LET'S BE CLEAR; GALLO ISN'T STRUGGLING... HE JUST SUCKS

Big bodies don't mean anything if they cannot deliver. I've always believed that, yet, that's the trend it's going. I have a kid playing college ball. The path to get there wasn't always easy and most recently it became more difficult because college coaches are enamored with the big body and that's based on the recent trend of the MLB. Everyone wants the home run. No one wants to doubles hitter, the bunter, the Ronald Torreyes, the Willie Randolph, the Christian Yelich type. Why? Because they're small, or skinny or don't hit the go ahead 3 run home enough.

Baseball leaders today would rather you swing and miss than swing and single, as long as your velo is high, their thinking is "It will come."

Well Joey Gallo is in purgatory because of that.  He was never really a "player", he was a home run hitter.  When Gallo came to New York, I knew it was going to be a disaster.  People would tell me constantly, "Wait until 2022. He's gonna have a monster year, you watch." 

Well, I'm watching.  But more to that, just look at his career. That tells you all you need to know.

He is a career .203 hitter.  TWO O THREE. Think about that. How important is VELO if you can't hit a baseball? So when there are articles out there that suggest that Joey Gallo is "Struggling", I need to laugh. Boone tried to address it too. Give me a break. amNY writes:

"...Gallo has still been striking out 39.5% of the time this season. 

“I think the team Winning definitely helps big time, but you also have a personal expectation and pride,” Boone said. “Desire to succeed and be a part of this thing, which he very much is. It’s a heavy burden, especially when you’ve had success in this league and have been an all-star in this league and you’re not getting the results. Especially when you pour everything into it, which Joey does.

“It’s frustrating and I know it’s difficult and I know it certainly weighs on him and wears him. Unfortunately, it’s part of this sport sometimes and such a hard game, and such a game of failure. You have to find a way to figure that out.”

But the worst part of it all is talk. We're talking about struggle, but there is no solution, no progress, just talk. Gallo doesn't try to adjust and the Yankees just try and hide him in the lineup or give him a night off to "rest". Maybe, just maybe his big body isn't working as advertised. Maybe baseball's idea of the big home run every 10 at bats isn't a real thing because it means nothing if a guy can get on base and the next guy, Joey Gallo, doesn't do a thing to move him over to get him in. 

We've lost our way in this new baseball trend and clearly Gallo has too. Bottom line, he isn't a struggling hitter these days... he's just not good. And you know what? That's ok. The solution? Cut him loose. The problem? You can't get much for him, he has zero value.

My 19 year old's solution? "Gallo just needs to go to an OK team. He doesn't fit on the Yankees. He doesn't fit on a really good team. He needs to be part of a rebuild."

... and I happen to agree.

CHAPMAN DOES IT AGAIN

Source: New York Daily News

It is tough to lose any game, but last night's really stung. As the Liberty Bell tolled for the Phillies walk-off win in the 10th against the Bombers in Saturday's contest at Citizens Bank Park, I can't help but think that the death toll is sounding for Aroldis Chapman as he gives away another good Yankee opportunity.

"After blowing what seemed to be a certain win on Thursday in Minnesota, the Yankees closer lost another game Saturday, when Jean Segura won it for the Phillies in the 10th with a sharp single to third to drive in extra runner Ronald Torreyes in an 8-7 loss at Citizens Bank Park," reported the New York Post minutes after the a loss which should have been a W for the Yankees. 

Source: MLB.com

The Yankees pulled an incredible comeback in the 9th as DJ LeMahieu tied the game with a three-run home run after the Phillies closer put two men on base. These kinds of drives with runners in scoring position are rare in more recent days for the Yankees. So not converting this one into a win is frustrating.

Equally frustrating is the dropping velocity of Chapman who has appeared to be off his game completely over the last two appearances. Following the Twins loss, Aaron Boone pointed out the drop in the velo of his closer. 

Source: SI.com

"They were ready. They were obviously hunting the fastball and got some right down the middle where he wasn't really clipping at that high velocity we normally see. It clearly wasn’t Chappy’s night," reported MLB.com.

The Yankees second loss over the last two games is the least of their problems. "It came on a day when Jameson Taillon couldn’t get out of the first inning and received more bad news when Luis Severino was forced out of his minor league rehab start with a right groin injury that will delay his comeback from Tommy John surgery even more," reported The Post. 

Hopefully the Bombers can split this mini series and leave Philadelphia and head to Toronto with a positive disposition and a day to think about things before they take on their Division rival Blue Jays. It is hard to stay positive, but as fans, we have to stick together and do our best to stay up and root for these guys to turn it around.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

GOOD NEWS FOR TOE!

Source: NBC

With all of this gloom and doom around cheating in baseball, I thought this was a positive piece of news for those of you who root for the underdog and hope for his success.  Ronald Torreyes is reuniting with his former skipper, Joe Girardi in Philadelphia for the 2020 season.

News out of Philadelphia Tuesday is that beloved Toe signed a minor league contract with the Phillies.  "Torreyes was a key member of the Yankees’ bench in 2016, 2017 and 2018. The 5-foot-7 infielder’s energy proved infectious as he riled up fans and teammates alike with each hit," reported NJ.com.

Source: AP

He will also reunite with former Yankee and teammate Didi Gregorius, who he filled in for during stints to the injured list in 2017-2018.  "Torreyes hit .281 with a .682 OPS in three seasons with the Yankees, playing mostly second base with shortstop and third base thrown in. He played just seven games in the majors with the Twins in 2019," reported NJ.com.

Source: AP

But Torreyes did not seem to impress new skipper Aaron Boone, was sent down to the minors and later was designated for assignment.  He eventually was traded to the Cubs and then shipped off to Minnesota where he played for their minor league team.

As a Yankee, he was a fan-favorite, and a major presence in the dugout. "His home run celebrations went viral and often included Aaron Judge lifting him in the air to high-five his teammates. He also pretended a shoebox was a video camera that he would train on teammates in the dugout as they celebrated, with teammates dubbing it the “Toe Night Show.”

Toe will fight for a roster spot, likely as a bench player come this spring.  Good for him!  I hope he earns a place in the lineup and gets to play for his old manager, Joe Girardi who always appreciated his contribution to the team.  “He’s a ballplayer,” Girardi said that summer on the cable show he hosted on the YES Network. “I mean that’s what he is.” Just a bit of good news amidst so much baseball controversy, for a guy who deserves to win.  Good luck, Toe!

--Suzie Pinstripe
 BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

WALKER WALKS OFF TO MIAMI

Another season, another Yankee makes his way to Miami.  According to MLB.com, "the Marlins added a veteran to their infield mix on Tuesday by signing Neil Walker to a one-year contract. MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reported the value at $2 million, according to sources."  Good, another dead bat heads down south.  Sorry, I just never saw his value to the team and I am grateful he can go and contribute to some other team outside of the American League East.

"Walker will be hoping to rebound following a difficult '18. A free agent a year ago, Walker didn't sign with the Yankees until March 12 and then struggled to get going. The switch-hitter posted a .402 OPS in the opening month and .563 before the All-Star break," reports MLB.

Source: MLB.com

So with Walker gone, Ronald Torreyes gone, who will be the Yankees go to, all around utility player? The banter is that 21-year-old Thairo Estrada, who the Yankees added back in November 2017 to their farm system, could see playing time in the big leagues in 2019.  "The Yankees valued Estrada’s potential enough to promote him to the 40-man roster at the age of 21, last November. Unless the Yanks acquire a new player, the Venezuelan prospect will have a good chance to fight for a major league roster spot during Spring Training," reports Fansided.

You may recall that Estrada missed Spring Training last year as he recovered from a gunshot wound he suffered when two teens tried to rob him while he was dining in a restaurant with his wife back home.  After that, Estrada played at Scranton-Wilkes Barre until injury plagued him.  He went on the DL with wrist and back issues last year.

Source: NJ.com

On the bright side, Estrada has a lot of similarities to fan favorite Ronald Torreyes and could make an impact on the 2019 Yankee team given an opportunity to do so.  "Like Torreyes, he’s a solid fielder with plus arm strength, and he’s athletic enough to play the outfield. The resemblance between Estrada and Torreyes’ abilities is what likely led recent Toe’s departure," reported Fansided.

Source: ESPN

The Yankees also have Tyler Wade who was virtually ineffective in 2018.  Another possibility is that the Yankees go out and sign a veteran power middle infielder to fill the void left by Didi Gregorius, who is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Gregorius is expected to miss at least the first half of the 2019 season.

Source: NJ.com

One thing is for certain.  Neil Walker is gonzo and the Yankees have an opportunity to bring in another power player to add some offense and defense to various infield positions and support the days off Aaron Boone seems to give players on a consistent basis.  Good bye, Neil.  Hello, new guy, who ever you are.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

TORREYES IS OFF TO CHICAGO

Such a damn shame, and you know the Yankees feel bad about it because they actually tweeted this out yesterday when it happened.

Thank you for everything, Big Toe! pic.twitter.com/l4cjkJRBiS

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 28, 2018

How often do they do that for a utility player that played half the season in the minor leagues? You know what I mean?

Yes. It's true, Ronald Torreyes is off to the Chicago Cubs. That came from the Yankees PR Department. Sad day.

Earlier today, the Yankees traded INF Ronald Torreyes to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later or cash consideration.

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) November 28, 2018

But look, this is business, and even Torreyes knows this. Who we getting? A player to be named... or 2 dollars.

I'm not kidding...


You can't make this up.

Good luck Toe. We loved you in New York!

WHAT DO OKGs MEAN FOR THE YANKEES?

Source: Sporting News

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to listen to a veteran college basketball coach and wise leader share out his mission and vision for teaching players to be good people both on and off the court during a podcast entitled Educational Leadership and Beyond.

John Thompson has been the head coach at North Carolina Wesleyan College for the last 24 years.  He recruits players for his team based on multiple measures which not only include talent but how well they treat their teammates after losses, if they say please and thank you when they visit the concession stand and how they speak to their parents whether they win a game or lose a game.  He's looking for the whole package and he calls this package Our Kind of Guys (OKGs).  You see Our Kind of Guys are the ones we want around the clubhouse, around our fans and around our players.  They are the good guys who glow for their talent second and graciousness first.  What do OKGs mean for the Yankees?  Let me tell you...

Source: NJ.com

Earlier this week, the Yankees designated Ronald Torreyes for assignment.  Besides being a fan favorite, he is OKG.  "Torreyes, 26, was a popular and productive utility infielder during his three seasons with the Yankees. His fielding at shortstop, third base and second base was solid. The 5-foot-8 Venezuelan also proved that he can hit big-league pitching, as he's a career .281 hitter. He was beloved by his teammates and a fan favorite too," according to NJ.com.  The Yankees picked up a right handed pitcher and dropped Torreyes, just like that.  I have no idea if Parker Bridwell, who the Yankees claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels when they DFGed Torreyes, is OKG, but that's not the point.  OKGs are irreplaceable.  That's why losing Torreyes is such a jolt to the system.

Source: NY Post

Brian Cashman mentioned in a number of quotes that he vets players to ensure they are Our Kind of Guys.  "Every year you’re charged with determining with the available markets who would be a good fit for your club and who you want to move forward with and who you don’t," Cashman said. "We’ll make or have made those determinations, and act accordingly,"reported NJ.com.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Then there are guys like Manny Machado and Robinson Cano who are the polar opposite of OKG.  They play with arrogance versus humility, unlike OKGs Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius, Brett Gardner and Luke Voit.  Yea, the Yankees aren't sold on Voit but he is OKG.  He brings an ambitious heart and an uncanny spirit which lifts the Yankees a lot further than Machado or Cano could ever.

Losing Torreyes is like losing your best friend, it's painful because he is Our Kind of Guy.  Thompson called OKGs those guys who come back after they graduate and give back to the team that helped mold them, relating to the players despite the difference in age or background.  This week we lost on of those guys.  And hopefully, Cashman and crew are serious about only bringing on players who are OKGs.  The Yankees need them to thrive because they are the lifeblood of a team.  Thompson said it right, Our Kind of Guys are one of a kind.  Never underestimate their worth or you will lose more games than you will win.

-
-Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE TOE IS GONZO

Photo: NJ.com

It's sad.  I don't like the move at all, but baseball is a business.  Ronald Torreyes is now gone.  Designated for assignment, and it sucks.

In a corresponding move, the Yankees signed Parker Bridwell.  They announced it on Twitter earlier tonight:

Roster Move: The Yankees have claimed RHP Parker Bridwell off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. To make room for Bridwell on the 40-man roster, INF Ronald Torreyes was designated for assignment.

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) November 26, 2018

And this is exciting... Bridwell tweeted this:

Excited to say the least to be a part of the @Yankees organization! I think every kid dreams of playing in the pinstripes! Can’t wait to get to work!!

— Parker Bridwell (@PBrid91) November 26, 2018

I like Bridwell. I'm looking forward to this.  But look, in the end, we all move forward as a fan base and as a team.  For Aaron Judge... there's no question he'll be sad.

Loved these 2 together.

DON'T WORRY, WE ADDED HANSER ALBERTO!

Quick note and it has to do with the fact that Didi Gregorius is out after Tommy John Surgery.  The Yankees have added a utility infielder to their roster.  His name is Hanser Alberto!

NJ.com has the story:

"Alberto was added to the Yankees' 40-man roster, but we're thinking the 26-year-old Dominican will go into spring training as a long shot while competing with Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Wade for a bench spot. 

Alberto is a career .192 hitter in 89 career big-league games, all with the Rangers since 2015. He spent most of last season in Triple-A and batted .185 (5-for-27) for the Rangers in 13 games, including three starts at shortstop, three at second base and one at third base."

Get a little competition going between players. I like it!

Look, this is far from a major move, but I did want to tell you about it.

DIDI DISASTER! MAY BE DONE FOR THE YEAR.

Photo: Getty Images

It was a bad day in the Bronx. Last home game of the season and the Yankees looked really bad. Not a great feeling for the last game, but at least we know the Yankees are playing in the postseason. Hopefully they get home field advantage too but regardless of where the Yankees may play the wild card game they just might have to do it without Didi Gregorius.

After the Orioles dropped a bombshell on the Yankees yesterday, Aaron Boone broke his own bad news - Didi is hurt again. We just got him back but now he tore cartilage in his wrist on a slide into home plate on Saturday. That injury could sideline him for the remainder of the year. Yeah, what was already bad news just got worse.

Photo: Getty Images

So now what do the Yankees do if they have lost Didi for the rest of the season? The Yankees have two options here:

1. Move Gleyber Torres to shortstop, then move Ronald Torreyes or Neil Walker to second.

It's not unreasonable, the Yankees went with this alignment in August, but that was before the Yankees acquired Adeiny Hechavarria.

2. Use Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop.

The Yankees may be more likely to go with this option simply because of their move to get him last month. He is an above average fielder, but offers little offensively. He's no worse than what Walker or Torreyes have done offensively, but I have to say I am biased to Torreyes because he's had some great moments for us this season. We'll see how the Yankees decide here.

Photo: Getty Images

Or maybe....just maybe we will get lucky and Didi will recover fast enough to play in the Wild Card game. That would be the best case scenario in an already stressful race for home field advantage. Let's cross our fingers and hope that Didi is back in time. He is a huge part of the team and makes the Yankee lineup stronger.

Rest up Didi, we need ya man.

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

THE EXTREMES OF THE YANKEES

Photo: Getty Images

The Yankees are doing better than we all expected with a bunch of injured players.  They have been playing great baseball for nice streaks or a series, but then they fall apart with error and strikeouts the next series.  Makes no sense.  Inconsistency could be their downfall, despite how well they have been playing.  It's just the way it is.  It's just the way it's been.

The White Sox are beatable, and with the Red Sox off last night, it was a perfect opportunity for this Yankee team to gain alittle more ground.  But sloppiness killed the Yankees last night.  They did not look good.  Not to mention, the worst part of the night had to come in that third inning when Ronald Torreyes tripled to start off the inning, and then, not a single Yankee hitter could get him home.  With Shane Robinson coming to the plate next, he had one job, ONE SINGLE JOB. Hit a sac fly.  Just hit it to the outfield.  Torreyes is quick, he could get home on that.  But it didn't happen. Instead... nothing... and then eventually Torreyes is sent home and of course... he was nailed out at the plate.  Yuk.

Photo: Getty Images

There were glimpses of hope. Gleyber Torres continues to help with production at the plate and hit a 2 run home run.  But that would be all the Yankees would score.  Last night was a stale Yankee game with them losing 6-2.  They didn't show much life... they didn't show much of anything.

Photo: Getty Images

And let's talk about Voit for a moment.  Is the experiment over? He's on a hot streak, and if I'm Boone, I'm doing what he did throwing Voit into the lineup in the clean up spot and hoped the streak continued.  But last night we got ugotz.  And Bird sat the bench again.  What will be of Bird? Will it change today? Will Bird play?

Boone: Voit. You’re clean up tonight. Bird: Darn it.

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) August 28, 2018

Look... these are my Yankees.  This is my team.  We had a gorgeous start to the season, but we've slowed.  Injury and what looks like complacency from Boone are taking their toll on this Yankee team.  No, I'm not hanging it up.  No, I'm not blaming Boone here.

Photo: Getty Images

He's been dealt a very different lineup than he started with. But now he needs to manage. At some point he needs to be a manager, and not a friend and that is what I feel like he's been lately.  I could be wrong, but it's what I see.

He said it best last night about the Yankees play... "crappy".  But now we have to fix that.  Will he? Will we collectively? Let's hope so.  The Chicago White Sox are a very beatable team.  Let's take advantage of that.  Let's do damage. Let's stay consistent with wins... after all... with just over 30 games left, there is no question we can catch the Bosox.

Let's go.

MIKE PLAYS RIGHT

Source: Getty Images North America

Perhaps forced by the fact that the Yankees are playing in a National League park, Giancarlo "Mike" Stanton took his rightful place in right field last night in Marlins Park.  I have to say this crap about him needing to be at DH because of a strained hamstring is just that, crap.  Once again I have to refer back to Aaron Boone's managing and choices of playing the best team each night.  But for tonight and likely tomorrow, he got it right with Mike in right.

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

"It's getting there. We're gonna have some NL games soon, so I have to jump out in right field. It's getting better," Stanton said after homering for the seventh time in 12 games in Saturday's 11-6 win over Toronto. "We're gonna get there. Run around, test it and make sure it's ready to go," reported Newsday.

Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America

The Yankees have elected to play Shane Robinson (BA .114) and Neil Walker (BA .225) in right field in Aaron Judge's absence.  Why?  I really see no advantage to playing either of these two in right field and taking the bat out of the hands of Ronald Torreyes (BA .329) who has spent 60 days in Triple A or Tyler Austin (BA .250) who they elected to trade.  Likely, Clint Frazier would have platooned with Stanton in right if he was well, but he's not so that leaves that option out.  Luckily for the Yankees, Neil Walker has decided to start hitting and Greg Bird hit a grand slam but has gone virtually hitless since, like most of the season.

Source: Getty Images North America

"Stanton has been used only at designated hitter for 11 games in a row due to a tight hamstring and the Yankees would like to keep it that way a while longer, but he’s apparently healthy enough to play the field and he will this week when there is no DH for road inter-league games in Miami.
And if Stanton survives those one or two starts in right feeling OK, he’ll probably be back in right one or two times this weekend when Walker plays second base," reports NJ.com.

Source: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America

Boone, Stanton and the Yankees need to just be grittier about the way they approach the game.  Didi Gregorius, before getting injured, played consistently at short stop.  He was never out.  He always showed up and gave his best.  He played banged up.  He stayed focused.  He gave it all.  To see him go down is just heart-breaking.  His reaction to the injury was priceless.

At the end of the day, I am glad to see Mike back in right, where he belongs, every night.  With only a few weeks left of the season and Houston and Seattle breathing down our throats for the Wild Card, we need our best team on the field and that includes Mike in right.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof