GOT DJ, NOW WHAT?

I was as relieved as you when word came through that the Yankees finally signed DJ LeMahieu on Friday.  Text messages came in as early as 7:30 a.m. on Friday morning and they all lauded the much needed move by the Yankees. But now what? How will signing LeMahieu and now Corey Kluber set up the Yankees for the success? What else do they need to do to position them to not only win the AL East but the World Series in 2021?

Source: The New York Times

According to CBS Sports, "Hypothetically, the Yankees could spend around $25 million and avoid that additional surtax. If they wanted to save around $10 million, for in-season additions and as a general rainy-day fund, then that number is closer to $15 million. The Yankees, then, could fit another Kluber-like deal into their budget with room to spare."

Who is that Kluber-like pitcher for the Yankees? Well it's not Masahiro Tanaka unless he is going to take pay cut which is not likely. It could be James Paxton but I know I am a little sick of his lackluster performance, but maybe the Yankees take another chance on him.

Source: Pittsburgh Gazette

"On the trade front, the most realistic option is Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Joe Musgrove. The Yankees have reportedly also had past interest in Musgrove's teammate Jameson Taillon. Beyond them, the Yankees may have to gamble on someone without a great track record, like Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Vincent Velasquez," reported CBS Sports. Who do Bombers give up for one of these pitchers? Depends. Could be some built around Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar and even Mike Tauchman. 

Source: Corey Sipkin

As far as other free agents whose salary would be inline with the Yankees' budget, you could go with "Adam Wainwright, Jake Odorizzi, Taijuan Walker, Jose Quintana or Trevor Cahill," reports CBS Sports. I am in alignment with Joel Sherman that if the Yankees are going to stay under the luxury tax, they will have to get creative. And I will give Brian Cashman credit for being creative in his role as GM. 

So we got DJ, we got Kluber, what's next for the Yankees? We will soon see and hopefully whoever else the team adds, it will be more than enough to get over the World Series drought and then some. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

50 & THE INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY OF AARON JUDGE

"Judge is back, Dad! Big time!"

--My 15 year old

Photo: Getty Images

My son said that on Saturday, a few days before he hit number 50.  The truth is my son's been watching Judge all season.  The hot streaks, the struggles, and some would suggest he's analyzing Aaron Judge and internalizing his own journey in youth baseball. For years it was never easy for him in a "Daddy Baseball" mentality.  But he stayed patient, he never quit working and through it all, he emerged as one of the better hitters in our area, and he was recognized for it, and that makes me kind of proud.  Hard work and determination was a huge part of that. But he also learned disappointment, much failure, being picked on by peers and all of that, but he did learn one truly valuable lesson... "one game at the time."  These days, he feels pretty good, but it took a lot of learning to get there.

Now he watches Aaron Judge and while my son is not a home run hitter at all, he recognizes the pitches coming in to Aaron's wheelhouse and how Judge went from not being able to lay off the outside pitch to waiting on it, recognizing the ball coming out the pitchers hand, and re-adjusting.  Judge did it.  So did my own kid.  And watching my boy totally absorbed in a rookie like Judge makes me very happy.

Photo: Getty Images

Aaron Judge hit 2 yesterday.  Number 49 and 50.  Sports Illustrated has the story:

"Since the calendar turned to September, it's been another story. Judge's home run on September 3 against the Red Sox, his 38th of the year, ended a season-high 15-game drought. He's hit 12 since then, including seven in his last six games, capped by back-to-back two-homer games against the Blue Jays on Sunday and the Royals on Monday. In Monday’s third inning, he tied McGwire's record with a 389-footer to right centerfield off Jakob Junis, and then in the seventh, he broke it via a 408-footer to left center off Trevor Cahill. For the month, he’s now hitting .307/.444/.893 with 13 homers and 26 RBIs."

Photo: Getty Images

What makes all of this sweeter is that the Yankees are playing so well.  But the story of Aaron Judge is one of folklore in a lot of ways. It's almost not believable. His journey has been amazing to watch, and for my son, Aaron Judge has a new fan, big time.  In the end, even if the Yankees don't succeed this season and win it all, Aaron Judge has inspired a fan base, and that my friends brings a big goofy smile to my face.

Congrats to Aaron, you deserve everything positive coming your way, kid.  Thanks for inspiring.


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YANKEE RUMORS & BYB: PART 10

Yoennis Cespedes: The Cleveland Plain Dailer's Paul Hoynes reports that it will be 2 months before Cespedes declares free agency. The Yankees recently held a private workout with Cespedes and several teams including the Red Sox, Phillies, Blue Jays, Tigers and others are looking at him. Stay tuned on this one, Yoennis could be the signing of the winter.
Trevor Cahill: Cahill's young and reports are he is possibly available in a trade. Read that story HERE. No doubt I love Gio Gonzalez so much better, but Cahill's good and young. Depending on what the Athletics are looking for in return, Cahill may be a good addition in the Yankee rotation.Jorge Posada: Jon Heyman believes that Posada would sign with the Marlins or the Orioles if he was to continuing playing baseball. Personally, I think Posada, if he were to play would sign with the newly named Miami Marlins. Not only are the Baltimore Orioles an enemy in the AL East, Laura Posada had expressed an interest in having Jorge play in Florida. Read HERE.
Mark Buehrle: The contact was made with Buehrle's agent and now Cashman is hopefully putting together alittle package together that works for Buehrle, something more appealing that whatever the Miami Marlins have offered Buerhle to pitch in Miami. If Buehrle were to sign with the Yankees he will no doubt be a number 2 or number 3 pitcher, someone that will eat innings and will provide veteran toughness along with CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Phil Hughes and AJ Burnett. Let's hope an offer comes soon, I really want to see Buehrle in pinstripes. Also, read this great piece by Jeff Bradley HERE about how Mark Buerhle could be what Jimmy Key was in the 1990's.

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WHY ARE THE YANKEES LOSING TO THE 3RD PLACE A'S?

Rafael Soriano has been great since coming back from the DL and you put him up against Coco Crisp and is anyone really betting Crisp puts the Athletics ahead in the 10th to win the game? I'm not. This whole game didn't work out as planned. CC vs. Cahill? Who you putting money on? I know I was betting on CC and the Yankees, that's for sure.

With CC Sabathia on the mound, it was clear that he was going to come in strong against a 3rd place A's team that's 14 games out and just kick some ass. After all he was looking to get his 18th win tonight. But that wasn't the case. While he only allowed 3 runs in 7 innings and struck out 7, the Yankees couldn't get the runs to pull ahead and hold down Oakland.We were supposed to own Trevor Cahill tonight. He is 0-4 against the Yankees in the Bronx with an ERA of 13.50. You would have thought we would have hit fine tonight, but "That's baseball Suzyn," as John Sterling would say, "You just can't predict it." No kidding. If I looked at that match up tonight, I would have never predicted this loss.Coco Crisp had 2 homers tonight against the Yanks. One in the first inning and 1st inning against CC and 1 in the 1oth against Soriano to win it. Damn, that's odd. That was the big blow, the 1oth. With Rafael Soriano on the mound, he gave up Crisp's homer and suddenly it's 6-3 and the Yanks were only able too make is 6-4... then lose.Yankees hitting highlights were minimal. Jeter had 2 hits and is now batting .297. There were hits tonight by Mark Teixeira, a solo shot in the eighth inning and Nick Swisher creamed 2 homers tonight as well, one in the sixth and one in the bottom of the 10th inning, but it just wasn't enough. We well short.

Final Score: Athletics 6 - Yankees 4

The final game of this series is tomorrow afternoon. Phil Hughes vs. Rich Harden. It's a must win for New York who as already lost this series. Damn guys, it's the 3rd place Athletics, it's not the evil Red Sox... come on.

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