THE SONNY GRAY SAGA IS ABOUT TO END

Source: NESN

Word on the street is that the Sonny Gray deal is going to drop this weekend, shipping out the 29-year-old pitcher who just could not hack it in the Bronx.  According to Jon Heyman via a post on CBS New York, Cincinnati is the front runner of this trade.

Source: Reds Minor Leagues

"Catcher Tyler Stephenson and Second baseman Shed Long (Cincinnati’s sixth and seventh-best prospects according to MLB.com) are the names rumored to be in a proposed package for Gray."  CBS also reports, "along with the Reds, the Braves, Brewers, Giants, and Padres are all said to still be in the mix for Yankees’ expendable starter."  At the time of this post, the Reds and Yankees appear to have reached an agreement to ship Gray to Cincinnati for a draft pick and Long as reported by Fox Sports New York last night. Apparently, Stephenson will not be part of the deal. Honestly, whatever we are able to recover as a result of unloading Gray is fine with me.  He's better off going somewhere else where he could potentially be successful.

Fans, loyal readers... let's all pause and breathe out a collective sigh of relief.  The Sonny Gray nightmare is over and there is light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't been this relieved since Brian Cashman dumped Tyler Clippard in July 2017, ending that nightmare stint in New York. Ironically, this is just about the time we picked up Gray.  When one door closes, another one opens...didn't work out quite that well for the Yankees.

"The right-hander seemed to implode in every single appearance in the Bronx, pitching to a miserable 6.98 ERA at home. He would eventually be demoted to the bottom of the Yankee bullpen as GM Brian Cashman opted to trade for Lance Lynn rather than give the ball back to Gray," reported CBS. Implode is describing his performances lightly.  Recall how anxious we all got when it was Gray's turn in the rotation. My disgusted face re-appeared often this past season, even a few days before he was expected to take the hill.

As we approach just under three weeks until pitchers and catchers report, let's hope that the storms don't hold back Gray catching a plane and getting out of town to join his new team in time for the upcoming workouts.  No hard feelings, Sonny. It's just time for everyone to move on.  The Sonny Gray Saga is about to end...and that's just one less thing to worry about.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

JUST STOP MAKING EXCUSES

Source: Sporting News

Saturday morning I took part in a radio show on @WDLC1077 with principal and author of the book The Principal: Surviving and Thriving.  The book is set to release sometime in early fall.  The theme of the interview was #MakeItHappen and the host @AndrewMarotta21 and me talked about the multiple ways we and many others we know use our resources, our experiences and just grit and resilience to grow, learn from mistakes and make things happen.  Ironically, in contrast, the Yankees lead by Manager Joe Girardi continue to make excuses for their inconsistent offense, poor performance on the mound, particularly out of the bull pen and their cluster of losses against the Red Sox and other American League opponents.  As someone who prides herself on making things happen despite the obstacles or perhaps odds against, I set out to find out what our fans and readers think about individuals who make excuses.

Middle School teacher @snydesn2 said this with regards to leadership who uses excuses for not meeting goals they set for themselves and their team, "Be a person of Now not later. Procrastination leads to excuses. Excuses only breed more excuses. Proactivity helps avoid them, reactivity leads to them."

I believe that Joe Girardi feels he is supporting his pitchers who are failing to meet their performance expectations when he excuses them continuously during his post-game press conferences.  He did this with Tyler Clippard and now he is making excuses for Aroldis Chapman whose performance goal is very clear: "Save the Game!"  Nothing more obvious about that.  Even though Girardi has decided to use Chapman "at any point" and not necessarily as a closer in his remarks before the game on Saturday, Chapman has never owned up to his poor performance leading to an ERA close to 10 against the Red Sox this season.

Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty

"Mismanagement seldom recognizes itself and unfortunately too many times finds excuses for themselves in others. Saying you've failed and finding next steps forward is a path not many peeps choose....on their own," said avid BYB reader and Healthcare PR and Marketing Communications Innovator @dougstro.  He may be onto something.  Is the Yankee management even aware how many times they make excuses for their players or for their poor performance on the field?  Maybe Joe and even Brian Cashman are just so poised to script out their comments to the media and to fans before and after each game that they are completely oblivious to how ridiculous they sound and how mismanaged they truly are.

Yankee fan and principal of a NJ elementary school @jaybilly2 shared with me the quote above and added this insight. "There is always a reason for failure. We use these reasons for growth so we don't fail again. People who use excuses aren't looking for improvement, they're looking for sympathy.  You can lose but you become a loser when you make excuses."  The Yankees aren't just losing important games, they are losing their confidence, they are losing their fans' confidence and they are losing something else, which perhaps trumps the other two: credibility.  By defending the poor behavior and performance by Chapman, dismissing it almost entirely by saying, "he needs to work out the kinks," is just not owning that he is making mistakes and he isn't reflecting on the process of his work.  When Masahiro Tanaka struggled with his control earlier in the season, he said that he was reviewing video of the games, reflecting on his form and making adjustments.  Chapman has not even had the decency to acknowledge his problems and Girardi has allowed this to happen.  This is just unacceptable...he is building a reputation for having no sense of urgency to make the changes needed to be successful.  He appears not to care at all.

Source: Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

Finally, long time Yankee fan and restaurant manager @hammersiny provided this in depth reflection based on the Yankees' performance over the past couple of days against both the Mets and Boston. "The manager uses the pieces he has available.  Some of his decision-making is questionable because as fans we second guess the decision when the outcome isn't positive.  Excuses are just the result of some of these poor outcomes.  Like where was (David) Robertson on Friday night in the 7th inning? Resting?  Why can't we get a hit with bases loaded and the "meat" of the lineup is hitting?  Excuses...they gave us some exciting moments this year but they aren't winning because they lack consistency." These are observations of the games we lost that were very winnable, in fact, many times we lost in the late innings by giving away the lead and failing to get it back because of hushed bats.

Source: David Maxwell/Getty Images North America

The Yankees and in particular their skipper need to just stop making excuses and do something about these near wins and poor performances. Waiting until next week or until September to own the mistakes and do something positive with the "data" is just too late.  Ideally, the Yankees get the rest of their arsenal back and they make the decisions as far as who's playing and who's sitting and they do so using the evidence of those who are performing well and with the confidence that the players on the field are demonstrating the positive attitude we need to win.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @suzieprof

CLIPPARD OUT! DROB & FRAZIER ARE IN!

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

Word on the street...Tyler Clippard is going to Chicago...White Sox that is.  And the Yankees are getting Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle.

Source: ELSA/GETTY IMAGES

According to the NY Daily News, "Late Tuesday evening, the Yankees were close to acquiring 1B/3B Todd Frazier — the Toms River, N.J. Little League legend — and relievers David Robertson, the former Yankee, and Tommy Kahnle from Chicago, according to multiple reports."

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

Well, it appears the deal is done.

Also reports the News, "Top Yankee outfield prospect Blake Rutherford (and struggling reliever Tyler Clippard), according to USA Today, appears to be part of the package going to the White Sox. Pitching prospect Ian Clarkin, a first-round pick in 2013, is also in the deal according to multiple reports."

Hump Day Wednesday couldn't get much better...#LetsGoYankees.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @suzieprof

A REUNION WITH ROBERTSON MAY BE IN THE WORKS.....

Photo: Getty Images

As the second game of the Sunday Doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox got underway social media started to blowup once again. You gotta love this time of the year! It sounds like the Yankees and Red Sox are not only battling on the field at Fenway but also at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.

We have always wondered if we would ever see David Robertson back in a Yankees uniform and based on the latest rumor by Jon Heyman HERE, we just might. It's not the first time we have written about it. Last season when the Jose Quintana talks started Robertson was attached to a rumored deal the Yankees were interested in. The White Sox have since traded Quintana away so now the question remains....are we scouting for the same player?

July 7, 2017 - Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America

The Yankees have been rumored to be looking for other options at third base all season but the Red Sox may have more need for Todd Frazier than the Yankees after the Sox decided to DFA Pablo Sandoval for.....obvious reasons. The Yankees do have issues at third base but thankfully not the same kind. The Red Sox are also looking for bullpen help but the Yankees have a more pressing need for the pitching so maybe, we won't be competing for the same guys this time.

May 26, 2017 - Source: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America

We have always loved David and his wife Erin here at BYB, in fact they sold our first set of BYB shirts so we go way back.

The bullpen is a big concern for the Yankees. Dellin Betances hasn't been the same for a while now, Tyler Clippard is just horrible and Aroldis Chapman is not the same Chapman from before his trip to the disabled list. The ERA is higher and the blown save the other night really hurt. Robertson could be another great setup man or give Chapman a night off when needed and he knows what it takes to pitch here.

Photo: Getty Images

It sounds like Robertson has had a lot of anxiety recently with facing the possibility of being traded. It's hard to deal with the rumors and worrying about uprooting your family when your wife is pregnant but now that they have welcomed their daughter Violet into the world wouldn't it be a great 'homecoming' to come back to the Bronx? I think so.

I think Heyman was right when he said the Yankees "always have" loved Robertson. Fans loved him and we do too so a Robertson reunion would be a-OK with me. If anymore Robertson trade chatter happens you know we will be quick to share the news.

Until then....congrats to the Robertson's on their new bundle of joy and we hope to SEE you soon!




--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

YANKS 'COULD' LOCK IN SOME NICE OAKLAND RELIEVERS...

The key word is "could" because this comes from the Rumor king himself, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe...

(May 15, 2017 - Source: Stephen Brashear/Getty Images North America)

"Relievers Ryan Madson and lefty Sean Doolittle are both having good years and are likely to change addresses soon. Doolittle is more of an injury risk. Both relievers could be targeted by the Nationals and Yankees."

And truly that is the extent of the nugget.  There is no new information. No indication that the Yankees are eyeing Madson and Doolittle... just that they "could" be.

(April 5, 2017 - Source: Jason O. Watson/Getty Images North America)

Not a bad duo though.  Doolittle currently has a 3.54 ERA in 22 games.  He has 3 saves. Madson's ERA is 2.17 in 38 games.  Both could be pretty helpful, especially with the recent inconsistency or Tyler Clippard and Dellin Betances.  It could as least bring some stability.

We will see... but again, it's a "could" not a "will".

Happy Friday.

IS THE NEWEST YANKEE WAITING IN MIAMI?

Thank goodness the All-Star break is here. The Yankees need this break more than words can explain. Now that the All-Star break is here it means the trade deadline gets closer and those rumors continue to heat up. Could one of these be in the works?

Rumor has it that the Yankees are tied to two new targets in their two biggest weaknesses....and one of them has us and sports writers everywhere scratching their heads a little.

1) Padres - Yankees trade in the works?

This weekend the Padres sent special assistant David Post to watch the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre team. The Padres are going nowhere in their division and are 22 games behind and are expected to trade valuable left hand reliever Brad Hand before the trade deadline. Lefty Hand is in the middle of a breakout season and although he has good numbers the workload is going to be a serious concern. Hand pitched 111 innings in 2014, 93 1/3 in 2015, 89 1/3 last year and 47 so far this year, so some could make the case that Hand’s been overworked.

But the Yankees could welcome Hand’s addition because of the struggles with the bullpen especially with Tyler Clippard and Dellin Betances. We've been pretty critical of Clippard lately and some of us at BYB have more faith in him then all of us. Personally, I see Clippard as a liability at this point. He finished June with an 11.17 ERA and has a 13.50 ERA in his two July appearances so trying to justify putting any faith in Clippard in tough game situations is impossible at this point. Would Hand be an upgrade? Do the Yankees think so? I guess we will wait and see.

2) Miami has the All-Star game and the next Yankee?

Photo: Getty Images

The Yankees are desperate to get some production out of first base. The Yankees have DFA'd Chris Carter twice in a two week time span and Tyler Austin and Greg Bird are on the shelf. The Yankees need a consistent face at first base that can give them some offense and rumors suggest Justin Bour may be on the Yankees radar.

The list of possible first base trade candidates is extremely short and considering that the Yankees are dead last in production from first base at .200 they will likely have some competition from other teams looking for upgrades. Bour is 29 and in his fourth year in the majors and has a .286 this season with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs. He would certainly give the Yankees more production at first base but would probably cost the Yankees more then they would want to part with.

Photo: Getty Images

I really don't know how to predict just how costly he would be but considering he is on a very team friendly. Bour is a late bloomer and he is not a young guy. You have to wonder if this is just an abnormal strong year for him. His previous three seasons were not as impressive so how do you value a guy like Bour? This is what has me scratching my head.

I get why the Marlins would want a nice package in return for him. He is someone that they consider a valuable piece and cost effective. I would hate the Yankees to overpay for a guy that is not proven or consistent. I just don't know you come up with a fair price to make this happen. Is the Yankees farm and building toward the future worth a guy like Bour? I want to see more production at first, but this seems like a very risky gamble. Bour is playing in the Home Run Derby for his home town crowd so maybe he will show the Yankees something they can't ignore and make them want to pull the trigger.

The Yankees definitely need improvements at these positions but who knows if these new rumors have any more truth to them. I guess we will have to wait and see and hope that the trade deadline brings us some much needed support.



--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

COULD ADDISON REED BRING RELIEF TO YANKEES?

Source: KATHY WILLENS/AP

I saw it with my own eyes.  I was there.  I felt it in my core as he trotted onto the field from the bull pen in the 7th inning on Friday night.  I thought to myself, "this is just a sick joke that Joe Girardi is playing on me; he's not really coming in to ruin my perfect night at the Stadium." But alas, there was Tyler Clippard warming up to supposedly "get us out of a jam," which I might add he has not had much success in doing these last couple of months.  The Tyler Clippard presence on this team must end and honestly, I'd happily take 28-year-old Addison Reed in his place so that Clippard can be DFA'ed and we can all find some relief.

Source: SCOTT CUNNINGHAM/GETTY IMAGES

"With the Mets reportedly "open for business" on trade conversations, relief pitcher Addison Reed's name has been talked about as a potential piece the team could move on from in a July fire sale.

According to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, "interest is picking up around Reed's name--but there's skepticism that the team most in need of a late-inning arm would be able to make the Mets an offer they would accept."

Source: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images North America

As of pre-game time on Saturday, right-handed pitcher Addison Reed has 15 saves on the year with a 2.53 ERA and 43 strike outs.  Over the last seven days, his ERA has been 0.00.

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

Reed could make an impact on the bullpen without us giving away too much. And that keeps the Mets from dealing with the Washington Nationals, who acquired Daniel Murphy from their Division Rivals when the Mets failed to counter a free-agent offer. According to the NY Daily News, "If it’s the Yankees, that doesn’t mean Clint Frazier or Justus Sheffield or even Miguel Andujar. But considering that Reed could provide protection in case (Dellin) Betances can’t solve his walk issues or simply add needed bullpen depth, the Yankees should be willing to give up a prospect with value."

Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America

"Even if the Mets move Reed--or any other veteran--it could be spun as a move that wouldn't kill the team's chances of making a run this summer. Much like the Yankees moving Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman last summer, the Mets could theoretically play better baseball without a late-game reliever," reports NJ.com.

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

Anyway you spin it, we need someone to replace Clippard who clearly is sucking the life out of fans like me let alone the team itself.  He seems to have "mush" status, bringing bad luck to the team once he enters the field.  And I think the thing that makes it worse is that he doesn't even know what is happening.  According to his post-game interview on Friday night's massacre on the mound, "I feel very good about where I am at on the mound right now," Clippard said.  "I feel like my stuff is there. It's just frustrating."  

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

With a quote like that, Reed couldn't get here fast enough in my book.  As the deadline continues to grow closer, it will be interesting to see what Brian Cashman and Co. do to bring relief to both starting and bull pen rotations.

Time will tell... until then, #SendDownClippard.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @suzieprof

BYB Stack Merchandise (2017)

THE CLIPPARD PROBLEM

Photo: Getty Images

Suzie Pinstripe's pissed. 

She was at the game last night, and the Yankees lost. And it was almost predicted by Suzie:

And just like that...Girardi decides to give the game to @Brewers w @TylerClippard at helm #LosingTheWill @BleednYankeeBlu

— Suzanne (@suzieprof) July 8, 2017

Now... moments later... there was this:

Well @TylerClippard surely can do 1 thing well...clear a stadium @hammersiny @dRunner26_2 @BleednYankeeBlu #SendDownClippard pic.twitter.com/6TRdQmNk3e

— Suzanne (@suzieprof) July 8, 2017

And just like that, the Yankees lost another one and all because of Clippard.

Now, I happen to like Clippard. That's me. I believe that the best thing for a player to do when he's in his head is to keep working, try and find a way to get some confidence and over time, they will work out of the funk.  That being said, I believe Clippard's in a dark, dark place right now and he really needs to work on things.  Maybe down on the farm.  Maybe with another team.  Who knows.  I did find it interesting though that Cashman was asked about Clippard point blank. The New York Daily News has that:

Photo: Getty Images

"Brian Cashman was asked by the Daily News if he would consider designating Clippard for assignment, as Clippard was fresh off recent struggles then.

'If I feel that way, that’s what we would do,' said Cashman then. 'It’s never come up. If that’s something we choose to do (DFA Clippard), the only time to talk about stuff like that is after you do it.'

It may be time to think seriously about making such a move after Clippard gave up four runs on one hit in 1.2 innings Friday. Joe Girardi said he still backs his reliever. 'I believe (Clippard) will come out of it and be fine,' said the Yankee manager."

Photo: Getty Images

But will he, Joe? Can he? I mean, we are running out of time here and at the expense of the New York Yankees and their leads, that are suddenly wiped clean at the arm of Tyler Clippard. And while Clippard isn't the only one on the team, he is as of late one of the few, more dependable arms (not right now) that is healthy. Everyone is hurt... everyone.

It's a problem... and I am not quite sure what to do about it.

Maybe the Yanks can get him to turn it around... you gotta wonder if they are hoping that a few days off at the All-Star Break can change the 'bad vibes'. 

Let's hope. But what would you do? Comment.

BYB Stack Merchandise (2017)