DJ LEMAHIEU SHINES IN THE BRONX!

Source: NY Post

When DJ LeMahieu signed a 24-million, 2-year deal with the Yankees back in mid-January, no one really thought that the Yankees would have to cash in on him quite like they will have to given the injuries to both Miguel Andujar and Giancarlo Stanton.  LeMahieu, clearly a professional, has truly risen to the occasion giving the Yankees both the offense and defense they need in a utility player who could very much mimic a Ben Zobrist kind a player for the Bombers.

Source: USA Today

"A two-time National League All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove Award winner over seven seasons with the Rockies, LeMahieu was one of the top second basemen available on a free-agent market that was crowded at that position," reported MLB.com back in January. Fast forward to today, and LeMahieu appears to be very comfortable and unfazed by the challenge of potentially playing a different position each night and stepping into the role of an everyday third-baseman as needed.

“The guy’s a baseball player,’’ said (Troy) Tulowitzki.“You put him anywhere, he’s gonna impact the game offensively and defensively. He’ll give you everything he’s got. He was all over the place and made some good plays,’’reported Empire Sports Media.

Source: NY Post

And to Tulo's point, LeMahieu has been clutch for the Yankees.  He has also done damage at the plate as well, fighting off tough pitches and getting on base.  It is still early, but LeMahieu has quietly done the job the Yankees desperately need him to do, consistently, every night with the injured list getting longer.

Source: The Denver Post

“I've hit the ball well and I hope it continues,” LeMahieu said before the game Monday night.
He said he’s brought the same approach to the plate that he had in Colorado — and even prior to that. “I’ve tried to be a tough out since I was a kid, so for me to try to be someone else, I don’t think it would work,” LeMahieu said according to the New York Post.

Skipper Aaron Boone said LeMahieu will hit all over the lineup depending on the day.  Again, just showing the versatility he brings to the team in any role the Yankees ask him to take.  DJ is shining in the Bronx: an incredible early return on the investment for the Yankees.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

IT'S A TEAM FULL OF TYLERS

Source: Jon Durr/Getty Images North America

Tyler Austin, Tyler Wade and Tyler Webb (I'm not focusing on the other Tyler who got booed off the mound last week- blacking that one out) are representative of our team's future and our team's youth. Exciting to see these guys make it to the Big Leagues after proving themselves in Double and Triple-A respectively.  We have a team full of Tylers and I am loving it...here's why.

Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

Tyler Austin: our brand new first baseman who fought hard to make it here after breaking his foot in mid-February. According to CBS Sports, "The 25-year-old slashed only .241/.300/.458 in his first taste of the big leagues in 2016, so he could still require further seasoning before receiving regular at-bats with he Yankees again." He made a lot of noise while at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre where he batted .287/.357/.494 in 24 games since returning from his foot injury in May.  Although he took on the DH role in last night's game due to a sore hamstring, the Yankees are hopeful that this Tyler will comfortably find his way into the first base role and alleviate any anxiety this position has given the team since Mark Teixeira's retirement at the end of last season.

Tyler Wade: 22-year-old utility player who the Yankees called up last night after the crushing injury to Starlin Castro, one the team's best hitters this season.  "As of Monday night, Wade was hitting .313 with five home runs and 24 stolen bases in 70 games at Triple A. He had put himself in the conversation to start at shortstop at the end of spring training with Didi Gregorius on the disabled list, but the role went to (Ronald) Torreyes," reported NJ.com.  Earlier this spring, Joe Girardi asked the front office "if they had anybody they could turn into a super-utility type in the mold of the Red Sox's (Brock) Holt or the Cubs'  (Ben) Zobrist" and the head of player development, singled out Wade. The Yankees see a lot of promise in this Tyler, who may have found window of opportunity while Castro gets healthy.

Source: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Webb: A left hand pitcher who the Yankees brought up to face the Texas Rangers this past weekend.  He pitched shut out innings on Saturday and Sunday for us and he may be the middle reliever we have needed (a worthy replacement for that other Tyler).  "Webb was drafted in the 10th round in 2013 from the University of South Carolina. He was a shutdown reliever in college, posting a 1.47 ERA with a 60/14 K/BB and 17 saves in 43 innings in his senior season, and has remained effective in pro ball, notably in 2016 when he fanned 82 in 72 innings in Triple-A with a 3.59 ERA," reported SB Nation.  The 26-year-old could be used in a specialty role against left-handed hitters. This Tyler may also be in a position to do some great work for Yankees with the bull pen needing some revision as we head into the final days of June.

Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

That's my preview of the team full of Tylers.  Let's hope they help the Yankees reinvent themselves as they move into the mid-part of the season and look to rebound from injuries that have set them back tremendously.  As fans have said to me over Twitter, it is a long season, be patient.  I'm OK with that as long as I know we have relief in a few guys named Tyler.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @suzieprof

THE YANKEES SIGN MATT HOLLIDAY!

(April 13, 2016 - Source: Jeff Curry/Getty Images North America)

The player was pretty much interchangeable, wasn't he? I mean yes, I wanted Carlos Beltran to sign with the New York Yankees for about $16 million (or less), but in reality, it could have been Carlos, Frank Jones, Matt Holliday or my mailman... as long as the price was low, as long as that player would contribute and as long as the Yankees had enough dough to sign Aroldis Chapman and a starter or 2 down the road.

(May 11, 2016 - Source: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images North America)

My beef wasn't with the Yankees NOT signing Beltran.

My concern was that the Yankees needed to sign a DH low... so they had money left over.  Unfortunately some out there that read only headlines and didn't understand my concern... BECAUSE THEY NEVER READ THE ACTUAL STORY! If you want a refresher, read ARGUING WITH IDIOTS WHEN IT COMES TO BELTRAN.

Sweeny Murti has the story about the signing of Holliday:

#Yankees are close to a deal with Matt Holliday according to sources.

— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) December 4, 2016

And now it's pretty much done.   1 year, $13 million and a veteran in the clubhouse to help mold the kids, and help be productive at the plate... his only jobs as a New York Yankee.  Now look, this is a very good thing. As fellow BYB senior writer Dan Lucia texted me just a short time ago:

It's very true.

And for the record... Suzie Pinstripe called it.  Read  3 GOALS FOR CASHMAN AT THE WINTER MEETINGS..., writing,

(April 10, 2015 - Source: Joe Robbins/Getty Images North America)

"Now, among those available, we are left with a very expensive Edwin Encarnacion and a more affordable Matt Holliday, who I believe could be a 'Zobrist' for the Yankees.  "Holliday isn’t be looked at by the Yankees as a left-field possibility. He is considered a DH at this point with the possibility of playing some first base, a position at which he has played just 10 games in the big leagues," reported the Post on Saturday.  In 2016, Holliday played a total of 110 games with 382 AB, .246 BA, 20 HR and 62 RBIs.  He could definitely be a worthy DH for us following the departure of Brian McCann."

The off season has begun folks.  With Holliday signed... CHEAP by the way... now we look at guys like Aroldis Chapman.  Yanks need to make that deal...

And to all of you out there that had no idea why I would want to sign Beltran... now you know because we signed Holliday.  It's essentially the same signing... now we have some cash to spend!

Go Yanks!

3 GOALS FOR CASHMAN AT THE WINTER MEETINGS...

And we have them right here at Bleeding Yankee Blue. Thanks for joining us this morning...

Source: CHRISTIAN RED/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

We have been previewing the MLB Winter Meetings over the last week with much of the discussion centered around protecting our farm while shopping for big arms and big bats.  This year's Meetings tout the biggest free agents in history and with the Meetings about to begin, the New York Post is reporting that Brian Cashman has three goals for this year's meetings and it will be interesting to watch and see if he achieves these.

 Source: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Goal 1:  Land a DH- This has been a priority from the start and with Houston's signing of Carlos Beltran on Saturday, the market is down one prospect that the Yankees could afford without giving away the bank.  Recall that the Chicago Cubs were able to sign free agent Ben Zobrist for an affordable price that paid big dividends as the veteran outfielder earned MVP honors in this year's World Series victory.  Now, among those available, we are left with a very expensive Edwin Encarnacion and a more affordable Matt Holliday, who I believe could be a 'Zobrist' for the Yankees.  "Holliday isn’t be looked at by the Yankees as a left-field possibility. He is considered a DH at this point with the possibility of playing some first base, a position at which he has played just 10 games in the big leagues," reported the Post on Saturday.  In 2016, Holliday played a total of 110 games with 382 AB, .246 BA, 20 HR and 62 RBIs.  He could definitely be a worthy DH for us following the departure of Brian McCann.

Source: CBS New York - CBS Local

Goal 2:  Decide how much Aroldis Chapman is truly worth and take action- Hmmm...I am not a fan of Chapman but he was a huge reason for the Cubs' Playoff and eventual World Series win.  I also think the way Joe Maddon managed him was also a huge factor in Chapman's success.  According to Fox Sports' interview with Maddon at the Yogi Berra Museum this week,  Maddon stated with confidence that because of the way the pitching staff worked him at the end of the season, Chapman was more than ready for the challenge he would face in the playoffs. "We thought by the time we got to the end, that’s what he (Chapman) was there for, man. He was there to be that horse. He’d come in and have conversations all the time in my office. We’d talk through this before every game. What are you capable of? What can you do? What can you not do? The conversation was pretty much going on throughout the entire playoffs."

Source: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Goal 3: What would the clubs offer for veteran outfielder Brett Gardner- I'm not happy about this goal at all.  I believe Brett Gardner brings more to the team than speed, continuity and longevity.  He brings leadership, mentorship and a club house presence that is invaluable.  But according to the Post, the teams will offer and the Yankees will listen.  I believe that there is no replacement for Gardner because his contribution is too many layers thick for any price tag.

The Winter Meetings begin today and end on Thursday, December 8th.  There's a lot at stake and I am hopeful that the Yankees and Cashman score a win-win without giving away the farm or veteran players that are a mainstay for the culture and future of our team.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE CESPEDES FACTOR

Source: FOX Sports

So by now you know that the New York Mets have re-signed Yoenis Cespedes to a new four-year deal totaling $110 million dollars.  And the Yankees have not signed any big bats or big arms as of the last day of November.  But with the Winter Meetings fast approaching and some big time chatter around big bats Edwin Encarnacion, Mark Trumbo and Carlos Beltran and big arms Rich Hill, Derek Holland and of course Aroldis Chapman, there is a lot of anticipation that something will happen soon.  However, as I hate to be the bearer of negativity, there could be some fallout around the Cespedes signing and the rise in costs of free-agents because of this signing.

Source: Sports On Earth

According to George A. King III of the New York Post, "An MLB executive said he believed the Mets overspent for Cespedes, and Encarnacion, 34 in January, could benefit from the deal. This might help him because some teams might think [Encarnacion] is a better purchase,’’ the executive said of Encarnacion, who can play first base but isn’t the defender at that spot Cespedes is in the outfield."

Source: Latino Baseball

Hmmm- that's kind of interesting.

But would the Yankees pay for a 34-year-old veteran bat?  How about a 40-year-old bat in the likes of Carlos Beltran?  The difference, besides six years, is that Beltran would not be looking for a long term deal like Encarnacion.  According to King, "With the Astros, Blue Jays and Red Sox joining the Yankees in search of a DH, Beltran has been linked to all four teams. The Red Sox attempted to pry the veteran switch-hitting outfielder away from the Yankees at this season’s trade deadline, but he was dealt to the Rangers."

Source: UPI

And what about Mark Trumbo, who besides Ben Zobrist, was the best bang for the free-agent buck of the 2016 season?  According to the Baltimore Sun, "They (the Orioles) did, however, assign a qualifying offer to right fielder/designated hitter Mark Trumbo, who led the majors with 47 home runs this season. If Trumbo accepts, he’ll be paid $17.2 million on a one-year contract in 2017. If he declines and opts to test free agency for the first time in his career, the Orioles will get a compensatory pick at the end of the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft."

Source: MLB.com

So with the Cespedes signing comes a rise in the need and cost of other free agents and a frenzy for the biggest bat.  It will be interesting to see what transpires, but if I had a pick or wish, I would wish for Trumbo but his price tag may have just elevated thanks to the Mets.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE SOX & CUBS HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN CURSES

How is it possible that one young guy could turn around two cursed teams and make them World Series Champions within a few years?  It's crazy to think that these two vintage baseball teams, the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, could go so long without winning. It's equally crazy to believe that a 28-year-old General Manager, the youngest in baseball, could step into Boston and lasso in a championship after 86 years. But it happened, in two major cities and it's not a Hollywood blockbuster.  It's real life.  And it's happening now.

It took a young, "Super Genius" in Theo Epstein to build winning ball clubs piece by piece.  12 years of resilience separate the Red Sox from the now champion Cubs.  And the two teams have more in common than curses.

“I think human beings can accomplish more for each other when they feel connected than they can for themselves (individually)," said Epstein after the Cubs won the World Series on Thursday morning, ending the Lovable Losers' 108-year drought.  The Yale University educated, now 42-year-old, president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, didn't come to the North Side of Chicago with all of the answers, despite bringing two World Series victories to the winless Boston Red Sox, who before 2004, hadn't won a Series since 1918.  And when they did win, it was the 100th World Series in baseball history.

According to NBC Hardball, "...combine The Cubs Way with that 2004 Band of Idiots and Epstein has been involved in 194 years of curse-busting in two of America’s greatest cities – before his 43rd birthday."  But as Epstein said, it was not just who was on the team, it is the chemistry of that team that brought the ultimate victory to cities who never thought they'd see one again in their lifetime.  

“It’s like comparing two of your kids,” Epstein said. “You cherish both of them. Different origins, different personalities, but they’re both things you treasure for your lifetime."  And I would venture to say that between trying out different managers in Chicago before finding the right one in Joe Maddon and hiring Terry Francona in Boston after he had four failing seasons in Philadelphia, Epstein needed the right guy at the helm in the clubhouse before his world champion formula would be ready to bring a championship home.  

He had to build back farm teams, pick up free agents, and make off season moves that would make a difference, even if they seemed unpopular to the naked eye.  According to Boston.com, "(Manny) Ramirez, who hit .412 with a homer and four RBIs against the Cardinals, was named World Series MVP, almost exactly one year after the Sox put him on waivers. The Boston brass spent most of last winter (2003-2004) trying to trade Ramirez for Alex Rodriguez. Now they are World Champs and Manny is the MVP. Alternate reality, indeed."  Remember that guy Ben Zobrist?  You know the one who hit that blazing grounder to break the 6-6 tie in the 10th inning of the 2016 World Series?  "It took a “multiple-bank shot” at the winter meetings for the Cubs to be able to trade Starlin Castro to the New York Yankees and convince Ben Zobrist to take less guaranteed money and sign a four-year, $56 million deal for this exact moment," reported Hardball.  

 "The chessboard has changed from years ago,'' (Cashman) said on a conference call Sunday morning (July 31, 2016). "If you want to be a super team now, there are certain ways you have to go about it."  That includes having the right amount of youth to take risks, run hard, be unafraid to do things differently but the right amount of veterans who can be mentors to the young guys, without having an ego when it comes time for them to be more of a voice in the clubhouse than on the field.  Guys like David Ross in Chicago and David Ortiz in Boston took on that role of mentor along side of their managers, respectively.

Comparing Brian Cashman to Theo Epstein might seem like comparing apples to oranges, but perhaps not.  According to the NY Daily News, "For (Andrew) Miller and (Aroldis) Chapman they received a total of seven minor-leaguers from the Indians and Cubs, respectively, as well as reliever Adam Warren. And as they did in acquiring Gleyber Torres in the previous trade, the Yankees got a headliner of a prospect for Miller in 21-year old outfielder Clint Frazier."  Guys like Brett Gardner and Joe Girardi need to be able to teach these Baby Bombers how to do thing here in the big leagues. 

Of course the Yankees, themselves, are yet another commonality in both winning teams.  For the Sox, they had to beat us to get past us into the Series and for the Cubs, they needed Chapman to get to the post season and get the outs that helped them battle back from a 3-1 deficit in the Series.  

Theo Epstein has solidified his place in the Hall of Fame and both of his championship teams have their own place in Cooperstown as well.  Will Cashman and our Yankees make their way back to today's game in a way that makes the impact the Sox and Cubs' victories have?  "We're trying to get back to where we can build an uber team, a sustainable one,'' he said.  That may be the best thing he said as GM, and with the moves he made after the All Star Break, The RailRiders being named the best team in the minor leagues, and the Yankee farm system the best in baseball, he may have solidified himself as the best turnaround GM in baseball.

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

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IT'S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE #WORLDSERIES

From the first pitch, to the last, it has been an incredible #WorldSeries.  No one could have predicted this kind of excitement when we experienced the first pitch of the season back in April.  As Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said prior to Game 7, “If you’re a fan of baseball, this is the best outcome that you could possibly hope for in a World Series anyone’s been alive for,” reported the New York Times.  You are talking 1908 and 108 year-old drought for the Cubs and 1948, a 68 year-old drought for the Indians.  It's been a wild ride. Here's a recap of the 2016 World Series.

Game 1: Lived up to the hype with more than three generations of Cubs fans and at least two generations of Cleveland fans looking to quench their thirst for a World Series Championship. As SB Nation reported, "Cleveland was in control throughout, as it put up two runs against Jon Lester in the first inning to give Corey Kluber and the Indians’ bullpen plenty of breathing room for the rest of the game." Kluber was nearly flawless in his 6 innings pitched, charting a franchise record of nine strikeouts and four hits.  The Tribe took Game 1,  6-0 behind the dominating offense of Roberto Perez. Cleveland leads the series 1-0.

 Game 2: It was the Cubs' turn to strike and it was the comeback kid Kyle Schwarber's night to shine.  Behind the dominance of Jake Arrieta, the Cubs built back their confidence from dropping Game 1. "In many ways, it was a game of gumption, and Chicago moved ahead early by scoring once in the first inning on a long double off the right field wall by first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber then singled in a run in the third to double the lead," reported The Guardian.  The Cubs flew the W in Game 2, tying the Series 1-1 with a 5-1 victory over the Indians.

Game 3: After making the Series even at 1, the Cubs headed home with the Indians hot on their trail. The first World Series game in Wrigley since 1945 ended with a 1-0 deficit for the home town crowd. Tribe pitcher Josh Tomlin allowed only three base runners all night long and shut out the Cubs.  This was not the welcome party Chicago hoped for when they jetted back toward Murphy's Bleachers, a fan favorite for the locals.

Game 4: The Cubs needed a win here after dropping in the Series 2-1 much to the dismay of fans in Wrigleyville, but behind the Game 1 winner, Corey Kluber, it just was not happening.  This time the Indians called upon Jason Kipnis to get the job done offensively and he didn't disappoint.  Kipnis beat up the Cubs with three hits and scored two runs as Cleveland took Game 4, 7-2. As our local news NJ.com captured in a post game interview, "We've got one more to get and it's probably going to be the hardest victory of the year, but this is a special night for me and this team to take the first two here," said Kipnis, who grew up a Cubs fan on the north side of Chicago.

Game 5:  The Rocky Theme prevails; Anthony Rizzo hyped up the team with Rocky movies in the clubhouse and the theme was his walk up song for his first at bat.  Rocky made his way from Philly to the North side of Chicago and gave the Cubs the much needed kick in the butt to help them take W for Game 5.  Cubs’ offense demonstrated multiple ways of scoring with a Kris Bryant homer, a bunt single by Javier Baez and a David Ross sacrifice fly to take the lead in the 5th.  Then it was lights out with Aroldis Chapman giving his team 8 outs.  3-2 Cubs taking Chicago back to Cleveland for Game 6.

Game 6: Was all Chicago- almost too much Chicago based on Joe Maddon's expression who looked concerned even after the Cubs handily beat the Tribe 9-3, with Chapman coming in to be sure in the 7th.  Addison Russell's grand slam solidified the lead for the Cubs, who looked confident heading into the 9th inning.  Perhaps Kris Bryant's post game interview said it all, "You dream for this."

Game 7: It was a winner takes all Game 7, the 37th Game 7 in World Series history.  Dexter Fowler got things going with one swing of the bat, and just like that, a home run  against the sparkling Kluber, who has silenced Chicago bats up to this point, dominating in Games 1 and 4, was down 1-0 in the first inning.  As Fox announcer John Smoltz reported in the game last night, the Cubs picked the right time for their bats to get hot.  Down 3-1 in the Series the Cubs battled for the chance to win it all in Game 7.  Chicago picked and picked at Kluber and they finally knocked the Indian hurler out of the game in the 5th inning.  The Cubs weren't afraid to test outfielders' arms and kicked their running game into full force.

Fox Sports asked David Ross to wear a microphone to listen in on the sounds of the game.  They captured the anxiety and excitement on the field from the vantage point of the young players that played their hearts out in front of millions of viewers across the world.  It was Rizzo who leaned on Ross's shoulder and said, "I'm a nervous wreck."  This emotion from a guy who drove the comeback bus for Chicago and carried his team into this Game 7.  But it was veteran Ben Zobrist that broke up the 6-6 tie in the 10th inning and allowed the Cubs to go ahead, 8-6.  More drama in the bottom of the 10th as Cleveland came within one run, 8-7, but a slow roller ended Cleveland's night and World Series hopes as the Cubs held on and became the 2016 World Series Champions of Baseball.

According to the Chicago Tribune's rules for flying “The W” Cubs "fans are supposed to take down the flag at the end of the season unless they win the World Series; then they get the entire off-season to fly it high."

Fly the W Chicago.  Congratulations and thank you for a great Series!  It's been an incredible #WorldSeries and an incredible end to the MLB 2016 Season.  107 days until pitchers and catchers report.  It will be here before we know it, but right now, I am happy to share my excitement for the Cubs who are goatless in 2016...Go Cubs Go!

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