A PITCHER YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS "CONNECTED" TO THE YANKEES

(Aug. 18, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)    

Well this one is coming out of left field....and I certainly didn't see it coming. I don't know where Richard Justice of MLB.com got this idea because I just don't see the Yankees being interested in this but if nothing else it is a compelling idea. After all, there isn't a whole lot of new information out there and Brian Cashman did say on Monday that he is "99.9 percent plus" sure that the Yankees are done making any moves for the upcoming season.

(July 26, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)    

According to MLB.com HERE, Danny Duffy is a trade chip that the Kansas City Royals are willing to deal and he would fit in well for the Yankees. This connection does make SOME sense when you look at the challenges facing both clubs right now, but I'm not so sure there is enough common ground there to make a trade. Let's look.....

The Yankees are currently transitioning to get new young blood into the organization, and the Royals on the other hand are preparing to transition as they lose six of their prominent World Series players to free agency. I don't envy Royals fans right now. The players that brought them a ring all hit free agency together, and the Royals just won't be able to afford them.

(Lorenzo Cain: Aug. 28, 2016 - Source: Ed Zurga/Getty Images North America)    

If I were the Royals (which I am glad I'm not!) I would be looking to move some of these guys to not only save on payroll, but to get some young promising talent into the organization before they walk away and may end up with nothing. As it stands now Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar, and Danny Duffy are all entering free agency, and should be considered possible trade targets.

Now, here is where the Yankees come in to play. Cashman says he is out of money but to address the questions that Justice asks in his article...it could be a match.

1) How good are we right now?
Offensively, I would say we are okay. We have some good young bats. Pitching though does not look good.

(Sept. 23, 2016 - Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America)

2) Is there one more acquisition that makes sense?
More than one. The Yankees need pitching. Jose Quintana? Jason Hammel? Danny Duffy?

3) Are we letting an opportunity pass?
Possibly, and even Brian Cashman knows that and is still keeping tabs on it.

The season hasn't started yet and you can't predict baseball but right now pitching could be the "make or break" for the Yankees this season especially with how good Boston's rotation looks on paper. The Yankees really need another starter and an experienced veteran wouldn't hurt.

(Sept. 22, 2016 - Source: Duane Burleson/Getty Images North America)

Duffy had a great season with a 12-3 record, 3.51 ERA, 188 strikeouts in 179 innings. It looks great on paper but that is not consistent with his prior years so the Yankees would have to count on him continuing with his hot streak which doesn't seem likely. It would also be nice to have another lefty in the rotation but if the Yankees don't want to give up prospects for Quintana the more desirable lefty why would they for Duffy?

And what about the cost? Teams know how much talent the Yankees have in the farm system now so it is no surprise that the Yankees lost seven players in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. The Yankees need pitching, but given how unpredictable Duffy has been in his career giving up any big names would be too risky. I would rather see the Yankees hold on to all of their top prospects, let the kids battle it out in Spring Training and round out the rotation that way. Duffy just isn't worth it in my opinion.

Justice certainly gave us all a compelling idea....but unfortunately I think it makes more sense for the Royals going forward than it does the Yankees. I do like the rumor mill though! It makes these boring winter days go by a little bit faster. Is it time for Spring Training Yet? No?! Wake me up when it is time or when the Yankees get a pitcher.



 --Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

THE YANKEES PLAN IF DROB STALLS

It's my feeling that the Yankees should offer David Robertson 4 years, but a reasonable money number. I mean, look how clean and easy the 4 year deal happened for Andrew Miller, right?

But just in case nothing can be worked out between he and the Yanks, the Yankees are protecting themselves, and they should. According to George King III of the New York Post, there is a constant dialog with them and the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves for pitchers Steve Cishek and Craig Kimbrel... and even more.

King writes: "...with Robertson doing the free-agent tango and several teams interested, the Yankees are talking to teams to see what bullpen help is available in a trade.

After checking with the Braves about Craig Kimbrel and the Marlins about Steve Cishek, the Yankees talked with the Royals to see if they were thinking about dealing closer Greg Holland or setup man Wade Davis.

There is no match between the Yankees and Royals, who are looking to add a starter through free agency but understand eventually Holland and Davis, the spine of baseball’s best bullpen, are going to price themselves out of Kansas City."

The fact that they are creeping around is an encouraging sign.  They are planning a backup plan and I like it. We will have to see what happens.  The best part of this scenario is we have guys like Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances ready for anything and fully capable of closing if need be.

DRob is wanted in New York... but not needed.

Stay tuned.

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THE ROYALS ADD VETERANS TO THEIR KIDS

(In Photo: Miguel Tejada)
Two notable signings I wanted to point out to you made by the Kansas City Royals.

(In Photo: Endy Chavez)
It's being reported that they have signed outfielder Endy Chavez to a deal. That is coming from Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.com, read his Tweet HERE. The deal is a minor league deal.

They also have just signed Miguel Tejada to a 1 year (minor league) deal, worth $1.1 million if he makes the team.  That report comes from Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes, HERE. He writes (translated in English): "Miguel Tejada and #Royals agree to minor league deal. If you make the team, would earn $ 1.1 million. KC has not put on roster now."

Both players can definitely contribute if they make the big club.

Don't forget, they just traded for Wade Davis and James Shields a few weeks ago.  Read  KANSAS CITY ROYALS TRADE FOR SHIELDS IS "BIG". I like what the Royals are doing...sprinkling alittle veteran help in with their youngsters... nothing wrong with that.

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KANSAS CITY ROYALS TRADE FOR SHIELDS IS "BIG"

The Royals have wanted and needed pitching for a while now and finally, they got some.  The Tampa Bay Rays have traded James Shields and Wade Davis to the Royals for top prospect outfielder Wil Myers, Mike Montgomery, Jake Odorizzi and Patrick Leonard.  Read about it more HERE. No one in Kansas City wanted to see Myers go, but you need to give something to get something sometimes.

Hey look, it's baseball and this move is good for baseball, it helps make the Royals competitive.  The Rays will be fine but with everything going on right now in the American League East, you have to wonder if the Rays pitching can handle the powerful Blue Jays and Orioles... maybe even the Red Sox in 2013.

Congrats to the Kansas City Royals... I always liked Shields, he's a competitor.

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