DENIAL IN MIAMI!

Photo: New York Post

I wouldn't want to be in Starlin Castro's shoes right now. After being one game away from the World Series on a team with good energy he gets shipped off to play in Miami for Derek Jeter's train wreck. He sure seemed upset when he was traded for Giancarlo Stanton but he never got THAT upset about it. Wait...didn't he?

Almost two months ago we wrote CASTRO WANTS OUT OF MIAMI! At the time the story was that guys like J.T. Realmuto and Christian Yelich were demanding for Miami to trade them away and then shortly after Castro did too. It made sense....it still does. No competitive baseball player wants to play on Derek Jeter's rebuilding project. The New York Post even made a big dramatic story and drew it up as former Yankees not getting along at all.

Photo: Newsday

Fast forward almost two months and Castro is telling a different story, read it HERE. Now Castro is looking for the bright side of the situation and not complaining. Now he is accepting that this is all just part of the business but he does say he never demanded a trade.

“I never told nobody this. Nothing happened from my mouth. I’m good now. I don’t control this. I didn’t want to be traded by [the Yankees], but this is my house. The only thing I can control is be on the field every day and play hard.”

So is it true, are reports that he demanded a trade not accurate? The New York Post never had any direct quotes from Castro saying it. Even if he didn't say it, he had to be a little salty. Maybe he was THINKING it. No one wants to go from a contender to....the Marlins. I can't even say a non-contending team. Anywhere is better than Miami right now.

Or is Castro just trying to make the best of a bad situation for the time being? Derek Jeter doesn't want Castro. His goal is to slash payroll, gut the team and operate on as few dollars as possible as they slowly rebuild. Castro was only sent to Miami to offset a very small part of Stanton's contract. The only thing Jeter wants and could gain from Castro is trading him for some more prospects. Castro would be a good pickup for a contending team and Jeter knows it.

For now I think Jeter is sitting back and waiting for someone interested to take Castro. It's funny to think that Castro's $23 million paid over two years is the second highest Marlin's player behind former Yankee Martin Prado, who happens to be injured right now so Jeter isn't getting rid of him for now.

So does Castro know he is just a bargaining chip to Jeter? Is he just trying to "play nice" for the time being? Who knows but once again Castro is on a team that is "growing up" at least he is trying to find that silver lining.

Thank goodness the drama we have in the Bronx is postseason related, something Jeter and the Marlins won't be experiencing for a really long time.....if ever.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

STANTON LOOKS GREAT IN PINSTRIPES!

Mike Mazzeo/New York Daily News

It was a big deal to see Giancarlo Stanton in pinstripes today.  None of us really thought this would happen.  I mean, it was mapped out.  Stanton had a 'framework' in place with either the Giants or the Cardinals. And then... suddenly, he didn't and the next thing we knew the Marlins and the Yankees were making a deal.

First things first. I loved Starlin Castro on the Yankees.  He was a lot of fun to watch, it looked like he really liked being a Yankee and it was great when he was in the Bronx.  But after the Marlins traded Dee Gordon, it was the right move and helped us too.  They got Castro, Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers, and we got Stanton.  I was hoping for Martin Prado too, but hey, you can't always get what you want.

Stanton passed his physical and was introduced to the media today. He spoke fondly of the team that he can now call his own.  Here's some of that brought to you by the New York Post:

“'Watching them from afar, their young, dynamic group and the way they flow together,' Stanton said. 'The atmosphere, storied franchise. There’s not much reason why I wouldn’t want to be there.'

Stanton and Aaron Judge both play right field, and new manager Aaron Boone will have to come up with an outfield rotation that right now also would include Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks, with Clint Frazier on the outskirts.

Stanton said he and the team have not discussed what the plan will be, but he is open to whatever would help the team. Stanton said he did speak with Judge over the weekend after it became clear Stanton to the Yankees was happening.

'We respect each other’s game and had fun at the Home Run Derby,' Stanton said. 'We spoke a couple of days ago, excited to work together, learn from each other and make each other better.' "

It's exciting guys, it really is.

Merry Christmas.


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COULD NATHAN EOVALDI BE OUR ACE?

In December 2014 Brian Cashman acquired Nathan Eovaldi from the Marlins and the move was greeted with mixed reviews by the Yankee faithful. Some were upset about losing the then 31 year-old Martin Prado while others didn’t like Eovaldi and the fact that he led the NL in hits allowed in 2014.

What I saw, however, was the Yankees acquiring a live, young arm with Major League experience. I voiced my opinion about what I thought about the trade and the upside that Eovaldi brought to the club. He had his moments in 2015 and after an offseason with the Yankees and a year more experience, could Nathan Eovaldi be the ace of the staff? 

ESPN published a piece by Eno Sarris the other day, ‘Four pitchers who could follow Dallas Keuchel’s lead and someday turn into aces’ and he listed Eovaldi as a possibility to turn into an ace. I don’t think I believed he could become an ‘ace’ last winter, and not sure I do now, but it does give me a bit of hope!

Eovaldi has been working on this splitter, to add to his triple digit heater and slider, and as Harris points out, after he started throwing the split mid season his strikeout percentage increased by 4%. He was a pure thrower with just a hard fastball and slider and needed to develop a third pitch to get through a lineup three times.

He needs to work on his control, not only with walking batters, but also his control in the zone. Big Leaguers hit mistakes, it doesn’t matter how hard you throw it sometimes! His WHIP was 1.45 so that’s going to have to get better if he ever wants to be move up the rotation ladder.

But I like the makeup he brings to the table and some great pitchers who could hit 100 MPH, throw a good slider and a splitter/change up, have had successful careers. Plus he is still young and learning how to pitch.

I’m not saying Nate will or will not be a front of the rotation guy. But I can tell you if I had a guy with his abilities I’d take my chance on him any day (and the Yankees acquired him for a good utility guy essentially).

But with Luis Severino, Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka joining Eovaldi as the likely top four starters, I could see any of these guys having a dominate year. The Yankees rotation, if it stays healthy and lives up to the high expectations, could be a force to be reckoned with. Or the opposite.

I don’t know if Nathan Eovaldi will be an ace. I hope so! And I hope Luis Severino does and Michael Pineda pitches like he did his rookie year. Plus a World Series Championship of course!

Hey, I’m a glass half full kind of guy. 

 --Dan Lucia
BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia

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WHAT WOULD THE MARLINS WANT FOR JOSE FERNANDEZ?

Not that there's a single connection right now between the New York Yankees and the Marlins, but I was very intrigued to see a nugget about the Marlins and their young ace Jose Fernandez. And when I saw the rumor that perhaps the Marlins were shopping him, pardon me for salivating...

Growing sentiment around Baseball and internally with the @marlins is Jose Fernandez will be traded this offseason.

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) November 17, 2015

Yup, it's Craig Mish of Sirus XM, and I have news for you... the idea would be amazing... if it was actually true. I don't believe it.

For one, there is no growing sentiment around baseball around Fernandez... at all.  The wording is nice and yes, when I read it initially, I thought "Wow, could the Yankees do something big here and get this kid?" He would do wonders for our rotation.  No doubt, the Marlins would want a King's ransom for him and so, I then started to come back to reality and do some digging.

That's when I found this:

Two highly placed sources tell me Jose Fernandez is not being shopped or discussed to be shopped. Will that changes, who knows? #Marlins

— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) November 17, 2015

That's Joe Frisaro of MLB.com and he's right... you NEVER know, but it appears to not be true. For all we know, and I believe this is right... the Marlins could have floated that story out there before the Winter Meetings to hopefully get some nice offers when they walk into those Meetings just to see if he's worth moving.

Now, one word of caution about Fernandez, and this comes from Hardball Talk:

"Jose Fernandez, who was then rehabbing from Tommy John surgery but who would soon be coming back to the Marlins’ rotation."

And so you'd have a guy fresh off Tommy John if the Yankees DID trade for him, and would we want that?  Well, we've done it before, hello Jon Lieber.  But the difference is Fernandez is no Lieber, the potential is much bigger.  Fernandez went 6-1 with a 2.92  ERA in 2015.  I'd say, they'd want that.

Look, I wouldn't begin to discuss Yankee names because, let's face it, what the Marlins would want would be a lot most likely.  Of course they'd want Aaron Judge, probably Luis Severino.  I'd love to dump Ivan Nova and Brett Gardner their way, but they'd never go for it. Hell, if they did give up Fernandez, throw in Marin Prado and we'd fix second base too!

Anyway, now I ask you, the loyal BYB reader... if the Marlins called, and you were Brian Cashman, what would you do?

Word of caution with this Fernandez rumor. I'm here to tell you it's probably bull. That being said... it's fun to think about.

Oh boy... the rumor season... it'll get ya!

 

 
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BRIAN CASHMAN'S "OPEN TO ANYTHING"

And by "anything", he means candle wax on the nipples and brisk walks in the nude. 

I'm kidding, but I did find it interesting that when asked about the off season, he pretty much hinted that no one is off limits... except for the young big 3.

Here's some of that article from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:

"...Cashman said he does not anticipate trading any of his three top young players -- pitcher Severino, first baseman Greg Bird or outfielder Aaron Judge. But the GM acknowledged that he was being aggressive and creative in his early discussions.

'I'm open to anything,' Cashman said. 'I'm always open to anything. I'm not afraid... You have to be pretty aggressive and open to trade a good young pitcher under team control (Greene), a left-handed prospect (Banuelos) or a guy like Prado who fits you like a glove,' Cashman said. 'We still are. If we can find matches to make us better as we go forward, we're all ears.'"

I'm eager to see how this plays out. How about you? 

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AGING VETERANS CREATE ROADBLOCKS

Now that the Yankees season has come to an end, the Internet world has been abuzz with "what the Yankees should do" this off season. There are some holes they could fill in the bullpen, the rotation and perhaps a couple position spots. What I disagree with however is signing 30-something year old vets (especially to multi-year deals) which creates roadblocks for young players.

The most glaringly obvious example was the signing of Stephen Drew. I'm not even going to go into his stats, but besides the power numbers he exhibited occasionally, signing him was a complete waste. The Yankees had Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela in the minors who could have contributed more than they did. Would they have had all-star caliber seasons, probably not, but it couldn't have been worse than Drew.

Some other acquisitions over the past several years have made a lot of sense at the time but still many of the vets are over 30 years of age and signed to three or more years. Chase Headley, Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann all fall into this category. Headley filled a hole, but how long will it be before he is just taking up space? Beltran was coming off a stellar year when he signed but is still pushing 40 and just not the player he once was. Ellsbury is a great ball player, no questioning that, but he is over the hill most likely and there are still many years of him in pinstripes.

As a former catcher myself, I love Brian McCann. He plays great defense and is a solid bat in the middle of the Yankees order who can target the short porch in right. But in the not too distant future he will begin to slow down and the Yankees have Gary Sanchez who made terrific strides this past year. I love having McCann but this just provides an example.

The last thing I want to see this off season is the Yankees targeting aging veterans, ESPECIALLY vets who want multi-year deals, who will just create a backlog again in the lineup. Martin Prado was mentioned here as an option, but I must say I disagree. He is getting older and although he batted .288, he only produced 33 extra base hits, compared to 34 for Drew. Prado also had 117 more at bats. He likely will only continue to decline as he gets older.

What I would like to see is a trade or two (perhaps Gardner and one or two of the younger arms) in order to obtain a solid starter. Jeff Samardzija is available as a free agent and pursuing him would be great. I've been a fan since he was catching passes at Notre Dame.

Some people may mistake my views here as not wanting the Yankees to get better. I can see why you may see my point that way, but what the Yankees have to do is build for the future. In order to do so they have to allow the big money deals to expire over the next two years which will create room for the young prospects on their way to the show.

Within the next two years there will likely be five or six players Major League ready and a handful of pitchers prepared to contribute, but if they sign more 30 something year-old vets to multi-year deals, there will never be a roster spot available for them. The backlog will just continue.

The Yankees have built a solid core of talent in the minors and we need to see them in the show to start a new core of big leaguers. Once the sore is established, free agency can be used as a tool to fill holes, not an entire lineup. The more vets they sign to create a backlog, the longer this trend of mediocre seasons we are going to see.

Agree or disagree?? Let's debate @DManLucia!

  
--Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia





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I DEFINITELY SEE THE YANKEES GOING AFTER PRADO

I know, it seems ridiculous.  The Yankees have guys like Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela on the team and they are ready to burst with talent at second base. Plus, we have newly acquired Dustin Ackley, who I personally love in pinstripes. But here's the thing; I almost feel like  the Yankees want to upgrade a bit and almost regret letting Martin Prado get traded away to the Miami Marlins this off-season.

In essence, with all the conversation and uncertainty about Stephen Drew at second last year, the reality was, if we kept Prado, we wouldn't have had those conversation.  I know... I know, without giving up Prado, we probably wouldn't have had Nathan Eovaldi who did wonders for us this season.  Hey, you never know, right?

But here's what I do know... and yes, it's a gut feeling... I believe the Yanks just don't truly trust guys like Refsnyder and Pirela.  I don't know what it is, but that's what I'm going with.

Chad Jennings of LoHud thinks differently. He writes that Cashman said: “I think we have at least some comfort knowing that I have Ref [and] I maybe have Ackley if we get a better feel for what he can provide on the defensive standpoint...We have Pirela who had a hell of a year at Triple-A (but) has not really shown that yet at the Major League level. I think we have some candidates here that as we move forward, we can say we have something, unless something presents themselves as being better.”

So what's the point Jennings is trying to make? Well, not much. Let's be honest, Cashman doesn't always do what he says, in fact, he has a track record.  Cashman talks a lot, and while it's Jennings job to "get the story", there really isn't any story to get here. If Cashman has another thought in his mind as to an upgrade, and yes, I believe Prado IS an upgrade because he's so athletic, energetic and versatile, he'll find a way to get him back.   That goes for any other 2nd baseman who's available too by the way. If it's an upgrade, that quote about by Cashman means absolutely nothing.

And so, it all goes back to my gut... and Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, who probably got his report from my original Prado story THE SPARKPLUG I WISH WE STILL HAD from this season.  Jon writes, and trust me, it ain't much: "...They (Yankees) do like both Ben Zobrist and Martin Prado, who provide the type of versatility they love..."

As you all know, the Zobrist thing never happened, because Cashman rejected the the offer, but Prado... Prado is a different story. Whether or not it happens we shall see... but again... it's a gut thing.

I don't know... sometimes I just have a feeling about these things.  I feel like there may be a reunion with Prado. Although, I'm not gonna lie. I absolutely loved what Refsnyder and Ackley provided for us down the stretch. 

Stay tuned...

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WE SHOULD POUNCE IF THE MARLINS WANNA TRADE PRADO

Quick note about Martin Prado. I love the guy. The End.

No one had more energy than Martin Prado and my opinion is, if the Yankees are not willing to bring up Rob Refsnyder, or play him full time, they should think about trying to bring back Martin Prado.

According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com:

Latest on Prado #Marlins open to moving him if right deal is presented. Hearing #Royals interest is minimal. #MLBTradeDeadline

— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) July 27, 2015

So here's the thing; The Yankees are paying $3 million of Prado's salary anyway.  Just bring the dude back. 

You end up getting a solid 2nd baseman, someone who's going to contribute at the plate and you can trade Stephen Drew away from a bag of balls and that fixes that.

Just saying.


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GIMME SHELTER

Since he arrived, JD Drew’s little brother has had Yankee fans showing him the door.  It is safe to say that he is pretty much the most unwanted member of the team since Jose Canseco…but at least he hits a bit.

Stephen is bad.  He doesn’t seem to be able to catch up to the game at this level any longer and should probably just hang it up.  BUT HOLD THE PHONE!  There is one voice softly telling Drew to stick around.  It’s coming from his right…a little bit further…no, not Chase…somewhere in between.  OH!  It’s Didi!  Wait, why do you want Stephen to stay, Sir Didi? Is it to take the heat off of you and your less than remarkable 1st season in the Bronx? 

I see.

My brother served in the United States Navy.  He attended Annapolis and when he completed Plebe Summer (the grueling rite of passage for Naval Academy incoming freshmen) our family went down to see him be officially welcomed into the class of 2004.  While we were there, we met a number of his new classmates.  One young man caught the attention of my Dad.  He seemed like Jerry Lewis in an old military comedy. 

He was shorter, thin, goofy and clumsy.  A really good guy and seemed well liked by the other guys.  Later that day my brother uttered a phrase I’ll never forget.  When talking about his knucklehead friend he said, “We all love Timmy.  He’s our “Sh*t Screen”.”  That wasn’t meant as an insult.  Basically this young sailor was so bad at being a Naval officer, the Marines that ran the program over the summer months targeted him above all others.  He basically took the brunt of the heat for the rest of the boys in his outfit.  The story ends up great in case you were wondering.  That young man graduated, became a decorated Marine and now has a great career in business and a wonderful family.

The more I think about Stephen Drew the more I see the benefit of a “Sh*t Screen” for a player like Didi.  He is trying to fill the unfillable spikes of a Yankee legend.  He has been erratic at times with his highly touted defense and his bat…well…his bat is giving opposing pitchers a nice, cool breeze on warm early summer nights.  Didi flat out NEEDS Drew around to give him some shade!

The unfortunate fact…for our young shortstop anyway, is that Drew’s days are numbered.  Or at least we hope they are.  There is no way that even the always-positive Joe Girardi can defend Stephen’s play.  He needs to be DFA’d.  They should see what they have in Double R.  Why the hell not?  Yes, he is not as sure a glove…but I’d say it’s worth the gamble.  If that doesn’t work Cashman will start combing the market for a decent middle infielder to help the offense…ya know, like Prado!

I feel for you Didi.  But my advice would be to play without a Sh*t Screen.  Up your game, take your knocks and toughen your skin.  This is the Bronx!  It doesn’t come easy, but if you play your heart out they’ll love ya for it…even if they’re showing you the door at the same time.


** This is for you Sir Didi.  Welcome to the Bronx.  There is no shelter here. Play ball!**

 
 
 
--Mike O'Hara
Senior "Features" Writer
Twitter: @mikeyoh21


   
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THE SPARKPLUG I WISH WE STILL HAD

Quick little nugget coming out or Miami involving Martin Prado and speculation from me thinking... "God, imagine if we didn't trade away Prado and re-sign Stephen Drew." But more on that in a moment...

According to MLB.com, there was chatter about the Marlins unloading Prado.  The Fish Pond writes: "...some in the New York media are speculating that the Mets may be able to pry Martin Prado away from Miami to provide insurance in case David Wright doesn’t return.

From what I’m told, the Marlins have not quit on the season. They aren’t thinking about trading away core pieces. Dealing Prado doesn’t make much sense for Miami, especially since he is under contract through 2016. The Yankees are picking up $3 million of the $11 million Prado is making this year and next...

Prado is a leader on this team. Dealing him would be a tremendous blow to the clubhouse, and a signal of retreat to a market that is tired of rebuilding."

Great analysis and speculation from a Marlins fan perspective and it goes back to what we said about Prado during his short time in the Bronx last season.  The dude may not be some All-Star everyone is drooling over, but he's very good and consistent and has the energy every team needs.

I only bring it up because of Stephen Drew clogging our lineup and how it would have made a helluva alot more sense to put a guy like Prado in that spot and never re-sign Drew. 

Drew's time in New York is up and who knows why the Yankees are holding onto this guy any longer.

Plus, my mind was wandering, thinking, "Will the Yanks dump Drew, try to trade him away, and, if the trade speculation is true about Prado and we're paying some of the dude's salary anyway, what's the chances we could ever get the guy back?" Would we? Should we? Or should we just bring up Rob Refsnyder , lose Drew and start fresh.  Whatever the case... I thought it was interesting that Prado has a unique ability to bring a clubhouse to life and damn, I miss him in the Bronx, it was fun.

OK... enough of me rambling.  God, looking back at this post, I really offered you nothing but a few memories.  Oh well... it happens.

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