STARLIN CASTRO HAS SOME SPLAININ' TO DO

You don't hit or sexually assault a woman. I mean, you don't do it to anyone, but you definitely don't to a woman.  Starlin Castro is in trouble. Not sure what's going on right now but he's away on what the Nationals describes as "family matters".

The New York Post writes:

"Castro has been suspended for 30 games without pay for violating the MLB’s policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. He has been fined an undisclosed amount, and the team announced it will release Castro at the end of his suspension.

“Having reviewed all the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Castro violated our policy and that discipline is appropriate,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement...

In 2011, Castro was accused of sexual assault as a member of the Chicago Cubs, but he was not charged.

“We take all allegations of abuse and harassment very seriously,” the Nationals said in a statement. “We fully support the Commissioner’s decision and will be releasing Starlin Castro upon the completion of his suspension. Per the terms of the policy, we will have no further comment on this matter.”

We will keep an eye on this one. I feel bad for everyone involved. I hate these stories, but we gotta report them.

THIS SYNDERGAARD BLOCKBUSTER HINGES ON ANDUJAR

This rumor has been going on for nearly 18 hours now and there hasn't been movement other than to say that the Mets like JT Realmuto, the Yankees apparently want Noah Syndergaard and the Yanks are willing to supply someone for one of those 2 teams... not to mention there will be other moving parts as well.

I've even put in a call to my bud with the Yankees and he indicated that the idea of a Starlin Castro reunion with the Yanks was even thrown out there at one point.  But now comes word of another name... Miguel Andujar. And let me tell you all something very important about this... if this is the name to get a blockbuster deal like this done and it's a win, win, win for everyone... you trade Miggy away and that sweetens the deal. It sweetens the deal in what you get in return, and it makes your trade partner very, very happy... especially if it improves each team.

Hardball Talk writes:

"Into that mix comes something interesting: Ken Rosenthal reports that the Yankees are open to moving third baseman Miguel Andujar and that he’s “a name to watch.” Coming as it does after that Yankees-Mets-Marlins chatter might mean that Andujar could be involved in all of that and, if he is, that could make for a monster deal. Such a blockbuster would certainly be a good enough reason to part with Andujar despite a strong rookie season in which he hit.297/.328/.527 with 27 homers and 92 RBI. 

Worth noting that moving him could also open up third base for a big acquisition like Manny Machado, but that’s separate speculation, I suppose."

Photo: USA Today Sports

And yes, you read that right.  Manny is another name on the Yankees radar, but because Brian Cashman is so genius, it really comes down to a game of dominoes. If he makes this blockbuster with the Mets and Marlins, he will then pounce on Manny as it's being indicated to me.  Do I have inside knowledge of this? Nope. Absolutely none, but it just makes sense, as much as I'd hate to see Manny in pinstripes.

A lot of hurry up and wait, but I suspect ones this move happens, IF it happens... the rest will follow very quickly. Don't blink, you might miss it.

SMACK TALK & FOUL BALLS

I mentioned last week that I am in a bit of "baseball catch up" mode lately. So what could be better than two baseball games in a week, right? Sounded good to me and it was completely impulsive. Sometimes the unplanned and unpredictable can be fun. Sometimes...

After a last minute decision my husband and I found some cheap seats in an awesome section and went with some friends to Chase Field. Seats THIS good shouldn't be this affordable. It was a sign. Derek Jeter's torn down Marlin's were in town and it was Star Wars night at the Stadium.

Why not go watch a game and get a Paul Goldschmidt as Hans Solo bobblehead? We could all talk baseball while watching the Marlins flounder against the Dbacks and take home a whimsical toy.

The Dbacks definitely ran with the Star Wars theme the entire game. It was entertaining. Goldschmidt hit a solo home run in his first at-bat for "Paul Solo" night and Starlin Castro had some good hits and seems to have settled in to his new lead off role. The Marlins were as bad as most people probably would have expected, except for one notable moment.

Photo: Getty Images

For a good chunk of the night we were talking about who was going to be the next Marlin that Jeter sold off as the trade deadline approaches. Several names were thrown out there but Justin Bour started a debate. I said I thought he wouldn't bring Jeter in a very big haul. Sure, he had a nice showing last year in the Home Run derby but he strikes out a lot. He already has 49 for the year and could have close to 150 by the time the season is over. He has pop but a 30 year old, .239 hitter and a lot of strikeouts really won't bring in a great haul and I called him "overrated."

And that's when it happened. As I am calling Bour "overrated" he hits a foul ball headed right towards us. We were right on the third baseline and three rows back. Bour's ball bounced off the chairs in the front row hitting a little girl in the process and then came right for my head. My husband shielded me and somehow managed to catch the ball.

Bour couldn't have possibly heard me call him "overrated" unless he has super bionic hearing, right? Talk about irony and the bad things that can happen to you when you talk smack about a ball player.
I guess our souvenir baseball is a good reminder, anything can happen in baseball....especially almost getting hit in the head by "overrated" Bour's foul ball.

Lesson learned.

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

PASSIONATE YANKEE FANS & GIANCARLO STANTON

Photo: AP

Sometimes reading the posts by Yankee fans on Twitter or just hearing certain fans talk makes me want to cringe. Most of the time I'll just sit here laughing about it all, and wonder "What is this guy thinking?"

Look, I don't say too much because as you and I know, there is no arguing passionate Yankee fans. We love who we love, we are critical who we're critical of and that's it!  Passionate fans believe what they want to believe, and at that moment, there is no way to change their minds. Funny thing is the minute something goes great and things start to fall into place, those same passionate fans are very forgiving and sometimes forgetful of the things they've spewed before. Interesting, right?

Just a few short weeks ago, Giancarlo Stanton was getting booed off the field. We all remember... some of you were in the front row. Lately though, Giancarlo has found a groove and has ran with it. This piece from the New York Post talks about how he's finally settling into Yankee pinstripes. I like this line alot...

Photo: Getty Images

"Routines are firmly in place. The swing is coming together and, most of all, Giancarlo Stanton is figuring out what it means to be a Yankee nearly 50 games into his pinstripe life."

Now... the question. Did the Yankees need him? I don't believe they did. He's more of a luxury kind of guy that buys a Ferrari when he already has a Lamborghini. 

Do the Yankees have other pressing needs? I believe they do, but with the way Gleyber Torres is playing, they didn't need Starlin Castro either. See what I'm saying? It's happened many times in the past. A "superstar" from another team goes to the Yankees and struggles for a bit, sometimes their entire tenure in the Bronx. Then one day... something clicks and they take off, leaving behind the city that was more easy going and had less media attention.

Look, I get it, I really do, the Yankees didn't need him. That's kind of silly to discuss after the fact. My take quite simply is there's no need to debate and argue about it. The Yankees have him and he's there to stay. Just be happy that things are finally coming together, folks... and the big man is settling into his pinstripes.

In a sport that is all about numbers, Giancarlo Stanton starting to show it. Let's hope it sticks, and the way I see it, like the move or hate it, he's in pinstripes... root for him.


--Michael Carnesi
BYB Junior Writer
Twitter: @sevn4evr

CC SABATHIA IS THE BEST PART OF THIS YANKEE BIT

The Yankees and YES do a bunch of promos that run all season, every season and we fans love them all because it takes our Yankees and puts them in a different environment they may not be too comfortable with.  Good stuff.

Now I'm not gonna lie, sometimes they get on my nerves... but for the most part, I get a kick out of them.  The Stepbrothers scene with Didi and Castro was a real fun one and one of my favorites...




Anyway, this next spot is titled "Roll Call" Idol.  I did like it very much, but not because of the cringey acting and not because Greg Bird does every dance in American history...for like an hour (or at least that what it feels like).

I know what you're thinking... you think I think Gardner is the funniest part of this thing.  He gets so angry, he's overly critical. And no... that's not the best part for me.

CC Sabathia is the best part! He's friggin' hilarious.  It has nothing to do with what he says... he looks the part and I'm going to be totally honest here... I didn't even know it was him until the end when I saw him. When I saw the close-up, I was in tears... SO FUNNY!



Oh, and here are the outtakes!




Anyway... it's Friday.  I'm keeping it light.  Share this.

DENIAL IN MIAMI!

Photo: New York Post

I wouldn't want to be in Starlin Castro's shoes right now. After being one game away from the World Series on a team with good energy he gets shipped off to play in Miami for Derek Jeter's train wreck. He sure seemed upset when he was traded for Giancarlo Stanton but he never got THAT upset about it. Wait...didn't he?

Almost two months ago we wrote CASTRO WANTS OUT OF MIAMI! At the time the story was that guys like J.T. Realmuto and Christian Yelich were demanding for Miami to trade them away and then shortly after Castro did too. It made sense....it still does. No competitive baseball player wants to play on Derek Jeter's rebuilding project. The New York Post even made a big dramatic story and drew it up as former Yankees not getting along at all.

Photo: Newsday

Fast forward almost two months and Castro is telling a different story, read it HERE. Now Castro is looking for the bright side of the situation and not complaining. Now he is accepting that this is all just part of the business but he does say he never demanded a trade.

“I never told nobody this. Nothing happened from my mouth. I’m good now. I don’t control this. I didn’t want to be traded by [the Yankees], but this is my house. The only thing I can control is be on the field every day and play hard.”

So is it true, are reports that he demanded a trade not accurate? The New York Post never had any direct quotes from Castro saying it. Even if he didn't say it, he had to be a little salty. Maybe he was THINKING it. No one wants to go from a contender to....the Marlins. I can't even say a non-contending team. Anywhere is better than Miami right now.

Or is Castro just trying to make the best of a bad situation for the time being? Derek Jeter doesn't want Castro. His goal is to slash payroll, gut the team and operate on as few dollars as possible as they slowly rebuild. Castro was only sent to Miami to offset a very small part of Stanton's contract. The only thing Jeter wants and could gain from Castro is trading him for some more prospects. Castro would be a good pickup for a contending team and Jeter knows it.

For now I think Jeter is sitting back and waiting for someone interested to take Castro. It's funny to think that Castro's $23 million paid over two years is the second highest Marlin's player behind former Yankee Martin Prado, who happens to be injured right now so Jeter isn't getting rid of him for now.

So does Castro know he is just a bargaining chip to Jeter? Is he just trying to "play nice" for the time being? Who knows but once again Castro is on a team that is "growing up" at least he is trying to find that silver lining.

Thank goodness the drama we have in the Bronx is postseason related, something Jeter and the Marlins won't be experiencing for a really long time.....if ever.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

I CALL HIM BRIAN "BRILLIANT" CASHMAN

He's got his finger on the pulse. He finds a lead and even if it takes a while he seems to make it happen lately. I really think his latest move is genius and is about to payoff big time for the Yankees. Other people may not be as "wowed" as I am but I think this is going to benefit the Yankees in more ways than one.

. (Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports)

Someone told me today that Brandon Drury was an "up and comer" and while it is a nice pickup it's not that big of a deal. I think he's a big deal though and we even thought so back in December when we wrote WINTER MEETING MADNESS & SCOTT BORAS MIGHT BE CRAZY! We knew on paper the Diamondbacks and the Yankees were a match for a trade, I just really didn't think that they would give him up.

Photo: Getty Images

We knew back in December that the Yankees were scouting Drury but we already had an inside look at him before we traded Starlin Castro and needed another infielder. The Yankees new third-base coach Phil Nevin, managed Drury when he played for the Diamondbacks Triple-A team in 2014.  Returning Yankee bullpen coach Mike Harkey is also familiar with Drury because of his time as the Diamondbacks pitching coach in 2015 which is the same year he made his major league debut. The Yankees saw a lot that they liked in Drury and they've seen it for awhile.

Sept. 4, 2017 - Source: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images North America

There's a lot to like about Drury. He fits everything that the Yankees are looking for as they continue their youth movement. Drury is only 25, he's versatile and he's cheap. I'd even go so far as to say he is undervalued. Drury can play first, second, third, left, and right field. Scouts say Drury's best position is third base where he was blocked by Jake Lamb in Arizona. As a Yankee he could fill in for Greg Bird if needed (let's hope not) and give one of our guys in the outfield a rest.

I think Drury's full potential has not yet been realized. Now that he is a Yankee he has an opportunity to play his best suited position with regular playing time in a hitter friendly ballpark. The Yankees got the infield help they needed who has the ability and potential to be more than just a band-aid fix.

Source: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America

The Yankees had two big challenges this off season which were adding another starting pitcher and an infielder....on a budget. The Yankees have at least solved one of those challenges. Drury isn't arbitration eligible until 2019 so he may top out at $700,000 on this year's payroll which gives Cashman some more breathing room to look for that pitching. That won't be an easy task but it at least gives Brian "Brilliant" Cashman a little breathing room.

So we can mark infielder off of the "To Do" list, so who is next? Maybe Lance Lynn? If anyone can do it, Cashman can.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

A SALUTE TO THE BYB CHIEF: IT'S ABOUT OPPORTUNITY!

About a year ago, I was reading Bleeding Yankee Blue and saw that Robert Casey was looking for writers.  I worked up the courage, and sent him a note telling him I would like to give it a shot.  He asked me to send him a sample, something I was passionate about when it came to the New York Yankees right that moment.  And so I sent him a little something I wrote up on Facebook.

(Sept. 28, 2016 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

After that, he asked for more. He wanted me to write up something about Starlin Castro and his importance to the team.  Thankfully, that piece ended up being my first post on BYB. I'll never forget the day... January 7, 2017.  From there, I had worked hard, and earned my right to call myself a writer for the publication I loved to read every day before. 

Photo of: BYB Managing Editor, Suzie Pinstripe

Now look, I've never really been a writer. At first, I wasn't sure how long I would last.  Yet, with some guidance from Robert, I have made it through a year. Luckily, BYB has a great team.  I talked to former BYB writer Dan Lucia as well as Suzie Pinstripe trying to gain some insight into the whole thing. They helped me quite a bit.

Photo of: BYB Managing Editor Jeana Bellezza with her other half

Jeana Bellezza, the other BYB managing editor has also helped me just by reading her stuff. What really amazes about this whole experience is that Casey didn't even know who I was, yet, he gave me a chance. An opportunity.  That's a testament to his character. It speaks volumes to me. I know my writing isn't the best, yet he still has the patience and helps me refine it every day. Casey's always been there to tell me what I did wrong and how to improve.   He's told me many times when I've sent stuff that I could "work it better", or "expand" on some points that I may have left flat.  I work hard to improve on BYB ever time I write something, and look to grow. The bottom line is I never want to let him and the BYB family down. The opportunity is huge. I don't want to disappoint.

And thank god for BYB. It has given me an outlet as a fan to voice my frustrations and a place to celebrate my Yankees the way I want to express it.  BYB has given me friends that I would probably have never met if not for the fact that I write for BYB.

And here's the best part... Casey and I have never met. I wouldn't be able to pick him out of a lineup.  But we've talked on the phone and he's a good dude. Why am I telling you this? Because sometimes opportunity comes in different forms... and when you are given one, by whomever... take it.

I wanted to write this up today and thank him for a great year. I would like to also thank all of you, the readers, for sticking with me as I hone my craft. Thank you for reading my posts.  The Yankee Universe is an amazing thing to be apart of. You don't find this type of bond among fans quite like this.  It's special. Thanks for letting me put myself out there.

Again, to Robert Casey... the man who gave me a shot.  May 2018 being us #28.

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Twitter: @sevn4evr

NOW JOSH HARRISON WANTS OUT OF PITTSBURGH!

(Aug. 22, 2017 - Source: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America)

When we last spoke about Josh Harrison of the Pittsburgh Pirates,  he was an infielder being considered for the New York Yankees.  That was a few weeks ago.  Harrison was being considered for a second base role with the Yanks, and believe it or not, packaged with Gerrit Cole, it made a lot of sense.

Photo: Getty Images

But since then, Cole was traded to the Astros (Read ASTROS GET COLE, YANKEES HAVE STRATEGY & PIRATES GET LAUGHED AT for more), Andrew McCutchen went to the Giants, and now Harrison is pissed, much like Starlin Castro who is sitting there in Miami as they dismantle that Marlins team too.

(Aug. 21, 2017 - Source: Justin Berl/Getty Images North America)

Here's MLB Daily Dish with Harrison's statement to Ken Rosenthal. It's bold, and I love it...

"Baseball is a business and I understand that trades are part of the business. While I love this game, the reality is that I just lost two of my closest friends in the game. Cole and Cutch were not just friends, they were the best pitcher and best position player on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, I am the most tenured member of the Pirates, I want to win, I want to contend, I want to win championships in 2018, 2019 and beyond...

(July 21, 2017 - Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)

My passion for Pittsburgh, what it has MEANT to me, what it MEANS to me, can never be questioned. I love this city, I love the fans, I love my teammates. Saying that, the GM is on record as saying, ‘When we get back to postseason-caliber baseball, we would love our fans to come back out.’ If indeed the team does not expect to contend this year or next, perhaps it would be better for all involved, that I also am traded. I want what is best for the organization that gave me a chance to be a Big Leaguer.”

You can't blame this guy.

Anyway, I just had to share that.  I found it to be totally awesome.  Who knows, maybe they flip him to the Bronx. We shall see.

CASTRO WANTS OUT OF MIAMI!

The chaos continues.

Photo: USATSI

Just a refresher... Thumbs down in the Bronx = Good.  Thumbs down in Miami = Bad.

We've had a lot to say about how Derek Jeter is stripping down his Marlin's team. It's a hot mess. I don't know how he can even come back from this. It's been one bad decision after another that just keeps snowballing. That whole idea of "it can't get any worse than this" doesn't seem to exist here. The drama just keeps coming and we are tuned in on this. It's exactly like getting addicted to a bad reality TV show. You just can't look away.

Photo: Sun-Sentinel

It's just like Casey said in JETER'S MARLINS TRADE ANOTHER and MARLINS PLAYERS WANT OUT OF MIAMI! no one wants to be on the Marlin's right now.....it's a loser. The guys on this team don't want to be losers, and they are ready to pack their bags for another team...HELL ANY TEAM! I'd say "my bags are already packed, get me out of here. Thank goodness. Bye Felicia!"

We already reported that J.T. Realmuto told the Marlins he wants to be traded but now Starlin Castro reportedly wants out according to multiple sources, we'll go with the New York Post HERE on this one. Who can blame him?

Photo: USA Today Sports

Who wants to play for new owners who have created a world of chaos and show they really have no interest in motivating their players? Or that they are okay pushing away their fan base and starting again with nothing? I can't think of anyone who wants to sign up for that gig. Castro spent six seasons on a rebuilding Cubs team. He knows what that was like. Then he was traded away right before the Cubs won the World Series. That had to sting a little. Then, he gets one game away from a World Series berth as a Yankee and is traded again? This time to the loser Marlins?! The only thing they are winning is an October golf pass while teams like the Yankees play for a championship.

I feel bad for Castro. Sure, being traded away is part of the business. There are always tough choices to make but in Castro's case it's a punishment. Not only will the Marlin's be bottom feeders for a few years, but he gets stuck with nothing but drama that Derek Jeter is partially responsible for.

Photo: Sporting News

Jeter is quickly destroying the Marlins in our opinion. Some of the BYB writers may even disagree with that statement, but Casey and I are simpatico on this. I don't know any other way to say it and as he is doing it he is leaving a bad impression with guys that he should be relating to. Jeter's been in these guys shoes so he should have that inside perspective that owners who haven't played the game will never have...but he doesn't. When you have guys like Dee Gordon being vocal about how you have made things into a "terrible mess" because of "something you can't take care of" it's not something that is going to go away anytime soon. It is something that not only fans, but the people that should be able to relate to him the best will probably never completely accept.

As Jeter continues to trade off these guys it will soon be a field of rebuilding projects. I can't blame Castro for wanting out. Soon Jeter will trade Christian Yelich and Justin Bour too and the Marlin's will truly be irrelevant. Castro doesn't want to be irrelevant. He wants to be a winner and there's nothing wrong with that.

This isn't over....not even close. Who is taking bets on what happens next? Stay tuned.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

STANTON LOOKS GREAT IN PINSTRIPES!

Mike Mazzeo/New York Daily News

It was a big deal to see Giancarlo Stanton in pinstripes today.  None of us really thought this would happen.  I mean, it was mapped out.  Stanton had a 'framework' in place with either the Giants or the Cardinals. And then... suddenly, he didn't and the next thing we knew the Marlins and the Yankees were making a deal.

First things first. I loved Starlin Castro on the Yankees.  He was a lot of fun to watch, it looked like he really liked being a Yankee and it was great when he was in the Bronx.  But after the Marlins traded Dee Gordon, it was the right move and helped us too.  They got Castro, Jorge Guzman and Jose Devers, and we got Stanton.  I was hoping for Martin Prado too, but hey, you can't always get what you want.

Stanton passed his physical and was introduced to the media today. He spoke fondly of the team that he can now call his own.  Here's some of that brought to you by the New York Post:

“'Watching them from afar, their young, dynamic group and the way they flow together,' Stanton said. 'The atmosphere, storied franchise. There’s not much reason why I wouldn’t want to be there.'

Stanton and Aaron Judge both play right field, and new manager Aaron Boone will have to come up with an outfield rotation that right now also would include Brett Gardner and Aaron Hicks, with Clint Frazier on the outskirts.

Stanton said he and the team have not discussed what the plan will be, but he is open to whatever would help the team. Stanton said he did speak with Judge over the weekend after it became clear Stanton to the Yankees was happening.

'We respect each other’s game and had fun at the Home Run Derby,' Stanton said. 'We spoke a couple of days ago, excited to work together, learn from each other and make each other better.' "

It's exciting guys, it really is.

Merry Christmas.


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