybe they can smarten up and let Luke Voit go and pick up another infielder with a bigger bat. And maybe, they can pick up a pitcher, that can add more consistency to the rotation. That is how you win games. That is how you win the Series. Consistency. This is an area for growth for the Yankees, and the key to finding their way.

December 6th is the start of MLB's Virtual Winter Meetings. Perhaps the Yankees will find their way in 2021 and this will be the week that ignites their path. And like Lupica's friend who is a diehard Yankee fan, I will be less impatient too because the Yankees will be back on track to win again, and win more consistently. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

HOW IN THE WORLD IS LUIS SEVERINO STILL HURT?

I'm tired of this. I'd like to see Luis Severino actually pitch for the Yankees sometime soon. What's going on with him?

The New York Daily News writes:

"The Yankees cannot go into 2021 depending on Luis Severino.

The Yankees’ right hander is making good progress in his rehab from Tommy John surgery, Aaron Boone said Monday night on the YES Network, but with a rotation that has Gerrit Cole and a lot of question marks, the Yankees have to make preparations.

'I’m looking forward to him playing a big part for us in this upcoming season,' the Yankees manager said, but added that the Yankees will be very careful with Severino when he comes back in June or July.

'Especially a guy as valuable and important as Luis is to our team.'"

Pitchers have come back from injury much quicker. I don't get it. Now remember, Sevy was gone most of 2019 because he had that torn lat muscle. Then in February 2020 he had a torn ulnar collatoral ligament. 2 injuries but let's keep it real... it's now November 2020. Are you gonna sit there and tell me that he can't be ready for Opening day 2021? Why? Why why why why why?

Sevy is a question mark, but you gotta question how the medical staff is dealing with this kid. Seriously.

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS & BASEBALL WISHES AS WE LOOK AHEAD

First and foremost, I want to wish all of you a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving! This year has been stressful on all of us, but we press on and we persevere. I've learned to appreciate a lot of things that I previously took fore granted because I thought they would always be around. 

Sports is a great example of that. It's been routine for many of us, so when we didn't have any to watch for months I suddenly appreciated them a lot more. I missed them A LOT. I missed the distraction from the unfamiliar world we live in. It's the simple things in life that I now appreciate even more.

So I hope as you read this and you are spending time with your family that you are healthy and focusing on what you are grateful for. The world looks very different right now. I yearn for pre-covid days and I hope to watch baseball inside of a stadium again. I hope that is in our future, and will continue to remain optimistic and wish for what comes next. Who knows, maybe those wishes will manifest and turn into reality.

One of my wishes would of course be to re-sign DJ LeMahieu. I think that is on every Yankee fan's wish list this winter, but my wish goes beyond the obvious. This season we were reminded how hard it is to stay on top. The Rays are the new pain in our butts while the Red Sox were far less threatening. I want to get back to the top just like every other fan....and this week there was one important detail to help us get there. The Rays lost an important piece to their division winning team, so that's good new for us.

Maybe the Yankees are starting to close the gap. There's a long way to go of course. The Yankees need to make improvements even if the Rays lose more of their big names BUT Charlie Morton is no longer a Ray and has left for Atlanta. The Rays declined Morton's $15 million club option for 2021 and the Braves were willing to pay it. The Rays wanted to keep Morton but at a lower price. The Rays made a mistake, Morton's salary was too much for their payroll, but so is the cost of his departure.

But on top of that, the Rays are also rumored to be willing to trade Blake Snell for a hefty return just like they did in 2016 when they traded Chris Archer. Now IF this is true and not just a baseless rumor, a trade that involves getting Snell OUT of the AL East would be HUGE for the Yankees. I wouldn't mind the idea of Snell in pinstripes either behind Gerrit Cole in our rotation, but to me that sounds like a wish that just isn't realistic. It is a nice thought for sure. I realize this winter will be challenging for free agent signings. Owners will probably pinch pennies so IF the Yankees big splash is bringing back LeMahieu I am happy with that if the Rays help us close the gap by making more notable subtractions. Sometimes you need to get a little creative and improvise and 2020 has definitely taught us this.

