A POSSIBLE MACHADO ALTERNATIVE HAS EMERGED

In case you missed it, Manny Machado is on his way to the Bronx for his interview on Wednesday, read more HERE. Yeah, I am calling it an interview. He's got a lot of explaining to do with  his "Johnny Hustle" comment and he's going to have to convince the Yankees that he isn't the dirty player some perceive him to be.

I'm glad the Yankees aren't blindsided by their intrigue with Machado. He's a shiny new toy many teams would like to have, but they have to have more than just a "Plan A" on board. The Yankees shouldn't be caught with their pants down if Machado doesn't sign with us. I'm glad there is talk of a "Plan B" even if it isn't as flashy and that plan could be Freddy Galvis, maybe.

According to the New York Post HERE, the Yankees could make a run for Galvis but they aren't the only interested suitors. He has a lot of attributes that the Yankees could benefit from while they wait for Didi Gregorius to return sometime between June and August. He is versatile, he can play second, shortstop or third base but the Yankees are likely drawn to his 655 games played at shortstop. He's a good defensive infielder and he's also a switch hitter with some pop in his bat. He's got some nice positives there....but there is one area of concern to consider...

Galvis doesn't fit the Yankees ideal mold for a hitter with his career on base percentage of .290. No player is perfect, right? But is that enough of a concern that the Yankees decide to look at other "Plan B" alternatives? Maybe not. There are other candidates out there, namely Alcides Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria but they finish first and second respectively for worst OPS amongst active players.

Adding Galvis to play shortstop until Didi comes back would strengthen the infield. This should continue to be an important element for the Yankees until Didi returns, especially with the defensive concerns they have with Miguel Andujar at third base. Considering the alternatives to Machado, Galvis may be the best option.

Some of Yankeeland is "all-in" for Machado and let's face it....no other free agent comes close to his appeal. Whether you are in on Machado or Galvis or neither, the Yankees should continue to be smart and look at this from all possible angles. I guess we will know more about any Machado plans or "Plan B's" after Wednesday.

Stay tuned.

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

'GAMER' VS. 'HALF-ASSING IT'. I CHOOSE ELLSBURY!

I love when players play hard.  It shows they are determined to not only help their team win, but will sacrifice himself because he knows that somewhere in that season, his teammates will do the same for him.  It's gorgeous and tragic all in the same ball... pardon the pun.

Poor Jacoby Ellsbury.  I wish injury on no one. This is pretty sad and I hope he fully recovers... a concussion is no joke.

NJ.com has the story:

Jacoby Ellsbury SLAMS HARD into the wall to record the first out of the game, now on YES and Fox Sports Go. pic.twitter.com/2jbMtVgBWB

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 24, 2017

"Joe Girardi's never doubted Ellsbury's will to win, which was on display on the first pitch of Wednesday night's game at Yankee Stadium when he crashed into the center-field wall face first robbing Kansas City Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar of extra bases.

'He plays to win,' Girardi said.

Ellsbury looked out of it getting checked by head athletic trainer Steve Monahan and Girardi, but passed the initial tests (which included smelling salts) and talked his way into staying in the game.

For a few minutes."

Now look, it's scary and no joke. We as Little League coaches need to go through all the signs and what to look for and pulling kids even if we suspect there's an inkling of an issue.  Yanks did the right thing pulling him. 

Ellsbury will be out for a bit... feel better, Gamer!

A PITCHER YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS "CONNECTED" TO THE YANKEES

(Aug. 18, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)    

Well this one is coming out of left field....and I certainly didn't see it coming. I don't know where Richard Justice of MLB.com got this idea because I just don't see the Yankees being interested in this but if nothing else it is a compelling idea. After all, there isn't a whole lot of new information out there and Brian Cashman did say on Monday that he is "99.9 percent plus" sure that the Yankees are done making any moves for the upcoming season.

(July 26, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)    

According to MLB.com HERE, Danny Duffy is a trade chip that the Kansas City Royals are willing to deal and he would fit in well for the Yankees. This connection does make SOME sense when you look at the challenges facing both clubs right now, but I'm not so sure there is enough common ground there to make a trade. Let's look.....

The Yankees are currently transitioning to get new young blood into the organization, and the Royals on the other hand are preparing to transition as they lose six of their prominent World Series players to free agency. I don't envy Royals fans right now. The players that brought them a ring all hit free agency together, and the Royals just won't be able to afford them.

(Lorenzo Cain: Aug. 28, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)    

If I were the Royals (which I am glad I'm not!) I would be looking to move some of these guys to not only save on payroll, but to get some young promising talent into the organization before they walk away and may end up with nothing. As it stands now Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar, and Danny Duffy are all entering free agency, and should be considered possible trade targets.

Now, here is where the Yankees come in to play. Cashman says he is out of money but to address the questions that Justice asks in his article...it could be a match.

1) How good are we right now?
Offensively, I would say we are okay. We have some good young bats. Pitching though does not look good.

(Sept. 23, 2016 - Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America)

2) Is there one more acquisition that makes sense?
More than one. The Yankees need pitching. Jose Quintana? Jason Hammel? Danny Duffy?

3) Are we letting an opportunity pass?
Possibly, and even Brian Cashman knows that and is still keeping tabs on it.

The season hasn't started yet and you can't predict baseball but right now pitching could be the "make or break" for the Yankees this season especially with how good Boston's rotation looks on paper. The Yankees really need another starter and an experienced veteran wouldn't hurt.

(Sept. 22, 2016 - Source: Duane Burleson/Getty Images North America)

Duffy had a great season with a 12-3 record, 3.51 ERA, 188 strikeouts in 179 innings. It looks great on paper but that is not consistent with his prior years so the Yankees would have to count on him continuing with his hot streak which doesn't seem likely. It would also be nice to have another lefty in the rotation but if the Yankees don't want to give up prospects for Quintana the more desirable lefty why would they for Duffy?

And what about the cost? Teams know how much talent the Yankees have in the farm system now so it is no surprise that the Yankees lost seven players in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. The Yankees need pitching, but given how unpredictable Duffy has been in his career giving up any big names would be too risky. I would rather see the Yankees hold on to all of their top prospects, let the kids battle it out in Spring Training and round out the rotation that way. Duffy just isn't worth it in my opinion.

Justice certainly gave us all a compelling idea....but unfortunately I think it makes more sense for the Royals going forward than it does the Yankees. I do like the rumor mill though! It makes these boring winter days go by a little bit faster. Is it time for Spring Training Yet? No?! Wake me up when it is time or when the Yankees get a pitcher.



 --Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

RAPID REACTION TO THE UTLEY "SLIDE"

It's not a Yankee thing, but it's a pretty significant debate and we are covering it best here at BYB.

The reality is, Chase Utley went in pretty hard on Ruben Tejada the other night.  Tejada left hurt and that sucks, but just so you know Mets fans... Utley didn't go in with the intention of hurting the guy... it was an unfortunate incident.  That being said, I stand by my opinion... Chase Utley's job is to go in hard to break up that double play... Tejada's gotta be nimble there... bottom line.

Now Utley was suspended for his "actions", whatever that means, and I don't get it.  As I stated in comments yesterday, there have been several... several similar incidents with similar results... yet no player was disciplined, and furthermore... the umpires didn't follow the rules as many Mets fans were trying to point out to me.  Relax Mets fans... you shouldn't be mad at my opinion.... you should be mad at the officials. They NEVER follow the rules that apply to breaking up a double play.  Well... now they may.

ESPN writes: "Major League Baseball has suspended Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Chase Utley for Games 3 and 4 of the National League Division Series... Utley will appeal the suspension. The Dodgers expect the matter to be heard quickly, likely well before game time Monday night, a source said....'The Dodgers stand behind Chase Utley and his decision to appeal the suspension issued tonight by Major League Baseball,' the team said in a statement. 'Chase did what all players are taught to do in this situation -- break up the double play,' Utley's agent, Joel Wolfe, said in a statement."

And that's what all you Mets fans forgot about when your cherished Tejada got hurt... every players job is to break up a double play... even Tejada if he was chugging into second.  It's your job!

The reaction to my piece SORRY FOLKS. RUBEN TEJADA NEEDS TO BE MORE AGILE was comedy... but to be fair, it was also opinion different than mine and so, I wanted to share some of the really good ones... check it out:

Marc wrote:

"ahem..the difference is Tjejada's back was to him. Utley is an All-Star. He must have thought Ruben was the second coming if he thought the play would be made. By rules Utley should be out for intentionall missing the bag to slide like that. It's the RULES!!!!! .00–IMPROPER PLAY, ILLEGAL ACTION, AND MISCONDUCT

6.01 Interference, Obstruction, and Catcher Collisions
(a)(7.09) Batter or Runner Interference It is interference by a batter or a runner when:

(5) Any batter or runner who has just been put out, or any runner who has just scored, hinders or impedes any following play being made on a runner. Such runner shall be declared out for the interference of his teammate;
 
(6) If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter-runner because of the action of his teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such action by a runner;

(7) If, in the judgment of the umpire, a batter-runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball, with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead; the umpire shall call the batter-runner out for interference and shall call out the runner who had advanced closest to the home plate regardless where the double play might have been possible. In no event shall bases be run because of such interference."

BYB wrote:

"Rules are rules. That is 100% correct. Here's the problem; The umpires rarely follow that rule and go as it happens. If you apply that rule to last night, apply it to when Justin Turner of LAD slid hard on Rockies' Nolan Arenado in September. How about when the Rangers played the Angels in the beginning of October when Rougned Odor went in hard on Angels' Johnny Giovotella? Nothing happened there either, just complaints, no discipline. 

Back in April, Alcides Escobar was hurt when Brett Lawrie of the A's went in spikes high to break up a double play. In all these instances, while all the slides were "controverisal" like Utley's, the umpires did not refer to the rule book. What makes this case any different? Your complaint is not with me... it's with the way they umpire this game. You should send them a letter.... ahem."

Here's a fun one on Twitter:

@lendog1313 @E_Rock14 sure we would, but I think Jeter may be a bit more coordinated around the bag. Don't get angry, it's an opinion

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) October 11, 2015

Nice right? Come on.

Facebook had a bunch:

Kathryn wrote:

"I'm disappointed in this article and attitude. Just because this has always been allowed to let slide (pun intended) does not mean it's right. As quoted above rules are rules and they should have always been enforced and haven't been. We don't need to go back and re-correct all the wrongs, we just need to stop doing it wrong from here on out!" 
 
BYB wrote:

"Hate the article, you are entitled. Don't hate the attitude, it's an opinion. This kind of play has been going on forever. I am NOT saying it should be allowed. I am saying umpires never ever call it despite the rule. It's unfortunate."

Kathryn wrote back:

"I just said disappointed, neither the article or opinion warranted being hated. I agree it's been going on forever, I just don't think it should be. Its a sport, it's a game but it's also a business and the players' livelihoods. Therefore I feel that the rules are in place for very good reasons and should be adhered to. In this specific example of course I don't believe it was Utley's intention to break/fracture a bone, but his actions were without regard to the consequences beyond the one he desired. A broken bone can for all intents and purposes end or at least adversely effect a player's career. I'm hugely disappointed in that type of play."

There's a common theme in all of this... opinions, ALL opinions in  this situation are welcome... even mine.  It appears that the biggest complaint was that the officials didn't do enough.  Guess what, I don't umpire any games and haven't since I was about 15 years old when I did it for Little League.  I also will not apologize for having a baseball mentality opinion when it comes to a hard slide into second base.  Things happen and it sucks for Tejada... but life goes on and MLB is doing their thing now.

That suspension by the way? Is something else I disagree with.  I leave you with this... it's a quote from my wife...

"How about people stop being such wimps... and toughen up. It's a competitive sport... he's not gonna tip toe in there."   --Mrs. Casey

Boom. That just happened.

 

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