TYLER AUSTIN IS BACK!

Y’all remember Tyler Austin, right? Yeah — that Tyler Austin. A certified stud and a not-so-small part of the early heartbeat of Bleeding Yankee Blue. 

Back when Bleeding Yankee Blue was building and grinding, trying to carve out a voice, guys like Tyler, Ty Hensley, CC Sabathia, Brendan Ryan and David Robertson didn’t big-time us. They showed love. They backed us. And that stuff? You don’t forget it.

We’ve always respected the hell out of those guys, and we’ll always keep tabs on them here. Loyalty matters. Especially when it was real from the jump.

So yeah — Tyler Austin is back in the news.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Chicago Cubs just signed Austin to a one-year, $1.25 million deal. Not bad at all for a guy who took the long road and made it work.

Austin, now 34, spent the last six seasons in Japan absolutely mashing — slashing .293/.377/.568 with 85 homers and 236 RBI over 1,491 plate appearances. That’s not “hanging on.” That’s thriving.

We met Tyler and his mom, Kim, about 11 years ago when he was still climbing the ladder — minors to majors, dream very much in progress. With the Yankees, he showed legit pop, including 17 home runs in 2018, and he always felt like a guy who could’ve stuck if the breaks fell differently. Personally, I wanted him around longer. But instead of fading, he bet on himself, reinvented his game, and leveled up overseas. I respect the hell out of that.

So here’s a tip of the cap to Tyler Austin — always. Keep raking. Keep proving people wrong.

And hey Kim — hope you’re doing great.

Like this? Read This:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: TYLER AUSTIN... WONDERBOY

THOSE MUSTACHES DON'T BEAT THE ULTIMATE!

I am watching these Yankee games and I'm seeing dudes like Austin Wells and Jon Berti and I have to say, they have great mustaches... but none of them measure up to our guy Brendan Ryan when he was wearing his proudly with the Yankees.

Look, there's no question that Austin Wells and his mustache are a team. The guy has had that thing for a while. It's full, it's part of him and no question he takes care of it.  

Then you got Jon Berti's stache, and I felt like that thing just showed up.  I don't remember Berti to ever have a mustache... am I wrong?  I felt like he was looking at Wells one day and was like "I can do that" and just grew it.  Look, it works for him I guess, but it's not my favorite stache at all.

My favorite stache is Brendan Ryan's hands down.  First off, Brendan was for a while one of our faves in this Yankee house. When he was on the Yanks, my kid was a young baseball player, middle infielder and Ryan was the guy... he loved Ryan.   And it was right around that time that the stache was in full force. I think what was so special about Ryan was not only his athleticism in the field, but the fact that that mustache just showed up and was perfect from day 1.  

I guess all this mustache talk brings me back to the Ryan days... 2013 to 2015.  No, the Yankees weren't the best, but for me in my life I was comforting, and I almost equate it to a simpler time, a positive time. The Yankees were right there, but in my life the kids were younger, there was less going on... my kids would hang out more.  These days everyone is grown... the two older ones are in college, my younger ones have reached that teenager age where they're too cool for their parents... and here I am sitting with my wife thinking about the way it once was, and when Brendan Ryan had the ultimate Yankee mustache.

Life moves pretty fast sometimes. Cherish every moment and soak it in, because before you know it... it all is just a memory.

Shout out to a simpler time... and one of the best dude's out there with one of the best mustaches in Yankee history... Brendan Ryan.

Hope all is well my guy! The best to you, Sharyn and the kiddos!

YOU'VE ALREADY HAD 9 YEARS OF BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE!

It's hard to believe, but September 14th was the 9 year anniversary of Bleeding Yankee Blue.  Back then I was just a fan who had some problems with the way Joe Girardi was handling the Yankee bullpen and how the idea of "winning at all costs" wasn't about sitting a better player for a worse one, but WINNING with all you got! And so, frustrated, annoyed and aggravated... I make a blog and posted a story.  The story was titled WHY LAST NIGHT WAS IMPORTANT.

That story was then sent to a few friends that had no idea that it was me.  With that, a few shares and when I woke up the next day, nearly 30 people had read it. I didn't know them, but it just goes to show that the power of social media is important.

Since then BYB has seen writers come and go, we've sold sweatshirts, shirts, underwear... we've interviewed Yankees present and former... we even built solid relationships.  I consider people like Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record a friend.  I can email Jack Curry whenever I want. I am friends with Ty Hensley and his lovely family. Mike O'Hara and I are like brothers at this point. Clay Rapada and I keep in touch, Brendan and Sharyn Ryan are my friends... just good people.  And being fans of the Sabathias is one thing... but knowing them personally and seeing just how sweet Amber truly is...is just dynamic.  I will also always be grateful to Laura and Jorge Posada, who, not only supported BYB back then, but we can still stay in touch and Laura is making her own career now, while Jorge can retire.  Hey... and how often do you get to break chops with Bob Lorenz?  I know I can whenever I want.  Same with Nancy Newman... one of my favs and just an incredible person to boot! Nancy, I owe you a text!

The point is, it may have taken a while, but Bleeding Yankee Blue is legit. We found friends through trust, and that's what we wanted. We wanted our audience to first love us, but then share us, talk about us, all the while allowing us to build solid relationships with regular folks as well as the Yankee family.  We wanted a piece of it to call our own, without being snobs... without being ego maniacs.

We've done that!

September 14, 2010 is our 9 year anniversary, but we wouldn't still be doing this if you didn't believe in us.  We wouldn't be a thing without my truly diehard writers in Suzie Pinstripe, Jeana Bellezza and Ike Dimitriadis and of course newcomer Missy O'Rourke.  They've helped push the brand forward. They've helped find our audience of die-hard readers.

Thank you.  Thank you to our amazing audience. You wow me every time.  Without your opinions, your likes, you disagreements, your shares and your banter with us, we would not be here.  But while blogs like River Ave Blue have called it a day, we don't and that's because of you.

I am forever grateful for your passion for the Yankees and for us.  My friendships, even with many of you readers is so incredible to me.  Becki, Jessica, Charles, Joey, Rose, Deb, Joan, Doug... and so many of you have made me blessed.  I love you all for that bond. It's tight... tighter than I could have ever imagined! I appreciate you.

Life goes pretty fast... but with a bond, friends, I will never feel rushed. It's a steady pace... and we hope to keep going. Why? Because you deserve it and because we love to deliver it to you.

Thanks for being loyal.  Happy 9 year Anniversary to us.  Wow.

--Robert Casey
BYB Chief and Head Writer
Twitter: @BleednYankeeBlu

I KNOW... I WANT BRENDAN RYAN TO READ A BEDTIME STORY TO ME TOO...

This is just funny and I'm sharing because I asked Sharyn and Brendan if it would be OK and they said no problem. That was followed by... "That's just a regular night in our house." Plus, you guys all know that I find B hilarious and I am convinced he does the best Harry Caray impersonation around.

Here's bedtime in the Ryan house...

Story time @ the Ryan's📚😂😜😂 Starring Brendan as #HarryCaray #Hudsonthinksimtakingapic 😃 #cheeseballs #wherethewildthingsare pic.twitter.com/PBw02CCnlh

— Sharyn Ryan (@SharynRyan17) January 27, 2018

Classic.

Who doesn't want to be their son right now!  This is a loving family folks... look how happy!  This is what it's all about.

Love you guys!

Photo: Getty Images

I hope Brendan Ryan gets signed soon.  One of our favs here at BYB.

YANKS SIGN ESPINOSA; NEGOTIATING WITH THE MUSTACHE

Danny Espinosa is a New York Yankee. That comes from Mark Feinsand... check it out:

According to a source, Danny Espinosa has agreed to a deal with the Yankees and will be a non-roster invitee at camp. He will compete for the second base job this spring.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 29, 2018

Now Danny is an OK player, second baseman, shortstop and he'll be fine for the Yankees as competition for an infield spot and that's all fine and good I guess.  But I know a guy that knows the Yankee way, can play second base and shortstop and was NOT signed by the Yankees... and that man is Brendan Ryan.  Why is this guy not being considered?

Photo: USA Today

Think about it.  Espinosa hit .175 in 266 at bats for the Dodgers, Rays and Mariners combined... 6 homers, 4 stolen bases and an OBP of .245.  Baseball-Reference.com has him projected to hit .215 in 2018. Hardly a power house.

Photo: Detroit Free Press

Then you got a guy like Ryan, plays everything on the field, and last year for the Tigers in AAA he played the best shortstop of his minor league career... maybe that's because he's a damn major leaguer! Plus he can still hit better than Espinosa and still has the fire! I mean, what are we doing here, looking at age when we sign these guys now? Espinosa is 30.  Ryan's 35, yet, still pretty friggin' agile.

Photo: Detroit Free Press

Look, I'm happy the Yanks are picking up pieces... but Ryan's out there, snatch him up.  A terrific personality in the clubhouse, a hard worker and still got it!  Come on Cash, make that one happen too. Make it interesting! Guaranteed BR would be on the major league roster come Yankee opening day if they signed him.  Espinosa? I'm not so sure.

Let me guess... The Yankees liked the mustache! Is that it? Well...

Photo: Wall Street Journal

BR can do that too. Remember?

Anyway... enough from me... clearly it's personal.

Carry on.

WHEN CASTRO BLOSSOMS...

(May 15, 2017 - Source: Brian Davidson/Getty Images North America)

I am a fan of Starlin Castro.  Now look, and I'm being honest here... I am a BIG fan of Brendan Ryan, personally just as much as athlete-wise and I was disappointed when the Yanks let him go to Chicago and Castro came over. Partly because I appreciated that he was so versatile, and I like chatting with he and his wife Sharyn. (Read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: BRENDAN & SHARYN RYAN).  But now that that chapter is closed, the new chapter is Starlin Castro at second base... and I'll take it.  He's the tits.

(May 13, 2017 - Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America)    

Great piece on FOX Sports about Castro and I wanted to share some of it with you. He's really breaking out now, and it's been an exciting season:

Photo: Getty Images

"In his first season in pinstripes, Castro hit .270 with 21 homers and 70 RBI. This year, the now 27-year-old is entering his prime, and his production has exploded. He is currently hitting for a .351/.387/.545 slash line with seven homers, 26 RBI, 29 runs scored and nine doubles..."

And if he can stay hot, in the end he will be worth the price paid to get him.  That being said though...

Who misses this guy?

Me... and he even pitches.

Photo: MLB.com

Oh well.

Hi B and Sharyn!

BE RELIEVED THAT GLEYBER TORRES WAS SENT DOWN

Photo: USA Today Sports

I'd like to spend this at-bat in the BYB batting order to thank everyone in the Yankees' fan base, and  the handful of writers egging  them on who made impassioned pleas for Gleyber Torres to swoop into the Bronx from Single A like some kind of comic book superhero. I can see the title of that comic now. Will Torres snatch the shortstop gig from that evil super villain  "WBC Dummy" Gregorius.

It was an amusing 15 minutes hearing all the fantastic action adventure plots about Gleyber and his Wonder Bat, Gleyber and his Wonder Glove and how Gleyber and his Wonder Future are a waste of time because, you know... he's practically Albert Pujols now. Look, I get it, people are angry about the WBC and our injured Didi, but they also are wrong to think Torres can just swoop in!  Let's keep it real folks... Super Torres I not ready! Instead, look for a sequel entitled Gleyber's Adventures Mastering A New Position coming soon to a stadium near you in Trenton.

(Joshua Sarner/Icon Sportswire)

My condolences to you if you're one of those special people who are genuinely disappointed he didn't get a chance to make a Wally Pipp out of Didi. But honestly, did you really believe that's how it SHOULD happen? Or was it more like just wanting to believe it COULD happen. Like for example, when Joe has you believe the best players will play? Or the best pitchers, veteran or prospects, will be in the rotation?

Speaking of pitching prospects, anybody seen Dietrich Enns lately? Best pitcher in the system last year. He was the ace for the national champions of all minor league champions. His stats were totally dominant. Nobody else was even close. But he didn't even get a start in Spring training. They made him a reliever this year.  Made a couple of middle relief appearances and got sent down in the first cut.

For me, that's the stuff I think about. It's a far more puzzling question and frankly a far more pertinent one than why Gleyber's Wonder Clock should start ticking on Opening Day or a few months later. But I digress. Sort of.

(July 25, 2016 - Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America)

Frankly, it never even entered my mind that Torres could be Didi's  replacement and I was amazed by the outpouring of serious suggestions that he should be, because I think the plan to continue cross-training him at another position in Trenton could be the right way to go. But there's more; I didn't give Gleyber a serious thought as Didi's replacement was because of what happened to Didi under identical circumstances on Opening Day three years ago. That's the deal breaker right there, for Torres and every other not-yet-proven-ready-for-prime-time prospect in the Yankees' future.

(March 9, 2015 - Source: Brian Blanco/Getty Images North America)

To be blunt, the way this fan base and team's media treated Didi in the very same role three years ago that many pounded the drum to fling Torres into this Opening Day -- with little warning, a little before his time, into an ill-defined role replacing an established starter in a transitional year filled with question marks -- was downright nasty. And so, there can be no doubt that an organization that has infamously held petty grudges and lived by the feud for decades battling within and without itself to its own detriment has committed that awkward and unpleasant transition away from the Captain to institutional memory as a cautionary tale to avoid at all costs in the future; even though it seems nobody else beyond the team's own personnel appear to have taken the lesson to heart.

Now, you may say Didi is no Captain and Torres is no Didi. But that wouldn't matter to the Yankees -- or the media. They would  spin their Torres Takes Over takeover stories; a certain segment of the fan base, impatient for the future to get here, would jump on their bandwagon and start judging him like this Torres (and this team) was the finished product; and the mud would begin to fly again. And when Didi came beck, all hell would break loose as sides would be chosen and the clock would start clicking on both players to produce or be damned. That's certainly not healthy for team building.

Think it couldn't happen again? Well, let's think back...

(June 2, 2015 - Source: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images North America)

Didi wasn't supposed to be our starter that Opening Day. The Captain had just retired and Brendan Ryan was the transitional starter.  Didi was never been a regular starter with his two previous teams, and that, plus a poor split hitting lefties made platooning him behind Ryan a no-brainer until he learned how. But just a few days before Opening Day, Ryan became injured and Didi was suddenly thrust into the Jeter takeover role without any supporting cast to back him. A starter for the first time in his young career, he suddenly found himself debuting on the biggest stage in sports.

He never had a chance.

(July 4, 2015 - Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America)

The sharks were circling in the water for whoever that next guy was. Every move he made was magnified.  "He is no Captain."  With that, the entire team was stinking up the joint. Even Tex was missing easy picks in the beginning and looking like he was past it. But Didi was the lightning rod because he was the newest face replacing the oldest and most familiar face. The mistakes piled up. Meanwhile, looking around us, longtime fans were giving up on the team, attendance and TV viewership had become a national scandal and the social media interactions were truly depressing. It was more vicious than I'd ever seen it and symptomatic of a team disconnect from its fans.

Of course, you know the rest. By the end of the second month, he finally started showing marked signs of improvement, and after that every month was a new plateau of achievement. And by the trade deadline, instead of calling for his ouster, fans were calling the trade a steal. Pretty fickle of them, huh?

(Sept. 1, 2016 - Source: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America)    

Didi had over two years of experience in Triple-A and years and years of minor league ball under his belt when he went through that. He had a reservoir of  experience overcoming adversity, meeting his limitations and overcoming them as he rose through the ranks to get him through that moment and sustain him through that ordeal. Torres has none of that. He's fresh meat who's had everything come easy to him so far. He hasn't come close to facing the daily grind of major league game speed and major league pitching in games where the relievers don't wear high numbers and the at-bats often only get tougher at the end.

Still don't think this make Torres a non-starter for this Opening Day?

Photo: MLB.com

OK, try this on for size. In this scenario, Didi isn't retired. Torres would have a month to six weeks tops. And he could either be outstanding or he could stink or be something in between. But whatever he was, what would be the point?

If he stunk, he'd be gone when Didi returned, the plan for him to learn another position in Trenton would be set back more than a month, his service clock would be started, and whoever got bounced from the roster to make room for him would've been lost for nothing. Oh yeah, and he's likely to get a good thrashing from the fan base as a bust and the team's media pack would be meticulously chronicling all of the above and more as he circled the drain counting the days until Didi returned.

And if he was terrific, then what do you do with a healthy Didi  -- arguably the team's most consistent offensive and defensive weapon last year.  You can't bench either of them and neither of them can really play another position. And you're not going to send Didi down to start learning a new one or trade him.  He's still young and an invaluable part of the transition from rebuild to new era; and playing side by side with the Torres he would be an invaluable mentor as well as combine with him to make for a potent defensive and offensive middle infield duo.

Who else could better help Torres navigate the taunts and and poison pens than the one who weathered an entire stadium derisively chanting for Jeter to replace him long after the Captain had left the building?

Photo: New York Daily News

And so the answer is there's no good that could come from bringing Torres up in my opinion. There'd just be a lot of nasty media stories, ill will and fan hostility directed at him if he sucks, and a lot more of the same directed at the team and Didi if he did good and got sent back down to resume his defensive re-training when Didi returns to reclaim his spot, as he should.

And the team will never, ever again put him or any prospect in a position to fail after they've already publicly acknowledged he still has work to do before he's ready for the Bigs. They will never  risk another one enduring the public scalding Didi suffered unless they're more than reasonably certain he can handle it. It's a no-win situation to bring Torres up now. It's a no-lose situation to stick to the Trenton start-up plan.

If you want to see Gleyber in the Bronx as soon as possible, root for him to wrap his wonder arms and glove around playing second or third base as quickly as possible while continuing to knock the snot out of pitchers in the Eastern League with his wonder bat.

What's waiting for him after that, we can only wait and wonder.

Hopefully, a couple of rings in pinstripes before he splits to chase whole lot of wonder bread somewhere else further on down his wonder road.

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore

REMEMBER DUSTIN ACKLEY? HE LOVES LA

Associated Press photo

Dustin Ackley still has something left in the tank.  And you know who believes that? The Angels.

Word spread that Ackley has signed a deal.  Yahoo Sports wrote this:

Stubblebine/UPI / License Photo  

"The Los Angeles Angels have signed first baseman Dustin Ackley to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major league spring training."

Good for Ackley. I never disliked this dude, although, truth be told I always liked Brendan Ryan better, from that Seattle Mariners grouping.  Both those guys were teammates out there at one point.  Then Ackley came over. Then Ryan left... and then... oh... forget it.

Whatever the case, I wanted to just share this nugget. 

Good luck to Dustin.

STARLIN CASTRO & WHAT THE FUTURE BRINGS

(Sept. 28, 2016 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

Despite people’s objections in the beginning, there's a true importance of having Starlin Castro at second base for the New York Yankees. Admittedly, when the Yankees made the trade last season, some people were skeptical. I get that. The Yankees traded a very serviceable pitcher in Adam Warren. They also include, at the time, one of their best options at second, Brendan Ryan. If you read BYB as much as me, you know how this site backed Ryan, not only as being underrated, but just a good, solid guy. That being said, when those 2 were shipped off to Chicago, the Yankees got Castro in return. They were thrown into the mix with rookie Rob Refsnyder who, the Yankees now seem intent on making a future utility player.  But back to Castro for a moment...

(Sept. 28, 2016 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

Many suggest  that Castro hasn’t been the best move but, he certainly hasn’t been the worst either. I mean, think about it... His fielding has been average, as has his bat. But there are positives. He did hit for a career high 21 home runs for instance. On a team lacking the power, that was a plus. My point is,  if those home runs for Castro don't happen, he is just an average player. It sounds harsh, but it's just reality.  

(Sept. 13, 2016 - Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America)

The truth is he's been average in the field, and so I ask what exactly is the importance of him playing second base anyway? Well, at 2nd, you need someone serviceable. Would you have agreed with giving Cano a ten year deal going into his age 31 season? I personally don’t believe that would have been smart. With what the Yankees are trying to do it, it would be foolish, and so, Castro is actually a smarter move than many believe... he fits the mold right now as to what the Yankees were trying to accomplish.

(Sept. 6, 2016 - Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America)    

Heading into the 2017 season, Castro will be 27. 2016 was his first full year at second. He's being molded into what we need and with Didi Gregorius at SS, 2017 could in fact be a better season for Castro.  More familiar, more comfort and confidence to come.

Photo: MiLB.com

Looking back on the deal and all the Yanks are trying to do, I like Castro there. It can only get better. Not only that, we have Gleyber Torres waiting in the wings.  An important piece while we continue to mold Major League ready Castro.

The bottom line is Castro is now a good serviceable stopgap until Gleyber Torres is ready. The Yankees, with a couple other deals, now boast the leagues best farm system and so the possibilities are endless.

The Yankees have the farm and the ability to still compete until the kids are ready. Castro is clearly a placeholder and that's OK.  He has the ability and I look forward to a better 2017 season. And so in the end, I say good job Brian Cashman.

We're staying young, and the Yankees are being smart... smarter than many think. I like that.

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer