HERE COMES THAT MICHAEL MORSE RUMOR...

Didn't we do this already? Didn't we here at Bleeding Yankee Blue lead the charge to wake up the Yankee world this off season and suggest that Morse may be the most perfect fit ever for the Yankees this off season? That's right, Michael Morse, a right handed bat with pop as well as experience in the outfield and first base? I was positive we were getting Michael Morse and then, what felt like in the dead of night, the Seattle Mariners swooped in and made a deal with the Nationals and that ship sailed. I was pissed then.

(In Photo: Juan Rivera)
Not to recap... but let's.... What did we settle for? Do you remember? It was Juan Rivera. And what happened with that? He was released and we quickly signed Lyle Overbay, a first baseman who bats lefty.  Right... I know, the whole thing is wacky at this point.

Today, Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record has a nugget of a piece titled GM: We're Buyers, writing simply, "Cashman did not specify a type. 'We’re looking for guys who can help us,' he said. Seattle sluggers Kendrys Morales and Mike Morse are possible targets given the Yanks’ need."

That got me thinking, "Here we go again." Sure, I guess we really didn't know we'd need a righty with power, but looking back, we still kind of did and Morse would have been perfect then.  Now we are looking at this guy again... maybe... and if not, well, we better be.

Lookout Landing has a piece HERE explaining how Morse is a trade candidate writing, "... Today's entry into the trade candidates series is Michael Morse, who may represent the biggest question mark of all Mariner assets.... When he's on, he's on. Morse is a streaky player, but one capable of doing sizable damage at the plate when healthy. He has monster power, and barring further injuries, could hit 15+ homers after the break. His last (and only) healthy season in 2011, he posted a .390 wOBA with Washington. He can play multiple positions, though not particularly well. Morse has experience in both corner outfield spots, as well as first base..."

Hey look, Morse has also been hurt and unreliable at times, but I'll tell you what, I wanted "the Beast" in the Bronx in the off-season and he's better than what we have right now in our offense that's lacking. And look, I'm not saying we cut Overbay loose, we love that guy and he'd done great work for us this season (And we'll have a piece tomorrow breaking Overbay down), but I like Morse and I'll roll the dice on him.

If we hear anything more, we'll let you know... but right now... it's that time of year... the trade rumor season!

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Cashman did not specify a type. "We’re looking for guys who can help us," he said.
Seattle sluggers Kendrys Morales and Mike Morse are possible targets given the Yanks’ need.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/216256151_Yankees_notes__GM_Brian_Cashman_says_team_is_buying.html#sthash.M1qifGAd.dpuf

Cashman did not specify a type. "We’re looking for guys who can help us," he said.
Seattle sluggers Kendrys Morales and Mike Morse are possible targets given the Yanks’ need.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/216256151_Yankees_notes__GM_Brian_Cashman_says_team_is_buying.html#sthash.M1qifGAd.dpuf

Cashman did not specify a type. "We’re looking for guys who can help us," he said.
Seattle sluggers Kendrys Morales and Mike Morse are possible targets given the Yanks’ need.
- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/216256151_Yankees_notes__GM_Brian_Cashman_says_team_is_buying.html#sthash.M1qifGAd.dp

RUMORS IN YANKEELAND: PART 2

Who likes rumors? We do. We like finding them and writing about them. If any of them turn out to be true that makes it even better. The Yankees have made a lot of moves this season. Some of them turned out to be pleasant surprises who have been an anchor to the team. Some have had a relatively short stay. So anything can happen. Who else is out there that could be Bronx bound?

There are some interesting name out there, and one that you may not have heard of. Thanks to some recent success from signings on the international scene I think this draft will have more attention. I guess we have Yu Darvish and Yoenis Cespedes to thank for that. It does make baseball exciting though, and that is even more true when you look at how many fans were following the World Baseball Classic this year.

This year, the Yankees were rumored to have some interest in a top ten international prospect named Leonardo Molina, read that HERE. Supposedly, the Yankees were rumored to be the favorite. We have heard that before though so who knows if it was actually true. I say WAS only because Major League baseball changed their mind yesterday and have decided to cancel the draft until after the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires in 2016, read more on all of this HERE. So who knows what will come of Molina, but if he somehow manages to find his way to New York someday, you heard the speculation here from us!

