NO ONE CARES ABOUT THAT URIBE CONTRACT OFFER

Much like when I really didn't see the point to report that Tommy Hunter was offered a contract by the Yankees that eventually fell through because the Yanks were concerned about Hunter's injury history, (Read THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY...), do I really care that the Yankees also reached out to Juan Uribe too? Not really. But hey, these are the Yankees, and in New York where I send much of my adult life, every little nugget, even irrelevant ones after the fact need to be reported. Silly yes, but this is the world we live in.

Yes, according to several sources, and we'll use NJ.com on this one, the New York Yankees had in fact offered Uribe a contract:

 

 

"The Yankees offered infielder Juan Uribe a minor-league deal before he took a one-year, $5-million pact from the Indians". The original report came from Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

 

And again, it's after the fact. This is important to a Yankee fan... WHY???

 

Sure, I guess you can make an argument that it's news.  I don't feel that way. Good Luck to Uribe.

 

Carry on.

 

 

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JUAN URIBE: THE FORGOTTEN OPTION

Why didn't we think of this earlier? It makes a lot of sense. We haven't heard that the Yankees are talking to Juan Uribe but given all of the different ways they could use him I think they should! He's unsigned and Spring Training is right around the corner. Why not take a chance?

So, supposedly the Indians are trying to get him to sign as a regular third basemen and that would be a great gig for him. I also like the idea of him playing in the Bronx though. Sure, he wouldn't get regular playing time but the Yankees could play him in a few different positions and it would allow Joe Girardi to give guys a day off when needed. There are more puzzle piece combinations here, and suddenly our bench becomes that much longer.

I hate to say it but inevitably Mark Teixeira is going to get hurt. Yes, even I can admit that. It has never been a matter of "if" but "when" with him so I am not expecting it to be any different this year. Sure, Dustin Ackley looks to be the likely backup candidate for the position but Girardi could also make a few other moves.

Maybe the Yankees should give Teixeira a few extra days this year just to help keep him healthy. In this case the Yankees could plug in Ackley or they could use Brian McCann in a pinch. They could also move Headley to first instead and plug in a backup at third base.

Chase Headley was overworked last year. He played too much and that had to contribute to all of those errors and general sloppiness. Right now the Yankees would like to have an option to plug Starlin Castro in at third, but I am not sold here. He is still adjusting to second base.....is it fair to expect him to learn ANOTHER position and play it with confidence? I just don't think that is in anyone's best interest here. In this case, Juan Uribe can give Headley a day off.

No offense to Ackley, but he has a weaker bat and his defense isn't the best. Uribe may be older but he is still a reliable defender and he could be plugged in to second base, third or even shortstop in an emergency. He also had 14 home runs last season which is more than Ackley's 10.

Uribe is an interesting option for the Yankees. Admittedly, he wasn't on the radar before but now he is. He makes sense for a lot of different reasons and he is a positive clubhouse presence which you can never have too much of. There is a short time to make a move here, so if the Yankees are interested the clock is ticking.

Will the Yankees sign Uribe? Who knows.....we'll see.


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





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EVEN JON STEWART CAN'T BELIEVE THE METS ARE IN 1ST

Jon Stewart has seen a lot in his 16 years as host of The Daily Show. But he wasn’t expecting to see the Mets atop the NL East before he retired from the beloved news satire show.

In his penultimate episode, Stewart gave a shout out to the Mets (also his favorite team) for their surge to the top of the division.

The Daily Show
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Stewart isn’t the only one giddy with surprise. After being down in the standings by eight games just a few weeks ago, the Mets have surged into 1.5 game lead in the NL East over reigning division champs Washington Nationals thanks in part to a three-game sweep at home against the Nats this last weekend. The team is hoping to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

There’s two reasons to think the Mets actually have a shot to make the postseason this year. They’ve added some offensive help at the trade deadline by scooping up Yoenis Cespedes from Detroit. Cespedes has hit .293 with 18 home runs this season for the Tigers and will help the Mets in the outfield with his canon of an arm. He’s also been a boon for Mets ratings, which have jumped 52 percent since Cespedes was acquired.
Another key trade in my view was getting Juan Uribe from the Braves.

Uribe—who started the season as a Dodger—is one of the most popular guys in the sport. He is widely respected and loved in the locker room and is known to pound a few clutch hits. His presence will not only help offensively, but with team chemistry as the Mets look to close out the season as winners.

Another reason things look good for the Mets—according to the Wall Street Journal they finish their season with the weakest schedule in the MLB. The Nats also have a weak schedule, but the Cubs and Giants—who the Mets are chasing for a wild card spot—finish with games mostly against teams above .500. So even if the Mets falter in the East, they could potentially end up a wild card contender.

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

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DODGERS ADD CUBAN SENSATION HECTOR OLIVERA

Hector Olivera has agreed to a six-year, $62.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers according to MLB.com.

Source: Cuban INF Hector Olivera has agreed to a 6-year, $62.5 million deal with Dodgers. $28MM signing bonus. Check http://t.co/mkcBse7p5i
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) March 24, 2015

The infielder will get a $28 million signing bonus once his physical clears.

Olivera was courted by many big league teams including the Yankees. The shortstop hit .341 and had 17 home runs last year in Cuba and looks to be an immediate impact player. Though his decision to don Dodger blue comes to no surprise to many baseball insiders, Olivera still has a couple hurdles to clear before he makes his debut in the majors.

One - Olivera might have issues with his throwing arm that could require Tommy John surgery. This would leave him out for a whole season. Two - he also still needs a visa—which could again hold up his debut in the big leagues.

The Dodgers also have plenty of infield talent. They traded away arguably one of the most promising infielders in Dee Gordon this offseason to get Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins in the middle infield. If Olivera is to see any playing time this year, he will probably split duties with Juan Uribe at third base. But Rollins and Uribe’s contracts are up after the 2015 season which could give way to a permanent home for Oilvera in the infield.

I like the deal because it gives the Dodgers flexibility to make some roster moves down the road. They have a crowded outfield and will need to deal some players (like Andre Ethier) to make room for developing talent. Having another card to add to the deck will only strengthen the Dodgers negotiating position. It’s also a promising sign that the new front office is serious about building a balanced lineup that gives the team the best chance to win a World Series.

Now if we could just get the games on TV.

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







 
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I LOVE THE HIDDEN BALL TRICK

The Tampa Bay Rays pulled off a great hidden ball trick out against the Los Angeles Dodgers this past weekend I just wanted to show it to you.  This stuff is great.  Why you ask? Because in baseball or in any sport, when it comes to the pros, there is sometimes repetition and routine.


In this case, Juan Uribe, and all of the Dodgers for that matter just literally "took their eye off the ball" and just went about their business.  Uribe got called out. Watch the video... Classic.

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