THAIRO ESTRADA COULD BE BACK IN THE BRONX!

According to Mark Feinsand, the Yankees are considering a reunion with Thairo Estrada, a player with history in pinstripes who could provide affordable depth and competition at second base. Estrada, who was with the Yankees from 2019 to 2020, has spent the past few years showcasing his skills with the San Francisco Giants before hitting free agency this offseason.

Estrada's time in the Bronx was brief, and he never managed to secure a starting role. Quite honestly, he had no shot. The Yankees traded him to San Francisco in 2021, where he finally found his stride. With the Giants, Estrada blossomed into a versatile defender with surprising speed and sneaky power, tallying 15-homer potential and 20-steal capability during his best seasons. Even though his 2024 campaign was underwhelming (.217/.247/.343 with nine homers in 96 games), the 28-year-old's track record suggests he can still be a valuable piece for a team in need of a second baseman.

Estrada checks several boxes for New York:

1. Familiarity with the Organization: Having come up through the Yankees system, Estrada knows the team’s culture and expectations. He wouldn’t require a steep learning curve to adjust to the Bronx spotlight.
2. Affordability: Estrada isn’t expected to command a hefty contract, making him an appealing option for a team looking to address multiple offseason needs without breaking the bank.
3. MLB Experience: Unlike unproven prospects, Estrada brings some big-league experience and versatility, offering a dependable floor at second base.

With Gleyber Torres gone, the Yankees are exploring all options to fill the keystone position. Prospect Caleb Durbin is likely to compete for the spot, but Estrada’s versatility and experience could make him a favorite to secure the role if a high-profile star isn’t brought in and if Estrada becomes a Yankee again.

While Estrada’s most recent stats don’t leap off the page, his 2022 and 2023 performances—where he was an above-average hitter—prove his potential. Most importantly, he’s a low-risk option for a team that needs flexibility in my opinion.

In a game where bargains can turn into game-changers and as you know the Yankees love to do that, Estrada might just be the perfect fit to bring back to the Bronx.

THAIRO ESTRADA IS GONZO

And just like that, Thairo Estrada's time in pinstripes is finally over.  He was a hanger on forever, solid athlete, but it was just time.  You can blame Rougned Odor I guess.

CBS Sports: 

"On Sunday, the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a trade that will ship infielder Thairo Estrada to the west coast in exchange for cash considerations. The Giants subsequently optioned Estrada to their alternate site.

Estrada, 25, was recently designated for assignment by the Yankees to clear a spot for Rougned Odor on the 40-man roster. The Yankees signed Estrada as an international free agent in August 2012. In parts of two big-league seasons (61 games), Estrada hit .214/.267/.348 with four home runs, three doubles, 15 RBI and five stolen bases. He spent time at second base, shortstop and third."

And that's all I got. Estrada was a good soldier, and the Yankees probably took advantage of him because he was a young up and comer. That being said, it was just time. It's business.

Farewell Estrada, keep grinding!

DEMOTIONS & REWARD FOR THE NEW YORK YANKEES

A lot of stuff going on in Yankeeland.  First off how are we all not talking about how Aaron Boone got a pacemaker and a week later he's managing the Yankees again? I mean that's pretty incredible! The dude's a savage, no question. But more to that, the Yankees are looking so good, I love every minute of it! It's gonna be a great season. I cannot wait for it to start.

The addition of Derek Dietrich in my opinion might be the best part of this whole offseason. He brings talent and energy to this team!  I've also become a huge fan of Gio Urshela and am expecting great things.  But there were guys that needed to be demoted to make room for all this incredible talent, and sadly, some of these guys, we love, but there's just no room.

CBS Sports talks about Mike Ford:

"Ford was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

Ford struggled in the majors last year but worked with the major-league coaching staff this spring. He went 3-for-19 with a double, two RBI, one walk and three strikeouts over nine spring games this year but will now prepare for the minor-league season."

And Ford wasn't the only one. Newsbreak... and many other outlets have this:

"...infielder Thairo Estrada, and relievers Albert Abreu and Brooks Kriske were all optioned to Triple-A Scranton."

But in the meantime, reward for guys like Aaron Hicks. Boone has tapped him the number 3 hitter for the team, and I love that. 

Empire Sports Media:

"As a result, and by virtue of his excellent power and patience combo, the Yankees love what Hicks brings to the table as a number three hitter.

...Boone has recently said that he sees Hicks as his third hitter for the 2021 season. He shows a tremendous amount of confidence in the versatile outfielder and believes he is among the best hitters in Yankees’ loaded roster."

The Yanks are making their adjustments, and I am loving every minute of it. I cannot wait for opening day!

Bring it!

THE YANKEES HAVE A NEW WORKOUT AND IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK

It's about time. In fact, it is way past time. I don't even understand what took so long.

In case you missed it, THIS is what I am referring to and yes it is way past time. After seasons of injury it seems that our hard hitting giants Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have revamped their offseason workouts in a big way. It's big but not in the muscular way. Last winter there were pictures of Stanton bench pressing supermodel Adriana Lima and I cringed when I saw it. Now it sounds like both of them have cut back on the weights and are now focusing on their flexibility and agility.

Wow. Well I am glad Stanton is taking a break from bench pressing supermodels, but why the sudden change of heart? Eric Cressey the Yankees director of health and performance is also happy about the change, "we have to be mindful of the stresses on guys who are 6-foot-7, 6-foot-8. Big dudes who are standing around for long periods of time in cleats. Those are things that normal people don’t encounter. So I think we’ve understood their preparation has to be markedly different in terms of not just building them up as athletes, but building them up as baseball players where there is a gradual on-ramping of those specific stressors. Running the bases, changing directions, swinging. So both of those guys are in a good place."

I wish it hadn't taken this long to put two and two together but I guess better late than never. It sounds like it is embraced by a lot of the other guys too. "Aaron in particular has taken a heavy interest in a lot of yoga. We’ve had a great instructor in Dana Santas who’s come in and helped out at our spring-training complex. Not just Aaron, but Luke Voit and Mike Ford and Thairo Estrada and Nick Nelson, a lot of those guys who are down there. So that’s something that I think is important."

He's right, it is important and the yoga will be just as important as the weight training. Maybe if the Yankees embraced this sooner they would have fewer pulled muscles. Maybe it would've saved Stanton a few hamstring injuries last season. Hopefully it pans out this season and it helps our guys stay healthy this season and productive.

And now I am trying not to laugh as I think about Stanton and Judge doing yoga poses....but I dig it!

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

STANTON TO THE SHELF MEANS CHANGES ARE COMING!

 I don't think anyone is shocked that Giancarlo Stanton is injured AGAIN, but it still sucks! So here we go again, Stanton has been moved to the 10-day injured list with a hamstring injury and now we wait for more news. He will have an MRI today and then the Yankees will have some more decisions to make.

And they won't be easy ones. Yesterday, the Yankees recalled Thairo Estrada to take his place on the roster and ever since then, social media has been going crazy! Why would the Yankees recall an infielder to take the place of an outfielder when the Yankees have other options? 

Welcome to 2020 where nothing makes sense at first glance and the Taxi squad keeps rolling. The Yankees will have other options going forward, but for now Estrada is it. He was already traveling with the team and was called up for the Yankees doubleheader over the weekend, so he was already in Tampa. That's the short and easy answer.

So long term, I don't think Estrada is a guy that the Yankees will use in place of Stanton. Even Aaron Boone hinted that the team will likely go another route, read more HERE. The Yankees are definitely going to "get creative" and now we get to sit here and make our guesses.

The obvious choices to fill in for Stanton would be Miguel Andujar or Clint Frazier, right? The Yankees recently sent Andujar down last week and previous to that the Yankees sent Frazier down after a tough decision because EVEN AARON BOONE "DOESN'T KNOW" ABOUT FRAZIER'S FUTURE. So now it gets tricky.

The Yankees have recently experimented with Andujar in the outfield, so he could fill in there if he is needed. Boone can plug him in the infield also, so he has some versatility there. Then of course we know Frazier an play the outfield, and he has the pop that the Yankees could use now that Stanton is out. This season is all about versatility and being creative like Boone said, so how do the Yankees make their choice? 

A lot of people are ready and waiting to see Frazier get his chance. The Yankees need to make a decision about Frazier's future and figure out if he has a place on this team long term or not. The Yankees also have Andujar to figure out. He's coming back after a lost season and want to get him some work too. How can the Yankees use both of these guys for the rest of the season?

The short season does not fair well for Stanton. He's going to be out for awhile, not just 10 days. Given his injury history with us, I don't even know if we can say with any confidence that he will even be back. It sucks because he had such a hot start for us. I hope for the best with Stanton and hope he comes back. He was limited to just 18 games last season, and now this season we got 14. I really hope there's more to come.....

But for now we have to wait and see what happens. I really don't know what changes the Yankees will make but they are coming. I really dislike 2020 and I'm really bummed out about Stanton right now but the show must go on.

--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE YANKEES SURPRISE OPTION TO FILL IN FOR DJ LEMAHIEU

We are all missing DJ LeMahieu right now. It's becoming more unlikely that he will that he will be ready to come off of the Covid injured list by the start of the season. The Yankees are already taking that into consideration.....and they have an unexpected replacement in mind. Have any guesses?

