WE'RE NOT DONE YANKEE FANS! GET READY FOR MORE!

Okay, so I feel a little bit better about our roster now then I did before the holiday weekend. We got DJ LeMahieu back, and we added needed depth with Corey Kluber but we can't be done yet. Luxury tax aside, if the Yankees want the best chance to get back to the World Series we still have more work to do.

Now that we have DJ back we can all breathe a sigh of relief but now we need to more pitching depth. Kluber was just the start. The Yankees can't call it an offseason without adding more starting pitching. Once the season opens we already know Kluber and Gerrit Cole are penciled into the rotation and then we have some combination of Jordan Montgomery, Deivi Garcia and Domingo German who we haven't seen since 2019. It seems unlikely that the Yankees rotation will feature all of those names for Opening Day, and I'm not sure it should. 

I said the Yankees weren't done yet, because I think they will add another starter for some insurance especially since Luis Severino won't be back until summer. They could look at trades, but I think they will look at a free agent instead. There aren't a lot of attractive names out there but the Yankees should consider Jake Odorizzi.

It may sound a little crazy but I wonder what it would take to convince Odorizzi to sign a short term deal. I don't think he is going to get the kind of multi-year deal he wants. Maybe it is an opportunity to prove he's healthy and he can rebuild his value. At 30 I would give him a chance. I don't know what it would take to convince him, maybe $8-10 million a year? It's worth a look.

I just don't see the Yankees being done yet. I think the Yankees need another starter and still some bullpen help. If the Yankees aren't going to consider James Paxton or Masahiro Tanaka, it's worth a call. It definitely can't hurt.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

GOT DJ, NOW WHAT?

I was as relieved as you when word came through that the Yankees finally signed DJ LeMahieu on Friday.  Text messages came in as early as 7:30 a.m. on Friday morning and they all lauded the much needed move by the Yankees. But now what? How will signing LeMahieu and now Corey Kluber set up the Yankees for the success? What else do they need to do to position them to not only win the AL East but the World Series in 2021?

Source: The New York Times

According to CBS Sports, "Hypothetically, the Yankees could spend around $25 million and avoid that additional surtax. If they wanted to save around $10 million, for in-season additions and as a general rainy-day fund, then that number is closer to $15 million. The Yankees, then, could fit another Kluber-like deal into their budget with room to spare."

Who is that Kluber-like pitcher for the Yankees? Well it's not Masahiro Tanaka unless he is going to take pay cut which is not likely. It could be James Paxton but I know I am a little sick of his lackluster performance, but maybe the Yankees take another chance on him.

Source: Pittsburgh Gazette

"On the trade front, the most realistic option is Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Joe Musgrove. The Yankees have reportedly also had past interest in Musgrove's teammate Jameson Taillon. Beyond them, the Yankees may have to gamble on someone without a great track record, like Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Vincent Velasquez," reported CBS Sports. Who do Bombers give up for one of these pitchers? Depends. Could be some built around Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar and even Mike Tauchman. 

Source: Corey Sipkin

As far as other free agents whose salary would be inline with the Yankees' budget, you could go with "Adam Wainwright, Jake Odorizzi, Taijuan Walker, Jose Quintana or Trevor Cahill," reports CBS Sports. I am in alignment with Joel Sherman that if the Yankees are going to stay under the luxury tax, they will have to get creative. And I will give Brian Cashman credit for being creative in his role as GM. 

So we got DJ, we got Kluber, what's next for the Yankees? We will soon see and hopefully whoever else the team adds, it will be more than enough to get over the World Series drought and then some. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

WE'RE GETTIN NOTHIN FOR CHRISTMAS?

Tomorrow is Christmas and I was hoping the Yankees would give us DJ LeMahieu under our Christmas tree, but unless there is a Christmas miracle, it doesn't sound like this will happen. 

There's been some movement this week, but nothing for the Yankees unfortunately. I'm hoping that means we see some action soon. Here's what has happened in case you have missed it as you made

plans for whatever your holiday looks like this year....

1) Tommy Kahnle has a new home

Kahnle is now an Ex-Yankee, read more HERE. He just had Tommy John surgery in August so we weren't going to see him in 2021 anyway but the Dodgers signed him with 2022 in mind. I will definitely miss the 2019 Kahnle and I wish him well but I also hope that we won't have to be pitching against him in 2022 if he does make a great rebound.

2) James Paxton is in high demand

Earlier this month Scott Boras started creating hype about Paxton and it appears it worked. Paxton threw for scouts from "as many as 20 teams" and he reached 94 mph. Paxton is one year removed from a 15-win season so if the Yankees move on and don't have a change of heart it sounds like other teams are willing to take a chance.

3) Cashman is patient with DJ LeMahieu

I think far too patient according to the latest news HERE. Brian Cashman says he's fine with however long it takes to re-sign LeMahieu as long as it does happen. The Yankees remain confident that a deal will be worked out, but the longer it takes the more we anxious and uncertain we as fans become. DJ isn't going to sit around and wait forever, even though he does want to play for us again. There's a lot of interest especially from the Toronto Blue Jays so the more time that passes, the more impatient all of us become.

I don't feel confident with the Yankees current "strategy" if that is what we even want to call it. Everything is on pause until DJ LeMahieu signs, and hopefully with us. I wish we had signed DJ already, because right now all I can think about is gettin NOTHIN for Christmas....

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

THREE YANKEES WE MAY SAY FAREWELL TO

Of course, it is never nice to think about your players leaving your team to play for someone else but it is the reality of baseball. After this 60-game stint, it is safe to say that these three Yankees have probably played their last game in the pinstripes. 

The first player that is probably leaving the Yankees is Masahiro Tanaka. After returning from the scary hit from a line drive during Summer Camp, Masahiro started tweeting what felt like farewell messages. After he said that they were meant to celebrate the end of a seven-year deal, but it did not feel like that. Nothing is official, of course, but right now it's all about the vibes, and the vibes say Tanaka will not be returning.

James Paxton is next on the list of Yankees we may be saying farewell to. The Yankees are growing stingier, so the first issue is if they are willing to pursue Paxton without the guarantee that he won't need Tommy John surgery in the future. Along with that, even though the pitcher's numbers have been great (never posting an ERA over 4.00 in a season), he's never made more than 29 starts in a season. It seems likely the Yankees may pass on him due to the risk based on his health outlook.

It seems as if most people know that Gary Sanchez was never supposed to be in the Bronx long-term. I think it will be easy to say goodbye to Sanchez, especially after watching Kyle Higashioka successfully take over the behind-the-plate duties for ace Gerrit Cole. 

Sanchez had an incredible run in 2016, and an All-Star year in 2017, but after that began to underwhelm in the '18 and '19 seasons. He was usually on the IL due to groin issues and when he actually could play, he did nothing but strikeout. This continued into 2020 and I think it is safe to say fans have been ultimately disappointed with the once amazing catcher.

What do you think? Are we going to say goodbye to these players in the offseason? 

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke

WILL OWNERS OPEN THEIR WALLETS IN 2021?

And I am not talking about the weather, necessarily. Some of you have winter months coming and the snow will return. Well, it will return for most of you. For me, it is still hovering around 100 degrees in the middle of freaking October.

But geography aside, baseball doesn't count because winter is still coming. The World Series is coming, which means free agency is around the corner and early predictions are calling for.....a long and COLD winter that will hit the sport we love hard, maybe harder than ever before.

We are all sick of the pandemic. I never want to hear the words "Coronavirus" or "Covid 19" ever again....but it's still sticking around. Even if it isn't making you or I, or the players sick (knock on wood), it is sticking around and its side affects will still be around when the calendar flips to 2021.

The New York Daily News breaks it down the best. We already saw how much slower the last two winters were, but now as owners deal with their financial losses it means that players will also pay a hefty price. I'm sure Gerrit Cole is happy that he isn't a free agent this season because that $324 million deal may not happen a year later. Instead, now we wait and see what is in store for DJ LeMahieu.

If the Yankees move on from all free agents: Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ and James Paxton, that’s about $52 million coming off the books. That's a lot of money but the Yankees are already predicting an estimated $200 million loss (or more) thanks to the pandemic shortened season with no fans. LeMahieu has certainly earned his big pay day, but as the Yankees try and cut payroll can they offer him enough money to get him back? And if the Yankees do get LeMahieu back, will that be the only significant move that the Yankees move?

I hope not, but owners are already setting the tone for the winter. We have to prepare for anything. This could be the strangest winter we have ever seen. There could be many free agents looking for a home and for those players entering arbitration - what does that look like after a short 60 game season? 

I don't know what to expect this winter. We will have to wait and see how the Yankees and baseball in general respond to the market. Let's just hope we can get fans in the stands again for 2021. We all miss it and we need it.

 I know things will be different moving forward, I just hope winter won't be as bad as predicted.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

 BYB Managing Editor

 Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE 7 MUST-DO'S SO THE YANKEES CAN WIN THE 2021 WORLD SERIES

As a BYB guest writer, I have the luxury to come and go from BYB as I please. After Game 5's loss to the Rays, I've collected my thoughts and have come up with 7 musts for a perfect 2021 season for the Yankees... where in the end, they become World Series champs. Give this a look...

1. We must resign DJ LeMahieu. I'm thinking  4 years, $110 million.

2. It's time to let James Paxton, JA Happ and Masahiro Tanaka go. I love Tanaka, but it's time to move on. It's business.

3. Sign Trevor Bauer. Pay whatever it takes and agree to his demands. We need a reliable #2 to pitch these play-off games and that was clear in this playoff. We just can't win all these series in the American League with only Gerrit Cole.

4. Let Domingo German, Luis Severino, Deivi Garcia and Jordon Montgomery fill out our rotation. It just makes sense.

5. Fortify the bullpen. This is crucial. We have a great bullpen, but the depth has to be there. We need 7 guys that are reliable and should expect that 1 or 2 will be hurt or ineffective by October. I am happy with Green, Britton and Chapman, but we need more. Trade for Hader if you can. Use Gary Sanchez and Miguel Andujar as trade bait if we need to to get good relievers. Oh year, and also trade Loaisiga, Cessa and Holder if they are needed to sweeten a deal for better relievers for us.

6. Let Higgy be the starting catcher. He earned it.  Trade Sanchez for the best low cost top reliever you can find. No need to spend on JT Realmuto. Put that money toward Trevor Bauer.

7. The Manager - I would keep Boone, but I need to sit him down (and our analytical nerds too) and explain that playoff games sometimes go extra innings. You cannot manage as if games end after the 9th. Had Chapman not given up that homer to Brosseau, the Yanks still would have lost last night once we put in another pitcher after Chapman. Maybe you could have gotten 1 inning from Green, but once you bring in Loaisiga or Holder... the game would have been over. We can't lose crucial playoff games, (like game 2 2019 ALCS with Correa homer off Happ) based on using up our best relievers too early. Just watch how Kevin Cash manages. He's near perfect. Boone would never have gone a 2nd inning with Fairbanks like Cash did last night.

The Bottom Line? If they do these 7 things, I guarantee you we will win the World Series next year. No question.

--Douglas Solomon
   BYB Guest Writer

BIG MAPLE THIS!

You aren't an amazing pitching if you throw one no hitter in your career. All you are is a pitcher who had a good day.

On May 8, 2018, James Paxton threw a no hitter for the Seattle Mariners.  It was great. I remember the highlights. I was happy for him.

Fast forward. The Yankees acquire Paxton for Justus Sheffield. I was disappointed to see Sheffield go. After all, you have a young, moldable pitcher that could become something great in pinstripes, WITH HOWEVER, the understanding that he may not be. But that's what you get with young pitchers. You take chances on what they are projected to become and you work and roll with it and see what happens. 

But the Yankees didn't have time for that and so they made a move to get Paxton in pinstripes. Their thinking was that he'd adjust to the big stage and put up nice numbers and help the Yankees win the whole damn thing.  But while putting up a 15-6 record was nice for Paxton, we didn't win, and so what's that point. Look, I didn't like the move at the time and was pretty vocal. But all I kept hearing was, "It's a great move... Paxton threw a no-hitter."

Paxton threw a no-hitter? That's all you got?  While he may have had a successful win season in 2019 and literally showed up to dominate in like one post season game, I have never seen over all dominance in this dude. 

He's not consistent. He gets hurt too much. He doesn't appear to be a gamer. And while it seems that I'm only picking on Paxton here, I am because it's a post about him... yes it's true, Yankee pitching hasn't done much of anything this year. It's embarrassing.  But when it comes to Paxton, stop trying to put lipstick on a pig... because it's not working, it's never worked.

The Yankees are in a world of hurt.  It probably isn't fair to rip on Paxton for injury and inconsistency, but too bad.  Something needs to be said.  We don't want this guy back. We want a pitcher that can figure out how to pitch in a New York mentality, dominate, adjust and not get injured.

We want a team that looks hungry out there.  The Yankees need to do better because they've been exposed mightily in a short season.

EVEN AARON BOONE "DOESN'T KNOW" ABOUT FRAZIER'S FUTURE

Is Clint Frazier the 31st man on a 30-man roster? Is he even 31? I don't know, and what's scarier here is neither does Aaron Boone.

Even with an expanded roster to start this unusual season, there isn't a clear path for Frazier. It's the same old story that Frazier has faced for years now.....where does he fit in? He was optioned down to their alternate training site after Saturday night's game along with Ben Heller. Aaron Boone's honest answer isn't very encouraging, especially not if you are Frazier and you happen to read it in the news. You can read about it in depth HERE.

Boone was honest and blunt. I admire an honest answer even when it isn't the answer you want to hear. It sucks to be both Frazier and Boone right now.

“I would say he’s great and a pro and I’m really proud of who he is right now and where’s he’s at. Doesn’t make it any less difficult. Again, you’re sending down a player who you know is ready to be an impact player in the big leagues. That’s a hard thing to do. Especially with the work he’s put in and the strides he’s made in every aspect of his game are real. So that’s a difficult one.”

And it must be even harder when you are sending down an impactful, major league ready bat but keep Miguel Andujar in left field for Sunday's game. I mean, I love that Andujar is back but he's never played a game in left field and he gets the call over Frazier. Maybe it wouldn't hurt as bad if Frazier had played in the previous two games, but that didn't happen either.

Then to top it all off, the Yankees plan to bring right-hand rookie relievers Nick Nelson and Brooks Kriske up to the roster who both pitched in Double-A last season. We can thank James Paxton's disappointing performance for that I guess. There's a reason for it....but if you are Frazier right now it probably doesn't make it easier to accept.

So when will we see Frazier? I don't know and neither does Boone. He called this decision "difficult" and believes "Clint's ready to be an impact player in this league. There's no doubt in my mind." He went on to say that Frazier is "just unfortunately, blocked right now with a lot of good outfielders."

He's not wrong, but a short 60 game season makes Frazier's future as a Yankee even cloudier. The Yankees have even less time to find an opportunity for him without a significant injury. We all don't want to see that happen, but unless it happens it is likely a reality.

So does this season really determine what happens to Frazier as a Yankee? Maybe. If the Yankees already acknowledge that he is "blocked" the trade rumors we have already seen for awhile aren't likely to go away. If anything they may intensify.

If the Yankees can't or choose not to use him....some other team will want to. Definitely not a good place to be in if you are Frazier, and it sucks. Guess we wait and see what happens.

--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

HARD DAYS NIGHT IN NATIONALS PARK

It was clear that James Paxton was not himself. You could see it in his eyes. He didn't feel it. He looked uncomfortable and he couldn't get through two innings. Quite frankly, he set the tone of for the team. They didn't seem comfortable.  And so it was a hard days night in Nationals Park, but there's always tomorrow.

"Michael King, one of the candidates to start/open tomorrow's game, is warming in the #Yankees bullpen. James Paxton already at 40 pitches," tweeted Bryan Hoch during the broadcast last night.  Wouldn't have been smarter to bring in a long reliever? And if you are going to bring in King, who held the Nats over several innings, why not have Jordan Montgomery with you? I didn't agree with the decision to keep him off the roster for this big opening weekend. You can read that story here. Remember Paxton is coming off surgery. This is his first outing. Maybe a bit more careful planning?

The one guy that looks locked and loaded is ironically the guy that has looked and felt uncomfortable over the last year or so.  That guy blasted his second home run of the season last night. That guy is Giancarlo Stanton. His 483-foot blast halted everyone and the outfielders were frozen as the Stantonian home run blazed over them. "To put in perspective, it's one of the most authoritative home runs of the Statcast era (i.e., since 2015)," reported CBS Sports. As a matter of fact Stanton's home run last night was second on the list to his own back in 2018. So, poor start for Paxton, hot start for Stanton.

Unfortunately, a hot Stanton did not cancel out a rough start for Paxton. The tone was set and the Nationals took advantage of the Yankee pitchers as the Yankee bats went silent.  I hope this is not the kind of repeating behavior we will see in the coming days. Let's hope it is just a hard days night in Nationals Park and a better is ahead of the Yankees this afternoon.  Let's Go Yankees!

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Contributing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

AARON JUDGE RETURNS WITH AN OUTSTANDING DINGER

After his recent absence from the Yankees' intrasquad lineups, Aaron Judge made a stellar comeback in the first inning of the team's scrimmage at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. Judge started off the game with a home run bounced off pitcher James Paxton towards center field. 

"Still not 100 percent, but good enough to play," said Judge. "I was out there to get some at-bats and see how it felt. All good."

Judge missed the last three intrasquad contests to get treatment for a stiff neck. Nevertheless, Judge returned by hitting Paxton's second pitch into the netting above Monument Park. 

"Sometimes you just wake up on the wrong side of the bed; that's all I've really got for that," Judge said about his neck. "The trainers have been helping me out. It's just a stiff neck. My biggest thing is I couldn't really turn my neck all the way to see the pitcher, and that's not where you want to be. So now I can see the pitcher and we're ready to roll."

This wasn't the first injury Judge faced this season, as he missed all of spring training 1.0 due to a fractured rib initially diagnosed as a shoulder problem. He then returned for spring training 2.0, with Judge claiming to be ready only to be taken off from Saturday's intrasquad game due to his stiff neck.

But now, Judge looks ready for the opening game against the Nationals on July 23. "Right now, it's about getting ready for Opening Day," Judge added. "If I didn't play a single Spring Training game but I'm ready to play for Opening Day, I'm going to be excited about that. I'm not really too worried about it. You break a bone in your ribs from diving, trying to make a play for your pitcher, get hit in the wrist by a pitcher -- it's just freak things. I'm going to keep playing this game hard, and that's all I know."

--Anthony Orlando

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @landi52orlando

PREDICTING THE YANKEES 30-MAN ROSTER!

Bring on baseball! I can't wait. I'm ready to see the Red Sox and the Yankees go at it again. I'm ready to battle it our with the Rays....I just want ALL of it. Hell, I am even ready for the universal DH and the even the crazy runner-on second rule for extra innings. I'm also ready for the 30-man roster.

I will admit I am a little bit of a baseball purist on some things. I'm not crazy about the runner-on second rule but I do like the 30-man roster. I think it will be a huge benefit for all teams and especially the Yankees who have been plagued with injuries over the past few years. Now the question is....what will the roster look like? I have some ideas.

Regular Lineup:

Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit, DJ Lemahieu, Gleyber Torres, Gio Urshela, Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

Now none of those names are surprising, this is the predictable part of the roster. The only wildcards here are in the outfield because that will rely heavily on Aaron Judge. We still don't know how he is progressing. We haven't heard anything since May and at that point he wasn't hitting yet. We're waiting on him, and we recently heard that HICKS IS READY TO PLAY! If Hicks is healthy does he start in center? Or does Aaron Boone put Brett Gardner at center instead and let Hicks play right field if Judge isn't ready? That also leaves left field open which could be open to anyone on the bench

(more on the bench later) or maybe Giancarlo Stanton?

Starting Rotation:

Gerrit Cole, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ, Jordan Montgomery

So Paxton had surgery in the offseason but he will be ready for the start of the second spring training and then Opening week. The Yankees have a good top of the rotation even without Luis Severino this season. Montgomery missed most of 2019, but if he can pick up where he left off in 2018 Gumby will be a good addition to the back end of the rotation. I'm excited to see him pitch again!

Bullpen:

Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino, Chad Green, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Holder, Luis Cessa, Jonathan Loaisiga, Deivi Garcia

Tie breaker: Ben Heller or Michael King?

Starting Pitchers won't be stretched out enough and won't pitch as deep into the game as they normally would. This is true for any start of the season, not just a shortened one. Teams will benefit from the additional pitchers added to the bullpen, especially the Yankees. We won't have to push Paxton as hard at the beginning of the season which is a concern for me. The bullpen is one of the biggest question marks of all. The Yankees have multiple pitchers who could be extra relievers, but Loaisiga is a favorite because of his previous experience. I think Heller or Michael King option will be interesting. Heller has the experience, but the Yankees are also high on King. Personally, I would be most excited to see Garcia pitch because he's been one of my favorites to follow.

Bench:

Mike Ford, Clint Frazier, Mike Tauchman, Tyler Wade, Kyle Higashioka, Miguel Andujar

The Yankees picked up several catchers over the winter, but the Yankees are familiar with Higashioka and it will be interesting to see if he can be a productive backup catcher for a full season. It's always good to have another bench piece, and Andujar's role was a question in the offseason, the Yankees were fielding offers for him. Now Boone will have options for different ways to use him. I think this is the year that determines if Clint Frazier has a future with the Yankees, or if he becomes trade bait. Tauchman can play anywhere in the outfield, Wade has the speed and can also play anywhere on the field. Ford has a lefty bat that came in clutch last season and can give Voit a break at first. I think

the Yankees have a very deep bench thanks to the expanded roster, and will definitely benefit from it.

I'm excited for the season! Some of these changes won't be easy for me at first but I am actually excited about it. I'm most excited about this roster though. I wonder if the Yankees roster will look just like mine.
So what would YOUR roster look like? Share it with us!

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