JUDGE'S LASER SHOW

If you didn't see it... watch it now:

.@TheJudge44 with a LASER.

This throw was over 100 mph! pic.twitter.com/DXxweIYT47

— MLB (@MLB) May 26, 2018

Last night Judge was on fire defensively, actually 2 solid plays last night.  Mandy Bell of MLB.com has the story:

"Aaron Judge proved once again why runners may want to think twice about challenging his arm. Judge had not just one, but two assists from right field that played a crucial role in the Yankees' 2-1 victory over the Angels on Friday night.  With runners on first and second in the third inning with a 1-0 lead, it appeared that Justin Upton was going to tie the game with a single to right. But in one fluid motion, Judge scooped the ball off the ground on his glove side and fired a perfect strike to the plate to throw out Kole Calhoun who was attempting to score from second.... 

Photo: Getty Images

Not only did Judge save a run, but his laser from right field clocked in at 100.5 mph, according to Statcast™, which made the out even sweeter for the outfielder.... 

But Judge was only getting started. In the seventh inning of what was a 1-1 game, Martin Maldonado sent a long, looping fly ball down the right-field line that dropped right on the chalk. As Maldonado tried to extend his single into a double, Judge threw out his second runner of the night with a nonchalant flick of the wrist from the right-field corner to Didi Gregorius."

This is the stuff folks.  This is the stuff we need to appreciate with this team.  So happy we have Aaron Judge in pinstripes.

I'LL TAKE A PASSIONATE CC SABATHIA ALL DAY LONG!

Not sure if many saw this.  I did. I loved it.

(Mark J. Terrill/AP)

CC Sabathia getting angry at umpire Angel Hernandez after a botched call.  How do we as Yankee fans not like this? Passion always wins with me. You go Big Dog!

Larry Brown Sports writes:

"Don't talk to me. Call f---in strikes" pic.twitter.com/uZ2BjKvFbG

— Kenny Ducey (@KennyDucey) April 30, 2018

"CC Sabathia had some words for umpire Angel Hernandez after a missed strike call in the third inning of the New York Yankees’ 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday night.

Sabathia thought a 1-2 pitch to Justin Upton should have been called a strike. After Upton grounded out to end the inning, Sabathia cursed at Hernandez. "

Photo: AP

Look, I know CC and he probably feels bad that the F word was even being reported. But passion is passion and when you're on the field, everything goes among men.  This was justified in my eyes. Both teams appeared annoyed by Hernandez all night.

Yanks won this one. And now, a new day... here we go.

GARDNER RANKED 9TH ACCORDING TO MLB NETWORK!

(Aug. 1, 2016 - Source: Rich Schultz/Getty Images North America)    

Not that this is a major deal, but it makes me feel good that Brett Gardner is getting some love.  So many people want to hammer this guy suggesting it's over for him and saying he should be shipped out or traded for something else.  The fact is he's doing his job.  He's a ferocious player, very hungry and he works hard. 

MLB Network ranks players as we get closer to the 2017 baseball season.  With that, they shared this with us here at BYB... and I wanted to share it with you:

(July 19, 2016 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

"New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner was ranked 9th on MLB Network’s Top 10 Left Fielders Right Now! program...

Taking into account player performance over several seasons with an emphasis on 2016, a number of offensive and defensive metrics both advanced and traditional, and projected performance for the upcoming season, MLB Network’s Top 10 Right Now! series ranks the top players at each position heading into the 2017 season.

The complete ranking of left fielders is listed below, and an embeddable video recap on Gardner can be seen here:

Top 10 Left Fielders Right Now!

Photo: Cespedes / Getty Images

1.    Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

2.    Yoenis Cespedes, New York Mets

3.    Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates

4.    Khris Davis, Oakland Athletics

5.    Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians

6.    Randal Grichuk, St. Louis Cardinals

7.    Justin Upton, Detroit Tigers

8.    Carlos Beltran, Houston Astros

9.    Brett Gardner, New York Yankees

10.  Adam Duvall, Cincinnati Reds"

Interesting list. I don't agree with some of it, but whatever, glad the dude's in the top 10.

Happy Monday.

GARDY & HIS FIRST GOLD GLOVE

It's amazing to think that Brett Gardner has never won a Gold Glove before, but he hasn't.... until now.