But back to familiar territory now, If I were a betting woman I would take my money to the nearest casino and bet that the Yankees were going to shop for a right handed bat. You could tell during Wednesday night's game against the New York Mets that the Yankees need more right handed bats because right now lefties are just stacked against them in a never ending line. Once Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis come back that will help, but it may not be enough. So who is available?

Mike Morse: He started off the season swinging a hot bat. Since then he has cooled down a little, and some think that unless the Mariners can turn their season around he may be on the chopping block regardless of him signing with the Mariners in the off season, read more HERE. The Yankees were interested during the off season, but when he wasn't interested in a one year deal, like many other free agents, it never amounted to anything. If the Mariners do fall out he would make a nice addition to the roster. His bat may not be as hot right now but don't let the .254BA fool you. He does have 11HR, 21RBI and he knows how to get on base. Plus add his bat in the lineup and I am sure those home runs will go up. He is also very versatile. He could fill in at first, shortstop and the outfield so it will help give some guys some much needed rest right now. I like the possibility.

Josh Willingham: He is one possibility on a very suspect Minnesota Twins team. The Twins looked like they were keeping pace pretty well in their division for awhile, but have really slipped lately. If they continue to underachieve they could be sellers by the trade deadline, read that HERE. There are a few possibilities on this team including Corey Hart but he has not played yet this year and is still rehabbing from an injury so I feel more confident in Willingham. His .212BA isn't pretty but he does have 9HR and 24RBI on the season. More importantly, if the recovery doesn't go as expected for Curtis Granderson then we have someone else who can play left field.

I do believe that the Yankees are going to focus on a right handed bat, and if one of these guys becomes available then hopefully the Yankees will make the move. As good as we have been, we could be even better with another right handed bat. Stay tuned, and if anything happens you know we will fill you in here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ



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THE YANKEES ARE STILL THRIFT SHOPPING

“I’m gonna pop some tags, only got $20 dollars in my pocket. I'm, I’m hunting, looking for a come up. This is f**king awesome.” 

–Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Listening to that great tune Thrift Shop, I pictured this music video above featuring Brian Cashman walking through Thrift Shops and picking out all the players that cost absolutely nothing. He’s collecting a group a characters that he is hoping will compete hard against each other this spring. Then, in his eyes, we will get the best makeup for the 2013 New York Yankees…made up of really bad outfits and spare parts, in other words, guys "we think” can do the job and “just need an an opportunity.”

(In Photo: Jack Cust, 2012)
We’ve heard this song before…remember Russell Branyan and Jack Cust? Anyway,  for me personally, I’m not sure why Cashman would be aiming to have any of these guys “compete”.   I mean, I’m still holding a grudge ever since Francisco Cervelli  had a “competition” of a lifetime but was still bagged and sent off to Triple A on the last day of the Spring in 2012.

Yep, the Yankees are Thrift Shopping this winter and Lord knows I want it to end.  But, as I said on Benchwarmers podcast the other day, listen HERE, These are the "new" New York Yankees and those days of big spending are obviously over… for now at least.  Sure, I wake up every morning listening to 1010 Wins wondering if I’m going to hear about a blockbuster deal that brings my obsession, Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees, but it ain’t happening, no matter how hard I think about it. Those days are over. 

Yep, I still remember when Mark Teixeira and Johnny Damon were signed in the dead of night.  These days, it’s Freddy Teixeira, and Tom Damon…a different Yankee world to say the least.

Yep, the Yankees are Thrift Shopping. We’re getting guys like Matt Diaz, Juan Rivera and Thomas Neal.  We are now looking for players who are cheap but have the ability to be big in the Bronx, maybe.  I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, sure, it could happen, but you need a very special player to do it. 

Never forget Scott Brosius, a guy no one had faith in, yet, he quieted the doubters, me included.  It could happen again, sure, but Yankee fans don’t have the patience for that, especially if we you grew up in the Steinbrenner era like me.

Brian Cashman knows what his limits are these days, which is why we’re Thrift Shopping.  He knows his limits not because of his own budget and constraint, but by what Yankee brass dictates. He’s no longer calling the shots, at least, that’s my opinion from the outside looking in.  Cashman’s hands are tied, so he’s Thrift Shopping in the hopes that maybe something real good happens.  Can you blame him? I wouldn’t.  I would suggest however that there were very reasonable deals out there that could have been made.

There were trades that would not have cost us a fortune in prospects. But no, the Yankees stayed pat and did nothing.  No Michael Morse, No Justin Upton… no nothing.

The Yankee kids could prove to be big this season, like David Adams for instance at third base.  We could use him with Kevin Youkilis, just to spice things up, but it only depends on whether or not the Yankees actually give them a shot.  I’m tired of hearing how great these kids are, yet, we never see them on a major league level, and if we do, it’s in another uniform because of a knee jerk trade reaction.  Everyone wanted Jesus Montero to shine in the Bronx, but we now have Michael Pineda.  

(In Photo: Jay Buhner)
It reminds me a lot of Ken Phelps  for Jay Buhner… sometimes the Yankees are just on the wrong end of the trade. Sure, the jury is still out on that Montero-Pineda trade and Pineda could end up being awesome, but fans wonder a lot, especially Yankee fans. I am right now.

Yep, the Yankees are Thrift Shopping.  Why else would be pass on Raul Ibanez for Travis Hafner? Well it started out as money.  The Yankees probably thougt they could get Hafner cheaper than Ibanez. Actually, that move was proved silly, especially when it comes to the dollars.  Ibanez would have commanded the same contract as Hafner. I believe that.  And sure, Hafner is young, but considering what Ibanez did and Hafner’s injury record, it’s a wash.  Yanks know they should have signed Ibanez on loyalty alone, but that doesn’t exist anymore.

Bottom line, the Yankees are Thrift Shopping and we need to get used to it.  Yeah, just close your eyes and picture Brian Cashman, walking around in a 1970’s shirt, a pair of Elvis Glasses and looking through the Free Agent racks, finding the guy with the lowest price, but best potential.  Sure, sometimes it works, but no always.

Hopefully our collection of characters surprise us all this season… but if not, you have BYB as a reference… we’d be the ones that told them straight, "We told you so."

That's my take anyway.

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MY YANKEES: AIMING TO WIN IN 2014

It’s about the kids and saving money. That's what the Yankees are now. They have made their statement. They have ignored requests from fans for player after player because this isn't about the fan, is it? No. This is about the Yankees.  It's always been about the Yankees. Stupid me for thinking otherwise.  We are the zombies who follow our team through fire and chaos no matter what. So us bitching now about all the reasons why we need top pitching, or a top catcher or a right handed outfielder (Cashman's words not mine) are just ignored. Why? Because we're zombies, and we'll be back Opening day no matter what guys the New York Yankees put on the field. And guess what, Yankee brass knows this.

Hey, this is actually a positive post.  I'm not kidding.  Yup, through the sarcasm there's an underlying message. The Yankees aren't looking to win in 2013. We're looking to win in 2014 and beyond. That's the goal. We’re now the future. But they'll never tell us that because that would show weakness.  And so, statements like "we ain't done yet" will come out over and over until we are blinded by the love of our Yankees in spring training. We'll forget, we always do. And this will then give the Yankee ownership more time and they’ll move a bit closer in time to 2014. WE'RE ZOMBIES!

Now, if our club DOES win it all with the talent we have in 2013, that’s great. It is possible after all. But just so you know,  It's my gut feeling that the goal right now is to develop young talent and save a couple bucks. And, if you got Brian Cashman into a corner at a party and fed him a scotch or two, I would bet he'd whisper that to you as well.

(In Photo: Dante Bichette Jr.)
Now, everybody knows I am the first person to tell you that I see great things in guys like Ty Hensley and Cito Culver and Dante Bitchette Jr and Tyler Austin and Mark Montgomery too.  In many regards, we need to be thankful these guys aren't trading chips.  But some also want the “pro ready” guy NOW, like a Giancarlo Stanton, or a Justin Upton, or Jason Kubel or ANYONE who can handle being a New York Yankee and represent. Why? Because we're used to it, that's why.

Look, There were multiple opportunities to pick up a big guy in a trade, but we never engaged anyone.  Even Scott Hairston got away, not that I expected him to come to the Yankees, but geez Yanks, at least lie to me.  Show me you are at least thinking about the fans.  I'd much rather hear Cashman say they made a great offer and "he didn't bite" rather than, "we didn't make ANY offer."  That is the Yankee ownership not doing their job. That's pathetic

(In Photo: Slade Heathcott)

I love Yankees youth.  Mix it in with veteran ballplayers and that produces a winning ball club.  Veterans become teachers. Youth provide energy and with that, there is talent, chemistry and wins. But if the Yankees keep touting our “great young” talent and we never see them, how frustrating is that?  At the same time, we’ve done nothing in the off season.  How frustrating is that?  Dare I say, if there was one athlete that fit the exact description of why Brian Cashman let Raul Ibanez walk,  it was Michael Morse.

Or hey,  look at Justin Upton. I would rather the Yankees step forward and say to all us Yankee fans “We have failed you” rather than (HERE) “I’m surprised to hear that there’s anger, if you see what we’ve done this off season...we’ve signed three or four of the top free agents on the market. We’re going to continue to field a championship-caliber team. I’m a little surprised to hear that.” Sorry Hal, you’re not your dad… and you’re not fooling anyone. Or, maybe he is… we’re zombies remember? We’ll forget as soon as pitchers and catchers begins because we’ll be in awe… our boys will be back!

Let me be clear.  I love my New York Yankees.  I also have amazing faith in a “hands tied” Brian Cashman, but for the love of God, there needs to be a very, very important reason why Yankee fans are being blantantly ignored and I rack my brain trying to figure it out all the time.  “We ain’t done yet” is repeated, over and over and then I crack open the New York Post and Justin Upton is traded… without so much as a flinch from Yankee brass.  Why?  What’s the reason the Yankees didn’t get Michael Morse?  Sure, there was no announcement from the Yanks that that was in the cards, but Jack Curry is great for 1 reason, he finds the nuggets and when he brought us THIS nugget below, we all knew why the Yankees were being patient, Michael Morse was about to be ours…  Then… in a flash…nothing.

So we settle and subliminally we’ll settle for 2014. Hey, that’s the goal I guess.  We wait for kids like Manny Banuelos and Jose Campos to lead the charge on the mound.  We cross our fingers Derek Jeter stays around and Mariano perhaps hangs on 1 more year.  We wait and hear about how “ready” Slade Heathcott is and how Brett Gardner will be in the best shape of his life and we do what we did in 2008 when we billed Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy as the future rotation on the Yankees, only to have it blow up in our face. 

OR… we do the right thing, the thing I've been screaming about for months. We gather a few stable veterans in trades now… sprinkle them in with Derek Jeter and David Robertson and Ichiro Suzuki and bring up some of the kids and we win in 2013.  Hey… that’s my goal.  It’s always been my goal.  We win today and you know what? We win in 2014 too!  Building to win in 2014 or 2015 is something other teams do… not the Yankees. We've always won now, but we’re doing something different now ladies and gentlemen, whether you want to believe it or not.  I can’t explain it, I can’t understand it and I can’t stand it… but we are.

That’s my take anyway.

TALKING OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF THEIR MOUTH!

The planets were aligned the way Yankee fans thought they’d be.  I mean, the reality was, we were supposed to be on the other end of that Michael Morse trade. Instead, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics worked with the Washington Nationals and came up with the right combination of players and now Michael Morse is just a dream, read HERE.

Michael Morse is no superstar ballplayer.  Morse is a right handed batter with power.  The perfect player for what Brian Cashman was looking for when he told  the world that he wasn’t interested in a left handed DH (like Raul Ibanez), but instead, a righty outfielder with power, read HERE.  

Now Michael Morse and Raul Ibanez are teammates (think about that) and we are standing at the bus stop with mud on our coat. What the hell just happened? I’d like to say that I was hit in the gut, but the reality is I should have saw this coming.  It’s times like this that Yankee fans actually DO know what we’re talking about. Michael Morse needed to be in pinstripes.  We were willing to look at all the data and hinting by Yankee brass and conclude logically… “OK, so the idea of a big time free agent isn’t in the budget. Morse is a trade. We don’t have to give away the farm, we just need to give away enough to get him.” We settled on it! We learned to like it.  We read the tweet (HERE) by Jack Curry of YES that stated that the Yankees and Nationals would talk about a trade. 

Tell me the Yankees floated that just to keep us quiet… tell me that...  and I’ll punch a wall.

I will hold my Yankee owners accountable if they went to the media and swore “they weren’t done yet” and yet, they ARE done.  It would not only piss me off, it would help me organize my summer, something I've been saying I'd do for the past month now... not go to games.  The fans deserve what we want and if brass don’t get the players to better our team… I just won’t go to games anymore.  Why pay the money if we’re not going to see guys we want?  This is not a boycott, please don’t misunderstand me.  This is a stand against an aggravated off season.  

They’d be on Double Secret probation in my own mind, then, when I felt like going again, I’d lift it.  I’m a Yankee fan after all, I wouldn’t be able to say away too long.

I know Brian Cashman never disappoints and I’m his biggest fan.  But I’m also not going to sit here and write about how he’s about to do something great for us Yankee fans and we’re going to love it.  Because, let’s face it, I just don’t think he can. It’s not that he doesn’t want to, but let’s be honest, Cashman has been reduced to a puppet and it all started when Rafael Soriano was signed against his wishes. 

Cashman no longer makes decisions.  Cashman needs to “check in.”  That’s my opinion of course, and to be honest, if that’s the case, it’s a shame.

The Yankees have a great ball club, but the sluggish off season is getting on my nerves and  I know it’s getting on yours as well.  Players have come and gone this winter.  Some of those big time free agents were just not in the cards and I understood  that, especially if you have the $189 million salary cap staring you in the face, but there are great players that the Yankees can trade for and nothing has been done.  And not to beat a dead horse, but if Giancarlo Stanton, Justin Upton and Michael Morse are standing in a lineup, and you know what you know about money, and how the Yanks are less likely to give up farmhands, etc… who are you choosing? Morse would have been perfect and now most likely Yankee brass WON’T go after the others because the cost is too large.

Let’s face it, the Yankees blew it.  They should hold a press conference just to tell us that, because at least then I can respect their decision even though I wouldn't agree with it.  But if they keep telling me “we’re not done yet” and nothing get’s done… I’d be happy to not travel to the Bronx this summer…. Not as a boycott, but as a stand. 

That’s right… do something that makes sense Yanks, or you’re on Double Secret probation… by me!



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IS BRIAN CASHMAN THE BIGGEST LOSER?

NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” helps Americans lose weight and gain confidence.  So, everyone on the popular reality show strives to be “The Biggest Loser.”  Yet in baseball, it is a different kind of reality.  Here, it is about gaining weight to your line up, and unfortunately for us Yankee fans, Cashman is coming up too short.  Unfortunately, he is “The Biggest Loser” of the winter and not in a positive sense and frankly, it’s going to show this spring.

According to the article written by Peter Botte published in the New York Daily News (HERE) this week, “Hal Steinbrenner acknowledged Thursday that the Yankees’ off season work is not yet complete, but he doesn’t believe criticism over the team’s perceived lack of inactivity this winter has been warranted.”  

Hal can balk all he wants, but I ain’t seen nothin’ yet, Pal!  He’s not running from the press though like Jeffrey Loria and David Samson like BYB wrote in our post LITTLE WOMEN here.  Hal is out there and Brian is out there, but they just are not performing the big deals. 

I realize the luxury tax is not something to take likely.  According to the article posted this fall on NESN.com, HERE, “In the luxury tax era, baseball is entering a new age of parity, and Cashman has been slow to adapt to the economic realities that even a deep-pocketed team like the Yankees now face.”  And as a result, the Yankees have had to be thrifty.  And yes, we have been losing with this new, cheaper mindset after making too many financial mistakes on overpriced long-term deals. 

Now, it is true, that Cashman is looking for a right-handed outfielder.  It would be a great feat if we could get a young, bright star to replace the arrogant smiling Nick Swisher.  Michael Morse could have been a viable candidate, but we couldn't close the deal. Disappointing.  Read  ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. MICHAEL MORSE TO SEATTLE for BYB's take.

Our rapid rise to jumping too fast has now hurt us as we move into the future.  We ate too many sweets and now we need to go on a diet.  Terribly, this diet has very little flexibility and Cashman knows it.

According to sources within the Yankee organization, as stated in the CBS Sports article Scott Boras: Yankees won’t let Brian Cashman spend money, “the reason Cashman didn't make offers was because there were no players he wanted to make offers to in this market. Another official told the newspaper confirmed that Cashman was under tighter control over spending than in the past.”

However the facts are clear, too many big contracts over the years have rendered the Yankees organization relatively ineffective as far as ramping up its 2013 team.  And now it’s time for us to be lean.  It’s time for us to be more selective.  But in order to remain competitive in today’s game, we have to spend so we don’t get voted off the biggest reality show airing this fall- The World Series.  Let’s go Brian, do your best with what you have but do us a favor, get us some more players so we can be in it at the end.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. MICHAEL MORSE TO SEATTLE

There is no doubt about it.  There comes a time and place where Yankee fans are definitely onto something when we suggest certain players or certain moves Yankee brass needs to make to better our club.  We do it because we believe in our team and while we may not know the "ins" and "outs" of player contracts, injury reports and the like, we do know what we need.  Tonight, it's been revealed that a guy the Yankees should have traded for has slipped away.  It's not only a shock, it's a disappointment and freaking embarrassing and I ask... what in God's name are the New York Yankees doing? Hey... anyone want BYB as the Yankee GM?

I kid of course, but there is absolutely no reason and no excuse for Michael Morse to slip through the Yankees fingers.  Brian Cashman is either sleeping right now and has no idea this trade just happened and will read it tomorrow on BYB or he's about to get bitch slapped by Yankeeland, or, both.  No excuse, this was a smart player to pick up and we didn't do the job...again!

Morse was involved in a 3 team deal, he went to Seattle.  AJ Cole went to the Nationals from the Oakland Athletics and Mariners catcher John Jaso went to the A's. Read HERE.  

Now, I ask you... was a 3 team trade really needed to net Michael Morse? No.  There was definitely a combination of players the Yankees could have sent to Washington to snag Morse.  He would have been a good addition for the Yankees.  A right handed bat with power, something Cashman said we needed, remember?  Morse is a part time outfielder, a first baseman and he could even fill in as a part time Designated Hitter. He was right there in our grasp... plain and simple, but NO.  The Yankees either have something up their sleeve or all their talk about "not being done yet" is just a bunch of crap. Don't blow smoke Hal, do something.

I said it earlier today in WE NEED TO HOLD YANKEE BRASS TO THEIR WORD, and we do. Now Morse is gone. Now we need to get that right handed bat... Guess what? Giancarlo Stanton and Justin Upton appear to be the only other 2 options left and I don't have much faith.

So... what's it gonna be Cash? What's it gonna be?

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WE NEED TO HOLD YANKEE BRASS TO THEIR WORD

The title of this piece is true... very true.  We’re the Yankees. We always find a way to win and we have always manned the field with the best guys.  That's how we operate. So, it's not unusual that I’ve decided that I'm going to hold Yankee brass to their own words.  In other words, if they say they still want to better this club, or that there is still work to be done, I want it done. As a fan, that's not too much to ask.

Hal Steinbrenner (read HERE) can’t walk out and tell the world that "...We're going to continue to field a championship-caliber team....We're not done yet..."  and just NOT doing anything, can he?  Sure, I guess he could, he can do anything he wants, but in the real world, that brings anger among Yankee fans.  My take is simple... don’t piss off the Yankee base or we’ll have bigger problems as the owner of the Yankees.  Hell, look at the Miami Marlins fans, right? They can’t even get answers from their Marlins ownership down there, and they helped build the damn ballpark with tax payer money!  Say what you mean and mean what you say.  It’s that simple. 

If Brian Cashman is hinting that there is a "right handed bat" that the Yankee still want to sign and that's the TRUE reason Raul Ibanez, the postseason superstar skipped town for Seattle, then Brian Cashman damn sure better get us that "right handed bat."

Now, many have hated the way the Yankees have been run since George Steinbrenner passed away.  I say this very simply… we used to hate when George ran the club, have we forgotten already?  Being an owner is the worst job you can ever have.  You need to field the best team every year AND you need to deal with angry fans who don’t like what you do no matter what.  It’s the nature of the beast, but as an owner, you still need to do your job.  You can’t say that you want to add guys… and just NOT add them.  So who’s it going to be?   Bleeding Yankee Blue has given 3 big options. All are great, but 1 is most realistic because of what the Yankees would need to give up to get him… that’s Michael Morse.   

Sure, we’ve floated Giancarlo Stanton here… we’ve reported on Justin Upton, but Michael Morse makes sense.  Would I rather have Giancarlo Stanton? Yes, you heard it here first, but I want a player that wants to play hard for your team and Michael Morse has that passion too!  I’ve already created his nickname… the Bronx Beast.  I’ve heard the trade proposals by fans… “Trade Ivan Nova for Michael Morse” or “Trade Boone Logan for Michael Morse.”  Well, look… I think we may need to get alittle more creative than that, but fans want this guy, that’s for sure.

Giancarlo Stanton can sometimes be downright impossible to figure out.  Why? Because 1^st off, Marlins Brass has refused to talk to the media since the Blockbuster trade that nearly sent the entire Marlins club to Toronto, AND the last time we heard from them, they were “listening” to offers for Stanton, yet, Stanton was “untouchable.”  Which is it?  I believe this, and am confident in saying it... He’s going to be traded. Somewhere, somehow, trust me.  Be it now or July, Stanton will be in another uniform.   The Marlins thought they caught lightening in a bottle when they signed all these big names in the winter of 2012 and with the new ballpark, everyone in Miami was feeling good.  But to be honest… I’ve never seen such quitters in all my life.  1 season and they packed it in.  I don’t understand that mentality… maybe because I’m a Yankee fan.

Look, do I think the Yankees will get a right handed bat with power? When you ask? I have no idea, but let’s not forget, Alex Rodriguez was traded to the Yankees in February of 2004, so, any time is possible. 

I do know this and I’ll say it again… I’m holding Yankee brass to their comments… “We’re not done yet” and “Yankees priority is to sign a right handed OF.”  OK… well, there are options… find the right combination, make the right pitch and get that righty Cash… after all, it’s your job, not mine.

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THE YANKEES & TAKING A DEEP BREATH

When January hits, it's quiet in the Bronx. There are a few things that run through my mind though.  I am relieved that Christmas is over, yet terrified that we may very well suffocate in a house of toys.  I also think about baseball and Spring Training...a lot.  This year and this month, January, I’ve managed to sit back and relax and not be so anxious and annoyed if the Yankees aren’t doing anything. I've changed my tune. I mean, sure, when you read me, I tend to be on edge. But the reality is, over the past several days, my tone is changing.  Why you ask? Because Yankee brass is saying the right things lately.

Start with Brian Cashman who, I believe is doing a good job with what he is given.  The funds are not there, that is clear, and sure, Cash is probably playing the game to the media because he always does, like for instance that he is being patient (HERE) and I quote:  "I think patience is a virtue, and it's something we've learned can be used effectively... It's a harder road to walk, but sometimes it's not the worst road to walk. Sometimes you've got to wait for the right time and the right place to strike."

OK, now, anyone looking at that will accuse Cashman as trying to trick us and failing miserably at it.  I’m sure there is someone out there screaming saying “Give me a break Cashman! You’re only saying you’re being patient because you missed the boat on many decent free agents!”  Sure, say that, you have the right.  I don’t see it that way though.  You know what I see? A guy, a team ready to pounce… not of the big names, but the right names.

Look at Hal Steinbrenner, finally coming forward yesterday saying “We’ve signed three or four of the biggest free agents on the market, and we’re pretty happy with that... It’s great to have Andy back and Kuroda and Ichiro. Youkilis, I’m excited about. I’ve always liked him as a player. We’ve got some work to do, still. We need another bat. We’re not done yet.” Read HERE.

Sure, look at that and you'll say "Hal, you are talking up the other guys because you didn't get new guys!" Sure, but the reality is, we DID get some big free agents, they just happened to be Yankees already.  Nothing wrong with alittle Andy Pettitte on the roster, you know what I mean?

But think about it, Cashman drops hints, Hal made a statement of how they're "Not done yet"... it all falls into their plan.  You see, I've been watching Cashman for a long time. There are 2 things he does, drops a subtle hint if he's getting crucified by the fans, or says nothing and just makes the move.  Cashman usually does this stuff right around the time things are about to go our way.  Using buzz words like "patience" and "pounce" or "not the worst" and that only means to me that he’s talking to teams and trying to make the right deal. Notice I said the RIGHT deal.  These are the new Yankees, they just don't pour out money anymore.  Now, it’s clear that big time free agents are not in the cards for the Yankees this off season.  Trades are though. 

Cashman said "Sometimes you've got to wait for the right time and the right place to strike." True.  Like Black Friday when the world is going to Target to get the $15 TV… many get them, but you wait a few days and the same deal shows up at Best Buy. Sure, it may be $20 bucks, but you missed all the crowds and aggravation.   There are guys out there, but the right combination is needed to make the right deal.

Now I have been preaching for weeks that Giancarlo Stanton is the right guy for the New York Yankees.  A 23 year old stud with right handed power and a future.  He is also ticked off at the Marlins right now.  Dan Jennings would be a fool to try and keep a disgruntled employee like Stanton in Miami.  But truth be told, the biggest minor leaguers we have would need to go to Miami to make that deal happen. Then, you’d probably need to throw in Curtis Granderson too, for good measure.  Many believe that you get this deal done with that, I sure do, but it’s clear the Yankees don’t.  The deal the Yankees want is not giving away the farm.  

Justin Upton is available.  But at what price?  Again, a perfect example of talent and a right handed bat with power. Upton would be great in the Bronx, but it doesn’t seem like the Yankees are interested in Upton at all.  Why? Again, the high price tag.  We’d need to give some pretty good guys away to get him and I’m not just sure the Yankees want to do that.  Sure, you can say that they want to have their cake and eat it too, but they can't.  Sure, the Yankees are a company first, you have to go in wanting it all to be successful, but you have to realize that the right deal needs to be made too. That's what the Yankees appear to be doing.

The closest thing to perfect right now is a Michael Morse trade for the Yankees.  This is a guy that is only 30, a beast in Washington but he’s inexpensive.  Sure, maybe the Nationals will ask for a pitcher, maybe they ask for a minor league or a season ready player, but that’s it. Then in return, we get a guy like Michael Morse who is electric as a teammate from what I’ve been reading.  He’s passionate about the game and again, exactly what Cashman wants… a right handed bat with power.  Maybe this was what Cashman was talking about when he suggested waiting "... for the right time and the right place to strike."

When I was just out of High School, I remember watching “Colors” on HBO, a movie starring Robert Duvall and Sean Penn.  There’s a great lesson in it, probably too vulgar for BYB, but for the sake of dramatics, I’ll write it. Careful with the video below... 

There’s a moment when aggressive rookie cop Penn wants to rough up some thugs. Duvall asks, "Did you hear the one about the two bulls?...  These 2 bulls are sitting on a grass knoll... the baby bull says ‘Hey pop, let’s run down and f--k one of those cows.’ The papa bull says, ‘no son, let’s walk down… and f--k them all.'"



Brian Cashman’s about to f--k them all. His patience is about to pay off. And when he does, we will all understand why he waited when he did.   When he does, it will all make sense.

In this new year, I’ve realized that I need to be alittle bit more patient, on BYB, when it comes to my Yankees, even at home.   Hopefully I’m right about this… Damn, we’ll see how long this lasts…






Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.