YANKEES EYEING MATT HOLLIDAY

(Sept. 29, 2016 - Source: Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images North America)

I say that loosely.  I feel like it's more like... they know he's out there...

Yes, it's true the Yankees have inquired about Matt Holliday, but they are also very much in the mix for guys like Carlos Beltran and Edwin Encarnacion as well.

According to Jon Heyman...

(July 27, 2016 - Source: Rob Foldy/Getty Images North America)

"In addition to the previously mentioned Chapman and Kenley Jansen as Yankees targets, plus hitting stars Carlos Beltran, Edwin Encarnacion, Yoenis Cespedes and Jose Bautista, the Yankees have called upon several more top free-agent hitters, including Dexter Fowler, Matt Holliday, Mike Napoli and Brandon Moss, and are believed to have checked in with the better starting pitchers on the market, including Rich Hill and Jason Hammel."

(Oct. 29, 2016 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)

Yeah, that's right. Dexter Fowler of the Cubs is on that list as well as Mike Napoli.  We wrote about Napoli in MIKE NAPOLI IS NOT A NEW YORK YANKEE. Check it out.

But Holliday is an interesting one.  I mean, he still has pop in his bat, he's 36 years old  though.  You gotta wonder if this is just another Travis Hafner type situation all over again.

(July 3, 2013 - Source: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images North America)

Bronx Baseball Daily writes of Holliday: "Holliday finished the season with the St. Louis Cardinals where his average dipped from 2015. In 110 games, Holliday hit .246/.322/.461. However, his home run total was up from 2015, hitting 20 home runs and driving in 62 versus four homers and 35 RBI.

(Aug. 6, 2016 - Source: Michael Thomas/Getty Images North America)

Holliday has experienced health issues in the past; he last played at least 150 games in 2014 where he hit .272/.370/.441. However, Holliday would be a powerful bat in the lineup at DH should the Yankees choose to go that route."

Bottom line, I'm kind of over the old guys, although this is intriguing.  We'll keep an eye on this though, just in case.

THE BELTRAN "TOLD YA SO" SHOW

Now look, I'm not gonna jump on the bandwagon about how we all knew Carlos Beltran would get hurt. I mean, the fact of the matter is, we all knew it, but no one wanted to say it.  I would not have predicted a bone spur in his elbow though... my God.  It's ridiculous when you think about all the bad luck we have. 

Beltran at this point in his Yankee career reminds me already of the Travis Hafners and Vernon Wells types of the Yankees past. I hate spending big money on guys only for them to go to the DL. It annoys me,  and that is exactly what has happened to our friend Carlos Beltran.

According to Matt Snyder of CBSSports.com, "Carlos Beltran has been placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a bone spur in his right elbow, the club announced Thursday... Earlier this week, an MRI revealed a bone spur in Beltran's right elbow. Initially, the Yankees hoped to keep him off the disabled list, but he obviously hasn't made any improvement in the last few days. Surgery is a possibility, though Beltran and the Yankees would like to avoid it. If he does have surgery, the recovery timetable is six to eight weeks (via Sweeny Murti)."

So what does it all mean?  Well, it means another power bat out of the lineup.  That's the bad news.  The good news is Ichiro Suzuki may get more playing time and it's moments like this that we DEFINITELY need and CHAMPIONED the idea here at BYB that Ichiro should never be traded out of New York. When big guys go down, it's guys like Ichiro that step up and he's the perfect, reliable replacement for times like this.

And sure, before you scream at this post and accuse me of not knowing about Ichiro's "hurt back", know this... Ichi is day to day and while Soriano was the right fielder this week, Ichiro will be back and ready to roll.  Don't panic.

Anyway, we hope Carlos gets well soon, but it's my prediction, and my knowledge of how the Yankees operate, that Carlos Beltran will be out of the lineup a helluva lot longer that we all think.

Whatever the case... get well soon Mr. Beltran.

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TRAVIS HAFNER GOES BACK TO SCHOOL

Big news for Travis Hafner fans.  He has accepted a position at Notre Dame College. He'll be part of the coaching staff.  The press release reads:

"Former Cleveland Indians superstar Travis Hafner has joined the Notre Dame College baseball staff, Head Coach Len Barker announced earlier today.

The Jamestown, N.D., native, will join the coaching staff as an assistant coach, and while he will focus on working with NDC hitters, he will help out in all areas."

Does this mean he's retired? Does it mean he's taking a break? I am not sure.

More importantly, I was just telling my buddy the other day that I wondered where Len Barker was all these years...

Well, we found him... Notre Dame College.

Good luck to Travis. You're a good dude and you had a tough break last season.

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LYLE OVERBAY IS LONELY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The Yankees have Mark Teixeira coming back fully healthy to first base most likely.   While out last season, Lyle Overbay, a last minute pickup by the Yanks, stepped up big time.  In fact, between he, Vernon Wells and Travis Hafner, he was the most impressive, performing well at the plate, as well as filling in for a hurt Tex.  In other words, Lyle Overbay was a good solider and I’ve stated here numerous times, I’d re-sign him based on that alone.  But look, I understand that it doesn’t work that way.  I get it, and so, the Yankees have probably moved on and thanked Lyle for his services.

Right now though, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Lyle Overbay’s phone is not ringing at all.  I was surprised to read that.  Here’s Cafardo:

“Very little activity on Overbay, who will likely be a January tack-on. He saved the Yankees’ lunch last season by replacing Mark Teixeira, but for now the Yankees have Tex back and there isn’t a spot on the roster for Overbay. He’ll likely wind up as someone’s backup or a low-cost option for a team such as the Orioles or Indians.”

Look, who ever picks up Overbay will be happy with his performance, as well as his price. I think it would be stupid to not give this guy a look.  Now, let me state that I would love to have Overbay back in the Bronx, but it’s clear that the Yankees have no intention of bringing him back and are eyeing guys like Mark Reynolds who can play first AND third base, just in case ARod gets suspended.

Whatever happens to Lyle Overbay… I wish him well.  I liked him in pinstripes and I hope he finds a gig soon.

Just wanted to keep you guys in the loop.

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THE YANKEES RUMOR RADAR IS HOT RIGHT NOW

We seem to have a conversation about the Miami Marlins every season.  And every season, the name Giancarlo Stanton comes up.  That’s usually followed by me saying that the Yankees need to get this guy at all costs. I wrote that in GIANCARLO STANTON IS FOR SALE a while back and a few dozen times around December 2012. 

I’ve since cooled on that idea. They say Stanton is untouchable.  After all, we signed stud Aaron Judge after he was drafted and allegedly, he’s bigger, stronger and better than Giancarlo Stanton.  No idea is that’s true, but the Stanton chapter is closed as far as I’m concerned.  Enter Logan Morrison and the Yankees need for alittle stability.

According to FOX Sports Ken Rosenthal, Logan Morrison is a guy the Marlins are willing to give up.  The question for you is, Should the Yankees go for it? If so, why? I mean look, Morrison is a guy that is coming off a season of a .242 average and 6 home runs.  Hardly dominant. Plus, he’s returning from a knee injury.  What’s the upside? He’s young, he can be a back up at first and in the outfield and so, those numbers don't translate to what he's truly capable of. In the grand scheme of things, looking at what we currently have, maybe signing him now,  he could explode and we keep him around to blossom. Who knows what the man can do in the Bronx. Again, he's 26. 

Another guy that’s been mentioned as “stability” for the Yankees is Kendrys Morales. Another idea to be a backup at first base. This rumor comes from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  Now, we know about Logan Morrison and his knee surgery and while he’ll most likely recover fully, here we go again. Morales is another one who had leg problems.  You remember him shattering his ankle in a walk off home run a few years ago. You need your ankles.  Hell, you need your legs, and the Yankees need to be smart here.

Look, Morales batted .277 with 23 home runs for the Mariners this past season.  He’s got power and the guy can play, plus he’s a 30 year old switch hitter and a legitimate backup at first base, or even him being a Designated Hitter could prove smart.  I don't know, I kind of like the idea.

I’ll tell you something though, as a reward from the New York Yankees, and if he’s willing to take it, I would ask Lyle Overbay to come back.  Overbay stepped up big time for the Yankees last season.  He never complained, he did the job well and despite all the chatter about guys like Vernon Wells and Travis Hafner, Overbay proved to be the best signing of the 3 easily.

So yeah, there are Yankee rumors galore, but if I’m the Yankees… maybe I’ll stay right now. 

But comment... What do you think?

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WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING FOR?

I am not a quitter, that's just me. That being said, there is a force of some kind that is just keeping the Yankees from getting ahead in 2013, and any way you slice it, it will now be just about impossible for the Yankees to get a playoff spot at this point.

