YANKEES WALKED OFF IN ARIZONA AS VOLPE BEGINS ANOTHER FREE FALL

The Yankees didn’t just lose to the Diamondbacks on Saturday night. They let a winnable game slip away at exactly the wrong time.

Arizona beat the Yankees 5-3 when pinch-hitter Pavin Smith launched a two-run, walk-off home run off Michael Fulmer in the bottom of the ninth inning. The 391-foot shot came immediately after Fulmer issued a controversial leadoff walk to Ildemaro Vargas.

Just like that, it was over. A Boone decision. Remember this as we are entering October baseball.

Cam Schlittler once again did enough to give the Yankees a chance. The rookie allowed only three hits over six innings, surrendering three runs—but just one earned—while lowering his American League-leading ERA to 1.94.

The Yankees didn’t help him.

A Schlittler fielding error opened the door for Arizona in the fifth inning, and Jordan Lawlar made them pay with a two-run triple. New York eventually grabbed a 3-2 lead behind solo home runs from Heliot Ramos and Austin Wells, but the Diamondbacks tied it again before Smith ended it in the ninth. By the way, Wells? Batting .185. Why in the freaking world so I care about a solo homer from this guy once a week if he can't even hit consistently?

The loss dropped the Yankees five games behind Tampa Bay in the American League East with only eight games remaining. Yes, the Yankees have already clinched a playoff spot. No, that doesn’t make losses like this acceptable—not with the division and home-field positioning still hanging in the balance.

And while everyone talks about the walk-off, let’s not act like we don’t see what is happening with Anthony Volpe.

Over his last seven games, Volpe is batting .217 with a .280 on-base percentage and a .304 slugging percentage. He has five hits in 23 at-bats, no home runs and only two RBIs.

That is not production. Those are “not a Major League player” numbers.

Once again, Volpe put together a small stretch of respectable baseball, and Yankee fans immediately declared that he had turned the corner. The broadcasts celebrated him. His defenders rushed back out. Everyone wanted to believe the Yankees had finally been proven right.

Once again, they were fooled.

Now Volpe is free-falling right back toward the same offensive numbers that have followed him throughout his career. This is the problem with judging a player by a handful of games instead of the complete body of work. A hot week doesn’t erase months—or years—of inconsistency. You need to watch the long game.

The Yankees have protected Volpe, promoted Volpe and made excuses for Volpe. Other players are forced to earn their opportunities. Volpe is handed his and then given endless time to justify them.

Meanwhile, the lineup continues to disappear for long stretches. Three runs weren’t enough Saturday night, just as three runs frequently won’t be enough in October. The Yankees have excellent pitching, but even excellent pitching needs support. Schlittler gave them six strong innings, and they still found a way to lose.

Most Yankee outlets will focus on the drama of the walk-off and move along.

Bleeding Yankee Blue will focus on the problem that refuses to disappear. Anthony Volpe still isn’t producing—and pretending otherwise won’t help the Yankees win in October.

STOP BLAMING CABALLERO. THE YANKEES COULDN’T SCORE

I’m seeing a lot of attention being thrown at Jose Caballero after the Yankees got embarrassed by the Angels Monday night.

Yes, Caballero made an error. Yes, it was ugly. But can we please tell the whole story?

When Caballero botched the potential double-play ball in the sixth inning, the Yankees were already losing 6-1. His mistake allowed another run to score and made it 7-1.

So, explain something to me. How exactly did Jose Caballero lose this game? Were the Yankees suddenly going to score six runs if he fielded that ball cleanly?

Because they didn't. They scored one run the entire night.

One.

Spencer Jones hit a solo homer in the fifth inning. That was it. The Yankees finished with six hits, didn't draw a walk and went quietly against Angels rookie Walbert Ureña, who gave them seven innings of one-run baseball.

And let's remember what happened before Caballero's sixth-inning error.

Elmer Rodríguez had already put the Yankees in a 4-0 hole. The Angels made it 5-1 in the fifth. Then Michael Fulmer's errant pickoff attempt helped another run score.

It was 6-1 before Caballero made the error everybody wants to talk about.

That's context. Caballero deserves criticism for playing sloppy defense. Absolutely. He'd probably tell you the same thing. But blaming him for a 10-1 loss is ridiculous.

The Yankees didn't lose because their shortstop booted a ball while they were already getting blown out.

They lost because they couldn't hit. They couldn't score. And they couldn't give themselves even the slightest chance to win.

You don't beat anybody scoring one run.

Stop looking for a convenient scapegoat. Jose Caballero didn't lose this game. The Yankees offense did. Get over it.

FERNANDO CRUZ OUT!

The Yankees’ pitching problems just added another name to the list.

Fernando Cruz has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort, a concerning development for a bullpen already searching for stability.

The timing is especially troubling. Cruz surrendered the game-tying two-run homer to Jeremy Peña in Tuesday night’s 9-7 loss to Houston, and afterward was seen leaving the clubhouse with Yankees head athletic trainer Tim Lentych. Cruz had said he was healthy, but less than 24 hours later, he was headed to the IL.

And maybe the recent numbers were telling us something. Cruz has been hit hard since the All-Star break after being one of the Yankees’ most dependable bullpen weapons earlier in the season.

The Yankees signed veteran Michael Fulmer to a Major League deal to help fill the hole. But with September approaching, replacing Cruz’s swing-and-miss stuff won't be easy.

For a team trying to make a serious October run, another important arm going down is the last thing they needed.

WAITING...AND STILL WAITING....FOR PITCHING

Will it ever come?

Teams are interested. The Yankees have the prospects every other team wants but can the Yankees get any quality pitching that they want in return without overspending? It's an ugly market out there this season. The off season was crappy, the rotation ideally needs two more additions but is there anything worth chasing after? It's not looking so great.

So, the Giants have so kindly reached out to Brian Cashman and said that Jeff Samardzija is available. Anyone excited about that? The Yankees were interested in Samardzija years ago before he ran into shoulder and pectoral trouble this year. He's been on-and off the disabled list this year. He's pitched 44.2 innings and given up almost as many walks (26) and he has strikeouts (30) and has a 6.25 ERA. He's owed around $45 million through 2020. So to sum it all up, he can't stay healthy, has pitched poorly and still has a lot of money left on his contract. No wonder why the Giants are willing to get rid of him. We need pitching but he's not an upgrade to the Yankee rotation.

So Samardzija makes no sense but what about Zack Wheeler? According to Marc Carig HERE, the Yankees have recently inquired on Wheeler. The Yankees and Mets still have a trade rumor connection going on despite the fizzled Jacob DeGrom idea. Could the Yankees and Mets make a connection with Wheeler?

 I will believe it when I see it but if the Mets are going to trade anyone to the Yankees Wheeler makes the most sense because he's only under team control for one more year and has an injury history and now is the time to sell him. Wheeler has pitched 107.1 innings this season. He has a 4.44 ERA but I don't read too much into it because he's pitching for the last place Mets. Last place....even the Marlins have a better record. Wheeler has pitched well in his last few starts and he's actually throwing harder since returning to the Mets post Tommy John and is now throwing a splitter. The extra velocity and new pitch is intriguing. He's worth checking in on.

Then there is Michael Fulmer....again. Talk about this guy just won't go away. The Tigers are doing their homework to prepare for a potential trade. The Tigers have been scouting the Yankees, read more here and they have interest in Tyler Wade and Clint Frazier. Cashman has already said he doesn't want to move Frazier, but would he move Wade? Fulmer could be a great addition to the Yankee rotation. He's been streaky at times but his stuff is good. He's one or two tweaks away from being a dominating pitcher. If the Yankees could the get Fulmer by creating a package with Wade or Frazier should they do it? Or should Frazier be off limits?

I feel like with all of the "maybes" the Yankees have been chasing but haven't made a move on yet is it possible that they have another idea in mind? The Yankees have said they don't want to move Justus Sheffield and CC Sabathia doesn't want them to either. In fact, he wants the Yankees to give Sheffield is shot by calling him up, read that here. Is that a possibility right now or is it too soon?

It's been a long first half. Hopefully the All Star break brings some clarity and some pitching to this team that it really needs. We are waiting for you to attack that weakness Cashman....anxiously waiting.

Stay Tuned.

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

DeGROM'S PLEA TO BE TRADED?

Photo: Getty Images

Okay, you can go ahead and read into that interesting quote Jacob DeGrom gave on Saturday night. If you needed any other reason to buy into that "DeGrom to the Yankees" hype well now you have it!

I get it. It must suck when you are the "ace" of your team and you go out there and you give up three-runs in a six-inning start and you lose, you just need to vent. That's what DeGrom did, he vented HERE and said "I'm tired of losing to be honest" and who wouldn't be? Now the media runs with it because it's a juicy headline.

Photo: Getty Images

Maybe the timing is suspect after Sonny Gray completely had a meltdown on Saturday but that coupled with THIS news makes it hard to ignore. It is the land of rumors as the trade deadline gets closer. Brian Cashman called the Mets. As he should've anyway no matter if Gray chocked again or not because just like he said "it's the job."

Photo: Getty Images

Is this DeGrom's way of asking for a trade? Maybe, but I don't put much weight on it. I'm sure he is tired of losing, but I don't take it as he is tired of playing in a Mets uniform. The rumors of a New York-New York swap have been hot for weeks, this just only makes it hotter. The baseball world wants to see a cross-town trade go down. The Mets would like some of the young Yankee talent and the Yankees would like (*NEED) another arm to make a run into the postseason. It's a lot of "likes" right now.

Would we LIKE to have DeGrom? Sure! But just like the New York Post said....so would they. The Mets see him as a cornerstone to the Mets future. He's a controllable starter and a leader in the clubhouse. Cashman is looking for that starter and he seems to pull off moves that sometimes we don't even see coming. I have a feeling that is what's about to happen.

Photo: Getty Images

Maybe it won't be Michael Fulmer even though we have been scouting him heavily again recently or DeGrom but the Yankees understand now more than ever that the Yankees need to make improvements to this team despite all of our success this season.

DeGrom is the easy target to focus on especially after his recent outburst but I think Cashman's poker face has a different plan in mind. So for now, I am not going to buy into the hype.

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

THE OBSESSION WITH MICHAEL FULMER

Photo: Getty Images

Just recently, I wrote a piece about the Yankees pitching problems. If you get a chance, check it out... it's titled YANKEE PITCHING PROBLEMS INDEED.

Photo: Getty Images

Since then, it has been learned that Jordan Montgomery underwent Tommy John surgery making the situation a bit worse. Plus, now there's this hamstring-gate situation where some in Yankeeland are concerned about tightness in Masahiro Tanaka's hamstring, yet, Aaron Boone and Tanaka are kind of downplaying it and even Boone is expecting Tanaka to make his next start.

Photo: Getty Images

The point is, you can almost be certain that the Yankees will be on the prowl for pitching as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches. There should be many names surfacing over the next few weeks as teams decide whether or not they will sell. One name that has been mentioned since last year has been Michael Fulmer of the Detroit Tigers.

Now look, I don't feel that Fulmer would be a wise choice at this point. In fact, this piece from the New York Post seems to think he is the dangerous choice. Check this out:

Photo: AP

"Michael Fulmer’s days in Detroit seem numbered, and while the Yankees showed some interest in the right-hander during the offseason, the former Mets prospect hasn’t looked like much of an upgrade to their rotation this year. The 25-year-old checks several of the Yankees’ boxes, from his age, to his ability to throw into the mid-to-high 90s, as well as the fact he’s not even arbitration eligible and would allow them to add a starter and stay well under the $197 million luxury tax threshold."

Photo: Getty Images

Now while Fulmer DOES check many of the boxes for what Brian Cashman and the Yankees have been trying to do, I really hope they don't go down this road and obtain another pitcher they hope will do well. The key word there is "Hope".  Especially, when you consider that no team is going to trade a young pitcher who is under team control for nothing.  It would probably end up costing an arm and a leg to get him. The Yankees have that, but do they want to part with our solid prospects?

If Brian Cashman is going to make a trade for a pitcher, that pitcher has to be almost a sure thing. With a rotation full of maybes, now is not the time for another maybe.

Yes, the Yankees need another pitcher, but it's gotta be a guy  that makes us fans say, "We got this!"

Stay tuned on this one...

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Junior Writer
Twitter: @sevn4evr

THAT MICHAEL FULMER RUMOR IS STILL FLOATING OUT THERE...

And to be honest, I really don't believe it.

Photo: AP

Then again, while I wanted Giancarlo Stanton, I didn't think that would happen either... so  I got that going for me...

Jon Morosi writes:

"...one source confirmed to MLB.com that the Tigers and Yankees have had trade discussions regarding Fulmer."

I know, I know... show me a haystack and I'll find a needle. That's your needle.  Nothing else there.  I like it, but I need more Morosi, can you help us out?  I'm chomping at the bit here!

And while you're at it, follow me and I'll follow you back on Twitter! Bryan Hoch, Erik Boland and Pete Caldera do for crying out loud. I don't bite. I'm nice.

There you go Yankee fans. Get excited...or something.

Yay!

THE SEVEN FISHES OF PITCHERS

Source:  The Sporting News

Now that we have CC Sabathia under contract for 2018, the Yankees can breathe a slight sigh of relief.  Consistency and leadership are two essential components for a Yankee pitching rotation.  But both Sabathia and these traits might not be enough to win the championship next season.  So, the Yankees may need to catch a big fish among the seven fishes of pitchers who could be shopping for a new team in 2018.

Source: ESPN

According to the NY Daily News, these starting pitchers include Gerrit Cole (Pittsburgh), Chris Archer and Alex Cobb (Tampa Bay), Danny Duffy (Kansas City), Michael Fulmer (Detroit), Patrick Corbin (Arizona) and Jeff Samardzija (San Francisco).  If I had my druthers, I would go after Zack Greinke and call it a day. But I will entertain some deep thinking about most of these guys, but not all of them.

Source: NESN

Quite frankly, Gerrit Cole had his chance to be in pinstripes and he gave that opportunity up.  "The Yankees originally burned a first-round pick in 2008 (28th overall) on Cole only for him to spurn them for UCLA, but the 28-year-old right-hander since has established himself as a frontline starter over five seasons with the Pirates. Cole has two more years of arbitration eligibility before he will become a free agent after the 2019 season," reported the News.  Besides this, Cole has had some elbow inflammation and we all know how that adds anxiety to the team, wondering when he could fall.

Source: NJ.com

Looking at both Archer and Cobb, I would not choose either even though I have always liked the way Archer commands himself on the mound.  He has had two tough seasons, but he could rebound.  Cobb has had some injuries, but he is still a premiere starter who could demand just a little too much cash and stretch the luxury tax a bit too far.

Source: SI.com

Duffy...in a word, no.  DUI charge, Tommy John surgery.  We don't need that.  Detroit's Michael Fulmer, although 2016 Rookie of Year, might not be worth it either.  Chemistry matters and there may be too much bad blood between Detroit and the Yankees after the brawl of 2017.  "Of course, Fulmer was the pitcher who drilled Gary Sanchez, leading to a series of brawls between the two teams, in August. He also underwent nerve transposition surgery in his pitching elbow in September, but he's expected to be ready for spring training," reported the News.

Source: The Sporting News

Patrick Corbin is a guy who could be attractive to the Yankees as a ground ball throwing left-hander.  Of the bunch so far, I like what he could add but as I said earlier, I would prefer his teammate, Greinke.

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Then there is Jeff Samardzija, who I endorsed for pinstripes a few years ago, when he was available.  Today, he would only be welcomed here to the Bronx if he could help us unload a certain former Red Sox centerfielder.  "This might have to be the exchange of one terrible contract for another, perhaps if the outfield-hungry Giants would be willing to take on a chunk of Jacoby Ellsbury's albatross deal," reported the News.

So the Yankees have some fishing to do, with the right bait and the right mindset to do so.  Of these seven fishes with potential availability, I don't see one I would be willing to take a chance on.  Perhaps we need to cast a wider net for a bigger fish, one who can compliment our pitching staff in a way that elevates it to the kind we need to win in October.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof






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MLB NEEDS TO FIX THE "BAD UMPIRES" PROBLEM!

Photo: New York Daily News

I have always shared in the opinion that there is a human-error element to the great game of baseball. No one is perfect, umpires are going to make mistakes now and then. That doesn't make them incompetent....unless you are talking about Angel Hernandez. In that case, I say he is incompetent for many reasons but that is just my opinion of course. Now that Instant Replay has come into baseball it shows us a whole other side to the drama.

The past week has shown me now more than ever the MLB doesn't have a problem with blown calls so much as BAD UMPIRE BEHAVIORAL issues. Yes, I said it. The terminology may not be the best but I will stand by it. I get that umpires are going to blow some calls and make mistakes and some will admit their mistakes and I am okay with that.

Heck, Jim Joyce admitted he made a mistake when he blew the final out of Armando Galarraga's perfect game. He even got emotional about it after he saw the video and you could tell he was sympathetic when he apologized. But not all umpires are like Jim Joyce.

Look, the fiasco with the Tigers is still on my mind. The series with the Mariners has come and gone and I am still stuck on the brawl with the Tigers. Am I the only one who still remembers all of the drama started weeks ago when the Tigers played at Yankee stadium? Sure, there were no bench clearing brawls but it set up everything that happened days ago. The Yankees hit Mikie Mahtook twice in the game although unintentionally it still made Michael Fulmer grow a pair and intentionally throw at Jacoby Ellsbury in the hip.

Photo: Getty Images

So fast forward to Thursday. Once again Fulmer is on the mound and he plunks Gary Sanchez in the hip. Really? Another throw to the hip and at the Yankees hottest hitter. THAT MOMENT right there is where the umpires should have stepped in and warned both sides. The same guy throws at us again and the umpires don't realize that no matter if it was intentional or not (whatever you choose to believe) that this could get both sides fired up?

So of course, Tommy Kahnle has to defend his team and decides to throw behind Miguel Cabrera and then Kahnle is immediately ejected from the game and so is Joe Girardi. So no warnings, but let's just eject players. It was the wrong call from the start and the umpires let this get out of control.

So on Sunday there was no brawl, but there was another major blunder by the umpires who ruled against a clear interference play. With one out and a runner on first base, Robinson Cano grounded to Chase Headley at first base. He tried to start a double play by forcing Jean Segura out at second but Segura got in the way of shortstop Didi Gregorius and he was unable to turn the double play. Replays showed he clearly was out of the baseline and was in fact running on the grass (see the play HERE) so Girardi challenged Segura interfered with Gregorius.

Photo: New York Daily News

The call wasn't reversed and when Girardi came out of the dugout to get an explanation crew chief Mike Everitt threw him out. All he wanted was an explanation, instead he got tossed out of his fifth game.

Now I happen to have a lot of respect for Everitt, but the quick reaction to just eject Girardi is ridiculous. MLB has a problem to correct here. The players have codes of conduct to abide by and the umpires should be no different. Fans CAN forgive an umpire for admitting they were wrong but being unprofessional is just inexcusable.

The Yankees have consequences they will have to pay for their behavior against the Tigers last week with their fines and suspensions.....but why not the umpires? Think about it.



--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

COMPARING SANCHEZ WITH THE PROUD LEGACY BEFORE HIM

(Aug. 25, 2016 - Source: Adam Hunger/Getty Images North America)

As the snow flies here in upstate New York, and baseball awaits its turn back at the forefront of the American sports focus, I found myself looking in awe at the 2016 season Baby Bomber Gary Sanchez offered up.

(Sept. 15, 2016 - Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America)

In just 53 games, he thrust himself into the discussions for Rookie of the Year; eventually finishing second to the Tigers’ Michael Fulmer.  Sanchez nearly carried the Yankees into the post-season.

In his first month with the “grown-ups” (August), Sanchez slugged 11 HR and people kept waiting for the drop-off.  Instead, Gary followed that up with 9 more HR in September.  Just as impressive was Sanchez’s handling of the pitching staff behind the plate.  As the last month wore on, it became clear that he was the primary choice at catcher for the team. 

At the age of 23, Sanchez provides a long, bright future for the Yankees at backstop.  It’s obvious the organization has faith in him as they traded away Brian McCann just this past week... read  BYE BYE, McCANN! for more.

I wondered how Sanchez’s rookie campaign compared with some of his predecessors.  After all, the Yankees do have a very distinguished lineage when it comes to the men with the masks. 

To keep things level, I looked at the first season of eligibility for the ROY award for Thurman Munson, Jorge Posada, Sanchez, and the great Yogi Berra.  Here is what I found:

Of the four players, only Munson (for complete transparency, he’s my all-time favorite player) actually won the Rookie of the Year (1970).  He was the first catcher to do so.  Ironically, of the four, he also played the most – 132 games. Yogi was the only other player in the group to play more than half a season.

The statistics I chose to look at are the primary ones I felt best gave us an overview of performance : RBI, Runs, Home Runs, batting average, slugging percentage, On-base percentage, stolen bases, walks, strikeouts, how they hit with Runners in Scoring Position, their fielding percentage, caught stealing percentage and, for the stat-geeks, Wins Against Replacement.

What I found was that Sanchez certainly rates favorably with the others in many categories.  In particular, his batting average, slugging percentage, Home Runs, On-base percentage, caught-stealing percentage and WAR are among the top two in spite of playing in the fewest games.

(Sept. 17, 2016 - Source: Rich Gagnon/Getty Images North America)

The numbers also show that Sanchez is the free-swinger of the group.  He is highest in strikeouts, and is by far the worst among them at the plate with runners occupying prime real estate (look at Munson’s average there...).

Even with those areas where the Baby Bomber needs work, it is quite clear that he does well in representing the Yankee catching legacy.

Going forward, Gary Sanchez is on the way to establishing himself as the face of the franchise.  Given his maturity behind the plate, and prowess while standing at it, he may one day be known as our captain.

For me, Thurman Munson will always be “the guy” as far as Yankee catchers go.  I grew up watching him lead the team to back-to-back titles.  However, I can’t help but get the feeling I may be witnessing the next truly great Yankee catcher.  So many intangibles that Sanchez brings to the table (maturity, durability, intellect) remind me of Munson.  Now, with the path clear for him to be the Bombers’ regular backstop, he is only going to get better.

Hitch your wagons to Sanchez Yankees fans, he’s going to be something special.

 
    
--Steve Skinner
BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

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