CLINT FRAZIER IS JUST TOO MUCH FUN!

(Chris Post/for New York Daily News)

Gotta love our newest Yankee farm hand Clint Frazier.  He's not afraid of the Twitter and is out there a lot talking to all sorts of folks.  He's fun to watch out there...

First he's trying to score dates a few months ago... now he's giving hair tips to Nationals Bryce Harper.  Check this out:

@clintfrazier Ehhhh pretty good right there bro..Gotta learn from JW with that mop!

— Bryce Harper (@Bharper3407) November 24, 2016

JW is Jayson Werth, who looks like Christ on a regular day.  All in good fun here, gotta love it.

(Photo: Julie Jacobson, AP)

Now we here at Bleeding Yankee Blue have interviewed plenty of Yankee minor leaguers over the years.  Ty Hensley, Ian Clarkin, Sean Carley, Dante Bichette Jr, Cito Culver, Tyler Austin, Michael O'Neill and the like. Check them out, I know you have time:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: TY HENSLEY: YANKEES 1ST ROUND PICK

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: IAN CLARKIN

(In Photo: Sean Carley from Carley's Twitter)

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: SEAN CARLEY IS EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: DANTE BICHETTE JR.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CITO CULVER

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: TYLER AUSTIN... WONDERBOY

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: MICHAEL O'NEILL

Maybe it's time to reach out to Frazier.  I think the dude would be a lot of fun to chat with, don't you think?

Look for it.  I will personally reach out to this dude, ask him about his time on the Indians, the Yankees and applaud him on having a set of balls, reaching out to whomever he'd like to start up alittle banter.

Love this dude! Hey Clint, let me know if Bleeding Yankee Blue can interview you this offseason. I think it would be great!

 

SCHERZER WANTS YOU TO HATE THE GAME, NOT THE PLAYER

It’s nothing personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.

At least that’s what Max Scherzer wanted Tigers fans to know after conducting his first Detroit radio appearance since signing a seven year contract with the Washington Nationals for a cool $210 million.
"It was about a business decision and trying to maximize what I was worth,” Scherzer explained to WDFN last week...

“The business part of the game is ugly. I’ve seen so many of my friends get cut and released and all taken advantage of because at the end of the day, we say it’s the business part of the game. I just took advantage of the business side of the game to benefit me.”

The deal makes Scherzer the highest paid right-handed pitcher in the game. It’s also angered a lot of Tigers fans who feel Scherzer dissed Detroit for the promise of a bigger pay day.

Though Scherzer stated that he left the Motor City for the money (Detroit offered him $144 million before he opted for free agency), the pitcher said in his interview that he decided to take his chances as a free agent because he wanted to play for a team that could win.

So which is it? The money or desire to win? Does it really matter now?

I have no problem when players go after the big paycheck. If the market determines that is their worth, than by all means, go for it. Scherzer is one of the top performing pitchers in the AL and he’ll get to play on a Nationals team that has a stronger bullpen to support him.

What’s more bothersome is when teams overpay on these long-term deals with aging players that are probably a few years from burning out (Scherzer will turn 31 this season). They historically don’t pan out well for the team and jeopardize their future ability to sign younger talent. Look at how well the Albert Pujols deal has worked for the Angels.

It’s no surprise that Scott Boras is also Scherzer’s agent and was behind the deal with the Nationals. The agent represents six other players on the team including Jayson Werth, Stephen Strasburg, and Bryce Harper. Boras was once ranked #1 by Forbes for agents who rip off teams the most.

Time will tell if the Scherzer deal will be a rip off for the Nationals, but hey, it’s all part of the business of baseball, right?

--Alexis Garcia, BYB's "Eye on MLB" Columnist
Twitter:  @heylexyg







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GUESS WHAT SCOTT BORAS IS UP TO NOW....

You can't blame the man for doing his job. Players know he has a knack for getting players the best deal possible. That's why he has been around for so long he has an impressive client list. In addition to that though, I compare him to the crafty dealer you find at a blackjack table.....because beating him at his own game happens rarely.

So now Boras is trying to work his magic with his client Shin-Soo Choo. The Cincinnati Inquirer is reporting HERE that Scott Boras not only thinks Choo is a $90million player, but he also deserves a Jayson Werth type deal. In case you don't remember, Werth signed a 7 year, $126million deal with the Washington Nationals back in 2010. Even when he signed that deal I thought it was generous. No disrespect to Werth, but that deal was a little out of left field, excuse the cliche.

