TOMMY KAHNLE IS GONZO

The Tigers have signed reliever Tommy Kahnle to a one-year, $7.75 million contract, ending—at least for now—his third stint with the Yankees. New York loses one of its most reliable postseason arms from 2024.

Not everyone is thrilled about the move. The Detroit Free Press isn’t impressed, citing concerns about Kahnle’s control and durability:

"The first red flag: His walk rate has been below average in each of the past two seasons, at 11.5% in 2023 and 10.6% in 2024. The second red flag: Kahnle, who underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2020, has missed at least two months in each of the past three seasons with arm injuries."

Clearly, DFP isn’t a fan. But personally? I like Kahnle. I was hoping the Yankees would bring him back.

Meanwhile, the Tigers have been busy this offseason, adding three free agents—all on one-year deals. Along with Kahnle, they signed right-hander Alex Cobb and infielder Gleyber Torres to contracts worth $15 million each.

Best of luck to Tommy!

ALEX COBB JUST SIGNED!

Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images

And there you have it. The Orioles win the sweepstakes for Alex Cobb.  No biggie for the Yankees, but a big get for the Orioles.  Good for them.

The Baltimore Sun reports:

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

"...the Orioles have agreed to terms on a four-year deal with Cobb in the range of $56 million to $60 million and does include deferred money, according to industry sources. The deal, which is still pending a club physical, is expected to be finalized Wednesday, according to a source."

But it appears done and that's that.

Carry on, folks.

ALEX COBB? LET'S GET BACK EOVALDI

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

It was so nice to tune into Yankee baseball on Sunday afternoon on YES.  It really was.  And as I listened to Michael Kay and Paul O'Neill talk about the recovery of former Yankee now Tampa Bay Ray Nathan Eovaldi after his second Tommy John surgery, I thought to myself as he threw 99 mph, I wish we had him back.

Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America

"Without a deal in sight with the Yankees, Eovaldi instead took a one-year, $2-million contract from the Rays, who also hold a second-year $2-million option," reported NJ.com after the Yankees cut Eovaldi before the 2017 season.  Nasty Nate however has come back in 2018 throwing hard and could be a real nuisance for the Yankees who will play the Division rival Rays multiple times this season.

Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America

"Eovaldi's average fastball velocity of 97 mph was the second highest in the majors out of pitchers who threw at least 100 innings in 2016. Only the Mets' Noah Syndergaard (97.9 mph) threw harder on average," reported NJ.com.

Source: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America

As we posted yesterday in our piece ALEX COBB IS VERY POSSIBLE, the Yankees remain connected to Rays 30-year-old right hander Alex Cobb.  "Since debuting in 2011, Cobb owns a 3.50 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 111 ERA+. That work has come across 700 career innings and 115 starts. The veteran missed all of 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery," reported NJ.com.  In contrast, Nathan Eovaldi, has a 4.21 ERA with 739 innings pitched and 134 starts.  Both pitchers came up in 2011, but Eovaldi is two years younger.

Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America

Do I think Cobb is a better pitcher, maybe?  Does Eovaldi have a chance of redeeming himself and even outdoing his 2015 career best 14 wins and 3 losses?  No, not with the Rays, but with the Yankees, yes.  Either pitcher would perform well alongside an offense like the Yankees have this season.  We just need to sign one more pitcher.  With only three weeks until opening day and Cobb, Jake Arrieta and Lance Lynn expected to be signed before the end of spring training, it will be interesting to see who adds these pitchers to their staffs.  As for Eovaldi, he could prove to be lethal to hitters if he can control his fastball and stay healthy.  Welcome back, Nate, don't hurt us too much.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

ALEX COBB IS VERY POSSIBLE

Photo: Getty Images

We have heard about the possibility of the Yankees pursuing Alex Cobb a lot this off season.  And here it is again.

The latest comes from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Love him...

Photo: Getty Images

"The feeling among teams is that while Cobb is a desirable commodity, his agents haven't come down enough in asking price for a deal to make sense. The Brewers, Twins, and Yankees seem like legitimate landing spots for the 30-year-old, who went 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA for the Rays last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Teams are looking at a three-year deal, but pitchers of Cobb's caliber and age want more. It may not exist in this market."

Now here's the thing... it's a guess, a suggestion and you know what? It makes a ton of sense.

I would love to see Cobb on the Yankees roster.  I'm just not sure they are interested.  But hell, Cobb is definitely an upgrade in my mind.

Stay tuned.

THE SEVEN FISHES OF PITCHERS

Source:  The Sporting News

Now that we have CC Sabathia under contract for 2018, the Yankees can breathe a slight sigh of relief.  Consistency and leadership are two essential components for a Yankee pitching rotation.  But both Sabathia and these traits might not be enough to win the championship next season.  So, the Yankees may need to catch a big fish among the seven fishes of pitchers who could be shopping for a new team in 2018.

Source: ESPN

According to the NY Daily News, these starting pitchers include Gerrit Cole (Pittsburgh), Chris Archer and Alex Cobb (Tampa Bay), Danny Duffy (Kansas City), Michael Fulmer (Detroit), Patrick Corbin (Arizona) and Jeff Samardzija (San Francisco).  If I had my druthers, I would go after Zack Greinke and call it a day. But I will entertain some deep thinking about most of these guys, but not all of them.

Source: NESN

Quite frankly, Gerrit Cole had his chance to be in pinstripes and he gave that opportunity up.  "The Yankees originally burned a first-round pick in 2008 (28th overall) on Cole only for him to spurn them for UCLA, but the 28-year-old right-hander since has established himself as a frontline starter over five seasons with the Pirates. Cole has two more years of arbitration eligibility before he will become a free agent after the 2019 season," reported the News.  Besides this, Cole has had some elbow inflammation and we all know how that adds anxiety to the team, wondering when he could fall.

Source: NJ.com

Looking at both Archer and Cobb, I would not choose either even though I have always liked the way Archer commands himself on the mound.  He has had two tough seasons, but he could rebound.  Cobb has had some injuries, but he is still a premiere starter who could demand just a little too much cash and stretch the luxury tax a bit too far.

Source: SI.com

Duffy...in a word, no.  DUI charge, Tommy John surgery.  We don't need that.  Detroit's Michael Fulmer, although 2016 Rookie of Year, might not be worth it either.  Chemistry matters and there may be too much bad blood between Detroit and the Yankees after the brawl of 2017.  "Of course, Fulmer was the pitcher who drilled Gary Sanchez, leading to a series of brawls between the two teams, in August. He also underwent nerve transposition surgery in his pitching elbow in September, but he's expected to be ready for spring training," reported the News.

Source: The Sporting News

Patrick Corbin is a guy who could be attractive to the Yankees as a ground ball throwing left-hander.  Of the bunch so far, I like what he could add but as I said earlier, I would prefer his teammate, Greinke.

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Then there is Jeff Samardzija, who I endorsed for pinstripes a few years ago, when he was available.  Today, he would only be welcomed here to the Bronx if he could help us unload a certain former Red Sox centerfielder.  "This might have to be the exchange of one terrible contract for another, perhaps if the outfield-hungry Giants would be willing to take on a chunk of Jacoby Ellsbury's albatross deal," reported the News.

So the Yankees have some fishing to do, with the right bait and the right mindset to do so.  Of these seven fishes with potential availability, I don't see one I would be willing to take a chance on.  Perhaps we need to cast a wider net for a bigger fish, one who can compliment our pitching staff in a way that elevates it to the kind we need to win in October.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof






30% OFF Your Order of Autographed Sports and Entertainment Memorabilia at SteinerSports.com! Use code HOLIDAY30 through 12/25 to save on full-priced items!

THE YANKEES ARE "FAVORITES" TO SIGN THIS PITCHER?

Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America

I love this time of the year. Despite the fact that the Yankees have not "officially" brought Brian Cashman back (even though we know that is just a formality) and the Yankees don't have a new manager yet the rumor mill is continuing to heat up. We are all waiting for some news. We are waiting for those possible trades or free agent signings!

Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America

Could Alex Cobb be one of those free agent signings? Back in September Nick Cafardo said the Yankees were reportedly "very interested" in signing Cobb and then that rumor lost steam. Now suddenly the connection is back and this time Peter Gammons says that interest is back, and possibly stronger than ever. Supposedly, there is an "industry consensus" that there will be a showdown between the Chicago Cubs and the Yankees for his services. Hmmmm....

Now whether you believe that or not, I think the Yankees would be a surprise and unlikely suitor for Cobb.  I still say that connection is a stretch for a few reasons but I could be wrong. In any event, the Yankees have a lot of things to consider when it comes to Cobb.

1. Getting under the luxury tax

Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America

Hal Steinbrenner has made it very clear that the Yankees have every intention to get under the luxury tax and signing someone like Cobb would make that extremely hard to do. Cobb and Lance Lynn are the two best free agents available other than Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta so he is going to get a pricier multi-year deal and the Yankees aren't going to be looking to make that kind of commitment. The only way the Yankees could sign Cobb and still get under the luxury tax would be to unload another big contract or two off of the books, which is a another challenge in itself.

2. The stats aren't the greatest

Source: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images North America

Long story short here....Cobb has some concerns. The strikeouts are down, his home runs are up, the ground balls are down and the hitters are making more hard contact against him. It's just not a good combination for Yankee stadium even taking into account that he is just getting back from Tommy John surgery there are a lot of question marks.

3. The Yankees have a lot of pitching options already

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

You can never have too much pitching. We've all heard that and it's true, but even without Cobb the Yankees would have a lot of pitching. I think Shohei Otani would be more appealing to the Yankees and even if Otani doesn't happen the Yankees could save the money and sign a less expensive veteran like CC Sabathia. We can;t forget about some of the kids in the minors either, Chance Adams is waiting for his opportunity. The Yankees have plenty of options without having to go sign a long term, more expensive deal with Cobb.

4. Other teams have an interest and need him more than the Yankees

Source: Brian Blanco/Getty Images North America

No offense to Cobb, but the Yankees don't "need" him. I'm not sure why Gammons and "industry consensus" have a strong connection between Cobb and the Yankees. Now teams like the Cubs, I get. Supposedly there is mutual interest there and it makes sense. Arrieta is unlikely to return to the Cubs so the Cubs will look for another big name to help fill-in their rotation. The Cardinals and Blue Jays also could make a play for Cobb. Another intriguing connection could be another AL East team the Baltimore Orioles. This move makes sense because the Orioles finished with the worst ERA in baseball last season. Cobb has some success in the AL East and could strengthen a weak Orioles team.

So is Gammons right about the Yankees-Cobb connection? I don't see it but what do I know? The Yankees have so many other options that make more sense. I guess we will wait and see if Gammons is right. Until then, keep the rumors coming.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

THIS GUY COULD BE THE NEXT YANKEE PITCHER

Photo: Getty Images

I can't believe it is September already, and soon we will be writing about signings and rumors, not games. I am going to milk what is left of this last bit of baseball but rumors are already out there. The Yankees will have to address the starting rotation during the off-season and we will need at least one if not two more starters and they are wasting no time.

(Sept. 18, 2017 - Source: Adam Hunger/Getty Images North America)     

If we assume that CC Sabathia does not sign a new deal with the Yankees and Masahiro Tanaka opts out of his contract and plays elsewhere and Michael Pineda is likely done in a Yankees uniform too. The Yankees have some serious holes to fill. As always the Yankees will be tied to the big free agent pitchers in the off-season like Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta but I don't think the Yankees will sign either one of those guys. I see the Yankees going after a more affordable option to help solidify the back of the rotation.

(Sept. 9, 2017 - Source: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images North America)     

Enter familiar AL East opponent Alex Cobb. We have seen Cobb many times in a Rays uniform but he may trade uniforms and stay in the AL East. The Yankees are rumored to be interested in him and on paper he makes sense. He could be a great back end starter and he is battle tested in our division. At first, I was not sold on the idea of Cobb in a Yankee uniform, but now I think I am surprisingly.

Just like anyone else, Cobb would come with some concern. This was his first season back after Tommy John surgery, but he hasn't missed a start. His ground ball rate was good before surgery and now it has dropped but it's still respectable. When hitters make contact they seem to be hitting him harder and that is proven by his career high 21 home runs allowed this year but, with more work now that he is healthy and some good coaching the Yankees could really make him a reliable back end guy.

I like the idea of Cobb for a few reasons.

Photo: Getty Images

1) He's consistent and has the experience. He has a 3.63 ERA this season and a career 3.49 ERA and he is an innings eater. Despite this is his first year back from surgery he has still pitched 173 innings and has a winning record. He hasn't missed a start all season long and he knows how to pitch in the AL East.

2) By some of his numbers you can argue this is a down season for him. If an 11-10 season with a 3.63 ERA is a down season then he is doing pretty damn well and there is room for improvement. Based on what he has done this season I think he will only get better as he gets further away from his surgery and maybe going to a competitive team in the AL East will light that fire under him to win more games.

Photo: Getty Images

3) Cobb is still pretty young. He's about to turn 30 years old. He still fits in with the Yankees vision of getting younger. He still has a few years left of peak or close to peak performance. As long as the Yankees don't overwork him and he stays healthy Cobb could continue to be an innings eater.

4) He fits the Yankees spending plans. The Yankees are still determined to get under that luxury tax. He will still cost a nice chunk of change, but the Yankees would be able to afford him and not break the bank unlike with the other big names.

I think Cobb comes with some risk, but also some potential high reward. There are certainly other targets out there like Shohei Otani but they don't have the affordable price tag. Pretty soon Cobb is going to be one of the most popular free agents this season and many teams will be trying to sign him. It will be interesting to see if the Yankees decide to make a serious offer, or just drive up the price.

Would you take a chance on Cobb?



--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

AND WE NEVER WILL FORGET...

You will often hear the expression, “Write what you know” or “Speak from your heart”. For most of us, September 11th will always stir up deep seeded feelings. We feel the spectrum of emotions as the day passes. At first, the familiar sadness returns. Yes, with each passing year we heal a bit more, but like a scar, it will be with us forever. At some point a sense of unity arrives. We see that no matter who we are or where we call home, we all were affected by that horrible tragedy. We may still feel anger. It doesn’t make you a bad person to admit that. So many were taken so quickly and it can make a person experience fits of rage. And then, if we are lucky, we find peace. The peace in knowing that we came back. We didn’t stay down long…that’s just not who we are.

One of the things that has bothered me so much about where we are now as a nation tends to happen on 9/11 more and more. I see it on social media and it adds to the ever growing list of what makes me wish tweets and status updates would just go away. You’ve seen them. The “I’m so over 9/11” folks who can’t help but to show you they don’t buy into seasonal patriotism and tweet things like, “Happy 9/11” or “Where are the big 9/11 BBQs this year”. I don’t understand these people. If, for whatever reason, September 11th 2001 didn’t affect you, and it now causes you to stop listening to NPR for a minute to tweet a snarky thought…do me a favor, just shut up. You aren’t clever. You aren’t cool. You’re just...well, nothing really. Sit with that for a second.

(In photo: Derek Jeter, 2014)
Seeing things like that made me want to go do something that helped so many of us 13 years ago. I went to watch baseball on September 11, 2014. I wanted to see Derek Jeter play one more time, but it was more than that. I wanted to feel what the Yankees and Mets made me feel during that awful time in New York back in 2001.

(In Photo: Derek Jeter, 2001)
It was an escape. We were together, kept a stiff upper lip and showed the world that life would go on. The other night, at Yankee Stadium brought back all of those feelings... the good and the bad.

In a season that has brought so much disappointment, the Yankees reminded me why I’m always love them.

On September 11th, just this past week, the Stadium was filled with American flags. Fans were walking up to members of the NYPD and FDNY to give them a handshake or a hug. The USMC band played a rousing rendition of the Nation Anthem and you could hear people singing all around the stadium. Look, if you aren’t into this kind of stuff…stop reading.  I am, and always will be proud of the men and women who serve. I have a great deal of family who were on the job as New York cops and firefighters. What they did that day…well, I don’t have the words...

The pregame drew to a close, the stadium wasn’t filled, but it was buzzing. The Yankees, behind their Captain, took the field and we were off…and then the wind came right out of our sails.  Alex Cobb was flat out dominant. True, these Yanks aren’t anywhere near Murderer’s Row… face it, they’re not even close to Pick Pocket’s Row. All the same, Cobb was nasty. He kept the lineup off balance and over-matched well into the late innings. I sat there in the left field bleachers muttering to myself, “Please get a hit, boys. This can’t happen today. Not here.”

It was suddenly the 8th and the zeros on the scoreboard seemed to be taunting us. The Stadium was silent and tense…and then he showed up.

I remembering hearing that the Bombers signed Chris Young after the Mets, THE METS mind you, cut him.
Now, I was a fan of Young’s bat when he was in Arizona. He is a solid player, but getting cut over in Queens didn’t make him seem worthy of a contract.  But as we saw in October 2001, anything can happen in the Bronx. Young laced a double to the gap and the Stadium sprung to its feet. It wasn’t much, but the NO-NO was over. We could all breathe again.

Then, like Willis Reed walking back to the floor at the Garden in ’70, Martin Prado strolled to the plate…and…THAT BALL IS HIGH! IT IS FAR! IT! IS! GAAAN! The Yanks were back in the game!

The Stadium was rocking! The Yankees wouldn’t go quietly! It seemed like the Old Stadium again. Yankee fans jumping up and down with each other. It was as if the Ghosts woke up and came across the street. The game however wasn’t close to won as Tex went down swinging after 3 straight. Onto the 9th and I felt like it was Game 7 in 2003. Was there an Aaron Boone in the dugout again?

Chase Headley caught a fastball with his chin and was taken out of the game. Austin Romine, wearing Joba’s old 62, was inserted as the runner. Then, it was up to the ageless one, Ichiro Suzuki. The 40-year-old outfielder gutted out an Ichiro-like at bat and ended up standing on second base.

I don’t know why exactly. Maybe it was because of the day. Maybe it was because I just had been holding it in all season. But when the ball hit Chris Young’s bat I went absolutely crazy! THERE IT GOES! LOOKING UP! C YA! C YA! C YA!!

Everyone in my section were high-fiving and hugging like we had won it all…in a way we had.

The Yankees are no lock for the post season. In fact they’re still a long shot. That may have been the last time I see Derek Jeter play this year. The feeling I get every September 11th will always haunt me. But that Team, this City and OUR game help us all heal a little bit at a time.

Thank you, Yankees. And thank you, NYPD, FDNY, NYPA, U.S. Marines, Sailors, Airmen and women and Soldiers.

** And We NEVER will…  **

--Mike O'Hara
Senior "Features" Writer
MLB Fan Cave Host, Season 1
Twitter: @mikeyoh21
   "Paulie was always my favorite player."





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! 

YOUNG AT HEART!

"I'm going to call it as it is. We have go at least 17-3 and still hope for help down the stretch if we are going to get that 2nd Wild Card. If this happens, that would be an enormous high going into the playoffs. Our problem this year lies 100% on the offense and their inability to produce and offer any run support for the pitching staff."  
--Anthony Tony Pecora, regular BYB reader

Do you want to know what my favorite moment is in Yankees highlights? Bigger than the Jeter flip or the Scott Brosius home run in the World Series back in 2001? It's 2 individuals with more heart than anything I've ever seen before.  The date was October 16, 2003 and it was the 8th inning of Game 7 of the ALCS. Jorge Posada hit a bloop double to knock in Hideki Matsui to tie the game verses Pedro Martinez and the Red Sox.  The Yankees would go on to win that series. 

Do you remember Jorge Posada standing on second base with emotion dripping from his pours on that double? Do you remember the roar and his fists out, full of passion... full of heart?  

Do you remember Hideki Matsui? There he was jumping in the air and landing on home plate, and then the roar like he just won the World Series? Remember the passion? Remember the heart?  Those were my Yankees.  Fearless. Unwilling to give up.  And yes, in all my life, with all the great moments in history, I loved that moment most. 

It was hard to watch the Yankees this game tonight, not to mention the entire season.  For most of the game tonight, there was frustration. I was having a text conversation with Mike O'Hara around the 4th. Mike was at the game tonight. Let's just say the phrases, "they're abysmal" and "I loathe this club's lack of heart" were written.  I'm sure you were telling a friend the same thing at some point tonight. Heart is key and heart was lacking for most of this game. We saw nothing.   Now, in fairness, Alex Cobb was great and had a no-no going for quite a while tonight.  But as you know, and if you read BYB, we write about and appreciate "moments".  Much like that Posada / Matsui moment I just spoke of, there is nothing better for a club to get going.  It's energy... and it helps bring confidence. In a word, it's "heart."

Tonight, the guy that I've been ripping for weeks, Chris Young, did something incredibly special. Not only did he break the Cobb no-no, he walked off for us as well.  I guess I should listen to my own advise sometimes.  I guess I shouldn't forget about my love for the believer.  Instead of ranking on Young's .205 average with the Mets, I should have turned it into a positive... maybe even written about how it's not a bad hitter that the Yankees signed, but instead, the Bronx was a new opportunity for Chris Young.  After all, I root for the believer... and I should have been rooting for Chris Young all along.  I've learned my lesson.  He proved me wrong... and I freakin' love it.

First off, Michael Pineda started for New York, and he gave up 4 runs.  It wasn't the worst thing in the world, but when the Yankees couldn't hit Cobb... it was a bad situation.  Then, in the 8th, Martin Prado came in as a pinch hitter and hit a 2 run homer. Chris Young was one of those runs that scored. 

In the 9th, after Chase Headley got hit by a pitch and was removed, Ichiro doubled and Austin Romine, Headley's replacement, went to third.  At that point there was an energy at Yankee stadium. There was life. You could see things happening.  Mike O'Hara texted me, "This is becoming something..."  He wasn't kidding.

Down 4-2 in the bottom of the 9th, with men on second and third, I tweeted this:

Fans need to get in McGees head! #BYB
— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) September 12, 2014

Well, there wasn't enough time.  The next pitch was launched into the left field seats from Chris Young... the hero tonight, the fighter... the believer and just like that... the walk-off, and the Yankees won!

Finally, let me say this... that quote up top is very significant to tonight's win.  It's from a reader and BYB fan and someone that believes that we, the Yankees can do this! He also knows it's not gonna be easy.  Bottom line... it comes down to heart.  The Yankees found it tonight, but they need to keep believing!  Chris Young is a perfect example of fighting and believing. Chris Young woke up the giant. 

Young did something special tonight, and it's that moment that I'll remember for a long time.  Not only was it exciting, it was all about heart.  

Final: Yankees 5 - Rays 4

It's this win that can lead a club further.  Let's hope it does.


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!