TYLER SKAGGS IS DEAD

Horrible story out a short time ago about the loss of Angels starting pitcher, Tyler Skaggs.

The New York Times reports the following:
"Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs, 27, died Monday in a hotel room several hours before his team was scheduled to play the Texas Rangers."

"The police in Southlake, Tex., said they had found Skaggs dead in a room at the team hotel after responding to a call about an unconscious male." They said they did not suspect foul play. A spokeswoman for the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office said it had not yet received Skaggs’s body."

Skaggs was only 27 years old. The sports world has already reacted, especially teammates like Mike Trout.

The Angels have a history of tragedy of the years. In December of last year Luis Valbuena, died in Venezuela after highway robbers ambushed his car, which crashed.
10 years ago, Nick Adenhart, a 22-year-old rookie, was killed by a drunk driver just hours after making his season debut in 2009. This April, Skaggs retweeted a Los Angeles Times story about Adenhart on the 10th anniversary of his final game.

It's not Yankee related, but news like this breaks your heart. Skaggs was only 27 years old. He was recently married to his wife Carli last year. He was a newlywed. A young kid that had so many years ahead of him still. A young talent that will be missed.

There are no more words for this. It's a sad day for baseball. Gone too soon. My heart goes out to the Skaggs family and the Angels organization.

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

DON'T BE FOOLED, THE YANKEES LIKE VALBUENA

(July 24, 2016 - Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America)

Now, we've told you this story before. This is actually nothing new to our BYB audience... and you know that because you're smart as hell and read everything!

Back in October when we were complaining about Chase Headley and how we thought he was gaining that "dead weight" status, we wrote AN EXCELLENT 3RD BASE IDEA!  In it, Luis Valbuena came up.  We stated back then, the following:

(July 24, 2016 - Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America)

"FOX Sports had a great nugget about a great player to do just that.  It's Luis Valbuena of the Houston Astros... a soon to be free agent....Not bad.   Over the last 2 years with the Astros, he's hit 38 home runs, alittle pop. He's 30 years old, so we'd also be getting alittle younger as opposed to 32 year old Headley, and he's a bit more athletic..."

And so, now his name comes up again, and this time from Joel Sherman of the New York Post:

(July 7, 2016 - Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America)

"Luis Valbuena’s representative, Steve Schneider, described the Yankees as one of “several” teams in “ongoing” dialogue about his client...  Schneider also said Valbuena is looking to be an everyday player, even if it is at a variety of positions. The Yankees would not be able to offer that unless they were able to trade Chase Headley, which they have tried to do unsuccessfully.

Schneider said 'patience is part of the process'”...

(Sept. 28, 2016 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

And thank God Valbuena's agent said that thing about "patience", because it's gonna take time to move Headley. Am I right? I feel like no one wants this guy. There is no question that Headley needs to be dealt, but can Cashman be creative enough to move him?  I'm just not sure... but whatever the case... I like this idea of Valbuena a lot. How about you?

Stay tuned...

AN EXCELLENT 3RD BASE IDEA!

The Yankees still have Chase Headley at third base, and last season, he wasn't exactly spectacular.  The Yankees had Mark Teixeira at first, and while he had injury and a bit of slow down, he did very well defensively and his bat came to life near the end of the season.  But now he's retired.  

 His replacement at first will most likely be Greg Bird and Tyler Austin who have both proven they can play with the big boys, but when it comes to third base... I don't love Headley there day in and day out.  While I would rather have Ronald Torreyes there, he is better as our utility because he can play anywhere in the infield.  And so, you gotta wonder who could be a solid back up... primarily at 3rd base next season.   

FOX Sports had a great nugget about a great player to do just that.  It's Luis Valbuena of the Houston Astros... a soon to be free agent.

"Impending free agent utilityman Luis Valbuena could help solidify the New York Yankees thin corner infield picture for next season...30-year-old infielder Luis Valbuena of the Houston Astros is largely flying under the radar as a free agent target despite his fourth straight solid season. With the New York Yankees short on veteran power bats and infield depth, Valbuena could be a fit for the club this winter."

Not bad.   Over the last 2 years with the Astros, he's hit 38 home runs, alittle pop. He's 30 years old, so we'd also be getting alittle younger as opposed to 32 year old Headley, and he's a bit more athletic, although, you gotta wonder if that hammy would linger.  Doubtful, but possible.

At any rate, a great idea, and something I can definitely get on board with.  

Enjoy your Tuesday.