The Bronx Elvis did it! The question is, did he really have what it took during his playing days to make it to Cooperstown?
I for one loved when Swisher was in New York. He brought a new energy there and it was needed in such a corporate atmosphere. But the reality is, I just don't see how this guy can be voted in. Not now for sure... but probably ever. If a guy like Jorge Posada lost his chance after just one time, there's no way Swish gets in. It's just my opinion of course.
"Swisher has found himself on the Hall of Fame ballot.
Swisher played for the Tribe from 2013 to 2015. During his 12 year career Swisher also played for the New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Sox. Although he didn’t see much success in Cleveland, Swisher was named to the American All-Star Game in 2010 and was a member of the 2009 World Series Champion Yankees. He appeared in 12 postseason series over seven seasons hitting .165 with four homers, eight RBI and 16 runs scored in 47 games.
While it is unlikely Swisher has a large number of votes, he can stay on the ballot for 10 years providing he is not elected and he’s named on at least 5% of all ballots cast each year, which is also unlikely to happen."
And that's the key for Swish... try to stay on the ballot, because it's all about timing and maybe that's where he'll have a shot.
I personally don't think he has any shot, but damn I loved him in pinstripes!
Congrats to all the new entries. It's always fun to see who gets voted in.
I think the writing is on the wall for Gary Sanchez. I just think "time's up" for him in pinstripes. This weekend we asked WILL THE YANKEES CONTINUE TO INVEST IN GARY SANCHEZ? And I really hope that the answer is NO. I don't say NO because I have ill feelings toward him, but he's had a lot of opportunities and it just hasn't worked out. It's time to move on.
I think Brian Cashman and the Yankees might finally be realizing that. I know Cashman can be hard to read sometimes and the Yankees can be unpredictable but the Yankees have unwavering confidence in Sanchez....until now.
That sounds a lot different then recent years. I think the Yankees are ready to move on but maybe not to some of the names we've talked about. As much as I like the idea of J.T. Realmuto or Yadier Molina, the Yankees sound like they are not going to be big spenders this winter. If they are looking to get under the luxury tax, they might not have room for either of them....or want to save any room for Sanchez.
According to George A King III HERE, "Dec. 2, which is Sanchez’s 28th birthday, is the deadline for teams to offer pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players a contract for next season. Any player who isn’t tendered, and there a lot of industry types who believe Sanchez won’t be, is a free agent."
I don't see the Yankees trading him by December 2nd. Even if teams do want him, they will likely get a better deal on him if he does become a free agent. So the Yankees are really in a tough spot there. But if they did just let Sanchez become a free agent....there's another name they could consider.
Here's a new name to watch, James McCann. The 30 year old played last season for the Chicago White Sox and some baseball enthusiasts called him an important part of one of the best catching tandems in baseball. He was an All-Star back in 2019 with a .273 BA, 18 home runs and 60 RBI's.
It's harder to get excited by his 2020 numbers thanks to the shortened season but he finished with a .289BA, 7 home runs and 15 RBI's. He may not be the same slugger than Sanchez is but he still has a good bat and is definitely a defensive upgrade. He allowed two passed balls with a .985 fielding percentage and threw out 33% of runners. He has some defensive concerns also, he ranked third in the AL in 2019 for errors but he showed better numbers this season and could still be an upgrade the Yankees want and would still cost less than Realmuto.
I think the Yankees know that Sanchez is no longer the answer. Maybe McCann isn't the answer but he's worth a look. Honestly I don't hate the idea of McCann and Kyle Higashioka, it certainly looks a lot better on paper than any combination with Sanchez right now.
I'm willing to look at all possibilities right now, and right now I'm willing to bet the Yankees are too. Right now it sounds like Sanchez may not get the birthday gift he's hoping for....I guess we will wait and see what happens.
COVID-19 did a number on many families, small businesses and big box stores. It took people's lives, it took people's livelihoods and it took away a number of activities we all loved to be a part of including baseball. This stark reality makes this year's off-season even more complicated for players and teams alike. All the more reason for us to bring this discussion front and center: Will the Yankees continue to invest in Gary Sanchez?
According to the New York Post, "Dec. 2, which is Sanchez’s 28th birthday, is the deadline for teams to offer pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players a contract for next season. Any player who isn’t tendered, and there are a lot of industry types who believe Sanchez won’t be, is a free agent." With the Yankees in need of more pitching and more DJ LeMahieu why would they even consider investing in a guy who is a liability behind the plate and batted .147 last season? And Sanchez would make more money next year if the Yankees do sign him, and honestly, he just doesn't deserve it.
Source: NJ.com
"With the Mets needing a catcher, and if they fail to sign J.T. Realmuto, would the Yankees have to hold their breath should Sanchez move to Queens as a free agent? That’s likely to happen more so than the Phillies having an interest in Sanchez should Realmuto not return to Philly, even though Sanchez played for Joe Girardi in 2016-17," reported the Post.
So if Sanchez goes, then what? 30-year-old Kyle Higashioka becomes the Yankee number one catcher unless they can sign someone else. I know you laugh, but Yadier Molina has been linked to the Yankees and could be a good gap year veteran to slot into that spot.
The Yankees would be foolish to continue to put their faith in Gary Sanchez. Maybe he can be productive somewhere else. Maybe he needs a new experience, a new city? Maybe he will head to Philadelphia or go play for Derek Jeter in Miami. Either way, he likely will not be in Pinstripes come December and the Yankees will need to regroup to see who can come in and reclaim a position that has been a deficiency for the last couple of years.
It's going to outrage many of you and I mean nothing by it. Read the article, not just the headline. There's a message here I'd like you to read, because you know me... my mind always wonders in the world of trying to make things different on the Internet.
I think that balance in humanity is ultra important. White, Black, Hispanic, Asian and even women. We should all be equal. The constitution says so. It's a huge deal. I didn't write about the amazing news about Kim Ng getting hired by the Marlins right away yesterday because I wanted to let it sink it in and I truly wanted to read what everyone was saying about it. Every publication wrote how qualified she was. How it was a long time coming.
How amazing she is and how she will be and how she will open the door for more women to take high level jobs in baseball. By the way, every single one of those things is true. I am not only happy to see movement and diversity become a huge part of baseball, but I want it to keep going... maybe even one say seeing a female manager in the major leagues. How incredible would that be?
But then I think about the other side.
I will never forget this. I was on a bus headed into Manhattan, I was about 40 years old and the bus was packed. A pregnant woman was standing in the aisle... there were no seats. I asked her "Would you like to sit? I can stand?" She looked at me and her face became angry.
"No... I can stand, don't be ridiculous."
I was taken back. "Don't' be ridiculous" I thought? I was doing what my parents told me to do as a kid... be courteous, be kind, help people, offer help whenever you can, especially IF you can.
Why am I telling you this... well, because I got to thinking. What does Kim Ng think? Would Kim Ng want to be made a big deal of, or would this be what equality is really all about? Yes it's groundbreaking, but is it worth being the headline so hard that it becomes saturated and then ignored? Every article was about Kim yesterday. So much so that I stopped reading. Does that help the cause?
Don't get me wrong. Kim will walk in and do a incredible job. She has the mind for it, but you gotta wonder if she would have wanted that fanfare like yesterday... where so many articles crush the headlines... so it almost becomes overwhelming and nothing matters anymore.
BYB is different. We make you think. I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that this isn't important because it's VERY important. But in our world of equality... let's celebrate, but then let these amazing people do their jobs and watch them shine. These great people want to be like everyone other leader in this world and in baseball...
Justine Seigal. Mary Elizabeth Murphy. Alyssa Nakken. Toni Stone. I could go on and on. Google the name above. There is greatness with every one of these powerful women. And no one knows that better than me. I employ mostly women to write for Bleeding Yankee Blue. I think it's important to have everyone join us here.
But what's my point? We welcome good strong women. We love looking at ways to make corporations better... baseball better and let's face it... men mess everything up. It's another way to do things, a better way to look at the job and as a whole... we make a product better... White, Black, Hispanic, Asian and even women. Because let's face it... in this world we live in now? We need to come together. We need to make a better place, planet and yes... a better MLB.
Kim Ng is a fantastic story... but I would bet she'd want just a congratulations and move on. Why? Because she's got work to do... and you know what? I admire that very much.
Congrats to General Manager Ng. You're gonna do great things!
When I was a kid, we often got knock-off brand stuff when my Pop did the grocery shopping. We'd get Toasted Oaties instead of Cheerios. If we got soda, which rarely happened because, "that stuff rots your teeth, we'd get RC or the A-Treat brand. The biggest gripe I had was the cookie game.
He'd get Hydrox instead of Oreos! Yes, I'm aware that they were the original 1908 cookie...but they were lousy. IT WAS THE WORST!! We'd beg my mom, "Hey! Go to Stop 'n Shop! He's killing us with this stuff!"
Where are you going with this is a fair question right now. Look, Alex Lopez Rodriguez is the Hydrox of the baseball world. I sat and thought about it a lot during the pandemic and his attempt to buy the New York Mets...ya know the Red Vines of the Big Apple? Yeah, those guys.
Since meeting in the 1990's Alex has been in some sad races to keep up with Jeter. He was his "best pal" only to toss him under the bus in a GQ article. Since then he's been doing all he can to be exactly like Jeter. From branding himself, to trying to pose as a fellow Yankee Great, Alex is a tragic tale in my opinion. He had it all and instead of truly being like the Captain and always staying on task, he cheated, lied and then cheated and lied again.
I would have thought it would have ended once the two players hung up their spikes, but not so much. A-Lo is, like his love interest, a Diva. He is all show. A great baseball talent without question and one of the most gifted I ever saw play. No, it's the rest of Alex that makes him unlikable to me... on a Hall of Fame Level.
Derek Jeter wasn't perfect. I know many want to believe that, but Derek had his issues too. He was a wet mop when dealing with the press. He seemed at times bothered by fans looking for a picture or autograph, but Jeet was what he was. There wasn't much more. He was an Alpha Competitor and a worker. He lead by example, respected the game and those he played with and against. Alex seems to hold respect for one person and one person only...Alex Rodriguez. Sure, he lauds Derek with praise and will refer to him as "his Captain"...but he doesn't really mean it.
You can read J-Rod like USA Today. His poker face is barely skin deep....moisturized and bronzed up as it often is. He may have played like a 1st ballot Cooperstown shoe-in...but he isn't.
Jeter is an owner? Well, Alex I guess you need to be one too! It's nuts. Would he be a great owner? I have no clue. Watching how he went about trying to become one made me like him even less than I did before.
I rooted for him when he played in the Bronx, but his public persona has always made me cringe. Alex is "LA" in my opinion. The whole town is a movie set. The people aren't just actors trying to get their big break, they are actors with their "friends". They never break character...so many "knock-offs" of their actual selves. Sure, they look and act like people you know... but it's just the label trying to look like the real thing...it's all package and no product.
So you're asking... Why are you writing this now, O'Hara? Well, because Alex isn't really doing much these days. Yes, he tried and failed to get the Mets. Sure, he is no longer making people say, "Wow, ARod is good on this broadcast." Most see him as the Ryan Seacrest of Sports Announcing.....not funny, not engaging...not needed. Look, the real reason I'm writing this is because the pandemic has made us all take a minute or millions of minutes to reflect on what is real. What is important, and who really matters to us.
People like ARod are truly out there in bunches. You can open your window and toss a rock (PLEASE DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME) and hit 12 people like him. The real deal is harder to find. Keep looking for them...it's worth it. Spend the little extra to get the Oreos. Trust me... you'll know where that extra time and money went.
I like rumors and I am ready to see some action this winter....but this one isn't one that excites me. The Yankees have immediate needs to address with DJ LeMahieu, and they need more pitching so they should be considering Masahiro Tanaka right now too. Instead...they are checking in on a shortstop.
The Yankees are "interested" in Andrelton Simmons, read more HERE. The Yankees should be interested in adding a shortstop so they can move Gleyber Torres out because that's the right move. Torres finished in the bottom two percentile in outs above average, so he's definitely not a great shortstop option. The Yankees infield is better with Torres back at second, but that complicates the infield puzzle even more if the Yankees can bring LeMahieu back....and we need him back.
The Yankees need a shortstop upgrade, and Simmons has a great glove so he is a fit on paper. He's earned Four Gold Gloves in his career, two with the Angels and two with the Braves. Baseball insiders call Simmons the best defensive shortstop in the game, and I don't disagree. Simmons does have 191 career defensive runs saved in nine MLB seasons but I just wish he had a better bat and could stay healthy to go along with it.
I have concerns with Simmons. He doesn't offer much offensively, and we already have enough lagging bats like Gary Sanchez. This season he started in 30 games, had a .297BA in 127 plate appearances. The average sounds nice but the sample size is small. His career average is .269 BA and he has a tendency to be a rally killer. Since 2017 he's been one of the worst players at hitting into double plays. The Yankees have had their fair share of offensive woes in the past. I'm not sure adding a good glove in place of offense really makes the most sense.
Another concern, is his injury history. He's had three left ankle sprains over the past two seasons and the Angels didn't even extend him a qualifying offer. The Angels are ready to move on from Simmons, and are rumored to be interested in Didi Gregorius, but who isn't interested in Didi at this point?
I'm not really sold on Simmons. Good defense is always a nice draw, but I'd rather try and re-sign LeMahieu, keep Torres at shortstop for another year and revisit shortstop in 2021 because the class of available shortstop free agents is extremely exciting.
But maybe I am being too harsh. Should the Yankees take a chance on Simmons? If you think so, tell me why because right now I'm just not feeling it.
So today is the day. The day that the Yankees qualifying offer to superstar DJ LeMahieu expires- he either accepts or enters a high-bidding free agency market. Oh and on Thursday, he finds out if he is the league's MVP, so if he truly wants to test the waters of free agency, he could see what Thursday brings. And then there is Friday the 13th, which speaks for itself. Could DJ LeMahieu be stolen in the next few days by another team who is willing to pay a big price tag for him? God, I hope not. But as fans, we need to brace for impact.
Six teams outside of the Yankees are vying for an opportunity to land LeMahieu: Toronto, Tampa Bay and the Red Sox on the American League side and Los Angeles, San Francisco and the New York Mets under new ownership all have had their eyes on Yankee infielder.
"Of course, LeMahieu remains an ideal fit for the Yankees, but if his best position remains second base and Torres would probably be better served moving back to second as well, something will have to give. With an uncertain economic landscape ahead due in part to COVID-19’s impact on the sport, LeMahieu may be one of many free agents impacted this offseason," reported the New York Post.
The clock is ticking for the Yankees and their superstar who they rescued from Colorado and who blossomed into this incredibly impactful player in the Bronx. LeMahieu is a pure baseball player, with a focused vision on one thing: winning ball games. Any team that gets a chance to land him is lucky. Let's hope the Yankees are the ones with the good fortune to use their fortune to invest in this guy. He has it all and we can't afford to be without him.
I can't stand Rob Manfred as Baseball Commissioner and I always knew that there was a quiet, handshake deal so the Astros could keep their title and so the world of baseball wouldn't become totally chaotic. And now... that accusation is made and it appears that it could be true... let's see what the courts say. The accusation? It comes from a guy who was part of it and now a guy who is allowed to speak about it and is suing because of it.
"Former Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow filed a civil lawsuit Monday against his old team, alleging that Major League Baseball’s investigation into the sign-stealing scandal that cost him his job was a “negotiated resolution” between the league and Astros owner Jim Crane that ensured Luhnow would be fired and the team would retain its tainted 2017 World Series title."
Now look, Jeff Luhnow is a loser, we all know that. But as I've said since day one... so is Jim Crane who's just hoping to keep his handle on the Astros championship and of course Rob Manfred who's just hoping to keep his phony bologna job.
Trust is this deal is outrageous and proves that we need to have a new investigation into this whole matter. What's worse is if you're Jose Altuve... Carlos Correa... and you know you cheated and got caught and people who were in your front office were taking the heat and got fired like Jeff Luhnow... how are you not more silent in front of the camera? In other words, take your lumps, know you got off easy and shut up! Correa is the worst at that. He's pompous and just a total a-hole.
Loyalty is big in life. I think it's a major sticking point for myself. Jeff Luhnow was doing what he was told and I get that. That's the loyalty part. But when something is said or done that is FALSE OR MORALLY WRONG... he really needed to stand up and have a little character and say "no, let's do this the right way."
I equate it to this whole election BS right now. I love a good debate... we have it here at BYB all the time, but stay loyal to the ones you know, even when they disagree. Disagreement is healthy, it's the nastiness that can sometimes follow that isn't. If you're loyal... if you can take a deep breath, that conversation can be had... and you still walk away unscathed.
Like in the case of Jeff Luhnow. He was loyal. He shouldn't have been shown the door. He also knew something was going on and said nothing. I should take that back... maybe he did try and say something. Maybe, just maybe it was ignored. And maybe, just maybe Jim Crane knew Luhnow could be a problem and he was the guy who was axed so that deal would go through smoothly. Either way... loyalty sucks when only 1 in that discussion forgets what's important... character... integrity.
I have had friends for years. I have had colleague-friends for longer. Why? Because a solid foundation and honesty make for a productive and honest and fair collaboration. That's the bottom line with me, with humanity and dammit I am sure that's what should have happened with Luhnow and Crane. But in the end, nothing was said by Luhnow most likely and loyalty from Crane went out the door and he axed Jeffrey knowing he could make a deal.
Luhnow is a creep. He didn't do the right thing. But this entire Astros organization needs to be gutted starting at the top. Jim Crane is a loser. Strip the 2017 Astros title. Fire Manfred... make changes to have checks and balances in Major League Baseball. This is disgusting.
And stand up for what's right... not your opinion... YOUR MORALS AND LOYALTY! There are plenty of people in this country that have strong opinions about a lot of stuff. The presidency... votes... even whether or not to cheat in the game of baseball... with steroids... with high tech equipment like the Astros did.
Here's an idea... explain why it's good... or bad... but have facts. And the person on the other end that has a different point of view? LISTEN TO THEM. Sure... if they're saying stuff that's not factual... is a lie, not true, challenge it. But if it's constructive... meet in the middle. Crane's greed got the best of him. He should have NEVER made a deal with Manfred. He's more loyal to him than his own employees. Think about how damaging that is.
For me? The Astros have shown no character and now we know the truth. Good for Luhnow for speaking up. He's still a loser, but now we know that bad behavior get's rewarded. That garbage? It can't stand.
How many times can I I hashtag #FireManfred and #FireCrane. They are both pieces of garbage. Where the hell is Joe Torre in all of this? I really want to know what he has to say.
After an unprecedented shorted season I think it is fair to assume that this winter is going to be filled with a lot of unknowns. One of the biggest unknowns heading into winter is what Luke Voit's future looks like. Is he a Yankee, or is he trade bait?
I think the Yankees will approach this offseason differently then any other in history. The Yankees are going to get creative in order to create an improved team without spending a fortune. To do this the Yankees will have to consider EVERYTHING and that could include moving Luke Voit elsewhere, but I don't think it makes as much sense as some people think it will.
We keep hearing on social media that "Luke Voit's value will never be higher" and that may be true to a certain extent. His value to the Yankees has been extraordinary, maybe not as much to another team. He's been a huge asset to the Yankees since we acquired him in 2018. He's become a clubhouse leader, a powerful bat, and a guy that can come through in the clutch.
I really like Voit. Is he perfect? No, I wish he was better defensively but I don't think his defense is a deal breaker. Even with what he lacks he's done what the Yankees have asked and succeeded with his .279BA, 57 home runs and 147 RBI in 213 games. He's fought through a sports hernia that required surgery last season and on-going plantar fasciitis this season but still hit 22 home runs while still battling an injury. He's a gamer and he's improved so it's no surprise why the trade rumors are circulating.
But if the Yankees decided to explore trade possibilities, would they be able to get they expect? Or maybe that is a better question for us the fans. I like Voit a lot, but as I sit and think about what the Yankees NEED I don't think it makes much sense.
Besides re-signing DJ LeMahieu the Yankees need more starting rotation depth, an upgrade for shortstop and catcher. As much as I love Voit, he's not going to bring us a good top of the rotation starter. He's also not giving us an upgraded shortstop or catcher. The Yankees need roster upgrades, but they also need them at the right cost. Right now Voit is under team control until 2024 and even with a sizeable raise this winter, he will still be affordable.
In the end, I don't think trading Voit gives the Yankees the payroll flexibility or the upgrades fans are looking for....so what's the point? Not only that, who replaces him? No one we currently have that's for sure. I think the cries to trade Voit are for an unrealistic expected return so we might as well keep him.
DJ LeMahieu has proven that he can hit anytime, anywhere, against any pitcher, no matter the stats. So, clearly the Yankees had no second thoughts in issuing a qualifying offer for the superstar infielder. However, word on the street is the LeMahieu may just want to test the waters of free agency and decline the Yankees offer. Okay, you can breathe. Let's take a look at some additional information before we get too upset.
"The ever-steady, unshiftable LeMahieu has proven he can rack up hits anywhere. While his age is a bit of a concern at 32, LeMahieu's track record (including his second career batting title in 2020) suggests that he is likely to decline the Yankees' qualifying offer and test the open market," reported MLB News.
Source: New York Times
As our Bleeding Yankee Blue leader stated in a piece entitled LET'S SHOW SOME LOYALTY & HELP LEMAHIEU FINISH HIS CAREER IN THE BRONX earlier this weekend, "I'm hear to calm everyone. SIX years. I'm telling you...we give him 6 and reexamine it at the end. Why? Well, we will continue to see .300 plus seasons, we will continue to have versatility in the field and we can continue to put him in our lead off spot and know that he's going to get on base so our big boppers can knock him in. That's what you want in a leader, a hitter, a dude with a high OBP. And that's what you do when you're loyal... you flaunt that and subliminally say to the rest of the league, "This is our guy, he gets it done." I have to agree completely, but maybe LeMahieu wants something more as he heads into the latter part of his career.
"MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wonders if the AL MVP Award finalist might return to where he put himself on the map: Colorado. The Rockies could certainly use LeMahieu's bat in the lineup, not to mention his presence in a familiar clubhouse. And the Yankees could be looking to slash payroll after significant financial losses in 2020,"MLB News.
Source: Yahoo Sports
I say absolutely not. Why would he want to go back there? He has had more success outside the state of Colorado, which may have hindered his ability to hit with the thick atmosphere and lack of fan support, at least it is no comparison to the love affair the Bronx has for him and all of the Bombers. And he turned down other opportunities to play for Yankees when he was originally signed as a part-time utility player back in 2019.
"LeMahieu could have chose one of the other teams interested in offering him their second base role, but the Yankee interest was very mutual. LeMahieu was given a portfolio of teams by Wolfe, but he made sure to let the agency know the Yankees were the first team on his list," reported SNY back in April 2019.
Source: NJ.com
Will the Yankees have to open bigger pockets? Likely. Will they have to forgo another hot shot pitcher on the free agency list in order to keep LeMahieu. Likely. I believe that Brian Cashman has no intention in letting his MVP infielder go somewhere else. And perhaps the pitching and catching prospects will improve with the new affiliates the Yankees just picked up. Or the Yankees will find another diamond in the rough like they did LeMahieu to pitch and catch for us. Either way, LeMahieu stays a Yankee in 2021 and we will know for how much sometime later this week when the qualifying offer expires on November 11th.
The Somerset Patriots will be the team's new Double-A affiliate and the Hudson Valley Renegades will be the new Single-A affiliate, according to the report.
A spokesperson from the Somerset Patriots said there is nothing further to report at this time.
The Yankees' current Double-A affiliate is the Trenton Thunder and the current Single-A affiliate is the Charleston RiverDogs. The Yankees will no longer be affiliated with either of those teams or the Short-Season-A Staten Island Yankees, according to the report.
The Yankees are expected to remain affiliated with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders because they part-own the team."
That's a pretty big blow to the cities where they've called home for a while. I mean, not to date myself, but I'm still upset they left Oneonta!
Ha. No... I'm serious and that was a long time ago.
Look, everything happens for a reason. It could be a contract or that the Yankees just wanted to change it up again and eventually that will come out, but for now, I have to say this is a major development!
Just sharing... it's Saturday. It's beautiful in the Northeast. I'm going out and enjoying my day. You should too!
