YANKEES CAN GIVE A GOOD OL' ASS KICKING

Source: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America

Nothing better than when the Yankees give a good 'ol ass kicking to a AL East team.  But as a fellow Yankee fan said to me today, "I kinda love it when the Mets get a good 'ol ass kicking."  Yes, me too along with the Red Sox, Orioles and all those other American League teams.  “To me,’’ a veteran scout told The Post on Saturday, “the Yankees are the most fun team in the game right now. They’re a blast to watch.’’ So, whether they are kicking a team's ass or coming back from behind, the Yankees are best team to watch in baseball today.

Source:  NY Post

When this year's team scores runs, they mean it.  Saturday's game saw Brett Gardner hit his 12th home run of the year in the eighth inning followed by Matt Holliday, Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius who hit back-to-back-to-back solo shots.  This all against Toronto's reliever Jason Grilli. Now that's a butt kicking if I ever saw it.

Source: NJ.com

And if they aren't scoring runs, they are thinking about scoring runs.  Take the duo of Holliday and Gardner, who Michael Kay deemed the Bald Brothers; they are always chatting it up about who is going to get the first hit or home run of the game. "Apparently nothing's officially on the line other than bragging rights in a game of home run derby that's developed between two of the Yankees veteran leaders, left fielder Brett Gardner and designated hitter Matt Holliday," reported NJ.com earlier in the week.  "The loser should have to grow his hair out for a month," Gardner said with a laugh. "Nobody wants to see that!" The Bald Bros are thinking about kicking some ass with the long ball and I love it!

 Source: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America

And if they aren't scoring runs or thinking about scoring runs, they are dreaming about scoring runs...the kind of runs that will earn them World Series Championship #28.  “It’s a nice blend of veterans and young guys, and our young guys all play the game really hard and it means a lot to them. I’ve been really impressed how much it means to them. They all want to be great. We talk baseball a lot, we hang out away from the field a lot, it’s just been a lot of fun. It’s come together really well," said Holliday after Saturday's win.  

Source: Brian Blanco/Getty Images North America

And if they aren't scoring runs, thinking about scoring runs, and dreaming about scoring runs, they are saving runs with Aaron Judge stretching his glove across the outfield or in the stands or Didi Gregorius catching a scorcher at short stop and with pure arm strength gunning down the runner at first.

Source: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images North America

Yes, it's true, the 2017 Yankee team can give a good 'ol ass kicking and that makes they incredible to watch.  “We’re having fun and we’re playing the game the right way,’’ Judge said. “I’m just having a blast," reported the Post on Saturday.  Let's give another good ass kicking today, fellas, and bring that ass kicking back to the Bronx to serve up to the Red Sox and O's later next week.

Happy Sunday!

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

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JASON GRILLI SIGNS WITH ATLANTA

Quick note... only because we were trying to figure out where Jason Grilli would end up.  Turns out, the Yankees are not the team... it's the Braves.  I guess Gary Sheffield just goes to the teams he played on until he finds one that will take his client.  I kid, I kid... if I didn't explain that that was a joke, Shef would find me and kick my ass.

According to Ken Rosenthal, it appears that Grilli and the Braves have a deal:

Source: Jason Grilli to #Braves.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 24, 2014

We have Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances ladies and gentlemen.  Do we need another tough reliever on the Yankees? You tell me.

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REVISITING EERIE SPECULATION ON DROB

 "I've watched how the Yankees have operated in years past, and I just don't know if a long term deal with DRob is something the Yankees want to do. "  

--Robert Casey, THE YANKEES MIGHT BE WILLING TO PART WITH DROB

That was written on these pages, August 8th, 2014. Needless to say, we all kind of knew it was over then, but as a fan, you hold on hoping the Yankees would spend alittle, offer something to a guy like David Robertson.  That didn't happen, and DRob is long gone by now, wearing his black pinstripes in Chicago.

And now we look forward to what happens next with the Yankees pen.  Right now there is Dellin Betances and newly acquired Andrew Miller.  Both are qualified to handle to closing role.  But what are the Yankees thinking?  Who will be the closer?

(In Photo: Mike Stanton)
It's my opinion that they should have had that solid closer with Miller and Betances and almost build their bridge as they did during the dynasty.  Jeff Nelson, Mike Stanton, Graeme Lloyd, Mariano Rivera anyone? It was solid and it was a bridge that kept all hitters on their toes.   We seemed unstoppable back then.  Can we get back to that?

The Yankees were reportedly looking at Jason Grilli at one point. But now, according to the New York Post, they are no longer interested:

"The Yankees have not said they are done adding pieces to a revamped bullpen, but it doesn’t appear veteran reliever Jason Grilli will be joining the cast.

'We talked to Cash [Brian Cashman], and he said ‘not at the moment,’ ’ said his agent, the former slugger Gary Sheffield, when asked if the Yankees were interested in the right-handed Grilli, who has 50 career saves. 

'We will sit back with the offers we have and wait.’ Referencing the 38-year-old Grilli’s ability to pitch in multiple roles, Sheffield is puzzled why the Seton Hall product isn’t in the Yankees’ plans."

It's a good question.  I don't know the answer.  Grilli is no doubt qualified to be the closer for the New York Yankees, but the price has to be right. It's evident the Yankees don't want to spend big either. Or, maybe they are looking to hold onto big money for a guy like James Shields... a starter, and a guy that could definitely help out our rotation, but who really knows... this Yankee off season is a big puzzle.

Many are suggesting that Dellin Betances should be the guy. The next Yankee closer. Well,  I'm going to take another angle on this.

Based on experience in the Bigs, and the Yankee still grooming Betances a bit, I think Andrew Miller should close. Yup, I said it.  Keep Betances where he is... keep him dominant there.  Then, when the 9th inning hits, bring in the lefty to close and shut down the competition. 

Look. Everything happens for a reason, and it all started with David Robertson leaving the Bronx. Now doors open and there are some interesting questions about who gets that closing role.   I say Andrew Miller. Who do you say?

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THE REAL STORY BEHIND JASON GRILLI & THE YANKEES

If you read the headlines today around the Yankee blogs, or even legit publications, Jason Grilli and the Yankees are getting cozy.  Well, this is how rumors start.  That's not the case at all.   Read the original content first... then then you'll know the true story. 

The reality is, Sweeny Murti of CBS Sports floated the idea of Jason Grilli coming to the Yankees... but there's 2 things that you need to know when you read it. For 1, it's a scenario or a back up plan... for 2, DRob's a priority:

"Should the Yankees end up losing Robertson, they will be looking for another bullpen arm, even if it’s not specifically as a closer. There will be a long list of names to consider should that happen, especially once the non-tender guys hit the market next month. One name that has already been discussed by Yankee brass and likely will be again if necessary is Jason Grilli.

Grilli is a well-traveled 38-year old right-hander who was an All-Star closer for Pittsburgh in 2013, but tailed off and was traded away in 2014. Grilli, a local boy from Seton Hall, pitched for the Tigers against the Yankees in the 2006 Division Series. He faced just one batter in the entire series, retiring Gary Sheffield on a ground out in Game 1. Why is that even slightly interesting? Because Sheffield is now Grilli’s agent."

THAT'S IT. No truth to the rumor that the Yankees are interested. In fact, the Yankees are interested in bringing David Robertson back but understand he needs to check out the marketplace, read HERE, and read Cashman's quotes:

"The one thing we do have a feel for is how good of a player he is, how good of a person he is, how great of a competitor he is. In the New York environment, he’s not afraid. He checks every box off. He came in behind Mariano Rivera. [It was a] seamless transition. That’s certainly no easy task. All those things obviously went into our level of comfort, despite being a reliever, of offering that type of number. Great deal of respect and obviously we’ll engage him now in the marketplace.”

So, I ask you... you're a Yankee fan, you're smart.   When did we suddenly take a leap to Grilli? Sweeny floated a backup plan. This isn't a rumor with legs ladies and gentlemen.  DRob is still in the mix, let's not give him an exit so soon. Let him go through the Free Agent process... THEN, if things don't work out, we look elsewhere.

As far as I'm concerned... DRob's the priority... Grilli's the fallback. Write that down...

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THE PIRATES WILL WIN IT ALL...

... According to my 9 year old.

I have a baseball family.  The majority of my family are Yankee fans.  In their young age, I explained the evil of the Red Sox, the rivalry, and how the Yankees are always champions.  That’s what most of you do and that’s what Red Sox fans do with their children as well... only it's reversed.  It’s brainwashing, sure, but that’s what makes the rivalry fun.  Besides, right now it looks like the Sox have this in the bag… I tip my cap to John Farrell. It's interesting what happens to a club when players respect their manager, right Bobby V?

My 9 year old is a Pirates fan, but being their fan didn’t start this year.  That started about 4 years ago when he was much younger and had absolutely no interest in baseball.  At the dinner table one night, he asked why I had a hat in my collection with a big yellow “P” on it. 

Growing up a baseball fan, I appreciated guys like Willie Stargell and was able to witness the “We are Family” Pirates run in 1979.  For baseball, it was magical, but as we all know… the Pirates have stunk up the joint for a while since. I explained the history and how they weren't very good. He looked up from his broccoli and said...  “I pick the Pirates!"

I said, “OK, then you can have the hat.” My older son laughed at him. I grinned.  My wife said, “How sweet is he?”  

Fast forward to 2 nights ago. The Pirates clinching their playoff spot for the first time in 21 years. The next morning, I walked into my son’s room and I put that Pirates cap on his bed with the rest of his clothes for school.  I touched his sleeping cheek and he opened his eyes.  “The Pirates are in the playoffs, Peanut.”, I said.

“Does that mean they won it?” he asked… clearly he’s not a baseball fan and I don’t care, he’s the sweetest boy ever. “No, It means they’re good and they have a great shot,” I said.   

“I knew it,” he said... and he rolled over.

If you asked my 9 year old who Andrew McCutchen or AJ Burnett or Jason Grilli was, he wouldn’t know and wouldn’t care.  He likes the underdog. That’s because for much of his sporting life, my son was the underdog.  He tries, he appreciates the support in any sport he does, but he doesn’t have the coordination, nor the talent like my 11 year old does.  He chose the Pirates years ago because he knew they weren’t too good. For me, it seemed like symbolism. Whether he knew it or not is another post for another time.  The point is, the Pirates were him… and now the Pirates have a big shot of being champions and he’ll ride it, not knowing who’s pitching and not sure what the playoffs actually mean. That's my Peanut... always an underdog, yet still the most popular kid in the room.

My 9 year old is the sweetest kid in the world.  Everyone loves him.  Last night in Boston Market we were on line and he was asking many questions...like how the Rotisserie chickens were made.  He was full of questions… questions I didn’t have answers too, but I fudged it.  As he went to the drinking fountain, the cashier looked at me smiling… “Oh my God, I love him! He is so cute.” “Thanks,” I said. She was right.

My guy will suck you in...no doubt about it. He’s got a dynamic personality, an amazing vocabulary… and he’s the underdog, looking for his “thing.” The best part… he’s mine and right now no one wants the Pirates to win it all more than me. I want them to win it for him, because that symbolism is an amazing tool… it’s a thread, and if it picks up my son a bit and gives him alittle extra confidence in his life… well… that’s fine with me. Why? Because my 9 year old deserves everything that comes his way…. including having the Pittsburgh Pirates win it all.  For his sake… I hope they do.

I was hoping the Yankees made it... a Pirates vs. Yankees World Series.  OK.. fine. Now I'm just getting crazy.

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AROUND MLB RIGHT NOW

Some nuggets around Major League Baseball right now you should be aware of:

Nate McLouth has been turning heads in Baltimore lately. He has a stunning .522 average over the last 7 days and has reached base 22 times in his last 36 plate appearances. He is also tied for second in the league in stolen bases with 8.

Mat Latos reported tightness in his right hip on Monday's start, cited as the reason he left the game. Latos is proving key to the Reds, with two wins, 37 Ks and a sparkling 1.83 ERA.

Carlos Gomez is boasting a slash line of .360/.415/.616 with Milwaukee these days. The rangy center fielder has 5 homers and 12 RBI this season, making some think he is making a move towards elite status.

Matt Cain has yet to find his footing in San Francisco this season. No wins, and an eye popping 6.49 ERA hang like an albatross on the starting pitcher. Still, it's a good bet that Cain will shake these troubles off and settle down.

Josh Hamilton is unable to hit home runs unless he plays the Astros this season. No word on whether or not those terrible stripey vintage jerseys are the key. Seriously, what is going on with this guy? He went 0-8 with a sac fly Monday and now has an average of only .202. Unsettling.

The best closer in the league is... Jason Grilli? The Pittsburgh reliever is in a four way tie for most saves in the league with 10. He shares this with Jim Johnson, Sergio Romo, and our own Mariano Rivera. But he has more strikeouts (17) than any of them, and his 0.82 ERA is only worse than Johnson's inhuman 0.64 by a microscopic sliver.

Slade Heathcott is in the news too.  We want to give Bronx Baseball Daily a shout out for their interview with Slade. Read that HERE.  Good work!

If you like this... we'll bring more to you over the season. Let us know.


 
Chad R. MacDonald
BYB Writer
Facebook: New York Yankees the Home of Champions
My Blog: ChadRants


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