SUZYN WALDMAN LOVE MARCUS STROMAN, SO I GUESS I DO TOO!

Source: Chicago-Sun Times

Getting excited about spring training yet? The January cold, winter weather and drim days are a lot to handle. I am ready for warmer, longer days and yes baseball. And I have been down on the Yankee acquisitions or lack thereof lately, but I found myself reignited once my son shared with me the interview  @EvanandTikiWFAN had with Yankee radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman on Thursday. She has such spunk, plus incredible insight into the game. She likes Marcus Stroman so I guess I do too.

"I love Marcus Stroman. I love guys like that; I love guys an edge. I don't want Kumbaya all the time, I hate that. I want someone that's gonna go out and has a chip on his shoulder. I love guys like that," said Waldman on the broadcast. And the comments in the chat on YouTube agree with her. I agree with her. She's right. We need spunk. I love spunk and the Yankees need some of that to get themselves ready for the next chapter. 

Source: USA Today

We haven't had spunk and attitude since CC Sabathia retired. Not that CC is Marcus, but, you get the idea. "I don't mind that an athlete has a little chip on his shoulder if they're good Clubhouse guys, said Waldman. "And it seems like he is despite the narrative floating around that he's not. I think that's just bogus." I also like what she said after that about meeting an athlete where they are, and just because they are sassy to writers because he is not ready to talk to them before a game doesn't mean he's not a team player. 

Honestly, she believes Marcus is a leader and a gritty player, who is going to come to spring training on fire and sort of say, "Watch me!" I can appreciate that kind of confidence and that "I am going to go for it" kind of attitude. I can certainly get behind that. 

Waldman also shared that she believes Josh Hader is a nice to have and maybe the Yankees can pick him up later, but right now, they were right to pass. This also gives me some additional confidence that the Yankees are on the right track. Now, if only Aaron Boone can play the players the way they need to be played and maximize the lineup as the offensive beast that it can be with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge potentially batting back-to-back, that would be awesome. The Yankee skipper shared some insights on lineups during another podcast this week "Foul Territory" hosted by former Yankee Todd Frazier. 

Are you fired up? If not, listen in to the WFAN broadcast and get fired up. Let's go Marcus Stroman. Make Suzyn proud and give all of us Yankees fans something to get excited about come this 2024 season. 

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

WE NEVER HAD A SHOT AT HADER, BUT FAKE NEWS MADE IT SEEM LIKE WE DID

 Josh Hader is going to the Astros. Read HERE. 

That's really where the story ends.  I mean, I'd love to tell you that the Yankees were in on Hader.  I personally never believed it.  To be honest, after I watched Jon Morosi fumble all over himself a few weeks ago trying to be first with Ohtani going to the Blue Jays and was 1000% wrong, I'm over it.

I will never read or listen to that guy again.  In fact, for me, the entire "baseball insider" world is tainted. They are all awful and literally not being truthful.  

I listen to 4 guys, 2 of which are legit reporters./writers with incredible backgrounds.  Jack Curry, Jeff Passan, Pete Caldera and Erik Boland.  Now Bryan Hoch is my guy too, but he's not that "insider guy".   He's just a solid baseball guy in general and you gotta love it.

But that's it, all the rest are ridiculous. That leads me to Josh Hader.  How many days did we hear about this guy and the Yankees and potential interest and possible signing and everything in the Yankees world is sunshine and rainbows? How often? Think about it. I will say it once and I will say it again... the New York Yankees do not have enough to win a World Championship in 2024.  Sure, they have a few to win 88 games, but they need more stability in their pitching department for sure.  Don't agree? That's fine. I know I'm right. You know who else is? Jim Duquette. He thinks the Yankees are a 3rd place team right now. I am with him.

Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio said on Foul Territory TV that the #Yankees are the third best team in the AL East😳

Thoughts on this take?🤔#RepBX pic.twitter.com/0GZtFmMQzY

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) January 18, 2024

We need more.  And we're not getting it folks.   Do not let the 1 year signing of Juan Soto fool you.   We could have used Hader... we could use another starter.  We need something.

YANKEES TRYING TO LAND CUBAN FIREBALLER

Well I like the sound of fireballer as long as that pitcher comes to the Yankees. MLB analysts are reporting that the Yankees and rival Blue Jays are in a dogfight for Cuban reliever Yariel Rodríguez. The addition will provide much needed depth to the pen. But who's pen? That is the question.

"On Dec. 29, ESPN's Enrique Rojas reported that the Blue Jays had 'taken the lead' in the bidding for Cuban free-agent right-handed Yariel Rodríguez," Ken Rosenthal said. "Over the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have consistently heard the same. The Jays are optimistic they will land Rodríguez, according to a source briefed on their pursuits. But hurdles evidently remain in his immigration, preventing the Jays from completing a deal," reports SI.com. 

Source: AP Photo/Marta Lavandier

The Yankees need to take this opportunity to push this deal across the finish line. Despite the talks of Blake Snell and although they signed Marcus Stroman last week, the Yankees need pitching. Recall that mainstay and long reliever Michael King is gone due to the Juan Soto trade. He was someone the Yankees could rely on for multiple roles on the pitching staff. Now they need someone who can come in and fireball the opponents. That guy is not going to be Clay Holmes. 

Back in November, the Yankees were linked to Padres closer Josh Hader to replace Holmes in the primary closer role. But talks have gone silent with other suitors seeking Hader. "Hader has appeared in 314 games in that time span, tossing 341 innings with a 2.56 ERA, a full 1.28 runs lower than Holmes. Hader strikes out 15.3 batters per nine innings - that ranks second in MLB among relievers since 2018 - and 3.6 batters per nine, both significantly better than Holmes," reported NJ.com.

"The Yankees made an offer to Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, but it was declined by his camp. While signing Snell seems unlikely at this point, the Yankees could now go after Hader to make their bullpen an elite unit," reported SI.com.

So if not the fireballer Rodríguez the Yankees could sign dominant closer Josh Hader. I am excited. I know we have been down on things lately here at BYB, but a signing that would greatly enhance our bullpen is something to cheer about!

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

YANKEES WILL LOSE OUT TO THE RANGERS FOR HADER

The way the season has gone, and now the off-season being slow and the Yankee front office being defiant and not accepting responsibility, I don't see a lot that's gonna happen to better this team.  

I mean, I know what they're doing right now... they waited for Yoshinobu Yamamoto to post, and he did, and Cashman is now in some back room seeing how much money they have to try and get him in pinstripes. They will wheel out Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka to speak fondly to Yamamoto of the Yankees organization and then they will make a pitch, hoping to not be out bid.  

And if they can get him, that would be great. If they can't, we wasted a ton of time.  Oh, and also, one Yamamoto does not make a successful Yankee off-season. They still have a ways to go to please the Yankee fan base, trust me. Remember we can't hit!!!

But hitting help is for another post. This post is about Josh Hader, a guy that the Yankees should absolutely go after, but a guy that they will not get because of non-aggressiveness and them putting all their eggs in the Yamamoto basket.  Inside the pinstripes writes:

"The Rangers should be prepared to pay. Reportedly, Hader and his agent are seeking to beat the five-year, $102 million deal that New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz signed last offseason."

And in that same article? Not a mention of the New York Yankees. Why? Great question.  By the way, if the Rangers are interested and they have the team they have and they can show Hader the money, there is no question that deal is sealed.  Hader to the Bronx will not happen.

Feels eerily like every other offseason in the Bronx, don't it?

YANKS ARE ALREADY CONNECTED TO PITCHERS, BUT ISN'T IT MORE OF THE SAME?

Yankee hysteria has started.  Whether the Yankees are seriously linked to these players or whether the media is blowing this up... no one really knows actually, but the truth is it's about to be an offseason of chaos and misinformation until we actually see players in pinstripes.

There are two pitchers that are immediately linked to the Yankees.  Josh Hader and Marcus Stroman.  Now let's start with Stroman.  The guys a troublemaker, he's a loudmouth and George Steinbrenner isn't around to reign him in and straighten him out to understand the Yankee way.  And then we're hearing about Josh Hader, a guy that has been linked to the Yankees for about 5 years, but the problem is he's 5 years later and he's 5 years older.  And I guess my question with these 2 guys is... doesn't it feel like the way the Yankees ALWAYS DO BUSINESS? When are the Yankees actually going to improve and when will the media stop?

Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"For the Yankees to keep their relief staff elite like this past season, they should aggressively pursue Hader.

The lefty showed again why he is considered the best bullpen piece in the MLB, posting an ERA of 1.28 with 85 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings and 33 saves.

Hader reportedly wants to become the highest paid closer in the sport and Bowden thinks he'll become that. He projects a team to sign the left-hander to a three-year, $67 million deal."

That's right, they are playing off Jim Bowden.  Bowden's great, but he's barely right, so there's that.

And then comes Marcus Stroman.  

Inside the Pinstripes again:

"... one potential option would be Marcus Stroman, who reportedly turned down his $21 million player option with the Chicago Cubs and is now a free agent. The Yankees were one of five teams linked to Stroman once he exercised his option...

...he’s entering his age 33 season and he could be a solid rotation option for the Yankees. He’s pitched in New York before, with the Mets for two seasons, so he knows how to handle the pressure in the market."

The problem with Stroman is he loses his shit too easily and while he might be able to handle the New York pressure... the guys a live wire.  I'm not sure the fan base would be too thrilled to have him in the Bronx.

Look... it's about to get crazy... it's the Yankee offseason.  So, take in all the information but be smart about what the Yankees are actually serious about. Remember, they're on the clock and they have to be way smarter than they were in the past.  That's the truth.

RUMOR: YANKEES MAY BE DONE WITH HOLMES AS A CLOSER

The Yankees say to expect some changes next season. We are all wondering what that really means. Could one of those changes be a new closer? Is Clay Holmes on notice?

That could be an upgrade, if the Yankees get the right guy for the job. According to NJ.com HERE, Jim Bowden thinks the Yankees could be shopping for a new closer, and Josh Hader would be an obvious fit. He's a three-time NL Reliever of the Year award winner who will definitely have the interest of many teams this winter.

Bowden gave a breakdown of Hader's stats:

"One of the game's most dominant closers, Josh Hader put together a strong free agent walk year, recording a 1.28 ERA and 33 saves with 85 strikeouts in 56 1/3 innings. He wants to be the highest-paid closer in the sport and I think he will be, by average annual value, when he signs his next contract this winter. He ranked in the 100th percentile in xBA and in the 99th percentile in both ERA and strikeout percentage. Opposing batters hit just .190 against his two-seam fastball and .100 against his slider."

Now would Hal Steinbrenner open up his purse strings to pay Hader a highest-paid closer salary? Who knows at this point with Hal. The Yankees have the deepest pockets so they COULD but.... would they? There's a lot to like about Hader, but what about Holmes?

I don't dislike Holmes as a closer. I guess I have never really thought about Holmes as our closer, that's not how his journey started out with us. But are his days as a closer for us, coming to an end?
When you compare Holmes and Hader on paper, there is a lot to like. Hader has appeared in more games, thrown more innings, has a lower ERA and allowed fewer walks per nine innings. Hader has been able to keep hitters off balance and limits the damage, which any team can appreciate. He strikes out 15.3 batters per nine innings which ranks second among MLB relievers since 2018.

Hader's biggest blemish would be he allows more home runs per nine innings at 1.1 compared to Holmes 0.5 home runs per nine innings. Holmes can keep the ball in the park, which is important in Yankee stadium.

I'll give credit to Jim Bowden; he has a lot of baseball knowledge and was a former GM. He knows what teams are looking for, he's been there. But is he right about the Yankees looking for a new closer? I am leaning towards no. The Yankees have other needs that are more pressing, but maybe I am wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

AS 2020 BEGINS, WHAT'S LEFT FOR THE YANKEES TO DO?

Source: USA Today

As the clock struck 12, and New Years revelers popped open champagne to ring in 2020, there's another group of guys who are looking forward to ringing in a new era, and perhaps dynasty in 2020.  The New York Yankees have been in 40 World Series, winning 27 of them, and as they embark on the journey to toward 41 and potentially 28, I ask this question, "What's left for the Yankees to do before spring training 2020?"

Source: Newsday

According to Bryan Hoch via MLB.com, "General manager Brian Cashman said that he remains open to anything that makes sense, but after adding Cole, the Yankees’ heavy lifting appears to be done. If Torres begins the season as the everyday shortstop, as anticipated, the Yanks may look for someone capable of pushing Thairo Estrada and Tyler Wade for the backup infield role."  If I am being honest, I have no interest in Wade and if I am being really honest, the Yankees need to be in the hunt for a catcher.

As Eli Manning said good bye to the NY Giants this past weekend, he said very bluntly to the media, "I don't want to be a back up."  Perhaps that is what Austin Romine said, as he exited that role earlier this month for a chance as starting catcher for the Detroit Tigers.  But I cannot feel comfortable without having a serious back up and potential replacement for Gary Sanchez, who is simply not fit enough or agile enough to stay healthy for an entire season.

Source: NY Times

"Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman believe Kyle Higashioka can fill the vacant position with ease, and he did impress at times in 2019. Still, the depth at the position isn’t substantial, and Sanchez, when battling through inconsistent play, is a different player entirely," reported Empire Sports Media last week.  I think the Yankees are taking a tremendous risk going with Higashioka as their primary backup.  There are no real standout catchers available (peruse the list if you will), but they did pass on JT Realmuto last year, which could have helped them immensely, particularly when Sanchez's bat went cold and he visited the injured list multiple times in 2019.

What's left for the Yankees to do?  Sign Josh Hader and somehow groom a catcher to take on the reigns as needed when Sanchez goes down and he will go down.  He will head to the IL at least twice next season and I guarantee you that his bat goes cold or does not warm up all that quickly as the Yankees begin their 2020 season in Baltimore on March 26th.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

CHRISTMAS EGG NOG & BYB MISTLETOE TOO

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate...as Yankee fans we got a number of early presents to shape our team for 2020.  Dugout mistletoe and spiked egg nog aside, the Yankees are building a machine fit to withstand all opponents, well passed September.  I for one is grateful for what looks to be a team ready for action, spring-training style. But we are likely not done yet.

Source: USA Today

"The Yankees have valuable assets in outfielder Clint Frazier and third baseman Miguel Andujar, two young players with impressive bats but are blocked in the majors. Gio Urshela has taken over at third base. Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge seem entrenched in the outfield corners. Teams would live with the defensive issues both players currently present to get their bats in the lineup. Could Milwaukee be interested in Andujar in a potential deal involving reliever Josh Hader?," reported NJ.com.

Source: NY Times

With Dellin Betances off to Queens, the Yankees will continue to build its bullpen and add more fire to the middle relievers portion of the closing team.  Betances could add that value to the Mets, if he can stay healthy.

“Dellin is one of the elite relievers in the game with an incredible track record of pitching on the biggest stage and in playoff games,” Van Wagenen said in a statement. “This is a tremendously exciting gift for Mets fans this holiday season in our championship pursuit,” reported theNY Times. 

J.A. Happ could be the next Yankee pitcher to go.  With a disappointing season in 2019, Happ could fill the void of another team's rotation, providing the Yankees with perhaps a much needed lefty bat to round up the lineup.  "The Blue Jays have been linked to Happ. The Brewers are also thought to be a potential landing spot for him," reported NJ.com.

As the days officially start to get longer and the holidays in full swing, the Yankees could make another deal later this week or early next week before the New Year.  But, until then, it's more egg nog, more mistletoe and maybe a meatball or two.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays to you and yours.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

CASHMAN IS "COMFORTABLE" WITH YANKS ROSTER, BUT IS HE DONE?

Christmas is six days away, and Brian Cashman already gave us a great Christmas gift. We have roughly two months before Spring Training starts and our team looks good. I am excited for the 2020 season. Our pitching looks much better but, what's next?

If you believe Cashman's poker face he says "Nothing in particular" is on his Winter checklist now that Gerrit Cole is officially a Yankee, read more HERE. I don't know that I buy this. Pitching was our biggest need but there are still other areas we need to improve.

Getting Brett Gardner re-signed helped set the outfield and maybe even the everyday lineup but what about the bench? Now that Gleyber Torres will transition to shortstop and DJ LeMahieu will play second base what about a versatile utility guy? We needed LeMahieu in that role last season even though he played everyday.

And what about the backup catcher? I revisit this one again. The Yankees were interested in Martin Maldonado but rumor is the Yankees interests have cooled, and would be okay with Kyle Higashioka as the backup now after all. "If the season started today, we’re very comfortable with Higashioka being our backup catcher," Cashman said. "Does that mean it’s going to be the case? I can’t say. But we’re very comfortable with where we’re at." So maybe Cole doesn't get his personal catcher after all? Who knows.

I think the biggest area to address at this point is another bullpen arm. I am skeptical about the Josh Hader trade idea. The Yankees really could use another arm though to reinforce the bridge to Aroldis Chapman. If it is Hader, so be it. Or if it is Dellin Betances even better but the bullpen could really use one more piece.

Cashman had an interesting point about not stressing about the lack of left handed hitters. I'm not too concerned either. If  we can get a lefty that makes the lineup better, great. If not, no big deal. The short right porch is just fine for right handed hitters and with the new pitching changes for 2020, managers won't be able to use a lefty specialist for a one batter scenario. Now, rule changes require pitchers to either face a minimum of three batters in an appearance or pitch to the end of a half-inning, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses.

Overall, I think we are comfortable but not necessarily done. The big moves may be done for now, but there are still smaller moves that can be made to make us better. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens next....because I do believe there is a next.

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

WHO IS NEXT ON THE YANKEES WISH LIST?

So the Winter Meetings are finally done, and the Yankees already got their most wanted Christmas present. No lump of coal for us, but what comes next now that the Yankees finally got Gerrit Cole? There's still work to do.

1. What about Dellin Betances?

I like the idea of Josh Hader, but I also like what I am familiar with....which is Dellin Betances. Obviously, last season was lost but we know what he is capable of. We've seen it before. We know he can perform in New York but we don't know if Hader can. Right now, if any of these rumors are true like THIS ONE from Joel Sherman it sure sounds like the Yankees have moved on from Betances faster than I have.

I have to say I do like Hader, it's hard to look at his stats and argue otherwise. Hader has been dominant but Milwaukee abused his arm a little the past two seasons. Over that time Aroldis Chapman and Hader have had a similar workload but Hader has thrown almost 70 more innings. I have to question how the Brewers let him go from 47.2 innings in his first season to 81.1 innings the next. They never stretched him out, he was never a starting pitcher, he went right to a relief role. He's young but, they never conditioned him and that could be a problem going forward.

Why wouldn't the Brewers wait until the trade deadline to send Hader to a contender that needs a good reliever? They should be able to get even more for him at that point. I mean, as it stands right now Hader is going to cost more than other trade proposals I have read about. We posted A TRADE THAT COULD GET HADER TO THE BRONX! BUT...Luis Gil and Miguel Andujar are unlikely to get that deal done. Hader is only 25 and he is under team control through 2024. He's been an All-Star for the last two years, if the Brewers were willing to trade him so easily and for so little talent in return we really should be asking "WHAT'S WRONG WITH HIM?" because otherwise the proposed trade as is does not make sense.

Should the Yankees really be ready to move on from Betances so quickly?

2. What about a backup catcher?

Austin Romine's time in a Yankee uniform is over. He was a good backup catcher, so now who should the Yankees look to fill that role? The Yankees have Kyle Higashioka. The Yankees like him because of his receiving ability and he does have some pop in his bat, but he hasn't hit much in his limited big-league experience. He's at least worked with some of our pitchers but is he ready to go from minor league catcher to big league backup? Higashioka is out of minor-league options and they do not have MLB ready catching depth otherwise.

But the Yankees also have interest in Martin Maldonado who caught Cole and worked well with him. Cole had a 1.57 ERA in 10 starts with Maldonado catching him so that surely peaked Brian Cashman's interest. But Maldonado has been a bit of a journeyman, he also caught for the Royals and Cubs in 2019. He doesn't provide much offensively, so he's what you expect form a backup just like Romine was. Difference here, he was successful working with the best pitcher in all of baseball....so how do you ignore that?

So should the Yankees give Higashioka a chance in the big leagues or give Cole his personal catcher?

Truthfully, the backup catcher role doesn't concern me much....but the Hader interest does. I like what we see on paper, but I have to question if Hader is conditioned or ready to play for us. Can he be a better option than Betances? I think the Yankees should still be engaged with Betances. He is going to be a difference maker somewhere.

I guess we will have to wait and see. If you had to pick between Hader and Betances, who do you pick and why?

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