JEFF SAMARDZIJA SHOULDN'T BE AN OPTION FOR THE YANKEES, MR. HEYMAN

You know how many times Suzie Pinstripe and I have written that Jeff Samardzjia would be a perfect fit for the Yankees over the years? Well... that ship has sailed... and Jon Heyman is a moron.

Samardzija is no ace at this point and just average... and to get him in New York wouldn't make much sense... even though Severino is out, Paxton is out... and Domingo German still out... it's not a real good option to stabilize our rotation. I'm not a fan of duct tape and band-aids.

Jon Heyman tweeted this:

Jeff Samardzija is a name that makes sense for Yankees, and there’s a link. Yankees exec Jim Hendry as Cubs GM brought Samardzija to Chicago. But for now Yankees insist they are staying internal.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 28, 2020 r />

NJ.com has ripped Heyman alittle too... and I love it:

"Realistic? Highly doubtful, and not just because Yankees GM Brian Cashman has been saying he plans to start the season with in-house fill-ins replacing injured starting pitchers James Paxton and Luis Severino. "

Gary Sheffield Jr. sums it up perfectly:

Me calculating his contract into the Yankees payroll for an average pitcher pic.twitter.com/XaPvC1uXdO

— Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) February 28, 2020

Baseball insiders like Jon Heyman are bad for journalism. He's pretty awful and at this point in Samardzija's career... it would not be worth it.  Cashman is right to stick internally. We have better options in the Bronx and in Tampa than we do signing Samardzija at this point.

Sorry Jeff... and sorry, not sorry Jon. It's over for you. Go away.

MAYBE THE YANKEES CAN DUMP ELLSBURY AFTER ALL....

It would be the best breakup story I have ever heard. Breakups normally suck, but not this one. The idea of cutting all ties with Jacoby Ellsbury would be epic. It may not be realistic, but you know what? It's not going to stop me from fantasizing about it.

The Yankees won 100 games last season without Jacoby Ellsbury. He never made an appearance. Not one at bat or defensive replacement. Their third most expensive contract literally had ZERO impact on the team. He's a non-factor who is just taking up roster space.

Ellsbury had season-ending hip surgery in August and is questionable for an Opening Day return. His agent Scott Boras said he would be ready HERE, but last we heard from Brian Cashman back in October he didn't sound so optimistic. That was a while ago at this point, but we have nothing else to go off of.

Despite Ellsbury's missing year, there has miraculously still been some interest in him this winter. At one point it was rumored that the Mariners and Yankees were talking about a Robinson Cano-for Ellsbury trade that obviously didn't go anywhere and now more recently the San Francisco Giants have interest. Serious interest? Who knows, but Buster Olney tweeted it:

Why on earth would either side be interested in this? (IF they are). Here are some thoughts:

1. Both sides would trade from areas of depth to address areas of weakness

Basically the Giants and Yankees would be swapping bad contract for bad contract. We all hate the Ellsbury contract, it's a horrible deal for the Yankees. As bad as it is, the Giants have several bad contracts. They have a lot of money tied up in declining players on a rebuilding team. The Giants are not going to be contenders. They lost 98 games in 2017 and 89 games last season. I don't see 2019 being a drastic improvement.

That being said they have a few bad contract for bad contract candidates that they could try to tempt the Yankees with....but I think only two make any sense.

I disagree with Olney about Johnny Cueto. He's still recovering from Tommy John surgery and he's not even expected to pitch this season. He would be a pickup for 2020 or 2021 and he has an extra year on his deal compared to Ellsbury. I am sure the Giants would love to get rid of him, but he makes no sense for the Yankees.

But what about Brandon Belt? Buster Posey will likely see more time at first base for the Giants going forward due to his hip surgery. That could make Belt expendable so maybe they would trade him. He would be another alternative to Greg Bird and give us a better lefty bad we desperately need.  If I am being honest though, I would take just about anyone over Bird. I'm known to be his toughest critic here. Heck, maybe the Yankees could throw in cost effective Bird with Ellsbury and get it done. Probably not though....realistically the Giants could get more for Belt.

There's also Jeff Samardzija. The Giants have been shopping for an outfielder. We have a surplus of them, and the Giants have pitching depth so a swap would make sense. I don't think you can ever have enough pitching, so the Yankees would get another arm they can use however they need. Still seems a little far fetched though.

2. There's insurance money to consider

Last year Ellsbury made $21 million, but the Yankees were able to recover over $15 million from insurance thanks to his missed time, read more HERE. Maybe we haven't heard an update on Ellsbury because the Yankees don't expect him to miss enough time for the insurance payout to kick in. He would have to miss a certain amount of time before they can collect insurance again. It's crazy to think about but if Ellsbury does miss considerable time again this season he could be more valuable for the Yankees to keep because of the insurance payout and less valuable to a potential trade partner thanks to his diminished value.

3. What about that 'no-trade' clause?

We all know Ellsbury has one, but will he waive it? I don't know. He has two motivating factors to waive it. Realistically, Ellsbury is a bench guy at best. The Yankees have a bench spot open, but the outfield is set and has a waiting list (Clint Frazier, anyone?)

If Ellsbury wants playing time he's going to get that with the Giants who are actively shopping for outfielders. Also, Ellsbury has a home in Arizona so playing in San Francisco could be appealing. Then again.....it's the Giants instead of the Yankees. Potential postseason berth versus nothing (likely). Ouch.

This sounds like a long shot but if the Giants are willing to talk it's worth an honest conversation. Sometimes rumors just don't make sense. There are cheaper free agents out there. They could easily sign Marwin Gonzalez or Adam Jones for far less money so this rumor is strange, but if the Giants really have interest in Ellsbury then the Yankees should be all ears. I know I am.

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

WAITING...AND STILL WAITING....FOR PITCHING

Will it ever come?

Teams are interested. The Yankees have the prospects every other team wants but can the Yankees get any quality pitching that they want in return without overspending? It's an ugly market out there this season. The off season was crappy, the rotation ideally needs two more additions but is there anything worth chasing after? It's not looking so great.

So, the Giants have so kindly reached out to Brian Cashman and said that Jeff Samardzija is available. Anyone excited about that? The Yankees were interested in Samardzija years ago before he ran into shoulder and pectoral trouble this year. He's been on-and off the disabled list this year. He's pitched 44.2 innings and given up almost as many walks (26) and he has strikeouts (30) and has a 6.25 ERA. He's owed around $45 million through 2020. So to sum it all up, he can't stay healthy, has pitched poorly and still has a lot of money left on his contract. No wonder why the Giants are willing to get rid of him. We need pitching but he's not an upgrade to the Yankee rotation.

So Samardzija makes no sense but what about Zack Wheeler? According to Marc Carig HERE, the Yankees have recently inquired on Wheeler. The Yankees and Mets still have a trade rumor connection going on despite the fizzled Jacob DeGrom idea. Could the Yankees and Mets make a connection with Wheeler?

 I will believe it when I see it but if the Mets are going to trade anyone to the Yankees Wheeler makes the most sense because he's only under team control for one more year and has an injury history and now is the time to sell him. Wheeler has pitched 107.1 innings this season. He has a 4.44 ERA but I don't read too much into it because he's pitching for the last place Mets. Last place....even the Marlins have a better record. Wheeler has pitched well in his last few starts and he's actually throwing harder since returning to the Mets post Tommy John and is now throwing a splitter. The extra velocity and new pitch is intriguing. He's worth checking in on.

Then there is Michael Fulmer....again. Talk about this guy just won't go away. The Tigers are doing their homework to prepare for a potential trade. The Tigers have been scouting the Yankees, read more here and they have interest in Tyler Wade and Clint Frazier. Cashman has already said he doesn't want to move Frazier, but would he move Wade? Fulmer could be a great addition to the Yankee rotation. He's been streaky at times but his stuff is good. He's one or two tweaks away from being a dominating pitcher. If the Yankees could the get Fulmer by creating a package with Wade or Frazier should they do it? Or should Frazier be off limits?

I feel like with all of the "maybes" the Yankees have been chasing but haven't made a move on yet is it possible that they have another idea in mind? The Yankees have said they don't want to move Justus Sheffield and CC Sabathia doesn't want them to either. In fact, he wants the Yankees to give Sheffield is shot by calling him up, read that here. Is that a possibility right now or is it too soon?

It's been a long first half. Hopefully the All Star break brings some clarity and some pitching to this team that it really needs. We are waiting for you to attack that weakness Cashman....anxiously waiting.

Stay Tuned.

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

THE SEVEN FISHES OF PITCHERS

Source:  The Sporting News

Now that we have CC Sabathia under contract for 2018, the Yankees can breathe a slight sigh of relief.  Consistency and leadership are two essential components for a Yankee pitching rotation.  But both Sabathia and these traits might not be enough to win the championship next season.  So, the Yankees may need to catch a big fish among the seven fishes of pitchers who could be shopping for a new team in 2018.

Source: ESPN

According to the NY Daily News, these starting pitchers include Gerrit Cole (Pittsburgh), Chris Archer and Alex Cobb (Tampa Bay), Danny Duffy (Kansas City), Michael Fulmer (Detroit), Patrick Corbin (Arizona) and Jeff Samardzija (San Francisco).  If I had my druthers, I would go after Zack Greinke and call it a day. But I will entertain some deep thinking about most of these guys, but not all of them.

Source: NESN

Quite frankly, Gerrit Cole had his chance to be in pinstripes and he gave that opportunity up.  "The Yankees originally burned a first-round pick in 2008 (28th overall) on Cole only for him to spurn them for UCLA, but the 28-year-old right-hander since has established himself as a frontline starter over five seasons with the Pirates. Cole has two more years of arbitration eligibility before he will become a free agent after the 2019 season," reported the News.  Besides this, Cole has had some elbow inflammation and we all know how that adds anxiety to the team, wondering when he could fall.

Source: NJ.com

Looking at both Archer and Cobb, I would not choose either even though I have always liked the way Archer commands himself on the mound.  He has had two tough seasons, but he could rebound.  Cobb has had some injuries, but he is still a premiere starter who could demand just a little too much cash and stretch the luxury tax a bit too far.

Source: SI.com

Duffy...in a word, no.  DUI charge, Tommy John surgery.  We don't need that.  Detroit's Michael Fulmer, although 2016 Rookie of Year, might not be worth it either.  Chemistry matters and there may be too much bad blood between Detroit and the Yankees after the brawl of 2017.  "Of course, Fulmer was the pitcher who drilled Gary Sanchez, leading to a series of brawls between the two teams, in August. He also underwent nerve transposition surgery in his pitching elbow in September, but he's expected to be ready for spring training," reported the News.

Source: The Sporting News

Patrick Corbin is a guy who could be attractive to the Yankees as a ground ball throwing left-hander.  Of the bunch so far, I like what he could add but as I said earlier, I would prefer his teammate, Greinke.

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Then there is Jeff Samardzija, who I endorsed for pinstripes a few years ago, when he was available.  Today, he would only be welcomed here to the Bronx if he could help us unload a certain former Red Sox centerfielder.  "This might have to be the exchange of one terrible contract for another, perhaps if the outfield-hungry Giants would be willing to take on a chunk of Jacoby Ellsbury's albatross deal," reported the News.

So the Yankees have some fishing to do, with the right bait and the right mindset to do so.  Of these seven fishes with potential availability, I don't see one I would be willing to take a chance on.  Perhaps we need to cast a wider net for a bigger fish, one who can compliment our pitching staff in a way that elevates it to the kind we need to win in October.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof






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BLOCKBUSTER! YANKEES COULD MAKE TRADES WITHIN THE WEEK

 Source: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America

There is speculation that the Yankees could make some trades with the San Francisco Giants, which may excite you and derail you at the same time.  The GM Meetings begin in Orlando this week and there is talk that the Yankees could come away with some new players, which could significantly improve their infield and batting order but we may lose something in the process.

Source: Ralph Freso/Getty Images North America

The Yankees could send Starlin Castro, Luis Cessa and Tyler Austin to the Giants in return for power in the line up and in the field with Joe Panik making his way to Bronx.  According to the Joel Sherman of the NY Post on Saturday, "The Giants are looking to add power, specifically righty power. Panik loses homers at AT&T Park that I believe he adds with his lefty stroke at Yankee Stadium. Just as attractive is that no qualified hitter struck out a lower percentage last year than Panik, and the Yankees might have been too susceptible to the whiff in the past playoffs. He’s a better defender than Castro. He grew up a Jeter/Yankees fan, went to St. John’s and lives in Duchess County in the offseason. In the short term, he plays second with Gleyber Torres becoming the regular third baseman."  

Source: Justin Edmonds/Getty Images North America

Panik completed the 2017 season with a .288 ERA, 10 home runs and 53 RBIs.  Not all that impressive when you just look at the numbers, but if you take into consideration what Sherman says about Panik losing home runs to the parameters of AT&T Park, we may be able to double or even triple his home run numbers and therefore increase his RBIs at Yankee Stadium.  His on base percentage is .347 and he only struck out 54 times.  Panik is 26 and could be a good fit for the Yankees.

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

Sherman believes that because the Yankees have traded this early in the past, they are likely to strike early this year.  Now here's the part you may not like. "The Giants badly want to add a center fielder, so (Aaron) Hicks would be more their desire, and I think they are the early frontrunners for free agent Lorenzo Cain. I also keep wondering if there is a bigger trade between the Yanks and Giants with Jacoby Ellsbury (as a salary counterbalance) and more significant power prospect — Clint Frazier perhaps — going to San Francisco for Jeff Samardzija, especially if the Yanks fail to land Shohei Otani and need to put sure innings into their rotation."  Yea, I was skeptical of that part too except for the Ellsbury dumping.

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

I like Clint Frazier and I feel like he has an energy and a potential not realized quite yet.  He has not had enough time to prove himself and I don't quite know why the Yankees keep dangling him out there.  Do they not like something about him?  It's peculiar for me.  Samardzija has been struggling as of late but he is a power pitcher who could find himself performing at his best in a power house team like the Yankees.

 Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

So, I think it is safe to say that we have some trades brewing for us as soon as this week with the GM meetings set to start on Monday.  It will be interesting to see what happens for the Yankees and baseball as the Mets may make a play for Jason Kipnis, which could add something to their lineup for the spring.  Count on us to bring you the best coverage and analysis for the off season happenings.  Let's hope for a great week of trading!

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @suzieprof

BYB PLAYOFF UPDATES & GOODFELLAS

So much baseball today and I had no time to watch anything really except for the end of the Cubs vs. Giants game.  I mean in the end, when everything is said and done, I want the Cubs to be in the World Series this year. BUT... I like the Giants, so this is gonna be tough for me emotionally.

Anyway.  Here are a few things to point out about today...

My kid wants to see the Rangers advance, but today against the Blue Jays, they lost.  That means they are 0-2 in the ALDS. I mean Yu Darvish gave up 4 home runs today.  That is NOT a good situation.  In the end, the Jays won and now the Rangers have to dig out of a hole.

Final: Blue Jays 5 - Ranger 3

The Indians killed the Red Sox, and now they are up 2-0 in this series. As you know, I'm a Yankee fan and not a Sox fan.  Now, I feel for friends like Section 36, but the reality is, the rivalry will forever be in my heart and I cannot watch the Red Sox win. And so, I root for Terry Francona.

 Final: Indians 6 - Red Sox 0

In the NLDS, the Dodgers won Game 1 against the Nationals. Kershaw beat Scherzer, and to be honest, I can get on board with that.  I no longer really root for the Dodgers with Mattingly no longer there, and so, I just wanna see how this series plays out. No biggie.

Final: Dodgers 4 - Nationals 3

The Cubs against the Giants.  I like the Giants this season and I want to see them get through the entire thing winning it all. But to be honest, to see the Cubs in the World Series would be cool for the history of the game.  Here's my problem with the Cubs... I do not like Joe Maddon and his arrogance.  Yes, he's good... but is he that good?  I don't think so.

Bruce Bochy is the man, and I love Posey, Pence and Samardzija, and the franchise itself kicks ass. and so, I want them in and even though they lost tonight... I have faith in the Giants.

The Cubs one 1-0 tonight on a home run from Javier Baez.  Great game.  In the end, it was funny to see Ken Rosenthal ask Baez about getting a curtain call, and it was obvious the language barrier hurt Baez with his answer... "You know... just dealing with it. You can't do anything else."

Yikes...

Final: Cubs 1 - Giants 0

 
And finally... watching the post game with Alex Rodriguez, Pete Rose and Frank Thomas, as much as I love seeing those guys there... it was clear to me that Thomas felt like he was sitting with a bunch of randoms.

I had to tweet this... because it was the first thing I thought of:

Frank Thomas is like "ARod is this way, Pete Rose is this way... and this guy's like 'What do you want from me?'" #Goodfellas #FoxSports pic.twitter.com/Ah1VL9fuKc

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) October 8, 2016

The painting in Goodfellas:


Now don't get me wrong, I love Pete Rose and I appreciate ARod very much... it just felt awkward to me, even though it probably wasn't.

Anyway... more baseball this weekend. #BYB will do our best to bring you as much coverage and interesting stuff as we can.

Stay with us every day!

WHOA! LOOKY WHERE CUETO JUST SIGNED!

Big development if you live on the West Coast and are a San Francisco Giants fan. The Giants starting pitching is sick right now. Or at least they're a whole lot better.

According to several reports, and we'll go with Yahoo Sports on this one:

"The San Francisco Giants bet big that Johnny Cueto is more World Series hero than late-season goat, agreeing to sign the best remaining free-agent pitcher on the market for six years and $130 million...After turning down $120 million from the Arizona Diamondbacks, who later gave Zack Greinke more than $200 million, Cueto waited out the market and leapt at the chance to join a Giants team loading up for another even-year World Series run. 

Earlier in the offseason, San Francisco inked right-hander Jeff Samardzija to a five-year, $90 million deal, banking on his 2015 season as an anomaly and hoping that pitching in front of the Giants' strong defense and in pitcher-friendly AT&T Park would help him return to his previous level."

Because this is primarily a Yankee site, I can just say this; the Yankees had zero 'want' of Johnny Cueto. The price tag was too high, plus there is speculation about Cueto's elbow which is always interesting to read about after a big deal goes down.  ESPN writes:

"...they're gambling that Cueto's inconsistent results with the Royals aren't related to the sore elbow he had earlier in the 2015 season."

Whatever the case, the Giants are making moves to improve their rotation.  I wonder what the Yankees will do with THEIR rotation? Anything?

I feel like I've been writing that line a lot lately.




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