RYAN LAMARRE IS NEWEST YANKEE HERO

When the Yankees start to groove, they groove. And when stale, high paid athletes can't get it done, sometimes you need a spark to get it all going. A few weeks ago I said that about .200 hitting (minor leaguer) Derek Dietrich and how I was annoyed that the Yankees were letting him go to the Nationals. He was a perfect example of that "spark". No, his average doesn't say anything... but his energy did. And sometimes? Sometimes that's all you need to get a team going.

Tim Locastro was another great example. Not the best player, but a former D3 kid that made it to the majors... and the willingness and energy to make things happen.  He helped the Yanks during his short stint before his injury... an injury he went the extra mile more. It was worth it... and he'll be back.

Now you got a guy like Greg Allen. Fast and fun to watch. No one knows this guy... he's not getting 10 years and $340 million. He's just happy to be out there and play a kid's game in a Yankee uniform... and it's working. Energy high... wins start to happen.

Enter Ryan LaMarre, the latest Yankee hero. A nobody journeyman who just became a fan's favorite player. Why? Here's why...

"The Yankees made some questionable pitching decisions, the Phillies played bad defense, but at the end, the Yankees won 6-5 in extras, thanks to Clutch Hitter Ryan LaMarre’s walk-off single...

With Sánchez at second, Gleyber Torres laid down a sac bunt, and Ryan LaMarre came in to pinch hit."

That was SB Nation. And so I ask you... how can you not be romantic about baseball?

The Yankees have won 4 in a row. That's a winning streak folks. Let's keep going!

Never... NEVER give up on the underdog.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS CLOSE TO A DEAL WITH DIETRICH

It's a shame the Yankees didn't give this guy a shot, but no worries... the Nationals will.

Fansided writes:

"The Washington Nationals are closing in on a deal with free agent outfielder Derek Dietrich.

After opting out of his contract with the New York Yankees earlier this week, Derek Dietrich, 31, has found a home with the Washington Nationals.

It is unclear at this time if the deal is a minor league or major league contract.

What is clear is the Nationals have a need for a left-handed bat in the outfield after the hamstring injury to Kyle Schwarber.

Derek Dietrich gives the Nationals versatility in the field, pop at the plate..."

And with all the lack of offense, he would have helped out the Yankees on occasion. I understand people don't get it. In fact, this is my favorite comment... from of course Unknown:

Here's the thing Unknown... average and the Mendoza line doesn't mean shit if he can come up, work some walks, crack a few doubles once in a while and help get men on base. That's what the Yankees don't have! At the time I wrote that, the Yankees were losing alot and a call up of Dietrich wouldn't have hurt ANYTHING. All it would have done would be an experiment.    

But none of that matters now. It looks like Dietrich is on the move. I hope he does his job in Washington. That would make me happy.

Opportunity? It brings action.  Mark. My. Words.

YANKS BLEW IT WITH DEREK DIETRICH!

You want some energy and a true sparkplug for a team? You find a place to put Derek Dietrich in the line up. That's the bottom line. When the Yankees signed him it was obvious to me they wanted to bring in some scrappiness, some ego and a guy that deeply beleives in "team". And then... they put him in the minor leagues and they let him rot.  Well... they lose. What else is new?

MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"Derek Dietrich is opting out of his current contract with the Yankees and electing to head back to free agency, per Robert Murray of FanSided.

The 31-year-old infielder has not been called up to the Majors, so he will look for an opportunity to do so elsewhere. With the Triple-A RailRiders this season, Dietrich slashed a typically Dietrichian .215/.413/.393 with four doubles and five home runs in 143 plate appearances. Dietrich split his time between first, second, and third. He has also appeared in the outfield corners, but not since 2019 with the Reds."

A dude that would do anything you asked him to to help the team win, and the Yankees disregard it. Whatever man. You know what's gonna happen. Dietrich will get picked up somewhere else and shine because of opportunity. Opportunity that the Yankees are currently wasting on stale MLB players with no drive... because of their manager... loser Aaron Boone.

I'm so fed up with this team.

MANY THINK RELEASING DIETRICH IS PART OF A BIGGER YANKEE PLAN

When I read that the Yankees released Derek Dietrich yesterday, I was pissed.  I'm a big Dietrich guy. He brings energy and production to a team that could always use that.  Here's the tweet from the Yankees yesterday...

But then is was Greedy Pinstripes with some words of wisdom:

Look, a .111 average with one home run in the spring is hardly fire. In fact, it's horrible. But we all know what Dietrich is capable of.  Now some would argue that if you don't put up the numbers, you get cut and that's just business, and I get that... but Dietrich is a sparkplug. We need this guy. Let's hope Greedy Pinstripes is right.

DEMOTIONS & REWARD FOR THE NEW YORK YANKEES

A lot of stuff going on in Yankeeland.  First off how are we all not talking about how Aaron Boone got a pacemaker and a week later he's managing the Yankees again? I mean that's pretty incredible! The dude's a savage, no question. But more to that, the Yankees are looking so good, I love every minute of it! It's gonna be a great season. I cannot wait for it to start.

The addition of Derek Dietrich in my opinion might be the best part of this whole offseason. He brings talent and energy to this team!  I've also become a huge fan of Gio Urshela and am expecting great things.  But there were guys that needed to be demoted to make room for all this incredible talent, and sadly, some of these guys, we love, but there's just no room.

CBS Sports talks about Mike Ford:

"Ford was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Ford struggled in the majors last year but worked with the major-league coaching staff this spring. He went 3-for-19 with a double, two RBI, one walk and three strikeouts over nine spring games this year but will now prepare for the minor-league season."

And Ford wasn't the only one. Newsbreak... and many other outlets have this:

"...infielder Thairo Estrada, and relievers Albert Abreu and Brooks Kriske were all optioned to Triple-A Scranton."

But in the meantime, reward for guys like Aaron Hicks. Boone has tapped him the number 3 hitter for the team, and I love that. 

Empire Sports Media:

"As a result, and by virtue of his excellent power and patience combo, the Yankees love what Hicks brings to the table as a number three hitter.

...Boone has recently said that he sees Hicks as his third hitter for the 2021 season. He shows a tremendous amount of confidence in the versatile outfielder and believes he is among the best hitters in Yankees’ loaded roster."

The Yanks are making their adjustments, and I am loving every minute of it. I cannot wait for opening day!

Bring it!

HOW ABOUT GIO URSHELA AT SHORT?

Source: Forbes

I have not hidden the fact that I love Gio Urshela. He plays with such passion and persistence. His moves on the hot corner are just that...HOT! He makes magic happen at third base and you know what? He can bring that same magic to shortstop in 2021.

"One interesting hypothetical that arose from watching Urshela's three-inning appearance is whether or not the 29-year-old can play shortstop. With the way the race for the final few roster spots is shaking up this spring, versatility from Urshela to swap over could be a resource for manager Aaron Boone when starting shortstop Gleyber Torres needs a day off," reported SI.com. 

Source: Twitter

Urshela made his spring training debut against the Phillies on Thursday. Recall that the Yankee third baseman underwent elbow surgery in the off season, so the Yankees will be keeping a close eye on Urshela. "I can play shortstop. With shifting a lot, I feel comfortable there," he said. "I can play there," reported SI.com. 

Just because he is comfortable doesn't necessarily mean he will the Yankees starting shortstop but it certainly doesn't rule it out. If Urshela assumes the shortstop position, it opens up a whole different strategy both offensively and defensively for the Yankees. 

"Knowing Urshela is an option there would open the door for a player like Derek Dietrich to make the club, providing a lefty power bat to the bench that can play every other position in the infield. Same goes for Miguel Andújar or invitee Jay Bruce who can play first base and the corner outfield positions," reports SI.com. Not to mention that Tyler Wade, who keeps himself relevant because of his speed and defense, could draw the short straw if Urshela makes his niche as a middle infielder. 

Source: The New York Post

Regardless, it is an interesting nugget, this discussion of Urshela at shortstop. In some ways it makes perfect sense, given his surgery, it shortens the throw to first for instance. Honestly, I have not been impressed with Torres at short. He does not seem to have the agility or finesse that Urshela brings to his defense. Could this be the answer or an alternative from time to time? It is certainly an option and only adds more to the arsenal that the Yankees bring in 2021. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

DIETRICH & BRUCE ARE THE GAME CHANGERS!

Derek Dietrich will fit in nicely as a New York Yankee. He has the energy and he has the talent.  And he's not the only one that fits. Jay Bruce looks good right now.  Oh happy day.  That means one thing... some concern for what happens next with Mike Tauchman... a guy that's given the Yankees everything, but of course, new flavors and new energy sometimes take the forefront. Yes... it's only spring training, but things look really good, especially for a guy like Dietrich who I am personally rooting for!

NJ.com writes:

"Both Bruce and Dietrich have a ton of left-handed power and both have impressed during the first week of Grapefruit League play.

Here are the very small sample size of numbers for all three contenders through Friday:

Bruce: 3-for-4 with a double in two games.

Dietrich: 1-for-3 with a homer in two games.

Tauchman: 2-for-7 with a homer and two errors in three games.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman already feels that Bruce and Dietrich are making early roster pushes.

“They were brought in to get a legitimate shot to try to find a way to make this roster, and it’s a strong roster,” Cashman said on Friday."

Look, it's early and anything can happen, but stuff like this is what true competition is made of. Bring it!

THE PASSIONATE DIETRICH COULD BRING THE YANKEES TO ANOTHER LEVEL

Derek Dietrich is a hot head, wacky, an ego maniac, a gamer, underrated and the dude knows how to freaking hit. The end. 

I'm psyched about this guy coming to New York. I do wonder however if he can handle the structure of what a New York Yankee organization is like.  Anyway, MLB writes this:

"Dietrich, an eight-year veteran, could push first baseman Mike Ford, outfielder and first baseman Jay Bruce and others for a job. Ford is on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. Bruce is not.

Dietrich, a lefty slugger, hit just .197 in 25 games with the Rangers but also slugged five homers and had a .806 OPS in 2020. He hit just .187 in 113 games withe Reds in 2019, but also had a respectable .790 OPS. His last big season came in 2018, when he hit .265 with 16 bombs and 45 RBI with the Marlins."

It will be interesting in what happens to Ford and Bruce if Dietrich does in fact wow everyone with his minor league deal and the invite to spring training.  One thing I do know however is the Yankees are doing their best to find solid guys like Derek.

Watch this video.

Welcome Dietrich... time to get after it!

LOSING FROM AHEAD

We shouldn't have lost that game to the Marlins last night.  No way. Masahiro Tanaka once again pitched a gem, and the Yankee bats just could NOT get on the board.  Sure, it happens, but you can't let it happen when your ace is on the mound.  It kind of sucked.

Tanaka went 7 innings, giving up 9 hits and only 2 runs. With our lineup? We should have demolished Tom Koehler.  For some reason, we could not. Koehler was Cy Young apparently.  Over all, our offense left 5 on base.  The only run, was a solo shot from Mark Teixeira in the second.  God bless him, Tex is rolling, but over all the Yankees were flat last night.

With the score tied 1-1... Derek Dietrich knocked out his own solo shot in the 7th, putting the Marlins ahead for good.

We're better than the Marlins.  We just didn't play like it last night.

Oh and if you're wondering... Gardner 0-4, Headley 0-4, Jones 0-3, Drew 0-3, Williams 0-3.
At least McCann was 0-2 with 2 walks.

My goodness.

Final: Marlins 2 - Yankees 1

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