MARCELL OZUNA? VERY INTERESTING.

Well, this one's spicy. Sports Illustrated recently dove into the swirling trade waters of Major League Baseball and came back with a name that should make Yankees fans do a double take: Marcell Ozuna. Yes, that Marcell Ozuna—the boom-or-bust Braves slugger with a bat built for Broadway and baggage to boot.

According to SI’s crystal ball, if Ozuna ends up getting dealt, he might just be the biggest offensive name moved at the deadline. That's not hyperbole—he’s clobbered 79 home runs over the past two seasons and finished 4th in NL MVP voting in 2023. That kind of résumé tends to catch a GM's eye—unless you're Brian Cashman, who prefers cryptic quotes and guys with sore obliques.

Now, in his age-34 season, Ozuna’s power has dipped a bit—but not into the abyss. He’s still squaring up enough heaters to scare a pitcher or two. In fact, pitchers are daring him with more velocity this year than last: 17.9% of pitches are fastballs in the zone (up from 14.9%), along with slight bumps in sinkers and sliders. He's not just seeing more pitches in the zone—he's being challenged in it. That's either respect… or recklessness.

Now, here’s the tricky part. The Braves aren't exactly known for waving white flag. If Atlanta slides and they do deal anyone, Ozuna, as a pending free agent, might be the one guy they let walk.

Would the Yankees actually bite? USA Today’s Bob Nightengale says New York is sniffing around for a right-handed bat, and Ozuna checks that box with a Sharpie. The man’s basically built to be a DH in pinstripes—power, swagger, and the ability to make an upper deck look like a chip shot. But let’s be real. The Yankees are more likely to spin some corporate nonsense about “internal improvements” and “believing in our guys” before adding a bat with as much pop—and personality—as Ozuna. Plus, if there’s even a whiff of controversy, Aaron Boone might have to hold a team meeting with crayons.

Still, it’s a tantalizing thought. Ozuna in the Bronx. Bat flips, bombs, and perhaps some long-awaited right-handed thunder behind Judge and Soto. Will it happen? Probably not.

But hey, in a season where the Yankees continue to roll out Billy McKinney lookalikes (remember him?) and call it depth, we can dream, right?

COULD DEREK JETER REUNITE WITH THE YANKEES?

Oh please, let the stars align and bring Derek Jeter home. That would be a bright spot for baseball and the Yankees with whatever this season may bring. It could happen....

Picture it, a Derek Jeter homecoming but not as the face of the Yankees on the field. No, now he would be the face of the front office and why not? In case you missed it (and I don't know how you could), Jeter and the Miami Marlins have parted ways, read more HERE. He is no longer CEO and shareholder to the team and he is looking for a job. 

So please...let this man come home. He wants to be in the baseball world and he could do that back home in New York. Here's how it could happen....

There could be a new job opening soon, and if the Yankees are smart they should consider Jeter to be the Yankees next General Manager. I said it and it's possible. The Yankees should walk away from Brian Cashman when his contract expires at the end of the season (whenever that season starts). If the Yankees come up short again this season they shouldn't even blink an eye. They should just move on. We are in a long drought and 2009 feels like a different lifetime. Working in New York comes with high expectations which Cashman has not met. It's time to stop sticking with Cashman out of loyalty, it is time for a change.

And Jeter can bring that change and he has already proven that. He has sent four seasons rebuilding the Marlins after making some very unpopular decisions. It was crazy to watch him trade away Giancarlo Stanton the face of the Marlins and then dump Marcell Ozuna and J.T. Realmuto but the Marlins have rebuilt and are poised for a brighter future. Well, they were who knows what happens to them now. Either way, after four seasons Jeter's decisions helped the Marlins make the playoffs in a Covid-shortened 2020 season and even won a postseason series. They even finished 2020 with a 3.96ERA ranking the as the 11th best pitching staff. The Marlins also have a healthy farm system with several promising prospects and are ranked as the fourth best farm system.

I'm not a big Cashman fan and I know I'm not the only person with that opinion. I believe everything happens for a reason and I think this is that sign. The baseball gods are telling Hal Steinbrenner to bring Jeter home....it's time.

Make the move, Hal. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

WOULD THE YANKEES REALLY PURSUE MARCELL OZUNA?

 I mean, do we actually need this guy?

I have always liked Marcell Ozuna.  I remember watching him for a few games when he was with the Miami Marlins and really liked his ability.  But right now... when it comes to the New York Yankees.... I gotta tell ya, despite the rumors... I really don't think we need this guy.

Even Yanks go Yard dude Thomas Carannante says the same thing:

"But not today! On Wednesday, a report dropped suggesting the Bombers are among the teams interested in former Miami Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna.

Respectfully, may we ask, “Why?” This is what we’d call a redundant player. for the Yankees’ lineup."...

The Yankees signing Ozuna wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, but on the surface it seems like it would require some excess roster tinkering."

We tend to agree on this. It just doesn't seem like a good move. Too much to figure out, plus you got a guy like Giancarlo Stanton that is full of inconsistencies already.  Why make it worse plugging another guy very similarly to Stanton in there.  

The Yankees have a pretty good lineup... why tweak it with Ozuna?

Look, right now several teams are looking at Ozuna. Thankfully it's not just the Yankees. But my point in all of this is just to say. Why... WHY? And also. What do you think? Do you think we need this guy?

Comment.

GETTING KYLE HENDRICK IS WORTH GOING OVER THE LUXURY TAX!

Gerrit Cole is undoubtedly the Yankees number one starter, but who is number two? That slot seems to virtually invisible based on the current roster. Masahiro Tanaka was that guy but with his days in the Bronx seemingly numbered, not sure I see number two in Corey Kluber, Jordan Montgomery, Deivi Garcia, or dare I say Domingo German. But I could see Chicago Cub Kyle Hendricks as that guy and that might be worth going over the luxury tax.

Source: Valley News

"He pitched in Game 7 of the World Series back in 2016, which the Cubs won. Across 175 games (174 starts), the right-hander owns a 3.12 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 133 ERA+. He doesn’t strike out a ton of batters, but he induces a lot soft contact (and ground balls), barely walks anyone, and is extremely efficient in regards to his pitch count in a majority of his outings," reported Fansided.

Hendricks is under contract with the Cubs through 2023 for $14 million a year and a $16 million vesting option for 2024. Trading for him makes sense and he could potentially "co-ace" the rotation with Cole, given his success with the Cubs, particularly in the post season. And Hendricks offers consistency, experience and perhaps a little bit of a Mike Mussina kind of quality. 

Source: Orange County Register

What would the Yankees give up for him? Likely Clint Frazier and Miguel Andujar would be in the mix, opening up the need for the Yankees to sign another free agent or trade for a stellar outfielder.  I have had my eye on Joc Pederson who is currently without a home, now a free agent from the World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. 

"Theoretically, there should be plenty of interest in Pederson, given that the Steamer projections have him as a 20-top outfielder in wRC+ (118) and top 30 in WAR (2.4) next season. Pederson may not be a star, but he can be a solid contributor on a good team," reports MLB.com.

Source: The New York Post

Pederson would not be a good fit for center field but he could certainly fill in for Aaron Judge in right and certainly platoon in left with Brett Gardner. His left-handed bat would be a welcome addition to the Bronx as the Yankees currently are weak on pure left-handed hitters. And perhaps Pederson has been overlooked with big name players George Springer, Michael Brantley and Marcell Ozuna being at the top of team's lists.

So, it would be in the Yankees best interest to pursue Hendricks however, they would have to give up some great players in return plus go over the luxury tax. All of this would be worth it if the Yankees get the pitching they need to keep opponents from over taxing the Yankee offense and the expectations of hitting always bailing out bad pitching. Maybe guys like Judge and Giancarlo Stanton could actually stay healthy and the Yankees could be more balanced team with Kendricks in the rotation. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

JETER JUST MATURED AS AN OWNER

I hated when Derek Jeter took over the Miami Marlins. I thought the decisions he made to fire guys like Jeff Conine, Jack McKeon... Andre Dawson and Tony Perez were stupid considering they were part of what made the Marlins fun and a have a sense of history.

I think getting rid of that hideous statute in center field was just him swinging his weiner around acting like he was in charge. The thing is ugly, but again, important to the building and make-up of the Marlins. No other place had it. Look, I don't know the Marlins financials. I don't know how much money they were wasting and what they needed to do to sustain a solid baseball life in Miami.

What I did know is that symbolism is important to fans, and when they see a guy like Jeff Conine, Mr. Marlin, shown the door, you have to question it.

I do think that no one will go to that ballpark for a while now that Giancarlo Stanton, Justin Bour, Ozuna and Yelich have left.  But look, that's old news. This next move Jeter move is the right one... and so, he's forgiven by me, for now at least.

NBC New York writes:

"Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter told team employees during a conference call Monday he is forgoing his salary during the coronavirus pandemic, a person familiar with the discussions told The Associated Press. 

The person confirmed Jeter's comments to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Marlins have not commented publicly on the call. 

The person said other members of the Marlins' executive team agreed to take pay cuts, while baseball operations personnel will continue to receive their full salaries through at least May 31."

Let's see what happens next.

JETER PRESSED ON THE MARLINS

Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America

Hell, it was bound to come sooner of later. I'm thrilled some honest questioned was asked to Derek Jeter about him and the Marlins and "competitiveness" with the team he has, because this is the type of stuff that I was scratching my head about since the Captain took over the team in Miami.  How can you get rid of all these great players and still expect to win ball games? I added in the fan twist of course here at BYB, because to me, a fan base helps really make a franchise, and if there is no fan base, who is the team playing for?

I have not enjoyed watching Jeter dismantle the Marlins like his toy and yes, I know that he is part owner... but he's the face of the franchise now, and that's why he appeared on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

If you have never seen the show in general, it is literally one of the best sports shows on television.  With this interview with Derek Jeter, hell... it just got better. This is amazing stuff, and something that needed to happen. I applaud Bryant Gumbel on some real hard, honest questioning.  What makes things worse is that Jeter appears extremely uncomfortable and defensive, sometimes his cheeks get alittle rosey. That bothers me, because maybe there's some truth to what Gumbel is saying.  Anyway, here is the transcript.  The link to the show promo is here.  This show appears on April 24th. I cannot wait to watch:


You be the judge. This came from Awful Announcing...

BRYANT GUMBEL: “If you were tanking, would you tell me?”
DEREK JETER: “Tanking? What is– no– tanking?”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Tanking is — not trying your hardest to win ball games in — every day.” DEREK JETER: “We’re trying to win ball games every day.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “If you trade your best players in exchange for prospects it’s unlikely you’re going to win more games in the immediate future–”
DEREK JETER: “When you take the field, you have an opportunity to win each and every day. Each and every day. You never tell your team that they’re expected to lose. Never.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Not in so–”
DEREK JETER: “Now, you can think — now– now, I can’t tell you how you think. Like, I see your mind. I see that’s how you think. I don’t think like that. That’s your mind working like that.” BRYANT GUMBEL: “No, I get that. But I guess not in so many words–”
DEREK JETER: “But you don’t. But you don’t get it.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “I do.”
DEREK JETER: “You don’t. We have two different mi– I can’t wait to get you on the golf course, man. We got– I mean, I can’t wait for this one.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “No, I mean–”
DEREK JETER: “You’re mentally weak.”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “No, I just– I’m– I’m realistic. You really expect this team–”
DEREK JETER: “I expect this team to–”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “–as presently configured to contend–”
DEREK JETER: “–compete, to compete. To compete–”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Compete is one thing–”
DEREK JETER: “Every sing–”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Watch my lips. Not compete.”
DEREK JETER: “I see your–”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “Contend.”
DEREK JETER: “I see your lips. I see. I’ve been seeing ’em this whole interview. I see your lips moving constantly. You’d never tell your players that you are expected to lose. You don’t do that. You should take that as a slap in the face as a player. You should take that as a slap in the face.” BRYANT GUMBEL: “You expect them to contend?”
DEREK JETER: “I do. I do. If I don’t believe with the– in the players that we have on the field, who’s going to believe in them?”
BRYANT GUMBEL: “But as an executive, it looks like you’re delusional if you believe otherwise”
DEREK JETER: “Well, call me delusional.”

Now keep in mind, there's a respect between these 2 men. Were they angry at each other? No fully.  But "heated" it was. Jeter was not happy, I guarantee that. Jeter feels the pressure and he's been so untouchable all these years I love to see someone press Jeter on something that we have written about extensively on Bleeding Yankee Blue and I know the Marlins fans are feeling.

How to you compete when Yelich, Stanton, Gordon, Ozuna are gone, and more importantly to our point... why would you do that to the fans?

Happy Sunday.

GOING FISH: JT REALMUTO NEXT!

(July 27, 2017 - Source: Eric Espada/Getty Images North America)

Just to update you all on the dismantling of the Florida Marlins... a story I LOVE and yes, a story I am obsessed with. I admit that.

The Nationals are now 'all in' to try and get catcher JT Realmuto from the Marlins.  And trust me when I tell you, I have no doubt it will happen... perhaps by the end of the weekend.

The Marlins just traded away Christian Yelich, a real solid, real underrated ballplayer to the Brewers for 4 prospects.  No question it came at Yelich's request, no doubt extremely frustrated at the destruction of the Marlins team all around him. 

Photo: Getty Images

Now look, you can't blame Yelich. He is not a selfish player at all. But when you have guys like Dee Gordon, Stanton and Ozuna get shipped out, it's not a matter of wanting to stay with the Marlins team anymore... it's a matter of knowing that you are part of a re-build.  I'm sure Yelich loved the other Marlins players that were left behind with him. But that's not what it's about it. 

Source: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America

For Yelich, for Realmuto... maybe for even Justin Bour... it's about wanting to WIN and having that chance sooner rather than later.  The team left behind after Dee, Ozuna and Stanton were traded is not a winning team.  That's why Yelich and Realmuto asked for trades.  That's why Yelich is gone now.  That's why Realmuto may go to the Nats soon if it all works out.

MLB Daily Dish writes:

Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America

"The Nationals are making the strongest push to acquire Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, according to Craig Mish of SiriusXM. Though they’ll pay Matt Wieters $10.5 million in 2018, the Nationals could use an upgrade behind the plate after Wieters posted a career-worst .225/.288/.344 slash line with 10 homers while struggling defensively in 2017...

Realmuto is under club control through 2020, so the price to acquire him will presumably be pretty steep, but that shouldn’t be too tough of an issue for the Nationals, especially since they have plenty of near-major-league-ready depth in the outfield, where the Marlins are currently the weakest after trading Stanton, Ozuna, and Yelich and letting fourth outfielder Ichiro Suzuki walk."

I bet this happens.  Trust me, Jeter and the Marlins owners want young and pieces they can build up all while getting the payroll down.  They'll make it happen.

Source: Jamie Sabau/Getty Images North America)

But yeah, this is a major team breakup, bound to destroy any Marlins fans hopes.  Will they one day soon come back? Sure... but right now, for the fans, this has got to hurt like hell.

On a personal note, I am thrilled that I got to see a few games with the Marlins this season.  Once in the city of Miami for a great game against the Braves, and a double header in Philly this summer.  I liked watching this team play.  I liked the players, my son made the Marlins his NL team.  But now... this changes a lot of us too.

All I can say to the Marlins fans is stay strong.  Jeter and the owners DO have a plan.  It's just that you're not in it right now.  But long term, this will hopefully benefit you all.

JETER'S HARD-ON TO REMOVE THAT MIAMI HOME RUN SCULPTURE

I know what you're thinking... it's ugly.

Well, it is, but it's a major piece of Marlins Park.  And Derek Jeter wanted it gone... and he's gonna find a way.  Why? Because the mayor of Miami hates that Home Run Sculpture too.  And you know how that goes. When you have the support of people with similar opinions, you band together and make things happen.  Enter Mayor Carlos Gimenez...

The Miami Herald has been all over this story since the moment Derek Jeter became part owner of the Marlins.  Here's the latest from them...

Copyright 2018 by WPLG Local10.com

"Derek Jeter may get an assist from Miami-Dade in ridding Marlins Park of its kitschy home run sculpture, which the new owner and the county’s mayor both want removed. “I just don’t think they’re all that crazy about it,” Mayor Carlos Gimenez said after meeting with Jeter...

'Homer,' a $2.5 million sculpture commissioned for the stadium’s 2012 opening. The Marlins paid for the sculpture as part of the team’s roughly $155 million contribution to the stadium’s cost... Festooned with a carnival’s color spectrum, the work by pop artist Red Grooms comes to life when the Marlins hit a home run, as marlins emerge from the sculpture’s base and fountains spray skyward....

Photo of Michael Spring

...in August, the county’s cultural chief, Michael Spring, said 'Homer' was 'not moveable' and was 'permanently installed' after being designed 'specifically' for Marlins Park.

Spring had a different message Tuesday when he accompanied Gimenez to Marlins Park with the mayor’s chief of staff, Alex Ferro.

Photo:  Emily Michot / Miami Herald

'Anything is possible,' said Spring, one of Gimenez’s top deputies and an admirer of the sculpture. 'But it is pretty complicated. And I wanted the mayor and the Marlins to understand how complicated it really was. We got a good look at it today, and they saw how big it was. There’s hydraulics, there’s plumbing, there’s electricity....

But anything is possible. We built it,' Spring said. 'We can move it.'" 

Politics makes things happen, huh?

Now none of this is my business.  The only thing I can offer is that I've been to Marlins Park, I really enjoyed it and loved the Marlins fans.  But ever since DJ walked in as part owner, the drastic dismantling of the whole Marlins team has really been a headache.  I feel bad.  I wonder if Mattingly's freaking out about the whole mess?

Look, the bottom line is the Marlins team is in rebuild mode, and you gotta respect that.  But you will definitely lose a fan base the way this is rapidly changing.  It's just the truth!

Hopefully it gets better for the Marlins fan base.  I can only imagine the frustration by the fans...in losing Stanton and Ozuna... and now maybe even "Homer", that symbolic home run sculpture.

Crazy.

THE BOY THAT BROKE HIS TOY

I don't get any of it. I don't get what Derek is doing.  So yeah... I had to map this latest article out for you.

Photo: Joe Skipper/AP

Look, the truth is I like Derek Jeter, but I cannot for the life of me understand what he is attempting to do in Miami. Sure, wants to cut payroll, I get that. Sure, he wants youth in the Miami farm system, I get that too.  But doing it all at once is a sure way to tick off a fan base.  In a moment you will see that first hand. For now, I just have to get this off my chest...

Derek and Sherman are surrounded by other "top" guys in this Miami organization. It's not just DJ, I know this. Plus, investors are involved in this team.  People will read this again and say "You're not being fair JUST ripping Jeter for his 'alleged mistakes' with his team." 

Photo: AP

Well, the truth is, he's the only one putting his neck out to take the heat.  And when I say heat, realize that I'm NOT the only publication going after this guy for poor ownership skills. There are plenty of other publications going after DJ.  NY Post. Miami Herald is owning it right now. Incredible reporting.  But look, I've been stating since day 1 here on Bleeding Yankee Blue that I respect Jeter the player all day long.  No one better.  But this businessman / owner thing is not flattering on his personality.

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File

He cuts all the iconic Marlins loose. That for one is a red flag. Guys like Jack McKeon and Jeff Conine.  Then under the pressure from target media, he backtracks and tries to offer them new positions back with the club, less money of course. Conine says "go scratch," and why wouldn't he?

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Then Jeter trades away Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna.  Of course he's slashing payroll here... maybe even gets some young players for the farm, but now he's managed to piss off an entire fan base who already had next to nothing. Now he gets rid of Miami's home run hitters?  Not too many people are wearing a Dan Straily jersey, you know what I mean?

Then, in case you missed it, the world famous rumored "Miami Town Hall meeting that took place recently.  That's right, an emergency Town Hall meeting that was a true testament to how the Miami fans really feel. They are heartbroken, folks. That's what Derek Jeter doesn't understand.  The fans don't care about business. They want to go see their heroes, they want to bring their kids, pay a low price for tickets and go see the games. 

I mean, what's next, will Jeter fire DJ Vertigo next?  Anyway... here's some of that recap of the town hall brought to you by the New York Post.  Classic right here:

"Derek Jeter’s coming-out party with his Marlins fanbase Tuesday night was more like an intervention. The new co-owner met with a group of mainly disgruntled fans for a town hall-style gathering at Marlins Park and, for nearly 90 minutes, answered questions about the current state of the franchise.

Photo: SI

Jeter’s flurry of activity out of the gate, including trading away three star players and prompting two others to say they want out too, has apparently not sat well with a fanbase that already is used to losing and poor management.

'This makes me miss [Jeffery] Loria,' the famous Marlins Man said at the town hall of the team’s former owner, who was far from fans’ good graces by the time he sold the Marlins to Jeter and Bruce Sherman in August. 'Who would have thought that?'”

And now, the Miami Herald, who's literally been all over Jeter and his missteps obtained something called "Project Wolverine" from the Jeter camp... a project designed to cut payroll to about $90 million.  Right now it's at $104 million. 

And as I've written several times here... Christian Yelich... Justin Bour... J.T. Realmuto will probably be next because if they are, that will get the Marlins to where Jeter wants it. And empty shell of itself. Low payroll, sure, but the fans will no longer come and you can forget Marlins Park. 

Athens Olympic Facilities/2004 Summer Olympics

It will be a white elephant in no time. You know, one of those stadiums that get built when the Olympics come to some famous city in the world, only to just sit there long after the Olympics is gone, never to be used again.

But now the New York Post has Jeter's plan mapped out, again, echoed by BYB extensively, and distributed by the Miami Herald who's been all over this guy.  Check this out:

Photo: Sun Sentinel

"First: Make your team unwatchable.
Second: See an immediate boost in ticket sales with this eye-sore squad.
Third: Convince your TV network it should pay more for a team no one wants to watch.
Fourth: Coax more millions from corporations, thinking they will be further inspired to support a franchise that is now much worse on the field.

...how do Jeter and Sherman visualize the boon coming to Miami?

The Marlins made about $30 million in ticket revenue last year with a team that finished 77-85. Now that the best player in franchise history, Giancarlo Stanton, and his friends have been dealt away, Jeter and Sherman project to make $37.5 million in sales this year.

The Marlins have the worst TV deal in all of baseball, which will pay them $17 million, $18 million and $20 million from Fox Sports Florida over the next three seasons. The new regime plans to renegotiate that deal and projects $51.6 million in 2021 and $53.6 million in 2022. Such an enormous jump likely would require a second TV bidder for the Marlins, which could be difficult to find.

The final aim, on its face, seems the easiest goal to hit. Wolverine predicts the team’s sponsorship revenue will go from $19.1 million in 2017 to $24 million in 2018, then $32 million, $37.8 million and $41.6 million.

The dramatic increase is a reach, but selling the naming rights to Marlins Park will help revenues.

This is how Jeter imagines dismantling a team and enraging its fan base will result in more Marlins dollars. Good luck. "

This maps it out wonderfully... kind of like I've written many times before. Lose the stars, increase ticket sales.  Yup, that makes sense. 

So before you bash me for ripping Jeet... here's just another publication of someone just as confused as I am, and believe me, there are plenty more... Google it.

As I have said here... we are following the Marlins debacle closely, even though it has nothing to do with the New York Yankees. This story is big. We will stay on it.

MIAMI'S YELICH COULD BE ON THE MOVE

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Looks like the Marlins are getting bites on Christian Yelich.  And if I'm Yelich, I am packing my bags A.S.A.M.F.P.  (if you don't know what that means... google it.)

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald has this...

The Phillies are one team that have spoken to Marlins about Yelich and have a wealth of intriguing prospects that could interest MIA.

— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) December 29, 2017

Now, the Phillies are a loser right now, but knowing everything that has gone on in Miami, there are 2 things that are possible...

Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America

For one, Yelich could be the leader of that Marlins club in a rebuilding year and stick around with his fingers crossed hoping Jeter can turn it around.  For 2... Yelich could just be super frustrated and ask to get the hell out of there.

Photo: Miami Herald

Prospects will be intriguing to Jeter. I'd be really curious to see if the Phillies do something like this and if the Marlins bite.

I have stated here on BYB that I am disappointed with the way Derek Jeter and company has dealt with a franchise like Miami that literally has nothing.  The drastic quickness of his moves look as though he has no regard for anything in that franchise.  I think personally there is a better, smarter way to dismantle a club without destroying it's fan base in the same swift motion.  But hey... I'm a writer, not an owner.  What do I know? It's my opinion.

I do know that Yelich isn't thrilled... especially with Stanton and Ozuna shipped out.  But we shall see what happens next with this rumor.

We'll keep you updated... keep checking here on BYB.