THE SLOW DIG BACK

4 in a row, but what's significant is that they are slowly cutting down the lead against the Sox, now 8 back with Boston's loss last night.

Photo: Getty Images

And there are moments we need to celebrate sure, although, I don't get as excited at the fastest home run out of the park like Giancarlo Stanton did last night. I mean yeah, it's great and all, but we just want it out of the park.  A home run's a home run.  Keep them coming.   The Yankees had 5 last night.  Pretty nice in our 7-3 win against the Rangers.

Mandy Bell of MLB writes:

Photo: Getty Images

"Giancarlo Stanton set a Statcast™ mark with his 28th home run, and Neil Walker homered from both sides of the plate for the first time in his career as the Yankees hit five homers for a 7-3 victory over the Rangers in the series opener at Yankee Stadium, extending their win streak to four games...

Photo: Getty Images

The Yankees' offense gave plenty of support to starter J.A. Happ, who made his second start in pinstripes and first since coming off the disabled list with hand, foot and mouth disease. Happ logged his 10th quality start of the year, permitting three runs on four hits -- including a fourth-inning homer by Jurickson Profar and a two-run double by Shin-Soo Choo in the fifth -- with nine strikeouts through six innings."

I like what I'm seeing. Keep it going. Better yet, keep gaining ground on the pesky Sox.

LOSING REACHES A NEW LOW

It is one thing to lose a game. It is another to get blown out. When you discover – and I use that word intentionally – the Yankees field crew does, in fact, have cards with double digits for the classic-style scoreboard, that is proof that you have reached a new low. For me, there is something haunting about seeing double digits next to the opposition’s name. There is something very haunting about this team right now, which needs correction.

CC Sabathia started out strong in the first two innings, striking out five of the first eight batters he faced. Then the fateful, ugly third inning happened. The first five batters reached on a walk and four consecutive singles. He followed a foul out with a wild pitch and another single, and by then Joe Girardi had seen enough. It was 5-0 at that point, with still a glimmer of hope of a comeback win. Esmil Rogers took care of that. He allowed three of the next four batters to reach while two more runs scored, before giving up a 3-run home run to Shin-Soo Choo which brought them to 10-0. Hope was gone, and the next six innings were just a ceremony.

Some noteworthy items – Prince Fielder, who came into the series with five home runs on the season, has now hit three in the last two games. Seven of Fielder’s 30 RBI on the season came in those two games as well. Also noteworthy is the double switch in the top of the ninth, where Garrett Jones got to pitch and Alex Rodriguez played first base. To his credit, Jones was the only pitcher not to surrender a run this game. It was Alex’s second major league appearance at first base. Finally, in the bottom of the ninth, John Ryan Murphy tripled in a run and came in to score on a groundout. Call me old-fashioned, but I like seeing my team fighting to the last batter, even when they are down by 13. Tomorrow is another day.

Final: Rangers 15 - Yankees 4

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row







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IF TANAKA POSTS, THE YANKS HAVE A BETTER SHOT NOW

Here's an interesting nugget and I wanted to bring it to your attention. That's why I like guys like Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record, or Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News.  You can ultimately read everything about a certain issue. But then you read them... and you realize something you didn't know before.  This time it's McCarron, who writes:

" Choo-to-the-Rangers could eliminate Texas from a potential bidding free-for-all for Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka, one of the Yankees’ primary targets. Of course, Tanaka may not be available at all because some believe his club, the Rakuten Golden Eagles, won’t put him through the posting system.

Still, a Yahoo! Japan report said Tanaka was considering three agents in case he’s posted — Casey Close, Arn Tellem and Mark Pieper."

Nice nugget...

Oh and as far as a decision for Tanaka... a posting decision is supposed to go down on or around Christmas. Read about it HERE. It's safe to say you'll hear from us here at BYB on Christmas day... no rest for us I guess... we're OK with that.

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AH-CHOO! SHIN-SOO DARTS FOR TEXAS

A play on words here. Do you get it? God... I'm freaking hilarious.

Well, clearly the Yankees were a club that Shin-Soo Choo didn't want to go to.  Whatever man...whatever.

Shin-Soo-Choo has just signed a 7 year / $130 million dollar deal with the Texas Rangers. Or, if you read  Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, he's about to. He tweets it below:

The developing Choo to-the-#Rangers story: http://t.co/EHGrkmXJN3 Deal expected to be worth about $130 mm.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) December 21, 2013

So there you go. Not much more to say here other than Choo didn't want to feel the pressure of the Bronx and was much more comfortable not being here.  OK, then. To Texas it is.  Shin-Soo Choo in Texas... somehow, I feel a sitcom idea will come soon... 

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

IBANEZ, CHAVEZ & CASEY MCGEHEE WALK INTO A BAR...

 

...one signs with the Angels, one re-signs with the Diamondbacks and one signs with the Marlins.  The end.

What a shitty joke. Maybe I should have thrown a nun in there or included Shin-Soo Choo rejected them all or something.  I feel like Buddy Young Jr. in an old Billy Crystal Comedy Special...whatever man...


Anyway, today there was some news with some ex-Yankees and I wanted to share it with you.

Raul Ibanez: According to CBSSports.com , "The Angels and Raul Ibanez have agreed to a one-year contract... The deal is worth $2.75 million with incentives that could push the total value to $5 million."

I like Ibanez. I would have loved him back in the Bronx. I guess it was clear to him the Yanks just didn't want to have him back, and he probably wanted to at least secure a contract somewhere. Good for him for not waiting too long.

Eric Chavez: Chavy will go back to the Diamondbacks today, agreeing to re-sign with them, according to the Associated Press.

Casey McGehee: He was a Yankee for a minute or 2, but now he is a member of the Marlins, according to the Miami Herald who writes: "McGehee, a 31-year-old free agent who spent last season playing in Japan following five years in the majors, has agreed to a 1-year contract with the Marlins, according to a source with knowledge of the agreement."

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/18/3825832/marlins-sign-casey-mcgehee.html#storylink=cpy

And there you have it. Have fun with this one. Share it. Why? Because I am clearly a funny guy... like Buddy Young Jr.... or something.

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

DENIED!

This is a story after the fact, but that being said, it's an interesting nugget.

Shin-Soo Choo rejected the Yankees offer of 7 years, $140 million.  Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports says:

"In the aftermath of Robinson Cano's defection to Seattle, New York presented Choo a seven-year, $140 million deal, three sources outside the Yankees' organization told Yahoo Sports. When Boras countered asking for more money – one source indicated he wanted 'Ellsbury money,' or $153 million over seven years – the Yankees pulled the offer and signed Carlos Beltran to a three-year, $45 million deal. Asked to confirm the Choo offer, Yankees officials declined comment."

I'm not a big fan of going back to something that probably won't happen anyway.  But that being said, it's interesting how teams and players work behind the scenes. Just for your knowledge at least.

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

MCCANN'S IN. ARE KURODA AND CANO NEXT?

Just a quick note because I don't want to rain on the Brian McCann parade, but anyone who read Joel Sherman of the New York Post today probably glossed over this nugget because we're rejoicing the McCann signing, but I'll bring it to your attention. The Yankees are hopeful Hiroki Kuroda will come back.

Sherman writes casually, "The Yankees also have moved from gloomy early in the offseason to more upbeat that Hiroki Kuroda will return for another year."

What does it mean? Exactly what it says.  Not to mention that Sherman goes further on other names and other nuggets.

"They have their eyes on others such as Masahiro Tanaka, Stephen Drew and — if Beltran does not come through — Shin-Soo Choo."

