OUTFIELDER BRYAN REYNOLDS STILL ON THE YANKEES RADAR

Yes the Yankees are linked to Juan Soto and Andrew Benintendi. Yes the Yankees have talked about David Peralta and Ian Happ too. But Bryan Reynolds has been a guy that's been on the Yankees radar for a while.  And while all those other options are good, the trade value for them could be bigger than for a guy like Reynolds. Whatever the case, this tid-bit is interesting.

Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"The Yankees (along with the Miami Marlins) have "not stopped calling" about Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Bryan Reynolds...

the 27-year-old hasn't exactly looked like the All-Star that played in 159 games and earned MVP votes a year ago. The center fielder, who recently returned from a right oblique strain, is slashing .257/.339/.459 with 15 homers and 1.4 fWAR across 84 games played...

Reynolds is a young player with a solid track record and three more years of team control after this season. It might not require the type of package a Soto trade would command, but Reynolds is still a valuable piece that Pittsburgh won't move unless they get what they're looking for."

Look... Matt Carpenter is shining in the Bronx right now.  A guy like Reynolds could do the same. If the Yankees can flip Gallo to another team by the deadline, Reynolds would be a nice fit and probably more productive than Gallo down the stretch. 

We will see what happens, but this is interesting to say the least.

WHY AARON JUDGE SHOULD BE THE YANKEES CENTER FIELDER

Source: Robert Sabo/NY Post

I guess I am going to answer the question I pose in this headline: Why not? Aaron Judge is likely the best all-around athlete on this team—he can run, throw, hit and catch. I mean I guess that is fundamental to playing baseball, but Judge does it in a superior way. And having him tackle more territory in the outfield just means we can win more ball games in my mind. So why shouldn't Aaron Judge be the starting center fielder? To me that should not even be question.

"Starting a sixth straight game in center field on Friday night, Judge saved at least one run with a diving catch on an Ian Happ line drive in the gap to end the third inning in what became a 2-1, 13-inning win over the Cubs in The Bronx," reported The New York Post.

Yankee Skipper Aaron Boone says, having Judge play center gives the team more flexibility. Sure. That is a good reason to keep him there, but really it is his range and ability to track balls and put the Yankees in much better position defensively.

“We’ll see,” Boone said. “He’s certainly done a great job out there for us. So just kind of day-by-day, week-by-week and whatever makes the most sense. The roster has some ebbs and flows to it, with an injury here and there. I love the flexibility it certainly gives us,” reported The Post.

If you ask John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman, Aaron Judge is the team's anointed center fielder. It makes the best sense because now you can have Giancarlo Stanton play right, or Joey Gallo who feels more comfortable in right field, play there and move Aaron Hicks to left. Hicks not only has struggled at the plate, but he also plays a very lazy center field, not giving us the advantage that Judge gives with his hustle and range.

Judge served as the designated hitter on Saturday evening against the Chicago Cubs. However, this season Judge started in center 13 times out the of the Yankees 44 games this season and 11 times in the last 14 games. It is fair to say that experiment is working, so why not rip the bandaid off and let Judge move his chambers to center? 

Source: New York Daily News

I am hopeful we get there, but you know Boone with his this guy needs a rest day even though he's the hottest hitter in baseball mentality.  It has to evolve. And Judge in center is certainly evolving. Why should Aaron Judge be the Yankees center fielder? Because he makes it look easy and brings so much more value holistically to his team at the anchor of the outfield. So, when Boone wakes up and realizes this, it will happen. 

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

A GREAT NEW TOPPS CARDS ADDITION!

Hey gang,

As you know, we promised to share some of the great Topps Cards offers for all of our Bleeding Yankee Blue audience this season. It's exciting. After all, I have been collecting cards since I was a kid. 

I even wrote a story about Topps a while back when Topps Founder, Sy Berger passed away.  Read BECAUSE OF SY BERGER & TOPPS, I'LL ALWAYS BE A KID.

Anyway, I wanted to share the latest from Topps.  Check it out:

"Cubs rookie Ian Happ is the 2017 Bowman Baseball Lucky Autograph Redemption.

In 20 games with the Cubs, Happ has four home runs, giving Chicago versatility in the outfield and infield. In Sunday’s game, Happ hit two home runs out of the leadoff spot, becoming the youngest Cubs leadoff hitter to do so since 1958.

The 22-year-old is ranked No. 21 by MLB Pipeline, no. 55 by Baseball America, and the second-ranked prospect in Chicago’s system.

Pick up packs of 2017 Bowman Baseball to find your Lucky Autograph Redemption. "

Enjoy this! Man, I love Topps Cards!