I'D LOVE IKF BACK! BUT WOULD HE WANT TO COME BACK?

My guy Isiah Kiner-Falefa — the ultimate utility player. The duct tape of a baseball roster. Currently manning shortstop duties for the Pirates, IKF is once again floating into the trade rumor mill, and wouldn’t you know it? The Yankees are lurking like an old flame scrolling through your Instagram stories. I kid, I kid... you don't have an ex-girlfriend.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, both the Giants and the Yankees are “keeping a close eye” on the 30-year-old infielder as we approach the MLB trade deadline. Why? Well, his contract is expiring, he’s affordable, and frankly, he’s exactly the kind of guy a team wants on its roster — versatile, low-maintenance, and not allergic to hard work.

Now, look. I’ll admit something here that I know not every Yankee fan will agree with: I liked IKF. There, I said it. When he was with the Yankees, he was a gamer. Played wherever they told him, kept his mouth shut, hustled his tail off, and smiled through what amounted to a thankless role. You needed a shortstop? IKF. Someone to fill in at third? IKF. A little outfield sprinkle? Yep, IKF. You needed someone to sit quietly while the organization drooled over Anthony Volpe like he was Jeter 2.0? IKF did that too.

But here’s the real kicker — he was set up to fail at shortstop. The Yankees sold us this dream that he’d lock it down like a young Andrelton Simmons. Instead, when mistakes happened (as they tend to in baseball), he became the scapegoat. It was Gleyber Torres 2.0: yank a guy out of his natural position, watch the errors pile up, then blame him for being human. Meanwhile, Volpe and Wells? Teflon. Mistake? “He’s learning.” Slump? “He’s maturing.” Strikeout with the bases loaded? “The analytics like his swing path.”

IKF didn’t get that kind of grace. He got the cold shoulder, the hot seat, and eventually, the exit.

And now the Yankees might want him back? I don’t know, man. If I’m IKF, I might just tell them to go kick rocks. Or better yet — send them a nice thank-you card with no return address.

Still, the rumors are swirling, and IKF could plug several holes for the Bombers. He’s hitting a not-so-sexy .216  and he’s proven he can handle pretty much any position not called “pitcher.”

The Yankees are doing a lot of things right this year. They’re winning games, their rotation’s been surprisingly durable, and Aaron Judge is once again reminding everyone he is, in fact, a baseball god. But they could use a guy like IKF — someone who can cover a lot of ground and doesn’t need a five-game hitting streak to keep his name on the lineup card.

So here we are. Could a reunion happen? Sure. Should it? Maybe. But if it does, let’s just hope this time around the Yankees give him the respect he deserves — and maybe don’t throw him to the wolves just because the golden boy is “still developing.”

IKF doesn’t need the Yankees. But the Yankees might just need him. Stay tuned.

THE FRENZY FOR PLAYERS AFTER THE LOCKOUT WILL BE FIERCE

Source: Associated Press

Sigh. Wishing for the lockout to end is like wishing I could fast forward through February all the way to May. Once the lockout does lift however, it will be like Black Friday back in the day- squeezing through the doors to get to the best deals of the day. The frenzy for players after the lockout will be fierce—how will the Yankees fair in the showdown?

The New York Post layed down the gauntlet: "Steinbrenner should feel pressure. Of one title this century. Of one division title in the past nine years. And of a shadow — no, not of his late father, George, but from Steve Cohen across town. He might just take the Mets’ payroll to $300 million. Steinbrenner could act like he would be indifferent to the attention that would draw. It would be that: an act."

Source: Sports Illustrated

To fall to second best to the Mets is just unthinkable. Second best in the Big Apple just doesn't feel right and it isn't right. The Yankees have settled. They have spread their money around since signing Gerrit Cole and it has not served them well. It has not served them anything. And if they don't change their ways, they will be shut out of the frenzy that is certainly coming.

Reports the Post, "The simplest solution to complete the positional group would be Anthony Rizzo at first and Andrelton Simmons at short through free agency. Both offer high-end defense. Rizzo provides a lefty bat and big-game pedigree. Gio Urshela is around as a regularly used utilityman who could, when necessary, hit late for Simmons, then play short. Of the 159 players with at least 1,000 plate appearances between 2019-21, Simmons’ 71 OPS-plus is the second-worst." Absolutely none of this is appealing, except maybe Rizzo who the Yankees appeared to take a hard pass on. 

