WOULD ADDING JANSEN MAKE SENSE?

MassLive's Chris Cotillo recently lobbed a suggestion Yankees fans might meet with a mix of intrigue and side-eye: the idea of pursuing former Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen in free agency. Yes, the same Kenley Jansen who’s been terrorizing hitters for years with a cutter so nasty it could moonlight as a horror movie villain.

"According to major league sources, the Yankees made a serious run at Jansen before he signed a two-year, $32 million contract with Boston in December 2022," Cotillo wrote. "With mercurial All-Star Clay Holmes heading for free agency after the season, it’s more than likely the Yankees look to add a big-time piece at the back end of their relief corps. And Jansen, at nearly 37 years old, just wants to win wherever he goes next."

Intriguing? Sure. Plausible? Eh, not so fast. As a Yankees fan, the idea of poaching a former Red Sox closer—one who has a 1.35 ERA and 9 saves in 19 career appearances against the Bronx Bombers—is tempting. Who wouldn’t want to steal Boston’s thunder and make it their rain? But let’s not forget the Yankees already have some lightning of their own with Luke Weaver, who came out of nowhere like that extra bag of fries at the bottom of the fast-food bag. Weaver earned the right to close games next season, no question.

Jansen’s résumé is stacked—four All-Star nods, a 2.57 career ERA, and the kind of poise that comes with 15 years of success. But he’s also 37 years old. In baseball years, that’s basically ancient—he’s one blown save away from being offered a gig on YES Network. And while Kiley McDaniel of ESPN predicts Jansen could land a two-year, $25 million deal (a bargain if you’re playing Monopoly), it’s hard to justify throwing big bucks at a closer whose best days might be behind him. Especially when you already have a shiny, new option in Weaver.

Instead of dropping millions on Jansen, the Yankees should let Weaver keep doing his thing and enjoy the bonus of flexibility unless they just want to put Jansen in the pen "just in case" or as a "Second closer", whatever that means. Picture Boone using him in high-leverage situations whenever the game is on the line—fifth inning, seventh inning, Tuesday at brunch. No need to save him exclusively for the ninth. Plus, spending that kind of money on a 37-year-old arm feels like buying a luxury sports car for your morning commute—it’s flashy, but probably not necessary.

While Jansen still has gas left in the tank and a cutter that could make hitters weep, this idea just doesn’t click. Let Boston mourn their own bullpen woes while the Yankees find the next unsung hero to dominate in pinstripes. After all, if Weaver’s already bringing the thunder, why pay for more rain if we don't have to?

I don't know, I'm conflicted. What do you think?

OKAY, I LIKE VERDUGO

 

Source: The Athletic

Well, I was not thrilled when the Yankees picked up Alex Verdugo. His reputation preceded him with both the Dodgers and Red Sox clubhouses having something to say about his attitude. My concern was clear: would Verdugo carry a similar chip on his shoulder here in New York? But so far, he has shown his value and I have not seen any attitude at least in from my point of view. All I see is a guy that hustles, hits and adds a powerful punch to this Yankee team. So, okay, I like Verdugo.

“Honestly, man, it’s been really fun. I’ve found the fun again,” Verdugo said. “I really like the team. I really like my teammates. I really like just everything about this organization so far. When you’re happy somewhere, you just feel so much better when you’re playing and when you’re going through s—. I just think that’s what it is here,” reported The Athletic. 

Prior to his Yankee debut Verdugo had his bouts with former skipper Alex Cora and a variety of different concerns with the Dodgers. According to The Athletic,  "With the Dodgers, veteran pitcher Rich Hill admonished him for being late. His former Dodgers and Red Sox teammate, Kenley Jansen, said Verdugo had the potential to be a Hall of Fame player if he could ever get his act together. At the end of the 2022 season, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Verdugo was the No. 1 player who needed to take a step forward in 2023. His plea did not work. Cora benched Verdugo in the middle of a game last June for not hustling."

Source: AP

For the Yankees he has filled a whole sorely needed in the outfield. Although he is primarily in left field for the Bombers, he has played center field recently, serving as an outfield specialist and providing great depth for the Yankees. And with the bat, Verdugo has delivered. Even bringing in the 2024 battle cry or shall I say dawg bark to light up the energy in the dugout and on the field. Even roll callers are barking back at Dugie as his name is called in attendance by the faithful bleachers.

Source: MLB

“He’s just a complete player,” Judge said. “He’s a guy we’ve been looking for, a left fielder that’s left-handed and competes every single day. He competes every single day. He wants to play every single day. I told him the other day in the outfield that he’s one of the best left fielders besides Brett Gardner that I’ve played with,” reports The Athletic.

Verdugo can keep doing what he's doing: producing runs and a surmountable amount of energy to rival that produced by another fan favorite Juan Soto. Yeah, I like Verdugo. Stay focused, have fun and don't bring in any of that past banter. Do your job and we are all good, Alex. 

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

AARON BOONE IS "WAITING" FOR AN EXPLANATION WHILE WE WAIT FOR ROBOTS

And he is going to turn blue in the face waiting for the "good explanation" that he is still waiting for, read HERE. Someone needs to tell Aaron Boone to stop waiting. What answer could he possibly get that he would actually like?

There's only one, in my opinion and he is not going to get it. The only answer is "Well, we were wrong" about what happened on Saturday. He should of protested the game immediately. Now just waiting for an explanation is like waiting for pigs to fly. Or maybe a unicorn. It's pointless.

We've seen everything we need to see. Brett Gardner has been implicated in virtually every controversial play this season. His character has been called into question, read GARDNER IS DAMAGING HIS ONCE SOLID REPUTATION even though he's reacted in the same frustration as some of his peers read MAD AT GARDNER? YOU BETTER HAVE MORE NAMES ON YOUR LIST. It's crazy.

Look, I think Mike Axisa said it best....the play at second base in not in question here. The slide was clean AND he beat the throw to second base. There was no interference, if so the umpires could have ruled it a double play. Max Muncy deserves an Academy Award for his theatrics on Saturday night and he doesn't deny it. He knew Torres was likely to score. Good for you, Muncy....you picked up a hobby living so close to Hollywood and got some acting skills. You won that time.

But what really grinds my gears is the call made about the "time out" given while Gleyber Torres is CLEARLY already running home. What a convenient time to call a "time out," right? Torres was off the bag, he was a player in motion. The umpire shouldn't have called a time out.

So were the Yankees screwed out of a win? You can argue both sides but with Torres running to home he likely would've scored and that could've changed the game completely. Potentially, but ideally the Yankees should've gotten to a struggling Kenley Jansen.

This season has just been too frustrating to watch. Commissioner Rob Manfred wants to make changes to pitching clocks and trade deadlines....why not replacing umpires with robots at this point? It's bad already. Why not take more of the human element out of it to maybe make it more accurate? At this point, I am not opposed.

Just my opinion but the Yankees got screwed here. Maybe they weren't screwed out of a win, but they wee definitely screwed out of playing a fair game. They have also been screwed out of a lot of calls this season, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised by this one. This just sets a precedence that I shouldn't expect the Yankees to get a fair call for the rest of the season.

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

GLEYBER CALLS OUT UMP IN POST GAME INTERVIEW

Source: Associated Press

The West Coast series has been a trying collection of games for the Yankees.  After being swept by the Oakland A's earlier this week, and the beasting of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Friday's night game 10-2, the Yankees were on the losing end of a pitchers' 2-1 duel with an unbelievable series of events in the 9th inning.  It was this series of events that led not only to frustration, but the Yankees' youngest player calling out the umpires.

Gleyber Torres was trying to do some heads up base running after Brett Gardner slid hard into the second base to avoid being called out and preventing a double play which would have halted the Yankees rally in the 9th. "Torres was questioning why plate ump Gabe Morales called time out," reported the NJ.com. “I don’t know what’s wrong with the umpires today,” Torres said. “We can’t control that.”

MLB umpires have been under fire, seemingly a lot more this season than ever before, partly because of the challenge and replay functionality of the game.  This has given fans and even the media a reason to question the actual rules of the game and the latitude that umpires have in applying them.

"Morales called time out after Brett Gardner’s hard slide into second base knocked Max Muncy to the ground. Torres took off for home and crossed the plate but he was sent back to third base because Morales said he had called time out. Manager Aaron Boone said Morales told him Torres was sent back to third base because closer Kenley Jansen had called time out. But replays left the situation unclear. Jansen motioned to Morales, but it wasn’t clear whether he did it before Torres starting running home," reported NJ.com.

YES Network's Jack Curry reminded viewers that unlike players and managers who give post-game interviews and press conferences, umpires don't.  Maybe now that umpires have more of a voice in the game due to technology, it is time for MLB to require umpires to give post game interviews too.

"Gabe said he killed it," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the game. "Just looking back, Kenley held his hands up -- it looked to me Gleyber had already started down the line with a guy down on the field. Home plate umpire said he had killed it," reported CBS Sports.

"Can you call time when an outfielder hits the wall and prevent the runner from taking an extra base? No, because the play is still live. Even when pitchers are hit by dangerous come-backers, the play is played to completion," raised CBS Sports.  I tend to agree with that sentiment yet, regardless, the game ended with the Yankees coming up short.  This leaves us all with a bad taste in our mouths.

Source: New York Times

It certainly has been a month of umpire hell, if you will, for the Yankees and even our youngest player, who usually seems unfazed, is frustrated.  Let's hope the Yankees can put their heated emotions into winning tonight as they close out the series with Dodgers and head to Seattle, the last stretch of the West Coast series for the Bombers.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

PLAYERS ARE THREATENING A STRIKE....BUT IS IT REAL?

I don't know what to think. On Sunday social media was blowing up with a ton of conflicting reports. Some sources say yes and others say no and tries to refute the other statements. It's just nuts. Whether reports of a strike are true or not something is going on.

We've all heard the frustration on the lack of the free-agent movement. Fans are frustrated and now it sounds like the players are finally speaking out also. According to an initial report by MLB Trade Rumors and also Newsday there's a cold war going on between players, owners and agents.

After two decades of peace could we really be talking about another strike? This offseason has been incredibly slow but are tensions really so high that words like "collusion" and "strike" be a reality?

Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The combination of more than 100 free agents still available as well as the top contract given so far to Lorenzo Cain at five years and $8 million dollars certainly doesn't paint a nice picture. So maybe that is why agents are hinting at collusion without actually using the word.

But how can players think that MLB teams are colluding against them? The game is in an unusual state with at least half of all teams not chasing free agents like they usually do. A lot of teams are rebuilding. Some are in the beginning stages like Derek Jeter's Marlins who have obliterated the team and others like the Braves are looking to be competitive again.

Then there are other teams like the Giants who made big additions to their team after finishing dead last in their division but made their upgrades by trading for Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria.

Then there are teams who are more interested in ever than managing their money like the Yankees who are determined to get under the luxury tax this season and there are other teams who just don't have the money to spend, so they are waiting for the price tag for these players to fall. There are contracts out there to sign, just not the ones these free agents want to sign. The market just isn't what they like, but it's not collusion.

So now players supposedly want to strike? Jeff Passan had an interesting article yesterday too.  There are guys out there who HAVE contracts right now making noise about this. He sited Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, who calls for a "radical change" and "a fight is brewing" but yet we have yet to hear statements like this from guys like Jake Arrieta, who are still unsigned.

Photo: Chicago Tribune

And then we have the no-name complainers, “The owners have to realize they’re about to jeopardize an unbelievably good thing,” said a source on the players’ side. “If they don’t recognize it, they don’t see where this is going. Everybody’s going to be in unison. And we’re all going to walk right off the cliff together.” Is a fight really brewing though? According to a update late Sunday afternoon now some beat writers are saying NO.

So which is it? Are these guys really making legitimate calls for a strike.....or are they making idle threats? I don't see how this could possibly be advantageous for the players. The MLBPA has already warned players that an unorganized strike would violate the current CBA and lead to the league filing an injunction against them and then players would then have to return to work, and it’s also possible they’d have to pay damages. Union lawyers have warned them of those consequences also, so it sounds like if the players are looking for a war....it's an uphill battle with a bleak outcome.

Does the market suck? Yes, but teams aren't spending money like they were before. Next year, this will all be a thing of the past as teams try to outbid everyone else for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.

It's two weeks until pitchers and catchers report.....lets put an end to the cold war and the madness and get back to business, shall we?

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

THINKING ABOUT THE PACE OF THE GAME

Ever since Rob Manfred took over as commissioner of baseball, it seems as though his main focus has been on changing the pace of a baseball game. When I was thinking about my next piece, I simply asked Casey...

"What do you think of the changes to speed up the game?"

He simply wrote back... "I hate it."

Photo: SI.com

That got my juices flowing.  I mean, look... Rob Manfred has proposed and experimented with many rule changes to make the game faster. In my eyes, some of these changes are just silly. Does eliminating the 4 pitch walk really save that much time?  When you think about it, I don't believe it does.

Really, over the course of a full season how many walks are intentional in the first place? According to this article on MLB.com, there were 932 intentional walks issued in the Major Leagues in 2016. That's an average of .384 a game.

Each of the past five seasons has established a new record low of intentional walks per game. As this headline from an article from the Los Angeles Daily News states, this initiative is a solution in search of a problem.

"Scott Van Slyke: 'If you don’t like watching baseball games, don’t watch them. I think there’s a problem with people who think it’s a problem.'

Kenley Jansen: 'Games aren’t too long. This is getting out of control. There’s over 3 million people coming to watch the Dodgers every year.'”

Who is it really, that has a problem with the so-called pace of the game? Baseball has been around for over 100 years with very few changes in regard to the actual game itself. Are games longer than they were in the past? Most definitely. To me, the main issue to do with it is the advent of the lefty-righty specialist. Since sabermetrics have been introduced to the game and manager's spend way too much time with their noses stuck in binders instead of what is going on in the field. I say making rule changes in regards to pitching changes and trips to the mound and leaving the rest of the game alone would suffice in saving the time some are so concerned about. Making changes to the batters and pitchers routines before a pitch is even thrown would help a lot as well.

Look, Commissioner Manfred, I get it you're concerned about... the lack of people coming out to the multi-million stadiums. I pretty much can tell you that it really has nothing to do with the pace of the game. How about looking at the overall cost of going to a game instead? The average blue-collar worker can only afford to go to but a few games a year. I know last year when the Yankees were in Phoenix I went to all 3 games. It killed my funds for the month of May and I went alone.

Now, consider that the average everyday citizen has a spouse and children they would love to take with them. With the 200% plus markup on concessions, it's just not feasible for them to be able to go the each and every game no matter how much they would love to.

I believe there isn't much problem with the pace of the game...keep it authentic. In fact, the longer I can stay at the park the happier I am.

There's no place like home!!!

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @sevn4evr

YANKEE SPRING STORYLINE 7: COULD 2017 BE DIDI'S BIG YEAR?

Source: SNY

I like the sound of our Spring Storyline 7.  Didi Gregorius is one of the most underrated ball players in action today.  And when he was chosen as the guy who would fill the shortstop void left by Derek Jeter, he was put in a difficult position, both physically and mentally.  But, he stepped in and did his job despite the steep hill in front of him.  Now, just about three years later, Gregorius is making his ability known worldwide and this time it is his bat who is doing the talking.

Source: Matt Roberts/Getty Images AsiaPac

According to the YES Network, "Didi Gregorius has quietly become one of the Yankees' most consistent and well-rounded players. He set career-highs in several offensive categories last season, and has started to put together an impressive highlight reel at the diamond's most crucial defensive position. Is 2017 the year Didi makes the jump to his first career All-Star game?" Maybe.  Hopefully. Now take a closer look at this body of work in the World Baseball Classic.

"Gregorius has been the Netherlands' designated hitter for four of the first five games in the tournament. He was 6-for-16 (.412) in the first four games, and he added a run-scoring double and a three-run home run in the first four innings against Israel," reported MLB.com last week.  Yes, that's right Didi's a DH.  He is playing on a team where there are two other premium shortstops ahead of him in the roster.  Los Angeles Angels short shop Andrelton Simmons and Boston Red Sox short stop Xander Bogaerts both better defensively than Gregorius but Didi's stick kept the Dutch in the Classic until they lost on Saturday night to Team Puerto Rico.

Gregorius, is a 27-year-old humble kid from Amsterdam, "but like many of his teammates, he lives in Curacao, an island in the Dutch Caribbean. Fourteen players on what is now formally called the Kingdom of the Netherlands team hail from Curacao, including (Dodgers' closer Kenley) Jansen and Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons, as well as the 49-year-old Hensley Meulens, (the Netherlands' manager), a former utility man and the current hitting coach for the Giants," reports MLB.com.

Source: Yahoo Sports

 Gregorius credits his team in the Bronx for the opportunity of a lifetime. "The Yankees gave me a lot of experience," Gregorius said. "That's what actually helped me. Everything helps. Joe gave me a lot of opportunities. So I try to play my best every time I go out there. I'm just trying to learn the game, that's what I'm trying to do. It's just an honor for me to be there," reported MLB.com after the Netherlands loss in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

So, no matter who's the next guy in with the Yankees at short stop this season, Gregorius is making a lot of noise.  And if he keeps this up, he will be headed to Miami for the All Star Game this July.




--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

YANKEES EYEING SERGIO ROMO JUST IN CASE...

(Oct. 9, 2016 - Source: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)

It's been 24 hours since the Yankees have made their offers to both Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen.  Rumor has it the Yankee offer to Chapman is in the range of 5 years and $92 million.  No idea if that's true or not... just putting it out there.  I do know this; Chapman wants 6 years, and so, if that offer is true, maybe that's the Yankees saying "5 years will get you alittle more than $80 million with us!"

Source: Getty Images

Whatever man... I just want a deal with Chapman.

Now, the Yanks are trying to protect themselves just in case Chapman and Jansen dart elsewhere. You all know about David Robertson and them sniffing around Chicago for him.

(July 23, 2016 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)

Read THE BACK-UP TO THE BACK-UP CLOSER PLAN for more on that. But now there's another closer whose name being floated.  It's Sergio Romo.

John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle just tweeted this about Romo and the Yanks:

Several teams have expressed interest in Sergio Romo. One is the Yankees.

— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) December 7, 2016

Now obviously this is just a precaution in case our top guns don't come to the Bronx, but in the grand scheme of things, if Hal Steinbrenner is serious about strengthening our pen, this isn't a bad back-up to a back-up to a back-up plan.

(Oct. 9, 2016 - Source: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)

The Score writes of Romo:

"Romo was limited to only 40 games in 2016, but was one of the few bright spots (2.64 ERA) in an otherwise dreadful Giants bullpen that led the league in blown saves."

You gotta wonder if the Yanks pull the trigger on guys like Robertson and Romo quickly if, God forbid, things fall apart with Jansen and / or Chapman.

And so... we continue to wait.

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THE BACK-UP TO THE BACK-UP CLOSER PLAN

(Aug. 20, 2016 - Source: David Banks/Getty Images North America)

If the Yankees fail to sign Aroldis Chapman, and fail to sign Kenley Jansen, they will be looking for another closer... and it may be David Robertson of the White Sox... I'm not kidding. But let me back up...

(Oct. 31, 2016 - Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America)

We reported just a short time ago that offers have gone out to Chapman and Jansen from the Bombers.  Read BOSOX SNAG SALE. RESPECT IT! when we wrote:

"The bullpen is very important to them. Aroldis Chapman is their priority and to that I say 'stay on track'. The offer is in to he and to Kenley Jansen... it will be one or the other... one would hope at least.  Hell, maybe both.  What I wouldn't want is none.  Then we would have failed as an organization."

(Aug. 27, 2016 - Source: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images North America)

I believe that to be true.  And just an update.... Right now the Yanks and Marlins have an offer in to Jansen. For Chapman, it's the Yanks, the Dodgers, the Marlins and possibly the Nationals.  There's a lot going on. And so, just in case the Yankees don't get their man or men, David Robertson may be the back-up to the back-up.

(Aug. 11, 2016 - Source: Eric Espada/Getty Images North America)

 Sweeny Murti of WFAN tweeted this:

With offers out to Chapman & Jansen, is there an answer coming soon? #Yankees have also talked trades, including #WhiteSox David Robertson.

— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) December 7, 2016

OK then. By the way, that wasn't "OK then" like "OK then, Sweeny's full of crap." It's "OK then, I'll be following this." Sweeny's been on this Winter Meetings.

And so... I'll stay tuned.