THE YANKEES WANT SUAREZ BUT THEY'LL SETTLE FOR THIS GUY....

Oh boy would Eugenio Suarez be a nice score for the Yankees....and the other 29 teams in the league know it. So, that's why I think it's NOT going to happen. I didn't say I don't WANT it to happen, I just think it is a long shot at best.

I live on the other side of the country now. As I have seen my X feed blow up with Suarez talk lately, I couldn't help myself but to turn on Arizona sports talk radio yesterday morning as I drove into work. We all know everyone hates the Yankees....but as soon as you even mention a trade with the Yankees, Arizona practically explodes like an Aaron Judge homerun out of the park and it's 2001 celebrations all over again and "they can't have our guys!" and temper tantrums galore. 

Nothing new to us, but Suarez is the best third baseman that could be available if the dirtbacks, I mean Dbacks decide to put him on the trade block. Teams will be circling like hungry wolves to try and get him and the price tag will be high. What's high? Well, the Yankees three biggest chips would be mentioned so that means George Lombard Jr, Cam Schlittler, and Spencer Jones. That's where the Yankees have a problem.

The Yankees want to hang on to all of these guys. Personally, I think Jones can go but the Yankees think differently. Hell, a lot of you have told me you think differently. He still has a lot to prove before he's ready for the big leagues. I just think the Yankees are likely to be outbid. So here goes Plan B....

It's the perfect Yankees fit. I hope I am wrong on this but I can see Brian Cashman calling up the Angels and working out a deal for Yoan Moncada. He's the typical Cashman acquisition, the dumpster dive or his hope and prayer to catch lightening in a bottle. Once upon a time ago, Moncada was the number one prospect in all of baseball. Now he's a switch hitter with some pop, but can't hit for contact if his life depended on it. Oh and he is often injured. In fact, he's played in less than 110 games in the last 4 seasons AND just game back from yet another injury. So he fits the Yankee mold. Cashman is probably salivating over him right now. He fits the Yankee mold.

So that will be plan B unless the Yankees decide to pony up and include Jones in a package deal for Suarez. I say cut him lose. Suarez is one of the best third basemen in all of baseball. But the Yankees can't put together a solid roster and they certainly don't have the right leadership in place. So the Yankees are gonna settle instead and give up just enough to get Moncada.

Moncada isn't worse than anything we have now for third base, but he's not the shiny addition we would want. That's why I call it settling. We get the third baseman we need, just not the caliber we want. 

By the way....you KNOW it's a good move for the Angels, and a questionable move for the Yankees if my Yankee hating husband says "Please, take Moncada off our hands!" Let's just hope the Yankees actually don't settle here.....I want to be wrong on this one.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

THAT YOAN MONCADA RUMOR THAT CONNECTS HIM TO THE YANKEES

The rumor mill never sleeps—especially when the New York Yankees are involved. Baseball’s most headline-hungry franchise could be linked to a Little League shortstop in Idaho, and somehow it would still dominate the back pages. But in this case, the buzz actually makes sense.

Despite a logjam of infielders, the Yankees’ 2025 options have delivered more mediocrity than magic. DJ LeMahieu is slow, but improving, Oswald Peraza has yet to seize his moment, and Jorbit Vivas hasn’t quite made the leap. It’s a crowded room—but nobody’s standing out. And with the trade deadline lurking like a Bronx summer thunderstorm, you can bet Brian Cashman is snooping around for reinforcements.

One name rising through the whisper network? Yoan Moncada. Yes, that Yoan Moncada—once hailed as a future superstar, now quietly piecing together a solid season with the Angels. The switch-hitter is batting .228/.333/.478 with five home runs, and more importantly, he’s healthy, motivated, and on an expiring contract.

“Yoan Moncada, a switch-hitting infielder in a contract year, fits the mold of a cost-effective rental,” wrote Alexander Wilson of Empire Sports Media—and he might be onto something.

