RANGERS SNATCH UP 'RED THUNDER'

 Just when you thought you would never hear about Clint Frazier, or er... Jackson Frazier again, you're wrong.

Clutch points writes:

"The Texas Rangers agreed to terms with 5 players on minor league contracts with invites to Spring Training, per the Rangers’ PR Twitter account. Notably, Texas agreed to terms with former New York Yankees’ top prospect Clint Frazier and former Kansas City Royals’ star pitcher Danny Duffy. Additionally, the Rangers brought in OF Travis Jankowski, RP Ian Kennedy, and RP Reyes Moronta...

Outfielder Clint Frazier was once regarded as a top prospect. The Yankees acquired him from the Cleveland Guardians and expected Frazier to serve a big role for them at some point. But things never panned out for him in New York."

Just recently Frazier signed with the Toros del Este, read CLINT FRAZIER JUST SIGNED WITH A DARK HORSE.... Now however, he appears back in the bigs, and to be honest, I'm thrilled for him.

LETTING FRAZIER PLAY

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

I say it jokingly, but reality is... he's going to play. Not only that, he's going to start. At least that's what we think is going to happen.

The great George King III of the New York Post writes this nugget:

"With the Royals starting lefties Danny Duffy on Saturday and Eric Skoglund on Sunday, there is a chance right-handed hitting outfielder Clint Frazier could be in the lineup for each game. 'I would say likely for [Saturday],’

Source: Stephen Brashear/Getty Images North America

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Frazier making his 2018 debut. 'But I evaluate that at the end of each day.’"

We reported on Red Thunder's arrival to the Bronx the other day (HERE) and his likelihood to play because of the lefty starting situation with KC.  Glad he's probably gonna see some at bats.

Secondly, you have to appreciate Boone not giving away too much, but still talking to the press with a possible game plan.  I mean sure, Boone could change his mind and NOT start Frazier... but hopefully he does, and hopefully Clint succeeds. 

Looking forward to it.

THE RETURN OF RED THUNDER!

Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America

Gotta love Clint Frazier.  And now... he's back.  He said so.

i’m back

— Clint Frazier (@clintfrazier) May 15, 2018

David Hale was designated for assignment.

Now what? Well... there's a plan and I like what I'm reading.  Our guy Brendan Kuty at NJ.com has the story:

Fred Adams|For Times Leader

Highly regarded Triple-A outfielder Clint Frazier, a powerful righty hitter, will stay with the team at least through the weekend series in Kansas City, Boone said. The Yankees brought up Frazier as an extra bat playing in the National League, where there's no designated hitter.

'We have a couple lefties in Kansas City,' Boone said. 'I would certainly imagine we've got (Danny) Duffy that second day in there. That will almost certainly be in there then and it'll be something we monitor day by day, but we won't have him in here just regularly sitting.'"

Source: Greg Fiume/Getty Images North America

We'd also have to see what happens with a guy like Aaron Hicks.  Say Frazier plays through this weekend, has some huge, productive games, and Hicks does not.  What happens then?

Or... does Frazier just get sent back down after he's showed off to a few potential teams for a secret upcoming trade? It's happened before.

Photo: NJ.com

Or... say they bat Red Thunder a little, give him a look at some pro pitchers and then send him down like professional ball teams do from time to time.

There are a million scenarios here.  I don't know what it will be, and neither do you.  But let's keep an eye out.  We'll soon see.

Any way you slice it.  I'm psyched to have Frazier back up.

THE SEVEN FISHES OF PITCHERS

Source:  The Sporting News

Now that we have CC Sabathia under contract for 2018, the Yankees can breathe a slight sigh of relief.  Consistency and leadership are two essential components for a Yankee pitching rotation.  But both Sabathia and these traits might not be enough to win the championship next season.  So, the Yankees may need to catch a big fish among the seven fishes of pitchers who could be shopping for a new team in 2018.

Source: ESPN

According to the NY Daily News, these starting pitchers include Gerrit Cole (Pittsburgh), Chris Archer and Alex Cobb (Tampa Bay), Danny Duffy (Kansas City), Michael Fulmer (Detroit), Patrick Corbin (Arizona) and Jeff Samardzija (San Francisco).  If I had my druthers, I would go after Zack Greinke and call it a day. But I will entertain some deep thinking about most of these guys, but not all of them.

Source: NESN

Quite frankly, Gerrit Cole had his chance to be in pinstripes and he gave that opportunity up.  "The Yankees originally burned a first-round pick in 2008 (28th overall) on Cole only for him to spurn them for UCLA, but the 28-year-old right-hander since has established himself as a frontline starter over five seasons with the Pirates. Cole has two more years of arbitration eligibility before he will become a free agent after the 2019 season," reported the News.  Besides this, Cole has had some elbow inflammation and we all know how that adds anxiety to the team, wondering when he could fall.

Source: NJ.com

Looking at both Archer and Cobb, I would not choose either even though I have always liked the way Archer commands himself on the mound.  He has had two tough seasons, but he could rebound.  Cobb has had some injuries, but he is still a premiere starter who could demand just a little too much cash and stretch the luxury tax a bit too far.

Source: SI.com

Duffy...in a word, no.  DUI charge, Tommy John surgery.  We don't need that.  Detroit's Michael Fulmer, although 2016 Rookie of Year, might not be worth it either.  Chemistry matters and there may be too much bad blood between Detroit and the Yankees after the brawl of 2017.  "Of course, Fulmer was the pitcher who drilled Gary Sanchez, leading to a series of brawls between the two teams, in August. He also underwent nerve transposition surgery in his pitching elbow in September, but he's expected to be ready for spring training," reported the News.

Source: The Sporting News

Patrick Corbin is a guy who could be attractive to the Yankees as a ground ball throwing left-hander.  Of the bunch so far, I like what he could add but as I said earlier, I would prefer his teammate, Greinke.

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Then there is Jeff Samardzija, who I endorsed for pinstripes a few years ago, when he was available.  Today, he would only be welcomed here to the Bronx if he could help us unload a certain former Red Sox centerfielder.  "This might have to be the exchange of one terrible contract for another, perhaps if the outfield-hungry Giants would be willing to take on a chunk of Jacoby Ellsbury's albatross deal," reported the News.

So the Yankees have some fishing to do, with the right bait and the right mindset to do so.  Of these seven fishes with potential availability, I don't see one I would be willing to take a chance on.  Perhaps we need to cast a wider net for a bigger fish, one who can compliment our pitching staff in a way that elevates it to the kind we need to win in October.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof






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WINTER MEETING MADNESS & SCOTT BORAS MIGHT BE CRAZY!

FINALLY winter is interesting, huh? Oh how I have loved the Winter Meetings so far and with one day left I hope it stays this fast paced and filled with rumors. The Hot Stove is officially fired up and I've been glued to social media all day. Here's the latest:

1. YES, Scott Boras might be crazy

Photo: NBC Sports

He just never goes away does he? We all know he has a lot of big name clients and he has spent a lot of time on pitching Jake Arrieta to all 30 major league teams (no pun intended). In case you missed it, on Monday Boras sent every one a 75 page promotional binder essentially selling his client to anyone who will listen, read more HERE. One owner said he got the impression that he is trying to get Arrieta a 200 million dollar deal but Boras "isn't putting values" on anything. Riiiight. I wonder what Hal Steinbrenner did with his. Has Boras reached a  new level of CRAZY?

2. Yankees and Diamondbacks have talked about several players

Source: Harry How/Getty Images North America

Right now the Dbacks and Yankees match well on paper. Both mlbtraderumors.com and the New York Post both have rumors on multiple players. Apparently the Yankees have at least inquired about the availability of Zack Greinke and Patrick Corbin who is just one year away from free agency. It never hurts to ask, but does this mean that all of CC Sabathia's interest of late means the Yankees are moving on?

Source: Harry How/Getty Images North America

Now that the Yankees have traded away infielders and have potential holes at second and third base they also checked in on Brandon Drury who can play both infield positions and is still under team control for four years. He won't be arbitration eligible until next year so he would fit the Yankees plan to get under the luxury tax.

3. Another pitching possibility

Source: Ron Schwane/Getty Images North America

The Yankees are looking at multiple pitchers and Danny Duffy is now on their radar. The Cubs are also interested but it doesn't sound like he is interested in any other team because he tweeted "bury me a royal" so who knows if this goes anywhere.

4. Todd Frazier still in play

Source: Getty Images North America

Multiple teams, as many as 10 are reportedly interested in Frazier. The Yankees have checked in with his agent but it sounds like conversations are still lukewarm. He makes sense, we may need to fill third base. Other teams are looking at him for first base too.

5. Is a reunion with Eduardo Nunez in the works?

(Sept. 29, 2017 - Source: Omar Rawlings/Getty Images North America)

There's chatter out there that the Yankees "may" be interested in bringing Nunez back, read HERE and the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Giants are looking at him too. That is a little scary.

6. Headley headed elsewhere again?

Photo: Getty Images

On Tuesday the Yankees sent Chase Headley back to the Padres and now he may be heading north to the LA Angels? Read more on that HERE. The Padres are still in rebuilding mode and the Angels look like serious contenders in the AL West so he makes more sense for them and the Angels have a hole at third. I wonder where Headley's final stop will be...

Source: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images North America

And of course the Manny Machado rumors are still out there. I will just leave it at that.

I can't wait to see what happens the last day of the winter meetings! Cashman has a lot of leads right
now.  I just can't wait to see what happens next.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj 

A PITCHER YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS "CONNECTED" TO THE YANKEES

(Aug. 18, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)    

Well this one is coming out of left field....and I certainly didn't see it coming. I don't know where Richard Justice of MLB.com got this idea because I just don't see the Yankees being interested in this but if nothing else it is a compelling idea. After all, there isn't a whole lot of new information out there and Brian Cashman did say on Monday that he is "99.9 percent plus" sure that the Yankees are done making any moves for the upcoming season.

(July 26, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)    

According to MLB.com HERE, Danny Duffy is a trade chip that the Kansas City Royals are willing to deal and he would fit in well for the Yankees. This connection does make SOME sense when you look at the challenges facing both clubs right now, but I'm not so sure there is enough common ground there to make a trade. Let's look.....

The Yankees are currently transitioning to get new young blood into the organization, and the Royals on the other hand are preparing to transition as they lose six of their prominent World Series players to free agency. I don't envy Royals fans right now. The players that brought them a ring all hit free agency together, and the Royals just won't be able to afford them.

(Lorenzo Cain: Aug. 28, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)    

If I were the Royals (which I am glad I'm not!) I would be looking to move some of these guys to not only save on payroll, but to get some young promising talent into the organization before they walk away and may end up with nothing. As it stands now Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar, and Danny Duffy are all entering free agency, and should be considered possible trade targets.

Now, here is where the Yankees come in to play. Cashman says he is out of money but to address the questions that Justice asks in his article...it could be a match.

1) How good are we right now?
Offensively, I would say we are okay. We have some good young bats. Pitching though does not look good.

(Sept. 23, 2016 - Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America)

2) Is there one more acquisition that makes sense?
More than one. The Yankees need pitching. Jose Quintana? Jason Hammel? Danny Duffy?

3) Are we letting an opportunity pass?
Possibly, and even Brian Cashman knows that and is still keeping tabs on it.

The season hasn't started yet and you can't predict baseball but right now pitching could be the "make or break" for the Yankees this season especially with how good Boston's rotation looks on paper. The Yankees really need another starter and an experienced veteran wouldn't hurt.

(Sept. 22, 2016 - Source: Duane Burleson/Getty Images North America)

Duffy had a great season with a 12-3 record, 3.51 ERA, 188 strikeouts in 179 innings. It looks great on paper but that is not consistent with his prior years so the Yankees would have to count on him continuing with his hot streak which doesn't seem likely. It would also be nice to have another lefty in the rotation but if the Yankees don't want to give up prospects for Quintana the more desirable lefty why would they for Duffy?

And what about the cost? Teams know how much talent the Yankees have in the farm system now so it is no surprise that the Yankees lost seven players in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. The Yankees need pitching, but given how unpredictable Duffy has been in his career giving up any big names would be too risky. I would rather see the Yankees hold on to all of their top prospects, let the kids battle it out in Spring Training and round out the rotation that way. Duffy just isn't worth it in my opinion.

Justice certainly gave us all a compelling idea....but unfortunately I think it makes more sense for the Royals going forward than it does the Yankees. I do like the rumor mill though! It makes these boring winter days go by a little bit faster. Is it time for Spring Training Yet? No?! Wake me up when it is time or when the Yankees get a pitcher.



 --Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

WHY THE YANKEES ARE IN FIRST PLACE TODAY

(Photo: Getty)

Although Ivan Nova ended up picking up the win for the Yankees on Tuesday, he wasn't as effective as he's been, plain and simple. Fortunately, everyone else on the team picked him up. Both his offense and bullpen played huge roles in this win against the Kansas City Royals.(Photo: Getty)
It was a very ugly start for Nova in this game, 5.1 innings, 9 hits, 7 runs, 1 walk on 2 strikeouts. And in his only second career starts against the Royals, he's gone 8.1 innings, while allowing 11 runs on 19 hits. But either way, he picked up the win, and that's all that matters from a team standpoint. He's now 12-4 on the season. Could he win Rookie of the year? Read Casey's take on it in WHY NOVA HAS A SHOT AT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR.

Like game one, the offense once again had a big day. Every starter had at least one hit except Andruw Jones. Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Eduardo Nunez, and Brett Gardner all had two hit games. Robbie had four RBIs including a monster three-run bomb off starter Danny Duffy--who gave up eight runs in three plus--in the third. And with Jeter's two hits he raised his average to .283, and in the month of August he's batting .411 (21/51). It's safe to say the guy is on fire.Once again the Yankee bullpen was huge in this game. Boone Logan came on with the tying run on at second in the sixth inning with one out, and he got out of the jam. Rafael Soriano retired both batters he faced, and David Robertson pitched a 1-2-3 eighth before the great Mariano Rivera struck out two in a 1-2-3 ninth. Is anyone still worried about him? I'm not, and I never was to begin with.
Also... a quick question to the fans; Did anyone else hear those annoying crickets throughout the telecast? God, that was annoying. Even play-by-play guy Bob Lorenz even pointed it out. They drove me crazy, but the win helps that.

Final Score: Yankees 9 - Royals 7

The Yanks are now in first place, with the Red Sox 6-2 loss in the second game of their doubleheader with the Rays. Meanwhile, the Yankees will be going for the sweep tomorrow with Bartolo Colon (8-6, 3.31 ERA) squaring off against Bruce Chen (7-5, 4.15 ERA). Let's go Bart!



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer




Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.