IT'S MORE SUNNY WITH SONNY: MY TAKE

Photo: Getty Images

Never do I stay as close to my phone as I do at the trade deadline. I end up checking it minute after minute when there's an update. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve wondering what great toys Santa will bring me.

I love to look at the endless chatter wondering if there is anything to it. A lot of what is put out there is nothing more than various writers speculating on what is going on. That's why BYB chief Robert Casey asks many of us to wait on rumors without checking, or at least attributing it to the writer, getting snarky about it too, but still... as he says, be right, not first.

Bottom line, many of the ideas being leaked by any "anonymous source" are bogus. The trade deadline can be as nerve racking as it is fun watching various rumor sites and live trade update articles.  But something great really happened for the Yanks on July31st.  Brian Cashman accomplished what he set out to do. For the second straight year, he has delivered to us, the fans, what we have long been waiting for.

Photo: Getty Images / Dustin Fowler

The Yankees are younger and better without losing very much in the long haul. While I hated to see James Kaprielian and Dustin Fowler go, in the end, Billy Beane ended up being Marlon Brando and giving Brian Cashman and the Yankees an offer they just couldn't refuse.  New York Daily News writes:

(Kathy Willens/AP)

"In the end, Brian Cashman would have been foolish to say no to the trade that he finally agreed on with A’s GM Billy Beane.

Think about it: in Sonny Gray the Yankees got a difference-making pitcher who, in concert with the bullpen trade of two weeks ago, just might give this team a chance to win a championship — and then be here for at least two more years while still under age 30."

I know, just recently I wrote an article stating that I wasn't too crazy about a deal for Sonny Gray. Well, that was mostly a knee jerk reaction to who I saw Billy Beane was asking for. I really didn't believe that Gleyber Torres or Clint Frazier would be worth it. In fact, many didn't. It turned out that neither did Brian Cashman and the Yankees either. Somehow Mr. Cashman pulled a bunny out of his hat and made it work without including them.  Genius.  Read BOSS MAN, for that perspective.

As we've stated here on BYB, you have to give to receive. Sometimes it works and other times it's a big Ken Phelps belly-flop into the shallow end. Sometimes the prospect that was given up turns out to be nothing more than a prospect a.k.a. Jesus Montero. No one really knows until they start to train and play.  But I feel good about this trade.  It's sunnier now... we got Sonny!

I wish the prospects that were given up nothing more than the best of luck.  I would also like to wish speedy recoveries to James Kaprielian and Dustin Fowler.

But for now, time to root for Sonny Gray!

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @sevn4evr

BOSS MAN

Kim Klement-USATSI

There are a lot of things that Brian Cashman could have done. He could have given away top Yankee prospects that were valuable to the Yankees right now, but he didn't. He could have given away Clint Frazier, Aaron Judge, Luis Severino to upgrade the Yankees starting rotation... but he didn't. He could have flipped Gleyber Torres or Chance Adams, but no.  Cashman stuck to his principles, his commitment to strengthening the Yankees farm, all while keeping the Yankees as competitive as possible right at this moment. 

I mean sure, losing guys like James Kaprielian and Jorge Mateo and Dietrich Enns hurts, because we all wanted to see these guys flourish in pinstripes. But look... you can't get quality pitching and upgrade your existing team without giving away some prospects. And when you look at it,  guys like Dustin Fowler and James Kap are hurt anyway, and we still were able to unload them for a kid like Sonny Gray.

Photo: Getty Images

I'm not sure what type of potion or shell game Cashman played with 'friend' Billy Beane, but it was pretty damn incredible to see how that played out.

Sonny Gray is a good, solid, strong pitcher and he's young.  He could be truly great in the Bronx.  Add him to Sevy and the rest of our crew... and throw in a guy like Jaime Garcia, and Brian Cashman is a friggin' boss.

Photo: Getty Images

Upgrading a very weak part of our team, as he promises to not give away the likes of Justus Sheffield and company.  It's brilliant and it makes me happy.

Will Gray help take us to the World Series? Who knows. I do know he's solid and will do great things in New York, and we needed him. We needed him real bad.

Photo: Scout.com

Many hate Brian Cashman.  They feel like he doesn't do what we need to help our team win and stay competitive.  While I used to get angry at Cash, I noticed about 3 years ago a significant change in his style.  He went back to the days of Stick. He realized that our farm didn't have the talent that we needed and so, he found it last year and really started to build us up.  And for the first time in a while, we had kids come up ready for the Bigs. 

Photo: Getty Images

Judge. Bird. Sanchez. Frazier. Severino.  It's a wonderful thing to watch the kids work out the kinks and succeed in the Bigs.  It's outstanding actually.

And now we have to pieces of the puzzle to move forward... that's the bottom line here.  Our starting rotation has been strengthened.  Our pen... strengthened. We have some extra power in the hitting department, and we did it without giving away top quality, Bigs-ready talent.  It's genius.... and it's exciting, because it shows me that yes, the Yankees are building for the future, but we're not interested in letting 2017 slip away either.

That's a solid GM folks... you better be finding Cashman's email address right about now... because he deserves a 'thank you' note.  I'm writing mine now....

WELCOME TO THE BRONX, SONNY GRAY!

Done deal, or that's what it appears.  Sonny Gray is a New York Yankee. Jack Curry tweeted this:

Source: Sonny Gray will be traded to the Yankees.

— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 31, 2017

Word is the Yankees gave up 3.  MLB Trade Rumors has this:

"The Yankees pulled off a long-awaited rotation upgrade today, acquiring righty Sonny Gray from the Athletics for three prospects: outfielder Dustin Fowler, infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo, and righty James Kaprielian.  In addition to Gray, the Yankees will receive $1.5MM in international bonus pool money. "

Nice work Cash! Sad to see some of our future go, but it is what it is.

GETTING INSIDE CASHMAN'S HEAD

Yes, it's true... I am now anticipating that the New York Yankees will trade for a starter before the July 31 trading deadline.  I have spent years trying to get into Brian Cashman’s head and understanding how he thinks.  The David Robertson, Todd Frazier deal came out of nowhere, but I get it totally.  And now I've been thinking about starters as well.

Photo: Getty Images

The Yanks have 4 decent starters already in Tanaka, Severino, Sabathia, and Montgomery.  When they had Pineda as well, they were all set and would find difficulty upgrading any of their 5 starters enough to make giving up prospects worthwhile.  Now, with Pineda gone, it's my opinion their best option is Chance Adams.  I think Adams could step in now and likely do as well or better than most starters that the Yankees would be able to trade for.  Thus, for 2017, it is not worth giving up prospects to get a starting pitcher.

However, Cashman will also be thinking about 2018 and 2019.  Looking ahead to 2018, the Yanks will likely have Tanaka back.  I doubt Tanaka will opt out of 3 years, $68M given the year he's had.  While it's true he could reels off an amazing second half, I doubt it strongly, and so, he'll be back next year.  And so, that gives us Tanaka, Severino, Montgomery and Chance Adams for 2018.  But who will be the 5th starter? 

Photo: Newsday

Kaprielian is not ready yet given his surgery.  I doubt any of our other pitching prospects (i.e. Justus Sheffield) is ready.  So the Yanks will either need to re-sign CC to a 1-year deal or they will need to go out and get a starter via trade or free agency.  And so, let’s look at each of those options:

Free Agents:

Looking at the 2017-18 free agent class, I think the I would rule out the free agent possibility.  The only decent starters that are going to be free agents are all over 30 years old and will be looking for long-term deals.  Those options are:

Photo: Getty Images

Yu Darvish: The Yankees are not going to give $20M per year to a 31-year old pitcher coming off TJ surgery.  Yes, someone will pay Darvish, but I don’t see Cashman doing it.  The Yanks are looking only at younger players these days.  They are not giving out $100M contracts to guys that are already 30+ anymore. My opinion of course....

Jake Arrieta: See above.  Arrieta will be 32 next season.  He will want big money, but he is not even performing well this year with an ERA of 4.17.

Photo: Getty Images

Johnny Cueto: Cueto can opt out of his last 4 years and $84M of his contract with the Giants.  If he does that, he will obviously want at least a 5-year deal for $20M per year.  But he will be 32 and currently has an ERA of 4.59.  No thanks.

CC Sabathia: If CC continues to pitch well down the stretch, I think this could be an option.  But if he continues to pitch well, CC may be able to get more than a 1-year deal, which would rule him out.  I believe Cashman would consider CC more of a fall back option though, not a primary.  That's because Cashman doesn’t know whether CC will continue to pitch well enough to warrant a spot in the 2018 rotation, or that CC will be willing to accept a 1-year deal even after having pitched well.

Personally, I don’t think that the CC, 1-year deal option will impact Cashman’s decision concerning whether to make a trade for a starting pitcher that the Yanks can use in the 2018 rotation. 

Now let's look at trades, because that's where I'm going with this.  If Cashman has already concluded that he will not be signing a free agent starting pitcher, which I believe he has, then his only primary option to fill the 2018 open rotation spot is via a trade. 

Photo: New York Daily News

With a trade for a starting pitcher that is under control for 2018 and possibly beyond, Cashman can solve the 2018 rotation problem now.  Of course, it is possible he would wait for the Winter, but some of the guys that are available now will no longer be available in the Winter.  While I don’t think Cashman is going to give up #1 Gleyber Torres, #2 Clint Frazier, #5 James Kaprelian, #6 Justus Sheffield, or #7 Chance Adams, I do think he will give up a few other prospects to get a good starter that is under control for at least 2018. 

I think #4 Jorge Mateo could be dealt if the price was right.  I also think that #9 Miguel Andujar, #11 Tyler Wade, or #14 Tyler Austin are all players Yanks might deal to get a starter. 

And this is now me in Cashman's head.  With all I've now stated, I believe a trade will happen... and here are the options:

Photo: Getty Images

Sonny Gray: I think Gray is a good possibility for the Yankees.  He is under control through 2019 and is only 27 years old and is pitching decently this year.  The difficulty in getting Gray is that I don’t know that you can get him without giving up a top prospect.  The Cubs gave up their #1 prospect (#8 overall) plus more to get Jose Quintana, who had an ERA over 5.00.  Teams will give up good prospects to get a young starter that has years of control.  So the Yankees may fall short in trying to acquire Gray if other teams step up, which is likely.

Gerrit Cole: Another young starter (26) who is controlled through 2019.  Cole might make sense as his 4.35 ERA might have lowered his value enough that Yankees could get him without giving up top prospects.

Photo: Sun Sentinel

Dan Straily: Marlins may be having a fire sale.  Straily put up a 14-8 record in 2016 with an ERA of 3.76 with the Reds, and has continued to pitch well starting for the Marlins this year (7-4, 3.32).  He is under control through 2021.  I believe the Yankees might be interested.

Julio Teheran: Julio is 26 and signed through 2019.  Braves are actually in the race, but may realize it is not realistic that they can contend.  Teheran had a 3.21 ERA in 30 starts in 2016, but he is not pitching well this year (4.69) so he could be had.

Look, in the end, I think I have finally cracked the code to Cashman's brain.  I think I was able to really pick apart the options, and really come to some decent options for our Yankees.  Will any of this happen? Who honestly knows... really. I do know this though... we need to get back on track, and a starter that can really help our club.

But enough about my thoughts. What do you think? Comment.

--Douglas Solomon

BYB Guest Writer

GLEYBER TORRES SCRATCHED FROM LINEUP

Source: JUSTIN K. ALLER/GETTY IMAGES

Of course we don't like to lose games, particularly after winning 8 in a row.  And I am not diminishing our loss last night at all, but I am slightly more concerned about the news out of Trenton last evening.  According to the NY Daily News, "Yankees shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres was scratched from the lineup Tuesday for Double-A Trenton because of biceps tendinitis, the team announced. Torres was supposed to DH and bat third. He will have an MRI later to analyze the severity of the ailment."  Another player, another MRI and this is, as we reported earlier this week, is not a stat we want to have this season, or any season- #1 in MRIs that is.

Source: Butch Dill | USA Today Sports

Trenton Thunder Manager Bobby Mitchell told the Trentonian that he did not know how this came about.  "Torres felt his shoulder stiffen up during batting practice and will be evaluated to determine the severity of the injury, manager Bobby Mitchell said during his pregame availability."

Source: Staten Island Advance

We will keep a close eye on the Torres story as it develops, but as the YES Network reported after the Yankees loss to Chicago, this could send the shortstop prospect to the 10-day disabled list the same day pitching prospect James Kaprielian underwent Tommy John surgery.

Keep the faith, folks.




--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

BANGED UP BOMBERS

The new improved Yankees may be younger, but their bodies are breaking just like the old model.

The result has blown giant potholes in the path of a $3.7 billion juggernaut careening toward a cheaper business model that relies on untested farmhands and valued prospects over veterans for the first time.

For many hardcore fans, though, who have long awaited this historic transition with relish, it's simply made an anticipated wild ride even more unpredictable and, curiously, somehow more exciting as still more farmhands and unfamiliar faces get pressed into service to shore up the breach, adding to the drama of the moment and keeping in the spirit of the adventurous enterprise.

Meanwhile, however, the body count grows, with consequences varying from minor and short-term to critical and career-threatening. Here's the latest updates on our banged up bombers:

-- James Kaprielian: A lost season for Kap.  We reported on this late last night in SURGERY FOR THE KID. Brian Cashman announced team doctors and a surgeon who specializes in pitching injuries consulted by Kaprielian have given him his available options on fixing his bum elbow. Bottom line , it came down to Tommy John Surgery.

-- Greg Bird: Birdman has a lingering sore ankle from a spring training foul tip and a brief bout of either flu or food poisoning (after seeing what flu's done to Boston, I'm rooting for food poisoning) he was feeling well enough to play in Wednesday's victory the Rays. But Joe Girardi kept him benched to give his tender tootsie an added day to recuperate and give ersatz first baseman Chris Carter a last crack at breaking the Mendoza line against Rays lefty Blake Snell before heading back to the bench himself. (He didn't.) Bird was back in the line up last night. 

Photo: New York Daily News

--Brett Gardner: Gardy passed all concussion tests following his bone-crunching base running collision Wednesday with Rays first baseman Rickie Weeks Jr., but he was scratched from Thursday's game and is day-to-day with a bruised jaw and strained neck and he'll be re-evaluated for concussion symptoms.

He also declined to rule out a trip to the disabled list for the longest tenured Yankee.

Photo: MLB.com

--Didi Gregorius: Didi is rehabbing his right throwing shoulder he injured playing second base. Yup, second base... that still pisses me off.

He played there for Team Netherlands and began a rehab program over a week ago at the team's minor league complex in Tampa that started with long-tossing from 60 to 90 feet, quickly progressed to include one-handed bat-swinging and has since evolved to fielding ground balls and taking full dry swings with the bat, according to Joe.

So he's right on track in his rehab schedule and, barring any setbacks, could back in the Bronx where he belonged all along by the first week in May.

--Gary Sanchez: Sanchez is in his 5th day of a 10-day scheduled no-baseball activity period and receiving daily treatments at the Yankees' minor league facility for his strained brachialis muscle located behind behind his right biceps. After that, he'll follow a program of progressive rehabilitation like Didi.

The team's four-week rehab plan and Gary's personal reports his range of motion and discomfort  both have dramatically improved suggest that, barring setbacks, a presumptive return to the Bronx the first week in May along with Didi is a distinct possibility.

That's the update on the walking dead folks.  Slowly but surely we will see these guys return fully healthy.  Right now though, it's crazy in the Bronx.



 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore

SURGERY FOR THE KID

Photo: USATSI

It's unfortunate that it happened, but it looks like James Kaprielian is going under the knife.  We just wrote about Kap the other day in our BYB piece BAD LUCK BASEBALL: KAPRIELIAN HAS A SETBACK. Now we have the official word. God Dammit, man!

MLB Daily Dish has this nugget:

Photo: New York Post

"Yankees’ pitching prospect James Kaprielian will be having Tommy John surgery on Tuesday...

The Yankees said Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the surgery on the right-hander, who is ranked as the team’s No. 6 overall prospect and No. 1 pitching prospect, according to MLB.com. "

Now we obviously hope Kap will come out of this fine, but remember Jacob Lindgren? That's all I thought about when news broke about Kaprielian. Highly touted prospect who ends up souring in the Yankee brass minds. I hate that! But the bottom line is you gotta worry about Tommy John, even though the surgery happens more and more each season. Bottom line, it's still major surgery.

I hope the dude's OK. We all love this kid over here at BYB. We just want him to be back, and healthy!

ANOTHER ONE (OR TWO) BITES THE DUST.....

Oh what bad luck!

(April 9, 2017 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

It's only April! It's not even two weeks into the season and that evil injury bug is already lingering around this team. The older, veteran Yankees teams had this problem and it was something we were just used to. Now we have a bunch of young kids who are athletic and durable yet still this team just can't catch a break. It's driving me crazy!

(April 11, 2017 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

The highlights from last night's game should've been all about the kids. It looks like any concerns about Aaron Judge and his temporary slump can be put to rest for now. He hit his third home run in three games and looks comfortable. It's just exciting to watch, but he still wasn't the headline.

(April 11, 2017 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)    

So what about Jordan Montgomery and his major league debut? That should also be a headline. He really did show the Yankees WHY he deserves this chance as a starter. Spring Training wasn't just a few lucky appearances because we saw the same JoMo from spring show up in the Bronx. He looked confident out there and struck out seven over four and two-thirds innings and allowed two runs. He even struck out the first two batters he faced.....but all of that has been overshadowed by that evil injury bug once again.

I'm ready for this bug to go away. We already lost Gary Sanchez, we need the mercy rule right about now! It was just supposed to be a routine switch when Brett Gardner pinch hit in the sixth inning for Pete Kozma. What happened though was far from routine and he collided with Rays first baseman Rickie Weeks who was trying to snag a bad throw by pitcher Xavier Cedeno. It looked ugly, in fact Brian Cashman said it looked like "two Mack Trucks collided" read that and more HERE.

(April 11, 2017 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

Minutes felt like hours as Gardner laid on the bag motionless....well at least for me. Then after the game Gardner managed to sneak out of the clubhouse without a comment about his bruised jaw. Early tests showed no signs of any concussion symptoms but he is not in the clear yet. The Yankees will do more tests tomorrow. I feel like I should be crossing my fingers, toes, legs, and eyes in hopes that there are no serious and long term affects from this and Gardy returns sooner rather than later.

The bad news doesn't stop there I'm afraid. We finally got more updates for James Kaprielian....and it isn't good. On Monday we wrote BAD LUCK BASEBALL: KAPRIELIAN HAS A SETBACK hoping for some good news.

Unfortunately, Brian Cashman confirmed that ElAttrache had reached the same conclusion that the Yankees team doctors did which was have Tommy John surgery or try to pitch through the pain. The Yankees were going to give him a day or two to think about it before giving them his decision. As badly as I want to see this kid pitch I don't want him to pitch injured. He has many years left in his career and I want to see him at his best and healthy. It just sucks when you have waited this long. He already missed last year....how can you not feel for the kid?

This injury bug needs to beat it. We've had enough! Go mess with some other team, preferably the Red Sox! All hope is not lost though. Cross your fingers Yankee fans.....Greg Bird may be back today! At least I am hoping and praying he will be.....

PLEASE! Stay positive everyone, this too shall pass. GO YANKEES!

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

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