WHAT KIND OF HITTER CAN GLEYBER TORRES REALLY BE?

Source: Associated Press

We can all agree that Gleyber Torres needs some grooming, mentoring and further player development. But at 24-years-old, there's time. Certainly, the transition to shortstop did not work out the way the Yankees had anticipated, but what about his ability to transform his hitting? What kind of hitter can Gleyber Torres become? The answer to that is key his future with the Yankees.

"What I’d like to learn next season is what type of hitter he wants to be and can be most successful as moving forward. In his first couple of seasons, he hit a lot of home runs with the juiced ball but insisted he wasn’t a power hitter. (He might be right.) Have Gleyber play second, redevelop his identity as a hitter, enjoy the club control and go from there," says Lindsey Adler of The Athletic. Sounds like a plan but will the Yankees recruit the right coaches to get this kid to the finish-line?

Source: NJ.com

63-year-old Brian Butterfield is on the market for the Yankees to consider. He and his fellow coach Jose Molina parted ways with the Los Angeles Angels this fall. Recall that Butterfield had a hand in Derek Jeter's development. Could he bring some of the best out of Torres? 

"Based on both his sterling reputation and the fact that he’s coached all across the board, it seems like Butter might be a bit restless. No matter; we just need him to stop by long enough to reopen a window, and then he can go on his way again," wrote Fansided.

Source: Sports Illustrated

And Butterfield is connected to baseball guru Buck Showalter. Could Butter come back to the Bronx, entice Buck and give the Yankees guys that actually know the game and assist with more than just getting Torres on track? Perhaps that is just a Christmas wish, but it is a good one to have. 

Source: Twitter

And then there is his fellow coach, Jose Molina. Perhaps he could take to the Pinstripes again, where he ironically won the last ring the Bombers received for winning the World Series in 2009. "Given Molina’s lengthy playing career and six seasons of experience with the Halos in both the big leagues and the minors, it stands to reason that he could find a new opportunity with another organization if he plans to continue coaching," reported MLB Trade Rumors.

What kind of hitter can Gleyber Torres be? With the right coaching, the possibilities are endless. And if the Yankees can pick up Butterfield, Molina and maybe even Showalter, he and his teammates might have a fighting chance to contend in 2022. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

COULD MOVING GARY SANCHEZ MEAN A NEW HOME FOR YADIER MOLINA?

I have ranted about Gary Sanchez for years. But management and media alike always said, "Sanchez is the only pure hitter on the team." I have never seen that side of Sanchez. I have seen someone who is just not athletic and maybe his bat kept him in the game for awhile but when that dried up, I simply see no use for him. Even Gerrit Cole had more success with the backup catcher Kyle Higashioka. Will Sanchez be without pinstripes in 2021?

Source: Newsday

According to MLB.com, "Sánchez’s future in pinstripes figures to be a main point of discussion when the Yankees’ braintrust huddles in the next week or so for their annual pro scouting meetings. The Yanks’ decision to start Kyle Higashioka in five of their seven postseason games spoke volumes, and it is certainly fair to wonder if the Yankees view Sánchez as their starting catcher in 2021." I want Sanchez to be good; because we need a catcher who can think strategically, lead the infield, communicate well with pitchers and yes, catch and hit.  Sanchez just hasn't been that guy and that has made him a liability for a Yankee team that just can't afford to have an Achilles heel.

Source: NY Times

"Sánchez will continue to work with catching coach Tanner Swanson remotely this offseason, as he did during the four-month shutdown. Cashman said that there could be a catching competition next spring, but Sánchez is arbitration-eligible and will be due a raise over the $5 million he earned this year. That’s too much for a backup," reported MLB.com. 

Source: Springfield News-Leader

According to NJ.com, "A short-term solution would be to sign St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. The nine-time All-Star is regarded as one of the best backstops in the game. And the nine-time Gold Glove winner is set to be a free agent following the World Series." Wow. I love that guy and I loved his brother, Jose Molina, when he had a short three-year stint with the Bombers from 2007-2009. 

It will be an interesting off-season for sure following a heartbreaking 2020 season. 2020 could be the last one for Sanchez in pinstripes and guess what, that's okay by me. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

2009 SEEMS LIKE A MILLION YEARS AGO

It’s no secret that I am a runner and I have often written about the work ethic correlation between training for a marathon and becoming physically fit to compete successfully in Major League Baseball.  The other morning, I jumped on the treadmill and found my eyes fixed on a metal sign from the 2009 World Series hanging across the way and I thought to myself, wow 2009 seems like a million years ago.  And in my heart, it was because so much has happened in the years since our last championship that I almost forget how it felt when we won.