Sure, we play the Rays, and sure, we have to literally win every single game now to even have a chance… but no one wants chances… everyone wants the sure thing.  The Yankees are not a sure thing and it’s evident in Bleeding Yankee Blue’s readership. I know what a true Yankee fan IS, writing for you every day.  You are sad like us.

For the first time in the 3 years BYB has been in existence, we have seen 7 writers with unbelievable writers block and a readership that has tanked because of the fact that no one wants to read about losing and “fixing” a team.  We are depressed… all of us.  You can blame Joe Girardi if you want. You can blame freak injury, or Joba Chamberlain, or CC Sabathia, although, I don’t know how you can.  The Yankees were dealt a bad hand since the beginning.  

There were big moments, but those moments happened months ago.  I will tell you this… a guy like Lyle Overbay was a huge pickup and I love Mark Teixeira… but I didn’t miss him.  Overbay was a good solider and he was one of the best signings for the Yankees. Alfonso Soriano was another.  He was great for us in the short time he was here.  I love having Fonzie back!

There were bad moments and the biggest one was an interview that Derek Jeter did after the Sunday game this past weekend...  Mariano Rivera Day.  It was subtle, but he told reporters that now it’s getting real.  He told them that now he’s thinking about his own future in pinstripes with Andy Pettitte leaving and Mariano Rivera tour winding down. That’s honesty and that’s not Derek Jeter… that’s why you know it’s real.  Now, I’m paraphrasing Jeter’s quotes, but the reality is, that’s the gist of it… Yankeeland is changing.

The Yankees still have fight in them, sure, but they're limping.  Is it fair? Well, we have our own feeling that strengthening and conditioning in Yankeeland needs a major overhaul.  We will have a report about that tomorrow here on Bleeding Yankee Blue...it's important.  We also think that with a new season will bring in new blood...hopefully.  Is Tyler Austin ready? How about Slade Heathcott?

How about pitching? Will Mark Montgomery be a future Yankee closer? Will David Robertson? Who will be in our rotation? Chad MacDonald has a great piece about that… read PITCHING FITS… it’s dynamic and eye opening.

No one wants to admit it… but we’re probably done this season.  There are way too many obstacles and the stars now need to align perfectly. Under the circumstances… we did good.  We won a ton of games… but clearly not enough.  Hey, I was rooting when we were terrible in the 80’s and I’m still rooting… but reality has set in.  It’s no one's fault. It really isn’t.  Sure, if blame needs to fall on anyone, it’s lying to us that the Yankees were putting the best team on the field.  Hal said that, but I don’t think Hal really had a grasp on what they had put out there.

Travis Hafner was a bust.  We had faith in Melky Mesa, and we released him.  Boone Logan is probably a nice guy, but he’s a terrible lefty specialist.  We didn’t even give Chien-Ming Wang a shot and the majority of our team… was hurt.  Talk about bad luck or a bad omen, or whatever you want to call it… but I tell you what;  Let’s watch the final week of "the Mo farewell tour", let’s applaud greatness and let’s go away from a long winters nap.  I have no problem coming back stronger next year… it would be nice to have a clean slate.

In the meantime… there’s baseball to be played.  Be it just going through the motions, or really and truly fighting for a playoff spot… let’s do this… somehow, someway.  We are the mighty Yankees you know… even if we haven’t been that mighty this season.  I will always love my team… forever, and I know you feel the same.

Let's Go Yanks!

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STAND AND DELIVER LIKE A WARRIOR!

The headline above "Stand and Deliver", was the headline in the Bergen Record today, written by Steve Popper.  I added the "Warrior" part because... I make my own headlines here at BYB.

Popper wrote a good piece today on last night's game, read HERE.  I was half awake cracking open the paper this morning, ready to read Pete Caldera... then I realized that Caldera was doing his best Frank Sinatra at the Carnegie Club last night.... read CALDERA-PALOOZA! 

Popper will do... I like him too!  He did a great job writing phrases to pump me up, like, "If the sense of urgency didn’t show before the game, it was evident once they took the field" and "The Yankees began this crucial homestand knowing it could be a last stand".  All of this is true. But now the reality could be so painful to us Yankee fans, that if we root alittle harder, but lose... the disappointment will be a lot worse.

Look, we were handed a team that none of us were very fond of this season, but we rolled the dice with Cashman and the boys and hoped things worked out.  Vernon Wells and Travis Hafner haven't exactly been outstanding, which is why it's now crystal clear to me why the Angels unloaded Wells in the first place.  No one has a crystal ball, but he was traded for a reason. We now know what that reason may be.  The injuries have killed us too. The injuries have crippled us all season and while that's no excuse... it's a major blow.  True, 25 players make a team, but the 25 we have, and it's been a revolving door, have not been the "best team on the field" as Hal Steinbrenner has told us.  We know this... but we need to live with it and root for the team. That's all we can do.

But something big happened last night.  The Yankees fought.  They fought like warriors. They knew their backs were against the wall and the had a come from behind win!  CC Sabathia was down and they picked him up.  As CC said, "Unbelievable... That’s what I always talk about. If I can keep these guys in the game, we’ve got a good chance of winning. I was barely hanging on there but these guys come up with a bunch of runs.” It's true. We CAN accomplish anything, but we need to have a chance.

Now, don't rank on CC Sabathia.  Chalk up this season as a lousy one.  Every great pitcher is entitled to 1.  This is his year.  Now, that theory isn't exactly popular, I get that. I mean after all, big game pitchers HAVE to deliver, but I cut CC some slack. I just hope he can figure out whatever has happened and get back into being dominant again.  I trust he will.

The Yankees have a long, long way to go and  they're running out of time this year.  Is it possible that they can make the playoffs? Yes. Will they? It's tough to say, but I will say this... if they play every game like it's their last, or like they played last night... we DO have a chance.  We all know the talent is there.

Yankee fans are spoiled.  We expect to win.  That's just the way it's supposed to be.  If the Yankees don't win... there is something wrong in the universe.  So, we come to the ballpark ready for big things. We come to the ballpark wearing our #2 or #46 jersey. We spend big money on tickets and bring our families and spend hundreds of dollars to see our  team win. Why? Because we're Super fans... we're Yankee fans and losing isn't an option.  You have that mentality in life, so why not have it in Yankee Stadium?  It makes perfect sense to me.

Last night big things happened.  This morning, no one is more angry than Buck Showalter who wants revenge.  So, what do we do as a team? We keep stomping on the O's. We keep fighting because now it doesn't matter what team it is we need to beat. We need to beat ALL the teams that get in our way.  But one thing is important to understand in this whole scenario... Buck Showalter does NOT roll over. 

Today will be tougher than yesterday.  Sunday will be tougher than Saturday... and the competition, be it the Royals, the Orioles or the Red Sox should be a faceless enemy right now.

We should walk on the field as warriors... the same mentality... the same ferocity, the same animal instincts for ANY team we fight. They are the enemy, we need to beat them... at all costs... that's the Yankee way... that's always been our mission.

Let's do this gentlemen... let's do it now!

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If the sense of urgency didn’t show before the game, it was evident once they took the field as the Yankees took a first, tenuous step by starting a crucial 10-game homestand with an 8-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles. - See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/Yanks_open_10-game_homestand_with_8-5_win_over_Orioles.html#sthash.GTrZLpA7.dpuf

If the sense of urgency didn’t show before the game, it was evident once they took the field as the Yankees took a first, tenuous step by starting a crucial 10-game homestand with an 8-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles. - See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/Yanks_open_10-game_homestand_with_8-5_win_over_Orioles.html#sthash.GTrZLpA7.dpuf

THE YANKEES' WALKING WOUNDED

 

I'm not taking the "walking wounded" title and a picture of soldiers above lightly just so you know.  I am merely drawing a comparison to soldiers and athletes and their want and need to be on a battlefield and when hurt, they hopefully recover to their fullest only to go play, or fight, again.  Hope people got it.

There are still quite a few Yankees that are hurt and I just wanted to fill you in on a few of them.

David Phelps: You remember him right? It’s been a while. Well, the latest is you can forget about him coming back this season...seriously.  He has that forearm strain, read HERE and he has not even started playing catch yet since the injury.  Look, this is an obvious decision to make.  We don’t need the guy right now. He’s young. So just fix him up and have him ready for Spring Training in 2014.  Forget about Phelps right now.

Travis Hafner: Pronk is hitting off a tee.  But seriously, with everyone we now have, especially with the addition of Alfonso Soriano and Mark Reynolds, and even lefty hitting Curtis Granderson back... kiss Pronk goodbye.  Remember, he hurt his shoulder and was shut down most of the year.  He had a good, short run with us, but things just didn’t work out.  No hard feelings, right Pronk? Look, he could come back this September, but where is he going to go?

Michael Pineda: Oh boy.  He was close and then the Yankees shut him down, read HERE.  Well, the latest is he’s throwing, but not in a simulated game or anything.  Another situation where the Yankees just need to get him back for Spring Training 2014 and chalk up 2013 as a loss.  Look, it could be worse, we could have a sucky rookie catcher with a PEDs suspension by the name of Jesus Montero right now, huh?  Pineda will be back… just not this year.

Eduardo Nunez: He’s day to day after that recent right knee injury.  I will tell you something though… this guy gets hurt way too much. Nunez will be better in a day or 2.  No worries we will see him again.

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BASEBALL TALK AT THE BREAKFAST TABLE

The cliche says you should never talk politics at the dinner table. Maybe there should be one for sports banter at the breakfast table. On second thought, I take it back. There is plenty of hilarity at the breakfast table on Sunday mornings. Last weekend just wouldn't be the same without it. This time it was so entertaining that it wasn't just me and my dad carrying on.....it went a little something like this.

Dad: So, how far back are the Yankees now? The Blue Jays pass you yet?

Me: Dad....how can you say that about one of your teams?

Dad: Well....at least I can admit they suck this year.

Me: Can you admit that the Mets do every year also?

Dad: They didn't in 1986 or 2006.

Me: AH, YES....let's go back to what happened in 2006 again, shall we?

Dad: *quickly changes the subject* So anyway, who is injured now?

Me: Nice cover up there, dad but I will spare you. Travis Hafner is hurt.

Dad: Who?! Your team is a bunch of Old Timers!

Me: Never mind....Derek Jeter is back.

Dad: For how long this time?

By this point, we were conveniently interrupted and the subject changed temporarily....A few minutes later:

*text message sound goes off on my phone*

Dad: Oh....did the Yankees finally score?

Me: *grabs phone and looks at it* Yes...and Derek Jeter hit a home run.

Dad: Free the pigeons! Someone can hit.

Me: You are a fickle fan, dad. *text message sound goes off again*

Dad: At least I can admit they suck this year....

Me: *looks at phone* You jinxed us! The Rays are leading now.

Dad: See.....told ya.

Jeana: Can't you make fun of your other teams now?

Dad: What other teams?

*my step mom and I give my dad "the look" for when he asks a silly question*

Me: You have 3 teams dad....let's talk about one of the other two.

Dad: And they are?

Me: Your Mets and the Diamondbacks. How can you like the Mets AND the Yankees?

Dad: What's to talk about? The Mets aren't expected to do anything again and the Diamondbacks have crappy pitching.

Jeana: Yup, the Diamondbacks have fallen from grace, huh? How bout them Dodgers, dad? *laughs*

Dad: I have no pitching and one good hitter.

 Jeana: I have a good solution for ya! I will trade you Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain....take your pick for Paul Goldschmidt!

Dad: *laughs* You must be high. You do have good taste though. He is better than Mark Teixeira and at least he can stay healthy.

Me: You leave my Tex alone....and you must be high for following 3 teams.

Dad: Hometown and newtown.

Me: So dad....who are you going to cheer for when we go to the Diamondbacks / Mets game in a couple of weeks? Are you going to wear both Mets and Dbacks gear? If you are, I'm sorry I can't defend you when you get teased.

Dad: The Mets aren't going anywhere so I guess it's new town over old town.

Jeana: So the Bronx and Queens are both your hometown? Explain that again.

*my step mom laughs* Ok you two....do I need to put you in timeout?

Dad: She started it!

Me: Really dad? How old are we?

Dad: Make fun of me all you want...at least I can admit all of my teams suck. *Opens the newspaper and starts reading the standings*

Me: It must be hard for you. So much mediocrity to follow.

Dad: Nah, I just skipped over the Yankees and focused on the other two. Wow, look at those Rays!

Me: Don't tell me you are going to be a Rays fan now, too? Just stick to one team dad, stick to one. Now stop jinxing my team! If I get swept it's all your fault....

I love my dad, he's the best. Just don't mess with my Yankees dad! Oh and stop jinxing them will yah?! Thankfully the Yankees pulled it out and he didn't have much to make fun of. Not only that, we were both put in baseball timeout. It's another fun filled Sunday at the breakfast table. I'm sure there is still lots more to follow.....

--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer and Editor
Twitter: @NyPrincessJ

 


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