Moncada’s primary home is third base, which just so happens to be a sore spot in the Yankees' lineup. Sure, Jazz Chisholm Jr. is on the mend and brings some swagger and versatility—but asking him to shoulder the entire load down the stretch is a gamble, not a game plan.

The beauty of Yankees rumors is that they never die—they evolve, swirl, and grow louder with every passing week. And while some are smoke and mirrors, Moncada to the Bronx has the rare scent of something real: low-risk, high-upside, perfectly timed.

After all, what’s a trade deadline without a Yankees twist?

IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW... THERE ARE INFIELDERS STILL AVAILABLE

If the Yankees were in the market for an infielder—which, based on Aaron Boone’s recent comments, doesn’t seem to be the case—there are still several intriguing options available. While they may not be aggressively pursuing help in this area, it’s worth considering what’s left on the market in case plans change.

Here are some remaining free agent infield options for the Yankees. One name that has surfaced in connection with the Yankees is Brendan Rodgers, the former Colorado Rockies infielder who was non-tendered earlier this offseason. Rodgers primarily plays second base and even has a Gold Glove to his name, but defensive metrics on him are somewhat inconsistent. While he’s a solid option, signing him and keeping Jazz Chisholm at third base doesn’t seem like the kind of move that would significantly improve the roster.

Beyond Rodgers, there are still a handful of infielders available who could provide depth and versatility. José Iglesias, who was a key contributor for the 2024 Mets, remains unsigned. Yoán Moncada is also still on the market, though injuries and inconsistency have limited his appeal. A particularly interesting option is Kiké Hernández, who now finds himself without a clear role in Los Angeles after the Dodgers went on a major spending spree. Hernández offers defensive versatility, postseason experience, and a reliable clubhouse presence, making him an appealing fit for a team like the Yankees. Given the lack of playing time he would probably get in LA, he could be looking for a better opportunity elsewhere. Right now, he seems like one of the better choices still available—especially after the Rays signed Ha-Seong Kim, who would have been my top pick.

Another potential route the Yankees could explore is a trade for Luis Arráez. The rumors surrounding a possible deal for Arráez have been gaining traction in recent weeks. While he may not be the most well-rounded player, his offensive production is undeniable—he’s a three-time batting champion, after all. That said, it’s becoming harder to see a realistic scenario where Arráez ends up in the Bronx, and the Yankees don’t seem poised to make a big push for him.

Ultimately, while there are still options on the market, the Yankees’ infield situation doesn’t seem like an area they’re aggressively looking to upgrade. But if that stance changes, Hernández might be the best fit among the remaining free agents, with Rodgers as a backup option. My opinion of course.

CLINT FRAZIER STRIKES & LEADS THE MLB ROUNDUP THIS WEEK!

Source: Newsday

Another great week to be a Yankee fan as they completely humiliate the Orioles in another series.
Clint Frazier, has been on a roll. Smacking two out of the park on Tuesday night improving his line from .259/.293/.463 to .268/.300/.518. Gleyber Torres joined in the fun Monday night with his fourth multi-homer game of the year.  Red Thunder and Gleyber Day stole the show this week for sure!

ALERT! Fun Factoid: Frazier’s home runs helped the Orioles yield their 100th home run in their 48th game. The previous record held by 2000 Royals, achieving this in 57 games. It really doesn’t mean anything, except that it is embarrassing, and our team helped them get there.

Source: NYDailyNews

Some bad news for the Yankee round up is that our veteran lefty CC Sabathia was placed on the 10-day IL even though he earned the win against the Orioles Wednesday night. The injury does not seem very severe, so a short stay on the IL seems likely at the moment.

The Mets in proper fashion are plagued with injuries. Most interestingly, Yoenis Cespedes, allegedly falling into a hole on his St. Lucie ranch, fractured his ankle. Yea. Remember that guy? I don’t. Guess we won’t be seeing him ever.

Mets have also lost Jeff McNeil, Robinson Cano, Michael Conforto, and Brandon Nimmo. The IL is becoming a little too full for my liking.