Source: Art of Dr. Seuss

Will the Yankees even be part of the frenzy? Could they, would they spend a dollar? Will they, can they buy a player? Don't mean to go all Dr. Seuss on you but the concern is real. And the actions so far are ridiculous. The Yankees need so much and unless they pounce when the bell rings, I fear that 2022 is just an extension of the last three years with nothing to say for yourself but that you were second to the Mets.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

FREEMAN COULD FILL THE BIG SHOES TEIXEIRA LEFT BEHIND!

Source: Danny Wild/USA Today Sports, via Reuters

My family and I are big Mark Teixeira fans. We loved him, even though he was slow to rise from his winter slumber, not making dent in his average until early June. We loved him defensively at first base and he was good for the clubhouse too. Now the Yankees have another opportunity to bring a power bat and gold glove to a lineup that really needs an ignition, just like it did when they signed Teixeira. This time it could be Freddie Freeman.

Source: Associated Press

"By adding Freeman, the Yankees would be getting a force in the middle of their lineup for many years to come, as well as a gold glove caliber first baseman on defense. Signing Freeman could potentially be a franchise altering move for a Yankees team that is in desperate need of a facelift after coming up short in the postseason over the past five seasons. Freeman also has a strong reputation for being a clubhouse leader as well," writes SI.com. Ironically, it was five years ago that the Yankees Teixeira said goodbye to baseball and retired. Could the Yankees make good by bringing in the NL MVP to the 2022 team?

Seems like the first base facelift has been a trend for the Yankees. Before bringing in Tex in 2009, the Yankees brought in Jason Giambi to replace Tino Martinez who replaced Don Mattingly. Since Teixeira, it has been a revolving door at the corner and if the Yankees act quickly and think beyond shortstop, they could have themselves a franchise player who could bring in a championship in the next couple of seasons or sooner. 

"If long-term money issues are scaring the Braves off from making Freeman a lifelong Braves star, Cashman should swoop in ASAP and make a deal. We’re talking about a left-handed slugger that plays excellent defense, takes walks, hits for power, makes contact and is a leader. It would be the perfect Yankees signing," reported NJ.com.

Source: NJ.com

Many say that the Yankees believe they have their shortstop in the system in either Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe or perhaps both. So spending big money on short could be something they bypass and bring in a fixer-upper instead to fill the middle infield. 

Would Freeman want to come to the Bronx? "The belief is he wants to stay. But if Atlanta doesn’t go to at least six years at $180 million, would he be receptive to exit? The Yankees and Dodgers, in particular, would be ready to pounce. It would be easier for the Yankees to emphasize defense at short with someone like Andrelton Simmons if they could land Freeman’s lefty bat," reports the NY Post. 

Source: Dodger Nation

It would be a great move for the Yankees to bring in Freeman—a power bat with great defense and terrific chemistry. Freeman could be the next great first baseman to come to the Bronx and with him the possibility for a championship. Freeman could fill the big shoes that Teixeira left behind. Now the Yankees just have to make that a reality. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE YANKEES NEW "OUTSIDE THE BOX" OPTION FOR SHORTSTOP?

Well this one is a doozy, but I am not surprised at all.

Last week, Buster Olney made an appearance on the Michael Kay Show and they talked more about the Yankees and their ongoing shortstop saga. You can hear it for yourself HERE and then pick your jaw up off of the ground if needed. It was called "outside the box" and that's definitely one way to describe it.

Look, we all heard Brian Cashman said that the Yankees were going to address the need for shortstop one way or another....and this is definitely one way. Not THE way I would choose but Olney says the Yankees "have talked a little bit....internally" about trading for Oakland A's third basemen Matt Chapman to fill the Yankees need at shortstop.

But, why? He's among the games top defenders as a third basemen. He's played ten innings at shortstop and one of those came in 2020. The Yankees like to get creative and I admire thinking outside of the box but....haven't we already been down this road?

The Yankees experimented with this idea already when they moved Gleyber Torres from second to shortstop and we all now how badly that ended. Now the Yankees have "talked a little bit" about another possible solution. Hopefully this was a quick conversation.

No offense to Chapman, I do think he is amongst the best third basemen in the game. If the Yankees were looking for help at he hot corner then he deserves a longer look. But they aren't. We need a shortstop. We've needed a shortstop for a long time and not just ANY, but the right one.

It's time to stop this idea of taking someone out of their natural element and experimenting at another position. That's not what will help improve this team. The Yankees need an actual shortstop. Their are options besides Carlos Correa also. Sign Andrelton Simmons or trade for Nick Ahmed or pick any other name.....as long as they actually play shortstop.

Do I think the Yankees are serious about this idea? No, but at the same time after watching the failed Torres experiment it's hard not to get frustrated just hearing about it. It's been a season without an actual shortstop so it's already overdue. We just need an actual shortstop....not another experiment.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

RUMOR: YANKEES ARE INTERESTED IN MORE THAN ONE SHORTSTOP

It's back to the drawing board for the Yankees. Brian Cashman said that that shortstop was an area of need that would have to be addressed but the Yankees are still without a shortstop. It's frustrating when you see some of the big names sign with other teams, so now that some of the big names are gone....how is Cashman going to fix the shortstop problem?

There are still options out there, just not as flashy as before. The Yankees could still go after Carlos Correa even though I hate the idea because I can't stand him and since Corey Seager just got a ridiculous 10-year, $325 million deal Correa will be even more expensive. So, who else are the Yankees looking at? Names they've already been linked to.

1. Isiah Kiner-Falefa
The Rangers surprisingly spent a lot of money after signing Marcus Semien and Seager and they also have a surplus of middle-infield prospects so they are shopping Kiner-Falefa. The Rangers are also going to lose second and third round draft picks next year so trading Kiner-Falefa for some prospects might make more sense for them in the long run. On paper, the Rangers and Yankees line up for another trade. Kiner-Falefa is only 26 and is under arbitration control through 2023. He doesn't have a lot of power, but he did have a .271 BA last season and was successful in 20 out of 25 stolen base attempts last season. The Yankees could definitely use some speed on the bases and he can play third base which would give the Yankees some additional flexibility.

2. Andrelton Simmons
No surprise on this one, the Yankees have been interested in Simmons for a while now. The Yankees tried to get the Minnesota Twins to trade him at the deadline so now they could just sign him to a short term deal which they seem to prefer. Simmons could be a serviceable stopgap, he has won four Gold Gloves in his 10 year career. He is an elite defender and finished last season with 16 Outs Above Average and would be the solid defender that the Yankees have been missing. If the Yankees do choose to go with Simmons they would have to be comfortable with a great fielder and a guy that isn't going to be a big offensive contributor. That may be hard to accept considering how much the Yankees have struggled with offense in recent years. Simmons also is a traditional everyday shortstop and has no experience playing other positions which does not offer the Yankees any flexibility.

Do either of these guys excite me? No, not really but neither does Clown Correa and I'm glad the Yankees didn't match Seager's stupid crazy 10-year deal from the Rangers. Cashman is gonna have to do something here, but we will have to wait and see what that is. 

--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

RUMOR: YANKEES ARE NOT SPENDING BIG BUCKS ON A SHORTSTOP

One thing we know about shortstop is that Gleyber Torres won't be playing it again in 2022. The Yankees have said it, but now we sit and wait to see who the Yankees put at shortstop instead.

And as we sit, we wonder about potential names the Yankees will chase. What about Corey Seager? Or Marcus Semien? Then there is Carlos Correa who I can't stand but someone is going to pay him and I just sit back and hope that it won't be the Yankees. We can't forget that the Yankees have been tied to Trevor Story also. But....what if it's NONE of these names?

That could be the case, at least that is what both the New York Post AND the NY Daily News have reported. We are in the Hot Stove season so why not speculate? What if the Yankees don't go for one of the big dogs on the market? It might not be a bad thing.

The Yankees already have long term deals on the books with Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton, a stupid contract with Aaron Hicks and the Yankees are interested in keeping Aaron Judge long term. None of these big name short stops are going to sign for a short term deal so if they are serious about a long term deal with Judge, an expensive shortstop deal doesn't make sense. Sure, they are the Yankees and they can "afford it" if they want to....but that doesn't make it a good idea.

The Yankees are high on Oswaldo Peraza and Anthony Volpe, two of their best prospects and believe they are close to major league ready. The Yankees don't want another big deal that blocks their path to the majors and could still upgrade their shortstop with a shorter stop gap.

Let's face it, an upgrade from Torres at shortstop wouldn't be very hard. The Yankees had interest at the trade deadline for Andrelton Simmons who offers reliable defense but not much offense. Another name that I think the Yankees may consider is Chris Taylor, but he still has some defensive concerns as well. Not as bad as Torres, but still a concern. I think the Yankees will consider a less obvious path here because they are thinking about future financial commitments.

I am interested to see who the new Yankee shortstop will be, because I am not convinced it is a big name. After all, Cashman likes to bargain shop and we've seen it for a while now AND a big name shortstop only means they would be buying more future payroll inflexibility.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Senior Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE STRANGEST "PLAN B" FOR THE YANKEES THAT YOU'D NEVER GUESS

Maybe you are like me and asking...."what happened to Plan A?"  Nothing has changed there. This year for Christmas, Yankee fans all want a new deal for DJ LeMahieu all wrapped up in a big pinstriped bow. He's still on the market and I really do think the Yankees are going to sign him. I'm not thinking about "Plan B yet", but Buster Olney has some insights on what that could look like.

Anyone else scratching your head? I never considered an outfielder to be "Plan B" to getting DJ back. Not at all. I mean, we've already talked about other infield options for the Yankees in case we don't get DJ back. Shouldn't a "Plan B" involve finding an actual shortstop so we can move Gleyber Torres back to second base? So that could mean signing someone like Didi Gregorius or Andreltonn Simmons.

But Buster Olney says Michael Brantley is "Plan B." Interesting. I'm not saying I wouldn't like his left handed bat. We could definitely use one especially if Brett Gardner is not coming back. He has a great swing, is one of the best left handed hitters in the game and has been a four time All-Star. There's a lot to like but....where does he fit WITHOUT a trade?

He doesn't. If the Yankees were to sign him he's not playing center field, he's playing a corner outfield position which means someone has to be dealt. What if that someone is Clint Frazier? More trade speculation for the player that never fit in until now after a break out season. Why deal him instead of seeing if he can finally produce in a full season?

And if you do deal Frazier I am killing the "Frazier for Francisco Lindor" idea right now. The Yankees would be crazy to trade Frazier with all of that team control and after the season he just had for one year of Lindor. That would be a bad move for us but the Indians would definitely like that trade once the Yankees sweetened that trade even more. If there is no extension, it makes no sense. Oh and, Frazier alone also won't bring us a number two or three type starting pitcher in case you were thinking about that instead. 

I like rumor season, it gives us all something to talk about but "Plan A" is still getting DJ back. "Plan B" doesn't make a lot of sense right now. We have more pressing needs than Brantley in our outfield....you know, like quality starting pitching. Unless Brantley pitches now....he should be more like Plan L-ish.

You don't just walk away from talent like DJ, and then piece together a random strategy. Sorry Buster, but we still need to be all-in on "Plan A." We want and need DJ back on this team right now, he's the priority....let's focus on that instead of Brantley "Plan B."

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE YANKEES HAVE THEIR EYE ON A NEW SHORTSTOP

I like rumors and I am ready to see some action this winter....but this one isn't one that excites me.
The Yankees have immediate needs to address with DJ LeMahieu, and they need more pitching so they should be considering Masahiro Tanaka right now too. Instead...they are checking in on a shortstop.

The Yankees are "interested" in Andrelton Simmons, read more HERE. The Yankees should be interested in adding a shortstop so they can move Gleyber Torres out because that's the right move. Torres finished in the bottom two percentile in outs above average, so he's definitely not a great shortstop option. The Yankees infield is better with Torres back at second, but that complicates the infield puzzle even more if the Yankees can bring LeMahieu back....and we need him back.

The Yankees need a shortstop upgrade, and Simmons has a great glove so he is a fit on paper. He's earned Four Gold Gloves in his career, two with the Angels and two with the Braves. Baseball insiders call Simmons the best defensive shortstop in the game, and I don't disagree. Simmons does have 191 career defensive runs saved in nine MLB seasons but I just wish he had a better bat and could stay healthy to go along with it.

I have concerns with Simmons. He doesn't offer much offensively, and we already have enough lagging bats like Gary Sanchez. This season he started in 30 games, had a .297BA in 127 plate appearances. The average sounds nice but the sample size is small. His career average is .269 BA and he has a tendency to be a rally killer. Since 2017 he's been one of the worst players at hitting into double plays. The Yankees have had their fair share of offensive woes in the past. I'm not sure adding a good glove in place of offense really makes the most sense.

Another concern, is his injury history. He's had three left ankle sprains over the past two seasons and the Angels didn't even extend him a qualifying offer. The Angels are ready to move on from Simmons, and are rumored to be interested in Didi Gregorius, but who isn't interested in Didi at this point?

I'm not really sold on Simmons. Good defense is always a nice draw, but I'd rather try and re-sign LeMahieu, keep Torres at shortstop for another year and revisit shortstop in 2021 because the class of available shortstop free agents is extremely exciting.

But maybe I am being too harsh. Should the Yankees take a chance on Simmons? If you think so, tell me why because right now I'm just not feeling it.

  --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

BRENDAN RYAN IS MR. DEPENDABLE

People look at Brendan Ryan and think of him as an OK ballplayer that moves around a lot.  I think of Brendan Ryan as a useful ballplayer that is always needed and a player that truly loves the game. It's not about Hall of Fame stats... it's about guts. And that's how I see Ryan.  Look, you know I've grown to really like both he and wife Sharyn just because they are very personable people who not only adore each other, but grind through the sometimes craziness in the baseball world when it comes to trades and what not.  In the end, of course you want to be on a team for a while and have that consistency and stability, but this is baseball and in the end, they know this is what they signed up for.  And so... they will grind again...

The word is, the Former New York Yankee is also now a former Washington National.  Ryan has been traded to the Angels.  I went to the Los Angeles Times for this story:

"The Angels moved quickly to fill a void at shortstop Tuesday, acquiring triple-A infielder Brendan Ryan from the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later or cash.

Starting shortstop Andrelton Simmons suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb while making a backhand diving stop of a grounder on Sunday and will undergo surgery that will sideline him for at least two months."

And so, Ryan will do what he does best... never complain and go do the job of utility or whatever his new team will need.  Admire it folks. It ain't easy, but in the end, Brendan's still working.  Gotta love and respect it.

My personal best to the Ryans.  And for the BYB fan base, re-read and listen to our interview with B and Sharyn:   EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: BRENDAN & SHARYN RYAN.

Good luck guys! We'll talk soon.

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PEP TALKS FROM FIELD: SIMMONS & GREGORIUS

If you are like me, you are ecstatic to see our shortstop, Didi Gregorius, knock in six runs on four hits including a three-run home run the other evening, a career high for the 25-year-old rising infielder. But if you recall, only a few months ago, there was a lot of banter about Gregorius inability to hit let alone knock in runs and of course, the big shoes to he had to fill.  An interesting nugget in Saturday's New York Times allows us to learn more about our shortstop and his potential through the lens of his early years playing the game.

"Don’t do too much. Play your game. Everything will get better," was the advice that his childhood friend and former teammate, Atlanta Braves Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons, gave Gregorius earlier this season.  “Anybody that would have been in his shoes, that would have had to replace Derek Jeter, would have had a rough start,” Simmons said. “All eyes are on you, and you’re trying to impress, so you’re going to press a little bit," reported the New York Times.

I am sure that he received similar advice from a number of coaches, close friends, and teammates over the past several months, but there is something about a childhood pal calling you up and telling you "You Got This!"  It sort of like a parent telling a kid to wear a coat to school on a chilly day and he or she doesn't follow this advice until a peer suggests the same thing. 

Through this article, I saw some simplicity in a young man who has the opportunity to become something special here in Yankeeland.  Gregorius and Simmons say they see little change in one another since their early days of baseball.  They appreciate where they came from and the successes they are having in the big leagues.  "We see how hard we worked to get here, so it’s always great to see each other and talk a little before the game and during the game," said Gregorius in his post game interview the other evening.  

Keep an eye on young Didi- he's starting to make his mark and find himself in his new home in pinstripes.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof

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