ZACH BRITTON HANGS IT UP

It's official, Zach Britton has called it a career.  The Athletic has this:

"Zack Britton is officially retiring from baseball after a 12-year big-league career, the 35-year-old pitcher told The Athletic in an exclusive interview earlier this month.... The left-hander finishes his career with 154 career saves, a 35-26 record and 3.13 ERA in 442 games (641 innings) "

Britton was a good soldier with the Yanks. I loved him on our team.  He was a fierce competitor for both the Orioles and Yankees, and he'll be missed for sure.

WHAT ROLE WILL GIL HAVE IN SEPTEMBER FOR THE YANKEES?

The Yankees recent 13-game win streak proved that this team has the endurance necessary to win ball games consistently. The pitching staff is diverse—they have specialists in the arsenal as well as starters who can not only eat up innings but dominate. With the recent outing of Corey Kluber not exactly a welcome back party, what role with rookie pitching stud Luis Gil have as the Yankees head into September?

"Over three starts in August, Gil posted a pristine 0.00 ERA across 15.2 innings, striking out 18 batters along the way. Going three starts without allowed an earned run wasn't just impressive, it was historic," reported SI.com.

Source: NJ.com

Guys like Nestor Cortes, Jr. and from the bullpen Jonathan Loaisiga have really stepped amidst the injuries that have plagued not only the pitching staff but the entire team. Zach Britton will undergo surgery next month to remove bone chips from his left elbow, so his season is done. The Yankees will need to fill that hole in the bullpen so although Gil has been a starter coming up for the Bombers in recent weeks, there is a possibility that he could come into games from the pen, which he did on Sunday for the RailRiders. 

"One of the reasons we did bring him out of the 'pen, even though it was more of a start an inning and do his starter's workload, was to just give him a little bit of a different routine to keep that potentially in play," Boone added according to SI.com. 

Source: CBS Sports

The Yankees will have a long stretch of 20 games after they come back from the West Coast and play back at the Stadium on Thursday. Pitching will be a commodity given the marathon ahead of them. Luis Severino and Mike King could both be back with a week or so giving the team extra depth, but having Gil in either a starter, opener or long reliever could really add that extra push the Yankees need to finish the regular season with a postseason future. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

YANKEES GET ELBOWED WITH THEIR FIRST MAN DOWN

Source: USATSI

Sigh. Injury. Sigh. Tough news coming out of Yankee camp on Tuesday and it will certainly impact their bullpen. 33-year-old relief pitcher Zach Britton will undergo surgery to remove a bone chip from his elbow and will likely miss the first two to three months of the regular season. The Yankee pitcher will fly back to New York where he will have surgery in the coming days.

Britton went 1-2 with a 1.89 ERA and eight saves in 20 appearances during the shortened 2020 season. He is a treasured part of the bullpen and his presence will be sorely missed as the Yankees look to make a quick seize on the AL East in the early part of the 2021 season.

Source: SB Nation

"I appreciate the support from everyone. We all have daily challenges we have to overcome in order to reach our goals," Britton tweeted. "Just have to keep pushing ahead! I will get this taken care of during the upcoming week and be back as soon as I can," as reported by ESPN.

Britton actually has not made a game appearance this spring and only discovered the injury after a bullpen session that left the Yankee pitcher sore. He was looking to make up for lost time as he suffered from a case of COVID-19 that set him back in January.

Source: NBC Sports

The Yankees added depth to the bullpen this offseason by picking up former teammate Darren O'Day, and former Met Justin Wilson. Perhaps the blow won't be as bad given these deals but still, Britton has been consistent and a great stand-in when Aroldis Chapman is not available. 

Source: NY Post

Injuries are never welcome but perhaps this time, the timing is actually on point. Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela underwent surgery to remove a bone chip from his arm in December and after a couple months of rehab seems to be a full strength. We could see Britton in early June if all goes well and until then, the Yankee bullpen depth will have to get them through. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

ZACK BRITTON'S BACK BABY!

 A smart move and no doubt we need him. Some would even suggest we take Aroldis Chapman out of the closer role and put Zack Britton there in his place. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The New York Post writes:

"...Zack Britton — perhaps their best arm in the bullpen — is coming back for two more years.

The Yankees had until three days following the World Series to pick up Britton’s $14 million option for 2022, and they did that Thursday, according to a source. If they hadn’t, Britton could have opted out of the $13 million he is due for 2021 and would have become a free agent.

“Very excited to continue the pursuit of a championship with the Yankees,” Britton tweeted."

When is came to Brett Gardner, that same courtesy did not happen. 

The great Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record writes:

"Gardner's contract called for a $2.5 million buyout to be triggered in the event the Yankees declined his 2021 option. 

There might still be a path to bring back Gardner, 37, on a one-year deal. He was the longest currently tenured Yankee during the 2020 season."

Brett's a great player and had a lot of good years for the Yankees, but it is very possible his time in New York is over.  Not sure what will happen with him. 

This is do know, Britton is a very important piece.  Glad that got worked out.

HAVE THE YANKEES MET THEIR MATCH?

Going into this season, it was safe to assume that the Yankees' biggest issue was going to be COVID-19. It turns out that their biggest issue is actually the Tampa Bay Rays. After this series against the Rays, the Yankees are 1-6 against the team, making them the team's new nemesis. They have also been knocked off their first-place perch, falling half a game back from the Rays.

Not only did the series against the Rays take our number one spot, but it also took some of our players due to injuries. Zack Britton was placed on the IL due to a strained left hamstring and was joined by Gleyber Torres who also had tightness in his left hamstring. Worst of all, James Paxton is out with left elbow and arm discomfort. 

“Adversity’s coming our way, whether we like it or not,” Aaron Boone said. “That’s part of this game. That’s part of being a major league athlete and player, and I don’t care how great of a season we have and we expect to have a great season and hopefully finish with a championship.“But adversity, we know, is inevitable. It’s going to come in different ways, unexpected ways, and certainly, in 2020 it’s been a lot of unexpected ways. I do feel like we’re uniquely equipped to handle it and deal with it, and that’ll be the expectation as we grind through a tough spell here with some injuries and a tough series.”

The battle is not even close to being over as the Yankees have three more series to play against the Rays. They might have more luck against their new nemesis if Aaron Judge, DJ LeMahieu, and Giancarlo Stanton can get healthy for the next time up. Not going to lie, this feels like a bad repeat of what happened to our players last season, and I'm not the only one who thinks that.

“It’s crazy it’s happening again,” Luke Voit said. “But you know what? We’re going to fight through it.”

Now, the Yankees' next game against the Mets has been postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests from their opponents. Meaning that there might not be any New York games to watch this weekend. However, the Yankees could benefit from a few days off to hopefully recover some injured players as well as reset mentally. 

Let's hope they can because this is starting to feel a lot like the last season when we lost so many players. The losses against the Rays are not helping morale either. It is time for the Yankees' to turn this adversity around and come out stronger!

--Missy O'Rourke

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @missy_orourke

A SEASON WITHOUT FANS WILL BE WEIRD

There really isn't any way around it. We are in a pandemic, and yet, we need something like baseball to bring the country together again. But how do we do it? Well... we do what we're about to do, bring baseball back... but with no live fans.  Weird? Yup.  

Zach Britton spoke about it, and it's interesting coming from a pro player. The New York Post has this:

"Having pitched for the Orioles in a vacant Camden Yards against the White Sox in 2015, Britton understands it’s not easy. 

'When I played in the no-fan game in Baltimore and it was something that I remember directly saying, ‘I hope I never have to do this again,’ 

Britton said Friday on a Zoom call from Yankee Stadium, where he worked out and went through testing a day ahead of the Yankees’ first full-squad workout Saturday that will jump-start spring training 2.0. 

'It’s going to be a challenge. I have spoken to some guys on our team about it and what it felt like. It is something that we are going to talk about again in the next couple of days."

"I think the team that can self-motivate the best is going to be the team that comes out on top. I honestly do believe that it might not be the most talented team this year. I think it will be the guys who come to the ballpark and not be relying on the adrenaline that the atmosphere would give you but be able to self-motivate and accomplish what they want to accomplish. I truly believe it is going to be that team that wins it.’’

Adrenaline. There is something to be said about competing with a crowd behind you... and if an athlete has been doing it all their lives and then asked to compete with no fans... mentally it's pretty tricky.  Look, the good news is all these teams will be in the same boat, and honestly, for us fans at home it will be something interesting to see.

Plus, a 60 game season could bring us 2 teams that may not normally be at the World Series in a regular season... and so it could be fun.

That being said... I'm still rooting for the Yankees to take the whole thing...of course!  

Go Yanks!

YANKEES PLAYERS WILL HAVE TO TAKE A PAYCUT TO PLAY AGAIN

Before COVID-19 hit, the Yankees were set to dominate the 2020 season as one of the favorites to make it to the World Series. Now we don't know when baseball is going to start or if it will ever start. We just know that there are plans being put in place to try and make it happen.

The MLB and the MLBPA have put together a 67-page health proposal that covers limiting the number of players in a dugout to no spitting being allowed. Another issue being faced is pay cuts.

Everyone involved with baseball is losing money this season: owners, players, businesses, employees, etc... This is turning out to be hard to negotiate as players and owners can't agree on what they should get paid. I can understand wanting to get paid for your job, but most of these players would still be getting millions of dollars for only playing a part of the season.

Here are what the players would make after the pay cut:

• Gerrit Cole would go from making $36M to $8M
• Giancarlo Stanton: $26M to $6M
• Masahiro Tanaka: $23M to $5.5M
• JA Happ: $17M to $4.5M
• Aroldis Chapman: $16M to $4.25M
• Zack Britton: $13M to $3.5M
• DJ LeMahieu: $12M to $3.4M
• Aaron Hicks: $10.7M
• Luis Severino: $10.5M to $3M
• Brett Gardner: $10M to $2.95M
• Adam Ottavino: $8.8M to $2.7M
• Aaron Judge: $8.5M to $2.5M
• Gary Sanchez: $5M to $1.64M

These players will be making less than a quarter on their original agreement, yet are only playing on a proposed 82 game slate. On the other hand, these players are now risking a lot more. They are risking getting sick and have to stay away from their families in order to play. Players are most likely going to get the virus between being in the clubhouse, buses, and planes where social distancing will be difficult.

The league has already determined that if a player does test positive, they will not shut down the team unless it is a larger percentage of the team that also test positive. The player will then be allowed to rejoin the team after testing negative twice in a 24-hour period, rather than quarantining for 2 weeks.

What do you think? Is the pay cut fair with of the risk of COVID?

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

YANKEES PUSHING HARD TO SNAG LEFTY MONSTER JOSH HADER!

A quick note and an important one.

With Gerrit Cole now a New York Yankee, the Yanks are looking to secure the bullpen and become even more confident in the pitching department. I guess they read BYB and understand our concern when it comes to a short series like the playoffs. WE WERE EXPOSED WITH PITCHING PROBLEMS in 2019 at times. And yes... that's what hurt us down the stretch. We had the tools when it comes to offense.... but when it came to arms, we just weren't dominant.

With Cole, we will be better. With Hader, we may be the best damn team in all of baseball.  Tweets are coming in fast and furious on Twitter. Here's the Score:

The Yankees are reportedly the most active pursuer of Brewers closer Josh Hader. https://t.co/3ILPfAYyNH pic.twitter.com/YURGbgPZlr

— theScore (@theScore) December 12, 2019

And MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"...the Yankees 'have been the most active pursuer' of Hader. The Yanks already possess two dynamic southpaws in Aroldis Chapman and Zack Britton. Having already brought in Chapman and Gerrit Cole this offseason, a move for Hader would make a stunning trifecta of high-powered arms. "

Now I guess we have to wait and see.

Bottom line though? I want the dude in pinstripes... BADLY!

MAKING A CASE FOR ADAM OTTAVINO

One thing I absolutely loved our 2017 and 2018 teams was our dangerous bullpen. There will be once noticeable difference with this season's bullpen though....no David Robertson. He played a key role in the Yankees success. He will no doubt be missed going forward, so who can they go after now to keep their bullpen as a strength?

Re-signing Zach Britton was a good start, but the Yankees will need more. Right now there is still a hole in the bullpen even with Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances. The Yankees need some more quality relievers to get the job done, especially after how unreliable Tommy Kahnle was last year.

The Yankees have been tied to Adam Ottavino for a while now. He's the guy who insists he would "strike Babe Ruth out every time," read more HERE. Clearly he isn't lacking any confidence or trying to short-sell his abilities to interested teams. His 2018 season was dominant, so his free agency couldn't have come at a better time. Teams are drooling over his 77.2 inning pitched, 36.3% strikeout rate, 11.7% walk rate, and 2.43 ERA. His strikeout rate is well above league average but was his 2018 the best it gets? Previous seasons aren't nearly this good.

If the Yankees sign Ottavino, they buy into his 2018 numbers being what he is truly capable of. He's only one year removed from a much different state line of 53.1 innings pitched, 25.9% strikeout rate, 16.1% walk rate, and 5.06 ERA. That's a big difference. He was as bad in 2017 as he was brilliant last season.

The Rockies also aren't known to be chasing to get him back. That's got to mean something, right? Ottavino had Tommy John surgery back in 2015. He returned in the summer of 2016 and showed no major struggles when he pitched. Based on that you would think he would come back in 2017 and build on that and continue to improve.

Instead, he posted the worst numbers of his career. The differences from his 2017 season and 2018 shouldn't be ignored if the Yankees are serious about him. I'm hesitant about Ottavino. He's 33 years old and had one dominant season. It's hard to sign a pitcher with confidence when he's getting up there in age and is looking for big money and years with his history.

If the Yankees could get him on a two-year deal I'd be in 100%, but that's very unlikely. He's also a National League pitcher who is untested in a large market like New York. Coors Field is a tough place to pitch in, but not all National League pitchers can handle the AL East, or handle the expectations of playing for the New York Yankees.

I want to be all-in on Ottavino. I know a lot of people are but the age and history are a concern. If the Yankees see something I don't and sign him I hope he does well. If he does, I will gladly admit I was wrong. The last thing I want is to see an area that was a strength become an area of weakness.

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

BRITTON'S COMING BACK TO THE BRONX!

We just spoke of the importance of a guy like Zach Britton, especially with David Robertson signing with the Phillies the other day.  In case you live under a rock, you can read that now. It's titled UM... LET'S NOT FORGET ZACH BRITTON.

Now it appears the Yankees didn't forget him. Reports are Britton is coming back. Jeff Passan tweeted this:

Zach Britton has a deal with the Yankees, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 6, 2019

Now this is good for the Yankees. It gives them stability and hey, it's not super expensive. This is a smart move.

I'm happy Britton's back.  But now 2 questions still remain.  Will Manny Machado come the Bronx? And secondly... will the Yankees try and snag another starting pitcher?

We wait and see...

UM... LET'S NOT FORGET ZACH BRITTON

While we wait for the decision by Manny Machado, we saw David Robertson exit the Bronx.  It's doesn't mean the sky is falling. What it means is David Robertson wanted to be a closer and the Yankees have Aroldis Chapman. It wasn't a good fit and now the Phillies got a closer in DRob. As my 16 year old says, "You will see a nice marriage there between the Phillies and Robertson." I think he's probably right.

But let's not forget Zach Britton.  Jon Heyman put this Tweet out about Britton and the Yanks and a possible reunion...

yankees seem focused on Zach Britton for the pen. he is believed to have multiple offers. but nyy wants to bring him back.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 3, 2019

Now it's common knowledge that Britton liked his short time in the Bronx and wants to come back.  The Yankees could definitely use him and the Yankees like him... but I suspect once again they devalue their pen more than other parts of a team and so, maybe Britton is mulling the offer because it's lower than expected, yet, the Yanks are his first choice.  All speculation there and yes... I'm terrible at it.

I just think that with David Robertson gone, and the Yankees still not picking up one more starting pitcher, this is the right move.

Come on Yanks, get Britton.

DON'T RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITHOUT A CONTRACT FOR ROBERTSON

Source: elitesports.com

The Yankees should be concerned about potential injuries to their players, particularly their starting pitchers whose track records to the DL are rich with history.  Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and new Yankee James Paxton all have had their share of injuries each year and so yet another reason to enlist another starter and an even deeper bullpen.  But, instead, they seemingly are waiting to see what will be left in the bank account once they eventually sign Manny Machado, which does seem inevitable. And waiting to see what's left could leave us without the difference makers in the bullpen.

Source: MLB.com

According to SNY, "the club is reportedly working on revamping its bullpen according to a tweet from Jon Heyman. Heyman states that the club is still in contact with Zach Britton, Adam Ottavino and David Robertson. FOX Sports' Jon Morosi adds that the Red Sox are also involved in Ottavino discussions."  The Sox appear to also have an interest in Robertson who has said he would like to be a closer.  Give the job to him.  He's earned it.  Why can't he be the closer?  Does it have to be Aroldis Chapman, who has also seen the DL more than the average pitcher?

Source: NY Post

As alarming as it would be to lose Robertson, it would be absolutely awful to see him go to the Red Sox or across town to the NY Mets.

"Robertson has let people know he'd prefer to pitch in the Northeast, but the problem is that he's probably going to command a three-year deal for slightly more than the $30 million the Mets committed to Familia. Still, if the Mets aren't going to spend big on A.J. Pollock to upgrade their center field situation, as Van Wagenen indicated last week, they really should load up and build a monster bullpen," reported SNY.

Source: NY Post

Give the job to Robertson.  Not so he doesn't leave, but because he's shown he's capable.  Then, sign Adam Ottavino and say good bye to Britton.  Don't ring in the New Year without a contract for Robertson.  Just don't!

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @Suzieprof

SOMETIMES WITH GAIN COMES LOSS

Photo: USA Today Sports

That's what George King III of the New York Post seems to think when it comes to Zach Britton and David Robertson. And you know what? I kind of agree with him.

Many players like to have their Free Agency wrapped up by Christmas so they can focus on their team and get ready for the next season.  It's a sense of closure, no matter what that closure is. I was always kind of fond of the way CC Sabathia did it.

He would tell the team what he wanted, there would be a negotiation, but he never walked away from the table selfishly, and always met in the middle, and then, it was done. Nice and quick and classy. He did that with the Yankees twice...once in his opt-out year and once this year... and I guess it just has to do with the love for playing on this team.

Photo: NJ.com

Some are for the money and that's fine. And then some, like David Robertson and Zach Britton, are out there... ready to talk and it almost seems like Brian Cashman is pre-occupied with Patrick Corbin and trying to find a way to sign Bryce Harper and Dallas Keuchel in the dead of night.  That's how I see it.  It's weird.

Anyway... King writes this of DRob and Britton...

"...there is a possibility the talented duo could land in their blood rivals’ bullpen. When asked about Robertson, who has a house in Rhode Island, landing a three-year deal with Boston, a person with knowledge of the situation replied, 'The Red Sox are in for less.’

Which means the World Series champions are waiting to see if Robertson’s best offers will be for one or two years. And Britton, who will turn 31 on Dec. 22, could be looked upon by the Red Sox as their closer should Craig Kimbrel leave via free agency."

Photo: USA Today Sports

Imagine this? No... I don't want to.  I want these guys back in pinstripes.  But it's interesting and something that Cash has to worry about... if he cares about these guys at all.

I don't want to see them leave the Bronx.  I definitely don't want them going to Boston.  King's usually right about this stuff.  Let's hope this time he's wrong.


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YANKS CHECK ON PITCHING AS SANCHEZ CHECKS OUT SURGERY

Things will pick up soon, the offseason is young but until then a couple of important updates to get you through the lull.

Photo: Hartford Courant

We all know pitching is a priority, and luckily Brian Cashman is not wasting any time. According to Joel Sherman HERE, the Yankees have requested medical records for free agents Daniel Hudson, Charlie Morton, and David Phelps. This is pretty standard though, teams frequently request medical information for players every offseason. Cashman is simply doing his homework right now. It is important to note that Hudson has had Tommy John surgery twice now, Phelps is currently rehabbing from Tommy John and Morton has an extensive injury history including shoulder trouble this season.

Those names aren't as appealing as Patrick Corbin, but credit Cashman for doing his due diligence. The Yankees are familiar with Phelps who pitched for the Yankees from 2012-2014. Phelps blew out his elbow in Spring Training and missed all of 2018. Before that he spent most of 2017 with the Marlins and finished the season with a 3.40 ERA. The Yankees had a great bullpen last season and hopefully they can keep it in tact, but if not he could be an interesting low cost option.

I can't imagine the Yankees being too excited with Hudson who pitched 46 innings with a 4.11 ERA with the Dodgers. Not really anything exciting to say about him. Morton is probably the biggest name in that bunch. He threw 167 innings with a 3.13 ERA for the Astros this season but faded in the second half. There were rumors he was considering retirement, but has recently had a change of heart and confirmed he still wants to play.

Photo: USA Today Sports

The Yankees have also checked in with Zach Britton according to NJ.com. A signing doesn't sound imminent but after how he performed for the Yankees this season the Yankees should be checking in here. Talks sounds like they are slow-moving but I would expect nothing less here considering Britton is a Scott Boras client. I wouldn't be surprised if Boras waits until Craig Kimbrel signs a deal so he can turn around and market Britton as "the best closer on the market" and the drive his price up in typical Boras fashion. Either way, it is an option if the Yankees can't woo David Robertson back to the Bronx.

Photo: New York Daily News

Last but not least....Gary Sanchez is back in the news again as the latest Yankee to need surgery, read more HERE. Sanchez as been bothered by pain in his left shoulder since 2017 and he's the Yankees felt he's been playing through it long enough. Thankfully this is his non-throwing arm but the bad news is that's his front shoulder when he swings and that is where he gets all of his power from. It sounds like he has had numerous cortisone shots but nothing has alleviated the nagging pain. Cashman says recovery time is about three months so he should be ready by no later than opening day. Hopefully that won't affect his preparation for the season too much and maybe this helps him rebound next year.

I can't wait for things to really start heating up. It's early in the offseason so there isn't a lot to talk about yet. Keyword there is YET. I wonder what the first big breakthrough will be....I guess we will have to wait and see. At least we know Cashman is already out there and making calls. It's a start!

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