THE YANKEE SAVIOR IS COMING

Anthony Volpe is rehabbing, and the Yankees are treating it like the Second Coming is scheduled for Double-A Somerset. The messaging is loud and clear: behold, the anointed one returns—Volpe, risen again, destined to fix everything that’s been broken, from the infield defense to whatever existential crisis the offense is currently having.

You’d think he’s been sent down not for reps, but for a ceremonial purification before reclaiming his throne in the Bronx.

Meanwhile, Oswald Peraza has apparently taken the “fine, I’ll do it myself” route in Anaheim, batting .269 and turning into a nightly reminder that distance and new scenery can do wonders. Against the Yankees, he hits like he’s personally offended by their existence and I love it. Just another chapter in the ongoing “front office evaluation debates” that never really end. Cashman shouldn't have let him go, but analystics spreadsheets told him to do trade him.

Back in rehab land, Volpe’s second appearance with Double-A Somerset ended 1-for-3 with a strikeout—because even prophecy takes warmups. After going hitless in his first two at-bats of the assignment (including a respectful introduction to Zack Wheeler), Volpe finally recorded his first hit in at-bat number three. Before that, there was a groundout, then a 3-2 swing-and-miss down in the zone, giving him three strikeouts in his first five rehab plate appearances. Not exactly walking on water just yet.

The schedule is set like scripture: play Friday, rest Saturday, return Sunday, then ascend to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where the stakes rise and the mythology grows.

And while all eyes are fixed on the return of the Volpe chosen one, George Lombard Jr. is over in the corner quietly putting together a .425 start through 10 games with five multi-hit performances—2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk on Thursday. No fanfare. No prophecy. Just production. Doing the job he's supposed to do.

But sure—Volpe is still the guy. The anointed shortstop. The franchise savior written in pinstripes and expectation.

At some point the Yankees are either going to get their resurrection… or just another reminder that not every mess gets cleaned up by a halo.

NO ONE CARES ABOUT AN OLD ZACK WHEELER TRADE THAT FELL THROUGH

Are we really that bored that we have to read a story about how Zack Wheeler was going to be traded to the Yankees for a hot second last season... and then not? WHO CARES?

That's literally the only story I'm reading this morning in EVERY PUBLICATION. I'd rather show a picture of a Yankee wearing a facemask and going to the supermarket for rice pudding. At least that's topical.

NJ.com has this:

"...for a moment, let’s look back to last year, when according to a report SNY’s Andy Martino, the Yankees and Mets had a deal in place that would have been a biggie: Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler heading to the Bronx... 

Of course, Wheeler won’t be showing up to the Bronx any time soon. The Mets ended up hanging on to the right-hander and he signed a five-year, $118-million deal with the Phillies in the offseason."

That's the story. Gee. Amazing. What does the reader get out of that?

Squat.

Happy Saturday. Hope you're stocked with toilet paper.

DIDI GREGORIUS TO THE PHILLIES

Unfortunately, Didi Gregorius is moving away from the Big Apple to Philadelphia. Talk about a downgrade.

The former shortstop was declined an extension on a qualifying offer, signed a one-year deal worth $14 million. We most likely have Joe Girardi to blame for snatching our fan favorite as they worked together for three seasons in the Bronx.

After Girardi was named the manager of the Phillies, he was very vocal about his admiration of Didi.

“I’ve always been a big fan of Didi and what he’s been able to accomplish,” Girardi told reporters last week. “You have to remember, I got him when he first came over and he was replacing a legend [in Derek Jeter] and how difficult that was, and to see the growth that he made was really pleasing to me.”

Brian Cashman does not seem too concerned about losing Didi because of Gleyber Torres, but is not ruling out looking for a shortstop outside of the organization. 

“It doesn’t mean that we can’t go outside the organization at the same time if necessary,” he said. “And, so, we have a lot of flexibility because of the choices that we currently possess and, and those choices don’t aren’t limited just to the in-house options, it could be obviously out-house, going outside in franchise with trades or free agency at the same time.” 

In the meantime, the Yankees have bigger fish to fry and thank god for their catch! Read more on this, but the Yankees have signed Gerrit Cole after a nail biting week for fans who were just waiting and waiting for something to happen! 9 years, 324 million. Read GERRIT COLE IS A YANKEE! for more.

Anyway... looks like Suzie Pinstripe and I need to go see our old friends Didi and Zack Wheeler in Philly this summer!

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

PHILLIES SIGN ZACK WHEELER FOR A STUPID PRICE

What a dumb deal. 5 years? Zack Wheeler ain't Cy Young. He's not even Sonny Gray.

Zack Wheeler's your fifth starter with the hope that you don't need to pitch him every 5 days because to be honest, you don't really know what you're gonna get.

ESPN writes:

"Right-hander Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a five-year, $118 million contract, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Wheeler turned down a larger offer from the Chicago White Sox that was in excess of $120 million, sources told Passan. 

Wheeler, 29, was considered the prize of the free-agency class for teams in search of starting pitching that didn't want to compete in stratospheric bidding for Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg."

The prize?  Are we living in Bizarro World? Have you seen this guys numbers over the fast few years?

Zack Wheeler has never won 18 games. Zack Wheeler didn't pitch for 2 years. What's the prize, that's he's 29 and still has time? Is being "just OK" the next "Great" when it comes to baseball?

The Phillies can have Wheeler. Have him for the next decade. I am THRILLED the Yankees didn't get in on this.

Buh Bye.

THANKSGIVING DAY YANKEE RUMORS COMING AT YA!

First and foremost everyone.....HAPPY THANKSGIVING! We hope you enjoy your day with friends and family but before you sit down to your Thanksgiving meal here are some rumors to start your day. Politics may be frowned upon at the dinner table, but baseball rumors should be encouraged, right?

1. Yankees keeping tabs on Miguel Andujar and Didi Gregorius (NJ.com)

IF the Yankees are going to trade Andujar they expect a big haul in return. Andujar is just one one season removed from the AL Rookie of the Year runner-up and the Yankees will use that to justify the asking price. Even with Andujar's defensive concerns, he can hit and could still develop over time. The Yankees do not feel pressured to trade him. They can carry him into Spring training and wait to see what happens once the season starts.

So why aren't the Yankees aggressively trying to re-sign Didi? Maybe, it's part of a master plan to spend the money on Gerrit Cole instead. If it is, maybe it makes sense. But if it isn't....wouldn't it make more sense to try and get him back so you can keep Gleyber Torres at second base? He wouldn't be a bad shortstop, but it may not be his best position. This would also allow DJ LeMahieu to stay in that super utility role that the Yankees truly needed last season. Oh that and....he can also play first base which is another problem the Yankees need to solve. Getting Didi back may be more beneficial then anyone realizes at this point.

2. Contradicting Gerrit Cole theories (SNY.com and SNY.com again)

Interesting enough, SNY.com has two writers with two different perspectives, it will be interesting to see if either one turn out to be accurate. There is still that "general industry perception" that Cole wants to play for a west coast team. The Yankees are still in on Cole, even though the Yankees believe there is a good possibility that Cole signs with the Angels. There is also speculation that the Angels are willing to "go bonkers" and "spend whatever it takes" to sign Cole.

On the other hand, a bold prediction was made Yesterday that Cole will ultimately choose the Yankees over his west coast preference and sign an eight year $290 million deal with the Yankees.  Will Hal Steinbrenner actually open up his wallet and spend that kind of dough? More importantly, will the Angels actually spend that kind of money? Historically, they aren't big spenders and they did just commit a lot of money to the Mike Trout extension. We'll see if either of these teams will "go bonkers" and pony up for Cole.

3. Yankees not favorites for Zack Wheeler? (NJ.com)

I don't know that many of us would be disappointed to hear this but....The White Sox and the Twins are rumored to be favorites for Wheeler. The Yankees need pitching, but maybe they are realizing that they don't NEED Wheeler.

4. Madison Bumgarner not interested in playing for an American League team? (NJ.com)

This isn't a new rumor, exactly. We've even reported before that Bumgarner hinted that he preferred the National League but now we know the supposed "favorite teams" are the Braves, the Padres, and the Diamondbacks. If these teams are the favorites would he sign with the Braves to be closer to his North Carolina home? Or maybe, there's another team out there that we don't know about.

Just a little more food for thought as you dig into your turkey, stuffing or pumpkin pie today. The rumor mill doesn't stop for holidays like Thanksgiving....so neither do we. Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone, and if you are going out shopping after your feast, you are one brave soul.

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

ANOTHER NAME TO ADD TO THE PITCHING WATCH LIST

We are all watching as the Gerrit Cole sweepstakes rolls on. He's at the top of a lot of holiday wish lists this Winter but he's going to cost a pretty penny and he's definitely in the driver's seat. We can sit and wonder if he wants his final destination to be with the Yankees, but reports from over the weekend didn't sound so encouraging.

According to George King at the New York Post, the Yankees are not considered to be an early favorite but this isn't new to anyone. King even said that could change by December or January but who knows. It's all a part of the rumor game that we know too well. But what if the Yankees aren't the favorites or what if the Yankees balk at the asking price?

Maybe they are, and in fact maybe several teams are. According to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, as many as 14 teams have called and asked about Cole Hamels over the past few days. Stark even said aside from Cole, Hamels might be the most sought after starter right now. I'm guessing he just happened to forget Stephen Strasburg somehow? Strange. I'm sure Zack Wheeler disagrees too since he's supposed to be highly sought after. Not by me, I have no interest but that's what the media continues to say.

At any rate, Hamels is getting a lot of attention. He's past his prime but, he has proven he can still pitch and he is a short term, more reasonably priced option who is looking for a job. The Cubs did not extend him a qualifying offer, so he can sign with any team and he won't be tied to a draft pick. All of these factors make him an attractive option for a team looking for pitching.

"I'll go every year. I'll prove myself. I don't mind having my back against the wall. I think I perform better like that anyway. It just keeps me more accountable," Hamels recently said HERE.

Hey, at least he has the right attitude. He also said he wants an opportunity with a team that are going to be postseason contenders. You can't blame the guy, he wants another ring and the Yankees have been close for a while now, he could be a difference maker. In 2019 he went 7-7, with a 3.81 ERA after rushing back from a strained oblique in July which hurt him. In his last 16 starts before his injury he had a 2.66 ERA and only 79 hits allowed in 94.2 innings pitched.

So are there really 14 teams interested and could the Yankees be one of them? Who knows, but it will be interesting to watch and see how the pitching market continues to unfold. Will the Yankees make a strong offer? We need the pitching, and I'm confident Brian Cashman is going to make the right moves.

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

NO ONE IN YANKEELAND WANTS ZACK WHEELER...

Hopefully Brian Cashman will agree.

I think last year if there was a need for an extra arm, which there was... picking up a guy like Zack Wheeler would have made a lot of sense.  But now, in this offseason it should be all about Gerrit Cole, Madison Bumgarner and Stephen Strasburg.

And so, the fact that NJ.com's Randy Miller would write the word "surprisingly" when suggesting the Yanks are not on the suitor list for Wheeler this offseason is ridiculous. Randy... the Yankees need to think BIGGER!

He writes:

"The Yankees reportedly showed interest in Mets starting pitcher Zack Wheeler before this past season’s July 31 trade deadline. The price tag for the Yankees – and everyone else – was too high, so Wheeler finished out his walk year with the Mets. 

Before 5 p.m. Thursday, Wheeler almost certainly will join the free agent market because he has until then to reject the Mets’ $17.8 million qualifying offer for 2020, which is a near guarantee. the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres “are among the teams showing interest in Wheeler during the early days of free agency.” 

Surprisingly, the Yankees weren’t listed among the early suitors because their No. 1 offseason priority is believed to be starting pitching."

Surprisingly?

Madison Bumgarner is one of the best pitchers in baseball. He's a free agent and the Yankees have money.  Stephen Strasburg? Yup, he just won with the Nationals, he's a boss, he's a free agent and yes, the Yankees have money.

Gerrit Cole... he doesn't want to be in Houston, CC Sabathia is trying to lure this guy to New York, the dude's a gamer, he's a free agent, AND THE YANKEES HAVE MONEY.

But yeah, let's go with injury-riddled Zack Wheeler and limp through 2020 with he and J.A. Happ.  Makes sense... SAID NO ONE EVER.

I can't stand bad stories.

Bottom line, the Yankees need to go big on 1 starter. You do that, we get Domingo German back,  you have Luis Severino, Tanaka... we have something pretty substantial.  Just saying, we don't need to duct tape it together anymore.  We have the offense, we just need 1 more significant starter. Bottom line.

That's how I feel at least.

HERE'S OUR 'GM MEETING WISH LIST'

The post-season blues are starting to set in. However, a lot needs to be done during this downtime. With GM meetings approaching, let's make a wish list of what the Yankees need to flourish in 2020.


1. Spend money on starting pitching.

Source: Sports Illustrated

There are a ton of free-agent options that the Yankees can pursue such as Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Zack Wheeler, and Madison Bumgarner.

CC Sabathia has been chatting to Cole about going to New York.

"Me and Gerrit Cole have spoken at length many times about me pitching as a Yankee as a West Coast Guy," Sabathia said. "If you give [him] enough money, he's going to want to come here. I am speaking from experience."

2. Re-sign Brett Gardner.

Source: NY Daily News

Even though Gardner is a free agent, I cannot see him leaving the Yankees. Last season he hit .251/.325/.503 with a career-high 28 home runs and 10 stolen bases. Plus, the outfield needs help with Giancarlo Stanton being injured for most of the season, and Aaron Hicks getting Tommy John surgery.

“I don’t think there’s any question as to what his capabilities are,” GM Brian Cashman told reporters. “He’s tremendous on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively, including playing center field.”

3. Figure out a deal with Didi Gregorius?

Source: 12up

With no qualifying offer to Didi, is it the end of him in the Bronx? As sad as it is to say, the Yankees would be okay without Didi. Gleyber Torres can take over shortstop, problem solved. But, it would be sad to see Didi go.

With an already solid team, the one thing that is most important this post-season is pitching. Let's hope these meetings build the foundation for number 28.

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

I DON'T WANT SECOND BEST, I WANT ACES

Source: Los Angeles Times

I read this headline in the NY Post on Tuesday, and it made my blood boil: "Zack Wheeler would be Yankees’ perfect Gerrit Cole fallback" Seriously, this is where we are?  The Yankees' brass aren't going out there with gloves up ready for a battle.  They are already ready to settle.

Look...the Yankees don't need second or third best.  They need aces and yes, that is plural.  This team has come too close too many times to settle.  And headlines like the one in the Post only set the wrong tone for this year's offseason purchases.

Source: ESPN

"Wheeler’s agent B.B. Abbott will be at the general managers’ meetings next week, and you can bet on Brian Cashman’s group being among those to meet with Abbott and discuss its interest in Wheeler, whom the Yankees have long liked and tried to acquire last July when the Mets contemplated trading him," reported the Post.  Listen, Wheeler is a fine pitcher and with a good defense behind him, he could be a great pitcher.  If it is Wheeler and Gerrit Cole or Wheeler and Stephen Strasburg, then okay, I could be up for that.  But Wheeler and...crickets, now that is simply unacceptable.

Source: Twitter

CC Sabathia's vote for Gerrit Cole could not be clearer as he spoke about Cole's fit for the team in a recent podcast with Ryan Ruocco on R2C2 is UNINTERRUPTED.

“Me and Gerrit Cole have spoken at length many times about me pitching as a Yankee as a West Coast Guy,” Sabathia said. “This is crazy, this is shaping out… like the same offseason I had.” The Yankees already have missed out twice on Cole, who went 20-5 with a 2.50 ERA with Houston last season. They failed to sign Cole after drafting him the same year Sabathia signed, and then were outbid by the Astros, who acquired Cole from Pittsburgh in 2018," reported the NY Post.

Cole and...would be just fine.  And if Cole is a good fit as it appears he would be, then he can take on a leadership role along with an ace role.  Let's make it happen, Cashman.  Let's not lose out for a third time and settle for someone second best.

A VERY EARLY LOOK AT THE YANKEES BIGGEST NEED

Pitching, of course.

Summer is coming to an end soon. Labor Day has come and gone. Pumpkin spice is everywhere. A co-worker of mine from Montana said her hometown got their first dusting of snow yesterday, it will be the first in a VERY long fall and winter season. So soon the postseason will be here and then it will be gone. Hopefully it ends with a Yankees championship but no matter what free agency will be here soon after.

So I am already looking at potential Yankee targets. The Yankees need more starters and we all know this. Question is, did Yankee brass learn a valuable lesson after not signing Patrick Corbin? Time will tell. Lucky for us, there is a pretty good free agent market to look forward to.

1. Jake Odorizzi

The Yankees checked in on Odorizzi in the past but after 8 years in the majors he's had a breakout year. Odorizzi made his first All-Star team this year and has a 3.60 ERA through 147.1 innings. He will be thirty in march and could get a big contract if he ends the second half strong, and does well in the postseason. He could be a good middle of the order guy for the Yankees.

2. Zack Wheeler

I really don't want to even think about this name but...the Yankees were tied to him just before the trade deadline read more HERE. He hasn't handled pressure well in Queens and it seems questionable that the Mets would even extend a qualifying offer according to reports before the trade deadline. I don't see Wheeler as an upgrade but maybe the Yankees see some potential there somewhere. I'd be okay passing.

3. Hyun-Jin Ryu

Ryu has spent all 6 years of his MLB career with the Dodgers. He has a crazy 2.45 ERA which as good as that is, his ERA was lower earlier in the season. He's stumbled recently and even had one bad outing against the Yankees. He has the talent, but this is his first season pitching more than 150 innings since 2014 and at 32 years old his injury history is something to consider. Thankfully none of his injuries have involved his arm or his shoulder. The Yankees should be cautious when considering contract length if they want to make a run at him. 

4. Madison Bumgarner

No secret here, the Yankees have been connected to Bumgarner for a long time. We know what he is capable of. We know what he can do in the postseason and that experience is invaluable. That could be a huge asset to the Yankees for years to come if he stays healthy and consistent. Those are big "IFs" but any team will give him consideration this season. Question is how interested are the Yankees and how interested should they be?

5. Stephen Strasburg

This could be a bit of a wild card but rumor is Strasburg is considering an opt-out of his contract after this season, read more HERE. He could opt out for more leverage in getting a bigger deal, we've seen that before. The 16-6 record and 3.50 ERA could help bring him a bigger payday. 

6. Gerrit Cole

The Yankees have been chasing Cole since they drafted him back in 2008. His 16-5, 2.73 ERA and 281 strikeout this season make him a priority for every major league team, especially the Yankees. He's an ace on a stacked Astros rotation and would definitely be the same for the Yankees. He's durable, he's dominant and going to get a big payday. Hopefully it is the Yankees that finally get him they've been chasing after him forever. I love the idea of him in a Yankees uniform.

The Yankees passed on Patrick Corbin over the winter, but with a more attractive free agent class coming this winter I doubt they pass on pitching again. Who would you like to see the Yankees sign?

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

UGOTZ!

ugotz; pronoun

(Italian slang) for the word 'nothing'.

Brian Cashman didn't make a big move today for a starting pitcher. A starting pitcher we probably needed. A starting pitcher that could have helped the New York Yankees move closer to clinching the American League East division sooner than we are now.  And you know what? He was smart.

Now everyone is gonna get on my ass for backing this guy, but it's backing this guy that I must do. Because if we were all "knee jerk" reaction and flipping prospects and in return getting more mediocre Mets pitchers, we wouldn't be any better. You would have just been satisfied we made a trade... just to make a damn trade and I have to tell you something... that's stupid.

There was nothing stellar out there.  I watched the fan reaction all day on Twitter. Many get this. Others are just as pathetic as the tweets they write. Partially because fans don't get it.  Let me rephrase... smart fans get it. The others don't.  You don't just make a trade to make it at the deadline. You think it through.

Are we really gonna bitch and moan that we didn't get Zack Wheeler? REALLY? The dude's career is practically over.

Noah Syndergaard? No one cares.  I don't want the guy. I don't feel like he'd even give us what we need. The ONLY plus is that Noah pitches in New York and gets it, but Cashman was smart to not flip good young players to the Mets.  But again, Noah is not some golden God.  We've been through this before. Taking chances on pitchers is all fine and good, but in the end, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't and we have a good team overall despite the stumble recently.

Think about it... JA Happ was our saving grace last year. This year you all want the guy crucified.

Look at James Paxton.  Anyone else want to make him wear a Sonny Gray mask on his starts from now on? Big Maple? How about Big miss. The dude cannot handle Bronx pressure. Getting a no-hitter once doesn't make you a superstar... it just means you had a good game. And look, that was an offseason deal. I'm not even talking about the trade deadline. So... let me get back to that;

The point is, if Cashman had a deal that he could make, he would have made it.  Everyone needs to shut up!  Love some of these tweets. It just goes to show how divided we truly are as fans:

I can't believe the Yankees just sat there while the Astros added an ace...

— Terry Cushman (@cushmanMLB) July 31, 2019

It’s fucking pathetic the Yankees again did nothing at the trade deadline, but sat back and watched other teams improve.

— Princess (@NYYprincess33) July 31, 2019

People are mad Cashman didn’t make any big moves. The available pitchers had huge asking prices ( Frazier + three prospects for Ray is a lot ), the return for Bauer was huge and the Padres / Reds had more to offer thank the Yankees, Greinke had the Yankees on his no trade list.

— Gel ♥ (@LttleGel) July 31, 2019

This is what I’m talking about. Cashman afraid to lose a deal. You have to make this trade. Have to. If this is true then what the fuck man. It was right there in front of you. https://t.co/j3IkjEy29g

— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) July 31, 2019

And that's just some, there are literally thousands. Everyone's fighting. Why?

By the way… I have to go back to the old 'Madison Bumgarner to the Yankees' rumor.  It's literally been floating around for months.  THAT WAS NEVER GONNA HAPPEN.

Trevor Bauer? Reds.
Zack Greinke? Astros

You know what we got? We got this:

"We have everything we need to be a championship club" - Aaron Boone#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/1wtZrdRaXM

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 31, 2019

And I'm OK with this and I'll tell you why. Confidence.

We have a manager walking out there and telling us fans "We got this". It probably puts a bunch of young players at ease. It probably resets veterans that it's time to get to work and do their jobs.

The Yankees aren't bad. The Yankees hit a bump in the road.  But to all the geniuses that have it all figured out... calm down.

Look, the trade deadline is done, but you know Cashman. Sometimes there are some behind the scenes discussions and moves come after. But if not? I still trust the guy. He and Yankee brass have put together a hell of a team for 2019, and I love it.

Don't agree? Comment.