But wait... there's more.  This one about Robinson Cano:

"They want to move a lot quicker than that timetable with Cano and hope to meet with his representatives this week. They plan to re-confirm — in person — they badly want to retain the second baseman... If Cano really wants to stay, he should take the offer before the money begins to disappear."

He's right. Bottom line with Cano... the Yankees are willing to move on... no big deal. Cano better wake up, huh?

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GUESS WHAT SCOTT BORAS IS UP TO NOW....

You can't blame the man for doing his job. Players know he has a knack for getting players the best deal possible. That's why he has been around for so long he has an impressive client list. In addition to that though, I compare him to the crafty dealer you find at a blackjack table.....because beating him at his own game happens rarely.

So now Boras is trying to work his magic with his client Shin-Soo Choo. The Cincinnati Inquirer is reporting HERE that Scott Boras not only thinks Choo is a $90million player, but he also deserves a Jayson Werth type deal. In case you don't remember, Werth signed a 7 year, $126million deal with the Washington Nationals back in 2010. Even when he signed that deal I thought it was generous. No disrespect to Werth, but that deal was a little out of left field, excuse the cliche.

Now, Boras is trying to duplicate that deal with Choo. No offense to Choo, because he will be a huge help to whichever team he plays for, but  Boras is crazy. Werth has the experience that Choo doesn't have. He's been there for the big games when they are on the line. When push comes to shove and you have to perform to succeed. He's been in those moments. He knows what it is like to win so I guess that is why the Nationals gave him the big deal.

Choo has a lot going for him. He has a good combination of speed, power, and hitting....and on the right team he may help put a team ahead of the division. It was a good season for Choo, in 2013 he had a personal best .423OBP which Boras will definitely use to his advantage. He also hit an impressive 21 home runs, which is something he hasn't done since 2010. He also has some speed for the last 2 years he has stolen more than 20 bases. He is also versatile and can play anywhere in the outfield. That alone will be attractive to a team.....but until he can do it consistently Boras isn't going to convince me that he has the same value of Jayson Werth.

Choo is going to attract a lot of attention this off season. He has a lot of potential homes out there. We have already mentioned that he would make a good fit for us in SHIN SOO CHOO IS WANTED BY THE YANKS. Now that Curtis Granderson has rejected his qualifying offer from the Yankees, read that HERE it leads to a lot of interesting speculation.

So Boras....if you think that Choo and Werth have the same body of work I have to laugh for now. Maybe some day....but right now, I think you have lost your marbles.





--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ

  


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BELTRAN REJECTED CARDS OFFER... GUESS WHAT'S NEXT?

News has broke that Carlos Beltran has rejected the St. Louis Cardinals qualifying offer and is seeking a 3 to 4 year deal.  I found that interesting.  The next thing I thought of was, "Beltran obviously read BYB's poll from titled IF YOU HAVE AN ARGUMENT FOR SIGNING BELTRAN... THEN MAKE IT and he wants the Yankees to sign him for 3 or 4 years." Then... I laughed... because I'm kidding and I don't take myself too seriously with these rumors... it IS fun though.

According to Tim Brown at Yahoo Sports, "...six teams have expressed varying degrees of interest in Beltran, a number that is likely to grow in a free-agent market that offers Jacoby Ellsbury and Shin-Soo Choo as the big-ticket outfielders and then Beltran as the three- or four-year alternative. That’s right, according to sources, Beltran is no longer on the two-year plan he was after the 2011 season, though he remains adamant that he will go to a place where October baseball is most plentiful. He will not accept the one-year, $14.1-million qualifying offer from the Cardinals. Therefore, his return to St. Louis is unlikely..."

The Yankees will no doubt sniff around the Beltran hydrant.  So will the Red Sox.  I personally don't care much for Beltran these days, but some fans want him and Yankee brass may have a big plan.  Look, I see their point, but my biggest concern is age. Plus, he's done nothing much for me other than shine in the post season, and if the Yankees field a 2013 team in 2014, we won't be in the post season, and so, it won't matter!  You also have to figure, he really didn't do well in the New York spotlight with the Mets, so what makes you think he could do better with the media in the Bronx? 

Another theory is the Red Sox are making a huge push for Beltran, and so, like the old days of signing Mark Teixeira before the Sox did... the Yankees should be spoilers and see what the guy can offer. Sure there are different opinions, but we'll need to see what happens here.

One thing is for sure though... there's a market for Beltran, but I'm not sure the Yankees are the club but we shall see!

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THE GRANDERSON OFFER UPDATE

Anthony McCarron has a story in the New York Daily News that says that Curtis Granderson is considering the Yankees qualifying offer of $14.1 million.

McCarron says Grandy: "...is considering accepting the Yankees' qualifying offer of $14.1 million for one year, echoing what his agent said last week. 'Well, it's definitely something you've got to think about and I appreciate the Yankees extending that offer to me..'" 

So, will he or won't he? I say this alot and in the Granderson situation, it's no different... the guy is a good soldier, and when healthy, he's quality.  He also strikes out alot but while he has been a New York Yankee, he's been productive and you really need to appreciate that.  The guy had a bad luck year with injury this season. It happens and unfortunately for Grandy, it happened twice.

We also have to think that we have a very crowded outfield right now and how a Granderson move affects whatever plan the Yankees have with names like Jacoby Ellsbury or Shin-Soo Choo too.

I guess we stay tuned... it's going to be an interesting Yankee off-season, ain't it?

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YANKEE RUMORS: BIG TARGETS REVEALED

We all know that Yankee brass was humiliated by their own picks this off-season.  Couple that with many injuries and it's just a bad combo.  The Yankees finished in fourth place, technically 3rd because they were tied with the Baltimore Orioles, but trust me, the O's played better than the Yanks this season.  The last time this happened to the Yankees was in 2008 when they didn't make the playoffs. It's just embarrassing.

There are a ton of names that are bubbling to the surface right now.  Names that almost seem out of reach but some that are very obivous. If we can get certain guys, it's makes sense that we get them. This is a pretty detailed list below with more to follow in future off-season rumors pieces.  Check it out, take it in.  Do we agree with all of them?  Not necessarily, but it's good to know that the Yanks are now willing to improve this club after we were sold a bill of goods in 2013.

Robinson Cano: The Yankees need to re-sign him.  That's a priority.  With it, the Yankees need to make it clear to this guy that if he's going to be the future, he needs to be mature and look like a leader.  Andy Martino of the New York Daily News says "Cano will actually meet with other teams, see how he is valued, and begin to decide if he actually wants to leave the Yankees for the team willing to spend most on him... If the Yanks re-sign Cano, they will use much of their budget for next year on second base; if Cano goes elsewhere, they can apply the money reserved for him to many different places.  The Yanks have already been negotiating with Cano -- no one from either camp has denied that Cano at one point asked for about $300 million -- but now they can accelerate that process, with no season to distract them."

If Cano decides he wants to go for the money rather than stay with the team and history of the New York Yankees... we'll know what this is really about.  Stay tuned for this one.  My gut says he'll stay in New York. His father will push him back to the Bronx... that's my opinion of course.

Masahiro Tanaka: Top priority for the Yankees, no doubt. This Japanese pitcher is the real thing and we need to get him to add to CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova. We all know Phil Hughes is not coming back and to be honest with you, I disagree with Suzie Pinstripe on David Phelps (Read VOTE DAVID PHELPS FOR STARTING PITCHER)... he isn't a starter in my opinion, he's a middle reliever and to be honest, he could be a great one at that.  The Yankees have to go out and get starters, not try and mold Phelps into 1.