So as we sit around the table today and give thanks for the small victories and celebrate 2020 coming closer to an end I also celebrate the possibilities for 2021 ahead....baseball related or not.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I am truly thankful that all of you continue to come here and support us.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

A WELL DESERVED RIPPING OF AARON BOONE!

Sometimes you just gotta say what's on your mind.  Bleeding Yankee Blue has been doing that since it started in September 2010 and when we did, we were not popular, meaning, readers didn't get it.  They'd email me, "Why are you going off on Girardi?" or "You're not a true fan because you don't support the Yankees." That stuff is all crap. I speak honestly. I see things and report them as a journalist AND a fan. Over time people got that, but it wasn't easy because many times fans are blind to reality. No worries... you're forgiven.

Michael Kay is going off on Aaron Boone and I love it. Why? Because it needs to be said. NJ.com writes:

"...when he said that the (Sanchez) criticism was over the top, I was dumbfounded. It almost made me pull my hair. It’s so unfair...

...I’ve never killed Gary Sanchez,” Kay said. “I think that he had a really terrible year this year. I’m not going to put lipstick on a pig. And that’s why I was so offended that we were over the top. How are we over the top?

My advice to Aaron... you’re ruining your credibility by saying stuff like that because everybody has eyes. Everybody saw what (Sanchez) did. Everybody saw the year that he had. Everybody saw that you didn’t start him in a win-or-go-home game.

You’re not supposed rip your players. I get that. But you’re going over the top saying all the good things that (Sanchez) does when you didn’t play him. And you might lose credibility with your players."

By the way? Bravo Michael Kay. Many fans have not been too thrilled with Sanchez.  Listen, my feels about Sanchez go back to the minors. This dude has an attitude, thinks he's better than he is and probably bought into the praise and most likely doesn't put the work in. Read WHY SOMEONE NEEDS AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT from June 2011. It's very telling.

And you know what? He doesn't live up to the hype. Look, if Gerrit Cole won't pitch to the guy, you gotta wonder why. Maybe he's just not too good.

Anyway, honesty rules. You gotta appreciate that.

How do you guys feel about Sanchez? How do you feel about honesty? Comment.

RUMOR: SEVERAL TEAMS ARE INTERESTED IN J.A. HAPP

It was a rocky season for J.A. Happ. He started off shaky, got better but also had some obvious frustration with his role on the Yankees. The Yankees were treading on a dangerous line of mediocrity so I wrote HAPP ISN'T HAPPY & I DON'T CARE because I was over the distraction. There was a lot of drama this season, and now it may continue into the winter.

The Yankees have several areas to improve on for next season, and pitching is an area of concern. Behind Gerrit Cole there is a giant question mark. Who are the next four starters behind him? After reading a weekend full of trade rumors I have to wonder....is Happ going to be part of the Yankees pitching plan? Maybe not.

The Angels are Rangers would be interesting landing places for Happ.

The Angels pitching staff finished with the third-worst ERA in the American League at 5.09 ERA. The Angels new General Manager Perry Minasian is familiar with Happ because they spent time together with the Toronto Blue Jays and adding another familiar face to the team could help the team move forward. The Angels are the team that can never get Mike Trout to the playoffs is constantly in need of starting pitching. Minasian said that pitching will be the top priority of the team so it sounds like their new GM is ready to make a splash, and if Happ is still upset about his usage during the 2020 season he may appreciate a new opportunity on the West Coast.

The Rangers also struggled with their rotation and finished near the bottom of the American League with a 5.02 ERA. The Rangers are in a rebuild mode and are still a few years away from being contenders again. 2021 will be the last year in Lance Lynn's contract and have to figure out what

to do going into the season. Adding a veteran like Happ to the rotation could be what they need to help rebuild their team and add some needed leadership.

We can't forget about the Blue Jays. Honestly they are the team I am going to watch closely this winter. They will probably be one of MLB's most aggressive teams this winter, and they are rumored to be interested in a reunion. Happ had two prior stints with the Blue Jays and was an All-Star for them back in 2018. The Blue Jays already addressed one hold in their rotation by signing Robbie Ray but they are still looking for more to add behind ace Hyun-Jin Ryu. The Blue Jays gave us a run for our money last season, and they think Happ could do it again. I don't think the argument of "they are in the same division it will never happen" matters as much as it used to. I think anything is possible especially now in a pandemic world - I just don't think the Yankees would want to give him up unless the Blue Jays are willing to stupidly overpay for him.

So will Happ still be a Yankee next season? I really didn't think about before. I guess anything could happen, but it's hard to imagine unless the Yankees make some good pitching upgrades. 

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

SUNDAY TRADE RUMORS UNPLUGGED

Source: AP

As the MLB trade rumors continue to scorch, the hot stove is lit which means trades can happen at a moment's notice. Here is the run down of whose the talk of the trades and who is vying for the new guy in town.

Let's start with the Yankees and yes, of course DJ LeMahieu. According to a Tweet by Jim Bowdon, MLB Analyst & Insider for CBS Sports, "The #Yankees have made it clear that bringing back  2B D.J. LeMahieu is their top priority. As the negotiations grind on it’s also evident that LeMahieu preference is to return to the Bronx Bombers." That is the kind of Tweet that I want to hear and save with my favorites however Bowdon also notes that, "The wild card may be the crosstown Mets, who recently lost second baseman Robinson Cano to suspension. LeMahieu would be an ideal replacement, and new owner Steve Cohen has indicated he's willing to spend to win," reports CBS Sports.  Ugh. Delete that idea completely. Listen, LeMahieu has said he wanted to be a Yankee when he was not even guaranteed an everyday spot. There is mutual interest. This deal will get done. It is just a matter of when. 

Also heating up is the Washington Nationals interest in Kris Bryant. "Bryant, 29, is coming off a poor 2020 season and there has been speculation Chicago could non-tender him next month rather than pay him a projected $19 million or so salary in 2021. Despite his name value, the prospect cost to acquire Bryant in a trade could be relatively small given his projected salary and rough season," reports CBS Sports. After losing Anthony Rendon last season there has been an offensive hole in the lineup, so perhaps the Nats will go for Kris. The Nats have also expressed interest in LeMahieu. Delete that too. 

Another third baseman on the market is World Series Champion Justin Turner. He is a free agent and could find a new team in 2021. The Dodgers have a keen interest in Colorado Rockie Nolan Arenado and have for some time. "It of course remains quite possible that Turner returns to the Dodgers, but if that doesn't come to pass then L.A. may have designs on another offseason blockbuster," reports CBS Sports. Hey, it would be interesting, but my mind is on Turner returning. We have a terrific wild card at third, Gio Urshela. No interest there. 

If I had my druthers, I would like the Yankees to wrap up the LeMahieu contract by Thanksgiving Day so they can go into the Winter Meetings a week or so later with more focus on pitching and catching. Being distracted by the LeMahieu situation compromises the Yankees decision making process. So, as the last full week of November approaches, let's just get this done and move on. The rest of the trade rumors are interesting but for Yankee fans we are only zoned in on one. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

IF THE FEELING'S MUTUAL, MAKE THE DEAL FOR DJ!

I know that DJ will come back to the Yankees, but only if the Yankees don't try and screw him.  Don't forget, the Mets want to make a splash, and having DJ LeMahieu as a big off season signing would be the way to do it for chunky Steve Cohen.  But here's the thing... the Yankees love DJ, and DJ loves the Yankees, and if they like each other that much.... you gotta make the deal.  For me, if I'm Cashman... this one's easy. He wants 5 years, you give him 5 years. If he's willing to come to New York for less money because he likes it there... you still give him alittle more dough because he's the most productive dude we've had in years.  He signs, it's done... DJ remains a Yankee.

The New York Post writes:

"The Yankees and LeMahieu haven’t advanced very far in their discussions to date, multiple sources said. LeMahieu turned down the Yankees’ qualifying offer, which would have paid him $18.9 million for one year, and he is due a large raise from the two-year, $24 million pact he signed with the Yankees in January 2019.

The obvious, if imperfect, comparable is third baseman Josh Donaldson, who signed a four-year, $92 million contract with the Twins in January. Donaldson was entering his age-34 season, while LeMahieu will be an age-32 player next year; on the flip side, Donaldson had compiled a stronger track record than LeMahieu. The novel coronavirus, however, limited Major League Baseball to 60 regular-season games without paying fans this past campaign and threatens next season’s revenues. Hence the Yankees’ methodical approach to re-signing LeMahieu. "

And when it comes to numbers and years and comparing players, it's smart to know that Donaldson is no DJ LeMahieu even though this article tries to make an argument for it. Donaldson is more well known... that's about it Kenny Davidoff. DJ is not a household name... until after the last 2 seasons in New York of course... and that's the difference. DJ is more productive, a more versatile player... a better player all around these days. You pay him more than Donaldson at 34... and you give him an extra year. That's what I'd do.

And then you need to factor in the Mets. Steve Cohen wants to make such a big splash, it's sickening. And he could do it with DJ. The question is timing however. The Yankees need to stay engaged. The Yankees need to make their offer known, but only after the other teams like the Mets and Blue Jays do it.  And when DJ gets those offers, the right thing to do is to go back to his former employer and say "Hey... the Mets are offering me this. Can you match it?" That's a collaboration on a good deal for both the Yanks and DJ. 

Bottom line... I don't want to see DJ go elsewhere, but I also don't want to hear from Cashman's mouth after the fact, "Well... we never made DJ a formal offer."  That's bad business.

Hey Cash, the Yankee Universe wants this deal done. Do it.

THE NEW "UNTOUCHABLE" YANKEES OUTFIELDER MAY SURPRISE YOU

I'm anxiously waiting to see what happens this winter. I find myself wondering if Brian Cashman is ready and willing to make a trade deal. Maybe he chases after more pitching, or even a catcher...but if he does, it sounds like there's one player in particular that won't be on the trade chopping block and that is Clint Frazier.

I couldn't believe it at first, but George King III explained it all HERE. Apparently, Frazier is now untouchable. That's a good comeback story in a crappy year like 2020. Just back in July we were talking about how EVEN AARON BOONE "DOESN'T KNOW" ABOUT FRAZIER'S FUTURE because the Yankees had no real plan for him. He was blocked by other players and he didn't "fit in" anywhere and I really thought this was a make or break year for him. His start to this past season wasn't a good one, but he's proof it's not about how you start....it's about how you END and he ended it with a bang and was nominated for a Gold Glove this season.

And now maybe we can say it was a "make it" year and he has a really defined future with the Yankees. He showed major improvements defensively and was solid at the plate this season, he may just be so important to the team that the Yankees can't trade him away. "It is almost to the point where they can’t trade him because you don’t know about the other two guys" a NL talent evaluator said about Frazier and outfielders Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Maybe he's right. Stanton's outfield days are over, and his DH duties will continue. Judge has missed significant time the past three seasons due to injuries and Frazier has played in his place.

And maybe we are finally seeing Frazier at his best after his concussion in 2018 that took him an extended period of time to recover from, and probably left him feeling hesitant in the outfield. He did hit his head pretty hard against a chain link fence. Who knows at this point, and as long as he continues to play like he did this past season it won't matter. "The most notable difference from other years is how much he improved on defense and making more of a commitment to playing defense," the evaluator said. "And I think he has grown up. Whoever helped him, he has responded." He really has and I can't wait to see what happens next season. 

I'm really happy for Frazier. He's had a rough ride for the past few seasons and it looks like it's finally coming together for him. The Yankees didn't know where he fit in before, but now they do. Frazier's perfect fit is in pinstripes, not in some other uniform.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

CANO THE DISGRACE

I remember it fondly. I was merely a little writer in this world of Yankee fans blogs and I wrote a story called CANO: NO LEADER, NO DRIVE. Read it. It was powerful and it was an opinion piece.

In that piece, written in 2013, I stated:

"Maybe it’s him jogging down the first base line. Maybe it’s him NOT fist pumping after a game... Maybe it’s him just making it seem like it’s “too easy"...Cano looks like he’s padding numbers as opposed to leading a club to a championship."

We were all frustrated at Cano. He appeared lazy. He didn't appear like he wanted to be a leader. He appeared as if he wasn't trying. Well now we know why. More on that in a moment.

