YANKEES LOSE PATRICK CORBIN TO NATIONALS

Source: USA Today

I couldn't believe it.  I guess I am not used to it.  But, the Yankees did in fact get outbid as the New York Times stated in its headline last night.  According to the Times, "When the first big free-agent domino fell on Tuesday, the biggest surprise was not that Patrick Corbin landed a six-year, $140 million contract, it was the team with whom he signed it."  And that team was not the Yankees nor the Philadelphia Phillies, Corbin's biggest suitors, but the Washington Nationals who had a pot full of money with "the expiring contracts of Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Gio Gonzalez and Matt Wieters free nearly $62 million from their payroll — and probably fueled by last season’s collapse, they were willing to outbid the competition by adding a sixth year to the offer," reported the Times.

Source: AJC.com

Being on the losing side of the bidding war feels, well, defeating, but more than that, it feels awkward as it's not something I was expecting.  "The Yankees have occasionally lost out on free agents over the years — Greg Maddux didn’t care much for New York, and Curt Schilling was intrigued by the possibility of ending the Red Sox playoff drought — but it is exceedingly rare for them to pursue one of the top players on the market and be outbid," reported the Times.  Yes, that's exactly it.  We don't lose out like this.  It is just not typical.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Who will they pursue next?  Well Brian Cashman does not seem worried with his comment that there are plenty of great players out there on the market that can improve the team and lift them to the top of the AL East.  It is just a matter of at what cost?  Clearly, the Yankees need more than the rotation they currently have in Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and newly acquired James Paxton.  They could augment the team of starters with other big ticket free agents including Dallas Keuchel, Nathan Eovaldi, J. A. Happ and Corey Kluber.

Source: Philly.com

The Yankees lost one big fish, but there is always today, tomorrow and the next day. It is very early in the off season and with the Winter Meetings heating up in Las Vegas on Sunday, there will be a number of good opportunities coming their way.  Corbin to Nats.  Okay, onto the next candidate for Yankee starter in pursuit of #28.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

PREDICTION TIME! WHERE ARE THESE GUYS GOING?

Photo: Getty Images

It's two weeks until Spring Training starts! Two weeks....and the biggest names are STILL sitting on the market. This off season has been ridiculously boring. So instead of searching for new rumor that don't exist or rehashing the same David Robertson trade story and trying to put a new twist on it let's play a game. Where are the big names going?

Photo: Getty Images

1) Jake Arrieta - ???
I could see two possibilities here. If you ask my fiance who definitely has a good following on the baseball world in general he will tell you Arrieta is going to be a Brewer. It's a possibility, the Brewers are rumored to have made an offer but I also wouldn't count out the Phillies at this point. It's crazy to think that the Phillies are one of the top spending teams this off season. It's true! The Phillies are making that transition from rebuilding to contending. They aren't there yet but will be soon and you can't ignore the connection between the two. Phillies outfielder Nick Williams has been a workout buddy with Arrieta over the winter and it sounds like he's been trying to sway him to Philly according to reports like THIS ONE. Is it true? Who knows, but since the Phillies are spending money I wouldn't count them out.

So much for Boras and his huge BINDER he sent to every team with a sales pitch for a $200 million dollar deal. LOL!

Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)

2) J.D. Martinez - Red Sox
The Red Sox have been far too quiet this season. Let's face it after the Yankees got Giancarlo Stanton there has been no response. They always have to make their own splashy move and it hasn't happened yet. I can't see them waiting until the trade deadline. The Red Sox need some more pop in their lineup. Of course, if they don't get him I am perfectly fine with that....really.

Source: Ron Schwane/Getty Images North America

3) Mike Moustakas - Kansas City?
This is a hard one. He's the best left-side infielder available in this years free agent market but his market has been pretty dry. Just thinking from a business standpoint it might be in Kansas City's best interest to sign him after they let one of their other big names Lorenzo Cain leave in free agency. The Royals are only a few years removed from a World Series Championship and may need that familiar face to keep fans more motivated as they continue to rebuild.

Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America

4) Yu Darvish - Cubs?
So the Phillies, Brewers, Twins, Yankees and Cubs are all considered to be serious suitors for Darvish. I would love to sign him, especially if we could get him at a discount now that the market is dropping faster as Spring Training gets closer....but I am not going to hold my breath. According to Jerry Crasnick HERE, the Cubs are considered to be favorites. I tend not to put so much weight on that because look at what happened with Shohei Ohtani. We were the favorites and yet we didn't make it out of the first round. Who knows. All of these teams make sense but the Cubs do have the need to sign a starter, the money to do it and the desire to get back to the World Series again. I wouldn't count them out.

And just for fun...

Source: Scott Cunningham/Getty Images North America

5) J.T. Realmuto - Nationals?
Yes, he's not a free agent BUT he is the last big name standing in Derek Jeter's gut job in Miami. Everyone else is gone! The Nationals are interested and should be. With one last push to win a World Series before Bryce Harper likely leaves in free agency they want more reinforcements to help their cause. Matt Wieters is still a starting catcher but he had a down year last season and adding a young 26 year old catcher under team control through 2021 who had a good season last year seems like a no-brainer. Jeter is going to ship him off somewhere soon. Washington seems to make a lot of sense.

No news means game time. Hopefully some of these guys sign soon because I am beyond restless!

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

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.

THE CUBS GOT LUCKY

The Nationals should have won that game last night... but the home plate umpire, and I guess the rest of the umps out there blew a huge call, and now the Nationals are going home.  You see, the inning should have ended 5-4, but that wasn't the case. Instead the ball rolled under the legs of catcher Matt Wieters, clearly a passed ball, but how can you snag a ball under your legs, WHEN THERE'S A BAT COMING AT YOUR HEAD!

Javier Baez swung on that passed ball, but the ball rolled under Wieters legs.  Baez hit Wieters in the head with his bat, ran to first because it was a third strike, and Wieters then threw the passed ball into right field. 2 more runs scored, and just like that, the Cubs were up 6-4. It eventually became 7-4. But I love twitter for this reason.  There are amazing smart baseball people there.

Photo: Jonathan Newton, the Washington Post

Rules are interesting... check this amazing nugget out:

I don't want to be an alarmist, but... it would appear they seriously messed that up. pic.twitter.com/0aABJlzGkC

— Jeff Long (@JeffLongBP) October 13, 2017

Unreal.  So, technically, because Baez hit Wieters with his bat, he's out.

hmm pic.twitter.com/j5R8erdrGp

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 13, 2017

If none of the runners can advance on this strikeout, that would have ended the inning 5-4. Instead, Nats end up losing... those umps kind of blew the call.

By the way... who knows if the Nats could have won. I suppose they could have... all I'm saying is that kind of play is a game changer... clearly.

MATT WIETERS GOT A 2 YEAR DEAL

(Aug. 1, 2016 - Source: Greg Fiume/Getty Images North America)

While this isn't a Yankee thing, I think it's important to report this.  Matt Wieters was one of the bigger free agents this off season and it took until now for him to be signed.  That's pretty interesting as teams are not jumping immediately to sign big time players to big deals as much anymore.  I mean, look at Jose Bautista for crying out loud.

Photo: Getty Images

The Washington Post as the story about Wieters:

"The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with catcher Matt Wieters on a two-year deal on Tuesday, one that allows the 30-year-old to opt out after this season and hit free agency again next winter, and therefore amounts to a one-year deal with the possibility for a second.

The deal is not official, as it is pending a physical to be held Wednesday, but would include $5 million in deferred money, a recent staple of the Nationals’ more high-profile free agent signings."

(July 15, 2016 - Source: Joseph Garnett, Jr./Getty Images North America)

The Nationals have a great group of talent and are always on the brink of making the World Series only to don't.  Maybe a few more extra players can do it.  The Wieters signing is significant in my opinion.

Anyway, just wanted to keep you in the loop.  Good Stuff.


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EVERYBODY'S GOT A LANDING SPOT FOR McCANN

Two more publications have it all figured out.  They know exactly who the Yankees need to trade with to unload Brian McCann. Meanwhile, there has been no indication that the Yankees are gonna do that and if they do, it's gotta be an incredible deal. Not sure these are...

NJ.com writes that it could be the Astros:

"YANKEES' MOTIVATION: With Gary Sanchez entrenched as the longterm starting catcher, McCann is the odd man out. He's currently slotted as the lefty-hitting backup and who will occasionally spell Sanchez against righties and probably often catch CC Sabathia — the pair worked exceptionally well together in 2016. McCann is also owed $17 million a year in 2017 and 2018. He'll see a lot of time at DH, too, but his numbers don't profile well at that position. He's more valuable as a starting catcher. 

 ASTROS' MOTIVATION: Houston needs a catcher. Jason Castro will be a free agent at season's end. They could try to re-sign him, but the 29-year-old hit just .210 with 11 homers last year. McCann would be a clear upgrade."

FOX Sports says it could be the Orioles:

"With Matt Wieters heading to free agency, would the Baltimore Orioles consider a trade with the Yankees for catcher Brian McCann?

 The Baltimore Orioles are at a crossroad regarding Matt Wieters. Their starting catcher for the last eight seasons could be heading to free agency...The bottom line is the Orioles could use a catcher with veteran presence in the clubhouse."

 Right now I don't see any of this. I see the Yankees holding onto McCann, having him there for his bat and expertise and helping to mold guys like Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine and to be honest, he's one of the smarter guys in baseball.  Why the hell would you give that away?  That's my thinking at least. 

Anyway, I found these 2 nuggets interesting!

 

SITTING ON A GOLD MINE

The Yankees miraculously held on to Brian McCann through the August waiver deadline but just because he is still here doesn't mean the trade rumors are over. If anything, it's only heating up. I am convinced now more than ever that McCann will be on the move this winter.

The Yankees are infatuated with Gary Sanchez and so is the rest of Yankee land. The Yankees have the next big thing waiting in the wings after a successful first taste in the big leagues. We want to get younger, and stop spending so much money and part of the remainder of the old Yankee equation is still on the team.

I have absolutely nothing against Brian McCann. I was excited to have him sign with us but he is the next player to fall to the youth movement. The Yankees have Sanchez waiting in the wings for a full time job and Austin Romine can easily be a back up. The Yankees don't need McCann to be a backup catcher or a designated hitter. In the meantime, other teams out there NEED a catcher and the free agent market this season is thin for catchers.

The Yankees were strategic this season. The Cubs and the Indians are going to battle it out in the World Series starring two former Yankees. The Cubs had an enormous hole in the bullpen until Aroldis Chapman arrived. Without him, who knows if the Cubs would've made it this far. The Indians have an amazing closer in Andrew Miller....and they have him on a very friendly team contract to continue to build around after this season. The Yankees know what they are doing....and McCann is up next.

The Yankees are sitting on a gold mine named Brian McCann. There are teams who really need a catcher out there and he has an impressive resume. Teams will call for McCann's leadership and his six silver slugger awards.

Aside from McCann, Wilson Ramos was the most interesting free agent but he will be out 6-8 months recovering from knee surgery. This leaves Matt Wieters, Jason Castro and Carlos Ruiz for free agents and they don't have the same skills to offer as McCann does.

So not to sound repetitive but BRIAN CASHMAN WINS AGAIN! He is going to sit back and let his phone ring all winter. He is going to get a ton of phone calls all asking about McCann and he is going to wait and pick through all of the offers until the best one comes through. The Yankees are going to remain firm on their price because they know they don't NEED to trade him away and they can wait until they get the highest bidder. I have never praised Cashman so much until this year, and he just keeps coming out on top.

In the end, I am not saying that I want to see the Yankees trade McCann away but I know at this point if and when we do the Yankees are doing so because it only helps us in the Youth Movement. The Yankees have a reputation for winning in the past and now the future. The Yankees have helped someone else win a World Series ring this year and soon it will be our turn again. Someone is going to come calling for McCann.....the question is who and what do we get in return? I know Cashman is ready and waiting for that call.

 --Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer & Editor
  Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

THE BRIAN MCCANN RUMOR THAT JUST WON'T GO AWAY

All season long the Brian McCann trade rumors have been buzzing. Now that the waiver trade deadline has officially come to a close it looks like McCann will be in a Yankees uniform for the rest of the season but what about next season?

Once the off season comes the rumors will be in full swing again. Should the Yankees keep him? Maybe he still fits in the Yankees new rebuilding phase but in a new role? If not....who would take him? Would he reunite with the Atlanta Braves in their new stadium?

The Yankees will have a tough decision to make. Do they keep him for hiss left handed bat and perhaps use him as a part-time catcher? The Yankees could use Gary Sanchez as their full time catcher while still keeping a valuable left handed bat in the lineup. Maybe he could DH or play first base when needed. Or, do the Yankees let him go and let Austin Romine keep a job with the team? It may come down to what Atlanta is willing to spend.

It is rumored that the Braves are willing to pay half of McCann's salary to bring him home, but the Yankees want to continue building the farm system. The Braves are also in a big rebuilding mode and have been rebuilding their farm system for awhile now. They are willing to send a prospect or two but not significant players which brought us to stalled out trade talks.

I can't say that I blame the Braves. They have struggled for the last several years and haven't had a record over .500 since 2013 so their goal is much like ours. The Braves are not desperate to get their former catcher back especially with some decent catchers that will be available in the off season that interest them like Jason Castro, Wilson Ramos and Georgia Tech product Matt Wieters. This off season is rather lack luster over all but catchers will be one intriguing option to keep tabs on.

The Braves have a lot of options to help them re-brand the team and move into their new stadium, so the Yankees are just one of many. The question is do the Yankees send him back to Georgia or do they keep his bat? The off season is going to be interesting. Do the Yankees hold one to one last veteran or do they continue to get younger and cut some money? It's a tough call that I am glad I don't have to make.

What would you do? Comment and let us know.

 --Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer & Editor
  Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

 

THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO NOT HUSTLE

My number one rule is “There’s absolutely no walking on the baseball field.” The kids I coach know that rule. They don’t always abide by it, probably to torment me, but they know it. To piggyback on that rule, there is absolutely no excuse not to hustle. That is something that Aroldis Chapman learned this passed weekend in Baltimore and it still bothers me, which is why this feature is coming out today...

With a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning and the bases loaded, Chapman gave up a ground ball single to Matt Wieters. Jacoby Ellsbury came up throwing and the ball took a big hop that scooted over Brain McCann’s head at the plate. Aroldis Chapman neglected to back up home allowing Francisco Pena to come around from first to score giving the Orioles a 3-1 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

Chapman was quoted as saying; “I felt there was no chance of getting the guy out. That’s why I didn’t rush.” 



If you watch the replay, perhaps he was referring to getting Pena out since he made little-to-no effort to get to the plate while McCann chased down the ball. Nonetheless, Chapman, and all pitchers, especially big leaguers, need to have the instinct and effort to get themselves behind the plate on that play. There’s no excuse!

My high school coach and I correspond frequently and talk baseball. He’s an umpire as well and always gives me pointers on things he sees. He made a smart ass comment about how pitchers should just bring a cot out to the mound with them since they think they are there to relax during balls put in play. It is just baffling to me that players, especially big leaguers, make these kinds of mental midget mistakes and make excuses.

That play did not cause the Yankees to lose the game. Scoring one single solitary run sure helped. But making mistakes like this cost teams runs and in turn, cost teams wins over the course of a long season.

Mistakes do happen, we are human beings. What Chapman could have said was simply, “I screwed up.” He knows he did, the team knows he did and most baseball fans at this point know he did. We then would have gotten over it easier.

The Yankees are not a good ball club this year. They are old, over the hill and under-performing. Add a lack of hustle or a lack of ‘give a damn’ and they may as well start the fire sale now and let guys like Rob Refsnyder and others get some more experience.

Could they start playing better, win some ball games and make the summer a little more fun? Sure they could. It can’t get too much worse, so sure they could. They need to start hitting the ball, play good defense and get good pitching performances. Baseball is a game of catch in its simplest form.

But if you don’t put forth effort and don’t hustle, it’s a complete lost cause. There’s no excuse to not hustle. 

Off a 2 game winning streak... maybe they are starting to hustle! We shall see.

 --Dan Lucia
BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia




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