Jacoby Ellsbury: Before you get all crazy about trying to sign Ellsbury, let me express my concern.  I really don't think the Yankees would sign this guy.  Sure, he's a great ballplayer, WHEN HE'S HEALTHY. He's injury prone and I am just not sure we have the room in the outfield.  The only nugget I was able to find is from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and to be honest, it looks like he's just throwing his name out there to see if he can get a solid readership.  I honestly don't know if this is, A. a smart move, or B. a real story.  Truth be told, we wrote about Ellsbury here at Bleeding Yankee Blue a few years ago.  Read WHY JACOBY ELLSBURY COULD BECOME A YANKEE for context on that. That was in December of 2011.

Brian McCann: Howard Unger of Yahoo Sports mentions that the Yankees will go after McCann, but we need to see what happens with Cano and ARod first. Oddly, he doesn't go further with that.  I mean, I know it's a matter of money, but if the Yankees want to win, they need seasoned players. McCann is seasoned.  I would even go out on a limb and suggest running an experiment. Maybe push JR Murphy hard, let him shine in the starting role and screw McCann.  You could have another Buster Posey on your hands and not realize it.  You know what I mean...

Matt Garza: The Yankees are connected to Matt Garza, but let's be honest, the Yankees are always connected to Matt Garza.  Hey look, if the Yankees can get Tanaka, I  throw Garza in the mix as the number 4 starter.  I do.  Mark Simon, our bud, broke it down for us at ESPN writing, "Signing Garza would be a bit of a risk, one the Yankees might not be looking to take given their desire to stay under a payroll of $189 million. Our verdict would be to pass on Garza if he's looking for Sanchez-type money, but to put him on their short list if he can be garnered for something closer to Jackson dollars." I'm with you Mark.

Shin-Soo Choo: The Yankees like Shin-Soo Choo.  That's according to everyone, including us.  I guess if people say it enough, it's true.  According to Jon Heyman though, it's NOT their top priority.   I like Choo, but I also like Alfonso Soriano and Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki  as well.  Not sure it adds much more to the mix, except for a crowded outifeld, but what the hell do I know?

If there are more interesting names, we'll bring them to you here at BYB. Stay tuned.

Also, again, thanks for reading Bleeding Yankee Blue ladies and gentlemen. We appreciate the readers and we appreciate this endorsement  from Laura Posada this morning:

@BleednYankeeBlu @pada5something @suzieprof @ThomasABrophy @NYY5Life congrats, proof of hard work and determination!
— Laura Posada (@Dlauraposada) November 3, 2013

Thank you Laura... we're trying.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone... and wish Suzie Pinstipe good luck. She's running the New York Marathon today! Here's her Twitter handle: @suzieprof.

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SHIN-SOO CHOO IS WANTED BY THE YANKS

I am not sure what to make of this report by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com yet.  I mean, I've heard the same things about Shin-Soo Choo, but the Yankees have plenty of outfielders, Alfonso Soriano, Ichiro Suzuki, Vernon Wells and Brett Gardner. Plus they have the kids like Slade Heathcott and Zoilo Almonte.  Lord knows that when it comes to the outfield... we're good.

But here's the report anyway... "Multiple sources say the Yankees do like Choo very much. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman declined comment abut Choo specifically but noted that outfield isn't their top priority for a team that has many needs. The Yankees have quite the puzzle, as a team that had a $230-million payroll but has several big salaries coming off the books and a stated desire to get below $189 million on the payroll."

Again, we'll read Heyman's report and we wait.  Let's also not forget that the Bombers are also looking at Carlos Beltran.  That's just a lot of bats and a crowded outfield... and some of ours may in fact already be better than Beltran and Choo... but we shall see.  Look, as far as Choo is concerned, they like his on-base ability and I get it.

One thing is for sure though, the Yankees are willing and able to make offers and field a better club than they did in 2013. I appreciate that being a fan and all.

We'll stay tuned to this one...


Finally, let me say this... if you're a guy or gal who runs a blog and you want to comment on BYB, comment. One thing I would prefer you didn't do is promote yourself.  We don't do that to any of you guys, please don't do it to us. It's a respect thing... and it's the first rule of Fight Club. You know what I mean...
Thanks!

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YANKEES EYEING LEFTY MAHOLM AMONG OTHERS

According to George King III of the New York Post, the Yanks are eyeing lefty Paul Maholm among other players.  Read HERE.

King says "Among the free agents on the Yankees’ radar are Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, Reds outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, Braves left-hander Paul Maholm, Braves catcher Brian McCann and Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew.

Of that group, the Yankees have targeted Tanaka as a priority. The posting process can’t begin until after Nov. 1."

The Yankees need a lefty of 2 in their pen and while the starting rotation will be a priority, and Tanaka will be a big fish, it's important to try and collect 1 or at least 2 lefties.  Boone Logan wants to come back, although, I just don't think that's a smart move. I would go fresh, bring on Maholm is he's one of the few lefties around and have a reunion with Clay Rapada as well.   The Yanks need to start building... who's it gonna be?

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I'LL BET YOU NICK SWISHER SIGNS WITH THE INDIANS

...and I don't bet, but if I did, I think I'd be right. Not only that, I predict the Indians sign Nick Swisher soon.  Look, it's been weeks now and we keep hearing the same teams, the Red Sox, Indians, Phillies, all connected to Swish, but no movement.  But now with that big fat hole in the outfield for Cleveland after trading Shin-Soo Choo to the Reds, you have to think that they will sign Swisher.  It's almost obvious to any baseball fan.  But to be on the level, Jim Bowden of ESPN confirms in this Tweet HERE, that the Indians are in an "aggressive pursuit." 

Can you imagine Francona and Swisher in the same clubhouse? That's baseball, I'll tell you, and I can see the 2 of them becoming great friends.  Anyway, stay tuned for this...

On a side note, my friend Ron tweeted me this morning saying that I have to "respect" Kevin Youkilis and his decision to pick the Yankees 1 year deal over the Indians 2 year deal, not to mention Francona as their skipper over there in Cleveland. It seemed like it was stacked against the Yanks getting Youk, but we ended up getting him in the end.  Everyone expected Youk to go play for Tito again... I guess Youk figured he had a better chance in New York, or loved the rivalry, or who knows.  Ron's right though and I look forward to seeing Youk in pinstripes.

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THE REDS GET SHIN-SOO CHOO IN 3 TEAM TRADE

There was a trade involving the Diamondbacks, the Indians and the Reds, a 3 team trade and many reported it. Here is Bob Nightengale's report HERE from USA Today.

Diamondbacks got shortstop Didi Gregorius, lefthander Tony Sipp & first baseman Lars Anderson from the Indians. the Diamondbacks gave up Trevor Bauer, Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw. 

The Reds get Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald. 

We here at Bleeding Yankee Blue suggested perhaps Shin-Soo Choo could be a possibility in right field for the Yankees, but obviously, money was an issue.  Read our piece titled  SOLVING THE RIGHT FIELD PROBLEM: SHIN-SOO CHOO.

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WANNA REPLACE RUSSELL MARTIN? TRADE FOR CARLOS SANTANA

Once Russell Martin agreed to a two-year, $17 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, I was very upset. In fact, I hadn’t been upset about a Yankee-related free agent signing since Cliff Lee chose to take less money to go back to the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2011 season. I really believe the loss of Russell Martin will hurt, unless if they make a splash for, say, Carlos Santana.

Before I make my case for trading for Carlos Santana (No, not musician Carlos Santana, the catcher currently with the Cleveland Indians), I just want to elaborate how the loss of Martin hurts. People who wanted to replace Martin continued to point at his low .211 batting average. Now, the low average is certainly not a good thing, but in his time in New York he did everything else moderately well. Over the last two years, Martin posted a solid .224/.317/.405 batting line while catching at least 125 games in those two seasons. In that span, only six catchers hit more homers than he did (39), while just 10 other catchers posted higher walk rates than he did (10.7%). Add that to the fact that he’s a good defensive catcher, while the pitchers enjoy pitching to him, the Yankees will certainly miss him if they end up settling with a downgrade.

Since all the in-house/free agent options either don’t fit the bill or are just plain awful, the Yankees really don’t have a choice but to look at the potential trade market if they are intending to upgrade at the catcher position. This is where Carlos Santana comes in. Now, before I continue I want to caution everyone that this is pure speculation as of right now. Personally, I have no idea if the Indians are willing to let go of Santana.

They seem to be shopping guys like Shin-Soo Choo, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Justin Masterson around, so maybe if the price is right they could do the same with Santana, and with the Winter Meetings just around the bend, anything can happen.

Acquiring Carlos Santana would be an instant upgrade at arguably the most important position on the field. In his young career, Santana, 26, has batted .247/.363/.443 in three seasons and 1459 PA’s while hitting 51 homers and driving in 177. He has suffered from knee issues in 2010, but since then he has been able to catch at least 95 games behind the plate in the last two years. Perhaps the Yankees could increase his workload to around 110-115 games and DH him in some of the others he’s not behind the dish. As for the pieces it’ll take to get him, I’d have to think catcher Gary Sanchez would be included. Cleveland also needs pitching, so I’d have to think either David Phelps or Ivan Nova would be in a trade as well, and that’s probably just a starting point, so who knows how much the Yankees will be willing to give up. Finally, money shouldn’t be a problem as he’s owed just a little over $18M over the next four years with a $12M club option for 2017.

If the Yankees don’t end up trading for Santana, which might be the case, it’ll be just about impossible to upgrade the overall game Martin brought to the Yankees the last two seasons. The Yankees being unable to pay Martin $17 million is pretty telling, as they aren’t kidding around with this $189 million plan set for 2014. Though I’d love to trade for Santana, I have an awful feeling the Yankees will settle with signing a one-year downgrade instead.




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse


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THE BIRDS

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Baltimore Orioles are out to change the order of the American League Eastern Division. Good for them. Doesn't matter to me and my Yankees...Why? Because at the end of the day, the Yanks know they need to go out and win 1 day at a time no matter who they're playing. Will the Yankees make moves?  Well, Randy Levine says the Yankees have "an off-season plan" and it's very quiet in Yankeeland... It seems like something big could be in the works... or at least that's my hope.

The latest in Toronto is that they just inked a 2 year deal with Melky Cabrera worth $16 million, read HERE. Good for him, a clean slate and a new city. Now let's see how he does playing clean.

The Blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins is up for review with Bud Selig, HERE, but if it goes through, they are building a team to compete hard against the Yanks and presumably the Red Sox too, who will be better now that Bobby Valentine is gone.

The Orioles will make a few moves and improve their great team of nobodies. They played great ball behind Buck Showalter who will be thinking about that ALCS loss all winter and come back better than last season, trust me. The Yankees just need to be better...that's it.

Will the Yankees make moves? They will, but what you will now see in Yankeeland is cranky fans who just want to start seeing shiny new toys wearing Yankee uniforms...anyone. I don't like to just pick anyone to soothe my addiction of big spending. The big question is who will they go after and can they do it without disrupting their plan to keep costs low?

We've given plenty of smart options here on Bleeding Yankee Blue... Shin-Soo Choo, Hiroki Kuroda, Dan Haren, Giancarlo Stanton, Logan Morrison, Ichiro Suzuki, Nick Swisher, Justin Upton, Raul Ibanez and so on and so forth.

Guys are out there, deals can be made... But Brian Cashman's job is getting harder now with major competition coming out of Toronto and Balitmore. Geez... It used to only be Boston and Tamps Bay we were worried about.

My, how times have changed....it feels like the early 90's again.  I wonder... Is Joe Carter next for Toronto?

The Yanks need to make a move and they need to make it now...Just sayin'.

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