JETER PRESSED ON THE MARLINS

Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America

Hell, it was bound to come sooner of later. I'm thrilled some honest questioned was asked to Derek Jeter about him and the Marlins and "competitiveness" with the team he has, because this is the type of stuff that I was scratching my head about since the Captain took over the team in Miami.  How can you get rid of all these great players and still expect to win ball games? I added in the fan twist of course here at BYB, because to me, a fan base helps really make a franchise, and if there is no fan base, who is the team playing for?

I have not enjoyed watching Jeter dismantle the Marlins like his toy and yes, I know that he is part owner... but he's the face of the franchise now, and that's why he appeared on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

If you have never seen the show in general, it is literally one of the best sports shows on television.  With this interview with Derek Jeter, hell... it just got better. This is amazing stuff, and something that needed to happen. I applaud Bryant Gumbel on some real hard, honest questioning.  What makes things worse is that Jeter appears extremely uncomfortable and defensive, sometimes his cheeks get alittle rosey. That bothers me, because maybe there's some truth to what Gumbel is saying.  Anyway, here is the transcript.  The link to the show promo is here.  This show appears on April 24th. I cannot wait to watch:


You be the judge. This came from Awful Announcing...

BRYANT GUMBEL: “If you were tanking, would you tell me?”
DEREK JETER: “Tanking? What is– no– tanking?”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Tanking is — not trying your hardest to win ball games in — every day.” DEREK JETER: “We’re trying to win ball games every day.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “If you trade your best players in exchange for prospects it’s unlikely you’re going to win more games in the immediate future–”
DEREK JETER: “When you take the field, you have an opportunity to win each and every day. Each and every day. You never tell your team that they’re expected to lose. Never.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Not in so–”
DEREK JETER: “Now, you can think — now– now, I can’t tell you how you think. Like, I see your mind. I see that’s how you think. I don’t think like that. That’s your mind working like that.” BRYANT GUMBEL: “No, I get that. But I guess not in so many words–”
DEREK JETER: “But you don’t. But you don’t get it.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “I do.”
DEREK JETER: “You don’t. We have two different mi– I can’t wait to get you on the golf course, man. We got– I mean, I can’t wait for this one.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “No, I mean–”
DEREK JETER: “You’re mentally weak.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “No, I just– I’m– I’m realistic. You really expect this team–”
DEREK JETER: “I expect this team to–”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “–as presently configured to contend–”
DEREK JETER: “–compete, to compete. To compete–”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Compete is one thing–”
DEREK JETER: “Every sing–”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Watch my lips. Not compete.”
DEREK JETER: “I see your–”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Contend.”
DEREK JETER: “I see your lips. I see. I’ve been seeing ’em this whole interview. I see your lips moving constantly. You’d never tell your players that you are expected to lose. You don’t do that. You should take that as a slap in the face as a player. You should take that as a slap in the face.” BRYANT GUMBEL: “You expect them to contend?”
DEREK JETER: “I do. I do. If I don’t believe with the– in the players that we have on the field, who’s going to believe in them?”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “But as an executive, it looks like you’re delusional if you believe otherwise”
DEREK JETER: “Well, call me delusional.”

Now keep in mind, there's a respect between these 2 men. Were they angry at each other? No fully.  But "heated" it was. Jeter was not happy, I guarantee that. Jeter feels the pressure and he's been so untouchable all these years I love to see someone press Jeter on something that we have written about extensively on Bleeding Yankee Blue and I know the Marlins fans are feeling.

How to you compete when Yelich, Stanton, Gordon, Ozuna are gone, and more importantly to our point... why would you do that to the fans?

Happy Sunday.

GOING FISH: JT REALMUTO NEXT!

(July 27, 2017 - Source: Eric Espada/Getty Images North America)

Just to update you all on the dismantling of the Florida Marlins... a story I LOVE and yes, a story I am obsessed with. I admit that.

The Nationals are now 'all in' to try and get catcher JT Realmuto from the Marlins.  And trust me when I tell you, I have no doubt it will happen... perhaps by the end of the weekend.

The Marlins just traded away Christian Yelich, a real solid, real underrated ballplayer to the Brewers for 4 prospects.  No question it came at Yelich's request, no doubt extremely frustrated at the destruction of the Marlins team all around him. 

Photo: Getty Images

Now look, you can't blame Yelich. He is not a selfish player at all. But when you have guys like Dee Gordon, Stanton and Ozuna get shipped out, it's not a matter of wanting to stay with the Marlins team anymore... it's a matter of knowing that you are part of a re-build.  I'm sure Yelich loved the other Marlins players that were left behind with him. But that's not what it's about it. 

Source: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America

For Yelich, for Realmuto... maybe for even Justin Bour... it's about wanting to WIN and having that chance sooner rather than later.  The team left behind after Dee, Ozuna and Stanton were traded is not a winning team.  That's why Yelich and Realmuto asked for trades.  That's why Yelich is gone now.  That's why Realmuto may go to the Nats soon if it all works out.

MLB Daily Dish writes:

Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America

"The Nationals are making the strongest push to acquire Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, according to Craig Mish of SiriusXM. Though they’ll pay Matt Wieters $10.5 million in 2018, the Nationals could use an upgrade behind the plate after Wieters posted a career-worst .225/.288/.344 slash line with 10 homers while struggling defensively in 2017...

Realmuto is under club control through 2020, so the price to acquire him will presumably be pretty steep, but that shouldn’t be too tough of an issue for the Nationals, especially since they have plenty of near-major-league-ready depth in the outfield, where the Marlins are currently the weakest after trading Stanton, Ozuna, and Yelich and letting fourth outfielder Ichiro Suzuki walk."

I bet this happens.  Trust me, Jeter and the Marlins owners want young and pieces they can build up all while getting the payroll down.  They'll make it happen.

Source: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images North America)

But yeah, this is a major team breakup, bound to destroy any Marlins fans hopes.  Will they one day soon come back? Sure... but right now, for the fans, this has got to hurt like hell.

On a personal note, I am thrilled that I got to see a few games with the Marlins this season.  Once in the city of Miami for a great game against the Braves, and a double header in Philly this summer.  I liked watching this team play.  I liked the players, my son made the Marlins his NL team.  But now... this changes a lot of us too.

All I can say to the Marlins fans is stay strong.  Jeter and the owners DO have a plan.  It's just that you're not in it right now.  But long term, this will hopefully benefit you all.

CASTRO WANTS OUT OF MIAMI!

The chaos continues.

Photo: USATSI

Just a refresher... Thumbs down in the Bronx = Good.  Thumbs down in Miami = Bad.

We've had a lot to say about how Derek Jeter is stripping down his Marlin's team. It's a hot mess. I don't know how he can even come back from this. It's been one bad decision after another that just keeps snowballing. That whole idea of "it can't get any worse than this" doesn't seem to exist here. The drama just keeps coming and we are tuned in on this. It's exactly like getting addicted to a bad reality TV show. You just can't look away.

Photo: Sun-Sentinel

It's just like Casey said in JETER'S MARLINS TRADE ANOTHER and MARLINS PLAYERS WANT OUT OF MIAMI! no one wants to be on the Marlin's right now.....it's a loser. The guys on this team don't want to be losers, and they are ready to pack their bags for another team...HELL ANY TEAM! I'd say "my bags are already packed, get me out of here. Thank goodness. Bye Felicia!"

We already reported that J.T. Realmuto told the Marlins he wants to be traded but now Starlin Castro reportedly wants out according to multiple sources, we'll go with the New York Post HERE on this one. Who can blame him?

Photo: USA Today Sports

Who wants to play for new owners who have created a world of chaos and show they really have no interest in motivating their players? Or that they are okay pushing away their fan base and starting again with nothing? I can't think of anyone who wants to sign up for that gig. Castro spent six seasons on a rebuilding Cubs team. He knows what that was like. Then he was traded away right before the Cubs won the World Series. That had to sting a little. Then, he gets one game away from a World Series berth as a Yankee and is traded again? This time to the loser Marlins?! The only thing they are winning is an October golf pass while teams like the Yankees play for a championship.

I feel bad for Castro. Sure, being traded away is part of the business. There are always tough choices to make but in Castro's case it's a punishment. Not only will the Marlin's be bottom feeders for a few years, but he gets stuck with nothing but drama that Derek Jeter is partially responsible for.

Photo: Sporting News

Jeter is quickly destroying the Marlins in our opinion. Some of the BYB writers may even disagree with that statement, but Casey and I are simpatico on this. I don't know any other way to say it and as he is doing it he is leaving a bad impression with guys that he should be relating to. Jeter's been in these guys shoes so he should have that inside perspective that owners who haven't played the game will never have...but he doesn't. When you have guys like Dee Gordon being vocal about how you have made things into a "terrible mess" because of "something you can't take care of" it's not something that is going to go away anytime soon. It is something that not only fans, but the people that should be able to relate to him the best will probably never completely accept.

As Jeter continues to trade off these guys it will soon be a field of rebuilding projects. I can't blame Castro for wanting out. Soon Jeter will trade Christian Yelich and Justin Bour too and the Marlin's will truly be irrelevant. Castro doesn't want to be irrelevant. He wants to be a winner and there's nothing wrong with that.

This isn't over....not even close. Who is taking bets on what happens next? Stay tuned.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

STANTON SATISFACTION OR HAVE WE BEEN MUSHED?

We've been mushed!

- Sonny, A Bronx Tale

Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

That's the text I received from the great Mike O'Hara, actor, host, sports writer for BYB and even political personality.  The point is, his opinions matter to me, because he's a smart dude with emotion is an important part of analysis.  The Yankees got Giancarlo Stanton today. Immediately he texted me that, and for a moment, not knowing who the Yankees gave up, I felt the same way at that very moment.

If you don't know what that phrase means... let me explain. In a Bronx Tale, whenever the gangsters were trying to place bets, if Eddie Mush was around, they pretty much knew they'd lose if they bet the same as he, and so, they'd already know they were mushed before the race was done or the dice was thrown.  And if you are a true blue Yankee fan, you felt that IMMEDIATLEY... at lease Mike and I did.   Now that the details are slowing coming out about "Stanton to the Yankees", let's see how we feel later today or by Sunday.

Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Right now it can confirmed that the Yankees and Marlins have made a deal. Top baseball insiders reported that. The Yankees get Stanton and from what we know... Starlin Castro will go to Miami to be the starting second baseman and replace Dee Gordon who was just traded to the Mariners.

The New York Post writes:

" A source told The Post that Starlin Castro and prospects, though not top ones, make up most of the return. Neither team had announced a deal as of early Saturday morning, possibly because a physical review was still needed and that would not be a rubber stamp with Stanton, who has had injury problems throughout his career. "

MLB.com writes:

"While the Marlins are expected to seek several higher-level prospects in any potential deal, second baseman Starlin Castro's name has surfaced in negotiations. The 27-year-old Castro has two years and approximately $23.7 million remaining on his contract."

And I could go on and on and it's all similar. Reality is, we don't know who these prospects are yet.  We also don't know what the Yankees are paying.

Photo: USA Today

But I do find this interesting... there are mixed feelings about Stanton on the Yankees.  Not the person himself, but what he does to the dynamic of the clubhouse, worries about injury, AND, a lot of worry about who the Yankees give up prospect-wise.

Photo Credit: SB Nation

Ultimately this could be an amazing thing for the Yankees and I think we all need to sit back and wait and see.  Many are satisfied.  Stanton, Sanchez, Judge in the same lineup? Are you kidding? Yet many feel that we've been mushed.  I will wait to give my final thoughts on the deal.  I wanna see what the Yanks are giving up on the prospect front.

Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports

And finally, I have to say... I feel horribly for the Miami Marlins fans.  This is a blow to that franchise.  Yes, they are in a building year and yes they are trying to cut payroll... but Stanton was a franchise player, and now, they lose a chunk in Miami.  This comment says it all...

@Marlins thanks Jeter you have come in and become yet another disgrace, trading Stanton worst decision, say goodbye to another fan ahole

— Antonio Miro (@boricua2168) December 9, 2017

I feel bad for the Marlins fans. I visited this summer. I loved the ballpark, I loved the fans, and I will tell you something significant... the Marlins fans LOVED Giancarlo Stanton. It's a sad, sad day for them.

I hope they can get past it.  

More to come... stay tuned...


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DEE GORDON JUST GOT MOVED

Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America

Incredible what's going on down there in Florida with the Marlins.  Now comes word that Dee Gordon has been traded.  That comes from Ken Rosenthal who I guess was reporting from Jim Bowden at Sirius/XM.  Check it out:

Dee Gordon will play CF for the #Mariners, source tells The Athletic, confirming report from @Jim_BowdenSXM.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2017

Now that's a good player the Marlins just gave up. 

In return the Marlins get righty pitcher Nick Neidert.

I wonder if Jeter will still try and move Stanton.  I also wonder just how thrilled the Marlins fans feel about all this.

Geez.

Now many Yankee fans will read this and say "who cares".  To that I say, educate yourself.  There are lot of trades and names in prospect world you may not know or be interested in, but reality is... get to know all these guys.  Baseball has a ton of them, and it's just cool and interesting to try and keep up with the trades and these young players.

Enjoy.

BIG ALL-STAR SUSPENDED 80 GAMES!

I'm not surprised by anything anymore.

Looks like Dee Gordon of the Marlins has been suspended for 80 games because of PEDs. According to ESPN:

"Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon has been suspended 80 games without pay, effective immediately, for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drug policy, the league said early Friday.

The speedy second baseman tested positive for the performance-enhancing substances exogenous testosterone and clostebol, MLB said."

Look, this is what baseball needs, to punish players and the fact that Dee Gordon couldn't see what was going on with Alex Rodriguez, and then Jenrry Mejia this season, well too bad for him.  I do know this, Dee Gordon is a very good ballplayer and never felt like he got the credit he deserved.  Whether or not that was factor in all of this, who knows, but now the dude is suspended and somewhere in the country, a Dee Gordon fan is crushed, much like when my son realized that guys like ARod and Manny Ramirez dabbled. It's heartbreaking to see kid's with idols disappointed. 

Look, cheating and 'getting an edge' has always been in sports.  It's just a shame that in this environment, in 2016, even with restrictions and punishment, it really doesn't matter.  Players still try and not get caught...but they always do.

Gordon's the latest.  See you in 80 games.



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WHAT THE FRIEDMAN DID THE DODGERS DO?

That’s the headline from local Los Angeles sportswriter Vincent Bonsignore after learning Dodgers ace Zach Greinke announced Friday that he would be joining the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Greinke will earn $206 million over six years in Arizona—at $34.42 million a year he becomes one of the highest paid players in baseball. For comparison, Dodgers’ phenom Clayton Kershaw will get $30.7 million a year through 2020.

The loss of Greinke in the rotation is a shock and a huge blow to the Dodgers organization. He led the majors with a 1.44 ERA last season and along with Kershaw was part of the toughest pitching duo in all of baseball.

And Greinke donning a Diamondback uniform will be particularly hard for Dodger faithful. The Diamondbacks are in the same division which means Dodger hitters will see a lot of the dominating right hander over the next six years. There’s also a weird rivalry between the two teams. You may remember a couple years back Diamondbacks brass pissed off most of Los Angeles after they made Dodgers fans sitting in club seats change their attire to Dbacks gear—a practice they’ve continued this last year. The Dodgers also contributed to the tension by celebrating their 2013 NL West championship in the Diamondbacks outfield pool.

The loss of Greinke combined with previous trades of gold glover Dee Gordon and outfielder Matt Kemp has L.A. fans and sports media questioning Andrew Friedman’s decisions in the front office. While the loss of Greinke hurts, the Dodgers were right to get rid of Kemp who was a constant source of dysfunction in the clubhouse. But Friedman has his challenges ahead of him. He needs to add more arms to the starting rotation and the bullpen, and fill holes at second base and the outfield. With all the deep pockets the Dodgers have, they’re starting the off season on a very down note.


   
--Alexis Garcia, BYB's "Eye on MLB" Columnist &
Los Angeles Dodger fan
Twitter:  @heylexyg



You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub! 

DODGERS ADD CUBAN SENSATION HECTOR OLIVERA

Hector Olivera has agreed to a six-year, $62.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers according to MLB.com.

Source: Cuban INF Hector Olivera has agreed to a 6-year, $62.5 million deal with Dodgers. $28MM signing bonus. Check http://t.co/mkcBse7p5i
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) March 24, 2015

The infielder will get a $28 million signing bonus once his physical clears.

Olivera was courted by many big league teams including the Yankees. The shortstop hit .341 and had 17 home runs last year in Cuba and looks to be an immediate impact player. Though his decision to don Dodger blue comes to no surprise to many baseball insiders, Olivera still has a couple hurdles to clear before he makes his debut in the majors.

One - Olivera might have issues with his throwing arm that could require Tommy John surgery. This would leave him out for a whole season. Two - he also still needs a visa—which could again hold up his debut in the big leagues.

The Dodgers also have plenty of infield talent. They traded away arguably one of the most promising infielders in Dee Gordon this offseason to get Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins in the middle infield. If Olivera is to see any playing time this year, he will probably split duties with Juan Uribe at third base. But Rollins and Uribe’s contracts are up after the 2015 season which could give way to a permanent home for Oilvera in the infield.

I like the deal because it gives the Dodgers flexibility to make some roster moves down the road. They have a crowded outfield and will need to deal some players (like Andre Ethier) to make room for developing talent. Having another card to add to the deck will only strengthen the Dodgers negotiating position. It’s also a promising sign that the new front office is serious about building a balanced lineup that gives the team the best chance to win a World Series.

Now if we could just get the games on TV.

--Alexis Garcia, BYB's "Eye on MLB" Columnist
Twitter:  @heylexyg







 
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JETER IS A LEADER WHETHER YOU THINK HE IS OR NOT

I received an odd tweet the other day, and I needed to share it because it was clear to me that this person was just causing trouble.  Maybe he's been in a coma for 20 years... I don't know.  He tweeted me this about Derek Jeter:

@BleednYankeeBlu @Yankees don't get me wrong he's high on list of all mlb players over past century, just haven't seen "captain" instincts
— JACOB (@KINGSKRIB) February 17, 2014

Now I was taken back and told him that he's "making me laugh." Then today, there was more... clearly he was pushing my buttons and has no real interest in the Yankees, Derek Jeter or what leadership means. He also didn't care too much about what I had to say, he just wanted a reaction.  He wrote me:

@KINGSKRIB @yankees @mikeyoh21 @joba_62 @cc_sabathia No Jacob, you're causing trouble. If his teammates say he's a leader, he's a leader.
— Bleeding Yankee Blue (@BleednYankeeBlu) February 19, 2014

I followed up with that above.  Sure, I tweeted in the big guns... CC Sabathia, Joba Chamberlain... you get the point. Why? I'll tell you why. Because a leader, from a fan perspective is sometimes very different than from a players opinion on leadership. For instance, I've never shared the field with Derek Jeter.

I've never sat in on a meeting with Derek to get us motivated... but CC Sabathia has. Jorge Posada has, and they know that Derek Jeter is a true leader. They know he rallies the troops.  To be frank, what we think or don't think about Derek Jeter's leadership from a fan perspective is insignificant, UNLESS you believe that positive role models for our children matter... That's where I come in.

My wife and I have always appreciated Jeter's style.  He carries himself with pride and professionalism.  He stays out of trouble and with that, I consider Jeter a leader. He teaches what leadership is by standing tall, never speaking out of turn, keeping clean, leading the team out of the dugout and has done things that kids dream about doing when and if they make the pros one day.  From a father's standpoint, me... that's what a true leader is.  But this kid or troublemaker or whatever he is, doesn't understand that.  He's trying to get me to fall on my face publicly on Twitter because he's bored.  In the end, it's bigger than his little question. So I looked around to see what the players thought about our mighty Captain.  He should be asking them, not me, because the players and fans have slightly different interpretations. Check this out:

ESPN broke down reaction to Jeter's retirement from players that played with him:

"BERNIE WILLIAMS, former Yankees teammate

I'm so happy that Derek will get to go out on his terms -- and his way. He was as special a teammate as any player could ever have. I'm blessed to have played with him. Yankees fans and baseball fans all over the world will have a lot to celebrate this season. 

JORGE POSADA, former Yankees teammate

It was an honor and privilege to have Derek next to me for all those years. He made me a better player and a better person. I'm so proud of our friendship, and I love him like a brother. Derek was a true champion and the greatest teammate I ever had."

If a player like Jorge is telling the press that Jeter made him a "better player and a better person"... guess what, Jeter is a leader.

Look at what Albert Pujols told the Los Angeles Times:

Pujols on Jeter: "On and off field, he's the way you want your kids to grow up, Only Jesus is perfect, but he's pretty close to that guy."
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) February 13, 2014

Wow. Similar to a father like myself, but the Jesus reference is weird, yet, I get what he's trying to say. How about our BYB buddy Chris Dickerson:

All the best to Derek in his final season. He's been Nothing but class and I wish him health and much success this year.
— Chris Dickerson (@CDickerson_PFTP) February 12, 2014

Class.  That's leadership ladies and gentlemen... you show it on and off the field, people want to follow.

Mike Trout:

Grew up watching Jeter play. Always aspired to be the player he was on and off the field. #TheCaptain
— Mike Trout (@Trouty20) February 13, 2014

Being inspired by a player is leadership Sunshine...write that down.

And there were plenty of media reactions too, but I found this one unique, so I'm printing it here:

Rich Cimini of ESPN simply wrote this in a piece about the New York Jets:

"I'm not a Yankees fan, but how can you not respect Jeter? Every professional sports franchise longs to have a Jeter..."

Hmm. Respect.  Respect the team, it respects you. Respect the game, it respects you. Respect your teammates, they respect you and want to play hard with you... that's leadership.

Finally, I leave you with a Tweet about Jeter from Dodgers Dee Gordon:

Derek Jeter was a God. Who cares what anyone's opinion is.
— Dee Gordon (@FlashGJr) February 12, 2014

That's about right. It doesn't matter who the haters are.  It doesn't matter if you want to question if Jeter is a leader or not... he is.

Just ask the hundreds of players that played with him and against him. As the sea of #2 in Yankee stadium who come to watch him.  He represents leadership. That's why he was named Captain... he earned that... and you can't take that away from him, or us as Yankee fans, fathers, mothers or friends.

Salute the Captain, a true leader, whether you think he is or not pal.

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

SABATHIA & TEIXEIRA TO THE DODGERS? HELL NO

I don't normally like writing about what already didn't happen, meaning a story that came out today that suggested that the Yankees got a call from the Los Angeles Dodgers asking about the availability of CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira but then moved on to the Sox. Joel Sherman of the New York Post had that story, read HERE and it's a great piece today, but we already know the Dodgers have Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Nick Punto and Carl Crawford and what's done is done.

Sure, we can imagine what could have happened, but that doesn't do any good after the fact. Look, the Dodgers probably knew the answer from Yankee brass would be "No", but I guess if you are trying to steal a page from the Steinbrenner playbook (Read HERE), you make that call, who wouldn't I guess.

Sherman writes: "...what led to a phone conversation with the Yankees about Sabathia (four years at $99 million left after this season) and Teixeira (four years, $90 million left after this season). The Yanks told Dodgers executives they had no interest in moving either."

But this is the best part, and totally shatters my theory about the Yankees wanting Alex Rodriguez to be the all-time home run champion in pinstripes (WHY THERE'S A PLAN FOR ALEX RODRIGUEZ)...Sherman suggests that the Yankees could have tried to push ARod on them, check it out:

"However, the more interesting concept is Alex Rodriguez. Now there are no signs the Dodgers were interested in A-Rod. Ramirez is playing short now, but they view him as their long-term third baseman with the currently injured Dee Gordon at short. And it is not hard to find executives who think A-Rod would not hold up as an everyday third baseman in the DH-less NL.

But, if nothing else, this episode should dissuade us from using the word “untradeable” to describe any contract. In Crawford, for example, the Dodgers just took on a player who recently underwent Tommy John surgery and, thus, is no lock to be ready for next season. Crawford was miserable under a microscope in a big city in Boston. He will not play for the Dodgers this year and has five years at $102.5 million left after this season.

By comparison A-Rod has five years at $114 million left after this season, has a fading body and is a polarizing figure. Plus, he is six years older than Crawford.

Nevertheless, you could make a case for a Yankees-Dodgers winter deal involving A-Rod..."

Whatever the case, the Yankees are in a pennant race, they're not trading away the Monster and Tex, although it's flattering I guess if you're those guys. But I think ultimately the Yanks and CC and Teixeira genuinely like each other. Alex? Well, let's just say Sherman's right...there is a case for moving Alex.  Me personally? I know his contract is ridiculous and many can't stand him, but I like Alex in the Bronx...but I really REALLY want to see this guy hot in New York... and I feel like it's never going to happen.

Great piece Joel Sherman.

 Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. 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.