THE SANCHEZ-McCANN PARTNERSHIP

Look, if you've read BYB since the beginning, you know that we believe that a solid team made up of youngsters sprinkled with veterans or vice versa can make a team turn into a pretty huge success.  Once we removed the log jam of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira  this year, and traded off Aroldis Chapman. Carlos Beltran and Andrew Miller, things started to happen.  The youth came up and performed with some of our left over veterans... and you know what? We almost made it.

Great piece today on YESNetwork.com about the partnership that has formed between Brian McCann and now stud Gary Sanchez. You gotta read the whole thing, but here's a sample...

"Yankees GM and Senior VP Brian Cashman addressed the Bombers' bevy of talented backstops in a press conference last Wednesday, and discussed how having a surplus of talent behind the plate puts them in a uniquely strong position.

'Catching in this game is very thin, looking for a catcher is not a good spot to be in, so we're lucky to have two, and we have some young guys who can help us too,' Cashman said.

With both Sanchez and McCann in the fold, the Yankees have a pair of power-hitting catchers who have shown superior defense and impressive composure calling games - especially from the rookie Sanchez. With Sanchez's emergence, some wondered whether or not McCann might still have a role on the team a year from now, but it appears that Cashman is in no hurry to part ways with the seven-time All-Star.

'There is a role for Mac. We have a right-handed power hitting catcher in Gary and a left-handed power hitting catcher in Mac, and that's a valuable combo to have,' said Cashman. 'Both are excellent defenders and strong leaders for our pitching staff.'"

Nice work AJ Herrmann.

The reality is, McCann sees that he's no longer that big time catcher, sure he still has some pop, but Sanchez is the flavor of the year.  The Yankees love him, and have been grooming him for what seems like forever. The timing was right this year and McCann was used less... but don't get it twisted. The Yankees don't really have much of an intention on trading him off, because McCann is a genius behind the plate and what it will mean is that he and Sanchez will be able to mold and perfect the way our pitching staff performs moving forward.  McCann's got the experience. Sanchez has the spryness... and so the combo works!

Anyway, I really do hope the Yankees keep McCann. It's not over for him like many suggest. In fact, he would almost be more valuable with less pressure on him and instead using his mind to help move forward our pitching staff in this upcoming 2017 season!

BYB PLAYOFF UPDATES & GOODFELLAS

So much baseball today and I had no time to watch anything really except for the end of the Cubs vs. Giants game.  I mean in the end, when everything is said and done, I want the Cubs to be in the World Series this year. BUT... I like the Giants, so this is gonna be tough for me emotionally.

Anyway.  Here are a few things to point out about today...

My kid wants to see the Rangers advance, but today against the Blue Jays, they lost.  That means they are 0-2 in the ALDS. I mean Yu Darvish gave up 4 home runs today.  That is NOT a good situation.  In the end, the Jays won and now the Rangers have to dig out of a hole.

Final: Blue Jays 5 - Ranger 3

The Indians killed the Red Sox, and now they are up 2-0 in this series. As you know, I'm a Yankee fan and not a Sox fan.  Now, I feel for friends like Section 36, but the reality is, the rivalry will forever be in my heart and I cannot watch the Red Sox win. And so, I root for Terry Francona.

 Final: Indians 6 - Red Sox 0

In the NLDS, the Dodgers won Game 1 against the Nationals. Kershaw beat Scherzer, and to be honest, I can get on board with that.  I no longer really root for the Dodgers with Mattingly no longer there, and so, I just wanna see how this series plays out. No biggie.

Final: Dodgers 4 - Nationals 3

The Cubs against the Giants.  I like the Giants this season and I want to see them get through the entire thing winning it all. But to be honest, to see the Cubs in the World Series would be cool for the history of the game.  Here's my problem with the Cubs... I do not like Joe Maddon and his arrogance.  Yes, he's good... but is he that good?  I don't think so.

Bruce Bochy is the man, and I love Posey, Pence and Samardzija, and the franchise itself kicks ass. and so, I want them in and even though they lost tonight... I have faith in the Giants.

The Cubs one 1-0 tonight on a home run from Javier Baez.  Great game.  In the end, it was funny to see Ken Rosenthal ask Baez about getting a curtain call, and it was obvious the language barrier hurt Baez with his answer... "You know... just dealing with it. You can't do anything else."

Yikes...

Final: Cubs 1 - Giants 0

 
And finally... watching the post game with Alex Rodriguez, Pete Rose and Frank Thomas, as much as I love seeing those guys there... it was clear to me that Thomas felt like he was sitting with a bunch of randoms.

I had to tweet this... because it was the first thing I thought of:

Frank Thomas is like "ARod is this way, Pete Rose is this way... and this guy's like 'What do you want from me?'" #Goodfellas #FoxSports pic.twitter.com/Ah1VL9fuKc

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) October 8, 2016

The painting in Goodfellas:


Now don't get me wrong, I love Pete Rose and I appreciate ARod very much... it just felt awkward to me, even though it probably wasn't.

Anyway... more baseball this weekend. #BYB will do our best to bring you as much coverage and interesting stuff as we can.

Stay with us every day!

ROTHSCHILD RE-SIGNED

We just wrote LARRY ROTHSCHILD: RE-SIGN OR NOT TO RE-SIGN? the other day... and just like that, Larry Rothschild was re-signed. That's because Brian Cashman likes us... and reads BYB.

NorthJersey.com writes: "The Yankees said Friday that Rothschild has a one-year contract for 2017. On Wednesday, general manager Brian Cashman said working out a deal with Rothschild was on his to-do list."

So Larry's back. I wonder what new starting pitchers we'll be getting this off-season. We will see.

That is all.

HOMER HAPPY!

Indians edge the Red Sox last night, proving to everyone that they are for real.  Many were under the impression that with Rick Porcello on the mound, the Sox would easily take game one. That wasn't the case...

Hardball Talk writes:

"The Indians hit three home runs off of Rick Porcello in the third inning and held on to edge the Red Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS... The Red Sox retook the lead in the third on an Andrew Benintendi solo homer off of Bauer. 

But then the Indians’ offense would explode. In the bottom half of the third, Roberto Perez led off with a solo homer. After Carlos Santana grounded out, Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor hit back-to-back solo homers of their own, pushing the lead to 5-2."

The Sox came within 1, but Cleveland held them. Andrew Miller did great work in the 5th, 6th and 7th innings, reminding everyone in the Bronx that he is missed...

I love @Indians @a_miller48 @BleednYankeeBlu

— Suzanne (@suzieprof) October 7, 2016

Miller is a team player, a tough, tough competitor and we truly do miss him in the Bronx.

In the end, the Indians held the Sox... and win game 1.

Final: Indians 5 - Red Sox 4

OBNOXIOUS JOEY BATS!

You gotta love a rivalry!

Jose Bautista is a tough competitor, but when tensions went white, hot last season in the post season and the bat flip was seen around the world... many thought his was showboating.

When the brawl broke out and he and Rougned Odor had their scuffle, it was Odor that deposited his fist on Bautista's face as if to say... "You done did it, man!"

Now, yesterday, in their rematch of the postseason, the Rangers and Blue Jays faced off, and to be honest, it was a lousy day for the Rangers as they got demolished 10-1. 

The Jays dominated, but there is one moment that is not being written about too much and it's subtle, yet worth reporting...

When Bautista homered yesterday... he laid his bat down.  Clearly a contrast to his flip the year before and a shot across the bow of the Texas Rangers.  CBS Sports writes:

"Bautista's treatment of his bat this time around may be characterized as 'aggressively non-aggressive.'"

And Sportsnet guy Ben Nicolson-Smith later tweeted this...

Jose Bautista: "We're baseball players not UFC fighters and we come here to play ballgames" #BlueJays

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) October 7, 2016

Your move Odor...your move.

Final: Blue Jays 10 - Rangers 1

WELL, THAT WAS FAST ERIC YOUNG JR...

Eric Young Jr was a Yankee for a moment, and now he's not.  He's elected free agency.

YESNetwork.com has the story...

"The Yankees have announced that speedy outfielder Eric Young Jr. elected to pursue free agency over accepting an outright assignment from the team, per Yankees PR.

The 31-year-old veteran got just one plate appearance for the Yankees this season, but made six appearances as a pinch-runner and defensive substitution.

He scored two runs, swiped one base and patrolled center field in his short stint with New York, after joining the team on August 31 from Milwaukee."

And even with only those contributions, Young was a New York Yankee doing whatever they needed.  Now however, he'll look for a more permanent gig... who can blame him?

Carry on

SYNDERGAARD TAKES IT LIKE A MAN!

I like Noah Syndergaard.  I like that he's a tough guy, works his tail off and most of all, respects this game.  Baseball is an incredible journey.  I mean, if you are lucky enough and talented enough to make it to the major leagues, that's awesome.  If you can stay there, you really got something.  If you can perform and be a great player and follow your childhood dream... Well... that's something special.

Noah Syndergaard lost to the San Francisco Giants last night.  Syndy pitched a gem, and the Mets couldn't hold the Giants and Conor "Bleeping" Gillaspie.  That's life.

I just wanted to share Syndergaard's tweet after last night's game.  It's classic.  It's well written and I would LOVE to bring him over and write some commentary some time on Bleeding Yankee Blue.  He's got the right mindset and focus, even after a devastating loss like last night...

Baseball has a way of ripping your ❤️ out, stabbing it, putting it back in your chest, then healing itself just in time for Spring Training.

— Noah Syndergaard (@Noahsyndergaard) October 6, 2016

You're the man Thor.  

I tip my cap. Sorry about the loss, but baseball goes on and next year, you guys will be hungrier.

Could be worse... you could be the Yanks... they're playing golf.

LARRY ROTHSCHILD: RESIGN OR NOT TO RESIGN?

Hooray! Larry Rothschild may be back?! I don't know if I should be celebrating yet and maybe you are feeling the same as me. I guess I just don't feel very confident in our coaching staff right now. We are a young, rebuilding team. What we have been doing hasn't worked for awhile now so the idea of change is understandable. I am just not so sure of the alternatives.

So Cashman held his annual "State of the Yankees" address, and there was no earth shattering news. The Yankees aren't going to spend a bunch of money this off season. The offense sucked (here is looking at you Alan Cockrell) leading to more of my feelings with HOT & COLD from last week. Last but not least, pitching is going to be the main focus this off season. All Yankee coaches are under contract except Larry Rothschild.

We have heard a lot of comments when it comes to Rothschild here on BYB. Sure, he has the knowledge and the Yankees were lucky enough to steal him from the Cubs.....but should he come back? I don't know. The Yankees seem to be more interested in "power" pitching then command and refining skill sets and if that is the case, what's the fascination with Rothschild?

If the Yankees can go back to commanding pitches and focus on making quality pitches then I think there is a case to be made to keep Rothschild. The problem here is we are not seeing a whole lot of success stories for this. Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman really made Rothschild look good right before they were traded away.

 If you want to be critical, a case like Luis Severino shows what went wrong and why Rothschild shouldn't keep his job. Severino was a dominant front of the order pitcher in 2015 and this season nothing seemed to go right for him. He ended up losing his starting role and was sent back down to the minors only to be called up late in the season in a relief pitcher role. Severino was never supposed to be a relief pitcher and I don't think he should be. It's too early to make that decision but he needs better mentoring from a pitching coach but is Rothschild still up for the job?

The Yankees have missed the post season in three of the last four seasons and have made consecutive changes to their hitting coach so could the Yankees finally change their pitching coach too? Based on all of the rumors it seems unlikely. Multiple sources including MLB Trade Rumors are reporting that the Yankees and Rothschild are trying to work out a deal to return HERE.

The Yankees definitely need to get a pitching coach signed pretty quickly and while I am not 100% sold on Rothschild, I really can't think of any other coaches out there that may be ready to take on the job and better develop our young talent. The Yankees are in a tough rebuilding mode. Rothschild already has the reputation and knows the existing pitchers on hand. If he can get the pitching staff to focus on mechanics and quality he may be the best answer.....but again like last week I am on the fence.

What do you think? Who should the Yankees go after if they don't resign Rothschild? Man I am glad I only have to write about this stuff instead of making these decisions.

 --Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer & Editor
  Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

CONOR "BLEEPING" GILLASPIE!

It was an unbelievable blast and it was all the Giants would need after a truly stellar pitching performance by Madison Bumgarner.

Don't get me wrong, the Mets were no slouches last night and it was pretty evident that they could probably win it in their park, with their fans and with an incredible catch from Curtis Granderson an inning earlier.  But in the end, all that didn't matter.

Last night in the top of the 9th, Conor "bleeping" Gillaspie homered, and that gave the Giants and opportunity to send out MadBum again, to shut down the Mets and get the win, and not only that, advance in the playoffs...

 Conor "bleeping' Gillaspie, a career .262 hitter... won it for San Fran. That's baseball... you never know what will happen, Suzyn.

How do you like that?

Final: Giants  3 - Mets 0

BIRDS BATTLE FOR WILD CARD VICTORY

The Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles battled for the Wild Card spot in the American League Division Series against the Texas Rangers.  It was a one and done game and stakes were very high for both teams.  I glanced at the game and saw an early lead by the Blue Jays, who could have been the Division champions had they not choked toward the end of August into September.  Quite frankly, I was rooting for the team who I thought had the best chance of beating the Red Sox.  Unfortunately, that team did not advance to the ALDS.

As reported by USA Today in the overnight, "Edwin Encarnacion’s walk-off three-run home run off Ubaldo Jimenez sent a boisterous – and at one point, bad-behaving crowd - into a frenzy and the Blue Jays on to Texas for an ALDS rematch with the Rangers. Game 1 of the ALDS is Thursday in Arlington." The bad behavior the article eludes to is a fan's launch of a full can of beer at Orioles left fielder Hyun Soo Kim narrowly missing him while he fielded a fly ball in the eighth inning. Manager Buck Showalter stepped out of the dugout to check on his players, including Adam Jones who was clearly shaken up by the incident.

The biggest controversy in the game centered around Showalter's decision to sit out closer Zach Britton. Fox Sports headline simply read, "What was Buck Showalter thinking?"  I often uttered the similar words after losses like this one by our Bronx Bombers.  

"Britton, whose Win Probability Added this season was the highest for an American League pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 1999, was healthy and could have easily been ready in the highest-leverage moment of the game. But Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't want him," reported Fox Sports. Britton finished the season with 47 saves .054 ERA; good enough to be considered for Cy Young Award.

Well, as I always say, Too Bad So Sad! The Orioles go home for a long winter's nap and the Blue Jays head to Texas. Next up, Wild Card #2, Mets vs. Giants. May the best team win from San Fransisco. 

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof

McCANN WANTS TO STAY IN THE BRONX...

 but do the Yankees want him back?

Brian McCann is a good player defensively and he's still got pop in his bat, but to be honest, he hasn't been as big as I expected him to be.  Maybe it's Brian Cashman's fault for over-hyping the guy. Who the hell knows.  I do know this, he's been consistent.

From Atlanta to here, his homers and average have been right around the same mark, between 20 and 26 home runs, his average between about .232 to the .250's. Maybe that's a good thing.  Maybe that's what we should just expect from the guy.

Whatever the case, since Gary Sanchez showed up, there is no need for Brian McCann.  Now, if he's willing to take a back seat to our new Golden Boy, then bring it, I mean, we're paying for him anyway, right?

Anyway, Hardball Talk writes: "There were rumors around the August 1 trade deadline about a possible return to the Braves, but McCann hopes to return for the fourth season of his five-year, $85 million deal. "I hope I’m back," said McCann. "I’m not sure how it’s all going to play out, but the future is extremely bright here. … I love it here. I love everything about it. Bright future. And I hope I’m a part of it." McCann has a full no-trade clause, so he can control his own destiny..."

I love McCann's attitude, a really great team player with the willingness to do whatever the Yankees need, and for that reason alone, I'd keep him around as our backup catcher. (Plus we have Austin Romine too.)  Like McCann says... we will just have to see how it all plays out!

Stay tuned...