What happened next was outrageous.  Peter Keating of ESPN decided to try and slam me in ESPN the magazine.

He tried hard to make an argument that players like Cano have to pace themselves to have long careers. He also works for ESPN so he needs to give a blowjob to these players because he needs interviews. I don't. I write for BYB here. We're honest and truthful. You know who's not? Robinson Cano.  

What we know now is that Cano just never had longevity in his career. In other words, Peter Keating picked the wrong horse. While trying to criticize me, he couldn't be more wrong. Robinson Cano didn't have what it took, he actually was lazy and that's why when things got hard, Cano took PEDs and got caught. The first time was in 2018. 

As Deadspin writes:

"In 2018, as a member of the Seattle Mariners, Cano was suspended 80 games for a PED violation. Apparently he didn’t learn his lesson… or just doesn’t care."

I agree, he doesn't care. He was also frustrated and tried to get the magic pill so he wouldn't have to work. But now we're at a more serious part of his career. Now... Cano's body is breaking down because of PEDs. His muscles and bones aren't working right. He's no doubt even more frustrated and maybe dumb... and so he was looking for more magic... more instant gratification... and now, he got caught again. Disgraceful.

 USA Today writes: 

"Goodbye, Hall of Fame.

Goodbye, playoffs.

All of that sympathy toward Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano when he broke his hand Sunday turned to disgust less than 72 hours later.

Cano violated Major League Baseball’s drug testing policy and on Tuesday was suspended for 80 games.

Cano called it a careless mistake, saying he was taking a diuretic called furosemide for a medical condition he declined to reveal, insisting it was not a performance-enhancing drug.

“This substance was given to me by a licensed doctor in the Dominican Republic to treat a medical ailment,’’ Cano said in a statement released by the Major League Players Association. “While I did not realize at the time that I was given a medication that was banned, I obviously now wish that I had been more careful.’’

Note to every player getting medical attention out of the D.R.... DON'T GET ANY SUBSTANCES FROM A LICENSED DOCTOR IN THE D.R.

Dummy. Robinson Cano will never be looked at the same. He's a disappointment.

And speaking of disappointment... here's Peter Keating. Where are you now you stupid moron? Stick to facts, not opinion. You're bad at it.

Can you imagine if Cano just worked his ass off clean? He'd still be playing. He chose the dark path.  Not worth it.

''EVERYONE IS A GM!" SAYS VOIT TO THE TOPIC OF HIS TRADE TALKS

Gentlemanly. 

That is the word I am using to describe the way Luke Voit addressed the trade talk chatter surrounding him as the offseason heats up. Pragmatic. Another word I would use to sum up how he perceives what is happening and how everyone seems to be talking about him, DJ LeMahieu and their future as Yankees. It does not faze him. It does not make him flinch. It is just part of the game where everyone wants to weigh in and say something or as Voit says it, "Everyone is a GM!"

"It is part of it, and everyone’s name is going to be thrown around,’’ Voit said. “Everyone is a GM, and everyone wants to talk baseball somehow and make the perfect trade. You don’t know what is going to happen," reported the New York Post. This is the kind of guy I like having around the clubhouse. I don't think many would disagree. But, Voit's fate is in the hands of his teammate, DJ LeMahieu. We have to wait to see what happens with DJ before we know what is going to happen to Voit.

"With LeMahieu able to handle first, the Yankees could believe that Voit’s trade value will never be higher than it is right now and deal him," reported the Post. Voit led the majors with home runs and his hot bat gave the Yankees a fighting chance amidst the injuries. 

So it will be a waiting game. But that is part of the game; at least during the off season. And Voit is right. We all want to play GM. Just look at Twitter and you will see a lot of GMs out there, sharing their insights, putting together their wish lists and looking to deal. It is all part of the game and we as fans get into it too. One thing is for sure. Voit is a gem of a guy who has added so much energy and passion to the Yankees. I rooted for him to win the first base position, I rooted for him as he battled injuries, I rooted for him to stay a Yankee and I will root for him wherever he goes. And if I were GM...I would find all of this a difficult decision but LeMahieu comes first and Voit will have to wait it out from there. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof