Showing posts with label corey seager. Show all posts
Showing posts with label corey seager. Show all posts

Monday, March 2, 2026

THE YANKEES HAD A CHANCE TO TRADE VOLPE & THEY FAILED!


It certainly took a hot minute for this nugget to come out, but now that it has it is both fascinating and infuriating at the same time. Over the winter, the Yankees had the opportunity to trade Anthony Volpe and actually get a guy that could field and hit his weight for average....but they foolishly backed down.

You have to have a paid subscription to see this, but check it out HERE. It's certainly compelling. The Yankees and Red Sox were both talking to the Texas Rangers about Corey Seager. The Rangers were willing to make a move and are still in process of reworking their finances. They are still dealing with significant operating losses and are trying to reduce payroll and moving Seager would've helped. The Yankees need a shortstop upgrade, and the Rangers are looking to shed some payroll....on paper it looked like a match.


Internally, Marcus Semien and Seager were also not getting along with some clubhouse drama mentioned in reports. They helped the Rangers win the World Series but things behind the scenes had reached a breaking point. It ultimately led to the Rangers keeping Seager and trading to the Mets instead because the Yankees were not willing to meet the Rangers trade request. There a wide range of rumors out there about what and who the Rangers were looking for but it sounds like the Yankees were not willing to negotiate.

And so here we are.....still with awful Volpe. So now we know the Yankees are willing to acknowledge that Volpe is not the answer but they are hoping for a miracle and a deal to fall out of the sky that isn't going to happen. The are of the negotiation isn't there right now. So we'll be seeing Volpe soon.



And hoping that Volpe's conversation with Bucky Dent moves mountains and creates a divine miracle, read more HERE. It's year four of the Volpe experiment and instead of a capable shortstop like Seager we get VolpE the error machine. I'm really hoping that Jose Caballero plays so well that the Yankees just can't find room to play Volpe....here's hoping the baseball gods hear me.

Volpe just isn't the answer. He was "supposed to be" but it didn't work out. The Yankees are trying to fit a square peg into a round whole. The sooner they stop doing that and realize Volpe NOT playing is what is best for the team, the better chances we have at winning.


--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj







Tuesday, December 16, 2025

MAYBE CASHMAN SHOULD HAVE SIGNED SEAGER FOUR YEARS AGO


Always dragging his feet.

The sudden offseason “buzz” about Corey Seager possibly landing in the Bronx this winter would be funny if it weren’t so painfully on brand. Because here’s the part everyone conveniently forgets: the Yankees had a clean, wide-open runway to get Seager four years ago. No smoke. No mirrors. No trade gymnastics. Just money, intent, and a front office willing to act. Instead, Brian Cashman did what Brian Cashman always does — absolutely nothing.

That inaction handed us Anthony Volpe as the long-term answer at shortstop, a decision that has aged like unrefrigerated milk. In fact, it now belongs in the Yankees Hall of Infamy right next to trading Jay Buhner for spare parts. Different era, same regret, same front office DNA. Stupid.

Now we’re supposed to believe the Yankees are calling the Rangers to see if Corey Seager might be available? Calling. Not acquiring. Not prying loose. Calling. Is Cashman dumb? Because those appear to be the two remaining options. This is what desperation looks like when it’s four years late and wearing a suit.

Sure, an upgrade over Volpe in 2026 would be a lovely gift. A miracle, even. But Seager isn’t that gift. He’s a locked door the Yankees don’t have the keys to — and never bothered to copy when the locksmith was standing right in front of them.

Yanks Go Yard summed it up perfectly, noting:

“Even if Brian Cashman and Co. were going all-in on Seager right now, it sounds like the Yankees would be running into a rock-solid barrier in the form of Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young. ‘We are not shopping Corey Seager, I want to make that very clear,’ Young said.”

Alrighty then. Message received. Translation: You had your chance. You blew it. Stop calling.

So let’s recap what we know. The Rangers aren’t moving Seager. Cashman is suddenly desperate to upgrade shortstop. He should have signed Seager four years ago. And the Yankees continue to operate with the least aggressive front office imaginable in a sport where aggression is mandatory if you want to win. They never jump when elite players are available — only after those players turn into franchise cornerstones somewhere else. Then comes the regret tour.

But hey, don’t panic — we got Miguel Palma, right?

Here’s the one sliver of actual good news, though, if you’re counting down the days until the Volpe era mercifully ends. According to Randy Miller of NJ.com:

“(Volpe) may only have one more season to keep his job long-term because George Lombard Jr., the organization’s No. 1 prospect, is a shortstop who figures to reach Triple-A at some point next season after playing for High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset in 2025.”

Thank God. Because let’s stop pretending this season was about a sore shoulder. I don’t buy that for a second. What we saw was the collapse of hype meeting reality. Volpe wasn’t injured in my opinion — he was exposed. And now the Yankees are doing what they always do after a catastrophic decision: rewriting the narrative to avoid admitting they screwed it up.

Brian Cashman isn’t unlucky. He’s stale. He’s complacent. And in a league where the Yankees need to be ruthless, fearless, and aggressive to matter again, he’s still operating like it’s 2009 and patience is a strategy. It isn’t. It’s just another excuse — four years too late.



Thursday, April 4, 2024

JUAN SOTO'S COMMENTS ABOUT HIS UPCOMING FREE AGENCY ARE CONCERNING!


So far, I really like what I see from Juan Soto. I'm not just talking about the good spring he had, or the first games of the season. I like the chemistry I am seeing on the field, in the dugout and what we hear about in the clubhouse. It's too soon to be sure, but Soto could be a good fit for the Yankees....maybe.

I've been nervous about this trade since it happened. It's always risky to give up several prospects for a one-year rental. If the Yankees can re-sign him, the trade isn't as costly. If the Yankees can't and we don't win a championship, it's a tough look back in retrospect. So what are the odds of him coming back?


I don't know at this point. He's got slimy Scott Boras as his agent who has a history of hosing teams and getting some fat contracts for his clients. That didn't happen this winter, Boras underachieved if you compare this winter with his long history. Maybe teams are getting smarter about how many years and how much money they are spending....teams not named the Dodgers.

So IF teams are spending less money, and he wants to stay with the Yankees why test free agency? NJ.com had an interesting story HERE (subscription required) and he referenced Aaron Judge for his reasoning. I thought his answer was rather interesting though.

"You cannot be selfish. You have to think about the guys who come in behind you," Soto said in a story that came from The Athletic. "That’s what Judge did (in opting to test free agency). He made a great deal. Corey Seager, Shohei Ohtani, all these guys are setting the market for the guys after them. And if I were to take anything down there (with what the Nationals offered) it would make it different, tougher for guys coming up."


So, does that mean Soto thinks he has to "take anything" more than what the Nationals offered him and what Judge got because Soto came after Judge? I was talking about that a lot at work today. My coworker doesn't view this the same way I do. My coworker thinks it's just part of the business.

On the other hand, I didn't like the "you cannot be selfish" but then you talk about you have to take MORE money because it affects the guys that come after him. The Nationals made him a HUGE offer that he walked away from. That made him look selfish before, and now his comment just rubs me the wrong way. Rumors are that his free agency contract STARTS at $500 million, read that HERE. We've played 7 games this year, so that's pretty rich. Did he suddenly learn how to pitch, too? Because Ohtani's contract (although I think stupid) is driven by the fact that he's a 2-way player and the Dodgers have a money tree apparently.

So, how is he not being selfish? I am really looking for a logical explanation. There are ways of raising the bar for yourself and those who come after you that don't have to be tied to money. Derek Jeter did it just by being the face of baseball during his player days because he was classy and just loved the game and was a good teammate. He didn't care about individual recognition or milestones. He was all about the team and winning a championship. THAT is how you raise the bar. 


So as much as I like what I have seen from Soto so far, I can't help but think he's full of crap. It sounds like entitlement to me. So sorry, I am not buying the crap he's trying to sell. 

I see Juan Soto a little differently now. I'm not the same believer that I was. Maybe I am wrong, and I will own that if I am, but this doesn't sit right with me. If this season doesn't go the way he envisions it and he gets LESS than what the Nationals offered him, he earned that.



--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj






Sunday, December 26, 2021

THE YANKEES CAN NOT WAIT TO SIGN A SHORTSTOP!


Source: AP

Competing for a championship means you can't wait to home grow a shortstop. You just don't have the time—you a need a team that is Series-ready when they hit the field in 2022. But is that in the cards for the Yankees given the lockout, luxury tax, paydays due for other players and needs beyond a middle infielder? Let's take a closer look at the options the Yankees have in front of them.

Source: NY Post

"The Yankees could shore up shortstop for the next generation if they give Carlos Correa more than the $325 million than Corey Seager got from the Rangers. Correa, at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, might be the best shortstop in the game not named Fernando Tatis Jr. Trevor Story would be a bit of a different question. While the bat, glove and speed are real, concerns over Story’s arm strength are loud enough to wonder whether he’d be better off at second base," reports NJ.com.

Then there is Aaron Judge who is due some cash in the coming year if they want to keep him in the Bronx. Not to mention, cash already on the books for Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton. But let's go back to shortstop for a minute. The Yankees have said that Anthony Volpe or Oswald Peraza could be there future at shortstop but they will take some brewing and polish before they are everyday players for the Bombers. But do the Yankees have time or even the patience to wait 'til either of these guys are game-ready?

"Volpe was tremendous in 2021, raking with Low-A Tampa before a promotion to High-A Hudson Valley. Across both levels, Volpe hit .294 (121-for-412) with 27 home runs, 113 runs scored, 86 RBI, 33 stolen bases and a 1.027 OPS over 109 games," wrote Sports Illustrated. But no major league experience. 

"Peraza, 21, is the closest to making his big-league debut of the pair, finishing out the 2021 campaign in Triple-A. Peraza played across three different levels a season ago, slashing .297/.356/.477 with a .834 OPS, 18 homers and 58 RBIs," Sports Illustrated reported. But neither seem to be ready to fill the big shoes at shortstop. And they will need grooming but veterans as well as coaching to even come close. 

Source: AP

But if the Yankees go all in on a guy like Correa or Story, what about the other holes in the team? First base, starting pitching and even centerfield? In the starting pitching arena, names like Clayton Kershaw, Carlos Rodon and Shane Bieber have been floated about. We've heard buzz around Matt Olson for first base and at centerfield? Who knows. Aaron Hicks will likely come out of the box ready to play but by June, he will be out like he always is. At least that is my prediction. The guy just can't stay healthy.

The Yankees can't seem to wait to sign a shortstop but there is a lot more to that to make this team Series-ready. Will the team really be able to make the moves to give the Bombers a fighting chance in 2022? Wish I could say for sure, yes, but the jury is still out on that. 





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



Thursday, December 23, 2021

RUMOR: NEW TEAM HAS SERIOUS INTEREST & MONEY FOR CARLOS CORREA


Thanks to Corey Seager's signing before the lockout, Carlos Correa is anxiously waiting for his turn at a big long term deal. Someone is going to throw Correa a ton of cash, and while the Yankees have been tied to Correa he may not wind up in pinstripes after all.

And I certainly wouldn't be mad at that. I've already said numerous times I hope some other team gets suckered and signs him to a big deal and maybe it happens....maybe. According to 670 The Score HERE the Cubs were in contact with Correa and had "serious interest" before the lockout. They know Seager's deal basically set the market so now Correa is expecting a 10 year deal also.

The Cubs say they have money and they are willing to spend it. They are concerned about the term of the deal, not the annual average value. They sound willing to spend big bucks on a nine year deal. But would Correa do it? That's the big question.


Hey, if the Cubs want to bust open their piggy bank and give him nine years at a hypothetical $39 million a year I am all for it. It still gives Correa more money than Seager and I'd love nothing more than to see any other team pay out the nose on a long-term expensive deal and the Yankees walk away avoiding a disaster. Do I think it will happen? No.

But we can all dream. If the Yankees really think Anthony Volpe is as "special" as they are hyping him up to be then save the money and sign someone in the short term. If the Yankees are serious about Volpe, then they will just continue to drive up Correa's price tag. If they do pursue Correa then we know the Yankees are full of crap and don't really see Volpe as part of their long term plan.


I really hope the Cubs throw a lot of money at Correa once this lockout ends and we can stop talking about Correa. Go play in the Windy City and enjoy deep dish pizza, Correa....please!



--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

RUMOR: CORREA HAS AN INJURY & IS HIDING IT!


Twitter is buzzing and the subject has me glued to my social media accounts. If this true, it is HUGE news and only reinforces how I already feel. What am I talking about?

In case you missed it, there is a juicy rumor out there that Carlos Correa is not being transparent about an injury he has been dealing with. I didn't believe it at first until I came across audio on Twitter. Now social media is convinced that this is a major reason why he hasn't signed a deal and others like Corey Seager and Javier Baez have. Interesting.....



Buster Olney discussed Correa on a podcast and just because it is Correa it peaked my interest. If what Olney is reporting is credible then the Yankees should run the other way. I will be honest, I want them to run away even if he is completely healthy BUT I already think he has no morals or integrity so this only makes me dislike him even more. The idea that his medical records are only accessible with a "significant offer" isn't logical at all but if anyone would actually try to pull this kind of stunt it makes sense it would be a low-life cheater like Correa. It's not the first time he has lacked transparency, and it won't be the last.


And maybe this is part of the reason why the Houston ASSTROS only offered five years at $160 million. Sure they want him at the best price possible but maybe five years is as far as they will go if he does have a concerning injury. It makes sense. The ASSTROS know what Correa is dealing with better than anyone. They love what he's done for the organization and money aside, they offered five years when many insiders were guessing a nine year deal. The Yankees should look at the ASSTROS offer and analyze that some more. ALL teams should.

I've never been a fan of signing Correa. He has a history of controversy surrounding him and now it follows him as he tries to cash in as a free agent. Let Correa be some other teams headache.....and backache in this case.



--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

Thursday, December 2, 2021

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

Friday, November 26, 2021

GET READY! DIDI GREGORIUS COULD BE BACK IN PINSTRIPES!


The Yanks are always searching for players on the cheap, and someone like Didi Gregorius could be on their radar instead of guys like Corey Seager and Carlos Correa when it comes to shortstop. Why? That's because they have youngsters on the farm that they are eagerly waiting for.  The thought would be to bring someone in like Didi just to buy them time for the new young guys. NJ.com writes:


"Brian Cashman’s search for a new shortstop could lead him back to an old, familiar friend: Didi Gregorius...

The 31-year-old Gregorius is well-known to the Yankees, having played for them from 2015 to 2019...

Gregorius hit a career-high 27 home runs for the Yankees in 2018.

And the $14 million he is owed in 2022 is a drop in the bucket when compared the expected nine-figure contracts the fab five free-agent shortstops...



Acquiring Gregorius for the 2021 season could be a nice stopgap move while the Yankees waits for top prospects 
Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza to be ready for their MLB debut, perhaps as early as 2023."

And when it comes to the Yankees... this makes a hell of alot of sense.  The Yanks are doing their best to balance youth with veteran players and something like this doesn't ruin the future of those young guys, instead, it buys time. Sadly, for many of their decisions it's about the next year and not the now, so that bothers me, but Didi could be a quick fix and the right now.  I don't love it, but I can learn to.

We shall see.

Thursday, November 25, 2021

THANKFUL FOR THE THANKSGIVING RUMORS!


HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! I hope this finds you well and I hope you are spending time with your friends and family this year, especially after the shitshow that 2020 was.

Can you believe that 2021 is almost over? This year went by fast, and now I sit and think about what I am thankful for and wonder about what the future holds. A bunch of baseball free agents are wondering the same thing, too. Not for the same reason of course, but this is a time for reflection for all of us.

So as we sit and wonder what comes next, the baseball world waits and wonders what is going to happen with this crazy shortstop free agent market. We are all curious, and so is Marcus Semien. We sit back and wait to see if the Yankees will make a move on shortstop, but according to NJ.com HERE, Scott Boras is still crazy Boras and is shopping for a hefty contract for Semien north of $200 million, which is more than what myself and other writers were predicting.


We know Boras always aims for the moon, but now we wait and wonder if the Yankees were interested in Semien because he would be a more affordable option. His price tag is lower than what Clown Carlos Correa is asking for and Corey Seager also but word on the diamond is RUMOR: YANKEES ARE NOT SPENDING BIG BUCKS ON A SHORTSTOP so do the Yankees consider the asking price to be too high?

We all know the Yankees can afford anything they want, but that doesn't mean they will spend big money. So we wait and see what happens now that the Collecting Bargaining Agreement expires in less than one week. Semien is hopeful that the market doesn't collapse and the likely lockout does not negatively impact his future contract and the Yankees hope the market changes and that maybe they can swoop in and make a splash after all. Only time will tell.


So as we sit and hope for a quick agreement for a new CBA let's be thankful for what we have now. I'm thankful that my family loves baseball and introduced it to me at a young age. I am thankful to have this holiday with friends and family. Last but not least, I am thankful that you all take the time to read us.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!




--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

Monday, November 22, 2021

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



Thursday, November 11, 2021

BRIAN CASHMAN HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT CARLOS CORREA


I'm not too sure I like it either.

I've become very critical of Brian Cashman over the last couple of years, but back in the day I wasn't. I thought he was a genius what feels like many years ago now. I never questioned if he was crazy in what he did or said and just believed that he had a method to his madness and it would magically work. After reading recent headlines I am wondering.....is Cashman crazy or is he playing a game of poker with free agents?

In case you missed it, Cashman had a lot to say in a story the Houston Chronicle ran this week. You can find that HERE. Long story short, Houston made a couple of low ball offers to keep Carlos Correa and Cashman was quick to share his thoughts.

"Correa is just a very talented player, obviously," Cashman said on Tuesday. "Puts up numbers with the best of them. He’s obviously had an incredible career thus far. Certainly not afraid. He’s pushed forward, regardless of the circumstances. He’s clearly not afraid because (the sign-stealing fallout) has not affected his play."


I think we can all see he's not afraid now nor has he ever been, most likely. He certainly talks the talk, his production has let him walk the walk so that strong personality and New York's high expectations should be a perfect fit.

But what about that sign-stealing fallout? That is something that will never go away even if he were to wear our uniform. Some fans may be forgiving if he becomes a Yankee. I for one won't "forgive and forget." And just in case you share my sentiment it sounds like Cashman doesn't care.
Fan reaction "is not going to enter my calculus right now," says Cashman.

Whether or not fan reaction should influence his thought process could be a whole other topic, but that's not my point. What I'm wondering is more complex. Is this a Cashman strategy? Is he just trying to prove that poker face I thought he once mastered never left after all? 


At minimum, his statement drives up the asking price. If we are so interested and chasing him early in the game our presence just made his price tag go even higher than it already was. Francisco Lindor just got a big pay day, so there is that comparable. Is this just a ploy to drive the price up on Correa while Yankees chase another target like Corey Seager?

Maybe so considering Yankees are also exploring the market for other needs like help in center field too. I wouldn't be mad if that was the case considering I won't even pretend to want Correa in pinstripes. But that's just me. 




  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
     BYB Senior Managing Editor
    Twitter: @nyprincessj



Wednesday, October 27, 2021

SEAGER, CORREA & THE YANKEES SHORTSTOP RUMOR MILL REVISITED

Source: CBS Sports

How are you enjoying the World Series? Are you rooting for the Braves? Not a fan, but the Yankees did sweep the Braves the last time they made it to the Fall Classic—way back in 1999. That was when the Yankees were consistently good, like dynasty good. But that was a long time ago. We had a great shortstop back then and since Derek Jeter retired, we haven't had consistency in that position. Sure the Yankees had Didi Gregorius and I liked him, but we let him test out free agency, so perhaps the Yankees didn't like him that much. Which leaves us where we are right now. Without a consistent middle infielder who offensively and defensively adds value to the team. And that's where we begin the rumor mill story.

Corey Seager: a hot bat in Los Angeles, the 27-year-old is a free agent and is among a number of shortstops available this off-season. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan per The Michael Kay Show, Seager could be a Yankee come 2022. "The former NL Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star and World Series Champion has a career .297 batting average with 104 home runs, 364 RBI and a .870 OPS. However, an argument could be made that his defense isn’t always there and for a team who just watched Gleyber Torres struggle mightily defensively all season until ultimately getting moved to second base, perhaps the Yankees will elect to value defense at that position more than offense," reports Yahoo Sports. We need defense—next candidate. 

Carlos Correa: Now don't shoot the messager. I am not a fan either. But he is a premier shortshop and could bring a lot of power to the position.  But the New York Post is spot on here—"If not for the scandal, Correa would look like a potentially terrific fit for the Yankees. He clearly embraces the big stage, as exemplified by the postseason numbers — a .273/.346/.522 slash line and 18 home runs — that he brought into Tuesday night’s Game 1 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park." If Correa was the Yankees' only option this winter, then maybe you overlook 2017, but he's not—next candidate.

Marcus Semien: Toronto Blue Jay's second baseman can also play shortstop and could be a fit for the Yankees given his incredible 2021 season. "He’s coming off a breakout campaign, posting a .265/.334/.538 slash line and a career-high 45 home runs and 102 RBIs, making his first All-Star team in the process," reported ESPN Seattle. But he could get some interest from the Mariners, and he is from the Bay Area, so there will be competition. Yet what better Divison to play in than the AL East and what better team than the Yankees. 

Source: NY Post

Let's not forget the Yankees can home grow their shortstop too. As the Post reminds us, the Yankees could go with who they have in "Gio Urshela, Andrew Velazquez and Tyler Wade out of respect for those youngsters and divert more resources to their pitching staff or first base." But, then we are back where we started. Unless Velazquez or Wade can morph into a Jeter?

Look the Yankees can't fix everything but they have to make some moves to offset this multiyear slump without a World Series bid. 1999 feels like a lifetime ago. The dominance of the Yankees back then was fierce and deep. I want that again. You want that again. So, let's go Yankees—assemble that team, and if that means getting a shortstop, then there are plenty to choose from—so get after it!



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