Derek Jeter had a healthy ankle, Mark Teixeira was on the Mark, and AJ Burnett was stellar.  Hideki Matsui gave us the Godzilla of a lifetime, earning the series MVP and Raul Ibanez was a Phillie.  We were winners- riding high and relishing every moment of the magical ride to the Fall Classic. 

"It's a great feeling, with what these guys (the 2009 New York Yankees) did and how hard they worked. They never gave up, even when we went through some tough times, they were there. They kept fighting back. Our team has showed a lot of character." - New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi on MLB.com.

(In Photo: Phil Coke)
We had Robertson, Aceves, Coke and Rivera all in action.  Hughes showed his value in the bullpen as well and Joba won a game.  We had Melky, Damon, Hairston and Molina with us- sounds like a museum exhibit.  We had energy and we had heart.  I miss having heart in the batting order.  As a student reminded me today at the university “heart is what keeps us alive as well as what allows us to connect with others.”  We have written about connection a lot here at Bleeding Yankee Blue and I guess this is what I am saying; 2009 seems like a million years ago because the connection is just so weak.  We are missing the cohesiveness that other teams seem to exemplify in more recent years.  The Tigers, Pirates, Cards, and Sox all have it.  And the Sox, who went from worst to first, have it in their leadership as well.  We just don’t have it- not in our veterans, leaders and not in our rookies.  And with Mo out and Jeter beaten down by the game, I wonder from where the connection and heart will come.

The unknown is killing me quiet frankly.  There is no heart in greed.  There is no heart in “testing the free agency market” and there is no heart in turning your back on the team that home grew you.  That last comment is for you Cano, who I straight up called a jackass this week on Twitter.

Seriously, Cano, Granderson & Kuroda want to test the free agent market? Well, we don't need them so test away jackasses! #Yankees #MLB
— Suzanne (@suzieprof) November 12, 2013

So as early November quickly turns to end of November and we are asked to reflect on thankfulness and gratitude, I thank God for making me a Yankee fan but I ask him to help them regroup and find their heart.  2009 should not be a distant memory in the archives of my brain and lost in the metal sign in my basement.  It should serve as a reminder of what we had and what we can have again if we only had heart.

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

PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED BEFORE: PART 1

We’re going to try and start a new series here for the off-season at BYB.  It’s going to be fun and exciting and let’s face it… there is absolutely nothing going on in Yankeeland. So every once in a while, we will bring you a series called PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED BEFORE.

Now, I read Baseball-Reference.com all the time, most of you do.  Sean Forman is the best at his craft and although he’s a Red Sox fan… but, much respect, I still like the guy.  He tapped into something that many of us didn’t have over a decade ago, but now almost everyone in the world goes to Baseball-Reference.com daily for stats, news and hey, if you play your cards right, you’ll see Bleeding Yankee Blue with a spot on there everyday too!  He’s good people and if you want to read more about Sean and Baseball-Reference.com, read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: BASEBALL-REFERENCE.COM.

But this post isn’t about Baseball-Reference.com at all. What I found fascinating is that when I’m doing my research for stories… I stumbled across a ton of ball players with the same names as our stars today.

In this first series, I’m going to bring you 5.  Here it goes... enjoy this, I did...

Eduardo Nunez: How about this guy? OK. We all know about the Eduardo Nunez that plays for the New York Yankees, right? But did you know about the Eduardo Nunez that played for the Burlington Bees back in 2006? I didn’t think there was another one in baseball, but there was.   

(In Photo: The other Eduardo Nunez)
This guy played from 2003 to 2006 on a few minor league clubs, but ended his career, or at least it appears he did in 2006 with the Bees.

Mike Stanton: We all know the New York Yankee Mike Stanton right? Well, I remember a guy that played for the Seattle Mariners also named Mike Stanton.  He was also a pitcher.

I have about 14 of these cards...

Of course, we all know Giancarlo Stanton... formally Mike Stanton.

Ron Davis: Many of you remember Ron Davis of the Yankees.  He eventually went to the Twins, but for a short time, I really appreciated Ron Davis...  He was a good one.  But before the Yankees' Ron Davis, there was another Ron Davis, an outfielder who played for the Houston Astros.

Davis played for 4 teams, 1 of them was the Houston Colt .45's before they were the Astros. I thought that was pretty interesting.

Jose Molina: Jose Molina is a dinosaur in Major League Baseball right now.  He just finished another this, this year it was with the Tampa Bay Rays. But did you know that right now in the minor league system, on a team called the Bowling Green Hot Rods, there is a kid pitcher named Jose Molina?

(In Photo: The other Jose Molina)

Jim Nelson: He may not be a big name for you, but Jim Nelson pitches for the Milwaukee Brewers.

(In Photo: Jimmy Nelson)

He's a young decent pitcher, with a big career ahead of him.  But did you know that another Jim Nelson also played in the major leagues?

In 1970 and 1971, Jim Nelson was a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He only last 2 years, but I'm sure those 2 years were magical.

OK, the next installment will have more names... many familar ones... I hope you enjoy this series!

Let me know how you feel about this.   Depending on your feedback, maybe we can put more together.

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HOW THE YANKEES STACK UP: CATCHER

Much has been made about the Toronto Blue Jays off-season acquisitions.  Many are predicting a rise to the top of the American League East Division for the birds from Canada.  That got me wondering how our Bombers stack up against the others trying to unseat us from the top of the AL East.

This will be the first of several posts breaking down the Yankees.  I’ll take a look at all positions, but today I’ll start with catcher.  Understand this is my take, my opinion, and there certainly will be a variety of opinions out there.  Feel free to give your own thoughts in the comments at the end of the article. 

Catcher

The Yankees are in a state of flux behind the plate.  The Russell Martin years are over and we are now three years removed from the last time Jorge Posada called the dish his own.  On the horizon we have Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez, but they are still “green” and require more seasoning before taking on full-time roles with the big league club.  That leaves us with Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart as the most likely to spend time as the team’s backstops.

Cervelli can hit and run.  He has already proven his abilities in those categories (.271 average in 490 AB) , and as of right now is the front-runner to be the starting catcher.  The problem with Cervelli lies on the defensive side.  He has had issues with throwing out runners in the past (only a 20% CS rate).  However, last year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre he was able to gun down runners at a 30% rate.  Perhaps the 27-year old is coming into his own?

What does the rest of the division have? 

Toronto Blue Jays:  Behind the plate will be  JP Arencibia (.233 avg with 18 HR), Josh Thole (.234)  and Henry Blanco (.188 avg in 21 games)

Baltimore Orioles:  Matt Wieters (.249/23/89) will continue to hold down the fort as the Orioles’ backstop.

Tampa Bay Rays:  Former Yankee Jose Molina (.223 avg), Jose Lobaton (.222) and Chris Gimenez (.260) will all see time for the Rays at catcher.

Boston Red Sox: Jarrod Saltalamacchia (..222 with 25 HR) will continue as the primary backstop for the BoSox.

Here is where I think we stand at catcher:

1. Baltimore (Wieters)
2. Tampa Bay
3. Yankees
4. Boston
5. Toronto 

Tomorrow, we analyze first base.  If you like this post, share it.  Examining all the positions against the rest of the American League East, you'll be surprised how the Yankees stack up!



 
--Steve Skinner, BYB Guest Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1





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CALLING ALL SUPERHEROES! WE NEED A YANKEE INTERVENTION!

“Beam me up, Scottie!  No life forms here!”  This is how I felt until, "Bam!", we signed Youk and Ichiro in the same week!  I still say, however, we need more.  As Yankee fans, we deserve more.  Yet, in reality, do we have it within?  I mean, for you superhero fans, can we "transform" our so-so catchers in the farm system to superhero ball players?  Do we need a Yankee Intervention of epic proportions?

Let’s take focus on catching and unusual suspect: Francisco Cervelli.  Does he have what it takes to be our everyday catcher?  What are the qualities of an everyday catcher? 

“These days, a lot of people baby the catchers,” Jose Molina said, before adding: “You’re a catcher. Just stand there, be a man and take the hit. If not, go to first base, go to second and play another position. I hate seeing G.M.’s and owners saying, ‘I don’t want my guy to block the plate.’ That’s being a baby. It’s the position of a man and toughness. You’re going to get some, and you’re going to give some. I’ve had my share, but I’m still standing.” (Read the full New York Times piece HERE.) Can Cervelli do this?

Can he take it like Buster Posey, the Molina brothers, and Matt Wieters?  Can he do it everyday like Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk?  I don’t think so, unless we are putting some kind of superhero strength in his hands and in his body.  He just isn’t going to be our everyday catcher and the organization knows it.

As New York Daily News Guy Mark Feinsand said (HERE) in October, “Francisco Cervelli spent the summer hoping for another shot. After spending parts of three seasons in the majors, he was sent to the minors on the final day of spring training this year.”  And he spent most of the year there, until October.  As we know, earlier in the year, “General Manager Brian Cashman, seeking more catching depth, traded the right-handed pitcher George Kontos to the San Francisco Giants for their backup catcher, Chris Stewart, and optioned Cervelli to Class AAA Empire State.”  It hurt Cervelli’s heart and I don’t know if mentally he could pull off the full time catching job even though he has gotten some clutch hits for us, batting a career .271.

No more Martin, no more Molina, Cervelli can’t hack it- now what? 

I’ve watched Austin Romine in Staten Island and in Trenton.  He’s got something, but is he ready?  I feel like he is a career minor league catcher.  He is a Bull Durham, minus the looks- sorry Austin.  According to the Star Ledger article “After Russell Martin’s Departure, Yankees Foresee Next Catcher Coming From Within Organization, it seems that our manager has his uncertainties.  “I think (Stewart, Cervelli and Romine) have the ability to do the job. Does Romine have enough experience right now? I don’t know. But the other two have been big-league catchers and performed pretty well back there.”

(In Photo: Chris Stewart, left)
Austin will battle Chris Stewart and yes, Cervelli for the vacated spot behind the plate.  Chris has something to offer as well but he can’t hit (career .217)- and we know how that feels given the closing of our 2012 season.  But the Yankees may just be stalling for time.  According to the same Star Ledger article (HERE), “The Yankees hope the next man to take over behind the plate is only there for a couple of years as they have high hopes for 19-year-old Gary Sanchez, who hit 18 home runs and drove in 85 runs combined at Class-A Charleston and Tampa last season.”  Let’s hope that trend continues for the young catcher.  We really need some magic back there.

Calling all Superheros- can we have a stand in catcher for two-years?  How about one?  Any takers? Anyone?

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




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YANKEES ARE LOST IN ST. PETERSBURG

Don't look now but the Yankees are on a 2 game losing streak.  Sure, it's not the end of the world, but it was not a good night.  3 errors in one game.  Wow.  It's weird how things happen.  Before this game even started my buddy Dave said to me simply, "I don't know what it is but I feel like with momentum going the Rays way, Nova is going to get shelled tonight."  Sometime fans have gut feelings.  It's amazing how that happens.

 In 6 innings tonight, Ivan Nova allowed 7 hits and 6 runs, 3 earned and struck out 5. That was followed by Clay Rapada and Chad Qualls.  Qualls gave up another run.  There's your 7 runs for the Rays.

The Yankees started off strong but fizzled tonight.  Whatever, it was a nice start but what the hell? We lost it.  Overall, the Yankees scored 4 tonight all off James Shields.  The guy is just a good pitcher and if Nova didn't give up so many, we'd have a game tonight.  We didn't and to be honest, you can't even fault Nova tonight. The guys been great all season.  We just need to accept it and come back tomorrow and win.

DeWayne Wise hit another home run tonight.  Give this guy credit, he knows his role, he's accepted it and he's delivering whenever he's in the game. Derek Jeter, Raul Ibanez, Robinson Cano, DeWayne Wise all have 2 hits each.

Now onto the errors. 2 errors were committed by Russell Martin and one happened to change game momentum the Rays way. That's not a good situation. Look, I hate to sound a bit down on Martin, I like the guy a lot, but the truth is Martin and his back could truly be a problem if his back problems continue.  You have to wonder if that was a factor tonight. Sure, we could use Chris Stewart on those days his back acts up, but let's face facts, this can be a problem, not only for the Yankees, but for his future.  Think about that.

The third error tonight was by Eric Chavez who is not only a former gold glover, but also filled in for Mark Texieria tonight. Hell, this sucks, but think about it this way, Chavez doesn't play much 1st base, he's alittle rusty. Sure, I hate errors, but I give him a pass tonight.

My opinion on this game is simple.  Losses happen, but 2 in a row against an American League rival sucks.  I love my Yankees, but I need a win right now.  This is nuts to me.  

Finally... let me say this.  I was watching the post game show.  I respect Bob Lorenz and Jack Curry so much, but why were they still questioning an ump call on Robinson Cano's slide home and whether or not Jose Molina tagged him or not.  The games over, you can't go back. Turn the page.  I hate that.

Final tonight: Rays 7 - Yankees 4

Bottom line, tomorrow is the Fourth of July, we need a win, it's America's birthday and we're the New York Yankees! Let's do this!

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WHY TEAMS ARE INTERESTED IN JORGE POSADA

So what do you make of the Rays possibly being interested in our pal Jorge Posada? Immediately I become aggravated. I think "Why is a rival team messing with Yankee fans at the height of our emotions tearing us apart over a horrendous slow off season?" The other side of me thinks, "Good for Jorge, hopefully get latches onto a team and proves to the Yankee brass he still has some fight in him."

According to Jorge's father, the Rays, the Phillies and the Orioles are looking at him. Read about it HERE at ESPNDeportes.com. You need to be able to read Spanish, FYI. The Rays appear to be the team that would perhaps want to make Jorge a reserve first baseman, designated hitter and get this... a back up to Jose Molina. Wow, how things change in just a few years. Wasn't Molina Jorge's backup once? And recently? Anyway, there is no doubt that if Posada can get into a rhythm at the plate, his bat will be valuable, but like I've said, at his age, he needs to have more at bats than he did in 2011 with the Yankees...consistently. The start and stop approach didn't work too well and I understood when the season was over, why Jorge was so upset. Yes, it was the end of his Yankee career, but more importantly the writing was on the wall, perhaps it was the end of him in baseball. Read WHY REAL MEN CRY.

I have always been a fan of Jorge Posada, you know that. I believe that he is a true New York Yankee and I had a hard time thinking about him in another team's uniform. But for the sake of bettering Jorge Posada's mind, having him move on to another team, to give it another shot and perhaps contribute for alittle longer in Major League baseball, I think it would be a good thing and he has my blessing. Sure, if he retires a New York Yankee, I like that too.We'll keep you up to date on the status of Jorge when we know something. The reality is, we know nothing except for the Rays may be interested and if you want to expand further, Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, read HERE, says believes the interest isn't strong at all.

Whatever the case, whether Jorge Posada retires as a Yankee or signs with another team, the best of luck too him. We're in his corner here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, no matter what.

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WHY YANKEE FANS NEED LEADERS NOT LOSERS

The Blue Jays played like champions tonight. The Yankees, well, that's another story. Yes, we started strong, but when you fold like a house of cards, there's really no excuse. I'm a broken record at this point, you can never, EVER lose to a division rival this close to the playoffs...but we did and now we have to move on and win tomorrow as well as the rest of this series without a doubt.
CC Sabathia is my guy, but one thing is happening right now, and this is just a hunch; too much rest for the big guy may not be a good thing. Look, this is simple for me to understand and I think I'm right. In the Yankees haste to make sure we have a 6 man rotation to give them time to figure out what pitchers are strong enough, we have left 1 very important pitcher's opinion out of the equation, and that's CC Sabathia. CC doesn't like a rest longer than normal and he's voiced his opinion. I found this nugget that I spoke about a week ago brought to you by the Bergen Record:

"Sabathia prefers to work on four days' rest, but manager Joe Girardi is mindful that his ace left-hander has thrown 239 pitches over his past two starts." Read the full piece HERE.

This may offer nothing to you, but it offers a lot to me. Joe, while trying to help CC may be hurting him. Yes, we need Sabathia strong for the playoffs, but if our ace is messed up with extra rest and he can't pitch effectively, hey, we'll be losing and won't be IN the playoffs. My suggestion? Joe needs to give CC what he wants and it's time to make a rotation decision so we can narrow it to 5. It's getting late early.

But enough about my educated guess, the Yankees lost tonight, and that does not make me happy. CC went 5.2 innings tonight. He allowed 10 hits, and 4 runs and struck out 8. Was he incredible? No, but he grinded hard, but again, you need to question his rest schedule. Sabathia left the game with the bases loaded in the 6th and Luis Ayala was able to get out of the inning. Thank God.(Photo: Getty)
Rafael Soriano pitched the 7th inning tonight and had 3 strikeouts. That, my friends was definitely the pitching highlight of the night for me.

Boone Logan got the loss tonight... what else is new? He left the game in the 9th inning after Adam Lind hit a double off of him. Adam Lind is a lefty. Boone Logan is a lefty. I'm just making a point here... this is ridiculous already. Anyway, Cory Wade came in. Jose Molina, the former Yankee was the guy who killed us all tonight. Molina drove in the winning run in the 9th off Wade, a heart breaker if you will.
(Photo: Getty)
Offensively, Nick Swisher and Eric Chavez did some great work tonight, but it wasn't enough. Swisher had a single and a double tonight with 2 RBIs. Chavez crushed a homer to center and had 2 RBIs.

Final Score: Blue Jays 5 - Yankees 4

I'm not happy, in fact, I'm aggravated. The Yankees need to win, especially against a 4th place team. Next up is Bartolo Colon and Lord knows, I am uneasy about him pitching. The last win Colon has is from July. That says a lot. I'm getting worried Ladies and Gentlemen, please soothe me.

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