BLABBERMOUTH PAPELBON IS IRRELEVANT & CORA SHOULD BE BANNED ANYWAY

Alex Cora should have been banned from baseball with AJ Hinch for the 2017 Asstros sign stealing scandal. That is something that these coaches should never be able to get away from.  And Jonathan Papelbon is long retired... so why is he running his stupid mouth?

If you don't know what's going on, it all stems back to new Yankee Alex Verdugo, who, unless he knocks it out of the park every single time he's in pinstripes, I was never jazzed about AV, and I'm still not.  First of all, he's doing this thing where he's kissing the ass of Aaron Boone, the most unqualified manager in baseball... but he's also sparking a lot of unneeded drama.  The other day he was asked about coming over to the Yankees from the "rival" Red Sox and said this:

“I’m very, very excited to work with Aaron, I’ve seen the way he has his players’ backs... That’s something I want to see out of my head coach. I want to see some fire, some fight for the guys, and I think just instead of airing people out, have their backs.”

Alex Verdugo loved Aaron Boone's unforgettable "Savages" rant in 2019 🤣 pic.twitter.com/fKXtUJXL57

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) December 21, 2023

It was clearly taking a shot at Alex Cora, and I back that just because I think Cora is a total piece of shit anyway.  

But saying this kind of garbage just brings the Sox zombies out of the woodwork.  Jonathan Papelbon might be the biggest irrelevant player out there right now.  And of course with Verdugo's comments, Jonnie woke up. He wrote this on social media:

everyone point and laugh at Jonathan Papelbon pic.twitter.com/Sd4Z86qMBV

— ZT (@NY_EvilEmpire) December 22, 2023

"Verdugo I mean Vertigo is a B----... Cora has his players and teammates backs more than anyone in the game. You aired yourself out by being late, lazy and unproductive. If I played for Cora I’m drilling this b----, just saying.”

For the record, Papelbon never played for Alex Cora.  What the hell does he know?  Also, why do we care about any of this?  Clearly Verdugo has an opinion on a manager that benched him once and that's beef between he and Cora.  Why is Papelbon around? And furthermore, why is this idiot Carrabis commenting on social media? He longs to be important, but he should just go continue peddling Draft Kings and shut up.  

Red Sox Nation has always been annoying to me. Everyone's tough up there.  Now let me be clear, I absolutely love the Sox fans. 

The Red Sox fans are the most passionate and even as a Yankee fan, they were nothing but nice to me when I go to Fenway.  But these moron players need to just go away.  And that starts with a guy like Verdugo who looks at Boone on his surface as someone that has his player's backs.  Maybe I'm in the minority here, but every time Boone fights with an umpire, I don't see it as having the players backs at all. I perceive it as a manager fighting for his job. A manager that is desperate because he sucks. 

Sorry.... that's just me.

A TRUE YANKEE

When the Skipper picks up the bullpen phone and tells the coach, “Get O’Hara up and throwing”, you do hop to. (Read #MILLERISAYANKEE for more.) So let me warm up the ol’ soup bone and flex the so-called “O’HARA WISDOM” (not sure that is a real thing, but I dig it.)

What makes a TRUE New York Yankee? Is it just wearing the famed Pinstripes? Nope. Is it saying all the right things at your introduction presser? Nah uh. Is it being a homegrown, core 4-type player? Well, that helps, but it’s not what makes a Yankee. What makes a Yankee is a combination of things. Andrew Miller possesses ALL of them. He buys into the tradition. He is selfless and cares about one thing, winning. He LOVES being in the Bronx and wants to stay above all else. He has OUTSTANDING warm up music (That’s a personal note. Johnny Cash? I’m sold.)

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
In all seriousness I wish we had a team of Andrew Millers. He is cut from the mold of a Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez or David Wells. NONE were homegrown Baby Bombers, but I dare you to say none of them are TRUE YANKEE BLUE! Hell, the Boomer wore Babe Ruth’s cap, took the silly fine and would have played for free if THE BOSS asked him too. That’s what makes a Yankee to me. It’s not about the accomplishments right away…no, it’s that desire to accomplish for the team, the fans and the city. It’s to be a part of something bigger than yourself. 

Andrew Miller embodies that. When the Yankees made the move for Chapman did Miller fuss like a Papelbon? No sir! Did he ask for more money or to be traded? Not on you life. Andy simply said, “I want the best for this team.” Kids, grab a pen and take notes. That’s how you do it. On top of everything else Miller is also OUTSTANDING! He is filthy and is the best of the 3 Headed Monster called NO RUNS DMC. 

Being a true Yankee is not an easy thing to be. There have been really good players that I think are truly forgettable in the grand scheme. Tex. Not a real Yankee (despite the ring). I’m sorry. He isn’t a Yankee the way Paulie, Tino, Coney or Boomer were. HE. JUST. ISN’T! Yup, Mattingly was his hero. Sorry, still doesn’t cut the Guldens. I’d say Jason Giambi was more a true Yankee than Tex. Or here, think of it this way. I think Luis Sojo was a Real Yankee. What did he accomplish? He was a ride along guy on some great teams, but Luis was an awesome addition to that clubhouse during his time in the Bronx. He gave all he had to the uniform.

It’s an exclusive club. Talent alone won’t get you access. To be a True Yankee you have to be a Yankee Fan in a way. You see the club for all it stands for and are willing to do all you can to be sure when the PA plays NEW YORK, NEW YORK the scoreboard shows the Bronx Bombers with the W. Andrew Miller is that kind of guy. Let’s keep him here…trade the guy with the rental sign on his back and 103mph on the radar gun.

** Let’s hope Andy Miller runs on as a True Yankee for a long time. **

  
  
--Mike O'Hara, Senior "Features" Writer 
Follow me on Twitter: @mikeyoh21

ARE CHAPMAN & MILLER REALLY ON THE MOVE?

I hate to think about it....but maybe. I can only imagine how many times a day Brian Cashman's phone is ringing. I am sure it's a ton and just thinking about other teams trying to swoop in and steal away the best pieces of our teams makes me violently ill. It sucks being on the other end of the situation. I don't want to get used to this.

We are only six weeks away from the trade deadline and the Yankees are going to make some tough decisions. Who gets to stay and who gets dealt? The best parts of this team are our bullpen and a contending team is going to be more than willing to take them off of our hands. Is anyone "untouchable?" and who could we even get for these guys?

I would sincerely hope that Dellin Betances is untouchable for many reasons. First, he is still young. Second, he is homegrown and last but not least he is cheap. He is only earning the league minimum and the Yankees can build around him. He's also talented. I know he has had his struggles this season but who hasn't on this team? It can't be easy performing with so much pressure either. This bullpen is expected to do far too much and the bullpen can't fix it all. I can't imagine a Yankee future without this guy on the team. If Cashman were to deal him he better deplete another team's farm because that is the only reason to get rid of this guy.

On the other side of the league the Nationals seem to be a good trade partner for the Yankees. The timing is just too perfect. On Tuesday Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon hit the disabled list for the first time in his entire career, shocking right? The Nationals are leading in the NL East and they don't look like they will be giving that up anytime soon. The Nationals have the most home runs in the National League and are ranked third in starting pitching with a 3.19 ERA. The Nationals bullpen is also strong and they have allowed the fewest home runs in the National League but with Papelbon out of commission they could use the help.

Realistically, Andrew Miller or Aroldis Chapman could be on the trading block here. The Nationals do not have a left handed closer and either of these guys could strengthen their bullpen. Chapman will be paid $11.325 million this year and that may scare some teams but the Nationals have become high spenders and would probably be willing to take on that salary if it meant bringing them closer to their first World Series win in franchise history.

Also worth noting, the Nationals have a top ten farm system so the Yankees would be able to get a good haul in young prospects back for Chapman. The Yankees are in rebuilding mode so maybe that would convince the Yankees to deal him. Maybe this is the best opportunity.

Besides the Nationals, the Chicago Cubs could be another trade partner. This week the Cubs sent a scout to check the bullpen trio out. The Cubs have the best record in baseball at 44-20...I'm admittedly jealous. The Cubs have an effective starting rotation with  Jake Arrieta leading the rotation but the Cubs are lacking a true closer. Right now they have a duo between Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop and some nice relievers but a true closer would make that team even more dynamic.

While the Cubs have proven they may not "need" a true designated closer so far in the season if the Cubs want to be serious contenders in the post season and finally win it all....they have a much better chance with a closer like Aroldis Chapman. The Cubs are ranked with the fourth best farm system so they have plenty of young promising prospects in their farm system so the Yankees would have a lot to choose from.

If the Yankees decide to become sellers by the trade deadline it would be in our best interest to find a team that is going to be able to give us some good prospects to continue our rebuilding process. By all accounts, both the Nationals and the Cubs have a lot to offer. It sucks to think about "selling" the team. It's not what we are used to....but is it time to say goodbye to either of these guys?

Stay tuned, if anything happens you know we will be here to tell you all about it. 

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





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THAT TRADE BETWEEN THE NATS & JAYS? IT'S OFFICIAL!

The Washington Nationals are in the midst of a makeover after their disappointing season last year— one punctuated with Jonathan Papelbon choking Bryce Harper in the dugout late in the season.

In their latest move, the Nats have unloaded the guy that Papelbon replaced—closer Drew Storen is heading north of the border to Toronto in return for outfielder Ben Revere.

Revere adds another lefty bat in the lineup (in addition to 2B Daniel Murphy who the Nats added this week) and plugs a hole in the outfield left by Denard Span. Span was signed by San Francisco as a free agent on Thursday.

(In Photo: Daniel Murphy)
Storen performed well with 29 saves and a 1.73 ERA until the Nats got Papelbon. Storen was asked to take over eighth inning reliever role and didn’t get another save for the rest of the season—which ended in September after slamming his dumb in his locker. I don’t see his role changing since the Jays have Roberto Osuna as their main closer, but a fresh start and new locker room for Storen may help him get back to his performance level.

This trade should also give some indication to the looming question for Nats fans on whether the team would keep Papelbon as their closer.

GM Mike Rizzo repeatedly told reporters that he would keep both Papelbon and Storen in the bullpen unless a real baseball offer was made. With this trade of Storen, it’s likely that Papelbon will remain in D.C. unless Rizzo can get another quality arm for unloaded Papelbon.


   
--Alexis Garcia, BYB's "Eye on MLB" Columnist &
Los Angeles Dodger fan
Twitter:  @heylexyg



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PAPELBON ADJUSTED HIS JOCK & NO-TRADE CLAUSE

And you know what? It means nothing. Besides, maybe he should adjust his crappy attitude.

So, the news is that Jonathan Papelbon has recently readjusted his no-trade clause and that comes from Jerry Crasnick of ESPN:

"#Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon has submitted his updated no-trade list for 2016, with several changes. It includes the following 17 teams where he can block a deal:
 
ARI, ATL, BAL, CIN, COL, CWS, HOU, KC, LAD, MIA, MIL, MIN, OAK, PIT, SEA, TEX, TOR
 
Conversely, Papelbon can be traded to the following 12 clubs without his permission:

BOS, ChiC, CLEV, DET, LAA, NYM, NYY, PHI, TB, STL, SD, SF

Papelbon's list includes one notable change to the 2015 list reported by ESPN.com earlier this week: The Yankees have gone from a blocked team to a club where he can be dealt without his consent. (Whether the Yankees have any interest is an entirely different matter)."

And that last line of Crasnick's story is the most important part of it.  The reality is, whether Papelbon can pitch or not is irrelevant, the guy is a trouble maker, cry baby and a selfish player, that's the bottom line. The likelihood of the Yankees wanting a guy like that in their clubhouse would be idiotic.

Yeah, I know. I've seen the other blogs that are spinning it like Papelbon would be a Yankee option now and ask the question... "Should the Yankees go after Papelbon?"  Here's the New York Post headline: "Jonathan Papelbon now open to Yankees trade"  Really? REALLY? The status of Papelbon's no-trade clause should change nothing, and you guys are smart enough to know that...and that's awesome.

Reputation sometimes is bigger than ability.  Pap's is tarnished. That's my opinion of course.




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DUMMY!

Just a quick note because I find it incredible when athletes bitch and moan, complain and bitch and moan some more... oh yeah, and did I say complain?  Enter Jonathan Papelbon.

Papelbon is obnoxious, arrogant and a complainer.  Now normally I wouldn't care.  But like I wrote in WHEN IT COMES TO CANO, REPUTATION COMES TO MIND, a player's reputation is important among peers, among baseball execs and among us fans. Sometimes when players think they are better than everyone, they forget about their reputation and sometimes think to themselves, "Well, I'm a great player, nothing can hurt me." But here's the thing, the Phillies had trouble unloading him this year because of his antics and crappy attitude, and now that he's on the Nationals, he's pretty much been deemed "untradeable", basically because he's being alittle bitch.

Jon Heyman writes: "Of Jonathan Papelbon, one executive said, 'You can't trade him. He's untradeable.'" 

Add in Hardball Talks wording of Pap, "Papelbon has a poor reputation in baseball, particularly after a dugout altercation with superstar outfielder Bryce Harper. Focusing strictly on what he does on the field, Papelbon still gets the job done."

But there's that word again, reputation.  And so, who wants to put up with that bullshit, no matter how good you possibly are?  I wouldn't touch Papelbon and his crappy rep in a 1000 years.  But that's just me.

We'll keep an eye on Papelbon and his ego and we'll let you know if the Nationals can ship him out.  It will be interesting. Stay tuned...













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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: TANYON STURTZE

Every Yankee fan  has favorite players to which they paid attention during different eras in Yankees history. For some, it was a great hitter or a great pitcher, or even a great fielder. I will always be a fan of Graig Nettles, thinking of his diving stops during the 77 and 78 World Series. When I think of 2004 through 2006, one of the guys I think of is Tanyon Sturtze. I always thought he was a tough, gutsy pitcher. Maybe it was an incident involving a beaning and Jason Varitek being thrown to the ground like a rag doll. But I digress. Bleeding Yankee Blue had a chance to talk with him recently. We proudly present our exclusive interview with Tanyon Sturtze.

BYB: First, congratulations on the birth of your son Maverick. By my math, he is just over 3 weeks old. How is he doing, and how is the family adjusting?

Tanyon Sturtze: Pretty good, man. I can't believe you knew that! Everything is good, No sleep right now, of course. He's great, he's healthy, it's all we could ask for. The family is doing good, and  hopefully he starts to sleep pretty soon in the next few weeks (laughs).

BYB: You played for 7 teams: the Cubs, Rangers, White Sox, Devil Rays, Blue Jays, Dodgers, and the Yankees. Yet your Twitter profile picture has you in a Yankees jersey and your handle - @sturtze56 - pays homage to your uniform number with the Yankees. Tell us what the Yankees mean to you.

Tanyon Sturtze: Everything. That was the best time I had playing the game, obviously on the best team. It was a great group of guys I played with. I played with a lot of great guys over the years with some teams. I got to be pretty close friends with a lot of guys on the Yankees. You spend a few years there, and I think the playoffs brings everybody a little tighter. I never had that opportunity with the other teams. New York is the best. There is nothing better than there. There is nothing better than playing for the Yankees. I wouldn't know what it's like playing for the Mets, being in New York, but I know that the Yankees rule the city. We rule until someone takes it from us. It was the best time of life. I love going back there. I love doing everything for the Yankees. I do some fantasy camps for them in the winter. I do some autograph signings up in the suites. I just love going back.

BYB: We all remember the brawl between ARod and Jason Varitek and you were right in the middle of it. OK spill the beans, who did you tag in that brawl and give us the play by play from your perspective on the brawl.

Tanyon Sturtze: Well, I started that game, so I was actually sitting on the bench. They had hit Alex Rodriguez a couple of times the night before, so once they hit him again that day, we all knew he was mad from the night before. Things kind of spilled over. As I got out there, Alex was actually on the bottom getting worked over pretty good. I just grabbed the closest guy, it just happened to be Gabe Kapler. So I grabbed him and tried to get him off the pile, then it escalated to a little more than that.

It was not a problem for me because I didn't really like anybody on that team anyway at the time. Tensions were different back then. The game was different between the Yankees and the Red Sox. It was still really hot and heavy. They still hadn't beaten us until after that year. Things kind of changed and mellowed out a little bit in my opinion, with that series.

BYB: Obviously the rivalry was pretty intense in the 70's, 80's, 90's and when you were in New York. Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing, that the rivalry has mellowed out now?

Tanyon Sturtze: I think it's a bad thing because it's always great to have hated rivals in a sport. I played in LA, and they all talked about LA/San Francisco. They didn't hold a candle to Boston/New York. 2004 was pretty heated. I mean, people were at the old Stadium at noon for a 7 o'clock game, chanting "We Hate Boston" as you walk into the clubhouse. It was pretty special. I have gone back to a couple of games now, I really don't feel like it's the same. Obviously everyone still knows it's a rivalry. But I just don't think it was as heated once they won the World Series a couple of times. I think it's calmed down a little bit. 

BYB: You grew up in Worcester, Mass - near the heart of Red Sox Nation. Were you a Red Sox fan growing up? Tell us what it was like growing up there.

Tanyon Sturtze: I was a Red Sox fan growing up. My dad used to take me to Opening Day every year. I would miss school on Opening Day. Look, any kid that grows up in New York is either a Yankees fan or a Mets fan. Listen, when you're an eight, nine-year-old kid, I mean, you guys all grew up in New York, and you're the same way. You love one team and that's just the way it is. That's where you're from and that's what you know. I always knew to go to Fenway. That's just the way it was. In high school, we'd skip school, drive down, and go to Fenway. That's just the way it is. You guys used to go to the old Yankee Stadium. That's the way we were as Boston kids and Fenway.

But once you get drafted, everything changes. You don't really have an alliance to any team anymore. You don't have any idea or control over who you're going to play for, or who you're going to get drafted by. But once I got to the Yankees, everything changed. I lost a couple of family members. They don't speak to me anymore because they are die-hard Red Sox fans. But once the fight happened, I threw out a bunch of stuff. I really despise the Red Sox. I would never become a fan of them ever again. 

BYB: Speaking of fights, what did you think of Jonathan Papelbon hitting Manny Machado and attacking Bryce Harper? Do you think his punishment should have been more severe?

Tanyon Sturtze: He's done for the rest of the year, right? I mean, I don't think there should be a deeper penalty. Listen, people fight on the same team. That happens. I know he was only there a month when he traded over there. 

Tensions always rise in the game. It's always better to do it in the clubhouse so that this doesn't happen, and that you guys don't see it, and it's not filmed. The whole world has a comment about it. It's a lot easier to go into the tunnel or the clubhouse where nobody can see, and just handle it. Listen, like I said, tensions rise throughout the course of the year between players. Stuff happens. That's just the nature of the game. If I'm in the locker room with you, listen, that's your family. You don't really have a life outside of it during the season. You're there at noon. You leave at midnight. Every day. You see your family and kids less time than you see those guys at the ballpark.

BYB: ‎Who are the one or two players, Yankees or non-Yankees, that you admired the most growing up and why?

Tanyon Sturtze: Well, I always loved Ron Guidry. Then when I got to New York, he was my pitching coach, for a year, it was the best to sit down with him. I always tried to sit with him as much as possible, listen to him talk about pitching and talk about stories. To this day, every time I see him, he's the first person I go next to. I think he's one of the greatest guys in the game. Obviously an unbelievable pitcher. I just have a great time with him and so much respect and admiration for that guy. I don't think anybody else compares except probably Derek Jeter, the way he handles himself. Guidry is such a superstar. His being such a nice guy, the way he kept on top of his game all the time is really impressive to me. He really is a Yankee legend and he's just a down-to-earth guy. Very approachable. Just a nice country boy. That's really what he is. He lives in the backwoods of Louisiana and he's a great, great guy. He's always trying to help people. I just really enjoy being around him. 

BYB: If you had your pick, which job would you want in baseball and why?

Tanyon Sturtze: If I had my pick right now, being out of the game, I mean, I retired in 2008, I'd probably go be bullpen coach with a team.  Just because I know what it's like to be down there. 

I learned from the best, which is Mariano Rivera. I think I could bring a lot to who ever is in that bullpen. To help out on preparing, on going into a game. But I'd love to be a bullpen coach for a few years before I would try to be a pitching coach. Definitely. I would never want to be a manager. No thank you. Too much pressure. Managers have a lot to do every day. I would like to be a pitching coach, but I would like to be in a role before that, before I took over as pitching coach. I love the art of pitching. I love being able to teach kids what was taught to me throughout the years. I got to be around a lot of great pitchers and pick a lot of brains. 

I lockered next to Mike Mussina for 3 years, and to listen to him talk about pitching was just ridiculous. I love that aspect of it. To be a manager or something like that, listen I know nothing about hitters. I just know ways to get them out. I wouldn't do anything outside of my comfort zone.

BYB: Do you ever read Bleeding Yankee Blue and if so, what do you think?

Tanyon Sturtze: I read it. With the baby just being born, I don't hit Twitter as much as possible. I always check out the feeds. I always see what you guys write. I think you guys do a great job. I enjoy being able to read it because if I miss something, I know I can catch up reading your stuff. I think it's a great thing you guys do. There's no better fan base than the Yankees. To be able to provide that for those guys is great. Thanks for keeping my name associated with the Yankees and I appreciate everything you guys do.

We want to thank Tanyon for taking the time to speak with  us. You're a classic baseball guy and a great guy to talk to. We wish you and your family all the best. You're now part of the BYB family... thanks!

--Ike Dimitriadis, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @KingAgamemnon
My blog is: Shots from Murderer's Row