ERIC CHAVEZ IS A FUTURE MANAGER FAVORITE

Photo: Getty Images

I love little stories like this, and I love it when it comes to former Yankees being written about.  Eric Chavez could end up becoming a major league manager... for the Angels.

We all know Mike Scioscia is leaving after this season, and good for the Angels.  But now comes talk that Chavez is in the mix to lead their team. Not only that, he's a frontrunner.

Bob Nightengale tweeted and then was replied to by an amazing piece of video:

pic.twitter.com/Ms8b1cImus

— Chris (@Sports_FanChris) September 25, 2018

I hope Chavez takes the reigns for the Angels. It would be cool to see.

Anyway... that is all... carry on.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

"I hate losing more than I love winning" - Billy Beane in Moneyball

Photo: Getty Images

And I really do. I hate the word "hate" but it's so true. I'm too competitive for my own good. In a lot of ways I think I identify with Billy Beane in Moneyball. We came so close. We were almost there, but sadly 'almost' only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades so as good as this ear was I am ready for 2018 to finish what we started. To come this close and not win it all hurts but the future is bright. As bright as it may be, there are still a lot of unknowns.

1) Are Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman coming back to the Yankees in 2018?

I think Cashman is a more obvious "YES" here. The Steinbrenner's trust him and believe in his judgment. If they didn't, we wouldn't have sold off our big assets at the end of last season. Not only that, what other GM is out there that can do what Cashman has done for this team? He has been the mastermind behind the "rebuild" phase that has paid off for us so far. I can't think of another GM that can so what Cashman has done and be as successful.

But what about Joe Girardi? Some fans really like him and some may think it is time for the Yankees to find someone new. No matter how the fans feel, the Yankees may go a different direction but not be their choice. Girardi is the third longest tenured manager since October of 2007 behind Mike Scioscia (1999, Los Angeles Angels) and Bruce Bochy (2006, San Francisco Giants). Who knows exactly what his plans are going forward but Girardi as much as he loves baseball, he is a family man. That comes first, read HERE and he may decide he is ready to be a family man. It's too soon to tell at this point but it is hard to imagine the Yankees without Girardi.

2) Should the Yankees bring CC Sabathia back?

Photo: New York Post

It seems like CC has been on the team forever now. Some fans may be ready to move on but he has been invaluable both on and off the field. He has been a consistent innings eater for the past two seasons and he has shown us he still has that competitive drive. I still think he has enough left in the tank. As the Yankees continue their rebuilding they are going to need a good veteran leader in the clubhouse and he can still be a good arm for the back of the rotation. CC says he still has unfinished business with this team. When I think about the current state of the rotation for 2018 he could still be a big asset and help guys like Jordan Montgomery, Luis Severino and Sonny Gray out. If Chance Adams makes his way on the team he could be that veteran leader for another new group of young kids. CC says this is his home, and he wants to finish what he started. I am on board with giving him a one year deal, maybe an option for a second. We know he wants to stay here.

3) Will Masahiro Tanaka opt out of his deal?

Photo: MLB.com

Unlike CC, we don't know if Tanaka wants to stay he and be part of this team's future. He's been inconsistent this season but he really showed everyone that he is a postseason pitcher with a 2-1 record and a 0.90 ERA that can be trusted. Some people say his regular season stats like his wins and ERA would be a turn off for some teams. However, the free agent pitching class this season isn't very deep. Aside from Johnny Cueto, Jake Arrieta, and Yu Darvish there aren't many other attractive names out there. Who knows if another team wants to offer more money than we are paying him now or if he wants to stay with the Yankees who have a legitimate chance at winning a ring for years to come. If he wants to win he should stay but his answer was a little cold toward the media on Saturday. He sounded a little eager to find out if there were other options out there.

There is a lot to figure out now. As we move past the burn of just falling short it's time to start thinking about improving this team and making it stronger for seasons to come. Will any of these guys be a part of it going forward? I sure hope so.




--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

CJ WILSON MIGHT BE AVAILABLE... YOU IN?

Quick note... and I'm not reading much into it, but it's important just the same and something to think about. I say "think" loosely.

Look, I have been a strong supporter of 2 lefties in the Yankees Starting rotation. That's why this "rumor" is interesting.  CJ Wilson is being shopped by the Angels... allegedly.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:

"Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson is available in trade, rival GMs say, causing some to wonder whether they might be trying to set things up for a big run at a bigger pitcher, either via free agency (Max Scherzer, James Shields) or trade."

Now let's be fair.  Heyman's the king of "people familiar with the situation".  Now, suddenly, it's not the Angels saying they're shopping Wilson at all.  It's "rival GMs." Really?

Heyman goes on: "Wilson seemed to lose favor from some quarters of the organization when he capped a poor second half by allowing three first-inning runs in the decisive Game 3 ALDS loss to he Royals, and it wasn't a good sign of faith when legendary Angels manager Mike Scioscia removed him after only 2/3 of an inning in the biggest game of the year."

I remember that.  Look, here's the thing; On the surface, I'm in... just because I appreciate what Wilson offers every time he's out there, and that he's a lefty. But based on this article by Heyman,  I'm not so sure CJ Wilson is actually available.  Why give away a decent starter... AND a lefty, for a new free agent?  Once again, I'm suspicious of "baseball insiders". Write that down.

Look, the big fish starter free agents out there are Jon Lester and Max Scherzer and there have been whiffs of the Yankees sniffing around their hydrants.  CJ would be a trade.  The others would be a free agent signing, dumping big money and a lot of years into a guy.

Anyway... now I'm rambling. I just found it interesting.  Just another name to think about.  Whether there's legs to the Wilson stuff or not, we'll soon find out I guess.




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POSADA: THE FOREVER YANKEE

Forever Yankees- there are many of them out there, but not as many in recent years.  Similar to trends in business, less and less employees start and end at the same company these days.  “The average worker today stays at each of his or her jobs for 4.4 years, according to the most recent available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the expected tenure of the workforce’s youngest employees is about half that,” according to an article published in Forbes (HERE) at the end of last year.  The article continues to say that Millennials (those born between 1977-1997) will stay in a job even less.  So, newbies like Bryce Harper, and frankly most of the Washington Nationals will move on at the end of their contract, barring any big salary moves, which after the PEDs problem, salary caps and Billy Beane’s Economics 101, does not seem likely. 

Enter Jorge Posada: a Yankee tradition, a pinstripe favorite, and nice guy with an amazing career.  “Posada, a five-time All-Star, has a career average of .273, a career OPS of .848 and 275 home runs. He also played in 125 postseason games and was a key contributor to four championship teams,” according to the 2011 article in New York Daily News “Former Yankees manager Joe Torre says Jorge Posada is Hall of Fame worthy.”  His 17-year tenure was an incredible experience, which he can pass along to young players as the next manager of the New York Yankees, our future club. 

While Derek Jeter pokes fun at his “old buddy Jorge Posada about having to dress with the old men in the coaches' locker room, or to point out to reporters that this was not Posada's first appearance as a guest instructor.  ‘You forgot he was at the women's fantasy camp,’ Jeter said,” in an article on ESPN New York (HERE) site at the start of the season, no one could deny that Jorge has the makings of a great leader.  

At my son’s exit interview at the end of his JV season, his coach stated that he “needs to understand the game from a managing standpoint; the catcher is the field manager.” Posada learned that skill early on in his career and he developed into one of the best field managers and leaders in today’s game.  And not to mention, he was a mentee to Yogi Berra.  “Maybe the most important thing he helped me with was with his view of the game, knowing how hard it is but that you really needed to keep a positive attitude every day — that was big for me,” said Posada of Berra in 2011.  This year, Posada stepped in for the 87-year-old Berra who is not as spry as he used to be.  And he entered with bang- ready to fill the shoes of one of the greatest of the game who for so many years shared his wisdom with up and coming players, like Posada.  As guest instructor, Posada continued his coaching legacy for his leadership ability and his knowledge of the game is an amazing advantage for our future stars.

So, his 17-year career at one organization, one company has grown to 19-years as Jorge Posada takes on a familiar role prepping him for his chance at the helm; a natural place for a catcher just like Joe Torre, Jim Leyland, Joe Maddon, Mike Scioscia, Bruce Bochy, Clint Hurdle and of course Joe Girardi.  “"It stands to reason," says Tim McCarver, the catcher's catcher. "A general manager would have to be blind not to notice the success catchers have had."  And Brian Cashman is once again using his head when he graciously opened Legends Field to Jorge Posada.  He will be a quick study, because he has the disposition to lead and the experience in the game; both come to someone who has his eyes on the entire field his whole career.  Our Forever Yankee, Jorge Posada, from All-Star catcher to guest instructor to hall of famer to Yankee manager- I like that road, I like that road very much!  And we as fans like and respect Jorge Posada.  We always have.  So, what do you say, YES Network, the Jorge Posada Show in your future?  I think so!

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




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WHY THE ANGELS HONORED JETER RIGHT

I wrote a piece titled WHY IT'S BIZARRO WORLD last month because word on the street was Jeter was to be honored by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this weekend. Well, it happened. The Captain received a painting, commemorating Jeter's 3000th hit accomplishment. Not only does it speaks volumes, it's just damn nice. The Angels have their own heroes in baseball... Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson, Nolan Ryan. But they took a moment to honor someone else, a New York Yankee, for a huge accomplishment and baseball. So, as much as I don't want to tip my hat to Mike Scioscia, Torii Hunter and the rally monkey, I must do so. Bravo Gentlemen... Bravo. The Angels organization did it right. Good Job. Now... enough nice stuff, can we now go out there and beat these S.O.B.s today? Please?

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BANUELOS: FERNANDO VALENZUELA PART 2?

When I was a kid, I remember a Mexican pitcher coming out of Los Angeles that pitched for the Dodgers. He had the craziest delivery where he’d look at the sky before he chucked the ball into home plate. Usually, he’d always come out on the winning end of the duel between pitcher and hitter. Fernando Valenzuela was the pitcher that everyone latched onto from the moment he pitched in his rookie season and through the 1980’s. He was chubby, had this odd delivery, a lefty and lights out.

I still remember his rookie card. It was the 1981 Topps card that I remember best partly because Valenzuela just had this look on his face like he wasn't ready for his picture to be taken and partly because Mike Scioscia was also on the card.

Anyway, not to get off track, but recently, one of my buddy’s tweeted me about Manny Banuelos…. "Fernando Valenzuela Part II" he wrote. It got me thinking, “Maybe Carlos is right.” I mean, not since Fernando was I this excited about a Mexican pitcher like I am about Manny Banuelos. So much so that I would have given away Dellin Betances, Andrew Brackman, and Jesus Montero but still would have held onto Manny at the trade deadline.

Now look, Manny hasn’t exactly been lights out this year, but he is a lefty and he has some really good stuff as a young arm in the minor leagues. In 2 games right now with Scranton Wilkes Barres, he has a 2.45 ERA, 0-1 with 16.2 innings pitched. He's given up 20 hits, 6 earned runs, struck out 16 and walked 7. It's still early for this kid, and again, those number don't seem great, but I have faith. I see him making an appearance in the big show before the end of the season, but coming out of the pen...and it's exciting.

Then I got curious, what were Fernando Valenzuela's minor league numbers. Well, for San Antonio AA ball, he had a season of 13-9, with a 3.10 ERA, 27 games, 174 innings pitched. He gave up 60 earned runs on 156 hits, but he also struck out 162.

Compare that to Manny's AA numbers, Manny had the following: a 4-6 record, a 3.58 ERA in 23 games. In 110.2 Innings pitched he game up only 44 earned runs and 109 hits. he also struck out 111.

So, is there just too much hype when it comes to Manny? I'm not sure, but I still like what I see and if there is any way he can come up so we can get a glance and he can work against big league hitters, something may click. I can’t help but wonder when Manny comes up to the big show, will he take the world by storm the way Fernando Valenzuela did?

It’s tough to put this much pressure on these kids. Clearly they all want to pitch in the pros, but in a world of pitch counts and training, when is the right time for a call up? Brian Cashman made it clear early on that he didn’t want to rush these kids. Bleeding Yankee Blue is rooting for a promotion though and hopefully a call out of the pen as a lefty specialist this fall is truly in the works. But like we’ve seen with Stephen Strasburg, rushing these guys could do more damage than good. Strasburg should bounce back, but to be that young and to be hurt as quickly as he was, you need to worry. Read about Strasburg HERE.

Could Manny be the next Fernando Valenzuela? Who knows, Valenzuela had some great years and Manny early on in the farm system has proven he could handle batters, and hopefully he'll improve. One thing is for sure, I can't help but think about all the chatter about him in Spring Training. Time will tell, but there’s no question, it’s getting exciting in Yankeeland.

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