THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL MADISON BUMGARNER COMES TO THE BRONX!

Let me guess, this story came from "Unverified Sources".  

The fact of the matter is, whenever the Yankees are struggling, some asshole throws a big-name vet up in the hopes to get clicks and reads and calls it a day. Like lighting a cigarette and throwing it into a dumpster. You hope it turns to fire, but as a journalist, it's not responsible, in fact... it's careless.

The latest BS is about Madison Bumgarner. There's been chatter that because the Yankees are struggling and duh, coincidence, the former Diamondbacks vet was released from their team because he was struggling... oh and by the way it's.... Madison Bumgarner... so he's got to be the perfect fit for the Yankees. You know, he needs a job, and the Yankees are desperate. OK? That's the story.  

Clutchpoints writes:

"The Diamondbacks’ call to part ways with Bumgarner came after the veteran left-hander posted a 10.26 ERA in four starts this season.

Bumgarner has been linked with multiple teams as of late, including the New York Yankees. However, it is unlikely that Bumgarner will soon take his talents to the reigning American League East champions.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post noted on Thursday that the Yankees “seem like a candidate to consider”...

"SEEMS LIKE A CANDIDATE TO CONSIDER".  

Can I be honest? First off, I really doubt Bumgarner wants to come to New York. That's one, then we get into the real crux of it. This is a non-story and stupid! 

This is the new world we live in. Between suggesting that things MIGHT happen, and things SEEM good and some "Unverified Source" told me (but I actually made it up), Yankee fans click and read and many dumb people believe it. And that's how readership is won these days.

Pathetic.

For the record, there is no reason the Yankees would, should or even want to go after Madison Bumgarner. I understand that lightning in a bottle does happen, but I think it would be more of an issue than not to bring on Maddy.  I just don't see it.

And to all those "journalists" who like fooling the public... F off.

THE YANKEES HAVE THEIR EYE ON AN INTERESTING TRADE TARGET

This free agent market is star studded with elite starting pitchers like Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Madison Bumgarner but the Yankees may be more focused on the trade market.

The Yankees are always connected to many names until they suddenly aren't, so it should never be a surprise when this happens but, shouldn't the Yankees be more focused on starting pitching? I guess acquiring bullpen arms is what gets Brian Cashman excited lately. I get excited about strengthening up that starting rotation and I hope Cashman is too.

So here we are, according to Ken Rosenthal the Yankees are interesting in Blake Treinen of the Oakland A's.

So who is he? Another bullpen guy. The Yankees have had an elite bullpen and it still hasn't brought them a World Series win. The Nationals proved to us this season that you an have a weaker bullpen and still win as long as you have the right starting pitchers and offense. Why does Brian Cashman like to double down on relievers? The Yankees need to realize that a good bullpen is important BUT it doesn't guarantee a Championship. Nothing guarantees a championship but a good offense with guys driving in runs and a rotation that is reliable and can hold a lead can get them the Championship they want.

Now if this is a sign that Dellin Betances may not be back, I guess I can understand the interest. The A's are rumored to want to cut payroll despite making the postseason as a wild card the past two seasons. He would be an interesting gamble. He was one of the best relievers in 2018 but 2019 was a major step back.

2018:  80.1 Innings pitched, 100 strikeouts, 7 earned runs and 0.78 ERA
2019:  58.2 Innings pitched, 59 strikeouts, 32 earned runs and 4.91 ERA

If the Yankees are really interested they are counting on Treinen to return to 2018 form. He would be cheaper than Betances for a year, how much who knows at this point but I believe that you get what you pay for. The savings does nothing for me. I feel more confident sticking with the homegrown talent who has proven he can pitch in Yankee stadium. 

In the end, I don't believe Treinen or any other bullpen arm is the missing piece the Yankees need to be champions again. He wouldn't hurt the Yankees as long as he is effective, but is he worth it? I'm skeptical.

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

THANKSGIVING DAY YANKEE RUMORS COMING AT YA!

First and foremost everyone.....HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We hope you enjoy your day with friends and family but before you sit down to your Thanksgiving meal here are some rumors to start your day. Politics may be frowned upon at the dinner table, but baseball rumors should be encouraged, right?

1. Yankees keeping tabs on Miguel Andujar and Didi Gregorius (NJ.com)

IF the Yankees are going to trade Andujar they expect a big haul in return. Andujar is just one one season removed from the AL Rookie of the Year runner-up and the Yankees will use that to justify the asking price. Even with Andujar's defensive concerns, he can hit and could still develop over time. The Yankees do not feel pressured to trade him. They can carry him into Spring training and wait to see what happens once the season starts.

So why aren't the Yankees aggressively trying to re-sign Didi? Maybe, it's part of a master plan to spend the money on Gerrit Cole instead. If it is, maybe it makes sense. But if it isn't....wouldn't it make more sense to try and get him back so you can keep Gleyber Torres at second base? He wouldn't be a bad shortstop, but it may not be his best position. This would also allow DJ LeMahieu to stay in that super utility role that the Yankees truly needed last season. Oh that and....he can also play first base which is another problem the Yankees need to solve. Getting Didi back may be more beneficial then anyone realizes at this point.

2. Contradicting Gerrit Cole theories (SNY.com and SNY.com again)

Interesting enough, SNY.com has two writers with two different perspectives, it will be interesting to see if either one turn out to be accurate. There is still that "general industry perception" that Cole wants to play for a west coast team. The Yankees are still in on Cole, even though the Yankees believe there is a good possibility that Cole signs with the Angels. There is also speculation that the Angels are willing to "go bonkers" and "spend whatever it takes" to sign Cole.

On the other hand, a bold prediction was made Yesterday that Cole will ultimately choose the Yankees over his west coast preference and sign an eight year $290 million deal with the Yankees.  Will Hal Steinbrenner actually open up his wallet and spend that kind of dough? More importantly, will the Angels actually spend that kind of money? Historically, they aren't big spenders and they did just commit a lot of money to the Mike Trout extension. We'll see if either of these teams will "go bonkers" and pony up for Cole.

3. Yankees not favorites for Zack Wheeler? (NJ.com)

I don't know that many of us would be disappointed to hear this but....The White Sox and the Twins are rumored to be favorites for Wheeler. The Yankees need pitching, but maybe they are realizing that they don't NEED Wheeler.

4. Madison Bumgarner not interested in playing for an American League team? (NJ.com)

This isn't a new rumor, exactly. We've even reported before that Bumgarner hinted that he preferred the National League but now we know the supposed "favorite teams" are the Braves, the Padres, and the Diamondbacks. If these teams are the favorites would he sign with the Braves to be closer to his North Carolina home? Or maybe, there's another team out there that we don't know about.

Just a little more food for thought as you dig into your turkey, stuffing or pumpkin pie today. The rumor mill doesn't stop for holidays like Thanksgiving....so neither do we. Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone, and if you are going out shopping after your feast, you are one brave soul.

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

NO ONE IN YANKEELAND WANTS ZACK WHEELER...

Hopefully Brian Cashman will agree.

I think last year if there was a need for an extra arm, which there was... picking up a guy like Zack Wheeler would have made a lot of sense.  But now, in this offseason it should be all about Gerrit Cole, Madison Bumgarner and Stephen Strasburg.

And so, the fact that NJ.com's Randy Miller would write the word "surprisingly" when suggesting the Yanks are not on the suitor list for Wheeler this offseason is ridiculous. Randy... the Yankees need to think BIGGER!

He writes:

"The Yankees reportedly showed interest in Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler before this past season’s July 31 trade deadline. The price tag for the Yankees – and everyone else – was too high, so Wheeler finished out his walk year with the Mets. 

Before 5 p.m. Thursday, Wheeler almost certainly will join the free agent market because he has until then to reject the Mets’ $17.8 million qualifying offer for 2020, which is a near guarantee. the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres “are among the teams showing interest in Wheeler during the early days of free agency.” 

Surprisingly, the Yankees weren’t listed among the early suitors because their No. 1 offseason priority is believed to be starting pitching."

Surprisingly?

Madison Bumgarner is one of the best pitchers in baseball. He's a free agent and the Yankees have money.  Stephen Strasburg? Yup, he just won with the Nationals, he's a boss, he's a free agent and yes, the Yankees have money.

Gerrit Cole... he doesn't want to be in Houston, CC Sabathia is trying to lure this guy to New York, the dude's a gamer, he's a free agent, AND THE YANKEES HAVE MONEY.

But yeah, let's go with injury-riddled Zack Wheeler and limp through 2020 with he and J.A. Happ.  Makes sense... SAID NO ONE EVER.

I can't stand bad stories.

Bottom line, the Yankees need to go big on 1 starter. You do that, we get Domingo German back,  you have Luis Severino, Tanaka... we have something pretty substantial.  Just saying, we don't need to duct tape it together anymore.  We have the offense, we just need 1 more significant starter. Bottom line.

That's how I feel at least.

HERE'S OUR 'GM MEETING WISH LIST'

The post-season blues are starting to set in. However, a lot needs to be done during this downtime. With GM meetings approaching, let's make a wish list of what the Yankees need to flourish in 2020.


1. Spend money on starting pitching.

Source: Sports Illustrated

There are a ton of free-agent options that the Yankees can pursue such as Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Zack Wheeler, and Madison Bumgarner.

CC Sabathia has been chatting to Cole about going to New York.

"Me and Gerrit Cole have spoken at length many times about me pitching as a Yankee as a West Coast Guy," Sabathia said. "If you give [him] enough money, he's going to want to come here. I am speaking from experience."

2. Re-sign Brett Gardner.

Source: NY Daily News

Even though Gardner is a free agent, I cannot see him leaving the Yankees. Last season he hit .251/.325/.503 with a career-high 28 home runs and 10 stolen bases. Plus, the outfield needs help with Giancarlo Stanton being injured for most of the season, and Aaron Hicks getting Tommy John surgery.

“I don’t think there’s any question as to what his capabilities are,” GM Brian Cashman told reporters. “He’s tremendous on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively, including playing center field.”

3. Figure out a deal with Didi Gregorius?

Source: 12up

With no qualifying offer to Didi, is it the end of him in the Bronx? As sad as it is to say, the Yankees would be okay without Didi. Gleyber Torres can take over shortstop, problem solved. But, it would be sad to see Didi go.

With an already solid team, the one thing that is most important this post-season is pitching. Let's hope these meetings build the foundation for number 28.

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke

HAL STEINBRENNER: WE ALREADY HAVE A "VERY GOOD" ROTATION FOR 2020

I can appreciate a good poker face, it is definitely an art. I've said that Brian Cashman has a good one. Question is....what about Hal Steinbrenner? I'm not so sure. He's had a lot to say recently. Question is, should we take him at face value or is he just trying to trick everyone else?

Starting pitching has been a major topic for a long time now. Some of us are more passionate about it compared to others. Some may think we won't win without more "top of the rotation" guys. Even if you don't think we NEED an ace pitcher, we can all admit it would be nice to have one. Good pitching is key to winning championships right?

Right. Hal knows that, but does he think we already have what we need for next season? Read HERE and see if Hal has you convinced, too.

"If the 2020 season was to start tomorrow, I would feel considerably more confident than I did a year ago at this time." Steinbrenner said. "We will have both Luis Severino and Jordan Montgomery back. We now know that Domingo German can pitch effectively at this level.  And we know James Paxton can be the guy that we were hoping for when we made that trade. We have Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ, Jonathan Loaisiga, and perhaps Deivi Garcia at some point. A very good rotation."

But is it good enough? We can't really count on Garcia yet, he didn't even get a September call-up when rosters expanded. It's good to have Jordan Montgomery as an option now, but can he bounce back and be that reliable guy? And Happ fell apart. The guy we saw in 2018 didn't come back and was moved to a reliever role for the postseason. We have a collection of arms, but is it the right collection of arms?

I don't buy it. This winter will have some of the best free agent pitchers we have seen in YEARS. I'm not talking just starters, but also relievers. There is some grade A talent out there and the Yankees are ready to make a splash. Passing on Manny Machado was no coincidence last winter, even if some of us didn't want to see it at the time. I really don't see the Yankees just sitting back and watching other teams make upgrades. Even if the Yankees aren't willing to spend on Gerrit Cole, they have guys like Stephen Strasburg, Madison Bumgarner and Jake Odorizzi out there. There are some guys out there that would make this pitching staff even stronger.

Hal isn't saying he's ready to make a move, but let's be real.....this free agent market is too good to pass up, see the full list HERE. They aren't going to sit back and watch good arms just go off of the market and rely on Happ to have a magical bounce-back season.

I' not going to worry about what Hal said. The Yankees missed out on pitching last winter and at the trade deadline, it's hard for me to believe they will miss out again.

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

A VERY EARLY LOOK AT THE YANKEES BIGGEST NEED

Pitching, of course.

Summer is coming to an end soon. Labor Day has come and gone. Pumpkin spice is everywhere. A co-worker of mine from Montana said her hometown got their first dusting of snow yesterday, it will be the first in a VERY long fall and winter season. So soon the postseason will be here and then it will be gone. Hopefully it ends with a Yankees championship but no matter what free agency will be here soon after.

So I am already looking at potential Yankee targets. The Yankees need more starters and we all know this. Question is, did Yankee brass learn a valuable lesson after not signing Patrick Corbin? Time will tell. Lucky for us, there is a pretty good free agent market to look forward to.

1. Jake Odorizzi

The Yankees checked in on Odorizzi in the past but after 8 years in the majors he's had a breakout year. Odorizzi made his first All-Star team this year and has a 3.60 ERA through 147.1 innings. He will be thirty in march and could get a big contract if he ends the second half strong, and does well in the postseason. He could be a good middle of the order guy for the Yankees.

2. Zack Wheeler

I really don't want to even think about this name but...the Yankees were tied to him just before the trade deadline read more HERE. He hasn't handled pressure well in Queens and it seems questionable that the Mets would even extend a qualifying offer according to reports before the trade deadline. I don't see Wheeler as an upgrade but maybe the Yankees see some potential there somewhere. I'd be okay passing.

3. Hyun-Jin Ryu

Ryu has spent all 6 years of his MLB career with the Dodgers. He has a crazy 2.45 ERA which as good as that is, his ERA was lower earlier in the season. He's stumbled recently and even had one bad outing against the Yankees. He has the talent, but this is his first season pitching more than 150 innings since 2014 and at 32 years old his injury history is something to consider. Thankfully none of his injuries have involved his arm or his shoulder. The Yankees should be cautious when considering contract length if they want to make a run at him. 

4. Madison Bumgarner

No secret here, the Yankees have been connected to Bumgarner for a long time. We know what he is capable of. We know what he can do in the postseason and that experience is invaluable. That could be a huge asset to the Yankees for years to come if he stays healthy and consistent. Those are big "IFs" but any team will give him consideration this season. Question is how interested are the Yankees and how interested should they be?

5. Stephen Strasburg

This could be a bit of a wild card but rumor is Strasburg is considering an opt-out of his contract after this season, read more HERE. He could opt out for more leverage in getting a bigger deal, we've seen that before. The 16-6 record and 3.50 ERA could help bring him a bigger payday. 

6. Gerrit Cole

The Yankees have been chasing Cole since they drafted him back in 2008. His 16-5, 2.73 ERA and 281 strikeout this season make him a priority for every major league team, especially the Yankees. He's an ace on a stacked Astros rotation and would definitely be the same for the Yankees. He's durable, he's dominant and going to get a big payday. Hopefully it is the Yankees that finally get him they've been chasing after him forever. I love the idea of him in a Yankees uniform.

The Yankees passed on Patrick Corbin over the winter, but with a more attractive free agent class coming this winter I doubt they pass on pitching again. Who would you like to see the Yankees sign?

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

UGOTZ!

ugotz; pronoun

(Italian slang) for the word 'nothing'.

Brian Cashman didn't make a big move today for a starting pitcher. A starting pitcher we probably needed. A starting pitcher that could have helped the New York Yankees move closer to clinching the American League East division sooner than we are now.  And you know what? He was smart.

Now everyone is gonna get on my ass for backing this guy, but it's backing this guy that I must do. Because if we were all "knee jerk" reaction and flipping prospects and in return getting more mediocre Mets pitchers, we wouldn't be any better. You would have just been satisfied we made a trade... just to make a damn trade and I have to tell you something... that's stupid.

There was nothing stellar out there.  I watched the fan reaction all day on Twitter. Many get this. Others are just as pathetic as the tweets they write. Partially because fans don't get it.  Let me rephrase... smart fans get it. The others don't.  You don't just make a trade to make it at the deadline. You think it through.

Are we really gonna bitch and moan that we didn't get Zack Wheeler? REALLY? The dude's career is practically over.

Noah Syndergaard? No one cares.  I don't want the guy. I don't feel like he'd even give us what we need. The ONLY plus is that Noah pitches in New York and gets it, but Cashman was smart to not flip good young players to the Mets.  But again, Noah is not some golden God.  We've been through this before. Taking chances on pitchers is all fine and good, but in the end, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't and we have a good team overall despite the stumble recently.

Think about it... JA Happ was our saving grace last year. This year you all want the guy crucified.

Look at James Paxton.  Anyone else want to make him wear a Sonny Gray mask on his starts from now on? Big Maple? How about Big miss. The dude cannot handle Bronx pressure. Getting a no-hitter once doesn't make you a superstar... it just means you had a good game. And look, that was an offseason deal. I'm not even talking about the trade deadline. So... let me get back to that;

The point is, if Cashman had a deal that he could make, he would have made it.  Everyone needs to shut up!  Love some of these tweets. It just goes to show how divided we truly are as fans:

I can't believe the Yankees just sat there while the Astros added an ace...

— Terry Cushman (@cushmanMLB) July 31, 2019

It’s fucking pathetic the Yankees again did nothing at the trade deadline, but sat back and watched other teams improve.

— Princess (@NYYprincess33) July 31, 2019

People are mad Cashman didn’t make any big moves. The available pitchers had huge asking prices ( Frazier + three prospects for Ray is a lot ), the return for Bauer was huge and the Padres / Reds had more to offer thank the Yankees, Greinke had the Yankees on his no trade list.

— Gel ♥ (@LttleGel) July 31, 2019

This is what I’m talking about. Cashman afraid to lose a deal. You have to make this trade. Have to. If this is true then what the fuck man. It was right there in front of you. https://t.co/j3IkjEy29g

— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) July 31, 2019

And that's just some, there are literally thousands. Everyone's fighting. Why?

By the way… I have to go back to the old 'Madison Bumgarner to the Yankees' rumor.  It's literally been floating around for months.  THAT WAS NEVER GONNA HAPPEN.

Trevor Bauer? Reds.
Zack Greinke? Astros

You know what we got? We got this:

"We have everything we need to be a championship club" - Aaron Boone#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/1wtZrdRaXM

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 31, 2019

And I'm OK with this and I'll tell you why. Confidence.

We have a manager walking out there and telling us fans "We got this". It probably puts a bunch of young players at ease. It probably resets veterans that it's time to get to work and do their jobs.

The Yankees aren't bad. The Yankees hit a bump in the road.  But to all the geniuses that have it all figured out... calm down.

Look, the trade deadline is done, but you know Cashman. Sometimes there are some behind the scenes discussions and moves come after. But if not? I still trust the guy. He and Yankee brass have put together a hell of a team for 2019, and I love it.

Don't agree? Comment.

TICK, TOCK, TICK, TOCK...

Bauer, Bumgarner, Boyd and Syndergaard, oh my...and now Bauer, traded to the Reds, is off the list as the clock keeps on ticking. What if the Yankees do nothing at the trade deadline? What if they go with what they have for pitching?  Could they still win?

Source: NJ.com

The NY Post's Joel Sherman published an article last night that laid it all out. "I understand Cashman’s hesitance. It took him a long time to convince his bosses to stop building rosters by star hunting, being overly emotional and throwing their wallet at problems. He has constructed a system with scouts and analytics and sports science and psychological and financial breakdowns to avoid the overheated overpay. But this starting market is not going to honor discipline. And the Yankees need a starter."

So, between a mixture of openers coupled with the return of guys like Jonathan Loaisiga, the Yankees could piece it together.  But do they want to take that risk?

"Boone said Severino could throw off a mound within the next week or so. Severino hasn’t pitched all season but the Yankees are hoping he can boost their rotation by at least September," reported the NJ.com.

Source: Yahoo Sports

The bottom line is, with the way our pitchers have performed over the last week and half, do the Yankees beef up their rotations internally or go for another guy who may need a change as much as the Yankees do?   Without giving up the farm, but wanting to add a guy from the outside, what will they decide to do as the clock ticks toward midnight on the last trading day of the year?

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

CASHMAN HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO

Source: NY Daily News

James Paxton, CC Sabathia and Domingo German, oh my.  A few difficult starts and the Yankees reveal just one week short of the start of August that pitching is most definitely their strength and their Achilles Heel.  It goes without saying that Brian Cashman has a lot of work to do to ensure that the Yankees are well equipped for a post season run with a positive outcome.

"A popular question throughout the industry regarding the Yankees’ rotation is “Who starts Game 1?” of a playoff series. The answer currently isn’t unanimous, and if the Indians don’t deal Trevor Bauer and the Giants hold onto Madison Bumgarner, a unanimous answer won’t be walking into the Yankees’ clubhouse. And don’t count out the Yankees using a reliever to start a postseason game," reported The New York Post.

Source: AP

The Yankee bats are certainly the high point this season, keeping the games close even when the pitching fails.  Cashman is not one to react quickly to concerns with his team, so he certainly will be choosy when it comes to who will be the next Yankee starter.

"Panic has never been a trait of Cashman’s. He listens to his scouts, advisers and the analytical arm of the front office and decides what’s best and at what cost. The industry consensus is that the Yankees will acquire a starter before the deadline, because unlike in past years July 31 is the absolute final day for clubs to make deals," reported the Post.

The Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays seem to have the starters who will likely be traded before the deadline with Matt Boyd and Marcus Stroman respectively and the Giants and Indians, with their recent surge in wins, will likely hold onto Bauer and Bumgarner.

Cashman has a lot of work to do, both working the phone and consulting with talent experts.  But he will get it done; he has to because pitching is the final piece of the post season puzzle that needs to be filled to make the team complete.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof