IS MLB READY FOR THE UNIVERSAL DH?

I've been preparing myself for months now, have you? On December 1st, the current collective bargaining agreement will expire and I'm sure negotiations for a new agreement will be very eventful. There will be many hot topics including the possibility of adding a universal DH.

All signs so far point to both the National and American leagues adopting the DH. It has more support now than it has in years past and even I have warmed up to the idea. I used to be dead set against it. I'm not 100% sold yet but I'm not opposed as I was before.

And I'm no the only one who has warmed up to the idea. I found an interesting read as I was scouring the internet for baseball news today, check out this article by the San Antonio Express-News HERE. Even World Champion Braves manager Brian Snitker has warmed up to the idea. Like me, he had his own hesitations.

“Prior to experiencing it last year (2020), I was kind of like the old guard,” Snitker said of using the DH during the pandemic season. “I was not for it. I am now. Pitchers don’t grow up hitting — they grow up pitching.”

Funny how a short 2020 season can change perspective because now he says “I didn’t know if I would, but I ended up liking it.” And then on the other hand I get Dusty Baker's point of view too. He likes baseball just the way it is.

“I’m in favor of leaving it the way it is,” Baker said of the last half-century of baseball in the American and National leagues. “… They’re both interesting in their own ways. I remember when the DH first came in the league, it was basically for a lot of older players … guys that could hit. Either your knees were bad or whatever it was, and you couldn’t play the position."

The DH was and you can argue still is for the players that couldn't handle being an everyday position player. Looks at Giancarlo Stanton, he's been stuck in a DH only role now due to his previous injury  history even though he played 139 games this season. They could've tested given him more opportunities in the outfield but did not.

Baker added, “The DH is kind of hurting some of the kids that are coming up that don’t want to play a position, and just want to DH at 12, 13 or 14 years old. You go to a Little League … practice, and after they hit, they’re ready to go home. There’s more to the game than just hitting, if you’re going to be a ballplayer.”

And he's not wrong either but like Snitker said if you are a pitcher you grow up pitching and they aren't known or expected to be great hitters. I used to be so against the idea of the universal DH because even though my favorite team plays in the American league I have always LOVED watching interleague games. The strategies are different and every once in awhile you get to witness an unexpected thrill. Do you remember watching Bartolo Colon's big hit in 2016? That's what makes baseball so exciting and those are moments that I would miss.

But now I have started to change my opinion a little. As much as I do appreciate National League baseball I am more concerned with protecting our pitchers. The last thing I want to see is Gerrit Cole go up to the plate and get hit in the hand or the leg and miss significant time. Baseball contracts are just extra expensive these days and injuries are more frequent too. I guess this is what makes me more open to the change.

Question is will we see the DH happen next season? So far all signs point to yes. Times are changing but are players and fans ready for it? I'm anxious to see what this new collective bargaining agreement brings. Did we just watch pitchers bat for the last time? My guess is yes.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Senior Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

BIG SEXY IN THE BRONX AGAIN? MAYBE... MAYBE NOT

I know, I know, it would never happen... or would it?

I find 12Up to be a lot of fun to read. If you don't know them, you should check them out. They have a fun piece about Bartolo Colon and the New York Yankees, and here's the nugget that I appreciated most, stemming from a Sports Illustrated tweet:

Bartolo Colón is targetting an MLB comeback at age 47 and prefers the Mets https://t.co/WQYRUYUSIs

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 18, 2020

"The ageless wonder last pitched in MLB with the Texas Rangers in 2018 and recently made it clear he wants to make a return in 2020. 

The New York Yankees are one team in particular who could sign him for a shortened 2020 season, especially since they always seem to need rotation depth. What is there to lose?...

The right-hander played with the Yankees for one season in 2011 and went 8-10 with a 4.00 ERA."

Well look, it's not a bad idea at all in theory, and I appreciate it. But here's the thing that bothers me about Big Sexy, and it's probably something that's on the Yankees radar. I believe for them, it comes down to morals and integrity.

1. Remember that PEDs issue? Remember the blood spinning? (Read HERE)

2. Colon has some interesting antics when it comes to his personal life, something that I believe has tainted him from ever becoming a New York Yankee again.  Back in 2016, it was revealed that Colon had a secret life.  Writes the New York Post:

"Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon has been living a double life that gives new meaning to his nickname “Big Sexy” — siring two secret love children with a woman while married to his devoted wife of 21 years, The Post has learned."

I think those factors will prevent Colon from making a come back in the Bronx, but some team will take him.  While I like the idea, I don't think it's going to happen in Yankee pinstripes though.

But hey... gotta love the allegiance to Big Sexy. Very entertaining.

JACOBY ELLSBURY HAS SOME BIG BALLS

I know, the headline's a little much. Hey... you know me since 2010. This is how I speak.

Look, I understand that big time contracts guarantee big time money, whether you are healthy or not, but Jacoby Ellsbury needs to remember what happened during his time as a New York Yankee. Not much.

So who does he get off filing a grievance against the Yankees? You gotta have some big balls.

Now the Yankees aren't standing tall against Ellsbury because he barely played due to injury. I mean, I'm sure that's some of it. But this is the real reason... The Yankees didn't like that he went outside the tent to get medical treatment, and are pretty much accusing him of using some type of remedy that could have quickened his recovery... I.E. A steroid based medicine.  The New York Post has more:

"The Yankees converted the remainder of Ellsbury’s disastrous seven-year, $153 million contract to non-guaranteed, claiming that the 36-year-old violated his deal upon receiving unauthorized medical treatment. Dr. Viktor Bouquette has disputed the team’s charges and Ellsbury contends the treatment didn’t require team approval since it was for a non-baseball-related injury or condition.

Ellsbury, who hasn’t played in two full seasons due to a variety of ailments, was due to make $21 million in 2020 and eligible to receive a $5 million buyout in 2021. The Post has also reported that the Yankees could look to recoup some of the $127 million already paid to Ellsbury."

Now the Yankees have more money than God, and Lord knows they have had players before that have been hurt for just as long and have received treatment outside of the Yankees organization during their recovery time.  Look at Bartolo Colon and the whole blood-spinning controversy a few years ago.  Here's the difference though... Colon played, didn't get hurt nearly as much and the Yankees didn't need the money as much as they probably need it now because of the recent signing of Gerrit Cole. Why? Because they are over, meaning the Yankees are currently above that $208 million competitive balance tax threshold and with the current projected payroll to be nearly $248 million, that is where the luxury-tax rate will significantly rise.

And so why not make Jacoby the example here? Think about Ellsbury's tenure with the Yankees. Just look at his numbers:

2015 and 2017 there's a significantly less number of games played for a player paid as much as he was. He was considered a starter... but he was injured.  In hits there's a drop in those years as well. And of course, for a lead off guy, it's really hard to figure out why he used to steal 52 bases with the Sox, but in the Yankee years he dropped significantly.  Can't do that if that's what you're getting paid to do. Oh yeah, and the most glaring stat that's not there...HE DIDN'T EVEN PLAY IN 2018 AND 2019. Yup... there's nothing for those years. Look at this:

-May 20, 2015, Ellsbury was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a right knee sprain.

-May 24,2017 Ellsbury made a superb catch at the center field wall, but also banged his head at the wall, causing him to suffer a concussion. He was placed on the 7-day disabled list the next day.

-March 19, 2018, the Yankees announced that Ellsbury would not be ready for Opening Day due to a right oblique strain. 

-On April 3, 2018 it was revealed that Ellsbury had been diagnosed with a hip ailment. 

-On August 6, 2018 he had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip and was declared to be out for the rest of the 2018 season. 

-Ellsbury began the 2019 year on the 10-day injured list due to a foot injury. 

-On April 20, 2019 he was transferred to the 60-day injured list. It was revealed that he was dealing with plantar fasciitis and a shoulder injury. 

-On September 8, 2019 the Yankees ruled Ellsbury out for the season.

All that comes from Wikipedia. It's pathetic and shame on the players union for going after the Yankees. Yes, I know... it's about their steroid accusation, sure... but what happened to a little honesty and self-pride on Jacoby's part? Ellsbury was not the player the Yankees signed. Hell... I'd want my money back too!  Bottom line, the Yankees are looking for any reason to collect off this guy because the whole time in New York was a disaster.

What will happen? I have a hunch there will be a middle ground if Ellsbury didn't have a steroid-based medicine used in his recovery.  But if he did, of course the Yankees win this and the player's union looks like a bunch of morons. If there's no proof, the Yankees will eat it and I'm sure they're prepared for that, even though they shouldn't have to. But whatever.

I hate bad break-ups. Everyone picks a side and no one is ever happy.  I just think that with Ellsbury's track record however, he needs to just go away quietly with his tail between his legs.

DESPERATE FOR PITCHING

Source: Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports)

As I watched the headlines unveil about the Luis Severino injury, I couldn't help but zero in on local sports reporter Bruce Beck's comment on the 6:00 p.m. broadcast last night as he said the Yankees essentially need to figure this out.  And yes, they do.  He went on to say that Jonathan Loaisiga, despite having a bad outing, could be an option.  The New York Post said, "His stuff is filthy enough it makes veteran baseball men pay attention."  Are we desperate for pitching? Desperate for Severino or a little bit of both?

Source: NJ.com

Brian Cashman said in an interview yesterday, "Obviously, it’s a concerning situation until he’s on the mound for a consistent period of time,’’ Cashman said, “to the point where you forget that it even happened. We’re obviously a long way away from that," reported USA Today.  He went on to say that the team would rely on who they have in the pipeline and re-evaluate as needed.  That doesn't sound desperate, but are they underestimating the potency of the injury?

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

According to the NY Post Loaisiga, "is no sure thing. But he is possible thing. He has that arm. He has that slider. He got seven outs Wednesday and five of them were strikeouts, and all of those looked downright unfair. He knows he has an opportunity here, that he can pitch his way onto the March and April rotation, and if it saddens him that Severino had to get banged up to force that to happen … well, he’s been in those shoes, too. Plenty." 

Source: MLB.com

But, here's the thing...are we willing to take a chance on Loaisiga in the short term or even the long term?  I don't think so.  Even if he is the real thing.  The Yankees need someone else, and that someone else would need to be here regardless if Sevy is in the rotation or not.  And that someone may not be the obvious choice in everyone's conversation.  What if it was a one-year contract for Bartolo Colon or James Shields?

Source: Sporting News

According to USA Today, "Maybe it’s time to pick up the phone and see if the San Francisco Giants can be persuaded to deal Madison Bumgarner now instead of waiting until this summer. The Arizona Diamondbacks should be open to listening to offers for ace Zack Greinke, and perhaps Robbie Ray, too. The Cleveland Indians dangled co-aces Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer during the winter, so maybe those talks could be re-visited." 

Source: SNY

The Yankees are desperate for pitching, starting pitching that is.  And they have been for years.  They are trying to patch the hole with James Paxton and perhaps Loasigia, but they need another stud to compliment Sevy.  He can't do it alone and hopefully, this is just a little blip and he will recover and we can forget it happened.  Wishing...

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

STARTING PITCHING: A HISTORICAL YANKEE BLUNDER

Photo: New York Daily News

Okay, maybe not a blunder but it certainly hasn't been a "win" for the Yankees when it comes to recent free agent signings. It's certainly not exciting but it is accurate. Think about it...

The last time the Yankees decided to spend big money on starting pitching was the year we last won the World Series. Not to say that we need to spend big again on a starter or two to win, but we haven't made a big splash on a starter since.

Now do you miss the days of not only CC Sabathia but AJ Burnett? Yeah, there is a name you haven't heard in a while.

The Yankees haven't signed any big name starters since and have since signed one or two guys that they expected to make significant contributions to the rotation. Going back this far is going to sound like a history lesson but maybe it's an important one. Maybe the Yankees are about to do it again?

2009-10: Yankees acquire Javier Vazquez (again)
The Yankees reunited with Vazquez for a second time with Boone Logan after trading with the Braves. The Yankees were getting him back when his stock was high. Some baseball experts considered him to be one of the best starters in the game and was coming off one of his best seasons. It didn't continue with the Yankees though. I still remember the bad appearances, the 10-10 record with the bullpen demotion and the eventual release after the season ended.

2010-11: Yankees lose out on Cliff Lee
And now it doesn't seem so bad. At the time it sucked but the Yankees signed veteran pitchers Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia to minor league contracts but it paid off big. At the time Ivan Nova was a rookie and had an impressive year. The Yankees got results out of three unexpected arms that helped them win the division.

Photo: New York Daily News

2012-13: Aces and failures
Yankee fans were happy to have Andy Pettitte and Hiroki Kuroda return but even back then the Yankees were trying to get under the luxury tax so their pitching additions stopped there and so did their postseason success. The lack of depth with CC's struggles and Phil Hughes failures ultimately made the miss the postseason for the first time in five years. Pitching wins (or looses) ballgames. You can never have enough pitching.....

Photo: NJ.com

2015-16: A risky move
With no rotation improvements the Yankees try to bolster the bullpen to make up for their starting weakness. The idea of a super bullpen of Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller didn't work as hoped though. The lackluster performances of Nathan Eovaldi, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda and Luis Severino's sophomore slump doomed the Yankees. The offense didn't score enough runs so the super bullpen fell flat and Chapman was traded. The Yankees also sat home in October for the third time in four years.

Photo: Getty Images

2016-17: Saving it for the end
Chapman came back to the Yankees as a free agent but once again the Yankees made improvements to the bullpen while the starting rotation was still in need of help. Finally in July they traded for Sonny Gray and Jaime Garcia which helped the Yankees get within one game of a World Series berth.

(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)

Garcia will be long gone, but Gray is back to see what this season will bring. If history teaches us anything it's that if we don't land a starter before spring training kicks off it's "normal" for the Yankees and it's not time to panic. There's still time though. Just like Cashman says the market could change and a deal can still be done.

Anything is possible, but if a deal doesn't happen the Yankees still have a long season and a lot of pieces to pull off a successful season. History doesn't scare me. We've still got this.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

PLEASE DON'T BLOW THIS YEAR'S HOF VOTE

If you’re a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America and happen to be reading this, check your mailbox. Your 2016 Hall of Fame ballot was just mailed out.

And if you happen to be one of the many members who hasn’t covered or even watched a ballgame since Barry Bonds passed Babe Ruth on the home run list (nobody knows exactly how many of you there are because the BBWAA refuse to say), PLEASE do us a favor! 

Baseball Writers at Polo Grounds 1911. (Pach Brothers studio/National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

Chuck your ballot in the trash along with your junk mail from AARP, Depends and Fixodent. It’s both a shame and ironic the organization created more than a century ago to professionalize the press box can’t do better by the players they rely on for their copy than a selection process little better than replacement level.

You see, there’s seven former Yankees -- Jorge Posada, Mike Mussina, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield, Tim Raines, Javier Vazquez and Lee Smith -- on the ballot this year. One homegrown, the rest adopted; all respected and appreciated by baseball fans everywhere. And we don’t want or need your old-school eye tests, your metric-phobia, your inability to access and analyze pertinent databases or even follow the sport via computer since the Sporting News went out of print, or any loyalties to old drinking buddies you used to “cover” throwing roadblocks in theirs or anyone else’s path to Cooperstown.

Because goodness knows the path is challenging enough just staying healthy long enough and playing well enough to even make it onto the ballot in the first place. Throw in the constraints of limited ballot slots, the narrow qualifying profile for voter eligibility and conflicts of interest associated with the designated voter pool, and the obstacles to induction resemble something akin to Bartolo Colon trying to leg out an inside-the-park homer on a hot steamy afternoon.

I’m not going to waste anyone's time or BYB’s space here laying out the pros and cons of anyone’s Hall of Fame bonafides. Far more knowledgeable and articulate baseball observers than I have already done so, and all you have to do is Google “Hall Of Fame Case” and peruse the players’ names and their work. Read up, revel in the diversity of the data that’s out there and howl with righteous indignation January 18th when the official tallies are announced. 

(Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times)

Your opinion is no more or less valid than a small group of baseball writers that won’t even tell you how many of them actually watch the sport or compel their members to publish their ballots. (Will the three drunken clowns who didn’t vote for Ken Griffey Jr. please stand up?)

I’ll just content myself with the knowledge that in the 80 years since the first Hall election, just 217 major leaguers have managed to crack the code for induction and 24 of them are wearing Yankee caps on their plaques. And this year, the Yankees have a half dozen players under consideration who have worn the pinstripes for all or part of their distinguished careers and did them proud.

And whether any or all of their Hall credentials are ultimately deemed extraordinary enough to warrant induction or not, as a fan of this ball club I get to watch some pretty extraordinary players make history every year, and I've got Monument Park. 

Trust me... that's good enough for me.

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter:  @nyyankeefanfore

  

WHO WILL SNAG CHRIS SALE?

(Oct. 1, 2016 - Source: David Banks/Getty Images North America)

I want Chris Sale on the New York Yankees.  I think I've been pretty clear about that over the past year or so.  Will the Yankees go after him? Who the hell knows, I'm no expert here. I do know this, if there is a way to it and not give away vital pieces of our minor league future, we gotta go for it.

That's because the Atlanta Braves are down there drooling over him and the word on the street is they are in a position to do it... maybe more than any team!

(Aug. 30, 2016 - Source: Duane Burleson/Getty Images North America)

 Hardball Talk writes about the Braves:

"...while they are coming off of a 93-loss season, have a very strong farm system from which to deal and which have already struck quickly this offseason, adding Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey to their starting rotation.

It will take a hefty, hefty package of prospects to land Sale, of course, as he is not only one of the best pitchers in baseball, but he comes cheap too: he is owed just $38 million over the next three seasons."

(Aug. 19, 2016 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)

And so, we wait and see if the Braves will snag him.  I'm kind of crossing my fingers hoping the Yankees have a stash of unwanted minor leaguers ready to go to Chicago and also willing to take some of that $38 million salary of Sales as well.  You know... like old times... Cashman could make the deal in the dead of night shocking not only the Braves, but the Red Sox. Hee hee....

Stay tuned.

CHAPMAN HIGH ON YANKEES LIST

The New York Daily News has a great nugget about something we have been talking about for weeks here on Bleeding Yankee Blue.  They really, really, really want Aroldis Chapman back.  And you know what? I would love to have Chapman back as the Yankees closer next season.  Apparently Brian Cashman is already making his move:


"Cashman said Monday that he has reached out to Chapman's agent — along with the agents for several other free agents — as the baseball offseason kicked off with the start of the general managers’ meetings.

Cashman appears focused on pitching above all else this winter, both in the starting rotation and in the bullpen. Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon are the top relievers on the free-agent market, while Rich Hill, Bartolo Colon and Ivan Nova are among the best starters available.

'There are certainly some names out there that are pretty good,' Cashman said. 'It's probably a thin starting pitching market, there are a number of different relievers in the market; certainly more relievers in this free agency than there are starters of quality. The trade route is obviously an area we'll see what develops over time.'"

I always hate when the Yankees are that opened about who they are going after because obvious you worry about rival division teams cock blocking the Yanks. Plus, when it comes to this signing, you gotta worry if the Cubs will try and have Chapman come back too.  Whatever the case, we will have to see. No question this is an interesting one, and I don't want to see the Yankees lose this!

Stay tuned...