It's been reported that Brett won his first career gold glove.  As you know, we wrote last week in GARDY IS A GOLD GLOVE FINALIST that he in the running. Now he's won it. 

MLB.com writes: "Gardner was named Tuesday as the American League's top defender in left field, becoming the first Yankees outfielder to win a Gold Glove Award since Bernie Williams won four in a row from 1997-2000. The 33-year-old Gardner ranked second in the AL with a .989 fielding percentage and 249 putouts, trailing Alex Gordon of the Royals (.991) and Justin Upton of the Tigers (253), respectively."

Good  stuff, and a congratulations to Brett!

 

THE YANKEES 'LITTLE' MOVES ARE ADDING UP

(In Photo: Tyler Olson)
The Yankees have made a bunch of under the radar, unimpressive moves over the past couple of weeks leading to some of us fans cracking jokes at their expense. Comments like "Another game changer" or "Look out, the Yankees are making moves!" have come up. I'd have my fair share of laughs reading some of these comments, which are mostly made in fun, but what they are doing is beneficial to the organization as a whole.

(In Photo: Kirby Yates)
The Yankees made trades to obtain LHP Tyler Olson and utility man Ronald Torreyes from the Dodgers and RHP Kirby Yates from the Indians, plus signed RHP Anthony Swarzak, INF Donovan Solano and Jonathan Diaz to minor league contracts. They even snagged Lane Adams.

(In photo: Anthony Swarzak)
I honestly had never heard of any of these guys! But what they do bring is depth to minor league system. Plus you never know, one of these guys could be a diamond in the rough! I'm not holding my breath but you never know!

(In Photo: Donovan Solano)
As important as it is to obviously add depth to the Major League roster, it's equally as important to add depth to the upper echelons of the minors. By doing so they can leave some of the younger players still developing at the level they belong rather than promoting them out of necessity.

I know it's tough for us to swallow as Yankees fans that they aren't making blockbuster deals day in and day out. In the back of our minds we are awaiting the breaking news of the blockbuster trade or the big time free agent signing but that's not the way they are operating now. I've mentioned in several other pieces that we very well may have to wait a year or two for the large contracts to begin to expire.

With that being said, there are still several free agents that could fall into the Yankees laps. Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes, for example, remain unsigned and teams seem unwilling to offer them long-term deals. Several outlets have speculated that they could be signed for a one-year deal with the hope that next year's slimmer free agent class would allow them to earn their pay day.

So for you fans hoping for that big name to come through, there is still hope!!!

What Brian Cashman has done however is created one of the league's best bullpens, added a young Aaron Hicks, who has some big upside, brought in some young power arms to the minor leagues via trades and not spent much money at all. These moves will all allow the organization to continue to get stronger as a whole, even though the Big League club shows modest improvement from last year, minus Aroldis Chapman and Hicks.

I am excited for the future and also excited to continue to watch the youth movement develop. The off season is not over and I'm sure Brian Cashman is still taking calls regarding trades. Maybe they'll surprise us, maybe not.

But all in all, these little moves add up and the Yankees organization, from top to bottom, is stronger now than it was this time last year.

As I wait out the winter, I'll (impatiently) take it.

 
 --Dan Lucia
BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia




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BYB HOT STOVE: VOLUME VI

Win some, lose some at the Winter Meetings for all MLB teams.  Some teams did better others, but at least we re-signed Chase Headley.  And he said he wants to be here- that's some fire and fervor in our every day third baseman.  Sit down ARod.  Just saying... anyway onto this week's Hot Stove Volume VI.

Cole Hamels is still hanging out there and another two teams have expressed interest.  According to Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants have expressed interest in the Phillies franchise pitcher.  They join the likes of the Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres and Rangers.  Much like the decision to roll out Jimmy Rollins who traded in his Phillie Red for Dodger Blue, the Phillies are also shopping Ryan Howard and there is some interest.  The Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles have DH needs and the Phils are willing to eat most of the rest of his contract, so we may see Howard in the AL East.  Hopefully, the Yankees will sit this one out.

By now you all heard that Melky Cabrera is headed to the White Sox who are stacking their team with pickups Jeff Samardzija, David Robertson, Adam LaRoche and Zach Duke.  But their National League counter part, the Cubs, have been up to their heels in trades and rumors.  After picking up stud pitcher Jon Lester, now the Cubs have their eyes set on corner outfielder Colby Rasmus.  CBS Sports Reporter Jon Heyman says that Rasmus has a two-year deal in him.  This is a deal that could happen very soon.

After being posted on Monday, Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang will be accepting offers ending this Friday at 5:00 p.m. according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.  The 27-year-old short stop hit 39 home runs and batted .354 in the Korea Baseball Organization.  Some critics are saying that these stats don't translate cleanly to Major League Baseball because of the hitter-friendly atmosphere of KBL, but never-the-less the Mets, Giants and Athletics all have an interest in Kang says Ken Rosenthal.  With the signing of Didi Gregorius, the Yankees will probably steer clear of Kang.

Lastly, Justin Upton remains in the news with the Seattle Mariners showing interest for either him or another right field bat.  There is also talk that Upton would make a great San Francisco Giant.  But another force in the NL West vying for Upton too.  Despite signing Matt Kemp, the San Diego Padres "are all over" Upton according to Mark Bowman from MLB.com.  I bet the Pads sign him. Just a hunch.

That's all for Hot Stove this week.  Hoping for more than a Chris Capuano and Chase Headley signing for the Yankees next week.  Stay tuned!

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
Twitter: @suzieprof






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THE YANKEES ARE STILL THRIFT SHOPPING

“I’m gonna pop some tags, only got $20 dollars in my pocket. I'm, I’m hunting, looking for a come up. This is f**king awesome.” 

–Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Listening to that great tune Thrift Shop, I pictured this music video above featuring Brian Cashman walking through Thrift Shops and picking out all the players that cost absolutely nothing. He’s collecting a group a characters that he is hoping will compete hard against each other this spring. Then, in his eyes, we will get the best makeup for the 2013 New York Yankees…made up of really bad outfits and spare parts, in other words, guys "we think” can do the job and “just need an an opportunity.”

(In Photo: Jack Cust, 2012)
We’ve heard this song before…remember Russell Branyan and Jack Cust? Anyway,  for me personally, I’m not sure why Cashman would be aiming to have any of these guys “compete”.   I mean, I’m still holding a grudge ever since Francisco Cervelli  had a “competition” of a lifetime but was still bagged and sent off to Triple A on the last day of the Spring in 2012.

Yep, the Yankees are Thrift Shopping this winter and Lord knows I want it to end.  But, as I said on Benchwarmers podcast the other day, listen HERE, These are the "new" New York Yankees and those days of big spending are obviously over… for now at least.  Sure, I wake up every morning listening to 1010 Wins wondering if I’m going to hear about a blockbuster deal that brings my obsession, Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees, but it ain’t happening, no matter how hard I think about it. Those days are over. 

Yep, I still remember when Mark Teixeira and Johnny Damon were signed in the dead of night.  These days, it’s Freddy Teixeira, and Tom Damon…a different Yankee world to say the least.

Yep, the Yankees are Thrift Shopping. We’re getting guys like Matt Diaz, Juan Rivera and Thomas Neal.  We are now looking for players who are cheap but have the ability to be big in the Bronx, maybe.  I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, sure, it could happen, but you need a very special player to do it. 

Never forget Scott Brosius, a guy no one had faith in, yet, he quieted the doubters, me included.  It could happen again, sure, but Yankee fans don’t have the patience for that, especially if we you grew up in the Steinbrenner era like me.

Brian Cashman knows what his limits are these days, which is why we’re Thrift Shopping.  He knows his limits not because of his own budget and constraint, but by what Yankee brass dictates. He’s no longer calling the shots, at least, that’s my opinion from the outside looking in.  Cashman’s hands are tied, so he’s Thrift Shopping in the hopes that maybe something real good happens.  Can you blame him? I wouldn’t.  I would suggest however that there were very reasonable deals out there that could have been made.

There were trades that would not have cost us a fortune in prospects. But no, the Yankees stayed pat and did nothing.  No Michael Morse, No Justin Upton… no nothing.

The Yankee kids could prove to be big this season, like David Adams for instance at third base.  We could use him with Kevin Youkilis, just to spice things up, but it only depends on whether or not the Yankees actually give them a shot.  I’m tired of hearing how great these kids are, yet, we never see them on a major league level, and if we do, it’s in another uniform because of a knee jerk trade reaction.  Everyone wanted Jesus Montero to shine in the Bronx, but we now have Michael Pineda.  

(In Photo: Jay Buhner)
It reminds me a lot of Ken Phelps  for Jay Buhner… sometimes the Yankees are just on the wrong end of the trade. Sure, the jury is still out on that Montero-Pineda trade and Pineda could end up being awesome, but fans wonder a lot, especially Yankee fans. I am right now.

Yep, the Yankees are Thrift Shopping.  Why else would be pass on Raul Ibanez for Travis Hafner? Well it started out as money.  The Yankees probably thougt they could get Hafner cheaper than Ibanez. Actually, that move was proved silly, especially when it comes to the dollars.  Ibanez would have commanded the same contract as Hafner. I believe that.  And sure, Hafner is young, but considering what Ibanez did and Hafner’s injury record, it’s a wash.  Yanks know they should have signed Ibanez on loyalty alone, but that doesn’t exist anymore.

Bottom line, the Yankees are Thrift Shopping and we need to get used to it.  Yeah, just close your eyes and picture Brian Cashman, walking around in a 1970’s shirt, a pair of Elvis Glasses and looking through the Free Agent racks, finding the guy with the lowest price, but best potential.  Sure, sometimes it works, but no always.

Hopefully our collection of characters surprise us all this season… but if not, you have BYB as a reference… we’d be the ones that told them straight, "We told you so."

That's my take anyway.

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READING THE FINE PRINT IN THE LUXURY TAX INCENTIVE

This off season we have constantly heard about Hal Steinbrenner’s plan to get the Yankees under $189M by 2014 and avoid the luxury tax. The money we save today will benefit us in the future. But it is slightly flawed.

Ken Rosenthal recently released a statement HERE saying that the benefits of this may not be as much as the Yankees originally planned.

 Rosenthal writes:

"The Yankees’ benefits for reducing their payroll below the $189 million luxury-tax threshold in 2014 might not be as lucrative as they originally envisioned.

 The team would realize one financial incentive by meeting its payroll target — a rollback in its luxury-tax rate from a potential 50 percent to 17.5 percent if it again exceeded the threshold.

But the second anticipated benefit — a rebate in the new market-disqualification revenue-sharing program — might fall well below the Yankees’ expectations.

Under the labor agreement, the 15 clubs in the largest markets will forfeit an increasing percentage of their revenue-sharing proceeds starting in 2013, and become ineligible for any such money by '16....

The Yankees anticipated $10 million from the market-disqualification program if they got below the luxury-tax threshold one time and $40 million if they stayed under it from 2014 to '16, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

If those figures turn out to be less than the Yankees projected, it would raise the question of why the team acted so diligently to get under $189 million by 2014.

Yankees officials, however, maintain that the team’s offseason strategy has not been influenced by future luxury-tax considerations. They say the front office simply is not enamored with the players on the market."

In English...basically, the Yankees were expecting money from the market-disqualification pot, but if the fifteen lower revenue-generating teams do well, the amount of the money in the pot lessens, as does the amount of money that they Yankees will receive. Looks like there is some really fine print behind this tax incentive.

Even if the Yankees do not get the full amount anticipated back, getting under the luxury tax is still a pretty good idea. The simple fact is, with this market, spending the way the Yankees do is not only a bad idea but also irresponsible. Why not save nearly $40M now so we can save it for 2015 and field a better team?

Ultimately, Hal’s plan is about smart money management. This might mean that we won’t spend on super stars now and it also might mean that we may go a few years without seeing a playoff.

But it also means that when players like Justin Upton and Andrew McCutchen become free agents, the idea that the Yankees could go after them, wouldn’t seem so outlandish.

The penny pinching is frustrating for us as fans. We have become very spoiled by the Dynasty era. But the truth is, the market this year just wasn’t great and didn’t warrant spending. Now that there are more details to this money saving strategy, what do you think? Do you agree that Hal should be saving the money OR do you think that since the money isn't guaranteed that we should be using it to improve our team?

Make your case. Comment and tell us!

--Erica Morales, BYB Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804

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"I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE"

Here's another installment from my good friend Dave Goode, a die-hard Yankee fan... and my friend.

As your blog says, The Yankees are looking to 2014. I am going to be like a bear and go to sleep.  You can wake me just in time for Spring training 2014.  It is my opinion that this Yankee team sadly reminds me of being a young Yankee fan.

(In Photo: Jake Gibbs)
I remember being around 11 years old and seeing that 1967 Yankee roster... an aging Mickey Mantle in one of his last years. Jake Gibbs as catcher, Charley Smith at 3B. There was Tom Tresh, Joe Pepitone, Ruben Amaro, Steve Whitaker and many other so-so players past there prime.

Last season they BATTLED to barely make the playoffs with so-so pitching and no clutch hitting. Now I see this off season and there is nothing. It has been the "Off Season of Stugots."

Yeah, we signed Kevin Youkilis because we had no choice. Alex Rodriguez is down through mid-summer at best and he "could" be out all season, read HERE.   Youk could surprise us, true, but his better days are behind him.  We couldn’t even get a so-so Scott Hairston to sign with us, never mind a Justin Upton who ended up going to the Braves. Plus, instead of going after Michael Morse, we signed Dan Johnson, a .237 lifetime hitter. To me, it's pathetic. BYB blogs have talked all the players the Yanks have missed the boat on and I'll tell you, I wish I could talk to both of the Steinbrenner boys and tell them that's it's been a disappointment.

We are in the toughest division in baseball and after the Toronto Blue Jays made that trade with the Miami Marlins, things just got tougher. Plus, who's left to sign? Michael Bourn?  I don’t see that happening.  I've been in sales for over 30 years. We usually have mock sales sessions. But look, until you actually interact with customers, it is all nonsense.  That is why the time is NOW to get the kids on the farm up to the bigs! Another year down on the farm won't matter that much. not when we sign  guys like Dan Johnson. Instead of waiting, give the kids a shot.  My gut tells me they can't do any worse and it will mature them and give them the big league experience they need. Who knows, we may actually get luck too! Forget about Giancarlo Stanton. The Yankees just won't spend the money.

I think the only way the boys wake up is if us fans revolt. I back BYB's idea, hit them in the pocket book. Read YANKEE FAN'S REVOLT: "ENOUGH'S ENOUGH". Let the attendance dwindle, let food and souvenir sales fall flat and all revenue sources dry up and if in 2014 they put a team that can win #28 on the field, we will be back, but not before!  Hey, when they spend money, fans will spend money.  As was said in the movie Network. " I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore!"

Finally, on paper, I don’t see a team that can go out win the division, a pennant and a #28 championship, so wake me in 2014.  Hopefully I'm wrong.  If I'm not, hopefully next winter these guys will wake up and go after some quality players.  Hey, it never hurts to start looking early... right?

 --Dave Goode, Die-hard Yankee fan
Interviewed for his 30 plus years experience as a vendor at Yankee Stadium
THE VENDOR FROM THE HOUSE THAT RUTH BUILT



 

NICE JOHNSON...

Sweeny Murti says HERE that the Yankees have signed Dan Johnson to a minor league deal and an invitation to Spring Training.  Johnson played for the White Sox last season and had a .364 average in 22 at bats.  This move shouldn't surprise anyone Yankee fans.  We knew this was coming.  The days of big spending are over. I will say this, for a spare part like Johnson, I like him but he ain't no superstar. Cashman is clearly looking for lightening in a bottle. Plus, if he makes it and hits a home run, a really want to hear John Sterling scream... Nice Johnson!

We also saw Justin Upton just get traded to the Braves today.  We wrote about that right before the deal happen last night  in CURRENT UPTON RUMORS LEAVE THE YANKEES ALL WET. Bottom line, the world knew Upton would not come to the Yankees and the Yankees missed the boat, on purpose of not will be determined later... but the Yanks, I believe never wanted Upton, even though Yankee fans did.

Finally, and this went on entirely too long...Scott Hairston finally decided that he didn't want to go to the Mets or the Yankees because neither team wanted to give him 2 years.  So... he walked and signed a 2 year deal with the Cubs.  Read HERE.

Again, this shouldn't surprise anyone... Yankeeland is in a tizzy and nothing is being done to change it. Nothing.