WE'RE A GROUP OF COMPLAINERS, AREN'T WE?

Yankee fans are spoiled.  But that doesn't work anymore if you look at the direction the Yankees have been going.  We used to wait for the offseason and then we'd just sign every top Free Agent under the sun. We'd be strategic about it, booking all the hotel rooms on a floor of a free agent and making late night calls to get the deals done. It's different now. So far... nothing has happened this offseason and let me tell you something, we may not do anything, and in the big picture, isn't that what we all wanted anyway?

Think about this for a second; We have been bitching up and down for years about how "We better get a new Core Four up to the Bronx (Plus Bernie Williams)."  We heard "We need to have a better farm system."  We heard, "We keep giving our youth away from old players."  You remember... you probably said it too, I know I did.

Then something happened. After Masahiro Tanaka and Jacoby Ellsbury, a must have and a 'meh', oh, and Brian McCann too, we stopped.  There were little deals in the off seasons and trade deadlines but it wasn't like the old Yankees.  It seemed different. It felt different.  It seemed like we were short changing free agents or dragging our feet.   All the while though, it was part of the plan.  Believe it or not, the Yankees heard the fans.  The Yankees knew we were right about our youth, and sure, they started weeding out the ones they didn't see a future in, but they started holding onto the youth... the guys they saw potential in.

At the trade deadline last season, we did nothing.  NOTHING. But there was a reason.  Every potential trade involved a team that wanted Luis Severino, Greg Bird or Aaron Judge.  Didn't matter. Everybody complained anyway.  Why? Isn't that the whole original complaint about the New York Yankees? We give away youth. We no longer develop.  When the Yankees didn't make a move, it was pretty obivous to me they were doing exactly what the fans wanted; to hold onto the young guys, develop them and bring up a new batch of studs. 

And now we're watching David Price, a free agent that went to the Red Sox, a guy we totally should have signed, but you remember, we complained that we spend too much on long term deals and "Price will suck in 4 years".  I said it, more kind of course, but I said it.  I know many of you did.  Price is a great pitcher, the Yankees definitely should have been in on that guy, but they didn't because once again, the Yankees listened to their fan base, us, and thought it was way too expensive for their taste.  I have news for you, Johnny Cueto most likely will be to.  Jeff Samardzija may be as well. 

The Yankees are regrouping.  You can be angry all you want, but they are being very, very strategic about it.  You're mad.  So am I, but this is a good thing ladies and gentlemen.   The whole story about the Braves and Yankees and Shelby Miller put things in perspective for me.  The Braves want our youth... Bird... Judge... Severino.  You know what? We said no way.   What... you're not applauding that?

We're a bunch of complainers... me included. But I have news for you, the Red Sox needed Price a lot more than we did.  The Sox sucked last year.  The Sox need to make a splash.  As a baseball fan, how do you not respect that? 

The Yankees were in the playoffs in 2015.  Sure, we didn't win the whole thing, but let's be honest, we weren't supposed to even be there. We did better than expected and right now, "better" is the way the Yankees are playing it.  Sure, they want to be the best... but baby steps.  The balancing act is tricky, but keeping youth and be strategic to pick up the players that can help us will be the new game plan.

Get used to it, and try to enjoy the ride... it's not as bad as you think. Oh yeah, and it's just baseball, not brain surgery. It's supposed to be fun.

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RELAX. IT'S JUST TALK!

With the off season in full swing and the winter meetings just around the corner, the rumors and leaks from organizations are starting to heat up. Of them are various claims that teams are interested in prospects or dealing big name players. The thing that happens in the days of the Internet and with so many media outlets is that people start to lose their mind over rumors or conversations.  Just RELAX folks, it's all talk.... As of now!

On Monday I saw several reports that the Braves were interested in dealing SP Shelby Miller and the Yankees were named as a team they spoke with. The Braves apparently were interested in Luis Severino in exchange for Miller which caused a lot of uproar amongst Yankees fans.

"No Way!"

"That's crazy!"

"Cashman better not deal Severino!"

"Miller isn't a front of the rotation starter like Severino!"

I completely understand all these points. They are very valid points. But we have to realize it's just off season talk. And also understand that if an organization is looking to deal a young star, they're going to want a hefty return. They wouldn't ask for a 'nobody' or a 'has been', it's the way it works.

If the Yankees were shopping Severino, wouldn't we expect to ask for Jose Fernandez or some big time young star? Of course we would!

As the rumors and conversations continue over the next several months, just keep that in mind.

It's all talk and the GM's are going to barter and push for the best deals for their organizations. It's what they get paid to do, some better than others.

I would love to see some more moves to get younger and improve the starting rotation with arms, young arms, which can be controlled for several years. There will be plenty more rumors just like this, so keep calm and Yanks on.

What would you like to see from our Bronx Bombers? Who would you want to target? Who is expendable as trade bait? Let us know!





  
--Dan Lucia
BYB Writer
Twitter: @DManLucia

  

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FIRING UP THE #BYB HOT STOVE

The free agency market is lighting up BYB Hot Stove on this first day of December and the Yankees are in the middle of the discussions with Luis Severino in the mix.  According to Jon Heyman, the Atlanta Braves have 25-year-old pitcher Shelby Miller on the auction block with a pretty hefty price tag, and they have asked "the Yankees for top young righthander Luis Severino in their talks. Severino was merely a request and there is no evidence the Yanks are considering that. The Braves are also said to expect young outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who's available, plus more from the Marlins." This is so not a good idea...I mean, we have been grooming Severino for years in the farm system and we have not even given him a full season up in the majors.  Move on...

Next up is the prospect of Yankee catcher, Gary Sanchez, who turns 23 this week, to make a difference in the Yankee lineup possibly in 2016 now that John Ryan Murphy has left the building. According to ESPN Insider's Eric Longenhagen:

"Sanchez's tools and overall profile have remained unchanged for a number of years; big power but approach issues that lead to an untenable strikeout ratio, and elite arm strength but a slow, clumsy body that struggles with movement and some basic aspects of catching, making it likely he ends up at first base or DH. In the Fall League, Sanchez looked a bit quicker, less apt to drop pitches and be slow to balls in the dirt."  Not sure what to make of this, but I think this is positive news.

Finally, there's been some chatter on Twitter and blogs about the possibility of now free agent Alex Gordon heading to the Bronx, perhaps filling the void left by Brett Gardner if of course, he leaves the Yankees, despite begging to stay.  Gordon is a 32-year-old outfielder who predicted a dominant year prior to the season and he got just that.  How will that cockiness play out in the Bronx?  Not very well, fortunately and I am hoping this will show he just isn't a fit for our 2016 team.  Peter Gammons says there is more of a possibility of Gordon heading to the Cubs.  Anything could happen once the Winter Meetings begin in less than a week.  We will keep you posted as these and other rumors develop.

 --Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof



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BLOCKBUSTER: BRAVES SEND JASON HEYWARD TO... WHERE?

The Braves have shipped Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals today and in exchange, they will get pitcher Shelby Miller.

Buster Olney of ESPN writes:

"Concerned that Heyward would leave as a free agent after next season and rebuilding with an eye toward their new stadium, the Braves dealt their right fielder and reliever Jordan Walden to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday for promising pitcher Shelby Miller and a minor-leaguer."

Look, Olney also writes that Heyward "didn't live up to the hype."  Let me tell you something; I'll take Heyward in my outfield any day of the week. The dude's a stud.  Both teams got a good deal in this trade.

To be honest with you all, I didn't see this coming.  Many of you may have, and it makes sense when you understand the thinking behind the Braves decision, rebuilding, new stadium, but Heyward was a big piece of the Braves and loved in Atlanta. I'm sure he will be missed.

Side note. That "other minor leaguer" was Tyrell Jenkins. I know that only because stud pitcher Rob Kaminsky, a pitcher in the Cardinals farm system, tweeted this:

Gonna miss you big man @TyrellJenkins14 all the best Jenk!!!
— Rob Kaminsky (@Kaminsky21) November 17, 2014

There you go.

Hey... that's baseball I guess. Moves happen... even when you least expect it.

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