THAT JUAN SOTO RUMOR IS BACK AGAIN WITH NEW LIFE!

We are all wondering if the Yankees are going to make a big splash after missing the postseason for the first time since 2016. We all like the big splashes, but the Yankees might be chasing after one of the biggest fish in the ocean.

The Juan Soto rumors are out there, we've all heard them. We also know that the Yankees are always tied to every big name in the game. It's inevitable every season. Soto's name is back in the headlines again, and Winter isn't even here yet. Check out the latest hot stove gossip HERE.

So the Yankees and the Padres have had preliminary conversations about Soto. Okay, cool. Am I getting overly excited about it? No. Every team is going to try and have those same conversations with the Padres. Soto will be a free agent after the 2024 season and his young age combined with his elite status in the game he is going to land a hefty contract in the near future. Can the Padres afford him? Maybe, maybe not and if they don't think they can keep him they might choose to move him.

But that's a big IF. According to Padres General Manager A.J. Preller their first choice would be to extend Soto. When he was asked if the Padres would consider trading him, he said, "we've never been a group that says no to anything. I wouldn't read into that. That's just kind of the way we operate." No surprise to that answer though.

Of course the Padres want to try and extend him first, and they would not be against trading him if they found the right return for him. Do I think the Yankees would give up any top prospects to get him. The Yankees don't like to do that for a player with multiple years of team control, which they wouldn't even get here.

There is still the possibility that the Padres could still choose to move him and replenish to get other prospects in return. They already have large contracts on the books with Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts which all amount to almost $300 million. Soto is estimated to get a raise around $30 million in his last year of arbitration, so the Padres could decide to shed some payroll instead. Spending big (like the Yankees) hasn't seemed to work out well for them.

Do I like the idea of Soto's bat in the lineup? Absolutely, but this new tidbit of information doesn't have me doing cartwheels just yet. If this does develop into something though it could be the bright spot after a disappointing season. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

COULD THE RED SOX BE CALLING THE YANKEES FOR GLEYBER TORRES?

Source: AP

Earlier this week we learned that Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story had surgery to repair a ligament in his right elbow. This injury will likely sideline Story for most of the 2023 season. And with the Sox parting ways with longtime player Xander Bogaerts, the wide open middle infield position will be a focus for the Yankees' division rival Red Sox. Both Gleyber Torres and Isiah Kiner-Falefa could be a target for the Sox. And with Torres declining the Yankees qualifying offer to avoid arbitration Friday, he could be the one to go. Could the Red Sox call the Yankees for Torres? Let's dig into it. 

Source: NBC Sports

According to NESN, "The middle infield was an area of need before Story went down. Now, it’s a potentially crushing weakness, unless Boston dips into free agency and/or makes a trade. While the Red Sox probably would prefer to stay away from doing business with the Yankees, they simply can’t afford to leave any stones unturned. There just aren’t many impact options available in either market."

The Yankees themselves have a need for a corner outfielder, specifically a left fielder and of course who doesn't need pitching? What would the Red Sox be willing to give up for a guy like Torres?

On Friday, the Red Sox avoided arbitration on five of their essential players which include utility player Christian Arroyo and outfielder Alex Verdugo. Presumably neither would be trade bait which leaves the Yankees to pull from the Sox minor league system which is ridiculous given that the Yankees have depth of their own in their farm. The Sox will likely plug the hole with Arroyo or maybe shift Kiki Hernandez into that role. Hernandez is a guy I would love to get my hands on—that would give an amazingly stacked outfield if Harrison Bader or Hernandez would be willing to move to left field. 

Could the Red Sox call for Torres? Sure but I don't believe Brian Cashman will be answering unless they are willing to give up premier players. The Yankees certainly have the upper hand and have protected their second baseman over the years. This year may be different but I don't see Torres in a Red Sox uniform anytime soon—Kiner-Falefa might be a different story. As far as the Yankees and their left field hole? That might be a hole for a long time, at least into the beginning of the season. Will be interesting to see how the spring shapes up for the Yankees and who will rise as top dog for that position.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

TREVOR STORY IS CLOSE TO A DEAL

It one of those things. The Yankees and Trevor Story have always been connected in some capacity when it came to free agency. The question was always when is was going to happen.  But then the Yankees got Isiah  Kiner-Falafa, a shortstop... and with Anthony Volpe coming up from the farm next year or the year after... it made sense. 

But now we keep hearing about Story again. It's the same old story.  

Mass live writes:

"Story “has multiple new suitors” as “the Astros, Rangers and others have joined the mix.” Heyman then reported the Yankees “have emerged as a possibility.” “Yankees and Astros likely have an edge in Trevor Story pursuit as he’d play SS in either place. Two good choices since they are also winning teams. Yankees are definitely in whereas they really weren’t in on Correa. Prefer Story.”

This comes from Jon Heyman so don't get crazy. I do find it interesting however. If it's correct and it's a 3 year deal with an opt out after 2, why not? 

CBS Sports writes:

"The Yankees have the recently acquired Isiah Kiner-Falefa at short, but he's hardly entrenched, and the Red Sox badly need a defensive upgrade over the otherwise highly skilled Xander Bogaerts. If Story winds up willing to man second or third, then that obviously widens his market."

Right now, the only thing we can do as fans, is wait. And we will.

WHAT ARE THE YANKEES WILLING TO SPEND ON DIDI GREGORIUS?

Interesting tidbit today that caught my eye about Didi Gregorius. We love Didi, and the Yankees love Didi too. The Yankees were considering an extension at the beginning of the season but it's rumored they never got close to getting it done. Now they may be thinking ahead to free agency instead.

Take it with a grain of salt, but rumor has it the Yankees are considering what their "max out" would be to spend on Didi in free agency now. Again, just a rumor but an interesting one. If you like to listen to podcasts, check out Jon Heyman's very interesting take on this HERE. It definitely caught my attention.

"They may draw the line at that Bogaerts deal. From what I’m understanding, they thought that Bogaerts, at six years for $120 million, is a (comparison) for Didi. I think if push comes to shove, if they’re asked, they might feel that Didi isn’t quite as accomplished as Bogaerts and they would like to keep it a little bit below that if they could. But they may get to that point where they’re close or right there. They definitely don’t want to go over. If they go over, it will be an absolute victory for the agent. You never know with free agency and seeing how things would go. They certainly would give him the qualifying offer, which has impacted some people. Not sure if it would impact Didi. He’s a fantastic player. But I think that’s the line in the sand that they would draw, would be Bogaerts."

So is the Yankees limit really six years at $120 million? Didi is going to be 30 years old while Xander Bogaerts was 26 when he signed his deal. That is a big difference especially for a shortstop so this is why I am skeptical.

Lets continue to speculate, let's say Didi does reject the qualifying offer the Yankees will undoubtedly make him....is Didi really worth the same six years and $120 million? I think the years are going to be a big issue for the Yankees, not just the money. The Yankees have the ability to spend the money if they want to, but the years may not make sense here.

As much as I like Didi, I think his injury robbed a good amount of his potential earnings and he's not getting any younger. He's been worth every penny as Derek Jeter's replacement, but a 36 year old shortstop at an average of $20 million a season is a stretch especially when they know they already have other options.

The Yankees will likely consider that they still have Gleyber Torres who can play shortstop and he's only 22. If the Yankees are going to consider a $20 million mark, they could also look to throw that at DJ LeMahieu especially after the productive season he's had but without the long-term commitment. The Yankees could make a combination of LeMahieu and Torres work and save some money if they can't negotiate a deal to their liking.

But how can you discount Didi? He's become a fan favorite and let's face it his left handed bat and over 20 home runs a season are a valuable bat to have. The Yankees have one of the better shortstops in the game, and they know this. That's why I really think the Yankees will pay to get him back, I just don't know about matching Bogaert's price is realistic, or even smart from a business standpoint. There is a deal to be made here somewhere.

I love to speculate about baseball. Again, this is a stretch and Heyman only made a statement. There's no other source to it, it's just baseball gossip. The Yankees know where they want to go, it's just not time to talk about it yet. We have business to handle on the field first....but Didi will get figured out

in due time. The next few months will be interesting for sure.

How many years and how much money would you be willing to give Didi to keep him? Comment and tell us.

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

YANKEE SPRING STORYLINE 7: COULD 2017 BE DIDI'S BIG YEAR?

Source: SNY

I like the sound of our Spring Storyline 7.  Didi Gregorius is one of the most underrated ball players in action today.  And when he was chosen as the guy who would fill the shortstop void left by Derek Jeter, he was put in a difficult position, both physically and mentally.  But, he stepped in and did his job despite the steep hill in front of him.  Now, just about three years later, Gregorius is making his ability known worldwide and this time it is his bat who is doing the talking.

Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac

According to the YES Network, "Didi Gregorius has quietly become one of the Yankees' most consistent and well-rounded players. He set career-highs in several offensive categories last season, and has started to put together an impressive highlight reel at the diamond's most crucial defensive position. Is 2017 the year Didi makes the jump to his first career All-Star game?" Maybe.  Hopefully. Now take a closer look at this body of work in the World Baseball Classic.

"Gregorius has been the Netherlands' designated hitter for four of the first five games in the tournament. He was 6-for-16 (.412) in the first four games, and he added a run-scoring double and a three-run home run in the first four innings against Israel," reported MLB.com last week.  Yes, that's right Didi's a DH.  He is playing on a team where there are two other premium shortstops ahead of him in the roster.  Los Angeles Angels short shop Andrelton Simmons and Boston Red Sox short stop Xander Bogaerts both better defensively than Gregorius but Didi's stick kept the Dutch in the Classic until they lost on Saturday night to Team Puerto Rico.

Gregorius, is a 27-year-old humble kid from Amsterdam, "but like many of his teammates, he lives in Curacao, an island in the Dutch Caribbean. Fourteen players on what is now formally called the Kingdom of the Netherlands team hail from Curacao, including (Dodgers' closer Kenley) Jansen and Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons, as well as the 49-year-old Hensley Meulens, (the Netherlands' manager), a former utility man and the current hitting coach for the Giants," reports MLB.com.

Source: Yahoo Sports

 Gregorius credits his team in the Bronx for the opportunity of a lifetime. "The Yankees gave me a lot of experience," Gregorius said. "That's what actually helped me. Everything helps. Joe gave me a lot of opportunities. So I try to play my best every time I go out there. I'm just trying to learn the game, that's what I'm trying to do. It's just an honor for me to be there," reported MLB.com after the Netherlands loss in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

So, no matter who's the next guy in with the Yankees at short stop this season, Gregorius is making a lot of noise.  And if he keeps this up, he will be headed to Miami for the All Star Game this July.




--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

GUESS WHO'S AN ALL-STAR?!

Pinch me, I must be dreaming.

The thing that I was secretly (not so secretly) hoping for has actually happened. I wanted to see Mark Teixeira get some recognition for once! I am still taking it all in. Part of me wants to run into work in the morning and point and laugh at all of the Tex haters and say "HAHA haters! Tex is going to the All-Star game!" Watch and enjoy.

I am not ruling out the pointing and laughing by the way. If provoked I got this! I have been the personal cheerleader all season and I am not about to stop now. I am trying really hard not to get carried away here but I don't care that he is an injury replacement for Miguel Cabrera. The fact of the matter is his 20 homeruns and AL leading 59 RBIs got him there. He is pulling his weight. We have 2009 production ladies and gentlemen! Life is good.

If someone would have predicted this I don't think I would have even believed it. I knew a healthy Tex could be a huge upgrade for the Yankees this year but I didn't expect THESE kinds of results. This is proof that hard work pays off.

It's nice to see some of our guys get to represent. Dellin Betances is also going and that is no surprise, when he gets on the mound he is no chances Betances.....and I hope he does that during the game and helps the American League get home field advantage for the World Series. A few weeks ago it looked like a roster of nothing but Kansas City Royals players and we were pretty upset, read FIX THE ALL-STAR GAME. Now we finally have some of our guys out there!

We can still add another Yankees to the team. Brett Gardner deserves a spot and he needs our help to get there. Gardner is on the final ballot along with Xander Bogaerts, Mike Moustakas, Yoenis Cespedes, and Brian Dozier but only one of them can get the last spot. We can help Gardy get to the game by voting HERE so get to it!

Suddenly I am looking forward to this game now more than I was a few weeks ago. Now if you will excuse me, I have some voting to go do. So do you! You've read the article, now get to clicking and voting!


   

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




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TULOWITZKI CHATTER & WHAT COMES NEXT

I'm telling you right now... the New York Yankees would like to have Troy Tulowitzki in pinstripes. And with the recent revelations about Troy and the Rockies talking about a possible trade and a new piece of information that only we here at Bleeding Yankee Blue have.... I'm telling, there are conversations... many conversations about Troy Tulowitzki.

As you know, Troy and the Rockies are talking about a potential trade. It's not exactly a trade demand, but it is something that Troy would like to happen.  We wrote about it here on BYB in TULOWITZKI NEWS? OH BOY.

We wrote: "According to the New York Post, Tulo is probably going to demand the Rockies for a trade:

"Tulowitzki was described as frustrated with four straight losing seasons and wants out, according to two people who know him well. Cohen would not describe Tulowitzki’s mindset, but it was clear in a 15-minute conversation Cohen clearly sees the value of his client moving to a better place for his mind and body (not playing in high altitude any longer). 
The Rockies could hasten their rebuilding by dealing their star shortstop at a time when the Mets, Pirates, Mariners and Padres all have needs at the position. Tulowitzki wears No. 2 in honor of Derek Jeter, but I have been told the Yankees are emphasizing defense and limiting long-term risk and are unlikely to play for Tulowitzki."

Now Joel Sherman is brilliant to even float the idea of the Yankees being connected again, but at least couches it with the fact that it's "unlikely". That being said, there have been unlikely trade ideas that have become reality..."

According to our source from the winter when we wrote SOURCE: "TULOWITZKI TO THE YANKEES..." back in November, there have been other conversations.  One of them suggests a Yankee person, and trust me, I hate these type of sources because you can't exactly get to the core of it, said in so many words, that they "like Troy alot", but it would need to be the "perfect storm" to get him in New York.  What that storm is, is yet to be seen, but 1 could speculate, and I'm about to...

The Yankees have definitely cooled on Rob Refsnyder and so I believe that if the Yankees put together a package, he would included.   The Yankees have Stephen Drew, still a valuable defensive shortstop, and if the Yankees could convince a team like the Rockies to just take him, and we eat he salary, it's also a no brainer, considering he's free and the Rockies are probably looking to rebuild and just limp to the end of 2015.  They could also just dump him, but I think they have too much respect for Drew to do that. The option is to keep him and he's our back up in the infield, 3rd, SS and 2nd... who knows.

Plus, you need to realize, the Didi Gregorius trade has proved terrible for the Yankees.  Tulo would be the Yankees future... Didi could be the future after Tulo, or they just flip him...it's just not working out.

Now there was once talk about Shane Greene and Luis Severino.  Well, Greene is gone and Severino is still on the farm.  Depending on where the Yankees are in the standings come trade deadline, I would suspect, the Yanks would  then be willing to trade away Severino as well.  Again, this is speculation based on a conversation I CANNOT 100% confirm. 

Then, of course you have a few other minor leaguers.  I will suggest that guys like Aaron Judge and Greg Bird are off limits, but what's do say the Yankees look to pay a chunk of that Tulo salary, or give away other guys? What's to say the Yanks won't negotiate money rather than prospects at that point of the trade deadline? The point is, this COULD happen... but it will all depend on the shell game Cashman plays. He needs to be ultra smart, as to not disrupt the Yankee fan base. 

Tulowitzki wants out of Colorado.  If the Yankees don't take him, he could land in Boston.  Do we want that? Remember, according to Dave Cameron of FanGraphs, "Another slow start is testing the patience of Boston fans everywhere, and with Xander Bogaerts still looking for his power stroke, Tulowitzki would represent an immediate upgrade at shortstop."

Boston is a perfect fit. Think about it. Whatever happens, understand that when I get a nugget here at BYB, and we don't get many, we share it. 

Let me state again, that this "conversation" is something I believe happened, and it came from the same source that we used in the Tulo / Rockies chatter.  I trust my source, and I wanted to share the story.  Do with it what your will... it IS however, very interesting.

Enjoy your Sunday.

 


You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!

WE HAVE YOUR ALL-STAR FUTURES GAME RECAP!

It's all All-Star week in baseball, and I am absolutely stoked by it. The week kicks off with a Futures Game. A game filled with some of baseballs top prospects. It's always fun to watch the young kids play. Unfortunately, us Yankees fans were tuned into the game yesterday, while the Futures Game was happening. But never fear, we've got your back.

(In Photo: Noah Sundergaard)
Both starting pitchers were from the Mets organization. For the US team, Noah Syndergaard pitched pure heat. He broke in throwing at 96 mph. Rafael Montero also pitched an impressive scoreless first half, for the World team. They definitely made the home team proud.

The World team only managed three hits off of the US team pitching. Red Sox prospect, Xander Bogaerts, hit a couple of singles, and Cubs prospect Arismendy Alcantara hit a solo homer, off of Red Sox pitcher Anthony Ranaudo.

(In Photo: Rafael De Paula)
The only Yankees prospect to make it was Rafael De Paula, who pitched in the 5th inning for the World team. He faced Byron Buxton, of the Twins organization. Buxton was one of the highly anticipated prospects, having made lots of progress already this season, on two levels. Buxton showed incredible plate discipline, but was ultimately struck out by De Paula. The baby bomber gave up no runs that inning.

Diamondbacks prospect, Matt Davidson, was the star though. His two run homer, off of Oakland A's Michael Ynoa, gave the US team the lead. Davidson was named the Futures Game MVP.

Prospects that stood out to me:

Noah Syndergaard (Mets)- Like I said, the kid threw heat. Though he only pitched in the top half of the first, he seemed to need zero adjustment time. He has a good arm, and will be incredibly impressive with more time.

Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox)- He is a talented hitter. He singled back, twice. Though he was caught stealing in the first, because of a strange slide, the adjustment he made in the fourth showed his ability to adjust quickly. No doubt, if he stays within the Red Sox organization, he will be a nice little thorn in our side.

Rafael Montero (Mets)- Montero threw all of nine pitches to get out of the inning. How's that for impressive?

(In Photo: Jesse Biddle)
Jesse Biddle (Phillies)- The left handed pitcher has an impressive curve ball. He has recently been compared to Andy Pettitte. Keep an eye on this young man.

If you missed the game, and would like to see what all the fuss is about, you can watch it HERE.

Final: U.S. 4 - World 2

BYB will have your Home Run Derby recap tonight.

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
@e_morales1804

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