Source: CBS Sports

In better news, Rajai Davis has a call-up story he will never forget. Hopping into his Uber from Pennsylvania to Queens, Davis bonded with his driver for the next two hours. Six innings after arriving at Citi Field, Davis hit a three-run homer in his first Mets appearance.

“I’m just really grateful and thankful for the opportunity that the front office gave me,” Davis said. “I appreciate it. I’m trying to make an impact right away, and I was fortunate enough to be put in that position to make something happen,” reported MLB.com.

Source: CBS Sports

Zack Greinke, former Dodger and current Diamondback, still not a favorite of Suzie Pintstripe and me, has joined the 2,500 strikeout club. Greinke is the 37th pitcher to reach 2,500 strikeouts and the fifth active. Others include CC Sabathia (now at 3020), Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Felix Hernandez.

“I think we all need to sit back and appreciate what that means and who we have throwing for us every fifth day,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “He’s a very special, special pitcher,” reported MLB.com.

Source: NBC Sports

The White Sox had a very rare feat in their game on Wednesday, getting a triple-play and grand slam in one game. The triple-play was performed by Yoan Moncada, Yolmer Sanchez, and Jose Abreu.

“There's a lot of things that have to go well for that to occur,” manager Rick Renteria said. “You have to be well within range of that bag and be able to release it. They got it out of their gloves, getting it in and out quickly. Marisnick's fleet of foot. Everything had to be perfect.”

 

Source: The Chicago Tribune

Charlie Tilson is responsible for the grand slam, which also counted as his first big league home run. The White Sox are only the fourth team in the last 40 years to have hit a grand slam and turned a triple play in the same game.

Another week in the books! Cannot wait to sit with a glass of wine by the beach this weekend and watch our teams get some wins.  Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

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

ANOTHER CRAZY TRADE IDEA...

Photo: SL Today

It's the All-Star break and until there is baseball to watch again on Friday boredom takes over. With boredom comes crazy ideas as we all try to fill our time. So as I tried to fill my time I found a rather silly trade idea.

Photo: Getty Images

I guess once news broke on Tuesday that Manny Machado was about to become a Dodger people started looking for new trade ideas and rumors. So straight out of St. Louis HERE is a new idea post Mike Matheny getting fired. New, yes.....but is it any good? You be the judge.

Photo: Sporting News

Everyone knows the Yankees are looking for pitching, but I think the author of that trade proposal values all players mentioned a lot differently then Yankees fans. The trade proposal mentioned is this: RHP Carlos Martinez to the Yankees for LHP Justus Sheffield, 3B Miguel Andujar, RHP Domingo Acevedo and RHP Cody Carroll. Interesting, right?

Now, the author makes the point that we all know to be true, behind Luis Severino and arguably CC Sabathia the rotation is an area of weakness and yes Sonny Gray can't be trusted. There have been rumors that the Cardinals may consider moving Carlos Martinez if they don't turn things around. They are 7.5 games behind the Cubs in the NL Central and may decide to sell. If so, that would make him an interesting option in a non-existing pitching market. He's not the biggest name but apparently he might be worth a king's ransom according to the trade proposal.

So what is so great about Martinez? He had good years from 2015-2017 and he was an All-Star in two of those seasons. He is a work horse, and has averaged 176 innings in his career hitting his highest 205 innings last season and is a strikeout pitcher. Last season he had 217 strikeouts. He also doesn't give up a lot of home runs except last year he gave up an unusually high amount of home runs at 27, this season he's only given up four. He also doesn't have a long injury history. This may he had a right lat strain that put him on the 10 day disabled list and in September of 2015 he had a right shoulder strain where he was out for 60 days. Nothing too alarming.

So on paper he looks pretty good. It would be interesting to see if he could keep the home runs down at Yankee stadium. He's definitely got some value, but I would argue so do Sheffield and Andujar which the author doesn't seem to be as convinced as we are at BYB. In the proposal, the author is very stuck on their rankings. Sure, Andujar barely cracked the top 100 and Sheffield isn't in MLB's top 25 but as I have stated in other pieces.....rankings are just a number.

Not all top prospects live up to the hype as previously stated in another piece, read THAT ANDUJAR FOR JACOB DEGROM TRADE IDEA IS BACK AGAIN. The ranking stat is completely meaningless after 120 major league at bats and he has been a big reason why the Yankees have been so successful. He's the reason Brandon Drury lost a starting role....and he is a successful big leaguer now, forget about being a prospect.

As for Sheffield, who cares if he isn't in MLB's top 25? The Yoan Moncada comparison comes back again. He was once a top prospect and he didn't pan out. The Red Sox were so unimpressed they shipped him off to the White Sox. Rankings don't mean anything! I will tell you what does mean something though....the Yankees confidence in this kid. The Yankees need pitching right? So trading him for Martinez doesn't accomplish getting and keeping quality pitching long term. Sheffield could be a long term solution for the Yankees and he could be a damn good pitcher.

So, interesting trade proposal, right? I wouldn't say it makes the most sense with the players proposed in the trade but that's what keeps us so interested in the rumor mill. Sorry St. Louis.....if I were a betting woman I would say the best chance that you have at getting a Yankee right now is Joe Girardi as you new skipper.

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

THAT ANDUJAR FOR JACOB DEGROM TRADE IDEA IS BACK AGAIN

Photo: New York Post

This Jacob DeGrom to the Yankees talk just won't go away. The Yankees definitely need some pitching and baseball fans want to see the trades happen. Baseball writers everywhere also seem to want to see the Mets and Yankees finally make a trade. I don't care for the crosstown trade hype, if it works fine.....but it has to make sense.

Photo: North Jersey

Right now some of the reasons to trade Miguel Andujar do not make sense to me but NJ.com had a piece HERE giving a bunch of reasons why they should. I get that the Mets are not a contending team and are likely to listen to offers but should the Yankees really be as interested in getting rid of Andujar?

Just being realistic here, if the Yankees and Mets even started talking about this trade DeGrom is worth a lot more than just Andujar and if I am the Mets right now considering giving him up, it better be for one hell of a haul back. The Yankees better be prepared to start including other names like Justus Sheffield since Gleyber Torres is definitely untouchable according to Brian Cashman. DeGrom is one of the best starting pitchers in the game right now and the Mets should be interested in rebuilding around him, especially since he is under team control until 2021.

Photo: New York Post

One thing I definitely disagree about is the idea that Andujar lacks plate discipline. How can a guy with an 18% strikeout rate have a plate discipline problem? The Yankees already have plenty of guys on the team who swing and miss (Giancarlo Stanton, anyone?) so it's nice to have a guy in the lineup that will wait for his pitch and be hard to strike out.

And what about Andujar's track record? There's nothing to dislike about his performance. Andujar has earned his spot on this team. He's hitting .290, has had some big hits an stepped up for the Yankees when they got in a pinch and Brandon Drury needed time on the disabled list. The "never being ranked in the top 50 prospects" doesn't bother me either. That stat is meaningless once you reach 120 major league at bats and he's an everyday player so obviously the Yankees aren't worried about that either.

Photo: Sporting News

We all know not all top prospects live up to the hype. Remember Yoan Moncada? He was 2016-2017 top prospect and was signed by the Red Sox. He finished his 2016 season with a .211 average and was then traded to the Chicago White Sox where he currently has a .230 BA, 100 strikeouts, five fewer RBI's and only one more home run. The "top prospect" argument by NJ.com proves to be irrelevant here.

And what about Brandon Drury? Sure, Drury is a luxury like the article says. He's versatile and looking at Greg Bird's injury history he may be an even nicer luxury for us to have. He's also been unlucky because he has been blocked by another player in Arizona and now he is blocked again as a Yankee. Even when he recovered from his injuries the Yankees chose not to call him back up. Drury also doesn't have all of the extra base hits Andujar has and since "track record" was a concern with Andujar.....why isn't it with Drury?

It doesn't sound like Brian Cashman considers Andujar to be "untouchable" but I think just like the Mets would need to be impressed to move DeGrom, it would be the same case for Andujar. It never hurts to listen to the offers, but the Mets and the Yankees matching up for this trade? Not likely, and I don't think we should be so concerned on Andujar, he's doing just fine.

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

TRACKING CUBAN LUIS ROBERT

Back in February, our fearless leader Robert Casey asked me to write up a piece about a kid from Cuba named Luis Robert. Read ANOTHER "CUBAN SENSATION" WE NEED TO HAVE for more on that.

This past weekend, Robert was finally able to sign with any team since officially being declared a free agent in April. According to the rules of international signing, a number teams would not be in contention for his services. Teams like the Yankees, Dodgers, and Red Sox among others, were only able to sign an international player to a contract of up to $300,000. You can read more about the International Signing Rules in this piece from Baseball America.

Photo: redbirddaily.com

According to this article on MLB.com, Luis is finalizing a deal with the Chicago White Sox.

"The deal is expected to be worth more than $25 million, and likely in the $26-27 million range, according to the source, and it will be the second-highest bonus for an international amateur under the current signing guidelines. Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada set the record when he signed for $31.5 million with the Red Sox in 2015."

Photo: MLB.com

With the signing of Jose Abreu in 2013 and the acquisition of Yoan Moncada this past offseason, the South Side of Chicago now has 3 of the highest touted Cuban Defectors in recent years. Fascinating!

Good Luck to Luis as he makes his way to the Majors!!!!

--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @sevn4evr

CHAPMAN'S HOME AGAIN!

(July 6, 2016 - Source: Jason Miller/Getty Images North America)

Wake up, Yankee Universe! The Cuban Missile’s 133-day flight to a World Championship galaxy far, far away is over! Aroldis Chapman is back in the Bronx! Someone please call the Stadium scoreboard operator and tell him to crank up Rage Against The Machine if you would please – and turn it up to 11!


Aroldis Chapman Yankees Entrance Video from Nick Tyrell on Vimeo.

Someone’s going to have to make an entrance video for Brian one of these days because he’s been cutting and closing deals like Mo for months now … and last night, in the final hours of the winter baseball meetings, he closed his biggest deal to date.

(June 23, 2016 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

The particulars: 5 years. $86 million. (Richest per-ann deal for a relief pitcher ever.) Opt-out after 3 years. Full no trade first 3 years. Limited no trade final 2 years and no trades allowed for the duration of the deal to any West Coast teams.

While both Chapman and the Yankees brass have made no secret of their mutual desire to reunite since the day he was sent packing for a package of prospects, the pressures of high demand for the limited supply of available top-tier arms coupled with Hal’s and Brian’s relentless refrain about budgets made for some scary moments and even scarier rumors involving second-rate alternatives.

(May 14, 2016 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)

But in the end, everyone was happy except the mystery team (likely either the Marlins or Dodgers) that reportedly offered $6 million more than the Yankees for his services. And, like so many of Chapman’s 9th-inning victims, they were left standing at the plate frozen, frustrated and unfulfilled.

‘I love the organization,’ Chapman told ESPN’s Marly Rivera, adding that he chose the Yankees over the Miami Marlins. ‘They welcomed me with open arms and that’s why I decided to go back. I was hoping I had a chance to go back and it happened. Every player dreams of being a Yankee, and if they don’t it’s because they never got the chance.’

With all that said, I’m ecstatic about this deal for all the obvious reasons, and I’m fine with every bit of it including the opt-out which apparently helped seal the deal. Heck, if he does well enough between now and then that someone else is willing to top this big coin, that only means we got a bargain – and just like this time, we’ll have the inside track at re-signing him.

(May 8, 2016 - Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America)

And in a worst-case scenario, if he for some reason suddenly declines and isn’t doing as well as hoped in three years, no sweat. If the re-build has gone as planned by then, the Yankees should be roughly in the same place the Cubs and Indians found themselves this year where securing a better closer as a final piece to their championship puzzle was a no-brainer and the cost became less important than the need.

(Sept. 11, 2016 - Source: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images North America)

In such an eventuality, I have total confidence the Yankees could write off the final $34.4 million on those back two years of the Cuban Missile’s deal while simultaneously throwing a welcome party for their new closer with the same ease and panache the Red Sox just did for Chris Sale only yesterday while writing off the $63 million they had invested in their Cuban prospect Moncada. And all they ever got out of him was 19 at bats yielding 12 strikeouts, 4 hits and 1 lousy RBI 

(May 13, 2016 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

Bottom line: You’re going to see a lot of crap thrown at this deal and at Chapman himself. I started seeing it almost from the moment glimmers of it getting done first started to appear on my timeline. Crap about how it’s too long, crap about how it’s too soon, crap about how it’s too much money for a reliever, crap about how it’s too much money for such a horrible person….

My response to it all: Swing and a miss. 

Take a seat, Meat.

 

 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter:  @nyyankeefanfore



 

 

THIS CUBAN STAR WANTS TO PLAY WITH ALEX RODRIGUEZ

One of the top international prospects in the world wants to play for the New York Yankees, alongside Alex Rodriguez. At least according to the New York Post.

Yulieski Gourriel, a Cuban native, told Yahoo Sports "This is the dream of all players - to play at the maximum level of baseball in all the world." Gourriel was asked which team he would play for and his immediate response was the Yankees, where he could play alongside his favorite player, ARod. But, there is a catch!

Gourriel will not come to the United States until the embargo on Cuba has been lifted, and he receives permission from the Cuban Government. I had to do a little bit of research on this. I wasn't born when President Kennedy put the embargo in place, and by the time I was born, it was kind of a social norm that was accepted and not really discussed. Heck, I'll be real honest here... I didn't even know why the embargo was in place, or what the heck it was until today. Thanks for this assignment, Casey. The more you know, right? I suck at History... sue me! But I'll get back to this in a minute.

Gourriel, who has played in Japan, seems to be an incredible player. His BA is well over .300, with plenty of power behind his bat. Eric Nadel, broadcaster for the Texas Rangers, saw him play in Japan and said

"Every time you see Gourriel, you see something special...

"Just look at what he did in Japan last summer. He hit over .300 with power. He's going back there this summer. He's legitimately a major-leaguer in any league."

Okay, so what's stopping him? The embargo restricts trades, but it also restricts Americans from spending money in Cuba. Honestly, it's a lot of political crap, brought on by some hostile relations between the two countries, in the early 1960's after Fidel Castro took control of Cuba. The government is now working towards changing this, but it will take time. For a better explanation, go HERE.

We've seen a steady amount of baseball player's simply defecting from Cuba. Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, for example. But those players have to establish residence and get "unblocked" by the U.S. Treasury and... again, politics, politics. This year, Yoan Moncada was allowed to leave, and signed with the Red Sox. But then the question of compensation comes up. Japan gets compensation when their players leave for the U.S., so the idea that the U.S. would compensate Cuba is not entirely outlandish.

Gourriel is not going to defect. He wants an end to the embargo, as do many people... or so I have been reading.  Lifting the embargo will open  many opportunities, including the pool of free agents available to the MLB. There are players like Gourriel who are ready and willing to play once the embargo is lifted.

Defecting is a personal choice, and it comes with many of it's own obstacles, and risk. I don't think any of us know for certain that the embargo will ever be lifted, and maybe there are some that wish for it to stay in place permanently. All I know is that there are many great "could-be-major-leaguers" being held back by a policy that is more than 50 years old.

Now, someone please tell me what the Cold War has to do with any of this? And why didn't they just get a blanket if they were cold? Why the war?  Heh. 

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer 
Twitter: @e_morales1804

You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!  Also, don't forget to check out the BYB Hub!