So I said unexpected, a surprising name. So that being said, I am not talking about Tyler Wade because he is an obvious choice. So far, he has proven he can step up and handle the responsibility. He can steal bases and is very versatile, more so then anyone else....but there are a few other options that come to mind. One more surprising then others.

The Yankees could consider Thairo Estrada or Matt Duffy to play there. Duffy would be an interesting choice. He has played 18 games at second base and shifted around the infield for the Rays on occasion. The Yankees also have Thairo Estrada, who we got familiar with last season. He was one of the many replacement Yankees used in their injury filled season. He's had a hot start in Summer camp and already hit some home runs in intra-squad games. He hit a home run on Thursday that was a rocket into the left field seats. He's made a good, early impression.

But then comes the surprise addition of Gio Urshela. Maybe not the obvious choice here but in a pinch it could happen. Gio was the team's regular third baseman last season but he's been taking some grounders at second base, read more HERE. Aaron Boone is already thinking outside of the box and I like that. We have no idea what this pandemic shortened season is going to bring us so versatility is going to be key. Baseball has always been a game of strategy, this season will be even more challenging. It's good to be proactive now rather than reactive later.

So if Gio is used at second base I guess that means Miguel Andujar back at third base also isn't out of the question. He's not known as a great fielder, but he's been working on that and has supposedly made progress. We may have to wait and see that for ourselves, but maybe his fielding skills are catching up to his batting skills.

No matter what happens at second base, this season is definitely going to be interesting. We need all of the versatility we can get. With LeMahieu out we may see more importance on both Gio and Andujar. I still think the second base job could be Wade's job to lose at this point....but a surprise upset could happen. Who is your pick to temporarily fill second base? Comment and tell us.

--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

WHAT IF THE YANKEES SIGN NOLAN ARENADO?

Source: The Athletic

With just about 14 days until the start of spring training, the Yankees have a lot of options when it comes to infielders.  As our writer Missy posted on Friday in TWO YANKEE BATTLES TO TAKE PLACE THIS SPRING TRAINING, infielders Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada may get a shot to be replacement infielders but what if I told you to forget all that?  What if the Yankees could tap the Colorado Rockies again for an infielder and this time it could be Nolan Arenado?

According to The Athletic, "The Yankees could offer a strong package that includes third basemen Gio Urshela and Miguel Andújar, along with top pitching prospect Deivi Garcia and outfielder Clint Frazier. ... All four of those players would be expendable to the Yankees if they can land Arenado. This type of deal makes a lot of sense baseball-wise. ... Another option could be for the Rockies to offer Arenado straight up for outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who has eight years remaining on his 13-year, $325 million contract, of which approximately $60 million will be paid by the Miami Marlins if he doesn’t opt-out after this season — and he’s not opting out of this contract no matter what."

Wait, what...Giancarlo Stanton to the Rockies?  Oh blessed redeemer, yes.  I would really hate to see Urshela and Andujar go and this other idea of Stanton just sounds so much sweeter.  But with Stanton's no trade clause and the fact that he loves being a Yankee, this deal is less likely, no matter how sweet.

Source: CBS Sports

"The 28-year-old Arenado is a five-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner. Arenado has at least 37 home runs and 110 RBI in each of last five seasons, making him a perennial National League MVP candidate," reports NJ.com.  He also has a no-trade clause and there is a line of other teams in contention with the Yankees to grab Arenado.

Source: ESPN

If he was to come to New York and perform even close to his former teammate DJ LeMahieu, wow...I mean that would be incredible.  We will keep an eye on developments.  This is the kind of excitement and anticipation that the offseason is supposed to be about...not about cheaters who have consumed all of our brains and perhaps unnerved our passion for the game.  Let's focus on the the anticipation of 2020 and it starts with the possibility of Arenado coming to the Bronx.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof 

TWO YANKEE BATTLES TO TAKE PLACE THIS SPRING TRAINING!

Even though it does not feel like it with this weather, Spring Training is just around the corner. Luckily, the Yankees have most things in place and now just have the problem of choosing who is going to start on Opening Day. There are two battles that will take place during Spring Training: fifth starter and backup infielder.

Source: WFAN

J.A. Happ's veteran status will make him the front runner for the fifth starting spot, however there are multiple pitchers that could step up to the plate. Jordan Montgomery has recovered from Tommy John Surgery and had an impress curveball that generated impressive numbers for a rookie. After Happ's disappointing 2019, do the Yankees want someone fresh to step in?

As for backup infielder, it will come down to either Tyler Wade or Thairo Estrada, who are really neck and neck based on their past performances. Wade sticks out from the pair because he is a lefty, which the Yankees lack in their hitting order. His speed is also helpful when it comes to base running as well as defensively. However Estrada is an excellent shortstop, a very hard position to play. He also has more power in his bat. The playing field is even for the pair to prove themselves at Spring Training.

The countdown to February 22nd begins!

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke

AS 2020 BEGINS, WHAT'S LEFT FOR THE YANKEES TO DO?

Source: USA Today

As the clock struck 12, and New Years revelers popped open champagne to ring in 2020, there's another group of guys who are looking forward to ringing in a new era, and perhaps dynasty in 2020.  The New York Yankees have been in 40 World Series, winning 27 of them, and as they embark on the journey to toward 41 and potentially 28, I ask this question, "What's left for the Yankees to do before spring training 2020?"

Source: Newsday

According to Bryan Hoch via MLB.com, "General manager Brian Cashman said that he remains open to anything that makes sense, but after adding Cole, the Yankees’ heavy lifting appears to be done. If Torres begins the season as the everyday shortstop, as anticipated, the Yanks may look for someone capable of pushing Thairo Estrada and Tyler Wade for the backup infield role."  If I am being honest, I have no interest in Wade and if I am being really honest, the Yankees need to be in the hunt for a catcher.

As Eli Manning said good bye to the NY Giants this past weekend, he said very bluntly to the media, "I don't want to be a back up."  Perhaps that is what Austin Romine said, as he exited that role earlier this month for a chance as starting catcher for the Detroit Tigers.  But I cannot feel comfortable without having a serious back up and potential replacement for Gary Sanchez, who is simply not fit enough or agile enough to stay healthy for an entire season.

Source: NY Times

"Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman believe Kyle Higashioka can fill the vacant position with ease, and he did impress at times in 2019. Still, the depth at the position isn’t substantial, and Sanchez, when battling through inconsistent play, is a different player entirely," reported Empire Sports Media last week.  I think the Yankees are taking a tremendous risk going with Higashioka as their primary backup.  There are no real standout catchers available (peruse the list if you will), but they did pass on JT Realmuto last year, which could have helped them immensely, particularly when Sanchez's bat went cold and he visited the injured list multiple times in 2019.

What's left for the Yankees to do?  Sign Josh Hader and somehow groom a catcher to take on the reigns as needed when Sanchez goes down and he will go down.  He will head to the IL at least twice next season and I guarantee you that his bat goes cold or does not warm up all that quickly as the Yankees begin their 2020 season in Baltimore on March 26th.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

YANKEE PANIK!

There's one thing the Yankees DO need and that's a lefty bat or 2.  No idea if they will be successful finding it this offseason, but recently there's been chatter that one guy they are keeping their eye on is Joe Panik. Now look... this comes from Buster Olney of ESPN who is pretty horrible about being right, but always good about getting clicks to made-up or fake sports news stories. Hey, my opinion, just look at his track record.  I know people like Buster's stuff. I do not, but that's OK... I still like you all!

Anyway, check this out from Buster:

"As the Yankees explore ways to have more left-handed balance on their roster, one option they’ve discussed — among others — is adding Joe Panik in free agency, to be part of their infield mix..."

Empire Sports Media actually does a great job of laying things about Panik, tools and all:

"Panik played in 142 games last season, logging 491 at-bats with five homers and 39 RBIs. His offensive production isn’t noteworthy, but he has potential and can be of use for a Yankees team looking for reserves. During the first half of the 2019 season with the San Francisco Giants, Panik was defensively stout, earning a .992 field percentage over 90 games at second base. 

The Yankees are looking at him as a reserve infielder with an optimistic bat. With Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada waiting in the wings, this would be a low-risk move to add some diversity to the batting order."

Key word phrase here:

low-risk.

Let's see what happens next.

TORRES IS DAY-TO-DAY! HIP-HIP HOORAY?

I'm starting to believe the Yankees use the same doctors that also cleared Kevin Durant to play in the NBA finals. If you don't follow basketball, I will save you the research and tell you that decision didn't turn out well.

In a bizarre turn of events, Gleyber Torres will avoid the disabled list....for now and Thairo Estrada will go back to Triple-A. Yes, I say for now because I am skeptical. None of this makes a lot of sense. The Yankees have already had a season plagued with injuries with 25 different players landing on the disabled list at some point this season. Torres was going to be 26, but now he's not. I should be happy about that and I want to be but....nobody knows what is going on.

MLB has a good story on this HERE, Aaron Boone tried to quickly pass this off as a sigh of relief and good news, but I don't buy it. How is it possible that after rounds of tests doctors have no explanation for the core pain Torres has experienced? It's not a sports hernia, or a strain but we don't know that is isn't anything to worry about either. This could be a premature celebration.

It just doesn't add up. Torres was pulled from Sunday's game but tests didn't show anything that night. The Yankees used him as a DH on Monday. He reported no pain, and said he thought his core pain was caused by swinging too hard. I guess that's not far-fetched but then on Tuesday he was once again pulled from the game in the third inning and was sent for tests again. Nothing showed up in those tests.

The Yankees have been winning despite a ton of injuries all season. It makes you wonder if we should be questioning our conditioning staff and our doctors. If we don't understand what Torres is dealing with, how can we treat him and get him healthy again? How can we do that with our other injuries? Are we correctly treating the injuries that Aaron Hicks, Edwin Encarnacion, Giancarlo Stanton and Luke Voit have? There are too many unknowns here to feel confident with going forward.

But for some reason, Boone feels good about this. When asked if he was concerned about Torres' condition he said "I guess a little bit, sure, but we're also encouraged that we don’t think it’s serious, nor does he, for that matter." How can we really say we don't think it's serious when we don't understand what is causing his core pain? "I guess a little bit" doesn't sound like we are out of the woods with this.

I've been skeptical all season. I just think something doesn't add up. Torres is a gamer, all of these guys are. They are going to try and play through their pain and say it isn't serious because they don't want to miss any time. They want to be their for their team. I can admire that, but getting healthy is more important as we get closer to the postseason.

There has to be an answer here. Are these doctor just not being thorough? Are they not running the right tests? Are the Yankees taking too much risk by handling Torres on a day-to-day basis?

I want to feel good about this "encouraging" news....but I don't. Not yet.

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

THE YANKEES ARE REWRITING THE BASEBALL NARRATIVE

Source: Frank Franklin II | AP Photo

Last year the new normal for teams like the Oakland A's and the Tampa Bay Rays was the "opener" strategy where a bull pen pitcher started the game because the team did not have enough true starters in the rotation to fit the bill.  Earlier than teams instituted the shift, which has become very controversial among baseball analysts and fans alike.  Now the Yankees have defined a new normal for teams who experience more than their share of injured list, better know as the IL. They win.

Source: Newsday

"Calling the Yankees baseball's best story would normally qualify as big-market pandering. This year's group is different, however. The Yankees have found their way to the catbird seat despite losing nearly 100 more days to injury than any other team -- a predicament that has forced them to replace multiple headliners in their lineup with afterthoughts," reported CBS Sports.

Source: AP

These afterthoughts include guys like Gio Urshela who contributed to the walk off on Friday night and is currently batting .353 with two home runs and 16 RBIs.  "Urshela stopped being a surprisingly-effective fill-in, and became the Yankees’ starting third baseman on the spot. Many wondered if he could keep his start up, or if the team would eventually need to look for a more sustainable option in a pennant race. It looks like an answer has arrived," reported NJ.com.

And even though Urshela has earned respect with his performance defensively and offensively, fans still can't believe that these kind of performances have longevity.  Even on Twitter after his game-winning RBI on Friday night, baseball fans were skeptical as tempered by this tweet.

Another guy who seemingly was off the radar and unexpectedly has risen to the top of major league starters is Domingo German, the stand-in for Yankee ace Luis Severino.  He's risen to the top of the Yankee rotation with a 7-1 record with a 2.70 ERA.  "He’s shown the ability to throw all of those for strikes in any count and he has the confidence that he can go out and deliver that. And that’s what we’ve seen from him, the ability to pitch with all three pitches,” said Yankee skipper Aaron Boone via NJ.com.

Source: AP

Guys like signed free agent DJ LeMahieu, Luke Voit, Cameron Maybin, as well as Clint Frazier and Thairo Estrada have more than stepped in as fill-ins.  They have carried this team to the top of the American League East.  Despite dropping yesterday's game in a 2-1 heart breaker, the Yankees have remained strong, persistent and keep winning even without the big bats and arms.

Will this last? As a Yankee fan, you root for your team no matter what. And with roles reversed as the Yankees shift from the role of Goliath to that of David, you have to be excited about what this team is doing, despite the odds. Would I like to see Aaron Judge back in the lineup, absolutely.  Am I thinking about getting a Gio Urshela shirzy, absolutely.  The 2019 New York Yankees may not resemble the team expected at the end of spring training, but nonetheless, they are winning and somehow are rewriting the formula for winning with their team of afterthoughts leading the way.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof