I HAVE PTSD WITH THESE GAMES AGAINST THE MARINERS

Source: The Seattle Times

Watching these last two games against the Mariners takes me back to the mid to late 1990s when Seattle used to beat up on the Yankees. That's when Tino Martinez played for the other side and used to pounce on us. Then there was Edgar Martinez,  Ken Griffey Jr. and who could forget "King" Felix Hernandez in the 2000s. Yeah, that team and this series against Seattle puts me right back there. For no reason, because we are better than this team. But the Clay Holmes debacle and the quiet offense on Tuesday night leaves no other choice. I have PTSD with these games against Seattle and it is quite frankly annoying.

I suppose The Seattle Times had it right when they reported, "Facing a team that had won seven straight games coming into the series and was seemingly on its way to eight straight, the Mariners were down to their final two outs in the top of the ninth inning against Yankees closer Clay Holmes. But an offense that looked listless to lifeless over the first eight innings found a way to score four runs off a pitcher that hadn’t allowed an earned run all season." 

That's Seattle and they have bested the Yankees so many times over the years. Is this an important series? Yes, they all are important. Because you can't get these games back. You can reflect. You can lament. But you can't get them back. And all of these games hold value. Especially when this year could be your year. And with the Mariners holding a 15-10 record on top of the AL West, you want to win these games.

"Yeah that one's on me," Holmes said. "I feel like I made some good pitches and definitely some balls found some holes, but I was ahead on a couple guys there, 0-2, 1-2, and put them on base which could've been big outs. It was one of those outings where I felt like my stuff was there, maybe trying to go for a little too much chase with a couple guys there. Some balls found some holes and it didn't go our way there," reported SNY after the Monday loss against the Mariners.

According to Fansided, the Mariners are "heating up" this May. Before heading to the Bronx, Seattle took a close one in Baltimore and picked off some games against the Royals. Then kept the Yankees bats quiet, particularly on Tuesday night after playing spoilers on Monday. 

People always asked me what I have against Seattle. Why won't I route for them when they aren't playing against the Yankees. I tell them what I tell you; Seattle hurt the Yankees in the 90s. That team was lethal. So yeah, I have PTSD when it comes to Seattle. And the last two nights have been a self-fulfilling prophecy. 

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

YANKEES CORONAVIRUS UPDATES & THE 2020 OPT OUT

This weekend was a hard one. This fourth of July holiday weekend looked a lot different than others. I keep reminding myself that it's not different just for us but for all players and every single team. The hope of baseball is now linked to consistent testing for Coronavirus and enhanced health and safety measures. Both of those we saw center stage over the weekend at Yankee stadium.

I'm really hoping for the best for Masahiro Tanaka. We've been so focused on Coronavirus, but the reality of getting hit by a comeback pitch is still as likely today as it was before Coronavirus and we were reminded of that. The same dangers surrounding baseball are still there...and now new ones. Reports say that Tanaka was showing concussion symptoms that have since subsided, thankfully but Tanaka will indeed go into concussion protocol. Definitely not the exciting news we were looking for as Spring Training 2.0 is now underway. Now we sit and wait and hope for good news.

In the meantime, as Tanaka recovers we get other results that hit close to home. As the Yankees completed their first round of Coronavirus tests of many to come....we hear that Luis Cessa and DJ LeMahieu have both tested positive, read more HERE. While Cessa was experiencing "mild symptoms" LeMahieu is asymptomatic, reminding us how scary this virus is. It's hard to fight and protect others from what you can't see. LeMahieu won't be the last, there will be more. So the next few weeks and months are going to be hard for baseball.

It is hard enough that some players have exercised their option to not participate in the 2020 season, and now that we have our first big names to opt out who will be next? Or who is on the fence?

David Price and Felix Hernandez are not playing this season. Price is a huge loss for the Dodgers who expected Price to be a good addition for another run at the World Series. No Yankees have opted out yet, but could that change?

Maybe but I hope not. Mike Trout is one of the biggest names in baseball, and he is considering not playing this season. He and his wife are expecting their first child soon, and is concerned with their health and safety. Yesterday Sean Doolittle and Buster Posey also said he has reservations about playing and will continue to evaluate and will opt out if they feel it is necessary, read more HERE.

These are unprecedented times for sure. We still want baseball to happen, perhaps now more than ever....but what if some of our favorites or big names in the game decide to sit this season out? If the big names don't play how does this affect the game? I know I am still going to watch no matter what, but it is definitely going to be a big change.

This season isn't going to be easy, but I think Aaron Boone is right....we are as hungry as ever. The Yankees will find a way to rise to the challenge, and baseball will find a way to persevere.

Keep your fingers crossed for Tanaka, LeMahieu and Cessa!

--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

LIVING THE DREAM!

Give credit where credit is due. Thairo Esrtada is a wonderful edition to the New York Yankees.  And if you haven't read it yet, make sure you check out this article from the New York Post about Thairo and last night's victory. Here's a portion:

"Estrada had a dream, to share a diamond one day with Hernandez. He just couldn’t imagine the first time would follow such an unbelievable script. The Yankees’ versatile rookie will never forget Monday night. 

His first start in The Bronx was a fairy tale come to life. Facing his famous countryman, Estrada blasted the first homer of his career and made a clutch defensive play at shortstop to key a 7-3 Yankees’ victory that had to make a lot of people back home very happy. All that was missing was radio announcer John Sterling giving him a personalized home run call. 

'It’s kind of like a dream, to face him and be able to connect there,' Estrada said..."

If you dream it, many times you can do it, and that's the lesson for many little leaguers out there that one day aim to be like Estrada, or Felix or Aaron Judge... or whomever.

I love stories like this and had to share it.  Yes, kids like Estrada are doing amazing things for the Yankees. A bunch of call-ups hungry to play and keep the team in the running while the top players recover.

The Yankees are in a bad spot with injury, but when stories and victories like this are mentioned... well... it just makes it all better.

Go Yanks! Go Thairo!

YES! TRADE PARTNERS FOR SONNY GRAY DO EXIST!

Photo: MLB.com

I really wish the Sonny Gray trade would've worked out for us. On paper, his performance with the Oakland A's looked like the Yankees were going to get the upgrade to the rotation that we really needed. It just didn't work out. Baseball is funny like that I guess. That's one of the things I love so much about this game....anything can happen.

Photo: NJ.com

So since "anything can happen" should the Yankees give it another shot or move on? I think it is time to move on, more importantly so does Brian Cashman but CC Sabathia does not, read that HERE. I still disagree, but that's one thing I have always loved about CC, he always sticks up for his team so it's no surprise that he is Sonny's biggest cheerleader right now.

Photo: MLB.com

Cashman has made his position pretty clear, he will look to move Sonny if there is a potential trade match out there and there might be. Yes, Sonny Gray has been terrible for us, but even as bad as he was I still think there is a team out there for him somewhere especially if his new home comes with a little less pressure. Maybe one of these are a good fit Cashman could check in with....

1. Milwaukee Brewers

Photos: Scott Paulus/Milwaukee Brewers

I think this move makes a ton of sense. Watching the postseason this year one thing stuck out about this team like bad teeth, the lack of starting pitching. They relied too much on relievers and had no trusted starters. Gray could be a low-risk depth move for them. Oh and the Brewers pitching coach Derek Johnson was Sonny's pitching coach when he was at Vanderbilt. If anyone can fix him, this man probably can.

2. Oakland A's

Photo: CBS Sports

Sonny's old team also stood out like bad teeth. A team is in dire straits when they go into a "one and done" playoff scenario and they have no trusted starter to pitch. The A's were a great offensive hitting team this year but the pitching became a problem when two of their trusted arms went on the disabled list. The A's know Sonny probably better than anyone. Maybe he could rebound again back on his old turf.

3. Chicago White Sox

Photo: AP

The White Sox have chased a lot of big names in recent years as they try to rebuild. The rebuild definitely stalled this year, but that still didn't stop them from chasing after Manny Machado at the trade deadline. Sonny could be another piece that they try to rebuild around and they also need rotation help. Oh and the White Sox also have one of my favorite pitching coaches, Don Cooper. I think the man is a genius and he has proven ability to fix struggling pitchers.

4. Seattle Mariners

Photo: WDEF

The Mariners have a lot of depth and some known names on their pitching staff but I would say a lot of them are unreliable. They've had too much instability in the rotating rotation. One of the game's best pitchers King Felix Hernandez has really fizzled over the last few years and the Mariners need some more stability. If Sonny rebounded it would give Seattle a good one-two pitching combo. They started off well this season, and faded along the way. If they want to compete in the AL West they need better pitching.

5. Houston Astros

Photo: Houston Chronicle

They may not seem like a match at first but the Astros could possibly lose both Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton to free agency. The Astros have internal options but they still need some more help especially if they want to push to get back in the postseason again. The Astros have a good core of young players but their pitching is a weakness, especially if they lose two of their best starters. They did have interest in Sonny at the 2017 trade deadline as well so they may be interested again.

6. Los Angeles Angels

Photo: USA Today Sports

It's mission "win now" for the Angels. They only have two seasons before Mike Trout becomes a free agent (if they don't lock him up long term....I WOULD!) The Angels are going to push hard to win before possibly losing Trout and to get there they NEED pitching. GM Billy Eppler and owner Arte Moreno have already said their number one priority this season will be pitching. They have a pretty good offense, but the pitching is the weakness.

I like Cashman's approach. He was open about trading Sonny because he knows there are opportunities out there. I think if he as worried he wouldn't have said anything. I want the best for Sonny. He's a good guy, just maybe not the right guy for the Yankees.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @Nyprincessj

TANAKA'S LAST STAND

Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

We all understand the challenges of commuting and even traveling to see family and friends during the holidays.  The traffic, the sinking feeling of having to drive or fly hundreds of miles just to see your family and logistics of navigating the time to do all of this can add stress to your body and mind. Perhaps that's one of the biggest reasons it is time for Masahiro Tanaka to seriously consider making a move to the West Coast for the final seasons of his career.

Source: Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images North America

With a no trade clause in his dwindling contract (he has only one year left), we could see Tanaka make that move out West sometime around the All Star Break.  "That is because his contract contains an opt-out clause following the 2017 season. It would follow then that the Yankees would attempt to trade him before that to at least get something in in return for losing him," according to Fox Sports.  

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

The article goes on further to say something even more intriguing, making Tanaka's last stand in 2017 even more obvious.  "The Yankees also will be making another sensible decision before they would even attempt to trade Tanaka. And that would be the level of impact on the standings at the time by trading away their best starting pitcher. Are they in the race, or not. And even if they are in the race, would it make practical sense to trade him anyway, getting a starter of equal or slightly lesser value in return. Tough choices, but they’re ones that the team is obligated to make."

Source: Getty Images

What if one of those tough choices included the Mariners and let's say King Felix?  The Seattle Times had an interesting article about Felix Hernandez at the end of October, which makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable with a straight up trade of Tanaka for Hernandez.  "At age 30, he has reached a transitional point in his career. The game is no longer as simple as he once made it look. His body has changed. The mileage on his arm has sapped his velocity. His signature delivery is not as easily repeated. His command wanders and disappears. His performances have become less predictable." Makes you think about another pitcher already on our roster who had a fat contract but his age and dwindling velocity caught up with him, along with his addiction to alcohol.

Source: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images North America

"With the Mariners’ window of optimal success shrinking to perhaps this season and next, Hernandez’s oft-mentioned desire to pitch in the postseason could hinge largely on his efforts in 2017. Will he be leaning on the dugout rail at the end of the season in lament, or jumping over it in celebration?"  With some shifts in his pitching like other aging veterans have made, King Felix could rise again, perhaps with a reboot to the Bronx donning Yankee pinstripes.  "It’s not a simple process. It takes a total commitment in all aspects — mental, physical and professional. The ones that can do that find their way to Cooperstown. The ones that can’t or won’t might remain generationally great, but never elevate to the all-time elite," reports the Times.

Source: Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images North America

This is just a vision of "Christmas Future" if you will.  They are just shadows of things that could happen, not necessarily destined to happen.  It will be interesting to see how things play out in the coming months but we could be talking trades like this one about six months from now, which means that Tanaka's last stand could be in full motion.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

DAVIDOFF "BETS HIGH" WHILE I CALL BLUFF

Just like Ken Davidoff, I can't help but wonder how our projected starting rotation is going to hold up. We all wanted to acquire that young, impressive starting pitcher this off season and it just didn't happen. It could still happen, but I'm not going to hold my breath. I'm also....not going to "bet high" with him on a high rollers table in Las Vegas. Here's why....

So every year there are always articles written about predicting who the Yankees "ace" will be. A lot of times I agree with them but not this year. No offense to Ken Davidoff, because he writes a lot of compelling articles and we have a lot of respect for him here at BYB, but I have to disagree with his latest article, HERE. I think in this case, it is like counting your chickens before they hatch.

So Davidoff thinks that Luis Severino is going to be the ace this year. I had to read that twice just to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding him. I like that he "buys high" and isn't afraid to make a bold statement. I just don't understand the logic behind it. I really like Severino. He came up last season and did what was asked of him. He contributed to the rotation, and he did well. He was a stabilizer, but he is in no way shape or form an "ace" yet.

Severino started in 11 games last year. It is hard for me to give the title of "ace" to someone who comes up mid season and will turn 22 in a few months. He doesn't have the experience yet. Sure the 62 innings and 2.89 ERA is impressive but that is not yet "ace" status. If he can build on that this year, and be consistent years from now then I can call him an "ace." When I think of an "ace" I am thinking of Clayton Kershaw, or a Felix Hernandez type so I would be careful with throwing around that title, because those guys have earned that. Don't cheapen it.

Honestly, as far as the order for the rest of his list, it didn't really surprise me. Sure, Masahiro Tanaka is going to be at the top of that list because we spent a ton of money on him and we put that expectation on him. We have been waiting for him to live up to that expectation....but we need more than 154 regular season innings and for him to stay healthy, which we have not seen.

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Nathan Eovaldi from the "bets high" theory here. He was the most consistent starter the Yankees had and with the improvements in his pitching mechanics he has made since becoming a Yankee he could finish even better than he 14-3 season last year if he can stay healthy.If he gets that splitter mastered he will be a dangerous weapon for the Yankees. I don't think we can dismiss someone who pitched the same amount of innings as Masahiro Tanaka and made some major improvements last season.

I have all of the faith in the world in Severino. I hate to think about what the rotation would have looked like if he wasn't called up, but to be an ace you need a body of consistent and successful work. Severino is a rookie. He is in the infancy stages of his major league career. He is still learning from the veterans. Let's see just if he can pick up where he left off first, OK? Otherwise, if you take that bet on a Vegas gambling table you may end up losing a lot of money.

   
--Jeana Bellezza, 
BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ 
 





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PIRELA AND MURPHY ... GONE!

Brian Cashman didn’t wait long to start making moves. There were two big announcements today – the Yankees traded John Ryan Murphy to the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Aaron Hicks and Jose Pirela to the San Diego Padres for right-handed pitching prospect Ronald Herrera. Both players were popular in the clubhouse and the fans, so you’re not alone if these don’t sit well with you.

Aaron Hicks is a 26-year old centerfielder with 3 years’ experience at the major league level. He holds a career batting average of .225. 2015 was his breakout year, where he got his average above .250, his OPS over .700, and got into almost 100 games. Note sarcasm. Seriously, though, he is a decent fielder with a career .995 fielding percentage and above average range. He looks like a solid late-inning defensive replacement. For which we traded the guy that Joe Girardi said would be part of a good catcher tandem with Brian McCann, just yesterday. Yeah.

On the other half of the story, in Ronald Herrera we get a 20-year old right-handed pitcher who has not seen major league action yet but has completed 4 years in the minors at various levels. He finished the season last year at the AA level San Antonio Missions with a 3-1 record, a 4.53 ERA, and a .1420 WHIP. Minor league pitchers sometimes have potential that coaches have to see while the kid is pitching, and maybe that’s the case here, but the numbers just don’t tell that story. Remember, we gave up a top 2B/OF prospect for him.

There is some thought being published out there that acquiring Hicks sets up a Brett Gardner trade. If that were the case, wouldn’t you want an everyday outfielder? Rumors kicked up earlier today about trade talks with the Mariners. Unless King Felix is in the mix, I don’t see how the Yankees end the day in the positive. I am trying to maintain some journalistic impartiality here, but it’s beyond me at the moment. These deals just suck.

Anyway, that’s the news. Carry on.

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row






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WITH YOUTH COMES SUCCESS

I've said several times over the course of the year that when it comes to age, the Yankees roster looked more like a beer league softball team than it did an AL East contender. While the Bombers still have some older vets coming to the end of their contracts over the next 12-24 months, the youth movement has begun, and it was been successful overall!

If we start with the present, the two big pieces that have added to the Yankees success since the non-waiver trade deadline are most definitely Greg Bird and Luis Severino. Bird continued his success last Sunday with a huge three run bomb to give the Yankees the lead in which they would not relinquish. Bird has mashed five home runs and 17 RBIs so far.

Bird has shown a professional approach at the plate, making the pitchers work and showing good discipline. He has struck out quite a few times, but that is relatively normal for young power hitters. He is still getting his feet wet at the big league level after all.

With Mark Teixeira sidelined, Bird has not only filled in well at the dish, but also in the field. His defense has been as good as expected, perhaps better, and as a guy coming in to replace Tex, that's probably the most important thing he could have done.

Instead of trading for a starter, GM Brian Cashman decided it was time to acquire an arm from within when he brought up top prospect Luis Severino in early August. Severino really couldn't have done any better thus far. Minus last night's appearance, Severino has produced five quality starts in six tries going 3-2 with a 2.04 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. In 35.1 innings Severino has allowed just 28 hits and 14 walks while striking out 34.

It seems like this kid could be the real deal we've been waiting for! Us Yankees fans have been waiting and waiting for this kid, or any top prospect, to come up and pitch well. When was it going to be our turn to produce a Felix Hernandez or Jose Fernandez type starter? It's still very, very, very early, but I like what could be in the making.

On top of these young men, the Yankees have also showcased a couple other talented prospects who have had an impact on the team. Slade Heathcott did very well in his short stint with the big club batting .353 with a double, a home run and three runs driven over six games. Rob Refsnyder made a brief cameo and excited some people. He struggled down the stretch for Scranton but got his cup of coffee this year as he prepares to bring the fight for a roster spot in 2016.

Bryan Mitchell has thrown respectively and also recovered quickly after the scary scene a couple weeks ago that caused a nasal fracture. Jacob Lindgren got his cup of coffee as well.  H didn't achieve the success he was hoping for but keep in mind he was less than 12 months removed from college baseball when he made his first appearance. Branden Pinder has done very well over 19 games, sporting a 2.70 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP as well.

On top of these real rookies, some young veterans have also stepped up. Dellin Betances has continued right where he left off in 2014. He has been ridiculous; 1.38 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 112 strikeouts in 71.2 innings.... Mic Drop.

Didi Gregorius has emerged as a legitimate shortstop with his offense improving immensely over the last few months and his defense becoming talked about league wide. He seems to make a terrific play daily look routine and has filled in for the Captain admirably at short. Even John Ryan Murphy is having a nice year for a backup catcher. His defense is always very good and it seems to me once a week or so he gets a big hit, whether it'd be to start a rally or drive in a couple guys. Other guys like Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Pineda and Mashahiro Tanaka, all relatively young and new to the organization, have been huge parts of the Yankees success so far.

I'm hoping this is just the beginning of things to come. With other prospects making their way up the minor league ranks (Aaron Judge, Eric Jagielo and Jorge Mateo to name a few), the organization has not been so deep in prospects in years. The Yankees need to produce another core group of players just like they did in the early 1990's to get the club rolling year in and year out.

I'm thinking we will look back at 2015 and 2016 as the years the Yankees started a new championship run with Greg Bird and Luis Severino leading the charge.


  
Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia

 


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