Now, Boras is trying to duplicate that deal with Choo. No offense to Choo, because he will be a huge help to whichever team he plays for, but  Boras is crazy. Werth has the experience that Choo doesn't have. He's been there for the big games when they are on the line. When push comes to shove and you have to perform to succeed. He's been in those moments. He knows what it is like to win so I guess that is why the Nationals gave him the big deal.

Choo has a lot going for him. He has a good combination of speed, power, and hitting....and on the right team he may help put a team ahead of the division. It was a good season for Choo, in 2013 he had a personal best .423OBP which Boras will definitely use to his advantage. He also hit an impressive 21 home runs, which is something he hasn't done since 2010. He also has some speed for the last 2 years he has stolen more than 20 bases. He is also versatile and can play anywhere in the outfield. That alone will be attractive to a team.....but until he can do it consistently Boras isn't going to convince me that he has the same value of Jayson Werth.

Choo is going to attract a lot of attention this off season. He has a lot of potential homes out there. We have already mentioned that he would make a good fit for us in SHIN SOO CHOO IS WANTED BY THE YANKS. Now that Curtis Granderson has rejected his qualifying offer from the Yankees, read that HERE it leads to a lot of interesting speculation.

So Boras....if you think that Choo and Werth have the same body of work I have to laugh for now. Maybe some day....but right now, I think you have lost your marbles.





--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ

  


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WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, JOE DIMAGGIO?

I love baseball, and most of the time, it loves me back.  There are certain times when I have to throw my hands up in the air and say, “Are you kidding me?”  One of those times is when a player catches a fly ball with one hand; another is when the center fielder sits down instead of warming up between innings.  But nothing tops the almighty, “I don’t have to run out a ground ball to the shortstop because I am going to be out at first, or I don’t have to run hard, I hit the ball to right field.”  Well, folks, I don’t know about you, but I expect a player to run hard, slide, and beat out every throw, or at least try. 

With ticket prices soaring, the economy plummeting and baseball salaries at an all time high, players are paid to run hard.  Just like I am paid to solve problems, develop business, nurture contacts, and run from meeting to meeting.  I am held accountable for everything I do, and my professional development plan dictates my goals.  If I don’t make my goals, I get reprimanded. 

On September 17, 1949, the Miami News published an article written by the Yankee Clipper himself, Joe DiMaggio, read HERE.  In the article entitled “Speed Is Not Everything on the Bases”, the legendary Yankee heralds that ball players “should run out every hit full speed even if it seems to be an easy out; it is sometimes as easy to boot big, hopping grounders and to drop soft flies as it is to muff the difficult put-outs.”  So, why then do we see Alex Rodriguez, today’s highest paid baseball player, jog to first, coast on fly balls, and show frustration when he just doesn’t hit the ball out of the infield?  If it is good enough for Derek Jeter to motor down to the first base with a bone bruise, it should be good enough for ARod or Robinson Cano or any other major league baseball player.

For ARod for example, this is a reoccurring trend.  Last year, right at the beginning of the season (Baseball Musings HERE), “Alex Rodriguez hit a ball off the wall to the right of center field for a double. Unfortunately, he thought it was gone, and wasn’t busting it out of the box. The ball got away from Jackson in center, and I’m thinking triple, but Alex just coasted into second. With the score tied at three and one out in the bottom of the sixth, it was the perfect time for a triple.”

And it’s not just Alex.  In August, Jimmy Rollins was hugely criticized by broadcasters and on Twitter following his “lack of hustle” (Read HERE) on a grounder hit to deep short stop, “Rollins was dogging it down the first-base line, and Reyes was able to field the ball with a foot on the outfield grass and flip it over to first base to get Rollins by about 20 feet. The TV announcers immediately commented on Rollins' blatant lack of hustle, as the lead off hitter was clearly taking his time making the 90-foot journey to first base.” 

Where did you go, Charlie Hustle?  We come to the stadium to cheer on our team.  We come to the stadium to see our team win.  We come to see our favorites hit the ball, field the ball, and wow us with their incredible athletic ability and competitive spirit.  But when you bring your 14-year-old son to the ballpark and watch with utter embarrassment as Jayson Werth sits on the outfield grass instead of warming up with his teammates, you just don’t know how to make that moment a teachable one.

 Why can’t all ball players today be like Joe D; with the spirit to win, the fight to run, and the belief that anything can happen.  As Joltin’ Joe said himself to a reporter back in 1951, “There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time.  I owe him my best.”

It gives me chills every time I read it.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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2012 BYB NATIONAL LEAGUE PREDICTIONS

In case you missed it, check out 2012 BYB AMERICAN LEAGUE PREDICTIONS. Here’s part two of our predictions, enjoy.

NL East:

(In Photo: Chase Utley)

1. Phillies: Best 1-2-3 rotation punch in baseball, need to tread water with Chase Utley and Ryan Howard out, Jonathan Papelbon slight upgrade over Ryan Madson. X-factor: Jimmy Rollins; needs to prove that he has enough in the tank and can stay healthy.

2. Nationals: Fantastic young rotation headlined by Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman needs to stay healthy for Washington to snag a wild card spot. X-factor: Jayson Werth; had a sub-par first year of mega contract, needs to step up big time.(In Photo: Jose Reyes)
3. Marlins: Health of Jose Reyes and Josh Johnson are vital, Giancarlo Stanton is one of the best young hitters in the game, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell additions are huge to pitching staff. X-Factor: Josh Johnson; if he’s healthy he can win a Cy Young, no doubt.

4. Braves: Can easily finish first in stacked NL East, tons of young pitching in rotation and high minors. X-factor: Jason Heyward, had nightmare year last year, needs to go back to 2010 form for Braves to make the playoffs

5. Mets: Offense better than most think, revamped bullpen, not much starting pitching. X-factor: Johan Santana. If he can turn back the clock to 2008 and pitch 120+ innings it’d be huge for this team that is assured to finish in last.

NL Central:

(In Photo: Sean Marshall)
1. Reds: Great 1-2 combo in rotation (Cueto and Latos) and 3-4 combo in lineup (Votto and Phillips), Madson injury won’t hurt too much with Sean Marshall closing out games. X-factor: Bronson Arroyo/Homer Bailey/Mike Leake. One of these guys needs to step up and pitch like a legit number 3 starter.

2. Brewers: Fielder departure will hurt, but Aramis Ramirez signing may help, Yovani Gallardo and Zack Greinke one of best 1-2 rotation combos in the game. X-factor: Corey Hart. Needs to stay healthy and help fill the void of Prince Fielder.

3. Cardinals: Albert Pujols, LaRussa, and Duncan departures critical, Chris Carpenter injury huge as well. X-factor: David Freese; Needs to stay healthy and continue to hit close to what he did in ’11 playoffs.(In Photo: Andrew McCutchen)
4. Pirates: Some good young talent in the lineup led by Andrew McCutchen, Joel Hanrahan elite closer, may have to wait one more year to break streak of consecutive losing seasons. X-Factor: Erik Bedard; would be a nice boost to the team if he can stay healthy for an entire season, could thrive in National League setting.

5. Cubs: The curse of the Billy goat and such will continue another year, Starlin Castro a young, exciting player that will eventually emerge into a star. X-factor: Geovany Soto; has followed every good season in career with a bad one, last year he OBP’d a career low .310 after .398 showing in ’10. Is a big year in the works?
(In Photo: Wandy Rodriguez)
6. Astros: By far the worst team in baseball and it’ll only get worse when they move to AL 2013. X-Factor: Wandy Rodriguez; Needs to pitch well enough to get traded to a contender in late July.

NL West:

1. Diamondbacks: Could be best team in NL with great young pitching and lineup, Justin Upton and Ian Kennedy are MVP and Cy Young candidates, respectively. X-Factor: Trevor Cahill; Needs to prove he can handle pitching in desert after pitching in spacious Oakland.(In Photo: Melky Cabrera)
2. Giants: Buster Posey and Brandon Belt have potential to be one of the better young offensive combos in the NL. Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Madison Bumgarner are second best 1-2-3 rotation combo in the NL. X-factor: Melky Cabrera; Needs to repeat strong ’11 campaign and get on base in top of Giants order.

3. Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp both cornerstones of potential elite team in a few years, Dee Gordon is very young and exciting player, best of luck to Don Mattingly in second season of managing. X-Factor: Chad Billingsley; Needs to take next step and become legit number 2 starter behind Kershaw.
(In Photo: Carlos Gonzalez)
4. Rockies: Troy Tulowitzki is best shortstop in the game, acquired two nice pieces in Ubaldo trade to improve starting rotation in near future, Jamie Moyer comeback is great story. X-Factor: Carlos Gonzalez; Needs to stay healthy and return to 2010 form for Rockies to have a chance at the NL Central.

5. Padres: Fueled by pitching and not much offense, Yonder Alonso could be future star. X-Factor: Edinson Volquez; Needs to pitch somewhat near 2008 form. Maybe change of scenery and friendlier ballpark could do the trick.

Wild Cards: Nationals, Marlins
NLCS: Marlins over Phillies
MVP: Joey Votto
Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw
Rookie: Yonder Alonso
Comeback player: Johan Santana
Manager of the year: Ozzie Guillen

World Series: Yankees over Marlins
World Series MVP: Curtis Granderson

There you have it, our NL and AL predictions. Feel free to sound off in the comments if you agree or disagree.




--Jesse Schindler, BYB Lead Staff Writer
Follow me on Twitter @SchindlerJesse

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WHY BUEHRLE IS IN DEMAND

Mark Buehrle is the perfect free agent candidate to land this off season. It's not about money as much as it is quality and durability. Buehrle isn't looking for 6 years/$120 million...no, Buehrle just wants to pitch and where is key because what Buehrle doesn't want to do, in my opinion, is go to a team that needs to rebuild or needs to try and Win a championship in the year 2015. No, Buehrle needs to go to a team that is already established, that already has an ace and already can win a championship...oh and having Buehrle to contribute, well, that's icing on the cake. What would it take? Well, less than 6 years... 2, maybe 3 years at between $10-13 million a year.

Mark Buehrle is a veteran free agent and for him this time around it's about getting to a ball club and winning. Yes, it's true, the Nationals visited Mark Buehrle at his home (read HERE), but you and I both know that Mark Buehrle is not going to the Nationals...at least that's what I think.Let's be honest, Jayson Werth only went to the Nationals for the money, and the hope and dream that he could lead his team as the face of the franchise to a Championship in 2016. There is no way in hell Jayson Werth saw the Nationals as a sure thing, he saw dollar signs. That's fine, I'm not blasting his decision, I'm giving you the reality. There is no way Buehrle does that. I don't see Buehrle wanting to rebuild, I see Buehrle wanting to be in the thick of it, with guys like CC Monster and Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter.... hell, who wouldn't want to play with Jeter in their career. The point is, I see Buehrle as a New York Yankee, not a National and not a White Sock, no more.

Right now it is being reported that 13 teams like Mark Buehrle and the White Sox clearly didn't think that was coming. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times has a piece basically outlining how the Sox never expected this much buzz about Buehrle. So, what did they do? They offered Buehrle arbitration so they would at least get compensated if he leaves Chicago. I just had to laugh when I read about Chicago not thinking so many teams would be so interested in Buehrle. How could they not? He's a good pitcher with good talent and he's a veteran who hasn't really broken down. My opinion is Mark Buehrle, while Chicago is his home, would welcome a change of scenery... it may do the body good.You come to BYB for my opinion as well as our analysis. Well, my opinion is simple, Cashman needs to make an offer. True, he needs to see what the market is for a Mark Buehrle so he doesn't over play his hand, but let's face facts, Bleeding Yankee Blue readers know their baseball and if you guys pick Mark Buehrle, like you did Freddy Garcia last winter, I know Mark Buehrle is the smartest market choice. Not only is he cheaper than a CJ Wilson, he's durable, also a lefty and had been a starter for a decade. I'm not saying that's better, I'm just saying it may be the smarter choice, that's all.

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WHY LINCECUM FOR MONTERO MAY HAPPEN

Let’s face it, the San Francisco Giants can sit there and respond to media reports that Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain (Read HERE) are untouchable and insist they not leaving the San Francisco Giants all they want, but the reality is, the Giants would love to have someone like Jesus Montero and the Yankees need a real stud to get the rotation in order following CC Sabathia. I mean, why wouldn’t Tim Lincecum be available? Bottom line, everyone is touchable these days….everyone.

Jesus Montero wasn’t just showing the Yankees and the fans what type of hitter he was in September, he was auditioning, whether he knew it or not is another story. Every team needs hitting and every team needs pitching and right now, in a full hitting Yankee roster, it would make sense for the Yankees to unload a young hitter for a Freak like Tim Lincecum, especially if they can. Yes, Brian Cashman has always stated that the Yankee kids are untouchable, but we all know that when it comes down to it, you really have to wonder just how strong that statement is...right? Cashman’s a liar and I love that about him. He doesn’t lie to be disrespectful to the fans, he does it to get the other teams’ GM's off his trail. It’s brilliant actually. If Brian Cashman were to call up Brian Sabean right now and try to make a deal, a deal would be made, especially if the 2 saw a fit. Money may also have to be exchanged, other players may also need to be offered up, probably from the Yankees side, but ultimately, you cannot sit there and tell me that a deal WON’T get done. I’m telling you a deal CAN get done and I have a sneaking suspicion that a deal will get done. Now, I'm going to get comments suggesting I'm wrong, and that's fine. 90% of these rumors are speculation and a source that usually doesn't know butkus. I'm telling you, sometimes rumors stem from truth and while this one is out there lingering, I believe it could start to simmer on the hot stove.

Yes Yankee Fans, you can sit here and scream that dumping Montero would be the biggest mistake in our lives but let’s face facts… Can Jesus Montero pitch? Because with all the hitting we already have, you know and I know we could sacrifice him for a top pitcher. Bottom line, we don’t play for the future, we play for now, and if a Freak like Lincecum falls in your lap, or at least dangled in front of you, you try and take him and you give whatever you can, within reason, to get him.

Yes, it’s hard to part with such a talent like Jesus Montero, hell, I love watching him hit, and I have always said I’d hate to give Montero up, but Lord knows Montero’s biggest downside is he can’t catch and if the Giants can better utilize him and a handful of other youngsters for a star like Lincecum, there is nothing wrong with rolling the dice on that. In the end, both the Yankees and Giants win. Hell, this the off season; I’ve heard crazier trade proposals and I’ve heard crazier free agent signings in all my years of reading about baseball… remember last year? Remember Jayson Werth and Carl Crawford’s deals? Those deals were nuts, they make this idea of a Lincecum for Montero trade perfectly normal and acceptable.

This trade may be the greatest trade of the decade, especially if both Lincecum and Montero could perform in opposite leagues. Lincecum may just be what the Yankees need right now and it may give a kid like Jesus Montero a new beginning to be one of the biggest hitters of his generation. That’s my opinion at least, what’s yours?

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WHY BORAS MAKES BASEBALL WORSE

The Yankees have enough on their plate… so why does Scott Boras have to call up Brian Cashman and ask about Robinson Cano’s contract now? What’s the reason besides greed? Do you really think Robinson Cano told Boras to call Cashman about erasing his options and try to renegotiate a monster contract for him RIGHT NOW? Do you? Because I don’t. If Cano really did want his agent to do that, Boras wouldn’t have came out later yesterday and told the media he was “kidding” about the Yankees reworking Cano’s contract.

I see Robinson Cano as classy, as a smart baseball man who realizes that the Yankees have a great shot at winning #28 if the Yankees sign CC Sabathia asap. Boras in my opinion brought this on on his own because he has a relationship with the Yankees and felt as though he could come and go as he pleases. Message to Boras; The love is there between Cano and the Yankees, in fact, Robbie probably doesn’t even need you around to negotiate a contract with the team whose system he came through... keep your trap shut. Cano has proven he’s a Yankee star and the Yankees love his maturity since Melky Cabrera left. Believe me, there will be no problem working out a contract when the time comes, but now clearly isn’t the time and I would even suggest that when Cano read about what Boras did, he called him and told him to fix the mess he made.

George King III discussed the Boras backtrack HERE. He also discusses the important fact that Boras also represents Carlos Beltran, Prince Fielder and Edwin Jackson, all names that have recently been connected to the Yankees "rumors" and all names the could possibly wind up in pinstripes according to many media outlets and blogs...this one included.

Look, Boras has a job to do, he does it well, and almost too well. The players with big contracts and big years have proven to be busts as of late and many teams are smartening up to the fact that if teams get locked in for a lot of jack and the player has a terrible season, they're stuck. That's why ARod walked away from Boras, because he realized his agent almost destroyed his life so he cut him loose, renegoiated with the Yankees and finalized a deal. By the way, don't think the Yankees are 100% stupid re-signing ARod. They have 1 thing in mind with Alex and that long term deal, they want him to be the all time Home Run leader in pinstripes. That's it. The problem now is, with Alex breaking down, maybe they goofed, but we won't know that until we get closer to 700.

A perfect example is Jayson Werth and the Nationals. Werth is good, but he’s not $126 million good. Look at the Red Sox and Carl Crawford and the contract he signed. Crawford looked old this season and couldn’t even hit the ball...and this is a lead-off guy. The point is big contracts, big years have to disappear for baseball to get good again and that means guys like Boras need to shut up and re-invent themselves. But not only that, teams need to smarten up. Let’s hope the Yankees take that advice.

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