COULD GARDNER BECOME A RED SOCK?

Source: NJ.com

When I heard that the Yankees could move on from Brett Gardner over the last couple of weeks I got sick to my stomach. Brett Gardner is one of the hardest working players this game has ever seen. He's got grit, determination and he pushes himself harder than some of the best players today. He is loved by his teammates, the Yankee front office, other ball players and fans. And now, Gardner is closer to a contract than you think. 

Source: CBS Sports

“I love Brett Gardner,” Cashman said on ESPN radio in December. “He’s been everything you could ever want since he was drafted and he’s as tough as they come. He’s great in that clubhouse. I’d love to partner back.” But since that interview, the Yankees have not moved on Gardner. This week, Gardner stated that he intends on playing somewhere in 2021 but he would like to play where he has always played since coming up to the bigs back in 2008. And he deserves to be in pinstripes playing the outfield like he always has. But this game today is different. It is about money and power; there is money for some and nothing for others. 

Source: Sports Illustrated

Jon Lester asked his team, the Chicago Cubs, to allow him to finish his days pitching for them. But they said there was no money, so he signed as a free agent with the Washington Nationals. Then the Cubs "found" money for Jake Arrieta and signed him to a one-year contract. I scratch my head. The only thought I have is that there is simply no loyalty today and maybe there never was loyalty, but only the appearance of it. 

Source: AP Photo/Matt Slocum

As far as Gardner, it is hard to say if there is loyalty on behalf of the Yankees for him. "NJ Advance Media reported on Feb. 10 that Gardner and the Yankees hadn’t had contract talks since mid-December when agent Joe Bick was told by Cashman that the organization first had to work out more pressing issues such as re-signing reigning batting champ DJ LeMahieu and remaking a rotation that had three veterans on the free agent market. All of that was accomplished last month," reported the NJ.com. 

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Earlier Saturday, the Yankees signed Jay Bruce to a minor league contract. Bruce is a pure hitter who also happens to play the outfield. Could this be a barrier for the Gardner signing? I would hope not. I would hate to see Gardner play for anyone else but the Yankees. And the recent movements in the Red Sox organization saw outfielder Andrew Benintendi sign with the Kansas City Royals and Jackie Bradley Jr. status with the Sox uncertain. Will Gardner get an offer to play for the Sox? Oh God, I hope not! 

Source: MLB Trade Rumors

This week we should learn the fate of our devoted and loyal outfielder, Brett Gardner. "According to spotrac.com, the Yankees are about $10.2 million under this year’s $210 million luxury-tax threshold, and it’s believed that managing partner Hal Steinbrenner wants to stay under due to about $250 million in losses during the pandemic-shortened, no-fans 2020 season.," reported NJ.com. If Gardner signs it will likely be for a moderate salary. Let's hope the Yankees and Gardy can agree to a contract and we see him back donning number 11 in the Bronx. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

 

DALLAS KEUCHEL HAS MANY SUITORS, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE YANKEES?

All winter I have been watching Dallas Keuchel and waiting to see what kind of deal he gets. While others are on Manny Machado watch...I'm over it. Actually, I don't think I was ever really in it. I'm all about the pitching. I was hoping Santa was going to bring me another starting pitcher for Christmas and not necessarily Keuchel. Maybe I wasn't good enough. Or maybe the Yankees just don't think any other pitchers are good enough.

Who knows. The only thing I do know at this point is that Keuchel is still available, and someone should snatch him up soon, or eventually. Once Keuchel realizes that he isn't the 5-year / $100 million dollar deal he is hoping to get and more likely to get a deal similar to what Jake Arrieta got last year.

Keuchel has interest from "at least" eight teams, read more HERE, none of those teams were ever rumored to be the Yankees. I've never been interested in giving Keuchel a five-year deal. I just don't think he is worth that kind of commitment, especially not after signing J.A. Happ at a max of three years. But why not Keuchel at three years or even an option for a fourth if needed? I'm sure teams would be comfortable with three to four, but not five.

On paper the Yankees have five starters, but you can never have too much pitching. Maybe I am still thinking about this because I am not completely sold on the rotation. I like the addition of James Paxton, but aside from that the Yankees have the same rotation. Hopefully that's enough to make the Yankees successful again in 2019.

Keuchel is an attractive option for teams because he is an accomplished pitcher. He was the 2015 AL Cy Young winner, 2017 World Series Champion and a good ground ball pitcher. As attractive as that looks, he's also pretty inconsistent.  He's not the same pitcher from 2015 when he won 20 games. Last season he went 12-11 in 34 starts and had several occasions where he had issues pitching out of the first inning. He hasn't been the same pitcher since 2015, that guy would be worth a five-year deal if he maintained those numbers the last three seasons, but this Keuchel is not worth five years. If I were an interested team, I would be leery also.

It will be interesting to see what kind of deal Keuchel will get. I think he's risky and he's asking for too much, but would you expect anything less with a Scott Boras client?

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

SEVY IS LIGHTS OUT IN PHILLY!

Source: Associated Press

Luis Severino is a stud, and quite frankly the most versatile, most athletic and convincingly one of the best pitchers, if not the best pitcher in baseball right now.  Now, Phillies' fans could just be bitter, but when I engaged one in Citizens Bank Park regarding Sevy's powerful performance on the hill, all I got was, "Yea, well he's not Clayton Kershaw (1-4), Justin Verlander (9-3) or Corey Kluber (11-3)." I said, "No one is doing what he is doing right now, despite their record. He's got more punch, more life than any of those guys." Not to mention that Sevy was lights out in Philly as he picked up his 12th win (12-2) in a 6-0 shutout lowering his ERA for the season to 2.08.

 Source: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America

As Philly manager Gabe Kapler suggested, Severino was "as dirty as you could possibly be." "A lot of our guys were talking about the life on the fastball and difficult to catch up to," said Kapler of Severino's 100-mph heater. "We knew it was going to be on top of them, but it just had a little extra life today. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the other pitcher," reported NJ.com.

 Source: Hunter Martin/Getty Images North America

No place I would rather be than at the game last night to see Sevy take down the Phils one by one.  The night was set to be a pitcher's duel but Jake Arrietta just didn't have anything against Aaron Hicks and Didi Gregorius, who each launched a dinger, making my night complete and Arrietta's very short.

 Source: Hunter Martin/Getty Images North America

"Severino easily outpitched Arrieta, the NL Cy Young award winner in 2015 with the Cubs. In five innings, Arrieta allowed six runs (three earned) and five hits. He is 5-6 and looking like a bad $75 million free-agent investment by the Phillies," reported the NY Post.

Source: Jim Rogash/Getty Images North America

With one more game in Philadelphia tonight, the Yankees take a breather on Thursday as the Red Sox roll into town for a three-day stint against the Bombers at home.  The heat is on in the AL East as the Sox and Yankees could both be vying for another arm, potentially the same arm, in their respective rotations.

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

"Problem is, he (Red Sox GM) doesn't have much left in the cupboard to swap for an arm, unlike Cashman, who has a well-stocked minor league system. So if the Yankees make a run at Toronto Blue Jays lefty J.A. Happ or Texas Rangers southpaw Cole Hamels, they should have an advantage over the Red Sox," reported NJ.com.  The Yankees will stack their advantage against the Sox with CC Sabathia, Sonny Gray and top off the series with Sevy on Sunday Night Baseball.  Oh it's a great to be a Yankee fan especially when you have Sevy shining at the top of your rotation.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

ARRIETA GOES TO PHILLY!

Photo: Getty Images

It was the coolest, "under the radar" signing of the off-season.  Jake Arrieta, clearly tired of waiting for the Cubs to sign him... went rogue... and signed with Philadelphia.  Atta boy!

News became official when we all saw his Tweet...

It’s time pic.twitter.com/od02dfb3yx

— Jake Arrieta (@JArrieta34) March 12, 2018

Loved this!  The Chicago Sun-Times has more...

"Arrieta was one of the most coveted players on the MLB free agent market this summer, but needed to wait until mid-March to secure a contract. He settled for a deal with the Phillies that includes an opt out clause after the 2019 season but could ultimately be worth as much as $135 million over five years if he stays the whole time..."

Photo: Getty Images

The Cubs did the right thing, thanking him for all he's done.  They even thanked Jake's wife who was equally helpful and supportive with the organization for the Cubs community.  No hard feelings and I like that a lot.

So there you have it.  The Phillies land a big fish officially today.  Gotta love baseball.

ALEX COBB? LET'S GET BACK EOVALDI

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

It was so nice to tune into Yankee baseball on Sunday afternoon on YES.  It really was.  And as I listened to Michael Kay and Paul O'Neill talk about the recovery of former Yankee now Tampa Bay Ray Nathan Eovaldi after his second Tommy John surgery, I thought to myself as he threw 99 mph, I wish we had him back.

Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America

"Without a deal in sight with the Yankees, Eovaldi instead took a one-year, $2-million contract from the Rays, who also hold a second-year $2-million option," reported NJ.com after the Yankees cut Eovaldi before the 2017 season.  Nasty Nate however has come back in 2018 throwing hard and could be a real nuisance for the Yankees who will play the Division rival Rays multiple times this season.

Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America

"Eovaldi's average fastball velocity of 97 mph was the second highest in the majors out of pitchers who threw at least 100 innings in 2016. Only the Mets' Noah Syndergaard (97.9 mph) threw harder on average," reported NJ.com.

Source: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America

As we posted yesterday in our piece ALEX COBB IS VERY POSSIBLE, the Yankees remain connected to Rays 30-year-old right hander Alex Cobb.  "Since debuting in 2011, Cobb owns a 3.50 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 111 ERA+. That work has come across 700 career innings and 115 starts. The veteran missed all of 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery," reported NJ.com.  In contrast, Nathan Eovaldi, has a 4.21 ERA with 739 innings pitched and 134 starts.  Both pitchers came up in 2011, but Eovaldi is two years younger.

Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America

Do I think Cobb is a better pitcher, maybe?  Does Eovaldi have a chance of redeeming himself and even outdoing his 2015 career best 14 wins and 3 losses?  No, not with the Rays, but with the Yankees, yes.  Either pitcher would perform well alongside an offense like the Yankees have this season.  We just need to sign one more pitcher.  With only three weeks until opening day and Cobb, Jake Arrieta and Lance Lynn expected to be signed before the end of spring training, it will be interesting to see who adds these pitchers to their staffs.  As for Eovaldi, he could prove to be lethal to hitters if he can control his fastball and stay healthy.  Welcome back, Nate, don't hurt us too much.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

TANAKA'S SMARTEST DECISION

Oct. 13, 2017 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

It's a damn good thing that Masahiro Tanaka didn't opt out of his contract at the end of last season. Right now, his decision has really paid off because unlike several other pitchers on the market he has a job and damn good paying one too.

Sept. 3, 2017 - Source: Justin Berl/Getty Images North America

I wonder if he thinks much about that. Seriously, three years and $67 million in guaranteed money is a lot more than what he would likely get on the open market. This off season has sucked and I am sure Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish wouldn't disagree with that right now. Here we are less than a week until pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training and they don't have a job. When these guys do get a job it won't be anywhere near what they were hoping to get.

As much as Tanaka will be happy to keep his check for another three years it sounds like he has become pretty attached to the team and he's ready to pick up where he left off. In a story with the New York Post he's ready to get back to the Postseason and get past the ALCS this time.

Photo: Getty Images

Considering how strange this off season has been it is no wonder why we now go back to the question "Are MLB Players overpaid?" as MLB Trade Tumors dug deeper into that question. Players contracts get pricier as do the tickets and food we buy at the game. It's grown into a frenzy that people have a lot to opinions on. Someone even told me today that they don't like watching the game anymore. It's not the same for them anymore. It's all about money for the players, not the game in its purist form and the strategy. Players don't have pride like they used to.

Oct. 10, 2017 - Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America

But maybe Tanaka is the exception now. He didn't know this off season was going to be a snoozer. Opting out of contracts these days is a "normal" thing for a player and he could've done that. He didn't though and he is still here. He WANTS to be here.

“I’ve been with the organization four years,” Tanaka said through his interpreter. “We went into battle with these guys. Last year, especially, went where we wanted to go. My thought was, ‘I want to go out and battle with these guys again and try to get where we really want to get. That was my thought process about returning to the Yankees.”

Photo: Getty Images

Tanaka had a rather inconsistent season. The ERA was up and so were the home runs. In 2016 he gave up 22 home runs, this past season that went up to 35. He battled through it and got himself back on track at the end of the season and in the postseason. That was the guy we knew he could be and I think is motivated to get back there.

I like where Tanaka's head is at right now. He seems determined and ready to get back to winning with new faces of Aaron Boone calling the shots and Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield. It's going to be a good season, hell I think a great season.

So at least for right now it's not all about the money. It's all about Tanaka and a World Series Ring. It's sounds like Tanaka is ready.....and so are we.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

PLAYERS ARE THREATENING A STRIKE....BUT IS IT REAL?

I don't know what to think. On Sunday social media was blowing up with a ton of conflicting reports. Some sources say yes and others say no and tries to refute the other statements. It's just nuts. Whether reports of a strike are true or not something is going on.

We've all heard the frustration on the lack of the free-agent movement. Fans are frustrated and now it sounds like the players are finally speaking out also. According to an initial report by MLB Trade Rumors and also Newsday there's a cold war going on between players, owners and agents.

After two decades of peace could we really be talking about another strike? This offseason has been incredibly slow but are tensions really so high that words like "collusion" and "strike" be a reality?

Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The combination of more than 100 free agents still available as well as the top contract given so far to Lorenzo Cain at five years and $8 million dollars certainly doesn't paint a nice picture. So maybe that is why agents are hinting at collusion without actually using the word.

But how can players think that MLB teams are colluding against them? The game is in an unusual state with at least half of all teams not chasing free agents like they usually do. A lot of teams are rebuilding. Some are in the beginning stages like Derek Jeter's Marlins who have obliterated the team and others like the Braves are looking to be competitive again.

Then there are other teams like the Giants who made big additions to their team after finishing dead last in their division but made their upgrades by trading for Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria.

Then there are teams who are more interested in ever than managing their money like the Yankees who are determined to get under the luxury tax this season and there are other teams who just don't have the money to spend, so they are waiting for the price tag for these players to fall. There are contracts out there to sign, just not the ones these free agents want to sign. The market just isn't what they like, but it's not collusion.

So now players supposedly want to strike? Jeff Passan had an interesting article yesterday too.  There are guys out there who HAVE contracts right now making noise about this. He sited Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who calls for a "radical change" and "a fight is brewing" but yet we have yet to hear statements like this from guys like Jake Arrieta, who are still unsigned.

Photo: Chicago Tribune

And then we have the no-name complainers, “The owners have to realize they’re about to jeopardize an unbelievably good thing,” said a source on the players’ side. “If they don’t recognize it, they don’t see where this is going. Everybody’s going to be in unison. And we’re all going to walk right off the cliff together.” Is a fight really brewing though? According to a update late Sunday afternoon now some beat writers are saying NO.

So which is it? Are these guys really making legitimate calls for a strike.....or are they making idle threats? I don't see how this could possibly be advantageous for the players. The MLBPA has already warned players that an unorganized strike would violate the current CBA and lead to the league filing an injunction against them and then players would then have to return to work, and it’s also possible they’d have to pay damages. Union lawyers have warned them of those consequences also, so it sounds like if the players are looking for a war....it's an uphill battle with a bleak outcome.

Does the market suck? Yes, but teams aren't spending money like they were before. Next year, this will all be a thing of the past as teams try to outbid everyone else for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.

It's two weeks until pitchers and catchers report.....lets put an end to the cold war and the madness and get back to business, shall we?

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

PREDICTION TIME! WHERE ARE THESE GUYS GOING?

Photo: Getty Images

It's two weeks until Spring Training starts! Two weeks....and the biggest names are STILL sitting on the market. This off season has been ridiculously boring. So instead of searching for new rumor that don't exist or rehashing the same David Robertson trade story and trying to put a new twist on it let's play a game. Where are the big names going?

Photo: Getty Images

1) Jake Arrieta - ???
I could see two possibilities here. If you ask my fiance who definitely has a good following on the baseball world in general he will tell you Arrieta is going to be a Brewer. It's a possibility, the Brewers are rumored to have made an offer but I also wouldn't count out the Phillies at this point. It's crazy to think that the Phillies are one of the top spending teams this off season. It's true! The Phillies are making that transition from rebuilding to contending. They aren't there yet but will be soon and you can't ignore the connection between the two. Phillies outfielder Nick Williams has been a workout buddy with Arrieta over the winter and it sounds like he's been trying to sway him to Philly according to reports like THIS ONE. Is it true? Who knows, but since the Phillies are spending money I wouldn't count them out.

So much for Boras and his huge BINDER he sent to every team with a sales pitch for a $200 million dollar deal. LOL!

Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)

2) J.D. Martinez - Red Sox
The Red Sox have been far too quiet this season. Let's face it after the Yankees got Giancarlo Stanton there has been no response. They always have to make their own splashy move and it hasn't happened yet. I can't see them waiting until the trade deadline. The Red Sox need some more pop in their lineup. Of course, if they don't get him I am perfectly fine with that....really.

Source: Ron Schwane/Getty Images North America

3) Mike Moustakas - Kansas City?
This is a hard one. He's the best left-side infielder available in this years free agent market but his market has been pretty dry. Just thinking from a business standpoint it might be in Kansas City's best interest to sign him after they let one of their other big names Lorenzo Cain leave in free agency. The Royals are only a few years removed from a World Series Championship and may need that familiar face to keep fans more motivated as they continue to rebuild.

Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America

4) Yu Darvish - Cubs?
So the Phillies, Brewers, Twins, Yankees and Cubs are all considered to be serious suitors for Darvish. I would love to sign him, especially if we could get him at a discount now that the market is dropping faster as Spring Training gets closer....but I am not going to hold my breath. According to Jerry Crasnick HERE, the Cubs are considered to be favorites. I tend not to put so much weight on that because look at what happened with Shohei Ohtani. We were the favorites and yet we didn't make it out of the first round. Who knows. All of these teams make sense but the Cubs do have the need to sign a starter, the money to do it and the desire to get back to the World Series again. I wouldn't count them out.

And just for fun...

Source: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images North America

5) J.T. Realmuto - Nationals?
Yes, he's not a free agent BUT he is the last big name standing in Derek Jeter's gut job in Miami. Everyone else is gone! The Nationals are interested and should be. With one last push to win a World Series before Bryce Harper likely leaves in free agency they want more reinforcements to help their cause. Matt Wieters is still a starting catcher but he had a down year last season and adding a young 26 year old catcher under team control through 2021 who had a good season last year seems like a no-brainer. Jeter is going to ship him off somewhere soon. Washington seems to make a lot of sense.

No news means game time. Hopefully some of these guys sign soon because I am beyond restless!

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj